The Companions starred up as the old man raised his staff above his head, the Orcs looked too, now perplexed at what was doing, when Suddenly the cliff sides began to shake, and before the Orcs could retreat, a landslide occurred, burying them all in an instant.

Taran and his friends were left completely unharmed as they climbed up to the Terras to meet the old man.

"We don't know who or what you are good sir." Fflewdurr said. "But you've saved our lives."

"My name is Gnadlaf." Said the Old man. "I am a Wander in these parts."

"Did you just happen to come across us or did you hear the orcs?" Asked Eilonwy.

"Does it Matter? Gandalf asked. "Now then, However did you come to be chased by those Orcs?"

"We were trying to use this." Said Taran, holding up the Warp Gem. "But so far it's gotten us from one bad situation to another."

"AH, I see." Said Gandalf as he took the gem and studied it closely. " Warp gems are a… tricky business, and hard to control."

"You know how to use them?" Asked Taran.

"I might." Said the Wizard, as he leaned on his staff. "Although first you'll have to explain that… Sword of yours."

Taran glanced at his sword. "What?"

"Where did you… acquire it?" The Wizard asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Uh…" Taran couldn't think of an answer, quite frankly wishing to avoid the explanation that he basically grave robbed a dead king, But he felt the Wizard seemed to have a feeling about that.

"Well… you see." Taran faltered.

"Ah, I'm sure the answer will come to you." Gandalf said suddenly. "Come along now, I'll take you somewhere we can practice."

And he walked off briskly, with the group following after him.

Meanwhile,

The Hunter felt his back against the clifface as the Wolves circled around him.

"You promised us a meal." Said the Leader, baring his teeth. "You didn't say they'd sue Magic to escape!"

"They don't have magic!" The Hunter begged. "The best that Princess can do is make her Bauble fly and glow!"

The wolves just snarled and growled in response, The Hunter cringed as they prepared for the kill.

But then a Pair of shrieks rang out, the wolves looked up and their faces filled with terror.

The Gwythaints descended from the skies, their talons raking at the wolves as they quickly scattered and fled in all directions, When they were gone, The Gwythaints landed in front of the Hunter, and on one of them, was mounted Creeper.

"Hunter! Have you located the Pig Keeper?" He asked.

"I've been following them for days now." Said the Hunter. "But they escaped my sight, they had a warp gem!"

"Warp gem!?" Exclaimed Creeper. "Don't be so ridiculous, They couldn't have that! Now get back to tracking them! The King must have the Black Cauldron!"

And he flew off with the Gwythaints, leaving the Hunter grumbling to himself as he trekked off.

Meanwhile,

Gandalf soon led the group to a small meadow by a stream.

"Now then," he began. "In order to fully understand a warp gem, you must first understand the fundamental properties of a warp gem."

"Okay…" Said Taran.

"Step one." Gandalf went on. "Think of where you want to be."

Taran held up the stone and closed his eyes.

"Then, Once you've figured it out-" Gandalf was then suddenly cut off, as Taran blipped out of existence, and suddenly landed in the stream.

Gurgi and Eilonwy both giggled as Gandalf cleared his throat.

"Yes, Well." He said, we got that down.

"I-I was thinking about the stream, A-And I…"

"And the gem sensed half your intention." Gandalf said, as he helped Taran out of the stream. "Hasty thoughts are a serious mistake with Warp gems."

"How does it know that?" Asked Taran. "Is it… psychic or something?"

"Something like that." Replied Gandalf. "Warp Gems can detect your thoughts on instinct and act upon them before you can think. To operate one, you must have a clear mind, only then will it take time to truly process your destination."

Taran stared blankly for a few moments, before glancing at the gem. "That feels… weirdly Zen."

"We have a lot of work to do." Gandalf whispered to Eilonwy, who nodded.

Cue Montage.

For the next few days, Taran and Gnadalf practiced more with the Warp Gem, with each time, Taran learned to control the gem, better every time, in spite of other initial screw ups, Meanwhile, The Hunter found himself on the fruitless trail for the group, and wound up in a thorn bush.

Montage ends.

Finally, the day came when Taran would finally get using the Warp Gem right.

"Alright, now that we've gone through the montage." Gandalf said at last. "I believe the time has come, Taran?"

Taran took a deep breath, closed his eyes and channeled his thoughts into the Warp Gem.

"Take us back to the trail of Hen Wen." He mentally commanded.

There was a great flash!

Later,

As Taran opened his eyes, he found himself and the rest of the group back at the Rocky trail, but this time, they were out of the misty valley with the wolves and now saw a trail of pig tracks heading west.

"There! There Master!" Cheered Gurgi. "Little piggy tracks!"

"We did it!" Taran cheered, as Eilonwy hugged him and Fflewddur hauzaued.

"Thank you for your Help Gandalf." Said Eilonwy as they turned to the Wizard.

"My pleasure Princess." Said Gandlaf as he kissed her hand. "Now I must leave you, there is much to do and we all have our parts to play."

And he strode off down the hill.

"Do be careful of the wolves!" Fflewdurr called out.

"Oh fear not Master Fflam." Gandalf called as he disappeared into the mist. "Your path ahead is more dangerous."

This left the group feeling apprehensive.

"Well." Said Taran, as he pocketed away the Warp Gem. "We've come this far."

And so, once more, The Companions set off, Unaware of the Hunter, having finally spotted them again.

To Be Continued.

Happy Halloween Everyone, I hope you all had a fun one this year. :)

I'm sorry if this chapter feels rushed, But I wanted to update one of my stories before the Month was out, I hope you don't mind.

And now, Taran has learned to control the warp gem better and their search for Hen Wen Continues, What new adventures await next for our Heroes, You'll just have to wait and see.

Until then, Be sure to go check out my newest story, Fazbear Terrors, Available on Fanfiction right now, and don't forget to leave a fave, follow and review for my other stories as well.

Until then, Stay Tuned for now. ;)