Chapter 7

The guards roamed the undergrounds where they found tunnels that had been started with shovels, confusion set in a bit but they went on till they hit a shallow piece of earth, a connection with what would have been their enemy. Beyond was the dead, each man that found them was startled, happily, at the sight of them; their bodies were twisted up as if they were wet rags that had been rung out, yet there was no sign of their attacker or the method of his attack.

"Rush to tell the Queen of this." One man ordered another who was already on his way out. "Bring them through; we'll set them alight once we're out of this tunnel". Several men followed his order to the word, dragging the rank corpses out, one or two at a time and piling them on a tall pyre in a large open area near Avalon's walls where they were then saturated in a flammable liquid and set on fire in an unceremonious manner.

The Queen moved closer to the rising flames, watching the enemy's body's burn, her face raised toward the night sky as her people made their way from the palace; their peace assured by a man who they'd never met before. "Make certain you get every one of those things. I want none to stick up this world any longer."

"Yes, M'Lady." A man bowed and was off as she ordered.

Haldir walked up next to her, "Jora said he's nearly made his change." Alya looked at him, smiling slightly. "Are you well?"

Alya nodded, "Just tired." She walked back toward the palace, "There's just so much to do."

"Get some rest; let others do what they are supposed to."

Smiling at the thought she turned back to him, "I feel if I let my guard down, even once that he will find a way back sooner than he should. Because of the strength of those he drained he has more than he should have."

"What is he?"

"Evil. The epitome of it. It's due to him that men who might go either way would side with him. He's tired of using "middlemen"; he's wanting to do the work himself. He has taken a host, someone to work through and what's worse is he tries to take those that people who fight him might not kill." She walked towards the palace again. "If he's looking to kill a mother and father he'll inhabit the child, there are few parents who will willingly kill their children. If he's going after me, he'll use someone that might affect me."

"Which is why you have no King?" He smirked knowing the subject was tenuous at best.

"Funny. Even for an Elf. No. I don't have a King because I am not willing to change who I am or what I've become. I'm not willing to stand down and I can't really. This place won't let me."

"Aron told me."

"Aron and many others don't get it. I don't want anyone put in harms way, I would shut off from them if I could, but they won't allow it. Now they are…they could be used by him against me. You understand?"

Haldir nodded. "But if their strength is beyond him, they can't be used."

"Don't be so certain." She walked up the stone steps and entered the palace, which was now deserted of all people save those who worked for Alya. She walked down towards the kitchen, where several women were working, including Maeve. Each of them curtseyed and went back to work, before Alya sat on a stool in front of a large cutting block table;

Maeve brought over a mug with steaming liquid inside it, "It'll help you get through the day, M'Lady"

"Thank you." Alya smiled as Maeve set down another for Haldir, who was settling onto the stool near Alya. "It's good."

Haldir sniffed at it and too a sip. "What is it?"

"Chai." Alya laughed, "Its spiced tea. It's good"

Haldir nodded and sipped again. "It is not alcohol?"

"No. This is just something that tastes wonderful and can actually wake a person up for a while." Alya swallowed down more of it, "I'll have a few of these throughout the day since I've been up all night."

"I do not require it."

Alya snickered, "Good then that will leave it all for me." She winked at him before drinking again. She got off her seat and moved out towards the interior of the palace to find that Navarre had finally arrived; he was walking into the palace still in his battle attire.

"M'Lady" He bowed.

"Oh stop." She laughed, "Good to know you came home to a city in peace?"

"Yes, but for how long?"

"Don't ruin my mood." She smiled and watched Navarre turn his attention to Haldir.

"Please, a moment."

Haldir bowed his head and walked away, somewhere towards the stairs that would lead him to his room. Alya looked back to her friend. "What's this about?"

"We will have more come from his world, you know this."

"Yes." She had a moment of revelation. "It doesn't mean they will have to stay. Or that Haldir will have to stay." She turned to face him directly. "We'll let them know what might happen. We'll give them the option." Navarre nodded at her comment. "Do you want to go to their world, stay with them?"

He hesitated. "No."

"You've thought about it though."

"You're right, but this is my home, you are my people." It was met with a sigh. "I've considered it, I won't lie."

"I've considered it." She laughed and finished her mug of tea. "Are you worried that some from our world will want to go there? Let them, they are free to do so if they want. They know this." She moved to set the mug down. "Or are you worried that some will want to come here and stay?"

"Not worried, but I would question anyone who would want to live here." His comment was met with a laugh.

"I cannot speak for them, Navarre. If they want to stay I will welcome the help. If you or any want to go, I will wish you all fortune."

"Why do you always push me to go?"

"Because, I feel we have become your burden in many things. And as much as I like to hear that you think we are your family, we aren't your people."

"Neither are they. They may be of similar line, but they aren't from my world. I'll be happy here and I'll be happy if you will stop taking on everything by yourself." That received an even louder laugh from Alya. "Child…" He paused. "I never told you, but when I came here from mine…it's because my people were at their end. I was told to come here and give what I had to help destroy the Evil."

Alya turned back to her friend, but he didn't let her comment, "The Evil can never be destroyed, it's part of the world. We can simply hope to keep it at bay." She nodded, knowing what he said was true. "So we continue to fight and hope we have enough time in between." He smiled. "And we can allow people into our lives when we are given the opportunities." Alya walked away, shaking her head. "I'm just saying don't push people away, just talk to them as you do us." Navarre spoke out before she was out of earshot and smiled as she waved to him.

Walking up the stairs she got to the second level, "What did he mean by that?" Haldir walked in from the balcony.

"Do all Elves have such hearing?" Haldir nodded with a quick bow of his head. "He meant that I should explain all so that they may make up their minds about us."

"How so?"

"If you remain when the Evil returns, there is a…it's like an hourglass turns over. You would only have a limited amount of time to get back to your world before this one disappears. Same would be said for anyone from any world."

"How many are from this world?"

"Unknown. I wasn't. Navarre wasn't. There are many that weren't. Some didn't have the choice." Haldir followed her down the hallway. "I don't want anyone else to be caught off guard. I want them to know ahead what they will face."

"Then should that time come, I will decide." He bowed. "Do your people always worry about you in the ways they've shown?"

Alya smiled, blushed slightly and laughed, "Ignore that. They want me to be happy and they think certain things will make me happy." Before Haldir could say anything more she stopped him, "Its not that it wouldn't, but it shouldn't be something forced."

Haldir nodded, "He is correct that there will be others. I cannot guarantee who though."

"Will you assist me when they do? Let me know who each person is, whether they should be trusted?"

"Of course, M'Lady…Alya."

"Thank you."

"M'Lady, there are several people from the Kingdom of Calais here to see you." Taen bowed.

"Very well." She moved passed Haldir. "You want to come?" Haldir bowed and followed behind her as they walked down the stairway. Two men were at the bottom, bowing as she moved closer. "What is the problem, Gentlemen?"

"We came to find out about what occurred in Empheron. We want to know if we should be worried."

"No, they are dead. Oh, and it was because of a member of the world Haldir is from."

The men bowed towards Haldir, "Does that mean we will have allies when He returns."

Haldir looked to Alya, "Yes it does, since He would be a threat to our world as well as theirs." The men bowed again, and this time Alya spoke out, "Since we have allies from across the sea does that mean we can count on you and not just your women or your small infantry of men, most of whom are older than you?"

"M'Lady that is an insult." One of the men spoke.

"Yes it is, but no more than your atrocities against your people" She scooped up parchments from a table. "You gentlemen will go back under guard. There will be men who will take you into custody and you will no longer be in charge of a once honorable city. I've chosen those who will take over and the people have agreed. You will not be charged with crimes. Unfortunately, you committed none, but you will be "demoted" within the city to menial tasks; tasks you will perform better than you ever did the job you just lost."

The men appeared flustered, which was a source of amusement for Haldir who was smiling. "Are you going to disagree with my decision?" Alya was clearly upset.

The men looked at one another, embarrassed at this point, but did not respond. One of them hung their head.

"I did not think so. Now please go with these men and head home. Unless you'd prefer to be under my watchful eye." The men bowed and exited quickly followed by several men.

"How long have they been in command there?"

"Too long, I'm afraid." Alya moved out of the room, handing the parchments to another guard, nearby. "Just with everything else, I've put off doing this. I shouldn't have, it wasn't right to do to those people."

"Still you did take care of it." Alya smiled at Haldir's comment as she ascended the stairs again, this time heading towards her room.

As she neared her room she bypassed it and headed for the balcony which overlooked everything on the west side of the city. The breeze blew in allowing comfort from the still rising sun, she closed her eyes to it, and took a deep breath, "Are you just handing out comments when you feel the need or is this how you feel?" She looked to her friend.

"I say as I feel I need to. I hadn't realized…"

"I'm sorry, I'm just tired. Look if you feel the need to comment, please do, unlike some I actually prefer it."

"Not unlike your name being use." He smirked.

"Exactly. But I would prefer it before I put a bad choice into action." Haldir bowed acknowledging her request, just before someone came from behind him. "You mind, Haldir." She pointed to Jora, sending Haldir off the balcony.

"You certain you want to do that?" Jora smiled slyly.

"Shut it." Alya glared. "So?"

"He is on his way, I don't know how long it will take, but he's heading the right way. And the others are going to have a tougher time."

"Tougher than Gandalf obtaining ascension?"

"Actually, yes. Gondor has been without a King for so long they may not be accepting and the…what was the word…?"

"Steward."

"Yes, Steward is a bit mad I think." She spoke so blasé that Alya had to laugh.

"Just a bit?"

"He's nursing a still broken heart and, in part, it's driven him to madness. The coming war and many other things contribute."

"The son should make him step down then."

"Not every child is like your family's children were. Some people respect their parents." The comment received a smack to the backside of her head, making her wince. "I meant it differently."

"Damn right. We respected my father and mother. You…"Alya turned from her. "If my father had attempted to do something that would harm us or these people we would have made him stand down THAT would have been his order." Turned toward Jora again, her finger pointed out at her face.

"Yes M'Lady, I'm sorry." She knew she had touched a nerve and that the subject was an extremely sensitive one. "Forgive me." She bowed.

"I'm sorry. I…Go on."

"That is all, M'Lady."

"Go get Lored and Cristiani. Now." The order made Jora jump into action, she moved off the balcony and down to do as she was bid to.

The Quest

Alya moved down the stairs and into the library where Haldir was. "Are you supposed to remain here or are you meant to go home at some point?"

"I was told to remain until summoned. Is there a problem?"

"No, but I will be sending some to your world in the coming days to try to smooth out a possible problem. What do you know of your world of Men?"

"Gondor and Rohan are the main cities. I know a bit of them, but nothing substantial."

"What about their Kings or the Steward?

"The King of Rohan is Theoden; he has a son Theodred and a niece and nephew, Eomer and Eowyn. His sister's children I believe. I do not know specifics beyond that." He paused a moment. "There is no King in Gondor though many of my people believe there should be one."

"Aragorn?"

"Yes, Alya" He smiled. "His father was seduced by the Ring…you have heard of the Ring."

"Yes, but about Aragorn and the Stewards."

Haldir nodded, "Aragorn is a good man. I believe he would be a worthy King, he'd bring honor back to them all." The comment raised Alya's brow. "The Steward attempt to do right, but he is encumbered by something."

"That was very civil. I'd heard he's slowly going mad and taking it out on his children." She turned from him smiling slightly.

Two men walked into the room, "M'Lady?"

"Lored, Cristiani, good. I was speaking with Haldir and I hope that he will give you some insight into his world so you don't embarrass yourselves or Aquetiri." The men bowed. "Is there anything wrong with me sending them?"

"Not that I can foresee, M'Lady."

Alya nodded, "Good, would you mind telling them anything they might need to know?"

"I would be happy to, M'Lady." He bowed again toward her.

"Then you must sit with Haldir, learn what you can and learn it well. When you are done, have Taen find me and I will get you on your way." She smiled, "Unless you wish to go with them?"

"No, that was not my order from Galadriel." Alya nodded at Haldir's comment and left the library, so that he may acclimate them to his world.

Evil's Minion

Searching and seeking across the horizon, every animal known to every being in Aquetiri was aware of its presence; birds screeched and flew off frantically, animals from everywhere rushed away. Moving over the landscape towards a cave high beyond the Breach, It entered almost seeking out something, the darkened form snaked in and out of every corridor, hunting.

Another figure, a corporeal figure, moved into the light; it was large and bulky with an almost stone-like structure. "Yesssss." Its eyes were a glowing blood red color, its massive body mangled by time, with almost skeletal wings which extended as it stretched its massive form; it bowed to the darkness. It listened as if the darkness spoke to it in its ear, smiling at the unheard words, "Yessssss. He will die." It seemed to swoon to the darkness almost like a child hearing a lullaby.

The darkness backed up, almost retreating then moved forward and gripped the creature in its unseen grasp, "I sorry Master, not dead, brought to youuuuuu." It spoke enthralled by his Masters strength. The darkness moved back, snaking out of the cave and back into an emptiness of where it was shuttered into.

The creature opened it mouth almost like a yawn and screeched out loud, sending a shiver across the landscape till it dwindled at the edge of the Breach. It moved toward the mouth of it cave without crossing into the rays of the sunlight, but wasn't the sunlight that it fears, it was it's Masters Loss of power.

Returning the Favor

"Ready?" Alya smiled as Lored and Cristiani walked out, geared in standard traveler's attire. They bowed their heads; Haldir walking out behind them. "When you reach the first city, find either…" She looked to Haldir, "General Boromir of Gondor or King Theoden of Rohan. Give them these parchments." She handed them each two parchments, seeing Haldir nod. "Any questions?"

"None for the Elves?" Lored asked.

"No. Jora has been in contact with them, but I feel these Men will take a messenger they can welcome in person rather than a woman who appears in ethereal form." The men bowed and mounted their horses, heading out into the East, leaving their Queen to question their safety.

"They will do well, M'Lady." Haldir walked up.

"I'm glad you are certain, these men have never left Aquetiri before." She looked back and smiled. "They will, I know." She turned a moment towards Haldir. "Will more be sent from your world?"

"Perhaps. I can not say with certainty."

"Elves, Men or Dwarves?"

"Whichever they will be allies." He bowed his head and then smiled at her briefly. Alya turned back and watched for a time till the riders were away, she said her prayers silently for a safe journey and for those who they encountered to truly be their ally. "Worried?"

"Wishing I could be the one to go, actually." She turned back and headed into the palace, returning to her more professional attitude. "I want to know ever possible attacker. How many and how to kill them." Several went rushing off into different direction, leaving Navarre, Haldir and herself to enter the library.

"The one from the Breach." Jora whispered, Alya turned, showing actual fear this time.

"The Breach?" Haldir turned his head toward Navarre.

"It's an area in the far North that is dead, the Evil saw to it. His minion, the worst of them were there." He looked at the new set up of the chessboard. "It's said that once the connection made all beyond the Breach will be renewed and all Evil banished.

"Stop" Alya looked at him.

Haldir looked confused, "Some say that the connection is her marrying a chosen mate." Navarre responded to his look.

Alya showed an imagined pain hearing the words, "That is one persons opinion, and she's only half a person."

Jora giggled, "I read it in total, not my fault the Advisor Elf agrees."

Alya shot her a look. "Yet you can't determine who this connection is supposed to be, can you?" She moved to her short friend. "It took my family's blood to awaken Aquetiri; we had to do this of our free will." She circled her, "Do you know how to find this betrothed?"

"No, but grow exceedingly happy when you get so flustered." She giggled louder and rushed out of the room.

"Are you certain she is not a Dwarf, M'Lady?" Haldir smirked, "She has the skill for it."

The comment made Alya laugh and shake her head, "I will contemplate that, Haldir." She attempted and failed to wipe the smile off her face. "What if this connection is married already? What if he is a Hobbit or Dwarf?"

"There is that chance. The prophecy says nothing about you having to make them a mate."

"You and Jora and several others have delighted in trying to marry me off, now you say 'Oh they may not be a husband'." She blew a raspberry at Navarre, waved her hand and turned away.

Navarre laughed, "Like Jora I do so just to get your blood going."

"Who's to say it isn't you, Navarre?" For the first time ever she saw Navarre choke on his own saliva at her words.

"I do not believe it would have been made known before now, M'Lady, but if you wish me to attempt to verify…"

"No, no, no. I'm just in denial. I hate the thought of someone trying to take command from me now that I've come so far."

"He could not, he is supposed to be your equal, but none can take leadership that was never arguable."

Alya smiled, "On the walls it's said, none may lead that are not chosen. None may hold power above the chosen. Should anyone attempt it they will fall to madness and death at their own hand." Haldir nodded. "I suppose he could see the walls, if you wanted?"

"Perhaps tomorrow."

"Valid point, I think rest is needed, and I pray we get a full night tonight."

"Every night, I would rather." Navarre walked out, followed by Haldir and Alya.

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