(Author's note: Please Review. I sound like a Mom Oh and to respond to minnieshon's comment. The whole thing about her having said yes or no. Goes like this. One she doesn't want to cause anymore waves than what she has made already. Remember she did insult a king and his son. Doing so twice won't help her in the long run. The second thing is that she worries that she could actually kill him if she said no. Three when Legolas and her are alone people presume that it is a couple thing. Four she didn't realize he said was going to. Her mind went straight off the deep end. Don't worry though she is about to realize the mistake in this chapter. Dang this is a long writer's note.)
For a second I felt different. Only for a second. Just a tiny unnoticeable second.
"I see the wisdom behind your words and will accept your deal or should I inquire it as a challenge?"
"Call it what you will, but it is what it is to be." My Grandmama added with a flourish of her hand. "Now Gandalf do you and your friends intended to stay in our corner of the world?"
"I have set up lodgings for all of us not far from your building. We shall stay there and come by every now and then to check on the progress that will come from this bet." Since when had he done this? Had…Had he planned this? Does he see the future or has he been planning this the whole time? What am I thinking? This is Gandalf. He has been in here before maybe he has an apartment around here.
"Glad to see that you are on board."
"Are you hinting at something, Elaine?"
"No, no, no. Just stating an observation."
"Indeed." He said with a crooked smile as he took a sip of his tea. Grandmama returned with a mirror like smile. Before taking up the conversation again.
"I believe that his highness should stay with you since our home has limited space available for him to rest well."
"Then he shall stay with us for the nights and with your family during the day. I shall see to it that it is done that way. Do you have any complaints?"
"I have a minor one, Gandalf and Grandmama. Will you stop pretending that we aren't here?"
"Carla, why would we do that? It's much more fun to just talk about you as if you're not here."
"Real funny, Grandmama."
"Thank you. Through the sarcasm I can hear the appreciation."
"And people wonder where I get the sarcasm from."
"Really? I can't imagine why. Everyone knows you got it from your grandfather."
"That's not what he had said. Plus for the longest time he thought sarcasm was a foreign language."
"Then I seem to be at a loss for who it is that taught you to be sarcastic."
"I believe that we all know the truth but we shall remain quiet for fear of your retaliation." Gandalf did know my Grandmama.
"Indeed. Well the day is drawing to an end and all of you are new to the city. We shall give you a tour of it tomorrow. Be ready for the journey through the city in the morning. However it is possible that the tour could last for a day or two more. It is a rather large city after all."
"Is it really that large?" Pippin asked amazed.
"Yeah it is large and there are a whole lotta things to see and do while in the city. Oh and how could I forget eat." The hobbits smiles could not be held down.
"Is it possible that we could actually start the food part of the tour now?"
"Samwise we can wait till tomorrow. We should be heading to our temporary residence. Goodnight to you all." He gave a little bow to my Mom and Ned.
"Ah-h. Goodnight Mr. Gandalf." Ned nodded in agreement to Mom's words. The dream team rises and says their goodbyes. Exiting is stopped temporarily y Frodo who said he has to talk to me for a little while.
"What's the 411 Frodo?"
"411? Is that a code word we need to use now?"
"It means what's the scoop? What's the issue? What's the dilio?" I already lost him. Again.
"What do you want to talk about?"
"Oh. Right. Do you think that Thranduil will try something while we are here?"
"I don't want to speak ill of someone's parent, mostly because I think that somewhere he is watching me. But I do think that it is possible all things considered."
"I mean do you think that he will try anything that will kill you?"
"Kill me? That seems a bit extreme. I know he doesn't like me. But I don't think that it is that much hate. I think that it is quite possible that he will send someone to hinder us though. You notice something?"
"Call it a premonition if you will, but I get the feeling that something bad is on the horizon and I think that Gandalf senses it too."
"Has he said anything?"
"No, but he is giving off signs of worry. And now that I think about it he wasn't the only one."
"Who else?"
"Legolas and Elladan too."
"You think we should bring it up. I know that if more than two people feel unease over a situation like a premonition than it is not a good sign."
"I could always be just a little paranoid. I am in a new place after all. The others might have had the same feeling of unease that I did."
"So you are saying that you just wasted my time?"
"Well…You see…"
"I'm kidding Frodo. Learn to the art of kidding while you are here a'ight?"
"Okay. Maybe I should also think about buying that dictionary you talk about so much."
"See ya tomorrow Frodo. Be ready for the best tour of the Big Apple."
"I'm looking forward to it already." We turn away from each other. "More than you will know."
"What was that?"
"Nothing. See you in the morn."
"Sure." Snooki is gonna love the early morning crowd. I wonder if she will have her hair ready when they arrive? Oh who am I kidding she is gonna look like she is having Don King issues.
I reenter the apartment with my family ready to really say what was on their mind now that the guests had left for the time being. Minus four. The twins were playing a game. Grandmama knew more than I would have given her credit for knowing. And Mom was having a 'me time' moment.
"That prince guy is cute, what's the matter with him?"
"Why does there have to be something wrong with him?"
"He is marrying you there has to be something wrong with him. I know he is lousy in bed."
"Snooki I already said that I am still a virgin. Therefore I do not know if he is lousy in bed."
"I bet he is."
"I would sincerely doubt that. The elves are known for it to be more to the term of lovemaking than how we put it as sex."
"Grandmama, does that mean that you?"
"Heavens no, child. I have never been with an elf in that way. No I have always been loyal to your Nonno. I'm reflecting on words spoken by others whom had married elven people." She said with a sip of tea.
"I still say there must be something wrong with him."
"Alright we understand Gina. You can get off your soapbox for the rest of the night. Besides we have more important things to do than sit around and discuss Carla's soon to be husband. We need to be focusing on the real scoop of the day. All the juicy details!"
"You have a point Debra. I want to know some things too." Grandmama could be just as gossipy as the girls.
"How did you guys meet?"
"When did he purpose?"
"Was it romantic?"
"Did he do something special?"
"Where's the ring?" Snooki sneered.
"He hasn't given me a ring."
"They don't always give a ring when proposing. To pledge troth is the way they normally go. And before you ask Gina to pledge troth is saying they shall remain truthful and fair to their intended. Elves really follow those vows." That's when something clicked in my mind. A specific little detail that now decided to make an official debut.
"Wait a minute something isn't right."
"No ring just a crown. Tell me about it. I should be the one with the better marriage deal." Gina fumes.
"I have to go talk to Legolas. I'll be back in a few minutes."
"Not at this late hour young lady. You can wait till tomorrow morning. Now go to bed." Mom's timing not the best in the world, but leaves little room for arguing. Especially when you return from another dimension without her knowing you were there. Then morning better come soon. I might be able to survive this yet.
Mission Morning: 0800 hours. 8'o clock. Target has entered the dominical. His retainers are close by. At least I think that is what I need to call them while doing this whole spy mission dialogue. Mission goal is to render target from others in a way as not to draw attention. Must do this in a careful and unsuspecting manner, so as not to arouse suspicion of the others.
"Hey Legolas, can I talk to you for a second alone?"
"See that. I told you that women become needy at some point. It normally happens after the wedding though."
"Ricky you do realize that you are saying this loud enough for others to hear you? And that Carla is not one to take a comment like 'needy' lying down."
"Oh come on now Debbie. She's not gonna do…." Cue slow rising angry so called needy woman.
"Think again." (Whack!)
"Ow! Man, why you got to hit so hard?"
Mission Update: Failure. Happy note Ricky learned a lesson about neediness. Will continue on with mission. Hopefully Ricky will not interrupt.
"Honestly you two. It is a little early for the two of you to already start fighting. What did Ricky do this time?"
"What? Grandmama why do you automatically assume that it was me?"
"Because Gina is still asleep, Debra is more verbal than physical when it comes to fighting and you cannot resist the temptation of getting under your little sister's skin at least once a day. Now go and get ready you have work in an hour."
"Yes, Grandmama."
"Debra I take it by your state of dress that you plan to come with us on the tour of the city."
"I figured with as large a group as you have here that you are going to need another helping hand."
"What about Gina?" asked Frodo.
"She said helping hand. Not Gina. The only help her hand could accomplish is giving a manicurist a job. But I digress. Anyway Legolas I really need…"
"Let us plan our assault on the city. Not really boys. It is only an expression. I think we should enjoy some of the main highlights, but we shouldn't try the things that are known to take a day. Lines can be so cruel."
"Are you talking about the ones to a bakery or the ones on your face?"
"Ricky, how do you think your mother would feel to know where you went last Thursday?"
"Whoa! Look at the time I am late for work." Hermes has left the building and speed feet are aiding him. He needed it too. Annoying me only takes you so far. Getting on Grandmama's nerves and mine you might as well book passage to some third world country. I say that so we can have fun looking for you.
"I recommend frequent food stops. Hobbits are notorious for the love of food."
"New York is famous for traveling food. Food stops will not be an issue."
"And I can show what a pizza is."
"Why, Carla I am surprised at you. Why show them what pizza is when you can make one?"
"You can cook?"
"Shocking I know. I can cook a bit. Can't rely on fast food forever. And before you ask it is food you can order and people deliver it in a certain amount of time otherwise it is free. You normally pay when it arrives and no at the moment I will not explain how it works when you pay over the phone, because knowing yous guys you would ask for a ton of specifics that take too long and we have a city to see."
"Right you are Carla. Now Gandalf since you are no stranger to the city. Where do you think everyone would like to go first?"
"Well I think…"
"If you are thinking of the same place that had I first showed you. You know the one. I took you to it when you had come to New York for the first time. I have planned for that to be the last thing we do today. I hope you don't mind that?"
"No my good friend I do not mind that you have decided the last thing we do. I just mind that you ask me to pick a place and the one I decide on just so happens to be the one that you have picked to be our last spot to journey to. Now it brings a question of why did you even ask me to decide something?" His tone wasn't annoyed like you would hear from someone else. It was light and playful almost intimate. Almost people, keep in mind that there is no way that there is something between Grandmama and Gandalf.
"I was fearful that if I had said the name of the location where we should journey to last will not be as good as a surprise for later. I apologize for not making it clearer." Grandmama chuckled lightly under her breath as she took a sip of her morning coffee. Gandalf returned the smile. That's when Sam decided to ask what Grandmama was drinking.
"If you don't mind my asking Ms. Petrillo. What is it that you are drinking? It is morning so I know that it is not any sort of ale, mead or beer. And it does not hold the aroma of tea. What is it?"
"Samwise Greene this is a special drink that helps people to wake up from an unmanageable sleep and have some energy in the morning. Also helps in the event of a hangover from New Year's Eve."
"Do you mind if I try some?"
"Knock yourself out. Not literally dear. I'll go make a fresh pot of coffee. The rest of you can look at the brochures and maps. If you find a place of interest write it down. We will make a final decision when everyone has picked a few places."
"Okay Legolas can I now talk to you…"
"Carla, I need your help with the twins!" Of all the times for Mom to need my help.
"Now!"
"I'm coming." I walk into the twin's room it wasn't in a real bad shape like I was expecting. The only thing that seemed to show any kind of trouble was that the twins still weren't dressed for the day camp Mom had signed them up for a couple months ago.
"Can you please help Eric get dressed and ready while I give Janie a quick bath?"
"Okay Mom. You go on ahead."
"Thank you Carla." Mom took two large steps out the door and I started to go through clothes for Eric to wear for the day. He decided on a joke t-shirt that he had gotten for his birthday. I personally liked it, since it said 'I'm not tall for my age. Everyone else is just too short.' Still not as funny as the 'I live in New York and all I got was a stupid t-shirt again' one that he was given by Uncle Richard when he came to visit last month. He got it from one of the Brooklyn tourist stands.
So I got the little ankle biter ready for the day and packed up his backpack with a bagged lunch, a couple picture books, his stuffed fox and his swim trunks. They got to go to the Y for swimming today.
"Now you know to listen to the life guard and instructor when you get into the water. Wear your floaties and don't try to swim in the big pool yet. You understand?"
"Yes, Carla."
"Also look out for your sister. You know she isn't as comfortable in the water as you are yet."
"I will."
"I know you will. I just have to remind you sometimes."
"Carla could I go with you and the others?"
"Little man."
"Please?"
"Little man. You have day camp and I would feel better if you and Janie were together."
"She could come too."
"Both of you are going to have fun at day camp today. Now come on sounds like Mom has Janie ready and you know what that means."
"No time to slow down."
"You got it." Mom was out in the hall when we arrived on the scene and she was raring to get going. I passed her Eric and out the door they went. Not before giving me a list of things to do while I was out with the group. Then she remembered we were going to the city and said Snooki could take care of it later. Oh Snooki won't like that.
"Carla, we are all ready to head out. Locations have finally been decided. Are you ready?"
"Just let me get my pack."
"Alright dear, but hurry up. Can't have all day can we?" Sure, whatever. Grab the pack and out the door all of us go.
The walk over the bridge wasn't too bad. Frodo and Gimli finally got to see what a real car was like. They watched them zoom by until we had to call them to keep movin so they wouldn't get left behind. Then we arrived at the city and the boys were amazed by how large and in charge everything was.
"What are the purposes of such large buildings? There cannot possibly be that many lords living here." Elladan replied with uncertainty.
"The buildings are either; stores, places people work, apartment buildings or hotels. Hotels are like large inns for people who are from out of town."
"This many people come to this city. I doubt Gondor even gets this many visitors." Remarked his twin Elrohir.
"We get about 40 million people a year visiting the city. That includes people who live in other countries." Prima Donna gave with a slightly flirtatious smile. That beamed towards one of the twins I couldn't really tell who it was. Of course she came for a guy. So typical of anyone with a sister. But wait a minute she has a boyfriend. Wait I could be wrong about my observation. And she could just be acting friendly to be friendly.
"Thanks for being the textbook for the trip."
"Do you even read those Carla?"
"Since when did you become Snooki?"
"You know that I am only teasing you lightly, not icily like Snooki does."
"I doubt anyone besides Snooki gives me an ice queen routine. No wait I am wrong about that. There is one other and to those who know who I am referring to it would be safe to keep it to yourself." Several smiles went up and one eyebrow followed from Prima Donna.
"We are almost at our first destination."
"What do you think it is Mr. Frodo?"
"I am not sure this place is so new to me. I don't think I could even guess what is what."
"Now you know how I felt when I first came to your world."
"I understand now why you never had the need to learn how to ride a horse." Legolas said as his hand reached for mine. I pulled away from his hand. Seeing the look on Frodo's face wasn't very comforting to me. I headed closer to the front of the line with the others. Basically hoping that Legolas didn't think I was trying to avoid him. Since I am still trying to find a way to talk to him; alone without interruptions.
"What are you trying to do?" Prima Donna was whispering towards me.
"Huh?"
"Don't huh me. Since you do know what I am referring to. You are acting like you are all into him this morning and now you are trying to avoid him. Did you actually listen to something Snooki said?"
"No, I am just trying not to lag behind."
"That doesn't mean that you can't have some down time with your fiancé."
"I know, but I want to talk to him privately later."
"Oh. I see. I have your back on that." She said while smiling coyly before diverting her attention back to the twins. Something was going on with her and I wanted to know what it was. For those of you who do not know her. Granted she is the older sister I get along with, but she used to be very protective of me when it came to guys around me. Even if Legolas is a prince she wouldn't have trusted him alone with me without watching from somewhere visible. Now she is accepting the idea that I want to be alone with him. She could still be planning on hiding in the bushes or something. But with the way she is hanging around Elrond's sons and her ready to agree attitude has me thinking that there may be more below the surface than what the smile may tell.
"A penny for your thoughts?"
"I think they may actually be worth a dollar. Still I guess it wouldn't hurt getting your opinion Gandalf."
"Go on then."
"Something feels wired about the way that Debra is acting."
"In what way do you see her differently?"
"There are just two things that I have noticed today about her that is different. One of them being that: she has been giving quite a bit of attention to lord Elrond's sons. Plus she was acting funny when I talked to her about something. What is your outlook on it?"
"The topic of which you have spoken to her is probably one that the two of you must share alone since you did not mention it to me in detail. As for the strange behavior with Elladan and Elrohir that is not too hard to explain. They are considered quite desirable among the elf maidens of Rivendale."
"I can see that. What I mean is that it is strange since she has a boyfriend. She wouldn't be giving that much attention to any other guy if she wasn't single."
"I believe you have just found your answer."
"When I left she had a boyfriend. I remember that they were going out on a date just before the incident."
"Is it possible that she and this boyfriend of hers are no longer one?"
"I suppose so. But..."
"My dear not everything needs to be analyzed the way you see it."
"What?"
"Come let us continue on our way after all I want to see the reaction of the others to this place."
"Do you know where we are going?"
"Of course I do. I take it you weren't listening then?"
"You know I wasn't able to listen on where we were going."
"Then you may also have the joy of being surprised. Oh really?"
"Here we are." Gandalf said with a rather cheerful smile.
"I should have known that you would have brought us here first. Not that I am complaining."
"Beings of Middle Earth I give you the Museum of Natural History."
"What is a museum?"
"Think of it as a sort of archive Samwise. Only one that is open to everyone. Museum's hold artifacts from times long past intermingled with the thoughts of today. Here lie cultures and interactions among them. The reasons for why things are the way they are. What places of other far off lands look like and the creatures that inhabit them."
"You sound like a publicist Gandalf."
"I will interpret that as a good thing and not see it as your usual brand of sarcasm."
"For once someone got it right." All enter the museum and the first thing to be said is a question along with fearful amazement at the sight of the bones of the creatures that once had been.
"Is that some sort of a dragon?"
"Nope these are the bones of a creature called a dinosaur. They had lived millions of years ago before man come on to the earth and for one reason or another died off leaving there bones for us to study and understand their prehistoric world."
"Debra, are you still trying out for that internship at the museum?"
"Yes and I am head of the Paleontology Club, Science Club and am part of the Historical Society of the World."
"You and Ty the dynamic club joiners. Is there not a club you are a part of."
"I don't think there is a respectable club that I have not joined already. No wait I am still waiting on the letter of acceptance from The Young Leaders of the World Society Club, Wildlife Fighters Association, End Hunger for the World and I think there may be one other. Just let me think on it a bit."
"I'm in a museum and my sister is the one that is boring me. What's wrong with the picture?"
"Enough sass. Let us just enjoy the museum and its contents. We are burning daylight. And some of us want to enjoy a scene from our past."
"Are you referring to the African Animal exhibits or the exhibit on Asian culture?"
"Take a guess my good friend."
"I believe we both would like to see both the exhibits."
"Good guess. Though I do have to warn you that they have changed a bit. Thanks to the renovations done in 2003. I hope you don't mind."
"As long as they serve the purpose of enlighten the mind and inspiring the enjoyment of one's heart then I shall never give it a reason to mind." Okay, raise your hand up if you think Gandalf is trying to be a poet. Yeah, I thought so. This is starting to get interesting. Gandalf and Grandmama went to a museum together. I just wonder was it more than what they would tell us?
"Do you think we should split or go together?"
"Depends on who wants to see what first."
"I would very much like to see more of what you call dinosaurs." Sam said while gazing hesitantly at the pile of bones. Waiting for the creature to move at any second. The other newcomers agreed that it would be a great site to see first. We travelled the crowded and bustling halls climbing stairs to the large collection of dinosaur skeletons. Eyes bulged and mouths dropped. The creatures have that effect over all you first glimpse at them. Great I am hanging around these guys too much. If I start reciting Shakespeare in a normal conversation with my homies then hit me.
We roam the dinosaurs hall and without a particular chosen path. Going from exhibit to exhibit. Seeing animal habitats from American woodlands to Africa. They said the elephant like creatures in their world were much larger in height and tusk length then the one's here. I would be worried if I ran into one of those. They sound like a T-Rex large and frightening. Just not as hungry hopefully. Then we hit the Hall of Ocean Life my favorite exhibit. For a girl living in the city and only seeing the oceans of Jersey Shore it was, sorry for the cheesy word, but magical feeling attached to it.
"Gandalf, what do you think?
"You are right about things having changed since I last left. I shall like to see more of it."
"But of course. Sam would you care to join us?"
"If you don't mind."
"Not at all. Since I need an audience to tell the tales of Gandalf in the real world to."
"I want to hear about this." Frodo said trailing close to them.
"I'm going to go get something to eat at the little cafeteria they have here. Anyone else want to come?"
"I would like to come with you." Elladan said coming to Prima Donna's side.
"I find myself in need of substance too." Elrohir came to the other side of Prima Donna. Looks like we might have a love triangle here folks. And that means very good entertainment for me. Especially if Snooki gets involved. She can't stand it if two guys are into Prima Donna and not into her. Oh this is gonna be good.
"That leaves just you and me my lady." Legolas said while placing his hand in mine. I pull him over by the squid battling the sperm whale. Which was ironic in the sense that inside I was battling with the thoughts in my head and what I was about to do that would defiantly change the game plan here.
"This corner is quite deserted. Are you warming up with to me?"
"Legolas, we need to talk about something very important."
"What is it? Are you feeling unwell?" Oh man he looks really concerned that just makes asking this all the more difficult.
"It's not that I am sick or anything. It's something that has to do with specifics of how you proposed."
"I know that proposing to you made things more hectic, but they will turn out for the better. I proposed and…"
"That's the thing. You didn't."
"Pardon?"
"You didn't propose to me. When we came back and your father was making all these accusations against me. You said that the real reason that we were going out for a ride into the woods in order to propose to me. Your never actually did."
"But… I know that I…I must have."
"You didn't. When I fainted, everyone including me just jumped the gun sort to speak. We just heard proposal and made the leap."
"I apologize for not doing this correctly. I will right this wrong. We have a few weeks till we have to return to Middle earth. We shall make this our courtship period. If we find that we are incompatible then we shall end the façade and come clean about all that has happened. But if we find that we…then we will go on like we have already. I suppose that seems fair?"
"That sounds doable."
"I think I will go inform Gandalf and your Grandmother. I think it would be best for them to know what we have planned."
"Okay. I will just stay here for a while."
"I will be back soon." He lets go of my hand when he walks away looking back once. When he leaves a sigh escapes my lips as I slid down the wall I was leaning on. My head leans down in silent thought. How was I going to get through this? Was I going to just end up hurting him? Or was I going to end up hurting myself out of feeling guilt for unintended leading him on?
"You okay?"