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Aria's mind had taken her captive. She could not escape. Fiery visions and painful memories besieged her mind and body. Faces, both cruel and kind, stood before her, whispering words in her ear. It seemed as though her body was on fire, on fire with the hatred of Sauron. He had taken Rillia into his service. He would not stop till he had gained her as well. He had tried to take her before, he would try again now. He would try to take her in her moment of greatest weakness. Rillia's tortured face appeared again and again, the hissing of the Dark Lord ringing in her ears, causing her to shriek in anguish. It would not stop. It would not stop.
She did not feel the comforting hands that lay gently on her clenched hands, did not feel the gentle fingers that carressed her brow and laid cloths upon her forehead, did not hear the comforting words that were spoken to her. They did not exist. They were only another burden that had been added to her tortured mind. She panted and writhed, trying to escape from the hell she had fallen into. She wanted someone who could stop it. Anyone. But she could not cry out. She could scream, but in her hazy mind, she could not cry out. She tried and tried, tears falling from her eyes as the faces of her friends arose in her mind, but she could not say their names.
She stumbled across a burning landscape, her body burning with heat and exhaustion. She stumbled on the rough surface and she fell to the ground, the holes in her pants tearing further, exposing bloodied and chapped knees. She sobbed as she struggled to rise. Suddenly, a figure stood before her. A short, sturdy, but nonetheless familiar person. Gimli. Gimli would help her. She cried out and stretched her hand towards him. He quickly turned around, concern in his rough brown gaze. He quickly reached out to her, but before their fingers could touch, a chasm broke between them. Aria cried out and threw herself towards it, pressing her fingers into the rock, whispering to it.
Stop! Stop! You musn't break now! I need you to stop! Please stop!
But it did not stop. It mocked her by opening wider and crumbling into the fiery depths below. Aria lay on the edge of the cliff, staring in disbelief as the rocks separated her from the help she so desired. Then more figures joined Gimli's short figure. She heard them call her name, their tones echoing their anguish. Merry's wild blonde curls shone in the light that the fire cast in the darkness. His hand was outstretched, his feet on the very edge of the chasm as if preparing to walk on air to reach her. Pippin appeared beside him, his green eyes glistening in the darkness. His mouth was slightly agape, but he did not speak. In his simple loving way, his arm was outstretched, his hand open as if trying to grasp her hand, though he was far from her. Aragorn stood alongside the hobbits, his sword outstretched, staring hard at the flames and crumbling rocks beneath him. The look in his gaze was clear, if he could, he would rescue her, but he could not reach.
Gandalf stood beside him, looking helpless for the first time. But still, he did not yell only her name. He yelled to her in her own language,
Tolo dan Aria! (Come back Aria!)
She sobbed his name over and over, her mind yelling that she would come back if she could. One yell stood out among the rest. It was anguished, nothing but grief echoed in it. Sam stood in front of the others, his Elven cloak blowing behind him in the wind. His brown eyes were as anguished as the tone of his voice as he called out to her, his hands around his mouth so as to amplify his call. Then two figures appeared beside Sam, one short the other tall.
They did not call her name, but their eyes expressed their distress and their yearning to help her. As sudden as they had appeared on the other side of the chasm, one of them appeared on her side. He stood still at the edge of the chasm, his Elven cloak blowing around his short stature. He stood and watched as she picked herself up and stumbled to the ground once more. But even as she clasped the ground in pain, his fingers ran tenderly over her tearstained face. She rolled to her back and looked up, her tears still falling down her cheeks. To her surprise, tears also fell down his face, for the glistening in his blue eyes was unmistakable.
As realization dawned on her, she grasped wildly for his hand, choking out his name, "Frodo." He nodded silently, his hands upon her reassuringly. He knelt to the ground, his hand ran over her sweating forehead as he shook his head. "What have I done to you?" He whispered. Aria blinked at him in surprise, her own pains forgotten. His words seemed to echo throughout her mind, even though they were only whispered. She grasped his hand tighter as she spoke. "You have done nothing. I have come to this of my own accord." She whispered. The hobbit's head drooped, then raised, his tears glistening brightly as stars. He carefully bent down till the wetness of the tears on his face brushed across her skin as he gently kissed her forehead.
The kiss lingered long after it had been given, and Aria closed her eyes, willing to wait, willing to hold on for a little longer. The pressure on her fingers disappeared and the comforting presence receded as she realized that she was once more alone. She found herself once more sitting upright on the edge of the chasm, alone. She screamed his name. Why didn't he come?
FRODO!
FRODO!
COME BACK!
FRODO!
He did not come.
Again she cast herself down and beat the ground in frustration. Would she never escape from this place? This place of everlasting fire. A gentle hand touched her hair, the fingers tender and loving in their touch. She sat up and found herself looking into the deep blue eyes of the one she loved. "Legolas. You have come." She whispered, the tears falling faster now. He gazed at her tenderly, a small smile on his fair face as he caressed her hair, then her face, brushing away the tears with his tender fingers. "I could not leave you to brave the darkness alone." He whispered. Tears choked Aria's throat as she gazed sorrowfully at him. "Will I never escape this darkness?" She whispered.
A shadow passed over the face of Legolas and he closed his eyes for but a moment before opening them again and speaking to her. "The darkness has touched you as it has touched us all Aria. Tercáno nuruva. (The Herald of Death.) It will always be with you. But as long as I am here, it will never take you." He said tenderly, firmly. Then he took her face in his hands, and tenderly kissed her forehead. As he released her, merciful darkness fell over Aria's vision and her breathing returned to its normal pattern, peaceful and deep. And in the darkened room where she resided, the deep blue eyes of the Elf closed with relief as he heard and felt the change in her body. He sat back in the chair that had been placed at her bedside and whispered, "As long as I am here Aria, I will never let it take you. Never."
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When she awoke, her fingers touched delicate fabric and there was a softness surrounding her head. She gently opened her eyes and looked about her in surprise at the bright colors and beautiful smells surrounding her. She lay on a bed, covered with the most delicate coverlets, soft down pillows supporting her head. She knew not where she lay, nor who sat beside her for a long time. The figure's head had nodded in sleep as he sat beside her, one hand draped over the coverlet. His curly head was dark and his exhausted face had an air of superiority about it. His garments were that of a knight, a knight's garments that she recognized. As he stirred and his green eyes opened, a soft smile spread over Aria's features as she realized her watcher's identity.
Peregrin Took's eyes opened wide as he stopped mid-stretch upon seeing Aria's eyes now open. A grin spread across his features and his hand dropped to hers. "Lady Aria! You are awake! I knew you would come around sooner or later. Merry and I, we've been switching off! Gandalf would have come, but he's been watching after Sam and Frodo, but Legolas has been popping in and out so much that Merry sent him out to walk about Ithilien instead of botherin' us." Pippin said quickly and excitedly. Aria sat up quickly and winced in pain. "Sam and Frodo. Are they safe?" She asked. Pippin cocked his head and pressed down upon her arm, pressuring her to lay back down. "Yes, yes. Both safe. Weary and hungry, but whole none the less. They woke up earlier this day as well. Its a good day I must say." Pippin said with satisfaction.
"Pippin, what of your attire? There is a story behind it, I sense." Aria said, cocking her head with a knowing smile. Pippin immediately blushed and put his hands on his hips. "Merry and I are Knights of the city and of the Mark." He said proudly. Aria's eyes widened in surprise. "My goodness things have changed since I saw you last." She said. "I should say they have. I must say, things are different." Pippin concurred. "Pippin, I desire to get up from this place." Aria said, making a move to get up. Again she winced as she lay pressure upon her palms. She looked down at her hands and saw them both bandaged tightly. She looked up questioningly at Pippin. "You were burned badly Lady Aria. One of the Wind Lords saw you before he left with Sam and he told Gandalf when they reached this place. They sent other eagles after you." Pippin explained.
All of a sudden the events of Mordor returned. Rillia's changed face and personality, their fight to the death, Rillia's valiant rescue of her life, giving up her own for her sake. Aria closed her eyes tightly in rememberance. "Your friend, she was dead." Pippin said softly. "Yes, I know. She was my cousin. She saved my life." Aria said quietly. Pippin said nothing, unsure of what to say, afraid that his words would come out clumsily and harshly. "Where was she placed Pippin? Rillia." Aria asked faintly. "Her body was escorted back to Rivendell to be buried. Gandalf said they could. I, I hope thats alright." Pippin murmured. "Yes it is. I said my goodbyes." Aria said, pausing a moment before she spoke again. "Please ask for someone to attend to me Pippin. I need to leave this bed." Pippin stood and nodded. "Certainly. I'll be back." And he quickly rushed off.
Aria lay still, alone in the comforting room. She looked around it, then looked down at her bandaged hands. Her arms were tinged with red, and when she peered under the covers, she saw the redness covering her chapped legs as well. She sighed and pulled the blankets back into place. She did not care that she had been burned. She was back. She was safe. After she had finally slipped into sleep, her horrendous dreams had vanished and she was able to hear and feel the comforting sounds and touches that were bestowed upon her in the little room. "Don't worry now Aria. Everythin's gonna be alright. You're safe now." Pippin had whispered, thankfulness echoing in his very tone. "You're gonna be fine now Aria. Gandalf says now that you're fever's broken, you'll be just fine. A little burned, but fine. I don't mind my sayin' that I'm terribly glad to hear it. I, I, want you to wake up now. Then you can see all the people you called for. Pip and me, Frodo, and Legolas, and everyone else. Please wake up Aria." Merry's gentle pleading was accompanied by the tender touch of his fingers on her hand.
Then Legolas' comforting touch of his hand was bestowed, along with the words of an age-old Elven blessing. It was said that once it had been uttered by an Elvish prince, as his beloved lay dying on the lush grass of the boundaries of Mirkwood. As she lay there gasping for breath, the prince lay one hand upon his head, the other on his beloved's wound, and uttered the words that entered his breaking heart. She had recovered from his plea that his heart made, and ever after it was held in the highest respect in Elven lore. As it was then, so it was now a pleading for help that he murmured, his tone filled with emotion. "What grace has given me, let it pass to her, let her be spared, save her. Cuiva nwalca Aria. (Wake up Aria.)" Aria gently ran her hand over her face, remembering the gentle touch and the tender voices that had worked so hard to bring her back to the land of the living.
As Pippin dashed through the halls, Gandalf walked out of a certain room, Frodo and Sam following him. "I daresay, Peregrin! Where are you off to?" He called out. Pippin did not stop but simply whirled around to yell, "Lady Aria's awake and she wants to get up!" Then he was gone again, running fast. "Well that did not take long." Gandalf murmured. Sam and Frodo looked at each other before smiling knowingly. "Gandalf, if you don't mind, I'd like to see her." Frodo said quietly. Gandalf waved his hand and walked away. Sam turned towards Gandalf, but stopped, undecided. "Go on Sam. I'll be along in a minute." Frodo said with a smile. Sam returned the smile, then rushed after Gandalf.
Frodo padded down the hall and stopped outside the room where the Elf lay. He watched her a moment, lying there motionless, her eyes closed. Then he walked in and seated himself upon the small stool that rested close at her bedside. Aria's eyes opened and gazed at him tenderly as he sat down and a smile spread across her countenance. "Greetings Frodo Baggins! It has been a long time since we last met." She said with a smile. "I know. I had hoped that we could have shared our entire adventure together, but I see that was impossible. How are you?" He asked quietly. "As well as can be expected I suppose. Pippin tells me that I was burned, but it does not give me much trouble."
Frodo stopped and ran his hand over the fingers of his right hand. He stared at his fingers, at the space of the middle finger that he had recently acquired. "I heard of your cousin's death. I am sorry." He said, finally lifting his eyes to her face. "Yes. It is well. Her time had come. Do not be troubled on my account. In a way, she has strengthened my will, my resolve.Were it not for her, I do not think I could have completed my task. That was her purpose upon this earth." Aria stopped a moment, letting her gaze play upon the hobbit's face. "Are you well Frodo?" Aria asked, lifting her head slightly from the pillows.
Frodo did not answer her immediately. He ran his tongue across his lips as his eyes played upon the new wound on his hand. Then his gaze flickered into the Elf's face. It was as if she was trying to see through him, trying to understand the sorrow that still tried his heart. Better have it out now Frodo. That way you can leave quicker. Frodo sighed and began softly. "I've failed you Aria." Aria's eyebrows raised. "What are you talking about?" She asked quietly. "I didn't destroy the Ring of Power." He continued, his eyes unable to look into Aria's face. "Frodo, had you not destroyed the Ring of Power, neither of us would be here." Aria said patiently. "Thats just it! I would have failed everyone! I have failed everyone!" Frodo said passionately, his eyes flashing. "I was going to take the Ring and keep it for myself." He said, his voice quieting down somewhat.
Aria did not speak, but merely waited for Frodo to continue. "I did not throw in the Ring." He whispered. "If you did not, then who did?" Aria asked patiently. Frodo closed his eyes tightly and placed his head on the bedspread, summoning up the courage to speak the next words. "Gollum did." He whispered. He felt the vibration on the bed as Aria jolted. He sighed and raised his head, looking into Aria's face. He was surprised at what he found there. There was not anger, simply disbelief. "Gollum?" She whispered. Frodo nodded and sighed once more. "He took the Ring from me, and fell in himself." He said, his eyes fixed on the design of the coverlet.
Without thinking, Frodo lay his hands on the bed, exposing his maimed right hand. Aria drew her breath in slightly as her eyes caught sight of it. Frodo blushed a deep red and moved to take it away, but Aria quickly caught it in her own long fingers. She held his rough hand in hers for a time, simply gazing at it sympathetically before she released it. "You and I have both gained and lost haven't we Frodo? But all has come out right in the end. Everything has a purpose. Nothing happens on accident, and those that say they do know nothing." Aria said quietly before sighing and closing her eyes.
Frodo stared at her tenderly and also with an air of disbelief. She did not hate him. She still trusted and believed in him. Somehow, though she had professed it with her lips and her expressions, he could not believe it. "But I failed." He murmured. Aria's eyes opened and gazed at him. "No, you would have failed. There is a difference. Had Gollum not played the part he was destined to play, you would have failed." Aria said. "But I was supposed to destroy the Ring. I." Frodo said earnestly.
Aria eyed him for a long time before she answered, and when she did, her tone was gentle. "Frodo, you did your part. You did not have to take the Ring to Mordor. No one forced you. You could have abandoned the quest at any time you chose. But you did not. You carried the Ring and its burdens all the way to Mordor. There the Ring was passed on to the one who was to destroy it. Gollum, though he was the most unlikely person to destroy it, did destroy it. He hated and loved the Ring and he could not live in that way. No creature can live like that, torn in two. Therefore, it was only fitting that he perished with the thing that had destroyed him, destroying it himself." Aria said softly, her eyes taking in Frodo's sorrowful figure tenderly before closing them. Frodo turned from her, taking in her words, and most importantly believing them. He then looked upon her lovingly, before moving his maimed hand back from behind the coverlet and placing it on her own burned palm. Aria's eyes fluttered open once more, then closed with a contented sigh.
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