I was awake before the sun, feeling restless and eager to depart on the first leg of our quest. Going outside, I could tell we had a couple hours yet until dawn. I knew the others would not rise until the last possible moment, so I decided to take the time to do a bit of scouting. The mornings journey promised to be relatively safe as we would be traversing through the shire, but it didn't hurt to take precautions. I had not forgotten Thorin taking a few of us aside and warning us about the men hunting him. It was altogether possible we would encounter them again on the road.
Shifting my form to that of a bird, I drifted along as inconspicuously as possible, flying steadily east. A half hours flight brought me in sight of a forest to the south, and I kept above it, scanning the path. Not far past that was a series of small hills, and I was unsettled to see a camp hidden among them. I fluttered closer, sticking to the tree line to avoid being shot at. I was able to get just within hearing range of the large group of dirty men surrounding a dying fire. Listening intently, I caught enough of their speech to confirm my fears. They talked of dwarves, and a master that remained unnamed throughout their conversation. Memorizing their position, I headed swiftly back to the house of Bilbo.
"We may have a problem," I called to the others as I walked in the door.
"Oh, there you are. Where did you go?" All eyes were on me, awaiting my answer.
"I woke early and scouted our path ahead."
Bilbo looked confusedly at me. "Why would you do that? The Shire is perfectly safe."
"I have no doubt of that master hobbit. The hills beyond however are not."
Gandalf took this moment to inject himself in the conversation. "What did you find?" I measured the concern on his face, and finding it genuine, knew that he at least was taking me seriously. The others were a different story, slightly amused that I thought to look for danger so close to such an idyllic place. I was quick to dispel their doubt.
"There are men, just past the forest. A large camp waiting no doubt in ambush. I listened to their talk long enough to tell they are looking for us. How they knew to look now I do not know, but they answer to someone referred to only as the master. There are too many of them for me to feel comfortable trying to fight them head on. I think we should find another path."
Everyone looked thoughtful, Bilbo humming to himself for a moment before speaking up hesitantly. "We could cut through the forest, it's safe enough." Gandalf looked worried at this statement, apparently prepared to disagree, but I knew we didn't have much choice.
"An excellent idea Bilbo," I smiled. "I think we should trust to your expertise in this matter, seeing as how you have lived at its borders all your life." The dwarves hummed in agreement, Gandalf nodding reluctantly at the absence of another option. We set out at once, collecting ponies at a nearby stables for the dwarves and Bilbo to ride. Gandalf had his horse and I chose to ride Luna. Thorin led the way, with Gandalf guiding him to the right path. The others spread out in a line after them, cutting through the grass at a steady pace.
We reached the border of the forest within an hour, going slower than I had the first time. I relaxed a bit knowing we would easily be able to slip past the men through the thick underbrush. There appeared to be a clearly defined trail leading into the trees, and we began following it eagerly. The light dimmed considerably under the foliage, giving the surroundings a decidedly gloomy atmosphere. Letting Luna follow after without my guidance, I leaned back a little and turned my thoughts to the trees, getting a feel for their reaction to our presence. I had first noticed a feeling of being watched as we passed over the borders, and I felt sure the forest was more aware than that of Ered Luin. It was not an uncommon feeling, such a thing was often encountered near my home, where ents kept the trees awake and talking.
What I had not expected was the feeling of dislike that appeared to be directed towards the dwarves. I felt a little uncomfortable that they were so unwanted here, and resolved to keep a sharp lookout. Bilbo was the first to notice my frown as he pulled up to walk beside me.
"What's the matter?" His concern was touching, and I answered him thoughtfully, wanting to give him the truth but trying not to frighten him.
"The trees are unhappy." My words immediately caught the attention of the rest of the group, the dwarves eliciting scoffs of disbelief.
"Trees don't feel lass," Gloin rumbled, the others voicing their agreement. Gandalf appeared to be the only one who understood, and I thought he also sensed the wrongness around us.
"You'd be surprised, master Gloin," I replied seriously. "They do not want us here. I can feel it as clearly as if they whispered it in my ear. Although, they do not appear to have a problem with Bilbo, and I believe they tolerate Gandalf and I readily enough. I worry for the rest of you." The company began to shift uneasily in their saddles at my proclamation.
"Why do you think they dislike us?" Thorin asked cautiously.
"Trees have long memories," Gandalf injected. "Many years ago I believe this forest was much larger until it was logged by dwarves. They will not have forgotten, nor will they have forgiven. You would do well to offer no insult while here, in concern for the safety of this company."
"Why do you only mention this now Gandalf?" Thorin growled in annoyance.
"I thought it unnecessary. I confess that with men on the path, I did not have a better plan than this, and it is entirely possible that we will be just fine if we are careful." Some of the others still looked a little incredulous with this latest information, but with luck they would heed our words and stay on their best behavior.
Our journey under the trees continued through the rest of the afternoon, the forest offering no protest other than an odd rustling of branches that could not be attributed to wind. I sent out a stream of pleasant thoughts, unsure if it had any effect on them when they did not react. Shrugging, I called to a few of my companions, Seraph among them. Their presence was soothing, giving sounds of life to the otherwise oppressive silence. I was happy when it brought smiles to the faces of the others, Gandalf shooting me a curious look but offering no comment. I resolved to speak to him soon and attempt to resolve our differences, as well as figure out his mind.
The afternoon was drawing to a close when an unexpected feeling brought a smile to my face. The area around us was no different visibly, but something had changed, some shift to the wind. It brought with it a sense of delightful power, of goodness, and I found myself drawn forwards, pleased that the path appeared to be leading in the direction of the pull. I did not realize I had quickened my pace until Thorin called out to me.
"Alanta, slow down." He took in the look of pleased wonder on my face as I turned to him, stopping my forward motion.
"Do you feel it?" I cried happily, ignoring his annoyance in my bliss.
"What?" he asked confused. The others, save for Gandalf, eyed me in worry that I would have anything to be cheery about in our present situation. The wizard himself shot me a knowing look.
"You sense the master of the forest," he stated calmly.
"Who is he? He is so happy..." I trailed off, waiting with the others for his explanation. Bilbo appeared to have come on some understanding of the situation as well, eyes widening in surprise.
"He's real? I thought it was just fairy stories, the man living in the forest and talking with the trees. No one has ever seen him. They call him oldest, he who has lived through all the ages unchanged, wisest of all." The little hobbit seemed delighted to find himself in the middle of one of his books, turning to Gandalf for confirmation.
"Yes Bilbo, he is real. His name is Tom Bombadil, and here he lives with his wife Goldberry, daughter of the river. They have been here as long as I can remember, and it is because of them that I did not protest our entering the forest, as I expect they are here still to protect those that enter its borders." A small smile crossed the wizard's face as he spoke, his voice fond with memory of the guardian and his wife.
"Tom Bombadil, that's an odd name and no mistake," I chuckled.
"Indeed," Gandalf replied, eyes twinkling in merriment. "It belongs to an odd fellow. He has ever been full of joy as long as I have known him, dressed all in bright colors and keeping the anger of the forest in check with his power for good."
"I should like to meet him," I mused, wondering if it would be possible.
"Perhaps we will," Gandalf muttered thoughtfully, motioning us to continue on. "Perhaps we will..."
When we stopped for the night we had reached the center of the forest. Dismounting, all of us scattered to perform our separate chores. Ponies were tethered, bedrolls set out, food started, water gathered. It was only when the party sent to gather firewood came back unsuccessful that I felt a tingle of unease.
"What do you mean there's no firewood, we're in a bloody forest!" Thorin exclaimed peevishly as he glared at his nephews who had been set with the task. I glanced around as he berated them, taking in the forest floor, completely bare of even the smallest twigs. "What?" he growled as I nudged him, his temper flaring.
I raised my brows in irritation, causing him to settle somewhat as he brought himself under control. "They're right," I said softly. "Look. It would seem the trees clean up after themselves here." Scanning the ground, Thorin was forced to concede with a huff of annoyance that we were right. He looked torn as he tried to decide what to do, obviously recalling my earlier warning about the trees displeasure. Unfortunately he seemed to be the only one to remember.
"Plenty of other wood to be had," Gloin called out, lifting his axe and striding towards the nearest tree.
"Gloin, no!" I screamed in panic, feeling the rising anger from the forest as a threat was presented to them. Too late, I lunged for the weapon, hands closing on the hilt as it became embedded with a dull thunk in the side of the tree. It visibly shuddered, the movement spreading out beyond the clearing in a wave as the others felt its pain. I let go with a cry, falling to the ground as the agony ripped through me, my connection to the forest giving me a unique perspective on what was happening.
"Alanta!" The group surged around me in concern, and I hurried to assure them that I was unhurt, the pain only mental. I was soon distracted, my gaze becoming unfocused as I listened to the growing tension around us. I jumped up abruptly, the thin whine of discomfort rising to a thudding roar of fear as I sensed the rising hostility.
"We have to leave, now!" Not bothering to question me for once, the others hastened to obey, throwing supplies back onto the ponies and preparing to mount up. We untethered the mounts and raced along the trail, not stopping until I felt the anger fall behind us. The path had twisted and turned, and I was convinced at times that it had changed ahead of us, leading us where it wanted us to go. Giving it no thought in the face of my exhaustion, I reluctantly agreed with Gandalf's statement that we would camp in this new clearing for the night. It went unsaid that we would have no fire, instead relying on a cold meal before grouping up to sleep at the base of a large willow. I went to sleep with a heavy heart, the echo of pain drifting through my tired mind.
Gandalf woke me some time during the night for my watch, and I dragged myself to my feet with a grimace of pain brought on by bad sleep. Resettling myself at the edge of the group, I turned to Gandalf to finally have a quick chat only to find him already asleep. I snorted at his expert ability to get out of a private conversation.
"You can't avoid this talk forever wizard," I grumbled quietly to myself, turning away to stare into the dark and missing the tiny twitch of amusement in his lips.
I tried in vain to focus on my task, blinking rapidly every time my eyes threatened to close against my will. Branches creaked overhead, sounding as if there were wind stirring them from above. It managed to cover the sounds closer to me, so that I did not notice the great tree behind me coming to life. It was not until I felt something silently twine around my wrist that I leaped to my feet with a yell of surprise, sleep instantly forgotten. I had ripped my hand out of the grasp of a thin tree root, and turned with growing horror to see many of my companions completely ensnared in the trees grasp. They were being buried alive, their screams of terror filling the air when my yells awoke them.
I was the only one still free, though Gandalf and Bilbo had been spared the worst of the attack and managed to break away as I had. Bilbo scurried over to me, looking for my protection, alarm filling his eyes.
"Do something!" I yelled to Gandalf urgently as I searched my brain for anything to do that would not anger them more.
He shook his head in slight fear, regret apparent in his face. "I have not the power over trees. That gift belongs to my fellow wizard Radagast, and he is far away from here." He fell silent, looking troubled, and I ignored him in favor of finding a solution.
"Power over trees..." I muttered, half to myself. "That's it!" I screeched triumphantly, causing Bilbo to jump in fright and Gandalf to give me a concerned look. "Power over trees, I have it. Well, sort of," I amended. "I've never used it this way, but now seems the best time to try." Tuning out their questions, I focused intently on the roots, feeling their anger and resistance. They slowed, their owner considering me as it felt my intrusion. On sensing my intent they sped up again, determined not to relinquish their prisoners. I fought back, using all my mental power to stop them and release their hold. Their grip on the dwarves weakened, and I fought harder, chanting in my native language to aid in my struggle.
I could feel my power weakening even as the roots retreated. Gandalf aided in such a way as he could, pulling those that were freed enough away from the tree to lie groaning on the ground. I felt black spots dance before my eyes and pushed against the tree angrily, surprised when its will suddenly crumbled, practically spitting my companions over the forest floor. The last thing I heard before collapsing was the sound of merry singing, my confused mind struggling to figure out how it fit with where we were.
Thorin stared at the strange little man in amazement. Clothed in shockingly bright clothing and sporting a jovial smile, he was bent over Alanta, at the same time reassuring the rest of them that she would be alright. Every few moments he would burst out in song, all of it nonsense. Somehow it managed to calm the company, and they relaxed in his presence.
"You may join me at my home, meet my Goldberry. Come, relax, have food and bath and bed. All will be well in the house of Tom Bombadil." Skipping along, he continued singing as he began to lead them to his home. Thorin scooped up the unconscious elf, glad that she was quite light, even if her height made her a slightly awkward bundle. He was brought to silence at the sight of the trees actually moving out of the way of their rescuer. Despite the little man's words, he continued to worry for the health of his friend, noting the dark circles under her closed eyes and the small frown of pain. He was startled when she inhaled slightly and buried her face into his chest, her sigh of content smoothing her face out. It brought a strange feeling to his stomach, one that he had never experienced before. He cradled her closer, shielding her protectively from branches that whipped past as they walked on.
It was not long before they broke through the trees to see a light glowing from the small building on the top of the nearest hill. It shone invitingly through the darkness, chasing away bad thoughts. Thorin half listened as his nephews chattered animatedly with Tom, asking a multitude of questions, all of which their host cheerfully answered. His patience was astounding, his smile never once wavering as he led them inside and straight to a series of rooms where they could wash up and rest. When Thorin was once again reassured that Alanta was fine, he took her into his room, placing her gently on the bed and sitting nearby to watch over her.
I slowly opened my eyes to soft morning light and the feeling of a body at my back. Turning slightly, I found Thorin sleeping behind me in the large bed we had somehow found ourselves in. I could not remember much of the night before other than a soft, cheery singing, and deduced that we must have been found by the happy presence I had sensed earlier in the day. Knowing that Thorin would not have slept unless the company was safe I relaxed, laying my head back down with a sigh. I felt refreshed, the peace of this place entering my dreams and allowing me a comfortable nights sleep. I blushed to think that a part of that comfort could be attributed to the dwarf pressed against my back in slumber.
Sitting up, I nudged him gently, withdrawing my hand when he jerked awake with a start. Focusing bleary eyes on me, he smiled in relief.
"You're awake," he breathed. He looked ready to berate me for my abuse of power, but I bounced to my feet with an infectious grin before offering him my hand.
"No worse for wear," I laughed, giving him a look that told him I knew what he would say and while I was sorry, at the same time I really wasn't sorry at all. He grunted, shaking his head with a smile at my infuriating attitude towards safety.
"Never mind then. We're all fine and Master Tom has given us leave to stay until we are ready to continue on." Heading for the door, he turned back as he twisted the knob. "I think that should be as soon as possible, if you are indeed fine. We need to keep ahead of our hunters."
I followed him through the doorway and down the hall. "I agree. We should still have a head start considering they don't know where we are." Entering the large dining area, we were greeted with happy smiles, the company gathering around to inquire after my well being. Once I had assured them I was in top form, we settled down to breakfast, and I was able to turn to our host and offer my thanks.
He waved it off with a cheery smile. "Not at all, not at all. Always a pleasure to find one that is blessed by the gods." I was startled by this casual observation.
"How did you know that?"
He just gave me a mysterious wink. "Old Tom knows many things. You have great gifts, daughter of the forest. That is the only way old man willow would have listened to you at all. Your connection to all things growing will be both a blessing and a burden in this world, but it is most important that you use your power for good. If you do, many evil doings may be reversed." I nodded, thinking over his cryptic words.
We left at midday, newly supplied and refreshed from our sleep. Tom left us at the borders of the forest with specific instructions to ride hard until we reached the road to Bree. His last words of warning echoed in my head as we left at a gallop. 'Do not tarry in the hills after nightfall, for foul things lurk in the dark waiting to put unwary travelers to sleep. Get to the path and you will be alright. Safe journey my friends, and may we meet again one day.'
Taking his words to heart, we rode swiftly through the gentle hills, avoiding the odd rocky pillars that jutted out of the ground in the distance. They gave off an eerie feeling of dread, one that Gandalf was quick to assure us would not advance during the day, but was dangerous at night. They seemed hazy, almost wreathed in fog, even under the strong light of the hot sun. I would have said I saw shapes moving in the darkness at their base if I wasn't sure my eyes were playing tricks on me. As it was, we simply rode faster, eager to gain the road and make it to the town.
We were quite close when I began to recognize the terrain and jerked to a stop. Luna sensed my discomfort and stilled, the ponies grouping around her uneasily. They were still a little uncertain around my predatory companion. They shifted and champed, giving little whinnies of distress as they caught the scent of something on the breeze.
"What is it?" Thorin asked, taking in the manner in which they all looked in one direction slightly west of us.
"This is where I saw the men this morning. We've come full circle," I groaned.
Dismounting, Thorin motioned to me. "Let's take a look. The rest of you stay here and be ready to move," he barked quietly. The two of us crept off towards the nearest hill before peering around the base. The same camp was still there, but the men seemed to be mostly gone, only a couple left sitting around impatiently. "That is the threat you had us avoid?" Thorin whispered in irritation.
"No,"I snorted. "There were many more this morning. At least two dozen. They must have gone looking for us already." I looked away to the east, where the town of Bree was now visible on the horizon. "Perhaps they made for the village to look," I mused. "After all, didn't you say that is where you saw them last?" He nodded, frowning as we retreated to tell our news to the rest of the company.
"But what should we do then?" the cautious Dori asked, when presented with the situation. A small argument broke out as every member tried to give their opinion on whether to stop in Bree or pass through, though thankfully they kept to low voices. I met Gandalf's eyes, smirking at his look of annoyance in the face of this delay.
"We could mislead them," he spoke over the noise of the others. All turned to him to hear his plan, Thorin looking grateful that someone had managed to get the others to shut up. "Let us go to the village. When we are there we will put it about that we are escorting master Bilbo here back to his home in the Shire, without giving away the exact location of said home. We will then make it known that we travel to Ered Luin afterwards. The Shire is heavily guarded by the Rangers, though they are unseen, and it will give us the time we need as our hunters bypass it to look for a point of ambush."
"Who would you tell this bit of information to?" Thorin asked suspiciously, echoed by Dwalin and Balin.
"I believe the innkeeper would be our best bet," he replied. "Word travels fast in a place like that, and if we continue on we will not be found."
"Sounds like a solid plan," Balin nodded, his mind going over scenarios and finding nothing of concern. "We would just need to leave out the west gate and circle back around the town wall out of sight." I joined the others in nodding in approval of the plan, hopping back on Luna so we could continue our journey.
We passed quickly through Bree, our plan laid out and executed flawlessly. Circling round once we were out of sight down the west road, we cut through a small copse of trees before continuing on our way. The rest of the day passed uneventfully as we journeyed down the east road. We had marshes to our left and desolate hills to our right for much of the afternoon.
Towards evening the marshes turned to wooded hills, and this was where we made camp. A small rocky overhang provided limited shelter, but the night was fine, so we did not worry. Supper was spent around a roaring fire, and stories told to entertain our newest member. We still had an hour or so before we would turn in for the night when I pulled Bilbo to his feet.
"Time to start your training, my friend," I said in answer to his questioning look. I had him take out one of the daggers and face me. Rather than attack, I observed his uncertain stance and the nervous way in which he gripped the blade. Shaking my head, I moved to correct him. I rearranged his fingers and showed him a better way to place his feet, smiling as our audience called out advice and encouragement. Once I was satisfied that he had grasped the basics of a strong stance and hold, I began showing him how to block attacks, and how to move. He made good progress, being already naturally fast and light on his feet.
I was happy to end the session feeling that I had been right to encourage Thorin to bring Bilbo along. He was adjusting remarkably well to life on the road, taking on some of the simpler tasks with a smile as he worked to befriend the others with his easy charm. Sitting down next to Bofur, he engaged the friendly dwarf in conversation while I strode determinedly over to Gandalf.
Sitting down next to him, I watched as he blew smoke rings into the night air, feeling suddenly unsure of how to proceed. He surprised me by initiating the conversation himself.
"You don't trust me," he stated calmly.
Jerking my head up to face him properly, I was met with an utterly bland expression, the wizard giving away nothing of his thoughts. I would have been more satisfied to see anger, or suspicion. As it was, I was getting tired of the veiled statements and withheld information.
"No, I don't. Why are you here?"
Gandalf blinked, offering me a calculating glance. "I could say the same to you."
"Really? I have been a trusted friend to Thorin for the past seventy years, and not once in that time have I ever met you, or heard your name spoken. That doesn't exactly scream close adviser. Add to that the way you treated Bilbo, and your tendency to hide the truth about a situation more often than not. So I ask you again, why are you here? What's in it for you?"
Gandalf merely looked confused rather than hurt by my accusations, leaving me to wonder what I had said that was at all ambiguous. "My dear girl," he started. "No, you don't like that at all do you," he said in response to my brows having raised in indignation. "Alanta, you need to understand that I have only the best interests of not only Thorin in mind, but the whole of this world. There are bigger things at play than you or me, although if Tom is to be believed, and he usually is, then you are a key player now. I should very much like at some point to talk more in depth about the circumstances that led you to this place, but now is not the time. For now, you must trust that if I withhold something, it is because I felt it necessary. I am not trying to jeopardize this mission, and there is nothing 'in it' for me as you so wonderfully put it, other than a lasting peace." His speech finished, he stared at me quizzically, obviously trying to guess my reaction.
I sighed, not entirely satisfied, but feeling that at least we had come to some form of an understanding. "I just wish you would be a little more forthcoming. It cannot hurt to know what we are going into if there is something that may help us. I would ask that in future, if you are at all able, to trust us with such information." Leaving him to consider my request, I went to sit beside Kili, earning a smile of welcome from him and his brother. I quickly drifted off to a light slumber, along with most of the company.
I had been sleeping only a short while, I guessed, when a piercing shriek nearby jerked me awake...
Author's note: Yay for divergences! I hope this chapter was an interesting change from the original story, and that you enjoyed the blatant references to Frodo's future journey through the same forest. Things may be heating up a little between Thorin and Alanta, but don't worry, I'm going to drag it out a bit yet just for fun. Gandalf and Alanta have a understanding (of a sorts) and Bilbo is well on his way to becoming a more useful member of the company than before. The next chapter will be a good mix of canon and original story for you all to look forward to. Hope you enjoyed and thanks for reading!