Elemental Destiny
By: Arieth Tydings
**This isn't a LOTR fic but it was inspired by it. Hope you like it.**
"Their time is drawing near Loki." Loki looked up from the book he was studying. Choosing not to voice his opinion on the matter, he gazed into the eyes of the man in front of him. "Don't look at me like that! You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Yes I know. But I don't know what exactly you expect me to do about it. They aren't ready."
"Then we need to make them ready."
"And how do you suppose we do that?"
With an exasperated sigh, Atlas plopped down into the chair across from Loki, who by this time had decided to go back to reading.
"I don't know. You're the older one. You're supposed to know what we have to do."
"Well I don't! I think we should just sit and wait a bit longer. If we go rushing headstrong into the situation, it's liable to end up in utter disaster."
"And if we wait too long, what then?"
"We won't be waiting that long" Loki smiled to try and reassure him.
Atlas sighed again. " Whatever you say…"
* * *
"P-P-Please…leave me alone!"
The two bandits laughed at the cowering girl before them.
"But we don't want to deary."
"Please." The poor girl was on the verge of tears. " I'll give you whatever you want."
The bandit closest to her grabbed her by the hair. "What if it's you we want?" The young girl whimpered.
"Didn't your mothers ever teach you that no means no?" The grungy bandits turned towards the voice, giving the girl the opportunity to run off. "Awww. Looks like you lost her boys."
"That's alright. We can settle for you." A grin appeared on one of the bandits, revealing two rows of yellow teeth. The cloaked figure cringed.
"Well, here comes that 'no' word again. But this time you will learn the true meaning of it." Saying this the female drew a long blade, causing the two men to laugh.
"You're going to teach us with THAT?" The one bandit held onto the other to keep himself from falling over with laughter.
She gave a slight shrug. "If I have to."
"Then," Both men drew their swords. "We're ready to learn."
With an intense off-key yell the first bandit lunged at her. Easily she blocked the blow, nicking the vile man just below his right eye.
"Look Rich, she got you!"
The bleeding Rich roared and lunged again. With the grace of a cat, the cloaked figure leapt up into the air, and above the man. She came down on his back, pushing him to the ground. "Next…" She gingerly stepped off of the fallen bandit and walked a few steps away, taking a fighting stance. The second bandit ran towards her, tripping over his fallen comrade. As the two struggled to untangle themselves, the woman cast off her hood. " I do not have all day to tarry with the likes of you two."
With a growl of frustration, the bandits stood up ready to fight again. But the sight in front of them gave them pause. " She…she…she…" Rich stared at her, his mouth agape. "She's an elf!"
For the first time the two men were able to see the woman clearly. Her golden hair was tightly kept together in a braid down her back. Not a hair was out of place. Eyes the colour of the sea after a storm stared back at them. The garments she wore were wrought out of Elvin cloth and seemed to hold a light of their own between the woven threads. She was dressed in the garb of the elves from Daegonwroth, the Elvin kingdom by the sea. She had no visible marks pertaining to her race, unless you looked closely, other then her finely pointed ears.
"RUN!" Both men scrambled to be the first one away from the elf, muttering reverent prayers that she would forgive them for this grave trespass.
With a sigh she sheathed her blade and began to walk back to her horse. "Bugger."
From high above her head she heard the cry of a falcon. Frowning slightly, since those birds weren't seen very much around these parts. She raised her gaze skyward, shielding her eyes with one hand. With another cry the falcon circled, a bundle falling from it's clawed grip. With the quick reflexes granted to all elves, she caught the bundle before it hit the ground. It was wrapped in soft brown leather and bound with coarse string. Carefully she untied the knotted mass and removed an object from inside the smooth leather. A smile appeared on her face as she gazed into her hand. An age-worn silver ring lay in her palm, a red stone set into the tarnished metal. Placing it on her thumb, that being the only finger the man's ring would fit on; she unfolded the parchment that had been with the ring.
My Dearest Raine,
Your presence is wanted on a mission of utmost importance. Actually the truth is, a friend of mine has asked that I meet him in Mioni village. Since you and Azrael have nothing better to do, and much time to waste might I add, I thought it would be less boring if you two accompanied me. I'll be wanting my ring back so you will need to eventually come see me anyway. I shall be leaving with the next fortnight. Hopefully you will be joining us. You know where to find me.
Brendon
P.S. I don't want to have to go hunting you down to retrieve my ring. And no fighting with Azrael!
Her smile widened as she folded the paper back up and placed it into her pack. Getting up onto her horse she led him into an open field. With a whispered word she goaded him into a full gallop.
* * *
With a contented sigh Azrael relaxed into the steaming hot spring. Closing his eyes, he rotated his sore shoulders trying to work some of the kinks out. He had made the fool mistake of deciding to train with the guards that morning, and now he was paying for it. He and his father had just returned from a six month long leave. He had missed his home but knew that all of the diplomatic meetings that he had been forced to sit through had been rather important for all the parties involved. The meetings had been important, but they had left very little room for training. Groaning he dunked his head under the water. When he resurfaced he swiped the wet hair off of his face and once more took up he position against the wall.
"Master." Enjoying his time alone and wishing it not to be disturbed by anything, Azrael chose to ignore the servant. " Master."
Seeing as he had no choice, Azrael opened his eyes and looked up at his manservant. " Yes Ailin?"
Ailin cleared his throat. " Sir this has just arrived for you." He handed the folded piece of parchment to the wet outstretched hand that was offered. The servant then retreated back to his duties.
The tired Elvin prince sighed as he looked down at the paper. He hoped to everything that was good in this world that it wasn't another summoning. Turing it over in his hand, he saw no royal seal. In fact there were no marks at all on it to give his at least a hint as to who it was from. The prince frowned. Unfolding it carefully and trying not to get it too wet he gazed down at the script he knew so well.
Azrael,
Meet me in Mioni Village within the next fortnight, don't be late! We're going on a trip!
Brendon
P.S. Raine is coming.
Azrael smiled. He hadn't seen Brendon in about a year. It was about time he paid him a visit. Riane on the other hand, well, he hadn't seen her for even longer. He wondered if she was still mad at him. He thought of the last time they'd been together and laughed. She had been very, very angry with him. He frowned. It was her fault he had gotten drunk anyway! But she wouldn't believe him if he told her. Shaking his head, he jumped out of the spring. The hot water was no longer soothing. He stalked towards his room, completely oblivious to his naked state, his thoughts focused elsewhere.
* * *
"Hurry Up Wench!" A smelly man at the far end of the tavern yelled.
"I'll be there when I'm ready!" the serving girl yelled back. She was completely used to the everyday activity of the tavern. She had been working there since she had become old enough to work. Nothing ever changed there. Picking up some empty glasses from a nearby table, she wove her way through the tavern, passing the inebriated man.
"I said hurry up!"
"Just wait!!! You'll get your ale!" She stepped aside when someone spilt there drink and walked up to the bar. "Hurry up Jamieson. The customers are getting antsy." She paused and leant over the bar. "Jamieson?" Her gaze moving downwards, she saw the old man asleep. With a slight smile she gently shook him awake.
"Oh Blimey! I must've fallen asleep!"
"Yes Jamieson you did." She smiled lovingly down at the old man. "Now come on. You can have a nap later, right now you have drinks to make!"
Jamieson returned her smile with a slightly toothless grin. " You're too good to me Lee."
She grabbed the two mugs of foamy beer before replying. " I know."
By: Arieth Tydings
**This isn't a LOTR fic but it was inspired by it. Hope you like it.**
"Their time is drawing near Loki." Loki looked up from the book he was studying. Choosing not to voice his opinion on the matter, he gazed into the eyes of the man in front of him. "Don't look at me like that! You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"Yes I know. But I don't know what exactly you expect me to do about it. They aren't ready."
"Then we need to make them ready."
"And how do you suppose we do that?"
With an exasperated sigh, Atlas plopped down into the chair across from Loki, who by this time had decided to go back to reading.
"I don't know. You're the older one. You're supposed to know what we have to do."
"Well I don't! I think we should just sit and wait a bit longer. If we go rushing headstrong into the situation, it's liable to end up in utter disaster."
"And if we wait too long, what then?"
"We won't be waiting that long" Loki smiled to try and reassure him.
Atlas sighed again. " Whatever you say…"
* * *
"P-P-Please…leave me alone!"
The two bandits laughed at the cowering girl before them.
"But we don't want to deary."
"Please." The poor girl was on the verge of tears. " I'll give you whatever you want."
The bandit closest to her grabbed her by the hair. "What if it's you we want?" The young girl whimpered.
"Didn't your mothers ever teach you that no means no?" The grungy bandits turned towards the voice, giving the girl the opportunity to run off. "Awww. Looks like you lost her boys."
"That's alright. We can settle for you." A grin appeared on one of the bandits, revealing two rows of yellow teeth. The cloaked figure cringed.
"Well, here comes that 'no' word again. But this time you will learn the true meaning of it." Saying this the female drew a long blade, causing the two men to laugh.
"You're going to teach us with THAT?" The one bandit held onto the other to keep himself from falling over with laughter.
She gave a slight shrug. "If I have to."
"Then," Both men drew their swords. "We're ready to learn."
With an intense off-key yell the first bandit lunged at her. Easily she blocked the blow, nicking the vile man just below his right eye.
"Look Rich, she got you!"
The bleeding Rich roared and lunged again. With the grace of a cat, the cloaked figure leapt up into the air, and above the man. She came down on his back, pushing him to the ground. "Next…" She gingerly stepped off of the fallen bandit and walked a few steps away, taking a fighting stance. The second bandit ran towards her, tripping over his fallen comrade. As the two struggled to untangle themselves, the woman cast off her hood. " I do not have all day to tarry with the likes of you two."
With a growl of frustration, the bandits stood up ready to fight again. But the sight in front of them gave them pause. " She…she…she…" Rich stared at her, his mouth agape. "She's an elf!"
For the first time the two men were able to see the woman clearly. Her golden hair was tightly kept together in a braid down her back. Not a hair was out of place. Eyes the colour of the sea after a storm stared back at them. The garments she wore were wrought out of Elvin cloth and seemed to hold a light of their own between the woven threads. She was dressed in the garb of the elves from Daegonwroth, the Elvin kingdom by the sea. She had no visible marks pertaining to her race, unless you looked closely, other then her finely pointed ears.
"RUN!" Both men scrambled to be the first one away from the elf, muttering reverent prayers that she would forgive them for this grave trespass.
With a sigh she sheathed her blade and began to walk back to her horse. "Bugger."
From high above her head she heard the cry of a falcon. Frowning slightly, since those birds weren't seen very much around these parts. She raised her gaze skyward, shielding her eyes with one hand. With another cry the falcon circled, a bundle falling from it's clawed grip. With the quick reflexes granted to all elves, she caught the bundle before it hit the ground. It was wrapped in soft brown leather and bound with coarse string. Carefully she untied the knotted mass and removed an object from inside the smooth leather. A smile appeared on her face as she gazed into her hand. An age-worn silver ring lay in her palm, a red stone set into the tarnished metal. Placing it on her thumb, that being the only finger the man's ring would fit on; she unfolded the parchment that had been with the ring.
My Dearest Raine,
Your presence is wanted on a mission of utmost importance. Actually the truth is, a friend of mine has asked that I meet him in Mioni village. Since you and Azrael have nothing better to do, and much time to waste might I add, I thought it would be less boring if you two accompanied me. I'll be wanting my ring back so you will need to eventually come see me anyway. I shall be leaving with the next fortnight. Hopefully you will be joining us. You know where to find me.
Brendon
P.S. I don't want to have to go hunting you down to retrieve my ring. And no fighting with Azrael!
Her smile widened as she folded the paper back up and placed it into her pack. Getting up onto her horse she led him into an open field. With a whispered word she goaded him into a full gallop.
* * *
With a contented sigh Azrael relaxed into the steaming hot spring. Closing his eyes, he rotated his sore shoulders trying to work some of the kinks out. He had made the fool mistake of deciding to train with the guards that morning, and now he was paying for it. He and his father had just returned from a six month long leave. He had missed his home but knew that all of the diplomatic meetings that he had been forced to sit through had been rather important for all the parties involved. The meetings had been important, but they had left very little room for training. Groaning he dunked his head under the water. When he resurfaced he swiped the wet hair off of his face and once more took up he position against the wall.
"Master." Enjoying his time alone and wishing it not to be disturbed by anything, Azrael chose to ignore the servant. " Master."
Seeing as he had no choice, Azrael opened his eyes and looked up at his manservant. " Yes Ailin?"
Ailin cleared his throat. " Sir this has just arrived for you." He handed the folded piece of parchment to the wet outstretched hand that was offered. The servant then retreated back to his duties.
The tired Elvin prince sighed as he looked down at the paper. He hoped to everything that was good in this world that it wasn't another summoning. Turing it over in his hand, he saw no royal seal. In fact there were no marks at all on it to give his at least a hint as to who it was from. The prince frowned. Unfolding it carefully and trying not to get it too wet he gazed down at the script he knew so well.
Azrael,
Meet me in Mioni Village within the next fortnight, don't be late! We're going on a trip!
Brendon
P.S. Raine is coming.
Azrael smiled. He hadn't seen Brendon in about a year. It was about time he paid him a visit. Riane on the other hand, well, he hadn't seen her for even longer. He wondered if she was still mad at him. He thought of the last time they'd been together and laughed. She had been very, very angry with him. He frowned. It was her fault he had gotten drunk anyway! But she wouldn't believe him if he told her. Shaking his head, he jumped out of the spring. The hot water was no longer soothing. He stalked towards his room, completely oblivious to his naked state, his thoughts focused elsewhere.
* * *
"Hurry Up Wench!" A smelly man at the far end of the tavern yelled.
"I'll be there when I'm ready!" the serving girl yelled back. She was completely used to the everyday activity of the tavern. She had been working there since she had become old enough to work. Nothing ever changed there. Picking up some empty glasses from a nearby table, she wove her way through the tavern, passing the inebriated man.
"I said hurry up!"
"Just wait!!! You'll get your ale!" She stepped aside when someone spilt there drink and walked up to the bar. "Hurry up Jamieson. The customers are getting antsy." She paused and leant over the bar. "Jamieson?" Her gaze moving downwards, she saw the old man asleep. With a slight smile she gently shook him awake.
"Oh Blimey! I must've fallen asleep!"
"Yes Jamieson you did." She smiled lovingly down at the old man. "Now come on. You can have a nap later, right now you have drinks to make!"
Jamieson returned her smile with a slightly toothless grin. " You're too good to me Lee."
She grabbed the two mugs of foamy beer before replying. " I know."