Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Lord of the Rings. Reallan and Ninde
are my characters, though. The creatures used in this chapter and story,
the wranks, are also mine. It is my idea not from Tolkien's work.
A/N: Just to give you a quick description of wranks. Wranks are foul creature almost like orc, yet they are different in many ways. They are not as skilled with the bow or the sword, but they use them nevertheless and are dangerous in groups. They are very fast; however. They can easily dodge arrows or quickly catch a retreating victim. I think that's about all you need to know about them. Now read and review, PLEASE! Please review. Thanks.
Chapter 2 Danger in the Woods
Aragorn silently kept a look out for any danger. Reallan silently walked beside him. She seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly Aragorn stopped walking and listened.
"What's wrong?" Reallan asked.
Aragorn hushed her and continued searching the forest with his eyes. He had heard something. He drew his sword and slowly began walking around the forest. Reallan began to follow him, staying close to his side.
"Stay right here, Reallan." Aragorn said as he slowly took a step forward.
Reallan stopped walking and stood trembling. "What do you hear?" She asked quietly.
"Wranks! They're near."
Reallan looked confused, but suddenly foul looking creatures began to charge out. Aragorn was ready. He slashed at them with his sword with great skill. The wranks could move quickly; however, and some easily dodged Aragorn's sword.
"Strider!" Reallan suddenly screamed.
Aragorn turned around. Five wranks were trying to corner her. Aragorn jumped in the midst of them. He slashed furiously at them and grabbed Reallan, positioning her behind him. He slashed at a few more wranks, but he could see more coming. Aragorn looked around. There were too many of them for him to fight on his own while protecting Reallan. He had to escape.
He quickly ran toward his horse. His one hand held Reallan and with his other he slashed at the wranks. "We must escape quickly, Reallan." Aragorn said as he helped her on Gwindor. He then jumped up himself. Holding on tightly to the horse and Reallan, he bent low to his horse.
"Noro lim, Gwindor." He said.
Gwindor immediately began to run. Aragorn was a skilled rider and easily maneuvered Gwindor around the trees. The wranks were following close behind, but they could not keep up their speed for long. A few tried shooting arrows, but the arrows missed.
Soon the wranks were no longer in sight. Aragorn slowed Gwindor down some, but still kept him at a steady pace.
"Are you okay?" Aragorn asked Reallan.
Reallan nodded. She was breathing hard. "What were those things?" She asked, her voice trembling.
"They're called wranks. They live around this forest. I have encountered them many times in these woods, yet their number seems to be decreasing. They are dying out."
"Sure looked like a lot of them to me." Reallan said, her voice weak. "Will they be back?"
"Night will fall soon," Aragorn said as he looked to the sky. "They do not hunt at nighttime. Tomorrow morning we will pass into the borders of Rivendell. They will not follow us there." Aragorn said trying to comfort the girl's fears.
Reallan nodded, but still she was frightened.
For a few more hours they traveled. As night fell, Aragorn looked for a place to camp. He found a small clearing in the woods and quickly dismounted. After helping Reallan down, Aragorn began to set up camp. He built a fire and began to cook some dinner. He only had a small amount of food left. He had been hunting for more food when he found Reallan. Under normal circumstances, he would find more, but being so close to Rivendell he just used the food he had. It would be enough.
After eating, Reallan lay down on a blanket Aragorn had put down for her. He had only one, but Reallan did not complain. Aragorn sat silently staring at the fire.
"Strider," Reallan said.
Aragorn turned his head.
"Can you sing me a song to help me sleep?"
Aragorn smiled. He was not use to children, but he decided to try his best to make Reallan happy. She was so alone; it was the least he could do for her. "What would you like me to sing?" Aragorn asked.
Reallan shrugged.
Aragorn thought for a moment. Then with a soft voice he began to sing. He sang a song in Elvish that he had learned some time ago. After he had only sung a few short lines, Reallan fell asleep. Weariness from the day had overcome her. Aragorn smiled and continued to sing silently to himself.
*~*~*
The next morning before dawn, Aragorn woke Reallan. "Wake up, Reallan. We must travel to Rivendell." Aragorn said as he gently shook her awake.
Reallan moaned as she opened her eyes. "The sun isn't even up." Reallan complained.
"We are getting an early start. Have something to eat, then we head out." Aragorn said.
Reallan slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes. Aragorn was already eating. He did not even look tired and Reallan wondered if he had slept.
In just a few minutes, Aragorn and Reallan were ready to go. He helped Reallan up on Gwindor and then mounted behind her.
"Strider," Reallan asked after only a few minutes. "Why did you decide to help me?"
"I know what it is like to feel scarred and alone. I couldn't leave you." Aragorn replied.
Reallan placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you Strider. I don't know what I would have done, if you had not found me."
Aragorn smiled. *~*~*
A few hours later Aragorn dismounted from Gwindor. They were past the borders of Rivendell and Aragorn decided to walk. Reallan also dismounted and walked beside Aragorn.
As they walked into Rivendell, Reallan began to see elves. She had never seen an elf before and fear began to fill her. She suddenly gripped Aragorn's hand with both of hers.
Aragorn looked down. "What is wrong?" Aragorn asked as he stopped walking.
"I am afraid." Reallan replied still clutching Aragorn's muddy hand.
Aragorn was about to offer her a word of comfort but someone else spoke before he could.
"There is no need to be afraid, young one. You are safe here."
Aragorn looked up to see Elrond walking towards them. He slightly bowed his head to the elf lord.
"Mae govannen, Estel." Elrond greeted.
Aragorn smiled. "It is good to see you, Elrond."
Elrond nodded. "Come. We have much to discuss." Elrond then turned behind him and called to another elf. "Ninde," he called.
A young elf girl came and stood beside Elrond. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes. Her face looked like porcelain and it was full of grace and beauty.
"Take the girl to the river and get her cleaned up. I must talk with Estel." Elrond said to her.
Ninde nodded and reached out her hand to Reallan.
Reallan drew back and hid behind Aragorn. Aragorn looked down at her. "It's okay, Reallan. Ninde will not hurt you."
"I'll show you our beautiful waterfall." Ninde said with a sweet voice. "Come on, it's okay."
Reallan looked up at Aragorn then slowly reached out and took Ninde's hand. Ninde smiled and began to lead the child to the river.
Aragorn watched for a moment then silently began to follow Elrond.
"Tell me about the girl." Elrond asked as he began to walk.
"I found Reallan in the woods about a days journey from here. She said her home was near the mountains, but I am not sure exactly where. Her town was attacked and she fled into the woods. She had been wandering for four days before I found her."
"Do you know who attacked her town?" Elrond inquired.
Aragorn shook his head. "No, she didn't say. But I fear it was the orcs."
"My fears exactly. Recently they have been attacking many small towns killing most, taking few prisoners. One by one, these savage beasts are destroying towns. The towns have no warning and no way of defense."
Aragorn nodded his head sadly.
For some time, both were silent. Finally Elrond spoke. "I want you to see if you can find Reallan's town. Look for any clues to determine what the orcs are planning. Set off tomorrow and take Elladan with you."
Aragorn nodded.
Elrond turned toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "And be careful. The orcs may still be lingering near the town."
Aragorn nodded then turned and left. He needed to get some rest before he set out.
A/N: Just to give you a quick description of wranks. Wranks are foul creature almost like orc, yet they are different in many ways. They are not as skilled with the bow or the sword, but they use them nevertheless and are dangerous in groups. They are very fast; however. They can easily dodge arrows or quickly catch a retreating victim. I think that's about all you need to know about them. Now read and review, PLEASE! Please review. Thanks.
Chapter 2 Danger in the Woods
Aragorn silently kept a look out for any danger. Reallan silently walked beside him. She seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly Aragorn stopped walking and listened.
"What's wrong?" Reallan asked.
Aragorn hushed her and continued searching the forest with his eyes. He had heard something. He drew his sword and slowly began walking around the forest. Reallan began to follow him, staying close to his side.
"Stay right here, Reallan." Aragorn said as he slowly took a step forward.
Reallan stopped walking and stood trembling. "What do you hear?" She asked quietly.
"Wranks! They're near."
Reallan looked confused, but suddenly foul looking creatures began to charge out. Aragorn was ready. He slashed at them with his sword with great skill. The wranks could move quickly; however, and some easily dodged Aragorn's sword.
"Strider!" Reallan suddenly screamed.
Aragorn turned around. Five wranks were trying to corner her. Aragorn jumped in the midst of them. He slashed furiously at them and grabbed Reallan, positioning her behind him. He slashed at a few more wranks, but he could see more coming. Aragorn looked around. There were too many of them for him to fight on his own while protecting Reallan. He had to escape.
He quickly ran toward his horse. His one hand held Reallan and with his other he slashed at the wranks. "We must escape quickly, Reallan." Aragorn said as he helped her on Gwindor. He then jumped up himself. Holding on tightly to the horse and Reallan, he bent low to his horse.
"Noro lim, Gwindor." He said.
Gwindor immediately began to run. Aragorn was a skilled rider and easily maneuvered Gwindor around the trees. The wranks were following close behind, but they could not keep up their speed for long. A few tried shooting arrows, but the arrows missed.
Soon the wranks were no longer in sight. Aragorn slowed Gwindor down some, but still kept him at a steady pace.
"Are you okay?" Aragorn asked Reallan.
Reallan nodded. She was breathing hard. "What were those things?" She asked, her voice trembling.
"They're called wranks. They live around this forest. I have encountered them many times in these woods, yet their number seems to be decreasing. They are dying out."
"Sure looked like a lot of them to me." Reallan said, her voice weak. "Will they be back?"
"Night will fall soon," Aragorn said as he looked to the sky. "They do not hunt at nighttime. Tomorrow morning we will pass into the borders of Rivendell. They will not follow us there." Aragorn said trying to comfort the girl's fears.
Reallan nodded, but still she was frightened.
For a few more hours they traveled. As night fell, Aragorn looked for a place to camp. He found a small clearing in the woods and quickly dismounted. After helping Reallan down, Aragorn began to set up camp. He built a fire and began to cook some dinner. He only had a small amount of food left. He had been hunting for more food when he found Reallan. Under normal circumstances, he would find more, but being so close to Rivendell he just used the food he had. It would be enough.
After eating, Reallan lay down on a blanket Aragorn had put down for her. He had only one, but Reallan did not complain. Aragorn sat silently staring at the fire.
"Strider," Reallan said.
Aragorn turned his head.
"Can you sing me a song to help me sleep?"
Aragorn smiled. He was not use to children, but he decided to try his best to make Reallan happy. She was so alone; it was the least he could do for her. "What would you like me to sing?" Aragorn asked.
Reallan shrugged.
Aragorn thought for a moment. Then with a soft voice he began to sing. He sang a song in Elvish that he had learned some time ago. After he had only sung a few short lines, Reallan fell asleep. Weariness from the day had overcome her. Aragorn smiled and continued to sing silently to himself.
*~*~*
The next morning before dawn, Aragorn woke Reallan. "Wake up, Reallan. We must travel to Rivendell." Aragorn said as he gently shook her awake.
Reallan moaned as she opened her eyes. "The sun isn't even up." Reallan complained.
"We are getting an early start. Have something to eat, then we head out." Aragorn said.
Reallan slowly sat up and rubbed her eyes. Aragorn was already eating. He did not even look tired and Reallan wondered if he had slept.
In just a few minutes, Aragorn and Reallan were ready to go. He helped Reallan up on Gwindor and then mounted behind her.
"Strider," Reallan asked after only a few minutes. "Why did you decide to help me?"
"I know what it is like to feel scarred and alone. I couldn't leave you." Aragorn replied.
Reallan placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you Strider. I don't know what I would have done, if you had not found me."
Aragorn smiled. *~*~*
A few hours later Aragorn dismounted from Gwindor. They were past the borders of Rivendell and Aragorn decided to walk. Reallan also dismounted and walked beside Aragorn.
As they walked into Rivendell, Reallan began to see elves. She had never seen an elf before and fear began to fill her. She suddenly gripped Aragorn's hand with both of hers.
Aragorn looked down. "What is wrong?" Aragorn asked as he stopped walking.
"I am afraid." Reallan replied still clutching Aragorn's muddy hand.
Aragorn was about to offer her a word of comfort but someone else spoke before he could.
"There is no need to be afraid, young one. You are safe here."
Aragorn looked up to see Elrond walking towards them. He slightly bowed his head to the elf lord.
"Mae govannen, Estel." Elrond greeted.
Aragorn smiled. "It is good to see you, Elrond."
Elrond nodded. "Come. We have much to discuss." Elrond then turned behind him and called to another elf. "Ninde," he called.
A young elf girl came and stood beside Elrond. She had long blonde hair and brown eyes. Her face looked like porcelain and it was full of grace and beauty.
"Take the girl to the river and get her cleaned up. I must talk with Estel." Elrond said to her.
Ninde nodded and reached out her hand to Reallan.
Reallan drew back and hid behind Aragorn. Aragorn looked down at her. "It's okay, Reallan. Ninde will not hurt you."
"I'll show you our beautiful waterfall." Ninde said with a sweet voice. "Come on, it's okay."
Reallan looked up at Aragorn then slowly reached out and took Ninde's hand. Ninde smiled and began to lead the child to the river.
Aragorn watched for a moment then silently began to follow Elrond.
"Tell me about the girl." Elrond asked as he began to walk.
"I found Reallan in the woods about a days journey from here. She said her home was near the mountains, but I am not sure exactly where. Her town was attacked and she fled into the woods. She had been wandering for four days before I found her."
"Do you know who attacked her town?" Elrond inquired.
Aragorn shook his head. "No, she didn't say. But I fear it was the orcs."
"My fears exactly. Recently they have been attacking many small towns killing most, taking few prisoners. One by one, these savage beasts are destroying towns. The towns have no warning and no way of defense."
Aragorn nodded his head sadly.
For some time, both were silent. Finally Elrond spoke. "I want you to see if you can find Reallan's town. Look for any clues to determine what the orcs are planning. Set off tomorrow and take Elladan with you."
Aragorn nodded.
Elrond turned toward him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "And be careful. The orcs may still be lingering near the town."
Aragorn nodded then turned and left. He needed to get some rest before he set out.