Snake's horse thundered after the rest back to the hill he'd just descended. He could see them coming up fast, dozens of wargs. Valarauko threw his head as ready to fight as his rider. He drew his Harad scimitar and tightened his hands in the reins before charging. His light armor allowed him freedom while his horse's scale and plate of mithril guaranteed his mount safety.
Snake's one eye focused as he watched the wargs pick targets. One came at him jumping to dislodge him. Valarauko rose up and kicked the beast in the chest, Snake's legs tightened to his mount as he slashed the warg taking part of its head away. His stallion knew to move, trampling the orc now without beast as he turned to face the next attacker. This one went down easier but distracted them from the riderless warg hunting.
Snake never saw the hit that threw him from horseback. He hit the ground swordless and rolled from the impact of the beast. The warg bore down on him and Snake kicked it in the jaw trying to force it into retreat. Heavy silver-steel clad hooves drove into its side. The great beast turned on Valarauko.
Teeth penetrated between the scales at his stallions haunches. Still without a sword Snake grasped for the first thing he could use. Picking up a heavy stone he hurled it at the beast. It impacted in the eye and when the beast released his horse he was looking into a similar face with one destroyed eye. The warg circled and Snake turned following its every move. He was focused and when it leaped to kill Snake drew the long dagger hidden in his bracers. It plunged deep into the destroyed eye dropping the creature at his side.
His eye surveyed the field as he collected his sword. The others were driving the few remaining wargs from the cliffs. Snake ignored them and hurried to his stallion. He removed the rear scale section to inspect the bite. It was bad. Deep punctures left his horse trembling.
A shadow fell over him and he looked up at the man and horse. He didn't need to be told to know he was of the Rohirrim. Snake could see by how he looked down with understanding and sadness. They loved their horses as family and for Snake Valarauko was all he had. The man looked back before jumping down from his steed to help Snake.
The Rohan soldier looked over the wounds. "You are the one the elves name Angulócë, the fire-snake?"
He hadn't looked up at Snake, too intent was he in caring for the wounded stallion.
"Who are you?" Snake asked as his companion stood.
"Elfhelm, Marshall of the East Mark." With Snake's help he had Valarauko on his feet. "You are the one they name a Snake. I know your steed. He is strong of Roheryn and Snowmane stock. He will weather the journey without further care."
Snake replaced the mail wondering what salve Elfhelm had put on the wound. Even if Snake did not trust the men of Rohan he knew they would never harm a horse and certainly not a colt of their king's stallion.
"Mount up. We ride." The Marshall rode off and Snake mounted up trailing after though he did not force Valarauko beyond what speed he was in comfort.
Valarauko is the Quenya word for Balrog which literally translates to demon or beast of might.