Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 11

***Aragorn POV***

I had woken up before the hobbits and had turned to see Aleana still sitting on the log, her gaze to the sky that was just starting to light up as the sun rose. It seemed she had not moved at all in the night. There was still a few hours before I would have to wake the hobbits. I stand and the rustling from my blanket causes her to turn around swiftly, assessing for danger. But when her eyes fall on me she visibly relaxes, giving me a small smile before turning away. 

I put up my blanket before washing my face with some water. When I look to Aleana again, she is lost in her thoughts, worry etched on her face. I walk up to her and place a hand on her shoulder, startling her as she turns around. Once again she relaxes when she realizes it is only I.

"Good morning Aleana," I take a seat beside her, offering her an apple, but she refuses. I bite into it.

"Morning."

"Everything alright? You seem quite worried." 

She is quiet for a few minutes, but speaks.

"I am not sure. I feel as if father is hurt. Last night a strange feeling washed over me, as if father was in pain," she turns to look at me, her eyes glazed with unshed tears, "why did he not show up at the inn? Father would never just leave us there all alone, especially on such a grave matter."

"Do not worry Aleana. He is a wizard, he does as he pleases. I am sure he is alright."

"How can I not worry," she asks, her voice cracking, a tear sliding down her cheek, "he is all I have left in this world Aragorn. I cannot lose him for I would be left all alone. I fear the loneliness Aragorn. I fear for my father."

I bring my hand up, cupping her cheek, wiping her tears away with my thumb. She looks to me, fear and concern evident in her eyes. 

"Forgive me. Of course you worry and I have no reason to tell you not to. But you know your father better than I, and I believe we will see him again. Besides, if something really evil befell your father, something tells me you would know."

She nods, taking her face from my hand and wiping the last of her tears and looking to me with a smile.

"Thank you Aragorn."

I smile in response before turning around and waking up the hobbits. 

***Aleana POV***

Though the worry had not left my heart, I felt better after having talked to Aragorn, truly appreciating his companionship. He had woken the hobbits and we had set out towards Rivendell once more. The swamps had turned into a rugged countryside and the day seemed to pass too quickly, night approaching all too fast.

Aragorn stops before a distant hill, topped by an ancient ruin and I stop beside him, the hobbits in front of us. 

"This was once the great Watchtower of Amon Sul. We shall rest her tonight," Aragorn declares and we head towards it. 

At dusk we finally reach a small hollow, halfway up weathertop and the hobbits collapse, muddy and exhausted. Aragorn drops four swords at their feet.

"These are for you. Keep them close. I'm going to have a look around. Stay here," he addresses them before turning to me, "I will be back as soon as I can. Get some rest, you did not sleep last night either."

"I will, be safe," I respond and with one last nod he turns and walks back the way we came. 

Exhausted as well, I settle down beside Frodo who had already fallen asleep, sleep taking over me as well. 

...

My eyes open wide as Frodo suddenly sits up, pulling me from my sleep. I look to see what had him worried and see Sam, Merry, and Pippin huddled over a small fire, frying food. I immediately scramble to my feet.

"What are you doing," Frodo exclaims.

"Tomatoes, sausages, and crispy bacon," Merry answers.

"We saved some for you Mr. Frodo and Lady Aleana," Sam says and Frodo starts stepping on the fire to put it out.

"Put it out, you fools! Put it out," Frodo cries. 

"Oh, that's nice...ash on my tomatoes," Pippin complains and I am about to scold them when a sudden shriek is heard. I gasp as the pain in my head returns, but knowing I had to keep the hobbits from harm, I try to ignore it as best as I can. I pull them to their feet, pushing them up as we clamber desperately towards the summit, clutching our swords. 

We race into a ring of broken stones on the summit on Weathertop, standing back-to-back as the five Ringwraiths appear. They move towards us, their swords gleaming in the moonlight. We rush them, each taking one of the Ringwraiths. I try to stab the one before me, but he is quick, sidestepping and hitting me across my chest, sending me flying back. I fall to the ground, gasping for breath as I look up to see the Ringwraith standing over me. 

He reaches for me, his hand enclosing around my neck, though he does not squeeze, for he does worse. Fire burns in my body and I scream out at the pain in my head, and I knew exactly what would happen next. I shut my eyes tight, wanting the pain to pass. When it does, I open my eyes slowly, praying to Valar that I wasn't back to Sauron, but my prayer goes unanswered as I find myself lying on a bed. 

Immediately, I sit up in the queen bed. That's when I notice his presence and fearfully I look to my right to see him lying beside me, his gaze on the ceiling above, one arm under his head, the other playing with a lock of my hair, twirling it around his long, slender fingers. 

"You are truly powerful Aleana, do you know that," he turns his head, placing his gaze on me, "the blood of two of the most powerful beings, flows in your vein. I understand why they didn't nurture the power in you, for they know that power breeds greed, and greed is evil. But I suppose it is good for myself that you aren't as powerful as you should be, not even half as powerful, for then you would be a threat to me."

As fast as lightning, I am on my back, Sauron leaning over me, my wrists in his hands beside my head. I look up at him, his hair falling over his shoulders, almost touching my shoulders. I try not to shake in fear, but I can't help it as his orange orbs stare down at me. 

"But I still must make sure Aleana that you never gain power, and thus I must do this," I look up at him in confusion as he pulls up the sleeve of my tunic on my left arm, my bare forearm before him.

"I hope one day you can forgive me for this my love," he states. 

He then places his hand over my forearm and I see him move his lips, muttering something, but I cannot make it out as a scream rips from my throat at the pain in my arm. Tears spring to my eyes as darkness clouds my vision and I am pulled into emptiness. 

A/n: What do you guys think? Am I developing Aragorn and Aleana's relationship to your liking? And what of Sauron?! I really wanted more of him so that is why I am making sure he makes an appearance here and there, but what is his relationship with Aleana? Keep reading to find out!

Comment and vote!

Thank you!