CONTENT WARNING: Rated M for: Strong language and violence.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything created by Tolkein and Middle-Earth. I do not own the song "I Am Not Nothing" by Beth Crowley. This is for entertainment only.
A/N: Thank you for the continued support everyone! Nothing really to say about this chapter except... Enjoy! - P
Chapter 11 - Ondo Ilma
"I wanna take away the hurt...
But I just don't have the words"
Let Me Hold You by Josh Krajcik
The delegations from Greenwood and Lothlorien would depart in three days. The would travel together until reaching the Great River Anduin. Legolas had asked Augustus the basics around mounted archery in the training fields and he couldn't have been more thrilled. Aurora had never seen Augustus get Odin ready so fast. After he had sped out again Aurora and Egg were left alone again, a soft melody on her lips as she braided his long mane.
"It's a beautiful relationship the two of you have." Aurora spun quickly to find Lady Galadriel standing in the doorway to the stable. "To have a connection with such an animal is rare."
"He's seen me through a lot." Aurora smiled.
"I wonder, Lady Aurora, if you would consider joining me on a trail ride this morning." Galadriel walked gracefully over to where she stood in Egg's stall.
"It would be an honor, my Lady."
"Please, Aurora." Galadriel smiled sweetly, "there is no need for such formality. Right now we are simply two friends."
Aurora smiled and she began getting Egg ready. Ten minutes later were riding out of Rivendell onto the main trail. They rode in silence for a while, simply enjoying the beautiful day and the peaceful sounds of nature.
"How are you doing, Aurora?" Galadriel broke the silence softly.
Aurora thought for a moment and decided to be honest. "I'm really scared." She replied without looking over to meet Galadriel's eyes. "A month ago I was running a flower shop and worrying about show season with Egg and now… Now I'm apparently an elf with a magic ability. An ability I'm supposed to use to fulfill a prophecy." Aurora paused for a moment to collect her thoughts once more. "It's a lot to take in and I… I don't know if I'm ready to accept it yet."
"I am sorry about the hardship this has caused you, mellon nin. If I could take the fear away, I would." Galadriel stopped her horse next to a riverbank and dismounted. Aurora following suit. "Although you will travel to Greenwood with the Elvenking's company; I will still be able to help you with this ability. To help you empower and harness it better."
"But how?" Aurora moved closer to Galadriel at the riverbank.
"Through this." Galadriel turned towards Aurora, extending her hand out towards her. Looped around her long fingers there was a delicate silver chain at the base of which held a large, smooth white stone in the shape of a teardrop; veins of gold mixing throughout.
"It's beautiful." Aurora breathed, taking the stone in her hand, tracing the golden lines with her fingertip.
"It is a once lost treasure from Doriath, an ancient realm of the Elves. It is known within our people as Ondo Ilma, or the Stone of Starlight. Mithrandir has been kind enough to keep it safe for many years now." Galadriel watched the stone glide around Aurora's fingertips, dancing in the sunlight. "It's a focus stone, not only will it help you channel your magic; but eventually you will be able to store magic within the stone."
Aurora felt the cool chain slide around her neck, the stone resting perfectly above her heart. "Galadriel," Aurora began, "I don't think I could accept such a gift."
"Then consider it my first order as your mentor," Galadriel smiled warmly, "Wear it everyday. It will slowly begin to attune itself to you."
Aurora chuckled softly, "Yes, ma'am."
"For your second order… Never call me ma'am again."
Aurora laughed louder, "Yes…" She paused to give Galadriel a sly look before continuing, "Galadriel."
The women walked along the riverbank with linked arms, their horses lazily following behind them. "I can feel the distress in you, Aurora. What still troubles you?"
Aurora sighed heavily, "There is more than one wat to extinguish a light." Aurora recited the Elvenking's words from the meeting. "What did he mean?"
Galadriel was quiet for a long while, contemplating her words. "One someone with magic like yours, or like mine, is put through traumatic situations, it can cause that power within to diminish. Although we cannot confirm; but there is a fear that, if the enemy were to capture you, they could try and cause the light magic within you to change and alter to a more sinister outcome."
Aurora furrowed her brow, "You mean torture? They would torture me into black magic?" Galadriel did not speak but gravely nodded, Aurora shook her head, "That is some fucked-up Star Wars shit…"
"Star Wars?" Galadriel looked to Aurora questioningly.
"Oh, it's a… Fairytale from my other world."
"Aurora," Galadriel shifted the conversation back, "your scars… How did you get them?" Aurora tensed up suddenly not expecting the question to be so direct. Her throat when dry and she felt fear settle in the pit of her stomach. "I do not ask out of simple curiosity, I want you to know. As I stated, the enemy will try and use trauma against you. Including your past. Where Elves such as myself, King Thranduil and Elrond have the ability to view a person's memory; we want to plan on the assumption that the enemy can do the same. We don't need to know every detail; but knowing the smallest amount could help us in being able to better protect you."
Aurora processed Galadriels' words, her mind flashed with memories. "There was a fire." She whispered simply. Galadriel knew that there was much more to this story, but she could sense Aurora's growing panic at the conversation.
"We can start there." Galadriel gave Aurora's hand a light squeeze and they returned to the horses.
Thranduil walked the halls heading back to his chambers with a brisk step. He had finished visiting his last soldier that remained in the healing halls since the Orc attack, relieved to know that he would be well enough to travel with the rest of the company tomorrow morning. As he turned a corner leading towards the resting chambers he paused when he heard a melodic whisper in the air, he followed the sound down a side corridor and saw an ajar door. Silently peering in, he saw Aurora seated in front of a beautiful wooden piano. Her long elegant fingers playing the keys in a beautiful rhythm. He stood in the doorway watching her for several moments when she started to softly sing.
No one never made me feel as small as you did
No one made me feel as cursed
I'd lie awake in bed just staring at the ceiling
Wondering if things would get worst
I was trapped under your thumb
Believing when you called it love
But I will forgive myself and start to let it go
Accept that who you chose to be was out of my control
And thought it might be hard to begin again
I'll write myself a brand new story with a happy end
I survived. So tonight,
I'm taking back my life
And I'll show you that I'm not nothing
She sang with her eyes closed tight but Thranduil could still see the emotion as her brow furrowed.
I kept my head above the water 'til the moment
When all the elements aligned
And I could fly away to heal my broken spirit
And leave my darkness far behind
You always said that I was weak
But the bravest thing I did was leave
So I will forgive myself and start to let it go
Accept that who you chose to be was out of my control
And thought it might be hard to begin again
I write myself a brand new story with a happy end
I survived
So tonight
I am taking back my life
And I'll show you that I'm not nothing
The pain with which she sang it felt so absolute that it pulled at Thranduil's hear in a manner he hadn't felt for hundreds of years. Had someone hurt her in the way she described?
Looking up at the sky
I think I see the start of a sunrise
And I will forgive myself and start to let it go
Accept that who you chose to be was out of my control
And thought it might be hard to begin again
I'll write myself a brand new story with a happy end
I survived
So tonight
I am taking back my life
And I'll show you that I'm not nothing
Thranduil watched as Aurora slowly opened her eyes, a single tear staining her face.
And I'll show you that I'm not nothing
He watched as Aurora sat frozen, her hands still gently resting on the piano. He decided that he should take his leave, he didn't want to be seen when she was dealing with such a personal moment. He silently retreated from the corridor and quickly rounded the corner.
"She doesn't sing that one often."
The voice froze the King in his tracks. He turned to see Augustus sitting cross-legged on the floor wearing a somber expression, his head leaning back against the wall. "Master Augustus," Thranduil started, trying to sound as collected as possible, "I did not mean any offense. I simply heard beautiful music and wished to discover the source."
"It's okay," Augustus stood and gave the King a slight nod, "I just wouldn't let Aurora know that you heard the song."
"What happened to her?" Thranduil's direct inquiry seemed to take Augustus aback his face going pale, but he collected himself quickly, "I mean to say… You don't sing a song with that type of emotion put into the words without a reason."
"She dated a guy a few years back." Augustus began walking down the corridor away from the music room so his sister wouldn't happen upon them. "They were together for a good amount of time, just shy of 6 years. Which in our realm is a long time. She thought they were going to get married and was resigned to a life with him." Augustus paused for a moment, Thranduil noticing the anger that flashed across his face. "She finally realized that she needed to get away from him. He was… Not a good person."
Thranduil listened carefully, "I'm happy that your sister was able to get away from him, then. I understand not wanting one you care for in harm's way."
"That's an understatement," Augustus responded without thinking, "That man was the closest thing to evil that I have ever seen." Thranduil's head shot up to meet Augustus' gaze but he only kept looking forward. "If you'll excuse me, Your Majesty. I would like to check on Aurora and ensure that she is okay." Augustus gave another small nod and turned back to the direction of the music room.
Thranduil's mind raced as he finally rested in a large armchair within his bedchamber.
What has this man done to Aurora? Was it connected to those scars? He knew they were from a fire, he could tell that from his own experience with such scars. He was confused at the rage he felt building within him towards this unknown man he had never even met. But just the simple thought of any harm coming to Aurora made him almost throw is goblet of wine against the wall.
The bonfire lit the night sky with a beautiful glow. Augustus lightly strummed his guitar and Aurora engaged in an animated conversation with Elladan, Elrohir and Legolas. Pausing several times for fits of laughter that echoed around the clearing. Thranduil leaned against a nearby tree, wine goblet in hand, watching as the flickering of flames illuminated Aurora's features in an enchanted way. He face had slightly flushed; however, if it was due to the flames or the several glasses of wine she had consumed, he couldn't tell. He saw the jade-eyed elleth stumble to her feet and heard slurred murmurs of too much wine and comfortable blankets.
Aurora stated brief goodbyes to everyone around the bonfire before turning to walk back to her guest chambers. Her last farewell of the evening she had walked away from the group slightly and bid King Thranduil a good evening, his only response was a raise of his glass and a slight nod. As she turned to leave, there was a loud popping noise. She looked down and saw that an ember from the fire had leapt out and landed on the edge of her long skirt. Half-drunken panic began to set in as Aurora flew backwards, her head smacking into the solid branch of a tree, In a quick motion the ember was removed, only adding a slight charring to the edge of her dress. As she turned she stumble again and realized that she had suddenly been caught; an arm wrapping around her waist and the other cradling her face; the feel of gentle fingers on her temple.
Her eyes shot open and they were met with the fathomless blue that she had come to expect from the King's eyes. Instantly she felt a pull at the back of her head. Not at the back of her head… Within her head. Thranduil's eyes grew wide as he saw several images flash in his head.
A blood curdling scream. Tears streaming down a bloodied face. Hot breath on the side of the neck as venomous words were whispered, "Now no one will want you." The smell of burning flesh.
The two separated, seemingly unnoticed by those still around the bonfire. Thranduil's eyes met Aurora's again. Her jade eyes filled with horror, all of the color drained from her face.
"What did you just do?" Aurora sharply whispered, shock and fear weaving into every word. "Why did you… How were you able to see…" She couldn't finish any of the thousands of questions racing through her mind.
"Lady Aurora…" Thranduil moved to place a hand on her trembling shoulder but instead felt a stab in his heart as she recoiled from him.
"Don't." She uttered in a terrified breath. "Don't touch me."
Before he could speak again, he watched as the terrified girl ran from the clearing.
