Disclaimer: Hear no Copyright. See no Copyright. (Nah, actually, what I
mean is that I don't own anything that Tolkien owns).
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 16: In which hope shines white
Early morning drifted past to noon and noon floated by into early evening and still, Adariel could not think of a way to free the captives. In fact, she could not think straight at all. Constantly, it was a struggle between the right thing to do and the black tendrils that wanted to pull her down into deep, dark hate.
The hate in the heart of an Orc.
Yet with the new emotions came a new skill: a determination to fulfill a goal. Adariel somehow understood now why Orcs and foul creatures were stupid enough to keep attacking even as their own were cut down by the hundreds on a full fledged battle field. It was the irrepressible will to do what they had set out to do, no matter what the situation.
So it was with this surge of determination that a simple and hazardous plan was borne. And it was such a plan that it would have failed but for the unexpected arrival of a certain person.
When dusk had fallen, Adariel noticed that there were many more Orcs scurrying about, although there were not as many Elves. She concluded that this was because Orcs detested daylight while some Elves who were not yet Changed detested the darkness and what lies and illusions the night concealed.
As her footsteps landed on the first stair down the winding iron staircase, she could feel the whole of Morladris was stirring as if something had taken step amongst them. Something powerful, for with her new senses, Adariel detected easily of power and feared it. Below were the hurried footsteps of rushing figures as hundreds made their way outside and from her height, Adariel saw that the throne room had been thrown open and left unguarded.
She cocked her head a little; a puzzled frown lit upon her face. She backed away into the shadow of a tall, jagged pillar rising from the very bottom floor and wrapped herself in the safety that the dark had to offer. There were footsteps now, from the outside approaching the inner hallway. They were steady footsteps, and heavy unlike one of an Elf, but not clumsy like Orcs.
All who gathered by the doorways stood to attention.
Eltheran himself appeared as suddenly as the rolling mists in the mountains would lift after the sun had risen. He looked straight ahead at something and nodded his head in acknowledgment. It was quiet, almost silent but for the swishes of robes as the approached the door.
A blazing figure in shimmering white hidden by the folds of a magnificent glaring cloak stepped inside, and paused.
Adariel felt herself stir as the unwelcome feeling of fear radiated from the tendrils inside of her. She felt a wave of darkness was over her eyes, then retreat again. It was afraid. *She* was afraid. And her newfound horror grew as she saw the figure in white lift its head up and stare straight through the shadow and into her widened eyes. She felt something pierce through her, and all of a sudden she could think clearly. The darkness seemed to have hidden or disappeared. But as soon as the figure turned back, she felt her thoughts muddle again as they raged a secret storm somewhere inside of her.
The figure turned to Eltheran, who seemed not to have noticed what had happened just moments before. To Adariel's surprise, he bowed slightly. As slightly as his position and pride would allow him, and then straightened hastily to address the visitor. Adariel listened keenly with curiosity to all that passed between the two.
"Greetings Curunir," Eltheran said, and Adariel saw that he carried a staff that he leaned upon.
"Yes," Curunir said, "and to you my ever faithful."
Eltheran nodded to the surrounding orcs and elves who stood to attention. They scattered quickly, leaving only the two alone in the hall. Eltheran gestured to the throne room but Curunir shook cloaked head.
"Alas, no," said he. "I would rather stay here where the open doors do not cage me."
"You still think us to betray you?" Eltheran said bitterly.
"No," Curunir said with an easy laugh. "I *know* you to be traitors. But that is not the issue I have come to talk to you about. Ah, no. But first let me set my eyes once more on your halls for I have had much to do and my mind wills me into silence for a while."
It puzzled Adariel why Eltheran did not strike back at the unseemly comment by the stranger. She had heard of the name Curunir before, but could not remember where she had heard it from. To her, it had been a long time ago.
Although bitter, Eltheran consented and then by a sudden memory, invited Curunir to meet his daughter. Adariel started and leapt quietly back to her chamber where she knew her father would send a messenger up to find her. One came swiftly, and requested her presence, which she granted with a slightly confused glare.
As she drew closer to the white figure of Curunir, she felt the shadows within her crawl back and with every step she could feel the freedom of another part of her once more. Her thoughts cleared and her movements became less sluggish. Curunir and Eltheran both turned at the sound of her footsteps.
"Adariel," Eltheran welcomed, his voice lifting a little, "may I be privileged enough to introduce you to Curunir called Saruman the White by the Men of the North?"
Curunir seemed to smile through his cloak, saying, "Well met, Lady Adariel. I have heard so much, albeit too much, about you."
"You may reveal yourself, Daughter. Curunir is senior even to myself and you are not in the presence of servants and such." Turning to Curunir, he added, "My invitation is to you as well, Lord. For you have nothing to fear in the presence of Adariel."
"Of that I am well aware," Curunir said, "but it is my choice and I choose to say nay."
"Very well," Eltheran replied, and gestured onwards. "You have not come since the beginning of your reign at Orthanc began." And he started leading Curunir through various rooms that Adariel herself had never come to.
Curunir was silent as he was led through the various collections and sitting places of the rather drab looking rooms that were too dark to see through. Adariel wondered what he was thinking, silent as he was. Eltheran seemed to take no heed and walked them about the immensely large rooms of the place that Adariel had never even known to exist.
She blanched at the thought of them heading up toward her own rooms where Aragorn and his companions were waiting in the dark. So when Curunir suddenly spoke up as they neared her chambers, she was not only surprised, but interested as the feeling of gratitude washed over her.
"As I am guessing, these that we are approaching belong to the Lady Adariel," Curunir said, and Eltheran was hasty to confirm.
"Well then!" he clapped his hands that were tucked within the shimmering white sleeves of his robe. "Why not let Adariel show me around these last few halls? She has not said a word at all since I first met her. Come now, Daughter of Eltheran. Are you mute that you do not grace us with your voice?"
"My Lord," Adariel said demurely.
"I shall take my leave of you," Eltheran announced, nodding. "But should you find that I am needed, send word through one of the guards."
"Unnecessary, as I am able to summon you as I please," Curunir observed to Eltheran's retreating back. Turning to Adariel, he beckoned her closer. When she did not move, he sighed and said, "I do not bite when I am not hungry."
Uncertain if this comment was to make her feel better, Adariel stepped forward anyway.
The sudden hand that snatched out and latched itself onto her arm startled her. It clasped her tightly, and she could feel her arm growing numb. Curunir seemed to study her carefully inside and out. He pulled her a little closer and held her there for a while. She dared not move. Suddenly, she was released and her tense muscles sprang her backwards.
"I see, it is late, but not too late." murmured Curunir, an unidentifiable emotion beneath his words.
Not knowing what to say, Adariel uttered the first thing that floated on her mind. "Shall we go now, My Lord?"
"Of course," he replied smoothly, and they headed up to the landing of her floor.
The nights were long and the days were darker to Aragorn, who had spent so much of his time outside underneath the sky and weathering the bitter rains and the harsh sunshine. He paced, stopped, and paced again careful not to bump into any of the other figures scattered around the small room.
"I like it not that we are to sit idle," growled Gimli, leaping up from his place on the floor and banging his fist against the echoing metal of the wall.
Aragorn spun around, glad of an excuse to speak. "Yet we must. I have faith in Lady Adariel, for she is sister of Arwen daughter of Elrond. She has noble blood in her veins, and I am sure it would not desert her so easily."
"Will you be so sure?" Boromir broke in.
They fell silent again.
Peering through the bars where the only light was coming through, Legolas was ever watchful. He wondered at the way of the strange folk whom he knew once to be his own kin. They wandered around sometimes, though there was rarely a guard in sight.
Fleetingly, he caught a glimpse of a figure dressed in magnificent white round a corner and head towards their door. Beside him, Adariel strode hesitantly as if unsure what to do, glancing at the door to their prison then back again at the cloaked stranger.
"There is a stranger coming hither…cloaked in white," Legolas said even as suspicion turned into certainty.
Aragorn leapt around and quickly came to the door, with Legolas stepping lightly aside. He muttered something under his breath, but appeared puzzled and troubled at the same time. Gimli, who was not tall enough to see through the gap in the door, made a move to grasp at his ax when he remembered that it was not there.
"No doubt it's Saruman," Gimli growled. Boromir looked grim but did not make any move to even stand.
"Saruman, yes," Aragorn said, and to their surprise he sat down next to Boromir. "But I perceive that there is something strange in the manner of the White Stranger. At any rate, Saruman or no, we are still weaponless."
Reluctantly, Gimli moved back to where Legolas was standing next to the wall and they waited grimly as silently as the footsteps drew near. The words were muffled, but became clearer although the conversation was pointless. No information could be withdrawn from the words exchanged, and there was falseness in the sentiments that made it hard to bear to listen to.
Then suddenly, there came a light from the outline of the door and with a swift sound it swung open.
The flash of the silver key glittered, even in the heavy darkness as Adariel saw it turn in the lock. Her surprise temporarily stayed by curiosity, and she wondered how the white-robed figure had snatched the key from her without her noticing. Her fear drew on her tongue and she darted in front of him, even as the door opened.
"Who art thou who takes from thy host so swiftly? Stay your hand!" she demanded, although she knew that this was one who had passed evil into the realm of the Fangorn.
"Do move!" Curunir said, but not harshly. "I do no ill to your father's kingdom, yet woe befalls it anyway. I know what it is that hides in the shadows of this room. Move, I saw!"
By some power that overcame her will Adariel stepped aside.
"Saruman!" came a cry from inside, and Curunir turned aside, gesturing outwards.
"I know of you, and how strange it seems. Two Men, a Dwarf and an Elf. Come and enlighten me of your journey for I am very curious. Curious indeed."
"You live a Traitor's lie!" Gimli roared, and seemed ready to charge out, but something restrained him.
"You must give your word not to do us harm," Aragorn's voice reached out of the dark chamber, and movement stirred within.
"Upon my honor, I give you my word," Curunir smiled, a half smile.
"Pray, swear upon anything but your honor! A traitor has none left, and you shall not abide by your vow," came the answer steadily.
"Wise you are, still!" the white figure laughed. "And if I had thought your word insolent, I would have been much angered. Yet you speak truth, so I shall give you my word upon Orthanc, the Spire of Isengard."
Slowly, slowly, the figures emerged from shadow. Proud yet cautious they were as they filed past the figure. Power radiated from him, and it was the power that chased the darkness away from Adariel's heart. She had said no word in the exchange, and her eyes were bright as she watched all that went on before her, yet powerless she was to move.
Gimli came last out, and as he walked past, he made a move to spit at the feet of Curunir. The white figure was too quick and stepped aside at surprising speed. His staff clanged on the floor as it was whipped aside with its owner.
"Fear not!" said Curunir quietly. "All shall be revealed to you, for I think it is safe to speak truth in these halls, for now."
Before any of the company had time to move, there came a rush of wind from nowhere that threw the hood off the white figure and swept the cloak back to reveal dazzling white robes that were of the same craftsmanship of the cloaks that they bore from golden Lorien
"Mithrandir!" Legolas cried, but the exclamation stopped, stillborn. The wizard frowned at him, and his eyes were glittering.
"Gandalf!" Gimli said more quietly and shook his head. "We thought you lost in Moria when you fell into the shadow of Khazad-Dum!"
"Gandalf…" the wizard looked unseeing for a moment. "Gandalf…yes, yes. I was called Gandalf, once. And I shall be Gandalf once more." His eyes cleared and he looked at them, one by one, as a smile broke from his lips.
"Tarry not!" Gandalf said. "There is much to be done! Alas, for the treason not only of Isengard but of Lakewood, or Morladris as I shall call it by the name it bears in Shadow. Yes, in shadow…" here his gaze fell briefly on Adariel before it flittered away again as if caught by some unnoticed detail.
"Of the Halflings…" Boromir started, startling Adariel for he stood behind her.
"Yes, yes, if it comforts you to know that they are in good company then I shall confirm it to be so. Time is heavy on my mind. Depart, we must! Speak not, and follow me!" Gandalf wrapped his cloak around him once more and leaned on his staff. "Curunir I shall be until we leave this dreadful place."
They filed past with Gandalf in front and Adariel behind as if escorting the captives. They walked with heavy steps and all who looked upon them felt a stirring of something less than admiration for although darkness confuses all things, proud and great of the free folk were still recognized.
Eltheran met them at the entrance, question in his eyes and a command at his lips but Curunir smote his staff on the floor before him and said not a word. They looked long and hard upon each other until Eltheran's will broke suddenly under the unknown power inside the cloak.
"I take these captives to Orthanc, and I thank you for your tribute," the wizard said, his voice laced with power, commanding.
At these words, Eltheran stirred as if one come out of long and dreamless sleep. "I would gladly give these prisoners to you, if they were mine to give! But they are not, and choice now falls upon my daughter, Adariel. Only at her bidding may I surrender the prize to you."
"But I have given my blessing, and happily," Adariel found herself saying. "May I ask the permission to escort them out of Morladris?"
"If it so pleases you, I should wish to have her with me in Orthanc. I perceive she can be of use to me there," the wizard added.
"I am willing in all services, and in all things," Eltheran said as horror came to him in a cold and bitter storm, "but I am not willing to give the treasure of my kingdom, Curunir of the Wise though you may be. My land is yours, and so are my armies for they obey my orders and if woe befalls them, it is their lot and not mine. But Lady Adariel has a will of her own, and I do not wish to part with her though all the hosts of Mordor and the ancient Morgoth stood in my way."
"Your words will be your doom," the other replied sternly. "Remember them well and when your time comes, they shall bind you."
"I care not." Eltheran replied.
"Have I no say in this?" Adariel cried out, seeing the situation to be desperate. Eltheran turned to her with pleading in his eyes and a voice tinged with not sorrow but anger. His hand reached out to her but she shrank away suddenly, backing a step or two and stopping.
"Beloved of mine," he began, "do you wish to depart with one that you have newly met in the company of none other than these creatures of Good which I have forsaken? For I will not send a host back with Curunir, master though he is."
Then Adariel saw that she could not answer affirmatively without ruining the chance that Gandalf had offered her companions.
"Ye or nay, answer wisely," the wizard said very slowly.
The thought seemed to dawn on the rest of the company, and they eyes were suddenly troubled. Not a word they said yet their manner was angry and their still figures spoke many sentences. Boromir looked sadly at her, and Adariel found that she could not feel his mind any more. The sensation had slipped her mind since the darkness took her, and it had estranged her from Boromir.
Aragorn looked haggard and weary, as if faced with a choice that was not his own. He gazed steadily at her, a half frown on his face as he awaited the answer that he knew she would make.
Gimli was saddened and distressed, as one who would was losing a possession or an ally, but by no accounts excessively distressed.
Legolas, Adariel would not glance to at all although she felt the weight of his gaze upon her and it made her neck prickle. A phantom pressure was on her lips and a slight blush came to her cheeks at the stray memory. It sank deeper into her mind and she remembered how the willow blinds had whipped about behind her and the sounds of the stirring lake had lulled enchantment upon her.
A breath, a sigh, and Adariel looked up straight into they eyes of Eltheran. "I say nay…but give me leave to escort these that I have had for but a while out until I sight takes them from me and they are no more."
"This I grant you, and furthermore for I say that you may journey to the edge of the Fangorn, but no more!" Eltheran said, "but if you were to be taken by those that you escort, then the host of Isengard would be suffer sorely. This I vow upon Morladris itself. A week you have, but no more! I give you more than is needed for I know of your wandering feet."
"I thank you kindly!" Adariel said, half-relieved and half-horrified.
"Not out of the kindness of my heart do I grant you this," Eltheran replied cryptically, and his face was grim.
End of Chapter 16
Reviews please! NO FLAMES but constructive criticism is very welcome! –Spirit Star
I've had some people archiving this story, and that's fine as long as you give me the link to your site, and notify me. Thanks for the great emails…they are appreciated and so are the reviews. Thanks, thanks, and thanks again!
Ugh, my holidays are drawing to a close…but hooray for teacher strikes! (Does a little dance)
Echoes of the Narbeleth
Spirit Star
Chapter 16: In which hope shines white
Early morning drifted past to noon and noon floated by into early evening and still, Adariel could not think of a way to free the captives. In fact, she could not think straight at all. Constantly, it was a struggle between the right thing to do and the black tendrils that wanted to pull her down into deep, dark hate.
The hate in the heart of an Orc.
Yet with the new emotions came a new skill: a determination to fulfill a goal. Adariel somehow understood now why Orcs and foul creatures were stupid enough to keep attacking even as their own were cut down by the hundreds on a full fledged battle field. It was the irrepressible will to do what they had set out to do, no matter what the situation.
So it was with this surge of determination that a simple and hazardous plan was borne. And it was such a plan that it would have failed but for the unexpected arrival of a certain person.
When dusk had fallen, Adariel noticed that there were many more Orcs scurrying about, although there were not as many Elves. She concluded that this was because Orcs detested daylight while some Elves who were not yet Changed detested the darkness and what lies and illusions the night concealed.
As her footsteps landed on the first stair down the winding iron staircase, she could feel the whole of Morladris was stirring as if something had taken step amongst them. Something powerful, for with her new senses, Adariel detected easily of power and feared it. Below were the hurried footsteps of rushing figures as hundreds made their way outside and from her height, Adariel saw that the throne room had been thrown open and left unguarded.
She cocked her head a little; a puzzled frown lit upon her face. She backed away into the shadow of a tall, jagged pillar rising from the very bottom floor and wrapped herself in the safety that the dark had to offer. There were footsteps now, from the outside approaching the inner hallway. They were steady footsteps, and heavy unlike one of an Elf, but not clumsy like Orcs.
All who gathered by the doorways stood to attention.
Eltheran himself appeared as suddenly as the rolling mists in the mountains would lift after the sun had risen. He looked straight ahead at something and nodded his head in acknowledgment. It was quiet, almost silent but for the swishes of robes as the approached the door.
A blazing figure in shimmering white hidden by the folds of a magnificent glaring cloak stepped inside, and paused.
Adariel felt herself stir as the unwelcome feeling of fear radiated from the tendrils inside of her. She felt a wave of darkness was over her eyes, then retreat again. It was afraid. *She* was afraid. And her newfound horror grew as she saw the figure in white lift its head up and stare straight through the shadow and into her widened eyes. She felt something pierce through her, and all of a sudden she could think clearly. The darkness seemed to have hidden or disappeared. But as soon as the figure turned back, she felt her thoughts muddle again as they raged a secret storm somewhere inside of her.
The figure turned to Eltheran, who seemed not to have noticed what had happened just moments before. To Adariel's surprise, he bowed slightly. As slightly as his position and pride would allow him, and then straightened hastily to address the visitor. Adariel listened keenly with curiosity to all that passed between the two.
"Greetings Curunir," Eltheran said, and Adariel saw that he carried a staff that he leaned upon.
"Yes," Curunir said, "and to you my ever faithful."
Eltheran nodded to the surrounding orcs and elves who stood to attention. They scattered quickly, leaving only the two alone in the hall. Eltheran gestured to the throne room but Curunir shook cloaked head.
"Alas, no," said he. "I would rather stay here where the open doors do not cage me."
"You still think us to betray you?" Eltheran said bitterly.
"No," Curunir said with an easy laugh. "I *know* you to be traitors. But that is not the issue I have come to talk to you about. Ah, no. But first let me set my eyes once more on your halls for I have had much to do and my mind wills me into silence for a while."
It puzzled Adariel why Eltheran did not strike back at the unseemly comment by the stranger. She had heard of the name Curunir before, but could not remember where she had heard it from. To her, it had been a long time ago.
Although bitter, Eltheran consented and then by a sudden memory, invited Curunir to meet his daughter. Adariel started and leapt quietly back to her chamber where she knew her father would send a messenger up to find her. One came swiftly, and requested her presence, which she granted with a slightly confused glare.
As she drew closer to the white figure of Curunir, she felt the shadows within her crawl back and with every step she could feel the freedom of another part of her once more. Her thoughts cleared and her movements became less sluggish. Curunir and Eltheran both turned at the sound of her footsteps.
"Adariel," Eltheran welcomed, his voice lifting a little, "may I be privileged enough to introduce you to Curunir called Saruman the White by the Men of the North?"
Curunir seemed to smile through his cloak, saying, "Well met, Lady Adariel. I have heard so much, albeit too much, about you."
"You may reveal yourself, Daughter. Curunir is senior even to myself and you are not in the presence of servants and such." Turning to Curunir, he added, "My invitation is to you as well, Lord. For you have nothing to fear in the presence of Adariel."
"Of that I am well aware," Curunir said, "but it is my choice and I choose to say nay."
"Very well," Eltheran replied, and gestured onwards. "You have not come since the beginning of your reign at Orthanc began." And he started leading Curunir through various rooms that Adariel herself had never come to.
Curunir was silent as he was led through the various collections and sitting places of the rather drab looking rooms that were too dark to see through. Adariel wondered what he was thinking, silent as he was. Eltheran seemed to take no heed and walked them about the immensely large rooms of the place that Adariel had never even known to exist.
She blanched at the thought of them heading up toward her own rooms where Aragorn and his companions were waiting in the dark. So when Curunir suddenly spoke up as they neared her chambers, she was not only surprised, but interested as the feeling of gratitude washed over her.
"As I am guessing, these that we are approaching belong to the Lady Adariel," Curunir said, and Eltheran was hasty to confirm.
"Well then!" he clapped his hands that were tucked within the shimmering white sleeves of his robe. "Why not let Adariel show me around these last few halls? She has not said a word at all since I first met her. Come now, Daughter of Eltheran. Are you mute that you do not grace us with your voice?"
"My Lord," Adariel said demurely.
"I shall take my leave of you," Eltheran announced, nodding. "But should you find that I am needed, send word through one of the guards."
"Unnecessary, as I am able to summon you as I please," Curunir observed to Eltheran's retreating back. Turning to Adariel, he beckoned her closer. When she did not move, he sighed and said, "I do not bite when I am not hungry."
Uncertain if this comment was to make her feel better, Adariel stepped forward anyway.
The sudden hand that snatched out and latched itself onto her arm startled her. It clasped her tightly, and she could feel her arm growing numb. Curunir seemed to study her carefully inside and out. He pulled her a little closer and held her there for a while. She dared not move. Suddenly, she was released and her tense muscles sprang her backwards.
"I see, it is late, but not too late." murmured Curunir, an unidentifiable emotion beneath his words.
Not knowing what to say, Adariel uttered the first thing that floated on her mind. "Shall we go now, My Lord?"
"Of course," he replied smoothly, and they headed up to the landing of her floor.
The nights were long and the days were darker to Aragorn, who had spent so much of his time outside underneath the sky and weathering the bitter rains and the harsh sunshine. He paced, stopped, and paced again careful not to bump into any of the other figures scattered around the small room.
"I like it not that we are to sit idle," growled Gimli, leaping up from his place on the floor and banging his fist against the echoing metal of the wall.
Aragorn spun around, glad of an excuse to speak. "Yet we must. I have faith in Lady Adariel, for she is sister of Arwen daughter of Elrond. She has noble blood in her veins, and I am sure it would not desert her so easily."
"Will you be so sure?" Boromir broke in.
They fell silent again.
Peering through the bars where the only light was coming through, Legolas was ever watchful. He wondered at the way of the strange folk whom he knew once to be his own kin. They wandered around sometimes, though there was rarely a guard in sight.
Fleetingly, he caught a glimpse of a figure dressed in magnificent white round a corner and head towards their door. Beside him, Adariel strode hesitantly as if unsure what to do, glancing at the door to their prison then back again at the cloaked stranger.
"There is a stranger coming hither…cloaked in white," Legolas said even as suspicion turned into certainty.
Aragorn leapt around and quickly came to the door, with Legolas stepping lightly aside. He muttered something under his breath, but appeared puzzled and troubled at the same time. Gimli, who was not tall enough to see through the gap in the door, made a move to grasp at his ax when he remembered that it was not there.
"No doubt it's Saruman," Gimli growled. Boromir looked grim but did not make any move to even stand.
"Saruman, yes," Aragorn said, and to their surprise he sat down next to Boromir. "But I perceive that there is something strange in the manner of the White Stranger. At any rate, Saruman or no, we are still weaponless."
Reluctantly, Gimli moved back to where Legolas was standing next to the wall and they waited grimly as silently as the footsteps drew near. The words were muffled, but became clearer although the conversation was pointless. No information could be withdrawn from the words exchanged, and there was falseness in the sentiments that made it hard to bear to listen to.
Then suddenly, there came a light from the outline of the door and with a swift sound it swung open.
The flash of the silver key glittered, even in the heavy darkness as Adariel saw it turn in the lock. Her surprise temporarily stayed by curiosity, and she wondered how the white-robed figure had snatched the key from her without her noticing. Her fear drew on her tongue and she darted in front of him, even as the door opened.
"Who art thou who takes from thy host so swiftly? Stay your hand!" she demanded, although she knew that this was one who had passed evil into the realm of the Fangorn.
"Do move!" Curunir said, but not harshly. "I do no ill to your father's kingdom, yet woe befalls it anyway. I know what it is that hides in the shadows of this room. Move, I saw!"
By some power that overcame her will Adariel stepped aside.
"Saruman!" came a cry from inside, and Curunir turned aside, gesturing outwards.
"I know of you, and how strange it seems. Two Men, a Dwarf and an Elf. Come and enlighten me of your journey for I am very curious. Curious indeed."
"You live a Traitor's lie!" Gimli roared, and seemed ready to charge out, but something restrained him.
"You must give your word not to do us harm," Aragorn's voice reached out of the dark chamber, and movement stirred within.
"Upon my honor, I give you my word," Curunir smiled, a half smile.
"Pray, swear upon anything but your honor! A traitor has none left, and you shall not abide by your vow," came the answer steadily.
"Wise you are, still!" the white figure laughed. "And if I had thought your word insolent, I would have been much angered. Yet you speak truth, so I shall give you my word upon Orthanc, the Spire of Isengard."
Slowly, slowly, the figures emerged from shadow. Proud yet cautious they were as they filed past the figure. Power radiated from him, and it was the power that chased the darkness away from Adariel's heart. She had said no word in the exchange, and her eyes were bright as she watched all that went on before her, yet powerless she was to move.
Gimli came last out, and as he walked past, he made a move to spit at the feet of Curunir. The white figure was too quick and stepped aside at surprising speed. His staff clanged on the floor as it was whipped aside with its owner.
"Fear not!" said Curunir quietly. "All shall be revealed to you, for I think it is safe to speak truth in these halls, for now."
Before any of the company had time to move, there came a rush of wind from nowhere that threw the hood off the white figure and swept the cloak back to reveal dazzling white robes that were of the same craftsmanship of the cloaks that they bore from golden Lorien
"Mithrandir!" Legolas cried, but the exclamation stopped, stillborn. The wizard frowned at him, and his eyes were glittering.
"Gandalf!" Gimli said more quietly and shook his head. "We thought you lost in Moria when you fell into the shadow of Khazad-Dum!"
"Gandalf…" the wizard looked unseeing for a moment. "Gandalf…yes, yes. I was called Gandalf, once. And I shall be Gandalf once more." His eyes cleared and he looked at them, one by one, as a smile broke from his lips.
"Tarry not!" Gandalf said. "There is much to be done! Alas, for the treason not only of Isengard but of Lakewood, or Morladris as I shall call it by the name it bears in Shadow. Yes, in shadow…" here his gaze fell briefly on Adariel before it flittered away again as if caught by some unnoticed detail.
"Of the Halflings…" Boromir started, startling Adariel for he stood behind her.
"Yes, yes, if it comforts you to know that they are in good company then I shall confirm it to be so. Time is heavy on my mind. Depart, we must! Speak not, and follow me!" Gandalf wrapped his cloak around him once more and leaned on his staff. "Curunir I shall be until we leave this dreadful place."
They filed past with Gandalf in front and Adariel behind as if escorting the captives. They walked with heavy steps and all who looked upon them felt a stirring of something less than admiration for although darkness confuses all things, proud and great of the free folk were still recognized.
Eltheran met them at the entrance, question in his eyes and a command at his lips but Curunir smote his staff on the floor before him and said not a word. They looked long and hard upon each other until Eltheran's will broke suddenly under the unknown power inside the cloak.
"I take these captives to Orthanc, and I thank you for your tribute," the wizard said, his voice laced with power, commanding.
At these words, Eltheran stirred as if one come out of long and dreamless sleep. "I would gladly give these prisoners to you, if they were mine to give! But they are not, and choice now falls upon my daughter, Adariel. Only at her bidding may I surrender the prize to you."
"But I have given my blessing, and happily," Adariel found herself saying. "May I ask the permission to escort them out of Morladris?"
"If it so pleases you, I should wish to have her with me in Orthanc. I perceive she can be of use to me there," the wizard added.
"I am willing in all services, and in all things," Eltheran said as horror came to him in a cold and bitter storm, "but I am not willing to give the treasure of my kingdom, Curunir of the Wise though you may be. My land is yours, and so are my armies for they obey my orders and if woe befalls them, it is their lot and not mine. But Lady Adariel has a will of her own, and I do not wish to part with her though all the hosts of Mordor and the ancient Morgoth stood in my way."
"Your words will be your doom," the other replied sternly. "Remember them well and when your time comes, they shall bind you."
"I care not." Eltheran replied.
"Have I no say in this?" Adariel cried out, seeing the situation to be desperate. Eltheran turned to her with pleading in his eyes and a voice tinged with not sorrow but anger. His hand reached out to her but she shrank away suddenly, backing a step or two and stopping.
"Beloved of mine," he began, "do you wish to depart with one that you have newly met in the company of none other than these creatures of Good which I have forsaken? For I will not send a host back with Curunir, master though he is."
Then Adariel saw that she could not answer affirmatively without ruining the chance that Gandalf had offered her companions.
"Ye or nay, answer wisely," the wizard said very slowly.
The thought seemed to dawn on the rest of the company, and they eyes were suddenly troubled. Not a word they said yet their manner was angry and their still figures spoke many sentences. Boromir looked sadly at her, and Adariel found that she could not feel his mind any more. The sensation had slipped her mind since the darkness took her, and it had estranged her from Boromir.
Aragorn looked haggard and weary, as if faced with a choice that was not his own. He gazed steadily at her, a half frown on his face as he awaited the answer that he knew she would make.
Gimli was saddened and distressed, as one who would was losing a possession or an ally, but by no accounts excessively distressed.
Legolas, Adariel would not glance to at all although she felt the weight of his gaze upon her and it made her neck prickle. A phantom pressure was on her lips and a slight blush came to her cheeks at the stray memory. It sank deeper into her mind and she remembered how the willow blinds had whipped about behind her and the sounds of the stirring lake had lulled enchantment upon her.
A breath, a sigh, and Adariel looked up straight into they eyes of Eltheran. "I say nay…but give me leave to escort these that I have had for but a while out until I sight takes them from me and they are no more."
"This I grant you, and furthermore for I say that you may journey to the edge of the Fangorn, but no more!" Eltheran said, "but if you were to be taken by those that you escort, then the host of Isengard would be suffer sorely. This I vow upon Morladris itself. A week you have, but no more! I give you more than is needed for I know of your wandering feet."
"I thank you kindly!" Adariel said, half-relieved and half-horrified.
"Not out of the kindness of my heart do I grant you this," Eltheran replied cryptically, and his face was grim.
End of Chapter 16
Reviews please! NO FLAMES but constructive criticism is very welcome! –Spirit Star
I've had some people archiving this story, and that's fine as long as you give me the link to your site, and notify me. Thanks for the great emails…they are appreciated and so are the reviews. Thanks, thanks, and thanks again!
Ugh, my holidays are drawing to a close…but hooray for teacher strikes! (Does a little dance)