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Fellowship Of The Fangirls
by TigerBabe aka Syndarys The Elf.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing; I am but a poor student, who lives off beans on toast. Suing me would be pointless... unless you want to deprive me of my beans on toast.

Authors Notes & Warnings: Shameless self insertion, along with some other people (e.g., my sister, Ivy). Rated PG for possible swearing, and rabid fangirls. Flame if you wish, but flames will just be used to cook my beans on toast. Also, it's *NOW* based on the book, due to the fact the Two Towers movie hasn't been released yet... but you already knew that.

Extra Notes: As Violet Eyes brought up the subject in her reviews, and as I know a fair bit about the release of Lord Of The Rings on DVD and VHS, so I'll fill you all in on the subject:

The DVD release coming out this month contains the following:

~Color, Closed-captioned, Widescreen
~Theatrical trailer(s)
~Two-disc set
~Theatrical (PG-13) version of the film
~Exclusive 10-minute behind-the-scenes preview of The Two Towers
~Three in-depth documentaries that reveal the secrets behind the production of this epic adventure, including:
-"Welcome to Middle-earth" (in-store special as shown by Houghton Mifflin)
-"The Quest for the Ring" (as debuted on the FBC Network)
-"A Passage to Middle-earth" (as premiered on the SCI-FI Channel)
~15 featurettes originally created for lordoftherings.net, which explore the locales and cultures of Middle-earth and include interviews with cast members Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, and others
~Enya "May It Be" music video
~An inside look at the Special Extended DVD Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
~Preview of Electronic Arts' video game, The Two Towers
~DVD-ROM features: Exclusive online content
~Widescreen anamorphic format
~Number of discs: 2

The November release has this:

Special Features: (Exact specifications to be confirmed) Extended edition (additional 30 minutes); 2 exclusive bookends; 4 commentaries (directors/writers/production crew/designers and cast - over 30 particpants); Book to vision featurettes and galleries (disc 3); Vision to film featurettes and galleries (disc 4)

deleted scenes -
~ Galadriel's Gif-Giving Scene. As the elves prepare to leave Lothlorien, Elf Queen Galadriel bestows a special gift upon each of the nine members of the Fellowship.
~ Bilbo Baggins writing a journal entry entitled "Concerning Hobbits," which serves as a history of the Hobbits and their bucolic lifestyle.
~ A new introduction of loyal Hobbit Sam Gamgee.
~ More footage from the Green Dragon Inn, with Peregrin "Pippin" Took, and Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck happily singing Hobbit songs.
~ Sam & Frodo witnessing the stately Exodus of the Elves on the road to Bree.
~ Aragorn singing an Elvish ballad that adds back story to the implications of his love for Arwen
~ Aragorn beside his mother's grave in Rivendell.
~ An extended sequence of the Fellowship's departure from Rivendell.
~ Pre-battle scenes in the Mines Of Moria, explaining how the dwarves came to be in the mines.
~ Character material delving into the complicated relationship between elves and dwarves.
~ Additional footage from the Fellowship's climatic battle scene.

also -

~ In addition to the 3 and a half hour feature, presented on 2 discs, the set will include 2 MORE discs packed with features not on the August release of the disc! This is includes production team commentaries, production documentaries, & interactive featurettes covering the film adaptation from "book to vision" and "from vision to reality"!

So, what I'm doing is this: buying LOTR:FOTR on VHS to tide me over 'til November, then buying the DVD - which, incidentally, I wont be able to watch anyway 'til after Xmas, as I don't have a DVD player yet, and I hope to pick a DVD-Rom in the Post Xmas Sales.

Also, I have to say that don't be angry at Peter Jackson for this, and it's not specifically a marketing ploy, though I guess that does come into some consideration. The November DVD would have been released much later by Newline if it wasn't for Peter arguing 'til he was blue in the face to get it out before the Two Towers was released, as there's intricate footage in the extra scenes which will have play in the following films (i.e. Galadriel's gift giving scene).

So, yeah, anyway, enough of these authors notes which aren't really authors notes, LOL... on with the story...

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Chapter 27

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I whole heartedly agreed with Aragorn; If starve with our Hobbit friends is all we can do, then that is what we must do. Besides, I think Ruby has my favourite lipstick, and I want it back.

We continued on for a few more minutes. Legolas attempted to chase me away from the group again, which I was really happy about. Unfortunately, we have in our group a rather boring human named Aragorn, who does not have a sense of fun, or so it seems, judging by his comments that we were acting like we were just turned 2 years old, and not over 2000. Boring human.

We came at length to a sort of stair. It seemed very strange to me, and yet not out of place in the forest at all.

We glanced up through the leaves and branches above us, to the top of the stair, and saw some sunlight filtering through the clouds.

"Hmm," I studied the sky, "looks like we missed a bit of sun today."

Legolas nodded, "It does indeed, though if we climb up, we may be able to salvage what sunlight remains, as well as breath some clearer air."

"Let us climb then," Aragorn interjected, "for we may also be able to look about the area with a bit of height, and hopefully gain some clues as to the whereabouts of our young Hobbits."

And so we climbed up the stair. I helped Nalin up the steps, as they were fairly high. Gimli however refused my offered help; be it for the fact that I am an Elf, or that I am female that made him refuse, I do not know. However, I do know that he is one stubborn dwarf.

Aragorn climbed slowly, using his tracking skills to examine the steps.

"I am almost sure the Hobbits have been up here," he said as he reached the top.

"Only almost sure?" I asked him in a teasing voice, "Why, Aragorn, your skills are not what they used to be. Given these clues, I would've expected you to be able to tell us for sure they were here, when they left, and what they did to pass the time!"

"Well," Aragorn said in defence, "I am certain then, if it will please you, and at a guess, I'll say they probably spoke about food to pass the time."

"Hmm, wouldn't surprise me," I said with a mild snigger. "Could you tell me anything else of your findings from the steps? Or could you only discern the fact that some Hobbits have been up here?"

"Nothing with certainty," he replied honestly, "there were other marks, very strange marks which I do not understand. I'm hoping we may be able to see something from this ledge."

I smiled and allowed Aragorn to have a look around, while I went to see what the others were up to.

I walked to the edge of the stair, next to Legolas, Gimli, Nalin and Candra, who were looking out into the forest.

"See anything?" I asked as I joined them, coming to stand between Legolas and Candra, and placing my arms across their shoulders.

"Just a lot of trees," Candra said.

"Hmm, but trees are good," I told her with a smile as we continued to look out into the distance.

"We've travelled far," Legolas said, "Though if we had left the Great River on the second or third day, and struck west, we would have arrived here sooner. Few can foresee whither the road will lead them, till they come to it's end."

"But we did not wish to come to Fangorn," Gimli said grumpily.

"And yet here we are," Legolas said as he playfully patted Gimli on the said, earning little but a growl from the dwarf. Suddenly, Legolas stopped what he was doing and looked out into the forest, his eyes narrowing. "Look!" he said.

I gazed out into the trees for what Legolas was looking for, and saw it.

"Look at what?" Gimli asked.

"There, look, in the trees," I said, kneeling slightly and pointing out into the forest for him, and Nalin, to see.

"Where?" Nalin asked, "My eyes are not those of Elves," she said. And she's got a point, I think we left her glasses with the stuff at Amon Hen. I knew we should've checked more thoroughly before leaving.

"Hush!" Legolas said, "Your tongues are too heavy, Dwarves; look into the forest, can you not see him, passing from tree to tree?"

A look of realisation dawned across Gimli's face, "I see him now, look Aragorn!" he called over to the man, who in fact was now standing behind us peering into the forest himself, a frown creasing his brow.

In the forest was a figure; an old man, indeed, looking in every way a beggar, walking wearily and leaning on a staff. He wore a cloak; possibly it was once white, but it was dirty now. And with it was also a hood, covering his face and shielding him from our eyes. I myself saw no immediate threat, yet there was something about this figure... something... powerful.

For the Dwarves however, the power seemed lost; or possibly misguided.

"Your bow Legolas, and you Lady Syndarys, pick them up! Aim your arrow; for it is Saruman, can you not see? Do not allow him to bewitch us, shoot first!" Gimli spoke hurriedly, his voice holding anger and fear.

I pulled my bow from my back, and pulled a silver tipped arrow from my quiver. I let the arrow fall onto the side of the bow, but did not fully arm it. I saw no point.

"Why do you not fire?" Nalin hissed at me.

I was about to speak up for myself when Aragorn jumped in before me.

"They are right; we have no proof that this is Saruman, and we cannot go around shooting those we believe to be in league with the dark forces without any proof. We shall wait."

And so we waited, and watched as the old man came to the bottom of the stairs, quickening his feet, and arriving quickly. Then he suddenly looked up, and there was silence.

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La de da de da... oh yes, I am evil... TBC, as usual... don't you just *love* my cliff-hangers? Mwhahaha!!