Halflings

Chapter Twenty Eight

~ Chapter Twenty Eight: Taking the Hobbits to Isengard! ~

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A group of Uruk Hai are running across the plains. On their backs are tied Merry, Pippin and Sam. Merry has a bad cut on his head and is almost unconscious. Pippin and Sam try to talk to him.

"Merry. Merry!"

"Oi, Merry!"

Suddenly, the Uruk Hai stop, as a group of Mordor Orcs appear.

"You're late." Grishnak says, spitefully. "Our master grows impatient. He wants the Shire-rats now!"

"I don't take orders from Orc-maggots." Ugluk responds. "Saruman will have his prize. We will deliver them."

"Merry!" Sam whispers. "Merry? Wake up!"

Pippin looks at the Uruk Hai, who are drinking from a flask.

"My friend is sick. He needs water. Please!"

"Sick, is he?" An Uruk says. "Give him some medicine, boys!"

The Uruks force a dark liquid from their flasks into Merry's mouth, who wakes up coughing and spluttering.

"Stop it!" Pippin yells.

"Can't take his draught!" The Uruk laughs.

"Leave him alone!" Sam yells.

"Why? You want some?"

Sam stays silent.

"Then keep your mouth shut."

The Uruks turn away, as Pippin and Sam look back at their friend.

"Merry."

"Hello, Pip." Merry says, looking up feebly. "Sam."

"You're hurt." They said in sync.

"I'm fine. lt was just an act."

"An act?"

"See? I fooled the both of you. Don't worry about me, Pippin."

Sam looks at his friend worriedly, knowing that he was lying.

Suddenly, an Uruk Hai stops and sniffs the air.

"What is it?" Ugluk asks. "What do you smell?"

"Man flesh."

"They've picked up our trail!"

Pippin and Sam look at each other in wonder.

"Aragorn."

"Let's move!"

As the Uruk Hai run off, Pippin pulls off his Elven leaf brooch from his cloak with his mouth, and spits it to the ground.

A few miles away, Aragorn is lying with his ear to a rock.

"Their pace has quickened. They must have caught our scent. Hurry!"