*Author's Note*: Hey! Hey! Lets hear it for the people who worked so hard on "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", who were recently awarded four Oscars!! *claps & cheers* Yay!! I would have liked for a Best Picture award, but thats okay. NEXT YEAR!! and also, THE YEAR AFTER THAT!! HA! Take THAT RUSSELL CROWE!!!! :-) I'm bitter. Just kidding! Congrats to all the winners! I also have some more people to thank because without 'em, well, I probably would be so discouraged about my writing, so they MUST be acknowledged. Otherwise I would have failed in my duties as an author. ;-) Thanks so, so, so VERY much, to the fabulous Starlight, the amazing Cyrin-Dara, the spectacular Risque, and of course the marvelous Kora, all of whom have equally wonderful stories which I love to death! You guys rock so greatly, and there are over a thousand words of praise that I would say to you, except that you would never get to this chapter!! ;-) So thank you, thank you, THANK YOU, from the bottom of my heart for all your support!! It gets me through another writing day! This chapter is dedicated to all you wonderful people! THANX!!! Namarie!
Yours,
T.H.
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Many days passed with no sign of the two hobbits. Many times were the two forced to hide from the troops of Orcs that patrolled the lands. Their Elven cloaks helped to conceal them, blending their figures into the darkness. Rillia's golden hair was covered so as not to attract attention and they both cowered in darkness until the danger was past. They had little rest during this journey for they needed it not, both taking turns resting even as they walked so that they were constantly refreshed. Four days passed since the Elves left the dark cave and still there was no sign nor clue of the hobbits.
But when Aria's eyes happened upon Orc mail and cloaks strewn about the road, she stopped. She knelt on the ground and fingered the cloaks and mail thoughtfully. Rillia circled the evidence incriminatingly. "I have seen many strange things on this journey, but this wins the race by far. Why are there Orc cloaks and mail, but no Orcs? And why would an Orc shed his armor and run about without it?" Rillia asked, almost to herself. "It was not Orcs that shed this armor." Aria said with a smile, picking something up from the ground. Rillia frowned and ceased pacing, trying to see the object in Aria's hand. Aria smiled and held up the object in her hand. It was a worn and cracked mallorn leaf. "An Orc would not possess such a thing. It must have fallen when these were shed." Aria said softly. "Either that or the Orc got it from the hobbits." Rillia pointed out. Aria shook her head and fingered the leaf before letting it drift to the ground. "It was the hobbits. We should be close to them now."
The two Elves went forth, getting closer and closer the intimidating dark and forbidding mountain. As they neared the base of the mountain, two figures upon it became visible to her. She could barely tell from the darkness, but finally she deciphered their identities. Two hobbits were making their way up the mountain. One was struggling up fiercely, carrying the other hobbit upon his back with determination. The hobbit upon his back was weary, his black lashes closed as he lay his head upon the other hobbit's back. Aria began to run, picking her way through the stones and rubble. Rillia followed her nimbly, rushing up the mountain. Just as they reached the hobbits, Sam began to teeter then fall backwards. Frodo's eyes squeezed shut, anticipating the biting rocks, but he felt them not. Aria's hands stretched out and steadied Sam as he fell to the ground face forward, not backward.
Frodo slipped from Sam's back wearily and lay for a time on the ground. Sam lay still then whirled around to face his helpers. His eyes were narrowed for a time before he recognized the figure. Frodo's eyes opened weakly and he smiled gently at Aria as she knelt down beside Sam and Frodo. "Lady Aria! How did you get out all this way?" Sam asked in surprise. Aria smiled and placed her hand on his shoulder. "I traveled as fast as I could to get here. Are you alright?" She asked gently. "I'm tired, hungry, thirsty and homesick to tell you the truth. But we're almost there. A little more ways and it'll all be over. Ain't that right Mister Frodo?" Sam asked wearily, turning towards Frodo. Frodo did not answer or look to Sam. His eyes were wide open now and fixed on one figure in front of him. Rillia. Rillia stared at Frodo with an unearthly gleam in her cold eyes, unmoving. Tentatively, Frodo's hand crept to his chest, his eyes never leaving the Elf's face. Rillia's eyebrows raised as she saw his fingers finger an object underneath his shirt.
"Mister Frodo?" Sam asked, confusion in his tone. Aria stared at her cousin, then at Frodo. The two were unmoving, both staring deep in the other's gaze. Aria jumped to her feet. "Rillia!" She called out commandingly. Rillia's gaze finally broke from Frodo's as she turned to Aria. She stared at Aria and Aria stared back. The gleam had hidden itself, but it still lurked beneath the cold surface of her eyes. Aria looked down at Frodo, who in turn looked up at her. In his eyes there was fear, fear and also a sort of malice that barely lurked beneath the surface of his eyes. Aria knew that malice, for she had seen it in Gollum's eyes in her dreams. She wanted to dismiss it, but she knew she could not. It was there and it was beginning to take possession of Frodo. "We must move on. Now." She murmured gently, motioning to Rillia who nodded.
She helped Sam and Frodo to their feet as they began to walk once more. They crept to the Road of Sauron, where they began to make their way up the mountain. The slope was steep and the rocks numerous so that all too soon, the weary hobbits fell to their knees in order to crawl. When Aria stretched out her hand to them, they shook their heads as Frodo murmured, "You cannot help us. This burden must I carry alone." Aria dropped her head, remembering the words her sister had spoken to her before she had left. He has the Fellowship to protect him and accompany him alone. They cannot do anything for him on this task. The hobbit is totally and completely alone in his task.
Aria's thoughts were broken suddenly as Frodo stumbled and slid a little ways behind her. She would have ignored this had a figure behind her not given a low cry and fall upon Frodo. Sam cried out, his hands holding onto a rock so as not to fall, his eyes wide with fear. The figure was tall and her blonde hair gleamed in the light of fire as she wrestled with Frodo. It was Rillia. Aria fell upon the two with a cry of anguish. Her hands grasped the hands of her cousin feverishly, trying to her to loosen her grip upon the hobbit. With incredible strength, Rillia flung Aria's hand from her and kicked her so that she slid halfway down the hill. Aria opened her mouth and let loose a stream of Elven words as she lay a few feet away.
Rocks rose from the earth and pelted the Elf-maiden as she attempted to gain what she desired. Finally, Rillia released Frodo and whirled around to face Aria as she stood, malice now gleamed in full force as she took a step towards her cousin. Frodo scrambled up the slope towards Sam, his hand over the Ring. Only once did he look back towards Aria. "Run Frodo! Cast it into the fire!" Aria called out firmly. Frodo hesitated only a moment before summoning his strength and crawling up the hill with Sam. Rillia's hawklike gaze turned upon the departing hobbits, then whirled around to face Aria who stood in front of her, hands clenched, feet apart. "What are you doing? I could have had all the power in the world! Moreso than you or Galadriel! I could have gained! But you have aided them!" Rillia hissed in a voice that was not her own. And it was then that Aria remembered the last of Galadriel's phrase:
Most of all, distrust the color gold and the secrets it holds,
For its luster soon burns, fades, and grows cold."
Aria stood firm, despite the fact that she was shaken by her cousin's voice. "A lasta quettanya! (Listen to my word!) You would not have gained, you would have lost! For the Lord of the Mountain alone possesses the Ring! You would have gained no powers from the Ring save pain and death!" Aria cried out. Rillia shrieked loudly and threw herself upon Aria, fiercely clawing at her as they fell down the mountain, arms locked and fighting for an advantage. They fell apart as they fell upon a flat hanging on the mountain. Rillia sprang to her feet with a snarl, her swift fingers drawing out two knives that gleamed evilly in the red glow of the evening sky. Aria jumped to her feet as she saw the action, hesitantly removing her own knives and holding them in her hands. Rillia chuckled evilly. "Your hesitation is your weakness. I will have the Ring because of it. And you cannot stop me." Rillia said with a smile. "Your confidence and blindess is your weakness Rillia, for you have allowed the Eye to enter your mind with his vain desires."
With a snarl, Rillia leapt upon Aria and the two moved back and forth, sparring, their knives clashing. What little light there was flashed upon the duelists and their blades, their eyes lit, one pair of eyes echoing desire and malice, the other hesitation and sadness at her kin's transformation. Rillia took advantage of her moment of weakness and kicked Aria to the ground. She stood over her, her knives still drawn. "You always thought you were so high and mighty. You were a sorceress! Your sister was loved and feared by all, and you, her little sister. You always ate up the attention, loved it, relished your powers and waved them in front of all who could not do what you could! Now you will pay for that." Rillia snarled. "You know I did no such thing Rillia. Return to me, Cousin!" Aria yelled, jumping to her feet with a sudden burst of energy, her knife clashing with Rillia's.
Lightning flashed as the two Elves fought each other, the light flashing on the knives that clashed and fought against each other. Aria's heart felt as if it would tear in two, for she had felt this way after the breaking of the Fellowship. But now, what was falling away from her was her cousin and her friend, her mind being captured by Sauron's might. But she would not give up, she would not let Sauron win. Sauron will not stop until he gains what he believes is his. Aria thought as sweat poured down her brow. And I must not let that happen. With that, she thrust her knife against Rillia's knives with a greater passion than before. Again the two fought, but this time, they slid from the hanging to the slope below. Even as they slipped and slid on the rocks below, they fought fiercely. Finally, one of Aria's knives was knocked away as she slipped on a rock and fell face forward to the rocks. She leapt back up and knocked one of Rillia's knives away, accidentally cutting her hand as she did so. Rillia stared at the cut on her hand in surprise, then the fog in her eyes cleared for only a moment and she looked at Aria in surprise and confusion. But the Eye flashed and once more the fog was raised. "I will have no sympathy. If you are not with me, you are against me." She hissed, falling upon her cousin once more with a vengeance. The two Elves fought, slipped and slid on the rocks till they were nearly at the bottom of the mountain.
As Rillia struck the second knife from Aria's hand and stared at her in triumph, the mountain exploded in a fiery cataclysm of rocks and ash. Rillia and Aria stared upwards as the rocks came tumbling towards them. "He has destroyed the Ring." Aria whispered. But then she saw the huge rocks tumbling towards them and she grasped for Rillia's still hand. Rillia whirled around and sliced Aria's hand fiercely, before dropping the knife, the fog over her eyes lifting as she saw her cousin fall to her knees in pain. "Aria." She whispered, before looking up and seeing the avalanche above them. A rock smacked hard into Rillia's head, knocking her to the ground. But she quickly lay her body over Aria's, shielding her from the blows of the boulders as they fell.
When the rocks finally ceased to fall, and the heat began to pour from the mountain, Rillia's body had become limp and lifeless. Aria lifted herself from beneath her cousin and turned her over so that she could see her face. Rillia's face was beaten and bloody, her breaths rattling as she gasped for breath. Aria stared at her cousin in surprise and sadness as she grasped her hand. Fear rose in Rillia's eyes as she stared up at Aria. "I have sinned Aria. I have sinned against you and against the mission. I have sinned." Rillia murmured frantically, her hands grasping up at Aria's face in a pathetic gesture. Aria's hand fell gently to Rillia's face. "Hodo Rillia. (Lie still Rillia) No, Cousin. You were not in your own mind. You knew not what you were doing." Aria whispered. "But I did. All those things I said, they were true. I was envious of you. I always have been. It was all true. The only reason I came was because I wanted the Ring for myself. Times have been uneasy in Rivendell and I," She halted, panting. "Even if it was all true, I do not hold it against you Rillia. You are my cousin, and my friend. How could I hold it against you?" Aria asked, tears slipping down her cheeks. "It matters not now. For my life is fading from this world." Rillia said quietly, calming down.
"No. You will live. I will carry you from Mordor if necessary. But I will not let you die Rillia." Aria whispered earnestly. "You have no choice Aria, for it is not you who decides upon life and death. Let it happen. Let the shadow fall. I have amended my sins, my life has been full. I will go." Rillia murmured. "No, Rillia. Please." Aria pleaded. "Do you forgive me, Cousin? For all my wrongdoings? Say it now, so that I may be at peace when I am called from this world." Rillia whispered earnestly. "I did not blame you in the first place Rillia! I knew the Ring had taken you and I knew that you were not yourself. Had you been, you never would have done such things." Aria protested through her tears. "Forgive me." Rillia whispered. "I forgive you! I forgive you! Rillia!" Aria cried out, grasping her cousin's hand to her tenderly.
"It is over. The night is passing and the new dawn arises." In that moment, Rillia's eyes moved from Aria's face to the sky. They remained fixed there and a small smile passed over her countenance. Her lashes slowly fell to her cheeks and her breathing ceased, but the smile remained, peaceful and gentle. "Be at peace. Be at peace." Aria whispered as she beheld Rillia's spirit leave the mortal world. Then, though sorrow choked her and tears streamed down her face, she whispered a song, a song, though sad, she could not help but sing for the sake of her kin.
Rillia, Mellon Edhellen, Nen, Chae, en Gwilith. (Rillia, Friend of the Elves, Water, Earth, and Air.)
U-renianthach i amar galen... (No more will you wander in the green fields of this earth)
I reniad lin ne mor, nuithannen... (Your journey has ended in darkness)
In gwidh ristennin i fae narchannen... (The bonds cut, the spirit broken)
I lach ed ardhon gwannen... (The flame of the Elves has left this world)
Caled veleg, ethuiannen. (A great light, has gone out.)
Aria looked upon her cousin with tenderness as the tears slipped down her cheeks, finally letting her emotions free at last. Then she kissed the Elf's still forehead and whispered,
Losto Rillia, sedho, hodo, (Sleep Rillia, be still, lie still,)
"Be at peace" Aria choked, slipping back into the Common Tongue. Aria pressed Rillia's hand to her and sobbed, even as the fire and ash fell from the mountain, slowly surrounding her.
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Aria had fainted for only a moment in time, but that moment was crucial as the fire fell towards her. For a moment, she thought that perhaps it had all been a bad dream. None of it had happened. But when she looked down at Rillia's still body beside her, Aria gently closed her eyes in defeat. She looked about her, looking for a way to escape. The fire was beginning to encircle the small plot of land that Aria and Rillia lay upon, making it into an island surrounded by fire and ash. Aria leapt to her feet, scanning the area. Above her, she saw three eagles flying away quickly. She paid them no mind, but scooped up Rillia's still body and leapt over the small stream of fire even as it surrounded her.
With Rillia's body in her arms, Aria stumbled away from the mountain. She ran as hard as she could, breathing hard, but breathing in the smoke and ash that surrounded her. She began to pant, then choke as the ash clogged her lungs and began to suffocate her. She finally fell at the spot where the Orc clothes lay strewn across the road. She didn't think she could make it. She had wanted to try to make it to the cave, but that didn't seem possible. Weakly she looked up the mountain and saw the lava and fire moving slowly but surely towards her. Then realization dawned upon her as her eyes closed in exhaustion. She would never make it out of Mordor alive.
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