[Nerindel]

Dúlrain

As Dulrain bent once more to examine the rocky trail in the growing darkness that slowly crept in about them , his eyes scanned as ever before and behind them. The mountains were bleak and rocky at this height, filled with dark holes and crevasses in which danger nearly always lurked, Dulrain however knew this barren lands and was careful to keep them clear of orc patrols and the wild cats of the mountain, the pass was narrow and Ideally suited for ambush, so Dulrain had no choice but to take them the long way, up over the pass but still the danger of running into an orc patrol was ever present. Rising again he looked back to his companions they were both weary but neither one complained not even master Longholes, instead they’re heads are hidden in the depths of their hoods as they struggle on against the incessant winds that whistled through the mountains.

“Is their any sight of them yet?” an out of breath voice whispered as she caught up to him. “No” he replied wearily. He had hope by coming higher they would spot their quarry and gain an advantage over Benia’s captors , but it was beginning to seem that the elf demon had had a similar if not the same idea. Looking passed Gilly Dúlrain noticed Toby standing stock still, only the slight movement of his head indicating that there was any movement at all.

“What is it ?” he asked in a hushed voice, Toby did not answer but pointed towards the lip of the ridge they stood upon, dropping to a crouch and indicating that both Gilly and Toby should do like wise he crept quietly to the edge and cautiously peered over.

“Three…maybe more, I don’t rightly know they’re tongue, but it’s sound to me like they’re searching for something or someone if ye get my meaning,” Toby whispered crawling up beside him. Dulrain remained silent as he stared out in to the darkness, he saw the three orcs that had caught Toby’s attention were infact five and were just below them on a lower fleet, to small to be a patrol…a small hunting party perhaps? he mused as he watched the dark figures below scout out their prey, thankful for the moment that he had chosen to take the higher pass. But as he was about to sneak away from his hiding place he noticed a small light further down the orcs trail, squinting he could just make out another two orcs, suddenly realising that it could well be a patrol he looked in the other direction and sure enough he caught sight of another two scouts before their patrol a commonly used hunting strategy that he should have recognised at once! “Nine?” he whispered, “Orc patrols usually consist of twelve, so were are the other…. “ Suddenly realising the likely location of the three missing orcs he quickly grabbed the two hobbits and all bar dragged them to the nearest cave, snapping a gorse bush and using it to hide their trail as they passed, breathing heavy he drew his sword and held it ready.

“What…” Gilly began but her word were quickly muffled by his gloved hand as he quickly moved to silence her, just then they heard the guttural voices off the missing orcs.

“Heresss I tellss you, I saw something!” the first orc hissed and Dulrain held his breath as he heard the sound of the orc sniffing about the night air not far from were they were hiding.

“There’s nothing up here but the chill and the hash windeees you blundering meat head, rangers and elvesees she said!” the second hissed clapping his arms about his arms in an attempt to warm up.

“I saw something heards it too, small likes!” the first said growing angry at his companion.

“Probably just sharp teeth, them likes to hunts frightened orc’s at night!” the second retorted with a sneer. But as the fist orc made to lunge for the second he was stopped with a fist in his face, Dulrain and the two hobbit heard the crunch as the orcs nose broke and he fell screaming to the floor!

“Enough!” snapped the third who up until now had been quiet, he sniffed the air and walked a little ways forward examining closely the ground before him. Dulrain chanced a look and noticed the orcs eyes narrow as he scrutinized the place were they had first spied the patrol below, he pulled back against the stone wall of the cave as the orcs head turned in their direction. Silently he adjusted the grip of his sword ready for the confrontation he was now sure would come, he knew he would have to be quick so as not to alert the others below.

With bated breath he listened as the footsteps of the orc drew closer and closer, but just as the creature drew near the entrance a cry rose up from below. “Grashik! The forward scouts have caught the scent of elves further up the main pass” Cried the voice of the second orc. Grashik took one last look at the cave then with a shake of his scared face he followed after his companions.

“I don’ts dnow dhy dhe didn’t dust dets us daves da demale and da dman!!!” the first orc grumbled as he followed still holding his broken nose.

“Who know and who cares, we get to kill us some nasty elves and have a bit o man flesh for supper tonight, so stop yer whining!” the third orc growled as he caught up with them. Dulrain let out a sigh of relief as the voices drifted further into the distance.

“That was too close for comfort!” Toby sighed as he sheathed the dagger he had instinctively drawn after Dulrain had dragged them into the cave, he stood and wiped himself off before offering his hand to help up Mrs Banks, who was staring at the broad back of the ranger, Dulrain had rose and now stood at the cave entrance staring out at the night sky his features pensive against the moons soft light.

“At least we know she is still alive,” Gilly offered, “that is a relief to know” she pressed when he did not respond, he looked at her with a weak smile he knew what she was trying to do and not only for his sake but for her own as well. But as he looked at her eyes he saw the same concern etched on her face. But he had seen what Naiore had done to Kaldir, turned him into a mindless puppet. He had done what he had to, but would he be able to do the same for Benia if it came to that. As he felt his eyes well he looked away, unwilling to contemplate what Naiore could do with the woman he loved.

“We can’t stay here, we have to move!” He said to the hobbits as he slipped out of the cave, silently he lead them on till the hobbits could walk no more then they took shelter in another dank cheerless cave, he let them light what fire they could to the back of the cave, but he stayed at the entrance vigilantly watching, no rest would he find while Benia was still out there alone, with only her captors for company. As he looked up at the havens he murmured softly of his love for the southern beauty praying to whatever spirit would listen that she remain strong until he could find her, even offering his life to Eru if only hers could be spared.