Thorin's little wolf (book 2)

Chapter 6

We followed tge trails of the Uruks for three days and nights straight with Aragorn on the lead.

"Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!" Aragorn shouted running with Legolas and I not far behind.

"Come on Gimli" we both called.

"Three days and nights pursuit. No food. No rest. And no sign of our quarry, but what bare rocks can tell." He grumbled following after.

"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall." Aragorn whispered holding leaf that he bent down for.

"They may yet be alive, Aragorn." I whispered.

"Less than a day ahead of us. Come." Aragorn said following the prints.

"Come, Gimli! We're gaining on them!" Legolas shouted following after the two Dunedain.

"I'm wasted on cross-country. We dwarves are natural sprinters. Very dangerous over short distances." Gimli said all while running.

We reached the top of a rocky hill watching over the plains in front of them.

"Rohan. Home of the Horse-lords. There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures. Sets its will against us." Aragorn said.

"They are half orcs half goblins. Don't ask how I know. I wish I didn't" I said looking at him.

"Okay I won't." Aragorn chuckled turning to Legolas, "Legolas! What does your Elf-eyes see?" He asked.

"The Uruks turn northeast. They are taking the Hobbits to Isengard." Legolas answered.

"Saruman" Aragorn whispered climbing down.

"I never liked him." I whispered remembering the first time she met him. Sliding down the slope before them leading them after the Uruks. I could hear Gimli at the back talking about breathing and it being the key for running.

"They've run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them." Legolas said.

"They might be." I commented from next to him.

The four continued running all through the night until dawn following the trail. "A red sunrises. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas said making me frown at him but shrugged it off and continued following Aragorn. He got on the ground for a while before leading them hastily under the rocks for about 2000 riders to come their way and right past them.

"Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?" Aragorn asked loudly as he emerged from the rocks. The riders turned around and circled us. We stood back to back keeping an eye on the riders who pointed their spears at them.

"What business does an Elf, a Man
a Dwarf and a woman have in the Riddermark?" A guy asked, "Speak quickly" he said.

"Give me your name , horse-master, and I shall give you mine." Gimli said. The guy instantly climbed down off his horse and made way for Gimli.

"I would cut off your head, Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground." He warned.

"You would die before your strike fell." Legolas growled pointing his arrow at the rider but Aragorn made him lower his arrow.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli , son of Gloin. Luth daughter of Thorin Oakenshiled. And Legolas of the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden your king." Aragorn introduced.

"Theoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin." He said taking off the helmet and the riders instantly lowered their spears, "Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands. 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." He said glaring at us.

"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." He said.

"But there were two Hobbits. Did you see two Hobbits with them?" Gimli asked and U turned to him hopefully.

"They would be small. Only children to your eyes." Aragorn explained.

"We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them." He said pointing toward rising smoke.

"Dead? No please no" I whispered in shock.

"I'm sorry." He apologized before whistling, "Hasufel! Arod!" He called and two horses walked over to us, "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." He said going to his horse and putting on the helmet. "Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands." He said."we ride north!" He ordered his riders and they rode away.

Aragorn climbed on his horse reaching down for my hand helping me up behind him. Saying nothing as I wrapped my arms around his waist. We finally reached the burnt carcasses and Gimli started looking through them with his ax before reaching for something.

"It's one of their wee belts" he whispered showing it to us.

"No!" I whispered placing a hand to my mouth holding my tears. Legolas whispered something in Elvish but what brought them out of it was Aragorn's scream.

"We failed them." Gimli whispered.

"Aragorn" I whispered getting down on my knees next to him only to freeze and started to sniff the air at that moment he started tracking the Hobbits path. The Elf and Dwarf followed us toward Fangorn Forest.

"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli whispered.

"They are alive and that's all that matters. Let's go get them" I said walking towards the trees and the three followed after.