Chapter Eight

The Darkness before Dawn

Legolas Greenleaf listened solemnly.

The Lord of Eden Ardhon and the Prince of Mirkwood listened in silence as Arwen related to him all that had transpired in Minas Tirith since he had participated in the toast following the signing of the treaty with the Easterlings. He said little as he heard how, he and the other members of Middle earth’s ruling Council had fallen under the spell of the Easterling queen Akallabeth, now unmasked as a skin changer and a former servant Glaurung and prior to that, the dark enemy Morgoth. There was little expression on his handsome features but those who knew him were accustomed to his aloof manner. His façade may have displayed indifference but his eyes; his eyes were burning with the cold fire of outrage.

After Arwen was done telling her tale, Legolas did not speak for a brief time. He appeared as if he were absorbing her words into memory and attempting to formulate a response to the extraordinary events he had played such a role in, but had no memory of. Yet he could feel it inside, that feeling he had done something terrible even though he knew not what exactly. Legolas turned his high powered gaze to his wife and raised a brow at what she wore but his attention to that detail was fleeting. He noticed the bruise on her face and felt his stomach hollow with realization knowing that the one person she would have allowed close enough to inflict that injury, was him.

"Am I responsible for this?" He asked softly, brushing his fingertips against the bruise to her upper lip.

Melia touched his cheek said with sincerity, "it was not your fault. You were not yourself."

Legolas sucked in his breath, having that question answered with her response. "I am sorry my love," he replied after a moment, "I would never consciously hurt you and it wounds me greatly to know that I am responsible for this."

Melia caught his hand against her skin and held it within hers for a moment, her eyes conveying to him that she loved him too much to bear in malice in actions he had no power to prevent.

"Prince," Melia said warmly, "I love you and I am thankful that you have been returned to me. However, our situation has not changed despite the freeing of your mind."

"I know," Legolas nodded, "You are right, there is ample time to discuss my conduct at a later time. For now, we have to free the others."

"The question is how," Eowyn declared from the stable, still keeping watch that they were not caught unaware by guards. "We now have a matter of hours in which to act and our quarry is well guarded."

"Even more so now," Lothiriel added glancing at Legolas. "Akallabeth may know that her spell over Legolas has been broken."

"We have to try," Arwen said firmly. "If we do not, then the entire body of Middle earth’s rulers with the exception of the Prince here is going to replaced by skin changers. I do not think that even Ulfrain has any idea what kind of bargain he has made with the enemy. They have no more preference for the Easterlings then they do us, the skin changers will annihilate them in just the same way, only later."

"We have no choice then," Legolas met her gaze. "We have to infiltrate the banquet and the young lady of Dol Amroth will have to perform her spell upon all of them."

Lothiriel did not appear as certain she would be able to accomplish this. Her face clearly showed her apprehension at so much being expected of her. However, she could not deny that having been able to successfully carry out the spell of unmaking that saw Legolas free of his enchantment had filled her with more confidence than she had ever felt before. She thought of her father and Eomer still trapped in the that awful spell and knew that she had to free them, no matter what the cost to herself.

"That is easier said then done Prince," Melia replied. "I was not so anonymous as I believed when I infiltrated the banquet hall. Even though Castigliari professes to be an ally, I could have just as easily been discovered by someone who has not. If I am alone could not manage this, I have little doubt whether all of us can."

"That is true," Arwen had to concede Melia’s point but she could not bring herself to admit defeat, not when they had discovered that it was in their power to free the others as they had done Legolas.

"It will even be more difficult since copies of ourselves now sit at our husband’s side," Eowyn added unhappily. The idea that a facsimile of herself was playing Faramir’s doting wife was enough to twist her insides with fury.

"So at this moment, everyone in the banquet hall believes that there is no discourse between Aragorn and his queen?" Legolas mused.

"Yes," Melia nodded, her expression wrinkling with disgust as the memory of the imposters at the banquet. "Both Arwen and Eowyn were represented. Fortunately, because of the injury to you Prince and your absence at the feast, I was spared that indignity."

"Then all we need to do is reach the banquet hall while it is still peopled with guests and show ourselves," Arwen declared, an idea forming in her head.

"Why yes!" Eowyn exclaimed. "As Melia said, neither the Easterlings or the Gondorian guards are aware of what is transpiring, they only know what the king tells them."

"And if the king is in the company of shape shifters," Legolas said with a smile, impressed by Arwen’s strategy. "Then he will have to explain why. Not even the people’s love for Aragorn as their king will allow such a thing to go unexplained."

"What about the Prince?" Melia asked concerned for Legolas. If Lothiriel was right and Akallabeth had some suspicion that Legolas’ was freed of her control, there was no reason to think she would not attempt to harm him.

"Even a skin changer would not be foolish enough to use Aragorn to strike at Legolas," Arwen spoke before he could. "Any attack upon him would bring down the wrath of Thranduil and the outrage of every elf still remaining in Middle earth. While our numbers are no longer what they were, the elves are still a force to be reckoned with."

"That is good to know," Melia remarked, offering her husband a relieved smile.

"I would not be so certain of that," Legolas answered however, "they intended to replace all of us with others of their kind. Such a deception would require my death as much as the other leaders of Middle earth. I think Arwen’s plan is the only way left to us. We must expose the imposters before everyone at the banquet and we must do it quickly. The hour grows late and even as we speak the festivities are drawing to a close. If we are to succeed, we must move now."

It was all happening so quickly. It felt like this nightmare had been unfolding for an eternity, not a matter of mere hours. Now it appeared as if there was an end in sight but it had come so quickly upon them that Arwen scarcely had time to breathe or to accustom herself to the fact that before the dawn came, this crisis would see its end one way or another. Still, no matter how much risk was involved, any plan that would see the freedom of her beloved Estel was one she was willing to attempt. Unfortunately, entering the banquet hall and exposing the shape shifters for what they were was not the only difficulty that lay before them. No doubt in such a confrontation, Akallabeth still had the power to use Aragorn and against them.

"I do not wish to fight my husband," Eowyn spoke, voicing her own thoughts on the matter. "If we do this, that is precisely what will happen. I do not wish to fight Faramir."

"Any more then I would like to face my friend Lady Eowyn," Legolas responded in understanding of her feelings. "I do not see that we have any choice."

"We have to perform the spell of unmaking upon them," Lothiriel suggested, "however, you saw what effect the spell had upon the Lord of Eden Ardhon to see this done. It will be the same with all of them."

"If we expose Akallabeth for what she is, we will have help," Arwen reminded. "Lothiriel, you must bring with you the ingredients for this spell. If we have to, we will barricade them inside the hall to see them free of this pestilence."

Still despite Arwen’s efforts to be optimistic about what they were intending to do, no words could lessen the danger of what they were about to attempt. Even with Legolas restored to them, the Prince who was a member of the Fellowship, there were no guarantees that they would succeed. Unfortunately, Legolas was right. They had run out of time.

It was this way or none at all.

**************

Akallabeth was not happy.

The skin changer sensed something was wrong and yet Akallabeth could not leave in the presence of all the assembled guests without drawing suspicions. The plan was mere hours away from fruition and yet something unsettling had stirred within the creature. One of their pawns was somehow freed of the shackles upon on his mind and since everyone else was assembled, Akallabeth deduced rather quickly which one of them it was.

Elves, the skin changer snorted with derision.

That accursed race was capable of nothing but complicating relatively simple matters, just as the Evenstar had done on this occasion. If only they had managed to lay their hands upon her half-breed whelp, it would have ensured her cooperation. Unfortunately, even the best efforts of the king had been unable to retrieve the child. Whomever the Evenstar had entrusted her son was very capable of ensuring no harm befell the young prince, much to Akallabeth’s severe displeasure.

No doubt Legolas Greenleaf was now aware that he had been under a spell though how he had freed himself was a matter of concern to Akallabeth. As far as the skin changer was aware, there was no one in all of Gondor that was capable of undoing the magic that had bound its king and the rest of Middle earth’s ruling council. The wizard Pallando according to all accounts was in Mirkwood, Akallabeth had been certain of this prior to their arrival in Minas Tirith. He was the only one who was versed enough in magic to be able to circumvent the spell cast over the king and his companions. It disturbed the Easterling queen greatly that Legolas was free because if it was Pallando who was responsible, then the skin changers would be facing an Istar with uncharted powers.

"We have a problem," Akallabeth whispered in Ulfrain’s ear as Castigliari returned to his seat next to them.

"What sort of problem?" The Easterling king asked looking up in surprise. The banquet hall was crowded with revelers and everyone seemed to accept the facsimiles of the queen and the Lady of Ithilien without question. As far as Ulfrain was concerned, everything was transpiring exactly as it should.

"The Lord of Eden Ardhon is no longer under our control," Akallabeth replied.

"What?" Ulfrain hissed loudly and then quickly silenced himself when he noticed the gaze of a passerby looking up at him in question.

"Calm yourself," Akallabeth ordered sharply "He is only one but he has been freed."

"I thought you said that was impossible," Castigliari retorted.

"Impossible for the queen but not a wizard if one is present," Akallabeth answered, glaring at the general who clearly disliked the whole notion of the alliance his king had struck with her.

"What do we do?" Ulfrain demanded, clearly afraid at this turn of events.

Castigliari could not believe that the son had come from a father he had served so faithfully and fought so bravely for in the past. Ulfrain was weak and he was malicious, unlike his father who understood his place in the scheme of things and did the best for his people, despite their foolish devotion to Sauron. Part of Castigliari’s decision to help the Lady Melia and the queen was due to the deficiencies he was noticing in the king he had pledged to serve, the king who would bring them to disaster far worse than even the War of the Ring.

"He will not doubt attempt to reach the king and expose our scheme," Castigliari offered quietly. "We must stop him."

Akallabeth stared at him with a small measure of surprise, impressed by his backbone and his quick thinking, "you are right general."

"I suggest that you keep your people confined to this room and allow the king’s guards to take up position around the banquet hall. We cannot allow the prince to speak to the palace guards and poison their minds with the possibility that their king might be a skin changer’s creature. From the wife who was implicated in crimes that is one thing, however, Legolas is the Prince of Mirkwood and a member of the Fellowship of the Nine, his word is almost beyond reproach," Castigliari continued, hoping that he was capable of playing games of deception as well as Akallabeth.

"That is sound General," Akallabeth nodded. "Go to it immediately. If that elf comes within a foot of this room, kill him. Damn the consequences. My people should be able to mask his demise and by morning it will no longer matter."

"It will be done," Castigliari smiled and rose to his feet, bowing slightly in the presence of his king and queen before he departed from their company.

For the first time since this entire affair had begun, the general was starting to see a light at the end of this dark night.

*********

"That is an interesting costume you wear wife," Legolas commented as his eyes moved appreciatively over Melia in her Easterling garments, as they moved through the sewers once more.

"If you even think of asking me to wear it again, I will shoot you in your other leg," Melia replied sweetly while still managing to give him a look of warning.

"It was a mere thought," the prince smiled. This situation, for some odd reason, reminded him of the journey to Ered Mithrin during the early days of their relationship. "I must confess that it is most becoming."

"I think I liked him better when he was under Akallabeth’s spell," Eowyn added.

"Oh you get used to him," Arwen could not help but add, "it takes a long time though."

"How long?" Eowyn looked over her shoulder at the queen.

"About three thousand years," she laughed softly.

"I think I am outnumbered," Legolas replied good naturedly, glad to see that their spirits were still high despite the emotional stresses they must have endured since the signing of the treaty.

"With weapons far sharper than swords," Melia smiled, pausing long enough to give her husband a glance that expressed her affection towards him in no uncertain terms.

"Are you certain that these disguises will allow you to reach the banquet hall?" Legolas asked with concern as he regarded Arwen and Eowyn who were clad in the garments of soldiers while Lothiriel was still wearing the disguise she had used to leave the palace unnoticed.

"They were good enough for us to retrieve you from your quarters," Arwen replied. "I hope our fortune will last long enough for us to enter the banquet hall."

"We must beware," Lothiriel added for the first time. Despite the fact that the young woman had counted herself more than worthy to be in their company, she was still a little reserved about making herself heard. "The skin changers I saw must surely be in the palace by now," she reminded.

"I would say that they are most likely within the banquet hall itself," Arwen replied in agreement. "If they intend to murder the king and his company, then it is likely they would wait until the celebration is done and then move in for the kill. Legolas, you still command the respect of Gondor’s troops, I believe that you can convince enough of them that the king is in danger and hasten our arrival at the banquet hall. Melia, you will go with him."

"Why?" Melia asked immediately. She had begun this adventure at Arwen and Eowyn’s side and though she loved her husband, she felt similar duty to her friends.

"Because to them, you appear as a member of the Easterling entourage," Arwen answered swiftly. "Do not fear, Eowyn and I will not be far behind. We will follow the soldiers but discreetly, as will Lothiriel who can enter the banquet hall as a serving boy."

"It is a sensible course my love," Legolas added. "Evenstar, you do your father proud on this day. I do not think he could manage such wise counsel."

"If word were all that were needed to win the day, I would accept your praise with pride," Arwen gave him a warm look, grateful for the praise but aware of the odds they still faced. "However, it is deeds that will decide how this will end."

And by night’s end, it appeared they would have to accomplish a bit of it.

*************

General Castigliari wondered if he had suddenly gone mad.

Considering his present course, there was every reason to believe he had taken leave of his sense. The risks to himself were considerable and he had no idea if what he had embarked upon could ultimately lead to the freeing of his people from this dark alliance that Ulfrain had made with the skin changers. He only knew that at the time, the opportunity presented itself and he had grasped it with both hands. In the field of battle, he knew when to make use of an advantage. In this instance, the anxiety he had seen in Akallabeth’s eyes was the first sign of weakness he had witness in the skin changer since this nightmare began.

Ulfrain’s personal guard numbered only a handful of men and that concerned Castigliari since he was unaware of just how many skin changers were in the palace. He was certain however, that aside from the skin changers wearing the faces of the Queen and the lady of Ithilien, there were others within the banquet hall, appearing harmless until the moment came for them to do away with the rulers of Middle earth. In truth, Castigliari had no great love for his former enemies but even he was astute enough to recognize who was the greater threat in this instance. This alliance of the skin changers would be little different from their alliance with Sauron, which was to say no alliance at all.

For as long as he could remember, the people of the Haradirim and all the nations that constituted the Easterlings, were bound in service to Sauron and the dark lord Morgoth before him. Sauron’s agents called it an alliance but since the Haradirim had no but to serve, the nature of their relationship with Mordor was more akin to slavery than anything else. They fought when Sauron ordered them to do so and they were expected to die with similar obedience. Their entire culture had been sacrificed to the ideal of becoming a vital cog in Sauron’s war machine. There was little infrastructure within their society that was not geared towards warfare and even Castigliari recognized that unless this changed, they would become extinct.

"What are your orders Sir?" Ramariz, the captain of the king’s guard asked of the general after he had summoned them all outside the banquet hall. Behind the close doors where the feasting was taking place, the noise of partygoers had contracted to a mild din and Castigliari could now be assured that he had escaped the watchful eye of Akallabeth.

"There is something a foot here tonight," Castigliari answered as his eyes scan the faces before him and he wondered if Akallabeth had replaced any of his men with her skin changers. "I cannot say what for the moment but if you catch sight of the Prince of Mirkwood, you are to detain him. Do not allow him into the banquet hall until I have been consulted, is that clear?"

The soldiers looked at each other in puzzlement, aware that such action against an ally in the palace of its king was a dangerous action indeed. However, many of the men present had fought alongside the general in the wars preceding this alliance and they had learnt not to question his orders. They trusted him far more than they would trust their king Ulfrain, though not of them would make such an admission out loud.

"We will do as you ordered General," Ramariz answered firmly, mirroring the words of his general. "We will detain the prince if he enters our presence."

"Good," Castigliari patted Ramariz on the shoulder in gratitude. "We may yet save our people from the darkness had threatens us all."

They did not understand to what he referred to but they trusted him and that was good enough for now. Castigliari was almost as uncertain as they of what would transpire as the evening drew to a close but at least when it came upon them, they would be prepared.

*************

"Are you ready?" Legolas asked the women before him as their plan moved into its final stages.

"Go to it Legolas," Arwen ordered, answering his question at the same time, "time grows short."

Taking refuge behind the turn of a corner, they could hear the chatter of palace guards from the corridor beyond. This plan would not work without the aid of Gondor’s warriors and soliciting their aid would be a precarious venture at best. Thanks to Akallabeth’s control of Aragorn, so much distrust had been sown in the soldiers against their queen, that it had been impossible for Arwen to convince them of what had befallen the kingdom. However, Legolas Greenleaf was another thing entirely. He, like the king himself, was member of the legendary Fellowship and possessed the weight needed to convince them that a shadow had fallen over the Citadel. Perhaps even enough for them to consider their queen’s words of truth.

Legolas nodded and gazed at the Evenstar who was like her sister to him. By the grace of her convictions and the courage of the friends who stood by her side, she had staved off the disaster that was threatening the entire realm of Middle earth and might still do so if they failed in their mission tonight. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on Arwen’s forehead, then moved to Eowyn where he squeezed her shoulder as he would a comrade in arms before finally offering the young Lothiriel a smile of encouragement.

No further words needed to be spoken because those slight gestures were enough to convey the depth of his feeling. He turned to his wife, who would stand shoulder to shoulder with him as they undertook their most dangerous gamble of the night. Although his leg still ached in pain, as an elf he recovered quickly and was still a formidable opponent as he intended to prove it by the bow and the swords he carried on his back. They had retrieved his weapons prior to their arrival here and now that he was armed with the necessary assemblage for battle, he was read for whatever lay ahead.

Stepping out of the corridor with Melia at his side, Legolas strode forward boldly, hiding the slight limp in his walk and made his way directly for the guards. They caught sight of him immediately as they took up sentry positions along the wall of the corridor leading to the banquet hall. With so many guests of important standing present on this occasion, Legolas could not deny that additional security measures were warranted.

"Guards," Legolas called them forward and Melia tensed at his side. She gazed quickly over her shoulder and saw that Arwen and Eowyn were keeping watch closely. This made her feel a little more secure, though she could not say why.

"I wish you all to come with me," Legolas’ words brought her attention back to her prince. "I have uncovered an assassination plot against the king. At this moment, the feast has been infiltrated by assassins posing as the Easterling entourage, preparing to murder the king and all the members of the ruling council at the close of the evening."

A tremor of outrage moved through the guards who were present but the word of Legolas Greenleaf was difficult to discount.

"This plot has deeper ramifications than mere assassination I am afraid," Melia added her voice to the mix. "We believe that the Easterling king has made an alliance with agents of darkness, skin changers who are able to assume the guise of any one of us. If you accompany us to the banquet hall, we will prove this irrefutably."

For the soldiers of Gondor, the memory of the Black Sleep and the Nazgul were still fresh in their minds, following the War of the Ring. They knew such dark creatures existed in this world and the fact that it might have taken their king was nothing to be ignored. The Lady Melia had claimed that they would be provided with proof and until that was proved a falsehood, the guards were duty bound to investigate the possibility that some harm may have befallen their king.

"We follow your lead Prince Legolas," the leader, a man Melia recognized as Darond, the captain of the palace guards, declared firmly.

Relief flooded Melia as Legolas took charge and made their way towards the banquet hall. She looked past her and noted that Eowyn and Arwen had made their emergence from the corridor, falling in behind the soldiers that were currently on the move. The thoughts of the soldiers in their party were now firmly fixed upon the safety of the king and did not notice that their number had suddenly increased by two. It was just as well, Melia thought, for it was imperative that Arwen and Eowyn came face to the face with the imposters before the entire court of Gondor.

Only then, would everyone know the truth.

*********

Arwen and Eowyn continued to follow the company of soldiers in their advance towards the banquet hall, remaining discreetly behind until the doors to the room appeared at the end of the corridor. However, it appeared that Akallabeth had already foreseen their possible attempt to interrupt the proceedings since there were Easterling guards taking up sentry positions. The reaction of the Gondorian guards to this was almost instantaneous and Arwen heard the unsheathing of swords as both factions prepared to meet each other in battle. She could feel the tension rippling through the men of Gondor and the sparks that were being added to a situation that could become enflamed in a matter of seconds. If either side began fighting, whatever advantage they had would be lost for the skin changers would know that their plans were in peril. Even Arwen could not be certain how they would react.

"Stand aside," Legolas declared firmly as the Easterling guards barred them from progressing forward. "You have no authority to bear arms against the guards of the king whose palace you are a guest."

"We have our orders," the Easterling called Ramariz declared firmly, aware of how tenuous his position was but unwilling to disobey Castigliari’s instructions to them. "We are to detain you here, Prince of Mirkwood."

"You have the right to detain no one," Darond, retorted sharply. "You will let us through or suffer the consequences."

"We have been told that there is treachery afoot," Ramariz held his ground for his uncertainty not quite enough to yield his position.

"We know the treachery that is a foot," Legolas persisted, gesturing to the men behind him to hold their position. "Your queen is a shape shifter and she had used this treaty to gain entry into the Citadel so that their kind can assassinate the King of Gondor."

"A shape shifter?" Ramariz stared at Legolas in disbelief.

"Enough of this," Arwen’s patience finally snapped and she pushed her way through the guards to the front. Pulling the helmet off her head, her dark hair flowed around her shoulders and drew astonished cries from everyone present.

"Queen Arwen!" Darond exclaimed as he found himself at his queen. For most of the day, he and his men had been pursuing the queen across the palace, with orders to apprehend her and all her companions at any cost. Darond like the rest of the guard could not understanding the reasoning behind the king and the steward’s vehement demand but dared not question either. An hour before the banquet was to begin the king suddenly rescinded the order against the queen and she had miraculously appeared at his side, with all sins forgiven leaving the guards confused by the whole incident. However, Darond had seen the queen within the banquet hall with the king; he had seen it with his own eyes and as far as he knew, she was still inside the room.

"How is this possible?" He mused and his confusion was mirrored on the face of his Easterling counterpart as well. "I saw you in the banquet hall but a short time ago."

"As did I," Ramariz declared with similar amazement.

"There is not much time," Arwen took the lead, deciding that it was time she stopped hiding and made her presence felt as queen of Gondor, instead of a fugitive. "Both of our peoples have been deceived by the skin changers who are now in the presence of the king. What you saw sitting at King Elessar’s right hand was not his wife but a skin changer who has every intention of killing him before the night is done. I cannot deny that this has been a strange day with the king issuing some equally strange orders in relation to my capture and incarceration but I need you to believe me, that the king is in danger and if we do not act now, it will be too late."

"She speaks the truth Darond," Legolas added his support behind Arwen’s impassioned statement. "I have seen with my own eyes the darkness that has overcome the palace."

Darond wrestled briefly with his decision for his world was one of rather black and white simplicity. The rest of what the queen said could be discerned at a later date but for him, only one thing mattered and that was the safety of his liege. Whatever else that transpired this day could be explained at a later time, however for the moment, Darond’s duty was to protect the king.

"We are at your service, your highness," Darond bowed slightly before her.

"Thank you," Arwen smiled, grateful for his faith in her words. However, she was far from done. Turning around she faced Ramariz with eyes of cold steel, speaking in a voice not quite her own and rather unnerving when coming from one so beautiful, "You will allow us to pass immediately. If you do not and any harm befalls my husband, I will swear to you that Gondor will perceive your inference as an act of war! Now stand aside!"

Ramariz was clearly shaken by the threat and unwilling to jeopardize the safety of his people especially when delivered by the queen with such ferocity. Glancing behind him briefly, he nodded at his men and took a step back in a gesture of compliance.

"You have made a wise decision," Arwen said coolly and gestured for Darond and his men to follow her.

"Now my lady, you can make another by allowing us help you," Castigliari announced himself as he appeared, having been summoned by one of his men when Legolas was first sighted.

"General," Arwen greeted, "thank you for the information you have provided."

"Perhaps you would care to explain why you have ordered your men to detain Legolas?" Eowyn asked suspiciously.

"I took the opportunity to be of assistance," Castigliari explained himself not only to Gondorians and their queen but also his own men. "Akallabeth knew that Lord Legolas had been freed of the enchantment."

"Enchantment?" Darond blinked in question.

"All will be explained in due course," Arwen remarked offhandedly before returning her attention to the general again. "Go on."

"She anticipated that you and Lord Legolas might attempt to enter the banquet hall so I volunteered my men to prevent her from assigning that task to her skin changers. I assumed that if you were going to attempt storming the banquet hall, you would have some kind of plan to do so, unless of course I have underestimated you greatly. I am still new to this idea of women possessing a military mind," he added with a little smile.

"I will not disappoint you and I would have you join us for your people are as much in jeopardy as ours," Arwen said graciously. "What plan I have, I will reveal once we are inside. The skin changers are wise and they may have planted an imposter amongst us. Unfortunately, there is no way to discern the truth for now. all you need to know is I intend to expose the skin changers in our midst. The rest will unfold later."

"Your reasoning is sound my lady," Castigliari bowed slightly in respect. "I follow your lead."

"Good," Arwen declared and resumed her journey towards the banquet room; "I think its time we join the festivities."

***********

Akallabeth could sense something amiss.

It was more than just the breaking of the spell that had bound the elf Legolas Greenleaf; it was an instinct that there were forces at play of which Akallabeth was unaware. That made the skin changer nervous and watchful for danger. The celebration was starting to thin with some guests departing for the night, however there were still enough people present to ensure that the plan to deal with the ruling council of Middle earth could yet to proceed. Still, Akallabeth could not shed this feeling of uneasiness that had clawed its way into the skin changer the nearer their plan came to fruition.

If the Prince had been freed, where was he? Surely by now, he would have attempted to raise the alarm that the king’s will was no longer his own. Undoubtedly, his first move would be to reach the king and by doing so leave himself to interception by Castigliari and his men. The general had yet to return following his departure from the table to check on the progress of his men and Akallabeth could not deny being surprised that he was being of such assistance. What other choice did he have but to comply with Ulfrain’s plans? It was not as if he could usurp the authority of his king, not unless he was willing to expose the Easterling complicity in this affair.

The realization struck Akallabeth so sharply that the skin changer almost cursed out loud in fury. However, any exclamation made would have been lost by the sound of the banquet doors being flung open, the heavy wood slamming against the brick wall as Akallabeth’s worst fears were realized.

The crowd fell dead silent as the Evenstar stepped into the room. She was wearing the garb of a Gondorian warrior but hers was a face that could not be mistaken and as she stood before them real as life, with the lady of Ithilien in similar stead, there was no denying it. Within seconds, eyes darted between Arwen and the woman occupying the seat next to the king and there was no hiding that in appearance they were identical. Similar observations were made of the facsimile beside Lord Faramir and very soon the mood of celebration was replaced by confusion as everything descended into chaos.

************

"What is the meaning of this?" Aragorn demanded, anticipating the order of his master.

"Barricade the doors," Arwen ignored his demand and instructed Darond behind her. "He is not himself, he has been placed under enchantment by the Easterling queen."

"I give the orders here," Aragorn boomed, stopping the captain of his guard in his tracks. "Do nothing that she says."

"This is not the time to doubt me Darond," Arwen returned sharply. "You know that I would never harm the king but you must believe me. He is under a spell and if you do not heed my words, we will never free him of it."

Darond stared at Aragorn and Arwen, wishing this choice could be made simpler but he knew his queen almost as well as his king and she was right, Darond would never believe that Arwen would do anything to harm the king. If Prince Legolas admitted that he was slave to a skin changer’s spell then there was no reason to believe that king was any less exempt. Protecting the king did not simply charge Darond to guard his person but also his mind.

"Follow the queen’s instructions!" He ordered his men. "Barricade the doors. No one leaves this room until we discern what is happening here."

"Castigliari, you traitor!" Ulfrain hissed in fury. "How dare you!"

"How dare you?" Castigliari barked back. "I serve your father and your grandfather. Have our people not bled enough serving darkness! You would plunge us back into the same slavery we had escaped when Sauron was destroyed! I will not serve a skin changer and neither will our people! You did this without our consent and that forfeit your right to lead us! Arrest him!"

"Do nothing that he says!" Ulfrain cried out impotently but unlike Aragorn, he did not have the unswerving dedication of his men that Castigliari did.

As the doors and were slammed shut behind them, Akallabeth let out a harsh scream and it sounded like the screech of animal. Next to Aragorn, the creature that wore Arwen’s shape changed shape and suddenly, the skin changers around them were revealed in all their dark reality. With skin like the scales of a lizard and yellow eyes filled with malevolence, they glared at those assembled with vengeance.

"Kill them all!" Akallabeth screamed and leapt over the table, heading straight for Arwen.

"Lothiriel," Arwen cried out, "stay close to me!"

The girl nodded wildly at the outbreak of violence as the Easterling entourage showed their true colours and began attacking the combined forces of Gondor and the Haradirim. Despite her fear and her helplessness at being unable to join the fight, her eyes were searching for her father. However, in all the pandemonium, he was difficult to see. She clutched her satchel close and prayed that he was not hurt in this melee though it was difficult to maintain such a hope when all she could see was the clanging of swords and cries of the injured as wounds were inflicted.

Lothiriel felt useless as she saw her companions engaging the enemy, while there was little she could do to help them. Across the floor, she saw Legolas was shooting arrows with a speed that almost seemed magical. Never once did he miss his target and the wound to his leg did little to hinder just how deadly his aim could be. Skin changers were screeching in agony as the shafts of his arrows were driven deep into their bodies. Melia showed similar proficiency with her crossbow although her skill was not as honed as her husband’s. She remained close to Legolas, ensuring no one could harm him while he was releasing his deadly barrage of arrows.

Eowyn on the other hand, was in the thick of the battle, her earlier wounds proving little hindrance as she faced the skin changers with a blade in her hand. Lothiriel had never seen a woman fight with the sword and she had marveled at just how skilled the Lady of Ithilien was with it. Eowyn simply did not swing wildly but rather used her whole body to fight, as if the business of swordplay was but a small part of the combat process. Suddenly, out of nowhere, Lothiriel felt a hand around her shoulder dragging her away from Arwen. She let out a small cry but by now, Arwen was too busy dealing with Akallabeth’s impending attack to be able to assist her in any way.

"Daughter," she found herself staring at Imrahil. Her father stared at her with eyes not unlike an animal, glowing with hatred. "This is your doing isn’t it?"

"Father, please let me go!" She cried as he began dragging her away from her friends.

"You are the one who is responsible for tainting the elf’s mind!" Imrahil accused. "Only you would know the dark arts well enough!"

"Father please," she begged at a loss of what to do. She wanted to fight him but he was her father and she dared not hurt him.

"Silence!" He roared and struck her hard.

When Lothiriel felt the knuckles and the explosion of pain that followed, something inside her snapped and she knew that this man was not her father and would not be again, until she freed him. Her fingers enclosed around the wooden frame of the chair she had staggered against when he delivered his blow and steeling herself for what had to be done, Lothiriel picked it and shattered it against her father’s body. Imrahil had no time to cry as the sturdy frame crumpled around him, wooden fragments and splinters raining around his ears as he was knocked unconscious.

Lothiriel hurried to his side after she had inflicted this harm upon him, examining him quickly to ensure that he was still alive and that she had not done irreparable injury to his person. A flood of relief moved through her body knowing that he still lived and what damage she had done would heal in time. This could not go on, she decided, her gaze moving across the room to see both Aragorn and Faramir approaching Eowyn at the same time. The dwarf Gimli was hacking his way through the guards of Gondor and Harad to reach Legolas and somewhere in this chaos, Eomer was no doubt contemplating how he would serve his masters.

She had to stop this before someone was killed. She was the only one who could.

Taking a deep breath, Lothiriel reached for her satchel, knowing what she had to do.

***********

Since this entire affair had unfolded incredibly before her eyes, the one thing she had been spared unlike Melia and Arwen, was the ordeal of facing the man she loved wearing the shackles of a skin changer’s control. Battling the skin changers was no easy matter and they changed their shape at will. One instance she was battling an Easterling dancer and at another she found herself staring at the Witch King of Angmar. Unfortunately for the skin changer, Eowyn had not been afraid of Sauron’s creature when she had faced him at Pelennor and it was no different when she was confronted with this facsimile.

However, now she faced an enemy she did not wish to confront.

Faramir stared at his wife and if it were not for the fact that his actions revealed his loyalties, Eowyn might have never have guessed that he was anything but the kind, gentle man that she had fallen in love with, the warrior with the heart of a scholar. He stared at her, sword in hand, not lifting it to fight but then he was always very different from Aragorn. Aragorn was a man who took charge of a situation immediately where else Faramir was one who took a step back and weighed alternatives before attacking. As he was doing so now.

"Are we really going to do this, my lady?" He asked her.

"I have no taste for it," Eowyn replied but her grip had not slackened around the hilt of her weapon. Over his shoulder she saw Aragorn coming towards them both and knew that she was lost if she had to fight both of them. "But I have no choice, I must defeat you to help you."

"I think you are mistaken on who needs aid here," Faramir stared at her with a merciless gaze that bore no trace of the man she loved.

"Please do not force me into this," Eowyn almost whispered, her heart anguished by the thought of raising a blade to him. "I do not wish to hurt you."

"You have hurt me," he retorted. "You hurt me when you chose to stand against me. I have endured your presumption in thinking yourself equal to a man, I have endured your ignorance of what place a wife is to occupy in her husband’s house and most of all I have endured you, Eowyn, who came to me after being rejected by another. Did you not think I did not know?"

"That is not true," Eowyn struggled to defend herself because she could not deny that she had once loved Aragorn.

"I am no fool," he glared at her. "I know it is the truth."

Eowyn was trying not to let his words affect her but there as always a small part of her that questioned her reason for turning to Faramir in the days following Pelennor. Had she chosen to bestow her love upon him because she loved him or because Aragorn had rejected her? Though she now loved her husband with all her heart, that tiny fragment of guilt had remained in her heart, relentless in its determination to plague her innermost thoughts.

"I love you Faramir," Eowyn gave the only answer she could under the circumstances. "Perhaps it was once true that I loved the king but it has not been that way since you entered my life. If you were in possession of your thoughts, you would know that this is true. I have adored you since the day my heart discovered you and that will not change, no matter what the poison in your mind may lead you to believe."

For an instant, it seemed as if her words affected him for his face showed his uncertainty, however the power of the enchantment was too strong for him to resist for very long.

"Yield your sword to me and I will forgive you," he said, his expression hardening once more.

Eowyn closed her eyes and drew a deep breath before she answered, "you will have to come take it from me husband."

"As you wish," Faramir replied and raised his sword to strike.

Eowyn met his blade with her own and while she found herself in the impossible situation of having to fight her husband, her instincts for self preservations came to bear and she knew that it was not in her, to endure defeat. She parried hard, watching his side step her sharp thrust before riposting in return. They matched each other blow for blow, although she was fighting not to kill him. Faramir however, had no such reservations because the shape shifter’s spell upon him had turned his wife into a mortal enemy.

"Faramir, please!" Eowyn beseeched him, aware that they were reaching a point of no return. "I do not wish to hurt you!"

"Oh Eowyn you are a delight," he sneered, smashing his blade against hers with such force that the sound of steel filled her ears before she felt his fist enclose around the hand holding her sword. Before she could wrench herself free, she was being pulled forward and suddenly, a balled fist connected with the side of her face. Stunned, she tried to recover but his grip upon her was strong and she did the only think she could, she kicked out. Her foot slammed into his knee, bringing him down in one swift movement. He had both their weapons now and Eowyn snatched the first thing she saw from a nearby table. Her own rage inspired because of the situation, Eowyn swung the pitcher across Faramir’s face. The ceramic shattered when it impacted against his skull, spraying fluid and fragments in all directions.

Faramir cursed loudly as he was temporarily blinded by the spirits in his eyes when Eowyn dropped and swung out her leg in an arch, sweeping his feet from under him and bringing him down against the floor with a loud thud. The sound of his skull against the stone made her flinch but he did not rise again. Breathing hard and fearful that she might have hurt him seriously, she rushed to his side. Fortunately, he was merely unconscious. Reaching for her weapon in his grip, she was about to pick it up when suddenly a boot came down hard against the blade, crushing against to the floor. Eowyn looked up and found herself staring at Aragorn.

"Well met my lady," he said with a little smile. "Shall we dance?"

**********

Melia counted the number of bolts she had remaining for her crossbow and knew that eventually, she would have to find an alternate means of defending herself. Legolas who was the only person she knew capable of using the long bow in such confined surrounding had no difficulty. He never missed and thus every arrow he released met its mark. She had been covering his back while he made short work of the enemy but now Melia saw that there was someone else who had greater need of assistance than her able husband.

"Prince!" She cried out, "Eowyn needs help."

Legolas followed her gaze and saw the shield maiden of Rohan about to do battle with Aragorn. Having stood in battle with the king for longer than any human here had been alive, Legolas knew that Eowyn was outmatched and in the condition that he was in, Aragorn was perfectly capable of killing her. The prince had seen the outcome of her recent encounter with Aragorn and Legolas would not see Eowyn suffer in that manner again.

"I will deal with this," Legolas replied brushing past his wife. He was possibly the only one present capable of dealing with Aragorn in his present state.

"Are you certain?" She asked, fearful for him because she had seen Aragorn in combat and knew how ruthless he could be.

Legolas did not answer her because he was already rushing to Eowyn’s aid. Melia stared after him a moment before she heard a familiar battle cry and found herself facing a new peril.

Gimli was making short work of the Easterling guards who were uncertain how to deal with his fury of his attacks. During their quest to Nargothrond, Melia had opportunity to see the dwarf in battle and knew that his size had very little to do with ability. The axe was covered in the blood of enemies and as he swung it with expert precision, using his size to his advantage, Melia knew that without something more substantial then crossbow she was carrying, there was no way to defeat him. She did not wish to harm Gimli because Melia’s shared her husband’s affection for the dwarf but she had to stop him.

"Where is he?" Gimli glowered as he caught sight of her. "Where is that treacherous elf!"

"Master Gimli you are not yourself," Melia tried to reason with him, "unfortunately, I am not going to fight you."

"Stand aside lady," Gimli retorted. "My business is with your husband."

"I was afraid you might say that," Melia sighed and raised her crossbow. Without saying another word, she unleashed a bolt that struck the dwarf in the right shoulder, above the juncture where his arm met his body.

Gimli let out an enraged cry as his hand released his axe, allowing the heavy blade to clattered noisily to the ground. His arm hung limply at his side as he rushed towards her and Melia armed herself again, unhappy that it would require one more shot to incapacitate him. This time the steel bolt tore into the dwarf’s knee, cutting short his charge and dropping him immediately to the floor.

"Easterling witch!" He cursed as he hugged his injured leg.

"I am sorry," Melia sighed staring at the dwarf, "but you will thank me for this later."

She hoped.

*************

Customarily, Lothiriel would have preferred to conduct her spell of unmaking under better circumstances however at this moment, it appeared her choices were limited. Crawling under a table, she hoped she could remain hidden while she attempted to carry out the spell. Despite her anxiety at attempting to perform complex invocations in such surroundings, Lothiriel was determined to free the minds of those enchanted by the shape shifter spell before more blood was spilled. Acting against her father in the manner she had done, was an experience Lothiriel would not wish upon any one. Her rage was properly provoked for being forced into such a position and her success with Legolas made her determined to free the others as well.

Laying out the ingredients she needed to carry out the spell, Lothiriel hoped she could remain unnoticed long enough to complete it. Certainly, the minute she began chanting the invocation, the skin changers could become aware of what she was up to. At this moment however, they considered her little more than a frightened child and it was this perception that kept her safe so far. The fact that they had no suspicion that she was the one carrying out the spell ensured that Lothiriel would be able to perform this latest feat of conjuring without interference.

Now that everything was in place, she closed her eyes and began to recite the words, determined to end this nightmare once and for all. However, her chant was cut short as the table above her was flung aside and Lothiriel realized that nightmare was just beginning when standing before her was Eomer.

**********

Upon seeing Aragorn before her, Eowyn gave up any thought of retrieving her weapon and scrambled away from the king, determined to gain a precious few seconds so that she could think of a way to best defend herself. Her last encounter with Aragorn had taught Eowyn one thing; he was the superior warrior. It did not mean that she was any less a person but Aragorn had become who he was in legend and in history because of his skills. She admired him for what he was and knew that he was a strong force of nobility and courage in a world that needed such qualities desperately. The spell had turned all that purity into a thing of darkness and she hated the skin changers for that most of all.

"Lady Eowyn," Legolas Greenleaf appeared from behind her, "stand aside."

As much as Eowyn wanted to fight her own battles, in this instance she had no choice but to withdraw. It would be trial enough facing Aragorn on her own without the added burden of trying not to hurt him seriously when he was not bound by such considerations. If anyone could match the king and possibly defeat him without permanent harm, then it was Legolas. Eowyn was grateful for his interference though she did not envy him having to face his best friend in battle. She turned her back upon both of them and caught sight of something that sent her running.

************

"You would fight me Legolas?" Aragorn stared hard at the prince after Eowyn had left them.

"I would fight you to save you from yourself Aragorn," Legolas said fearlessly. He had picked up Faramir’s sword and held it up in readiness to fend off any attack from Aragorn.

"I am completely myself old friend," Aragorn returned, "it is you who are not yourself. The Legolas I knew would never stand against me in a fight."

"The Aragorn I know would never willingly draw his sword against a lady," Legolas returned coolly, "or strike one as you have. It is not your way to be a brutalizer of women Aragorn. Deep inside of you, you must know that."

"I know nothing except my friend is betraying me!" Aragorn hissed but his anger seemed provoked by Legolas’ words, as if what the prince had said had struck too close to home. Legolas blocked the strike easily and kicked out, landing the ball of his foot squarely against Aragorn’s sternum. The king reeled backwards and Legolas took the offensive, using his elven reflexes to gain the advantage. Even injured, he was still a match for Aragorn.

"I would never betray you Aragorn," Legolas swung his blade at the king who barely had time to block the blade. "You and I have faced things together these past sixty years than most could never even dream in a life time. We owe each other our lives, a dozen times over! Do you honestly think that I would betray you? I stood by you when you were a Ranger and I stand by you still, while you are king. We have battled the forces of darkness together Aragorn! If I have a brother in this world, it would surely be you."

"Be quiet!" Aragorn hissed and there was a hint of desperation in his voice as he made that demand, as if he were pleading for Legolas to stop. Anduril was swinging wildly before him "You are trying to confuse me! Just like Arwen!"

"She loves you!" Legolas returned. "How can you even question that? Do you have any idea what she sacrificed to love you? Think Aragorn! Fight the blackness in your heart that makes you think that she could ever raise a finger against you!"

"I will not listen to you!" Aragorn cried out again but the cracks in his voice were beginning to reveal themselves.

Legolas’ words had far more effect upon the king than his blade. Legolas could see Aragorn struggling against the spell’s hold upon him. However, whether or not the king was strong enough to break the enchantment was another thing entirely.

*********

"Melia!" Eowyn shouted across the room, capturing the attention of the former Ranger who was tending to Gimli’s wound and ensuring that he posed no danger to himself or anyone else, following their confrontation.

The battle was slowly tipping in the favor of the guards fighting valiantly to purge both their respective kingdoms of the skin changer menace. However casualties were mounting and the floor of the banquet hall, which only hours ago had been a place of celebration was now littered with bodies of both enemy and ally. Still, none of the blood spilled by Gondor or Harad would mean anything if the minds of their leaders were still enslaved by Akallabeth’s spell. Until now, the skin changers had no idea who it was had thwarted their hold over Legolas Greenleaf and in their unknowing, could not act against the spell caster who had the power to destroy their plans. Unfortunately, as Eowyn hurried towards her brother, standing over Lothiriel, it appeared that it was a secret no more.

"Eomer!" Eowyn shouted, taking his attention away from her brother as she flung herself at him.

Both siblings tumbled to the floor, with Lothiriel clearly shaken by her discovery. As Eomer reeled from his hard landing, Eowyn looked over her shoulder and discerned quickly what Lothiriel had been planning to do.

"Keep going!" She ordered as her body covered Eomer’s, both hands pinning his shoulders to the floor. "Melia, protect her!"

"No one will get past me!" Melia declared as she reached Lothiriel and took up position to guard the girl or die trying. Her crossbow was armed and ready while her eyes watchful of the danger. "Do as she says!" Melia retorted, "continue the spell!"

Lothiriel nodded and shook her head to clear herself of all thoughts that might distract her from her purpose. She used the image of Eomer and the menace she had seen in his eyes to strengthen her resolve and focus herself. Lothiriel was determined to free him. She wanted him back the way he was. She wanted back the man who had sworn never to force her into anything, who made her laugh and accepted her as more than just a beauty or a prize but as a person with dreams of her own. Since that moment, Lothiriel had felt her heart slowly succumbing to him and though she would not claim to love him just yet, she was not far away from it either.

Hardening herself against the distractions around her, Lothiriel resumed her invocation of the spell. She knew the words by memory alone and as she poured heart and soul into its recital, she felt the stirrings of power. It coursed through her veins like an elixir warming her body as her words became more fevered. Burst of energy cackled throughout the room, leaving a stench in its wake that was not unlike the embers from a spirited fireplace. She could see the threads before her, faint, filament looking things, not unlike the webs spun by spiders. In her mind’s eye, they began to tighten, as if an unseen hand was pulling at it.

Across the banquet hall, Lothiriel was not the only one who could feel it.

**********

"Let me up!" Eomer demanded, struggling hard as Eowyn did everything that she could to keep her brother pinned to the ground. However, he was not only bigger than her but also far stronger and her attempts to keep him restrained were faltering with each effort he made to break free.

"No!" Eowyn shouted, struggling hard to keep him down but the exercise was exhausting and he was almost frenzied in his desperation to be rid of her. "You are a danger to everyone around you!"

"The only danger is that witch!" Eomer barked. "She will kill us all with her dark magic!"

"Better dead than leave you in this condition," Eowyn retorted, feeling as if she were astride a rather uncooperative stallion.

Unfortunately, Eomer did not seem to agree and threw his head back sharply, connecting with Eowyn’s lower jaw. The blow stunned Eowyn momentarily, allowing her brother to throw her off his body. Eowyn tumbled to the floor and saw Eomer quickly getting to his feet. By now, every shape shifter in the room was aware of what Lothiriel was doing and like Eomer, were attempting to reach the young lady of Dol Amroth. Melia was unleashing her bolts at every one of the creatures who attempted to interrupt the young woman while she conducted the spell.

"EOMER!" Eowyn shouted as she ran after him.

"Stay out of this sister!" Eomer warned, shooting her a scathing glare as he did so.

"I am afraid I cannot!" Eowyn wrapped her arms around his chest and pulled back. Eomer swore in outrage before propelling himself against the wall. Eowyn saw the wall rushing towards her and could do nothing but release her hold of him. Her sharp drop interfered his ungainly retreat and they both toppled over in an unruly tangle of limbs.

Eowyn braced herself to resume their fight when suddenly, Eomer rolled onto his back and began screaming.

************

Throughout the banquet hall, the room began to fill with the sound of screaming. Agonized cries of pain exceeded the sounds of battle and while some still battled, others looked about them in confusion. Even Imrahil and Faramir who had been unconscious were driven to wakefulness by the pain that coursed through them. Gimli who was bound, struggled against his ropes as he was visited by agony far greater than the injuries sustained during his confrontation with Melia.

Legolas stared at Aragorn who was on his knees, resisting the need to scream because even when he was under the power of a shape shifter, there was a part of him that would always remain Aragorn and that part loathed to admit weakness. Legolas could see his face contorting with excruciating pain, biting down while it coursed through his body as the spell of unmaking exerted itself upon him. Anduril had fallen out of his grip and eventually the white-hot agony tore the scream from him that Aragorn had fought so hard not to utter.

Legolas was torn between rushing to his friend’s aid and letting the spell carry out its purpose. He remembered little of how the spell had released him since the memory of his enslavement was an uncertain fog in his mind. His eyes swept across the room and saw the rest of his friends enduring similar torment. Eowyn was standing over her brother, her lovely face showing her anguish at seeing him in such a state. Gimli was lying on his back, writhing in agony as the spell did its worst and Legolas shared Eowyn’s feeling of helplessness.

Suddenly, Aragorn convulsed and with a tremendous heave, expelled something dark and fetid from the pit of his stomach. It spilled out of him like blood, escaping his mouth and creating a foul puddle on the floor beneath his lips. This grisly scene was repeated across the room as Faramir, Imrahil, Gimli and Eomer were similarly freed. Lothiriel fell forward on her hands and knees, barely able to keep from being rendered unconscious after the tremendous strain she had just endured to complete the spell. Legolas could see rivulets of blood running down her nose and was glad to see Melia tending to the young woman.

"Aragorn," Legolas went to his friend’s side after long last.

Aragorn, amazingly enough, was still lucid. He was on all fours, breathing hard like an animal that had been chased across the world.

"Aragorn," the prince dropped to one knee beside the king. "Are you alright?"

Aragorn’s body was trembling in the wake of being released from that terrible spell but slowly, he raised his head and peered at Legolas through the tendrils of sweat drenched hair….

*************

"Evenstar!" Akallabeth said the word like the snarl from a crazed animal.

Arwen and the former Easterling queen battled each other in a duel that seemed to go on forever. Akallabeth was determined to kill her, blaming Arwen for all the misfortunes that had befallen the race of skin changers since the destruction of Glaurung at Nargothrond. The skin changer’s tactic was to change shape often and Arwen found herself facing a multitude of villains, from orcs to Nazgul. It had even taken on the form of Elrond at one point of the battle, trying to confuse her.

However, Arwen kept her wits about her and despite her focus on the enemy, she could see the other skin changers around them falling to the sword of Easterling and Gondorian soldiers, not to mention her own companions. The skin changers were slowly being defeated and now with the completion of Lothiriel’s spell of unmaking, their plans to take over Middle earth lay in ruins. Unfortunately, Akallabeth was not about to concede defeat, without first exacting a bloody display of spite.

"Twice you have brought ruin to my people!" Akallabeth hissed while breathing hard like a panting animal.

"Your people deserve nothing less!" Arwen retaliated with just as much venom. "You serve the darkness and you seek to turn that which is not bathed in evil to stink as vilely as you do. You think I was going to let Glaurung destroy my child before he was even born? Do you think that I would allow you to ruin the peace so many had shed in blood to build!"

"It is a peace you will never enjoy!" Akallabeth screamed. "My people may be defeated after this day but I intend to see that you die with us!"

Arwen wasted no time and swung her blade at the creature who leapt backwards to avoid the swing with surprising agility. The shape of the beast altered again and instead of facing another face from the past, Arwen now found herself standing in front of a snarling warg, with fangs bared and ready to tear her apart. The beast glared at her with yellow eyes and retreated one step in order to make a running leap before pouncing on her. There was barely enough time for Arwen to raise her sword before it sprang like a coiled serpent.

The weight of its landing against her body sent Arwen reeling backwards. She barely managed to maintain her grip upon her sword. Hitting her head hard against the stone floor as she fell, Arwen felt a wave of disorientation as she reeled from the impact. However, there was no time for her to recover because she could smell its fetid breath against her neck. She blinked in time to see its teeth coming for her throat and smashed the hilt of her sword against its flank. The beast howled loudly and Arwen took advantage of its pain to throw the skin changer from her body. She got to her knees in time to see creature scrambling to its feet, preparing to launch itself at her in a renewed assault.

"Prepare to meet your doom she elf!" The unholy voice of Akallabeth escaped the warg’s mouth before it pounced again.

Arwen prepared to meet the creature with her sword when suddenly, another blade sliced through the air and pierced the flank of the creature. The blade forged in the elvish way continued its forceful drive, burying itself to the hilt within the coarse pelt and emerging through the opposite flank of the beast. A final, agonized shriek tore through the air before the creature fell against the stone in a sickening crunch of sound. Blood splattered in all directions upon impact and in death, the shape of the warg melted away to that of the skin changer’s true form.

"Undomiel," Arwen recovered enough to hear her name being called.

She looked up and saw Aragorn standing before her, his expression one of exhaustion and weariness. It was an effort for him to even remain standing. Upon meeting her eyes, Aragorn outstretched his hand towards her.

"I do not deserve you wife," he said in short, exhausted breaths.

Arwen thought her heart might break from relief as she took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled into his embrace. Only when Aragorn’s wrapped his arms around her and held her close, did Arwen find the strength enough to speak.

"I am glad you are aware of this," she whispered, relishing the feel of being in his arm once again. "You have no idea what I have endured this day for you."

"How could I forget?" he swallowed and Arwen could feel his tears against her skin. "You are all that is precious in my life, I would rather die than hurt you. I wished I could have, to spare you my sins this day."

"You remember?" She looked at him, not expecting that.

"No," he shook his head. "But I can feel it. I can still what their poison made me do." There was anger in his eyes but there also intense sorrow.

Arwen looked at her husband and knew though he was responsible for nothing that transpired this day and could barely remember what he had done, he would not be free of it for a long time.

Perhaps Akallabeth had revenge after all.

TO BE CONTINUED