[Nerindel]

Toby Longholes

Toby looked straight ahead as the procession steadily made its way towards the hidden refuge of the elves, wondering if he would be any safer with them, than he had been with Naiore, after all she was one of them. Just then, they stopped at the broad stair that would lead to his salvation or his imprisonment, which he was yet undecided. He watched as the ranger Dúlrain was carefully lifted into the care of two tall dark haired elves. His brow creased with genuine concern as the ranger winced with pain, he found himself deeply concerned for the man’s well being, this ranger had showed him compassion, several times, even when he knew, he was not deserving of such acts kindness.

“Do not worry for your friend he is in good hands, “ a soft voice lamented beside him, turning he was meet by the soft grey sympathetic eyes of one of their elven escort, “ Our healers will see to his wounds.“ the elf smiled reassuringly. As he looked into the depths of the elves eyes he saw sincerity and comfort, not cold lifeless serenity, like he had seen in Naiore’s the few times he had dared to look at them, even then it had been brief, for he had fear that if he looked to long or hard he would loss himself to madness. The elves words had comforted him in more than one respect; with an awkward smile of his own he nodded his thanks.

Looking down he saw the dark bloodied dagger in his hand. The woman he rode with had given him it and he was thankful that she had. for although the bounty hunter and their elven escort had fought off the majority of their attackers several had managed to slip through and he had been forced to fight or fall foul to Naiore’s allies. Even though his circumstances were, grim he was not yet ready to die and certainly not at the hands of these foul creatures, so he had fought, albeit rather awkwardly wedged in front of the southern woman. As he stared at the dark blood that stained the weapon he remembered with growing discomfort the ease with which the blade, no he had taking his attackers life!

Pulling his eyes away, he looked back to the battle behind them. It was then that he saw the hobbit woman, Mrs Banks break from their group and rush headlong and rather foolishly, he thought into the ensuing battle. “What is she doing!” he muttered, “she’ll get herself killed!” he hesitated for a moment looking between the hobbit woman and her southern friend who lead her mount beside him, but seeing that the southern woman was already burdened with concerns for Dúlrain, he decided that there was nothing for it, he would have to go after Mrs banks himself. Turning he broke from the safety of the elven procession and dove headlong into the battle, weaving in and out, dodging orcs and elves alike.

“Mrs Banks!” He called frantically after the hobbit woman, but she could not hear him over din of battle. It was then that he saw the cause of the hobbit woman’s rash actions. “The bounty hunter!” he frowned looking between the two. Oh no, he thought as he watched with mounting horror as a large orc stood over the bounty hunter ready to strike, but to his surprise and abject horror Gilly ran forwards thrusting her sword between the lacing of the creatures armour. “Gilly!” he cried as the brute backhanded his attacker, sending her into the air, he ran forwards his dagger readied to aid the stout hearted woman, when to his dismay a dark figure stepped before him blocking his path, looking up he saw the yellow fanged grin of the orc blocking his way. With a gulp he stepped back trying to steady his shaking hand as he brought his dagger up to defend against the creatures downward blow. The creatures hammer met his dagger and the force sent him staggering backwards. However, before he could bring his dagger back to bear, the orc used his momentum to slap him hard sending him to the ground. As he shook of the groggy feeling, he saw the creatures hammer falling towards his face, with a frightened squeal he rolled out from under the blow and jumped to his feet. “I’m coming Mrs Banks!” he cried as he charged, plunging Benia’s dagger into the orc exposed flank.But to his horror, the orc continued to turn, with the dagger still protruding from its flank. He was suddenly frozen with fear as the creature raised its black hammer, he closed his eyes waiting for death, that he was sure would follow.


Hearing something whistle above his head, he opened his eyes. Thwack… Thwack… Two green fletched arrows protruded from the creature’s chest and neck and wide eyed it crumpled to the ground dead. Toby spun round looking for his saviour, a tall fair-haired elf, with bow in hand nodded. Relieved to be in one piece he laughed and nodded his thanks, before turning back to find Gilly, to his relief she too was on her feet, but she was not alone a broad shouldered man with greying hair was bent over the bounty hunter.

“What were you thinking running into battle like that, we are hobbits not tall strong warriors?” he chided as he reached the woman, but his stern words were lost as he noticed the new bruising forming on her already bruised face.

“Mr Kaldir was in trouble!” she answered as if that was enough.

“B… but he’s a bounty hunter, he would not have done the same for you?” Toby frowned not understanding.

“And the same could be said of you Master Longholes, yet you are here.” She replied simply.

“Eh… err… well.” he flushed averting his eyes. “Well if you insist that he is worth saving I will help if I can.”

As he turned to ask the grey haired man how he could help, he almost jumped back with a yelp as he saw familiar piercing grey eyes looking down, a long narrow nose at him. “Eh… err… Mr Rauthain I didn’t recognise it was you,” he stammered.

“You know each other?” Gilly asked surprised.

“Hmm, yes we have met; I believe Master Longholes has something that belongs to me!” Rauthain answered looking at him knowingly. “But never mind that just now, we have to get our friend to the stairs.” Briefly, Toby looked from the injured bounty hunter, to Gilly, and then nodded.

“What do you need me to do?”