What's this? An update? And it's (gasp) ALMOST ON TIME?
&&&&&&&&&&&
The sun shone brightly over the plains of Rohan, contrasting sharply with the black shapes moving quickly across the field.
But not all were black. Merry was jogging alongside them, trying his best to hide his exhaustion. Even though he would like a rest, he had no desire to be carried like a sack on the backside of an orc.
Suddenly his efforts were rewarded. Merry, who was toward the front of the group, found himself suddenly shoved face down onto the thick grass. He could hear a muffled cry from somewhere, and several people shouting. What was going on?
Merry struggled to get up, but several hands held him down. What's going on? His mind screamed.
Just before he thought he would go crazy from not knowing, he was pulled back to his feet. He looked around, bewildered.
The orcs. The plains. They looked normal. Was it one of his companions? He scanned the group, praying that they had not fallen….
Ah. There was Aragorn. His face was pale, and in the broad sunlight Merry could clearly see a steady dribble of blood coming from the arrow still imbedded in his shoulder. Two orcs were holding him tightly, but their attention, along with all the others' was focused elsewhere.
He followed their eyes. There was the cause of the distraction. Pippin was lying on the ground, a cut on the back of his legs. Ugluk was standing over him, glaring.
"…clever little stunt you pulled there, but it won't work. And it had better not happen again. We have ways of making you pay, that I promise you."
With a final glare, Ugluk shouted to the rest of them, and Merry was again prodded into a jog. What had happened? Ugluk's final words rang in his ears.
What had Pippin done this time?
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
(Several hours later….)
Pippin dropped to the ground, panting. Today's running had been longer, and if possible, more strenuous. Come to think of it, hadn't the increased pace started just after his attempt to leave a mark…?
He was jerked out of his thoughts when Merry sat down next to him with a crash.
"Pip-pin…what hap-pened?" Merry was still breathing hard but his face was indignant. Pippin had opened his mouth, about to answer when another distraction arrived.
Aragorn staggered to where they were resting, and collapsed with a loud groan. His labored breathing did not slow down, and his chest heaved, abruptly frightening Pippin half to death.
"Strider! What's wrong? Breathe! Breathe!" Pippin found Aragorn's hand and checked his pulse. It was beating rapidly, much too fast. "Strider!"
After almost five minutes, Aragorn regained his breath and his heartbeat returned to normal. Pippin slumped back and released his breath in a long, slow motion.
"By the gods, Strider…"
Aragorn would have smiled, if not for his current state. His mind was reeling; his chest felt on fire, and it was still somewhat difficult to breathe. But Merry and Pippin were there, safe and sound….Aragorn drew a deep breath.
"Hello, young ones." He said weakly. Merry crawled closer and rested a hand on Aragorn's forehead.
"You really need help, Strider…" he said quietly. For once, Strider didn't protest.
"Yes…I admit it would not hurt. It is mainly this arrow- it keeps getting moved and going deeper in." Aragorn broke off, looking at Pippin with a sparkle in his eye. "But enough. Pippin, what is it that you did that earned a halt?"
Pippin looked guilty.
"Well, I was just running, and I was near the end, and I kept thinking what you said, about Legolas coming after us. So I kind of veered to the right, and I ended up out of the row. I managed to run a bit, before they caught me again. And I dropped my- my brooch. But Ugluk was so mad…" he looked at Aragorn. "Did I do wrong?"
Aragorn smiled softly. "Nay, Pippin. You did right. It gladdens my heart that Legolas and Gimli may find your trail. Perhaps it will help them as well." He stretched back with a soft hiss as his arm was pulled. "We should rest. Today was long, and I have a feeling that what will come will be even worse." Merry and Pippin agreed and curled up as best they could.
"There is one thing still troubling me," Merry muttered. "Ugluk said that he had ways of making you pay. I wonder what he meant?" Pippin did not answer, his tired frame already limp in sleep.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Well there we go! An update in almost a week! YAY!
I know this chapter was rather short, but never fear- the next installment will be long and angst-filled. MWA HA HA!
So, just to be on the safe side, I shall warn you that the next chapter will be quite violent and torturous and bloody, the whole shebang. YAY!
See ya then!
-QueenofFlarmphgal
