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"Aganhim's Seal"Aganhim's SealBy: Alagbor
They entered the Lost Woods and found themselves thwarted by a labyrinth of paths. It was warm, but not too warm, just perfect and comfortable. It was so soothing and beautiful there, just as Saria remembered her home to be. One could not cut directly through the woods for they were so thick that one could barely see a few feet into them and there were literally walls of trees in most places. They wound their way through for a while but it was no use. "I have long forgotten the road to Tol Ostar, I have no idea where we have stumbled our way into now", grumbled Alagbor irritated. Saria looked around looking very confused. "I thought I knew every part of the Lost Woods... but I've never been here", she said as they proceeded aimlessly through the maze of paths. "These woods are vaster than you know, the stretch far", said Nilalkar looking around. Lossenisel had gotten bored and now began to sing: By sea and stars! Herald and steward! Hark now for the calling of the city great! Doom is nigh; evil draws near; Plead to the gods, plead to the Valar! Fair winds to the soldiers that march on Nahourd For then twas our darkest
hour Nilalkar laughed: "Come brother, even in a time like this could you not sing of a lighter subject?" Lossenisel stopped in mid-verse and looked at his older brother. "It was on my mind Nil, It was pressed in my head", he protested. "Ha! The song of the doom of our empire, if I'm correct it was I who saved your life during the battle you sing of", retorted Nilalkar. Saria listened intently to this. "Come brother, what of that time when you were attacked by an angry pack of wolves. Wasn't it I who saved you there. Nilalkar paused suddenly. The other three turned and looked at him; his ears perked up. They suddenly heard the screeching of orcs in the distance. "My stars, not again!" Cried out Lossenisel. "Run!" Yelled Alagbor. And run they did. They flew full speed through the woods but the enemy was quickly gaining on them. The came out of the maze and the trees became more spread apart in a normal forest. It seemed the enemy would catch them and Alagbor drew his sword while running. Lossenisel did likewise. They sped on through the woods but suddenly stopped and faced their opponents. They charged and the four Kokiri braced themselves for battle, but before the orcs could reach them a volley of arrows flew over the elves' heads and hit the orcs. Suddenly they four of them were scooped up into a tree. They were on a platform hidden in the canopy of a nearby tree. In the tree were wood elves firing arrows down at the orcs below. The Kokiri quickly joined in. The battle was over soon and they all came down out of the tree to check out the aftermath of the confrontation. "Mae Govannen mellon", Alagbor politely greeted the leader of the elves. He greeted the elf with proper honors, which for a Kokiri was a bow with their right hand on their chest. "Alagbor son of Alanor, it has been long since you have last traveled here. My name is Aldrion", said the tall blond haired wood elf. "You seek..." Suddenly an orc charged at Lossenisel who was completely off guard playing his ocarina. "Los look out!" yelled Nilalkar. He looked up. The orc raised its weapon preparing to deliver a lethal blow to the unsuspecting elf. As if from some instinct Saria raised her arm in the direction of the attacking orc. She felt energy pulsing in her arm. A ball of green lightning suddenly shot out of her hand and flew into the foul creature sending it hurtling into a nearby tree. Everyone shot a bewildered expression over at Saria who was now looking at her hand. "That is a sight I've not often seen", said Aldrion. Alagbor smirked: "Comes from being a sage I suppose Saria?" He remarked. "I suppose so..." said Saria with a smile, still studying her hand. It was true she was a sage. She had just realized it. Yet, it did not surprise her. It was like remembering something so obvious that when you do remember it you feel stupid for forgetting. "Come, we must proceed into Tal Ostar", Said Aldrion. They entered Tol Ostar via the north gate. What beheld them was a beautiful haven with courtyards, gardens and many streams running through a complex of beautiful and welcoming buildings. Weary from battle, traveling and almost endless confusion Saria's heart warmly melted into this environment. Aldrion directed them to a small part of building where they would rest that night. The beds looked so comfortable that Saria was near to resolving to just fall asleep right then and there, yet at the same time her sense of curiosity was overwhelming her and she decided to explore the gardens and halls of this stunning village. She and Alagbor began to wander through the place, Alagbor would point out a person here and there. "It is a very active place right now, all the nobles of the Hylian races are gathering to discuss what is to be done with your ring. They are holding a council tomorrow. We must attend to represent the Kokiri", Alagbor explained. As they went along Saria had recognized a few faces too, Galandrim and some other Hylians were walking through a hall in the main building of the complex of Tol Ostar. She recognized Prince Xavier with Zelda in one of the gardens. Hallimacil was talking to a few other Kokiri in one of the gardens. They had turned and waved to Alagbor though he had not stopped to talk. As they continued on Saria asked: "Who were they?" "You've met Hallimacil, the one on the left was my brother, Elegbor. The other one was Haelyon. They have always been close friends of mine. Most of my close friends are here for this council. The Kokiri have gotten heavily involved with repelling Aganhim. I will introduce you to them later", He explained. Night had fallen quickly and lamps throughout the area now lit the gardens. Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, Saria saw another Kokiri. He had long blond hair combed back, and blue eyes. He wore a green tunic with a beautiful sword hilted at his side and an emerald cloak on his back. Saria recognized him at once. It was Duradar. Saria's heart skipped beat. She did a double take; her eyes were wide with surprise. He was standing there on a patio in front of a small house smiling at her. Alagbor nodded to Duradar then smiled at Saria who immediately rushed over to Duradar, for the next ten seconds they stood in there embraced in each other's arms. They then walked off telling each other of their adventures following the day they were ambushed on the plains. Alagbor stood there still with a smile on his watching them walk off into the night. "She is growing stronger", said a small boy, with a green tunic and a strange green cap. Alagbor did not look over at Link but his smile faded and he was back to his usual grave expression. "The power of the sages is making her strong, the power leaking into her through the ring.... Makes her unnaturally bold and brave", he said looking down. They began walking over to a nearby patio. "I am beginning to fear that Aganhim is gaining his power instead of losing it", Link said in his usual quiet tone. "It is inevitable, I think that he is trying to manipulate Saria, he is beckoning her to join him", said Alagbor leaning over the railing of the Gazebo. He watched Saria and Duradar gossip happily in the garden. Link said nothing. "But... we have an advantage" said Alagbor "I sense that Saria has knowledge of her powers and is using them to repel the evil witchcraft of Aganhim", said Alagbor in a lighter tone. "In that case she cannot be tempted", Link said, deep in thought. Alagbor nodded. "I thought you had been slain!" Exclaimed Saria. "Oh, well, I guess it was close. They knocked me unconscious when I hit that tree, then Haelyon and Elegbor showed up on horseback and took care of the wargs. When I came to they said they had heard a lot of cries and movement across the plain so they came running. They said they were heading here to Tol Ostar for the council and I've been here ever since. So much for a big adventure huh?" Duradar looked over at Saria, who stared back at him. They just looked in each other's eyes for a moment and then Saria laughed. "You have no idea Dur!" She said. "Yes I suppose, how many Moblins were you dealing with in Hyrule Town? Umm, you know, Link was around here for the council. Maybe you should go find him. He was talking with Alag's sister Nurburien when I saw him last", said Duradar looking around. Saria's eyes widened. "Really? I thought he might be here", Saria said excitedly. She kissed Duradar on the cheek and ran off to find Link. Saria found him in his room, taking off his equipment. As she entered he simply smiled and continued what he was doing. He looked up and stepped toward Saria who gave him a big hug. "I was so worried about you Link", she said smiling. Link suddenly started laughing. "You have the mystery quest", He said in his usual quiet tone. Saria was actually a little comforted by what he said just then, it was true. He had more reason to worry about her. They weren't hunting Link. "Yes I suppose, tell me about your adventures Link, what's been happening?" Saria asked. They sat down and told each other of their adventures until late in the night. Meanwhile Alagbor had called a meeting with his companions.... "The elvish ambassadors have arrived, their news is disturbing", said Alagbor "There is a long journey ahead of us. Not a very easy one either", he continued. "And what's more, Aganhim has taken physical form. War will be coming to all fronts very soon. Termina, Calatia and Rhun will be hit first. Firimar Tal is right in his path", Said Duradar. 'Oh wonderful' Murmured Lossenisel. 'Shut up Loss' whispered Nilalkar. "Well does anybody there know what's coming to them?" Asked Haelyon. Nurburien stood up: "They will soon, I've sent Pherlad to alert them. Your son Alanol will know what to do" she said. Alagbor sighed. "I certainly hope so. In the meantime, Nurburien, I want you, Elegbor, Haelyon and Hallimacil to ride to Firimar Tal. Elegbor, you are in command if I am not there. Muster the army, we'll be at war soon. Loss, Nil, Dur, you stay with me. We must aid Saria" The next morning the council was gathering to discuss the fate of Aganhim's Ring. Saria walked in with Alagbor to find link, Lossenisel, Nilalkar and Duradar already sitting at the large table. They were in a room with a great table in the center where everyone was gathering for the meeting. The far side of the room, which wasn't too far away (narrow room) was completely open to the morning air and it added to the beauty and comfort of the room. She, with Alagbor sat down at the table next to Duradar. All around her people talking and sitting down, Hylians, Zoras, Gorons, All sorts of creatures. At the head of the table was the Hylian Royal Family. The King, Xavier and Zelda. There were a few knights representing the Hylians as well, including Galandrim. Directly across the table from her were the wood elf representatives. They were tall in stature with long golden hair. Though they, like Kokiri, were ageless they looked more mature and older. At the other end of the table were the Gorons and Zoras. She suddenly noticed Darunia, the leader of the Gorons, whom Saria had met yesterday. Though, it felt like she had known him from before that... "Creatures of Hyrule! Have a seat! The council is beginning!" Announced the king rising to his feet. Everyone took a seat and quieted down looking at the king. "It is hard I know to leave your kingdoms behind in such times. But it can be agreed that it is impossible for us to defeat both Ganondorf and Aganhim in open war. We have been searching for alternatives and I am overjoyed to announce that the search is over. It is time for action", said the king. There was a lot of murmuring among the council. The king raised his hands in a motion for quiet. "But we are fast running out of time. Aganhim, as you know, is among us in physical form. War has come to Hylia and soon will to all Middle-Earth", he continued. Everyone began murmuring again. "Our researchers from the west have made conclusions on the fate of this ring, Aganhim's Ring. Yes, it is in our possession, here at this council and it is born here by a Kokiri elf", he said looking over at Saria. "And now the dilemma", he said with a nod. A wood elf stood up. He had dark eyes and long blonde hair. He wore a green tunic with a bow and quiver strapped to his back. "That's Legolas, prince of Mirkwood. He did the research on what was to be done with ring", whispered Duradar to Saria. "The problem is that the ring is bound to Saria's finger. No magic spell can loosen it and even so it would not help. It is bound by magic and if we got it off there is little yet we could do. The bearer is permanently bound to the ring", Legolas explained. "Well how do we destroy it then?" Asked Haseem, a Goron brave. Legolas nodded. "This was the difficult part to understand. The documents describing the undoing of the ring are poetic. It says obviously that the can be destroyed only in the lava pits of Mount Doom. Just like Sauron's ring. The whole idea is influenced by Sauron's ring. But what is confusing is how we get the ring off Saria's finger", he lifted up the document: "The parchment reads: The heat of the fiery mountain will loosen the ring from the bearer" "Well its simple, the ring will fall off her finger in Mount Doom in Mordor", said Konra the Zora. "But how on Earth does she get there?" Asked Galandrim. "We travel there", said Alagbor bluntly. "We?" Questioned Konra. "It would be reasonable for a representative from each race to aid Saria", said Galandrim standing up. "Every race must choose a member of their company to join us", said Alagbor. "Us? You going with me?" Saria had not been surprised that she had a long way to go in this journey, Link had told her about it last night. "Yes of course. The four of us aren't going to abandon you like this. We're going with you", persisted Alagbor. Saria was a little more cheered up by this. The rest of the company was now debating and deciding who was to go. Legolas stood up and walked over to Saria. The Kokiri had now stood up. "I'm with you to the death Saria, pray we not meet it", said Legolas. "So am I", Said Galandrim. "Konra and Haseem approached. "We will join your cause", announced Haseem. "So it is done, you will strike out to save all that is good, do so with honor, do so with valor, and praise the goddesses, do so soon, lest we all be dead!" Declared the king. Saria walked down to the armory. It was a cool morning the day after the council. Her surroundings were very soothing as she walked down a stone path. On either side of her was a building with a tree line in front of it. In front of her was a small courtyard with a garden and a gazebo in it. She entered the armory and looked around for some weapons. They had a custom-made bow ready for her. It was designed to be compatible for her small stature. She also picked up a quiver of arrows, elven made, they had perfect balance. She picked out two daggers to use in close combat as well. She was outfitted with heavier more durable clothing, though it looked the same as her usual wardrobe. She had spent most of the previous day training and studying maps of Middle-Earth and Hylia to prepare herself for her journey. She, in a way, half wanted to go on this journey. Because if she were turn back and retreat to her forest home and hope for the best she would feel useless, unsatisfied and unhappy. But the thing that surprised her most about her emotions was that she was not afraid to go either. She was almost excited. Maybe it was because of Duradar. He occupied a good portion of her thoughts. She could not deny it. She loved him. Well at least he's coming too. 'Or maybe that's not a good thing. I'd hate to lose him. He'd hate to lose me. Or if we were both lost. Oh, but then it wouldn't matter.' It wouldn't matter if she died. She realized that. That's how she knew her company even cared about her. They could have just cut her finger off and taken the ring to Mordor themselves. But they have faith in her and she could not fail them. |