Every Lord Needs A Lady

Author's note: This Chap is dedicated to Wic (my sweet beautiful princess), Nikki ('cause you're just fabulous), and all the others that gave me feedback. You're the only reason this story is still going. Thanks alot, all of you.


Ema got up quickly and moved to where Aragorn was sleeping, she shook him gently and placed a finger to her own lips when his eyes snapped open.

"Trouble." She whispered then tilted her head in Legolas' direction. He was across the fire shaking Boromir awake. When Aragorn's eyes followed her gaze she moved on to wake the others.

When everyone was up Legolas explained that a large pack of Orcs were headed their way.

"Fight or flight?" Ema asked.

"How many are there?" Aragorn asked Legolas.

"Thirty, perhaps more."

"It's too many, gather our things quickly. We'll have to try and get across the lake before they find us."

"No." Ema whispered, her eyes trained on the woods across the water. "There's more on that side, more than thirty. I can feel them."

Legolas looked out over the black glassy water and strained his senses. "She's right. What do you wish to do Aragorn?"

"We could make a break through the forest. Try to out run them." Merry suggested.

"For how long?" Boromir said. "They'll just keep following."

"We'll have to fight. How much time do we have before they are upon us?" Aragorn asked moving to get his sword.

"A few minutes yet." Legolas said.

The others nodded in resignation and began to gather their own weapons. Ema put her bow and quiver over her shoulder then moved to the small pack she'd been carrying. From it she pulled two wrist sheathes and two long sharp stilettos. She strapped on one sheathe then moved to where Pippin was standing fumbling with his sword cover.

"Watch." She batted his hands away and strung it around his waist with practiced ease. He gave her a shaky smile.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. Go help the others." She said the turned to retrieve her other weapon. She found Aragorn holding it.

He moved toward her and she held out her arm. He spoke softly in Elvish as he put the device onto her lower forearm, "Poika I tinua erur. (Protect the little ones.)"

"Ah nya alfirin. (With my life.)" She whispered back her eyes solemn.

He nodded and moved to the tree line. "Let's go."

The others followed. By now you cohearhear the things running through the woods, feel the vibration in the earth.

It only took seconds for the beasts to move into their range of sight. Aragorn, Gimli, and Boromir moved forward while Emalin and Legolas remained back a bit with the hobbits behind them. Both elves had their bows at ready, as did Aragorn. He looked back, gave a slight nod and all three let their arrows fly. Each hit its mark. They continued to reload and shoot until the monsters were with in hand to hand distance then Aragorn dropped his bow and pulled out his sword. The two elves fired off a few more arrows while the three men in front kept the orcs and Uri-ki at bay. Then Legolas reached for his swords and with a flick of her wrists the stilettos appeared in Ema's hands. By this time they we're doing well. They had cut the enemies numbers in half.

Two of the creatures made it past the first line of defense and the two elves attacked. Ema moved toward one and it lunged. She kicked it hard in the chest then used a stiletto to pierce it's throat as it tried to regain balance. It fell to the ground with a gurgle.

She glanced over at Legolas just in time to see him cut down his opponant. Three more orcs came toward them. Two moved to Legolas and the last targeted Ema. He was smaller than the others, a few slashes of her sharp weapons had him weakened. She grabbed the leather straps and threw herself backward using the weight and momentum of the beast and her feet to roll them and toss the thing over her. It landed in a heap just to the left of the hobbits. She got to her feet and turned to the halfings with a twinkle in her eyes.

"Sic him." She said then smirked when they attacked with their little battle cries. She didn't need to worry. The orc was already weak and the four hobbits could easily kill it.

After that the battle became a blur. It took time but soon the fellowship defeated their attackers. Ema glanced around making sure their were no more enemies hiding in the trees waiting for the group to let their guard down. A frantic shout of her name stopped the search.

She turned to see Aragorn kneeling on the ground next to a badly injured Boromir. He had two thick arrows pertruding from his stomach. She went to them falling to her knees at Aragorns side.

"You're a healer?" He asked, his face pained. She nodded. "Can you help him?"

She nodded again. "Merry, Pippin, go back to camp and retrieve my bag. Gimli, go with them and get me some water." The hobbits and dwarf hurried off without complaint. "We need to take the arrows out. Quickly. Break off the ends then roll him on his side." When he nodded she leaned down cupping Boromir's face in her hands. "Can you hear me?"

"Yes." He croaked, blood running down the corner of his mouth.

Aragorn had finished with the arrows and was turning the man as she'd said. She moved so she was still facing him.

"This is going to hurt. I'm sorry but it's the only way." The elf-maid said.

"Do it." He murmured then began to cough his face twisted into a mask of pain.

"Legolas, take this off for me, please." She said indicating her right wrist sheathe. When it was off she removed the stiletto and put the leather carrier near Bormomir's face. "Bite down on this."
When he complied she turned her eyes to his back.

The arrows had gone straight through his body. She gripped the first and yanked. His scream was muffled by the sheathe. She gripped the second and pulled removing it as well. Ema had hoped that he would pass out from the pain of taking out the first arrow but he remained awake and in agony.

She directed Aragorn to remove the wounded mans shirt then turned her attention to the returning hobbits and dwarf.

"Inside my bag you'll find a black pouch and banadges. Get them for me, Pip. Gimli?" She held out her hand for the water skin. When he handed it over she pulled of the top. Pippin passed her the black pouch and dumped it's powdery contents into the water, she replaced the top shook it the held it out Aragorn. " Help him drink this. All of it."

As soon as Boromir took the first swallow Ema placed a hand on his forehead and the other above his wounded abdomen. Her lips moved but if she spoke allowed no one could hear her words. A soft green glow began to emanate from her hands. The glow became brighter then became a blinding flash. When everyone's eyes adjusted to the darkness again Ema was wrapping bandages around Boromir's chest.

"I healed all the internal damage and stopped the bleeding. I'll give him another herb mixture later to protect the outer wounds from infection. He'll be fine."

The group all turned stunned eyes to the elf, staring at her in relieved amazement. Then Merry spoke up.

"Anyone hungry?"


TBC