Hi, everyone! I'm back.
Got sick the passed week, and that took me away from the computer for a while so I could rest. No, thank God it wasn't COVID! Just a cold, but it sure did slow me down for a few days.
It's good to be back. Missed you guys. Yes, I've been working a lot on my STAR WARS fics and my Divergent crossover, but I've been really wanting to get back to Middle Earth. Just trying to figure out how to put everything together, you know how it is.
How have you been? Hope you are staying well and finding ways to make the best of this mess we're in. Writing on here has certainly been a highlight for me!
"Throw him in the lowest dungeon we've got!" Aragorn ordered. "I want him fully fettered. He is only to be fed a slice of bread and a small bucket of water, and only twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening. You shall be flogged on the morrow for what you have done against my wife and child." Aragorn glared lividly at Damien, whose eyes actually flickered with worry for the first time since the king had laid eyes on him. It gave Aragorn a warm sense of triumph. "Get this filth out of my sight!" Aragorn demanded, turning his back on the brute.
"At once, Your Majesty!" The guards bowed. "On your feet, you filthy wretch." They snarled at Damien, hauling him to his feet. Aragorn began pacing the large room. He called for his chief advisor.
"You sent for me, my lord?" He bowed.
"I did." Aragorn replied curtly. "I want guards posted at every corner of this palace, and especially our personal chambers and outside it. And the nursery: every window, door, and closet. Alasse is to go nowhere unattended! She is to be accompanied at all times."
"Yes, Your Majesty. What has happened?" Aragorn quickly filled him in, and he hurried out to carry out the king's orders.
Aragorn stood as still as the statues occupying his halls, his fists tightly clenched as he crossed his arms. It had taken all of his willpower not to slice Damien's head off as soon as he'd seen him. The man certainly did not deserve mercy after what he had done, and he obviously only cared about the profit his wicked partner had promised him. Sitting in a dark cell wasn't punishment enough for hurting Alasse and trying to kill the baby! No, he needed to suffer. He needed to pay a price for his awful deed. And he would. Aragorn was known by many to be a merciful, fair king. But he was also a man of justice, and this was the first time he could remember wanting to delight in seeing someone suffer physical discomfort. Sweat poured down his brows, his own thoughts turning so dark truly frightened him.
His thoughts went back to the small battle they'd dealt with down at the coast, and what information they had learned before they had returned. It had been dastardly indeed...
"Advance!" Aragorn ordered and led the charge on his horse, Brego to the left flank of the Haradrim army that had come to pillage and destroy the harbor nearby. Legolas and Eomer followed Aragorn, while Faramir and Gimli were cutting off the troops heading west from the battle. Aragorn was able to push the remaining forces back so that they surrendered and laid down their weapons. Aragorn ordered them to be fettered and guarded.
"Aragorn!" Eomer called to him after things have settled down. "We've captured one of their captains!"
Aragorn walked into his own tent to find Faramir standing before his throne chair, tightly holding the back of a Haradrim man's collar. His gold and red armor was fancier than that of the other men, and an enormous chopper-shaped cross medallion hung about his neck. Gimli had his hand on his shoulder and his ax in the other. Legolas stood before the man with his bow drawn. Eomer entered in after Aragorn.
Aragorn did not sit, but stood in front of the prisoner who stared up at him blankly with coal-rimmed eyes. "What is your name?" Aragorn asked.
"Captain Dahaer Fare." The captain answered.
"Why are you attacking my borders? Have we not been at peace? Have one of the free peoples provoked you without my knowledge?" Aragorn demanded.
"Nay, my lord. We have been at peace. None other have provoked us, save you."
"Me? I do not follow. If I have committed some grievance against your people, I fail to recall. Please enlighten me so that I may set things to right." Aragorn told him.
"You took back your throne, King Elessar and married the Princess of the Woodland Realm. That is your crime, my lord." Fare answered.
"What?" Aragorn frowned, more bewildered than ever.
"He who sent us to attack, said that he had a score to settle with the pathetic King of Gondor." Fare explained. "But I can see for myself, that he was quite wrong, for I sense justice in you by your own words. And so shall we be dealt with for attacking without cause."
"While your words serve you well, I am not satisfied with your explanation. What else did your supreme leader say, and why?" Aragorn persisted.
"That you had stolen his great love when they were to be trothed together, so now he is avenging his name. And… that you will wish he had killed you when you were rescued from captivity."
"What is his name?"
"Lord Estel of Osgiliath, so he tells us. He also said to tell you that he is an old friend, that you'd understand."
The moment Aragorn had heard those words, he'd known in his gut that they could only mean one person. Today's events confirmed what he'd prayed was only his post traumatic paranoia! No. Merlyn was back. How? Aragorn could not imagine. He'd sent ambassadors to Harad, to the Lord Arehada, a tradesman and marshal he'd trusted, and under whom he'd sent Merlyn to be punished for his treason. So far, no word had come from his ambassadors who'd been sent to inquire what became of Merlyn.
"I must inform my father about this. He'll want to know about it, and perhaps he can offer extra protection for Alasse and the baby!" Legolas said, snapping Aragorn from his daze.
"This is one time I greatly welcome Thranduil the great's fiery temper!" Aragorn nodded. "I must also write to Elrond. He can advise me on the wisest course to take. I would feel much better if he were here, to look after Alasse. Not that I doubt Erana's abilities."
"I am sure that once he hears of this, he will come. Or send Elladan and Elrohir to aid us, and to tend Alasse."
"My friends, you have done well today. I thank you for your faithfulness." Aragorn said in a defeated voice. "We have faced this foe before. But as of now my heart fails within me to know as to how to deal with this new threat this time. Greater stakes are before us now, and I am at a loss of what to do on my own."
"Bah. You're not alone, laddie." Gimli huffed.
"No, I am not." Aragorn smiled.
"Aragorn, I must return to Edoras." Eomer said. "But I shall also make inquiries and search for any unusual activity on the road as last time, though I pray not."
"Go, Eomer. Be at peace, mellon nin, you and your people. Hannon le." Aragorn clapped his shoulder.
Arwen appeared. "Aragorn, Alasse is calling for you. I believe she will not rest until you see her." She said wearily. Aragorn nodded.
"Thank you, Arwen. I must try to put her mind at ease." He squeezed Arwen's hands as he started to leave the room. Legolas trotted up to him and leaned in closely.
"Aragorn," Legolas whispered in Elvish, "You need to tell her the truth. You must tell her!"
Aragorn was dreading seeing his wife as he marched nearer and nearer to their bed chamber. What was he going to tell her? That Merlyn was free now, able to command entire armies, and plotting his sweet revenge? Alasse was worried enough as it was already for the baby's health from her fall! If she learned of this, it could create even more dangerous complications, including a premature birth!
But Aragorn could not lie to her! She could see through him, like his father Elrond, his sister Arwen, and like her brother Legolas. Even if he tried to reassure her that everything was fine, she wouldn't buy it. Valar, how could he tell her at a time like this? "Eru, help me." He prayed as he walked up the steps leading to their suite.
He carefully opened the great door and stood by it. Erana was sitting in the bed, leaning close to Alasse's big belly with a horn-shaped instrument pressed to her skin, listening for the baby's heartbeat. Aragorn waited, grateful for the distraction. How he wished Elrond was here right now to tell him what he should say! Tatsu stood near the bed with a tray of fresh, cool, new compresses. Erana sat up. Alasse gazed at her worriedly.
"The child seems to be resting." Erana said calmly. "But the heart as far as I can tell is as strong as ever." Alasse fell back a little in the pillows, breathing with relief. Aragorn watched her sadly. No matter how many times they assured her the baby was alive, she was filled with trepidation after her accident today. All the more reason Damien would be flogged tomorrow! Aragorn hated seeing his lovely wife so tormented. "Rest now, my lady. I will come back to check on you later." Erana assured her, standing up.
"Thank you." Alasse whispered. "Aragorn!" She cried when she saw him. She reached her hand out pleadingly for him. Aragorn strode over to the bed and clasped her hand.
"I am here, Alasse." He said softly.
"The baby is doing well, Your Majesty. Your wife needs lots of rest and quiet." Erana explained as Tatsu carefully set the new compresses around Alasse's stomach.
"Thank you both. Leave us please." Aragorn said firmly. Both maidens bowed, shuffling out, and closed the door behind them.
"Aragorn! What's wrong?" Alasse blurted out. Aragorn sat down next to her.
"I was afraid for you today, my love. Very afraid!" Aragorn explained.
"What was all that urgent business about with Legolas?" Alasse prodded. "I did not like the heavy-laden look on his face."
"Alasse, you were hurt. The baby could've been hurt. Legolas was very worried about you, and I cannot blame him in the least." Aragorn said, hoping she would accept that and stop fretting so hard. If he couldn't calm her now, how would she react when he told her the truth?
"Estel, please tell me what is wrong! Something is very wrong. Don't hide it from me." Alasse told him firmly. "Estel, talk to me."
Aragorn sighed defeatedly. He warmly kissed her little fingers and rubbed her wrist as he took a deep breath for good measure."My dear Alasse," Aragorn whispered, stroking the back of her neck. "For now, all I need you to think about is recovering, you and the baby. You are right. Something greatly burdens my mind. I promise, when you are a little stronger, I will tell you exactly what is troubling me. I give you my word."
"Why not now?"
"No. You get better, then I will tell you."
"It has to do with the fate of our kingdom, doesn't it?" Alasse spoke anxiously, searching his silver, sad eyes.
"Do not fret so. I will tell you, when I feel the time is right." He scooted closer and pressed his palm to her stomach. "Your and the baby's health is what matters right now."
"Aragorn, I am frightened."
"Shh." Aragorn buried his face into her shoulder kissing her collarbone, and she rubbed his shoulder blades, holding him close to her bosom. She wasn't sure what exactly lay ahead for them, but right now she would bask in her greatest strength who was showering her with only the deepest devotion.
If Merlyn is returning, how is Aragorn going to keep them safe? It's different this time, with her being pregnant. Of course, I know what is going to happen, but I enjoy hearing your theories before I reveal it!
Oh, I cannot wait for you to read who shows up in the beginning of the next chapter!