Oh my goodness, this chapter was a tedious one to write and I admit it is a little rushed as I feel very guilty I haven't updated for so long! It's only a very short one as I have decided to end this story here and start the second book as a separate story. I will update on this story when the new one is available.

-Lorikeet

CHAPTER NINE

As much as I liked Lothlorien, I was thrilled to be heading off again. The Elvish city was like living in a library, I almost expected to be shushed by an elderly librarian if I made to much noise.

Galadriel had given everybody gifts, except me. I hadn't expected anything, I was a bird. So I spent the time preening, I think I am starting to moult. I hate moulting, I will be looking like an old feather duster soon enough.

Aragorn didn't seem to know where we were heading next. I didn't want to listen to them debate their new course. Knowing what was coming just depressed me and I needed to decide if I would go with Frodo and Sam or follow the others.

But I must say, even though I eat meat, I did try this lembas stuff. It wasn't half bad, I could probably live on it if prey was scarce. In saying that though, I would take a mouse over it any day.

It was Haldir who lead us to the Silverlode, it was a fair hike though. I was grateful I had a ride. Once again, I was perched on Haldir's shoulder. He thanked me for not getting dead rodent bits all over him.

If you annoy me between now and when we reach the river, I'm sure I can rustle something up.

But Haldir behaved himself, I was only slightly disappointed. When we reached the banks of the river, I took off to circle overhead while the others learned how to steer the boats. They were row boats, I paddled a canoe once, I don't think it is the same. David did take Emma and I to learn to sail a hobie cat a few weeks ago, that had been an interesting experience. Turns out teamwork doesn't work that well when Emma is trying to boss me around and I yell at her to shut her fucking face. By the end of the day, both of us were sunburnt and exhausted but we did manage to get some sort of grasp on it.

Poor Sam was looking a little seasick as the river began to speed up a little. Everyone was silent as we sailed south, I was still floating high above their heads I didn't like the trees on the banks, they were a far cry from the beautiful mallorn-trees. These ones were twisted and dead-looking.

I kept a keen eye out for enemies while we travelled, the days blurred into one another. But I did see the Smeagol-Log, paddling along silently. There was no cause for alarm yet, his part in this story hasn't quite begun yet. Sam and Frodo noticed him eventually though. Aragorn had always known about him, of course. The Ranger had even attempted to catch him a few times but he always got away.

By day, I left the Company for hours, searching for any signs of danger while hunting as well. Even the animals I did catch were scrawny and ill. Finally, we reached those giant statue thingies. They were so freaking big I can't even begin to comprehend how they were built! Or even how long it took to build them.

We set up camp shortly after passing the massive statues, within earshot of the waterfall that Boromir would soon journey over. It had been ten days since we left Lothlorien, it felt like years.

I was getting anxious now, things were about to go very bad. When Frodo got up, unnoticed by anyone but me, I clamped my beak shut and chanted "I can't interfere" over and over.

When Boromir slipped away after him, staying quiet was even harder. I managed to stay quiet, perched on Merry's backpack in a puffy, feathery ball of gloom. It seemed like forever had gone by when Boromir finally reappeared, looking pale and upset. He was very evasive when Aragorn questioned him. I knew why.

The hobbits panicked that something had happened to Frodo and scattered in all directions, a blind rush to find him. They ignored Aragorn, even Legolas and Gimli and bolted. Only I remained behind, along with Boromir. Aragorn pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly frustrated.

'Come, Shadow.' Was all he said to me. He normally wasn't this abrupt with me, but I knew he was stressed so I let it go. I flew above him as he ran after Sam, I stayed close.

Sam wasn't very fast, we caught up to him easily. The poor hobbit was calling out desperately for Frodo. But he soon fell behind, unable to keep up with Aragorn and myself. I glanced back at him, it would be the last time I would see him for a while. It was the time for decisions and I had decided to stay with Aragorn.

Goodbye, Sam. And good luck.

And with that, I followed the Ranger.

Well, there you have it. Please review, people. I love getting reviews! And it encourages me to keep writing. I get a lot of notifications about favourites and follows, would like to see a few more review notifications :)