"Now the important thing you will have to do is to learn how to defend yourself." Maedhros said as he lead Aeroniel into the armory.
"Defend myself? I thought Morgoth hadn't stirred since the sun and moon were made?" she asked. "Is there any chance of an attack?"
Maedhros cast her a sharp glance and said "There is always a chance for an attack, that is something we live with everyday. So you must learn to wield some weapon. You have all of this at your finger tips, pick what you will and I will teach you the art of it."
Slowly she paced around the chilly room and gazed at the endless array of weaponry.
The armory walls glittered with the beautiful, perfect weapons that had been forged by Feanor and his sons. Swords, flails, pikes and maces were set in oaken cases around the room. The high windows sent in the pale air and gleamed off the metal reflected as prisms of rainbow hue.
Her hand trailed over the smooth wooden cases as she looked at each and very weapon. She knew almost nothing about fighting with any weapon. Certainly all of her companions had a weapon and she had enjoyed watching them train, but it had never come to her that she should learn to use one as well.
Maedhros watched her as she walked around the room her slippers making a soft shuffling sound on the stone floor, her dress trailing a bit behind her. She was as foreign to the cold region of Himring as the flowers embroidered on her gown. Over the last few years she had grown accustomed to the continual cold, making her dresses from warmer, heavier material and lining them with fur for added warmth.
Finally she was coming out of the shell of silence she had taken refuge in after their initial departure. Nessima had never left her side and took care of her as a mother does her helpless infant. Maedhros was grudgingly forced to admit that she was useful and he was grateful for the elleths presence.
"Well? Do you see anything that takes your fancy my dear?" he asked coming to where she looked down at a gleaming sword. Their faces were reflected back in the wet looking metal in a blurry imitation of the real thing.
"I'm afraid I don't know. I'm not sure what weapon would be suited to me. I know that most of you chose based upon your ability, but I have never been tried to see where my talent lies. I will leave it up to you then."
"Good, I'm glad to see that you don't have your heart set on something, that as you say will make the choice easier to make. I believe we will start with this."
He reached out and grasped the sword's hilt in his hand and felt the balance of the blade before giving it a few practice swings. It whistled through the still air, the elf's face a mask as he twirled the beautiful weapon. Pausing he nodded and said "It is one my brother Curufin made, perfectly forged and priceless, the blade is unbreakable."
He handed the sword to the girl, her fingers closed around it, but as soon as the elf released his grip the blade swung to the ground and the tip chipped the rock sending a few sparks flying.
"Whoa now, lift it with both hands Aeroniel." he directed.
"I'm trying to, but it's too heavy." she said through her teeth as she struggled with the sword. Maedhros smothered a laugh and took the blade away, the sword a light affair in his massive hand.
"Don't make fun of me! I can't help it if my arms aren't strong enough!" she stood with her chin in the air, all she needed was to place her hands on her hips and she would have been the perfect picture of an Edain woman. However, and this was from her elven up bringing, she did not, rather she drew herself up to her full height. This gave the elf an idea.
" I wasn't laughing at you Aeroniel. You are right though the sword was not meant for these delicate arms to handle." He ducked as she threw her slipper at him, he laughed the sound ringing off the high wooden rafters.
"Well then, if the sword is not for me what is? A flail ? A pike? Perhaps even a bow?"
"No, none of those, come I'll show you what I have in mind." He went to a tall flat case against the wall and opened it. Aeroniel came to his side and saw an array of polished staves, some craved and other's plain. All of them were made of some dark reddish wood and of varying lengths.
"Oh Maedhros they're wonderful! Who made them?" She asked as she caressed the smooth wood. Taking one from the case Maedhros handed it to her saying "They came to us as gifts from Tulkas himself. He gave a set to me and each of my brothers."
Aeroniel held the craved staff and ran a hand along the length her fingers tracing each leaf and vine. Her brown eyes sparkled and for the first time in mouths a smile lit her face. Maedhros sighed inwardly at the sight, he was afraid that she would never do so again.
"Would you like me to teach you how to use this staff Aeroniel? Or is the weight too much for you?" he asked his grey eyes twinkling down at her.
"I should say not! Yes, please if you would be so kind as to allow me to wield such a glorious instrument."
"Good, it is yours. We will begin next week. Today all I want you to do is carry it with you. You must first learn to use it as an everyday tool, then get used to the weight. It is a staff not just a weapon, you must first know it as such then when that is done I can begin to teach you the other uses." he paused and eyed the young woman. "Will you do this?"
"Certainly, I will thank you. I don't know how to thank you enough." she said as they headed toward the door.
"You can thank me by learning to use it well, then I won't have to worry about defending you should we ever be attacked in earnest." He laughed again as she threatened him with her slipper, the sunlight fell, cold and pale around them as they went through the courtyard to the main house.
The house was alive with the soldiers, pages and maidens that served the Feanorian Prince and they called brightly to each other as they went about their tasks. Himring may have been "ever cold," but the castle was ever warmed by the lively spirits of the inhabitants. Nessima was welcomed into the family of castle as a sister and already the captain of the guard was paying her a great deal of court.
Aeroniel was regarded at first as a kind of curiosity, many of the elves having never seen a human woman before. They had never been rude or unkind as Lady Bethriel had been, rather they had treated her as a new kind of toy. This however did not last very long, no one with any self respect would like being treated as a toy and Aeroniel learned that she had to stand up for herself or be treated as a child.
She disallowed any of the maids to help her dress, bath or fix her hair. She did all of those things herself even though many of the elleth's helped each other with these tasks. The hardest part was drawing water from Himring's deep well, it was deep and it took a long time to haul any water to the surface. So when ever she wanted to bath or wash her hair she would draw the water herself. As you can image this caused a great deal of consternation among the elves when she refused all aid.
"But my Lord she is only a human, she has not the strength for such things! One elf had protested.
"Let her alone, she is a grown woman. If she wishes to do so I will consent unless she is harmed. If the task is difficult and she wants to work for herself who am I to deny her that?" Maedhros had answered.
He secretly admired this trait in her, he had not expected to find such gumption. She was a bit pampered after her years in Hithlum, he had been prepared to have an army of maids to tend her, but this proved unneeded. Of course he would never dream of telling her this, Maedhros believed that you should never be praised for doing that which you should be doing anyway. No, you had to do something out standing to win a bit of praise from him.
Before you jump to call him harsh, consider that he set the same standard for himself. After his rescue he set out to relearn how to live without one of his hands. Days he would work and struggle and sweat over the simplest tasks, combing his hair and dressing himself. He refused all help and doggedly went on until he was free of all the servants help and even his brothers aid.
This fierce determination did not only allow him to become independent, but he was more skilled at all these things as he had ever been before.
"What are you thinking?"
Maedhros shook his head a little and said "None of your business dear child. Now are you going about your tasks with that or are you going to stand around in the courtyard all day?"
"No, indeed. I just wondered what caused you to look so thoughtful all of a sudden."
"I was wondering what we were having for dinner." he joked. "Now you must excuse me I have other affairs to see to, have a good day Aeroniel."
"Good day my Lord." she returned and went on her way the staff clasped in her hand.
Going through the narrow hall of Himring with a six foot staff was not easy however, especially going through doorways and from room to room. But she went on clunking into everything, little exclamations of frustration followed her way all through the castle. The elves and the few men sent her remarks about trying to bring down the stronghold with her little stick.
"Oh blast!" she said as she caught the end of the staff in the doorway, the other end had also wedged itself in the windowsill. Her arms were full of a laundry basket and so she was unable to free herself. She pulled on the staff while bringing the basket under it with her other hand. A puddle of water on the slick stone floor caught her foot and down she went. The basket went flying , she hit the ground and the staff, finally loosened fell giving her a sound crack on the head.
"Owe!" she said loudly to the empty hall. A slight chuckle sounded behind her and she felt two hands lifting her up.
"You really should be more careful with that thing, you might poke someone's eye out. That is if you don't do it to yourself first!"
"Perhaps I should do so for you first!" she said. She whirled and saw that it was Aradan, standing his hands still out ready to steady her again if need be. His wide generous grin was still in place, and his green eyes winking back at her in mirth.
"Oh Lord Aradan, I didn't realize it was you. Please forgive my hasty words, I was impatient and you caught me at a bad moment."
"I should say, I'm not used to being threatened with a staff. Why are you dragging that thing around? I heard from the other's that you have been causing many such incidents all day. What are you trying to do, knock down Himring with your little stick?"
Aeroniel pulled the polish staff up and said "Lord Maedhros gave it to me this morning. He is going to teach me how to use it. He thinks that it would be good for me to learn how to defend myself, and I agree."
Aradan picked up the laundry basket as they walked toward the wash room, Aeroniel looked up at him as they went. Over the last few years they had been at Himring Aradan had changed. No more the head strong youth of former years, he had become a serious and powerful general of his men. They looked up to him and followed his lead in deference to Maedhros and his elves. Long hours and week of training among the icy cliffs and mountains of Himring had hardened them to combat there. Many had forged lasting friendships with the elves and many would gladly die for the other.
From time to time Aradan would return for short visits to Hithlum with letters and messages. He always offered to take one to Fingon from Aeroniel if she wished it, but she always refused. Why make life harder for both of them? Besides it was never sure that Fingon was at Hithlum, he spent his time equally among the soldiers and his family. It was true that he even went to the Havens to visit Cirdan a few times, but you never knew for sure where he would, or would not be.
As Aeroniel walked silently through the corridors with Aradan she pondered how many years such reports of Fingon had been coming. Two, three? Perhaps more, but never much about him personally, or of staying in one place more then a few months.
"Aradan, when do you return to Hithlum next?" she asked suddenly.
"Next month, why? Did you wish to..?"
"Yes, I thought I would write to Lord Fingolfin. I think I have been silent long enough."
"Will you not write to the Prince?" Aradan asked cautiously. He was hesitant to ask it because it was such a delicate subject.
"No. I merely wish to hear any news through Fingolfin. I don't wish him to even know of my contacting his father. Do you think that you could see to it that the letter falls into no one's hands, but his?"
Nodding his ash blond head Aradan agreed. "I should be glad to do this for you. I am glad to see that you have come to the place where you can."
"I am desperate for news, merely that and nothing more Aradan. It tears my heart to think of him wandering so…I feel responsible for it."
Aradan smiled at her over the basket and said "My serious little friend you try and bear too much on your shoulders. I heard that he has taken on the position of carrier because his friend was married and is spending the first three years with her alone as elven tradition demands."
"He has? Who was married? When did this happen? I heard nothing of it!" the questions spilled out in a torrent at this revelation of news.
He laughed again as they entered the steamy laundry room, hung about were the dripping tunics and sheets of the household. At the far end eflleths were chatting over their wash tubs, their hair pulled back in nets and long sleeves rolled to their elbows.
Aradan sat on an overturned tub and said "Daeron and his beloved Alassë, they were bound over a year ago, I thought you might have heard of it."
"I hadn't, but it is good news, late yes, but wonderful all the same. Thank you for telling me!" She hugged him and ran through the dripping clothes to spread the news to her friends. Soon the giggles and exclamations came to Aradan from beyond the damp sheets, he smiled again and left the room a warm glow surrounding his heart for what reason he could not think……of perhaps would not admit.
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The door of the tiny apartment exploded inward as Maehsos came through with the precious burden of Lady Aeroniel in his arms. Close behind him Serena and Bill followed each bearing the same worried expression.
"Lay her on the couch and I'll see what I can find out about a hotel." directed Serena as she ran to the phone.
Maehsos laid the limp figure on the couch and gently covered her. She was trembling violently, harsh rasping breaths grated on his sensitive ears as she struggled to breathe. Her body was painfully thin, the bones in her face were too prominent and her skin too pale.
"Come on Ronnie, you need to tell me what I can do for you." he urged as he propped pillows behind her back to ease her breathing.
"Here Atar see of you can get some of this down her." Bill handed his father a bottle of medicine. "What have they done to her?"
"I don't know, I am trying to find out." answered Maehsos tightly as he poured a little of the fluid between her lips. She swallowed and coughed a deep congested sound racking her thin frame. She clutched Mahsos arms in her own as she gasped for air, her eyes wide open seeming to really see for the first time. She focused on the carroty haired man she was holding on to.
"Mae…?" she rasped.
Tears sprung to his eyes at her words. "Yes, I am here Ronnie, it's alright your safe now."
"Yeah, well we're not. We have to get out of here before someone puts two and two together and they come after you honey." said Serena, she brought out a heavy coat and wrapped it around Aeroniel's shoulders. She turned to Bill "Can we go to your place for now?"
"Sure, I'll go and get the car ready." Bill answered and ran out the door his car keys making a cheerful music as they bounced in this hand. Serena was hurrying around the apartment and stuffing miscellaneous items into her big orange bag. Quiet conversation rippled between Aeroniel and Maehsos in Quenya, the Steward was helping her into the coat and urging her to tell him all she could of her experience.
"I think it's great that you are together again and all that but maybe you should stow the talk and use your mind read-y-thing." Serena advised from the kitchen.
"I cannot Aeroniel is too weak to get it." called back the Steward. Aeroniel sent him a tried look "Mind-read-y thing? What have you been up to Mae?"
"Nothing, just trying to find you."
Just then Bill burst into the room saying "We're ready to go, do you need some help Atar?"
Aeroniel looked for the man to the Steward and back to the man again "Atar?"
"I'll explain later, come on up you go." And he lifted her again, they were safely installed in the SUV when Aeroniel cried out "Where is Ronald?"
"He's no doubt on his way here, don't worry Aeroniel, he'll be fine. He knows who he's dealing with."
"No, you don't understand Sauron is going to kill him!"
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The training yard was clear of any other people, but the two figures that stood poised and ready for attack. The tall red haired one held a staff shoulder height in his one left hand, his operant held the staff at an angle by her right side.
A little dust kicks up a cloud of the reddish dust and swirls it around the courtyard and into the eye of the two figures. One is the teacher and the other the student.
"You need to be able to hold your staff at this height easily, it will bring stamina and strength in your arms where you need it most."
"You mean I have to stand here with this thing in my hand for hours?" she asked her eyes narrowing at his instructions. "Maedhros do you really mean that?"
"Yes, now Aeroniel I can't teach you any thing if you are always going to be questioning me."
"I am sorry.." she began but he cut her off.
"Don't be sorry just listen. Now I am going to attack you, I want you to do whatever come naturally to you with the staff, is that clear?"
"Yes." she answered and brought the pole into both of her hands in front of her and braced for the attack. The elf moved so quickly that she never had a chance to hold him off, she was thrown back and skidded along the ground a few feet before stopping in a dusty heap.
The elf held out his hand and pulled the girl to her feet, she stood and wiped the blood away from her lips.
"Ronnie, I am sorry about you lip. I didn't mean to.."
"Never mind, I guess I'll never let that happen again. Let's get on with it." she went to the other end of the yard and gripped her staff more firmly in her hands.
Circling her more slowly he flipped the staff around his wrist and attacked again, using the same method as he had before. Dust flew again and a resounding crack filled the air and as the red dust settled the two still stood but their staves were crossed and held inches from Aeroniel's face.
"See, I told you it wouldn't happen again."
He smiled this time with satisfaction. "Very good Aeroniel, I can see that you already have a little natural technique."
She wiped at her lip again and said "Then lets see how long it takes before I can beat you."
"You're on."
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Fingon paced the room as his father read over the letter. Fingolfin's brow furrowed briefly and the he smiled slightly as he folded the letter and pushed his chair away from the table. He watched his son a few minutes and said "Will you please stop that endless pacing you're driving me to distraction!"
Fingon stopped and said "And what does he say of her? Is she well?"
"You can see for yourself if you would just read the letter like a normal person Findekáno." Fingolfin held it out. Fingon looked at it with hungry eyes and then turned away saying, "No, I had better go, the men are ready to go back to Dor-Lomin. And I have promised Cirdan that I will bring him those plans for the new shield before winter sets in."
Fingon left his father drumming his fingers on the oaken table, he reached for a tangerine and pealed it. Then he set it down and drummed his fingers again. He worried about Fingon, he hadn't been well for the last three years, oh he was healthy, but not well.
Maehsos came into the room and said "My lord, I have come to say good-bye. Thank you for this opportunity to visit my relations."
Fingolfin sat up and shuffled the papers around on his desk saying "Yes, yes of course Maehsos. You've been with us for a long time, you have very reason for going to see your family. Please give them my regards."
The Steward bowed and replied "I plan on making a detour to Himring and seeing how our little Edain girl is these days. Is there anything you would like me to say to her?"
"No, but if you would see that she lacks for nothing and send me a letter about her. I am afraid that my nephew is not a good correspondent and very little news come from him."
Maehsos grinned, "Writing isn't one of his strong points is it? Although we should always remember that he has very few weak points. Shall I carry any message to him?"
Fingolfin stood and pulled a chest forward out of the shadows by the window, it open releasing the smell of poppies and ferns. He lifted out a rich dark cloak with gold braiding around the hem, it's copper fastening needed polishing but it was in excellent condition.
Maehsos came to his King's side and touched the fabric with his fingers where the light pooled on the simmering materiel.
"This is Aeroniel's cloak isn't it?"
"I found it in her room after she left and kept it for her return but I…I think you had better give it to Lord Maedhros for her when you go." Fingolfin held it out to the Steward not meeting his eyes.
Stiffly Maehsos took the heavy cloak from Fingolfin and draped it over his arm. "You don't think she'll ever come back do you?"
"I think it is very doubtful that she will. Perhaps it is best that way, I think that Fingon has finally come to terms with it and if he can she may be able to do the same. I don't know why but they always seemed tied together somehow."
"Bound heart and soul." Maehsos murmured under his breath.
"Yes, I've seen such things before, but never of course between anyone not of our race." he sighed and then laughed a little, "You know Maehsos for all of my years of life and for being Finwe's fabled wisest son, sometimes I feel that I have so much to learn yet."
Maehsos smiled and said "Sire, no one's perfect."
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"Nice day for a drive." the Taxi driver commented to Ron.
"What? I'm sorry I wasn't listening." apologized Ron as he came out of his reverie. The cabby man shot him a look in the rearview mirror. "I said it's a great day for a drive, what happen, ya car break down or something?"
"Yeah, something like that." was Ron's absentminded answer, he drummed his fingers nervously on the arm rest and checked his watch again. Could the taxi go any slower? As if reading his thoughts the driver sped up a little, the meter silently adding up the miles. Driving through the suburbs of the city, Ron's thoughts flew a hundred miles a hour.
Had they gotten away? Had they found her alive? What the heck was he doing in this mess after all?
He sighed and took his glasses off, rubbing the bridge of his nose as the beginnings of a headache tickled the back of his eyes. The sway of the cab lulled him into a light sleep and his head rested against the back of the seat. The cab reeked of cigarette smoke and the upholstery was blue with dark brown spots. The car hadn't been clean in centuries it seemed. But then during college Ronald had learned to sleep any where, as sleep claimed him his hand slid off his knee and his glasses hit the floor with a bump.
"Ereinion. Ereinion? Sire? A quiet voice penetrated his sleep as a hand shook him awake.
"Yes, what is it?" he heard himself answering. His eyes focused on the figure by the bed, a young man of twenty or so his long dark hair braided away from his face and gently pointed ears. He wore a dark blue tunic with silver edging and held a scroll in his hands.
"Who are you?" Ron asked confusion flooding his senses. The young man's brow winkled and his fine eyebrows arched. "Why my Lord, I am Elrond of course"
A screech of tires and the wild cursing of the cabby as the car slid over the road trying to avoid the on coming vehicle. Ron gripped the side of the car and braced himself for the coming impacted. The huge trunk was barreling right for them, there was no way to get out of its path. As if in slow motion Ron watched as the windows shattered and the glass went flying, he felt the crushing weight of the other vehicle smashing into him.
The breath was driven out of his lungs and his right side was totally crushed in a blinding wave of pain. The searing pain rippled through his body, a wave of heat spread as the car exploded sending glass and bits of twisted metal flying.
Then, mercifully, sweet blackness engulfed him even as the screams of the dieing driver echoed in his ears. Far, far away the sound of sirens came and the shouts of people.
"So this is death." Ron thought as he fell into that deep blackness, from which they say there is no return.
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Author's Note: My dear readers and fans I have been very busy with this story, however I hardly ever recevie any feedback. This may not seem like a biggie to you, but I need to know if my story is going well or it I should just give it up. Now I know I have some people who don't have the time to review, but if you could all just let me know if I should finish or not. I don't wishto complain just that I need your support and help. Thanks ahead of time!
The Mysterious
Jaffee Leeds