Fingon was tired, he never admitted to being tired, but today he was bone weary and not ashamed to say it. The elves had been drilling all day and as the evening had drawn on, the cry of attack had come. Some wandering orcs were attacking a nearby Edain village.
They had reached it in time to prevent any serious damage but there were several men and women who had been killed defending their families. They had remained to help in the preparation for their burial, children crying and older siblings struggling to remain strong in the face of loss. Fingon had seen dead many times, he had seen those die that should never have tasted it.
But seeing the effect of death upon those who could never escape it was gut wrenching. He had held a little girl who had lost both parents, she had held so tightly to him that even her sister could not loosen her hold. Softly spoken words and gentle hand caused sleep to find the exhausted child at last. Her head drooped and her thumb found its way into her mouth.
He had given her back and seen the gratitude in the eyes of the oldest sister, she nodded her thanks, and he had gone on his way.
Now his own exhaustion was tugging at his consciousness as he laid on his bed. Supporting his head on his arm he stared up at the ceiling of the barracks. He had always made it a point to live as the elves under his command, no distinction of class existed in his army.
Sleep however, made no distinction and soon his eyes glazed over in sleep. First scenes of the passed day played over again in his mind. It always happened like that, he would see everyday in sharp relief and notice things that during his waking hours he hadn't seen. He saw again the bodies of the slain and the broken families gathered around them to mourn, he looked at the children and this time a face caught his glance. It was a little girl with large brown eyes, she turned and looked at him, solemn and kind.
Pain was etched in her eyes, yet as she gazed at him she smiled a tiny smile. There the scenery changed and they stood on the icy plain of the Helcaraxë. He flinched as the wind swept off the jutting ice mountains, the girl stood there her rugged dress blown around her tiny frame. She was unaffected by the temperature and coming closer to him she took his hand and turning pointed to a group of figures on the ice.
They huddles together and supported each other as they struggled to walk on. But suddenly a woman of the group fell to the ground too weary and ill to continue. It was his sister-in-law, he ran forward and watched as Turgon gathered his wife into his arms begging her not to give up. She was white and limp and unresponsive, her daughter sobbing, held her hand and kissed it over and over.
Fingon watched as his younger self came forward and laid a hand on his brother's shoulder. Elenwe's eyes flew open the brilliant blue more against the pallor of her face, she gasped and tried to speak. Turgon leaned close and just barely did she whisper." I love you." Then her eyes lost focus and her breathing faded to silence. A lament rose and was stolen by the wind, carried away in the vast desolation of the ice field.
Fingon turned away and the girl reached again for his hand, this time the land changed into the black and scorched land of Morgoth. Volcanoes spewed out the molten rock flowing by the place where they stood. He felt the intense heat of the foul wind and saw the dark shadow that covered the land in artificial night. He knew this place well, he remembered every rock and boulder. A pressure on his hand caused him to see the child had grown into a young girl of adolescent age, she was becoming familiar. Her brown eyes piecing into his own.
She pointed wordlessly to a mountain that reared its black head far up above them. He looked down in his hands and found his harp, its gilded and silver strings glowing in purity even in the darkness of the night. He laid his hand to it and the familiar song rose and the voice of the child rose along with it. The words of hope and light, nobility and faith ringing in the land of lies and deceit.
The loathsome air seemed to shy away from the music; and out of no where a cool and clear wind came and carried the notes high into the echoing canyons surrounding them. It played to them the sound growing and magnifying as it leapt higher. Then again, as before, the song returned to their ears, sorrowful and hopeless. The voice cracked in pain as it struggled to sound the words.
Fingon stood and the hand of the girl alone held him back , he looked at her and saw the tears of compassion alive in her own eyes. Then the scream of an eagle rent the air and Thorondor flew over their heads, on his back two kneeling figures could be seen. One supporting the broken body of the other. They disappeared over the mountains and as they went the sky changed to an azure blue. They were standing on the deck of a long white boat, the salty air stinging their eyes.
He saw that again, the girl was changed, she was a tall and graceful woman long haired and clothed in green, crowned with light. He tried to speak to her, but she laid a finger to his lips and pointed again out to the heaving sea. He started forward because the struggling form of the child was there again, calling out " Somebody help me!" and sinking beneath the waves.
This time he did not wait and plunged into the cold water and reached for the limp hand of the child that was sinking into the depth of the deep sea. He grasped it and pulled the form into his arms and swam for the surface the sunlight shining watery beams into the blue water around them.
He broke the surface and a young red haired elf leaned out and he handed the cold body of the child to him. He watched as they went through the motions again that saved the girl the first time. She coughed and sputtered as life came back into in listless figure. A hand on his shoulder caused him to turned and the woman looked down at him and said "Return to her Findekáno,"
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It was a dark little cell, no light was allowed into it. The woman was sleeping on the only furniture in the room, a tiny cot. She was bound in a strait jacket and her hair hanging in her eyes and across the flat pillow that cushioned her head.
A heavy patted door opened and a stream of florescent light flooded the little room. It fell on her face and dark bruises could be seen where she had been roughly back handed. A light was switched on as she was jerked to her feet. She blinked in the light and shook off the effects of sleep that made her vision blurry.
" Well, I am glad to see you again. It's been ages….literally." said a smooth voice. Aeroniel looked at the man who spoke and horror dawned her in eyes as she recognized him. His black hair and gray eyes were all too familiar.
" You…" she whispered. He chuckled humorlessly and said with a bow " Yes, it's me. I am flattered that you know me after all this time. Last time we were together you didn't have this." He fingered a strand of gray hair from among the rich brown. She yanked away and he laughed again.
" Still touchy about that are you? You were more a obliging the last time I did this." He took a fist full of her hair and turned her to face him close up. She faced him strait forward and her chin went up in the old proud way. He looked down and for a moment he looked dangerous, but again he laughed and released her.
She fell back to the cot and watched as he straddled a chair that he had brought into the room. He propped his chin on his crossed arms and watched her for a few minutes without words.
" You know that this really is a sweet happening, it is the beat thing that could have happened. You suddenly returning to your time and unprotected too!"
" What do you mean?" she asked." Did you cause that?"
"No indeed, we had nothing to do with it, however we are taking advantage of this pleasant little happenstance. We now have the whole battle won. Your family in the palm of our hands."
She struggled to sit and said " You wouldn't touch a hair on their heads, the Valar would kill you before you could!"
He laughed and said " You foolish woman! The Valar gave up on the Nolder ages ago! And besides we don't have to hurt your family, just the King and your dear son. They're all that really count, being the heirs and all."
" However you have run into a bit of a snag, we cannot locate your son and I don't suppose that your dear Fingon is going to tells us how to find him. As for your daughter, she may as well have disappeared off the planet we can't find her at all."
Aeroniel breathed a sigh of relief at the news of her children's safety. The doctor noticed and came closer saying " But don't worry we will find them, and we will do so, through you. The one weak spot in King Fingon's defenses, his helpless Edain wife."
" I am not defenseless Sauron, I am not the only threat you have here." she said.
" Do you mean that little rude doctor? He did ask about you, but I think that he'll be busy with other things. In fact, he was killed in an unfortunate accident."
She gasped and asked " When?"
A smile slow and sharp spread across the doctor's face. "Next week."
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The caravan was winding it's way through the woods and glades of the valley toward the glistening pools of Irvin. The company wore the bright colors of summer and carried the beautiful blue and silver banners of their King. The guard walked before and behind in their shining armor carrying their bows on their shoulders and swords at their sides.
However they feared no attack as the sun was a perfect guard against the enemy who feared to venture forward in its blind beauty. A song rose and fell as the elves walked and flowers bloomed on the ground where their feet passed. The birds joined in the chorus and the praises of Eru filled the air.
Aeroniel walked with the younger maids and children, it was the perfect day and nothing came to spoil it. The company was made up of every kind of people, elves and the leaders of men and even a company of the rough dwarves followed along. They mingled in cheerful profusion along the road.
Maehsos and the twins were busy helping the direction of the company and would ride by and nod to her as they went. If they had no mishap they would reach Irvin by night fell and set up the camp for the coming festival. It was called Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting.
Many elves from the surrounding lands came, Green and grey elves and even an emissary from Doriath in the form of Daeron and Mablung. The minstrel was continually singing and playing music to aid in the merriment of the group, while his companion was mostly silent. The only ones to arrive yet were the elves of the havens and the two sons of Feanor.
The day was passed in the coming and going of elves and men, for as yet there was no strife between the two races and they communed as friends. Even before they had departed Hithlum Aeroniel had spoken with Lord Aradan and asked for his pardon in her conduct. He had forgiven her, but they were not the friends they had been. He had returned to Dor-Lomin for the rest of the winter, and she was left to herself.
When the King had judged it to be wise he had revealed the return of the prince to the young woman and as he had thought it was hard for her to wait even the two months that were left of the year. She and the Steward redoubled their efforts in the dance now that they were able to so openly. And the movements became second nature to them and Aeroniel was heard to say that she never slept at night, she danced.
Now they were busy setting up the tents and pavilions around the beautiful pools and ponds of Irvin. The packs and bags were misplaced numberless times and eflings were always underfoot and tumbling out of the oddest places.
" Adanion! Get out of that tree immediately!
"Alassë, where is the bag of tent pegs?"
" Who has my flute?" called Maehsos in irritation. He had been looking for the silly thing for the last half an hour and it hadn't surfaced yet. And besides the fact that he was wearing his down in the traditional braids of the other elven men. This of course made the normally happy elf unusually grumpy.
Aeroniel held aloft the velvet case and called out to the steward. " Here Maehsos, I just rescued it from Valadhiel she was going to use it for a straw."
Maehsos shuddered at the thought of his precious flute being filled with water. He pulled it out and made certain that the silly little eflleth hadn't done any harm.
" Thank the Valar the little beast didn't do any thing to it. If it was sodden we certainly would be able to perform, now could we."
" Considering who we'll be performing for I almost think it would be a welcome thing. Not your flute being ruined I mean not having to perform." said Aeroniel.
Maehsos caught her hand and said " Come now, we haven't worked all this time for nothing have we?"
" No it's just that I didn't know that we would be performing for all the these people. Especially Fingon, I simply think you should have told me. I at least would have been able to prepare for it better if I had known."
Maehsos waved her fears aside and saying " Nonsense. You've done wonderfully well and I dare say that we'll be the best of the whole festival. Besides I have just spoken to Daeron and he has agreed to play the music for us. You simply can't get a better minstrel. Beside the way the twins play is……well you know."
Aeroniel pursed her lips trying not to laugh at the thought of the twins out playing the best minstrel ever born. Just them the two of them came up and Maehsos and Aeroniel looked each other and began burst into rather hysterical laughter.
" Glad to see you as well." said Erynion looking offended. But Darien had a better way of revenge he leaned forward and twinked one of the Steward braids. " Aren't we all dolled up for the big performance. You really look quite dashing Mae!"
Maehsos dove and the two wrapped themselves into a tingle of arms and flying fists. Erynion pulled the girl out of the way saying " Children, I honestly don't know how Maehsos ever became the steward in the first place."
" How did he?" asked Aeroniel curiously.
" I suppose it was his age more then anything." shrugged the Gardener pulling a Chinese beetle off a nearby tree.
Looking at the two elves still wrapped in battle, Aeroniel asked how old he was and got a noncommittal shoulder shrug from the elf. At that moment the Minstrel came up and his glance went from the wrestling elves to the couple watching them. He went to the pair on the ground and after locating the steward asked if he was ready to practice as he had asked.
Giving a final kick to the guard Maehsos stood smoothing his ruffled hair out of his eyes and straitening his tunic at the same moment. " Yes, thank you Daeron, I was coming to find you."
Daeron smirked slightly at the idea but said " And where is your fair partner? I would like to meet her."
Maehsos introduced the two and the smile on the Minstrels face froze when he realized who she was. His eyes became hard and distant, he pulled his hand out of hers and turning to the steward apologized saying that he wouldn't be able to help after all. With a curt bow he was gone.
In the shock silence that followed Aeroniel stared down at her hands as the rest looked after the receding back of the Minstrel. Darien got to his feet and said " I have never witnessed anything so rude in my life!"
Maehsos shook his head and understanding was in his bright eyes as he followed the elf with them. " No, I was a fool to ask him. I had forgotten about Luthien. It was stupid of me to not think of that."
Aeroniel slipped her hand into the stewards and asked " What about her?"
" Have you never heard the story?. She is in love with a mortal man. She had been meant for Daeron and he has never been able to forget her."
" It was me then, why he didn't want to play." she said. She withdrew her hand and went to her tent. The elves stood a moment and Erynion suddenly snapped his fingers. " I know what to do. Remember who the next best Minstrel is beside that…….elf."
A light dawned in Maehsos eyes and said " I follow you, time to call in an old favor! I be right back, do what you can to get Aeroniel to the dance floor."
" Come on, I just want you to see the dance floor before they clutter it up with lamps and flowers and that sort of thing." coaxed Darien he was leading a reluctant Aeroniel to the floor. She had been crying over her dancing gown in her tent, and the twins had to enlist the help of Nessima before she would even answer their calls.
They were finally getting to the floor. It was lit alone by the light of the moon and two lone figures were standing there. One was the familiar Steward and the other was a stranger. He was tallish and deathly pale, black haired with long white hands. He wore a light colored tunic of dusty maroon.
" Aeroniel! I want you to meet Maglor, son of Feanor and a friend of Fingon. He has agreed to provide the music for our dance. Maglor, this is the young woman I was telling you of."
Maglor took her hand in one of his own pale ones and said " It is a pleasure to meet you my Lady. I hope that all will go smoothly for your performance."
" Thank you my Lord, I am very grateful for your assistance in this matter." she said glowing at the title of "Lady" that the Lord had given her.
" I rarely have the chance for this anymore. So I will take it when it comes along. Now Maehsos I hear that you have an especially fine flute?"
It was handed over and slipped from the case. After sighting along the edge and weighing it gently in his hand he asked " It is of the Green elves is it not?"
" Yes, my father made it and it has been in our family from the beginning." Maehsos said proudly.
" May I?"
" Please."
Lifting the instrument to his lips the elf closed his eyes and began to play. In the quiet of the glade the flute sang its mournful tune, it sang out and the notes seemed to take on a life of their own. They joined and twisted interweaving and changing as the octave was lowered and them swept to the highest register it could give.
Watching Maglor play was almost painful, he gave his whole being to it and translated his soul in the sound as if to carry it on forever. His eyes opened and focused on the stars over head, the light reflecting the grey eyes of the elf. And slowly he began to cry, a tear sliding out over his gaunt cheek and quickly followed by another. His frame seemed to shudder as he played, using all his energy to bring the beauty of the music forth.
Then as the last note was wafted away on the sigh of the breeze he lowered his head and wiped away the signs of tears. He held out the flute, " Thank you, it is a perfectly made instrument."
Maehsos' face was pained, he reached out a reluctant hand and took the flute from the Minstrel's hand.
" Thank you, Maglor. I don't know what to say."
" That you still allow me to play for you."
" But now I worry that the music will out shine the dance." said Aeroniel lightly.
Maglor smiled. " I hardly think that will happen my Lady, the dance is one of the oldest and most loved of all. I think that you will have no lack of attention. And now do not blush I do not wish to embarrass you, simply that my playing is meant to compliment the movement of the seasons."
She was about to answer when suddenly the camp was alive with the cries of the elves.
" The Prince has returned! The Prince is here!"
" Let us go and welcome him!"
A kind of excited rush broken out among the elves and they hurried to greet their beloved Prince and his company. Many had husbands and father's among the soldiers and all were anxious to be reunited. Maglor and Darien ran off to join the others as, Maehsos returned the flute to its case. He looked up surprised to see that Aeroniel was still there.
" Why Ronnie, what are you waiting for? This is the moment go and see him."
" No, not like this. Not yet, I want it to be more than a quick hello in a crowd of elves. Wait till tomorrow night after the dance."
Maehsos nodded " I understand, good night dear."
" Good night."
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Ron was at loss. He couldn't find any information about the move or that there were any other missing patients. He had asked all the nurses and they had the same answer " ask the new guy." Ron was darned if he was going to ask that…..person for any more help. He wasn't trying to help him, it was as id he was trying to put him off. To make him stop wondering and forget that the woman had been alive.
That wasn't going to happen if he had any thing to do with it. Opening the door to the woman room he went through the drawers and cupboards, nothing. The bed was perfectly made, nothing there probably. He sat down on it and heard the sound of leather rubbing against metal. In a flash he had the mattress up and the leather folder in his hand.
" She would never leave this here." he said aloud. He flipped it open and was confronted with a new portrait he hadn't seen before. It was of two children, one was older a boy and the other much younger a little girl. They were obviously brother and sister sharing the same hair color and facial features. The young boy was holding the girl in front of himself on a horse. They were posed on a beach of some kind, some long white ships in the harbor.
They smiled out at him in happiness their little pointed ears peeking out from under their brown hair. The boy had an odd woven crown of gold that wrapped around his head and tapered to points along side his face. It brought out the golden arm guards he wore.
The girl likewise, wore a kind of circlet on her brow, but it was smaller, of a finer design. It wrapped around her whole head and little chains of gold drooped down in draping curves just under her ears. She wore a gown of light green and as the boy, little threads of gold ran through her gown.
Along the bottom of the paper two names were written in neat Tengwarian script. Taking the leather folio he went off to his office. There was someone waiting for him, it was the new doctor. He sat with his feet propped up on the desk and was flipping through the year book from his last year at college.
" What the heck do you think your doing!" he demanded smacking the mans feet off the desk with a loud thud.
" Hey! I was just looking at you in your younger days."
Ron pulled the book out of his grasp and slammed it back in place on the shelf. He turned to find the gaze of the other man fastened on the leather portfolio in his hands. He looked up and smiled a little.
" That's a very interesting design there, what do you call it?"
Ron looked at it and something told him not answer, and he wasn't about too.
" None of your business, now get the hell out of my office."
The words caused the brow of the other to lower and his eyes glistened with a kind white fire. He held out his hand saying " I have a feeling that those belong to Mrs. Elder and I'll ask you again to hand them over now."
Ronald felt an odd freeze on his own motions and saw himself slowly holding out the precious portfolio. He gritted his teeth and pulled it away feeling pain through his muscles as if in rebellion to his own mind.
" Don't give it to him, Dude!"
Suddenly the frozen feeling left the air and out of nowhere Bill hurled himself at Anderson. Taking him crashing to the floor. Snapping out of the daze he had been in he jammed the folio in his briefcase and helped Bill pull Anderson to his feet.
" Dude, I got here as soon as I could. I never thought I find the man of evil himself!"
" Get your hands off me you fool." spat Anderson struggling to break Bill's hold.
" Yeah right scum bucket, I'll let you go so you can wreak more havoc in the world. I don't think so." And Bill slammed a fist into Anderson's stomach. Sauron being limited to a human body folded like a stack of cards. Bill turned to Ron and said " We got to get out of here now!"
They bolted down the hall and drove 70 all the way to bill home. Thankfully not one cop was seen the entire way. Collapsing onto the couch Ron asked " Who the heck is that?"
Bill brushed his hair out of his eyes and said " Sauron dude, it was Sauron. He's here for her."
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Authorial Note: Ooohhhh! Two cliffhangers in one! I am the living personification of Sauron in this age. Mwhahaha! Anyway, back to reality, I need more reviews to continue everyone. I need your feed back to continue to make this a good story.
A word about Maehsos: I made his name up and it really has no meaning in the world of Tolkien, however I will make it clear later what his history.