Fan Fiction ❯ Keeper of the Dunedain ❯ Death of Arathorn ( Chapter 4 )

 

As Harry followed Gilraen he constantly looked at their surroundings trying to find something familiar. His search however proved fruitless. As they approached the stream Gilraen gasped. Littered all over the ground were orc body parts. She covered Aragorn's eyes and turned to look at Malrendil. The boy didn't seem to be effected by the sight. He merely continued to walk passed the bodies looking at his surroundings as if for the first time. Then he came to an abrupt stop when he noticed she did not follow. He turned to Gilraen and offered her his hand and a sympathetic look. The wife of Arathorn stared at his offered hand. Could she trust a complete stranger who showed such coldness toward the manner these beings were killed even if they deserved it?

 

Could she trust this boy who was barely a man in the physical sense who had obviously killed those orcs in such a grotesque manner? Gilraen looked into the eyes of the boy who saved her and her child's life. Those green depths were filled with compassion and understanding but also the hard edge of a warrior. ` Malrendil had done what was necessary' she thought as she took hold of his outstretched hand. Aragorn tucked his head against his mother's neck trying not to puke at the sight of the slaughtered orcs.

 

And with the help of their new friend avoided stepping on the body parts as they walked across the stream. Gilraen once again took the lead once they reached the other side of the stream even as she kept her grip on Harry's hand. But Harry didn't mind she needed the support. The regal woman before him though wise was not much older than him by the looks of her.

 

Gilraen led the way occasionally looking over the head of a now sleeping Aragorn to Harry. She wandered where he came from. His cloak only partially hid his fine clothing. He had the bearings of a prince with his confident stride and warrior like grace. But he also wielded magic, Gilraen was sure of it. She had seen him use it right before the orcs attacked her. With his mostly black attire and strange speech Gilraen decided he most certainly could be a wizard.

 

` Malrendil the black', in a way the title suited him she thought. As they drew closer to the camp Gilraen let go of Harry's hand and pointed ahead of her. She watched as he eyes become narrow and he looks to his feathered companion. As if understanding the look Hedwig flew up ahead of them. Harry pushed Gilraen gently so that she was positioned directly behind him. Gilraen understood what he was doing. Malrendil was putting himself between her and possible danger. They had no clue where those orcs came from and had no idea how many there actually were.

 

Gilraen smiled nervously and gripped the back of Harry's cloak. They walked forward slowly and as quietly as they could manage. When they came into the clearing two bows and arrows and four swords met them. Out of instinct Harry's magic lashed out at the attackers sending them flying back in a bluish white light.

 

“ STOP!” Gilraen yelled as she took hold of Harry's arm.

 

Harry looked down at Gilraen and raised a finely arched brow.

 

“ Momma?” Aragorn woke up at the sound of mother's yell.

 

“ Shh, every thing is alright little one” Gilraen soothed.

 

With that Aragorn drifted back to sleep.

 

“ My lady, Valar be praised ye live” Gilraen's handmaiden Eliza ran up to her mistress wearily eyeing the stranger who attacked the men.

 

Gilraen let go of Harry's arm and met her friend half way.

 

“ Eliza take my son to my tent” she ordered.

 

Eliza took Aragorn from his mother's arms and did as she was told. Harry looked around the camp and finally noticed its disarray. Men were still being either buried or taken to what seemed to be healers. He gave Gilraen an apologetic smile. But the noble woman was busy checking up on their supposed attackers. Gilraen looked upon Vardamir, Inziladun, Arahad, and Telemnar she was no healer but she could tell that they were going to be all right. Then she looked upon the twin sons of Elrond Elladan and Elrohir. They too would survive their close encounter with Malrendil's magic.

 

“ Oh my aching head” said Elrohir.

 

“ My lord are you well,” asked Gilraen as she helped him stand.

 

The elf prince staggered to his feat and nearly fell over taking the well-meaning Gilraen with him. But Harry who grabbed his other arm and helped stop their descent helped steady Elrohir.

 

“ Who is this wizard whose magic has befallen my poor brother and I” asked Elrohir.

 

“ My lord this is master Malrendil the black but he does not speak in any language I recognize,” replied Gilraen.

 

Elladan let out a groan, “ What hit us”.

 

“ Wizards magic” said his twin.

 

Harry looked back and forth between the pair and wanted to laugh. They were identical twins just like his friends Fred and George Weasley. ` Just hope they're not as much trouble' he thought with a sigh. Elladan stood up by himself after a few moments, as did Elrohir. Both twins stared at Harry for a while before turning to Gilraen. They're heads were bowed and their eyes downcast in sadness. Gilraen's heart clenched already knowing what tidings the twins was about to deliver.

 

“ Lady Gilraen your husband is dead,” said Elladan.

 

Tears began to spill down Gilraen's sun kissed face and her fist clenched at her sides.

 

“ When” she asked simply. “ Just when you left to look for Aragorn orcs attacked the camp,” answered Elrohir.

 

Gilraen collapsed only to be caught by Malrendil. She didn't care all she wanted to do now was cry. And so she did and the young wizard held her as she let her floodgates open. Harry kissed the top of Gilraen's head. He recognized her pain filled reaction as her receiving news of a lost loved one and so he sought to comfort her. Softly Harry began to sing a haunting melody uncaring of the eyes that watched him.

 

Please, please forgive me

But I won't be home again

Maybe one day you'll look out

And barely conscious you'll say to no one

Isn't something missing

 

Elladan was surprised to hear the stranger who came back with Gilraen sing to her. He obviously understood something awful had transpired even if he couldn't understand their words. He sought to comfort the woman with a haunting tone that seemed to lull her to sleep.

 

You won't cry for my absence I know

You forgot me long ago

Am I that unimportant?

Am I so insignificant?

Isn't something missing

Isn't someone missing me?

 

Elrohir stared at the one Gilraen called Malrendil. His voice wasn't as beautiful as the elves but the feelings behind his verses surpassed the greatest of elven bards. He could practically feel this wizard's sorrow and hope as he sang.

 

Even though I'm the sacrifice

You won't try for me not now

Though I'd die to know your loving me

I'm all alone

Isn't someone missing me

 

Harry sang with all his heart knowing though that Gilraen didn't understand his words she would still be comforted by them.

 

Please, please forgive me

But I won't be home again

I know what you did to yourself

I breathe deep

And cry again

 

Isn't something missing

Isn't someone missing me?

Even though I'm the sacrifice

You won't try for me not now

Though I'd die to know your loving me

I'm all alone

 

And if I bleed I'll leave

Knowing you don't care

And if I should leave

Just to dream of you

Knowing I'll wake without you there

Isn't something missing, isn't something

Even though I'm the sacrifice

 

You won't try for me not now

Though I'd die to know your loving me

I'm all alone

Isn't someone missing me

- Something missing by Evanescence

 

When Harry stopped singing Elladan tugged at his sleeve. Harry looked at the elf as he and his twin walked away before following after them. Gilraen was fast asleep in Harry's arms tears still staining her face as she slept. Harry cradled her smaller frame to himself as he followed the twins wordlessly. Elrohir and Elladan led him to a huge tent that was surrounded by smaller tents that Harry supposed belonged to soldiers who protected Gilraen. He had guessed when they had come to this camp that she was someone important by the behavior of these two beings that looked disturbingly similar.

 

Now that things had calmed down Harry had time to truly look at Gilraen. She wore a night blue dress with golden embroidery and a thick brown cloak of her own. On her ring finger was an exquisite silver ring with three diamonds. Two were white and the crowning jewel was a blue diamond. Then it hit him the one who had died must have been Gilraen's husband. Harry held back a sigh. Why couldn't he just have died? The guards in front of the giant tent that Harry was being led to let them pass without question. When they entered the anti chamber of the tent Eliza immediately greeted them.

 

“ My lords what has happened” she said as she rushed to her sleeping lady's side.

 

Elladan shook his head.

 

“ We told her of Arathorn's fall and she cried herself to sleep in Malrendil's arms”.

 

Again Eliza eyed the young man before her still not trusting him.

 

“ So what be ye”, “ Ye have the name of an elf, bearings of a man, and power of a wizard”.

 

“ Speak” the old hand maiden exclaimed.

 

But Harry merely stared at her blankly not understanding a word she said.

 

“ Eliza calm down he does not speak common,” said Elladan in exasperation.

 

“ Then try Quenya or Sindarin or one of the other high elven tongues” she retorted.

 

Elhoir shrugged and turned to his brother, “ she does have a point”.

 

And so the twin sons of Elrond took turns speaking in the language of the elves. Elrohir spoke to Harry first in Sindarin and then Elladan spoke in Quenya. But neither was surprised when the young wizard just blankly stared at them.

 

“ He does not speak in either high elven tongues,” said Elladan.

 

“ Then we should teach him to speak common for our journey is long and because of the attack it shall take us several months to reach Imladris” replied Elrohir.

 

Elladan sighed but nodded. As hard as it was to admit Elladan agreed with his brother.

 

“ But first things first” said Elladan turning to Eliza.

 

The old handmaiden nodded and beckoned Harry to follow her into the main portion of the tent. Harry looked at the twins for approval only following the old woman when they nodded. Eliza pulled back the covers to her lady's bed watching this Malrendil's every move. Aragorn was already sleeping soundly in what seemed to be a medieval cot beside the bed. Harry gently set Gilraen in the bed and removed her cloak before handing it to Eliza. But just as he was about to pull away Gilraen caught his wrist.

 

“ Don't go,” she pleaded with her eyes suddenly open.

 

Harry smiled understanding what she means and sliding a seat up to the bed so that he sat next to her.

 

Harry grasped her hand and kissed her palm, “sleep”.

 

Eliza huffed but couldn't help but smile. Though the marriage of her lord and lady was filled with love it was not a true love. The union of Arathorn son of Arador and Gilraen the fair, daughter of Dirhael was an arranged one. Eliza knew true love when she saw it even in the mist of sorrow. That was how Gilraen looked upon this stranger who seemed to hold certain affection for said lady as well. Suddenly a snowy white owl entered the main tent with the twins stumbling in after it.

 

“Hedwig” Eliza watched in amazement as the owl hooted and flew to the stranger's shoulder.

 

“ That bird is yours,” exclaimed the twins simultaneously.

 

The wizard nodded again understanding what they meant. Eliza sighed shook her head and ushered the terrors of Imladris out to the anti chamber. Gilraen needed her rest. Alone with this mysterious young man Gilraen smiled faintly. What could she say to him when he didn't understand? He seemed to be taking cues from her reactions instead of her words. Did he know what it meant to loose a loved one? He seemed to understand her feelings very well and comforted her accordingly. Suddenly he said something to his owl and Hedwig began to whistle the same haunting song Malrendil sung earlier. Gilraen once again fell asleep. Outside in the anti chamber Eliza, Elladan, and Elrohir spoke.

 

“ He a strange one that's for sure even for a wizard” said Eliza.

 

The twins chuckled, “ Have you even met a wizard”.

 

“ Well no but-“ finally giving up Eliza huffed and crossed her arms under her chest.

 

“ Don't worry so Eliza, even though your prejudice was bit over done this Malrendil is very odd we will keep a close eye on him and teach him the common tongue” said Elrohir.

 

Elladan nodded, “ We must take him to father once we reach Imladris”.