Embracing the Shadows

Chapter Eleven - Around Mirkwood and into the jaws of an angry little man

Turns out what we needed was fourteen ponies, not fifteen or anything, I turned to face Beron questioningly.

"You must embrace your gift, it is not every day that an elf is gifted with the ability of my kin, go swiftly by your own feet" I nod pulling the shirt off and handing it him shifting quickly and pad past the blushing dwarves.

I looked back and let out a yip

"Let's go" Thorin called out, and with a spur his pony trotted towards me. I ran loving the feel of the wind in my fur, I dodged through tall grass and tumbled around like a pup. I tripped over my paws that had gotten smaller as my animals skin continued the change from bear to wolf. I skidded to a stop and looked to Gandalf.

"If you start now, in that form you will make it to the other side before the dwarves" He whispers to me, "Just look for orcs as you pass the village near Mirkwood's borders" I nod at Gandalf's command and dig my paws into the earth and power off.

The village I was meant to check out was silent, I padded in, phasing as I walked wrapping the cloak tightly around my bosom and gripping the sword Gandalf had enchanted before we left Beron's house, I could feel eyes on me,

"Tula el, amin thel-baw mala (Come out, I mean no hurt) I call out gently. A movement caught my eye and s flash of silver caused me to bring my sword up to block the swipe at me, pretty soon I was surrounded by orcs and was having to battle for my life.

I detach the last orcs head and lean on a fence post breathing heavily. A head comes out from a house and asks "Moina?" (Safe?) I nodded

"Moina" I confirmed "You must send a messenger so the King" I told her

"We cannot repay you enough" other elves exited the small huts, animals following. My attention was drawn to a rearing horse, his golden coat shimmering in the sun. I moved up to him as several Elves tried to restrain him.

"Be calm" I whispered, gently as he rose onto his back hooves.

"Shoot it" I heard and turned.

"Can you not see he is scared?" I asked

"He is a danger, too many people have been wounded by his fear" I scowled and turned to the blonde elf I had first spoken to

"You cannot repay me enough?" I questioned and she nodded "If you care for him until I return then I will consider the debt settled" I said holding out a hand, "I will pay you for him, and the care you will do for free" I said handing her a bag of coins to her and began to walk off.

"Wait" She called handing me back the coin sack. "This is too much, I will take half" I nodded

"Namarie" (farewell) I called back and continued walking until I was out of sight, phasing, dropping the cloak and focused on my pants that I had found in my pack, then I began to run again.

I slow to a trot, panting I whirled around as a twig snapped. A log flew at my head.

"Quiet! We're approaching the toll gate." I opened my eyes and tried to struggle to my feet, a tarpaulin had been flung over my body and there was ropes binding my legs and jaws together, I lay still for a few seconds trying to get my bearings.

"Halt! Goods inspection. Papers, please. Oh, it's you, Bard." I heard I begin to struggle again and the tarp falls from my head, seeing the water around me I begin to thrash even more and get dangerously close to the side

"Morning, Percy." Bard says putting a foot on my side, efficiently stopping my struggles, I lower my head and it hangs over the edge

"Anything to declare?" Percy asks

"Nothing, but that I am cold and tired, and ready for home." He looks down at me "And I found something interesting, maybe the master will lay off our taxes for a while"

"You and me both." Percy grins "The master should be pleased with that though, He hasn't been brought anything live before"

I see Percy walk into the booth to stamp the paper Bard handed to him. He brings it back out "Here we are. All in order." Bard reaches out to grab it but a hand of a greasy stout man reaches out and plucks it from Percy's grasp.

"Not so fast." The small man reads over the paper and looks to Bard's barge. "Consignment of empty barrels from the Woodland Realm. Only, they're not empty, are they, Bard?"

The man drops the paper carelessly "If I recall correctly, you're licensed as a bargeman, not a fisherman." I growl as he comes closer picking up a fish and examining it before throwing it back into the water

"That's none of your business." My captor speaks

"Wrong. It's the Master's business, which makes it my business." The greasy man speaks eyeing me

"Oh come on, Alfrid, have a heart. People need to eat!" Bard draws Alfrid's attention back to him

"These fish are illegal. Empty the barrels over the side."

"You heard him. Into the canal. Come on, get a move on." The captain, I assumed commanded

"And grab that beast, the master will want to have a look at that"

"Folk in this town are struggling. Times are hard. Food is scarce." Tries to stop the guards from tipping the fish over board. I catch a whiff of a familiar scent. Before I was picked up by three guards, I growled deep in my throat and whipped my head around hitting the guard by my head.

"What is this thing?" The guard by my feet said as I was dropped back onto the deck of the barge, I let out a yelp and I noticed an eye through a hole in the closest barrel.

I am then lifted by around seven guards and carried as the barrels are set back upright.