That morning they lit a fire in a deep hollow, veiled by tall holly bushes, and their breakfast/dinner was more cheerful than it had ever been since they had left.The hobbits were humming. Elenwë chatted happily with Legolas and Gimli.

Even Aragorn sang a song. With his deep, deep voice he told the story of Tinuviel.

Tinúviel elvanuiTinúviel the beautiful ElfElleth alfirin edhelhaelImmortal maiden of elven wisdomO hon ring finnil fuinuiOn him, she spread her shady hairA renc gelebrin thiliol...And embraced him with his arms like shimmering silver...

They did not hurry to bed afterwards, expecting to have all night to sleep, for they had no intention of leaving before the next evening. Only Aragorn had become silent and worried again.After a while he left the Company and went towards the ridge, there, standing in the shade of a tree, he inspected the south and the west, with his ears outstretched. Then he came back and looked over at the others who were chatting and laughing.

-What's the matter, Strider? Merry shouted at him. What are you looking for? Could it be the east wind that you are missing?

-No, of course not," he replied. But I am missing something... I have already come to the country of Houssaye in many seasons.

No people live here any more, but many other creatures live here at all times, especially birds. Yet silence reigns everywhere, except in your own home. I can feel it. There isn't a sound for miles around, and your voices seem to resonate with the ground. I don't understand it.

Gandalf raised his head with sudden interest.

-But to what do you attribute this? he asked. Is there anything else in it than the surprise of seeing four Hobbits, not counting the rest of us, in places where people are rarely seen or heard?

-I hope so," Aragorn replied. But I have a sense of watchfulness on the lookout that I've never had here before.

-Then we have to be more careful," said Gandalf. When you take a Ranger with you, it is good to pay attention to him, especially when that Ranger is Aragorn. We must speak less loudly, rest quietly and keep watch.

It was Sam's turn that day to take the first guard, but Aragorn joined him.The others fell asleep. Then the silence grew so deep that even Sam felt it. You could clearly hear the sleepers' breathing. The pony's tail banging and the occasional trampling became loud noises.

Sam could hear the cracking of his own joints when he made a movement. A deadly silence reigned around him, and above it all stretched a clear blue sky as the sun rose in the east.

Legolas and Elenwë had got up and were talking peacefully.In the distance in the south a black spot appeared, which grew and pushed northwards like smoke driven by the wind.

-What's that, Grands-Pas? It doesn't look like a cloud, Sam whispered to Aragorn.Aragorn didn't answer, he looked up at the sky, but Sam soon saw for himself what was happening.

A flock of birds was approaching: a flock of birds was rapidly advancing and circling over the whole country as if in search of something, and it was coming quickly upon them.

-Lie down and stay still! Aragorn blew, pulling Sam into the shade of a holly.

For a whole regiment of birds had suddenly broken away from the main army, and was diving, flying low, straight up the ridge.Legolas, who had seen the cloud, rushed towards Elenwë, who was stroking a rabbit. He grabbed it by the waist.

-Daro! Legolas? Man cerich? (Stop! Legolas? What are you doing?)

-Dina! No dhínen! (Shhh! Shut up!!!)

Legolas didn't let her go and threw himself under a rock, taking her with him.

She found herself very, very close to the elf and she suddenly felt her heart beating harder.Why did she feel so good, with her back resting on her companion's chest? A delicious smell came and tickled her nostrils. The Black Forest elf...smelled good?

Elenwë tried to move out of this decidedly cramped place, which reminded her of nonsense.But while she was fidgeting, Legolas tightened his grip and whispered louder:

-They are still there...

Elenwë tightened slightly. Legolas suddenly became aware of their closeness and blushed a little.

As they passed above the group, in a multitude so dense that their shadows followed them, throwing darkness on the ground, a single croaking sound was heard.

It was not until they were lost in the distance to the north and west and the sky became clear again that Aragorn stood up. Then he leapt up and went to wake Gandalf.

Legolas and Elenwë came out of hiding and looked at everything but each other's faces.

Their faces had turned pink.

Aragorn, meanwhile, was telling Gandalf about his suspicions.

-The crebains of the Pays de Dun flew over the whole land between the Mountains and the Flot Gris and passed over Houssaye.

I don't know what it is all about: perhaps they are fleeing from the troubles in the south, but I think they are exploring the region. I think we should leave this very evening. Houssaye is no longer healthy for us: it is being watched.

-And in this case, so is the Rubicorn Gate," says Gandalf, "and I can't imagine how we will get through it without being seen. But we will advise in due course. As for leaving as soon as it is dark, I fear you are right.

We must go through the Caradhras Pass.

When night falls, the group leaves again. They headed towards the mountain and began the ascent.

At first the climb was simple until they reached a snowy pass.

After a few hours, the companions found it difficult to advance.

They gazed wearily at the snowflakes that were still falling from the darkness, revealing for a moment their whiteness in the light of the dying fire, but for a long time they could see no sign of slowing down. Very slowly an indecisive light began to grow.

Finally, the snow ceased completely.

As the light grew stronger, it revealed a silent world under a thick shroud.

Below their refuge, the path they had followed was completely lost under white bumps and domes with shapeless depths, but the heights that dominated them were hidden in large clouds still heavy with the threat of snow.

Gimli, looking up, nodded his head.

-Caradhras hasn't forgiven us," he said. He still has snow to throw at us, if we continue. The sooner we go back and go back down, the better.

Everyone nodded, but the retreat was now difficult. It might well prove impossible.

Only a few steps from the ashes of their fire, the snow cover had reached several feet, protruding over the Hobbits' heads in places, and had been picked up and piled in large snowdrifts against the cliff.

-If Gandalf wanted to precede us with a bright flame, he could melt a path for us," says Legolas.

-And warm you up at the same time! Added Elenwë

The storm had troubled them little, and they alone among the Company had kept a light heart.

Strengthened by this complicity, Legolas smiled awkwardly at the young elf who, timidly, sketched a slight smile.