Temperance Chapter 29: A Shard of Eternity

I woke to see an orc hovering over me as I lay on a cot in a small house. It took me a moment to realize that the orc was Ulgruk and that I was not in any actual danger. I did however have a linger ache in my side and only when I registered this pain did I remember what happened. I had honestly never expected to feel the phantom pain of Annatar being injured. I had no idea what had happened to him only that whatever caused his injury the pain had been mirrored. It did make me briefly wonder if Annatar had felt these pains whenever he injured me in Barad-Dur, or any of the injuries that I suffered on the road.

"She is awake." Ulgruk said to Ilmarin who was grinding some dry herbs up. She scraped the powder into a cup and said.

"Please mix this with water and give it to her." She said as Ulgruk took the cup and filled it with water that had been heating in a kettle over the fire. He handed me the cup after I sat up and I frowned at the smell that came from the mixture.

"Drink that, it will help you regain your strength." I took an experimental sip and gagged at the taste, I had never tasted anything so disgustingly potent.

"Ulgruk she cannot stay here any longer. Do you have a horse that she can take? She must leave now."

"What exactly happened?" he asked Ilmarin however remained silent as I did. I was not sure if Ulgruk would take kindly to what the phantom injury meant.

"Her soul is bound with another's, if one is injured the other feels it. Consequently if you kill one of them the other dies also. I suspect that her partner was injured, though my vision was rather unclear as to who it is she is bound to."

"What do you mean?" I asked latching onto this piece of information hoping that Ilmarin knew more.

"I saw two fighting before several others came in chasing off one of the fighters. I do not wish to have you so banished from the village but the war is not yet over for you and you would bring it here if you stayed." I nodded slightly as I tried to choke down some more of the vile tasting tea.

"I will go and get a horse for you, we have a few." Ulgruk said before he left. After a moment of silence and trying to figure out where the hell I would go now I spoke.

"I am sorry Ilmarin."

"For what?"

"The trouble I have caused you here. I did not intend to come by this place."

"None can truly choose their path in life. Only follow its possibilities. You were bound to end up here sooner or later. As it is I am glad that you come here alone and in a time of peace." I had to stop myself from laughing at the comment.

"A peace that I hope is not short lived."

"In time we will see, though you should not dwell on this. Now worry only about your duty."

"Right, like it is so easy to stop the world from being ruled by evil. Not to mention being part of that evil and knowing that I am killing myself to save the world."

"If you had any sort of intelligence you would have convinced Him that this place is not worth ruling and you would not have to kill him."

"Yea ok I am going to leave now. I don't need you telling me how incompetent I am." Ilmarin said nothing as I left the house to find Ulgruk was walking towards me.

"Finished speaking with Ilmarin?" He asked only to receive a nod from me as I started walking towards the edge of the village.

Together Ulgruk and I walked through the forest with the horse trailing behind. We did not speak to each other beyond what was necessary and it made the trip short and quiet. When we reached the road Ulgruk handed the reins to me and said pointing.

"That direction will take you towards the elf city. The other way is towards Rohan. Forget what you saw. I hope to never see you again." With those rather mixed words Ulgruk turned and disappeared through the trees.

I looked down each path unsure which way to go. I was conflicted on what to do. I longed to be by Boromir's side and to return to Gondor, though I would only cause him heart ache if I did return. He wanted me to be a wife a thing that I could not be for him. Not since Annatar changed me to be as undying as he was.

With a sigh I climbed into the saddle and lightly kicked the horse letting it decide where to lead me. The horse turned towards Rohan. I should have figured that it would go that was seeing as it was probably stolen from Rohan in the first place. Regardless I let it carry me where it wished.

Boromir had followed the tracks from the old fort towards the Misty Mountains. He had caught up with the Nazgul in a matter of days, they were not moving with the urgency that had possessed them in the beginning of their journey. None patrolled around their camp but only stood waiting and watching the forest around them. In their center was a figure that Boromir had hoped to never see again. The form of Sauron stood in the center of the camp slowly studying the forest around as if trying to determine which direction he would travel. Boromir held onto the hilt of his sword nervously waiting to see Senia.

He had been silently watching the camp for near an hour now and there had been no sign of Senia, and all of the Nazgul were accounted for. He did not think that Sauron would let Senia wander free of his sight or that of a Nazgul. Once Sauron had made a full circle in his study of the surrounding forest he made a gesture and the Nazgul moved away and into the trees.

Boromir watched the Nazgul disappear into the trees though his attention was caught by Sauron and he stood in the small clearing facing Boromir, watching him. No sense in trying to hide even after being spotted Boromir drew his sword and strode down to the clearing with resolve.

"Tell me where Senia is." Boromir said pointing his sword at Sauron who only smiled.

"So my little Dove did not fly back to you? How tragic I do believe you have lost her love. She has been free of me for several days now. Even I know not where she has gone."

"Liar. You will tell me where you are keeping her and I will give you a quick death." Boromir said tensing and began his attack. Sauron drew no weapon but simply dodged Boromir's blade. And in the matter of a few moments Sauron's hand shot out and he held Boromir up by his throat. Boromir dropped his sword to grasp Sauron's hand trying to pry himself free.

"You think to kill me; you haven't the spirit to even contend with me." Sauron said glaring at Boromir as he let his anger burn the man's skin. It was only the sharp pain of a dagger cutting into his side that stopped Sauron from lighting Boromir on fire like he had done with Gilgalad. Sauron dropped Boromir drawing away from the man covering the stab would with his hand burning the wound closed with the dark fire within himself. Boromir stood quickly having found his sword he took a moment to gasp for air. He did not get another chance to attack Sauron as the dark lord spoke in the vile tongue of Mordor and the Nazgul came swords drawn.

Boromir had no other options but to run from the clearing and pray that he could find Senia since she apparently was not with Sauron. Boromir fled a good ways from the clearing and the Nazgul though they did not seem to pursue him, he could only hope that it was because they were too concerned with helping their injured master.

Boromir sat at a little stream soaking a piece of cloth in the cool water and wrapping it around his neck to cover the burn from his encounter. He grimaced at the pain and was thankful for the cool water that now soothed his burn.

Boromir was thankful for the fact that he was still alive though, it had been foolish of him to attack Sauron here. He was not prepared for such a fight and doubted that he had the strength to defeat Sauron.

I did not know where I was going onto that I was looking for an end. I was not a fighter, nor a diplomat; I was not even human anymore. I was bound to one I hated and prevented from being with one I loved. On top of that I had a colony of bats following me and I suspected reporting back to Annatar. In all I was feeling rather sorry for myself and quiet lost emotionally. I knew where I wanted to be and where I would be happy but I prevented myself from having that because it would bring pain to Boromir. With the conditions that Annatar had set into place for my being apart from him I might as well have not left his side at all.

I rubbed my side idly as the ache still lingered, I could only hope that it would fester and kill him. Though I knew that he would not fall to something like an infection, if anything he would burn his own wound clean. No I would not be so lucky as for him to die on his own. Regardless if he did or not there was the matter of the second ring being so hidden as it was. I would not find any rest in death until it was dealt with.

So lazily I rode on letting the horse take me ever towards Rohan and the kingdoms of men. It was midday when I reached the edge of the forest to find myself looking out unto the open plains of Rohan. Looking out over the grasslands I idly wondered how anyone ever found their way without proper roads.

I noticed then a dark fleck far off into the grasslands, squinting I saw that it was a person on horse. They held no banner and though I could not see them clearly I was sure that it was indeed a man and not an orc. Regardless of who it was I directed my horse towards the man kicking it into a good trot. As I neared the rider they had noticed me and now stopped and waited for my approach. I saw that they held sword in hand as if expecting attack. Only when they recognized me to be a woman did they sheath their sword.

"Rider of Rohan, what is your path?" I asked raising my voice as I crossed the last twenty or so feet to pull my horse to a stop next to the man's horse. He was indeed a man of Rohan his features spoke to this end.

"My Lady, my path leads to Edoras. Might I ask your name and purpose for riding across these lands?" He was quiet polite and I had not thought that I would be met with such pleasantries, though I suppose the man before saw me only as an elf and one who was looking rather worse for wear. I however did not wish to be under suspicion so I did not give him my name but rather a name that was truly elvish.

"I am Celebrithol and I seek to find my way to Edoras, then Minas Tirith."

"Lady Celebrithol, I am Talmer. Would you care to share the road with me unto Edoras?" He asked.

"I would, thank you." I said thankful that he offered to lead me to Edoras as I was truly lost and I knew that if I went my own way in these lands that I would become even more lost. Talmer started his horse to walking again and I followed suit riding next to him. After a moment of silence Talmer decided to strike up conversation with me.

"Lady Celebrithol, might I ask why you are traveling these roads alone?"

"I am friend to Arwen now Queen of Gondor. I wished to visit once more before venturing to the Grey Havens. There are so few of us left here in Middle Earth that I am left with little choice but to travel alone."

"It is fortunate that we met instead of others who wander these hills. Even with the vigil of the Rohirim orcs are not uncommon here."

"Fortunate indeed."

"My lady, what is beyond the sea in the undying lands?" Talmer asked then watching me with hope in his eyes. I simply gave him a look and he looked away from me and said.

"Forgive me; it was not my place to ask."

"Yet you did." I said, truly I had no idea what the undying lands were and if they were an actual place or if it was some passage to the afterlife for elves. I only knew that the elves who went there never returned.

"It is just that you are unlike any elf I have met before. I hear that even elven women carry swords with them when they travel, yet you do not. I have never seen an elf with dirt upon their skin either." I looked at Talmer and decided that he was suspicious of me, but he was trying to be polite about it.

"Perhaps I do not require a sword to defend myself. As for my appearance perhaps you should consider that I have not had an uneventful journey thus far. Please I do not question you about Edoras or question your state of cleanliness." With that Talmer did not speak for the remainder of the journey to Edoras. I was again thankful for happening upon the man as Edoras was practically hidden among the rolling hills. When we reached the stables I gave my horse over to a stable boy and said to Talmer.

"Thank you for sharing the road with me, now though we must part ways." With that I left before Talmer could respond to my comment and made my way up the hills to the Golden Hall. I knew that Eowyn sat as Queen of Rohan. I only hoped that she would see me as I now required her aid.

When I reached the doors to the Golden Hall I was stopped by two guards.

"Who comes?" One of the guards asked.

"I am Senia, I need to speak to Queen Eowyn." The guard frowned at me and said.

"Senia died at the Black Gates, you dare claim her name?"

"I claim it because I am she." I said glaring at the man. I would have been refused entry if it were not for Eomer walking up the steps during this conversation.

"Senia? It is true then, you have returned." Eomer seemed rather shocked that I was actually standing before him.

"Why are you here and not with Boromir?" He asked waving away the guards.

"That is why I have come, I need your help."

"Of course, come in Eowyn will want to see you." Eomer said opening the door to the great hall letting me in. Eowyn was talking with a few men in armor but stopped when she saw me enter with Eomer.

"Eowyn, this is Senia. She is the one who brought an end to Sauron." Eomer said introducing me as we walked forward. Eowyn stood and putting her hands on my shoulders said with a smile.

"We owe you a great debt. I hear that by the time the armies reached the Black Gate Sauron had the ring once more. Had it not been for you we would all be dead. What has brought you to Edoras?"

"I need your help. I need to return to Minas Tirith and to Boromir. Only I do not know the way."

"Boromir passed through Edoras several days ago in search of you."

"Do you know where he went?" I asked only to have Eowyn shake her head though Eomer spoke.

"We will send Rohirim scouts out to find him."

"Yes that is a good plan; in the meantime please stay with us here." Eowyn said. I looked between the two siblings and gave a nod accepting their suggestions. It would not do for me to wander off at this point. Boromir would be found by the Rohirim scouts and brought back here, to find him all I had to do was remain here.

Eomer wandered off and Eowyn beckoned one of her hand maidens over.

"Your grace." The maid said with a little bow to Eowyn.

"Please take Lady Senia to one of the guest rooms and fetch her water for a bath and some clean clothes."

"Yes your grace. Please come with me my lady." The maid said to me and started walking off.

"Thank you Eowyn." I said before leaving her to her duties.

The maid led me through a door to the side of the hall and down a hallway opening a door near the end of the hall. Inside was a rather spacious room with a large bed with a bedside table and a vanity. A room divider that was carved images of horses sat blocking off a bathing tub and low table with a few bars of soap. A wardrobe sat against one wall the other had three windows of paneled glass.

"It will take a moment to prepare the bath; can I bring you anything while you wait?" The maid said.

"Something to eat please." I said and watched the maid give a little bow then left. With a sigh I sat in the chair before the vanity. Seeing my reflection I had to admit that I did not blame the guards for stopping me outside the Golden Hall. I was a mess. My hair was tangled and dirt smeared my face. I had scrapes and bruises along my arms. I knew I smelt bad, mostly due to body odor and dirt but sniffing my own arm I realized that I smelt partially of orc.

When the maid returned it was with a plate of bread, cheese, and two apples in one hand and a pail of steaming water with the other. She set the plate of food before me on the vanity and took the water to the tub and poured it in. As I ate I watched her go back and forth perhaps ten times with pails of water, she had gotten another maid to help her and the two brought four buckets of water at a time. When they had finished filling to tub I thanked them several times. Though they waved me off saying that it was their duty to take care Eowyn's guests; regardless I thanked them again before they left.

It was the best bath I had ever experienced before. I might have enjoyed a time soaking in the hot water but I was far too keen on getting clean. I scrubbed my skin red with the soap only satisfied with how clean I was when the bath water was nearly as dark as my hair with the dirt I had scrubbed off. When I brushed my hair out I felt like I was pulling it out with the number of tangles that the long locks had. In the wardrobe I found a few simple dresses taking a pale green dress pulled it over my head.

Perhaps it was the fact that I had been traveling on the road so much since I came to Middle Earth or the fact that Annatar had changed my entire appearance when we first met but the dress was large on me. I knew it was not made for a large woman, if anything it was an old dress of Eowyn's. Regardless I had to belt the dress to fit it. Finally I was cleaned up and dressed properly, only now did I brave leaving the guest room.

I ventured to the great hall where I stopped in my tracks. Talmer was sitting at one of the tables eating and absently watching the workings of the court. When he saw me enter the hall a smile crossed his face. He set aside the piece of bread he was about to eat and stood and bowed slightly to me.

"So Celebrithol does it become tiresome to have people doubting that you were the woman to stop Sauron that you have changed your name?" I sighed slightly and said.

"Yes so it would seem. Safer to travel under an unknown name, but I think that you were less than forthcoming with me as well."

"I did not lie. My name is Talmer, only I am a captain of the Rohirim." Talmer gestured to the bench offering me a seat which I took.

"I must say I can hardly believe you to be the Lady Hero Senia. Even now that you are cleaned up."

"Is that what people are calling me? Lady Hero? I am unsuited for such a title."

"Celebrithol is a good name for an elf. Though everyone talks of you as if you were mortal and not elf kind." I sighed wondering how I would explain this now. He would hardly believe me if I said that my race was changed by the lord of evil.

"I am what I need to be. If it comforts people to think that An- Sauron was defeated by a mortal woman than an elf who am I to tell them they are wrong?"

"Interesting that you would not seek absolute clarity as to what becomes history here."

"I have been in war for what seems an eternity. Sometimes the alterations that happen to the histories are better than the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"War is a lot bloodier than the stories make it out to be, let's leave it to that."

Talmer watched my expression carefully, curiously. I gave a sigh and said.

"Ask what questions you have. Know that I will not relate the suffering I underwent while a captive of Mordor." A small smile crossed Talmer's face as he began to ask his question. I had assumed that at some point Aragorn, Boromir and the others of the fellowship would have shared the stories of what happened during the war. Even so I was rather overwhelmed by the number of questions that Talmer asked. So many that we remained talking long into the night.

( So I have figured out where I am going with this and you all are going to hate me for it. I promise it will make for a good story though. Don't forget I promised a bonus chapter at the end of this story with a sneak peak at my next LotR story. In the second to last chapter of this story I will list a few options of potential story lines to follow, the one that gets the most votes is what my next story will be based on and is what I will have in the sneak peek chapter.)