"The Return of the Ring"
by Sierra Skymist
Chapter Three: Encounter with Orcs
They
were past Bree now, riding through the swamplands. The conditions were
worse as possible, wet and cold, with a myriad of all types of insects
swarming about. The two hobbits and Beomer, being younger and less experienced,
found traveling especially hard. During the day they wearied of riding,
and during the night they could not sleep, bothered by the "breek-neek,
neek-breek" of the insects.
The
third night if the swamp was the hardest, they were in the middle of the
swamp where the insect swarms were greater. Gandalf would not light a fire,
for fear of unwelcome visitors, and everyone was on cut rations, as they
were running out of food. Gandalf had gone off to look around, taking Gimli
and Legolas with him, leaving Aragorn, Beomer, and the hobbits at camp.
"I
can't stand it!" cried Frodo suddenly, jumping about agitatedly, trying
to escape the insects. Faramir had a sudden urge to do the same, but being
the elder of the two, resisted and remained seated.
Aragorn
smiled suddenly, as a past memory flashed in his mind. "Frodo," he said,
"your father passed through this swamp when he was younger."
Frodo
stopped jumping about and looked at Aragorn. "My father traveled through
this same swamp?" He looked astounded.
"Aragorn
laughed softly. "This very one." Suddenly the two hobbits forgot they were
in the swamp, cold, wet, and hungry. They looked at Aragorn eagerly. Aragorn
looked far away, lost in past memories.
"Aragorn,
will you tell us a story?" requested Beomer, breaking the silence.
"Nay,
not now, for already it grows darker and the rest of our company returns.
We must rest for the day come."
*****
Aragorn
quickly sat up, hearing Gimli and Legolas arguing. It was early morning,
the sun just beginning to rise.
"I
know not how they came and went, but they were here!" said Legolas angrily.
"Nay,
your eyes must be deceiving you, I see but strange marks on the ground,
mayhap made by one of us," said Gimli, with a condescending tone.
"There
were orcs here," insisted Legolas stubbornly, green eyes flashing dangerously.
"Why
didn't they do anything then?" demanded Gimli.
"They
were spies, I am certain. They are probably planning an ambush this second…"
"Peace!"
Aragorn broke in. "Legolas, Gimli, it is not like you two to be arguing
these days!"
Legolas
and Gimli stared at each other in stony silence.
"Where
were the orc tracks?" asked Aragorn suddenly.
"On
the ridge, not a furlong away," said Legolas.
Aragorn
walked over to investigate them.
"Indeed
they are, Legolas," he said, when he had come back. "It is strange though
that they can appear in one place, then disappear without leaving any mark,
only those prints in one place."
Gimli
looked annoyed that he had been outnumbered, but did not say anything more.
Aragorn's look said he clearly did not want to become another shield between
the two.
Then
the rest of the company awoke, and after a quick breakfast, mounted up.
But before they started riding, Aragorn gave them a quick warning.
"Be
watchful and wary, and stay together! Orcs have been here, and most likely
still are, watching our movements. Do not draw attention to yourself, it
could be the death of you!"
So
they rode in silence, tension mounting on the company. The hobbits were
feeling very uneasy, as if expecting orcs to jump out at them any minute.
The horses, catching on the mood, were pulling at their reins, shaking
their heads.
Around
noon they had ridden out of the swamp, into a bright sunny field.
"We
shall rest when we get to the hills," said Gandalf, pointing.
And
the hobbits felt despair in their hearts, for it seemed the field was many
furlongs, a sea of rippling green grass. The hills were barely visible,
covered in mist, it seemed. Aragorn smiled at them, and said,
"Do
not look so glum, my dear hobbits, the hills are not far, and it will be
easier riding, now we are out of the swamp."
Indeed
it was, and the ponies trotted gratefully along, with no mud or potholes
to hinder them. They were past the field in almost no time at all, it seemed,
so pleasant was the riding.
They
had started to climb the first hill, when Legolas stopped them.
"Wait,
and listen! There are men on the hill. Look! They come down to meet us."
They
were already halfway down the hill.
"Halt!
Be you friend or foe?" said Aragorn.
They
did not halt their horses, but rode down, unheeding to Aragorn's command.
"Orcs!"
exclaimed Gimli suddenly, as they drew nearer and nearer.
"And
you do not doubt me now," said Legolas.
"Weapons
out! There are only ten, and we can defeat them. Do not get separated from
each other!" said Aragorn sharply.
And
the orcs rode down and were upon them in a second. The hobbits were dazed
and frightened, and stayed by Gandalf, slashing blindly everywhere with
their swords. Over the battle they could hear Aragorn from the other side,
shouting, "Elendil! Elendil!" Arrows flew everywhere, and several times,
one of the company were almost hit.
"Legolas!"
shouted Gimli, and Legolas turned, just in time, shooting an orc in the
throat. The orc's dagger, aimed between his shoulder-blades, scraped his
side, instead.
And
then it was over, two orcs fleeing for their lives. Aragorn watched them
impassively.
"We
must get to Rivendell. The enemy is stronger than I thought." Then wiping
his blade on the grass, he sheathed it.
"That
is enough action today," said Gandalf, looking at the hobbits. "We shall
camp on the other side of the hill."
"Son
of Gloin, you saved my life," murmured Legolas, quietly. "Friends?"
Gimli
took Legolas's hand in his own. "Friends once again," he replied.