We were about to leave when the two of us noticed something in the shadows. The twang of a bowstring reached our ears and with horror, we realized what it was.
"ADA!"
Voices...
There are voices...
So many of them!
Why are they so loud?
Where am I?
Why is it so dark?
Many questions ran through my mind as I lay on a comfortable bed. How did I end up here? What happened?
"My Liege! Please, you must rest."
"I cannot." The voice I recognized as Ada's echoed in my mind. My brow furrowed. What was he doing here?
"Lord Faramir and your children are stable, my Lord. You have not eaten, nor slept, nor-"
"Please, Erathina...I cannot leave them."
'Lord Faramir and your children are stable'? What is that supposed to mean? Were we injured? When? Where? How? My mind seemed to be jumbled up as I tried to recall the last thing I remembered but nothing came except for a head-splitting headache. A door opened and the soft sound of feet could be heard approaching the bedside.
"Faramir has awoken, Aragorn." Uncle Legolas spoke. A chair moved as Ada stood.
"Faramir!"
"Milord." Faramir acknowledged.
"Faramir, how many times must I tell you to call me Aragorn and not 'Milord'? Nevermind that, how do you feel?"
"I am fairing well, Mi-Aragorn. Only a minor injury."
"I am thankful the arrow did not pierce an artery..." Aragorn gave a small sigh of relief and I felt his eyes rest on me as I tried with all my might to open my eyes, but the light burned!
"As am I. How are the children?"
"Estel took a knife to the shoulder and a few other minor injuries attempting to defend his sister. Aranyth..."
"What has happened to her?" I felt Faramir gently touch the bandage wrapped around my head.
"She was forced against the wall and struck her head-"
I flinched as the memory attacked me at once. Faramir had taken the arrow for Ada and nearly killed himself in doing so. I thought that he was dead since he never moved after being struck. It frightened me greatly. Hearing his voice and knowing he was well on the way of recovery relieved me. The relief melted away as I recalled what happened to Estel and I.
"Estel!" I had just watched the assassin stab my brother's shoulder with his dagger and twisted it, earning a small cry of pain, but Estel continued fighting, only using his left hand. The assassin managed to sneak through his defenses and drove the hilt of his sword against my brother's head, rendering him dazed and nearly unconscious. Taking advantage of this distraction, the assassin turned to me. Of course, I was only concerned for my brother's welfare that I did not notice the assassin until he came upon me. I brought my sword out of its sheath in time to defend myself from a lethal blow.
"Iell-nin!" My Father broke into a run to reach me. I skillfully parried every blow, watching his every move- which turned out to be a big mistake. My Father, luckily, arrived in time to protect me from another blow and dueled against the hooded and cloaked man. I ran over to my brother and watched in awe and amazement as my Father dealt with the assassin, his graceful and fluid movements precise, concentrating on his opponent himself and not the blade. I had never seen my Ada actually fight before since he was King and normally, when we did engage in battle with the few Orcs and Uruks left behind, I was too busy to notice. I gently shook my brother, hoping he would be alright. He blinked a few times before focusing on me and ordering me to help him up. I helped him, of course, and didn't notice the assassin whip around, grab a hold of me, and throw me against the wall forcefully. My head snapped back and cracked against the wall of the palace.
He was not through with me there, though. He quickly snatched me up before I could react and threw me down against the ground. My vision went wild and left at once. The last thing I heard was my brother's angered shout, Ada's battle cry, Legolas's bow, then what probably was the assassin's body slumping to the ground before darkness claimed me with open arms.
"The child may have a severe concussion." Legolas hissed in sympathy, fully understanding how that felt. "Estel will not be able to train or use his arm for a few weeks. But he will have to take physical therapy." Aragorn sighed.
"Ada, has Aranyth awo-" The door flew open and the sound of robes dragging on the floor could be heard.
"Aragorn!" Nana.
"Arwen!" Aragorn instantly stood.
"Eowyn has informed me on what has happened. I came over as quickly as I could! How are they?" she rushed over to me. I felt a feathery light touch on my head once again and winced in pain. "The assassin?" she demanded to know.
"Legolas took care of him." Aragorn replied and I could tell my Nana was nodding, checking on Estel.
"Ada...Why awe Estewl and Awa in the Heewing House ag'n?" a tiny voice asked from next to me as a small figure crawled onto the bed I was resting on.
"Elrudan, be careful! Estel and Aranyth are resting..."
"Huwt?"
"Yes, Elrudan. They must rest to regain their strength."
"Unca Fawamiw!" Elrudan's voice squealed and I instantly turned onto my side, curling into myself and using my arms to block out the sounds from outside since it caused much pain to my head. A groan escaped my lips as I felt more pain shoot up my side but ignored it.
"Aranyth!" Estel shuffled out of his bed and came over instantly, grabbing my hand.
"Not so loud..." I growled then slowly sat up, feeling a wave of vertigo come over me as I did so. I opened my eyes then hissed as the light blinded me and closed them again, still feeling as though the darkness they gave me was spinning.
"How do you feel?" Ada asked, coming over and sitting on the edge of the bed.
"My head feels about ready to explode." I admitted, cradling my head in my hands.
"Aranyth, how many fingers am I holding up?" I opened my eyes once again and squinted when I was seeing double and triple of everything. I tried focusing but that didn't work very well.
"Four?"
"I do believe you have a concussion."
"Figured." I muttered and looked at Estel. "You're up and about..."
"For now. Ada says I cannot train or use my arm as much for a few weeks." Estel sounded very pained to say this and I could understand why. He loved weapons and warfare. He made for a great tactician whilst I made for a better fighter.
"Uncle Faramir!' I reached out to the Steward but didn't know which one he was. Uncle Faramir smiled and clasped my hand to let me know where he was and I embraced him. "You are alright?'
"I am, little one." he replied as I pulled away and looked around.
"Where are we?"
"The Healing House."
"Right...I knew that." I nodded. "Wait...Estel? How are you?" I asked my brother, feeling a bit confused. I was pretty sure I had just asked him that question...
"You already asked me."
"No, I didn't." I objected.
"You did."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Oh! And Uncle Faramir is here!"
"Aranyth..." Estel quirked an eyebrow and turned to face Ada.
"Concussions tend to cause shortage of memory." Ada explained and Estel nodded.
"How long will this...concussion last?" he asked.
"Depends." Ada shrugged.
"I hope it goes away soon...I have a feeling the next couple of weeks will be chaotic."
"Gud morwing, Awa!" Elrudan crawled onto my bed then nudged me with his hands.
"Go away, Elrudan." I mumbled, turning over and pulling the covers over my face. It had been a miserable last week! Ada ordered me to rest as often as I could, not to study or read (Which meant no coming up with new strategies for battles with Estel), train, or anything too strenuous.
"Awa! I'm awake!"
"And?"
"Time to up!"
"No."
"Awa!" Elrudan crawled onto my back, slumping over and tugging on my hair. "Wanna pway..."
"Elrudan...It's not even dawn!"
"Sky wakin!"
"Go bother, Estel." I didn't mean for that to sound rude but this concussion was driving me crazy! I hated feeling so useless, lazy, and dull. I turned and Elrudan made a small yelp of surprise, grunting as he slid onto the floor.
"Owwie...Awa!" he climbed back up and knocked on my head. "Pwease! You asweep fow days!"
"Elrudan...Go find Eldarion..."
"No..."
"What about Arathorn?"
"No!"
"Thalion?"
"No!" he dragged out the no and buried his face into the pillow next to mine. My patience was wearing thin but I bit back anything I had to say that would sound harsh.
"Why do you not want to play with any of them?" He gave me the you-should-already-know-the-answer-to-that look.
"Want time wif wou!"
"You want to spend time with me?" I asked, blinking in surprise. He nodded ecstatically.
"Pweeeease?" He gave me his famous look that always got me.
"Valar, what can I say to that face?" I grumbled as I reluctantly dragged myself out of bed. Elrudan beamed and rushed out the door, his tiny feet making little noises as he ran.
"I wuv wou, Awa!" I rolled my eyes.
"Sure you do, little one...sure you do."
"Shhh, Awa!" Elrudan held a tiny finger to his lips, indicating that I needed to be silent as he peered around a corner, eyes scanning for anybody in sight. Nothing. Giggling, Elrudan ran across the hall with me close behind and we hid behind a curtain when a nearby door opened and Eowyn and Nana stepped out.
"I was sure I heard something..." Arwen murmured as they stepped out and began heading towards the Throne Room where Ada was sure to be. "Perhaps it was nothing. Will Faramir be willing to take Estel and Aranyth with Aragorn out hunting?"
"Faramir would love to! Your children are very lovable, Arwen. There are hardly- If there are any at all- who do not adore them! Especially the little ones. Estel and Aranyth are wonderful role models for other young adults in the world. I believe a little hunting would do them well also."
"Hunting?" I repeated softly but my mother's sharp hearing caught it and her eyes snapped in our direction, narrowing slightly but she brushed it off as nothing and returned her attention to Eowyn.
"Indeed. Estel has been struggling with his physical therapy and resting his arm...Aranyth does not enjoy resting either...The two are very active, always finding trouble no matter where they go. A little bit of fresh air should do them well."
"Yes. Now, let us find Faramir and Aragorn!" Eowyn nodded and the two left. Elrudan released the breath he had been holding and giggled again.
"Nana no heaw us!" he smiled widely at me and I couldn't help but smile in return.
"Come along now, Elrudan. Where are we headed?" I asked the little 'spy'.
"Cook!"
"The kitchen?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at my brother. He nodded. "And what exactly is it that we are 'hunting' for?"
"Cakes!"
"Ah, the honey cakes. I should have known," I shook my head as I remembered how fond Elrudan was of Tinuven's honey cakes. Though, I had to admit, they were pretty good.
"Come, Awa!" Elrudan grasped my hand and we zig-zagged down the hall, making sure no one was in sight. Of course, if anyone had seen us, they would pretend not to have noticed. Once we neared the kitchens, I noticed how there was hardly anyone there.
"Just how early did you wake me, Elrudan?!" I whispered only to find that my little brother was sneaking into the kitchen. I quickly caught up with him and peered around the door. No one was in the kitchen, which made this a pretty easy mission. Elrudan sniffed then frowned. "What is it?"
"No cake..." his expression became crestfallen, which tore my heart to see.
"It is alright, Elrudan...What if we got an even better treasure?" I suggested and he automatically brightened, clapping his hands together with glee.
"Wes! Bewwies!"
"Berries?..." Elrudan bounced on his tip toes then ran over to the pantry, flinging the door open and rushing in. My eyes widened as I remembered how steep the stairs were. "No, Elrudan!" I ran and caught him but tripped on the corner of the wall and we were both sent sailing through the air. I wrapped my arms tightly around Elrudan, pulling him close as we struck the stairs and went sprawling onto the floor below, knocking into a couple of shelves, which also fell. Elrudan shrieked with fear and I covered him with my body, making sure he would be alright. I cringed at the large commotion the shelves, glass, and cans made. I looked up and stared at the mess in dismay. "What have we done?!"
"Ada no happy!" Elrudan whimpered, clutching my shirt and hiding behind me. I could hear whoever was near enough to hear the noise running over.
"Aranyth! Elrudan!" Ada's voice drifted down the stairs as he hastily descended and came over to us. I looked up, feeling ashamed and could tell my cheeks were flushing with embarrassment. "What happened? Are you hurt?" he asked, checking the both of us. "What were you thinking? You are already broken enough, Aranyth! We do not need you breaking even more!"
"I tripped." I managed to say before hiding my eyes behind my bangs, suddenly finding the ground more interesting than it should be. For a moment, there was silence. I expected Ada to lecture us about sneaking into the pantry for an early morning snack, but the silence was shattered as Ada began chuckling before laughing even more.
"Ada...?" Elrudan peeked around me when he heard Father's laughter.
"Might I ask what you find so amusing?" I asked but Ada shook his head.
"You had better bathe before Nana discovers what you did. Now, go!" he ushered us up the stairs, aiding me along the way so I didn't trip again. Elrudan hugged his Ada's knees and Ada ruffled his hair.
"Ada!" Elrudan tugged on his hand, wanting Ada to bathe him and not his Nurse or one of us. Ada was about to turn him down when Faramir shook his head and shooed him away.
"Hannon le, Faramir." He thanked the Steward before allowing the babe to drag him away, laughing and squealing as Ada began to chase him, pretending to be a monster. I shook my head at their antics, recalling many fond memories of the times he did the same to Estel and I. My smile faded as I heard the sound once again.
The one that sounded as if someone had struck a wine glass and left it vibrating. I turned and noticed the mirror down the hallway. It suddenly darkened to reveal the creature from the tomb. Spinning on my heel, which was not a smart idea, I immediately left after Faramir.
"I have to find out what in Arda that thing is." I told myself, glancing over my shoulder to see the mirror had returned back to normal.
Third chapter! Heh, I'm doing better than I thought I would. Thanks to all those who take the time to read my story and I'd like to give a shout out to Not-Gonna-Update for the reviews. Thanks a bunch for telling me what you think and the suggestions!
Fourth chapter should be up -hopefully- soon. I hope you guys'll enjoy it!