Very sorry for the long wait in between updates. I hope you don't feel like killing me now :)
I also fixed the little problem with the reviews, anyone can leave one now (hint, hint) and sorry for the trouble experienced by those who tried and couldn't last time. I know it's my own stupid fault. (I should slap myself for it).
Any way, thanks to the persons who did review ( I mean it, it means a lot to me, especially the kudos) I love you guys/girls.
On with the story!!!!
Chapter two: Hunting.
*************************
Nobody was really surprised that it was Legolas who first found enough strength to stand up. "We must split up," the Elf reasoned, "two of us can go after Merry and Pippin, while the others can help Frodo and Sam to cross Mordor." Gimli and Boromir looked up at him with anticipation. Even though they were still tired, they knew that they could not afford to spend too much time before setting of to find either group of Hobbits. Only Aragorn sat unmoving, staring at the ground intently. Boromir suddenly broke the silence. "I suggest that Legolas and I go after Merry and Pippin, then Aragorn and Gimli can go with Frodo and Sam."
Behind the statement were some very conflicting emotions. The Man of Gondor still felt that he had failed all of the Hobbits but he didn't dare go after Frodo, lest he was corrupted by the Ring again. He knew Aragorn was an experienced Ranger and would undoubtfully find his way, even in the dark and barren land of Mordor. As for suggesting that Gimli went with him ... He trusted Gimli, really, and he thought him to be a great warrior, but he would rather travel with the Elf. Legolas was a good fighter too, plus as an Elf he would have the skill needed to track the Orcs that had captured Merry and Pippin. Besides wich he really needed to thank him for saving his life.
"We can't split up." Three pairs of eyes turned to where Aragorn still sat on the ground, taking in the calm statement. "I thought it to be a good plan." Gimli spoke up, "Is there anything I've missed?" Aragorn looked in the direction of the Anduin where, somewhere behind the forest and the flowing waters, the boat of Lothlorien would be lying on the riverbank. "I promised Frodo that I would let him go. None of us can follow him now, he needs to go his own way. Sam will be there for him when the darkness becomes too heavy to bear alone. We, however, need to stay faithfull to the other members of our Fellowship. The Orcs bore the signs of the White Hand, which means Isengard. We cannot allow Saruman to get his hands on our little friends. Not only would he mistreat them, he could also gain valuable information from them."
Boromir felt his anger flare at the thought of his little ones in the clutches of that cursed Istari's creatures. A swift look at the others revealed that they were thinking the same, if he could make that conclusion from their narrowed eyes and the slight frown of concern on Legolas' face.
"Then we must follow the Orcs at once." Gimli's voice cut through his train of thought. Aragorn, awakening himself from his dark mood, sprang to his feet, once again taking the responsibilities of leadership. "We must travel light if we are to catch up with them before they reach Isengard. Leave everything you aren't going to need behind." And so Boromir took out most of his warm clothes, flinging them onto a pile where his companions had thrown theirs. It took bare minutes to complete the task and then they set of to the south-west, following the clearly visible trail the abductors of their friends had left.
The rest of that day, they ran along the trail, Aragorn leading them without faltering. The
woods passed into great plains as they came to the fields of Rohan, but not a living soul halted
them. As the night fell, there was a brief discussion about wheter to keep moveing, or to rest,
but Gimli and the Humans were too tired to really keep going without a decent rest, even though
they hated to stop for rest, because they knew the Orcs would not do such a thing. Legolas
watched over them during the night.
The next two days they alternately ran and walked, with little rest in between. During one off
those walking periods, Boromir found hiself beside Legolas. Aragorn was a few paces in front
off them and Gimli lagged behind, his breathing still troubled from the long run.
"I think it's about time I thanked you for saving my life." Boromir said as he cast a sideways
glance at the Elf. "It's quite alright, Man of Gondor." Legolas replied, before adding coyly
"Besides I don't think poor Gimli would be able to handle it if he had just a cryptical Ranger
and a 'crazy' Elf as companions." Boromir's mouth pulled into a smile at that comment. "Well,
the House of the Stewards still owes you now, Prince off Mirkwood, whether you like it or not."
For a while they walked in silence, then the Elf asked "Would you tell me about Gondor and your
family, Boromir?" Completely surprised, the Man snapped his head in the others direction. "Why?"
he blurted out. "You talked very passionately about them at Lord Elrond's council, and you are
willing to fight for them. I was curious as to what could inspire you so." came Legolas' honest
reply.
Boromir looked at the ground some time before beginning. "Well, Minas Tirith, where I come from,
is the capital of my country, as you will probably know. I live there with my father, Denethor
the Steward and my younger brother Faramir. My mother died shortly after he was born. The two
of us trained together, altough he was always more interrested in books and knowledge then in the
'art' of killing ennemies." He stopped to look at Legolas. The Elf seemed interrested. "You
like your brother a lot, don't you?" Boromir gave a snort, "Of course I like him, he means a lot
to me. He is very diplomatic, so in a way we are the perfect team: he beats people in politics,
while my prows lay on the battlefield."
"Allright, enough talking," Aragorn called back to them, "let's make some speed again." As they
began to run, a groan from behind revealed to everybody what Gimli's opinion of their trip was.
The days passed quickly, without them getting closer to their targets. Despite the grave
situation of their friends, Boromir felt like a weigth had been lifted from his shoulders. He did
not know if it was the absence of the alluring Ring, or the frequent conversation with Legolas,
but he felt considerably better than during the first stage of the journey. Even the shadow that
Saruman had placed over them could not curb his intent to save his friends. He knew he had
wanted to go home as fast as possible, but his loyalty still held him on this path.
And then there was the Elf. In return for Boromirs stories, he had told some of himself. The
Man had been surprised to learn that the Prince had two older brothers. But the fact that maybe
bonded them the most was that Legolas' mother had died shortly after his birth and that he too
had been raised without one. After some time, Boromir had the feeling that his brother and the
Elf would be great friends, both taking deligth in knowledge over killing. Maybe he could
introduce them to one another. If they ever made it to Minas Tirith that was.
**********************
Merry felt really bad when he was finally dropped on the ground. The last three days he had
seemingly been constantly dragged or forced to run himself. The Orcs that had captured him and
Pippin were anxious to complete their journey home to hand over their prey to the Istari that
commanded them.
At first he had been worried about Boromir and Legolas. He had seen them go down the slope, but
didn't know if either of them had been hit by the arrow. He and Pippin had been fastly overcome
without the larger members to protect them. The Hobbits had been separated, each one carried by
an Uruk-Hai, with several of the foul creatures in between. On the few times they had stopped
to rest, they were bound and forbidden to speak to each other. He could do nothing but hope that
his companions had survived and would come looking for them.
But maybe it was vain hope, because if they had survived, wouldn't they have to look after Frodo
first? After all, his cousin was the one on whose shoulders the quest lay, and the most
important one of their Fellowship. He wished he knew if Frodo and Sam were alrigth, but once
again he couldn't be sure.
A sudden yelp as Pippin was dropped next to him, made Merry come out of his rather depressing
thoughts. Two guards were positioned closeby, the big monsters glaring at them with bleary eyes.
Something was upsetting the band. They were even faster to snarl and snap at what came in their
way than usual. Merry had heard some of the scouts being yelled at for giving away their
position to people that were called 'horseboys' by the leader of the Orcs.
Trying to shift unnoticed into an easier position, Merry quickly stole a look at Pippin, checking
his cousin for any visible wounds. Like himself, the youngest Hobbit seemed relatively unharmed,
but tired and stiff.
"No," Lurtz' harsh voice hissed trough the trees under which they rested, "we can't move now.
Those blasted horseboys will catch us if we moved over their fields during daylight. I have
nothing against a fight, even if I would loose, but we have prisoners that have to be
delivered to the Master. And I do not need to remind you what would happen if anything happened
to the little critters."
Some of the other Orcs cursed: they were trapped and they knew it. But still, they planned to
put on a harsh fight.
Later, under cover off the night, the riders they had been catching glimpses off, came suddenly closer. They shot arrows into the pack, bringing down the Uruk-Hai before they had the chance to fire back; then letting their steeds turn swiftly and dissappearing into the dark again. Lurtz was almost constantly snarling orders, keeping them together when some wanted to run.
After about an hour and a half, the riders had either grown weary of their technique or brought down enough off them for their goal. Changing tactics, they attacked the Orcs, now wielding sharp swords and shields. The horses manouvered ever closer to where the Hobbits lay and the cousins began to fear for their lives.
The guards that had been appointed to keep Merry and Pippin in the hands of the Orcs were now fighting along their fellows. Hard swings were traded and one of the riders fell and didn't stand up anymore. The fight moved constantly around them as they tried to keep away from the hooves that tread around them. Then, as if by some lucky chance, they had been placed out off the circle of danger, the riders that remained driving the Uruk-Hai away from them.
Merry carefully looked up from where he had thrown himself over Pippin in an attempt to keep him safe. Seeing no immediate threat he sat up, quickly locating the fallen rider.
"Pippin!" he whispered urgently, "can you move?" His cousin nodded and together they shuffeled their way to the still bleeding Man that lay dead on the ground. Merry moved around until he could reach the sword that had fallen from a powerless hand and placed his bindings against it. It was difficult and slow work, but finally he managed to cut his bindings. With free hands he lifted the sword, the tip still dragging over the ground because it was too big for him in his weakened state, and began to cut through the rope on Pippins wrists. Finally they were both free. But they had still to escape from the still raging battle. It wouldn't be good for them if the Orcs won and they found their prisoners without their bonds. But Merry wasn't entirely sure that the Man could be trusted either.
"We have to get out off here." Merry hissed, looking at the battle raging around them. Pippin nodded, then pointed towards another part of the forest. "I saw a river there when we were dragged past. We could make for that and follow it into the wood to hide ourselves." Merry clapped his hand around his cousins shoulder. "Excellent idea, Pip! Come on then."
Making their way on soft feet, they weaved through the Orcs and Humans, not being noticed because of their small frames and lack of noise. As they were nearly at the river, an Orc appeared in front of them, brandishing his sword. "Thinking of going somewhere now little ones? Lurtz will be very unpleased to hear this." it leared. Pippin and Merry, who had thought to be almost safe, cringed and stepped a few pases backward. The foul creature in front of them was recognized as the one that had taken Boromirs horn with it, seeing that it stil hung as a trophy around it's waist, although it was broken in two.
As it lunged for them, the Hobbits let out a yell of fear and ducked from under its blow. Not expecting them to be that quick, the Orc tumbled forwards, his fet not finding any purchase on the wet and steep riverbanks as it fell down. It landed between the rocks in the bedding, thrust upon his own sword by the speed of its intended attack. The horn had slipped from him as he went down and sped down the river at a fast pace. Merry and Pippin stood still, staring after it, remembering the Man that had caried it for some moments.
At last, Merry broke the silence. "It was going to take us back to Lurtz. We cannot stay here if he still lives. Come Pippin, we need to move on." And so the two wandered into the forest, carefully threading the grass on the riverbank, until at last they could not be seen anymore from the battlefield.
**********************************
So chapter two is finished. It became rather longer then I had anticipated and I can only hope you don't mind.
Next chapter: Boromir and friends meet Gandalf and go to Edoras. And Faramir finds his brothers horn.
Review please. (please?)
I also fixed the little problem with the reviews, anyone can leave one now (hint, hint) and sorry for the trouble experienced by those who tried and couldn't last time. I know it's my own stupid fault. (I should slap myself for it).
Any way, thanks to the persons who did review ( I mean it, it means a lot to me, especially the kudos) I love you guys/girls.
On with the story!!!!
Chapter two: Hunting.
*************************
Nobody was really surprised that it was Legolas who first found enough strength to stand up. "We must split up," the Elf reasoned, "two of us can go after Merry and Pippin, while the others can help Frodo and Sam to cross Mordor." Gimli and Boromir looked up at him with anticipation. Even though they were still tired, they knew that they could not afford to spend too much time before setting of to find either group of Hobbits. Only Aragorn sat unmoving, staring at the ground intently. Boromir suddenly broke the silence. "I suggest that Legolas and I go after Merry and Pippin, then Aragorn and Gimli can go with Frodo and Sam."
Behind the statement were some very conflicting emotions. The Man of Gondor still felt that he had failed all of the Hobbits but he didn't dare go after Frodo, lest he was corrupted by the Ring again. He knew Aragorn was an experienced Ranger and would undoubtfully find his way, even in the dark and barren land of Mordor. As for suggesting that Gimli went with him ... He trusted Gimli, really, and he thought him to be a great warrior, but he would rather travel with the Elf. Legolas was a good fighter too, plus as an Elf he would have the skill needed to track the Orcs that had captured Merry and Pippin. Besides wich he really needed to thank him for saving his life.
"We can't split up." Three pairs of eyes turned to where Aragorn still sat on the ground, taking in the calm statement. "I thought it to be a good plan." Gimli spoke up, "Is there anything I've missed?" Aragorn looked in the direction of the Anduin where, somewhere behind the forest and the flowing waters, the boat of Lothlorien would be lying on the riverbank. "I promised Frodo that I would let him go. None of us can follow him now, he needs to go his own way. Sam will be there for him when the darkness becomes too heavy to bear alone. We, however, need to stay faithfull to the other members of our Fellowship. The Orcs bore the signs of the White Hand, which means Isengard. We cannot allow Saruman to get his hands on our little friends. Not only would he mistreat them, he could also gain valuable information from them."
Boromir felt his anger flare at the thought of his little ones in the clutches of that cursed Istari's creatures. A swift look at the others revealed that they were thinking the same, if he could make that conclusion from their narrowed eyes and the slight frown of concern on Legolas' face.
"Then we must follow the Orcs at once." Gimli's voice cut through his train of thought. Aragorn, awakening himself from his dark mood, sprang to his feet, once again taking the responsibilities of leadership. "We must travel light if we are to catch up with them before they reach Isengard. Leave everything you aren't going to need behind." And so Boromir took out most of his warm clothes, flinging them onto a pile where his companions had thrown theirs. It took bare minutes to complete the task and then they set of to the south-west, following the clearly visible trail the abductors of their friends had left.
The rest of that day, they ran along the trail, Aragorn leading them without faltering. The
woods passed into great plains as they came to the fields of Rohan, but not a living soul halted
them. As the night fell, there was a brief discussion about wheter to keep moveing, or to rest,
but Gimli and the Humans were too tired to really keep going without a decent rest, even though
they hated to stop for rest, because they knew the Orcs would not do such a thing. Legolas
watched over them during the night.
The next two days they alternately ran and walked, with little rest in between. During one off
those walking periods, Boromir found hiself beside Legolas. Aragorn was a few paces in front
off them and Gimli lagged behind, his breathing still troubled from the long run.
"I think it's about time I thanked you for saving my life." Boromir said as he cast a sideways
glance at the Elf. "It's quite alright, Man of Gondor." Legolas replied, before adding coyly
"Besides I don't think poor Gimli would be able to handle it if he had just a cryptical Ranger
and a 'crazy' Elf as companions." Boromir's mouth pulled into a smile at that comment. "Well,
the House of the Stewards still owes you now, Prince off Mirkwood, whether you like it or not."
For a while they walked in silence, then the Elf asked "Would you tell me about Gondor and your
family, Boromir?" Completely surprised, the Man snapped his head in the others direction. "Why?"
he blurted out. "You talked very passionately about them at Lord Elrond's council, and you are
willing to fight for them. I was curious as to what could inspire you so." came Legolas' honest
reply.
Boromir looked at the ground some time before beginning. "Well, Minas Tirith, where I come from,
is the capital of my country, as you will probably know. I live there with my father, Denethor
the Steward and my younger brother Faramir. My mother died shortly after he was born. The two
of us trained together, altough he was always more interrested in books and knowledge then in the
'art' of killing ennemies." He stopped to look at Legolas. The Elf seemed interrested. "You
like your brother a lot, don't you?" Boromir gave a snort, "Of course I like him, he means a lot
to me. He is very diplomatic, so in a way we are the perfect team: he beats people in politics,
while my prows lay on the battlefield."
"Allright, enough talking," Aragorn called back to them, "let's make some speed again." As they
began to run, a groan from behind revealed to everybody what Gimli's opinion of their trip was.
The days passed quickly, without them getting closer to their targets. Despite the grave
situation of their friends, Boromir felt like a weigth had been lifted from his shoulders. He did
not know if it was the absence of the alluring Ring, or the frequent conversation with Legolas,
but he felt considerably better than during the first stage of the journey. Even the shadow that
Saruman had placed over them could not curb his intent to save his friends. He knew he had
wanted to go home as fast as possible, but his loyalty still held him on this path.
And then there was the Elf. In return for Boromirs stories, he had told some of himself. The
Man had been surprised to learn that the Prince had two older brothers. But the fact that maybe
bonded them the most was that Legolas' mother had died shortly after his birth and that he too
had been raised without one. After some time, Boromir had the feeling that his brother and the
Elf would be great friends, both taking deligth in knowledge over killing. Maybe he could
introduce them to one another. If they ever made it to Minas Tirith that was.
**********************
Merry felt really bad when he was finally dropped on the ground. The last three days he had
seemingly been constantly dragged or forced to run himself. The Orcs that had captured him and
Pippin were anxious to complete their journey home to hand over their prey to the Istari that
commanded them.
At first he had been worried about Boromir and Legolas. He had seen them go down the slope, but
didn't know if either of them had been hit by the arrow. He and Pippin had been fastly overcome
without the larger members to protect them. The Hobbits had been separated, each one carried by
an Uruk-Hai, with several of the foul creatures in between. On the few times they had stopped
to rest, they were bound and forbidden to speak to each other. He could do nothing but hope that
his companions had survived and would come looking for them.
But maybe it was vain hope, because if they had survived, wouldn't they have to look after Frodo
first? After all, his cousin was the one on whose shoulders the quest lay, and the most
important one of their Fellowship. He wished he knew if Frodo and Sam were alrigth, but once
again he couldn't be sure.
A sudden yelp as Pippin was dropped next to him, made Merry come out of his rather depressing
thoughts. Two guards were positioned closeby, the big monsters glaring at them with bleary eyes.
Something was upsetting the band. They were even faster to snarl and snap at what came in their
way than usual. Merry had heard some of the scouts being yelled at for giving away their
position to people that were called 'horseboys' by the leader of the Orcs.
Trying to shift unnoticed into an easier position, Merry quickly stole a look at Pippin, checking
his cousin for any visible wounds. Like himself, the youngest Hobbit seemed relatively unharmed,
but tired and stiff.
"No," Lurtz' harsh voice hissed trough the trees under which they rested, "we can't move now.
Those blasted horseboys will catch us if we moved over their fields during daylight. I have
nothing against a fight, even if I would loose, but we have prisoners that have to be
delivered to the Master. And I do not need to remind you what would happen if anything happened
to the little critters."
Some of the other Orcs cursed: they were trapped and they knew it. But still, they planned to
put on a harsh fight.
Later, under cover off the night, the riders they had been catching glimpses off, came suddenly closer. They shot arrows into the pack, bringing down the Uruk-Hai before they had the chance to fire back; then letting their steeds turn swiftly and dissappearing into the dark again. Lurtz was almost constantly snarling orders, keeping them together when some wanted to run.
After about an hour and a half, the riders had either grown weary of their technique or brought down enough off them for their goal. Changing tactics, they attacked the Orcs, now wielding sharp swords and shields. The horses manouvered ever closer to where the Hobbits lay and the cousins began to fear for their lives.
The guards that had been appointed to keep Merry and Pippin in the hands of the Orcs were now fighting along their fellows. Hard swings were traded and one of the riders fell and didn't stand up anymore. The fight moved constantly around them as they tried to keep away from the hooves that tread around them. Then, as if by some lucky chance, they had been placed out off the circle of danger, the riders that remained driving the Uruk-Hai away from them.
Merry carefully looked up from where he had thrown himself over Pippin in an attempt to keep him safe. Seeing no immediate threat he sat up, quickly locating the fallen rider.
"Pippin!" he whispered urgently, "can you move?" His cousin nodded and together they shuffeled their way to the still bleeding Man that lay dead on the ground. Merry moved around until he could reach the sword that had fallen from a powerless hand and placed his bindings against it. It was difficult and slow work, but finally he managed to cut his bindings. With free hands he lifted the sword, the tip still dragging over the ground because it was too big for him in his weakened state, and began to cut through the rope on Pippins wrists. Finally they were both free. But they had still to escape from the still raging battle. It wouldn't be good for them if the Orcs won and they found their prisoners without their bonds. But Merry wasn't entirely sure that the Man could be trusted either.
"We have to get out off here." Merry hissed, looking at the battle raging around them. Pippin nodded, then pointed towards another part of the forest. "I saw a river there when we were dragged past. We could make for that and follow it into the wood to hide ourselves." Merry clapped his hand around his cousins shoulder. "Excellent idea, Pip! Come on then."
Making their way on soft feet, they weaved through the Orcs and Humans, not being noticed because of their small frames and lack of noise. As they were nearly at the river, an Orc appeared in front of them, brandishing his sword. "Thinking of going somewhere now little ones? Lurtz will be very unpleased to hear this." it leared. Pippin and Merry, who had thought to be almost safe, cringed and stepped a few pases backward. The foul creature in front of them was recognized as the one that had taken Boromirs horn with it, seeing that it stil hung as a trophy around it's waist, although it was broken in two.
As it lunged for them, the Hobbits let out a yell of fear and ducked from under its blow. Not expecting them to be that quick, the Orc tumbled forwards, his fet not finding any purchase on the wet and steep riverbanks as it fell down. It landed between the rocks in the bedding, thrust upon his own sword by the speed of its intended attack. The horn had slipped from him as he went down and sped down the river at a fast pace. Merry and Pippin stood still, staring after it, remembering the Man that had caried it for some moments.
At last, Merry broke the silence. "It was going to take us back to Lurtz. We cannot stay here if he still lives. Come Pippin, we need to move on." And so the two wandered into the forest, carefully threading the grass on the riverbank, until at last they could not be seen anymore from the battlefield.
**********************************
So chapter two is finished. It became rather longer then I had anticipated and I can only hope you don't mind.
Next chapter: Boromir and friends meet Gandalf and go to Edoras. And Faramir finds his brothers horn.
Review please. (please?)