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Lacy here. So, when we left Zera, she was waiting for Aragorn to bring the small, shy hobbit upstairs so they could learn how he got the ring of power. Or at least, Zera will learn. Her brother knows more then she does. This chapter will take us up until the small party arrives at Rivendell. I will let everyone know, things will unfold just as they did in the movie. Zera's being there won't change much, if make Aragorn a little grouchier because he doesn't want his sister in danger. Not that she'll listen to him. Have fun!
Disclaimer: I only own Zera.
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Zera looked away from the window as Aragorn entered, shoving the young hobbit in before him. She shook her head. He was too rough with people when annoyed.
"What do you want?" the hobbit asked. He took sight of Zera and backed away further.
"A little more caution from you," Aragorn said. "that is no trinket you carry."
"I carry nothing." the hobbit said.
Zera smirked. "Indeed." she wrinkled her nose as Aragorn put the candles out with his fingers. She hated when did that. "My brother can avoid being seen if he wishes but to disappear entirely," she cocked her head, causing her hood to fall. "that is a rare gift."
The hobbit looked between the two of them. "Who are you?"
"Are you frightened?" Aragorn asked.
"Yes." the hobbit said.
"Not nearly frightened enough." Aragorn said. Zera frowned. She was getting the feeling her brother knew more then she did. "I know what haunts you."
A loud thump in the hall had both Aragorn and Zera drawing their swords. To their surprise, the remaining hobbits came bursting into the room, the larger one first.
"Let him go," he said. "or I'll have you!"
Sheathing their swords, the two exchanged small smiles.
"You have a stout heart, little hobbit." Zera said before returning to the window. "But that alone won't save you."
"You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo," Aragorn said. "They're coming."
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Aragorn felt his sister's gaze on him as he watched out the window with her.
"That's why you were late." Zera said. "You were meeting with Gandalf."
Aragorn nodded. "He has asked that we get the hobbits to Rivendell."
Zera crossed her arms. "He feels the ring will be safe there."
"As safe as it can be." Aragorn said.
Zera looked out the window. "It won't be safe for long. We'll be leading the Ringwraiths right to them."
"The elves can handle themselves." Aragorn assured Zera. "But if it concerns you that much, we can always stay to make sure."
Zera felt a shudder run through her. "No thank you, brother. Rivendell is a little too,"
Aragorn smirked. "Bright?" he knew his sister favored the dark, if only because people were scared of her sorcery. The darkness allowed her to practice without being seen.
Zera rolled her eyes but nodded. "Yes, bright. Even the elves, holding magic of their own, look down on me for my sorcery. So I do not wish to stay there any longer then needed." she met her brother's eyes. "However, you may stay as long as you wish."
Aragorn's smirk melted into an understanding smile. "Arwen doesn't look down on you, Zera. She understands."
Before Zera could say any more, sound from across the courtyard distracted the two. The ringwraiths had arrived. Zera noticed Frodo wake and motioned for him to stay silent as he joined them at the window. The rest wake with a start as a wraith scream sounded. Zera also motioned for them to stay silent.
"What are they?" Frodo asked.
Zera swallowed. "They were once men." she looked away from the others.
Aragorn patted her arm before continuing. "Great Kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness and now they are slaves to his will."
Zera watched out the window as the wraiths galloped away, their pace clearly saying they were unhappy to not have what they came for.
"They are the Nazgul," she took over. "Ringwraiths, neither living or dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring, drawn to the power of the one. They will never stop hunting you."
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Zera knelt to the ground, her hand flat against the soil, her eyes shut, her face focused.
"What is she doing?" one of the hobbits, Pippin, asked.
"Making sure we have clear passage." Aragorn said.
"Where are you taking us?" Frodo asked.
Aragorn knelt at Zera's side. "Into the wild." he placed his hand on her shoulder. "Anything?"
Zera shook her head. "They're close but we are good for now." she stood and grabbed the reins of her black stallion. "We must move quickly though, if we wish to stay ahead of them."
They began moving again.
"How do we know this Strider and Zera are friends of Gandalf?" Merry asked softly, trying not to be over heard.
"We have no choice but to trust them." Frodo said.
Zera and Aragorn exchanged a look. Good, their trust would cause less problems.
"But where are they leading us?" Sam asked.
Aragorn stopped and looked at Sam. "To Rivendell, Master Gamgee. To the house of Elrond."
Zera noticed Sam's excited face.
"You hear that Bill?" he spoke to the small brown horse that carried their supplies. "Rivendell! We're going to see the elves!"
Zera smirked at her brother. "I remember being that excited."
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Aragorn kept watch of his sister as they walked through the snow covered land. Cold, snow covered areas were hardest for her to travel in as she drew her strength and power from the living plants and there were few to be found in places so cold.
He turned and saw the hobbits had stopped. "Gentlemen, we do not stop until nightfall."
"What about breakfast?" Pippin asked.
"You're already had it." Aragorn pointed out.
"We've had one, yes." Pippin said. "but what about second breakfast?"
Aragorn shook his head at Pippin before leading Zera down the small hill. Zera held out her hands and two apples fell into them.
"Toss him these." she said.
Aragorn smiled and chucked the apples back at the hobbits. Hearing them begin to follow, he turned back to Zera and noticed she was pale.
"We need to get you out of here." he said, concern clear on his face and in his voice.
Zera shook her head. "I am fine, brother. We cannot push the hobbits or we'll never make it."
Aragorn nodded. "Alright but let me know if you get too weak."
Zera nodded as well. "I will."
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Zera's gaze fell around the grounds of the Watchtower of Amon Sul. The hobbits were sleeping while Aragorn scouted the area. He'd insisted she rest as well, as her strength hadn't fully returned. She tried to keep a feel out for her brother or anything else but as they were resting in the tower ruins, she could get nothing from the rock around them.
Standing and stretching, she looked at the hobbits, made sure they had their swords close and decided to walk around the ruins a bit. She and Aragorn used to wander to this place all the time when they were younger.
She sat down against one of the lowers walls, near some grass and laid her hand on it. Now, even if she fell asleep, she'd know the moment someone was near.
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The scream on the wraiths violently dragged Zera from her sleep. Sitting up fast, she heard the hobbits talking and moving fast to the top of the ruins. Climbing to her feet, she grabbed her staff and pulled her sword.
"Back you devils!" Zera heard Sam cry out as she made her way to the top.
She would give the hobbit points for bravery but that really wouldn't help against the wraiths. She could feel their evil the closer she got and the purple crystal atop of her staff began to glow. The power of the crystal shielded her from the evil that lived in the dark. It had been a gift from Gandalf when he realized Zera wouldn't practice her sorcery anywhere but the dark.
She reached the top just as Aragorn appeared out of nowhere and together they attacked the wraiths. Zera gritted her teeth each time she crossed blades with one of them. They were strong and while she was an excellent swordswoman, they were almost too much for her. Thankfully Aragorn set two on fire and they started to scatter.
Zera lowered her sword and watched her crystal's light fade, though it did not go out completely.
"Strider!" she hears Sam call for her brother by the name he'd given them. "Zera!"
The two rush over and see Frodo bleeding and crying in pain.
"Help him!" Sam said, near tears himself.
Aragorn picked up the Witch King's dagger. "He's been stabbed by a Morgul blade."
"Do something." Sam pleaded.
"This is beyond our skill to heal." Zera said. "He needs Elvish medicine."
Aragorn picked Frodo up and they all quickly fled the ruins.
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Zera knelt at Frodo's side with Merry and Pippin around her while Aragorn and Sam had gone looking for Athelas. Kingsfoil, as it was also known. It was one of the few things that may slow the poison. Normally Zera could just grow some near them herself but that took time and time was something they didn't have.
"Is he going to make it?" Pippin asked softly.
Zera sighed. "I certainly hope so." she looked over her shoulder as Aragorn returned and he wasn't alone.
"Arwen." she said.
Arwen nodded. "Zera." she knelt at Frodo's side. "He's fading. He's not going to last. We must get him to my father."
Zera stood back while Aragorn lifted Frodo onto Arwen's horse.
"I've been looking for you for two days." Arwen said.
"Where are you taking him?" Pippin asked.
"There are five wraiths behind you." Arwen went on like Pippin never spoke. "Where the other four are, I do not know."
"Dartho guin Berian," Aragorn spoke to Arwen in Elvish. "rych le ad tolthathon." Stay with the hobbits. I'll send horses for you.
"Hon mabathon." Arwen responded back in like. "Rochoh ellint im." I'll take him. I'm the faster rider.
Only Zera understood them and she knew Aragorn hated to admit that Arwen was the faster rider. She watched Aragorn cover Arwen's hand.
"Andelu I ven." he said. The road is too dangerous.
Zera stepped forward. "It is dangerous for all of us brother. Let her go, she can keep him safe."
"Frodo Fir. Ae anthradon I hir, tur gwaith nin beriatha hon." Arwen said, nodding her thanks to Zera. If I can cross the river, the power of my people can protect him. She moved her hand to cover Aragorn's. "I do not fear them."
"What are they saying?" Merry asked.
Zera knew it was hard for Aragorn to let Arwen go but in the end he backed up so she could mount her horse, Asfaloth.
"Arwen," Aragorn said. "ride hard. Don't look back."
Arwen looked at Aragorn before her horse. "Noro Lim, Asfaloth, Noro Lim!"
"What are you doing?" Sam cried out. "Those wraiths are still out there!"
Zera watched Arwen vanish. "And Arwen can keep Frodo safe and get him to Rivendell faster." she looked at the hobbits. "Come, we must go."
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Rivendell loomed over Zera as the hobbits walked ahead of her and Aragorn.
"We'll make this as short as possible." Aragorn said softly.
Zera shook her head. "I'm not leaving until Frodo is okay and the fate of the ring is decided." she looked at Aragorn. "This won't end here."
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Wow, that's a long chapter. Um, alright so we know a bit more about Zera and we are seeing just how protective Aragorn is of her. Believe me, that gets worse. So let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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