Unforgiven

Settle

Hours later, Lairiel looked over the great destruction that had taken place in the throne room. Not for the first time did she wish that she possessed enough courage to stand up to Anodien... or that she'd been able to change her so many years ago. Where did my courage go? Beside her, Vilkas rubbed at her leg, sensing her sorrow. "Good boy," the She-Elf murmured, rubbing at the back of his head. He was no dumb animal; he knew this had all gone much further than anyone had ever intended.

"That was a fun distraction." Both the copper-haired Elleth and her direwolf looked over at the queen.

"Distraction?"

"Yes, a distraction." Anodien glanced down. "I'll look forward to seeing his expression when I bring him his father's head on a platter."

"I thought you were going to kill him in a few hours."

"I've a better idea. He'll be allowed to see, firsthand, as I destroy the land he loves." Both were silent for quite some time, though anxiety was rising in Lairiel's chest.

She moved in front of the queen and dipped her head, afraid to see the midnight that had overtaken Anodien's eyes. "I have a suggestion."

"Oh?"

"Why don't you try to make a deal instead? I'm sure you have an idea of what you want from him." Anodien did not speak, and Lairiel's eyes darted up. The queen's expression was one of reflection, and unbidden, hope began to replace the fear within Lairiel.

"You make a good point," Anodien admitted, twirling a small strand of red hair between her fingers. "It'll be so much more satisfying when I beat him into submission before taking his world for my own." Lairiel's jaw dropped.

"Anodien, n--"

"Thank you, thank you." Anodien waved Lairiel away and stood from her throne. "Go find me a few more guards. It's not as if I need them, but I should keep up appearances all the same." With a grim smile, the queen headed towards her quarters.

...

Lairiel watched the once-kind Anodien trot off. Sensing her sorrow, Vilkas rubbed his head against her ribs. She stroked his ears absentmindedly, trying to figure out what to do and how they'd gotten to this point. Why haven't I stood up for myself, for the world, all these years? she berated herself. A tear left a trail down her left cheek, which she hastily wiped away.

There was nothing she could do. She'd made a mistake oh-so-many years ago, allowing Anodien to take the throne as she had. Not even the cruel and deadly Joren Skyslinger could have managed what her friend had, could have garnered as much power as this. Her eyes roamed the throne room, settling on the bodies of Gandalf and Minaethiel next to the ashes of Balglas.

Denial had done nothing. Anodien was a monster, and Lairiel's own fear might as well have played the same part in destroying Arda. An image came to her mind of throwing herself from the highest tower in the palace, and the urge was almost too real.

Shaking the suicidal thoughts away, Lairiel tapped her thigh as a signal for Vilkas to follow before heading to her own chambers to think on ways to remedy this situation that had been allowed to unfold for far too long.

....

Anodien eyed the various outfits before deciding that any would do for a simple meeting with the worthless Elf down below. "It's not as though he deserves much thought," she growled to herself, waving her hand. A short black lace habit fit itself over her, tying her hair up and settling down with a thin trail behind her. After a short chuckle, she couldn't help but look over to the stones where her heart was hidden. "Good riddance."