Chapter 4
Arwen
walked alone down the stone passageway that lead to the library.
There had been much happening in the kingdom lately and she
had not had much time to herself. But things were quiet this
afternoon and she was looking forward to spending a few peaceful
hours in the library. She had almost reached the doors when
she became aware of a dark presence behind her. Before she had
chance to move, a dark shadow of indefinable shape wrapped itself
around her. She tried to scream, but the shadow covered her
mouth. Using all her strength she struggled against the being,
but to no avail. All her struggles did was to knock her circlet
from her head, sending it clattering to the ground. She could
only watch in horror as the evil being opened a dark portal
in front of her and proceeded to drag her through it. As soon
as she was inside of it a great weight crashed down on her senses
and she lost consciousness.
“Arwen?!”
Aragorn walked around the palace calling his wife. It was getting
late and he hadn’t seen her since early afternoon. He
didn’t know where she could have gone. He stopped a couple
of guards coming his way. “Have you seen the queen?”
He asked. They shook their heads.
“I’m
afraid not, your Majesty.” Said one. Aragorn frowned.
Where was she?
“I
see.” He replied. “If you do see her, please tell
her that I am looking for her.”
“Yes
your Majesty.” The soldiers saluted and walked on.
Aragorn
wondered where to go next. He ran his mind over the places he’d
looked. “The library!” He cried out loud. She liked
to go there to relax, she’d probably been reading and
lost track of the time, he decided. Turning on his heels, he
headed quickly to the huge room. As he approached his eyes saw
something at the edge of the path. Bending, he picked it up
– and his blood ran cold. It was Arwen’s circlet.
“ARWEN!” He cried out and ran to the library, rushing
and looking desperately for his wife, clinging to the fading
hope that she had somehow dropped the circlet and not noticed.
But the library was empty. Terror filled him and the King of
Gondor ran like the wind to the first guards he saw. “The
Queen is missing!” He told them with barely contained
panic. “Organise search parties at once! FIND HER!”
The soldiers nodded and ran to do the King’s bidding.
The order given, Aragorn ran to the stables to get his horse.
Throwing
open the doors he grabbed his tack and was just about to place
the gear on his mount, when a quiet neigh from the far corner
caught his attention. He looked over to see Telpëwen, Legolas’
horse. The long-lived elven horse had been a gift to Legolas
from Thranduil after Arod had passed away. Telpëwen had
not been ridden since Legolas’ death, but Aragorn knew
that the spirited beast was much faster than his own. Hesitating
only for a second, Aragorn moved away from his own mount and
over to the elven-horse. Telpëwen was not used to wearing
tack, but Aragorn knew she would take it in her stride. He felt
no guilt at riding his departed friend’s horse, he knew
Legolas would have approved. In minutes he was ready and riding
out to meet the captain of his guard, who would be leading the
search. Desperate determination rose within him. He’d
find Arwen. He had to. He couldn’t lose anyone else.
When
Arwen awoke she found herself chained to a cold stone wall,
surrounded by total darkness. But she did not need to see to
know that evil was near, she could sense it. “Who is there?!”
She called out. “Reveal yourself to me!” A cold
laugh was heard in reply. “Who are you?!” She demanded
again. Then she froze as she felt a cold hand placed under her
chin.
“So
defiant.” It whispered. “I will enjoy watching this.”
Nausea ran through Arwen at these words, but she forced herself
to remain calm. Whatever this evil was, she would not give it
the satisfaction of seeing her fear. But it was an exercise
in futility, for the being could sense her emotions. “Yes.”
It said. “You are right to fear. For you have much to
be afraid of.” Arwen held her head up high.
“My
husband will come for me.” She stated in a voice of steel.
The being laughed again.
“Oh.” It hissed. “I do hope so. It will be
greatly enjoyable to see how he handles his grief this time.”
It ran it’s cold finger down the elf-maiden’s cheek
and then vanished. As soon as it was gone, a dim light slightly
penetrated the darkness, giving just enough light to see by.
Arwen cast her eyes over her surroundings. She could just make
out several forms coming towards her. As they got closer she
identified them and icy fear ran through her. Orcs. She was
in a den of orcs.
Aragorn
rode swiftly though he knew not where he was going. There was
no clue as to Arwen’s whereabouts, all he knew was that
she had been going to the library at some point that day. So
he did the only thing he could – He opened his heart and
called out for her. “Please, Arwen, help me find you.
Please.” His hand went to her Evenstar pedant that he
still wore around his neck. “I need you.”
The
whip cracked against her back for the hundredth time. Her dress
was in tatters and her back was raw and bloodied from all the
lashings. She bit her lip to keep from crying out. One of the
larger orcs gripped her face in his hand. Slowly he raked his
nails down her face, causing a line of deep scratches to appear,
blood welling up almost instantly. “You’re brave
she-elf.” The beast growled. “But we’re only
just getting started.” Without further warning, he grabbed
her arm and bent it viscously back. There was a sickening crack
as the bone snapped. The sharp pain that shot through her made
her breath catch. Her head swam, she could hardly focus anymore.
Laughing, the orc grabbed the injured arm and bent it in the
other direction.
She
screamed.
The
Evenstar glowed brightly catching Aragorn’s attention.
“Arwen?” He whispered. The pendant seemed to glow
brighter in response. “Lead me.” A light tugged
slightly at his consciousness, telling him which way to go.
Pulling Telpëwen round, he galloped in the direction the
pendant was pulling him in. He prayed he was not too late.
Arwen
whimpered. Her resolve had shattered with her arm, she could
no longer hold back the searing pain. She could no longer see,
the lead orc had smeared a dark mud-like substance over her
eyes some hours ago. It had burned with the intensity of a dying
sun before solidifying and fusing her eyelids together. She
wondered if she would ever see again and if she’d live
long enough to care. “Estel.” She whispered. “Where
are you?”
He
was near. He could feel it. He urged Telpëwen to go even
faster and soon the ground was but a blur beneath him. His guards
followed as best they could, but they could not keep up with
the elven-horse. Aragorn was glad he had kept the animal after
Legolas had died – he had very nearly sent it back to
Mirkwood. They were close to the hills now, hills that were
full of old caves and holes. It wasn’t long before a foul
stench assailed his nose. “Oh Valar.” He breathed
in fear. “Orcs.”
Following
his nose and the glow of the Evenstar he soon came to the crumbling
entrance of the den. Now he could hear them, laughing and gloating.
He knew without a doubt that his wife was in there. He slid
off Telpëwen and drew his sword. His guards then rode up
behind him and followed suit. “Follow me.” He grated.
“Kill all that oppose you.” With a loud yell of
rage he led his men into the cave.
With
an evil sneer, the lead orc raised a knife at the bound and
blinded elf-maiden. The knife was coated in the sticky black
substance that was morgul poison. There was very little of the
stuff left these days, but they had enough for one stab wound.
But as he began to bring the knife down towards Arwen’s
shoulder, there came a shout. “Listen!” Cried an
orc near the entrance passage. “Someone’s coming!”
“Men!”
The leader yelled, sniffing the air. “Arm yourselves!”
Dropping the poisoned knife, he grabbed his sword and raced
to the entrance.
Aragorn
swung his sword in front of him, neatly decapitating an orc
that had dared to get in his way. He was deadly in his single-mindedness.
Nothing would keep him from Arwen. All around him his men were
fighting the orcs, defending their King and praying for their
Queen. As the orc ranks thinned, Aragorn pushed his way towards
the back of the cave. More orcs blocked his way the deeper in
he went, but he cut them down with brutality born of rage and
fear. Soon, only the leader remained. Aragorn’s eyes blazed
as he beheld the last obstacle standing between he and his wife.
He snarled and launched himself at the orc. The evil creature
dodged, bringing his blade round, striking at Aragorn’s
side. The King twisted just in time and missed the blades cruel
blow. He dropped into a crouch as the orc came round and attacked
again. His sword swept at the orcs feet, the razor-sharp metal
severing the limbs at the ankle. With a howl of rage and pain
the orc fell onto it’s back. Aragorn did not hesitate
and plunged his sword into the orcs dark heart, killing it.
No sooner was this done, than he was running again, seeking
his beloved.
He
raced into the back of the cave and there he saw her, hanging
limply from her chains. “Oh, Ilutivar, no!” His
voice broke as he took in the battered and broken body. With
a sweep of his sword he cut the chains from her wrists and cradled
her in his arms. “Arwen.” He whispered brokenly.
“Oh, Arwen.” Her injuries were heart breaking to
see. Her right arm was broken twice, as were all the fingers
on that hand. Her left leg had fared little better, being broken
twice below the knee. Her back and arms were a mess of ugly
welts caused by constant whipping and her eyes – her eyes
were obscured by a hard black substance that had stuck to her
face. She did not respond as he held her. “Arwen, please.”
He begged. His hands searched frantically for a pulse. His breathed
a small sigh of relief when he found it a moment later. She
lived, but barely. Whether she would remain in this world for
much longer remained to be seen. “VALAR!” Aragorn
cried out in grief. “Why do you allow these things?! Why?!
Oh Elbereth! Is there no one who can stop this suffering?!”
The
arrow fell from Legolas’ hands. All time had frozen. “Legolas!?”
Said Haldir in alarm. The prince slowly looked up. “Are
you all right?” Haldir asked. Legolas looked at him with
eyes full of confusion and pain. “Legolas?” Haldir
said again. The prince shook his head.
“I
can’t take this anymore.” He whispered hoarsely.
“It’s too much! I just can’t bear it!”
Then, without another word he began to run, heading directly
for the Silver City.
END CHAPTER 4
Need I say it? To be continued!
