Chapter Three:
Laurel rose with sun the next morning, feeling its warm rays glittering through the leaves of the willow tree. She closed her eyes and smiled sleepily, stretching her arms above her head. She leaned her forehead against the willow's trunk, letting it feel her gratitude for its protection. Some of the animals that had gathered around her last night were still there at the foot of the tree, while others had gone on their ways. She hopped off the last branch and felt her bare feet sink into the soft, dark soil. She took in a deep breath and situated her sack on her shoulder, once or twice she had tried to look at the lackluster map she had ripped from her book, but it never really helped since none of the features she came across during her traveling were represented on the map. She realigned herself with the river and walked on, following the now more dense schools of fish. She must be getting close.
After a few hours, she stoped to rest near some boulders and decided now was a great time to wash her feet. After all, they were caked with dirt and mud from walking for so many days. At times she wondered why she was not as fatigued as she felt she should be, she never got this amount of sustained exercise ever before in her life! In the end she shrugged it off, maybe it was just the combination of better quality of water and more sunlight. And of course the inspiriting company. She smiled down at the little posse of rabbits and squirrels that dashed around her feet.
Once she resumed her walking, she scooped up a baby badger and carried him along with her as she went, ruffling his fur and scratching him behind his ears before returning him to his mother who was diligently trotting beside her. The plants became evermore diverse and plentiful as she journeyed deeper into the forest. They were all colors of the rainbow and the flowers all smelled so sweet! She could hear waterfalls in the distance and felt her excitement grow. She was nearly there now!
Suddenly, there was loud crashing sounds coming from her left. All the animals scattered in different directions and she was left standing alone as the rumbling sounds of someone coming grew louder. She ran forward as fast as she could, hoping to miss them if their path continued in a straight line. She glanced behind her to make sure she wasn't being followed, but then ran smack into something hard and crashing to the ground. She looked up into the menacing face of an orc. Teeth yellowed and broken, scars littering its face, arms and torso, and a lecherous snarl forming on its face. Soon she was surrounded by five more orcs, probably the ones she had heard coming toward her.
The beasts grabbed her and strung her arms behind her back, ridding her of her sack and the quiver of arrows and bow she had brought from her tower. One of them snapped her bow over its knee and she felt a pang of sadness. She had crafted that bow many decades ago and was very dear to her. The arrows had been passed around their small company and were being used like toothpicks. Their speech was harsh and hurt her ears to listen to. She never learned Black Speech, but right now she almost wished she had. The orc that found her hefted her over his shoulder and carried her off in a new direction. She struggled and squirmed to get free, but it was no use. When they stopped an hour later and set her down, she saw her chance. She dashed between the trees and ran as fast as her feet could carry her, but with her hands tied behind her back, her running was awkward and uncoordinated. She soon tripped over a tree root and came crashing to the ground. The orcs had noticed her escape plan and given chase, so she was now surrounded again. This time they looked angry, and the next thing she knew she felt a sharp pain to the side of her head and her world faded to black.
She awoke to the sound of clashing metal and horses. She opened her eyes and nearly screeched at the sight in front of her. She was still bound by the hands and in front of her lay the severed head of one of the disgusting orcs. She felt queasy for a moment and closed her eyes tightly. She regained her composure and turned her focus to the sounds that woke her. There were elves! Elves on horses, and they were fighting the orcs that had captured her. They made swift work of the orc pack, seeing as there was only five or six of them. She saw one of the elves point in her direction and the group of them turned their horses toward her. Laurel scrambled to her feet. Saruman had warned her of elves, said they were tricksters and always had ulterior motives and would play the long con so they could gain your trust and betray you in the that she thought about it, that sounded like what Saruman had done to Gandalf, but she still wasn't taking any chances. She rushed behind a thicket of trees and heard the elves drawing close.
There was no way she could outrun them when they were on horses, and there was no place to hide. But it didn't matter because they were upon her in a few seconds. They pulled up their horses and a tall elf with long, dark brown hair dropped out of his saddle.
"Please don't be frightened, my lady, we mean you no harm," he spoke softly. Laurel eyed him wearily. She had never seen a real elf before. She had to admit, he was strikingly handsome. He was tall with a muscled yet slender frame and various braids decorating his hair. "My name is Elrohir, what is your name?"
Laurel hesitated, should she give them her real name? What if they told Saruman she was here? But then, how would they know she had any connection to Saruman, she reasoned. Well, it couldn't hurt, she decided, no one knew she existed so no one should recognize her name.
"Laurel," she said softly, glancing up at the company of elves around her before settling her attention back on the one in front of her.
"A beautiful name, my lady," he bowed his head before her. "May I release you from those bonds? I swear to you we intend you no harm." Laurel gave a small nod and shifted toward the elf. He reached into the side pocket of his saddle and produce a small knife. Laurel jumped back when she saw it and felt her heart begin to pound in her chest. Elrohir realized he had startled her and quickly explained himself. "It's alright! I only wish to cut the ropes around your wrists." He approached Laurel slowly, as if she were a spooked horse, and gently cut the ropes that had bound her hands together. She rubbed her wrists once the ropes were gone and took a step back from the elf, Elrohir.
"Please, come with us to Imladris, my father will see that you are well cared for and receive a comfortable room and a warm meal." He gave her a sincere smile and extended his hand to her. Laurel debated the offer in his head. She wanted to continue following the river and go where those fish were going, she didn't want to be around so many people. But then again, it might be nice to sleep in a bed again, she hadn't slept comfortably for weeks now.
"Alright," she signed, placing her hand in Elrohir's. His smile widened and he lead her over to his horse, hefting her onto the saddle. Immediately Laurel felt uncomfortable on the back of another animal and quickly pressed her palm to the horses shoulder, expressing her apologies. In return, the tall, grey horse whinnied and made her sure that it was alright and that he didn't mind the extra weight. Meanwhile the company of elves had watched the interaction with mild intrigue, this human woman was a very strange one indeed.
Elrohir hoisted himself onto the saddle behind Laurel. Her back arched away from him and she tried to minimize any bodily contact between them. Elrohir seemed to sense her discomfort and tried to lighten the mood.
"Do not worry, my lady, soon you will be rested and you can return home to your husband," he said with a charming smile. Laurel remained silent though, choosing to let him believe whatever he wanted about her. Elrohir nudged his horse forward and the whole company followed behind him. They rode for maybe half an hour before they came to a large wall. One of the elves called up to another elf that was stationed atop the wall, and two massive doors parted to allow their small group passage through the gate.
Laurel's eyes lit up when she saw what was beyond the gate. It was beautiful! There were waterfalls and lush greenery! The sunlight sparkled off the crystal clear ponds and deer moved about among the trees. Rainbows appeared in the mists that hung in the air from the waterfalls and the breeze smelled of the sweet flowers that bloomed all around. Elrohir watched her reaction and smiled to himself. His homely truly was something to behold and he was glad she was impressed by it. He wanted to make her feel welcome, it was clear she had bee through quite an ordeal with those orcs and she was dressed in mens' clothing with no shoes or belongings. He pitied the young woman, she probably wanted to return to her husband and family. Although, secretly he hoped she was unmarried. She was striking for a human. Her rich mahogany hair shone in the light and her supple curves were just barely distinguishable under her tunic and breeches. Her eyes were an olive green, although now they seemed a little lighter, perhaps he had not gotten a good look at them earlier. She seemed very young and very shy, she was lucky they had found her when they did. Orcs had been known for doing unspeakable cruelties to beautiful young women and elleths.
As their group crossed over a bridge and let out into a courtyard, he could see his father descending the stair s to greet them, his twin brother Elladan on his heels. They dismounted their steeds and Elrohir gently eased Laurel off his horse and onto the ground.
"Father, brother," he greeted with a smile. He had been away on border patrol for many months, and Elladan had not been with him due to an injury that needed to heal. His father embraced him and stepped to the side in order to see their new guest. "Father, this is Laurel, we rescued her from a small band of orcs not far from our border."
"Well, I am glad to see you unharmed Lady Laurel," Lord Elrond bowed his head to her and Laurel retuned the gesture, not exactly knowing the customary greetings.
"Thank you, my lord," she supplied with a small smile. Lord Elrond took note of her bare feet, tunic and breeches as he surveyed the young woman.
"Where are you from, my dear? After you've rested and gotten something to eat, we can organize an escort for you to return home, at your leisure of course. You are welcome to take the necessary time you need to recover from your order before any formal plans are made."
"Thank you, my lord," Laurel replied. She wasn't sure what to say beyond thank you, so she kept it at that.
"Elladan, would you show our guest to a suitable room in the east wing please?" Lord Elrond addressed his son, turning behind him for confirmation.
"Of course father," Elladan responded in a cheery tone. "I'm sure Lady Laurel is anxious to be rid of my boring brother here." He flashed Laurel a devious smirk and she couldn't help the small blush that crept onto her cheeks along with a small smile.
"Please excuse my brother's antics," Elrohir huffed. "It would seem he is still an elfling at heart." Laurel smiled a little more, she was learning so much more about elves today than she had in her books. All her books could tell her was the history of their race and their superior senses they possessed.
"My Lady," Elladan held out his arm for her to take. Laurel gently took his arm and muttered a small 'thank you'.