I'm baaaaaaaaaaacccccccccccckkkkkkkkk! I'm so sorry! Words cannot express how sorry I am, dear readers. School has gotten into the way more than anyone will ever know, and AP classes aren't so nice. But, the past is past and what is done is done. I am now back and ready to go with more twists and turns than ever!
PLEASE REVIEW! These are the only things that keep me going.
Without further disruptions:
Chapter 7The Trial
Ariel had lost track of the time. Hours passed by like a softly falling wind, caressing the atmosphere and putting every blade of grass into silent submission. The cell was cold and dank, smelling of decaying rats.
In her previous life, before becoming a thief, Ariel had known some of the soldiers that were guarding her room, if it could even be labeled as such.
Oh, how funny the fates could be.
Bastards.
The guards, in fact, used to be her friends. She would flirt and dance with them on special occasions and was even courted by a few.
But how time changes all.
She laughed bitterly, attracting the attention of fellow prisoners across the way. Ariel hoped that her thieves were faring well and knew enough to get out of Gondor. Hopefully the harsh plains of Rohan would be a safe haven.
Ariel's face felt tired and stretched. Lips chapped and bleeding, the Thief Queen held her fingertips to the mildew- covered walls, trying to catch the perspiration that seemed to coat the cell. Her thoughts drifted to a certain golden haired elf as she stared blankly into space.
What had possessed her to kiss him?
She felt disgusted with herself. She was not a tramp or street whore.
"I thought he would be the last male I would come in contact with, I just wanted to have one last moment…" she tried to reason with herself, but failed miserably.
Stomach growling loudly, Ariel swore and pushed her head against the wall, creating an audible thump.
In the dim light, the cell across from the Thief Queen's awoke, and a human body pushed up against the bars.
"Bless me own two eyes, is that lil' Ariel come back from the forest?" a gruff voice questioned.
Eyes popping open, Ariel pushed up against her cell, rust scraping off of the bars and transferring onto her worn tunic.
"Rhiney? Is that you?" she whispered in awe. "I thought you were dead, saw the bloody clothes myself."
A deep chuckle pervaded the walls.
"A spear couldn' bring me down. Nah, I put up a fight, an' was captured, o' course. They took a hot poker an' burned me eyes. I can only sea shadows now, but I ge' by," he explained, "But, I be hearin' the strangest of rumors lately, abou' a band o' women thieves…" He trailed off.
Ariel swallowed hard, trying in vain not to cry over her old friend's misfortunes.
"It's over, Rhiney. I got caught," she smirked. "They had to send in elves to capture me. I suppose Denethor will have me executed by tomorrow evening. I just hope the others are okay."
"Over, girly? Nothin's ever over 'less you let yourself be overcome wit' grief."
Heavy footsteps sounded in the dungeon hallway, every prisoner cringing and shrinking to the back of their cells in fear.
Ariel and Rhiney fell silent, creating a void of emptiness within the cells. A guard appeared between their cells, and smiled down at Ariel. Grimy, yellow teeth greeted the Thief Queen's eyes, and she cringed.
"Now, it seems, that you two are to be tried and sentenced at the same time. A kind of two for one special, I 'spose," smirked the guard.
Calling to another soldier, they opened the cells. Ariel pushed herself to the farthest wall of the meager room as a young- looking guard entered, his stance cautious. Little slits in the wall gave way to minute, solid rays of sunlight and recognition sparked in the deep chambers of Ariel's mind.
"Wheric! Is that you?" she questioned, mind reeling. His eyes connected with hers, and suddenly images pervaded her senses.
She sat on the white- washed stone steps that led up to the kitchens, enjoying the light breeze playing about her face. A contented sigh escaped her mouth as a dark shadow cast a refreshing shade onto her body.
"Why, a lady such as your self should not be sitting by herself on such a fine day," the figure commented, a smile playing across his face.
Shielding her eyes from the biting sun, she glanced up at the tall man.
"Wheric, I am fully capable of taking care of myself, I assure you, and need no male accompaniment," she commented, grinning like a cat.
The man swooped down and winked at Ariel.
"But, surely my lady would not mind if the intrusion was made by her betrothed?" he asked, a small frown marring his complexion.
Smoothing out the crease on his brow, Ariel smiled as Wheric pulled her to him, their lips meeting in a languid kiss, soft and sweet to the touch.
Pulling back, Ariel looked up at him. "You know, upon further contemplation, I believe that intrusions are perfectly fine…"
Momentarily, Ariel was dragged back into the present as a sharp dagger prodded her shoulder.
"Stand up," Wheric ordered. The Thief Queen gaped at him, mouth hanging open and eyes bulging out of their sockets.
"I..I thought you were dead!" she said, dumbfounded. "they told me that you- "
"Silence prisoner!" he yelled, his cold eyes scanning her form, stripping her of dignity. "You are to comply or be taken to Lord Denethor by force."
Narrowing her eyes, Ariel looked Wheric up and down. "You are not the man I remember from years past."
Pulling her up roughly by the decrepit tunic, he held up her to his height, making her feet dangle helplessly in the air.
"I should hope, wench, that you find no trace of that boy you once knew. You are a traitor to your kingdom and deserve to be hung!" he spat, nose inches from hers.
Letting go of her shirt, he watched in blatant disgust as she tried to straighten up and regulate her breathing.
"Along with ye!" yelled the other guard, shoving her out of the cell and into Rhiney.
The pair was herded through long, endless hallways until they came upon a door that stood fifty feet and had ornate carvings embedded in its wood.
Two soldiers opened the door, and Ariel and Rhiney were unceremoniously pushed into the throne room, their death chamber.
Oddly familiar, the stone tiles chilled her already barren feet, sending silent shivers throughout her body. Locking eyes with Rhiney, Ariel looked him over. He was skinnier than she remembered, and his dark blonde hair hung in clumps about his face. Always tall for his age, he towered over the guards, bulky muscles waiting to be released on command.
Rhiney gave the Thief Queen a shaky smile, and she tried her best to return.
Eyes smothered Ariel. It seemed that the entire court had decided to show up on this day, and the thought did not help the dread that rested in Ariel's breast.
Grabbing her by the collar, Wheric halted Ariel's progress, making her stand to the outside of the main court. Rhiney, on the other hand, was forced to continue.
Glancing around, Ariel's stare was met with the contemptuous gazes of nobles. Sighing, she dejectedly turned her eyes to the throne, where she clashed with icy blue pupils, cold as the sea.
The Marchwarden.
He was looking down at her with such a loathing that she had to turn away from the elf.
"No doubt he found out about my past," Ariel thought to herself, disgusted. Turning, she watched Rhiney be shoved on the unforgiving floor, facing Denethor. He made no outward movement of fear, and Ariel smiled, despite the circumstances. Rhiney had always been there for her when she was just a little girl, and now, to see him like this, partially blind and beaten and yet triumphant…
It made her heart swell with pride and her eyes water with unshed tears.
Suddenly, a movement was made from the Steward, and he began to speak.
"Prisoner, you have been brought before this court on numerous offences," Denethor sneered, glaring down at Rhiney.
The burly man said nothing in return, opting for silence as the two guards holding him forced him down even lower.
Clearing his throat, the Steward of Gondor proceeded. "You have been charged on fifteen counts of assaulting a soldier and stealing royal horses from the castle stables. How do you plead?"
Rkiney furrowed his brows a moment before replying, "I thought it was 26 counts of assault, but say whatever you want, milord."
Cheeks flaming in rage, Denethor stepped menacingly toward the burly man. "I shall take that as an admission of guilt," he spat, stopping abruptly as he realized how close he had come to the prisoner.
Rhiney remained silent, his unseeing eyes scanning the room.
"Now," Denethor spoke loudly, drawing the attention of the court back to himself, "We must decide on a proper punishment…" He trailed of purposefully, glancing around expectantly.
"Hang him!" yelled a man of obvious nobility. Half of the hall cheered in agreement while others seemed wary.
"He deserves more than that! How many soldiers has he tortured? He should get the same treatment, I think!" screamed a high-class woman. There were claps and praises in response.
Throughout all of this, Ariel noticed, the elves had yet to say anything. In fact, none of their golden heads had moved an inch during the whole proceedings. Haldir was staring intently at Denethor, his countenance revealing nothing.
Denethor rose up a calloused hand and the crowd immediately silenced, hanging on his every word.
"People of the court, I have heard your opinions and words, and have decided on a proper fate. This criminal," he sneered, pointing to Rhiney," shall be whipped fifteen times, for every instance in which he assaulted a soldier."
"I tell ya it was twenty six," Rhiney muttered under his breath.
The Steward ignored him and projected his voice across the room. "And furthermore, he shall be hanged for his crimes against the crown at sundown tonight."
A great rapture of cheers swept through the hall the people cheering the decision, yet the elves still remained stoic.
Suddenly, a great scream swept through the crowd.
"No!" Ariel yelled. "How careless can you people be? A human life is not something to be taken away at your leisure!" she sobbed.
"Silence you thief! Your turn shall be soon enough!" thundered Denethor, his eyes smirking at her.
"You shall listen and hear me out you sad excuse for a ruler, I-"
But she was cut off by Rhiney.
"Child, you just be diggin' your self in deeper. This was gonna happen sooner or later," he whispered, struggling against the guards holding him.
"Take him away and make the preparations for tonight," dismissed Denethor, flicking an irritated hand at the soldiers holding Rhiney. Nodding, they took their prisoner and practically dragged him out of the great hall.
"Rhiney no!" Ariel screamed, her lungs convulsing and her body growing weak.
"Make her silent!" Denethor commanded.
Wheric quickly snapped to attention and, taking the blunt end of his dagger, solidly hit the Queen of Thieves in the back of the head.
Everything swirled together for a moment before a headache bloomed from within the confines of Ariel's head. This was just too much. First losing her thieves, then Rhiney. She wasn't able to cope with it.
No, she must be strong. She would not break!
Leveling her shoulders, she stared evenly into the eyes of the Steward of Gondor, a clashing of wills ensuing.
Wheric gripped Ariel's shoulders painfully tight and pushed her roughly to the floor.
"You will show the proper respect for a Steward of Gondor, peasant," he ordered.
Knees aching and bleeding, the Queen of Thieves rose from the floor and stared straight into the eyes of her former beloved.
"If this so called Steward warranted any type respect, I would be the first to bow and kiss his feet. As the situation stands, I see nothing in front of me other than a misguided rat!" she spat.
The next few minutes were a haze as Ariel received blows to almost every part of her body imaginable.
"That shall be added to your numerous crimes against Gondor," Denethor lazily said. He was having fun toying with her.
Ariel couldn't speak. She could feel her own blood running down in rivulets, cascading across her back and over her stomach, making her decrepit tunic stick to her frame. Her hair hung in clumps, dried blood making the strands brittle and stained. Her bare feet were numb, not able to feel anything from the cold, stone floor.
She could feel a dagger pressed into her back as Wheric and another soldier led her to the center of the hall that Rhiney had just previously occupied.
Smiling, Denethor took slow, calculating steps around the room, circling Ariel and addressing the crowd.
"Ariellan daughter of Calidos, you stand before this council guilty of seventy six counts of assault, fifty two of which were upon soldiers, stealing and squandering money from even the highest of nobility, forming a group of rebels that opposed the kingdom, and attempting to kill a royal advisor's son," Denethor finished, sweeping his hands around the room.
The sheer anger radiating off of the crowd made Ariel almost buckle her knees. Everywhere, eyes assailed her. Contempt flowed through every crevice and stung her nose.
Glancing around, the Thief Queen's eyes locked onto those of the Marchwarden. His eyes pierced through her, as though reading her soul. She could tell nothing from his gaze, and looked away, ashamed of what he must think of her.
"Why should I care what an elf thinks of me?" Ariel thought to herself. "He doesn't even know me."
Resolved, she puffed out her chest and cocked her chin.
"You shall not have the chance to speak for yourself in this instance, Ariellan, as it has already been concluded by the high council that you are, in fact, guilty on all counts," Denethor smirked, yellowing teeth snaking through his lips.
Outraged, Ariel made to speak. But before she could utter a word, Wheric had gagged her while the other guard tied her hands.
"We have here testimony from the victim, Wheric, son of Yenell. Step forward and speak now, soldier," commanded Denethor.
Extinguishing his hold on Ariel, Wheric moved in front of her. Another soldier took his place holding the Thief Queen.
"My Lord," Wheric bowed, "two years ago I was unfortunate enough to be engaged to this vile rodent."
The crowd gasped as one, shaming Ariel into submission.
Sneering, Wheric picked up Ariel's face by the chin, letting her blood run over his clean hand.
"Soon after our engagement, I found out some interesting information," he declared, brutally letting go of her face and turning to the crowd as if about to act out a story.
"Little did I know that my betrothed had been sharing a bed with a man by the name of Eringel!" the onlookers all possessed looks of shock upon their faces, for they knew the tale of Eringel very well.
Ariel was thoroughly confused and outraged. She had been nothing but faithful to Wheric! She had thought him dead until now! Emotions swirled and mutated inside her, making her feel sick to her stomach.
All the while, she could feel a searing gaze on her, and she didn't have to look up to see whom it was.
The Marchwarden kept his mask in place, while inside he was fuming. He knew he had been right about humans, filthy creatures that that they are. And to think this woman had kissed him! It made Haldir sick with loathing just thinking about it. Humans were simple creatures who cared nothing for decency and rules. This woman deserved to pay for her crimes.
"Yes, we all remember Eringel. He was my most trusted friend and I would have given my life for him if the need presented itself. To think of what he did to my betrothed made me want to rip him to shreds. But alas, our laws would not permit it, and I was content to see him stripped of all honor and exiled from out fine kingdom," explained Wheric.
Tears sprang to Ariel's eyes. Eringel had been a loyal friend and confidant. How could Wheric do such hideous things? The Queen of Thieves tried to figure out how all of this could've happened.
"After I found out about her little affair, I warned her that I would go to the proper authorities if she did not stop in her doings. She refused, and I told her that I was going straight to Denethor, as my father was one of his advisors," Wheric paused for effect.
"Twas then Ariel grabbed my dagger and tried to stab me, yelling 'I will not let you get out alive!'" He professed dramatically. "I, of course, subdued the woman and ran to find an extra guard. But, when I came back, the wench had escaped, making her more of a coward than I thought was possible," he concluded.
Ariel leaped forward and growled. The gag in her mouth prevented her from saying anything coherent.
Denethor stood and nodded to Wheric, who moved back and took his position behind Ariel again.
"As you see, Lords and Ladies of Minas Tirith, this woman has committed multiple crimes against this great city, and deserves to be punished for her acts.
The crowd cheered in agreement and jeered at the Thief Queen.
Ariel was a broken woman. Her head hung low and the guards were practically holding her up. Most of her wounds had stopped bleeding and crimson flakes littered her body.
"Pitiful," thought Haldir, now angry at the mortal woman.
"The only fit punishment for such treason…is death!" proclaimed the Steward, sneering.
Ariel's head popped up and sought the eyes of her only friend, well, not any more, she supposed. Ice blue collided with stormy hazel.
"Her execution will be set for dawn tomorrow!" yelled Denethor, much to the delight of the court.
Haldir stood, impassive, as they unceremoniously dragged the Queen of Thieves away to the dungeons.
-------------End of chapter
I will update by Sunday this weekend! I've already gotten more than half the chapter written, and, of course, it has a lot more Haldir action, for it wouldn't be a proper fic without it.
PLEASE REVIEW!
-Blade