Priscilla and I turned our attention to Lanthir, who only kept his eyes on L�m.
�Yes. We do.�
�Do you know what they are?�
Lanthir shifted uncomfortably. �I�ve had my guesses.� I could tell he didn�t like being interrogated by our newest companion.
�He�s an Orc. You know it.�
Lanthir glanced at Priscilla and I briefly, then back to L�m. �I thought so at first, but Orcs keep to shadows and this follower has held to our trail in daylight. Besides, the shape of the foot is wrong.�
L�m nodded. �Yes. Very wrong. You have good eyes, Elfling.�
Lanthir�s eyes hardened. He might have enjoyed the compliment if it came from anyone but a Dwarf. L�m continued.
�They are altered Orcs. I have met them before. They are more wretched than any I have seen.�
Lanthir spoke harshly. �Then they are after you. We allow you to come, but you are being tracked.�
L�m shook his head. �They are most certainly not after me. They have my possession, why would they hunt me? You most likely saw the footprints before you came upon me. Am I correct?�
Lanthir reluctantly nodded and for once, I saw his eyes hold glimmers of fear. What was it that could cause our brave Elf guide such trouble. He suddenly whispered, not to me or Priscilla or even L�m. He spoke softly to himself. �What shadow has created these creatures?�
�Can you think of no one?� L�m�s voice was low, solemn.
Lanthir�s blue eyes shone with concern. He spoke a few words in his native tongue and then in the language we all understood. �But Angmar was destroyed ages ago.�
L�m nodded. �But his minions linger. His twisted creations. They�re desperate and lost without him.�
�Who?� I asked. They were speaking in riddles and I didn�t like it. It worried me and fear was taking over my heart.
Lanthir stared even harder at L�m. �We�ve discussed enough for tonight. Thoughts of shadow and evil will not encourage our hearts. It is time we rested.�
I opened my mouth to protest, but then L�m turned to me and spoke. �He�s right, my Hobbit friend. There is no sense on dwelling on what has passed in the dead of night. It is best we sleep well.�
Having been turned away by both Lanthir and L�m, I closed my mouth and moved to my bedroll. What was out there? What was it that turned even Lanthir�s heart to fear?
As I lay quietly, I felt a sudden presence near me. Priscilla had lain her bedroll next to mine and was clutching her blanket close to her throat. She was staring up at the night sky and its bright stars shined in her green eyes.
�I�m scared, Pady.�
�Me, too.�
As we lay there, both afraid, I reached over and took her right hand in my left. I saw her smile and then I said, �We�ll make it. It will be alright.�
But I don�t think I believed it. And I still don�t. There is something out there and the terror it�s created in my heart when I haven�t seen it makes me wonder how I�ll face it when I do.