The sun shined through the window and a gentle breeze blew into the room. Lord Sesshoumaru's silver hair glistened, rejoicing in the light. The sound of his voice had a musical ring to it as he chanted, like the sound of a brass toned bell. He seemed one of the mighty First Born, touched by the sorrows of the Eldar race; his golden eyes bright and deep. Wise he seemed and beautiful beyond the measure of Men. In his own way he was a vision of a world that once was. He became aware of Miran's gaze and fell silent, and looked up at her. As she slumbered before, her thoughts unguarded, he was able to peer into her mind, and so he learned much of what Galadriel had said. He applied altheas and put forth his own healing power upon her, and under his care she had regained her full strength and her full powers returned to her, as she was before the disaster at sea.
As he looked upon her open and alert elven like blue-grey eyes, his heart lept at the sight. Wrapped in a white robe, her hair shining about her, she seemed like one awaking from a age long slumber. Secretly within he rejoiced at the sight, outwardly he revealed nothing. A slight smile was upon her lips asAlcarin rose from the bed and moved towards him. "You have done much for me, Lord Sesshoumaru. I am eternally grateful to you for your kindness," she said. One good turn deserves another, Alcarin, he responded, a slight impish smile upon his face as he repeated the name Galadriel called her.
She simply smiled a knowing smile at him. He said, "We are to leave at night fall. You and I have much we must speak about, without an audience, (He gestured towards the door where Ren and Jaken stood.) before we leave here." he said. "Yes, indeed. Let us then walk with one another. I must dress first. Then, if you will, Ill meet you outside" she responded. He nodded and began to leave the room. "Sesshoumaru," she called to him, and he turned around to face her. " I truly am grateful for everything. Elen sila lumenn omentielvo. A star shone upon our meeting," she held his golden eyes with her gaze. He returned her gaze, then looked at the ground. "A star shone indeed. I only returned that which I was given, Alcarin," and with that he left, Jaken followed him out as he exited the room.
Ren remained in the doorway. She was so adorable Alcarincould hardly stand it. She ran in to her, a huge smile on Ren's face, and wrapped her little arms around her waist. "Your'e not sick!" she exclaimed happily.Alcarin laughed and smiled at her. "No, Im not sick, Ren. Lord Seshomoru said we are to be leaving here at night fall. Why don't you help get things ready?"" I can do that! she cried, and hurried out of the room. Seeing Ren madeAlcarin think of herself at that age.
She opened her pack and removed an elven dress and cloak. Made of white and gold, the dress and cloak glistened. It was made for Erulaita, her mother, in Lothlorien and was wearing it when Alcarin's father first laid eyes upon her long ago. AsAlcarin put on the dress she looked even as an elven queen. Her amber hair shone like a shower of jewels as it hung about her, her skin luminescent and her eyes were bright. The dress incredible, sleeveless it hung about her in Egyptian style, hugging her figure, from the waist down it flowed out gracefully down to her feet.
She bound upon her brow a single white jewel, dazzling in the light, made by the Noldor in Valinor when the craft was yet young and brought with them when they returned in exile to Middle-Earth. She clasped her cloak about her with a silver and white gemmed leaf, girding herself with Gurthang first, a constant reminder of a secret terrible burden. Wearing the dress made her feel as if her mother was right in the room with her, and it gave her a feeling of calm.
She made her way outside. She found herself spellbound by the beuaty of the land n. The sun shone on the leaves of the great trees, making them shine like millions of emeralds. There were wild flowers about, open to the day. The air was sweet, like the smell of many flowers spreading thier fragance on the world. For a moment she stood silently, savoring that glorious perfume. She found Sesshoumaru standing as though he was an ancient statue. More striking seemed his beauty as he stood before the falls, the full light of the sun falling upon him. His silver hair shimmered and there was a glow about him. The sight took away her breath. In his turn, as she approached his side he saw Miran's reflection in the water and was dazzled, for she was a remote vision of the First Age, fair and glorious, her skin shining, containing a power that was veiled but yet could be felt.
As she came beside him neither of them spoke. She gazed into the crystal like waters of the falls. Motionless and silent, they stood side by side, listening to the music of the waters. Suddenly the falls were lost before her eyes. A dense, dark wood stood before her, the air was foul, and there was a shadow of great evil and fear was set upon it. Miran were reminded of Minas Morgul, not yet purged from its late masters Shadow (She rode there with the rulers of Ithilien, Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn when she had visited them with King Elessar.) She saw flashes of light to her left, so she ran towards them.
She stopped as she saw an opening where the flashes of light were appearing. She saw Saruman wrapped in a black robe, surrounded by numerous deamons, the jewel shard glowing purple in his throat. High he held his staff, and in the accursed tongue of vanquished Mordor cried in a great voice words of terrible power. Instead of white his staff flashed red, and then, to her surprise, she saw him absorb the deamonsinto himself. She saw, not far off, a puppet of Naraku, wrapped up with fur and a monkey head. She could see his amusement over what was occurring before him. Distracted, his mind was unguarded towards her, so she bent your mind upon him. What she found there made her gasp aloud.
The vision suddenly faded and she was before the falls once more, still facing the waters. Not turning from the falls, Sesshoumaru spoke. "I know what it is you saw, I caught images from your mind." "I know," she responded. "But do you understand what it could mean, what it could bring to pass?" she asked. Yes, but they do not yield the greater power, only the jewel shards give them the advantage, and the shards appear to have little power over you. The crushing of your not fully recovered body caused your fall," he replied.
"Yes, but the wizard's powers are growing. His spirit is no longer powerless and without form. He has regained half of that which he had lost when Mithridir snapped his staff at Isengard. Naraku's shard enabled his spirit to take that physical form once more. Saruman is Maia, an angelic spirit only slightly less in potency than the Powers of the West whom Men have called gods. Only when all the powers of good united together was he defeated in the War of the Ring. But not even then did Mithirdir nor even Galadriel, the last and strongest ruler of the High Elves of the West, could destroy him utterally. His form was slain far from War, by a knife used by his own servant in the Shire of the halflings. Only Illuvatar, God and Creator of all, could destroy such a one.
When I looked into Naraku's mind I saw his plan. He will watch the wizard increase in power until only the jewel shard alone gives him power over the wizard. When Saruman has grown truly great, Naraku will use the jewel shard to absorb the wizard into himself, rendering all that power and true immortality into him, and the wizards spirit will be naked once more. Then he will be even as Maia, and he will no longer need the sacred jewel, nor would it have any power over him. No power in middle-earth nor the west will be able to destroy him, and only when all good and free peoples unite their powers against him would he be able to be defeated, but that is not garenteed, for here I have seen that the powers for good fight and war against one another.
He would wield a power unlike any you have ever stood against, nor any here on this isle has ever faced or seen, and a Darkness would cover this place, blocking the light and bringing eternal night. For there is a greater and far darker Evil who is behind this," she told him. "But this has not yet come to pass, and your foresight gives us a advantage over Naraku and the wizard Saruman. Though his power grows, I percieve that the Black Blade and Lord Seshomoru is yet more potent than he for the moment," he responded. "I percieve there is something else you wish to speak with me about. What is it?" he asked.
"Why are you involving yourself in this? You care nothing for those of the mortal race, at least, most of them, and yet you will fight with one such as I against a threat of which you do not yet understand. Do you not percieve the Shadow that is behind this?" "A shadow has fell upon the land, not yet of great power, but it is growing, that I can sense. I do not know why I am choosing to battle this, but something within that long lain dormant has been awakened by your coming. Something that came to life the moment your voice was carried to me from the falls that night. I can not explain it. It is alien to me. It is like a burning fire, not of anger, but of something else, and it burns all the greater when I am in your presense. That and my heart speaks to me of things I do not understand. Of a great darkness and of a great danger and a Shadow that has no name.
She remained silent for a moment. Of that Shadow I know to much, far to much. It is but a servant to the Darkness, and though defeated, it may rise again, and Naraku will provide the means for that rising. And of that burining of which you speak,I share. But before I declarewhat is in me, Imust hearwhat is in you. What is this that lies between us? She rose her head up to look at him once more. Her heart felt as though it came to a screeching halt. He turned towards her and they were now eye to eye with one another. Boldly she continued, "When I am near you, as I am now, my heart leaps and my hands shake. (she lifted up herslightly shaking hands then lowered them). I have fought in war, under such Shadow day was turned into Dark night and it was doubtful that there would ever be another dawn ever again.
I haveslain orc, troll, warg, and goblin,and dared even the wrath of the mighty Valar, sailing for that which is forbidden for mortals, less a exception such as that which was bestowed upon the halfling, Frodo the Ring Barer, and Gimli, the dwarf of greatest heart is also bestowed upon me in the unforseen future, and I was not phased, even though the attempt almost took my life. I fear no Man, or creature, orc or dark wizard, nor even the blood drinkers, the undead, but yet your presence causes my heart to pound and my hands to shake. Do you also feel this, Sesshoumaru, or am I alone?" she asked.
He did not know how to answer her, but he was beginning to understand that which was burning in his heart.And so in response hereached out his hand and brushed a strand of hair back from her face. Her heart, which after it had stilled began to pound once more, skipped a beat, and he knew it. He gazed into her eyes and moved closer to her, till they were almost touching. He answered very simply, "What do you think, Alcarin?" He wrapped his left arm around her waist and pulled her to him. His free hand clasped the back of her neck, both of thier hearts pounding, pounding so hard it was like they were trying to escape the body.
His fair face came closer and closer to hers. Her left arm wrapped around him and her right hand touched his face. His eyes closed at the touch. He held her tighter, moved in, and finally his lips met hers. The world seemed to still and time to stop as the passionate kiss held them both in its grasp. His hand left her neck and was now stroking her shimmering amber hair. They both pulled back. She gave him a slight smile and answered his question saying, "I think you have fallen in love with me". He flashed a dazzling, breathtaking smile, his golden orbs alight.
"Yes, inspite of myself, yes." he replied, and kissed her again. "What does this mean, then, Sesshoumaru?" she asked. He gazed even deeper into her eyes, like he wanted to penetrate her soul with what he was going to say next. "It means I'll never, ever, let you go, ever," he answered. She looked down, and in a soft voice asked, "Promise?." He lifted up your face then answered with all his heart, "Promise".He smiled , then she smiled, and then they both began to laugh, filled with the joy of those in love. They parted from thier embrace and began to walk side by side, both of them once more calm. "The Lady, Galadriel, she spoke of someone, an ancestor unknown to me. Tell me about Huan of Valinor" he said.
To be continued...