The Balrog Slayer Rides Again
Chapter 9
Glorfindel trudged through the rain, leading an injured Asfaloth by the reins.
He had been planning his revenge Aragorn since the rain started falling.
Hot horse manure would be good… He could never get the smell off.
Glorfindel could almost hear Elrond's scolding voice.
"Glorfindel, now who do you sound like?"
Glorfindel growled. "Easy for you to say. It's not you that's been sent after a fool-hardy mortal and a bunch of Halflings. It's not you who's had a spoiled elven princeling to baby-sit. It's not you who had to battle one of the most evil creatures in Middle Earth. It's not you who had to battle four-dozen orcs with a clumsy mortal. It's not you who has the horse whose been beaten by twisted yrch. It's not you trudging through the rain. Easy for you to say."
Glorfindel knew a warrior should never complain, but…
"You're getting old, Glorfindel. You're too soft. You need a real adventure."
Glorfindel imagined Elladan's teasing voice. Elladan and Elrohir always said things like that. They could drive him crazy sometimes.
Glorfindel glared into the shadows. The dark seemed to be playing tricks on his mind. Ever since the clouds rolled in, nothing was clear.
He had traveled in the very same forest many times, but now it was different. Back then there was no sense of foreboding lingering in the air.
Glorfindel shrugged off the oppressive feeling, and continued on. He just wished the stars would show their faces...
The rain started to sprinkle lightly, and Glorfindel was relieved. The heavy downpour had made continuing difficult for Asfaloth, who had lost his footing on several rocky protrusions.
Glorfindel was worried about Asfaloth. He was injured near his eye and had an infected gash on his left flank.
Glorfindel had been irritated when Aragorn had suddenly left to chase after stray orcs. But soon, it had risen to more than just irritation when Glorfindel found that with Asfaloth's wounds, he could not catch up, and then the rain had washed away all traces of the ranger.
He had just been within sight of his goal, but then the irresponsible ranger decided Glorfindel needed some payback. This was not the time to play games! Elrond had warned him of the importance of this mission. The weight of Arda rested upon the shoulder of one small Halfling.
Unfortunately, there was little he could do about such things.
He heard a snap, and it instantly brought him out of his reverie. His fingers reached for the hilt of his sword.
Looking around, he saw nothing. Asfaloth did not appear alarmed. Glorfindel took it as a warning to not let down his guard again.
He heard the rain beating against the trees, dropping down to fall on his head. It was the beginning of a very wet evening.
Senses tuned, Glorfindel listened intently for any signs of disturbance. Besides the rain, it was quiet, but it was not an apprehensive silence.
The quiet continued into the evening, when Glorfindel decided he should check on Asfaloth's wounds.
Glorfindel reached out to brush Asfaloth, who whinnied at the intrusion. He unbound the bandage and let out a hiss. The gash on Asfaloth's flank was festering with infection.
"Why don't you tell me about these things?" Glorfindel clucked his tongue in a reprimanding manner.
Asfaloth neighed softly. Glorfindel smiled.
"I know I told you not to complain, but you have to tell me when you're hurt." Glorfindel cast a knowing glance at Asfaloth. "And that doesn't include free oatmeal and apples."
He quickly began applying some healing treatment Elrond had given him before he left.
Asfaloth snorted quietly.
Glorfindel bound up the wound, and gratefully noted that the few other injuries Asfaloth had attained were not infected.
Knowing that Asfaloth couldn't keep traveling in his condition, Glorfindel began to set up camp. There was a secluded area that looked safe behind a large cluster of trees. It was still raining, unfortunately, and Glorfindel knew it was going to rain long after midnight.
A crackle was heard in the distance, and Glorfindel warily looked around.
It was going to be a long night.
A/N: This week has been so busy, I had no time to write or update! I'm so sorry! I've been trying to keep up with school and everything, and I really got stuck on this chapter! I'll try to update faster next time.
Replies to reviews:
gives brownies to reviewers
Washow: Thanks for the encouragement! I'll try to get it done soon. I'm expecting somewhere around 20 chapters, though, and that may take a while.
Ellfine: I really enjoyed writing that conversation. Glad you enjoyed. Thanks for reviewing!
Seeing-spots: You've really motivated me to write more. I was slightly worried about writing the battle, and I really appreciate your encouragement.