Title: Of Elves and Men
Author: Leiasky
Synopsis: Aragorn is reminded of his 'duties' to his kingdom. Arwen leaves Gondor and is attacked on the road to Rivendell.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Yes Return of the King
Pairing: Aragorn/Arwen
Disclaimer: I'm not Tolkien. I don't own these characters. (darn!) I make no money. Done for fun.
Additional Info: I've attempted to portray the characters herein as I see them. This story was written with the characters from the movie and their expressions and voices in mind.
There are many archery terms throughout the story. I study archery and shoot longbow and wanted to give a bit of a more authentic sound to the archery in the story. There will be a list of terms at the end of each chapter.
Archive: If you like, just tell me where.
Many thanks to Aya for the beta!
Of Elves and Men
Prologue
They watched.
They waited.
Their glowing eyes stared down the path, unwavering, unblinking.
Grunts echoed through the trees, and branches snapped beneath the weight of those so cruelly using them as cover. Birds soared into the air to escape the foul creatures, voicing their displeasure at the stench and invasion of their branches. Small animals scampered quickly away, frightened by the intrusion of their beloved trees.
Standards could be seen waving in the distance and the sound of galloping horses drew closer.
Short bows were drawn. Arrows were nocked* onto the strings and carefully aimed.
A horrible, howling cry could be heard in the distance just as the riding party drew close enough for an arrow to hit its mark.
As the attack began, horses reared, nearly throwing their riders. Arrows struck their marks amidst the howls of anticipated victory. The un-kept and spoiled creatures leapt out of the trees and knocked more riders from their mounts, brutally beating the men to a painful and bloody death.
Swords were drawn with lightening speed and those still sitting atop their steeds circled around a white stallion, protecting it and its rider from the advancing attackers.
Arrows flew wild from every direction. They pierced leather and shield and one by one warriors of Gondor fell dead to the ground.
With a final shing, a thin elven blade raised in defiance of the uruk-hai leader. With a glare, the lone living rider proclaimed, "Come and take me, if you dare."
The rider was outnumbered and outmatched, and even the Rohan stallion could not carry its charge to safety. All too quickly the rider soon collapsed motionless atop the fallen standard of Gondor. The colors of the house of Elrond were torn and shredded in the frenzy as the stallion, having lost its rider, reared on the advancing uruk-hai.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten days earlier
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of such things, but your generals wanted you to be aware of their concerns." The advisor stood nervously before the king, eyes downcast, embarrassed to be the one to bring up this topic with his liege-lord.
"It is truly none of their concern." Aragorn's normally calm, peaceful features were lined with barely concealed anger.
In the three years he had served Aragorn, the advisor had never seen the king of Gondor so upset.
"They think there is a problem with my wife? Or me?" Aragorn seethed. He paced the length of the floor, hands clasped behind his back least he loose his temper and strike something - or someone.
"Well, M'lord, they think…."
"They dare to question my choices, my decisions." Aragorn stopped and stared the man directly in the eyes.
"Their concern is for the kingdom, sire and in no way reflects on you," the man nervously dropped his gaze. "Word has passed for years about the elves, and their people. Their concern is a valid one, sire."
"Their thinly veiled concern is an invasion of my privacy and that of my wife." Aragorn said no more as he stormed through the door without looking back.
He didn't notice the dark eyes watching the exchange from the shadows or the single tear that slid unchecked down the pale cheek.
* Nock or nocking - the end of the arrow that sits into the string is called a nock. Nocking the arrow would be setting it onto the string.
Author: Leiasky
Synopsis: Aragorn is reminded of his 'duties' to his kingdom. Arwen leaves Gondor and is attacked on the road to Rivendell.
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Yes Return of the King
Pairing: Aragorn/Arwen
Disclaimer: I'm not Tolkien. I don't own these characters. (darn!) I make no money. Done for fun.
Additional Info: I've attempted to portray the characters herein as I see them. This story was written with the characters from the movie and their expressions and voices in mind.
There are many archery terms throughout the story. I study archery and shoot longbow and wanted to give a bit of a more authentic sound to the archery in the story. There will be a list of terms at the end of each chapter.
Archive: If you like, just tell me where.
Many thanks to Aya for the beta!
Of Elves and Men
Prologue
They watched.
They waited.
Their glowing eyes stared down the path, unwavering, unblinking.
Grunts echoed through the trees, and branches snapped beneath the weight of those so cruelly using them as cover. Birds soared into the air to escape the foul creatures, voicing their displeasure at the stench and invasion of their branches. Small animals scampered quickly away, frightened by the intrusion of their beloved trees.
Standards could be seen waving in the distance and the sound of galloping horses drew closer.
Short bows were drawn. Arrows were nocked* onto the strings and carefully aimed.
A horrible, howling cry could be heard in the distance just as the riding party drew close enough for an arrow to hit its mark.
As the attack began, horses reared, nearly throwing their riders. Arrows struck their marks amidst the howls of anticipated victory. The un-kept and spoiled creatures leapt out of the trees and knocked more riders from their mounts, brutally beating the men to a painful and bloody death.
Swords were drawn with lightening speed and those still sitting atop their steeds circled around a white stallion, protecting it and its rider from the advancing attackers.
Arrows flew wild from every direction. They pierced leather and shield and one by one warriors of Gondor fell dead to the ground.
With a final shing, a thin elven blade raised in defiance of the uruk-hai leader. With a glare, the lone living rider proclaimed, "Come and take me, if you dare."
The rider was outnumbered and outmatched, and even the Rohan stallion could not carry its charge to safety. All too quickly the rider soon collapsed motionless atop the fallen standard of Gondor. The colors of the house of Elrond were torn and shredded in the frenzy as the stallion, having lost its rider, reared on the advancing uruk-hai.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ten days earlier
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of such things, but your generals wanted you to be aware of their concerns." The advisor stood nervously before the king, eyes downcast, embarrassed to be the one to bring up this topic with his liege-lord.
"It is truly none of their concern." Aragorn's normally calm, peaceful features were lined with barely concealed anger.
In the three years he had served Aragorn, the advisor had never seen the king of Gondor so upset.
"They think there is a problem with my wife? Or me?" Aragorn seethed. He paced the length of the floor, hands clasped behind his back least he loose his temper and strike something - or someone.
"Well, M'lord, they think…."
"They dare to question my choices, my decisions." Aragorn stopped and stared the man directly in the eyes.
"Their concern is for the kingdom, sire and in no way reflects on you," the man nervously dropped his gaze. "Word has passed for years about the elves, and their people. Their concern is a valid one, sire."
"Their thinly veiled concern is an invasion of my privacy and that of my wife." Aragorn said no more as he stormed through the door without looking back.
He didn't notice the dark eyes watching the exchange from the shadows or the single tear that slid unchecked down the pale cheek.
* Nock or nocking - the end of the arrow that sits into the string is called a nock. Nocking the arrow would be setting it onto the string.