Ok . . . this chapter is being really really really really really annoying . . . so if it's messed up I'm sorry. . . it's not letting me see it on the website, so w/e (btw…sorry I didn't update on Monday like I said I would. . . I will be updating regularly! I'm just going to be busy Monday so I wanted to update today . . . sorry if that caused any confusion/ fustration/ annoyance/ anything else you might be feeling)
I think that whoever it was that invented the pop-up should be burned at the stake . . . **growls in frustration as a very annoying pop-up saying "Do you hate adds?" pops up for the zillionth time**
For those of you that haven't read the Silmarillion: Varda is the most beautiful of the Valar- the 'gods' of Middle-earth.
I know, I know: songs in fics annoy me too, but I can't help it! It helps explain the mood of the story (at least in this chappie it does, in chappie 4 I was just really hyper and wanted to use "Ninety-Nine Bottles of Pop on the Wall" it just kinda took off from there . . .) so just sit tight . . .there is only a slight possibility that Legolas will sing at one point in the upcoming chapters **shrug** we shall see . . .
Disclaimer: I own a few certain characters, such as Ri, Stephir, etc. and the certain way that the words in the fic are put together (except for =Never be Forgotten = by Jessica Andrews) but that's it . . .
{. . .} : translation
= . . . =: song
(* . . . *): me
(. . .) : not me
[. . .] : what is being said (/sung) in Elvish (Partly because I'm a lazy bum. Partly because I believe you would like this chapter before Christmas 2035 rolls around, yes?)
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Chapter 6: Song of Truth
Aragorn and Rinathen had met earlier that morning to discuss who should attend the meeting about the news from Mordor. Rinathen had made it clear that unless Aragorn called her by 'Lady Rinathen' or 'Lady Talithia' there would be trouble from her advisor, Owacyn, and to make it fair, Rinathen promised to show equal respect and call him by 'King Elessar'. Aragorn agreed. They decided that very few should be made aware of the problem that had risen despite Aragorn's efforts. Aragorn sent a messenger to Faramir in Ithillien, requesting his immediate return to Minas Tirith. Faramir and Stephir would be the only ones from Minas Tirith attending. Gimli would also be there. Rinathen had chosen three of her advisors to attend the meeting: Owacyn, Mannyn, and Sevossi. Faramir arrived quickly in Minas Tirith and the meeting began on schedule. The problem was explained to Faramir and then the meeting fell into silence. They were all in deep thought about the news from Rinathen. After a long silence Rinathen chose to speak, "King Elessar, Kianorla's fate greatly rides on your decision. We will fight against the growing threat, but without your aid, we will be far from victorious. What are your thoughts?" All eyes rested on Aragorn now. It seemed that it was a simple matter of him deciding what to do and it would be done. But it wasn't, Aragorn knew that from the look in Rinathen's eyes. It was a look of pleading, and sorrow. Aragorn knew what she wanted him to say. "[Lady Rinathen, what is it that you want the first line of action to be?]" he asked, already knowing the answer. Rinathen's eyes pierced him, but he did not waver, as most would have done. Her eyes were still pleading with him; "[I want . . .to rescue them.]" That was the exact answer Aragorn had seen coming. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table in front of him and rubbed his temple. "Lady Rinathen, I am sorry. We cannot save them. They are beyond our aid." Rinathen's eyes now held shock that he would say it with such calmness. What she didn't see was the fleeting, pained look in his eyes, but although she knew that he would have done anything for Arwen and she understood why he had to say what he answered, she still did not believe him. "[Lord Aragorn . . .]" but she didn't know how to say what she wanted to say. "Milady, I am sorry, I wish that there was some way that we could help them, but there is no way. The reason Queen Arwen and Prince Legolas were taken was to lure us both away from our people. That would not be wise to play right into the enemy's hands." "King Elessar, there is a way. I know where they would have been taken. All I would need for a rescue-" "Lady Rinathen, I refuse to grant you- " Owacyn's face turned red, "You are not to cut off Queen Talithia. If she is-" Gimli broke in, "And you will not be cutting off Lord Aragorn. If any here is of higher rank it is he. Not only are we within his house-" "If that be the case, then I do believe dwarf that it is politer to be seated while in the company of a high ranking king." Gimli spluttered, he knew he was short but to say that a dwarf- especially an armed dwarf- is standing when he is seated . . . who did this man think he was? "There shall be none of that. If it had not been for Master Gimli's efforts, the Ring would not have been destroyed in the first place," Faramir said impatiently to the pompous beet seated to the right of Lady Rinathen that thought to insult not only Gimli, but also King Elessar. Rinathen and Aragorn were sitting quietly watching the whole affair go on as if it were a very good show. After Mannyn joined to defend his Queen, Sevossi's high pitched voice soon piped into play. It was odd to hear a woman's voice shrilly telling Faramir off along with all of the deep men's voices, which were soon joined by Stephir's. After growing bored with listening, Rinathen looked at Aragorn across the table. He was watching her intently; "It is indeed grave that we will not be joined by Queen Arwen's and Prince Legolas' opinions yet." Rinathen looked hopeful, "Then we will save them?" "I did not promise that . . . but perhaps they will not be harmed and in our assault on Mordor we will be able to gain their company. But no rescue attempts are to be planned, nor taken into action, is that clear?" Rinathen just looked at him. Is this really the Aragorn I once knew? she thought. Anger boiled up inside of her. Rinathen stood in her rage. All the room quieted and returned to their seats, noticing her heavy breathing as she exercised all of her self-will not to lunge for Aragorn and pound him into the ground until he consented to rescue them and the anger that burned like wild fire within her eyes. "King Elessar!" Rinathen yelled at him, "You don't know what is going to happen to them! I do. Listen to me, we- have- to- save- them!" She glared at him, but Aragorn remained calm.
"Lady Rinathen, you seem to forget that it is not just ourselves that we must think of. The treat from Mordor is greater than the improbable lose of Queen Arwen and Prince Legolas," he said, his voice on the verge of threatening. He lowered his voice, "[Do not also forget, Lady Rinathen that you are not the only one here that may lose someone very dear to them]."
"I haven't forgotten that King Elessar," her voice dripping with rage, "It seems that it is you that has forgotten that I know what the orcs will do to them!"
"That does not mean that what you think will happen will!" Aragorn yelled back at her. He stood also, in his wrath.
"Yes it will! I know it will!"
"How?" asked Aragorn, now angry and not thinking about what he was saying. Gimli looked up at his friend in disbelief and Rinathen stared at him in shock, her mouth slightly hanging open. At seeing their shock the rest of the room seemed even more silent then before. Rinathen's face darkened threateningly, and she stalked out of the room to the balcony and slammed the doors shut behind her. Aragorn stared at the doors for a few moments, then realizing what he had said, he leaned forward resting his hands on the table in front of him and hung his head.
Aragorn stood like that for several minutes then said quietly, "Perhaps we should meet again when we have all rested and have regained our composure." The rest of the assembled took the hint and left rather quickly- although Owacyn looked longingly towards the doors and then looked threateningly towards Aragorn before strutting proudly to his chambers. Gimli however was still looking at him like he was insane. "Quit looking at me like that Gimli."
"Since when do you forget things like that Aragorn?" Gimli asked- his voice strained- still surprised at his old friend's momentary loss of self-control.
Aragorn had crossed the room and was rubbing his temples as he turned to face Gimli. He did not answer Gimli's question, but instead replied, "I believe that you consisted of 'we' when I said that 'we should meet again later.'" Gimli looked indignant, but consented and quietly got up and left to his rooms.
Aragorn stood silently, in deep thought, but at the same time not thinking about anything in particular. He then thought he heard a voice whispering to him, and then realized that it was Rinathen from on the balcony. He crossed the room to the doors to the balcony and cautiously opened the door. He listened to her sing in Elvish for a few moments, caught up in the beauty of her voice. He had forgotten how similar Rinathen's and Arwen's voices were, while still very much their own voices. It was one of the things that made the two so close; they often had sung together in both Rivendell and Mirkwood. If her song had not saddened him greatly as he realized how long she must have held the song in her hear, and how much longer than that it must have been true, he would have gladly listened for hours, but not this time. He pitied her as she sang of her deep sorrow of missing her lover. Her voice swelled with true and pure emotion as she sang to Legolas, although he was miles away in a place that only she knew where it was hidden.
=[I'll always see your face
The corner of your smile
And all the little things that no one will ever know
Like it was yesterday, won't ever fade away
Goodbye is just a word that I will never say
You will never be forgotten
A million days could pass us by
But what is time but just a dream
Oh I still feel you here with me
You're more than a memory
Oh you will never be forgotten
I can't hold your hand
Or look into your eyes
And when I talk to you
It just echoes in my mind
But If hearts are made of dust
And if we fell from the stars
I look up tonight and know just where you are
You will never be forgotten
A million days could pass us by
But what is time but just a dream
Oh I still feel you here with me
You're more than a memory
Oh you will never be forgotten
And the world just keeps on going
It has no way of knowing
That you're gone
You will never be forgotten
A million days could pass us by
But what is time but just a dream
Oh I still feel you here with me
You're more than a memory
Oh you]= her voice broke, tears freely streaming down her cheeks. She struggled with her voice, and finally she had to end the song in Westron, =will never be forgotten . . .forgotten. =
Rinathen stood quietly, crying tears that had long waited to be cried. Aragorn stepped out onto the balcony and stood with her for a few moments, feeling the pain he felt being separated from Arwen. Then he spoke softly to her, "Legolas told me once, after the first time her heard you sing, that if he were to die that very moment, he would be happy, because he had heard the angelic voice of the only elf's whose beauty rivaled that of Varda."
Rinathen nodded as more tears streaked down her face. She looked up at the full moon, and the stars in the clear sky above and they reflected off her tear stained cheeks. A night very similar to this she had been told the same thing by Legolas as she had sung with him privately, in their small clearing that no one else knew about- with it's lush green grass, it's small, yellow flowers that speckled the carpet of grass with color, and the old, gnarled oak trees that grew, and the small pond with the waterfall flowing into it over the smooth rocks- the night of June 26, fifteen years ago.
"I'm sorry . . ." Aragorn said quietly, watching her look at the moon, "I know that you-"
"It's fine," she said unconvincingly. They continued to stand in silence.
"We can't save them, I'm sorry Rinathen, but the risk would be too great. If either of us were to be captured or worse, how would Middle-earth be protected?"
And uncomfortable silence followed. Finally she said sourly, "What happened to the ranger that would have risked anything for Arwen? Not to mention any of his friends."
To that Aragorn had no answer. He simply left her on the balcony, alone with her memories of a blonde haired elf, and how beautiful he looked in the pale moonlight of a full moon.
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Legolas woke up a quarter of the way to 'headquarters' (although he didn't know that that was where the orcs were taking them). He was slung over the back of an orc. He tried to remember why he was there, and why he was bound. Then the shooting pain came back to him- although it was slightly lessened, but the cords binding him were cutting into the wound. He turned his head to the side slightly. Arwen was thrown over on the shoulder of the orc next to him. She noticed that he was awake and shot him a warning glance to not make a noise or any other sign of life. Legolas returned the look with one of confusion, but complied and was silent.
They traveled in that manner until sunset, then they came to a quick halt. Legolas could hear some gruff voices talking ahead of them. Then they began again for a short while. When they reached a small building of some sorts Legolas and Arwen were roughly thrown to the ground. Legolas' back screamed in pain as the still raw wound was moved, but Legolas ignored it as best he could. Never let your enemy know you're where they want you to be- physically, emotionally, or otherwise, he had been taught. One of the orcs that seemed to have a slightly high rank walked up to them. "Glad yer 'wake, wouldn't've wanted ter make Erurbag angry n have ter spoil yew in order ter wake yews up befer he gets his hands on yew." He chuckled, "But yew won' be unspoilt elfies fer long!" With that the orc stalked off towards the shack.
The two elves were carried to a tree where they were to stay the night. Legolas' back was hurting badly as he leaned against the tree, but he was past caring by now. It helped that he had had worse wounds in his life as a warrior. They were within easy reach and sight off the orcs quickly erected camp, and apparently the orcs thought there little reason to place guards over them- especially since they were still bound. "What have they told you?" hissed Legolas.
"Not much," Arwen whispered back, "the orc that was just talking to us, his name is Vushnak, and this Globukh that he talked about is in charge of this little 'escort' but he's not with us yet. He went to take the news to Aragorn that we've been captured I gather. He took your my sword and dagger- Aragorn made me take them," she explained as Legolas arched an eyebrow.
Legolas shrugged as best he could, "Lot of good it did us . . ."
Arwen nodded in agreement. "He also took the horses and…" Legolas arched his eyebrow again, "and your bow…" Legolas was silent. His bow from Lothlorien was his most prized possession. At least- hopefully- if the orc took it that would mean that Aragorn and Gimli had it, not some foul orcs.
"That's all?"
Arwen nodded. After that the two didn't speak. What would they have said? There was obviously no way to escape without being caught again, and if they did escape, they were sure it would only make things worse for themselves.
In the morning Arwen and Legolas were blindfolded and once more thrown over the shoulder of two orcs and rode on in silence. Around noon, the elves' felt a change in the atmosphere around them and Legolas guessed that they had gone inside some building. When their blindfolds were finally removed they were inside a vast cavern. Torches flickering on the walls gave the room an eerie feeling. At one end a single chair sat, occupied by a large orc. He rose as the two were shoved forward towards them. The orcs that had led them into the hall disappeared into the shadows behind them. The orc stood watching them in silence for some time. "Yew," he barked at Legolas, "Yer Prince Legolas from Mirkwood aren't yew?" Legolas stood, his face showed no expression. He showed no sign of recognition that he had even been spoken to. The orc raised a hand and slapped Legolas across the face, his claws cutting through his flesh. "Yew'll be answerin when yer spoken to, now answer! Are yew or are yew not?"
Legolas looked at him for a short moment, sizing his opponent up. Legolas could have easily killed the orc if he had not been bound, and taking into consideration they were most likely being watched by guards, Legolas decided not to even try anything. Although he couldn't help but answer boldly, "Whether I am or not is not a concern of yours orc."
The orc struck Legolas to the ground, "Yew are not the one that decides my concerns. Yew are in my control, answer!"
Arwen looked at Legolas; she didn't know what Legolas thought he was doing, he was going to get them killed. At least killed before the orcs already plan to kill us she thought coldly. Legolas looked at the orc. There was something strangely familiar about this orc. He looked harder, and then he found it. It was the eyes. The eyes were what were so similar. He looked again, yes; it was this same orc that had taken Rinathen all those many years back. The orc noticed Legolas' change in expression as the elven prince realized whom he was speaking to. The orc sneered. "Yew are aren't yew. Well don't be thinkin it was me that took yer little, lovely Rinathen," he said the name as if it were poison, "That would be my brother, Globukh. He's still up in Minas Tirith, having a nice chat I'd wager with yer beloved king." He laughed evilly.
"Who are you then?" Legolas asked, glaring, which only earned him a harsh slap to the face.
"Yer not the one to be askin questions. But I'm Hodush, if it's really that important; 's not like it'll save yew or nothin." He laughed again.
"That'll be enough Hodush, leave 'em to me," another large orc stepped from the shadows. It was Erurbag. In his hand was a large club, the other held a long knife. "Now, let's see how long a warrior from Mirkwood and the Queen of Minas Tirith can hold out before they fall in pain and misery."
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Hehe! Another cliffie! Woo- hoo! ^.^ please don't hurt me. . . **runs and hides from objects that I assume are being thrown** **yells from a distance:**
Personal Review Thingy:
original-creativity: Really? You don't think it was boring? Well then maybe it was just boring to write. . .**shrug** Thanks!
Nikki: Oh! THAT'S what I forgot? I knew I forgot something! Hehe. . . Glad ya like it though, thanks for the review.
orli4eva: yes, I suppose I did get you all wondering about Owacyn is doing. . .and now I guess I told you what the darling (and he is darling isn't he? Yes, he is beautiful! **admires Legolas desktop** ^.^) but then again, I did leave that lovely cliffie, so you get to wonder about what he's doing some more Thanks for reviewing!
outlawgirl: Thank you.
Queen: Thank you, glad to hear that you're enjoying it.
LiLAzNCuTiE: hehe . . . well. . . I was a nice person and updated. . . but now you have a beautiful cliffie to leave you to wonder what will happen to our favorite elf! ^.^ **still in hiding spot**
