A/N: Boring chapter. But bear with me, the next won't be too bad. For those who have doubts that chess was played in Middle Earth, you might want to read Return of the King, where especially Gandalf used chess as a literal term. Some parts of the book I included, but if you want to know the whole story it is best to read it. I gave but a brief explanation of what happened only.
Chapter 22
The night is cold.
A sharp wind blew in from the window, and pierced her body. Yet the elf maiden moved not.
Wake up, Ariel, daughter of Elrond. 'Twas but a dream and 'twill remain a dream.
Her fingers found their ways to her lips, where they tingled with the lingering memory of his touch. A shiver went down her spine, which did not seem to be caused by fear. Rather, it was something else, and she had yet to decipher it.
Looking for a distraction, she turned and went in search of the Houses of the Healing, where Eowyn was kept.
~~~~~~~*
A white building situated behind a green sward, the Houses of the Healing are for those who plan on recovering from wounds, not those who despair and give up hope.
The door warden gave Ariel leave to enter, and showed her to the room where Éowyn was kept.
"Greetings, my friend. I heard you have won great renown and glory from your battle with the Witch King. Thou have fulfilled thy dream, is it not?"
"Nay! I am still able to wield a sword and ride, but they do not allow me leave to go. I am weary of being idle, lying on this useless bed while others fight." Éowyn's face looked wan and pale against the rich cloth and blankets on the bed. Ariel stooped, and clasped her friend's hand.
"Why do you speak so? With hope oft comes healing, have you not heard?"
"But I am restless, and hate this confinement. Éomer would tell me naught of the war outside, and I know not how he fares…" Her voice trailed off wistfully.
The "he" she spole off was Aragorn, and Ariel perceived clearly the love she bore for her sister's beloved, Aragorn. Pity filled her heart, but knowing Eowyn as the sort who received pity with scorn, she drew her features into what she hoped looked stern.
"Pull yourself together. What you desire, you will never get, for he loves another, who happens to be my sister."
Éowyn looked at Ariel in amazement, and then turned back to despair.
"If that were so, I would choose a glorious death on the battlefield, as my lord Theoden has done."
"You have received great glory. Others have earned less, yet they are content."
Sinking back into the pillows, Éowyn sighed.
"Mayhap you are right."
"You should take delight in the growth of living things, immersing in the beauty of nature is the best way of recovering from your malady."
"I shall be healed if I had a sword in hand, and an enemy to slay!" Éowyn retorted.
Shaking her head, Ariel bade her friend farewell and left in disappointment.
How is it she thinks only of war? She needs someone who has more patience than I, more wisdom to guide her to brighter paths. Curse that foul Grima Wormtongue! What dark words has he said to her, draining hope out of her soul? If he were here now I will not hesitate to slay him!
The thought burned fiercely in her mind, but died down at the sight of her brothers.
"Ariel!" they exclaimed. Embracing her in a bear like hug, they ruffled her hair in fond affection. People passing by smiled at the sight, and hearts were warmed. For here were three elves, not worried about the upcoming war, nor frightened of what has yet to pass.
"Care for a game of chess?' They grinned wickedly, as Elrohir took out his chess set, brought all the way from Rivendell.
"But both of you know fully well you will win and best me in chess no matter what. Eru knows what tricks you have up your sleeve."
"Ah, but our sister Ariel was never wont to being defeated easily wasn't she?" Elladhan said to his brother.
"Nay, unless she is wavering now." Elrohir grinned, and just as they expected, Ariel burst out in indignation.
"I am not! Let us play your game, then."
They sat around a stone table, and Elladhan played with Ariel first.
As she moved a pawn, her thoughts turned to Legolas.
What are his intentions? Does he want to use me as a pawn for gaining something else?
Nay, he is not like that. He is pure in heart, I can see.
"Your turn." Elladhan had made his move, patiently waiting for Ariel to get out of her stupor.
She thought for a while, before putting her knight beside the pawn.
The game continued.
A bishop advanced from Elladhan's side. Ariel pushed another pawn to protect her knight.
He protected me during all courses of events, and I am grateful to him. But I want more than his protection.
Elladhan's rook suddenly appeared in the middle of nowhere, threatening her queen.
Would he stand by my side if I were threatened?
Somewhere in her heart, she answered yea.
"Ariel? Is something bothering you?" Elrohir's voice startled her out of her thoughts.
"Nay, I am just, thinking of how to beat Elladhan." The looks on her brothers' faces told her they did not believe her. During the rest of the game, she was acutely aware of Elrohir's keen gaze on her.
"Check." Elladhan smoothly slid his queen close to her king, but Ariel just stared blankly at the board.
A thrill went through her as she was reminded of last night, when he literally cornered her. But a wave of trepidation swept past as the doubts came back.
Turning her mind back to the chessboard, she pushed her own queen in front for a last defence.
"Checkmate." Elladhan announced smugly. But his grin of triumph turned to a frown of concern as he watched his sister. Her eyes betrayed no emotion, except a look of blankness.
Would I sacrifice my life for him? Just like this queen for her king?
"Ariel, are you fine?"
"Yea", Ariel shook her head, trying to clear it. A mess of her emotions Legolas had made.
~~~~~*
The dark morn was not unusual, and the Captains and armies of the West have assembled.
Legolas and Gimli were to ride in the Company of Aragorn and Gandalf, with Pippin. The van also consisted of the Dunedain and the sons and daughter of Elrond.
If anyone were to view from the top the front company, they would see two horses, one white, another silver amidst the brown and grey of the others. Never had so fair a company been seen going to war.
The banner of Gondor flapped proudly in the wind, Arwen's handiwork displayed to all. Ariel looked up at it with pride for her sister.
Ere noon they arrived at Osgiliath, where they made camp. But those on horse back traveled til they reached the crossroads.
Ariel glanced towards Morgul Vale, so empty, so lifeless, but those glowing flowers beside the path to Minas Morgul caught her attention. She walked forward, wanting to pick up one and see, why it grew here instead of in fairer places. Despite the warning at the back of her mind, she carried on walking till she reached the path.
"Nay! Do not touch them!" Her hand was snatched away just before it touched the petal of one.
Legolas pulled her away from the place, feeling his warm breadth down her neck, she realized that the flowers would have done her harm if not for him. Hideous they seemed now, as if angry she was not deceived.
"Diotha lle." Thank you
"Umloth, or evil flowers they are called. For they are deceptively fair, and beckons maidens to them."
His fair face was troubled, as if recalling a dark memory.
"My mother was a victim to them, swallowed up all the light in her, and she never woke to see Anar* shining again."
Ariel looked at him, speechless with terror. But sympathy arose, and she laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"The time for grief has passed long ago. Cherish the fair memories of her, not the evil."
He nodded, and said," Let's leave this place. If there were a choice of bvreathing the air in the accursed vale of choking on smoke, I will choose the latter." He led her back to the camp.
~~~~*
Later, while watching Ariel sleep, Legolas was haunted again of his mother dying. The treacherous flower had once grown in Mirkwood, planted by some foul creature. He blamed himself for not seeing the danger, for not wiping out those flowers before his mother fell into the dark.
She lay, deathly still on the bed.
The flower had took over her mind, perishing all thought of living, all the light in her was slowly being quenched. The best Healers have admitted defeat. Her fëa left her body and departed to the Halls of Mandos.
Thranduil and Legolas could do naught but look on as she passed away.
Legolas stared in horror as his mother's face turned into Ariel's.
What new devilry is this? Ai! Ai! What evil caused this? Ariel!
He sat up, the dream, or nightmare, still fresh in his mind. Instinctively he turned and breathed a sigh of relief to see Ariel's chest still heaving.
Ada*, you told me elves cannot get nightmares, but I just had one.
~~~~~~~*
The next day they started their northward march towards Morannon.
Ever and anon the heralds would cry, "King Elessar is come!" But their cries were not answered. The Nazgul flying overhead did not cry out, but all felt their dreadful presence throughout the day, if day it could be called. For only pale sunlight filtered through the dark clouds, and hope waned.
On the fourth day of their march they passed into the desolation that lay before the pass of Cirith Gorgor. Some men quailed at the sight, and could go no further.
Aragorn looked upon them, but instead of being angry, he pitied the,, and allowed some to go southwest and try to retake Cair Andos. Some took on new hope and went ahead. Others being shamed by his mercy overcame their fear, while some saw a lady in their midst who showed not the slightest sign of fear, and wanting to uphold their manly pride and dignity, went on.
Ariel turned to Arwen, who was leagues away safely in Rivendell.
Thou hath chosen well, Aragorn makes a fine captain, Strong-willed and merciful is he, and he will make a fine king.
That I have known long ago. Ariel, you must promise me you will be careful. I cannot believe Elladhan and Elrohir let you go along!
Arwen please! If I am not wrong you have mentioned that ten and two times already, do not worry yourself overmuch, and speak nothing of this to Father.
It is hard to hide from him.
Ariel paused, and felt guilty. Fabricating tales was nothing to her, but ling outright to her Father, was something she did not want to do.
Just say naught of where I am going.
And if he asks?
Then I am afraid I will have to face his wrath when I come home. For I cannot ask you to lie.
Farewell
~~~~~~*
The Black Gates loomed high and menacing, an ominous threat of doom. The gates were shut.
The banner was unfurled and the first Company came forward in front of the battlement. The heralds cried out a challenge to the Dark Lord, and all waited.
Silence reigned, until the door of the Black Gate was thrown open and an embassy came riding out. In the lead was the Lieutenant of Barad-dur, Mouth of Sauron.
He mocked Aragorn with scorn. "It needs more to make a king than a piece of elvish glass, or rabble such as this.
Aragorn said naught in answer, but held the other's eye till the Lieutenant quailed as if menaced with a blow.
Ariel fought hard to restrain her wrath when the Lieutenant had mocked her friend, and settled for giving him a piercing look of pure distaste.
Then the Messenger held up items that apparently belonged to Frodo and Sam, but Gandalf rejected the terms he offered and took the tokens instead. He laughed no more, and fear overcame his wrath as he saw the fell faces of the Captains and their deadly eyes. He galloped wildly back, whilst blowing a horn, and Sauron sprang his trap then and there.
On one hill stood Aragorn with Gandalf. There, fair and desperate was raised the banner of the Tree and the Stars. Upon the other hill stood the banners of Rohan and Dol Amroth, White Horse of Eorl the Young and Silver Swan of Nimrodel's descendants.
But in the front where the onslaught would be the greatest stood the sons and daughter of Elrond, Prince Imrahil, Legolas and Gimli.
The sky turned blood red as the gates were lifted up like a sluice, and out of it poured a torrent of armies, like a black wave.
Ariel had her bow drawn, arrow in place.
The battle had begun and the elf maiden's doom drew near.
~~~~~*
Ada-Father
Anar-The sun.
~~~~~~~*
Tap Dancing Hobbit: Thanks for that review! Cheer up and good luck with life. I do not know much about horses though I love them. *been sneaking looks in your live journal*
Feanen: Thanks, hope you will continue reading
Moon*Child7: Haha. Yes, you hit near the truth, I have been hacking into your account and stealing your ideas…*laughs evilly* Thanks for reviewing! And *sighs* owning a Clysdale would be a very nice dream. Now go update your fic!
EvenstarFairy: It is not supposed to sound shakespearian, but more or less along the lines of Tolkien's way of writing. Thanks for reviewing anyway.
ElveNDestiNy: Thank you! And for reviewing my Silm fic too.
Brittney: Thank you! Yes, the books and the movies rock, though I had great difficulty combing the two together.
CityofAngel: Thanks for taking the time off to review! Love ya. This is most probably the last chapter I will produce before committing my time to studying for the upcoming and most dreaded exams. Ah, life is depressing isn't it?
Legolas' Lover: Oh dear, still confused? I hope this chapter will not confuse you. Basically Aragorn rides out with an army of seven thousands to Morannon in the North and challenge the Dark Lord. Ariel goes with him. Thanks for your compliment. =)
Scott: Awesome review. Thanks.
Nienna5: Thank you! Hope you will enjoy this chapter.
Eeli: I see you have read till chapter 2, and that is much progress made. Well done! No sarcasm intended. For one who has no interest in Lord of the Rings, I thank thee for thy patience.
Ling: You have not reviewed for a long time. ::pouts:: "realli went in depth into their feelings and thots.. i like tt ;)" Thanks for that nice review!