Cursed

I

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

We had been chasing down the orc pack that had taken Merry and Pippin. It was quite sudden, really, everything seemed a blur to me. Losing Boromir, leaving Sam and Frodo, and failing to protect Merry and Pip.

Aragorn was currently face-down on a rock, listening to the vibrations from the pack of orcs ahead. He had good senses, he wasn't a ranger for no reason. "Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent." He mentioned while climbing up. "Hurry!" Legolas was rushing behind me, encouraging the small Dwarf to quicken his pace. "Three days and nights pursuit. No food, no rest, and no sign of our quarry, but what bare rock can tell." He muttered tiredly.

After what seemed like a while, we came to a halt as something caught our attention. A pin. More specifically, a leaf of Lorien pin from the cloaks we had been given. "Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Aragorn held the badge in his hand "They may yet be alive." The elf commented. "We must have hope." I backed up. "Less than a day ahead of us. Come."

A loud thud alerted me to the dwarf stumbling around behind. "Come, Gimli! We're gaining on them!" Legolas shouted, teasing the dwarf of his slowness. "I'm wasted on cross-country! We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances." He shouted and I laughed. Gimli became our source of humour. His jokes and interruptions brought a smile to our faces in dark times.

ִֶָ 𓂃⊹ ִֶָ

"Rohan." We stood ahead of a vast plain, scattered in rocks of different variations. "Home of the Horse Lords." Aragorn stated. "There's something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its will against us." He was right, there was an evil presence surrounding this vast expanse. Whether it was the Uruk-hai, or not. Something stirred in the darkness.

"Legolas! What do your elf-eyes see?" Aragorn shouted to the elf that ran ahead. "The Uruks turn northeast. They are taking the Hobbits to Isengard!" The Elf shouted back, just as I noticed a cloud of dirt move in the distance. Aragorn pondered, "Saruman." Now we knew their plan, I hoped for the Hobbits' safety.

We continued at a fast pace, no rest for food or water. "Keep breathing. That's the key. Breathe." I could hear Gimli keep telling himself as he trailed behind. "They've run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them." Legolas said, and I had to agree. They were faster than we anticipated.

Dawn was upon us. We had ran all throughout the night and the lack of energy was slowly weighing on me. "A red sun rises. Blood had been spilled this night." Legolas stated quietly. I dreaded to think who's blood that was.

Our tracks were cut short by a distant horse squeal and we quickly rushed behind a rock. Suddenly, many riders passed us, holding swords and spears. We let them pass, and as the last rider followed on the pack, Aragorn rose from behind our hiding place. "Riders of Rohan!" He shouted. "Aragorn?" Why would he draw their attention on us? "What news from the Mark?" The riders suddenly changed their direction, rushing towards us with haste. We were soon surrounded with spears pointing close to out necks.

"What business does an Elf, a girl, a Man, and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark?" Their leader commanded us. "Speak quickly!" "Give me your name, horse-master, and I shall give you mine." Gimli bargained with him. We watched as the leader handed his spear to his comrade and stepped down from his steed. Aragorn placed a protective hand in front of Gimli. "I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground." He stated, unamused. I held my dagger in my grasp, tightening the grip as the horse-man stepped further. "You would die before your stroke fell." Legolas swiftly pulled out his bow and knocked an arrow into place. The spears were pushed towards us even further. "Mellon."  I placed my hand on his outstretched arm, silently pleading he would lower his bow. Aragorn had the same idea as he reached towards his bow, pushing it down. I heard Gimli exhale loudly, and I could honestly do the same.