Faces of War
Chapter 25: Recalling
Disclaimer: The Characters and some of the settings of this story are the work of J.R.R. Tolkien....a true author and muse of exceptional talent. I am gaining nothing of value from my endeavors....save the fun and fantasy of exploring the world of words with some of my favorite people, hobbits, dwarves and an occasional elf....enjoy!
ShireBaggins: Frodo is reduced to hobbling with a crutch...something I myself am also doing at the moment...life and literature coexisting once more....his work is generally more sedentary than the tasks given to the others...but heh, these are bad guys....their expectations are all around unreasonable don't you think? The Orcs may just surprise you!
endymion2: Back a couple of chapters ago I mentioned that Frodo had put his childhood hours of watching Merry and Pippin get into mischief to use as he discerned how to make explosives from spying on Gandalf with his cousins...Frodo had been given the task in the mines....before Anborn came along...of helping to build the explosives... which he "bartered" in exchange for better rations for the children. Yes, the Orcs are here...there will be more Orcs than elves actually...well at least "speaking" elves....I hope they will actually act a balance of another sort!
ClaudiaofBree: I think that Gandalf's prophecy( early chapter) of "allowing Mr. Baggins to aid himself in some way" will be a part of the picture....of course he will have help...ultimately...from some expected and some unexpected sources! Frodo is not the only one who gets rescued here.....
Elwen: Frodo is busy redefining what it means to be "put through the mill"....but then again the Valar did choose him for a reason!
The hardness of the cavern floor gave way to the fallen form of the ringbearer and in seconds Rosetta had clambered from the side of the ruffian restraining her to be at the side of her Frodo. Her soft and gentle fingers wound themselves in and amongst his filthy curls as she pleaded "Wake up Sir Frodo, wake up". Frodo fought his way to wakefulness once more and opened his eyes to the relieved smile of the child beside him. "Tis all right Princess...just a moment of dizziness...here" he gasped, "help me up then". Rosetta looked worried but wrapped her tiny arm about his waist and tried to pull him up. The guard standing nearest, with a look of assent from Dalmer, stepped forward to help and yanked the Hobbit roughly to his feet. Frodo stood, panting from his effort to work through his pain and fear, and glared at the men about him. He pulled Rosetta closer to him as he looked to the doorway and was reminded of the reason for his fear.
Frodo's mouth went suddenly dry and he felt his slender hands tremble as he held to the shoulders of the princess. Dalmer watched his response with something akin to pleasure, 'this'll do it' he thought. The footsteps drew nearer and Frodo shuddered, there was no mistaking the solid, unforgiving and angry footsteps of Orcs. He had to swallow his panic, he would not allow Dalmer to see his discomfort....not at any cost. He took a deep breath and softly, reassuringly, gave a gentle squeeze to Rosetta's shoulders. "I am bigger than this....I have always been bigger than this" he said under his breath.
A moment later, three dark colored, large and scantily glad Orcs came into view as they were pushed before the men who were their guards. They wore chains upon their ankles and about their necks were welded metal collars, each with a fastening that could be chained to secure and further control it's wearer. The largest of the three walked with arms bent and it's humped and twisted back gave the impression that somewhere in his life he had himself faced the torture of the rack which had been his charge to operate. His hair, black and streaked with grey, hung in greasy strands on the sides of his face while the back was tied into a quick que with a leather thong. His yellowed eyes reflected his hatred and anger, Frodo felt his unease grow, there was in the pit of his stomach a warning signal....this orc felt familiar to him. The second prisoner stood not as tall as the first, but far straighter. His skin was cris crossed with a series of fine scars and welts upon a torso that rippled with it's prideful muscles and sustaining hatred. It's face was pitted and scarred with one red rimmed eye permantly cast down from a heinous wound which would no longer allow it to work fully. It's fangs were yellowed and his cavernous mouth gaped open as it breathed heavily and drool slowly ran from the corners of it's blackened lips. It was the gaze of the third orc that took Frodo's attention. The third orc was smaller, much thinner and not nearly as broad and muscled as the other two. His stance was less threatening, his dark skin was the color of well worn cherry and was marked with a series of black tatoos that ran from his shoulders and down his back. Frodo was drawn to the posture and stance of this one, he seemed to be in some way inferior to the others and seemed to be wary of his actions compared to his companions. His hair, also black and dirty, had a fullness, a health and a sheen that brought to mind not ugliness but beauty. The notion of beauty residing in an orc was so foreign to Frodo that he nearly smiled. The first orc caught the essence of the hobbit's grin and growled his displeasure. Dalmer laughed "I can see yer all gonna get on jest fine together....let me introduce you to yer new companions Half High....these here are what's left of a band of marauding orcs that was found pillaging Villages ta the west ...The bent one goes by Durzak, the scarred one by Muglaz and this is their friend....his name is Qurag." . The orcs eyed Frodo with contempt, loathing and hatred , their beady eyes sizing him up and making him wish he could hide from their scrutiny. Dalmer walked to the biggest orc, Durak and with the point of his sword urged him to move closer to the ringbearer.
Frodo shrank back in involuntary terror, the rasping breath and foul stench of the Orc's body begged to bring forth a flood of memories. He set his lips in a hard line and focused his thoughts on the events before him 'I am stronger now, I can be bigger than this' he said to himself. Dalmer watched the expressions of fear, anger and pride move in fleeting patterns across the ringbearer's face and he smirked "this here's the ringbearer boys....he's the one that killed yer master and took all yer life from ye...ye might say he's the reason yer where are right now." Rosetta shrunk closer to Frodo as the second Orc began to gnash his teeth and clench and unclench his fists as he rocked his massive body from side to side. Frodo wrapped his arms about Rosetta, determined to keep her safe, he felt her tremble in his arms. Dalmer walked then to where Frodo stood and leaning next to him whispered "They are your new room mates half high, and while yer doing as I say....they'll be kept ta one side 'o the cave and chained ta the walls....and yer to be kept on this side" he gestured to where they stood "but I will warn ya only once....the chains these fellas wear may jest be harder ta find one morning if I see yer not doin' yer share."
Frodo sighed heavily and shook his head "what do you wish from me Dalmer? I will not allow harm to come to the children, you need not threaten me to get what you desire...you can see that I will cooperate to ensure their safety." he said steadily, brows furrowed in worry as he wondered what game his captor was trying now to engage him in. Dalmer nodded "Aye, I know you'll do all ya can to keep them alive....but it's yer life I'm needed too halfling....none 'o this deciding ta take a long journey , none 'o this choice of the vanished houses of Numenor...or ye'll find yer Princess here" he reached a calloused and filthy hand to fondle Rosetta curls as he bent down and stared right into Frodo's bright blue eyes "sharin' in all yer 'pleasant dreams' about yer experiences at the hands of their kin" he laughed as he gestured to the Orcs across the room. Frodo felt a vast pit of hatred and fear open in his mind, he fought the pull of foul memories and past darkness, knowing that he'd need to keep his wits about him. He clenched his eyes closed but a moment as he fought off his fear and closed his mind to the terrors he'd lived through, he vowed he would only think of the future, of the children. He put all his energy into his strength of will, he fought back his demons and opened his mind only to the possibilities of the future. He opened his eyes, looked down to the bright orbs gazing up at him from their nest of blond curls and turned his gaze to the hard grey of Dalmer's soulless eyes. "You have my word, I'll not give further thought to the Valar's gift, but in turn you must give me some assurances." Dalmer stood up tall, put his hands on his hips and laughed out loud "What gives you the right to barter? I am in no mood to make deals until I see what you can produce..." he turned and looked at the three Orcs across the way and then back to the determined Hobbit before him "You will work together, you will clear these back tunnels....together...and until I see that you can do this, there'll be no deals Halfling, nor any food until I am satisfied...that goes for you and the rest of the children..." Dalmer departed with the sound of his evil laugh echoing from the walls of the ever narrowing tunnels.
Frodo was left with a trembling child in his arms, five of Dalmer's guards and three orcs glaring and grinding their teeth just feet from where he stood. He took a deep breath and readied himself for the arduous tasks ahead, hoping he'd find a way to remain strong enough to keep to his feet for a just a few more days. He felt the sweat upon his brow and knew his fever to be slowly building, with a moan he positioned his crutch and followed the guards to the spot where he was to assemble the fuses and explosives needed for his Princess to blow the back tunnels.
They worked all that day, Frodo painstakingly pouring the explosive powders into a variety of canisters, twisting and attaching the fuses and making trailers to attach the fuses to. As each canister was finished then the guards would tell Rosetta which tunnel to set it to and he and the Princess would huddle together to avoid being hit by the spray of rocks as the debris of the cave slowly rained down upon them. Then the Orcs would, with their massive muscles and grunting anger, move the rocks as Frodo and Rosetta readied the next blast site. It was slow work and Frodo found there was a balance to be sought, a bigger blast meant more damage....but less control, while a series of smaller blasts took longer to clear but could be more easily directed. Several times Dalmer came back to inspect the progress, his face an impassive picture of what his heart desired, he would grunt his approval and they would continue.
As the day drew to it's close, Frodo, nearing the end of his reserve of strength, watched as Dalmer's face showed his displeasure at last "this 'tis too slow....I know there is more gold back there...ye'll have ta use a greater charge in the next few blasts". He barked at his men. Frodo, who'd been quietly keeping Rosetta near to him as he filled the next round of canisters said boldly "the walls will not hold if we increase the blast, if you want the tunnels to be shaped and not destroyed, you'll have to use smaller and more frequent charges." The tunnel was silent as Dalmer stalked over to where Frodo sat propped against the wall preparing to fill his next canister, the Orcs, sweating and panting from their exertion stopped their lifting to observe the interaction between the man and the halfling. Dalmer glared but a moment at the pale form beside him then bending swiftly he clutched Frodo about the neck and lifted him, pressing him back against the jagged wall of the tunnel "ye'll do as I say halfling....or ye'll work all night" he barked as he threw Frodo back against the wall. Frodo's head impacted with the tunnel wall and left his vision swimming with bright flashes of light specks. He shook his head and watched in dismay as Dalmer stomped from the tunnel. The Orcs watched in silence, waiting to see what their next task would be.
He sighed heavily as the guards gestured for him to keep working and against his better judgement he filled the next canister with a greater amount of powder and he showed Rosetta where to place it in the tiniest crevice in the back reaches of the tunnel. He stood tiredly and began to hobble out from the tunnel...urging Rosetta to run before him. His crutch slipped and he nearly fell in his haste to stand up again. He groaned as his infected leg came in contact with the ground but he forced himself to keep moving and he urged his Princess forward. Rosetta had just turned the corner and run from the tunnel opening when Frodo saw the orange flash and heard the sizzle of the fuse as it was lit. He watched as it raced along and he struggled to exit the tunnel, but his injuries and fever were proving too much and he felt himself gasping for air as he tried to hurry his awkward gait. 'I'll never make it' he found himself thinking as he was suddenly aware of a crushing arm about him and the stench of unwashed hides as he was propelled down the length of the tunnel. They rounded the corner and he felt himself thrown into a heap of sweaty arms, unwashed skin and tightened muscles as a loud explosion filled the air and the world about him turned grey.
When the dust cleared and the tunnel was quiet, save for the sound of coughing and the random skitter of falling gravel, he opened his eyes to find that he was in a tangle of Orc arms and legs and looked up to find jagged teeth and scarred skin growling at him. He trembled inside, but held to his vow and forced himself to look for Rosetta "Princess...where are you? Are you hurt?" he asked, his fear for her making his voice sound wavering and weak. In seconds a large dark arm was raised and Rosetta popped up, seated upon the Orc known as Qurog....she, of all things, had a smile upon her face "that tickles " she exclaimed as she pushed the Orc's long hair from her face. Frodo watched in amazement as the smaller Orc gently removed his hair and carefully unrolled himself from her. "Sorry Miss" he said softly, his voice a mere whisper that only Frodo with his senses heightened from his trials with the ring, could hear with any clarity. Princess giggled, for she had seen the look of apology in the Orc's eyes, even if she hadn't heard the words, "that's all right silly, now let's get Sir Frodo up from this mess." Frodo stared in amazement as the smallest Orc pushed his way through the other two and helped him to his feet. He tried to mutter his thanks but no words would come and with a brief exchange of eye contact, the moment for thanks was gone. The other two Orcs spoke loudly and harshly in their black speech and it was apparent to Frodo that the smallest Orc, Qurag, was being chastised.
The guards forced them apart and set the Orcs to clearing the larger stones while Frodo and Rosetta were told to clear the smaller stones. Dalmer appeared suddenly as Frodo was struggling to lift a stone, the man watched as Frodo, red faced from his struggles finally heaved the stone over the edge into the waiting handcart. He clapped the hobbit upon the back in congratulations, nearly knocking the exhausted hobbit to the ground in his enthusiasm. "Well done, for this you shall have food and water, as will your friends....you shall even have some hours to sleep! I can see that my idea to increase the charges will work and we shall make even more progress in the morning." Frodo groaned his fatigue as he began to hobble behind Dalmer, with Rosetta there to aid him they made it back to the front and he collapsed upon the ground. The blond haired waif snuggled against her Frodo and pulled his head into her lap stroked his cheek anxiously "Sir Frodo, you need Kylos and Toleman to bring you your medicine....". she whispered. He looked up at her, from where his head was cradled "shh child, don't go making troubles...I will be fine for another day or two with out it..." he gasped, he was having trouble keeping his eyes open, he was so very tired, he couldn't remember ever feeling more tired in his whole life 'not even Mordor sapped my strength like this' he thought as he began to drift in his feverish sleep.
In moments he was shaken awake by a guard who brought him a stale hunk of bread, a bowl of thin broth and a cup of water. He struggled to sit up and watched as Rosetta had her share then began to eat himself. As he tore off a chunk of the bread he watched the Orcs chained across from him. The smaller one watched Rosetta with a thoughtful look upon his face and other two stared the whole time at him. He grew uneasy as they watched him eat and then it slowly dawned on him that they had been given no food. He gestured to one of the guards to come forward "Why have they been given no food?" he asked looking towards the Orcs. The guard snorted "them? Why they'll eat when we catches a deer or some other game....they only eat every three days or so...don't worry yerself over them animals" the guard laughed as he stood up and moved away. Frodo, unable to forget the kindness shown to him earlier, and feeling uneasy with the stares being sent his way got up from his spot and brought his bread and broth to the area before them and signaled for Rosetta to bring his water as well. He knelt down and offered them to the smaller one, the one who'd spoken earlier "here, please take some food, you will need strength for tomorrow's labors" he pleaded gently as he looked into the eyes of the Orc known as Qurag.
Qurag, his dark brown eyes looking thoughtfully upon the food nodded his thanks and Frodo went back to his seat on the opposite wall. He pulled a weary Rosetta to him and set her head upon his lap. As he fell asleep his thoughts were of his Princess and the way she'd smiled as Qurag's hair had tickled her face...and of the look that had been upon the Orc's face, a look of sadness and loss.