The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings one shots and Imagines Book II

The Black Witch - Part 10 - Isildur x Reader

Everything in italics, is a memory.

(Y/n) couldn't help but chuckle to herself as she listened to Aragorn tell the hobbits the stories that Elrond had told him about her, when he was a child. The witch sure that the peredhel had exaggerated just a little here and there, to keep a young Aragorn's interest; but given that Legolas seemed to be agreeing with everything that the Ranger was saying, adding his own bits when he thought appropriate, perhaps it was just she that had downplayed the things that she had done during the war. A smile coming to her lips, as Aragorn suddenly looked over to where she sat. His eyes not moving from hers, as Legolas took over the story.

"It would appear that the stories about you made quite an impression on Aragorn and Legolas when they were young, (Y/n). And now, our hobbits and dwarf too......." Gandalf said, as he came to join her, catching her attention. The witch shaking her head, when he offered her his pipe. The two Istar watching as Gimli appeared to have got as caught up in the tales, as Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin were.

"They are just stories, brother. I believe that Elrond and Thranduil may have embellished on my achievements just a little. The truth, for me at least, was far darker and much less interesting. Days filled with planning and strategising our next moves, or fighting whatever evil Sauron set out, until I could no longer feel my own body; until I no longer wanted to be in my own body. And nights.........well, sometimes they were even worse; filled with his voice calling to me. With images of what we had once had, tempting me to him. Listening to Aragorn's words, I do not see myself in them; they are the legends, the myths that have surrounded me, since the War of the Last Alliance. In truth, I do not see myself as any great warrior, as a hero; I just did what I had to do. I just had to do what I could to protect those I cared for; to protect the free peoples of Middle-Earth. And if that had meant laying down my own life, I would have done it, happily. And I will do so again, this time. I will see Sauron ended for good, his evil washed away from this world; I will see Aragorn take his rightful place on the throne, and the ushering in of the Fourth Age.......the Age of Men..........."

"But isn't that what does make you a hero, sister? The desire to aid others at the expense of your own wellbeing, their own life. To assist others to become all they can be. To watch over and protect those, who cannot protect themselves. And from what I have heard our Ranger and prince tell the others, not a single word is exaggerated.........." Gandalf said, as he placed his hand on her shoulder, giving (Y/n) a small smile before he left her to her thoughts.

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She made her way back into her tent. She had no idea of the time, all she knew was that she had started to fight as the sun rose, and finished when all that lit the thick, black air, were the burning torches.

Slowly she began to remove her leather armour. It was heavier than it had been when she had donned it that morning; it now seeming weighed down by the black blood of all the evil creatures that she had destroyed that day. The witch finding herself wincing, as the leather brushed passed a wound of her own; turning on her heels, as she heard a noise from behind her.

"My lady.........."

"Everything is fine, Galion..........."

"But the wounds........the wounds are deep..........."

"And they will mend, Galion. Do not concern yourself. Just bring me over the water so that I can wash myself clean of this odious mess........." She told the young elf that had been assigned to her as a squire, as she looked at all the black blood that stained her skin. The brunette ellon nodding and slowly making his way towards her with the large bowl of water.

"Are you sure that you do not want me to speak to a healer.........."

"The healers have far better things to do than concern themselves with me. No, being able to wash and dress in some clean clothes, I will be fine........though........."

"Though, my lady............."

"I would appreciate some wine.........." She told the ellon. Galion smiling slightly and nodding, before making his way to the flap of the tent.

"Oh, and Galion.........."

"My lady............?"

"Thank you for caring..........." The ellon once again nodding at her words, before he left her to wash.

Slowly she pulled the shirt from over her head, before taking the cloth and sinking it into the warm water. A soft sigh leaving her lips, as she drew it across her skin, and removed the dirt, dust and blood, that were thickly caked on her flesh.

"I see why he still wants you........." A voice suddenly said. Her hand reaching for her dagger as she turned. A sigh leaving her lips, as she saw the oldest son of Elendil, standing in the tent. His eyes roaming her half naked body, as she reached for a new shirt.

"I swear that he is fighting just as much to get you back by his side, as he is anything else. But what man would blame him. You have to be the most beautiful creature I have ever lain my eyes on. I would want you to stand by my side, to be my queen too......." Isildur continued, as she pulled the shirt over her head and took a seat.

"But Isildur, you already have a queen, a beautiful queen..........."

"Aye, but I would make you my queen if only you were to say the word, (Y/n). Please just say the word............" Isildur continued, as he dropped to his knees in front of her and took her hand, bringing it up to her lips.

"You have had too much wine, Isildur and you know not what you say. I am Maiar, and even though I care about you a great deal............"

"Then you are more interested in the likes of Gil-galad.......or perhaps, Elrond. I have seen how close............"

"Be careful of your next words, Isildur.........." She warned, as she got to her feet and the air around them suddenly turned dark.

"One word against Gil-galad or Elrond, and I may just forget myself." The witch replied with an air of anger in her voice that Isildur had never heard before. The space returning to its former dull glow, as the son of Elendil got to his feet. His head bowed.

"I care for you, for your brother and father, a great deal. After all these years, how could I not. But we are here to fight a war, Isildur; to end Sauron and his scourge that threatens to take over our world. Love.......the love you wish to offer me; that you wish for us to share.......it is not for the likes of me. Though that does not mean that if times were different, if I were different; if you were not already wed, that I would not say yes." Isildur looking up at her words. His hand hesitantly reaching out and taking hers, as he saw a look of sadness in her eyes. The witch not wanting to think of the softer side of her heart, given that the last male that she had truly cared for, that she had loved, had become the creature that they were all now fighting.

"Now, you should go and rest. Who knows what the Dark Lord has planned for us, tomorrow......." She continued. Isildur reluctantly nodding, before she placed a kiss to his cheek, and then escorted him to the entrance to the tent. Watching as he made his way through all the fires that had been lit by the soldier to keep them warm against the chilled air. The witch slowly making her way back over to her chair and dropping down into it. Her eyes closing, as she hoped that she would be allowed a few hours rest, before she once more had to make her way out onto the battlefield...........

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Suddenly, there was a loud laugh. (Y/n) looking back over to the group to see Gimli laughing. The witch not sure what either Aragorn or Legolas had said, but was sure that if it had caused the dwarf so much amusement, he would ask her about it when he got a chance. Aragorn once more looking at her and smiling, along with giving a small shake of his head at the dwarves' antics, the witch returning the small gesture and just shrugging, before making her way over to her bed roll. Hoping for a few moments' peace, before his voice slipped back into her mind.