The Shadow Hunter

Chapter 12: Embarking on Another Journey

Fireworks burst in the night sky above, sending bright flickers that blended with the small stars. The Hobbits cheered as Gandalf released another, a flower blooming in the sky with crackles and sparks. Bilbo’s birthday was as magnificent as anyone could expect. People danced continuously with the music, whilst the others drank and ate enough food to last for weeks. They shared stories to each other and sent congratulations to the old Hobbit walking among them. Bilbo received their congratulatory words sincerely, often handing small gifts to the guests that had expected them.

Meanwhile, silently watching the guests from the dark corner of the party, sat a cloaked Varilerin, content with only a mug of ale. None had noticed her sitting there ever since the festivities had started, even the Elves and several Dwarves that constantly passed her. Watching the joy that engulfed people was amusing enough for her. It seemed, however, that one particular Hobbit noticed her sitting lonely in the shadows. He left the crowd of dancing people and skipped towards Varilerin, surprising her with his sudden arrival.

“So you’re the Daefaroth that Bilbo has long talked about?” Frodo immediately guessed when he saw her appearance. Varilerin wasn’t responsive, but Frodo didn’t stay idle and instead dragged a chair not far to sit beside her. “I have heard you from Bilbo’s stories, how you slay Orcs and fight in the shadows.”

“Bilbo has quite a mouth then,” Varilerin remarked plainly, watching Bilbo telling stories to little children not far. She smirked a little when the children gasped as Bilbo told a terrifying part of his story, which was nevertheless true to some degree. “Yes, I am Daefaroth. I have seen you many times as well, Frodo Baggins. You may not remember it, but you’re such a cute one back when you’re young,” she continued emotionlessly. Frodo blushed and looked down to the grass, playing with his hairy feet to distract his attention.

There was suddenly a loud explosion coming from the firework tent, before a firework dragon emerged from it. Varilerin saw Gandalf gaping from afar, knowing that he was not the one that triggered the firework. People cheered when the dragon spread its wings high above, but they immediately screamed in panic when the dragon descended towards them. Frodo immediately stood up and ran to Bilbo, who was failing to catch the pace of the running guests. The dragon however, didn’t engulf them with its wings, and instead flew above them towards the lake. Not a second later the lake was decorated with bright lights from the bursting dragon, glinting the waters with sparkles that spread all over the surface. When the people saw the magnificent firework and clapped their hands, forgetting all the panic that they had experienced.

“Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took! I might have known!” Varilerin heard Gandalf scolding two young Hobbits, grabbing their ears and dragging them towards him. “You will pay for all your ‘deeds’ in the dishwasher, gentlemen.” Varilerin scoffed when she saw Gandalf forcing them to wash the numerous plates one by one, whilst their blackened face remained uncleaned. Gandalf winked at her as he blew his pipe.

“Speech Bilbo!” the crowd said finally after all the commotion had settled down. Bilbo followed their requests and walked towards the podium in the middle of the field. Bilbo laughed when he finally stood higher than the guests.

“My dear Bagginses and Boffins, Tooks and Brandybucks, Grubbs, Chubbs, Hornblowers, Bulgers, Bracegirdles, and Proudfoots!” Bilbo started, igniting cheers from the crowd. “Today is my 111th birthday!”

“Happy Birthday, Bilbo!” the crowd shouted simultaneously.

“Alas, eleventy-one years is far too short a time to live among such excellent and admirable Hobbits. I don’t know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you, hals as well as you deserve!” There was a confused silence in the crowd, whilst Gandalf and Varilerin smirked in amusement. Bilbo looked confused himself, sweating cold sweat as he slowly rummaged his pocket out of anxiety. “I… I have things to do,” Bilbo trailer off. Varilerin loosened her smirk and stood up, wondering what the Hobbit was intending as he fumbled with his pocket. She glanced at Gandalf, who seemed suspicious of the Hobbit’s action.

“I’ve put this off for far too long,” Bilbo continued. “I regret to announce that this is the end. I am going now. I bid you all a very fond farewell!” Bilbo then looked at Frodo, smiling gently as he drew in a deep breath. “Goodbye,” Bilbo said before suddenly, he took a ring from his pocket and wore it in a flash. Within a split second Bilbo disappeared into the thin air. The crowd gasped loudly together and Gandalf stopped smoking. Varilerin widened her eyes. It didn’t took long for her to run towards Bag End and Gandalf moving from his own position. Varilern ran through the lush forests of Shire, completely convinced that the Ring was the one that Bilbo had just used. There was a darkness that loomed over her heart just a second after Bilbo took out the ring, convincing her that it was no mere magic ring.

She leapt across the trees, taking a shortcut before finally arriving at Bilbo’s doorsteps. She arrived together with Gandalf, who seemed to have an increased agility despite his frail appearance. Gandalf advanced first, opening the door without knocking first, and Varilerin shadowed him cautiously. They found Bilbo packing things onto his bag while humming cheerfully.

“I suppose you think that was terribly clever,” Gandalf said, slightly angered with the Hobbit’s actions.

“Come on Gandalf. Did you see their faces?” Bilbo retorted, not even glancing at his friends. Varilerin rolled her eyes at Gandalf, who sighed loudly when he realized that he should be saying what should be said long ago.

“There are many magic rings in this world Bilbo Baggins and none of them should be used lightly!” Gandalf advised the Hobbit. Bilbo finally turned to Gandalf and Varilerin, holding a ring in his right hand. “It was just a bit of fun!” Bilbo tried to defend himself. However, it seemed he couldn’t fight the two glaring figures that were clearly disappointed by his childish actions.

“Oh, you’re probably right as usual!” Bilbo sighed in annoyance as he fetched his pipe on the table. “You will keep an eye on Frodo, won’t you? I am leaving everything to him, this house and all the furnitures….”

“What about this ring of yours?” Varilerin asked so suddenly, causing the Hobbit to jolt. Bilbo was hesitant to answer her question, she knew. “Bilbo?”

“Yes, yes. It’s in an envelope over there on the mantelpiece…” Bilbo said, busying himself with the rest of his travelling gears. Gandalf nodded and approached the mantelpiece, but Varilerin stopped the wizard from walking away. “Bilbo, the ring is in your hand, remember?” Varilerin asked slowly, sure that the Hobbit had not forgotten the object within his body. Bilbo stopped moving and opened the palm of his hand. Varilerin observed the Hobbit carefully as he looked at the ring with widened and hungry eyes. “Bilbo. I think you should leave the ring behind.”

“Well… Now that you mention it… No… and yes,” Bilbo muttered as he played with his ring. Gandalf stepped forward and so did Varilerin. “Now it comes to it, I don’t feel like parting with it. It’s mine, I found it! It came to me!” Bilbo said in an increasing angered tone.

“There’s no need to get angry,” Gandalf said. Bilbo turned to him angrily. “Well, If I’m angry it’s your fault! It’s mine. My only… My precious…” Gandalf and Varilerin widened their eyes, having heard such phrase before.

“Precious? It’s been called that before, but not by you. I think you’ve had that ring long enough, Bilbo Baggins,” Gandalf suggested hastily.

“You want it for yourself don’t you?” Bilbo accused Gandalf, pulling the ring away from his vicinity. Varilerin couldn’t stop Gandalf from looming over Bilbo with furious eyes, even with her fast nature, and hopelessly watched the Hobbit being scolded harshly by the wizard.

“BILBO BAGGINS!” boomed Gandalf. “Do not take me for some conjuror of cheap tricks! I am not trying to rob you!” Gandalf continued as he casted increasing fear to the Hobbit. Varilerin grabbed Gandalf’s hand and whispered the wizard’s name slowly to stop him. Gandalf’s shadow seemed to die out instantly, his face now calmer than before after he realized his fury had cast an undesirable fear on the Hobbit. “I am trying to help you, old friend,” Gandalf finally said gently. Bilbo whimpered quietly and ran to hug the wizard. Gandalf sighed, and so was Varilerin.

“All the long years we’ve been friends. Trust me as you once did. Let it go,” Gandalf said again after he let the Hobbit go.

“You’re right, Gandalf. The ring must go to Frodo after all,” Bilbo said as he picked up his bag.

“Bilbo, the ring is still in your pocket,” Varilerin reminded the Hobbit immediately. Bilbo reacted as if he had forgotten his words, but then finally took out the ring and stared at it for a while. He then slowly tipped his hand and dropped the object to the ground, whilst his eyes constantly observed the object obsessively.

“The journey is long,” Bilbo said finally, regaining the innocent expression he had always have. He took his walking stick and all his luggage, facing Gandalf and Varilerin lastly before his departure. “I’ve thought of an ending for my book: And he lives happily ever after to the end of his days.”

“I’m sure you will, dear friend,” Varilerin told Bilbo. She let Bilbo hug her gently, bidding him farewell. “Goodbye, Gandalf, Daefaroth,” Bilbo said to them.

“Goodbye, Dear Bilbo,” both of them said together. Bilbo nodded and opened the door of Bag End, humming as he walked away from his house, towards his last journey. Varilerin watched her old friend disappear into the night, before turning to Gandalf, who was reaching for the ring that lay on the floor. Upon touching the object, Gandalf jolted, and instantly backed away with eyes widened. Confused, she approached the object as well and knelt beside it. She dared not touch it, feeling darkness emanating from the simple jewellery, as if a shadow was dwelling inside its gold. She shuddered when she heard whispers from the ring, faint but clear enough for her to recognize the foul Black Speech that whispered.

“I may not know what kind of magic ring this is, Gandalf, but it hides evil within it. It is something more powerful than we’ve expected,” Varilerin told him. “We need to know what it is.”

“I know, My Dear,” Gandalf said. “But you’re not telling me this is Sauron’s ring, do you?”

“I am afraid it is more convincing to say so,” Varilerin answered. Gandalf mumbled in agreement and slumped into a small chair behind him, his face seeming so exhausted. Varilerin stood still beside the wizard, eyeing the small object without a split second of glancing away. Not long after, Frodo entered the house, panicked and panting after what seemed a long run from the party. Frodo took notice of the ring lying on the floor and picked it up without a sign of being affected, to Varilerin and Gandalf’s surprise.

“He’s gone, hasn’t he?” Frodo asked, though he knew the answer to the question himself.

“Yes, he’s gone to stay with the Elves. He’s left you Bag End,” Gandalf told the Hobbit and rose from his seat. He took an envelope that incidentally was on the table. “Along with all his possessions. The Ring is yours now.” Gandalf handed the envelope and Frodo dropped the ring inside it. Varilerin sighed in relief once the envelope was sealed by Gandalf, though she was still cautious of its ominous presence. “Now, I must leave,” Gandalf said after he handed the envelope. Frodo became more confused about the situation, for Gandalf seemed really wary, and so was Varilerin.

“Where are you going?” Frodo asked as he followed the wizard with his tiny footsteps. “Are you going to follow Bilbo?”

“No, Frodo. Bilbo is in his own journey now. I have other things to attend to, questions that need answering,” Gandalf said before he stopped his pace and turned to the Hobbit, whose figure was shadowed by Varilerin’s towering body. He gulped as he took his hat from Varilerin and put it on. “Keep the ring secret. Keep it hidden from any eyes that try to see it.”

“Why?” Frodo asked confusedly. Gandalf didn’t answer and instead turned to Varilerin, leaning closer to whisper. “I don’t know how long I should journey. Until I arrive, I entrust you with the safety of this Hobbit, Shadow Hunter,” Gandalf whispered to her.

“And in the shadows I shall protect him. Go,” Varilerin answered surely. The wizard smiled and nodded, and with a last glance to both of them, took his staff and disappeared into the night. Frodo was still standing awkwardly beside Varilerin, demanding answers quietly to the ranger. “I know you have questions, Frodo, but it is not the time. In time your questions will be answered,” Varilerin said. She then pulled her hood forth and walked to the doorsteps. Without glancing, she said, “Goodbye, Frodo Baggins. Until we meet again,” before taking her leave from him.

Without looking back, Varilerin paced down the hills of Bag End, leaving the still confused Hobbit alone at the edge of the door. Her restless heart continued to pace even though she was getting farther from the ring. Deep inside her heart, she wished Gandalf to return in that same moment.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Months had passed in Shire and yet Varilerin had not heard anything from her wizard friend. She had spent those months watching Bag End from the forests and scouting the borders of Shire for any unwanted visitors. In inns rumours had been spreading that the black riders were ever closing into the land of Hobbits, a significant sign that Gandalf better be arriving soon. With the aid of several Dunedain rangers in the land she had also heard news from the farther lands, of Orcs and evil Men terrorizing the free people. Like Gandalf had said, the turning point of the era had begun, and their their actions might decide whatever would Arda be in the future.

She was now perching on one of the taller trees, watching silently the road below as she sharpened her dull swords. In that silence the memories of several months ago flashed before her mind, and she again wondered whether their suspicions regarding Bilbo’s ring was correct. She was, however doubtful Gandalf was, sure that it was the One Ring being searched by the black riders. The darkness that emanated from the ring was unusual enough to burden her heart.

And then the darkness returned to her soul.

She shuddered and stopped moving, feeling the cold wind brushing her cautious skin. She glanced around and prepared her swords, cautious of what would be arriving. It was the same feeling she had felt in the ring, foul and evil enough to perish weaker souls. She grabbed her chest when she felt her heart beating like thunder, widening her eyes when she finally saw what she had been waiting for. The mass of leaves before her soon changed into a moving image of black-cloaked riders, pacing furiously on a narrow surrounded by trees. She could even hear painful screeching sounds that the riders created, aching her ears and snapping her back to reality.

Something’s wrong, she mused. She quickly rose from the branch and leapt through the trees, making her way to Bag End like a bird flying in the air. If it was her gift that had shown the vision, it meant that the black riders were approaching Shire faster than she had expected. Her feet became faster in panic, and soon she found herself at the doorsteps of the homely Hobbit home.

She felt a powerful presence inside the house and she readied her swords for the worst. However, it came to her that the presence was actually familiar to her. The warmth she felt slowly loosened her grip from her weapons. Without sheathing her weapons, she barged into the house, and thrusted her knife for any incoming attacks. A staff was directed at her head like a lightning, but when the assaulter’s gentle eyes met her sharp one, it stopped.

“Gandalf,” she sighed in relief, scanning the Grey Wizard from head to toe. His clothing was torn from long travels and his robes dirty. His face was wary and cautious, looking older with whatever worry he was experiencing. “Gandalf, what took you so long?”

“You are correct about the ring, Daefaroth,” Gandalf told her hastily as he pulled away his staff, ignoring the frightened Frodo behind him. Varilerin sheathed her knife as well and directed Gandalf to a nearby seat, seeing that he was terribly exhausted. “The ring is indeed the One Ring. It has been proven by the words of flame.”

“Then my feeling explains all of it,” Varilerin also told him. “I’ve just seen a vision, Gandalf. Black riders are approaching, entering Shire unnoticed by everyone, except me. If it is the One Ring in Frodo’s hands, they will surely come here.”

“And for that Frodo must leave,” Gandalf explained, staring deep into Frodo’s bright blue eyes. “Pack yourself, Frodo. You’ll be leaving as soon as possible.” Frodo nodded and disappeared to pack for whatever needed in his possibly long journey. Gandalf now turned to Varilerin, who saw him standing again despite his exhaustion. “He cannot go alone, Varilerin. You must come with him.”

“You want me to protect him? Gandalf, you know that bad things happen whenever I try to-“

“Listen, Varilerin. The tide has changed, and so has your fate. You cannot hide from your fears any longer. You are the only one that can protect him, for now, and the fate of Middle Earth might be as well in your hands,” Gandalf explained hastily. Varilerin couldn’t be convinced instantly, remembering the bad memories that could never be forgotten.

“Gandalf. Where do I go?” Frodo asked when he arrived in their conversation, completely packed with his small bag and walking stick. “Are you coming with me?”

“No, I am afraid not, Frodo. I have to counsel with the head of my order. The situation is more dire than I have expected. However, I shall meet you again,” Gandalf said. “Make for the village of Bree.”

“The Prancing Pony,” Varilerin told Gandalf. The wizard smiled, for Varilerin finally accepted his plead. “We’ll meet at the Prancing Pony, but promise me you have to be there,” she continued with a scowl and a terrifying glare.

“A wizard will never be late nor early. I will meet you on time,” Gandalf assure her. She hesitantly acknowledged his promise, though she couldn’t believe the wizard definitely. “Travel by day and stay off the night, Frodo. Daefaroth will lead you. He’ll know what to do-“

There was suddenly a noise outside the window, from the bushes below it. Gandalf looked at Varilerin, who in turned unsheathed one of her short swords and slowly sneaked towards the window. In a flash, she grabbed the spying being from the bushes, and placed her blade close to his neck. She observed the intruder, another Hobbit with light brown hair and large build.

“Confound you Samwise Gamgee! Have you been eavesdropping?” Gandalf interrogated him angrily. The pinned down Hobbit shook his head hastily and raised his hand to surrender himself.

“I haven’t been dropping no eaves, Sir. Honest! I was just cutting the grass under the window there, if you follow me. I heard raised voice, nothing important, that is. Although, I heard a good deal about a ring and a dark lord and black riders and…”

Sam stopped, seeing Varilerin glancing at Gandalf suspiciously. “What should we do now?” she mused to the wizard, who sighed and gestured her to release the Hobbit. She obeyed and released the Hobbit, but then the wizard grasped the Hobbit’s collars and pulled him closer.

“You might be dropping no eaves, Mr. Gamgee, but you’ve heard what you should not have heard. Now, instead of turning you into a frog, I think I have more use of you,” Gandalf said to the Hobbit, then glancing to the other two. Samwise Gamgee looked at them in confusion, before in a matter of seconds he found himself following Frodo, Gandalf, and Varilerin away from Shire. He didn’t dare to ask any more questions, for each time Varilerin would look at him menacingly with her silver eyes.

“Be careful, the three of you. The enemy has many spies in his service. Never put the ring on, Frodo, for it will always yearn to return to its master,” Gandalf warned the company. The Hobbits nodded surely, whilst Varilerin stepped in closer to Gandalf.

“May your journey be safe,” Varilerin prayed for the wizard. Gandalf nodded, before he left the company on his horse and galloping away from Shire. Varilerin stood with the other two awkwardly, noticing that they had a certain amount of fear for her. She sighed, knowing that the Hobbits would inevitably ask unwanted question to her.

“Follow me. I expect you to do so fast, or in consequence be left behind. Second, do not ask me unnecessary questions, or you’ll fall behind. Third, don’t look for trouble,” she instructed the Hobbits.

“Umm, pardon me to be rude, but who are you actually?” Sam asked hesitantly. Daefaroth raised a brow at him and turned her back away.

“My name is Daefaroth. Come, we must make haste, for a long perilous journey is upon us.”