Exodus
By: Alilacia
Rating: PG13
Feedback: None that I can think of. In fact, this story is pretty much entirely AU, so I doubt it. I shall let you know if there is.
Beta reader: Ying
Disclaimer:
I do not own Lord of the Rings, or anything to do with the film or books. That honour goes to Peter Jackson (et all) and J.R.R Tolkien. I have no permission what so ever to use these characters, will not receive any money for this, and I am doing this for my own enjoyment. And to pass the time between working during the day.
Note: The Characters (and concept of) Dehlfalhen and Glamferaen were created by Cassia and Siobhan and they were kind enough to let me borrow them for this story.
The story in which they were first introduced was called Siege of Dread and is posted at their Mellon Chronicles Website (go to Cassia's profile, and you'll find the link).
Again, these characters (and concept) are not mine, and if one wishes to use this (or any of the characters or concepts from the Mellon Chronicles series) email Cassia at or Siobhan.
Edit: Have also just been informed (thanks Cassia :D) that Saelons are indeed another invention of Cassia and Sio. So all the above wording applies to them as well.
Also, I am not fluent in Sindarin. Any mistakes are my own. I'm still learning -)
Summary:
"Strider, you have to understand a lot of things. There is much that I cannot tell you, much that only they can tell you. If you can find them. Only know that there was a darkness within them that they had been fighting with for so long, and when they found his body lying there..."
Events put into motion, the beginning of the end started long before it could be stopped. In all his years he had never considered what the loss of one life could have on the world, none of them had. It should have come to no surprise to him really, that when a pivotal figure was lost forever that his life was turned upside down, and nothing was the same again.
And do you know what the worst part was... it really was all his fault.
Exodus
Part Nine - Mirkwood
Crossing the Anduin had been easy, and the river hadn't been as swollen as normal. In a few weeks time, with the seasonal rains, the river level would rise again. But at this time, the men could cross it without fear of being swept away.
Aragorn looked up at the sky and noted the fading light. He was not the only one that had noticed it, but he was the only one who stopped. Parfseron looked back, noticing that Strider wasn't walking with them.
"Strider"
The rest of the group slowly stopped, turning confused stares on Strider who was placing his pack to the ground.
"We should stop for the night."
"That's not the first time you've said that." Raeg said as he walked to stand before him. "I have entertained it before now, but I will not now, not with our destination close."
"My council has not been wrong before, Master Raeg." Aragorn lowered his voice so that the conversation was between them alone. "Please sir; Mirkwood's soils are not a safe place to be travelling overnight."
"And I suppose you have travelled there before."
Aragorn recognised the statement for what it was, and nodded cautiously. "I have travelled through, enough to know that the woods hold many deadly secrets. Ones which do not leave the discoverers alive."
Raeg nodded, considering this. Everything Strider had warned them about had been true thus far, but he chafed a little at yet another delay. He looked up at the sky again, judging the waning light, and then looked at the darkening woods before them.
"Alright Strider, you will get your camp tonight. But we leave at first light." Aragorn nodded; satisfied that he would not be walking through the tightly woven paths of Mirkwood with the light dying around them.
Around him, the men were settling down and pitching up the tents. Being not far from the river, the air was slightly cooler and with winter coming the humans felt the cold. With only just having come down from the snowy peaks of Caradhras, the men were eager to sleep somewhere warm.
His eyes caught the barely perceptible movement in the trees, and he quickly glanced around the camp to see if anyone else had noticed.
Night was falling quickly, and most had been assigned to setting up the camp and finding some food for the morning. A small group of men had been working on a fire for a little while now, and a small blaze was burning between them.
Strider himself had volunteered to take the first watch of the evening, knowing that it would not take long for the men to lower their guard and stop paying so much attention to the woodland around them.
He was counting on it.
Shifting slightly, he made a brushing movement against his left leg. Scratching his hand, he shook it a little in the direction of one of the tents. When the trees moved again, and then stilled, Strider nodded very slightly and left his hand to rest on his thigh. His free hand sought out his pipe from his pack, and he took a deep breath of the mixture.
Strider did not move, not even when one of the other sentries retired to his bed, leaving Aragorn alone to keep watch.
On the other side of the camp, another lone figure was sitting against a rock, staring at the stars. When he shifted slightly, Aragorn recognised him to be Auth. Aragorn still did not understand the man, but every night without fail the man would sit awake, staring out into the wilds. Strider didn't worry about him; the man was too far away to get in the way with what he had planned.
Motion from the tent made him look up, and he saw a scruffy man walk out and sit next to the fire. The man hunched over himself, and leant in close to warm his hands and face. The night had been cold causing most of the other men to sleep as close to the fire as possible. Hoping that the men would be sleeping as deeply tonight as the ranger observed them do on nights past, he left his post on the fallen tree trunk and sat down next to the man.
Hethu looked up as Strider sat down next to him, and returned his attention to the fire. After a few moments of silence, it was Hethu who made the first attempt at conversation.
"Do you think we'll get them, ranger"
Strider was silent for a moment. He knew the they the man was referring to.
Over their journey, he had gotten Caryn to open up a little more and the man had divulged exactly who they were looking for. But the reasons why, the young slaver still refused to tell.
"I do not know." He answered truthfully"it will take all of our skill to even get near them. And much more to capture them."
"If it's luck you're talking about, I think we've got enough on our side." Hethu grinned darkly into the fire before nudging the ranger in the side. "We've got you, haven't we. With you fighting with us, those elves are as good as caught"
Personally, Aragorn thought Hethu was overstating his talents a bit, but didn't say a word. He only returned the smile, and vowed that he was never going to let any of these men anywhere near an elf.
"Tell me one thing though." Hethu turned then, looking Aragorn closely in the eyes. "Those daggers you carry. I may be nothing but a trader, but I know they're elven make. How'd you get them"
"I have encountered many elves. Some friends and some..." Aragorn deliberately trailed his words off, a thin-lipped smile on his face. Hethu scrutinised him for a moment before laughing and clapping Aragorn on the back.
"I knew there was more to you ranger. Never thought you'd kill an elf for them though." He eyed Aragorn with respect, and a little awe. "You must be strong, ranger. Glad you're on our side."
Strider said nothing as he leant forwards and poked another stick into the fire. The flames lapped at it hungrily, and he found himself welcoming the extra warmth.
"Will you try to kill them once we find them"
"I don't know" Aragorn repeated softly, and shifted slightly where he sat. "Why do you stay here"
Hethu looked a little uneasy at the question, but eventually answered.
"I don't know, ranger. But then, where else would I be if I wasn't here." The man shrugged"I once wanted to be a ranger, but I wasn't cut out for it. I want to settle down, not drift from place to place with any purpose."
"Then why are you with these men" Aragorn asked, pointing at the tents where the other men slumbered. "Traders are not known for staying in one place for long."
Hethu shifted uneasily again, and stared into the fire for a moment before looking Strider in the eyes. "If I tell you something, ranger, do you swear not to tell another man"
"I promise."
"These men ain't traders, ranger. Some of them are, but most aren't." Hethu's eyes darted nervously around the camp as he quickly pointed out the traders, and then the slavers. "When I said they wanted to capture the things we're hunting, I meant just that. Elves are a high commodity, you know. A lot of the high ranking nobles will pay large amounts for an elf." His gaze was now fixed on the fire, so he didn't see the angry look in Aragorn's eyes. "Can't say I agree with it, but I can see their point. An elf is immortal. Could be passed down through the family, or so I've heard it told. Never seen it done though. In fact, I've never seen an elf either." He added, almost as an afterthought.
"Why do you stay then"
The man laughed lowly. "Money, why else? I just said that elves are worth a lot. Getting one elf could make you rich, but getting two..." he trailed off, a grin pulling at his lips.
"What if I told you I could get you away from all this"
Hethu snorted. "And why would I want to leave? These men may not be as righteous as you rangers, but they know how to make a living."
"What if I told you that you might have to kill someone"
Hethu paled slightly, but quickly gathered himself. "What makes you think I haven't done that already"
"The paling of your face, and the tremors in your hands."
Hethu looked down, and inwardly cursed as he saw the ranger was right. Pressing his hands together, he hoped they would stop shaking. "And I remember the look in your eyes when Raeg killed Gwerio in that village square. I also know of your allegiance to the rangers. How you swore once, many years ago, that we could call upon you for help if we needed it. What would you say if I told you I had come to ask for your help"
It had been deep into his watch that he had finally remembered what it was about Hethu that had been nagging at him. Halbarad hadn't mentioned him by name, but the description of that man and the man sitting next to him were too similar to dismiss.
"I would say that you are thinking of the wrong man." Hethu answered quickly, his face pale. "I ain't made no agreement of any kind with rangers."
"So you were not the man that lost his family long ago and was saved by the rangers when a fire swept through his village" Unwittingly, sadness swept through Hethu and he looked down into his lap. "I thought so." Aragorn said softly.
"I can't help you. I've always been a man of my word, but I can't help you this time." Hethu pleaded with Aragorn. "I was involved with the rangers once, but not again. I can't do that again, I can't."
"I am sorry that you feel that way, Hethu. I really had wished for you help."
Hethu sighed. "No hard feelings, right"
"No hard feelings." Aragorn assured.
A sigh of relief passed Hethu's lips, and he rubbed his palms against his legs. His relief quickly changed to shock as he glanced at Strider out of the corner of his eye. He pulled away as Aragorn reached into his pocket and pulled a scrap of material out. Hethu started to struggle as the cloth was placed over his mouth and nose, but soon the struggles waned as the drugs did their job.
Glancing quickly around the camp, Aragorn grabbed the man as he slumped and pulled him over his shoulder.
Unfortunately the scuffle had drawn the attention of the other man on watch, and he quickly raised the alarm. Aragorn heard frantic rustling from the tents as the men hurried out of their bedding. Many heads peered out from the openings as they wondered at the commotion. Once they had spotted him, Strider started moving faster. They were moving to intercept him now, and Strider knew that he had to make the trees or he would lose.
A few feet away from the trees, he was forced to duck as an arrow flew past his head. He tumbled slightly under the dead weight of the unconscious human and carried on running.
Looking up, he shouted out in Sindarin to the elf he knew was waiting. "Legolas! Get ready, we've got company"
The aforementioned elf had already heard the commotion the ranger had caused in the camp and was kneeling in the lower branches. Waiting for the opportune moment.
Spying Aragorn as the ranger neared the trees, he quickly fired an arrow. It sailed closely past Aragorn's head to land in the shoulder of the man that was about to stab the ranger in the back.
Most of the other men were unfit to say the least, and were lagging behind. This gave Aragorn enough time to reach the trees. When the human was close enough, Legolas paused for a moment to signal Aragorn into the trees. Seconds later, Legolas was forced to lower his bow as a man suddenly landed in his arms.
"Go! Go" Strider urged as he jumped to grab hold of the branch.
Legolas quickly handed Aragorn his bow as he tightened his hold on the unconscious human and ran easily from branch to branch. Aragorn had never found this an easy task, and so moved only three trees over and then worked his way quickly up the tree. Securing himself on a sturdy branch, he hung Legolas' bow from one of the branches. Checking quickly to make sure it wouldn't fall down, he did not want to face his friend's wrath should he break the elf's bow, he fired arrow after arrow at the men that perused them. With several of the slavers falling injured to the ground, it didn't take long for the call for retreat to be shouted. Aragorn lowered the bow when the last man was helped back to the camp.
When Aragorn dared to move again, he eventually found that Legolas had stopped near a gently running stream. The elf had bound the hands of the man, even unconscious as he was. They were not going to risk him escaping now.
"You are hopeless, you know that, Estel." Legolas said, not looking up from where he was bent over the unconscious man.
Aragorn quickly glanced around them, listening for the rustling in the treetops that he knew all to well. He also knew they had to get moving. Hoping that his words to Raeg earlier would keep the men from entering the wood, he handed the elf back his bow and picked up Hethu's unconscious form, following Legolas as the elf easily navigated through the darkened paths.
"We cannot linger here for long, Strider." Legolas whispered back to him after a moment. "Although we are far from Dol Guldur the patrols in these parts of the woods are not as large in number as those closer to the palace. No-one truly knows what dark things may be lurking this far south, for none dare to stay for long."
"You're really not helping, Legolas." Thanks to Legolas' words, Aragorn fear and panic had risen a few notches and he walked a little closer to his friend.
Legolas glanced back, a small smile tugging on his lips at the unintentionally wide-eyed look that was on his friends face. "Forgive me, my friend. Chances are we will meet nothing."
"Try saying that without a smile on your face." Aragorn growled, tightening his hold on Hethu as the man nearly slipped out of his grip. Legolas turned away, not even bothering to hide the large smile that had formed.
"Relax. We'll just stay a little while in the trees, enough for your friends to leave, and then we'll press him for more information"
"Fantastic. We'll be heading higher, into the very branches the spiders like to walk. Oh yes Legolas, I am sure I'll be able to relax now."
Legolas chuckled. "Now Strider, there's no need to be sarcastic. Worry not; I'll protect you from any nasty spiders that get too close."
Minutes later, the trio were high up in the trees. Aragorn used some of his spare rope to secure Hethu to the tree while Legolas walked easily over the branches, making sure that they were alone.
"What now" Aragorn questioned once Legolas returned. "Do you see them"
"Yes, they are still camped down by the river."
"So they may yet enter Mirkwood."
"Yes, they may well. But I also found something else." At Aragorn's inquisitive look, Legolas smiled and held up his arm. The elf whistled and some time passed when a small eagle landed on Legolas' fist. "This is Brethil. Called so because he likes to sit in the beech trees when he is not with me." Legolas stroked the soft feathers gently and the bird nipped at his fingers. Aragorn noticed a small black pouch tied to the eagle's right leg. Comprehension dawned on him as Legolas drew out a small piece of parchment from an inner pocket of his tunic. "I had intended to deliver this myself, but this is quicker." Legolas quickly hooked the message inside the holder and bid the bird to fly. "No-avorn, mellon nín, saes. Please be fast, for much may ride on this message."
TBC...
Authors notes: Sorry this was late. But my hamster fell ill and was put to sleep yesterday. I was at work until 10pm so could only make the arrangements for his cremation and things today. I know it was for the best, and that he's not suffering any more, but it still hurts. And he will be missed.
To keep up with my regular posting schedule, I will try to get the next chapter posted tomorrow. Sorry again for the delay.
Reviews:
jojo – Thank you for the review, and I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. -)
Beling - -Bats eyes sheepishly.- Now would I do that? -grins-
Yeah! A Twins mention! I was afraid you would forget about them:)
Nope. In fact, they'll start getting more mentions in the coming chapters.
Hethu is a bit harder. Perhaps he could have curly hair or a scar..something to distinguish him...something that strikes a memory chord in Aragorn (and us).
You'll get to see more of Hethu's character in the following chapter. As for any distinguishing features, I don't think I've given him any.
See where I'm going with this? If you need several new OCs all at once, try to describe them with something unique to each.
I see what you mean, and I'll remember that in future. Thank you for the advice, it really helps :-)
Teha – It was a clever line -grins-
As for slash, it doesn't really bother me like that, so I might give the books a go. Thank you for the review, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.
