CHAPTER 4
About to enter the chamber to question Talya, Elrond heard his name called. A messenger walked up to hall towards him. "Sire, King Aragorn has just been sighted entering the gates. The guards say that he brings urgent news and needs to see you immediately. What shall I tell him?"
Elrond's heart dropped. He was a bit surprised, but considering the morning he had been having, he wasn't taken totally off guard. He had been unable to find Arwen, and assumed she had gone off to relax, so he let her be. " Bring him immediately to my chamber. I'm sure he would want to hear what news I can find out." Bowing, the elf turned and went to do Elrond's bidding.
Watching his retreating form, Elrond waited a few moments, then turned and entered the chamber. Seeing him, Talya and her mother quickly stood and dropped to their knees. He motioned them to rise, and upon seeing them felt his heart only drop a little lower. Though they had cleaned up, both still looked very worn. The dilemma must have lasted longer than he had assumed.
" Talya, I'm going to be having a visitor come to help you. He's a close friend of mine, and is very close. You don't need to be scared, ok?" She nodded, wide-eyed. She seemed a bit overwhelmed, but in the same situation at that age, Elrond guessed he would be too. " His name is Aragorn, and he might be able to help us both. When he comes, I need to talk to him alone for a bit, but we will return quickly, so don't worry." He glanced at the mother to make sure she understood. She did.
As if by perfect design, the great chamber doors swung open, and Aragorn entered the chamber alone. He purposefully strode towards Elrond, a greeting on his lips, but then noticed the woman and little girl. He slowed and shot a questioning glace at Elrond, but met a steely gaze and knew not to ask. He followed as the Elf Lord motioned him to a balcony, away from the other two elves.
Once out of earshot…a hard thing for elves…Elrond turned and addressed his friend. " It's been a long time, but why are you here. I'm sure it's not because you miss Arwen so soon."
He gave the elf a slight grin, " If only it was so. It seems we have a problem on our hands, once again, and I fear I need your help in this."
A bit taken aback at the suddenness, Elrond motioned Aragorn to continue.
" As I'm sure Arwen informed you, I was on my way to Mirkwood, on " dignitary purposes" but my troop and I were stopped right a nights ride away from it's borders. It seems Legolas has been captured." He paused, waiting for a response. It wasn't what he was expecting.
" I know. Well, I knew something was awry, but I wasn't quite expecting this." He then went on to explain Talya's presence, and what he was planning. " It's going to be hard on the girl, but if Legolas has been captured as you say, and I don't doubt your word, I fear his situation plays a role in a much bigger danger. I fear another time of great darkness. I have felt it coming for some time, but was foolish in not bothering to hunt down its source. Now it might be too late to help Legolas."
As his dark words sank in, Aragorn glanced back at the little girl and her mother. He had no idea as to how her dreams would have impact on his friend's life, but knowing elves as long as he had, he knew Elrond to be sincere, and the danger true. "Why don't we go back and find out what the girl has seen. Maybe it will help in finding this darkness." What he left unsaid was understood. Where they found that darkness, they were probably going to find their friend.
(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)
Sitting down on the bed, Aragorn felt some of his stresses fade away. Arwen was behind him, gently rubbing his neck and back to get out the knots from his hard ride. He was happy to have her here. Although they had only been separated for a few days, he still missed her. He loved her so dearly, and when he heard of his friend's capture, he felt his heart jump, for he feared also for Arwen. True, there wasn't any link besides both being elves, but love brought with it irrational feelings. He turned around and kissed her lightly.
Arwen had been surprised to learn of her husband's appearance, and at first been a little irritated that he wasn't in Mirkwood, relaxing with his friend in the woods somewhere, but she knew quickly that something was wrong. Both her father and he were acting oddly, talking in hushed whispers with each other, both looking seriously worried. She knew of Talya, and the dreams, but hadn't asked her father any more because it wasn't her place. And if it was something that needed her attention, he would tell her when it was necessary. Elrond was a strong and very competent ruler, and through his many centuries of rule, had gained the skills necessary when it came to information of dire situations.
She didn't doubt that the situation, whatever it might be, was dire either. Aragorn's sudden appearance, Talya's dreams, something had to be linking them. Lost in thought while rubbing his sore muscles, she was brought back to the present when his lips brushed hers. She gazed down into his eyes, seeing his emotions swirling, although his face belied none of them. His life had been hard on him, and that hardness was imprinted on him, and held him captive. But his recent adventures had brought a new level to him, and his eyes now softened at times, and let her see into his soul. There she saw his turmoil, and his pain, but also his love and devotion. Love and devotion for her. She gently returned the kiss, and they both laid down on the bed, content to simply be with each other. There would be plenty to deal with in the morning, but for right now, it was just the two of them, and their love for one another.