*Author's Note*: First of all, I'd like to thank all you great reviewers!! Namely, Link0010, Starlight, ????, Cyrin-Dara, and of course my buddy Kora! You guys are so awesome and I'm so glad that you like the story. Every review, encourages me and keeps me writing. So thanks bunches!! *hands out apple pie and lemonade to everyone* What the heck? It might not be summer yet, but I can at least hand out the food for it right? :-)

P.S. Thanx again to Cyrin-Dara. And I think that you're writing is fantabulous! And also, you're welcome for the reviews! I can't wait to finish your story! The same goes to Starlight! Great story! Original and innovative! And of course to Kora as well. Great story! But you know that already! ;-) Thanx again!

This chapter is dedicated to all you fine folks!

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Below the Orthanc, standing at the gates, stood Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took, not lost anymore, but found and taken under the protection of the Ents. Pippin laughed at a joke at Saruman's expense that one of the Ents grumbled above him, but Merry did not laugh. Instead he turned away, his face still and serious. Pippin laughed and smacked Merry. "Whats the matter Merry? Somethin' you ate?" He asked cheerfully. Merry put his hand on Pippin's. "Hush! I'm tryin' to hear. I thought I heard somethin'." He murmured quietly. Pippin stopped, listening to the silence that now echoed around them. "I don't hear anythin' Mer-," Even as Pippin spoke, a piercing scream sailed above them from the Orthanc. Merry and Pipping whirled around to stare at the tall black spire in amazement. "What was that?" Merry murmured. "Most likely some poor creature in Saruman's service." The Ent murmured above them.

"An Orc don't sound like that does it?" Pippin asked. "Some do, some don't. A goblin perhaps. I know not." The Ent said slowly. "That did not sound like the scream of a goblin, or an Orc. It sounded like a woman's scream." Merry said softly. Pippin shook his head. "And why perhaps, would Saruman be torturin' a woman? Hmm? Tell me that Mr. Brandybuck. If you ask me, we probably shouldn't even worry about it. Its really none of our business." Pippin babbled on and on, but Merry's eyes remained fixed on the dark tower, listening closely to the sounds around him. He heard the scream no more. "Orc!" Pippin suddenly yelled, drawing his sword. Merry focused his eyes and saw that it was true. A large Orc now ran towards the battered gates, a large bundle in his arms. He tossed it towards the entrance and ran back to the tower, shutting the door quickly. "Yes, run you coward! Stupid creatures." The Ent above them called.

"What do you suppose that bundle is Merry? Food?" Pippin asked, eyeing his friend's stern gaze. "I don't think so. I don't know what it is Pip, but I'm gonna find out." Merry said gravely, walking tentatively towards the lump that lay at the entrance of the gates. Pippin followed behind him, his sword drawn, his face nervous as he glanced around. After a little ways, to Pippin's surprise, Merry began to run towards the figure, making it harder for him to catch up. "Wait up Merry! Wait!" He yelled as he pushed his short little legs with all his might. Merry fell to the ground beside the bundle, which Pippin saw now was not a bundle after all, but a person, a woman. Merry's eyes were widened in astonishment as he stared at the face. Pippin stood above him, squinting at the face in the impending twilight. Through the blood, sweat and bruises that covered the woman's face, he saw a semblance of identity, a face, a realization. Pippin dropped to his knees and peered closer, even as Merry raised his hand to his forehead, caressing his face gently.

Pippin leaned down and wiped a trail of blood that trailed along the girl's eye, trying to discover the identity, the memory that he sought. He finally sat back on his heels, his mouth open. "Merry, its," He whispered. "I know. Its Aria. She was here the whole time, probably lookin' fer us. Probably searchin' and she was right in front of our faces and we just left her to die!" Merry said angrily. Pippin didn't speak, but he leaned down and grasped the bruised hand on the ground. "Aria, wake up. You cannot sleep out here. Its Pippin, and, and Merry. We've come for you. Wake up now. We'll get you some food." Pippin coaxed softly, his hand running over her palm and fingers. Merry looked up and stared at Pippin. "Pip, she's dead. She's dead you hear! She can't hear you no more." He whispered urgently. Pippin shook his head determindedly. "I can't believe that. Elves can't die. You said so yourself. Sam said that. Elves can't die." Pippin said firmly.

"Oh, but they can little hobbit." A deep voice rumbled above the hobbits, causing them to look up. The great Ent they knew as Treebeard stood high above them, watching the scene. Gently, he reached down and scooped the body up, holding it to him. "Elves may die in battle or of a broken heart. That is the way of things." Pippin stared into space, a tear falling from his eyes. Merry, being the elder of the two, held his tears back as an example, but Pippin paid no notice. As the tears welled into his friend's eyes, Merry quickly grasped his friend's shoulders and pulled him close. He had been there for him at Gandalf's death, and he would be with him now, for Merry knew that Pippin rarely experienced death, and he knew that he had to be there for him.

The Ent gently laid the body on a marble bench that lay outside the gates of Isengard. Merry and Pippin walked up to it, staring at the Elf's face. Though horribly beaten, it was still beautiful as the moon shone through, casting pieces of creamy light onto her face. Pippin gulped several times, then finally wiped away his tears. He gently unclasped the brooch that hung by a thread from her cloak. Then he gently laid her hands across her chest, slipping the brooch between her fingers. Pippin stood there a while, before speaking in a soft, queer tone. "If I wasn't so stupid, I would sing her a song. One of the songs from her own country, but, as it is," Pippin's words trailed off. "Don't say that! She wouldn't want you to be sayin' such things about yourself! Besides, you're not stupid." Merry protested. Pippin was silent and did not look at his friend."So she really is dead then?" Pippin asked quietly. "Yes Pip. She's really dead." Merry said softly. "We should bury her then shouldn't we?" Pippin asked. "I suppose, but," Merry said, before he was interrupted by Treebeard. "Wait but a little while. It is an Elven tradition to lay the body of a loved one to rest for the time in a public place to be revered by family. Besides, the wind brings me tidings that your friends are arriving soon." Treebeard said gently.

"But she has no family. We can't very well go and find the Lady of the Wood now can we Merry? Aria would have wanted her to come." Pippin asked. Merry had to smile at his Pippin's words. His friend always managed to think of the affairs of others, of their desires. "I know Pip, but, we can't. We're the only family she has now. We have to act as her family in replacin' the ones that can't come." Merry explained quietly. Pippin nodded, as though he didn't even hear his cousin's words, his eyes falling once more upon the body of the Elf. "Frodo will be heartbroken when he finds out. If he ever comes back that is." Pippin murmured, closing his eyes sadly. "Why don't you both take the first watch tonight by the gates? It will help you sort your thoughts." Treebeard rumbled. The two hobbits looked up at him and nodded, walking slowly towards the remains of the gate and sitting down beside one another.

The Ent looked after them, emitting a long sigh as he looked back down at the elf that lay before him. He knew that the body was slowly growing colder by the minute, the face frozen for eternity. He slowly began to hum, then began to sing, his deep voice rumbling the entire place. Inside the Orthanc, Saruman clutched his white cloak closer to him, the deep voice rumbling through the tower, rattling the windows that had been opened by the Elf-Queen's power. And the Ent sang a lament from the place called Lorien, that had been sung only a few times, but was always sung at the death of one of their kindred.

Long have you walked the paths of the earth,

Traveled so far, treasured it's worth.

But the journey has ended, the light gone dark,

Far your heart flew, as high as the lark.

Still a light shines, the dimmest of all,

Shines weakly as the shadows fall.
Close your eyes.

Time flies.

The candle burns,

The flame soon discerns.

The senses doubt,

The candle has gone out.

Then the giant Ent's gaze fell upon the Elven Queen once more and his entire body shook as he whispered in the Elven tongue,

Caled veleg, ethuiannen. (A great light, has gone out.)

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