Lady of the Ring
Chapter One: A Meeting By Chance
by Asami
A/N: YAAAAY. In case you are dumb or have forgotten the plot of Ch. 0, basically we introduced the characters. Undomiel, Legolas, Farsiess and Dyorwen all came together for one reason--to destroy the new generation Ring of Power. The Ring was given to the unsuspecting Undomiel in a dream, whence she awoke from and went to Lorien to ask Farsiess what she bore. Farsiess and Galadriel informed Undomiel that the ring she carried was to be destroyed, but no plain fire could destroy this--it had to be taken back to Mordor, where it had been forged, to be destroyed. With that, Undomiel pledged that she would destroy the ring and her allies joined with her. Now begins the journey to Mordor...And from now on, Hanabi is Undomiel. That is all.
The group was setting out from Lorien, heading south. Dyorwen, who had a map of Middle-Earth permanently engraved in her head, led the way, making the hardest things sound simple.
"All we have to do is follow Nimrodel all the way to Mordor," Dyorwen explained.
"It is not that simple! First there's Emyn Muil, and then there's the Dead Marshes. So just following Nimrodel and expecting a perfectly smooth trip is not in the agenda," Legolas replied.
"And not only that, we do not have boats..." Undomiel added. "Are we to ride beside the riverbank?"
"I suppose that is all we can do, unless these horses can swim," Farsiess said.
"I highly doubt that," Dyorwen replied. "But yes, Lady Undomiel, you are correct. We will simply follow the riverbank."
As soon as the group reached the fields that signified they were reaching the Nimrodel, they rested a bit. The horses grazed on the tall fresh grass as the group ate a bit of lembas.
"We have lots of food--I made sure to pack much myself," Undomiel informed the group. She was about to offer a piece of lembas to Dyorwen when she looked upon the Ranger, looking at something in the grass...Something that was moving.
"Lady! I sense something is near," whispered Dyorwen. She notched an arrow into her bow and went off to investigate. Undomiel drew the Inferno Sword and checked the blade, for it would usually burst into flames if danger was near. However, now the blade was just fine.
"Ai! It's nothing but a hobbit-lass and her pony!" Dyorwen reported. "What, may I ask, are ya doing in these parts? I thought that the Shire was off to the West a bit, in Eriador, hmm? Are you visiting the land of the elves?"
"Why yes!" the hobbit-lass replied. She was (obviously) a tiny creature, with long wavy brown hair, big blue eyes and a love for all things elvish. Her pony nibbled on grass as she talked. "I really do love the elves, I was off to visit Lorien, actually." To this Farsiess came up and laughed a bit.
"Well, I am a Lady of Lorien!" To this the hobbit-lass stood there, mouth and eyes wide open. "Farsiess of Lorien. Daughter of Galadriel, the Lady of Light. And you are?"
"Daisy Baker, from Sackville. It's a pleasure ta meet ya, Farsiess."
"And there's more! The Lord and Lady of Mirkwood are also here," Farsiess said as Legolas and Undomiel walked over, hand in hand, to see what was going on. "We're all heading south."
"Umm..." Daisy started. "May I come along?"
"But we are..." Dyorwen began, Undomiel telling her to shush.
"Let her come, if she wishes. I like her. She's cute," Undomiel commented.
"Tell me AAAAAALLLLL about Mirkwood! And Lorien! And elves! What do you all eat?" Daisy was full of questions. "Come on, Sami!" she said to her pony, who did not want to stop eating yet. "My pony is a pig!" Daisy eventually got her pony Sami up and mounted her. "So, where are we goin' exactly?"
"Just...south," Farsiess said. "Nowhere exactly."
The rest of the day was spent traveling and occasionally resting. The horses and pony would drink from the Nimrodel while the riders talked about whatever came up. It was so pleasant you would forget they were going to such a horrid place. Daisy found that elves were a very nice race and had much fun talking with them. Finally the sun went down.
"I do not think we should travel at night," Legolas whispered into the darkness. "Dangerous creatures roam the roads at night, my love, and I do not want you to get hurt."
"Aye, I must agree with him on that," Dyorwen replied, nodding. "We will rest." They looked around.
"Where?" Undomiel asked.
"Anywhere we can make camp."
"What? We're just going to sort of...sleep...without any walls around us, or anything to protect us?!" Undomiel panicked. "What if something should attack?"
"We will take turns watching throughout the night. Undomiel, first rotation," Dyorwen assigned. "I'm on second and Farsiess on third. Daisy, you're saved. So, 'night Undomiel." Dyorwen spread out a sleeping mat and blanket, got into it and fell elvish asleep. Daisy also fell asleep, and then Farsiess after her, leaving Undomiel and Legolas alone.
Undomiel sighed and ran her finger up and down the sheath of her sword.
"If you want you can go to sleep," Legolas offered, taking Undomiel's hand. "You seem exhausted."
"No, I'm fine. I have to protect all of you, anyway." Undomiel hesitated and her hand moved toward the pocket the ring was in. "It...it is stabbing me..." She took out the ring and looked it over. "How could it be stabbing me? It has no spikes! It has also become freezing cold to the touch, scalding hot to the touch and heavier! This ring is really quite strange!"
"It is not a normal ring. Nobody wants a ring like that one. Not to wear...I will stay awake with you. I fear the ring might try something funny," Legolas said, taking a seat next to his wife. "It is a shame you had to be entrusted with this burden."
"I agree, I never wanted this ring anyway. I told Saurina I already had a ring, but did she listen? No..." Undomiel held back tears, but eventually they flowed. "What happens if Saurina's predictions do come true? What happens if Mirkwood does fall into shadow and I die? And all because of this stupid ring..." Legolas took Undomiel and held her close as her tears fell.
"None of that will happen, love. You will definitely beat those silly predictions, I know it."
"Thank you...for believing in me..." Undomiel whispered between tears. "My love." Legolas kissed her forehead.
"Of course."
Undomiel spent the rest of her shift safe in her lover's arms, knowing nothing could harm her. By the time it was up, she had fallen asleep. Dyorwen moved her aside and took her place guarding the group. Once her shift was up Farsiess went and it became morning.
"'Morning! We were just making some breakfast," Daisy informed the just-awakening Undomiel.
"God, I feel like crap," complained Undomiel. "I do not know why, but I do."
"It's just morning syndrome," Daisy said to her. "You'll be fine after you have some of this." She handed Undomiel some eggs and bacon. "Go on, eat!"
"I suspect it is the ring," Farsiess said knowingly. "It has caused you trouble lately?"
"Yes. It has become suddenly heavy, hot, cold and I swear it felt like it was stabbing me last night. How much longer is it to there?" Undomiel asked, nibbling at her breakfast.
"About five days, counting today," Dyorwen said. "We will keep following the Nimrodel until Emyn Muil. There we will hope for some sort of help so we may cross safely. After the Dead Marshes we're pretty much home free."
"Home free?" Daisy asked. "Where are we going?"
"Daisy, you must promise not to leave this group if we tell you," Farsiess said to the confused hobbit.
"I promise I won't! Ya elves are too cool!" Daisy replied, nodding.
"We are going to Mordor. Undomiel here possesses a ring that must be destroyed there before anyone else can get to it," Farsiess explained.
"M...Mordor?!" Daisy exclaimed, going pale.
"It must be done," Undomiel added. "I do not want anyone else to get to the ring, because I do not know who it could be and how they would use the ring."
"Wow! Brave!" Daisy commented. "I will stay with you all."
"Thank you, Daisy," Farsiess said to the hobbit. "You know, I have met few hobbits in my life. They really are interesting. I know very little of them, but from what you tell me, they seem like a very good people. I will go visit you all sometime."
"Well, I'm honored, Lady of Lorien," Daisy replied, bowing. "And I would love to visit the elven cities too. All three sound very pleasant."
"We're quite honored you feel so highly about the Elves, Daisy, but we must be on our way. Mordor is a good six days away," Dyorwen said, mounting her horse. "And I think we have had a rather smooth trip. Something catastrophic is on the horizon, I can sense it."
"That certainly is not good news!" Undomiel exclaimed as she fed a bit of her breakfast to Nightflame. "I have Inferno at the ready, should it become neccessary." She patted the broad neck of her horse, packed up her stuff and mounted her horse. Everyone else followed suit and they were off.
"Farsiess! Halt!" a voice shouted. Farsiess turned to see a white horse bearing a rider galloping her way. The horse began to slow until it reached Farsiess. "I came as fast as I could when I heard you were off to Mordor."
"Lintewethiel. Why am I not surprised to see you?" asked Farsiess.
"Haldir told me that not only had he seen the Lady of Mirkwood, he had also seen you leaving. Something was definitely wrong, so I followed," the woman explained. She was also an elf-woman, with long yellow hair and dark blue eyes. "By the way, Undomiel, nice try trying to sneak into Lorien disguised."
"You knew of that?" Undomiel asked, embarrassed.
"Yes, certainly I did," Lintewethiel replied. "Lord of Mirkwood, it is nice to see you again as well. Galadriel has ordered me to guard you, Farsiess. She says you cannot take this journey alone."
"I can see where that opinion would be based," Undomiel replied. "It is nice to see you here."
"Dearie me!" Daisy suddenly exclaimed. "This has become a party of elves! I feel almost left out here!"
"Ah, poor Daisy! We have not yet forgotten you!" Farsiess said, laughing a light little giggle. "I have been caught up with meeting many new characters thrown at me that it is making my head spin!"
"Well then, shall we head on? The road to Mordor is long, and the ring is beginning to burden Undomiel more and more by the day," Dyorwen said to the group. "We will ride fast and long, and not let anything get in our way."
Once again led by Dyorwen, the group set off. The view along the wide banks of the Nimrodel was just stunning, but still some of the group members felt something very strange was about to happen. Feeling a bit threatened, Undomiel reached for her sword. Unsheathing it, she touched the blade--it had become slightly hotter. Holding it above her head it burst into flames and everyone was very much shocked at this display.
"Something has come!" she exclaimed.
"Why is your sword aflame?" Daisy asked, very scared of the blazing sword.
"The Inferno catches fire whenever danger is near. Everyone, draw your weapons," Undomiel shouted to everyone else. "Someone guard the little one!"
"Ai! Don't call me a little one!" Daisy complained.
"I'm sorry, but we haven't the time for official names! I will attack first!" Undomiel barked as she sped up her horse, holding her blade to her side. Sure enough, a swarm of Orcs come from Saurina's command in Mordor had been dispatched, told to find the one who holds the ring and seize it. To make herself happier, Saurina also commanded that the Orcs kill whoever held the ring. Doing a quick head count, Undomiel counted about 70.
"Seventy," she whispered, clicking her tongue. "I see. Nightflame, onward!" she added. "I will call for backup only when I need it! Stay behind!" she quickly shouted to her comrades before charging into the swarm. The Inferno Sword was still aflame, which really helped to slay more Orcs quickly. A few would gather around her and she would merely swing, making them fall to the ground. However, these Orcs were not the kind that quit when a few of their comrades were lost, these were the more hardy kind that knew to believe in themselves. Arrows from the rest of the group soared through the air, landing in more Orcs. Undomiel paused to wipe the sweat from her brow when she was struck by an orc-blade, leaving a deep cut in her right arm. She took the pain, sucked it up and proceeded to kill that Orc and take up its blade. More arrows flew, more Orcs were slain and Undomiel had no time to tend to her wound. Eventually all of them lay in a stinking pile of corpses that Nightflame had to climb over so that her rider could rejoin her group.
"Nobody messes with a Lady and gets away with it," said Undomiel simply as the blade doused itself and she resheathed it. "That is a lesson taught to any other Orcs or whatever might try to attack us. Archers, go look for arrows. I feel you will need them." She waved her right arm, checking out her wound.
"Lady! Are ya hurt real bad?" Daisy rushed up to Undomiel's side.
"No, I will be fine within a few hours. Until then..." Undomiel dismounted Nightflame, took a piece of cloth and walked up to the rushing Nimrodel. Placing the piece of cloth in the cool refreshing water, Undomiel quickly placed the sopping piece of fabric over her wound and tied the loose ends together. As the cool water hit her stinging hot wound, she winced slightly. "Aye! Let's go on!"
"You slay about seventy Orcs with assistance, get injured and you just go on?" Daisy asked in disbelief. "Elves are powerful!"
"We like to think so," Undomiel replied, re-mounting Nightflame. "Finished scavenging?"
"Pretty sure so," Lintewethiel shouted. "Not much to be found here."
"So I see. Dyorwen, how long is it to Emyn Muil? Do you think our horses could get over it?"
"I highly doubt any steed, no matter how purely bred it is, could make it through Emyn Muil alive. When we reach it, I fear we must turn our horses loose," Dyorwen replied, covering her face with her cloak. Undomiel looked forlornly at her horse, who had carried her so far, when Legolas came over and lay a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay. They know their way home," he said comfortingly.
"Aye, but we do not have to turn them away yet. It is a while to Emyn Muil, and every step I take closer to that festering hellhole they call Mordor, the ring grows heavier," Undomiel said softly, her hand reaching for the pocket with the ring in it. "I do wonder what would happen if I put it on, however. It does not mean I will put on the ring, for I do not dare to."
"As per Galadriel's orders," Farsiess added. "And I know one person in this group has previous knowledge of rings of power." Her gaze shifted toward Legolas. It was obvious Farsiess had inherited her "I-know-everything-about-you-don't-deny-it" look from her mother as she scanned everyone in the group. "Although I know he would not disclose it. I hear that the Fellowship split?"
"Could we please...not discuss that now?" Legolas asked, seeming uncomfortable. "The original Fellowship was not the best time of my life."
"I do know what the best time of your life was," Farsiess replied. "It had to be the day you married Undomiel, correct? I know it is correct."
"May we...leave now?" Undomiel asked uncomfortably, afraid her mind would be scanned next.
"I agree," Lintewethiel added, her horse neighing. She also feared Farsiess, seeing as she could pretty much tell what anyone was thinking. Clicking her tongue, she stopped her slightly disobedient horse from neighing. Nightflame was also getting impatient, as well as Arod, Sami and the rest of the horse troupe.
"I'm heading on," Undomiel finally said, tapping Nightflame and she was off. "If you all want to have your thoughts read thoroughly stay behind! Oi! Farsiess! You are beginning to scare me!" Her cloak flapped in the wind behind her.
"She really is headstrong," Legolas muttered as he mounted Arod and followed Undomiel. Because Daisy would ultimately do whatever an elf told her to do, she followed as fast as Sami could carry her. Dyorwen shrugged, saying that she had many thoughts she would keep private and rode off. Lintewethiel sighed, told Farsiess to lay off the mind-reading and followed.
"Wait! You need me!" Farsiess shouted, following the group. "I beg your forgiveness--I never meant to scare any of you! I will not read your thoughts without your prior consent! I promise! Ooooooiiiiii!!!"
At one point during their day's travel, the ring became so heavy that Undomiel let out a cry and hunched over on her horse. Obediently Nightflame halted and everyone else rushed up to her.
"It comes closer..." she whispered through her pain. "I can sense it..."
To be CONTINUED! Talk about SUSPENSE! REVIEW NOW!
Chapter One: A Meeting By Chance
by Asami
A/N: YAAAAY. In case you are dumb or have forgotten the plot of Ch. 0, basically we introduced the characters. Undomiel, Legolas, Farsiess and Dyorwen all came together for one reason--to destroy the new generation Ring of Power. The Ring was given to the unsuspecting Undomiel in a dream, whence she awoke from and went to Lorien to ask Farsiess what she bore. Farsiess and Galadriel informed Undomiel that the ring she carried was to be destroyed, but no plain fire could destroy this--it had to be taken back to Mordor, where it had been forged, to be destroyed. With that, Undomiel pledged that she would destroy the ring and her allies joined with her. Now begins the journey to Mordor...And from now on, Hanabi is Undomiel. That is all.
The group was setting out from Lorien, heading south. Dyorwen, who had a map of Middle-Earth permanently engraved in her head, led the way, making the hardest things sound simple.
"All we have to do is follow Nimrodel all the way to Mordor," Dyorwen explained.
"It is not that simple! First there's Emyn Muil, and then there's the Dead Marshes. So just following Nimrodel and expecting a perfectly smooth trip is not in the agenda," Legolas replied.
"And not only that, we do not have boats..." Undomiel added. "Are we to ride beside the riverbank?"
"I suppose that is all we can do, unless these horses can swim," Farsiess said.
"I highly doubt that," Dyorwen replied. "But yes, Lady Undomiel, you are correct. We will simply follow the riverbank."
As soon as the group reached the fields that signified they were reaching the Nimrodel, they rested a bit. The horses grazed on the tall fresh grass as the group ate a bit of lembas.
"We have lots of food--I made sure to pack much myself," Undomiel informed the group. She was about to offer a piece of lembas to Dyorwen when she looked upon the Ranger, looking at something in the grass...Something that was moving.
"Lady! I sense something is near," whispered Dyorwen. She notched an arrow into her bow and went off to investigate. Undomiel drew the Inferno Sword and checked the blade, for it would usually burst into flames if danger was near. However, now the blade was just fine.
"Ai! It's nothing but a hobbit-lass and her pony!" Dyorwen reported. "What, may I ask, are ya doing in these parts? I thought that the Shire was off to the West a bit, in Eriador, hmm? Are you visiting the land of the elves?"
"Why yes!" the hobbit-lass replied. She was (obviously) a tiny creature, with long wavy brown hair, big blue eyes and a love for all things elvish. Her pony nibbled on grass as she talked. "I really do love the elves, I was off to visit Lorien, actually." To this Farsiess came up and laughed a bit.
"Well, I am a Lady of Lorien!" To this the hobbit-lass stood there, mouth and eyes wide open. "Farsiess of Lorien. Daughter of Galadriel, the Lady of Light. And you are?"
"Daisy Baker, from Sackville. It's a pleasure ta meet ya, Farsiess."
"And there's more! The Lord and Lady of Mirkwood are also here," Farsiess said as Legolas and Undomiel walked over, hand in hand, to see what was going on. "We're all heading south."
"Umm..." Daisy started. "May I come along?"
"But we are..." Dyorwen began, Undomiel telling her to shush.
"Let her come, if she wishes. I like her. She's cute," Undomiel commented.
"Tell me AAAAAALLLLL about Mirkwood! And Lorien! And elves! What do you all eat?" Daisy was full of questions. "Come on, Sami!" she said to her pony, who did not want to stop eating yet. "My pony is a pig!" Daisy eventually got her pony Sami up and mounted her. "So, where are we goin' exactly?"
"Just...south," Farsiess said. "Nowhere exactly."
The rest of the day was spent traveling and occasionally resting. The horses and pony would drink from the Nimrodel while the riders talked about whatever came up. It was so pleasant you would forget they were going to such a horrid place. Daisy found that elves were a very nice race and had much fun talking with them. Finally the sun went down.
"I do not think we should travel at night," Legolas whispered into the darkness. "Dangerous creatures roam the roads at night, my love, and I do not want you to get hurt."
"Aye, I must agree with him on that," Dyorwen replied, nodding. "We will rest." They looked around.
"Where?" Undomiel asked.
"Anywhere we can make camp."
"What? We're just going to sort of...sleep...without any walls around us, or anything to protect us?!" Undomiel panicked. "What if something should attack?"
"We will take turns watching throughout the night. Undomiel, first rotation," Dyorwen assigned. "I'm on second and Farsiess on third. Daisy, you're saved. So, 'night Undomiel." Dyorwen spread out a sleeping mat and blanket, got into it and fell elvish asleep. Daisy also fell asleep, and then Farsiess after her, leaving Undomiel and Legolas alone.
Undomiel sighed and ran her finger up and down the sheath of her sword.
"If you want you can go to sleep," Legolas offered, taking Undomiel's hand. "You seem exhausted."
"No, I'm fine. I have to protect all of you, anyway." Undomiel hesitated and her hand moved toward the pocket the ring was in. "It...it is stabbing me..." She took out the ring and looked it over. "How could it be stabbing me? It has no spikes! It has also become freezing cold to the touch, scalding hot to the touch and heavier! This ring is really quite strange!"
"It is not a normal ring. Nobody wants a ring like that one. Not to wear...I will stay awake with you. I fear the ring might try something funny," Legolas said, taking a seat next to his wife. "It is a shame you had to be entrusted with this burden."
"I agree, I never wanted this ring anyway. I told Saurina I already had a ring, but did she listen? No..." Undomiel held back tears, but eventually they flowed. "What happens if Saurina's predictions do come true? What happens if Mirkwood does fall into shadow and I die? And all because of this stupid ring..." Legolas took Undomiel and held her close as her tears fell.
"None of that will happen, love. You will definitely beat those silly predictions, I know it."
"Thank you...for believing in me..." Undomiel whispered between tears. "My love." Legolas kissed her forehead.
"Of course."
Undomiel spent the rest of her shift safe in her lover's arms, knowing nothing could harm her. By the time it was up, she had fallen asleep. Dyorwen moved her aside and took her place guarding the group. Once her shift was up Farsiess went and it became morning.
"'Morning! We were just making some breakfast," Daisy informed the just-awakening Undomiel.
"God, I feel like crap," complained Undomiel. "I do not know why, but I do."
"It's just morning syndrome," Daisy said to her. "You'll be fine after you have some of this." She handed Undomiel some eggs and bacon. "Go on, eat!"
"I suspect it is the ring," Farsiess said knowingly. "It has caused you trouble lately?"
"Yes. It has become suddenly heavy, hot, cold and I swear it felt like it was stabbing me last night. How much longer is it to there?" Undomiel asked, nibbling at her breakfast.
"About five days, counting today," Dyorwen said. "We will keep following the Nimrodel until Emyn Muil. There we will hope for some sort of help so we may cross safely. After the Dead Marshes we're pretty much home free."
"Home free?" Daisy asked. "Where are we going?"
"Daisy, you must promise not to leave this group if we tell you," Farsiess said to the confused hobbit.
"I promise I won't! Ya elves are too cool!" Daisy replied, nodding.
"We are going to Mordor. Undomiel here possesses a ring that must be destroyed there before anyone else can get to it," Farsiess explained.
"M...Mordor?!" Daisy exclaimed, going pale.
"It must be done," Undomiel added. "I do not want anyone else to get to the ring, because I do not know who it could be and how they would use the ring."
"Wow! Brave!" Daisy commented. "I will stay with you all."
"Thank you, Daisy," Farsiess said to the hobbit. "You know, I have met few hobbits in my life. They really are interesting. I know very little of them, but from what you tell me, they seem like a very good people. I will go visit you all sometime."
"Well, I'm honored, Lady of Lorien," Daisy replied, bowing. "And I would love to visit the elven cities too. All three sound very pleasant."
"We're quite honored you feel so highly about the Elves, Daisy, but we must be on our way. Mordor is a good six days away," Dyorwen said, mounting her horse. "And I think we have had a rather smooth trip. Something catastrophic is on the horizon, I can sense it."
"That certainly is not good news!" Undomiel exclaimed as she fed a bit of her breakfast to Nightflame. "I have Inferno at the ready, should it become neccessary." She patted the broad neck of her horse, packed up her stuff and mounted her horse. Everyone else followed suit and they were off.
"Farsiess! Halt!" a voice shouted. Farsiess turned to see a white horse bearing a rider galloping her way. The horse began to slow until it reached Farsiess. "I came as fast as I could when I heard you were off to Mordor."
"Lintewethiel. Why am I not surprised to see you?" asked Farsiess.
"Haldir told me that not only had he seen the Lady of Mirkwood, he had also seen you leaving. Something was definitely wrong, so I followed," the woman explained. She was also an elf-woman, with long yellow hair and dark blue eyes. "By the way, Undomiel, nice try trying to sneak into Lorien disguised."
"You knew of that?" Undomiel asked, embarrassed.
"Yes, certainly I did," Lintewethiel replied. "Lord of Mirkwood, it is nice to see you again as well. Galadriel has ordered me to guard you, Farsiess. She says you cannot take this journey alone."
"I can see where that opinion would be based," Undomiel replied. "It is nice to see you here."
"Dearie me!" Daisy suddenly exclaimed. "This has become a party of elves! I feel almost left out here!"
"Ah, poor Daisy! We have not yet forgotten you!" Farsiess said, laughing a light little giggle. "I have been caught up with meeting many new characters thrown at me that it is making my head spin!"
"Well then, shall we head on? The road to Mordor is long, and the ring is beginning to burden Undomiel more and more by the day," Dyorwen said to the group. "We will ride fast and long, and not let anything get in our way."
Once again led by Dyorwen, the group set off. The view along the wide banks of the Nimrodel was just stunning, but still some of the group members felt something very strange was about to happen. Feeling a bit threatened, Undomiel reached for her sword. Unsheathing it, she touched the blade--it had become slightly hotter. Holding it above her head it burst into flames and everyone was very much shocked at this display.
"Something has come!" she exclaimed.
"Why is your sword aflame?" Daisy asked, very scared of the blazing sword.
"The Inferno catches fire whenever danger is near. Everyone, draw your weapons," Undomiel shouted to everyone else. "Someone guard the little one!"
"Ai! Don't call me a little one!" Daisy complained.
"I'm sorry, but we haven't the time for official names! I will attack first!" Undomiel barked as she sped up her horse, holding her blade to her side. Sure enough, a swarm of Orcs come from Saurina's command in Mordor had been dispatched, told to find the one who holds the ring and seize it. To make herself happier, Saurina also commanded that the Orcs kill whoever held the ring. Doing a quick head count, Undomiel counted about 70.
"Seventy," she whispered, clicking her tongue. "I see. Nightflame, onward!" she added. "I will call for backup only when I need it! Stay behind!" she quickly shouted to her comrades before charging into the swarm. The Inferno Sword was still aflame, which really helped to slay more Orcs quickly. A few would gather around her and she would merely swing, making them fall to the ground. However, these Orcs were not the kind that quit when a few of their comrades were lost, these were the more hardy kind that knew to believe in themselves. Arrows from the rest of the group soared through the air, landing in more Orcs. Undomiel paused to wipe the sweat from her brow when she was struck by an orc-blade, leaving a deep cut in her right arm. She took the pain, sucked it up and proceeded to kill that Orc and take up its blade. More arrows flew, more Orcs were slain and Undomiel had no time to tend to her wound. Eventually all of them lay in a stinking pile of corpses that Nightflame had to climb over so that her rider could rejoin her group.
"Nobody messes with a Lady and gets away with it," said Undomiel simply as the blade doused itself and she resheathed it. "That is a lesson taught to any other Orcs or whatever might try to attack us. Archers, go look for arrows. I feel you will need them." She waved her right arm, checking out her wound.
"Lady! Are ya hurt real bad?" Daisy rushed up to Undomiel's side.
"No, I will be fine within a few hours. Until then..." Undomiel dismounted Nightflame, took a piece of cloth and walked up to the rushing Nimrodel. Placing the piece of cloth in the cool refreshing water, Undomiel quickly placed the sopping piece of fabric over her wound and tied the loose ends together. As the cool water hit her stinging hot wound, she winced slightly. "Aye! Let's go on!"
"You slay about seventy Orcs with assistance, get injured and you just go on?" Daisy asked in disbelief. "Elves are powerful!"
"We like to think so," Undomiel replied, re-mounting Nightflame. "Finished scavenging?"
"Pretty sure so," Lintewethiel shouted. "Not much to be found here."
"So I see. Dyorwen, how long is it to Emyn Muil? Do you think our horses could get over it?"
"I highly doubt any steed, no matter how purely bred it is, could make it through Emyn Muil alive. When we reach it, I fear we must turn our horses loose," Dyorwen replied, covering her face with her cloak. Undomiel looked forlornly at her horse, who had carried her so far, when Legolas came over and lay a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay. They know their way home," he said comfortingly.
"Aye, but we do not have to turn them away yet. It is a while to Emyn Muil, and every step I take closer to that festering hellhole they call Mordor, the ring grows heavier," Undomiel said softly, her hand reaching for the pocket with the ring in it. "I do wonder what would happen if I put it on, however. It does not mean I will put on the ring, for I do not dare to."
"As per Galadriel's orders," Farsiess added. "And I know one person in this group has previous knowledge of rings of power." Her gaze shifted toward Legolas. It was obvious Farsiess had inherited her "I-know-everything-about-you-don't-deny-it" look from her mother as she scanned everyone in the group. "Although I know he would not disclose it. I hear that the Fellowship split?"
"Could we please...not discuss that now?" Legolas asked, seeming uncomfortable. "The original Fellowship was not the best time of my life."
"I do know what the best time of your life was," Farsiess replied. "It had to be the day you married Undomiel, correct? I know it is correct."
"May we...leave now?" Undomiel asked uncomfortably, afraid her mind would be scanned next.
"I agree," Lintewethiel added, her horse neighing. She also feared Farsiess, seeing as she could pretty much tell what anyone was thinking. Clicking her tongue, she stopped her slightly disobedient horse from neighing. Nightflame was also getting impatient, as well as Arod, Sami and the rest of the horse troupe.
"I'm heading on," Undomiel finally said, tapping Nightflame and she was off. "If you all want to have your thoughts read thoroughly stay behind! Oi! Farsiess! You are beginning to scare me!" Her cloak flapped in the wind behind her.
"She really is headstrong," Legolas muttered as he mounted Arod and followed Undomiel. Because Daisy would ultimately do whatever an elf told her to do, she followed as fast as Sami could carry her. Dyorwen shrugged, saying that she had many thoughts she would keep private and rode off. Lintewethiel sighed, told Farsiess to lay off the mind-reading and followed.
"Wait! You need me!" Farsiess shouted, following the group. "I beg your forgiveness--I never meant to scare any of you! I will not read your thoughts without your prior consent! I promise! Ooooooiiiiii!!!"
At one point during their day's travel, the ring became so heavy that Undomiel let out a cry and hunched over on her horse. Obediently Nightflame halted and everyone else rushed up to her.
"It comes closer..." she whispered through her pain. "I can sense it..."
To be CONTINUED! Talk about SUSPENSE! REVIEW NOW!