Upon the breaking of dawn in a world painted white and grey, the fellowship awoke. Mallenheneth had not moved a single inch, her wings still extended around them all in a safe cocoon of her feathers, causing Pippin and Merry to leap to their feet and move towards her. "Mally you must be aching to the bones! Fear not for us, take some rest and change your shape, one of your own comfort. The snow seems to have stopped and the world is quiet, it is your turn for some rest!" They both declared in turn, rousing Mallenheneth from the daze she had slipped into. She lifted her great head and ruffled her feathers, great slopes of snow falling from her back as she moved and shifted. Immediately the loss of her warmth was keenly felt and the hobbits regretted it immediately but held their tongues, for Mallenheneth looked weary and her eyes were downcast. Aragorn immediately was beside her, offering her his arm which she sank into, barely able to stand upon her feet as he murmured her name.
"The foulness at work here is exhausting to contend with…it poisons the natural energy of this mountain…I cannot say if it is Caradhras that is against us or some other unknown power, but either way evil has drawn itself here, and works against us." Her voice that was usually so powerful and resonant was barely above a whisper as her arms lay limp beside her. Aragorn drew her closer and had her rest for a time with her head upon his lap, covering her with his cloak as Legolas sat at her feet and warmed them as best he could with his own raiment, Sam fretting and wondering if there was perhaps something he could do to cheer her up. To see Mallenheneth brought so low was shocking and almost frightening to the hobbits, so used to her cheer and brightness that they did not know what to do now that she was the one in need of cheering. They were told not to disturb her, however, for already Mallenheneth had fallen asleep and Gandalf warned them that she would not thank them for awakening her now, even with the best of intentions.
"What is that drains at her spirit so? Her cheer was the only tolerable trait about her." Boromir found himself questioning, frowning at the sleeping form that did not shiver even so scantily clad and whilst surrounded by chill air, snow and ice.
"Mallenheneth comes from a race of people attuned to the natural magic of the land, and thus can sense when it is being tampered with. She has often spoken of 'essences', which I have come to understand as a form of energy that she can sense and sometimes see, through all living and existing things. If what she says is true, and that something is interfering with the storms here, then it can sometimes make an impact upon her owing to her sensitivity." Aragorn explained at length, knowing Mallenheneth best of all even as Gandalf nodded his head, intrigued to learn of this concerning the still rather unknown character of Mallenheneth. "She will be well given proper rest. Once she is restored, she will be as you know her."
"I should hope so. It is bad enough for us to be of foul spirits, but for Mally to also be despondent is something I could not cope with!" Pippin declared with a hush, taking care not to raise his voice too loud and disturb Mallenheneth in her sleep. They allowed her to sleep for as long as they dared, quietly discussing on what was to be done until the decision was made that they should turn back, for the way forward was too dangerous to trespass and the hobbits would freeze to death before even making their way down the other side. The hobbits pleaded for Mallenheneth to be left in peace, suggesting even that someone should carry her so that she might sleep a little longer.
"It is unfair, that Mally should have braved the cold and snow all night and yesterday as well whilst sheltering us, and she receive the least amount of sleep of us all." Frodo pointed out to the others, however Gandalf was eager to leave as he could feel a storm rippling on the rise once again.
"Perhaps someone could carry her?" Merry suggested, and Sam patted Bill's neck and offered him to take Mallenheneth, despite the weight he already carried.
"After all, she is light looking and cannot weigh a great deal. In fact, I rather believe I weight more than she. Bill could carry her."
"The path is too treacherous. Bill could stumble and fall, taking Mallenheneth with him and none have the strength to spare to carry her ourselves. Unfortunately, she must be awoken." As guilty as they felt, the hobbits offered no further arguments as Aragorn went to wake Mallenheneth, for he knew how best to do so without inciting her wrath. It must be gently done, like drawing thread through a slender needle, so softly that it was almost natural and Mallenheneth did not feel like her rest had been interrupted. Aragorn called to her in a low voice, almost singing as her name rolled from her tongue and feeling a touch of his hand to her shoulder as he bent low over her, rousing her from sleep. Her lashes fluttered as she made a sound, shifting first until her mind awoke and she recognised the scent of Aragorn around her and drew comfort from it.
"Brave you are to dare wake me before I am yet ready, brother-mine." Aragorn smiled broadly. At least her humour had returned. Energised from her rest, which was deep and replenishing, Mallenheneth was able to spring to her feet and greet everyone as she stretched and yawned. "Are we to be away? Very well then. Lead on!" All four hobbits immediately brightened and flocked to her, glad to see Mallenheneth smiling again as she grinned down at them and ruffled their endearing curls in turn before ushering them forwards in a line as Gandalf seemed keen to begin their return down the slopes of the mountains. Where the snow had not been melted by Mallenheneth's body heat lay great piles of drifts and mounds that would sooner swallow the hobbits whole should they attempt to brave them.
"If Gandalf would go before us with a bright flame, he might melt a path for you." At this comment all looked expectantly to Gandalf who glowered upon Legolas for such a ridiculous notion, as if it should have been obvious that he could do no such thing.
"If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the sun to save us." Unable to keep back her laughter, Mallenheneth released a harsh snort of sound at her friend's expense. "But I must have something to work on. I cannot burn snow."
"Well, when heads are at a loss, bodies must serve, as we say in my country." Supplied Boromir who seemed to have taken upon himself to be as forthright as could be for the sake of his companions, not wishing to lose in spirit to Mallenheneth. "The strongest of us must seek a way. See! Though all is now snow-clad, our path, as we camp up, turned about that shoulder of rock down yonder. It was there that the snow first began to burden us. If we could reach that point, maybe it would prove easier beyond. It is no more than a furlong off, I guess."
"Then let us force a path thither, you and I!" Clapping Boromir upon his shoulder, Aragorn and he set about beginning to forge a path through the snow until they heard a bark behind them and a scuttling of snow before they turned and hastily broke apart as Mallenheneth dove between them and began to bury herself into the snow and dig fervently with her tail wagging so cheerfully that it smacked against the both of them upon their waists, forcing them to move further out of her way as her claws and paws carved out a tunnel and path for the others to follow. "Well, at least one of us is enjoying this venture." Aragorn mused as he shook his head, smiling to himself at Mallenheneth's antics. What path Mallenheneth could not make behind her was carved and shaped further by Boromir, broader and more muscular than others, and Aragorn who followed behind them as Legolas watched them in amusement.
"The strongest must seek a way, say you? But I say: let a ploughman plough, but choose an otter for swimming, and for running light over grass and leave, or over snow – an Elf." With that he took off from the others whilst gliding over the snow lighter than air, as he himself were a snowflake yet to fall upon its brethren. "Farewell! I go to find the sun!" Mallenheneth gave a huff of laughter as she rose up onto her hind legs and snapped playfully at Legolas's lightly clad feet, attempting to catch him off guard and trip him into the snow for the entertainment of the others. He laughed and joined her at play, dancing in and out of her reach as she continued to plough through the snow with her broad frame, scrambling sometimes where the snow lay thick until it was almost compressed like ice. Together the three forged the way ahead until a great drift that almost overcame them became their last obstacle. With Legolas's help, they were able to find their way until the snow lessened and it became unnecessary to wade through, meaning that even hobbits could find their way back.
"Well, this is as much as we can do." Huffed Boromir, whose shoulder were slumped with tiredness. "Though still the hobbits shall struggle with this path they are so small."
"It is no matter, I shall carry them all." Mallenheneth spoke as she turned herself back, looking up to Legolas with a grin as he remained above them on the crest of the snow, and his bright smirk shone down upon her like the dazzling sun. "So long as they all squeeze in close, I shall be able to fit them all, I should think." To this end Boromir frowned at her darkly, bitterness striking him out of sheer dislike.
"No need, I can carry at least two myself. Do not trouble yourself to bear them all."
"But I wish to, in any case I am stronger than you and can bear them better and faster." Mallenheneth immediately rose at Boromir's challenge, turning upon him whereupon Aragorn hastily stepped between them with a hand out to each, ensuring that neither would move past him for if he did not block their way, he feared Boromir would throttle Mallenheneth, and she would bite him just for the sake of it.
"Peace. Let us not argue now after working so well together. The path is made, so let us at least turn back and let the hobbits decide who they wished to carry them. Is this not fair?" Ever the voice of reason and wisdom, Mallenheneth nodded her head and allowed the men to lead the way as she changed shape and took the air since the skies were clear. She stretched her wings and chased after Legolas, diving upon him and pulling playfully at his hair with her talons, fluttering her feathers and dancing around him to give back the teasing he had given her. Legolas laughed and attempted to dive out of her way and reach, but now that she was airborne, there was no escaping her.
"Yield! I yield to you, oh mighty Mallenheneth! Please leave me some of my hair, for I shall look an awful fright if you were to tear it all out." Legolas pleaded laughingly, and the light rings of his amusement floated back to the others who had lingered in wait for their return. They saw Legolas first with Mallenheneth in the sky as she then flew down and landed neatly upon his shoulder, tucking in her wings and fanning her tail feathers to rearrange them. "Well. I have not brought the sun. She is walking in the blue fields of the south, and a little wreath of snow on this Redhorn hillock troubles her not at all. But I have brought back a gleam of good hope for those who are doomed to go on feet. There is the greatest wind-drift of all just beyond the turn, and there our Strong Men were almost buried. They despaired, until I returned and told them that the drift was little wider than a wall, and on the other side the snow suddenly grows less, while further down it is no more than a white coverlet to col a hobbit's toes."
"Ah, it is as I said." Gimli grunted as he shifted his weight and dusted snow from his chainmail. "It was no ordinary storm. It is the ill will of Caradhras. He does not love Elves and Dwarves, and that drift was laid to cut off our escape."
"But happily your Caradhras has foreseen that you have Men with you." Announcing his and Aragorn's return, Boromir looked rather light of spirit as he returned from the path that had been forged for the others. "And doughty Men too, if I may say it, though lesser men with spades might have served you better. Still, we have thrust a lane through the drift, and for that all here may be grateful who cannot run as light as Elves."
"But how are we to get down there, even if you have cut through the drift?" This question came from Pippin, most inquisitive of all four hobbits.
"Have hope! I am weary, but I still have some strength left, and Aragorn too. We will bear the little folk. The others no doubt will make shift to tread the path behind us. Come, Master Peregrin! I will begin with you." Mallenheneth huffed as she swept down from Legolas's shoulder and landed in the small enclosure of openness that had been made beforehand by her body and transformed once more, her bare feet making prints in the snow.
"I can bear the hobbits easily enough. Save your strength, Son of Gondor, for you may need it yet." Before another argument could begin, Gandalf decided that Pippin should go with Boromir and Merry with Aragorn, whilst Sam and Frodo were to go with Mallenheneth as well as Gimli, if he would consent to be carried. Bill would be led by Gandalf, and by the tone of his voice, none dared argue with him. Mallenheneth became a great wolf once more and lay herself down upon the snow, growling richly to the hobbits and even licked at their hair and clothing to remove the remnants of snow and warm them. Gimli climbed up first for he was heaviest, and it was easier for Mallenheneth to bear his weight closer to her shoulders. Next sat Frodo and then Sam, who scrambled up rather unsteadily and apologised repeatedly for the trouble. Waiting until all three were settled, Mallenheneth rose up upon all fours and began to plod her way forwards through the snow at the very rear of the party, nudging at Bill the Pony each time he halted nervously.
Bill understood Mallenheneth for what she was, and never once feared her form whether she was beast or bird. He listened to her will, and was always encouraged by her, for she was alpha of all creatures great and small, and even Bill could understand a kingly figure amongst beasts. He strove to keep going even when the snow felt unsteady under his hooves. They reached the end of the path safely enough, however when Mallenheneth sensed the essence of the mountain shift she snarled and quickly lunged forwards with her three riders, bringing them further away from the mouth of the pathway they had made and turned herself as huge boulders came thundering down from the precipice of the mountain along with an entire river of snow came down upon them and covering the path to block any means back up the mountain.
"Enough! Enough! We are departing as quickly as we may!" Gimli cried out unto the mountain and it almost seemed to answer, for the snow settled and all fell silent as the clouds that carried the threat of another storm faded away and left behind the clear skies of deep azure. "Bah!" Throwing out his hand to the mountain, Gimli dropped down from Mallenheneth's back, wanting to be away from that place as swiftly as possible. The descent was far easier than the climb, almost able to slide down the snowy banks and Mallenheneth took the time to enjoy the snow, for not often did she find it in the lowlands. She pranced and leaped as she willed, rolling in the white surf and chasing Legolas who joined her at play, the only other member of the company light hearted enough to enjoy simple pleasures and swift enough over the snow to warrant a challenge to her. The hobbits laughed to see them as they chased one another, until Pippin was of a mind to join in somehow.
He fisted together a ball of snow, and with incredible accuracy, flung it with a high arch into the air until it struck Mallenheneth against the head, sending snow into her ear which caused her to yelp and drop, shaking her head and pawing at her ear until the chill was gone. Then she turned her burning gaze upon Pippin, who immediately paled. Next he knew he had a great wall of black fur charging towards him, causing him to yell in fear and attempt to dive for cover but Mallenheneth was too quick and pounced upon him so that he was flattened into the snow. "No! Please! Do not eat me Mally!" Shrieking with a rather shrill voice, Pippin stared into the gaping mouth of Mallenheneth as she snarled before dropping her head and slathering him with his tongue which was hot and wet and utterly disgusting to be so covered by it. Pippin chortled but writhed, begging to be released but Mallenheneth refused to relent until suddenly something struck her flank.
Swinging her head around, she saw Merry armed with a second snowball which struck her side again, Sam looking rather horrified to see Merry's actions as Frodo barely held back his laughter. With a soft bark, Mallenheneth was upon Merry next who called upon his fellow hobbits for aid. Soon they were all tumbling down the slopes chasing Mallenheneth with an onslaught of snowballs that she dodged, prancing left and right as they practiced their aim. The others all smiled to watch though Gandalf fretted aloud that their tomfoolery would draw the eyes and ears of everything from the mountain to the lands below, but neither paid him any mind and soon he gave up. Mallenheneth charged past Aragorn and nudged at him, wanting him to join the fray as even Gimli armed himself with snowballs, for a stray one had caught his face and now he sought revenge with his barking laughter. Aragorn did not scoop up snow for a snowball, but he did kick at a drift and send it at Mallenheneth so that it showered upon her face and nose, causing her to sneeze. "Children. I am surrounded by children, impetuous and unruly." Gandalf muttered, only to have a snowball knock off his hat which Mallenheneth lunged for and took off with, curses flying after her as greater laughter thus followed in light echoes in the wake of such a disastrous defeat.