Author's Note:

I don't own any of the characters, places, names, etc (only the OC). It all belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and Peter Jackson.

~ Chapter Twenty One: Elven Brooch ~

The night was young, as Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli scrambled in this bony land, climbing to the crest of the first and tallest ridge, and down again into the darkness of a deep winding valley on the other side. They were tracking the Uruk-Hai, hoping to save the hobbits and Ethir. There in the still cool hour before dawn they rested for a brief space. No sleep or food, just an hour to rest their feet. They have been climbing and running a day long. They found few hints, though still they were not sure if they could reach the Uruk-Hai in time.

"Which way would they turn, do you think?" said Legolas, as they noticed that trail had descended into the valley, though it had vanished.

Aragorn responded "Let us search northwards! After we take a brief rest!" He walked once more to were the trail had ended to check it one more time.

Gimli sat down, leaning against a tree. He didn't complain, he needed the rest. Legolas, stood few steps away gazing down the valley, scanning the area with his Elfish eyes. He didn't find anything. His mind was busy, as he was still processing the information Aragorn told them. The 'wicked' girl, a blood line of Sauron. His brain froze time to time. Half of his elfish brain was searching for any sign that she will be all right. She had to be all right. Though the other half, spaced out. His pulse pounding in his temples, refusing to accept the truth that was spoken to him. The inky darkness ... she... engulfed the frail light... him. Now only silence lingered in the air.

He sighed. The elf found himself, being the same as years ago. He thought, he had changed. He was not the same Elf. He accepted people, not based their race or bloodline but based their actions and character. Like with Aragorn, and Gimli. He even accepted Ethir as a friend, even if he felt her darkness. But what had changed now. Just because, Sauron Blood was part of her. His head was buzzing with possibilities, confusing him. Legolas was never tempted or confused. It was not the way Elves functioned. He decided to hide his worries, for now at least. Their priority was to find Ethir and the hobbits.

Meanwhile, the Uruk-Hai had also stopped. Orcs emerged. One called Grishnakh said "You're late. Our master grows impatient. He wants the Shire-rats now and the traitor."

Mauhur, Uruk-hai Captain (with Lurtz death), said "I don't take orders from Orc-maggots. Saruman will have his prize. We will deliver them."

Few of the Uruk-hai members were carrying the hobbits and Ethir. They stopped as their Captain was talking with the orcs. Ethir was only then slowly coming back to reality. The blow in her head was hard enough, she was unconscious for a day. Pippin was trying to talk to Merry as he seemed to had fainted. Pippin begged for some water. They gave Merry something to drink. It was not water, though he opened his eyes. Merry tried to ensure Pippin that he was all right.

Ethir opened her eyes widely. He gazed at Pippin and Merry. Then she found herself tight up and carried in the back of an Uruk-Hai. 'That smell ewww!' was the first thought that passed her mind. Then she found out that her legs weren't tied up. She cracked a smile, as hope rose in her. She didn't wait any longer. She suddenly, put all her force against her legs and spinning and landing against the back of Uruk. She balanced against his back, climbing higher and moving her upper body. Then she unplugged her arms around him. She sprang on the air and landed against the ground.

'Slump!'

The Uruk-hai noted the sound and turned. Ethir was already on her feet. She shook her head, as she felt dizzy. The impact against the ground was harsh, and the early hit on her head wasn't helping either. She rose her arms ready to fight, as Pippin and Merry looked at her.

"Merry, Pippin hang in there! We're leaving!" she shouted loudly glaring at the Uruk-Hai.

The Uruk member that was carrying her, stepped up. He tried to catch her wrist. But Ethir, stepped back and unleashed a double kick sending the creature to crush next to Mauhur. Everyone, had now her attention. Mauhur cast a deadly looked at the Uruk on his feet. He hissed and strolled over, where Ethir was. The rest of the Uruk-Hai, stepped back as their Captain showed up.

Ethir kept her balance, as she glared at Mauhur. She didn't wait, and run towards him trying to kick him down. Though, her kicks had no effect on him. Her leg hit against his left back and send Ethir facing the ground. The Uruk-Hai Captain, didn't wait. He walked over and picked Ethir up, grabbing her from her neck. She gasped for air as Mauhur, hold her against the air.

"I could easy snap your neck. Though, Saruman wants his prize!" Mauhur threatened her. Then he released her from his grip letting her fall against the ground. He kicked her few times against her stomach. The hits were brutal and rough. "Though, He forgot to mention in what state." he added.

Her face, rigid with tension, belied her youthfulness, as she felt her stomach area burn. She bit her lips, not giving any satisfaction to the captain. Ethir spit few drops of blood and glared back at him. "When my hands are free, we'll have this talk again. Let's find then out. Which state you will return." she boldly yelled at him.

Mauhur, pulled her up from the ground from her hair. Ethir glared back at him and tried to kick him few more times. The captain lost it. He punched her against her face, leaving a bruise on against her right eye. He punched and kicked her few more times. Until Ethir, collapsed against the ground. She cried, not being able to stand. The captain had wounded her serious.

"Tie her up, her legs too." he ordered the Uruk member that was carrying her previously.

He nodded and went over, with more robe. He picked Ethir up easy, and tied her legs. Then he tied on more robe around her chest and arms, to make sure she wouldn't be able to move. She cursed under her breath as her stamina and energy were low, and she couldn't struggle at all. The Uruk-Hai gave her two last strokes, and pulled her up carrying her against his back again.

Ethir gaze had frozen against Pippin and Merry, as she seemed lifeless. The hobbits gazed at her worried. Though, few second later she moved her eyelashes. Her face seemed bloody. And there was not struggle left in her. At least for now. Though, beyond the pain her mind was in fire. It was furious, as it was commanding her body. Though, her body didn't obey.

"What is it? What do you smell?" Mauhur asked suddenly as he smelled the air around them.

"Man-flesh." an Orc responded.

"Aragorn!" said Pippin, as he tried and unpinned is elven brooch off his cloak with his teeth, and dropped it onto the ground.

"They've picked up our trail! Let's go!" The captain of the Uruk-Hai announced.

The group of three rested enough. They were again on their feet running. Aragorn searched the ground in a wide circle, but no other traces of the fight could be found. They went on. Already the eastward sky was turning pale; the stars were fading, and a grey light was slowly growing. They pace got faster, and faster.

Aragorn noted "Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!" He moved on, with Gimli and Legolas following.

"Come on, Gimli!" Legolas called. His heart seemed to carry a heaviness, that was getting heavier as time passed. Like something bad had happened or would happen.

Gimli complained "Three day's and night's pursuit no food, no rest, and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell."

Swiftly now the pursuers turned and followed the new path. As if fresh from a night's rest they sprang from stone to stone. The companions entered the valley where the Uruk-hai stopped earlier, and met with the orcs. Suddenly Aragorn bent down to pick up Pippin's brooch. Hope was raised once again.

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Aragorn said as he showed them the Brooch.

The elf paused and faced Aragorn "They may be alive" he said. "Come Gimli! We are gaining on them." Legolas shouted at the dwarf, he felt his heart a bit lighter.

"I'm wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances." Gimli complained, though he was following the other two as fast as he could.

Day leaped into the sky. The red rim of the sun rose over the shoulders of the dark land. As all three managed to see the land of the horse men across the plains.

"Rohan. Home of the horse-lords. There's something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures, sets its will against us." Aragorn noted "Legolas! What do your elf eyes see?"

Legolas scanned the landscape before him. "The Uruks turn Northeast. They are taking the hobbits to Isengard!" Legolas let them known.

"Saruman." the Ranger spoke.

"I think, nonetheless, that we no longer need any trail to tell us which way to go!" said Gimli.

They followed their enemies now by the clear light of day. The Uruk-Hai and the Orcs had pressed on with all possible speed. The trail led them north, they were closer than before.

((Next Chapter: 22))

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