Revenge

Chapter 3


"Sweet Aule!" Gimli stomped into throne room. "What has happened here?" The Dwarf stalked through the ruins kicking at the crumbled walls that had been painstakingly carved and installed by his people. "Look at all of this!"

Aragorn sighed and Aldamir winced as the Dwarf stalked to the door and glanced down the hallway. The drake had obviously taken this path from the dungeons if the chunks that had been taken out of the walls were any indication. The dwarven stone lay in ruins along the length of the hallway and the dwarf snorted in disgust.

"Do you know how long this will take to replace!" Gimli cried, too dited ted to look up at Aragorn.

Gimli continued to mutter to himself and Aragorn cast an exasperated look at Aldamir but said nothing. The Dwarf would get it out of his system soon enough and the men would have peace, at least from the easily aroused dwarven temper.

After a few minutes of constant muttering, Aragorn stepped forward, cleared his throat and said. "Are you quite finished?"

Gimli whirled on the man, ready to cleave the King's head from his shoulders. All too quickly, Gimli realized who had spoken and lowered his axe. "My apologies, King Elessar." The Dwarf bowed deeply, mainly because Aldamir was standing right there and it was best to show the King respect in public. Had Aragorn been alone in the room, Gimli would have taken his head off - with his tongue rather than his axe.

"If you are done complaining about what has happened, I should need your help in rebuilding this destruction." The thinly veiled command was carefully worded so that Gimli had no choice but to agree.

Gimli opened his mouth to ask again what had happened but Aragorn anticipated the question and had already begun to frame a response.

"Council will be held to address this matter as soon as possible. Please save your questions until then, I do not wish to repeat myself more than once."

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Day 8


"I am NOT going back to Gondor while you sit here and make war on a dragon!" Arwen stared at her husband, aghast that he would even consider such a thing. "I will not be spirited away like a fragile old woman unable to protect herself!"

"Arwen," Aragorn sighed. After dealing with Gimli AND the Council, Arwen being difficult was nearly the final straw that loosed his carefully controlled temper. "I cannot protect the city from this creature. I would be foolish to think I could protect you from it. Please, you must go. I will send you with-"

"You will not deplete your forces even more by sending an escort with me to the White City." When Arwen spoke, there was an edge to her voice that Aragorn hoped he never had to hear again. He knew her reaction to this news would not be rablrable. He however, did not expect her to refuse so vehemently. He was only considering her safety and he found it difficult to believe that she did not realize this fact.

"You need every man here to fight this evil and you will need me as well."

Aragorn shook his head. "I will not put you in such danger." He trailed the back of his hands down her cheeks to rest at the base of her neck. "I could not bear to see you harmed by this creature."

"Have you ever seen one of these dragons? Do you know what they are capable of? Do you know how to kill one? Do you know what you are up against?"

Aragorn stood in silence, knowing very well that she knew he did not have the answers. He had read about the drakes, fire and cold, deadly creatures of the ancient world that could not be killed by any conventional means. Bilbo Baggins had told many a tale about Smaug, the dragon that lived in the Misty Mountains. The hobbit would never have escaped alive had it not been for Gandalf.

Aragorn sighed. Would that Gandalf were here now, to advise and lend his always appreciated aid.

"No, I didn't think so." She rested her fingers on his forearms, her eyes softening. "I have seen these creatures. Have seen their destructive capabilities. You will need me to help you formulate a plan to destroy it." As if reading his thoughts, she added with a small smile, "Gandalf is no longer here to help us and the three rings of power have passed across the Sea. We must fight this creature alone with all the might the men of Middle-Earth can muster."

Aragorn nodded slowly, unable to find a way to contradict his wife's wise words.

"It cannot be acting on its own. It has to have a Master controlling it," Aragorn said, lost in thought. "If it was behind the attempt on our lives before, do you think now that we are surrounded by stone walls - that the creature can easily reduce to ruin - will serve as any protection? I will not risk your safety."

"I am not some weak-willed woman, Estel. I can defend myself better than most men!"

Aragorn pulled her into his arms and smoothed her hair. "Yes, you can. But you are my wife and I have a duty to see that you come to no harm."

"As you have a duty to your kingdom to see that it does not fall into ruin?" Which is exactly what had happened in the last few days.

Her words were more biting than she intended and she winced. The hurt in his eyes could not be masked and he turned away.

"I'm sorry," Arwen whispered. She took a step toward him and rested a gentle hand on the small of his back. "You've done everything you can to protect this city. I know there is little that can be done against such an ancient creature. But you will need me here, I know this as well as you."

Aragorn shook his head. He didn't want her to remain here. He didn't want to put her in danger. But, her ages old knowledge would be needed if they were to defeat this creature. He gave another half-hearted protest. "I don't want to put you in any unneeded danger, Arwen."

He was becoming argumentative and Arwen knew when to concede this battle and wage it another time. He was no use in discussing matters rationally when he was living on very little food and sleep. The people were frightened and looked to their King for his support and reassurance. And he gave them every ounce of strength he was able, until he could barely stand.

"We will discuss this later," Arwen slipped her arm into his and began walking him toward the bed. "You need some rest. And I intend to stand over you while you get some."

Aragorn opened his lips to protest but snapped his mouth shut when he saw the unarguable look in his wife's eyes.

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Far to the north, the creature stood quietly, its large eyes watching its surroundings like a bird stalking its prey. It's cold breath puffed below its nostrils as it waited - and watched - its Master work. Enchantments echoed in the evening air, spells unused for millennia spilled from the wizard's lips.

"Arghh!" The voice hissed and the drake's head turned to stare at the man leaning over the Elendilmir. "I cannot activate the powers within the stone. I can't make it work! Why?!"

"What powers does the stone carry?" The drake asked, its voice deep and raspy. Its large blue eyes glinted in the moonlight.

"Power beyond anything still surviving in Middle-Earth." The wizard's black eyes pierced the dragon and it appeared to wilt before him. "Once I awaken it, the people's of Middle-Earth will kneel at my feet."

He began another chant, only to have that one fail to yield the desired results. He cursed in his native language and stared down at the mithril coronet.

"Hmm," the wizard began to stroke his long gray beard in thought. "Could it be so simple?"

He continued to stroke his beard, lost ioughought, until a wide smile crossed his lips. "Yes, I do believe that is the solution."

The drake blinked at its Master.

"Come, Graulwg," The wizard moved to mount his pet. "We must return to Annuminas. The King, the rightful heir to this coronet, must be the only one who can unlock its secret power."


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Day 9

"The drake must be young," Aragorn leaned back in his seat and rubbed tired eyes. Sprawled out before him was a large map of Arnor and the lands that lay beyond its borders. "Otherwise his Master would not be able to control him. Dragons are controlled by no one but a dragon would not have the skill to be able to invoke an ancient and long-unused power."

"Melkor was able to control the dragons of the ancient world," Legolas glanced up from where he was leaned over the map. "If this Master is - "

Aragorn shook his head. "Oh sweet Eru, Legolas please don't even think it."

"It is a fact we must consider," Legolas said. "If there is an Istar controlling this drake, it will be near impossible for us to do anything about it."

Aragorn sighed. "Gandalf has sailed West and taken the rings of power with him. What can we do to combat this new evil that threatens the peace and security of this realm?" He looked from Aldamir, who had taken up the roll as King's advisor, to Legolas, for an answer.

"We track it to its lair and collapse the walls around it!" Gimli stalked into the make-shift war room, axe clanging on the stone floor as he walked.

Legolas heaved a heavy sigh. "Dwarf, do not speak of matters you know nothing about."

Gimli feigned hurt but was quick to respond. "You forget, ancient elf, that my ancestors have fought many a dragon, even slew the mightiest of them. Do not discount my suggestions too quickly."

Aragorn rolled his eyes and leaned back in his seat. Aldamir gazed with fascination at Legolas and Gimli, wondering how it was that the two had never ripped one another limb from limb.

Legolas cast a side-long glance at Gimli before allowing a small victorious smile penetrate the stern look.

Gimli huffed, unwilling to concede defeat. "Now, I have sent for the records of the defeat of these dragons. Perhaps they will help us find a way…."

"You have records?" Legolas interrupted, eyes dancing. "I was of the understanding that once the Dwarves unleashed Durin’s Bane, your written histories were destroyed."

Gimli was incensed. "Well, if your ancestors had not created such beasts, we would not have to worry about them, now would we?"

Legolas opened his lips to respond but Aragorn stood and raised his hand. "Peace, you two. Not now. We have more important matters to discuss."

"Indeed." Was Legolas' only response and Gimli merely grunted.

"Now," Aragorn indicated they alok aok at the map sprawled before them. "Your council on where this creature could be hiding?"

"A cold-drake would hide in the mountains, where it feels comfortable." Legolas observed.

"However if its Master is a wizard, would he not feel more comfortable hiding in a cave or-"

"I will send scouts into the caves!" Gimli interjected. "We are made for such work. If there be evil lurking in the caves of Arnor, the dwarves will find them!"

The men smi gra grateful that Gimli had found a task in which to set himself to keep him occupied.

The door to the ‘war’ room opened and Arwen appeared, bearing a tray of fruit and mugs of ale and mead. Aragorn eyed her suspiciously.

“I am up to nothing, husband,” Arwen smiled when she noticed Aragorn’s eyebrows rise at her arrival.

“Serving us like a maid, now, orenya?” Aragorn teased as the men gained their feet in respect.

Arwen expertly balanced the tray on one hand and cleaned off a place at the end of the table with the other. “Since you refuse to leave this room, and have given the guards express orders not to allow anyone in, I knew you would not be taking food or drink.”

“Then how did you get passed these guards?” Gimli asked, unsure if he really wanted to know the answer.

Arwen shot him a mischievous smile. “Not many dare to refuse the Queen of Gondor.”

“And wrong they would be, if they made the attempt,” Aragorn rounded the table and pressed a quick kiss to Arwen’s cheek. He lifted the mug to his lips and took a hearty swig. “Thank you.” He gently touched her wrist, an intimate gesture that was not lost on the three men who watched the exchange.

Their eyes locked for a moment before the movement of the others reaching for their mugs distracted the couple. “And I’ve brought fruit, cheese and bread as well.” Arwen said to the men, pointedly looking at each one. “Since you will not come to the dinner table, please do me the courtesy of eating here.”

“I will see to it.” Aragorn assured his concerned wife.

Arwen’s eyes sparkled as she turned to Aldamir. “ Since my husband will be so conce wit with making sure you have eaten, kindly do me the favor of seeing to it that he partakes as well.”

Aldamir smiled before executing a deep, respectful bow. “He will eat before the rest of us, Lady.”

Arwen smiled and returned Aragorn’s earlier gesture, trailing a feather light touch around his wrist.

Aragorn grinned, eyes sparkling, and nodded his head. “Yes, I will eat.”

Arwen smiled.” Good, because I will feed you myself if I must.”

Aldamir snickered and Gimli stifled a laugh by shoving the mug into his mouth and taking a long swig of ale.

Arwen smiled lovingly at her husband. “See to it that you remember.”

“Might we have a demonstration?” Legolas teased, knowing that this was a chance to inject a bit of stress-relieving laugh into the day.

Without missing a beat, Arwen reached down, plucked a piece of cheese from the platter, set it on an equally small piece of bread, and pushed it into Aragorn’s open mouth.

All three men laughed and Aragorn nearly choked on the food.

Arwen smiled widely and moved away as Aragorn swatted at her backside. “I will send a maid in to refresh your mugs and the platter, shortly.” Before anyone could answer, she was through the door and out of earshot.

Aragorn’s stern expression only caused the men to laugh louder.