Written by
Zhie and Maggie.
Rated PG13. Completed October 11, 2003.
The main characters are Haldir, Orophin, and Valarda. And a cast of
thousands, if you count all the orcs.
“Nothing!” Orophin spat out the word as if it were a curse as he
exited Meduseld, kicking the railing nearby.
“There is no one here to ask, and we know not where he has run off to.
I hope he is not yet dead, for if I find him, I will kill him.” Orophin slumped to the ground next to the great building,
resting his forehead on his knees.
Valarda dismounted and sent the horses to graze.
She climbed the steps and sat down next to Orophin, leaning her head
against his shoulder. “You’re
not really going to kill him.”
“I’m not really going to kill him.”
“We will find him.”
“Yes, we will find him.” Orophin
looked out across the deserted land. Not
a single person remained, nor animal found, and yet it seemed there had been no
reason to leave, for the grass was still green and the buildings intact. “Where did they all go?”
Valarda shook her head. “That
I do not know. But unlike your
brother and his troops, they did leave a trail to follow.
Many must have taken the journey.”
“We do not seek out the Rohirrim.” He reminded her.
“But Haldir has gone to help them.
He will be wherever they are.” Valarda
called to the horses as she pulled Orophin up.
“Come. We should still be
making better time than the soldiers.”
Orophin reluctantly stood. “I
just do not know what I am going to do if he’s-“
“Oro, please, do not say such things.
Don’t even think them.” She
cupped his face in her hands and waited until he had focused his gaze on her.
“He is not going to die.”
Orophin closed his eyes. “Do
not taunt me with false hope.” He
pulled away, made his way down the rest of the steps to the horses and mounted,
as did Valarda.
Notes