Rowan — Refuge, by Himring

[hhimring]

Author: Himring
Title: Rowan--Refuge
Characters: original character (early victim of Saruman's breeding experiments); Orofarne (one of Quickbeam's beloved rowans)
Pairing: n/a
Text type / Format: ficlet
Source / Fandom: Lord of the Rings
Rating: Teens
Warnings: non-con implied (probably canonical); high levels of angst
Word Count: c. 285 words
Summary: A victim of one of Saruman's attempts to interbreed orcs and humans becomes fully aware of the reality of her situation and manages to escape into the borders of Fangorn. The pursuit is close behind and she is panicking.
Author notes: For the November challenge (refuge; tree sounds)


She scrambled up the slope and in among the trees. Driven as much by the horror of her overwhelming realization as by fear of her pursuers, she stumbled blindly onward. There was no plan; she was only running from unbearable existence. Disoriented, she ran straight into a tree trunk. The bruising impact left her a little stunned. The old rowan tree should have been easy enough to dodge around; not that there was hope of escape whichever way she turned. The Old Man had trackers on her trail. Beyond rational thought, she started pounding against the bark with her fists, as if it was a locked door or a wall that might yet give way.

Orofarne, already half-awake, was startled out of its leafy dreams by the furious knocking. Someone in need, seeking shelter? Orofarne opened a crack, just wide enough for her, and she tumbled in, feeling it close after her.

The trackers milled around at a loss among the trees, unable to guess where she might have gone, even under the repeated lashing of their overseers. There were no tracks, no clues. It was as if the grove had swallowed her up. Only, if any of her pursuers had known how to listen to trees, the voice of one of the rowans had changed.

Orofarne was softly singing to a desperate young half-orc in its close embrace: hush-sh, hush-sh-sh, hush-sh-sh-sh.

But all they felt was the gathering resentment of Fangorn and they had become far too used to ignoring that. Even Saruman could not detect how this subject of his experiments had eluded him, but he knew well how to bear a grudge and nevertheless henceforth nursed a strong dislike of rowan trees.

A/N: I think Saruman is probably not really implied by Tolkien to have targeted rowans more than other kinds of tree, but I thought it would be interesting to explore this as a what-if. I also was thinking of this as a kind of inversion of the scene with Old Man Willow (and also of those hints about the Huorns and the orcs). As such, I hope it doesn't invoke too much claustrophobia; I was unsure whether to warn for it.

Comments

[shirebound]

Such a creative idea!

[hhimring]

Thank you very much, shirebound!

[bunn]

That's a delightful image, the young half-orc safe within the rowan tree. And so appropriate that it should be a rowan, with the rowan's power to ward off evil!

[hhimring]

Thank you, bunn! It did occur to me that, although I think Tolkien just likes rowans, like Quickbeam, he might be thinking of that power traditionally attributed to rowans, too, when he singles them out.

[ellynn_ithilwen]

a great idea, i love this!

my only objection is - this is too short! i'd like to read more of this.

[hhimring]

Thank you very much, Ellynn!

Originally, I meant to just write this and no more. But I have found myself thinking a bit more about this, so there might perhaps be a little bit more to come, if it comes together.

[ellynn_ithilwen]

yay! :)

[hhimring]

There is a second chapter posted for this, now, on AO3:
https://archiveofourown.org/works/60969994?view_full_work=true

There is a bit of a change in tone, so I hope it doesn't disappoint!

[anerea]

The idea that she should run straight into the embrace of safety is so comforting. And much as I personally always need at least a window open, even in winter, Orofarne's embrace conveys only comfort and nurture. I think one might truly find healing there...

[hhimring]

Thank you, Anerea! So good to hear that that is how Orofarne comes across here!

[erulissedances]

I do have claustrophobia, but I loved this tale. She found the safety she needed from an unexpected ally.

- Erulisse (one L)

[hhimring]

Thank you, Erulisse! I'm glad it worked for you that way, despite the possible claustrophobia issue!

[apachefirecat]

Very nice twist! I hope to read more of this 'verse from you. :)

[hhimring]

Thank you very much!