Lost Starlight [Book Two]

Chapter Two

Arirua opened her eyes a little before closing them again because of the bright light that filled the space around her. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, the young woman sat up and stretched. Bring her arms down; Arirua began to pat the space around her, trying to find Kili, who had taken to sleeping near her when he wasn't on watch. But her hand was met with nothing but air. The young star sat up, looking around wildly, trying to find her love and friends. Gone were the tall trees, the buzzing of insects, the moon, and the stars. Gone were the dwarves, the hobbit, and the wizard she had been traveling with. In place of the barn was a room filled with a pure, bright light. No matter how far Arirua looked, she could not see the end of the room. It seemed to go on forever.

"Kili!?" Arirua yelled, getting to her feet, looking around. "Fili!? Bilbo? Thorin? Ori? Dwalin? Where are you?"

Walk, just start walking.

The star took a deep shaky breath and took a step forward. As she walked the length of the room, the light danced around her, almost reminding her of her home. A smile crept across her face at the thought of home.

Perhaps I am home. Arirua thought to herself. Her steps quickened as she continued to walk through the room.

And then he was there, no movement, no walking through the blinding light towards her; he was just there, standing in sight, only a few steps away.

"Kili!" the star yelled, happiness washing over her. But when he didn't look up at her, Arirua's heart dropped a little and her steps quickened. Reaching out for him as she got closer, her fingers were suddenly met with a wall of glass, standing between her and her love.

"Kili!" Arirua yelled, banging on the glass. Behind the dwarf, she could see the company of dwarves, the hobbit, and the wandering wizard. And just behind them stood Elrond, Arwen, Aragorn, Haldir, and Legolas. Arirua's banging grew more fervent. Yet they still looked in any direction but hers, laughing and talking amongst themselves.

"I am here!" she cried out. Her loved ones continued to ignore her. "I am rig...right he...here." But no matter how hard she banged on the glass or screamed their names, they never turned to look at her.

"...Arirua..." a voice whispered. It came from nowhere and seemed to float all around her.

Pulling her hands away from the glass, Arirua looked around wildly, trying to find the source of the voice. But there was no one around her, besides those who stood on the other side of the glass. However, when she looked back, she could see them slowly beginning to fade away, some quicker than others.

She watched as Elrond, Arwen, Aragorn, Gandalf, and almost all of the Company fade away. And as she watched, all she could do was cry and slam her fists against the glass wall.

"No! Bilbo!" Arirua cried as the hobbit faded. "Fili! No! Do not leave me."

And then they were all gone, all but one.