Chapter Sixteen: The Flight to the Ford

Written by Telahalien

A shriek from a Nazgul was heard at Halien's side. It didn't scare her, but it did serve as a warning letting her know that they were catching up. Arwen glanced over her shoulder back at Halien who was struggling to keep up. "C'mon Halien!"

Halien grunted and pushed Gil-Galad to his limits. The horse visibly sped up, but would soon tire out if they kept going at such a fast pace. Halien wiped her sweat stained forehead on her sleeve, and relaxed as she saw that she was gaining on Arwen.

But before she could be at Arwen's side she heard the galloping of the horses behind also going faster. She dreaded that sound, but she hesitantly turned to find that the Wraiths were coming in faster now. Her eyes widened at the sight of them, and she whispered to her horse, "Noro lim." She rode up to Arwen's left, and they looked at each other. Halien broke the gaze as she looked down to Frodo, who was looking worst by the minute. The riders were upon them now.

An armed draped with a black cloak reached out to grab Frodo, and Halien lightly grabbed Arwen's arm signaling for her to go into the trees. Fortunately Halien had a plan, and Arwen caught on and went into the sanctuary of the trees.

Halien left Arwen's site and pushed her horse to go even faster. Once they would come out into a clearing she would cut them off giving Arwen a chance to gain the lead. She sped up and watched Arwen on her far right. A branch smacked Arwen in the face, and Halien grimaced at the thought of that happening to her.

Arwen was almost at the river, it was time for Halien to execute her plan. She pulled of abruptly to the right cutting off the Ringwraiths. Their horses drew back from her nearly sending the black riders to the ground. They screeched and hissed at her. Instead of putting up a good fight, they went around her not paying attention to her.

Halien stared at them in disbelief. "Cowards," she murmured softly to herself. She turned her horse and went after them. It wasn't really hard to pass them since they stopped at the edge of the water fearing to go in. Gil-Galad made his way across the water to join, Arwen and Asfaloth. He turned so that he faced forward at the Wraiths across the water.

"Give up the halfling she-elf!"

Arwen sat up straight on her horse and drew her sword. "If you want him come and claim him!"

For a moment, Halien thought that was it; they were done with. Arwen and Halien might not have been afraid of the Wraiths, but their bodies were weary and they would stand no chance against them, and to be truthful Arwen's defiance wasn't helping the situation.

Gil-galad stirred under her as the Wraiths drew their swords and began to move forward. Halien could feel his trepidation, and she bet he could probably feel hers. However at that moment, the tide turned as Arwen began a spell.

Halien could not catch what she was saying, but once she heard she joined in too, "Nîn o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer!" She repeated once more after finishing, "Nîn o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer!" Truth be told, Halien wasn't too sure that the spell would work, and she closed her eyes and prayed to the Valar that it would.

Halien could not be more than happy when she opened her eyes and saw the water in shape of horses coming towards the Riders. She sat there fascinated, and remembered to move a second before the water took her down along with the Wraiths.

She snapped out of her trance and moved to where Arwen sat with Frodo's body in her hands. "No! No! Frodo! No! Frodo, don't give in! Not now!"

Halien gasped; it was too late. She dismounted quickly and kneeled next to Arwen. Arwen hugged Frodo's body and tears streamed down her face. "Halien, go! Go to father and tell him!"

Halien started to object, "No, I'll stay her--"

Her words were cut short by Arwen's, "No! Just go!"

She turned and mounted Gil-Galad again, and started to ride off. As she did she still heard Arwen's whispers, "What grace is given me, let it pass to him. Let him be spared. Save him."

* * *

She entered the hall breathing heavily, but she managed to choke some words out, "My... lord... Arwen-"

"Halien!" Lord Elrond rushed to her. Her face was red and she was breathing hard. She fell on all fours and tried to catch her breath.

"Arwen needs... help!"

"Where is Arwen, Halien?" Elrond asked his face contorted in worry.

"She's... Ford... must help!"

Elrond looked to the two Elves that stood next to her, "Go!"

He set his concentration back to Halien, "Halien, are you all right?"

Before she could answer she felt a sharp pain on her side that made her fall completely to the ground. She grabbed her aching side and screamed out in pain, and that's the last thing she remembered before everything went dark.

*~*~*

Translator: Nîn o Chithaeglir, lasto beth daer, Rimmo nîn Bruinen dan in Ulaer! ["Waters of the Misty Mountains listen to the great word: flow waters of Bruinen against the Ringwraiths!"]