And here is chapter four. More yayness! Time for some action!
-A
Plans and ActionThe hills now grew smaller and more drawn out as they approached Fornost; the Rangers could see a dark band in front of them. The Elves had ridden ahead to count their numbers and were now returned.
"There's forty if there's less." Elladan was the first to reach Aragorn, Elrohir trotted over next to compare numbers.
"I counted forty seven from where I hid amongst the trees." Elladan nodded in agreement.
Aragorn considered for a moment, then spoke to the small company of eight. "Elladan, take Jephima, Haeranan, and Farren into the forest and hide yourselves in the trees and brush, be ready to fire when the orcs enter. The rest of us will lure and drive them towards you -"
Elladan cut Aragorn off angrily, "You plan to use my brother as bait?!" The Man simply shrugged.
Elrohir rested a calming hand on Elladan's shoulder. "Fear not Elladan. We both know that I will be able to out run the beasts. I'm capable of watching after myself."
The older brother sighed. "Be careful, then, and keep on your toes or I will cut them off when I get a hold of you." They embraced quickly before Elladan went off, taking those indicated with him.
"Why will your brother act as bait?" Jephima rode beside Elladan, breaking the tense silence that had set in.
"Because orcs will break off anything if they have a chance to catch an Elf. They hate us as we hate them. They will torture, twist, and kill any of my race they can get their filthy hands on." Elladan sunk deeper into though. He'd already lost his mother to fell creatures, he did not wish to lose his brother as well. This was a tactic they'd used before, but it had always been Elladan to lure them, never Elrohir. But he knew his brother would be all right. A good rider and a better runner, Elrohir wouldn't be stupid nor would he be as slow as a Man might be. Elladan wondered if Elrohir had ever worried this much. The Elf looked around, they were safely in the forest.
"Dismount, find yourselves hiding places from which you can clearly see all around you. Do not fire until you are sure of your target. Remember – our friends will be in the midst of them." Yes, our friends and my brothers. Elladan sighed and dismounted, allowing the horse to wander off. The Elf found his way into a tree that branched out over the path. Now all they could do was wait.
†
Aragorn watched the dark creatures from his place on the hill. He turned to his Elven brother, Elrohir looked almost nervous. "Lle eithel, Elrohir? Lle sinta lle antail uma sina."
Elrohir licked his lips absently, then shook his head 'no'. "Amin eithel, Aragorn." The Elf sighed quietly and looked to Aragorn. "I just hope I can run as fast as I believe I can."
"You're sure you do not want your horse?"
"No, they must believe that they have a chance at catching me."
Aragorn clapped Elrohir on the shoulder. "Quel marth ar' naa alaka." The Ranger managed a smile. "Elladan would never forgive me should anything befall you before you reach the wood." Elrohir could only nod before he set off – the orcs would see him soon and the riders would have to be ready.
Elrohir managed to keep his face blank as he rounded a bend in the dirt road. His heart pounded and felt as if it would leap to his throat, but the young Elf managed to calm his fear. The forest was close enough, he could make it safely.
Black Speech splintered through the air, hurting his fine ears. Adopting an expression of fear and surprise, Elrohir stood frozen as he came face to face with the orcs. One of them yelled a command and he took off, hearing them give chase. The wind whipped his dark hair back and whistled past his ears, almost drowning out the horrible sounds behind him. Farther off he could hear hoof beats, the Rangers were upon them. Only a bit farther before he reached the wood.
His mind preoccupied, Elrohir did not see the root jutting out before him.
†
Elladan watched his brother worriedly. He strangled a cry before it left his throat, but Elrohir had stumbled and it cost him precious speed and time. One of the beasts nearly grabbed him. Before he knew it he saw Elrohir racing into the trees. Elladan set his bow aside and swung upside down, legs keeping a firm grip on the branch. He called to his brother and felt relief sweep through him when Elrohir's hands clasped his wrists. They both managed to get themselves up onto the branch as the Dúnadain in the trees and brush opened fire.
"Diola lle, Elladan." Elrohir panted, grateful for some time to catch his breath.
"Thank me later, recover your breath and join the fight when you are able." Elladan had been firing steadily, but soon his quiver was empty. He saw Aragorn and Haeranan amongst the orcs. Elladan placed his bow back with his quiver and jumped down, two handed sword unsheathed easily as he joined the fray. Elrohir took his brother's place on the branch and began to empty his own quiver.
Elladan found himself soon splattered with black blood, the gore was warm on his cool skin. Swift and graceful cuts and slashes found their marks, ripping through flesh and bone. Mercy meant nothing to him now. The Elf kept an eye on the Men, but he could do little more than watch his own back. Now that an Elf was back on the ground, the orcs fought to take him.
But as fast as it had begun, the battle ended. Elladan watched as Aragorn dispatched of the last one. Now they could look after each other's wounds.
"Elladan!" He turned to see who had called him. Haeranan. The Man was fussing over someone in the leaves. Elladan trotted over, realizing it was Jephima. The young man had an arrow embedded in his shoulder. "He is losing blood and the shaft must come out, I could use some help."
The Elf nodded. "Prop him up and hold him firmly. It has not gone through all the way and it must – I will not pull it out with a barb on the tip lest I tear his muscles to shreds." The Ranger nodded and held the boy up. Elladan spoke to Jephima in a gentle voice. "You must hold still, Jephima. I am going to push the bolt through and the pain will be great, but then I will do everything I can to soothe it."
Jephima nodded and clung to Haeranan. Elladan realized that the two must be related, they looked enough alike to be brothers. He sighed and rolled his sleeves up, removing as much of the black blood from his hands as he could. As much as he hated to do it, when he saw the boy had finally relaxed he shoved the barbed arrow until it broke the flesh on the boy's back. Jephima cried out and ducked his head, shuddering with the waves of pain. Elladan worked quickly, opening the boy's tunic the rest of the way so he'd have a clear view of what he was doing. He broke off the tip and slid the black shaft out, tossing them both away. He took the skin of water that Haeranan provided and cleansed the blood away as best he could. They would have to find a place where he could work on Jephima with Elrohir's help. But for now they fashioned a temporary bandage from tunic hems and cloak edges.
Soon enough, Aragorn and the rest made their way over, all of them looking well enough for the wear. Aragorn alone had received scratches on his arms and face, but nothing overly serious and Farren was nursing a sprained wrist. All in all, no one other than Jephima had been seriously harmed. Elladan frowned, now that the adrenaline levels in his body lowered, he realized that his right side burned with every movement he made and his left shoulder stung and flared with pain.
"Elladan? Are you all right?" Once he realized that neither of his brothers could see the wounds, but only the gore that covered him, Elladan nodded. They needn't know he was hurt.
"Yes, I'm in need of a bath, but I'm fine." Elladan forced a smile, but it was good enough to convince everyone.
"I suggest we take up at the inn in Fornost for the night, Aragorn. We can tend to ourselves there and rest." Farren spoke up, holding his wrists carefully as he splinted it.
Aragorn nodded his agreement. All he wished for at the moment was a bath and somewhere they could tend to their wounds without interference.
"To Fornost, then."
†
So there's the latest update. Hope you all enjoy! Please click the review button and let me know what you think!
Translations:
Lle eithel, Elrohir? Lle sinta lle antail uma sina. – Are you well, Elrohir? You need not do this.
Amin eithel, Aragorn – I'm fine, Aragorn
Quel marth ar' naa alaka – Good luck and be swift
Diola lle – Thank you
