UNFINISHED - Underneath the skin (An Unexpected Journey)

(1) The Wizard and the beast

The first chapter Yippie!!

Ithilglad: Moon Forest

- Z

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In the northern reaches of Middle earth, where the air was crisp and the stars danced in the night sky like shards of shattered crystal, there lay a mystical forest known as Ithilglad. Its trees whispered ancient secrets, and its glades shimmered with an otherworldly light that bathed the land in an ethereal glow.

It was into this enchanted realm that the wizard Gandalf the Grey ventured, his cloak billowing behind him as he strode with purpose through the shadowed pathways of the forest. His staff, adorned with intricate runes and pulsing with latent magic, served as both guide and guardian as he delved deeper into the heart of Ithilglad.

But even the wise and powerful Gandalf could not foresee the danger that lurked amidst the ancient trees. As he wandered beneath their towering boughs, a sudden rustle of leaves and the harsh clang of steel shattered the tranquil silence, heralding the arrival of an unwelcome presence.

With a snarl, a band of orcs emerged from the shadows, their twisted forms illuminated by the pale moonlight filtering through the canopy above. Their eyes gleamed with malice, and their crude weapons thirsted for blood as they set upon the unsuspecting wizard with savage intent.

Gandalf's senses tingled with the warning of danger, and with a swift motion, he summoned forth the elemental forces of nature, conjuring gusts of wind and arcs of lightning to repel his assailants. But the orcs, driven by their primal instincts and their lust for violence, pressed onward with unrelenting fury.

Just when it seemed that Gandalf's magic would be overwhelmed by the sheer ferocity of the orcish onslaught, a shadowy form darted forth from the depths of the forest, moving with a grace and speed that belied its immense size. It was a panther, sleek and powerful, its fur as white as the brightest moon and its eyes ablaze with a fierce intelligence.

With a roar that echoed through the forest like thunder, the panther launched itself into the fray, its claws slashing and teeth bared as it tore through the ranks of the orcs with unparalleled skill and precision. The orcs, taken by surprise by this unexpected turn of events, faltered in their assault, their ranks thrown into disarray by the sudden appearance of the mysterious guardian.

Gandalf watched in awe as the panther fought with a grace and ferocity that seemed almost otherworldly, its every movement a testament to the primal power of the wild. With each swipe of its claws and each thunderous roar, it drove the orcs back, scattering them like leaves before a tempest.

As the last of the orcs fled into the shadows, defeated and broken, the panther turned to Gandalf, its eyes shining with a fierce intelligence that seemed to pierce the very depths of his soul.

With a graceful movement, the panther padded forward, its eyes shining with a fierce intelligence that belied its bestial form. Gandalf regarded the creature with a mixture of curiosity and reverence, sensing that there was more to this encounter than met the eye.

"Welcome, noble wizard," the panther spoke, its voice echoing in Gandalf's mind like distant thunder. "I am Ezhelldir, prince of these lands and protector of those who dwell within them."

Gandalf nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze never leaving the panther's piercing eyes. He knew that Ezhelldir possessed knowledge and wisdom far beyond that of mortal creatures, and he sensed that their meeting was no mere coincidence, but a convergence of fate and destiny.

"Come," Ezhelldir said, turning to lead the way deeper into the forest. "We have been waiting for you."

Intrigued, Gandalf followed the panther, his senses tingling with anticipation as they journeyed further into the heart of Ithrilglad. Soon, they came upon a clearing bathed in silver light, where a village lay nestled amidst the trees, its quaint cottages and bustling market square a testament to the resilience of its inhabitants.