Chapter 2
Escape: Left Behind
As another day passed, and the orcs had not touched either Kalan or the hobbits again. Each day they were getting closer and closer to Isenguard, and Sarumon. As the orcs made camp for the night once more, the prisoners were left to their own company.
"Kalan, are you feeling better?" asked Pippin. Kalan turned to the hobbit and gave him a wan smile. Both of the halflings had been so close to Kalan after….IT happened. Kalan nodded, wanting to reassure the young hobbit.
"Yes, Pip. I'm doing better. You should rest though, you and Merry had a long day," he said. The hobbit nodded and settled back against a log. Neither of them slept, however; they were too afraid, Kalan couldn't blame them.
They settled in for the short break, taking their rest as it came. They were interrupted when Kalan's sensitive hearing picked up the sound of horse hooves, coming their way. His silver gaze pierced the foggy night, and saw hundreds of horsemen, coming over the hill toward the group of orcs. The orcs saw them as well, and panicked.
The creatures grabbed their weapons, preparing to fight off the newcomers. But the men were many more than the small band of orcs. Kalan signaled for the hobbits to scoot away, while there was confusion. One orc, named Grishnak by his fellows, broke off from the group, coming over to them. It started feeling around in the halfling's clothes.
~It thinks you have the Ring!~ Kalan called to them with his mind. Merry nodded, turning to the orc.
"You wont find my precious, nothing for poor Grishnak, gollum," he said, his eyes wide and crazed. Pippin caught on.
"No, it's hidden, my precious, gollum…" Kalan was able to get up behind Grishnak, while he was distracted by the hobbits. Getting frustrated, Grishnak lifted an arm, holding a knife, to kill the hobbits. Kalan screamed in rage and threw himself bodily against the orc. He encircled its neck with his bound hands, pulling with all of his might. The creature struggled and fought, clawing at Kalan's arms.
"Merry! The knife! Cut your ropes!" Kalan called. Merry used Grishnak's fallen knife to free both him and his cousin. The battle was all around them now, the men pushing the orcs back. Grishnak now went limp, and Kalan gave his arms one last brutal tug before releasing him. Suddenly, he was crushed under a weight, a fallen orc. He struggled to free himself, but he strength was gone. He caught sight of Merry and Pippin.
"GO!" he cried. Merry looked shocked and shook his head. "Damn it, Merry! Your promise!! GO! Now!!" Kalan cried out in desperation. Merry hesitated, and then nodded, pulling Pippin along with him.
~Get to the forest; you'll be safe there. Good luck, my friends. ~ And Kalan's voice faded. Merry and Pippin ran blindly, and did not stop until the sounds of the battle had long faded from their hearing. Only then, were the tears shed.
*
The men had gone, the orcs who had fled were returning for spoils. Kalan breathed heavily under the dead orc. His hands and feet were still bound tightly, even if he were free, Kalan knew that he did not have the strength to move. There was a growl to his left.
"The halflings are gone! You are a fool, Ugluk!" One of the orcs cried. Kalan smirked with satisfaction: the hobbits were safe. Something grabbed his hair, pulling his head up at a painful angle.
"Well, this one is still here," said Ugluk in his guttural tongue. "At least we are not without something to show Sarumon," he grinned and slammed Kalan's head down into the ground. Stars burst before his eyes, and Kalan's world darkened. "And perhaps we'll have a bit more fun before we get there," the orcs laughed, and Kalan was hauled up and slung over a shoulder. As light faded from his vision, Kalan thought vaguely if he would survive this trial, or will this be the last sacrifice for his friends.