Read LotR aloud: The Ring Goes South, post 2

[dreamflower]

This is the second part of my post. Again, my apologies for how my voice sounds.



Text behind the cut


For their defence in the night the Company climbed to the top of the small hill under which they had been sheltering. it was crowned with a knot of old and twisted trees, about which lay a broken circle of boulder stones. In the midst of this they lit a fire, for there was no hope that darkness and silence would keep their trail from discovery by the hunting packs.

Round the fire they sat, and those that were not on guard dozed uneasily. Poor Bill the pony trembled and sweated where he stood. The howling of the wolves was now all round them, sometimes nearer and sometimes further off. In the dead of the night many shining eyes were seen peering over the brow of the hill. Some advanced almost to the ring of stones. At a gap in the circle a great dark wolf-shape could be seen halted, gazing at them. A shuddering howl broke from him, as if he were a captain summoning his pack to the assault.

Gandalf stood up and strode forward, holding his staff aloft. 'Listen, Hound of Sauron! ' he cried. `Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring.'

The wolf snarled and sprang towards them with a great leap. At that moment there was a sharp twang. Legolas had loosed his bow. There was a hideous yell, and the leaping shape thudded to the ground; the elvish arrow had pierced its throat. The watching eyes were suddenly extinguished. Gandalf and Aragorn strode forward, but the hill was deserted; the hunting packs had fled. All about them the darkness grew silent, and no cry came on the sighing wind.

Comments

[addie71.livejournal.com]

I love Sam. He was so right that Gandalf was not destined to end up in a wolf's belly!

[dreamflower]

He certainly was!

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

Such a dramatic scene. *shiver* But it's wonderful to see Gandalf and Legolas in action! Thank you!

[dreamflower]

It is very dramatic! I love it when Gandalf encounters various creatures of the enemy. He's very impressive!

[belleferret.livejournal.com]

*shudders and is grateful for Legolas's sure bow*

[dreamflower]

Good old Legolas! But he had to make up for being such a smart-aleck on the mountain, LOL!

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

I had to split my reading into two parts also but in a way, I think it gives you a chance to breathe a bit and makes it sound a bit better. I like Gandalf's threat here. It always makes me smile that he knows the wolves will know exactly who he is and what they are letting themselves in for.

[dreamflower]

I know! He's very impressive here! It also reminds me of later when he gives the Balrog an ulitmatum-- he knows that the enemy know who he really is!

[vaysh11.livejournal.com]

I love how you read the hobbits' voices. ♥ Get better soon.

[dreamflower]

Thank you! I'm feeling much better now than I was!

[telstar109.livejournal.com]

Heroically read, in spite of your poorliness! I hope you are recovered now.

I like how it seems as though they have a choice as to which route to take; and yet things keep conspiring to force them to Moria.

[dreamflower]

I'm feeling much better now, except for a slight cough and my voice is still hoarse.

Yes, they are destined to go through Moria!

[hildigard-brown.livejournal.com]

Poor Bill! It must have been dreadful for the Fellowship to be surrounded by wolves in the dark--but Sam was right: they had some stout folk there with them. I do hope you're all better now!

[dreamflower]

They did indeed have stout folk!

I am feeling much better now, thank you!

[frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com]

'Listen, Hound of Sauron! ' he cried. `Gandalf is here. Fly, if you value your foul skin! I will shrivel you from tail to snout, if you come within this ring.'
Yay for Gandalf!!!

Thank you for the great reading!