The escape plan is put into motion! Enjoy!

Chapter 122

Candaith's POV: The Night of the Escape

Today had been a trying one. The Uruk overseer Fasch seemed particularly annoyed about something, so my tasks were more difficult than I would have liked. I was tasked with helping to build the large siege engines they were planning to use in some great battle, from what I overheard. I considered tampering with them slightly, so they would not work when they were used, but the Uruk taskmaster I was assigned to for the day checked over my work when I was finished. It would be too risky to try and deceive him, for he was sharper than most I had come across and did not trust me whatsoever. I had carried heavy beams and crates of sturdy metal plates and tools all day, and my back was aching something fierce. I knew Gwin was up to something, for I could sense her unease, but did not have time to inquire or assess it further due to the constant watch of my every move. Even stopping for a moment to drink some water seemed to annoy the Uruk-hai, so I put my focus on my tasks and tried not to do anything which would get me into trouble.

Tonight we would be putting our escape plan into action, and I did not want anything to hinder our efforts, including punishment or suspicion. I was exhausted as I dragged myself back to my cell, Ulguth lumbering ahead of me quietly. He seemed ambivalent to my struggles, so I went as quickly as I could, giving Lothrandir a nod in greeting as I passed him. I frowned as he did not return it, dozing as he was against the back wall. I could see fresh marks on his skin from what looked like whips, and wondered what he had done to get them. Perhaps nothing, and they just wanted to hurt him for fun.

I held in a sigh of relief until Ulguth was long gone, before waiting impatiently for Acca to arrive. We needed to go over things once more before putting our plan into action. It would be a difficult journey, fraught with danger, but we had to get out of here. People were dying, and we had a duty to Aragorn to meet him and provide aid. I worried my fellow Dunedain were still locked up in Tur Morva, and Mair must be returned to the Brenin safely, or all may be lost.

It was some time before everyone had been returned to their cells, and the night watch began. I looked over at Lothrandir once more, and thankfully noted he was gathering his belongings quietly. I did the same, along with Gwin's, for I knew she would be devastated to lose her weapons and her pack. She would need them for the journey as well. I decided to send her a quick message while I waited for Baldgar to kill the Uruk guard and unlock our cells. Originally, Acca had planned to go up with the rest of us, but reconsidered. Instead, he would go on ahead of us while we waited.

"Gwin? Are you all right?"

I could feel her smile, in a way, and she replied, "I am well, truly. I was unable to leave Nan Curunir, but I have found shelter. I plan to meet up with you and the others, once you escape. You will just need to tell me your location."

"Are you alone?"

I felt her hesitate, before saying, "The Numenorian Galthrod is with me."

A surge of anger moved through me; that man had caused her much grief. Was she his prisoner?

"Before you ask, I am not being held against my will, meleth nin. He helped me escape, and I am quite safe."

I frowned. I could tell she was keeping something from me, but determined we could speak of it later, once we were reunited. "Very well. I…I miss you, Gwin."

"I miss you too, but we shall see each other soon." What she didn't say was 'if all goes well', but I knew she wanted to remain positive. "Keep me updated, if you can."

"I will. Be careful, for I do not trust that man."

"Do not worry for me."

I smiled ruefully, "That is like saying I should not breathe, for it is impossible not to worry for you."

I could sense her roll her eyes, "You can be so dramatic sometimes, meleth. Focus on what you are doing. For this to work, you cannot be putting your attention on me. I can handle myself." While this was true most of the time, she had struggled to deal with things on her own when they were too overwhelming to handle. I shivered at the memory of her encounters with the strange darkness, remembering how it had nearly consumed her during our journey through the Bonevales after her fight with the spirit. She had not wished to speak of it afterwards, but I knew from my own pain how difficult it must have been.

Our mental conversation was cut short when Acca motioned me over to speak with him. "Everything is set in place, and I saw Baldgar silently kill the guard. He is beginning to open the cells, starting at the back of the dungeons. They are quite large, so it may be a little while before he reaches us. Make sure you are ready."

"I am prepared," I whispered, before pausing and eyeing Acca steadily. "Are you sure you wish to do this? We could find some other way."

Acca held up a hand, "I have lived a long life, Dunedain, and done things I regret. I must atone for these actions, and I believe this is the way to do it. I can die in peace, knowing I helped you all escape Saruman's tortures."

"Very well," I replied with a heavy sigh. I reached through the bars and clasped his shoulder. "If you are able to evade the blast, you should head our direction." When Acca shrugged, I knew he had no intention of escaping and would hear no further argument. "We will follow your lead."

I resisted the urge to pace as we waited, and after what felt like an Age, Baldgar crept up to our cells quietly. I idly thought he would make a good Ranger, for his steps were near silent as he moved through the shadows. I was pleased to note the locks did not squeak, nor did the hinges of the cell door when I opened it. "Wait a few moments while I finish this. Acca will go first, and once he has been gone for a little while, we will all gather a little ways back, before we begin our ascent to the surface." Baldgar's eyes were shining with excitement.

"Very well," I murmured again, casting my gaze to Lothrandir. He was standing tall, and I could see the thought of escape gave him strength he sorely needed. We could tend to his wounds once it was safe to do so. If we make it out of here alive.

I shook myself to try and dispel these doubts, and soon enough, Acca was out of sight. We waited for perhaps twenty minutes before we all huddled together. I quickly counted about thirty people, in various stages of exhaustion. "I could not convince everyone to come," Baldgar said, looking a little grim. "Some of them would not respond to my words, locked in their minds and without hope. Others did not have the strength, barely able to walk short distances. Despite my offer to help, they declined, stating they would slow us down."

"We cannot force them," I replied sadly.

"Indeed," Baldgar murmured. "It will be difficult enough with the large number of people we already have. We will need to go in small groups."

"Do we know the route which Acca wishes us to take?" I asked curiously.

Baldgar nodded. "I am well-acquainted with it, due to Acca's description and my own explorations."

I was curious how he managed to do such reconnaissance without arousing suspicion, but set this aside for now. "Then we should divide up, and have you quickly explain the route to a team lead." Sure enough, we were divided into four groups of eight people; although it was still more people than I would have liked in each group, it would have to do. I was nominated as the head of my group, Baldgar took another, and two others were chosen in the remaining groups.

Baldgar explained that, in theory, Acca's distraction would draw the forces of Isengard to the far Eastern side of the Ring, leaving the Western side mostly, if not completely, deserted. There was a hidden exit by a turret on the Western wall, and we would be escaping that way while the distraction was occurring. We could only hope the explosion would do the trick.

Taking a steadying breath, Baldgar turned to face us. "Men and women of Dunland, I would speak to you before we leave. I know my people, the Rohirrim, are your enemy. Our people have warred, and will likely do so again. However, today…today we need each other. Today, we have a common foe." He swallowed nervously, before continuing. "Acca, your kinsman, has offered to sacrifice his life to save ours. Will you aid me in this escape plan?"

There was a tense moment of silence, before I noted the Dunlendings begin to nod. Surprisingly, Mair stepped forward. "We will follow you." Despite her ragged clothes and too-thin body, she stood tall and proud. I could see a reflection of her father in her bearing, and I smiled.

"Very well," Baldgar said resolutely. "Let us begin."

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Ergothorn's POV: The Same Night

Our small group was currently huddled in a dense thicket of trees and bushes in Southwest Nan Curunír, and well hidden from the surrounding dangers. Or so Halbarad insisted. North of Andreg's camp, we had spent the day scouting the area, and came as close to the Ring of Isengard as we dared. Corunir had stated he had a good feeling about this spot. When I asked him why, he answered, "I think Gwin and the others would come this way, should they escape. It would be good of us to be ready for them, in case they are hurt." I figured they likely would be injured in some way, and was glad the Dunedain and the two Elves were skilled healers. I hoped it would be nothing serious, but we had no way of knowing the condition of our friends.

Speaking of the Elves, both brothers were sitting close together, discussing something in rapid Sindarin. I noted Halbarad listening from his current spot on a fallen log, his brows pinched together in thought. What were they speaking of? Suddenly Elrohir jumped up angrily, stalking away to the other side of the relatively small camp…if you could really call it a camp. Elladan sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, clenching it tightly in his fingers in frustration. Halbarad took Elrohir's place and spoke softly with Elladan, seemingly reassuring him.

"Elrohir wants to sneak into Isengard by climbing the walls, but Elladan thinks it is too dangerous," Calengad murmured, sitting next to me. "We have not gotten near enough to see which areas are guarded and how closely. Scaling it would be difficult, perhaps impossible for anyone but an Elf."

I sighed, "I could see Elladan and Elrohir volunteering to go in together, without any of us, to save them." I knew how devoted they were to Gwin, and while they were intelligent, they were also a little reckless when trying to protect her from something. At least, that was what I had observed in the short time I had known them.

"While it would be foolish to enter in without knowing more, I understand the sentiment," Calenglad replied with a frown. "Gwin has done some crazy things to help many of us in our struggles as Dunedain to keep the evil of our lands at bay. The least we can do is try and do the same for her, but I do not wish to die, if I can help it. We must have some kind of better plan."

After some discussion (which bordered on arguing), it was decided we would stay in the area overnight, and move on to another the next night. We would send scouting groups of one or two people to assess the area and look for any signs of Gwin and the Rangers, as well as collect information we could use if we were to try and sneak into Isengard itself.

It was getting dark, and anyone would know that wandering around this area at night was extremely dangerous. Orcs and wargs had no trouble seeing in the blackness around them, and would likely spot us as we moved through the treacherous landscape. However, if a person were to escape from Isengard, I found it probable that they would do so at night, when there were potentially less guards to keep them inside.

Plan made, we settled down to rest; I doubted sleep would come for any of us in such a dismal and perilous place. All was quiet except the whistling of a gentle wind through the sparse trees.

That is, until there was a huge explosion.

Here we go! Hope you enjoyed the chapter!