Unexpected Fate

Chapter 13: Under the Moon and Stars

"One stage of the journey is over, another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed," Gandalf said to the five of us as he led us through the forest.

"Edoras? That is no short distance," Gimli exclaimed.

"We hear of trouble in Rohan," Aragorn informed the Wizard. "It goes ill with the king,"

"Yes. And it will not be easily cured," Gandalf replied. 

"Then we have run all this way for nothing? Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank, tree-infested," the trees around Gimli creaked and groaned in discontent. "I mean charming! Quite charming forest!" he quickly finished.

Gandalf stopped in his tracks, turning towards the Dwarf. "It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains,"

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend," Aragorn said, smiling. "You still speak in riddles,"

Gandalf chuckled. "A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong,"

"Strong?" Gimli's eyes were wide. "Oh, that's good," he shifted uncomfortably.

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf," Gandalf said as he continued leading us on. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be,"

"This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one," Gimli grumbled to himself as he trudged forward.

"It brings my rider and I great relief that you have returned, Islingr," Svellevarina said for the both of us as the Wizard led us out of the forest.

He took a deep breath of the fresh air with a small smile. "It is indeed good to be back, o' dragon. But the journey is far from over, there are many challenges ahead," He faced Svellevarina and I. "Alas, let us worry about the present. We must not delay. Edoras is in desperate need," Gandalf whistled three high, clear notes that echoed across the plains before us.

A whiny answered, and the galloping of hooves drew near. I spotted three horses in total, the same two that the Riders of Rohan had gifted to us, and a third that led them towards us. Its stride was strong, his hide a bright white, and its neck was held high as it neared.

"That is one of the Mearas," Legolas said in awe, "unless my eye is cheated by some spell."

"Shadowfax," Gandalf informed us as the white steed tossed his mane before us, flaring his nostrils as he eyed Svellevarina. "He is Lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers,"

"A proud beast, indeed," Svellevarina said to me as I climbed up into the saddle, tightening the leg straps and securing my weapons for flight.

"We must cover as much distance as we can," Gandalf said to everyone once we were all placed in our respective saddles. Shadowfax pawed at the grass, eager to be off and racing the wind. "Dragon and Rider, stay close," and with that, he urged the stallion forward, leading the other two horses and their riders.

Svellevarina watched them for a moment. There was no point in rushing to take flight, as she would be able to overtake them without effort, great horse lord or not.

To be in the air with my dragon again for the purposes of travel was something I had greatly missed. I couldn't help a slight ache of longing whenever I went too long without flying with Svell, and the relief when I finally did was unmistakable. At present, Svellevarina was weaving in and out of clouds, tiny water droplets clinging to her scales as she broke through their moisture. I lifted my hands in the air, letting my fingers dig through the coldness of the clouds. She tipped her right wing suddenly, causing us to spin in a circle until we were upright again. The suddenness of it caused me to cry out in laughter as I returned my grip to the neck spike in front of me. Pumping her wings downward, Svellevarina brought us higher until we were above the clouds. If my dragon had not sparkled she would have blended in completely to the pure white that surrounded us. She straightened her wings, gliding for a moment. I took a deep breath, knowing what she had planned. Svell glanced back at me in the saddle, a glint in her emerald eye before she brought her attention forward again and tucked her wings against her body tightly.