Chapter 16
We ran for ages it seemed. The elven blood in me prevented me from becoming weary. I could not say the same for Gimli. My father pressed his ear to the ground and closed his eyes.
"Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. HURRY!"
Legolas and I ran faster. He looked back at Gimli.
"Come on Gimli!"
I heard Gimli breathing hard behind us.
"Three days and nights pursuit! No food….no rest…..and no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell!"
I laughed and ran ever faster. Faeron flew beside me. I looked at him.
"~Fly ahead! Find out if they yet live!~"
He flew faster and then disappeared.
"They run as if the very whips of their master's were behind them." Legolas said.
Faeron returned and dropped something in my hand. It was the brooch of Lorien! It looked as though it had been left in the mud.
"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall. Ada look!"
He looked at the brooch and smiled.
"They may yet be alive!" Legolas said.
Father looked at the tracks.
"Less then a day ahead of us. Come!"
Gimli tumbled down the hill behind us.
"Come Gimli! We are gaining on them!" Legolas called.
"I wish that on cross-country…..we dwarves were natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances!"
I laughed and so did Legolas. Father seemed not to have heard. Towards the end of that day we reached the Gap of Rohan.
"Rohan…..home of the horse lords. There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets it's will against us." Father said.
I jumped over the boulders and looked out into the distance.
"Gilraen what do your eyes see?"
I could not fully make out what I saw. It looked to be the uruks but I could not be certain.
"Legolas!" I called.
He came to my side and then said,
"The Uruks turn north-east! They are taking the hobbits to Isenguard!"
My eyes widened. I ran forward before anyone could stop me.
Saruman must believe they have the ring! If he finds out they do not…..
The cries of my father, Legolas and Gimli faded behind me. I did not stop even when the sun began to sink below the horizon.
I found myself in luck! The uruks had stopped and I found their camp. They threw two large bundles. I recognized these as Merry and Pippin! Faeron landed silently on my shoulder. There were at least 25 or 30 of them. They had been joined by orcs. It would be foolish for me to just leap out and attack, that plan only held certain death.
"What about them!? They are fresh!"
One of the orcs was looking at Merry and Pippin hungrily.
"They are not for eating!" said an uruk.
I frowned confused.
"What about their legs? They do not need those!" said another.
Orcs truly are disgusting!
"Oh they look tasty!"
"Get back scum!"
The same uruk threw back the orc and drew his blade.
"The master wants them alive and unspoiled!"
I listened carefully.
"Alive? Unspoiled? Why?"
"They have something! An elvish weapon. The master wants it for the war."
I had been right. Saruman believed they had the ring. I had to do something fast. I looked around and then crept into the woods. I heard a shout and then a squeal. I peered through the bushes. The uruk had cut off the first orc's head.
"Looks like meat is back on the menu boys!"
I felt sick when they began to tear into the body of the dead orc. I saw Merry and Pippin begin to crawl away. Then the second orc stopped them.
"Go on! Call for help! Squeal! No one shall save you now!"
"Bet me!" I shouted.
I stood up and threw a small knife into his shoulder. Then large spear came flying and pierced his back. I did not have the time to wonder where it had come from. I rushed to Merry and Pippin and freed them from their bounds.
"Run into the forest! I will follow!"
They nodded and ran. Some of the uruks were circling me. I smirked and drew my sword. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. When I opened them I gave a shout and jumped high in the air. I spun around and killed a few. I landed and then killed off the next few who came towards me. I saw several horsemen circle around me. I sheathed my sword and one of them approached me.
"Who are you?"
I smirked and laughed.
"Answer me!" He shouted.
"Is this how you always treat women?" I asked.
He did not answer. I assumed that he did not know I was female.
"My lady….I knew not you…..you fought as though…."
"As a man might? I suppose so."
"I am Eomer son of Eomund."
I bowed and said,
"Gilraen daughter of Aragorn."
He bowed and kissed my hand. He was trying to earn some points here.
"Lady Gilraen I would advise you to return with us to Edoras. It is safer there." He said.
I looked down. My father, Legolas and Gimli would be looking for me. Yet I knew it would be safer for me to accompany Eomer to Edoras. I agreed but only of I was allowed a horse. He obliged and I rode with them to Edoras.
