Hey guys! Thanks for all the feedback on the last chapter!
Onwards with the next chapter!
*WARNING*: original content here so if any of the characters feel ooc then I humbly apologise.
*edited May 2017
Chapter Ten: Fifi The Flowertot
"Okay, if this has to do with the fact I used to hunt for Elves with cookies and have a bottle of chloroform that I would steal from my Grandpa, then I can explain," I say hastily as I glance back between Lord Elrond and the Grey Wizard who looks amused at my sudden outburst. I should probably shut up but, me being me, I can't and won't. "I mean, it's all my mom's fault! She used to be all like 'Oh, Libby, don't be such an idiot thinking they exist' and then I'd be like 'Pfft, mom you don't own me; I can do whatever I want'. Except . . . not really. I had a speech impediment when I was younger and I used to stutter a lot so I couldn't say that. But I thought it so that's - "
"Libby, what on Earth are you talking about?" Gandalf chuckles and I look at him, feeling my cheeks becoming very hot. "When I said your predicament I meant your story of how you came to be here."
Oh.
"Um, I knew that," I laugh awkwardly as I turn back to Lord Elrond, "and I lied about the part with the chloroform, I totally made that up; my Grandpa never let anyone near his special cabinet."
Lord Elrond bows his head, a smile tugging at his lips, "Of course, Lady Aurora; come this way, for we have much to speak about."
Hm, Lady Aurora; I could get used to this.
I glance to Gandalf, swallowing my saliva thickly; giving me a reassuring nod, Gandalf nudges me with the butt of his staff. I trip forward slightly as I eye the Elf with baited breath as he turns around, robes swishing behind him. I trail behind him, trying to ignore the little blossom of fear in my chest that is threatening to expand.
I watch him move soundlessly through the stone halls, my heavy breathing and beating heart pounding in my ears being the only sound I can hear. If I concentrate hard enough, I can just about hear the sound of Gandalf's staff tapping in rhythm against the stone floor. I have no idea what there is to talk about; if I'm not hallucinating this - this world up, then I'm surely dead. I had to be from the impact of my body hitting the concrete.
What if I can never go home? What if I can never go back to the normal life I had? Am I stuck here forever? What happens after the quest? Where do I go? Will I end up getting killed? Oh, my God, why is it getting harder to breathe?!
The silence between the three of us is about to make me go mad; Lord Elrond's too graceful walking is kind of making me motion sick while Gandalf's staff excessive tapping is like an annoying itch that I can't force away.
I try to distract myself from committing homicide by gazing out onto Rivendell, a place that seems to look like it only exists in books or from myths; the birds chirp happily while the water rushes over stones. The grass looks way too green than it normally would and the trees grow up into the sky. The sweet smell of flowers and morning dew still hangs in the air, the scent making me breathe in deeply. I wouldn't mind staying here forever if I had to; I mean this place puts even the finest Disney castles to shame.
I almost bump into Lord Elrond's back when he suddenly stops on the entrance of what looks to a tiny open space, a round stone table in the middle. The sun gives the place an ominous glow, making my breath catch in my throat. The stone was a bright white, pillars with archways built around the circle with ivy around the top. Jesus Christ, is everything here perfect? It makes me feel self conscious, like if I try to touch anything I might dirty it, like I was a plague in such a perfect dream.
I peek out from behind Lord Elrond and my jaw all but drops at the sight of the woman in front of me; her hair is as golden as the sun but looks as though it is woven from moonlight with a band of silver across the crown of her head, her face youthful like a young adult's but her eyes hold so much knowledge, wisdom that can only be gained by growing older. She is as old as the stars and moon but just as beautiful as they are.
Gandalf, who hasn't spoken in a while, steps forward and greets the beautiful woman, whose ears that were slightly pointed and peeked out from the soft waves in her hair. "Lady Galadriel," he declares in a soft, kind voice. The woman, whose passive face just about scares me, smiles at the Wizard and I felt my self-confidence drop down to the soles of my feet.
"Gandalf," she replies, her voice so soft and silken, "you have grown weary throughout these many winters."
Did she just call him old? I think she just called him old.
Instead of being offended, Gandalf titters, clasping his hands in front of him. "Thank you, My Lady, for these winters may have been harsh but the summers not so."
What? This isn't making any sense; why isn't he offended? I don't care if this woman is the epitome of perfection; if a woman calls me old I slap her.
The woman beams, her lips curling up as she tears her starry eyes away from the Wizard to meet mine. Instantly, I turn rigid as her eyes hold me in my place. The bitch practically glows! Like a fucking glow stick! Whatever self confidence I had is currently wasting away, digging itself into the dirt.
Lord Elrond steps forward, a smile also tugging at his lips, as he breaks the conversation between the Elf and the Wizard. "My Lady, as you have requested," Lord Elrond announces, moving to the side as he sweeps an arm out to reveal my tiny, rigid form. Well, shit. "Lady Aurora."
Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.
The Elf – Lady Galadriel – slowly glides towards me, her beautiful white dress that, when in the light of the sun, displays all kinds of patterns. I see her head cock slightly to the side, reminding me much of a curious child as she inspects my tiny form. I can feel the confusion bubble up inside me; why am I being presented to her? Should I boy or curtsy? Am I being rude by not saying anyhing? What is it that she can do that can help me? I'm dead! I can't ever go home!
Do not fret, young one, a voice in my fucking head murmurs, I know that it is which you have lost and how you believe all hope has vanished.
I gulped audibly as my eyes widen ever so slightly, my lips parting to suck in a sharp breath. She stops just a few feet in front of me, her head still cocked to the side as though studying me like I am an alien like creature. Maybe I am, maybe I'm an alien in a strange world, unwelcome and unwanted.
"Come, Lord Elrond, we must join your guests in dinner for I am sure they will question our lack of presence," Gandalf states and the Elf nods in accord with him. I break my contact with the Elf in front of me and glance wildly at the both of them as they pass one last reassuring glance to me before they walk away, shoulder to shoulder.
They're leaving me?! With her?!
I thought Mr Pointy Eared wanted to talk to me! Who the Hell even is this woman? Why would they say he wanted to talk to me when -
Oh.
They tricked me here.
If Elfie thinks I'm going to let him get away with that, then he is El-wrong!
"I see that it is you see," the voice like melted honey says, making me turn my head back towards her. I gasp in surprise when I see how close she is and instantly step back shock. Lady Galadriel isn't distracted by this and continues to narrow her eyes at me, slightly smiling in a way that can easily be mistaken as friendly or hostile.
"I see your sorrow, your distress," Lady Galadriel murmurs, slowly walking a circle around me as I grip the strap of my bag, my anchor, my lifeline, "I sense the burden which you carry upon your shoulders. Why do you grieve so?"
My tongue has grown inside my mouth, almost cutting off my breathing as I try to answer; is she, like, telepathic or something? Like Professor Charles Xavier in X – men? I shake my head, scattering all thoughts as I look up at her.
"I – I don't know how to get home," I whimper slightly, almost pathetically, "I have no idea where this place is; my home is a lot different to yours. And I feel like it doesn't exist here, like maybe it's an entirely different world altogether. It sounds crazy when I say it." I chortle uneasily, trying not to be intimidated by her. But it comes out forced, wrong, and it lasts only for second before I lapse into uncomfortable silence again, unable to make my eyes focus on the too bright lady in front of me.
Lady Galadriel finishes her inspection of me, stopping right in front of me to stare down at my quivering frame. I can't even breathe. "You fear that of which should not be feared; I see it in your mind, your unhappiness of your home. Why does it perturb you so that you cannot return to an already cold hearth?"
I literally stop breathing as I stare up at her; I guess it isn't really a secret that I was very happy at home or happy with home. Sure, I had never any friends not did I ever fit in; I was bullied the tiniest bit through my early adolescent years but it faded away. But, home was home, right? I had college, a dream, I was going to get a job; I had my mother, even if she was very distant with me. It was just... life. A boring, simple life. I never stood out but I wasn't a complete social outcast. I just found it hard to fit in with people. I thought of my father, for the first time in what felt like forever. My father, smelling like that musky cologne he loved and how his hair never managed to stay in one place. Always finding a way to muss up my own hair and how silence could be comfortable in his presence. How I could always manage to find my way on my feet as long as he stood behind me. My number one supporter.
Gone.
My tense relationship with my mother, less like a friend and more like an authoritative figure. But she was there, plugging in night lights when I was eleven and still scared of the dark. Smelling sweet and always believing I had potential for greatness, even if I didn't measure up to her standards. I was lost, lost without my father's companionship, lost without my mother's misplaced faith in me. I felt bad for not thinking of them more often, but it hurt. Hurt thinking about my father, hurt thinking of my mother all alone, her child and her husband gone from her - possibly forever.
No matter how bad everything seemed, I still had a place to call a home.
"It's my home," I reply, straightening my back ever so slightly in a burst of confidence, "it's the only place I know, the only place I love even if the love is deep, deep, deep down. I have everything back there."
Her lips quirk upwards in a one sided smile as her eyes twinkle in the sunlight. Beauty couldn't even seem to describe her."You desire much of which you cannot get; you desire a home which is no longer existent, a mother whom is like a stranger to you and a father that is alive. A Prince that will care for you as you care him."
I feel a blush instantly creeps on me as she speaks, embarrassed as she digs my secrets up with her soft and perfectly manicured hands, but the Elf disregards it, continuing her speech that seems to bare my very soul and my darkest secrets. I'm naked to her, my soul and mind on show for her dissecting eyes. "You covet the impossible and improbable; why so?"
I glaze my tongue over my slightly chapped lips, hesitating to answer her question. I wanted to say I was human, that it was in my nature to want things I could never have. But my tongue can't form the words that seem like a fat lie. "Because I have to have hope that I will go home; I can't just go 'Okay, so I'm stuck in a world with various creatures that only exist in storybooks back home. Might as well accept it and move on without a care in the world!' because it'd be impossible. I'm always internally freaking out about every tiny possible detail; I just don't display it because I know I'll end up getting pity or getting told off by the others."
"But you will not know how they will respond," Lady Galadriel counters, her head tilted to the side again. I can practically see the gears in her head turning. Slowly, she begins to tread towards me, nearly at a molasses pace. Stopping at my shoulder, she inclines her head at me. "The future is a delicate thing; flimsy and frail, it can be easily broken but it can also be made anew by whoever wishes." The Elf walks past me, and I instantly turn on my heel as I try to keep up with her pace and her words.
"If one is to know what will come, that future will change in an instant; for the future is uncertain and unknown and should remain so," Lady Galadriel says, her feet making no sound as she sweeps across the stone. I follow her down a path that seems to grow weary and cracked, the ivy growing thicker.
"Then why would anyone want to know the future?" I inquire, my voice shaking. Just when I think the path will break off it suddenly ends smoothly with the forest floor after it. Dead leaves crunch under my feet as I scrutinise my surroundings; the trees bend around a tight circle, leaving hardly any room just light. A slight breeze ruffles the leaves, causing a few to flutter to the ground. In the very middle of the tight circle, there is a pedestal just my height with two steps on one side; a stone basin lies on top of it, empty. It's colder here and I feel as if everything is collapsing on top of me. Green and silver, lacking any of the warmth that I had seen around Rivendell before hand. I observe the Elf as she picks up a tall pitcher that is the colour of liquid moonlight.
"To see of what would have become if it had not yet been known by others," Lady Galadriel answers smoothly as she walks towards the stone basin, tears slipping over the ceramic lip as she starts pouring the pitcher into the stone basin. "For there yet may be hope to change it if it is set in stone."
Do all Elves speak in riddles? If so, I think I might change my mind about staying here forever.
Inclining her head, she motions for me towards the stone basin and for a brief moment I think about saying no thanks but my feet disobey my mind, taking hesitant steps as I walk towards it with uncertainty, pursing my lips. I let my eyes flicker to the lady again but she does not encourage me but neither does she stop me, her eyes a mask set in porcelain. Stepping on the stones, I place either hand on the edge of the basin as my eyes narrow at the sight of the clear liquid showing the smooth bottom of the stone. My eyebrows knit together as I watch the ripples of the water, maybe from my shaking hands or maybe from my breath. My tongue darts out to moisten my lips as my head leans in closer, wondering what on earth I was supposed to do. Wash my face? I wish.
"What am I - ?"
I stop dead when images start to fill my mind, blocking out all thoughts and surroundings.
x
"Libby! You ruined your dress! That was supposed to be for your Uncle's wedding!" a young mother snaps, taking in the sight of a mud covered Libby and her ruined white dress. The young girl is six and her green eyes are wet. "For God's sake why can't you just do what you're told?"
x
"You've embarrassed me in front of everyone! Why can't you ever just act like I want you to act?! Why can't you ever do anything right, Libby?!"
x
"Why didn't you go to the dance your mother said that was on tonight?" the father asks as he frowns at the sight of his teenage daughter sitting on the cough looking forlorn. The teenager gives a shrug, not wanting to tell him no one had asked her and that she had not wanted to show up alone; it would have caused every one of her peers to tease her.
x
"Your father . . . he's been shot," the mother chokes out, the other line full of static and sobs. The girl on the other side holds the phone to her ear but the words don't sink in. "it - it was a mugging they said. It went wrong and the guy pulled a gun out and he – he - "
x
The pain of flying through a window was fresh in the mind, the face of her mother imprinting in her memories as she was sure that death was going to greet her as the sight of the asphalt was coming up to meet her.
x
"I'm Fili."
"Kili."
"At your service!" the two Dwarf brothers say in unison as they bow low in front of the shocked girl who had no idea how to react in turn. They both found her amusing to say the least, especially with her strange clothes and odd, garbled way of speaking. The Dark Haired Prince actually found her to be quite a pretty girl – pretty, he thought, for a Dwarf woman without a beard.
But he would never admit it to his brother for it would only end up in teasing.
x
A stranger runs from the cave, the pain in her leg too much to bear as the screams from behind her overwhelmed her. An ache appeared in her heart as her chopped short blonde hair flew like starlight behind her. Green eyes darted around as the screams and crunch of bone faded away from the earth, but not from her heart. The American ran, branches like claws, tearing at the exposed skin of skin from her shorts. A distraction, he called it. Unnecessary sacrifice, she called it.
When would this nightmare end?
x
The young mother sat in the empty room, holding a teddy bear with one button eye missing. The sheets were still messy and the smell of perfume hung in the air. Her body wracked with sob after sob as she clutched the forlorn bear close to her. "Oh, Libby, I'm so sorry!" Something rubbed against her ankles and the small kitten let out a howl that matched the mother's.
x
"She's going to freeze," Kili told his brother in a low tone as he eyed the girl that lay asleep next to him, her head resting on her odd shaped bag.
Fili looked up from his examination of his dagger – one their father had given him before he died – and his blue eyes flickered to the younger girl before looking at his brother. It was strange seeing her quiet, her face not scrunched up in confusion. She was curled up into a ball, trying to hang on to whatever warmth she had in her body. Truly, Fili wondered how she had managed to survive this far. She was so small and he could tell from her soft hands that she had never held a weapon before. Honestly, what was Gandalf and his uncle thinking bringing her along? If he had any say in the manner, she would have stayed at Bilbo's home, where she would be safe.
But then again, he would never have had the opportunity to enjoy her company.
She was odd and strange, but so similar. Their blonde hair a sign of almost's. If not...
"Are you going to do something or have you just informed me of an obvious fact?" The elder of the two snickered, turning his thoughts elsewhere and to push on past them causing the youngest to curse at him in Khuzdul. Kili let his eyes linger on the girl again, watching as she twitched her nose and a sigh left her. Her smooth cheeks were blotched with red. Turning to his pack and grabbing one of the lovingly folded blankets his mother, Dis, had given him, he placed it around the sleeping girl's curled up body, smiling at how she instantly took the extra warmth with a sleepy smile. However, as he began to pull away the human girl quickly grabbed his arm, pulling it close to her like a child would do with a teddy bear. An ache.
Fili broke into a fit of quiet laughter at the sight; Kili tried to tug his arm back but the girl wouldn't have it. Kili turned to his brother helplessly but Fili just shook his head, still laughing.
"Not a word," Kili shushed with venom on his tongue to his brother.
The laughter was half from the sight of his distressed brother, and to cover up the crack he felt within him, hoping no one would hear it for it seemed to echo within him from how hollow he was.
X
"The body of Aurora Fernwright has yet to be found. The car crash happened on Wednesday at four twenty two in the afternoon. Eye witnesses say that she had landed on the road but the body had later disappeared.
"The police have checked within one hundred metres of where the accident happened but the body has not been uncovered.
"Detectives suspect foul play is involved and have not ruled out Miss Fernwright's own mother as the main suspect.
"A case that has gripped a nation, we can only hope that she is soon found."
x
"Cut it! Cut it all off!"
The Dwarves let out a roar of outrage as a horrible, grotesque creature grinned sinisterly at the girl who was being forced to her knees, flanked by two equally as revolting creatures. A knife was sheathed and stomach churning snickers filled her ears as she squeezed shut her eyes.
Soon, pain filled cries echoed through the halls as silver moon light fell in the Goblin Kingdom.
Blood ran down her face in thick streams, stinging her eyes as the pain was becoming too much. Claws scratched into her scalp, tearing the skin.
"Dishonour!" the single word echoed through the hall.
x
The young Dwarven Prince stared after the beautiful Elf, eyes wide as his cell slammed shut. He didn't miss the slight pleased smirk she gave him and he didn't have the ability to smother the smile that stretched across his lips.
She was unique; her hair matched her fiery personality. She was beautiful.
x
"Family always come first," his Uncle said, looking down at the young Dwarf. Too much of his father in him. He could see how his mother would look at him with a pain in her features.
Family always comes first.
It was one of the first lessons he ever learned from his uncle and one he would always abide by.
No matter what.
x
"Do you love me?"
Lips nearly touching, drinking each others breaths. Green against brown, earthy colours that kept each other grounded.
"Yes."
x
Old and tired, holding each others hand. Maybe they would meet in another world to fall in love all over again or maybe they would spend eternity in each others arms. Either one was agreeable.
"A life, no matter how long or short, by your side has been a good one, my love."
x
The two brothers lay in a battle ground; Kili cradling the body of his fallen older brother; arrows spiked in the elder's back. A pain filled cry escaped Kili's mouth as unashamed tears ran down his face, cradling the dead body to him.
An Orc struggled to his feet, ignoring the veil of death that was casting over his eyes as he raised his bow and arrow, pointing it at the vulnerable back of the Dwarven Prince.
Quickly, three arrows in a row pierced his back, quiet gasps escaping Kili's mouth as a cough left him, a dribble of blood falling down his chin. His grip on his brother lessened as he fell to his side, dead.
x
I fall back from the stone basin, a wheeze escaping me as I land on my ass, wide eyed as I stare at the stone basin. No . . . it can't be true! It just can't!
"I have seen what you have seen," Lady Galadriel says, her hands clasped in front of her as she gives me a look that looks almost to be pity but her face has been emotionless for so long I could be hallucinating. "The past, present and what is to come have been shown; you hold this knowledge. Use it wisely."
Oh, God, this is so embarrassing!
I feel my cheeks heat up as the Elf (who kindly informed me that her name is Lowynl) in front of me continues to stare down at me pointedly, her hands on her hips in a very mother like fashion. "Just drop the towel, Lady Aurora; it isn't anything that I have not seen before and not something that I don't have myself."
Instantly my cheeks and my ears become hotter as I tighten my grip on the soft fluffy towel that pools around my feet, thankfully hiding my legs that are slowly becoming very hairy. I can become the next Wolverine with the hair that's growing!
"I don't want to," I utter childishly as the Elf clucks her tongue against the roof of her mouth. Lowynl is a very pretty Elf, like all the others I guess; her long, chocolate brown hair falls down her back, curling near the ends. She's slightly smaller than the other Elves I have seen and her skin is slightly golden, kissed by the sun's rays. With piercing brown eyes, she continues to stare me down into forcing me to drop the towel and get into the bath - which is looking very inviting with the steam that's slowly spreading around the room and the smell of lavender entering the air.
You're probably confused about this whole situation; I bet you thought she was some mad paedophile who is trying to take advantage of my innocent self.
Actually no; after being shown, for no apparent reason, the 'visions' an Elf - a male called Hwndyln- popped out (not literally) from the bushes, speaking to Lady Galadriel in that gobbledygook before turning to me in promise of food, a bath, a bed and to be reunited with my Dwarven friends.
And, me being me, of course I followed him.
Half an hour later: no food, no bed, no Dwarves in sight and I'm standing butt naked (well, I would be if I had dropped the towel) in front of a very pretty Elf that would lower my self - esteem fast than a brick being dropped from a roof. Honestly, why do they have to be pretty? It makes them look even less human than the pointy ears they have!
"Look," I begin, sucking my teeth anxiously, "I'm not very . . . comfortable showing myself naked in front of someone I just met and I want us to be able to talk without the image of my naked butt flashing in your head, okay? So if I can just have the tiniest bit of privacy that would be great!"
My voice had risen slightly to a shout near the end, causing Lowynl to scowl and let out a huff, twirling on her heel with her hair flowing behind her. "Don't bother to call when you're done! I shall leave your clothes outside the door!" With that, she flings open the door and slams it shut with a snap of her wrist.
For the first in forever, I'm alone; no Wizards, no Hobbits, no Dwarves and no Elves.
Just me myself and I.
Tugging the towel tighter up my bodice, lest a certain Elf decide to burst in through the door and see my bare bottom, I carefully bumble over to where I left my bag and the other spare one I had found in the trolls' cave. I squat down and open the flap to my own leather messenger bag, placing my hand in as I search for the thing I most definitely need.
When my hand curls around the razor head I let out a sigh of relief, standing up and padding my bare feet across the surprisingly lukewarm stone. Maybe doing something normal would clear my head. Plus, it would distract me for a while, not to mention the it would make gain whatever self confidence I had lost. Do they have a special kind of central heating here or what? Taking the steps up (yes you heard correctly; steps) to the bath that reminds me of a swimming pool, I do a quick sweep of my surroundings before, with a deep breath, I drop the towel.
Oh, God, I'm disgusting!
Not in a 'I - hate - my - body' way but more in a 'I'm - covered - in - dirt - and - blood - in - places - I - most - definitely - should - not - have - grime - and blood'.
Scrunching my nose, I bend down, dipping my toe into the very hot but not too hot water. My body hums in serenity at the touch of something warm and I all but jump into the water, watching as bubbles fly up into the air. This is the life. I let myself soak for a few moments, eyes closed the my cheeks retaking back their healthy colour. The tension that had nestled itself into my body was ebbing away as my muscles began to relax for the first time in what felt like forever. The ache in my legs began to subside, very pleased at being allowed to rest for a moment with the warm water massaging itself into my aching body.
After the moment's rest, I get to work wiping away all the filth my body has accumulated over the quest, watching as the water around me steadily turn a murky colour. Ugh, gross. Taking the razor, I begin to shave, finally feeling like a normal person at last and not some sweaty, stinky, dirty and hairy weirdo. At the smoothness of my legs, I practically purr in delight as I rub my calves against one another before I dip my head down beneath the surface of the water, eyes closed shut while I start kneading my fingers into the tresses of my scalp and trying not to be disgusted when the water turns dirtier. I really wished that the Elves would have given me some shampoo but I take what I can get. I scrub my head to the point I think my hair might fall out before I break through the water, taking a deep breath as I push the strands of honey blonde hair from my face, sitting back in the water to enjoy the luxury. I stare at the rather already murky and scummy water, scrunching my nose up.
How filthy can one person get? (No sexual innuendo intended.)
Deciding having enough of swimming in my own filth, I pull myself up out of the lukewarm water and quickly wrap my towel that lay in a heap around me. I live in constant fear that someone will walk in and see my bare behind. I pad down the steps leaving trails of water due to my hair dripping as I head towards my bag, hoping to don a pair of fresh underwear and socks.
Placing my good friend Mr Shaver into the bag again I take out the socks and put them on before taking out the creased underwear and slip my legs through the holes as I stand up, feeling a lot better and cleaner about myself. I quickly snap on my mint green bra (the one thing I managed to take back from Lowynl in fear she might throw it away) as I instantly feel myself become more calm and happy at being clean, smooth as a baby's bottom and having fresh underwear.
Letting the towel drop, I flip my head over and wrap it around my head to help my hair dry faster. The cool air leaves goose bumps across my skin as I tip - toe my way towards the door; having hope that Lowynl actually left my clothes there. Opening the heavy door just a crack I instantly spy the little bundle of what appears to be dyed cotton. Grabbing it and pulling it in, I slam shut the door, hoping that no one saw my very nearly naked body.
I plop down on the ground as I carefully unfold the clothes, a smile across my face. The cotton is actually very thick and soft in my hands, the smell of even more lavender attacking me. As I hold up the very suspiciously long, cloth I feel my face drain of blood as my mouth drops open.
Oh, fuck no.
They will never live this down if they see me like this.
I peek out from behind a pillar as I see yet another empty courtyard, a breath of relief leaving me as I start to edge out. Turns out that the Elves here never heard of jeans; Lowynl sent me a fucking dress; a white, long sleeved, thick cotton dress that is somehow my size and grazes the floor so you don't have to see my black converse shoes that stick out from underneath them like a sore thumb. My bags are on my back, my one bumping against my hip and the other one growing heavy due to the curiosity that is seeping in my mind.
I don't know why I didn't look in it while I was alone and no one would bother me, I just felt like I was being watched and I couldn't get rid of this knot in my stomach that was telling me not now.
Then again, I must be pretty messed up if my stomach is telling me things.
The sleeves of the dress pool at my arms, hiding my hands as I swing my arms by my side. I can't even remember the last time I even wore a dress! This is the most embarrassed I've been since the Dwarves saw me in my undies.
My hair is still damp, creating patches on my dress as it dries very slowly. I hadn't bothered to brush the nest for the hope of finding some food was over whelming. My stomach grumbles and I quickly wrap my arms around myself, telling it to quietly shush.
I probably shouldn't have snapped at Lowynl like so, I mean she was only helping but my sense of pride and modesty was a bit too much. But she was my only hope for food and here I am, wandering Rivendell with the sun setting too fast for my liking, in a dress that I am positive you can see my bra through, my hair all tangled and damp and my stomach growling like a monster, demanding 'FEED ME, SERVANT; I AM YOUR MASTER'.
"Oh, God, I feel like I'm in 127 Hours!" I snivel as I stop underneath a pear tree, sulking at how stupid I am for not asking Lowynl for help. I just hope I don't have to resort to drinking my own pee . . .
"Stupid, Elves," I curse under my breath as I pace back and forth beneath the pear tree. "Stupid Magic Future Bowels, stupid bloody Dwarves!"
"I must say I quite resent that statement."
I whirl around from my spot and I'm instantly met with big brown eyes. I let out a squeal as I fall back onto my butt, my heart hammering in my chest. I can hear Kili's faint laughter at my distress as I turn to glare at him; noticing he's hanging upside down I frown at him, seeing that he looks way too happy for my liking. How on earth does he manage to do that?
"That was mean," I state as I get to my feet, nursing my bruised arse. Kili shrugs - at least I think he does - as he slowly bends forward and grabs a hold of the branch before swinging his legs free and drops to the ground.
"Oh Libby, I only jest; though I found that to be amusing myself," Kili smirks as he sees me dusting the dirt from my white cotton dress, a flirtatious look on his face. "Oh, should I say Lady Libby instead?" Whatever tension had been between us suddenly disappeared and I was more than grateful. The last thing I wanted was for Kili and I to argue.
"You do and your balls won't be hanging between your legs anymore," I say in a very sweet and girly tone as his eyes widen a bit - both in shock and fear. Smirking I stand up taller (though it isn't much since I only just about reach his chin) as I narrow my eyes at him. "And just what were you doing hanging from a tree?"
Kili plucks a leaf out from his brown hair, watching it flutter to the ground. "Ori wanted to go exploring but Dori wouldn't let him do it alone. I decided to come along with him since I was worried about where you were."
I feel my heart melt but instead of smiling and cooing, I sneer sweetly, "You were worried about me?" Cue the 'aw!' moment here.
Kili's eyes snap to me, his words spluttering from his mouth awkwardly. "I wouldn't say worried; I would far more favour the word wondered. You left with Gandalf and that Elf, Elrond, but when they returned to join us at the dining area you weren't there."
He says this in one long, fast breath as he stares at the ground, his hands behind his back. I blink at his confession, stepping forward to soothingly place a hand on his forearm. "You better have saved me some food or I might have to kill you."
And there I go changing the subject again. I really have to stop doing that.
Kili, however, takes the new topic graciously. "There wasn't anything to save; they gave us nothing but green food and berries. Quite plain I must say. It was something a rabbit - "
The sound of a branch breaking freaks above us and I hear a shocked squeal as the leaves of the pear tree ruffle. I just about catch the sight of Ori tumbling to the ground as Kili pulls me out of the way from being squished.
"Holy shit, it's raining Dwarves!" I exclaim as I watch Ori wriggle to his feet, his journal clutched to his chest (what a surprise), before I add calmly, "Oh, hey Ori."
"Hello, Miss Libby," Ori says as he brushes himself down with one hand, plucking out the twigs and leaves in his hair. I've noticed that there are quite a few of pears scattered around the ground; they're all bruised from the impact.
"If anymore Dwarves start falling from that tree, I am out of here," I comment to Kili who snickers slightly. Stepping away from my spot beside Kili, I bend down and pick up one of the fallen pears. Taking a deep, dramatic inhale of the sweet smelling fruit I bite into it, enjoying the taste that dances around my tastes buds.
"I have no idea what sex is like but if it was a food this would be it," I say.
Well.
Try to say.
It comes out more like "Bi pave bow idea flat text pace bike buh if ick pause good piss cud pee ick", all garbled and messy due to the food so the two Dwarves don't catch a word of what I say and if they do it's all nonsense.
Kili scrunches his nose up but not at my terrible manners as Ori continues to brush himself off. "How can you eat that? They're disgusting."
I swallow the food in my mouth, rolling my eyes. I did have some sense of healthy eating, you know. "Because, dear Kili, I am very hungry and these are very delicious." I make a point of taking another bite, only just managing to keep the moan of delight contained.
"I didn't take you for a rabbit," Kili teased.
"I didn't take you for being a picky eater," I retort. It's nice, being able to settle in our banter once again. I was worried that he would be upset with me or that he would ignore me. It seemed that he was just as pleased as I was to move on past our last interaction. It's Kili who rolls his eyes this time as I munch on the pear. I can practically feel myself becoming healthier.
"Come on, there's real food back with the others," Kili chuckles at my reaction as Ori simply smiles awkwardly. I nod enthusiastically as I take another bite, motioning for them to lead the way. "We've all been wondering where you went, you know. I mean, after that threat of making us deaf if we cost you food we had thought that something horrible had happened to you."
I let out a gurgled snort of amusement as I swallow the bite of the pear quickly. "Nah, I just got, erm, side tracked; what with being forced to get naked in front of this Elf I met and - "
"What?!" Kili and Ori exclaim in unison, their eyes bugging out as they stare at me in shock. Instantly, I rush to defend myself.
"N - Not like that!" I stammer, turning slightly red. "I was having a bath and she wanted to wash me and I just - "
"I don't want to hear any more!" Kili squeaks slightly as he drops his eyes from me, his eyes squeezing shut as though getting rid of the mental picture. Oh God, talk about embarrassment. Ori trails beside me, looking very much like a tomato, as looks anywhere but me. Forcing the awkward tension down I continue to speak.
"So... anything, erm, happen while I was gone?" I ask, glancing between the two who look like they might not answer my question, casually throwing the core of my pear away into a bush. What is it with guys here being so prudish? Honestly. Kili coughs beside me as I realise that our elbows are just about brushing against each other. Whoa, this is like a big day for me; seeing the future, being forced to strip naked, brushing elbows with a cute guy; my life has just turned into a whirlwind of adventure.
"Thorin, Bilbo, Balin and Mister Gandalf have gone to see Lord Elrond - something to do about the map," Ori answers in a clear voice, still not looking at me. I raise my eyebrows at the new information; I guess that nearly everyone on this quest is being told things by the Elves. I let out a hum as we walk up some steps, the last rays of the sun just about peeking through the buildings of Rivendell.
I can hear the loud guffaws of the Dwarves as we draw nearer to where I see a light. Rounding a corner I can count, in total, eleven Dwarves that are spotted around a fire. Talking, eating and smoking they look to be the most relaxed I have seen them since Bilbo's house. I draw nearer and I catch whiff of something.
"Oh, my God, do I smell sausages?!" I squeal in excitement, causing everyone to look over at me in shock and surprise. I push past Kili and Ori as I rush my way towards a wide eyed Bofur - falling to slide across the stone ground as I land exactly beside the Dwarf with my bag smacking against the ground and the items jingling together. My smile is crooked as I stare at the four pieces of meat on the end of what appears to be a fire poker, feeling my saliva pool in my mouth.
"You'd swear the lass was being starved!" I hear Oin mutter to his brother, Gloin, who in turns laughs.
I ignore them as I turn to Bofur, turning all serious. "I will give you my right arm for them right now - I am not joking."
Bofur giggles heartily at my seriousness before he pulls the sausages from their place over the fire, plucking each and every one of them off and he drops them to the ground in front of me. Not really caring if they have dirt on them or if they could burn the mouth off of me, I pick one of them up and chew on them, suppressing a groan at the taste while savouring it. I swear, the best thing about this place is the food.
Fishing out another sausage, Bofur places it on the end of the poker and over the fire as he watches me eat with bemusement. "I woulda thought the Elves would have fed you themselves! If we had known they were goin' to starve you, we woulda come find you sooner!"
Through a mouthful I manage to choke out, "Wasn't all bad; I mean I did get to have a bath and I have this pretty swanky dress. Hm. I have the sudden urge to sing "Dude Looks like a Lady" but I have a feeling that you won't get the reference so, alas, I shall retreat to just speaking in what may be tongues to you and often laughing at my own jokes."
Bofur blinks, obviously confused. "I . . . don' know how to reply to tha'."
I pat his shoulder, feigning sadness and pity, "I understand."
Wiping my hands on my very pretty dress (bad idea; it left a few grease marks but what do I care? It's not like it's my own dress and not like any of the Elves are going to wear it. I mean, have you seen how tall they are? They can put Amazon Eve out of business!) I sit back enjoying the warmth of the fire.
"Why, look at you in a dress, you do look like quite the Lady," I hear voice from behind me say. Glancing back, I see Fili smiling down at me before he plonks on the spot empty next to me, curling his legs up so he's sitting nearly Indian style. I snort at his statement as I twist my body to face him.
"Lady, yeah right! The day I act and look like a Lady is the day my mother decides she hates the colour white!"
Fili's moustache twitches in amusement as his eyes flicker behind me before meeting my eyes again. "You never really talk about your family; how come?"
I consider his question, quite confused by his sudden interest in my family. Uh, oh, this couldn't be good. Don't tell me that this place was making him all sentimental. I wasn't really in the mood for sharing secrets and giggling together. Still, I suppose, if you want to further a friendship, you gotta take a leap. "Uh," I cough awkwardly as I drop my gaze. "You've never asked."
"I'm asking now."
I whip my head up to watch his eyes studying me with curiosity in them. I ponder my answer as I try the best to explain my none too interesting family life. "Well, it's just me and my mam now, in a way. I'm an only child because apparently something happened during my birth that caused my mam to not have any more kids. We kind of have . . . a special relationship - " you could call it that " – but I know she loves me even if she doesn't show it often."
"What of your father?" Fili asks in a soft voice; so soft I think I would have imagined it. I take a deep, shaking breath as I swallow to soothe my suddenly dry throat.
"He's, um... not around, anymore" I say monotonously, turning away from his piercing gaze to look into the fire. I didn't want to say he was dead, didn't want to give the confirmation and see the pity in his eyes. I clenched my jaw as I forced myself to continue speaking. "He and my mam... they aren't here."
I'm thankful that the other Dwarves are far too interested in their own conversation to pay any heed to Fili's and mine. I begin to grow uncomfortable; this is the first deep and meaningful conversation I've had in a long time. I'm not one to bare so much to anyone, only to just joke and laugh about. I didn't like it, didn't like sharing secrets, didn't like being vulnerable.
"My own father," I heard Fili speak lowly, "he was killed in a mining accident. Kili was still only a Dwarfling when it happened. Our Uncle helped raised us along with our mother."
I would never have imagined Thorin to be one to changing baby diapers or making faces for the enjoyment of a child; he looked like he would scare a child just by being in its presence. But never judge a book by its cover. Or don't judge a Dwarf King by his ability to be a grumpy bastard and also be a loving parent. I smile slightly as I turn my gaze over to see Kili sitting a bit away from the fire with his quiver of arrows in his lap as Ori sits not too near but not far away from him, scribbling in his journal.
"It must have been tough," I comment, "growing up without a dad. Especially for Kili since he's the baby of the family."
Fili lets out a laugh. "Yes, but he has Uncle and I; I've always been over protective of him." Fili holds his gaze on my face for a brief moment before dropping it, as if something was bother him. But my full attention is else where as long as my line of sight, so I don't pick up the sudden action as I should have. "He pretends it annoys him, and it probably does, but he knows, in his heart, that everything I do, I do it out of love. I'll... I'll always choose his happiness over mine."
"You know," I start, tearing my eyes of the younger Dwarf brother and turning back to Fili's bright blue eyes, "you guys act so tough and so bad - ass when really, deep inside, you're all as sweet and mushy as a hormonal teenage girl on her time of the month. I think that's kind of cute that the bad - ass Princes are really just girly girls."
Fili scoffs, rolling his eyes at my weirdness. "Are you always this complimentary?"
I smile at him, "Only with you, Fifi."
"Fifi?" Fili splutters, eyes widening at my odd new nickname for him. "Where on Earth did that spring out of?"
I give him a shrug as I stretch my arms over my head, feigning a yawn. "I don't know; I was thinking you could be like Fifi the Flowertot or something. Now if you excuse me I'm going to hit the hay." Ignoring the fact I called him Fifi the Flowertot, his eyebrows furrow in confusion.
"We don't have any hay," he tells me and I stand to my feet, rolling my eyes. Seriously? Is there anything I can say that won't raise eyebrows or make people ask questions or anything like that?
"I am going to sleep," I say in a slow voice, enunciating every word as though I'm explaining it to a small child. I practically swagger away towards Kili, hoping that Prince Number Duo would help me find a perfect spot to sleep. Okay, maybe that's not why but it's a good excuse. As I make my way over I watch as Bofur take the sausage in his hand, eyeing it as his own eyes flicker back and forth to his brother.
"'Ere! Bombur!" The said Dwarf looks up in time to see Bofur throw the sausage towards him. Catching it, everything is still for a moment before the table which Bombur was sitting on creaked before finally collapsing in on itself due to the excessive weight. Bofur falls back onto the ground, holding his sides and giggling manically at the poor misfortune of Bombur.
"Here's a joke," I pipe up as I plop myself down next to Kili, startling him. I hear a groan from his throat at my words and I slap his shoulder, offended. "Hey! This is a good one. Okay, why can't a nose be 12 inches long?"
Kili stares at me as my smile widens. "Because it is impossible for a nose to be that long." I let out a huff as I glare at the Dwarf. Did he have to ruin the joke?
"No! Because then it'll be a foot!" I laugh, doing jazz hands in a form of a 'Ta - da!" as I hear an amused snort from Kili. Success! "I should be a comedian; honestly, I find myself to be very funny, thank you." I sniffle happily as I puff my chest out in pride as Kili sniggers.
"You are the only one to find that," he informs me. I gasped, looking offended as I place a hand over my heart. I can just practically hear the words Well, I never in my head as I sniff.
"Well back home a lot of people found me funny," I say. Yeah, and the sky was green and the grass was blue. He quirks an eyebrow at my words. "Okay, maybe that was an understatement. Thought I must say, it's a breath of fresh air getting to try out my material on you guys."
"We don't understand what you say half the time," Kili says with a snort and I pout, thumping his shoulder with my hand. Party pooper. It's silent for a brief moment, before Kili speaks again.
"So... what did happen while you were with that Elf?" he asks, not looking at me but rather his bow, his quiver of arrows lying beside his knees. The question makes me blink, almost unsure of how to answer. Tell the truth, or lie? Oh, it was nothing really, just some super mystical lady showed me visions of the future of you and Fili dying and did I mention I'm from another world? Lie.
"Oh, she just wanted to talk," I finally relent, turning my gaze to the hem of my dress, picking at a loose thread. "Girl stuff, you know. Why I was the only girl. Why I was on this quest and what I wanted out of it. Make up tips, all that stuff." Okay, so not a complete lie, but neither the truth either. The words garner his attention and I can feel him frowning as he stares at me. I pull free the thread from my dress and I wonder if it'll mean this entire thing will unravel.
"And?"
I look up, letting the thread flutter to the ground as I meet his eyes. "And what?"
"What did you say?" I didn't like being interrogated, especially when I needed to use my brain to think of a lie. It was irritating but my own fault. I gave another shrug, clicking my tongue.
"Just told her it was Gandalf's idea." A frown that mimicked Kili's settled on the corner of my lips. My heart was like thunder in my chest as I decided to let a truth slip through. "I... asked her if there... if there was any way for me to go home."
There was silence and I was choking on my heart and words. My hair, drier and clean, is falling over my shoulder and I can't see Kili's face through the curtain, cut off from seeing the emotions dancing on his features. My mouth is dry and I feel so stupid, stupid for telling him such a thing. I should have just kept my mouth shut.
"And... is there?" He sounds cold, almost distance. The thought made me panic. A hand reached up and I brush the curtain away from my face, sweeping the strands behind the curve of my ear. I turn my gaze towards him and am shocked to see him staring back at me but he's hiding from me at the same time. His face is smooth but emotionless, like he's trying to do so on purpose. My bottom lip soon finds itself in the grip of my teeth, gnawing on the gentle flesh to the point it feels as if it might start bleeding.
"No," my voice is soft and gentle, feathery and punctured. "There isn't." I'm stuck here, I want to add but I refrain from doing so, so I don't seem ungrateful, ungrateful for the protection and companionship all the Dwarves have provided.
"Oh." Once again, there isn't a single emotion I can detect in his tone. "I'm sorry... that you can't go home."
"It's fine," I sigh, a sad smile making its way on my lips. "At least I can help you get back your home. I'm honoured to be here doing so." Lie.
He doesn't see through the lie and a smile is on his face, a smile that hurts my heart because it is so genuine because he believes me. I'm a horrible person, lying like this. Lying to him. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this. We're worlds apart and I want to reach across and close the vast chasm that's between us but my mind shuts me down. I can't, I can't do that to him. It'll only hurt him. I could never let him know who I was or where I cam from.
"It can be your home, too. If you wanted." Please don't make this any harder than it is.
I let out a breathy chuckle and decide all this serious talk should come to an end; I was never really good at talking about my feelings, it felt like I was going to lose control of myself and spiral down. Having someone know me was more off putting than fighting a dragon.
"First things first: we need to get rid of that pesky dragon," I quip, letting out a forced chuckle to lighten the mood. I let out a pretend yawn as I shuffle my weight, trying to ignore the pain in my butt due to sitting down on the stone for far too long. The action was almost shouting: this conversation is over.
"Get some rest," Kili orders me in a soft tone, as he places his big, warm hand on my shoulder, "then maybe I will listen to some more of your horrible jokes in the morning."
Letting out a dissatisfied grunt I sling my bag off of my shoulder, the blanket Kili himself had given me crumbled inside. I tug it free, wanting nothing more than a soft mattress in favour of the cold, hard ground. Slinging the other bag off my back I place it near Kili's knee as I shuffle myself down to place my head on it, throwing the blanket over myself. I welcome the instant extra warmth by curling up into a ball as I look up at Kili.
"You know," I begin in a slightly slurred tone, "I've never said this to anyone and since I'm wrecked with fatigue I probably won't remember this in the morning; but sometimes whenever I feel sad or lonely or just need a cuddle I sometimes sleep with my favourite teddy bear, Big Ben. What I'm getting to is that I'm sleeping next to you because, since I don't have access to Ben, you're going to have to be my teddy bear."
Through my drooping eyes I see Kili smile. Taking an opportunity, I spy his hand on his knee and I reach up and grab a hold of it. "Part of the job," I mumble under my breath. I feel Kili tighten his grip on my hand moments before I slip off into an uneasy sleep.
I think I'm finally getting the hang of this flirting and cuddling thing.
Lowynl is pronounced: Lo – wen – nil.
Hwndyln is pronounced: H – wen – Dylan.
Thanks for reading!