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Return	By : leiasky Category: Lord of the Rings Movies > General Views: 1501 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Return
- 1
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Title:   "Return�
```
Synopsis: The return
home from Annuminas is met with anxiety, sickness and just a little bit of
trouble�..

This is an AU story that does nb> fb> follow the timeline of the book.

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Takes place after Return of the King.

Pairing: Aragorn / Arwen.

Disclaimer: I'm not Tolkien. I don't own these characters.
(darn!) I make no money. Done for fun.

Additional Info: Movie-verse.
First story in this series �Restless�

Sequel to �Revenge�

The above can be found here:
http://www.geocities.com/maegovannen/lotrfanfic.html

The story will make more sense if read in the above order.

Archive: If you like, just tell me where.

�Return�

Prologue

�If you are determined to set out for the White City
immediately, you will do so with an escort from the Grey Havens.� Cirdan stood
next to Celeborn and stared down at the determined King. Arwen sat beside
Aragorn, who rested in bed, confined there on pain of death, until he could
stand and walk more than a few feet without assistance. �We realize you want
your heir to be born in Gondor, but in the interests of safety and comfort for
your pregnant wife and you, yourself, as you recover from your wounds, you will
be given two elven high ships in which to sail.�

Aragorn sat in silence and let the elf speak. He had been
raised in knowing when it was prudent to interrupt an elf Lord and when it was
wise to remain silent.

�It will cut the journey in half � if not more.� Cirdan
added, and with a knowing look directed at Celeborn, continued. �Every man or
elf that wishes to return to the White City, will be welcome, by leave of the
High King, of course.�

Aragorn nodded smi smiled.

�Cirdan and I will accompany you.� Celeborn smiled and the
excitement that lit in Arwen�s eyes could be felt around the room.

�We wish to see your heir born and your reign solidified in
this Kingdom, Aragorn,� Celeborn continued. �This babe will be kin to the race
of elves, and we wish to see him safely brought into this world.�

Aragorn smiled warmly and nodded to the elven Shipwright. �I
accept your offer, Lord Cirdan. We will make haste for the White City,� he
risked a glance at Arwen and was rewarded with the raise of a curious eyebrow,
�when I am given leave to get up from this bed, and when Arwen is well enough
to travel.�

�I am well enough, husband,� Arwen smiled, squeezing his
hand. �The sickness will come and go, whether my feet touch ground or water.�

Cirdan and Celeborn exchanged a knowing look. If the royal
couple only knew�.regardless of which mode of travel they chose, that returning
to Gondor with Arwen heavy with child, would not be a pleasant or peaceful trip
� in more ways than one.

Chapter 1

�Day 1�

Aragorn stood at the top of the marble steps, waiting for
the troupe of elven warriors to finish riding through the final gate.

p clp class=MsoNormal>Aldamir stood to one side of the King, Celeborn and Cirdan
at the other. Legolas waited below them, on the ground, watching silently.

�Father,� Legolas nodded with respect to the King of
Mirkwood.

Thranduil nodded respectfully to Aragorn before turning his
gaze to his son. The King of Mirkwood dismounted and embraced his son. �It is
good to see you well, my son.�

Legolas nodded. �And you, father. What brings you to Arnor?�

�The loud traipsing of the Dwarves through our forest and
their incessant complaints about the rebuilding of Annuminas drew the attention
of the inhabitants of Eryn Lasgalen.*�

Legolas winced as Aragorn and the others descended the
steps, Aragorn greeting King Thranduil in the custom of the elves. �Welcome to
Annuminas, King Thranduil. My apologies for the disturbance of your forests,�
Aragorn cocked his head and favored Gloin and his son with a hard stare.

�Yes,� Thranduil stared down his nose at Gloin until his
gaze came to rest on Gimli completely. �Such inconsiderate behavior is not
becoming of an elf-friend.�
Aragorn blinked at the term and as Thranduil sifted his gaze
from Gloin, to Gimli and then to his son, the High King could only wonder what
was going through Thranduil�s mind.

When Gimli opened his mouth to rebut Thranduil�s charges,
Aragorn�s stern gaze pinned him in place harder than his father�s iron-clad
grip on his wrist.

�The Dwarves will take greater care when passing through
Eryn Lasgalen,� Aragorn assured and indicated that Thranduil follow him up the
marble steps. �Please, come and take meal with us. I will fill you in on just
why the Dwarves are causing such a disturbance throughout your lands.�

Gimli snorted his disgust as he watched the two Kings ascend
the steps and disappear into the tower.

---------------------------------------

�I refuse to remain behind.� Gimli�s eyes flashed at the
mere insinuation. �An excellent team has been set up to oversee the
reconstruction of your City.�

Aragorn nodded and sipped his tea. It�s warmth soothed bones
still chilled from his ordeal at the wizard Alatar�s hands. �And I thank you.
You and your people have my undying gratitude for their dedication to this
restoration. I was simply considering our mode of transportation and your
possible aversion to such travel.�

�In other words,� Legolas chimed, staring down, as always,
at his diminutive friend. �We think you will fall ill to traveling by water and
think you should remain here so as to save us the trouble of listening to ten
days of complaint.�

Gimli launched himself to his feet to rebut his friend�s
statement and Aragorn hung his head in defeat. Aldamir rested a comforting hand
on his King�s shoulder and chuckled softly. �How do you stand it?�

�Quite easily,� Aragorn gained his feet and shook his head.
� I do not remain in their company for long.�

Aragorn, followed by an amused Aldamir simply walked out as
Legolas and Gimli continued the bickering that could be heard down the hallways
and beyond.

----------------------------------------

lasslass=MsoNormal>

�Farewell, my friend,� Aldamir gripped Aragorn�s hand and
pumped it hard. �Yill ill be missed.�

�Thank you.� Aragorn smiled as the last of the army boarded
the ship. �We will return, one day.�

Aldamir grinned. �Not too soon now. You are not allowed back
here until the City has been rebuilt � again.�

Aragorn laughed. �It may be even longer than that, I�m
afraid. Faramir sends word of growing danger along our borders with Harad.�

�Then Gondor�s King must lead the battle, whether it be with
words or with swords.� Aldamir pulled his cousin into a strong hug. �Take care of yourself, your Queen and your
babe. If you do not return here, then I will journey there to see this new
addition to our family, myself. We do, after all, have these perfectly capable
ships sitting in the harbor to carry us to your city.�

Araggringrinned. �Celeborn thought Elven High Ships would be
smoother and quicker. He was concerned about Arwen weathering the long journey
by sea in one of our �less perfectly crafted� sailing vessels.� The two men
chuckled and Aragorn nodded, �I will hold you to that, cousin.� Aragorn assured
as Arwen stepped beside the men and smiled at Aldamir.

�My Lady,� Aldamir bowed, a twinkle in his eye. �It has been
a pleasure.�

�Thank you,� Arwen smiled as he took her hand and pressed a
kiss to the pale flesh. �Chivalry is alive indeed. I should like to find a way
to return this to my husband�s mind.�

Aragorn scoffed and stepped away. Executing a deep bow over
her outstretched hand, he took the fingers Aldamir offered and tucked them into
his arm. �You see it nightly, wife.�

�Be safe,� Aldamir raised his hand as Aragorn and Arwen, arm
in arm, walked across the plank and onto the ship.

They turned to face the crowd that had assembled to see
their King and Queen off. Raising their hands, they smiled, grateful that the
people of Annuminas revered their rulers so deeply as to travel to Pelargir to
see them safely put to Sea.

The elves stood to one side, their minds elsewhere, as the ship
set sail. Now, more than ever did their hearts call out for their homeland and
the look in their eyes was not lost on Aragorn, who understood their yearning
all too well.

His arm tightened protectively around Arwen�s waist, but his
own despair at having seen what
awaited the elves across the Sea, made his heart sink into the pit of his
stomach. He could see the mask that Arwen had erected across her emotions,
could see that she longed to see her home, the land of her people, to be
reunited with her long-departed mother once again.

He was unable to reflect much longer on such thoughts as the
Chamberlain glided up to the couple, smiling widely. �Your chambers have been
set. Is there anything that you require?�

�Nothing, thank you.� Arwen smiled politely and squeezed her
husband�s hand to stop a sharp retort from his lips.

�Just some peace to enjoy the beauty of the Sea,� Aragorn
added and Arwen shook her head at Aragorn�s lie.

�If you have need of me, I will be at your side.�

�Thank you,� Aragorn turned from the railing and escorted
Arwen to the uppermost deck, where they could see for miles across the clear
blue water.

Cirdan and Celeborn smiled at the couple and returned to
their reminiscing. They�d had no time since being thrust into a battle to save
the lives of the King and Queen to speak of days gone by.

Legolas went back to his bantering with Gimli and the
Chamberlain skulked in the corner, never far away from earshot of the King.

�It feels so fresh and free,� Arwen sighed, settling into
the seat, and Aragorn�s arms, gazing out over the crystal blue sea.

Aragorn sighed heavily and closed his eyes. Is sos something
he lothed to mention but until he did, the question would gnaw and tug at his
mind and heart until he spoke. �Are you certain of your decision?�

p>

Arwen blinked back her shock and pulled herself out of his
arms. �Did I hear what I think I just heard?�
�You did.�
p;
�Aragorn Elessar Telcontar,� Arwen�s eyes flashed, �Do you
think for one moment that the call of
the Sea would be stronger than my love for you?�

�I�ve seen what you�ve given up for me.�

�I would give it up again for our love, Estel,� Arwen�s
voice softened and he could see her love shining brightly in her eyes.

�Is there enough love in this world to resist an Elf�s call
to the Sea,� Aragorn spoke before he could stop himself and Arwen turned to
stare at her husband.

�I may carry the look of an Elf, Estel, but I am no longer
immortal. I will fade when the time comes.�

The pain and sadness in Aragorn�s eyes was evident as he
gazed at his wife, in the prime of her life and beauty. �It is something I do
not wish to see.�

Silence fell between the couple as they thought of the far
off time when they would part from the world � a Man succumbing to his Doom and
his elven wife succumbing to her grief at his parting.

�It is the choice I�ve made for you. For our love.� Arwen
cupped a whiskered cheek in her palm and stared into eyes that held a sadness
so deep it sent shivers down her spine. Love, more powerful than the forging of
the great rings, had sealed their fate when they�d met under the grove of trees
of his childhood home.

�My Tinuviel,� Aragorn whispered before dipping his head to
take her lips in a gentle kiss.

Arwen smiled against his lips and leaned against his chest,
her hands sliding into his hair to pull him deeper into their kiss. When his
lips slid to the soft skin of her neck, she trembled and whispered, �My Beren.�

Chapter 2

�Day 5�

Arwen rolled over and crossed her arms as another heavy
sneeze shook the bed. She�d not gotten a peaceful nights sleep in days since
Aragorn had caught this cold. He was up all night, sneezing and shivering,
unable, it appeared, to stay warm. All she wanted was some peace and quiet and
to be left alone. She sneered at his back and rolled out of bed. They�d been on
the ship for five days and her highly praised non-existent elven temper had
finally reared its ugly head. She pulled on a heavy robe, tied it around her
waist, and left the room, slamming the door so as to be sure to condemn Aragorn
to the wakefulness that he had thrust upon her sleep.

The Chamberlain appeared behind her with a tray and she eyed
him warily. �I cannot help but hear the King is not sleeping well. I thought to
bring him some warm tea that might - �

Arwen lifted the tea from the tray and walked in the
opposite direction. �Thank you. It will warm me quite well.�

The Chamberlain blinked and turned wordlessly back toward
the way he�d come. �This is going to be a
very long voyage,� He thought wordlessly and made his way back to the
kitchen to fetch some more tea.

As the door swung open, the Chamberlain was startled to see
a very hairy dwarf delving through shelves, making more noise than the King�s
Chamberlain thought appropriate for this hour of the night.

The ship rocked sharply to the side, causing the man to grip
the doorframe for support. He winced as whatever Gimli had been searching
through toppled to the floor with a loud crash. The Chamberlain sighed and
closed his eyes. It was then that he
heard the pitiful moan coming from the vicinity of his feet. Gimli had fallen
over when the ship lurched suddenly and was now quite firmly hanging on to
whatever he could find that would not move.

The Chamberlain bit back an amused smile and stepped beside
the Dwarf. �Are you in need of assistance?�

�No!� Gimli pushed himself to his feet with a grunt, and
what sounded like a groan. �I was simply searching for- �

Again the ship rocked sharply as another wave struck the
elven craft. Gimli groaned in response, clutching at anything to remain on his
feet.

�You do not look well.� The Chamberlain observed. �Perhaps
you should lie down and take some rest.�

�If I could rest with all of this incessant rocking, that is
exactly where I would be!� Gimli snorted and walked, weaving on his feet all
the way, to the door. Without a look back, he stepped into the darkness and
stalked back to his room.

The Chamberlain shook his head and went about his task of
replacing the tea Arwen had liberated from his tray.

On his way back to Aragorn�s cabin, the Chamberlain
overheard a quiet bickering coming from a dark corner. Venturing closer, he
noticed Legolas had appeared to escort the sick Gimli back to his own cabin.

�I am capable returning to my cabin on my own, elf!� The
dwarf spat as he swayed to the motion of the ship.

�On your hands and knees perhaps,� Even in the dark, the
Chamberlain could see the amused look in the elf�s eyes. �I only seek to lessen
the burden you will put on the deckhands when you spew your dinner all over
these nicely polished floors.�

Gimli growled, carefully balancing on all fours as the ship
rocked with the waves.

�I think Gimli is not the only one who will be doing such
things,� Arwen appeared, holding a supporting beam to keep from falling over.

Legolas gained his feet immediately and wrapped a strong arm
around her waist. �My Lady?�

�Just lower me to the floor for a moment,� Arwen swooned,
her eyes crossing with each lurch of the ship. �I need to rest before returning
to-� A slim hand came up to cover her mouth as the contents of her dinner
threatened to return with a vengeance.

�I will assist you to your rooms, when you are ready.�

�Lady, are you ill? May I assist-� The Chamberlain hurried
over to his Queen.

Arwen motioned him away as Gimli, too, stood and offered
what help he d. �d. �No, please. I just need to rest and then will accept
Legolas� assistance back to my cabin.�

�Shall I wake Lord Elessar?�

�No.� Arwen snapped. �He is ill.�

�As are you,� Legolas whispered in their native tongue.

�Do not pull him out of bed for this. I should not have been
up walking around in the middle of the night. The sickness comes at night. It
is my fault for setting foot out of bed.�

�He would want to know, Lady, that-�

�Stop!� Arwen interrupted the Chamberlain, her voice echoing
down the empty hall. �Please, go back to your own cabin and go to sleep. I will
be fine.� Another wave of nausea overwhelmed the pregnant queen and she doubled
over, again nearly loosing her dinner.

Legolas kept firm hold on Arwen and noticed as she tried to
hold back the painful moans threatening to slip through her lips. �Come, let us
sit.� He lowered her to the deck and she leaned against him heavily.

�Shall I make you some tea?� The Chamberlain, concerned over
his Queen�s well-being, knelt beside the two elves.

�No, thank you.� Arwen whispered, her voice hoarse. � I do
believe I should not have liberated the tea you�d made for my husband.�

�It was mixed with herbs designed to lower his fever and
lessen his cough.� The Chamberlain nodded.

�An affliction I do not have.� Arwen moaned, her head
lolling against Legolas� shoulder. �It is no wonder that I am ing ing worse.�

Celeborn came around the corner then, his keen elven eyes
seeing in the near pitch black, a sight that worried him. He rushed to Arwen�s
side and pulled her against his chest.

Arwen gazed up at him with sad eyes. �Oh, my child.�
Celeborn wiped her damp forehead with the palm of his hand. �You should not be
out of bed. Especially this evening. The winds are much more tumultuous than is
normal for this time of year.�

Arwen didn�t have the strength to explain and simply leaned against his chest,
her pitiful sobs and deep breaths to control the churning of her stomach,
ing ing his heart to fill with pity.

--------------------------------

When dawn broke, the sea was quiet once again. wav waves
lazily sloshed against the sides of the ships, their sound soothing to the
elven ears that watched the Sea with longing in their eyes.

Aragorn groaned as he rolled over, his fever had broken in
the night and he was exhausted. Arwen lay sleeping as far from him as her body
could be without beingled led out of the bed. She was pale and equally
exhausted, happy finally to have reached her bed and a deep, meditative sleep.

Until an argument above deck pulled them roughly out of the
first unrruprrupted sleep they�d had in days.

Aragorn groaned and pulled himself out of bed, much to
Arwen�s delight. She spread across the cushions, stretching like a cat who had
been sleeping in cramped quarters for far too long. Aragorn watched her
contented face contort at the harsh voices above.

�Stay and sleep,� Aragorn leaned over her shoulder and
pressed a warm kiss to her neck. �I�ll wander up there and see what has Gimli
so upset.�<
<

�Bring me some tea,� Arwen mumbled before nuzzling into the
coverlet and going back to sleep.

Aragorn smiled slowly as he watched his wife burrow deeper
the the covers, then winced at the voices coming from above. Human ears could
not ignore the sounds, he was unable to understand how his wife�s more
sensitive elven ears could.

----------------------

Imrahil was the first to see his King emerging from the
cabins beneath the deck. He rushed over to Aragorn, an exasperated but
concerned look etched into his face.

�How do you feel?�

�Better,� Aragorn smiled slightly and placed a strong,
reassuring hand on the Lord of Dol Amroth�s shoulder. With a slight nod of his
head in the direction of the bickering twins, Aragorn added, �with the
exception of their arguments waking Arwen.�

Imrahil paled. Arwen�s irritability had grown in a few short
days, undoubtedly because of her pregnancy. He�d already overheard a very one
sided argument she�d had with her husband. Wisely, Aragorn remained silent for
most of the exchange, earning him points with the already experienced father
and husbandh, Ih, I can imagine that was not a sight to see.�

Aragorn flashed a wide smile. �I�m up here now, am I not?�

Imrahil laughed. �Kicked you out, did she?�

�Not in so many words. But, lets just say I chos lea leave
before she decided enter into another one-sided diatribe about me being the
cause of her sickness.� Aragorn�s voice dropped so that no one could overhear.
�This babe was definitely not a one-sided creation.�

Imrahil laughed at Aragorn�s long-suffering look. �It only
gets worse, my friend.� He dropped a heavy hand on Aragorn�s shoulder as the
King�s eyes widened in fear.

�Eru protect us.�

�Not �us� Aragorn, �you�.� Imrahil winked and turned his
attention to the arguing elf and Dwarf .

Imrahil chuckled softly to himself as Aragorn stalked toward
the two arguing companions and bellowed. �Just �what� has possessed you to argue so loud and long this early in the
morning?!�

Immediate silence followed, as men and
elves alike turned at the sound to stare at the King.

After the shock of the King�s tone wore off, Gimli was the
first to fly to his own defense. �The Elf
thought it necessary to continue to berate me about the goings on�s of last
evening. I have had quite enough of his incessant teasing and yet he
continues.�

Aragorn turned silently to wait for Legolas� explanation,
knowing full well that there would be one.

�I have done or said nothing that the Dwarf can contradict.�

�I do not need be reminded!� Gimli spat, straining to meet
the elf eye to eye without a prayer of ever being able to do so.

Aragorn sighed loudly. �Reminded of what?�

Gimli shot Legolas a threatening glare if the elf were to
open his lips and speak of what he witnessed during the twilight hours.

�Gimli has been ill. I merely assisted him last evening.�

Aragorn rolled his eyes. �And you find such an issue with
Legolas� assistance?�

Before Gimli could open his mouth, Aragorn continued.
�Perhaps you would like to share a chamber with my wife for the duration of the
journey. Her demeanor is much the same as yours.�

Imrahil shoved a hand into his mouth to keep from laughing
aloud, Elladan and Elrohir dropped their heads, large smiles spreading across
their features, and Cirdan and Celeborn exchanged an understanding look.

�That will not be necessary,� Gimli gruffed, clearly
terrified at the prospect of being forced into such a position.

�Then try to keep your banter, lighthearted or no, to a
minimum for the duration of the journey? Please?� The pleading look in
Aragorn�s eyes elicited an amused look from Legolas and a pitiful one from
Gimli. �For my sanity?�

�For you, my friend,� Legolas nodded, �I will leave Gimli be
for the rest of the voyage.�

�Perhaps we should live at Sea,� Gimli huffed under his
breath. �Then I would be forevearedared.�

Aragorn�s head snapped toward the diminutive Dwarf, his eyes
narrowing.

Gimli muttered to himself as he walked away, ignoring the
angry look on Aragorn�s face.

Chapter 3

As Arwen lay down for the evening, she cast a questioning
look at her husband�s back. She knew
he'd finished his conversations with Imrahil and she'd heard them say their
farewells before the Lord of Dol Amroth returned to resume command of the other
elven ship.

Finished drying his wet face with a cloth, he turned to face
her, feeling her eyes burning into his skin.

�I�m sorry for my behavior these last few days, Estel.�

He tilted his head and smiled softly. In a few steps he was
sitting beside her, his hand cupping her cheek. �You have nothing to apologize
for.�

She closed her eyes, feeling the shame of her behavior wash
over her like an ocean wave. The changes in her body had become more drastic
and seemingly unbearable since they�d left Annuminas and she knew she was wrong
to take out her frustration on her husband and King.

When he bent over her and pressed his lips to hers, relief
flooded through her frame and she returned his kiss. It had been so long since
they�d enjoyed the pleasure of one another�s touch. Her enthusiasm grew when he
gathered her into his arms to continue the caress. Her hands slid into his hair
and he pulled her body against his. As
his lips danced across her own, she trembled. His lips traced a searing line of
fire wherever they touched and she whimpered his name. Strong, yet gentle,
hands slid across her abdomen to lovingly cradle the babe growing within. Her
hands covered his as their eyes met, locking as they together sat hand in hand
with their babe beneath their touch.

The rain began to patter against the surface of the ship,
creating a musical rhythm to which they kissed. �Estel�.� Arwen whispered,
drawing his eyes to her flushed face. Her fingers toyed with the hair falling
along the sides of his face and she smiled, an inviting smthatthat aroused him
beyond any control he attempted to exercise.

He pressed a finger to her lips and nodded, his eyes
speaking volumes without him having to utter a word. When he slid down in the
bed to cover her body with his own, she whimpered from the delicious heat of
his skin. Slim fingers quickly began to shove away the fabric covering his lean
form, baring the beautifully tanned skin to her hungry gaze.

He tugged at the ties keeping her robe closed, his mouth
finally descending to capture her lips in a fiery kiss that sent a whirl of
pure desire down her spine. As his hands flattened against her bare skin, the
ship lurched so sharply they were nearly thrown from the bed.

Aragorn grunted and reached out a hand to steady himself and
his wife.

�Elbereth, what was that?� Arwen stared wide-eyed at her
husband and became instantly worried at the look of uncertainty mirrored in his
eyes.

�Must have been a strong wave,� Aragorn answered, dipping to
nuzzle her neck once again. �Before the sun set, it looked as if there was a
storm approaching.�

Arwen groaned, as much from the fire he was awakening in her
body, as the prospect of becoming even more ill due to heavy Seas. She arched
her neck, pushing away all thoughts of sickness, and let the desire wash over
her like the most powerful wave the sea could toss at them.

The ship shook once again, and this time, they could hear
commotion on the upper decks, shouting and�..a ear-splitting cry that sent
shivers down the spines of the royal couple.

Aragorn leapt to his feet and reached for a sheathed Anduril
as Arwen re-tied the fastenings of her robe and reached for Aragorn�s elven
knife.

�Stay here!� Aragorn turned, his hair in disarray, his tunic
open to the waist.

He threw open the door just as two elven warriors arrived. �Guard
her with your lives!� He cried and rushed down the corridor.

Screams continued to echo down the step-case as he raced to
the upper decks. The door had been thrown open and water had sloshed onto the
neatly polished wood, slicking the floor. Aragorn stood in the doorway, Anduril
clenched tightly in his grasp, staring in disbelief at the torrent of bodies
and blood strewn upon the deck. The rain thinned and washed away the blood,
leaving a red tinge to the nicely polished wood.

�Aragorn!� Legolas cried, seeing his friend staring in shock
at the disaster strewn about the deck. �Move!�

Before Aragorn could react, a large, scaly something sailed toward him, and
connected, sending the High King of the West into the bulkhead with a sickening
thud.

The last thing Aragorn saw before darkness closed around his
mind was Celeborn and Cirdan rushing toward him, their clothes covered in blood
and their eyes full of a fear that sent a surge of terror down Aragorn�s veins.

Chapter 4

�Wake!� Celeborn slapped Aragorn�s face. When that didn�t
work, he gripped the man�s open tunic in both hands and shook the King. �Aragorn! You must wake!�

Cirdan gripped Anduril tightly as Celeborn dragged the
unconscious Aragorn away from the edge of the ship and away from the creature. A trail of blood flowed down the side of
Aragorn�s head, where he�d impacted with the wall, as Celeborn frantically
tried to wake the unconscious man.

Aragorn groaned and shook his head, the rain pelting his
face and washing away the blood faster than the droplets could fall from his
skin. The man groaned as consciousness slowly returned and he blinked slowly,
struggling to focus. He coughed from the force of the blow, desperately pushing
air back into his lungs.

Cirdan held Anduril at the ready, watching carefully for
another attack, staring with utter horror as men were flung like dolls off the
deck and into the ra sea sea.

The Shipwright's attention was drawn to Aragorn as he
coughed, blood trickling from the corner of the King's mouth. Aragorn�s eyes
rolled into the back of his head and his arm came across his chest as if to
still an unseen pain.

Celeborn grimaced and reached for man man�s bared chest,
healing hands seeking the source of his grandson�s pain. Rain continued to pelt
them as Aragorn drew several shaky breaths, still attempting to force air that
had been roughly stolen, back into his lungs.

Aragorn coughed again, bringing up more blood and Celeborn
winced. He rubbed the trickle of water away from his face with an annoyed grunt.

�Something has been punctured,� Celeborn pulled Aragorn into
his arms, the man�s head lolling into the elf�s chest as he continued to
struggle for air.

�What � is it,� Aragorn breathed, ever concerned with the
safety of his people even before his own. He had to know what was behind this
attack. What was killing his people. What had so caught him unawares that he
now lay in a painful heap in Celeborn�s arms.

�A foul thing thought long ago banished into the deep,�
Celeborn answered, his eyes glazing with hatred for this creature who sought to
destroy them.

Intense crystal eyes turned to stare at the elf, struggling
to comprehend through the haze of pain shooting through his chest. His
breathing was returning to normal but little bursts of light continued to
explode before his eyes from the pain.

�An arctic Titan.� Celeborn answered, and nodded to Cirdan,
who held Aragorn upright as Celeborn tore at his own robes. The former Lord of
Lothlorien wrapped several long strips of material around Aragorn�s waist in an
attempt to stabilize whatever internal injuries the man might have sustained.

Aragorn muttered a not so quiet curse and the two elves
exchanged a knowing and understanding look.

cla class=MsoNormal>"I'm aware this hurts," Celeborn said as Aragorn
grunted in agreement. "But it must be done. We don't have time to
ascertain your injuries."

Aragorn nodded, the dizziness fading with each passing
minute. His breathing became more stable and his strength returned, in the form
of hideous hate for the creature that had done this. He could stand on his own
- if the elves would only permit it.

�We need to get you off this ship,� Celeborn wrapped his
arms around the injured man. �Can you stand?�

�Yes,� Aragorn grunted.

�I�ve lost sight of the other ship,� Cirdan noted, frowning
as the sea tossed its worst at them.

�That�s not good,� Celeborn supported much of Aragorn�s
weight as the injured man steadied himself on his feet. �The titan has reached
it?�

As if hearing its name, the beast tore another chunk out of
the ship, causing water to begin to flood the upper deck.

�Arwen!� Aragorn cried as he watched the torrent of water
rush right for the lower decks.

�Go!� Aragorn pushed
Celeborn ahead of him and leaned heavily against the wall. The sudden movement,
in his panic, had been a bad idea as he fought another wave of nausea. �Get to
her, please!�

Gimli and Legolas rounded the er aer and flanked the King.
�He will be safe with us, go fetch the Queen!�

Before Cirdan turned to follow Celeborn, Aragorn ripped his
blade out of the elf�s hand. At the questioning look in the elf�s eyes, Aragorn
only answered, �Go!� The two elves rushed down the steps and into the rising
water below decks.

Gimli clutched his axe as the boat lurched and surged
beneath him. �No time to get sick,� He muttered to himself, causing a look of
concern on the faces of his friends.

�We�ll have you on land soon, my friend,� Aragorn breathed
as he clutched at the ribs he knew were broken. He coughed once more and
Legolas turned to his friend, searching with keen elven eyes. If the blood at
his lips was any indication, Aragorn was more injured than he let on.

�We need to get you off this ship, Aragorn.� Gimli gruffed
and cast an annoyed look in the direction the Titan was last seen.

�And to safety,� Legolas added. "You are injured and
need assistance." He kept his bow at his side, arrow nocked and ready to
fire at a moment�s notice.

"I will be fine." Aragorn gritted, clutching his
blade tightly to his chest.

Legolas favored his friend with a disapproving look but was
distracted by a scream and the sight of a body flying over the rail and into
the raging Sea. Legolas peered around
the corner the tip of his arrow leading the way. �We must distract the creature
to give the others enough time to get up here from below deck.�

Legolas turned to Aragorn. �Stay here and wait for them
while Gimli and I distract the Titan.�

�No.� Aragorn stared, aghast that Legolas would even suggest
he stay behind. �I will assist you-�

�You need to protect your wife and that babe she carries,�
Legolas was nearly knocked off his feet by a tidal wave that crashed into and
over the sides of the ship. The water knocked Gimli onto the deck and Aragorn
into the wall. The King grunted in pain and clutched his side as Gimli quickly
gained his feet, his boots slipping on the well-polished wood while Legolas
muttered a fluid curse that would have made elves and men alike cringe in
disgust.

Aragorn could find no words to argue as his friends left him
leaning against the wall and made their way around the corner and toward the
Titan. He could see Legolas drawing his bow and the ear-piercing howl that
followed indicated the arrow had struck its mark.

Another lurch of the boat knocked Aragorn off his feet and
he groaned loudly as he struck the deck. He coughed again and this time more
blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
He wiped it away in disgust, determined to ignore his own injury for as
long as those who served him were in danger.

A few moments later, Celeborn and Cirdan appeared with Arwen
sandwiched protectively between them. Aragorn motioned for them to join him and
Arwen's eyes widened when she noticed her husband�s bedraggled form. The two
elves pushed Arwen toward Aragorn and they moved away just in time to see a
large scaly arm smash into the wall, caving in the hallway they had just come
from and effectively trapping anyone still left below the deck.

Celeborn and Cirdan were thrown to the floor with the force
of the blow, and Arwen with them, as debris from the ship scattered nd
nd
their motionless bodies.

Chapter 5

Aragorn screamed, drawing the attention of the Titan away
from the three forms lying far too close to it for Aragorn�s comfort. He raised
his blade and shouted as the rain fell in huge, cold droplets around him. Large
waves smashed against the side of the ship, nearly knocking him off his feet.

Legolas and Gimli heard their friend�s frantic call and
raced around the nearly crumbled upper deck, weapons at the ready.

The titan disappeared into the water and the three men stood
motionless as the rain pelted them from all side.

Aragorn launched himself toward the three motionless figures
lying sprawled atop the deck and just as he reached them, the two elves
shrugged off the debris and pulled Arwen up between them.

Aragorn reached Arwen just as the loud creaking of the
snapping hull tossed a few screaming men over the rail. His clothes were soaked
and blood still trailed a thin line down the side of his head. Arwen�s eyes
were wide with fear as her husband encircled his arms protectively around her.
As she returned his embrace, the elves could hear him hiss in pain between
clenched teeth.

�You�re injured!� Arwen reached up to brush the blood away
from his mouth and head.

Before Aragorn could answer, Cirdan called, �The ship is
breaking! We must jump or risk going down with it!�

�That creature!� Arwen asked, eyes wide. �Will it not see
us?�

The ship lurched sharply, throwing the men and their Queen
into the wall. Aragorn wrapped his arms around his wife before they struck the
wood, Aragorn taking the brunt of the impact so as to protect his Queen.

The creature emerged from another side of the ship, taking a
few soldiers by surprise. They screamed as one by one they were either knocked
overboard into the raging water or crushed between the titan�s irrip.rip.

�It is a chance we will have to take,� Celeborn watched as
the creature killed every man it found, some in the most painful ways. �We must
remain under water for as long as possible. With luck, we�ll find pieces of the
ship that will support our weight.�

�Go!� Aragorn raised Anduril, an angry gleam in
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Rating: PG-13

�Return�

Prologue

Chapter 1

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Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5