I do not own Lord of the Rings nor do I make any money from this story. All rights apply.
Author's Note: The creatures that the Nazgûl ride are referred to as Winged Beasts in my book (A Tolkein Bestiary by David Day), the movie however, refers to them as Fell Beasts.
DARK WINGS
TWO
The early morning sun cast long shadows as the party made ready to leave Minus Tirith. Horses snorted and stamped the ground waiting on their masters command. Legolas sat atop Arod, Gimli behind him and Èomer on his horse beside them. Èomer's men, clad in plain clothes, wondered around them trying to give off the impression of regular travellers. But even doing that, they were too disciplined. Legolas smiled to himself, looking up he saw Aragorn riding their way. He wore his old clothes and an expression of determination. A look from his Fellowship days, not that far gone. The only difference now was that Andúril hung from his side. As he rode up Aragorn said,
"Shall we away? We have far to travel."
As one they moved off, going quietly for no one knew their king was leaving. The streets were still awakening as they rode through the city; the few people that were out hardly gave them a moments notice as they hurried to do their tasks for the day. Aragorn glanced up at the battlements as they passed under them. Arwen stood there; she smiled at him and lifted her hand in farewell. Aragorn waved in return and, with much effort, turned back to the road ahead. He resisted the urge to look back for he did not think he would be able to leave if he saw her again.
They were making good time when the sun finally sunk below the horizon leaving the sky purple to fade into the colour of the night. They made a small camp in the lee of one of the many rolling hills that made up Rohan. Èomer had chosen a good area for camp that night, between the hill and a small crop of bushes, they would be well sheltered should the wind pick up during the night.
Gimli slid off Arod,
"Do you think we could perhaps walk for a bit tomorrow?"
"Your pace is too slow," answered Legolas. "Even if we were to walk you would have to be put on a horse just to keep up."
"Nonsense," huffed Gimli.
"Gimli, the sooner you face up to the fact that the way to travel is by horse, the better you will feel about the whole affair," sighed Legolas.
"Feel better! Hah, I will feel better walking. You rely too much on that animal to haul you around," said Gimli dismissively.
Legolas opened his mouth to reply when sudden he looked past Gimli into the night, his eyes searching the darkness.
"What is it?" whispered Gimli.
Legolas did not answer for a second, listening intensely. Gimli became aware that the camp had also become quiet as well, no doubt Aragorn had seen what was happening and told the men to quieten. Suddenly a nightingale flew from one of the bushes and into the night sky. Most of the men jumped in fright but the Elf continued to scan the area.
"What is it?" asked Gimli again.
"I though I heard something in the distance," answered Legolas loudly enough for the rest of the group to hear.
"What?" asked Aragorn.
"Orcs," answered Legolas.
"Orcs?" asked Èomer.
"Did you see anything?" asked Aragorn.
"No but then I can not be sure I even heard them so quiet it was, if it were even Orcs," answered Legolas looking into the night.
An uneasy silence settled over the camp as provisions for the night were made and watches set. Although nothing more was heard that night, camp broke up early and quickly as the sky lightened. No one wanted to encounter a group of Orcs especially when there were so few of them. The rest of the day was tense as nerves ran high and quick speed was made.
"What would Orcs be doing roaming my lands?" asked Èomer when they stopped to water the horses late that afternoon.
It had been plaguing him all day but at the speed they were travelling talk had been impossible.
"There are a few roaming bands of Orcs though most did flee to the mountains," said Gimli. "It is common enough to see them."
"I do not believe they attacked your horses, Èomer," said Legolas answering Èomer's real question.
"Legolas is right," said Aragorn. "The horses would run from Orcs and they do not have the skill to hunt these horses. They are horses of Rohan."
"I know, but I have to find out what has done this," sighed Èomer.
"As must I," added Aragorn.
"We will reach Edoras tomorrow afternoon. Plans can be made from there," said Èomer. Aragorn nodded.
"Riders, mount up," order Èomer.
Aragorn smiled to himself, Èomer was going to be a great king of Rohan - what they need after the shadow of Saruman.
They rode hard for the rest of the afternoon but soon they started to slow to look for a suitable camp site, trees lined this particular stretch of road. Any place seemed as good as the other, Èomer started to call a halt when Legolas suddenly yelled,
"Orcs."
"Where?" returned Aragorn.
"Close. I hear them."
No sooner had Legolas finished speaking when a horde of Orcs rounded one of the hills right in front of them. They were momentarily surprised but not for long, as soon as the Orcs realised what was in front of them they attacked. There were thirty of them, all rushing forward to attack. Èomer lead his men into the attack followed closely by Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Gimli slid of Arod's back and pulled his axe free while Legolas continued to pick them off one by one from horseback with his bow. Aragorn swung his sword in a flat arc, catching an Orc under its raised arm. Using his forward momentum Aragorn pressed on, delivering a sharp wrap across the back of another Orc. Twisting at the last second he avoided a direct attack and drove his sword into a third attacking Orc and twisted the blade free. Èomer did not seem to be fairing as well as an Orc blade caught his across his ribs. The pain almost making him loose his grip on his sword but after years of training he held fast. They had not been fighting long when a cry rent the air. Legolas looked up to see what was making the sound, his eyes widened in shock at what he saw.
"What is it?" yelled Aragorn fighting off an Orc unable to turn round.
"Winged Beast of the Nazgûl," yelled Legolas in return.
Hearing the word Nazgûl the orcs seemed to renew their efforts. Legolas saw this, he reaching back for an arrow to shoot down the Winged Beast but found his quiver empty. Drawing one of his long knives instead he made to leave Arod's back and go pull an arrow out of one of the dead Orcs but didn't get that far. As he was about to jump off, an Orc grabbed his cloak and pulled him off the other side. Legolas heard Gimli call his name as he fell, turning his arm he managed to use his falling weight to drive his knife into the Orc's chest. They both landed with a thud but Legolas was up almost instantly, he turned to face three Orcs coming up behind him. He drew his other knife and attacked, he needed to shoot down the flying creature and quickly. Ducking under one attack Legolas slashed out with his knife while he kicked another. His main aim at the moment was to shoot the flying creature and in his mind these Orcs were preventing him from doing this.
Aragorn had heard Legolas' cry and felt the renewed attack of the Orcs. Affirming in his mind that they were not together, if they had been the Orcs would have waited until the flying creature attacked first and then come in while confusion reigned. Risking a glance at the sky, Aragorn saw the creature start a fast dive over the battle.
"Cover," he yelled as he ducked down, unfortunately this also alerted the Orcs who ducked as well.
Moving with great speed in the air the creature turned round to swoop over the group again.
"Run," ordered Aragorn wondering where Èomer was. Just then Èomer appeared next to Aragorn clutching his side, breathing heavily.
"Make for the trees on the left," he wheezed. "It can not fly in the trees."
Aragorn took Èomer's arm and pulled him towards the trees, a few Orcs had the same idea. The beast was hungry for Orc flesh.
"Gimli," called Legolas as he fought his way over to the Dwarf. He heard Aragorn yell for cover and ducked as the creature swept over them, swirling up dust and leaves. He was up as soon as the creature pasted, he made it to Gimli's side in time to hear Aragorn yell to run.
He looked up to see the beast swoop down again, this time not many Orcs ducked and the beast managed to tear chunks out of one of the taller Orcs spraying Legolas and Gimli with black Orc blood.
"Gimli, we must get to the trees," yelled Legolas as he stabbed an attacking Orc.
"Lead the way, Master Elf," returned Gimli. "It is coming back a third time," said Gimli as they started to run towards the trees.
"Gimli, come on, move faster," yelled Legolas as he was forced to duck again.
"I am trying. Orcs keep getting in the way of my axe," shouted the Dwarf. Legolas looked round.
"Arod, tol enni, enni," he called but the horse was too frightened and continued to run away.
( Arod, come to me, to me.)
Legolas turned to see where Gimli was; the Dwarf was fighting his way through the panic rush of Orcs. Legolas started to move to help when he saw an arrow laying on the ground, not one of his but it would do. Momentarily distracted Legolas did not see the Orc, the Orc did not see him, they collided and fell to the ground. The Orc in its panicked rush was up and gone in seconds, Legolas not far behind. In that time Gimli reached him.
"Sleeping?" he asked.
"You move too slowly, elvellon. I am sorry," snapped Legolas and he reached forward.
Gimli unsure of what was happening took a step aback. This caused Legolas to yell in frustration and grab Gimli by his armoured shoulder and throw him over his shoulder and run for the trees to the right.
Aragorn did not see which direction Legolas and Gimli had gone, he just hoped they ran as he ordered. They were too few to handle the Orcs and a flying beast. Èomer stumbled and fell almost bringing Aragorn down. Hauling Èomer to his feet, he swung Èomer's arm around his shoulder taking some of his weight.
"We are almost there. Hang on, Èomer," muttered Aragorn as he wiped sweat from his eyes.
One of Èomer's guard suddenly appeared on the other side of him, he helped Aragorn pull the stumbling Èomer into the relative safety of the trees. Another guard joined them.
"The others, Hanm?" asked the guard supporting Èomer.
Hanm shook his head as he slip to the ground.
"Gone, Yetma," he sighed as Hanm and Aragorn joined him. "How is the King?"
"Winded mostly," answered Aragorn hoping he was right.
Turning Èomer over Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief, apart from a few cracked ribs and bruises he seemed to be fine. He glanced over Yetma and Hanm, both seemed battered but alright. Aragorn suddenly felt light headed, rising a hand to his forehead he discovered it was blood not sweat that ran down his face. He swore,
"What supplies do we have."
"None," answered Yetma.
"The horses?" asked Aragorn.
"Gone," answered Hanm.
Aragorn lowered his head trying to think of what to do but now that the battle was over his head was pounding and making thinking impossible. He couldn't remember being hit but as he sat his body began to protest about many hurts.
"My Lord, I am barely injured. May we rest a moment, I will guard us. Just a few moments until King Èomer wakes," suggested Hanm.
Rest, though Aragorn, he knew even were he to say no, his body would give in anyway, he was battle weary and in pain.
"Until Èomer wakes," said Aragorn as he lay back against a tree, he saw Hanm walk back the way they had come and position himself so he could keep watch. I'll rest my eyes for a second, was his last though.
XxX
"I can not believe you did that," said Legolas, he was sitting on a branch just out of reach of a man, holding the side of his head.
"It was the only way to get through your thick head," shrugged Gimli.
"You hit me. On the head. With a gauntleted fist," stated Legolas.
"You would not put me down any other way," snapped Gimli.
"Next time I will leave you to the Orcs," threatened Legolas.
"Hey, I was not the one falling all over the battle field," pointed out Gimli.
"Being taller I was forced to duck under the attacks of that Winged Beast," said Legolas airily.
"Ducking off your horse?" questioned Gimli.
"We must find Aragorn and Èomer," said Legolas suddenly.
Gimli snorted in disbelief,
"Get down from that tree and let us go find them."
Legolas leapt lightly to the ground but still winced as he landed.
"Are you alright?" asked Gimli concerned.
"Fine. You should know the extent of my injury, you did it," stated Legolas.
"It's just that you are trying to hold your head and chest at the same time," said Gimli.
"Not expecting an attack from you, I was just caught by surprise," explained Legolas.
"You fell?" asked Gimli slightly amused.
"I remained on my feet unlike you." It was true, a tree kept him on his feet.
"I was dropped," pointed out Gimli.
Legolas suddenly frowned,
"It's dark."
"Amazing Elven vision," said Gimli in mock wonder.
"I was more referring to the fact that Aragorn and Èomer would not be able to see that well. But seeing as you attack your own, would you care?" asked Legolas innocently.
"You attempted to carry me," shrugged Gimli.
"I am leaving you to the Orcs next time," decided Legolas.
"Good, then maybe my axe could meet them," agreed Gimli, noticing Legolas gaze up suddenly.
"It can not enter the trees," he said quietly.
"It has not flown away?" asked Gimli.
"It circles the road," answered Legolas. "Come we can not look for them in the night, we may pass each other if we are even on the same side. I have no arrows, so we stay in the trees."
"First horses, now trees," muttered Gimli.
"It is safer," said Legolas.
"You are pushing your luck, Master Elf," warned Gimli as Legolas helped him into a tree with thick branches. Then he too climbed up and settled for the night, luckily it was mid summer so the air was warm. They could hear the creature circling the woods, occasionally it would cry out into the night as if calling to something but there was never a reply. While the trees hid them from view of the creature it also hid the creature from them but Legolas guessed that it flew away around midnight but chose not wake Gimli to tell him.