All Soul's Night
NINE:- In which the land of Gondor beckons
Legolas' shout poured liquid hot pain into Boromir's
heart. He pulled Aria closer, and held onto her, praying against all that
she would live. Gimli had pulled the Hobbits away, who had begun to weep,
but Boromir did not see them. Aragorn had placed a hand on his shoulder,
also praying for her to live. Legolas just watched wide eyed. Gandalf however,
stood away from the group, watching silently. He knew that this would happen
if any of them received a magically inflicted wound. For years ago he went
through the same thing. He lived through the blinding hot pain as the water
pulled his torn and broken body back together. So he watched and waited.
Aria had stopped screaming. Her pain causing her
voice to die in her throat. She was vaguely aware of Boromir pulling her
closer, but she could not see him. Her vision had gone white. The pain
that wracked her body was almost unbearable. She felt as though she was
being ripped apart, and being put back together with molten rock. The water
froze her veins at first, but the searing hot pain had followed. She didn't
understand what was going on. But she knew that whatever the water was
doing, it was healing her. Her vision suddenly cleared and she stared blankly
up at a break in the clouds. Blue sky. She looked at Boromir and smiled
faintly at him, then she passed out.
"Boromir, you horse is at the tower steps, get her
out of here," Gandalf said, taking sudden command. Boromir collected her
into his arms and dashed down the stairs. Gandalf continued, "The rest
of you, follow me."
It was later that Aria would recall the events that
passed that day. When she did awake she had no idea how long she had been
unconscious but she somehow remembered floating in and out of consciousness.
She also recalled being told that they had traveled into Gondor. But this
could not be so, could it? SHe hadn't been gone from the world that long.
Her eyes opened to find herself in a large bed with silken white
sheets. She stood, realizing that she wore a elven nightgown of soft, sheer
white material. She walked over to the large windows, where a warm breeze
blew white curtains inward. She gazed out into a city of white stone. Her
eyes fell on people going about their business in an emerald covered courtyard
below. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. So this was Minas Truith,
the White City of Gondor. It was beautiful.
She suddenly felt a pair of strong arms surround
her and she found herself wrapped in the scent of spice and sun that she
recognized for Boromir. She leaned into him as he kissed her neck and whispered,
"Welcome back."
"Mmmm," She replied, "Can we stay this way forever?"
He smiled and looked down at her brushing strands of black hair out
of her eyes, "Always my love. Will you join us. You have been away for
quite some time, and much has happened."
"Oh?"
"Yes. When Gandalf assured us you'd be fine we traveled here. It has
been almost two moons since that fatefull day. You have slipped in and
out throughout that time. Aragron has reclaimed his throne. And your sister
is getting married on the morrow."
Aria looked up at him and smiled, turning in his arms and leaning her
head on his shoulder, "And what then my love? Will we stay in this White
City?"
"I would marry you under these stone parapits, and then ride back to
Rivendell, a happy man."
She smiled, "I would have you marry today My Lord. But I belive I have
catching up to do. So if you wouldn't mind waiting outside the door while
I get dressed..."
Boromir pulled away and kissed her hand, leaving the room and closing
the door softly.
She walked over to a chair that had a shimmery purple
silver gown on it and picked it up. The neck was a wide oval and fell only
slightly off her shoulders, the sleeves encircled her hands and the bodice
ended just below her waist, flairing out to grace the floor. The edged
were trimmed with purple and silver beading and she stared at herself in
the mirror before straightening the amethyst around her neck and running
a brush through her gently curling hair. Leaving it loose to flow around
her like a waterfall. She slipped on the matching slippers that went with
the dress and moved to the door, taking a deep breath and opening it.
Boromir had been leaning on the wall opposite the
door when it opened, and his breath caught when Aria stepped out of the
door. She smiled up at him and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing
her properly. Suddenly, two giggly servan girls rushed passed, turning
back to look at the couple as they went. Boromir pulled away and offered
her his arm, "My Lady, may I have the pleasure of the most beautiful woman
in Gondor on my arm as I show her the grounds of this fair palace."
She smiled and placed her arm in his and he led her off, her head leaned
on his shoulder.
Delenethor, father of Boromir sighed as he sat down
for a much needed rest. He had been long in a meeting with Aragorn over
things of the kingdom and now he was weary. The door opened and he looked
up. Only to see his son stride into the room with a most beautiful woman
on his arm, and a smile the size of Gondor. He stood and bowed slightly
to the lady as he clasped his son's foearm in a companionable shake. She
smiled at him and returned the gesture before returning her loving gaze
to Boromir.
"Father," Boromir said, "I wish you to meet Aria, daughter of Lord
Elrond of Rivendell. She has recently consented her hand in marriage."
Delenethor grinned, "Well, I have heard much of you Lady Aria. I welcome
you to Minas Truith and to our family."
Aria smiled at him and then shocked both men. She moved forward and
embraced the older man, "I am glad to meet you Lord Delenethor."
He returned her smile and spoke, "So what of your plans?"
Boromir spoke, "We plan to track down the Lady Arwen, Aria's sister
and I will leave them be to giggle over wedding things."
Aria hid a smile behind her hand, "I do not giggle My Lord," she responded,
"I merely laugh with my sister in good times."
"Good times, yes," Delenethor replied, "Peace is wonderful. I would
beg your pardon, and ask that you let a poor old man retreat to his quaters."
"Of course," Boromir replied. Delenethor kissed Aria's hand and left
the pair alone.
"When will you and Boromir wed?"
"Oh Arwen," Aria sighed, looking up at her elder sister, "I wish to
as soon as you would. For we hope to marry here in the White City and then
travel home to Rivendell."
Arwen smiled suddenly, blue eyes sparkling with mischief, "I just had
a thought. Go nowhere, I shall return."
