Title: The Voice of Deceit (Chapter 2/?)
Author: The Converted
Rating: R
Genre: Suspense/Tragedy
Summary: Arwen receives visions that she believes foretell Aragorn's death. But as she begins to unravel the mystery, things aren't what they seem. Who is sending these visions, but more importantly, can they be trusted?
Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien… nor do I claim to be.
A/N: There's going to be a bit of a lull before all the details are laid out before you, but that's why it's labeled as suspense. No worries though, all will be explained in good time.
I'd also like you to keep in mind that most updates will generally take place on Sundays. Things just got a little away from me this week with school only days away. And since I'm done with excuses, I'll shut up.
The Voice of Deceit
Chapter Two: Silent Warnings
The Lord of Imladris frowned at the empty seat generally occupied by his daughter as he bade the assembled company to be seated.
Breakfast was generally a reserved affair, but Glorfindel was nary seen without a smile on his face and a few early morning anecdotes to prod everyone out of their reverie. Today however, Elrond couldn't help but notice the pensive look on his face, and the frown creasing his brow in concentration. It was apparent that something had occurred since Elrond had last bid his advisor goodnight, and he couldn't help but wonder if this sudden change in demeanor had anything to do with his daughter's absence.
There was no evident change in Erestor, nor the others, several of which Elrond couldn't even recall the names of. The current influx of guests in Imladris had made it hard to keep up with the who's, what's, and where's that he usually knew off the top of his head, a talent which he had always been quite proud of.
The seats usually held by his sons were being used by two emissaries from Mirkwood, the former having went out on missions of their own, missions which Elrond had begun to become less and less privy to.
Several members of the kitchen staff hovered around the edges of the room, waiting to refill chalices, remove finished plates of food, and generally provide everyone with a sense of comfort in knowing that they would be well taken care of while in Imladris.
Elrond smiled to himself, knowing that beside Glorfindel and Arwen's strange behaviour, everything was as it should be.
A rustle of skirts from behind his chair drew his attention, and he stood with the others as Arwen walked toward her seat. Elrond held her hand as she sat down, squeezing it gently to elicit at least a show of warmth. Nothing.
She lowered her eyes, pretending to be absorbed in the intricacies of the tablecloth as a plate of food was set before her. Glorfindel placed a comforting hand on her thigh and a silent understanding passed between them; one that did not go unnoticed by Elrond.
Erestor cleared his throat loudly, unaccustomed to being the first to start a conversation. "I hear that several of the Dúnedain shall be here before the day's end," he said as Arwen looked up at him plaintively. "But surely you've known that for quite some time Undómiel."
"Yes Arwen," Elrond continued, "I'm sure you are looking forward to seeing Aragorn again." He expected her to take on a sanguine complexion, but she only appeared to grow paler under his gaze.
Arwen remained silent, pushing the food around on her plate with the long prongs of her fork. "If he is coming back at all," she mumbled to herself.
Looking at her with veiled eyes, Glorfindel sighed and turned his attentions toward Erestor. "Perhaps they can assist in border patrol, if only for a short time." Arwen smiled weakly at him, knowing that he had suggested this more for her benefit than his own.
"It's funny you should mention strengthening borders this morning old friend."
Glorfindel shot him a curious look. "Why would you say that?"
"Well I was waiting until later to inform you and Lord Elrond, but- "
"But what? Don't keep us in suspense." Glorfindel fidgeted in his seat, the only hint of nervousness at the tone of voice in which Erestor was imparting this seemingly crucial piece of news.
Erestor paused, eyeing the former Gondolin Chief curiously. It was not everyday that his friend wore his emotions so close to the surface.
"When the guards were changing this morn, they… they came across something." Everyone instinctively leaned forward in their seats, food long since forgotten in front of them. Aware of the eyes staring at him in rapt attention, Erestor continued, "One of the new recruits found the remnants of a fire last night, well within our borders."
Arwen tensed at his words, momentarily forgetting that she did not yet know of Aragorn's fate. "Do you know anything else?" she managed to ask.
"We were able to determine that there were two different sets of footprints, but both appear to lead away from here. In any case, we've searched the area and have come up with nothing." Arwen appeared visibly shaken by his words. "No need to fret pen neth, you are quite safe here." Erestor smiled reassuringly at her, looking toward Glorfindel for affirmation.
"Yes, perfectly safe. And when Aragorn and his men come later tonight, you shall have even less to worry about," he said, making sure to stress the word "when" for her convenience. "Now come everyone, let's have a less dreary topic of conversation, shall we?"
He was about to enliven everyone's spirits with a story from his days in Gondolin, when a flurry of movement caught his attention.
A black crow was perched in the rafters of the dining room, preening it's inky black feathers. The Elves craned their necks upwards, wondering at how the creature had arrived at its current location without being seen.
It stopped its ministrations and looked down at them, the entire room reflected back at them within its opal eyes.
"A witch's familiar perhaps," one of Thranduil's men mused, more to himself than the others.
Arwen's hands flew to her mouth as the image of a crow pecking out Aragorn's eyes came unbidden to her mind. "Or a portend of death," she gasped, quickly excusing herself.
They stared after Arwen's retreating form, too lost in the strangeness of her behaviour to notice that the crow had made an exit of its own.
Panting for breath, Arwen stumbled forward, her hands breaking the fall. She pushed herself off the ground, trying to still the incessant beating of her heart.
Her flight was an instinctive response, and at the time she had just run heedlessly from the room, with no idea where she intended on going, or for what purpose. But now, as she kneeled in the grass, she wasn't entirely sure if this was true.
Arwen looked around her, memorizing the place she couldn't help but wonder if she had been led to.
She stood shakily, reaching out toward a tree for support. As her fingers came in contact with the bark, a bright light flooded her senses and she gripped the tree harder, suppressing a shudder deep within her body.
The man became older in a matter of seconds as he held the same tree firmly between his rapidly withering hands. He screamed in pain, comforted by the attractive youth who braced his fall.
Jerking back, the vision lost, Arwen sank to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. "What's happening to me?" she cried, rocking slowly back and forth in a pathetic attempt to imitate the rocking of a mother's arms.
The sound of cawing filled the clearing as Arwen forced her sobs to subside. Calmness settled over her once again and she stood, wiping tears from her eyes with the heel of her palm.
"Whoever, or whatever is sending these visions is looking for weakness, and I am anything but weak," Arwen told herself between gritted teeth.
Taking a few steps forward, she tried to ignore the crow racing her back home.
Cerridwen-Evereven: Well I would hope so. Thanks for all the reviews, you must have the A/A section completely covered. Yet I can't help but wonder, do you ever flame people?
Coolio02: I'll try my best, I don't like to disappoint. Your encouragement is appreciated, thank you.
Mata: Trust me, it gets more interesting as everything starts to be revealed. Thanks for the review! XD
The Last Evenstar: You see Jenny, that's where you'd be wrong. In fact, since I last told you and Kayleigh about the overall premise, I've tweaked some things to fill in some pretty gaping holes. I've added another little bit that no one knows about but me, and as I said, altered the course of events a bit. Nothing too major though, same "happy" ending.
ME132: Wow, that was impressive. I almost couldn't breath trying to read that sentence in my head. And if I end up suffering any long term brain damage, well let's just say I know who's going to be paying my hospital bills. Awww, such a nice review, that deserves… A GROUP HUG! ::hug::
Valia-Elf: This time you're supposed to be puzzled, so no worries that you don't understand everything 100. That's really the point of this story; note the genre of SUSPENSE. And… Amazing? Please, you'll give me a swell head.
Viviana: Sorry, not first this time, but second is the best, right? Thanks for the encouragement, exclamation points go a long way in my own little world. I suppose you could call it a fetish.