It was all too soon that the fateful day approached with a pale dawn like any other that had been seen before it. It was as if the world didn't know what was going on, and that the fates of the people of the earth were just another thing that would eventually pass. It was almost...refreshing that nothing could alter the nature of the world, especially not human stupidity. And elven stupidity.

Aria looked down the hill. She was outside the fortified gates with the rest of the army, on the front lines. At the very back of the army, through a hidden entrance which would be hard to find even with the keen senses of the elves, were the tents for healing. If you could get to them with your injuries, you would be doing better than some. Anna was stationed in the clinical area, awaiting the start of the battle nervously. She could do nothing but hope and pray for the many lives that were being risked today. And in front of the gathered human army were the elves. Across the distance of the plain and down the natural slope of the hill they gathered, their armour glinting in the sun, each one wearing the same thing, each one trained to the same, exquisite standard. She could tell who was the elf in charge, though. He wore a blood red cloak, no helm, and his hair was longer and darker than hers, flowing around his shoulders and down his back, being ruffled in the breeze. He looked so intimidating. She tried to scan the crowds for either Legolas or Haldir, but she could recognise no one for all the low helmets and identical battle wear.

"Motley crew, aren't they?" James smiled at her. "Found any weak spots? You seem quite transfixed."

"I have never seen an elf before" she lied "yet I am supposed to kill them? It just feels wrong."

"That's why women aren't allowed in the army. They 'feel' too much." His jest did not provide the reaction that he would have liked, so he pressed on in trying to soothe her. "It is better this way. They are a nameless foe, they don't have feelings, so you needn't have guilt when the battle begins. They threatened us, so we must defend our lands."

Aria produced a weak smile, watching people on the move. There were traditions to be followed before the start of the battle, and it appeared that they were going to start soon. She felt sick.

"I better go get ready." Sharply she turned, briskly walking to where she had slept the night before. She pulled on full length leather trousers, shin guards that she had to tighten substantially and a thin belt completely full of throwing knives, daggers and bottled poisoned gases – a new invention that many wanted to trial. After this she took of her over shirt and placed a tough hauberk over the top of a metal plate. Then, to state her femininity she had cut down a hunting skirt and wore it over her trousers, still leaving her daggers accessible yet not on view. It would give the element of surprise at least. She took a deep breath, collected a sword yet no helm, and walked to the front line shaking like a leaf about to fall from its tree. To aid her cause which would be plain to the soldiers soon enough, she tied her hair as like to the elven style as possible.

Her father was standing in the 'no man's land' area, about to start traditional proceedings. Both parties had to declare that they did indeed want to fight, and it was not any fault of theirs that killings were about to begin. To Aria's mind it was a lot of useless words that was put into place because after one slaughter a king felt too guilty and needed a way to assuage it. But it did give her a chance, a window of opportunity to try and change the course of the day. For that, she was thankful.

"See you after the battle then, Aria?" She couldn't speak, so instead she just stood in silence, holding James close to her and trying not to back out of her plan which had seemed so invincible a few days ago. A strong voice which she hated with a fiery passion began to speak.

"In the presence of all those faithful standing here I proclaim that it is with no fault of the men of this province that there will be death in this place. Prisoners will be treated fairly and with respect."

In the healing tent, Anna shuddered, wishing that it would all just end. She wanted to scream at them to stop, to do anything but fight. Anything. No sacrifice would be too great to stem the slaughter that she knew would begin soon.

James looked in awe as the elf that Aria had previously thought to be intimidating stepped forward. He spoke not in the common tongue, facing his men with such beautiful rolling sounds the likes of which that Aria had never heard before. Then he faced the humans with a stoic expression and spoke, presumably stating the same words as he had just declared.

"It is not the Elves who called for the need of this battle. Prisoners of war will be released with time. No harm will be done to women or children taking shelter on the coast."

A rumble of speech went through the ranks. How did they know where the women were?

"Be there more words to be spoken?" It was obvious that he was not expecting an answer to his always rhetorical question, and it was obvious that nobody was going to give one.

Aria stepped forward, shaking off James' restraining arm.

"I would speak."

Again the men murmured astonishments whilst the elves were as silent as the grave.

The elf nodded at her to continue. Protocol insisted that he listened to her words. That they all did, as long as she proved herself to be no threat to those assembled. To do this, she laid down her sword, and took all hidden weapons off her person arranging them in front of her feet. She stood tall, trembling from head to foot.

"I beg ignorance, my liege. As I am sure you are aware, I am but a humble woman, and would like to know just one thing – why are we all standing here with murder in mind?"

"We have been summoned. It is not to us you must turn for answers."

He was quick with his answers, she would give him that. She nodded her head gracefully, as she had been taught when living in the public eye as a Princess.

"I put it to my people then. Why are we here?"

Her father hissed at her. "Move!"

"Why does no one know? It is a simple enough questions for the minds of the wise and those who followed the first born."

In the depth of the Elven army Haldir and Legolas glanced at each other. The atmosphere in there camp was changing, slowly, imperceptibly to insensitive creatures. They were beginning to question personal motives.

"We have to defend our lands when threatened." Their leader was looking annoyed, yet pensive.

"And so do we." Aria retorted, softening her words with a slight curtsy. "There is no reason why you should not stay in your lands, or journey where you will. And there is no reason why we should not do the same, unless my simple mind does not understand a motive for standing here ready to deprive families from husbands and brothers."

Aria felt a presence behind her. A messenger.

"Your father orders you go to ranks. He will not stand subordination."

She rounded on him., arms flailing in her inability to communicate what she wanted to say strongly enough. "Do you not see? He will drive you to war, whether it is necessary or not just for glory worthy of honour! It is unnecessary bloodshed." She turned back to the opposing army. "Is it not? Has anyone even tried to solve this without stringing their bow or sharpening a sword?"

The elven leader looked at her with questioning in his eyes, then turned to his ranks and made one hand movement. They all, silently as ever and in perfect unison, sat down.

"You are astute beyond your fragile years and have a lot to say that seems to be overdue. Even the wise can learn from the next generation. You have my attention."

She felt tempted to point out that her children were in fact the next generation, but ignored it as immense and indescribable relief welled up inside her, making her want to both fall to the floor and thank the good Lord and run around screaming in delight at the same time. She relaxed.

"Thank you." Aria whispered. The elf nodded his acknowledgement.

"No!" There was movement in the human ranks. Aria didn't see it as she was facing the thoughtful and forgiving elven leader.

But she did feel it.

A well-shot arrow pierced her armour at one of its weak spots, embedding itself into her side, puncturing a lung. She fell to the floor, gasping in agony.

It was almost as if time had been frozen. Heads turned to the pathetic, war- mongering culprit in disgust.

"I warned you Aria. This battle will take place! You are just like your mother, and that's why she had to be disposed of all those years ago." He sneered.

She smiled up at her father, and just raised one finger.

Then time restarted.

Three people dashed towards her, whilst disorder was reigning through the human camp and her father was being made into a veritable pin cushion with loosened arrows and spears.

She felt a body supporting her back, and saw two now recognisable faces swimming into view now that their armour had been shed.

"James..." She broke off, coughing blood and wheezing.

"Your sister will heal you." It seemed he noticed the two elves just then who were trying to ease her pain and figuring out the extent of the damage by careful examination. One shook his head at the other sadly.

"Who the hell are you? Get your filthy fingers off of her!" James was angry.

"No...What were my words just now James? Were you listening?" A spasm of pain went through her body and her faced creased with the sharpness of it.

He swallowed his pride. "Hold her."

He sprinted off all the while screaming desperately for Anna, and Anna alone whom he knew had the best chance of keeping life within Aria. By the time he reached the undergrowth leading off the battle field, Anna was already outside.

"James? Its not your leg again is it?" She rushed over to help him, then saw her sister in the hands of two elves. "Oh, god." Headless of what she might have been running into, she desperately ran faster than she ever had before or would do again.

"Aria?" Anna completely ignored the fact that there were two elves helping her. It wasn't important. "Lay her down."

Aria winced as she was laid flat, struggling to breath as each gasp for air became not nearly enough.

Anna spotted the arrow, but the feather captivated her attention.

"This is royal colours. One of ours?" She looked at James, disbelieving. Haldir and Legolas had moved themselves reluctantly away from the girl, for once unsure what to do, feeling like intruders to this personal hell. They knew that nothing would save her.

"Fine. Bandages." James immediately jumped to his feet.

Aria shook her head. "Its..." a futile gasp for air. "Too deep, Anna. My life breath....Is almost...gone."

Hot tears sprung to her eyes. "No. Do you remember when you were six and fell down that ravine?" She knelt next to her head, stroking her hair. "They thought you were dead, but somehow you survived. Fought death. You can do that again now. I know you can. Please. For me? Try. Please Aria."

Suddenly an unrestrained smile broke widely across her face, a look of pure unadulterated ecstasy. The two immortals were stunned, involuntarily moving closer, thinking that Anna had somehow performed a miracle with her words that they could not with all their magic.

Aria fumbled for her sisters' hand, grasping it firmly to the point of it being painful. "Anna...I can see Tom. He kept his promise. He said I would see him again...I told you..." she wheezed painfully "...I told you he didn't die, he's here...."

"What's going on?" James had never heard something so strange. Tom wasn't on the field, and everyone knew it.

"Go to him Aria. Go to Tom. He's been waiting for you for a while now. He loves you so much."

"...Children..."

"I'll babysit for a while, like I always do. Just take his hand."

"Love you Anna."

Before she could respond, her muscles relaxed of their own accord, her eyes becoming lifeless. Anna closed them, and continued to stroke her hair.

"Such a pretty hairdo. Suits her well. Not seen it before."

"Anna. Let go."

"Don't James. Tom came for her, eased her suffering. It's the way it always should be."

Legolas and Haldir stood at her feet, performing their own mourning rituals with a song of grief yet amongst hope, their harmonies weaving skilfully together. It was a song often heard after battle to honour the elven dead, and allow sadness for the living. Any elf that heard a phrase of it carried on the breeze would know what had come to pass. Those who did joined in, until the morning was filled with beautifully heart-wrenching sounds. The men listened in awe, tears streaming down the face of even the most hardened and emotionless.

"Hiro hin na'b wannath."

It was uncertain as to which elf was supporting which. They had heard of spirits coming to claim dying ones, but never witnessed it. It shook them but made them glad that Aria's suffering had been stopped, and that with the loss of her life came the preservation of so many more.

Anna raised her eyes to the scene of grief before her, wondering at the lack of other wounded and for the first time noticing the armies arrayed before and behind her.

"What actually happened out here?"

James looked up from his kneeling position. It seemed that the two remaining leaders were in a deep conference, the old chief's body nowhere to be seen. He wiped away his tears unashamedly.

"You know your sister. She sees things in a different way to the rest of us. And now it would seem that the sacrifice of her life was not futile. Her soul has been avenged."

~*~fin~*~