The road that led ran out of Moria and into the Realm of Lothlorien wound through a narrow valley following the route of the river. Amongst the many craggy nooks Orcs had made their crude camps and fortified them with large palisades of roughly hewn wood. From their hiding places they would ambush the few travellers that made the journey, mainly Dwarves collecting wood for the ongoing repairs in the city of Khazad-Dum.
A group of three Orcs were stood watching and waiting for their next victim. The largest of the three was busy chewing on an unidentified bone and glaring down at the road as he waited. Suddenly a small stone rattled off the rim of his helmet; all three Orcs turned with a start and looked up at the rocky escarpment above them just in time to see a figure disappear from view. The largest Orc barked an order and his two subordinates broke into a run, scrambling over the rocks as quick as they could.
The largest Orc remained, keenly watched for signs of his companions returning with the culprit. A short sharp whistle from behind him made him spin round, just in time to see a small figure jump up and plant a heavy kick right into his nose. The Orc staggered back reaching for his sword but the small figure was already upon him, a pair of sharp blades were thrust deep into his ribcage. The Orc collapsed and was dead before he hit the floor.
The small figure removed the blades with a firm tug just in time, the other two Orcs had returned. Seeing their leader lying on the ground caused some confusion and the two of them took a few seconds to notice the small black clad figure, a small figure that was now running towards them. The figure was leaping rock to rock heading straight at them a dagger in each hand. Self preservation kicked in and the two Orcs drew their swords. The first Orc swung his sword at the figure but the figure dodged it, ducking beneath the heavy blade as it cut through the air and struck the rock. The blade of the small figure was far more accurate, without even breaking its stride a blade was thrust with lightening fast speed into the neck of the Orc, leaving it clutching at the wound before falling to the ground.
Seeing both his companions fall the last Orc raised its shield, determined to keep the sharp blades away from him. The figure accelerated towards the Orc before leaping into the air, both feet landed on the Orcs shield before catapulting the figure over the head of the surprised Orc. The figure flipped over the Orcs head and landed silently on the ground. The Orc stood motionless and then toppled to the floor with a dagger firmly implanted into the back of its skull.
There was the sound of someone clapping from above and the figure looked up and grinned.
“Well done Miss Druda, a touch dramatic but well done” said an Elf that had been sat hidden, watching the encounter.
The figure lowered her hood and gave a quick bow to the Elf.
“I think that beats your last effort, I mean two Orcs with one arrow is very commendable but I think it lacked a certain finesse” said Druda as she retrieved her dagger.
“I agree” replied the Elf as he dropped down next to Druda “I concede and award you title of master of the hunt today. What is the score so far?”
“I think that makes it three each”
“Well I guess that makes it a draw” and the Elf giving Druda a firm pat on the shoulder.
Druda had met the Elf and his companions as she travelled towards Caras Galldhon and had spent the last six days with them as they hunted Orcs on the outer edges of the woods. The days had been very pleasant, they had drank Elven wine and eaten freshly caught fish and other game and they had travelled in small groups during the day hunting Orcs, constantly trying to out-do one another with feats of skill or cunning. The Elves were not from the Golden Wood but from Mirkwood that lay across the river. The Elves from all the woodland realms had joined forces to face the increasing number of Orcs emerging from Moria.
Druda reluctantly broke off from the group as they neared Caras Galadhon, she had some business to attend to. The quicker she could get to the bottom of the necklace issue the quicker she could rejoin the Elves in their hunt.
The Orc Hunters of Lothlorien
