Bloodlines
Uneasy Answers

Through the mischief of two Hobbits Rick discovers his family line travels further back than he could have imagined.

~~~~~~~

The shroud of night covered the forest and Rick listened to the absence of sound within the trees.  He would have thought comfort could be found within the darkness, for even if he remained in the company of the remaining Fellowship he would still be tucked away from the prying eyes he felt were now upon him.  But such was not the case.  He felt as though he were still standing in the desert from three years ago, open to any that came and to those that had left him to die.  What it was, he could not say, but nature breathed of it all around him.  Rick scratched through his itchy stubble and wondered just when it was he had lost his mind.  He was even starting to think like these people.

What scant rest Haldir had allowed Rick had passed up on, too disquieted to lose himself to sleep.  When he had asked the Elf if they were being watched, he had only smiled and left him to rest with the others.  What was it that bothered him so?  He searched the trees for eyes and felt them, but could not for the life of him see the source.  Being watched wasn't something new to him, certainly, but there was something so dreadful about this place, something bubbling beneath the surface.  He felt it strongly whenever his eyes crossed Frodo.  Each time he thought of taking the Ring to this Mordor himself, just for the sake of having it done.  He felt restless and impatient, and wanted nothing more than to get Ardeth and go home.

He, Boromir and the other Hobbit had survived and that fact revived the cheer of the others with him while his news of Gandalf grieved Haldir and the two Elves with him.  This place was a myriad of emotion and Rick was tired.  "You should have taken sleep," the Ringbearer commented from his side and the ex-Legionnaire looked down.  Again he wondered what trouble it would be to bear the burden himself...  Except that it was not his to bear.  This was not his world to save.  Not that he was any sort of hero, anyway.  But maybe, just maybe if he took the Ring to his world, it would stop being a problem for these people and even help the Med-Jai defeat the foe they faced.

No.  It could not be.  He abandoned that thought—tried to—and shrugged.  "Yeah, I guess I should have."

So concerned, this friendly stranger.  "You look tired."

He certainly felt it, too.  He could see it mirrored within the Hobbit's bright blue eyes.  Thoughts of the Ring and of this quest tumbled around his mind no matter how hard he tried to put it aside.  Just how far could this little guy get, anyway?  If Mordor was the most dangerous place in Middle-Earth, how in the world did he have a chance?  O'Connell exhaled and looked ahead.  "This place is weird.  Pretty, but very weird."

Frodo nodded knowingly and Rick wondered if he too felt like he was being watched.  The other two didn't seem to notice anything unusual and Gimli was too busy making his distaste of the Elves known.  The Ringbearer looked up as light filled their path and Rick followed his suddenly wondrous eyes.  Light, pure and blue, soothingly met his vision and his disquiet increased.  "Welcome to Caras Galadhon," their Elven leader announced in a tone filled with both peace and warning.  "The home of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel.  I will take you to where they wait by the side of your companions."

They were led quickly through the ethereal place and each step brought him closer to Ardeth, to answers and to having to speak of the terror of Moria.  It would be forefront on their minds, he knew now, from the way Haldir spoke.  They had expected Gandalf to be gone and he would again have to tell of what they had lost.

It was present on new and old faces as the small group of tired warriors were led into a glade.  Instantly the three Hobbits rushed with a cry towards their long-lost companion, leaving Rick and Gimli to follow the Marchwarden's lead.  The ex-Legionnaire's eyes fell upon three familiar forms that approached with one knockout of a blond.  Though he fully intended to greet Ardeth Bay first, Rick was sure to offer Lady Arwen a soft smile as he extended his hand to the Med-Jai and shook it.  "Hey.  Glad everyone made it.  Everyone okay?"  He looked into Bay's weary eyes, then turned at the sound of happy Hobbits nearby.

"We managed," Bay replied, following his gaze.  "I see most of you did as well."

The grief and disquiet hit him again.  "Yeah," he breathed, turning his eyes upon the blond woman that watched him.  Something about her gaze troubled Rick.  It seemed like he had met her before, or that perhaps she was the one that had been watching in the Golden Forest.  His mind seemed to cloud slightly as she searched his eyes, but that wouldn't stop an O'Connell man from speaking his mind.  "Rick O'Connell.  Are you…married?"  A smile spread across her pretty lips, but the gravity in her expression did not fade any.  Those eyes were wise.

The Med-Jai raised an eyebrow and shook his head disapprovingly.  "Yes, my friend, she is married.  This is Lady Galadriel and I advise you to be anything but yourself."

Rick rolled his eyes, but couldn't tear away from hers for too long.  Suddenly images of the Ring flitted through his mind and images of his shady past, all seeming too ugly compared to her.  He was as naked as a baby and Rick found his smile fading, though every indication on her face told him she knew his heart and looked past what shouldn't be seen.  Her voice was as soft as a whisper and as strong as the knowledge of life and death.  "Do not be troubled, Rick O'Connell.  Long has your journey been, longer than you had thought it would be.  Much longer than that of your companions."  He nodded lightly and remained silent despite himself, so she continued with the question he had been waiting to answer.  "Tell me what has befallen Gandalf."

At this Rick turned his eyes on the Hobbits, upon Frodo.  He could still hear him calling for the old man.  The sound was as fresh as if it had happened yesterday.  It troubled him still, making him victim to the bond that occurred between men that fought together against death.  "He didn't make it.  This thing…we went into this mine.  Some sort of shortcut, I guess.  We were chased down by these Orcs and we did pretty good, too, until the demon came."

"Demon?" Ardeth intoned and O'Connell nodded.

"Yeah.  Looked like everything that your mom told you about in Sunday School," he said, sighing as he searched his mind for the correct word.  "Bal…Bal-something or other.  Gandalf said it, but the moment was too tense.  I don't remember.  Anyway, it chased us down to this bridge and once everyone was safely across he stopped to fight it."  Rick gave Ardeth a sidelong glance.  "I hope that's not what's running around Egypt right now.  That thing…well, there's no real gentle way to put it.  It and Gandalf fell off the bridge.  It was a pretty long drop."

The pain evident in the face of their hostess face made Rick exhale.  She looked suitably horrified and he regretted the news he just gave her.  He should never have had to give her this answer, should never have been here to give it.  You were appointed to, Rick O'Connell, and nothing could have prevented it, she replied to his thoughts, but he could have sworn her lips hadn't moved.  Startled, he tried to ask about it, but was cut off by a more important question.  "This quest is in a perilous state, but there is even still some hope.  Tell me, did Gandalf take the book that summoned you with him when he fell away?"

Rick gave the Med-Jai an uneasy look, knowing what getting back to Egypt meant to him.  "Yeah.  He did."

Galadriel looked away at that, her face pensive and drawn from sorrow.  "I must speak with my husband.  Rest now and we shall speak again soon.  My granddaughter will remain."  She smiled a last time before departing and Rick ran a hand through his hair, breathing out.

"Wow, she's…"

The Med-Jai nodded and clapped him on the shoulder.  "Yes, my friend.  She is quite a remarkable woman."

Another remarkable presence made itself softly known from nearby and Rick smiled as Arwen tilted her head in greeting.  "Granddaughter, eh?  It's nice to see you again."  Her fair faced seemed to glow with a warmth that was different than most of the girls he had known.  Clean and pure.  It made him playful to hide the truth of how it made him feel.  "I hope you didn't have as much trouble getting here as I did.  I mean I know you couldn't resist seeing me again, but it might have been safer staying home."

Her eyes twinkled and he knew she understood the jest, even as the Med-Jai beside him groaned in irritation as he and Boromir wandered to where the Hobbits were talking uproariously.  "It is good to see you again, Master O'Connell.  I am gladdened that you survived.  Are you hungry?"

He rubbed his stomach absently and looked at the table.  "Yeah, actually.  That's not a bad idea."

"Then come."  She offered a sheer-clad arm clothed in deep maroon to him.  It felt so soft after all he had been through, so welcoming.  "We shall sit with your Med-Jai friend.  I am certain you have much to speak of."

~~~~~~~

Time had turned the hours of day into night.  Their time here within the Golden Wood was waning and he found himself loathe to give the dream away.  Yet Ardeth knew what had to be done, both here and at his far away home in Egypt.  "You look peaceful," O'Connell observed, sitting at the foot of a great tree, his back against the trunk and his eyes half-lidded.  "Hell, I bet even I look peaceful now.  This is some place."

The Med-Jai shared a grin with Boromir and nodded.  He had noticed his American friend calm down as they day progressed, offering them rest and the magic of this place.  O'Connell had seemed less than his usual self upon their reunion and of course Ardeth knew next to nothing about him, but it was a noticeable change.  "That it is, my friend.  Do you feel rested?"

Rick nodded and glanced over to where the Hobbits lay sleeping.  "Yeah.  Nice not to have to worry about being chased by Orcs or whatever other fairytale wants to wander after us."  He grinned at Ardeth.  "You should see those Orcs."

"Big?"

The Legionnaire nodded with a glint in his eyes.  "But more than big, they're just plain ugly if you ask me.  Of course, I wouldn't exactly go telling one I said that, but I've never seen anything so weird and disgusting.  You fight these things?" he asked Boromir.

The auburn-headed Captain of Gondor nodded without missing a beat.  "Aye.  Mordor is on the borders of my country, so I am no stranger to Orcs and other strange visions of blackness.  My brother and I have hunted them in our own lands, have seen the destruction they cause."

Rick crossed his ankles, his face intent upon Boromir.  "They talk too, don't they?"  Those blue eyes darted between his companions.  "I mean I don't know.  I had this idea they weren't much more than animals, so it was strange to hear them speaking English."

The starry lighting of Lothlorien seemed to reflect blue in the eyes of Boromir as his voice lowered and his expression grew wearied.  "They are little more than animals."  His tone was hard, betraying a hatred for these beasts that Rick spoke so casually of and Ardeth listened to their Gondorian friend in recognition of a leader who had seen terror come upon his people.  Boromir sighed, noting the other man's quiet.  "Forgive me for speaking so harsh.  I have seen what they can do and can imagine no Man, Elf, Dwarf or Hobbit able to duplicate it.  I have seen children, taken and killed for sport.1  They are little more than animals."

"Yeah," O'Connell breathed, leaning his head back.  "Well, we'll take care of them, won't we?"

There was no 'if we are here' added to that and Ardeth believed it just as well.  He could see in Rick a willingness to continue on this journey and felt it reflected in his own being.  Galadriel was right; what he did with the time he had left would help him in this.  He decided not to mention to Rick that he was going to die and did not know when, and had asked Boromir not speak of it either.  If he were lucky, it would not be sickness that would take him, but honor in battle.

His thoughts were thrown astray by the approach of another presence, alien to all three men, that spoke quietly into the night.  He bled in from the shadows with confidence and Rick, ever friendly, grinned up at the Marchwarden Haldir and greeted him according to his customary humor. "Sorry if someone complained.  It was Ardeth yelling about the lack of alcohol, despite our efforts to shut him up."  The Med-Jai exhaled and shook his head.  How a man could win a person over, complain about a thing of their responsibility and pin it on someone else, all without appearing foolish or rude was beyond Ardeth's understanding or want to understand.

Haldir obviously knew, of course, the reality of those words—the lack of—and smiled lightly, finding some amusement in that.  "Indeed, Master O'Connell?  We shall have to find something to placate him, will we not?"

Giving O'Connell a little look, Ardeth replied, "I am well placated, thank you."  He turned his eyes upon the Elven warrior.  "What can we do for you?"

Haldir surveyed the Fellowship before giving his message.  "My Lady summons you, Ardeth Bay and Rick O'Connell."

"Summons?" Rick repeated, sitting up.  "What's going on?"

The Marchwarden apparently did not know.  "She did not tell me the reason, but given the location in which she wishes to meet you I can only advise you to openness to truth."

They stood immediately and both men exchanged glances before the Med-Jai asked, "Where is this location?"

There seemed to be an aura of mystery within the eyes of Haldir as he answered, "I am to take you to her mirror."  Before they could ask of it, the Elf turned away and began into the woods, clearly expecting to be followed.  Motioned to take the lead, Ardeth trailed him with O'Connell close behind.  Though the night had blanketed the forest, dimming the stunning surroundings, Elves could be heard within the trees and glades.  Clear voices rang out in beautiful song.

"Pretty voices," O'Connell commented, stepping into stride at the right of Ardeth.

"They mourn for Mithrandir," Haldir replied from ahead of them, his voice touched by the sorrow that was shared by his kin.  "Gandalf, as you know him."

"What are they saying?"

The Elf looked over his shoulder for a moment at O'Connell, his eyes grave.  "They speak of the light that has gone out.  Of his bonds being cut."

The American quieted at that and they traversed in silence then, listening to the fair voices.  Gandalf's death had affected these people profoundly and Ardeth wondered how a Man could hold such sway over the cares of these private beings.  There was still so much about this world he did not understand.

As they neared he could feel a presence begin to impose itself upon his awareness, strong and clean, and he knew as sure as he could feel her that if she did not wish it so, he would have never known they were close.  The voices of the Elves seemed distant and all but forgotten as they came to a small clearing.  Haldir did not enter, but motioned Ardeth and O'Connell on to where Galadriel waited.  Her starry eyes watched their movements gravely and just as they neared, she gathered her fine white skirt into her hand and took a pitcher from a nearby stand.

In the middle of the clearing there stood a pedestal and upon that what looked to be an ornate basin with a reflective bottom.  The Elf sorceress watched them as she stepped beside it and filled it with water.  "I ask you as I ask all who would entreat the powers I possess.  Will you look into the mirror?"

Ardeth exchanged glances with Rick, then turned his attention upon Galadriel.  There seemed to be something different about her.  She seemed graver, more powerful as if infused by things he did not understand.  It made him wary, so he asked, "What will happen if we do?"

"Many things, but what you see will be a truth, be it the past, the present or the future," she replied, training her steady gaze upon him, for he had spoken first.  "It is a choice to be made, not to be forced, for not all hearts are prepared to hear all things."

Ardeth looked to Rick, who rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably, but nodded nonetheless.  The Med-Jai looked down into the water, seeing only that.  It was only a mirror, nothing more.  Her magic would touch his mind, but truth was not a thing to be feared, so he stepped up, prepared to accept what would come.

The reflection of the mirror within the small pool seemed to draw him sweetly, beckoning with a touch he could not identify.  Was it her power he felt suddenly coursing through his veins?  For a long moment only his own eyes stared back, his eyes but not.  It was as if another were looking at him through his own image.  And then it changed.  He forgot about the outside world, about Galadriel and about the forest he was in.  Time seemed to release him from its hold to leap past what he could perceive with his own senses and show him more.  The vision within his eyes shifted softly, changing his face into that of his father.  He turned away from his son's watch as a scene melted in behind him.  It was Hamunaptra.

It was morning, bright and blue.  The sands were made restless by a breeze, sweeping grains onto Abdul-Medjid's boots.  He seemed both young and old as he led a 15-year-old boy towards the ruins.  "My son, it is both an honor and a curse that I must tell you of your heritage," he said in low tones.  "I will tell you now the tale of this ancient place, a tale we are forever bound to."

It was the day that his father had told him about Hamunaptra's secrets, about the Med-Jai's sworn duty to protect the world from what lay beneath the sands.  His people did not talk openly of the City of the Dead.  They did not tell their children until they became adults.  One week after his mother had died Ardeth's father had seen the change in his son and deemed him a man, ready to understand the secrets of life and death.

At first Ardeth had not believed the tales, thinking his father was playing a joke or some other such nonsense, but gradually as he spoke to others about this he began to allow mystery and magic into his life.  Then, too, there were the whispers heard at the site, the strange visions and voices calling.  Ardeth accepted his fate in this world, but it did not stop him from doubts that sometimes came.

After telling the story Abdul-Medjid pulled his son from the site and retreated with him to where they had left their horses.  AS the youth was mounting his father touched his arm and with grave eyes said a thing that to this day spoke to his sense of purpose.  "Above all else, Ardeth, remember this.  You are a protector."  The face of his father changed into that of a white man with long hair and piercing dark eyes.  Behind him stood a white tower, tall and strong.  He seemed almost ancient, like something out of the middle ages, but the words still belonged to his father.  "It is your birthright and your life.  For blood and for honor."

And just as the power had touched him, it let go.  The world came back and with it, uncertainty.  As the mirror dimmed back to his own reflection the Med-Jai looked up for understanding and found Galadriel watching him with interest.  "Did you see it?" he asked her.  She nodded once and he looked back again, as if the vision would return.  "What does it mean?"

Holding up her hand, Galadriel shook her head.  "Wait until all has been seen before you ask."  She motioned O'Connell forth that he would experience his vision.  Ardeth stepped aside, wondering if he would see this one as well.  O'Connell's uneasy expression made him believe otherwise.

"What'd you see?" he asked before turning towards the mirror.

Ardeth shook his head, unsure of what to answer, except, "My father."

That prospect did not seem to appeal to O'Connell, but the American nevertheless stood boldly to face what was to come.  Turning his head, Rick peered into the mirror, his hands resting on the stone pedestal.  Ardeth saw no visions, but as he walked slowly around to view his companion's face he could see the rapt attention that the ex-Legionnaire paid.  His blue eyes were almost unblinking as he gazed, his brow knit and his body still.  Light seemed to shine from the glittery surface of the water, but when Ardeth looked down he could see nothing but Rick's reflection mirrored back.

The Med-Jai looked to Galadriel and was surprised to see her watching him instead of the mirror.  Did she see what O'Connell saw, even without looking into the mirror?  Without her saying so he somehow believed she did.  As they shared eye contact he had the feeling she was far more powerful than he had thought, more than he could imagine.  She and her people would be a frightening enemy.

"Wow," Rick breathed, the vision seeming to end as soon as it had begun, though Ardeth knew to the one seeing it would seem a lifetime.  O'Connell stepped back and looked up at them with confusion in his eyes.  He sifted a hand through his sandy hair, then shook his head.  "I saw myself running.  There was a mirror and in it I saw some other guy's reflection."

"Who you saw was Aragorn, Rick O'Connell," Galadriel said, coming forward.  "Though you come from different backgrounds, within your hearts I perceive you are not so dissimilar."

"Aragorn?  That's that guy who was supposed to be part of the Fellowship?"

The Elf nodded, then looked to Ardeth.  "And he who you saw in your vision was Denethor, Steward of Gondor and father to Boromir."

Bay and O'Connell exchanged glances, wondering at the answers to this puzzle.  Ardeth shook his head and asked, "What does it mean?  Can we go home?"

She did not answer right away.  Galadriel turned from them and moved to stand before a small waterfall from which she had drawn the water for the mirror, dipping her fingers into the cool liquid.  Both men remained respectfully quiet until at last she did speak, her words grave.  "I do not know if you can return home.  My own visions and yours tell me that you came because you are descendants from the line of kings.  Ardeth, you are from a line of protectors, the Stewards of Gondor, who protect their country from the great evil.  You, Rick, are of the blood of Numenor, an ancient race of men that are true of heart and honor, even if they do not always understand their place.  That is why the spell the Hobbit read brought you."

O'Connell shook his head.  "Whoa.  Arwen told me about Numenor.  She said they were a really classy, honorable people.  I don't…I'm not part of that.  This place isn't even the same Earth we know."

Galadriel faced them then with a smile.  "And how do you know this?"

To that the American had no answer.  He considered her words, looked up into her eyes and came back with a reply Ardeth believed typical of his manner.  "Arwen said the line of kings came from an Elf that chose mortality.  Elros or something.  Anyway, I have a question.  You think Elrond would mind if I called him Uncle Ron?  I've never had an Uncle Ron before."

Galadriel laughed, but her demeanor held onto the gravity of their situation.  Those piercing eyes softened as she regarded them both without an answer to their question.  "I do not know if you can ever return home, but the passage that was read spoke of returning the glory of the ancient blood to the line of kings.  My heart tells me if you do this, you may have a chance."

There was a long inhale at that and Rick looked decidedly uncomfortable.  "Great," he breathed, again running a hand through his hair.  His smile was half-hearted.  "I don't suppose glory can be bought anywhere."

"True glory can never be bought, Rick O'Connell, except with honor," the sorceress told him firmly, yet not without a note of hope and warning.  Words here came double-edged, they were learning; there were always two roads.  "You have a choice now.  Inside you is all you will need to find glory.  You can seek it, or you can abandon it."  Her eyes held the American captive a moment, then the tension seemed to melt away as she nodded towards a path out of the glade.  "Come.  There is much to discuss and the hour grows late.  You must decide if you will continue on the path to Mordor."

~~~~~~~

Author:  Ruse – jedinineofnine@hotmail.com
Disclaimer:  No infringement intended.  Naseen and Salih are mine.
Feedback:  Yes!  By all means, my precioussss, lemme know how I'm doing!
Archive:  Sure, just please let me know if you will, so I can stop by and see your site.

A/N:  I'm not sure I understand the full purpose of Galady's mirror, so I came up with what I could as far as some of how it works, though I've never read anything canon about it showing "truth" or whatever.  So, just know that. :D

1 - storyid=1409526 Mine to Cherish, my little ficlet with Boromir and Faramir.

Anyway, sorry I'm dragging butt in Lothlorien, it seems…but I don't want to miss plot elements. :O  They'll be on there way next Middle-earth chapter doubtlessly!

Reviewers:

Tash – Thanks!  Aaaw, that's so kind of you to say. :)  Hehehe!  I'm glad you enjoyed it, just don't tell any teachers I kept you from study. :O  Thanks muchly!! :D

Soul – Hmm..I figured Elves were pretty sensitive to all that was going around them, plus I thought it would be cute. ;)  Thanks!!!

Marcher – Yes, three halves. ;D  I am the Queen of Excuses. ;)  Thanks so much for being there, of course and reading and giving me your thoughts.  Ah Aragorn…every woman's dream I'd like to imagine.  Evy'd be a nut not to fall head over heels. ;)  Glad you're liking what I'm doing in that as well as with Jonny and Leggy.  The friendship just struck me as possible for some weird reason. ;)  Thanks!  Have a great holiday!!

Fruit Loop 7 – Wow, thanks very much!  :)  That's very nice of you to say…I'm so pleased at the reactions my humble story is getting.  Eee! Thank you dearly for your review!

Patty – Legolas/Kitten…has some scary possibilities. ;D  I was a kitten last year for Halloween though, so maybe that wouldn't be so bad.  I'd marry Legolas in a heartbeat as would any sane female I'd imagine. ;D  Thank you thank you muchly!  Glad you liked!

Asylum – Hehehe…tis the imagination that keeps me sane…or insane, rather. ;D  As for reincarnation…wow, it's a lot to think about, huh?  I mean I doubt even those people at The Mummy even really considered how raising Anck's husk body would effect Meela…weirds.  Anyway, as for defeating Immy…not sure how it's gonna do down when I get there.  I assume Evy'll read from the Book of Amun Ra as she did in Mummy…but as to how they really finish it all…hmm.  Anyway, thank you muchly for reading!  Glad you liked!

Golden Butterfly – Aaah!  Evy/Legolas, Evy/Aragorn..my heart is torn in two!  Both are such great, sexy men!  I'd love to do both and prolly will end up writing another Mummy/LOTR just because.  Oye…but thanks!  Glad you're liking this…who knows, anything can happen between here and later.  I can't decide! :D  Thankie!

Mommints – Thank you most kindly!  I'm pleased you liked the last chapter. :D  How are your stories???  I confess, I haven't looked too much on the Mummy page, so I wouldn't know.  Darn real life!  I WILL, by GOD, I will catch up though!  Tis a slow process, but I'm catching up on all my friends' stories each night. :)  So, I'm still running after ya!  Thanks, my friend! :D

Karri – Thanks!  Wonderful work on Wonder, btw.  Excellent look into Leggy's father.  Anyway, thanks a bunch…glad you're enjoying.  Hehehe…I'm happy my dialog is staying true. :D  It means a bunch to hav people returning for more, so thank you much…hope to see more Bitterness of Mortality up soon! :D

Deana – Hehehe..what would life be without Ardeth receiving a death threat from me?  Muahahaha. ;)  Thanks!  Yes, there's some tension between Evy and Aragorn…yes, Ardeth is sexy when in trouble.  Maybe I'll feed him to an Orc!  Yeeeehaw! ;)