Chapter 8

Lost Memories

Matthius suddenly stopped and snorted loudly. Just ahead the cave tunnel curved to the right, and another light was shining from somewhere beyond. Shaking his head lightly, he turned toward the light and cried aloud a roar that echoed up and down the halls.

Aragorn and Elladan pulled both horses into a run and chased after the dragon. The tunnel suddenly widened and entered an enormous room. The tunnel opened in the middle of a large hole of a room and the path stopped, leaving walls rising above them and fading below them. Matthius opened his wings and leapt into the open air. Elladan noticed how graceful the dragon flew, effortlessly, as though he weighed nothing at all, soaring into an imaginary sky.

Matthius couldn't have been in the air for more than a few seconds before his entrance was noticed by something not yet seen. A loud cry sounded through the room, and Matthius flew in place in the middle, completely visible. It was impossible to tell where the call had come from, for the room was round and it echoed off the walls. A small white and blackish-blue blur was suddenly flying right for Matthius.

The blur attacked the dragon and suddenly Aragorn and Elladan were watching a full-out fight. Matthius could have easily taken whatever had attacked him down, but seemed to be more toward playing with him.

"El, that's Kathalion," Aragorn suddenly recognized the blur to be the shape of an eagle a large white eagle. And he was playing with a dragon ten times his size!

Matthius was soon done with the game and flew back toward the entrance and the waiting figures in the doorway, urging Kathalion to follow him.

The eagle screeched when he saw the new-comers and turned stern, turning questioning dark blue eyes to the dragon. Matthius only snorted and pushed him forward. The eagle landed gracefully in front of Elladan and looked up at the elf with curious, but un-trusting eyes.

Matthius landed next to him and sat down on his haunches, and turned his eyes to Aragorn. Reaching forward until his head was only an inch from Aragorn's, he spoke for the first time.

"Talk to him." Using the very same way to speak as all the others, only Aragorn heard the words. Matthius' voice was deep and harsh, not at all like any of the other's Aragorn had heard, worn with long years of service and battle. The young man right away knelt in front of the eagle and addressed him carefully.

"Are you Kathalion?" the eagle looked him in the eyes and nodded, but as of yet said nothing.

"I need your help. I have traveled from Rivendell to find the one who can cure a strange poison that has inflicted my friend. I was sent here by Valkenor and Moran-"

"It's that serious? Has that poison returned?" the eagle cut the man off and gave him a wary look, his voice deep but full of life, right inside his head. Elladan jumped, unused to this at all.. "But we rid the world of the poison many, many years ago. But they sent you to me . . . Has it returned?"

"I know nothing other than what Valkenor and Moran told me, other than that you are the only one who can cure this poison. Will you come?"

"I shall," the eagle shook his head. "But I have not been called upon for many years, and I do not know who you are, nor your companion."

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Aragorn's voice was suddenly filled with a pride that was most unlike him, for his true name was often hidden from those outside his family. Yet he spoke with no fear. "And this is Elladan, one of the sons of Lord Elrond."

"Lord Elrond? I know that name. You are familiar to me," Kathalion said to Elladan, who looked astonished at the eagle for speaking to him in such a way right inside his head. "Yes, I remember you, though I doubt you ever knew me, or even if your father did. I never did more than healing."

Matthius suddenly nudged Kathalion's side, and as the eagle turned to look at him, he read the glimmer of urgency in Matthius' eyes. Quiet understanding passed between them, and Kathalion walked closer to the two travelers. "We must go. The inflicted doesn't have much time, does he?"

Aragorn nodded painfully. "Yes."

"Then we must leave, and quickly. But," the eagle locked them both in a serious glare. "that doesn't mean I trust you."

Aragorn looked rather stunned, but recovered. "That's fine. I've not given you a reason to trust me."

Kathalion gave him a brief nod, then leapt onto Matthius' back. "Let's leave this cave."

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Aragorn awoke to choking, thick air. The room around him was on fire! Swiftly he kicked out of the blanket he was wrapped in and stumbled out of the burning house. Outside was in chaos people were running everywhere, and screams rent the air. Aragorn suddenly saw what had frightened them so. Orcs were running through the camp, killing everyone they could find.

Aragorn turned on his feet and ran for the thicket of the trees. His legs were unsteady and he tripped over something. Falling hard on the ground, he let loose a small cry of pain. He had cut his hand on a jagged rock. Looking back at whatever he had tripped over he froze and let out another cry of despair. He had fallen over a dead man's legs.

Frightened now he ran for the trees, but suddenly he was picked up and wrapped into someone's arms. His mouth was quickly covered to avoid him crying out in surprise, and Aragorn looked at whoever he had been picked up by.

"Mother!"

Gilraen shushed him quickly. "Quiet, Aragorn!"

Holding her child tightly in her arms Gilraen ran for a small abandoned tent. All the air around them was filled with the smell of smoke and death. Dying cries filled the wind. Gilraen pushed Aragorn through the tent entrance and crawled in after him. Picking him up and holding him close, Gilraen shielded the small child from the tent entrance and everything seen beyond it.

Orcs were roaming freely through the remainder of the camp, searching for any hidden survivors, burning the remaining tents. Gilraen fearfully looked out at the blood-infested camp and knew she could not hide herself and her son for much longer. They were going to be discovered.

Picking up a small torn blanket from one corner of the tent, Gilraen wrapped Aragorn in it and placed him in the farthest corner where he couldn't be seen. For a moment she wrapped him in her arms and held him close, in a way only a mother could. Aragorn was confused. What was she doing?

"Aragorn, I will not let them find you. I'm going to run out of the tent and let them follow me, so you can live through this. My son, if I make it I will return, but if not . . ." her voice caught. ". . . never forget how much your parents love you!" she kissed him on the cheek and then set him down in the corner. "Don't move from there until the orcs leave. I shall try to return."

"Mother, don't leave me . . ." Aragorn wiggled out of the blanket slightly and reached for her. "Don't go!"

Gilraen only pushed him back again. "I will not leave you alone. Don't make a sound Aragorn! Don't let them find you!" With that, she turned and ran out of the tent entrance. Aragorn immediately heard the loud cries of the orcs, and peeked out through the entrance.

Gilraen was running for the woods, and some of the orcs ran after her. They caught up to her and she fell to the ground. The orcs lifted their scimitars high and swung down . . . Aragorn hid behind the tent flap, tears streaming down his face. Successful squeals of pleasure blackened the already dark world Aragorn had entered into. Another dying cry echoed through the camp.

"Mother . . ." he whispered, and then again curled up under the torn blanket. Gilraen was right, for the orcs never found him. She had died to save her only son.

Still sobbing, he fell into a fitful sleep, whispering softly to himself. "No, no, no, no, no . . . no . . ."

"NO!"

"Aragorn!"

They hadn't been walking for more than ten minutes before Aragorn began to get the memories again. Already the previous experience was horrifyingly hard on his already burdened spirit, but this was to much. Aragorn stopped walking and buried his face into Arien's neck, treacherous tears forming in his tight-shut eyes.

Elladan had jumped at the sudden outburst. Looking back fearfully he saw Aragorn lean heavily against Arien, again whispering to himself. Elladan barely caught the muttered words. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no . . ."

The elf let go of Hísië's reins and swiftly ran up to the man, stopping the small group.

Aragorn clenched his teeth and gripped Arien's mane tightly. Elladan again said his name. "Aragorn? What's wrong?"

Aragorn blinked but did not start walking again. "It won't go away . . ."

"What? Aragorn, what do you see?"

"Wait. . ." Kathalion flew of Matthius' back and over to Aragorn's side. "Are you reliving old memories?"

Aragorn lifted his head and looked at the eagle, his hair obscuring much of his face, but Kathalion still could see his weary, tear-filled eyes. "Yes. Yes, I-I keep seeing . . ."

"Seeing what?" Kathalion's voice was soothing and gentle. Soft tears slipped down unnoticed from the man's eyes.

Aragorn paused, unsure if the eagle would understand. But he still spoke, more for Elladan's sake than Kathalion's. "My parents."

Elladan sucked in his breath sharply, understanding the depth of meaning in those words. Kathalion did not miss the reaction and right away knew what it meant.

"This cave is filled with the song of the Valar. It's why the air moves, and never stops, and why this cave is so hard to find. But often, when one visits they discover that they are reliving moments of their past, and for some, they can receive memories that would never have otherwise been recovered. Like you, Aragorn. You saw your parents, ones I assume you don't remember."

"Yes. I don't remember them. They were both killed when I was very young. I was raised in Rivendell." Aragorn's grip on Arien's mane tightened even more, and Elladan's hand was suddenly on his shoulder. Kathalion nodded, understanding. Though it was hard for him to trust anyone, he was not heartless, nor unmoved by another's pain.

"Aragorn, please kneel to the ground." The man slowly slipped to the floor, looking at the eagle mournfully. Kathalion sighed. "Just try and relax. I can help you."

Aragorn's eyes shut and his head bowed. Kathalion leaned his head forward and drew close to the man until he was inches from him, and did not move. Matthius stood stone still and watched quietly, having seen this before, but Elladan was confused, and he too knelt on the floor next to Aragorn, watching his every move.

Kathalion shut his eyes and concentrated hard. It had been long since he had done this, for few were ever affected by the power of the cave. Elladan and Matthius watched him freeze and shut his eyes.

Aragorn was shuddering slightly until he got the sudden feeling of being doused with cold water. He gasped at the suddenness of it, but it quickly faded away, and he could feel the air begin to swirl about him comfortingly. The visions and memories that had been attacking him unceasingly stopped. The vision of his mother vanished.

Kathalion took a short breath and looked up at the man. Aragorn opened his eyes and stared at him. "It's gone."

Kathalion nodded slightly. "They won't haunt you again in the cave. I gave you the protection you'll need to keep them away." He rustled his feathers and opened his wings, flying back the Matthius. He settled again on the dragon's back and looked behind him, watching Elladan help Aragorn rise to his feet. "Are you going to be alright?"

Elladan did not loosen his grip on the young man until he again stood by Arien's side. Looking him in the eyes Elladan only gave him a look of peace. Aragorn nodded, grabbing Arien's reins again and taking a step forward, responding to Kathalion, and thanking Elladan. "Yes. Thank you."

There was no answer as Matthius again resumed the lead, Kathalion silent on his back.

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Several silent hours passed as they walked through the cave. Though Aragorn feared about his memories, they never returned. Elladan stayed very close to Aragorn, but did not ask any questions. Aragorn gave him the assurance that, though as devastatingly painful as they were, he was not going to dwell on something he could not control.

They had the cure.

They were unhurt.

What more could he ask for, other than a safe recovery for Legolas when they returned?

As they reached the entrance, the sun was pouring out through the hole, welcoming them back out into the world. But they soon found that the light was not the only thing for them to say hello to.

Right when they were close enough, Hísië whickered loudly and balked as Elladan pulled her forward. That could only mean one thing.

The orcs were still there.

Matthius began whiffing harshly out of his nostrils, uneasy and angry. Kathalion turned around and called out at Elladan and Aragorn.

"It's not going to be easy to get out. There are orcs out there."

"Yeah. We know." Aragorn pulled Arien forward, smiling grimly, shaking his head. Matthius shook his head and gave Kathalion a stern glance.

"I can hold them off long enough for you to escape."

"I know you can," Kathalion's voice suddenly was filled with a sly joy. "You've been waiting for this, haven't you?"

Matthius only smiled slightly. He'd been waiting decades to fight something. Eagerly he bounded forward. The others followed.

Cautiously they left the cave and into the ground surrounded by the rock wall. No one was there, but they could hear the extremely agitated yells of the orcs tearing apart the little island trying to find them. They knew what they hunted was there . . .

"They still haven't stopped looking for us," Aragorn whispered to Elladan. "Those orcs are more stubborn than most."

Elladan only shook his head, then turned to Kathalion. "How do you want to do this?"

The eagle clucked slightly at the walls around them. "Matthius will have to leave first through that hole, and we follow. He can keep any orcs who even want to fight busy and we can escape from right under them."

"Wait . . ." Elladan turned to Aragorn with a look of irritation. "We don't have any of our equipment! We're going to have to get it all back."

Aragorn groaned. "That cuts it really quick, El."

"We can do it."

Kathalion turned to them. "Don't worry about me. I'll keep my eye on you and follow you through the trees so I won't be seen."

Elladan only nodded, and walked to the hole, Aragorn right behind. Matthius turned his head to the eagle on his back and said only, "Farewell, my friend."

Kathalion only smiled and touched the dragon's nose with his beak. "I'll be back before you know it. Farewell to you, my friend."

Matthius nodded, and then turned around. He was ready to bolt through the hole, energy flowing through him. Kathalion left his back and flew to the top of the rock wall.

"Matthius! The orcs are headed for the wall. Get ready!"

Matthius was automatically tense and ready, nostrils flaring slightly. He couldn't wait to begin.

Elladan and Aragorn were right behind him, ready to lead their horses out, vault on their backs, and ride bareback to the place that Elladan had hidden the rest of what they possessed.

Right then it was like all time had just stopped. Matthius was glaring out through the hole, his every thought on the orcs whose voices were growing steadily louder. Both riders behind them stood ready with their weapons if they needed them. Kathalion stood motionless on the top of the rock wall, watching the orcs carefully, waiting for the moment to fly away and leave them behind.

Then suddenly Matthius roared so loudly it shook every tree to its base and ran out through the hole.

The orcs were close enough. It had begun.

Aragorn followed the dragon out of the rocks and mounted Arien. For a split second he waited for Elladan to catch up, then turned Arien around and bolted, not looking back. He had no need to worry about any of his companions.

When he reached the side of the island he pulled Arien to a quick halt and dismounted; seconds later Elladan joined him. When Elladan headed for a particular tree, Aragorn did finally look back. What he saw made him smile.

Matthius was having the time of his life. He ran after the orcs and scattered their groups, fought with his legs, neck, and tail, snapped at them, and blew his flames. Using his fire carefully, he only set the orcs ablaze, but never the trees. The orcs tried to attack him back, but soon the few that tried were following the ones that had begun the retreat. Matthius joyfully followed them, bellowing out his anger with his joyous roars.

Elladan walked to a tree and knelt at its base, moving aside layers of leaves, brush and moss, smiling to himself. "Still here." He mumbled, as the cover began to disappear and a large hole was revealed, cleverly hiding all what they had brought. He pulled everything out, and they both expertly reloaded their horses.

There was no sign of Kathalion. The eagle had told them not to worry, so with a quiet answer of thanks to Matthius, they entered the water.

Once they reached the opposite bank, they turned around and waited.

Kathalion didn't appear.

"Do you think he was caught?" Aragorn scanned the trees carefully, but he could find no white-black-blue blur of an eagle anywhere.

"Wait," Elladan leaned forward in the saddle, then gasped slightly. He pulled the bow off his back. Aragorn too saw what Elladan's far-seeing sight had granted him.

Kathalion burst out of the trees, followed by two orcs. Swinging their scimitars they kept the eagle close to the ground, but could not get him under their control. Kathalion fought back with his beak and talons, and both orcs were bleeding. But he was not gifted in the art of warfare, and both riders knew he would not keep them away for much longer. Elladan didn't wait. He set an arrow in his bow, aimed, and loosed it. One orc fell down dead.

Again Elladan loaded his bow, but Aragorn stopped him. Kathalion's frantic flapping had put himself in front of the orc, unknowingly protecting him this time. There was no way Elladan could get a clean shot, and he didn't want to endanger Kathalion.

Aragorn sat battling with himself for a split second, then gave Arien a swift kick in the sides. The stallion bolted forward, back into the water toward the fight. As they reached them, Aragorn drew his sword.

The orc saw him too late. Instead of trying to fight, the orc stopped moving, allowing Kathalion to get away, and stood there with a horrified look on his face. The sight in front of him was terrible. Arien was sending sprays of water to either side, headed right for him at a gallop. Head bobbing with the rhythm of his feet and whiffs of mist coming from his nose, he looked more like a deadly dragon than an angry stallion.

Aragorn was no longer a man on his back. His sword was held high and his face rigid, his hair flying up and down with the movements of the horse under him. Eyes blazing with an untamed wrath and jaw set tightly Aragorn brought Arien right next to the orc and his sword swung upward he was alive, more alive than he had been in the past several days. He was no longer a young inexperienced ranger, he was unable or incapable of pain by the sword invincible like a war-hardened elven-lord. The orc at least had the state of mind to cry out as the blade flashed, but it did him no good. He was dead before he hit the ground, whether of the wound he now gained in his chest, or the shock that had engulfed his entire being, none be sure.

Aragorn turned Arien around and they again entered the water. At one point, he looked back. "For Legolas," he whispered to the orc, then faced forward and never looked back again. At that moment he looked every bit the king he could be filled with the honor and valor of his ancestors of old.

He reached the edge of the bank and stopped next to Elladan. Elladan had watched the man bolt to Kathalion's rescue, and though he had not seen Aragorn's face, he had seen the orc's. Sheer terror. That's what he had seen. He contented himself to say nothing, but only gave Aragorn a slight look of approval before turning Hísië around.

Kathalion flew up to them, and flying in place, he gave them a look of awe. "It has been long since I have seen the skill of elves and men, but it seems that it has not failed yet. Thank you, my friends." Unlike Elladan he had seen Aragorn take his turn, seen the way Aragorn had moved. He could still see the look of majesty in the young man's eyes.

"My friends?" Aragorn echoed the words, then extended his arm, so Kathalion could land. The thick leather of his jacket protected his arm against the thick sharp talons wonderfully, and he gently stroked the feathers on the eagle's chest. "Does this mean that you trust us now?"

Kathalion nodded slowly and heavily. "You have proven your quality. I am now in your debt. Thank you."

Elladan grinned. "Your trust will not be misplaced. We will not betray you."

"Of that I have no fear."

Aragorn nudged Arien to a walk, and placed Kathalion in front of him in the saddle. "Let's get out of here."

Kathalion looked back at the island that had been his home fondly. They could all still hear Matthius bellowing his pleasure at the fight and the chance to leave the cave. Then he turned, and said only, "Let us leave. And tell me of the inflicted one."