0_0 Wow. Did I really get four reviews last chapter and do I really have 40 faves!? Uncredible! Inbelieveable! You guys are awesome! Thanks so much! Please tell me what you think of this chap,as usual, and love to all who have followed and faved!
EvangelinePond: *cackles* ahem! yes! well! here's your update before Monday... XD
Slaythevampire87: oh yes, I'm so glad you liked it! I loved writing the hairbrush scenes... ;)
misstigerlily1013: thank you so much! Here's a new chapter for all of you faithful reviewrs...
AngelicMiracle: 0_0 I really hope that was fan girly screaming and not angry screaming...
Chapter 29
I lay on my bed, crying into my pillow. I didn't know what to do. I wanted comfort, but where could I go?
I felt so confused. I now realized what Gandalf had been talking about, and berated myself. The signs had been there all along, and I had never seen them. Surely Haldir could never love me.
I was a half angel, half elf, doomed to protect my charges at all costs, giving my own life if needs be. He could not love someone like me.
In my confused, panicked crying, I didn't hear Irmo's concerned voice calling out to me, and fell into a sleep forced by the Valar.
...
I woke up to find myself in someone's arms. The sweet, enticing scent of Irmo filled my nose, and I clutched his tunic, shoulders heaving with sobs.
His voice murmured into my ear soothingly, and I looked up to see him and Mandos and Nienna there, watching me with concern on their faces. My "favorite" parents- if I'm allowed to have favorites. Not that I would ever say that to anyone else.
"Ada." I hitched. "What do I do?" I wailed. He rubbed my back soothingly, sitting down.
"Calm down, Eruanna, my child. It'll be alright." He hushed me gently.
I calmed and stared at his tunic, tracing my fingers on the patterns that decorated them. "What has you so distraught?" He asked gently.
I sighed. "I- I-" I swallowed, embarrassed. "I found out that my heart isn't mine anymore and I'm sure that he doesn't love me and I'm scared." I blurted, rushing through it and burying my face into his tunic, heat staining my cheeks.
A rumble made me look up with a glare. "It's not funny. You wouldn't think so if you were in my place." I grumbled.
He sighed. "My apologies, my daughter. I didn't intend it that way." He said. "We knew that one day we would have to share you." He mourned slightly.
I frowned. "Well it's nice to know that the Valar know everything." I grouched. They laughed at me slightly.
"What makes you so sure that he will not return your love?" Nienna asked gently.
I hung my head. "Because of who I am. I am half-angel half-elf, and even though I'm proud of it, I have to protect the ones I have chosen to protect. With my life, if needs be." I replied quietly. "He cannot love me because my life is not promised to him."
Mandos sighed. "Do you really think that we- especially I, would allow our own daughter to enter my halls?" He asked me dryly.
I rolled my eyes. "Well no, but-"
"So then there's your answer."
"It's not an answer, Ada! I cannot fall I love because firstly I don't know how, and secondly because I could fade if he doesn't!" I said, out of frustration. Then I slumped and sighed. I stood and went over to Mandos, burying my face into his tunic. There, I had said it. My true fears.
Mandos wrapped his cloak and arms around me, hugging me lovingly. I smiled wanly into the fabric. "Remember what Olòrin said, Eruanna. You will learn. If he loves you, then he will teach you how to love and be loved. As for fading, you fade only if you don't have the will to get past it." He murmured gently.
I sighed, but nodded into his tunic. He was right. I would have to at least try. "Can I go to the hall of doors?" I asked, like a child would for candy.
They laughed at me gently. "You may."
I smiled at them sleepily, hugging Mandos' torso tightly. "Gil nîn, Ada, Naneth." I mumbled, before everything went black.
...
Hobbit door. I stumbled through the hall frantically, looking for the green door of the Shire-folk. I hissed slightly.
I wanted to at least visit Rivendell if I could before my time was up and night was over. I finally saw it, and lunged, grabbing the polished doorknob and twisting it.
A yellow door caught my eye and I ran to it, not caring that it wasn't Frodo's green door. It closed with a squeak behind me, and I found myself crouched in a cliff face, peering out carefully. There were two orcs dressed in armor close to me, and I whipped my head back- and thought about it.
No. They were too small. My eyes widened and I peered out, making sure that no one was coming. I scuttled over to the two figures, who stiffened and turned to face me-
"Miss angel!" One of them gasped, and I realized that it was Sam. So that was his door. I smiled at him, albeit strained, and looked around with a shiver.
"You're in Mordor." I realized, and shook my head. "How is he, Sam?"
"He's- not too well." Sam replied, obviously worried. I hunched over Frodo and checked his forehead. It was warm, but not worryingly so. Frodo moaned slightly.
"Oh Frodo, no." I breathed, seeing his eyes closing in pain. "You must be strong. You've made it this far." I begged. "Please, you must come back to us soon!"
"Can't get across plains." He rasped. I shook my head.
"We're making a diversion to draw them all out. Tomorrow it should be empty." I comforted. They breathed in relief. I grabbed Frodo's arms.
"Please, Frodo, promise me that you will be strong. That you will complete this task. Call upon the Valar to give you strength! All of the free peoples are depending on it." I whispered. He nodded weakly, and sensing that my time here was running out, turned to Sam.
"Stay with him, Sam. Whenever you need comfort, look up, for the stars will be there, and they will shine upon you in times of trouble."
Sam nodded, and the ground seemed to cave underneath my feet. The red and black sky faded above me, and the whistling of the winds in my hair lulled me into the blackness of Mandos' cloak.
...
There was a garden. Stars above my head. Peaceful and quiet. This was no reality. I frowned in confusion. If not, then what was this?
"Lady Eruanna! I thank the Valar for giving me this chance in my dreams." A soft, melodic, and familiar voice reached my ears. I turned to smile at the face of Lady Arwen.
"Lady Arwen." I greeted, bowing. She smiled and clasped my hands.
"I have wanted to thank you for your help. We are equals now, I hear." She said. "You have given me hope and raised my heart to the skies with your gift."
I laughed softly. "Gwador has become very dear to me, Arwen, and I would mourn as well if he were not now immortal." I replied, brushing off her thanks.
"Nonetheless, I thank you." She murmured, looking down at her hands self-consciously.
I smiled slightly. "They say that there is no one better to talk with about men then other women in a similar predicament. Would you mind to give me advice?" I asked. She looked up, interest written on her face.
"Have you found someone, then?" She queried.
I blushed. "I-I'm not sure." I told her my story, leaving out names. She smiled gently and took my hands.
"If I'm not wrong, Eruanna, then I think that he has liked you far longer than you have him." Was her simple reply.
I stood for a moment in shock, but then swallowed. "I dare not hope, but I thank you, Arwen." Then I smiled. "I'm afraid my time is short. I leave to make sure that Aragorn comes back to you safely." I grinned.
She smiled shyly in return and nodded. "Be safe, Evenstar!" I said in farewell.
"Be safe, Morningstar." She replied. The whole world tipped and spun, and everything went dark.
...
"Wake up! Come on, Eruanna, wakey wakey!" Something was insistently slapping my cheek, and I reluctantly pried open my eyes to snarl at Drago.
He yelped at my look and retreated. "What has gotten into you?" He asked warily.
"I don't always appreciate being woken up in such a manner." I snarled. He sulked.
I kicked my way out of bed and suddenly remembered the news that I had to report to Mithrandir. My eyes widened and I rushed around the room, throwing on my clothes and cloak, coronet, hood. All check.
Drago sprinted after me as I ran through the halls pell-mell. I followed the powerful aura of the white wizard and burst into a room, making heads whip towards me. Mithrandir stood as I slammed the door shut and threw off my hood, eyes wild.
"Eruanna! What is it?" He sounded alarmed, as he had every right to be. Rarely do you see me acting so, even in a battle.
I opened my mouth to answer when suddenly a black orb on a table flared to life. I crumpled to the ground, clutching my head. A shriek of pain ripped its way through my throat and forced its way out of my mouth.
Something was trying to shove its way into my mind, to see what was there, to get information- no! Frodo! Must protect him! My inner light that stayed hidden was there, blocking the attempts.
Darkness hissed and spat at me, and I could see the black and red tendrils seething in anger at my resistance. "So. You are more than you seem to be." A low, deep evil voice slithered into my ears.
The taste of blood filled my mouth and I could hear it rushing through my veins, roaring in my ears. "Come to me, child of the Valar." It hissed temptingly.
"Never! Eru Ilùvatàr! Elbereth!" I shouted in my mind. With a shriek of anger and pain, the darkness disappeared from my mind.
I snapped to violently, eyes snapping open, to see Mithrandir bending over me, concerned. Estel, Legolas, and Haldir, were trying to get to my side, with Gandalf ordering them back- just barely.
My mind slowly cleared, as did my vision, to realize that I was kneeling on the floor. The whiteness of the wizard was bright and soothing in my vision, and I slowly tried to gingerly stand.
My mouth opened, and as I coughed, a rusty, metallic-tasting trickle of blood made its way down the side of my mouth. "Eruanna!" Three voices called out to me in a panic.
I stood, wiping away the trickle with the hem of my cloak. "I'm fine." My voice was strong and firm. "But I fear that I have tempted fate too much." I said grimly.
Mithrandir was grave. "What happened?"
I took a deep breath. "I managed to visit Sam and Frodo for a few minutes. For the moment, they are safe, but look as though they have gone through horrors a plenty. They need that safe passage in the plains of Gorgoroth, and fast. They are already starting the trek across." I said firmly.
Then I took a shuddering breath. "Frodo is not doing well. I think I alerted Sauron with my presence, but they are safe still." I added hastily.
"Sauron will be looking for me. He knows who I am and what I am. He also knows that if he cannot find the ringbearer, then I am his second-best chance." I said, voice shaking.
Legolas came and hugged me tightly. "Don't be afraid-" he started.
I cut him off. "I'm not afraid of being captured. What I am afraid of is what I could become if he tries to-" I turned away and shook my head. "It is an irrational fear."
"It is." Gandalf agreed. Then he sighed.
"Thank you for trying, Eruanna. I may have tasked you too much, though." His voice was apologetic, but I shook my head.
"It is well, Mithrandir." I murmured, and he nodded before turning to talk to Aragorn.
I relaxed into Legolas' arms, comforted, and I felt his head bend over mine. "Gil nîn, Muindor." (I love you, brother.) the words slipped out unconsciously.
"Gil nîn, Onònë." He replied softly. I pulled away and walked to a window sill, sitting down on the edge to look out at the rest of the visible world.
My head relaxed against the smooth stone, eyes closing as my hand slipped from my lap to hang down to the floor. Something bumped my hand, and I looked down to see Drago, his tongue lolling as he grinned at me wolfishly. I smiled and bent over, scratching the back of his ears and listening to the thump of his tail on the white floors.
His eyes closed in bliss and a growl of contentment made its way up from his belly. I knelt down on the floor and he plopped himself into my lap. I giggled and rubbed the white underfur of his belly, making him pant in happiness.
"Whose my good little wolfie?" I teased, poking his nose. He growled, tail whapping my thigh.
"I thought that I wasn't a lap dog." He grumbled.
"You're the one who's making it look like it. I'm just petting my best friend." I retorted. He decided not to reply. Instead, he nipped at my sleeve. I swatted his ear.
He suddenly grabbed my coronet in his teeth and leaping up, ran off with it. "Drago! Get back here! Even if Mithril doesn't break, that doesn't mean that you can go and use it as a chew toy!" I shrieked, drawing attention from the other members of the fellowship.
He bark-laughed at me. "Come and get it!" He replied, kicking his heels. I growled.
"This looks awfully familiar." I remembered with Henry. "Drago- so help me when I lay my hands on you, you will think Sauron a mere babe compared to my anger." I threatened. He tossed his head with an incredulous snort.
"Alright, you asked for it! Mandos, for your favorite daughter with your sense of humor, please give me a pair of fangs." I begged. I felt two of my teeth grow out, and felt them. Yep. They were pointed.
I grinned, the fangs peeking out, and I FELT evil. I leaped up and ran after the wolf, growling. He yelped and ran, tail tucked between his legs. I chased him through the pillars, hearing Pippin and Merry's laughter, Boromir's shouts for Drago to run, and Gimli's jeers.
I finally lunged, and grabbed Drago's tail, yanking on it. With a yowl, he dropped the coronet and cowered. I picked it up gingerly.
"Well, my wolf, I've made a decision." I grinned at him, the fangs poking out. "I have decided to let Adar deal with you when he learns that you slobbered all over this coronet..." If a wolf could blanch, he just did. Everyone else was laughing riotously.
I turned to them, the evil grin still on my face. They stopped laughing and stared, and I felt the fangs shrink and go back to normal teeth. I opened and closed my mouth a few times, face twisting.
"Well, I was going to say that Sauron needs a pair of those, 'cause I really felt evil, but now I'm not so sure... It's gonna be a little hard to chew anything." I remarked. Amusement spilled into the air like a bottle of spilled ink, staining the blank page of silence with chaos. I smirked at my wolf, who returned the gesture.
We're amazing, aren't we?
