Shinning light.
Right, you requested a list o'characters, and she shall get a list of characters and a brief summary as well!
Estel: Relative of Aragorn and Arwen. Sort of direct descended. I think they had kids, but if they didn't, he's a ranger offspring, OK? And an heir to the throne of Gondor. Estel was one of Striders many names.
Thorin: A dwarf, no direct relative of Gimli's, but a dwarf never the less. Son of Swanin, a dwarf to be respected. Dad part of a family of mining community, near Moria, but not in Moria.
Ledron: One of the lesser Elf families, no descendent of Legolas. Probably a distant relative of Elrond though.
Xandra: A Witch, from the beginning of time, like Gandalf, but blessed with the body of a seventeen-year-old. Still in training, as lived with valor most of her life.
Kavamir: Ok, my naming isn't very good, but he is a Boromir, man of the south sort of thing. As for relatives, I think it was Faramir, and his Wife, who passed on this guy.
Merry and Froda: Well, Merry did have other relatives, and it was inevitable someone like the original Merry would turn up. For Froda, just read on. If you ask why he didn't change his name, I don't know Either.
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They sat in history, waiting for Mr Greenleaf, Kavamir and Merry to turn up.
'I wonder what period we'll be doing?' wondered Xandra aloud,' I have to admit, I have an advantage over all of you, as I have lived through most of the periods, and have access to the secret libraries of the havens and Rivendale, but it will be interesting I suppose.'
'I hope it isn't the war of the rings.' Said Froda, 'All of it is lies and stories, written by some crackpot old fools. To think, a major part of Elfish and Dwarfish history is based on a book written by a couple of mad Hobbits!' she said aloud, laughing.
'They weren't mad Froda.' Gasped Sam' I think you would know that more than anyone Miss *Froda Baggins *.'
Froda seemed to sit alone, even though they surrounded her. She looked away from Sam and starred at the ground.
'Is that your real name?' asked Thorin.
'Yes.' She said. She seemed ashamed. 'My mum works under her maiden name, but it is my name.'
'I though, y'know, the Baggines died out, like, long a go.' Stuttered Thorin.
'Thorin, it isn't like animals you know!' said Pippin angrily, 'It's a family name! '
'Yeah, but it is, sort of, interesting.' Said Ledron,' Like heraldry. My grand uncle does heraldry for some of the richer hobbits in the shire. You would be amazed how many illegitimate children and family members were cast out in the shire at that time. No one bothered to record them, but they could change everything in the way of wills and land ownership. '
'Yeah, right Pretty boy' said Pippin disbelieving, 'so I could be a Took, and I wouldn't know it.'
'Ahaha' said Ledron slyly, 'but it isn't as simple as that. Froda, I think the name Baggins could go back to like 50 years ago for you, 'cause your Dad could change his name.' He said proudly, 'So therefore you could in fact be a Chubb and not know it.'
'As soon as I found out the stigma attached to the name I found out everything to do with the name Baggins,' Said Froda with the conviction of some-one who cannot only believes that bad luck ran in their family, but had proved it about six times,' and It does look like I am in fact a real Baggins. I can trace my family tree back to Balbo Baggins, but I know that my great granddad was in fact the illegitimate son of Bungo Baggins, who was forced to move to Bree long before the war of the rings. Not even Bilbo Baggins found out about his half Brother.'
'Wow. You should turn that into a book.' Said Estel,' The Secret Life of Bungo Baggins'
'Sell millions' said Froda sarcastically. 'I'm surprised you even bother to believe me. I didn't believe it myself, but it's all legitimate, or not so, as the case may be.'
'I hope Kavamir and Merry are all right,' said Pippin changing the conservation with unusual tact, 'you know what Ol' Gandy is like.'
'He turns people into frogs?' asked Froda, slightly sarcastically.
'No, he just thinks up the worst punishments ever.' Finished Pippin.' Although the Frog one would be funny…'
Mr Greenleaf came in and the class silenced. Mr Greenleaf wore a tweed jacket, with leather elbow pads, a blue shirt, and a red bow tie. He wore suit trouser and his hair was long and blond. He wore small round spectacles at the end of his nose. He walked up to the board, and wrote his name on it, squeaking the chalk. The whole class covered their ears and moaned as the chalk squeaked across the board.
Then Merry and Kavamir came in and sat next to them, trying not to attract attention. Xandra and Estel had to stop themselves laughing at the expression on Kavamir and Merry's faces. Merry looked as if he had seen a ghost. Kavamir just looked shocked. They changed their expression when Froda whispered, 'So, what did he do?'
'I'll tell you afterward.' Said Merry, 'It is so horrible, I don't want everyone to know.'
'Stupid Faggy Greenleaf' whispered Kavamir angrily as he got out a compass and scratched something into the desk.
'Mr Kavamir, would you please stop scratching "Mr Greenleaf is a fag" into the desk.' Said Mr Greenleaf.
Kavamir looked up, and gave him the look of unruly youth everywhere. Mr Greenleaf smiled as Kavamir gave him The Look.
'If you must say that I'm gay, will you please use the expression, 'Queer' or 'Gay'. I prefer it to 'Fag'. That just makes me sound like a cigarette end.' Said Mr Greenleaf smiling.
Thorin and Ledron just looked at each other. Pippin and Sam didn't dare look at each other, and Xandra mouthed, 'Oh, sweet valour!'
Pippin looked at her and whispered, 'I was right, wasn't I?'
' And now it's time to start the lesson. ' Said Mr Greenleaf gracefully 'Please get out your copy of the red book and open at page 313 and read on until page 318 '
The whole class got out their copies of the red book except Froda. Sam lent over to her and said, 'You can share with me Froda, You can share with me until you get your own copy.'
Froda put up her hand. Mr Greenleaf signalled to her that she could speak.
'Sir, Why are we learning history from children's stories? This stuff isn't true, so why learn about it? History is bases on solid facts, not a pack of lies! '
'Miss…Baggins isn't it?' said Mr Greenleaf coolly ' We are learning from a children's story, because children's stories are not always wrong and because all of it happened. I know, I was there.'
Mr Greenleaf looked at her with his piercing brown eyes. She was quiet, and looked at the book that Sam was sharing with her. Ten minutes later, Mr Greenleaf assumed that the class had finished reading, and said, 'Right class, before we start our notes, we better answer some questions! '
Mr Greenleaf sat on his desk, legs crossed.' First question. Who can tell me how Frodo and Sam might have felt at this point in the book? You must take into consideration that they don't know what has happened to the others, they have partaken in a journey they might not survive, and that they have Gollem following them.'
The class sat quietly. 'No volunteers?' said Mr Greenleaf doing puppy dog eyes. The class sat quietly, looking at each other, scared.
'Ah. I'll have to pick one of you unless one of you volunteers. ' Said Mr Greenleaf warningly. The class made even less noise.
'Maybe that fat cow could tell us?' said Ponto Chubb nastily. The class laughed nervously at Ponto Chubb. Estel gave him a dirty look, and Sam narrowed his eyes, as if calling a curse down upon him. Xandra and Pippin gave Ponto a look of disgust.
'I think they felt sick, like how I feel when I look at you.' Said Froda with glassy brightness, 'They also felt disgust, like I feel when I look at you. They also felt that Gollem was a twat, like you…' She continued with glassy brightness.
'Shut it bitch!' he shouted at her.
She gave him a nasty smile and said, 'You just think you're so great because you can see the differences in people smaller and weaker than you. You need the pity, "I Pity You."' She said, leaning over to him, making sure he could hear and see each word leave her mouth.
A few of the class cheered. Ponto gave her a look of disgust. She clicked her fingers and pointed at him. Someone started chanting' Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.'
'Fuck you, you ugly whore!' shouted Ponto.
'You wish!' said Froda coolly. A few people in the class shouted Go Froda' and a few whistled. Froda bathed in the attention, and decided to attack again. 'Not that you could even get a blind prostitute to sleep with you!'
'Shut it you pig fucker! Everyone hates you, AND THAT'S 'CAUSE YOU'RE FAT AND UGLY!'
'THAT'S ENOUGH YOU TWO!' shouted Mr Greenleaf,' Honestly, I've never seen behaviour like this, even from the orcs in Mordor! Now if you will allow us to continue with the lesson, will anyone say how they might have felt?'
'Scared?' came an answer from the back.
'Good Miss Monad' said Mr Greenleaf leaping up and writing it on the board.
' Betrayed?' said Pippin.
'No, they didn't feel betrayed, but you might be able to argue that….' said Mr Greenleaf.
'Alone?' said Estel.
'Yes!' said Mr Greenleaf, writing that up on the board.
'Fed up?' added Kavamir.
'Yes!' said Mr Greenleaf, 'Good ideas, maybe Froda can think of one….' He said turning around.
Froda lent back in her chair, playing with a pencil. 'I dunno.' She said giving him the look of a dissatisfied youth.
'Any ideas, any at all?' He urged.
'Maybe Frodo and Sam wanted to get as far as possible from over enthusiastic History teachers?' she said tilting her head to one side. The class exploded in a chorus of laughter. Mr Greenleaf sighed and said,' Miss Baggins, I want to see you after class.'
'Ok.' She said calmly.
Pippin and Xandra's jaws dropped. How could Froda be so calm around him? He made every girls heart flutter still, even though he was openly gay.
As Mr Greenleaf made more notes on the board, Xandra grabbed Froda by the shoulder, and whispered, 'What the hell do you think you're playing at? You have to have a limit! You can't go insulting teachers if you want to last here Froda!'
'I just want to test him out, find out how far I can push him. That's all. ' Said Froda quietly. 'Come on, he is a bit annoying isn't he?'
'Yeah, but you don't insult him to his face until you've known him for a week. That's the rule! ' Said Pippin.
'Right class, copy those notes down!' said Mr Greenleaf cheerily. The class did so. 'Your class work is…' the bell rang, 'Okay class, I want a one side essay from all of you about how Sam and Frodo felt at the start of the chapter 'The taming of Smegel' by Friday, Froda don't you dare leave the classroom' He added as she tried to leave.
She shrugged her shoulders, and said to Sam,' I'll be out in a few minutes. Please wait for me.'
Sam nodded, and walked out with the rest of the class. When the class was empty, except for Froda and Mr Greenleaf, he walked over to her, and hinted for her to sit down at a desk. She sat down as slovenly as she possibly could. He knelt down, and put his perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder. She gave it a look of distant, and he smiled at her. 'So, what are we to do with you?' He said in a sickly sweet voice.
'I don't know. I've been through nine schools, and they all have asked the same question. It seems that no-one knows.' Said Froda as coolly as she could. 'Do you know?'
'No.' He said simply.
'Well, can I leave now? I have better things to do than be late for my next lesson.'
'I want to know why you behaved so disgracefully in my lesson.' Mr Green burst out.
'I don't know, maybe because I'm a trouble child.' She said dismissively.
'I think that you just want people to think that. ' He said angrily,' I can tell that you have the talent for history, I can just tell!'
'Yeah, right, a talent to flunk it and go into pipe weed dealing.'
'Miss Baggins, I…'Mr Greenleaf was about to say, 'I want that essay for Thursday' But he looked into the big blue eyes that he had only seen once before. On a Baggins, yes, but he never thought that he would ever see them again on anyone outside the Havens.
He had found someone again. The last time he had met them, they had been hurt so badly, that they would never heal. Mr Greenleaf promised to himself that he would hide Miss Baggins, and her beautiful eyes from any hurt he could stop them seeing.
'Miss Baggins, you will as punishments for your bad behaviour join my club that Mr Gimli and I have started. ' Said Mr Greenleaf, wearing a smile that he could hardly conceal.
'What! What sort of club is this? One where we learn to appreciate each other's differences.' She said shuddering,' Anyway, how come that Ponto Chubb didn't get into trouble? He's as bad as me, and he started it….'
'Well Miss Baggins that is one of the mysteries of life isn't it? This club is a walking club on Saturday mornings. Maybe at the end of term I'll be able to take you all on a trip.' Said Mr Greenleaf going into salesman mode,' Anyway, your friend Mr Brandybuck and Mr South have joined….'
'Volunteered?' said Froda putting her head to one side.
'Joined.' Said Mr Greenleaf simply.
'Can I go now?' pressed Froda.
'Yes. But if you don't attend this Saturday, you'll be in big trouble.' Said Mr Greenleaf standing up. Froda slung her bag on her back, but as she reached for the doorknob she heard Mr Greenleaf shout, 'Froda, don't forget that essay is for Friday, and I want to see yours specially.'
Unknown to the whole world, Froda smiled at this point.
___________________________________
Sam waited from her outside. 'What ' e do?' he asked eagerly.
'He's made me join this stupid-walking club. Hey, I bet you wouldn't guess what Merry and Kavamir's detentions are?'
'NO!' he said laughing.
'Yes.' Said Froda smiling, encouraging him to laugh, 'They were forced to join the walking club!'
'What? Like healthy lederhosen and yodelling?' said Sam creasing up.
'I don't know, but it sounds like that.' Said Froda.
'Oh sweet Valour! Merry and Kavamir climbing mountains? With Mr Greenleaf and Mr Gimli? I think I'd die laughing?'
'It isn't that funny,' said Froda, 'As I have to go along with them.'
Sam stopped laughing. 'Oh valour I forgot! I'm so sorry.'
'Sam, it's my own fault. I have to go. It's nothing.'
'Well, if it helps, Estel will be doing track practise this weekend. Maybe you'll see him.'
'I hope so.' Said Froda, holding his hand. Then she looked at a clock, 'Great! We're late! What do we have now?'
'Looks like double maths.' Said Sam.
They both laughed, and ran to Maths late. There is a time and a place for everything, but today seemed fine. Sometimes the time and place aren't as obvious as they should be.
__________________________
'So what do you think of Froda?' said Sam finishing his Toba***, 'Certainly one of us in a strange way.'
'Definitely got the moves of a fighter.' Said Thorin, coming with a tray of drinks for his round.
'She's weird! She wears black all the time!' said Ledron.
'And that would mess with your style?' asked Merry. They all burst out laughing.
'Well, for once, Ledron has point about something except fashion.' Said Kavamir,' I say that we dump the little squirt as soon as possible. She isn't one of us. She's weird, argumentative and has a problem with the world big enough to squash the shire with.'
'And that is so different from you?' said Estel, 'Look, I think we let her join. She seems interesting.'
'Yeah, in the same way having scabies is interesting.' Added Ledron,' Look, she's already in trouble, and she's only been in school for a day. Can we really risk it? We don't exactly have a good reputation, but if we befriend her and she isn't really one of us, we'll be in big trouble.'
'She's one of us, I can tell.' Said Estel.
'She will be, we can change people' said Xandra, 'Remember Pippin and Sam before they joined?'
'I do?' said Pippin. 'I was in real danger of turning into jock until we joined. I almost joined up with Ponto's group.'
'I just remember want to join you guys instantly.' Said Sam.
'I still remember when it was just me and Kavamir.' said Estel,' The we picked up Merry.'
'And Thorin!' added Merry opening his Toba.
'After I decided to join.' Said Ledron, waving his elf-water in the air.
'Then it was me and Pippin,' Sam joined in, always into talking about old times.
'And then me.' Said Xandra. 'Pity Fran decided to go to that boarding school near the foothills of Ered Nimras. He would have fitted in fine right here.'
'What? Fran the red?' exclaimed Pippin, 'I met him once, he wouldn't fit in. To into the occult stuff. He was one scary dude.'
'Hey, that's my little brother you talkin' about!' Exclaimed Xandra.
'You have to admit, there's something wrong with the boy…'
'Yeah, like this Froda kid.' Interrupted Kavamir, 'There's something wrong with her…'
'She's got weird marks all up her arms.' Said Thorin, swinging a root beer.
'Like she was doing something weird to them…Like hitting or cutting herself,' Said Ledron, his voice getting weighed down by personal wonder.
'Who could do that to themselves? Y'know hurt themselves.' Said Pippin 'That's like totally stupid. To hurt yourself to make you feel better? That's like eating chocolate on a diet, or not asking out a guy who you fancy.'
'One way to find out about her,' said Estel ominously, 'Is to let her join.'
'Why do you want her to join so badly?' asked Xandra getting angry, 'It's like you want her, but it's not like she's even someone at school, let alone one of us!'
'I don't want her Xandra! She's just interesting…' Estel tried to explain.
'Yes you do!' shouted Xandra, getting up. 'You want her, and you don't love me any more! I hate you Estel! If you don't love me any more, you should at least have the guts to say so!'
Only then did she realise that most of the café they were sitting in was watching. She sat down, and the talk in the café started up again.
Estel sat next to her. 'Hey Xandra, ' he stroked her long blue hair,' I still love you. I still want you. Don't see her as a threat. No one else in the world is like you, I wouldn't trade you for anything. I want you Xandra, and I'd face death for you. You know that. You could get anyone you like instead of me, and you have the whole of eternity, but for now, I want my whole life to be with you, even if I age and wither into nothing, I want you to be part of my life. I want you, ageless, immortal and forever beautiful to be with me for my short life.' Xandra was crying now,' Xandra, you beautiful temptress, I can't live without you. Please, never say that I don't love you again. I do love you, I sometimes forget that you are human, even though you aren't. Please forgive me. Removing yourself from my life would be like removing a pillar from the Gondor ruins, or like breaking me. Please don't break my souls…'
'Oh Estel….' She started, and then she sobbed. They hugged. He stroked her soft hair and she stroked his longish brown hair. He tears ran silently down her face, each one a masterpiece, a diamond reflecting the light in a thousand beautiful ways. Each tear smashed down upon Estel's shoulder, and he held her closer, as if willing her to never let go. She kissed him gently on the neck, his lip trembled, as if from ecstasy running through his body. A single tear fell from his eye, but he separated, holding her hand.
Xandra laughed. It was a cracked laugh, of a person who had just been crying, but she smiled weakly and whispered,' How could I ever have doubted in you?'
'I don't know Xandra, but all I care about is you.' Said Estel stroking her hard. They hugged again.
'So,' said Kavamir, 'Is she in or out?'
Estel laughed, and said, 'Do you think we should test her?'
Pippin shrugged. 'How.' she said, 'Make her sleep on several mattresses with a pea underneath? '
'Well, what quality do we all have, apart from wonderful looks?' said Ledron.
'Daring?' suggested Sam.
'Intelligence?' added Kavamir.
'Loyalty?' Suggested Xandra, with slight tact.
'No, you can't test loyalty until you know what group you're in.' said Estel thinking.
'I know, we could test out how suitable she is by asking her to do something we would do.' Said Pippin.
'Like what?' said Thorin lazily.
'I dunno, maybe, I dunno…'said Pippin stumbling.
'I know!' Exclaimed Sam, hitting the table with his Toba,' Maybe we should see how she does in P.E. All of us have our sport, and if she does well in one, maybe she is one of us. I'm not saying that she'll like beat one of us, but we will just know.'
'Well, we all agreed?' said Xandra.
'Yes' came a chorus from the assembled people. Then Xandra banged her glass on the table. 'Meeting adjourned, let's drink!'
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***As Cola is derived from Cocaine, I'm going to say that Toba is derived from Old Toby. Just go along with the flow, ok?
Ok, please R and R, and if you want to flame me, please e-mail them to uraloser@loser.com . I love you people!!! Oh yeah, thank you MaragoldG for reviewing. Anyone else please review me!!!!
Right, you requested a list o'characters, and she shall get a list of characters and a brief summary as well!
Estel: Relative of Aragorn and Arwen. Sort of direct descended. I think they had kids, but if they didn't, he's a ranger offspring, OK? And an heir to the throne of Gondor. Estel was one of Striders many names.
Thorin: A dwarf, no direct relative of Gimli's, but a dwarf never the less. Son of Swanin, a dwarf to be respected. Dad part of a family of mining community, near Moria, but not in Moria.
Ledron: One of the lesser Elf families, no descendent of Legolas. Probably a distant relative of Elrond though.
Xandra: A Witch, from the beginning of time, like Gandalf, but blessed with the body of a seventeen-year-old. Still in training, as lived with valor most of her life.
Kavamir: Ok, my naming isn't very good, but he is a Boromir, man of the south sort of thing. As for relatives, I think it was Faramir, and his Wife, who passed on this guy.
Merry and Froda: Well, Merry did have other relatives, and it was inevitable someone like the original Merry would turn up. For Froda, just read on. If you ask why he didn't change his name, I don't know Either.
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They sat in history, waiting for Mr Greenleaf, Kavamir and Merry to turn up.
'I wonder what period we'll be doing?' wondered Xandra aloud,' I have to admit, I have an advantage over all of you, as I have lived through most of the periods, and have access to the secret libraries of the havens and Rivendale, but it will be interesting I suppose.'
'I hope it isn't the war of the rings.' Said Froda, 'All of it is lies and stories, written by some crackpot old fools. To think, a major part of Elfish and Dwarfish history is based on a book written by a couple of mad Hobbits!' she said aloud, laughing.
'They weren't mad Froda.' Gasped Sam' I think you would know that more than anyone Miss *Froda Baggins *.'
Froda seemed to sit alone, even though they surrounded her. She looked away from Sam and starred at the ground.
'Is that your real name?' asked Thorin.
'Yes.' She said. She seemed ashamed. 'My mum works under her maiden name, but it is my name.'
'I though, y'know, the Baggines died out, like, long a go.' Stuttered Thorin.
'Thorin, it isn't like animals you know!' said Pippin angrily, 'It's a family name! '
'Yeah, but it is, sort of, interesting.' Said Ledron,' Like heraldry. My grand uncle does heraldry for some of the richer hobbits in the shire. You would be amazed how many illegitimate children and family members were cast out in the shire at that time. No one bothered to record them, but they could change everything in the way of wills and land ownership. '
'Yeah, right Pretty boy' said Pippin disbelieving, 'so I could be a Took, and I wouldn't know it.'
'Ahaha' said Ledron slyly, 'but it isn't as simple as that. Froda, I think the name Baggins could go back to like 50 years ago for you, 'cause your Dad could change his name.' He said proudly, 'So therefore you could in fact be a Chubb and not know it.'
'As soon as I found out the stigma attached to the name I found out everything to do with the name Baggins,' Said Froda with the conviction of some-one who cannot only believes that bad luck ran in their family, but had proved it about six times,' and It does look like I am in fact a real Baggins. I can trace my family tree back to Balbo Baggins, but I know that my great granddad was in fact the illegitimate son of Bungo Baggins, who was forced to move to Bree long before the war of the rings. Not even Bilbo Baggins found out about his half Brother.'
'Wow. You should turn that into a book.' Said Estel,' The Secret Life of Bungo Baggins'
'Sell millions' said Froda sarcastically. 'I'm surprised you even bother to believe me. I didn't believe it myself, but it's all legitimate, or not so, as the case may be.'
'I hope Kavamir and Merry are all right,' said Pippin changing the conservation with unusual tact, 'you know what Ol' Gandy is like.'
'He turns people into frogs?' asked Froda, slightly sarcastically.
'No, he just thinks up the worst punishments ever.' Finished Pippin.' Although the Frog one would be funny…'
Mr Greenleaf came in and the class silenced. Mr Greenleaf wore a tweed jacket, with leather elbow pads, a blue shirt, and a red bow tie. He wore suit trouser and his hair was long and blond. He wore small round spectacles at the end of his nose. He walked up to the board, and wrote his name on it, squeaking the chalk. The whole class covered their ears and moaned as the chalk squeaked across the board.
Then Merry and Kavamir came in and sat next to them, trying not to attract attention. Xandra and Estel had to stop themselves laughing at the expression on Kavamir and Merry's faces. Merry looked as if he had seen a ghost. Kavamir just looked shocked. They changed their expression when Froda whispered, 'So, what did he do?'
'I'll tell you afterward.' Said Merry, 'It is so horrible, I don't want everyone to know.'
'Stupid Faggy Greenleaf' whispered Kavamir angrily as he got out a compass and scratched something into the desk.
'Mr Kavamir, would you please stop scratching "Mr Greenleaf is a fag" into the desk.' Said Mr Greenleaf.
Kavamir looked up, and gave him the look of unruly youth everywhere. Mr Greenleaf smiled as Kavamir gave him The Look.
'If you must say that I'm gay, will you please use the expression, 'Queer' or 'Gay'. I prefer it to 'Fag'. That just makes me sound like a cigarette end.' Said Mr Greenleaf smiling.
Thorin and Ledron just looked at each other. Pippin and Sam didn't dare look at each other, and Xandra mouthed, 'Oh, sweet valour!'
Pippin looked at her and whispered, 'I was right, wasn't I?'
' And now it's time to start the lesson. ' Said Mr Greenleaf gracefully 'Please get out your copy of the red book and open at page 313 and read on until page 318 '
The whole class got out their copies of the red book except Froda. Sam lent over to her and said, 'You can share with me Froda, You can share with me until you get your own copy.'
Froda put up her hand. Mr Greenleaf signalled to her that she could speak.
'Sir, Why are we learning history from children's stories? This stuff isn't true, so why learn about it? History is bases on solid facts, not a pack of lies! '
'Miss…Baggins isn't it?' said Mr Greenleaf coolly ' We are learning from a children's story, because children's stories are not always wrong and because all of it happened. I know, I was there.'
Mr Greenleaf looked at her with his piercing brown eyes. She was quiet, and looked at the book that Sam was sharing with her. Ten minutes later, Mr Greenleaf assumed that the class had finished reading, and said, 'Right class, before we start our notes, we better answer some questions! '
Mr Greenleaf sat on his desk, legs crossed.' First question. Who can tell me how Frodo and Sam might have felt at this point in the book? You must take into consideration that they don't know what has happened to the others, they have partaken in a journey they might not survive, and that they have Gollem following them.'
The class sat quietly. 'No volunteers?' said Mr Greenleaf doing puppy dog eyes. The class sat quietly, looking at each other, scared.
'Ah. I'll have to pick one of you unless one of you volunteers. ' Said Mr Greenleaf warningly. The class made even less noise.
'Maybe that fat cow could tell us?' said Ponto Chubb nastily. The class laughed nervously at Ponto Chubb. Estel gave him a dirty look, and Sam narrowed his eyes, as if calling a curse down upon him. Xandra and Pippin gave Ponto a look of disgust.
'I think they felt sick, like how I feel when I look at you.' Said Froda with glassy brightness, 'They also felt disgust, like I feel when I look at you. They also felt that Gollem was a twat, like you…' She continued with glassy brightness.
'Shut it bitch!' he shouted at her.
She gave him a nasty smile and said, 'You just think you're so great because you can see the differences in people smaller and weaker than you. You need the pity, "I Pity You."' She said, leaning over to him, making sure he could hear and see each word leave her mouth.
A few of the class cheered. Ponto gave her a look of disgust. She clicked her fingers and pointed at him. Someone started chanting' Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.'
'Fuck you, you ugly whore!' shouted Ponto.
'You wish!' said Froda coolly. A few people in the class shouted Go Froda' and a few whistled. Froda bathed in the attention, and decided to attack again. 'Not that you could even get a blind prostitute to sleep with you!'
'Shut it you pig fucker! Everyone hates you, AND THAT'S 'CAUSE YOU'RE FAT AND UGLY!'
'THAT'S ENOUGH YOU TWO!' shouted Mr Greenleaf,' Honestly, I've never seen behaviour like this, even from the orcs in Mordor! Now if you will allow us to continue with the lesson, will anyone say how they might have felt?'
'Scared?' came an answer from the back.
'Good Miss Monad' said Mr Greenleaf leaping up and writing it on the board.
' Betrayed?' said Pippin.
'No, they didn't feel betrayed, but you might be able to argue that….' said Mr Greenleaf.
'Alone?' said Estel.
'Yes!' said Mr Greenleaf, writing that up on the board.
'Fed up?' added Kavamir.
'Yes!' said Mr Greenleaf, 'Good ideas, maybe Froda can think of one….' He said turning around.
Froda lent back in her chair, playing with a pencil. 'I dunno.' She said giving him the look of a dissatisfied youth.
'Any ideas, any at all?' He urged.
'Maybe Frodo and Sam wanted to get as far as possible from over enthusiastic History teachers?' she said tilting her head to one side. The class exploded in a chorus of laughter. Mr Greenleaf sighed and said,' Miss Baggins, I want to see you after class.'
'Ok.' She said calmly.
Pippin and Xandra's jaws dropped. How could Froda be so calm around him? He made every girls heart flutter still, even though he was openly gay.
As Mr Greenleaf made more notes on the board, Xandra grabbed Froda by the shoulder, and whispered, 'What the hell do you think you're playing at? You have to have a limit! You can't go insulting teachers if you want to last here Froda!'
'I just want to test him out, find out how far I can push him. That's all. ' Said Froda quietly. 'Come on, he is a bit annoying isn't he?'
'Yeah, but you don't insult him to his face until you've known him for a week. That's the rule! ' Said Pippin.
'Right class, copy those notes down!' said Mr Greenleaf cheerily. The class did so. 'Your class work is…' the bell rang, 'Okay class, I want a one side essay from all of you about how Sam and Frodo felt at the start of the chapter 'The taming of Smegel' by Friday, Froda don't you dare leave the classroom' He added as she tried to leave.
She shrugged her shoulders, and said to Sam,' I'll be out in a few minutes. Please wait for me.'
Sam nodded, and walked out with the rest of the class. When the class was empty, except for Froda and Mr Greenleaf, he walked over to her, and hinted for her to sit down at a desk. She sat down as slovenly as she possibly could. He knelt down, and put his perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder. She gave it a look of distant, and he smiled at her. 'So, what are we to do with you?' He said in a sickly sweet voice.
'I don't know. I've been through nine schools, and they all have asked the same question. It seems that no-one knows.' Said Froda as coolly as she could. 'Do you know?'
'No.' He said simply.
'Well, can I leave now? I have better things to do than be late for my next lesson.'
'I want to know why you behaved so disgracefully in my lesson.' Mr Green burst out.
'I don't know, maybe because I'm a trouble child.' She said dismissively.
'I think that you just want people to think that. ' He said angrily,' I can tell that you have the talent for history, I can just tell!'
'Yeah, right, a talent to flunk it and go into pipe weed dealing.'
'Miss Baggins, I…'Mr Greenleaf was about to say, 'I want that essay for Thursday' But he looked into the big blue eyes that he had only seen once before. On a Baggins, yes, but he never thought that he would ever see them again on anyone outside the Havens.
He had found someone again. The last time he had met them, they had been hurt so badly, that they would never heal. Mr Greenleaf promised to himself that he would hide Miss Baggins, and her beautiful eyes from any hurt he could stop them seeing.
'Miss Baggins, you will as punishments for your bad behaviour join my club that Mr Gimli and I have started. ' Said Mr Greenleaf, wearing a smile that he could hardly conceal.
'What! What sort of club is this? One where we learn to appreciate each other's differences.' She said shuddering,' Anyway, how come that Ponto Chubb didn't get into trouble? He's as bad as me, and he started it….'
'Well Miss Baggins that is one of the mysteries of life isn't it? This club is a walking club on Saturday mornings. Maybe at the end of term I'll be able to take you all on a trip.' Said Mr Greenleaf going into salesman mode,' Anyway, your friend Mr Brandybuck and Mr South have joined….'
'Volunteered?' said Froda putting her head to one side.
'Joined.' Said Mr Greenleaf simply.
'Can I go now?' pressed Froda.
'Yes. But if you don't attend this Saturday, you'll be in big trouble.' Said Mr Greenleaf standing up. Froda slung her bag on her back, but as she reached for the doorknob she heard Mr Greenleaf shout, 'Froda, don't forget that essay is for Friday, and I want to see yours specially.'
Unknown to the whole world, Froda smiled at this point.
___________________________________
Sam waited from her outside. 'What ' e do?' he asked eagerly.
'He's made me join this stupid-walking club. Hey, I bet you wouldn't guess what Merry and Kavamir's detentions are?'
'NO!' he said laughing.
'Yes.' Said Froda smiling, encouraging him to laugh, 'They were forced to join the walking club!'
'What? Like healthy lederhosen and yodelling?' said Sam creasing up.
'I don't know, but it sounds like that.' Said Froda.
'Oh sweet Valour! Merry and Kavamir climbing mountains? With Mr Greenleaf and Mr Gimli? I think I'd die laughing?'
'It isn't that funny,' said Froda, 'As I have to go along with them.'
Sam stopped laughing. 'Oh valour I forgot! I'm so sorry.'
'Sam, it's my own fault. I have to go. It's nothing.'
'Well, if it helps, Estel will be doing track practise this weekend. Maybe you'll see him.'
'I hope so.' Said Froda, holding his hand. Then she looked at a clock, 'Great! We're late! What do we have now?'
'Looks like double maths.' Said Sam.
They both laughed, and ran to Maths late. There is a time and a place for everything, but today seemed fine. Sometimes the time and place aren't as obvious as they should be.
__________________________
'So what do you think of Froda?' said Sam finishing his Toba***, 'Certainly one of us in a strange way.'
'Definitely got the moves of a fighter.' Said Thorin, coming with a tray of drinks for his round.
'She's weird! She wears black all the time!' said Ledron.
'And that would mess with your style?' asked Merry. They all burst out laughing.
'Well, for once, Ledron has point about something except fashion.' Said Kavamir,' I say that we dump the little squirt as soon as possible. She isn't one of us. She's weird, argumentative and has a problem with the world big enough to squash the shire with.'
'And that is so different from you?' said Estel, 'Look, I think we let her join. She seems interesting.'
'Yeah, in the same way having scabies is interesting.' Added Ledron,' Look, she's already in trouble, and she's only been in school for a day. Can we really risk it? We don't exactly have a good reputation, but if we befriend her and she isn't really one of us, we'll be in big trouble.'
'She's one of us, I can tell.' Said Estel.
'She will be, we can change people' said Xandra, 'Remember Pippin and Sam before they joined?'
'I do?' said Pippin. 'I was in real danger of turning into jock until we joined. I almost joined up with Ponto's group.'
'I just remember want to join you guys instantly.' Said Sam.
'I still remember when it was just me and Kavamir.' said Estel,' The we picked up Merry.'
'And Thorin!' added Merry opening his Toba.
'After I decided to join.' Said Ledron, waving his elf-water in the air.
'Then it was me and Pippin,' Sam joined in, always into talking about old times.
'And then me.' Said Xandra. 'Pity Fran decided to go to that boarding school near the foothills of Ered Nimras. He would have fitted in fine right here.'
'What? Fran the red?' exclaimed Pippin, 'I met him once, he wouldn't fit in. To into the occult stuff. He was one scary dude.'
'Hey, that's my little brother you talkin' about!' Exclaimed Xandra.
'You have to admit, there's something wrong with the boy…'
'Yeah, like this Froda kid.' Interrupted Kavamir, 'There's something wrong with her…'
'She's got weird marks all up her arms.' Said Thorin, swinging a root beer.
'Like she was doing something weird to them…Like hitting or cutting herself,' Said Ledron, his voice getting weighed down by personal wonder.
'Who could do that to themselves? Y'know hurt themselves.' Said Pippin 'That's like totally stupid. To hurt yourself to make you feel better? That's like eating chocolate on a diet, or not asking out a guy who you fancy.'
'One way to find out about her,' said Estel ominously, 'Is to let her join.'
'Why do you want her to join so badly?' asked Xandra getting angry, 'It's like you want her, but it's not like she's even someone at school, let alone one of us!'
'I don't want her Xandra! She's just interesting…' Estel tried to explain.
'Yes you do!' shouted Xandra, getting up. 'You want her, and you don't love me any more! I hate you Estel! If you don't love me any more, you should at least have the guts to say so!'
Only then did she realise that most of the café they were sitting in was watching. She sat down, and the talk in the café started up again.
Estel sat next to her. 'Hey Xandra, ' he stroked her long blue hair,' I still love you. I still want you. Don't see her as a threat. No one else in the world is like you, I wouldn't trade you for anything. I want you Xandra, and I'd face death for you. You know that. You could get anyone you like instead of me, and you have the whole of eternity, but for now, I want my whole life to be with you, even if I age and wither into nothing, I want you to be part of my life. I want you, ageless, immortal and forever beautiful to be with me for my short life.' Xandra was crying now,' Xandra, you beautiful temptress, I can't live without you. Please, never say that I don't love you again. I do love you, I sometimes forget that you are human, even though you aren't. Please forgive me. Removing yourself from my life would be like removing a pillar from the Gondor ruins, or like breaking me. Please don't break my souls…'
'Oh Estel….' She started, and then she sobbed. They hugged. He stroked her soft hair and she stroked his longish brown hair. He tears ran silently down her face, each one a masterpiece, a diamond reflecting the light in a thousand beautiful ways. Each tear smashed down upon Estel's shoulder, and he held her closer, as if willing her to never let go. She kissed him gently on the neck, his lip trembled, as if from ecstasy running through his body. A single tear fell from his eye, but he separated, holding her hand.
Xandra laughed. It was a cracked laugh, of a person who had just been crying, but she smiled weakly and whispered,' How could I ever have doubted in you?'
'I don't know Xandra, but all I care about is you.' Said Estel stroking her hard. They hugged again.
'So,' said Kavamir, 'Is she in or out?'
Estel laughed, and said, 'Do you think we should test her?'
Pippin shrugged. 'How.' she said, 'Make her sleep on several mattresses with a pea underneath? '
'Well, what quality do we all have, apart from wonderful looks?' said Ledron.
'Daring?' suggested Sam.
'Intelligence?' added Kavamir.
'Loyalty?' Suggested Xandra, with slight tact.
'No, you can't test loyalty until you know what group you're in.' said Estel thinking.
'I know, we could test out how suitable she is by asking her to do something we would do.' Said Pippin.
'Like what?' said Thorin lazily.
'I dunno, maybe, I dunno…'said Pippin stumbling.
'I know!' Exclaimed Sam, hitting the table with his Toba,' Maybe we should see how she does in P.E. All of us have our sport, and if she does well in one, maybe she is one of us. I'm not saying that she'll like beat one of us, but we will just know.'
'Well, we all agreed?' said Xandra.
'Yes' came a chorus from the assembled people. Then Xandra banged her glass on the table. 'Meeting adjourned, let's drink!'
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***As Cola is derived from Cocaine, I'm going to say that Toba is derived from Old Toby. Just go along with the flow, ok?
Ok, please R and R, and if you want to flame me, please e-mail them to uraloser@loser.com . I love you people!!! Oh yeah, thank you MaragoldG for reviewing. Anyone else please review me!!!!