by Blanton Cirith~
Chapter 9
Disclaimer: See chapter 1
SideNote: I ask everyone who reads this chapter: please review after they finish, and tell me what they think of the story so far. I'm curious to see how many people are actually keeping up with this story.
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"Why did the orcs take her?" Halbarad asked, as he held the horse's reins and guided it galloping down the path. The three were riding upon Gilar, trying to escape the pursuit of goblins. They were following them at a heavy and quick pace, but they were on foot. Gilar bore Halbarad, Legolas, and Winters faster than the enemy, even though they were three. Gilar didn't seem to mind, though; for, the two Elves were a light burden.
"It was Sauron's doing," Legolas replied.
"He must have learned of Galadriel's plan for this ring," Winters said to Legolas, looking at the ring upon her finger. "and knew that I was traveling in the bearer's company. Sauron probably wanted to catch both rings at once."
"But the Uruk-Hai got to the other first, and since they were stronger, Sauron's orcs could not take them. They had to suffice with just yours to bring back to their Master," Halbarad added.
"You...you know of my ring?" she studdered.
"I do. One of the three Elven rings, is it not?" Halbarad looked back at Winters, and laughed lightly. "I can see by your expression that I am correct."
"Who is this Uruk-Hai you speak of, Halbarad?" Legolas asked, peering over Winter's shoulder. Halbarad was by Gilar's neck, and Winters sat behind. Last, came Legolas behind Winters. It was an uncomfortable fit for all three of them, but the two Elves were slender as well as light.
Staring front, directing Gilar with the reins, Halbarad spoke. "A super-orc race created by Saruman; created to serve him, to do for him, and to fight for him."
"Saruman!" Legolas exclaimed. "What treachery!"
There was a long silence, and Winters was rubbing her shoulder, attempting to relieve the pain; she tried in vain. Legolas saw that the wound bothered her greatly, and he lowered his head and kissed her on the cheek. Winters leaned her arms back and wrapped them around his neck. Her head rested on his chest, and there she fell asleep. She was still exhausted from the last few days.
Dawn soon broke, and they had ridden many leagues. Halbarad directed the horse toward a thick patch of tall, wide trees and dismounted. Legolas followed. Winters held the reins, and turned to dismount. Once on the ground again, a terrible pain shot through her shoulder, and she grasped the wound.
Legolas held her arm and Halbarad had the other. They walked her over to a place in the cool grass where she could lay.
Setting her down, Halbarad handed his water canteen to Winters.
"We should be well hidden by these trees. We'll set off again in a few hours. Gilar must rest. After all, he is carrying three of us," Halbarad said to them.
"Where are we going exactly?" Legolas inquired.
"We need somewhere safe, but close. The nearest place you could obtain sanctuary is Rohan. Winters can get treatment for her shoulder, and we would be safe. It is about fifteen leagues from here. Once we set off again, we would be there within three or four hours."
Winters tossed the canteen to Halbarad who shook it lightly and frowned. "There should be a small creek or something nearby. I will return with more water."
After Halbarad left, Winters sat up.
"Legolas," she said.
"Hmm?"
"What happened?"
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked.
"I remember the orcs dragging me away, and seeing Boromir fighting them far behind. He was sounding his horn loudly and the orcs were closing in on him....Did he survive?"
Legolas took a deep breath, and nearly choked as he said, "No, he did not."
Winters bowed her head in grief, and Legolas saw a single tear fall from her eye to the ground. Without shifting her glance, she opened her mouth to speak.
"And Frodo?"
"Gone to Mordor with Sam to destroy the ring," he whispered.
"What about Merry, Pippin, and Gimli?" she said, lifting her eyes.
"Merry and Pippin were taken by the Uruk-Hai westward. Gimli went in pursuit of them," Legolas explained mournfully.
"Aragorn?" she cried nervously.
"With Gimli north," he stated in a forlorn tone.
Winters burst into tears, and threw her arms around him.
"Our Fellowship is in ruins," she managed through the sobs.
"Shattered..." he mumbled to himself, remembering that dark day at Amon Hen in which everything fell apart.
"The fellowship is already broken. Will you now shatter it completely?" Aragorn exclaimed.
"Boromir is dead! How many more must die before you are satisfied?" Legolas shouted.
Legolas held her tighter as he remembered.
"You would be killed before you even got there if you proceed alone!" yelled Gimli.
"Then come with me!" Legolas begged.
Legolas forced his eyes shut, still holding her close. He furiously tried to block his mind from remembering, but that only made the images appear more clear and harsh.
"I'm sorry, but I won't let her die." Legolas exclaimed.
"Then I suppose this is goodbye," said Gimli in a hard tone.
Winters turned her head and kissed him gently in his embrace. It seemed like nothing mattered, but only for that moment. Everything rushed back to her: the sight of black-feathered arrows piercing Boromir as she was pulled away by a fierce orc, screaming for anyone to hear and receiving no response, Moldurg doing everything he possibly could to make her more miserable. She tried to push all the memories aside and focus on the person she loved more than anything: Legolas. The kiss between them quickly intensified, but it only made Winters cry harder. However hard she tried, she still remembered what she had hoped to forget.
Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf sat towards the end of the table by Theoden in the Dining Hall. They were at Rohan, and a feast was laid for them. Theoden had been awaken from Grima's false and evil advice, and Gandalf had returned. Eomer and Eowyn, Lady of Rohan, were seated near Theoden as well.
There was a frantic knock at the door, and a guard stumbled in.
"My Lord," he said.
"Yes?" Theoden replied.
"There is a rather haggard looking Elf here to see you. He seems indecent and unpleasant. Shall I let him in?"
"Tell him I will see him later this evening. Now, Eomer, as I was saying..." but Theoden was interrupted by the yelp of the guard as a thin hand covered in dirt and dried blood pushed the guard away from the door, and began to slowly walk in, limping on one foot.
Aragorn stood, and his chair scraped the floor behind. Aragorn took a few steps toward the Elf, and he did the same but stopped a meter away.
Aragorn stood tall and bold; his hair combed back, and his clothes new and clean. He wore black pants and a silk shirt that were brought to him upon his arrival at Rohan. His boots had been polished, and he seemed well rested. There he stood, kingly and majestic.
Legolas stood in front of him, slightly shorter than Aragorn and looking up at him. In his left hand, Legolas held his bow and quiver. His hair was knotted and unkept. His clothes were ragged and torn, and covered in mud. He had a large scar above his eyebrow, and another on his neck; dried blood surrounded the cut on his neck. His face was covered with dried mud. His features were expressionless, and he looked at Aragorn with hard eyes. Legolas dropped his bow and quiver on the marble floor, and didn't move.
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For the moment, Aragorn and Legolas are just standing there staring at each other, pondering deeply and taking in the appearance of the other. Hmmm, I wonder what will happen....
Anyway, chapter 10 is in the making.