Fan Fiction ❯ An Angel's blade ❯ conversations ( Chapter 7 )

Aaliyah walked uncomfortably to her temporary bed. She was in no mood to break the stitches that had sewn her wound shut, thus making her recovery take longer. So she moved slowly and without hurry even though she knew Glenfindel and Esha would be there any minute. When Aaliyah finally made it to her bed she lowered herself into it with a heavy sigh. This was becoming taxing even to the level of patience of a saint. The few elves attitude toward her style only furthered her agitation. It seemed that the Elvin seamstress found her attire appalling. The seamstress was forced to negotiate with Aaliyah to wear quote (clothes befitting a lady). And of course, the poor elf was held at sword point throughout the entire proceedings.

One thing was certain Aaliyah was dangerous even more so when injured. Aragorn learned this lesson the hard way when he tried to take her katana when she threatened the seamstress. That particular stunt had left even Elrond gaping. The swift tongue of Gandalf resolved the situation soon after. " You must blend in with our society lady Angel," the wizard had said. Aaliyah understood this but she would not allow her possessions to be burned. So the seamstress made her new clothes and Aaliyah kept her old clothes hidden. Suddenly there was a small knock at her door "come in". And in came Legolas baring a plate of fruit. " What brings you here Legolas?" she asked as he set the plate on the nightstand. " Good food and good company" he replied. Aaliyah `s eyes narrowed fractionally.

" I can't say that I'm impressed with your lying capabilities", " You are bold lady Heleogdain". Aaliyah shrugged, " I am truthful". Legolas pulled up a stool and sat next to Aaliyah 's bed. " In truth I am curious" he admitted. " And so are the rest of your dear friends" Aaliyah retorted. Legolas stared into the icy depths of this she warrior's eyes. There was nothing there save a brief flickering of something he didn't recognize. Then the mirkwood prince surveyed the rest of her profile. The garb of the Rivendell elves suited her he decided. The yellow of her dress gave her skin a lighter look. The sleeves flared out at her elbows and reached to her fingertips. Light turquoise flower embroidery adorned the bust, waistline, skirt, and flare of the sleeves. Aaliyah `s hair was pulled into a massive braid that hung to her hips. It was so black that it shone blue in the filtered light of her room.

" Must you star so blatantly Legolas". Both of them nearly jumped out their skin. Aragorn son of Arathorn had just entered the room. Legolas turned to see his friend walk forward with a sleeping child in his arms. The ranger looked upon them with amusement and worry sparkling in his quicksilver eyes. Legolas turned to Aaliyah, " I cannot help but admire such a lovely creature". Then he quickly excused himself and left. Aragorn watched him leave with a small amount of annoyance. " May I inquire what possessed you to pay me a visit"? Aragorn laid the child in his arms next to Aaliyah. " Your daughter tired herself out today my lady and Glenfindel has unexpected business to attend to" he replied. Aaliyah bowed her head in acknowledgement. She looked at the sleeping child beside her. Esha was dressed in a similar outfit as hers. Though Esha' s dress was considerably shorter only reaching her knees and didn't have embroidery. Her hair fell in front of her eyes as she slept unaware of Aaliyah' s watchful eyes. The assassin sighed and shook her head before pulling her blanket over her lap and up to Esha' s chin. " Annadin is a lovely child" Aragorn commented. Aaliyah did her best not snort and give the ranger a dirty look. It was obvious he was just as curious as his friend.

" Yes she is" Aaliyah hardened her tone willing Aragorn not to question her. Many times was the exiled king of men was claimed to be foolish, but Aragorn knew by her tone of voice she could and would hurt him if continued to peruse this conversation. `But why' he thought `did she loose her husband and her grief was still too near'. She didn't seem the type to let pain get in her way. It was like Angel as she called herself was stone. And Aragorn son of Arathorn did not like mysterious strangers even if they were sent by the valar. " I know that it would be rude to ask but-", " Then don't ask, I am what you see nothing more nothing less". Aragorn looked down at the child that was supposedly the lady Heleogdain 's and wondered how this child could grow with such innocence in the presence of such a woman who was obviously a warrior. "I cannot curb my curiosity my lady or my concern for your child on this quest which you both are about to embark". " I can take care of myself and Esha, we may not appear to be much but as innocent as she may be Esha knows I will do what is necessary ". Aaliyah paused letting Aragorn assimilate what she had just said and the double meaning behind her words. Then she locked gazes with him, " I have known war as has she blood was the price of peace, this is no different". Aragorn watched Aaliyah 's face closely for any hint of emotion any sign of a storm beneath still waters. He found nothing but her unnerving blankness of face and bluntness of words.

Aragorn suddenly remembered what Esha told him while he and Glenfindel had played with the child. Flashback (Glenfindel and Aragorn pretended to look for a hidden Esha in the garden as they spoke quietly. "The lady Heleogdain is close to falling into shadow I believe it is only because of her daughter that she is surviving". Both elf and man heard the soft giggling of Esha as they continued to pretend they were looking for her. Aragorn nodded trusting the words of the March warden. " The question is why and is there some way to unfreeze that heart of hers?" Suddenly Esha leapt from the tree she was hiding in and landed in front of Aragorn, nearly giving the ranger a heart attack. " Please do not do that lady Annadin your mother would most certainly do us great harm should you hurt yourself" said Glenfindel. The child merely cocked her head to the side and smiled. ` It wasn't a mischievous smile' Aragorn noted ` just a content smile'. " Sorry" she said, " I'm just not used to having someone to play with". That got a concerned look from Glenfindel. " Did you have no friends child?" the March warden asked coming closer.

" Yes, but mother and I never really stayed anywhere for long Monolith valley was our current residence". The sad expression on the child's face broke Aragorn 's heart. The ranger didn't dare ask about her father for it was obvious that he was absent from her life. That was a question best kept for later. Flashback). Now Aragorn looked upon this frigid beauty in pity and annoyance. By all the implications behind the harshness of her manner this self-proclaimed warrior was a grieving wife, weary mother, loving woman, and a lost child. For by the looks of her, Angel was no more than twenty summers of age. What could she have gone through what hardships could have belied this personality? Aragorn didn't know but he was willing to find out and ease the suffering of these two females.