Note: Something unexpected has happened in 'Missing Years', and by unexpected I mean unexpected even by me. I love it when that happens in a story, when the characters build on their own and start changing the story. The event will not change the direction this story is taking but it does bring one character further into the action. Those of you reading Athrana but not any of the other stories will not be familiar with Lastirith, but he will be introduced here at a later date.

Athrana (Wandering Shadow)

Chapter 59- The Paths of the Dead

TA 3019 March 9th

They had not been travelling long when they reached their destination, the Hill of Erech. It was here that the stone of Erech stood, which Isildur had brought to rest here and it was here that the king of the mountains had sworn the oath he had later broken. Before them stood the Door of the Dead, and there was no turning back. As one they stopped in front of the door and took a calming breath. Gimli was the first to voice his thoughts. "What kind of an army would linger in such a place?" He asked. "One that is cursed. Long ago the men of the mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor- to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And, so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge."

They stood for a long time gazing in wonder at the stone doorway. "The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away" Gimli said in awe staring at the stone carvings. Legolas stepped forwards to translate the words, and read them aloud. "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."

Athriel looked closely at the door in front of them. She could practically feel the fear radiating from the rest of the company, but she wasn't afraid. Even the other elves present, Elladan Elrohir and Legolas, were filled with fear. Death held no fear for her, there were far worse things. She knew because she had lived them. Death was peace; death was a relief from the turmoil's of the world. Nariel had called it an advantage when they had talked, she had called it strength. But Death was the easy way out.

TA3019 March 7th

They had been talking for hours now, sitting up against the tree behind them. They had gone over it all, the fears they held and now their conversation was lighter. "You're stronger than the rest of us you know" Nariel said casually, looking up at the sky. Athriel shook her head. "No, I'm not" She wasn't strong. She was hanging on with her finger tips as the world spun out of control. "Yes you are. Most of us, mortals and immortals alike, are afraid of death. But you're not" Athriel thought on what the woman had said, but she shook her head again. "That doesn't make me brave or noble. It makes me a coward. Death is a lot easier than life. It's an easy way out, a release" She waited for the bear woman to look at her again before she continued. "What you're doing, that takes real strength. Amongst all of this war and destruction you've managed to grab a hold of what's important and keep it close to you. Most of us won't know what to do when the war is over, but you will. You've got a life to hold onto, and a family. When this is over either way, I won't be needed anymore."

Without thought Athriel moved forward through the archway. They had very little time as it was and they could not delay any longer. Standing on the threshold would not lessen their need to go forward and it would not lessen any of their fears. There were many reasons to choose death, but for once Athriel wasn't doing it because she was a coward, she wasn't looking for an easy way out. She was taking a leaf out of Nariel's book. She was doing this because it was what was needed. She had promised the wizard that she would look after Legolas, and she had her own life to hold onto. No matter what happened after Sauron's fall Athriel was not going to give up on her rediscovered life. She was doing this for Aragorn and Arwen, so that they could rule in Gondor. She was doing this for Legolas and Nariel and their Son so that they could have the life they wished for and most importantly she was doing it for Elladan, Elrohir, Erestor and Glorfindel so that she could continue living in the elven valley with her family.

Elladan and Elrohir heard very little of what was going on around them as they watched Athriel walk into death for the second time in their lives.

TA2933

"Yrch!" Athriel yelled. Within seconds they were all riding as fast as they could. The twins either side of Gilrean and her child and Athriel slightly behind. But suddenly she slowed. Athriel snapped the arrow as it protruded from her body as they slowed beside her. ""Athriel?""She looked down at the wound in her shoulder. It had been a lucky shot. "It's poisoned" she said before looking at them and then at Gilrean's horse disappearing through the trees. "Go, get them to safety. I'm already dead." With that she jumped down off of her horse. ""No!"" But they couldn't stop her as she ran back towards the enemy with her long knives in hand. "Go!" she yelled as she ran. They turned and rode off. When they turned to look back they saw Athriel being overwhelmed by the creatures.

They weren't about to let her walk out of their lives for a second time, so without thought they followed her into the darkness.

Taking a deep breath Aragorn gestured for his men to follow. "I do not fear death" he said as he passed the threshold. Halbarad was the first of the Dunedain to step forward. "This is an evil door and my death lies on the other side. But I will pass through it nonetheless." His men followed.

As Legolas watched the men pass through the door he concentrated on projecting his loving thoughts to Nariel. He would see her and their son in the white city after travelling this path, he wouldn't settle for anything less. Silently he stepped through the door.

Gimli stood flustered for a moment, the last left on his side of the door. "Well, this is a thing unheard of. An elf will go underground when a dwarf dare not." He stood for another heartbeat contemplating turning back. "Oh! I'd never hear the end of it!" He exclaimed as he shouldered his axe and stepped into the dark.