Fo.A 2, March 4th

Captain Tachion sat in what used to be Dalion's cell, enveloped in darkness, with the sickly smell of blood assaulting his nose. He'd been informed once he'd awoken that he had taken Dalion's place for the execution tomorrow. I've failed you, Ninel...I've failed.

He sighed and hung his head. He should never have accepted the position as Captain of the King's Guard, then he wouldn't be in this mess, and his sister wouldn't be in danger. He cursed his brother for pushing him and himself for listening.

The darkness ate at his sanity; Fed on his guilt.

Light footsteps sounded in the hall, and the flickering light of a torch cast shadows on the wall. Tachion stood and walked over to the bars and was taken aback to see his queen walking gracefully towards his cell. Within moments she stood before, he deep blue eyes looking like the ocean depths in the low light. She was alone, dressed in a simple burgundy dress and a delicate silver circlet upon her brow.

"My Queen, what are you doing here?" Tachion asked, his eyes downcast.

"I heard about your sister," Arwen replied, her voice low.

"I'm sure that is not all you have heard," said Tachion, walking to the back of the cell and sitting once more.

"A person may do many things that would go against their better nature if pushed far enough." Her voice carried no hint of accusation.

Tachion looked at her, knowing her meaning. "Why have you come?" he asked again.

"You've done me a great service in keeping our secret, Tac," she said softly, sadness edging into her voice. She took a deep breath. "I've come to offer you a chance to save your sister."

His heart skipped a beat at the mention of their secret, and then again when the full weight of her words hit him. He jumped up and ran to the bars, his voice low and desperate. "You know where she is then?"

Arwen shook her head. "No, but you do."

Tachion's hope faltered. "I needed Dalion, but he's dead. My sister's fate is sealed."

"What if you had someone who was more valuable than Dalion?" asked Arwen, stepping closer to the bars.

"Who could possibly have more value than him?" asked Tachion skeptically.

Arwen's voice came as barely a whisper. "How about the king of Gondor?"

<><><><><><><><><><><>

"You said what!?" roared Aragorn, pacing back and forth in a rage.

"I offered our help," replied Arwen cooly. "Don't pretend like you were not already thinking of doing the same thing," she added.

Aragorn shot her a glare but then took a deep breath. He had been thinking of something like that if only to find out more about what the Black Tree was.

Arwen got up from the couch and lovingly stroked his face. "I know you well, my husband. You love your people and strive to do right by them." She smiled. "I suspected you would be thinking of a way to help Captain Tachion."

Finally, Aragorn smiled. Oh, how he loved his wife. He leaned his forehead against hers, closing his eyes. "I don't know what I would do without you," his whispered lovingly.

Arwen laughed softly. "I do not know, either."

Aragorn wrapped her up in his arms and twirled her around, smiling. She gasped and laughed; this was the Aragorn she knew, not the one who was weighed down by the crown he bore.

He set her down, his eyes a little lighter. "Thank you, my love," he whispered.

Arwen leaned back, giving him a look. "For what?"

Aragorn smiled tenderly. "For being you."

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Aragorn was once more making his way down to the dungeons, this time for a very different purpose. He's listened to Arwen's plan, made a few changes, alerted Faramir, and set the wheels into motion. Now came the part that was going to hurt.

He stopped in front of the cell and saw Tachion waiting against the back wall. A look of surprise and fear crossed his face as he asked, "Did you agree?"

"You will still answer for your crimes, captain," Aragorn replied, "but I will do what I can to help you save your sister and find out what new threat lurks within my walls."

Tachion nodded. He would accept whatever punishment as long as his sister was safe and out of their hands.

Aragorn pulled out the keys, unlocked the door, and entered. He looked at Tachion squarely and said, "The people holding your sister are going to probably question you on why you did not return sooner. You're going to fight me, then tell them exactly what I tell you."

<><><><><><><><><><><>

Tachion was dressed in the armor denoting his rank and privileged position in the Citadel as he led his bloodied captive, hooded and cloaked, through the dark and empty streets. His own face looked no better than his kings he reckoned; his right eye was swollen, a gash on his brow was still seeping blood, and the cut on his lip stung.

He'd really thought Aragorn had been jesting until he'd punched him in the face.

Now as they moved through the streets Aragorn staggered and fell a couple of times. Tachion didn't think he'd hurt him that badly, least he hoped he hadn't; that would put everything in jeopardy, and these people were not to be trifled with.

Tachion leaned close and quickly whispered, "We are close, my lord."

Aragorn gave no indication that he'd heard him.

They entered the eighth circle of the city and walked until they had almost reached the gate that led to the seventh circle when they ducked into an alley between two richly decorated houses. Tachion knocked twice and waited for several long minutes before he finally heard low voices and locks being undone.

The door creaked open, and light poured out as Tachion quickly pushed Aragorn through the door into a well-lit room, leaving Tahcion's eyes to adjust to the sudden change. After a moment or two, he noticed a handful of armed men and one, of Dalion's allies, Lord Falcon, sitting in a plush chair at the end of the room.

Lord Falcon had a long hooked nose, squinty brown eyes, and a mildly pocked face. His fingers were steepled before him as he drilled Tachion with a glare. "Where have you been, Captain?" asked the lord, none too pleased. "And where in the name of Morgoth is Dalion?"

Falcon's wheezy voice always had grated on Tachion's nerves, and now he was trying his best to hide it and remain calm. "He's dead," he replied curtly, just as he and Aragorn had discussed.

A cold silence settled over the room. Falcon spoke first. "The agreement was for you to release him in exchange for your sister."

Tachion shrugged. "The king got to him first. But I've brought you someone worth far more than Dalion," said the captain quietly.

Falcon raised a brow, his interested peaked. "Worth more than your brother? Pray tell, who is it?"

Tachion inwardly flinched but covered his feelings by quickly pulling the hood back revealing Aragorn's bloodied face. He swayed as if dazed, his eyes practically closed.

Falcon's own squinty eyes went wide and a devilish grin spreading across his face. "You do not lie, Captain," said the lord, leaning forward.

"Now, for my sister," said Tachion, every muscle tensing. "I demand you bring her here and release her to me."

Falcon's grin vanished as he leaned back in his chair, eyes cold. "You are in no position to make demands of me, boy," he spat.

Tachion drew a hidden dagger from his gauntlet and held it to Aragorn's throat. "What would happen if I killed him right here, right now, hmm?" Tachion's voice was deathly serious. "You may be a lord, but finding the king dead at your feet, in your own home, would not look good for you I think."

Falcon was not amused, but he also did not want to lose his biggest bargaining chip. "Very well," he replied, waving a hand. A guard left and returned a few minutes later with a terrified young girl, no more than fifteen, in tow.

As soon as she saw Tachion she rushed over to him, and he wrapped her up in his arms, forgetting for a moment everything else.

"As promised, alive and unharmed," said Falcon, standing. "But now I'm afraid you both are too dangerous to be left alive." He waved his hands once more towards the guards, as if bored. "Kill them."

Tachion stepped in front of his sister, dagger in hand as Falcon's men grabbed Aragorn and closed in.

From outside there came a dull thump and the windows blew open, blowing out the candles, and leaving the room in total darkness.

Chaos ensued.

***********

Oh man! What is Arwen hiding? 

And who is Lord Falcon really?

What's going to happen to Tachion? is Dalion his brother!?

Comment below and let me know!

As always, thank you for reading :)