Eomer and Tinioniel began walking down a few stairs, to another level of the Deep, when an anomalous feeling swept through her. Tinioniel stopped walking, and Eomer responded to such a stop with a confounded look. Tinioniel's eyes unfocused, and her body began to get rigid.
"Tinioniel? What is the matter?" For the first time since he had met her, she had been silent to a question. "Tinioniel? Tinioniel! Look at me!" Eomer desperately called out to her, her eyes still failing to focus. Tinioniel began to fall backwards, and Eomer caught her with rapid reflexes. "Tinioniel! Answer me!" Eomer screamed at her, shaking her, trying to get a response. So far, his attempts had been unrewarding.
- ~ * ~ -
"So what do ya think, pointy ears? Do you want to go get an ale?" Legolas was distracted by a scream he heard not too far off.
"Legolas? It is not nice to not pay attention when I am trying to talk to you!" The dwarf said, still trying to ensnare the attention of his friend. Aragorn, who stood nearby, knew something was wrong.
"Legolas. What do you hear?" The ranger asked him tentatively.
"Eomer!" Legolas screamed as he gracefully and quickly ran towards the stairs; Gimli and Aragorn in a not so elegant pursuit.
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel saw more flashes of her past, flying in front of her with mad speed. All the pictures, the voices, the places, all of them faded into a dark cloud. 'Jessica. Do not forget me Jessie girl.' The voice seeped in the darkness, a voice that was familiar, but she could not place who it had belonged to.
- ~ * ~ -
"Come on! Please! Wake up!" Eomer yelled to her motionless form. Her eyes were opened widely, and her breathing was soft, but steady. "Please! Snap out of it!" Eomer pleaded, when he heard footsteps approaching them. Legolas came into view first, then Aragorn, and a few seconds later, Gimli brought up the rear.
"What happened?" Aragorn asked, both Legolas and himself knelling at her side.
"We were walking, and she just stopped. It was like she just froze. Her face seemed shocked, from something that was undetected by me, and she simply fell backwards. I caught her, and tried to get her to talk, but she has not moved at all. She has not blinked, or moved, or done anything except breath." Aragorn looked down, and saw that her limbs had begun to shake.
"Quickly, cover her with something." Legolas removed his cloak and laid it across her body. Soon, her entire body began to shiver. "What is this?" Aragorn asked in a hushed voice. Tinioniel's breathing became labored, and tears began to fall from her eyes.
"Aragorn, she is in pain." Legolas said, stating a fact that only he could decipher, with his advanced senses. Tinioniel's eyes, suddenly closed, and the trembling had ceased, just as quickly as it came. The four men sat in silence, unsure of what to do. They all waited for something, anything to happen, to show that she was alright. With out warning, her eyes flashed open and a scream blasted from her mouth. All four of them were startled, and jumped back by such an outburst. Frantically, Tinioniel searched with her eyes, and her breathing was hard.
"Wh-what just happened? What is happening?" Tinioniel asked, panic tracing its small form in her voice. Another tear slid down her face, as she sat up abruptly. In her quick attempt to sit up, she collided with Eomer's head. They both held their hands to their own heads, but Eomer was still focused on her. Tinioniel tried desperately to remember what her house looked like, for some reason, she wanted to know what her house looked like. "I- I can not remember where I am from. What is going on? Why did I forget?" She looked at them, hoping that they had an answer. Then, the orcs flashed before her eyes. The blue tipped arrow. "What is a blue liquid called, one that can be applied to the crest of an arrow? Do any of you know?"
"Yes my lady. But how would you know of such a poison?" Aragorn asked her. Tinioniel hesitated answering him, but it seemed that she did not have to. Another voice answered for her.
"Because that is what she was injured with." Tinioniel looked up and saw the tall figure of Gandalf the White. "It is the arrow, dear Tinioniel, the arrow plays with you, before…" Gandalf stopped his sentence and looked at her. "This is not the time or the place to be discussing such matters."
"Gandalf. Who? Who did that to her?"
"Not the time or place, as I have explained. There is a much more pressing matter." Gandalf turned and faced the people scampering about. "Orcs are coming."
- ~ * ~ -
The women stood beside the few men that were left, armed with weapons that they were not familiar with. Tinioniel looked out anxiously.
"Gandalf." She turned to him, pleading held in her eyes. "Why are the orcs coming? Is it…. Is it because of me?" Gandalf's eyes furrowed.
"They want you for a dismal purpose. They want you, but they must not have you. That is why you are here. We are here to protect you." Tinioniel began to feel fire burn within her.
"Do not tell me they are out there, prepared to die for me! They do not even know me! They must not! Gandalf! Please! Tell them not to fight!"
"My Lady, if they do not fight then they are dead."
"So I lured the orcs here again? After a battle, where many still have not found their loved ones, they must fight again?"
"They have no choice." Tinioniel backed away. A strange deep voice ricocheted in her mind 'They are dying because of you? They had no choice! They are dying for something not worth dying for!' Tinioniel swept through the room. "Lady Tinioniel! Come back. You will be safer in here."
"I need to be alone. Please Gandalf. Let me go." Gandalf said nothing more, as Tinioniel went from the room. The beautiful dress Eowyn lent her rustled behind her as she hurried to a room. Gently, Tinioniel closed the door behind her, and pressed her body against it. A bed was laid before her, and Tinioniel ran into its soft arms. Lying on her stomach, Tinioniel continued to think about what was about to take place. Tinioniel began to feel the tepid tears slip down her face. She at least wanted to fight, but knew that it would not be allowed, for it was her very protection that the rest of them were fighting for. She would have to stay inside, and wait; wait for the news of victory, and the messenger of death to fill her ears. Hours went by, seeming like days, slowly turning to months in her mind, but simply hours. For that time, the profound voice continued to tell her that it was her fault. 'I know it is my fault. I know.' Then, Gandalf entered the room. She did not look or move to see who it was, but sensed that it was him.
"It is over." He stated simply.
"How many?" Tinioniel felt her cold hands against her face. "How many of them died?"
"I do not know." Tinioniel closed her eyes and said a prayer aloud, not caring about the religion of Gandalf or anyone else in hearing distance. Gandalf came and sat on her bed, and laid a comforting hand on her back. "Do no be discouraged. They died for you. Is that not an encouraging thought? They obviously wanted you to live, so much that they would die for it." 'But,' Tinioniel thought to herself. 'If I was not here to begin with, then, they would not have to have died for me. No one should have to die for me.' Tinioniel broke down, crying hard on the already saturated blankets. "My lady, do not cry. One day you will see why they wanted you to be sheltered. Do you understand?"
"I understand." Tinioniel said with no emotion other then her tears. 'No I do not understand. I am not worth dying for. They should not have died for me. I… I do not want them to be in harm's way… so I will take care of that later.' Tinioniel controlled her tears, trying to make it seem as though everything was alright. Finally, she gained serenity on the surface, but on the inside, she was sinking. 'I never wanted this. How could this have happened? It is too much to take in. I can not handle having people's blood on my hands.' "Please, Gandalf. May I go with you outside? I want to see." He hesitated, but allowed for her to follow him outside.
- ~ * ~ -
The dark hallways were gradually getting brighter, as Gandalf and Tinioniel made their way to an opening to the outside. Tinioniel looked around, searching for the faces that she had met that day. The first familiar face belonged to Legolas. His face was smeared with dirt, but his blonde hair was as perfect as when she first met him. Legolas came over to her side.
"My lady, how do you fair?"
"Why are you asking me that? I did not fight. I was not allowed to fight. You should be taking care of others, instead of worrying about me." She cast her watching eyes to the uneventful floor, and Legolas touched her chin, gently forcing her to look into his eyes. He stared at her for a few minutes, and Tinioniel tried to avoid the burning eye contact. Legolas' eyebrows creased, as he saw something dark resting on her mind and plaguing her soul.
"I wish to speak with you later."
"Perhaps."
"Not perhaps. I will speak with you later." The weight of his voice stipulated obeying. Tinioniel said nothing in return, instead, she turned away from him, and started to walk towards the injured people. Gandalf walked away, leaving her after sensing her need for peace.
"I shall not be far my Lady." Tinioniel walked past the fallen bodies, and saw a recognizable face. Her eyes broadened when the dirty, bloody face, met with a name.
"Breiwia!" The eyes of the lady lying on the ground trembled open at the sound of her name. Tinioniel ran to her side, skidding as her knees hit the floor laden with crimson liquid.
"My lady? You remembered my name?" Breiwia spoke with much effort.
"Of course I do! What makes you think that I would forget?" Tinioniel looked at the wound on her side. Blood poured with steadiness, and a cold thought entered both of their minds. Tinioniel pushed away those thoughts, and pressed her dress onto the wound, trying to make the woman's blood clot. Blood transferred to her face, as Tinioniel wiped it feverantly. A cold hand pressed against Tinioniel's, surprising her.
"It is too late my lady."
"No! It is not! Do not go! We can get help. I can help you. Please!"
"It is alright." Breiwia feebly said, before removing her hand from Tinioniel's. "I am going to my family. I am finally going home. Let go, my Lady. It is alright to let me die. I will be with them both soon, my son, and my husband." Tinioniel's tears freely roamed on her face, as she watched the woman in her last moments. "I am cold." Breiwia said. Tinioniel gathered her body in her own arms, and tightly held on to her, and embrace that she did not want broken. Tinioniel heard Breiwia's breath getting lighter, and softer. In her last instant, Breiwia's voice whispered into Tinioniel's ears. "My son. My love. I am home." Then, life was cast from Breiwia's body, leaving Tinioniel alone.
"Breiwia." Tinioniel spoke, whispering miserably into her motionless body. "I did not want you to die. Not for me. I am sorry, it is my fault. Forgive me." Legolas stood not too far away, and saw what Tinioniel tried to do for the woman that was dying. He could not help but feel despondency be within him. With his fluidity, Legolas walked over to Tinioniel, who wept quietly, still holding on to the woman's body. He placed a hand on Tinioniel's shoulder, and crouched down beside her.
"Let her go, Tinioniel. It is over. Let her go." His voice was sweet, and comforting. Vigilantly, Tinioniel laid the woman's body on the ground, wishing that it would simply spring back to life. 'She is dead. All of them are dead because of me. I have to get away.' Legolas helped her up from the ground. Tinioniel stood, working hard to stop shedding her tears, trying to be strong. Legolas could not find out how to help her, how to comfort her. He loved her, but not the same love that two lover's would share. She seemed like a little sister to him, and he loved her for it. Gently, he outstretched his arms to her, and she fell into them, sobbing.
"It is my fault. She is dead because of me. If I was not here, then, then this all would not have happened. None of this would have happened. They would all still be safe, but I killed them."
"No. You did not. You are worth protecting, and these people died for you. They have all heard of the prophecy of a girl from another world, and that girl is you. They died because they have faith. They died because they have hope." Tinioniel felt her body being purged of certain emotions. She felt herself getting weak, as her knees faltered and slowly started to sink to the floor. "Tinioniel." Legolas softly yelled, trying not to bring attention to them. "No! Not again. Come on. Stay with me. Come on. Stay awake. Listen to my voice. Hold on to my voice." As Legolas spoke, Tinioniel tried to focus on him, with eyes and mind. She blinked furiously, trying to listen to him, but his words faded from her and so did his face. Legolas watched her, as her eyes started to focus on the unseen nothingness. "No! Please!" Tinioniel's face was twisted, as if she were about to cry, but it softened and became emotionless. His attempts were futile, as she slipped into the state of unknowing. Legolas sighed defeat, as he gathered her body in his arms, and hurriedly started to carry her away. He shielded her eyes from people, so they would not see that they were widely open. Eomer looked up from tended a person's wounds, and saw Legolas' back towards him, his head hanging low. Eomer saw a hand hanging limply from a bundle in his arms. The sleeves were a memorable periwinkle, and the hand was covered in blood.
"No." Eomer said desperately. "That is not her. It is not the same dress." Then, wisps of vermillion-brown wavered in the wind like a dying fire. "It can not be. Why? How?" Questions coursed through his mind, but answers were not as easily found. He broke into a frantic sprint to where Legolas was being rushed. With his hearing, Legolas sensed the mad rush of footsteps getting closer. He turned, and was met with the eyes of Eomer. Eomer looked into his arms, and saw Tinioniel, covered in blood. Shock filled his eyes as he saw her lying in what used to be the indigo dress that was now crimson in some places. "How? What is wrong?" What did this?" Legolas shook his head, waiting for Eomer to be silent.
"This is not her blood. It belonged to a woman that she knew." Legolas allowed Tinioniel's head to face him. Her eyes were open, as her chest raised and lowered slightly. She looked like a doll; something that needed to be moved because it could not do it by itself.
"Again? What is wrong with her? How is this happening?" Legolas raised his shoulders, signaling that he was in the dark as well as Eomer was. The men quickly made their way through some of the winding corridors to an occupied room. The room was Eowyn's. She seemed startled when Eomer came bursting into her room.
"What do you think you are doing! Have you forgotten how to knock you stupid git?" Eomer moved out of the door way, which revealed Legolas holding on to Tinioniel. Eowyn gasped, as she ran to his side. "What happened? How did she get hurt?"
"She did not. This is not her blood." Eomer spoke, his voice wavering slightly.
"So she just fainted?" Legolas laid her on the bed, showing Tinioniel's eyes to Eowyn. She was taken aback, not sure what was going on. "What has happened?" Eowyn asked, as she rushed around the room looking for a certain herb she had stored away.
"We are not certain. This is the second time that this has happened." Legolas said, looking at her almost lifeless form. "I sensed something on her earlier, before this happened. What it was, I am not sure. It may not even be related to this, but I am worried. Something terrible is happening. Although, I do not know what it is." Eowyn leaned over her, and broke the root off of a plant underneath her nose. Tinioniel lain still, neither moved or responded to the waking plant. Eowyn looked on confused, then her face darkened.
"There is something evil at work here. That is one of the strongest waking plants known to myself and the healers in Rohan. If this does not work, then I do not know how to wake her." The door again burst open, and Aragorn came into view. He walked over to Tinioniel's bed where she, as he had expected, began to shake.
"I saw Legolas carrying her, but I had to finish a few things before I followed." Aragorn paused. "Cover her with a blanket, hurry." Eowyn looked longingly at Aragorn, as he bustled about the room. His russet hair was dampened at the tips, as he whirled around Tinioniel. Tinioniel. He was around Tinioniel. Eowyn looked into his eyes, and saw them focused completely on Tinioniel. Eowyn began to feel the pangs of jealousy tear at her mind, thinking thoughts of betrayal, hurt, and irritation. Eowyn knew that she did not want Tinioniel there any more. She would have to think of a way to get rid of her, and as soon as possible. Eowyn jerked herself back to reality, and continued trying to help the girl she now envied. Tinioniel's body was shaking brutally, and the three men had to hold her down, trying to prevent her from injuring herself. Eomer held her down and glanced up at her face, hearing her breathe gravely. The sight shocked him, for he did not expect what was happening. Her eyes had changed. Their soft color was not there anymore; instead they were the color of two rubies set in pale sand.
"Tinioniel." He gasped near her, trying to get her to snap out of the trance. Legolas heard him and looked up to her face as well.
"Aragorn." Aragorn looked up at Legolas impatiently, and followed the elf's gaze to the woman. He saw it as well; he saw her eyes.
"The time is getting late. Eowyn." She answered him with a cheerless look. "Go get Gandalf. Quickly!" She obeyed him immediately, and darted from the room.
- ~ * ~ -
Eowyn dashed through the halls, eager to please Aragorn, and found Gandalf seated next to her uncle Théoden.
"Eowyn? Why have you interrupted us?" She bowed before her kin and looked up at Gandalf.
"I am sorry my Lord, but Gandalf's assistance is deeply needed." Gandalf stood quietly and made his way towards Eowyn.
"Tinioniel?" She nodded. "Excuse me Theoden, but I must take your leave, and tend to a desperate matter." Theoden nodded his head and sighed with irritation as the two walked briskly from his presence.
- ~ *~ -
The room was suddenly filled with the vociferous calm. Not a word was spoken, and not a breath went past her lips. Tinioniel's mouth was opened just a little, and her eyes were still a fiery red. The men sat around her, ready for any movement, any that would show that there was still life in her. None came.
"Please." Eomer spoke softly. "Breathe." He called out to her, wondering what was happening to her, but had no idea of the battle that was taking place all around her. The gem blade that was bound around her neck activated suddenly, and it began to glow. Legolas, Aragorn, and Eomer sat in confusion, trying to think of what they could do to help her, but they knew they were powerless. Their only hope, her only hope, lied in an old Istar that was rushing to get to them.
- ~ * ~ -
Blackness surrounded Tinioniel, a void of unknowing and fear.
"Hello?" Tinioniel desperately called out. "Is anyone there? Eomer? Legolas? Eowyn? Anyone?" An uncomfortable feeling crept into her, going right to the center of her being. Alone. The feeling had a name, and it was Alone. Nothing scared Tinioniel more, then being alone, away from life, away from death, completely negated of any feelings except the loneliness that consumed her. "What is this place? Where is everyone? Please! Someone answer me!" No voices came back to her, no sound, not even her own voice; not even an echo. There was nothing. She was floating, which implied there was no ground. There was no ground, no sky, no west or east; nothing. The emptiness surrounded her with only a pale light nearby. There seemed to be punctures in the dark, as if she were in a bag with cracks scattered in no pattern. Tinioniel swam in the air, forcing her way to one of the light streams. It seemed far away, but finally she reached it. Voices filled the light, blissfully ringing in her ears; familiar voices and sounds of home. Home? Quick flashes came before her, showing her the home she knew; showing her faces of friends and family. Tinioniel smiled as she was engulfed in the warmth of the beam. The beam grew, along with the others that protruded in the darkness. The warmth cultivated, like the light, and gave her strength.
- ~ * ~ -
Gandalf entered the room with Eowyn, and saw the reminiscence of vermillion in Tinioniel's eyes.
"It is glowing." Gandalf said, setting his deep round voice into the silent air. Eomer looked into her eyes, and saw that the crimson pupils were fading, turning to a bright sea green. 'Wake up.' Eomer spoke in his mind, closing his green eyes tightly. 'Wake up.' The jewel around Tinioniel grew brighter still. 'Wake up.'
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel felt the power of her family's voices and the power of the love that they shared for her. Love powered the light. She loved them, and they loved her back. As long as she loved them, she would never be alone.
- ~ * ~ -
'Wake up.'
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel felt the light broadening around her, searing into darkness's hands. Life began to sweep into her; a invigorating life that powered her soul; pushing back some of the emptiness in her.
- ~ *~ -
'Wake up.'
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel basked in the beam, hearing the ones she loved. Then, a voice reached her, one that she did not anticipate hearing. His deep, soothing voice called out her name.
"Tinioniel." Countless times Eomer called out her name, and every one of those countless times, she loved hearing them.
- ~ * ~ -
'Wake up!'
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel heard his voice scream, not her name, but a command.
"Wake up!" She was pulled from the light, and put back into darkness. The world slowly began to come into view, as her eyes widened. Her lungs were flaming from lack of oxygen, and she took a massive breath in, trying to compensate for the lost air. Her eyes turned back to their normal state, as her eyelashes blinked furiously. She looked around at all the faces staring back at her.
"What happened?" Tinioniel spoke, trying to catch her breath, sounding as if she just finished running to deliver an urgent message. Gandalf smiled.
"It seems that you have pulled through alright. Aragorn? May I have a word with you outside? I think it would be best if Lady Tinioniel took some rest. Legolas? Carry her to her room please." Aragorn and Gandalf walked out the door, and made their way down the corridor, Eomer helped Tinioniel get to her feet, and much to her protesting, Legolas picked her up in his arms. Legolas and Tinioniel left the room, leaving Eomer with a disillusioned look. Eowyn continued seeing Aragorn looking at Tinioniel with her blind eyes, twisting the picture. 'She has to leave.'