Hello everyone and welcome to a mini-story of times long past. I bring to your eyes the tale of The Second Age of Arda! Wahooo!

As usual I must add a disclaimer to with I place no type of ownership on the creations of the Tolkien family and J.R.R Tolkien in particular. I am of course endebted to him for comming up with something so very brilliant.

NOTICE: This is just the first chapter as a preivew. I would like either messages or reviews indicateing your opinions on whether or not to continue the story.

As always Enjoy and R and R please!

-SighingWinter


Cries of Namárië

"Go into the wilderness on a clear night and look up.

Look long. Then you will have seen something of Faerie"

Cecilia Dart-Thornton, The Lady of the Sorrows


Aoibheal, Queen of the Seelie paced her private chambers with quick strides, her expression one of dangerous calm as her iridescent eyes flashed with anger and her magic collected around her; even the guards on the other side of the door leading to the chamber shuddered at the power that the Queen gathered as her anger grew with each trek across her grand chamber. For once nothing could garner the fae's attention away from thoughts that stirred in her mind- not the gilded mirror, nor the blossoming flower out on her balcony, or the vague scent for her most recent lover. Even the usually delightful sound of her gossamer gown as it brushed over white marbled floors did nothing to settle the fury that raked her mind. How dare that fae think that she knew better than her elders- than her own Queen. Aoibheal had been generous with that child for far too long, it was time that she learned her place! But how- even if she had the support of the entire Court, Aoibheal knew that the child's punishment would lose her some key allies amongst her people- for whether she like it or not, that girl's thoughts and her words had captured fae who had similar ideas.

A sneer made its way across the Queen's face as she recalled the girl's words, We are powerful, she had cried her voice full of passion, why should we- why should I have to stand by and do nothing when the darkness grows too high? Why should we not defend those who are powerless against the dark? Why should we not engage an enemy that is likely to endanger our own people if we wait too long? In her mind Aoibheal saw some of the supporters nod their heads, their eyes keen on the one who so passionately spoke for the weak races of a land known as Arda. Sharp teeth snapped together in frustration. How dare that girl! Rapidly she paced from one end of her grand chamber to the other, far too aware of truth. She needed a way to punish the girl without losing support. She needed to show to her people that her tolerance of such open, almost human-like displays of opinion would not be tolerated, at least not so informally!

Did the child think her blind to all that happened in the world beyond their own? Did that girl not think that Aoibheal was aware of the darkness that was slowly circling that dreadful land, ever tightening its grasp as hope rose and fell with the weak hearts of Man? Indeed Aoibheal had both sensed and done her best to keep that darkness from leaking outside of that worthless world- and thus far she had been successful. Aoibheal tortured the floors of her austere chamber for many moments longer as her thoughts rapidly went from one point to the next, creating plans only to destroy them within seconds. There were too many flaws! If only that chi- Aoibheal stopped mid pace as her mind slowed for a moment. Yes- that was it! A slow smile worked onto the face of the Seelie Queen of Light, turning her beautiful face into a vision that exceeded any describable beauty.

It was almost as though a wind blew and with it went the gathered magic and any open appearance of her anger. Aoibheal glided over to her closet, where within held entrapped her most extravagant and the loveliest of all her dresses. While there were only three to choose from Aoibheal needed no time in choosing the gown that she desired. Laying the dress across her large bed, the Queen called for her main servant and quickly dispensed her orders. The fae nodded, bowed, and exited to do her bidding.

Soon it would all be taken care of, and the girl would be nothing more than a distant irritation.


Chapter One- New Lands and a New Home

Second Age-C.3420

A bright flashing light tore through the weeping sky, roaring as it split both earth and sky. The earth shook and shuddered as the flash collided with rock and stone. As suddenly as it appeared the light was gone and all that remained was blackened earth and upon it a small figure. For many long moments there was a silence that was charged with fear tinged- anticipation. A soft murmur that grew to a groan as the figure turned over and slowly sat up. Dark eyes, full of age and sorrow watched in wariness as the figure slowly raised itself to its full height and let out a cry that pierced the air. Known for beauty, strength, keen eye and ears the watcher gazed in utter shock as he saw that the figure was human and most certainly not male. Her hair was unusually short, just beneath the shoulder and the color for fresh earth. The cry abruptly halted and the woman, a human, whirled around and fixed her gaze upon the area of the woods in which the watcher crouched hidden. Gil-Galad tensed as he saw bright eyes, the color of the twilight sky focus on his hiding place, almost as though the human knew he and his patrol watched.

The woman looked about herself, clearly unabashed by her nudity and then reached down to grasp a sturdy branch. Gil-Galad smirked and vague snickers reached his elf ears, he would give the woman acknowledgement for her bravery- however foolish it may have been in such darkened times. Slowly he stood, signaling to his men to remain hidden, before slowly stepping out of hiding. The woman's gaze lingered on him for long moments before casting about the area once more, and the High-King's estimation of this unknown woman rose as he realized that she knew that he was not the sole being that hid within the protective boughs of the trees.

Addressing her in the Common Tongue, the High-King of the Noldor asked the strange woman her name and her origin. It was common knowledge that although the race of Men had agreed to meet and discuss an alliance with the elves, however it was also common knowledge of the Eldar that the race of Men was weak and would just as easily turn their backs on allies if a better and far more favorable offer was made- they had done time and time again in the many years since their awakening.

"I am called Anarriel." The woman's voice was musical, similar to the soothing sounds of soft chimes disturbed by a soft springe breeze. "I am beholden to none as I have traveled many leagues from my homeland."

Gil-Galad gazed at the woman and realized that now that he was closer she was neither human nor of the elven kind. Her solid gaze gleamed with keen sight and a knowledge that was far more ancient than even his own. Her body was perfect, was gentle curves that were neither too large nor small, rather just right for her lithe figure- but what made her so different was not just the physical perfection; it was in the way that she carried herself, oozing sexuality. Gil-Galad sensed no lies in her, and with the faint trace of magic around her being her understood, as most elves do without needing explanations that this stranger would be of no harm to his people. Placing the tip of his spear in the dirt Gil-Galad watched as her eyes looked at him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness, while he unfasten his cloak and held it out to her.

Now that the original danger had passed the elf could feel the tip of his ears burn in embarrassment, "To cover you- it is indecent for any lady to be without clothing."

Twilight eyes gazed at the Noldorian King for many long moments before a small smile softened her features. A slender hand reached out and gently took the cloak, with quiet thanks. She was small compared to elf-kind and the cloak turned into a makeshift robe quite easily. Gil-Galad waited politely for the woman to finish before walking away. As if expecting this, the woman followed her footsteps he noted were only slightly heavier than an elf's and much lighter than that of humankind. How odd this creature was, he mused, as he led her in silence. As they passed, slowly the rest of his soldiers appeared and took their positions around the woman and beside their king.

And thus the years past, dark days ever growing darker as Sauron strengthened his hold upon Middle Earth and its people. Anarriel showed herself to be a quick learner and easily mastered the most common tongues spoken in the west as well as growing quite proficient with the bow and arrow, and although she could wield a sword well enough, her true skill lay within the discipline of knife fighting. It was commonly used by the elves of Greenwood, as due to the frequent number of messengers and soldiers of the elven realms who journeyed to Imladris, she was quite fortunate to be rarely without a teacher. Beneath all that though lay a heart full of a closely caged desire for peace. Anarriel had known war for a very long time, for her own kind was constantly battling the UnSeelie and their darkness, and for much of her long life she had fought. It pained the woman to have never known peace as the elves had once known upon the shores of Valinor, and thus she longed for it. However, no matter how great her longing the fae knew that the peace she so longed for would never reach this land unless the Dark Lord Sauron was defeated. Anarriel grimaced to herself as she gazed up at the night sky, with what few powers Aoibheal had left with her the woman knew she could not end this long war on her own. For many of the past years she had wondered why it was that the Queen had done nothing to protect those who could not protect themselves, to use their powers to help save people rather than destroy them.

One winter's night something changed and as suddenly as she appeared Anarriel disappeared. The elf lords Elrond and Gil-Galad searched and called for the other Lords that she had grown close to- to search as well. Celeborn, Galadriel and well as King Oropher and his son Thranduil searched for many months but it was as though she had never existed. Years passed and the search ended for more were needed for battle.

A Last Alliance of Men and Elves set out from Rivendell and marched through the west towards Mordor and the tower of Barad-Dur and in the year 3,434 the siege began. It lasted for seven long years and brought many deaths to all races. For a time they held out, laying siege to the great tower and successfully pushing back attack after attack, slowly gaining ground against the dark forces. On the eve of the final battle there came a loud call and from the back of the Alliance's ranks their came a great host, led by a woman with whom all the leaders were familiar. Anarriel on the back of a fierce stallion led charge after charge, breaking the ill formed ranks of orc and goblin. Each warrior that followed in her wake looked savage and almost as frightful as the forces of darkness, but in a beautiful way. Many survivors recalled that they were as frightening as they were beautiful, which indeed must have been terrible for those that followed in each charge were fae- fae who had been exiled from their home never to be permitted to return. But even their power waned.

In the last months of the siege her people fell until all but a few lay dead. Those that had survived waited 'til the last, fighting with everything that they possessed. It was thanks to their courage and sacrifice that many of the leaders of both elven kind and men survived. Unfortunately some could not be saved. By the time the Dark Lord Sauron's body was destroyed the number of death was high.

Gil-Galad was but one. As he lay dying, a weeping Elrond beside him he uttered words that none save his dearest friend and ally heard, words that were not to be heard until many years passed.

Anarriel was another. In a desperate moment she had cast herself in front of the path of a poisoned arrow that was intended for the heart of the King of Greenwood. It was as she lay on the ground held in familiar arms, that Sauron was destroyed and sunlight broke through the darkened clouds that had long hung over the wasteland of Mordor. Twilight eyes warmed and a smile stretched slowly across her face. "At last…peace…"

Thus the Third Age began.