We stayed in the cave at the edge of the mountains for some time. Once Lanthir had revealed to me that we were being tracked by an unknown creature, we both found ourselves in silence. By the way Lanthir�s forehead was creased and eyes narrowed, I knew he must be puzzling through who it might be that was coming behind us and what actions we must now take. I was trying to do the same, to come up with some brilliant plan, but all I could do was sit in confusion and enjoy, somewhat guiltily, considering our plight, the form of Priscilla, resting against my shoulder. For me, the one light in the midst of this darkened land was this Hobbit lass with me. She made all things seem possible for me, though I felt with every step that I had led what I loved dearly into a danger from which she might never escape. My emotions were mixed: I wanted her to be with me, to see her shining green eyes and marvel at her chestnut hair and yet, I wanted to send her home, to push her as far from me as I could, so that she would rest in safety. Still, I knew Lanthir had been right; Priscilla herself would never have consented to go home, no matter how hard I tried. I had to accept her presence and move my mind to other matters closer at hand.
Finally, Lanthir stood and looked sympathetically down at Priscilla. �I hate to wake her, this Hobbit who has proved her bravery this day. But we must move on. We cannot lose a moment more.�
I put my free hand on Priscilla�s shoulder, nudging her ever so slightly. To my surprise, she was awake and alert with a start, almost as if she had never been sleeping at all.
�Yes?� She asked, rubbing sleep out of her crystal green eyes.
�It is time to continue on.� Lanthir spoke shortly and Priscilla only nodded.
�Of course! I�ve slept too long.� She stood and slinging her pack and quiver onto her back, she started for the cave entrance. I had just begun to pick up my pack when she turned back and looked at me in exasperation.
�Come along, Pady! This is no time to be lazy.� With that, she left the cave, Lanthir taking long strides to catch up with her, a small grin on his face, and I running not to be left behind. I saw when I came back into the dull, gray light of day in this land that the sun was positioned at mid-afternoon. While in the cave, I had eaten only a little and Lanthir had forgone eating altogether. I think we were both so shaken from the wolf attack that neither of us wanted to force large amounts of food into our stomachs. I noticed that as Priscilla walked, she held a piece of Elvish bread in her hands, taking bites here and there and mumbling through her consumption of it. I had just heard her ask Lanthir which direction we were taking from the mountains when I caught up with my two companions.
Lanthir had looked thoughtfully at the lay of the land around him before answering. �My mother related to me that all stories she had heard of Pady�s kin spoke of a journey northeast of these mountains. We will set our direction towards Carn Dum, though I doubt if our path will lead us to that accursed place. I do not believe fate would be so cruel.�
I looked at Priscilla and once again we shared a moment of ignorance. Lanthir seemed to ever be speaking of things we knew nothing of. Noticing our faces, Lanthir spoke brusquely.
�There is no need to belabor you with the story of Angmar. All you need know is deep evil dwelt there and though it has long been deserted, I do not wish to travel near a place connected to the darkest Shadow on this earth.�
We accepted this description and as we walked on, I felt in my own heart that I agreed with Lanthir; the way he spoke, I never wanted to go near this place that had been caught in some terrible wickedness. Though, inside I was questioning if my family had gone to this Carn Dum and wondering how long they would have survived in this wilderness without finding someplace good to dwell. There was no where to live here and then it suddenly occurred to me that although we were following their steps, it was quite possible that our direction would change drastically if some new information came within our sight. We could be moving in the opposite direction of where my family dwelt. This journey might continue for months. I was disheartened by this thought. I was already tired of this wasteland and I wanted to find my family and be done with it.
So wrapped was I in my own thoughts that I did not notice the time pass and the sun fall lower and lower on the horizon. We must have walked for several miles before Lanthir called a halt. I was grateful, for I wanted to rest my feet and calm the throbbing of walking such a long distance over the past two days. I had never walked much farther than from my Uncle�s home to the Brandywine River in the Shire. My feet were not hardened for a journey as long as this. Yet, even though Lanthir had told us to stop, the moment Priscilla and I began to unload our burdens the Elf looked at us with agitation, motioning us to put them on again.
�But�� I only got the first word out of my protest. I had wanted to ask why this was not a perfect spot and time to set up our camp for the night when Lanthir interrupted with a sharp hiss and his finger to his lips.
�There is something up ahead in that glade.� His voice was soft and raspy as he whispered so low I could hardly hear what he was saying. He had gripped his bow in his hand and was now silently fitting an arrow to it.
�Do you think it is what has been following us?� To be honest, in the midst of my own selfish thoughts as we walked, I had completely forgotten that we were still in danger. The wolf attack had passed and I had slipped back into a feeling of false security, walking with two companions I trusted. Lanthir�s look of chagrin at my statement told me I had just said something very wrong. I presumed I had spoken too loudly for the Elf, but as I turned to see where his eyes moved, I realized I had revealed the truth to the Hobbit lass that was now standing staring at us with her hands on her hips.
�So we�re being followed, huh? Didn�t want to tell me did you?� Priscilla ended her questions with a snort of disgust. �Why am I here if you won�t tell me everything?�
Her voice was rising in volume and Lanthir shot her a glance with eyes wide, indicating he needed her silence.
Priscilla responded by swiftly drawing her own bow and an arrow. �Well I don�t care what you two think. You can sit here all day and contemplate what�s in that glade, or you can find out.�
With that, she began marching towards the opening in this dead forest, her step firm and assured. This was the first time I had seen Lanthir beside himself and out of control. He lost all composure and his frustration at Priscilla come out in the form of a sigh and a yell at the same time. He leaped up and before I could even pull out my own bow, he had rushed in front of the Hobbit lass and into the glade, throwing himself before her. I don�t think Priscilla much appreciated the gesture, and I made a mental note to myself that I had to talk to her about how to discern when to throw caution to the wind and when to hesitate before danger takes your life.