[Envinyatar]

There was a faint sound as something moved up near to the four Hobbits. Carl pulled the dagger from his belt, ready to throw as soon as a target appeared. Olo placed his hand on Carl’s arm. ‘Hold!’ he said, motioning for Hall and Gaddy to stand nearer. The two younger Hobbits turned pale, fearing an unaccounted for Warg had taken their scent and now meant to make a meal of them.

Olo whistled, a clear wren’s trill. And was answered in turn. Two men, dressed in grey cloaks appeared suddenly. One from behind a nearby tree, the other from a thick tangle of bush and vine. Their hoods were up, obscuring their faces, and both carried bows, with arrows cocked.

‘Who are these men?’ asked Carl, as he and Olo stepped forth to greet them. Olo nodded his head to the two, and spoke a soft word of greeting. The men pushed back their hoods and inclined their heads to the three other Hobbits. They were tall, with dark hair and grey eyes. Their faces were tanned, weathered by the elements, and from them, their eyes looked keen and piercing.

‘These are two of the Rangers I spoke with when I left you that day we scouted in the Angle. They agreed to keep a watch out for us and to aid us should we need it.’ He motioned to one and then the other. ‘This is Anaradan,’ he said, ‘and this is Mirion, Rangers from the North.’

The two men conferred with Olo, saying that they would accompany them back to the main group, and would be staying with the companions until they reached Rivendell, and then returned safe to the Shire.

The six turned north to pick up the rest of the Hobbits and continued to where Tomba and Daisy stood with Branda and Bullroarer. Bullroarer’s face wore a questioning look as he saw the two Men approach.

Branda stepped forward, a frown on his face. ‘What’s this?’ he demanded.

[ February 06, 2003: Message edited by: Envinyatar ]