We grabbed only what we would need. Legolas, Aragorn and I took what arrows we could salvage from the battle. Aragorn and I carried our bows and swords, Gimli his axes, Legolas his bow and his blades. We left all else behind save for our cloaks and fresh drinking water.
At last Aragorn looked towards the woods that the Uruk-hai had disappeared through. "With hope or without hope we will follow the trail of our enemies. And woe to them, if we prove the swifter! We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds : Elves. Dwarves, and Men. Forth the Four Hunters!"
And with those words he dove into the woods like a deer, and our chase began.
February 30th:
So very much has happened since I last had a chance to write. For the last few days my companions and I have done not but run. But for all our efforts I thought our little companions doomed to die in Isengard. For no matter how hard we ran the Uruk-hai seemed to keep there lead.
Until today.
We were continuing our endless run when Legolas spotted riders in the distance heading our way. Aragorn decided to wait for them to pass us. For we could not hope to escape them in such open land.
The riders thunderd past us as though they did not notice us in their mist.
"What news from the North riders of Rohan?!" Aragorn called as they rode past us. Upon hearing his voice they wheeled around and came charging at us. Within seconds they had us surrounded and the tip of their spears pointing at our head
Without a word or cry, suddenly, the Riders halted. A thicket of spears were pointed towards the strangers; and some of the horsemen had bows in hand, and their arrows were already fitted to the string. Then one rode forward, a tall man, taller than all the rest; from his helm as a crest a white horsetail flowed. He advanced until the point of his spear was within a foot of Aragorn's breast. Aragorn did not stir.
'Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?' said the Rider.
"I am called Strider,' answered Aragorn. 'I came out of the North. I am hunting Orcs."
The Rider leaped from his horse. He drew his sword and stood face to face with Aragorn
"At first I thought that you yourselves were Orcs,' he said; 'but now I see that it is not so. Indeed you know little of Orcs, if you go hunting them in this fashion. They were swift and well-armed, and they were many. you would have changed from hunters to prey, if ever you had overtaken them. But there is something strange about you, Strider. That is no name for a Man that you give. And strange too is your raiment. Have you sprung out of the grass? How did you escape our sight? Are you elvish folk?"
'No,' said Aragorn. 'One only of us is an Elf, Legolas from the Woodland Realm in distant Mirkwood. But we have passed through Lothlórien, and the gifts and favor of the Lady go with us."
The Rider looked at us with awe, but his eyes quickly hardened. 'Then there is a Lady in the Golden Wood, as old tales tell!' he said. 'Few escape her nets, they say. These are strange days! But if you have her favour, then you also are net-weavers and sorcerers, maybe.' He turned a cold gaze upon Legolas, Gimli and Myself. "Why do you not speak, silent ones?" He demanded.
"I am Faramir, a man of Gondor." I replied.
"Give me your name, horse-master, and I will give you mine, and more besides," Gimli said.
"As for that," said the Rider, "The stranger should declare himself first. Yet I am named Éomer son of Éomund, and am called the Third Marshal of Riddermark."
"Then Éomer son of Éomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, let Gimli the Dwarf Gloin's son warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you."
Éomer's glared at the dwarf "I would cut off your head, beard and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground."
"He stands not alone," said Legolas, bending his bow and fitting an arrow. "You would die before your stroke fell."
Éomer raised his sword, and I began to fear all would go ill, but Aragorn sprang between them, and raised his hand.
"Your pardon, Éomer!" he cried. "When you know more you will understand why you have angered my companions. We intend no evil to Rohan, nor to any of its folk, neither to man nor to horse. Will you not hear our tale before you strike?"
"I will,' said Éomer lowering his blade. 'But wanderers in the Riddermark would be wise to be less haughty in these days of doubt. First tell me your right name."
"First tell me whom you serve,' said Aragorn. "Are you friend or foe of Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor?"
"I serve only the Lord of the Mark, Théoden King son of Thengel," answered Éomer "We do not serve the Power of the Black Land far away, but neither are we yet at open war with him; and if you are fleeing from him, then you had best leave this land. There is trouble now on all our borders, and we are threatened; but we desire only to be free, and to live as we have lived, keeping our own, and serving no foreign lord, good or evil. We welcomed guests kindly in the better days, but in these times the unbidden stranger finds us swift and hard. Come! Who are you? Whom do you serve? At whose command do you hunt Orcs in our land?"
Aragorn replied that he did not serve any one and that all servants of Sauron we hunted. He then stated that we were looking for two friends.
He then threw back his cloak. His sword sheath glittered as he grasped it, and the bright blade of Anduril shone like the stars of Varda as he drew it out. "Elendil!' he cried. 'I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!"
I looked at Aragorn in wonder, for again he had astounded me with his majesty. For a moment it seemed as if he was crowned with a living flame.
Éomer stepped back in awe and replied, "These are indeed strange days,' he muttered. 'Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass."
He then asked why we were here. Aragorn replied that we were in great need of aid, for our friends had been carried off by Orc's. Eomer informed us that they had destroyed the orcs, but they had see not but Orcs.
Gimli informed them that they would have appeared as mere children to the Riders. But Eomer had not seen the Halflings. Eomer then order the eored to assemble on the path and that he would join them shortly. As soon as the eored withdrew Eomer continued speaking. He asked for the full tale of our journey. Aragorn informed him of our mission to go to Gondor's aid. Eomer told Aragorn that he knew Saruman was no longer trustworth and that Gandalf would not be welcome in the Riddermark. To which Aragron informed him of Gandalf's death. Eomer said that the news of Gandalf was ill tidings to him but would not sadden the king. Aragorn then informed him that we had been traveling on foot from Tol Brandir. Eomer looked at us with wonder and named Aragorn Wingfoot. He then said that he must return to Theoden and inform him of all that we had said. He implored Aragorn to join him.
"I will come when I may," said Aragorn.
"Come now!" said Éomer. "The Heir of Elendil would be a strength indeed to the Sons of Eorl in this evil tide. There is battle even now upon the Westemnet, and I fear that it may go ill for us."
"I thank you for your fair words,' said Aragorn, 'and my heart desires to come with you; but I cannot desert my friends while hope remains."
"Hope does not remain,' said Éomer. 'You will not find your friends on the North-borders."
Here I disagreed with the young horsemaster. As long as I had Aragorn I knew that hope would remain.
"Yet my friends are not behind.' Aragorn replied 'We found a clear token not far from the East Wall that one at least of them was still alive there. But between the wall and the downs we have found no other trace of them, and no trail has turned aside, this way or that, unless my skill has wholly left me."
We then bid the horse master good bye. He leant us three beautiful horses and we rode for the Orc mound. Aragorn took the lead, whilst I followed him, Gimli and Legolas followed behind.
AN: The next chapter will be far more exciting!