Disclaimer:
I do not own Lord of the Rings or any of the places, characters, items, etc associated with it. I am not making any money from this piece of fiction and am merely borrowing these places and characters to place in a new situation for you and my amassment.
However, the Rocs, the City of Cirus, Aquila, Pandion, Audax and any other characters, weapons, places, etc associated with the Rocs are my own creation and I lay full claim to them.
Six
Unwelcome VisitorsLegolas was enjoying the feel of the wind rushing through his long blond hair and the sensation of flight. It had been too many years since he had last had the opportunity to fly.
"Elrond. How do you propose we get into the city? I can't imagine Aragorn has trained his guards to let giant birds land, uncontested in the courtyards of Minas Tirith."
"Yes, that was one of the first problems I encountered while planning this. I think it is best if we arrive by cover of night. Time works well for us, for if we arrive on the fourth day there will be a new moon."
"No light for them to see us by."
"Precisely. It will seem all the more suspicious but I fear it is the only way to get Aquila inside the walls before allowing us to explain she is of no threat."
"Yes, any other approach would have her captured or slain before we even go close to the city's walls. You said the fourth day though? Did you not plan for this to be a three day journey?"
This also had not been mentioned to Aquila so she tilted her large head inquisitively to one side so as to hear better over the roar of the wind flowing past them.
"Indeed I did plan for a three day journey but the more I thought about it the more I realized we needed the absence of the moon and also for Aquila to be rested. When she said she could make it there in three days she meant non-stop and with little energy to spare at the end. Am I right?" He questioned.
She nodded slowly, so as not to pitch off the riders, in agreement.
"So the plan is to fly as close to Minas Tirith as you can possibly get us without being seen in the three days. Spend the fourth resting, in hiding, and then entering the city on the night of the fourth day."
Legolas nodded at the plan then set his eyes on the ground below them as it flowed by.
The two Elves were content to sit in silence and enjoy the rare occasion in the air. It was the Hobbits who chattered relentlessly, possibly to disperse any feelings of unrest.
"I wonder how long you'd fall for before hitting the ground?" Merry thought aloud while leaning over slightly to get a better look at said ground.
"Careful!" Sam yelled out in concern. "I'd really rather not think about falling."
"Don't worry Sam" Frodo reassured "Go on, take a look. It's really not that frightening."
Holding his breath Sam lent a little to the side to look down. He gasped and quickly righted himself clinging to Aquila's feathers, being sure not to grip too tightly. All the colour drained from his face. Pippin laughed but was silenced by a warning glance from Frodo.
"It's ok Sam. Maybe flying's not your thing."
"Flying is no one but the birds thing." Sam protested.
Aquila emitted a loud screech; Elrond and Legolas smirked to themselves.
"So sorry Miss Aquila. Flying is no one but the birds and the Rocs business."
The first day and night passed swiftly and with little upset. They were blessed with good flying weather and the air current Aquila had been gliding in lasted well beyond the Gladden Fields.
It dropped off into the morning of the second day and she was forced to search for another one. The winds picked up and made the going a bit tougher. Passengers had to all hold on and Sam clung on as tight as he dared without hurting Aquila. Though the winds did not die down she did manage to find a relatively swift flowing air current to follow.
And so the second day passed. That night was cold and though Aquila felt little cold due to her thick feathers and the two Elves did not feel the cold at all she could feel the Hobbits shivering every so often. So she dropped down to fly lower were the air was slightly warmer, but not much.
The third morning brought sun and Elrond was awake before any of the others. Speaking, as best as her limited calls would allow, with Aquila about where she thought it best to land. They were still too far for either Elf's nor Aquila's large eagle eyes to see Minas Tirith and they would probably not glimpse it till late afternoon or evening of the next day. Legolas was awake soon after and joined in, suggesting a small forest located just outside of the cities sights. All agreed this would be a perfect place before the Elves settled back to enjoy the last day and night of flight.
It was not long into the fourth day when Elrond finally received the question from the hobbits he had been expecting from them for the whole flight.
"Elrond. Why do we have to sneak into Minas Tirith in the middle of the night? It seems a little dishonest when Aragorn is our friend." Pippin finally questioned.
Before Elrond even had a chance to open his mouth Frodo spoke in a very quite voice that seemed to carry sadness in it.
"He would order his guards to kill Aquila before she even got to the gates Pip."
"Not Strider." Pippin sounded almost fearful. He desperately wanted for Frodo to be wrong so he turned to Elrond, eyes pleading for this horrible statement to be wrong."
"I'm afraid so Peregrin Took." Elrond said sadly "I know it is difficult to think of Elessar doing something such as this to someone we call friend but I fear that would be the out come."
"Why? Why would Aragorn want her dead? Surely he'd see she wasn't a threat?" Merry tried.
"The race of Men don't trust the Rocs." Frodo added. "They haven't since the unrest that caused the Rocs departure and they haven't let that anger and suspicion subside. That's right isn't Elrond?"
"Yes. No Man would allow a Roc so near to their realm as we need to go. It will take a grand amount of convincing to get even Aragorn to accept Aquila as friend and not foe, and he has been raised by Elves."
The Hobbits fell silent and Elrond left them to ponder over their own thoughts.
The afternoon wore on and it was Legolas who first broke the silence that had been looming for several hours.
"There!" He cried, pointing at a small band of trees. "That's the closest forest to Minas Tirith that is out of sight, any closer and they will see Aquila's form in the sky."
Elrond nodded with approval at the small forest. He then raised his eyes to the horizon and could just make out the grand city of Minas Tirith.
"Will you be able to fly from here to the city before dawn breaks?"
Aquila nodded in response but wished dearly she could express her indignity at having been asked such a question after carrying them so far in only three days. She could make it to the city before nightfall of that day if they had chose to.
"Then we shale shelter and rest in the woods till nightfall."
Needing no more convincing Aquila dropped suddenly into a steep dive. The Hobbits clung to her feathers tightly while Elrond held on and lent into the dive, enjoying the wind rushing past his face. Legolas tossed his head back and it took all the self-control he had to stop himself from crying aloud with joy. It had been far too long since he had flown with the Rocs, he had loved it so much as an Elfling.
As the ground rushed up to meet them Aquila pulled up slightly and landed just outside of the grove of trees as the canopy was too thick for her to enter in her Eagle form. She landed as softly as she could manage so as not to toss her riders off. She then lowered her body to the ground to allow them to get off.
Legolas leapt easily to the ground followed by Elrond. They then helped the four Hobbits to the ground. Sam let out a rush of air as his feet touched the ground.
"Oh it feels good to have my feet back on solid ground, I'll tell you that. No offence Miss."
White flash and Aquila stood once again in her Half form.
"None taken Sam. It's a shame you do not enjoy flying though. I wish I could make it more enjoyable for you."
"Oh, thank you kindly but I really don't think any amount of convincing will get me into the air unless it's absolutely necessary."
"That is a shame." Legolas said as he strolled past Sam, heading towards the cover of the trees. "Flying is a most wonderful experience.
The rest of the group followed him into the dense forest as he picked his way though. His feet finding the easiest path for them to walk. He soon found them a small clearing, where soft grass covered the ground. They all ate the rest of the supplies that Elrond had packed. Aquila was given a significantly larger portion of food as she had flown without food for three days while the others had been able to eat while seated upon her back. Three days without food or water was not significantly difficult for a Roc in their Eagle form. They were designed to travel large distances in this form and could go relatively easily without food or water for five days flight. It was fatigue that she felt the worst and after finishing her meal she settled down upon the soft grass, back against a tree, closed her eyes and fell into a much deserved deep sleep.
As night fell the others continued to talk while Aquila remained asleep. On occasion Legolas would steal a glance in her direction, just to reassure himself that he was not dreaming and that she in fact was real. Oh how he had missed her friendship and what saddened him most was he had missed growing up with her. They had always thought they would grow up together, into fine capable warriors. Forever arguing over whom would be the tallest, the swiftest, and the best with a bow or sword.
The sun had set and as promised the new moon provided no light in the sky. The only visible lights were the stars and they gave off not nearly enough light for humans to see by.
Merry turned to ask Aquila a question but before he had a chance to rouse her Elrond stopped him.
"Best let her sleep a little longer. She has had none for three days and she still has to fly us all to Minas Tirith and deal with a city full of those who hate and suspect her."
Merry nodded silently and watched her sleeping form for a few moments before turning back to the group, catching Legolas watching the Princess of the Rocs Merry gave him a questioning look. Legolas, unfazed, merely turned his attentions back to the group. Merry did the same but was beginning to find it hard to keep his eyes open.
Some two hours after nightfall Legolas gently roused Aquila while Elrond did the same for the few Hobbits who had fallen asleep.
"It is time we got going." Legolas said to Aquila.
She nodded as she rose, stretching each limb in turn and rolling her head to loosen up her neck. Legolas then proceeded to lead them out of the forest again. Having no more difficulty in the dark than he had in the light, even though it was Aquila who had the better night vision. The still sleepy Hobbits stumbled on ahead of Elrond who remained at the rear of the group to ensure no one was left behind. They emerged from the blackness of the forest into the darkness of the open night sky. Aquila stretched a few more times before preparing to change. She paused, something suddenly occurring to her.
"I give off an awful lot of light when I change."
Elrond's brow furrowed at this realization.
"Yes, indeed you do. Though I feel at this point it is a risk we will just have to take, hopefully we are enough beyond the eyesight of Men for them to see even the brightest flash of light."
She nodded and swiftly changed. As luck would have it the only inhabitant of Minas Tirith who saw the faint light on the horizon was a twelve-year-old boy, who was understandably ignored when he reported the occurrence to his father. The guards of the city had become laidback in these times of peace and unless an enemy was banging on the gate or arrived with a noticeably large army they would have not paid much attention.
Meanwhile the small party had all climbed onto Aquila's back and she was ready to take off. A few gentle flaps of her wings to stretch them out before one powerful wing beat and a push off from her powerful legs raised her into the air. A few more successive, powerful flaps and she was airborne, carrying her passengers towards the city of Men. She only hoped that Elrond was correct in assuming the dark of night would shield their arrival. Eyes focused on the city in the distance she could see the easiest way to fly in without being detected was to come from over the mountain and land in the upper courtyard.
A quick swerve to the right confirmed to Elrond that Aquila was thinking along the same lines as himself and would not have to communicate with her, risking the loud calls she used to speak with in her Eagle form.
She took them some distance away from Minas Tirith to the right before veering back in the direction in which it lay. They now flew, parallel to the city, with it far to their left. Once far enough behind the city so that her movement wouldn't be detected by any guards who were earning their keep, she turned sharply and headed straight for the city. It lay in front of the mountain that lay before them and flying high above the mountain so as to remain out of sight for as long as possible, Aquila cleared the great peaks. The upper courtyard now lay directly below them.
"Hold on" Elrond whispered to the others as he guessed correctly Aquila's next move.
She folded her great wings to her sides and dropped into a steep nosedive. Those upon her back clung on tightly as the wind roared over them. She ignored the pain, knowing that silence was the only way in and this was their only shot. The ground rushed up to meet her and as soon as she was sure she could hold the dive no longer she opened her wings and pulled her body up. She beat her wings furiously to slow their decent. She knew that one act had not only made a lot of noise but also created a gust of wind on an otherwise still night.
As soon as her feet heavily hit the ground she lowered her body, urging the group from her back with a nod of her head. The Elves and Hobbits leapt down as quickly as possible. By this point the Citadel Guards had managed to compose themselves and sound the alarm for back up, though the Fountain Guard remained forever silent at their posts.
More guards pored up the stairs as the ones already there ran to face the intruders. As soon as the party had left her back Aquila transformed into her Half form in a blaze of white light, blinding the unsuspecting guards and giving Legolas and Elrond a chance to move to the head of the group to explain their unexpected arrival.
As soon as they recovered from the effects of the sudden bright light the guards surrounded the small band of travelers. Every spear, sword or dagger point was directed at the two Elves, four Hobbits and the Roc. In the darkness the guards had trouble identifying who these intruders were and could not for the life of them decipher the strange shape of the woman now standing between the Elves.
It was then that the doors to the Kings Hall burst open and out of it emerged Aragorn, still shrugging on his armor, having just been woken up. Guards carrying torches surrounded him. Each then took up a post in a place that would serve best to illuminate the courtyard. Others ran about lighting torches on walls, soon the entire courtyard was lit.
"Who dares to intrude upon Minas Tirith in such a deceptive manner?!" Aragorn boomed as he approached the surrounded group. "Speak! Do not try my patience as it may………..Lord Elrond?" His brow furrowed in confused recognition.
"Yes. I am frightfully sorry to drop in on you in this way Elessar but I had little choice." Elrond began, hoping to calm Aragorn's mood.
Aragorn cast his eyes across the other members of the group and his confusion deepened.
"Legolas?" the Elvin Prince nodded "Frodo? Sam? Merry and Pippin? What is going on? I'm afraid I don't understand your intrusion. You are my friends and have used the gates freely until now." It was then that his eyes fell upon the figure of the Princess of the Rocs. Standing proudly despite the obvious danger she knew she was in and the fear deep in her heart.
"A Roc!?" Aragorn practically spat the word, as if it's feel upon his tongue was one less than pleasant. "Seize her!" He called to his guards. They wasted no time and rushed to take Aquila captive.
"Aragorn!" Legolas pleaded as five guards attempted to subdue Aquila's struggling form.
"I want her in shackles so that she cannot harm anyone. Do not be fooled by the fact that she is a woman, in this race even they are trained warriors."
"Aragorn!" Elrond yelled, "Do not act so rashly, you do so based only on what knowledge your ancestors have passed down!"
"The Rocs are an enemy to the Free Peoples. I will not risk this one destroying all we have fought so hard to build" Aragorn hissed back before turning his attention to the guards still struggling with Aquila.
A swift knee in the gut from Aragorn brought her to her knees, temporarily winded.
"Shackle her!"
The guards quickly clapped the shackles on her. One round each wrist with a length of chain joining them. The ankle shackles were much the same. Once they were secure she was pulled to her feet by one of the guards who held her arm tightly.
Not liking the tight grip the man had on her arm Aquila stomped, hard, down upon the mans foot. Her middle talon pierced the leather of his shoe and his foot. The man hollered in pain and let go in order to fall to the ground to try and stem the flow of blood now pouring from his injured foot.
"I can stand on my own. Shackles or no shackles" She spat.
Elrond then gripped her arm gently and pulled her to his side.
"This is not helping," He whispered.
"Just for that." Aragorn stated smugly. "You can go to the dungeons."
A group of guards stepped forward to take her away but stopped dead as Legolas had drawn his bow and had an arrow aimed between the eyes of the first guard.
"You will be taking her nowhere." He warned.
Aragorn rushed forward to quell his friend's anger.
"Legolas! She is our enemy she must be put behind bars."
In the blink of an eye Legolas turned his bow on the King of Gondor. The guards gasped and Aragorn stopped dead; well aware of the damage his friend's arrows were capable of. He looked into Legolas' eyes with confusion. All he saw reflected back was a deep rooted furry.
"Your judgments are clouded my friend so I will ignore this disrespect to the Princess of Mirkwood's ally. I do however suggest that you allow Lord Elrond to explain our and her presence." Legolas' voice was cold and it would have frightened Aragorn had he not known the Prince since he was a boy.
"I do not take kindly to being threatened in my own kingdom, Prince of Mirkwood" The use of Legolas' official title was a jab at the Prince and all knew it.
Legolas slowly lowered his bow and returned the arrow to his quiver. Aragorn let out a breath of air and the Hobbits shifted nervously. All the guards waited for their king's orders.
"Why have you brought her here Elrond?" Aragorn's tone suggested he was in no mood for trickery or long-winded excuses.
"I have matters of great importance to discuss with you, King of Gondor, and they involve her to a large degree. However I would prefer if this conversation could be continued in the privacy of your halls."
"Very well" he dismissed the majority of the guards before drawing one aside. "Rouse Mithrandir, tell him Lord Elrond is here with urgent news which he may like to listen in on. We will be in the throne room."
The guard nodded and hurried off.
"Gandalf's here?" Frodo asked excitedly.
"Yes he is my friend. Will you be joining us?" His manner had returned to its usual kind calmness.
"Well we certainly won't be left out here" Pippin protested.
"Good, then you shall join us." He smiled at them before turning back to Elrond. "We can discuss such matters in the throne room, where Mithrandir will join us. I suppose you wish to invite this…creature in as well," he added with distaste.
Legolas strode forward to say something but Elrond raised a hand to stop him.
"Yes. You would do much better to address her in a more kingly manner though. This is petty Aragorn and you know it. Her presence is more important than you know."
"I certainly hope that presence is clearly explained."
"It will be."
"Follow me then."
Aragorn turned and walked towards the grand doors that opened into the throne room. The others followed. The Hobbits hurried after Aragorn, desperate to speak with their old friend.
Just as Elrond was about to ask if Aragorn would do the honor of removing Aquila's shackles the king spun round.
"She will remain shackled until I deem her no threat to my kingdom" He then turned back and continued walking.
Fuming Aquila started forward to give the seemingly arrogant king a piece of her mind but she had forgotten her ankles were shackled and she stumbled forward. Legolas quickly caught her before she hit the ground. She blushed furiously at her own clumsiness, which for some reason was made especially worse because he had witnessed it. Legolas smiled at her and helped her to her feet before reluctantly releasing her from his grip. He knew her peoples pride and that she would want to walk unassisted to the throne room, no matter how long it took her.
As it turned out the length of chain allowed her to take decent sized steps and she followed, keeping pace with Elrond and Legolas. The three were the last to enter the throne room and the others had already gathered about a roaring fire. As there were too many to organize chairs for at such short notice all were standing. The three made their way towards the fire. As the Hobbits watched them Frodo could not help but admire the way Aquila held herself, head high as if she were the guest of honor, even when shackled and humiliated.
It was then that Mithrandir stepped forwards in his white robes. He smiled warmly at Elrond first.
"It is good to see you again. I'm sorry I have not found the time to visit lately."
"You are excused Mithrandir. I don't believe either of us has had much time."
Gandalf nodded. Still smiling he turned his attention to Legolas.
"You look well Legolas. You are still growing into a fine Elf."
"Thank you Mithrandir. You look well too. It is good to see you again."
"How is your father?"
"He is well." Legolas smiled warmly and Gandalf nodded.
His eyes then came to rest upon the chained form of Aquila.
"A Roc?" Gandalf said in genuine surprise. "Well this certainly changes everything." He then looked to Elrond, ignoring the smug look on Aragorn's face. "I take it things are more serious than first thought?"
The smile fell from the Elven Lord's face and he became serious once more.
"They are."
To be continued…