The Company of Wolves

Chapter 11: Far Over The Mountains

"Mithrandir?" Galadriel asks before he leaves. Gandalf turns to her. "Why the halfling? Why the wolves?"

Gandalf took a moment to think for it, but really, he didn't have much to think about. "I do not know. Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I found."

Galadriel watches him as he continues. "I found it is the small things. Everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo?" He chuckles to himself. "Perhaps it is because I am afraid. The wolves, along with him, they give me courage. The way they are loyal, and fierce, yet somehow still manage to show gentleness as such creatures. It gives me hope, like I've never felt before. Hope that with them, perhaps we can defeat any darkness that shows in our journey."

As the group climbed up the side of the mountain, the sunrise just beginning to show its rays, Thorin took the lead with his axe in his right hand. "Be on your guard. We are about to step over the edge of the wild."

Right as he spoke, Ash ran right into the back of Rhea, not even watching where she was going. "Ow..." She held her nose.

Rhea turned around to look at her with worry and small amount of humor, "Ash be careful. Are you awake?"

"No." Ash mumbled, still holding the bridge of her nose. "This sucks waking up this early, I barely slept..."

"You'll wake up soon, come on, we got this." Rhea grabbed her shoulder encouragingly and moved onwards, a half-asleep Ash nodded and followed after. Dakota was more up front next to Bilbo, not doing much better as her nights sleep was cut short from vivid dreams as well.

Thorin stopped where he was and waited as the line of dwarves past him, using his axe as a placement for his arms. "Balin, you know these paths lead on." He motioned for the older dwarf to lead and Balin muttered an 'aye' as he passed.

Bilbo stopped just a bit away and stared longingly down at Rivendell, taking a moment to miss the safety of that place. He also remembered the offer Lord Elrond had given him, and briefly wondered how it would've been staying where you are welcome rather than with a company of dwarves that don't really appreciate you.

Thorin watched him from where he stood, seeing him pause. "Master Baggins."

Dakota stopped right before Thorin and just now noticed Bilbo had not come with her. She wondered herself if he truly was missing being safe in such a beautiful place. No matter what though, she wanted to make sure he felt safe with her and his girls on the road too.

"I suggest you keep up." Thorin finished, earning a nod from Bilbo who was panting already from the hike. Thorin nodded to him as Dakota waited for the hobbit to catch up to her again.

"I'll make sure you keep up Bilbo, no worries." She comforted him as he reached her. Thorin overheard that next to her and gave her an unconvinced look. She scowled at him and dared him to argue with her eyes. Instead he just turned around and walked up to Dwalin, conversing.

They went up the mountain and through the forest as Balin had led them through. Eventually Thorin taking the lead again, staying on course as the company followed single file behind him.

As they traveled far and wide, through the plains of the mountain valley. The girls took the opportunity to shift into their wolves to go hunting while they could still find the company easily from afar. They drifted off into the woods and shifted privately as they think the dwarves still found fear in what they were. From a distance though, Gloin and Oin for the first time saw Ash in her wolf form, nudging Fili and Kili behind them to notify.

Curiously, Fili peered through the shadows of the forest next to them and for a split moment was able to see the familiar pelts of Rhea and Dakota. Another fell quickly in step next to them and shook its massive head, ears flapping. It turned its gaze a bit behind itself, and Fili saw her emerald eyes look around the surroundings. Her ash-grey fur was dark enough to look like a shadow right next to the pine trees, her eyes a brighter and more vibrant green than the needles and leaves encompassing the massive wolves. For it was just a moment, and they disappeared within the undergrowth.