Brother's Keeper

Notes: What the fuck! Two updates in two weeks? The world must be coming to an end...That, or it'll be an even two years before I update again. Hopefully not, though.

Also, I don't know much about modern body armor. So if I get it wrong, just call it creative license.

Also, I don't think Tolkien ever actually said how old they were, or in what order they born, but I'm reasonably sure Haldir, Orophin, and Rúmil are indeed siblings. If not, well they kinda work that way for my story, so...creative license.

Another also, whilst trying to create a timeline of events as laid out in Appendix B of Lord of the Rings (with Todd's story added in it), I realized my story royally screws over the timing of certain events. Actually PJ did it first, so we'll call this a combination of movie timing and (you guessed it) creative license.

Part 9

Much of the morning was spent explaining to my friends exactly why I didn't want their fancy gold armor. They kept insisting that I was completely vulnerable against the forces we were marching towards. I kept insisting that I did in fact have armor, I was wearing it right now, and it was ample protection from swords and arrows.

This debate did not end until I actually took off my vest and let them shoot it a few times. They seemed satisfied that I wouldn't be skewered anytime soon, but it was Haldir who put a stop to all of it saying, "Blackburn has his own armor. Whether it is more or less efficient than ours is less important than the fact that he is more comfortable and can move more easily in it. Bring the spare armor with us. It may be needed."

It was, quite possibly, the first time I was ever truly grateful to Haldir for his presence. However, I was more certain he intervened, not on my behalf, but to stop them from ruining more arrows on my armor. He probably also wanted to get moving again as quickly as possible.

It was a long and strenuous walk. Even worse than the day Haldir had the two of us speed-marching towards Fangorn. Food and water were taken on the run, and piss breaks were taken at the risk of being separated from the group. The stretcher they had used to carry Haldir's armor (and the extra set meant for me) was now a bed for me at night. Haldir wouldn't stop for anything, not even my nightly need for unconsciousness. Though, I kind of wished they had dumped the extra armor, as it made for a very uncomfortable pillow.

We traveled like this for another two weeks. As much as elves didn't seem to need sleep, every one of them looked ready to drop when Haldir (finally!) called a halt.

"We will rest here for a day," he said. "Tomorrow we reach Helm's Deep."

Maybe I was delirious from exhaustion, but it didn't occur to me that I shouldn't antagonize Ol' Hal. "You lost, Hal?" I asked, out of breath. "I though' we were goin' t' Ed'ras."

He speared me with a glare but managed to keep his voice even. "Edoras is the capital of Rohan. However, Theoden and his people have fled to Helm's Deep, their ancient stronghold." His eyes glittered. "You will accompany Rúmil and Orophin on scouting duty, Blackburn. Perhaps you will at last see why my people worry for you."

I was ready to start calling him very horrible things when two elves approached me. I recognized them.

"Hey, guys...How's it goin'?"

They inclined their heads and smiled. "We are well," Rúmil said.

We went off away from the main group. Once out of earshot of them, I asked one of my greatest burning questions. "Is Hal always that much of an ass?"

The two exchanged amused looks.

"Yes," Rúmil replied.

"Most definitely," said Orophin.

I raised my eyebrows. "Really? How'd he get to be a general?"

Orophin shrugged. "He is eldest."

I looked at him, expecting something more. "That's it? He's older? Fuck, my granddad's older than time, but he's nuttier than a whacked out squirrel. No way anyone would let him lead anything."

He shrugged again. "Our ways are not your ways, Todd. Haldir is the eldest son in a long and privileged family line, and he is a great warrior."

"Moreover," added Rúmil with a smile, "he is not a general. He is March Warden of the Golden Wood."

I rolled my eyes. They were teasing me now. "Whatever. He'll always be General Jackass to me, and his little brothers have my deepest sympathies."

They both stifled laughter. "Thank you."

I paused, then looked at them. "You guys?"

They nodded. "Haldir is my elder by two centuries," said Orophin. "Rúmil is younger than I by one."

"Fuck," I muttered. "Well...you've got my deepest sympathies."

They smiled, and we continued on our way. We went without more conversation because, well, a scouting party should remain undetected, and laughing about how much you all mutually dislike the commanding officer does not help this endeavor. This was a very good idea, because a few miles away from the elf regiment, we spotted what looked like a long black river inching its way forward. On slightly closer inspection, it turned out to be throngs of nasty looking bastards marching in generally the same direction we were headed.

The elves ushered me away back to the regiment silently. I kept trying to ask why we were going, saying that we should get a closer look at the weapons and armor they were using, that valuable intel can be the difference between winning and losing a fight. They hushed me each time and just urged me to move faster.

We got back out of breath. Haldir came forward and demanded something in elvish. Orophin replied with one word, "Uruk-hai."

Haldir ordered us back to marching at a very fast pace. After nightfall, I spied a few lights in the distance. I hoped to hell that it was our destination, because I was about to drop from exhaustion. As we got closer, I could make out a tall stone wall that spanned from one cliffside to another and a huge tower built into the side of the mountain.

As we neared the front gates, Orophin took out an ornate horn and blew a clear ringing note to the fortress. After a moment, the gates opened, and we entered.