Chapter 12
Crack. Pain erupts across my back and wraps around my shoulder. The tail of the whip snaps against the skin just under my collarbone. Merry and Pippin had lagged a bit trying to keep up with everyone else's longer legs, and I slowed to keep myself between them and the orcs. Our captors didn't like that very much, so I ended up with a few welts across my back. The hobbits jump each time the whips snap, but I urge them forward before they can turn back and look.
I'm not being entirely selfless. The pain is a… needed distraction. Failing to save Boromir hurts. More than whips could. The welts will heal but I can never bring Boromir back.
Our last sip of their energizing liquor-or whatever it is-drink is wearing off and tiredness is quickly kicking in. if I've been keeping count right, we've been running close to 36 hours. The sun is starting to set for our second night. I just have to keep us going until the Riders of Rohan get here.
I cough through a dry throat. It catches the attention of the head orc and I go with it. I fake a full coughing spell. He stops the group and comes to me. My head tilts up the closer he gets so I can still gauge the expression on his face.
"What's wrong now, girl?" he roughly grabs my upper arm and pulls me right up to him.
"Throat's dry, can't help it." I croak out. He raises a hand and flicks his fingers as if to say 'bring me the flask'. The skin is placed in his hand, and he lets go of my arm to grab a handful of my hair again. Not necessary. I'd drink willingly now that I know it won't kill me. I think he just likes exerting his power over us, well, me.
He pulls back roughly so my head tilts back then he pours the nasty, but effective, liquid down my throat. I drink as much as I can but he's pouring too quickly, and I actually do choke and cough now. There's a scuffle to the side of us and he throws me to the ground so he can go deal with it.
I shuffle over to where Merry and Pippin have also been pushed to the ground. Merry looks on the verge of consciousness but Pippin watches me with worry as I slowly get closer. I push myself into a seated position as best as I can with the ties they've left on our wrists.
Pippin watches as the smaller orcs start throwing their things down. They're clearly tired and agitated as well. Creaking beside me catches my attention and I do a double take. A forest? How did I not notice that? This must be Fangorn's Forest.
"We're not goin' no further 'till we've had a breather." An orc declares.
"Get a fire going!" The head orc demands. There's a flurry of commotion and we're forgotten about while they set up camp.
"What good have I been?" Pippin laments quietly. Even though it's dark, I can still see him sadly looking at Merry. "Just a nuisance; a passenger, a piece of luggage. First the skeleton in Moria, and now stolen by orcs. I want to wish for Strider's rescue but that would be selfish, he needs to follow Frodo."
"Your time will come Pippin. This isn't for nothing. We're right where we need to be for now. You'll see them again soon." I say. It's not much, but it's all the comfort I can offer with how worn out I am. Still, he looks at me with a little bit of hope restored.
"I'm starvin'. We ain't had nothin' but maggoty bread for three stinkin' days." A hangry voice catches our attention.
"Yeah, why can't we have some meats. What about them?" an orc spits as he looks to Merry and Pippin.
"They are not for eating. They go to Saruman; alive and unspoiled." Head orc defends them, well, I don't think he defends them for their benefit but I'll take what we can get.
"What about this one?" I'm suddenly hauled up by my arm. I'm going to have so many bruises after this. Head dude comes over and shoves the orc holding me away and I fall back to the ground painfully. I land on my left side and numbness shoots through my elbow to my wrist. Dammit, be careful with a girl would ya.
"Saruman demanded her too." Saruman wants me? I forget about my arm at the news. How does he know of me? "They have something. An elvish weapon, and information. The Master wants it."
"They think we have the ring." One of the hobbits whispers and I glare at them. They both right themselves and squeeze their mouths shut.
"Just a mouthful." An orc creeps up behind us and I pull Merry and Pippin down as best I can to avoid being hit by the head orc while he fends off our attacker. It's head lands on the ground in front of us and I almost empty my stomach right then and there, even though all I've had is the orcs liquor recently.
"Looks like meats back on the menu!"
A cheer goes through the crowd and we're shoved aside. Pippin and Merry look to me and I nod toward the forest. They both look in that direction, then give me a nod of confirmation. I wait for them to army crawl ahead of me, then I follow. At minimum they need to get to Treebeard safely.
An arm grasps my shoulder and flips me harshly onto my back. Everything stings at the new pressure on my welts, but I force myself to focus. I can be sore later. The orc who wanted to sacrifice us earlier hunches over me.
"Go on, squeal. No one's going to save you now." He spits in my face as he grabs my chin and lifts his knife up to the side of my vision.
His body jerks and he hisses in pain before falling off me to the side. Horses whinny and hooves thunder as the Riders of Rohan finally arrive. The camp of orcs panic and I look back to Merry and Pippin.
"Go!" I yell at them. When they head for the forest, I close my eyes and let my head thump against the ground. This time the orc liquor just isn't giving me the lasting strength it did before, and my whole body feels ready to give up.
"Miss?" I open my eyes and look up at the man above me. He carefully lifts me and moves me closer to the treeline. "Give me a moment and I will return to remove those for you." He nods to my wrist bindings. I manage a nod and let my head fall back again. He gets back on his horse and returns to slaying the orcs.
"Brielle!" Pippin calls, hurrying to me.
"Pip…" I try to tell him to go back but my body's failing quick.
"Eat this while I free you." He says pushing some Lembas against my lips. I accept the bread and he starts untying my wrists. "Merry is in the forest already, I left him by a tree."
The Lembas helps a little, my stomach's happy to have real food in it. My wrists come free, and I dig as deep as I can for the strength to follow Pippin. Thank God the Horse-lord brought me toward the forest. Each shuffle we make hurts, but the promise of safety is enough to spur me on. We make it back to Merry, and Pippin collapses beside him.
"Here, you eat the rest of this." Pippin hands me the last of the Lembas.
"Where did you even get this?" I ask. "Our bags are back at camp."
"I had some hidden in my pockets." He says sheepishly.
"Oh, bless you, Pip." I say gratefully.
I eat the few little bites left and watch as Pippin curls up next to Merry. I'm glad they can find peace in the forest enough to rest, but I know we're not safe yet; an orc follows us and I have to convince Treebeard we're not a threat.
I stand and turn to the forest's edge. Merry and Pippin are behind me, between me and a tree. It's dark but I can still see enough to catch movement from our left. The orc clears the edge of the forest and sniffs frantically.
I have no weapon, so I'll have to wrestle its strange sword away from it. My heart beats wildly in my chest. I plant my feet and steady myself as it comes closer. Just as I'm about to make my move, it freezes and looks behind me. I watch in shock as a giant branchy foot squishes the orc in front of me. I turn and slowly look up at the giant living tree. My god.
A small squeak escapes me as a wooden hand reaches down and scoops me up. I'm lifted to eye height so he can inspect me.
"You are no orc." His old voice says. I shake my head quickly.
"Nope. I'm a human. My two companions down there are hobbits." I motion to Merry and Pippin.
"Never heard of hobbits." He says contemplatively.
"No, probably not. They're Shire folk, usually keep to themselves. Their names are Merry and Pippin. My name's Brielle." I cross my arms and lean forward onto his branch finger to try and relieve some of the pressure on my wounds. My legs dangle awkwardly, and it makes me feel like a child.
"Human folk avoid coming into our forest." He says suspiciously.
"We were trying to escape a pack of orcs who took us prisoner." I say by way of explanation.
"Ent's hate orcs. They come with fire and axe… gnawing, biting, breaking, burning!" His voice raises in anger with each word.
"They also come with whips that leave marks all over my back so if you wouldn't mind shifting me to another position, I'd appreciate it a whole bunch." I say and flinch at his accidental strengthening of his grip. He looks at me with sympathy and lifts me to a little notch up by his face. "Thank you." I settle against him much more comfortably.
"You and your friends are safe here for now." He says reaching down to pick up Merry and Pippin. Each of them get a shoulder to curl up on.
From up here I can see for miles. It's strange being up so high. I'm used to always being the shortest in the group. Merry and Pippin shuffle, waking slightly, but something in the distance catches my eye. I lean forward and squint. It's white, and it almost looks like… Gandalf! I perk up and wave. I don't know if he can see us but I have to try.
He waves back to me but turns and heads the other way. My heart sinks. Seeing him is bittersweet. I'm glad he's okay and I wish I could see him in person, but I know he's going to intercept the others. As much as I wish we could all reunite, I know we don't have the same paths right now.
"Treebeard some call me." Treebeards voice pulls me back. I look down and he's talking to a now conscious Pippin.
"Don't freak out guys." I say before anyone can panic or offend each other. "Treebeard's cool with us." Merry's coming too also, but he seems more in awe than scared.
"I shall bring to you safety tonight and we shall meet with the other Ent's in the morning." He says as he walks.
We don't go very far. He brings us to a small clearing with a small waterfall. We're surrounded by lush mossy large tree roots and rocks. The ground is covered by a bed of leaves. Treebeard lifts us down and tells us he'll be back for us at first light.
My cloak is the biggest out of all of us, so I spread it out on the ground as a bed for us. Merry takes off his cloak and lays down in the center. Pippin lays on one side and I take the other so I can lay on my side instead of my back. We spread the two hobbits' cloaks over us as blankets. We're just able to see the stars peak through the leaves and we all decompress silently for a moment.
"While you guys were out, I saw something." I say to them. Both guys look over at me expectantly. "Gandalf's back. Well, let me be more specific. Gandalf the white is back."
"Gandalf the white?" Merry asks.
"He was sent back to Middle-Earth as Saruman was supposed to be. I'll let him tell you the whole story when we see him next though." I say.
"Well, let's go." Pippin says sitting up.
"We can't. 1, he's much too far away, and 2, our separate groups each have rolls we have to play. But, you'll see him soon enough. I promise. For now, we all need to sleep." I insist.
"You're right." I can see the brief spike of adrenaline leave Pippin's body as he slouches back down.
A tremble wracks through me, a clear indicator my body's at it's limit too. I have no more left in me, and all my limbs fall slack aside from the involuntary trembles.
"Are you cold?" Merry asks. Pippin's head pops up to look over at me. I shake my head but tremble again.
"Move this way." Pippin says getting up. Merry shuffles over and pulls me with him so I'm in the center. Pippin lays down behind me. Unwelcome tears slip continuously from my eyes. Merry notices and frowns at me with worry then cuddles up to my front. Pippin does the same to my back as best he can, avoiding the sensitive wounds.
"Thank you." They whisper at the same time but don't make any other comments. I can feel their gratitude toward me for sparing them the hardship. I give in and take what comfort I can from them. We fall asleep all huddled together like this.
"I had the loveliest dream last night. There was this large barrel full of pipeweed. And we smoked all of it, and then, you were sick." I wake in our makeshift bed alone, to the sound of Pippin's voice. "I'd give anything for a whiff of old toby."
I watch Pippin stand and stretch. He has a makeshift bow in one hand and a jug of the waterfall water in the other. I smile as they argue over who's taller and then chase each other around for the water Pippin collected. I sit up and they turn to me.
"Would you like some?" Merry offers, much to Pippin's dismay. I shake my head.
"I like being short. It's all yours."
It's amazing what a good night's sleep will do for you. I feel worlds better. I'm hungry, but at least I don't feel on the edge of a breakdown anymore. I get up and collect berries while they continue to fight over the water.
The forest shakes with Treebeard's footsteps and I head back to our small clearing so I can be there when he arrives. Merry and Pippin are still sipping the water and I roll my eyes at them; they're going to end up with growing pains. I step to Treebeard while they're distracted.
"Are these safe to eat?" I ask, holding one of the berries up to him. He inspects it.
"Yes, very sweet too, excellent find." He praises. I hold some out as an offering, but he declines my offer of the juicy looking fruit. At the mention of food, the hobbits turn their focus to me. I turn and divide them between the three of us.
"Thanks!" They say in unison before shoving small handfuls in their mouths. I eat mine much more politely, a few at a time.
"Come, the forest is waking." Treebeard says. We collect our cloaks and Treebeard lifts us back up to our spots.
"O rowan mine,
I saw you shine
Upon a summer's day
Upon your head
How golden-red
The crown you bore aloft"
Treebeard sings to us as we walk. His last song was about the entwives. He asks the hobbits if they've seen any around the Shire and I hold back my laughter as Merry and Pippin do their best to look like they're legitimately considering the question.
Eventually the hobbits fall back asleep. Treebeard and I walk in silence for a while. I find I'm oddly in the mood for conversation, so I ask him about the forest. He tells me of how it use to be, so vibrant and thriving.
"The trees have grown wild and dangerous. Black are their thoughts. Anger festers in their hearts, strong as their hate." It makes me sad to hear what has become of the forest.
"It sounds like it used to be a wonderful land."
"Aye. There are too few of us now. With the entwives gone, there have been no entlings for a terribly long time." Treebeard says sadly. I lean my head against him hoping he can feel the comfort I'm directing his way and we walk in silence once more.
We enter a ring of trees with a rock in the middle. Treebeard explains that it's been a long time since the last entmoot, a gathering of ents. The forest rumbles as trees of every kind gather around us.
Treebeard let's us down off to the side then returns to the group. I remember this being a particularly long process, so I find a nice spot to sit and I recline against a tree trunk. Eventually Pippin joins me but Merry stands and paces.
"This has been going on for hours." Merry says as it starts to get dark again.
"They must have decided something by now." Pippin assures him. Treebeard tells them they've only said good morning and I can see Merry's impatience rise. He stops pacing and faces treebeard. He semi-shouts that we're running out of time, but Treebeard simply turns back to the group.
A while later Treebeard turns to us again. Merry and Pippin rush to meet him but I stay where I am. This isn't the answer they want yet. Treebeard tells them they're not orcs and Pippin tries to lighten the mood by making a joke of it, saying 'that's good'.
Merry doesn't go for it though, and pushes back. He tells Treebeard about our friends and the war and how they need our help. He's really not gonna like Treebeards next answer. Treebeard tells him not to be hasty before turning back to the group. I go back to stargazing and looking for any constellations I know. I briefly wonder if Legolas would know any, or if he's doing the same thing I am right now.
This time when Treebeard turns around, I do get up. I stand behind Merry and Pippin while we wait to hear their answer. I place a hand on Merry's shoulder as Treebeard delivers the news.
"This is not our war." Treebeard says. Merry pleads with them. His passion is admirable, but I know it won't change anything. "You are brave young Master Merry, but your part in this tale is over."
I help the hobbits put on their layers of clothing again and listen sadly as they consider if this quest is too big for them. I want to give them something to hold onto, but I know this needs to work out on its own. This is too crucial for me to change anything. The despair and dejection in Merry's voice when he tells Pippin there won't be a Shire to return to breaks me.
"Merry." I stop him. I cup his cheek to make him look at me. "I promise things will work out. This is exactly how things played out back home." I say trying to hint and get my point across without making Treebeard suspicious. Merry searches my face before he sighs and nods, deciding to believe me.
Treebeard lifts us back up so we can settle in for the ride, then he heads for the west. We travel in silence for a while all lost in our own thoughts. I'm not sure how far into the journey Pippin is supposed to come up with the Isengard plan but the anxious pit in my stomach is starting to grow with each step.
"I will take you to the Western border of the forest. You can go North from there to get home." Treebeard explains the plan. This feels like the moment but neither hobbit says anything. I shoot them both an insisting look but they both stare back at me confused.
Dammit. Did they take my words as meaning they're meant to return home now? I can't let that happen. I need something to prompt the words Pippin says. I try to think of how to bring it up, to get them to go along with it.
"Wait, we should go South." I blurt out.
"South?" Merry asks and I shoot him a look not to mess this up.
"But that will take you past Isengard." Treebeard says.
"Yes, exactly." I say and send a pleading look to Pippin.
"Right… if we go South," Pippin starts unsurely, "we can slip past Saruman unnoticed." Bless you Pippin. I beam at him. "The closer we are to danger, the further we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect."
"You are small. Perhaps you are right." Treebeard concedes.
"Are you mad? We'll be caught." Merry hisses at me.
"Trust me, please." I beg him. Merry doesn't look happy with me but for some crazy reason, he chooses to believe me.
"South it is then." Treebeard declares and sharply changes our direction.
We head 'downhill' for a while. Treebeard tells us stories but I only half listen. My attention is being split between us and our friends. Did Aragorn survive his fall and make it to Helms Deep? He had to. It's Aragorn. I worry my bottom lip while Merry, Pippin, and Treebeard debate a new line in the chant Treebeard learned of the creatures of Middle-Earth.
"Half-grown hobbits, the hole-dwellers." Treebeard suggests.
"Put us next to the men and you've got a deal." Merry says and I smile at the change in attitude he's found.
If this is a mix of book and movie, I wonder if the elves showed up. I return to my musings of Helm's Deep. If they did, did Haldir… no. Haldir is fine. He has to be. He said I'd be welcome in Lothlórien, and he wouldn't leave me alone there. Realistically, if the elves did show up there's a good change Haldir's not with us anymore. I force back my thoughts and emotions about that.
The sun's come up now, but it's mostly hidden by the clouds. Where there is a break, the early morning sky is pink. The hobbits and Treebeard have moved on to some story or complaints about mice. I haven't paid enough attention to be sure though.
I wonder how Legolas is doing. When he wasn't with Gimli, he seemed pretty attached to me. He's also the most emotional of the group if you know what to look for. Hopefully he's not worrying too much. Treebeard's gasp and sudden stop pull me back to our current situation.
I grip his back and steady myself then look up to see what's disturbed him. Acers of forest, charred and burned to the ground. The air is grey and smoky and there's no colour before us for miles. In the distance I can just make out what I think is Isengard.
"Many of these trees were my friends." Treebeard says sadly. It breaks my heart. I wish he didn't have to see any of this. As much as I love the story back home, I'm starting to wish it never existed; seeing how it's affected so many great people firsthand is devastating.
"I'm sorry Treebeard." Pippin says solemnly. Treebeard lets out a deep roar that echoes through the forest behind us and the open air in front of us.
Rumbling thunders from all around us. Pippin points out some trees to our left that are moving. It's like a wave of green rippling toward Isengard.
Groaning from behind us starts and we turn in our places. More Ents have awaken and are emerging from the forest. Treebeard declares war and Ents all around us march toward Isengard. Goosebumps dance across my skin. The Ents are quiet, but their strength and determination is deafening.
Treebeard leads the Ents last march. The sky starts to clear as we draw near and Treebeard doesn't so much as flinch as Isengard's ruining's become clearer.
The attack starts as soon as we reach the stone wall surrounding the tower. Ents break off boulders and launch them into the hoards of orcs rushing around. They make it look like it takes no effort as they destroy the towers first defence.
We step through the holes in the wall and instantly Ents start kicking, crushing, sweeping, or tossing orcs aside. They topple over any structures they come across and orcs cry out and flee toward the tower.
I have a new found respect for the ents, and a little terror too. In the movies they seemed old and slow but they're just as strong as any other warrior I remember seeing. Plus, their size is a great advantage, one swoop of an arm can take out 6 or 7 orcs.
A wave of bigger orcs charge us from the tower. They throw a rope loop around an ent to our left and it catches on one of his branches. The orcs pull and tug until he falls over. Another group of orcs climb the ent and start swinging axes. The thunk of metal on wood is loud but it doesn't last long. The ent brushes the orcs off himself and works on standing.
I don't see if he makes it back to his feet or not because a whistling sound to our right catches my attention. I look around and find a couple of orcs throw torches at the ents on our other side. Some fall back to the ground but some get caught in groves and branches. The bark sizzles and pops as it's set alight and the ent cries out.
I whip my head around searching for the dam. We need the water to save the ents on fire. I grab onto Treebeard as he sways. He's picked up another boulder and launches it at another ent that was pulled down. The stone soars just over top of him and takes out the orcs hacking at it. Merry and Pippin cheer but I return to searching for the dam.
The tower catches my eye and Saruman stands, peering over the edge of his balcony. He scans the field, and we lock eyes. Even from this far away dread settles in my stomach. The heavy feeling holds me in place; I can't look away even as Treebeard moves. He squints at me in recognition or anger or maybe both. It's hard to guess without knowing what he knows of me.
He pushes away from the ledge and retreats into the tower, and I'm released from his hold. Ents topple structures into a giant flaming hole in the ground near us, and I watch in horror as orcs fall to their deaths. They're awful creatures but I wish there was an easier way for them to go.
The orcs have upgraded to flaming arrows. A few ents around us are on fire and the whistling is almost overwhelming now. Treebeard turns suddenly and warns us to hold on, to prepare.
"Break the dams!" His voice booms across the battlefield. "Release the River!"
I watch as ents pull pieces from a rock wall with a wooden structure near it. It starts small, one hole gushing water. But, within seconds, the pressure is too much and the wall crumbles. Water explodes and white rapids rush down the rocks toward the tower, and toward us.
The ents brace themselves and we grip treebeard wherever we can. He jerks on impact, and I grab onto Merry when he loses grip. He recovers quickly and I return to my secure hold. One of the ents on fire walks headfirst into the water and comes up relieved.
The orcs and the few wooden towers left are no match for the strong current and they all get swept into the giant cave hole. The rush of water is deafening and incredibly terrifying to see. It destroys and floods Isengard in a matter of minutes.
All at once the water stills and everything grows quiet. Just like that the battle is over. Treebeard lets us down and the water comes up to my thighs. The hobbits stand beside me, waist deep in it. They're looking at the tower where Saruman has come back out with Wormtongue.
The hobbits banter about it being a quality establishment and I roll my eyes at them. I turn and start collecting food, knowing they'll be hungry, but also wanting to get out of the water as soon as possible. I grab a basket and pile in the apples, chicken, cheese, carrots, and some cauliflower. They'll be here soon enough to grab their own precious pipeweed.
"You're both still short." I call out to them teasingly when I hear Merry say the world is back to normal.
"Hey!" They should together in protest from the doorway. They don't continue though when they lay eyes on the treasure I've found. I smirk at their speechlessness and nod my head at the back wall.
"Longbottom Leaf!" Merry is the first one to catch on to my hint. The hobbits awkwardly rush through the water and grab a barrel each. I continue collecting food as they sniff the leaves. Merry pulls out his pip and they start smoking.
"I'll be up the ladder just outside the door with the food when you guys are ready to join me." I say but I think they ignore me. I shrug and move toward dryer areas.
Treebeard is outside and he helps me up with the food, so I don't have to awkwardly manage the basket and the ladder. I thank him then look around our vantage point. The stone wall reminds me of the ones you see in movies around castles. It's 2 or 3 feet wide and has a ledge on either side to prevent you from falling.
I move to a wall that's been ruined in the fight and hang my legs over the edge. I take off my boots and socks to let them dry and lean back. The warm sun feels wonderful after being in the cool water.
Merry and Pippin join me just as I'm starting to doze off. I sit up so I don't fall asleep on them and look around as they rummage through the food I grabbed. Treebeard couldn't have put us down in a better spot. We're up high where it's dry, we're out of Saruman's view until our friends come, and we're right next to a food supply.
I grab some of the chicken and cheese to nibble on. I start slowly since it's been a few days and I don't want to upset my stomach. Merry and Pippin don't seem to have the same concern. They stuff their faces then lay back with their hands on their protruding bellies.
Treebeard wanders off, presumably to check on the other ents, and Merry and Pippin start softly snoring. I nibble on some of the cauliflower while anxiety creeps back in. Now that the battle is over, all there is to do is wait until our friends show up and I'm kind of fuzzy on how long that'll be.
I remember it was still light when they showed up so every minute that passes only increases the feeling that something's gone wrong. What if my taking Boromir's and Aragorn's last conversation changed his resolve somehow and he didn't make it back to Helm's Deep? Or what if my being missing is a distraction for Legolas and something happened to him? I worry my bottom lip.
Regardless of my worry, time passes. After a nap, the hobbits wake and I think they can tell something is on my mind so they try to keep me engaged in conversation. I do my best to push it down so I don't worry them too.
"Oh!" Merry says startling us. "There was some mint salve in the storage room. Let us treat your back."
"You guys don't have to do that." I say but having the welts brought to the forefront of my mind has brought the sting back.
"Please, it's our fault you're in pain. We were to slow." Pippin says sadly.
"We know you were protecting us from that, you know. Thank you." Merry adds. "We wanted to help you but didn't know how."
"No, don't say that." My eyes prickle. "It wasn't your fault. If anyone's to blame, it's the cruel orcs. It would have done no good for all of us to be hurting." They still look dejected, so I give in. "If it'll make you feel better, you can treat it." They perk up instantly and I get the sneaking suspicion I've been tricked into their care.
Merry grabs a little pot and the two move behind me. I sigh and gingerly lift my shirt off my back. They suck in loud breaths, and I'm confused. It's just my back. I still have my sports bra on from home and bathing suits cover less than that. I look back and their eyes are tracing patterns on my back. I stretch and follow their gazes as best I can. I can just see the angry red lines overlapping each other.
"It looks worse than it feels, I promise." They don't look convinced. They're frozen and I go to put my shirt back on but they stop me.
"No, no. We just didn't realise how bad it was." Pippin says.
"I wish we could bring them back and make them pay!" Merry says heatedly.
"It's okay. It's over, they're dead now. No need to dwell on it." I try to comfort them.
Merry uncaps the salve jar and they work together quietly to cover the welts. The mint is cool and each touch hurts, but I do my best not to flinch so they don't feel anymore misplaced guilt. I hear Merry cap the jar and I turn to face them.
"Thanks, it's starting to feel better already." I say with a smile and they smile back.
They help me slip my shirt back on by holding the back away from my skin as they lower it. Once they let go of the fabric it sticks to the salve but I don't care. I'll need new clothes at the end of all this anyway. If I survive it all.
The sun is setting and our friends still haven't shown up. I try to distract myself and the hobbits with happier memories of my childhood like going to the fair or competing in cheerleading and dance competitions. In return they tell me of some of the fairs and festivals they have at the Shire every year.
Eventually they adjust their positions and fall asleep for the night. I have too much anxious energy built up to sleep. Instead, I stay up and worry over what's keeping everyone. I feel like they'd want to come as soon as possible. I don't know how or when it happens but at some point, I end up laying down and falling asleep too.