So sorry this has taken so long. I've had a case of the notorious Writer's
and Reader's Block. Otherwise known as WaRB. Anyway. if this chapter is
crappy, please forgive me. I promised Sissle I'd get it done. Anyway.
And that has been AF's rant of the week. This message will now self- destruct. BOOM.
Disclaimer: Go to Chapter One.
A Day Without Rain
Chapter Five
"You do realize that this is insane?" Haldir called after his friend, muttering inaudible words after slipping on the damp ground several times. This just didn't seem like his day, or anybody else's day.
"Yes, but we've both always been known to do insane things, go on insane adventures, and so on. This shouldn't seem too unusual." Aragorn replied, being careful not to go too far in this tunnel that seemed to stretch on for miles.
"I wasn't complaining, just pointing it out. Although I really do hope this insanity does not lead to our deaths. That would prove this to be the worst trip I've ever made." The two of them smirked, trying vainly to keep the mood up a little, and not concentrate on the terrible odds against them. Aragorn suddenly stopped, finally feeling the fork in the passageway. Waiting until Haldir stopped beside him, the two stood listening a moment, hearing no voices coming from the way of the kitchens, before running towards the small wooden door that led out into them.
With little effort, the door pushed open, no light, and no one greeting them. Night had befallen the land.
"Alright. Now we need to get food and such, although I wonder what we may put it-" The Elf was cut off as the door swung open, quite a few groggy looking men bursting through. Though they were not the Southrons. Anoroth was at the head of them, with Hérfara. Faramir, and Ellvalan at his sides, and then Gurfund and Namoron in the rear.
"Blessed be, Aragorn! We thought they had taken you, the queen, and Haldir. The whole house is swarming with the Haradrim. We barely got here alive after we woke up from that dreadful slumber." Faramir exclaimed, looking around. "Although I do not see your wife." He added, concern in his voice.
Aragorn sighed, eyes downcast. "Haldir and I were not taken, yet she was. We're going to Harad." He told them dryly, moving to gather a few flasks from that were soaking in a wooden tub. Namoron jumped forward, knocking everyone out of the way, which earned him quite a few glares.
"My lord, you cannot be serious. Going to Harad? You-you'll be killed! I'll sooner let the queen suffer whatever fate the Southrons plan for her, than have you go out there!" He exclaimed, realising a moment too late that was a very bad thing to say right now. Haldir took a step back towards the countertops, also realising what a stupid statement that was to say. This man was surely in for it now.
Aragorn glared at the man, yet stayed perfectly still, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "That may be, yet I will sooner exile you to the Caradhras if I ever hear such words come from your mouth again. Understood?" Namoron blinked, not being able to stand his king's stare for long.
"Y-yes my lord." He stuttered, nodding. Aragorn nodded, motioning for them to come closer.
"Alright. Let us find the things that will even make this journey remotely possible." The former Ranger half-murmured, going frantically through the cupboards.
"And bar the doors, will you. I really would not appreciate the Southron's presence." Haldir mused, yet with a scowl on his face. This was a bad day indeed. If he had only stayed in Lorien, he'd be safe up in a tree right now, speaking with Arame, the Elf who was in charge of guarding the Wood right now.
After a while of gathering old packs that had been stored away, along with some bread, cheese, flasks, and other things that just happened to be in the kitchens at that time, the group became aware of some harsh voices. Muttering a string of Elvish curses, Haldir when rummaging through more cupboards.
"Hurry up!" He muttered, finding old clothing that belonged to the cooks. It would serve more purpose than the silks that the others were adorned in, save Aragorn who had gathered his old Ranger attire. The pounding on the door only got louder, and finally the hinges broke off the frame, revealing some very angry looking men of Harad. The time to take them down, though, was quite fast, as the eight of them outnumbered the five Southrons.
The group went rushing out the door, being forced to head towards the garden's main entrance, for the other way was clearly overtaken already, even if many Gondorians could be heard fighting. Perhaps Aragorn should've just left getting to Arwen to them, yet he felt his own responsibility. He had been to Harad before, long ago, and he, and perhaps the others if they were to accompany him, would take much less time in finding her. Besides, no one would let him out of the city. Therefore this would have to be in secret. Rohan was called, and they would come soon enough. Yes. He would go and get her himself.
"Now where?" Gurfund questioned, quite out of breath. Haldir scowled as he tripped over a dead Southron, glaring daggers at the man. "I don't know. But we're done for if any one sees us leave, Gondorian or one of the Haradrim alike. I do not know this place. Aragorn?" The Elf raised a brow at his friend's silence, worrying that this all had pushed the former Ranger over the brink of insanity.
He sighed lightly, looking at the others with a furrowed brow. "I-don't know." Aragorn finally answered, glancing off. He'd never been this distressed in his life, never had felt such panic.
"This is not the time to fall apart! If anything, you have to stay put together." Haldir finally exclaimed in Elvish, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Aragorn said nothing at first, simply closed his eyes and sucked in a few deep breaths. "If Arwen dies, then it shall be my fault. If the city falls while I go travelling into Harad, it shall be my fault. If I-"
"But she isn't dead. And Gondor hasn't fallen. That is the point. Succumbing to grief and stress is not a choice right now." The March Warden interrupted, his tone softening slightly. A flicker of a smile appeared on Aragorn's face.
"Of course," He said, nodding. "Let us go."
It took a lengthy amount of time to get out of the city without being seen- by anyone. It was not so hard for Aragorn and Haldir considering they both had great stealth, yet the rest; excluding Faramir, were having a little bit of difficulty keeping up. Despite it all, though, they finally got out of Minas Tirith, and were faced with the sight of the Pelennor Fields stretching out proudly before them.
It was then that Aragorn turned to the men and Elf, weary grey eyes looking at them each with a long look. "I do not ask you to follow me." He said sincerely, searching their faces for some answers. Haldir couldn't help raise a brow and smile lightly.
"You have not asked me to do many things, yet I do them anyway. I fear there is no getting rid of me now." He replied in his native tongue, an amused glint in his eyes. Aragorn smiled, nodding his head, before looking back up to the others. Ellvalan was the first to comment, by drawing his long sword and holding it up proud.
"No one dares take the Queen from her home without punishment. I shall follow you gladly and willingly." Anoroth next stood tall and erect,
"By these evil men, many of my kin has died. I will not let them slip away unpunished! My sword is with yours, Lord of Gondor!" Hérfara simply twitched.
"I shall come... Though I must admit, I'm still uneasy about this." He ended with an uneasy grin. Gurfund nodded,
"I shall go where my friends go, and my friends are in this company. Ever shall our swords be drawn together, and our victories be long sung of!" He drew his sword and held it high aloft. Next Faramir spoke.
"Long have I defended Gondor in my brother's absence, and long still before that. Gondor shall not fall to any of her enemies! Not in this hour nor any ahead!" He too drew his sword. Namoron grumbled something and nodded, tapping the hilt of his sword where it was resting in its scabbard half- heartedly. Haldir rubbed the back of his neck.
"Begging your pardon, but ah - I never knew Gondor was a woman." He commented truthfully, making the former Ranger truly chuckle. How one comment could dispel the mood and atmosphere of bravery so quickly was beyond him. Haldir looked up with an incredulous expression.
"I have been wondering for many years now. Elves do not-"
"Well you seem to forget, Elf, that you are the only one of your kind here." Namoron interrupted hastily, glaring at the March warden, who was just about to retort with a sharp comment when Aragorn held up a hand.
"Please, not now." His tone was firm, and even more so as he sent a hard glance at the man who had just insulted his best friend. He couldn't handle this right now. His mind was already swimming with possibilities of every situation; most of which were grim Haldir, sensing his weariness, cut in.
"Well I thought the comment was inappropriate- my lord."
"I daresay it is not your place to decide what is inappropriate, and what is not." Aragorn said, in no mood to argue. He knew very well that Namoron was one of the nobles whom resented having to bow before a mere Ranger. And then even more so when he found out he would also have to bow before an Elf.
"I think I shall go over the trail that I have thought up." He started slowly, ignoring the indignant expression he was receiving from Namoron. He hadn't lived this long to be effected by some over-proud mortal's resentment towards Elves.
"First we must reach the Anduin before we stop for rest, and fill our flasks with water, and there I advise we take a rest. There is far yet still to travel. I also advise we travel south a few miles away from the city, so that we may not be spotted, if anyone be at its-- sorry, her -- borders." Gurfund raised a brow at him, realizing that Haldir must have been figuring all of this out while everyone else was silent and idle, save Aragorn and Namoron.
He paused for a moment, then spoke again, "Then make our way through Emyn Arnen, since I dare not say we take the Harad Road, which they are most likely coming upon, though we will have to risk it when we reach the Crossings of Poros, where the waters are deep and swift, and cold to the touch, even in the summertime, so we cannot wade, and must cross the bridge. Then in a week or so after that, we will be in the Great Desert, and make for Tul Poac." And so he
ended. Aragorn was beyond grateful that Haldir had taken charge. Of course, he felt like a fool not being able to plan a rescue mission for his own wife, yet his mind was just not in the best of states right now.
"And how do you suppose we get back? We just run off with her majesty and hope that we can out-run them? And who is to say they are not just hiding her somewhere outside of Gondor? Or what if they simply took her and killed her, hoping that Gondor would come looking for her, which would give them a perfect time to strike?" Namoron spoke again, not believing any of this. Aragorn winced slightly, the very thought frightening him more than anything before. What he was afraid to admit, though, was that the Gondorian was making a very valid point.
The Elf pursed his lips in annoyance, standing to his full height from the slight slouch he had attained for the past few moments, looking down upon Namoron with an intimidating stare. "That is not yet decided. The hardest job to finish is the one that's never started, as good Samwise Gamgee of the Halflings said. Do you think the Fellowship marched off to Mordor"--he waved his hand eastward, not seeming to notice the gasps of the saying of its real name--"with everything planned out? And things may yet go amiss." He shrugged, and was silent for a moment, "Come
on...." He said finally, and started trudging along southwards. The others followed with heavy hearts.
~~~
When Arwen awoke, she didn't know where in Middle-earth she was. With a slight groan, the daughter of Elrond sat up, yet was nearly instantly back down on the cold ground when a hand came into contact with her face. Her first reaction was to question the person that had just dared strike her. The dark eyes of a large, burly, dark-skinned man greeted her. He was robed in deep crimsons, most of his face veiled with flimsy material. As clear blue optics took a few moments to look around the area, Arwen was shocked to see dark, menacing rocks her, as well as several other men like the first one she had seen. With a gasp of realisation, she realised that these were the Haradrim. They had taken her from the council-the man with the wine-It all came back to her.
"What've you done!?" She exclaimed, daring to sit up again. The Queen of Gondor found that her ankles had been bound together, as well as her wrists. No hand came to push her back down, but instead one of them dressed like the others, yet seemingly in richer garments, as well as holding a bright silver spear stalked up to he.
"It seems you've awaken." He commented smugly, voice thick with an accent Arwen had never heard before. She glared and tried to stand, despite her bonds, yet couldn't move an inch when a dark hand grasped her upper arm tightly.
"Do not patronise me!" She sneered, tears filling her eyes. Aragorn- what could they have done? She murmured a prayer to Elbereth before asking the next question. "What've you done? What've you done with my husband? I demand to know!" The Southron laughed.
"You are in a position to demand Ivery/I little, my dear. Now I suggest you shut up, and we'll give you no trouble. We will not have hurt the king, Elfy, don't worry." Arwen's eyes widened.
"What do you want?"
He raised a brow, staring at the raven-haired woman before him. "Very little," All the men smirked.
"Only Gondor and Arnor."
~~~
Buahaha. Ebil Southrons uff dh00m. o.o;;; We shall we vhat happens in zee ext chapter, no? ^-^ Reviews! REVIEWS! REVIEW YOU SHEEPISH DOLTS! xD
And please excuse any typos. It's 3:00 am here, and I wanna go to bed. ;-;
Did I mention to review? x3
And that has been AF's rant of the week. This message will now self- destruct. BOOM.
Disclaimer: Go to Chapter One.
A Day Without Rain
Chapter Five
"You do realize that this is insane?" Haldir called after his friend, muttering inaudible words after slipping on the damp ground several times. This just didn't seem like his day, or anybody else's day.
"Yes, but we've both always been known to do insane things, go on insane adventures, and so on. This shouldn't seem too unusual." Aragorn replied, being careful not to go too far in this tunnel that seemed to stretch on for miles.
"I wasn't complaining, just pointing it out. Although I really do hope this insanity does not lead to our deaths. That would prove this to be the worst trip I've ever made." The two of them smirked, trying vainly to keep the mood up a little, and not concentrate on the terrible odds against them. Aragorn suddenly stopped, finally feeling the fork in the passageway. Waiting until Haldir stopped beside him, the two stood listening a moment, hearing no voices coming from the way of the kitchens, before running towards the small wooden door that led out into them.
With little effort, the door pushed open, no light, and no one greeting them. Night had befallen the land.
"Alright. Now we need to get food and such, although I wonder what we may put it-" The Elf was cut off as the door swung open, quite a few groggy looking men bursting through. Though they were not the Southrons. Anoroth was at the head of them, with Hérfara. Faramir, and Ellvalan at his sides, and then Gurfund and Namoron in the rear.
"Blessed be, Aragorn! We thought they had taken you, the queen, and Haldir. The whole house is swarming with the Haradrim. We barely got here alive after we woke up from that dreadful slumber." Faramir exclaimed, looking around. "Although I do not see your wife." He added, concern in his voice.
Aragorn sighed, eyes downcast. "Haldir and I were not taken, yet she was. We're going to Harad." He told them dryly, moving to gather a few flasks from that were soaking in a wooden tub. Namoron jumped forward, knocking everyone out of the way, which earned him quite a few glares.
"My lord, you cannot be serious. Going to Harad? You-you'll be killed! I'll sooner let the queen suffer whatever fate the Southrons plan for her, than have you go out there!" He exclaimed, realising a moment too late that was a very bad thing to say right now. Haldir took a step back towards the countertops, also realising what a stupid statement that was to say. This man was surely in for it now.
Aragorn glared at the man, yet stayed perfectly still, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "That may be, yet I will sooner exile you to the Caradhras if I ever hear such words come from your mouth again. Understood?" Namoron blinked, not being able to stand his king's stare for long.
"Y-yes my lord." He stuttered, nodding. Aragorn nodded, motioning for them to come closer.
"Alright. Let us find the things that will even make this journey remotely possible." The former Ranger half-murmured, going frantically through the cupboards.
"And bar the doors, will you. I really would not appreciate the Southron's presence." Haldir mused, yet with a scowl on his face. This was a bad day indeed. If he had only stayed in Lorien, he'd be safe up in a tree right now, speaking with Arame, the Elf who was in charge of guarding the Wood right now.
After a while of gathering old packs that had been stored away, along with some bread, cheese, flasks, and other things that just happened to be in the kitchens at that time, the group became aware of some harsh voices. Muttering a string of Elvish curses, Haldir when rummaging through more cupboards.
"Hurry up!" He muttered, finding old clothing that belonged to the cooks. It would serve more purpose than the silks that the others were adorned in, save Aragorn who had gathered his old Ranger attire. The pounding on the door only got louder, and finally the hinges broke off the frame, revealing some very angry looking men of Harad. The time to take them down, though, was quite fast, as the eight of them outnumbered the five Southrons.
The group went rushing out the door, being forced to head towards the garden's main entrance, for the other way was clearly overtaken already, even if many Gondorians could be heard fighting. Perhaps Aragorn should've just left getting to Arwen to them, yet he felt his own responsibility. He had been to Harad before, long ago, and he, and perhaps the others if they were to accompany him, would take much less time in finding her. Besides, no one would let him out of the city. Therefore this would have to be in secret. Rohan was called, and they would come soon enough. Yes. He would go and get her himself.
"Now where?" Gurfund questioned, quite out of breath. Haldir scowled as he tripped over a dead Southron, glaring daggers at the man. "I don't know. But we're done for if any one sees us leave, Gondorian or one of the Haradrim alike. I do not know this place. Aragorn?" The Elf raised a brow at his friend's silence, worrying that this all had pushed the former Ranger over the brink of insanity.
He sighed lightly, looking at the others with a furrowed brow. "I-don't know." Aragorn finally answered, glancing off. He'd never been this distressed in his life, never had felt such panic.
"This is not the time to fall apart! If anything, you have to stay put together." Haldir finally exclaimed in Elvish, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Aragorn said nothing at first, simply closed his eyes and sucked in a few deep breaths. "If Arwen dies, then it shall be my fault. If the city falls while I go travelling into Harad, it shall be my fault. If I-"
"But she isn't dead. And Gondor hasn't fallen. That is the point. Succumbing to grief and stress is not a choice right now." The March Warden interrupted, his tone softening slightly. A flicker of a smile appeared on Aragorn's face.
"Of course," He said, nodding. "Let us go."
It took a lengthy amount of time to get out of the city without being seen- by anyone. It was not so hard for Aragorn and Haldir considering they both had great stealth, yet the rest; excluding Faramir, were having a little bit of difficulty keeping up. Despite it all, though, they finally got out of Minas Tirith, and were faced with the sight of the Pelennor Fields stretching out proudly before them.
It was then that Aragorn turned to the men and Elf, weary grey eyes looking at them each with a long look. "I do not ask you to follow me." He said sincerely, searching their faces for some answers. Haldir couldn't help raise a brow and smile lightly.
"You have not asked me to do many things, yet I do them anyway. I fear there is no getting rid of me now." He replied in his native tongue, an amused glint in his eyes. Aragorn smiled, nodding his head, before looking back up to the others. Ellvalan was the first to comment, by drawing his long sword and holding it up proud.
"No one dares take the Queen from her home without punishment. I shall follow you gladly and willingly." Anoroth next stood tall and erect,
"By these evil men, many of my kin has died. I will not let them slip away unpunished! My sword is with yours, Lord of Gondor!" Hérfara simply twitched.
"I shall come... Though I must admit, I'm still uneasy about this." He ended with an uneasy grin. Gurfund nodded,
"I shall go where my friends go, and my friends are in this company. Ever shall our swords be drawn together, and our victories be long sung of!" He drew his sword and held it high aloft. Next Faramir spoke.
"Long have I defended Gondor in my brother's absence, and long still before that. Gondor shall not fall to any of her enemies! Not in this hour nor any ahead!" He too drew his sword. Namoron grumbled something and nodded, tapping the hilt of his sword where it was resting in its scabbard half- heartedly. Haldir rubbed the back of his neck.
"Begging your pardon, but ah - I never knew Gondor was a woman." He commented truthfully, making the former Ranger truly chuckle. How one comment could dispel the mood and atmosphere of bravery so quickly was beyond him. Haldir looked up with an incredulous expression.
"I have been wondering for many years now. Elves do not-"
"Well you seem to forget, Elf, that you are the only one of your kind here." Namoron interrupted hastily, glaring at the March warden, who was just about to retort with a sharp comment when Aragorn held up a hand.
"Please, not now." His tone was firm, and even more so as he sent a hard glance at the man who had just insulted his best friend. He couldn't handle this right now. His mind was already swimming with possibilities of every situation; most of which were grim Haldir, sensing his weariness, cut in.
"Well I thought the comment was inappropriate- my lord."
"I daresay it is not your place to decide what is inappropriate, and what is not." Aragorn said, in no mood to argue. He knew very well that Namoron was one of the nobles whom resented having to bow before a mere Ranger. And then even more so when he found out he would also have to bow before an Elf.
"I think I shall go over the trail that I have thought up." He started slowly, ignoring the indignant expression he was receiving from Namoron. He hadn't lived this long to be effected by some over-proud mortal's resentment towards Elves.
"First we must reach the Anduin before we stop for rest, and fill our flasks with water, and there I advise we take a rest. There is far yet still to travel. I also advise we travel south a few miles away from the city, so that we may not be spotted, if anyone be at its-- sorry, her -- borders." Gurfund raised a brow at him, realizing that Haldir must have been figuring all of this out while everyone else was silent and idle, save Aragorn and Namoron.
He paused for a moment, then spoke again, "Then make our way through Emyn Arnen, since I dare not say we take the Harad Road, which they are most likely coming upon, though we will have to risk it when we reach the Crossings of Poros, where the waters are deep and swift, and cold to the touch, even in the summertime, so we cannot wade, and must cross the bridge. Then in a week or so after that, we will be in the Great Desert, and make for Tul Poac." And so he
ended. Aragorn was beyond grateful that Haldir had taken charge. Of course, he felt like a fool not being able to plan a rescue mission for his own wife, yet his mind was just not in the best of states right now.
"And how do you suppose we get back? We just run off with her majesty and hope that we can out-run them? And who is to say they are not just hiding her somewhere outside of Gondor? Or what if they simply took her and killed her, hoping that Gondor would come looking for her, which would give them a perfect time to strike?" Namoron spoke again, not believing any of this. Aragorn winced slightly, the very thought frightening him more than anything before. What he was afraid to admit, though, was that the Gondorian was making a very valid point.
The Elf pursed his lips in annoyance, standing to his full height from the slight slouch he had attained for the past few moments, looking down upon Namoron with an intimidating stare. "That is not yet decided. The hardest job to finish is the one that's never started, as good Samwise Gamgee of the Halflings said. Do you think the Fellowship marched off to Mordor"--he waved his hand eastward, not seeming to notice the gasps of the saying of its real name--"with everything planned out? And things may yet go amiss." He shrugged, and was silent for a moment, "Come
on...." He said finally, and started trudging along southwards. The others followed with heavy hearts.
~~~
When Arwen awoke, she didn't know where in Middle-earth she was. With a slight groan, the daughter of Elrond sat up, yet was nearly instantly back down on the cold ground when a hand came into contact with her face. Her first reaction was to question the person that had just dared strike her. The dark eyes of a large, burly, dark-skinned man greeted her. He was robed in deep crimsons, most of his face veiled with flimsy material. As clear blue optics took a few moments to look around the area, Arwen was shocked to see dark, menacing rocks her, as well as several other men like the first one she had seen. With a gasp of realisation, she realised that these were the Haradrim. They had taken her from the council-the man with the wine-It all came back to her.
"What've you done!?" She exclaimed, daring to sit up again. The Queen of Gondor found that her ankles had been bound together, as well as her wrists. No hand came to push her back down, but instead one of them dressed like the others, yet seemingly in richer garments, as well as holding a bright silver spear stalked up to he.
"It seems you've awaken." He commented smugly, voice thick with an accent Arwen had never heard before. She glared and tried to stand, despite her bonds, yet couldn't move an inch when a dark hand grasped her upper arm tightly.
"Do not patronise me!" She sneered, tears filling her eyes. Aragorn- what could they have done? She murmured a prayer to Elbereth before asking the next question. "What've you done? What've you done with my husband? I demand to know!" The Southron laughed.
"You are in a position to demand Ivery/I little, my dear. Now I suggest you shut up, and we'll give you no trouble. We will not have hurt the king, Elfy, don't worry." Arwen's eyes widened.
"What do you want?"
He raised a brow, staring at the raven-haired woman before him. "Very little," All the men smirked.
"Only Gondor and Arnor."
~~~
Buahaha. Ebil Southrons uff dh00m. o.o;;; We shall we vhat happens in zee ext chapter, no? ^-^ Reviews! REVIEWS! REVIEW YOU SHEEPISH DOLTS! xD
And please excuse any typos. It's 3:00 am here, and I wanna go to bed. ;-;
Did I mention to review? x3