Thirty Six - A New Path

 “How you haven’t died yet is a miracle,” Legolas said as he put Esme’s healing sav on my leg and arm. 

This was the first we had stopped since we were on the bank. It took some strong convincing to Aragorn that I was dying. 

I disagreed as well, but Legolas was sure I would die any second.

“I’m a Tempest, Greenie. It takes a lot more than spider venom to actually kill me,” I smirked and he rolled his eyes.

“Can you use your powers?” He asked. I stared at the bush just behind Aragorn, making it blow up in flames. He jumped forward and I tried not to laugh.“I’d say yes,” I answered. 

“You need to be more careful,” He sighed. “We’ve been moving for two days straight, with no signs of stopping again. There isn’t much room for ‘careful’,” I said. 

“Ver,” He sighed. 

“Yes, Greenie?” I asked. 

“You’re a pain, you know that?” He asked, fighting a smile. “And yet, you still keep me around,” I said and he shook his head, smiling. 

“Almost ready, lovebirds?” Gimli asked. “Yes, Gimli, we’re ready,” I called back as Le’s face flushed. 

“You alright, there, Greenie?” I asked. “Yes. Do you need help?” He asked. “With what?” I asked, pretending to be clueless of my wounds. 

“Ver,” He sighed again. “I’m sorry, yes, could you please help me stand,” I laughed and he took my arm and helped me up. 

~~~

“Hurry!” Aragorn shouted from ahead. I climbed swiftly up the rocks with Legolas just behind me and Gimli trailing behind. “Come on, Gimli!” Legolas called as we continued over the hill. 

We spent the rest of the day running up and down mountains, never slowing. 

Legolas checked on me what felt like every few minutes and I finally told him ‘If I am going to die, he will be the first to know’

“A leaf of Lorien,” I said as I picked up one of the clips to the cloaks we were given. “They may yet be alive,” Le said, stopping next to me.

“Less than a day ahead,” Aragorn said, quickly on our path again. “Come, Gimli! We're gaining on them!” Legolas called. A second later, Gimli rolled down a hillside. 

“I'm wasted on cross-country. We Dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances,” Gimli said as we continued. 

We arrived at the brow of a hill looking over the plains ahead.

“Rohan. Home of the Horse-lords. There's something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its will against us,” Aragorn said as Legolas ran ahead.

“Legolas! What do your Elf-eyes see?” Aragorn asked. “The Uruks turn northeast. They are taking the Hobbits to lsengard!” Legolas called back.

“Saruman,” I said and looked at Aragorn. “We must keep moving,”

~~~

Aragorn paused to look at tracks on the ground. Sounds of horses galloping approached quickly and we hid behind big rocks. Once they passed, Aragorn stepped out and we followed.

“Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?” Aragorn asked. The leader raised his spear and the horsemen circled round and galloped back to us, circling us with spears drawn. 

“What business does an Elf, a Man, a woman and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!” A rider demanded. 

“Give me your name, horse-master, and I shall give you mine,” Gimli said. 

The rider got off his horse and walked over to us as Aragorn placed his hand on Gimli’s shoulder. 

“I would cut off your head, Dwarf. If it stood but a little higher from the ground,” Legolas quickly drew an arrow and aimed for Eomer's head. “You would die before your stroke fell,” He said and the rest of the riders’ spears went to Legolas. 

“Le, don’t,” I put my hand on his bow and lowered it.

“I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, Legolas of the Woodland Realm and Verena Tempest of Tiseah. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden, your king,” Aragorn said. 

“Theoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin,” The rider took off his helmet and motioned for the others to raise their spears. Eomer. 

“Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands,” He continued. 

“My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there, they say, as an old man hooded and cloaked. And everywhere, his spies slip past our nets,” Eomer went on and looked at Legolas suspiciously.

“We are no spies. We track a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They have taken two of our friends captive,” Aragorn said. “The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night,” Eomer said. 

“But there were two Hobbits. Did you see two Hobbits with them?” Gimli asked quickly. “They would be small. Only children to your eyes,” I said quickly and he looked at me with a sorry gaze.

“We left none alive,” He shook his head. “We piled the carcasses and burned them,” Eomer pointed to a smoking pile where they had come from.

“Dead?” Gimli asked in disbelief. “I am sorry,” Eomer apologised. Legolas put a hand on my shoulder.

 Eomer whistled. “Hasufel! Arod!” He called over two horses, one white and one brown. “May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell,” Eomer said and put his helmet back on and mounted his horse.

“Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands,” He told us. “Thank you, Eomer,” I said and he nodded. “We ride north!” He shouted to the other riders and rode away.

Legolas helped me onto Arod first, then got on in front of me. I wrapped my arms around his waist as we rode to the smoke.

~~~

“Have you found any trace of them?” I asked anxiously. “No,” Gimli said as he picked through the burnt pile with me and Le walked around to me. “We will find them, one way or another,” He whispered. 

“It's one of their wee belts,” Gimli said, only loud enough for me to hear. We slowly walked around to Gimli and Aragorn. 

I looked at the belt. “No,” I whispered, fighting tears. 

“May they find peace in death,” Le whispered in Elvish. 

Aragorn kicked one of the helmets, screamed, then fell to his knees. “We failed them,” Gimli said. 

I looked at Aragorn, who was still on the ground. I walked over and sat next to him, touching the ground.

I saw it all. Every piece of the battle, every movement they made. 

“What do you see, Ver?” Aragorn asked, his voice still full of hope.

“Pippin was nearly stomped by a horse, then rolled out of the way,” 

“They were bound,” I stood and continued in their spots, still watching the night before. 

“Pippin cut his ropes first, then undid Merry’s,” I said and Aragorn picked up the ropes, proving me right. 

“They fumbled across the battlefield, trying to get away,” I saw as they jumped around another horse and a dead Uruk nearly crushed Merry. 

“They were followed,” 

An Uruk snagged hold of Merry’s belt, then Pippin told him to leave it. They ran quickly away towards the forest. 

I stopped dead in my tracks as I watched them run into it with another chasing them. “What is it, Ver?” Le asked. “They went into Fangorn,” I answered. “What madness drove them in there?” Gimli asked. 

“Survival,”