Chapter Seven: Doubtful Minds
Gandalf has been leading the fellowship off course; but no one has said anything to him. Legolas has of course asked questions but the old wizard just smiles and laughs at the young elven princes' curiosity. Ariella has been even more curious probing Gandalf's mind has proven most difficult, in fact out of the five times that she has tired each time Gandalf has met her in his mind and kindly asked her to leave him be.
"Do you know I think this old man is leading us to our death," Pippin said his voice in a mellow whisper.
"Yes, this coming from the hobbit that nearly got us all killed that day in Moria, when he knocked down Gimli's ancestor." Gandalf's voice, sarcastic and smug. "I may be twice your age Pippin but remember I can still whip you a good one!" Gandalf chuckled.
"I could have told you that Pip," Merry teased.
"So why didn't you?" Pippin cried in exaggeration.
"Would you have listened?" Ariella interrupted. Pippin did not need to respond to that in fact they all knew what he would have said.
Entering a large wooded area Ariella senses a strange presence around her and everyone else. I do not like the feeling that I am getting it, Gandalf has not said a word and I know he feels it as well. Her mind focused on nothing more than the aura around them.
"Yes child I know the aura of evil is around us, but we must leave it. It will not touch us, they have been given strict orders not to harm us." Gandalf looks up into the trees to see numerous orcs he laughs at them. The once great race of orcs who were bent on world domination are now nothing more than, thorns amongst the roses.
There is one that this old wizard seeks so diligently, searching for answers to questions he has not asked allowed. It has been almost twenty years since he has seen his old teacher, Saurman. Saurman has been banished to the land of darkness, for all eternity until redemption finds him. He is powerless and has remained that way since his defeat.
Sitting in his chambers, a smile smeared across the wizards face, as he senses that his once apprentice and old friend enters his household.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Gandalf the great. It has been long my friend too long" Saurman said turning to face Gandalf and the others.
"Yes it has been to long old friend, I see that you have yet to find redemption, and you still have not asked for forgiveness in what you did all those years ago. But no matter you always were a stubborn old fool, but that is not why I have come to talk" Gandalf scolded Saurman in a humorous way, a way that only the both of them would understand.
"I know why you have come. It is the cala quessir, and the Celeb Loki. Word has spread of the ill news, of the jewel and its shards spread across the world of Middle-Earth. Caspia is on the search for it, long have been the days that you knew this one day would come." Saurman said looking to Ariella.
"Yes I have known along with Lord Elrond." Gandalf gives a large sigh.
"So what do you plan to do my friend, Caspia has already gathered more than half of the jewel and when the jewel becomes whole once more, she will be unstoppable. It will not be as easy to destroy her as it was Sauron."
"There is one that can stop her, one that can bring her down to the pits from whence she came." Gandalf looks to Ariella and smiles. "Even with all the power of the Celeb Loki Caspia is no match for Ariella."
"Maybe, but still defeating her will not be an easy task have you forgotten that she is half elven and sorceress. Her powers are far beyond that of yours and especially mine. Can you look me in the eye and tell me that Ariella will be able to save us all from the wrath of this vengeful woman?" Saurman asked his tone stern, and his question is something that all of them have been wondering.
"I have faith in her, and in God. It is her destiny to do this, and so shall she fulfill it." Gandalf said.
"Very well then I guess it is my turn to play my part in all of this," Saurman said unhappily. "You, girl come here!" He bellowed.
"I have a name Saurman and since I am of royalty you shall treat me as such. You will address me as Ariella now come old man we have much to do and very little time to do it in." Ariella ordered him as if he were a mere child.
Leading her into his layer, Ariella sees the living conditions of this once great wizard and is disgusted. Decomposing rodents are scattered about the air smells of death.
"How the mighty have fallen. Isn't it funny how you find yourself, on the top one day and the bottom of the food chain the next?" Ariella asked sounding cruel, the old wizard hurt at her unkind comment.
"Yes and keep it up little princess and you'll find yourself in the same place that I am in" Saurman warned. "I was once like you, using my powers and skills for good and peace. But then I met him, and he showed me things that I had desired all my life, what a fool I was for taking them. Now I regret all that I have done against this world, and that is why I am here to help you Ariella," The old wizard said leading her into a more cleanly room.
"Help me do what you old senile wizard? You can do anything for me, I must die to save my people and that is exactly what I intend to do. You cannot save me from this fate no more than I can save myself. I will die a thousand deaths before I see one good person on this green earth die at the hands of this sorceress," Ariella's eye's tear up.
"You have the heart of the pure one that is good ignorant elfling. You will need it for what I am going to put you up against" Saurman said unveiling an enormous book.
"And what is that old man?" Ariella asked.
"Hell." Was the last word she heard from his mouth before being plummeted into a vast darkness.
In the darkness, she thought her eyes would adjust, but they never did. Clashing and gashing of teeth can be heard throughout her mind. Screams and pleas are sounding throughout her mind, taunting her every thought. How do I get out of here? Was a question that ran through her mind, there is no light, no people. Only darkness, fear, hate peace never came to her mind and sleep did not either. Saurman never meant to help me, he only wanted to get rid of me, and so did the others. Either that or this is all a test! Ariella thought to herself.
"You cannot win; this is all pre-ordained by God! You all have lost, do you hear me you've lost we've won!" Ariella shouted into the dark cold air. Evil laughter heard throughout her mind.
"No you have decided to speak little elfling have you?" An eerie voice speaks aloud. "We have been testing you all this time and now you have chosen to speak up, it has been three days since you have come to us, Saurman had given us strict orders not to harm you" the voice makes her spine tingle and her eyes tear.
"I cannot see you but I feel your very presence here and now. I rebuke all of you flee from this place. You have no authority here! I call upon my Lord Jesus Christ to save me from this evil!" Ariella called to her god. Feeling an utter peace through out her heart mind and soul Ariella sees a beautiful light so warm and loving.
Falling asleep Ariella smiles, a weight is lifted off her shoulders and now she is at peace. Awakening to a familiar voice, Ariella rubs her eyes from the sleep. The scent of the woods is filling her nose, arms are wrapped around her and a river is nearby.
"Melamin are you alright Ella can you hear me?" Legolas's voice filled her with joy.
"I can my love and I always will even in death," Ariella smiled with joy in her heart.
She does not feel the danger coming her way, the evil seeking the jewel. In fact Caspia has gathered all the shards of celeb loki all but one. The shard in which Ariella posses is the last and final piece, Caspia brings no army, no guards just her cold cruel and vengeful heart. There is something in the past that has caused her to be as such, but does the fellowship know of this event or are they about to learn a whole new fact about Caspia and her family?