A/N: Hi everyone, and thank you so much to those who have read, favourited and followed this story so far. I know that it might seem like it is taking a while to get going, but this is going to be a slow burn romance so fair warning!
Reviews as always would be really welcome, especially if you can help me with any of the details concerning the Dunedain; I'd love to learn as much about them as possible because I am having to make up a fair amount at the moment and whilst that is what fanfics are about, it would be great if I could base as much as what I write in cannon as possible, especially when I will be writing a lot about this particular race of people.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings; that is the work of the mighty JRR Tolkien, only my OC and her plotline are mine.
Please enjoy, and I'd love to hear from you!
Lucksby
CHAPTER 3
The jubilant atmosphere within the Dunedain camp did not last, however, because the next day the news was delivered that the band of orcs that they had spent so long fleeing from were fast gaining on them. It pained Ari to have to tell Gilraen of the danger, especially observing the look of terror for the safety of her son that she wore, but within hours the company was on the move again and with great haste.
It was a pursuit that lasted several weeks, and it was not without its casualties, though Ari had not gotten near any fighting after a pleading conversation she'd had with Arathorn.
"Ari, may I have a moment?" He pulled her aside from the panicked flurry of activity as the camp was packed up at speed.
"Of course My Lord, is there anything you need?"
"I need… I need you to protect my son." Her eyebrows rose in shock at the vulnerable request of her chieftain, "I beg of you, make sure no harm comes to him, especially if something should happen to me and I can't be there." She moved to interrupt but Arathorn stopped her. "Please promise me this Ari, you have become a sister and the greatest of friends to me these past five years, and I trust you not only with my life, but the lives of my wife and son. I cannot ride out with my warriors in good conscience until I know that they will be protected should I not return."
The weight of responsibility that Ari felt was incredible; she had never received the like before, and never had she felt so honoured, yet so afraid of failure.
"Arathorn, I have said it once and I will say it again, I would die before I saw harm come to either of them. I promise I shall do as you ask." It was all Arathorn could do to choke out his thanks.
With her promise she had barely left Gilraen's side, not that she was complaining; baby Aragorn was absolutely adorable, and Ari was completely besotted with him, much to Gilraen's amusement. Ari was just glad to give her something to laugh about. These days there was precious little.
The pace they were keeping was punishing but at Ari's insistence Gilraen was riding, Ari walking by the horses' head guiding him over the difficult terrain that they were braving in the hopes of gaining an advantage on their pursuers.
"Ari?" She turned to look up at her friend's question.
"Yes?"
"When will you settle down and find yourself a man my friend?" Ari let out a snort of laughter at the question. "Me, Gilraen really? Me settle down! There was not much chance of that happening before I came here, and now it's downright impossible!"
"I mean it, you deserve someone Ari, someone who will love you as Arathorn loves me."
Ari let a contemplative silence fall between them, taking her time to answer, "One day perhaps. But I shan't hold my breath."
It was later that day when the first signs of true danger began to show; a scout had found fresh orc tracks ahead and just as the news reached them a distinctive sound split across the air. The howl of a warg.
"Be ready!" Arathorn's shout sounded from the head of the column, "Protect the women and children!"
There was hardly time for Ari to draw her sword before their attackers were upon them, and she spun away from Giraen and baby Aragorn for a moment to decapitate an orc that had gotten past the first line of fighting. That was when she heard her name.
"Ari!" She whipped her head around sharply at the yell; Arathorn. She spotted him battling furiously against two of the creatures and she joined him, knocking blows away from her chieftain.
"Ari, take them and go! Ride to Rivendell, you'll all be safe there!"
"Are you crazy?" She yelled; it wasn't often she defied his orders, but this called for it. "I can't just leave you here Arathorn!"
"Arianna" he caught a hold of her shoulder, fighting raging around them, "please."
Every nerve in her body told her to stay, to protect the man who had given her the family here that she so valued, but at the same time she knew that she had to go. She nodded.
"Stay safe."
Running as fast as she could, taking out any orcs that got in her way she reached Gilraen, still perched, though precariously, on the horse, watching the battle from a ridge with wide eyes. Ari swung herself up behind her friend taking the reins from her hands, turning the horse and spurring it into action.
"Ari what are you doing? Where are we going?" Though Gilraen could not see it Ari's eyes were grim.
"Hold tight to the little one, I fear this is going to be a wild ride."
She wasn't wrong. They fled, galloping as fast as Ari could push their mount, flying over fallen trees and tearing through the undergrowth. She couldn't afford to be gentle; Ari fully intended in reaching Rivendell in time to have them send reinforcements to aid the fighters. In normal terms they were four days out from the valley, but that was if they were travelling as a group of hundreds with all of the women and children accompanying them. As two lone riders they would be much quicker. Ari hoped that they could get there before nightfall, and prayed that they wouldn't encounter any stray orc packs.
The sun was setting as they finally sighted the waters of the Bruinen; Ari was especially pleased with having remembered the way, she had only been here twice before.
"Gilraen, we are so nearly here my friend, so nearly sa-"
But Ari stiffened; there was the distinctive crashing of heavy footsteps behind them, and she whirled the horse around to see a warg and its orc rider were nearly upon them.
"Shit!" She swore aloud, digging her heels sharply into the horse's flank.
"Ari, get across the water!" She followed Gilraen's directive as they charged down to the water's edge, but they were running out of time.
Ari made a snap decision and as the mare's hooves splashed in the river she leapt down from her back, metal singing as she drew her sword.
"Ari!"
"Gilraen, go!" Ari blocked a swing from the orc, retaliating with an onslaught of her own, but it was hard. The beast it rode was huge and Ari was already tired from the day long flight and the battle that caused it; she was flagging.
Suddenly she was aware that there were others there, and beside her another sword whistled through the air, digging itself into the tough hide of the warg. An elf. She drew on her last strength and drove her sword, Cenedril through a gap in the orc's armour, twisting it as the creature screamed. Yanking it out she stumbled backwards, crashing straight into the elf.
"My lady!"
"I'm fine" Searching with her eyes for Gilraen, she was relieved to find her unharmed and being helped gently out of the saddle by another elfin warrior.
For the first time her panic resided enough for Ari to take in the appearance of her saviour; long dark hair with blue eyes, wearing light armour. She thought back to what Arathorn had told her about the Lord of these lands, and how he was described in Tolkein's writings, "Are you Lord Elrond?"
He smiled, "Nay fair lady, my name is Elohir, one of his sons. May I enquire as to yours?"
"Arianna, my Lord." She bowed her head briefly, "My companion is the Lady Gilraen, and we owe you our greatest thanks."
"Gilraen?" His eyes narrowed, "The wife of Lord Arathorn?" He looked concerned. Ari nodded her answer, "We were set upon by orcs on the road here, please, you must send help to our warriors."
He seemed to think for a moment, "Yes, but we must first return to Rivendell. Please, come with me." She followed, glad that, finally, she didn't have to be the one making decisions, it was a great amount of weight off of her shoulders. They crossed back across the river, and as they reached the opposite bank Gilraen threw herself into Ari's arms.
"I was so worried!" The cry was slightly muffled in Ari's shoulder, who pushed her back so she could check on the welfare of mother and son.
"We are both alright Ari." She glanced up at the two elves who stood watching the reunion, "Are these the sons of Elrond?"
"Yes, at least one of them is, and since they are practically identical I would say it safe to assume that these are the infamous twins."
"Then we have made it." Gilraen allowed herself a small smile, "Did he say he would send reinforcements?" Ari nodded,
"Yes, but first we must reach Rivendell."
Gilraen looked determined, "Then we must make haste."
They arrived in the Last Homely House a little over an hour later, and, Ari and Gilraen riding together with Aragorn safely strapped to his mother's chest, all looked on in wonder. Ari had been here before, yet this place's beauty never failed to amaze her; the author in her itched to immortalise it on paper, just as Tolkien himself had done.
"What are they saying?" Gilraen nodded towards Elohir and his brother who were in conference with an elf in dark blue robes, all three of whom were sending glances their way.
"I have no idea."
She bent down slightly to see the face of the child who carried such a great legacy, smiling at the innocent features calmly asleep. "I wish I knew how he did that."
"He can sleep through anything." Gilraen agreed.
Ari looked up to see the elves approaching. "My Lords, thank you so much for all you have done for us."
"It is no trouble, Lady Arianna, Lady Gilraen." The unfamiliar speaker bowed to both, "I am Erestor, councillor to the Lord Elrond, and I will ensure that when his meeting concludes he is informed of your arrival. For now however, I have granted permission for Lords Elohir and Elladan to lead members of our guard to the aid of the Dunedain, they will leave imminently so please, be not afraid for your people."
"Thank you." It was Gilraen who spoke, "You have the gratitude of myself and my husband for this kindness."
"My Lady, it is our pleasure, but for now let me show you to your rooms, I am sure that all three of you must be tired."
With a swish of his robe he turned, Gilraen and Ari following close behind him, however despite the elf's words there was still fear in Ari's heart. She worried for Arathorn, she felt like something awful was about to happen.
