Thalion Faer, Doltha Hún

“We must hold this course west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there our road turns east to Mordor.”

Hobbits, Humans, a Wizard, a Dwarf, and an Elf; bound together by the desire to free middle earth of unspeakable evil. We marched along one another, mostly strangers, but hearts beating in unison like our footfalls as we progressed. I held Feredir’s reigns in my hand as we came over the top of a large hill. Legolas walked alongside me, our younger years spent together floating to the surface of our conversations and lacing the atmosphere between us with comfort. It cast a familiarity about the air that was in complete contrast to the foreignness of our surroundings.

“We shall rest here.” Gandalf announced as we reached the peak, which was a plateau of sorts. I let others go ahead of me so I could let Feredir go free for a short while. Sam began to try and get the saddle and bridle off of Bill, following my actions, but he was far too short to reach. A sound of contentment poured forth from my mouth as I stopped him from his struggles.

“Go rest with your friends, Sam.” I took the bridle from him as he gave me a nod of thanks, scurrying after Frodo and the others. I lingered a moment, watching as he removed his pack and began to set up an array of cooking utensils. He was a wonderful friend to Frodo and the other hobbits.

“May I help?” Boromir inquired, taking Bill’s reigns from my grasp. Nodding once, I allowed him to follow me down to where I wished to set Feredir free. He mimicked me as I removed all of the gear off of the horse until he was bare and free to roam. We piled the items before returning to the Fellowship.

“You should teach the hobbits to defend themselves.” I looked on as Gandalf sent sparks flying at a collection of twigs, starting a fire to cook the food Samwise was busy preparing.

“There are plenty of us here to defend them.” He remarked.

“What’s the matter, Boromir?” I questioned. “Do you fear you may be beaten by a few half lings?” My mouth curled up at the sides as I taunted him, receiving a playful nudge in response.

“If you believe it will aid them…” A victorious grin grew on my face as I knelt beside Sam to help him prepare a small meal. It wasn’t much, just a bit of bread and meat to ease our hunger. The rest of the Fellowship assumed resting positions, retreating to whatever actions were habitual for them. Aragorn prepared his pipe; Legolas began scanning the landscape, Gimli settled down beside Gandalf on a rock, and Boromir sat beside Merry and Pippin, who were staring at the food cooking before them. Frodo was just behind Samwise and I, eyes focused on the fire but harbouring a distant look within the glass-like muscles.

“Will the horses not wander off?” Sam inquired quietly as we began to divide the food into portions. I smiled whilst thinking of our four legged companions.

“They’ve more sense, in some ways, than you wandering hobbits have—more sense in their noses. For they sniff danger ahead which you walk right into; and if they run to save themselves, they run the right way!” Unified laughter erupted from the Fellowship at my remark, which was just as true as it was amusing.

Along with Sam’s, each member of the Fellowship managed to get a plate of food. Some, mainly the hobbits, were quicker eaters than others. I sat between Boromir and Frodo, taking small bites of the meat. Before I had even finished half of my plate, the two Hobbits, Merry and Pippin, were already looking down at their empty plates solemnly. Smiling, I handed them my remaining food to share. They took it graciously, and when I returned to my spot I noticed Frodo did not seem wholly content.

“What troubles you, Frodo?” His eyes flickered up to me as I pulled him from his thoughts. It was an almost cruel gesture, but I had only the intent to ease his silent suffering. Hesitation held onto him for a few moments before allowing him to speak in a quiet voice; one that would not be noticed among the quiet chatter the rest of the Fellowship produced.

“The world is full enough of hurts and mischance without wars to multiply them.” He cast his eyes downward, evading my stare as I searched for words to comfort him with. I reached a hand out to put on his shoulder, calling his attention to me once more.

“It's wisdom to recognize necessity, when all other courses have been weighed, though as folly it may appear to those who cling to false hope.” I replied, tilting his head up to look at me. “Do not be so quick to determine your fate, Frodo Baggins.”

“Merry, Pippin, unsheathe your swords.” Boromir commanded strongly, getting to his feet and taking out the blade that once belonged to his father. I remembered the ceremony when he was given it; when he was made officially the captain of Gondor. He clung to that sword as I did to mine, putting faith in our weapons that some people could not hold. I looked on as the two hobbits got up wearily, almost scared, and approached Boromir. It was comical, their fear of him. Because I knew him, and for all his strength he was still merely human; he had his weaknesses.

I sat between Aragorn and Legolas, watching as Boromir sparred with the Hobbits. He would count as he swung, keeping them in time just as he had done with me. When he taught them, it was as if we were children again, hidden in the back rooms of his kingdom while we both practiced illicit activities: for I should not have been handling a sword and he should not have stolen it from his father’s room.

Boromir had patience with the Hobbits, as he had patience for me. He encouraged them when they made a mistake, and praised them when they did well. For beginners, they were actually quite good. I analyzed their form and movement in my head, watching for things to point out in the rare instance Boromir overlooked it.

“Move your feet.” Aragorn and I urged in unison. I smiled at the coincidence but kept my eyes focused on the Hobbits. Merry and Pippin continued to take turns, approving of one another every now and then.

“Looking good, Pippin.” Merry took a bite from his apple before raising his sword to defend himself.

“Thanks.”

"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not, I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin, Balin, would give us a royal welcome." Gimli stood proud at the prospect of returning home with guests to see his marvelous city. But I knew of Moria and the dangers within it. Furthermore, I knew Gandalf would not lead Frodo and the other Hobbits into such peril intentionally.

"No Gimli, I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Gandalf said in all seriousness.

“Do not meddle in the affairs of Wizards, Gimli, for they are subtle and quick to anger.” My speech was injected to remove from the atmosphere a slightly grim feeling.

“Ouch!” Pippin cried, drawing everyone’s attention to him as he gripped his finger between his lips. Boromir quickly apologized, but it was not enough to ease Pippin’s pain. He delivered a quick kick to Boromir’s shin, while Merry released a battle cry. The two Hobbits charged the captain of Gondor, taking him down to the ground as he laughed.

“For the Shire!”

“Hold him down, Merry!” I exchanged a smile with Legolas as we watched the spectacle. Aragorn rose and approached the Hobbits who were busy feverishly punching Boromir.

“That’s enough, gentlemen.” Aragorn placed a hand on either Hobbit’s shoulder. But they were having none of that. They each took one of his legs and pulled them out from beneath him, sending him crashing to the ground just like his Gondorian comrade.

“Legolas, do you remember the battle move we thought up together in Mirkwood?” I leapt to my feet, taking his hand as he nodded. He followed me to where Boromir and Aragorn were dusting themselves off. “Move along boys, let me show you how to fight. Boromir, Aragorn, if you would be so kind.”

The men exchanged questioning looks before slowly coming forward. The hobbits joined the rest of their kin as Legolas and I positioned ourselves back to back in the middle of the plateau. Boromir stood before me, which meant Aragorn was positioned in front of Legolas. Grinning at my mock-enemy, I announced that at my mark we would begin to spar. In seconds the four of us were locked in battle, dodging attacks and delivering them, but never truly inflicting pain on our partners.

There was unspoken comprehension between Legolas and I, we knew when to perform our surprise attack. It would happen soon, on my signal. I kept a grin plastered on my face as Boromir kept up with me. He released a laugh at my expression, weakening his attack force slightly.

“Now!” I cried, springing our plan into action. Things slowed down for me as we performed the move in perfect synchronization. Legolas bent over, giving me his flat back as a surface to fall backwards onto. Then he maneuvered in such a way that caused me to propel upwards into the sky. From that point he spun to face Boromir, and by spinning in the air I managed to land on Aragorn’s back, my blade pressed against his neck: mimicking Legolas’ blade against Boromir. The Mirkwood Elf and I smirked at one another as the Gondorian soldiers held their hands up in surrender.

“I suppose this means we’ve won?” Legolas remarked lightly as he sheathed his sword. Aragorn’s laugh reverberated through his body and into mine as I released my hold on him. Placing my own blade at its proper place (at my waist) I meant to take a step forward. But I was cast into the familiar feeling of a dream, or a dream of a dream.

A silver sky, sun gleaming somewhere behind me with royal beauty. The wind is cool against my skin, but it doesn’t feel like my skin. It doesn’t feel like skin at all. I am merely existence, aware of myself and my surroundings. There are mountains, snow covered mountains in the distance that shine like gleaming beacons of hope. But there is a desolate, haunting glow in the shadows that they cast. I inhale, a fraction of a second, and the sun disappears. In its place is a black monster. It weaves together before me, not taking particular form but moving all the same. From the middle of it I can see two glowing eyes emerge. They are gold, like the ring, and evil pours forth from the entity. It emanates danger, and I understand that hiding now equates to survival.

My ears were aware of sound entering them, but my brain was not yet fully planted in reality. Eyes sliding into focus, I acknowledged the fact that I was no longer standing up, nor was I supporting myself. The sound I had been hearing was the voices of my friends, and the arms supporting me belonged to Aragorn. I pushed myself up, eyebrows turning downward as I looked at Boromir and Legolas who were only just beginning to walk towards me. The vision felt as if it had occupied an hour, yet it appeared that in reality I was only out of my mind for a few brief seconds.

“What did you see?” His voice came out in a whisper, giving me the benefit of keeping my unusual power secret. The words would not rise out of my throat fast enough, and Boromir was eyeing me carefully as he approached. Worry, that was what his features exhibited. From my brain the command to flex my mouth muscles was sent and carried out. A reassuring smile was what he needed.

“I apologize.” I was almost ashamed of my episodes, and I wondered what would happen if something like this were to happen while I was fighting. It would be dangerous, quite dangerous indeed.

“What is that?” Samwise wondered aloud. I was grateful for the shift in focus, and like the others I turned to the south. The sun was shining bright behind us, and there was a dark cloud in the distance. Legolas came to my side, peering out at the sky to see what it was.

“Nothing, its just a wisp of clouds.” Gimli dismissed, settling down comfortably on his rock once more. However, I wasn’t convinced. A feeling crept over me, it vaguely resembled fear.

“Its moving fast…against the wind.” Boromir observed, and he was right. Realization of what it was flooded me and I took in a sharp breath.

“Legolas…” I breathed out, struggling to find the words to explain that this was the monster from my vision.

“Crebain from Dunland!” The Elf cried out in a panic. Everyone began to rush while commands to hide were called out. I spun in circles until I located Frodo, rushing over and stealing him from his frozen spot looking onward. Diving under a bush, I held him against me so he would be completely hidden from the eyes of Saruman. I held my breath as flapping wings rushed by in a black messy mass, holding Frodo’s hand as tightly as he held mine; ignoring the slight stinging on my cheeks from the dive into the bush. The twigs grazed my skin, parting it slightly yet not enough to draw blood.

A few agonizingly long seconds later, I felt it was safe to emerge. The Fellowship slowly staggered into appearance. I dusted off Frodo’s cloak and made sure he was okay. He nodded solemnly, sadly. It pained me how disconnected he seemed, and I hoped to break through his exterior and become his friend during this journey. Surveying the rest of the Fellowship it was visible that everyone had survived the impromptu dive for cover. We looked to Gandalf for wisdom.

“Spies of Saruman!” His voice came out in a hiss, eyes narrowing at the retreating form of black. “The passage south is being watched…We must take the pass of Caradhras.”

In unison we looked up at the giant snowy mountain that was our new path. I thought of the Hobbits, and how they would manage with their shoeless feet. I knew of Hobbit’s abnormal feet and how they were much like shoes, but I hardly imagined that merely skin would serve well in the snow. Perhaps we could carry them. My first instinct would be to put them on the horses; however the horses would have enough work getting up the mountainside without two Hobbits on their backs.

“He used often to say there was only one road…” Frodo said quietly from beside me.

“Bilbo?”

“He said that it was like a great river: its springs were at every doorstep and every path was its tributary. ‘It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door,’ he used to say. ‘You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to.’ I never imagined him to be so right…”

“Now Frodo, one mustn’t defeat themselves before the journey has begun. A small change in course should not dishearten you so. You are among friends, Mr. Baggins.” A genuine smile grew on my face as I bent down to kiss his head.

“Prepare the horses so we may leave.” Gandalf commanded no one in particular. I immediately left to tend to Feredir, happy that Boromir was accompanying me.

“It would greatly comfort me if I knew someone was keeping an eye on the Hobbits.” I announced when we were alone.

“You have quite the heart for the little ones.” He teased, evoking a smile from me. “Consider them my duty.”