Disclaimer: just so you know, I don't own any rights to either Golden Sun, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, or the Lord of the Rings trilogy films and books. I do have to say blending the two was all my idea, though. (Winks)
Last time on AoME Radagast led the GS group to Goma Range, where the portal has opened. After a slight delay due to a landslide, they made their way into the cave, where Radagast, after explaining what to do, left them outside the portal. Worried, the group make their way through the golden portal of light, to whatever adventures await them in middle earth… Chapter Five: Arrival"Hold on!" he could barely hear Felix' voice over the howling of wind. "Everyone, hold on, otherwise who knows what'll happen!"
Isaac wanted to scream, but he couldn't make his voice work. Whatever he had been expecting when he had walked into the portal holding his friends hands to stay together, he hadn't expected to suddenly find whatever floor there was beneath them abruptly taken away, causing them to freefall from an unknown height. Air rushed up at them with such a force it made him feel winded, as if hundreds of icy cold hands slapped at his face and clawed at his clothing. He could hear the other's scream and yell in horror, but he could barely see them. The golden light bathed them in a blinding intensity that seared at his eyes, making them water painfully, but he could not close them even if he wanted to. Jenna's hand felt like a vice-grip on his.
"I…I'm slipping!" Isaac heard Mia cry in horror.
"Mia!" was that Garet's voice? "Hold on, you've got to-!"
"I-it's no use!"
Isaac's eyes widened in horror and his eyes franticly searched out Mia and Ivan, clinging onto her at the end of the group. Their shape, nothing more than a vague blur in the blinding gold was close by. Somehow, as they slipped into the plummet, they had taken a semi-circular formation. Isaac was the only one with a free hand now. Without a second thought, Isaac reached out for Ivan.
If Ivan and Mia get lost, if they get hurt and I could have stopped it…It'll be my entire fault!
"Ivan, grab hold!" Isaac shouted over the rushing wind, reaching out for the younger boy. Ivan stared up at him fearfully, confused, unable to see through the piercing radiance.
"Isaac!"
"Hurry!"
"I…it's no use! I can't –" Ivan's eyes suddenly widened in horror as the rushing winds tore at them. Even Isaac could feel his grip on Jenna slipping. But even crying out was not possible as another wave of energy swept over them once more, shaking him to the core. Barely over the howls of the wind Ivan and Mia screamed, toppling into the light.
"No! Ivan! Mia!" screamed Sheba.
"Mia!" Garet cried desperately, reaching out for her, but she was already far out of reach.
Isaac didn't have time to scream for his friends. He reached out at lightning speed to grasp hold of Ivan's outstretched hand, so close to him, but his fingers grasped at nothing but air as they were swept away by the wave of power that hit mercilessly. All he could do was stare in horror as they vanished.
However, he didn't even get the chance to get over the shock before another wave hit. Even Isaac wasn't prepared this time; strong as it was it could put a Jupiter adept's winds to shame. His own hand was wrenched from their grasp.
"Isaac!"
"Isaac, No!" he could hear Jenna's cry, before the light swallowed him. His friends vanished into the blinding light.
A ball of black light was rushing up towards him. Somehow, he could almost make out shapes of woodland, a row of mountains springing up towards him, a land, dark and barren, a tall mountain shooting flames he could make out.
The rushing, if possible, had become even faster. He was spinning out of control, unable to do anything to control it. Falling in light, slapped, pushed and bruised by waves of golden light that grasped at him and dragged him away towards the land, spinning downwards, falling…falling…
A final shock wave was too much. It wrenched at his very being, suffocating him. His world fell into darkness and he knew no more.
AoMEFelix could feel himself drifting up to consciousness once more, a strange, floating feeling that seemed oddly familiar to him, which was odd, considering he hadn't been able to think or feel since the darkness had claimed him. He tried to pinpoint exactly when the last time he had felt such a feeling was…
Ah, now he remembered. The day that he had leapt off the Venus lighthouse after Sheba and fell unconscious on that strange floating island that had ripped away from the continent. When he had regained consciousness there, it had felt exactly the same, as if he was just floating in the water without a care, hearing the voices of loved ones guide him back. This time was the same. He could hear soft, musical voices speaking somewhere close by, but they were unearthly, and speaking in a language he had never heard before that seemed even more angelic than that of the Lemurians – or at least what he remembered from his short stay in the lost city. In fact, it sort of reminded him of that dream that he and Isaac had been receiving for the better part of the voyage back to Vale-
Something flashed in his mind. The glowing portal, the blazing light, Mia and Ivan falling, wrenched away by the shock wave of power stronger than any adepts, pain of loss, His friend's cries as Isaac slipping into the light, vanishing behind a veil of blinding radiance.
"Ivan…Mia…Isaac!" Felix cried, sitting up sharply, only to find his head spinning and the sudden urge to vomit. Gentle hands grasped him before he collapsed backwards, helping to steady him as he gasped for breath, clutching his head; his eyes screwed up tight against the wave of sickness.
"Careful, friend. You do not wish to hurt yourself further," a quiet voice close by said, soothing, melodic, with a hint of an accent that Felix had never heard before, even with all his travels over Weyard. The owner of the hands gently pushed him back into a lying position. "Calm yourself, we will not harm you."
Normally, Felix might have protested, but the voice, those gentle hands, he just couldn't find it in himself to resist. He lay back. His senses could pick up more now; his body sunk into something comfortably, even more so than anything he had slept on back home. His fingers brushed silken sheets that seemed to slide like water under them. The soft weight of cloth covered his body and, if he hazard a guess, he would say he was wearing some kind of silken sleeping robe.
Carefully, he opened his eyes to inspect if he was in any danger, though he doubted it. Still, after a year of fighting against Isaac and his friends, then Karst and Agatio and all the monsters that attacked at a moment's notice during the quest for the lighthouses, he couldn't help but be a little paranoid. Even worse when it looked as though he was wearing nothing but his nightwear!
At first, all he saw was a pure, white lustre that stung his eyes and he was forced to shield them until his eyes adjusted. Slowly, the light seemed to become much more bearable and he could begin to distinguish shapes. It seemed he was laying in some sort of white… room, for the lack of a better word, except that it was as open as it could be without being outside. Tall pillars held up a white, domed roof and on the bed above him, he could see a carving of a beautiful woman, or an angel, like those in the lighthouses. Slowly, turning his head, he found himself looking up into the face of the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on. He couldn't be described as anything else. Long dark air fell in waves passed his shoulders, framing an angelic face in auburn waves, entwined in it what looked like a simple, yet delicate tiara-like crown of golden vines. His face was perfect in a definitely inhuman way. Almond shaped eyes, so blue that it made even Isaac's intense azure eyes look murky. Sticking out from his silky waves of hair were two pointed ears. Behind him was a woman who had a striking resemblance to the angelic forms from the lighthouses and Sol sanctum, with the same, intense eyes that seemed to sear into your very soul. Her dark hair fell like water down her back against silken garments of a beauty that not even people in Tolbi owned.
"Welcome back to the land of the living," the man (he had no word to describe him otherwise) said softly.
"Who…" Felix coughed and nodded gratefully when a cup of water was passed to him. Taking a sip, he marvelled at the taste, so pure – however, he pushed that out of his head for the moment, he needed answers. "Who are you, sir?"
"My name is Elrond, lord of Rivendell. Behind me is Arwen, my daughter. One of our archers found you and your five companions on our borders and brought you back here to be healed."
Felix was almost bursting with questions, but he held his tongue in check. Right now, he and his remaining friends were in these people's hands. I suppose I owe them my life, he thought, then inwardly winced. Great, I owe another duo my life. What next…but there's nothing I can do about that now. Still, if we're in Rivendell, I guess most of us are where we're meant to be, according to that Radagast fellow. He watched as the lady spoke in that strange language once more and the man nodded. Turning to give Felix a tiny smile, Arwen walked – no, glided from the room.
"How are the other's?" Felix asked instead, not giving away any of his mental convocation to these people. He at least had to know if his friends were safe, before he worried about what happened to Isaac and the others. Even stranded, they weren't helpless by any means. Well, he hoped at any rate, but with the way Isaac and his friends always got themselves into trouble-
No, don't think like that!
…Like you can talk anyway, Mr lets-betray-the-Vale-and-almost-destroy-the-town. For the second time, I may add.
Felix mentally sighed, wondering about his remaining sanity. Quickly, he turned back to Elrond's answer.
"Merely sleeping, and should regain consciousness soon," the man – or would that be 'Elven' man, according to the wizard - said. "However, for the sake of my people, I must ask, who are you, that you look like a man, and yet feel like Istari?"
"Istari? You mean, like Radagast, right?" Felix asked slowly.
An elegant eyebrow raised. "You know of Radagast the brown?"
Felix gave a slight nod. "We met. We're not wizards, but…" Felix hesitated, wondering how much he should say. But hadn't Radagast specifically told them to seek out Rivendell? In the end, he shrugged. It would be better, in this instance, to tell the truth. "But we are not from this world."
Elrond gazed down sat him, his elegant eyebrows drawn into a frown now. "Explain."
Felix sat himself up, this time a little slower to avoid his head spinning and propped himself up on the headrest. "I guess I should start at the beginning," Felix started slowly, before fixing the Elf with his gaze. "My name is Felix, and I am a Venus Adept from the world of Weyard. My friends and I were sent by Radagast to help you against Sauron and the One Ring…"
Felix plunged into his story, explaining about the newly opened portals leading to Middle earth, and the mysterious visions, the arrival of Radagast and the orcs. He told Elrond about the way that Radagast had explained to them the story of the one ring and how it was now becoming a threat to Weyard as well. He explained how Radagast had led them to the portal and how the golden rushing light had ripped Isaac, Ivan and Mia away. Finally, silence descended upon them and it lengthened.
Great, now he thinks I'm crazy…At length, Elrond spoke. "It has been many millennia since the world of Weyard was cut away from middle earth to protect its great power. The existence of the Adepts is mere legend now. And yet you say that you are from Weyard, and Sauron has discovered Alchemy." Elrond shook his head, looking suddenly mournful. "Doom will indeed fall upon both worlds if he succeeds in gaining Alchemy and the one ring."
"That's what Radagast said," Felix said, trying not to sound too relieved that Elrond believed him. "So you see, we were brought here to help protect our world as well. If Middle Earth falls so does Weyard by default." Felix shook his head. "Still, my friends Ivan, Mia and Isaac got separated from us during the transition. There's no telling what could happen if Sauron or even Saruman gets hold of an Adept."
"Indeed. Saruman's betrayal runs deep. However, do not worry for your friends. The Valar will guide them to where they are needed. We shall send out searches across the borders to watch for them, as well as for the Hobbit, Frodo Baggins. For now, rest. It will be some time before the council concerning the Ring's fate will be decided. It would be best to regain your strength. You are safe here."
"Thank you." Felix said, gazing out at the peaceful forestry around his open room. He really hoped that his missing friends would be safe. He looked into his hands and clenched them, screwing up his eyes. "Please, Sol, watch over them."
AoME
"Ivan? Ivan, wake up…"
Ivan groaned and his eyes fluttered open. He blinked several times, slowly, up at the sky, which was blue, except for some of the clouds rolling by that looked a rather ominous grey colour. It would probably rain soon, he thought blearily.
He jumped when a face appeared upside-down in his line of vision. Big, turquoise eyes looked down at him in concern, her bluish hair trailing down her face, which was contorted in worry.
"M…Mia?" Ivan murmured, trying to wrack his brains to work out how he came to be lying with Mia looking over him, and him lying on the hard ground.
When she saw Ivan's eyes on her, she sighed with relief, placing her hand over her heart. "Oh, I'm so glad," Mia sighed. "I was so worried. You've been out for hours."
Carefully, he pulled himself up; clapping a hand to his head with a wince as it throbbed painfully. Mia quickly steadied him. "Don't strain yourself," she gently scolded him, although it didn't have any harshness behind it. Carefully, she placed her hands over his own hand and muttered a quick "Ply". Immediately, the pain lessened to a dull thud that would soon disappear.
Ivan smiled gratefully at her, before frowning slightly into his lap at his fuzzy memories, probably from hitting his head, the way it had been hurting. Absently tugging at his emerald cloak that had been laying over him, Ivan just stared, as memories came back to him. The monsters called orcs attacking Vale, the old man Radagast and the tale of middle earth, falling through golden light, Mia's hand slipping from Garet's grasp, Isaac attempting to grab for them, being flung away. Ivan's eyes widened and he looked round wildly. It appeared they were sitting in the middle of what looking like a field of some kind, with the odd tree dotted about. Apart from the two of them, it didn't look as though there was anyone else around, as if they were far away from civilisation.
"Where are we?" Ivan asked, turning to Mia, finally taking in her appearance. The young healer looked rather messy and dishevelled, as if she had been dragged through a bush backwards. His hazy memory brought forth the image that, really, she probably had. Her dress was a little muddy and had a slight tear near the bottom, but other than that, she looked unharmed. He was glad – Garet probably would fry him to a crisp otherwise. He knew damned well that Garet had the hots for her, even if he'd deny it if asked. After all, why would he blush redder than his hair if he didn't?
"Fizz said we aren't in Weyard anymore," Mia said, a slight frown on her face, but she can't say much more than that. "We must be on middle earth somewhere, but…"
"And the others?"
Mia's face turned worried once more. "I don't know. I hope that they're all right…"
"Ah, I see that your young companion is awake."
Ivan jumped at the new, unfamiliar voice and looked over Mia's shoulder. There sat a man that Ivan hadn't noticed before. (Man, that fall really must have dazed me if I hadn't noticed him until just, Ivan thought nervously.) The man looked like a strange mix of Radagast and Kraden, but the ageless look on his face made him think that it was possible the man was older than both. The man's face was kind, if perhaps intrigued; framed with grey hair and a beard that almost reached his navel, the same colour as storm clouds. Blue-grey eyes that were both gentle, and yet seemed to hold a depth of power and wisdom with their depths looked down at him from his seated position in slight amusement. He was sucking on a long, thin pipe and, as Ivan watched, blew out what looked like a bird in the smoke. Somewhere behind the strange man was a brown-coloured horse, tacked up and ready to ride. The man nodded slightly at Ivan, seeing he was staring at the older man with wide-eyes, before turning his attention back to Mia. "I trust he is unharmed, Miss Mia?"
Mia turned and gave the man a small smile. "Yes, he should be fine. Ivan's quite stubborn, aren't you, Ivan." She smiled at the younger boy.
"Sure," Ivan said absently, looking the man over. "Um…I know this might seem like an odd question, but are you someone called Gandalf the…uh…Grey?"
The old man's eyebrows raised so much they disappeared under the brim of his wide hat. "That is indeed my name."
Mia smiled. "It was lucky really that when we arrived that Mr Gandalf was around. He helped make sure we didn't sustain too many injuries and has been telling me about Middle Earth. I've explained to him that we're from Weyard – Mr Radagast had already told him that he was coming to Weyard through the portals to find help."
Ivan blinked, staring at the blue-haired healer as if she had grown a second head. "You told him already?"
"Actually, Mr Gandalf already had an idea that we were from Weyard," Mia explained.
"I had been expecting you for a few days now, although I wasn't sure where I would find you – only that my old friend Radagast said to await your arrival in Rivendell, if I had not seen you before then." Gandalf looked at them both for a moment, still puffing softly on his pipe. At length he shook his head and spoke. "When Radagast said he would be going to Weyard, a place that has been separated from our world for many years, to gain some form of help, I had not expected that he would send someone so young."
Mia chuckled softly. "Well, we may be young, but were do have experience. We are quite strong, after all."
"So you believe us, right, sir?" asked Ivan, looking at him worriedly. He'd rather not have to deal with someone who thought they were mad. Although showing off and mind reading the Istari would have been amusing, he'd rather not have to go through the shocked looks again. Even Isaac and Garet, who had lived in a village full of people who did Psynergy, had stared at him in surprise when Ivan had mind-read them. Garet was outright scared if he remembered - but then again, out of the two of them, Garet was never good at controlling his emotions.
Gandalf blew another strange-shaped smoke-ring. "Indeed. I must say that Radagast timed this extremely well, that you would arrive now – I have come across grave news about the ring – it must be taken to Rivendell immediately. Unfortunately, I cannot be the one to take it, since if it came into my possession, it could cause an even bigger darkness to occur, even if it came from a will to do good. Such is the power of the ring. Hobbits, it seems, are strangely resilient to its power. I was just on my way to inform Frodo that he must get to Rivendell as fast as possible. It's only a matter of time before something was to happen. I believe you would be of some use in protecting the Frodo. As resilient as he is to the ring, he has not left the Shire before this."
"You want us to take this 'Hobbit' to Rivendell?" Mia said. She turned to Ivan excitedly. "Do you think we'll be able to reunite with Isaac, Felix and the others?"
"Well, Radagast said we needed to get there," Ivan said. "Besides, we could help make sure that none of those Shadows or Orcs or something get to Frodo. But what about you? Wouldn't you also be able to protect him?"
"As much as I wish it could be, I cannot," Gandalf said with a sigh. "As things are, with the ring now active again, I will need to consult the head of my order about the course of action. If we prepare quickly, we might still have a chance." The Wizard stood and brushed himself off. "As such, we must hurry, if you are unharmed enough to travel."
Ivan smiled up at the man and nodded. "Believe me, I've suffered worse. So, which way is this 'Shire' place?"
Gandalf smiled down at Ivan through his thick beard and pointed the way with his staff. "This way."
As they began to walk, Ivan suddenly thought of something worrying – something he remembered from back in Vale, when Radagast was explaining the 'quest' to them. "Mr Gandalf, sir?" Ivan said, hesitantly. Gandalf looked around and motioned for him to continue. "You said that you needed to speak to the head of your order, right? Is the head's name…Saruman?"
"Indeed it is? Did my old friend Radagast speak of him to you?"
Mia clapped her hands to her moth and shared a dark look with Ivan. Gandalf's eyebrows almost mated with his hairline. Ivan nodded to Mia and, tentatively said. "Mr Gandalf? I'm afraid we've got something very important to tell you…" hesitantly, the two adepts began to tell the wizard about the attack of the orc on the Vale and Radagast's conclusion from the makeshift banners that the Orcs had been carrying. "…I'm afraid that Saruman probably betrayed you, or he wants that ring for himself."
The expression on Gandalf's face was such a mix or surprise, betrayal and deep sadness that Ivan felt a horrible guilt at having been the one to tell him of it. "…It is indeed dark days…if what you have said is true…" Gandalf said at last, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "If it is the case, then I will need to find out just how deep Saruman's betrayal runs. If I can at least find this out, I might be able to discover enough information to aid us in avoiding any attempts, either by Sauron or Saruman. We still may have enough time."
Mia's jaw dropped open. "You mean your still going to go to meet Saruman?" She squeaked.
"I have all the more reason to go now. The Elves will need to be told of this betrayal. It would be most troublesome if Saruman knows that you have arrived as well, so we must hurry. It will be up to you to take them to Bree and from there, to Rivendell. I can supply you with maps for the journey. But it is of the up-most importance that the Ring does not fall into the wrong hands. I will, however, need to tell you of as much as I know of the situation involved-"
"Have you told Mia all of this already, sir?" asked Ivan curiously.
"Much of it, yes"
"Then, its okay, You don't need to tell us again. I…sort of have the ability to read minds. I can just get the information from her – if it's okay with you, Mia."
Mia smiled. "Of course."
Gandalf laughed jovially. "If the legends about the Adepts of Weyard are true, then I do not believe that Frodo will be in very capable hands!"
For a while after that, they walked in silence towards the Shire; Ivan mauling over the information he had borrowed from his friend's head. Thinking about it, Middle Earth seemed a lot like Weyard had been after the explosion of Mount Aleph. They had many monsters – and strange peoples like they had back home. Not that this made Ivan feel any better – those Orc thingies were bad enough!
"Ivan?" Mia asked quietly as they walked, having fallen a little further behind than their grey-dressed companion.
"Hm?" Ivan managed, pulling out of his musings.
"Do you think we'll bump into Isaac, Garet and the others when we reach Bree?" The mercury adept asked, biting her lip.
"Mia, if there's anyone you don't need to worry about, its those guys," Ivan told her, wishing he felt as confident as he sounded. "You know they always come through in the end."
"I hope so," Mia said softly, "I just hope that…Isaac and the others got to Rivendell safely…" wistfully, she stared out over the unfamiliar land ahead of them, a concerned frown on her usually kind face. Ivan turned away from her to the Shire growing in the horizon. Don't think you're the only one, Mia, Ivan thought. Where the hell are you, Isaac?
AoME
"Isaac…. Isaac…. Isaac, please wake up."
"You'll catch cold lying out here in the rain like this."
"The other's are worried."
"Isaac, wake up, before I have to put Quartz out of his misery!"
"Shut up, Granite!"
"Make me!"
"Fighting won't help…"
"Stay out of this, Vine!"
Isaac groaned as the words of the Djinn began to penetrate his blank mind, making his head throb. He could feel the soft pitter-pattering of rain against his skin, slowly soaking his skin. He stirred, letting his eyes flutter open slowly. He caught sight of a forest canopy broken by grey patches where the rain was obviously falling from, when his vision was blocked by nine small blob-like creatures with worried blue eyes. He pulled back slightly in surprise, except it just made his head spin if he moved it too fast.
"Djinn…?" he muttered.
All nine of them seemed to sigh in relief.
"You're alright!" one said happily.
"I told you he would be alright, Quartz, but would you listen to me? Nooooooo."
"As if you can talk, Granite," another growled. He began to mimic Granite's voice. "'Oh no, quickly, find a sanctum!' Tch, you were as bad as me! At least I'll admit I was worried for our Isaac."
Granite growled and turned away in a huff. If he had arms, Isaac was sure they would be crossed. His eyes flickered back towards Isaac. "…I'm glad you survived." Was all he said, before dissolving into the boy once more. If Isaac didn't know any better (and if he wasn't so certain he had concussion), Isaac would have through the grumpy Djinni was blushing.
Quartz soon disappeared as well. The Djinni that Isaac realised was Vine shook her head. "They were just concerned for you," she explained. "But please try not to scare us like that, next time."
Isaac gave a slight nod, wincing as it started to pound. "I'll try not to," he assured her. Vine seemed to accept this and almost all the Djinn once more bonded to him and vanished. All, that is, except Flint. However, Isaac had grown accustomed to the small creature not leaving his side while he was hurt, in case he was needed.
Carefully, Isaac began to pick himself up from the floor, using a nearby tree to help him keep his balance until his legs stopped wobbling and head had stopped spinning. It pounded slightly and Isaac guessed he might have hit his head on the way 'down'.
Tentatively, Isaac reached up and touched the back of his head, before wincing. Yes, it looked as though he would have a rather impressive bump there once it formed fully. Thankfully, he was able to use healing psynergy, so he wouldn't have to wait for it to get to that point. However, he decided to put that off for the moment as he began searching his surroundings.
It looked like he had come out of the portal in the middle of some kind of forest, and a dense one at that. Although the canopy was thin enough to let the rain through, Isaac could barely see three feet before he was looking at trees. There didn't seem to be an exit anywhere close by.
"Where…are we?" Isaac asked, supporting himself on the tree as he looked around him in confusion.
"Haven't a clue," Flint answered, hopping on his shoulder near the knot of his scarf. "All I can tell is that we're definitely not on Weyard any more."
"We're in Middle Earth then?"
"Looks like it."
Isaac looked around him again, rubbing at his head. "Somehow, I don't think we're anywhere near Rivendell…" he looked away with a sigh. I just hope that the other's made it there all right… He caught himself before he could start along that line of thought. Ugh! Stop it! Getting depressed won't help anything and I can't do anything with a Sol-forsaken concussion! If one of those Orcs or that 'shadow' Radagast mentioned found you now, you'd be dead before you could say 'Venus'. Get a hold of yourself, Isaac!
Snorting, Isaac straightened himself, easily slipping into 'leader-mode' as Garet had jokingly put it once, covering his wound with one gloved hand.
"Cure!" Isaac commanded and immediately it began to work, cooling the area and the dull thudding faded and finally dwindled to nothing. Moving his hands over his numerous other wounds (although thankfully, none were serious) they began to vanish as well. That done, Isaac began to look around, with a much clearer head now, checking for any sign that Human's passed through this way.
There wasn't any set paths per say, but Isaac did spot what looked like a winding trail in the trees, similar to the way some of the more wild forests back home seemed to be.
"Well, I guess that's better than nothing, though," Isaac sighed, shouldering his pack.
"Be careful," Flint warned.
"Always," Isaac said with a slight smile, before Flint, too, disintegrated. With that, Isaac began to walk, keeping a sharp eye out for any monsters or pathways. At first, every time he heard a deer spring through the forest, or a bird flutter loudly from its perch, Isaac jumped and almost beheaded a poor innocent tree with the Sol Blade. However, he began to realise that, unlike Weyard, there were no Psynergy stones around to have transformed the animals into monsters or give them powers they would not normally have. They were just ordinary animals. Knowing that, he relaxed ever so slightly.
Well, enough that he wasn't driving himself nuts with his skittishness. Really, Garet, Jenna, Sheba, Mia, Piers and Ivan would have been laughing their socks off at him by now. Even the more stoic Felix would have found it hilarious.
It was quiet, walking through that forest, but it wasn't as if he felt lonely exactly. The Djinn would speak with him if he wanted to talk, but Isaac was never much of a talker anyway, but it was still too quiet for Isaac. He never realised how used he had got used to the happy chatter of his friends as they travelled. He knew it was probably out of worry for them that he felt this way. After all, it probably wouldn't have bothered him too much if he had known they were all safe. However, after they had all got split up in the portal…
Several hours must have passed before Isaac stopped for the night. Darkness was starting to fall and, although it had stopped raining, the clouds really weren't helping to let any dwindling light through the leafy canopy.
"Just my luck," Isaac grumbled. "I would just get myself lost in a wood at nightfall. I'd better get some dry wood, otherwise…" he paused, then suddenly felt like smacking his head on a tree. "Great, now I'm talking to myself. As if it couldn't get any worse…"
With a sigh, Isaac looked for some firewood for camp; mentally cursing for having got himself split up from Garet and Jenna. Apart from the fact he wouldn't be in this mess in the first place, at least he wouldn't have to be spending so long looking for dry wood – the Mars adepts could light just about anything. It took him a while to find suitable firewood, considering it had rained earlier, so of course, most of it was soaked. Fortunately, he was able to scrounge a few dry twigs and other such things and, setting up close to the 'path', pulled out a tinderbox from within his pack (it surprised him to know that his pack hadn't got separated from him, but he wasn't complaining. He was just glad he had the foresight to bring the tinderbox, otherwise, he'd be, to put it bluntly, screwed.) It took a few tries, but Isaac managed to create enough sparks to set the pile of wood and leaves all right. With a spare, long stick, Isaac carefully stroked the flames into an acceptable fire, mentally grumbling all the while about his inability to use Mars psynergy. It would have been so much easier.
"How unexpected."
Isaac jumped at the voice, jumping to his feet, sol blade already half-drawn as he came face to face with the first person he had seen since arriving in middle earth. The man, who looked to be about the same age as Isaac's father, wore earthy browns and greens, travel-worn and looked as if it had been repaired several times over the years. He had long hair, although admittedly nowhere near as long as Felix' – although that wasn't difficult, seeing as Felix' hair was almost as long as Mia and Jenna's – a deep brown streaked with the occasional strand of grey. His face had a kind look to it, but his sharp, silvery-grey eyes reminded Isaac of Maha, the werewolf, with the intensity. It showed a sort of inner wildness and deadly hunter, if needed. But he also didn't look much of a threat, at the moment, anyway. There was also a look about him that, somehow, made him think of Felix – a kind of familiar, quiet kindness hidden behind his rough, travel-worn exterior. He couldn't help but relax ever so slightly.
"I had not expected to find someone out here alone," the man continued. "You don't look like a ranger." He looked Isaac up and down, before the raptor eyes settled on the still half-drawn blade in Isaac's hand. The Venus adept blushed and slipped it back into his sheath. "I mean no harm, although I would ask if I could share your camp fire, fellow traveller."
Isaac sat himself back down again, contemplating what to do. The man seemed harmless enough or at least docile for the moment. Besides, if this man were a traveller, then perhaps he would be able to tell him where the next town was, or perhaps even take him to this Rivendell place he was supposed to get to.
Mentally, he could already hear Garet yelling at him for being so trusting. However, he trusted his instincts. Besides, if he was a threat, he did have his blade and his adept skills, although he hoped to keep them hidden at this point – at least until he knew what he should be doing here in this world.
"Um…sure," Isaac said, indicating the fire. "Be my guest."
The man gave him a small smile that seemed to make his face look younger. "My thanks." Carefully, he sat himself at the fire, opposite from Isaac and placed down his own belongings. He also placed what looked like a sword on the floor, within hand's reach. Obviously, this man didn't fully, or at least foolishly, trust Isaac either. Strangely enough, this made him feel better.
"Um, I'm sorry, but I don't really have too much food with me, though," Isaac said softly, "at least not enough, really. I wasn't expecting to get separated from my friends and get myself lost in these woods." He added with annoyance. Hey, forests were all well and good. Getting lost in them, though, now that just made him feel like a complete idiot.
"Not too worry," the stranger said, a small smile on his face. "As a Ranger, you get used to preparing for just about anything." He rummaged around in his pack for a moment, before pulling out a biscuit-like wafer wrapped in some kind of leaf. He glanced at it for a moment, before handing it to Isaac. The earth adept stared at it for a moment, before meeting the stranger's eyes once more. He blushed.
"Oh, no, I couldn't really!" he stuttered. "I mean, its you provisions, so I-"
The stranger, however, laughed rather good-naturedly. "Not to worry. I have enough for myself, don't worry. And you were kind enough to share your fire with me."
Still blushing slightly, Isaac took the wafer from the man shyly, muttering his thanks. He eyed it for a moment, trying to identify what kind of wafer it was. It looked like nothing he had ever seen anywhere on Weyard. Obviously sensing Isaac's hesitation, the stranger pulled out another of the wafers and took a bite out of it. Seeing as the man didn't keel over or anything, Isaac broke a little off and, hesitantly, ate it. He had sort of expected it to be tasteless, but the wafer actually tasted more like biscuit, or bread than the nothing he was expecting. To his surprise, it was as if he had eaten a full three-course meal – he was instantly full!
"Hey, mister, what is this stuff anyway?" Isaac asked in amazement, looking at the wafer with an appraising eye. "I feel full already!"
"That, my friend, is called 'Lembas Bread', food of the Elves. One bite is enough to fill the stomach of a grown man."
Isaac started at that. "Does that mean you're an Elf, sir?"
"No," the man said solemnly. "However, I was raised by elves. I am a ranger, younger traveller. Although I am known by many names, people call me Strider in these parts."
"Strider?" Isaac repeated, feeling the name on his tongue. He smiled slightly. "That's a strange name, sir."
"Indeed it is." Strider agreed.
"…But it fits somehow," Isaac continued, "being a traveller and all. Hey, you said you were raised by elves, right? Do you happen to know the direction to Rivendell?"
"Rivendell?" Strider said, giving Isaac a surprised look.
"Yeah," Isaac said, "my friends and I were heading that way when we got separated. It's kind of important…" he wondered briefly if he should reveal everything about what had happened, but decided against it. Just the basic facts. After all, if this man was on that Saruman or Sauron's side, then he might be putting the whole quest in danger. He pressed on. "You see, this guy named Radagast arrived at my village and told us to look for Rivendell."
Realisation dawned in the man's eyes. "I see, so you and your friends are the warriors from the other side of the portals! Radagast the Brown had mentioned to Gandalf the Grey about searching for some people known as adepts to help destroy the one ring. Would you happen to be one of them?"
Isaac let out a breath of relief, glad that he hadn't completely misjudged his instincts. "Yes"
Strider also relaxed. "Then it would seem we are both a part of the same quest. Gandalf asked me to go to Bree, to look out for the Hobbit Frodo Baggins. He said that he and the one ring should be making their way to Rivendell very soon. I am to guide him the rest of the way to Rivendell, where it'll be decided what should happen to it."
"Perhaps if I go with you to Bree, I might meet up with some of my friends as well," Isaac added. "Radagast told us that we should either look for Frodo, or if we couldn't find him, then head for Rivendell. Its possible that they could have met up with this Hobbit person."
"Indeed, there is a possibility." Strider agreed. He looked over to Isaac and smiled slightly. He extended his hand. "So, my young friend, what is your name?"
"Oh, my name? Isaac. Its Isaac," the Venus adept said, grasping Strider's hand. "Its nice to meet someone out here."
"Indeed it is, Isaac. So it would seem I have myself a travelling companion. I have heard stories about the adepts. If they are true, then by Valar, I will be fortunate to have your help watching out for Frodo!"
Isaac blushed slightly and laughed, rubbing the back of his head. He was starting to like this strange traveller already.
TBC
Chosha's notes
So, how was this chapter? I had been thinking of keeping everyone together at first, but then I kept coming up with interesting scenes that I could have if they were separated in some way or another, so they ended up in different places. Don't worry, they will all meet again sooner or later. But tell me what you thought of it, if you would. Helpful and constructive criticisms are welcome, especially if they help the story in the long run.
Anyways…
Next time on AoME
While Isaac and Strider make their way to the place they are to meet Frodo, Mia and Ivan are introduced to Frodo and Sam and help to guide the hobbits towards Bree. But it looks like they might just get to see what this 'darkness' Radagast had spoken of first hand. Next episode: To the Town of Bree
But until then, Ja ne!
Chosha Kurenai xXx