Chapter II: Road to Isengard
2 days later after the Attack at Amon Hen:
A noise woke Frodo up. The sound that was supposed to be a laughter. But it rather resembled a growl than laughter.
"Remember, boys, when Gartopsh first took up his sword. Poor fool took it and swung it like the fool he was and almost cut off Lugdush's head. He almost got old Saruman too!"
The last comment was met with laughter from all the five man-high Orcs that stood near the fire.
"I still have a cut near my neck"said Lugdush before snorting to Gartopsh:"Gartopsh, old lad, tell us how did you fought with the Gondorian. Come on, tell us."
"Well...",began Gartopsh,"... that filthy Man was no horse-man, lads. He wielded that sword with so much power and I could already feel an aura of dread surrounding him when I saw him. He moved swiftly like...like a ghost. And with each blow laid one of our boys down. Poor Sargush was one of the lucky ones. He only lost an arm. Hayan's throat was slit by the Gondorian's dreaded sword. Sargulk and Hoaran were also felled down with ease. I tell you lads, that's the work of some Elvish demon or something... So where was I...oh yes, he moved swifly like a ghost. Stroke like a devil. I saw him face to face. I lunged at him with my blade in hand, but lucky bastard swung that shiny sword of his and hit me in the head. (Laughter from the other Orcs). And when I tried to get up, one of those little rascal halflings' stones hit me in the head and knocked me unconscious. (More laughter from the Orcs)I would have laid there still if not for Lurtz. The bastard grabbed me and threathened to kill me. If not for Uglúk, Lurtz would have cut off my ears (The Orcs laugh again). Lurtz is a smug bastard. He'll take all the glory for himself once we get back to Isengard."
"Careful, Gartopsh. Ye would not want cap'n Lurtz on yer tail. Still yer right. We carry the halflings on our backs not him. Though I hope he doesn't hear us now."
"Oh, I think he heard it already."said a voice which startled all of the Orcs and made them fearfully turn to the speaker.
"Ca-ca-cap-...Cap'n, oh cap'n, we did not know you were there!" said one of the Orcs.
Frodo himself froze: the red and white war-painted Orc that had took him prisoner was none other than captain Lurtz himself. He and Uglúk had left for a while to see if the other Fellowship members had caught up with them. The hobbit could clearly see the anger boiling in Lurtz as he said: "Ye think yer worthier than meh? Come an prove it!"
Sargush, the one-armed Uruk, rose up, but as he was about to take up his heavy mace, Lurtz beheaded him with one swift strike.
"Let him be an example to ye all! Now get up, maggots! Take the halflings. Saruman is waiting for us." said Lurtz as the whole company rose up.
As Lugdush took Frodo from the ground and put him around his shoulders, the hobbit could see Merry and Pippin as well! Merry had an open wound on his head, apparently from one of the Orcs' fist when they kidnapped him. Pippin saw him as well, and Frodo could see the relieved face as Lugdush brought him near the others.
"At least", said Pippin, "at least we're all together. But what are they going to do with us? Why haven't they killed us already, Frodo?"
"From what I heard, they have been sent to take us to Isengard. If Saruman finds the Ring, then he will give it to Sauron, for from what Gandalf told me that horrible wizard seeks to earn his dark master's favour."
"Enough talk, rascals! Lurtz is already mad. He'll kill us for letting you talk freely. You're lucky that Saruman and the Master need you alive. For now." said Lugdush in his deep voice.
Meanwhile:
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Sam were chasing after the Orc company. The Ranger were uncertain where the Orcs were taking the hobbits. But to Mordor? No, it was too far away and even Sauron himself knew that. They were certainly in the service - or at least allied with - Saruman. They might try take them to Isengard or perhaps the Dark Lord had already sent one of the Ringwraiths to fetch Frodo, Merry and Pippin and bring them to his Dark Tower.
"I see them, they are half day ahead of us already!" said Legolas.
"They'll get to the Gap of Rohan before we do." agreed Gimli.
"Aragorn, why did they take Mr. Frodo, Merry and Pippin prisoners? What do they seek to gain by doing this?" asked Sam.
"I would say they do not seem to have come to avenge the goblins we slew in Moria. Rather to take our friends captives. I suspect that Saruman has sent them to regain the Ring for Sauron. But where are they taking them, I do not yet know. We shall camp here for tonight. There is a long road before us tomorrow." said Aragorn.