AN – sorry about the delay in getting this chapter up. I have a review at
the end from Aniron Undomiel that I think you will all be interested in, so
check out the last response to reviewers as well as the response to your
last review! Here we go again...
The hobbits scrambled off the road and Legolas lead Anánia's horse onto the grass verge. Then he left her and joined Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf who stood on the road, swords unsheathed and arrow loaded.
The hobbits held the horses to stop them from running, and Shadowfax remained completely still. The horse was galloping towards them, getting closer by the minute. Fear crept through Frodo's body as he remembered his most painful encounter with a black rider.
The horse was slowing, but the rider was still slumped over its neck. Gandalf lowered his staff and frowned. The horse slowed to a walk before topping completely. The rider fell with a thump to the ground. The horse shied and when it saw its rider on the floor, whinnied shrilly and galloped back the way it had come. It was gone before the fellowship could move to investigate the figure lying sprawled on the road.
"What is it?" Anánia breathed, urging her reluctant horse back onto the road and looking warily at the figure. Cautiously, Aragorn walked towards the heap of black and took a bunch of the robes in his hand. In one swift action he pulled the robe away. Gimli's axe and Legolas's bow were trained on the figure, but they lowered them in surprise at what they saw.
Lying on its side on the road was a man. He was pale with a shock of bright chestnut hair on his head that was cropped short. He was naked from the waist up, and wore a pair of faded and tatty trousers with rips and holes in. But the most surprising and yet impressive feature about him were the huge white feathered wings which seemed to erupt from his back. These wings were enormous, and the company could see that one was badly broken and stained red with blood.
In fact, the man was covered in bruises, scrapes and gashes. He lay unconscious on the road, unaware of the people who watched him with caution.
"What is he?" Merry breathed, not daring to stand any closer.
"I know not." Gandalf replied. "I have never come across such a creature in all my years. What of you Aragorn, in your travels as the ranger Strider have you ever seen anything quite so astonishing?"
"I have seen many things, but a winged man is not among them." Aragorn replied faintly, staring at the man in awe.
"This race is unknown to the elves." Legolas said, looking to Anánia for confirmation.
"Many tales are told in Lothlorien, strange and wild." She nodded. "I have heard them all, yet I have never heard tell of anything quite like this."
Gimli seemed fascinated with the creature. He walked over and laid a hand on him. "No legend is told by Dwarves either." He said. "But whatever he is, he is alive."
"What are we to do Gandalf?" Frodo asked. "We can't just leave him here, but we can't trust that he is friendly either."
Gandalf paused, as if considering for a moment, before speaking. "We shall make camp a few feet back from the road." He said. "Tend to his wounds and then tie him up, to be safe. Ready some athelas, enough to serve this strange and Anánia's wounds."
At once they followed his orders. And in a few minutes a fire was burning and the sleepy smell of athelas was soothing them all. Aragorn lifted and carried the strange being to the fire. When the athelas was ready he and Gandalf tended to the wounds of the creature, leaving Legolas to apply the athelas to Anánia's back and arm.
Aragorn then set and bound the wing whilst Gandalf set about cleaning and dressing the minor wounds and grazes, of which the man had many. The hobbits were busily cooking an evening meal and Gimli watched on in interest, having taken a fascination in the newcomer.
Having finished addressing the wounds, the winged man was tied up and Gandalf and Aragorn joined the others in a ring around the fire. Eldarion slept peacefully, lulled into slumber by the aroma of athelas that made them so contented.
They ate and talked for an hour or so before Gimli suddenly jumped t his feet. The creature was awakening.
"Stand back," Gandalf said. "We don't want to scare him."
The creature blinked hard, as if to clear his vision. He groaned as the pain of his wing and injuries hit him. Then he looked up at the people around him. His cold grey eyes searched the faces in front of him. A wizened old man stood nearest, surveying him closely. Behind him a medley of other faces could be seen. A short stocky man with chestnut beard and wielding an axe. A tall and proud looking man, and two strange creatures, not quite human but pale in complexion and colouring and with unusual ears. Four childlike beings looked at him in concern, but they looked far too mature to be mere children.
"Do not panic." Gandalf said kindly. "We shall not hurt you."
'Unless he hurts us.' Legolas whispered in elven to Anánia, who nodded, shielding Eldarion from view but not moving, for her back was still painful if she moved suddenly.
"Do you think he even understands the common tongue Gandalf?" Aragorn asked. "If we have never seen him, he is unlikely to have ever seen us and wouldn't speak our language."
"I speak a thousand languages Aragorn, I'm sure he will have knowledge of one of them." Gandalf replied.
"If you speak the common tongue, it is enough for me." The man said. They looked at him in surprise. His voice was low and gravely, but now and then his voice rose and sounded like a strange bird cooing or cawing. "Who are you? And where am I?" He asked.
"I think you owe us an explanation first." Gimli said. "As we nursed you."
"Very well." The man said. "Ask me a question and I shall answer it, unless I do not deem that I should."
"Tell us no lies, winged one." Gimli growled.
"Then asked me no unanswerable questions, short one." The man replied.
"I will question." Aragorn said. "Who...what are you?"
"My name is Astor, I am one of the Huindel-Fara of the Kalrelas." Astor replied. Seeing their blank faces he continued. "A bird-man of the mountains to you. But the translation into common-tongue looses its majesty, I find."
"The mountains?" Gimli asked. "What mountains?"
"Impassable Caradhras and its kin." Astor explained. "Yet you would never have seen me, for my people dwell in the clouds, in palaces the likes of which you could not imagine."
"If you live in the clouds, how can you speak our language?" Pippin asked.
"The eagles, our friends." Astor replied, warming to the gentle nature of Pippin. "They often visit us, we are all related, distantly. Sometimes they bring guests from below, although they have only ever brought men, and they only bring those men who wish to die."
"How cheerful!" Sam joked.
"Men who wish to die look to the heavens for salvation, and we offer it." Astor said coldly. "The eagles bring the worthy to us. In the clouds the air is thin and the atmosphere cold. The men are slowly lulled into a sleep from which they never wake. It is painless and peaceful. But some stay awake longer than others, for many days in fact, and so we learn their language from them."
"Why have we never seen you before?" Anánia asked.
"We rarely fly our nests." Astor answered. "Our hunters bring back any food that we require, and when we do fly we appear as arrows of birds to those below us."
The fellowship all remembered having seen an arrowhead of birds in the sky at times.
"So, what happened to you?" Gandalf asked.
"I...I remember little." Astor said, frowning and trying to remember. "I was separated from my hunting party and flew into a hail storm, high in the mountains. I believe I fell and broke my wing. I remembering waking and crawling into a cave to shelter. Resting in this cave was also a herd of horses. One seemed to be a tamed one, and was draped in a black cloth. I wrapped the cloth around me and sat astride the horse, hoping he would take me to some kind of civilisation." He frowned again. "Then I blacked out."
"The horse indeed led you to us." Gandalf said. "Then I'm afraid he fled. I guess he was a horse of the Ringwraiths that escaped the flood near Rivendell, and crossed the mountains and found a herd of wild horses. He might have run with them since then, for the Black Riders would care not for their steeds once they are lost."
"Now tell me about you, and why I am tied." Astor said.
"We?" Aragorn asked. "We are mere land walkers I'm afraid. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn and King of all Gondor. This beside me is Gandalf the white. You sit in the presence of Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Elves of Mirkwood, and heir to the throne after his father, King Thranduil.
The other elf is Anánia, of Lothlorien. These halflings are hobbits of the Shire. Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Branbybuck and Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo."
"A pleasure." Astor said. "And such noble introductions. Perhaps you would untie me and allow me to introduce myself in a fitting manner."
Aragorn frowned and turned to Gandalf. "What say you?" he asked.
"I have no qualms in trusting a being that also earns the trust of the eagles." Gandalf said firmly.
Aragorn cut the bandages and helped Astor to his feet. Astor was unbalanced as the weight of the makeshift cast on his broken wing threw him. Then he stood proud and stretched his good wing. Fully extended, it reached possibly three metres in length and was made of pure white feathers.
"I am Astor Nimbulir." He said. "Son of Cirrus, the Lord of Avion and King of the skies under which you walk." He said, bowing deeply. "I am thankful for your hospitality, and know not how I can replay you."
"I know!" Pippin said excitedly. "He is the final part of the riddle. Arwen could have never met this Astor, for he has never been seen by any of us before."
The others smiled and nodded, knowing that he was right. Astor looked confused.
"I shall explain." Gandalf said. "Come by our fire and eat, you must be famished!"
AN – not quite a black rider, but I thought that as it was impossible for them to have survived after the source of their power had been destroyed. Even I can't stray that far from Tolkien's legendary books! And we broke my last review number record; lets see if we can now hit the 200 mark, which would be amazing!
Lil whitelighter – I won't say much about what is going to happen between Legolas and Anánia, the next few chapters should enlighten everyone as to their relationship.
Terreis – thanks for both your reviews. I have been hinting quietly about a romance, haven't I? I intended to introduce it slowly, and as so many people have been asking about a possible romance hopefully my job has been successful!
Queen Arwen – yes, you were the 100th reviewer! Glad you liked this chapter, I thought a lot of people would!
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – OK I'm going to give you one hint as to Leggy and Anánia's relationship. I said previously that there would be some sex somewhere in the story...and as Arwen, the only other woman, is dead....but I'm not saying the sex would definitely be between those two characters! Oooh, I'm so cryptic!
Gionareth – not quite a black rider, so I don't have to explain how! Keep reviewing!
Laurelin – I'm taking the fact that you cried at the last chapter as a good sign...it was quite emotional, this story is actually really draining to write.
Ringmarciel – I love fictions about Legolas, but he isn't an interesting character to centre the stories around unless the characters around him are interesting, if you see what I mean. Otherwise he is just your average gorgeous elf!
The True Evenstar – I hope you get 100th reviewer too, you have been one of my most valued and loyal readers since the beginning, and I hope you follow this story to the end with as much enthusiasm!
Alasse – yeah, I didn't think I would be able to bring back the black riders without totally abandoning Tolkien's work! So I didn't!
Cerridwen – More danger yet to come...and when they reach Rivendell Thranduil may have some ill news for them!
Ciel-Undomiel – The remark from Anánia was meant to kind of start the change in Aragorn, but he was spurred into action after the life or death situation really, it was kind of a combination of the two that showed him how to change. Your reviews always make me laugh, keep trying for the 200th reviewer!
Totally obsesses with LOTR – I'm glad you like it!
Aniron Undomiel – I have never heard of an award for LOTR fictions around Arwen and Aragorn. I must look at that. Thank you for the link. For anyone else interested, here is Aniron's review, it sounds like something that would interest most people here.
"Nice story!
.
If you're an Aragorn/Arwen fan, here's something you might be interested in:
.
Nominations are up for the 2004 Aniron Awards! What are the Aniron Awards, you ask? Just the ONLY awards for TOlkien fanfiction that center around Aragorn/Arwen fics! Visit
.
w.anironawards.741.com
.
to nominate your favorite A/A fics in any of our 16 categories!"
Take a look, I certainly will!
The hobbits scrambled off the road and Legolas lead Anánia's horse onto the grass verge. Then he left her and joined Aragorn, Gimli and Gandalf who stood on the road, swords unsheathed and arrow loaded.
The hobbits held the horses to stop them from running, and Shadowfax remained completely still. The horse was galloping towards them, getting closer by the minute. Fear crept through Frodo's body as he remembered his most painful encounter with a black rider.
The horse was slowing, but the rider was still slumped over its neck. Gandalf lowered his staff and frowned. The horse slowed to a walk before topping completely. The rider fell with a thump to the ground. The horse shied and when it saw its rider on the floor, whinnied shrilly and galloped back the way it had come. It was gone before the fellowship could move to investigate the figure lying sprawled on the road.
"What is it?" Anánia breathed, urging her reluctant horse back onto the road and looking warily at the figure. Cautiously, Aragorn walked towards the heap of black and took a bunch of the robes in his hand. In one swift action he pulled the robe away. Gimli's axe and Legolas's bow were trained on the figure, but they lowered them in surprise at what they saw.
Lying on its side on the road was a man. He was pale with a shock of bright chestnut hair on his head that was cropped short. He was naked from the waist up, and wore a pair of faded and tatty trousers with rips and holes in. But the most surprising and yet impressive feature about him were the huge white feathered wings which seemed to erupt from his back. These wings were enormous, and the company could see that one was badly broken and stained red with blood.
In fact, the man was covered in bruises, scrapes and gashes. He lay unconscious on the road, unaware of the people who watched him with caution.
"What is he?" Merry breathed, not daring to stand any closer.
"I know not." Gandalf replied. "I have never come across such a creature in all my years. What of you Aragorn, in your travels as the ranger Strider have you ever seen anything quite so astonishing?"
"I have seen many things, but a winged man is not among them." Aragorn replied faintly, staring at the man in awe.
"This race is unknown to the elves." Legolas said, looking to Anánia for confirmation.
"Many tales are told in Lothlorien, strange and wild." She nodded. "I have heard them all, yet I have never heard tell of anything quite like this."
Gimli seemed fascinated with the creature. He walked over and laid a hand on him. "No legend is told by Dwarves either." He said. "But whatever he is, he is alive."
"What are we to do Gandalf?" Frodo asked. "We can't just leave him here, but we can't trust that he is friendly either."
Gandalf paused, as if considering for a moment, before speaking. "We shall make camp a few feet back from the road." He said. "Tend to his wounds and then tie him up, to be safe. Ready some athelas, enough to serve this strange and Anánia's wounds."
At once they followed his orders. And in a few minutes a fire was burning and the sleepy smell of athelas was soothing them all. Aragorn lifted and carried the strange being to the fire. When the athelas was ready he and Gandalf tended to the wounds of the creature, leaving Legolas to apply the athelas to Anánia's back and arm.
Aragorn then set and bound the wing whilst Gandalf set about cleaning and dressing the minor wounds and grazes, of which the man had many. The hobbits were busily cooking an evening meal and Gimli watched on in interest, having taken a fascination in the newcomer.
Having finished addressing the wounds, the winged man was tied up and Gandalf and Aragorn joined the others in a ring around the fire. Eldarion slept peacefully, lulled into slumber by the aroma of athelas that made them so contented.
They ate and talked for an hour or so before Gimli suddenly jumped t his feet. The creature was awakening.
"Stand back," Gandalf said. "We don't want to scare him."
The creature blinked hard, as if to clear his vision. He groaned as the pain of his wing and injuries hit him. Then he looked up at the people around him. His cold grey eyes searched the faces in front of him. A wizened old man stood nearest, surveying him closely. Behind him a medley of other faces could be seen. A short stocky man with chestnut beard and wielding an axe. A tall and proud looking man, and two strange creatures, not quite human but pale in complexion and colouring and with unusual ears. Four childlike beings looked at him in concern, but they looked far too mature to be mere children.
"Do not panic." Gandalf said kindly. "We shall not hurt you."
'Unless he hurts us.' Legolas whispered in elven to Anánia, who nodded, shielding Eldarion from view but not moving, for her back was still painful if she moved suddenly.
"Do you think he even understands the common tongue Gandalf?" Aragorn asked. "If we have never seen him, he is unlikely to have ever seen us and wouldn't speak our language."
"I speak a thousand languages Aragorn, I'm sure he will have knowledge of one of them." Gandalf replied.
"If you speak the common tongue, it is enough for me." The man said. They looked at him in surprise. His voice was low and gravely, but now and then his voice rose and sounded like a strange bird cooing or cawing. "Who are you? And where am I?" He asked.
"I think you owe us an explanation first." Gimli said. "As we nursed you."
"Very well." The man said. "Ask me a question and I shall answer it, unless I do not deem that I should."
"Tell us no lies, winged one." Gimli growled.
"Then asked me no unanswerable questions, short one." The man replied.
"I will question." Aragorn said. "Who...what are you?"
"My name is Astor, I am one of the Huindel-Fara of the Kalrelas." Astor replied. Seeing their blank faces he continued. "A bird-man of the mountains to you. But the translation into common-tongue looses its majesty, I find."
"The mountains?" Gimli asked. "What mountains?"
"Impassable Caradhras and its kin." Astor explained. "Yet you would never have seen me, for my people dwell in the clouds, in palaces the likes of which you could not imagine."
"If you live in the clouds, how can you speak our language?" Pippin asked.
"The eagles, our friends." Astor replied, warming to the gentle nature of Pippin. "They often visit us, we are all related, distantly. Sometimes they bring guests from below, although they have only ever brought men, and they only bring those men who wish to die."
"How cheerful!" Sam joked.
"Men who wish to die look to the heavens for salvation, and we offer it." Astor said coldly. "The eagles bring the worthy to us. In the clouds the air is thin and the atmosphere cold. The men are slowly lulled into a sleep from which they never wake. It is painless and peaceful. But some stay awake longer than others, for many days in fact, and so we learn their language from them."
"Why have we never seen you before?" Anánia asked.
"We rarely fly our nests." Astor answered. "Our hunters bring back any food that we require, and when we do fly we appear as arrows of birds to those below us."
The fellowship all remembered having seen an arrowhead of birds in the sky at times.
"So, what happened to you?" Gandalf asked.
"I...I remember little." Astor said, frowning and trying to remember. "I was separated from my hunting party and flew into a hail storm, high in the mountains. I believe I fell and broke my wing. I remembering waking and crawling into a cave to shelter. Resting in this cave was also a herd of horses. One seemed to be a tamed one, and was draped in a black cloth. I wrapped the cloth around me and sat astride the horse, hoping he would take me to some kind of civilisation." He frowned again. "Then I blacked out."
"The horse indeed led you to us." Gandalf said. "Then I'm afraid he fled. I guess he was a horse of the Ringwraiths that escaped the flood near Rivendell, and crossed the mountains and found a herd of wild horses. He might have run with them since then, for the Black Riders would care not for their steeds once they are lost."
"Now tell me about you, and why I am tied." Astor said.
"We?" Aragorn asked. "We are mere land walkers I'm afraid. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn and King of all Gondor. This beside me is Gandalf the white. You sit in the presence of Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Elves of Mirkwood, and heir to the throne after his father, King Thranduil.
The other elf is Anánia, of Lothlorien. These halflings are hobbits of the Shire. Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Branbybuck and Frodo Baggins, son of Drogo."
"A pleasure." Astor said. "And such noble introductions. Perhaps you would untie me and allow me to introduce myself in a fitting manner."
Aragorn frowned and turned to Gandalf. "What say you?" he asked.
"I have no qualms in trusting a being that also earns the trust of the eagles." Gandalf said firmly.
Aragorn cut the bandages and helped Astor to his feet. Astor was unbalanced as the weight of the makeshift cast on his broken wing threw him. Then he stood proud and stretched his good wing. Fully extended, it reached possibly three metres in length and was made of pure white feathers.
"I am Astor Nimbulir." He said. "Son of Cirrus, the Lord of Avion and King of the skies under which you walk." He said, bowing deeply. "I am thankful for your hospitality, and know not how I can replay you."
"I know!" Pippin said excitedly. "He is the final part of the riddle. Arwen could have never met this Astor, for he has never been seen by any of us before."
The others smiled and nodded, knowing that he was right. Astor looked confused.
"I shall explain." Gandalf said. "Come by our fire and eat, you must be famished!"
AN – not quite a black rider, but I thought that as it was impossible for them to have survived after the source of their power had been destroyed. Even I can't stray that far from Tolkien's legendary books! And we broke my last review number record; lets see if we can now hit the 200 mark, which would be amazing!
Lil whitelighter – I won't say much about what is going to happen between Legolas and Anánia, the next few chapters should enlighten everyone as to their relationship.
Terreis – thanks for both your reviews. I have been hinting quietly about a romance, haven't I? I intended to introduce it slowly, and as so many people have been asking about a possible romance hopefully my job has been successful!
Queen Arwen – yes, you were the 100th reviewer! Glad you liked this chapter, I thought a lot of people would!
Leggy/Orlando's Queen – OK I'm going to give you one hint as to Leggy and Anánia's relationship. I said previously that there would be some sex somewhere in the story...and as Arwen, the only other woman, is dead....but I'm not saying the sex would definitely be between those two characters! Oooh, I'm so cryptic!
Gionareth – not quite a black rider, so I don't have to explain how! Keep reviewing!
Laurelin – I'm taking the fact that you cried at the last chapter as a good sign...it was quite emotional, this story is actually really draining to write.
Ringmarciel – I love fictions about Legolas, but he isn't an interesting character to centre the stories around unless the characters around him are interesting, if you see what I mean. Otherwise he is just your average gorgeous elf!
The True Evenstar – I hope you get 100th reviewer too, you have been one of my most valued and loyal readers since the beginning, and I hope you follow this story to the end with as much enthusiasm!
Alasse – yeah, I didn't think I would be able to bring back the black riders without totally abandoning Tolkien's work! So I didn't!
Cerridwen – More danger yet to come...and when they reach Rivendell Thranduil may have some ill news for them!
Ciel-Undomiel – The remark from Anánia was meant to kind of start the change in Aragorn, but he was spurred into action after the life or death situation really, it was kind of a combination of the two that showed him how to change. Your reviews always make me laugh, keep trying for the 200th reviewer!
Totally obsesses with LOTR – I'm glad you like it!
Aniron Undomiel – I have never heard of an award for LOTR fictions around Arwen and Aragorn. I must look at that. Thank you for the link. For anyone else interested, here is Aniron's review, it sounds like something that would interest most people here.
"Nice story!
.
If you're an Aragorn/Arwen fan, here's something you might be interested in:
.
Nominations are up for the 2004 Aniron Awards! What are the Aniron Awards, you ask? Just the ONLY awards for TOlkien fanfiction that center around Aragorn/Arwen fics! Visit
.
w.anironawards.741.com
.
to nominate your favorite A/A fics in any of our 16 categories!"
Take a look, I certainly will!