Sleep brought Robb little rest. His dream was the same as the night before, full of corpses and blood. This time, Bolton sliced Robb's throat instead of stabbing him through the chin, but it made no difference to Robb. He still could not understand why he should be permitted to live again when most of his family was not. He was sure they could do at least as good of a job at helping Arda as he could, if not better.

Robb jolted awake again, his heart beating rapidly and his breath caught in his throat. Robb could feel tears at the corners of his eyes, but he was glad he did not appear to have made a sound.

The sky was still dark, but a few hours must have gone by as the one keeping watch was now Strider instead of Legolas.

Thankfully, Grey Wind had moved his head from Robb's legs to curl around the Hobbits, and Robb was free to move.

He quietly got up and walked over to Strider, who was sitting at the edge of the camp and humming softly. Robb slumped to the ground next to him.

They sat in companionable-well, not silence, for Strider was still humming his song, but it could be described as nearing camaraderie, perhaps.

"What's that song called?" Robb finally asked after some time.

"The Lay of Lúthien," Strider replied softly, taking out his pipe. "It is about an elven princess who fell in love with a mortal man named Beren. Her father would not allow their marriage, though, until Beren had stolen one of the Silmarils-glowing jewels created by the great Elven smith Fëanor-from Morgoth's crown. Morgoth was one of the Valar, but he loved chaos and destruction. He had stolen the Silmarils from Fëanor in the first place, starting a war and leading Fëanor and his sons to swear a terrible oath. They wanted their jewels back, no matter the price, but that is not the focus of this story."

Strider had put some pipe weed into the pipe while he was talking. Now he lighted it, giving it a few puffs before continuing.

"Lúthien searched for Beren after escaping from her father's kingdom," he said, "for her father did not want Lúthien to help her love. But Beren and his companions had been taken prisoner by Sauron, who had set his giant wolf to eat them, one by one, until they would tell him their destination. Sauron was Morgoth's most devoted follower, you see, his lieutenant.

"Lúthien, meanwhile, had met two of Fëanor's sons and been taken prisoner by them. But the hound Huan, a gift from the Vala Oromë and their companion, freed her and together they injured Sauron and saved Beren, though his companions were already dead."

Strider breathed out another cloud of smoke, staring wistfully into the forest.

"The story goes on and eventually, they do manage to steal the Silmaril, Lúthien singing both Carcharoth, the most terrible of wolves, and Morgoth to sleep. But as they try to flee, Carcharoth awakes and bites Beren's hand off, swallowing it and the Silmaril."

Robb thought he knew what Strider's point was, no matter that the story ended with the both of them getting married and having a son, dying and coming back again.

"The fact that my companion is a giant wolf reminded you of this, did it not?" Robb asked. "And it is suspicious because your enemies seem fond of wolves. But on the other side, there is an elven princess who was good and pure and had a giant hound, gifted by a Vala, just as the Valar seem to have gifted me Grey Wind in this world."

Strider nodded. "Indeed. Grey Wind seems peaceful, but what if you command him to tear us apart?"

Robb knew Grey Wind would listen to him, and he knew Strider knew that as well. He sighed. "You would rather have only me along, if anything, because you know you would have an easier time killing me alone than killing the both of us."

Strider finally tore his gaze away from the darkness of the forest, turning his head to look at Robb with what was almost a smile. "Right again," he said. "I will admit that I do not believe you to be working for the enemy voluntarily or even consciously. But Sauron has many ways to ensure loyalty and while it is always important to rely on the kindness of strangers, trusting them does not come as easily."

A sigh escaped Robb, but still he nodded. "I understand. If your companions agree and I am to come with you, Grey Wind will stay away."

It hurt to leave Grey Wind behind and if Robb was honest with himself, he felt a stab of fear at the prospect, as well. The last time the both of them had been separated had not ended well for either of them.

Grey Wind had always been a source of comfort for him, even more so since he had arrived, alone, back from the dead, and with no one to talk to about what had happened. Now, all that would be taken from him.

He doubted even the wolf dreams would help. Robb suspected he would be dreaming of other things instead, anyway.

With Robb so lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the sky lightening from black to blue to purple until finally, the sun peeked over the horizon.

Legolas was the first to wake, followed by Gandalf and Boromir.

Gimli woke up next, grumbling about how the Hobbits were insufferably late risers. Going by his voice, however, it was meant all in good fun without any malicious intent.

As soon as the Hobbits woke up, noise in the camp rose exponentially, mainly due to Merry and Pippin's gushing over the softness of Grey Wind's fur and how, thanks to him, they'd had the best sleep in days.

Strider went over to Legolas, Gandalf, Gimli, and Boromir, presumably to discuss Robb's future and the agreement they had made about Grey Wind.

As soon as Robb had a confirmation by way of a nod from Strider, he called Grey Wind over to himself. The wolf trotted over, leaving the cooing Hobbits behind.

"I'm sorry, my friend, but you are going to have to leave," Robb whispered, scratching Grey Wind behind his ears.

The direwolf tilted his head and gave an inquiring whine.

"I know," Robb said, "I don't like it either. But this is the only way they will let me come with them, as I am supposed to."

Grey Wind whined again, but licked across Robb's face in what was presumably acceptance. Despite himself, Robb huffed out a laugh before hugging Grey Wind's neck, burying his hands in the thick fur for the last time.

"Follow our scent, but stay as far away as possible," he whispered in the direwolf's ear, quiet enough so that nobody else would be able to hear. Then he leaned back and let go.

Grey Wind licked Robb's cheek once again and Robb brought his hand up to stroke his fur.

They both took a step back at the same time and looked at each other for another moment before Grey Wind turned around and trotted into the woods.

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