Chapter 36:
Goddess of the Hunt
Author's Note: Apparently I really like writing about Artemis and Loki because I started this chapter today and finished it a little after midnight. Please enjoy and happy NaNoWriMo!
She came with the wind.
Days of feeling the wrath of Aries' fury, weeks of instructing the archers how best to kill the beasts, months of living in the shadow of the God of War, before the healer, Ailya, casually remarked that Faramir should look to the North for aid. At first, he thought the healer had meant Rohan to which he scoffed. Rohan hadn't acted the ally they supposedly were since the time of his grandfather's rule. Still, he instructed the guards to look to the north for the help they would supposedly receive. Days passed to weeks. Aries continued to assault the walls.
Oh how Faramir despised Aries!
Upon every assault the knight elf flew high over the city out of range of Gondorian archers and bombarded the city with fire. Faramir used runes Ailya dictated to help keep most of the fire at bay, but they had to be renewed every hour. The gaps between renewal created the perfect opportunity for Aries to strike with his cursed fire and gravely injury many of his people.
The screams of children were the worst of it all. Some screamed for their injured, dying, or dead parents. Some screamed because they were inflicted by the curse. Others screamed because they were alone with no one to care for them. Some of those children were but babes not yet weened from their mother's milk.
Faramir never wanted to kill an enemy more than he wanted to kill Aries. He didn't have the power to kill him, so he spent those weeks feeling powerless against every damaging assault. There were days when he barely kept up his personal morale for the benefit of his men. Only when the captain of the city guard insisted he manage a few hours rest did he allow his fear and anger to emerge from it's carefully crafted cage. In those sleepless hours alone, Faramir considered the days and sifted through multiple strategies that could possibly be used to cut off the head of the snake. To kill Aries ven Turthin, Dark Prince of the Knight Elves.
Yet, the chance eluded him until the Lady Artemis even Turthin arrived in Minas Tirith.
A storm blew across the fields of Pellinor that day. Despite the ferocity of the wind and rain, the furies attacked with the same ferocity and the protections erected by Ailya. Even with this help, men still died and women and children who were stuck on the streets remained vulnerable. Faramir led the archers against them, his own bow taking aim and felling one of the fury creatures with a luck shot in its eye.
The winds suddenly changed. Rain fell in thick sheets and thunder rolled down the mountain. Just as suddenly as the wind ceased blowing, it burst forth from the mountain and - as if directed by some unseen force - struck the arial calvary from the sky. Unearthly screeches filled the air, but the spooked birds took the hint and flew away despite the wills of their remaining riders.
"My lord, the wind! Could this be the work of Mithrandir?" Asked Beregond, captain of the city guard.
"No," Faramir replied. "I never knew Mithrandir's power to work in such a way."
Then, he looked to the North and saw the Lady of the Hunt as she purposefully strode across the fields. Dark brown hair fell to her waist and streamed behind her in the corrected breeze. A simply crafted bow clutched in her hand. Faramir mutely watch her approach.
Light rain pelted the earth as the thunder rolled.
It had taken days for Loki to locate her. This length of time was a stain on his talent for being able to seek and detect the most menial of sorcery activities. The Norse had taken him as a God of Mischief and Magic while including several overly ridiculous tales depicting his part in the end of the world. Like it or not, Loki was still a Raiphahim. He still held some hyperawareness of sorcery inherited from his father.
He winced at the memory of his father.
The Norse told of his father being a Frost Giant. It was another fantastical tale more likely cultivated by the Christian priests to obscure Loki's true parentage. His father was the Lord of Lies. His father, was the one they referred to as The Devil, Satan, Heylel ben'Shachar.
Despite Loki's violent beginnings, he had gone a different way from his fellow Raiphahim. Where they became gods and delved into the dark paths of sorcery, Loki had rejected the lies of his father and found his own magic: a marriage between angelic and elven magics that had never been meant to meet in that first age. It had been insinuated that Loki's rebellion had been the sole reason why his father had lost against the elves. Loki had always known better. Yes, Queen Silmariel Laurentari - first ruler of the elves - had a direct hand in turning the tide for a time. Yes, even he'd managed to give her - and by extension the rest of them - an edge. It had taken Isingol to finally defeat the bastards.
The sands on the shore changed from yellow-white to coal black. He knew he was close. So close, in fact, it confirmed Loki's suspicions that the woman knew he approached. It was likely - highly likely - that this entire venture was meant to be a trap. Well, it wouldn't be the first and the Siren could have actually managed to get one over on him. His senses were dulled in Arda and he suspected this had a lot to do with the limited influence the Valor had over the world around them. They knew who he was - of course - and had likely looked on his presence in their stewardship with appropriate suspicion. He wondered which one had the distinct pleasure to monitor him.
Even with the handicap, Loki found the bitch and approached her this moment. Where a vague breath of a voice was heard on the breeze in Dol Amroth, Loki clearly heard the fell song as it attempting to play with his senses. A smile quirked across his lips.
He knew that voice.
It had been a long time since he'd heard that particular voice.
He rounded the bend and stepped onto the blackest of shores where the air felt thick and the waters unnaturally receded around a rise. A thin figure stood on the rock.
"Ligeia, fancy seeing you this fine morn!" He called.
The voice faded and the woman turned her head to look at him, eyes narrowed. A coy smile crossed her lips and she slowly rose to her feet.
"Loki," she purred. "I had wondered when you would find one of us."
So, there's more than one of them. Interesting, he noted. She must think she'll be able to kill me if she's telling me this.
"How many of your sisters did you manage to bring over?" He asked casually.
"Now, now Silvertongue, I can't reveal all of my secrets. Where's the fun in that?" Ligeia asked, tilting her head to one side in a way she likely knew he'd find to be rather fetching.
She ceased her approach and raised her hand, "The oceans are difficult to control. Something, or someone, doesn't make it easy."
He raised an eyebrow, "I understand Aries' hubris is an easy disease to catch, but really? Did you honestly think the Triune neglected to appoint stewards over these lands?"
That sultry smile froze and her carefully crafted brows furrowed. Loki boldly approached. Sea wind blew around him in an unnatural direction. It played with his raven hair while his vibrant purples eyes held the Siren's gaze. His cloak - annoying thing that it was - billowed behind him in what he hoped was a most intimidating way. After all, appearances were everything when the Lord of Tricks and Magic prepared for the kill.
Her blood red eyes flashed and she began to sing low and deadly notes that made the hair on the back of Loki's neck stand on end. Fell creatures from the deep rose from the sea waters. He smiled and skewered the first three creatures with throwing knives before summoning a broadsword and meeting the next wave of creatures. Webbed fingers lurched toward him and met the end of his blade. He stepped between atoms and appeared behind three creatures that had managed to stand on land and lopped off their gilled heads. Then he stepped once more and appeared before Ligeia who'd readied her sword a moment before. He anticipated her strike and flicked again and again. When he was several steps away from her, Loki manipulated the light particles to mimic his form and created an illusion, then another and another until five fake Loki's surrounded her.
Ligeia snarled and hurled herself at the images. Loki leapt forward the moment he beheld her exposed back. The silver blade of his sword sliced open her side and scraped across her shoulder blades. The momentum of his attack caused the Siren to stumble into the black sand. In an instant, he heard her voice begin to sing. Before she could get out a full bar of her cursed song, Loki stabbed his blade through her heart. She sputtered and gagged out blood when he slid his sword from her body.
Ragged breathing filled the air. Ligeia's body shook. Then, she pitched forward and fell into the sand. Her body stilled and the breathing dissipated.
Loki watched her for several long moments. When the water began to trickle over the sand, he turned and headed back towards the white sands.
The huntress stood before his father with her hands on her hips and a severe glare piercing the old man on his chair. Faramir found himself admiring the elf lady's tenacity. She hadn't been in Gondor for more than two days yet she had not only demanded to see his father, but forced the issue by ignoring the protestations of Beregond and Faramir and strode into the throne room. Lord Denethor, Steward of Gondor, had been in a meeting with the lords of Minas Tirith when she'd entered with Faramir and Beregond trailing behind her uttering their protestations.
"Lord Denethor, Steward of Gondor, I bring tidings from the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien and my liege, Aracasse ven Aldura, the Lady of Elicar, Queen of Elves and Magic," she said. "I am Lady Huntress Artemus ven Turthin, a Princess of Elves and Magic sent to help fortify your city and deal with the attacks my half-brother, Aries, inflict on you in the name of Mordor. I also bring a letter from one of my Elders, a Lady Laurel Morelinde."
Faramir tore his gaze away from her impressive sight and looked to his father who frowned at the elf lady who dared to come before him without ceremony and minimum courtesy. The lords of the city gaped at her, expressions ranging between awe and anger. Lord Denethor glanced behind the lady at Faramir and raised a single, pencil thin brow.
"Did you not tell our guest I was not to be disturbed this afternoon?" He asked.
"She… ah… ignored me," Faramir replied, feeling nervous.
"You are as good as a prince of your people, yet you allow her to swipe you away like a menial fly? Your brother wouldn't have allowed such a thing to occur!" Denethor spat.
The Lady Huntress smirked, "Your eldest is quite the gentleman as a matter of fact. He had the sense to take me seriously. Forgive me for assuming the father would do the same."
The mention of his brother seemed to have ingratiated the elf to his father who straightened in his seat and shewed the lords out of the room. He beckoned Faramir and Beregond to remain.
"Please approach, Lady Huntress, and give me tidings of my son," he said.
Lady Artemis reached into her vest and drew forth a neatly folded parchment as she approached his father's seat, "Before I speak of your son, please read this letter from Lady Morelinde."
Lord Denethor, in a more congenial mood, took the offered letter and read it. His brow furrowed.
"Your queen intends to come to Gondor?" He asked.
"With or without the presence of seven other men. She does fully intend to arrive with Lord Boromir if his companions choose to go a different way," Artemis supplied.
"Forgive me, but an unmarried woman, be she elf or human, among those of the male species seems to be less than ideal. Would not her honor be in question?" Lord Denethor inquired.
Faramir frowned at the particular gleam in his father's eye as he asked that question. He glanced at Captain Beregond and caught his eye. Yes, the captain noticed it as well and was just as troubled by it.
If the elf noticed the steward's tone, she didn't show it as she replied, "One of those men is her uncle, the other her husband. Trust me when I say that her honor is in tact."
Faramir wondered if his father's age prevented him from masking his disappointment clearly evidenced on his face. Any hopes Lord Denethor had to bind an unmarried elven queen to the House of Stewards was dashed. Faramir was relieved. While he didn't necessarily approve of his brother's betrothal to Lothiriel - their cousin - he didn't want to slight her in such a way.
"My son comes home?" Lord Denethor asked eagerly.
"Yes. Until then, I am to offer my services to your men as a recourse and shield against my brother. Aries has been a thorn in my family's side for too long. It's about time he is removed," Lady Artemis said.
Faramir frowned. The God of War had siblings and those siblings seemed to detest him. By the way the Lady Huntress spat his name into the air, Faramir held little doubt as to the possibility that she might hate the Dark Prince more than he.
Once again, his father glossed over the words of the elf lady and continued to inquire after details about the welfare of his son. The lady looked as if she wished to brush away such questions, but seemed to decide against it and weathered the greedy inquiries as best she could. Finally, Lord Denethor released her so she could greet her fellow elf in the Halls of Healing. Faramir was, thankfully, instructed to accompany her on such a journey.
"Forgive my father, my lady, he holds his son in high esteem," Faramir said as he struggled to keep up with her brusque pace.
"I noticed," she said, tone clipped. "One would think Lord Boromir is the only son he has, but we both know that isn't the case, yes?"
Faramir winced and replied, "My father is a man of many cares. My brother is a man who brings great hope. I am of no great importance or skill. It is only natural that he gives Boromir his favor."
She smiled, but didn't slow her pace as she replied, "I don't know. You seem to be showing great skill in keeping this city in tact in the face of an impossible adversary."
Faramir flushed a deep red and stammered. She laughed and slipped into the Halls of Healing where the moans of the severely injured and dying filled the air. Immediately, the lady huntress sobered and walked as if she knew exactly where she was supposed to go. Faramir supposed she did. After all, elves were typically strange and mysterious beings. It was best not to question their ways. They likely wouldn't deign to grace the inquirer with a straight answer.
Lady Ailya worked in the back that day with those most effected by the cry of the fury. The cursed voices drove them to mindless babbling and nervous twitches. She's explained that the cry of a fury was meant to incapacitate their prey before they ate them. Those men and women affected most had poor constitutions and a propensity to showing their nerves. The elf didn't indicate she'd heard her visitors enter the sick room. Her contralto voice was pitched lower than he'd ever heard it as a soft, melodic song drew a young girl out of her mind and back to the light. Once the girl in question had emerged from her mind, the lady healer rose from her stool and turned to fix her unnerving white eyes at Lady Artemis.
"You've come," the healer said.
"Yes."
"Has the deed been done?" Ailya asked.
Artemis nodded, "Yes. What have you seen?"
"I've seen many things revealed to me by the will of the Triune. He has shown me a duality of what is to come. The deed does not assure success. That is up to her," Ailya said.
Lady Artemis frowned, but seemed to accept the answer for what it was. Faramir thought to ask for the meaning behind their cryptic conversation, but thought better of it. The affairs of elves were best left to the elves.
"I see my brother has done his best to sufficiently terrorize the populace," Artemis observed.
"I have done what I can for them, but I suspect your presence will bring more hope than mine can."
Lady Artemis turned to Faramir and crossed her arms, "I best inspect the defenses. If you could do me the honor of showing me around, Lord Faramir, brother to Boromir?"
Faramir was too intrigued to make an attempt at denying her and ushered her out of the room with a farewell to the lady healer.
"Tell me, what do you know about my brother?" The lady asked. "Has Ailya explained anything?"
"No, we only know the damage he's inflicted on my men," Faramir replied through the stitch developing in his side while attempting to keep up with her fast pace.
"Then allow me to fill in the gaps to your education," she said dryly as they left the halls.
Finally, she stopped and nodded to him. It took Faramir a moment to realize she wanted him to take the lead and direct her accordingly.
"The first thing you must understand about Aries is that he believes he deserves he elven throne," Artemis began. "He won't stop until he either succeeds or is killed. To succeed, he will leave a bloodbath in his wake."
Faramir swallowed and thought of the flock of furries he commanded in the skies, "What does Gondor have to do with your queen's throne?"
"Everything."