[Rimbaud]

The Followers Followed

They had barely covered a mile in the bleak darkness before the Warg, who strayed far from the party when they travelled, especially at night, appeared at Elwood's side again. The hulking beast appeared amused to Elwoods mind.

We are being followed.

Elwood nodded, whispered for the others to halt, and motioned to Volkmar, who was currently bringing up the rear. The grizzled Ranger moved to his side. A heavy silence had fallen on the party since they had started the chase, whether through fatigue, frustration or confusion, Elwood could not say.

"It seems the pursuer is also the pursued," he said, lightly. To his surprise, Volkmar nodded curtly.

"It is the boy, Kalohern," said the Ranger gruffly. "He has been trailing us by horseback - not the subtlest of approaches."

Elwood wondered at his own distraction, that he had not noticed their shadow. He shook his head, and with some annoyance, told Volkmar to rein in the errant youngster.

"As you wish," said the Ranger, unfazed by the terse command. He melted back into the night, behind them. The unnatural silence of the daytime persisted, and the harsh shale was exhausting to travel upon by night, when each footfall threatened treachery. Elwood felt the tension within him and forced his mind to relax, to embrace the night.

Immediately, his perception increased, and he heard the light scuff of Volkmar moving in the darkness behind. He heard the breathing of the girl nearby. He realised Arenia was exhausted and perhaps pained, he sensed a great loss within her. He silently cursed himself for a fool. He had seen the bond between her and the old Ent. He made there and then a pledge to set her mind at ease at a more opportune moment.

More than these things though, he felt a presence, an immalleable force in the night airs. An evil dread hung around the mountain slopes, emanating from beyond Methedras...Isengard. Elwood wondered at it, but before he could set his mond in order to seek at the presence further, it removed itself and the air hung easier again around them. Arenia shivered, her teeth chattering audibly.

Before too long, they heard the unmistakable sound of Telefax picking his way through the loose, stony ground. Volkmar, Kalohern and the great steed loomed out of the darkness before them. Volkmar wordlessly handed the reins to Arenia, who led the horse on a small way at the motion of the Rangers hand. Volkmar followed her, leaving Elwood and Kalohern alone in the darkness. The Warg, of course, had disappeared as efficently as he had appeared. Elwood sensed him, not too far away, however.

"Young fool!" started Elwood, more harshly than he had intended, He softened his tone. "You could endanger us all coming this way, and with Telefax too! We may need to cross the mountains and leave him behind. Did you bring food? Provisions for Telefax?" Some mild scorn entered his tuneful voice. Kalohern seemed pertified, as well he might - he had never seen an Elf in wrath before. "Or perhaps," went on the immortal, "Perhaps you bring further word from Thenamir." He did not need Kalohern's murmured denial to know the truth of it.

"So? What course do you suggest, oh mighty Rider?" Elwood crossed his arms and stared at the boy intently, the faint starlight rendering him unearthly pale.

[ November 25, 2002: Message edited by: Rimbaud ]