NOTE: Thanks for the review klaw!! I hope you had a great vacation! Thanks
to anyone else who reviewed. FF.net is still a bit crazy for me. It's
saying I have two more reviews that it won't show me, so yeah. I apologize
to anyone who reviewed but I didn't get a chance to thanks personally.
Well, I hope you guys like this chapter!
NOTE (08-04-03): I made alterations with the invaders of Gondor plot going. Thanks to klaw for the review, which is what inspired me to alter it. I agree, Gondor wouldn't easily be taken over again. Hope this alteration works better!
BE NOT AFRAID: 20
"Arwen," Éowyn said calmly, calling to the Queen. Arwen turned and watched as Éowyn approached her. They were standing in the middle of the main entrance hall of the citadel. Éowyn had heard the commotion, and decided to follow Rhiandra and Arwen to see what was going on. Before Arwen could answer, there was a heavy, long knock at the main door. Arwen, Éowyn and Rhiandra all turned to the face the door simultaneously. Rhiandra approached and answered the door, to reveal a young man, clearly one a soldier. He was perspiring and gasping for air.
"My Queen, Milady," he said bowing, acknowledging Arwen and Éowyn. "My Queen, my leader begs me to ask what of your decision? He is fearful to allow the first attack to keep the intruders at bay, for he says they will surely retaliate, and he is uncertain if the portion of Gondor's army that is here now is sufficient. We can fight, My Queen, but it would be folly if we begin a small war with an enemy we know we cannot match in number."
"Yes, I understand. Relay the message that I will speak with their leader, but he is the only one to be allowed into the city."
"And tell the stand-in captain to make sure the leader of these intruders is escorted in and stripped of weaponry," Éowyn included. When she had finished, she realized she was not in control, and gave a look of apology to Arwen.
"Yes, Éowyn is right. We cannot take any chances," Arwen supported, putting ease to Eowyn's embarrassment. "Now go, quickly." The soldier bowed in parting, and ran to tell his leader.
"Your Majesty is that best?" Arwen turned to see a man of the council, and the rest of the council behind him approaching. "We cannot trust these people."
"What would you have me do Aldaron? Wait until they enter the city and let them kill a portion of our army?"
"Arwen, be reasonable. You are putting trust in an unknown intruder. Even if it was only one man to enter, it is still dangerous." Éowyn listened intently and wanted to say something to defend Arwen's decision, but held back for she knew it was not of her place. Aldaron opened his mouth to speak again, but he paused at the second set of grand knocks at the door.
"This will end, now. I will not stand to let another force enter the city. My children, and Éowyn's are gone because of this. I'm sorry but you have no choice in the matter now," Arwen said firmly, approaching the door.
"Milady.." The councilmen all called lightly. Aldaron attempted to stop her as she made her way to the door, but Éowyn halted him.
"She is right. We must retaliate. We cannot stand idle and gradually watch our city be taken." Éowyn said confidently and firmly, watching as Arwen slowly opened the door. Behind it was a man in full armor, his helmet under his arm, wearing a casual smile on his face to greet the Queen. Beside him were two guards, standing proud and firmly having a grasp on the man. He bowed, politely and addressed her.
"Queen of Gondor. I've heard such extraordinary words of your beauty, but they hardly do you justice."
"And I presume it is your small army out there threatening my city," Arwen said coldly.
The man took a mock turn to look out at the city. "Yes, I believe it is. However I've come to reason with you. Open the gates to the city, hand it me freely, and we will not force ourselves upon her."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we call war upon your city. Either way, Lady Arwen, we will take the city." He felt the grips at each of his arms tighten. He obviously offended the guards. He chuckled lightly.
"You will take nothing. I would not give you the city, not now not ever. Remove your army from here. You are wasting your time," Arwen said firmly, slowly to make him understand her words.
"My Queen, surely you are not that foolish? I give you credit, the men of your army are fully capable to fight in battle, but to partake in one now? Do you think your half of an army will fare well in a battle?"
"I do not. But you give me no choice. Your request is impossible."
"You dig your army's grave then, Arwen, and the graves of your people. It is a pity, however. I would have returned something dear to you if you would have agreed."
"Something dear?"
"Yes. Something very dear to you; such as a child?" Arwen gasped and grabbed the man at the collar of his armor.
"YOU LIE TO ME."
"Indeed it is of your own wish to trust me or not." He did not answer her directly, for he was lying. But, it was a plan of Ainik's. Had the Queen refused, which was obvious she would, he only needed to bring up her children. The Dunleding leader noticed the fire in Arwen's eyes, and he knew the trap was set. "But give to the Dunledings the city, and I will free to you your child."
"A Dunleding? His word is poison. Do not trust him Arwen!" Éowyn called from behind. The Dunleding leader pushed the door wider to reveal the princess of Ithilian standing behind the Queen, eyes piercing.
"Ah, the Lady Éowyn," he chuckled, ignoring her piercing glare and turned to the Queen. "I will be a gentleman Queen, and give you by sunset tomorrow to relay to me your decision. I will just have my men make camp along the gates." With that he released himself from the Gondorian guards' grasps, and made his way down the steps, the guards bowing to the Queen then following him. Arwen only looked to Éowyn and her council, and began to agonize over the decision. The city or her child?
Ewan wandered about the Wood, finding a spot to sit and gather his thoughts. The wound on his back was throbbing extremely but there was so much on his mind that it was easy enough for him to try and ignore it. He let out a heavy sigh, and revealed a smile on his blushing face, remembering Amdiriel's tender lips. But the piercing words he had said to her before wrenched him away from his reverie. Ewan only sighed again, shaking his head in regret. He began to think of where he should take the two next, to keep them safe, but he shook his head again, this time in disagreement with himself. "No matter where I take them, even if they will be safe they will not be happy. She will not be happy," he thought to himself. "The more I try to protect her, the more I am hurting her," he mumbled to no one. Sighing, again, he lay back resting his head amongst the fallen leaves from the trees, squirming a bit due to his wound and tried to rest, Amdiriel being the last thing he thought of before conforming to sleep.
Not too far away, Amdiriel was twisting and turning about as she slept, the dream she was captured in feeling so real. She sat up violently, awaking from the dream and quickly got up from where she lay. She frantically searched for her brother and Ewan, calling out their names in hideous screams. Finally they approached, Ewan, and then Eldarion, startled and worried as they looked to the pale-faced girl.
"What in Eru's name is the matter with you?" Eldarion asked.
"I had a dream, t-that we must leave here, NOW. S-something is coming, they are coming."
"Who are they Amdiriel?" Ewan asked gently.
"Ainik! They come for me. She showed me, Galadriel, showed me everything. I am the key, Ewan. My blood is the key."
"WHAT?"
"What key, Amdiriel? What are you talking about?" her brother asked.
"It doesn't matter. He's found us. We must leave. She said to go to Rivendell, as quickly as possible."
"It can be done" Ewan said quickly and began to prepare what few things they had to make the journey, but Eldarion halted them.
"What? What of Maethoriel, of the Northern Waste?"
"Eldarion! They are not there. They escaped."
"How do you know Amdiriel?"
"I just do, now come, they will kill us if we are found." Ewan waited for Eldarion to follow his sister, then followed behind Eldarion. Ewan was relieved and surprised that Amdiriel had suddenly begun to see it Ewan's way.
MIRKWOOD
Laurelas made his way to an outside courtyard and found Arodiel sitting on a bench. He paused, and approached slowly, feeling she was in a fragile state. He took a sit next to her, but she didn't turn to acknowledge him. She only sat motionless, ashamed to face him.
"I almost said yes," she said, finally breaking the tension. Laurelas looked to her startled.
"What?"
"I nearly believed him when he said I would worry about nothing. He made it seem like a life with him would be a life without strain. But it was only wishful thinking on my part. I could feel in my heart that he would never love me, he would only accept me as a wife."
"Arodiel I've promised to take care of you, many times over. Until now you still do not believe me?"
"It is not that. When I am with you, I am to the extent of happiness, that I feel I do not deserve it. I fear that it would be taken away from me if I hold on for too long. That I am not worthy to hold on to such a thing."
"How can you say that? Arodiel do not feel like your worth is less than that of anyone else's."
"Why do you love me? I do not understand it. I could never understand why..."
"You ask now? After so many years it has not been clear? I cannot explain in words Arodiel. I know in your heart you feel why I do. I love you, and that is that." Laurelas looked to Arodiel, wanting to hear the words he's waited to hear for so long. But he sighed, and looked down to her hands within his own. "Arodiel, you know how I feel, and you know I've waited for you for so long to tell me what it is in your heart that you feel, but I will not press it any further. If you are ever ready to..."
"Laurelas," she said placing her fingers to his lips, "I love you." Arodiel let out a deep sigh, feeling as if a burden had been carried off her shoulders. She let out a smile and removed her fingers to place a kiss upon Laurelas' lips. Both were suddenly enraptured within each other's passion.
From afar the son of Rhaemyr watched with anger and jealous, as the two were reunited. He felt a hand placed on his shoulder and looked to see his dad standing behind him.
"Father,"
"Taemyr, do not fret. She will return with us to Arlen."
"How is that possible? Don't you see? He gives her strength. She was nothing but a listless girl doing what her parents wished of her only a few months before. Look what he does to her. She would not go now lest we hit her over the head and drag her to Arlen."
"I couldn't have said it better myself my boy." Taemyr only looked to his father.
"Are you serious? You want to kidnap the daughter of the Steward of Gondor?"
"Yes. Why, Taemyr? Do you object?"
"No, not at all," he answered, both smiling as they looked to the two soon to be separated lovers.
TBC.. please review! sorry this chapter was kind of boring.
NOTE (08-04-03): I made alterations with the invaders of Gondor plot going. Thanks to klaw for the review, which is what inspired me to alter it. I agree, Gondor wouldn't easily be taken over again. Hope this alteration works better!
BE NOT AFRAID: 20
"Arwen," Éowyn said calmly, calling to the Queen. Arwen turned and watched as Éowyn approached her. They were standing in the middle of the main entrance hall of the citadel. Éowyn had heard the commotion, and decided to follow Rhiandra and Arwen to see what was going on. Before Arwen could answer, there was a heavy, long knock at the main door. Arwen, Éowyn and Rhiandra all turned to the face the door simultaneously. Rhiandra approached and answered the door, to reveal a young man, clearly one a soldier. He was perspiring and gasping for air.
"My Queen, Milady," he said bowing, acknowledging Arwen and Éowyn. "My Queen, my leader begs me to ask what of your decision? He is fearful to allow the first attack to keep the intruders at bay, for he says they will surely retaliate, and he is uncertain if the portion of Gondor's army that is here now is sufficient. We can fight, My Queen, but it would be folly if we begin a small war with an enemy we know we cannot match in number."
"Yes, I understand. Relay the message that I will speak with their leader, but he is the only one to be allowed into the city."
"And tell the stand-in captain to make sure the leader of these intruders is escorted in and stripped of weaponry," Éowyn included. When she had finished, she realized she was not in control, and gave a look of apology to Arwen.
"Yes, Éowyn is right. We cannot take any chances," Arwen supported, putting ease to Eowyn's embarrassment. "Now go, quickly." The soldier bowed in parting, and ran to tell his leader.
"Your Majesty is that best?" Arwen turned to see a man of the council, and the rest of the council behind him approaching. "We cannot trust these people."
"What would you have me do Aldaron? Wait until they enter the city and let them kill a portion of our army?"
"Arwen, be reasonable. You are putting trust in an unknown intruder. Even if it was only one man to enter, it is still dangerous." Éowyn listened intently and wanted to say something to defend Arwen's decision, but held back for she knew it was not of her place. Aldaron opened his mouth to speak again, but he paused at the second set of grand knocks at the door.
"This will end, now. I will not stand to let another force enter the city. My children, and Éowyn's are gone because of this. I'm sorry but you have no choice in the matter now," Arwen said firmly, approaching the door.
"Milady.." The councilmen all called lightly. Aldaron attempted to stop her as she made her way to the door, but Éowyn halted him.
"She is right. We must retaliate. We cannot stand idle and gradually watch our city be taken." Éowyn said confidently and firmly, watching as Arwen slowly opened the door. Behind it was a man in full armor, his helmet under his arm, wearing a casual smile on his face to greet the Queen. Beside him were two guards, standing proud and firmly having a grasp on the man. He bowed, politely and addressed her.
"Queen of Gondor. I've heard such extraordinary words of your beauty, but they hardly do you justice."
"And I presume it is your small army out there threatening my city," Arwen said coldly.
The man took a mock turn to look out at the city. "Yes, I believe it is. However I've come to reason with you. Open the gates to the city, hand it me freely, and we will not force ourselves upon her."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then we call war upon your city. Either way, Lady Arwen, we will take the city." He felt the grips at each of his arms tighten. He obviously offended the guards. He chuckled lightly.
"You will take nothing. I would not give you the city, not now not ever. Remove your army from here. You are wasting your time," Arwen said firmly, slowly to make him understand her words.
"My Queen, surely you are not that foolish? I give you credit, the men of your army are fully capable to fight in battle, but to partake in one now? Do you think your half of an army will fare well in a battle?"
"I do not. But you give me no choice. Your request is impossible."
"You dig your army's grave then, Arwen, and the graves of your people. It is a pity, however. I would have returned something dear to you if you would have agreed."
"Something dear?"
"Yes. Something very dear to you; such as a child?" Arwen gasped and grabbed the man at the collar of his armor.
"YOU LIE TO ME."
"Indeed it is of your own wish to trust me or not." He did not answer her directly, for he was lying. But, it was a plan of Ainik's. Had the Queen refused, which was obvious she would, he only needed to bring up her children. The Dunleding leader noticed the fire in Arwen's eyes, and he knew the trap was set. "But give to the Dunledings the city, and I will free to you your child."
"A Dunleding? His word is poison. Do not trust him Arwen!" Éowyn called from behind. The Dunleding leader pushed the door wider to reveal the princess of Ithilian standing behind the Queen, eyes piercing.
"Ah, the Lady Éowyn," he chuckled, ignoring her piercing glare and turned to the Queen. "I will be a gentleman Queen, and give you by sunset tomorrow to relay to me your decision. I will just have my men make camp along the gates." With that he released himself from the Gondorian guards' grasps, and made his way down the steps, the guards bowing to the Queen then following him. Arwen only looked to Éowyn and her council, and began to agonize over the decision. The city or her child?
Ewan wandered about the Wood, finding a spot to sit and gather his thoughts. The wound on his back was throbbing extremely but there was so much on his mind that it was easy enough for him to try and ignore it. He let out a heavy sigh, and revealed a smile on his blushing face, remembering Amdiriel's tender lips. But the piercing words he had said to her before wrenched him away from his reverie. Ewan only sighed again, shaking his head in regret. He began to think of where he should take the two next, to keep them safe, but he shook his head again, this time in disagreement with himself. "No matter where I take them, even if they will be safe they will not be happy. She will not be happy," he thought to himself. "The more I try to protect her, the more I am hurting her," he mumbled to no one. Sighing, again, he lay back resting his head amongst the fallen leaves from the trees, squirming a bit due to his wound and tried to rest, Amdiriel being the last thing he thought of before conforming to sleep.
Not too far away, Amdiriel was twisting and turning about as she slept, the dream she was captured in feeling so real. She sat up violently, awaking from the dream and quickly got up from where she lay. She frantically searched for her brother and Ewan, calling out their names in hideous screams. Finally they approached, Ewan, and then Eldarion, startled and worried as they looked to the pale-faced girl.
"What in Eru's name is the matter with you?" Eldarion asked.
"I had a dream, t-that we must leave here, NOW. S-something is coming, they are coming."
"Who are they Amdiriel?" Ewan asked gently.
"Ainik! They come for me. She showed me, Galadriel, showed me everything. I am the key, Ewan. My blood is the key."
"WHAT?"
"What key, Amdiriel? What are you talking about?" her brother asked.
"It doesn't matter. He's found us. We must leave. She said to go to Rivendell, as quickly as possible."
"It can be done" Ewan said quickly and began to prepare what few things they had to make the journey, but Eldarion halted them.
"What? What of Maethoriel, of the Northern Waste?"
"Eldarion! They are not there. They escaped."
"How do you know Amdiriel?"
"I just do, now come, they will kill us if we are found." Ewan waited for Eldarion to follow his sister, then followed behind Eldarion. Ewan was relieved and surprised that Amdiriel had suddenly begun to see it Ewan's way.
MIRKWOOD
Laurelas made his way to an outside courtyard and found Arodiel sitting on a bench. He paused, and approached slowly, feeling she was in a fragile state. He took a sit next to her, but she didn't turn to acknowledge him. She only sat motionless, ashamed to face him.
"I almost said yes," she said, finally breaking the tension. Laurelas looked to her startled.
"What?"
"I nearly believed him when he said I would worry about nothing. He made it seem like a life with him would be a life without strain. But it was only wishful thinking on my part. I could feel in my heart that he would never love me, he would only accept me as a wife."
"Arodiel I've promised to take care of you, many times over. Until now you still do not believe me?"
"It is not that. When I am with you, I am to the extent of happiness, that I feel I do not deserve it. I fear that it would be taken away from me if I hold on for too long. That I am not worthy to hold on to such a thing."
"How can you say that? Arodiel do not feel like your worth is less than that of anyone else's."
"Why do you love me? I do not understand it. I could never understand why..."
"You ask now? After so many years it has not been clear? I cannot explain in words Arodiel. I know in your heart you feel why I do. I love you, and that is that." Laurelas looked to Arodiel, wanting to hear the words he's waited to hear for so long. But he sighed, and looked down to her hands within his own. "Arodiel, you know how I feel, and you know I've waited for you for so long to tell me what it is in your heart that you feel, but I will not press it any further. If you are ever ready to..."
"Laurelas," she said placing her fingers to his lips, "I love you." Arodiel let out a deep sigh, feeling as if a burden had been carried off her shoulders. She let out a smile and removed her fingers to place a kiss upon Laurelas' lips. Both were suddenly enraptured within each other's passion.
From afar the son of Rhaemyr watched with anger and jealous, as the two were reunited. He felt a hand placed on his shoulder and looked to see his dad standing behind him.
"Father,"
"Taemyr, do not fret. She will return with us to Arlen."
"How is that possible? Don't you see? He gives her strength. She was nothing but a listless girl doing what her parents wished of her only a few months before. Look what he does to her. She would not go now lest we hit her over the head and drag her to Arlen."
"I couldn't have said it better myself my boy." Taemyr only looked to his father.
"Are you serious? You want to kidnap the daughter of the Steward of Gondor?"
"Yes. Why, Taemyr? Do you object?"
"No, not at all," he answered, both smiling as they looked to the two soon to be separated lovers.
TBC.. please review! sorry this chapter was kind of boring.
