Chapter 25

Ariana rode nonstop after the band of Uruk-hai. She had wasted no time in tracking them. It was a disgrace how easily they could be followed. However, if that got them killed it wasn't her problem. As long as she got away.

The sun had set and the moon and stars were her only light; it was not much. As she rode over the grassy plains, seeming to glow in the white light of the moon she heard the familiar growling and yelling she had grown accustomed to on her journey with the Uruk-hai. She passed over one last hill and saw the band of Uruk-hai running towards a forest, stopping at its edge and stopping to make camp.

She was lucky to have such a strong horse to be able to catch up. She'd have never caught up on foot, no one could. The black horse ran down the hill and towards the camp. Growls grew louder when some spotted her approach, but once Ariana was in sight she stopped in front of the defensive orcs and glared. They recognized her, even in the dim moonlight, and let her pass without complaint, however the snarls remained in place.

She ignored them and made her way through the camp, pulling her horse with her, ignoring every thing around her, heading towards the other side near the edge of the forest. She knew of the rumors of Fangorn Forest, but she'd much rather take on a bunch of trees than sleep under the stars with a bunch of blood thirsty monsters.

Someone shouted orders to make a fire and soon sounds of axes and blades hitting wood caught up to her. All the grunting and growling and chopping was making her head hurt even more. The moaning of the trees wasn't helping much either. Most likely nearby Ents mourning the trees being cut. Saruman had told her all about the creatures of the forest, but she didn't care about the wise trees at that point, the noise was making her head hurt worse and it was already pounding as if a million dwarves were mining in the frontal lobe of her brain, and it was only getting worse.

Ever since Saruman's voice disappeared. His presence in her mind, something she could sense ever since she left the tower, seemed to have left. But that didn't make sense, she wasn't trying to keep him out. She agreed with Saruman.

She knew what was right. Gaining more power to kill all who got in her way. She would not give up until she fulfilled all of Saruman's wishes. He created what she was, and she owed him her allegiance. But his voice was gone and her strength and skills were her own, why was that? It didn't make sense and it was making her head hurt more.

It was somewhat of a relief though, because she still held her allegiance and loyalty, but could act on her own, and she saw nothing wrong with that. The only down side was she had lost the ability to inflict pain on other beings by just staring them down; quite disappointing. That had been all Saruman's power. Very unrealistic that a human would have such power, no matter if she was one of the Dunedain, blessed with long life or whatever specialness that bestowed upon her. It was little worry to her that she was "normal" again though. The orcs knew nothing of what happened after she sent them away and only Urmik saw her falter.

She smirked. Luckily Urmik was dead, and there was nothing to give the rest of his kind any proof she was missing Saruman's voice and power.

"What's this?" An orc rasped as she passed him. He and others had similar unnatural features: short, pale green, with sharp features and teeth and beady eyes. She had no names to match the faces, but she cared not. They were unimportant, just the workers; useless goblins from some mine. They stood around a small tree just cut down. It would be firewood, never to grow again. "The girl found her way back?" He let out a noise that could have been a laugh, or a mangled squeal.

She narrowed her eyes and stopped walking, his mocking tone annoying and not making her headache any better. Being around these creatures made her sick. They disgusted her right down from their ugly faces to their bulky bodies and raspy voices. She felt sorry for the trees for a brief moment, having to die by such creatures hands and to be used to keep them warm, to preserve their life. Unworthy of their majesty. Supposedly.

"I hope you were able to kill the enemy." He laughed again, his goblin brothers hacking along.

Ariana scowled and before the nameless goblin saw it coming she had taken out her blade and sliced his head from his shoulders. There was silence of shock, his companions watching his decapitated body falling to the ground, blod spurting from the hole in his neck. There was an immediate uproar, all the goblins in his band lifting their axes and advancing on her. Ariana glared at them and lifted her sword in defense. "You attack me, you will answer to Saruman." Her black eyes glinted in the firelight. "And believe me you will die a far worse death than your annoying friend."

They stopped, surveying her, and after a moment backed down. Another thing to despise: their selfishness and lack of loyalty. They turned away from her, tossing their dead companion's body and head further away. She didn't even have to watch as his body was torn and eaten by surrounding orcs. Why did Saruman use such ruthless creatures willing to eat their own allies raw? They could not be trusted, ever. She'd take pleasure to kill them all, but Saruman would probably punish her for such a thing.

She spared the goblins one last glare as they went back to work, then turned and continued on. She felt the stares and cruel whispers of the camp as she passed through. They all wanted to kill her almost as much, maybe more than she wanted to kill them, but they couldn't, for the same reason she couldn't take out all of them, fear of Saruman's wrath.

She had reached her decided spot near the forest where the band were not chopping and tied her horse to a limb by his reigns. She then went about putting up her tent.

"Girl."

Ariana looked up from her task and glared at Ugluk.

"Where is Urmik?" He asked roughly.

"Dead." She said simply.

He growled. "You lie."

She turned to him and smiled mockingly. "He went mad and began attacking me. I had no choice but to flee as the fellowship took care of him. I saw no point in letting them get me as well. Three more showed up after you and your band left." She shrugged. "Sorry about your little spy, now leave me be."

Ugluk bared his fangs like an animal and didn't hesitate to grab his sword. A hungry look appeared in his eyes, one that was far worse and animalistic than Ariana had ever seen before. He usually held some sort of restraint, knowing the power Saruman gave her, but there was none then. He hungered for her blood, her death, to have a chance to rip her limb from limb.

"Make me." He snarled. "You hold no power here anymore."

Ariana gave no reaction, but inwardly shivered. She grabbed the hilt of her sword as well, preparing to pull it out to defend herself. "I would hold your tongue, Ugluk, or you will face the consequences." She threatened quietly, staring him down.

She was half the size of the Uruk-hai, but her stance held a confidence of a giant. "You know not of my powers. Lord Saruman put me in charge of this little venture, and your death would come quickly if he find out about your traitorous behavior against him."

Ugluk pointed his sword at her throat. "I am not against him, only you."

Ariana stood taller, her hair fanning out even without wind, her black eyes becoming stormy. She spoke with a strong tone, her voice dark and deep and grabbed the tip of his sword. Blood slid down the black blade, but she kept her eyes on Ugluk. "I am a part of Lord Saruman. Do not think you can kill me without him knowing."

To Ugluk the woman suddenly seemed much larger than she really was, and his advantage seemed to be swept away by an indescribable force. He took a step back as the dark woman reached out her bloody hand to try and touch him. Ugluk sheathed his sword and stared at her angrily. She deflated before him as their distance grew, her stance relaxing and the aura of hate disappearing. Her arm returned to her side and she wiped her bloody hand on her shirt.

A cruel smirk lifted the corners of her lips. "You should be much smarter than this, or else I'd think you were nothing but a brainless goblin." She mocked.

The creatures face contorted into a foul scowl, but he made no further signs of hostility and action towards her. Instead he stormed back to the other Uruk-hai gathered around a newly chopped down tree and barked orders to them on what to do with the wood.

Satisfied, Ariana turned back to finish her tent setup. She needed her rest before the ride back to the tower the next morning. Once finished she crawled inside the tent and unrolled her fur pelt. She putting her weapons beside her she laid upon the warm pelt and closed her eyes. Her world spun and she was swallowed by a hollow darkness.

Saruman stood before her, his face contorted in a scowl. "Did you think you could break my power over you?"

Ariana stared, motionless. Based on her surroundings she was back in the tower; back in the circular throne word; back to Saruman. "No, Lord Saruman, I thought no such thing." She said in a truthful monotone.

He rushed to her faster than she could comprehend and slapped her, his long nails scraping against the sensitive flesh of her cheek. It stung, but she didn't lift a hand to check if it was bleeding; she felt the warm liquid slide down her cheek. She turned her face straight again and stared at Saruman, emotionless.

"How is it that you are able to block out my voice?" He asked darkly, angrily. He began to circle her, giving her a picture of a hawk as it examined its prey before diving. She waited silently, no answer leaving her lips; she had none. If Saruman had no answers then she had none either. His eyes held madness and she would not fuel his anger.

He waited for only a moment, but she didn't answer. "If you believe that you will be able to escape and turn sides then you are severely mistaken. I will kill you here before you can even try."

She had no doubt of his abilities. "I have not deceived you, Lord Saruman." She said clearly, her eyes meeting his.

The wizard stopped in front of her and grabbed her chin in a tight grip. The room held a crackling tension as he stared into her eyes. Ariana felt a prickle in the back of her head and didn't fight it. Saruman narrowed his eyes and his grip became tighter; she tried not to wince. He let her go so suddenly she nearly fell. He was on his throne when she straightened again.

He was calm and composed once again when she looked up again, his hands folded in front of him. He was giving her a inquiring look, his anger settled, annoyed curiosity in its place. "Your mind is blocked, but you are not lying when you defend your loyalty. That is a relief, Ariana, I would hate to have to dispose of you."

Ariana bowed. "Thank you, my lord."

He smiled with cruel intent. "And I am still able to summon you through sleep, so all is not lost."

She rose and smiled.

His smile dropped and he waved a hand. "Awake."

Ariana opened her eyes and sat up in her tent. Her headache was gone, but her cheek stung. Lifting a hand to her cheek she looked at the blood on her fingertips blankly. She felt the stinging wound as if Saruman had actually been there to inflict it upon her. It made her respect the wizard all the more. To be able to have such power and wound someone as they slept miles away and it was her that he chose to train and trust meant a lot. She knew he was using her, she wasn't completely blind, but she didn't care.

Having such a strong wizard as an ally was better than being on the losing side.

Her brother's face flashed through her mind. He was frowning, his eyes sad. His face faded, but was replaced by Boromir. He smiled softly, his eyes pleading. She grasped the sides of her head and closed her eyes, shaking her head with ferocity. The Gondorian disappeared and she sighed, slumping forward.

However, one last face forced itself in.

His blond hair was let loose, his fierce brown eyes kind. His features were soft and he smiled at her. He was just the same as she remembered. Giving off just as much strength and kindness as when she last saw him so many months ago. Her heart lurched with longing and she wanted to keep his face. Another odd feeling filled her and she frowned. He suddenly began to fade and she started, scared. She reached out, but he disappeared. She couldn't help but cry out softly.

A strangled scream flowed through the air and Ariana's eyes snapped open and she came back to reality. Grabbing her weapons she crawled out of her tent to see what was going on.

Horsemen.

Her heartbeat became erratic.

Riders of Rohan.

Ariana's mind clouded. She tied her sword back to her waist without paying attention as her eyes shoot around the field. She unsheathed her sword fluidly and watched as the riders killed the orcs, Uruk-hai, and goblins. Taking a step forward she entered the battleground. She dodged spears and arrows and horses and cut whomever crossed her path as she ran through the battlefield. She used the opportunity to kill an orc or two for fun, but she spent most of her time dodging.

An arrow headed right for her head and she dived out of the way. Tumbling, she got back up quickly, baring her sword and swinging it at the nearest horse. She missed and the horse lifted onto two legs. She missed, she had missed. That was unacceptable. It was a shock to see these warriors again, but not that much. The horse was under control in a second by the skilled rider and they were grounded once again, the warrior lifting his spear, ready to impale her.

The warrior froze, his eyes wide. Ariana squinted, but could not see him clearly at the angle she was at. He, however, could see her perfectly in the moonlight. His breath caught and he dropped the spear. Ariana watched this and looked up at the warrior in shadow, raising her sword to attack.

"Melody." He whispered in disbelief.

Ariana's heart stopped. She knew him. She could never forget his voice. The first voice she had ever heard when she was reborn and dropped in Middle Earth.

"...Eomer." She whispered, her eyes fading to a dark blue.

Her head suddenly felt like it was cracked open and she gasped, grasping her temple with her free hand. She closed her eyes tightly.

"Melody." He said with confidence.

She shook her head. "No, no." She opened her black eyes and glared. "She's dead." She said darkly. Reaching down she picked up the spear that he dropped and threw it at him with her left hand. She didn't wait to see if it hit its mark before turning sharply and running full speed away from the battle. She could already see that the Uruk-hai were losing and if she didn't get out quickly she'd be killed, or worse, captured.

She saw her escape in the forest and headed for the trees. As she ran she spotted the Hobbits Merry and Pippin running to the forest as well, an orc chasing after them. Ariana's primary mission kicked in and she remembered her reason for leaving the tower, to capture the Hobbits and bring them to Saruman. Narrowing her eyes she sheathed her sword as she ran and chased after the Hobbits, forgetting all about the encounter that occurred only moments before.

The warrior was not so lucky. He lost sight of her and his heart clenched. After all the time he waited and searched, and the hope he kept and lost, to suddenly have her placed in front of him only to be taken away once again was unacceptable. He yelled after her in anger and desperation.

"Melody!"