Beneath the Veil

Beneath the Veil

Chapter 5
Author: Frosty the Orc Princess
Codes: Aragorn, Legolas, Elrond, Eowyn, Gimli, OC, AU
Rated: NC-17
Summary: After Frodo and Sam fail their mission, Aragorn takes over. Can he he the the power of the ring?
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. If I did, I would be rich, and I most certainly am not rich. :(
Notes: Elf-code is at the end of the story.


*

Sunshine streamed through the small window in her room, waking Amarie. She squinted against the light as it caused her head to ache in pain. Trying to ignore it, she turned towards the wall and closed her eyes again, only to be bothered by a knock upon her door.

Her eyes blinked open, and quite suddenly all the events of last night came tumbling back to her. She sat up and thought back. It all seemed to unreal, like trying to remember a dream. Had it been a dream?

Another more insistent knock sounded on her door. She knit her brow and approached the door, not wanting visitors. Not when she could barely think straight.

"Amarie," called a voice, "It's Legolas. Are you in there?"

Licking her lips, she hesitated, thinking maybe she shouldn't answer. Worry got the better of her. When she opened the door, she saw the elf's face looking not angry or worried, but curious.

"Good morning," he said, when she didn't speak. His eyes narrowed at her appearance, her wrinkled clothes and worn eyes. "Are you alright?"

Amarie blinked, trying to remember more clearly her experiences. "I think..," she whispered, looking up at Legolas, "I think I did something terrible."

Legolas frowned and entered her room. He closed the door quietly behind him as Amarie sat down upon her bed and held her face in her hands. "Can you tell me?" he asked, sitting beside her.

Amarie sniffed and looked up. The last thing she wanted was for this elf to think less of her, but she didn't see herself as having another choice. He had to be told. "I can," she said hoarsely, "But I fear you will be greatly angered by my actions."

His eyes could not hide his fear. "You speak as though you have done something grave against me," he said, "Is this the case?"

She shook her head softly. "Against you. Against everyone who has put trust in me," she replied, "I cannot understand how this happened."

Legolas took a deep breath and placed a hand on her knee. "I can see you are under great stress. I assure you, Amarie, that you have my complete support. As a friend."

Her eyes were bright and wide when she looked at him. "Forgive me," she whispered, "Last night, I had relations with Lord Aragorn."

The surprise and pain was evident on Legolas' face. Amarie lowered her face back to her hands when his hand left her leg. "Relations," he spoke, not really as a question. He seemed to be trying to comprehend.

Amarie stood ud crd crossed the room. "I do not understand," she said, crossing her arms, "I do not do things like this. We were only speaking, and..." she trailed off, shaking her head. "I have endangered this mission." Turning to face Legolas, her eyes became sad. "If you cannot bear to speak with me any longer, your feelings are justified. If you have want of leaving, I will not blame you."

Legolas blinked softly in the bright morning light. "I will admit this is difficult for me," he said, looking up, "But I would first hear of what happened before making my judgement. Will you tell me?"

She did not want to go into details, but she also did not want Legolas to leave. "I will tell, if that is what you ask," she said quietly. He motioned for her to sit down beside him, and she complied.

Legolas' eyes were tired, and she almost wished she had spared him this information. "It is what I ask," he said, "Tell me what happened."

Amarie licked her lips and took a deep breath. "I was heading for my room. He saw me, and asked to speak with me."

"In his room?" Legolas frowned.

She nodded, swallowing. "We began talking, about what Elrond had spoke to him about." Legolas' eyes lit up with interest and concern. "He said if the mission was to succeed, I would have to...hold the ring."

Legolas narrowed his eyes. "The ring?" he said, his voice low, "He offered it to you?"

"It all seems...like a dream," she said, staring down at her hands. Her eyes became distant. "I couldn't say no. I tried, but I couldn't. It beckoned to me. So I held it."

Too lost in her own thoughts, she didn't notice Legolas' expression of anger. "And then?" he asked.

Amarie stared unblinking, Aragorn's words and actions playing out in her mind. Her voice was low as she spoke. "He told me we needed to be stronger than it. He took it from me," she said, frowning, "And put it on a table. I wanted it. I felt whole when I had it. He told me I had to be strong." She paused, then looked up at Legolas. "Then he kissed me."

She could see the conflict in Legolas' eyes. He looked away and sighed heavily. "I am going to ask something of you, Amarie, and I trust that you will allow it, with this having occured." When his eyes met hers she nodded softly and he continued, "You cannot be alone with Aragorn again. Not under any circumstances. None of us should be. I ask that you have someone with you at all times, whether it be me, or Gimli, or even Eomer. Someone strong. At night as well."

Amarie frowned uneasily. "I will do as you ask," she said, "But can I ask why?"

"Perhaps you should have been wiser," he said, standing and turning to look at her, "But I fear Aragorn has been corrupted. The ring is powerful, and you fell under its influence. The fault does not lie with you."

She shook her head sadly. "I was weak," she said, "The ring took easy advantage of me. I allowed it."

"Do not blame yourself too much," he replied, "Anyone of us could fall prey to it. If Aragorn has lost himself to the ring, we could all be in danger."

"I did not think it would happen," she mumbled, "This does not bode well for the journey." Standing, Amarie paced the length of the room, her irritation growing, "How will I tell Elrond? I was chosen for this, and I failed. I am so angry with myself."

Legolas' demeanor was quiet as he watched her. When she stopped pacing and met his eyes, he blinked softly. "What were you chosen for?" he asked.

Amarie leaned bacainsainst the wall. There was no point in keeping secrets anymore, least of all with Legolas. "Our mission, Haldir and I, we were to be the ringbearers if Aragorn ever failed. Elrond did not want anyone to know, just in case there was disagreement. Seems he has told Aragorn, though."

Legolas only nodded. Amarie could not tell what his thoughts were. "There are more pressing concerns to deal with now," he said quietly. "We should not arouse suspicion. I will speak to the others in private. Do not be fearful of Aragorn, that may only encourage him." His eyes grazed her form slowly, taking in her appearance. "I came to you because it is nearly noon. You should not remain unseen. I will wait outside your door while you change."

She nodded, and he left the room. When the click of the door sounded, Amarie quickly dressed herself in clean clothes, and smoothed back her hair. "Do not make another mistake like that," she whispered to herself in the mirror, "Do not fail them again."

Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and left the room.

*

TBC