Chapter 9

Tommy stopped in front of a large pile of orc carcasses. I groaned at the smell and quickly pulled my shirt up over my nose in an effort to suppress the stench. The bodies were smoldering, as if they had been burnt. I pulled off my mask, trying to get a better look.

Why did she stop here?

I didn't have time to contemplate before Tomahawk, my ever faithful watchdog, neighed a warning and reared. I accidentally dropped my mask while trying to hold on. I could hear hoof beats and shouts not far behind me, and I panicked. Forgetting all about my mask and Galadriel's prophecy, I took off running. I could tell something was wrong because Tommy stumbled a bit before listening to my command to flee.

Oh, please be ok. Please be fine.

I silently begged her to not be hurt. I did not want to be caught. Ever. It didn't matter what Galadriel said, I was NOT letting anyone figure out who I was. Especially not some creepy elf.

I looked around as much as I could without turning enough to show them my face. I was trying to find a place to hide, somewhere I could escape. All I could find was, well, Fangorn forest. I knew better than to go in there, but I also knew they knew better than to go in there. Taking a shaky breath, I kicked Tommy and forced her into the trees. She whinnied in protest, but I just pushed her on faster.

I could hear them slow their horses, hesitant to follow me. I pulled my hood over my eyes and tried to get a look at them, but the trees and undergrowth soon covered them.

I didn't care where we went, I just wanted to get away.

Warily, I pulled Tomahawk to a stop and looked behind us. Nothing moved. No sound. Nothing. I breathed a sigh of relief as I realized we were alone. Taking a deep breath, I turned my horse around to head out. All of a sudden there was a crash and a rider came shooting out of the trees. I suppressed a scream and took off again. Tommy awkwardly jolted forward a few paces before stumbling over a log and sliding down an overgrown hillside. I slammed my shoulder on the ground as Tommy fell over my legs, crushing them. I cried out in pain and tried to get her back up on her feet. Reluctantly, she stood up and let me remount.

I tried to get her to gallop, but the best she could do was a fast trot. Deciding anything was better than nothing, I focused on trying to stay on. My numbing, bruised legs made it difficult to ride the saddle-less horse. After nearly sliding off, I stretched my stiff, aching back and desperately held onto Tomahawk's neck I could hear the rider getting closer and closer.

I was tempted to stop and let him catch me, but I remembered the images Galadriel showed me and kept going. He caught up and grabbed my arm violently, pulling me off my horse. My numb legs made it impossible to fight back. I attempted to use his strength to get on the back of his mount and somehow gain control, but my half-dead legs dragged me to the ground. I clung to his arm, afraid of being dragged along or trampled by one of the horses. My sudden weight surprised him and pulled him to the ground.

The ground rushed up to my face, cutting my cheek and throwing off my hood. My whole body screaming in pain, I stayed face down on the ground and awaited for my fate.

Again, a short chapter. But, you deserve an update. Please Review, and I'll update again very soon.