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Published:
2025-09-15
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2025-10-11
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6/?
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Horns

Summary:

Surrounded by orcs, Boromir blows his horn ; and help arrives. But who is this orc that helped him ? Who is this elf, defending an orc ?

Notes:

So, uh, I was possessed and wrote a thing ^^'

I had ideas for the story, not for the title, as you can see.

Enjoy !

-Dino.

(See the end of the work for more notes.)

Chapter 1: A Call for Aid

Chapter Text

He runs, fast. He leaves the halfling behind and runs to clear his head, to get rid of the thoughts that are not his. But so focussed on the inside, he forgot the outside. Heavy footsteps echoed and he just had the time to turn to avoid a wicked blade to the face. Panicked, he took several steps back and took in hand the horn he always carries with him. Once, twice, he blew the horn but had to stop to enter the fight.

Uruk haï were before him, taller and stronger than the usual orcs he had met. He could glimpse amidst the fray crude armour and wicked weapons made for pain first and death second. With mad eyes and broken horns, they were here to kill. Fear was rising in him as no one from the fellowship appeared to be coming to his aid. Was he to die alone, outnumbered against the Enemy without having had the chance to apologise to the Ringbearer ?

Hopeless, he blew the horn a third time – and the note seemed to linger around him. Excitement and frenzy on the battlefield often distort time and so he paid it no mind, instead parrying a strike and severely damaging the arm of a nearby orc. As he prepared his next attack he finally heard something different : screams were coming from the other side of the clearing.

Hope rose again in his heart and ardour filled him, giving him the strength to behead the next orc. But as the body in front of him fell, it didn’t reveal Aragorn, or Legolas or even Gimli. No, instead, he came face to face with the tallest orc he had ever seen. Easily seven feet tall and covered in scars, this one had a pair of long thin horns reminding him of a mountain goat and black blood dripping from its fangs. The sunlight from behind gave its hair the colour of flames.

Paralysed by fear, Boromir stood there as the tall orc gave him a nod before turning around and attacking the other orcs with a sword and yes, also by biting them. So horrified by the sight of orcs getting their faces bitten off that he didn’t directly notice the second person that came to his help.

This one was an elf of rather short stature but large shoulders and with a mass of black hair cloven in two by a streak of white hair atop his head. The elf was fast and between him and the tall orc, the Uruks were soon all dead.

As the two newcomers lower their weapons and wipe their mouths (did the elf also bite someone ?), frantic footsteps are heard and Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli come running. At the sight of a menacing orc walking towards their friend they attack, sword and axe swinging and arrows flying – all swiftly avoided until a commanding shout is heard.

 

“ENOUGH !”

 

Every eye turns to the short elf and the furious scowl on his face.

Chapter 2: Names

Notes:

Chapter two, where we learn names !

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

When they heard the horn, they ran, ran with all the strength they had. Tension was high in the fellowship and the desperate calls of the horn could not mean anything good. As Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli arrived in the clearing they instantly noticed the tallest orc they had ever seen walking towards Boromir. Quickly, all three attacked. Aragorn aimed for the torso, Gimli for the legs, and Legolas shot three arrows in rapid succession. Almost like in a dance, the orc avoided them all easily when a loud voice resonated.

 

“ENOUGH !”

 

Only now did they notice the third person in the clearing. A short elf in blue with a distinctive white streak in his black hair. He stands between them and the orc, his sword bared and a challenging light in his eyes.

 

“I said, enough !”

 

They must have taken too long to sheath their weapons, as the angry elf starts to walk closer to them. But he is stopped when the orc puts an arm on his shoulder – an arm, without a hand. This seemed to appease the elf, who lowers his sword.

 

“Nobody is attacking anyone, am I clear ?”

 

All three nod, still wary, and Boromir stands awkwardly to the side. He clears his throat before explaining how both the elf and the orc came to his aid.

At that, Aragorn rises an eyebrow.

 

“An orc, saving a man ? And travelling with an elf it seems ? I’ve never seen anything like this… What were you doing here ?”

“We’re travelling to see the world – we’ve been on the road for a while now.”

 

The lie in his voice is obvious and the innocent smile on his lips perfect. Everything in his posture dares Aragorn to call him out on his lie.

 

“Can I…”

 

Both man and elf look at Boromir.

 

“Can I ask for your names ? You came to my aid and I would like to thank you.”

“Raugzgul. And this is Finno.”

 

They almost forgot the orc was here, despite his imposing stature. His voice is deep and almost broken.

 

“Well, Raugzgul and Finno, I thank you for saving my life. Without you, I don’t think I would still be alive.”

 

Aragorn snorts next to him.

 

“Why are you laughing, lad ?” asks Gimli.

 

It’s Legolas who answers.

 

“Finno basically means “hair”, there is no way this is his real name.”

 

At Gimli’s offended face, Finno laughs. Of course it’s a fake name, he knows not to give a real name in times of war.

 

“Does it mean Raugzgul is also a fake name ?”

 

The orc grins, showing his fangs.

 

“I’m not answering that !”

Notes:

The real danger might not be Raugzgul but Finno...

Raugzgul : Red Ghost, if i smashed the right words correctly.

Chapter 3: Aftermath

Notes:

Shhh, I absolutely didn't forget Merry and Pippin are kidnapped DURING the battle and not before...

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

“This is a mess” sighs Aragorn. After making sure the Uruks were all dead, he had called out to Merry and Pippin, thinking the two trouble-makers had hidden from the fight. His face fell when Boromir told him they had been taken prisoners before Finno and Raugzgul arrived.

 

“How many of you are there ?” suddenly asked the orc, a strange look on his scared face. He and Finno had run when they had heard Boromir’s horn but still it had taken some time for them to arrive.

 

“Six of us” answered Gimli, seemingly worried.

 

Raugzgul sighed.

 

“So… we arrived too late.” He looked around. “There are only four of you.”

“The halflings were taken by some Uruk haï” said Boromir. “I couldn’t save them, I’m sorry.”

 

At that, he closed his eyes. He felt guilty, Merry and Pippin were supposed to be under his protection.

 

“Maybe we can help ?” proposed Finno. “I know you don’t trust us but if we had arrived earlier we might have saved them and can’t help but feel responsible for that.”

“It’s not your fault” replied Legolas. “Without your intervention we would have lost a dear friend. I must thank you for that.”

 

But the conversation was strange, stifled, as if every participant had something he refused to say.

Leaning against a tree, Aragorn spoke again.

 

“Let’s say you come with us. What do you bring to us and how far are you willing to follow complete strangers you just met ?”

 

The fellowship had already broken but its mission still continued ; destroying the Ring was the only hope to win against Sauron. The elf he could bring himself to trust, even if he seemed to have lied about everything so far, but the orc… It was his first time (and probably his friends’ first time too) seeing one somewhere else than in front of him on the battlefield and he didn’t know what to make of it. On one hand, he was scary and strong and tall (maybe even taller than Glorfindel back in Imladris). On the other hand, which the orc didn’t have (and may Eru forgive him for the pun), ha was also calm and seemed genuinely worried for the two hobbits even though he had never met them.

 

“We bring our experience of the battlefield, Finno’s skills in the wilderness and my knowledge of the Enemy.”

“And our horses” added Finno with a bright smile.

“Yes, and our horses. They have our things and shouldn’t be far.”

 

“Horses” was the magic word, it appeared, because a look was rapidly exchanged between Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir.

 

“Alright, let’s see where we’ll go.”

Notes:

The magic power of HORSES !

Chapter 4

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

A string of whistled notes echoes through the forest, soon answered by soft thudding as two horses approach, answering the call of their riders. First a grey mare, sure on her feet and with red ribbons woven in her mane. Then behind her comes what was the largest horse anyone in the clearing had ever seen. With a black coat, the war horse – for what other kind of horse could be bred to be so big- was walking calmly and carrying several saddle bags. Ribbons were woven in his mane too, but his were blue.

 

“Well lad, I don’t know where you found such a beast but it’s clearly yours !” said Gimli to Raugzgul, his eyes opened in surprise.

“I have no idea what makes you say such a thing, Master Dwarf.”

“Maybe the fact he’s four times my size !” answered Gimli, still flabbergasted by the sheer size of the black horse currently nosing at the orc for a treat.

 

More curious than her counterpart, Finno’s mare began to sniff all four new people in the clearing. After careful hair tasting, she decided Boromir was her favourite – much to the chagrin of Aragorn.

 

 

As all six – plus the two horses – head towards the camp to gather their things and make sure every water bottle is filled, the two newcomers start to open up a little. Both seemed to be very secretive but now Finno and Raugzgul at least made the effort to use half-truths instead of outright lies. The fellowship appreciates it and soon they managed to gather some information on their new acquaintances.

The duo, it seemed, was really just travelling around when they heard Boromir’s call of distress. They were conscious they were quite the unusual duo and as such tried to avoid getting involved in any conflict, but – as Raugzgul pointed out with a chuckle more akin to a growl – it was for the best they found them. They were getting a bit rusty so maybe it was time for them to leave their retirement…

 

“Seeing an elf and an orc getting along and travelling together is indeed quite unusual” said Boromir. “How did you even met ?” he asked, curious.

“Ah, well, the truth is I had to rescue him” laughed Finno.

“Rescue ? But, hm…”

“Yes. Rescue.” Repeated Raugzgul curtly but avoiding their eyes. “Do you have a problem with it ?” He glared back at them.

“He was like a damsel in distress !” giggled Finno.

“I wasn’t !” replied the outraged orc, the bluish skin of his cheeks darkening.

“No, you weren’t, but the scene was so terrible… I don’t like thinking about it.”

“Neither do I, but if the wrong someone hears you say this, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Very true !”

 

Sensing there was a story there but an uncomfortable one, the others wisely turned the conversation towards safer topics.

 

“Since you were travelling, did you have an idea for your next stop ?” asked Aragorn.

Raugzgul shook his head “Not really. Don’t worry, we will go with you. As said earlier, it is time for us to do something. That, and I have a personal grudge to settle with Thauron…”

 

Aragorn raised an eyebrow at the unusual pronunciation but ultimately said nothing ; they had arrived at the camp site.

Notes:

Nelyo is absolutely scared of what Kano can do if he hears Finno call him a "damsel in distress"

Yes, him and Finno's horses have matching ribbons ^^

Finno and Raugzgul

Chapter 5: Rohan

Notes:

Time to go visit Rohan !!!!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Horses were truly an amazing thing ! They had managed to put all their belongings into the saddle bags carried by Piucca, Raugzgul’s horse. The black stallion was a gentle giant and accepted the additional weight without a fuss – he was most probably used to carrying heavier things, and some blankets, clothes and water skins weren’t much.

It was decided that the most efficient way of hunting down the Uruk haïs would be by running while the horses carried their things. Two of them could take turn resting on horseback when needed.

And so they ran. They ran out of the forest, they ran in the grass and overs rocks, they ran during the day and during the night. They rested lightly on the horses, usually on Finno’s mare. Gimli was especially alright with this as he refused to even entertain the idea of riding on the huge stallion. He and Boromir were a little jealous of the elves’ and orc’s ability to sleep on horseback. Aragorn was used to it, it appeared, but still remarqued on Raugzgul’s ability to do it as he thought only elves could do that. The orc blinked at him and tilted his head, a bit confused.

Soon enough, after having crossed the borders of Rohan, Finno alerted them of a group of riders ahead of them and of the fact that they were coming towards them.

 

“There are a hundred and five of them, all blond” added Legolas. Finno looked at him, impressed (he didn’t bother to count the exact number – they were severely outnumbered and that was the most pressing information.)

 

Indeed, in the fields in front of them could be seen a cloud of dust formed by the hooves of the many horses of the group. They appeared to be in armour if the glint of sunlight on metal was anything to go by.

Aragorn called out to them when they were close enough, hoping for a friendly welcome.

Instead, the riders surrounded them, forming a hurricane of dust and noise. After a minute or so, the dance came to a halt and every rider pointed their spear at the group of six trapped in the middle.

Dwarves are infamous for their quick temper – and Gimli is a proud dwarf. He wasn’t happy to be threatened and made sure the rider in front of him knew it. Alas, it only resulted in insults being thrown around until Aragorn’s intervention to defuse the situation.

 

“You are a friend of Theoden, you say. He doesn’t recognise his friends, nowadays. Not even his family. But enough. Why is an orc on a black horse travelling with you ? What dark spell of the Enemy made it grow that size ?”

 

The leader of the riders – who had introduced himself as Eomer – was clearly suspicious of them. His men were wary too and eyed the black stallion with badly disguised fear.

 

“He is our friend, of course !” sweetly answered Finno. “As for the horse, he’s just very big. However, I feel like the problem isn’t just about his size…”

 

Eomer glared at him. Who was this strange elf taking the defence of an orc ? He wasn’t very tall, but despite his innocent smile the light in his eyes was cold and sharp like an ice shard. He sighed.

 

“The Enemy has ordered his servants to steal all black horses for his armies. I think this explains enough.”

 

An ugly snort made him turn his head to the orc.

 

“Hah.” Said he, baring ivory white fangs. “The dramatic bitch.”

 

As Eomer looked more and more uneasy as time progressed, Aragorn tried to put the conversation back on its tracks.

 

“We’re looking for two hobbits, taken by a pack of orcs. We’ve been following them for three days, now. Have you seen them ?”

“No. I don’t know what “hobbits” are but we have dealt with the orcs. We killed them last night, left none alive.”

“…killed ?” Silence fell on the field. They had arrived too late. Their friends had died alone in the dark, far from home and surrounded by foes.

“My condolences. We burned the bodies.” He turned back and called some names. “Here, take these two horses. May fate be gentler to you than to their previous riders. Farewell.”

 

One of his men brought two horses to them, a brown one and a white one, named Arod and Hasufel. Then, with a cry and a sign of Eomer’s hand, the riders in a single swift movement rode away and soon were lost to the fields.

With a heavy heart, all six companions went in search of the smoking pile of corpses.

Notes:

I'm still on my Fingon-might-be-scarrier-than-Maedhros-agenda. Don't trust his pretty smile

Chapter 6: Fangorn, and trees

Notes:

Uh, work strated... This means I don't have as much time as I would like to write ;-;

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

The rhythmic steps of the horses is, with the ever-present wind, the only noise around them. Nobody had the heart to speak. They came looking for their friends and had failed, now they were looking for their corpses – or what was left of it as the Rohirrims had set fire to the bodies.

The smoke ahead came closer and soon they were able to see a charred pile of metal and flesh. They dismounted, leaving the horses to make friend, and approached the sinister mound.

The Rohirrims had been thorough – there was no escaping the slaughter. Despair settled fully on the group. Gimli fell to his knees while Legolas and Boromir closed their eyes. Finno leaned against Raugzgul, who put an arm around him. Screaming in grief, Aragorn kicked a stray helmet before falling to his knees as well.

 

“ATCHAH!” The acrid smoke in the air had caused Raugzgul to sneeze. “…sorry.” said he, curling in on himself and bowing his head. “Wait. Aragorn, there is something in front of you. It’s shining.”

 

And true to his words, in front of Aragorn and half-buried in the mud was something. Something green and of a very specific shape.

 

“A brooch. One of their brooches… yes. And there !”

 

He quickly got up and was joined by Finno who was very skilled in tracking. Their keen eyes easily found tracks in the mud, then a bit further cut ropes. The elf and the ranger looked at each other before looking back in front of them, where the tracks led.

Fangorn Forest.

 

 

The forest is dark, the trees growing close to each other, almost too close. It’s an old forest, a place where your wildest thoughts seem louder and fear is easy. Who knows what hides under the cover of dark leaves, waiting for a moment of inattention to lead them deeper and deeper…

 

“Are we sure this forest isn’t haunted ?” quietly asked Boromir as he tried not too long into the shadows between the trees.

“Of course it isn’t” cheerfully answered Legolas. “It’s only the trees talking among themselves !”

“Hmpf. I can’t begin to imagine what would be a good discussion topic for trees…” grumbled Gimli.

At that, Finno laughed “You would be surprised ! I’ve heard some people say that trees can be used to relay messages from one point to another. I’ve also been told they can be terrible gossips !”

“Ar ? You’re telling me surrounded by old wood talking rumours about us ?”

“Maybe ? I don’t talk to trees, so I wouldn’t know.”

“But you’re an elf !” The dwarf turned to Legolas, the other elf around him. “Is all this a lie, are elves unable to talk to trees ?”

“It’s a bit complicated, some can and some cannot. There is also a cultural factor.” He looked at Finno. “You’re a ñoldo, right ?”

“I am, yes. I might be good at tracking and sneaking into places but I’ve never been able to talk to a single tree ! And you ?”

“I can understand some parts, if I really try.”

 

So focussed on their discussion, none of them noticed the change in the atmosphere. It’s only when Raugzgul started growling and looking around that they realised something was wrong.

 

“What do you sense ?” asked Finno, all traces of mirth gone from his voice.

The red-headed orc bared his fangs in a threatening grin. “A maia.”

 

But as soon as the smaller elf had unsheathed his sword, the world around them was engulfed in harsh white light, blinding them.

Weapons clattered on the ground as the White Wizard appeared.

Notes:

Gimli learns a sad reality : not all elves can talk to trees

Notes:

Horns are great, I think orcs should have them. And other animal traits too. I think the first created orcs were twisted with some animals. If I remember correctly, it is said somewhere than Melkor cannot create, only change ? Or is it fanon ? Anyway, he twisted elves with animal traits to create orcs ; this means fangs, horns, and other things.

Don't hesitate to leave a kudo or a comment ! \^.^/

-Dino.