I'm sorry for the long wait for the next chapter, I've been very busy, chapter 6 is on its way, hopefully I'll have more done in the Easter holidays, hopefully a few more chapters.
Chapter 5 – The new bearer
"Frodo!" a faint whisper came to the hobbits ears and he looked cautiously upwards to see his cousin being carried by a rather large Uruk-Hai. It was talking to the one that was guarding Frodo by the door of Orthanc. "Have you still got it?" Pippin asked quickly, knowing for well that Saruman wanted the Ring and would take it from Frodo. Frodo nodded slightly. "Saruman will take it, we can't let him!" Frodo's eyes widened with fear. The Uruk-hai dropped Pippin roughly on the floor next to Frodo, not knowing that the pair where talking.
"Do you want me to take that one!" said Sugnu to Frodo's guarder, "Sharky wants me to teach this one the meaning of pain, I've got to take him to the dungeons!" the two Uruk-hai laughed and spoke in their own language.
"Saruman searched me for the Ring Frodo!" Pippin spoke quickly not knowing the amount of time they had, "he will search you, I don't know what will happen if he gets hold of it, their taking me to the dungeons" his voice wavered at the thought "because I won't tell him anything!"
"Well done Pip," Frodo thought wildly for a plan, he paused for a second "what if you take it!" he hesitated in the idea, he'd never offered anyone his Ring except Gandalf or Galadrial, surely Pippin couldn't take it. He was too young yet he had no choice. Either Pippin took it or Saruman would take it from him.
"Me?" Pippin was unsure "But..."
"Just take it please, I'd rather you than Saruman have it!" Frodo cried "take it off my neck my hands are bound, quickly!" Pippin did as he was told.
"What do I do with it!" he whispered looking at it with wonder in his hand, "its so heavy!" He stared at it for a moment.
"Put it in your pocket before one of the Uruk-hai see!" Pippin shoved his hand in his pocket. "Don't put it on!" warned Frodo, "whatever happens, if I do the same as you maybe Saruman will send me to the dungeons with you, you can give me it back then!"
"But" Pippin couldn't find any words to say.
"Well I'd best be off!" laughed Sugnu, grabbing Pippin and tossing him over his shoulder. "Off to teach you some manners aren't we!" he slapped Pippin hard on his back. Frodo smiled slightly as he watched his cousin taken away, he had been so brave already, he just hope Pippin could hold on. As the Uruk-hai disappeared from view Wormtongue appeared through the door.
"Time to give Sharky what he's been looking for!" he laughed cruelly and picked Frodo up and started up the stairs of Orthanc.
With Legolas and Gimli: -"Welcome!" said a young Rohan man, "you are strange travellers!" he frowned "to see an elf and dwarf together is seldom seen, let alone in King Theoden's land!" Legolas bowed.
"We have come for shelter and aid!" he said, "My dear companion here is unwell!" The man looked suspiciously at the bundle in his arms. "He is a hobbit or a halfling as you may know them as, he has been pierced by an arrow!"
The man looked closer at Sam's sleeping form, "Ok sir, come right this way!" He lead the three friend to a nearby hut, inside their was a number of beds, "this is the healing house" he said "Hanaf is our healer, I will leave you with her, for now I must return to my duties!"
Both Gimli and Legolas bowed at the Rohirrm maid, "We are travellers," explained Legolas again, "this here is Gimli son of Gloin the dwarf, I am Legolas Prince of Mirkwood and our companion here is Samwise Gamgee, he is a Hobbit for the far land of the Shire, he needs a little healing!"
The maid bowed "My name is Hanaf, I am the villages healer, forgive me but I have never heard of a hobbit before?"
"Halfling?" asked Gimli
The maid nodded, deep in thought, "I did not believe that halflings lived, they are only told in poems and tales here, what may be wrong with your friend?"
"He was captured by Uruk-hai along with three more of his kind. I do not know of the whereabouts of the other three, though I fear that they are in a worst state than he. Sam was pierced by a Rohirrm arrow when the group where attacked, the arrow has been removed by a skilled healer, he needs bed rest and a little healing of his other wounds!"
Hanaf listened with wonder "I see you have many storied to tell Legolas, please, put Sam on one of our beds" Legolas did so and unwrapped the blanket from around him. Sam stirred.
"Where am I?" Was the first question he asked.
"You are in the Rohan village of Dunriaf, if I'm right in saying, this is Hanaf their healer, we are going to stay here till you are well"
"What about the others, Frodo, Merry, Pippin?" Sam was quick to ask of his friends.
"There is no news." Sam's face dropped.
"Aragorn and Boromir are looking for them!" cried Gimli trying to lighten Sam's mood, but it didn't work.
"Why don't you let the young healer look at your hurts Sam?" Legolas said softly. Sam nodded.
He was stripped of his bag, cloak and coat. And his shirt was undone, revealing the large bandage tied around his middle. Hanaf carefully took it off and inspected the arrow wound.
"It is healing nicely." she said gently, "it needs only a clean, we should be thankful that it wasn't a poison arrow. Do you have any other hurts Sam?"
"Well" Sam had to think about it for a moment, "my wrists!" he said holding out his hands showing the red raw grazes around his wrists. "I was bound."
Hanaf looked carefully at them, "I'll clean them." she said "I see you have many cuts and bruises too Sam"
"I'm afraid so" Sam said, feeling a little embarrassed, "I have some whip marks," he added "on my legs and back"
After good inspection Hanaf found three deep cuts on Sam's calves and two on his back, she shook her head at the sight. "I don't understand how such cruelty can go on." she was close to tears.
"We got to him as soon as we could" answered Legolas.
"My lady, do not worry about me." Sam felt teary himself now, "I will survive!" Sam placed his small hand on hers, "please, don't feel upset."
She smiled. "You seem hardy folk" she said, "I will heal you and then you can be on your way soon to find your friends"