Frodo was not sure how long he had been leaning on Shrell but soon everything went black and he lost all sense of time.
When he regained his senses he was in a crevice between two tall rocks and Shrell was nowhere to be seen. He tried to stand but his feet would not carry him. His back throbbed and his shoulders ached. He bit his lip and tried to make himself comfortable.
Frodo was soon aware of cries in the distance. His ears rang and he felt the blood draining from his head. Where was Shrell? Was she caught among the endless cries? Frodo closed his eyes, trying to push the thoughts out of his mind but his memory drifted back to the night in the tree. Shrell had seemed so happy. It had been one of the only times when she hadn't had a fierce gleam in her eyes or a mysterious word of wisdom. She had truly seemed to be a Hobbit, not an Elf or Dwarf out to seek revenge, though Frodo never could see her as a revenge seeker. She seemed more noble.
Frodo saw an arrow fly over the two rocks. He tried to let out small squeak but was aware of a hand over his mouth.
"Not a sound, or the Orcs will find us." Frodo turned to see Shrell, who had quickly jumped down behind him. She had two arrows in her shoulder and her lip was bleeding.
"Shrell...." Frodo murmured, looking at the arrows.
The next thing Frodo knew there was a shadow that covered them. Frodo glanced up to see an Orc.
"Get down" Shrell whispered, pushing Frodo to the ground. The Orc jumped over to the other rock and continued on.
Frodo sat up. He glanced around for other Orcs, then tapped Shrell on the shoulder. She sat back up quite quickly, then glanced at her shoulder and frowned.
"Are they deep?" Frodo asked, touching her arm, lightly. Shrell twisted one of the arrows and winced.
"Yes" she said. She tore off a strip if cloth from her sleeve, then grabbed both arrows in one hand and ripped them out. Wincing, she quickly bound her arm then leaned her back against the rock.
Frodo lightly brushed his finger over her lip and wiped the blood from it. Shrell's hand flew to her mouth, quite surprised at Frodo's action. Both of them could not find words.
"We have found the Halflings!"
Frodo and Shrell turned to see seven Orcs glaring down at them. Their eyes were could and their smirks were menacing. Frodo grabbed Shrell's arm and began to run, dodging arrows left and right.
They did not stand a chance if they were to fight the Orcs and outrunning them was nearly impossible. Shrell had her daggers and would occasionally fight off an aproaching Orc but running seemed to be the only option.
They scrambled up the rocks, arrows and throwing daggers just missing them. Frodo turned to look behind him. The Orcs were drawing closer. Suddenly, Frodo heard a twand that seemed closer than the others. He felt an arrow peirce his back. He let out a cry of pain as another peirced his leg. Falling to his knees, Frodo felt his body tremble with pain.
"Don't give in now, Frodo!" was the last thing he heard before all his thoughts went blank.
~~
Frodo awoke. Rain was pouring down onto the rocks. He was suddenly aware that he was back in the cave. Shrell was beside him, her eyes fixed on the rain dripping from the roof of the cave. She glanced down at Frodo.
"You're quite injured. Try to hold still while I remove the arrows" she said, placing a hand on his head. She then moved her hand to his back. He could feel her trembling.
"Shrell, are you alright?" he asked.
"I won't lie to you, this....will hurt..a lot" she said, pausing slightly. With her other hand she grabbed the arrow.
"Pull it out quickly. I can't stand long lasting pain" Frodo said. Shrell nodded and tightened her grip on the arrow. She counted to three and then shut her eyes and pulled the arrow out.
Frodo let out a cry of pain. Shrell put her hand over the wound and squeazed Frodo's, reasearingly, with her other. The pain seised after what seemed like ages. Frodo noticed Smeagol at the other side of the cave in just as much pain, as Sam tried to make him hold still.
The other arrow wasn't so painful, though the ontment Sam had made would make him feel as though his flesh was burning and Shrell had to hold his shoulders down to keep him from squirming. The did finally pass and they could eat a small and rather bland breakfast. Merry and Pippin were talking but everyone else was silent.
Shrell didn't eat anything. She sat in the corner of the cave and watched the rain. Frodo walked over to her and placed her cloak over her shoulders. She smiled up at him.
"We hears someonesss coming!" cried Smeagol. The Hobbits sprang to their feet. There was indeed a sound of foot steps aproaching. They drew their weapons and waited as the foot steps grew louder.
Two figures appeared in the rain. Frodo's mouth fell open.
"Gandalf...Myrth?" he studdered. The two figures turned.
"Ah, so you are still alive" Myrth said with a smile.
"Oh, do come in" Sam said, montioning for them to enter. The two wizards entered the small cave, pleased to be out of the rain.
"How did you find us?" asked Pippin.
"A wizard had his ways"..........to be continued.