DISCLAIMER: I don't own The Lord of the Rings; all rights to J.R.R. Tolkien!
Okay, let's just clear something up here before we get started. I've been getting a lot of grief from a certain two reviewers *glares at EvenstarWarrior and Faramir Freak* about the pronunciation of Enceladus' name. And if anyone else is having problems with that, here is how you pronounce it. En-sell-uh-dus. That's all there is to it. I've been asked, why not just change the spelling? Well, because, yes, you answered correctly, it's a moon of Jupiter. So that is really the correct spelling there. Besides, I think it looks cool. :P :D Anyways, enjoy the chapter!
"So, when are we going to attack?" A thick orc voice posed the question. Aragorn listened intently, despite the thoughts whirling inside his head.
"Two days' time, my friend." Enceladus' voice was sickly sweet. "Then, once the rangers are out of the way, we attack Rivendell. Well, not really attack."
What is he talking about? Aragorn thought, confused.
"All we have to do is get in, kill the Half-Elven family, then get out."
Aragorn's breath caught in his throat.
"Who's goin' to kill 'em?" One of the orcs asked.
"Idiot! I have already told you that!" Enceladus answered anyway. "That stupid human, Aragorn." He snorted in derision. "Though he may believe he can fight the poison, sooner or later it will get the better of him. And hopefully sooner. I was planning on him being weaker than that."
We. He said we. He considers me on his side. Aragorn's heart leapt to his throat. He tried to choke back a gasp as he realized what Enceladus wanted him to do. But it was too late. The noise escaped him like a little strangled cry, and the ranger froze, hoping that the four beings in the room had not heard.
"What was that?" Enceladus hissed.
The man's heart fell.
"We're not alone." One of the orcs growled before whirling around to face the back of the room. Aragorn's breath was now coming in short, ragged heaves as the whole situation overwhelmed him. I am going to kill my family. The Rangers will be gone. My life will be over. Everything I've ever loved will be dead. His gray eyes flew wide in panic as two of the orcs neared his hiding spot. Maybe I should just let them kill me. He thought desperately as he was reminded again of his family's smiling faces. No. He thought. I cannot let Hal down. Or the girl. I have already disappointed enough people for the time being. He lunged for the open window, while still staying as light on his feet as a cat and as silent as a mouse. But the orcs saw the movement and one's filthy arm shot out and grasped the man's wrist. He cried out in surprise, then whirled to face his enemy.
Aragorn caught sight of Enceladus, who was now on his feet, a look of startled panic on his face. I've got you now. Aragorn thought with grim humor as he realized he'd uncovered Enceladus' plot.
"Get him!" He shouted, taking a few desperate steps away from the desk.
The Ranger wrenched out of the orc's disgusting grip and darted for the window again, this time making halfway out before the other orc caught him. The thing grabbed his ankle this time, which Aragorn quickly freed himself of with a swift kick. Then the man was leaping out the window and landing on the hard-packed dirt with a dull thud and running for the cover of the trees.
He paused as soon as he reached the border of trees and turned to look back, curious as to why he had not heard any footsteps behind him. Then he figured it out. The orcs had not even bothered to chase after him. After he had leapt from the window, they had simply shrugged and turned back to Enceladus for further direction. His gray eyes darting left and right for signs of disturbance, he crept back over to the window to listen.
"Why did you want us to let 'im go?" One of the orcs asked.
Enceladus laughed, a loud, barking laugh. "Because, Stupid, he'll race down to Rivendell to warn them, and as soon as the Rangers are without their leader, we'll strike." Aragorn heard the meaty smack of a fist on flesh and guessed that Enceladus had hit his palm with his fist. "And then, he'll return to find nothing but ashes and ruin. And all he'll find will be hatred back at Rivendell, of course, since he will kill them."
So this is it. After all this time, his plot is discovered. Aragorn thought as he silently treaded back to the forest. He safely made it back into the cover of the trees and began to skirt the town, trying to get back to where he had left Halbarad. But why does he hate me? Why does he hate my family? And the Rangers? All these unanswered questions went through his head as he trekked back to find his friend.
-
"Strider, are you sure?" The ranger asked, starting to feel the beginnings of nervousness creep in.
Aragorn nodded his head emphatically. "Yes. One of us must go to Rivendell to get help. The orcs will be here in two days' time."
Several rangers were all standing inside the command tent, listening intently to Aragorn as he recounted what happened at the village.
"All right. It is settled, then. You will ride to Rivendell as soon as possible and get help. There is no way we could fight all those orcs and come out alive."
Aragorn shook his head. "No, Tahril. I do not wish to go."
Tahril looked up at him. He frowned. "Why not?" The man's graying hair framed his face, shading some parts of it and giving him an eerie look.
"Because…" Aragorn hesitated, not sure how to go about this. Then he though of an easy answer. "Because that is Enceladus' plan. To catch us while we are without a leader and without the elves' help. I should stay."
Tahril nodded.
A younger man standing towards the back of the small crowd of rangers stepped forward, raising one hand halfway. "I will go." His young face was serious, his jaw set in determination.
Aragorn nodded, grateful for the younger man's intervention. "Thank you,…" The man paused, momentarily forgetting the man's name. "…Sparrow." Though he knew addressing him by his first name would be more polite, but he had forgotten it completely. So he had used the young man's last name.
Sparrow nodded thankfully. "I shall depart immediately." Then, nodding to his chieftain, he strode quickly from the tent.
"Good then." Aragorn said, glancing around at his comrades. "We have two days to prepare for battle."
Well, did you guys like it? This story is coming to a rapid close, so there should only be two or three more chapters. But don't worry! I'll try to make the chapters longer and update a little quicker. Sorry its been so slow. Anyways, through the next few chapters, there's gonna be a lot more mental anguish for poor Aragorn as he has to be reunited with his family. Hehehe….oh, and you will also discover Enceladus' motives and the reason for his hatred. :D Oh, and sorry if the updates come a little more slowly now, because I just got the fourth Brotherband Chronicles book (Slaves of Socorro! :D) from the library and I can't help but stare at it because its so shiny and new and….*sighs* I'm gonna be reading a lot now, 'cause I only started the second book. :P
REVIEW REPLIES
Silenthuder: Hehehe…you'll just have to wait and see if he's a canon character or someone from my own imagination. :P Yeah, I'm glad Boromir teaches them how to fight. But that was one flaw the movie had when Aragorn gave them the swords. I mean, how are they supposed to know how to use them? But in the book, it was way different. Anyways, thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Ranger Turien: Hmm…nope. That doesn't change my opinion on Maddie and her stuck-up mother. I hate Evanlyn more than Maddie, of course, but still, I hate them both. Anyways, I agree, I would definitely have Aragorn teach me about Ranger stuff. That would be so cool! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D
EvenstarWarrior: Hehehe…is he being foolish now? And btw….uh…you wrote Enchiladas instead of Enceladus. HAHAHA! That made me crack up laughing! That was probably that dumb old auto-correct, though. Wasn't it? Wow. Dude, you're only supposed to pick one. :P I would have Aragorn teach me to be a Ranger. And, no, you spelled that wrong. It's 'Quenya' not 'Quienya'. :P Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Lady of Anfalas: Oh, thank you very much! Aragorn didn't take the other rangers to kill the orcs because he just wanted to rescue the girl first and it was also kinda for scouting purposes. They were planning to wipe 'em out later after they've reconnoitered. Yes, I would want Arwen to teach me to be a lady, too. I'm not very ladylike…:P Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D
Saphira: Hehehe…all these questions will be answered very soon. Don't worry. :) I know, I love Hide. It's such a great song. Yeah, that would be cool, but I would probably have Aragorn teach me to be a Ranger. That would be AWESOME! Oh yeah, and I saw the scroll poster for Battle of Five Armies and I FREAKED! That is so AWESOME! ELVES IN ARMOR?! THRANDUIL IN ARMOR?! AAAAAGGGHHH! I can't wait! Oh yeah, and have you seen that one poster with Smaug flying over Laketown in all his fire and stuff and Bard is standing there on a little bridge over the water with his bow? It's so cool! Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
Greenleaf: Yeah, hehe. I'm always too lazy to log in whenever I leave reviews. :P Know how you feel. :P :P Yeah, Aragorn does really need some coffee. And sleep, for that matter. Hehe. Yeah, he needs chocolate. A lot of it. Poor Aragorn…Oh, yeah. That would be so awesome for Glorfindel to teach me swordsmanship! But I would probably have Aragorn teach me how to be a Ranger. :D Thanks for reading and reviewing! :D
ThurinRanger: Oh, I'm glad he's an awesome villain. :D That would be so cool. You'd be able to speak all kinds of languages! Of course, I only know a little elvish, well, enough to speak a few phrases to someone. And I know a couple dwarvish curses. I use them a lot. :P Anyways, YOU LOVE RED TOO?! YAY! Red is so freakin' awesome! Hehe. Thanks for reading and reviewing! :)
horseyyay: Oh, sorry. :P I got you all excited for the rescue and it didn't happen. :P Oh well. It will soon! And don't worry, he hasn't forgotten about her. Oh, you finished them?! Yay! I didn't read book 12, 'cause I really didn't feel like being traumatized. I mean, I really hate Evanlyn enough, let alone her daughter. And besides, once you kill Crowley and Alyss, it's all just dead. I've had a lot of people who have problems with me about that….Oh well. :P Thanks for reading and reviewing!
SONG OF THE DAY
Million Voices
Artist: BarlowGirl
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Which Lord of the Rings character do you think you are most like and why? And no, thisi s not the same question as 'Who can you relate to most'. 'Who do you think you are most like' means appearance, character traits, etc.
And no, everybody. Aragorn has not forgotten about the girl. Don't worry, she will be rescued…soon…Thank you all!
Arrow :D