I sat on the ground, spent, exhausted and shaken. My thought was on my own life, how very close I had come to death, when I suddenly remembered the life that was dearer to me than my own.
�Where�s Priscilla? Is she alright?� I tried to stand, but my knees buckled and I fell hard to the ground. Lanthir bent over to me to steady my form.
�She�s fine. She killed three of them. And you put one arrow into another. All together ten dead and one wounded. They will think long and hard before they attack us again.�
Priscilla had just run up, and on her face was a look of dismay as she observed the form of the dead wolf right in front of me. She fell upon me in tears and hugs.
�Pady! I�m so glad you�re alright! I�ll never, ever chide you again. Oh, if you had died! I promise I�ll never speak an unkind word to you again!�
Even in my state, I could not help but smile at her statements. I doubted if she would live up to her vows. Lanthir had sat down next to us and for the next few minutes we said nothing, all three of us taking in what had just occurred. It was Lanthir who finally spoke.
�Wolves do not attack in the day. Something is wrong. These wolves do not behave normally and I did not hear their arrival. I fear we have stumbled into something more devilish than my mother perceived.� I could think of no reply. Should we quit the journey? I was about to ask, when Priscilla interrupted.
�Lanthir, your arm.�
Lanthir looked down at his upper arm where his sleeve had been ripped by the wolf�s teeth and revealed a nasty bite.
�We cannot worry about it now. We must first find a place of safety to rest in.� He looked around us warily. �Staying out in the open makes another assault more possible.�
We helped each other stand and recovered our packs which had been forgotten in the midst of the encounter with the wolves. Lanthir wiped his sword and sheathed it. When he did so, I felt a strong connection to Dramgeleg. It had saved my life. The Elf and the sword he carried were now an integral part of my existence. As we began to walk again, I felt for the first time that Lanthir truly was a part of my journey. I was more than grateful for his presence; I now desired it.
I do not know how long we walked, but we finally reached the edge of the mountains, and luckily for us, came upon a dark, low cave. Entering in, we sat silently. Lanthir, with Priscilla�s help, tended to his arm and I sat with my own thoughts next to them, my back against the cave wall. I could hardly think, my mind reeling from the day�s events. I was glad when Lanthir suggested we rest for a time. Priscilla sat next to me, as close as she could. It was comforting to know that if I had perished, there would have been at least one Hobbit in this world that would have mourned my passing. The thought made my dear Priscilla all the more precious to me.
After a little time, Priscilla fell asleep leaning on my shoulder. Lanthir and I sat quiet, until I broke the silence.
�Thank you for saving my life. You have kept your vow to me.�
Lanthir only nodded. �And I will continue to keep it, Pady.� His blue eyes then turned to me and there was a companionship that passed between us. We were no longer strangers on this journey. We were bonded together. Lanthir continued.
�And I am afraid my vow is all the more needy in this hour. I do not wish to cause you more distress, but I feel I must tell you what is facing us.� He glanced over at Priscilla. Being assured she would not hear, he nevertheless leaned in close to me. �We are being followed.�
�The wolves?� I asked.
Lanthir shook his head. �They are not what I sighted. Before they attacked, I saw the signs. Unidentifiable footprints. I fear we are not alone in this wasteland.�
I could think of only one thing to say. �We must stop. This journey cannot continue.�
The look on Lanthir�s face was disbelief. �Why do you say so?�
�It is too dangerous!� I cried. Then remembering Priscilla, I lowered my voice. �I cannot ask you or Priscilla to go farther. And I do not wish to die. I long for my family, but not if it takes our lives.�
�Then you dishonor us and yourself.� Lanthir spoke firmly. �One who begins a path never to finish it is not worthy of trust. You cannot see what the outcome of your quest may be. I have vowed to see you through it, and for my part, I will not be dissuaded from it. And as for this young Hobbit next to you, I doubt she would agree with your decision to give up.�
Looking at Priscilla, I realized it was true. These two believed in me and my mission. They had chosen to come along, willingly, with all their being. How could I dishonor them now? I will continue on. Not only that, but I have decided I will never entertain the thought of quitting again. This journey will be seen through, whether we perish or not; I will be worthy of the trust given to me. I will face whatever danger is following behind us.