Chapter 6
The silence was deadly. Kareswan caught her breath as a strange sensation came over her body. She'd never heard a silence so silent before. Her whole essence shuddered for a caw of a bird or a scurry of a creature but none came. The atmosphere was electric. It felt like a lifetime before any sound arose and when it did it chilled the company to the very bone, the screech of Orcs.
The noise circled them and seemed to be getting louder. Kareswan watched wide-eyed as the light from their torches floated closer. The orcs were running through the threatening trees and sea of grass, closing in from all sides around the company with every step. They were almost upon them.
'They must not find you,' Gandalf warned Kareswan as he prepared himself, 'you must ride away from here. Legolas, Eruamer, go with her.'
Kareswan looked at Eruamer who had already started gearing up Arant.
'Follow me.' He shouted and with his sword ready he separated from the company. As Kareswan rode after him the first orcs had already appeared through the foliage. Legolas covered her back, ensuring protection from any enemy as he rode into the night after her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As Strider watched Kareswan ride away he felt the urge to follow but he knew that it was too late. If he were to follow now he would only attract the enemies' attention preventing her from escaping unnoticed.
The clanging of metal brought Strider back to reality. The number of orcs was uncountable. The commander of the orcs, Yurtsch, had only sent the best to find the girl, as battle had not yet begun at Rohan. They stood before the company, before and around, the swarthy creatures had created a barrier circling them and the only means of escape would be to fight their way through. One particular orc stood out for he had the sign of a captain and had a red chain of rust, which hung from his face and led from his left ear to his sneering bottom lip.
'Where is she?' he hissed in the common tongue.
When no answer came the clanging of metal only became louder. The orcs were becoming inpatient.
'Fools.' Snarled the captain and with that he ordered his soldiers to attack in his own tongue.
The uproar was overwhelming. The orcs jumped their enemies with and unsuspecting burst of energy but the men and elves resisted. The elves loosed arrow after arrow until no arrow was left to be loosed, but still the menace pushed forward.
Both Strider and Gandalf fought hard, cutting orcs left, right and centre. The stench of battle reigned the clearing as the flicker of torches exaggerated the many ugly features of the orcs. The light was limited and attack was easy for the creatures of the dark. Strider came under attack by too many too fast. He tried to free himself but his horse reared up catching him off guard and causing him to fall to the ground. Pains seared up his body from his neck where an orc had grabbed him with its sharp fingers. He gasped for breath as orc upon orc continued to crowd round his fallen self. Easy prey has always excited Orcs and any man caught off guard proved to be a mighty feast.
For the first time in a lifetime Strider froze unable to move as the orcs closed round him. For a split second he wondered if Kareswan, Eruamer and Legolas were in the same position and if his role of protecting Kareswan since the first time he met her had been in vain. As realization of his situation flooded back to him he gripped his sword and slashed as the legs of as many orcs as he could reach. Many of them fell while others merely dodged his blow.
Strider quickly got back on his feet and when he did he saw that the attack was mostly centred on him, but he did not have time to contemplate this for long as an armed orc swiped at Strider trying to slice his upper body. Strider blocked this with his own sword and stabbed the orc deep and hard. As it fell to the floor it gave one final fading screech.
Before Strider could set on the others around him they all started screeching. Not a screech full of hatred and malice but of fear and dread. They hopped around madly as a cold wind flowed through the bewildered company. The orcs were retreating and they would soon find out why.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The shouts and yells of battle were left behind as the three rode hard. Eruamer refused to stop until all traces of attack had vanished. After a good while he finally stopped at a small clearing. Kareswan and Legolas slowly followed suit. All was quite however the rustle of leaves could again be heard. But the dread of thinking of what to do next or if the others had survived seeped into the depths of their souls. None of them said anything. All just sat there trying to catch their breath, each wondering who would break the silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'We must move fast,' Legolas said wit some urgency, finally breaking the silence, 'When the enemy discover that Kareswan is nowhere to be found they will come searching for her.'
'What is to be done then?' Eruamer said, almost to himself, 'We cannot go on to Rohan, it is too dangerous.'
'What do you mean?' Kareswan almost shouted as she was pulled out of a daze. Since her flight from the company she was not totally aware of what was happening but the thought of having to turn away after being so close made her sick, 'I am not running away.'
'They will find you if you go back and they will kill you. It isn't possible, you must understand.' Eruamer explained.
'They will find me anyway,' she objected. 'I will not die hidden away from everything I know.'
'Kareswan, listen to me.' Eruamer said, almost pleading, 'you are the reason the orc army will not have surprise when they use the secret door into Edoras. You are the reason the army of Rohan keep constant vigilance inside the walls of Meduseld. They blame you and will not rest until they have sought their revenge. You cannot go back, please.'
'I knew the risk when I first left my home,' She said steadily, 'I understood the danger that my actions could bring me and I am ready to face the consequences. Otherwise I would have never left Rohan.'
Eruamer stared at Kareswan trying to understand her mind. Legolas had dismounted his horse and seemed to be watching something in the sky. There was silence once again as both Eruamer and Kareswan were locked in a fight of thoughts and arguments.
'If you got back, you may never see your father again' Eruamer said quietly.
This caught Kareswan and stumbled that part of her that was so sure about her actions, she so desperately wanted to see her father again but if she didn't return..
'If she doesn't go back,' Legolas said thoughtfully, 'then even then she may never see her father again. The battle is unpredictable. No one knows who will live and who will die. Gandalf bought Lady Kareswan on this journey and it was his wish for her to go and we must respect that wish. If we are to leave we must do so now, the time is right.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As orcs scattered the company's eyes followed their once fierce enemy. Strider thought he heard Gandalf laugh quietly and turned to look on his direction. Gandalf stood leaning on his staff with his head leaned back and indeed, he did have a smile on his face.
'I should have known.' Gandalf muttered seemingly relieved that this distraction had arose as he felt that if it hadn't they would not have survived the battle.
Strider, confused, also proceeded to look in the direction of Gandalfs gaze and lifted his eyes to the stars. In the night sky he saw only a dark shadow and heard the flapping of heavy wings. The rest of the company followed suit. The shadow became more distinct and as the bird grew to be more recognizable the men began to murmur.
'I did not know eagles travelled this far south' said Eyofir in a hushed voice, the taller of the two riders and Eruamer's travelling companion.
'Indeed they do not.' Gandalf answered, 'this meeting must be of special importance.'
The wind from the flap of the giant eagle was great and would stagger many men but as the great bird landed lightly in front of the company the wind was refreshing for the battle fought men and elves. The feathers gleamed in the moonshine, the radiance that was the token of Gwaihir the windlord, as it stood proudly, waiting to be addressed. Gandlaf slowly stepped forward, holding a half aspiring torch in his left hand.
'I am Gandalf the Grey,' he said in a loud voice, 'what may I ask has brought you, servant of the Windlord, before us?'
'I am named Frihaw and messenger for Lord Gwaihir,' the eagle answered, 'I have been ordered to send you a message, which I shall give quickly for reasons that will become clear.
'The Windlord says that you have not much time; it is catching up with you. The enemy will have foreseen your steps. Lord Gwaihir stresses that he cannot see trouble but he can sense it coming, you must tread carefully Gandalf the Grey.'
When the eagles' message ended, Strider looked back to Gandalf and was astonished to see that for the first time since they had set off from Rivendell the wizard looked slightly panic-stricken.
'Thank you, Frihaw,' Gandalf said solemnly, 'your journey to send us this message is greatly appreciated.'
'Take no heed of it, wizard friend, for we too have reasons to hate the race of orcs.' And with that, Frihaw, the eagle messenger for Lord Gwaihir flew into the night.
'What is the matter?' Strider questioned quietly so the rest of the company could not hear, 'What are you thinking?'
'I am thinking that we are very lucky that Frihaw frightened away our foes.' Gandalf replied, 'But also I am thinking that if the enemy foresaw out steps then why fight such a battle? They would have known that Kareswan rode away. Why not go after her? Why stay and fight? They lost many worthy fighters that they could have used when the enemy opened fire against Rohan.'
'Perhaps they felt that by not attacking us and merely approaching would be rather suspicious.' Suggested Eyofir, 'besides, they are orcs. Never have I seen such vile creatures to give up such bloodshed.'
Strider was silent for he knew what Gandalf was trying to say. He fought night after night with himself about the matter that had haunted him throughout his entire life. Gandalf watched Strider closely as he sifted through his thoughts.
'Did you not see that most of the attack was centred on yourself, Strider?' Gandalf urged.
When Strider did not say anything Gandalf continued.
'Aragorn, you are Isuilers heir. Lord Tanigar and Yurtsch are afraid of your power and what it could mean. Gondor is a large and powerful realm and would be even more so if you were to expose yourself. They are afraid that if they do not be done with you now and you make known who you really are then they will not be able to withstand the blow.'
'But I will not reveal myself,' Strider said softly. He paused as he thought. For long years Strider had felt that he needed to redeem himself for being Isuilders heir, Isuilder who had fallen to temptation so long ago. 'It is not time.' He ended finally.
'But they worry nonetheless, just be more cautious as you near the country of Men.' Gandalf urged. 'I only hope that when the enemy foresaw our steps they did not reveal where Kareswan escaped.'
'Indeed,' Eyofir said, 'what is to be done? We cannot just abandon them.'
'But we must,' Strider said remorsefully, 'we have no way of knowing where they are now. Legolas and Eruamer are with her; at least that brings some comfort.'
The silence was deadly. Kareswan caught her breath as a strange sensation came over her body. She'd never heard a silence so silent before. Her whole essence shuddered for a caw of a bird or a scurry of a creature but none came. The atmosphere was electric. It felt like a lifetime before any sound arose and when it did it chilled the company to the very bone, the screech of Orcs.
The noise circled them and seemed to be getting louder. Kareswan watched wide-eyed as the light from their torches floated closer. The orcs were running through the threatening trees and sea of grass, closing in from all sides around the company with every step. They were almost upon them.
'They must not find you,' Gandalf warned Kareswan as he prepared himself, 'you must ride away from here. Legolas, Eruamer, go with her.'
Kareswan looked at Eruamer who had already started gearing up Arant.
'Follow me.' He shouted and with his sword ready he separated from the company. As Kareswan rode after him the first orcs had already appeared through the foliage. Legolas covered her back, ensuring protection from any enemy as he rode into the night after her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As Strider watched Kareswan ride away he felt the urge to follow but he knew that it was too late. If he were to follow now he would only attract the enemies' attention preventing her from escaping unnoticed.
The clanging of metal brought Strider back to reality. The number of orcs was uncountable. The commander of the orcs, Yurtsch, had only sent the best to find the girl, as battle had not yet begun at Rohan. They stood before the company, before and around, the swarthy creatures had created a barrier circling them and the only means of escape would be to fight their way through. One particular orc stood out for he had the sign of a captain and had a red chain of rust, which hung from his face and led from his left ear to his sneering bottom lip.
'Where is she?' he hissed in the common tongue.
When no answer came the clanging of metal only became louder. The orcs were becoming inpatient.
'Fools.' Snarled the captain and with that he ordered his soldiers to attack in his own tongue.
The uproar was overwhelming. The orcs jumped their enemies with and unsuspecting burst of energy but the men and elves resisted. The elves loosed arrow after arrow until no arrow was left to be loosed, but still the menace pushed forward.
Both Strider and Gandalf fought hard, cutting orcs left, right and centre. The stench of battle reigned the clearing as the flicker of torches exaggerated the many ugly features of the orcs. The light was limited and attack was easy for the creatures of the dark. Strider came under attack by too many too fast. He tried to free himself but his horse reared up catching him off guard and causing him to fall to the ground. Pains seared up his body from his neck where an orc had grabbed him with its sharp fingers. He gasped for breath as orc upon orc continued to crowd round his fallen self. Easy prey has always excited Orcs and any man caught off guard proved to be a mighty feast.
For the first time in a lifetime Strider froze unable to move as the orcs closed round him. For a split second he wondered if Kareswan, Eruamer and Legolas were in the same position and if his role of protecting Kareswan since the first time he met her had been in vain. As realization of his situation flooded back to him he gripped his sword and slashed as the legs of as many orcs as he could reach. Many of them fell while others merely dodged his blow.
Strider quickly got back on his feet and when he did he saw that the attack was mostly centred on him, but he did not have time to contemplate this for long as an armed orc swiped at Strider trying to slice his upper body. Strider blocked this with his own sword and stabbed the orc deep and hard. As it fell to the floor it gave one final fading screech.
Before Strider could set on the others around him they all started screeching. Not a screech full of hatred and malice but of fear and dread. They hopped around madly as a cold wind flowed through the bewildered company. The orcs were retreating and they would soon find out why.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The shouts and yells of battle were left behind as the three rode hard. Eruamer refused to stop until all traces of attack had vanished. After a good while he finally stopped at a small clearing. Kareswan and Legolas slowly followed suit. All was quite however the rustle of leaves could again be heard. But the dread of thinking of what to do next or if the others had survived seeped into the depths of their souls. None of them said anything. All just sat there trying to catch their breath, each wondering who would break the silence.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
'We must move fast,' Legolas said wit some urgency, finally breaking the silence, 'When the enemy discover that Kareswan is nowhere to be found they will come searching for her.'
'What is to be done then?' Eruamer said, almost to himself, 'We cannot go on to Rohan, it is too dangerous.'
'What do you mean?' Kareswan almost shouted as she was pulled out of a daze. Since her flight from the company she was not totally aware of what was happening but the thought of having to turn away after being so close made her sick, 'I am not running away.'
'They will find you if you go back and they will kill you. It isn't possible, you must understand.' Eruamer explained.
'They will find me anyway,' she objected. 'I will not die hidden away from everything I know.'
'Kareswan, listen to me.' Eruamer said, almost pleading, 'you are the reason the orc army will not have surprise when they use the secret door into Edoras. You are the reason the army of Rohan keep constant vigilance inside the walls of Meduseld. They blame you and will not rest until they have sought their revenge. You cannot go back, please.'
'I knew the risk when I first left my home,' She said steadily, 'I understood the danger that my actions could bring me and I am ready to face the consequences. Otherwise I would have never left Rohan.'
Eruamer stared at Kareswan trying to understand her mind. Legolas had dismounted his horse and seemed to be watching something in the sky. There was silence once again as both Eruamer and Kareswan were locked in a fight of thoughts and arguments.
'If you got back, you may never see your father again' Eruamer said quietly.
This caught Kareswan and stumbled that part of her that was so sure about her actions, she so desperately wanted to see her father again but if she didn't return..
'If she doesn't go back,' Legolas said thoughtfully, 'then even then she may never see her father again. The battle is unpredictable. No one knows who will live and who will die. Gandalf bought Lady Kareswan on this journey and it was his wish for her to go and we must respect that wish. If we are to leave we must do so now, the time is right.'
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
As orcs scattered the company's eyes followed their once fierce enemy. Strider thought he heard Gandalf laugh quietly and turned to look on his direction. Gandalf stood leaning on his staff with his head leaned back and indeed, he did have a smile on his face.
'I should have known.' Gandalf muttered seemingly relieved that this distraction had arose as he felt that if it hadn't they would not have survived the battle.
Strider, confused, also proceeded to look in the direction of Gandalfs gaze and lifted his eyes to the stars. In the night sky he saw only a dark shadow and heard the flapping of heavy wings. The rest of the company followed suit. The shadow became more distinct and as the bird grew to be more recognizable the men began to murmur.
'I did not know eagles travelled this far south' said Eyofir in a hushed voice, the taller of the two riders and Eruamer's travelling companion.
'Indeed they do not.' Gandalf answered, 'this meeting must be of special importance.'
The wind from the flap of the giant eagle was great and would stagger many men but as the great bird landed lightly in front of the company the wind was refreshing for the battle fought men and elves. The feathers gleamed in the moonshine, the radiance that was the token of Gwaihir the windlord, as it stood proudly, waiting to be addressed. Gandlaf slowly stepped forward, holding a half aspiring torch in his left hand.
'I am Gandalf the Grey,' he said in a loud voice, 'what may I ask has brought you, servant of the Windlord, before us?'
'I am named Frihaw and messenger for Lord Gwaihir,' the eagle answered, 'I have been ordered to send you a message, which I shall give quickly for reasons that will become clear.
'The Windlord says that you have not much time; it is catching up with you. The enemy will have foreseen your steps. Lord Gwaihir stresses that he cannot see trouble but he can sense it coming, you must tread carefully Gandalf the Grey.'
When the eagles' message ended, Strider looked back to Gandalf and was astonished to see that for the first time since they had set off from Rivendell the wizard looked slightly panic-stricken.
'Thank you, Frihaw,' Gandalf said solemnly, 'your journey to send us this message is greatly appreciated.'
'Take no heed of it, wizard friend, for we too have reasons to hate the race of orcs.' And with that, Frihaw, the eagle messenger for Lord Gwaihir flew into the night.
'What is the matter?' Strider questioned quietly so the rest of the company could not hear, 'What are you thinking?'
'I am thinking that we are very lucky that Frihaw frightened away our foes.' Gandalf replied, 'But also I am thinking that if the enemy foresaw out steps then why fight such a battle? They would have known that Kareswan rode away. Why not go after her? Why stay and fight? They lost many worthy fighters that they could have used when the enemy opened fire against Rohan.'
'Perhaps they felt that by not attacking us and merely approaching would be rather suspicious.' Suggested Eyofir, 'besides, they are orcs. Never have I seen such vile creatures to give up such bloodshed.'
Strider was silent for he knew what Gandalf was trying to say. He fought night after night with himself about the matter that had haunted him throughout his entire life. Gandalf watched Strider closely as he sifted through his thoughts.
'Did you not see that most of the attack was centred on yourself, Strider?' Gandalf urged.
When Strider did not say anything Gandalf continued.
'Aragorn, you are Isuilers heir. Lord Tanigar and Yurtsch are afraid of your power and what it could mean. Gondor is a large and powerful realm and would be even more so if you were to expose yourself. They are afraid that if they do not be done with you now and you make known who you really are then they will not be able to withstand the blow.'
'But I will not reveal myself,' Strider said softly. He paused as he thought. For long years Strider had felt that he needed to redeem himself for being Isuilders heir, Isuilder who had fallen to temptation so long ago. 'It is not time.' He ended finally.
'But they worry nonetheless, just be more cautious as you near the country of Men.' Gandalf urged. 'I only hope that when the enemy foresaw our steps they did not reveal where Kareswan escaped.'
'Indeed,' Eyofir said, 'what is to be done? We cannot just abandon them.'
'But we must,' Strider said remorsefully, 'we have no way of knowing where they are now. Legolas and Eruamer are with her; at least that brings some comfort.'