Destined

Chapter 36

The party continued on through the dense forrest. Arry felt the weight of the Aether around her neck. She could feel its energies grow and the darkness brewing within it. It was like it knew she was no longer in Asgard. She trudged on, leading the way through the thick forest. The place she once loved as a child and knew like the back of her hand had transformed into a dark and ominous landscape. The once lush and bountiful land was barren and rotten. There were no more birds singing or woodland creatures scurrying across the forrest floor. No more green leaves or delicate pink cherry blossoms. Arry wondered for a moment of there were any fox running wild. It was the time of year for the cubs to start venturing out on their own again. She never did get the chance to see them with her grandfather.

Arry came to a stop a few yards from the tree line. Through the trees she could make out her former home. She choked back her tears as she saw the White Tree of Gondor still standing tall and proud. It gave her hope to see it still standing after all these years. She smiled to herself as she remembered the summer days she would spend climbing the tree and swinging from its branches only to have her mother chastise her for not acting the way a lady should. He mother would be turning in her grave if she even knew half of Arry's life as a Witcher. Minas Tirith looked deserted. The stronghold still stood proud on the hill but there was no markets or people going about their businesses. Homes were in ruin and there was rubble scattered as far as the eye could see. The proud flags of Gondor no longer flapped in the wind. Arry felt her eyes filling up with tears as she tried to peer through the trees to get a better view of her former home. Loki wrapped his arm around Arry and pulled her into his side. "I've got you, love." He whispered in a comforting voice. Arry leaned her head against his shoulder. She took a deep shuddering breath as she fought back her tears. Coming here was more difficult than she had anticipated and she wan't even out of the forrest yet. Everywhere she looked ghosts of her past haunted her visions and the sounds of long ago rand out in her ears. Arry closed her eyes and tried to remember the splendour of Gondor. So clearly in her mind she could see what a magnificent city it used to be, what it could still be. Have hope. She thought to herself as she took a deep, cleansing breath.

"Okay, lets do this. Are we all clear on the plan?" Arry asked the group as she straightened herself up.

There were nods and mumbles of approval as everyone mentally prepared to execute their roles. Loki used his magic to conjure a replica of Arry's pendant. Some of his seidr lingered within the pendant. Mimicking the swirling red cloud within the real pendant. He held it next to Arry's to compare the two. It was impossible to tell the difference. He was pleased with his work. He handed the replica to Thor. Thor inspected it too for good measure before tucking it safely away in his armour.

"Arry, once we leave these trees you must remain silent. The spell will hide you from all eyes but it will do nothing to prevent you from being heard should you so much as even whisper." Loki warned. Arry nodded her understanding. Loki swished his hand in the air. A warm, tingling feeling washed over Arry as she disappeared from sight.

"Arry?" Geralt asked out into the area around him.

"I'm here. I'm okay." Arry reassured him.

"Stay close, love." Loki whispered.

The party took up their formation. Bjorn and Geralt walked in front of Thor and Loki and Yenn and Erik walked behind them. To any onlookers it would seem that the guards were placed in such a way to protect the Princes of Asgard. Everyone took a deep, steadying breath as they began to walk in formation from the tree line. Arry followed closely to the party. Loki could not see her but he could feel her presence walking along side him which gave him some comfort to know she was there. A few feet clear of the tree line the party was discovered by a Uruk-hai patrol. Just as they had planned the party were escorted to the gates of the decaying stronghold.

As they passed the White tree Loki marvelled at its simplistic beauty. It truly was a magnificent sight to behold. O Gondor, Gondor! Shall Men behold the Silver Tree, Or West Wind blow again between the Mountains and the Sea? Loki recalled the poem Arry had recited that day in the gardens. He wished they were there now. Just the two of them. Safe. Together.

After a few tense moments passed the heavy wooded doors to the strong hold slowly creaked open. Algrim appeared before the group. He had a suspicious look on his face as he looked over the Asgardians before him. He studied them carefully. Recognising at once the two princes.

"You are a long way from home little princes." He greeted Thor and Loki in a very condescending manor. Trying to get under their skin no doubt. "What business do you have here?"

"We have come to speak with Malekith. We have come to bargain." Thor spoke with an air of authority.

"Bargain? Ha! What could you possibly have to bargain with that would interest the Dark Lord?" Algrim cackled.

"We have something he has been looking for." Loki said cooly. In a glamour of green mist he swished his hands and produced the replica pendant. He held it up in the air and dangled it like a carrot in front of Algrim. Algrim's eyes grew wide and a sinister grin spread across his face. He then narrowed his eyes as he remembered who it was he was talking with.

"No tricks?" He challenged Loki.

"No tricks." Loki told him sincerely.

Algrim thought to himself for a moment. "Very well then. Follow me." Algrim turned and motioned for the group to follow him inside the castle. Still in their formation the party followed Algrim through the cold corridors. The portraits of the old Kings and Queens still lined the walls although they were faded and weathered and covered in a thick layer of dust. Some were shredded and torn. As they continued their way down the halls a painting caught everyones attention. A handsome dark haired king stood proudly with his queen and child. Both mother and daughter shared the same joyful smiles, emerald green eyes and fire red hair. Geralt smiled to himself as he recalled Arry at that age. The painting couldn't have been commissioned long before the invasion. They stopped outside of a set of huge wooden doors that reached the ceiling. There were two intimidating looking Uruk-hai positioned on either side of the door acting as guards. Algrim instructed the group to wait there. He slipped through the doors and left the group standing in a tense silence.

Arwen? Are you still with us? Are you okay? Arry heard Loki's smooth voice in her mind. Don't say anything, just think it really loudly in your head and I shall hear you.

I'm here Lokes. I'm okay. Arry thought as loudly as she possibly could.

Good. Stay close love. Are you sure you still want to go through with this...I could always- Loki was cut off as Arry's loud thoughts rung in his ears.

No! He killed my family Loki. He took everything from me. I WILL be the one to finish him once and for all.

The doors swung open and Algrim appeared in the centre of the now open doorway. He looked the group up and down with a look of hatred and disgust on his face. "Malekith shall see you Son's of Odin. Your lap dogs shall wait out here."

"Do you take us for fools? To leave ourselves open to an ambush? We shall leave two stationed out here and two shall join us." Thor demanded.

Algrim sighed and rolled his eyes. "Very well. Choose your guard dogs and follow me."

Thor motioned for Geralt and Erik to follow them into the throne room. Yenn and Bjorn positioned themselves outside with the Uruk-hai guards. Yenn stared intently at the uruk-hai, eyeing them up. She was already planning on the best way to engage them in combat once the signal was given signifying Malekith was no more. Bjorn fidgeted nervously under the harsh glare of the Uruk-hai.