Wild Monster

by Matthew Harrington

  Of course, Gandalf was aware of the sudden stop and turned around, walking back to Hyano and the wraith.

  "Everything is alright?" He asked, looking at Ren briefly before turning and walking ahead of the two. "I will bring you to the shack, where we will leave your... friend. For now. We don't want to cause panic among the elves and especially no hostility from the other istari." With this, he started walking down the path towards the home he used. Luckily, he will not disturb anyone there anymore, so he was not worried about the creature harming people. He shall be watched at all times.

  Hyano nodded.

  "Yes, he is fine. Light normally would burn him so he is rather... hesitant to just walk out into it." She explained for him as they started to walk, continuing to hold the wraith's hand. When he said they would be leaving Ren behind, she thought this over. While she would rather keep Ren with her... she thought it safer he stayed behind. A room full of istari was dangerous, to say the least. And considering Asteri would be there... everyone knew he was a wizard who was full of nothing but huge spells. While he had little skill in earth magic, the magic he did know was powerful and dangerous. While Hyano was sure he would be on her side... if he wasn't well... she shook her head.

  "Oh yes... The tee herder family moved away into the city. We will also pay them a visit before attending the council." The White wizard noted quickly with a smile. He had been watching over the family as best as he could while Hyano could not. They were truly worthy people to be in this world. He could tell the similarities they had with the normal tree herders in the way they had a special connection with nature. There were many things that went lost through the ages but the very base their kind was built on... remained in their roots.

  "Oh? Are they settling in well?" The orange wizard asked, not able to help her curious nature. It was such a long time ago when she saw them last. She wondered if Rosa finally managed to get over her fear of this world and the elves... Or if Lilly found any friends. Did Will and Holly manage to organize a nice Ash Day with the elves? She had so many questions but most of them could be answered later. For now, she just wished to be sure about their happiness.

  "Oh, they do brilliant." The White wizard said with a chuckle. "They had their celebration tied to the elven one that one month of the year. It was fantastic. They already attended that one like true citizens of this elven city." He paused, remembering how the elves seemed to accept them instantly, liked their shows and participated themselves. Surely the family didn't expect such a fast process. "Rosa, in the mean time, is learning sewing from a shopkeeper and might want to open her own one day." He added, remembering his visits to the elven city. Of course, he kept close contact with them, despite his constant guarding at the cave's opening. "And I think she might have found a little more than a friend among the elves here." He hinted, chuckling. He was sure he was not the only one who saw her being accompanied a lot by the elf boy who brought them to this world from Middle-Earth. Fieven was his name. While it was not too obvious, it was clear there was something in the air around them. "I think Lilly isn't far behind. I can see her and her elven friend living together in their own home in ten years." Of course he never told anyone this suspicion. But normally such close friendship between a boy and a girl ended in a much tighter connection. Usually this was true for Man and elves... but if it was also true for herder people? He will need to see that. Love wasn't so far behind, now was it? They are in their teens, after all.

  Hyano was a both surprised and pleased with the news. She raised a brow slightly as she heard about Rosa and Lilly's development.

  "You know, not all the elves will be pleased with this. Especially not with Lilly." She said honestly. While the elves seemed to have become much more tolerant people since she last saw them... she did see the one flaw they had was still very much there. An inability to change or accept change. It just wasn't in their nature. It was what kept many elves from accepting more human partners back in Middle-Earth. She was sure there had been more than just the few who had wanted to. She felt a slight ping of fear for the young ones. If Rosa didn't have trouble coming her way for this... Lilly sure did.

  Of course, Gandalf knew that. He saw this coming and unfortunately, he might not be here to defend them when the time comes. Hyano was wise to see a problem with Lilly's situation, even if she did not see the same with Rosa. The elfling, Naril, was far too young and will be until he reaches his fiftieth year of his life. Lilly might be far too old for marriage by that time. However, there was not much they can do for now.

  "The elves don't know yet about Rosa and her elven partner. And no one yet sees that possibility between Lilly and her new friend. Anything could happen." He added, agreeing in his own way but like with everything, he didn't like to think about the bad consequences. While he was aware of them, he liked to only realize it truly once he could do something about it. Until then, it won't help anyone if they start fussing over that now. "The most problems might come with Lilly, indeed. The boy is only ten years older than her... and we all know that elves come of age at the age of fifty..." He added, humming, and looked up when the shack came into his view. He sped up a little to be done with this. They still needed to snatch Rosa before going to the council. "But you can inquire about all this yourself. We will take Rosa along."

  Hyano nodded, feeling bad for Lilly and her friend already. But maybe they were over-thinking it. Maybe they will be just the greatest friends for life and will consider one another as siblings, becoming the godparents of each other's children. People were so easy to draw conclusions and now it dawned on her that istari were no exceptions in this. When they reached the shack she smiled and walked right in, looking around. Hyano already saw it before she and Ren were taken to the cave but she could not get enough of the sight. It brought back so many dear memories... Memories about her carefree 'childhood', about her just roaming the forests and playing with the animals without a worry about the world... Radagast... Her time with Ren there and his clumsy attempts to make himself work without his master... She smiled and sighed, then looked at Ren, who clearly showed no true interest in going inside himself.

  Ren just knew... no... suspected what they would want from him as soon as Hyano turned towards him. He was still distrusting their current situation. So they want him to go in there and then what? Imprison him there? Keep him locked up like a dog that bites to never escape? Oh no... he will not make it that easy... With this thought, the wraith planted his feet firmly to the ground and stood there, refusing to go any closer to the door.

  'I'm going to a meeting with the other istari. Likely to talk about your progress. Gandalf wants you to stay here until we get back. It should only be a few hours.'She told him, not about to leave without giving him some kind of explanation and she thought since they were inside it would be fine to speak in Black Speech for a second. Just so Ren knew what was going on. He clearly did not like this situation but there was nothing she could do about it at the moment. Once the meeting was over, she could easily explain to him what the next steps will be in their stay. Speaking of which, even she did not know... Although... she could already suspect.

  Ren was not content to go inside. While he tolerated the sun more, it still wasn't a pleasant feeling but the memory of being helpless and imprisoned was still too fresh in his mind... He suspected this would be his next prison? But then again, the sun was irritating him enough to reconsider it. The change was very much in progress still and there was a long way to go. The wraith slipped inside and shook his head as if trying to get rid of a dizzy feeling, the truth was however that his sight sharpened too suddenly, causing an uncomfortable feeling in his mind. But this simple gesture did the trick. The first thing he did was observe the location. It was... kind of familiar actually. He already saw such a shack before, although much older and much simpler.

  Aaaaand he was instantly off.

  The Nazgul couldn't help his natural childish curiosity and the first place he stopped at was the table, where
many unusual items lay, picking up the first glass object already. He only barely heard what she said over his loud thinking as he tried to guess what this item was meant to be.

  "Am I to stay in here... or can I go outside?" He asked, now turning his hooded head towards her, tilting it a little in curiosity, still holding onto the glass object. This was a critical detail for him. "I am not imprisoned anymore..." He added, giving it a slight warning tone and pointing it out. He was promised freedom, so wanted to have it in exchange. Not to be... closed in like that again... Not like a wooden door could keep him inside, though. He would find a way outside. The window looked large enough, at least.

  Hyano looked out, noting that there were armed guards a distance from the shack. She wondered where they have been so long. She expected to see them the moment they set foot outside the cave and went towards the shack. She could tell the elves were armed to the teeth and were dead set on keeping Ren under their watchful gaze. If they kept up their current determined behavior... she wondered if they were up the challenge ahead.

  "To a degree." She replied finally and looked back at the Nazgul. "You can go outside but without me... they will likely not trust you to go far. I would honestly suggest you stay here and get some rest. You haven't really gotten a chance to really meditate in the past two weeks and once I'm a distance away you will only have the strength you have now to work with until I get back." She pointed out. She wasn't trying to discourage him from going outside as much as make sure he knew the facts and understood that he was likely better off inside until she returned. As curious as he was... he was also likely very tired as well.

  The wraith hissed faintly, then simply returned to the table, putting down the glass object to pick up a strange looking flower. He tilted his head to the side in confusion before holding it closer and sniffed on it. He regretted it instantly as the scent of the flower was rather strong from so close, so hissed in irritation and disgust, then threw it to the ground, not even wanting to touch that thing ever again. His next victim was an unusual bowl which was used for making potions.

  Seeing the wraith was occupied, Gandalf stopped at the doorway, having given them the privacy to talk but now it was time to go.

  "He seems to be busy, so let us use this chance and get Rosa.." He wasn't at all worried about being late. His philosophy said that a wizard arrives when he means to, neither late, neither too early. So, there was no need to rush.

  Hyano nodded and walked to follow him. She knew Ren would keep himself busy for a number of hours before either testing his elven guards or going to rest for a while. She honestly expected at least twice that many guards to be there by the time they got back. Hyano raised a brow as he mentioned that they would be picking up Rosa. She raised a brow.

  "Not that I mind seeing her but why exactly do we need Rosa again?" She questioned curiously. Istari meetings very rarely involved anyone who was not an istar and the few times it did they were more like negotiations than meetings.

  What could they possibly need with the eldest herder child?

  All Gandalf did was slowly look at her with his blue eyes, meeting her green ones in almost mischief, before going to look back at their path.

  "You will see." He said in a mysterious tone, then sped up a little, his long legs giving him the boost. He walked down the path towards the elven city, the peak of the highest tree already visible from their current distance. They met a few elves here and there, who greeted the two istari. Most were hunters, others were guards, another portion were gatherers who went to collect fruits and vegetables from the forest.

  Once arriving at the city, the White already knew where to go, leading the younger wizard with ease and swiftly across the city. There were a few murmurs here and there, seeing Hyano out of the caves so soon, all of them talking about her and the dark creature but most were hushed and silent. Once they arrived at the house, the istar noticed the elk laying next to the door, which looked towards the window, smelling the scent of cooking that reached the nose of the wizards. Lord was probably waiting for the mother to give him some fruits and vegetables from the window, maybe some left-overs from the previous day's meal. They were spoiling him. Gandalf only chuckled, though, and nodded towards the elk, who nodded back at him, not hesitating since he already knew him. But at the sight of the younger wizard he became unsure, so perked his ears and watched her, alert. The old wizard gestured for her to bow to the creature, while he went to knock on the door with his staff. Rosa might be still at home. It was fairly early.

  Hyano kept quiet while following him all the way to the herder's new home. Of course, she heard the whispers but she ignored them. Not much else she could do about it besides tolerate it. The humans hadn't been much better so she was used to it. When they arrived at the shack she noticed Lord and smiled. It had been some time since she saw one of those. She looked at Gandalf, then smiled again at the elk, bowing down to it in a polite manner.

  Rosa answered the door. She blinked in surprise when she saw the old tall wizard in front of her, having not expected a visit from him at this time of the day.

  "Oh, hello. If you are looking for my parents, they are all out. Dad is out training Cane and Naril, while my mom and Lilly went to go have breakfast with Naril's parents." She said, then noticed Hyano. She blinked, staring at her for a few seconds before it dawned on her what or rather who she saw, then grinned. "Hyano!" The herder girl yelled happily before running and hugging the shorter girl.

  Hyano yelped and hoped the elk wouldn't be offended that she was forced to stop bowing early because she was literally lifted into a hug.

  "Ugh... Nice to see you too, Rosa." She said sheepishly as she patted the girl's back, feeling like she could not breathe. Bloody Void, they were all too strong for their own good.

  The elk of course didn't take any offense and saw the bow in the motion, so sighed but eventually bowed back, although only nodded his head because he was lying down, then looked at Rosa in an almost pleading manner, awaiting more treats through the window, of course.

  The White wizard chuckled at the display of friendship and shook his head but nodded in greeting at the herder girl.

  "Oh, I didn't come to see them." He said, using that tone. That specific tone that said something was going on but he also would not tell her what. After all, Gandalf loved surprises, so he always expected others to like it too. One negative trait of his personality but then again... No one was perfect. Not even istari. "Now, it is time." He said, then turned around, already marching down towards the path. "Let's go to the council. They are waiting. We just came around to get you, young lady."

  Rosa put the istar down, who gasped, finally able to breathe properly. Rosa smiled sheepishly before looking at Gandalf. She blinked, confused, then realized what he must be talking about. He was taking her along? For that meeting? Was he serious? She instantly got nervous but seeing as he was giving her no room to say no she quickly ran inside, getting the last bowl of treats for the elk, then ran back in to make sure everything in the house was cleaned and put away before running after the istari.

  Hyano, having already started following Gandalf, was still as confused as ever but decided not to question it. "Alright, Gandalf. Exactly how far away is the meeting place?" She asked him, thinking he could at least tell her that much.

  "Oh, it is not far." The White wizard replied but as usual... his answer was maybe giving them an idea but was not accurate, leaving them to guess and pass the time.

  They left the path soon after they left the city and started walking in a different direction in the forest. He was walking at a straight line, so surely knew where to go. He didn't inform Rosa about her part in this but not because he wanted to see her get all nervous and panic. He simply didn't want her to panic now. There was no reason to at the moment. Instead, he kept silent and walked, looking back sometimes to make sure they were following.

  That was until they reached a rather... large and quite wide tree. He stopped in front of it and
held out his staff, tapping it a few places, using his magic to open a door inside it. Once it creaked open, revealing wooden steps that led downwards. The White stepped inside, gesturing for the girls to follow, before tapping his staff to make some light in the tunnel that followed.

  Hyano and Rosa walked side by side chatting about the past events, getting Hyano as up to date as it was possible, considering the amount of time they had. Hyano was surprised so much had happened while she was in the cave but she smiled none the less, glad to see everything was progressing well. When they came to the tree, she giggled lightly, having not seen one of these in a while. It felt nice to see the old tricks being used again.

  "Watch your step. The ground is not all that even." Gandalf warned, then kept walking, the steps under him squeaking like in a comical show, which was only made worse by him taking his time. The closer they came to the small light at the end of the tunnel, the more they could hear the noise and the cheerful talking on the other end. It didn't take long for them to reach another simple wooden door, which Gandalf swung open without even giving a chance for Hyano to imagine what the other side would look like.

  The green eyes of the younger wizard opened wide and a large smile spread across her face.

  In the mean time, Ren has lost interest in the thousand items that were in the shack. There was not much guessing to do, since he knew already what most were used for and he had no shipmunk on him to put it into the glass containers. There was nothing truly interesting in there... And that the long ears were staring at him through the window was only making this situation more irritating for him than it should be. No matter what he did, no matter where he went in the shack... he always felt eyes on him. So, he decided to play along.