IM BACK! See, I wasn't that long! To make it up to you, this chapter is longer than normal and has a whole section of fluff... Please tell me what you think!
Slaythevampire87: aww. Thanks! Hope this one makes you squeal with love... Ehehe
Chapter 26
The next morning we arrived at the other side of the mountain just in time to see the Corsairs and their black boats floating down the river in the wake of burning villages. Aragorn's face was twisted in anger.
We waited on the shore as they neared. "You may go no farther!" Aragorn shouted from the shoreline. The pirates' attention turned to us, and callous laughter floated out to us.
"Who are you to deny us passage?" Retorted the apparent leader of the scurvy crew. I must have muttered some kind of description of that sort, because I heard Boromir give a choke of laughter. Legolas, next to me, smirked slightly.
"Legolas, fire a warning shot past the boson's ear." Aragorn ordered tersely. My brother drew an arrow and nocked it with an aim.
"Mind your aim." Gimli warned. I frowned at him confusedly. Why would he say something like tha-
The arrow whistled past my ear and landed in a pirate's neck. Legolas looked shocked and confused, but my glare whipped to Gimli.
"Oh! Well, we warned you!" He shouted to the pirates, who, after getting over their shock, turned angry.
"That's it, dwarf." I snarled to Gimli. "No one, I repeat no one, ever, ever messes up an elf's shot. This means all out war." I growled, a mischievous glint in my eye. Everyone else looked either amused or scared, Gimli among the latter group.
"Time to show 'em our version of getting down and dirty, hey Aragorn?" I cracked my knuckled cheerily. "Prepare to be boarded!" I shouted casually to the pirates.
They all began raucous laughter. "Welcome aboard, pretty!" One of them shouted. "You're welcome, but your comrades are not!"
"By you and whose army?" Sneered another.
Everyone drew their weapons, and a rustle of air told us that the dead army were ready too. "This one." Aragorn replied. And we charged.
...
I sat precariously on the railing of the swiftly-moving boat, letting the wind slap my cheeks rosy and tears form in my eyes. At the moment, we are all taking a nice rest and I, in particular, am cooking up some schemes for that dwarf.
"Ren?" Aragorn's voice calls to me. I turn as he sits beside me and nod formally, in spite of a small smile tugging at the corners of my lips.
"Arân nîn. What have I done to earn such a familiar name, King Elessar?" I asked politely. He frowned.
"You have given me a most precious gift, you have given me council and encouragement, you have chosen to protect me and our companions. I would have you call me your brother, just as you are my sister." He replied. I full out smiled.
"As you wish, brother Hope!" I teased, turning back to the wind. I heard him give an irritated sigh.
"I'm going to regret that statement, aren't I?" He asked wearily, but a smile was in his tone. I snickered.
"Bear with it, strange immortal, as you call yourself, for you will be grateful to hear it when you get bored to death in meetings as a King." I replied airily.
"I was not talking of myself when I said that-!" He protested, which was cut off by a hearty laughter from both Boromir and I.
After a bit of casual talking, they left and I was left alone again, but not for long. "Onònë?" Another form swiftly and neatly swung next to me. My lips quirked.
"You're welcome for saving your face back there, show-off." I retorted smartly, to which he let out a half-laugh, half-sigh.
I turned to him fully with a grin and hugged him tightly. "Hello, Muindor." I said, voice muffled in his tunic. He wrapped an arm around me as well.
"So, are you going to go through with it?" His voice was skeptical. I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Are you kidding? Yes!" I sniggered. He shook his head with a sigh, but smiled amusedly nonetheless. After a while in silence he decided to go below decks for a rest, and I sent him off with an adoring smile to which he delighted in, despite trying to hide it. I reminded him that that was the perks of having a little sister- not mentioning the guardian angel factor, of course.
After another small while of thinking of various things, mainly the upcoming battle, another voice broke on my thoughts.
"May I sit next to you?"
I turned, my heart speeding up for some odd reason, to see Haldir standing there, not a hair out of place, typical of an elf. 'Wow.' I thought randomly. 'He's- handsome.' My face suddenly became hot, and I knew that the tips of my ears were going to turn red if I didn't get rid of it. "That was random." I muttered to myself, then smiled at Haldir.
"Of course. I'll be glad for the company." I replied with a smile. He returned it and sat next to me. We sat in companionable silence for a while.
"Are you still protecting me?" He suddenly asked, as though it had just hit him. I looked to him, surprised, then smiled.
"Yes. All of you, still." I replied, a bit amused. He nodded thoughtfully.
"I see." He said absently. I closed my eyes for a moment, savoring the breeze and relaxing for the first in a long time.
My fingers suddenly brushed flesh and I started, to see that my fingers had slipped close to Haldir's by accident. Before I could apologize, though, his fingers landed on mine. I stared down at his hand, and felt my mind suddenly go back.
I could see in my mind's eye his smile when I first met him, his face when I had caught glimpses of him in the battle of Helms Deep, and myriads of other instances when I had seen him. I came back to, to see his fingers cradling my hand. With a start, I looked up to see that he was looking at me concernedly.
"Are you alright?" He asked. I opened my mouth to answer when his eyes captivated mine. They were a deep, capturing blue, and I abruptly felt my heart skip a beat at something that leaked into those suddenly expressive eyes. My breath suddenly hitched, and color bled into my cheeks.
Unable to take the sudden, foreign feelings that were screaming in my ears, I stood, his hand still clasping mine. I stopped, sparks going off in my hand at the feeling of his.
"I- I'm alright- just-" I swallowed. "E-excuse me, Haldir- I just- suddenly feel- strange-" I pulled my hand from his and turning, made a break to the cabin that I had been given.
I lay on the bed, trembling, hand over my heart. What was this feeling? My heart suddenly felt empty, like a part of it had been left behind when I had run from Haldir. I fell into a troubled, dreamless sleep, but filled with images of Haldir and those beautiful, expressive eyes.
...
Haldir stared after Eruanna as she fled to her cabin, as he supposed. Despite that he felt a little disappointed and empty in her absence, he had a small smile on his face.
How little she knew about love. More specifically, his love for her. Every time she smiled, his heart smiled, and every time she grinned at him, his heart sputtered. When he saw her in battle, he had been captivated by the fierce beauty that she portrayed.
He wanted more and more to just throw decorum to the wind and grasp her and never let go, but he couldn't. He couldn't chase her away, for she didn't even know about love besides the platonic sense.
She had never experienced it, and she would not know what it felt like. He would be patient, and teach her. Just like he had taught so many other elves to shoot, he would slowly teach her about love.
He would guide her hand that held the arrow of love to aim straight and true, and he would teach her to be familiar with the same love that she had just made possible even for Aragorn and the Lady Arwen.
She would be the bow, and he would caress it gently even as he nocked the arrow on her thin, lithe frame. He smiled to himself.
...
I woke up with a yawn and stretched, stumbling above deck to soothe the ache in my stomach that gnawed at me persistently.
I tripped over the wooden threshold that led into the galley, to the amusement of the others who broke into laughter as I stared blankly at the pesky piece of wood that I was currently lying on top of.
My face twisted and I leaped up with a shout as a splinter decided to prick my stomach. I rubbed it while glaring at the wood. "Nasty woodses." I growled.
The rest stared. "That sounded a little too much like Gollum." Aragorn remarked. I smirked at him as I sat down. "Where's the fish, precious brother?" I asked sweetly. The others decided that that was worth a laugh.
I sighed as I looked down at my meal of hardtack and shook my head. "You know, I really wonder if we could just stick a tied-up orc in a room with one of the hobbits. It would probably go absolutely mad at the complaints of food." I remarked. Everyone stared at me like I was mad.
"Sorry." I said with a sheepish grin. "I've gone a little mad today, I think." I grinned innocently at Gimli, who grimaced while everyone else suddenly looked knowing.
Gimli decided to start the day's teasing first, albeit slightly nervously. "So lass, where's you're lap dog?" He asked. Everyone looked interested as I calmly took a sip of water.
"Probably still sleeping in Boromir's room." I replied tartly, to which Boromir nodded.
"So, Gimli son of Groin, are you going to hit all of the orcs today where the sun never shines? After all, you're about that height." I asked calmly, a glint in my eye.
The rest set up a roar so loud that the ship seemed to shake. They were doubled over laughing, while Gimli's face was red. I was snickering triumphantly over that one. I had most definitely won already. He would never, ever hear the end of it. Never.
Then why did I feel what felt like butterflies in my stomach whenever I looked at Haldir?
...
"We are nearing the shore." Aragorn's voice called out to us grimly.
"Grimly Gimli." I sang teasingly. "You ready?"
He glared while the rest sniggered at the new name.
"Prepare to land." Aragorn had a glint in his eye that spoke of a dramatic entry. I grinned and patted Drago's fur as he growled in anticipation.
We came to a halt by the dock. "Late, as usual, pirate scum. There's night work here needs doing. Come on, ya sea rats! Get off yer ships!" An orc yelled.
Aragorn leapt off, all of us following in varying dramatic ways. I chose a cheerful flip that landed me next to Legolas and Aragorn. The orcs did a double take, then grinned and hefted their weapons.
Aragorn strode forwards while the rest of us followed, impatience of our own expressed with determined and exited strides. Weapons were readied.
There's plenty for the three of us." Gimli told Legolas and I. "May the best dwarf win!"
"Oi, you mean the best guardian angel?" I corrected smugly. He just growled and charged. The rest of us started charging as well.
The army of the dead materialized behind us and started their charge into battle- heh. More like stampede really. Drago's raised hackles and his golden eyes that were shining with eagerness were almost scaring me, so imagine being his enemy... No thanks. I'll pass, please. He let out a howl that made me shiver and bounded forwards with a snarl, white teeth snapping and being stained with black blood and bone and gristle. I winced.
"I hate battle aftermath because I have to clean that insufferable wolf's teeth." I grumbled to Boromir as we hacked our way through the battle. He was using his shield and sword, while I was using my double daggers with elven dexterity. Despite the situation, he managed a snort at my statement.
I chose not to use my wings for the moment and instead concentrate and listen for warning bells in my head. I was fighting back-to-back with Boromir and listening to my instincts, when they suddenly warned me to stay close to Aragorn. I frowned and inquired of the others, but they were fine, so I followed directions.
"If you need help shout!" I called to Boromir, but I highly doubted it, because Drago had decided to jump in and cover his back in my place. I flew off to Aragorn.
"How about we go back-to-back, dear brother?" I asked him, positioning myself. "We'll become the wheel of doom." I joked. He chuckled and nodded. We whirled together, exchanging views and thrusting with swords. I counted kills automatically. It helps pass time too, you know. Battles seem to last forever.
We both acted as a unit, twirling and thrusting, acting on instinct and adrenaline. If I missed an orc, he got it, and if he missed one, I was already there. It was a common battle tactic that many used, especially elves when they become isolated in a battle.
Warning bells in my head shrieked, and I whipped to see an archer. Before it could fire, my bow was out and my arrow had been halted in its flight by the orc's head.
"If you need help just shout!" I told Aragorn, and he nodded, preoccupied with helping a Rohirrim soldier.
I turned and flew off again, finding Haldir, Legolas, and Gimli in the middle of the fight. I grabbed my bow and arrows again and shove a handful of arrows into Legolas' quiver. He gives me an absent nod and goes all for it. I go for the arrows too, using the point of my bow as a makeshift sword as well.
"Fifty, fifty-one!" Legolas shouts. I grin.
"Hurry up Legolas! Fifty-seven!" I shout.
Gimli roars. "Forty-eight!"
Haldir remarks, "fifty-two," calmly, dispatching another orc.
We suddenly meet up with Boromir and Aragorn. "Legolas! Eruanna!" He shouts to us. We turn with our bows to see an oliphaunt moving towards us, along with three on each side- the only ones left. I turn to look at Legolas, and he met my gaze.
Through our now-strong sibling bond, we exchange our idea, and nod with a smile. I reach out my left palm, as does he, and the green leaves glow in acknowledgement of each other's presences.
He goes for one, and I go for the other next to it. I head for the right side of the oliphaunt and leap on its trunk, hopping to the ivory stem of the tusk and then running up to the base. I grabbed its ear and swung to the strap that held the saddle, and climbed up with a bit of difficulty. I dodged a throwing dagger that made its way to my head and sneered. Seriously? They want me off, but now they've given me a weapon.
I threw it back and watched as he caught it- with his neck. I nodded and picked off two others before using my dagger and slicing the belt. I grabbed and used it's falling weight to help me to the top, and then ran for the reins that controlled the thing. I glanced aside to see that Legolas was doing the same.
I yanked the reins to the right, and Legolas yanked his to the left. With a trumpet of shock and unbalance, both beasts went stumbling off to the sides- and crashed into the two others on said sides.
I leaped to the head of the next one, and then hopped from there to the head of the last one, all three of them falling to the ground and crushing one another. I slid neatly off of the flailing trunk of the last one, exactly the moment that Legolas did the same with his three.
We grinned and clapped palms, then turned to face an impressed Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Haldir. "Sibling power!" I exclaimed. Legolas smirked at me while the rest rolled their eyes good-naturedly.
"That still only counts as one!" Gimli protested. I moaned.
"Gimme a break!"
Gimli huffs, and we all go side-by-side to finish off the remaining orcs that crowd us as a last effort. Then we stand together, watching and catching breath as the green army of the dead moves through the fields and the city, earning us victory.
I fell to the ground, head in my hands as the number of souls entering the halls of Mandos pounds at my awareness. "Eruanna?" Legolas and Haldir kneel beside me.
"So many." I whisper, gritting my teeth. "Hundreds that flood into the halls." The feeling ebbs and I stand, clutching Haldir's arm for support. He steadied me as I get over the dizziness.
Then I smiled at him gratefully. "Hannon le." I murmur, and he nods. The army of the dead suddenly appear before us, and I step up behind Aragorn.
"Release us." The King asks.
"Bad idea." Gimli piped up. I glared at him, hard, but he ignores me. "Very handy in a tight spot, these lads, despite the fact they're dead." He added with a nod. I slam a fist on his helm, hard, and immediately press my hand to my mouth with a wince, but he's rubbing his head, so I'm satisfied.
"You gave us your word." The ghost King reminds.
"I hold your oath fulfilled." Aragorn inclines his head. I step forwards and unclipped the clasp in my hair. I approached the King and reached up as he bowed his head, attaching the clip to his cloak.
"May this gift be from me to you, and may it extend to your people if I have any favor with the Valar. This clasp of Nienna that I give you shows my wish for you to be forgiven your mistake and find favor in the halls of Mandos." I declared, stepping back with a bow. "May you be blessed, and may you find the peace that you search for." I addressed the rest of the army, fingering the dried wildflower blooms that are twined still in my cloak.
The King and his men smile, and slowly fade away like ashes on the air with a sigh of wind that sounds like the final puff of breath from a dying man who is at peace with himself and the world.
I turn to see Aragorn glance at me and turn to face Gandalf, who bowed his head to us. I placed my hand on his shoulder, and he clasped it, seeking comfort from the horrors of this day and the new responsibility that comes in the wake of every battle.
I give a bitter smile as we turn as one to search for the dead and wounded.