Revenge

Chapter 6

Day 13


“My Lady,” Arwen stepped into the courtyard where a scouting party was mounted and reao leo leave the City. “You should be inside-”

“Haldir,” Arwen’s voice was laced with frustration and warning, “I will ride with you.”

Haldir turned to an approaching Celeborn without missing a beat. “My Lord, Lady Arwen wishes to ride with us. What say you?” Haldir knew he did not possess the authority to deny the Queen. Instead, he would leave it up to her kin. He had no desire to face the wrath of Arwen of Rivendell.

Celeborn’s eyes were kind as he glanced at Arwen. “Granddaughter, you know this will not be permitted.”

Haldir breathed a silent sigh of relief. For a split second, he thought his Lord would permit the Queen of Gondor to ride with them into whatever unknowns awaited.

Arwen’s eyes flamed at this - not at all surprising - news. “You have no authority in which to-”

The sharp pain that lanced through her abdomen broke her concentration and she faltered. When she gripped her side and took a few deep puffs of breath, Celeborn was at her side in an instant. “These pains have become worse. You are in no condition to ride even if we were to permit it.”

Arwen turned sad eyes on her kin. “I must-”

Celeborn pressed his hand to her abdomen and leaned close. “It is your duty to protect the heir to this kingdom.”

Arwen’s eyes widened and a shocked gasp slipped from her lips.

Aldamir, who sat quietly speaking with Haldir, turned at the sound, as did Legolas.

“I recognize the signs, granddaughter,” Celeborn whispered so that the others did not hear. “It is carefully disguised as fear for your husband’s safety, but my suspicions must be confirmed as soon as possible.”

Arwen nodded meekly and turned to Aldamir. “Please find my husband.”

Aldamir blinked in surprise, having expected to receive much more of a fight from the elven queen who wished to accompany the party. “We will, Lady.”

Arwen accepted this promise and turned away, Celeborn leading his granddaughter into the castle as the party turned toward the gate.

“Something is wrong,” Legolas observed and Haldir nodded. “There has to be a very good reason for giving up the fight so quickly. “Ye “Yes,” Haldir nodded. He’d been privy to many of Arwen’s tantrums over the centuries and he knew her to be a very determined woman when she set her mind to something. “I agree.”

“Legolas,” Aldamir turned his steed toward the Prince of Mirkwood. “Would you remain and see to her safety?”

Legolas blinked. “You will need me to assist you in tracking the dragon.”

“You are the best archer in these lands. I would feel better if you remained here to protect the Queen.” Aldamir said honestly. “Know that I have no authority to issue this as an order. I do it as a request.”

“I will remain because I know that is what Aragorn would want. He would not fear for his own safety at a time like this, but for that of his Queen.” Legolas nodded. “I will remain.”

Legolas dismounted and handed over Arod’s reins to a stable boy and raised his hands to his head and then to his lips in an elven gesture of farewell. “Be safe.”

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Celeborn waited patiently outside the Queen’s temporary chambers, Legolas keeping vigil next to him. Elladan and Elrohir sat silently, waiting, watching for any movement behind the closed doors.

After the drake had clawed its way through the spiraling tower where the royal chambers used to be, Arwen had been moved to a more secure location near the bottom of the castle. There was only one way in, or out – with the exception of the secret passage that had always been a part of the chambers of any royal house.

The Chamberlain paced nervously, worried that there was something deathly wrong with the Queen. She had been pale and sickly since the King had been abducted and there was not a single person in the castle who hadn’t noticed.

“Please sit. You will feel no better by wearing a hole in the floor.” Celeborn glanced at the man and then resumed looking out the small window that the temporary chambers afforded.

The twins exchanged a small smile as the Chamberlain huffed and began pacing in the opposite direction.

The door opened then and the healer glided out with a small smile. She immediately stopped before Celeborn and bowed deeply. “My Lord. Your suspicions were indeed correct. The Queen is with child.”

The Chamberlain’s stifled his surprised gasp by clasping a shaking hand over his mouth. He had not been told of Celeborn’s suspicions and had thus been taken completely off-guard by the healers admission. His eyes were wide as his gaze shifted from Celeborn to the healer and back again.

Legolas simply stood quietly, an unreadable expression on his face.

Elladan and Elrohir sighed in unison, knowing what this meant for the kingdom if Aragorn did not return. It was a thought they could only push so far into the back of their minds. At least, if the unthinkable happened, no one could usurp the throne from beneath Arwen’s feet.

“My thanks to you, Lady.” Celeborn took the woman’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Is she ready to receive visitors?”

The woman nodded. “Aye, give her just a moment and she will be ready.”

Celeborn nodded and the woman hesitated before saying, “I will keep this news to myself, Lord. There will be a more suitable time to announce this to the kingdom.”

Celeborn nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”

A few minutes later, Celeborn and the twins entered Arwen’s chambers. As the closest kin in residence, it was their right.

The Chamberlain stood outside with his arms crossed, indignant and upset that the family would go in without him.


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Day 14

Celeborn fussed over Arwen merely walking to the courtyard to receive her visitor.

“Grandfather, I will be fine!” Arwen slapped at his hand as he made an effort to aid her in her journey down the steps.

Arwen stopped at the bottom and waited to receive her guest. She smiled as the cloaked figure passed through the fourth gate and rode toward her. Celeborn stood beside his granddaughter, the Chamberlain on the other side, ready to receive this mysterious visitor.

When the rider dismounted and threw back the hood that covered his head, the Chamberlain sighed. Another one. Would it be some great and powerful wizard come to rescue the King. But no, it was another elf.

“Lord Cirdan,” Arwen stepped forward and took the old elf’s hands. “Thank you for coming.”

“I would never refuse a request from you, Evenstar.” Cirdan smiled warmly. His silver hair was tied in a similar fashion to her father’s and hung over his shoulders like a silken wave.

He turned and nodded in respect to Celeborn, whom he had known for longer than Arwen had been alive. He smiled kindly to the Chamberlain who simply stood in silence.

“You’ve no doubt heard what has happened.” Arwen turned and began to walk back to the castle without introducing the Chamberlain. He had not been invited, and Arwen had no intention of bringing him into their discussion.

He turned in a huff and followed the elves into the castle and down the wing where they would be residing until this crisis was resolved.

“Yes, elven ears are far reaching. “ Cirdan smiled. He noticed the Chamberlain’s demeanor but said nothing.

“I must admit, I was perplexed when Arwen informed me that she had sent for you,” Celeborn opened the door to the chambers and the three elves stepped through. Celeborn turned to the Chamberlain and smiled politely, “Thank you for your assistance (he lied) but what we must discuss is of a private matter only.”

The Chamberlain frowned as Celeborn closed the door behind him, leaving the furious man standing in the corridor.

“She was right to have done so,” Cirdan sat while Arwen poured two servings of elven wine and offered the goblet to the Lord of the Grey Havens. The other she offered to Celeborn, who smiled and took the goblet.

“Of course.” Celeborn nodded. “As a former ring-bearer, your knowledge will be invaluable to us as we attempt to discover where this drake and his Master have taken King Elessar.”

“I no longer have a ring of power, but I will do all I can to aid you in this task.” Cirdan smiled warmly as Arwen took a seat across from the elves.

“Thank you,” Arwen sipped a specially prepared concoction to rid her of the uncomfortable pains and nausea.

Cirdan noticed this and smiled slightly, his eyes narrowing. He glanced at Celeborn and then back to Arwen for confirmation.

“Yes, Cirdan,” Arwen answered his unspoken question. “I am with child.”

Cirdan gained his feet and set the goblet on a nearby table. He knelt at Arwen’s feet and pressed his fingers to his lips and then to her stomach.

“May the babe be as wise as the elves, as beautiful as his mother and as strong as his father.” When he stood, he pressed a kiss to each cheek. “Congratulations on this most exciting news.”

Arwen sighed, her eyes growing heavy. “It will be when my husband has returned to share it with me.”

Cirdan patted her hand and then returned to his seat. “He will return, Lady.” He nodded to Celeborn, who returned the gesture. “We are here te the that it comes to pass.”

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Day 15

Arwen watched the approaching party with sad, emotionless eyes. The proud, determined garrison of men who had set out three days prior to search out the King numbered much fewer as they returned. Many were walking, others were slumped over their horses. Aldamir’s arm was in a sling and Haldir had a large claw mark that ran the length of his cheek and disappeared beneath a dirtied and torn elven tunic.

“What happened?” Arwen asked as the weary troupe came to a halt before the Queen. Celeborn and Cirdan, Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas and the Chamberlain stood behind her, waiting patiently for an answer.

“The dragon is a formidable foe.” Haldir spoke first as the others caught their breath.

“And it is protected by a magic barrier far up into the hills of Evendim,” Aldamir finished, dismounting slowly while a stable-boy held tight to his steed’s reins. “They are still capped with snow and we did not get close before this barrier prevented us from breaching their location. “

“Then the dragon appeared from its cave and attacked us.” Aldamir looked over his injured and dead men. “It will take an army to defeat that creature.”

“An army we shall have.” Celeborn stepped forward. “ You will take the elves of the Golden Wood, Haldir will lead them beneath your command, and we will defeat this menace.” Celeborn did not need to look at the warden of the Golden Wood to see his nod. “But first, you must rest and we must formulate a plan. Annuminas cannot be left defenseless but neither can you be sent with no less than the best.”

As they walked toward the castle entrance, a large shadow passed over them, moving rapidly toward their location. Horns sounded and guards cried from every watchtower as the drake nose-dived toward the Queen and those who surrounded her.

Aldamir immediately drew his sword, oblivious to his injury, and pushed Arwen behind him. Orders spewed forth from his lips with an impressive speed and soldiers gathered around them to bear the brunt of the attack.

Elrohir and Elladan gripped Arwen’s arms and pulled her toward the castle, ignoring her cries of protest that she could get herself to safety.

The dragon dived through the guards, tossing them to the side as if they were mere twigs. Its large mouth hung open, its razor sharp teeth protruding menacingly from its jaw.

Elven archers drew and loosed a volley of arrows at the creature and were rewarded by a howl of pain as some struck their mark. Others bounced harmlessly off the iron strong scales.

The earth shook as the dragon struck the ground. But it did not lay prone for long. Soon it was up on its feet, its large tail striking any who ventured too close.

Guards rushed toward the dragon and raised their blades to impale the evil beast.

Large hands, tipped with razor-sharp claws, reached for Arwen as she turned around to glance behind her.

“No!” Celeborn and Cirdan stepped in the creature’s way as it reached for the Queen. Celeborn was the first to fall as he was swatted away like a bug, his body crumpling against the stone wall like a rag doll.

Cirdan muttered a few words beneath his breath and raised his arms in an attempt to ward off the approaching creature. He ducked beneath a large wing and slipped a hidden elven knife from its sheath. When the creature made its return pass, he plunged the blade deep into the dragon’s wing.

The drake howled in pain and flailed as it attempted to remove the knife. Cirdan skirted out of the way but could not move fast enough and was struck across the chest with a flailing claw. He sank to his knees and barely ducked beneath the claw as it made its return pass in an effort to separate the Shipwright’s head from his shoulders.

“Protect the Queen!” Aldamir cried, drawing the dragon’s attention from the elf who had wounded him. It hissed at Aldamir who leapt out of the way of the cold breath. Another soldier had not moved fast enough and stood in shocked silence as the dragon’s breath enveloped him and froze his body where he stood.

The creature turned and reached for Arwen, who was now backed against the castle wall. Elladan and Elrohir drew their bows and aimed at the creature.

“Come no closer!” Elladan fired a warning shot which struck its mark between the dragon’s scales.

The dragon opened its mouth to spit its cold breath on the twins, but quickly realized that may damage the prize taking cover behind them.

Arrows flew toward the dragon with blinding speed and the creature reared in response, scattering the soldiers that had gathered around it. Elladan’s bow was caught in a long claw and ripped out of his hands. It snapped like a twig under the weight of the drake as it turned its attention to Elrohir. The elf loosed one more arrow, barely missing its mark of the dragon’s eye, before the younger twin was impaled on a claw and tossed out of the way.

“Elrohir!” Arwen cried as she noticed him double over, gripping his stomach. Her eyes followed his body as it impacted with the stone wall. If the blood spreading across his tunic was any indication, he was injured badly.

Arwen’s eyes shot daggers at the approaching claw and she winced when she saw an arrow pierce its scaly flesh mere inches from her body.

The creature reeled, its cry echoing off the walls, and swatted its uninjured claw at Legolas, who leapt easily out of the way. He drew another arrow from his quiver, faster than the eye could see, and loosed it at the creature. This time, the arrow bounced off the dragons scaled back, snapping in two.

Gimli’s angry cry echoed through the courtyard as he rushed toward the dragon. His axe found its mark and cracked when it impacted with the dragon’s scale. The dwarf did not see the dragon’s tail as it sailed toward his legs. He fell over rolled away as the tail came down hard into the stone walkway, nearly crushing the diminutive dwarf.

Arwen screamed as the dragon’s clawed hand finally reached her and encircled her waist. Royal guards rushed toward the dragon as it launched itself into the air and away from its enemy.

“Unhand me!” Arwen struggled in the drake’s embrace but quieted when she noticed how far above the trees they flew and how long of a fall it would be if the creature let go of her. At once she thought of her child, and the danger her struggling in this most uncomfortable position could be to the unborn babe.

“Wise decision, elf,” the dragon said, its eyes twinkling with amusement at her startled expression.

It took no time to reach the secluded cave and as soon as the claws loosened from her waist, she darted into the darkness, shivering as the cold wind began to howl outside. She figured, just as Aragorn had, that if she went deep enough into the cave, the dragon would not be able to follow. She was wrong - just as her husband had been.

As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she could see a well-stoked fire flickering in one corner. A large figure stood a good distance away from it, ing ing at a misshapen rock-formed table, his body mysteriously covered with a cloak. This – Arwen surmised – was the dragon’s Master. She was drawn to this cloaked figure, curious as to what was so important as to ignore her arrival.

As she walked toward the figure, to get a better look at what he was doing, she heard a strangled cry off to her side.

Wide, horrified, crystalline eyes stared at her in disbelief and she gasped.

Aragorn was chained with his arms above his head and the skin that she could see flickering in the firelight was covered in bruises and welts. Dried blood was splattered across his chest and face, where vicious wounds had torn his flesh.

She whimpered and rushed toward him, catching his cheeks in her hands and brushing away the dried flecks of blood.

His lips were swollen and his eyes were bloodshot, and his skin was cold – so very cold.

“Estel!” She whispered frantically as she removed her cloak and draped it over his shoulders. She pressed her lips to his in an urgent kiss while rubbing frantically at his chest and shoulders in an effort to warm him. His wince of pain was not lost on her and her eyes narrowed as her hands slowed in their ministrations. Carefully she felt across his chest for the broken bones she knew she was sure to find.

“What does he want?” She whispered in elvish, sure that if the creature could not understand what she said, they could formulate a plan of es.
.

“I want the power of the Elendilmir, elf.” The wizard dropped the hood of his cloak and Arwen gasped. “And your husband will unlock it for me.”

Arwen stared in wonder at the wizard, an incredulous look on her face. “That power has fallen out of all knowledge. There are none in Middle-Earth who know of what you speak – much less know how to awaken it.”

“The blood of Elendil will awaken the power,” The wizard drew himself up to his full size. “And if your husband refuses to reveal this knowledge to me, you will suffer a most painful and agonizing death – and he will follow.”

Arwen’s eyes widened and her hands immediately went to her stomach. He must not know. If the wizard knew that he not only had the King’s wife but his heir, he would have far too much leverage over Aragorn.

“I have told you, my wife has told you.” Aragorn rasped through parched and cracked lips. “I don’t have this knowledge. No one can awaken this power that you speak of.”

“Then you will die.” The wizard stalked toward the couple, an evil smile spreading across the sunken hollows that were his cheeks.

“If that is my destiny,” Aragorn set his jaw and hissed. “Then so it shall be.”

“Over my dead body,” Arwen stood in front of her husband, her eyes blazing.

The wizard laughed, “That is the idea, elf witch.”

He raised his arms and Arwen was levitated off the ground and away from her husband. Moments before her shoulder struck the wall, she could hear Aragorn’s anguished cry, and then all turned to blackness as she lost consciousness.