Chapter 23
Saruman looked down at Mylea who finally had a small hint of fear in her eyes. He hovered above her and then looked at Aragorn, Elladan, and Gandalf. He motioned for them to step aside.
"You better leave me to my business, or else I will make her suffer all the more. Now you all hold the power in how she will perish." Saruman chortled.
Gandalf looked back and forth between Elladan and Aragorn, and pulled them back. Saruman looked back down at Mylea. Mylea closed her eyes and Saruman laughed.
"You think that closing your eyes will dull the pain? Well I inform you now that it will not help you at all elf."
Mylea quickly opened her eyes as Saruman started to bring down the knife to strike her. She turned and he succeeded in grazing her shoulder.
"Damit! Stay put girl! You are only making this harder for yourself!" Saruman roared.
Aragorn had made his move though and hit Saruman across the face with the handle of his sword. Saruman fell to the side and Mylea got up from under him. Then kicked him in the stomach and finally retreated over to Gandalf. She placed her right hand over her shoulder as blood trickled through her fingers.
"Child, you should go stay with Legolas, we will handle Saruman. You have seen and done too much already." Gandalf spoke.
Mylea nodded and then ran over to Legolas and gently lifted his head from the ground and placed it in her lap. He opened his eyes slowly and smiled at her.
"You are back."
"Yes, I told you I would be." Mylea whispered.
Haldir was hauled up into Elrond's home and laid down on Elladan's bed. His cut had been so deep and he had lost a lot of blood in just a half an hour. Elrond and Arwen had meticulously worked and sewed up his wound.
"He will be alright now my dear, I think I shall go help the others. You stay and watch Haldir, in case any orcs happen to show up. I do not think we are rid of all of them." Elrond suggested.
"I will stay with her Lord Elrond, unless you think it useful for me to accompany you." Gimli spoke.
"No, stay…my daughter is brave, but she would not be able to defend herself and Haldir on her own." Elrond whispered so that Arwen did not hear.
Saruman regained his composure and stared at Aragorn. Aragorn stood steady with his sword point ready at Saruman's heart.
"Well…it seems you have showed us the validity of your title Aragorn. I must say I am impressed."
"I do not hold any cares for what you think."
"Saruman I suggest that you give us the ring, or else your life will be cut short." Gandalf contributed.
"Hmmm…I do not think so." Saruman shot back.
Elrond now joined the surrounding team of rescuers. He was relieved to see that Mylea was not lying motionless upon the ground. He touched Mylea's head affectionately as he ran off towards Gandalf's tall form ahead.
"Gandalf." Elrond said as he landed next to him.
Gandalf stood still and spoke nothing. Elrond turned and watched on. Aragorn did not hesitate he sunk his sword into Saruman's chest. Saruman fell against a tree and sounded as if he was suffocating.
Aragorn's face still held fury and he pushed his sword in deeper. Elrond walked over and slipped the ring off of Saruman's finger. The ring was too powerful though and Elrond dropped it on the ground. Gandalf then strode over and stood next to Elrond.
"You cannot pick it up with your hand, it will take you." Gandalf declared.
Mylea sauntered over to them and looked at the ring on the ground. Then she glanced back at them curiously.
"What are we awaiting?" She asked and then bent down to pick up the ring.
"No Mylea!" Elrond and Gandalf hollered at the same time.
But it was too late. Mylea had picked up the ring and was now holding it in her small hand. She grimaced and saw the evil eye of Sauron. It flames became reflected in her eyes. She swayed back and forth on her feet and fell backwards. The ring still lay in her hand but she had passed out.
Elrond knelt down and touched her forehead. She was sweating bullets and now shaking. Elrond knocked the golden ring form her hand and it rolled to Gandalf's feet. Gandalf tapped Aragorn who was still looking over Saruman who was on Death's doorstep.
"Gandalf?"
"Give me the chain from your necklace. We can slip the ring on it."
Aragorn nodded and took Arwen's necklace from his neck and slipped off the large charm. He held the charm and rubbed it as if for good luck and then placed it in his pocket. He handed Gandalf the chain and Gandalf carefully strung the ring onto it.
"Ah, we have it." Gandalf spoke and held the chain up.
"What shall we do with Saruman?"
"Let us bring him and the others up to the house."
Aragorn hunched over and threw Saruman over onto his back. Saruman was losing consciousness quickly and barely noticed he was now being moved. Elrond helped Legolas to his feet and Legolas tried to support his back as best he could. Elrond then picked up Mylea and they all headed towards his home.
"Will Mylea be alright? Why did the ring affect her so?" Aragorn asked.
"Everyone has a different reaction and the ring must be far too evil for Mylea to even go near it."
Arwen ran out the doors with Gimli in toe. Arwen ran over to Aragorn and looked at the limp Saruman as they entered the house. Then she walked over to her father and watched Mylea stir.
"Is she alright? What happened?"
"She tried to take the ring away, but it is much to powerful for her, it would corrupt her almost instantly. She will make it through fine though, she was just a bit shaken up."
"And Saruman?"
"Well we shall all be in Lord Aragorn's debt forever, he had the courage and strength to actually strike Saruman. I believe we will finally be out of Saruman's grasp at last."
Arwen grinned and ran over to Aragorn as he set down Saruman. She jumped into his arms and kissed him all over his face. She closed her eyes and held him tightly.
"It is over Aragorn, we can finally start a life together." Arwen gushed.
"Yes, and I will be happy if I never have to leave you again. I am looking forward growing old with you be my side. I do not need adventure when I have you."
Arwen smiled and they shared a kiss. Elrond in spite of himself smiled secretly. Then Saruman opened his eyes and would speak his final words to his mortal enemies surrounding him.
