The Last Light of the Star

15 - What happens in the linen closet, stays in the linen closet

Arryin ran swiftly through the Mirkwood forest, cloaked by the night's darkness, with the Mirkwood guards on her heels. Technically, she could stop at any moment and reveal that she too was a part of the elven army, but that would then reveal that she was the one spying in King Thranduil's window. Quite a dilemma, if you asked her.

The Ranger had run into the forest hoping to make the guards suspect she was an outsider—not someone from their own Kingdom. Because, if it was revealed that she was running surveillance on the King, she would surely be executed for treason. Arryin, of course, was only seeking to discover if he had knowledge of her abilities; however, she knew the elves would not see it that way. There wasn't even a chance that they could see it that way given that finding out about her flames wasn't an option. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she really did wish to stay in Mirkwood. And getting caught? Well, that would surely destroy that possibility.

Currently, Arryin could feel the five guards closing in on her, but still she pushed forward. Her feet slammed into the wet soil hard and her breath was labored. To make things worse, she saw a couple throwing stars wiz past her. It was only a matter of time until they hit their mark.

As if the Valar was against her, it was at that moment that a sharp pain struck her in the back. She could not stop the cry that flushed from her lips, for the harsh pang seemed to ring through her blood. But still, she ran. Of course, Arryin had gotten stabbed, slashed, punched, kicked, and bitten before; you name it, she most likely endured it. However, that did not mean it was any less painful. With every forced step, Arryin could feel the heavy metal object in her back move—digging further into her skin. It hurt. Normally, she would keep it in because removing it would allow the blood to flow from her body. But sprinting with an weapon imbedded near your spin? No thanks. Not a good idea. She would like to avoid nerve damage.

As she began weaving between trees in a confusing pattern in attempt to loose the guards, she reached up and yanked the weapon from her skin. With bloody hands, she dropped the throwing star onto the forest floor. Yet, she continued on. Arryin could feel her body slowing and her energy draining. She was beginning to loose focus—to stray from mission. This, of course, came at a cost: another throwing star in the back.

A small yelp of pain left her mouth once more as she stumbled. Surely she could move no further?

But the Ranger did not stop her sprint. Again, she tore the metal from her back—leaving it too on the forest floor with a light thud.

Arryin fumbled through the trees gasping for breath. She knew not how her feet continued to carry her when her mind was blank, but the sight of the Mirkwood Palace gave her hope. Once she got to her room, she could take care of her wounds—she could rest.

With her fogged mind, it was unclear to her how she got into the castle. But here she was, stumbling through the woodland halls. Her vision began to blur as she grasped at the stone with her bloody hands—desperate to keep moving forward. She vaguely remembered going up stairs and running through winding corridors; however, everything seemed so distant, so perplexing, so...so strange. And her disorientation only increased as she went.

"This way!" A guard call out.

Her brows furrowed at those words. She began to panic.

They were close.

Arryin ran to the nearest door and slipped inside, slamming the dark wood behind her. She leaned her back against it, panting heavily.

She was safe. Finally.

A clearly surprised voice sounded from the room. "Arryin, Man i udún are cin dylú?! Hi na- highlui ipropaúte— (Arryin, what the hell are you doing?! This is highly inappropriate—)"