The Lost

The Lost

Chapter 12
Author: Frosty the Dairy Cow
Rated: NC-17
Codes: Elrond, Legolas, Aragorn, Haldir, Galadriel, OC, AU, N/C
Summary: After the defeat of Sauron, Elves and Men go to war. The reason, though, is not so clear. Contains real plot.
Notes: Elvish translations are at the end of each chapter.
Disclaimer: LOTR is not mine. Bleh.


*

Their small group had rode all night and most of the next day. They finally stopped for rest when one of the men fell asleep and slid off his horse.

Dark agaiagain settling on them. Anólindë found it comforting, having the night surround her. She felt hidden. After feeding her horse, she settled against an outcrop of rocks not far from where the men had built a fire. She was not cold, nor did she feel like company. Closing her eyes, she leaned her head back and breathed in the cool air.

She heard the footsteps approach before the voice sounded. "Are you hungry?" asked the familiar voice. Anólindë opened her eyes slightly and looked up at the elf, his blonde hair shining in the blue light of the sky. "I have food."

Settling himself beside her, Legolas handed over a small piece of Lembas bread. Sighing, Anólindë took the food and thanked him. "I suppose this will be one of the few last days we will have elvish food," she said, eyeing him, "We will have to get used to that rich human stuff Gondor serves."

Legolas laughed as she took a bite and chewed slowly. "I am sure they would be happy to accomodate us," he said sarcastically, glaring at the sleeping men around the fire.

Anólindë followed his gaze and noticed that Aragorn was not with his soldiers. Taking another bite, she looked at the elf beside her and asked, "How are you holding up?"

"As well as can be expected. We are not dead yet." Legolas' blue eyes glanced at hers. "That is good news, is it not?"

Anólindë smirked. "It is good, but I would not consider it 'news'." She took a deep breath and swallowed the dry food. "Do you trust them, Legolas? Do you think we did the right thing?"

His gaze moved to the group of elves sitting away from the men, but not far from the fire. "I don't know if I trust them, but we did the right thing. We had no other option."

Finishing the last of the bread, Anólindë licked her lips and wiped her hands on her pants. "I am too troubled to remain still," she sighed, pushing herself to a standing position, "I need to walk. Did you want to join me?"

Legolas stood and frowned, watching the sleeping elves. Even Haldir was unconsious. "I would feel better keeping watch," he replied, "Do not wander too far."

Nodding, Anólindë took her leave of him. She walked out into the darkness, deciding to venture into the forest instead of the open plain. The woods, though different from Lothlorien, calmed her nerves. Tree branches swayed with the gentle wind and sang songs to her keen ears. If nothing else, the forest would always keep her memory alive and happy.

The smell of jasmine filled the air. At times like these, she could believe all was well with the world. She could remember when there was nothing but peace on Arda, when all races were keen to live in harmony, when hatred did not threaten the realms of her kind. She could remember when Valinor was a definite end to a long-lived life, not an unreachable haven for those who were too tired to live any longer.

Shaking her head, she tried to rid her mind of her thoughts. Leaning against a tree, Anólindë closed her eyes and listened to the forest. Worry would solve nothing.

"You should not be so far away from camp, Lady Elf."

Anólindë's eyes shot open as her entire body tensed. She glared wide-eyed at the human, surprised and annoyed that she did not hear the man's approach. "How long have you been there?" she asked as he picked a few berries off a large bush and popped them into his mouth.

Aragorn smiled softly as he stopped and leaned against a tree beside Anólindë. "Not long. Don't worry. I was not following you."

She felt angry and scared. If the King was indeed untrustworthy, this was not the best situation to be in. Crossing her arms, she tried to block out flashback memories of Elrond hurting her. "What do you want?"

He narrowed his eyes and cocked his head as he regarded her. "I do not want anything," he said. Anólindë felt herself blush at her assumptions, and Aragorn suddenly understood. "You think I want to hurt you."

"I honestly don't know what to think," she replied, taking a step back. He was not approaching, but she still was uncomfortable.

"I am not my father." Anólindë's eyes shot up, her entire body going cold. "I can see what Elrond has done. I told you I had fear for you."

She frowned, accepting that Aragorn most likely did suspect Elrond's assault. It was not like he did not know the Lord of Rivendell well. "Why would you fear for me?" she asked, "Are all elves not your enemy?"

"That does not mean I enjoy seeing the innocent taken advantage of. Besides, my Lady, are we not trying for peace?" Anólindë nodded. "You are not as willing to risk your faith as Legolas is. Why is that?"

She thought, frowning. "I suppose it is because Legolas once considered you a friend. He knows you are capable of being trusted. I do not know men. I do not know you." She paused and sighed heavily. "Or perhaps Legolas feels he no longer has anything to live for."

"What do you have to live for?"

A simple question, but one that saddened her deeply as she considered it. After a long hesitation, she laughed softly and shook her head. "Nothing as well, I suppose."

Aragorn stood up from his leaning position and approached Anólindë carefully. She looked up, but stood her ground. "I think you both have something to live for, just as I do."

"What is that?" she asked quietly. She exhaled a held breath when he halted his approach.

"I eden heriana."

Anólindë blinked softly as Aragorn smiled and walked away. He stopped at the bush he was first at, and picked a few more berries from the branches. "What will the rest of Gondor think of us when we arrive there?" she asked, hoping for a change in topic.

His blue eyes sparkled as he regarded her. "I don't know. The will obey me when I tell them to leave you be, but as for their personal feelings, I suspect they will be quite unhappy to have elves in their city."

Pursing her lips, Anólindë kicked at the dirt with her boot. "We need more elves. Lorien's armies know not what has happened. I fear Elrond will darken the world before we can act."

"His only reason for existing is to destroy me. Since I am no longer in his realm, he will most likely come to find me." Aragorn looked up at the starry sky. "The other elves are of no concern to him."

Anólindë held her arms tight around her, warding off a sudden chill. "Vilya will continue to keep a hold over him. One way or another, every elf will be affected by what Elrond does. Even if all he does is come for you."

Aragorn watched her closely as she rubbed her arms, igniting a heat. Averting her eyes from him, Anólindë concentrated on the dirt beneath her feet. "You loved him, didn't you?" When she looked up, he continued, "I can see it in your eyes."

Anólindë didn't deny it. "I love him. He saved me many times over, and I saved him." She took a deep, sad breath and shook her head. "This reality feels like a nightmare."

"It may not mean much coming from me, but try to take to heart that he did love you, no matter what injury he may have caused. The power of Sauron and the rings, they can influence even the strongest of men and elves."

Nodding softly, Anólindë lifted her eyes to the King's. "It is too late now. He cannot be forgiven."

Aragorn took a step forward, but stopped abruptly when a twig snapped some distance from them. Immediately Anólindë stilled and listened close, dreading what could be out there.

She turned her head when a warm hand settled firmly on her shoulder. Looking up at Aragorn, she noticed his eyes narrow and followed his gaze. Quiet sounds could be heard in the distance. Anólindë couldn't tell if it was people speaking, or the whispering of the trees.

"Glam," breathed Aragorn, pulling back on her shoulder, "Aphadnin."

Anólindë's eyes widened as she looked back into the dark and dense forest. As quickly and quietly as possible, she followed Aragorn deeper in the woods, the sounds of footsteps becoming more evident behind them. They moved off to the west into brush that caught Anólindë's hair and clothes and scratched her skin.

Finally the King sed aed and turned back, narrowing his eyes towards where voices could now be heard. "Dad," he whispered, pressing his hands on her shoulders and pushing her towards the dirt floor. Anólindë winced when her hand accidentally crushed dried leaves, echoing noise into the quiet air.

Aragorn knelt down in front of her and continued to watch the forest. Anólindë breathed softly and deeply as the chill around her body disappeared. Not only were Orcs threatening them, Orcs she thought were no longer a part of Arda, but her former enemy was too close for comfort. His hands were tense on her shoulders as she tried to ignore this situation she was in. Closing her eyes, Anólindë licked her lips and concentrated on the songs of the woods.

It was no use, though. Aragorn's body came closer to hers as he lowered himself from sight of their enemy. Anólindë could now hear the orcs talking, speaking the dark tongue of Mordor. She couldn'dersderstand them.

She fidgeted slightly as her eyes opened and looked up at Aragorn's face. "Nadinen," he whispered, looking down at her with a shadowed expression. She must have looked worried, though, for his hands loosened on her shoulders as he leaned close to her face. "Gostau."

Anólindë swallowed heavily as they waited out the orcs. It took long minutes, but finally their speech could no longer be heard, and only the soft movement of bodies through bushes could be identified.

When Aragorn was convinced they were gone, he looked down and exhaled deeply. Anólindë could see relief in his eyes. "I thought all Orcs had been destroyed," she breathed.

Biting his lip and nodding, the King let go of her shoulders and sat back. "Most were. They tend to stick to the dark, content living off what they can instead of vying for power."

"We should warn the others," she said, moving to get up. A hand found her wrist, though, and pulled her back down to the ground.

"Wait," he said as she settled with wide eyes. She looked at the hand on her wrist and he let go quickly. "I didn't mean to startle you. I only believe we should wait here for a short while until we are sure they are gone. The camp is safe. It is west of here. The orcs go east."

Anólindë nodded, but still felt uneasy. She wanted to be back with the others. Still, though, Aragorn could be right. The last thing she wanted was to meet orcs face-to-face.

Her eyes darted through the forest that surrounded them, and her ears were tuned for any noise she found out of the ordinary. With all her senses on alert, she found it odd she didn't notice Aragorn watching her sooner. "What?" she asked, unnerved by his directness.

A small smile found his lips as he lowered his eyes. "Forgive me. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Why were you staring at me?" She found herself unable to drop it.

Pale blue eyes met hers as he looked her over. "You are an attractive woman."

Anólindë felt a chill run through her body. Staring at him, she unconsciously moved her legs tighter against her chest. "Excuse me?" was all she could find voice to say.

"Don't worry, I will not harm you arondrond did." As she flushed red and lowered her gaze, Aragorn's voice became softer. "I only meant my words as a compliment."

Tears threatened to fill her eyes, but she could und understand the reason. It was not fear, though she was nervous. It was not shame, though she was embarrassed. And it was certainly not because she was complimented, though she could not help the feeling of weakness that came over her at his words.

"Forgive me if I am silent," she said quietly, not meeting his eyes, "I barely have reason to trust you, and now you tell me of your attraction. I am not sure what to say, or even if I should still be in your company."

"Formality is not necessary," he replied, "There is no reason to act in any way. I expect nothing of you."

Her eyes glanced at his. Not being able to stand it any longer, she quickly stood and brushed off her pants. "I'm going back to camp," she stated as he sat on the ground, watching her. When he didn't reply, she turned and started towards the west.

Moments later, heavy footsteps could be heard behind her. Aragorn came up beside Anólindë, a smile on his face when she briefly looked up. "I would not feel right leaving you to the orcs," he said, smirking when she frowned.

Normally she would have told him she was capable of keeping herself safe, but Anólindë did not want to converse with him. Not now. There was too much to think about.

After nearly twenty long, quiet minutes, they came upon the camp of elves and men. Anólindë left and headed to the fire, gracing Aragorn with only a fleeting glance before leaving his company.

*

TBC

Elf-Talk:

I eden heriana. - A (the) new beginning (to begin).
Glam. Aphadnin. - Orcs. Follow me.
Dad. - Down.
Nadinen. Gostau. - Be silent. Fear not.