Arial
Not Delusional
Chapter Four
By Bethuviel
Disclaimer: The estate of J.R.R. Tolkien owns all recognizable characters from the works of literature encompassing The Lord of The Rings. I have received no compensation for any work I have written and/or published on this site.
Author's note: All reviews, whether critical or applauding are appreciated.
I must apologize. The 'demons' were not descriptive enough to allow everyone to know that Arial had actually saw orcs. The orcs were on the side of the Bruinen away from Imladris, and had not yet attempted to cross the river. But Arial does not know that the power of the elves protects Rivendell and evil cannot cross the Bruinen. So in a panic she runs. Also, I feel I must clarify that Arial is absolutely clueless to LOTR, its world and characters. As much as possible, I am trying to not "shred canon." Again, I am writing this for the fun of it.
oOo
Arial woke up, a migraine tearing through her skull like a freight train. She felt confused, not sure what had happened to her. She squeezed her eyes tighter, hoping that this headache would not rob her of another day. She had suffered migraines her entire life and was tired of feeling like a prisoner to them. Foggy memories floated through her mind and she remembered the dream she had been having. She rolled over and reached her hand to the nightstand, searching for her cigarettes. She patted the stand and found nothing. "Great," she moaned and slowly opened her eyes. She sat straight up in the bed, shock chasing away the migraine. She looked across the room, scared. She was not in her bedroom. She examined her surrounding and noticed that the design looked a lot like that place she had that weird dream about, Rivendell. Arial slid a foot out from underneath the blankets and touched the floor. She was awake and this was indeed reality. Arial sighed. She held her head, disgusted, as she remembered the entirety of previous events leading her back to the one place she did not want to remain.
"I've got to get out of here, and stay out of here…" she whispered to herself. "I just have to go better prepared." She tapped a forefinger on her chin and thought about the supplies she would need for her trip. "I don't want to have to talk to any of these nut crackers, so I have to be secret." She stood up and walked around the room. It did not seem like she was being held captive, which would make for an easier get away. She stopped in front of an open balcony and looked out over the garden. "Not a soul down there." She remembered the garden being accessible from the kitchen. "Lots of food in there." She felt a little dizzy and grabbed the door facing for support.
"Must have whacked my head harder than I thought. But I ain't stayin' here," she continued her conversation with herself in whispers. "But I ain't no thief either, maybe I could leave them a note that I only need to borrow some stuff and will pay it back as soon as I can. But I would still be a thief. Takin' stuff without permission is stealing no matter how you rationalize it." She slumped her shoulders. Arial would have to meet with the Master of Elves and beg his forgiveness and for his pantry.
Feeling somewhat better, she tip-toed over to the bed and sat down again. She looked at herself. She apparently had been bathed by someone and was wearing a simple white sleeping gown. Arial felt uncomfortable. It was like she had been violated again. She wanted to know who had touched her; who had seen her naked? She suddenly felt small and vulnerable.
Arial quickly stood up, lost her balance and fell back onto the bed. "I can not stay here with these fruitcakes; I've got to get out of here!" She exclaimed to herself. Using all of her will, she stood again. She waited a few moments before attempting to move. When she felt confident she strode to the door she hoped let her out of the room. She tried twisting the knob, and felt relief that the door opened. She was not a prisoner. She peeked out into the hallway.
Arial surmised that since the gardens were behind her, the kitchen must be below her, and therefore if she went right, she would eventually find the stairs leading down into the front of the house. She took one last deep breath and stepped out into the hallway. She closed the bedroom door behind her and walked the length of the hallway to as she had hoped the top of a flight of stairs. She steadied herself by holding onto the railing as she descended. Once at the bottom, Arial had to stop and study the outlay. She had no idea where to go to meet with anyone.
A proverbial light bulb went off in her head and Arial snapped her fingers. She decided to draw attention to herself by making noise. Surely someone would come.
But what noise? Without caution or thought, Arial sang loudly a song she remembered from elementary school, "Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah". She had to concentrate to keep from bursting into laughter as she yelled out the tune with all of the force of her lungs. She was into the second verse when an elf came running into the foyer with a very sharp and deadly looking sword.
"Oh thank god," she sighed. Her throat had begun to get raspy from her efforts. "Hi, I'm Arial. Could you tell Elrond I would like to speak to him alone?"
The elf lowered his sword, recognizing the girl from the previous day. "Only if you promise to not sing again."
Arial held up her hands in front of her and replied, "I promise."
Satisfied, the golden haired elf turned and walked away. A few moments later, Elrond walked to stand directly in front of her.
"You should not be out of bed, Arial."
Arial hearing the tone of his voice had suddenly become shy. The tone of his voice reminded her of her father. "I'm sorry, Elrond. For everything. But I can not stay here and I hope you'll understand that I'd really just like to leave."
"Leave? Where will you go? And how will you get there? Alive?" He asked. Elrond did not understand this human girl.
"I want to leave. I saw on your maps a place I'd like to go to. But here's the catch. I need help getting there."
"What kind of assistance?"
"Well, I'd like to borrow some food, a weapon to defend myself if need be, cab fare and your address so I can send back what I'll owe you." Another light bulb went off in her head and Arial felt stupid. "Hey, can I borrow your phone? I don't know why I didn't think of it before. I can just call somebody; they'll come and get me. So much easier!" She smacked her head and said "Duh!"
Elrond scrunched his nose and said, "What is a phone? I do not believe I own one of those."
"What do you mean 'what is a phone'? Where you been at, man?"
"I am no man, and of late, I have been mostly here, in my home."
She thought to herself "You're just too wierd for me." Then she said aloud, "Oh. Well could I borrow the other stuff, minus the cab fare since I can't call anyone anyway?" She asked, the words flowing like a torrent of storm water down a street drain.
"And I suppose you will be needing a horse?" He asked like he knew what inevitably would be asked later.
"Uh, sure, that is if you don't mind. Ridin's better 'n walking any time I say. And could I have my clothes back?" She had visions of Annie Oakly running through her head as she pictured herself riding atop a horse.
"Your clothes are in the hutch in your room upstairs. Arial, you and I really need to talk. After you have refreshed yourself, let us meet in my study and speak in private. I'll send a maid to help you back to your room where I will also send a tray of breakfast."
Arial knew that the conversation was at an end. He had just spoke to her like her own father did when he had had enough and wanted to put a stop to things. She nodded her head. She had no choice but to accept his current terms, she was on his charity and she hated it.
A few minutes later a female elf appeared to lead Arial away. She wondered how Elrond had done that but supposed he had prearranged for the maid to show up when she had. That meant that Elrond had been in control of the situation before he had ever spoken to her. Arial sighed.
Once she was back in her room, Arial dressed herself and discovered by accident where the bathroom was located. She thought it was pretty rustic compared to what she was used to using, but was glad to have one that worked anyway. She found an unused toothbrush had been set out for her next to a small bowl of a mixture of paste and mint. "I guess that's a hint," she thought. She dabbed the brush, put it into her mouth and performed the ritual the same as she had everyday for all of her life.
When she was done in the bathroom she stepped out and back into her bedroom. A tray of food was set beside the bed. She sat down and ate. She had no suspicions and felt no paranoia about eating the food or drinking the orange juice. When her stomach was full, she heard a knock on the door.
"Enter," she called.
Elrond stepped inside, followed by the same maid who had led Arial before. He pointed at a place across the room and the maid walked to the spot and stood there, watching.
"What's she? A chaperone?" Arial asked.
"Yes. It is not appropriate for you and me to be in a room, alone." Elrond answered her as if the answer should have been obvious. "You and I need to talk Arial. There are some things we need to discuss."
"All I need is your help leaving."
"Do not worry; I will lend you the assistance you need to leave. But have you no concerns about your own safety? Have you forgotten the 'demons' as you declared after you burst into my home, ate all my muffins and drank my juice?"
"The demons were real? I wasn't having delusions?" She ignore the comment about the food.
"They were very real, Arial. And they are not demons, but orcs. And they are numerous across the lands. I am sure that if you keep to your current decision to leave the safety of Rivendell, you will meet them again."
Arial sat and stared at the wall across from her. "Not a delusion, but real," she thought. "I don't care. Can't stay here. I gotta get home. I gotta go to work tomorrow and that bitch of a boss'll be mad if I don't show up. Probably fire me."
She sat straighter and said, "Even if it means that I have to go through an army of them orcs, I'm going home. Nothing will stop me. I want to go home and will do what ever it takes to get there." She pursed her lips and set her jaw firm.
Elrond noted her stance and knew she was serious. He thought her words were brave, but her past actions did not indicate bravery in the face of terror. "Arial, I know you want to go home, but how will you get there? No, no," he said, cutting her off, "How will you get to what does not exist here?"
Arial felt her dander rise as heat emanated from her face. "I do not believe what you said about another dimensions and all that. And the truth is I can't explain you elves, or those orc things, but my home is out there and I'm going to find it. Then I'm going to tell my dad about those orcs and he'll take care of 'em. Now if you were serious 'bout helping me, I'd like to get gone before the afternoon comes."
Elrond sighed. He knew humans could be stubborn, especially the younger ones. There was no reasoning with the girl. He would let her go and find her destiny, if indeed she had one at all. The mid-morning was approaching and he had to attend his council. "Very well, Arial. You shall be lent such provisions as you will need, including a horse. And when you have met the end of your journey and you have the means, then you may return my horse as it will be the only debt you will owe me and my household." Elrond stood and looked upon her again. "You face a long road Arial. Many surprises, some hardships, but worry not. You will find a home." He quickly left with the maid following closely behind him.
"You mean my home," Arial said to the air she breathed. She flopped back onto the bed, wriggled around for a few seconds then got up to go to the bathroom again. She was nervous and her bladder kept twinging.
oOo
Author's Note: That's all for this one. Another chapter on the way soon! Thank you for the reviews so far, and please feel free to let me know what you think, or even suggestions you may have. Please remember though, this is not a 10th walker, or a pairing with one of the LOTR characters. Thanks again.