A/N1: Thoughts will be in italics.
A/N2: Warning for minor bad language.
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Unity to be real must stand the severest strain without breaking.
(!) Mahatma Gandhi (!)
Chapter 30
Brothers and Sisters
The moon had reached its highest point in the sky and the five elves knew that time was fast approaching when they would have to leave. Anayah shook her head at the craziness of what they were all about to do and knew that if she hadn't been taking all four of her Guards with her, she wouldn't have even thought of doing something like what they were going to do. The five of them were going to walk into a huge metropolis whose businesses were open 24 hours a day and were going to find three guarded buildings and enter them - just to unlock a door.
"I must be daft!" She thought to herself as she shook her head.
For a mission such as this one where stealth would be a critical factor if they hoped to be successful, the five were taking extra precautions with their uniforms and weapons. The hilts of the long knives would be wrapped in black leather and the long hair of each elf, even though in warrior braids, would also be wrapped in black leather and while the Guards would have hoods, Anayah would wear a black bandana. This precaution would keep their hair from blowing into their eyes and over their faces, which could prove to be a distraction at the most inopportune moment.
Their swords and long knives would be carried in latched scabbards on their backs so they would have more freedom of movement and wouldn't cause a distraction or bring attention to them by bouncing around when their wearers moved. In addition, Anayah would wear what she affectionately called her "knuckles," a leather device that looked almost like a glove without fingers and that had black metal studs, pointed at each end, where her knuckles would be. If it came down to it and they did have to engage the enemy, Anayah would be assured of a little bit more power in her blows. She had no illusions about herself - she was small - that was a fact. She was also not afraid to use anything she could to equalize what she lacked in size with the power she needed.
Finally, there were no more preparations to make - it was time to leave and while the Guards went to get their horses, Anayah went to take her leave of her brothers. When she entered Aragorn's tent, Elladan, Elrohir, Halgar and Lothur rose to their feet and stepped away from the injured man's palette to give the two a little privacy. Anayah knelt beside him and took his hand in hers then smiled when he opened his eyes and looked at her. He smiled back.
"You're leaving?"
"Yes, big brother. It is finally time to do this thing. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?"
She felt his forehead and checked his bandages. He gently took her hand and held it.
"I'm going to be fine. I already feel well enough to get up and dance."
Anayah laughed quietly.
"How about if you wait until at least tomorrow to do that?"
He nodded his head groggily.
"Ok. Maybe tomorrow. Now go so you can get this done and come back."
Anayah kissed his forehead then got to her feet.
"Anayah?"
She turned back.
"Yes?"
"Be safe - please."
Touching her forehead, she inclined her head then after slightly bowing to the others; she turned and left the tent.
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Anayah and three of her guards stood in the shadows of the produce field waiting for Súrion to return. They would take care of the armories attached to the Palace first, as technically they would be the most dangerous and difficult owing to the fact that they were so close to the Palace and had Guards stationed there 24 hours each day. Súrion had gone to take a look at the buildings and see if there was anything out of the ordinary about anything before they even attempted their run. When the four waiting elves saw the Silvan Guard running back to where they stood, they all became alert then gathered around him and waited for his report.
"I saw nothing out of the ordinary. At this moment, the western armory only has one guard and the second guard is visiting with the guards at the second building. Having three guards at the second armory might be somewhat of a hindrance."
He looked at Anayah, waiting for her response.
"We'll do this just like we planned with the only difference being that after the first building is done we'll create a distraction. Ok. If nobody has anything else to say or add then let's get this done."
The five of them touched gloves then turned to face their objectives. Anayah gave a silent countdown from three to one with her fingers, then they began their run. Semoro and Súrion led, followed by Anayah with Rahan and Saeros following her. Their booted feet made no sound as they ran up the street and passed the stable on the way to the armory.
When Semoro and Súrion reached the western wall of the first armory they both turned then laced their fingers together and held them just above their knees. Without slowing down, Anayah stepped into Súrion's hands and he lifted her up to where she could easily grab the edge of the roof and pull herself the rest of the way. The method they were using to get to the roof of the building allowed the elf on the ground to use the climber's momentum to propel them upwards. It was a simple method that even allowed Semoro to effortlessly lift his 450 pound brother with very little fuss or bother.
Still without breaking the momentum, when Rahan and Saeros reached the roof, they turned and reached for the elves still on the ground and with only a short run and a leap, Semoro and Súrion grabbed onto the elves hands and allowed themselves to be pulled upwards.
By the time the final two elves were on the roof, Anayah was already at the edge, looking over the side and trying to see where she would have to enter the building. Feeling a tap on her shoulder, she turned to face her Captain. Using a hand signal, she told him where the human was standing. Rahan turned and pointed to Súrion who crawled to the far side of the roof and while holding on to the edge, slowly somersaulted over the side. Once he had lowered himself to the ground, he uncorked the bottle of the sedative inhalant and after pouring a small amount on a folded piece of cloth, walked up to the human from behind and placed the cloth over his nose and mouth. Within seconds, he went limp and Súrion took his unconscious body and sat it on a nearby overturned barrel.
Knowing the man would only be unconscious for a couple of minutes, the Silvan Guard gave a quiet hiss, the signal that the way was clear for Anayah to come down and unlock the door. Quickly grabbing on to the edge of the roof, she also slowly somersaulted over the edge where Súrion deftly caught her and lowered her to the ground. While he stepped into the shadows, and Rahan, Semoro and Saeros kept close watch from their positions on the roof, Anayah made a run for the back room of the armory. Picking up a nearby rock and after wrapping an old piece of leather around the lock, she struck it twice, after which it fell to the ground. The door was unlocked - objective one had been met.
Anayah gave a quiet hiss of her own and after Súrion had turned and moved quickly to the back of the armory, both he and Anayah exited then closed the door behind them. Saeros, Semoro and Rahan soon joined the two.
"What about the distraction?" The Captain quietly asked her.
"Watch this. Be ready to move when I return."
Running around the outskirts of the building, Anayah peeked around the corner and when she saw the unconscious human sitting on the barrel where Súrion had left him, she also saw that he was beginning to stir. Breaking suddenly from the shadow, she moved up to the human and kicked the barrel out from underneath him then ran back into the shadows. Hearing the noise then hearing the man cry out as he hit the ground, his partner as well as the guards from the second armory went rushing to his aid. Twenty minutes later, when the guards from the eastern armory returned to their posts, the five elves were already running along the back side of the Palace and back through the produce field to where they had left the horses. Two armories down and one to go.
The third and final armory was probably the easiest to enter for the single guard was sitting on the ground with his back against the wall, fast asleep and snoring. Anayah frowned at such lax behavior and Súrion covered his mouth as his eyes crinkled with mirth. Within a few short moments, the back door was unlocked and the five elves made their final run back to the horses.
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It was a great relief to all five elves when they finally got back to the camp. The sun was threatening to peak over the tops of the trees and already Lothur and Halgar were sitting together near the fire. The two quietly greeted the returning elves and after they had dismounted, had poured cups of tea for all of them. After thanking both humans for the courtesy and after quickly drinking hers, Anayah headed off in the direction of her tent. She stopped before she entered and turned back to her Captain.
"Rahan, don't let me sleep too long because tonight I am going after Legolas. In fact, wake me about noon, please."
After she had disappeared inside the tent, Rahan turned back to the others.
"I don't know where she gets half of her energy - it wears me out just trying to follow her around."
"You get worn out because you're so old, Rahan. Now all of you keep it down. Your making enough noise to be heard back at Imladris."
Those around the fire just chuckled quietly although Rahan shot his brother a fair imitation of the "look of doom," after which the elf did his best to quit laughing - with little success.
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It was only a couple of hours past sunrise when Aragorn, supported on either side by the twins exited his tent and made his way to the tent they had all designated as "the war room." Although both Elladan and Elrohir had tried their best to keep the young man in bed, he had refused to stay put, and so the twins opted to stay by his side, for they felt that they were more than capable of catching him before he hit the ground. When they entered the tent, Elladan got a barrel for his brother to sit on and even though he didn't say anything, the look of appreciation on his face was there for all to see.
"Ok. Let's start going over this and see what we have to work with."
Lothur and Halgar soon joined the three brothers and soon the five were discussing terrain, troop strengths and options. Within an hour, it was decided that their slave contacts had to be informed that the armories were now open and everything could proceed as planned.
"Elrohir, go get Anayah and tell her I have a job for her."
As the youngest twin left the tent, Halgar was going to tell Aragorn that she had only been asleep for two hours but thought better of saying anything at all. It would be up to both Strider and his sister to work this part of their relationship out by themselves. Within a couple of minutes, a sleepy-eyed Anayah followed Elrohir into the tent.
"Anayah, I want you to ride to Hoth and tell our contacts that the armories are open and things should proceed as planned and the slaves can start removing the weapons. Then after you do that, check the field east of Hoth and try to get a feel for size and terrain. That's where everything will happen and so I want some first-hand scouting done."
Without a word in response and with just a slight nod of her head, she turned and walked out the door. Although Aragorn had not noticed Anayah's quiet mood, the twins had but they, as Halgar had done earlier, decided to let the two work things out by themselves.
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It was almost lunch time before Anayah returned to camp and by that time the Guards were with everybody else in the war room looking at maps that Greyfell had included in the supplies and discussing possible ways of engaging the much larger force of the Hoth military. Aragorn looked up as she entered the tent.
"You got word to our contacts?"
"Yes I did."
"Did you scout the eastern field?"
Anayah was starting to frown, something Aragorn apparently didn't see although everyone else did.
"Yes, I scouted the field as well."
Aragorn turned back to the table with the maps. Anayah went to stand between Rahan and Súrion who moved aside so she could see the table better. She hadn't been there but for a few moments when Aragorn again raised his head and looked at her.
"Anayah, would you mind taking lunch duty today? We're going to be busy with battle planning for most of the day and don't really want to break for anything formal so maybe you could fix us something we can eat while we're standing here."
Anayah was beginning to get fired up and that combined with the fact she had only had two hours of sleep in three days started to loosen the control she would have normally had in deep stress situations like the one she was now in.
"What about me, Aragorn? Aren't I a part of this team? Don't you think if I am going to fight beside you that maybe I should be included in the planning part?"
Aragorn sighed deeply.
"Anayah, please. This is not the time for this. You can speak to me later if you still feel the need but for now please go and fix us lunch."
He then turned his back on Anayah and once more addressed those around the table.
"The first thing we are going to have to find out is where they are keeping the chariots. The Guards said they saw no evidence of them when they were out last night."
Anayah's eyes were flashing as she felt her face flush with the embarrassment of being treated in such a manner in front of everyone. Her Captain saw the change in her body language and closed his eyes for a second for he knew what was coming - and it wasn't going to be pretty. He and his elves exchanged glances and prepared themselves.
The conversation was again interrupted as Anayah shoved her way between the twins.
"What is wrong with this picture boys and girls?"
She started walking around the table giving a gentle nudge to each being standing there.
"Elladan - male. Elrohir - male. Halgar - male. My four elves - male."
As she reached where Lothur was standing, the man locked eyes with her and held up a hand. He soon found out just how meaningless such a gesture was to an angry she-elf.
"Don't be looking at me like you're all big and bad, Mr. Studly, or I will smack you too - even if I have to climb up on a chair to do it."
As Anayah turned away from the table, the human tried to keep the smile off his face. In turn, Anayah was quickly back.
"Here's your damn bread!"
She slammed the bread down on top of the map.
"Here's your damn cheese!"
Anayah slammed a big chunk of cheese down on top of the table.
"And you can all make your own damn tea."
She got close to Aragorn.
"I heard you talking about wanting to know where the Hoth military might be keeping the chariots."
She suddenly grabbed Aragorn's dagger, took it from its sheath and slammed it into the map where it continued to quiver from the force at which it had been driven into the table.
"There's your damn chariots. I … a little old female … found them all by myself this morning while I was out running your errands. If you would have bothered to include me in your war meeting, or had asked me directly, I could have told you and we would not now be having this conversation and in the manner in which it is now being conducted."
She turned to leave the tent but had a thought and turned back.
"And for your information, Mr. Man, if you ever treated Arwen the way you just treated me, I know for a fact that she would have kicked your ass!"
She then turned around, stomped out of the tent, and proceeded to walk toward where the horses were picketed, intent on getting comfort from her four-legged friend.
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Inside the tent, the silence was finally broken by Lothur.
"I think I like her, Strider."
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Of course, it was Rahan who went after Anayah - the very large elf who stood the best chance of surviving such an encounter. He found her standing with her forehead pressed against her stallion's shoulder while he nickered to her comfortingly. The Captain did his best to choose his words carefully.
"He's not feeling well, Anayah. He's feverish and is, at this moment, arguing with the twins who want him to lay down and rest. Estel is just worried about finding a way to do this thing without too many humans losing their lives."
"And?" She said without turning. "I guess that makes his conduct all right then."
Rahan shifted his weight uneasily.
"He says that you can come in and join us."
Anayah finally raised her head and turned her tired eyes on her Captain.
"Those are his words?"
"Yes."
She sighed and once more leaned her forehead against the stallion's shoulder.
"If those are indeed his words then you can go back in there and tell Mr. High and Mighty that if he doesn't have the stones to come out here and tell me himself that he can kiss my …"
"Anayah!" Rahan held up a hand placatingly. "You don't have to say it - I get the picture and promise that I will relay your message."
Shaking his head, the Captain turned and walked back into the tent.
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Anayah spent a few more minutes with Elias and was just about to go to her tent and rest when she heard uneven footsteps approaching her. She smiled.
"Discern the enemy's capability and, knowing your own strong points …"
"… cross the ford at the advantageous place which means to attack the enemy's weak point."
She looked at her brother without smiling.
"I have studied military strategy as well Estel."
The young man limped closer.
"You do know what you're doing."
Though she looked at him, Anayah remained silent. Finally, he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Anayah - ok? I was being rude and chauvinistic and for that there is no punishment too severe to inflict upon me for my thoughtless actions. I do have one favor to ask of you though."
Even though Anayah didn't respond, he continued.
"Just don't tell Arwen how I treated you. She would kick my ass on your behalf."
Anayah couldn't help herself and burst out laughing. Aragorn walked up to her and after wrapping his arms around her touched foreheads.
"I think Lothur is right."
"How so big brother?"
"He says that sisters are around to teach their brothers how to behave."
"Just don't adopt my potty mouth, Estel. Ada would wash both of our mouths out with soap."
Aragorn took Anayah's arm and began walking back to the tent.
"Now come on inside for we have a battle to plan. By the way … Súrion's making lunch."
Anayah rolled her eyes.
"Ilúvatar save us all!"
TBC
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kukumalu: I just love answering questions so anytime you get lost or want to know something or need something clarified … just ask! 8-)
(How was Halgar a Númenórean.) In Chapter 3, "Conversations," Halgar was telling Legolas about the second of Isildur's token bearers that had ended up wounded and in his village where he eventually died of his wounds. Well, the man didn't die right away but lived for a bit - if you catch my meaning.
In genetics, certain familial traits can show up generations later. Here's an example. My father had a pedigreed German Shepherd dog with papers that traced his line back about 15 or so generations. Pure bred and Grand Champion ancestors! Otis, as my dad named him had long hair, short ears and even some of the mannerisms of a wolf. The vet said that Otis was a wolf "throwback," meaning that somewhere waaaaaay back, generations before, there was a wolf ancestor. That doesn't mean Otis was a wolf just because he looked like one, just like having a Númenórean ancestor doesn't make Halgar a Númenórean. Even though he can not be considered a Númenórien, Halgar does have the enhanced healing abilities and a love for lore that were so natural to a lot of the Númenórean people. He can also use athelas to its full benefits although he cannot use it to "chase away the black breath," which is something few can do. When Anayah said that the blood of Númenor "ran true," she meant that, number one - he carries the blood, and number two - it is that blood that makes him sensitive to the mental touch of an elf and gives him his enhanced healing abilities. The Númenóreans weren't a superhuman race of people. They had the advantage of being taught by the elves and the Valar and so were considered very wise in a lot of different ways. If I didn't explain it well enough please feel free to ask about it again.
Oh…. Was I the one that started the Mr. Potato Head thing? Oops. 00
Oh, yes … lots of sleep. Isn't it just wonderful? Makes me all perky and happy! (snicker)
Aglarion was just a human that was sent to guide the elves to the tunnel entrance.
(The pesky curse.) I am going to cut and paste the part from Chapter 13 which explains about the curse. I just got the "willies." I just realized I talked about something "unlucky" in Chapter 13. spooky
(About the curse.) It is often said that when a craftsman created something of great beauty that they often imbued that object with a part of themselves - their soul, their purpose and their desires. The same thing could be said of someone who gifted another with such a treasure. And so it had been rumored of the Elendilmir, later known as the Star of Elendil, that Silmarien, daughter of Tar-Elendil, fourth King of Númenor, gave to Elendil the Tall, father of Isildur.
Though it was but a rumor, the proof of which fell out of time and memory when Númenor sank beneath the sea, it was still said that the Elendilmir carried with it the most dire of omens - that only he who had the right, and no other, should place the jewel upon his brow as a sign of his station. Those who should ignore the warning and pridefully place the jewel upon their heads, or sunder it from its righteous purpose, would suffer the most dreadful fates - death being foremost among them.
It was said that the Lady was a merciless and vindictive siren, who would call to their doom, any that dared take her from where she wanted to be or ought to be. Unworthy hands had taken her and now she sought the blood of he who had wrested her from her ageless rest, and on this night, her thirst for revenge would be slaked. End of passage.
(I apologize if you already have explained/introduced them before!) Please don't apologize - ask! Like I said before, I love answering questions. Most of my stories are long and involved and sometimes even I have to go back to clarify a point.
Ostara may be an old cow, but she is a very dangerous old cow. If she did that to the vase, I feel sorry for Greyfell when she finally finds him.
I am also extremely pathetic at guessing although I will remind you that sometimes guessing is half the fun of these types of stories.
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CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: I am absolutely thrilled that you are still enjoying this story. Well, one of the good guys has been rescued and hopefully Legolas will soon be freed as well. Thank you very much for the time you are taking to read and review - it means a lot to me.
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nanahalfelven: When you said ego-boo, I keep reading it as egg-boo. Did I mention that I need new glasses as well as a life? LOL! Hmmm another twist? Perhaps … You will just have to read on and see. You've uncovered most of them although I guarantee that there is one coming up near the end of the story that will "shock and amaze" you and is one you would never have guessed in a million years. Thanks for the review.
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Karone Evertree: (one of my favorite paragraphs) I'm glad you found that paragraph entertaining - it kind of made me giggle as well. Anayah's Guards are just like any other elf in that they do have a sense of humor but when it comes time to take care of business, they are more than capable of that as well.
(Greyfell's in some deep doodoo) I would say so although you will have to keep reading the story to find out what happened to put him in this position.
(i'm glad Aragorn is safe) But will he remain that way? Hmmmmm.