I don't think I've ever updated this often before.
"That's-" Maethien attempted to warn Gimli, but she was too late. The dwarf spat out the blood that he had tasted in disgust.
"Urgh! Orc blood." Maethien grimaced and shivered, she didn't know what Orc blood tasted, and she hoped she never would, but judging by their appearance... she guessed it wasn't exactly tasty.
They rushed through the forest, speeding from place to place while hopping over tree branches and small streams. The fellowship followed Aragorn, the ranger searching the ground intently, following the trail the hobbits had left behind.
"These are strange tracks." Aragorn bent to the ground and touched the earth.
"The air is so close in here." Gimli commented gruffly, looking around him cautiously.
"This forest is old." Legolas said quietly, his wide elf eyes searching the forest with wonder. "Very old. Full of memory... and anger." The trees creaked and groaned, startling an already on edge Gimli, the dwarf lifted his ax and moved it wildly, looking for the source of the groan. Ready to chop it up. The trees groaned louder, almost growling and the sound made Saeleth curious... She could almost hear them complaining about the dwarf's lack of sense, wielding an ax in their presence!
"They're speaking to each other." Elle voiced, her lips lifted into a wondrous smile, her eyes upon the grand trees, she wished she could hear what they were saying. Curious, the elleth set a hand against a near by tree and was gifted with a vision, she gasped in surprise at the sudden change. She was standing before the flowering White Tree, watching in horror as the steward of Gondor, Boromir's father, set the blooming tree alight with the flames of his torch. A chorus of eerie screams pierced the air making Elle grimace and cover her ears in a desperate attempt to tune out the torturous sound... The White Tree was screaming.
The vision faded and Elle was brought back to the forest abruptly, the elleth cried out softly and stumbled away from the tree she had touched. "Elle?" Mae caught Elle as she stumbled back, her eyes going to where the tattoo on the back of her left hand glowed then slowly began to fade. Everyone looked on with concern as Elle slowly began to regain her composure.
"What did you see?" Maethien asked gently, Elle shivered and shook her head, the screams still ringing in her ears. She lifted a hand and literally began to hit her head with the palm of her hand in a silly attempt to smack away the ringing, everyone- except Mae- blinked in surprise as they watched the elleth hit herself.
"Note to self: Be careful what you ask for." Elle muttered as she shot a half-hearted glare at the tree she had touched, the vision had not been pleasant but she was glad she'd managed to learn something from the trees. Maethien lifted a curious brow at her sister, just then another cacophony of groans vibrated through the trees and Gimli lifted his axe again, staring up the trees and waving his axe around wildly.
"Gimli!" Aragorn called in a harsh whisper. "Lower your axe." He gestured and Gimli immediately released his tight hold, showing both hands up to the woods to show he was not about to chop them into firewood.
"They have feelings my friend." Elle nodded her agreement from where she stood. "The Elves began it; waking up the trees, teaching them to speak." Legolas smiled at Gimli. Maethien smiled and looked up at the trees, also longing to be able to hear what they were saying to each other, all she heard at the moment were empathetic groans.
"Talking trees. What do trees have to talk about, mm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings?" Maethien had to laugh at that, hoping the trees didn't hold that against her. Behind her, Aragorn smiled softly at the elleth, he enjoyed her laughter... she didn't laugh enough.
"Aragorn, nad no ennas!" Legolas suddenly, his eyes clouding seriously as he strode forward with purpose, his eyes upon the trees.
"Man cenich?"
"The White Wizard approaches." The elf archer whispered dramatically, Aragorn and Gimli looked around darkly, their hands tightened around the weapons they held. Behind them, Maethien and Saeleth beamed brightly, trying to refrain themselves from exploding with the joy they felt rising within them.
"Do not let him speak, he will put a spell on us." Aragorn whispered as the light began to drift closer. "We must be quick." Meanwhile, Mae and Elle were slowly stepping away from the line of fire, they did not want to get caught in that crossfire.
Roaring out a battle cry, the three armed warriors attacked the gleaming white figure. Gimli's axe was reduced to splinter, the sharp pieces of wood and metal flying in different directions, Legolas' arrow was deflected and Maethien had to dodge out of the way of that as if was flung away, and Aragorn's blade grew red hot in his hand, causing the man to drop it in pain. They all shielded their eyes and stepped away from the Wizard.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." The voice said, it was most definitely not a question.
"Where are they?!" Aragorn questioned, his hands still raised to shield his eyes from the blinding light.
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect... Does that comfort you?"
"Who are you? Show yourself!" Aragorn demanded. The blinding white light faded gently and Gandalf was revealed, holding his powerful white staff and wearing a blank expression as he gazed upon them in silence. Saeleth had to physically restrain herself from flinging herself at the wonderful old man! Instead, both she and Maethien drifted closer to the wizard and lowered themselves to their knees, their heads bowed and their lips stretched into smiles.
"It cannot be!" Aragorn breathed in awe.
"Forgive me," Legolas sunk to his knee and bowed to Gandalf, Gimli quickly doing the same. "I mistook you for Saruman." The elf whispered.
"I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been." His expression softening, a smile forming upon his mouth.
"You fell." Aragorn whispered with emotion, still unable to believe his eyes.
"Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth... Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside." The sisters lifted their heads to gaze at the wizard their eyes growing wide with wonder, listening intently to the retelling of his account. "Darkness took me. And I strayed out of though at time. Stars welled overhead and everyday was as long as a life-age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again." The wizard's smile returned. "I've been sent back until my task is done."
Finally understanding and accepting, Aragorn beamed and stepped closer to the white wizard. "Gandalf." He whispered with joy.
"Gandalf?" Confused, the wizard tilted his head and looked at something that they could not see, a gentle smile coming to him. "Yes... That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name... I am Gandalf the White." The sisters beamed happily. " And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."
"And thank the Valar for that!" No longer able to restrain herself, Elle threw her arms around Gandalf and hugged him with all her might, laughing when she heard the wizard make an "oomph" sound when she collided into him. Gandalf was surprised at her display of affection but was nonetheless pleased, he smiled softly and patted his hand on Elle's back soothingly.
"There now." The Wizard soothed and chuckled. "Whatever happened to the reserved elleth I first met? You have grown so much in such a short time, Saeleth. All of you have."
"I feared for you." Elle whispered tearfully.
"And I you... I was told of what happened to you and your sisters... You are a brave and powerful woman, Saeleth." He touched her cheek and smiled at the elleth. "I am glad you've come to realize that."
"Stop hogging the hugs, Elle!" Maethien complained with a laugh, Elle breathed a laugh through her tears and, with one last joyous look to Gandalf, moved aside to let her sister through. Maethien immediately wrapped her arms around the tall wizard and breathed in his scent, happy to have him back in their lives.
"Oh, I missed you, you old goat!" Mae's words dripped with her affection for the old man, Gandalf laughed heartily and returned the elleth's hug.
"Always so lively, young warrior." Gandalf gripped Mae's shoulders gently when she pulled back to look at him, he smiled down at the elleth kindly. "I have seen your past life, Maethien." Mae blinked in surprise. "You are so strong, so brave, so loving... so noble. It is not a mystery as to why you are the Warrior, my dear. Never forget that."
"One stage of your journey is over, another begins." Gandalf spoke firmly as he led them all through the trees. "We must travel to Edoras with all speed."
"Edoras?! That is not short distance!" Gimli called out in complaint.
"We heard of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king." Aragorn informed Gandalf solemnly, the wizard stopped walking to look to the ranger
"Yes, and it will not be easily cured."
"Then we have run all this way for nothing. Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank, tree infested-" The trees groaned in anger, making Saeleth pause and look back to where the dwarf nervously took back his words. "I mean, charming! Quite charming forest." The elleth laughed loudly and shook her head in amusement.
Gandalf stopped once again and turned to address the dwarf. "It was more then mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn. A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains." Gandalf spoke cryptically.
"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend." Aragorn said with a smile.
"Hmm?" Gandalf leaned his head closer to Aragorn, the man leaned in to speak into his ear mirthfully.
"You still speak in riddles." They shared a laugh, their eyes gleaming bright.
"A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder days. The Ents are going to wake up... and find that they are strong." He whispered, his eyes upon the tall trees around them.
"Strong? Oh, that's good." Gimli muttered with a nervous laugh, his eyes cast upon the trees anxiously.
"So stop your fretting, master dwarf." Gandalf said to Gimli firmly before turning and continuing his walk through the trees. "Merry and Pippin are quiet safe. In fact, they are a lot safer than you are about to be!" He called back.
"This Gandalf is more grumpy than the old one."
They emerged from the forest and found themselves faced with vast glade, Gandalf whistled, the sound echoing in the air for miles and miles. A resounding neigh responded his call and from across the steppe a beautiful white horse galloped into view... he was not alone for long.
"Talagor!" Mae exclaimed when the majestic black horse come into view, beside him another gleaming white horse galloped and a beautiful soft grey dapple horse followed them closely.
"Belan! And Lossen!" Elle breathed a happy laugh.
"You know these rascals?" Gandalf asked with amusement as they reached them.
"Talagor is mine and Belan and Lossen belong to my sisters." Maethien smiled as she went to meet her horse, Talagor pressed her soft muzzle into her outstretched hand and neighed pleasantly.
"They are Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." Legolas spoke in awe.
"Shadowfax." Gandalf announced proudly, extending his hand to the impressive horse. "He is the Lord of all horses. And has been my friend through many dangers."
Maethien climbed onto Talagor's back, running her fingers gently through the horse's long mane. She was smiling brightly all the while she waited for the others to mount their horses and she still could not stop beaming once they took into a gallop. She rode slightly ahead of the rest of her friends, breathing in the air with delight and smiling widely at the sky, overjoyed at the feeling of flying.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld." Gandalf told them as they stopped to gaze upon the grand kingdom that lied before them, at the tip of the tall mountain Maethien could see the palace... waiting for them. "There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong... Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here." And with that happy thought, of which reminded Saeleth of Eomer and his own set of wonderfully joyous words, they took off for the Golden Hall.
They made their way upwards... Maethien looking around them, seeing so much starvation and misery among the people, their suffering making her heart break more and more the further they traveled into the one thriving kingdom.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli muttered.
Maethien felt Aragorn come up beside her, she did not take her eyes away from the people that wandered the roads and lingered about their homes. "They're suffering." She whispered painfully, turning to look at Aragorn with sad eyes.
"Everything will change soon." Aragorn vowed, looking away from where he'd seen the woman in white standing before the Golden Hall. Their eyes met for a moment, and Aragorn wondered how he had not noticed before that her brilliant green eyes were streaked with hazel.
The company reached the golden door and were met by Hama. Gandalf smiled warmly at the guard, pleased to see him.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden-King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of Grima Wormtongue." He spoke the name with utter disgust. Gandalf nodded understandingly then turned to give a nod to the warriors at his sides. Everyone relinquished their weapons, Maethien was rather reluctant to give up hers, almost as much as Gimli, but they both handed them over none the less.
"Your staff." Hama reminded, his eyes on Gandalf.
"Hmm? Ohh... You wouldn't part an old man from his walking stick?" Saeleth had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing, fighting to hide her smile as well.
They were allowed entrance a moment later and Gandalf practically filled the room with his aura of power and authority. "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King." The wizards voice rang out regally. Maethien scowled at Grima as he began to whisper into the king's ear, the old and feeble looking Theoden barely able to keep his head up.
"Why... should I welcome you? Gandalf Stormcrow?" His raspy voice sounded old and weary, it was a pitiful and enraging sight when the once great kind turned to the snake beside him for guidance.
"A just question, my liege." He nodded eagerly before rising from his seat and raising his voice. "Late is the hour that this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name you. Ill news is an ill guest." Grima spoke sharply as he slithered toward Gandalf.
"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." Grima seemed at a loss, unable to respond to the wizards power. "I did not pass through fire and death to banter crooked words with a witless worm." Gandalf growled firmly and lifted his staff in front of him, Grima immediately stepped away in fear.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizards staff!" He backed away and immediately men in dark robes ran forward to grab Gandalf, Theoden's soldiers remaining in place. Legolas and Aragorn shot forward and kept them at bay, the three men fighting them off with ease while Gandalf drifted toward the king with Maethien and Saeleth at his sides. Mae with her shield raised, knocking aside any man who lunged at them, and Elle with her control over the wind, throwing away any who dared lay a hand on Gandalf.
Maethien found herself faced with the wretched man in black, the worm made to run but Mae grabbed his coat and dragged him back, kicking him behind the knee so that he fell to is knees. He squeaked in fear as she drew a long dagger from her boot and pressed it against his neck threateningly. "Please, give me a reason." She growled into his ear and the coward instantly froze.
"Hearken to me! I release you from the spell." Gandalf lifted his hand toward the king of Rohan but it was the mocking laughter of Saruman that came from him.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey." Gandalf's eyes widened with fury and disgust, he tore his cloak from his shoulders and a pure whiteness billowed from him, his arms stretched to his sides, his white cloak flowing like wings.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." He thrust his staff at Theoden and the king was thrown back against his throne, crying out in pain and fear. At that moment Eowyn rushed into the hall and hurried to aid her beloved uncle but Aragorn reached out and grabbed her, holding her back.
"Wait." He told her softly.
"If I go... Theoden dies." Saruman threatened darkly as he struggled against Gandalf.
"You did not kill me, you will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!"
"Be gone!" The wizards cast themselves forwards, roaring with mighty power, everyone felt the immensity of the power that filled the room. Gandalf won... and the weary king groaned weakly as he fell forward, finally free from the darkness that had taken him. Eowyn tore free from Aragorn hold and caught her dear uncle before he fell, cupping his hands in hers as she watched in awe as the King's features grew younger with every passing second. He stared back at her with wide blue eyes breathing deeply.
"I know your face." The king whispered, recognition and delight growing in his eyes. "Eowyn. Eowyn." The princess looked about ready to shed tears of joy. The king then turned to face the wizard who had freed him. "Gandalf?"
"Breathe the free air again, old friend." Theoden rose to his feet stiffly with Eowyn's help, grimacing with pain when his limbs ached.
"Dark have my dreams been of late." The King whispered as he gazed at his own hands, stretching them, finding he could now move them again.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better, if they grasped your sword." Hama came forward with the King's sword and offered the hilt to him, with trembling fingers Theoden grasped the hilt and slowly the sword was drawn, gleaming brightly at it's new found freedom. Grima began to tremble as the king's gaze fell on him, the worm tried to flee but Maethien tightened her grip on him, her dagger drawing a slim line of red against his neck.
"Oh, no you don't you coward." Mae growled and pulled back her dagger, she dragged him forward and cracked her boot into his back, sending him sprawling at Theoden's feet.
The next thing Grima Wormtongue knew, he was thrown down the steps of the palace, grunting and rolling painfully until he landed with a dull thud on the platform.
"Argh!" He cried in pain and fearfully began to crawl away from the seething king. "Ive only ever served you, my lord!" He cried beseechingly.
"Your leech-craft would have me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden growled.
"Send me not from your sight!" Grima begged. Theoden King answered by lifting his sword high above his head, Grima cowered beneath him and made to flee but as the sword fell Aragorn ran forth and caught it. "No my lord! No my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account." Maethien watched with a melting heart as Aragorn offered his hand to the worm, offering to help him to his feet, but the wretch sneered at him instead and spat on his outstretched hand. Maethien's blood boiled.
"Get out of my way!" He bellowed as he ran for the stables. Maethien's hands clenched as she watched Grima run intently. Suddenly, a stray stone shot forward from where it sat on the ground and threw itself powerfully at Grima, it hit his leg and the man cried out in alarm as he tripped painfully and went rolling down the rest of the incline and out of sight. Mae's eyes widened in shock, jumping a little... Had she done that? She got her answer a moment later when she felt the stinging of a new marking against the back of both her hands. Beside her, Saeleth whirled on Maethien with wide eyes and the sisters both looked at each other with silent alarm for a moment... then they struggled agonizingly to keep from laughing like a pair of lunatics.
Down by the King, Aragorn turned to look at the sisters, along with the other remaining members of the fellowship. Maethien and Saeleth immediately composed themselves and feigned innocence, though the men did not fail to notice how they would not look them in the eyes... or that Maethien's hands were gleaming a soft gold.
"All hail Theoden King!" The commoners who had come to see the excitement instantly lowered themselves to their knees... but the King frowned at the crowd and turned.
"Where is Theodred? Where is my son?" The laughter within the sisters immediately dissipated, and their gaze went to the ground.
The day was young and already Anoreth had prevented more than one battle between Sam and Gollum, not to mention the few arguments she'd managed to settle between Frodo and Sam, kept Frodo from slipping down the climb up the high hill before the entrance of the Black Gate, fought the immense darkness that crowded her and threatened to drown out her light, and prevented the hobbits from falling down the slope. Smeagol had eagerly explained to them about the path he knew and, through much hesitation, Frodo and Sam had agreed to take the alternate route.
They now sat, resting in the meadow. Anoreth took the time to sprawl on the ground, not caring that she looked very unlady-like in her position, she was tired and moody and she wanted to rest, even if just a little. She'd been feeling off all day, dark and clouded. She had this bad feeling that something was going to happen… but she didn't know what! And that didn't really help her mood much. Just then, Smeagol came running toward them with two rabbits clutched tightly in his mouth.
"Look! Look! See what Smeagol finds!" Gollum laughed maniacally and danced around in joy and Frodo smiled weakly, looking to Sam. "They are young, they are tender and nice. Eat them! Eat them!" Smeagol snapped the rabbits spine and Frodo flinched in disgust but he did his best to hide it as Smeagol sank his teeth into the flesh.
Sam turned and rushed over with wide eyes. "You'll make him sick, you will, behaving like that!" He ripped the rabbits from Smeagols hands and shoved the creature away from Frodo, he then looked at the little rabbits and sighed. "There's only one way to eat a brace of coneys."
Later, Anoreth's stomach growled horridly as she smelled the steam coming from the nice boiling pot of rabbit stew. Gollum, though, was not as pleased as she.
"No! Whats it doing!"He cried out in despair. "Stupid fat hobbit! It ruins it!" Anoreth sighed wearily from where she laid then giggled, pushing herself off the ground to smile at Frodo.
"Whats there to ruin? There's hardly any meat left on them." Sam threw in some herbs then stared longingly into the brewing pot. "What we need is some good taters."
"Whats taters, precious? Whats taters?"
"PO-TAY-TOES! Boil them, mash them, stick them in a stew!" Sam groaned and sighed, his face going soft at the thought of the food. "Lovely big golden chips with a nice piece of fried fish…" Sam said dreamily.
"Creamy mashed potatoes with lots of butter and cheese and bacon." Anoreth suggested with a watering mouth.
"Or freshly baked muffins with butter." Frodo added, licking his lips.
"Strawberries and cream!" Sam grinned happily, Ann groaned and pressed her hands over her roaring stomach in an attempt to muffle the noise.
"No! Enough with the torture!" Ann groaned and laughed with Sam and Frodo for a few moments, she was glad that they could take some time to just laugh. It didn't make her dark feeling go away though… What the hell was she forgetting? It was right there in her head but it seemed to be clouded, she wanted to remember but she just couldn't. Anoreth's unease grew and she shivered, looking to the hobbits quietly.
"I think we need to get moving soon, my friends, I don't like the feel of this place?" Ann finally announced and got to her feet, her eyes scanning the bushes around her, her nerves on edge.
"Whats wrong with it?" Sam asked as he leaned closer to the boiling stew.
"I just cant shake this feeling that somethings wrong." Anoreth said, her hands going to rest on the hilt of her sword. Frodo, however, was not listening. He walked away slowly, searching for the source of the weird sounds he'd heard.
"Mr. Frodo?" Sam called after him, Ann turned and released and agitated sigh as she followed after the hobbits, her eyes and ears on high alert. She found the hobbits lying under some bushes, hidden in the shade, watching as the Haradrim army moved beneath them in the near distance. For some reason, the sight of the army made Anoreth nervous and edgy, making her terrible feeling grow even more, her hands squeezed around her sword, ready to raise it.
"Who are they?" Sam asked curiously.
"Sauron's army." Anoreth whispered, her eyes darting everywhere at once… he unease was growing by the second. Maybe the really should get going, Ann thought to herself and was about to suggest just that when Smeagol interrupted.
"They are called to Mordor. The Dark One is gathering all armies to him. It wont be long now. He will soon be ready." Smeagol whispered.
"Ready to do what?"
"For war, Sam. He's calling them to war." Ann told the hobbit then inched away from the edge. "Now, come on, we need to get away from here. Now. I have a really bad feeling about-" Ann drew her sword and whirled around to face the sounds shed heard… Her eyes searched the bushes intently and she found them… watching quietly. She lifted her blade and growled into the bushes. "Show yourselves, cowards." The men chuckled as they emerged.
"Oh, what do we have here?" Once asked in a deeply accented voice, Ann narrowed her eyes at the six men that had come from their hiding spots. Anoreth wanted to band her head against a solid surface! How could she have missed them! She was supposed to be protecting Frodo, Sam, Smeagol, and the Ring! Not serving them up in silver platters to Sauron's minions!
"A pretty elf-maiden who believes herself a warrior and two little deformed men. How lucky we found you." Ann said nothing, which was a new one for her, and glared at the men. She was mad… but not at them, at herself… and, yes, them a little too…
"Oh, you picked on the wrong elf today, buddy." Ann called out as she walked slowly toward the men, they did nothing and simply laughed mockingly at her, completely unaware of the force they were up against. And that just annoyed Ann with a passion! Did she really look that weak?!
Ann used their arrogance to their advantage and immediately ran her blade through the first man to approach her, a look of utter shock upon his expression. Ann yanked out her sword kicked the man to the ground. He did not get back up. By then the rest of the men realized Ann wasn't as delicate as she looked, and charged at the woman with short curved swords. Ann smiled and squeezed her hand tighter around the hilt of her blade, letting her anger and annoyance give her a push. Suddenly, Anoreth's blade lit up with her brilliant white flames, the men froze, then a moment later the white flames turned to red fire, blazing with a ferocity that matched the strength and power deep within the sweet woman that even she did not know she held. Ann felt the signature stinging of a new ability, the markings glowing around both of her upper arms.
"Whoa, first time it's ever done that." Ann mumbled in surprise then faced the stunned men, she hid her shock and smiled widely at them. "'Say hello to my little friend!'" She just had to laugh wildly at her genius, too bad the soldiers didn't get the reference. Ann looked back at the group of men and braced herself when they ran towards her again, just then, behind them, all hell broke loose as the archers of Gondor began to fire volleys of arrows at Sauron's army.
"Sam, Frodo! Down!" Ann called out as she knocked a blade aside, flames falling from her sword onto the ground, and shoved her shield into another opponent fiercely before ducking yet another blade, Ann turned to slash the neck of a charging enemy but was surprised when dear Sam caught the soldier from behind. Ann parried another sword and smiled, her heart all a flutter, it seemed that the hobbits wanted to protect Anoreth just as much as she wanted protect them… Ann moved just in time to have a soldier shove his sword into the chest of a man that had run up behind her, Ann quickly did away with the one who had done her the favor while Frodo took down the man who had come at her from behind. Ann then turned to face their last opponent.
"Miss Ann!"
"Watch out!" Ann yelped when the man's blade came down toward her, were it not for her quick reaction… the blade would have met the skin of her throat. The red destructive fire on her blade suddenly quivered against her opponent's sword, reflecting the sudden wave of fear that had stabbed into Ann. A moment later… her red fire faded away.
"Aw, is the sweet maiden running out of courage?" Anoreth's eyes blazed with anger and she abruptly slammed her head forward, she heard the man's nose break before he began to wail, she slashed her sword and silenced him. Anoreth didn't waste time, she quickly turned to Sam and Frodo, sighing in relief when she saw that they were unharmed, she then rushed to the hobbits.
"Come on, we have to go." Ann sheathed her sword and reached for the hobbits. "Now." Just then, an oliphant come charging toward them and Anoreth barely had time to pull Frodo and Sam out of the way. She quickly shoved the hobbits toward a hidden path, hurrying after them, they found their path blocked when a soldier in a green cloak stepped in their way and grabbed Frodo. Anoreth gasped... Faramir's men! Of course! How could she have forgotten that?!
"Hey!" Sam made to grab his dagger, just then another green cloaked man came at the hobbit and Ann quickly tackled the man away, pushing him into a pile of thorny bushes before grabbing a large rock and throwing it right into the face of the soldier holding Frodo.
"Hurry! Start crawling." Anoreth whispered before turning in the opposite direction and made to release a shrill whistle, intending to call attention to herself and away from the hobbits… The cry of alarm that came from behind her made Ann stop, her blood going cold, and her heart thundering in fear.
"Ann!" Frodo called out to her, Anoreth whirled around and ran toward where she heard her friend call but was suddenly grabbed from behind, Ann cried out in surprise before cracking her head back against him.
"Ugh!" The man released her to clutch his bleeding nose, Ann turned to find that it had been one of Faramir's soldiers, the woman yelped and brought her hands to her mouth in alarm.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I thought you were one of- wait, why am I apologizing? Serves you right for attacking a lady from behind!" She gave the man a swift kick, which she immediately regretted but had no time to apologize for, then turned to race after the hobbits.
"Frodo! Sam!" Ann called out in a panic, not caring who heard her as long as she found the hobbits. "Frodo!"
"Ann!" The woman gasped and charged in the direction she heard Sam call, she burst through some tall grass and found two of Faramir's men trying to restrain the hobbits. One of them shoved sweet Sam to the ground and pointed a blade to him! Anoreth charged at them both like a mamma bear protecting her cubs, she slammed her shield mightily against the face of the man who had pointed the blade at Sam, blood spilling from his nose as he staggered back, what was it with her and the nose breaking? She then lifted her leg in a mean high kick that sent the other man stumbling back.
"Miss me?" She asked Frodo and Sam with a grin.
"Sure did."
"Yay! Now run!" Anoreth called to them as she whirled around to hold back the rest of the rangers that came at them, she so did not want to hurt Faramir's men but then they drew their swords out and came at her... well, a girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do!
Without warning, a net was flung over Ann and the woman yelped as she tumbled to the ground.
Well, don't that just take the bad-ass right out of you?!
"Ann!" Anoreth turned to see that the hobbits were coming back for her.
"No! Keep going! Stop!" She called to them but they kept running to her. Two men stepped out from their hiding places and grabbed the hobbits, flinging them to the ground.
"Leave them alone!" Anoreth roared as one of the men straddled her, cutting her loose and teaing her weapons away from her.
"Frodo-" Ann called out again, then yelped when the man's hands went to search places she'd much rather not be searched. "Hey! Watch those hands, bucko!"
"Wait! We're innocent travelers!" Sam tried, touching his split lip tenderly.
"There at=re no travelers in this land. Only servants of the Dark Tower." Faramir said as he stepped forward and pulled back his hood, looking upon the three companions curiously.
"We are bound to an errand of secrecy. Those that claim to oppose the enemy would do well not to hinder us." Frodo spoke through his ragged breathing.
"They enemy?" Faramir walked over to a Haradrim man who had been shot down. :His sense of duty was no less that yours, I deem. You wonder what his name is, where he came from and if he was really evil at heart. What lies or threats led him on this long march from home. If he would not rather have stayed there... in peace." Anoreth had ceased her struggles and looked from Faramir to the man on the ground... he was right. Not every soldier went into the battle willingly, some leave behind something treasured to them like a home, a life, families! And yet one must wonder why those soldiers do not try to escape the darkness.. perhaps it wasn't that easy, but, as the old saying goes, where there is a will, there is a way.
"War will make corpses of us all. Bind their hands."
"You fool! Let us go!" Anoreth called after Faramir, growling at the men who hauled her from the ground and bound her wrists with thick ropes. "Don't ignore me you- Hey!" A blindfold was placed over her eyes and Anoreth shouted even louder, they were going to have to take her kicking and screaming.
I think I'm getting the hang of these battle scenes.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and, as always, constructive criticism and feedback is much appreciated!
Silentmayhem... As always, it is a pleasure to read your reviews! I'm so glad you enjoy the girls' personalities! As for Gandalf's assessment... I hope you lied what he said in this chapter, I assure you there is more to come! Yay!