Chapter Six: From Beginning to the End
Finding she is unable to think about anything but the jewel, Ariella begins to hum lightly to herself. Letting out a heavy sigh, she looks to the sky to feel a beautiful warm sun shining in on her face, and a small smile comes across her face.
That is the first time that I have see you smile in a long time little princess. Artemis said purring loudly.
That is because in these days of late I have been very unhappy and I still am. Ariella said sadly.
Come the day grows late and you need you rest. Artemis said crouching down as Ariella climbed atop is back and laid down, his fur embracing her body creating a blanket of warmth.
Ariella found herself in a deep slumber. She awakens and yet she feels as if she is still asleep. Looking around Ariella sees no one. Then just as she turns around, a body shape starts to form. It is the size of a small child. Her hair as black like the feathers of a raven. She cries loudly in a fetal position.
What's wrong? Ariella asked bowing down. She looked up to her and the child's eyes dark, and hollow. They show no life, only death. The little girl smiles at Ariella, but it is not a sweet sincere smile but an evil devilish smirk. She reaches for Ariella, but Ariella pulls away from the strange child. Others start to form around them, they appear to be normal people but Ariella sees them for their inner soul. Their ugly, tortured, and disgusting. Crying out to them Ariella beings asking why their following this strange and evil little girl. None of them speak instead they cackle. There is no light only darkness around them, Ariella sees a bright light around her body. Looking back to the girl, she speaks.
You have no authority here, her eye's glow red and her voice sends a fear throughout Ariella's entire soul. "I will kill you and all that you hold dear to you!" She said reaching for Ariella, but Ariella moves quickly and pulls away.
No! You have lost, this is all pre-ordained God has won! Ariella yelled slamming her fists against a book. The girl begins to chase Ariella a sword in her hand Ariella runs out of the room. Down a long corridor, Ariella finds herself running aimlessly. Starting to loose all hope, but then she sees a bright light shining, Legolas. He turns away and Ariella chases after him calling to him but he does not look back. Falling over a stone, she lays on the ground crying. She comes closer to Ariella the sword in her hand, putting it to the hilt of Ariella's neck.
Jesus deliver me! Ariella cries out to Jesus just before the girl swipes the sword down her neck. Awakening in a sweat she cries, finding Legolas is gone along with the others. Running out of their camp, she searches frantically for her friends.
"Legolas!" Ariella screamed once more hoping he would hear her desperate pleas for help. Ariella finds him running to her.
"What's wrong Ariella?" Legolas asked searching her body for an injury. Looking up he sees a nasty cut down Ariella's throat, the blood still trickling down her neck. Sitting down, tears still running down her cheeks. Ariella refuses to speak word while he dresses the wound.
"So, are you going to tell me what happened?" Legolas asked touching Ariella, but she pulls away. "Ariella I can't help you if you won't tell me what's wrong" his voice stern.
"Why should I tell you? You didn't even try to save me when I called you" Ariella's voice harsh and cold. "Legolas, I had this dream. There was a strange evil little girl. She said that she would kill me, and then she started chasing me down this corridor. I saw no one, then I saw you," she starts to cry again. "When I called to you. You just turned away, like I wasn't even there," Ariella said finally turning to face him. "How could you leave like that? You didn't even take a second look, you just kept walking, fading away into the shadows," she said. The tears from her face hit the floor. Legolas pulls Ariella into his embrace.
"Melamin I would never leave you ever that wasn't me in that dream" he said kissing her forehead. "I promise we'll find out what's happening," he said. Ariella faces him, and he wipes her tears away.
Falling asleep in his arms, but this time she did not wake up, in a sweat from a nightmare. Legolas watched over Ariella most of the night. The day had past and they had found a small yet quaint place to rest for the night. The only problem this place is plagued with giant spiders.
The evening stars peered over their heads. Ariella stirred in her sleep, she looked up to see Legolas fast sleep. Turning to her left, she saw that Sam had started a fire to cook dinner. The sizzling of meat sausages is heard and the scent of the meat trailed to her nostrils, where she happily inhaled the fumes of the cooking meat. Smiling to herself she gently moved out of Legolas's arms, he stirred but only for a moment. Walking over to Sam Ariella smiled handing her a plate her smile grows even bigger.
"I take it you are hungry, and the scent of my cooking is oh so tempting" Sam said half cockily.
"How'd you know?" Ariella asked surprised.
"Well my lady not to sound self absorbed but I have not met a race that did not like my cooking" Sam said grinning, as Ariella took a bite of the meat. Sam watches her face closely anticipating her reaction. Ariella's smile fades away from her face, and turns into utter disgust.
"This is the most" she paused and smiled. "Wonderful thing I've ever tasted, oh you have to make more!" She said laughing at the little hobbits shock.
"You scare me for a minute my lady," Sam said.
"Do you always act as such?" Ariella asked tilting her head.
"As what my lady," He said in return
"Like that my lady I have a name you know and you can call me by it, I won't kill you," Ariella punched his arm in a friendly gesture.
"No maybe not on purpose but I do believe that punch of yours just might have knocked the wind out of me." Sam said smiling.
"I'll go wake the others," Ariella said running around the camp shaking everyone awake. Legolas was the last that she reached. "Wake up melamin Sam is cooking breakfast and we must leave soon so hurry." Ariella edged him on.
"What!" Legolas snapped at her. Opening his eyes she looks into them, they no longer look of a clear blue color, but dark and amber. His skin is also darker, as well as his hair.
"What's wrong with you?" Ariella snapped back investigating his unelven features even more so. "And what is wrong with your hair?" She asked poking at him.
"There's nothing wrong with me now just come and on let's get some food!" He growled underneath his breath, standing Legolas begins to walk but soon trips over a small pebble. His little accident makes the whole camp go quiet.
"Did you see that Legolas just fell over, that's never happened in all of the time I've known him!" Pippin pointed out the already obvious.
"Damn it!" Legolas said brushing himself off. "This would happen; I swear if anyone says anything I'll kill them!" He said glaring at the whole camp.
"What's wrong with you? Elves never fall, but" Ariella stared at him blankly. "But mortals do" Ariella whispered as a chill ran up her spine.
"Melamin I'm so sorry I can no longer protect you in my current condition," Legolas said sadly looking at to the ground.
"Come we need to talk." Ariella said reaching for his hand. His touch so cold and unlike the elf she loves. Finding a small opening in the forest Ariella and Legolas sit down. "Legolas what's wrong you've been acting different and what was that, that just happened back there?" Ariella asked confused.
"Exactly fifty years ago Caspia cursed me before I banished her from Mirkwood, for one night when the moon disappeared from the sky. I would become mortal so until the morning sun shines on my elven skin I will be a mortal man." He confessed.
"You ignorant fool! Why didn't you tell me if I had known I would have made sure that our fellowship had traveled to a safer place than this. Why do you insist on hiding things from me, that I do not understand is that unbearable to open up to me? Why do you find it so hard? And now you are the only one who is going to suffer the consequences." Ariella said as she looked around her keen hearing picking up the sound of nearby predators.
"I don't trust anyone!" Legolas snapped gasping from his outburst. His cold heartedness brings tears to her eyes. "Are you crying, don't cry for me Ella"
"I'm not crying for you I'm crying for me and the rest of us, because of your ego we're now trapped in this place and surrounded and I don't even have my weapon. All because you do not trust me! If I get eaten I'm coming after you!" Looking around Ariella uses her power of telepathy to levitate the both of them out of the predators reach.
Reaching the campsite Ariella warns every one of the on coming predators. Nevertheless, it is too late as the words leave her mouth the giant silver spiders come flying out of the trees landing in the center of camp. Grabbing her boomerang, she throws it at her enemy the giant weapon slices throw the air. The reflexes of her opponent are quick.
"We know that the Prince of Mirkwood is at his weakest point we have come here to take advantage of this!" The creature speaks.
"Oh no you don't horta axo!" Ariella throws the bone of Eriol one last time slicing the creature into half.
"More of them are coming Gandalf what are we going to do?" Merry asked in a panic.
"The only thing we can do, fight!" The old wizard yelled.
"Run melamin get out of here please!" Ariella pleaded with Legolas.
"I will not leave you!" Legolas grabs his bow and quiver. Lining three arrows, he shoots and hits the giant spider dead on. Therefore, it is true he really is a skilled archer, not because of his elven ways but because of his true talent. Killing what they think is the last one the group lets their minds rest for a minute, but that minute is a minute too long.
A screeching that sounds like a siren pierces the night air. Looking into the sky the stars disappear and Ariella is the creatures' target. Though being and elf with cat like reflexes, Ariella is not quick enough for her opponent. The spider sinks its enormous fangs into Ariella's shoulder, and at the same time, her boomerang goes straight through the spiders' body.
All of the fellowship helps to move the spider off her small and fragile body, and what they find is tragic. Ariella's body lies lifeless on the ground surrounded by her own blood. Legolas gathers her into his arms and holds her close, her breathing is minimal but it is there. Gandalf explains that poison is moving throughout her entire body. There is nothing that any of them can do but, pray to the heavens that she pulls through. Ariella slips into a coma like stage and she finds her soul wondering in another world.
Where am I? What happened? I do not remember anything, except the sky grew even darker and now I am here. However, where exactly is here? Ariella looked around to find a beautiful world full of life and color.
Why dear sweet Ariella you are were all young elven maidens go when they pass away. A familiar voice said turning around Ariella discovers the most beautiful sight she could ever think possible, her mother.
Mom, is it really you? You died so long ago I almost forgot what you look like. Oh, Mom I have missed you so much and Dad too. Ariella said hugging her mother tightly.
Ella you have to go back, God has spoken and it is not your time to die yet my daughter. You still have so much to do in the world. You have people who love you and need you Ella. You have grown into a beautiful elven maiden. Please return to your body, I know that you are hurt but here take this as a gift from me. Her mother Queen Arielstial held out a small golden orb. It is my power to heal others as well as myself. I give it to you little one. Her mother leans down to her ear. So that I can always protect you. The queen places a gentle kiss on her young daughters' cheek. I will always be with you.
Mom what about Daddy is he, ok? The queen cannot help but let out a light chuckle.
Your father is fine in fact, he had hoped he could be here but he has other duties to attend to at this moment. In heaven, there is an army of elves that fight along side God's angels to battle against Satan and all his evil doers. In fact, your father is fighting of some of your opponents as we speak. He sends his love and says that Eriol does as well. Eriol is so proud of you and glad that his wish is being fulfilled. Now the hour grows late and though time does not come for me, it does for you. Namaarie little one, I love you. Ariella feels her spirit being drawn back into another place.
Gasping for air Ariella awakens to find that the others surround her, morning has come and Legolas is once again an elf. "What happened?" She asked breathing heavily.
"You passed out melamin and have been in a coma for over four days," Legolas said as tears stream down his face.
"Four days no that is impossible I was only with my mother for about ten minutes and oh" Ariella attempts to pull herself up but her body is still soar. Looking over her body, she finds no wounds.
"On the third day your body started to heal itself and all of the blood was sucked back into your body, Gandalf told us to leave you alone but I could not help but hold you close to my own." Legolas said hugging her tightly forgetting about her bruises.
"My mother I saw her she gave me the gift of healing," Ariella touches her side where it seems to be most tender. Focusing on the muscle she the feels, an unexplainable fire come from her hands and the bruise and tenderness is gone. "Oh Legolas your hurt," Her hand touches his broken arm; the bone had broken out of the skin. Legolas screams in agony, focusing on her new power Ariella feels the bone start to move back into his skin rebuilding its structure with new bone marrow. The skin also heals, and returns to perfection.
"What happened to you?" Pippin asked in awe. Nevertheless, Ariella did not answer instead she smiled and let a small tear fall down her face. So a new gift has been bestowed upon Ariella but this fact still remains, is this new power going to be a gift or curse?