Disclaimer: I don't own anybody in this story except for Adariel and minor
character associated with her, i.e. Maids and other people like that…….. I
also made up the King and Lakewood. And I definitely don't own the Lord of
the Rings movie plot!
Okay, I've got something to say about the story……and that is I think I might stick a little bit to the movie plot because it is sooooo much shorter. Or else I'll make up my own sequence of events related to it
OK JUST TO CLEAR SOME STUFF UP BEFORE I START:
Elrond was NOT in Lothlorien…that was Elderon, the healer. Note that they are not related.
Adariel did not say anything to Legolas when she burst out crying because she was too embarrassed to. And Legolas didn't even know what she was crying about, nor did she care to tell him. ^_^ I'll bring that up later probably
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 8: In which pathways separate
"What do you MEAN we're lost?" Adariel exclaimed to Starliss. "All we had to do was stick to the road that bent around the river!"
Starliss pawed the ground and snorted, replying that it wasn't HER fault that she had such a TERRIBLE sense of direction, after all, it was ADARIEL who had control of the reins. Adariel stopped pacing. "This is so humiliating. I'm an ELF and I'm lost in a FOREST. And these trees are all Rowans. Everybody knows that a Rowan speaks in riddles."
Starliss said nothing but stood perfectly still, ears tense. There was a soft crack, and the next thing Adariel knew, a small branch of the overhead Rowan tree had hit her head. "SSSeeetnnnddddddddd sseetthhmmmmdddddeelll!" the tree said angrily.
"Yes, but it seems like a riddle to me! All of your kind keep saying the same thing! 'Where there are no pathways, one may lead to you.' Is that not a riddle?"
"Sssssssooodddtiiiiggggggeeeeelll saaaddgidddddddd"
"In truth, it did not sound like advice to me!"
The trees were suddenly silent, as if conversing amongst themselves. Adariel frowned. It was not often that trees could be out-talked like that. Especially Rowans and Willow trees who insisted on establishing that they were wisest of the Elderlings. Here in this part of the forest, Adariel noticed that there were no Seedlings or even Yearlings growing out of the forest floor. This in itself was very strange.
Starliss remained quiet, nervously pawing the ground. Then Adariel could feel it too. Something was coming this way. She could hear the protests of the trees as their roots were shattered, and she could feel the angry puffs of the wind. "I don't like it here. The silence weighs heavily on my mind," Adariel said to Starliss even as she was mounting up. Starliss pranced as Adariel tightened the reins.
In the distance, getting closer, there came the sound of many heavy feet trampling over the forest floor. "Ride on!" cried Adariel. Starliss needed no more encouragement. Eyes rolling back with fear, the mare kicked her hind legs and galloped away over the foliage deeper into the forest. Turning back, Adariel saw, with her keen Elven eyes, the figures of heavily clad creatures that looked like Orcs, but had features of goblins. "What foul craft is this that has crossed Goblins with Orcs?" Adariel shuddered.
Suddenly, she drew the reins in. Starliss threw back her head and reared up. "What are you doing?" the mare screamed, trying to shake her head loose of the reins. Adariel said nothing, but forcefully steered the mare toward the retreating line of Orc-Goblins that had just ran past. "We're following them. I have no doubt where that will lead us to." Then she galloped down the ruined forest track, the feel of evil still in the air.
The sun had moved halfway in its journey from the East to the West. And still, the Orc-Goblins showed no signs of tiring. Or even stopping, for that matter. "We must have strayed far from our path," she muttered to Starliss. Starliss said nothing. Although she was raised as an Elven horse to run many miles without tiring, the heat of the day was making her sleepy.
There was a change in the ground, and Adariel could hear the clear sound of flowing water. They were at the riverside. Finally, the Orc-Goblins up ahead slowed themselves to a walk. Adariel skitted sideways and hid in the shadows of the trees. In this part of the wood, the Rowan trees had cleared up to make way for young pines such as the one she now sheltered under.
The pine tree, eager to help, said "ttttaarrroooi?" What needs have you?
When Adariel replied that she was looking for the one that bears the Ring of Power, the tree shuddered but said that he was not far from here. He had departed the group, and now a Man follows him closely although he does not know it.
"A Man? Who?" but the tree could not answer. Adariel thanked it, placed her hand upon its trunk and looked up into its branches. "The creatures that are near are creatures of the Land of No Greens where the Fire Mountain lies. Keep them delayed."
The Yearling replied that it would, and it was echoed by other Yearlings from around it. The towering Rowans waved their branches in annoyance. "Though we live not for trouble, what you have asked of us will be done," they said. Adariel bowed all plants and creatures around her, then wheeled Starliss around until she was on the other side of the pine tree. Sliding off, Adariel reached into her pack for some cloth to tie around Starliss' hooves. She could not find any. Frowning, she looked around and checked that the Orc-Goblins were of no danger from her position and undid the top of the bag.
It was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. Some Elves in the Golden Woods must have repacked for her. Inside was a silky Elven rope much like the one she had walked across when she first entered. There was also some pieces of parchment, a quill, the spare sets of that Adariel had originally left with, a cloak bearing the leaf of Lorien and, strangely enough, a gown.
"What would a gown be here? They knew of my journey and its purpose. Why would they pack a gown?" Adariel frowned. She tarried no more on the subject, except to note that it was a pretty gown, shimmering like silver in the light. Getting out her knife, she cut a section off the bottom of one of her spare cloaks and cut the Elven rope to pieces. Starliss stood patiently while Adariel tied the cloth to her hooves. It was too close to the enemy to speak, although the mare did flick her tail in annoyance whenever she felt the rope was too tight to her liking.
When that was done, Adariel mounted again and wheeled Starliss inland. When they were out of seeing distance, she kicked the mare's girth and Starliss galloped away south, echoing the waters of the Great River.
After a while, the ground evened out and there was sunlight shining through the thinning canopy. On the ground, a thick layer of leaves carpeted the earth, and still more drifted lazily down. Here, the pine trees dominated and of the Elderlings, there were few.
A little past mid afternoon they stopped. Starliss was worn and thirsty in the heat and set out under the shade of a tree near the river. Adariel grew weary, for there was no sign that anybody had been down this path. She sat with her back leaning against one of the taller pines and looked towards the sky. "Elbereth," she whispered, "If fate were on my side, then give me a sign!"
It was peaceful. Winds blew and danced about amongst the falling leaves, and they laughed as the sun tickled their tips. Birds twittered about amongst the higher branches, with the Tewu (Eldar birds) leading the Yelrui (Young Ones). But there was no sign. Sitting there under the pine tree, surrounded by the living beings whose love she had grown upon, Adariel couldn't help but think that maybe she was only dreaming and walking upon one of the paths of Elven dream. How can any place still remain so peaceful when such evil was about.
A snap of a twig far off chided Adariel out of her thoughts. Someone was approaching. She turned and swiftly climbed the tall tree, bow drawn and already an arrow in her hand, slanting downward. The footsteps were brisk and light. Too light to belong to an Orc or any other servant of Sauron in the East. But times were changing. "Look at the Orc-Goblins for instance." Thought Adariel grimly, arm tense and eyes narrowed.
The footsteps drew nearer. A figure could be vaguely made out now, coming around from the other side of one of the trees. Adariel relaxed. It was Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer. He had his hood up, but his hand was clutching his pocket, stepping roughly over the thick layer of leaves that littered the ground. He stopped in the clearing, looking first left then right, and then looked back down the direction that he came. Seemingly satisfied that he had not left enough tracks to be followed, he continued on. He was nearly out of the clearing that Adariel overlooked, when Adariel noticed that another shape had emerged from the same turn that Frodo had.
It was Boromir, the Man from the White City of Gondor. Adariel drew her bow up again, this time trained at Boromir. There was an unusual madness in his eyes that Adariel had never seen in the few times she had encountered Man. The last time she had looked upon his face, it was not there. Her frown deepened. So this was the Man that the tree had warned her about.
She saw now that Boromir was swiftly gaining on the Ringbearer. Adariel decided to wait until she was sure of his intentions. "After all," she murmured half to herself and half to the tree she was standing in, "It is not worth slaying an innocent creature, even if it is a Man." The tree said nothing in return. It was listening to something that its neighbor was saying.
Frodo had stopped once again to lean on a tree to gather his strength, and to settle on a direction. He was panting from the effort to get away, the words of Galadriel from the Golden Wood still fresh in his mind. "They will try to take the Ring," she had said, "One by one they will fall to the power of the Ring,"
"I must go alone," he said to himself, "This burden is mine alone to bear." Just as he pronounced those words, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"It's not safe in these woods, especially for you Little One," It was Boromir with a bundle of wood in his arms and stooping low, as if to collect more. Frodo said nothing. High above their heads, Adariel drew the string of her bow a little more.
"But you don't have to choose this path," Boromir continued, reaching out with a spare hand to Frodo, "There are other paths to take easier than this one, and there are others willing to bear your burden for you." He licked his lips, and although he appeared steady, Frodo could see his hand shaking with anticipation.
"I know what you would say, and it would seem like wisdom but for the warning of my heart." Frodo said finally, while trying to think of a way to go around Boromir, who seemed at this moment to be blocking all directions forward.
"Warning? Warning against what?" said Boromir sharply.
"Against delay. Against the way that may seem easier. Against the refusal of the burden laid down on me. Against – well if it must be said, against trust in the strength and truth of Men."
"Yet it is the strength of Men that has long since protected you far away in your own country."
"I do not doubt the valour of your people, but the world is changing. The walls of Minas Tirith may be strong, but they are not strong enough against the forces of Mordor. There is no hope while the Ring lasts." Frodo said, his eyes darting around the nearby foliage.
"Ah! The Ring! You seem ever to think only of its power in the hands of the Enemy. That is, of its evil uses and not of its good ones. The world is changing, like you said. Minas Tirith will fall if the Ring lasts. But why? Certainly, if the Ring were with the Enemy. But with us, will it not bring us a more glorious victory?"
"Were you not at the Council?" Frodo snapped, "Because we cannot use it, and what is done with it turns to evil. The Ring has a will of its own, and it knows only one master."
Boromir threw the bundle of wood down with a loud 'thunk'. Adariel tensed, the bowstring pulled back a little tighter. "I just want it to protect my people! Is it too much to ask of you?!" he cried, drawing up to his full height again. "Why do you doubt and fear? You can lay the blame on me, if you will. You can say that I was too strong and took it by force. For I am too strong for you, halfling," he roared and suddenly he sprang upon Frodo.
They tumbled about in the leaves, with their shouts echoing through the wood. Adariel grew agitated. She could not shoot for fear of hitting the wrong target. "Give it to me!" Boromir cried, tugging onto Frodo's cloak. "Give it to me!"
Frodo could see no other way: trembling, he bulled out the Ring upon its chain from his pocket and slipped it on his finger, even as Boromir loosened his grip to spring on him again. The Man gasped and stared for a moment at the empty spot. Then he darted around the clearing madly, ruffling the trees and the Seedlings, who cried out in protest. "Miserable trickster! Now I see your mind. You will take the Ring to Sauron and sell us all! Curse you and all halflings to death and darkness!"
Then he tripped on a hidden stone and he fell forward and lay still on his face amongst the crumbled leaves. For a while, he was still as if his own curse had caught up with him. Then he sat up and wept. He rose and passed his hand over his eyes, dashing away the tears. "What have I said?" he cried. "What have I done? Frodo? Frodo!" he called. "Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back!"
There was no answer. The forest was silent once more. From her position high above the clearing, Adariel slowly lowered her bow. "So this is the way that the Fellowship breaks," mused she, looking down sadly at Boromir. "The power of the Ring is too great. One by one, we will all fall."
More urgent things pressed on her mind. The Orc-Goblins whom she had learnt from the trees were called the Uruk-Hai were drawn to the power of the Ring, such was their purpose to serve the Darkness, whoever their master may be. And with the Ring having found a source of transmission, there was no doubt that her friends the pine trees could not keep the whole troop out for long. She had to follow, but where?
Watching as Boromir made is way slowly back along the path of the forest, she waited until he was out of sight and slid down the trunk of the tree, bowing. Then she checked to see that nobody was within hearing distance before she whistled sharply. Starliss came trotting up, unaware of the what had happened, and her muzzle still glistening with water. Seeing the urgent look in the eyes of her mistress, she started and pranced excitedly until Adariel could grab at her reins and mount her.
"Yeeeliiaiaaad beegggiiiiiii diiiitgeeeeee Tsdddddddd?" she called to the plants of the forest, "Where is the Bearer of the Ring of Power?"
"Sula Deba Gesg Olada?" she called to the creatures that flew from the rafters and the animals that scurried amongst the dirt.
"He has gone to the summit of Amon Hen and there, Aragorn Arathorn's son is with him, but we can not see anymore; our kinsfolk end there." Replied the trees
"He is in great danger, for the Orc-Goblins are coming with great speed, drawn to the Ring that we do not speak about. Aragorn Arathorn's son is with him." Said the darting sparrows as they flitted in and out of the treetops. One of them came closer, followed by two others and the stopped on a log nearby. "I am Redtail," he chirped, "And these are my brothers, Yellowfeather and Blueruff. We will lead you there, but no more shall we go. Our place is here, within these woods."
They flew away as soon as they stopped chirping. "Where they fly, we follow," Adariel cried to Starliss, who was already galloping away behind the birds. So fast did they fly that Adariel had no time to wonder about what was to be done once they got there. Soon, the summit was in view and Adariel could see Aragorn kneeling in front of the Ringbearer, his hand cupped under Frodo's fist, closing it. But not before Adariel saw a glint of gold in it.
"I would have gone with you until the very end. Into the fires of Mordor itself," she heard Aragorn say, and the voice of Frodo answering, "I know you would have." Then beyond their voices came the crunching of heavy footsteps, purposeful and precise in the near distance and advancing fast. Adariel looked wildly for a place to position herself in the anticipation of a full on attack. There was no way other than to climb on top of the crumbling battlement that they were in, because the line of pine trees had ended just beyond helping distance.
"Stay until I call for you, or if I flee, then follow me where I go," she said to Starliss, and secured her pack onto the mare, taking only her bow and quiver. Swiftly, she vaulted herself up the slabs of crumbling white- stone and up to the top of the ruins to crouch in wait behind the carved edge that rose up slightly. She could see them now, walking swiftly with the blades of grass writhering beneath their feet. One rose slightly taller than the rest, and had a white handprint on its face. They marched faster still.
Aragorn had heard the sound of the Orc-Goblins too, and even as Adariel looked, Frodo turned and fled into the distance. Aragorn unsheathed his sword and stepped forward around the slab of rock that was hiding him from view. The biggest Orc-Goblin spoke. "Find the Halfling. Kill the rest," and the Orc-Goblins broke out in a run, charging at Aragorn, with some dashing past him into the treeline behind Adariel.
Adariel had no time to stop them. Her bow sang as she fired shot after shot, hitting row upon row of the hideous creatures that were before her. Still more came. The biggest Orc-Goblin with the white hand mark on his face slipped past them and went with the other Orc-Goblins that were escaping through the trees in their pursuit of the Ring. On the way, he spat on the ground near Aragorn.
Adariel heard the sound of running footsteps to her right: one light and swift, one heavy and slow. Out of the foliage came Gimli Gloin's son and Legolas, bow already drawn. Upon breaking free of the leaves that surrounded them, he released the bowstring and the Orc-Goblin in front of him fell. Adariel watched him for a moment, forgetting herself. Legolas had swiftly made his way to Aragorn's side. As an Orc-Goblin came up behind him, he reached in his quiver and whipped out an arrow, swiftly stabbing the creature on its back. Not wasting a moment, he gracefully strung the same arrow to his bow and shot another one.
A slight breeze blew and it seemed to Adariel that his movements became smoother, with his hair floating gently behind him, shining white in the bright late afternoon sun. So dazed was Adariel that she did not move in time when an Orc-Goblin looked up and saw her, firing an arrow in her direction. It glanced off her cheek, drawing blood and bringing Adariel back to her senses.
There was a sharp sting as the blade end of the arrow passed through her skin, and she automatically slapped a hand to her cheek. It came away red with blood, although she did not feel it flowing down her jawbone. That meant the cut was not deep. Swinging her bow up once more, she shot with renewed resolve. Far in the distance, a horn sounded. The clear ringing echoed through the wood and died down again. Three times the horn sounded. Three times it died down.
And suddenly it was over. The last remaining Orc-Goblin fell to Gimli's axe. "Boromir!" gasped Aragorn, recovering. "The horn of Gondor!" And away he leapt, over the bodies of the fallen Orcs-Goblins and into the trees where the rest of them had fled in their pursuit. Adariel paled, cursing herself for not thinking of it earlier. Of course. There were four halflings altogether, and she had only seen one of them so far. The other three were probably in grave danger by now, not to mention Boromir, Man of Gondor, who had only his sword and not his shield on him.
She could see the retreating backs of Legolas and Gimli now, and she leapt down from the roof of the battlement, bow still in hand. Starliss came to her out of the dense foliage to her right, hooves beating with understanding. Adariel jumped up onto the white mare and they galloped as fast as they could down the uneven hillside and into the trees once more. Here, Redtail and his brothers came to their aid again.
They darted side to side in front of the galloping horse, and once more, Redtail told Adariel to follow. "We will lead you through a different track than that of the Man, Elf, and Dwarf who give chase. It is quicker this way." As Starliss sped away behind the three sparrows, Adariel vaguely wondered why the birds, who usually kept to themselves, would opt to help her. She could see no gain on their part. As if reading her thoughts, Blueruff darted back from the formation and flew beside Adariel's head. She held a hand out and he landed, his talons closing around her finger.
"Do not underestimate to knowledge of my people," he chirped. "We are not as old as the Trees, but we have many ways of our own. The Eldest Tewu of our people has foreseen a great darkness on the land that will smother us all. My brothers and I are the sons of Whitewing, firstborn son of the Great Tewu, sent to help you on your quest…may the wishes of all free folk and living things go with you," he added. Then he flew ahead to join his brothers without waiting for a response from Adariel.
Suddenly, the three birds veered upwards in a sharp turn and scattered, each flying in a different direction, but all headed upwards to the safety of the tree tops. Starliss shied back and stamped her hooves. "We are of no help to you anymore," called Yellowfeather, hovering for a moment, "Although we will follow you, and aid you the best we can. Gadt Tetus Tadnli," he said as way of parting: Sing with the Dawning.
And then he too was gone. Adariel jumped off Starliss and nodded for her to stay hidden, but close by. She could hear the sounds of battle from nearby. She ran lightly over the scattered leaves, picking up her pace as she went. The sounds grew louder now, and Adariel could tell that there were many Orc- Goblins. She could hear the screams of the two other Hobbits (but where was the third?) and the roar of Boromir. The horn of Gondor sounded again.
Feeling the need to get there faster, she quickly scurried up a tree, and then jumped from branch to branch. The trees helped her across their limbs, extending the occasional vine (if they had them) across to their neighbor for Adariel to walk across.
Then she was there over the top of the battleground. It was similar to the clearing that she had loomed over before, but now she saw that it was a little rockier, the ground made uneven. Without hesitating, she unslung her bow and grabbed three arrows from her quiver. They hit their targets, and she immediately reached back to grab three more.
Suddenly she stopped, her keen eyes picking up a movement to the left. It was the Uruk-Hai with the handprint on its face. He had his bow drawn, eyeing Boromir from the top of the mound that he was on. Adariel shot an arrow in his direction, but he was too far away even for a bow from Lothlorien. There was nothing she could do. Horror stilled her hand, and she could only watch as the first arrow hit Boromir. She watched as his body jerked, and he clapped a hand toward the arrow wound. But he swung around despite it and continued with his sword in hand.
And then the second hit, and then the third. His sword cluttered to the ground, and the Orcs knew that he had fallen at last. As Boromir knelt there amongst the fallen leaves, the band of Orcs marched past him, grabbing the two Hobbits and swinging them over their shoulders. Some spat at Boromir on their way. Then the One with the White handprint walked past, but stopped on a rise a little way past him. She saw him turn and lift his bow up, fitted with a single black feathered arrow. Boromir looked upward. The Orc-Goblin grinned and pulled back the bowstring.
Adariel whipped her hand back and grabbed the remaining arrow in her quiver. "Maybe the Orc-Goblin is too far away," she thought, "but his arrow is not." So she carefully drew her bow, aiming it in the empty space between the two. Her hand shook slightly, but she stilled it with a command. She could hear the clattering of running boots now, stumbling a little every now and then. Adariel paid it no heed. She bit her lip, forgetting the previous wound on it.
The black-feathered arrow was released the instant Aragorn jumped into the clearing. "No!" he cried when he saw the arrow fly. At the same moment, Adariel had shot her arrow. It flew, and just as the Orc arrow neared Boromir's heart, her arrow collided with it, pinning it on the ground sideways. She breathed a sigh of relief, but then immediately leapt up from her position and leapt from branch to branch until she was right over where Boromir now lay, leaning against the trunk of the tree.
Adariel contemplated what to do. She had run out of arrows, and if danger arose, she would not be able to save herself. Aragorn's sword was out, and he was now ducking from the blows of the Orc-Goblin. Even as Adariel watched, he was suddenly thrown back against a nearby tree. The Orc-Goblin threw a dark shield at him, and it pinned his neck to the tree. The thing smiled and lifted its sword, about to hammer the shield in and server Aragorn's neck. Aragorn tried in vain to struggle free from the shield.
"No!" cried Adariel clearly, and to the tree, "Sstttggeeppp mellloo!" (Free him!). Her voice rang out through the forest. The tree that the shield was pinned to stripped away the layer of bark, and the black shield cluttered to the ground with a 'thunk'. The Orc-Goblin looked up, and Adariel saw its leering stare loom straight at her. It stopped her breath to gaze directly at something so evil. She threw her hood back up and shut her eyes.
There was a whipping noise, and when Adariel opened her eyes, she saw that Aragorn had taken the opportunity while the Orc-Goblin was distracted to swing his sword and chop off the creature's head. It now lay on the ground, its stare still on Adariel. She looked away, breathing heavily. Aragorn ran to kneel at Boromir's side.
More footsteps came, Legolas and Gimli jumped into the clearing, just past where Aragorn had entered. Adariel couldn't bear the looks on their faces when they realized that Boromir was dying. Legolas' was one of shock and dismay. His eyes looked from alert to distressed. Gimli's face mirrored what was on the Elf's. It was in that moment that Adariel made her decision. "After all," she reasoned with herself in the split seconds after, "I'm expendable, and they are not."
She dropped her bow and left it in the treetop. Legolas immediately raised his bow again, the arrow aimed at her, but she raised her hand. He lowered it a little, but kept the arrow to the string. Gimli looked at her also, and gripped his axe tightly. She jumped from the tree and landed lightly at Aragorn's side. He turned, startled. She pushed him roughly away and leaned over Boromir. He was still alive, although she could feel Death starting to creep into his heart.
Aragorn drew his sword, but Adariel raised her hand up again. Slowly, he lowered it, but only slightly. Adariel turned her eyes back to Boromir. Her hand gripped the first arrow in his chest. Behind her, she could hear the bowstring tighten. Making up her mind, she quickly yanked the arrow out. It came away bloodied nearly halfway up the shaft. Boromir jerked and cried out weakly. Adariel ducked as the arrow came over the top of her head.
"I mean no harm!" she said, annoyed, but at the same time glad for the cover of her hood. She pulled out another arrow, and then the third, feeling the tension grow in the air. Aragorn had raised his sword again. Deliberately, she threw the three arrows at Aragorn's feet, and turned back to Boromir.
His breathing grew shallow now, and if Adariel's ears were that of a human, then she would not have heard him draw breath at all. She took a deep breath herself, and narrowed her eyes. Once she started, there would be no turning back. And she had to do it quick. Boromir was already on the brink of death.
Slowly, she placed one hand over Boromir's heart, and one hand over her own, closed her eyes. She opened her mouth and took another deep breath before her voice flowed, and she said: (In Elvish, but I'll just write the translation)
Three things that belong to me:
Mine to give, to use freely.
First of the heart
Then of the soul
And the thing I give now,
The Spirit Key
From me I now pass to you,
The gift of life, and sight of truth.
The Key I use
To swap your pain
With mine, until
you are healed again.
Her words trailed off thinly near the end, but she forced herself to go on. She could feel it as she chanted. The gash on her cheek had closed, but she could feel the sticky ooze of blood on her chest, her stomach and her shoulder. They were Boromir's arrow wounds appearing on her. And beside her, Adariel knew, Boromir's wounds would have closed by now, although the gash on her cheek would have transferred itself there.
She gasped for breath.
There came a rush of footsteps as she fell on her side next to Boromir. She knew that the blood was starting to seep through her clothes now. She lifted a hand to her shoulder and felt a dip in her skin. A very deep dip that she knew to be a hole. She was finding it hard to breathe now. Something was coming up her throat, something that tasted like rusted metal. She opened her lips slightly and felt something wet run down the side of her cheek.
Shapes were crowding around Boromir. From somewhere far away, someone said, "There is a gash on his cheek, but the arrow wounds are no more! Look! He sleeps!"
Suddenly she was aware that she was being propped up, with warm arms around her. She was vaguely aware that they had thrown her hood back because now she could feel the sunlight shining around her. "But wait," she thought dimly, "The forest is dark, yet everything is covered with light, brighter than that of Lothlorien."
It wasn't so bad not being able to breathe now. She felt the less air she got, the quicker it would be. She couldn't taste the blood in her mouth anymore, and she couldn't feel it running down the side of her neck either. In fact, she couldn't even feel the pain from the arrow wounds. There were wisps of light hair in front of her face. They looked like they didn't belong. They definitely *felt* like they didn't belong. Then a face was in front of her, and she felt like she was being shaken. Very roughly.
Someone was calling "Wake up! Wake up!" The voice sounded so much like music. But harsh music that didn't belong where she was. She tried to speak, and felt the blood bubbling from her mouth again. "I…feel……………so…………….tired," she said. The light was brighter now. So bright it hurt her eyes. But the shaking was so annoying. "Stop………Leave…..me….in…peace," she mumbled. The shaking stopped.
There were three figures leaning over her, and a fourth one lying beside her. One knelt. "Go with the blessings of all free folk," it whispered, and then Adariel heard no more.
There was a breeze that moaned, and it seemed that the whole forest groaned. Leaves fell like snow on top of her. To Legolas, who stood knelt at her side, it seemed that the very earth moaned her passing. She lay there, and her features became smooth as though she slept. He couldn't quite place her, for her hair was bound and covered by the rest of the cloak. He was sure he knew her from somewhere before. This made him even more saddened by the lost of the stranger. She was beautiful, he realized after a moment's stare, and even more so if she were clad in an Elven gown. Something made him feel like he wanted to reach out and touch her, but he stayed his hand.
Aragorn and Gimli stood silent, heads bowed and tears in their eyes. Even if they did not know the stranger, they mourned the passing of something beautiful. Something that made even the forest cry out. Boromir slept on.
Many creatures came, mostly birds, and gathered around the body. Suddenly, all was silent, and three birds flew forth from the branches of the tree they were beneath. Legolas watched in wonder as they formed a guard around the crown of her head. One had a red tail, one had a yellow feather, and one had a patch of blue fluff at its throat. They called, and the gathered creatures answered. Then something amazing happened.
1.1 End of Chapter 8
Reviews please! NO FLAMES but constructive criticism is very welcome! –Spirit Star
OK. BEFORE YOU START COMPLAINING, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT this is not the end. ADARIEL IS NOT GOING TO DISAPPEAR YET. DID YOU THINK THAT I WOULD END HERE WHEN IT'S NOT EVEN ONE HALF OF THE WAY THROUGH THE PLOT???
Okay, I've got something to say about the story……and that is I think I might stick a little bit to the movie plot because it is sooooo much shorter. Or else I'll make up my own sequence of events related to it
OK JUST TO CLEAR SOME STUFF UP BEFORE I START:
Elrond was NOT in Lothlorien…that was Elderon, the healer. Note that they are not related.
Adariel did not say anything to Legolas when she burst out crying because she was too embarrassed to. And Legolas didn't even know what she was crying about, nor did she care to tell him. ^_^ I'll bring that up later probably
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 8: In which pathways separate
"What do you MEAN we're lost?" Adariel exclaimed to Starliss. "All we had to do was stick to the road that bent around the river!"
Starliss pawed the ground and snorted, replying that it wasn't HER fault that she had such a TERRIBLE sense of direction, after all, it was ADARIEL who had control of the reins. Adariel stopped pacing. "This is so humiliating. I'm an ELF and I'm lost in a FOREST. And these trees are all Rowans. Everybody knows that a Rowan speaks in riddles."
Starliss said nothing but stood perfectly still, ears tense. There was a soft crack, and the next thing Adariel knew, a small branch of the overhead Rowan tree had hit her head. "SSSeeetnnnddddddddd sseetthhmmmmdddddeelll!" the tree said angrily.
"Yes, but it seems like a riddle to me! All of your kind keep saying the same thing! 'Where there are no pathways, one may lead to you.' Is that not a riddle?"
"Sssssssooodddtiiiiggggggeeeeelll saaaddgidddddddd"
"In truth, it did not sound like advice to me!"
The trees were suddenly silent, as if conversing amongst themselves. Adariel frowned. It was not often that trees could be out-talked like that. Especially Rowans and Willow trees who insisted on establishing that they were wisest of the Elderlings. Here in this part of the forest, Adariel noticed that there were no Seedlings or even Yearlings growing out of the forest floor. This in itself was very strange.
Starliss remained quiet, nervously pawing the ground. Then Adariel could feel it too. Something was coming this way. She could hear the protests of the trees as their roots were shattered, and she could feel the angry puffs of the wind. "I don't like it here. The silence weighs heavily on my mind," Adariel said to Starliss even as she was mounting up. Starliss pranced as Adariel tightened the reins.
In the distance, getting closer, there came the sound of many heavy feet trampling over the forest floor. "Ride on!" cried Adariel. Starliss needed no more encouragement. Eyes rolling back with fear, the mare kicked her hind legs and galloped away over the foliage deeper into the forest. Turning back, Adariel saw, with her keen Elven eyes, the figures of heavily clad creatures that looked like Orcs, but had features of goblins. "What foul craft is this that has crossed Goblins with Orcs?" Adariel shuddered.
Suddenly, she drew the reins in. Starliss threw back her head and reared up. "What are you doing?" the mare screamed, trying to shake her head loose of the reins. Adariel said nothing, but forcefully steered the mare toward the retreating line of Orc-Goblins that had just ran past. "We're following them. I have no doubt where that will lead us to." Then she galloped down the ruined forest track, the feel of evil still in the air.
The sun had moved halfway in its journey from the East to the West. And still, the Orc-Goblins showed no signs of tiring. Or even stopping, for that matter. "We must have strayed far from our path," she muttered to Starliss. Starliss said nothing. Although she was raised as an Elven horse to run many miles without tiring, the heat of the day was making her sleepy.
There was a change in the ground, and Adariel could hear the clear sound of flowing water. They were at the riverside. Finally, the Orc-Goblins up ahead slowed themselves to a walk. Adariel skitted sideways and hid in the shadows of the trees. In this part of the wood, the Rowan trees had cleared up to make way for young pines such as the one she now sheltered under.
The pine tree, eager to help, said "ttttaarrroooi?" What needs have you?
When Adariel replied that she was looking for the one that bears the Ring of Power, the tree shuddered but said that he was not far from here. He had departed the group, and now a Man follows him closely although he does not know it.
"A Man? Who?" but the tree could not answer. Adariel thanked it, placed her hand upon its trunk and looked up into its branches. "The creatures that are near are creatures of the Land of No Greens where the Fire Mountain lies. Keep them delayed."
The Yearling replied that it would, and it was echoed by other Yearlings from around it. The towering Rowans waved their branches in annoyance. "Though we live not for trouble, what you have asked of us will be done," they said. Adariel bowed all plants and creatures around her, then wheeled Starliss around until she was on the other side of the pine tree. Sliding off, Adariel reached into her pack for some cloth to tie around Starliss' hooves. She could not find any. Frowning, she looked around and checked that the Orc-Goblins were of no danger from her position and undid the top of the bag.
It was bigger on the inside than it looked on the outside. Some Elves in the Golden Woods must have repacked for her. Inside was a silky Elven rope much like the one she had walked across when she first entered. There was also some pieces of parchment, a quill, the spare sets of that Adariel had originally left with, a cloak bearing the leaf of Lorien and, strangely enough, a gown.
"What would a gown be here? They knew of my journey and its purpose. Why would they pack a gown?" Adariel frowned. She tarried no more on the subject, except to note that it was a pretty gown, shimmering like silver in the light. Getting out her knife, she cut a section off the bottom of one of her spare cloaks and cut the Elven rope to pieces. Starliss stood patiently while Adariel tied the cloth to her hooves. It was too close to the enemy to speak, although the mare did flick her tail in annoyance whenever she felt the rope was too tight to her liking.
When that was done, Adariel mounted again and wheeled Starliss inland. When they were out of seeing distance, she kicked the mare's girth and Starliss galloped away south, echoing the waters of the Great River.
After a while, the ground evened out and there was sunlight shining through the thinning canopy. On the ground, a thick layer of leaves carpeted the earth, and still more drifted lazily down. Here, the pine trees dominated and of the Elderlings, there were few.
A little past mid afternoon they stopped. Starliss was worn and thirsty in the heat and set out under the shade of a tree near the river. Adariel grew weary, for there was no sign that anybody had been down this path. She sat with her back leaning against one of the taller pines and looked towards the sky. "Elbereth," she whispered, "If fate were on my side, then give me a sign!"
It was peaceful. Winds blew and danced about amongst the falling leaves, and they laughed as the sun tickled their tips. Birds twittered about amongst the higher branches, with the Tewu (Eldar birds) leading the Yelrui (Young Ones). But there was no sign. Sitting there under the pine tree, surrounded by the living beings whose love she had grown upon, Adariel couldn't help but think that maybe she was only dreaming and walking upon one of the paths of Elven dream. How can any place still remain so peaceful when such evil was about.
A snap of a twig far off chided Adariel out of her thoughts. Someone was approaching. She turned and swiftly climbed the tall tree, bow drawn and already an arrow in her hand, slanting downward. The footsteps were brisk and light. Too light to belong to an Orc or any other servant of Sauron in the East. But times were changing. "Look at the Orc-Goblins for instance." Thought Adariel grimly, arm tense and eyes narrowed.
The footsteps drew nearer. A figure could be vaguely made out now, coming around from the other side of one of the trees. Adariel relaxed. It was Frodo Baggins, the Ringbearer. He had his hood up, but his hand was clutching his pocket, stepping roughly over the thick layer of leaves that littered the ground. He stopped in the clearing, looking first left then right, and then looked back down the direction that he came. Seemingly satisfied that he had not left enough tracks to be followed, he continued on. He was nearly out of the clearing that Adariel overlooked, when Adariel noticed that another shape had emerged from the same turn that Frodo had.
It was Boromir, the Man from the White City of Gondor. Adariel drew her bow up again, this time trained at Boromir. There was an unusual madness in his eyes that Adariel had never seen in the few times she had encountered Man. The last time she had looked upon his face, it was not there. Her frown deepened. So this was the Man that the tree had warned her about.
She saw now that Boromir was swiftly gaining on the Ringbearer. Adariel decided to wait until she was sure of his intentions. "After all," she murmured half to herself and half to the tree she was standing in, "It is not worth slaying an innocent creature, even if it is a Man." The tree said nothing in return. It was listening to something that its neighbor was saying.
Frodo had stopped once again to lean on a tree to gather his strength, and to settle on a direction. He was panting from the effort to get away, the words of Galadriel from the Golden Wood still fresh in his mind. "They will try to take the Ring," she had said, "One by one they will fall to the power of the Ring,"
"I must go alone," he said to himself, "This burden is mine alone to bear." Just as he pronounced those words, a voice interrupted his thoughts.
"It's not safe in these woods, especially for you Little One," It was Boromir with a bundle of wood in his arms and stooping low, as if to collect more. Frodo said nothing. High above their heads, Adariel drew the string of her bow a little more.
"But you don't have to choose this path," Boromir continued, reaching out with a spare hand to Frodo, "There are other paths to take easier than this one, and there are others willing to bear your burden for you." He licked his lips, and although he appeared steady, Frodo could see his hand shaking with anticipation.
"I know what you would say, and it would seem like wisdom but for the warning of my heart." Frodo said finally, while trying to think of a way to go around Boromir, who seemed at this moment to be blocking all directions forward.
"Warning? Warning against what?" said Boromir sharply.
"Against delay. Against the way that may seem easier. Against the refusal of the burden laid down on me. Against – well if it must be said, against trust in the strength and truth of Men."
"Yet it is the strength of Men that has long since protected you far away in your own country."
"I do not doubt the valour of your people, but the world is changing. The walls of Minas Tirith may be strong, but they are not strong enough against the forces of Mordor. There is no hope while the Ring lasts." Frodo said, his eyes darting around the nearby foliage.
"Ah! The Ring! You seem ever to think only of its power in the hands of the Enemy. That is, of its evil uses and not of its good ones. The world is changing, like you said. Minas Tirith will fall if the Ring lasts. But why? Certainly, if the Ring were with the Enemy. But with us, will it not bring us a more glorious victory?"
"Were you not at the Council?" Frodo snapped, "Because we cannot use it, and what is done with it turns to evil. The Ring has a will of its own, and it knows only one master."
Boromir threw the bundle of wood down with a loud 'thunk'. Adariel tensed, the bowstring pulled back a little tighter. "I just want it to protect my people! Is it too much to ask of you?!" he cried, drawing up to his full height again. "Why do you doubt and fear? You can lay the blame on me, if you will. You can say that I was too strong and took it by force. For I am too strong for you, halfling," he roared and suddenly he sprang upon Frodo.
They tumbled about in the leaves, with their shouts echoing through the wood. Adariel grew agitated. She could not shoot for fear of hitting the wrong target. "Give it to me!" Boromir cried, tugging onto Frodo's cloak. "Give it to me!"
Frodo could see no other way: trembling, he bulled out the Ring upon its chain from his pocket and slipped it on his finger, even as Boromir loosened his grip to spring on him again. The Man gasped and stared for a moment at the empty spot. Then he darted around the clearing madly, ruffling the trees and the Seedlings, who cried out in protest. "Miserable trickster! Now I see your mind. You will take the Ring to Sauron and sell us all! Curse you and all halflings to death and darkness!"
Then he tripped on a hidden stone and he fell forward and lay still on his face amongst the crumbled leaves. For a while, he was still as if his own curse had caught up with him. Then he sat up and wept. He rose and passed his hand over his eyes, dashing away the tears. "What have I said?" he cried. "What have I done? Frodo? Frodo!" he called. "Come back! A madness took me, but it has passed. Come back!"
There was no answer. The forest was silent once more. From her position high above the clearing, Adariel slowly lowered her bow. "So this is the way that the Fellowship breaks," mused she, looking down sadly at Boromir. "The power of the Ring is too great. One by one, we will all fall."
More urgent things pressed on her mind. The Orc-Goblins whom she had learnt from the trees were called the Uruk-Hai were drawn to the power of the Ring, such was their purpose to serve the Darkness, whoever their master may be. And with the Ring having found a source of transmission, there was no doubt that her friends the pine trees could not keep the whole troop out for long. She had to follow, but where?
Watching as Boromir made is way slowly back along the path of the forest, she waited until he was out of sight and slid down the trunk of the tree, bowing. Then she checked to see that nobody was within hearing distance before she whistled sharply. Starliss came trotting up, unaware of the what had happened, and her muzzle still glistening with water. Seeing the urgent look in the eyes of her mistress, she started and pranced excitedly until Adariel could grab at her reins and mount her.
"Yeeeliiaiaaad beegggiiiiiii diiiitgeeeeee Tsdddddddd?" she called to the plants of the forest, "Where is the Bearer of the Ring of Power?"
"Sula Deba Gesg Olada?" she called to the creatures that flew from the rafters and the animals that scurried amongst the dirt.
"He has gone to the summit of Amon Hen and there, Aragorn Arathorn's son is with him, but we can not see anymore; our kinsfolk end there." Replied the trees
"He is in great danger, for the Orc-Goblins are coming with great speed, drawn to the Ring that we do not speak about. Aragorn Arathorn's son is with him." Said the darting sparrows as they flitted in and out of the treetops. One of them came closer, followed by two others and the stopped on a log nearby. "I am Redtail," he chirped, "And these are my brothers, Yellowfeather and Blueruff. We will lead you there, but no more shall we go. Our place is here, within these woods."
They flew away as soon as they stopped chirping. "Where they fly, we follow," Adariel cried to Starliss, who was already galloping away behind the birds. So fast did they fly that Adariel had no time to wonder about what was to be done once they got there. Soon, the summit was in view and Adariel could see Aragorn kneeling in front of the Ringbearer, his hand cupped under Frodo's fist, closing it. But not before Adariel saw a glint of gold in it.
"I would have gone with you until the very end. Into the fires of Mordor itself," she heard Aragorn say, and the voice of Frodo answering, "I know you would have." Then beyond their voices came the crunching of heavy footsteps, purposeful and precise in the near distance and advancing fast. Adariel looked wildly for a place to position herself in the anticipation of a full on attack. There was no way other than to climb on top of the crumbling battlement that they were in, because the line of pine trees had ended just beyond helping distance.
"Stay until I call for you, or if I flee, then follow me where I go," she said to Starliss, and secured her pack onto the mare, taking only her bow and quiver. Swiftly, she vaulted herself up the slabs of crumbling white- stone and up to the top of the ruins to crouch in wait behind the carved edge that rose up slightly. She could see them now, walking swiftly with the blades of grass writhering beneath their feet. One rose slightly taller than the rest, and had a white handprint on its face. They marched faster still.
Aragorn had heard the sound of the Orc-Goblins too, and even as Adariel looked, Frodo turned and fled into the distance. Aragorn unsheathed his sword and stepped forward around the slab of rock that was hiding him from view. The biggest Orc-Goblin spoke. "Find the Halfling. Kill the rest," and the Orc-Goblins broke out in a run, charging at Aragorn, with some dashing past him into the treeline behind Adariel.
Adariel had no time to stop them. Her bow sang as she fired shot after shot, hitting row upon row of the hideous creatures that were before her. Still more came. The biggest Orc-Goblin with the white hand mark on his face slipped past them and went with the other Orc-Goblins that were escaping through the trees in their pursuit of the Ring. On the way, he spat on the ground near Aragorn.
Adariel heard the sound of running footsteps to her right: one light and swift, one heavy and slow. Out of the foliage came Gimli Gloin's son and Legolas, bow already drawn. Upon breaking free of the leaves that surrounded them, he released the bowstring and the Orc-Goblin in front of him fell. Adariel watched him for a moment, forgetting herself. Legolas had swiftly made his way to Aragorn's side. As an Orc-Goblin came up behind him, he reached in his quiver and whipped out an arrow, swiftly stabbing the creature on its back. Not wasting a moment, he gracefully strung the same arrow to his bow and shot another one.
A slight breeze blew and it seemed to Adariel that his movements became smoother, with his hair floating gently behind him, shining white in the bright late afternoon sun. So dazed was Adariel that she did not move in time when an Orc-Goblin looked up and saw her, firing an arrow in her direction. It glanced off her cheek, drawing blood and bringing Adariel back to her senses.
There was a sharp sting as the blade end of the arrow passed through her skin, and she automatically slapped a hand to her cheek. It came away red with blood, although she did not feel it flowing down her jawbone. That meant the cut was not deep. Swinging her bow up once more, she shot with renewed resolve. Far in the distance, a horn sounded. The clear ringing echoed through the wood and died down again. Three times the horn sounded. Three times it died down.
And suddenly it was over. The last remaining Orc-Goblin fell to Gimli's axe. "Boromir!" gasped Aragorn, recovering. "The horn of Gondor!" And away he leapt, over the bodies of the fallen Orcs-Goblins and into the trees where the rest of them had fled in their pursuit. Adariel paled, cursing herself for not thinking of it earlier. Of course. There were four halflings altogether, and she had only seen one of them so far. The other three were probably in grave danger by now, not to mention Boromir, Man of Gondor, who had only his sword and not his shield on him.
She could see the retreating backs of Legolas and Gimli now, and she leapt down from the roof of the battlement, bow still in hand. Starliss came to her out of the dense foliage to her right, hooves beating with understanding. Adariel jumped up onto the white mare and they galloped as fast as they could down the uneven hillside and into the trees once more. Here, Redtail and his brothers came to their aid again.
They darted side to side in front of the galloping horse, and once more, Redtail told Adariel to follow. "We will lead you through a different track than that of the Man, Elf, and Dwarf who give chase. It is quicker this way." As Starliss sped away behind the three sparrows, Adariel vaguely wondered why the birds, who usually kept to themselves, would opt to help her. She could see no gain on their part. As if reading her thoughts, Blueruff darted back from the formation and flew beside Adariel's head. She held a hand out and he landed, his talons closing around her finger.
"Do not underestimate to knowledge of my people," he chirped. "We are not as old as the Trees, but we have many ways of our own. The Eldest Tewu of our people has foreseen a great darkness on the land that will smother us all. My brothers and I are the sons of Whitewing, firstborn son of the Great Tewu, sent to help you on your quest…may the wishes of all free folk and living things go with you," he added. Then he flew ahead to join his brothers without waiting for a response from Adariel.
Suddenly, the three birds veered upwards in a sharp turn and scattered, each flying in a different direction, but all headed upwards to the safety of the tree tops. Starliss shied back and stamped her hooves. "We are of no help to you anymore," called Yellowfeather, hovering for a moment, "Although we will follow you, and aid you the best we can. Gadt Tetus Tadnli," he said as way of parting: Sing with the Dawning.
And then he too was gone. Adariel jumped off Starliss and nodded for her to stay hidden, but close by. She could hear the sounds of battle from nearby. She ran lightly over the scattered leaves, picking up her pace as she went. The sounds grew louder now, and Adariel could tell that there were many Orc- Goblins. She could hear the screams of the two other Hobbits (but where was the third?) and the roar of Boromir. The horn of Gondor sounded again.
Feeling the need to get there faster, she quickly scurried up a tree, and then jumped from branch to branch. The trees helped her across their limbs, extending the occasional vine (if they had them) across to their neighbor for Adariel to walk across.
Then she was there over the top of the battleground. It was similar to the clearing that she had loomed over before, but now she saw that it was a little rockier, the ground made uneven. Without hesitating, she unslung her bow and grabbed three arrows from her quiver. They hit their targets, and she immediately reached back to grab three more.
Suddenly she stopped, her keen eyes picking up a movement to the left. It was the Uruk-Hai with the handprint on its face. He had his bow drawn, eyeing Boromir from the top of the mound that he was on. Adariel shot an arrow in his direction, but he was too far away even for a bow from Lothlorien. There was nothing she could do. Horror stilled her hand, and she could only watch as the first arrow hit Boromir. She watched as his body jerked, and he clapped a hand toward the arrow wound. But he swung around despite it and continued with his sword in hand.
And then the second hit, and then the third. His sword cluttered to the ground, and the Orcs knew that he had fallen at last. As Boromir knelt there amongst the fallen leaves, the band of Orcs marched past him, grabbing the two Hobbits and swinging them over their shoulders. Some spat at Boromir on their way. Then the One with the White handprint walked past, but stopped on a rise a little way past him. She saw him turn and lift his bow up, fitted with a single black feathered arrow. Boromir looked upward. The Orc-Goblin grinned and pulled back the bowstring.
Adariel whipped her hand back and grabbed the remaining arrow in her quiver. "Maybe the Orc-Goblin is too far away," she thought, "but his arrow is not." So she carefully drew her bow, aiming it in the empty space between the two. Her hand shook slightly, but she stilled it with a command. She could hear the clattering of running boots now, stumbling a little every now and then. Adariel paid it no heed. She bit her lip, forgetting the previous wound on it.
The black-feathered arrow was released the instant Aragorn jumped into the clearing. "No!" he cried when he saw the arrow fly. At the same moment, Adariel had shot her arrow. It flew, and just as the Orc arrow neared Boromir's heart, her arrow collided with it, pinning it on the ground sideways. She breathed a sigh of relief, but then immediately leapt up from her position and leapt from branch to branch until she was right over where Boromir now lay, leaning against the trunk of the tree.
Adariel contemplated what to do. She had run out of arrows, and if danger arose, she would not be able to save herself. Aragorn's sword was out, and he was now ducking from the blows of the Orc-Goblin. Even as Adariel watched, he was suddenly thrown back against a nearby tree. The Orc-Goblin threw a dark shield at him, and it pinned his neck to the tree. The thing smiled and lifted its sword, about to hammer the shield in and server Aragorn's neck. Aragorn tried in vain to struggle free from the shield.
"No!" cried Adariel clearly, and to the tree, "Sstttggeeppp mellloo!" (Free him!). Her voice rang out through the forest. The tree that the shield was pinned to stripped away the layer of bark, and the black shield cluttered to the ground with a 'thunk'. The Orc-Goblin looked up, and Adariel saw its leering stare loom straight at her. It stopped her breath to gaze directly at something so evil. She threw her hood back up and shut her eyes.
There was a whipping noise, and when Adariel opened her eyes, she saw that Aragorn had taken the opportunity while the Orc-Goblin was distracted to swing his sword and chop off the creature's head. It now lay on the ground, its stare still on Adariel. She looked away, breathing heavily. Aragorn ran to kneel at Boromir's side.
More footsteps came, Legolas and Gimli jumped into the clearing, just past where Aragorn had entered. Adariel couldn't bear the looks on their faces when they realized that Boromir was dying. Legolas' was one of shock and dismay. His eyes looked from alert to distressed. Gimli's face mirrored what was on the Elf's. It was in that moment that Adariel made her decision. "After all," she reasoned with herself in the split seconds after, "I'm expendable, and they are not."
She dropped her bow and left it in the treetop. Legolas immediately raised his bow again, the arrow aimed at her, but she raised her hand. He lowered it a little, but kept the arrow to the string. Gimli looked at her also, and gripped his axe tightly. She jumped from the tree and landed lightly at Aragorn's side. He turned, startled. She pushed him roughly away and leaned over Boromir. He was still alive, although she could feel Death starting to creep into his heart.
Aragorn drew his sword, but Adariel raised her hand up again. Slowly, he lowered it, but only slightly. Adariel turned her eyes back to Boromir. Her hand gripped the first arrow in his chest. Behind her, she could hear the bowstring tighten. Making up her mind, she quickly yanked the arrow out. It came away bloodied nearly halfway up the shaft. Boromir jerked and cried out weakly. Adariel ducked as the arrow came over the top of her head.
"I mean no harm!" she said, annoyed, but at the same time glad for the cover of her hood. She pulled out another arrow, and then the third, feeling the tension grow in the air. Aragorn had raised his sword again. Deliberately, she threw the three arrows at Aragorn's feet, and turned back to Boromir.
His breathing grew shallow now, and if Adariel's ears were that of a human, then she would not have heard him draw breath at all. She took a deep breath herself, and narrowed her eyes. Once she started, there would be no turning back. And she had to do it quick. Boromir was already on the brink of death.
Slowly, she placed one hand over Boromir's heart, and one hand over her own, closed her eyes. She opened her mouth and took another deep breath before her voice flowed, and she said: (In Elvish, but I'll just write the translation)
Three things that belong to me:
Mine to give, to use freely.
First of the heart
Then of the soul
And the thing I give now,
The Spirit Key
From me I now pass to you,
The gift of life, and sight of truth.
The Key I use
To swap your pain
With mine, until
you are healed again.
Her words trailed off thinly near the end, but she forced herself to go on. She could feel it as she chanted. The gash on her cheek had closed, but she could feel the sticky ooze of blood on her chest, her stomach and her shoulder. They were Boromir's arrow wounds appearing on her. And beside her, Adariel knew, Boromir's wounds would have closed by now, although the gash on her cheek would have transferred itself there.
She gasped for breath.
There came a rush of footsteps as she fell on her side next to Boromir. She knew that the blood was starting to seep through her clothes now. She lifted a hand to her shoulder and felt a dip in her skin. A very deep dip that she knew to be a hole. She was finding it hard to breathe now. Something was coming up her throat, something that tasted like rusted metal. She opened her lips slightly and felt something wet run down the side of her cheek.
Shapes were crowding around Boromir. From somewhere far away, someone said, "There is a gash on his cheek, but the arrow wounds are no more! Look! He sleeps!"
Suddenly she was aware that she was being propped up, with warm arms around her. She was vaguely aware that they had thrown her hood back because now she could feel the sunlight shining around her. "But wait," she thought dimly, "The forest is dark, yet everything is covered with light, brighter than that of Lothlorien."
It wasn't so bad not being able to breathe now. She felt the less air she got, the quicker it would be. She couldn't taste the blood in her mouth anymore, and she couldn't feel it running down the side of her neck either. In fact, she couldn't even feel the pain from the arrow wounds. There were wisps of light hair in front of her face. They looked like they didn't belong. They definitely *felt* like they didn't belong. Then a face was in front of her, and she felt like she was being shaken. Very roughly.
Someone was calling "Wake up! Wake up!" The voice sounded so much like music. But harsh music that didn't belong where she was. She tried to speak, and felt the blood bubbling from her mouth again. "I…feel……………so…………….tired," she said. The light was brighter now. So bright it hurt her eyes. But the shaking was so annoying. "Stop………Leave…..me….in…peace," she mumbled. The shaking stopped.
There were three figures leaning over her, and a fourth one lying beside her. One knelt. "Go with the blessings of all free folk," it whispered, and then Adariel heard no more.
There was a breeze that moaned, and it seemed that the whole forest groaned. Leaves fell like snow on top of her. To Legolas, who stood knelt at her side, it seemed that the very earth moaned her passing. She lay there, and her features became smooth as though she slept. He couldn't quite place her, for her hair was bound and covered by the rest of the cloak. He was sure he knew her from somewhere before. This made him even more saddened by the lost of the stranger. She was beautiful, he realized after a moment's stare, and even more so if she were clad in an Elven gown. Something made him feel like he wanted to reach out and touch her, but he stayed his hand.
Aragorn and Gimli stood silent, heads bowed and tears in their eyes. Even if they did not know the stranger, they mourned the passing of something beautiful. Something that made even the forest cry out. Boromir slept on.
Many creatures came, mostly birds, and gathered around the body. Suddenly, all was silent, and three birds flew forth from the branches of the tree they were beneath. Legolas watched in wonder as they formed a guard around the crown of her head. One had a red tail, one had a yellow feather, and one had a patch of blue fluff at its throat. They called, and the gathered creatures answered. Then something amazing happened.
1.1 End of Chapter 8
Reviews please! NO FLAMES but constructive criticism is very welcome! –Spirit Star
OK. BEFORE YOU START COMPLAINING, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT this is not the end. ADARIEL IS NOT GOING TO DISAPPEAR YET. DID YOU THINK THAT I WOULD END HERE WHEN IT'S NOT EVEN ONE HALF OF THE WAY THROUGH THE PLOT???