The Hobbit: Unseen Shadows

Chapter 6

She finished up and got out. As she was drying she looked in the mirror, worried she wouldn't recognize herself. Or that she turned into a wolf again. But it was just her, how she always looked. She felt relieved and finished drying and dressing, then sat in her room. Not long after there was a knock outside her bedroom door. She called for them to enter and saw it was Elrond's messenger.

"The council is gathered and would like to speak with you, Meril," he said.

"O-okay," she stammered a little but got up and followed the messenger.

She followed the messenger through the streets she became familiar with. She came upon where, not long ago to her, they were eating. Her, Gandalf, and Elrond. Having fun. Hopefully there was more fun to be had.

She approached the council area and saw Gandalf standing there. She looked at him and he smiled and acted the exact same as before.

"Come here," he said and held his arms out.

She sniffled a little again and went into his arms. He wrapped his arms around her, and she had the familiar feeling of home again. Like he had always been there for her. She always felt she could trust him.

"Everything is alright," Gandalf said. "What you did was amazing," he put a hand on either side of her shoulder and smiled. "You saved so many people. And Nolya."

"I'm... not a monster?" she sniffled, holding back tears as she looked into his eyes.

"No, you're not a monster. More like a hero!" he said to her. "So, you're going to have to talk to the council. You've never met Galadriel have you?"

"Who?"

He chuckled. "There's another wizard here too, named Saruman. He's a white wizard. I just want you to be prepared when you walk in. Elrond is here as well."

"Okay," she said back.

"This way," Gandalf lead the way and she followed.

Once in the little area, she saw Elrond and the white wizard sitting at the table and Gandalf joined them. She saw a woman with golden blonde hair and a white dress off looking out.

"Please, sit," Saruman said and gestured.

She did so, next to Gandalf.

"So, are you a shifter?" Saruman asked.

"I already told you she isn't-" Gandalf started.

"I didn't ask you," Saruman sighed.

"No, I'm not. I'm human, as far as I know," she told Saruman."

Saruman could tell she was telling the truth.

"Then how did you do that? Transform into a werewolf?" Saruman asked. "The last we ever knew who could transform into a werewolf was Sauron. As well as a serpent and a vampire."

The name echoed in her mind a moment before she looked at the wizard.

"I don't know. I don't have any memory other than the past ten years I've spent here ever since Gandalf saved me from Misty Mountain."

"Do you recall anything you did?" he asked.

"Sort of? Well, I remember seeing Nolya get hurt by that Troll. And then the Orc stabbed her. Then I just could hear my heartbeat in my head and I rushed over to help her. I didn't feel my body do anything. When I looked at her, she looked so shocked and looked like she passed out."

"What happened on Misty Mountain?" he then asked.

"All I remember is being chased by Orcs, but I can't remember what they were saying. When I turned to see how close they got, I lost my footing and started to fall down the mountain. I don't remember the feeling of hitting the ground, but I remember when I opened my eyes I couldn't move. I kept fading in and out of consciousness. Then I just lay there, eyes closed. That was until I heard Gandalf's voice approaching me. The rest you know."

Saruman looked at her, thinking about all she told him.

"I just recently remembered that part about the Orcs chasing me. They were yelling at me, but I just can't make out what it was about."

"Meril..." a feminine voice said in her head.

She turned as did everyone to Galadriel. She turned and Meril was shocked at her beauty.

"I want to help you see, into your past," Galadriel said. "Come with me."

Meril looked at Gandalf and he nodded, telling her it was safe. She got up and followed with. They walk down into a stone area, and Galadriel grabs a silver pitcher. She turns back to look at Meril.

"Will you look into the mirror?" she asks her.