Chapter 8: Out the Back Door
I know this is for my own safety but this really sucks.
Ariel huffed from her spot on the bed.
She was in her rooms at Rivendell, alone, watching the pink sun setting over the hidden valley. It had almost been a full day since she'd almost fallen from that ledge. Nearly a full day since she had heard that enchanting voice, the one that sounded eerily like her brother.
She shook her head out, standing up and walking over to wash her hands in the bathroom. She didn't need to really wash them, she just wanted something to do because by god she was bored.
Ever since her attack, both Gandalf and Elrond had pretty much placed her under house arrest in the company's shared accommodations while everyone else combed through the entire valley. The dwarves, she found, were surprisingly eager to help when they heard of the incident. Indeed, Fili and Kili made it their mission to accompany the elven guard's search party along with the young human Estel, with whom they had forged a somewhat tentative comradery in the wake of searching for the culprit.
But the most startling thing of all was Thorin's involvement in the search. Though he and Ariel were still rather distant with one another he was still the only witness to the strange shadow's attack and was determined to catch them out and deal out his own form of justice. Apparently, his hatred for evil murdering shadows outmatched his loathing of Ariel herself…or the elves he was forced to work with during the search.
In that way she supposed, she was fortunate he took her seriously, though that might've had something to do with how seriously Elrond and Gandalf were taking the issue.
Speaking of the Elven lord and the wizard, they were surprisingly calm about the whole ordeal. Even when Ariel had apologized for the hundredth time for all the trouble she had brought, Elrond merely put a hand on her shoulder and smiled gently.
"It is alright young one," he had said in a kind soothing voice "You are at no fault for what has transpired."
But she was at fault, she thought glumly as she exited the washroom and fixed her hair in the reflection of her full-length mirror.
The Valley of Rivendell was supposed to be protected by Elrond's ring of power, Vilya. Indeed, the enchantments the elf had placed over his domain was supposed to be powerful enough to keep most horrible evils out, excluding the power of Sauron and the one ring-
Ariel froze, her gut dropping beneath her plain sage green dress.
Oh no…oh-no-no-no-no-no! That can't be…Sauron is too weak, he's still the Necromancer…but who else could be that powerful to thwart another ring of power…
She looked at her staff, which she had set propped next to her writing table. Should she tell Gandalf about this theory, if it was even valid at all? Who else was there in this world that had the power to manipulate shadows and evil to such a horrific degree?
And those orcs…
Before they had reached Rivendell, Dwalin had often tried to spook her by saying rabid packs of Orcs and wargs sometimes roamed free around the wilderness. But that squad that had attacked the company appeared to be very well organized. And there was something about their armour too.
Ariel didn't know much about medieval armour, let alone Orc armour. Yet, there was something about the colouring and design upon the garb of the attackers that seemed too…uniform to merely be a wild pack.
She racked her brain as she thought back to the events of Tolkien's work. If Sauron was still the Necromancer, then that meant he was probably at this moment trying to raise an army for the Battle of the Five Armies, in the depths of Mirkwood.
But what could she possibly be expected to do about that?
She wasn't supposed to reveal anything of the events she knew. Not unless she wanted Sauron to somehow find the One Ring and destroy them all before they had a chance to even reach Erebor.
God forbid he got that ring before we reached the mountain. With a dragon on his side, he wouldn't need much of an army. He'd just click his fingers and Smaug would probably fry us all like shish-kebabs.
Ariel thought darkly, shivering as the thought of the dark helmeted shadow riding the back of a scarlet dragon. It truly was the stuff of nightmares.
Rat-tat-tat!
"W-who is it?" Ariel squeaked as she wheeled around to face the door. She sighed in relief as she heard a familiar voice.
"Tis me Lady Ariel."
"Estel?"
Ariel quickly opened the door to see the tall young human man leaning outside her doorway. His grey eyes were strangely misty as he hunched over as if some great weight was resting heavily over his shoulders.
"May I come in?" he mumbled, his voice oddly grim and quiet.
"Yeah, sure" Ariel nodded quickly ushering him inside and shutting the door behind him. Old fashioned propriety be damned, the poor guy looked like he'd been put through the emotional wringer.
She was quick to lead him to her writing table where two chairs stood waiting. She had kept them there because Lindir had kept her company for most of the morning, teaching her basic Sindarin Elvish, much to the dwarves consternation.
It hadn't been easy, but already she was beginning to grasp the small basic greetings and words typical of a beginner.
However, all those lessons practically flew out the window as she reached out to put a consoling hand on Estel's shoulder.
"What's wrong? Are you okay? You look…uh…" she trailed off, not quite sure how to not offend him.
Estel seemed to sense her thoughts because he gave her a hollow smirk.
"Dreadful?"
"Was I that obvious?" Ariel sighed heavily, and he gave a weak chuckle.
"Transparently"
"Sorry."
"Don't be. I feel dreadful." Estel admitted dully his head hanging low. "I just…I just needed someone to talk to…someone who's not an elf dwarf, or wizard…someone-"
"Human." Ariel finished quietly.
Estel nodded, his dark brown locks falling in the way of his face as he looked down to his knees.
"We were tracking down the shadow that attacked you" he murmured. "For a while none of the hunting parties found nothing, but your two friends Fili and Kili and I were determined to search beyond the borders without the rest of the hunting party. Nothing too far, just to the banks of the Bruinen. We had reached the edge of the river, but we dared not cross out of the border..." he trailed off shutting his eyes.
"Did you find anything?" Ariel gulped trying to ignore the familiar prickling on the back of her neck that she always got when she had a terrible hunch.
"There was a shadow." Estel bit his lip, grey eyes hardening as they opened once more "a shadow of a man on the opposite bank hidden behind some foliage. I couldn't make out much of his features, save that he had dark skin and very short dark hair. He was tall, and he was wearing strange clothes."
"What kind of strange clothes?" Ariel could feel her gut sinking low even as Estel said:
"A dark red shirt with buttons, strange blue pants and odd shoes. They looked soft yet durable and were brown-"
"With white shoelaces" Ariel finished quietly.
Estel looked up and was astonished to see the young woman's face quite emotionless and blank.
"I take it you know of whom I speak?" he frowned, and Ariel nodded meekly.
"It's my older brother Ian…or at least it appears to be him. The real Ian I know is lying half dead in an eternal sleep across the sea. Cursed by an old crone." she added when Estel looked confused.
"Is this why you travel with Gandalf then?" he asked softly "You hope to find a cure for his condition along the way?"
"Something like that" Ariel murmured her eyes going distant. Then suddenly she shook out her head. "No, but it can't have been him…he couldn't be able to travel in such a condition. And if he really were, he wouldn't have hurt me. Ian would never hurt me…"
The last words were barely audible, as though she was trying to convince herself more than him.
Estel had no idea what to say, so instead, he reached forward to take one of her hands in his on the desk. There was nothing romantic about the gesture, nor the sad tender look he gave her as he squeezed her hand.
She was quick to squeeze his in return, quickly coughing as she did her best to compose herself.
"Sorry, here I am getting all mopey when I should be comforting you"
"It's alright. I think we've all had a rather tense few hours." Estel chuckled and Ariel snorted.
"You can say that again. So, what happened after you saw the shadow?"
"It vanished, but that may have been because Lord Elrond was quick to appear. He admonished your friends and me for straying so far from the troupe, then he escorted us back to the house and bade us not to leave the valley under any condition. I don't think I've ever seen him looking so afraid in a long time."
Once again Ariel felt the guilt gnaw at her like maggots to dead flesh. Now everyone in the valley was under house arrest, all because she was too pathetic to almost follow an enchanted voice off a two-storey staircase.
But if that is one of Sauron's little puppets, then obviously he's hoping to stir up trouble at least in Rivendell, if only to put his enemies in disarray. And by god it's working.
"I'm sure everything will sort itself out soon. I mean, with Gandalf and Elrond both working together" Ariel added putting a hand on his shoulder "I mean it's not like you're going to be banished for just wandering out of bounds-"
She stopped quickly as sorrow flashed over the young man's face at her words. With a heavy sigh, he ran a hand over his face and through his hair, grey eyes glimmering sadly.
"What…Wait-hang on? You are leaving? Why?" Ariel's eyes widened in shock.
"I told you before that I was taken in as a ward of Lord Elrond when my parents died." Estel looked at her grimly "Well…Lord Elrond has decided that now since I am almost a man, that I am to return to their people. It's alright," - he added when Ariel opened her mouth to speak – "I had a feeling this would happen eventually, after all I am only human, and I have longed for a long time to walk amongst my own kind. Hence why I was so elated when you and your company came to stay"
He smirked slightly at Ariel, who cursed herself as she felt the heat rise to her now very pink cheeks.
"So you're being sent to live with your parent's people?" she coughed, doing her best to keep her face as neutral as possible.
"Yes," Estel gulped looking at their hands which were still intertwined on the table top. "Only my parents…well…they're not quite who I thought they were"
"What do you mean?" Ariel's brow furrowed.
"Have you heard of Dunedain Rangers?" Estel asked, and she nodded slowly. "They are a race of men directly descended from the lines of Numenor…descendants of Elendil the tall and his men. My parents, well, my father, as it turns out, is a direct descendant of the house of Elendil…and thus so am I."
Ariel could feel her gut sink deeper and deeper into the chasm of nothingness as she stared at the young man before her.
Oh, god…please don't tell me…you've got to be kidding me…Please let this be some weird cosmic fluke…
"My name is not Estel," he said, not noticing the paling of his listener's pallor as he let drop the final pin. "Tis Aragorn, son of Arathorn. The sixteenth chief of the Dunedain of the North, the heir to the throne of Arnor and Gondor."
Even though she knew of the stone that had been about to drop, Ariel still felt her gut sink in her body. She really did have the oddest luck in the world. Of all the humans she would befriend first, of course, it would be Aragorn.
It was odd seeing him so young and innocent like this, for in the books he had always come across as grim and serious. Indeed, it was only now not to be could see shades of the weather-worn Ranger in his face as he looked up at her anxiously.
"I take it you've heard of that name?" he muttered.
"A few times. Gandalf mentioned it to me when explaining the history of the Northern Kingdom of Arnor." Ariel gulped. God, she hated to lie to him so deliberately, but what choice did she have? She could hardly tell him he was a fictional character in a book, could she?
Not noticing her inner conflict, Estel, no, Aragorn, snorted bitterly down to his knees.
"Of course, the wizard would know of this."
"But Estel-I-I mean Aragorn-"
"I just don't understand!" Aragorn slammed his empty palm down on the table angrily. "Why didn't Elrond tell me?! Why keep such a big secret from me?! I mean I knew I was of the Dunedain, but to be the heir of Gondor…and now I have to leave…it's just…argh!"
He growled with frustration as his face dropped to his hands.
"Hey," Ariel reached out to grip his fingers consolingly as she pulled them away from his anguished face. "Hey…look at me."
Aragorn looked up despondently into her face. Her smile was sad but gentle and comforting as she pulled him into a tight hug.
"It's going to be okay."
"You can't possibly know that" he murmured as he sat stock still in her arms.
"I do." She said firmly pulling away to hold him by the shoulders "Listen, I've not known you very long, but from what time we've shared I can tell you this. You're kind, smart, strong, a little bit reckless sometimes, but you always try to do the right thing no matter how hard it is, and that's…that's why I know, that whatever happens you're going to be okay."
She reached out and hugged him again, and this time he hesitantly returned the gesture. His rougher larger hands shook slightly as they pressed into her back, his face burying itself into the top of her head as a tear escaped him.
"Shh, it's alright…" Ariel hummed gently, rubbing soothing circles on his back. "You're going to be okay…you'll see."
"How do you manage it?" Aragorn mumbled into her hair "Being so far from home, not knowing if you'll see your loved ones again?"
"To be quite frank I'm not sure I do manage it sometimes" Ariel admitted with a small pout. "Homesickness is kinda like being stuck in the middle of the ocean. Sometimes the seas are calm, and you're sailing along just fine, the next the wave hits you and strikes you. Sometimes you keel over from the sheer force of it, and all you can do is try and push your boat back up with all you got and keep sailing no matter how hard it is."
"Tis said my people came from over the seas…" Aragorn's voice sounded slightly hoarse as he gulped down on the large lump in his throat. "I wonder if you are also descended from them, for you speak with great fondness for the ocean."
"Who knows, maybe I am. To be fair, I don't know much about where my parents came from." Ariel snorted and tried to pull away, only for Aragorn to hold her in place with his hand on the back of her head.
"Forgive me" he breathed "But I've not been held by another human since my mother passed on, and I barely remember much of her. It's so different to the embrace of an elf. They possess far greater strength than us and thus hold back."
"Well that's one thing you can look forward to when you go back to the other Dunedain" Ariel smirked as she tried to lighten the mood "I daresay many human girls wouldn't mind falling into your waiting arms"
Despite himself, Aragorn chuckled and loosened his grip to look at her in the eye.
"On the contrary, I am not too fond of physical affection from strangers. With you, however, I feel a kinship, such as I have not felt before. Not just because you are human. You are like a sister, not in blood perhaps but in bond, and I feel that our friendship will continue to strengthen as the year's pass"
Ariel could feel her cheeks all but burn like red-hot coals as she opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" She asked.
"Tis Lindir my Lady. May I come in?" a smooth masculine voice called gently through.
"uh…wait just a moment Lindir" Ariel looked at Aragorn as he detached himself from her.
"It's alright. Go ahead"
"Are you sure?" she murmured as they both stood up.
"I'm sure" he nodded.
"Alright then." She patted his shoulder before walking over and opening the door.
"My Lady, the Lord Elrond and Gandalf the Grey are requesting your presence at the main house. They wish to speak with you in private. Estel" Lindir turned solemnly to Aragorn, not even surprised at the younger man's presence.
"You are to come with me; we still have much packing to do before you set out at dawn tomorrow."
"Of course, Lindir." Aragorn bobbed his head though he hesitated to step towards the door. Seeing the look on the boy's face, Lindir sighed softly.
"You may say your goodbyes before you leave if that is what you wish. I will meet you both downstairs when you are ready."
"Thank you old friend" Aragorn smiled gratefully at the elf who quietly shut the door.
"So this is it" Ariel huffed as she turned to face Aragorn "You're leaving"
"Yes…" Aragorn looked down at his boots. Despite being taller than her by about one head, he looked remarkably like a small child, scared and unsure even as she made to hug him one last time.
"Hey…you're going to be fine." She rubbed his back gently "And who knows, once my quest is over we might see one another again."
"I hope so." Aragorn muttered into her crown "maybe we can continue our lessons, I daresay you'll have plenty of time to practice on your travels."
"Sounds like a plan." Ariel smiled as she pulled away. "Stay safe Este-Aragorn" she corrected herself, though she regretted it at once as she caught sight of the stricken look on his face.
"It's alright." He assured her before she could open her mouth "Aragorn is my true name. I should start getting used to hearing it more often."
"Maybe, but just because your name changes, it doesn't mean you have to." Ariel patted his cheek clumsily as she tilted his head down to plant a small kiss on his brow.
"For luck" she smirked as he blinked down at her in surprise. "Trust me. You're going to need it out there."
"As will you." Aragorn returned the gesture, before murmuring into her crown "Thank you Ariel"
The walk to the main house was silent as Lindir led Ariel and Aragorn up the front steps. There stood Gandalf and Elrond. Both their faces, fair and aged, were grim as they watched the two younger teenagers stride up towards them.
Elrond indeed felt a stab of pity as he beheld the determined expressions in both their eyes. In twenty-four hours, the innocence and carelessness of youth had all but been ripped from the heir of Isildur and the young sorceress. Now they would both have to start facing the trials and tribulations of true adulthood. The elven lord could only hope they pulled through alright in the end.
"Master Gandalf, Ada-I mean Lord Elrond" Aragorn nodded his head respectfully as he made to pass them on his way up the stairs with Lindir. However, he paused at the top and glanced back at Ariel who forced a small grin onto her face.
"What are you looking at me for? Those bags aren't going to pack themselves by magic y'know."
Despite himself Aragorn grinned and spared her a small wave goodbye which she returned, her hand only dropping as soon as the door shut behind her friend.
"I take it the two of you have said your goodbyes then," Gandalf said, his gruff voice surprisingly gentle.
"Yeah. Yeah, we have" Ariel sighed heavily.
"Do not grieve my dear. I'm sure the two of you shall meet again once all is over." Gandalf's expression softened as he patted her shoulder consolingly. "Now come, there is much we need to discuss."
"Yes indeed." Elrond now turned to face Ariel, his expression grave as they strode to the side of the building towards a tall set of stairs.
"the last of our scouts have just returned from our eastern borders. The shadow that attacked you has all but vanished from all sight and knowledge, but the orcs that pursue your company are very much determined to follow your footsteps."
"Yeah…I figured" Ariel muttered, running a hand over her hair, and when both Elrond and Gandalf quirked their brows at her she sighed "Listen, I may not be that experienced with fighting orcs, but it doesn't take a genius to see that the ones that attacked us were just a small part of a much larger group."
"Indeed. One that seems to know of your plight to reach the lonely mountain" Elrond frowned hard at Gandalf who rolled his eyes.
It seemed to Ariel as if this had been an argument that had been going on for a long time. Thus it peeved her a little when the two older men started to speak in soft elvish.
"[Alike and yet unlike]" Elrond glowered at Gandalf irritably "[How could I have not seen it before?]"
"[I only started putting together the pieces myself shortly after we met Radagast]" Gandalf muttered. "[But surely now you see why such a mission is necessary?]"
"[Indeed, though I wish you had informed me earlier when you first found her. She could've been delivered here safely and much earlier where she could've been trained and taught her craft. Now you tell me you are going to drag this poor child halfway across the world when she has little to no experience with danger?]"
Gandalf shook his head before switching abruptly to English again "Of course I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance. And really, I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing."
"Do you?" Elrond responded with narrowed eyes, glancing back at Ariel who was trailing behind them on the stairs at a respectable distance, trying not to eavesdrop on their conversation. "That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if your plan should fail, if you wake that beast?"
"What if we succeed?" Gandalf countered swiftly "If the dwarves take back the mountain our defences in the east will be strengthened."
"It is a dangerous move, Gandalf." Elrond shook his head.
"It is also dangerous to do nothing!" Gandalf exclaimed in exasperation. "Oh, come, the throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright. What is it you fear?"
Ariel watched curiously as she saw a dark look flash over Elrond's face. When he spoke next, his voice was low and just as grim.
"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?"
He looked towards Ariel who blinked as she realised that he was addressing her. She didn't know whether to feel flattered that he sought her opinion on such an important matter or terrified of being put under the spotlight.
"Um…" She gripped her staff tighter in her hand as Gandalf also looked at her curiously. "I don't know about swear it won't happen, I mean Thorin does obsess a bit about the mountain…b-but I also don't think he would let himself fall that easily. He's a bit of a stubborn ass like that" She added, more to herself though both men heard her.
Elrond scowled as he caught sight of Gandalf's small smug smirk. Obviously, this wasn't the answer either had expected. Nonetheless, Elrond was persistent with his argument.
"That may be, but Gandalf, these decisions do not rest with us alone. It is not up to you or me to redraw the map of Middle-Earth."
"With or without our help, these Dwarves will march on the mountain. They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels he is answerable to anyone. Nor, for that matter am I." Gandalf sighed doggedly before glancing at Ariel "Nor is young Ariel."
"It is not me you both must answer to" Elrond smirked as they finally approached the top of the steps where a flat open space set between a circle of stone pillars girdled in ivy.
It was a beautiful place, overlooking the full valley from on high, illuminated by lamps that lit the space with a gentle white light, revealing a large table set with five chairs at the centre of the space.
But Ariel did not care much for the beauty of the place.
There, standing in the middle of a grand archway on a slightly elevated platform, shining in the light of the bright waxing crescent moon above was a woman. She was tall and fair, wearing a dress of a shimmering white, with long wavy blonde hair that seemed to be a mixture of gold and silver light. Her face, while her face was unlined and forever youthful, her eyes seemed to swirl with ancient memories. She stood proud and tall over all the men present, elf and wizard alike.
"Lady Galadriel" Gandalf was also surprised by the woman's appearance, though not as startled as his apprentice who had gone so pale it was a miracle she didn't faint right there and then.
Oh my god…oh my god! It's Galadriel! I'm meeting freaking Galadriel! And if she's here, then that must mean-
Ariel quickly glanced back at the stone table but was suddenly interrupted when Galadriel addressed Gandalf in Elvish.
"Mithrandir [It has been a long time]"
"[Age may have changed me, but not so the Lady of Lorien]" Gandalf responded in kind with a bow, giving a sharp glance at Ariel who blinked as she was suddenly startled out of her stupor.
She gave a short curtsy; her face turned down to her shoes as she felt her cheeks burn red hot with embarrassment. Trust her to start gaping like a fish at this moment.
I must look like such an idiot!
Ariel huffed in her head, as she looked down at her plain green dress and scuffed brown travel boots. Never had she felt so dull and insignificant.
Not noticing his apprentice's discomfort, Gandalf smiled up at the Lady of Light warmly.
"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you," he said in English.
"he didn't" A new voice, deep and aged spoke into the night.
Ariel stiffened as she wheeled around to face the figure that had just appeared in the shadows to her right. It was an old man, garbed all in white robes and holding a black staff. He had long white hair and dark bushy eyebrows and beard and slightly sinister stern face.
"Saruman" Gandalf sighed with relief, though Ariel found herself feeling more apprehensive with each passing moment as the White Wizard stared coldly at her with suspicious eyes.
"You've been busy of late, my friend." he rumbled in his deep voice "So…This is the young child Nuldien sent across the sea."
His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that Ariel did not like at all. He somewhat reminded her of one of her least favourite teachers at school, professional but cold and calculating and condescending.
She gripped her staff tightly in her hands, the green stone glimmering faintly in the dark.
Seeing her trepidation, Gandalf stepped forwards putting a firm hand on her shoulder. "Yes, indeed she is. Ariel, allow me to introduce the head of our order, Saruman the White. Saruman, this is Ariel the Green."
"It's an honour to meet you, sir. You as well Lady Galadriel" Ariel gulped as she bobbed her head respectfully to Galadriel who had descended back down from her platform to come level with them.
"The honour is ours young one. It is not every day one gets to meet a young fledgeling Istar. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" her eye's twinkled as she approached Ariel, her expression softening as she saw the younger girl look towards her shoes.
"Seventeen Mam. I will be eighteen in a couple of months" Ariel gulped, though she could already feel her nerves abate somewhat as she investigated the elven lady's face. Mysterious and powerful though she may have been, she had a comforting air about her even as she asked:
"And your family?"
"They're back home over the sea, I'm the only one here" Ariel glanced back down to her feet only to have it raised by a gentle pale hand.
"Come," Galadriel smiled kindly as she steered Ariel towards the table "You must tell us your story. All of it from the beginning"
And so Ariel told them about herself, about her parents and her family, though she kept the information about her homeworld as brief as she could to avoid any confusion or probing questions about it. She told them of her brother, how the two of them had been working at the library, and how the hag had cursed him, how Nuldien had come to her and sent her to the shores of the Grey Havens with a magic spell.
It was then she stopped to take a break, noticing that Gandalf and Saruman had joined her and Galadriel at the Council table while Elrond stood behind them leaning against a pillar.
All three men were looking pensively at her, frowning as they tried to digest her words.
"This hag that cursed your brother…" Elrond murmured stroking his chin. "What did she look like?"
"Uh…umm…She was about my height but she was hunched over. She wore all black, which now I think about it was really weird because it was a pretty hot day and-" she paused as Saruman narrowed his eyes sternly at her. "-And her face it was…well…it was kinda like looking at a vulture. She had this wrinkled skin and this big beaky nose, she had thin white wispy hair…and her hands….they were…they were like claws and one of them had…a mark…"
She stopped quickly to gulp down the lump that had formed in her throat. She could still feel it now, the burning hand on fire. The strange brand on an aged palm.
"A mark?" Saruman scoffed softly "And pray to tell what sort of mark was this?"
"A…a red eye. It-it was on her left palm."
There was a mind-numbing silence as all the White council stared at her. Not for the first time Ariel wished she could melt into her chair and disappear. Now she'd dropped the pin; there was no going back.
She saw Saruman, Gandalf and Elrond exchange a glance.
"Do you think it could be…" Elrond started, and Saruman nodded.
"Balcheth" the white wizard rolled his eyes "of course that miserable crone would be behind such an attack. Please, child, continue"
"But wait-who is she? What-"
"The rest of your story young lady. Now" Saruman cut across her irritably.
Ariel scowled but reluctantly acquiesced to his request. Maybe it was because she knew what he would become, but she thought something was off about the way Saruman was looking at her.
Do not fret young one; all shall be explained to you in time. The White Wizard often has very little patience in such strange matters as yours.
Galadriel's voice suddenly whispered inside her head and Ariel almost jumped in alarm. Then again she wondered why she was so surprised. She knew Galadriel had these powers, of course, she was going to use them to suss out the current situation.
Though that didn't mean Ariel was at all prepared for them either.
Even so, she calmly continued her story, telling the council how she was found on the beach, how Gandalf had taken her under his wing. She told them of her trip to the Shire and her travels with the dwarves and how Aragorn and Elrond had saved her from the wargs and brought her to Rivendell.
By the time she had finished telling of her incident with the shadow from the night before, Galadriel had stood up from her seat and was pacing around the table deep in thought.
"These are strange events" Saruman stroked his beard thoughtfully, but Ariel could see the disdain with which he looked at her. "especially strange that one so young should be sent across the sea because of a hag's mere meddling with mortal affairs."
"Mere meddling?" Ariel felt her gut heat up like a furnace of anger "My brother was almost killed"
"A tragic moment for you and your family I am sure. And this shadow? All this fuss for one near accident? Have you not considered Child that you might have been sleepwalking?" Saruman snorted.
"Saruman" Elrond started only to be steamrolled over by the young human girl.
"Sleepwalking?" Ariel rolled her eyes "Oh yes why didn't I think of that? Oh yeah, maybe because I was wide awake when this happened!"
Behind her back, Galadriel paused mid-stride, a small amused smirk creeping up her lips as she glanced down at Gandalf who was sighing in exasperation.
Of all the time his apprentice had to rear her hot head it had to be now. Though the more he thought about it, he really couldn't blame her.
Saruman wasn't exactly known to be the friendliest of wizards. He especially was most suspicious of magic wielders outside of this council and the other Istar of Middle Earth. Though that may have been because of his pride. Wise lore master he might have been, but like all creatures that dwelled upon this land, he was not without vice nor fault.
And so it did not surprise Gandalf in the slightest when the White Wizard's nostril's flared angrily.
"Impudent child." He scoffed turning to Gandalf, "I would've thought since you had designated yourself as her teacher you would've taught her some manners."
"Tis true Ariel is a little rough around the edges." Gandalf muttered sparing Ariel a glance to silence her before she could retort "However, given the circumstances surrounding her presence here it might do you well to consider her story without prejudice. She might not yet have much in the way of experience but I trust her word and judgement, and so did Nuldien, and she always had an eye for these sorts of things."
Saruman straightened up stiffly eyes flashing, but he stayed his anger quickly as he caught sight of Galadriel's warning look behind the young woman's back.
So, the Lady has taken a shine to this urchin? Why am I not surprised?
With a cough, he schooled himself back together and forced a benign smile as he addressed Ariel again.
"Forgive me for my hastiness young one." he tried to say kindly, but Ariel could see the sharp gleam in his dark eyes "I must confess it has been a long time since I've heard a tale so strange. Especially one concerning our old friend Nuldien."
"I take it she hasn't been around for a while?" Ariel sighed as she leaned back in her chair.
"Not for a couple of centuries" Elrond answered, his posture relaxing now that confrontation had been avoided. "Though there were rumours that she appeared briefly before King Thror in the days before the dragon attacked the lonely mountain. Only she disappeared before any of us could make contact."
"Oh…" Ariel deflated. Well, there went her one chance at finding out more about the woman that sent her.
Sensing her disappointment Galadriel was quick to change the topic as she addressed Ariel again.
"Your powers grant you control over nature" it wasn't a question, yet Ariel felt compelled to nod and answer.
"Yeah…yeah they do."
"To what extent?"
"I'm not sure" Ariel gulped her grip tightening on the wood of her staff. "I mean…I've always had a green thumb since I was small. I've never found a plant I couldn't look after. And I've usually been pretty good with most animals…But these powers I have now…I've never…" her voice fell away as she looked down into her hand
"I see" Galadriel looked thoughtfully at the young girl "And what of the rest of your family? Have you ever seen them wield any magic before?"
Ariel shook her head. "No, never. Why? Is there someone else like me?"
"Radagast, though he is rather flighty and scatterbrained" Saruman added under his breath.
"Nonetheless he is wise in his own way." Gandalf countered swiftly. "and he is a valuable well of knowledge as far as the animals of this world are concerned"
"Yeah, I saw" Ariel snorted only to cough quickly as Gandalf spared her a small disapproving look.
Right gotta be on my best behaviour.
She heard someone clearing their throat and looked up to see Saruman looking at her sharply again.
"That shadow that attacked you, can you describe it in more detail"
"Maybe…I'm not sure…I didn't really see it per se. I mean I did see a shadow but it wasn't anything y'know, concrete and…" Ariel trailed off, gulping as she felt all eyes turn to assess her shrewdly.
"Okay…uh…At first, I couldn't see it. I could only hear it. It sounded like…like my brother."
"I see and later on when you could see it?" Elrond probed.
Ariel paused, biting her lip anxiously as she remembered the fiery red eye that had filled her dreams of late.
"Like I said before…just a shadow. Kinda like smoke" she mumbled not meeting any of their eyes. Saruman opened his mouth to say something but quickly stopped as Galadriel once again silenced him with a look.
"You have done well to have made it this far young one." The Lady of Light smiled gently at the younger woman before addressing the rest of the council "Though perhaps you might answer one more question."
"Sure? What is it?" Ariel blinked.
"Your parents, and your brother…are they all human?"
"Uh…yes…at least I think so?" Ariel looked around at the rest of the council.
"Hmm…" Galadriel frowned as her eyes scanned Ariel's face up and down, drinking in each of her features. The red-brown locks, the hazel eyes that seemed more green than brown in the light of the moon, much like the green glow from within her soul.
Galadriel had not felt such raw untapped power since the days of her own youth. It was very different from Gandalf's inner fire and the burning power within Saruman's form that she could feel nor was it like the light of the Eldar that glowed within herself or Elrond. It was like feeling the life force of a young tree, strong and yet subtle, fresh and yet supported by centuries of the earth's energy.
She was sure Gandalf, Elrond and Saruman could sense it. After all the girl wasn't really doing anything to hide her power.
The Lady of Light's thoughts were interrupted when Ariel shivered and fought desperately to stifle a yawn, failing miserably as she tried her best to hide it behind her hand.
"Tis getting late." Galadriel glanced at the Moon in the sky which was already beginning to dip just below its peak before looking back at Ariel. "And you should get your rest. You have been through a lot."
"But what about the council?" Ariel frowned.
"It shall continue, for we have much to discuss." Saruman snorted waspishly.
Ariel rolled her eyes.
Oh great, so now I'm getting turfed out while the "grown up's" have their chat.
Seeing her temper beginning to flare again, Gandalf smirked and quickly pulled her to her feet.
"Do not worry; you will be free to re-join us once you have rested."
Ariel opened her mouth to retort only to yawn as another wave of tiredness hit her again. Just what was with her? Why was she so tired suddenly?
It was only when Lindir arrived to escort her away from the meeting, and she turned to glance one last time at the council did she see why.
Thereupon Galadriel's hand, hidden in the folds of her dress, something was glimmering faintly.
Something that looked like a silver ring...
But then the glimmer was gone as Lindir took her arm and led her down the stairs and away from the council.
Once the young girl was out of sight, Saruman rounded on Gandalf with narrowed eyes.
"It seems you have kept a great deal from us Old friend!"
"I'm not quite sure what you mean Saruman" Gandalf replied carefully, though Elrond could see the Grey Wizard stiffen a little as the White Wizard scoffed.
"Oh but don't you?" he stood to his feet and looked at the rest of the council. "barely a month or two since you started sniffing your nose into this dwarf business, and a young human girl with ancient magic suddenly springs into your lap? And you expect us to not be suspicious of her presence?"
"I must agree with Saruman." Elrond nodded, though his tones were far gentler and steadier than the old wizard. "It is unheard of that a human could ever possess the powers of one of your order unless Nuldien found a way to somehow transfer her powers across to another being."
"A preposterous notion" Saruman scoffed irritably "We might be able to grant a small portion of our power temporarily to another being, but even then their abilities are severely limited, especially if they are human like this woman-no! this child."
"Unless of course…she was not completely human, and she did not know it." Galadriel's voice was soft and careful as she glanced at Gandalf "I take it you have not yet told her about your suspicions then?"
"No, I haven't told Ariel anything." Gandalf fiddled with the hem of his grey sleeve "Of course I plan to eventually when I have more proof that my theory is correct. Her situation is a tricky one, and should word get out before we have the full truth the consequences could be catastrophic."
"You make it sound like you're expecting a great and powerful force of evil itself to descend down upon us once it finds her." Saruman leaned back in his chair.
"It already has, Saruman." Gandalf glared up waspishly at his colleague. "That shadow of her brother was no parlour trick. There are dark forces at work here, and this child has a part to play"
"You might think she is an agent for the darkness?" Elrond quirked a brow. "She did not feel as such to me."
"Neither to me," Galadriel said softly. "No. Young Ariel is no agent of Sauron or Morgoth. If anything it is quite the reverse. That which is dark always lusts for the energy of something warm and bright to feed upon."
"the Lady is right" Elrond nodded thoughtfully his eyes hardening a little "it has been a long time since such a young force of nature walked this earth. And your apprentice has yet to learn to harness and control her strength. Many a dark creature will be naturally drawn to her essence. One can only hope you can teach her to contain her power before something else tries to take it for its own."
Ariel"
"hmm"
"Ariel wake up."
Her brow furrowed as she opened her eyes to see the blurred outline of a dark-haired person as he shook her shoulder.
"Kili?" Ariel grunted as she sleepily sat up. "Wha? What happened?"
"We're leaving" came a voice from somewhere behind. Ariel turned quickly and saw to her surprise Thorin standing in the doorway with his arms folded and his face set.
"Leaving?" Ariel looked out her window. It was barely tinted grey as the dawn just about peeped in over the horizon.
"But why I thought the plan was that we were going to wait for a couple of days till Gandalf asked Lord-"
"Plans change" Thorin grunted. "Elrond will never condone this quest and Durin's day is almost upon us which is why we must leave as soon as may be."
"We must leave?" Ariel narrowed her eyes at him, and the dwarf prince bristled.
"If you wish to remain then I will not stop you." but then quietly added "nor will I blame you or fault you for wanting to return home…especially after what I have said…and after what that shadow tried to do to you."
Ariel stared at him in surprise. Was he, the great Thorin "jackass" Oakenshield…trying to…to apologise to her?
"Thorin…" Ariel gulped running a hand through her hair. Thorin looked up at her expectantly.
"Can you please leave I need to get changed?"
Thorin blinked for a moment. Ariel rolled her eyes.
"Well I won't be able to travel in my nightclothes now will I?"
Thorin's eyebrows rose in surprise, though it was short lived as he gave a small nod in acceptance.
"Of course. We will be on the ground floor when you finish. If you are late we'll leave without you" he added in his usual irritable gruff grumble before leaving the door.
Thorin leaving me without an argument? Oh god, what is this world coming to?
Ariel shook her head before quickly turning to look at Kili, who had been watching the exchange in silent shock.
"You too Kili" she waggled a finger towards the door. "Or do I have to slap you too?"
She had meant the comment to be playful however she was surprised to see the young dwarf flush a little before fleeing off after his uncle, shutting the door tight behind him.
Quickly as she could in the dim light she found her travelling clothes which had been mended expertly by the elves.
Her travel dress that had been torn and dirtied was now as neat and as green as the day it had first been given to her as had her dark green cloak, corset and arm braces. However, there were a couple of small differences. For one thing, the boots were an entirely new pair, thin, lightweight and well fitted, though still comfortable. They were just like the shoes she'd seen the sentinels of Rivendell wear as was the new sword which had been sheathed in a dark green scabbard on a sturdy brown leather belt. Ariel marvelled for a moment at the details in bronze of the hilt and guard which had been shaped to resemble a great leafless tree branching outwards with the blade sticking out the top like a silver thorn.
The sun's about to rise
Ariel bit her lip as she secured her sword once more on her hip before adjusting the hood of her cloak over her head before picking up her staff.
She was becoming used to having the stick around in her hand. Sometimes she wondered at how natural it felt to wield it. Almost as if her hand had been made to hold it like that.
When she came down, she found the company all packed and waiting for her silent but fidgeting. Even Bilbo was tapping his large fuzzy hobbit foot softly against the ground; a nervous tick he always got when he was anxious.
She was just about to ask him about what was wrong when Balin suddenly stepped forward to greet her.
"Good morning lass. How are you feeling?"
"Oh…" Ariel gulped. "I'm fine. How are all of you?"
"Oh good now that we've all been properly fed and rested." Bofur spoke up with a small grin "Bombur has put on the weight he'd lost."
Bombur gave her a tiny wave and a smile, which Ariel returned doing her best to look as inconspicuous as possible. She'd caused enough trouble already on this quest; she didn't want to be the source of any more problems.
As if guessing her discomfort, Thorin was quick to hiss:
"Right are we ready to leave now?"
After many small excitable choruses of "yes" and "of course" they all snuck out in pairs or threes out the doors of their buildings.
Ariel did her best to stay at the back of the pack, trying to pair herself off with Bombur who was usually emotionally oblivious to others save when they were hungry. However, when she made to try and walk out behind the dwarf, she felt two pairs of hands grab at her arms and steer her up.
It was both Fili and Kili and their faces were grim as they hissed.
"Thorin has told us to stick close to you," Fili answered her before she could even open her mouth.
"Ordered more like" Kili muttered, "both of Bilbo and us if we're not around."
"And Dwalin and Balin" Fili added, "Thorin told them but not anyone else about the man we saw at the river."
"Thank goodness" Ariel sighed. At least the two older dwarves knew how to keep a level head when it came to dangerous situations.
She bit her lip as she suddenly registered Thorin's name in Fili's sentence.
"Did Thorin or either of you find anything last night when he went looking?"
"We don't know. We only saw that strange man, and he was quick to vanish as soon as Lord Elrond found us. As for uncle, well, if he has seen anything, he's not told us." Kili shrugged though he looked worried as he glanced up towards the head of the company where Thorin was counting off their party as they snuck out across a courtyard.
Ariel ducked her head slightly as she and the two young dwarves made to dash across the empty clearing.
As they darted over, her mind was filled suddenly with the giggles and soft snickering's of naughty children, a small splash of water accompanied by a loud angry and yet amusing growl.
Despite her tiredness, Ariel smiled widely.
"What is it?" Fili asked curiously as they made their way behind Bifur and Bofur to hide under a set of stairs.
"It's just…just" Ariel snorted into her hand "I've not snuck around like this since I was a kid. The last time I had to was when we were pranking Kirovski at school."
"Kirov-what?" Kili quirked a confused brow at her. The human names of Ariel's home always confused him greatly.
"He was my school bully" Ariel explained her smile widening as the memory played over much clearer over her mind's eye "And he was the most horrid boy you'd ever meet. Used to stick gum in my hair and then tug on it while he called me names like Air-head."
"What did you do to him?" Kili snorted in amusement as they crept around a statue of an elvish sentinel.
"Who said I did anything to him?" Ariel mock pouted in innocence only for Fili to raise a brow at her. "Ok, ok my friends and I may have…accidentally poured a bucket of paint over his head."
"Accidentally?" Fili snorted as Kili began to snigger under his breath.
"Oh yes," Ariel giggled. "We had an art class, and the teacher told us to clean out the last bit of pink paint from the paint tins by pouring it out the window. Of course, she didn't specify which window we had to pour out of so…"
Both dwarfs both doubled over with laughter as they stopped just under a tree. They were back at the courtyard before the bridge from which they'd first entered Rivendell all those days ago.
Thorin looked back and rolled his eyes as he saw both his nephews and Ariel giggling like naughty children about to pull a prank.
"Will the three of you hurry up?!" he snapped quietly as the three of them still sniggering ran towards the bridge.
"Whoa, careful" Kili grabbed Ariel's wrist as she stumbled a little on the narrow stretch of stone.
Ariel gulped as she looked down. The light of dawn was barely peeping over the horizon now, and the ground beneath her was still very much dark, so much so that it was difficult for her to see the bridge or the large drop beneath it to the roaring rapids far below.
She was grateful the two brothers held onto her hands as they walked across, guiding her nimbly but safely to the other side. Dwarves while not as sharp as Elves had keener eyes for the dark than her normal human ones.
Once she felt the rough earth under her feet, she sighed suddenly feeling a rush of energy as the grass beneath her glowed slightly.
Both Fili and Kili jumped in alarm, but a second later, Ariel opened her eyes with a huge sigh.
"Wow… that was nice" she exhaled with a long puff and as she spoke both dwarves thought they saw her eyes flash green for a moment before returning to their hazel shade.
"Uh…is everything ok with you three?" Bilbo's voice wafted as he stood some way away from them.
"Oh yes we're fine Bilbo" Ariel smiled.
Bilbo smiled back though he was unsure. He had been with Bofur in the pair before the three youngest members had crossed and was waiting for Bombur and his partner to get up the large rocky stairs that climbed high to the top of the valley so that he could follow.
When he saw Ariel's eyes glow green he had stood rooted to the spot. During that moment it seemed as if she were another person, no another being altogether. She had looked for a moment like a tree had been carved into the shape of a person and was breathing after long years of sleep.
But Ariel was not a living tree. She was a living person.
I only see these things because I'm sleep deprived
"Be on your guard. We're about to step over the Edge of the Wild. Balin, you know these paths lead on. Master Baggins I suggest you keep up."
"What?" Bilbo blinked suddenly realising that he had stopped in his tracks and was looking blankly back at the valley of Rivendell veiled in the light of the rising sun.
He quickly turned to see Thorin standing still as the rest of the company moved past him, counting them off and pulling up the stragglers. When Bilbo made to step towards him, he spared the hobbit a small irritable roll of the eyes before trudging off to follow Nori.
The Hobbit rubbed his eyes as he made to follow Bifur's trail as the rough dwarf stepped before him grumbling softly in his native tongue.
Bilbo still couldn't believe they were going to sneak out of Rivendell without Gandalf to guide them. It felt so wrong like they were thieves stealing out of the back door.
He just hoped the Wizard wouldn't take long to catch up with them.
Meanwhile, Ariel turned around to face the valley. Somewhere amongst those beautiful houses, a young human man was preparing to start a new life amongst his people: a young man with a great destiny, one of nine that would change the whole world as they knew it.
She only hoped she'd live long enough to see him grow into that role.
"Good Luck Aragorn." She murmured under her breath "I really hope you make it."
A woman with flowing hair of glistening gold and eyes that were as blue, and as the clear waters of untouched, untainted streams looked over the sunrise as it bathed the Valley of Imladris in the morning light.
But her mind was not on the dawn. Her gaze instead was set upon the high wall of the valley, upon the side of which a tiny green light glimmered in and out of focus as it wove behind boulders and vegetation that grew on the rocky cliff face.
The lady frowned as she focused her mind upon the glow.
No matter how much she dwelled upon the source, she could not shake off the uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.
She turned her head towards the flat round courtyard she was standing before to see two elderly men both in long robes. One was dressed in grey the other in white, arguing in soft voices. A few feet away a tall dark and grim elf lord was conversing in rapid elvish with a servant of his house before quickly following them down a set of stairs.
Lady Galadriel of the Golden Wood of Lothlorien eyed the grey-clad old man as he tried to speak calmly to his fellow.
"Saruman, I understand that we do not want to believe the enemy has returned, but surely these incidents are not coincidental."
"Incidents?" Saruman the white narrowed his dark eyes upon Gandalf with obvious impatience "Gandalf we all know that the humans are wary about magic in any form. They see a small shadow move of its own accord, and they believe it to be witchcraft when in fact it is merely a light trick. And as for Orcs and Trolls, they are foul creatures that will move at will and have no care for the borders they cross."
"Saruman these were no ordinary Orcs we met on our road!" Gandalf hissed "these were an organised company, a scouting party, not mere hunters looking for food-"
"Enough old Friend" Saruman sighed heavily "I am weary. We have talked long into the night, and even the wise need their rest."
And with that, the old Istari walked away leaving behind his frustrated colleague.
"Wise need their rest. Hmph" Gandalf huffed as the hem of Saruman's white robes whipped out of sight down the stairs "More like he cannot handle the truth."
"You are worried."
Gandalf looked up at Galadriel who was assessing him, not with shrewd eyes but with concerned ones.
"Yes I am" he murmured as he made to walk up to her vantage point. When he was level with her, she spoke once more, this time more quietly.
"Because of the power the child has within."
"She did not ask to be sent here in the first place" Gandalf looked at the cliff wall where he knew the company of Thorin had passed over.
"No she didn't" Galadriel nodded in agreement. "but perhaps that is for the best. I have always found that those who are best suited to power are those who do not seek it. However those kinds of people are few and far between, and great power always does attract those of great greed."
At this, the grey wizard looked up at the tall, fair elven lady before him. However, her gaze was not hard nor disappointed. It was merely concerned.
"You will follow them."
"yes," Gandalf nodded.
"You are right to help Thorin Oakenshield. But I fear this quest has set in motion forces we do not yet understand. The riddle of the Morgul blade and the green stone must be answered. Something moves in the shadows unseen, hidden from our sight, it will not show itself. Not yet. But every day it grows in strength and seeks new power. You must be careful."
At this Gandalf's face paled but even as he made to stride away, Galadriel called after him.
"Mithrandir. Why the Halfling?"
Gandalf turned around his eyes softening with thought.
"I do not know" he admitted quietly "Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold people in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk. Simple acts of kindness and love…"
And now the old wizard smiled to himself sadly.
"Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid…and he gives me courage."
Galadriel's face softened as she silently glided towards him and took his wrinkled hands in her smooth, unblemished ones.
"Do not be afraid, Mithrandir." She spoke softly. "You are not alone. [If you should ever need my help, I will come]"
And there we have it, the eighth chapter is finally up after a long hiatus. (just been waiting for time and inspiration to come to me to write)
So Ariel and Aragorn are both parting ways as dear friends. Will they meet in the future, will something happen, that we'll have to find out a lot later. When i first introduced Aragorn into the story a few chapters ago, I was only going to put him in as a cameo, but then it kinda snowballed into a brief friendship/puppy love kinda thing. I figure there's not really much time for any relationship past friendship to really develop between the two (especially seeing as Aragorn hasn't met Arwen yet).
As for the white council, It was painfully obvious to me that Ariel was going to butt heads with Saruman from the start. He's prideful and she's stubborn, it was inevitable. I'm not sure about Galadriel's intentions, for, on the one hand, she seems motherly to Ariel's face, while she is innately curious as to her true purpose. Elrond still is worried about her because she's young like Aragorn and he's not sure if she's ready to face the world yet. One thing, of course, they all agree on is that there's more to Ariel than meets the eye, though whether that's a good or bad thing is yet to be revealed.
Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter and please review if you want to see more.
And on that note, Happy holidays and a happy new year!
Cheers
FuzzyBeta