Chapter Five Disclaimers: Valkorion comes from Bioware's video game, "Star Wars: The Old Republic". Queen Grimhilde | Evil Queen comes from Disney's animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs". Frodo Baggins comes from J.R.R. Tolkien's book trilogy, The Lord of the Rings. My self-insert is me.
Chapter Five Songs: Bioware's "Star Wars: The Old Republic" ambient music, "Temple of the Dark Side." Lindsey Stirling's song, "Eye Of The Untold Her."
Warning! This chapter is Rated M for dark, intense images.
Chapter Five Summary: Aria ponders over the meaning of favorite characters, obsessions, as well as passions. Valkorion and Queen Grimhilde | Evil Queen send Aria to one of the guest rooms, from which Aria dreams of Frodo Baggins, who gives Aria a much needed pep talk.
Sorry for the delay. This chapter was tricky to write, with the bridge between where the first section ended and the second section written on different days. :) It was not easy getting this chapter right. Hopefully, everything's all right now and Frodo's pep talk works. :)
As for this chapter, it's an emotional chapter, as my self-insert is just taking in what just happened to her in the chamber at the Sith Temple. As for how my self-insert will snap out of it is coming up. Also, the dream in this chapter is inspired by the dream I had recently that began to snap me out of my own ego death. My inner child is recovering, but at least I'm out of the ego death. :) So, we'll see how my self-insert fairs in this chapter.
That said, enjoy! :)
Chapter Five:
The Dark Side
Aria sat on the stone bench, pondering her experience in the chamber. The Dark Side… it was so strong here. And her inner child… was no more than a whisper. Sad. In pain. And her heart… she could barely make sense of it.
No. She should focus on what she should do now. She felt the Dark Side within the chamber. It reached her, calling out to her, making her want to do things she wouldn't dare do.
What was this power she had? She checked her fingers, finding blue sparks emitting off their tips. She closed her hands into fists, hopeful that what she went through, she wouldn't dare do again.
But to hear Frodo was with someone else… Aria sighed. She feared what would happen if they were apart, but now she saw it. Did she have to let him go? Frodo's her favorite character. And yet, everyone interfered throughout her life with this, and not just with Frodo.
Did this mean if Aria had favorite things, even characters, that someone would take them away from her? She sighed in pain, knowing that if she tried to obsess over something that's her favorite, it would get taken from her. Maybe it was better that she didn't obsess over anything. It only led to trouble.
Maybe the idea of favorite things was just… it was hard to describe. Should she have favorite things anymore? These thoughts crept up on her so much after what happened in the chamber. Maybe she was overthinking this. Years of this took its toll. She was so done.
"Miss me?" Valkorion asked Aria, sneaking up behind her.
Aria turned around, glancing up at him. She was still too depressed to think straight. "What do you want?"
Valkorion sighed, "Of course, you would ask that. How are you doing, Miss Aria? You do have favorite characters, don't you? What happened back there?"
Aria gulped. Her eyes were sad, but they didn't shed tears. She lowered her head, knowing anything she said now would be worthless.
Valkorion huffed. He didn't approve of this one bit. "Who gives up on favorite things, let alone characters? What happened to you?"
Aria looked down at the floor. She couldn't stand it. "What's the point? Anything I like, someone has to say something about it. I—" she paused, taking in her surroundings, "—don't know. Years of being told to move on from Frodo took its toll today. The Voices… well, let's just say not everyone approves of them. To want them gone… I just… don't know. I don't know how my inner child is doing." She paused, realizing she was taking up too much time, "I'm sorry. You probably have duties to attend. I'll let you get back to whatever you're doing." She fell silent, knowing better than to go on and on in a conversation. A trait she picked up from Frodo, no doubt. It was so much more different since her merge with Frodo. What was this new feeling?
Valkorion stayed and stared at her. It was a wonder she was here at all. "Well, you did pass the test in the chamber."
Aria smirked, glad something was done right.
But Valkorion was not yet finished, "I wouldn't expect any less from you. That amount of pressure would take anyone down. How are you so strong?"
Aria shook her head, laughing a little bit. "I'm not strong. I'm weak. I've always been weak."
Valkorion laughed, too. "You're not weak. You're strong. You don't see it, do you? How strong you are?"
Aria calmed down. "How do you know?" Her smile faded. She wanted to be alone, more than ever. She wanted her computer back. Why was that so hard?
Valkorion stared at her, wondering what was wrong with her. "Because most would fall to the Dark Side fast, after the trials I put them through. Somehow, you still have the Light Side in you, in spite of your darkness. How are you doing it?"
Aria shook her head. She said nothing. She wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out. She tried again to speak, but no words came out.
Valkorion sighed. He'd try again later. "Well, when you're ready to talk, come and see me. I'll be waiting for you in my chamber on the second level. Good luck getting around here, but there is no leaving this temple. Hehe. I'd say you're stuck here."
At that, Aria froze. She looked up at him, asking him, "What do you mean?"
Valkorion looked at her now, out of sheer annoyance, "I understand you came from Earth, but it isn't safe yet for you to explore this world and other worlds. It isn't safe at all for you here. Might as well accept it." He walked away, laughing under his breath.
Aria paused to look around her. "No leaving, huh?" That wasn't on her mind. She had to escape, to flee this place. Why did she have to be kept safe? What was everyone hiding from her?
Her inner child relaxed for the moment, as Aria took a look at her surroundings. It was so ominous here. The sickly green light didn't help how hollow this temple truly was. Hollow, dark, and cold. Chilly air caught wind of her, leaving her shivering.
This was the last place she should be at right now.
"Are you lost, my pet?" Aria recognized that voice. It came from an elderly woman wearing brown robes with the hood covering her head, but revealing her face. No! It couldn't be! It was Queen Grimhilde, disguised an elderly peddler woman. Just seeing her here terrified Aria.
Queen Grimhilde was the one villainess from Aria's childhood that Aria still hadn't gotten over her fears. Just seeing her as an elderly peddler woman sent shivers up Aria's spine. Oh, how Aria wanted to leave the Sith Temple, find a better way to ease her mind.
"What's the matter, dear?" Queen Grimhilde asked, cackling wickedly.
Aria's feet shook. A trembling sensation engulfed her. Oh, she wanted to leave this temple so badly… but how was she to get out of the temple? Where was the way out?
"Take her to her room," Valkorion stated, in a deep evil voice. He smirked, knowing which room Aria was traveling to.
The Evil Queen bowed before him, still in her peddler disguise. "As you wish, my lord." She smirked at Aria, who could only look away from her. "Come with me. Don't be shy! You're brave, you know? Where's your courage?"
"My—My courage?" Aria had forgotten what it was like to be brave. Depression sunk into her heart fast, creeping in there and making her afraid. She sighed. Did she have a choice? She glanced up at the Evil Queen, nodding to her as she stood up. "Lead the way, your majesty." Now Aria had done it! Great! Why did she have to do this? Ridiculous!
Aria said nothing as she followed Queen Grimhilde into a room with grey stone walls, floors, and ceiling. A bed lay there, as well as a refresher. Aria looked on at Queen Grimhilde, her fear leaving her, as the Evil Queen spoke up again,"Goodnight, my dear. Pleasant dreams!" Queen Grimhilde vanished, leaving Aria to stand next to her bed, deciding then to get in under the covers and sheets, as sleep overwhelmed her.
.
Aria didn't know how long she'd slept. Seeing Queen Grimhilde for the first time sent shivers up her spine. Now, now that Aria was alone, the fear subsided. Aria closed her eyes, not knowing what dreams awaited her, and whether there was any hope for her now:
Aria found herself in front of her dad's house. The air was crisp and cool. Autumn leaves were scattered along the forest area, while the grassy was light and green. Aria walked around for a time, not knowing what she would encounter.
Per chance, she found Frodo creeping up on her, acting as though they had a very important conversation to discuss. Aria found herself sitting on a tiled red and white picnic blanket, complete with an assortment of food, red wine, and a brown woven picnic basket. Plates were assorted all over the picnic blanket, while empty wine glasses were ready to be filled with delicious red wine.
Frodo's blue eyes gazed at Aria's hazel blue-green eyes. Frodo quickly moved some locks of hair behind Aria's left ear, leaving Aria feeling at peace with herself.
"Frodo, it's too long, hasn't it? Since we last spoke," Aria said, contemplating her choices here.
"Aria, where are you? Where can I find you? I've been looking throughout the Unending Forest for you! You're not there, are you? Or are you present here with me?" Frodo asked, curious about her.
Aria's eyes widened, ever gazing, ever stunned. "Oh Frodo, I'm here. I'm at the Sith Temple. These villains, they're angry at me for what I did to reset everything!" Aria let out a sharp cry. She looked at him now, tears in her eyes. "Oh Frodo, I've been going through so much. My inner child is dead. I feel like I shouldn't have favorites or obsessions. What do I do?"
"Aria, calm down! You know, it's natural to have favorites and obsessions. Don't go against what your soul wants. This isn't a normal obsession. It's a passion we both share," Frodo said, as sincere as possible.
"Really? It can be more than an obsession?" Aria asked, curiously.
Frodo shrugged. "If you're passionate about something, then it's not really an obsession. It's more than that. It's beyond that. You love me and I love you. We're both passionate for each other. We need each other. Don't I give you hope?"
Aria nodded. "You do. You're my light as I am yours. That hasn't changed."
Frodo nodded, too. "Precisely. Don't give up on your dreams. They may surprise you." He sighed, "Look, others have looked down on us, even when we want to be together. Your inner child died. Mine did, too. So, let's show everyone we can do something about this. Revive your inner child. I'll do the same with mine."
"Do you think our inner children can be revived after this?" Aria asked, curious about this matter.
Frodo smirked, happy towards her. "Do you believe they can be revived? Anything in the spirit world that becomes lost can be restored, even our souls, even our inner children. Don't lose hope, Aria. Things will get better. You'll either leave the Sith Temple a better person, or you could succumb and embrace your darkness." He shrugged. "It's up to you what you decide to do."
Aria looked at him now, kissing him on the lips. "Thank you, Frodo. Thank you."
Frodo shook his head, laughing up a storm. "Don't thank me yet. We need to get you out of there, remember?"
Aria nodded. "Right! That's right. I remember now."
Frodo laughed, enjoying himself. "Come on. Let's finish eating. And then we can talk some more about all of this."
Aria sighed. She loved him dearly. "Right. Let's do this."
Aria and Frodo ate their food, and then made their way back inside Aria's father's house. Aria went into the bathroom to spruce up, only to have Frodo walk into the bathroom, moving behind her.
"You look beautiful," Frodo said, wrapping his arms around her stomach, all while resting his chin on her right shoulder. "I'm telling you right now, I'm alone. Only Parker Dooley and I are trying to find you. And maybe his wife and his brother, Turen Dooley. You remember Turen, don't you?"
Aria shrugged, smirking at him, "Of course. He reminds me of Loki."
Frodo smirked, laughing against her shoulder, all while kissing her right shoulder. "Ai! That he does. But you need not fear him… not yet." He smiled, enjoying her scent. "Oh Aria, we'll see each other again. Very, very soon.
"Aria, wake up now. It's okay, you can wake up."
Aria did, unsure what she just dreamt. It was such a long dream, but one where she and Frodo needed to talk.
What? What had she just went through?
Okay, so now we're caught up to where I'm at with writing this fanfic. But yeah, what an intense, emotional chapter! So relieved we got to the end of it. I think my ego's glad, too, as it went turmoil just to get that bridge part of the chapter right. So, I'm happy to have gotten through that. :)
Next chapter, we're back to Frodo and Parker, and their adventures after leaving the Swan Tavern. :)
Thanks for reading. :) More to come! :)
~Aria Breuer