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The low voices of the Riders rose and fell softly in tune with their prayers. They stood grouped together around a mound that was mounted with fifteen spears, representing their fifteen companions lost in the battle with the orcs. The sun had just risen, bringing a red dawn to commemorate the lost ones.
Once their prayer was complete, they had to return to business. Eomer quickly ordered the remainder of his men to collect the orc carcasses and put them in a pile to burn. The men obediently complied, though most were loath to touch the disgusting creatures.
One of these men was Deorwin. He was an experienced Rider, but he had lost his parents to orcs when he was young, greatly fueling his hatred for them. Nonetheless he circled the edge of Fangorn's trees, dragging out orc bodies.
As he neared some tall trees, he found several bodies already slumped over each other. As he struggled to pull one off of the others, his eyes caught something other than black. Deorwin abandoned his efforts and instead pushed it off of the pile it had died on. But what it had hidden made the Rider jump back in surprise.
There, slumped on the ground, was the body of a man. But Deorwin was certain that he was not one of Eomer's company. And the man did not even look like he was from Rohan. Then what was he doing here?
Deowin crept closer, keeping a firm hand on his sword. But even as he approached he saw that the man was bound and gagged. As he got a better view, his heart sank.
The man was badly injured. There was a blood-soaked cloth on his shoulder, but many other cuts marred his bared chest. Furthur inspection showed a garish slash on his left arm, as well as one on his leg. Suddenly Deowin leapt for the man's neck. He had to see if he was alive. But in his heart he knew it would be nothing short of a miracle for him to be alive. He knew too much of what orcs did to their prisoners to hope.
But to his utmost surprise, he found a faint but steady pulse. All doubts flew from his mind. Deowin quickly decided to take the man to Eomer. He would know what to do.
Kneeling, he cut the man's bonds and carefully pulled them off. Blood trickled from deep cuts in his wrists, a result of the too-tight cords. Fairly satisfied, Deowin carefully scooped the man into his arms.
He quickly walked to where Eomer was surveying the last of the orcs being brought in.
"My lord, when I was gathering orcs I found this man. I believe he was their prisoner. He is alive, but he is badly wounded. He needs immediate aid." Deowin spoke quickly, praying that there was something they could do. Eomer stepped forward and studied the man's injuries.
"Has he awoken or said anything of who he is since you found him?" he questioned Deowin.
"No, my lord. I think he has been unconscious for a while. I have no idea who he is. All I know is that he needs our help." By now a small crowd had gathered around them. Some of the Riders were staring hard at the man's face, thinking.
"Somehow he looks familiar." one of them remarked. "But I can't recall…"
"Wait!" A voice called from the back. The Riders parted to let one of them through. His name was Heoruf. He was one of the older Riders, already almost sixty, but he still had remarkable energy and stamina, so Theoden let him stay on guard.
Now he carefully studied the face of the man before him. He wet a piece of fabric with his canteen and gently wiped some of the blood from the man't bruised face. Heoruf's face completely changed, to one of utter surprise.
"I know this man!" he whispered, amazed. "Surely your fathers have told you of Thorongil, the great captain of Rohan! This is he! I remember when he was here. I was just a young boy then, probably no more than ten, but he was our hero! He was kind and curious, but like a tiger on the battlefield. But he left for Gondor many many years ago. We thought he was dead! Why I-"
"Alright, that's enough, Heoruf." Eomer interrupted. "So this is the famous Thorongi," he paused to again search the face of the man before him. "Well, though he is alive now, he won't be for much longer. Riders, load up and prepare to leave! He needs immediate aid. Alas that Gárulf, our best healer, has fallen!" With that Eomer strode over to his horse and quickly mounted him.
Deorwin also headed slowly to his horse, his mind whirling with thoughts. To think that he had discovered this wretched man only to find out htat he was a member of Rohirric history. He carefully lifted the Thorongil onto his horse, quickly following to keep him upright. He settled the man in front of him and took up the reins, following the rest of his companions.
But through this whole ordeal, Thorongil did not stir.
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Well there you go! So he is found at last…
Sorry for the short chapter, but I really had to hurry to get this out on time. Much longer next time, I promise! And Legolas and Gimli will return to the story in the next chapter too!
So PLEASE REVIEW!
QueenofFlarmphgal
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