Chapter30

And so I watched as they slew the rest of the orc and urakhai. I wanted to laugh, to spit on their carcasses, but I couldn't... I was too tightly bound and gagged.

When it was over, they piled the bodies and burned them. I searched with my eyes and found that Pippin and Merry were not among the dead or the living. They had escaped. Into Fangorn Forest. But I had not; they had captured me once again, and just now were starting to decide what would be done with me.

"I've taken a prisoner!" shouted the man who had captured me.

"Kill him!" Several others shouted in unison. "No filthy orc shall walk away from this, as long as I draw breath!" Shouted several more.

"Enough! Let us see this prisoner!" A commanding voice sounded. And Eomer of the Riddenmark got off his horse.

The man, who had me, removed me from the saddle and forced me to the ground on my knees. I gave them all, the coldest glare I could muster, then held their captain's gaze with my own.

"Hai! That ain't no orc!" Someone shouted. "And it's female!" Said someone else. Whispers of 'spy' and 'unnatural' went through the group.

Eomer came forward and removed the gag. "Explain yourself spy." He hissed.

I started to stand up, but someone pushed me back down. I spat dust out of my mouth, and wiped my mouth on my shoulder, considering I couldn't use my hands. "Well," I started, "I should have thought that Eomer, nephew of the King would have better manners."

The group started, and obviously, they thought me even more of a spy now. "How do you know my name?" he asked me, voice deadly quiet. I was surprised they all hadn't just run me through by now.

"I am no spy." I said ignoring his question completely. "I am a hobbit. A shireling, a halfling. And a stranger to your lands. I was captured by the orcs but three days ago. Travelling with my company, Aragorn son of Arathorn, Legolas of the Woodland relm, Gimli son of Gloin, Boromir man of Gondor, and four others of my kind." I finished.

"Saruman has many spies."

"If I were a spy, why did the orcs have me bound?" I sighed; he was looking at me stupidly. "Do any of you know the craftsmanship of the elves!" I shouted.

"Oi! I do." Someone said, coming forth.

"Well then, that is very good, one second please." I said, and then looking back to Eomer I said, "Will you please unbind my hands? I wish to show you something." He looked at me with suspicion, and didn't move.

"I swear, to you, I will not harm you. If I attempt it, you have my permission to run me through." I said, as if talking to a simpleton. He unbound my hands.

I reached under my clothes and pulled out the pendent, the last thing I possessed, beside my clothing and cloak, that had not been stolen by the orcs. "You there," I said, pointing to the man I had called froward. "Is this of elven make?" I asked, holding it out to him.

He took it into his hands, kneeling down by me. "That it is, miss." He said.

"Very well then, one of your own men just proved that I am carrying something by the elves. You well know that an orc would not. So I am not one of them. And if you know anything, you know that the elves are against the White hand, and the Great eye. So I cannot be spying for them either, now can I?" I finished.

Eomer looked at me. "No, I should think not." He said, eyes still filled with doubt.

I looked at him with pleading eyes. "Then could you untie me please? I have been bound for going on four days now, had nothing to eat, and been thrown around and kicked repeatedly like a big sack of nothing."

They untied me. I rubbed my wrists, they were chafed and raw, and at least two handfuls of my hair were gone. Ripped out at the scalp. My back felt so tender, I am positive that was absolutely covered in bruises, and my legs had whip wheals across them.

The men looked foolish and ashamed when they saw it. Then I got to ride double with one of Eomer's men as they made their way to leave the lands of Theoden.

Suddenly, as if out of thin air three figures were standing in the distance. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. The Riders doubled back and began to circle them.

Then they all wanted to fight each other. When Aragorn said, "Forgive us. We are just passing through, trailing a great company of orcs."

"We slew them all in the night." Said Eomer. (Aragorn and them couldn't see me from where they were, though, because I was in the outer ring.)

"Did you see any creatures that weren't orc? They are hobbits, and our companions, they would look like mere children to your eyes." Aragorn said urgently.

I squirmed in the saddle and jumped. I hit the ground hard, and lost my wind, but I got up and ran under the horses' legs to Aragorn, throwing my arms around his legs.

"Merna!" He said in shock. He looked up at the Riddenmark in surprise.

"She is all we found. One of my riders captured her for a prisoner, thinking her a spy for Saruman. We have not found her kin." Eomer said sadly. "We piled the carcasses and burned them, you may go down and search for your friends. But I wouldn't hold out hope."

Aragorn nodded numbly, and Eomer said "Here," with a whistle two horses came forwards, a chestnut and a gray. "May you fare better than their former riders. Farewell Merna." And with that, he spurred on his company and was gone.

We walked down and through the smoking ruin, found Pippin's sword belt. Soon after that we found the tracks leading into Fangorn. And followed them, faces grim, but determined...

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Author: Yay! Another chapter. Please review, and let me know what you thought. (Five, remember, five!)

Thanx, Pippinsgal011890