(Just a fair notice that the story will begin to divert from the movies a bit.)
Disclaimer: I do not own or claim any of the characters or the world of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Rodaìn held her breath in wait as she heard the faint murmuring of voices up the hill. She was beginning to feel suffocated under the bodies, and the ashy stench of dead orcs pervaded her nose.
Hesitant steps began to approach. The members of the party were silent and, as Rodaìn was on the opposite side of the pile of bodies, she could not determine whether or not this party was a potential enemy. She prayed they would move on quickly so that she may continue on her way to Rohan alone. She wished to travel to Rohan to purchase a horse, as her old one had died. It was well known that Rohan bred the finest of horses, and she hoped she could find one for a low price. Rodaìn had always loved animals, and worked in the horse stables in her spare time back at home. Hopefully, a horse would provide her a bit of company for her endless journeys through the land. Luckily, a horse would not ask her any questions she would not feel comfortable talking about.
Rodaìn was brought back from her musings as she heard someone or something rifling through the bodies on the other side of the pile. Rodaìn quickly brought a hand to her mouth like a trap door snapping shut to hide the rambling victims inside. Her body became stiff. Rodaìn desperately hoped that they would not find her. Over time, she seemed to have mastered the technique of blending into her surroundings and hiding in corners, but that only worked among people during large gatherings. Rodaìn hoped she blended in with the orc carcasses. Surely her ashy face, due to blood loss, and mud-smeared skin and clothing aided her case.
However, the boots clunked closer to her and Rodaìn heard metal connecting with the orcs' armor. A sword? An axe? This creature has a weapon drawn? Oh no, what was I thinking? I should have kept the tip of that spear in my hand.
The noises stopped. Rodain remained frozen. A hand reached over Rodaìn. It grabbed something resting on top of the body covering her still form, and retreated. One of her ears was pressed into the grass but the other caught the sound of a gruff voice. A vaguely familiar gruff voice. The cells in her brain scrambled through her folders of knowledge to connect the parts, but a brief glimpse between the arm and torso of the orc that covered her showed Rodain the red bushel of hair that she knew: Gimli, son of Glóin.
The Fellowship was here. Rodaìn quickly determined the remaining members: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir. That is, if any had not died yet. Should I reveal myself? Are they even worrying for me? They are most likely just searching for Merry and Pippin. I cannot trust them. If I do not reveal myself, they shall pass over me and I can continue on my way to Rohan. I will not trust them. It is never safe to trust anyone. I was merely a burden to them; they would not want me anyways.
Rodaìn's mind was halted at the sound of a figure falling to the ground. Another eerie scream tore through the air like before, filled with bitter anguish. Rodaìn hopelessly wished to reveal herself to comfort the one whom had screamed- Aragorn or Boromir, she assumed. In the time that she had spent with Legolas, he had never revealed an outpouring of emotion, and she did not believe it would be him now. It was a natural reaction of Rodaìn's- to comfort others. Perhaps it was because she recognized the suffering and pain withheld in that scream, and she was able to relate to it because she was familiar with anguish and hurt in her own life.
Rodaìn was startled, however, when she heard a voice speak, and she concentrated so as to interpret the conversation. "Two hobbits lay here, and a human," the voice, she recognized as Aragorn, spoke. Rodaìn was intrigued now, and she followed Aragorn's words as he tracked their movements from the night prior. "Their hands were bound, but their bonds were cut."
When she heard the group move away from her position, Rodaìn let out a small sigh as she slowly removed her clenched hand from her mouth.
"Is that blood?" Rodaìn recognized Legolas' voice.
She imagined Aragorn bending down to examine the bloodstained grass that remained after Pippin cut Rodaìn's bonds and pulled her upright so that they could escape the battle scene. "Either from a hobbit or a human, but it is not orc blood. There is enough of that scattered around to clearly view the difference."
"Who was injured? Did the orcs torture one of them?" Legolas questioned again.
"Does it look grave?" Gimli chimed in now as well.
Rodaìn was surprised of their conversation as it proceeded. She was not necessarily startled by the words, but by the participants. She had not heard Boromir's deep voice yet, and he always seemed inclined to state his opinion, regardless of the issue at hand.
"I do not know," Aragorn replied in answer to Gimli and Legolas' questions,"but I hope not."
Rodaìn strained her ears to listen to the group now as they were led further away from the dead orcs. She remained silent, still not knowing whether or not to reveal herself. They had not specifically mentioned anything concerning her. But, then again, none of the members had spoken directly of the hobbits either.
"They ran over here. They were followed," Aragorn continued as he moved closer to Fangorn Forest, slowly tracking the escape of the hobbits and the near-escape of Rodaìn. "The tracks lead away from the battle," Rodaìn struggled to hear Aragorn's voice, "and into Fangorn Forest." So he did not notice that my tracks were missing? I suppose that answers my question. I shall wait here until they enter Fangorn Forest to search for the hobbits. At least I know that they will be in safe hands. I shall make my way to Rohan-
Rodaìn's thoughts were halted as Aragorn spoke yet again. "Queer."
"What is it, Aragorn?" Legolas asked.
"There are only two sets of hobbit footprints that lead into the forest. The human tracks have disappeared."
Gimli spoke up now. "What do you mean disappeared?"
"I do not see them enter the forest." Rodaìn supposed Aragorn was backtracking now. "The tracks get lost amid the orc footprints."
"Where could she have gone?" Legolas asked. Was that, concern, in his voice? Surely I am hallucinating now. I am already dizzy from blood loss.
"The lass couldn't have made it too far," Gimli added.
"Surely, she wasn't," Legolas' voice trailed off as he looked back at the orc bodies. Wisps of smoke continued to rise among the various bloodied limbs.
Aragorn's soft reply was muffled from the distance.
She was breathing heavily now, and worried what they would do. Should I reveal myself to them now? Wait, when did I decide I was going to reveal myself to them? I was just a burden. I am a burden.
Against her thoughts, Rodaìn slowly began to shift her left arm out from underneath the orc's torso. However, as she freed her arm, a stray orc leg toppled to the ground. Rodaìn slapped her hand back over her mouth, as if it would silence the noise.
Luckily, the three fellowship members were too consumed in their thoughts of their missing friends. Aragorn had begun pacing the area, searching desperately for more clues regarding Rodain's whereabouts. He examined the hobbit tracks again and, this time, noticed another set of tracks that trailed the hobbits'. "Legolas. Gimli. An orc ran into Fangorn Forest."
"Was he chasing the hobbits?" Gimli wondered.
"Or carrying Rodain," Legolas stated. Rodaìn. That was the first time any member of the group had actually mentioned my name.
"It seems the only possible explanation," Aragorn wearily agreed.
Gimli was angered. "An orc! Taking the lassie! Why I'll get him!" Rodaìn was touched by Gimli's anger. No one had expressed such protective thoughts before, and she smiled slightly. She knew she had to confront the group.
However, as Rodaìn slowly struggled to remove the various orc limbs from her body, the company moved into Fangorn Forest. This made Rodaìn's actions more desperate, and she hurried to get up. She let out a sharp gasp as she lifted her back from the hard-packed terrain. Her position had forced her back to the ground, and pebbles and dirt had wriggled their way into her wounds. As Rodaìn finally made it to a standing position, she had to put her hands on some orc bodies to balance herself. She was still dizzy from blood loss and she could not remember when she last ate or drank. Her back would need to be cleaned and wrapped soon, as it was most likely already infected.
Rodaìn stumbled down to the path the fellowship had taken into the forest. I can't believe I am doing this. Why? I have always been fine by myself. I do not need them. But, her thoughts overpowered her true feelings that resonated softly in her mind. Rodain did need the fellowship. She craved their company, their kindness, their protection. They had treated her with respect, even though she was a woman.
Rodaìn continued to slowly make her way through the forest, but she was fearful that she could not catch up to her three healthy companions. Yet, at last, she heard them speaking as she made her way through the trees. Rodaìn stopped short. How am I to announce myself? What do I do if they send me back because they no longer like me? What does-
Rodaìn gave a yelp and fell, trembling, to the ground as an arrow whooshed past her head and into the tree she was leaning on for support. She had not anticipated being attacked by the same people that had previously taken her in so kindly.
As the three neared her, she heard Gimli gag. "Uh, what is that nasty smell? What've you been doing?"
Rodaìn did not know what to do. However, she was given no choice when she felt a cold, gleaming blade on her neck. "Who are you? Raise your face so that we may see you properly," Aragorn demanded.
Shakily, Rodaìn obeyed.
The group gasped.
"Lass!" Gimli erupted and tackled her to the ground in a warming hug. Rodaìn was ecstatic, but her face did not show it, and the feeling quickly dissipated. She knew Gimli did not mean it, but, when he had tackled her, the fire of pain burned anew and she let out a whimper. Rodaìn had experienced so much pain recently, she had grown familiar with the tearing flames that scratched through her back with deep talons. However, this familiarity did not lessen the pain.
"Gimli! Gimli, she's hurt," Legolas noticed immediately. Legolas and Aragorn quickly pulled Gimli off of Rodain.
Gimli apologized, "Oh, lass, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," Rodaìn croaked out, her voice rough from a lack of water. She gave a hesitant smile to the group. She felt uncomfortable as they continued to stare at her.
Once Aragorn moved, everyone began to act. Aragorn knelt near her and drew out his water skin to offer it to her. Legolas silently walked around Rodaìn to observe any physical damage she had contracted. He let out a gasp as he saw her back. He was not as skilled in the art of healing as Aragorn was, but he knew that Rodaìn's wounds could be life-threatening. Aragorn looked up at Legolas as Rodaìn was still drinking from his water skin (in little sips, as Aragorn had instructed her). The look in Legolas' eyes conveyed the damage, and Aragorn gently rose to view Rodaìn's back.
"Lass, we're glad we found ya. We thought you were gone," Gimli told Rodaìn as her trembling hand lowered Aragorn's water skin from her cracked lips. She did not have the words to speak, and she gave Gimli another gentle smile.
Aragorn ran a hand through his unwashed hair in frustration and concern. Rodaìn's injuries were bad, but they would have to move her out of the forest to treat them. Rodaìn had already lost a multitude of blood, so someone would have to carry her through the forest swiftly. However, this would greatly aggravate her back. Aragorn did not wish to cause her any more pain than she was obviously enduring, but he had no choice if he wished to keep her alive.
Aragorn walked back to the front of Rodaìn and gently held her arm. Rodaìn flinched. "Forgive me, Lady Rodaìn. I should not have touched you." Rodaìn shook her head. She was ashamed as tears puddled down her cheeks. She hoped her down-turned face would hide them. It did not, however, as the tears did not escape Aragorn's notice. His heart broke for the young woman, and he wished he knew how to comfort her. "Lady Rodaìn, I am glad we found you. You are safe with us now. Okay? We will take care of you. I promise, milady. We will help you. I have to heal your wounds, but to do that we need to exit the woods. Is it acceptable with you if Legolas carries you out of the woods? We will do it as fast as possible, but I need to heal your wounds."
Rodaìn knew she did not have a choice. She did not want to be carried, for the sake of her dignity. However, she also knew that she would not survive without their help, and Aragorn's comforting words had minutely relaxed her anxiety-ridden nerves. "Yes, my lord," she whispered.
Aragorn let out a sad smile at her politeness, even at such extreme levels of pain. He nodded his head to Legolas, who stepped forward.
"I am going to pick you up now, my lady. This will hurt, but I promise I will be as gentle as I can. I am truly sorry for this," Legolas told her.
Rodaìn nodded her head in assent and Legolas picked her up, fitting her safely in his arms. Rodaìn sharply bit her tongue to prevent a scream as her back connected with his arm. She knew that they were helping her, and she did not wish to appear any more vulnerable. Rodaìn could not remember the last time someone had prolonged physical contact with her, and she was initially extremely stiff in Legolas' gentle hold.
The group began moving forward, slowly increasing their pace. Legolas did his best not to jostle the lady in his arms. He could not fathom the levels of pain she was enduring, and admired her bravery. Yet, her body was rigid, making it harder to steady her and preventing a completely secure grip. He whispered softly to her to relax her. "You are safe, my lady. We are here. Aragorn, Gimli and I. You shall not be alone. We will always be here for you. Hold on."
Rodaìn was still silently crying, with her head inches from Legolas' tunic, as he comforted her. She relaxed slightly at his assurances.
She was safe with this man, elf, and dwarf. They would help her to heal.