When she woke up she was lying in a castle unlike those she had known in the West. The walls were dark and not white. She sat up and noticed a little girl staring at her curiously." Lord Sesshoumaru said you were human but had immortal blood..."she said. Alcarin Norenturin laughed. "I am descended from a long line from Earendil half-elven and ... she paused... well, that is all you need to know." she replied. "Sesshoumaru, was he the one at the falls?" she asked. "He helped you." she answered. Then for some reason the girl left. Alcarin remembered all the sudden "I have altheas, but how do I get someone to get it ready." As if in answer, a figure appeared in the door way. She reconginized him from the falls
. "In my bag..." she began, but before she finished she saw he is already going for it. "Altheas you said it was. I will prepare it." Appearing to ignore his reading of her mind and secretly reproaching herself for leaving it unguarded she asked him "Why are you helping me?" "You are curious, you are mortal, yet I sense great might in you. Your blade is a thing of power, how is it that you, a mortal can wield such a blade?" "That I can not answer you, nor can I tell you it's purpose or name. With it goes a great doom. There are many ears. I must not reveal it's secret before it's time, or long awaited justice will fail and all would fall into shadow. Ask nothing more of the sword. I am it's hier. Only I can wield it." she answered. "I leave you now to prepare your salve, Norenturin. I see you are pursued by light and darkness. But perhaps you should choose your own fate." he said. He began to leave. "Wait" she said."I've travled long alone. You have helped me. Will you allow me to walk this land with you and your band?"
He answered, "You do as you wish." and left the room with the altheas in hand. Feeling stronger she decided to get out of bed and walk around the castle. She looked for the little girl. Not watching herself she bumped into something. She looked down to see a little green creature that reminded her of King Elessar's description of Gollum. "Miserable human! How dare you run into me! I am Lord Jaken!" he screamed at her in a screechy voice. She laughed at him.
Jaken looked up and glared at her. "Do you know who I am?" he yelled inflamed. Then she went into hysterics. She managed to calm down a bit. "Do not be offended, Jaken. Would you show me around this castle? It is not like those I have known. It's dark but strangely peaceful." she said to him. Not liking her, but wishing to please his lord, Jaken agrees. He led her silently place to place, leaving her to look in silence. The walls were bare, not like the tapestry in the halls of the west, but the furniture was exquisitely beautiful and wonderfully detailed. She began to warm up to the place. She found a balcony and went for a breath of air. At least half an hour went by and suddenly she got the feeling of being watched. (the imp left her long ago now) She thought "I'm being watched, and somehow it is strangely comforting, that is strange." Without even looking she knew who it was, and with out turning to him she said, "You have prepared altheas, and without instruction. Impressive, not many even where I have roamed can do that."
He answered "This, it is medicine used by the immortals you spoke to Rin about, the elves.?" "Yes, I was raised by them. Their blood also runs in my veins. When Galad... my guardian who kept me in secret left this middle-earth for the blessed realm where they die not, I was intrusted to King Elessar in secret. I left when the shadow they thought vanquished pursued me. It has been 20 yrs now. The only time I have had peace... has been here in your castle. I grew weary, you see. I sought for the Blessed Shores, but the Powers denied me, and the boat that carried me was destroyed. It nearly destroyed me. Luckily the elven blood runs strong in me. The Eldar heal quickly from wounds that would slay most mortals, that gift was also given to those of the race of Numenor who share thier blood. But also in the sharing of Eru's blessings we also share in the many sorrows of the Immortals.
And the mortal blood that runs in my veins comes from those two whom the dark forces hated and feared above all mortals. And so the secret of the surviving of thier seed has been kept secret, lest it should fail. But that is not a taleI am able totell, even in secret,but only the Lady of the Wood or the Powers may reveal it if they will. Yet, theShadow is not completely fooled. They percieve in me and those last remnant of my people that yet remain a great threat. And so I have wared with orcs, the undead, wargs, dark wizards, and the Traitor, and have taken revenge upon them for the lives they have stolen.And so theyhave pursued me since the end of the War of the Ring. I am sure that those forces will also come for me here and for all those who harbour me.You also will they hunt."
"Let them hunt. They shall so find thier doom." he replied. She had stood for to long and began to grow faint. Sesshoumaru knew it and said "Come now, you have immortal blood, and kept yourself among them, I do not hate you as I hate humans. Your wound would have slain any mortal I have known. You are faint. Let's return to your room and I will apply Altheas to your wounds." "I am touched by your concern, Sesshoumaru. It is not a normal trait of your's I presume. Neither is trust for me, yet I trust to your care. Let us go." After saying this she nearly collapsed again. He picked her up. This time she was conscious and she noticed how handsome he is. His golden eyes reminded her of someone, of Mithidir, the White Rider, known among Men as Gandalf.
She thought to herself " he has a strength that was much like my own, yet not like. He did not carry the secret burden I keep." I could be happy with him... that's a strange thought. I never desired for anyone before...strange, very strange." "Meanwhile, Sesshoumaru thought to himself, "Fair and strong, uncommon in a human. I feel strange, I have developed a fondness for this mortal, and in such a short time." He layed her on the bed and she arranged the cloak and blankets so the lower bandages where exposed, but he said "You know I have to get to the other wounds." He removed the rest of her cloak. He took a rag and dabbed it in Altheas and applied it to the wound on her breast. She blushed furiously. "You did not blush at the falls, yet now you do." he said and cracked an irresistible impish smile. "Must be my mortal blood." she replied. The two of them laughed and she relaxed. The Altheas was working fast, it was healing her body before her eyes. "You have strong medicine, Norenturin" he said.
Suddenly she saw a pale blue gleam shine across the room. Sesshoumaru just finished with Altheas. She leapt up knocking him over and threw on her mithril suit of mail and grabbed Gurthang. Taking a cue from her and feeling a unwanted disturbance Seshomoru also drew his blade. "Near but not at the castle. They are a short journey from the falls." she said. Sesshoumaru came up to her. " Grab on to me, we will get there faster if you do." She did as he asked and they were soon outside the castle heading towards the falls. They began to gain upon the intruders. "It CAN NOT BE! It can not be SARUMAN! Sesshoumaru take care, BEWARE OF HIS VOICE! He has powers at whichyoucan not guess. And so it appears he has aligned himself with your foe, Naraku."
"So it is, and they have tresspassed. Let us welcome them! replied Seshomoru. She landed behind them. In a voice of authority she cried "Behold the accursed one. So you have lowered yourself to be in such company, Saruman!" She drew Gurthang,the sword gleaming very brightly. Sesshoumaru also drew his sword. "We have no need for words. Let us slay them he said. Naroku and the old man turned and laughed. The old man carried a staff. He shouted something in the tounge of accursed Angband and aimed at Sesshoumaru. He blocked it with his sword. Alcarin jumped in front of Naraku and with luck she was able to pierce his arm, but he laughed at her. "And who are you, human!" He tried to stab her in the chest but failed due to the elven armour.
to be continued...