The king's son's funeral was dark and dreary. Eowyn's sad voice rang out through the crowd as she sang a song in a language that was all but foreign to Fay. She watched as they set the body in the tomb and shut it tightly. She couldn't bare to think what it must feel like to lose a child, especially an only child. After it ended, everyone dispersed except for Gandalf and King Theoden who stayed by the tomb.
Fay was given a warm room in the palace, as well as a fresh pair of clothes and bath. The bath had fresh soap that smelled of lavender, but it was nothing like Rivendell. The clothes looked like a little girl would wear it, but it fit her nicely. The green fabric felt smooth against her pale skin as gold strings embroidered the ends of the sleeves, as well as the waist. She pulled on the soft brown leggings, as well as her leather boots that had been scrubbed by the maids. She picked up a comb sitting on the dresser, untangling her wet hair. Her brown hair shined in the sun that streamed in from the window beside her. The town still looked gray and dreary, even though King Theoden was restored to the same king they loved and trusted.
She stood up and exit the room briskly. She walked down the cold stone steps and into the Great Hall where two young children were eating soup. Aragorn and Gandalf spoke of the oncoming war that would soon approach Rohan.
"You have 2000 good mean riding north as we speak," Aragorn explained, "Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
"They will be 300 leagues from here by now," Theoden said hopelessly, "Eomer cannot help us."
"That may not be the case," Fay spoke aloud making the king turn quickly, "Lothiriel is with them right now. She will sway his decision."
"Lothiriel may have a different plan set to mind, my dear Fay," Gandalf spoke, "Even she cannot help us right this moment."
"I know what it is you want of me," Theoden began again, "But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
Aragorn pulled his pipe from his lips so that he may speak, "War is upon you whether you would risk it or not."
The King looked annoyingly towards Aragorn's direction, "Last I looked...Theoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan."
"Then what is the King's decision," Gandalf butt in.
"We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep," Theoden answered, "It protected us once, it will do so again."
"Theoden, if you send your people there they will not be protected," Gandalf spoke assertively, "There is no exit out of that ravine. You are entering a trap and sending your people to a massacre."
"Do not tell me what is best for my people!" Theoden said angrily, "We leave immediately. This discussion is finished."
Fay watched the King leave their presence as a fuming Gandalf exit the Great Hall. Eowyn stayed with the children and Gimli and Legolas went off to collect their possessions. Fay's thought immediately went back to Merry and Pippin. Were they going to be alright? What if this thing decided to kill them? What if they ended up getting themselves killed by their idiocy? Her mind quickly wandered to Frodo and Sam. Were they both ok or better yet, alive? What if the Ring ended up making them crazy? What if they never make it to Mordor? All these questions started giving her a headache.
Perhaps if I sleep on it Fay thought to herself.
She headed up the corridor stairs and into her bedroom. As soon as her head hit the pillow it was lights out.
Fay found herself inside a white tent. The tent was lined with furs and carpets, making it warm and cozy. She noticed a figure kneeling before an elf. The figure standing had long blonde locks pulled back into a braid that wrapped over her shoulder. She wore a white loose shirt with animal skin wrapped over one shoulder that reached just above her knees. The one kneeling was none other than Faedra which only confused Fay further.
"My Lady," Faedra spoke in desperation, "If we do not help, then the men and elves will be slaughtered. Please, I beg of you, call upon the assassin army. Help us free Middle Earth from this treachery."
"The men and elves are really none of my concern," the elf spoke bitterly, "It's their choice to run to their deaths. I will not bring that upon my own. What is the point of sacrificing our lives when they would not do the same. Men, elves, dwarves….they are all selfish beings."
"You are just as selfish, Aeweth," Faedra spoke sternly, "You would turn your back on those who need us the most. For what exactly? To save your own skin? I know what it is you desire. You desire power, but not just any power. You want the Ring of power."
"If I get my hands on that Ring," Aeweth spoke, "The assassin's will become the most powerful beings on Middle Earth. Don't you understand, Faedra. We can finally stop living in the dark. Stop being treated like lowly's. Dwarves, elves, and men will bow at my will. Imagine such a thing occurring, Faedra, just imagine it."
Faedra looked upon her leader with sadness, "This darkness has poisoned your mind. I no longer know who you are anymore. This power that you crave so badly will never come to be. No one can wield the Ring of Sauron besides Sauron alone. That weapon will only send you to your death."
Aeweth unsheathed her sword quickly, pointing it at Faedra's throat. It was the same sword that was held in Rivendell, but there was something a bit off about it.
"Do not speak to me as if I am lower than even you," Aeweth spat, "You are nothing, Faedra Indukala! All this training, wasted on nothing but a pathetic little brat, who can't even respect her own leader."
"My loyalty for you has not faded, My Lady, nor has my training been of waste" Faedra didn't back down, "I speak to you in this manner because I care for the sake of your life. These words you speak are not your own, but of your ill mind. I know that sword is not the real assassin sword. You are unable to lift it now, isn't that correct? So, you called upon an assassin blacksmith to create an identical one and though he may have done a fine job, it doesn't sway my attention from the small details I have noticed from the real one."
The elf leader looked taken back by Faedra's word. Her grip on the sword grew tighter, as if she were trying to choose between killed Faedra or killing herself.
"Get out of my sight," She barely whispered.
Faedra's facial expression looked pained, but she obeyed without another word. Darkness covered Faye and she awoke in the midst of a battlefield. Blood stained the rocky ground, not a single bit of life from within the earth was seen. Men and elves tended to the wounded. Behind her stood a giant mountain...no, a volcano. She took two steps and lifted herself into the air. She kept moving until she came in contact with the entrance.
A man was currently exiting the great volcano, something shiny sitting in his hand. As Fay drew closer she quickly came to a stop when the man suddenly didn't move. Faedra stood in his pathway, a bloody sword in her hand. Her clothes were ripped and stained with blood. Her eyes were directed down to his hand where the Ring stood in the open.
"Isildur," Faedra spoke, "What are you thinking?"
"This does not concern you, Faedra," Isildur tried walked past her, but Faedra blocked his way.
"Why did you not destroy the Ring?"
"Faedra…"
"No, answer me!"
"I said," Isildur's temper began to rise, "Get out of my way!"
He lifted a dagger and surged forward. Faedra easily blocked him and shoved him to the ground, making him roll closer to the entrance. Faedra took a few steps closer as Isildur rose to his knees. He opened his hand and there on the palm was the Ring. He looked up at Faedra, who was starring worryingly at the gold circle. She reached out to touch it but winced and withdrew. She stepped a few paces back, slamming her back against the wall. Her breathing became ragged as she looked at the Ring once more. Isildur stood up and walked past Faedra, not the slightest bit worried about her.
"Goodbye, Faedra," Isildur didn't turn towards her, "This will be the last time we see one another."
With that he walked down the steep slope, his cloak trailing behind him. Faedra slid her body down the rock until she was sitting down. Elrond emerged from the volcanic entrance, looking just as beaten and dirty as Faedra. He crouched down to inspect the young elf, wiping away a tear.
"It should have ended today," Faedra whispered.
"I know, my dear, I know," Elrond hugged her.
The world became dark around Fay and she felt someone shaking her and a hollow voice.
"Fay, Fay," it said, "It's time to leave, Fay!"
Fay awoke with a jolt, sitting upright in her bed. Aragorn towered over her, a worried expression cloaked his features.
"Fay, what did you dream about?" Aragorn asked in a stern yet caring manner.
Fay looked at him with sad and angry eyes.
"The Ring," Fay began.