See I'm a very bad elf owner, I couldn't possibly take the credit for Tolkien; he at least gave us complete stories. I'm so sorry I've taken this long to update…feel free to take me out and flog me! I deserve it, because I know how much it sucks to be reading a story and want an update or two and not get them for awhile. So without anymore wasting my time…here is the next chapter…
Memories and Her Protector
As the fellowship stopped for a short rest, Gandalf walked over to the fidgeting elf. "I know that being underground is hard for many elves, but seeing how you live in a palace under a mountain yourself, may I ask why you are so restless?"
"I felt the distance lessening, as we came down the mountain it grew rapidly. It lessened slightly as we came closer, although now, I cannot tell what is happening. There is dread in my heart. I am unsure whether it is because we are in this mine, or if something is happening to her."
Gandlaf watched as he miserably moved away. He could see the mature warrior take over again, as the elf masked his face and stood watch. "Aragorn, I know you were listening," he turned and threw a slightly amused glance at the ranger. "Once we are out of the mine, his feelings may take hold of him. I feel that this place is in fact blocking out some of their connection. We will head for Lorien once we leave this place. With any hope, the Lady will be able to help him."
Aragorn nodded and said, "And to think, he thought the worst part of this journey would be telling Arianna that he was leaving."
"All things happen for a reason, it is our responsibility to find the meaning. I believe that the Valar are testing them, for what? That, I do not know. We should continue, don't you agree?"
"Very much so, I think we should get through this place as soon as possible, for all our sakes."
"Much to my dismay you will not be leaving for another few weeks."
Upon hearing this, Arianna suddenly looked up and asked, "Why will I not be leaving?"
"Sauron has decided to send a much more…trustworthy guard for you," Saruman said with a sneer. "You will continue with your duties until that time. You will also clean my library next week. The books are covered in dust. I assume it will take you until your departure to finish that duty. Now leave my sight and get back to work."
After leaving the room, Arianna muttered quietly to herself. "At least I have a couple weeks to escape." With more determination than she had felt the past few days, she vigorously began to scrub the floor while scoping out the same guards. She hid a smirk and thought, 'This might be easier than I thought if I wait for the opportune moment. I refuse to be a slave much longer!'
As she moved on to the library floor, she looked around and saw something glinting in the light from one of the few small windows. Stepping closer, she saw the handle of an ancient dagger lying on a table and slightly covered by a few random pieces of parchment. Upon a closer inspection, she read the elvish inscription along the hilt, 'Gift to the Queen of the Eldar'. 'What is an elvish dagger doing here?' she asked herself. Glancing around, she checked for anyone watching and quickly grabbed the blade and moved to the closet bookcase. Pulling a few books forward a few inches, she hurriedly stashed the out-of-place blade behind them and moved the books back as far as possible. As she heard footsteps approaching, she ran across the room and dove for the once abandoned rag and began to scrub the floor.
"What do you think you are doing?" a guard questioned. "This door is not to be shut while you are in this room." Knowing not to answer, Arianna scrubbed the floor harder.
With her duties done for the day, she began to walk to the entrance to the dungeons. She started to formulate the execution of her plan. She now had a weapon that could be used. She suddenly stopped and thought back to the blade. 'Where did it come from and how did it get here?' With new questions running through her mind, she entered her cell and heard the lock click before the guard ambled back down the hall.
"My lord?" Saruman asked.
"He will arrive in two weeks. I want her…questioned by you before this time. Do not injure her too badly. There are far better ways to torture an elf in Minas Morgul."
"Yes, my lord. It will be done."
Laughtercould be heard throughout the forest. A young girl was weaving through the trees as she ran. "Haldir!" she cried gleefully and hugged the surprised elf.
"Arianna? I thought you weren't supposed to return for another week."
"Elladan and Elrohir said we could make it back faster if we didn't travel so slowly."
"Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked the elfling.
She enthusiastically nodded her head and rapidly answered, "I met another elfling! We played tricked on Elladan and Elrohir! He's from Mirkwood! He's a better warrior than you!" she nodded as though confirming the admission.
"And what makes you so sure that a little elfling is a better warrior than myself?" he asked while ignoring the looks from his brothers.
"He told me so! He's the greatest warrior in Middle Earth! He's a prince too! What does a prince do?"
"So the elfling is Thranduil's son?" Rumil asked with a grin. "I think I have heard of him."
"There she is!" They heard a voice call out and watched as the twins walked towards them with frowns on their faces. "Come on Arianna, we have to take you to Lady Galadriel before you can run off."
"But they were wanting to know about Leggy!" she protested.
"Leggy?" the three elves questioned.
"Legolas is too long! And he calls me Ari, so I had to shorten his name too!"
"You don't let us call you Ari, why does he get to do so?" Rumil asked with a hurt tone.
"You're not an elfling," she replied and gave him a look that said that was the obvious reason.
"Well that obviously explains it."
Arianna nodded with a smile and started walking towards the elven city. "Aunt Galadriel wants to talk to me. Bye!" she waved and dashed off through the trees.
"It sounds like she enjoyed herself," Haldir stated. The twins groaned and went on to explain about the troublesome elflings. "So someone has decided to pay you back for all your…tricks?" Haldir teased and received a glare from them.
She jerked from the memory with a start. A sense of foreboding drifted over her. She felt fear grip her heart and whispered one word before the feeling caused her to faint. "Legolas…"
As they fled the small room and were surrounded by the orcs and goblins, Legolas sensed an evil presence far more powerful than himself. He knew this to be true as the vast see of creatures that surrounded them began to flee. Fear tore threw him and for the first time since entering the mines, he sensed her presence. He felt her worry for him and felt the fear seep threw their link. He knew at that moment that she had willingly taken his fear so that he could continue on with his task. 'She doesn't even know why I am afraid,' he thought dejectedly.
The fellowship watched as Gandalf fell from the bridge. Despair gripped their hearts in its iron fist. They had finally made it out of the mines, only to feel loss. The one they looked to for guidance was gone. Now they had to continue on, knowing that the rest of them might not make it as well.
"Haldir we've spotted a strange group entering the forest."
"Get in positions, they go no further," Haldir ordered. Once they were surrounding the intruders, they strung their bows as they came out of hiding.
As Haldir greeted Aragorn, he felt someone watching him. He looked at the rest of the fellowship and recognized him immediately. If not by Arianna's perfect descriptions, but by seeing a very accurate sketch she had made. "Legolas Thranduilion," he greeted. 'So I finally meet the captor of her heart,' he thought and hoped to fulfill his promise to her parents. 'I promised to protect her and make sure her future husband was perfect for her. Now I will see if this 'great warrior' is truly deserving of her.'
So what do you think? Bad? Good? Scrap the whole thing? (Just kiddin bout the last one) Any constructive criticism? Anything? Reviews are liked! And I plan to have the next chapter out before Wednesday. Thanks to my previous reviewers and I'm sorry for those that I kept waiting! I'll update soon:D