Battle would start soon, and chances that his battalion would survive intact were nonexistent. Smagnu hadn’t cared about such things before. He did now.

The two little Pip’s had somehow taught him that life was precious.

Because of the halflings, the Uruk had learned to care about the little orcs he commanded, and now they in turn respected him. Respected, not feared.

They served him because they wanted to. Who would have thought it? Some would die today, Sniggin perhaps, or Bloggin. Or even Grutfley. His friends.

That he considered them friends was remarkable. That those friends might die, unbearable.

Saruman paced on top of Orthanc. Diminished and possessing no real power still he had crebain on the wing, and they brought news although he didn’t wish to hear it.

Without benefit of sight, the halfling he had blinded had helped destroy the Witch King! The smaller one he’d robbed of speech and hearing was mounted on a magnificent stallion leading an army toward the Black Gates. The Ringbearer!

But how? They’d been in his very grasp and yet he’d found It not! Trickery by that meddler Gandalf! The game neared its end, but Saruman was no longer a player.

Dysgwr clung desperately to the galloping horse, miserable and in pain, a Rider of Rohan on either side, each vigilant for danger. How had he come to be here? He rode toward battle and death pursuing an injured halfling, in an attempt to save the world. Unbelievable!

He was not made for war or perilous journeys. He worked to heal people injured by those very things. But then neither were the halflings he’d met made for those things. Look at their achievements. Surely he could find the same fortitude within himself?

Riding through the corpse-strewn battlefield he knew the answer.

Thwak! Again Sniggin’s arrow hit the hay bale. Not in the middle, but he’d hit it.

He still couldn’t believe that the Cap’n had given him his own bow and arrows so’s he had a chance in the battle. Behind him he could hear the Corporal goin’ at it with Bloggin, showing Snig’s brother how to use the knife he’d given him. Knowin’ his twin had a weapon was a right good feeling.

Him and Blog had questioned this war before. They still didn’t rightly understand. Now they had a reason to fight though. To protect their Cap’n and Corporal.