A/N: just so you know, I'm not making any money on these little bits of words. The ideas are mine, but all LOTR characters are Tolkien's. Lin, though, is my own little progeny.
To Ithilien: your words are playing through my mind as I write this. I am flattered that you took the time to write such a detailed review. And if you have any doubts about Mary-Sue, look at chapter one's notes. I still intend that direction.
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Time and Space
Chapter 9
I could only stare blankly at the screen, my mind slowly beginning to put the pieces of the puzzle together. If what Legolas was saying was indeed true, then that meant a whole slew of new problems. Just the thought of them put my head into an awful ache.
But that had to wait. Legolas needed help now. "Legolas," I began slowly, "if this is true..."
His hard gaze stopped me cold. "It is Elessar." He looked back at the screen. "And he is alive." His smile was short-lived. "I must find him. Speak with him. Perhaps we can find the others and return home."
"Wait a minute." I rose. "This picture was taken over sixty years ago." I glanced back at it. "And he looks to be about forty-five, fifty. The odds of him still being alive...well, are not in his favour."
"His is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Immortal he may not be, but most certainly long-lived." He bent down. "And to this 'Oxford' we must travel." He looked me dead on. "How many days journey will it be?"
It was at that moment that I suddenly realised just how absurd all of this was. Here I was standing with a man who claimed to be some fictional character suddenly pulled out of his own time and trying to find a way back. Oh, and don't forget that he's an Elf, who lives forever, and has absolutely no clue how impossible this all is. I began rubbing my forehead with the palm of my hand.
He stepped back. "I am causing you grief. I shall go alone. Merely direct me on how to get to Oxford and I shall make haste at once." His proud features stood strong on his noble body.
"No," I finally said. "You can't do this alone." I held his gaze. "Let me get some things straightened out at work, then we can decide what to do." I headed for the living room to grab my coat. "I'll get the rest of your stuff and somehow get Mike to let me take a few days off." That shouldn't be too much of a problem, I thought sardonically. Sure, he'll be more than willing to let me take vacation time without so much as a day's notice. Patients? Eh. What in hell have I gotten myself into?
"Lin." Legolas interrupted my thoughts.
"Yeah?"
He stood before me, his under shirt and pants hanging loosely on him. "I am sorry."
My eyes narrowed. "For what?"
"For all of this. We have known eachother but a few days, yet you behave as though we are dear friends." For the first time, he laid a hand on my shoulder. "I feel as though you are kindred to me."
I shrugged. "It's my job." It's my job! What kind of response is that? "What I mean is...you're welcome."
He smiled, perhaps realising that was nothing really for me to say. "Thank-you for what you are doing, the sacrifices you are making."
I took a deep breath. "I wouldn't do them if they weren't important. I want to help you, Legolas the Elf, job or no."
He nodded, removing his arm.
"I should be back in a couple of hours." I opened the door then turned suddenly. "Be careful while I'm gone."
"I will."
And then I was in my car, driving to the hospital for what felt like the last time.
"You're kidding me." Mike looked up from his report at his desk. "You want two weeks right now?"
"Yeah," I replied sheepishly.
He came around to the front. "This isn't like you, Lin. You don't just take off. You're normally so responsible."
I could see his concern. And he was right. I was always the one who checked to make sure that a procedure was okayed, or would double-check a report, or would tell people weeks and weeks ahead of time if I was going to be away for an hour during work. I wasn't behaving like my normal self.
Then again, I wasn't exactly in a normal position.
"Mike, please understand."
"I do, but that doesn't mean I like it, or will allow it." He crossed his arms and leaned back on the table. "Who exactly will take over for you? What about your other patients? Have you forgotten about them?"
"No, but let's be realistic. Other than Joey, none were in any serious danger. Mostly just mild neurotics with daily stresses getting to them."
"And the crew down in the ward?"
"They don't hardly know their own names. They won't miss me."
Mike eyed me suspiciously. "What is going on with you?"
What could I say?
"It's that guy the cops brought in, isn't it? He's finally gotten to you." He continued when I didn't respond. "Have you forgotten psych 101? Never get involved with your patients on a personal level."
My nervousness left me. "Are you suggesting that I'm having some sort of relationship with Leg...him?"
"I don't know. You tell me."
In the three years I'd known Mike, he had never been so accusatory. So jealous. I laughed. "You're jealous. Now if that's not the pot calling the kettle..."
He pointed a finger at me. "Don't go changing the subject. This blond freak has somehow wormed his way inside you, making you believe every line he's throwing at you. It ends, Lin. Now." He stood tall, menacingly, his voice booming. Something seemed familiar about him. "And that transfer to the other ward you wanted rejected? Sorry. Paperwork's all done. He leaves today."
My eyes could hardly have gotten any bigger. "You can't do that! You know what'll happen to him there. All that strange stuff in his blood. Those doctors..." I couldn't speak I was so angry. "No! I won't allow it." I stormed out of the office.
"Too late, Doctor," Mike's voice echoed down the hallway.
What the hell did that mean?
Arriving at Doreen's desk, I grabbed the key to the lockers in the back. I was eternally grateful that she was on her break. Didn't need another lecture from her. Pulling out the bag contianing the remainder of Legolas's possessions, I slung it over my bag and staggered a little. They were quite heavy.
I quickly made my way out of the hospital and was putting the key into my car's ignition when I finally understood.
Racing home, I practically leaped out of the car and barrelled through the door. "Legolas?" I yelled. "Legolas!"
Silence. God, no! Please don't let them... "Legolas!" I heard a noise coming from the basement stairs.
"What makes you cry so?"
I breathed the deepest sigh I'd ever done. "Thank God!" I breathed out. "Come on. We need to get out of here."
"Why? Have you found a way to Oxford?" His hopeful eyes were dashed when I said no.
"We've got more pressing problems. I've got your stuff in my car. Let me get a few things of my own and then we're gone." I ran down the hall to my bedroom. "Grab some food, too!" I called back. I hastily threw together a duffle bag of some clothes and the hidden stash of money I kept. Three-hundred dollars. Not much, but it would certainly be useful. I also grabbed my passport. I had a feeling I would be needing it. Turning, I noticed the journal on my dresser. Too much personal information to let that stay behind. I shoved it in the duffle.
"Are you ready?" I asked, then stopped dead in my tracks. "Legolas, what are you doing?"
"You said to gather some food."
I closed my eyes and shook my head lightly. "In a bag, Legolas. Put the food in a bag." Running back to the kitchen, I grabbed a couple shopping bags and instructed him to dump it in.
"Why are you acting in such haste?" he asked. "Is something the matter?"
"I'll explain in the car. Come on."
Practically pulling Legolas out, I locked the door and jumped into the car. We sped away. Not until we were out of the neighbourhood did Legolas speak again. "As much as I enjoy the speed of this machine, something troubles you. What is wrong?" He looked at my white knuckles gripping the steering wheel.
"You know that place you refuse to go back to? The hospital?"
"Yes." His voice had a slight edge.
"Mike is going to send you to someplace even worse." I looked at him. "I won't let that happen. Not now. Not that we've found a friend of yours. Someone who can explain what happened to you." I resumed my gaze of the road, heading for the on-ramp of the highway. "We need to get out of the city."
"I have put you in danger."
"No!" I replied, a little louder than I wanted. "No. You've done nothing of the kind." I took a deep breath. "But I do need to calm down a little. We'll stop in a couple of hours and think of what to do then. But for now, we just need to leave."
A few hours later, we sat in a little diner off the highway. Legolas again refused to eat anything on the menu, not until he saw what I was having. He decided that a salad would be appropriate. I smirked. Wait until he sees the ice cream I'm going to order. No one can refuse chocolate ice cream.
"So that's the long and short of it," I said. "It won't take long until they figure out that you've 'escaped', with my help, and will be out searching for you. They may even be doing it now."
"What are we to do then?" He scraped the bowl with his spoon. I looked at him, a little bit of chocolate on the corner of his mouth. In so many ways, he was like a child. A child with a pair of eighteen inch knives and killer bow.
"Well, I think the first thing is to get you a passport. We need to get out of the country. Head to England and Oxford."
His eyes lit up. "To Elessar?"
I nodded. "Yes. Or at least to some place that may give some answers." I pulled out some money and left it on the table. "We best leave."
He looked at me oddly. "What?" I asked.
"For a moment..." He stopped. I cocked an eyebrow. "For a moment, you reminded me of Aragorn. Always so concerned with the well-being of those he was with. Attempting to ensure their safety first." He momentarily gazed out the window, then back to me. "Perhaps Elrond's faith in Man was not misplaced." He rose and headed for the car leaving me confused once again.
Who was Elrond?
To be continued...
Note: sorry for the delay in updating. Work has been intruding on my writing. Please, once again, let me know what you're thinking. And a huge thank-you to all who've reviewed so far. Such a positive response to little idea. And I only thought it would go five chapters. Silly me...