A steady, slow stream of cars poured into the parking lot, some taking the winding turn towards the front of the school for carpool, others racing through the student lot, searching desperately for a space. From these cars came teenagers, shouting or silent, toting iPods and backpacks, all with exhaustion glazed over their eyes and hearts pounding. All around was madness, a constant sea of motion, girls shrieking and hugging, guys laughing a deep, barking chuckle and pounding each other on the back, freshmen cowering and hurrying through the doors, seniors standing on top of the old benches and watching the scene with little to no interest.
One such senior was Aragorn "Strider" Elessar, captain of the soccer team, last year's prom king, student body president, so on, so forth. His grey eyes surveyed the school courtyard as if it was his kingly realm, looking for a friend.
"Legolas!" he shouted, grinning widely and tucking dark brown hair behind his ears. He leapt off of the bench and pushed through the crowd to greet his best friend.
"Hey, man," Legolas smiled gently, inhaling a deep breath. "Don't you just love morning air?"
Aragorn rolled his eyes, Legolas was president of the Keep Arnor High Beautiful Club and was always going on about how much he loved nature, even at seven in the morning on the first day of school.
"Yeah, it's great," he humored his blonde friend. "Hey, uh, you haven't seen Boromir have you?"
Blonde, tall, and haughty, Boromir played soccer with Aragorn. Despite being one year younger than him, he was completely and utterly convinced that Aragorn was unfit to lead his beloved soccer team. Until last season, Aragorn hadn't played, but when he joined, he was quickly elected captain by everyone but Boromir, who believed that the team had been fine before him, and still didn't need him.
"Scared of a little confrontation?" Legolas smirked.
"No," Aragorn sighed. "I just don't want to start something unnecessary."
"I've got your back," his friend assured him. "You're the rightful captain and no one can take that away from you."
"Thanks, man."
The bell chimed, hard and loud, as it always did. It sent an electric reaction through the swarm of kids gathered outside, prompting everyone to try to cram through four doors all at the same time. Principal Isildur stood inside by the doors to the main office, sending his warm, wise smile towards all those who passed by him on their way to homeroom.
"Remember," he called. "Assembly this morning!"
Upon seeing Aragorn, his face lit up and he beckoned for him to come closer.
"Ah, Aragorn, welcome back!" he gestured around the school with pride. "I hear you're student body president this year."
"Yes, sir," Aragorn answered as politely as he could, avoiding Isildur's direct gaze and crazy, curly hair. The principal was a bit eccentric, but Aragorn still respected him, despite how hard he found it to talk to him.
"Good, good. I see a true leader in you, son," he flashed white, shiny teeth. "We'll be a great team, you and I, make this year really great, hm?"
"Yes, sir," he repeated, the corners of his mouth twitching in a small smile back.
Isildur smiled again and then shooed him away, "Best be off, I'll see you at the assembly."
Legolas snickered as he rejoined Aragorn, falling into step with his quick, long stride, "What was that all about?"
"He's proud of me for being president, I guess," Aragorn answered with a shrug.
Legolas threw a gaze back over his shoulder, sending golden hair flying, "He's so…different."
"Careful," he warned. "I like him." But try as he might, Aragorn could not forget the plastic, fake smile and the worry in the man's dark eyes. What could that mean? Usually Isildur was so kingly and proud, not nervous and faltering.
The two rounded the corner and entered their homeroom class. Everything looked the same, from the literature posters lining the walls to the neat, straight rows of the boring, cramped desks. At the front, a group of freshmen worriedly murmured amongst themselves, waiting for the teacher to enter.
"Who're those kids?" Aragorn wondered aloud as he sat down heavily in a desk.
"They've mixed all the grades in homerooms," a smooth, smug voice answered from behind him. "That's why I'm here."
Aragorn turned and met sparkling storm-gray eyes and a small smile, "Oh. Boromir."
"Yup," sighed the second soccer player. "I was hoping to be in Mr. Denethor's homeroom again with Beregond, but everyone got switched around. So you're still captain?"
"Yes, yes I am," Aragorn sighed again, exchanging a glance with Legolas, who had his long legs reclined in the middle of the aisle.
A brown-haired blur shuffled by them quickly, before tripping over Legolas' outstretched legs, "Oi! Watch it, blondie!"
Legolas surveyed the tripper slowly, carefully, from his potato-like nose and small, brown eyes to his short, broad stature, whiskery chin, and light brown, messy hair.
"I know you," the blonde's eyes narrowed. "Last year, you were that sophomore wrestler who kicked my flowers! You're…uh…Gimli!"
"For the last time, that was my friends! I am a wrestler of honor and I do not kick flowers," Gimli protested with frustration, balling his huge fists up. "Let it go!"
"I am not going to let it go, not until you and your friends do service hours for my club. Until then, the guilt is on your con—"
"Suilad, everyone, take a seat!" A calm voice ordered from the front. His brown eyes found Legolas and Gimli in mid-fight. "Mr. Greenleaf, please leave our new homeroom member alone. And Mr. Gloinson, take the seat behind him."
Gimli swore under his breath and sunk into the seat behind Legolas, crossing his beefy arms in defiance.
"Now, for those of you who don't know me," continued the teacher. "I am Mr. Halfelven. I teach Literature History and am responsible for you all for a half hour every morning. I will help you with anything if you need it, but I can make no promises when it comes to math. My classroom is a safe haven to all grades and you are all welcome here, no matter what."
Mr. Halfelven smiled a trusting, honest smile before turning to take his seat in his desk at the front. His smile melted when he turned to see the four freshmen in front of him with worried looks and pleading eyes. The class fell silent to see what they had to say.
"Is this a mistake? There's no other freshmen in here," the front one asked in a whisper, his big blue eyes peering up at Mr. Halfelven from underneath curly brown hair.
"No, this is how the homerooms are now," Halfelven answered quietly. "There's a few seats over there. In a few days, you'll be used to everyone."
The freshmen followed Mr. Halfelven's outstretched hand and pointed finger to four desks, two of which sat directly in front of Aragorn and Legolas. With a shrug, the first freshman trudged over and sat down gingerly in front of Aragorn. He was quickly followed by another portly freshman with a protective glare on his face. The last two exchanged a smirk before racing and sliding into their seats.
"Don't worry," Aragorn assured the freshman in front of him. "It's not so intimidating once you get used to it."
Blue eyes turned and met his small, genuine smile, "I know you! You're Strider, you're captain of the soccer team!"
Behind him Boromir rolled his eyes and let out a huffy, long sigh. Aragorn ignored him and continued, "Yeah, who are you guys?"
"I'm Frodo," the blue-eyed one answered. "And that's my best friend Sam." He pointed to the portly freshman whose stern gaze softened considerably into a welcoming smile.
"I'm Pippin!" came the cry from in front of Frodo. A small, blonde freshman wore a grin as wide as his face and was craning precariously out of his desk and into the aisle. "And that's my friend Merry."
"Pippin," Merry warned. "You're going to fall."
Frodo interrupted the argument about to break out with a question, "So who are your friends?" he pointed to the group sitting around Aragorn.
"Well," Aragorn began awkwardly. "That's my best friend Legolas. And, um, I play soccer with Boromir back there. But, to be honest, I don't really know him." He jerked his head in Gimli's direction.
"I just told you my name five minutes ago," grumbled Gimli from the back.
"But you're still not our friend," Legolas sniffed, reclining back in his tiny desk chair to send a glare at Gimli.
"I wouldn't want to be!"
Aragorn rolled his eyes and faced forward again. The freshmen seemed to be enjoying themselves now. They were all smiling and laughing a bit at Gimli and Legolas' spat.
The intercom shuffled with white noise for a moment before a familiar, regal voice slid over the sound system, "Good morning, everyone. At this time, I will be dismissing for the assembly. Would all homerooms in the first floor west wing please report to the auditorium? Again first floor west wing homerooms to the auditorium."
"That's us," Halfelven cried. "Now, remember. We are all sitting by homeroom. Do not run off and find your friends."
The homeroom leapt to their feet at once and began pushing slowly through the small classroom door.
"Last one out, turn off the lights," Halfelven ordered, towering over the kids as he walked through with ease.
"Come on," Aragorn suggested to the freshmen. "We can all sit together."
Legolas smiled encouragingly down at them, "Yeah."
Someone with a heavy, commanding step walked up next to Aragorn, "I'll be coming too."
Aragorn sighed. Boromir had this annoying way of being friendly and haughty at the same time. He knew Boromir was a good guy and a loyal friend, but Aragorn didn't trust him. Maybe it was the way he hogged the ball during games, or how he never listened to Aragorn even though he was captain. Either way, he didn't want to fight and tear apart the team, so he nodded and turned back to a laughing Legolas.
"Here, we'll take these doors," Aragorn said, stepping his way gingerly through the gathered crowd towards the inside of the auditorium.
The auditorium was dark, save for the brightly lit stage where Principal Isildur already stood, surrounded by his vice principal Anarion, the head guidance counselor Mr. Gandalf, and other teachers. The stage lights glinted off of his shiny, crazy hair and pinstriped, black suit, making him look regal and commanding.
"Over here," Legolas pointed to a long row of empty seats. They shuffled in one by one, leaving an empty seat on the end next to Legolas.
"Please take your seats, everyone," Isildur cried in his most friendly voice, but it sounded strained and about to break.
A loud grunt and the sound of weight on the old auditorium seats came from Legolas' left. He turned to see none other than Gimli sitting down beside him with a light laugh.
Legolas was ready to insult him once again, but the lights dimmed and Isildur called for everyone's attention.
One look at the once proud and welcoming man told Aragorn something was wrong. Just as he had seen that same morning, Isildur's smile was hollow and plastic, ready to snap at any moment. Sweat glistened on his forehead and he rubbed his beard nervously as if searching for the right words. Usually, Isildur's words flowed easily and powerfully, as if he wasn't thinking at all when he spoke.
"I am afraid, my friends," he began, his words slow and tired. "That I have some bad news."
A murmur of fear ran through the crowd. Aragorn stiffened in his seat and shared a worried glance with Legolas.
"The school board has decided that my administration and I are not fit to lead Arnor High School anymore. They will be replacing Vice Principal Anarion and I tomorrow morning. The man they have chosen is indeed fit to lead. He is strong and cunning and a powerful leader. I expect all of you to show Principal…" he choked on the title that was his for so long. "…Sauron with the same respect that you have shown…me for so long.
"I cannot begin to tell you how sorry I am to be leaving you like this. My heart and soul are in this school and I love each and every one of you very much. I still hope for the best years here for you all and please know that I still care deeply for this school and everyone in it. To you all I say, goodbye, good luck, and I am truly sorry."
Isildur stepped heavily off of the podium step and steadied himself on Anarion's outstretched arm. The sorrow was evident in his face as he walked away slowly on Anarion's arm. The students sat in complete and utter silence, too shocked to register anything, suddenly wishing they could take back all those times they had imitated Isildur's golden, firm voice and welcoming smile, all those times they had laughed at his crazy hair and eccentric ways. Aragorn stood suddenly and crept as fast as he could backstage.
Isildur sat on an old prop, slumped against the wall and staring deeply at nothing. Anarion stood next to him, equally defeated and unhappy.
"Sir?" Aragorn asked gently.
"Ah, Aragorn, my boy," Isildur straightened noticeably, attempting to regain his kingly demeanor. "What is it?"
"Are you all right?"
"I'm going to be just fine," he assured him. "But I do have one favor to ask. You are still student body president, and I expect you to maintain a good relationship with Principal…" he stuttered once again on his beloved title. "Sauron. First thing tomorrow, go see him in his office and speak with him, all right?"
"Yes sir," Aragorn promised. He turned to leave, but then stopped, "Sir? I really am going to miss you."
Isildur smiled weakly, "And I you."
Slowly, Aragorn trudged back to where his friends were standing, worry etched on each of their faces, even Gimli and Boromir.
"What did he say?" Legolas asked.
"He wants me to talk to the new principal tomorrow," Aragorn said, still a bit dazed and upset.
The bell rang, dismissing the students from the assembly. Aragorn waved goodbye to the group and began a slow trudge to his first class. He rubbed his temples roughly, hoping to clear his head. Isildur was such a good man, why on earth would they replace him? And with this Sauron that no one knew? What was he going to do without Isildur to help him lead? He took a deep breath and sighed. He had promised Isildur to lead the students, no matter what and he would keep that promise. No matter how bad Sauron seemed. If only he knew…