His head was head and body were bursting with pain, his black mane tangled and sweaty. Leaning upon his face made it impossible for him to see anything around. His tensed and painful torso muscles made him understand that he was lying over something. The sudden realization of the latest events struck him like a hammer.
So he was captured by the orcs, and what had happened next? 'I'm lying over something and judging by the lack of smell and movement it's not an orc's shoulder. Ok, then, where am I?" he thought. He blew at his hair ad managed to part some locks, allowing him to see...nothing.
He could see nothing but darkness around him, but could smell the trees and leaves, and with some delight that at least we wasn't enclosed in a prison. 'Great, then, so I free!' he thought. 'But, did the orcs leave me alone?
From somewhere below, he heard a great roar.
"Shut 'p, you stinky gnoll! I won!"
"Since when does two wins six!" apparently the ugly creatures were playing bones.
"Since, I'll smash yer ugly mug in this tree, if it doesn't!" answered the first one, striking his 'smashing' tool with his hand so furiously that the leaves started to fall.
'Nope, they didn't' But now I know I'm on a tree' the man thought feeling leaves falling to his head. He tried moving but pain pierced his body and he moaned. Suddenly a hand clamped over his mouth, and whispered words found their way to his ear.
"Do not make any sounds if you're planning to stay alive! Nod or shake your head to answer questions. Do you understand?"
He nodded.
"Are you able to battle?" A shrug was the reply.
"What is that supposed to mean!" In spite of the urging tone, the whisper was so low that even he could barely hear it. "If you don't know, who does! I said nod or shake your head! Can you fight?" Another shrug. "Oh, damn you!" Was the final whisper before he sensed that the one beside him jumped down to the ground.
A moment later he heard a gurgling yell coming from one orc then a roar from the other, clattering steel, and a forthcoming low yelp of pain. The lad felt a light shaking of the tree, and a pair of surprisingly strong hands in his drooping legs. The hands started pushing the legs up until they too, along with his bell, were in the branch.
"Ok, now you can talk." The voice was no more than a whisper, but melodious and female. "Can you fight?"
"As I already said, I do not know," the man replied, turning around, for he was still lying on his stomach. "I've been unconscious for...how long? A day? And…"
"Two hours!" the lady snapped.
"Well, then, two hours! I don't even know if I can move."
"You've turned around and didn't fall from the branch," she pointed out.
"I'll try, then." He said grimly. "But why do you need that? I think you've already done all the work without my help!"
"And I owe you my thanks for freeing me, dear lady." He gave a slight bow of his head.
"As for the thanks, that was nothing, but I think you'll soon have the opportunity to pay me with the same." Her face, so pretty, was lit up by a lively grin.
"What do you mean?"
"Eight orcs went towards my camp. Although I think my sister and Layanor are able to take care of themselves, I don't want to miss all the fun!" Her smile widened even more.
This is like dwarf education, thought the man,
a smile appearing on his face.
"I'm deeply sorry, my dear lady, but as grateful as I am, I cannot loose anymore time. My business allows no more delay."
For a second the lady kept silent, as if considering his words. Then a twinkle flashed in her lavender orbs, and she said:
"Well, then, you may go. A mile from here you can find a river to clean yourself up." She answered calmly. Too calmly, probably.
"Goodbye then…" The lad said slowly, and started to get to his feet, but only now he noticed that his hands were tied up. He glanced meaningly
at the female in front of him, but she vanished.
"Miss?" He looked around, but found no clue as to where the lady had gone. He decided to tear the ropes, but the young man discovered that they were all in tangles. He used all his strength, but knowing that there was no chance that he could climb down the tree without the aid of his hands, he shouted again,
"Miss! Miss! Could you help me please? Miss!" She appeared in front of him as if it had never disappeared with only one difference… it was upside down. The man jerked back and almost fell from the tree.
"What the…!" he managed.
"What?" The lady asked with an innocent smile, climbing down from the upper branch.
"Uh, nothing. I fear I need your help once again, Dear Lady. Could you untie me please?"
"Of course, and I'll try to do it as swiftly as possible, so I'll not waste your precious time." The girl spoke seriously, looking in his black eyes. With those words escaping her lips, she reached for a dagger hidden in the folds of her cloak. It was a magnificent dagger! The blade thin and sharp and the hilt decorated with jeweled-placer. The man gasped.
"Hey! This is my dagger!"
"Oh, really! I found in the middle of the forest" she answered.
The young man thought: such an innocent face, such an innocent look! I bet she knew that it was my dagger, and I bet she saw how the orcs caught me. I cried so desperately when I lost it, this lass knows that this dagger is important to me… Lets see what she's scheming…
"Give it to me, please," he said aloud.
"Oh, but I grew fond of it! What could I get for it? "The man was taken aback.
"Uhm, ghrmhh, I…" he mumbled.
"Oh, I know!" Came a cheerful answer.
"I think you'll lose some time accompanying me to my camp, as I fear eight orcs are too much for me alone…"
Remembering his father's lessons, the lad's face held no emotion.
"As I said, miss, I cannot afford such a thing…"
"Well, then, my grandpa would be most glad if I'd shown such a work of art…" She answered studying her nails.
"You win, miss, I'll accompany you, if you swear that you'll give my dagger back when..."
"Deal," she interrupted, and after severing the ropes, swiftly leaped down. The young man followed.
"By the way, my name is Arnienne Do'Urden, and I hate it when I'm called 'Lady' or 'Miss'."
"I'll take the hint," the lad said with a smile.
"So. Are you going to tell me yours? And don't expect me to call you 'Sir'," Arnienne said, returning his smile.
"No. Of course not. I am Kelathar. Kelathar Entreri."