They rode on for some time after that, but Nalmalu was always stopping and listening, listening for their unknown persuer well, to Flo anyway. Nalmalu said nothing and continued in her stern way, when Flo realised, she wasn't sure where Nalamlu was leading her.
'Nalmalu?'
'Yes?'
'Where are you leading me?'
'Where am I leading you? To the Iron Hills! We will be safe there, but it is a long way to go.'
Flo was silent after that, she wasn't quite sure where the Iron Hills were, but she thought she could remember Terwin telling her that they were beyond Mirkwood. Mirkwood? But that was such a long way away! How were they ever going to reach there without being caught first? Well, she trusted Nalmalu to lead her there safetly.
Then Flo began to wonder, who was after her and why? Why would they want a young hobbit? She didn't have anything special that they could want, so what was it? What was so special about her? She sighed.
"You are worried little one?'
Flo looked up at Nalmalu, trying to decide whether to tell her ot not, Nalmalu looked back at her and smiled.
'You can trust me.'
Flo looked into Nalmalu's dark eyes and decided that she would trust her and began to speak.
'I am worried and I am not, if you understand me.'
'I'm afraid I don't,' said Nalmalu.
'Well, it's like this, I am worried that whatever is after me will finally catch up and get me, but then I think ''Why not? If they're going to catch me, why not now?'' But there's another side you see, for I am desperately worried about Terwin, I just hope he isn't hurt and I think ''Well since we're out here, why not look for him?'' '
'That would be like searching for a needle in a haystack,' said Nalmalu.
'Yes, that's my problem, ' replied Flo, ' My heart says I should find Terwin, but my head says get to the Iron Hills. How I wish I could go with my heart.'
'I expect you would, Flo, but I must get you to safety, that is our main priority. I should think that Terwin would be able to look after himself.'
'Yes, I suppose you're right Nalmalu.'
That night Nalmalu lit a fire and they sat around it, warming their chilled hands. Nalmalu began to tell a story from the South, of how a young woman of Rohan helped to slay the Witch-king, who set terror upon his foes and his aliies.
'You know a lot about Rohan and the South don't you Nalmalu?'
'Unfortunately yes, the tales of men are ever filled with greed, grief and tears, I should wonder if there will ever be peace among men.'
'Yes, it is a long time since Middle-earth has had peace.'
'Not since when the elves walked alone here,' Nalmalu yawned and lay down, her hands behind her head, 'I am tired, which is unlike me, but I am nonetheless, I shall sleep now and you may do as you will. Goodnight.'
'Goodnight Nalmalu.'
Nalmalu fell asleep almost as soon as she shut her eyes, but again Flo could not sleep. She watched Nalmalu for a while, seeing her normal hard and stern face turn soft and peaceful. She looked away and fed the fire some more fuel. Then she heard a moan from Nalmalu.
She turned around saw Nalmalu's face twisted in what seemed to be pain, but also fury and anger. Flo listened as Nalmalu began to talk.
'No...No...Leave her alone! Please!No...you...she's dead?! Keep away from me! Easterlings...Easterlings will pay for this! I will kill you! You will pay...you will...you...'
Nalmalu saw before her a woman - she was smiling and then her face contorted with fear and pain. Nalmalu watched. An Easterling was moving towards her mother, a blade outstretched. He caught hold of his victim. Nalmalu yelled. Her mother was screaming - pleading. Nalmalu was scared - she wanted her mother left alone and safe - it was going to happen - he was going to kill her - then she was lying there - and the Easterling was coming towards Nalmalu - she yelled at him to stay away -he had too pay - he had too.
'Nalmalu! Nalmalu wake up!'
Nalmalu opened her eyes - a blury shape was leaning over her in the darkness. She sat up and looked at Flo whose eyes were widened with concern and fear.
'You - you were screaming - for your mother.'
Nalmalu was sweating and breathing hard. Her hands were tremblng, clasped on her lap.
'A dream - only a dream! My mother is dead - it was only a dream!' she muttered more to herself than Flo.
'It sounded more than a dream to me,' Flo uttered, but Nalmalu didn't hear her.
Flo watched Nalmalu as she calmed down. Nalmalu took a drink from a flask and instantly calmed. Flo eyed the flask suspiciously - the night in the bar came back to her.
'What is that?' she asked.
Nalmalu looked at her.
'It is only water, little one.' she lied. 'Why do you ask?'
'Oh - nothing. Only that night in the bar - I heard you leave your room - I heard people talking and one of them - one of them sounded - well - drunk.' said Flo hesitantly.
Nalmalu looked at her - gritting her teeth, she smiled and stamped on her rising temper.
'I am not suggesting that you were drunk, of course. I only wondered why you left your room,' Flo stammered quickly.
Nalmalu paused for a moment, eyes fixed on Flo.
'But I did not leave my room, Flo - you must have dreamt it.'
'No - I stayed awake all night - I couldn't sleep. I heard you. You left your room and went into the bar - I heard loud noises - and shouting.'
'But how could you hear it when nobody left my room?' smiled Nalmalu struggling with anger.
'Well - well who else could it have been? Who else would have left your room, looked into my room and gone to the bar and at midnight, did you meet someone?'
Nalmalu didn't reply.
'Did you?'
Nalmalu could hold her temper no longer. She stood and advanced on Flo, almost cornering her against the trunk of the tree.
'Alright! I did meet someone! But what is it to you halfling? What business is it of yours?'
Flo looked up in horror as Nalmalu screamed down at her. Then with a sudden burst of courage, stood up.
'But it is my business! I myself am your business. For all I knew you could have been talking to one of them!'
'Well I wasn't!'
Nalmalu suddenly paused and slowly stooped down,moving her face close to Flo's.
'You believe I know the people who are searching for you?' she asked. 'What are you trying to say, halfling?'
Flo moved to the side, trying to get out of the way, but Nalmalu grabbed her, slamming her hard against the tree and holding her there.
'Do you think I am working for them? Taking you to them?' she asked.
'I don't know - but - '
'Listen to me, halfing! You said it yourself - you have no choice but to trust me - I am your only friend outsie of the Shire - and without me you would be lost - alone -possibly dead! But I am not stopping you going alone - I care not - not now you accuse me of such things!'
She let go of Flo and turned. She walked to the horses and lay down. Flo climbed up the tree, shaking, unsure what to think or believe. She lay down on her branch and sank into a troubled sleep.
Nalmalu did not sleep at all that night. She listened to the birds cawing at each other in the trees - then she smiled to herself.
She paused at the tree to look at Flo layed down on the branch fast asleep. Nalmalu took Flo's cloak and wrapped it over the sleeping halfling and without thinking swept Flo's red curls out of her face, looking upon her as a mother loking upon her child. Then she shook herself.
'Best not get emotional - 'tis only a halfling.' she muttered.
She turned and went on into the trees. Ravens were sitting in the tree-tops, cawing at each other in the moonlight.
She took out some parchment and a quill and wrote a note.
Dinius,
I have the halfling, and if all goes to plan, I should be able to deliver her to you soon. Only I feel her trust in me is growing thin. We are presently on the Great East Road, heading towards Weathertop, which we should reach in two days. If nee be I can easilly take her as my own prisoner and keep her under control until I deliver her to you, but I have a better plan. Send along an army of orcs - be sure they are not needed for anything - I can kill them in front of the halfling, making her believe I save her from them - therefore she will grow to trust me once again. Please hurry.
Nalmalu
Nalmalu called down a black raven. She had a rare gift with animals. She whispered to the raven, attaching the parchment to its leg. It nipped her hand affectionately and flew off into the distance like black lightening. She only hoped it got there before she had to make Flo a prisoner. She did not wish to do that an decided she had best make ammends with the halfling.
Nalmalu did not disturb Flo all night, and let her sleeps until mid-day - delaying their progress and wasting time.
Flo climbed down from the tree and glanced at Nalmalu. She silently packed up her things and threw her cloak on her shoulders along with her pack and took Chirrel's reins in her hand. She took an apple from her pocket and set off on foot, leaving Nalmalu where she was.
Nalmalu hastilly took her things and followed Flo, catching up with her.
'Please, Flo - talk to me. I am sorry, I did not mean to get angry - only you have no need to have my problems on your shoulders.' she said. 'Please trust me. It is your only hope. If, not for me, do it for yourself.'
Flo looked at her companion.
'I am afraid, Nalmalu - usure what to think, do or say. And my only friend and guide will not tell me what I wish to know - secrets. What am I supposed to think?'
'Flo - I understand - and I do have business and problems, it is true. However, my main priority and concern is your safety and I will let neither business or my own problems endanger you. Trust me. You have no choice.'
Flo looked at her - she spoke the truth - Flo stood no chance out there alone - and Nalmalu, howevermysterious, was her only friend - her only hope. Flo smiled an nodded.
'And you will find, little one, that I allow nobody to help or interfere in my business.'
'I am sorry, Nalmalu. I did not mean to pry.' whispered Flo quietly.
Nalmalu smiled.
'Ah - curiosity often causes us to ask unneeded questions - and often leads us to trouble - especially children - only your curiosity can lead to danger - but no harm done this time.' smiled Nalmalu, and then suddenly looked stern. 'But I must ask you to control this curiosity of yours - for your sake.' she added, placing a hand on Flo's shoulder.
They trudged on through the day, talking as normal together. Nalmalu kept her wits about her, remembering the orcs - feeling a twang of guilt whenever she thought of what she had done. But they did not come - nor did they meet any such dangers the next day.
'We will rest here tonight, Flo.' smiled Nalmalu as they reached a small inlet in the rocks.
Flo nodded and helped collect some firewood. Flo looked around.
Flo said nothing for a while as they set up camp, the sun had not quite set then. She leaned against the wall, twirling her pipe between her fingers. Nalmalu watched her silently. Flo put the pipe in her mouth and a peaceful tune filled the air around them. Nalmalu smiled as the music filled her and closed her eyes.
Then Flo suddenly stopped and stood up.
'Nalmalu! Wake up!' she yelled.
Nalmalu woke and looked at Flo. She was looking into the distance - she turned around - orcs were swarming towards there resting place.
Nalmalu took Flo by the arm.
'Go - to the trees - quickly! I will fight them!'
'No - you cannot do it alone!'
'Do as I say - go!'
She threw Flo aside. With a deep breath, she faced the orcs. She had asked for this - now she must deal with it.
Flo ran - her ears filled with the laughter of orcs, almost feeling the terror Nalmalu felt. But she still ran.
She came to a tree and scrambled up. She looked down - an a tense pause an silence filled the air.
The she saw Nalmalu raise her sword above her head and run right into the middle of the orcs.
The orcs were strong, but Nalmalu had encountered worse. She did not pause, she kept moving - slayed orc after orc - but they did not retreat - their eyes maddened, swords drawn, bows bent, teeth bared - all advancing on Nalmalu.
Flo hid her eyes - her ears full of the sound of Nalmalu's shouts and the orcs' screams and roars, the clash of steal on steal. Then silence. It rung though the air like bells.
Flo still sat huddled on her branch, terrified to move, frightened to look up, afraid of what she might see. Then a sound that was beautiful to her ears and a relief to hear.
'Flo?'
Flo raised her head and looked down. Nalmalu was staggering over to her tree. The only wound was a gash across her forehead. She smiled weakly and beckoned Flo down. Flo climbed down from the tree. She ran to Nalmalu who stopped where she was. Flo took Nalmalu's cloak in her hands.
'You're alright - I thought.....' she whispered, almost sobbing.
'Ah - it takes more than orcs to weaken me, little one.' said Nalmalu.
Flo looked away.
'I am sorry. I was wrong to accuse you. I should not have done so. I trust you with all my heart now.'
'I am glad, for I would do nothing to harm you or to betray you.' answered Nalmalu, ignoring the guilt within her.
Flo nodded and smiled. Nalmalu smiled back, and also to herself at her triumph. The halfling trusted her again - the plan worked. Flo was once again under her control -hers to do with what she please and to give to whom she wished.
