Oh yes, I also seem to have a tendency to make up words. What of it? Just pretend that they exist. Oh, and the stable guy is mine.
The trio arrived at the stables. Two, out of breath, arrived wishing that they had elected Phys Ed over Theatre 2. The other one was still a little (well, a lot) shaken from the whole "Father angered the gods" fiasco. Amber and Jacque stopped midstep at they entered the humongous stables. "That's a… lot of horses." Amber muttered.
"Yeah. Wow."
"This stable holds the horses of all the elves in Mirkwood," Legolas began, puffing out his chest a little, "Each one pure in breed and trained with the most ancient of techniques- they keep their spirit, but obey their masters."
"Hold up. Masters?" Amber quirked an eyebrow. Jacque raised hers, but then they shifted into an apologetic scrunch as she realized what was coming to the poor elf.
"Yes. However, the masters are in a more similar position to fathers, I suppose. They command with a kind heart, but a firm voice." Legolas noted Jacque's expression.
"Please refrain from calling them 'masters' around Amber. She gets a little… touchy… at times about the status of horses." Jacque breathed, praying that Legolas' supersonic elven ears would pick up the words that she could barely hear herself. Legolas glanced at her and gave an imperceptible nod, well, almost imperceptible, because Jacque percept-ed it. Unfortunately, so did Amber.
"And what was that! Is that the elven equivalent of human eye-rolling? It better not be, because if it is, you, my friend, have made a grave mistake. I-"
Legolas held his hand up, wearing an expression of surprise. "Slow your speech, please. You consider me a friend?" He said with a ghost of a smile on his face.
"Well, yeah, I guess, I mean," Amber stuttered. She was so used to calling everyone her friend (She's the type of person who'll run up to you and say "Do you want to be my friend?" and then without waiting for a response, say "Thanks!" and run off yelling "I made a friend! Look look look! That person is my friend!" and frighten several small children out of their wits.) At the full-blown grin blossoming on Legolas' face, she said, "Don't think too much of it. Yeah, I guess you're my friend. But this doesn't mean we're all buddy-buddy or anything. Besides, Jacque likes you loads more than I do." At that, Jacque started and looked at Amber with wide eyes. Amber immediately realized her mistake.
"What?" Jacque hissed in her most frightening voice that made even the toughest defense crumble into oblivion.
"Um, well, you see, I meant that- well, you, and, the- um, that- you, but, you guys would, I mean, kinda make a, well, cute-" Amber stopped abruptly at the death glare from Jacque. "I mean, you think he would be a really nice friend." She finished lamely.
Jacque glared at Amber for a second longer and turned to Legolas. "Lego, she's right. I do think you would make a wonderful friend. So," Amber smiled as she kneeled on the ground. Jacque always was way overdramatic. "PLLLEEEEEAAASE BE MY FRIEND! I really really really like your hair and I think your eyes are pretty! Please be my frieeeeeeend!" Jacque wailed. Amber couldn't contain her laughter at the look of unadulterated shock on the dark-haired pretty-boy elf.
"Er… I will, if that is- if it- if that- is what you wish." Legolas stuttered.
"Well, duh it is what she wishes. Did you not hear her? She said 'Please be my frieeeeeeend' did she not?" Amber teased, mocking Jacque's drama.
"Yes, I believe that she just- startled me with her… outburst." Legolas murmured. "I may take my leave now, with your permission. I assume you can find your horses without my help?"
"Of course, Leggie. No problem." Amber shoved Legolas towards the stable door, waiting until he was out of supersonic elf ear-shot.
The girls could not hold inside their laughter any longer. "Hey Amber, let's get Dae and Gypsy and annoy the rest of the elves!"
"Yeah!" Amber yelled in response, and the began walking through the stables, reading the names of the horses. "Um… this may be harder than we thought. You know, let's divide and conquer! Jacque- run down to that end and take that half, I'll take this half."
"Ok. Wait- you run down there! You're not getting me to run all the way over there!"
"Fine. You can take the hard side; I was only trying to help you. If you want, I'll take that side. It doesn't really matter to me, I just wanted to make things easier for you. If you insist, I'll look through the easy side." Amber sighed, but her inner evil genius knew the effect of reverse psychology on Jacque,
"Aw, Amber- wait. You're using that reverse psychology on me! Or maybe not. No, I think you are. I'm not falling for it! I'm taking the easy side. So there." Jacque said, running to the opposite side of the stables.
"Heh heh heh heh!" Amber cackled in her evilest evil of all evils voice. "Reverse Psychology never fails!"
Jacque knew she had been tricked as soon as she reached the other side. "Dangnabit! She always does that. Grr. Wait- is that a stable hand/helper/person/guy? Maybe he can give me a hand in finding Dae." She muttered to herself, spotting a stable hand/helper/person/guy. She walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder.
He looked up from the tack he was cleaning and said respectfully in an odd accent, "Yea, miss? What could I be doin' fer ye?"
"I'm looking for my horse, along with that of my companion's. Their names are Dae en'Naur and Gypsy. Would you know where I can find them?"
"Are ye spakin' of 'em horses that the Prince 'isself brut in? Yea, I know 'em. Follow me o'er 'ere." He left the tack by the bench and headed deeper into the stable.
"May I inquire to where you… acquired your accent?" Jacque asked, curious and smiling. She was having loads of fun trying not to use slang or jargon of the United States.
"I 'quired it from me mam. She raised me and me brother all alone. People usedta ask 'er 'ere she got it, and she'd always say, 'I get's it from whur the sun don't rise 'till noon'. No 'uman bein' alive unnerdstood 'er, but she 'ad a kinda… 'umour 'bout 'er that nobody else could change. Least 'till she died, that is." He ended with a wistful look in his eyes. Jacque had taken an immediate liking to him, but there was something different about him than the other elves, beside his accent.
"What's your name? Mine's Jacque."
"Me name's 'Ferdinand', but don't nobody call me that since me mam passed on. They call me Joey. 'Tis me mid-name. Me end-name's Tinner." He said, shaking his head when he said 'Ferdinand'.
"Yes, you look like a Joseph Tinner. I like that. It has kind of a… hardy ring to it."
"Yea, it's a suitable name me mam gave me. I don't much care fer 'Ferdinand'. Goin' by Joey's dandy ta me. Who gave ye yer name? Ye mam, pap? Some 'un else?" He asked.
"I believe it was my mom. My full name's Jacqueline, but- I like the way Jacque sounds. I'm fairly happy with my name."
"Do ye 'ave a mid-name?"
"Yes. It's Michelle."
"It's as purty as ye look, miss, if'n ye don't mind me sayin'." He said as they reached Dae and Gypsy.
"That's very sweet of you. Thank you very much, Joey. It was wonderful to meet you."
"Pleasure's mine, miss. See ye next time ye come around." He replied, heading back to the tack.
Jacque looked at Dae and gaped at the perfect grooming they had been given in the elves' care. "Wait- Joey wasn't an elf! No wonder he didn't look like the other elves. He wasn't one of them. Ok, now I feel better. I hate having those things nagging me. I wonder if there are others here that are mortal. Hm. Must ask Lego about that. Or Thrandy." Jacque mumbled to herself. She saddled up Dae and Gypsy and led the two of them to where Amber was having issues focusing.
"So… many… names… I… ooh! Look at that horse! I think I'll try braiding Gypsy's mane like that… I should probably find her first. Urgh, why are there so many friggin' elves! I'm beginning to wonder why immortality is such a good thing. I mean, I guess sailing to the undying lands gets rid of some of them but- This is ridiculous!"
"And this isn't even all the elves in Middle Earth!" Jacque laughed, interrupting Amber's monologue.
"Oh, goosh. I would hate to be the one in charge of census records and population." Amber shuddered. "Oh, hey Gypsy! How have you been, babe? I see you're looking pretty spiffy there, eh?" She stroked Gypsy's neck as she swung up onto the horse. "You know, we should probably find out what year this is. I mean, we can't say anything about the you-know-what until it's found and they create the you-know-who of the you-know-what. Or, it could have all already happened."
"Huh?"
"You know, the You-Know-Who of the You-Know-What? Oh, come on Jacque! Aren't you, like obsessed with it?"
"You mean the Lo-"
"No! The first one-"
"Oh, the Fe-"
"Sshh! Sh sh sh sh shh! You can't say it! If nobody knows about it, then something will be changed! So sh!"
"Ok, ok, ok, I get it. We really need to find Gandalf and ask him all of our questions- Thrandy didn't help at all. He just angered the gods, and that's no good. Maybe we can find him through one of the random elves here. Wait a minute-"
"Ok, I'm waiting."
"No, I meant I've thought of an idea!"
"Oh, well, since you're thinking, take your time, sweetie. I know how long it takes for you to come up with a reasonable sounding sentence-"
"Ok. Thank you, but-"
"You're welcome."
"Ergh! You know what? Fine. You don't want to hear my brilliant plan that involves pirating, whatever. I can take a hint." Jacque huffed, walking Dae out of the stables. She began counting down. "Three, two, one, ze-"
"Jacque, wait. Pirating? I'm sorry, ok? Please? I really do want to be a part of your plan. You know I can't resist piracy!" Amber shouted from behind her. Jacque smirked.
"Heh- I'm good. Alright. C'mere." Jacque shouted back. When Amber reached her (which took all of about three seconds), she continued. "I say we corner Legolas. I'm sure he knows where he is- that pretty-boy thinks he knows everything anyways-"
"Hey, that's what I called him in my head earlier!"
"Ok. Thank you for sharing that with me. I will log that away into my memory banks until the end of time." Jacque said, rolling her eyes. "Anyways, if he refuses to comply- remember that summer class we took- the one about ventriloquism where we didn't actually learn anything except for how to make our voices fill the room through small openings like a door cracked open just a pinch?"
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While Amber and Jacque were conspiring, Legolas was in his room, staring at the ceiling and thinking.
"What in Middle Earth is so… odd and yet… endearing about those two? They behave so… childishly, yet they…" Legolas frowned deeply, trying to find a word that fit them in his Sindarin vocabulary. "However they act, I do believe they have a serious side- They must have! Noone- mortal or immortal- has the capacity to behave in such a manner constantly! I do not understand them- but I believe-sigh. I do not know what I believe. Why do they use such strange language? Those words- they do not feel proper in my mouth. Are they mortal words? Or just human words? I do not even know from where they hail. I am going to find them, and inquire as to the whole mystery surrounding their appearance."
With that, he rose from the bed and swung open the door.
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Jacque and Amber finally reached Lego's room, adding the finishing touches to their master plan. Amber raised her fist to knock on the door while whispering a newly formed detail, but when her fist made contact with the door, it squished more than wood should, and the weird crack made her jump and look at the door. Funny thing about it was that the door wasn't actually a door, it was ajar. (Heeheehee. Get it- a jar! Haha! Sorry.) And standing in the doorframe was none other than or lovely Prince.
"Oops. Are you all right?" Amber asked. "I'm sorry- I didn't realize that the door was open and the- well, oops."
"Amber! Whaddya mean, 'oops'? You could have smashed his face in! Ohmygoosh- did she?" Jacque asked worriedly, turning to Legolas.
"No, I do not think so. However, that does not refraining it from hurting."
"Oh, poor baby! C'mere, sweet pea." Jacque said soothingly, as if she were talking to a child. All three sat on the bed and Jacque quickly checked his face for extreme injuries. "Well, you're ok, other than the huge bruise you'll have on your face. Amber, how did you manage to hit his face? He's almost six feet tall!"
"Well, I really don't know. I guess I just am completely out to get rid of him, because I'm only five feet four inches tall. I'm sorry, Lego." Amber apologized, sincerely.
"You are forgiven. No great injustice has been committed." Legolas replied. "What was it you required from me?"
"Oh, um… well, we kinda wanted to know when you were next traveling to Rivendell." Jacque said, glancing at Amber before turning to Legolas.
"I believe I leave in four days. Why?"
"We're coming with!" Amber smiled.
"With… what?" Legolas said, confused.
"With you!" Amber replied.
"What?"
"We are coming along with you to Rivendell." Jacque said, much calmer than Amber.
"Oh, no, my princess. No, I am afraid not. You are both women. No, I go with my companions." Legolas said apologetically, shaking his head.
"Are you saying that because we're girls, we can't go? We're not weak-" Jacque began.
"I never stated that you were any such thing-" Legolas interrupted.
"You implied it. We are coming with you, whether you like it or not. Just because we are younger than you-"
"Yes, you are younger than me! I have seen over five hundred years, and I refuse to be disputed by one who has seen fourteen! I do not know if you understand Elvish customs, but we revere our elders, for they have gained more wisdom through experience than us." Legolas struggled to rein in his emotions.
"Do you not also treasure children?" Jacque countered, not even attempting to conceal her anger and frustration.
"Yes! Treasure- treasures you keep safe, you treat them with fragility and care; one does not let them thrust themselves into dangerous travels with no experience! Do you even have the ability to wield a sword? No? Or a bow? See, you have no experience, and I would be a fool to allow you to travel with me." Legolas folded his arms across his chest and glared at the pair.
Jacque took several deep breaths before continuing. "Legolas, I know that you think you are aiding us, but we must go to Rivendell! We cannot remain behind. If you force us to stay, I'll tell the Valar."
Legolas' eyes doubled in size. "You cannot- that is- you-"
Amber cut in. "Blackmail is the word for it. You let us go, the Valar are none the wiser to your dispute of the Princess's wishes."
"You cannot threaten me. I refuse to let you come. If I have to order the guards to lock you in your room, so it shall be." Legolas hissed, eyes flashing.
Amber looked at Jacque. Jacque gave a curt nod, and Amber left the room. "Amber has gone to alert the Valar of your choice." Jacque explained, glaring at Legolas.
Legolas drew himself to his full height and glanced at Jacque. Suddenly a voice resonated through the room.
"This is the Valar speaking. Let Princess Jacque and Amber go, or face the consequences. Uh… yeah. I mean, yes."
Legolas' eyes narrowed. He knew that was not the voice of the Valar, because the Valar would never say 'uh…yeah.' Or 'I mean'. How did the voice fill the entire room? He stood and looked around the room. He then said "Should not Amber be here to hear my final decision?"
Jacque looked down at her hands, inspecting her fingernails. "Yeah, I guess. AMBER, C'MERE!" She yelled. Legolas winced at her volume. "Oh, sorry, Legolas' ears. I forgot you guys would get hurt." Legolas looked at her oddly for apologizing to his ears.
"Yes, Jacque dearest? What has Leggie decided?" Amber reentered the room.
"I have decided to stand by my decision. Both of you shall remain in Mirkwood."
"WHAT?" Amber and Jacque yelled at the same time. At Legolas' wince, they both added, "Oh, sorry (again) Legolas' ears." Legolas looked at them even odd-lier, if that was possible.
"You heard me. You are not going to Rivendell." Legolas gave them a quick bow and strode out of the room.
The girls seethed. "Ooh, just who does he think he is!"
"I know- to disobey the Valar!"
"Well, actually, Amber- the 'um… yeah. I mean, yes' kinda gave it away. Sorry."
"No, it's okay. Not your fault. But, ooh! If I had my- waaaiiit." An evil smirk began to form on Amber's face. "Jacque- you have your hair stuff with you still, right?"
"Yeeeeeaaah…" Jacque replied hesitantly.
"And the spray-on temporary color?"
"Of course. You know I always keep one wrapped in foil in my purse."
"Why do you do that, by the way?"
"I like to sneak up to people and spray it in their hair, so later, they're like 'Where did this blue/green/red spot come from?' and then they drive themselves crazy trying to figure out where it came from. It's really fun." Jacque said gleefully.
"Well, I have a better use for it…" Amber began yet another evil plan, this time for revenge.
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Amber and Jacque ran from Lego's washroom and sprinted to their temporary rooms. They were adjoined, so as soon as they reached them, Amber joined Jacque in sitting on the edge of the bed, trying to catch their breath. Neither could stop giggling, and soon night fell. The next morning (after brushing teeth, hair, and washing their faces), they calmly walked to the dining hall, whispering to each other and attempting to quell the excitement and smiles that kept bubbling to the surface. They had finally reached the dining hall and had only sat down when the doors were slammed open by a furious elf. Jacque and Amber ducked their heads and tried to stifle their giggles by stuffing their faces.
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To say Legolas was angry would be the understatement of the century. He had not felt this kind of rage since… ever! After all- who wouldn't be this angry in his situation?
I mean, come on! His most perfect trait, his pride and joy- ruined. Temporarily, he hoped. Still, that did not dim his fury in the slightest.
How was the Prince supposed to look dignified with green hair?
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