Into The Shadow
By The Last Evenstar
A/N: Sorry if I didn't make it clear last time. This story takes place many years before the War of the Ring – around the year 3000 of the Third Age. If you look it up, that's the year that Sauron starts to take major control, and about the time Saruman first becomes ensnared by the Palantir.
Another point: Elves neither faint nor sleep. So what could be the cause of Arwen's visions? I suppose you'll have to read on . . .
As always, I live for your feedback!
Chapter Two: Gandalf's Story
She was back – back in the land of shadow. Ghostly images floated around her; a blurred, dreamlike sequence of people and places she had come to know.
The whipping wind was cold and stinging. She pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders and cried, "Estel!"
Suddenly she was back in the gardens of Imladris, once more walking beneath the rich leaves and glittering falls. But there was a quality to them that she did not know, a sinister presence that was not Rivendell at all.
"Arwen!" All of a sudden he was running toward her. "Arwen, help me!"
"Estel!" she cried again, trying to reach him. But the faster she ran, the more distant he seemed. She was filled with the terror that this could be her only chance to see him again. "I love you!" she called out, for lack of anything better.
The wind was growing fiercer. She could barely make out his voice above it. "Arwen, listen to me! Don't come! Whatever you do – don't come!"
She could see him no longer. "Come where?" she screamed, hysterical tears running down her cheeks. "Estel! Come back!"
The only reply was the shrieking of the wind.
~~~~~~~
"Arwen!" She peered up dazedly into the anxious gaze of her father. "Undómiel, come back!"
She sat up suddenly. "Estel!"
Gandalf stepped forward suddenly, his eyes peering inquisitively into hers. "What did you see?" His voice became frantic. "What happened?"
"Mithrandir!" Elrond's voice was sharp. "Let her rest."
"No." Arwen tried to stand. "Tell me. Tell me, Gandalf. What happened?"
The Maia sighed and closed his eyes. "Sit down, Undómiel, and you shall hear of you beloved." He looked at her again. "I must warn you, it is a dreadful thing."
Arwen trembled, to afraid to speak. Elrond grasped her hand. "What has happened to Estel, Mithrandir? Tell me – what has become of our last hope?"
Gandalf began to speak.
~~~~~~~
I know now that to risk such a mission was most unwise. But the hour was growing later and our hopes were dwindling. I needed to find out whether Sauron had regained all of the Seven – that is, the seven rings given to the Dwarf-Lords thousands of years ago.
To gain this vital knowledge meant passing into Mordor undetected. It meant fighting across the dark land without being seen. It did not mean border work, as Aragorn had done in the past. It meant going right to Barad-dûr; straight into the heart of Mordor.
For this mission I needed someone who could pass through a place as big as Mordor unseen. Someone who would not draw the gaze of the Great Eye or fall into the Shadow. I needed someone who was deadly with a blade, someone who would be able to fight his way through. And I needed someone whose heart was true enough not to fall into evil ways under the influence of the Dark Lord.
There was only one man I could trust.
"Aragorn," I said to him, when we met in Mirkwood, "a chance arises for you to prove your worth as a king tenfold. Yet it is a perilous road, and the chance is great that you would not return."
He looked me straight in the eye. "I will do it," he said. "I know not the task you ask of me, but in the battle against evil there can be no higher price. I will do as you ask, Gandalf."
"It is not to be undertaken lightly," I warned him. "I know what you fight for, Aragorn, and to accept this challenge could throw it all away."
"Tell me, then." His voice was not sad, but devoid of any happiness. "What is this dangerous quest?"
I sighed. "You must go into Mordor. Pass through to Barad-dûr without so much as a sound."
Then he looked frightened. "Why is this necessary?"
"Word has reached me that Sauron may have regained all of the Seven. I must know if this is true." I looked into his sad gray eyes, wise beyond their years, and mourned his loss of youth and innocence so early in life.
"How will I find out?" No trace of emotion stirred on his face.
I tapped my fingers on the table. "Word of mouth. I trust you, Aragorn, and no other man to this mission. You will be able to uncover the truth."
He looked down a moment, considering. At last he lifted his head. "I will do it."
I hoped he knew what he was getting into. "Very well, son of Arathorn. But I bid you to remember and heed my warning: The Shadow grows ever bigger, and the reach of evil ever stronger. Take care you do not fall victim to it."
He nodded and picked up his gear. "When are we to go?"
I grinned. "That's the spirit."
I rode with him to the outskirts of Mordor. "Take care," I called, as he readied himself for the mountain pass.
He looked back at me. "You'll tell her, Gandalf? Tell them all, in the case that I do not return?"
I nodded. Whenever he made a dangerous journey I gave him this promise, yet never did I think I would have to fulfil it.
~~~~~~~
Arwen's trembling voice broke the silence. "What was the promise?"
Gandalf looked old and worn. "There is a message for you, Evenstar, as well as Lord Elrond. He entrusted it into my keeping ere he would ever leave and not return."
She ran a hand over her tearstained face. "What was the message?"
"That he sends his love, and bids you think not on what is but remember what was, and he hopes it should come to pass that you are happy again."
Arwen's heart thudded against her chest. "Why are you telling me? Will he truly not return?" She buried her face in Elrohir's shoulder, deathly afraid of the answer.
"That was the last time I saw him. I waited six months, seven, eight, and still he did not return. At last I cast a scrying-spell, sure to determine his whereabouts."
Elrond spoke softly. "And?"
The wizard bowed his head. "He is gone."
Arwen felt sick. Her mind refused to make sense of his words. "He's not gone! He cannot be gone!"
Elrond laid a hand on her shoulder. "Amin nwalya ten' lle, tinu nin [I ache for you, my daughter]."
She shook her head. "No. That's not what I mean! He isn't gone!"
Elladan sounded concerned. "Calm yourself, Arwen. We all grieve for Estel."
"You don't understand!" She was desperate for them to. "He's alive! He spoke to me – twice now! I saw him with my own eyes!"
Gandalf sighed sadly. "He has fallen into shadow, gracious lady. We are all most aggrieved."
"He could still be alive!" Arwen was on her feet, shouting. "Ada – you believe me, don't you? You will send people – won't you?"
His hard eyes looked into her pleading ones. "I'm sorry, Arwen."
She was shaking by now. "Please, Ada. Please. I know he's alive." She felt his ring, heavy on her finger. "I know. You must trust me."