Daughter of the Shapeshifter (A Lord of The Rings Fanfiction)

Chapter 24

While his men went around and disposing of the Orc bodies, I found myself tended to by Eomer and one of his men.  According to his friend, the drugs had finally completely worn off, even though my head hurt like crazy.  However, my knee had been dislocated and my energy was really low.  As they popped my knee back in place, I stared into the fire, draining the energy from the fire.  Meanwhile, Eomer questioned me on what had happened until I had been captured.

"I was travelling with some compainions, and we were ambushed by the pack of Orcs.  One companion and I were fighting to help out the two, who were taken with me, when I was hit upside the head.  I have no idea what happened to my companion."  I really hoped Boromir was okay...  Eomer nodded and smiled a little.

"And you said you were captured near Lothloria?"  I nodded.  "These Orcs were heading for Isenguard...  It seems they were taking you to Sauroman..."  I swallowed hard and shuddered at the thought.

"What about the hobbits?"  He shook his head.

"We haven't found them.  We don't dare go into the woods, and we didn't spare a single creature besides you...  I fear that they may have been killed."  I took a deep, shaky breath as I shook my head.

"They might have made it to the woods..."  He started to speak when one of the men came up.

"Forgive me for interrupting, but we've finished off the Orcs."  I swallowed hard as Eomer looked over at me.

"Forgive me, my lady, but we have been banished from Rohan.  I am willing to let you come along until we can help you find your companions, but I wouldn't suggest you stay here.  Orcs have been trying to take Rohan..."  I swallowed hard and nodded.

"I appreciate you concern, Eomer..."  He was right.  It wasn't safe to be on my own, especially in a land crawling with Orcs.  There's no telling how things would end this time.  I straightened my composure and smiled.  "I accept your gracious offer."  Mother was right about being polite and diplomatic working because he smiled and lead me over to his horse.

"We're leaving, then."  I smiled politely at him as he helped me mount and watched him climb up in front of me.  Wrapping my arms around his waist, I tried to ignore the pounding in my chest.  He shouted to his men and lead them east, away from those horrid woods, where Merry and Pippin may be hiding.

*Aragorn's Pov-

"It is a red sunrise...  Blood was spilt this night."  I swallowed hard as I followed Legolas down and around the rocky terrain of eastern Rohan.  Gimili huffed and puffed behind us.

"You don't think it could have been our friends, do you?"  The mere thought of them dying at the hands of Orcs caused anger so strong to rise in my chest.  I shook my head.

"I hope not, or my sword will reap Orc lives this very day."  I took off, following the trail left by the Orcs.  Soon, I began to pick up the sound of thunder or...  "Horsemen..."  We climbed up and hide among the rocks as a host of men on horseback rode by.  I smiled a little as I realized they were men of Rohan.  Nodding to the others, I climbed down after the riders had passed.  "Riders of Rohan, what news is there?"  They all turned and rode towards us, surrounding us as they came.  One, with a rider behind him, came up.

"What business does an elf, a dwarf, and a man have in Rohan?"  Gimili swallowed hard beside me as I stared up, trying to see the rider behind him.

"Well, my good horseman...  Give me your name, and I'll give you mine."  I watched the first rider's jaw tighten as he climbed down from his horse.

"I would cut off your head, dwarf, if only it stood a little higher from the ground."  Legolas aimed his arrow at the first rider, looking ready to behead him.

"You would die first before your blade fell."  All around us, the men lowered their spears.  I placed a hand on Legolas's arm as a vaguely familiar voice cut us off.

"Wait!"  The second rider jumped down and removed the helmet.  I smiled as I realized it was Era.

*Era's Pov-

"You're alive!"  Aragorn's sudden shout caused the men to stir quiet a bit as I placed myself between Eomer and Legolas.

"All thanks to these men, Aragorn..."  Legolas lowered his weapon, and, in turn, the men also lowered their's.  Eomer frowned as he looked at me.

"You know these men?"  I nodded.

"They are some of the companions I was travelling with before I was taken prisoner."  I smiled as I nodded to each one.  "They are Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Gimili, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Realms."  Eomer relaxed a little as Aragorn spoke up.

"We have been tracking the pack of Orcs that took Era and 2 others captive."  Eomer shook his head.

"We killed the pack in the night.  However, we only found Era.  There was no trace of her companions, so, with the exception of her, we left nothing alive."  Aragorn swallowed hard as I hung my head.

"It's my fault, Aragorn...  They were being attacked, and I ordered them to run."  Legolas looked to the distance and saw the fire the men had set to burn the Orc corpses.

"Is that where it happened?"  Eomer nodded.

"It is..."  Aragorn swallowed hard and looked at Eomer.

"We hope to find our companions and head for Edoras to seek King Theoden as friends."  Eomer shook his head as he removed his helmet.

"King Theoden doesn't recognize friend from foe...  Or even his own kin."  I swallowed hard as Eomer looked at each one of us.  "You will be wasting your time if you go to the king now.  Sauroman has poisoned the king's mind and taken Rohan."  He nodded to a rider, who brought forth two horses, and smiled at me.  "I'm glad to see that you have found your companions.  Now, I suggest you all leave Rohan."  With that, they all rode off, leaving the 4 of us with 2 horses.