Firron (LOTR Fanfiction)

Chapter Nine

In the following weeks the wound on my shoulder healed adequately; but the restlessness in my legs would not abate. No matter how many sparring matches we had at night, nor Padahall's I did to try and release my energy, it was never enough. I did not give in to its desires though, instead I was learning to suppress the unused energy, storing it with my body and over the last two weeks we had all noticed a subtle change in my appearance. My frame had grown larger, muscles more defined, my coat fuller, teeth longer and sharper, my Padahall was busting with energy. Once, before I knew I could control the amount of energy I put into it, when I entered the shadows the force of the Padahall opening knocked back my fellow companions. My body buzzed with energy and I had to constantly learn how to control and suppress its desire for release.

Our company had stopped on a small plateau that housed a few larger boulders and shrubs to provide shelter for a small, but well deserved, break. Even though it was only in the late afternoon we had hiked up closer to the mountain top as we were starting to get closer to the mountain pass. Frodo and Sam were eating and watching Merry and Pippin take lessons from Boromir and Aragon in the art of dueling; Legolas was nearby but kept an every watchful eye on our surroundings.

"If anyone was askin' for my opinion, which I note there not," Gimli started talking to Gandalf as I lay under the ledge of the largest boulder and started to concentrate on storing my energy for the day. "I'd say we are taking the long way about." Even though we had this discussion previously it seemed that Gimli still felt the need to mention his cousin, again. "Gandalf, we could still pass though the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome." Gandalf took a slow drag on his pipe before answering the dwarf.

"No Gimli," Gandalf was quite but firm in his answer, "I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice." Feeling Gimli's frustration at the dismissal of his idea yet again I slowly stood and made my way over to him.

Lowering my head I touched his shoulder, "You shall see your cousin again one day. You and I might take comfort from a darkened mountain but many of our companions live in light." Even though I know he heard his posture did not lesson, "Who knows where our path will take us Gimli, let us be unified in our choices."

I could hear the young Hobbit's managing to overwhelm Boromir with the duel, "For the Shire!", "Hold him, hold him down!" this had Aragon laughing at Boromir's demise. I was still facing Gimli but my eyes started to train on a small dark cloud moving fast. It didn't feel right this cloud, the two Hobbit's now had Aragon on the ground next to Boromir and the four paid no attention to this object. However Legolas, Gandalf and now Gimli started to notice this ominous approaching cloud.

"What is that?" Sam spoke up and at his words the others became alert, Aragon and Boromir went on guard.

"Nothing, It's just a wisp of cloud," Gimli stated, but I could feel the doubt in his words. By now Boromir and Aragon had caught on to this misbehaving cloud. "It's moving fast....against the wind." Boromir observed out loud. At this moment Legolas and I realized that this was no cloud.

"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas shouted. "Hide!" was Aragon's response as he quickly ushered those near him into hiding. Everyone scrambled to pick up their belongings and cover any trace of our presence: these birds had a keen eye but could not since the presence of a ring nor a Firron, only what they saw. Quickly I Padahall into shadows, the world around turning into dark shades and time slowing, reaching out I grab Gimli and drag him in my world as well.

"Wha, Lass what is this place?" Gimli looked around my world as the shadows danced for him, "My world, now quickly we much get the others." Rushing I grabbed Gandalf, followed by Sam and Frodo, looking into the shadows they both grew uneasy. "Peace," I spoke to all, in shadow or not, "This place of shadows will not hurt you, while I remain, stay close to me once you enter and you will not get lost" I saw that even though time slowed the Crebain were almost upon us, grabbing the last of out companions into my Padahall we crouched together under a bush. Discomfort radiated from our party, mixed with fear of discovery, however the birds passed our place and continued north, not catching eye of our position. Shedding the shadows around us I took my pack back into light, a sigh of instant relief went through our group and I felt alone in the since that no one would ever share my love for shadows.