Aravan {A Lord of the Rings Story}

T•H•R•E•E

T•H•R•E•E

Blue rose early the next morning. He did not bother to wake the child, for he found no need to as of yet. Besides, it was not quite dawn; the sun had not risen yet. He quietly made his way around the room, picking up the clutter from their dishes and lighting a small fire.

He began to exit the room, but stopped when he saw that Artanis’s blanket had fallen from her shoulders and that she was shivering. He carefully placed the dishes down and strode over to her bedside, where he lifted the blanket to cover her once more, also brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. She stirred slightly, but did not fully come to. She shifted her position so that she was lying comfortably on her back.

Blue smiled. Although he had only spent one evening with the girl, he had grown to feel very protective and even a little affectionate of her. He could see her becoming an incredibly bright young thing. He had already pinpointed her curiosity for her bettering rather than her ruin. She had the qualities of an inquisitive student but also a brave and strong willed warrior. And he felt a very deep need to cultivate those qualities in the time that he would be with her.

He stepped away from the bed, picked up the dishes, and walked out the door, making sure it didn’t slam on his way out. He crept down the hall and down the stairs to the bar. As he suspected it would be, the bar was completely empty. No candles or lanterns were lit, leaving the place very dark. All the mugs and glasses had been cleaned and were on their shelves, waiting to be used. The counters had been scrubbed and the floors swept. Blue set the dishes on the counter, hoping that they would be found before opening time. He felt rather rude just leaving them there, but he had no other choice; no one was awake besides him, after all.

Blue made his way back up the stairs and into the room, where he decided to sit and watch out the window as the sun rose in the sky. The usual blue was brushed with vibrant oranges and pinks as the ball of fire ascended over the horizon. Soon enough, it was high in the sky, shining brilliantly, but not too the point where it was blinding. It was a calm, warm shine. It was then that Artanis arose from her slumber.

She sat up tall and stretched, letting out a long yawn. She rubbed a little sleep from her eyes and looked around. Upon seeing Blue, she smiled.

‘Good morning, Blue,’ she said happily.

‘Good morning, child,’ he replied. He frowned. Something was not right about her. She sounded happy and rested, but she did not look the part. Gloomy circles had settled underneath her eyes, which seemed wide and unsure. Her skin was as pale as the sheet that she had just been resting underneath.

‘Artanis, is something wrong?’ he asked.

She grimaced. ‘I had unpleasant dreams.’

‘Do you remember what they were about? Talking about them might make you feel better.’

She shook her head. ‘No. All I can remember is darkness and death and war, but I cannot recall anything specific or solid.’

Blue looked at her sadly. ‘Those are troubling images for such a young mind to see.’

‘But that is what is coming, is it not?’

‘I beg your pardon?’

‘Darkness, and death, and war. I can feel something awful in the air, Blue. I know something vile is approaching. Like a shadow, slowly taking over Middle Earth without any of us really noticing it.’

Blue nodded solemnly. ‘Yes, child. Something dreadful is coming.’

‘I thought so…’

‘But do not be distressed, young one. Some have noticed it; good people, with good intentions and much courage.’