Answers to reviews:
Rubix Raptor: My co-writer, Stryker-Stargazer, doesn't do double pairings or harems, so we compromised and did single pairings.
Lilspooky221: No, they aren't related. But they do have a close relationship like siblings.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hobbit. I only own the OC Liante, and Stryker-Stargazer owns the OC Stryker.
The sun had barely begun the first signs of rising the next morning, but that did not dissuade Liante who sat on one of the stone benches in one of the courtyards of Rivendell, dressed in the Elven equivalent of training clothes. He was running a stone along his blade, keeping it sharp, while patiently waiting for Arwen… to come out of her hiding space and strike.
Liante sighed and tossed the rock aside before raising his sword arm in time to block another sword, turning his head to look at Arwen with a half amused, half exasperated look. "Good morning to you too." He greeted.
"How did you know I was there?" Arwen asked with a small pout. She was dressed in the female version of Elvem training clothes, ones that fit and hugged her body and figure, showing off her curves. Liante looked away and cleared his throat.
"Well for one… you weren't exactly quiet." Liante said, smirking as Arwen grunted to herself. "Two. I could smell whatever soap you used in your bath. Don't worry, we'll eventually work on your stealth skills, but first I'd rather practice your sword skills that have developed thus far from being trained by myself, as well as your father."
"I am ready to learn." Arwen said, holding her blade. It was a beautiful Elvish made sword that glimmered in the early morning light, showing off the ancient runes engraved along the blade.
"Well then, lesson one…" Liante suddenly smacked Arwen's sword from her hands.
Arwen flinched at the sudden action while the metal made a loud echoing sound as it struck the ground.
"Focus on your grip, too light and that can happen…" Liante said as he walked over to Arwen's sword and kicked it up by the handle before snatching it out of the air and tossing it back to her.
Arwen caught the handle without much issue as she tightened her grip on it and brought her blade up at the ready while trying to somewhat mimic the stances she's seen her brothers, father and other warriors of Rivendell take.
"I wasn't ready for that…" Arwen said.
"Always be ready in a fight…" Liante said as he pointed his sword towards Arwen "The third of seven rules my father ever taught me"
Arwen's face shifted into a frown at the mention of Liante's father. "What… were the first two?"
At this, Liante smirked. "The first was learning to take a hit. The second…"
Liante was suddenly before Arwen, the tip of his sword pressing lightly on her throat "…Never show pain inflicted on you…"
He then slowly backed away from Arwen as she stared at him with a focused expression. He doubts he'll be able to get the drop on her again like he has the past two times. Arwen, while not the wisest, though to her credit she's young, she picked up on things a lot faster than many would think possible for an Elf-maiden that's never seen battle before.
"Now, let's first work on your foot work." Liante said as he took a step to the side and watched as Arwen did the same. "Good… always be on the move, never let your opening out pave you…"
Time progressed rather quickly for Liante, but that was almost normal to him given how old he was. Time seems to pass in the blink of an eye when you are a being with a lifespan of thousands of years. And being in Rivendell was no different for soon enough, nearly two weeks had passed since the company arrived at Rivendell and were offered a temporary stay.
In that time, Liante continued to train Arwen, and she was coming along quite well. While she would still need some work, her current skill could match some of the greatest Elven warriors in history thanks to his training. If she kept this up, she could have the skill to take on something far more skilled and challenging than an Elf.
A Ringwraith for example, but the Ringwraiths have long since been dead and vanquished after Sauron fell. And Liante dared not think of Arwen fighting those cursed spirits that were once men.
There was also having to deal with Arwen's older brothers, Elladan and Elrohir. They were okay Elves, and bore no ill will… though seemed to have it in their heads that they were keeping him from doing something uncloth to their sister. The son of Morgoth had to roll his eyes at their protectiveness, knowing they were just being older brothers defending their younger sister's virtue.
It'll be worth it when she one day shows them up and leaves them gaping.
Still, despite having a few decades of practice under her belt, she was still painfully inexperienced in actual fighting, be it a simple spar or the real deal.
Which is how she came to find herself on both her knees, her sword several meters away and the tip of Liante's blade at her throat.
"You're getting better…" Liante said to Arwen as he inspected the courtyard they were using for their spar.
All around them, the courtyard that they decided to house their training for the day was covered with numerous gashes in the walls and floor by the two's blades. There were even a few places where the stone was crushed when Liante applied a bit of his physical strength. Liante himself had a few tears on his shirt and one small faint white scratch on his cheek but other than that, he was in relatively good condition.
Arwen on the other hand had even more tears in her clothes with a large lightly bleeding scratch on her cheek and a small gash on her neck where Liante's blade was digging into her flesh ever so slightly. However, the daughter of Elrond seemed unconcerned with this, having already told Liante beforehand that she didn't want him to be going 'easy' on her. After all, her enemies will be far less accommodating and won't be so merciful, particularly if their Orcs.
"And yet… I'm still beaten…" Arwen said in between pants as she tried to regain her breath, her body was drenched in sweat, causing her clothes to cling to her body in a way that hinted at the nigh unrivaled figure she possessed underneath.
Something that Liante had a little difficulty ignoring.
Liante mentally shook himself as he pulled the tip of his blade away from Arwen and extended his hand out for her to take. Arwen stared at it for several moments before looking up at him with an unreadable expression before she took it.
Liante doesn't know what happened exactly, even with his semi-precognitive sense. All he knew was that one moment he was taking Arwen's hand to help her up, and the next he was lying on his back, the wind nearly knocked out of him with Arwen straddling his hips and the flat of Liante's blade held against his own neck. Arwen smiled as she leaned down until their noses were almost touching.
"I thought you once said to never let your guard down…" she said in a low voice, her eyes dancing with amusement.
Liante chuckled at this. "I guess I should have seen this coming…"
"And yet you didn't." Arwen said as she lessened the weight she had on Liante's sword but remained where she was.
Liante for the most part found himself in no real hurry to remove the beautiful She-Elf from her position, if anything she earned it given that she was able to do what only four other beings in all of Middle-Earth have been able to accomplish.
Surprise him.
'I ought to work on that or else Stryker would never let me hear the end of it whenever we meet again. It has been a hundred years since I last saw him.' Liante thought as he and Arwen continued to look into each other's eyes. After several minutes, Liante smiled a little as he rested a hand on Arwen's hip and very lightly gave her a push. "You planning to let me rise at some point?"
"Perhaps… when it pleases me to do so." Arwen responded with a small grin as she remained where she was, secretly marveling at how well her body fit against his. How she could feel his heartbeat through his breast after resting her hand on it. "Do you wish for me to move?"
"Honestly… I'm comfortable." Liante replied carefully as Arwen smiled and leaned her head in closer, her eyes locked with his own. Liante found himself meeting her halfway, their foreheads pressing together, their breaths brushing against each other's lips before they closed the gap…
…and their lips locked in a soft kiss, pouring their feelings for each other into it.
Arwen felt like she was on fire as her lips meshed with Liante's, her tongue prodding at his lips, looking for permission to enter while her hands rubbed his chest and shoulders before she pressed her breasts against his torso and her waist aligned with his, letting him feel the curves of her body.
Liante shuddered at the sensation which in turn allowed for Arwen's tongue to invade his mouth and proceeded to dominate it. It was then that something awoke in Liante and he began to respond to her actions. His hands found her hips and gripped them tightly as he pulled her harder against himself. His pulse quickened and a hunger, not for light or blood, but something else, grew within him.
A hunger that only this young but breathtakingly beautiful being could sate.
Finally, after several moments, the two parted to refill their lungs with air as Arwen grinded her hips into Liante's, causing both to shudder at the feeling of their respective sexual organs stirring. Arwen laughed as Liante suddenly flipped them over so that he was on top and his hips pressed tight against her's. She licked her lips as she raised her legs up his sides and wrapped them tightly around his hips. Liante growled as he leaned down and licked her neck as he spoke huskily into her flesh.
"Careful little Elf… there are some battles that you may not be ready for."
Arwen's response was to seize him by his hair and pull his head back far enough for her to look him in the eye with pure and raw desire. "Then I suppose I should be grateful I have you to help me through such battles."
Liante grunted as Arwen yanked his head back down, this time farther down her body and towards her heaving breasts before he suddenly tensed as he caught wind of another scent approaching. Arwen let out a sound of dismay as he pulled away from her and stood, helping her to her feet.
"What is it?" She asked breathlessly.
"Someone's coming." Liante said before relaxing slightly when Lindir appeared.
"Lord Liante." The Elf greeted.
"Lindir." Liante nodded, switching to Sindarin. What is it?"
"My Lord Elrond requests your presence along with Mithrandir, two Dwarves and the halfling." Lindir responded, confusing Liante as to what this could be about.
"Very well." Liante nodded, switching back to the common tongue. He glanced at Arwen. "Your lessons are over for tonight. We'll continue in the morning."
Arwen nodded, a little disappointed they couldn't continue where they stopped… and she didn't mean the sparring lessons. Liante soon left with Lindir, leaving the She-Elf breathless, hot and bothered.
As the two dueled in their training, unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by two pairs of eyes.
"She's getting better." The Lady of Light, Galadriel, said to her companion, who was hooded and the shadows seemed to bend toward him.
"Her guard is set too high–" there was a yelp as the flat of Liante's blade slapped Arwen's thigh.
"He is overextending on many of his parrying stabs while she refuses to capitalize on the opportunity and take advantage of that. This leaves her open for–" Liante spun around, dropping to his knees, then swept Arwen's legs out from under her.
Galadriel smacked her companion's shoulder lightly, then grimaced and clutched her stinging hand after it came into contact with one of the plates beneath the fabric.
"Training takes time and so does honing a skill, yes?" She pointed out, earning a nod in return. Her voice then softened. "You should train those two, Stryker. We both know they need it."
The figure beside Galadriel remained silent, watching the two figures off in the distance train.
"Our business is no concern of Elves."
Gandalf released a huff. "For goodness sake, Thorin, show him the map!"
Thorin's dark eyes glared holes in Gandalf's skull – not that the Wizard seemed to notice. "It is the legacy of my people, and it is mine to protect. As are its secrets."
Gandalf let frustration cross his expression for a moment. "Save me from the stubbornness of Dwarves!" He took a steadying breath. "Your pride will be your downfall, Thorin Oakenshield. You stand here in the presence of one of the few on Middle Earth who can read that map. Show it to Lord Elrond."
Liante stood off to the side, arms crossed over his chest, watching as Thorin seemed to see reason. His shoulders slumped, and he gave a minute tilt of his head. Then he buried his hand in his coat and drew out the map. He ignored Balin's attempts at stopping him as he passed it to the elf lord.
Elrond unfolded the paper, and his brows furrowed at once. "Erebor? What is your interest in this map?"
"It's merely academic." Gandalf said before Thorin could send anything. While Elorond was focused on the map, Gandalf shared a look with Thorin, the Dwarf King looking a little grateful for Gandalf's words. The Wizard turned back to Elrond. "You still read ancient Dwarvish do you not?"
Elrond held the map up to the light, and the faintest of silver shimmers appeared on the aged parchment. "Cirith ithil," he said in his own tongue, the words sounding like complete gibberish to Ira.
"Moon runes," Gandalf translated, exhaling what sounded like a sigh of relief. "Of course. An easy thing to miss."
"Well, in this case, that is true," Elrond told them, spinning on his heel and heading out of the room with his robes billowing out behind him. The rest of the group followed. "Moon runes can only be read by the light of a moon the same shape and season as the day on which they were written."
Thorin's entire figure had straightened up with this information. "And can you read them?"
Elrond led them to an open area, carved roughly into a cliff side. It was a platform that was hidden behind a curtain of water, and at the centre was a crystalline pedestal. "These runes were written on a Midsummer's Eve by the light of a crescent moon nearly two hundred years ago. It would seem you were meant to come to Rivendell; fate is with you, Thorin Oakenshield. The same moon shines upon us tonight."
He placed the map onto the pedestal and they had only to wait a few seconds before the light of the moon shone through the waterfall, illuminating the crystal and allowing the moon's light to shine through the paper. Angular runes appeared on the map, which Elrond quickly translated aloud. "'Stand by the grey stone when the thrush knocks, and the setting sun with the last light of Durin's Day will shine upon the keyhole'."
"Durin's Day?" Bilbo echoed, frowning.
"It is the start of the dwarves' new year," Gandalf explained. "When the last moon of autumn and the first sun of winter appear in the sky together."
Thorin rubbed his hand over his bearded chin. "This is ill news," he said. "Summer is passing. Durin's Day will soon be upon us."
"We still have time."
Bilbo piped up, every curious and ever confused. "Time? For what?"
"To find the entrance," Balin stated firmly, his tone ripe with determination. "We have to be standing at exactly the right spot, at exactly the right time. Then, and only then, can the door be opened."
"So this is your purpose." Elrond stated as he straightened. "To enter the mountain."
Thorin glowered, snatching back the map when Elrond held it out to him, neatly and carefully folded. "What of it?" he snapped.
Elrond was not offended, offering up a simple, "There are some who would not deem it wise," before turning to leave.
"Who do you mean?"
Gandalf's question made the elven lord pause, and he gave the Wizard a pointed look. "You are not the only guardian to stand watch over Middle-Earth, Gandalf." And with the light of understanding dawning in Gandalf's gaze, the elf lord left them alone.
"Of course I was going to tell you. I was waiting for this very chance." Gandalf said to Elrond as they, along with Liante, walked along a bridge. "And really, I think you can trust that I know what I'm doing."
Elrond stopped and turned to him. "Do you? That dragon has slept for sixty years. What will happen if your plan fails? If you awaken that beast?"
"I will handle it." Liante said, coming to Gandalf's defense. "Smaug will either be forced out of the Lonely Mountain or be killed because of his arrogance."
A form pushed past the three males, striding up the steps two at a time. His footfalls were silent and Elrond merely shook his head before gesturing the three forward.
"This is a dangerous move, Gandalf." The Elf continued. "And I'm surprised you are in on this, Liante."
"But if we succeed," Gandalf said before Liante could reply. "If the Dwarves reclaim the Lonely Mountain, our defenses in the East will be strengthened. It is also dangerous to do nothing. The throne of Erebor is Thorin's birthright. What is it you fear?"
"Have you forgotten? A strain of madness runs deep in that family. His grandfather lost his mind. His father succumbed to the same sickness. Can you swear Thorin Oakenshield will not also fall?" Elrond questioned.
"The Seven Dwarf Lords didn't succumb to the power of the Rings given to them from sheer stubbornness." Liante reminded them. "We can only hope that it is the same when it comes to gold. That Thorin has the strength to not suffer the same fate as his father and grandfather."
"Yet five were consumed by dragons, one was lost forever and the final one, which so happened to belong to Thrain, went missing with its bearer after they tried retaking Moria." Elrond pointed out as they came to a stop in front of a flat area open to the elements with an oval table in its center.
Gandalf sighed. "With or without our help, these Dwarves will march on the mountain. They're determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels that he is answerable to anyone. Nor, for that matter, am I."
Elrond looked at him. "It is not me you must answer to." He gestured ahead of them and both Gandalf and Liante looked ahead.
Standing there, bathed in the moonlight as she slowly turned, was Galadriel. And next to her, leaning against one of the many pillars, arms folded across his chest, was the same mysterious figure who had aided their escape from the Orc pack earlier.
The two shared a look before a sigh left the shadowy form and he looked at Liante.
"The Spider misses you." He stated blankly. "She thinks her brother has forgotten her and now I have been dealing with it for the past several centuries."
Liante narrowed his eyes. He could feel a feeling of familiarity when looking at this being, but he couldn't recall seeing him before. But the fact that he knew his sister was concerning enough.
"I don't know you." Liante said then glanced at Galadriel. "Who is this? Why is he here?"
Galadriel gave him a sad smile. "I promised I would not reveal who he is. That is for him to do on his own. As for why… this concerns the watchful eyes of the guardians of Middle-Earth. And he has always been there on the front lines to act as our eyes and ears in the dark places of the world."
"You've been busy of late, old friend." A powerful voice spoke from behind Liante and Gandalf, who turned around and the Wizard bowed.
"Saruman." He said, not unkindly.
'Oh joy.' Liante thought, though kept his expression neutral.
A few minutes later, Gandalf was seated at the table with Saurman across from him. Liante stood at the pillar behind Gandalf, arms folded, watching the two Wizards while Galadriel and Elrond seemed content to slowly pace around, the shadow figure watching from where the rising sun was visible.
"Tell me, Gandalf." Saurman began. "Did you think these plans and schemes of yours would go unnoticed?"
"Unnoticed?" Gandalf frowned. "No. I-I'm simply doing what I feel to be right."
"The dragon has long been on your mind." Galadriel stated.
"That is true, Milady." Gandalf nodded. "Smaug owes allegiance to no one. No dragon has owed allegiance to anyone since the First Age."
"Except for two." The figure gazing at the sunrise spoke. "One was turned into a magnificent horse and the other was transformed into a pair of giant eagles. Liante should know. He befriended the horse quite some time ago… and it was no easy feat."
Liante looked at the figure. "If you know my history, you know the dragons were brought from their sulking and bred into war machines by my father during the First Age. The only one out of my father's creations that I could call friend, a feat in itself when it comes to dragons, would be Ancalagon the Black. But these days… dragons are wild and swear loyalty only to themselves."
"Indeed." Gandalf nodded. "But if he should side with the Enemy… A dragon could be used to terrible effect as we all know."
"What enemy?" Saruman shook his head. "Gandalf, Liante, the Enemy is defeated. Sauron is vanquished. He can never regain his full strength."
"Sauron did not need the One Ring to prove his dominance and strength." Liante said darkly. "It was his ability to use honeyed words and twist people to his whim that helped him rise to power."
"Ah yes. I remember those days quite well. If only I could see him again just to give him a second bruise across his face." The figure leaning against one of the far pillars chuckled, and Galadriel grew a small smile.
Elrond sighed. "For nearly two thousand years we have lived in peace. A hard won, watchful peace."
"Are we?" Gandalf raised a brow. "Are we at peace? Trolls have come down from the mountains. They are raiding villages, destroying farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road."
"We are far from peace, though we are not in active war, Mithrandir." The figure spoke harshly, causing the Wizard to falter. "I do agree with you on this, I will not deny it. We are not at peace, but if you start another war before the nations are ready, I will hunt you down. You know of my methods, Gandalf. And you know that you will never escape my grasp."
"Always you must meddle." Saurman shook his head at Gandalf. "Looking for trouble where none exists."
"Let him speak." Galadriel said, eyes looking from Saruman to the hooded figure.
"He carries a weapon of evil." The figure muttered, pointing at Liante. "I would never wish to see it in a place such as here, but if we remain ignorant to it, it will take advantage of the land's defenders' growing weakness and strike." The figure looked to Gandalf and Liante. "Trolls are not the only beings that are becoming active once more. Shelob's first brood have been darkening the Greenwood, now called Mirkwood. Their enchanted silks have muddled the minds of the wood elves there and decayed their magics. They're twisted, malevolent and unpredictable now. Goblins and Orcs have been seen on the roads, and I have come across several companies of mercenaries with orders to slaughter any Dwarf that dares to cross them." He then stepped forward and leaned on the back of a chair. "I also witnessed several shadow figures dart away from the High Fells in the North nigh a fortnight ago. Gundabad has been awakened and the clanging of steel on steel as they forge weapons of war echo across their lands. We may be at peace, but something has awoken. We need to be prepared, but not to panic."
"There is more." Liante stepped forward, placing a hand on the table. "There have been reports of a necromancer living in Dol Guldur."
Gandalf nodded. "A sorcerer who can summon the dead."
"That's absurd." Saurman frowned. "No such power exists in this world."
"There is only one who could…" Elrond mused, freezing them all.
"We know it, do not say his name." The hooded figure warned. "Names have power, they draw attention. Do not give it that."
Liante was silent as he and Gandalf shared a look before Liante pulled the dagger Radagast had given to them before the Orc ambush, placing it on the table. "How's this for something unsettling?" The son of Morgoth said as he unwrapped the object, revealing the Morgul Blade.
"A Morgul Blade?" Elrond breathed sharply.
"The Witch King's dagger." The figure expanded, sighing as he took a seat across from Gandalf. "Blast it. Just when things couldn't get any worse…"
"This is not possible." Elrond shook his head. "These blades were forged for the Nine. And they are buried in tombs that have a powerful spell laid upon them. They cannot be opened."
"What proof do we have this this weapon came from Angmar's grave?" Saruman questioned.
Gandalf was silent for a moment. "We have none."
"Because there is none, besides what we've been told." Saruman said. "Now, let us go over what we know. "A single Orc pack has dared to cross the Bruinen. A dagger from a bygone age has been found. Ghosts are apparently roaming the land. And a human sorcerer, who calls himself the Necromancer, has taken up residence in a ruined fortress. It's not so very much, after all. The question of this Dwarvish company, however, troubles me deeply. I'm not convinced, Gandalf; I do not feel I can condone such a quest. If they'd come to me, I might have spared them this disappointment. I do not pretend to understand your reasons for raising their hopes…"
Liante and Gandalf shared a look. They had a feeling this quest might be stopped by the White Council, which is why they had the company go on without them, telling them to wait in the mountains until they joined them.
"Now, I fear there is nothing else left for it." Saruman was saying when Lindir arrived.
"My Lord Elrond, the Dwarves… they're gone."
"You will follow them?" Galadriel inquired as Stryker looked at the backs of Liante and Gandalf as they left in pursuit of their company.
"I must." He replied before hearing rustling to their right. "You can come out now, Fang."
A massive, gorgeous wolf with midnight black fur that shimmered in the light stepped up next to its master and nuzzled his hand. Stryker gave his head a soft scratch, earning him a purr of content, before focusing once more on the leaving duo.
Arwen suddenly burst from the trees, running after Gandalf and Liante… and jumped onto the latter's back. The wizard could be seen laughing as she hung on while he carried her. The she-elf was wearing light leather armor for traveling and a pack was thrown on her back. Her sword was strapped to her left hip and a dagger was on her right forearm.
"Those two are quite the pair, my friend." Stryker said with a grin before the smile disappeared and he gave the Lady of Light a quick embrace before stepping back. "Do take care of yourself and know that I will not let fatal injuries befall Liante or his traveling companions."
At her nod, he leaped onto Fang's back and the two melted into the shadows, giving chase to those Stryker swore to oversee and protect from afar.