"Can I just have a tiny piece?" one of the Orcs asked.

"No you fool! We must keep him in one piece for the Master." hissed another. I wove through the rocks silently in the dark under nightfall. The foul stench of Orc filled my nose along with campfire smoke. I detected a limp form, unlike the others, slumped against a tall jagged stone. Most likely tied there.

Aragorn…

"Why is this one so important?"

"He's one of those northern rangers, a dangerous lot. We're lucky to pick this one up, he was the leader of that group we slaughtered a few years back. So, he must be important."

Oh you have no idea and you never will…

I froze when one of them departed from the group. He plotted over to another rock away from the others. Then he took a piss on the ground.

This was my chance to take one of them out silently.

I withdrew one of my swords from their sheath at my side while taking light, fragile steps towards the unexpecting Orc.

He breathed out a sigh of relief as I stalked up behind him.

Three…

The Orc was covering himself now.

Two...one.

I reached over his shoulder and slapped my hand over his mouth. The Orc jerked in surprise but had little time to react because my blade was at his throat. With a clean slice, his neck was slit and I eased the corpse down into the rocks quietly out of view.

Only six remained now, the rest of the group might not be as easy to take down.

The rock where Aragorn was tied was close. Just a few more steps and I would be there to cut the ropes and get him out of this mess.

Clutching my sword in a reversed grip, I slinked through the darkness toward him. My mind's eye could see his tall form slumped and bound. His head was bowed with his long matted hair draped over his face.

My heart thumped in my ears as I came closer and closer. Anticipation rising within my chest.

Just a little bit further…

A rock came out from under my foot. It rolled and clattered as it went.

"What was that?" One of the Orcs demanded, I grew still.

Great, nice going Shyra…

"Well don't just stand there, go find out what it is!"

Three stood to come see me.

In response, I withdrew my other sword. Feeling them both in my hands was at least somewhat comforting.

They drew closer with heavy steps. My heightened ears picked up the sound of all of them breathing.

"Hey ranger, was that you?" one of them bellowed, approaching Aragorn. He grabbed the man by the hair and yanked his head up to look at the hideous face.

Anger flared inside and my grip tightened around the hilts of my blades.

These guys were gonna die.

"I smell something." one said, taking a whiff of the air. He stepped toward me.

"Smells like...smells like a-" He was cut off when I leaped out from my hiding place to run him through. I slashed upward through the stomach and chest, killing him instantly. Blood sprayed out of the wounds all over me, but I didn't care.

I never really cared about getting dirty.

In a flurry of swords, I cut down the second one with ease before jumping up on the rock that Aragorn was tied to.

Coming face to face with the Orc who was tormenting my king.

"What the-" I sliced his neck too, dropping his corpse beside the others.

Three were left.

They stood there with gaping expressions for just a few seconds before they reached for their weapons. I leapt down from the rock with both swords raised high. Thunder boomed overhead and lightning flashed through the darkness.

Signaling for our battle to begin.

The three Orcs didn't know what to think of me it seemed.

When I landed, I became a tiny tornado of blades! Whipping through my enemies with grace and ease only the tiniest of warriors could muster!

Rain began to pour from the sky as I hacked my way through the remaining hoard. Slicing one's head clean off his shoulders before turning to lock blades with the other one. His breath was so foul to my sensitive nose that I almost gagged.

Instead I gritted my teeth.

"Sorry pal, but he's coming with me." I hissed before kicking him in the stomach. He grunted as his stance faltered which gave me the opportunity to deliver the killing blow. I advanced upon him and stabbed him in the groin.

It was then when I heard the sound of a bow string being drawn back. Quickly, I turned the heavy corpse towards the sound as the arrow was fired. It imbedded itself in the body to where my head would have been.

The Orc with the bow growled in frustration and drew back another arrow.

I walked towards him with the dead Orc acting as my shield. The arrows kept coming.

Stupid Orc.

When I got close I ripped the sword out of the corpse before emerging from behind its cover.

The Orc shot another arrow which grazed my shoulder, cutting through the fabric and into flesh. It caused me to cry out in pain but it didn't stop me.

I was going to keep my promise to my family.

The Orc ripped out a knife from his belt as a last defense but as soon as he raised it, I sliced his hand free from his arm. He screamed out a blood curdling cry that was echoed by a clap of lightning and thunder.

To end his suffering, I stabbed him through the chest.

With all of them dead and the rain pouring down, I was satisfied.

Sheathing my swords, I quickly went to Aragorn.

The rain was coming down hard now. My cloak was soaked through and the fire that was burning had now gone out.

I knelt before the younger man, his head was still bowed.

"Lad?" I asked, grabbing onto both of his shoulders.

"Who are you?" he groaned in a soft voice.

"Don't speak, I'm going to get you out of here…" I said as I pulled my knife out and began to cut the ropes he was bound by.

When he was free his body slumped forward into my arms. He groaned something out that I couldn't hear over the rain. I slipped his arms over my shoulders and lifted him from the ground.

"Oh Eru, your heavy…" I hissed through gritted teeth. It made sense, the boy had grown up to be over half my size. A part of me was surprised I could even hold him.

"Weasel come." I called out, he could carry this guy.