Living In The Shadows (Aragorn X OC)

7

The next day, the warm golden light of the waking sun enters Annika's chambers. 

But she isn't under the covers. 

Instead, she sits out at her fountain, watching it intently, a small smile creeping up with the sun. She thought of her past; the last time she had watched closely the sun rise was when she was with the Company, when she and Kili had their first kiss. 

But the happiness soon wore away as his death replaced the memory. Soon, the sun softly cast its light on Annika's face, and a small breeze blew her hair back. Standing up, she almost tripped in a lump in the ground.

"That's odd," she thought. Last she remembered, the ground was perfectly smooth. 

Then a memory from her earlier years resurfaces. 

*><*><Flashback><*><*

Annika was still a child at 50 years old. As usual, she ran and played near her fountain, the grass and flowers tickling her feet. 

"Annika, anel!" (Daughter!) Her mother called.

"Naneth, nányë hí!" (Mother, I am here!)

Laughing, her mother approaches her with a small box in her hands. "I have something for you!"

"What is it, mother?" 

Celebrían opens the box slowly, revealing a beautiful moon necklace.

"It's beautiful, Naneth, very beautiful!"

*><*><End of flashback><*><*

~ANNIKA~

I had buried the necklace when she died.

Surely it would be alright to dig it up out of the ground?

"Annika?" Arwen called.

"Yes, sister?" I responded.

"Father is calling for you. You need to eat! Anyway, Frodo woke up and Gandalf, Strider and the other haflings are here so that's that."

"Gandalf's here? Only now?" I questioned.

"It does seem to be that Mithrandir is late."

"I thought a wizard was never late, nor was he early, he arrives precisely when he means to?" I chuckled.

Arwen laughed. "Come on muinthel nin!" (Sister of mine!)

"Alright, I'm coming!"

Soon afterwards, I ran to Frodo's chamber. Opening the door briskly, I quickly noticed there was no one inside. 

"He's in the gardens right now, my lady." A voice from behind me says. Turning around, I see Gandalf.

"Gandalf!"

"Yes, I am here. I am sorry to not have arrived at the Prancing Pony, as I had some matters to attend to." He stated, frowning softly.

"What have you seen, Mithrandir?" I ask softly.

"Bilbo's here too." He said, not answering my question.

But wait, Bilbo's here?

"Where is he?" I ask, a grin forming on my face as I thought of that dear hobbit.

"He should be with Frodo." He stared, turning to leave.

"Hannon le!" (Thank you!)

I ran over to the gardens, ready to see my friend. Then, I almost crashed into someone. 

"Goheno nin!" (I'm sorry!) 

"Lá- nirwa. Nalyë gohena-." (I am not hurt. You are forgiven.) A familiar voice responds. I look up to see Strider. He had obviously cleaned himself up, and I had to admit that he was very handsome. 

Stop it, Annika. What are you thinking?

"Storm?" 

"Strider?"

~ARAGORN~

At seeing her face, my heart leaped.

She was very beautiful~ her wavy dark brown hair passed her shoulders, and her eyes were the same color. I had seen her on Weathertop, but not in this way. Noticing her ears, I said, "So you're an Elf."

"Yes, I am." She replied, pushing a loose strand of hair back behind her ear.

"I could tell. Your sword could only be from the Elves, and the golden hilt indicated Rivendell."

"Guess I need to be more discreet, eh?" She joked.

"Maybe." I teased.

"Says the one who caught my attention from out of my range of sight." She returned.

"Maybe I'm just attractive." 

"But I couldn't see your face!" She retorted.

"Oh, so you admit I'm handsome?" I teased as she groaned.

"I'm going to get you for that."