Disclaimer: Don't claim it.
A/N: I think, Lily Baggins, is that you are right and many of you guys out there miss Frodo and Pippin. Forgive me for not having them in here of late but I had to do some explaining of Apryl and her past. I am sorry for how long it took, I did not intend it to be so but I promise that Pippin is returning and will be among us shortly after and a whole lot more. I have missed them, come to think of it.
Chapter 27
LIGHT IN A SEA OF DARKNESS
She remembered. She remembered the hobbit whom she called friend. And she remembered his death.
The grief Apryl felt then was unlike anything she had ever experienced. Her mind was clouded with lose and she knew not how to deal with it, for she had loved the halfling more than a Maiar ought, though only as a mortal can.
I know this now. Atira had loved him but had not admitted such to herself. She could not, would not, for fear of . . . of what? The pain? But she felt it anyway. Was that why Sauron cast her away? Because she loved and that was wrong? Surely not.
Why has she returned? His voice was insistent, never ceasing, and so very tiring.
Why indeed?
Apryl looked around in the land of blackness and wanted to curse it. She hated it, despised it and did not altogether know why. I feel wretched.
"Why are you here?" she whispered to the darkness, not completely directing the question for answering. "Why you and none other? Where is Pippin? Where is Frodo. Must I always be alone?!"
Yessss, came a gleeful chuckle, For when one curses the Dark Lord, they find it as rewarding as cursing themselves.
"Gandalf where are you? Why'd you leave me? I cannot do this alone! I need help!"
But Gandalf the Grey did not come to her, even as he said he would not. The fate of Middle-earth hung in the balance and if he was forced to sacrifice that of which he loved already had he made the decision to do so. Apryl realized this and though the fear was great she also understood it.
Very well, she said, as one who's come to realize not what she does will have any effect. Besides, she had very little to lose. Perhaps she had never truly been to Middle-earth and if she hadn't she most certainly wasn't going back.
I will try, though, and may I learn from Atira.
Apryl thought for a moment. The darkness consumed her through hate. She was doomed the moment Kharutis died and I can understand that because . . . because I can remember the pain and hatred . . . but I can learn from it. Not only that, Apryl gave a wry smile, but I have an advantage. Sauron can harm none that are close to me because he is weak, his only substance is the Eye, and he cannot harm those beyond this plane. Somehow she knew this. Apryl chuckled and the land swelled with anger. Eyes do not have weapons, eyes do not have magic. Eyes do not even have hands in which to grip, claw, or strangle. But then she recalled something. But they do have black men that ride black beasts. They do have goblins and orcs and . . . and balrogs. Apryl shuddered then, though it was caused by a memory she could not grasp but suddenly realized was there. It was a memory from a different age, a different mind.
"I know not what to do . . ."
She did not have great magic in which to defeat the Dark One, nor was she a mighty warrior. Apryl felt like nothing more than a helpless child who has lost her mother and all else that she ever held dear. And like that child who Apryl had not seen in many years, she did something that her mother had taught her when she was very young.
"Satan," she whispered aloud, hoarsely, "you cannot touch me. I have Jesus." Apryl gulped, closed her eyes. "Satan, you cannot touch me. I have Jesus. He is with me, you must leave." Over and over, she murmured these words. She concentrated on nothing save them. "Jesus is with me, Satan. I have nothing for you, go away!" Slowly, quite slowly, Apryl realized she could not hear the quiet musings of the Dark Lord and she wondered at when the voice had truly gone, perhaps it was around the same time her words became slightly altered. "You cannot touch me, Sauron, for I have Eru. He is with me, you must flee. The Father holds me, Sauron. I have nought for you, get you gone!"
*****
A/N: Please, please, be honest with me you guys and let me know when your getting bored or if my work is going down hill. Tell me when you want more Frodo or Pippin or even if you'd like to see Aragorn in there once in a while. I will listen and squeeze them in there whenever I can. You have to let me know though.
Thanks, Lily Baggins, for your honesty!^^
