Chapter Twelve

But I must admit I miss you quite terribly.
The world is too quiet without you around.

-Lemony Snicket

Daisy cocked her head, confused as to why Aragorn was lying on ground, listening to a slab of rock. "Aragorn?"

His eyes shot open, startling her. "Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent."

I think all of Middle-Earth has caught our scent. Daisy inwardly snarked. We haven't bathed for two weeks. I wanted to stop by that river, but no! We had to keep running!

"Hurry!" Aragorn added, dashing off.

The four were in hot pursuit of the orcs that had taken Merry and Pippin, tracking them through glade and field. Daisy's stomach clenched just thinking of the treatment the shire-folk were probably getting. Stupid and cliche as it was, the half-elf couldn't help but blame herself. I don't know what I could've done, but I should've done something. Anything.

"Come on, Gimli! Daisy!" Legolas called, running gracefully ahead while managing to flip his hair in the process.

"Three days' and nights' pursuit." Gimli huffed, leaning on his axe. Daisy groaned sympathetically. "No food. No rest. And no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell." I'm really starting to like this dwarf. He's just always so cheerful.

Daisy tensed, waiting for a sarcastic remark or not-so-subtly veiled insult from Boromir, but none came. It took her a second to remember, and the grief washed over her as sharply as it had when he'd fallen.

The proud man would never snicker at her bed-head again, never make the hobbits chuckle with his dry humor. Never keep the whole fellowship up at night with his long speeches about the honor of Gondor. It was strange how much more she longed to see him, when that was no longer a option.

Legolas sprinted off after Aragorn, and her and Gimli reluctantly followed. The grassy plains were fraught with sharp stones that could pierce the thickest leather, so Daisy ran rather gingerly.

Aragorn stopped suddenly, bending down to pick up something shining in the grass. It was one of the Elven brooches that clasped cloaks together. Daisy's own was bound around her neck at that very moment.

"Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall." He breathed, looking up. Daisy came running around a cascade of rocks, pausing when she saw the pair.

"What is it?" Wordlessly, Aragorn held up the brooch.

"They may yet be alive." Legolas stated, a faint glimmer of hope sounding in his voice.

"Less than a day ahead of us. Come!" Aragorn dashed off again, his cloak whipping out behind him.

Gimli stumbled behind them, rolling down a small hill. Daisy chuckled and helped him up, dusting off his helmet. He looked annoyed at first, but slowly started to laugh.

"Come, Gimli, Daisy." Legolas yelled, turning. "We are gaining on them!"

"I am wasted on cross-country!" Gimli panted. "We dwarves are natural sprinters! Very dangerous over short distances!"

"If I don't get some food in my stomach soon, cannibalism will be considered." Daisy warned, only-half joking.

After that they ran in silence, all lost in their own thoughts. Daisy kept up a steady pace, her elf blood working overtime. The sun beat mercilessly down, causing the companions clothes to become hot and sticky. With the obvious exception of Legolas, as there seemed to be some rule that he had to look flawless.

Aragorn stopped after climbing a steep hill, squinting. Plains stretched in front of them as far as the eye could see. "Rohan. Home of the horse-lords."

Some ways in the distance a small black straggle was moving quickly away from them. The orcs that took Pippin and Merry. A surge of anger welled up inside of her. Nobody, nobody, touched her friends.

To say Aragorn looked troubled was a understatement. "There is something strange at work here. Some evil gives speed to these creatures, sets its will against us." Thats a relief, I was worried something might actually go our way for once. Then the world would really end.

Legolas ran out ahead, his face looking out to the horizon. "Legolas, what do your Elf eyes see?" Aragorn asked.

"The Uruks turn northeast." He stated, frowning. "They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!"

"Isengard?" Daisy echoed, confused. Why there?

"Saruman!" Aragorn hissed grimly.

After three hours of her and Gimli's mumbled complaints, Aragorn finally caved. "Alright!" He groaned, to their relief. "I guess a short rest couldn't hurt."

"Yes!" Daisy crowed, dramatically falling to the ground. When Elrond talked about this quest, I didn't think it'd have so much exercise.

Gimli chuckled, perching on a sun-bleached stone beside her. "Lass, are ya sure you're really half elf?"

"Unfortunately, yes." Daisy retorted, squinting up at the sun. She could only imagine Legolas's scandalized face behind her.

Even Aragorn visibly relaxed, letting his guard down and enjoying the nice day. He looked more like the man she had met so long ago in Rivendell, laughing at something Gimli had said. Watching her companions talk and eat, a strange sense of longing came over Daisy. It wasn't fair that such heroes faced nearly certain death. But then again, she thought wryly. When had life ever been fair?

Legolas caught her eye and nodded, his eyes smiling. If she had learned anything from the quest so far, it was that different people smiled in different ways.

When Gwen smiled, her whole face lit up, lighting up the room along with it. Aragorn had a more subtle way, his lips pulling upwards to reveal perfect white teeth. It was hard to tell how Gimli smiled, with that massive beard. Daisy liked to think he smiled frequently, only nobody could tell.

And Legolas? When Legolas smiled, he did it with his eyes, a friendly twinkle that could put anyone to ease. It was funny, how she had decided that the elf must be spoiled to the core, before even taking a second glance. Or that Boromir was arrogant through and through, with simply no room for any trace of good. Daisy only found out just how much good was in the warrior when it was too late.

Legolas jumped up, rousing Daisy from her depressing thoughts. Aragorn shot him a confused glance, when the faint sound of horses became apparent to them all. He dove behind a cluster of boulders, motioning for them to as well.

It was a large group of men on horses, their banners flying past in a blur of color. A spear or sword was grasped by every free hand, and she didn't doubt they knew how to use them. Needless to say, Daisy felt very comfortable behind her rock, but Aragorn revealed himself confidently, walking out from the hiding spot. Sighing slightly, she followed suit.

"Riders of Rohan, what news from the Mark?" That certainly got their attention. At a signal from the big guy in front, the riders made a impressive turn, surrounding them in calculated circles. Soon the companions were pressed back to back. Long silver spears pointed menacingly at them, making Daisy fume. I'd like to stick that sword right-

The man that looked to be in charge spoke, his voice carrying authority. "What business does an Elf, a man, a woman, and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" Wow, pushy much?

It was then that Gimli decided to play a round of let's-make-a-obnoxious-comment-and-see-if-we-get-stabbed. "Give me your name, Horsemaster, and I shall give you mine." Daisy actually felt physical pain at his tone.

The man was wearing a heavy silver helmet, so his face was hidden, but she could bet he was incredulous. Handing his staff to another rider, he got off his horse, towering over Gimli. Daisy's fingers strayed towards her sword, her glare never faltering for a second. A few months ago, she would have kept her face down, terrified they would spot her freckles and ears. But now Daisy realized she didn't care if they saw, let them. Carrying a weapon came with a strange dose of self-confidence.

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

Daisy pulled out her blade without thinking, but Legolas was faster. He had a arrow notched and pointed at the leaders face before anyone knew what was happening. "You would die before your stroke fell!" Daisy lowered her sword, feeling absurdly proud.

The riders didn't take that well, jabbing their spears even closer. Daisy was treated with a little more respect, one of the perks of being female. A awkward silence followed, the only sound being of heavy breathing and Daisy's heart hammering in her ribs.

Aragorn finally caved, pushing down Legolas's arm. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Glóin, Daisy of Rivendell, and Legolas of the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king." Well said Aragorn.

"Théoden no longer recognises friend from foe." The warrior said darkly, removing his helmet to reveal a handsome, golden-haired face. "Not even his own kin." The spears were withdrawn, to Daisy's pleasure.

"Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands." So first this Saruman character makes us hike up a mountain, sends mutant orcs after us, and now he's causing trouble in Rohan? Nasty piece of work. "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." The last comment seemed to be directed to Legolas, who narrowed his eyes. Daisy shot him a sympathetic look.

"We are no spies." Aragorn spoke with a calm and reassured voice that made you instantly believe every word out of his mouth. He'll make a great king someday. "We track a party of Uruk-hai westward across the plain. They've taken two of our friends captive."

"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night."

Daisy knew then something was wrong, without seeing Legolas's expression, or the pillar of smoke in the distance. Something was terribly wrong.

"But there were two hobbits. Did you see two hobbits with them?" Gimli pushed.

"They would be small – only children to your eyes." Aragorn added.

The rider hesitated, looking guilty. "We left none alive. We piled the carcasses and burned them."

Gimli couldn't seem to get the message. "Dead?"

"I am sorry."

Daisy shook her head, feeling almost giddy. Aragorn turned to her, concerned. "No." She said, disbelievingly. "No." Nobody could have this bad luck. It couldn't be true.

A storm was raging inside of her, threatening to erupt. Daisy felt as she was standing on the brink of a bridge, the slightest push being enough to make her was only so much a girl could take.

She wanted to leap at the riders, tear them apart. Run all the way to Mordor and punch that great eye over and over again. Wanted to give Saruman a taste of his own medicine.

"Daisy..." Legolas put a hand on her shoulder.

One of the riders was saying something to his neighbor, snickering. Daisy might not have been full elvish, but her hearing was still remarkable.

"Must be humiliating, traveling and fighting with a woman."

Daisy snapped.

"Almost as humiliating as being beheaded by one!" She leaped at the startled man with a cry, pulling out her sword. The riders had never expected her to attack, and their reactions were slow. Daisy knocked him to the ground, seeing red.

Legolas pulled her back before she could deliver the blow to the terrified knight. Daisy gasped slightly as the air rushed from her lungs, struggling. "Let me go! I'll kill him!"

"Yes, that's a great reason to let you go," Legolas muttered, restraining the furious elf.

"Daisy, calm down!" Aragorn pleaded, casting a nervous glance at the leader.

"I am calm! I'll kill him!"

"Lass, we're rather outnumbered at the moment," Gimli cautioned. The riders all looked torn; some were impressed, others annoyed.

"Daisy, he's not worth it." Legolas said in a undertone. Daisy stopped fighting, letting her muscles go weak. What am I doing?

The leader said something harsh to the unlucky man, who had gone quite pale. "Forgive me, my lady, he spoke out of turn." Daisy had not expected an apology; she turned a little red.

"Oh, um, yes. Thank you, for the, the apology."

"Perhaps we will meet again, Daisy of Rivendell." Daisy nodded awkwardly. Maybe after I'm finished watching all my friends die, we can get dinner.

"Hasufel! Arod!" Two beautiful horses rode up. "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." The man put on his helmet again, mounting his own stallion. Gimli looked slightly disappointed that it had been resolved peacefully.

"Look for your friends. But do not trust to hope, it has forsaken these lands. We ride north!" And with that cheerful bit of news, the riders left in a cloud of dust, off to who-knows-where. Most likely a far better place.

After they were out of sight, Daisy's companions turned to her, all wearing expressions that clearly said: What the hell? They're probably wondering why I went all pyscho on that rider.

Daisy did the logical thing anyone would do; she made a joke. "Wow, that guy was easy on the eyes, huh?" She elbowed Gimli. "He could ride me all day! I-I'm just kidding." Daisy added hastily, looking down.

A flicker of a smile passed over Aragorns face, so quickly it could have been a shadow. Legolas looked absolutely traumatized. Gimli was chuckling. But the brief moment of humor disappeared as the companions watched the rising column of smoke in the distance.

From far off, the carcasses looked ugly. From close enough to touch, they were still hideous. The smell reminded Daisy of the stables before they were cleaned, a hundred times worse. She gagged, trying not to belch.

Gimli looked so at home you'd think it was his natural habitat, happily digging through the smoldering pile of bodies. He pulled out a charred belt, freezing. "It's one of their wee belts."

Tears ran silently down Daisy's cheeks, as Legolas spoke a prayer. Aragorn kicked a nearby helmet, screaming at the top of his lungs. He fell to his knees, looking like he'd never rise again.

"We failed them." Gimli uttered what they had all been thinking. Daisy wiped away her tears, remembering the first time she had met Merry and Pippin.

Daisy sat on a shattered stone brick, picking at her food. Moria was getting to her, more than anyone. Right then, the quest seemed hopeless.

One of the hobbits walked over to her, grinning cheekily. Daisy couldn't believe he was so cheerful, in the dark mines. She had never properly met the pair of troublemakers, only Sam and Frodo. Curious, Daisy watched him saunter over.

"I don't believe we've met, my name is Merry and that's Pippin over there. I'm the smart one, so if you have any questions don't be afraid to ask." He said mischievously.

Daisy laughed, her spirits instantly lightened. "I'll keep that in mind."

"A hobbit lay here, and the other." Aragorn was... playing in the dirt? Daisy furrowed her brow. "They crawled." Is he really going to make us visualize their deaths?

Aragorn started following the supposed tracks, his friends close behind. "Their hands were bound. Their bonds were cut." His voice had begun to take on a hopeful tone.

"They ran over here. They were followed." Aragorn was speaking faster and faster, until the words were flying out of his mouth. To say the group was tense would have been a dramatic understatement.

"The tracks lead away from the battle... into Fangorn Forest." He stopped at the edge of a thick mass of trees, curving and twisting everywhere the eye could see. Tuarwen would have had a heart attack just looking at the untrimmed bushes.

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