A big apology to all of you - I did not mean to make you wait for so long.
But some of you still seem to read this story - thanks to you for reviewing
and thanks for cookies and nudges - they did help to keep/get me writing
despite a painful lack of time...
And I like the emails some of you sent me very much - I am glad to know you
enjoy my stories :-))))))
So for all of you who still stayed with me the next chapter: a big thank
you goes to Little My, my most patient beta reader!!!
So, on with the story ... and let me know if you like it!!!
___
With anger in his heart Surdim glared at the woman, fighting down the desire to wrap
his hands around her neck and shake her. The fear in her eyes would have given him
some satisfaction had he lost anything but this elf. For so long had he planned what
he would do should he ever get the chance to lay hands on him again.
But her words had the desired effect as his anger turned towards Karim. How dare
he touch something that belonged to him, Surdim? And how foolish could one man
be not to see that he had been tricked, and by dwarves, no less. Surdim knew well of
the friendship between this particular elf and a certain dwarf, and there was no doubt
in his mind as to who it had been that had freed the elf.
His only hope now was that Karim and his men had succeeded in waylaying them
and would bring the elf back. Some doubt lingered at the back of his mind, reminding
him of the fact that Gimli the dwarf was a seasoned warrior.
The footsteps came closer and he turned now to face those who would step into the
clearing any moment. His face was dark, the look in his eyes cold as he prepared
himself for the confrontation with the man who thought he was leading this group of
bushrangers. Maybe the day had come to prove who really was in charge here.
He was so focused on what was about to happen across the clearing that he missed
the small sounds an attentive ear could have caught coming from the woods
surrounding them. For Eomer's men did not possess the ability of elves to move
completely without being heard. But Surdim was not the only one whose attention
was focused on the return of Karim so the quiet approach stayed unnoticed, just as
planned.
And then as some rose in greeting and Surdim took his first step towards the
approaching men, four figures stepped into the clearing.
Stunned silence fell. All eyes stared at the four dwarves who had stopped as soon as
they were in plain sight, their sharp eyes taking in the situation quickly, noticing the
positions of men with weapons.
A growl escaped Gimli the moment his eyes fell on the man standing right across the
clearing, staring at him with a comical expression of disbelief upon his face. It quickly
turned to one of realization as his hand flew to his sword.
'Surdim,' Gimli hissed, a wave of utter satisfaction washing through him at finding the
one he had wished to meet.
In this moment as all attention was focused on the dwarves, Eomer's men silently
slipped from between the trees, invading the camp from two sides at once. Without a
word spoken they moved, their steps as quiet as possible, like shadows appearing in
the midst of the surprised bushrangers. Many found themselves at sword's point ere
they had even begun to understand what was happening.
Only Surdim reacted in time, his sword in hand as he saw one of the dwarves walking
towards him with a dark expression on his face, axe ready for battle. The color of
Gimli's hair fooled him for long heartbeats, until his gaze met the dark eyes flashing
at him.
The memory of their encounter, many nights ago in the House of Healing at Minas
Tirith, was still fresh in his mind-- it had been a humiliation he had not forgotten. He
had fought with Elladan then, but Gimli's laugh still echoed in his mind.
So he stood his ground, eager for this fight as the desire for revenge washed through
him once more. If he could not have the elf, the dwarf would do.
Then Gimli was in front of him and his axe moved with surprising speed. Blocking it
with his sword, the force of the impact shook Surdim, alerting him to the fact that this
was an opponent he must not underestimate. But he was still confident as he moved
out of the way of Gimli's next blow.
@@@
Elladan's eyes wandered over the clearing, taking in the scene, a relived smile
appearing on his face. It had gone just as planned, the moment of surprise all they
had needed to invade the camp and overwhelm its occupants. Hardly a scuffle had
taken place and little blood had been shed.
His eyes met the silver ones of his twin, standing a few feet away, reading emotions
in them that mirrored his own. Then the sound of metal clashing drew the attention of
them both. Quick steps brought Elrohir to his brother's side.
'It seems Gimli has found the one he has been looking for,' he spoke.
'Aye,' Elladan answered. 'This is Surdim.' Contempt laced his voice.
They stood in silence, watching as once more the dwarf dealt out devastating blows.
The man was a better fighter than Karim had been, but he was losing ground
already.
@@@
He had been a warrior of Gondor once, a proud man.
He knew he was losing this fight, his left arm already weakening and his right one no
use to him. Another blow sent him stumbling backwards. He regained his balance as
the dwarf moved to follow him, and for a heartbeat he hesitated. At the sight of
Gimli's face and the fierce anger in the dwarf's eyes, the last of his pride left him and,
his sword slipping from his fingers, he turned and fled.
He never saw the dumbfounded look on Gimli's face that caused Elrohir to laugh
aloud as he ran. An arrow whistled by his shoulder--a warning a sane man would not
have dismissed. But his mind was clouded by fear as much as the searing knowledge
of this humiliation he once more had to endure.
His eyes were wide as he looked around, seeing his horse but too far away to reach
it. The smallest movement to his left gained his attention and his gaze flickered to the
source, eyes that held more than a little madness coming to rest on the boy standing
there.
Dian.
@@@
The moment he had seen the men bearing the colors of Rohan invading their camp,
Lian had known there was no way out anymore. He had seen too many fights not to
know when one was lost. So the only movement he made was the two steps that
took him to his wife's side, wrapping his arms protectively around her. Their eyes met
and he could see the deep pain in hers.
'I am sorry,' he whispered, knowing his words were not adequate to atone for what
she would have to face. Once more he had brought shame on himself, once more his
actions would cause her to lose everything.
He was oblivious to the warrior stepping up to him until he felt hands removing his
sword, but made no movement to stop him.
He gazed around, taking in the little resistance within the camp. He caught sight of
the tall figures of the elves, his heart beating faster as he recognized them for the
sons of Elrond. If any ill had befallen Legolas the elf, there would be a dire price to
pay. Then his attention, like everybody else's, was drawn to the fight.
Seeing Surdim turn to flee caused a stab of pain, for it told him only too well how far
they had fallen. Surdim had been his closest friend once, had stood by his side in
many battles. Running from a fight like a hunted animal spoke volumes of the
changes they had both undergone.
But this pain was soon to be replaced by another. Clardyn's cry of denial echoed in
his ears and pierced his heart as he stood frozen, disbelieving what his eyes told him.
Ere Dian could react Surdim's hands had seized him and lifted him in a tight grip, not
caring for the pain he caused the boy. Turning around he faced the camp, his right
arm around the boy's waist, holding him in front of himself as a living shield. His left
hand held the dagger he usually carried on his belt, the blade pressed against the
boy's neck.
Elladan froze, the arrow nocked and ready to fly never leaving his bow. His brother's
laughter died in his throat. A tense silence fell as the sound of a woman's cry faded.
Even the woods seemed to be holding its breath.
@@@
It had been easy to follow the tracks of the dwarves and humans. When they reached
the place where the group had parted, it took Legolas not long to decide to follow the
dwarves.
Calenuial watched him closely for any signs that he still suffered from his injuries.
Legolas's eyes were slightly dull, but if this was caused from pain or was a still
lingering effect of the blow he had suffered, Calenuial could not tell.
Knowing there was no use in trying to stop his friend, he stayed at his side, following
him without protest.
A woman's cry echoed through the wood only moments before they caught the first
glimpse of the camp.
The frozen tableau in front of them warned both elves to stop and look more closely
before stepping out of the trees. A sharp intake of breath from Legolas caused
Calenuial to follow his gaze. Disbelief shone on his face as he saw what had caused
his friend's reaction.
'Tell me my eyes are deceiving me,' the elf whispered, 'for it cannot be.'
'I fear your eyes see the same as mine do,' Legolas answered darkly.
'But it is a child he threatens! Are men truly so corrupt that they would use a weapon
against a child?'
'Some of them are.' For a moment their eyes met before Legolas's flickered away.
There was something in his voice that alerted Calenuial. 'This man surely is.'
'You know him?'
'I have met him before.' He did not wish to speak of this, but Calenuial chose to
ignore the warning in his voice.
'So this is Surdim?' he inquired, hoping to learn more.
'Aye,' was all he received for an answer.
@@@
Taken by surprise by Surdim's sudden flight, it had cost Gimli a few seconds until he
had reacted to follow the man, not wishing to let him escape. But he had been too far
away to stop the man and had been rendered helpless the moment the boy had
become a living shield. Anger boiled in the dwarf at seeing a child being treated in
this manner. For dwarves, children were rare and considered the most precious of
gifts.
His axe still in hand he stood frozen, just like everyone else. He could see the shock
and fear on the boy's face as he hung limply in the man's grasp, looking small and
fragile.
Surdim's eyes flickered, the expression in them reminding Gimli of a hunted animal
that had lost all sanity in its desperate attempt to escape.
Something like glee shone on the man's face as he took in the situation. The dwarf
was the closest to him but he could see the defeat on his face.
'Drop your weapon, master dwarf,' Surdim called out. 'And take a few steps back.'
Grinding his teeth Gimli obeyed, his axe falling to the ground. He moved away, his
eyes darting around to find anything that might aid them. He could see the woman
standing only a few feet away from Surdim, her face a mask of anguish.
'Lian? Get the horses.'
The man moved as if caught in a bad dream, the shock of seeing his son in such
danger weighing him down. But he knew better than to disobey. Carefully he
removed his arms from Clardyn, who did not seem to notice as her gaze was frozen
on Surdim's back.
Once more Surdim's eyes wandered over the camp, as if searching for something.
He caught sight of the twins and his eyes narrowed. For a moment his gaze flickered
between them as he tried to identify the one that had fought him that night but he
could not tell them apart.
'If you would drop your bow, master elf?' he asked in a mockingly polite voice.
For a long moment Elladan did not move, holding Surdim's gaze with an unblinking
glare that unnerved the man. He moved his left arm the tiniest bit, reinforcing the
pressure against the boy's neck only slightly but enough to cause a gasp of fear. The
bow fell from Elladan's fingers.
A satisfied grin shone on the man's face.
'You cannot truly believe you will escape,' Gimli spoke up. 'This is folly. Let the boy
go and you will live through this day.'
Laughter answered him as Surdim's attention returned to the dwarf.
'Where is the elf?' he asked, ignoring Gimli's words, a dark threat in his voice.
But some of you still seem to read this story - thanks to you for reviewing
and thanks for cookies and nudges - they did help to keep/get me writing
despite a painful lack of time...
And I like the emails some of you sent me very much - I am glad to know you
enjoy my stories :-))))))
So for all of you who still stayed with me the next chapter: a big thank
you goes to Little My, my most patient beta reader!!!
So, on with the story ... and let me know if you like it!!!
___
With anger in his heart Surdim glared at the woman, fighting down the desire to wrap
his hands around her neck and shake her. The fear in her eyes would have given him
some satisfaction had he lost anything but this elf. For so long had he planned what
he would do should he ever get the chance to lay hands on him again.
But her words had the desired effect as his anger turned towards Karim. How dare
he touch something that belonged to him, Surdim? And how foolish could one man
be not to see that he had been tricked, and by dwarves, no less. Surdim knew well of
the friendship between this particular elf and a certain dwarf, and there was no doubt
in his mind as to who it had been that had freed the elf.
His only hope now was that Karim and his men had succeeded in waylaying them
and would bring the elf back. Some doubt lingered at the back of his mind, reminding
him of the fact that Gimli the dwarf was a seasoned warrior.
The footsteps came closer and he turned now to face those who would step into the
clearing any moment. His face was dark, the look in his eyes cold as he prepared
himself for the confrontation with the man who thought he was leading this group of
bushrangers. Maybe the day had come to prove who really was in charge here.
He was so focused on what was about to happen across the clearing that he missed
the small sounds an attentive ear could have caught coming from the woods
surrounding them. For Eomer's men did not possess the ability of elves to move
completely without being heard. But Surdim was not the only one whose attention
was focused on the return of Karim so the quiet approach stayed unnoticed, just as
planned.
And then as some rose in greeting and Surdim took his first step towards the
approaching men, four figures stepped into the clearing.
Stunned silence fell. All eyes stared at the four dwarves who had stopped as soon as
they were in plain sight, their sharp eyes taking in the situation quickly, noticing the
positions of men with weapons.
A growl escaped Gimli the moment his eyes fell on the man standing right across the
clearing, staring at him with a comical expression of disbelief upon his face. It quickly
turned to one of realization as his hand flew to his sword.
'Surdim,' Gimli hissed, a wave of utter satisfaction washing through him at finding the
one he had wished to meet.
In this moment as all attention was focused on the dwarves, Eomer's men silently
slipped from between the trees, invading the camp from two sides at once. Without a
word spoken they moved, their steps as quiet as possible, like shadows appearing in
the midst of the surprised bushrangers. Many found themselves at sword's point ere
they had even begun to understand what was happening.
Only Surdim reacted in time, his sword in hand as he saw one of the dwarves walking
towards him with a dark expression on his face, axe ready for battle. The color of
Gimli's hair fooled him for long heartbeats, until his gaze met the dark eyes flashing
at him.
The memory of their encounter, many nights ago in the House of Healing at Minas
Tirith, was still fresh in his mind-- it had been a humiliation he had not forgotten. He
had fought with Elladan then, but Gimli's laugh still echoed in his mind.
So he stood his ground, eager for this fight as the desire for revenge washed through
him once more. If he could not have the elf, the dwarf would do.
Then Gimli was in front of him and his axe moved with surprising speed. Blocking it
with his sword, the force of the impact shook Surdim, alerting him to the fact that this
was an opponent he must not underestimate. But he was still confident as he moved
out of the way of Gimli's next blow.
@@@
Elladan's eyes wandered over the clearing, taking in the scene, a relived smile
appearing on his face. It had gone just as planned, the moment of surprise all they
had needed to invade the camp and overwhelm its occupants. Hardly a scuffle had
taken place and little blood had been shed.
His eyes met the silver ones of his twin, standing a few feet away, reading emotions
in them that mirrored his own. Then the sound of metal clashing drew the attention of
them both. Quick steps brought Elrohir to his brother's side.
'It seems Gimli has found the one he has been looking for,' he spoke.
'Aye,' Elladan answered. 'This is Surdim.' Contempt laced his voice.
They stood in silence, watching as once more the dwarf dealt out devastating blows.
The man was a better fighter than Karim had been, but he was losing ground
already.
@@@
He had been a warrior of Gondor once, a proud man.
He knew he was losing this fight, his left arm already weakening and his right one no
use to him. Another blow sent him stumbling backwards. He regained his balance as
the dwarf moved to follow him, and for a heartbeat he hesitated. At the sight of
Gimli's face and the fierce anger in the dwarf's eyes, the last of his pride left him and,
his sword slipping from his fingers, he turned and fled.
He never saw the dumbfounded look on Gimli's face that caused Elrohir to laugh
aloud as he ran. An arrow whistled by his shoulder--a warning a sane man would not
have dismissed. But his mind was clouded by fear as much as the searing knowledge
of this humiliation he once more had to endure.
His eyes were wide as he looked around, seeing his horse but too far away to reach
it. The smallest movement to his left gained his attention and his gaze flickered to the
source, eyes that held more than a little madness coming to rest on the boy standing
there.
Dian.
@@@
The moment he had seen the men bearing the colors of Rohan invading their camp,
Lian had known there was no way out anymore. He had seen too many fights not to
know when one was lost. So the only movement he made was the two steps that
took him to his wife's side, wrapping his arms protectively around her. Their eyes met
and he could see the deep pain in hers.
'I am sorry,' he whispered, knowing his words were not adequate to atone for what
she would have to face. Once more he had brought shame on himself, once more his
actions would cause her to lose everything.
He was oblivious to the warrior stepping up to him until he felt hands removing his
sword, but made no movement to stop him.
He gazed around, taking in the little resistance within the camp. He caught sight of
the tall figures of the elves, his heart beating faster as he recognized them for the
sons of Elrond. If any ill had befallen Legolas the elf, there would be a dire price to
pay. Then his attention, like everybody else's, was drawn to the fight.
Seeing Surdim turn to flee caused a stab of pain, for it told him only too well how far
they had fallen. Surdim had been his closest friend once, had stood by his side in
many battles. Running from a fight like a hunted animal spoke volumes of the
changes they had both undergone.
But this pain was soon to be replaced by another. Clardyn's cry of denial echoed in
his ears and pierced his heart as he stood frozen, disbelieving what his eyes told him.
Ere Dian could react Surdim's hands had seized him and lifted him in a tight grip, not
caring for the pain he caused the boy. Turning around he faced the camp, his right
arm around the boy's waist, holding him in front of himself as a living shield. His left
hand held the dagger he usually carried on his belt, the blade pressed against the
boy's neck.
Elladan froze, the arrow nocked and ready to fly never leaving his bow. His brother's
laughter died in his throat. A tense silence fell as the sound of a woman's cry faded.
Even the woods seemed to be holding its breath.
@@@
It had been easy to follow the tracks of the dwarves and humans. When they reached
the place where the group had parted, it took Legolas not long to decide to follow the
dwarves.
Calenuial watched him closely for any signs that he still suffered from his injuries.
Legolas's eyes were slightly dull, but if this was caused from pain or was a still
lingering effect of the blow he had suffered, Calenuial could not tell.
Knowing there was no use in trying to stop his friend, he stayed at his side, following
him without protest.
A woman's cry echoed through the wood only moments before they caught the first
glimpse of the camp.
The frozen tableau in front of them warned both elves to stop and look more closely
before stepping out of the trees. A sharp intake of breath from Legolas caused
Calenuial to follow his gaze. Disbelief shone on his face as he saw what had caused
his friend's reaction.
'Tell me my eyes are deceiving me,' the elf whispered, 'for it cannot be.'
'I fear your eyes see the same as mine do,' Legolas answered darkly.
'But it is a child he threatens! Are men truly so corrupt that they would use a weapon
against a child?'
'Some of them are.' For a moment their eyes met before Legolas's flickered away.
There was something in his voice that alerted Calenuial. 'This man surely is.'
'You know him?'
'I have met him before.' He did not wish to speak of this, but Calenuial chose to
ignore the warning in his voice.
'So this is Surdim?' he inquired, hoping to learn more.
'Aye,' was all he received for an answer.
@@@
Taken by surprise by Surdim's sudden flight, it had cost Gimli a few seconds until he
had reacted to follow the man, not wishing to let him escape. But he had been too far
away to stop the man and had been rendered helpless the moment the boy had
become a living shield. Anger boiled in the dwarf at seeing a child being treated in
this manner. For dwarves, children were rare and considered the most precious of
gifts.
His axe still in hand he stood frozen, just like everyone else. He could see the shock
and fear on the boy's face as he hung limply in the man's grasp, looking small and
fragile.
Surdim's eyes flickered, the expression in them reminding Gimli of a hunted animal
that had lost all sanity in its desperate attempt to escape.
Something like glee shone on the man's face as he took in the situation. The dwarf
was the closest to him but he could see the defeat on his face.
'Drop your weapon, master dwarf,' Surdim called out. 'And take a few steps back.'
Grinding his teeth Gimli obeyed, his axe falling to the ground. He moved away, his
eyes darting around to find anything that might aid them. He could see the woman
standing only a few feet away from Surdim, her face a mask of anguish.
'Lian? Get the horses.'
The man moved as if caught in a bad dream, the shock of seeing his son in such
danger weighing him down. But he knew better than to disobey. Carefully he
removed his arms from Clardyn, who did not seem to notice as her gaze was frozen
on Surdim's back.
Once more Surdim's eyes wandered over the camp, as if searching for something.
He caught sight of the twins and his eyes narrowed. For a moment his gaze flickered
between them as he tried to identify the one that had fought him that night but he
could not tell them apart.
'If you would drop your bow, master elf?' he asked in a mockingly polite voice.
For a long moment Elladan did not move, holding Surdim's gaze with an unblinking
glare that unnerved the man. He moved his left arm the tiniest bit, reinforcing the
pressure against the boy's neck only slightly but enough to cause a gasp of fear. The
bow fell from Elladan's fingers.
A satisfied grin shone on the man's face.
'You cannot truly believe you will escape,' Gimli spoke up. 'This is folly. Let the boy
go and you will live through this day.'
Laughter answered him as Surdim's attention returned to the dwarf.
'Where is the elf?' he asked, ignoring Gimli's words, a dark threat in his voice.