Life After High School. Is It Scary? You Bet.
By Risty Maskell and Silver15
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Summary: Geez, whatever you reckon.
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(Emma's POV)
Billee did as he had promised. The next morning, the three elves and Colan brought Kane's belongings and mine over to the inn. Apparently Jaime and Frodo had completely disappeared, Boromir was really upset and so was everyone else. That made me feel really bad, I hadn't wanted to hurt anyone I had just fallen in love. If people could not accept it, then I didn't want anything to do with them.
Billee and the others couldn't stay long since they wanted to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. Lucas told Elrond that if it were all right, we would stop by there for a few days. He agreed and I was glad. I needed to spend some time with Billee; after all he was the one person who really understood me. Billee told me that he was going to give Jaime a few days to cool down before he tried to contact her again, but he had given Elrond's address and phone number to Blue so that Wendy could still contact Colan. I was glad that he had done that, after all Wendy was the one really friend that Colan did have and none of us wanted them to lose touch.
We stood there and waved to them as they rode away. We would be following them after spending one more night at the inn. As we watched them, we saw Baz walking along the road not far away from us. He saw us and glared. I knew that it would be a long time before any of them forgave us. But it would be even longer before I forgave Jaime for trying to take Kane away. I had meant what I had said. Her and me were finished for good; I wanted nothing more to do with her.
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The next day we set out early and began the ride to Rivendell. After spending two nights in Bree, we arrived there in the late afternoon on the third day. Elrond did his best to make us all feel welcome, even Blaze and Forrest. I guess he must have known that most of us felt bad about how things had turned out. At least Damon, Benny and I did. Lucas hadn't played much of a part and I think both Forrest and Blaze secretly enjoyed it, even if they wouldn't admit it. In any case, he found us rooms and told us that providing we weren't intending to do any more fighting, we were welcome to stay as long as we liked. Lucas said that we could probably stay about a week if we liked.
That evening, Billee, Legolas and I went for a walk around and talked about how things had turned out. Neither of them really wanted to take sides, but they fully supported my decision. I had nothing to feel guilty about, they told me. If I felt that I had done the right thing, then that was all that mattered. In one of the downstairs rooms, I could see Lucas, Benny, Elrond and Damon discussing something. Billee looked over my shoulder.
"I wonder what they are talking about" he said thoughtfully. "Shall we go and see?"
"Yes, let's go" Legolas agreed. "If they are plotting how to murder Jaime or something, then I want to know about it."
Quickly we hurried down and knocked on the door. Benny opened it and his eyes lit up when he saw me.
"We were just talking about you, Emma," he said with a smile. "Come in you three."
We went in and sat down. I was very curious to find out what was going on. I didn't have to wait long. Damon sat beside me and took my hand.
"Emma" he said quietly. "I love you very much and I am so lucky that you chose me over Boromir. Everything that we went through to be together has only made my love for you stronger. And I was just wondering…would you marry me? While we're in Rivendell, I mean. They can do it in four days time, the day before we leave."
I sat in silence for a moment, trying to take it all in. However, I had no doubts about my answer.
"Yes" I said in delight, flinging my arms around his neck and hugging him tightly. "Yes, I will marry you."
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The planning started the next day. It was not going to be a major thing, just the actual ceremony and a small celebration. As for people, well everyone who I actually wanted to be there was already in Rivendell. All except two…
As soon as I had a few minutes to myself, I slipped off to Elrond's office and picked up the phone. With my hand trembling, I dialled a number and listened to it ringing. It was answered on the fourth ring. A very familiar voice said hello.
"Kivan" I said quietly. "It's Emma."
"Hello little sister" he greeted. "It's been a while hasn't it?"
"I'm sorry," I told him. "I've been busy."
"So I've heard" he drawled, his tone not particularly unfriendly but not very friendly either. "Had a visit from Jaime the day before yesterday."
"Jaime" For a second or two I was lost for words. "Is she still there?"
"Yes, she's staying with her aunt" his tone dropped. "Emma, what happened?"
"It's a very long story Kivan." I said softly. "Jaime wanted me to marry Boromir, but I just couldn't. I didn't love him and I was so scared of ending up like mum. But Jaime…when the fight broke out, she had Kane and she wouldn't give him back. She wouldn't give him back, Kivan. I was so afraid…" I trailed off, afraid that I was going to cry.
"Emma" Kivan sounded worried. "Are you still there? Listen, she didn't tell me that. I'm sorry. I don't really want to take sides in this…but do you want us to come down and see you?"
"We're getting married in four days," I told him. "Damon and I. I'd really like it if you were there, if you could give us your blessing. Please say that you'll come."
"I'll leave tonight," he promised. "Ranger…well I believe I can talk him into it, but I can't promise anything. I'll do my best. And then you can tell me your side of the story, all right?"
"Thank you," I said, wiping my eyes with the back of my sleeve. "I love you Kivan."
"I love you too, little sister" he replied. "See you soon."
I replaced the phone and as I did, tears of relief slid down my face. When times got tough, I knew that I could always rely on Kivan.
