Disclaimer: I own nothing, and I don't plan to ever own anything!
Summary: au After the death of his friend, Aragorn falls into depression and there may only be one person who can draw him out of it.
~*Author's Notes*~ Thanks to everyone who is reviewing my story. A special thanks to *Gionareth* for telling me about the song 'Everything I Do.' I really like it!
How Can I Survive
Chapter 21
"Is she going to be okay" Elladan asked Glorfindel, as they ran down the hallways looking for their companions and perhaps Aragorn, for they didn't know if he was even here. "She's a fighter, she'll hang on" was the fair-haired elf's answer. Arwen had her eyes closed as she was being carried down the corridor by her brother, and that was a very bad sign and the two older beings knew this, but neither wanted to say anything to their fellow traveller.
"I hope you're right, for her sake, for adar's…and for mine" Elladan mumbled as they continued on their hunt for the others. Glorfindel could see the anguish and eagerness in his eyes and anxiousness covered the older twin's fair face.
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"Please let her be spared" Aragorn prayed to Iluvitar. "I gave him what he wanted, please allow her to go home. I'll stay here and I won't say anything, just let her return to her family" he whispered. He was facing the wall of his cell and sitting on his knees.
"Estel?" Aragorn turned around at the voice that he immediately recognized. He was shocked to see the face of the one he loved like a brother along with a few of the trackers from the place he used to know as his home. "Elrohir, you came" he remained as stunned as ever. He didn't think that anyone would come to look for him, but then it hit him. Arwen. She was here as well.
"Have you found Arwen? She has been captured as well" he sputtered. Elrohir shook his head, indicating a no, for he didn't know that his twin had been successful in that area. The raven haired elf then took the keys he had taken from the fallen orc guard that was stationed outside of the prison room. He unlocked the door to Aragorn's cage and signalled for him to come out of it.
Estel did so and what happened next surprised him more than seeing a rescue party here. Elrohir grabbed the dunadan and wrapped his arms around him and pulled the man into a brotherly embrace. The elf's actions also amazed his companions. But then again, they knew Elrohir. He was always very forgiving, and Aragorn couldn't help the love he felt for the Evenstar. Also they never were aware of him hating anybody. That is except for the race of orcs and that was understandable, considering his past experiences with those folk.
After they had parted, Elrohir looked at Estel and a smile crossed his lips. "Don't be so startled, it's not like we weren't going to look for you" he said sensing Aragorn's tension and feelings. "I…I'm sorry" he managed to say which just caused the fair being's mirth to grow. 'Come on" he called to the other in his company. "Let go find my brother shall we? Hopefully he will have done something besides give Glorfindel a headache." His joke caused the others to grin, but they had a hunch that Elrohir was just trying to cover the sorrow that he would definitely be feeling.
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Kementari was leading the rest of the party to try and rid these walls of whatever evil force had put them in here in the first place. He had a group of about ten warriors and a healer. Diego had accompanied them because they knew that they would probably run into some injured people on their way.
"What do you make of this situation mellon nin?" Diego asked Kementari. The two had known each other most of their lives, which is a long time to say the least. "I am not sure what to think, but hopefully we will get some answers soon."
"Shh" Kementari ordered, as he heard the sounds off footsteps coming down the hallway towards them. He motioned for them to go into the unlit part of the passageway so they could remain unseen. Two orcs came down and seemed to be arguing about something that the elves could care less about. As the foul creatures came close enough, the group jumped out of where they where concealing themselves. They had their bows notched and were ready to kill the outnumbered opponent.
They were stopped as Kementari raised his slender hand. "Whom do you serve?" he asked humourlessly. Neither would answer the question that had been laid out for them. "Whom do you serve?" he enquired again, this time a little more harshly as he place his dagger to he throat of one of the orcs.
The being squealed with horror because he knew what would happen if he failed to answer again. "Lord Terral…Terral, we serve him" he cried with fright as the blade was removed and he and the other ran down the hallway that they had just come from.
"What did you do that for" Diego demanded angrily. "We should have killed them." Kementari shook his head. "I hate the spilling of blood, even if it is orc blood. They were unarmed, what were they going to do?" he questioned. "No doubt they will inform this Terral of our presence" the healer shot back. "No doubt he will learn of it anyway" the warrior countered proving his point. The other knew his friend was right, and Kementari was in charge of this mission, he was just here for safety precautions. "Fine" Diego said reluctantly.
The assembly continued to walk down the corridor and began to seek out the leader of this place. It was deathly silent and nobody spoke of what had just occurred.
Luckily they didn't come across any more orcs or corrupted men along their way. Down a passage they came found a drapery covered double door. "If anyone important is in this building, it is most likely they would be in here" Diego noted. "Amin weera mellon nin" [I agree, my friend] Kementari responded as he patted his companion on the back. It was astonishing to see how fast those two could forget a disagreement.
"As always there will be a lot of guards in there, but you are some of the best warriors in Imladris. I know we will be okay" Kementari said to his soldiers. He deserved his spot as chief of the Rivendell fighters. He could always offer support.
The elves barged through the entrance much to the shock of Terral who was indeed in there. Just as Kemenatari had predicted they were ambushed by all of the men and orcs that followed Terral. They weren't outnumbered but the orcs must have had a lot of training in combat skills because they were the most talented bunch that Kementari had ever come in contact with.
The elf was fighting with two orcs in the corner of the room. Even Diego had put down the herbs and picked up a sword. He was doing surprisingly well for someone who was usually inside tending to injuries.
Kemenatari had taken down one of the orcs with no trouble at all, but the second had managed to slice him across the chest, fortunately the cut wasn't deep, but it still gave him an adequate amount of pain. This situation was annoying the elf, usually this orc would be dead by now, but this Terral had went to a lot of work to get this group trained.
After what seemed like an eternity of sword hitting sword, Kementari was able to throw down his enemy. But he wasn't able to rest for long because now Terral decided that he wanted to fight as well. He came over to the warrior and began to look for death. Kemenatri was able to hold his own though, much to the man's dismay.
Diego fell another opponent that came his way with much ease. But he wouldn't be able to relax much longer. Although most of the enemy was dead or severely injured, the sight he would see would haunt him for the rest of his life.
The pain in his chest was causing Kementari to loose concentration. It was definite that the blade that he was stabbed with was poisoned. However his one misstep gave Terral the upper hand, and before anyone could aid the elf, the man was able to stab him through the stomach.
Diego's eyes widened as his grip on his dagger tightened. He took aim and through his blade directly at the back of Terral's unshielded neck. He was true to his aim. Terral had taken his last breath and he fell to the ground as lifeless as his followers. The healer ran over to his life long friend, just as the door opened and Elrohir, Aragorn, Glorfindel, Elladan, and the still unconscious Arwen entered.
Diego was kneeling on the ground next to Kementari trying to mend him in some way that would last temporarily and the others in his group were standing behind them. They took one look and knew what had transpired. The healer looked up at the newcomers and said something to them. "He's gone."
Like it? I know this chapter didn't revolve around the main characters but I thought that this stuff needed to happen. Anyway let me know what you think and keep it coming with the songs! Thanks!
~*Judy Greenleaf*~
