Yep. Not mine. Working on a plan that will eventually end in disaster to get them.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Durian woke to the sounds of a busy city, something he was unaccustomed to living in the Wild for much of his life. Confused, he sat up quickly, sending his head reeling from the blood rush.
"Elebreth save me," he moaned, leaning back. Apparently having heard his outburst, Ioreth came into the room, looking concerned.
"You should not be up and about for a few hours yet," she scolded, throwing open the shutters and letting in the brilliant morning sunlight, making him wince. "You need to rest."
"I feel fine." He rubbed his head. "Some food and I'll be as right as rain."
"You and your brother," the woman shook her head. "There's really no need for such heroics. You lost too much blood yesterday for me to let you go gallivanting off with him just yet."
"Wait, gallivanting of to where?" Durian tried to fight off her ministrations to his leg. "I'm fine."
"You'll let me look at this leg, or you'll hear nothing out of me." She snapped angrily, swatting his hand aside. Durian sighed and let her look under the bandage.
"It's draining well. Good, no sign of infection." She rewarded him with a smile. "You'll survive."
"I know!" he threw up his hands. "Now, do tell me what's going on! Please."
"Lord Aragorn is bringing a host to the Black Gates this afternoon. He means to draw Sauron out for once and for all." Ioreth's sunny smile disappeared. "We fear that it is a suicide mission."
Durian sat up again, ignoring the protest of his skull. "Then I must go with him."
"You're in no shape to do anything of the sort." The woman tried to force him back down. "You'll only make yourself worse, and I'm not stitching that leg up a second time."
Angrily, the Ranger pushed her aside, struggling to put his feet on the cold stone floor. "This is not your decision my lady. There are forces here beyond even your great knowledge. Now, where is my armor?"
Ioreth was livid, but a glare from her charge froze her tongue in mid-word. "In the armoire my lord. I must say that I object-"
"Yes, yes, I know." Durian grunted, pushing himself up and grabbing unto the bed post for support. "I don't suppose you'd be so kind as to bring it here so I could dress?"
The healer shot him a look laced with venom. "If you can walk there without falling, I will allow you to go."
He sneered. "You could not stop me lady, even if I have to crawl to Mordor on my knees."
Ioreth crossed her arms and glared right back. "That just may be the case, Master Durian."
Grumbling under his breath, he concentrated on putting one wobbly foot in front of the other. Gradually, he let go of the post and swayed slightly on unsteady legs. Taking baby steps, he eventually made it to the armoire, where he turned and grinned at her in victory. "You see? I could do it."
"So you can." Glowering, she crossed and helped him lay out the pieces on the bed. "I still do not like this." Helping him arm, she sighed heavily. "I would have you drink a tonic before you leave, m'lord."
A memory from the night before crossed his mind, and he made a face.
"It will give you strength."
"Then I suppose I cannot object." He swept a small stage bow before reeling back dizzily. "It would be most welcome."
She nodded and headed for the door.
"Ioreth." He said suddenly.
"Yes my lord?"
"What of the Lady Elentàri?"
She paused too long before answering, and his heart sank to his knees. "There were complications, sir."
"Complications?"
The older woman refused to look him in the eye. "Gandalf would be better suited to answer that question than I."
"Is she dead?"
"No one rightly knows sir. Gandalf was up with her all night, but none of us are allowed to go into her room."
Durian passed a hand over his eyes. "I thank you for your help."
"I'll be getting you that tonic before you go down," she smiled wanly and closed the door gently behind her. As soon as he was sure she was gone, Durian fell onto the bed, shaking from the effort of just walking. In his heart, he knew something terrible had befallen Ari, but what could be worse then death for an Elvin princess? He barely noticed when Ioreth returned and made him drink a horrid tonic that scalded the roof of his mouth and made him gag. Thanking her again, he slowly made his way to the Hall, where he was sure his brother would be making his plans. Leaning on the cool stone walls for support, the trip took him nearly an hour.
"Durian?" Aragorn looked up from a map, startled to see his white-faced brother stumble awkwardly into the room. "Legolas, Gimli, catch him before he falls!"
The Elf and Dwarf sprinted to his side just in time, catching him as he collapsed. Guiding him to a chair next to his brother, they stood aside while Aragorn fixed him with a stern glare.
"You should not be about."
"I heard....you were going to the Black Gates." Durian shook his head. "I must go."
"Not in this shape," Aragorn shook his head. "I can't spare you, brother of mine."
"I will come," Durian stared him in the eyes, "By your will or not."
Aragorn sighed. "Gandalf?"
The Wizard turned from his inspection of an engraving on the chalk-white wall. "It should be his choice."
"You are always a help." The future king shook his head wearily. "You should agree that he is in no shape to travel."
Gandalf walked over to where Durian sat, raising a hand over his matted curls and muttering a few words. Slowly, warmth spread throughout his body, and he felt stronger and more clearheaded than ever.
"He will be fine now." Gandalf smiled.
"Wait, Mithrandir. What happened to Elentàri?" Durian grabbed his sleeve as he turned away. "I must know."
Legolas turned away, walking out to the courtyard where the great White tree stood in its dripping sadness. Gandalf's blue eyes followed him, then focused on Durian's worried face.
"She has fallen into shadow," he said slowly, all laughter gone from his eyes. "I fought hard for what is left of her immortal half."
"Immortal half?" Durian looked confused. "Why only half?"
"Elentàri was half mortal." Aragorn said gently. "Though she would not have had us know that."
"So she-" Durian shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't follow."
"When you found her on the battle field, she had been stabbed by a Morgul blade. Had she been a normal mortal, she would have been turned into a wraith. Her immortality allowed her to stay in the Shadowlands, fighting to retain her normal self. But by the time I entered to save her, the Wraith had already turned her mortal half and was working on destroying her immortality. I managed to pull her out before that happened....but I fear that she is beyond any knowledge that I have now."
"So, Ari is half Nazgûl?" Durian asked slowly.
Gandalf nodded sadly. "I have not seen the like in all my many years."
"So what does this mean?"
"We don't know, brother. She may die before we ever get a chance to find out." Aragorn rummaged absently with the maps on his desk. "But I fear we really can't worry about that now. Every day, Frodo and Sam move closer to Mt. Doom with the Ring. We must focus on giving them a clear shot at destroying it, or all that we have achieved here will be lost."
And with that, the topic of the Elvin princess was ended, and talk turned to the assault on the Black Gates. Durian listened with only half and ear, gazing instead at the blonde prince who stood at the pinnacle of the City, arms crossed behind his back, gazing at the fires that had taken the life of his sister.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey, I'd like to know if I'm way off with any of this, so reviews are good!!
Hope you enjoy it thus far!