His Corrupted Mind [Witch-King x OC]

Chapter XIV : Start of an Adventure

"Never fear quarrels, but seek hazardous adventures." -Alexandre Dumas

Despite the dire purpose of the Fellowship and darkness that was the One Ring in their possession, the dawn that morning in Rivendell came softly and brought warmth to all those within the great Elven city.

The Fellowship had yet to depart upon their quest, and in this time Inconnu was checking Sverundr's tack to ensure the greatest safety for both horse and rider. He would be one of the two horses that would come with the group, along with Aragorn's own gelding. Like the gelding, Sverundr would also carry supplies though not as much.

Then out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Lord Elrond leaving from a well-kept garden. Even when surrounded by the peace of Imladris, Inconnu could sense the worry and tension that followed the great Elven Lord.

Her curiosity peaked, Inconnu handed Sverundr's reins off the nearby servant before following her instincts. They led her into the garden from which Lord Elrond departed, having her walk along a well worn dirt path until she came upon Aragorn. He stood before a statue of a woman, his hand caressing its cheek. Inconnu remained silent for a few moments before speaking out softly, "She's beautiful."

Aragorn did not turn in her direction, nor make any other indication that acknowledged her presence until his hand left the cheek of the statue. Now he turned his head slightly her way, saying in the same tone of quiet, "She was my mother. This is her memorial."

Inconnu's lips fell into a small smile. "My condolences then. I know the pain of losing a mother."

Aragorn turned to face her fully and said, "You mentioned your mother the morning you woke from your deep sleep."

"I did."

"What was she like?"

Inconnu was a bit surprised at the personal question he asked of her, but it brought her no troubles to talk about her mother.

"My mother was of pure Numenorian blood, pale of skin and with hair as black as a raven's feathers. She was a kind woman, never truly having a bad word to say to anyone. My mother was young when she had me, too young according to many, but she raised me well enough. There was always food on the table and she never punished me."

A small, melancholy smile appeared as she continued, "Though I was certainly put in my place by the mere knowledge of her disappointment whenever I did something she did not approve of."

Aragorn then voiced a small suspicion that came to his mind. "There was something else though, wasn't there?"

Inconnu gave a nod as she replied, "Yes, there was. My mother was always worried for my fate, though I did not understand that disquietness until only recently. Her apprehension was a constant presence in our home, ever behind every action and word that dealt with me. When I was younger I was ignorant of it, but as the years passed I grew to no longer be as such."

This struck a chord in Aragorn, and he sympathized with the Huntress of the North. His childhood has been somewhat similar to her own, their mothers both worried for the fate of their child, knowing what would become of them. He then asked, "Did she love you?"

Inconnu held back her words initially, nearly choking on them because of the hurt and sorrowful emotions that resurfaced in her heart. It took her a moment to calm down enough, though her head hung slightly, and managed to reply, "I know she did in her heart, after all she brought me into this world and cared for me until her dying day, but she never spoke such words to me even then. Just an apology for the fate I was born into."

A warm hand was on her shoulder at that moment, and she looked up to see Aragorn's dark grey eyes meet her own lighter grey ones steadily. Kindness and understanding emanated from them as he said, "I am sorry your mother could never tell you that she loved you. A mother's love is very important to a young child. I believe she would be proud of you if she could see you, accepting your fate and having faced the Witch-King on many occasions with a courage most men could not come up with."