Prequel to my version of The Lord of The Rings trilogy

The Riders of Rohan

The six hunters continue their pursuit, their footsteps echoing through the rugged terrain. Aragorn, ever vigilant, pauses to scrutinize the tracks etched into the earth. The distant sound of neighing and the rhythmic pounding of hooves grow louder. He motions for the others to follow and they quickly take cover behind a cluster of rocks, their breathing heavy with anticipation.

From their hiding place, they watch as a large group of horses and riders sweeps over the hilltop, their presence commanding the landscape. As the last of the horsemen disappears from view, Aragorn signals for the group to emerge from their concealment. They step cautiously into the open: Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, David, Liv, Saya, and Lily.

"Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?" Aragorn calls out, his voice carrying a sense of urgency.

Legolas eyes Aragorn with a mixture of concern and frustration. "Aragorn, what are you doing?" he asks sharply.

"Exposing us, that's what," Liv replies with a hint of annoyance, her gaze shifting nervously as the riders start to turn back.

Eomer, the leader of the Rohirrim, raises his spear. The riders circle around, their horses snorting and stamping, and encircle the hunters with a wall of gleaming steel. Eomer rides through the ranks and halts before them, his gaze piercing and demanding.

"What business does an elf, a man, a dwarf, and three teenagers have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly," Eomer commands, his voice carrying the weight of authority.

Gimli, bristling at the slight, responds, "Give me your name, horse master, and I shall give you mine."

Eomer dismounts gracefully from his steed and strides towards Gimli. "I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground," he says, his tone menacing.

Legolas, quick to react, notches an arrow and draws it back, aiming directly at Eomer's head. "You would die before your stroke fell," he declares, his voice steady and resolute.

The Rohirrim react immediately, their spears pointing menacingly at Legolas. "Now you've done it," Liv mutters, casting a worried glance at Legolas.

Aragorn, moving swiftly, steps between Legolas and Eomer, holding Legolas' arm down. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, Liv, and Saya of the Uchiha clan, David of the Jirou clan, and Legolas of the Woodland Realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king," Aragorn says, his voice firm.

Eomer's expression darkens as he removes his helmet. "Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe," he says, his voice tinged with sorrow. He gestures for the Rohirrim to raise their spears, maintaining his stern demeanor. "Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands. My company is loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning. He moves about cloaked and hooded, and his spies slip past our nets."

David and Liv exchange uneasy glances, aware of the sensitive nature of their true mission. "We are no spies. We track a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive," Aragorn explains.

Eomer's expression hardens. "The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night," he says, his tone final.

"But there were two Hobbits with them. Did you see two Hobbits? They would be small, only children to your eyes," Gimli presses, his voice filled with desperation.

Eomer shakes his head gravely. "We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them," he says, pointing to a smoking pile in the distance.

Gimli's face falls in disbelief. "Dead," he murmurs, his voice barely audible.

Legolas looks mournful, his usual composure shattered by the news. "We don't know that for sure, Gimli. There is a chance they could have escaped," Liv says, trying to offer a glimmer of hope.

Eomer's expression softens slightly. "I am sorry," he says, whistling. "Hasufel! Arod!" Two horses trot towards him, their coats gleaming in the fading light. "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell," Eomer says, mounting his horse and adjusting his helmet.

"Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands. We ride north," Eomer calls out to his men, who respond with a synchronized shout and turn their steeds, riding away into the gathering darkness.

As the Rohirrim depart, David and Liv pull out their samurai morphers. "Symbol Power: Horse!" they say in unison, and their horses, Snowflake and Lucky, materialize beside them.

Legolas watches in surprise. "Liv, are you still a Power Ranger?" he asks, his curiosity evident.

"I am, but there's a glitch in the morphing grid," Liv explains, her tone tinged with frustration. "It's too dangerous to morph right now."

"Why does David have a Morpher as well?" Legolas inquires.

"He's a Power Ranger too," Liv replies, a hint of pride in her voice.

David looks confused. "Wait, how come Legolas knows that we're Power Rangers?" he asks.

"When I was with the Fellowship, when I was 11, I had to save Aragorn in the Mines of Moria. I couldn't do it with my Pokémon, so I had no choice but to morph. Legolas and the rest of the Fellowship saw everything," Liv explains. "Legolas did end up becoming a Power Ranger as well when we left."

David looks intrigued. "You think he could beat Jayden in a fight?"

Liv chuckles softly. "Seriously, David? Jayden is the Red Ranger. Legolas was the Silver Ranger. It took him forever to learn how to morph."

"Not true," Legolas interjects with a slight smile. "It just took me longer to learn everything."

David looks curious. "What happened to his powers?"

Liv looks at Legolas, seeking his permission. "Legolas, can I tell him?"

Legolas nods. "Yes, go ahead."

Liv turns back to David. "We were fighting a powerful Nylock monster when Serrator showed up. He fired a powerful spell at me, but Legolas took the attack for me. In the process, his powers were split into two: half Symbol Power and half Morphing Power."

Legolas' gaze softens as he looks at Liv. "I would do anything to protect my sister," he says sincerely.

Liv's eyes glisten with emotion. "You're lucky Mom and Dad took you in," she says, her voice carrying a mix of affection and gratitude.

David nods thoughtfully, the weight of the conversation settling on him. "Well, we need to focus on finding our friends. Let's get moving."

The group, now with a renewed sense of purpose, mounts their horses and prepares to continue their quest, their resolve stronger than ever in the face of adversity.