Captured: With No Return
Date: 6/3/03 3:42:24 PM (Eastern Daylight)
Edited: 12/3/06 10:50 PM (Estern Daylight)
Authors Note: This is a revised chapter of Captured with no return. I made a few mistakes on grammtical, characterizing Spelling errors accounts, and modern word usage. I though it was a good idea writing this story, beacause well:
(1): Merry & Sam are the "protective big brothers" to Pippin and Frodo "the little brothers", ---At least in the fanfiction universe; I know Frodo is older than Sam--- who are kidnapped by the Uruk Hai. I thought it would be good for Sam and Merry to make a better friendship (not that I'm sayin' they don't have a good friendship), but I rarely see those two talkin to each other like they do with Frodo 'n' Pippin. This is non-slash, There's too much of that stuff on the internet. It's purely Friendship.
(2): The reason Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn wasn't with them, is because well, I couldn't kill three great warroirs and certainly couldn't knock them out, because, welll, C'mon! Were talking about Legolas the mighty bowmen, Gimli, a mighty Dwarf, and Aragorn possibly the greatest swordsman, from my point of wiew. Sounds dumb but it went well with the storyline I conjured up, so read and enjoy. Chapter Two is up! Thanks to all who reviewed. Sorry once more for any grammical, spelling, or J.R.R. Tolkien's names or places, spelled incorrectly.
Disclaimer: Lord of the rings and all related characters are property of J.R.R. Tolkien, Tolkien Enterprises and Newline Cenima. All orginal characters and storyline are property of me.
Part one: Troublemaker
Frodo Baggins, Nephew to Uncle Bilbo Baggins and appointed ring bearer sat against a huge old tree watching Sam and Merry take a long draw on their pipes before finally exhaling, thick curls of smoke escaping into the air. Aragorn and Legloas seemed to be scanning the area for danger. Gimli sat on a rock, smoking his pipe as well, too engrosssed in his down thoughts to pay anyheed to the Hobbits. Every so often Frodo found himself wondering if Gimli was ever thinking about anything else besides axing enemies in the back. Of course, this was a preconceaved notion by Frodo himself that the Dwarf thought of nothing else but battle.
The sky was gray, the gray clouds looming above blocked out all sunlight and blue sky, with the threat of unleashing the fury of the heavens on the remaining company. He sighed as he played with the golden band on a chain. Boromir was died protecting Merry and Pippin, Gandalf had fallen in Moria. Who was next? Himself, the others perhaps? He was so preoccupied in his thoughts that he didn't notice an apple fall in front of his face. It hit him in the nose pull him out of his train of thought. He eyed the red object that had fallen next to his right foot. That was strange, an apple falling from a dead tree! He muttered something inaudiable, staring at the apple. Out of sheer reluctance, Frodo reached for the apple with the intent to examine it when it moved out of his grasp.
"What in the name of the shire?" He muttered, reaching for the apple again. This time it rose from the ground and proceeded to swing in his face, taunting him with its smooth green surface. Sam and Merry watched as Frodo launched himself at the apple, it went high above him, completely out of reach. The Hobbit fell on his stomach with a loud grunt. Both Hobbits stifled an oncoming laugh.
Frodo climbed his feet brushing himself off, slightly scornful towards the supernatural piece of fruit. He went about muttering an elvish curse until the sound of laughter rang out above him. Another oddity, a dead tree with the ability to laugh. No that couldn't be right, trees didn't laugh as far as he was concern; they didn't have enchanted apples either. With a inward sigh he titled his head back, there he discovered the culprut. Lying out on a branch above him resided his cousin, Peregrin Took, more or less oblvious to the fact that his eldest cousin was staring straight up at him. I should have known Frodo thought grimly. "Pippin, is that you up there?"
Pippin Took, who now revealed himself upon hearing his name, nodded down to Frodo. "Oh, hello Frodo, I didn't see you there," He chirped offhandedly. He swung his legs off the branch so that were dangling in the air, he supported himself on the branch with his arms. "Would you mind catching me?" He asked.
Frodo rested his hands on his hips. "That depends," He said. "On what?" Pippin asked, suddenly. His arms was beginning to ache and his hands were slipping from the tree. Frodo bit his lip in contemplation. It was strange really to see Pippin in a lmood that did not reflect soberty of the company's current situation. Why Aragorn had not have them move on to the next destination of their journey puzzled the eldest hobbit. Their not moving seemed ill advised for the most part. But what puzzled him even more was his hesitance to leave the company despite it being the right thing to do. Not just for himself but the others; The ring would only seek to currupt the company as did Boromir.
"You are ring bearer Frodo. To bear a ring of power, is to be alone."
Wherever the man of Gondor was, he hoped it was beyond the veil and no where else. Presently though, there was Pippin to consider. He continued to regard his cousin with mock-disinterest. Rocking back on his heels, Frodo answered, "Will you mind parting with that enchanted apple of yours if I catch you?" The elder Hobbit asked. Pippin shook his furiously in response. He seemed to want to retort to Frodo's comment but thought better of it. "No of course not! Not if it means gettin' down," Pippin interjected. "Just catch me, please! I wouldn't want to hurt myself!"
Frodo nodded. "All right dear cousin, if it makes you feel better," He said extending his arms, walking underneath Pippin. The Took positioned himself over the edge of the branch, mustering all of the courge left in his body to release the one thing between him and death. "Not to worry Pip! Just let go," Frodo shouted. Easy for you ta' say. Your not hanging by branch, Pippin retorted mentally. Swallowing against his fear Pippin let go of the branch falling a fair distance before landing on Frodo. The two went down in a flurry of dead leaves and dirt, Frodo's breath was knocked from out of his body leaving him dazed and confused for a moment.
Pippin raised off of his cousin with a sheepish grin upon his face. It faltered at the sight of Frodo's ashened expression. "Are ya' all right Frodo?" Pippin inquired uncertainly. Frodo opened his eyes and looked around. "Aisde from the ringing in my head? Quite fine Pippin." He chuckled. Pipping moved himself from ontop of Frodo allowing his cousin to climb to his feet. Pippin requished his grip on Frodo's shoulders once he knew the gentlehobbit was steady on his feet. Frodo nodded a silent thanks in direction. Tugging on the Apple the rope snapped, Pippin handed Frodo the apple. "As promised, my enchanted apple," Pippin declared, jokingly. Frodo chuckled ruffling the hobbits golden curls. "You're an odd one Pippin, you are," He said, picking up the ring. He had not recollection of it falling out of his pocket. Pippin caught a glance of the glimmering object, idea suddenly popped into his head, he looked toward the riverbank they stood beside.
"Hey!" Pippin cried suddenly. "Is that Samwise Gamgee?" His lifted his hand above his eyes, using it as a visor. Sam looked up in question, as did Merry while Frodo stared at Pippin confused, Sam was sitting next to Merry sitting by the fire. "Pippin, what are you on about? Sam is over----ah!" Frodo was shoved forward, he fell into the knee deep water. His head shot up searching the area where he last stood, and found Pippin nowhere in sight. The older Hobbit growled, as he trudged out of the mucky river, soaken wet. His clothes stuck to his skin, as did his curly brown hair. When I get my hands on that fool of a Took . . . He thought.
Aragorn, along with Legolas and Gimli had only seen Pippin rush off into the forest, unaware of how Frodo ended up the river exactly, though the notion Peregrin had to do something with it was not far from them. None of them were in the mood for games at the present time; Pippin running off into the forest alone was a foolhardy action, one strongly advised against. "That fool of a Took," Aragorn muttered. He turnted his attention on Samwise and Merry, who wore slight looks to atonsihment. "Merry, go fetch your cousin, we haven't the time for this." Merry nodded briskly and started to rise from his place when Frodo protested against it. He would be the one to go after Peregrin, in Merry's stead, just to get back at the hobbit for pushing him into the water. Revenge is sweet. Frodo thought dashing off.
Merry watched with a glare in his eyes, as Frodo went running off into the woods. Sam was a bit worried about Frodo going off by himself, and turned to Aragorn who arched an eyebrow at him inquestion. "Shouldn't one of your be followin' Mr. Frodo?" Sam inquired hesitantly. Merry once agains pushed himself from the stone he sat on, wondering why Sam, who was usually very intent on following wherever Frodo went, wasn't running off himself. Aragon raised his hand halting Merry in his rise from the cold surface. Thrusting his sword into his scabbard he moved past the others with assured swiftness. "I will follow him, Legolas, Gimli, stay here. I should not be long," With that the ranger from the north dashed up the hill as if it were even ground. Merry huffed clearly disappionted. "I wanted to go," He muttered. Sam's regarded Merry, who shifted his gaze toward the rivier avoiding Sam's.
The chase had taken longer than Frodo had expected. Pippin had gained a considerable amount of ground while Frodo was halting the others in their persuit so he could go after the youngest. The cold from the water, however, was surely seeping into his entire being and thus slowed him down a lot more than he would care to admit. "Pippin!" Frodo yelled. "Get back here! We're too far from the campsite!" Pippin leapt over a rock that posed as an obstacle to postpone his getaway, a soggy Frodo continued his pursuit. The young hobbit's legs were aching from his non stop running, they wanted so badly to give out on him just as he entered a shadier part of the woods. Frodo leaped over a rock, doing his pest to continue after Pippin. He could tell the poor hobbit was tired, why not admit defeat and get what's coming to him? It wouldn't be long now, Frodo was gaining considerable ground on ---- Frood's ears twitched in alarm at the sound of a deep, gutteral growl, followed promptly by heavy footfalls marching through the forest.
He stopped in his tracks, when his blue eyes caught sight of a shadowed archer aiming at Pippin. No! Frodo felt his chest grow heavy with dread as he watched the hulking shadow take aim. "Pippin!! Look out!" Frodo yelled. Pippin stopped in his tracks looking back at Frodo, what had his cousin said to him? Frodo hardly had time to warn Pippin a second time when a sudden impact slammed the Took onto the ground. Pippin was unaware of anything from that point on. Pain was coursing through his entire left arm. Pippin gazed upon the thick arrow sticking out of his shoulder, unaware the arrow head had made its way out through the other side. The world came rushing back to him in an instant, the chaotic sounds of nature fleeing the area and Frodo's footfalls, among others, approaching him. Pippin then, finally cried out in pain.
Frodo made haste from his spot to Pippin's aid. His efforts, however, were cut short when his foot broke a thin rope he didn't notice. His attention wasn't focused on the trap about to spring from under him, all he was worried about was getting to Pippin. Frodo gave a strangled shout as he was hoisted into the air by a net. He practically growled at the very sight of his own perdicament. Through the net he could do nothing but watch Pippin suffer. "Pippin!" He shouted. "Pippin, are you alright?" Rhetorical question, his mind laughed. Frodo ignored the repremand and struggled to break free of his prison.
From all sides, Frodo could see the horrible hukling mass of warriors emerge from their respective hiding places, breathing harshly through their mouths, their fanged teeth hardly gleamed in the sunlight spilling through the canopy of leaves above them. Frodo had overheard Aragorn and Gandalf discussing a type of 'new breed' of Orcs that Saruman was rumored to have a hand in creating. They were much larger than the average Orc or Gobblin he had every laid eyes on, perhaps several heads taller than any man. Their stocky, yet towering bodies were made up purely of boundless muscle. They were truly a fearsome sight to behold. Pippin shifted undernearth, stifling a whimper of pain as his elder cousin breathed, "Orcs," Frodo glanced down briefly at his youngest cousin before averting his attention to the approaching Uruk Hai, the leader he assumed. The warrior leaned forward for a moment causing the fallen hobbit to recoil from the mere smell of his breath. He regarded them with pale yellow eyes before standing straight again. "Seize them," He ordered, storming away from the the group. "Suarman will be pleased." The memory of the Uruk-Hai's breath slapped Pippin in the face, he finally took a moment to cough.
Frodo squirmed once again in his prision, he ignored the growl from the Uruk-Hai next to him. I wish Gandalf were still alive, He thought grimly. He watched the huge Uruk cut the rope that held him above the ground in the net from the tree. Frodo feared he would fall to the ground, instead he was caught by the hood of his cloak, he watched the net fall to the ground in a heap.
The Orc dropped Frodo anyway, the hobbit climbed to his feet making sure the ring was safely hidden under his blouse. He watched as the Orc's hauled Pippin to his feet, with murderous intent the beast ripped the arrow right out of his shoulder. Pippin's eyes widened from the itnital removal of the arrowhead from his shoulder, but barely a whimper of pain escaped from Pippin's throat. Blood gushed unhindered from the wound, Frodo felt his stomach twist in knots at such a sight. He moved to aid Pippin was stopped by a large hand that clamped itself onto his shoulder. Frodo grunted in rebellion when he was pulled off the ground and thrown over the Uruk's shoulder.
The hobbit's wound was tied down by a rather unsaintary looking piece of cloth. Though it did noting to stop the bleeding, it certainly slowed its flow considerably. Clearly in a dazed state, Pippin was unaware of being hoisted from the ground and over the shoulder of the Uruk-Hai. Frodo grunted as he struggled to breath normally with his stomach pressed against the shoulder of his captive. "Are you alright, Pippin?" He breathed. Pippin's head did not incline in his direction, he hung limply over the shoulder of the Uruk, unmoving. "Move out," Swarver, commanded. Frodo struggled against the creature's hold on him, he watched helplessly as the army of Uruks began to move through the forest further and further away from the campsite.
Not ready to give up hope just yet, Frodo cried out for others; Aragorn, Legolas, anyone that could hear him. Swarver gagged Frodo and moved out along with the rest of his fellow Uruk-Hai.
Aragorn rushed into the clearing, only to find that his companions were nowhere in sight. Kneeling, he carefully studied the ground before him, and noticed large footprints. Taking a whiff of the air, the first thing that came to his mind was . . . "Uruk Hai," He muttered. They had returned, possibly to finish the job that Boromir had interrupted. He began to rise from the ground when he was knocked onto the ground. The wind was of knocked out of his lungs by some incredible force, Aragorn shook his head to relieve the lightheadedness that fell upon him. Reeling, he reopened his eyes and he gazed upon the largest Uruki Hai he had ever seen (Lurtz).
Climbing onto his feet, Aragorn unsheathed his sword only to be knocked onto the ground again. He felt his sword fall from his hand, it slid across the ground beside a dead Uruk Hai (ones previously killed by Boromir). He barely had time to recooperate before a battle-frenized roar alerted the ranger of how close Lurtz's presence was to him. Lurtz grabbed the ranger up by his collar, Aragorn sent a well aimed blow the creature's head but it hardly effected him, Lurtz's response to Aragorn's attack was a headbutt. Aragorn's head jerked back from the impact, an array of colors assulted his vision as he struggled to get free of the Uruk's hold. The ranger pulled out the dagger Celeborne had given him, he rammed it into Lurtz's thigh. The blade struggled to penatrate the thick skin of the Uruk Hai's leg, when it did it made a fine inscision in the skin, hardly deep enough to hinder his walking. The Uruk Hai beared his teeth in response, he punched the man then threw him across the ground. Aragorn tumbled down a slope as though he were a rag doll, he stopped half way downt he hill going no further. Shaking his head, he lifted himself from the ground, fighting to catch his breath as blood trickled freely out of his mouth down his chin.
Lurtz pulled the daggar from his thigh, enraged that the ranger had gotten him. Raising the daggar in the air, he brought it to his mouth, proceeding to lick the black blood of his being from it's blade. Aragorn had finally caught his breath. Lurtz tossed the daggar at the man before him, hoping it would get him in the head, Aragorn reacted quickly grabbing his sword from beside the dead Uruk Hai, he deflected the daggar with his blade. This only seemed to enrage Lurtz a great deal more. Pulling his sword from his scabbard, the creature advanced on Aragorn who stood well and ready for him.
He parried, and blocked every blow Lurtz sent him, he could feel the rustic Uruk-Hai's strength waning. Taking his chance, the ranger lobbed the creature's arm then ran him through with his sword. Lurtz was in denial; how could this happen to him? He wasn't supposed to loose to this mere human! Not ready to give up, He grabbed a hold of the sword's blade, and continued running it through himself. Aragorn was taken by surprise, this was a relentless creature indeed, if not afraid of simple blade through the stomach.
Lurtz had a wicked gleam in his eyes, with a grin on his face daring Aragorn to finish what he had started. Surprisingly, Aragorn did just that; Pulling the sword from the Uruk Hai's stomach, he used one mighty stroke and detached the creature's head from his body. Lurtz's body fell to the ground lifelessly, while his head rolled off someplace. Taking a short-lived breather, Aragorn continued tracking the footprints when he caught sight of blood and smaller foot prints.
"Oh, no," He said. "Frodo, Peregrin."
They had been taken.
Legolas was busy doing nothing, but sharpening his small but very effective blade when his ears picked up a scream floating on the wind.
The Scream was cut off suddenly, Legolas shot up from his seat with a distraught look on his face. Gimli rushed to Legolas' side, wondering what caused the Elf to rise in such haste; most importantly; where were Frodo, Aragorn and Pippin? "What is it Laddie?" He asked. Legolas swallowed the nervous feeling in throat, turning to face The Dwarf. "Something has happened to the halflings---," He paused. "I sensed danger earlier but, I did not take heed of my feelings. I fear the worst for our friends."
Merry's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What about, Pippin?" He asked. Sam nudged him in the ribs. "And Frodo, Mr. Merry," Sam added. Merry nodded, he knew Frodo was capable of taking care of himself, but Pippin --- he wasn't too sure about his cousin. "They have been captured by Uruk-Hai, from what I gather," Aragorn's voice startled everyone after a long silence. Merry blinked a few times before speaking again. "C-captured?" He repeated. Gimli looked up from whatever he was doing, staring at the ranger in disbelief. "Captured?" Gimli repeated.
Aragorn nodded. "We must hurry, if we are to find them in time," The Ranger informed them.
TBC
(I dig, Viggo's voice!)
