Hello everyone! Sorry it's been so long since we updated, but with me doing work experience at the local hospital, applying for jobs (I was hired yesterday - yay!) and trying to do summer school work, and Es being in Majorca...it's hard, okay?! But, here's the next chapter! I'm afraid it might be a while before we post again...sorry! With love, Jenna xxxx
Chapter Twenty Two – Separated and Scared
Darayne and Jenna were having similar problems, however only five were after them. Jenna had so far been cowering and leaning into Darayne as he fought. However, as she saw that the orcs were about to go for Estriel, she did something rather brave. Or rather stupid. She leapt awkwardly of Thorne, and then yelled at the top of her lungs,
"Here orcy orcy orcies! Yeah, here!"
The orcs all turned their attention to her as she began waving her arms in the air. One began to run towards her, and then the rest followed.
Darayne had just realised what Jenna was doing, and swore, rode towards her, picked her off the ground, put her on the horse, and then galloped as fast as possible away from them, disappearing over a small hill.
Aragorn ceased the opportunity, leapt off his horse, and carried Estriel to a safer place, Elrohir following him.
"What possessed Jenna to do such a foolish thing?" muttered Elrohir, helping Aragorn to lay the girl down on a patch of grass. "She has put herself at a great risk."
"True," said Aragorn. "However she did it for the safety of her friend."
Elrohir crouched down next to Estriel, and wiped the rain away from her face with his hand. Her hair was soaked, as was her dress, and he did not know why, but he could not bear the thought of any more harm coming to her.
"She is so young, so delicate," he said, more to himself than Aragorn, who wisely began to make a poultice and fire.
A while later, when Aragorn was scouting for Darayne and Jenna, Estriel came to.
"Jenna..." she muttered weakly.
"Estriel," said Elrohir. "Can you hear me?"
"Yes," she whispered, eyes still closed. "Elrohir? My shoulder hurts."
Elrohir smiled sadly.
"I am sure it does- you are bleeding quite a bit. However, you will heal well, if slowly, and in pain. Does anywhere else hurt?"
Es finally opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was under the tarpaulin, in her sleeping bag. The tarp had been rigged by someone- probably Elrohir, she figured- like a tent, and was big enough four about six people to lie top to toe under. A large fire burned brightly, and she realised it was past dusk and night was gathering. Elrohir leaned over her, wiping her forehead with a piece of white fabric.
"El...Where's Jenna?" She groaned, trying not to acknowledge that her arm and back hurt like hell.
"She saved you by distracting the Orcs, and Darayne saved her by leading the Orcs away, with her. Aragorn has gone to find them. Don't worry, they'll be back soon. Are you hungry?"
He carefully broke up some lembas bread (they had a few packets- Elrond had given them to his son and adopted son as a special gift) and fed it to her, with some water. Es felt a frightening wetness on her shirt- it was blood.
"Elrohir, I think the blood is coming through the bandage..? How bad was I hurt?"
She asked seriously, heart beating nervously. He took her hand and smiled reassuringly.
"Not mortally, Estriel. You will be fine. I've given Estel worse in practicing swordplay. Now, I want you to sleep- rest is very important."
She smiled and shut her eyes again, feeling reassured. Only a small part of her heart had misgivings- what had happened to Jenna?
Elrohir tended to Gollum and the fire, keeping a weather eye on the sleeping girl. He was waiting for Aragorn to return. He thought again of Jenna and Darayne's brave, foolhardy action and smiled to himself- there was some honour in the son of Aranel. He worried though- there must have been roughly ten Orcs left; the largest, strongest, best fighters within the group.
How could they escape with two people upon one horse? They had been moving slowly as it was- to ask Thorne to gallop away from danger with two adults on his back was difficult, to ask him to sustain the pace for more than an hour was cruel. He sighed and threw more wood onto the fire, stirring it moodily with a stick. He was unsure of his feelings about this journey.
At first it had seemed like a good excuse to leave home for a while, travel with good companions, and visit Mirkwood, a place he had not seen for a century at least. He missed his mother already, and was prepared to assist these two women, to protect them from the fate his mother had suffered, from which they, being mortal, could not survive as she had.
Aragorn came trotting wearily back into camp, alone, much later that night.
"I tracked them until a stream, and then I lost them. Darayne may be an ancient enemy whom I must ally with, but he is an excellent woodsman. They are both well, and I found the corpses of three more Orcs on the way. We must decide what to do in the morning. Do you want first watch or second, Ro?"
Elrohir smiled.
"It has been long since you called me that, little brother. I will take the night- there is plenty of time for me to rest, and you are tired."
Aragorn clapped him on the back in thanks, and gratefully ate the food Elrohir gave him before looking over to the tent.
"How is she? The wound is bad for a human, you know. We have neither the hobbits' iron determination to live nor the elves' speed at healing. We must go slowly for the next few days."
Elrohir looked seriously back at him, face grim.
"She will not die, but we must be careful indeed- it is not the wound that concerns me. It is the chance of fever. But we cannot tell until morning. Sleep easy, brother."
The next morning, Es awoke to the sound of birdsong and Raphael's voice in her ear.
"Good morning, Estriel. How are you?"
She yawned and winced- travelling today was going to be hellish.
"Ok...Where's Jenna, Raph? And Darayne? Are they ok?"
The angel nodded, and smiled.
"They are ok- Thorne has a slight cut on his shoulder which will slow their travel, and both are injured, but not seriously. Don't worry- that's why I've come. You must go on to Mirkwood, with or without her- it's imperative. She has her own journey to make- you will meet up again just before Lothlorien, at a place known as 'The Free Oak'. Oh, I must go, here comes Elrohir, and elves can see Angels- Gabe says he hopes you get better soon and he loves you, and Michael has promised you some good stuff when you get to Mirkwood; perhaps some Prada shoes? Bye!"
And with that, he vanished.
"Are you awake, Estriel?"
"Yes- I feel a lot better. How are you?" She realised she really, really wanted to sit up.
"So, when are we going?"
She asked brightly, trying one handedly and with a great deal of teeth gritting, to sit up a little. Elrohir hurried to help her, and soon she was supported by two bed rolls. She noticed Aragorn wrapped in his blanket, and suddenly had a thought.
"Elrohir...Who's is the other bedroll?"
The idea hit the elf and he smiled, a little amused.
"It's Jenna's..."
"So they only have one bedroll between them? Oh well, I'm sure they'll manage..." she said, smiling to herself.
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