Author's Notes: I am so sorry for not finishing this chapter sooner, but
school and life have taken priority for a while. However, today, I am
trying to procrastinate and not do my homework so I was able to finish this
chapter. I'd also like to thank everyone for their unending support and
nagging on me to get this finished. Hehehe.
Replies -
lime: thank you, your support is much appreciated.
Sunrunner of Summer aka Serpent of light: thank you! Hehehe, you'll just have to read and find out! And there is nothing wrong with being blood thirsty, as long as you don't kill anyone yourself. Oh, and when are you going to update!? Again, thank you for the compliments.
Megan: I am glad you take pride in me, but you know I'm nothing without my beta testers! I thank Sarah for the metaphors (well, some of them were mine, but most were hers). There's nothing wrong with bathroom humor, as long as it doesn't actually take place in the bathroom. Or any other 'room'. I'll have to find out more about SA3.
Laura: It was a neat idea but I kind of already wrote that part and I was too lazy to alter it. Sorry. And yes, everything can and is blamed on the government and politicians, because, really, it is their fault.
Meg again: Please don't get pissed. And yes, it is the government's fault.
Laura again: I'm updating so please don't eat your fairy dust, cuz I want some! And please stop posting your e-mail address. I will not be held responsible if some phyco starts e-mailing you.
Meg yet again: What's wrong with letting your ego loose every once and a while, since guys do it every day... bastards... oh wait! There myte be guys reading this... Well, if guys are reading this, then they have good taste, so they don't count as being bastards. And Meg, you have a higher IQ than 13! Or else you wouldn't be my beta tester.
EldarExilePrincess: thank you for your support! Love your stories!
Megan (for the last time): Don't try to use the guilt trick on me or I will murder you like I plan to do to Josh (stupid bastard better watch out). Love your lil chant though, its cute and it ryhmes... hehe. And please don't glare at me, cuz then I'll glare right back, and I'll unnerve you. Hehehe the irony.
Well, that's all the replies *wipes sweat* that's probably the hardest part of writing a fan fic (jk). Anyway, on with the story! I'm in a hehehe mood today.
Chapter 5 - March to Thranduil's Halls
Cindy was filled with panic as she watched the number of elves quickly diminish to only a couple dozen. 'Damn, why do I always pick the losing side!?'she thought with frustration. Then one of the elves screamed, causing the remaining warrior elves formed a tight circle around four elves. The elves positioned themselves in the center and began chanting something in a language that sounded like Sindarin, but it was not so, for she couldn't understand what they were saying. As she debated on what language they were chanting, a dim light seemed to be emitted from the four elves and grew stronger as their voices rose. As the elves reached a crescendo, the light exploded into a flash of brilliance that made Cindy avert her eyes and flinch, but she sensed that the spiders did not like light either. Dimly, she saw the monstrous creatures scurry back into the darkness, their home.
Cindy squinted as the elves, who were still shining like a light bulb, cut down the evil elf, the one who had slapped her, from his bonds. He landed on the ground and turned to face her. If she was able to talk, she probably would have started screaming like a banshee, but being that her mouth was covered with a web gag, she was reduced to only glaring at him. He said in perfect Sindarin, "If we cut you down, do you promise not to run away?" Cindy replied by continuing to glare murder at him. How dare this pompous elf ask her to promise such a thing? After what he did to her? He had some nerve, Cindy dearly wished to pop his overblown ego. Not knowing what thoughts were running through Cindy's mind, the elf slashed through the sticky cords, freeing her.
***
When the girl hit the ground, she rolled into the brush. But Harim was smart. He reacted faster than last time and jumped in front of her log roll. Not knowing he was there the girl rolled right into his legs with such force that she knocked him to the ground. The two gave cries of pain and then, realizing what had occurred, the girl leapt up with surprising speed and made for the other way, only to be stopped by the remaining elves. They had her trapped for good. Harim expected her to admit defeat, and to come quietly, but the girl surprised him again. She sulked around the circle, her body in a defensive mode. He knew then that she would not give up without a fight. He spoke with his comrades in their native Sindarin, with a heavy accent. He asked if anyone had rope. The girl still walked around in the circle, glaring at each elf in turn, as if looking for a weak link to try and break free. When they replied no, the girl stopped for a second, and then continued stalking.
Then someone suggested that they used spider web for rope, and mostly everyone agreed. They eyed the girl with disdain. She growled menacingly, which made Harim wonder if she understood what they were saying. But he remembered that she could not translate past his accent, so he ordered someone to cut out some bindings. As soon as the elf broke from the circle, the girl dived for the gap, but did not make it four feet before six elves had tackled her. She fought like a wild thing, snarling and biting and clawing at anything and everything. But still Harim and his comrades held fast. In minutes her hands were bound behind her back, but her legs were not bound, so that she could still walk.
After the demon girl was tamed, Harim walked next to her while the rest surrounded them in formation to keep the Rauko* from escaping.
***
Cindy had not spoken a word and kept her mouth shut, fearing what would happen if she said anything. But she was not stupid and listened attentively to the talk around her, trying to decipher what these monsters were saying. After about a half an hour she could translate through the accent quite well and knew that they were talking about her. 'Stupid creatures,' thought Cindy, 'they think I don't understand a word they're saying... Bastards.' She her anger began to boil because the elf walking next to her would not stop talking about her. His continual insults, verbal lashings, and conclusions were unbearable and completely wrong. She could not help but hiss every time he mentioned her as a 'Dark Messenger' which was totally not true. How dare he associate her with Him!?
Finally one of the elves had some common sense and told 'Harim', who was the jackass elf next to her, to see if any of his conclusions were true. Harim replied, "Her identity is betrayed by her actions." Nevertheless, he turned to Cindy, and in Perfect Sindarin, asked her of her name and master.
Taking a deep breath to control her rage she replied solemnly also in perfect Sindarin, "I am Cynthia and I serve no one, especially not some stupid delusional Maia who thinks he can rule the world." A ripple of confusion ran through the group around her and with a smile, she took her chance. She kicked the elf on her right side in the groin. His normally high pitched voice reached an octavo that no one had ever heard before and everyone rushed to the right anticipating her movement in that direction. She ducked, jammed her shoulder into Harim's diaphragm. He sunk silently to the ground. She jumped over him and ran to left into the forest.
She got about fifty feet before she was brutally taken down by a swarm of infuriated elves. Struggling to get up but being pinned down Cindy saw the elf she had kicked hobbling over. Once his got in distance, the elves who had held her down sprang away and the elf began to kick her mercilessly and would not relent until Harim, who had found his voice, ordered, "Rindel! Daro**!" With one final blow, Rindel hobbled away. With difficulty, Cindy stood up and spat at Rindel's retreating form. It landed right on his back and everyone could see that the spit was mingled with blood. But Cindy did not let a tear slide down her cheek or not make a sound, but glared daggers into Rindel's form. With a bark from Harim, Cindy was re-tamed and the group formed around her again as they continued their march.
***
Once he made sure the group was calmed down again Harim turned to Cindy and asked if she was alright. She just continued to glare at Rindel who was now walking in front of her instead of beside. Becoming slightly annoyed at her ignorance, Harim began to say that it was her own fault and that she shouldn't have tried to run when she cut him off snarling, "I know what you're trying to do, you're trying to make me feel bad to defend myself and tell you why I tried to escape and say that I wanted to run to my 'Master' which is exactly what you want to hear but I have no 'Master' and I'm not talking to you anymore."
Harim tried to reply but she seemed to be picking up momentum and continued ranting, "I'm not going to say a single word. In fact, I think I'll just sulk. Don't even bother to try and talk to me, because I won't bother replying. You know what, they were just spiders. I'm not afraid of spiders. I could have killed them all. Too bad you had to interfere. I know karate and I'm good at it. So there, Mr. Touch-my-ears-and-die-man! You can torture me and I won't talk. You can beat me with-"
"I know your kind," Harim suddenly interjected, smirking. "When women think, they speak."
Harim reveled in Cindy's surprised look until she started yelling. "Whaddya mean? Men talk as much as women do, if not more! Don't give me that sexist bullshit, you chauvinistic pig!" She stopped abruptly and fell into glorious silence.
It must have been Harim's contented smile, for Cindy snapped, "What are you so happy about? Is it because you just captured a helpless girl? Oh yeah, you're tough. Brought along all your friends, huh? I bet I could kick all their-"
Harim turned to another elf striding behind them. "Did you bring that gag?"
***
After hearing that Cindy gave a screech and, tearing through her bonds, lunged at Harim. She rammed her fist into the elf's jaw, but she barely started when she was tackled. For all her desperate struggles, her hands and feet were bound and her mouth gagged. She was thrown over the shoulder of an elf.
For an hour the elves heard her muffled screams through the web gag and watched as Cindy's captor struggled to keep a hold of her writhing form. She thrashed and fought to get out of the vulnerable position. Then she gave one final screech and jerk until she became still and defeated. She took in a deep, shaky breath, forcing herself not to cry. Not now. But no matter how much she fought it, her mind was filled with darkness and she was consumed by horrible thoughts and visions.
***
The elves basked in the girl's silence for the rest of the march back to camp where they tossed her into a tent and had five guards positioned around it. After her numerous escape attempts, they were not taking any chances. But the entire night they could see to silhouette her still form covered in a blanket from outside the tent. She did not move an inch.
After a few hours Harim, finally taking pity on the poor thing, grabbed a couple pieces of way bread from his saddle bag and pushed aside the tent flap. He sat down beside the girl, who upon his entering pulled the blanket over her head. "Get up! I have something for you." Harim whispered.
The girl only rolled over and mumbled, "Five more minutes John". Harim wondered who John was, and made a mental note to ask her later. He could not believe that the girl needed more sleep, for they were about to break camp. So he shook her a bit less then gently, causing her to screech and flail her arms about. Harim jumped back a second too late and she hit him squarely in the nose. Rubbing it gently, Harim watched as the girl slowly came to realize where she was and then start yelling at him for waking her up.
Harim was infuriated. The ungrateful wench treated her saviors like soil. He yelled back saying that she should show more gratitude to them for saving her life instead of treating them wrongfully.
The girl opened her mouth to reply and then closed it and looked at the ground. The elf smirked, thinking that he had won this little argument, when she spoke: quietly, but purposefully. She said, "First, you treat me like dirt underneath your boot. Second, you don't even try to understand me. You take me for an animal. Third, if you had a life like mine you would have chosen the spiders."
He stopped. "What do you mean?" he asked, but the girl only looked up into his eyes with an expression that Harim had never seen before. For all the years of his life, Harim had seen pain. He had watched elves die in battle and of broken hearts. But he had never, in his entire life, seen an expression so pained, so mournful, so dark, yet so innocent. Never. It disturbed him greatly, those eyes, and they haunted him for many nights to come.
The girl could not hold his stare and looked away. She noticed the way bread discarded on the ground, picked it up, brushed it off, and gobbled it up before Harim could say otherwise.
The elves broke camp and the girl's hands were bound. The elves marched for a day. All the while, Harim thought about what had happened in the past two days. He had lost his temper more times in one day than he had in the past 100 years, had felt such a wide range of emotions from pity, to rage, to sadness. And, had caused him to trek through wilderness on rampage. All because of this mysterious girl who called herself Cynthia. Even when the troops reached the palace and went through the gates of Thranduil's halls, Harim's heart was still troubled.
*Means demon in Sindarin. ** Means Stop! In Sindarin. Please tell me if any of my elvish words are not in Sindarin and I will make amends immediately.
Happy Holidays.
Hope you liked it, your suggestions, comments, and support are appreciated, and a special thanks to my beta testers for their determination that has helped me keep this story alive. Megan, the little stars also mean change in POV from Harim to Cindy (and to other characters as the story progresses).
Replies -
lime: thank you, your support is much appreciated.
Sunrunner of Summer aka Serpent of light: thank you! Hehehe, you'll just have to read and find out! And there is nothing wrong with being blood thirsty, as long as you don't kill anyone yourself. Oh, and when are you going to update!? Again, thank you for the compliments.
Megan: I am glad you take pride in me, but you know I'm nothing without my beta testers! I thank Sarah for the metaphors (well, some of them were mine, but most were hers). There's nothing wrong with bathroom humor, as long as it doesn't actually take place in the bathroom. Or any other 'room'. I'll have to find out more about SA3.
Laura: It was a neat idea but I kind of already wrote that part and I was too lazy to alter it. Sorry. And yes, everything can and is blamed on the government and politicians, because, really, it is their fault.
Meg again: Please don't get pissed. And yes, it is the government's fault.
Laura again: I'm updating so please don't eat your fairy dust, cuz I want some! And please stop posting your e-mail address. I will not be held responsible if some phyco starts e-mailing you.
Meg yet again: What's wrong with letting your ego loose every once and a while, since guys do it every day... bastards... oh wait! There myte be guys reading this... Well, if guys are reading this, then they have good taste, so they don't count as being bastards. And Meg, you have a higher IQ than 13! Or else you wouldn't be my beta tester.
EldarExilePrincess: thank you for your support! Love your stories!
Megan (for the last time): Don't try to use the guilt trick on me or I will murder you like I plan to do to Josh (stupid bastard better watch out). Love your lil chant though, its cute and it ryhmes... hehe. And please don't glare at me, cuz then I'll glare right back, and I'll unnerve you. Hehehe the irony.
Well, that's all the replies *wipes sweat* that's probably the hardest part of writing a fan fic (jk). Anyway, on with the story! I'm in a hehehe mood today.
Chapter 5 - March to Thranduil's Halls
Cindy was filled with panic as she watched the number of elves quickly diminish to only a couple dozen. 'Damn, why do I always pick the losing side!?'she thought with frustration. Then one of the elves screamed, causing the remaining warrior elves formed a tight circle around four elves. The elves positioned themselves in the center and began chanting something in a language that sounded like Sindarin, but it was not so, for she couldn't understand what they were saying. As she debated on what language they were chanting, a dim light seemed to be emitted from the four elves and grew stronger as their voices rose. As the elves reached a crescendo, the light exploded into a flash of brilliance that made Cindy avert her eyes and flinch, but she sensed that the spiders did not like light either. Dimly, she saw the monstrous creatures scurry back into the darkness, their home.
Cindy squinted as the elves, who were still shining like a light bulb, cut down the evil elf, the one who had slapped her, from his bonds. He landed on the ground and turned to face her. If she was able to talk, she probably would have started screaming like a banshee, but being that her mouth was covered with a web gag, she was reduced to only glaring at him. He said in perfect Sindarin, "If we cut you down, do you promise not to run away?" Cindy replied by continuing to glare murder at him. How dare this pompous elf ask her to promise such a thing? After what he did to her? He had some nerve, Cindy dearly wished to pop his overblown ego. Not knowing what thoughts were running through Cindy's mind, the elf slashed through the sticky cords, freeing her.
***
When the girl hit the ground, she rolled into the brush. But Harim was smart. He reacted faster than last time and jumped in front of her log roll. Not knowing he was there the girl rolled right into his legs with such force that she knocked him to the ground. The two gave cries of pain and then, realizing what had occurred, the girl leapt up with surprising speed and made for the other way, only to be stopped by the remaining elves. They had her trapped for good. Harim expected her to admit defeat, and to come quietly, but the girl surprised him again. She sulked around the circle, her body in a defensive mode. He knew then that she would not give up without a fight. He spoke with his comrades in their native Sindarin, with a heavy accent. He asked if anyone had rope. The girl still walked around in the circle, glaring at each elf in turn, as if looking for a weak link to try and break free. When they replied no, the girl stopped for a second, and then continued stalking.
Then someone suggested that they used spider web for rope, and mostly everyone agreed. They eyed the girl with disdain. She growled menacingly, which made Harim wonder if she understood what they were saying. But he remembered that she could not translate past his accent, so he ordered someone to cut out some bindings. As soon as the elf broke from the circle, the girl dived for the gap, but did not make it four feet before six elves had tackled her. She fought like a wild thing, snarling and biting and clawing at anything and everything. But still Harim and his comrades held fast. In minutes her hands were bound behind her back, but her legs were not bound, so that she could still walk.
After the demon girl was tamed, Harim walked next to her while the rest surrounded them in formation to keep the Rauko* from escaping.
***
Cindy had not spoken a word and kept her mouth shut, fearing what would happen if she said anything. But she was not stupid and listened attentively to the talk around her, trying to decipher what these monsters were saying. After about a half an hour she could translate through the accent quite well and knew that they were talking about her. 'Stupid creatures,' thought Cindy, 'they think I don't understand a word they're saying... Bastards.' She her anger began to boil because the elf walking next to her would not stop talking about her. His continual insults, verbal lashings, and conclusions were unbearable and completely wrong. She could not help but hiss every time he mentioned her as a 'Dark Messenger' which was totally not true. How dare he associate her with Him!?
Finally one of the elves had some common sense and told 'Harim', who was the jackass elf next to her, to see if any of his conclusions were true. Harim replied, "Her identity is betrayed by her actions." Nevertheless, he turned to Cindy, and in Perfect Sindarin, asked her of her name and master.
Taking a deep breath to control her rage she replied solemnly also in perfect Sindarin, "I am Cynthia and I serve no one, especially not some stupid delusional Maia who thinks he can rule the world." A ripple of confusion ran through the group around her and with a smile, she took her chance. She kicked the elf on her right side in the groin. His normally high pitched voice reached an octavo that no one had ever heard before and everyone rushed to the right anticipating her movement in that direction. She ducked, jammed her shoulder into Harim's diaphragm. He sunk silently to the ground. She jumped over him and ran to left into the forest.
She got about fifty feet before she was brutally taken down by a swarm of infuriated elves. Struggling to get up but being pinned down Cindy saw the elf she had kicked hobbling over. Once his got in distance, the elves who had held her down sprang away and the elf began to kick her mercilessly and would not relent until Harim, who had found his voice, ordered, "Rindel! Daro**!" With one final blow, Rindel hobbled away. With difficulty, Cindy stood up and spat at Rindel's retreating form. It landed right on his back and everyone could see that the spit was mingled with blood. But Cindy did not let a tear slide down her cheek or not make a sound, but glared daggers into Rindel's form. With a bark from Harim, Cindy was re-tamed and the group formed around her again as they continued their march.
***
Once he made sure the group was calmed down again Harim turned to Cindy and asked if she was alright. She just continued to glare at Rindel who was now walking in front of her instead of beside. Becoming slightly annoyed at her ignorance, Harim began to say that it was her own fault and that she shouldn't have tried to run when she cut him off snarling, "I know what you're trying to do, you're trying to make me feel bad to defend myself and tell you why I tried to escape and say that I wanted to run to my 'Master' which is exactly what you want to hear but I have no 'Master' and I'm not talking to you anymore."
Harim tried to reply but she seemed to be picking up momentum and continued ranting, "I'm not going to say a single word. In fact, I think I'll just sulk. Don't even bother to try and talk to me, because I won't bother replying. You know what, they were just spiders. I'm not afraid of spiders. I could have killed them all. Too bad you had to interfere. I know karate and I'm good at it. So there, Mr. Touch-my-ears-and-die-man! You can torture me and I won't talk. You can beat me with-"
"I know your kind," Harim suddenly interjected, smirking. "When women think, they speak."
Harim reveled in Cindy's surprised look until she started yelling. "Whaddya mean? Men talk as much as women do, if not more! Don't give me that sexist bullshit, you chauvinistic pig!" She stopped abruptly and fell into glorious silence.
It must have been Harim's contented smile, for Cindy snapped, "What are you so happy about? Is it because you just captured a helpless girl? Oh yeah, you're tough. Brought along all your friends, huh? I bet I could kick all their-"
Harim turned to another elf striding behind them. "Did you bring that gag?"
***
After hearing that Cindy gave a screech and, tearing through her bonds, lunged at Harim. She rammed her fist into the elf's jaw, but she barely started when she was tackled. For all her desperate struggles, her hands and feet were bound and her mouth gagged. She was thrown over the shoulder of an elf.
For an hour the elves heard her muffled screams through the web gag and watched as Cindy's captor struggled to keep a hold of her writhing form. She thrashed and fought to get out of the vulnerable position. Then she gave one final screech and jerk until she became still and defeated. She took in a deep, shaky breath, forcing herself not to cry. Not now. But no matter how much she fought it, her mind was filled with darkness and she was consumed by horrible thoughts and visions.
***
The elves basked in the girl's silence for the rest of the march back to camp where they tossed her into a tent and had five guards positioned around it. After her numerous escape attempts, they were not taking any chances. But the entire night they could see to silhouette her still form covered in a blanket from outside the tent. She did not move an inch.
After a few hours Harim, finally taking pity on the poor thing, grabbed a couple pieces of way bread from his saddle bag and pushed aside the tent flap. He sat down beside the girl, who upon his entering pulled the blanket over her head. "Get up! I have something for you." Harim whispered.
The girl only rolled over and mumbled, "Five more minutes John". Harim wondered who John was, and made a mental note to ask her later. He could not believe that the girl needed more sleep, for they were about to break camp. So he shook her a bit less then gently, causing her to screech and flail her arms about. Harim jumped back a second too late and she hit him squarely in the nose. Rubbing it gently, Harim watched as the girl slowly came to realize where she was and then start yelling at him for waking her up.
Harim was infuriated. The ungrateful wench treated her saviors like soil. He yelled back saying that she should show more gratitude to them for saving her life instead of treating them wrongfully.
The girl opened her mouth to reply and then closed it and looked at the ground. The elf smirked, thinking that he had won this little argument, when she spoke: quietly, but purposefully. She said, "First, you treat me like dirt underneath your boot. Second, you don't even try to understand me. You take me for an animal. Third, if you had a life like mine you would have chosen the spiders."
He stopped. "What do you mean?" he asked, but the girl only looked up into his eyes with an expression that Harim had never seen before. For all the years of his life, Harim had seen pain. He had watched elves die in battle and of broken hearts. But he had never, in his entire life, seen an expression so pained, so mournful, so dark, yet so innocent. Never. It disturbed him greatly, those eyes, and they haunted him for many nights to come.
The girl could not hold his stare and looked away. She noticed the way bread discarded on the ground, picked it up, brushed it off, and gobbled it up before Harim could say otherwise.
The elves broke camp and the girl's hands were bound. The elves marched for a day. All the while, Harim thought about what had happened in the past two days. He had lost his temper more times in one day than he had in the past 100 years, had felt such a wide range of emotions from pity, to rage, to sadness. And, had caused him to trek through wilderness on rampage. All because of this mysterious girl who called herself Cynthia. Even when the troops reached the palace and went through the gates of Thranduil's halls, Harim's heart was still troubled.
*Means demon in Sindarin. ** Means Stop! In Sindarin. Please tell me if any of my elvish words are not in Sindarin and I will make amends immediately.
Happy Holidays.
Hope you liked it, your suggestions, comments, and support are appreciated, and a special thanks to my beta testers for their determination that has helped me keep this story alive. Megan, the little stars also mean change in POV from Harim to Cindy (and to other characters as the story progresses).