Orcish Revenge
Chapter 2 - Riders of Rohan
The next morning Sam awoke to the sound of familiar voices. He sat up slowly and rubbed his eyes. The voices stopped and Sam was suddenly aware that three sets of eyes were staring at him. Then Sam recognised the owners of the eyes and let out a cry of joy.
'Mister Merry! Faramir! Where am I? Is this another dream?' Sam squeaked.
'You're in Bree, Sam' Merry said 'This is all real, and if you don't believe me, here' Merry handed Sam a plate. Eggs, bacon, sausage, toast and numerous other delicious looking items covered the plate. 'Get some of that into you'.
'Eat quickly we're leaving at nine. We must reach the gap of Rohan in a fortnight at the very most' Faramir said, putting his cloak on and attaching his sheathed sword to his belt.
'Rohan? Why are we… is this because of my dreams? Did Pippin tell you about my dreams? Did you come to get me?' Sam asked, a mixture of worry and delight dancing across his face.
'I had come to get you three in the hopes of you visiting under more pleasant terms. But then, yes, Pippin did tell me of your Orcs from Moria. We must go quickly, I have heard enough to believe that your dream was more than just a mere dream'.
The hobbits ate and dressed quickly, they said farewell to Barliman and were soon on the road. They rode along at a steady pace and it seemed to them that the hours sped by. At nightfall they made camp on the edge of the road under a large oak tree. The oak towered high above them, it's branches spread far out above them, it provided an ideal shelter should it rain as the sky seemed to have be threatening to do all afternoon.
They all slept peacefully, and despite Sam's dreams Faramir did not set a watch. He felt there was little danger yet, and Orcs are not known for stealth. At two o'clock, Merry awoke at the occurrence of a loud noise from the road.
'Horns! Faramir wake up! There are horns from the east!' Merry whispered harshly, shaking Faramir awake. Faramir got up and listened intently. Merry woke the others.
'They are indeed horns from Rohan, Merry. But they may have Orcs before them, we should move under the trees' Faramir picked up the bags and threw them down under the cover of the trees. Pippin and Sam hid behind the great oak and Merry knelt in the bushes nearby. Faramir climbed a small tree and looked out over the road. 'I was right, there are dark figures running before them!' He called down to the hobbits.
Soon they could hear the hoof beats and the horse cries. Finally the Orcs reached the spot on the road where they had turned aside. The first few stopped and looked towards the great oak.
'They smelt us, Pippin' Merry whispered. Merry drew his sword. The Orcs drew closer. Merry and Pippin emerged from their hiding places. The Orcs hesitated at the sight of the tall hobbits, standing defiantly with glimmering swords. But then they soon regained their composure and advanced upon the hobbits with a snarl.
'For the Shire!' Merry and Pippin shouted hewing the heads of the first two Orcs. More ran over from the fleeing horde. The two hobbits beheaded several more and gutted two others before they were overwhelmed. Faramir jumped down, swinging his sword as he dropped from the tree's branches. Three Orcs fell, followed swiftly by four more. Sam then emerged and stabbed one from behind sit lunged at Merry. Then the Riders of Rohan caught up to the Orcs, crashing into their ranks. None were spared. Whilst the riders burnt the Orcs and tended the injured, one rider approached the travellers.
'Those are quite some warriors you travel with Faramir, son of Denethor, Keeper of Ithilien and friend of the Mark'. The rider spoke loudly removing his helmet.
'Warriors of the East and West they are, Rider of Rohan. You stand before Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took and Samwise Gamgee of the Shire, Friends of Éomer, Aragorn and many more'. Faramir said clearly pointing to each one in turn. 'And one a Warrior of Rohan', he added.
The rider stopped at once and bowed low. 'Forgive me, I would have done so earlier but did not know whose presence I was graced with'. The Rider stood and called out in Rohirrim; 'Behold, fellow riders! We have been blessed with the company of Faramir, son of Denethor, Keeper of Ithilien. Meriadoc Brandybuck, Warrior of the Mark and friend of King Éomer. Peregrin Took, Member of the Royal Guard of Minas Tirith and Samwise Gamgee, Companion of Frodo Baggins, destroyer of Sauron and the One Ring!' At this, all stopped what they were doing and bowed their heads in respect.
'Thank You! But this is not necessary, what news from the Mark!' Faramir called out.
'News! If you want news you must come to Edoras, for there is too much news to tell now. But of these Orcs I will tell you. King Éomer asked the masters of Lothlorien, Mirkwood, Dale and The Lonely Mountain to drive out and kill the Orcs from Moria. We are all that remains of force sent out by the King. The men of Dale and most of the Elves from Mirkwood have already turned homeward. Lothlorien did not answer his calls. The Dwarves are within Moria taking what they can before they block the doors forever' One of the riders said.
'Mirkwood! Tell me rider of Rohan! Was Legolas Greenleaf with the Elves of Mirkwood?' Pippin asked excitedly.
'Legolas? Yes, and he is one that has remained in the Mark. Hunting Goblins over the plains I believe. He was to return to Edoras before leaving for home' another rider answered.
'Where are you heading now' Faramir asked wiping his blade clean of Orc blood.
'The Gap of Rohan. Then on the Edoras, hopefully', the leader said.
'Very well. Will you allow us to travel with you?' Faramir asked mounting his horse.
'Of course!' cried the leader, 'It would be an honor'.
'I don't suppose we could stop at the gate of Moria. Perhaps Gimli is there…' Pippin asked hopefully.
'Yes, we should check on the progress there anyway. To the Gate of Moria!' The leader turned and mounted his horse, the host rode away with a few waiting to ride as an escort whilst the hobbits mounted and caught up.
Revised version - Some slight additions and modifications, fixed spelling and grammar etc. No changes to the story, just an improvement on the writing.