Aria the Black (Book 2 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 13: Ladies of Darkness and Light

Galadriel then led Aria a little further away from the Fellowship, into the clearing where Aragorn and Celeborn had discussed their quest. Aria stood before her, waiting for the queen to address her and explain.

"Why did you take me away from the others?" Aria asked, breaking the eerie silence. "What is so personal that we must be so discreet?"

The She-Elf only smiled at the young dwarf's boldness, even if she had not meant it. "The others would not understand of what we must speak of, nor my husband or any other."

At this point, Aria knew she was referring to her magic. She was surprised when Galadriel hadn't confronted her directly when they first arrived, but she did not push the matter. She had enough to attend to, Aria knew, and would not trouble her if only at the most dire of times.

"I talk of your magic, my child. It grows more terrible and menacing than the Elves could have ever predicted."

"You knew of this? Even before I entered the forest?" Aria was shocked. It seemed that everyone had been aware of her powers but her before she had joined the Fellowship.

"Yes. Your mother confided in me when she was pregnant. She sensed a dark presence inside her." Galadriel could tell she was confused. "Allow me to explain."

"Sorcerers, or Sorceresses, in this case, are not meant to procreate. When they do, the future and fate is not favorable to the child. Often times, the mother and her or her lovers' magic will attack the child and kill it. In some cases, the child does survive, but inherits the magic and kills it's parents. Birth is alike to the very definition of tampering with magic- when the master of it has trouble honing their power, that is when danger brews. A wizard's magic is meant to be controlled, and only by that individual. That is why no wizard is born with the same magic, and why the magic is so hard to come by. Most often, one individual alone cannot practice magic, simply because their soul and moral being is too weak to contain it.

"But, in the rarest of times, a magical birth can be successful. Your parents are resilient, strong and brave fighters to this day, but also had nearly identical souls. The most perfect match possible for a magical child- similar souls, home to strength and weakness that makes a being so powerful. If fate had intended it, perhaps Thorin Oakenshield may have become a wizard, and not just a prince.

"In short, your birth was successful, but not without cost. Your mother did the best she could to protect you, Aria, but even she could not defend against the intangible evil lurking in the shadows. You were tampered with, in the very womb, no less. And there is only one, great and terrible in the best of his days, capable of such sorcery. The Dark Lord himself cursed you with dark magic. He fed off of you, masked by the shadow, and replaced the light magic you were meant to inherit with his own, unspeakable power. You may be the reason he is alive today. You are his strength."

Aria gasped in horror. Feeling light-headed, she grabbed ahold of the nearest tree, her mind swirling. It was almost too much for her to process, but it explained everything- her nightmares, the sudden bursts of magic that was not her own. I created Sauron. His magic now lives inside of me- He lives inside me. The thought alone repulsed and scared her, so much that she began shaking. "How do you know of this?" Very little was helping Aria maintain her composure.

"I bear a ring. Alike to Frodo's, but not nearly as powerful. It has it's own magic within it, and since I am it's keeper, I now share in it's powers. I saw this. Gradually, and not nearly soon enough to stop it, although I wish I could have." Galadriel bent down to Aria's height, taking her clammy hands. "Ravonna made herself blind from you, from reality. Do not make that same mistake. I know that you fear him, and I pray that this knowledge helps you in your time of need. You have been trying to escape your truth, the darkness that is embedded in your existence, but you cannot."

"Then I know what I must do." Aria looked into the Lady's eyes, tears now falling freely from her face. "If Sauron lives inside me, as he does within the one Ring, then-"

"Yes." Galadriel returned her sad expression. "Yes, my child. All of Sauron must be destroyed, that is for certain, for Middle Earth to live on in the light."

Aria nodded in understanding.

"You must die, Aria. The Fellowship must be successful in it's quest. Otherwise, history will repeat itself." The Elf's voice became more urgent. "Thorin and Ravonna's love will be the death of Middle Earth if you do not act. The same will happen to you as did to your mother. He will strike again, creating another child alike yourself, from your very being. With a third like him, this task will be impossible. Sauron's reign will prevail, and Middle Earth will fall into darkness."

"Then I will not fail." Aria now stood tall, dwarven pride coursing through her veins. "I will die alongside the Ring in Mordor. Frodo will guide me, for the young hobbit will not fail. He is not worthy of sin."

Galadriel nodded, rising once again to her immense height.

"The Fellowship will not fail. Middle Earth shall live. All of Sauron will be destroyed; even if he takes me down with him."

...

Wow, a lot of dialogue in this chapter. What do you guys think? Who knew Ravonna and Thorin's love has such grave consequences? I am so proud that I have thought of an ending to this book, and am proud to announce that I plan on writing a third book for this trilogy, Daughters of Durin! Comment your thoughts below, and please keep on reading and voting. I love you all and will see you on the next one!

Olivia