Thirty Five - Uruk-hai

By dawn, we were back in the boats, sailing south again. 

Looking up, Two stone statues, Kings, had a hand on their swords and the other outreached palm side facing forward. “The Argonath,” I whispered as we stared, stunned as the current took us through the narrow gap at the statues’ feet.

Just ahead of that, the Falls of Rauros were near. We sailed a bit further up and banked on the side of Amon Hen, across from Emyn Muil. 

Legolas got out first, helping Gimli as I stood in the water, looking across the water. I turned back to the boat, grabbing my bag and walking up to the others. “Ver, could you…?” Sam trailed off, gesturing to the wood gathered together. “Of course, Sam,” I ignited the fire and he smiled. 

“We cross the lake at nightfall. Approach Mordor from the North,” Aragorn said as he walked over with more things from another boat.

“Oh, yes? Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impassable labyrinth of razor-sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better. Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see,” Gimli argued. 

Le looked into the woods on our side and I put my hand on his shoulder. “What is it?” I asked in Elvish. “Something draws near, I can feel it,” He replied and looked at me. 

 “We should leave now,” He said as Aragorn approached us. “Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for the cover of darkness,” Aragorn said. “It is not the Eastern shore that worries me. A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind,” Le told him and Aragorn looked out into the woods. 

“He’s right, Aragorn. We need to go,” I whispered. “Where’s Frodo?” Merry asked. “Boromor’s gone too,” Pippin said.

“I will find them. If I am not back in ten minutes, come after me,” I said I walked over to Bormir’s shield, picking it up and taking it with me into the woods. 

I ran quickly, finding the ruined building of Amon Hen. “Give it to me!” Boromir shouted. I ran even quicker towards the screaming. “Boromir!” I shouted as I saw him trying to take the Ring. 

I pulled him off of the Hobbit and held him down by his wrists. “Go, Frodo!” I shouted and he scattered to his feet, running off. 

“Stop this, Boromir. You are not yourself, come back,” I said in Elvish as he fought my grip on his wrist. 

“I knew it,” he laughed. “You fight for Sauron! You will take the Ring to him!” I hit my head against his, only hard enough to get him back. 

“Verena,” He said breathlessly as he stopped resisting. I slowly let go of his wrists and got off of him, rubbing my head a bit. 

“I have made a mistake,” He whispered, sitting up and rubbing his head. “I’m sorry,” He apologised. 

“This was not your fault. The Ring has different effects on us all,” I said. “But I am stronger than this, I know I am,” He continued. 

“Once it is gone, you will be at your strongest, no more mind games,” I said. “Thank you,” He said and I nodded. 

I stood up first, then extended my hand to help him up. 

A group of Orcs ran to us. “Can you fight?” I asked quickly, knowing he can’t see or hear them yet. “Orcs are coming this way,” I said and he looked at me. 

He nodded and I gave him his shield. We ran through the woods quickly, searching for the others. 

Merry and Pippin stood on a piece of stone as Orcs ran at them. 

I drew my swords, setting them ablaze and taking the first swing at the one closest to them. Boromir followed close behind, attacking as well. Merry and Pippin drew their daggers Galadriel had given them and fought back as well. 

“There are too many!” Pippin shouted. “Boromir, your horn!” I shouted. He grabbed his horn and let it sound through the trees. I fought off the ones that came at us, one by one. 

“Run!” I shouted at the Hobbits. They only recoiled a bit, then found rocks to throw at them. The last one to come down had a bow and arrow, and didn’t wear a helmet. The leader.

I lost sight of him focusing on the Orcs in front of me. Boromir grunted in pain behind me and I looked back to see him on his knees with an arrow in his chest. “No!” I shouted, fighting faster, fire burning hotter. 

Soon, Boromir was up fighting again and I tried to focus on two things; killing them and keeping him alive. Another arrow flew towards him, landing in his stomach. I screamed loudly, letting my fires consumed the enemies around us. 

The last one standing was the one with the bow and leader. He drew a sword, smiling sickly at me. “You can’t have them,” I told him. 

He charged at me, swinging his sword and it met one of mine, the two metals clashing. I caught him in the chest, to which he snarled and only fought back harder. I cut him again in his arm and he laughed. 

The third strike was him cutting up my leg, bringing me to my knees. The fire on my swords extinguished almost immediately. The wound burned like no other I’ve ever had. I lost my breath and he let out a disgusting snicker. 

“Not so powerful now, Tempest,” He said. “Do not worry, I won’t kill you. Master wants you,” He said. I stood back up and tried fighting again, but he cut me again on my arm. 

More Orcs ran down the hill, picking Merry and Pippin up and taking them away. More had reached for me but they were stopped. “I will take her!” The leader snapped and they ran back up the hill. 

I tried to throw my fire at the receding Orcs but I only got sparks. “What did you do?” I demanded. “A little spider venom is all,” My breath caught in my lungs.

“What are you?” I asked slowly. “The fighting Uruk-hai,” He answered as he redrew his bow and arrow. “No!” I shouted, trying to stop him. 

 He kicked me back, hitting me in the face, then everything went black.

~~~

“Come on, Ver,” Legolas said, worriedly. Through my eyelids, everything began to get bright and I slowly opened my eyes. “Legolas,” I whispered and he sighed in relief. “Do not ever do that to me again,” He panted and I sat up. 

“Boromir,” I said and Le looked up at Aragorn. “He is dead,” I said and Le nodded. “I tried to-” “We know, Ver, it’s alright,” Le said.

 “They wanted me,” I said. “The blade he used was coated in spider venom. The same venom that nearly killed me,” I said. 

“No Orcs are smart enough to kill a Tempest,” Gimli said. “They weren’t Orcs. They’re called Uruk-hai,” I said. 

“Orc or Uruk-hai, it does not matter. They have Merry and Pippin,” Aragorn spoke up. 

“Where are Sam and Frodo?” I asked “They will continue to Mordor on their own. Their fate is no longer in our hands,” Aragorn answered. 

I moved to stand and Le took my arm to help me. “Careful,” He said. 

“What are we waiting for?” I asked. “Ver, you are not-” “Legolas, you’ve known me for over two thousand years, and in that time, has anything ever been able to stop me? Even wounds?” I asked. “No,” He smiled. 

“Leave all that can be spared behind,” Aragorn said as I picked up my small bag. “We travel light. Let’s hunt some Orc,”