Chapter 14

Library

"Are we certain it isn't still around?" Alya was still visibly shaken; she'd never been attacked in such a manner and didn't like the thought of a bodiless force having that much power.

"I am certain, M'Lady." Gandalf commented assuredly.

Alya looked off into nothing, still nervous, Boromir touching her shoulder hoping to relax her, which it did as her hand moved over his. "How could something like that exist? I mean I can't even find it in any of the journals." She pushed a book forward on the desk.

"Perhaps the Evil has taken a different path or is bringing out beings where none had seen before." Navarre's comment didn't make the room feel any better about the situation.

Alya shook her head in disbelief, "None have seen before? We had all better pray that is…?" She was at a loss for words. "I mean we have been fortunate because we have had some insight into these things that are thrown at us, but honestly how will we fair if we don't have advanced knowledge?" She seemed frantic, till Boromir's grip tightened slightly and that's when she took a deep breath, letting it escape completely. "I'm sorry, Navarre."

"It's understandable M'Lady, and I know that you talk this way just to get out frustration, but we will do what we've always done." The comment made Boromir give a questioning look. "We will do well by the people. Defend and protect."

"Death is inevitable; it's what we do before that matters." She smiled remembering her favorite quote.

"I believed you to be an immortal?" Legolas cocked his head.

"There is no such thing. I mean honestly would you want to survive a beheading?" She smiled again. "I just can't grow old and I heal from most injuries rapidly, but beyond that…immortality is a façade."

Legolas bowed knowing her words to be true. "So what do we combat next?"

Everyone looked to Aron, who looked fearfully back at the group. "I can't just have visions when I want them."

Alya laughed a bit, "Don't worry, we know this Aron, but you must at least make the attempt."

He nodded and bowed, leaving the room to head for his own, but not before looking back to see if Gandalf was watching and when he was certain he wasn't a smile crossed his lips and he walked on toward his room again unaware that Jora had seen the action and remained curious about it.

As everyone in the room went on about their business Jora waited for Gandalf, swaying back and forth in anticipation; she smiled and rushed over as he exited, that's when she proceeded to tell him about the look she saw Aron give. The two then walked off toward Jora's sanctuary, deep in discussion about the reasons for it.

"Would you like us to stay M'Lady?" Navarre asked, worried for her.

She smiled, looking to her friend, "No, go find out what you can. Hopefully we can have something to help us."

Navarre bowed and walked out with Haldir and Legolas, leaving Boromir and Maeve to remain behind. Maeve moved up, "Do you require anything, M'Lady?"

"For you to go rest." She knew the response, but she thought she'd try.

"I am going to do my duty. Tea?"

"How about one of those drinks you made me when I was having difficulty sleeping."

"Of course, M'Lady." Maeve got up, "Would you like one also, Lord Boromir?"

"Please." He watched her leave and moved around to sit in front of Alya. "Are you well?"

Alya nodded, smiling a bit. "Thank you."

"I was happy to have been able to." His hand touched hers. "Are you certain?"

"Yes" she smiled at his touch, knowing there was too much at stake to allow anything else to interfere. "Now is not the time for this." She looked at him, uncertain if she actually wanted him to stop.

Boromir nodded, but didn't move away. "Will there ever be a good time, M'Lady?" he moved in towards her, "In my years leading Gondor's army I have never allowed myself the luxury, I have found none I wished to before." He leaned in more smiling that she did not back away, but he noticed a shiver as he moved closer making him smile. "I know it would be wrong to allow it to slip away." His lips touched hers, and he was surprised to feel her sink into it, kissing him back deeply with eyes closed and a slight moan escaping; all he could think of in that moment was to pull her closely to him.

Maeve walked in and saw them, then backed out apologizing profusely for the interruption; her face taking on a rosy tone of embarrassment. "Apologies, M'Lady." She kept her head bowed slightly as Alya and Boromir broke away from each other. "I did not mean to interrupt."

"No, it is fine, thank you for those drinks, Maeve." Boromir moved to grab them both, a bit embarrassed for being caught.

"Thank you, Maeve." Alya smiled as the woman moved out quickly, blushing slightly herself. Once she was out of earshot, Alya laughed, "Many will be overjoyed to hear about this."

Boromir smirked, "I hadn't realized this was a topic of some conversations."

Alya blushed more, "I think they were hopeful." Alya got up and moved to Boromir, taking one of the mugs from him. "Now I think I am." She sipped some of the strong elixir then sat the mug down and next to it was Boromir's. His hand sliding under her chin and raising her head to his so that they could kiss once more; a bit more passionately and comfortably.

Maeve moved down the hall, smiling and nearly giggling at the sight she'd just witnessed; wanting to tell who she could, but knowing she shouldn't and yet running into Jora on her way from talking with Gandalf was too much for her. She walked up, contemplating how to say it, but unable to find the words which for Jora wasn't a problem; she always seemed to know what everyone was thinking before they spoke it.

"Are you sure?" She smiled before dancing around when Maeve smiled back, leaving Gandalf to question the interaction. "I mean, it wasn't a misunderstanding?" She giggled loudly and squeaked as Maeve shook her head.

"Strange women." Gandalf huffed and walked on, not caring to gossip.

New Prey

From his location the beast watched the people of another small village scurry around like ants knowing they would be slaughtered; he licked his blackened lips with anticipation at the thought of the feast he would soon have and smiled as he smelled their fear in the air.

He flew off from his perch in the trees on the hill and circled the town stirring up a frenzy that delighted him; every home was boarded up with the expectation that he would come in at any moment, every home save one. It was in that place that he smelled a smelting furnace working itself hard, he could hear hammers clanking onto steel over and over and he knew at that moment that the feast would truly be good because these people would fight.

Within a small structure three men stood around an anvil of sorts with steal mallets in hand hammering on a length of steel, each blow that struck sent off illuminated embers as the steel was molded into a blade; nearby an overly heated fire sat close by being fueled by a man who pulled down on a chain from the ceiling, he stoked the flames hotter and higher in anticipation of the forged blade being returned to it. Another man was holding what would eventually be the handle lay the blade into the fire, turning it and then removed it once it was a deep glowing red which was set back onto a platform designed to help forge it further. The blade was finally dipped in a liquid substance that to most looked like water, but was in actuality whale oil which caused a large amount of steam to rise up until it was removed for further cooling; the end result was hopefully a blade that could destroy the creature that eyed them.

Avalon

Alya backed away first, noticeably flustered by the kiss, "There's far more pressing matters that I cannot be…" She laughed having lost her train of thought. "Just help us find the next threat." She smiled, wondering if she would be able to move since her legs felt unstable for that moment.

Boromir looked into her face and saw she was frustrated with the lack of knowing what was going to come at them; he bowed and moved away, exiting toward the area he knew Gandalf had gone and catching up to him heading for Aron's room.

"I may need help later, though I am hoping I will not need it." Gandalf spoke to him still moving with purpose.

"Against Aron?" Boromir was confused. "What threat could he possibly pose?"

"I'm not certain. I am hoping he is possessed and not using his position and trust of the queen to harm her later."

"Not Aron." Haldir arrived unannounced.

"I would agree if I wasn't hearing other accounts from people who know him far better than we." Gandalf seemed saddened by it.

"Tell us how we can assist." Boromir stepped in.

"Keep an eye on the Queen. I believe she will not have a problem with that from you." He smirked slightly, making Boromir look away embarrassed. Gandalf chuckled, "Go, if need be explain, but she cannot warn him."

Boromir nodded and was off to the library where he'd been with the Queen, but this time finding that she'd left. He moved back out and toward the kitchen where he found Maeve who was still beaming from walking in on them. He couldn't help but smile, "Have you seen her?"

"Possibly in her room, my Lord." She smiled more.

Boromir nodded and walked up toward her room; he stopped at the door and knocked, listening for a response, nervous about entering.

"Enter?"

He did as requested, "I do not mean to interrupt."

She shook her head and waved him in. "What's wrong?"

"Gandalf asked me to come here while he…questioned Aron."

"Aron? Why?" She looked to Jora who was there and trying to leave via the double doors to the balcony. "Jora?"

"He gave a look, several of them that were unlike the Aron we know. I just wanted Gandalf to know since he felt something odd when Aron killed the witch." She stammered.

"Odd? How?"

"I know he's your favorite, but I saw it."

"Possessed?" She looked at them both.

Jora shrugged, looking at Boromir, "Gandalf's not certain, he just begged me to stay with you. He fears if there is something wrong Aron, or who ever is using him is going to attack you."

Alya rubbed her forehead, "I can't believe…" She watched Jora walk out, "If Aron isn't what he claims…"

Boromir nodded and walked over, pulling her to him and holding her, "Gandalf will deal with it, you can trust in that."

She wrapped her arms around Boromir enjoying the feel of him; she laughed softly, "I…I'm sorry." She pulled away. "Aron has helped with everything and has never tried…"

"Shhh…Do not worry, come with me outside." His hand held hers as they walked out; he was actually surprised that she didn't argue.

Aron's Room

Gandalf entered without knocking, "Aron."

"Is there a problem?" He got up from his books.

"Yes, I have questions about you." Gandalf moved in and toward the young wizard.

Aron smiled and shook his head, "Still?"

"If there is nothing wrong, you won't have a problem with my questioning."

"Of course I don't, yet I do have a problem with you questioning my loyalty. I would die for her if she asked it. She saved me, she's helped save many." He was becoming more and more agitated.

"Of that I have no doubt, but I have to know. You have to know." He spoke words, nearly making Aron collapse and the room began to shake. As they continued, Aron's eyes rolled backwards and his veins began to show at the surface of his young skin. Gandalf could hear the boy pant and writhe in pain, but kept it up and soon they both collapsed from the severity of it.

"You…" Aron tried to stand up, "satisfied?" He was off center and reeling from it, his clothes disheveled and his hair matted with sweat.

Gandalf got to his feet, but didn't respond as Aron hoped, "I am not." He left it at that walking out in a huff, staggering a bit also as he moved down the hall; sweat beaded from his forehead as he moved.

Balcony

"If he is I doubt we'll recover." Alya worried herself.

"Gandalf will deal with it. There is nothing you can do. If you confront him and Gandalf is right you could get hurt and I would be…" He paused looking down.

She moved to him, this time her lips pressed into his, she felt him gasp by the abruptness, his lips parted slightly and her tongue slid in a bit another unexpected surprise, but he did not pull away. She smiled to herself as she saw his eyes close sinking into her kiss while he pulled her closer to him. She felt his interest grow as his arms slid around her waist pulling her even closer to him and pressing into her more.

Gandalf walked in and cleared his throat, interrupting them.

"Gandalf, any word?" Alya moved away with Boromir moving behind her now.

"No, I cannot tell what I need, but I do worry for it, M'Lady." He bowed. "I do require more time to satisfy my questions."

"Do what you need." She looked down, pained by it. "If…If he declines then tell him I've ordered it." She shivered at the thought, hoping she was doing what was best; a part of her wondering if she could trust the visitors that had arrived. 'One to distract me, another to rip apart Aron and Jora, and yet another to distract Navarre? Could he have gotten that much power?' She caught her breath.

Gandalf smiled and shook his head, prompting Alya to wonder if he'd read her thoughts, instead he bowed and reversed himself, heading back to try to find what he needed.

Boromir chuckled, making Alya turn to him, "I know, there is no proper time for anything, but there are more important things than what we were considering." She hoped her concern was not as apparent to him as she felt it had been to the elder wizard.

Boromir bowed, "At your command, M'Lady," which made Alya laugh herself.

"I need to know what's going to come at us next. I will not send my men, my people into unknown territories." She smiled when Boromir nodded. "Would you perhaps see if there is further training that we can afford them? You and your people have fought beasts we've never seen, with strength and abilities we haven't faced."

"I will find the General's and speak with them." Boromir bowed slightly this time and moved passed her, leaving Alya to look out over the kingdom she'd inherited.

"They aren't you know." Jora popped out.

"I asked you to stop that." Alya turned to her. "How do you know?"

"His heart is open right now, it screams what he feels and what I sense isn't traitorous to you or harmful." Jora smiled.

"And what if something is using…?"

Jora huffed and jumped into a sitting position on a bench near her. "Trust. I've never lied to you. Trust."

"Still. He's a distraction I can't afford." Alya blushed.

"Afford what you can now and go for the rest later." Jora winked and giggled.

Alya looked away shaking her head, "There are days where I'll swear you came from the same world I did." She turned her head back to Jora, a smiled brimming from ear to ear.

Jora shrugged, got up, twirled and giggled before rushing to the hallway doors "If anything, you are a distraction to him, M'Lady." She scurried through and into parts unknown, leaving Alya there to laugh at it.

Latest Attack

A small boy ran out from a hiding place sending the beast flying fast towards him its hopes of an easy meal in sight, but as he swooped in one of the men who'd been in the forge moved out fast and swung something at him making him crumpled to the ground unexpectedly, leaving a gouge in the ground where he hit. The beast righted itself and hissed at the dark haired man just before looking to see that a piece of his wing had been severed off completely. Cocking its head, looking at it oddly before extending what was left and smiling broadly, its head turning in a sickening manner towards the man, eyes as red as blood. The man backed up expecting retaliation, the weapon at the ready, but rather than attack its attacker, the beast rushed into another building allowing the man to hear the screams of a woman caught unaware.

The beast reemerged in seconds, wing now intact and blood spilling from his mouth, screeching as it flew upward into the sky and out of sight. The man watched for a moment, disbelief crossing his face as he half expected the creature to return; after a moment he rushed to where it had been and the sight nearly made him vomit; the woman was ripped into pieces, but there was no blood just parts strewn across every surface. The boy walked up, but the man stopped him, his face showed the horror as he moved the child away and back into the forge to let the others know what had transpired.

Avalon

"The Queen…" Gandalf was moving up to Aron as he was rushing toward him.

"The Queen needs to hear about my vision first. You can seek your information from me later." He was stern in his comment and Gandalf could do nothing more than nod and move behind him as they rushed up the stairway.

Their knock startled Alya who was attempting to rest her eyes on her lounge, "Enter." She stood, looking to the door as the two men walked in.

"M'Lady." Aron bowed. "There is a creature, one we've never seen, attacking people in villages to the west."

"A creature?" She walked forward and urged them to follow her, heading for the library.

"Yes, it's large and vicious and…and I think it eats all but the flesh of its victims. It flies and it's very, very large. I think I said that already."

The words made Alya stop cold, "All but?" She looked at him, disturbed.

Aron nodded, "It was injured though, I think. I also think that is why I believe I received the vision. I think the injury allowed it to come to me." He was fumbling for reasons.

"Its fine, Aron. At least you saw it." She hesitated a moment. "If it was injured there may be a way to destroy it. I'll have Jora look into it."

"Yes, M'Lady."

"Gandalf, can you have the Generals brought here?" She knew Gandalf was hesitant, but he bowed and left the two, that's when Alya turned to Aron. "What are they talking about?"

"I don't know." Aron tensed up not expecting the Queen to question his loyalty.

She studied his face, "Aron, I've heard this from people I trust. Not just from those men, I wouldn't take their word alone."

Aron looked down. "If I thought anything I did would ever hurt you or the people…"

"Did you do something? Is what they've said correct?"

Aron shook his head, "I just used some of…there were spells left, potions of all kinds, but I am in control."

"Potions and spells owned by the Evil?" She backed away. "You know how dangerous? How foolish?" She was livid.

"I'm sorry, M…" He paused as her hand went up toward him.

Gandalf walked in, "They are on their way, Queen Alya."

"And you are taking Aron to his room. Use whatever you can, whatever you need. Just remove what he's done to himself." She never took her eyes from Aron who looked down ashamed. "Go. I need you, not just your powers. If the Evil has a hold of you, in any way. I can't trust that and that means I can't trust your powers."

Aron bowed and walked out, Gandalf beside him, "Don't worry. I will do this without difficulty. Then I will help you learn what you accepted so easily from your enemy." Gandalf smiled. "Had I thought about it, I would have had her ask you sooner."

"I didn't know." Aron looked destroyed. "I would never have hurt anyone."

"Of course not, but you do understand it can be used against you. Inevitably against everyone you care for." Gandalf moved him into his room and closed the door.

"There is a creature attacking people in the west" Alya turned to them. "Jora, see if you can't find anything in archives, deep in the archives, rip them apart if need be. This beast is large, with wings and teeth. It prefers to dine on human flesh and may have already done a lot of damage."

"Of course, M'Lady." Jora began to rush out.

"I need to know how to kill it."

"I will return with nothing less." Jora rushed, her short legs moving faster than most peoples.

Alya turned to the Generals, Boromir included. "Ready the men. Let them know what type of enemy we face. I know it's not much, but at least we can give them something." The Generals bowed and moved out, just as Alya motioning for Boromir to remain. She watched as they left and moved over to the door, closing it. "May I speak openly?"

"You are the Queen." Boromir was confused.

Alya nodded, "True, but what I have to say may not be to your liking."

"As I've said, I am at your service."

"I had to question, with everything happening certain loyalties, new and old, and more specifically certain people who've entered this kingdom…" She paused.

"I, being one of them?"

"Yes. I can't let these people down and I worry because of the Evil's tendency to use whatever means he has to attack."

Boromir walked forward, "I am not here at his bidding or to do any evil against you or Aquetiri. As I said, I haven't afforded myself certain feelings or given myself over to such emotions before." He moved away. "Since I believe, in the other world…," he looked to her for understanding which Alya gave readily, "I was meant to die and I don't want to lose those opportunities again."

Alya smiled uncontrollably, "You haven't, but my people must be first, especially since we have knowledge of this beast."

Boromir laughed, "Do you not always have an enemy to fight?"

"Fair enough and as others have requested I will try."

He smirked when he saw her smile. "And I will not rush, though I believe it was you being forward on the last kiss." He laughed as she blushed, then his mood became more direct, "I give you my word, M'Lady. You will have my sword and my strength to defend Aquetiri from all attackers."

"What happens if Gondor is attacked? You're King did not send you here to become my subject."

"He would approve of it, this I know and I believe we were told that the Evil is kept within the confines of Aquetiri so if it does attack Gondor it would have already destroyed this place" he smiled, "and if that is the case, then I will have already met my fate beside your people."

The comment made her relax, she hadn't realized he was that devoted, "Are you ready to leave Gondor, leave your people for Aquetiri? For her people?" Boromir nodded at her question which surprised her, both in how fast he answered, but also how certain he was.

"For you as well." He bowed his head. "Not because of my feelings, but because I will help Gondor by staying."

"M'Lady?" Jora peeked in as she interrupted. "I found what it is." She inched in.

"Go on?" Alya turned away from Boromir.

"It's called an Indaryo. It's very old. Very hard to kill." She moved in, "It heals itself quickly, no matter the injury."

"But it can be killed?" Alya smiled as Jora nodded, "How?"

"Something called a Blood Flame…" She pierced her lips, "I don't know how to make it though." She cringed expecting to be yelled at.

Alya nodded, "When Gandalf and Aron are done I will ask them. Go back and see if you can't find the answer until then." Jora bowed, setting down a parchment and fled quickly leaving Alya to laugh. "If anyone can find it, it's Jora."

"Shall I wait for Gandalf and Aron?"

"No. I will. Go rest, help train the men. Maybe learn something's yourself, so I don't have to worry about losing you so quickly."

Boromir bowed, smiling and left, walking out of the palace.

Alya turned her attention to the parchment and the discovery of their new adversary.