Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings.
Author's Note: Please excuse my hastiness in the last chapter. Furthermore, I would like to add that no regard must be taken in the time elapsed because I needed it to fit in the story. That is all, thank you for reviewing! Also, for you LOTR Dummies: It's Fangorn, not Fanghorn! I would also like to add to Flamers that it's sad. Sad because it makes you look like you've got nothing better to do than flame fics. Word of the wise: Get a life! It's true: Don't like, don't read!
Love is More Powerful than the Ring
Chapter 2: Alclainiel's Story
After about four weeks of non-stop riding, Alclainiel and Arwen took their first real break. It lasted about a day but it was like Heaven on Earth after the rough weeks they had been through. They had settled by the riverbank. That night, they sat around the campfire and talked.
"Why were you in Rivendell at that time?" Arwen asked, curious about why she had seen Alclainiel there. Alclainiel looked at her.
"Well, I have been traveling ever since I left home. I've been to Lothlorien, Fangorn Forest, that's where I was tipped off by Fangorn himself (obviously). That Ent is so old; he almost forgot what an Elf was. He hasn't seen any in so long. Anyway, then I retraced my steps and went to Rivendell. I just wanted to see what it would be like to be a sort of Ranger." Alclainiel explained. Arwen nodded and no one spoke. As Alclainiel watched the flames dance, Arwen broke the eerie silence by asking her another question:
"Alclainiel, why did you do it? I know you thought you were too young but why didn't you just give him a chance? You didn't know what he was like. It could have been possible that your mother was right…" Her voice trailed off into the darkness. Alclainiel kept her focus on the flames on the fire and sighed.
"My mother and I have completely different aspects on what is right and what is wrong. She is an old-fashioned woman who still believes that a woman's place is to be sewing and gardening or horse-back riding with escorts and not to be trained to fight in time of war." Alclainiel tried to explain, although she knew it would get her nowhere. Arwen laughed.
"Even now, a woman's place is not on the battlefield and you know it. Your mother is just an excuse for what you are really feeling. Alclainiel, I've known you almost my entire life, tell me what it is that frightens you." Alclainiel took her eyes off the fire and looked down. A sigh escaped her.
"Very well. Truth be told, I am afraid of what the Prince may do after we are married. For all that I know, he may be a drunk, bold, short-tempered maniac! And I would be bound to him forever…" Arwen raised an eye-brow.
"You lie, yet another excuse flows out of your mouth. Alclainiel, you can trust me." Alclainiel sighed again. There was just no fooling Arwen. She took a deep breath.
"It's stupid really. You will laugh."
"Try me."
"When I marry him, I will be forced to leave my home and I cannot stand not waking up in the same bedroom I have for the past 2, 928 years." There. She had said it. Finally.
"Alclainiel, everyone feels that way. But you will be able to return for a visit whenever you wish…" Alclainiel stood up.
"It is not the same thing!" She snapped, walking over to a tree and facing it, her back turned on Arwen. "Living somewhere and visiting it are two entirely different things!" Her eyes filled with tears. "I know I should be more mature than this, but I cannot. I guess I am still a child inside."
"Alclainiel, I'm sorry…I don't know what to say." Arwen got up and walked over to Alclainiel. She put her hand on her friend's trembling shoulder. "Come, we need rest…" Just as those words came out of Arwen's mouth, a ruffle was heard in the bushes.
Arwen drew her sword and Alclainiel her bow. About ten Orcs came thrashing towards them. Alclainiel took aim and shot down three, with two arrows. Arwen slashed open one of them and beheaded three others. Three still remained. Alclainiel drew a small, silver blade and slit the throat of one of them and stabbed another in the heart. Arwen took on the last one, who was much greater than the previous nine. It took both Alclainiel and Arwen to kill him. By the time they were done, the poor (Well come on, let's pity him!) Orc had two arrows coming out of him and no arms. He lay motionless on the grass. The two were lucky that there had not been more because they weren't warriors. They didn't have the training to fight off a dozen Orcs.
Alclainiel and Arwen disposed of the bodies by throwing them in the nearby river and lay down on the soft grass. Alclainiel chanted softly as the two fell into deep thought. Arwen started to fight with herself about whether or not to tell Alclainiel that Legolas was actually a fantastic Elf and that he was part of the Fellowship. Arwen decided against it. If Alclainiel knew, she would turn back and Arwen would not see Aragorn. Arwen tossed and turned that night as she lay, watching the moon.
By the time they were regenerated and fresh, they would only have a few miles to travel and if they kept up the pace they would be at Helm's Deep by nightfall.
End of Chapter 2
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