Disclaimer: Not.. mine...*sniffles*
A/N: Sorry for leaving such an awful cliffhanger, I didn't mean to. *hides* I hope its not that predictable, I HATE predictable! Enjoy, I'm trying to get this up as soon as possible, I know how annoying it is to be left on a cliffhanger.
Enjoy!
The Diary of an Orc - Continued
*~*~*
Breathe...it's just an arrow.
Yes, it IS an arrow, but it happens to be speeding in my direction.
*~*~* Aragorn *~*~*
I've never seen anyone look so panic-stricken. Of course, I shouldn't have worried; I have seen an elf pluck an arrow from the air, inches away from their face. But what worried me is when Ariel froze, her expression like one that knows they are to die.
She snapped out of her little dream and snatched the arrow away from her chest just in time, it still makes me shudder whenever I think of it. Théoden gave the command to kill Ariel, and that still confuses me. How can a king who is smothered by the power of Saruman, smothered like a blanket wrapped tight, can command his guard to shoot an elf who he has never seen before in his life.
Everyone froze in place as Ariel dropped the arrow in shock and blinked, staring at the floor. Legolas and I breathed easy; Gimli clutched his chest and growled at Ariel, scolding her quietly for not moving, and Gandalf smiled sadly, his gaze settling on Théoden. Beside Théoden stood Grima, a wretched servant of Saruman.
The King sat back in his throne and glared at Ariel, his clouded blue eyes showing furious rage.
"I said-"
"Théoden, son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in shadows." Gandalf interrupted, bringing forth his staff and advancing towards the throne where the King sat.
"His staff!' Grima complained, glaring at the guards that lurked in the shadows. "I told you to take the wizards staff!"
Guards rushed at us from all sides, trying to get the Gandalf. We took them all on, forcing them back.
Gandalf kept advancing towards the King, his staff held out in front of him.
If I may say so, he looked quite menacing.
*~*~* Legolas *~*~*
Ariel caught that arrow beautifully, though I did think she might have had to catch the cursed arrow with her chest, as that is what it sure looked like.
Théoden king is now released of Saruman's spell and Grima, the foul servant with the tongue of a snake, has been driven from Edoras. He has probably run back to his master, like a whipped dog, and complained of his ill treatment.
Ariel has returned to her Orc form and remains hidden while Mithrandir studies the spell that holds her carefully.
Mithrandir has confided to me that he fears that the spell that holds her may kill her if the wrong person removes it. I was so shocked at this that I nearly urged him to leave her as she is, but I remembered myself and kept my mouth closed.
The city of Edoras is to empty, all its residents are to make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. I hope Mithrandir is able to find a way to lift the spell before he leaves, which he is planning to do soon.
*~*~*
Mithrandir has just left Edoras and I sit here with an amulet in my hands. I am scared to try it, I have worn it once to see if it worked and it does. It lifts the spell that binds me while I wear it.
I am trying not to let my hopes rise to high as the spell is only lifted while I wear the amulet. I have looked at the clothes given to me by Altriel and realise at once what she meant when she told me her final message before we left. She knew.
Unfortunately, the spell cannot be dissolved completely unless Saruman lifts it, or he dies. Otherwise, I would die.
I haven't seen or told the others about the amulet, Mithrandir told me to be subtle. That's the problem. Rinariel of Lothlorien doesn't know how to be subtle.
We are to leave Edoras and travel to the refuge of Helm's Deep. Now that King Théoden has been released from the spell of Saruman and his filthy servant driven from this kingdom, the presence of evil has lifted, though I can feel something stirring.
I pity King Théoden, he has lost his son, and now he must leave his home, force his people to leave their homes, and sit idle, hoping no one will attack them.
The king's niece, Éowyn has just come into view so I just slipped the amulet around my neck. The change is immediate! Now, instead of being a miserable looking Orc hunched over a low table, a candle flickering in the darkness, I am a young elf maiden clutching an amulet.
*~*~*
The road to Helm's Deep is long..and boring. Never have I been so fed up! The others were mildly surprised to see me as..well..myself..but when I explained about the amulet, they all looked completely shocked, and overjoyed.
If I were a jealous type, I'd ask why they were being even nicer to me now that I look normal. I do wonder though...
*~*~*
Éowyn loves Aragorn.
I can see it and it wrenches my heart everytime I see the look on her face, I do not know whether she knows about the Evenstar or not. Aragorn seems oblivious to this show of affection and I think he must be rather blind.
I walked a long way today; only a few people were riding. Most of the horses trot without riders, but all carry possessions and food.
We are travelling in a long column, the warriors evenly placed throughout, always checking for danger.
Aragorn spent most of the day riding, lazy man. Gimli chatted cheerily with Éowyn about dwarf women. He was laughing and talking, when suddenly his horse bolted forward, forcing Gimli to fall.
*~*~*
We were attacked today, by the wolves of Isengard. I would have fought, but King Theoden ordered me to help his niece Éowyn lead the Rohirrim to Helm's Deep.
As we lead the people, Éowyn grumbled about it not being fair.
"I know you can fight," I said quietly to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She smiled, but it didn't last long.
"Why do I always have to stay back from the battle?" She asked me, twisted the sleeve of her gown in her fingers.
"They want to protect you." I said quietly, tucking a stray piece hair behind my ears. I felt an unexpected sensation of joy when I felt the pointed tips.
I heard Éowyn sigh beside me.
"You elves are so beautiful." She remarked, watching me closely. I thought I saw envy in her clear blue eyes.
"We have our moments." I replied. I paused, listening for the people. When I turned, they were there, following meekly like sheep.
"You love Aragorn." I said quietly, watching for her reaction. She shivered slightly and avoided my eyes.
"Yes." She whispered in reply.
An uncomfortable silence stretched, but we arrived at Helm's Deep shortly after. The Rohirrim breathed loud sighs of relief, and word passed back through the column. We had arrived.
It was impossible to stay with Éowyn, she busied herself with helping her people settle into Helm's Deep, but I think she was just trying to keep herself away from me.
I sat alone, nervously waiting for the others to return.
*~*~*
Aragorn is dead.
It has taken me at least an hour to write those words, they hurt too much. He...he fell. There was a fight, a bloody battle between the riders of Rohan and the wolves of Isengard.
Fury burns inside my soul, but bitter sadness and grief overcomes the suffocating anger. I see anger in Legolas' eyes, but sadness is the air about him. He hasn't spoken a word since he returned and stands now, alone, as if waiting for Aragorn to return.
Gimli is grieving also, though he doesn't show it as much. He cried, quietly, at first, but now he insists on helping everyone. I know that he is keeping himself so busy that he cannot think and it is sad to watch this cheerful creature by nature going through so much pain.
I have walked the crowed corridors of this fort and wonder if the Rohirrim can indeed protect it from attack. I have heard that there are caves under the fort in which the women and children will hide if we do come under attack.
Helm's Deep is a trap. There is no escape from this rock prison. The walls behind the fort as solid rock.
*~*~*
Éowyn could not look at me all day. I knew that she would feel the pain deep inside her and her pain would be worse tha mine, or Gimli's. We have been here at Helm's Deep for two days now and I am already feeling restless.
Gimli and I chatted about anything we could think of and we both knew why.
I even polished a few weapons. I was so bored. Elves should not be kept idle!
I was wiping the blade of an old, used sword when Éowyn came into the armoury.
"You do not need to do that." She said in a brisk tone. I didn't stop.
"I need something to do, something to keep me from thinking." I replied, polishing the hilt. I noticed that the hilt had a design in the shape of a horse.
"Do something else." She snapped, picking up a sword.
"You are skilled in the art of battle." I said, rubbing away years worth of filth.
"Yes." She hissed, swinging the sword experimentally.
"Would you like to practise?"
"What?" She squawked, nearly dropping her sword in disbelief. "You are some precious elf maiden with centuries to live...eternity, I would hate to waste your time. Besides, I'm afraid that if I touch even one golden hair on your precious head, that you'll break."
I dropped the sword in shock. Then, before I could get a clear thought through my head, I had picked up my bow and had an arrow drawn, the point resting on the tip of her nose.
Éowyn drew a deep breath, fear playing across her face.
"Now you tell me who's the precious one." I said in a low tone. I had no idea why Éowyn had made me so angry, and I had no idea why she had said such a thing to me.
"I'm sorry." She squeaked, holding her hands up.
I drew the arrow away from her face and tucked the arrow away, my fingers trembling as I did so.
"I am to." I said, drawing a haggard breath. "Why does idleness and the fear of attack turn people against each other when we should stand together?
Éowyn shook her head and picked up the sword I had been polishing.
"You have done a good job." She said quietly, clearly wanting to avoid the question. "You may continue, if you wish. I am sorry for disturbing you."
"My offer still stands." I returned, accepting the sword when she handed it to me.
"I know." She said softly and left the room.
*~*~*
There is still no sign of an attack, the Rohirrim are getting restless and Legolas and Gimli are still grieving. Éowyn has avoided me since our exchange yesturday and King Theoden sighs and paces the hallways, waiting for a sign of .. anything.
This morning I forced Legolas to take a walk with me, a long one, one that took us to a peaceful clearing with a shallow stream and a few trees. I looked at the poor, wizened trees and sighed longingly. I was very homesick.
I stroked the bark gently, memories of doing the same in Lothlórien to the trees, young and old, coming back to me. I stood there for a second, reliving some memories that had been long forgotten.
Legolas sat near the stream and stared into the water for a long time, not speaking, not moving.
I climbed one of the old trees and sat in its upper branches, gazing across the plains. I felt a peace here in this quiet place. It was hidden by a rise of rock. The air was fresh there. I breathed several deep breaths of the fresh air and scanned the plains for any signs of life. I sat there for a long time, dreaming of Aragorn coming riding over the plains before my eyes.
When I decided we should return, I climbed down from the tree to see Legolas standing up and handing something to me. I took his hand to help me down and took the thing from his hands.
"You would be able to give this to Arwen." He said quietly, the first words he had uttered in days. It was the Evenstar. My mouth gaped; I turned the Evenstar over in my fingers and watched it as it glowed steadily, showing Arwen's undying love for Aragorn.
Legolas took my hand and covered the Evenstar with my fingers.
"Look after it well, Ariel." He then turned my hand over and kissed it tenderly before turning and running back towards Helm's Deep.
*~*~*
Please R&R! And thanks so much for your reviews! I hope I didn't make you wait too long for this chapter!!!!!!!!!
A/N: Sorry for leaving such an awful cliffhanger, I didn't mean to. *hides* I hope its not that predictable, I HATE predictable! Enjoy, I'm trying to get this up as soon as possible, I know how annoying it is to be left on a cliffhanger.
Enjoy!
The Diary of an Orc - Continued
*~*~*
Breathe...it's just an arrow.
Yes, it IS an arrow, but it happens to be speeding in my direction.
*~*~* Aragorn *~*~*
I've never seen anyone look so panic-stricken. Of course, I shouldn't have worried; I have seen an elf pluck an arrow from the air, inches away from their face. But what worried me is when Ariel froze, her expression like one that knows they are to die.
She snapped out of her little dream and snatched the arrow away from her chest just in time, it still makes me shudder whenever I think of it. Théoden gave the command to kill Ariel, and that still confuses me. How can a king who is smothered by the power of Saruman, smothered like a blanket wrapped tight, can command his guard to shoot an elf who he has never seen before in his life.
Everyone froze in place as Ariel dropped the arrow in shock and blinked, staring at the floor. Legolas and I breathed easy; Gimli clutched his chest and growled at Ariel, scolding her quietly for not moving, and Gandalf smiled sadly, his gaze settling on Théoden. Beside Théoden stood Grima, a wretched servant of Saruman.
The King sat back in his throne and glared at Ariel, his clouded blue eyes showing furious rage.
"I said-"
"Théoden, son of Thengel. Too long have you sat in shadows." Gandalf interrupted, bringing forth his staff and advancing towards the throne where the King sat.
"His staff!' Grima complained, glaring at the guards that lurked in the shadows. "I told you to take the wizards staff!"
Guards rushed at us from all sides, trying to get the Gandalf. We took them all on, forcing them back.
Gandalf kept advancing towards the King, his staff held out in front of him.
If I may say so, he looked quite menacing.
*~*~* Legolas *~*~*
Ariel caught that arrow beautifully, though I did think she might have had to catch the cursed arrow with her chest, as that is what it sure looked like.
Théoden king is now released of Saruman's spell and Grima, the foul servant with the tongue of a snake, has been driven from Edoras. He has probably run back to his master, like a whipped dog, and complained of his ill treatment.
Ariel has returned to her Orc form and remains hidden while Mithrandir studies the spell that holds her carefully.
Mithrandir has confided to me that he fears that the spell that holds her may kill her if the wrong person removes it. I was so shocked at this that I nearly urged him to leave her as she is, but I remembered myself and kept my mouth closed.
The city of Edoras is to empty, all its residents are to make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. I hope Mithrandir is able to find a way to lift the spell before he leaves, which he is planning to do soon.
*~*~*
Mithrandir has just left Edoras and I sit here with an amulet in my hands. I am scared to try it, I have worn it once to see if it worked and it does. It lifts the spell that binds me while I wear it.
I am trying not to let my hopes rise to high as the spell is only lifted while I wear the amulet. I have looked at the clothes given to me by Altriel and realise at once what she meant when she told me her final message before we left. She knew.
Unfortunately, the spell cannot be dissolved completely unless Saruman lifts it, or he dies. Otherwise, I would die.
I haven't seen or told the others about the amulet, Mithrandir told me to be subtle. That's the problem. Rinariel of Lothlorien doesn't know how to be subtle.
We are to leave Edoras and travel to the refuge of Helm's Deep. Now that King Théoden has been released from the spell of Saruman and his filthy servant driven from this kingdom, the presence of evil has lifted, though I can feel something stirring.
I pity King Théoden, he has lost his son, and now he must leave his home, force his people to leave their homes, and sit idle, hoping no one will attack them.
The king's niece, Éowyn has just come into view so I just slipped the amulet around my neck. The change is immediate! Now, instead of being a miserable looking Orc hunched over a low table, a candle flickering in the darkness, I am a young elf maiden clutching an amulet.
*~*~*
The road to Helm's Deep is long..and boring. Never have I been so fed up! The others were mildly surprised to see me as..well..myself..but when I explained about the amulet, they all looked completely shocked, and overjoyed.
If I were a jealous type, I'd ask why they were being even nicer to me now that I look normal. I do wonder though...
*~*~*
Éowyn loves Aragorn.
I can see it and it wrenches my heart everytime I see the look on her face, I do not know whether she knows about the Evenstar or not. Aragorn seems oblivious to this show of affection and I think he must be rather blind.
I walked a long way today; only a few people were riding. Most of the horses trot without riders, but all carry possessions and food.
We are travelling in a long column, the warriors evenly placed throughout, always checking for danger.
Aragorn spent most of the day riding, lazy man. Gimli chatted cheerily with Éowyn about dwarf women. He was laughing and talking, when suddenly his horse bolted forward, forcing Gimli to fall.
*~*~*
We were attacked today, by the wolves of Isengard. I would have fought, but King Theoden ordered me to help his niece Éowyn lead the Rohirrim to Helm's Deep.
As we lead the people, Éowyn grumbled about it not being fair.
"I know you can fight," I said quietly to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She smiled, but it didn't last long.
"Why do I always have to stay back from the battle?" She asked me, twisted the sleeve of her gown in her fingers.
"They want to protect you." I said quietly, tucking a stray piece hair behind my ears. I felt an unexpected sensation of joy when I felt the pointed tips.
I heard Éowyn sigh beside me.
"You elves are so beautiful." She remarked, watching me closely. I thought I saw envy in her clear blue eyes.
"We have our moments." I replied. I paused, listening for the people. When I turned, they were there, following meekly like sheep.
"You love Aragorn." I said quietly, watching for her reaction. She shivered slightly and avoided my eyes.
"Yes." She whispered in reply.
An uncomfortable silence stretched, but we arrived at Helm's Deep shortly after. The Rohirrim breathed loud sighs of relief, and word passed back through the column. We had arrived.
It was impossible to stay with Éowyn, she busied herself with helping her people settle into Helm's Deep, but I think she was just trying to keep herself away from me.
I sat alone, nervously waiting for the others to return.
*~*~*
Aragorn is dead.
It has taken me at least an hour to write those words, they hurt too much. He...he fell. There was a fight, a bloody battle between the riders of Rohan and the wolves of Isengard.
Fury burns inside my soul, but bitter sadness and grief overcomes the suffocating anger. I see anger in Legolas' eyes, but sadness is the air about him. He hasn't spoken a word since he returned and stands now, alone, as if waiting for Aragorn to return.
Gimli is grieving also, though he doesn't show it as much. He cried, quietly, at first, but now he insists on helping everyone. I know that he is keeping himself so busy that he cannot think and it is sad to watch this cheerful creature by nature going through so much pain.
I have walked the crowed corridors of this fort and wonder if the Rohirrim can indeed protect it from attack. I have heard that there are caves under the fort in which the women and children will hide if we do come under attack.
Helm's Deep is a trap. There is no escape from this rock prison. The walls behind the fort as solid rock.
*~*~*
Éowyn could not look at me all day. I knew that she would feel the pain deep inside her and her pain would be worse tha mine, or Gimli's. We have been here at Helm's Deep for two days now and I am already feeling restless.
Gimli and I chatted about anything we could think of and we both knew why.
I even polished a few weapons. I was so bored. Elves should not be kept idle!
I was wiping the blade of an old, used sword when Éowyn came into the armoury.
"You do not need to do that." She said in a brisk tone. I didn't stop.
"I need something to do, something to keep me from thinking." I replied, polishing the hilt. I noticed that the hilt had a design in the shape of a horse.
"Do something else." She snapped, picking up a sword.
"You are skilled in the art of battle." I said, rubbing away years worth of filth.
"Yes." She hissed, swinging the sword experimentally.
"Would you like to practise?"
"What?" She squawked, nearly dropping her sword in disbelief. "You are some precious elf maiden with centuries to live...eternity, I would hate to waste your time. Besides, I'm afraid that if I touch even one golden hair on your precious head, that you'll break."
I dropped the sword in shock. Then, before I could get a clear thought through my head, I had picked up my bow and had an arrow drawn, the point resting on the tip of her nose.
Éowyn drew a deep breath, fear playing across her face.
"Now you tell me who's the precious one." I said in a low tone. I had no idea why Éowyn had made me so angry, and I had no idea why she had said such a thing to me.
"I'm sorry." She squeaked, holding her hands up.
I drew the arrow away from her face and tucked the arrow away, my fingers trembling as I did so.
"I am to." I said, drawing a haggard breath. "Why does idleness and the fear of attack turn people against each other when we should stand together?
Éowyn shook her head and picked up the sword I had been polishing.
"You have done a good job." She said quietly, clearly wanting to avoid the question. "You may continue, if you wish. I am sorry for disturbing you."
"My offer still stands." I returned, accepting the sword when she handed it to me.
"I know." She said softly and left the room.
*~*~*
There is still no sign of an attack, the Rohirrim are getting restless and Legolas and Gimli are still grieving. Éowyn has avoided me since our exchange yesturday and King Theoden sighs and paces the hallways, waiting for a sign of .. anything.
This morning I forced Legolas to take a walk with me, a long one, one that took us to a peaceful clearing with a shallow stream and a few trees. I looked at the poor, wizened trees and sighed longingly. I was very homesick.
I stroked the bark gently, memories of doing the same in Lothlórien to the trees, young and old, coming back to me. I stood there for a second, reliving some memories that had been long forgotten.
Legolas sat near the stream and stared into the water for a long time, not speaking, not moving.
I climbed one of the old trees and sat in its upper branches, gazing across the plains. I felt a peace here in this quiet place. It was hidden by a rise of rock. The air was fresh there. I breathed several deep breaths of the fresh air and scanned the plains for any signs of life. I sat there for a long time, dreaming of Aragorn coming riding over the plains before my eyes.
When I decided we should return, I climbed down from the tree to see Legolas standing up and handing something to me. I took his hand to help me down and took the thing from his hands.
"You would be able to give this to Arwen." He said quietly, the first words he had uttered in days. It was the Evenstar. My mouth gaped; I turned the Evenstar over in my fingers and watched it as it glowed steadily, showing Arwen's undying love for Aragorn.
Legolas took my hand and covered the Evenstar with my fingers.
"Look after it well, Ariel." He then turned my hand over and kissed it tenderly before turning and running back towards Helm's Deep.
*~*~*
Please R&R! And thanks so much for your reviews! I hope I didn't make you wait too long for this chapter!!!!!!!!!