"Left foot forward. Good, now right. Tarry that shot, and watch your left flank, you left it open a moment ago. Much better. You are improving greatly, Keaira," said Aleathiel as she set down her sword to take a break.
"I couldn't ask for a better teacher," Keaira responded cheerfully. She didn't know why, but it seemed as if whenever she was around Aleathiel she seemed happier and her burdens were always lightened.
Aleathiel walked over to the window of the chamber where they sparred and looked longingly at the plains of Rohan. She had been at Orthanc for only a fortnight, but it seemed like longer. Over the long weeks she had spent there, Keaira had become a quite skilled fighter. Swordplay came naturally to her for some reason, and in a short time she was able to almost match her instructor's skill.
The time drew near when the attack on the Shire would begin. Her master had already sent out his troops to the falls of Rauros to apprehend yet another rebellious group that stood in his way.
Looking out the window, Aleathiel could see the smoke rising from yet another burned village of the Westfold and she silently cursed Saruman and his Uruk-hai under her breath.
"Why do you miss your home so much?" Keaira asked suddenly.
"What?"
"Your home. It is being burned and destroyed and yet you wish to return to it? Are you not grateful that your life has been spared?"
"I would rather die with my people than continue to live out this miserable existence that I maintain here. I miss my family, and I miss Fengel..." Aleathiel drifted off into silent thought, and Keaira could see a glistening tear roll down her face.
"Your love?" she asked softly.
Aleathiel nodded. "We were to be wed, but the war tore us apart. He left to fight for Rohan and I stayed behind to watch over our families. He does not know I have been taken, and I wish there were some way to reach him. Alas! Curse my fortune! What purpose in my existence was there to be brought to this horrid place? All hope of happiness I had left in this world is gone."
"What did this love of yours look like?" Keaira asked, hoping to cheer her teacher and servant up a little.
"Would you really care to know?"
Keaira nodded, and Aleathiel looked thankfully at her. "He was tall, and very brave, though he had the most childlike air to him. His eyes were that of a sparkling emerald. You could get lost just looking into them for too long sometimes. They were so vibrant...I am sorry I tend to ramble on..."
"Sparkling emerald eyes?" Keaira asked to no one in particular. "Why does that sound so familiar?"
"A lost love of your own perhaps?"
"I doubt it. Saruman said that I ran away from my home. Why would I run away from one I loved? That makes no sense."
"Perhaps you were not running away after all," said Aleathiel solemnly. "Perhaps you were following your destiny."
"You believe in destiny?"
"I do."
"Then do you believe that there was some reason you were brought here? Something good could possibly come out of it. You should accept the fact that you were brought here because you were chosen to be saved," said Keaira proudly, knowing that she had made a point.
"Perhaps I was brought here not to save myself...perhaps I was brought here to save you, little one."
Merry looked down at the spot where Pippin had last stood. He had not the heart to follow his cousin, for he knew the pain must have been nearly too much to bear. Then something hidden in the dew of the grass sparkled and caught his eye.
Merry bent down to pick it up, and when he did he almost lost control of his own emotions. It was a ring, obviously elven made because of its intricate detail and beauty. The band was silver, and looked like many vines woven together. The vines all led up to a cluster of diamonds at the top of the ring. As he looked closer Merry could see that the diamonds at the top combined to form an elaborate elvish "D". It was an engagement ring.
Merry could not bring himself to throw the gorgeous ring back to the ground and so he put the ring into the most secure and hidden pocket of his vest.
"Pip may want this back someday," he thought sadly. "If he ever brings himself to love again..."
An orc horn blew in the distance and Keaira and Aleathiel both jumped a little. Suddenly there came a knock on the door, and Keaira went to answer it. Outside the door stood the Bree-lander. Bill Ferny was his name, and he was there to lead Keaira back to the Shire. The time had finally come for them to begin the conquest.
Aleathiel looked coldly at the man as he walked into the room. "Are you skilled enough with a blade to lead this conquest with me as planned?"
"Yes, she is ready," Aleathiel answered for her.
"I did not ask you, girl!" Ferny shot venomously at her.
Aleathiel gave him a cold stare. "Very will, Ferny. I shall be down in a moment. I must ready Aleathiel for the journey to the Shire. She will be coming with us," said Keaira.
Ferny nodded and with a last horrid leer at Aleathiel he departed. "I am to come with you to the Shire? From there I cannot even see my home!" cried Aleathiel, her despair clearly shown on her face.
"Nay, I will not force you to come, my friend."
"I shall miss you, Keaira. Do not forget me, who shall be slaving away in this horrid place until the end of my days it seems," said Aleathiel sadly.
"That is not how you shall die!"
"What?"
"Come with me. Quietly, we haven't much time," Keaira whispered.
"I do not understand," said Aleathiel.
"You are going home, my friend. Come I'll help you escape the fortress. Can you make it back to your village or wherever you may be going from there?"
"Oh Keaira! I can make it. Thank you so much! I knew that you were not what you appeared," she said.
"What do you mean?" Keaira asked.
"You are not all evil. There is some good in you, buried deep down inside, and I hope that you find it one day."
The two friends ran swiftly down the corridors of the tower of Orthanc headed for the gates. When they reached the front gate to Isengard they were surprised to find that no guard stood watch.
"I wonder where the guards are?" asked Aleathiel curiously. "This is all too easy."
"All of Isengard has been emptied! The troops were sent out but yesterday to march on your lands. Did you not hear the horns and the pounding feet early yesterday morning?" Keaira replied.
"I thought that was a dream..."
"Nay that was no dream. You must promise to be careful my friend. Saruman's troops are abroad and it would not be in your fortune to be caught by any of them," Keaira stated.
"I know. Goodbye, Keaira. I hope that you may find out your true past one day," said Aleathiel.
"What do you mean? I know my past. You are quite forgetful."
"I meant your true past, Keaira. Not the lies that your "master" has driven into your head. You do have a good past I'm sure. I hope that you find the one with the sparkling emerald eyes somewhere. Farwell."
With that Aleathiel ran out into the dense forest towards her home, and Keaira turned back towards the only home she knew. As she reentered the gates some time later she saw Bill Ferny walking towards her with a smug grin on his face.
"Wasn't that a brave thing to do little Halfling? I would hate for your master to discover this little act of treachery, wouldn't you?"