A day had elapsed since their arrival in Rivendell, and despite the foreign environment, Shadow found herself being accepted as one of their own. It brought her an undeniable sense of comfort, yet a part of her yearned for the endless desert skies and the thrill of her routine hunts.

When Gandalf instructed them to prepare for departure under the covert darkness of night, while he attended a confidential meeting, she was ready.

"But remember, don't go where they can't follow," his wise words echoed as she gathered her meager belongings.

With a smirk, she responded, "As if I'd lead you astray now," her words dancing in the crisp air of Rivendell, tinged with the earthy scent of Gandalf.

The grey wizard shot her an intense look, "You know that's not what I meant, my dear. It's just that you've been known to... toy with your prey every once in a while."

Shadow simply shrugged, throwing a side glance at her pack. It was small, containing a few treasured items gifted by Elrond, the elves, and Sabre, the magnificent steed.

Among her possessions was a unique flower. A token from Sabre that only blossomed when its bearer was fond of it, and it never failed to respond to her emotions. During her bouts of fury, it turned a fiery rose color, and in her moments of calm, it transitioned into a soothing pink. Enchanted with a strong magic exclusive to the horse lords, it served as a constant reminder of the bond she shared with Sabre.

Shadow was ready for the journey ahead when the moon reached its zenith and Gandalf, showing signs of fatigue, departed the scene.

She made her way to the quarters appointed for the dwarves, the soft glow of the moonlight guiding her path. As she navigated through the shadows, she noticed Bilbo standing pensively by the railing.

Approaching the visibly distressed hobbit, she studied him for a moment before breaking the silence. "Mr. Bilbo, are you all right?" she questioned, a hint of concern coloring her words.

Caught off guard, Bilbo glanced back at her, his expression a complex mix of emotions. "Yes, yes, I'm fine," he stammered, his voice barely convincing.

Shadow simply responded with a comforting smile. She stretched out her hand, clasping his trembling one in a reassuring grip. "I'm here to help you, Bilbo. If something goes awry or if you need anything, don't hesitate to let me know, alright?" Her words were a promise, a beacon of support for the anxious hobbit amidst the uncertainties looming ahead.

Bilbo nodded in understanding, his concern momentarily alleviated. Unclasping their hands, Shadow dropped her voice to a whisper, "We should get going, Gandalf has instructed us to move on. We're to wait for him at the gathering point."

The color drained from Bilbo's face, his timid voice barely above a murmur, "We—we're leaving," he echoed, a vague sense of apprehension seeping into his words.

Shadow nodded in agreement, "I'm unsure why Gandalf chose to depart now, but we must abide by his counsel. Pack up your belongings. I'll see if I can rouse the dwarves," she declared before leaving him to his thoughts.

Moving past him, Shadow entered the cavernous lodging where the dwarves had settled for the night. Mostly siblings, they found comfort in each other's warmth, cuddling up against each other for the night's sleep. Despite their gruff exterior, the dwarves were fiercely loyal, always looking out for each other.

She turned her gaze towards Thorin, who had opted to rest a short distance away from the tightly-knitted group. Either he was on nightwatch duty, she observed, or he simply preferred solitude. Yet, Shadow was certain the stronghold stood tall against any goblins, orcs, or ill-intentions seeking ingress.

Approaching Thorin, she leaned in to gently call him, "Master Thorin." At her hushed voice, the blue-eyed dwarf sat up, his gaze focused albeit slightly groggy. "Master Shadow, how may I assist you?" he inquired, managing to keep his voice level.

Shadow clasped his hand, offering a comforting smile. It was then Thorin spotted her bag, his features instantly clouded with alarm. "Are you abandoning us?" he asked, standing up without needing her assistance. His anger was palpable, but he held his peace, not wanting to disrupt the resting dwarves.

"No," Shadow replied simply, handing Thorin his satchel. "Gather your belongings and rouse your companions. We're scheduled to leave." With her message delivered, she made her way to the entrance, casting occasional glances over the elevated structures of Rivendell for the last-minute elves taking a midnight stroll.

However, no such soul came. Soon, the party resumed their journey, the majestic vista of Rivendell growing fainter in the backdrop.

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"This way," Shadow murmured to Thorin, guiding their group along a precarious mountain ridge. The all-encompassing darkness of the late evening was integrating the world around them, and a prospective cave for shelter loomed close-by, perfect to escape the imminent rain.

"Are you certain we're on the right path?" Thorin's gruff voice broke the silence, his lingering mistrust despite witnessing her put her life on the line for them. He was not an easy one to earn trust from, a fact Shadow had come to accept.

Affirming with a slight nod, Shadow swiftly slipped into a nearby cave, the rest of the company, including Thorin and Bilbo, following her lead. The cave provided a generously spacious and pleasantly warm refuge.

The cave extended back as far as Shadow's vision reached, a fair distance to keep hidden from any lurking goblin's sight. After all, they wouldn't be part of this tale otherwise, would they?

With everyone tucked away for the night, Shadow was the lone guard, on alert in the face of potential danger. As she patrolled the entrance, Bilbo's familiar presence approached her.

Stepping from the shadow, she gently seized his arm, turning him, "And just where do you think you're heading, Master Baggins?" she requested. Bilbo stuttered, his blushes and endearing shyness making a charming comeback.

She shook her head, "You need to provide more than that, Mr. Baggins. Your real intentions, where are you headed?" she persisted.

He exhaled heavily, making a small step backward, "I... I intend to return to Rivendell. Thorin's judgment is correct; I don't belong out here," he admitted, defeat lacing his words.

However, before Shadow could respond, the cave shuddered ominously. Raising her head, her vision was flooded with a flood of light spilling over the edge of the cavernous expanse. Her startled yelp echoed in the cave as the floor beneath them gave way, plunging her and the rest of the dwarves into an abyss.

Somewhere during the descent, Shadow lost consciousness, her world blackening as a sharp sting of pain speared through her.