A/N:- My apologies for the long update. I've finally gotten over my bug and
writer's block and rearing to get back into the writing game. Thanks to my
faithful reviewers Mousie, Leah, Flipperjlw and Rosa Cotton and all the
wonderful others. Sorry to make you guys wait so long. Hope you enjoy this
chappie and don't forget to review. Just wanted to say this one is a bit
bloodier so look out for the violent language. Enjoy the read.
They stood there, in the middle of the chamber, weapons clenched tightly in their hands, unable to move or utter a single word. Nothing in their lives could prepare them for the sight which befell their eyes. Whether it was a morbid sense of fear or simple amazement, standing in this sacred place, neither Èowyn nor Aragorn could fathom what would occur after.
Unlike the other parts of the subterranean monster they had traversed for such a long period, the chamber was surprisingly lifting. There was no trace of the putrid scent which had overwhelmed their senses earlier. The resonance of flowing water echoed sweetly in the still air, filling the cavern with its unsoiled aroma and they made their way towards the flowing stream, wearied of their struggles, caring for nothing more than the clean feel of the cold water upon their inflamed faces.
Èowyn looked upon Aragorn for approval as he tentatively scooped the clear water to his lips and sighed with relief as he nodded gently at her. Her parched throat screamed in agony as she hungrily fed it. Aragorn stood above her watching furtively their surroundings, Narsil clenched painfully in his skilled hands. He found it strange the only sound in the chamber was the flowing of the stream.
"Èowyn," he said quietly as he stood guard. "Something is above us." He observed as every hair upon his body prickled in the cool air, sending chills through his essence. Yet he stood his ground waiting anxiously, for their unseen opponent.
She rose quickly and drew Helm from his scabbard. The ringing of steel echoed loudly in the quiet atmosphere. Their swords burned with a deadly blue flame surrounding the metal and illuminating their faces, contrasts of apprehension and bravado splayed against the cooling azure fire.
"Can you hear that Aragorn?" she asked in a hushed voice. "A voice whispers like the wind through the reeds." She replied quietly as he nodded wordlessly beside her. "It comes from that direction." She said pointing with a shaky finger to the northern side of the cavern. "Can it be the swords we seek?" she asked questioningly.
"I know not." He replied hoarsely. "There can be only one means of discovery." He stated calmly and led the way, the Elfstone glowing as intently in his strong hands as always. "Be prepared to fight if the need arises." He stated quietly.
"You need not ask that of me. I do desire to know what our opponent may be." she replied as they walked quickly towards the voice, their footsteps echoing loudly upon the cobbled base in the grandiose grotto.
"Welcome strangers......" the voice stated sounding stronger than before. "You have come far..... to seek the fabled swords of Isander." It asked in an ethereal tone, yet despite its haunting resonance, the humans were met with feelings of fear and anxiety as they stood in the middle of the earthen floor unable to defend themselves against an unseen force.
"We have." Aragorn replied stoically refusing to bend to the fear which began to spin its web into his mind. "Show yourself." He commanded.
"Nay I shall not." the voice continued. "State your names and then I shall reveal myself." It ordered and they both pondered at the dilemma faced.
"I am Aragorn son of Arathorn and my companion is Èowyn daughter of Eomund and Theodwyn." He replied as silence rained upon them.
"You are of the Edain?" the voice questioned. "No need to answer, I see that you are, children of Hyarmendacil and Eorl you bear strongly the marks of those great mortals in a time past." It continued much to the amazement of the couple.
"I am called La Diablese." The voice replied as an apparition of beauty rose before their eyes.
Before them stood a woman of flawless beauty and for a fleeting moment Aragorn thought she was one of the ethereal elves, a combination of Arwen, and Èowyn in physicality. She was dazzling to look at with a cascade of curled raven tresses trailing to her lithe waist. Her face and body was reminiscent of the Lady Galadriel and his Shieldmaiden, soft alluring looks coupled with the quiet inner strength he felt around Èowyn. He was startled beyond words staring at the luminous creature before her. His worlds came crashing into one startling reality as he choked back the words caught in his throat and he was trapped.
"Who are you?" he asked quizzically to the form as she approached her in dazzling gown wrought of golden silk and lace, a beautiful pendant carved as a strange shell lay upon her pale skin, a blood red jewel shining in its centre, competing with the cool green of the Elfstone flashing in the cavern.
"I am the one you seek." She replied enchantingly. "The choices you cannot make. You may have chosen the sun maiden as your lover but part of your heart will always be bonded with the Evenstar." She purred into the King's ear. "Why seek the swords? Stay with me and you shall never have to choose your lover again." She whispered entreatingly.
"You are mistaken my Lady. Though I know not how you have attained this knowledge. My heart belongs to the fair Lady beside me and though the Evenstar has shared a special bond with me, it is now a matter of the past." He replied evenly as the woman beside him smiled tentatively.
"Surely you must be mistaken my Lord Aragorn. For there can only be one." She replied and touched his chiselled face with her long fingers, entreating him to stare into her turquoise eyes. In that moment Aragorn felt as though his mind was taken away from him replaced by silken webs hiding the truth. He was lost in the depth of her eyes and Narsil fell with a loud echo in the silent hall as the King of Men was brought into the snare of the enchantress.
For Èowyn, looking upon this fair creature she saw the only woman she had ever known in her existence. To her, it was none other than her mother Theodwyn looking expectantly at her. She was the exact image of her deceased love and she could do no more than gape in astonishment.
"Mother?" she whispered hoarsely as the creature seemingly floated towards her dressed in a dark blue gown she remembered only to vividly as a child, her golden tresses flowing in a golden hue behind her. She knew it could not be possible in all of Middle Earth but all possibilities were placed aside as the woman caressed her cheek comfortingly, and the hidden ache of Eowyn's loss was apparent in that simple touch. No there could be no other explanation. This was her mother her mind screamed, as the women enveloped into a firm embrace. Èowyn's mind was cast into a web of uncertainty as she held the form in her arms, Helm falling with a loud clatter to the cobbled ground.
"Why do you seek the swords daughter?" she purred as she stroked the mortal's locks soothingly, coaxing her to speak. "They are of no use. There is no reason for this needless quest." She whispered to the younger woman.
"They are of great importance to us mother and especially to Èomer.I could not bear to dishonour him and our people." The shieldmaiden replied in a childlike manner, pouting at her mother's gentle rebuke.
"I see." Theodwyn replied softly stepping away from her, watching carefully the Steelsheen and her movements, smiling contentedly at the vacant look in the mortal's eyes. "Your Eomer will understand if you fail. Have no fear he shall still choose you as his queen." She said in her last barb.
"Queen?" Èowyn replied quizzically as her mind snapped free of the bonds holding it, releasing the Shieldmaiden from the enchantment. With one fluid motion, Èowyn's knife was released, sinking its sharp edge into the pale flesh of the creature before her searing tissue and crimson liquid in the air.
With a howl of a wounded animal, the creature turned her rage upon the mortals who had been free of her spell. Gone was the fair being that stood before them moments ago, to be replaced by a pale apparition, dressed in a white billowy gown, turning rapidly into red from Èowyn's severe slice. What was once beautiful was replaced by the gaunt skin of an old woman with hideous red flashing eyes, glaring at their every move.
"Fools." She hissed painfully. "Thou may not hinder what cannot be destroyed. My master cannot be killed by these swords you seek." She continued. "Slay me if thou shalt but none of the Edain has ever succeeded in locating the swords for they seek those who they deem worthy to call master." She laughed loudly sending shivers up their spines. "Now you shall die." She screamed and began chanting her incantations.
The jewel around her neck glowed brightly and the warriors readied themselves for her potent magic attack, fear constricting their throats for they had no defence against the witch's magic and knew their time was over. A blast of energy illuminated from the enchantress and headed directly at them, immobilising them to the ground. A heinous cackle escaped from the creature as she gazed upon the mortals' imminent demise.
It seemed as though time had stopped for them as they both witnessed the red light travelling towards them with a hot fury. Then without warning their swords and the Elfstone began to smoulder with a rage of light neither had ever witnessed shielding both warriors in a shimmering azure fire and reflecting the deadly magic at its mistress.
"No!" her voice shrieked as she fell, skin torn from bone in a bloody visage. Aragorn's dagger flew into the air piercing the heart of the witch as she lay upon the cold ground twitching in agony from her own wounds. The smell of burnt hair and skin acrid in the air, stifling the former unsoiled atmosphere. The mortals made their way towards her tentatively, swords drawn ready to strike if need be.
She lay there twitching on the ground in a pool of scarlet fluid, looking haplessly at the figures before her. "Who are you? None have ever defeated me before." She croaked helplessly.
"This is Èowyn, vanquisher of the Witch King of Angmar." Aragorn replied coldly to the form.
"And before you is Elessar, King of Gondor and Isildur's heir." Èowyn replied frostily as the witch sighed in resignation.
"My time is up." She said, "I should have known from your jewel." She replied and breathed her last. Her body began to shrivel before their eyes and soon she was no more than part of the dust that bathed the floor. So ended the reign of the La Diablese, a creature who had embraced the dark path and haunted the mortals of the previous ages into never-ending agony.
A bright light shot through the cavern as they stood there, illuminating every inch of the cave and before them in a beam of light, two golden scabbards one carved in the design of a galloping horse and the other the tree of Gondor emblazed upon it descended before them alighting mere inches off the ground.
They reached out and held the weapons hesitantly, unsheathing them from their housing. A collective gasp emanated from both as they held the golden hilts decorated with precious jewels, revelling how light the weapons were and how well they fitted into their hands as if made for them. The metal was of nothing they had ever seen before. Made of a golden matter, shining in the light a stark contrast to the blue blazed mithril swords they held so preciously.
"They are remarkable." Èowyn gushed as she examined her sword, running her fingers on the smooth metal, its light melded with her own golden tresses, creating a golden halo of light in the cave.
"I agree." Aragorn replied as he tested the weapon delighting in the feel of the sword as it sliced the air, the sound of ringing steel filling the cavern. "Shall we leave this accursed place? I am certain the others are worried. The elfstone points to the light. Come I wish to feel the sweet air upon my face once more." He said as they walked towards the white fire which transported the couple to the entrance of the cavern.
They stood there, in the middle of the chamber, weapons clenched tightly in their hands, unable to move or utter a single word. Nothing in their lives could prepare them for the sight which befell their eyes. Whether it was a morbid sense of fear or simple amazement, standing in this sacred place, neither Èowyn nor Aragorn could fathom what would occur after.
Unlike the other parts of the subterranean monster they had traversed for such a long period, the chamber was surprisingly lifting. There was no trace of the putrid scent which had overwhelmed their senses earlier. The resonance of flowing water echoed sweetly in the still air, filling the cavern with its unsoiled aroma and they made their way towards the flowing stream, wearied of their struggles, caring for nothing more than the clean feel of the cold water upon their inflamed faces.
Èowyn looked upon Aragorn for approval as he tentatively scooped the clear water to his lips and sighed with relief as he nodded gently at her. Her parched throat screamed in agony as she hungrily fed it. Aragorn stood above her watching furtively their surroundings, Narsil clenched painfully in his skilled hands. He found it strange the only sound in the chamber was the flowing of the stream.
"Èowyn," he said quietly as he stood guard. "Something is above us." He observed as every hair upon his body prickled in the cool air, sending chills through his essence. Yet he stood his ground waiting anxiously, for their unseen opponent.
She rose quickly and drew Helm from his scabbard. The ringing of steel echoed loudly in the quiet atmosphere. Their swords burned with a deadly blue flame surrounding the metal and illuminating their faces, contrasts of apprehension and bravado splayed against the cooling azure fire.
"Can you hear that Aragorn?" she asked in a hushed voice. "A voice whispers like the wind through the reeds." She replied quietly as he nodded wordlessly beside her. "It comes from that direction." She said pointing with a shaky finger to the northern side of the cavern. "Can it be the swords we seek?" she asked questioningly.
"I know not." He replied hoarsely. "There can be only one means of discovery." He stated calmly and led the way, the Elfstone glowing as intently in his strong hands as always. "Be prepared to fight if the need arises." He stated quietly.
"You need not ask that of me. I do desire to know what our opponent may be." she replied as they walked quickly towards the voice, their footsteps echoing loudly upon the cobbled base in the grandiose grotto.
"Welcome strangers......" the voice stated sounding stronger than before. "You have come far..... to seek the fabled swords of Isander." It asked in an ethereal tone, yet despite its haunting resonance, the humans were met with feelings of fear and anxiety as they stood in the middle of the earthen floor unable to defend themselves against an unseen force.
"We have." Aragorn replied stoically refusing to bend to the fear which began to spin its web into his mind. "Show yourself." He commanded.
"Nay I shall not." the voice continued. "State your names and then I shall reveal myself." It ordered and they both pondered at the dilemma faced.
"I am Aragorn son of Arathorn and my companion is Èowyn daughter of Eomund and Theodwyn." He replied as silence rained upon them.
"You are of the Edain?" the voice questioned. "No need to answer, I see that you are, children of Hyarmendacil and Eorl you bear strongly the marks of those great mortals in a time past." It continued much to the amazement of the couple.
"I am called La Diablese." The voice replied as an apparition of beauty rose before their eyes.
Before them stood a woman of flawless beauty and for a fleeting moment Aragorn thought she was one of the ethereal elves, a combination of Arwen, and Èowyn in physicality. She was dazzling to look at with a cascade of curled raven tresses trailing to her lithe waist. Her face and body was reminiscent of the Lady Galadriel and his Shieldmaiden, soft alluring looks coupled with the quiet inner strength he felt around Èowyn. He was startled beyond words staring at the luminous creature before her. His worlds came crashing into one startling reality as he choked back the words caught in his throat and he was trapped.
"Who are you?" he asked quizzically to the form as she approached her in dazzling gown wrought of golden silk and lace, a beautiful pendant carved as a strange shell lay upon her pale skin, a blood red jewel shining in its centre, competing with the cool green of the Elfstone flashing in the cavern.
"I am the one you seek." She replied enchantingly. "The choices you cannot make. You may have chosen the sun maiden as your lover but part of your heart will always be bonded with the Evenstar." She purred into the King's ear. "Why seek the swords? Stay with me and you shall never have to choose your lover again." She whispered entreatingly.
"You are mistaken my Lady. Though I know not how you have attained this knowledge. My heart belongs to the fair Lady beside me and though the Evenstar has shared a special bond with me, it is now a matter of the past." He replied evenly as the woman beside him smiled tentatively.
"Surely you must be mistaken my Lord Aragorn. For there can only be one." She replied and touched his chiselled face with her long fingers, entreating him to stare into her turquoise eyes. In that moment Aragorn felt as though his mind was taken away from him replaced by silken webs hiding the truth. He was lost in the depth of her eyes and Narsil fell with a loud echo in the silent hall as the King of Men was brought into the snare of the enchantress.
For Èowyn, looking upon this fair creature she saw the only woman she had ever known in her existence. To her, it was none other than her mother Theodwyn looking expectantly at her. She was the exact image of her deceased love and she could do no more than gape in astonishment.
"Mother?" she whispered hoarsely as the creature seemingly floated towards her dressed in a dark blue gown she remembered only to vividly as a child, her golden tresses flowing in a golden hue behind her. She knew it could not be possible in all of Middle Earth but all possibilities were placed aside as the woman caressed her cheek comfortingly, and the hidden ache of Eowyn's loss was apparent in that simple touch. No there could be no other explanation. This was her mother her mind screamed, as the women enveloped into a firm embrace. Èowyn's mind was cast into a web of uncertainty as she held the form in her arms, Helm falling with a loud clatter to the cobbled ground.
"Why do you seek the swords daughter?" she purred as she stroked the mortal's locks soothingly, coaxing her to speak. "They are of no use. There is no reason for this needless quest." She whispered to the younger woman.
"They are of great importance to us mother and especially to Èomer.I could not bear to dishonour him and our people." The shieldmaiden replied in a childlike manner, pouting at her mother's gentle rebuke.
"I see." Theodwyn replied softly stepping away from her, watching carefully the Steelsheen and her movements, smiling contentedly at the vacant look in the mortal's eyes. "Your Eomer will understand if you fail. Have no fear he shall still choose you as his queen." She said in her last barb.
"Queen?" Èowyn replied quizzically as her mind snapped free of the bonds holding it, releasing the Shieldmaiden from the enchantment. With one fluid motion, Èowyn's knife was released, sinking its sharp edge into the pale flesh of the creature before her searing tissue and crimson liquid in the air.
With a howl of a wounded animal, the creature turned her rage upon the mortals who had been free of her spell. Gone was the fair being that stood before them moments ago, to be replaced by a pale apparition, dressed in a white billowy gown, turning rapidly into red from Èowyn's severe slice. What was once beautiful was replaced by the gaunt skin of an old woman with hideous red flashing eyes, glaring at their every move.
"Fools." She hissed painfully. "Thou may not hinder what cannot be destroyed. My master cannot be killed by these swords you seek." She continued. "Slay me if thou shalt but none of the Edain has ever succeeded in locating the swords for they seek those who they deem worthy to call master." She laughed loudly sending shivers up their spines. "Now you shall die." She screamed and began chanting her incantations.
The jewel around her neck glowed brightly and the warriors readied themselves for her potent magic attack, fear constricting their throats for they had no defence against the witch's magic and knew their time was over. A blast of energy illuminated from the enchantress and headed directly at them, immobilising them to the ground. A heinous cackle escaped from the creature as she gazed upon the mortals' imminent demise.
It seemed as though time had stopped for them as they both witnessed the red light travelling towards them with a hot fury. Then without warning their swords and the Elfstone began to smoulder with a rage of light neither had ever witnessed shielding both warriors in a shimmering azure fire and reflecting the deadly magic at its mistress.
"No!" her voice shrieked as she fell, skin torn from bone in a bloody visage. Aragorn's dagger flew into the air piercing the heart of the witch as she lay upon the cold ground twitching in agony from her own wounds. The smell of burnt hair and skin acrid in the air, stifling the former unsoiled atmosphere. The mortals made their way towards her tentatively, swords drawn ready to strike if need be.
She lay there twitching on the ground in a pool of scarlet fluid, looking haplessly at the figures before her. "Who are you? None have ever defeated me before." She croaked helplessly.
"This is Èowyn, vanquisher of the Witch King of Angmar." Aragorn replied coldly to the form.
"And before you is Elessar, King of Gondor and Isildur's heir." Èowyn replied frostily as the witch sighed in resignation.
"My time is up." She said, "I should have known from your jewel." She replied and breathed her last. Her body began to shrivel before their eyes and soon she was no more than part of the dust that bathed the floor. So ended the reign of the La Diablese, a creature who had embraced the dark path and haunted the mortals of the previous ages into never-ending agony.
A bright light shot through the cavern as they stood there, illuminating every inch of the cave and before them in a beam of light, two golden scabbards one carved in the design of a galloping horse and the other the tree of Gondor emblazed upon it descended before them alighting mere inches off the ground.
They reached out and held the weapons hesitantly, unsheathing them from their housing. A collective gasp emanated from both as they held the golden hilts decorated with precious jewels, revelling how light the weapons were and how well they fitted into their hands as if made for them. The metal was of nothing they had ever seen before. Made of a golden matter, shining in the light a stark contrast to the blue blazed mithril swords they held so preciously.
"They are remarkable." Èowyn gushed as she examined her sword, running her fingers on the smooth metal, its light melded with her own golden tresses, creating a golden halo of light in the cave.
"I agree." Aragorn replied as he tested the weapon delighting in the feel of the sword as it sliced the air, the sound of ringing steel filling the cavern. "Shall we leave this accursed place? I am certain the others are worried. The elfstone points to the light. Come I wish to feel the sweet air upon my face once more." He said as they walked towards the white fire which transported the couple to the entrance of the cavern.