Chapter 2 Return to Middle Earth
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters aside from my OC, Aria, the others belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. (Sorry, forgot the disclaimer in the first chapter.)
Note: The Legolas in this story will appear fatherly and knowledgeable. This is due to the events of Hand in Hand, a fanfiction by SolitaryPeak, who has given me permission to use the newly developed Legolas and perhaps her OC Sirya. Please read this fanfiction, it isn't mandatory to understand mine, but it is still really good. Also, I may spell things wrong and I'm sorry I'm not perfect. If I spell something wrong, like a name, let me now so I can fix it. Lastly, please review.
Sweetdixie.17-Thanks, I was cracking myself up writing them. Afterward, I realized it was a very Gollum/Sméagol relationship, except with eight voices instead of just two. Even though they make the reader laugh, I also want to show that they really do help her and that they aren't there just because she crazy insane. Also, it is quite reasonable to say that the other Thoughts are afraid of Subconscious, which will be proved a little in this chapter
. .ra-Thanks. I have nothing else to say because I know you like it but you're also bias. Your praise still makes me feel good though.
Chapter 2 Return to Middle Earth
"Before we get to that," Aragorn began, "I would like to enquire about where exactly 'here' is?" Legolas looked between his friend and the girl before continuing his attentive sweep of the room.
"Earth." She answered.
Swell, Negative Thinking commented. He ought to understand that perfectly.
Negative Thinking, Memory Duty. Command Thoughts stated. Anybody else have something to say? There wasn't as sound. Good, then let's keep things this quiet while I manage this.
"Earth?" He sounded slightly exasperated, again.
"Redding, California, United States of America, North American Continent, Earth, Our Solar System, Milky Way Galaxy, the Universe."
And you put me on Memory Duty. Negative Thinking sulked. Look at you. That was so sarcastic that even Positive Thinking would agree it was negative. Command Thoughts didn't answer, purposely ignoring the sulky voice.
Aragorn's face went from one of confusion to one of annoyance. "Let us go and see where we first appeared." He rose and Legolas did with him. Aria jumped up and set her chocolate mug on the coffee table and bounded out of the house after them, before running back inside, taking her mug to the kitchen, then yelling up the stairs to her knew family.
"Mrs. Nara! I'm going out for a time, I'll be back later!"
"Take care and be sure you left things clean!" Aria didn't answer, she had already run out the door and caught up with Legolas and Aragorn.
They were all quiet as they climbed into Aria's Ford Mustang. The two visitors to the world of technology looked mildly uncomfortable at the car but Aria paid them no mind. She pulled out of the driveway and quickly made her way to the hustle and bustle of the city. They made it out of the city in no time, which surprised Aria. As they got further and further from the city, making their way to where Aria had found the two.
Commander? Positive Thinking asked.
What, Positive.
Can we talk about something? I'm bored. It's too quiet.
Command Thoughts didn't answer. It's quiet. Frightening Thoughts whispered. Too quiet. They're probably waiting until we're a good ways from the city before they beat us and leave us in a cold ditch to die.
The other Thoughts, who get highly jumpy when it's silent, all began to talk at once. Aria jumped at the sudden activity in her mind causing her to jerk the wheel, which caused her to swerve, and Aria yelped and tried to correct but overcorrected as her Thoughts ran rampant through her mind. Both Aragorn and Legolas cried out in shock at the sudden swerve and the overcorrection.
"SHUT UP ALL OF YOU! NOW!" She knew she screamed it out loud, but she didn't care. She didn't care about the looks of alarm on Aragorn's and Legolas's faces. She took a deep breath at the silence, trying to calm her pounding hear. Tears began to slip down her face.
Guys! Command Thoughts exclaimed. Look what you did! Next time if you have a problem voice it one at a time and slowly. As a whole we make up Aria as she is now but this kind of stress takes itself out on me, because I am in charge and the main Thought Process. Mental tears seemed to fall as the physical ones were. That scared me. We could have been hurt and we startled Aragorn and Legolas. Please keep quiet unless I ask. If I give permission to speak freely, then you may but until then, keep quiet and watch.
"I'm sorry." Aria whispered to her passengers. "The memories get away from me sometimes." Aria couldn't stop her body from shaking violently. The sudden fear of all of her Thoughts had cause no one to be on Memory Duty, even for an instant and an instant was all it took for one to float to the surface and make itself remembered. This particular one involved a very cruel whip that made her back sore just thinking about it.
Aragorn looked into the back seat at Legolas and whispered something in a language that Aria didn't understand, but sounded familiar. "Should we ask?"
Legolas answered in the same language. "Yes, but carefully. We do not want to frighten her and cause her to lose control of this strange metal beast."
Aragorn nodded, then turned back to Aria. "It is alright. You have had a very hard childhood, yes?" He asked.
Aria nodded. "Yeah, you could say that." She whispered, never taking her tear-filled eyes off the road. "I don't really want to talk about it, because that means I'll have to think about it and it is hard enough keeping the Memories at bay without me thinking of them." Aragorn nodded and Legolas said something to him in the language they both knew.
"What could be so bad, that has happened to her in this world that she might be like this and feel this pain and fear? Not even Sirya acts like she does, in all of her strangeness, and he had a very hard elfling-hood."
Aragorn shook his head and replied. "I do not know mellon nin, but this is a strange world, it may hold new and terrible danger that we do not know of." Aragorn's reply included Mellon Nin, words that Aria did understand. They must be speaking in Sindarin. She commented to her Thoughts. They did not reply, as she did not ask for one. Thanks guys, I still love you and need you.
We know, Frightening Thoughts answered now, feeling the need. We won't leave you until you can be strong without us.
Aria smiled to herself, tears coming to her eyes, but out of happiness this time. The Thoughts may have been in her head and they may have even been of her own imagination, saying exactly what she needed, but it still made her feel loved. Something she didn't get to feel often.
Aria looked around the clearing where they stood. This is it? Negative Thinking asked from the depths of Aria's mind.
Negative, you are on Memory Duty, now shut up and do your job. Command Thoughts said offhandedly, occupied with staring at the clearing. There was nothing special about it, at all. It was just a weed-filled, bug-full clearing. Birds were chirping and the sound of frogs and insects were kind of annoying.
Why do I have to be on Memory Duty? Negative Thinking asked, interrupting Command Thoughts train of thought. Sane, Insane and Subconscious are already on Duty.
Command Thoughts growled. Because you are being punished. Now if you don't shut up, you're going to be on Night Duty with Subconscious. Negative Thinking shuttered. None of the Thoughts really liked Subconscious. She was strange, quiet, strong, and always on Memory Duty. She was, to the thinking of all the Thoughts, the actual reason Aria was at the level of safe insanity that she was. Subconscious remembered all of the Memories and kept all of them at bay. Command Thoughts knew that she would be in charge, save the fact that that would be a direct threat to Aria's health, which was everyone's main concern at all times.
"This is where we first arrived." Aragorn stated interrupting Aria's Thoughts.
"Do you have the power to return us to our homes?" Legolas asked looking at her. Now that he had really gotten a good look at her, abet the brief exchange in the girl's living room. He noticed, she carried the same look Sirya carried when Legolas had first rescued him. The guarded look that hid years of pain and fear, but there was something about this girl's look. It was almost as if...as if she wasn't alone. Her eyes showed that though she'd known pain, but…she looked as if someone had taken her and healed her, as best as one could be healed. However, the girl's outburst in the car at the beginning of the ride caused Legolas to believe that perhaps this healing came in the form of more than one voice in her head with different personalities, giving her a sense of companionship through self-made companions.
"I don't…"Aria paused, as her Thoughts interrupted.
Commander, would it be the best idea to tell them you don't know magic? Enlightening Thinking asked.
No, Command Thoughts answered, after some consideration. We cannot lie to them though.
No, Enlightening Thinking agreed. Give me a minute to think of something.
All was quiet both in Aria's head and the clearing as Enlightening Thought thought. Legolas and Aragorn studied this strange girl as she looked around the clearing. They knew she was going to finish her thought at one point but she was taking her time.
Finally, tell them about the necklace you got at the antique shop, if it's ever going to matter, it'd be now.
"A few years back, I was given something. The lady that gave it to me told me to always wear it because it would essential to my future." Aria turned to the two and pulled the necklace out from under her shirt. "If it's ever going to be cryptically essential to my future, I'd say it's now." Both men stepped forward to get a better look at the necklace. As they studied it, Aria's Thoughts wandered.
Guys, guess what we haven't thought about in a while? Positive Thinking asked brightly.
Life? Enlightening Thinking answered sarcastically.
Death? Frightening Thinking whispered fearfully.
Nope, the Magic Tree House. Positive Thinking answered.
Command Thoughts sighed in exasperation. Positive, is this really the time? Command Thoughts asked critically.
Yeah, Commander. Remember the days of Jack and Annie? Positive Thinking sighed. Remember the words, Commander, the magical words that took them away on grand adventures? A sober feeling crept through Aria's mind, even the Thoughts on Memory Duty thought about the childhood days spent hidden behind the beautiful books of Mary Pope Osborne.
"I wish I could go there." Aria whispered out loud. She couldn't help it, there were actually things she missed about her childhood. She didn't get much time to think more on it. As soon as Aria said the words out loud a tremendous wind cut through the clearing, lifting the three of them off the ground. Aria's world went black and she gasp as she took a hit from something, felt like she'd been sucker punched.
Suddenly she, along with Aragorn and Legolas, were dropped quiet harshly right into the courtyard of the House of Lord Elrond in Imladris. Exclamations rang out at the three appeared out of nowhere. The guards trained their weapons on the newcomers before recognizing them as the foster son of their lord and the prince of Mirkwood.
"Inform Lord Elrond and Gandalf that they're back!" One of the guards called as other helped up the new arrivals.
"Estel, your father has been most worried." One of the guards said as he offered a hand to the gasping warrior.
"Who is this, my lord?" Another guard asked as he offered a hand to Aria, wearily taking in her strange clothing.
"Aria." She answered for herself, ignoring the hand and picking herself up. She took a deep breath and looked around. She took in all of the stunned elves in the courtyard, the Lord Elrond, Gandalf, Gimli and his dwarves, the other Mirkwood elves, the hobbits, and the humans all staring or coming toward her before her Thoughts completely freaked out.
Oh, Holy Mother of All Elves of Middle Earth! Frightening Thought gasped. I'm not insane enough for this kind of torment!
What the hell are you talking about? Insane Thought snapped. I'm freaking batter than a fruit bat in a meat market and I can't handle this!
What the hell are we supposed to do now? Positive Thinking asked. What are we going to do! What are we going to do!
All of the Thoughts, save Subconscious and Command Thoughts, burst into hysterics.
EVERYBODY SHUT UP! Command Thoughts shouted, thankfully not out loud as she had in the car with Legolas and Aragorn. The next person to say anything without permission gets Night Duty! We are going to figure this out together, but not like were completely bat-shit crazy.
"Estel!" Lord Elrond exclaimed, hugging his son. "Thank Valar you're safe!"
"Welcome back, Prince Legolas, Lord Aragorn." Gandalf said.
"Thank you, Mithrandir." Legolas stated.
"May I offer my apologizes for the mistake that was made by myself and the Halflings?"
"They are not necessary, Mithrandir." Aragorn said turning to the wizard. "This young enchantress helped us return." He gesture to Aria, who stood in silence surrounded by the guards of the House of Lord Elrond, a worried and strained expression on her face.
"Estel, have you forgotten your manners?" His father asked, hinting at the need for an introduction.
"I am sorry, Ada. This is Aria, an enchantress of Earth. Aria, this is my father, Lord Elrond and Gandalf the Gray."
"It is an honor to meet you. And thank you for returning my son to me." Lord Elrond offering his hand. Gandalf, however, did nothing, merely stared at her, studied her.
Aria nodded, not saying anything and not taking the offered hand. Hey guys, should we show them what we know about Middle Earth? Command Thoughts asked.
No, Enlightening Thinking answered. Let it all work out as it should.
But if we know how it happens, shouldn't we make sure it stays on track? Sane Thinking asked.
It would not be wise. We may accidentally change something. Enlightening Thinking answered.
Yeah, Positive Thinking agreed, Cause I, for one, wouldn't be able to resist trying to save Borimir from dying.
I agree with Positive and Enlightening, Insane Thinking added, I would want to save Haldir as well. But just because we tell them that we know about all of this doesn't mean we'll be going with the Fellowship. Insane Thinking offered as a nice counter argument.
We do not have time for this. Command Thoughts interjected. Continue to think on it and we can discuss what we've come up with later, until then keep quiet so I can concentrate. There were murmurs of 'yes ma'am's and it was silent in Aria's mind.
When Aria again was paying attention to the world outside of her mind, she noticed it was very silent. Great, they must have asked us something. Lord Elrond studied Aria a moment. "Please, do not answer, this is not the time nor the place for questions. The three of you must clean yourselves up and have something to eat before we discuss anything at length." He then turned and swept back into the Last Homely House, followed by Gandalf, Aragorn, and Legolas, who gently placed a hand on Aria's elbow and guided her with them inside. The others about the courtyard returned to their various businesses.
"You should be more careful about listening." He whispered.
"How long were you waiting for my answer?" She asked back, taking her arm out of Legolas's hand.
"Long enough for it to be awkward and seem like you did not want to answer, but not long enough for anyone notice anything was off with you, save Lord Elrond and Mithrandir, who are both very sharp men."
"Who says anything's off with me?" Aria snapped, defensively.
"Everything you say and do, your very being. You constantly drop hints about a very terrible childhood and early life, yet you are as happy as a hobbit in a room full of food. That in itself says there is something off about you. Do not be so eager to show this to the whole of the world, it could be used very harshly against you."
Aria smiled very venomously. "I have yet to meet someone who could give me a worse experience than what I've been through. I survived, that means that I can survive again. I became strong and I can be stronger still. Just because I show the happy, 'hobbit' side of myself does not mean that the darkness within me that saved me, is not watching attentively for any sign of danger. Just as you were watching in my living room. Except I wear a mask, so no one can see where my eyes are really looking. Do not think to challenge my strength, Legolas Thandruillion. I am stronger and more dangerous than the hottest fires from the strongest fire drake." Aria then sped up to where Aragorn and Lord Elrond were talking. They paused as she appeared, then looked back at the scowl on Legolas's face.
"You should be careful, Enchantress. Do not make enemies where none need to exsit." Lord Elrond advised in a soft and beautiful voice.
Why are we not surprised or impressed at the elves? Command Thoughts asked.
Perhaps because we do not want to show any emotions. Enlightening Thinking offered.
Or, maybe you're as nutty as a squirrel in a nut shop, like me. Insane Thinking offered as well.
Are we going to answer to his obvious lack of knowledge about us? Negative Thinking asked. Cause I, for one, want to give him something to make him shiver with surprise and fear.
Negative Thinking, your being punished quit talking. Command Thoughts paused to consider Negative Thinking's question, despite the reprimanding. Yes, I quite like the idea. Her Thoughts all cackled maliciously, they enjoyed a little fear every now and again. It made them feel like they weren't the only ones in the world to feel fear, and this was cause for relief.
Aria looked at Lord Elrond. The coldness that appeared in her eyes startled Aragorn. They were the eyes of someone entirely different from the strange, bright girl they'd spent the whole morning and part of the last evening with.
"Lord Elrond, everyone is my enemy until they prove themselves an ally. I do not and never will love those allies, I will merely tolerate them, so long as they are needed. I have never loved any creature in my life and I do not plan on starting. I have survived this long because my heart is locked away and guarded with the fiery vengeance of a greedy fire drake. None have yet succeeded in breaking it out and none ever will. I will never risk my survival for the sake of another. I have worked too hard and been through too much to risk it." Aria then turned her attention away from the startled gray eyes of the Ranger and his father.
Aragorn whispered something to Lord Elrond in Sindarin. "She has told us small hints of great and painful childhood, filled with pain and anger. Her life has been a loveless one. Legolas believes that there are multiple voices in her mind to give her the companionship needed to live, but never has had any outside companion who has ever shown her any great deal of care."
Lord Elrond answered to this, causing Aragorn to gaps in surprise. "That is evident, but to say such things. She had more than a painful and loveless childhood. She would have had to been tortured to become such as creature as she is now, in all of her oddness."
Aragorn responded. "That is not possible. Why would someone do this to her? She may be an enchantress, but she is a very young one, and truthfully she is not very good at magic."
Lord Elrond shook his head and said something in return. "I do not know, ion nin. Perhaps we can learn and perhaps heal her if at all possible." He smiled almost menacingly. "If you do not love, Enchantress, then what have you to live for?"
Aria turned to look at him, her mouth hung open and her eyes could hardly seem to register the question. "What?"
"Why do you live, if not for love, for love is the easiest and best way to gain happiness. Never have I met any creature that is happier alone than with someone to share happiness with."
Aria walked quite a length, considering the question. Not really knowing what he asked. I'm confused. Positive Thinking said. What does he mean? We're not being tortured, no one is hurting us, is that not cause enough for happiness. We have each other, it that not cause for happiness?
I think, Enlightening Thinking began, that he is asking why do we live when we do not have anyone to live for.
What?! That doesn't make any sense. We live for ourselves. Negative Thinking burst.
Yes, but why? Sane Thinking asked. Why did we save our lives, Aria's life, if she has none but the voices in her head to share her life with? We could have simply died and been done with it.
Aria's Thought began to be increasingly confused, until she couldn't quiet handle it quietly any more. "What?" She asked out loud. "What…" She stopped walking and grabbed her head. It had begun to hurt and her confusion scared her. "I don't…what…" The whole party stopped as her breath began to come in short gasps. "I…" She sank to the ground and tears began to stream from her eyes as she clutched her head tighter.
"I DON'T UNDERSTAND!" She cried in fear. She sobbed as her heart began to hurt and her Thoughts scrambled in confusion.
WHAT IN THE BLOODY HELL DOES HE MEAN! Negative Thinking shouted.
Insane Thinking rocked back and forth. Why are we alive? He asked over and over again. Command Thoughts felt/watched the other Thoughts. What was she going to do, she didn't know what was going on.
This damned elf! She snapped to Subconscious. Just one question and he has us as weak and helpless as a babe!
Subconscious' voice whispered to her through the great depths of Aria's Memories. Would you like for me to take command for a time? She asked softly, speaking in a misty, half-asleep whisper as she always did, when she spoke.
Not yet, Command Thoughts answered. But stay ready, I don't like this.
A hand was gently placed on Aria's shoulder. Out of instinct, Aria pulled away from the contact and shoved the owner of the hand away as hard as she could. Aria pressed against the wall and watched as Aragorn caught his father. Gandalf, Legolas, and others stood looking on. She didn't know or couldn't remember who they were. She shook in fear staring at their faces. They didn't look threatening, but her Thoughts were in such confusion that Command Thoughts had only Subconscious' cold hard advice to use.
"Are you alright, Ada?" Aragorn asked, surprised that his father had actually lost his balance.
"I am fine, Estel. Her fear gave her strength I did not account for." He turned his attention to Aria, who stared at him with the innocent and fearful eyes of a lost child. "Child, please do not fear. I did not mean to cause you pain with my question." He cautiously crept toward her. He reached a reassuring hand to her and her face instantly changed. A cold hard ice appeared in her vibrant violet eyes. She suddenly hissed like a cornered snake. Lord Elrond instantly stood and backed away from her.
Legolas watched this sudden change and knew it well. Thought Sirya never had a defensive side, his father, King Thranduil did. With this, Legolas knew that she would quiet mercilessly hurt any she thought were going to cause her pain.
Aria saw Lord Elrond's hand stretch out to her and Command Thoughts didn't know what to do. In an instant Subconscious took control and hiss at Lord Elrond warning him off. Subconscious was much more picky than Command Thoughts about who and what touched her, this meaning nothing and no one.
You must be hard and cold if you wish for us to survive. She stated to Command Thoughts. Do not show vulnerability, or fear. Be strong and do not show them the fear and lost-ness that we have as our constant companions. As soon as Subconscious had taken control of Aria the other Thoughts had gone silent, but confusion and fear still emanated from them all.
"Child, I will not harm you. Let us speak together. Let me explain my question and ease your fears."
"I can ease my own fears!" She hissed. "I rely on no one but myself!"
Lord Elrond changed tactics, all who were around let the renowned healer try and help the strange human girl. "But you are curious." He stated staring her straight into her strange eyes. This new Aria didn't want gentleness, she wanted strength and fearlessness. "You are curious and you do not want gentle words but strength. You do not want to be held and pitied but to be impressed, given the freedom to choose, and the space to decide on your own." He offered his hand, but instead of to gently help her but to pull her up as one would a long-time companion, roughly and with much laughing. She took it and stood. As soon as she was on her feet she released his hand.
"Alright, you have my attention. Satisfy my curiosity. Impress me." She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him, judging this beautiful elven healer. She had to admit, now that she was really paying attention, all of Aria's Thoughts were quiet and in attention, this elf was very beautiful. Not in a young, reckless, Legolas sort of way, but in an old, wise, healing sort of way. He had dark hair that was long down his back. He had it with a simple half-up-half-down braid. His eyes sterling gray, shining with the light of stars, and giving away his age and knowledge despite his ageless face. He had a pale complexion and angular cheekbones. He was tall and lithe and he showed nobleness and strength in everything he did.
Lord Elrond allowed himself a small smile. Success, however strangely I accomplished it. "Let us go to my office, and I will do as you ask." Ignoring the others about them, Lord Elrond offered his arm. She smiled coldly and took it, the slight cautious hesitation was not lost to the perceptive eyes of Gandalf, Legolas, and Aragorn. "Erestor, no one is to disturb us. I will call when I need you." The elven lord's advisor and best friend nodded and made shooing motions to all those around.