CHAPTER
THIRTEEN: The Rohan Riders
"Tropical, warm sunny California weather. Sunny beaches, chirping seagulls." Buffy said. "Wait. Seagulls don't chirp. Oh no, now I have to start over again. . ."
"Please spare us." Legolas interjected quickly.
"I'm not use to this cold weather." Buffy explained, pulling her sleeves further down.
"I am still not sure about you, Buffy." said Gimli. "But if you want, you shall take my Lórien cloak."
"Thanks." muttered Buffy, offering the tiny cloak. "I feel a little warmer."
A thunderous sound rumbled in the distance, and Buffy started at it.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Mordor." Aragorn said gloomily. "We are getting close."
"What's Mordor?"
"A place no Lady should step foot in," Legolas answered
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Are you sure about that, blondie? I've seen a lot of things."
"What is with you?" Legolas asked breathlessly. "You are hiding something from us, I can see it in your eyes."
"How can you see it in my eyes?" asked Buffy. "Do I have crust in them or something?"
"Enough." Aragorn stated, standing from his stooped position near the edge of the hill. "When we reach Rohan, Buffy shall remain there until we can find her a way home."
Ready to protest, Buffy's stomach growled and she looked down at it in surprise.
"At least someone's being optimistic."
* * *
Saruman set down the heavy set of parchment and looked out from his oval window, where a balcony was set to look upon the hundred of thousands of Uruk - Hai that had joined forces with Sauron and Saruman to gain control over the mortal population. And Saruman was pleased.
"The lower chamber has opened since her. . . arrival." he said. "Are you pleased?"
The circular stone glowed a bright red and Saruman smiled.
"I will bring her to you and everything shall be ordered." he continued. "Just be patient."
* * *
A long walk towards the edge of the cliff for some reason took a lot out of Buffy, and as she stooped to catch her breath a black shape running along the plains came into view. About to call for someone, Legolas appeared beside her and sighed.
"They are still leagues away." Legolas said. "We will never catch them with this pace."
"I don't know why we stop." Buffy said angrily. "Well, I do know why and it's a stupid reason. I'm fine running, I'm use to it."
"How are you use to it?" asked Legolas. "Who are you in your world?"
Buffy hesitated on whether or not she should tell them who she really was, or still is for that matter, but shook her head and looked away sadly.
"Just an receptionist."
"What is this receptionist?" Legolas continued curiously.
"Oh god, you really don't know anything do you?" Buffy quipped.
"I know many things," Legolas countered snappishly. "Just some of the words you say are either foreign, or ridiculous."
"Well, a receptionist is basically a woman who does all sorts of errands for men who are either law freaks or doctors." Buffy explained. "It's a sucky job. Definitely not an ego booster."
Legolas furrowed his dark eyebrows and said nothing more as he turned to the barely visible dark shapes riding off into the burning sun. Buffy looked also, a feeling of dread washing over her. Those little Hobbit people were with those demons, and they were leagues away, unable to help them.
Buffy sighed,
"Who would be this cruel?"
"Saruman." Aragorn replied gravely. Upon seeing Buffy's blank face, he continued. "A powerful wizard who is hated by many, but served by most. We are outnumbered greatly against his forces, and they are seeking the Hobbits."
"I'd like to teach this Saru guy a lesson." Buffy stated.
"We all would like that," Aragorn said wearily. "but I doubt we will ever have the chance, but we can continue and hope to catch with the Orcs."
"Let's go then." Buffy said determinedly.
"Wait!" Legolas shouted, his hand latching onto Buffy's arm.
"No more waiting!" Buffy groaned. She was really tired of waiting.
"Do you hear that?" Legolas asked in a whisper. His clear blue eyes scanned the distance where they came from. "Can you hear it?"
"We don't have hearing like the Elves, Elf." Gimli said pointedly.
"No I hear it." Buffy whispered, her eyes wide. "It- they sound like horses or something beating hard against the ground."
"The Rohirrim?" Aragorn asked, his face hopeful.
"Let us hide!" Legolas shouted, running and pulling Buffy with him.
"What's a Rohirrim?" Buffy asked softly, hidden behind a large boulder with Legolas pinning her body against the stony platform.
"Riders. Shush." Legolas demanded.
After several moments of a heavy wait, horses and riders appeared in front of them, riding in hundreds down along the hill and forth along the plains. Upon the head of each horse, Buffy saw, was a maroon and yellow sheet with the symbol of a horse.
Curious, Buffy slipped passed Legolas and leaned pass the rock for a better look, and without meaning to she did slip on some muck and started rolling down the hill, her small body rolling with the dirt as she tumbled against both rock and soil.
When she reached the bottom and the hair was removed from her face, at least fifty faces of male riders peered above her. And their spears were drawn.
"Uh oh." she cursed, her face tightening.
"Rohirrim!" Buffy heard Aragorn shout. "Lay back your strokes and let us speak!"
"Let the girl up." growled Gimli, his large body pushing towards Buffy. "Are you alright, lassie?"
"Yeah." Buffy grumbled.
She was pulled to her feet roughly, but the spears were redrawn when Aragorn and Legolas joined the center.
"What news do you bring?" Aragorn asked gruffly.
Legolas was ready to grab an arrow from his quiver, but Buffy laid an assuring hand on his and Gimli's shoulder. Violence was not the answer.
Not yet, anyway. Buffy thought.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?" asked the lead rider.
"I am called Strider." Aragorn answered. "And I am hunting Orcs."
"What about the rest of your company, so called Strider?" he asked.
"I'm Buffy." Buffy blurted out suddenly, angry at how they were treating them when they weren't doing anything. "And we, are hunting Orcs. Meaning all of us, so if you have a problem then-" Legolas suddenly nudged her with his elbow. "-ow."
"A woman!" the man declared loudly. "These have been strange days indeed! Tell me more of your tales, are you Elvish folks?"
"No," Aragorn said. "Only one of us, and that is Legolas Greenleaf from the Woodland Realm, and we pass from Lothlórien in search for our friends."
"There is Lady there, a witch some say." the rider replied, and turned his cold eyes to the other three companions. "And why do you not speak, silent folk?"
"Look who's talking, you're sitting there and you haven't even told us your name yet." Buffy snapped.
"Yes." Gimli agreed, his feet set firmly under him. "You give us your name, horse master, and we shall speak as friends."
The rider set his cold glare on Buffy and out of anger, directed his spear lightly against her chest, his lips curling in spite.
"You speak unless I tell you to speak." he commanded angrily, and then he turned to Gimli. "Eomer, son of Éomund am I, and I would cut your head off for your manners, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground."
In response to his comments, Legolas pulled his loose bow from his quiver and swiftly placed it into his bow, his aim direct with the rider's face where it was barely visible beneath his golden helm.
"You will die before your stroke fell." Legolas stated.
Eomer raised his sword and was ready to aim, but Aragorn leapt forwards and placed his hand against Legolas' bow, lowering it.
"Forgive us, Eomer!" he said. "We are simply here in search of our friends, so we are in the passing. If you know about our tale, will you answer our questions?"
Eomer considered this and nodded, "Aye. Tell me your tale, for I have some time."
Buffy watched the scene in awed silence. For one who hadn't heard the tale, she was actually nervous about hearing the history of her three new friends and considered backing away and just running. But a spear poked her from behind and she sighed, having no choice but to listen to Aragorn as he began talking about some place in Hobbiton, all the way to the end of his tale about some river called Anduin.
When Aragorn finished, an hour or so passed. Buffy's eyes were wide when Legolas looked down at her.
"Your tale is both winsome and dark." Eomer said then sighed. "But you have been honest with my men and me, and that I am grateful. But you never mentioned to me how the Lady came upon your company. She was not mentioned in your tale."
"I uh, came with. . ." Buffy trailed off, not quite knowing what to say.
Blank faces stared back at her, and Aragorn started at it quickly.
"She is the sister of Boromir of Gondor." he said. "Who has sadly passed away near the Anduin by a pack of Uruk- Hai. She is wanting to return to the White City, so she is coming with us until we reach Minis Tirith."
Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I'm Boro's. . . I'm big B's. . . LITTLE sister?"
Aragorn nodded calmly, but he was glaring at her.
"Tell me of your friends." Eomer requested suddenly.
"They are Hobbits, two of them, in a pack of Orcs." Gimli said in a rush. "Have you seen any Hobbits around at all? Any Hobbits at all?"
"Hobbits? What are Hobbits?" Eomer asked.
"Halflings." Legolas said plainly, hate still evident in his tone.
Murmurs erupted around the riders, making Buffy even more angry. They were wasting their time.
"Then it is true. Halflings do exist." Eomer said, a smile on his face. "But Gandalf, you said he has fallen. How have you traveled from Imladris?"
"On foot." Aragorn answered wearily.
"Have you, now?" Éothain asked, a rider beside Eomer. "That is ill tidings, my friends, ill indeed!"
"Let us give you horses, Aragorn son of Arathorn." Eomer announced, and gave a great whistle as two horses galloped towards them. "This is Arod and Hasufel, but we have no other for the Lady and the Dwarf."
"The Lady shall ride behind me." Aragorn said. "And Gimli behind Legolas."
When Aragorn and Eomer began talking again, Buffy turned her attention to where Gimli and Legolas stood near the white horse known as Arod.
"I need no rein or saddle." Legolas said to a rider.
"How come?" Buffy asked as Gimli was heaved up behind Legolas.
"I am an Elf." Legolas replied, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh, sorry." Buffy said sarcastically.
"I do not enjoy being stuck behind an Elf again." Gimli grunted. "Behind a boat was nothing, but this is going too far Laddy!"
"And do you think I want a heavily set Dwarf holding onto me as I gallop?" Legolas asked, and a playful glint came to his eyes. "I would much rather have a Lady, like Buffy, behind me instead."
Even though that was flattering, Buffy would much rather be behind Aragorn than Legolas. Aragorn had more of a rugged, outdoorsy look. Legolas looked too much like a pretty boy to know how to handle a horse.
"Come, Buffy." Aragorn ordered, mounting Hasufel. Buffy ungracefully mounted the grayish steed and wrapped her arms around Aragorn's waist. "Thank you, Rohan riders. We are forever grateful. Let us ride!"
"Tropical, warm sunny California weather. Sunny beaches, chirping seagulls." Buffy said. "Wait. Seagulls don't chirp. Oh no, now I have to start over again. . ."
"Please spare us." Legolas interjected quickly.
"I'm not use to this cold weather." Buffy explained, pulling her sleeves further down.
"I am still not sure about you, Buffy." said Gimli. "But if you want, you shall take my Lórien cloak."
"Thanks." muttered Buffy, offering the tiny cloak. "I feel a little warmer."
A thunderous sound rumbled in the distance, and Buffy started at it.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Mordor." Aragorn said gloomily. "We are getting close."
"What's Mordor?"
"A place no Lady should step foot in," Legolas answered
Buffy rolled her eyes, "Are you sure about that, blondie? I've seen a lot of things."
"What is with you?" Legolas asked breathlessly. "You are hiding something from us, I can see it in your eyes."
"How can you see it in my eyes?" asked Buffy. "Do I have crust in them or something?"
"Enough." Aragorn stated, standing from his stooped position near the edge of the hill. "When we reach Rohan, Buffy shall remain there until we can find her a way home."
Ready to protest, Buffy's stomach growled and she looked down at it in surprise.
"At least someone's being optimistic."
* * *
Saruman set down the heavy set of parchment and looked out from his oval window, where a balcony was set to look upon the hundred of thousands of Uruk - Hai that had joined forces with Sauron and Saruman to gain control over the mortal population. And Saruman was pleased.
"The lower chamber has opened since her. . . arrival." he said. "Are you pleased?"
The circular stone glowed a bright red and Saruman smiled.
"I will bring her to you and everything shall be ordered." he continued. "Just be patient."
* * *
A long walk towards the edge of the cliff for some reason took a lot out of Buffy, and as she stooped to catch her breath a black shape running along the plains came into view. About to call for someone, Legolas appeared beside her and sighed.
"They are still leagues away." Legolas said. "We will never catch them with this pace."
"I don't know why we stop." Buffy said angrily. "Well, I do know why and it's a stupid reason. I'm fine running, I'm use to it."
"How are you use to it?" asked Legolas. "Who are you in your world?"
Buffy hesitated on whether or not she should tell them who she really was, or still is for that matter, but shook her head and looked away sadly.
"Just an receptionist."
"What is this receptionist?" Legolas continued curiously.
"Oh god, you really don't know anything do you?" Buffy quipped.
"I know many things," Legolas countered snappishly. "Just some of the words you say are either foreign, or ridiculous."
"Well, a receptionist is basically a woman who does all sorts of errands for men who are either law freaks or doctors." Buffy explained. "It's a sucky job. Definitely not an ego booster."
Legolas furrowed his dark eyebrows and said nothing more as he turned to the barely visible dark shapes riding off into the burning sun. Buffy looked also, a feeling of dread washing over her. Those little Hobbit people were with those demons, and they were leagues away, unable to help them.
Buffy sighed,
"Who would be this cruel?"
"Saruman." Aragorn replied gravely. Upon seeing Buffy's blank face, he continued. "A powerful wizard who is hated by many, but served by most. We are outnumbered greatly against his forces, and they are seeking the Hobbits."
"I'd like to teach this Saru guy a lesson." Buffy stated.
"We all would like that," Aragorn said wearily. "but I doubt we will ever have the chance, but we can continue and hope to catch with the Orcs."
"Let's go then." Buffy said determinedly.
"Wait!" Legolas shouted, his hand latching onto Buffy's arm.
"No more waiting!" Buffy groaned. She was really tired of waiting.
"Do you hear that?" Legolas asked in a whisper. His clear blue eyes scanned the distance where they came from. "Can you hear it?"
"We don't have hearing like the Elves, Elf." Gimli said pointedly.
"No I hear it." Buffy whispered, her eyes wide. "It- they sound like horses or something beating hard against the ground."
"The Rohirrim?" Aragorn asked, his face hopeful.
"Let us hide!" Legolas shouted, running and pulling Buffy with him.
"What's a Rohirrim?" Buffy asked softly, hidden behind a large boulder with Legolas pinning her body against the stony platform.
"Riders. Shush." Legolas demanded.
After several moments of a heavy wait, horses and riders appeared in front of them, riding in hundreds down along the hill and forth along the plains. Upon the head of each horse, Buffy saw, was a maroon and yellow sheet with the symbol of a horse.
Curious, Buffy slipped passed Legolas and leaned pass the rock for a better look, and without meaning to she did slip on some muck and started rolling down the hill, her small body rolling with the dirt as she tumbled against both rock and soil.
When she reached the bottom and the hair was removed from her face, at least fifty faces of male riders peered above her. And their spears were drawn.
"Uh oh." she cursed, her face tightening.
"Rohirrim!" Buffy heard Aragorn shout. "Lay back your strokes and let us speak!"
"Let the girl up." growled Gimli, his large body pushing towards Buffy. "Are you alright, lassie?"
"Yeah." Buffy grumbled.
She was pulled to her feet roughly, but the spears were redrawn when Aragorn and Legolas joined the center.
"What news do you bring?" Aragorn asked gruffly.
Legolas was ready to grab an arrow from his quiver, but Buffy laid an assuring hand on his and Gimli's shoulder. Violence was not the answer.
Not yet, anyway. Buffy thought.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?" asked the lead rider.
"I am called Strider." Aragorn answered. "And I am hunting Orcs."
"What about the rest of your company, so called Strider?" he asked.
"I'm Buffy." Buffy blurted out suddenly, angry at how they were treating them when they weren't doing anything. "And we, are hunting Orcs. Meaning all of us, so if you have a problem then-" Legolas suddenly nudged her with his elbow. "-ow."
"A woman!" the man declared loudly. "These have been strange days indeed! Tell me more of your tales, are you Elvish folks?"
"No," Aragorn said. "Only one of us, and that is Legolas Greenleaf from the Woodland Realm, and we pass from Lothlórien in search for our friends."
"There is Lady there, a witch some say." the rider replied, and turned his cold eyes to the other three companions. "And why do you not speak, silent folk?"
"Look who's talking, you're sitting there and you haven't even told us your name yet." Buffy snapped.
"Yes." Gimli agreed, his feet set firmly under him. "You give us your name, horse master, and we shall speak as friends."
The rider set his cold glare on Buffy and out of anger, directed his spear lightly against her chest, his lips curling in spite.
"You speak unless I tell you to speak." he commanded angrily, and then he turned to Gimli. "Eomer, son of Éomund am I, and I would cut your head off for your manners, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground."
In response to his comments, Legolas pulled his loose bow from his quiver and swiftly placed it into his bow, his aim direct with the rider's face where it was barely visible beneath his golden helm.
"You will die before your stroke fell." Legolas stated.
Eomer raised his sword and was ready to aim, but Aragorn leapt forwards and placed his hand against Legolas' bow, lowering it.
"Forgive us, Eomer!" he said. "We are simply here in search of our friends, so we are in the passing. If you know about our tale, will you answer our questions?"
Eomer considered this and nodded, "Aye. Tell me your tale, for I have some time."
Buffy watched the scene in awed silence. For one who hadn't heard the tale, she was actually nervous about hearing the history of her three new friends and considered backing away and just running. But a spear poked her from behind and she sighed, having no choice but to listen to Aragorn as he began talking about some place in Hobbiton, all the way to the end of his tale about some river called Anduin.
When Aragorn finished, an hour or so passed. Buffy's eyes were wide when Legolas looked down at her.
"Your tale is both winsome and dark." Eomer said then sighed. "But you have been honest with my men and me, and that I am grateful. But you never mentioned to me how the Lady came upon your company. She was not mentioned in your tale."
"I uh, came with. . ." Buffy trailed off, not quite knowing what to say.
Blank faces stared back at her, and Aragorn started at it quickly.
"She is the sister of Boromir of Gondor." he said. "Who has sadly passed away near the Anduin by a pack of Uruk- Hai. She is wanting to return to the White City, so she is coming with us until we reach Minis Tirith."
Buffy nodded. "Yeah, I'm Boro's. . . I'm big B's. . . LITTLE sister?"
Aragorn nodded calmly, but he was glaring at her.
"Tell me of your friends." Eomer requested suddenly.
"They are Hobbits, two of them, in a pack of Orcs." Gimli said in a rush. "Have you seen any Hobbits around at all? Any Hobbits at all?"
"Hobbits? What are Hobbits?" Eomer asked.
"Halflings." Legolas said plainly, hate still evident in his tone.
Murmurs erupted around the riders, making Buffy even more angry. They were wasting their time.
"Then it is true. Halflings do exist." Eomer said, a smile on his face. "But Gandalf, you said he has fallen. How have you traveled from Imladris?"
"On foot." Aragorn answered wearily.
"Have you, now?" Éothain asked, a rider beside Eomer. "That is ill tidings, my friends, ill indeed!"
"Let us give you horses, Aragorn son of Arathorn." Eomer announced, and gave a great whistle as two horses galloped towards them. "This is Arod and Hasufel, but we have no other for the Lady and the Dwarf."
"The Lady shall ride behind me." Aragorn said. "And Gimli behind Legolas."
When Aragorn and Eomer began talking again, Buffy turned her attention to where Gimli and Legolas stood near the white horse known as Arod.
"I need no rein or saddle." Legolas said to a rider.
"How come?" Buffy asked as Gimli was heaved up behind Legolas.
"I am an Elf." Legolas replied, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Oh, sorry." Buffy said sarcastically.
"I do not enjoy being stuck behind an Elf again." Gimli grunted. "Behind a boat was nothing, but this is going too far Laddy!"
"And do you think I want a heavily set Dwarf holding onto me as I gallop?" Legolas asked, and a playful glint came to his eyes. "I would much rather have a Lady, like Buffy, behind me instead."
Even though that was flattering, Buffy would much rather be behind Aragorn than Legolas. Aragorn had more of a rugged, outdoorsy look. Legolas looked too much like a pretty boy to know how to handle a horse.
"Come, Buffy." Aragorn ordered, mounting Hasufel. Buffy ungracefully mounted the grayish steed and wrapped her arms around Aragorn's waist. "Thank you, Rohan riders. We are forever grateful. Let us ride!"
