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Rumil was sitting under a tree at his post, munching on an apple. A far off scream sounded through the woods. He jumped to his feet and grabbed his bow, peering deep into the trees. The scream was heard again and Rumil could tell it was a girl. He ran sneakily in the direction of the screams. He turned a corner and ran straight into something… or someone. He saw a frightened girl and pulled her by her wrist behind a tree and then to the ground. She tried to scream again, but Rumil clamped his hand over her mouth. “Be quiet! Do you want what was chasing you to find us?” he whispered. He looked out from behind the tree and came face to tip with an arrow. The arrows suddenly appeared all around them. The girl gave a soft sob and tried to hide behind Rumil. He spotting Haldir, who rolled his eyes, then smiled evilly.
“Tie them up.” Haldir ordered. Two elves grabbed them and laughingly bound Rumil.
Rumil rolled his eyes. “Not again.” He muttered.
The elves led them to what looked like a greenish prison. Haldir untied Rumil and pushed him in after the girl. “Figure out what she is doing here.” He demanded, locking them in and walking away.
Rumil brushed himself off and turned to her. She was sitting in the corner, huddled in a ball. “What is your name?” he asked conversationally.
“Sh-Sheaowyn.” She stammered, moving as far away from him as she could.
“Well, Sheaowyn. Where are you from?” Rumil questioned.
“Gondor.” She said.
This greatly surprised Rumil. “That far?”
“Yes.” She replied, now glaring at him.
“And, what exactly brought you all the way here, to Lothlorien?” Rumil asked.
“I-I am a traveler.” Sheaowyn answered nervously.
Rumil sat down and pulled an apple from his pocket. “A traveler?” he asked, taking a big bite out of it, looking curiously at this girl dressed like a warrior.
“You heard me.” She said savagely.
“So… Where have you traveled?” Rumil questioned, leaning against the wall.
“Hobbiton, then to Rivendell. Moria, thought it had been attacked, and then here.” Sheaowyn replied.
Rumil looked once again surprised, for that same day, a group had turned up having traveled through all the same places. “That is a lot of traveling.” He commented.
Sheaowyn was getting used to his company and began to relax and talk more.
Haldir had no time to worry about this prisoner because of the Fellowship being there. Rumil, however, came and visited her every day and talked. But that was about to change because the Fellowship was leaving.
Groups of orcs were hiding in the trees. The Fellowship had escaped, but they could still strike Lothlorien… and rescue one of their spies from the prison- for she had much to tell.
Rumil was chatting with Sheaowyn through the bars when Haldir appeared behind him. “What have you learned, Rumil?” he asked. Rumil turned around.
“Amazing, really. She has been in the same places as the Fellowship. At the same time, too!” Rumil replied.
Haldir fixed her with a cold glare. “You are part of that group then?” he questioned Sheaowyn.
Sheaowyn knew that this elf was not as trusting as Rumil. But she could not lie, or it would be worse for her. “No.” she replied.
“Then you are a spy.” Haldir accused.
“Haldir. You cannot go around accusing people of crimes out of nowhere.” Rumil defended, standing up.
Haldir rolled his eyes and started to walk away. “She is to remain here until I say otherwise.” He said.
Rumil sighed and turned to Sheaowyn. “I am sorry you have to stay here.” He said.
“I knew I would.” She replied, smiling softly.
Rumil smiled back. He reached through the bars and took her hands. “I promise, I will work non-stop to get you out of here. Do not worry.”
“RUMIL! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! HURRY!” Orophin, Rumil’s brother, yelled.
“What?” yelled Rumil in shock.
“Orcs.” Was all Orophin said as he ran back into the woods.
Sheaowyn’s eyes widened. Rumil ran after his brother, grabbing his bow.
“Rumil, wait!” Sheaowyn called. Rumil turned.
“Worry not! I will be back and I will set you free.” Rumil said. Then he ran into the forest.
A few minutes later, a group of orcs found her and broke her out. “You did your job and found what we need?” one of them grunted.
“Yes, of course.” Sheaowyn replied. “I got so much out of the fool that kept coming to talk to me.” For a reason unknown to her, it hurt to call Rumil a fool. She was supposed to be a fearsome spy who did not care who she hurt, was she not?
“Why would someone want to talk to you?” an orc taunted.
“Oh, come on, it’s not like he loves you.” The other orc said. They all headed back into the forest, laughing.
Sheaowynstood there for a moment longer, looking shocked. She shook her head. “Stupid orc.” She muttered, and followed them.
Rumil and the others were sending dead orcs in all directions but still could not stop the seemingly endless flow of orcs appearing from the depths of the forest. Rumil turned to see three orcs surrounding Sheaowyn. He re-aimed and killed one, running toward them.
“Rumil.” Sheaowyn whispered. “Hurry. Make for temporary shelter.” She ordered the orcs around her, quietly, but sternly.
They disappeared into the trees. They ran until they reached a clearing.
Rumil ran faster to get to them.
“Do you think the elf followed us?” an orc asked.
“Yes, I know he did.” Sheaowyn replied.
“Then we best be ready for him.” The other remaining orc said. It walked over to the edge of the clearing.
“What- Do not-“ Sheaowyn started. The two orcs had Rumil pinned to the ground.
“Sheaowyn! Run!” Rumil yelled, struggling.
“Run?” an orc mocked, laughing cruelly. “Hate to break it to you but she works for us.”
Rumil looked at Sheaowyn, his eyes pleading her to tell him it was not true. “Sheaowyn?” he whimpered, looking like a lost puppy. Sheaowyn flinched at the hurt look.
“Come on, Sheaowyn. Do your duty.” An orc said. It tossed her a sword. She caught it easily.
“Sheaowyn.” He whispered again, closing his eyes. When he opened them, they were cold and hard as stone. “Do what you must.”
The sword shook in her hand. She brought it down over his right shoulder. He eyes closed and his head hit the ground. Sheaowyn was now in a sobbing rage.
The orcs were gone. They had succeeded. Haldir had seen Rumil run into the forest after two orcs and that girl. He was worried. Rumil had not come back out. “Five of you come with me. Rumil is lost. The rest of you get back to your posts. Kill any orc that might have survived and wandered.” Haldir ordered. There were nods from the elves. Orophin and four of Rumil’s close friends stepped forward to accompany Haldir. They headed silently in the direction Rumil had disappeared in.
Haldir saw a clearing up ahead. He heard what sounded like someone crying. When they were just outside the ring of trees surrounding the small, empty space, Haldir held up his hand, signaling the others to stop. He stepped forward so he could see what was going on in it. It was a horrible sight. Rumil was sprawled on the ground, his right shoulder bleeding heavily. Sheaowyn was on her knees next to him, her whole body shaking as she sobbed. There were also two dead orcs that looked like the chees with the holes in it. “Position around the clearing. Then close in. Do not harm the girl, but be sure to tie her up quickly. Rumil is greatly injured. We must hurry.” Haldir whispered. The others moved slowly.
“Hurry!” Orophin commanded. Now they ran.
Sheaowyn didn’t know what to do. When she stopped crying she realized Rumil could live, but crying would not help. She looked around and saw six bows appear around the clearing, all aimed at her. She recognized one as the elf who had told Rumil of the attack. He looked ready to kill her on the spot.
“You…” he growled. “You did this to Rumil!”
“I-“
“Do not deny it!” Orophin roared. Sheaowyn looked away from his piercing gaze, just as two elves seized her arms and bound her hands.
Haldir placed a firm hand on Orophin’s shoulder. Tears were streaming uncontrollably down Orophin’s face. “Will he live?” he asked shakily, staring at the bleeding Rumil.
“Perhaps, but only if we can get him to the city quickly. You must go, for I must take care of the Guard. Take Shawnuil with her. Throw her in the dungeon. When… if-“ he could not say it, “When Rumil recovers, he and the Lady will decide her fate.” Haldir said to his brother, anger swirling in his eyes.
Orophin could only nod. The thought of losing Rumil was too much.
OROPHIN’S POV
The whole way to the city, I could think of only two things: Rumil, and how I would murder Sheaowyn if he died. I had never had a good feeling about her, but since Rumil seemed to trust her so much, I had not mentioned my fears. I glanced coldly at Sheaowyn. Never before had I felt so much hatred toward one person. I did not even know what she was. Her hair always hid her ears, so I could not do anything but assume she was mortal. I looked quickly away, and down at the still unconscious figure of Rumil, my beloved brother, in front of me on my tan horse. I closed my eyes, wishing he would be awake and well when I opened them; that this was all a horrible nightmare. A nightmare it was, but not one I would wake up from very soon. My eyes remained closed until I heard a sob from the horse beside me. My attention snapped to her; the cause of my misery.
“Why do you cry?” I asked in a voice I did not even recognize as my own, for it was so cold and unforgiving.
“I-“ she started once again.
“Answer me!”
“Orophin-“ the other elf, Shawnuil, began.
I gave him a look to chill his very bones. He quickly looked away.
“I did not want to- They- I had no choice-“ Sheaowyn stammered.
I gave her a disbelieving, chilling, and completely hating look. “Do not lie to me.” He warned in a deadly whisper. And with that I urged the horse into a gallop.
“Out of my way! Move or fall! Clear a path!” Orophin yelled, shouting and pushing his way through the crowd with Rumil in his arms.
He was still slightly surprised that Rumil had made it this long, for his brother did not look good at all. In fact, if Orophin did not feel the slow rise and fall of his chest, he would have thought Rumil dead. He made his way to the healer’s talan and burst through the door. The healers gasped at the sight of the seemingly lifeless Rumil and the skeletal figure of Orophin, who had not slept, ate, or ceased worrying and riding for the entire trip back.
They sped Rumil away, leaving Orophin to collapse in a chair and cry into his shaking hands.
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