Impasse
Heading down the hallway, you passed cells on either side, most were empty, but the occasional one held an occupant. You and Bronwyn were moving too fast for you to make out anything more than shadowy figures cast by the torch light within the iron cages. It was at the end of this corridor that you finally noticed Arondir. He was stood in a way that suggested he was more Galadriel's bodyguard than her warden. You let Bronwyn go ahead, hanging back, your body subconsciously trying to delay the inevitable meeting. "Our queen wishes to speak with Galadriel alone." she announced to Arondir.
"Are we sure that is wise?" questioned the elf, casting his fixed eyes on you.
"It may not be the wisest of choices no. But it is the only choice." you admitted, entreating your companions to leave. Bronwyn took Arondir by the hand and he reluctantly let her move him away from Galadriel's cell, back down the hallway you had just come. You couldn't see her from your distance, but you could feel her. And she was looking at you now. Willing yourself to move closer, you slowly crept in Galadriel's direction, your footsteps the only sound heard.
"I am surprised he is not with you." Her voice entered your ears as she came into view, and you could still hear her fury, but it was restrained, held back. A promising start perhaps. "He's always with me." you countered her, standing your ground.
Galadriel scoffed in disgust. "I pity you." Three words stung your heart. You kept your head up, desperately trying not to show the pain. "I was foolish to believe that you would see the grave error in remaining by his side. You think I betrayed you? It was you who betrayed me. Our time together seems to have meant nothing."
"That is untrue, Galadriel."
"What proof is there otherwise?"
"We are in Pelargir. We did not travel to the darkened Southlands."
"Only a first move. Sauron means to rule this world. Why would he journey to the Southlands, to his enemies, when there is already a kingdom here, willing and ready to submit to him?" This was something you had not considered. Of course you knew the truth, of Halbrand's noble intentions, but to someone consumed by their vendetta as Galadriel was, his arrival and subsequent coronation here could certainly appear to be hiding malicious motives. You now realised swaying her was going to be much more difficult than anticipated. "His name is Halbrand. Sauron is no more." you declared, ignoring her words, attempting to begin your argument for redemption. However, Galadriel interrupted.
"It matters not what he calls himself. That does not undo the atrocities he committed, the vile manipulation…" her voice trailed off, almost breaking, and she turned away from you, refusing to give you the satisfaction of her sorrow. Little did she know that was the last thing you truly wanted. You continued regardless. "We came to Pelargir to start anew, Galadriel. We have chosen the light and we wish to remain in it. I have stayed with Halbrand to ensure this. If we were to part then there would be nothing stopping the darkness from taking hold."
The she-elf started to laugh. It was strange and unnatural. She was a being wrecked, suffering the plague of her quest. Her body was not altogether has you had seen it weeks ago. The poise and grace of her had fled, her mind at the end of it's rope. "I saw the devastation. The carnage you both left in your wake. Men, women, children…" She faced you again, moving swiftly to the front of her cell, clutching the iron bars that separated you. "There is no light left in you." she spat at you venomously.
Your eyes began to water, the grief of that desolation returning. "We did… abhorrent things. I asked Halbrand to end my life. He refused." Galadriel's expression eased ever so slightly as the meaning of what you had just said sunk in. "We have chosen to remain in this world so as to better it. To atone for what we've done. Leading the Southlanders is a small start, but a start it is."
"I implore you…" Galadriel's voice turned quiet, her anger spent. "Leave him. You have not lived in this world as long as him, as long as myself. You cannot fully grasp the things you need to in order to make the right choice. The scope of Sauron's existence is great. You are the blink of an eye to him. A heartbeat."
A heartbeat. Halbrand had used the same phrase to describe the quick passing of time. To reassure you that the parting of your bodies would be brief. It was curious that Galadriel would choose the same wording now. Only she was describing something you did not and would not believe. Who was she to question Halbrand's love for you in such a manner? To claim you were so insignificant? So small? Darkness aside, she had to know he loved you, as you loved him. She had witnessed the affection you and Halbrand had displayed, and your struggle to remain together. Or had she forgotten all of that? Tender moments before her eyes shrouded now by her quest.
"I assure you, Galadriel, that is not the case. Much has changed in your absence." You edged closer to her, wanting to show her you were not fearful, wanting to intimately emphasise your words. Placing your hands on the bars beneath hers, she did not flinch, and you continued. "Halbrand and I keep no secrets from each other. He has shown me everything. About who I am, who I was, and who I am meant to be. He knows that his existence was leading him to me. And now that we are together, our destinies will manifest. We only want to heal Middle-earth, not send it further into ruin. And as you can see, the city here still stands. The people live, and they will thrive under our rule."
"You are so blinded…" the she-elf began, her voice barely above a whisper, the tone of it filled with hopelessness. "Sauron will use you and his false claim to these people as a means to his own ends. The darkness in him… it is a part of him. He is too long corrupted. This will only end in tragedy."
"He is good, Galadriel. You may have seen the remains of that village… but you did not see how broken we both were… how broken Halbrand was. I had never seen him this way, and nor have I since. He could have quite easily bowed to my request for death. Honestly, I still believe it is what we deserve. But the duty he feels not only to remain with me, but to ensure the good fortune of the world kept him going. He… we… want to prove to you we can be saved. And if we die before we get the chance then… so be it. But I hope you can find it within yourself to grant us that chance before you run us through with your blade."
Footsteps echoed off the walls behind you, and even though you knew who it would be, you did not turn to face him. Galadriel held so much conflict in her eyes as she looked upon you now. She was not just a prisoner of circumstance, but a prisoner of thought, of morality itself. After everything she still cared for you. Silence had become you, not knowing what else to say, but then, your love spoke for you. "I hate to see you making a habit out of getting caged, Galadriel." Halbrand jested cheekily. "And insulting royalty."
The she-elf's visage returned to enragement upon hearing his voice. Your king took his place beside you, your hands linking once more. A united front. Galadriel's eyes were arrows, her head the bow as she jolted to stare him down. You looked at Halbrand, who's small smile was fast fading into an expression of sadness. You squeezed his hand to offer him some comfort. Losing Galadriel had been difficult for him too, this you knew, but it was something else to see that loss manifest on his face now that she was before him again. Here but not his.
"I expect my queen has informed you of our intentions."
"She has." Galadriel spoke through gritted teeth.
"And?"
"I might consider sparing her. But you… Sauron… I will not rest until your spirit enters the void with Morgoth where it belongs. That is where the penance you seek awaits."
"Well then." Halbrand sighed. "It seems old habits die hard." He paused a moment before shifting his gaze to you, taking your face in his hands, the cool sensation of his wedding ring against your cheek. He uttered your name along with a request you did not like. "I need to speak with Galadriel, alone."
"Please don't make this worse, my love." you responded, almost begging him to resist the she-elf.
"She has heard our intentions. I need to support them myself. I was able to convince you, remember? To show you that our path is the only path."
"Yes but… she's not in love with you, Halbrand. She loathes you." Speaking of Galadriel as if she wasn't present caused her to begin pacing back and forth in her small confined space. Her patience was wearing thin and you were starting to wonder if maybe by sheer force of will she would bend the bars and find her emancipation. "Please. I ask nothing of you, my love. Allow me this. Besides… there's someone waiting to see you outside. You don't want to keep them, do you my queen?"
"Azrahin or Târikun?"
"Go see for yourself." He suggested with a wink. "Everything will be alright. I'll come find you."
Taking a deep breath, you closed your eyes briefly. "Okay." You gave into him, despite your reservations. "I pray this will not undo whatever amount of progress I made."
"It won't. Trust me." Halbrand punctuated his words with a grazing of your lips. The first kiss since you were proclaimed husband and wife. You longed to do more than this single act of affection, desiring greatly to consummate your union, bind your bodies together in wedded bliss, but sadly, now was not the time. Taking one last look at Galadriel, who was glaring with vengeance, you let go of Halbrand and took your leave of the pair, unable to shake the fear that was now rising within you. You had after all been certain that only you should be near Galadriel for a reason. This was something you did not state idly.
You paced slowly down the corridor, hoping to hear the beginning of their conversation reverberate off the stone surroundings straight into your ears. Though, admittedly, it was unsurprising that Halbrand waited until you were gone completely from the jail, lest you be tempted to return to the scene. You reminded yourself to trust him as you completed your journey along the hallways, and taking another deep breath, you pushed through the iron door and exited into the street, where greeted you a friendly sight. It was Olwenna.
She was lit wonderfully by the glowing of the sunset that was nearing it's end. You threw yourself upon her in a hug, her soft auburn tresses against your cheek. "Oh it is so good to see you again! I told you." Releasing her from your arms, you stepped back to take her in fully. You noticed her bright green eyes dart to the diadem atop your head. "There seems to be something I have missed!" she exclaimed with a smile, a mixture of joy and shock. "You look beautiful. That gown… fit for a queen. Congratulations."
"You know, don't you?"
Olwenna nodded. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"To answer that would be very long and complicated, but I promise I will explain everything. I hope you can forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive, my queen." she spoke with no hint of resentment in her tone as she curtsied before you.
"You don't have to bow." you urged her, still not used to the sight of it. Even though something within you loved it.
"Nonsense. I have many bows to go to make up for being in your presence!" she kidded with a chuckle.
"What of Garion? Padrig? And the others? Did you all make it here safely?" you inquired, struck by the strange thought that Olwenna had come to see you alone. You supposed the rest of them were getting settled, but you wanted your curiosity satisfied all the same. "Yes, all safe and sound. Though… I am sorry to say… not all of us are as forgiving as I am about the secrets you kept hidden from us."
"Garion?"
"Especially. We learned of your deception the day after you and Hal departed. And since Garion crossed paths with Galadriel, he has not been so understanding."
"It was Galadriel that told you?"
Olwenna nodded once more. "She stopped us briefly on the road. We were all taken aback by the sight of an elf, it was most unexpected."
"What exactly did she tell you?" Your anxiety began to creep in, unsettling your gut. Whilst you were relieved for Olwenna's loyalty, the knowledge that Garion and maybe the others all were now turned against you… would things be different if you had not lied? Olwenna's eyes strayed from you, pupils bouncing around trying to lock on to something to steady her mind. You stepped closer to her and took her hands. Taking in a deep breath, she looked back at you, her eyes now glassy with tears. "Galadriel… she told us everything. She told us that Hal is the dark lord Sauron… that you and he murdered dozens of people together… that you cannot be allowed to live." Her tears spilled over then, dropping as fast as your stomach.
"I refused to believe her. I know we haven't known each other long, but I've always had a good sense of a persons spirit. It's why Garion and I fell in love at first sight. I knew instantly that he was good and true and would never hurt me nor anyone. I believe the same about you. You saved our lives, you and Hal. If you were truly evil, you would have sided with the orcs would you not?"
"If we were truly evil, we would have killed you all, orc and man alike. But that is not the existence we have chosen. Galadriel does not yet understand that we are no longer controlled by our darkness. I am starting to wonder if she ever will. Though if she does, then I know Garion and the others will come to forgive us too."
Olwenna sniffled. "Perhaps they need more time."
"Halbrand and I could speak with them?"
"No." Olwenna answered instantly. "They fear you. It is not only anger in their hearts."
Now you could sense your own tears beginning to surface, and your mind drifted back to Galadriel and Halbrand alone in the jail. Suddenly you were regretting leaving them be. Too many things could go wrong, for they were both stubborn and proud creatures. Halbrand had already pleaded his case to Galadriel once before, how was now going to be any different? Especially given the added pile of corpses at his feet. At your feet. You had to put a stop to whatever argument was likely taking place in this very moment between them, imagining the echoes of their enraged screams reaching you as soon as you stepped back through the iron door.
You raised your hand to Olwenna's face, cupping her cheek. "Thank you, my friend. I only pray you have not burdened yourself with sorrow for seeing the truth with goodness."
"My convictions are my own, my queen, and they are unwavering." she answered you with a smile.
It was then that the echoes of screams did enter your ears. Though they were not coming from within the jail. Olwenna spun around, startled, and the two of you stared intently into the darkened distance, the sun now beneath the horizon. There were flames flickering, dancing spots of light darting about in chaos. More cries. You felt the beating of your heart begin to increase. It was then that a figure emerged from the black, dashing madly at you. It was Theo. "Orcs! The orcs are here!"