With that Arien's rarely seen smile appeared, unashamed for once.
She sat herself down at Korlanis' little wooden table for two. He sat opposite to her and began lighting up some of his readily laid out incents.
HE lit up one of a deep burgandy color, which Arien knew was for wisdom, this came as no surprise for Korlanis wanted wisdom present in everything he did. But then he lit up a dark blue one, thats' scent filled the room immediately and overpowered that of wisdom's smell. Korlanis didn't use this one much so she wasn''t familiar with it. But he sensed the question in her mind before she was able to ask it and answered, " I will need all the strength I can get for what I am about to explain to you. That is why I light the shaded indigo my dear."
She nodded in understanding letting his words sink in and leak unease into her heart.
"Thank you, I appreciate whatever enlightenment awaits me, really I do Korlanis, you don't know howmuch it means to me that you have actually listened to me plead"
"Do not thank me just yet child, there is much you do not know though I am sorry I've kept you blind for so long fear maybe that was the best, for my sake."
In that moment Korlanis reconsidered whether or not confessing to Arien was indeed a wise choice. HE knew the knowledge he obtained his last few visions and star readings could potentially harm Arien, and that was the last thing he wanted for his green eyed marvel. Arien noticed the hesitation in him, so she laid an encouraging hand on sighed, giving in to her warm touch.
"Let's start with how much you do know."
Arien though back to Faramir's description.
"I know that in reference to the symbolism in this dream things will only get worse here at home, but someone or something will aid us, namely something from the west, possibly in Imladris like the dream stated. I also know that something there will happen that wills defy evil in some way."
"Right, right, -"
"Stronger than morgul spells", they recalled in unison.
She continued, "I do not remember it all, I left in quite a hurry to get to you, but the key phrases that brought me here were, 'Sword that was broken' and 'Isildur's bane'. Now I don't know exactly what Isildur's bane is but I do know who is last heir is, and I also know the only well enough known broken sword in Imladris I've heard of is Narsil, which can only mean-"
"Aragorn, right, it seems I've taught you well little beetle though it is not a direct reference he is invovled."
At this Arien's eys widened, and she tightly gripped Korlanis' hand in her slight anxiety. It had been awhile since he'd seen such open reactions from her.
"So then I was right, he is alive."
"Yes, he is, but not for too long I fear, the stars have told me that great dangers and challenges await him. And now I know why. My dear, Isildur's bane was notorious for a reason, and if what this prophecy fortells is true and it has awoken, then not only will those of us neighboring Mordor suffer, but all the free peoples of Middle Earth. And we will need aid from the west and the hardships we suffer now will be multiplied beyond what we can bare not only for Gondor but for all. Especially your brother . Let us not forget the blood that lies beneath the mere ranger we know as simply Aragorn."
Arien then felt nostalgic and yet somewhat regretful.
" How can I? It was I who reminded him always that he is not just Aragorn, but Aragoorn son of Arathorn, Heir of Isildur himself and descendant of the blood of Numenor, I never did let him forget who he is."
The corners of her mouth turned up a bit at the remembrance of her brother's grand title, but quickyl faltered downward at the thought of 'maybe that's why he stopped writing to me'. She quickly shook that thought from her head afraid it would make her emotional.
"Right, but then what exactly is Isildur's bane? And something about a halfling? Was mentioned, what is that?"
Korlanis giggled at his marvel's ignorance, "You need a brush up on your history Arien".
Arien couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at this.
"A halfling is a hobbit, you know, shire-folk, not taller than a child, with montrous, furry feet."
This made Arien want to laugh as she remembered the funny drawings of the little peculiar creatures in the books of which she learned about them in school.
"Oh yes, I know what a hobbit is"
"Good then, I was beginning to think you weren't paying attention all those years of tutoring. But yes a halfling is a hobbit, I do not know what a hobbit would be doing in Imladris but I feel that as odd as it sounds hobbits will have a great deal to do with the fate of Isildur's bane Which brings me to your other question. Do you remember the story of the One Ring? And the war the war of the last alliance?
Arien racked her brain for memories of child hood history lessons.
"Yes I believe it was 'One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them' I remember the story too."
"Wonderful, but do you remember how Sauron was defeated?"
Arien thought harder, then it all clicked.
"Yes that's right, of course, it was Isildur who cut the ring from his hand, how did I forget that?"
"Well, I'm sure I do not know child, but that is of your shame not mine and beside the point. You see Isildur kept the ring for himself which ended in it becoming the cause of his death. Afterwards it was lost out of all though and recognition, and for the best too for some peace was found. So if this dream proves to be correct and it really had been found, it will be the doom of Middle Earth, just as was stated."
His words made a violent chill run up Arien's spine. "Why didn't you want to tell me? You have told me of all your other visons. I understand why you would be a bit hesitant seeing as it concerns my brother, but as you said it is not direct, and this would affect us all not only him. So why keep it from me?"
"I have not finished my love, you see I've been studying you and your brother's charts and it seems that Aragorn will face many hardships, specifically I cannot answer, but he will have to make decisions that will change his life. Decisions he has run from. I saw sorrow , worry, wearyness and confusion in his path and great burdens upon his chest. I saw death of a loved one in his path and..."
Korlanis paused and had to think if he should continue. But he knew he must finnish what he started, even if it meant never seeing Arien again. She deserved to know the whole truth.
"...even his own."
Arien froze within her body, and felt a frightening heat rise in her chest. Korlanis continued.
" And I know that right now as you are learning of all this and taking it all in you are already planning on setting out to find him in Rivendell to help guide him away from this path but that is not a wise choice Arien. I know for certain. For in your destiny I saw great sadness and mourning. Yes Aragorn would do good with your help, and will be in need of you soon enough but that does not mean you will be able to change his fate. Though I believe with all my heart, that if you stay here you can escape that path. You will be happy and safer Arien, dont go. There are many perils in this world outside of what you know."
She let his words flow through her mind, she thought on them deeply, considered them. But the determined soldier within would have none of it. Nor would the secure love for her brother even dwell too long on the thought. Her mind was already made up.
" I'm sorry dear Korlanis, but if I have the power to change my own fate by staying here than surely I have the power to change his by being at his side during these times to cannot expect me to stay here idley while knowing what awaits him. What causes you to think I would be any bit happy here living my life when the news comes around that he has lost his? I will not let my brother fall before his prime if there is something I can do about it. Anyway if what you say is true no one will remain happy here, it seems as though Aragorn will be part of something that will change this dream's prophecy, and I want to be around to watch it all happen."
"Think about the life you could have here Arien, falling in love, having children, if you leave now you might not be given these experiences, you will not come back alive, you might not even come back at all. Who knows what will happen to your young and beautiful being."
"As if there is any chance of finding a husband here, they all see me as a disgrace and everything a woman shouldn't be. What makes you think any noble man of Gondor would ask for my hand, knowing he could have proper woman instead. I've eliminated the possibly of marriage and children long ago, why sit here growing old alone when I could go out and see all there is to see and possibly be apart of something that will change the fate of so many? Even if it means possibly losing my life, what better a reason than to help my brother, the possible returning King Of Gondor, keep his life. He will be missed far more than I will. He is needed far more than I will ever be."
Korlanis didn't have any more rebuttles after that, though he desperately wished he did. He stayed quiet and wated for her next move.
Arien calmy got up and kissed Korlanis on the cheek, "Do not worry so much, I will remember to pray".
She then left his home and went to search for Faramir.