Title: In the Face of Darkness
Author: Eyes of Pearl
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings (the books or the movies). They belong to their respective owners.
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Chapter 2: Passing Judgements
In front of the hall of Mandos, a lone soldier stood watch. She was the gatekeeper, passing judgements between death and rebirth. She is known by many names in different dimensions. At one point, she was called upon as Sailor Saturn, the scout of Death and Revolutions. Another was Hotaru, a petite child with the power of healing. At times, she was known as Lady Gurthiel, the Daughter of Death.
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Aragorn felt none of the pain from his latest injuries as he felt himself slowly awakened. He sat up in shock as he groped within the darkness. His eyes seemed to fail him. He thought that perhaps he had closed his eyes, but when he blinked them once and then twice, he was still shrouded by the darkness. It was rather comforting, the silence, a realm of no conscious thoughts. His problems were far away as the darkness overwhelmed him. His eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, as shadows morphed into various shapes. Within the shadow, a lone figure materialized. Aragorn starred in the general direction of the apparition, unsure whether or not his eyes were deceived.
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She quickly sensed the new arrival for his aura was familiar. She clicked her glaive against the surface, summoning some of the mist and darkness away and revealed herself.
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Darkness began to fade as if it was sucked into a vortex, unveiling two figures. One was dressed in a worn travel gear that was battered with dust and remnants of the wild. At various places, the cloak that the Man was wearing had been torn and was stained with blood. The other was dressed in a uniform of sorts, a suit of white and purple with a purple skirt and knee high boots as well. It was unusual but the maiden had the stance of a warrior. With her gloved hand, clutching a glaive engraved with symbols that Aragorn could not decipher. One of which resembled the letter 'h' in Westron but he could not be certain. Her hair was short, and black and her eyes was a deep violet, so dark that it was almost black. They pierced into him as if she was reading his every thoughts, but they themselves revealed no emotions.
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Estel, the adopted son of Elrond of Imladris. I have passed judgements upon your kind, though it seemed too soon for you to appear before me."
"Then I am dead?"
"You are within the entrance to Mandos awaiting judgements."
"You know my name, milady but you are unknown to me."
"I am not of this world and so I have known by many names. I am the Guardian of Death and Revolutions. I embody within me, the silence and the darkness. I stand guard as the judge before the halls of Mandos. You may call me Lady Gurthiel."
"Such a solitary duty foe one who seem so young, Daughter of Death."
Her eyes flickered at the comment, "Yes, it is a duty nonetheless, Aragorn, son of Arathorn."
"A duty or a curse?"
"You say that I look young. That is true. I may be in the body of a young girl, but we often cannot choose what is given to us by birth. It is a role that needs to be fulfilled."
"What is your role then, Lady Gurthiel?"
"With everything in the universe, there are two sides of the spectrum, each resisting the other, but both of equal importance to maintain the equilibrium: good and evil, love and hate, light and the darkness ... I am Mistress of the Darkness but I hold sovereignty over the powers of death and rebirth. I have the power to destroy and to create. I am here to pass judgements but allowing the natural course as it is meant to be."
"I am human, plagued by their weakness. Surely, you know for you said yourself, Kings of Old has passed through your domain."
"Men had been corrupted by their emotions of greed, powers and their heart's treachery. Yet, such traits are common in all races even to those who seem infallible. Firstborns are not without weaknesses. They too fear and grief, but their greatest weaknesses is also their blessing: their immortality. They are plagued by memories of days gone by, day by day, as though they were spectators to the passing of the world. The most powerful of Lords are not without their own wantings. With despair, there is always Hope."
"What good is hope when you neither the strength nor will to live on?"
"Will you be so selfish as to forsake the good of this world? Have you not heard one word I had said? The world is filled with illnesses, sadness, longing, and death but in the grand scheme of things, it is balanced by the sounds of a newborn, the blossom of love, and the strength in renewal. You are part of this balance, Estel, like a fire within the scattered pieces of this world."
"For one who seem so small, you hold much wisdom. You remind me of my Adar."
"Lord Elrond has seen much in his life, but he too has many fears. He had lost his wife, and had witnesses the destructions of races for power. In the midst of everything, he has unwavering devotion to his children, to protect them from pain. His wisdom comes with a price. We all have duties within the balance of the universe from the smallest Halfings of Middle Earth to a powerful Maia."
"I am Isildur's heir, Aragorn son of Arathorn but I am not ready for this ..." he indicated the darkness around him.
"Time though is short, but it is the most precious asset. It has great powers to heal, to strengthen and to reflect. A great future beholds you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. There will be trials and triumphant, and within the darkness, you will find hope. Believe in yourself."
"I leave no hope for myself."
"Let the light of those around you guide you in the darkest hour, search for wisdom in the most unusual of times." The Dark Daughter smiled at him then as she became one with the darkness until she changed to a firefly ... Aragorn stared curiously at the small creature as he felt himself pulled from the realm.
When he next opened his eyes, he felt as though he had awakened from a drugged sleep. He was lying on his back, starring towards the sky. It was a clear night and he quickly found the brightest star in the sky. He was bundled in his own cloak, and suddenly felt very stiff. He tried to get up but was startled as a wave of pain hit him. He cried out in the Elven tongue but was gently pushed back down.
"Rest for now, you are quite safe. You had been asleep for quite some time but I am not surprised seeing the amount of injuries that you have" somebody replied beside him in the Elven language.
Aragorn realized that there was somebody else there. He turned his head to the sound of the voice and was surprised to see an old man. He was dressed in a drab gray cloak and he was smoking a pipe. The old man then said, "I see that you have taken care of the band of Orcs in this area. Well done, for one who seemed so young."
"It was merely a duty."
Aragorn smiled inwardly at his own comment and under his breath, he murmured, "Lady Gurthiel..."
The old man flickered in his direction at the sound of the name but he said nothing. Aragorn did not care to elaborate, instead he said in the Common Tongue, "Who should I bestow my thanks to?"
"Ah. I am known by many names, but I am called Mithrandir by the Elves..."
"Thank you, Mithrandir."
So in the face of darkness, Aragorn found a friend, one who will journey with him into many of his trials ahead especially in the greatest one of all, to reclaim peace in Middle Earth.
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The End
That is how Aragorn met Gandalf the Grey. This piece was mainly dialogue and description, but I wanted to try something different. Thank you to Silverose82 for providing me with the Elvish name.
Lady Love: Thank you so much for reviewing. I know I feel bad for Aragorn too, but he's trying to find himself nd his role in the world. Keep reading.
Callisto Star: Don't worry, that's not the last time we see of Estel. After all, he is the hope of Man ... Thanks for reviewing!
kittydemon: Sorry, there won't be a pairing for this one, just a short vignette analysing the role that Aragorn plays in the grand scheme of things. Thanks for the review though.
Anyways, r/r and let me know what you think. Until later, peace!!
Aug 2004: Revised