As he ran through the forest, the undergrowth clawed at his deep-green clothes with every stride and the odour of stagnant, rotting leaves filled his nostrils. Clutched in his one hand was a great, beautifully carved bow and in the other was a long, slender, elven knife. The air was heavy underneath the canopy of the trees, and even the elf, who was accustomed to the woods, felt the closeness of his surroundings. The forest-floor was carpeted in dead, brown leaves, fallen branches, and old lichen, but the hunter ran sure-footed and made almost no sound in his pursuit. Though he could not see it in the gloom around him, he could feel himself closing on his quarry. Slowly up ahead, in a small clearing, appeared his friend and companion, Danel, standing alone. Against the dark backdrop of Mirkwood, she shone like a beacon in the night; her copper-red hair spilling out from underneath her hood and her white robe shining forth. She was not aware of the hunter speeding toward her, and neither did she know of her danger.
Belegos had seen the wolf first. He had watched it as it sniffed the air, aware of a new scent. It set off in Danel's direction, following it's nose. Belegos followed it, slowly at first, then quicker to match the warg's pace. He was just able to spy the great mass of shaggy, black fur between the trees as it sped away, faster than he. When the wolf reached the edge of the clearing, it stopped and hid itself in the shadows. Belegos could see the events unfold in front of him. The creature would be upon her, and he would be too late. He reached into his quiver that he bore on his back, knife still in hand, and pulled out a long, thick arrow, fletched with swan feathers. He was close enough now, he thought. He said a silent prayer to Oromë that his arrow would fly true and find it's mark.
Never did the hunter's eyes leave his target. He watched as the wolf leaped from it's hiding place, it's fangs bared and it's eyes wide. He saw as Danel, suddenly aware of her peril, span round too late to face her attacker. In a move as quick as lightning, Belegos knocked his arrow and pulled back the string.
Danel waited for her friend in the clearing. She had not walked these paths before, and had been told that they were many dangers in the Wood. She was beginning to get anxious. Belegos had been gone for what seemed like hours. She had no sense of the time, for it was always twilight under the trees here. She squinted as her eyes tried to pierce beyond the ring of trees around her, but saw and heard nothing. She did not like this place. She could feel the evil that she had been told had entered the forest long ago, and it had been slowly corrupting it ever since. Gnawing at it like a canker, the blight spread further and further in all directions. Even the animals within had became black. It was as if all light was leaving the forest, bit by bit.
She had almost decided to set off in the direction she thought Belegos had gone in an attempt to find him, but that idea was brusquely pushed from her mind. A noise had caught her attention behind her. She turned in alarm, only to met by the gaping jaws of a great, black wolf leaping toward her.
The arrow found it's mark and buried itself into the shoulder of the wolf. It turned in the air from the force of the shot and hit Danel with it's spine, letting out a yelp. They both fell to the ground, Danel, dazed and breathless, and the warg injured, but not dead. It found it's feet, the arrow still sticking out of it's fur, now matted with blood and dirt. Belegos was running again. He could not shoot the wolf for his friend was in the way. He could see that Danel was fumbling, trying to unsheathe her sword in panic, but the beast would be upon her before then.
There was no leap this time. No great jump to catch it's prey. Danel stared at the wolf, desperate to use her sword, but it was so close. It limped towards her purposely. It's terrible maw dripping with saliva. It seemed oblivious to it's wound. It stopped short short of Danel, it's stench almost overwhelming her. She looked into the creatures eyes and knew that she had lost this fight. Just as the wolf went to strike, it was distracted by a shout.
“Ai!” Cried Belegos, his muscles aching from the run. The wolf turned it's head in his direction, and in that moment, dropped his bow and tackled it to the floor. They tumbled amongst the dead vegetation. When they stopped, Belegos found himself underneath the bulk of the monster with one hand around it's throat, and the wolf snapping frantically, trying to sink it's teeth into the elf's throat. It was everything Belegos could do to keep the jaws at bay, but he had not dropped his knife. With every last ounce of effort, he drove the blade upwards into the belly of his opponent. The wolf let out a great howl of pain as Belegos twisted the knife, driving it ever deeper. It staggered, and fell.
Danel watched the whole event unfold as if in slow motion but quickly regained her senses. She found her sword-hilt and pulled it free of the sheath. It glittered even in the dull light. As she reached the brawlers, the wolf had fallen to the ground, Belegos' dagger still protruding from it's gut. It lay there rasping for breath. Belegos stood up, sweat was pouring from his brow. He had many small cuts on his face and hands. Danel shot him a quick, meaningful glance, and turning back to the warg, she drove down the long blade.
The sharp point of the sword stabbed down into the neck of the wolf, though on her attempt to pull it free, she found it stuck and was unable to remove it from the carcass. She tried again, this time pulling harder but the blade would not move. She looked around for Belegos to help her, but he was not to be seen, only a multitude of eyes. all around the clearing, on the edge of shadow were hundreds of eyes, and more appearing. Eyes of wolves. One began to howl. She could not see which. Then another joined in, and another, until all around her was a cacophony of wails. She frantically looked about for Belegos again, but it was no use. Her courage left her and she sank to her knees as the first of the beasts prowled into the clearing.
*****
Belegos' eyes shot open. A candle still burned low in his chamber, casting long shadows on the walls. He was sweating. He shot up from his bed, found his robe and his belt with his knife, and headed for the door. His eyes frantically darted around the room, but what he looked for he knew not. He opened the large lebethron door and stepped out into Elrond's hall, pulling up his green hood as he did so. He had an errand of urgency.
He had to find Danel.
