Disclaimer: You've got a brain!
Anra
By Sailor Book
Sorry that it's taken me so long to write this, but I've been too obsessed with reading fanfics instead of writing! ;) So anyway, originally each spirit's speech was going to be exactly the same, but I decided that that would be too boring! See ya! ;) ^_^
GUYS! GUYS! *Really excited* I JUST found out where I got the idea for the name Aniron! It's Arwen and Aragorn's song! I feel reaaaallllyyyy stupid now. *head smack* *head smack* *head smack* Ok, I'm pathetic.
Chapter Six: Of Terem and a Dying Anra
(a/n: isn't the title evil? Hehehehehehehe)
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas identified the "cloud." Black crows were heading their way. No one knew who said "Hide!" But everyone was running for shelter. John and Strider hid under a rock, a pool of water (Anra) beside John. They would never have fit if Elise had been in human form, so conveniently she learned the art of turning herself into a small puddle. After the crows had started their return trip to Isenguard, Gandalf proclaimed,
"Then we must take the pass of Caradhras..."
As the company reached the deep snow of Caradhras, they were astonished to discover a path, with not a single spot of snow covering it, before them as far up the mountain as they could see. John could tell the perpetrator, for she had a smug look on her face. Indeed, everyone turned toward Elise, and turned away, shaking their heads and muttering. But their good luck was not to last for long. Soon it started to snow hard, more violent than anyone but Strider and mayhap Gandalf had encountered. Of course the snow never reached them, but the wind… The wind chilled them, robbing their body of the meager warmth they had possessed from the exertion of climbing.
"Is there ANYTHING you can do about the wind?" John had turned around and looked at her pleadingly.
"Nope. There's absolutely… Wait a moment! I have an idea! Give me your hand!" She took his reluctant hand (Hello! It's cold! What could she be thinking?!?!) and using the contact traveled through his mind. She found what she was looking for soon, hidden behind a plain, wooden, but heavily barred door. Passing through… the wind died down and she opened her eyes, finding both herself and John glowing. Because they were in the back of the line, no one noticed. Thank goodness.
"Er… Why was I glowing blue?" Her mind raced as she tried to find a suitable answer. Right now was not the time to tell him her guess.
"It's… Um… the color of your energy. I had to use it because Air is really not my element. So… Er… Don't worry about it. I will go away soon."
A howling filled their ears, and Legolas (he has really keen ears 'cause he's an elf. So that's why they're pointed! ;)) was extremely sure that it was not just the wind. Besides, the wind was gone. How could it be the wind?
"Look out!" Snow was falling… falling… and going over the edge. The Fellowship felt a tad ridiculous, pressed up against the mountain, but they all finally remembered to breath. Of course the mountain was even more furious with them. Soon boulders were coming down, which Elise desperately tried to stop by freezing them and pushing them over the edge. But as more and more came down, she knew she would fail.
"Gandalf! I can't take much more of this! If it brings down any more, we'll be crushed for certain!"
Pippin was enjoying his rock throwing. Strider stopped his arm just as he was about to throw another rock.
"Do not disturb the water." Elise heard and turned away from the door. Her eyes held deep weariness. Even all the snow of Caradhras had not been enough. The unlocking of a small piece of John's magic had taken a great deal out of her. What she needed was rest. She wondered what was wrong with the water. SHE hadn't sensed anything. Ominous ripples marred the previously smooth lake, and eyes blurring, she concentrated her attention below the murky depths. Strider watched carefully as the girl's face became utterly horrified at what she had seen.
"Mellon." The doors to Moria opened, the darkness reminding Henry of childhood fears long since fled. Be careful or the bogey man will get you! His older brother had whispered to him, scaring him with spooky tales of things the bogey man was supposed to have done.
"This place isn't a mine. It's a tomb!" Boromir sneered, and yet his voice held a trace of fear in it. Gimli sobbed as he saw the skeletons strewn liberally around the hallway.
"Goblins!" Legolas broke a black arrow, disgust evident in his tone. Everyone prepared to leave, knowing that with the Wargs (for those who haven't read the books, evil wolves are close behind them) would soon attack. Suddenly, with twin cries, John and Elise were dangling several feet above the rest of the Company, feet held captive by two slimy tentacles. Somehow the thing knew that Elise was a dangerous threat, for it shook her so hard the she could barely think, let alone deal with this new catastrophe.
"Elise! Do something!" John cried as he too was shaken like a rattle by a strong "arm."
"I will when I can think!" She yelled back, holding her head with both hands, as if to keep her brains from escaping. In two tries she managed to unsheathe Anrahem. "First blood, Anrahem!" Somehow she managed to cut off the offending tentacle and fell with a splash into the water. As the company prepared to launch the rescue of John, the water froze completely, engulfing the monster and stopping at John's foot and Strider's leg (his leg being in the water as he was stepping in to attack. Duh! ;)). Water gathered on the surface of the ice… growing into a 5' 6'' tower… and a very wet Elise emerged. "Oh dear," She said dismayed, looking at her cloths. A flick of the hand… "All dry!" A Warg howl filled the night and the Fellowship hurriedly entered Moria, the doors closing by themselves ominously smooth…
"Nooo!" Gimli ran toward the open door.
"Gimli!" Gandalf called, but too late. Gimli had already entered the room and had read the inscription on Balin's coffin…
Elise was afraid. She would spy her first orc in a moment. They were almost through the door. Anrahem was humming to herself, and Elise was only mildly surprised at the sword's blood thirsty nature. She tightened her grip on the sword, sweat making it harder to hold on. And suddenly the orcs poured through like water that has just escaped its dam. Soon all she thought about was chopping and stabbing, her mind concentrating on nothing else… Then she heard the cry… Slowly she turned, to witness John being stabbed by the cave troll. No, she mouthed. Don't leave me alone… He fell over… dead. There were very few orcs left. She sank to her knees, Anrahem clattering beside her. A rage filled her. Killed before she had the chance to find out if he was really Aniron. She called up all the magic she possessed, her whole heart and soul pouring energy into the rising of all the waters of Moria… Orcs and other evil creatures drowned by the thousands… A purple glow surrounded her uplifted head, and outstretched arms… The Fellowship could hear the rushing of water… Soon it would be up to their level. In desperation, the last few orcs flung themselves toward her, trying to get near enough to kill her… But Tina stood in their way… But as the orcs fear grew so did their determination to get rid of this threat. There were too many for poor Tina… The others were too busy mourning John, unheedful of the drama next to them… Anra cried in pain, a roar splitting the air. She sank to the ground, unconscious, as a sword went through Tina's heart… The world was suddenly suffused with emerald light.
"En a Terem! En juy garf! En poa gux Dif! Gux bsa opfi kedina!" (I am Terem! I have come! I sense the way! The Light will encompass!) After Teremhem had been created and attached to Terem, she rushed toward the slumped form. "Anra! Anra, speak to me!" Terem shook her friend, face transfixed with worry. "Please, don't let me Awaken only to find you dead!" Anra gave a small moan, almost a whimper, and lay still, barely breathing. Another fearsome roar called to them. The roar of an angry Balrog, who has had the indignity of water being poured on him. "You fool! Why did you put all your mind, heart, and soul into the water! Why? Didn't you sense the demon?" Terem took a second look at her oldest of friends, noting the dark circles under her eyes, and the lines of weariness.
John, who was not dead at all (Mithril, folks, only $999,999,999,999,999!), padded up to the newly awakened Terem.
"I will take her." His voice was soft. He put a hand on Terem's shoulder, trying to comfort the girl, who always seemed to be tears for one reason or another. Henry walked forward and just held Terem, letting her weep. John picked up Anra, slinging her right arm over his shoulder. She was extremely light because scarily enough she seemed completely made of water. The tiniest detail was represented, but it still was disconcerting to the rest of the Fellowship. Most gaped at the picture, uncertain what had exactly happened. John paid them no mind, for he had seen her this way when he had worn the Ring. "We must leave. Whatever did this to her is coming." Another bellow called out its agreement.
"A Balrog," Gandalf contributed, "one of the demons of the ancient world. Swords are no more use here! Run!"
"Throw her over!" Tina pleaded with John. They were on the stairs heading toward Khazad-Dûm, only John and Strider had to cross the gap between the stairs. He shook his head, reluctant to let go of his precious (one can almost hear Gollum in the backround, "My Precccioussss." ^_^) burden, when the Balrog somehow caused the part of the stair behind him to collapse, allowing the portion they were on to wobble dangerously. "THROW HER OVER!" Tina pleaded once more. But it was too late. Any attempt he might make would mean certain failure. At last, Strider tilted them forward, so they were able to leap onto the stairway the others were occupying. John gulped as the stairs behind him fell into the seemingly bottomless pit. They raced onward, the bridge now in sight. On the other side John paused, noting that Gandalf remained on the bridge. He checked his burden. In the light radiating from the many fires and the Balrog her face looked as if carved from a statue. No pimple marred the unmoving face before him. For one moment he panicked, then saw the slightest of flares from her nostrils. Her chest barely moved up and down at all. Much less than in the Chamber of Mazarbul (the Chamber of Records, room of Balin's Tomb).
"You cannot pass!" As he had been checking to make sure that Elise was still alive, Gandalf had been thwarting the Balrog. Now his staff came down upon the stone like a hammer, causing the stone to break at the Balrog's feet. As the great beast like creature fell, time seemed to slow for John. Achingly clear, he saw the whip wrap around the wizard's leg. Achingly clear he saw the old man fall… falling… there was too much falling for John's liking… falling… "Fly, you fools!" Gone…
Outside the fellowship mourned the loss of such a wise man. He had been everyone's friend. Elise had been carelessly dropped upon a hard rock. John couldn't bear to look at her. He stood slightly apart from the Fellowship, staring outwards. It was all her fault… If it hadn't been for her, they wouldn't be stuck in this situation… All her fault… If she hadn't… She could have saved… All her fault… She tried to… All MY fault… Wiping away tears, he knew such thoughts to be useless. His pseudo memory remembered Gandalf from the time he was a little boy. His first "memory" was of Gandalf's laugh. He heard a voice, sounding very distant and like an echo, said, "Don't leave me alone." He looked at Elise, but she was still unconscious. It COULDN'T have been her. Another voice that sounded suspiciously like his own, laughed, "Don't you remember? I promised. I said that I would never leave you alone. And even though we're mortal now, I never will." Why would he ever say that? John felt that a multitude of memories and voices were waiting to be discovered, their veil starting to be lifted…
"Legolas, get them up."
"Oh let them have a moment for pity's sake." Even Boromir's voice was broken with sorrow.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs." Strider's face showed no sign of sorrow to one who did not know him, but having traveled with him for so long, the others were able to see the sights.
"An-ra wo-would say… 'On-onwards and outwards.'" Terem's sentence was barely coherent. They all looked at the corpse like figure, eyes then traveling to John.
"John! John!" All my fault… He scrubbed his eyes and suddenly he felt better. The guilt should be shared equally… or not at all…
To be continued in Chapter 7. Well? Good, bad, or mediocre?
Anra
By Sailor Book
Sorry that it's taken me so long to write this, but I've been too obsessed with reading fanfics instead of writing! ;) So anyway, originally each spirit's speech was going to be exactly the same, but I decided that that would be too boring! See ya! ;) ^_^
GUYS! GUYS! *Really excited* I JUST found out where I got the idea for the name Aniron! It's Arwen and Aragorn's song! I feel reaaaallllyyyy stupid now. *head smack* *head smack* *head smack* Ok, I'm pathetic.
Chapter Six: Of Terem and a Dying Anra
(a/n: isn't the title evil? Hehehehehehehe)
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas identified the "cloud." Black crows were heading their way. No one knew who said "Hide!" But everyone was running for shelter. John and Strider hid under a rock, a pool of water (Anra) beside John. They would never have fit if Elise had been in human form, so conveniently she learned the art of turning herself into a small puddle. After the crows had started their return trip to Isenguard, Gandalf proclaimed,
"Then we must take the pass of Caradhras..."
As the company reached the deep snow of Caradhras, they were astonished to discover a path, with not a single spot of snow covering it, before them as far up the mountain as they could see. John could tell the perpetrator, for she had a smug look on her face. Indeed, everyone turned toward Elise, and turned away, shaking their heads and muttering. But their good luck was not to last for long. Soon it started to snow hard, more violent than anyone but Strider and mayhap Gandalf had encountered. Of course the snow never reached them, but the wind… The wind chilled them, robbing their body of the meager warmth they had possessed from the exertion of climbing.
"Is there ANYTHING you can do about the wind?" John had turned around and looked at her pleadingly.
"Nope. There's absolutely… Wait a moment! I have an idea! Give me your hand!" She took his reluctant hand (Hello! It's cold! What could she be thinking?!?!) and using the contact traveled through his mind. She found what she was looking for soon, hidden behind a plain, wooden, but heavily barred door. Passing through… the wind died down and she opened her eyes, finding both herself and John glowing. Because they were in the back of the line, no one noticed. Thank goodness.
"Er… Why was I glowing blue?" Her mind raced as she tried to find a suitable answer. Right now was not the time to tell him her guess.
"It's… Um… the color of your energy. I had to use it because Air is really not my element. So… Er… Don't worry about it. I will go away soon."
A howling filled their ears, and Legolas (he has really keen ears 'cause he's an elf. So that's why they're pointed! ;)) was extremely sure that it was not just the wind. Besides, the wind was gone. How could it be the wind?
"Look out!" Snow was falling… falling… and going over the edge. The Fellowship felt a tad ridiculous, pressed up against the mountain, but they all finally remembered to breath. Of course the mountain was even more furious with them. Soon boulders were coming down, which Elise desperately tried to stop by freezing them and pushing them over the edge. But as more and more came down, she knew she would fail.
"Gandalf! I can't take much more of this! If it brings down any more, we'll be crushed for certain!"
Pippin was enjoying his rock throwing. Strider stopped his arm just as he was about to throw another rock.
"Do not disturb the water." Elise heard and turned away from the door. Her eyes held deep weariness. Even all the snow of Caradhras had not been enough. The unlocking of a small piece of John's magic had taken a great deal out of her. What she needed was rest. She wondered what was wrong with the water. SHE hadn't sensed anything. Ominous ripples marred the previously smooth lake, and eyes blurring, she concentrated her attention below the murky depths. Strider watched carefully as the girl's face became utterly horrified at what she had seen.
"Mellon." The doors to Moria opened, the darkness reminding Henry of childhood fears long since fled. Be careful or the bogey man will get you! His older brother had whispered to him, scaring him with spooky tales of things the bogey man was supposed to have done.
"This place isn't a mine. It's a tomb!" Boromir sneered, and yet his voice held a trace of fear in it. Gimli sobbed as he saw the skeletons strewn liberally around the hallway.
"Goblins!" Legolas broke a black arrow, disgust evident in his tone. Everyone prepared to leave, knowing that with the Wargs (for those who haven't read the books, evil wolves are close behind them) would soon attack. Suddenly, with twin cries, John and Elise were dangling several feet above the rest of the Company, feet held captive by two slimy tentacles. Somehow the thing knew that Elise was a dangerous threat, for it shook her so hard the she could barely think, let alone deal with this new catastrophe.
"Elise! Do something!" John cried as he too was shaken like a rattle by a strong "arm."
"I will when I can think!" She yelled back, holding her head with both hands, as if to keep her brains from escaping. In two tries she managed to unsheathe Anrahem. "First blood, Anrahem!" Somehow she managed to cut off the offending tentacle and fell with a splash into the water. As the company prepared to launch the rescue of John, the water froze completely, engulfing the monster and stopping at John's foot and Strider's leg (his leg being in the water as he was stepping in to attack. Duh! ;)). Water gathered on the surface of the ice… growing into a 5' 6'' tower… and a very wet Elise emerged. "Oh dear," She said dismayed, looking at her cloths. A flick of the hand… "All dry!" A Warg howl filled the night and the Fellowship hurriedly entered Moria, the doors closing by themselves ominously smooth…
"Nooo!" Gimli ran toward the open door.
"Gimli!" Gandalf called, but too late. Gimli had already entered the room and had read the inscription on Balin's coffin…
Elise was afraid. She would spy her first orc in a moment. They were almost through the door. Anrahem was humming to herself, and Elise was only mildly surprised at the sword's blood thirsty nature. She tightened her grip on the sword, sweat making it harder to hold on. And suddenly the orcs poured through like water that has just escaped its dam. Soon all she thought about was chopping and stabbing, her mind concentrating on nothing else… Then she heard the cry… Slowly she turned, to witness John being stabbed by the cave troll. No, she mouthed. Don't leave me alone… He fell over… dead. There were very few orcs left. She sank to her knees, Anrahem clattering beside her. A rage filled her. Killed before she had the chance to find out if he was really Aniron. She called up all the magic she possessed, her whole heart and soul pouring energy into the rising of all the waters of Moria… Orcs and other evil creatures drowned by the thousands… A purple glow surrounded her uplifted head, and outstretched arms… The Fellowship could hear the rushing of water… Soon it would be up to their level. In desperation, the last few orcs flung themselves toward her, trying to get near enough to kill her… But Tina stood in their way… But as the orcs fear grew so did their determination to get rid of this threat. There were too many for poor Tina… The others were too busy mourning John, unheedful of the drama next to them… Anra cried in pain, a roar splitting the air. She sank to the ground, unconscious, as a sword went through Tina's heart… The world was suddenly suffused with emerald light.
"En a Terem! En juy garf! En poa gux Dif! Gux bsa opfi kedina!" (I am Terem! I have come! I sense the way! The Light will encompass!) After Teremhem had been created and attached to Terem, she rushed toward the slumped form. "Anra! Anra, speak to me!" Terem shook her friend, face transfixed with worry. "Please, don't let me Awaken only to find you dead!" Anra gave a small moan, almost a whimper, and lay still, barely breathing. Another fearsome roar called to them. The roar of an angry Balrog, who has had the indignity of water being poured on him. "You fool! Why did you put all your mind, heart, and soul into the water! Why? Didn't you sense the demon?" Terem took a second look at her oldest of friends, noting the dark circles under her eyes, and the lines of weariness.
John, who was not dead at all (Mithril, folks, only $999,999,999,999,999!), padded up to the newly awakened Terem.
"I will take her." His voice was soft. He put a hand on Terem's shoulder, trying to comfort the girl, who always seemed to be tears for one reason or another. Henry walked forward and just held Terem, letting her weep. John picked up Anra, slinging her right arm over his shoulder. She was extremely light because scarily enough she seemed completely made of water. The tiniest detail was represented, but it still was disconcerting to the rest of the Fellowship. Most gaped at the picture, uncertain what had exactly happened. John paid them no mind, for he had seen her this way when he had worn the Ring. "We must leave. Whatever did this to her is coming." Another bellow called out its agreement.
"A Balrog," Gandalf contributed, "one of the demons of the ancient world. Swords are no more use here! Run!"
"Throw her over!" Tina pleaded with John. They were on the stairs heading toward Khazad-Dûm, only John and Strider had to cross the gap between the stairs. He shook his head, reluctant to let go of his precious (one can almost hear Gollum in the backround, "My Precccioussss." ^_^) burden, when the Balrog somehow caused the part of the stair behind him to collapse, allowing the portion they were on to wobble dangerously. "THROW HER OVER!" Tina pleaded once more. But it was too late. Any attempt he might make would mean certain failure. At last, Strider tilted them forward, so they were able to leap onto the stairway the others were occupying. John gulped as the stairs behind him fell into the seemingly bottomless pit. They raced onward, the bridge now in sight. On the other side John paused, noting that Gandalf remained on the bridge. He checked his burden. In the light radiating from the many fires and the Balrog her face looked as if carved from a statue. No pimple marred the unmoving face before him. For one moment he panicked, then saw the slightest of flares from her nostrils. Her chest barely moved up and down at all. Much less than in the Chamber of Mazarbul (the Chamber of Records, room of Balin's Tomb).
"You cannot pass!" As he had been checking to make sure that Elise was still alive, Gandalf had been thwarting the Balrog. Now his staff came down upon the stone like a hammer, causing the stone to break at the Balrog's feet. As the great beast like creature fell, time seemed to slow for John. Achingly clear, he saw the whip wrap around the wizard's leg. Achingly clear he saw the old man fall… falling… there was too much falling for John's liking… falling… "Fly, you fools!" Gone…
Outside the fellowship mourned the loss of such a wise man. He had been everyone's friend. Elise had been carelessly dropped upon a hard rock. John couldn't bear to look at her. He stood slightly apart from the Fellowship, staring outwards. It was all her fault… If it hadn't been for her, they wouldn't be stuck in this situation… All her fault… If she hadn't… She could have saved… All her fault… She tried to… All MY fault… Wiping away tears, he knew such thoughts to be useless. His pseudo memory remembered Gandalf from the time he was a little boy. His first "memory" was of Gandalf's laugh. He heard a voice, sounding very distant and like an echo, said, "Don't leave me alone." He looked at Elise, but she was still unconscious. It COULDN'T have been her. Another voice that sounded suspiciously like his own, laughed, "Don't you remember? I promised. I said that I would never leave you alone. And even though we're mortal now, I never will." Why would he ever say that? John felt that a multitude of memories and voices were waiting to be discovered, their veil starting to be lifted…
"Legolas, get them up."
"Oh let them have a moment for pity's sake." Even Boromir's voice was broken with sorrow.
"By nightfall these hills will be swarming with orcs." Strider's face showed no sign of sorrow to one who did not know him, but having traveled with him for so long, the others were able to see the sights.
"An-ra wo-would say… 'On-onwards and outwards.'" Terem's sentence was barely coherent. They all looked at the corpse like figure, eyes then traveling to John.
"John! John!" All my fault… He scrubbed his eyes and suddenly he felt better. The guilt should be shared equally… or not at all…
To be continued in Chapter 7. Well? Good, bad, or mediocre?