Fight Or Flight

Chapter 7: Soul

The next few days passed by in a blur. Ebony didn't say a word to anyone. Not even the fae woman that would appear every night to try and speak to her. It was as if she had lost her voice entirely. 

Ebony was sitting on a log, away from the fire and the company when she heard the howl. Everyone's eyes darted around. They couldn't figure out where it was coming from and it seemed to be everywhere. Ebony didn't move. She didn't even acknowledge the panic in the company. Within moments of the first howl, the ground thumped as if something massive was walking towards them. 

"What is that?!" 

Through the trees, a massive wolf head was staring down at them. Ebony didn't look up. Kili was notching an arrow when the elf spoke. 

"It won't make him go away." She said, her voice soft. "It'll make him angry. And he will probably eat you." 

"What are you-" 

She cut Dwalin off. "He's a god." 

Silence. The wolf's glowing eyes didn't even seem to blink or move. Without opening it's mouth, the wolf spoke. 

"Gandalf." 

"Fenrir." The wizard bowed. "We are pleased to-" 

"I am not here for you." 

Ebony didn't move. "What do you want? I didn't call for you." 

"In your heart, you did." 

She scoffed. "What do you know?" 

"More than you think. I can feel your pain, child." 

"I bet you can." She whispered. 

"I understand-" 

"No you don't!" 

Ebony lept from her seat, eyes blazing and full of tears as she glared upwards. 

"You don't understand anything!" She screamed. "I didn't call for you! I don't want you here!" 

A slight head tilt. "Do you wish for me to leave?" 

"Yes! No, I don't know!" 

Ebony broke down in tears, her knees hitting the dirt hard and heavy sobs coming from her chest. She cried as hard as she could and was gasping for breath. The company had no idea what to do. The wolf, Fenrir, shrank in size until he stood about the height of a man and approached her. Ebony looked up at him and then flung her arms around his neck as he laid down next to her. Her sobs turned into cries, and eventually she was just silent, hugging the wolf tightly. He said nothing but his red eyes locked on Thorin. 

The dwarf dropped his sword and approached, bowing his head before placing his hand on Ebony's shoulder. She opened her blood shot eyes to look at him for a few moments before leaning into his open arms. Fenrir didn't move as both Ebony and Thorin sat by his side, crying together over the losses they had experienced since Smaug came. A million emotions were shed through their tears. The company laid on the bed mats and turned away, allowing the pair the privacy they needed. 

As the night wore on, Fenrir allowed the pair to sleep against him to soothe their pain before the morning came. When the company woke, they found Ebony skinning a deer and chatting lightly to Thorin. Her voice was quiet but she seemed a little more lively, instead of a walking corpse. They ate and then were on their way again. This time with fresh packs and full bellies. Though the elf wasn't quite herself yet, she did try to make light conversation with the company. 

All of them made sure not to speak about the night before and for that, Ebony was thankful. Within the next few days she was more herself. Talking, laughing, enjoying food and jokes with her companions as they traveled closer to Erebor. But soon enough, they heard warg howls. Azog was closing in. Within days he would be upon them if they didn't figure something out. And it would not be right to call upon the gods again if worse came to worse, Ebony and the company alike knew that. Which is what led to them hiding behind rocks, waiting for Bilbo to come back from lookout.