Disclaimer: the ONLY thing I own is Jacqueline, anything you don't
recognize from the books and a little of the plot but not all. Majority of
the plotline, most lines(which are usually adaptations from the original
book) and all LOTR characters belong to Tolkien. Some character lines are
switched(i.e. one thing Aragorn says in the books Legolas might say here) -
still belongs to Tolkien.
A/N: Okay, this is where I go from movie to book. Please be gentle. Also, I know some of you want a Boromir romance and some want a Legolas romance. My answer to you: don't count the chicks before they've hatched, and believe me they ain't hatching for awhile if you catch my drift.
Chapter 13 - From Emyn Muil to Rohan
The forest fell quickly behind as they climbed over sharp slopes with mercilessly jagged edges. They ran while the sky turned red and dusk fell, turning the land into a mass of grey, black and other such dark colours. It slowed them down, for they could not see as well in the night and they had come to the high plains of Emyn Muil where the path was hard to follow. Menacingly it stretched from North to South, its eastern ridges swelled with ravines and gullies while the western ridges were near-impossible. The hunters rested, having lost the trail and raching a hard choice.
"Which way would they have gone, do you guess?" Legolas asked generally, allowing anyone to answer. "North to take them straight to Isengard, south to strike the Entwash, or would they head to Fangorn?"
"They would not make for the Entwash regardless of their mark," Aragorn replied, studying the landscape best he could.
"And unless Saruman has grown in power and much toil is in Rohan, which I doubt, they would take the quickest route." Boromir added.
"Then let us go north," Aragorn concluded, glancing at Jacqueline who only nodded in agreement. So off they were again, running down into a dale between grey hills on their left and a ridged cliff on their right. A sliver of a stream trickled among large rocks at the bottom of the hills they passed. Aragorn was low, searching for any clues that would help, while Legolas and Jacqueline ran ahead being the faster of the five. They stumbled upon something and called the others to them.
"It seems that we have overtaken some of those we hunt," Legolas exclaimed, pointing downwards.
"Yet another riddle greets us," said Gimli. "We cannot wait for the dawn which would help us to read it."
"It does not seem hopeful which ever way you read it." Legolas stated. He turned to Boromir and Aragorn. "Does anyone dwell here?"
"No," Boromir answered. "We are too far from Minas Tirith; rarely do the Riders of Rohan venture this far out."
"I would say that it might have been a group of men hunting if it were not for the immense doubt I feel," Aragorn added.
"Then what are your thoughts?" Gimli questioned.
"There must have been a debate of sorts; not surprising with such creatures. These here are Northern Orcs, not the ones we seek. It seems our enemy has another enemy of its own. Most likely this dispute was over their route."
"Or their prisoners," Gimli said, contributing to Aragorn's theory. "Let us hope their end did not come here, if it came at all."
Aragorn searched the area for more clues as to what happened with Boromir's help, quickly covering much of the area but finding nothing more. Jacqueline walked around the bodies examining the blood on the ground. Legolas walked up to her, curious about her actions.
"Tell me something," he said quietly. "Did our friends meet their end here? Either of them?"
Jacqueline crouched down and stroked her fingers through the blood-stained grass. It was starting to dry, and the vulgar smell was not as repulsive as it should have been. She stared into the distance as she examined the blood on her hand.
"No. Neither Merry nor Pippin found their end. They were on the side when this fight occured. These Moria Orcs tried to rebel against our targets, fighting about the ransom up for our friends. As a result, they paid with their lives."
Boromir joined them, his frustration on his sleeve. "How long ago was this quarrel?"
"Hours. How many I am not sure," she answered, not breaking her gaze. "They still have a great lead on us, and they will not stop unless they are forced to."
Having found out nothing more, they continued as dawn approached and came to another stream where Aragorn picked up the trail.
"This is what we are searching for!" he exclaimed. "Come, we follow it!"
They all darted forward, suddenly filled with new energy. Their newfound strength took them to a crest and the crisp morning air blew around them. The day crept up behind them and the Five Hunters turned to greet it. The sun came up as a red orb over the hilltops, waking the sleeping earth. The colours of day bloomed before them giving life to Rohan in the west, and beyond that lay the land of Gondor.
Aragorn's and Boromir's hearts lifted at the sight of it. "Gondor!" Boromir breathed.
"How much I would desire to look upon you at happier times. Not yet does our road lead to you." Aragorn sighed regretfully.
Boromir placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let us go. One day our paths will take us there, and Gondor will be in its glory once again."
They turned back north where the ridge dropped sharply down and stretched to the East Wall of Rohan, ending Emyn Muil. Legolas' ever-watchful gaze caught something in the sky.
"Look!" he pointed. "The eagle, again! He seems to be flying away, high back to the north and with great speed!"
"He must be high indeed; my eyes cannot find him," Aragorn replied.
"But mine can," Jacqueline answered, gazing upwards. "He is Gwaihir, the Windlord."
They all looked astonishingly at her, moreso Legolas. "How is it that your eyes can see what mine cannot?!" he exclaimed.
She looked away blinking, breaking her stare. Pain had surged into her eyes. "I, I am not sure," she answered, still blinking. She looked at them. "That was my first time ever attempting that. I had no idea I could even do such a thing."
"Do you think it might be a gift of your father?" Legolas asked.
"It's possible," amazedly she answered. "I had not thought of that as an answer."
"Why? Who is your father?" Boromir interrupted, obvious to the fact that Legolas knew something the other two didn't.
"These are questions that can be answered later," Aragorn stated. "Something moves over the plain ahead."
"It is a great company," Legolas corrected him. "Maybe twelve leagues or so away. It is hard to tell."
"I think it is quite clear where we go now," Gimli said, speaking up. "Let us find the quickest path to the field."
"There is no quicker path than that the ones our enemies left behind," Aragorn commented. They followed the path downwards with daylight as their guide. Dropped, ripped broken and casted-away objects outlined an even clearer way and the hunters followed it with ease. It took them around the northern part of the hill and followed the rough staircase downwards.
Without warning they came to the meadows of Rohan. The stream fell into waterplants and underground tunnels gurgling away to the Entwash Vale in the distance. A rich lively smell flooded the air; spring graced Rohan. Legolas inhaled deeply, becoming refreshed by the scent.
"The fragrance is sweet. Let us run; it is better than rest."
"Light feet move quicker here," said Aragorn. "Now we can close the gap between them and us!"
Single file they ran, the run being easier. West the grass had been destroyed by orc-feet who had marched by that place. The grass of Rohan had been bruised and tortured. Not long after they had started off, Aragorn veered off to the right.
"Stay, and don't follow yet!" he called over his shoulder. Familiar footprints caught his eye and he followed it. Another set of hideous footprints choaked them out, but Aragorn was not in total despair; an object caught his eye. He picked it up and re-joined his group.
"Those are definitely hobbit feet that made those prints," he commented. "Most likely Pippin's; he's smaller. There was also this."
He held up what looked to be a beech leaf, catching the sunlight and reflecting it back.
"An elven-cloak brooch!" Gimli and Legolas gasped in unison. Aragorn nodded.
"The leaves of Lorien don't fall without cause. This was intentionally left behind; Pippin must have run from his captors."
"Then he still was alive and able to use his legs," Gimli said, relieved. "Our pursuit is not in vain."
"Let us hope he at least still lives, should we catch up to them," Boromir replied.
"Come, let us go!" Legolas urged. "The thought of those small folk being mercilessly driven weighs my heart."
The sun moved across the sky in its usual manner as the hunters pressed on. Shadows grew from the east, but the orcs had now vanished from sight being very far ahead. Aragorn stopped them when night began to fall.
"Now we make a choice," he proclaimed. "Rest, or go on?"
"We will be farther behind should we rest," Legolas said.
"But surely even orcs need rest?" Gimli tried.
"Orcs rarely travel in daylight, but our targets have. It is doubtful they will take up rest at night." Legolas pointed out.
"But we will lose the trail if we go by night." Boromir countered.
"The trail does not change so far as I can see," Legolas answered.
"I could guess and lead you in the dark," Aragorn thought out loud. "But if they turned or we became lost, it would be long before we found the trail in day again."
"Also if the captives had escaped or been carried off in another direction, we may pass the signs." Gimli said.
"Very true, Master Dwarf," Aragorn agreed. "But if I read the clues correctly then the decision was final and they are on their way to Isengard."
"But it would be folly to trust their judgments," Gimli argued. "And what if one or both of them escaped? In the dark we would miss the signs just as you would have missed that brooch without light."
"Our friends would be wearier since then, and the Orcs more alert," Legolas told him. "Escape will only come if we are the cause. How is uncertain, but we must overtake them before all else."
"But even a Dwarf such as myself cannot run straight away to Isengard without rest. I am grieved too, but I must sleep some to run strongly again. The shroud of night is the best time to do so." Gimli stated.
"So then how should we solve this question?" Aragorn asked.
"I say you choose," Gimli answered him. "You are the guide and skilled in chase."
"My heart desires to move on, but we must not break apart. I will go with your decision." Legolas said.
Boromir stepped in. "I, too will go with your decision Aragorn. Such times are where your skills are of more use than mine."
"You leave it up to an unwise man, for since the Argonath my decisions have gone wrong." Aragorn admitted, falling silent as he looked around.
"If you were unwise Aragorn we all would be dead," Boromir assured him. "You are wiser than you admit."
"Even so," he said, smiling at his friend's comment. "We have not heard from the lady yet." He looked over at her. "Jacqueline?"
"We rest," she answered, facing him. "Darkness brings nothing more than doubt and second-guessing, even to me."
"But you know the fate of us, and what is happening with our friends," Boromir said. "Why must you doubt?"
"Because there is the unfortunate difference of knowing the land and actually having travelled the land," she replied. "Both you and Aragorn know this land far better than I. It is not reading the clues that I have trouble with; it is finding them that would be my obstacle."
"Then what exactly happened with the elven-brooch?" Gimli asked, voicing the question many of them had been wondering.
She thought a moment, and Aragorn passed the leaf to her before sitting with the rest of them. They all watched as she sat deep in thought, the brooch intertwining through her fingers.
"During the dispute with the orcs, Pippin was able to cut the bonds around his wrists, and he tied them loosely back on so no one would suspect. Not long after they received word of a rider who had spotted orc messengers who ran ahead, and his cords on his feet were cut. They made the hobbits walk at that point, and at one time he got a chance to run and he took it. He dropped the brooch to let anyone who came after him know he was alive."
"That is quite good to hear," Boromir sighed in relief.
"As it should be," Jacqueline added. "Both he and Merry are alive."
"But why have I not found any sign of Merry?" Aragorn's frustration asked.
"Merry suffered an injury and has not been as alert as Pippin. Until the rider both of the hobbits were being carried." she assured him.
Aragorn smiled. "Bless Lord Elrond for sending you with us, otherwise I might have been overcome by doubt."
She smiled back. "You still would have made it through without me, Elessar. Your heart is much stronger than you know, but time will show all things, I promise."
"You promise many things; how do we know you can keep them?" Boromir gently teased, much to everyone's amusement.
"Because I have already kept one promise to myself," she answered in an impish tone.
"And that promise is what?" Gimli asked, adding to the fun.
Her face went sober. "That Boromir would not fall at Amon Hen."
Silence overtook them; they had not expected something so serious. She continued to explain. "Boromir would have died defending Merry and Pippin, the rest of you would have been too overcome by Saruman's soldiers to save him."
"Is that why you came with us rather than stay in Lothlorien and learn about your history?" Legolas questioned, breaking his long silence. She became puzzled.
"Who said I was considering that?"
"I heard Rumil and Orophin discussing something about it," Legolas admitted.
"They probably shared Haldir's view of my departure then," she answered thoughtfully. "He could not see my use to accompanying you further."
"And yet you proved to be quite useful," Aragorn commented, trying to lift the dull atmosphere.
"He does not know what I know either," she added smiling. "And thankfully the Lord and Lady had some knowledge as well, else I might have ended up behind in Lothlorien."
"I had been meaning to ask you about your relationship with them both," Boromir started.
"I know, but night will not last much longer. I will explain everything on the morrow, when we have all had a good rest." she answered.
Realizing that she was indeed right, for the moon was falling, they all stretched out on the grass. It had been days since their last opportunity to sleep, and each of the Five Hunters welcomed and valued it. Jacqueline was the first to nod off, and she did not see Legolas taking a place near her though she sensed him near, nor did she take notice of Boromir drapping his cloak over her though she felt its warmth.
A/N: Okay, this is where I go from movie to book. Please be gentle. Also, I know some of you want a Boromir romance and some want a Legolas romance. My answer to you: don't count the chicks before they've hatched, and believe me they ain't hatching for awhile if you catch my drift.
Chapter 13 - From Emyn Muil to Rohan
The forest fell quickly behind as they climbed over sharp slopes with mercilessly jagged edges. They ran while the sky turned red and dusk fell, turning the land into a mass of grey, black and other such dark colours. It slowed them down, for they could not see as well in the night and they had come to the high plains of Emyn Muil where the path was hard to follow. Menacingly it stretched from North to South, its eastern ridges swelled with ravines and gullies while the western ridges were near-impossible. The hunters rested, having lost the trail and raching a hard choice.
"Which way would they have gone, do you guess?" Legolas asked generally, allowing anyone to answer. "North to take them straight to Isengard, south to strike the Entwash, or would they head to Fangorn?"
"They would not make for the Entwash regardless of their mark," Aragorn replied, studying the landscape best he could.
"And unless Saruman has grown in power and much toil is in Rohan, which I doubt, they would take the quickest route." Boromir added.
"Then let us go north," Aragorn concluded, glancing at Jacqueline who only nodded in agreement. So off they were again, running down into a dale between grey hills on their left and a ridged cliff on their right. A sliver of a stream trickled among large rocks at the bottom of the hills they passed. Aragorn was low, searching for any clues that would help, while Legolas and Jacqueline ran ahead being the faster of the five. They stumbled upon something and called the others to them.
"It seems that we have overtaken some of those we hunt," Legolas exclaimed, pointing downwards.
"Yet another riddle greets us," said Gimli. "We cannot wait for the dawn which would help us to read it."
"It does not seem hopeful which ever way you read it." Legolas stated. He turned to Boromir and Aragorn. "Does anyone dwell here?"
"No," Boromir answered. "We are too far from Minas Tirith; rarely do the Riders of Rohan venture this far out."
"I would say that it might have been a group of men hunting if it were not for the immense doubt I feel," Aragorn added.
"Then what are your thoughts?" Gimli questioned.
"There must have been a debate of sorts; not surprising with such creatures. These here are Northern Orcs, not the ones we seek. It seems our enemy has another enemy of its own. Most likely this dispute was over their route."
"Or their prisoners," Gimli said, contributing to Aragorn's theory. "Let us hope their end did not come here, if it came at all."
Aragorn searched the area for more clues as to what happened with Boromir's help, quickly covering much of the area but finding nothing more. Jacqueline walked around the bodies examining the blood on the ground. Legolas walked up to her, curious about her actions.
"Tell me something," he said quietly. "Did our friends meet their end here? Either of them?"
Jacqueline crouched down and stroked her fingers through the blood-stained grass. It was starting to dry, and the vulgar smell was not as repulsive as it should have been. She stared into the distance as she examined the blood on her hand.
"No. Neither Merry nor Pippin found their end. They were on the side when this fight occured. These Moria Orcs tried to rebel against our targets, fighting about the ransom up for our friends. As a result, they paid with their lives."
Boromir joined them, his frustration on his sleeve. "How long ago was this quarrel?"
"Hours. How many I am not sure," she answered, not breaking her gaze. "They still have a great lead on us, and they will not stop unless they are forced to."
Having found out nothing more, they continued as dawn approached and came to another stream where Aragorn picked up the trail.
"This is what we are searching for!" he exclaimed. "Come, we follow it!"
They all darted forward, suddenly filled with new energy. Their newfound strength took them to a crest and the crisp morning air blew around them. The day crept up behind them and the Five Hunters turned to greet it. The sun came up as a red orb over the hilltops, waking the sleeping earth. The colours of day bloomed before them giving life to Rohan in the west, and beyond that lay the land of Gondor.
Aragorn's and Boromir's hearts lifted at the sight of it. "Gondor!" Boromir breathed.
"How much I would desire to look upon you at happier times. Not yet does our road lead to you." Aragorn sighed regretfully.
Boromir placed a hand on his shoulder. "Let us go. One day our paths will take us there, and Gondor will be in its glory once again."
They turned back north where the ridge dropped sharply down and stretched to the East Wall of Rohan, ending Emyn Muil. Legolas' ever-watchful gaze caught something in the sky.
"Look!" he pointed. "The eagle, again! He seems to be flying away, high back to the north and with great speed!"
"He must be high indeed; my eyes cannot find him," Aragorn replied.
"But mine can," Jacqueline answered, gazing upwards. "He is Gwaihir, the Windlord."
They all looked astonishingly at her, moreso Legolas. "How is it that your eyes can see what mine cannot?!" he exclaimed.
She looked away blinking, breaking her stare. Pain had surged into her eyes. "I, I am not sure," she answered, still blinking. She looked at them. "That was my first time ever attempting that. I had no idea I could even do such a thing."
"Do you think it might be a gift of your father?" Legolas asked.
"It's possible," amazedly she answered. "I had not thought of that as an answer."
"Why? Who is your father?" Boromir interrupted, obvious to the fact that Legolas knew something the other two didn't.
"These are questions that can be answered later," Aragorn stated. "Something moves over the plain ahead."
"It is a great company," Legolas corrected him. "Maybe twelve leagues or so away. It is hard to tell."
"I think it is quite clear where we go now," Gimli said, speaking up. "Let us find the quickest path to the field."
"There is no quicker path than that the ones our enemies left behind," Aragorn commented. They followed the path downwards with daylight as their guide. Dropped, ripped broken and casted-away objects outlined an even clearer way and the hunters followed it with ease. It took them around the northern part of the hill and followed the rough staircase downwards.
Without warning they came to the meadows of Rohan. The stream fell into waterplants and underground tunnels gurgling away to the Entwash Vale in the distance. A rich lively smell flooded the air; spring graced Rohan. Legolas inhaled deeply, becoming refreshed by the scent.
"The fragrance is sweet. Let us run; it is better than rest."
"Light feet move quicker here," said Aragorn. "Now we can close the gap between them and us!"
Single file they ran, the run being easier. West the grass had been destroyed by orc-feet who had marched by that place. The grass of Rohan had been bruised and tortured. Not long after they had started off, Aragorn veered off to the right.
"Stay, and don't follow yet!" he called over his shoulder. Familiar footprints caught his eye and he followed it. Another set of hideous footprints choaked them out, but Aragorn was not in total despair; an object caught his eye. He picked it up and re-joined his group.
"Those are definitely hobbit feet that made those prints," he commented. "Most likely Pippin's; he's smaller. There was also this."
He held up what looked to be a beech leaf, catching the sunlight and reflecting it back.
"An elven-cloak brooch!" Gimli and Legolas gasped in unison. Aragorn nodded.
"The leaves of Lorien don't fall without cause. This was intentionally left behind; Pippin must have run from his captors."
"Then he still was alive and able to use his legs," Gimli said, relieved. "Our pursuit is not in vain."
"Let us hope he at least still lives, should we catch up to them," Boromir replied.
"Come, let us go!" Legolas urged. "The thought of those small folk being mercilessly driven weighs my heart."
The sun moved across the sky in its usual manner as the hunters pressed on. Shadows grew from the east, but the orcs had now vanished from sight being very far ahead. Aragorn stopped them when night began to fall.
"Now we make a choice," he proclaimed. "Rest, or go on?"
"We will be farther behind should we rest," Legolas said.
"But surely even orcs need rest?" Gimli tried.
"Orcs rarely travel in daylight, but our targets have. It is doubtful they will take up rest at night." Legolas pointed out.
"But we will lose the trail if we go by night." Boromir countered.
"The trail does not change so far as I can see," Legolas answered.
"I could guess and lead you in the dark," Aragorn thought out loud. "But if they turned or we became lost, it would be long before we found the trail in day again."
"Also if the captives had escaped or been carried off in another direction, we may pass the signs." Gimli said.
"Very true, Master Dwarf," Aragorn agreed. "But if I read the clues correctly then the decision was final and they are on their way to Isengard."
"But it would be folly to trust their judgments," Gimli argued. "And what if one or both of them escaped? In the dark we would miss the signs just as you would have missed that brooch without light."
"Our friends would be wearier since then, and the Orcs more alert," Legolas told him. "Escape will only come if we are the cause. How is uncertain, but we must overtake them before all else."
"But even a Dwarf such as myself cannot run straight away to Isengard without rest. I am grieved too, but I must sleep some to run strongly again. The shroud of night is the best time to do so." Gimli stated.
"So then how should we solve this question?" Aragorn asked.
"I say you choose," Gimli answered him. "You are the guide and skilled in chase."
"My heart desires to move on, but we must not break apart. I will go with your decision." Legolas said.
Boromir stepped in. "I, too will go with your decision Aragorn. Such times are where your skills are of more use than mine."
"You leave it up to an unwise man, for since the Argonath my decisions have gone wrong." Aragorn admitted, falling silent as he looked around.
"If you were unwise Aragorn we all would be dead," Boromir assured him. "You are wiser than you admit."
"Even so," he said, smiling at his friend's comment. "We have not heard from the lady yet." He looked over at her. "Jacqueline?"
"We rest," she answered, facing him. "Darkness brings nothing more than doubt and second-guessing, even to me."
"But you know the fate of us, and what is happening with our friends," Boromir said. "Why must you doubt?"
"Because there is the unfortunate difference of knowing the land and actually having travelled the land," she replied. "Both you and Aragorn know this land far better than I. It is not reading the clues that I have trouble with; it is finding them that would be my obstacle."
"Then what exactly happened with the elven-brooch?" Gimli asked, voicing the question many of them had been wondering.
She thought a moment, and Aragorn passed the leaf to her before sitting with the rest of them. They all watched as she sat deep in thought, the brooch intertwining through her fingers.
"During the dispute with the orcs, Pippin was able to cut the bonds around his wrists, and he tied them loosely back on so no one would suspect. Not long after they received word of a rider who had spotted orc messengers who ran ahead, and his cords on his feet were cut. They made the hobbits walk at that point, and at one time he got a chance to run and he took it. He dropped the brooch to let anyone who came after him know he was alive."
"That is quite good to hear," Boromir sighed in relief.
"As it should be," Jacqueline added. "Both he and Merry are alive."
"But why have I not found any sign of Merry?" Aragorn's frustration asked.
"Merry suffered an injury and has not been as alert as Pippin. Until the rider both of the hobbits were being carried." she assured him.
Aragorn smiled. "Bless Lord Elrond for sending you with us, otherwise I might have been overcome by doubt."
She smiled back. "You still would have made it through without me, Elessar. Your heart is much stronger than you know, but time will show all things, I promise."
"You promise many things; how do we know you can keep them?" Boromir gently teased, much to everyone's amusement.
"Because I have already kept one promise to myself," she answered in an impish tone.
"And that promise is what?" Gimli asked, adding to the fun.
Her face went sober. "That Boromir would not fall at Amon Hen."
Silence overtook them; they had not expected something so serious. She continued to explain. "Boromir would have died defending Merry and Pippin, the rest of you would have been too overcome by Saruman's soldiers to save him."
"Is that why you came with us rather than stay in Lothlorien and learn about your history?" Legolas questioned, breaking his long silence. She became puzzled.
"Who said I was considering that?"
"I heard Rumil and Orophin discussing something about it," Legolas admitted.
"They probably shared Haldir's view of my departure then," she answered thoughtfully. "He could not see my use to accompanying you further."
"And yet you proved to be quite useful," Aragorn commented, trying to lift the dull atmosphere.
"He does not know what I know either," she added smiling. "And thankfully the Lord and Lady had some knowledge as well, else I might have ended up behind in Lothlorien."
"I had been meaning to ask you about your relationship with them both," Boromir started.
"I know, but night will not last much longer. I will explain everything on the morrow, when we have all had a good rest." she answered.
Realizing that she was indeed right, for the moon was falling, they all stretched out on the grass. It had been days since their last opportunity to sleep, and each of the Five Hunters welcomed and valued it. Jacqueline was the first to nod off, and she did not see Legolas taking a place near her though she sensed him near, nor did she take notice of Boromir drapping his cloak over her though she felt its warmth.
