Disclaimer: I disclaim! I disclaim! I'm nothing to do with Lord Of the Rings…I Swear!!
A/N: The third part, but not the final. In this my two fav characters in the whole world might not make it. God I hate myself sometimes.
The guard on the tower called down the one below.
"Single rider approaching at speed! It's…Bob! It's elvish!"
Bob looked out. It was as well. "Do we open the gates?"
"Not for elves! You don't know what trouble they can bring!"
Up on the city walls Aragorn was pacing backwards and forwards, contemplating what he and Gandalf had discussed. By chance he looked up and saw Kĩyara galloping towards the city surrounded by wraiths. His heart froze at the sight. They were one thing he had hoped would be banished forever.
"What…"
As he spoke Kĩyara stopped, as an onlooker he saw a blaze of white light as she wielded her power. The light illuminated everything it dazzled the wraiths and pierced their soulless bodies. They backed off, eventually turning away and disappearing. The light failed leaving only her elvish glow as she made her last push for the safety of the city. Aragorn ran down to the gates knowing that the guards would not let in an elf. Not all prejudice had been removed from Middle Earth.
He ran towards the great mithril gates and shouted. "Open them!"
"Who's there? I don't open the gates for any old person." Bob challenged.
"It's your King! Open them!" Aragorn shouted.
Stunned the guards fumbled with great metal locks eventually pulling them apart just in time to admit the horse and rider.
"Shut them!" Kĩyara shouted back coming to a skidding halt. She flung herself from the horse and reached up for Frodo he had come round now but still looked ill.
"What happened?" Aragorn asked
"We were attacked by Nazgûl, they have followed me." She was out of breath.
"I know I saw from the walls."
She supported Frodo under his arms and helped him walk. Aragorn put a hand out. "Let me take him, you are exhausted."
She nodded wearily.
"Follow me, we'll go to the houses of healing." He said setting off at a brisk walk, Frodo in his arms. She lent on Caradien's wet neck, his sweat mingling with her tears. He put his head down and nuzzled her cheek.
"I know, I know, he'll be here soon." She whispered back.
Slowly she began the long walk following Aragorn's retreating figure. She looked around. Caradien was limping badly and he had several gashes on his body, every step he took sent pain shooting through him.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry boy. Forgive me." Kĩyara whispered frantically.
Step by step she began to follow Aragorn, it took less than half an hour to pass through the seven gates and levels of the city but it felt a lot longer to Kĩyara and she felt enormous guilt at the sound of Caradien's uneven hoof beats behind her.
She was oblivious to the houses and streets around her, unaware of the flicker of lights at windows as the people murmured a whisper of elves in the city as she passed through. Aragorn stopped in front of a large rambling building, built like everything else in the city out of white stone. He knocked on the oak doors. He had a hurried conversation with the woman who opened them; she peered suspiciously over his shoulder. Aragorn raised his voice.
"You will let her in!"
"Aragorn it does not matter, I am not hurt, let me have some things for Caradien and I will be fine, just help Frodo." She said softly.
He turned around. "No, you need looking after, you must come in side."
"Honestly I have nothing more than bruises and scratches, it's Caradien that needs care."
He sighed and turned back to the woman. "Find Queen Arwen and tell her to stay with Frodo, I will go with Kĩyara."
"Will he be alright?" Kĩyara asked wearily, her legs threatening to collapse under her.
"Yes, Arwen will watch over him, although she no longer has her elvish grace she is not totally devoid of power and he is not that bad now. She will help him. Follow I shall show you to the stables." Aragorn reassured her.
They walked for another fifteen minutes before they reached the stables of Minas Tirith. They were well made with a cobbled yard and roomy straw filled boxes. Aragorn woke the groom and told him to fetch warm water and salt. Together they rubbed Caradien down and washed the wounds on his legs. Caradien flinched as Aragorn poured water over a deep laceration across his flank.
"Lle ume quel, good boy." you did well Kĩyara said stroking his head softy whispering soothingly to him.
The work had kept Kĩyara going but now she felt the weariness descend on her as she closed the stable door. She was confused, she was never normally this taken by toil and she had done relatively little. Using her power always tired her but not this much, even the long rides should not affect her like this. As though Aragorn could read her mind he said
"It's the baby Kĩyara."
"I know, I know, it's all Legolas' fault." She said half jokingly resting her head on the stable door.
"What's my fault?" Said a familiar voice.
The rest of the company walked into the yard, the guards had opened the gates for them at the command of King Éomer, even though they had an elf with them. Legolas left Hénduil and walked over to her. She collapsed in his arms letting him trail his hand through her hair.
"What's my fault?" He said again more softly.
"That I feel so bloody tired, it's the baby protesting…damn that's done it now."
She stood back and looked at King Éomer, Éowyn and Faramir. They hadn't known that she was pregnant and they took the controversial news with polite surprise and said nothing.
"Come you all need sleep, to the palace" Aragorn said to break the enveloping silence.
"I need to see Frodo first though, to know how he is." Kĩyara protested.
"No, you're coming with me." Legolas said firmly steering her after Aragorn.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The sun rose the next day, peeping through the window and spilling over the bed where Legolas and Kĩyara lay. Kĩyara cried out in her sleep and Legolas woke, he couldn't work out what had woken him at first. Then he realised as Kĩyara struggled under the sheets next to him. He shook her gently. Her eyes opened she was breathing deeply.
"It was that dream again." She said her voice still edged with fright.
He pulled her close so her head rested on the pillow just below his. "Don't worry it's just a dream alayen."
"But is it though? It seems too real, I fear it's meaning." Her voice was troubled.
He kissed the top of her head and ran his hand down her back. However Kĩyara was not in a loving mood and got up.
"Aren't you going to stay a bit?" Legolas asked, his words only just hiding his disappointment.
"No I have to see Frodo and Caradien." She said from inside a pale blue shirt.
She gave her hair a quick brush in the mirror, pulled a face at its untidiness and grabbed her cloak, rushing out of the room leaving Legolas alone and thoughtful. Legolas got dressed and watched her cross to the houses of healing from the window. He sighed and turned away, her dreams troubled him too.
Kĩyara ignored the woman at the door to the houses of healing who told her elves were not allowed in her house and rushed through the corridors, following her senses, into a chamber with a high ceiling. Frodo was sat up in a huge double bed that swamped his small figure. Aragorn sat on his other side on a small but ornate stool. Kĩyara ran up to Frodo and hugged him fiercely. He hugged her back.
"How are you?"
"I'm fine now thanks." He was still pale and drawn but his voice was back to normal.
She pulled a chair up and took his hand in hers. "Are you sure, you had me so worried last night."
"Yes! I'm fine! You're sounding like a mother already."
Aragorn laughed as Kĩyara scowled at him. "Not by choice though." She added.
"You're having a child?" Said a surprised voice.
Kĩyara hadn't noticed before but at a stone basin in the corner of the room stood a beautiful she-elf. Arwen walked back across with a glass of water in her hand that she gave to Frodo, who sipped it unconcernedly.
"Arwen." Kĩyara nodded curtly.
"Kĩyara." Arwen returned with no more warmth than Kĩyara had used.
"You two already know each other then?" Aragorn inquired.
"You could say we were…"
"Rivals." Kĩyara finished for her.
There was a forced politeness in the room as the conversation continued. Aragorn looked puzzled at the contention that hung in the thickening atmosphere. He had never asked about Arwen's childhood, had he she might have told him that Kĩyara had often been in Lothlorién and Rivendell at the same time as her when they had been younger. They had always delighted in seeing who could wield the most power; both being equally matched at the time, however they had got a bit carried away as they grew older and it became a competition. One that was never solved if it had one of them would probably be dead. But Arwen knew that it was Kĩyara's victory in the end. She herself had given up her power for the love of Aragorn whereas she knew that Kĩyara wouldn't have done. Arwen knew that Kĩyara saw it as her victory as well and it filled her with a wild bitterness.
For three days Frodo was an invalid in the Houses of Healing, he was visited often by everyone and quickly recovered. On the dawn of the fourth day Frodo was released from his bed to join the company's summons to the great hall. There they would decide their new course of action.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Kĩyara and Legolas hurried along corridors and past guards, they were late. Having "forgotten" to get up. They finally reached the doors and pushed them open, on the high white stone dais were set the thrones of Aragorn and Arwen, as in Lothlorién chairs were set in a semi circle below. They sat in the two remaining ones and waited. Aragorn looked at them with a wink then began his speech
"Now we are all here I can begin. Elrond gave us two vials of the light of the star Elendil captured in water from the Great River Anduin. He sent us with the purpose of bringing them to Minas Tirith and we have achieved that, at least for one of them. He also said that once we arrived we would know what to do. However that is not the case I fear. We have little clue as to what we must do now therefore I suggest we send a messenger…"
"What's that?" Kĩyara cut in mid-sentence.
"What's what?" Aragorn said, annoyed at being interrupted.
"That over there" She said standing and walking to a stone slab on a pedestal in the corner of the hall. It was carved with leaves and vines in an intricate but random pattern.
"It's the table for the crown of Gondor. Why?" Aragorn answered.
Kĩyara bobbed down next to it and ran an elegant hand over the engraved pictures. She sucked in her breath sharply.
"This is not just a stand…look it's picture writing." Everyone got up and crowded round.
"Look there" She placed a slender finger on a picture "it's a star and a moon, they are common symbols for elves are they not? Then there is a serpent for evil yes? Then look here the serpent is twisting around the star and moon," She shuffled around to the other side of the stone "and then there is a ship carrying the elf symbol away. Next, around this side there is the star of Elendil and look, there is a picture of the king am I right?" She continued not waiting for an answer. "Then there is the moon and stars again." Kĩyara smiled proudly.
"Yes but what does it mean?" Pippin asked.
"First it shows the elves, then evil Sauron I suppose, next is the War with Sauron the serpent wrapped around the moon and stars see? After that our people began to leave these shores represented by the ship. I don't know what this last one means though."
"I do, it means if the king puts the star light in the right place then the elves on the grey isle will return to aid us." Aragorn breathed in awe.
"Our people return?"
Legolas said not able to hide the exhilaration in his voice. Kĩyara hugged him.
"But where does it go?" Sam asked pointing out the problem.
"I don't know." Aragorn answered truthfully.
It was Frodo who found the answer, due to his height he could see under the slab of stone and he realised that it wasn't fixed to the pedestal. He shouted out and together Gimli and Legolas moved the stone, the noise grating through them.
"Turn it over!"
Said Frodo excitedly. On the underside of the stone was carved a message in the language of elves.
The lives entwined with Elendil answer its call
Though sea and distance part them
Be the King true and worthy he shall decide for all
Whether to pray upon the stars
Those given the gift shall stop the fall
From light into darkness
Place Elendil above the great hall
"Of course! The tower of Amon Helil! There is a cavity opposite the west window, no one knew what it was for!" Arwen told the surrounding people.
They followed as she led the way out of the hall and through a small wooden door to their right. They walked up a long set of spiral stairs, Sam counted to five hundred before they reached the top, there was another door that led into a huge circular room. There were four windows that marked the four compass points. The compass was on the floor in blue and gold. Above the east window was a hole bored in the rock.
"Pass me the vial Frodo." Aragorn said, Frodo put his hand in his breast pocket and produced the vial.
Slowly Aragorn put it in the stone. When it was fully in the rock seemed to close round it so it was held fast. For a moment nothing happened then blinding white starlight erupted from it, it filled the room and then spilled out of the windows. It ran across the city, it was brighter than the sunlight and you could see it rushing westwards to the sea over the rugged landscape. There was a distant sparkling on the horizon as it reflected off the water. Then it was gone, away across the sea. The others turned to leave but Legolas and Kĩyara rushed to the centre of the room.
"Wait!" Legolas said and everyone turned. There was another flash of starlight, but these rays went North and East to the elf colonies there.
"Star song!" Legolas cried. Kĩyara rushed to the west window leaning right out.
"They're answering!" She shouted
"What are you on about?" Gimli asked.
Kĩyara and Legolas turned everyone had blank looks on their faces, except Arwen who just looked pained.
"Star song! Oh I forget you can't hear it. It is the most beautiful sound known, it is the sound of a universe of stars singing. We rarely hear it now as the power of elves has settled elsewhere, they say on the Grey Isle it is often heard though." Legolas explained.
Arwen looked wistful. "To hear the sound of stars again!" She said quietly.
Aragorn put an arm round her in comfort. All were silent for a while straining to hear the star song but failing.
After a few minutes Frodo asked. "What did you mean they are answering?"
"It's a sign to show that the grey isle has received our call, they will set off soon. The other flashes were messages to other elvish settlements, our kinsmen will come to our aid." Legolas answered.
"Saying that we must gather our forces, I can feel the evil on the air now." Aragorn said gravely he turned and led the others out of the room. Kĩyara and Legolas stayed in the room longer after the others had gone, listening to the song until nightfall. But as the sun set that night the sky turned blood red. It was like ink dropped in water, billowing out from the jagged peaks that ripped the southern horizon. It spread out over the sun turning its golden rays deep red and bathing the city in an eerie red glow.
Over the next week the sky did not return to the forget-me-not blue it had been before. The air was heavy with foreboding and ill tidings. Panic and rumours were rife, passed from lips to lips. The older people had seen this before and knew the pain it brought, for the young it brought a heart-felt terror.
Messengers returned from their errands, from the Riders of Rohan, to the dales and valleys where Faramir and Éowyn dwelt and to the Dunedaine in the North. All answered their pleas and promised to aid Gondor when told that the elves would return.
It was ten day's after they had summoned the elves that they arrived. A distant blast on a horn told the stricken city that there was news and the Company hurried to the great hall where Aragorn told them the news
"There are sails on the horizon silver ones, they sail in a host of light it is said. We must make haste to the shores." Even the most terrified could not help but find hope at the arrival. An hour later they set off west.
Caradien was fully healed now and rearing to go. They galloped west bearing the banners of their houses in formal ceremony. It was quite a procession as the guard of Minas Tirith and a few of the Rohrrim were present as well in their shiny uniform and strict formation.
Kĩyara, Legolas and Gimli had decided to carry their own standards, as there were no people of their houses to bear it for them. There was the silver leaf and moon on a green back ground for the Greenleave's, the Silver Star on purple for the Aithianne and a grey helmet and hammer on blue for the Dwarves. They tugged in the wind and bobbed with the motion of the speeding horses.
They reached the Sea at noon and they waited on the cliff tops for the ships. The wind was strong and they could taste the salt on their lips. The waves crashed on the sandy shore, the spray flew high in the air and gulls cried overhead.
"At last the Sea!" Legolas breathed.
He looked out eagerly over the yellow sands and the crashing and foaming waves.
Kĩyara did not answer him. She knew in her heart that Legolas wanted to go to the Grey Isles and that he would ask her to go with him, but she didn't know if she wanted to. Legolas had first glimpsed the sea in the fellowship and the desire to sail had been ignited in him, many woodland elves had fallen into the same trap. Before she could give it much thought though the ships appeared around the rocky headland and glided into the harbour like swans.
The party walked forwards so that they would meet the elves on the path leading away from the docks. Hundreds of elves disembarked from the first ship and walked along to the second ship, they reappeared leading horses. They waited on the shore and arranged themselves in order before walking up to meet their callers. At the head were three elves, one was male and two were female. As they neared Kĩyara recognised them and her heart leapt for joy. A burning sense of joy rose in her chest.
"Nimrodel, Amroth and Tinuviél!" Arwen said in awe the faces gaining purchase in her memory. Kĩyara let her banner flutter to the ground and kicked on Caradien, her emotions taking over her body. "Atara! Atere!" mother father
She reined into a skidding halt and flung herself from the saddle, Nimrodel and Amroth did the same. She was crying as she hugged them.
"How long has it been?" Nimrodel asked her daughter, prising her away gently.
"Two thousand years yesterday." She answered tearfully. Embracing her parents again.
The elves from the grey isles camped around the walls of Minas Tirith and were joined over the coming weeks by companies from Mirkwood, Rivendell, Lothlorién and Rohan, Dwarves also came much to everyone's surprise. The creamy tents stood like a flock of sheep around the walls, covering the grass like a blanket of snow. Banners flapped in the wind. Legolas' father, Thranduil came with his soldiers but he did not intend to stay, as he was needed in Mirkwood to protect his homeland.
Aragorn insisted that Legolas and Kĩyara tell their parents that Kĩyara was pregnant to much protest but it was agreed. It was with trepidation that Legolas walked into his father's tent. He spent two hours in the tent and when he emerged he would not say what had gone on, though everyone knew it couldn't have been good from the look of flagging determination on his face.
Nimrodel and Amroth took the news quite well though Amroth pointed out that he had her down for marrying one of the son's of Elrond. Kĩyara survived the emotional turmoil by playing her one good card; her mother and father did not leave her with instructions for love.
For a while an illusion of peace settled on them but things were about to change; Kĩyara was going have her whole life brought down in a way she could never imagine. No one could have prepared her for what was to happen. The excitement of the preparation for war would be brought to a close.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
There was a knock at the door to the room. It was a bright autumn day and with the coming of the host of elves the mornings were once more blue. The deep red evil driven back to the confines of Mordor.
"Who's there?" Legolas called.
"A messenger from the Lady Nimrodel."
Kĩyara and Legolas grumbled as they got up and pulled on clothes. "Enter."
An elf from the grey isles entered bearing a piece of parchment, he handed it to Kĩyara and left not looking at either of them, the news of Kĩyara's child had spread quickly. She tore open the seal and read it.
"My mother wants to see both of us. She say's it's urgent." Her face was worried, the note sounded ominous.
Legolas squeezed her shoulder for reassurance; she smiled at him, a silent thanks. They walked quickly through the city passing the houses and the crowds of people as they bustled about.
They reached the gates and walked to where the arms of Aithianne flew in the southerly wind. There, tents were pitched for those who belonged to that house, as it was all over the campsite. It was easy to tell which one Nimrodel and Amroth were in as the pale beige material that tents were made from had silver strands woven into it, making it shine and glitter in the sun.
Gently Kĩyara pulled back the flaps and stooped to walk in. The tent was surprisingly light and well furnished, on a chair sat Nimrodel. Legolas noted that she looked like Kĩyara; she had the same hair and face. Kĩyara's eyes came from her father though who was stood by a basin of water. He filled a goblet and put it on the table next to Nimrodel. Nimrodel looked grief stricken and Amroth placed a hand on hers as he sat down. Legolas glanced at Kĩyara she looked terrified. Haltingly Nimrodel started
"The news I have affects you both, in fact it effects every living thing on this shore, but the fact is I do not know if I should tell you." A tear dropped from her eyes and she breathed in.
Kĩyara was concerned, "What is it tell me!" She interjected.
"Do not be too hasty, I will tell you but first I would ask you some questions." Nimrodel continued. "Answer them truthfully and then you may better understand your lot in life, bitter as it is."
Real fright was creeping up Kĩyara's spine now, gripping her heart.
"How many months pregnant are you?"
"Three."
"Do you love master Greenleaf?"
"Yes"
Legolas smiled to himself.
"Will there be a war soon?"
"Yes."
"What is the greatest sacrifice?"
"Life."
Kĩyara's eyes widened as she realised her task, her fate.
"No! No it cannot be!"
She clutched tightly at Legolas' hand, her nails digging into his skin. She sobbed as Nimrodel nodded her head slowly the tears spilling down her cheeks.
"The…the dreams." She howled in fear "NO, I WONT!" She shouted as though rebuking an invisible enemy, struggling to run away but Legolas held her, to much personal injury.
"It is so Kĩyara, it can be no other way." Amroth said quietly his voice emotionless he was beyond that. Kĩyara collapsed in Legolas arm's she cried pitifully. Refusing to believe.
"Sit her down." Nimrodel said. Legolas sat on the edge of the bed and pulled Kĩyara down next to him.
"What must she do?" Legolas said in an empty, hollow voice already knowing the answer, the very thought too awful to contemplate.
"She has to sacrifice herself to Sauron, when he," Nimrodel's voice faltered "kills her the earth will destroy him, he has also hurt the earth and it wants it's revenge but it can only wreak it when she dies."
Legolas closed his eyes his heart sank. An empty future loomed before him.
Kĩyara walked about in a daze for three days, hardly talking and not eating at all. The whole city seemed to be under a spell, there was no laughter in the streets and no one joked or jostled.
The city was dead.
A great depression invaded all hearts and could not be dislodged. Aragorn looked out over his lands from the windows of the great hall. He had called all the leaders of the companies present together. Spies told him that the dark lord had gathered a huge army in the caves surrounding Mordor. The weight of his role as King pulled him down, his mind swirling with horrifying thoughts of failure. He did not yet know of Kĩyara's task and was at a loss as to how they should wage this war.
When all were seated he began the talks. After the great leaders had thrown battle tactics back and forth, picked over them, scrapped them and generally talked war Nimrodel held up her hand. The vicious debate Thranduil and Golin the Dwarf were having ceased. She spoke in a voice that told of age, wisdom and above all grief.
"These plans are all well and good and they may stand us in good stead when the time comes, but pray I ask how do you intend to defeat the dark lord Sauron? We have no material object he is linked to; we have only the taste of his wrath and the evil that invades our hearts. What would the warrior kings do?"
If it had been another creature her words could be called mocking, but from her lips they were sense. No one spoke, not a soul moved. She ran her eyes over the gathered people, dwarves, elves, men, hobbits and wizards. She commanded their respect.
"We prove a strong force, the magic of wizards, the valour of dwarves, the courage of men, the loyalty of hobbits and the wisdom of elves. But even with our united force we cannot overthrow the greatest of all, we may slay his servants and kill his allies but we cannot destroy the embodiment of evil. For that is what he his, he is evils shape. Elves certainly hold a power against him and his dark creations, we are born of nature and nature is the origin of goodness, but it cannot fight in a war. Good can overcome evil. But if evil has a shape so must good. Think what is it, bear in mind what I said about the shapes and guises of good?"
Silence. Then one small voice said. "It would be an elf and I know which one."
"Who speaks so knowledgably and with such conviction?" Nimrodel said quite surprised.
"Samwise Gamgee." Sam said bravely.
"Peregrin Took knows too." Pippin added proudly.
"What do the hobbits think? Who would you choose to face Sauron? Could you choose someone's fate for them?" Nimrodel interrogated.
Slowly Sam answered choosing his words carefully. "I think in all respect that you've done it already. It's plain to me that you have chosen to sacrifice something, sorry someone, but I can't see why."
"Who do you think I have sought then bold hobbit?"
Sam blushed at his forwardness and sat down. However Pippin stood up and answered her question.
"Your daughter, Kĩyara." He said in a loud clear voice.
Nimrodel smiled sadly. "You are wise also it seems as well as courageous, yes it must be her. There is no other way."
Murmurs of dissent and anger rippled around the room. Arguments broke out and the peoples feuded. Once again Nimrodel raised her hand.
"Listen to me please! You know not of what you speak, she is no ordinary elf she has the power of the earth in her hand and the courage of many in her heart. Few of you know her, though many may have seen her pass, a brief glimpse of power in a destitute world. She has wandered Middle Earth for two thousand years long since we left. She has spent that time in the world she is comfortable in, one she can bend to her will. You do not understand, though many of you fear to put your trust in an elf girl, did you not once put in the care of a race you had not even heard of one that still had to prove themselves, which they did with a skill non of you foresaw. Why not in a being who has had thousands of years on this earth and one with a power to rival Sauron's? Do you fear that because she is not like you in sex or race that she will fail you? You forget the power that women have held over the years, especially those of elven races. Think before you throw away your lifeline."
Nimrodel's voice ended on a deep meaningful sentence. The hall was silent; no one spoke while they contemplated her words. Far away down in the city a bird chirruped half-heartedly then stopped. The oppressive gloom in the air pressed down upon them, there seemed to be no other suggestions.
Finally Golin spoke. "How do we know that you tell the truth? I would demand a demonstration before I trust to any elf."
Hiding her anger Nimrodel asked Aragorn. "Can she?"
"Yes, if only to satisfy the council here, where is she?"
"I don't know I will find her."
Nimrodel returned after a few minutes with Kĩyara. She led her by the hand. Kĩyara looked blank, she felt nothing but the despair of her situation. She did not see the surrounding faces or hear the whispers that floated across the room.
"Show them, they have to see." Nimrodel said in elvish
"I cannot."
"You can."
"I…am going to die and leave everything, I cannot do it."
The council waited expectantly. Kĩyara just stood in the middle of the room. Whispers ran round, doubt in the air. Arwen sat on the throne next to Aragorn and cursed herself for what she was about to do, never she thought had she imagined herself doing this again.
Kĩyara turned to walk out of the hall. The adrenaline cursed through Arwen as she stood. Aragorn looked at her and shook his head, but she continued. Music sprang from no-where and Arwen began to sing in a deep strong voice
"Stric tha thu' gradh nach fhaigh thu cadal" It was a challenge.
Kĩyara turned her eyes burning and she held out her hand, the automatic mood shaken from her shoulders by the feeling of competition. "E hoireann iondrainn faramch." She shouted back.
Everyone watched with interest, some with fright, they had never seen elves pit themselves against one another in a battle of power.
They continued to duel and Aragorn said to Arwen. "She will beat you! Submit! Do not risk this."
But Arwen did not heed him. Arwen had chosen an old song that Kĩyara would know the meaning to, but she was finding it hard to get the power behind the words. The song can be roughly translated in the common tongue as:
You often say you can't get to sleep
Suffocating as you are in the city
Much you long for what you lack
To go with the cleansing wind as heredity dictates
Arise and go with a shout of gladness
Your heart is saying that it knows best
Arise and go with a shout of gladness
Set your feet on the highway
Though your road won't promise comfort or freedom
Take the hazel's wisdom, rowan's protection
Your journey won't be bare or lack provision
With the fruit of song and the nut of knowledge
If this is your choice it is no exile
The great expanse of world under your shoes
Your journey goes over mountains and oceans
And you carry your home at your shoulder
Arwen raised her hand in defeat and sat down. It was too hard now; the power no longer came easily. However her feeble effort saved Middle Earth, Kĩyara was shaken from her silence.
"What would you see? Would you see fires rage or water flow, would have snow or sun?" She yelled the power surging through her.
"A challenge that is not easy accomplished and could not be coincidence then Lady Aithianne. Make it night." Golin said with conviction.
"As you would have it." Slowly Kĩyara walked to the huge window and raised her arms the huge face of the sun towards her.
She began to murmur under her breath, slowly the light began to fade and the Sun burned orange and then red and eventually silver. The clouds shrank into pinpricks of light, the blue sky slowly darkened into navy and then into black, the air prickled with the raw energy of life. There were cries and screams from the city as the unknowing citizens saw the sun fade. In the hall though there were only gasps of amazement. The uproar from the city heightened and Aragorn shouted out above the tumult
"Quickly change it back!"
Kĩyara did as she was bid and soon the sun was once more high in the sky. She turned back to the gathered people.
"Will you trust me or will you allow me to keep my life?"
Aragorn took the final word and said sadly. "We will trust you." Kĩyara's fate was sealed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
An attack on Sauron was planned for the week after; they would meet on the plains that separated Minas Tirith and Mordor. Kĩyara threw herself into practise putting off the thoughts that threatened to once more reduce her to nothing. Her feelings came out in her sword strokes and no one seemed able to beat her. She spoke little to anyone save Legolas. They treasured their remaining time together, spending every free moment with each other, reeling in the things they had always taken for granted. However they did not talk about what she had to do, they just supported one another.
The days slipped by with amazing speed, never before had Kĩyara been so aware of time and how it ate away at life. She woke early every morning so she could watch the sunrise, she listened to the birds singing and people talking, she noted everything.
No one seemed able to hold her gaze before they looked away as though she were something to be afraid of. But this did not sadden her, she was too aware of her circumstances and surroundings to take offence. The day came too soon for everyone; it dawned as the others had before it, the sun creeping over the horizon, the light cascading down valleys and up mountains, reflecting off lakes and streams.
This was to be her last dawn she thought, as she got dressed, she did not bother with armour, as it wouldn't help her. She put on a deep blue shirt and dark green trousers. The shirt had silver clasps and out of habit she put on her purple cloak with the star. On her side she strapped her sword she took a silver bag out of the dresser and went to Legolas she shook him awake, her voice was broken with tears as she said
"Wake up little prince." He opened his eyes and looked sadly at her. He sat up and whispered
"What am I going to do?" Putting a hand on her cheek.
"You're going to be happy and not dwell on the past after today." She said, every word an effort to say.
"I don't know if I will be able to." She hugged him the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"We shouldn't be late for breakfast come on." She sniffed.
They walked into the great hall were trestle tables had been put to accommodate the leaders of the company. Silently she her ate her last meal. When she had finished she gathered all her friends to her and began
"I want you to know that I love you all and I would give anything to stay with you. But failing that all I ask of you is one thing, don't let me be forgotten. Oh and I want to be buried outside not in some crypt. But before we set out I have gifts for you." The sad faces looking at her heightened her sorrow.
To Sam she handed a glass jar full of water. "Smell it." She said to him. He pulled out the cork and sniffed
"Why it smells of fresh soil and leaves!"
"Its bottled spring, if anything ever needs a bit of life or vigour a few drops of that should do." She smiled at him.
To Pippin and Merry she gave a kiss on the cheek (which made them blush deeply) and a mithril and loeadhan belt buckle. To Gimli she gave her shield with the house of Aithianne star on he said that he would bear it always in memory of her. To Gandalf she handed a horseshoe.
"From Caradien really." She added.
Aragorn got a sword belt and last she turned to Arwen. To her she handed a silk cloth, when Arwen opened it there was a deep green stone the same colour as Kĩyara's eyes.
"An emerald elf stone from Rohan let our feud be put aside." They embraced the past buried.
Frodo smiled sadly and wrapped his hand around the pendant on his neck.
Together they walked from the hall and into the courtyard Caradien was waiting for her she stroked his neck and whispered into his ear
"Thank you for everything, you are a true prince of horses and I'm sorry for what I must lead you into to but I would ride no other steed." Kĩyara's sacrifice would also be her horses, for one last time she stroked his muzzle and he nuzzled her shoulder.
She was to ride at the head of the Army along with the rest of the Company and King Éomer, Nimrodel and Amroth. The others would lead their battalions. Some one handed her Aithianne's standard, she clutched it with numb hands the wood smooth below her fingers, the sound of the material as it streamed in the wind fell on her ears.
They were off galloping across to the last ridge before the plain that surrounded Mordor. The sound of eight thousand hooves beating the ground was all that could be heard, the foot soldiers and archers were already at the plain and waiting. It took less than two hours to reach the ridge. It was a long stretch of grass then a sold granite rock face, it ran for nearly two miles and was nearly eight feet high.
The bulk of the horses went around and down and lined up in front of the foot soldiers, they were flanked on either side by archers. The banners of all the peoples present wrestled with the wind on top of the ridge, flying in the wind showing their colours. The line was long. On the other side of the flat plain a think fog swirled in the sir, it did not move forwards but as they watched it cleared to the sides to reveal Sauron's army.
It was great in numbers and they were clad all in black. There were goblins, trolls, orcs, uruk-hai and all manner of creatures that were black and evil, the dread descended on the army. The black army advanced forwards with blood curdling cries and shouts. Aragorn shouted orders and arrows flew through the air with a loud whistling noise, three thousand arrows falling to earth. Kĩyara turned to Legolas.
"You know I thought that we were perfect together." She said boldly.
He dismounted she did the same. They stood together not caring that a whole army could see them. As she continued her eyes welled up with tears and they spilled down her face.
"It's ironic really that even though you are everything I've ever wanted I will never get to hold you again." She whispered breathlessly, he took her face in his hands.
"Why does it have to be this way, I don't want to lose you." He said quietly and for the first time she saw that he was crying too.
"There are facts in our life that we can never change, my fate is sealed just say that you understand please." She sobbed back.
"I do understand, I just wish it wasn't true that's all." He rested his forehead against hers. He kissed her lips and tasted the salty tears on them.
"I would live a thousand lives each one right by you, yet here we find our selves in this troubled time and seems we'll never get the chance. Isn't it funny how a moment can change your life? Now I don't want to face what's wrong or right, I just want you. Kĩyara you touched my heart and altered every plan I ever had."
Those profound words were so meaningful she thought she would burst with the knowledge of what they meant.
She kissed him just gently at first but soon it was more passionate, she laughed as she heard the calls and whistles form the soldiers below. For the moment all she could think of were the sweet feelings flooding her. She pulled away their lips meeting for the last time. She shook her head biting her lip to keep from running away.
At last she wrenched her gaze from his and turned to the others she gave everyone on the ridge a final hug goodbye and for the sake of it a kiss on the cheek. She mounted back up again and looked out over the battlefield the orcs had reached the front lines of the army and were attacking and falling. In the distance a black figure stood tall and menacing.
A voice carried on the air spitting and hissing. "Come and meet your match elf!"
Kĩyara took a deep breath. Her time was almost up.
"Legolas I'm sorry about our child. I love you. Bei lemain"be strong
She took in his features before she went. She wanted his face to be imprinted on her mind when she died.
"Goodbye Kĩyara!" The rest called.
She smiled and said.
"Cheer for us! This is mine and Caradien's last ride it's going to be a hell of good one!" With that she kicked Caradien into a high rear he rose proud and strong in the sun, glinting blindingly gold. He flailed his hooves and tossed his head the wind catching his mane and tail make it stream out with his mistress'.
"Tenna' telwan san!" until later then Caradien landed with a thud that shook the earth and sprung away in a gallop.
Legolas watched her; she was heading straight for the ridge edge! As the company watched Caradien's legs folded under him from a gallop and he leapt pushing himself far out over the edge his head tossing as he fell through the air, Kĩyara's mouth forming the words of a heartfelt battle cry mid-air.
Then they disappeared, there was a tense moment when they thought she hadn't made it but no, she was galloping forwards the Army parting for her. As she passed the soldiers who weren't fighting they clapped and cheered, banging spears against shields. Sending the cry up round the battlefield an ear splitting roar that pushed on the soldiers and struck fear into the enemy.
Legolas smiled in spite of his sadness, her banner was flying, her hair streaming and she was shouting out war cries, this was what she did best, power. She radiated it whether she knew it or not. She was a magnificent sight. Her horse lengthened his stride reaching out, his powerful hindquarters pushing her along. They watched her all the way across the field. She dropped her reins trusting Caradien to obey her and slashed with her sword killing a path through the enemy, her banner still flying.
On she ran until she reached the opposite hill. She was no more than a speck to most now; only the Elves could see her properly. It was a steep hill to Sauron and it was a struggle, but Caradien held true to her and made it over the top with a last push of his haunches. Then the fog enveloped them.
Waiting was agony for fifteen minutes Legolas watched the swirling mist but it seemed like an hour. Then there was a deafening roar and a scream. Legolas shut his eyes and everyone bowed their heads.
It was over.
A white light flashed across the battle, blinding the enemy, shrieks and howls of pain erupted into a magnitude of voices, evil forces screaming with the power crashing over them and their own soldiers shouting in triumph and joy. The Black Army turned and tried to flee, but they got caught in their own troops it was a slaughter. The mud turned red, and the floor was littered with half mutilated bodies.
It was an overwhelming victory.
The fallen were taken away as heroes and the enemy's bodies were piled high and burnt on a huge pyre. The acrid black smoke rose into the sky for days. The company searched desperately for Kĩyara's body among the dead, they found it at the foot of the hill where Sauron had stood. She lay in the mud face up to the sun, her eyes closed and her hair fanned out behind her. One hand was still clutching Caradien's reins; he lay beside her, still and cold to the touch. The sun illuminated her reflecting off her hair and Caradien's mud stained coat.
Legolas knelt next her and put a hand to her face. The grief he felt could not be described in mere words.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The room was white and cold on a slab of marble Kĩyara was laid, next to her Caradien was placed though it had taken many men to carry him back from the field. Legolas knew she would not have wanted to be here in a room, she would have wanted to be laid on grass with nature but he hadn't the heart to argue with anyone.
Some one had changed her mud stained battle clothes for a dress. Around her were stood the hobbits, Gandalf, Aragorn, Arwen, Gimli, Nimrodel, Amroth and Galadriel who had come at the news of the victory. The air was filled with grief; they had not really believed that she would die. But there she was cold and pale. Legolas ran his fingertips over her lips and remembered when just the day before they had kissed him so sweetly. He would never feel that again or hear her voice she was gone.
It felt as though part of him had been taken away. For the first time in his long years he felt lost with no one to turn to and the emptiness flooded his mind. He was too numb to do anything; there was no raw emotion like when she had left.
The hollow empty world left was worse, he doubted if he would be able to continue, he replayed every moment they had ever spent together, the tender memories painful to his torn heart. Her voice sounded in his head, he heard the song she had sung in Lothlorién, when they had been so happy. He gave a twisted smile; she couldn't have known how relevant it would turn out to be. Quietly he began to sing it, not bothered that everyone was listening.
I was no more than three days old
Too young to speak too young to count my toes
I think of the fields where I once ran
This moral twilight I've been plucked from
Up here we have no goals
You tear your heart you claw your soul
I wonder at this life that passed me by
But still I smile
Although I'm not with you down there
I sit alone up here and stare
It's me my name is Claĩré
Claĩré in heaven
I wait for my next life patiently
I'm in no rush because of what I see
It's hard for me to understand
Up here I see a new tomorrow
Your world collapses
For me I just had a while
But still I smile.
For a fleeting moment he thought she was there next to him, he looked around but no one was there. When he looked back to her body though his heart leapt, he could have sworn that he saw her eyelids flicker. Everyone else must have seen it because there was a tense excitement in the air.
"Pass me your sword." Legolas said to Aragorn.
He dared not breath lest he break the spell. He placed it above her lips. He steeled himself to look. The sword clattered to the ground and he stepped back dumbfounded.
"What did you see?" Aragorn asked eagerly.
"Mist. She's alive. She's alive!" Aragorn put his finger to her throat there he felt the blood pumping in her veins.
He shook his head. "This cannot be, she was dead!" He said disbelievingly.
Galadriel looked over her and smiled. She put a hand to her forehead and said
"I'lĩr en el luitha uren." the song of the star enchants your heart
At the potent words Kĩyara's eyelids flickered and opened. "I have a headache." She said as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
There were shouts of joy and tears as they welcomed her back to the world of light. With difficulty she stood and waited for the noise to ebb away, when it had done she stepped forward into Legolas' arms and kissed him as though she hadn't seen him in a year. Once more there were cheers around the hall.
The sun rose high that day and the sky was flawless blue, everything seemed to be rejoicing, birds sang with new vigour and the breeze rustled the long grass.
The people in the hall jumped as a scrabbling and crashing noise came to their ears. They turned around; Caradien was struggling to stand and had fallen from the marble slab. Kĩyara walked forward and hugged him.
He looked around inquisitively as if to say "What's the fuss, why am I here?"
Everyone laughed, peace and happiness flooded out over the devastation that was Middle Earth. Things would turn out all right. Legolas had one question though
"How did you defy death?"
Kĩyara shrugged just as stumped.
Galadriel answered for her.
"She had something so pure and unspoilt, something that had not been touched by evil or good insider her, Sauron couldn't kill it. But it needs Kĩyara to live so she could not die, but nor could she live. She just needed encouragement to make the step from dead to living that's all."
Legolas smiled at her and kissed her again. "One more thing though, how did Caradien survive?" Legolas asked.
No-one had an answer to that.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Six months later Kĩyara gave birth to a baby girl in Minas Tirith. They named her Áruinne she would grow have fair hair like Legolas but other than that she was all Kĩyara.
Legolas sighed as Kĩyara took her in her arms for the first time.
"I don't think I can cope with two of you."
"I don't think I'll cope with two of me!" Kĩyara laughed tiredly.
He kissed the top of her head.
Under pressure from their families Kĩyara and Legolas married when Áruinne was a year old in the splendour of Rivendell. They lived all over the place, as Kĩyara couldn't speak civilly to her father-in-law, Thranduil, so living in Legolas' native Mirkwood was out of the question though they often visited. Kĩyara lost none of her power or skill, she could still sword fight and ride for Middle Earth, though she found adventure harder to come by now there was peace and she had the responsibility of a family.
However she always insisted on making her own skirmishes if there were none to be found which always vexed her new Husband. He loved her and couldn't see her hurt, but she did not heed this and it was to become one of their arguing points for many years.
Áruinne grew into a beautiful elf maid, she had long blonde hair and green eyes, she possessed all her mother's character though, and she was immensely proud, strong and determined. Not bad qualities but when mixed with a passion such as Kĩyara's they could be deadly. Legolas found much laughter in these days as he watched Kĩyara try to convince her daughter to learn to sword fight and ride properly. He loved Kĩyara and she loved him.
Over the years they had two more children much to Kĩyara's displeasure. They were two boys named Fiaréan and Celen. Kĩyara and Legolas remained firm friends with all their companions and visited them many times. They caused a stir when they visited The Shire together as elves had been seen there only once before and by only a few.
Kĩyara developed a special bond with Frodo and he was the only one she told what happened when she faced Sauron. No one else knew, not even Legolas and she referred to it seldom, putting it in the past.
Kĩyara put aside her differences with Arwen and counted her a friend. They often spoke and met though they never challenged one another again. Nimrodel stayed for a while in Middle Earth to see her Granddaughter born before sailing back to join Amroth in the Grey isles.
After a time nearly all the elves had gone to the Grey Isles, their presence no longer needed in Middle Earth. It was after the birth of their first son that Legolas asked Kĩyara to come with him, to go to Ithilien and sail to the Isles. This time Kĩyara knew that she would accept. She would follow him to the ends of the earth.
When Fiaréan was old enough to ride they set out visiting their friends one last time. In the Shire Frodo joined them, he was weary of Middle Earth and the memories it held for him, it was a tearful parting for him though leaving Sam, Merry and Pippin. Sam wanted to come too but Frodo convinced him to stay with his wife Rosie and their daughter Elanor.
Then they travelled to Mirkwood where Kĩyara had the biggest argument yet with Thranduil but they left on a good note, Thranduil commented that it wouldn't be right with out his annual argument with "that girl." They rode through Lothlorién, deserted as it was and it brought back many memories for both Legolas and Kĩyara. They were bittersweet and the empty forest increased the feeling. It had the atmosphere of a place that has been deserted for a while but the spirit of the people still resided there.
On then they rode through Fangorn, Rohan and to Minas Tirith. There they said their final farewells. Joined by Gimli they embarked on their journey. Aragorn and Arwen watched as the ship left the harbour, two figures stood on the prow, waving goodbye never to return.
In the grey isles Frodo lived with Kĩyara and Legolas in the land that they claimed for their own. The land they lived in was beautiful and scenic. The gently rolling hills away to the west and deep forest to the North. There was a wide rugged moorland in the South that was perfect for riding.
To the east the waves fell on the sandy shore and ran up the beach lapping at the white cliffs. Rocks scattered across the beach and small cool caves were hidden in the steep cliffs, if you stood on the beach on a fine day and strained your eye's hard you could just see the light reflecting of the white tower of Minas Tirith.
They called it Érinan Lethainne or Land of the Leaf and Star.
Song © Capercaille