Chapter 7
"Dewni, daughter of Luthien. I have a gift and a warning for you."
"Why do you call me the daughter of Luthien? Who is Luthien?"
The Lady Galadriel simply smiled. She looked even more beautiful.
"You will find out, soon. First I will give you the warning. There is something out there, waiting for you. An ancient evil, that swore vengeance upon your family."
"My family? But they're all dead. My sister is dead, my mother is dead. I think my father is dead."
"Your family is a descendant of Elurin. Before his disappearance, Elurin had a son. And so after many generations, through your father, you have the blood of Luthien, Elurin's grandmother.
Because Luthien insulted his master, Sauron, created a monster. A monster just for her descendants."
"A monster created by Sauron himself, wants to kill me?" I gulped.
"You have to face it. Alone. Her blood runs stronger in you, and your sister, if she were alive."
"But why do I have to do it alone?" I didn't want to sound whiny but I knew I would be braver if I had someone with me. "Aren't there any other descendants of this woman?"
She tucked a strand of my hair, behind my ear,"I know it's hard but it's destiny. You have a gift, use it."
"A gift?"
"Luthien had special abilities, she got from her mother, Melian. You have them too, weaker but they're there. Now for your parting gift," she straightened her back.
Her hands seem to pull out a silver necklace out of nowhere. A unique pendant with three rubies which were glowing like stars. She placed it into the cup of my palm, I've never had much jewellery.
"This necklace can bring back your sister," I gasped loudly, at her comment, my hand nearly dropping the necklace in surprise. "Three times, for each ruby, for a limited time. Use it in times so need, when you desperately need her wisdom."
"Lara has wisdom?"
She laughed. It was so beautiful, she reminded me of my mother. I felt a fool, for ever thinking, she was evil.
"One last thing. I know you feel responsible for your sister's death but she would say otherwise. She will tell you this when you talk to her, yourself."
I looked at her with teary eyes, wondering how I could ever repay her.
Legolas used deep, silent strokes to guide us through the water. The elvish cloak, kept me warmer than my tattered jacket ever did.
Luthien. It sounded like the name of an elleth, a female elf. I wondered if Legolas knew who she was, I wished we were alone, so I could ask him.
A soft vibration went through the boat as it the shore. I got out of the boat, to help pull it out of the water.
We pulled out our packs, reading to make camp.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the north," Aragorn informed.
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better! Festering, stinking marshlands far as the eye can see!" Gimli complained.
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength master dwarf," Aragorn stated firmly.
"Recover my…?! Phrrrrr...,"Gimli grumbled.
My legs were already numb from sitting down, I needed to be alone. I needed to talk to her. Like a shadow, I slipped away from the boys.
***
I twirled the pendant in my fingers, Lady Galadriel had told me to use it in desperate times but the temptation was so strong. Maybe stronger than the temptation for the ring.
I made my decision. Now how do I summon her? I fingered one of the rubies, as in instinct, I closed my eyes, my thoughts on Lara. Her curly red hair, blue-grey eyes and boatload of freckles. Her mischief, her strength, everything that made her Lara.
Then there was the pain. The agonising pain. Not physically, but emotionally. I fell to the ground, my eyes blurry. I just wanted to rip my heart out. Slowly, it faded as I shakily got to my feet.
I heard a soft breath. I slowly dared to open my eyes. The world was in slow motion, I nearly dropped the necklace. I couldn't believe it, I couldn't breathe. I had a thousand different emotions. My heart was racing like it feared for its life.
Then he smiled, that smile. It was like falling in love with him, all over again. I was happy, just so happy. Tears leaked out of the corners of my eyes and I grinned like a fool.
His brown hair moved with the wind, his eyes held the same light, he looked like he did before he died. My moonlight lover.
"Kili," my voice broke from the emotion. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and kiss him. I wanted to say the words that I have forbidden from myself, over and over again. I wanted to touch him. I felt alive.
"You look like a fish," he laughed.
I couldn't control myself, I laughed too. Almost hysterically.
"How? I thought only Lara-"
"She gave up this one, so I could talk to you. For the last time, a proper goodbye."
"Does it have to be a goodbye?"
"It can't be anything else. You know that. I can't stay here forever."
"I know."
He moved closer to me, so my face was nearly touching his. It was so tempting to just reach up and kiss him. His hand touched my cheek. Each atom burst at his touch, it moved into my hair, pulling my head closer.
Our eyes never left until the very end. When our lips met, it was so sweet, so sad. My lips tingled from every touch, all I could think was about him and the feeling I get from him alone.
I didn't want it to end, I never wanted it to end but all good things had to come to an end. He broke away, and leaned his forehead on mine, his hand still in my hair.
"I love you," his voice sent shivers through my whole body.
"I love you too," I meant it. More than anything.
I closed my eyes, enjoying his warmth, but like ash it dissolved until all I could feel was a warm breeze. When I opened my eyes, he was gone.
I wandered around, simply not wanting to face the others. I really wasn't watching where I was going, when I bumped into seemingly solid air.
"What the-?" I paused for a moment. "Frodo?"
But Frodo, still invisible, kept trying to push past me.
"Frodo. Frodo, stop. Frodo," I grabbed at him, my fingers touched cold metal, without thinking, I pulled.
A golden band, sat in my palm and Frodo was visible again.
"Are you alright?"
"Give it to me. Give me the Ring," Frodo answered.
I looked at the little ring on my palm, it glittered so beautifully. I brought it up to my eye, for a closer look. And I was tempted again, deeply tempted.
A secret desire for power. I thought of all the things I could do, with this ring. I could have everything I wanted. I could bring him back. I could bring them back.
I brought the ring to my finger, slowly anticipating the power.
"Dewni. Give me the Ring."
For a moment, I was in a haze. I looked at the ring in confusion, realisation settling over me.
"Take it. Take it, I don't want it," I shoved the Ring at him.
His eyes showed relief and mistrust for a moment before he ran off, disappearing in seconds.
I sat down, my head still swimming of what could've been. My thoughts cleared.
I just let the Ringbearer run off, run away from us. Taking a moment to swear under my breath, I ran off after him, following the trail of footprints.
I lost the footprints but I kept running, my body already tiring. I hate running. Before I even reached the bottom of the hill, I could see thousands of orcs.
My eyes widen and I ran faster, my hands drawing out my sword. I went so fast that I tripped over my own feet and tumbled down the hill. Luckily, my sword didn't shred me into pieces.
I quickly got up, and made sure that no one saw my fall, before bursting into the clearing.
Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were already there, slaying orcs like crazy, I quickly joined them, my sword flashing.
"Where's Frodo?" I screamed at Gimli.
"He wandered off while we were making camp," Gimli answered usefully.
In frustration, I hacked an orc's arm off.
I was barely there for two minutes when a loud horn, trumpeted through the air. Twice more, it rang.
"The Horn of Gondor!" Legolas recognised.
"Boromir!" Aragorn ran down the hill. We raced after him but as I was the less skilled fighter, I fell behind all of them, still struggling near the top.
Minutes passed by, and I was still behind them. Five more orcs remained, for me to slaughter. I was covered in sweat, my hair was frizzy and wild. Smudges of orc blood traced my arms, and face.
One orc, slashed at me but I dodged underneath it, my blade ripping at its vulnerable stomach.
I straightened up, I was slowing down and they knew it. Two attacked me at once, but Legolas and Aragorn taught me how to block it during our training. I quickly made finish of those two, and waited for the last two.
One tried to stab me, but I side stepped and lunged my sword into its side. I locked eyes with the last one. He seemed to be cleverer.
A knife was so close to my eyes, I turned my head. It slit my cheek, before wedging itself in a tree. I gasped in pain, the orc took the opportunity to slam the hilt of its sword on my head.
I couldn't see, my head was spinning, my back on the ground. It's sword hovered above me, ready to pierce my skull. My eyes widened and I rolled to the side. He tried again but I kept rolling.
My hand slipped into my boot and I used its trick against it. My dagger pierced itself more or less, near it's eyes. He fell with a thud and with a grunt. I pulled my dagger out of his head, dripping with black blood.
I leaned against a tree for a moment, taking deep breaths. I squared my shoulders and lifted my head and kept running down the hill.
I could see Gimli and Legolas, their heads were bowed, and their bodies seemed downcast. I felt a shot of fear and I ran faster. Who could've died? Who could've died?
Sam? Merry? Pippin? Frodo? Who was it? Aragorn and Boromir were too good at sword play to die.
At last, I reached the bottom of the hill. At first, I couldn't see anything because of the weeping body, but as Aragorn rose, I saw who it was.
"Oh," I softly breathed. "Boromir."
I watched the boat fall over the edge. I wandered what would happen to his body, and if it was the way he wanted to go into the afterlife.
I bent down to the water, I looked terrible. I leaned to wash off some off the sweat and blood. A light hiss, when the water touched my cheek.
I can't say that I grieved for Boromir's death as much as I did for Gandalf's but I still mourned. I was wrong about him after all, he died to save the hobbits. It's rare to find that kind of bravery.
"Hurry! Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore." Legolas warned. I wadded over to help pull the boat.
"You mean not to follow them?" Legolas continued. I spun around to see, who he was talking to. Aragorn had barely moved.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands," he walked over.
"Then it has all been in vain! The Fellowship has failed," Gimli voiced my thoughts.
"Not if we hold true to each other," he put his hands on their shoulders and gave each of us a meaningful look. "We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left. Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let's hunt some orc!"
We exchanged looks, coming to an agreement.
"Yes! Haha!" Gimli laughed.
Aragorn smiled and ran off into the woods. Gimli and Legolas took off after him.
"Must we run?" I complained before sprinting after them.
