From the Other Side by Ireth_Telrunya
A/N: The only characters I own are Isilden, a.k.a. Snarga, Elennar, Krân, Lunk, Gorlen, Tharv, Zharag and Braghûl. All the rest are Tolkien’s.
I ran.
I panted for breath, head bowed against an onslaught of icy rain and stinging shards of hail. My feet bled liberally, for my boots had worn through hours ago. A trail of blood was left in my wake, soon washed away by the torrential storm.
I was running from the Uruks.
They had captured me just yesterday. I had been on a hunting trip with my family, my parents and younger sister, Elennar. We had intended to travel to Mirkwood, from our home in the Golden Wood of Lórien. We had made it only to the western banks of the Anduin River when a passing orc-horde spotted us and attacked.
They slew my mother first. She screamed for mercy, until an arrow to her throat silenced her pleas forever. Ada was next – he yelled for my sister and me to flee, and then tried valiantly to hamper the masses of Uruk-hai that had ravaged our campsite and massacred his wife. He battled them bravely, but a wayward sword-thrust proved to be his downfall. As my sister and I raced across the grassy plains toward Mirkwood, his dying yell rang in my ears: “Ú-tiro dan! Ú-tiro dan! Rima!” **Don’t look back! Don’t look back! Run!**
I didn’t look back. If I had, I would have seen the river running red.
The next thing I knew, I was flat on the ground, with my face pressed against the grass and the tip of a sword at the base of my neck.
“Here’s another two for Lord Saruman!” a low, harsh voice growled above me. I tried to turn my head to look at my sister, but I could not. But I could move my eyes, and they met my sister’s terrified gaze. I wished I could tell her that everything would be all right, that we would get out of this mess somehow. But I didn’t dare speak, for just then a second voice answered the first, this one a high-pitched whine.
“Yeah? They look fit enough to serve him… now. Think they’ll be strong enough once Saruman’s through with ’em?”
“They’d better be. He doesn’t want dead meat.”
“Well, let’s get ’em to the Tower and see what happens. At least if they do die, there’ll be more food for us. They’re young, though,” it added. “I dunno, Krân. Maybe we should look ’em over a bit before we take ’em to Lord Saruman.”
“Get ’em up, Lunk,” the first voice snarled. At once I felt the blade move away from my neck, and I was grabbed by a large, muscular hand and hoisted up onto my feet. Shaking, I gazed fearfully up at my captor, Krân. He was a tall, heavily-built orc, with blackish skin, stained yellow teeth and dark, malicious eyes. His companion, Lunk, was slightly shorter, and a great deal skinnier. His complexion was somewhere between gray and green, and his eyes were a dull brownish-yellow. He stared intently at me as I stood in silence, too frightened to do anything to defend myself.
“Yeah, this one’s pretty fit. Dunno about the other one, though. Ah, doesn’t matter. We’ll take ’em to see Lord Saruman, like you said. Come on, you,” he hissed at me, seizing my wrist and yanking me forcefully forward. I heard Elennar give a little shriek as Krân grabbed her.
“Where are you taking us?” I cried, struggling vainly to prise the slender, gnarled fingers from my arm.
“You’ll see soon enough,” Lunk told me, grinning wickedly.
I fell silent; numbing fear made my body feel like ice. But still I attempted to escape, to no avail. Finally there was a white-hot burst of pain across my skull as something hard slammed into the back of my head, and I plunged into unconsciousness.
When I awoke, I found myself in a dark, dungeon-like chamber, with hundreds of huge, terrifying instruments lining the black stone walls. There were swords and knives bigger than a man, with blades sharper than the the breath of midwinter; fearsome maces and clubs, tipped with metal spikes like iron icicles. All of them were stained with dark splatters of what could be nothing but blood. The room had a reek of old blood and sweat, of orcs and filth and smoke. It was the stench of death.
Gazing around in horror, my eyes fell upon my sister, who was crouched in a corner, sobbing. She turned her tear-streaked face to me, and whispered, “Are they going to kill us, Isilden?”
I could not reply, for fear had constricted my throat, but I reached out to put a hand on her shoulder, to reassure her that hope was not lost. But my fingertips had no sooner brushed her arm than the room’s single door burst open to admit half-a-dozen Uruks of varying sizes and shapes. Three of them grabbed me, and the others reached for my sister. With a yell, I seized the nearest instrument that was light enough for me to hold and use – a broken metal spike – and impaled the first Uruk upon it.
That blow excited the others, who all began screaming at once in a foul language I could not understand. Brandishing my makeshift spear, I stabbed and slashed at random, amid deafening howls and screeches of pain. Three of the remaining five Uruks fell to the floor, stone dead. The other two threatened to slaughter my defenceless sister, but I would not surrender. Blood, black as tar, spurted across the floor in a sticky spray.
Suddenly the doors, which had slammed shut, flew open again. But this time it was not orcs who entered the stinking chamber. It was a tall, bearded man, shrouded in a dirty cloak which had probably once been white. In his right hand he clutched a forked staff that was as black as ebony, save for the gleaming white stone set at its top, between the four spikes. The Uruks temporarily halted their coercion and turned to look tentatively up at the White Wizard of Orthanc, who was striding purposefully toward them.
Then Saruman spoke, in a deep voice that was colder than ice, and that reverberated through the air like a death knell.
“Unhand them,” he ordered.
One of the two Uruks protested feebly, in a quavery voice.
“We was only havin’ a bit o’ fun with ’em, Lord,” he whined. “I weren’t gonna kill ‘er, but that ‘un’s slew four of us with just a spike!” He pointed to me with a crooked forefinger. Saruman glared at me with eyes as grey as wintry seas. I shuddered beneath his cruel gaze.
“Let me see them,” the Wizard commanded, turning back to the Uruk. “Leave us.”
Nodding mutely, the Uruks slunk sullenly out of the chamber. I knelt next to Elennar and shushed her gently, as Saruman’s voice rang harshly out again.
“So, you killed my servants, did you, elf?”
I stared silently up, too afraid to reply.
“Answer me!” the man thundered.
I nodded hurriedly. “Y- yes, sir.”
Saruman’s eyes narrowed as he continued.
“And did you think you would get away with it? That you could do so without any punishment at all? Did you?”
I didn’t know what else to say, so I repeated my last reply: “Yes, sir.”
“Hmmm…” The Wizard stood in silence for a moment, and then gestured to Elennar. “And who might this be?”
I gulped. “M- my little sister, sir.”
“Indeed. And would you be willing to do anything to save your sister’s life? If I were to, say, re-summon those orcs and let them have their way with her, what would you do?”
“I’d kill them, and then kill you!”
Saruman laughed coldly; it was a terrible sound. “Such bravery,” he crooned. “Such a fiery spirit you have. You would be very useful to me.”
I glanced uncertainly up at him. “How?” I asked nervously.
Saruman chuckled again, no less mirthlessly than before. “I could use someone like you; someone who has a temper, an anger. Are you angry?”
My eyes narrowed in a sudden, red-hot burst of fury. “Yes!”
“Excellent,” said Saruman appreciatively. “Yes, you will indeed be a valuable asset. Come with me now.”
Elennar stared at me, horror in her eyes. I stepped back, apprehensive, but Saruman grabbed my wrist and half-dragged me out of the room and down a tall flight of stairs, deeper and deeper into the earth. At the bottom of the stairs, a long hallway stretched out before us, with a single door of black iron at the far end.
Saruman pushed open the heavy door, and a great wave of the same putrid odor I had encountered in the upstairs chamber hit me with full force. I reeled back in disgust, but Saruman shoved me none-too-gently forth.
I gasped in horror at what I beheld. The room was packed with Uruks, lining the walls of the huge chamber. At the very middle of the room was a gaping hole that appeared to be full of some sick, filthy muck. Saruman walked calmly to the edge of it, pushing me ahead of him, so that I had no choice but to go forward.
“Look,” he said, pointing down into the slimy pit. I tilted my head downward, gazing at what appeared to be a large mound in the center of the gooey stuff. I couldn’t tear my eyes away as a figure rose slowly from the depths of the pool.
It was an Uruk, dripping with ooze, eyes gleaming madly in its head. As I stumbled back in terror, it lumbered toward me, clawed hands outstretched. I backed away until my back was against Saruman’s flowing robe. He placed his hand on my shoulders, and his long, talon-like fingernails pricked my skin. I winced and tried to pull away, but he only gripped me tighter. I squirmed and struggled in his viselike grasp. With a final, desperate effort I pulled away, and then suddenly whirled around and tripped Saruman, sending him sprawling headfirst into the sludge that filled the pit. He thrashed around like a man in his death throes, shrieking for the Uruks to help him. I took the opportunity to flee for my life.
“Get him!!!” Saruman screeched, pointing madly toward me. “Kill that elf!”
My heart pounded in my chest as I ducked through the door, which slammed itself shut behind me with an echoing BOOM. I raced up the hallway and the stairs, back toward the torture chamber. When I reached the door, I found to my despair that it was locked tightly, and I could not force it from the outside. My sister was trapped within, alone and helpless.
Pounding footsteps suddenly reached my ears, coming from further up the passage, opposite the staircase. The stairs were the only way I could escape. But I couldn’t leave Elennar.
The footsteps sounded ever nearer as I pondered my fate. The Uruks’ shadows began to dance on the walls as they approached, and I quickly made up my mind.
“Im naer, Elennar,” **I’m sorry, Elennar** I whispered. “Ettulathon ten’le ae ‘erin.” **I will return for you if I can.** My heart ached at the thought of leaving her behind, awaiting her inevitable fate, but there was nothing I could do for her. I turned around and ran as fast as my legs would carry me; I didn’t know where I was going, but it didn’t matter. All I wanted to do was get as far away from Saruman and the Uruks as possible. I kept on running…
I kept on running.
Whether I stumbled over something, or whether I was deliberately knocked down, I never knew. But all of a sudden I was flat on my back, with the icy rain falling heavily onto my upturned features as I stared up into a face I hoped I would never see again – Krân.
To Be Continued…
72 Comments
Wow – very interesting storyline! Wonderful description also. I’ve been hesitant to try 1st person, but you’ve done it quite well! Post more soon!!!
Oh oh oh!!!! Please let it turn out all right!!! Don’t kill him or turn him into an orc or uruk!! Let her escape!!! Oh please!!!1*grovels* PLEASE!!!!!?????!!
MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE MORE!!!!!!!!!!!
This is great!!! I would like to know where you are going with this, you’ve captured my interest. You write so well, capturing people’s emotions, and I feel as though I am IN the story, instead of just reading it. I hope that you get your 10 reviews, I really want to read the next chapter. Bravo!!!!
Awww, don’t keep us in suspense!
Oh so cool! I don’t generally go for angst, but this is good! Please update soon! I’d make this reveiw longer, but I’m going to go eat lunch…yayness for fall break!
Come on you can write more! Awesome! They’re headed to Helm’s Deep or some battle or another, I assume. Write more so we’ll ALL know, not just you. Keep it up. Cheers!
*Gasping for breath* Well, I gues I can see why you had to, BUT DID YOU HAVE TO????? Why couldn’t he have ……you’re the author, nevermind!!!! Please tell me the girl escapes!!!! PLEASE!!!!!*puppy-dog eyes*
That was a gripping story!
Oh, so, so amazing! Write more and quickly, please. Very good. So cool! Awesome, awesome awesome! Cheers- Elf771
Aaaaaahhh! What’s going to happen??!! Ary, please, don’t kill him! He’s a good boy! (Elf, whatever.) I loved this chapter! Very evil clifie, very gripping story! Love it!
Very awesome story. Evil cliffie a very evil spot to leave at. Please write more soon we all want to find out what’s going to happen.
Why did you stop on the most interesting part?! Please add some more and I’ll definetely read it, (except if my computer breaks down again)
Oh, I’m so excited. This is so, so good. Very intriguing and wonderfully written. I love point of views. Awesome writing. Keep it up and cheers!
Yeah, I reviewed to days ago, but anyways… Update! Please! Cheers- Elf771
Aww, I love your story and you AGAIN stopped on the most interesting part of the story, though actually all parts of your story are interesting. Please add another chapter soon.
This is really great. I really like how Isilden’s love for his sister saved him from becoming an orc. Changing LotR history by letting Boromir live is cool … you may want to explore where his obsession with the Ring goes from here. PLEASE don’t hurt Elladan or make her an orc- poor little girl. This is a really great story and I like how it’s going so far… Isilden can really think on his feet.
Oooooohhhhh….what are they going to talk about? If you don’t update soon, I’ll come after you with a toothpick! Okay, so I haven’t updated on The Crowning of the King for a while, but it’s different! Your story’s better than mine! So update!
Please, write more! This story is great!
Leave him?!?!?!? What kind of friends are these? By the by, awesome story. I don’t think anyone else ever thought about a Uruk being anything but evil. Prejudices…(but for good reason. look at Helm’s Deep)
on a side note, my stories are all angst. i’m SUPPOSED to get rid of characters.
wonderful story again. 😀
This is marvelously intriguing…write more soon, please, I’d like to know what happens! 🙂
Great story so far!
keep up the good work! And don’t be too hasty, or it will ruin your story! But it does not affect you, it seems
This is really great so far… nice job showing the reactions of Boromir and Denethor now that LotR history is different. Keep up the good work!
Very nice; you handled Denethor – a difficult character – well. You’ve certainly kept me interested. 🙂
WOW! But, how does Boromir being alive tie into all of this? In the books and movies he dies… You are changing Tolkien’s work but it’s a phenominal differnce you put into play. The story is intricate and well-balance. Keep up the good work and keep Boromir alive! He deserves it. 🙂
Awesome!!! My internet’s been down and I forgot my password when I used the school’s computer. I nearly died of deprivation. Anyhow, AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I love your character! Is his sister going to be okay? Probably not, but oh well. I’ m talking to meself again like I always do… Please write more!!!!!!!!!!! Cheers, mellon nin!
A gripping storyline – can’t wait to read more! And the characters are realistically portrayed, too! And did I mention that the dialogue is so natural! Great job!
GASP!!! Under atttack??? Why was Boromir smiling??? Will Borormir die? Or Faramir? Or neither?Awesome story! Please update as soon as physically possible! I love it!
I’ve caught up with you now! I’ve got as far as Chapter 8 now, and enjoyed it a lot! Can’t wait to find out what happened to Elennar.
Great newest chapter. Please post again soon!
Very well done! the story is not “too long”, I found it just the right length for me.
I loved it, excellnt work, keep it up!
Your story is very good; I’m looking forward to the next chapter! And nice alliteration in the 8th chapter’s title… 😉
Ooooh, a plan. How exciting! Sorry I haven’t reviewed in a while, I ‘ve been busy for a while with school…But now I’m on Spring Break! Yay! Anyways, Excellent story, I’m gald you made Denethor nice, because his character is looked down on so much. Poor guy…it’s not easy to catch fire then be forced to jump off a wall… Please update soon!
ai, valar…you’re good. you’re really, really good. ouch–i hurt from reading that. i must have more. it’s a horrible, horrible thought, the story of an elf brought to such levels, but i admit freely that it works. i will most certainly be around to read anything else you care to bring forth…
AAAAAAARGH! That was NOT a good place to stop! The plot is thickening and I can’t wait to read what happens next! Great job, Ireth!
Excellent new chapter… hurry and tell about the sneaky business of being an orc spy. Yay for quickly updated chapters!
One question. How was Isilden’s mind not changed when he became an Uruk? most would have turned evil.
v. sad. 🙁 I liked him. It’s so unfair that he has to turn into and Uruk.
Good story, though.
Nevermind, question answered. I should have read the next chapter before I asked, lol.
Poor Merry and Pippin! And Isilden. He’d better get changed back somehow at the end. And be able to rescue his sister. Keep writing! Update soon!
Great! Now we’re finally going to find out what happened to Elennar!
Keep gooing! Get then next chapter out soon! I’ll die from the suspense. *puppy dog eyes* Good job, writing by the way. 😀
Excellent new chapter, but I liked the old title better…. *sighs*…. at least I get a new chapter. Post again soon!
Wow – I missed a couple updates…*shamefaced look* Anyway, this is still a great story! “That jar was my orc body; the firefly was my elven soul, futilely beating its wings against the unyielding glass. Trapped.” Very eloquent. I hope for more soon! 🙂
GAA!! What’s gonna happen? Please, please, please get next chapter out soon. *puppydog eyes*
OMG, THATS THE BEST STORY I HAVE HEARD SO FAR!!!!!!!!! And its so detailed, please work on the next chapter, I can’t wait any longer!!!!
Excellent new chapter. I’m glad to see that Elennar is back. Keep up the good work!
Ley Merry, Pippin, and Elennar escape! Please! Let them escape! And pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease change Isilden back at the end of the story!
He just…. left them there?! How could he?! Saruman will kill them! He better not. They’d better be okay. Update soon! This is getting very suspenseful!
No. Isilden is NOT turning evil. It can’t be!!!!!!!! Noooooooooooooo! He better not hurt anyone with that knife! Except Saruman of course. He must turn completely good again!
What happened to Boromir?
You’ll see, you’ll see…. Chapter 19 should be up soon. The admins have been very fast at updating recently. 5 chapters in 2 days — wow!!!
I like all the new chapters- did you post a lot of them at once? They’re all excellent, and I’m glad to see that Elennar wasn’t hurt. Please keep writing!
Plot twistie! OOH! Mine fave :d Get more out soon?
Nooooooooooooo! You can’t turn Isilden evil! You can’t! Don’t you dare make him evil or I will hunt you down and tickle you mercilessly until you beg for death!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve got as far as Chapter 13 and I’m so glad to know that Elennar is still alive & hasn’t been transformed like Isilden! It was so sad, when he couldn’t tell her who he was… poor guy, trapped in an orc body. What we need here is another wizard who can reverse the orc tranformation. But how could Isilden leave Merry, Pippin and Elennar and go away like that? Hope nothing terrible happens to them. (I do wish you wouldn’t keep talking of “character deaths”) Great work – I’m enjoying every minute of it!
Jeez! Lokk what happens when I don’t check CoE for ages! You’re on chapter twenty-four and I’m only on fourteen! I love it, though. I’m so excited. I have to read some more. Cheers!
I’m going to cry. I just finished chappie 24 and I am so sad. I’m going to the corner to cry. *sigh* If I say that again it will just be stupid. So write more. Cheers!
By the Valar you’re evil. Rachae on, Ireth! Ai! I think I shall die of the cliffie before tomorrow. Congratulations. Write more soon. Cheers, mellon nin!
I’ve got as far as Chapter 15 now… I hope Isilden isn’t turning into more of an orc – he’s forgetting his elvish & slyly hiding weapons – this is not good!
Things are getting interesting now! Great work!
*sniff* That was great!!!
I just read the last ten chapters at one sitting, and I loved every second. You have a genuine talent for making your characters feel alive and real. Please continue writing beautifully emotional stories like these. Excellent work!
I never thought I’d say this, but I enjoyed the “character death!” That was one guy who really deserved what he got! You’re going great! Wish I could keep up with you! – pv
Meh luvers the story. Ish it fin?
Not quite fin, Salkeithia (sp?). One more chappie to go. Me hopes you likes it!!
That is so sweet! Oh, I was so worried for a very long time about the whole character death thing. Aren’t you clever, Ireth! Well, I can’t wait for another installment or at least another story. Cheers, mellon nin, and hannon le for two wonderful chapters.
I’ve got to Chapter 20 now – love your portrayals of Merry and Pippin!
I’ve got as far as Chapter 21 now – poor Isilden! You’ve portrayed so well his fear and horror at turning into something he hates. Great job, Ireth! This story has one of the most original plots I’ve ever seen in fan fiction.
I read the whole thing, and gosh, I don’t really know what to say. The end is so touching.
What an unexpected ending! And a beautiful ending, too! With all your threats of character deaths, I never expected Isilden to live to end of the story, but I’m so glad he did. I loved this story – great job, Ireth!
*bursts into tears* I love it!! That was one of the best fanfics I’ve ever read. It’s so wonderful…*wipes tears and smiles*
Ohhhhhhhhhh my gosh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved it SO MUCH!!!!!!! THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH WORDS TO SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS FANFIC!!!! So I will say this – I have it in my list of ‘read this every day’ CoE stories.