Hidden Secrets
Disclaimer: I only own Aranwen, Beran, Star, and the plot!
Chapter Eighteen: Amon Hen
T.A. 3019
Aranwen followed the Great River and the Fellowship from a distance. She rode while they paddled the river and camped when they camped. Star woke her when the Fellowship packed up if she were still sleeping. Aranwen knew the Orcs were close and following them, but neither group incurred any trouble until the boats were attacked at Sarn Gebir.
It was Gollum's doing. The foul creature had been following the Fellowship. Aranwen had seen her father attempt to capture him twice. If Gollum noticed her, he paid no attention to her.
When the boats were attacked, Aranwen cursed and took out her bow. She fitted an arrow to the string and let it fly into an Orc. She could hear Legolas's Lothlorien bow singing nearby and knew that the Fellowship was far too busy to notice her helping them out.
Aragorn led the group from harm and they continued onward, at one point heading in land. Aranwen followed them, an ever-present shadow. She often wished that Star was not with her, but she would not send her horse away until she needed to.
Aranwen and Aragorn both gazed upon the likeness of Isildur and Anarion at the same time. Aranwen could hear Aragorn saying, "Long have I desired to look upon them…" before she traveled farther away so she could pass the Argonath.
On the tenth day of their journey, the Fellowship and Aranwen reached the feet of Amon Hen. Aranwen remained hidden and ever watchful. She had a bad feeling about that day and had seen a vision of Orcs attacking the camp at Amon Hen. She kept her bow in her hand, ready to reach for an arrow at any moment to defend the Fellowship.
"So far, they are fine," she whispered to Star.
Aranwen watched as Aragorn and Legolas conversed. She strained her Elven ears to hear but a few words.
"…threat has been growing in my mind. Something comes near. I can feel it," said Legolas.
Did Legolas feel the same things that she felt? Did he sense the Orcs nearby, waiting for their chance to attack?
Merry asked, "Where's Frodo?"
Aranwen searched the camp and realized, as the others had, that Frodo was gone and so was Boromir. Aranwen leapt to her feet and slipped away in search of the Hobbit and the Man. She came across them as Boromir was attempting to steal the Ring.
"Give it to me!" the Man demanded.
"No!" cried Frodo, trying to protect the Ring.
"Boromir!" cried Aranwen as she raced to two. Her right hand was upon the hilt of her sword and she would draw it if she needed to.
Frodo seized his chance to slip the Ring on and disappear from sight. Boromir turned to Aranwen.
"You let him escape!" he yelled at her. "He will betray us and take the Ring to Sauron!"
Aranwen drew her sword, and replied, "No he will not. He is much stronger than that. I suggest you calm down, Boromir of Gondor, before you are harmed."
Boromir slipped upon the leaves and came to his senses. Aranwen sheathed her sword and slid down the side of the hill to help the Man.
"Frodo?" he called softly. "Frodo? I'm sorry!"
But Frodo could not hear him. Frodo was far away, hiding with the Ring, and preparing to leave the Fellowship behind. Aranwen helped Boromir to his feet.
"He has already forgiven you," she reassured the Man before turning to leave.
"Where did you come from?" he asked her.
"I've been following the Fellowship since you left Lothlorien. No one knows that I am here besides you and Frodo. Not even my ada."
"Where are you going?"
"Back to my camp, to remain hidden. You must speak of me to no one."
"How can I thank you for keeping me from doing something that I would have regretted?" he questioned.
"Just do not speak of me," she said and disappeared into the trees.
Back at Amon Hen, Aragorn had come across a frightened Frodo.
"Stay away!" he yelled at Aragorn and he tried to run.
Aragorn followed him and called after him, "Frodo! I swore that I'd protect you! How can I protect you when you run from me?"
"Can you protect me from yourself?" Frodo asked as he stopped and turned to face Aragorn.
He looked down at the Ring in his hand and questioned, "Would you destroy it?"
Aragorn stepped closer. The Ring was tempting him, like it had tempted so many others before. He knew that if he gave in, Sauron would wield terrible power if he overtook him. He almost wanted to take it from Frodo but unbidden, thoughts of Arwen and Aranwen came into his mind. Could they forgive him if he took the Ring? Would he kill them under the spell of the Ring? He knew that no matter what, he could not take the Ring.
Aragorn closed Frodo's hand, knowing what he had to do and said, "I would have gone with you to the end. Even into the very fires of Mordor."
"I know," said Frodo sadly. "Please look after the others, especially Sam. He will not understand that I have to do this alone."
Aragorn nodded and then jumped backwards and unsheathed his sword. "Go, Frodo!" he yelled.
Frodo looked down and drew Sting, which was brightly glowing blue. Orcs were near. Orcs who would kill him and take the Ring.
"Run. Run!" urged Aragorn.
Frodo turned and ran as Aragorn strided towards the coming Urk-hai. The Urk-hai gathered at the feet of Amon Hen and waited for him. Aragorn blessed his sword, by touching it to his forehead before entering into battle with the mass of Urk-hai. He cut down several Urk-hai before heading up the nearby set of stairs, which led to the Seat of Amon Hen.
The Urk-hai followed him and he sliced and kicked them down the stairs before he reached the top. Once at the top, Aragorn continued to kill the Urk-hai and push their bodies of the Seat. Below him, he heard an Urk ordering, "Find the halfling! Find the halfling!"
"Elendil!" Aragorn cried before he jumped from the seat into a group of Urk-hai below. He fell onto the ground, but he still managed to take out several Urk-hai.
Legolas and Gimli appeared as Aragorn was getting up and joined the fray, Legolas firing arrow after arrow from his Lothlorien bow while Gimli hewed his axe.
"Aragorn, go!" ordered Legolas as he provided an opening for Aragorn to run. He knew that his friend wanted to protect the Hobbits.
Author's Notes:
I know that it's a VERY evil cliffie to leave with you readers, but I have to do it. This chapter ended up being very long with everything in it, so I decided to split it. I didn't think that it all belonged together, so I will post the next chapter tomorrow so you can find out how it ends.
Reviewers!
Fae Black – Thank you! I was so worried about those two chapters! I'm glad that they worked! Thank you so much for the two really nice reviews: )
ArwenFairTinuviel – Thank you! This is the first chapter where she really follows the Fellowship. Hope you like it: )