Yay! :D I've had more time for writing! That, and my brain has been working quite well, lately.
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Guys... Do you ever just imagine the LOTR soundtrack when you read fanfictions? Or at least Loreena McKennit? Or anything at all?
I don't own Lord of the Rings.
(Sophie)
Elves are environmentalists' best friends.
Really, I have gained so much respect for them. I mean, don't get me wrong; I like my cars and plastic bottles, but these people are dedicated to preserving the environment. They built their cities around and inside of these trees! They've got stairs leading all the way up these enormous golden trees that we definitely don't have in our world, and everything glows at night. It's like... Sci-fi, or something.
I wonder if Gandalf has ever been here... I bet he's been here tons of times. That old man certainly got around!
... I miss him...
The elves were still singing into the night, and my companions were all asleep in their tents.
I was sleeping quite well. That was before my typically happy dreams turned into horrible nightmares of balrogs and hordes of orcs. I saw Gandalf fall into the pits over and over again, until I finally woke up. After that, I didn't even want to try to go back to sleep. I sat awake for ages, just staring at my tent's roof, until boredom got the best of me. With a sigh, I crawled out of my little room and walked across camp to the tent that Collin was sharing with James. If they're anything like their former high-school selves, they'd still be awake.
Besides, it's always nice to see Collin.
I carefully peeked my head through the tent flaps- don't want to see any naked men, now do I?
Well, there were no naked men. There weren't any men at all, actually. Both Collin and James were out of sight, their beds left unmade, and their weapons scattered across the ground.
Hmm...
So, no best friend time, tonight! Worst case scenario, they're off smoking the hobbits' pipeweed.
Wouldn't doubt it, actually.
What does one do when they can't go to sleep in a giant forest infested with elves?
... I'll just go for a walk, I suppose. As long as I walk in a straight line, there's no way I'll get lost.
I set off in one direction, away from the soft snores of Gimli. This place has a certain happy feel about it... It's like the fairy-tale land that every child dreams about at night. Maybe elves aren't so bad... I mean, Galadriel's pretty cool. A bit intimidating, but quite interesting. Plus, she's Arwen's grandmother, so I feel pretty at ease around her. Although, I probably should watch myself, around her. Everyone holds her in such high regards, it's just that I've always been super friendly with grandparents. They're so nice! And Galadriel's one smoking grandma, that's for sure. I'm practically green with jealousy.
Ohh, dang it!
I glared up at the offending tree that blocked my path. Now I've got to turn back!
Grumble...
"You can't sleep, either?"
I turned around to see Boromir sitting alone, looking quite disgruntled. He was still dressed in his travel clothes, with his sword securely attached to his hip.
"No, balrog's been giving me some bad vibes all night..." I let out a sigh and plopped myself down next to him. "What's got you up so late?"
"I cannot rest in this place..." Boromir groaned and rubbed his forehead in exhaustion. "She... She spoke to me... In my head."
I quirked an eyebrow at the shaken warrior. "Uh... She spoke in all of our heads... I don't think that you have anything to worry about." Has he really been up all night over something so silly? Well, it's not really silly... I don't exactly know what went on in that telepathic conversation.
Boromir let out a deep sigh, his eyes ever focused on the ground. "She spoke of hope, yet I can find none. I must return to Minas Tirith... My father..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "My father is not the man he used to be. He is breaking under the stresses of current events. I fear that he has gone mad..."
Hmm... "If I remember correctly, you once wished for me to meet your father.
He chuckled. "I still do. His approval of you would mean a lot..."
Wait... Approval? "What do you mean?"
Boromir looked up from the ground and searched my face. "Do you honestly not know? I always believed that my intentions were quite clear... I want to marry you, Sophie... That is, if you'll have me. Ever since I first saw you on that balcony, I've been taken with you. Now, I know for sure that this feeling in my heart is nothing short of love."
Woah... I mean, I've thought about it, but hearing it is quite different.
Love me? Why would the son of a steward love me? Not like I really know what a steward is, anyways... Still, what do I have to offer?
Oh, look at me. Being all, 'I'm so unworthy.' Fact is, my heart likes Boromir... A lot... Like, it's scary. Still, there's this little jab of confusion within me.
Am I ready for such commitment? I mean, in this world, marriage means that you're gonna be having babies galore, and they don't have anesthetics... Natural birth has never exactly been an exciting thought...
Goodness, I'm getting ahead of myself...
Besides, I have no idea what I want...
"So?" Boromir brought me back to life, for he was still watching me intently.
"Uhh..." I stuttered, my hands shaking. "That sounds great! But, perhaps we should think about this a bit more. After all, we could very well die tomorrow. Let our feelings be known, now, but let's not make any real plans until we get to Minas Tirith. I mean, your dad could hate my guts, for all we know."
"I completely agree with you." Boromir smiled. "After all, leaving you a widow is my last wish. As for my father, while his opinion means a lot to me, he is old and not in the right state of mind. He cannot determine how I feel for you, nor will I accept his word as law."
"Well, then it's settled!" I laughed. "Nothing's settled, huzzah!" Its moments like these when I get nervous and start acting rather odd.
Boromir took my hands in his. "Are you alright, Sophie? You're shaking."
"Yeah, yeah. It's just not every day you figure out that someone's in love with you, is all."
He chuckled. "No, it's not."
(James)
Frickin frack...
Why?
Why did Legolas have to save my skin back in Moria? Is he not aware that I have a pride thing going on, here? I mean, here I am, mad at him, treating him like crap, and he saves my life?
Now I'm confused. I'm still frustrated as hell with him, but this huge part of me just wants to let it all go. What's done is done, there's no going back, now.
"James?"
Speaking of the devil...
I turned around to see Legolas watching me with curious eyes. He looked ready to run away, should I decide to break his nose. Lucky for him, I'm in a forgiving mood.
"Uh, hey..." I ran a hand through my hair, not wanting to look my old friend directly in the eye. Guilt was starting to prod at my gut. "Need something?"
It was quiet for a moment. Legolas could hardly believe that I was being the least bit civil towards him.
Finally, he sighed, and moved closer. "I believe that it is time we finally talk about what happened back in Rivendell. I was wrong. I know, I should have told you of my feelings towards your sister, but I did not see the severity of my actions. I do not know the customs of your world, and if I have faulted in some terrible way, I apologize. You must believe that nothing happened between Kristy and I. What we had was friendship; neither of us wanted to go any further than that..."
"You really think that this is all about Kristy?" Surely, he understands why I'm really mad at him. Elves are supposed to be smart, right?
Legolas raised an eyebrow. "You certainly gave me that impression. After you ran after me shouting, 'Don't touch my sister,' and, 'I'm going to kill you,' that seemed like a rather plausible suggestion."
Oh, right. I did say those things, didn't I?
"Yeah, I was a bit peeved, but that's not the only reason why I've been avoiding you for so long..."
"Then please enlighten me, James, for I am completely lost as to why my closest friend has been so determined to hate me for all eternity."
Sigh... He just doesn't get it. "Because you piss me off!"
"Excuse me?" Legolas's eyes widened.
"You heard me!" I sighed and pulled at my hair, trying to keep myself from punching a tree. "Do you really think that I care whether or not you like my sister?"
He stared at me for a moment before nodding. "Yes."
"Well, I don't. The only thing that remotely bothers me is that you never trusted me about it."
It was quiet as Legolas thought this over. "So, this is all about trust?"
"No!" How does he not get it? "This is about how ever since I met you, you've been determined to get me attacked and eaten by giant spiders for your own entertainment. It's about the way you dragged me away from my wife and daughter without even asking me how I felt about it. Although it did lead me back to my sister, any gratefulness I had towards you left when you volunteered me for a quest that may very well kill me. Out there, in Mirkwood, I've got a wife, a beautiful daughter, and another baby on the way. They're going to live forever, and I'm going to die. I'll never be able to send my baby off to be married, and I'll never be able to sail to the Undying Lands, because I'm mortal. That's why I'm pissed; because you've kept me from spending what little time I have with my family."
Legolas watched me carefully for a moment, a frown playing on his lips. Finally, he looked down to the ground, and sighed. "Well, Mirkwood is not far from here. By all means, go."
"Hell no! You guys have stressed me out about this too much for me to just up and leave! If I don't keep you guys out of trouble, who will?"
My old friend smiled. "I am truly sorry, James... I just never thought about it in such a way. I promise you that when we return home, I will make it up to you and your family."
"I'll hold you to that." Believe me, he's going to wish that he didn't make that promise. "Oh, and, thanks... For saving my life, back in Moria. I thought I was a goner..."
He laughed. "So, all is forgiven, then?"
I smiled. "Yeah, I guess so."
About time.
(Kristy)
"Milady?" The innkeeper's wife knocked on my door.
"Come in!" I shouted from my spot at the desk, where I was trying to write in cursive. Honestly, it's amazing that I nearly forgot how to write in all my time here.
Elfhild entered my room, an excited smile on her face. "Milady, I was bid to tell you to look outside."
Look outside? Is there a rainbow?
I got up from my seat and went to my window. Automatically, my expression turned into a frown.
"Oh, Eomer..." I sighed and opened up the window to yell down at him. "What is that?"
He looked at the horse standing next to him. "What's what? Oh, this? Well, this is your new horse, milady!"
... Oh no, he didn't.
"Very funny, Eomer! You know I don't ride."
"Nonsense!" Eomer laughed. "You're in Rohan! Everyone rides! Now, come. Get on the horse."
"Uh, no."
The man gave me a wtf-look, and continued to gesture wildly towards the horse. "I buy you a horse, and you refuse to ride it? Is this the hospitality of your race?"
For real, Eomer? "We're the same race, Eomer! And I did not ask for a horse, so that's your fault."
Already, a decent-sized group of people had gathered around my bedroom window to watch the latest scene that us modern kids like to make. My cheeks were flaming red, and I wanted nothing more than to chuck a table down onto the prince, and to hide under the bed for the rest of the day.
"Come down, milady!"
"No!"
Eomer sighed and crossed his arms. "Then I'm coming up!"
Oh, no. He handed the horse to a random passerby, ran into the inn, and before I knew it, he barged into my room.
"What was that about?" I was furious! Who just goes off and buys people horses?
Okay, that sounds really stupid... But in all reality, I was ticked.
"I'm helping you get over your fears!" Eomer smiled. "It's what friends are for."
Sigh... "Look, I don't know what I did to spark your interest, but please, have mercy! I'm just trying to find where I belong, and you're not doing much to help!"
Eomer frowned. He ran a hand through his long hair and sighed. "Forgive me, Kristy. I understand, now."
"Thank you!" ... Wait... "What do you understand, exactly?"
He shrugged. "That you do not share the same exciting qualities as your friends."
... Oh, that is it!
"Alright, I've had enough of this." I marched out of the room, completely out of my mind.
Eomer followed me, confused. "Milady, where are you going?"
"Oh, you don't know what door you just opened, Eomer." Heck, I don't even know what door he just opened. All I know is that I'm ticked and determined. Determined to prove this prick wrong.
I walked right outside and took the reins to my horse from the random stranger.
Okay, now, how do I do this...?
"Kristy, what are you doing?" Eowyn ran up at that moment, having noticed the odd little commotion.
"I'm trying to ride my horse, what's it look like I'm doing?" If I could just figure out how to get on this darn thing!
Okay, just like they do in the movies... One leg up, swing over... "Aha!" I smiled, now that I was placed firmly in the saddle. "I did it!" Psh, riding a horse is easy!
I kicked the horse in the side to make it go... Biggest mistake of my life.
"Has she gone mad?" Eowyn cried as my horse sped off down the road.
"Get me my horse!" Eomer shouted, running to the stables.
This is going to be a long day...
(Sophie)
So, no sleep at all... After talking to Boromir, we just chilled out and talked about life. There's nothing but late-night talks with the people you love...
I did find James. With Legolas, of all people. The two were joking and laughing as they walked back into camp, nearly scaring me out of my wits. I asked them if they'd seen Collin, but they hadn't seen him.
Weird... Collin typically values his sleep. It's not like him to just wander off in the middle of the night. Maybe he was sleepwalking?
"We will stay here and rest for a while." Aragorn declared as he smoked his pipe. "Then, we will continue our journey. I believe that we all could use some time to recover from Moria..."
You can say that again... Times that were filled with laughter were now filled with a silent sadness. I'm surprised we're taking it as well as we are... Perhaps there's something healing about this place?
Just at that moment, Collin wandered back into camp. He looked tired, stressed, and unhappy. Basically everything that shouldn't be Collin.
"Hey, where were you?" I called him over from my spot next to Boromir. Collin took one look at us and walked into his tent.
Uhh... Okay?
"Helloo?" I skipped into his tent after him. "What's wrong?"
"Look, Sophie, I don't want to talk right now..." He sighed as he got into bed.
"Dude, seriously... Are you okay? What happened?"
"What, is it a crime to be upset, once in a while?" He snapped. "I can't be perfect all the time! I'm not some freaking superhero. I'm human, okay?"
I took a step back. Collin's never acted like this before. "Woah, woah, okay!"
Collin rolled over in his bed to face the wall. "Look, I don't have time right now. Just go talk to Boromir, or something."
Wow, seriously? "What's that supposed to mean?" Tears were threatening to spill from my eyes.
Collin sighed and sat up. "Look, Soph, I'm sorry... I didn't-" He rubbed his eyes and let out another sigh. "I didn't mean that..."
"What the hell is going on, Ollie?"
He looked up at me with sad, confused eyes. "Nothing, nothing. I just... I had some nightmares last night, I guess. This place freaks me out..."
Sigh... Well, that's a first for him. "Don't worry, Coll. Boromir had the same problem..."
Collin flinched. "Yeah... Look, I'm really sorry..." He stood and wrapped me in a big bear hug. "I'm just... Grumpy, is all..."
"No problem, man." I laughed. "I can't expect you to put up for me for twenty five years and not snap at least once."
"I shouldn't have snapped at all..." He sighed, tightening his hold on me.
"It's fine, it's fine! If it makes it feel better, I could snap at you?"
He chuckled. "No, that'll just make it worse." He pulled away, and I noticed deep circles under his eyes.
"Ollie... You sure you're okay?"
"Yeah, yeah." He waved it off. "I just need a good nap, is all."
"Okay..." I frowned, not believing him. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here for you."
"Sounds good!"
Sigh...
That man will be the death of me.
(Kristy)
Eomer's laughter filled my ears all the way back to Edoras.
My horse had managed to drag me all the way out of the city, and when it finally stopped I was too scared to get off. Luckily, Eomer had followed me out on his own horse, and he easily reigned mine in. Now, I sat in front of him as he rode us back into the city, my cheeks red with embarrassment.
My heroine days are over.
"I'm not cut out for this horse stuff..." I sighed in between Eomer's laughing fits.
Eomer shook his head, his laughter finally dying down. "Nonsense, nonsense. You'll learn with time."
"You're really going to let me ride another horse?" Especially after I about killed myself?
He nodded. "Of course. You survived your first time! That's a good sign!"
Oh, goodness...
"I try to be fun and I fail miserably... I should just accept the fact that Sophie and Collin will always be the fun ones..." I don't know why I was telling him this... Perhaps it was just the fact that at the moment, I couldn't feel any more embarrassed than I already was.
"On the contrary, milady..." Eomer chuckled. "I find you quite fun."
"You mean fun to tease?" I can't imagine me being fun in any other way.
"No. Just fun. You're right; you're not like the others. Perhaps that's your best feature?"
I turned around to glance at him. He gave me a genuine smile, and I raised an eyebrow.
"You confuse me, Eomer."
"You amuse me, Kristy."
I smiled.
Maybe he's not so bad, after all.
Sorry! No comment replies, today. They're still rolling in, and I don't want to miss anyone. I just got this chapter done early and thought, HEY! I'LL SURPRISE THEM WITH AN EARLY CHAPTER!
So... Cheers to a quick update! It was short, but important! :D
See, I told you guys that my writing was gonna get better! Now that we're out of the less fun stuff, I can actually write with ease. Woo! I can't believe we're still on the first book, though?
Please, review, and vote on my poll!