~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Frodo Baggins shielded his eyes from the bright Shire sun as it beat down upon him. He turned back to Sam, watching him with a smile as he made sure small Elanor could not crawl away from the soft blanket spread out for her on the grass. Sam was such a loving father, so sure and tender in his care, just as he had been to Frodo at the foot of Mount Doom. It was the nineteenth of September, one day before Frodo and Sam would leave for Rivendell to be present for Bilbo's one hundred and thirty-first birthday. But Frodo sensed that it would be more. I think, Frodo, that maybe you will not need to come back, unless you come very soon. For about this time of the year, when the leaves are gold before they fall, look for Bilbo in the woods of the Shire. I shall be with him. Elrond had spoken those words last year before he had left for the Shire.
It was now that time of year. All around him shone the gold trees of the Shire, the leaves brilliant colors of gold and vibrant reds and oranges. Every color touched a special place in his memory. The gold reminded him of the vibrant color of the Elf maiden's hair, the Elf maiden who had attacked him on Mount Doom, Aria's cousin Rillia. He closed his eyes tight when he thought of her, then of Aria's pained face as she slept, murmuring her cousin's name. That day that she had awoken, he had stayed with her till she returned to sleep, for though she thought herself able to rise, Frodo's presence seemed to bring her to the reality that she could not. Pippin had returned with servants and Frodo had sent them away once more. Her eyes were closed and her breathing easy for a few minutes, perhaps a half hour, then her forehead crumpled and though she slept, she called for her friends softly under her breath. Frodo could do nothing but sit with her, stroking her sweaty hand, and wish that had she never seen him, Rillia would not be dead and he would not have caused Aria such pain. But she reassured him that she did not blame him, but he could not erase the blame from himself.
The vibrant red leaves that fell all around him reminded him of several things. First, of the fiery flames of Mount Doom, the heat merciliess and neverending. It had scorched him with its hatred and had burned him with its malice. He had come out scarred, but whole, but the effects still remembered. Then when he thought of fire, calloused, burned hands immediately came to his mind. Aria. Aria had shown him her hands wistfully after she had taken the bandages from them. "They will never be the same Frodo." She whispered, her own eyes fixed on the scarred palms. "It is a badge," She said, sighing and letting her hands slip to her sides. "And a badge that I wear with honor, for I know that though my hands are scarred, the Dark Lord cannot come to claim them completely." She said with a smile.
He had managed a weak smile, but whenever he saw red such as the leaves that were upon the trees, he always thought of Aria. Of her passion for life, her vibrant mind and beauty. At times, he wished, but no. It was wrong to wish for something that could not happen. It was just, at times, she seemed to be the only one who understood him. At times she seemed to be a hobbit in her gentle thoughts and tender ways. But she was above him. Far above him and no matter how hard he wished, she could never be someone she was not. But that did not stop his rememberance of her, her gentle touch, patient mind, soothing words, and the kisses she so willingly bestowed upon him. She loved him with a dear love and he the same. Perhaps it was because of this, because of this understanding between them, that Frodo really did not see the need for a little hobbit-maid to settle down with as his cousins constantly badgered him to do. But he did know one thing. Forever would he hold her in his heart, giving her the highest respect and honor that he could give any being.
"You alright Mister Frodo?" Sam's anxious voice came from the grasses beneath him. Frodo shifted in his elven cloak and smiled at his friend's concerned face. "Just fine. Thinking." He said. Sam nodded and grabbed Elanor as she crawled into the deep grasses. "I don't know if its just me Mister Frodo, but its one of those days when somethin' in me says, 'Sam Gamgee, you better be on the look-out, 'cause somethin's gonna happen today'. And I've been watchin'." He said seriously. "As have I. It does feel like one of those days." Frodo murmured, casting his eyes down the road below him.
Down the road a ways, the white stallion pranced through the roads of Hobbiton. The tall rider smiled kindly at those small hobbit children who stopped and stared as she passed, and waved to those elders who also stared. But finally she stopped at the feet of a few young hobbit children. Their mouths opened wide as she stopped in front of them, and they took a step backwards as the horse pawed at the ground. "Can you tell me where Mister Frodo Baggins lives?" She asked. One of the small hobbit girls, a fair thing with brown curly hair and twinkling hazel eyes, answered quickly. "Mister Baggins? THE Frodo Baggins? Why he lives just up the road Miss. Up the road and over the hills and on the third hill is Mister Baggins' home." She said. "I thank you." She said, nudging the horse gently and riding off and up the hill. The hobbit children stared after her in wonder, for never had they seen a being like her. Had they seen one of her kind before, they might had known that she was an Elf.
Finally she reached the top of the third hill, and she smiled at what she saw. A small house, nestled in the tall grasses of the Shire, a tree in the front, flowers at the window-boxes, the carefully trimmed walks. "Gwenwin in enninath. (Long years have passed.) I should have come here long ago Frodo." She whispered as she rode up to the gate. Sam and Frodo both lifted their heads as the stranger arrived at the gate. The figure jumped down from her horse, and tentatively lifted her hood, red-brown curls falling down her back. Frodo got to his feet slowly, a knowing smile stretched over his features. As Sam rose, Elanor in his arms, his eyes widened with surprise and he, like Frodo, stood still, afraid to move lest she disappear. "Well? Is this how you greet old friends here?" She called out. Frodo's smile grew wider, and the happiness that had caused the blood to rush to his face, overflowed.
"Aria." He whispered before rushing down the path towards the tall Elf. Aria bent down and extended her arms as Frodo reached out to embrace her. When they released each other, they were both smiling happily. "I had a feeling we'd have visitors today." Frodo said with a smile, placing his hand in hers and leading her up the walk. "Hello Sam! Good to see you!" Aria said as she approached Sam. Sam blushed and reached out for her awkwardly, little Elanor still being in his hands. Aria eyed the small hobbit child with happy and surprised eyes. "Well if it isn't a little Gamgee lass. I had no idea Sam." She said with a smile as she looked upon the little girl's fair blonde hair and twinkling hazel eyes. "Well, if there was any way I could have gotten word to you, I would, but, well I tried." Sam murmured. "I know, I understand. It has been hard enough reaching the two of you as it is." Aria said.
A hobbit maiden stepped out of the doorway, opening her mouth to call loudly, but she quickly stifled it as she saw the Elf standing there. Instead she blushed a deep red and stepped back in the house, her hand over her mouth, but Sam caught the action and stopped her. "Rosie! Come meet my friend! Mine and Mister Frodo's! Its the Lady Aria!" Rose tentatively stepped back out into the sun, her cheeks still rosy red. She moved quickly by Sam, her eyes fixed on the Elf. "Pleased to meet you I'm sure. Sam, Frodo and, well, Merry and Pippin too, have told me all about you." She said with a shy smile. "No doubt they have. It is a pleasure to finally meet Sam's bride." Aria said graciously, taking in the pleasant creature with a smile. Rose turned an even brighter red and clasped Sam's arm gently.
"Speakin' of brides Lady Aria, we're sorry we couldn't attend your wedding. Mister Frodo, he was terribly sick." Sam explained. Aria's eyes quickly glanced down at Frodo. Frodo's head moved downwards, trying to avoid her gaze. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked quietly. "Oh, I didn't want to bother you. It was your wedding day after all." Frodo murmured. "I would have felt better knowing your condition. But it is well." Aria said, placing her hand comfortingly on Frodo's shoulder. Frodo nodded and looked up at her. "Well, would you like a little bite to eat? I must say we don't have any Elf food or anything I'm sure you're used to, but I'm sure we can rustle up something." Rose said quickly. "I would like that very much Mrs. Gamgee." Aria replied, stooping as she walked through the low doorway. "Oh, please call me Rose, Miss Aria." Rose said with a small laugh. "Only if you call me simply Aria." Aria countered.
Cheese, bread and milk was set out, which the three hobbits and Elf gladly partook of, while Aria told them what had happened since they had parted. "So is your kingdom in Nethrana still your own?" Frodo asked. "Yes it is. I was chosen to remain ruler until I say otherwise. Things are well. Often times we return to Mirkwood to see Legolas' father." Aria said. "Why could Legolas not come?" Sam asked. "Legolas is with his father. They are overseeing a matter between Mirkwood and Lothlorien that is very important. He sends his greetings and his blessing." Aria said with a smile. Suddenly the door was flung open with a crash, startling everyone in the room.
Everyone whirled around to face two boylike figures, dressed in bright mail that gleamed in the sun. They stared in shock at the figure that sat at the table before rushing to her side with exclamations of joy. "I daresay, if it isn't the Lady Aria?" Merry cried out. "Yes! When did you sneak in here?" Pippin asked. "Early this morning. But if you two had deigned yourselves to come down and visit, you would have known that." Aria said with a smile. "Oh don't be so harsh on us! We meant to come for a visit! Didn't we Merry?" Pippin said. "Oh yes, but Pippin wouldn't come for a time yet. He's been about romancin'." Merry said, poking Pippin knowingly. Pippin turned a bright red and slugged Merry. "Whats this Pippin?" Aria asked coyly. "Nothin'. A fine young lass she is and sweet to me. She doesn't make fun of me, MERRY." Pippin put in. "Whats the name of this lass?" Aria asked. "Diamond of Long Cleeve and Pippin's right. Never was there a sweeter girl in all the Shire. Except you Rosie." Frodo said generously, causing Rose to blush. "There you see. Even Frodo agrees with me!" Pippin pointed out. Merry didn't speak, but simply rolled his eyes. "So what have the Elves been up to lately?" Merry asked. "Oh yes! Tell us everythin'!" Pippin concurred, causing a laughing Aria to retell the story of her reign from the beginning.
The companions spent a great deal of time together that day, indeed, it was past nightfall when Pippin and Merry finally took their leave from Bag End. Aria and Frodo were seated in large chairs by the roaring fire when Sam came to them. "Rosie and I, we're goin' to bed Mister Frodo. Just wanted you to know. Goodnight Aria. Good to see you again." Sam said with a smile before he padded down the hall and closed a door. Aria chuckled as he left. "Good old Sam." She murmured. Frodo smiled between breaths of his pipe that he was smoking meticulously and thoughtfully. "He hasn't changed. He's still good, dependable Sam." Frodo concurred. "Yes. Little Elanor certainly is a beauty is she not?" Aria said. "Yes. You know, I was thinking a while ago, that she looked more Elf than hobbit. What do you say?" Frodo asked. "I'd have to agree with you. Blonde hair is rare in hobbits, and an especially beautiful child she is." Aria agreed.
Then there was silence between the two of them for a time before Frodo quietly shifted in his seat. He glanced at her, seeing her clear eyes never moving from the fire, the red reflecting sharply in her blue gaze. His gaze softened and he turned back to the fire. "Now that we're alone, what do you wish to tell me?" He asked, his eyes not moving from the fire. "I've come to tell you what is to happen in a few days. Have you guessed it yet?" She asked quietly. "No. I've only sensed that something was going to happen." Frodo answered, lowering his pipe and finally looking into Aria's eyes. She met his gaze with calm simplicity. "The Ringbearers shall come, and they will return to the Havens across the sea." Aria said softly. Frodo's pipe loosened in his fingers, but he did not drop it. He simply lowered it and settled it upon the table next to the chair. "And, I shall be included among them?" He asked. Aria did not answer him, but simply nodded. "I see. Is that why you came, to warn me?" Frodo asked tentatively. "Not to warn you. To prepare you." Aria corrected. Frodo sat back in his chair with a sigh. "So I shall be leaving the Shire once more. It varies. Sometimes I wish I could, and others, I wish that nothing could ever draw me away." Frodo murmured. "I know your feelings. But it is the right and necessary path." Aria said gently.
"I know. But why must it be so hard?" Frodo asked, desperation in his voice. A slow, reminicent smile spread across Aria's features. "You asked me that a long time ago. In the land of my people. Renech i beth i pennen?" Aria asked, her mind recalling the days in her Elven home, her tongue moving naturally into her own language. Frodo smiled, glad that he knew at least some Elvish to decifer her words. "How could I forget?" Frodo said with a sigh. "Do you remember what I told you?" She repeated, slipping back into the Common Tongue. Frodo frowned and his forehead furrowed as he reached back into his memory. He saw himself, afraid and trembling beneath the rocks that sheltered him in Lothlorien, a gentle peace entering his soul as the Elf maiden with soulful, understanding blue eyes sat with him and comforted him.
"You said, 'we do not know why burdens are placed upon us. We only know that we must carry the burden that is given to us to the best of our ability. We cannot shirk, cannot take shortcuts and cannot drop it from our shoulders, lest it become even heavier than before.'" Frodo said finally. Aria smiled wistfully, for she too remembered speaking those words, and they hung crisp in her mind even after Frodo ceased to speak. "Yes. That still holds true. You will leave Frodo, and you will leave many things behind you. Sam, Bag End, Merry and Pippin. All this you shall leave behind. Dear friends, hallowed places. But you cannot shirk from destiny or the future." Aria said gently. "I know. But I'm glad that I shall be going with friends." Frodo said simply, turning his blue gaze to face Aria's hopefully. Aria gazed upon him, burning sympathy growing in her heart as she placed her hand gently on his shoulder. "As am I, Frodo. As am I." She murmured, her hand caressing his shoulder, though her mind was fixed on what was to become of the hobbit before her.
That evening, troubled dreams entered Aria's mind. Faces, shadows of the past arose to haunt her. Saruman's cruel torture, the first battle with the Orcs before the death of Boromir, her departure from Lothlorien, Rillia's anguished face, they all returned in a torrent. But the image that stuck in her mind, that was the background to all the pictures and faces she saw, was the Ring itself, glowing, vibrant and deadly. Frodo's tortured face entered her mind, the face she had first seen when they had come to Lothlorien, it was shadowed by yet another face, Frodo's face as he stared menacingly at Rillia as she lusted for the Ring. She writhed and tossed and turned as the images assailed her one by one, not allowing her to awaken from this cruel dream. Elven words echoed in the back of her mind, a haunting chant weaving the evil of the Ring into her mind.
Yénillor morne (Out of the Black Years)
tulinte I quettar (come the words)
tercáno nuruva (the Herald of Death.)
Hlasta! Qyetes (Listen--it speaks to)
Hfirimain: (those who were not born to die.)
The Ringspell...
The image of Frodo, standing above the cracked surface of Mount Doom arose in her vision. He stood there, fierce, then calm as he denounced his cause and slipped on the Ring. His bright blue gaze disappeared from her vision as his body disappeared from the mortal world. She could almost hear Sauron cackling with triumph as the hobbit disappeared. Her body's emotions rose violently. She tried to wake up, but couldn't. It was all too real. In her hazy mind, she began to speak frantically, trying to call out to Frodo, the Frodo upon Mount Doom in the words of her people.
A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor! (The Shadow does not hold sway yet!)
Tolo dan nan galad Frodo! (Come back to the light Frodo!)
A gentle touch carressed her clenched fingers as she cried out in anguish. She grasped the source of the touch, her fingers intertwining with the owner's, holding them in a fierce grip. The vision began to fade, the horror slipping from her. Peace returned to her heart as her heartbeat slowed from its formerly frantic pace. Then through the darkness, she heard a gentle voice call out to her. Elrond's noble face appeared, speaking the words firmly. Then Legolas, his fluid eyes taking her in lovingly, finally Galadriel, her gaze tender, her voice soothing. Then Frodo's voice echoed out through them all, speaking the words softly, gently. The words echoed and beckoned to her as it rang through her troubled mind.
Cuiva nwalca Aria. (Wake up Aria.)
Immediately following the gentle words, came the words she had just uttered, repeated clearly, tenderly as the gentle caresses upon her hand continued.
Lasto beth nin. Tolo dan nan galad Aria. (Hear my voice. Come back to the light Aria.)
Slowly, she opened her eyes, her breathing returning to normal at last. Her eyes focused first on the dead fire before her, the dim windows behind her, the armchair that she sat in, the pictures upon the mantle. She was in Bag-End, she knew that now. The Ring was destroyed. Frodo was safe. She slowly turned her head only to see Frodo eyeing her tenderly, his mangled hand resting gently in her own clenched hand. She did not release her fierce hold on his hand and he did not move to take it away as he gently patted her hand with his left hand. He smiled gently and leaned toward her. "Are you alright? I heard you cry out." He said quietly.
Aria closed her eyes a moment as if fearing that the vision would assail her once more. "I dreamt about many things. The Ring, Sauron, Mount Doom, the many evil things that have befallen me in my life. Tercáno nuruva. (The Herald of Death.)" She murmured, placing her other hand against her head. Frodo shook his head knowingly. "I too have had such dreams, but they pass. Yours will as well. I am here now. Legolas will be there for you when you return home. You have others who will help you through it. You cannot fight it alone." Frodo said knowingly. "I know. It is hard to deal with, especially when I am surrounded by so much light, so much joy. But it will not fade from me. I am stained." She murmured.
"We are all stained Aria. All of us who were involved in the fight against evil. All of us at one point experienced evil's attacks upon us, but we conquered. You must know that the darkness will never fade. It will always be there, in a deep part of your heart, for it has been placed there. It cannot be removed and it will always be there." Aria nodded, then smiled. "Such wisdom in such a small person. I admire you very much Frodo Baggins, and I always will." Aria said quietly. Frodo smiled, his touch still lingering upon Aria's fingers. Then he closed his eyes and whispered the words he had heard uttered not so long ago by Arwen Undomiel, the bride of the newly crowned King Elessar as they stood together after their marriage,
A si i-Dhúath ú-orthor. Ú or le a ú or nin. (The Shadow does not hold sway yet, not over you and not over me.)
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Author's Note*: Awwwww!! Thank you guys!! I feel so loved! I was reading all your guys' reviews for the last chapter, Starlight, Kora, Cyrin-Dara, Elven Destiny, Risque, etc, and I've come to realize how lucky I am to have such great buddies!! I was just getting teary-eyed thinking that how much I appreciate you guys and you're support!! You guys *sniffle* ROCK!!! Well, I'm not gonna make this too long because I'm gonna do one of these on the last chapter, but I just wanted to tell you thanks so much again!!
Love you all!!!
Always yours,
T.H.