Disclaimer: Own nothing of Tolkien's, only Ariel and Phillifax.
A/N: Forgive me, my muse ran off but I finally managed to coax it back.
Thanks to all who reviewed. Personal replies at bottom. Finally managed to produce a long chapter. Everyone seems to be confused over the last chapter, well, basically Ariel just rides off to Minas Tirith by herself, since it is not possible to go with Aragorn or Eomer.
Chapter 20
They had been going on for hours, stopping only for brief breaks. It was as if something was urging her to go faster, and the need for urgency grew as the sun sank lower behind her.
From far off Ariel could see Firien Wood, meaning that much progress had been made. On her left was Eastfold, at this point of time it was a desolate and empty plain, before giving way to the fens of Entwash.
Ariel had not studied the maps of Gondor, only knew that Numenoreans, only to be scattered by the presence of the Enemy, had built its realms during the 2nd Age. As far as her knowledge of the geography of the place went, there were seven beacons in all, and she was fast approaching Halifirien.
By midnight they had reached Minrimmon. Great mare though she was, Phil still needed a rest, there Ariel made camp under the skirts of the beacon.
As she drifted in and out of sleep, her thoughts were turned most often to an elf, namely, Legolas. The rest of the time she wondered vaguely how Arwen was doing, when she sensed her twin sister's sudden presence.
How fares thee?
Cold, lonely, but still surviving. You have no need to worry, sister
That I cannot promise. I fear you might run into trouble, but I do trust your ability to protect yourself. Take care.
Amin meleth nin
I love you too
*~~~~~~~~~*
Ere dawn Ariel continued east, past Erelas Nardol, till Druadan Forest where Eilenach resides. She had kept to the skirts of the White Mountains as close as possible, for there were people feeling west, saying Anorien was taken.
She planned to enter Minas Tirith from the North, after passing through the forest. All was quiet and still, as if a heavy blanket had been cast upon the air. Not a sound reached her elven ears, the animals have fled long ago.
As she neared Minas Tirith, she grew somewhat uneasy, there was no clash of steel upon blade, neither were there any sounds of fighting. Instead, a smell of death and decay lingered in the air, causing her to wrinkle her nose in disgust.
Had the war been over already? Fervently Ariel prayed she had not arrived too late. Tension in her was as taut as a drawn bowstring but the silence only grew, and 'twas deafening.
But her worries was all for naught, for it was the 16th of May, close to the night where the commanders- Aragorn, Imrahil, Eomer and Gandalf were debating on which course to take. Minas Tirith was safe for the time being as the Cosairs of Umbar and Haradhrim were defeated.
It was with much relief Ariel entered the White City. She thought the towers rather splendid and marvelous looking, but gave the dead bodies a wide berth.
"Halt! Who goes there?" A door guard prevented her entry.
"Friend of Aragorn." Ariel replied. "Tell him the lady Silverstar had come."
The guard looked at her in wonder as she cast back her hood. For even in her travel-worn state one could tell she was very fair, and seldom were any elves seen in Minas Tirith.
She was led to a ruined garden, where weeds flourished and the walls were crumbling in obvious disrepair. Long ago, someone had tended the place carefully, Ariel noted, as she pulled away a weed that was choking a young flower.
"Legolas! I told you she would come. Now you owe me a trip to the Glittering Caves." A familiar gruff voice called out.
"Why? I thought you were under orders to stay at Rohan." Legolas said, half surprised at the fury creeping into his voice.
"You will be surprised to find, my dear elf, that I am not accustomed to taking orders, not even from my brothers, much less another." She replied in a tone as icy as she could muster.
"Enough! We should be glad she is safe!" Merry piped up, a little angry that Legolas was accusing Lady Ariel of disobedience.
"Thank you, Master Brandybuck. My, you two seemed to have grown much in my absence." Ariel patted Pippin and Merry's head fondly, ignoring the other elf. Little did anyone know she was thrilled inside at the sight of him, and her pulse quickened.
"They drank from the River Entwash." Gimli said, as if that was meant to explain everything.
"The Lady Eowyn, where is she?"
"You knew that Dernhelm was she didn't you? On the day we arrived here she slayed the Witch King, and earned her much renown. But for a heavy price, none now knows if she will wake up. She resides in the Houses of the Healing, Aragorn himself had called her from the dark. And I believe her a spirit would not allow herself to give in to death." Merry explained.
Ariel made a mental note to visit Eowyn later.
"Come, lady, you can sleep with Merry and I in our chambers. It overlooks the Great River Anduin, glittering playfully beneath the sun. Though it may be dark now, you can still hear it cackling joyfully. It seems to be the only one laughing now, everyone around is so grim and somber." Pippin and Merry chattered away, whilst pulling Ariel after them. Her spirits lifted, it was hard to stay gloomy in the presence of such delightful hobbits.
*~~~~~~~~*
Her brothers had resigned themselves to the fact that their sister could never be left behind.
"Even as an elf ling you would always follow us around, till we got fed up with you tagging along." Elladan smiled affectionately at her.
Legolas, however was not pleased at all.
"You could have been killed! The lands west of here are not safe and furthermore, you were traveling alone without an escort!"
"Does this matter concern you at all? What wrong have I done to offend you?" said Ariel, her voice rising with his. How could he?
*~~~~~~*
Aragorn talked to Legolas later on, trying to find out the true reason of his outburst.
"You underestimate the lady, Legolas. She could very well protect herself. I thought that you, who have lived many centuries longer than me would be a better discerner of character than I."
"Mellon nin, I know you mean well, forgive me for that childish display of anger. I do not usually allow my emotions to override myself."
"But only when it concerns the Lady Ariel, do I not strike near the truth?"
Legolas nodded.
"Aragorn, why is that so?" He found his mix of emotions confusing, for it was not alike anything he had experienced before.
"You will have to find the answer to that yourself. I cannot help you. 'Tis a pity..." He trailed off, leaving behind a very confused elf.
*~~~~~~~~~*
When they had supped Aragorn announced his plans.
"Two days from now we will be riding forth to Morannon with a force of seven thousands. 'Tis the most I can find in this dire hour of need. After many hours of counseling, we plan to surprise the Dark Lord by heading North and entering Mordor from the South."
Ariel sympathized with her friend. He looked older than before, a great burden upon his shoulders, and none could help him bear it. 'Twas a task he had to carry out alone, the last test to prove himself worthy of the throne of Gondor. But she had faith in him, just as Arwen had.
"Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Elladan, Elrohir and Pippin will ride with me in the front with the Dunedain."
"As will I, for I came all the way from Edoras to fight, and not left behind." Ariel declared. Their approval was not necessary, even without it she would still go.
To her surprise, no one objected, but each of them was forming their own silent vow to protect her at all costs.
For the Elladan and Elrohir it was their great love for their sister, and the responsibility of looking after a younger sibling. They could not imagine what their father would say had he known Ariel had perished because of them, and neither did they want to find out.
For Aragorn it was his friendship with the elf maiden, and also because he did not want Arwen to mourn and be grieved. He knew the pain it would bring her if her sister died.
For Legolas, a fierce and incomprehensible urge of protectiveness came over him, and the thought of losing Ariel was unbearable, like taking a knife to his gut.
*~~~~~~~*
Night grew on, and so did the shadow in the East. The hearts of all were heavy with the dread of riding out after two days.
Aragorn was busy mustering his army, and it seemed a very small one compared to the large forces the Dark Lord has. But Ariel knew, the army of orcs and other creatures bred by Sauron were only driven on by his will, and men of Gondor were valiant people, even though the blood of the Numenoreans runs thin in their veins. Yet all they need is a good leader, and Aragorn is the one.
Gimli could not stop admiring the stonework, and every now and then criticized it, such was the way of dwarves, and usually Legolas would have gone with him, as the two had become fast friends. But this evening he sought Ariel.
He found her polishing her bow and blades. So focused was she in her task that she did not see him approach, until she felt it. He stood there uncomfortably for a moment, before speaking
"I beg thee for thy forgiveness. I sincerely apologize for just now."
Ariel felt a twinge of sympathy, as she could see it was taking up most of his pride to apologize to a lady. But she immediately pushed it away.
"Accepted." Her reply was curt and held a dismissive tone.
But Legolas was not one to be defeated easily.
"Care to go for a walk?" Trying to keep his tone casual, but he was crossing his fingers behind, hoping against hope she agree.
He knew not the effect he had on her. Her heart had leapt at the sound of his voice. She took a deep shuddering breadth to calm herself before saying in a steady voice and neutral voice that surprised her.
"I would love to."
*~~~~~~~*
The once fair gardens were now in ruins due to neglect. As Ariel trod along the broken pathway beside Legolas's light footfalls, she gazed at the fireflies, flitting about in the bushes.
'How pretty.' She thought, not knowing she had said it out aloud.
"Agreed." Said the other elf.
They reached a platform facing Mt. Mindolluin, its beautiful snow covered peak loomed high in the clouds.
"What was it you wished to speak to me about?" She first broke the silence by turning her questioning gaze to him.
How could he tell her? He wondered. The main reason he sought her out was he wanted to spend a moment alone before riding out to war.
"Are you sure you are going to the Black Gate with us?"
"Legolas we have been through this before." Ariel sighed in exasperation.
I want to tame your fiery tempest, to claim you for my own, yet at the same time retaining that independent spirit of yours.
Legolas was in turmoil of mind, wondering why she could evoke such feelings in him when no other could.
She was thinking along the same lines.
Do you know how I am fighting the urge to caress your face, how much I feel like brushing away those worries you seem to be having, with a single stroke of the hand?
Silence reigned for a while.
"Do you remember the wager we made, back at the Hall of Edoras?"
"Aye. What is it you want me to do?" Ariel looked askance at him.
"Come closer."
She took a step half forward, hesitatingly, wondering what this elf could be up to this time.
"Nay, not close enough." He grinned, clearly enjoying himself.
She shook her head stubbornly.
"Do not play games with me!"
"If that is the case, I shall go to you then."
With one swift stride he was only an inch away from her, and something at the back of her mind, told her to beware the smoldering passion in his eyes, but she herself was trembling because of him being in such close proximity.
"Ariel, forgive me—" He tenderly lifted her chin and pressed his lips to hers.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotion, Ariel was momentarily taken aback at his audacity, but he refused to be pushed away, holding her captive, pressed to his body.
His presence engulfed her, and heat emanated from his to hers, she found her arms around his waist, as she reveled in the passion of the kiss. His lips, soft but demanding, sought hers playfully, yet with a serious touch that thrilled her deeply.
Is this a dream? If it is, then Eru, Manwe, Elbereth, and all the Valar, I do not want to wake up forever.
She tasted so sweet, of cinnamon and honey, just as he thought. All the wines in his father's cellar could never surpass this. A shiver of excitement went thought him as she yielded. He had expected resistance, but received the opposite. Some warning bells were ringing in his head, but he ignored them.
I am willing to face whatever consequences this shall hold for me, but I will never regret this. Ah, sweet Ariel.
They finally pulled apart and in a daze, Ariel stared at him, aghast.
Legolas surveyed her disheveled state amusedly. He savoured the sight of her, under the soft glow of Telperion's flower*, he could believe she was a silver swan, though she donned only plain tunics.
"Your hair is all tangled." He caught hold of one of her tresses, running his fingers through it, savoring the feel of soft silk beneath his hands.
"I have been wanting to do that for a long time." He whispered.
"I— what" For the first time in her life, Ariel was speechless, her knees went weak, and she suddenly felt like sitting down.
"'Twas beautiful." She finally blurt out, for lack of anything better to say. From young she had been taught to how to react to various situations, but not this. This was new.
"'Twas meant to be. Ariel, it is getting late, let me escort you back ere your brothers have my hide."
As if nothing out of ordinary happened, they went back to their respective chambers.
But the kiss sealed something between both of them, and only Eru knew what is was.
*~~~~~~~~*
Sina ná I yáressë melda ana I órë
Ná yáressë mára ana I yára osto As sinta lindalë vanya lenca Telya as I alquar lamina*~~~~~~~~*
Telperion's flower is the moon.
Tap-dancing Hobbit: Hope you like this chapter and forgive all the grammar mistakes. The tendency to make them increases with the length of the chapter.
Sindacirwen: Thanks…hope you enjoy this chapter.
CityofAngel: Now all the people of the Earth shall declare me the greatest tormentor…ignore that. No declarations of love or any sort, but nevertheless, tell me what you think of this chapter…thanks!
Legolas Lover: I try my best to write in that form, since Tolkien did the same. Hope this chapter does not confuse you…if it does tell me, I get carried away while writing sometimes. =)
Norie Ape: It is finally updated…sorry for the wait.
Moon*Child: Thank you! Ff.net is not cooperating…refuses to show your nice review…but I received it via email anyway.