Thanks to my ONE reviewer. Peh. I'm not updating until I get at least five
reviews. =P
Sissle, would you please contact me, even in a review? I missehnessehness you. ;-; Or at least give me an Inflata-Sissle. o_O
Disclaimer: Must I say it again? I suppose. See Chapter One.
A Day Without Rain
Chapter Four
Aragorn jumped out of the chair, knocking it down in the process at the shock of what he was hearing. "She's WHAT!? We must go! We-" His friend caught him by the arm, obviously having calmed down and was thinking straight again.
"Shhh!" Haldir hissed, motioning towards the door. "Listen. Haradrim voices. If they hear us, we, and everyone in here is dead, or will suffer some other terrible fate." He didn't mean to be so biting with his words, but he felt that it would be the only way to get it into the severely panicked man's head.
Aragorn shook his head, anger overpowering any other emotions he felt at the moment. How dare they take her. again! They were cowards. No honourable people would kidnap others to get their way. He couldn't even comprehend such a dirty method.
"Well I am not going to stand here, with Southrons just outside the door, and my wife in their hands!" He growled quietly, fists clenched. The others were still unconscious, dead to the world and lost their own dreams. Oblivious for now, but it surely wouldn't last long.
The Elf's face softened, and he glanced to the door. "No, you aren't, and I shan't either. But you mustn't let rage overtake you right now. It'll blur your thoughts." The king took a breath, calming himself. temporarily. Gesturing the door, he nodded.
"Thank you, my friend. Now, your ears are far better than mine. How many do you think are out there?" Haldir shrugged, pressing a pointed ear to the wood, sensitive ears picking up the harsh and ugly-sounding voices up easily. After what seemed like ten minutes, he pulled away, his eyes closed for a half a moment.
"Four are at both sides of the door, two on each, and further off down the hall I could make out eight differently toned voices. There are probably more out of even my earshot." He sighed, shaking his head. "I mean not to dampen your spirits even more, but this all seems quite hopeless." Shaking his head, Haldir unsheathed his knife.
"This is terribly dull, and I fear I will do little good in battle. I really do need my sword. And time is running out." He shrugged. "I do think that if they were meaning to kill you, or any of us, they would've done it."
Aragorn nodded, drawing Anduril with no more than a quiet 'ting'. "And took Arwen because they know how much leverage it would have. Or worse-" No. He couldn't even allow himself to think about the unthinkable, if they were to harm or kill her.
With a shake of his head, he moved over to a sleeping man. "Haldir. Borrow one of their blades. I doubt in this state, they'll mind too much."
The Elf frowned, lightly going over to him, and gently unbuckled un-buckled his belt, scabbard and all. The sword was far heavier than his Elven one, and it seemed strange holding it. As long as it was sharp, though, that all that really mattered at the moment.
"Alright," Aragorn began, moving over to the door in a very Ranger-like fashion. "I'll open the door, and you go to the right, and then I'll go to the left. Kill them in the quickest way you find possible." Of course, had the situation been different, he would've sliced them limb from bloody limb. Haldir nodded, an emotionless expression on his face.
With not another word said, Aragorn swung the door open, hitting one of them in the face, knocking him down onto the marbled floor giving Aragorn a perfect time to pierce the man's chest with his sword, and quickly spun around to block another's attack.
Haldir swung to the left, kicking one in the stomach and stabbing the other in the side. While the first was doubled over, he stabbed him in the back, then looked to his right, where they drew their swords and started throwing their trademark spears.
After far more than eight Haradrim were defeated, Aragorn took a moment to stare down at the bodies and blood marking the polished hallway. And what was worse, was that among the Southrons, royal guards were plenty as well, having died trying to protect the House again the unsuspected attack.
"Come on!" Haldir shouted, leaping down the hall as more voices were heard. "More are coming!" He breathed, making a sharp turn into his chambers to retrieve his sword. Unbuckling the current one, and flinging it down on the bed, all in one fluent motion, the hurried Elf snatched up his blade just as Aragorn came sprinting into the room. Turning to his friend with wide eyes, Haldir looked at him questioningly.
"Alright. Now what?" Rapidly approaching footsteps could be heard far too close for both of their comfort. "We must think quickly! They are coming. Not even Gondorian soldiers are that noisy when walking-or running!" Elven ears were amazing.
"We must get out of the city and make sure they don't get her out of the city. Although who knows how long we were out of it." Glancing to the window, he muttered some inaudible curse.
"It wasn't even noon yet! And now twilight approaches. Nearly seven hours gives them far too much time." Pacing for a moment, before stopping suddenly, rather startling Haldir.
"Come with me!" And so Aragorn ran out of the room, as quickly as he entered it. The Elf stared after him. Was he crazy? The halls were swarming with enemies and he goes running out into them? With a shake of his head, he followed his friend, praying to Elbereth that luck would stay with them.
~~~
After turning corners, and making rather long detours to avoid the Haradrim, Aragorn finally led them into his chambers. Haldir all but stared.
"Aragorn, what are you doing? We shall be trapped in here! Have you gone mad?" He stared incredulously at his friend, who was bustling around in an overly large bureau in one corner.
"No." Was all he answered with, flinging some clothing, but cloaks, and blankets to the side, as well and pulling out his old Ranger attire. Still, Haldir stared.
"Aragorn, what're you-" He was cut off as the king found a string in the back of it, gave it a hearty tug, and the wooden board fell down, revealing a very small passage-way that one would have to crawl through.
"Come on! These started being built when Mordor and the servants of Sauron became active again. This one leads out of the city, and into the kitchens, I believe." With a shrug, Aragorn snatched up the dark, leather clothing and ducked into, fitting through with some difficulty. Thankfully, it opened it quite a bit after a bit of crawling, so much that even the very tall Haldir could stand.
They had managed to close the secret door back after they got in, and walked blindly through the dark, murky passage way.
"Aragorn, there's a fork!" Haldir called from ahead, feeling with his hands the opposite directions. The former Ranger thought for a moment, before remembering the way. He had been showed it by his the court shortly after his crowning, in case he ever needed to evacuate.
"You-" Aragorn ran into Haldir, muttering a quick apology. "Go right. Left leads out to the kitchens. There's a ladder somewhere around here that leads out."
The two ran for many minutes, trying not to slip on the damp and muddy ground, until at last Haldir saw a few tiny streams of sunlight from the ceiling, and as he came closer, a dim image of a small ladder appeared through the darkness. So, carefully, the Elf made his way up, until he could climb no more, and he nearly hit his head on a wooden door with little cracks in it, as well as a metal latch.
"I think I've found it." Haldir muttered, more to himself than Aragorn, or any ghosts that might've been lurking around the tunnel. But that was highly doubtful. With a pull, the door swung open, and he pulled himself out into fresh air.
All his eyes could see were the mountains of Ephel Duath, which means they were facing east; and some orangey-red clouds from the bright sunset. He also concluded that they were out of the city. or at least right out of Minas Tirith's gates, which surprised him to say the least that they'd travelled so far.
Aragorn came up after him, squinting slightly at the change from darkness to such brilliant light. Yet he saw nothing. And that was worse than seeing ten thousand of the Haradrim surrounding you. For that meant that obviously they weren't around, and chances were that they had escaped with Arwen amongst the panic in this attack.
"I see nothing, for as far as my eyes go." Haldir said dryly, a frown on his face. This situation was turning from bad to horrid.
"And that's far indeed." Aragorn mumbled, leaning down to inspect the slightly trampled ground. His tracking skills hadn't been forgotten in a few short months, and this was a time when he needed them the most.
"They came this way. and it looks as if their tracks stretch on eastwards for a far distance. Just as I feared," He said grimly after several minutes of listening and looking. "I think they mean to take coverage in the mountains. After so many years in Sauron's service, it's no doubt they know them well. If we try and follow them, we'll either be ambushed or get utterly lost."
Haldir nodded, trying to figure out what to do next. It seemed quite hopeless indeed. "And that's not the only problem. We've no food, nor water, and even if we did come across any water it's not like we have anything to put it in. Oh, and if they are going to Harad; a desert, and we mean to follow them, water is a very good thing to have. And now the city is being invaded, so the chances of us going back for supplies and making it out again are slim!" The Elf all but yelled; feeling frustrated beyond recall. Taking a breath, he continued, slower and softer.
"We have three choices that I can see. One: we just go on without any provisions, though we won't last more than three days, not enough time to even come close to reaching Harad. Of course, we could always hope to cut them off, but still that's unlikely. Two: we go and try to make it Rohan, hopefully meeting those that are coming to aid Gondor and get essential needs. Or three: we try and go back. All which probably won't work. Don't get me wrong, for I will go with you to whatever end there may be if you can think of some way this is possible." The two fell silent.
Aragorn sighed, looking back to the horizon. "Just going is out of the question, for we would die no doubt. And going all the way to Rohan, or even chance meeting them is too risky. They would most likely. kill Arwen by then, or figure no one is coming to get her and kill her all the same. And going back, well-" He stopped suddenly, an idea suddenly coming to his head.
"The tunnel."
"Yes."
"Well, the one way that leads to the kitchens. Why would the Haradrim be in the kitchens? If we could possibly get in there, get some food, flasks, and whatever else we may be able to get, we could get to Harad without it being a suicide mission." Aragorn explained, grey eyes drifting down to the still open, small door. It was their only chance, besides simply leaving Arwen to whatever fate they desired to give to her. and that was out of the question.
"It may a be a suicide mission anyway." Haldir murmured, noticing flames coming from the city. It was a literal massacre. "The fact that they even got into the city. it boggles my mind. Minas Tirith is not ill protected."
Aragorn shook his head, half listening. At the moment, it wasn't important how they got in, but where they were going. And every minute ticking away, could be every moment closer to a time when they may harm his wife; if they hadn't already.
"Let's go." He simply said, jumping back down the dark tunnel, Haldir following shortly after.
~~~
I'm so sorry for such a short chapter. Probably the shortest one in the whole story. But school leaves me barely any time for updating, so I hope you'll forgive me. And please review. Not updating until five reviews come my way.
AND FOR THE LOVE OF ELVEN TIRION, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO DO BOLD FONT AND ITALICS!?!? Cruel, cruel people you are.
Sissle, would you please contact me, even in a review? I missehnessehness you. ;-; Or at least give me an Inflata-Sissle. o_O
Disclaimer: Must I say it again? I suppose. See Chapter One.
A Day Without Rain
Chapter Four
Aragorn jumped out of the chair, knocking it down in the process at the shock of what he was hearing. "She's WHAT!? We must go! We-" His friend caught him by the arm, obviously having calmed down and was thinking straight again.
"Shhh!" Haldir hissed, motioning towards the door. "Listen. Haradrim voices. If they hear us, we, and everyone in here is dead, or will suffer some other terrible fate." He didn't mean to be so biting with his words, but he felt that it would be the only way to get it into the severely panicked man's head.
Aragorn shook his head, anger overpowering any other emotions he felt at the moment. How dare they take her. again! They were cowards. No honourable people would kidnap others to get their way. He couldn't even comprehend such a dirty method.
"Well I am not going to stand here, with Southrons just outside the door, and my wife in their hands!" He growled quietly, fists clenched. The others were still unconscious, dead to the world and lost their own dreams. Oblivious for now, but it surely wouldn't last long.
The Elf's face softened, and he glanced to the door. "No, you aren't, and I shan't either. But you mustn't let rage overtake you right now. It'll blur your thoughts." The king took a breath, calming himself. temporarily. Gesturing the door, he nodded.
"Thank you, my friend. Now, your ears are far better than mine. How many do you think are out there?" Haldir shrugged, pressing a pointed ear to the wood, sensitive ears picking up the harsh and ugly-sounding voices up easily. After what seemed like ten minutes, he pulled away, his eyes closed for a half a moment.
"Four are at both sides of the door, two on each, and further off down the hall I could make out eight differently toned voices. There are probably more out of even my earshot." He sighed, shaking his head. "I mean not to dampen your spirits even more, but this all seems quite hopeless." Shaking his head, Haldir unsheathed his knife.
"This is terribly dull, and I fear I will do little good in battle. I really do need my sword. And time is running out." He shrugged. "I do think that if they were meaning to kill you, or any of us, they would've done it."
Aragorn nodded, drawing Anduril with no more than a quiet 'ting'. "And took Arwen because they know how much leverage it would have. Or worse-" No. He couldn't even allow himself to think about the unthinkable, if they were to harm or kill her.
With a shake of his head, he moved over to a sleeping man. "Haldir. Borrow one of their blades. I doubt in this state, they'll mind too much."
The Elf frowned, lightly going over to him, and gently unbuckled un-buckled his belt, scabbard and all. The sword was far heavier than his Elven one, and it seemed strange holding it. As long as it was sharp, though, that all that really mattered at the moment.
"Alright," Aragorn began, moving over to the door in a very Ranger-like fashion. "I'll open the door, and you go to the right, and then I'll go to the left. Kill them in the quickest way you find possible." Of course, had the situation been different, he would've sliced them limb from bloody limb. Haldir nodded, an emotionless expression on his face.
With not another word said, Aragorn swung the door open, hitting one of them in the face, knocking him down onto the marbled floor giving Aragorn a perfect time to pierce the man's chest with his sword, and quickly spun around to block another's attack.
Haldir swung to the left, kicking one in the stomach and stabbing the other in the side. While the first was doubled over, he stabbed him in the back, then looked to his right, where they drew their swords and started throwing their trademark spears.
After far more than eight Haradrim were defeated, Aragorn took a moment to stare down at the bodies and blood marking the polished hallway. And what was worse, was that among the Southrons, royal guards were plenty as well, having died trying to protect the House again the unsuspected attack.
"Come on!" Haldir shouted, leaping down the hall as more voices were heard. "More are coming!" He breathed, making a sharp turn into his chambers to retrieve his sword. Unbuckling the current one, and flinging it down on the bed, all in one fluent motion, the hurried Elf snatched up his blade just as Aragorn came sprinting into the room. Turning to his friend with wide eyes, Haldir looked at him questioningly.
"Alright. Now what?" Rapidly approaching footsteps could be heard far too close for both of their comfort. "We must think quickly! They are coming. Not even Gondorian soldiers are that noisy when walking-or running!" Elven ears were amazing.
"We must get out of the city and make sure they don't get her out of the city. Although who knows how long we were out of it." Glancing to the window, he muttered some inaudible curse.
"It wasn't even noon yet! And now twilight approaches. Nearly seven hours gives them far too much time." Pacing for a moment, before stopping suddenly, rather startling Haldir.
"Come with me!" And so Aragorn ran out of the room, as quickly as he entered it. The Elf stared after him. Was he crazy? The halls were swarming with enemies and he goes running out into them? With a shake of his head, he followed his friend, praying to Elbereth that luck would stay with them.
~~~
After turning corners, and making rather long detours to avoid the Haradrim, Aragorn finally led them into his chambers. Haldir all but stared.
"Aragorn, what are you doing? We shall be trapped in here! Have you gone mad?" He stared incredulously at his friend, who was bustling around in an overly large bureau in one corner.
"No." Was all he answered with, flinging some clothing, but cloaks, and blankets to the side, as well and pulling out his old Ranger attire. Still, Haldir stared.
"Aragorn, what're you-" He was cut off as the king found a string in the back of it, gave it a hearty tug, and the wooden board fell down, revealing a very small passage-way that one would have to crawl through.
"Come on! These started being built when Mordor and the servants of Sauron became active again. This one leads out of the city, and into the kitchens, I believe." With a shrug, Aragorn snatched up the dark, leather clothing and ducked into, fitting through with some difficulty. Thankfully, it opened it quite a bit after a bit of crawling, so much that even the very tall Haldir could stand.
They had managed to close the secret door back after they got in, and walked blindly through the dark, murky passage way.
"Aragorn, there's a fork!" Haldir called from ahead, feeling with his hands the opposite directions. The former Ranger thought for a moment, before remembering the way. He had been showed it by his the court shortly after his crowning, in case he ever needed to evacuate.
"You-" Aragorn ran into Haldir, muttering a quick apology. "Go right. Left leads out to the kitchens. There's a ladder somewhere around here that leads out."
The two ran for many minutes, trying not to slip on the damp and muddy ground, until at last Haldir saw a few tiny streams of sunlight from the ceiling, and as he came closer, a dim image of a small ladder appeared through the darkness. So, carefully, the Elf made his way up, until he could climb no more, and he nearly hit his head on a wooden door with little cracks in it, as well as a metal latch.
"I think I've found it." Haldir muttered, more to himself than Aragorn, or any ghosts that might've been lurking around the tunnel. But that was highly doubtful. With a pull, the door swung open, and he pulled himself out into fresh air.
All his eyes could see were the mountains of Ephel Duath, which means they were facing east; and some orangey-red clouds from the bright sunset. He also concluded that they were out of the city. or at least right out of Minas Tirith's gates, which surprised him to say the least that they'd travelled so far.
Aragorn came up after him, squinting slightly at the change from darkness to such brilliant light. Yet he saw nothing. And that was worse than seeing ten thousand of the Haradrim surrounding you. For that meant that obviously they weren't around, and chances were that they had escaped with Arwen amongst the panic in this attack.
"I see nothing, for as far as my eyes go." Haldir said dryly, a frown on his face. This situation was turning from bad to horrid.
"And that's far indeed." Aragorn mumbled, leaning down to inspect the slightly trampled ground. His tracking skills hadn't been forgotten in a few short months, and this was a time when he needed them the most.
"They came this way. and it looks as if their tracks stretch on eastwards for a far distance. Just as I feared," He said grimly after several minutes of listening and looking. "I think they mean to take coverage in the mountains. After so many years in Sauron's service, it's no doubt they know them well. If we try and follow them, we'll either be ambushed or get utterly lost."
Haldir nodded, trying to figure out what to do next. It seemed quite hopeless indeed. "And that's not the only problem. We've no food, nor water, and even if we did come across any water it's not like we have anything to put it in. Oh, and if they are going to Harad; a desert, and we mean to follow them, water is a very good thing to have. And now the city is being invaded, so the chances of us going back for supplies and making it out again are slim!" The Elf all but yelled; feeling frustrated beyond recall. Taking a breath, he continued, slower and softer.
"We have three choices that I can see. One: we just go on without any provisions, though we won't last more than three days, not enough time to even come close to reaching Harad. Of course, we could always hope to cut them off, but still that's unlikely. Two: we go and try to make it Rohan, hopefully meeting those that are coming to aid Gondor and get essential needs. Or three: we try and go back. All which probably won't work. Don't get me wrong, for I will go with you to whatever end there may be if you can think of some way this is possible." The two fell silent.
Aragorn sighed, looking back to the horizon. "Just going is out of the question, for we would die no doubt. And going all the way to Rohan, or even chance meeting them is too risky. They would most likely. kill Arwen by then, or figure no one is coming to get her and kill her all the same. And going back, well-" He stopped suddenly, an idea suddenly coming to his head.
"The tunnel."
"Yes."
"Well, the one way that leads to the kitchens. Why would the Haradrim be in the kitchens? If we could possibly get in there, get some food, flasks, and whatever else we may be able to get, we could get to Harad without it being a suicide mission." Aragorn explained, grey eyes drifting down to the still open, small door. It was their only chance, besides simply leaving Arwen to whatever fate they desired to give to her. and that was out of the question.
"It may a be a suicide mission anyway." Haldir murmured, noticing flames coming from the city. It was a literal massacre. "The fact that they even got into the city. it boggles my mind. Minas Tirith is not ill protected."
Aragorn shook his head, half listening. At the moment, it wasn't important how they got in, but where they were going. And every minute ticking away, could be every moment closer to a time when they may harm his wife; if they hadn't already.
"Let's go." He simply said, jumping back down the dark tunnel, Haldir following shortly after.
~~~
I'm so sorry for such a short chapter. Probably the shortest one in the whole story. But school leaves me barely any time for updating, so I hope you'll forgive me. And please review. Not updating until five reviews come my way.
AND FOR THE LOVE OF ELVEN TIRION, WILL SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO DO BOLD FONT AND ITALICS!?!? Cruel, cruel people you are.