AN: Heh heh… Sorry about that, Gimli der Zwerg! I was actually gonna post the first chapter last night, but then my computer started acting up (darned bucket of rust! ::kicks computer:: owwww!!) , and I, tired and frustrated, threw up my hands and called it a night. Here it is, though! I'll decide whether or not to post the second chapter (which is still under construction) after I see what you people think. Please review!! Thanx! =^_^=

Disclaimer: If I owned Lord of the Rings, Tom Bombadil would have been in the movie. And Legolas would be my baaaybeeee!!! (not that he isn't already!)

Chapter 1: Light Like Falling Water

~oOo~

On that particular Monday morning, the clouds from weeks previous had decided that they had had their fill of dampening everyone's spirits and had moved on to some other unsuspecting town or city. The sunlight, now free from the hold of those dark, depressing bullies, had continued upon its normal course to be greeted by us land-dwellers with open arms.

I had the unbelievably good fortune on that particular Monday morning to not be cooped up in my stuffy old house, but rather was walking through the nearby woods with my best friend, Becky, as we made our way to school. Oh, it was one of those occasions you remember for the rest of your life and recall on those stormy and distressing days, and it brings comfort to your troubled heart. The soft golden rays fell upon the newly budded spring leaves and shone through them translucently, so it was if they were of stained glass. Thus filtered so, the light then streamed down and splashed to the earth, forming pools of green and gold upon the path, rocks, moss, Becky, and I. It was like shining rain. And, since it was so golden and delicious, and since we were starved from those many gloomy weeks, we greedily lapped it up.

That was the way it was that day. Becky and I would talk, or joke, or just be silent for a time to breathe in the springtime softness. After a time, I, stating the obvious as usual, announced, "It really is a beautiful day."

Becky really is good to me. She never says things like, "duh" when I make so obvious a statement. Instead, she nodded and said, "And to think we're going to waste it in some dingy classroom."

I grimaced. "Don't remind me," I said. Then, "You know what these woods are missing?"

"What?" she inquired, puzzled.

I grinned and said, "An Elf and a song."

"Oh, no. Not this again," she groaned. "I swear, if you start up on that whole sea thing again..."

"To the Sea! To the Sea! The white gulls are- Ack!!"

That wasn't really how the song went, at least not the "Ack!!" part. That happened when Becky grabbed me by the collar and put her hand over my mouth.

"Now," she said, "are you going to stop with that ridiculous song?"

"Mmrmph," I replied, and nodded.

"Good," she said, and released me. "I mean, it was cute the first hundred times you sang it," she continued, piercing me with a glare.

"Ok, ok, sorry!" I said, attempting to straighten out my collar. "And here I thought you liked Tolkien's works."

"I only went to see the movie, and only then because of Orlando Bloom." We each leaned against a tree and sighed.

"Someday I'm gonna go to England and marry that boy," I stated.

"Not if I beat you to it."

Becky and I glared at each other for a moment, and then burst into laughter, continuing along our way. And this was the way it was between us. It's funny how much we remind me of Legolas and Gimli, the two of us. I, dreamy, free-spirited, fun loving, and likely to burst into song spontaneously. She, practical, trustworthy, steadfast, and solid as rock. We really do make a great team. That was what helped to make that time so special, the fact that my best friend was there to share the beauty with me.

The only thing there to mar that pleasant time was reports of a serial rapist coming from not too far away, in Oakvale. They hadn't caught the creep yet, but we weren't overly frightened because none of the victims had been found in our area, and school wasn't too far away. Still, it was enough to make us cautious, and those of us who walked to school every day did so in pairs or groups. Many girls even had the school football players and other athletics walk them to school, just to be safe. Somehow, my worries worked their way out of my mouth and I asked, "Becky, has there been anything new on the Oakvale rapist?"

I immediately regretted saying this because it dampened the good spirits we had been in up until that point. Becky frowned and replied, "No, they still haven't caught the bastard, if that's what you mean. There haven't been any new attacks in nearly two weeks though, thank God."

"Thank God," I agreed.

"You know," she continued, "I never thought I'd live to say this, but I'll actually be glad when we get to school."

"Yeah," I said, and we were silent for a while. Then I, hoping to lighten the atmosphere a little, sang a song from our church. Becky rolled her eyes, but then shrugged and joined in the chorus:

"Do not be afraid, I am with you.

I have called you each by name.

Come and follow Me,

I will lead you home.

I love you and you are Mine."

That seemed to have the desired effect, and soon we were talking and laughing again. I was glad.

This had not gone on for long when we heard the sound of heavy footsteps behind us. I stiffened, and Becky, taking note of that, spoke. "Don't worry. It's probably just Erik," she said, speaking of a classmate who shared the same route as us. Just to make sure, she turned around and looked. "Hm," she said, frowning, "I guess not." I then looked, and saw a tall man in a plaid shirt carrying a backpack.

"Good morning!" he said to us.

"Good morning!" Becky replied. Turning then to me, she added, "See, it's nothing. Just some hiker or something."

"I dunno," I said, the hairs on my neck prickling. "I get a funny feeling from this guy. Maybe we should increase our pace."

"You and your funny feelings!" she exclaimed exasperatedly. "If I had a dime for every time you had a funny feeling about something, I-"

"Please just humor me this time," I said, dead serious for once. Becky, hearing the tone of my voice and seeing my worried expression, frowned for a moment, then shrugged, and we broke off into a fast walk. I then looked back and saw that the stranger had increased his pace, also. A very tight knot was now beginning to form in my stomach, but I swallowed and forced myself to remain calm. I lowered my voice and said, "Don't look back, but that guy is following us."

"What?" Becky exclaimed in surprise. Then, hastily lowering her voice also, she added, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," I replied. "It's not just my imagination. He started walking fast when we did."

"Shit," she growled. "Now what?"

"Walk faster," I said, and we did. I glanced back and, sure enough, our pursuer's pace had also increased, and was only about a hundred yards away. Forcing down the panic that was threatening to rise up within me, I said very softly and quickly, "It's official. He's definitely following us." Then, before Becky could say anything, I continued. "The school is still about five minutes away, two if we run. We're going to have to."

"I don't know if I can run hard for two minutes straight," she said.

"Let necessity give you wings," I replied. "This guy might not be the rapist, but for whatever reason he's following us, it can't be good." Again, I expected Becky to say, "well, duh!" but she didn't. "Now, he can't chase the both of us if we split up," I continued, "so you run like hell for Mr. O'Brien's place. Once you get there, call the police. I'll try to make it to the school and do the same thing."

"I don't know if I like the idea of us separating. What if something happens to you?"

"We don't have any choice!" I snapped. Then I felt bad, and took hold of Becky's hand. "I'll be fine," I said, "I promise." Then, "You be careful, and don't stop no matter what happens. Please." She nodded and squeezed my hand, and then let go. "On the count of three," I whispered. "One... two... THREE!!" And she was off like a deer into the trees to my right, and I down the path.

I heard an angry curse from behind me, and then "Hey! Stop!!"

Stupid idiot, I thought, does he actually think I'm going to stop and let him rape me?! I heard his footsteps increase as he ran after me, and I was glad that he hadn't gone after Becky. I ran as I never had before, forgetting everything around me except for the path and my goal, which resounded in my head with each breath I took: Get to school! Get to school! Get to school! It became a mantra for me. It would have been amusing were my situation not so grave. My backpack weighed me down, so I tossed it, and it landed into the bushes somewhere to my left. I didn't care. I doubt that there are Olympic racers who could have competed with my speed at that time. I was not going to let that dumb bastard get his grimy little paws on me.

I think that this had gone on for about a minute when I heard the thunder. I was puzzled for a moment, because the sun was still shining. Then I heard it again, and half an instant later I felt as if I had been slammed in the back by a cannonball, just above my right kidney. I stumbled under the force of the blow, but recovered in an instant and was racing down the path at my previous speed. Something was wrong, though. After about five seconds my back started to throb where I had been hit, and the pain increased until it felt as if my back were on fire. I reached back to touch the area and my fingers encountered something moist and warm. I stumbled again, and realized that I would not be able to continue at my present rate, and that my pursuer would overtake me in a matter of seconds should I slow. So, still too far away from my school and not knowing what else to do, I tore off the path and entered a thick grove of trees to my left, hoping to lose him. Gasping for breath now and beginning to lose consciousness, I stumbled weakly on, not knowing how long I would be able to continue this.

Then, by what I can only describe as mercy from On High, I came upon the most beautiful sight I had ever beheld: a fallen, long, hollow log, just large enough for my small frame to crawl into. Thanking God Almighty and every saint I know of, I threw my self down and hurriedly crawled on my belly into the log, gritting my teeth from the pain of my wound, which was now bleeding profusely. I crawled in until my feet no longer showed, stopped, and waited. Moments later I heard the sound of my pursuer's footsteps as he ran by, cursing like a sailor all the while. His footfalls receded until I could no longer hear them, and I let out my breath, which I had not realized I had been holding. Then I, among the fungi and beetle larvae of my sanctuary, and with my heart pounding, my side throbbing, and I shaking all over, lost my grip on this world.

~oOo~

AN: So how did you like it?! Please review and tell me (and please be kind- it's my first fic!) Any flames will be added to the big bonfire I'll have in front of my house, in which my best friend and I will burn letters from our exes, join hands, and dance around it singing Théodin's Battle Cry.

PS- I know that Legolas hasn't made his appearance yet, but I promise he will in the second or third chapter. The next chapter will definitely feature LOTR characters, so please be patient! Thanx!