It's already midday when we're finally on our way to Rivendell. After the road has descended for some distance, leaving the hill of Bree high and brown behind them, we come to a narrow path that heads north.

,,Here we will leave the open area and take cover," I say.

,,Not a 'shortcut', I hope." Pippin says. ,,Our last 'shortcut' through the woods almost ended in disaster."

,,No, but you didn't have me with you then." I say laughing. ,,My cuts, whether short or long, don't go wrong." I quickly look at both sides of the road. There is no one in sight and I quickly lead the way into the wooded valley. The sun shines brightly, but not too hot. The forests in the valley are still leafy and colorful, and seem peaceful and healthy. I confidently lead them along the many crisscrossing paths. We're continuing our way to the east and still everything is calm and peaceful.

On the third day after our departure from Bree we leave the Bow forest. We now come to a large plain that is much more difficult to navigate.

,,We are now far from the borders of Bree land in the trackless wilderness," Frodo notices, and he is right.

,,Where are you taking us?" asks Frodo.

,,Into the wild." I say and pull my horse Anduin further into the shadows of the trees.

,,How do we know if this strider is a friend of Gandalf?" Merry asks Frodo.

,,I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler."

,,She's foul enough."

,,Merry, we have no choice but to trust her."

,,Yeah, but where is she leading us?" I stop, catch a glance at Sam.

,,To Rivendell, master Gamgee. To the house of Elrond."

,,Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see the Elves!" Pippin says excitedly. I smile as I keep on going. We can not delay. I stop for a small moment so I can see if it's left or right and when I know, I look back to the hobbits who have stopped. They're pulling pots and pans out of their bags.

,,What are you doing?" I ask them.

,,It's midday."

,,So?" I pull Anduin with me. ,,We do not stop until nightfall." I tell them seriously, just as they pull some pork and mushrooms from their packs.

,,But what about breakfast?" Merry asks me.

,,You already had breakfast."

,,We've only had one, yes but what about second breakfast?" I shake my head and walk further. I look over my shoulder for one quick second and see that they clean up.

,,I don't think she knows about second breakfast, Merry." Pippin says. ,,Or about elevensies, luncheons and afternoon tea." I laugh at their discussion, relieved they're still following me. I pull some apples out of my bag and toss one to every hobbit. They grab them happily, before following me further ahead.

Eventually we reach the Midgewater Marshes. I smell it before I see it. The rotting plant matter and dense mud let off a stench that oozes out of the marshes, attracting flies and deterring wandering travelers. I take a deep breath before stepping forward and my boots immediately sink to my ankles in the mud. I turn to Anduin.

,,Hi na - baw near an cin, Anduin." I whisper to my horse and release the reins. ,,Cin'll rad - cín té na iách -o Bruinen. Darth- ennas an nin a n- careful." I watch Anduin run away, before continuing my way through the mud. I look at the four hobbits who are now knee-deep into the mud.

,,I am being devoured alive! Mosquito water! There are more mosquitoes than there is water."

,,What do they eat when they can't get a hobbit?" Merry and Pippin complain as they slap the mosquitoes away. I watch the hobbits closely and see Merry fall into the water, leaving him to fall behind. I order Frodo, Sam and Pippin to continue but not too fast while going back to Merry to help him. I come up behind him and grab his arm, helping him up.

,,Thank you, Nuema." I nod and we continue our way until nightfall comes. We find a small but dry spot of grass.

,,Let's set up a camp." I tell them and they sit down with a sigh.

,,Thank God! My feet are killing me!" Pippin complains and I just sit down at the fire I made. Frodo sits next to me.

,,Thank you for your help." He tells me.

,,No problem, little hobbit." I tell him. ,,Take some rest, we need to walk just as much as today tomorrow." He nods and lies down. I wait until the hobbits are asleep before singing the Elvish lullaby Elrond used to sing to me.

Tinuviel elvanui

Elleth alfirin ethelhael

O hon ring finnil fuinui, a renc gelebrin thiliol

,,Who is she?" I'm startled by Frodo's voice. ,,The woman you sing off."

,,The lady of Lúthien. The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal."

,,What happened to her?"

,,She died." I look back at Frodo now. ,,Get some sleep, Frodo." Frodo shakes his head.

,,Please, tell me their story."

,,We don't have time for stories. Let's say they were lovers who couldn't be together forever. Lúthien gave up her Elf ability to be with Beren so she could die with him."

,,Wow, that's something, alright." Frodo looks at me and lies down again. He's asleep quickly. I turn and look at the moon, wondering what will await me in Rivendell as I stare into the dark, acrid marshes.