Edited on Oct 2003

Chapter 11

The escort of elves, together with Gandalf, Ariel and Arwen set out at dawn, while the stars were fading.

They were given food supplies, mostly lembas enough to feed an army and Ariel just could not stop fingering her bow lovingly.

Parting was such sweet sorrow. In times like these there would not be any more visits to Lothlorien till the end of the war. And who knew when that time would come? And if they did, would victory be on their side?

Celeborn and Galadriel stood solemnly as they embraced their granddaughters.

"Namarie. Varda naan lle." Farewell. Elbereth be with you. The Lady said to them.

You will find your strength in the least likely places, Eruawien. Ariel beheld the gaze of Galadriel, and she felt as if calmness has settled within her.

They mounted their steeds, the lady Arwen on a palfrey, whereas Ariel could handle any type of horse. With one last glance at the Golden Wood, Ariel resisted the urge to linger, and so the party took off for Imladris.

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For days they traveled across open plains, into the Field of Celebrant, where spring has begun working marvels on the meadows. Flowers greeted them and swayed to and fro in the light breezes that blew from the Misty Mountains. Already, both sisters missed Lothlorien and its inhabitants.

Then Fangorn loomed into sight on the third day of traveling. The vegetation looked thick, and the forest dark and menacing.

"It is to my deep regret I have to leave. For my task lies in Fangorn." Gandalf said.

"Farewell, Mithrandir." And so he departed into the forest, a white light slowly being swallowed up by the darkness of the wood. Ariel and Arwen looked after him as he rode away, without his presence, the plains looked wide and dangerous. But they were daughters of Elrond, and were hardy of heart and will, so they urged the horses on.

With a heavy heart they continued. That was when Ariel began to have an unsettling feeling that grew with each passing moment, making her uneasy.

What ails you so, sister? Arwen's soothing voice sounded in Ariel's mind, as she sensed Ariel's disquiet.

Nothing, tis' just a distinct uneasiness. Ariel replied, not wanting Arwen to be unduly worried. But Arwen saw her sister's knitted eyebrows, and knew something was wrong.

When dusk fell and they had made camp, Ariel went to a nearby stream to wash, which was when she realized an evil was drawing close.

Aradreth, suddenly sprang up. His Elvin ears alert.

"Protect the Ladies!"

All five elves surrounded Ariel and Arwen, forming a protective circle around them.

A large group of about fifty orcs came running towards them. These orcs seem different, as they did not seem to tire, and are greater in size than other orcs.

"You need not forfeit your life for mine!" Angrily, Ariel pushed Aradreth away. She shot down the first few orcs. When they were too close for shooting, she drew her blades.

But the orcs did not seem interested in battling, and took no heed to the fallen orcs at all, running in a northwest direction. Neither did they pay any attention to the group from Imladris, except Ariel, who was keen on slaying at least ten.

She sucked in her breadth as piercing pain drove through her shoulder, causing her to cry out. Glancing her wound, she saw a wide gash that did not appear too deep.

An orc took the opportunity to grab her and toss her on its foul shoulder, like a sack of grain. Arwen gasped and tried to go after her sister but Aradreth withheld her from going.

Strong as she was, the orc was stronger and kept Ariel from struggling. For they were no ordinary orcs, they were the Uruk Hai, bred by the wizard Curunir, Saruman.

Ariel winced as the captor stumbled upon a rock, her injury hit the hard amour. She summoned all her strength to squirm and kick the orc but to no avail.

The orc mercilessly dealt a hard blow to her head, and all went black.

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Arwen watched in despair and grief as her sister was taken away, she felt so useless and helpless, and would have gone after them and attempted rescue had not Ariel spoken:

Do not come after me

Even so, five elves and herself against an army of Uruk Hai were not possible, they might all end up getting killed.

Aradreth and the rest persuaded Arwen not to go too.

"Lord Elrond would be deeply grieved if he lost both daughters, my lady could do well to lessen the pain. There is still hope Lady Silverstar would survive."

'Unlikely' Arwen thought bitterly. Then she saw the other elves had minor injuries, save Fingailas who was in dire need of a healer. She put aside her grief for a moment.

"We must tarry not any longer. Fingailas is in need."

With only one horse left since the others had been shot down, Aradreth took the severely wounded elf back to Lothlorien, which was still near. He bade the others take care of the Lady Arwen back to Imladris.

Ariel amin Arwen. Lle hlasta amin? Arwen desparately tried to communicate with Ariel. No reply, as Ariel was unconscious.

Too wrought with grief, Arwen believed she had failed her sister. And felt an utter failure.