Arial

Banned

Chapter Five

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.

oOo

Arial stood in the stables looking at the quarter horse Elrond had lent her for her adventure. She had no idea that the animal was a quarter horse, or that Elrond felt that should she should be able to outrun any imposing danger within that distance. To her, a horse was a horse was a horse. She ran her hand down the animal's neck, feeling the silky short hair.

"Arial, are you paying attention?"

Arial snapped out of her reverie and looked at her benefactor. "So you understand that one small bite of this bread is enough to maintain your strength for an entire day?"

"Uh, yes. What did you call it again?"

Elrond mentally sighed. He knew she had not listened. "Lembas. It is a journey bread of the Elves." He hoped she did somehow find a way back to her own world so he could be rid of her. "Arial, the horse can only carry so much so it is the most credible choice. I have also given you water rations," he patted the canteens strapped onto the horses sides. "Here is your bedroll, extra clothing suitable for traveling and after your manner of dress. Here in this tote are a few items I am sure you as a female will enjoy. And for your horse, a bag of oats. You must feed him these every night to maintain his health. During the day, he may graze when you stop for rest. Do not forget to water the horse, Arial." Elrond saw that she had that glazed look in her eyes again and asked sternly, "How often do you stop to rest?"

"Huh? Oh, rest, every four hours. And I have to brush the horse down every night, and feed him the oats and water him frequently throughout the day at the rest periods." Arial was impatient to be on her way. "You've told me this like, a thousand times, Elrond. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful, I am, really! But I just want to get on with it."

Elrond recognized this behavior from his experiences with Estel as he was growing into manhood. He chuckled to himself, noting the similarities, yet the broad differences between the two humans. "As you will, Arial. But one more thing. What weapon would you prefer? You asked to borrow one to defend yourself."

Without hesitation Arial replied, "Considering those orc things out there, an AK-47 would be just dandy. A few extra clips and lots of ammo. Preferably hollow points." She ended with a quick curt nod of her head.

Elrond was stunned. He was sure she was speaking of some type of weapon she was familiar with, but he had no idea what she was talking about, or even how to have one made. He wondered if she knew how to make one, for surely a weapon from her world would serve Middle Earth well in the coming battle with Sauron. "Arial, I am not sure of what you speak, but if you could delay your departure slightly, I am sure the elven smiths could fashion an AK-47 for you." His tongue had slight difficulty forming the strange words but he hoped she would take the bait.

Now Arial was taken back. She should have known. They didn't know what a telephone or a cab were, why should she think they would have a clue about a gun? She paused and thought over her situation for a moment. Did she know enough about weaponry to draw out the design for one and it actually work? Then she did an abrupt halt in her thoughts.

"Wait a minute," she thought. "Let's suppose I am for just a second in some other dimension…they don't have any of the modern conveniences I'm used to. What if I showed them this and somehow screwed up this world from where it's supposed to be or it's future….Not that I actually believe any of that dimensional crap, but still. If they don't have it, why should I introduce it to them? But then again, I could really use a gun…"

"Elrond," she started, "I am not sure what to do. I don't really believe I'm in another dimension, but just for the sake of it all, let's assume I am…k…you follow? Well, if you haven't discovered it already, and I'm not supposed to be here, then why should I do something that might alter the future of this world away from where it's supposed to go?" She thought she had him.

Elrond was older and wiser. "But if you are not supposed to be here, then why are you here? Perhaps, for reasons unknown to us, the Valar have decided to bring you here to ensure Middle Earth's peoples victory over Sauron and his evil armies." He kept his breathing even and waited for her response. He did not have long to wait.

"But if it were the will of the Valar, why haven't they showed up and said, 'Hey we want her here and here's what she supposed to do.' I don't think them Valar even know I'm here, or if they do, they either don't care or are clueless what to do about it. Including sending me back home. That's what I think. So no, I ain't giving you any designs for any guns. I got a bad feeling about doing that, and my conscious is the size of Texas and would never let me have any peace if'n I did."

"Far is it from me to indebt you to your conscious, young Arial." Elrond said with a flourish of his hand.

"It's okay, I forgive you," she whimpered.

Elrond had to choke back a laugh. "Never-the-less, these are dangerous times and one cannot simply go riding about the countryside without means of protection. Are you skilled in any other weaponry? Swords? Knives? Bows?"

Arial shook her head no. "I throw a mean punch."

Elrond grew frustrated with the girl. "Arial, I cannot allow you to leave Rivendell without knowing how to protect yourself. I have a conscious as well."

Hearing this, Arial made to jump onto the horse's back and was knocked down easily by Elrond. "You cannot keep me here!" She shouted. "That's kidnapping and against the law. I want to leave and you promised to help me!"

Elrond snapped his fingers and within seconds stable hands surrounded Arial. They removed the horse and held her arms firmly.

Elrond leaned closer to her, so close that Arial could feel his hot breath upon her face as he spoke, "In this land, my word and will are law. I am lord here, and you had best remember that. And it is my will that you will stay here, under the protection of Rivendell until you are fit to capably defend yourself."

"I am not a prisoner!" She screamed at him, spittle flying from her mouth and onto his ageless face. "Let me go!" She demanded. She struggled desperately to free herself from the elves holding her. When she saw that she could not break free of their grasp, she began kicking at them. They deftly sidestepped her attempts to assault them.

Elrond raised a calm hand and wiped away the disgusting matter from his face. "Your words are empty and your bark is worse than your bite, Arial! You would not survive a day outside of my home, as evidenced by your ungainly reappearance two days ago when you burst inside my foyer screaming demons to the absolute horror of my ears. You will stay just long enough to satisfy me that you can aptly handle a weapon. This is the end of our conversation." He turned from her and spoke in his native tongue to the elves holding her. Arial could not understand what was being said but she knew it was about her.

"Speak in a language everybody can understand, you coward!"

Elrond spun his head to her and Arial saw anger flash across his face. She grew very afraid and feared for her life. She fought against her captors with all of her fury, nearly freeing herself.

"How dare you?" Elrond seethed inside. He had never been accused of that slander. He had again and again proved throughout Arda and the ages his valor. He raised his hand to strike her, caught himself, and pointed towards the front gates. "Remove her from these lands immediately. Be it known henceforth that the human known as Arial Middleton is banned from Imladris and all it's boundaries. Do not spare her mercy, or charity. It is forbidden." Elrond stepped around her and returned to his home. He spared her not a glance, and pushed all memory of her from his mind.

The two elves still holding Arial's arms dragged her unceremoniously from the stables, out of the gates, and up the wooded path. Once they had reached the Bruinen, they paused, bent over and grabbed her legs. They swung her body through the air and pitched her into the river.

She screamed as she sailed and coughed out the water when she broke the surface. "Fluck you!" She screamed at them water still pouring out of her mouth making the profanity mispronounced. They stared at her with stoned expressions.

One stepped forward and spoke, "You must leave before our Lord commands the river to drown you." The other elf had a look of irritation on his face and spoke in the same language that Elrond had used in the stable.

Arial went slack jawed. She slowly turned away and climbed out of the Bruinen on the opposite bank. She turned back around and flipped the still watching elves her middle fingers on both hands. "Screw you." She turned and stomped away.

She murmured under her breath as she went on her way, "Oh you just wait buddy. You just wait. I'll be back, with my dad and the law. We'll see who's who. Won't be so smug then, Mister High and Mighty. Pointy eared freaks. Go to hell. All of you."

oOo

Author's note: What will she do now? The elves hate and have banned her…