Bloodlines
Farewell to Lorien, Hello to Chaos

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

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Her gift had been the Light of Earendil.  Sitting within the small boat, enjoying the simple pleasure of allowing a cool breeze to pass through his hair, Frodo turned the small vial over in his hand again as he had every so often since they had left the borders of Lorien.  How does one capture the light of a star and lock it away inside a prison of glass?  Perhaps Elves could simply do anything.  Wind rustled in the trees, the water lapped at the shores on either side of the river and the atmosphere cooled in the fading light.  It was almost enough to relax the Ringbearer, if it were not for the heaviness that had settled upon him since the death of Gandalf.

Visions of the terror of Moria assailed Frodo once more, as ever they did in his dreams and the quiet moments when he was alone.  Gandalf had been there from the beginning of this quest.  He had been a part of Frodo's life, coming and going as he pleased, but always a trusted friend.  Frodo's link to the world outside the Shire.  Now he had to rely upon the wisdom of strangers, for his own Hobbit kin knew only as much about the world as he did.  How would he know the right path to take, now that Gandalf was gone?

Inhaling the fresh, crisp air Frodo looked to his left and smiled, seeing his cousins up to their usual tricks.  The Marchwarden of Lorien, Haldir, had been asked to join them by the Lord and Lady, to take the place of he who was missing and add to the wisdom of the Fellowship.  Gimli had steadfastly refused to ride with the Elf and that was more than okay with the other.  Now, however, Frodo wondered if Haldir might be considering otherwise.  Merry and Pippin had the foresight to grab a handful of rocks each and were now taking turns pelting each other, as Merry had taken his seat upon another boat with the Captain of Gondor.

As a small stone bounced off Merry's head and hit the water Boromir laughed, enjoying the distraction from silence.  The Hobbit scowled at his cousin then promptly tossed his retaliation with enthusiasm.  Pippin ducked quickly and a speck of gray flew past Haldir's face.  Unfortunately, that was not the end of it.  The force from Pippin's sudden movement rocked the boat, almost capsizing it.  Instantly the Marchwarden reacted, urging himself in the opposite direction the Hobbit had taken so as to restore balance, causing quite a splash.  Pippin gave a cry and flattened against the floor.  By now both Merry and Boromir were laughing out loud, but the look upon the face of the Elf was anything but amused.

The Elves of Lorien, he imagined, weren't entirely accustomed to such wild and exuberant young beings.  "Do that again and I shall throw you overboard," the Marchwarden threatened in a steely voice as he pulled the oars.  He had had his fill of this little game, it seemed.

The Hobbit looked indignant, but nevertheless stuffed his remaining ammunition away—probably for later if Frodo knew anything of his cousin.  Merry jiggled his in his hand as if seeking a new target for his fun.  He turned towards Frodo's own boat and gave a wicked little grin at Sam.  Rick chuckled and said, "If you knock this boat over I won't hesitate to swim over there and drag you into the cold water with me."  Merry sighed and put his stones away, but not before glancing at the boat with Gimli and Ardeth Bay.

"Perhaps we should stop for the night," suggested the Med-Jai as he examined the dimming skyline.  "I think we are all getting a bit restless."

Pippin rubbed his belly and agreed whole-heartedly.  "Yeah.  I'm getting hungry."

Behind him the Marchwarden grunted and pulled the oars back.  "I fail to see how you could possibly be hungry.  Do not think I am unaware of how many cakes of Lembas passed your lips.  You should be on the floor of this vessel, wailing and begging me to kill you."  The Elf stopped rowing a moment and looked around.

Merry grinned.  "Never underestimate the appetite of a Hobbit, I say.

Haldir pursed his lips.  "I shall remember that.  However, I do agree that we should stop.  It will soon be dark."

The company pulled the boats aside at the first sign of a viable shoreline down the river.  They chose the western side of the Silverlode and when the boat halted, Frodo took his leave of it gratefully.  Stepping onto the dirt, he stretched and found a nice, comfy looking spot near a fallen tree log.  He threw his pack down there and Sam did the same, ever wanting to watch over his friend.  Frodo sighed and turned away from those concerned eyes.  Oh, he knew Sam only meant the best, but more and more it was beginning to trouble him what he knew he must do.  Galadriel had certain insights into how each member of this Fellowship thought and had warned him against what the Ring could do to any one of them.

"Mr. Frodo," came that ever present voice and Frodo turned with a small smile.  Sam was setting up his pans for cooking with Merry and Pippin looking on in interest.  His friend motioned him over and he sighed, seeing no alternative.  He couldn't let them worry no matter how worried he was himself.  He would see no one else suffer the doubts that plagued him if he could help it.  So he joined them somewhat reluctantly, trying his best to push the burden aside.

Ardeth Bay watched this with interest.  He had not had the advantage Rick had in getting to know the Ringbearer since their spilt, but even now he could recognize certain things he himself could identify with.  It was written in the eyes of Frodo Baggins when he thought no one was watching.  With responsibility of this magnitude came a sense of loneliness and pressure.  Ardeth knew loneliness and pressure well.

He knew it in being the only son of the Med-Jai leader.  Of being born into mystery and having to repay the eternal debt the Med-Jai owed for allowing a king to perish and burdening the world with an unholy being of power.  No one understood what it was to wait for destiny, to have a duty to many people.  To fear failure.  Ardeth was a confident man, but only fools did not concede to the reality that all are imperfect and sometimes imperfection had a deadly cost.

Laying his pack open the ground, he removed the sword that had been given him.  It was an elegant thing, wrought of fine silver and down the length of the blade was carved intricate vines and words in the language of Elves.  They said these words imbued the blade with a fire that would burn the flesh of servants of the dark.  He gave it a test swing, finding it light and swift.  It was a weapon that would serve him well, he foresaw.

Haldir watched him with keen eyes, tending his own weaponry.  "Never will you see a blade so fine," he commented.  "It belonged to the kin of Galadriel, if I'm not mistaken.  A truly worthy gift indeed."

Ardeth looked down the blade, then at the Elf.  "I did not consider it would have been something belonging to her family, otherwise I would not have taken it from her."

"She would not have wanted it that way," Haldir replied simply, sheathing a dagger to his side.  His blue eyes scanned the dimming woods around them.  "I would like to have a look around and perhaps gather some wood for kindling."

A breeze brushed through Ardeth's hair as he too examined their surroundings.  "I will accompany you," he offered.

There was a flash of hesitance in those ageless eyes, so fleeting Ardeth wondered if perhaps it had been there at all.  Haldir nodded once and turned towards the woods, saying, "Very well."

Ardeth gave a look to O'Connell, who nodded his understanding of where they were headed, then hastened to the Elf's side.  The Marchwarden offered him a glance, then trained his attention upon the thriving woods they disappeared into.  The hour was fast growing late, sunlight fading and welcoming shadows into twilight's gold.  "You do not interact with humans very often, do you?" Ardeth asked him curiously.

Haldir raised a brow momentarily, but did not share his glance this time.  "It is true we do not interact with the world of Men so quickly.  Our human kin are brash and resentful sometimes of our wisdom and long life.  It is…easier to remain apart."

Reflections of that could be found in Ardeth's own experience.  It was easier sometimes, to pretend the rest of the world did not exist.  To pretend the encampment was at the edge of existence and beyond was nothing but sand.  "I understand," he replied quietly, content with the silence between their strides.

It was silent here within the forest, as still as the dawn rising.  Caught up in thoughts of his people Ardeth almost did not question that until again Haldir spoke up.  "Unfortunately, separation has not been granted us," he said quite calmly, now facing Ardeth as he urged him to a stop.  The Elf sniffed the air, his eyes darting through the brush.  "Can you smell it?"

Ardeth inhaled deeply, catching nothing more than a soft impression of something wrong with the air.  "I cannot tell," he said and Haldir took another breath.

"Smoke.  A fire was made nearby not so long ago."  Both men looked above, but saw no trace of it on the skyline.  Haldir shook his head.  "I do not like this.  I think it wise we should not linger upon these shores.  Evil is abroad as Lord Celeborn warned me."

"Orcs?"

The Elf nodded grimly, then motioned on ahead.  "We should scout the area, but be careful not to stray too far lest we find company.  Something is wrong here."

Ardeth could feel the truth in that, if only fleetingly.  It was something that danced upon the edge of suspicion, an intuition rather than a tangible thing to one that hunted and was accustomed to being hunted.  He followed the Elf further into the woods, feeling that sense of unease increase.  He had learned that his Elven friends had more acute senses, sharper ears and eyes, greater smell and perception.  So as Haldir slowed, he followed in kind until both men crept upon sounds that Ardeth was aware of.

In this distance he could make out the sound of many feet hitting the dirt and growling, inhuman voices snarling some black conversation.  It was then Haldir stopped, resting his hand upon Ardeth's shoulder to forestall movement.  "We are being tracked," he whispered so softly Ardeth barely heard.  The Elf shook his head, listening intently to the sounds of the trees.  "Long have I felt eyes upon us, yet not so near as this.  They will have sent runners to the shore to spy upon us."

Ardeth tried to see through the darkened trees, searching for any sign of these terrible creatures.  "Runners that are no doubt on their way back to tell their commander we've landed ashore."

Haldir nodded gravely, his eyes sparkling in the dark.  "We must return now."

The Med-Jai was quick to agree and with little prompting, both retreated back into the dark towards their camp.  There was no smoke upon the air yet, a good sign that no fire had been made to give away their company and yet a sinking feeling also told him that his companions may simply have not had time to create one if Orcs were on the prowl.  They ran on light feet, careful not to reveal a sound to any ears that would hear them.

But it was not enough.  In the trees around them another set of footfalls became apparent and wordlessly, Haldir pulled Ardeth from their trail to the side behind a great oak.  He motioned for silence and they listened as two voices filtered to them from the woods.  They were hideous and terrible, almost animal in likeness as they spoke back and forth of what they had seen near the river.  "It's been long since we've had any fresh meat," growled one hungrily, apparent glee in his voice.  "I say we go back and take 'em ourselves!"

His companion snarled in irritation.  "You know the orders as well as I!  We lose those little ones, we've had it.  You seen what Ugluk does to them that question orders."

The reply nothing less than chilling; a growl that was deep and malicious.  "Bah!  What's a wizard want with unspoiled halflings, anyway?"

"It's not for us to question."

Ardeth and Haldir exchanged concerned looks as the Orcs passed them buy, tromping angrily back to their company.  "They will give us away," Haldir whispered, drawing his bow quietly and notching an arrow.  "We must stop them if we can."

Despite his misgivings, Ardeth recognized this man as one of action and knew his mind was set upon this course even as Haldir took aim.  "What if they call out?"

"Then it will matter little than had we chosen to allow them to return to their masters," the Elf replied, his eyes trained ahead.  "Go on ahead and attack the other one as soon as I shoot.  I'm taking the one on the left.  I will wait until you are near."

The Med-Jai drew his weapon and crept forward, seeing the logic in taking a chance.  If they could overpower them before they reached the others, so much the better to cover their escape.  Quiet as a desert breeze, he walked, until finally he saw looming forms ahead.  One was taller than the other and more bulky, but both bled evil from their very presence.  Ardeth hunkered down in preparation as he drew nearer.

A rushing sound filled the air as expected and a sudden 'thwack' followed by a groan told him a target had been hit.  Wasting no time Ardeth rushed his quarry and threw himself into the one still standing.  It gave a surprised gasp and struggled beneath him as he drew up his sword, then struck downward into the creature.  He then caught his first vision of what an Orc looked like.  Its skin was dark and leathery, marred by darkness and ill-favor.  Two eyes seemed to glow almost as they regarded him in wide open shock, arms flailing as pain and death descended.

The other Orc was not so unfortunate.  A second arrow cut the air, but this bigger beast was quicker than his companion.  He rolled away before it hit and glared Ardeth down from the grass nearby.  He pounced quicker than expected and in the breath of a second Ardeth was covered by a heavy form and rolling through the dirt.  The large Orc gave a loud growl that filled the silent woods, undoubtedly alerting the others on ahead.  Large hands gripped his shirt and threw him back into the ground, knocking him breathless as he struggled for freedom.

Another arrow pelted the ground near them, but the Orc holding kept them moving as he tried to kill Ardeth.  Such brute force came from this being, such terrible strength that Ardeth feared it might just get its wish.  Blindly in the dark Ardeth punched his foe in the face, winning an angry hiss and a slap three times as powerful.  His head hit the dirt and for a moment he saw stars, but he did not give up the struggle.  He could hear footsteps closing in upon them and saw a flash of platinum hair, naming Haldir as he who approached.  The sharp sound of his dagger being drawn entered the air and now this fiend above Ardeth had two to contend with.

The Elf kicked the great Orc in the head, stunning it but momentarily, enough for Ardeth to shove him away and escape.  The Orc was quick to recover, though, and quickly drew its own weapon.  Ardeth backtracked to the dead one and reclaimed his sword as Haldir raised his dagger in defense.  The Orc cocked its head and snarled at Haldir, reaching behind to pull the arrow from its back.  He broke it in two and tossed the pieces to the ground at the Elf's feet.

It laughed darkly.  "The White Wizard didn't say anything against killin' you big folk!  I've been looking forward to a nice, big meal."  He threw down his great sword and Haldir dodged quite easily.

"You shall not wait long for your hunger to cease," the Marchwarden hissed, thrusting out with his blade towards the beast's throat.  The Orc slammed his sword against the dagger, sweeping the Elf back through sheer force.

Ardeth struck out with his sword, hitting against the Orc's armored side, slicing the thick leather, but not winning through to flesh.  As it tried to counter, Haldir plunged his dagger down into its chest, but movement deflected too far away from the heart.  Angry, the Orc flung himself into both Man and Elf, knocking them to the ground roughly.  Ardeth struggled to get a hand free, then wrapped his fingers around the dagger's hilt as the Orc reached for Haldir's throat.  The Med-Jai yanked the dagger free and was backhanded in retribution.

That did not deter him from shoving the dagger into the creature's stomach.  It gave a great yell and let go of Haldir, long enough for the Elf to get free.  But it was now too late.  Even still the Orc struggled to gain a victory, clutching the dagger in one hand and grabbing Ardeth's shirt with the other.  As Haldir searched the ground for a weapon, it dragged the Med-Jai by his shirt through the darkness.  He could hear the others coming now.  He could hear growls and the clanking of armored feet and war calls.  And Ardeth knew then that it was over.  "Go!" he shouted in command to the Elf.

Haldir whipped around from his search, his eyes wide in both understanding and hesitation.  Then Ardeth saw his head turn towards what came from ahead.  Again he shouted, "Go!" and the Marchwarden gave him a parting glance to convey his want to help, but they both knew he could not.  The others had to be warned.  They had to reach the eastern shore at all costs, even the cost of his life.

The dragging stopped suddenly and above there was terrible, hungry chuckle and then blackness took his senses.

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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:  A bit shorter than usual, but still interesting I hope. :-)

Reviewers:

Marcher – Thankie, thankie!  Glad you liked!  Those heart strings might be pulled a weetle bit. ;-)  Muahahaha.  Thanks for the review!  How is COHS coming…I haven't gotten an alert if you ever added another chapter.  *sniff*  I'll have to go check that after uploading.

Soul – He might have fallen for Evy…not sure yet. ;-)  Thanks!

Sirithiliel – Thanks!  Yeah, a contest between Immy and Legolas would be interesting, huh?  Might just be coming up soon, too. :-D

Lulu Bell – Thanks for reviewing.  RE: Ardeth…I have a hard time writing him as he was in TM…my vision of him is as I saw him in TMR…a little more mature and subdued.  Bleh…it's rough trying to capture him as he was in TM.  Doh!  As for Legolas…I can't help it, I grabbed onto the humorous side of him in TTT and it stuck.  Though I will say I do believe he would drink…Mirkwood Elves are ever fond of strong drink…even a few got drunk and fell asleep in Hobbit…not exactly how I picture Elves acting necessarily, but it was there. ;-)  Anyway...thanks for the thoughts!

Jedi Buttercup – Thank you very much.  I'm glad you like my characterizations of Evy and Beni…don't see Beni too often in TM…but I'm glad I could make his presence feelable. :-D  Hope you continue reading!

Terreis – Hehe..you sure don't hear those two names together often. ;-)  Glad you're enjoying what I'm doing. :-)  Thank you much for reading and for thoughts!!! :-D

Deana – Yeah, gotta make Aragorn jealous. ;-)  Cause what would the world be like if Aragorn weren't brooding? :-D  And anyway, Legolas is taking comfort from me…Legolas and Elrond both. ;-)  Those Hobbits really jarred Elrond's sensibilities.