A Rose Trapped Inside a Fist

Disclaimer: I disclaim owning anything of the Lord of the Rings trilogy or The Hobbit. I only own my own characters brought forth from my own wild imagination (Narloth, Erebwen, Rhovan, Morlyg, Belegor, Tindir, Dagorast and Ashare).

Chapter 8- A Time to Kill

When I arrive at Erebwen's she folds me into a hug and starts delving into what happened between her and Rhovan.

"The only problem is that I'm so scared," she says. "After being with Morlyg I feel so confused. I know I like him but I just get so nervous."

"Are you sure your nervous because of what happened with Morlyg or could it be that Rhovan makes you nervous simply because you like him?"

"Both," she says after thinking about it. "I know Rhovan would never hurt me but I feel like everything is happening so fast."

"Did you tell him how you felt?"

"Yes," she says with a sigh. "I probably shouldn't have kissed him after telling him I needed things to slow down and to be alone."

"So you regret kissing him?"

"No," she says grinning.

I laugh and she asks me what I've been up to. I tell her about practicing with Belegor and how I'm supposed to look after Tindir tomorrow.

She keeps a straight face for a long time but her laughter isn't contained for long and I roll my eyes with a smile.

"Sorry, sorry. I know that's got to be awkward," she says, clearing her throat.

"Not as much as I thought it might be. Although, caring for his son is certainly not what I expected."

"Why don't you just join Rivendell's guard? It won't cost you money and you'll get the experience you need."

I look down at my feet. I'd thought of joining before but there's a problem. I'd have to kill and that was something I didn't want to do.

"I could, but then I'd have to kill," I explain.

"Why learn swordsmanship if you aren't going to use it?"

I had hoped to only use it for defense but after her words, I see it's a fool's fantasy. I would most likely have to kill orcs more than once if the prophecy came true. The haunting words of the prophecy have been a dark cloud hanging over me ever since Gandalf told me about it. I hadn't even been back to the library for fear of reading that piece of paper again. It seemed like forever since Gandalf had been here and he hadn't left me with much to go on. Maybe he was wrong? Perhaps I never would get out of Imladris again. The thought sends a pang to my chest and despite Gandalf telling me to keep things quiet I choose to ignore his advice.

"I'm going to tell you a secret and you can't tell anyone, alright? Not even Rhovan."

She looks at me seriously and nods. I tell her everything and I feel the heaviness on my shoulders lift.

"And you don't know who you'll lose?" she asks.

I shake my head.

"I really think you should join the guard then. If you're not prepared, you'll get hurt. You should get as much experience as possible."

I nod my head in agreement.

"Maybe I'll join with Rhovan."

"I bet he'd like the company and hopefully my father would train you both, instead of Belegor."

"That would certainly be preferable," I laugh.

"There's a moment of silence and then Erebwen smiles a little.

"What?" I ask.

"You're going to fall in love!"

"What?" I repeat. "Why do you say that?"

"The prophecy," she exclaims. "It says you'll lose someone you love."

"What's the point if they're going to die?"

She looks at me in shock and tosses a nearby pillow into my face.

"What was that for?" I ask, laughing.

"You'll never find someone with that attitude."

"I like being alone remember? Besides, only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony. And the prophecy never says who I lose. It could be-"

I stop short. It could be Erebwen I lose, or Rhovan. I don't have family here anymore but I still have friends. I look up at Erebwen. She's deep in thought.

"It can't be," I say, trying to reassure both her and myself. "It won't be."

"I have a feeling it will be one of the companions on your journey," she says, looking up at me. "I mean, no offense, but I'm not going. I'm a healer not a fighter," she says, laughing.

She's so sure it won't be her but I'm not so sure.

"I hope you're right. I couldn't make it without you and Rhovan."

The sound of thunder cracks overhead and dark clouds engulf the sky. Lightning strikes in relentless flashes of light and hot, red plumes of flames and smoke rise from the ground. The flames grow and begin to surround me and I dash forward trying to escape. A glint of silvery black metal catches my eye and for the first time in my life terror grips me and I cannot move, cannot scream, paralyzed by fear. The dark metal clad figure strides towards me and finally adrenaline kicks in and I run, my legs moving faster than I thought possible.

When my eyes open I'm gasping for breath. My body is shaking and I feel like I'm on fire. Erebwen stares down at me, worry clouding her eyes.

"What's wrong," she asks. "Are you alright?"

I search my surroundings. The figure and the fire have vanished. I relax, but only a little.

"I saw him," I say.

"Who?"

"…Sauron."

She probably thinks I'm crazy but I know what I saw.

"Alright, it's just a dream. You're safe," she says. "Sauron was defeated, remember? He's never coming back."

I nod but it had seemed so vivid and real. It hadn't felt like a dream.

Erebwen falls back asleep after making sure I'm calm and but sleep evades me and for once I'm happy it does. I don't want to see Sauron again.

Questions begin to plague my mind. Did the dream have something to do with the prophecy? Why had it seemed so real? Was it real? Was Sauron really defeated or had he somehow managed to come back? If he had, how? And why was he in my dream? Why me?

I decide to go for a walk to try and shake things off. I leave a note for Erebwen in case she wakes up and silently creep outside.

The Fall air is crisp and chilly. Patches of fog swirl around and even with my elven eyes, I can't see far. I continue walking, letting my feet guide me and end up at the practice field. I look down at my feet.

"Why do you always lead me here?" I ask them with a little laugh.

This is the first time I've ever heard the practice field so silent. I hear an occasional neigh from the nearby stables but no other sound can be heard. I sit down, my back against a nearby tree and try to relax. Before I even realize it, I fall asleep.

I see it again. The flames, the dark clouds, the lightning, and I see him. He stares at me calmly out of his metal helmet. I tell myself this isn't possible, that I'll wake up soon and it will be another dream but I smell the stench of smoke and sulfur and the heat of the flames makes my skin tingle. This is too real, too vivid to be a dream.

"What do you want," I ask when I find my voice.

He doesn't reply and continues to stare me down. I do the same, taking in his figure. He is muscular, tall and impressive. He's also unarmed- not that he'd need to be to take me out.

It's just a dream; he can't hurt you in a dream.

I see him smile and he begins to speak, his very voice making me want to crawl in a hole and hide.

"Where are you? Are you home? Are you safe…or somewhere you think is safe?"

I don't answer and try to will myself to wake up. I do not need to be here and I certainly don't want to be here.

"Do you think your invincible?" he continues. "That no one can find you, no one can get to you? Think again. I can."

I stare up at him in fear and he laughs.

My eyes shoot open. My entire body is trembling and I'm panting for air. My skin feels hot and I close my eyes, trying to slow my breathing. I can still feel the heat on my skin and stench of smoke in my nose.

How is it possible for him to be in my dream? It's happened twice now and I don't think it's a coincidence. I may never sleep again. I can't get his image, his smile out of mind.

I open my eyes again and look at the field. It's gotten foggier and as I stand to go back to Erebwen's something makes me hesitate.

Something is wrong. Something is watching me. I take in my surroundings but I can't see much with the fog.

I try to calm myself thinking, it's probably just an animal or elves patrolling the area but the presence I sense is evil. My ears and eyes strain for any sign of movement but all is silent. And then I hear it, a low growl coming from up ahead.

I know what the creature is without having even seen one. It's a warg, which means that orcs are nearby too.

My mind calculates my options in mere seconds. If I run the warg will outrun me and I'll be dead. I could fight but I've forgotten to bring Firefrost with me- dead. I could rub dirt and leaves on my body in hopes it will disguise my smell but they'll most likely hear me- dead. Or I can climb a nearby tree and wait it out- ?

I make my decision and begin climbing the nearest tree. I perch myself on a branch I hope will be high enough. Wargs can't jump high, can they?

Once there, I realize I can see over the fog and I look across to where I heard the growl. As soon as I see them I want to run in fear.

There are not one, not two, not even five, but ten wargs with riders headed this way. Towards me, towards Imladris. I search the area, looking for other elves but see no one. How did they manage to cross the border with no one seeing them?

They silently make their approach and I take a good look at what I'm up against. Ten wargs and ten orcs. Luckily, most of the orcs are armed with swords which means they'll have to get close to hurt me. Those with bows don't have them out- probably because they wouldn't be able to see their target with all the fog. Fog or no fog, I'm in a lot of trouble.

Despite my fear I know I have to warn the others. I have to warn Imladris. I stand and hope that I can make my woodland kin proud because I've never done what I'm about to do.

I begin to jump and swing from branch to branch still worried I'll be heard. However, my elven movements are silent and once out of the forest I have no choice but to run on foot. Not a good idea but I have to warn everyone.

Once I land on the ground I'm moving faster than ever before. Adrenaline propels me forward and I begin to hear the heavy footfalls of the wargs behind me. They are chasing me now.

I consider making my way to the stables to get Harnen; I'd have a better chance of escaping on horseback but it would take too long.

I can hear the snarls of the wargs now and my heart beat pounds out of control. I sprint faster and I see the bell tower. The bell watch is supposed to ring the bell when there's trouble to alert the guards. It hasn't been used in years. There's been no need to. That peace has been broken tonight.

The wargs are almost on my heels and I still have quite a ways to run. I'm losing ground and I'm going to have to make a choice. A choice that will either save my life or end it.

I shake in fear even as I'm running and wait. Just wait until they're a little closer, I tell myself. Wait. Yes! Right. There.

And then I make my move, swerving to the left. The warg behind me does the same and like I had hoped, slams his fellow comrade, along with himself, into a nearby tree. Out of my peripheral vision I see several more wargs, unable to stop, crash into the two that have already fallen. I haven't taken them out but I've bought myself a few more seconds.

The other wargs continue their chase and when I'm in earshot of the bell tower I start yelling. There's supposed to be a bell watchman at all times and I hope they're able to hear me.

For what seems like an eternity all is silent and dread fills me. And then I hear it- a shrill ringing. The alarm has sounded.

Within moments elves are running towards me, arrows flying. I'm really glad they have better skill than I in archery right now as several arrows fly mere inches from my face.

I run through the line of elves, glad for the safety and with no intention of stopping but an arm grabs me around the waist and stops me. I struggle to break free and the arm releases me. I turn and find Belegor behind me.

He points down the road and says "go home. Now." There's authority in his voice but I'm not going home.

I don't give him a reply and continue to jog away from the battle, making my way back to Erebwen's where I find her still asleep. She looks so peaceful and I laugh a little as I close the door and slump against it.

She awakens and looks me over in alarm. Before she can ask I fill her in and tell her I'm alright. I leave out my dream though because I don't want to worry her. I'm starting to think that those wargs were sent by Sauron and that they were for me.

"I think you're right," I say with a sigh.

"About what?"

"Joining the guard."

She nods solemnly, "I know you don't want to kill but I don't think you're going to have a choice."

A few hours later I make my way to the practice field. Belegor is already there and when I arrive he looks at me sternly.

"What were you doing?" he asks blatantly.

I wasn't in the mood for an interrogation but I knew he'd have questions.

"I was just taking a walk," I reply.

"A walk? At two in the morning?" he says doubtfully.

Why is he so suspicious? He doesn't think I let the wargs in, does he?

"I've been stressed out lately and yes, I went for a walk at two in the morning. I couldn't sleep," I leave certain things out of my answer. I'm not about to tell him my nightmares or about the prophecy.

"How'd you manage to get away from them? The bell watch said you were on foot. They should have killed you."

I explain how I'd jumped from tree to tree and when there wasn't enough forest left I'd run of foot and zigzagged once they got close, causing them to knock into each other.

Once he realizes I'm telling the truth he looks at me in total surprise.

"Smart move," he says.

We stand in silence a moment and then he says, "let's practice."

Within seconds I realize that although I almost died a few hours ago, he's not about to go easy on me- If anything he's pushing me harder. We've been practicing for several hours now and it's beginning to take its toll.

"Watch my sword, not my face," he yells. "I'm going to stab you, not bite you."

I shake my head. I'm still stressed out from everything that has happened and I'm finding it hard to concentrate.

I watch his sword as he swings it and try to keep an eye on his feet too as we skirt around each other. My arm begins to get tired but Belegor doesn't relent. I try to keep up with his swings but he's getting faster and stronger with every stroke.

I continue to block but as he swings again I'm not strong enough and his blade cuts into my skin. It's not deep but there's a lot of blood. My tunic starts soaking it up and I look at him in disbelief.

He smiles a little and says, "are you going to do something or stand there and bleed?"

I look at him in shock and somehow anger provides me with the strength I need. I knew coming into this that I'd get hurt but that smug smile of his pushes me over the edge.

And then I whirl on him, swinging quickly with all my might.

After a few moments my rage has left me and Belegor says, "that's enough."

I stop swinging but leave my sword up in case he comes after me. I'm beginning to learn that I can't trust him if he has a weapon in his hand.

"Let's move on to archery. I have an idea."

I inwardly groan even though I'm curious about what's in store. My arm feels shaky and lifeless after sparing and now it's going to be drawing back the string of a bow.

"What's your idea," I ask, grabbing my bow and knocking an arrow.

"I want you to get mad."

I give him a look. What is he thinking?

"You haven't caught on yet, have you?" he says. "When you get mad you think more clearly when fighting. You get stronger and faster. With most people, the opposite happens. They lose their concentration and everything falls apart. Earlier, when we were fighting you were doing well but you were tired and starting to slack off."

"So you decided to cut me and make me angry," I finish for him.

"Lucky for you- you survived," he says. "If that had been an orc and you got tired do you really think they'd stop or slow down? They'd finish you without a thought. In moments like that you have to call upon every ounce of strength you have and hope it's enough. Battles require a lot of endurance."

I think about what he's said and nod. If anger helps me fight perhaps I should use it to my advantage.

"Now, I want you to show that target what you're made of. It has evaded every one of your arrows. You make sure that ends today."

I nod and concentrate on my aim. I find myself suddenly angry. How long have I tried and missed? How many times have I practiced and gotten nowhere?

I let lose my arrow and find it has hit it's target. Bullseye.

I jump up and down and forget all about Belegor being there. When I look towards him he's actually trying not to laugh.

"Well done. Now do it again and don't you dare miss."

I continue and manage to hit the target every time; it's still rare that I hit the middle but at least my arrows aren't flying into the ground anymore.

When I'm out of arrows he says we're done for the day.

Before he can leave I ask him about joining the guard.

"You want to join?" he asks, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"I think I need to."

"I think the guard would be happy to have you but why would you need to?"

"After what happened today, I need to learn as much as I can…and I need to learn to kill."

He looks at me in surprise again- I'm getting that a lot lately.

"Why would you want to learn to kill?" he asks.

"I don't want to but when those wargs and orcs were after me, if I'd had to defend myself I'm not sure I would've been able to kill them even if it meant I'd die."

"Why not?"

"I'd feel guilty."

"But they're orcs," he says, confused.

"It's still a life," I reply.

He looks at me in deep thought for a moment and then nods.

"I'll speak with Lord Elrond and the other guards tomorrow," he says, contemplating what I've said. "Are you still going to watch Tindir?"

"Yes," I say.

"I think you'll like him," he says with pride. "He likes to read."

"How do you know I like reading?" I ask.

"Every time I've gone to the library you've been there with your nose buried in a book."

I laugh and he continues saying, "even when we were kids and you liked me, if you were reading a book, you never noticed me."

"Did I hurt your feelings?" I ask, teasing him.

"No," he says, smiling. Then he becomes serious and says, "I have a feeling I hurt yours though. I'm sorry- always have been."

I look at him in shock. Is he actually being nice? I can't believe what he's telling me.

"I forgave you a long time ago," I say. "I've been embarrassed about my actions for a long time but what happened taught me a lesson."

"You were embarrassed?" he says in disbelief. "You did nothing wrong by telling me how you felt, even if it was in front of everyone. That was one of the most courageous things I've ever seen someone do. I shouldn't have rejected you so harshly."

"It made me grow up. I changed into someone better."

"This has always been you though, hasn't it?" he says, pointing to my sword and my attire.

"Not exactly," I reply. "But the girl that followed you around in dresses was just trying to impress you."

He smiles. "I like this version better," he says.

"Me too," I reply. "So when do I need to watch Tindir today?"

He looks up at the sun, checking the time.

"Now, if that's alright?"

I nod and follow him to his house. I shake my head, thinking of the conversation we just had. I never thought I'd get an apology. Maybe Belegor wasn't such a pompous jerk.

When we reach his house, I feel some butterflies about meeting his wife. Is this awkward for her too? Those feelings leave me almost as soon as I enter the house. She folds me into a hug, ignoring the dirt, leaves, and blood on my clothes. She thanks me more than once for watching Tindir and shows me where the supplies are to clean my wound.

They introduce me to Tindir and Belegor's right, I already like him. He's reading, completely undisturbed by the fact that his parents are leaving him with me, a stranger. I share a look with Belegor and he smiles.

They kiss him goodbye and leave and after quickly dressing my wound I sit down next to him. He immediately passes me a book.

"Read?" he says.

I smile and nod. I can see the excitement in his eyes at my answer. He's handed me a book about swords. One that I haven't read before- shocking, I know. I really like this kid.

I open the book and he starts flipping through the pages so I can start reading. Apparently, I'm moving too slow.

I begin reading the book, which has drawings of swords, and tells about their owners, their defeats, their victories- their stories. After a few pages I come across a sword that looks exactly like Firefrost. I look at it closely but it's definitely Firefrost. The page reads:

Naurniss- The Sword of Gwindor

Gwindor, wielder of Naurniss, is credited with beginning the Nirnaeth Arnoediad after witnessing a party of orcs brutally murdering his brother, Gelmir. The orcs had blinded him proceeded to dismember him before killing him in front of the elvish host.

Lost in grief and wrath, Gwindor charged against them with the company of Nargothrand. It is said that Morgoth shook in fear as he approached. Gwindor was ultimately captured and was enslaved for seventeen years. He eventually escaped and was rescued from the wilderness and his despair by Beleg Strongbow and later helped Beleg save Turin Turambar. When Beleg died Gwindor helped Turin.

Gwindor fell in love with Finduilas, but broke their engagement when he found he was unfit to wed her.

In the last battle of Nargothrand he was mortally wounded and died.

It is believed that his sword, Naurniss, had magical powers, though none know what they were. It is also believed that Naurniss was plain, lightweight, and warm to the touch of it's wielder but had the cold sting of ice for the necks of its wielder's enemies.

I finish reading and I'm dumbfounded. Naurniss translates to Firefrost and has always been oddly warm in my hand. Now I know why it's called Firefrost but what I don't know is how I managed to become its wielder. Why would I have a famous sword and why hadn't my father told me its history when he gave it to me?

"Keep reading," Tindir says impatiently, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I smile and continue but nothing holds my interest after what I've found out.

Hope you guys are well and that you've enjoyed the chapter! The story about Gwindor is all true except for Naurniss, that I made up. I don't think it says the type of weapon he uses or anything. Anyway, I chose him randomly and went with it. Also I know Turin doesn't have the little pronunciation thing. Sorry, I don't know how to do that so just pretend it's there! :) Thanks for reading. I know it's slow getting to Frodo and the ring but it should happen pretty soon!