Shinning light
Well, chapter four and although it doesn't really add to the plot, it kinda is useful, and I can't be bothered to tie up any lose ends in another way. I promise next chapter you'll get some great Legolas and Gimli stuff. I promise!
Please read and review. Like most other writers, I live for reviews
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Froda knew that they didn't want her to be with them. It had been nice at the time, but they found excuses not to talk to her, and now, as usual, she was on her own. If she saw Sam, or Pippin, or whatever-there-names, they avoided her. She had grown used to this, but it never made it any easier. Instead of lunch, she found refuge in the library, and she only had to see them in lessons. This was not good. When you see some-one, and your heart doesn't know weather to pump its hardest or rip itself in half, it really hurts.
Shit. It was P.E next. She hated P.E. It was all cheerleaders and jocks, and people like her got left behind. She kicked her locker open, and grabbed her P.E stuff. Stupid old dwarf. She hoped he would have the sense to ignore her and let her off.
She wasn't like Roland, he was the original jock and everyone loved him. She hoped like hell that they would keep to the arrangement. They didn't talk, or see each other, and they didn't reveal that they were brother and sister. She put her bag in, and felt around her neck. The ring was still on. She wondered if she should take it off, or risk it being confiscated. No, she would leave it on. It was safer on her, than in her locker.
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They sat outside on the running track. Pippin worried about the red dust on her white P.E clothes, but the wind blew gently across the arena. In the middle of the track were the axes and archery targets, which looked very, used. The class sat next to the targets, watching Mr Gimli.
'I want no skiving, no shirking and no attitude problems in my group!' Said Mr Gimli. 'I can bring out the best sport in each of my pupils, and you will do that sport until you are the best you can achieve in a terms space of time. You may not be the best, but one of you from each group will represent our school at the middle earth interschool heats, ok? So, anyone who slacks in my lessons will learn the meaning of ''detention''. I hope that is clear. Now today we will be doing axe, archery, and running practise. Does anyone have a problem with that?'
Estel, Ledron and Thorin high fived as Mr Gimli read out the lesson plan. Froda lurked at the back, wearing a second hand kit, handed down from her brother. She hid the ring further down her bra****. Pippin studied her nails. Mr Gimli rounded on her.
'Girl! What's your name?'
'Err… Pippin sir?' she said looking up.
'Why is your hair not tied back?' He demanded.
'Because I don't have anything to tie it with?' she said. The class laughed raucously.
Mr Gimli did not waste any time. 'I've got a rubber band, just use it to tie back you hair.' He took the band of rubber from his wrist, and gave it to Pippin, who regarded it with distaste.
'Please bring a hair tie to your next lesson Miss Gamgee.' He said with a hint of venom.
'Don't worry Pippin, you can borrow one of mine' said Ledron, handing her a purple hair tie.
'Thanks' she said, tying her hair back. She put the rubber band around her wrist.
'I don't think I've ever seen such a motley group of people!' Barked Mr Gimli. 'YOU!' He shouted at Froda,' You in the back! What's your name?'
'Froda sir. Froda Baggins!' she barked back.
'And what are you planning to do?'
'Fail P.E, you to shout at me and to flunk school.' The class laughed. Mr Gimli pulled a face, and then a look of good-humoured anger came over his face.
'Mr Greenleaf told me about you. Are you the girl who refuses to work with anyone and puts up a fight about everything?' There was an intake of breath. They couldn't wait to hear Froda's response.
'Did Mr Greenleaf tell you last night in bed,' she said sweetly, ' before or after you bummed each other?' The class erupted in laughter.
'Right Miss Baggins, see me after class! We can discuss your attitude problem them!' the class when' Ohh' and 'nice comeback!'
'Who is captain of the running team at the moment?' asked Mr Gimli.
'Me sir' said Estel raising a hand.
'Ah, young man. Who's in the team?'
'Me, Kavamir and Marshal' (Marshal was an elf who was a fast runner.) Kavamir and Marshal waved at Mr Gimli slightly embarrassed. Mr Gimli gave them a look of disbelief, and said, 'So, what are your times?'
'Mine is 12.64 seconds for 100 metres' said Estel.
'Mine is 13 exactly for 100 metres.' Said Kavamir.
'Mine is 14.54 for 100 metres.' Said Marshal sheepishly.
'You're an elf! Aren't you meant to be able to run longer and faster than anyone else?' said Mr Gimli.
'I'm a distance runner. Estel is into sprints and Kavamir is backup.' Explained Marshal.
'The team is so small!' exclaimed Mr Gimli,' I have to do something about it. Does anyone know who is the head of the Axe team?'
'Thorin sir!' shouted a voice at the back. Thorin stood up, and did a few acrobatics with the axe.
'Good work lad! Just a little work on technique, and we could have you best in the country.'
Thorin rolled his eyes. Mr Gimli walked up to him, and held the axe.' Nice balance, good grip, well polished. Is this yours lad?'
'Yep!' said Thorin proudly,' Handed down from my Mum. It had decapitated many an orc in its time. Not an axe to be used down in a mine though sir.'
Mr Gimli weighed it in his hands, and ran his finger down the blade. Then he gave it back to Thorin.' Take good care of it Lad. It's a nice axe. Archery team?'
'Me, sir, Ledron' he said standing up. He brought out his bow, and slipped the arrow in place instantly. Mr Gimli walked around him, examining his stance critically.
'Nice stance, good upper body strength. How good's your aim?' Ledron let the arrow go. It flew into the distance. Mr Gimli tutted and then a faint Plink was heard far off. The arrow headed back, like a speeding bullet. It hit a point in the track, which put it on course, and hit one of the targets, pushing it over. The class cheered at this spectacle.
'Too much showing off' said Mr Gimli critically, 'but a nice shot.' He patted the elf on the shoulder.
'I bet you want to feel his bow!' shouted Ponto.
'Yeah, he can feel your axe any time!' shouted some one else. Ponto's minions started to laugh uncontrollably. A few people tuttered nervously.
Mr Gimli turned around slowly, and shouted,' WHO JUST SAID THAT! I WANT A NAME!'
'Froda Baggins' shouted Ponto, laughing,' although she doesn't interest you!'
'She wouldn't interest me either!' shouted his best mate Leo, 'She's enough to make any man queer.' They burst out laughing again.
Froda could feel herself sinking in the ground. She knew that teachers were to stupid to recognise different voices, and that she would not only be in enough trouble to be excluded, she was already in trouble with Mr Gimli.
'Right young lady, if you want it that way, you can have a detention today after school!' said Mr Gimli, irate. Froda narrowed her eyes and scowled. Bastard! Why was everything her fault? She had asked for it before, but not now. She hadn't said that. She wasn't homophobic, unlike Mr Ponto Chubb. She had taken it too far though. The class got up, sorted into groups. Shit! She hadn't been listening. She walked to the running team on the basis that she knew that she was bad at running, so therefore she would have to do that first.
'Err, Right, ' started Estel,' First heats are like for the hobbits. So if you give me your name's I'll sort you into heats. The top six runners overall after all the heats will be given a place in the running team, ok?'
The group of milling people nodded and agreed. Froda stood at the back of the crowd, waiting for her name to be called out.
Estel looked rather sheepish, standing at the front, reading out the heats. 'Err, heat number one, Ponto, Daisy, Froda and Garadoc, please go to your marks. '
They lined up. Froda realised that no one was looking at her, even her arms. They were longing at Ponto, the favourite to win. He grinned nastily at her, and looked away, as if she wasn't worth talking to.
She looked at the track. Why was she so sure she was going to lose? She had good legs, for a hobbit, she had run at great speed in the past, like all those times Roland had been chasing her. Sometimes not fast enough. He was very fast. But, she reasoned, why shouldn't she be fast, like Roland, it was in her blood. She saw the track. Some red dust danced on the white lines. She could feel the adrenaline seep into her blood.
'See you at the finishing line loser.' Said Ponto,' We'll probably have to wait ages to see your fat arse reach the line.'
'Eat my dust Ponto,' she said winking,' All that is gold, does not glitter.'
'On your marks,' shouted Kavamir. The four competitors automatically lent down. Except Froda, who just wound herself up tighter, which made her lean forward.
'Get set' he shouted. Pause.' GO!' there was a thunder of feet and a click of watches at the finishing line.
Froda ran. She could already feel the wind in her hair and the g forces on her frame. She could honestly say that she had never run like this, except when being chased by Roland. She could feel his breath on her neck, and her screams being choked in her throat. She could almost feel his hands trying to reach around her neck.
She ran faster, lactic acid building up in her legs. She felt the ring. It was safe. She felt another burst of speed and ran. She didn't look back, she always knew better than to do that when Roland was after her.
She could hear Ponto taunt her, but it was an echo, as if of a distant memory. All she could here was Roland, his voice oozing into her ear, poisoning her whole body. She breathed in deeply, and kept running. That was always necessary in these matters. Run, run and never look back.
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Xandra watched astounded at the finishing line. She knew that Froda had something about her, something special, but this was just ridiculous! The track was long, about 200 metres, but no hobbit should have got that far in 3 seconds. The school record for a hobbit was 60 seconds. That was soon to be broken at this rate.
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Merry burst into Axe skills.
'What the?…' started Thorin.
Merry panted. 'I got here as fast As I could, but it looks as if some one is going to beat Ponto!'
The class looked at one another. Then they ran out.
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Marshal burst into Archery.
Ledron was about to fire the arrow, when Marshal shouted, 'Some one is about to beat Ponto! Come quick!' He ran out again.
Ledron put his arrow away, and ran out. The class followed him.
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Estel stood next to Xandra. His mouth was hanging open. 'Oh sweet Valour!' he whispered.
The small, unnoticed body of Froda can hurtling down the track. Estel had loads of experience in running, and he knew that if she kept up at that Speed, she could hurt herself. Or was that the point? He didn't care, but her knew who was keeping her time. It was him. She was halfway around the track, and all of the others had hardly reached a quarter of the way around the track.
Ponto was trying to catch up, but he failed. Not even he was that stupid to try to keep up with her unless it was important. But what worried Estel was the expression on her face. It should have been an expression of determination, or one of triumph, but it was one of fear. Fear so raw that it scared him, just thinking that something that could scare her that much.
He saw Ledron and Thorin arrive. They watched with amazement as she beat her way past them, and then they did something no one ever thought that they would do, except up to 20 seconds ago. They cheered for her.
'GO FROOOOOOOOOODAAAAAAAAA!' shouted Ledron raucously.
'You go girl!' screamed Pippin excitedly.
Thorin jumped up and down in excitement.' FRooooooDAAA!' he screamed, 'Beat that twat Ponto!'
'FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA' screamed Xandra, jumping up and down, whooping for joy. 'YOU CAN MAKE IT! JUST RUN! RUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!'
Estel joined in. 'FRODA, FRODAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA'
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She ran on faster. She couldn't stop. She could already here the mocking chant of her loss, but if she stopped now, she would let Roland win. Then she tripped over her feet. She felt forward, adding to the amount of scars and bruises as she skidded. She couldn't win now, not after falling over, but some how she was being forced onward…..
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'Estel, , she's fallen over and I don't think she can win!' said Xandra urgently.
The hopes of the class had fallen, but they stayed to see her fail. Just to be certain. Something was wrong, she was being propelled forward, very fast. She looked in excruciating fear, or was it pain? But she skidded along the dust and screaming, half in fear, half in pain, she raised her arm and broke the ribbon.
She had won.
The crowd exploded in cheer. This was new, they had never seen anyone do it before. Many a hobbit had sworn to beat Ponto, but, even by a close hair, had they ever done it. Ledron leap in the air, literally 10 feet, and hollered. Thorin just screamed in delight.
Ponto and the other racers reached the finish line, but no one was bothering to keep their times. Froda, a weird freak, had beaten Ponto, a cool guy who most people wanted to be associated.
Froda, on the ground, rolled over like an obedient dog. She gave out a low moan, and felt the ring about her neck. Using all her strength she pulled her body up on all fours. He elbows felt as if they were on fire. She looked at one of them. There was a little blood amongst scuffmarks. Her throat felt as if it were on fire, breathing was becoming quiet painful as her chest closed up. She couldn't here anyone else, but she could vaguely see Sam running towards her. He head was spinning and she cried, as she couldn't breathe. She tried to get up, but fell down again, like a baby.
When she fell over again, she lay on her face. She got up again on her hands and knees and coughed. She coughed up some phlegm.
Sam skidded to halt, and embraced her. He helped her up. She was shaking like a leaf, and couldn't breathe properly. Sam led her to a bench near by, and sat her down. She was just trying to breathe, she couldn't talk. He hit her gently on the back, trying to get rid of some of the stuff in her throat. She was trembling near tears. Her skin was cold, from sweat and running.
She breathed in slowly, and out again, but she lent forward, and something silver on a chain fell out again. Sam stared at it. Then he realised that Mr Gimli was running over the field, looking angrier than before if that was possible. Estel came over to her.
'Great run!' he grinned.
Xandra followed him. 'Hey Froda, you did great!' she said.
Froda looked up. She breathed in and said hoarsely,' Thanks!'
Ledron and Thorin were totally crazy with joy. They practically sang walking across the field to Froda. Ledron shouted across the field, 'WHO'S THE DADDY NOW FRODA!? YOU!!!!!'
'FRODA, YOU BEAUTY! ' Shouted Thorin.
'What's my time?' asked Froda. Estel looked at his watch. ' About…43.89 seconds for 200 metres.'
'Is that good?' she asked, her throat killing her.
'You did great Froda,' said Xandra.
'You ok Froda?' asked Sam.
'I'll be fine' she said, 'Just don't ask me to do anything strenuous for at least five minutes, like get up.' She lent over and hugged him. He hugged her back.
Then Mr Gimli was in front of her. 'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING!' he shouted at her.
Froda trembled again. Usually she didn't stand for that shit, but she was too tired to protest or think of a comeback. It would be whole lots easier to listen to him have a go at her. She waited, but he didn't say anything. Finally he said, 'Well, I'm waiting…'
She looked up at him with her big blue eyes. Gimli gasped. Although he wasn't into giving preferential treatment to anyone (Except Legolas of course), he couldn't help thinking…. Maybe that was what Legolas was talking about the other night. His heart softened. He pulled some of the hair out of her eyes and shouted,' Sam, go away, she doesn't need crowding! '**'
He said in a voice so soft, 'What was that all about then eh? What made you try to do that? You could have seriously hurt yourself.'
'To late Sir, I think I have' she said, half laughing, half choking on fear and exhaustion.
'Come on, the best thing for you is to walk about, get some air.' He said kindly*****. She got up, and he walked her away.
He noticed her arms. He hadn't noticed them before, but they were bruised. Some of them were pretty old, and some of them were only a few days old. It looked at if someone had been trying to bash her, or hold her back. As if they wanted to talk something away from her, something that was to precious to let go. When he was far from the other pupils, he talked to her.
'You all right now?' he asked.
'Yeah' she said. She was too tired to walk any more. Her head was spinning, and she didn't really understand what was going on fully. She shook, and she wanted to sit down.
'What made you do that? You aren't a trained runner, I can tell.'
'Don't know sir.' She knew all right, but to tell anyone would be stupid.
'And that speed. I don't think I've ever known a hobbit reach that speed.'
'Don't know sir.'
'Do you want me to call your mum….'
'NO!' she said. Then she calmed down and said, 'Maybe not. No need to worry her.'
Gimli saw something on a chain around her neck. It was silver, and his dwarfish palms could tell that it was something expensive. He almost reached out for it, when a horrible image came across his mind. A picture of an eye. A flaming red eye, an eye full of the fire of rage and it seemed to be looking for something. It had lost something, the something that could let it come to power again. He stopped.
Oh dear. He recognised the eye. He had seen it over a hundred years ago and at the time seeing it never again would be to soon. This was not good, but hadn't it been destroyed? Oh dammit. Gandalf would know more, but would he want to help? He had let Radagas take over the order, so would Gandalf still be interested in this sort of thing? He would be when he found out.
'Froda?' he said, trying not to scare her.
'Yes?'
'Are you sure you should be wearing that ring?'
Froda looked at it, and it was gone. 'What ring?' she said innocently. She must have been able to make it disappear, or maybe it could disappear itself when it felt the need to.
Gimli should have known better. Froda had obviously picked up some skill that could hide the ring effectively, or she wouldn't have held onto it for so long.
He walked Froda back to the students. He had to talk to Legolas, and about more things than this ring.
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****Bra's are useful in that way. Like a couple of extra pockets, only you really shouldn't show them off in public.
*****This is based on a true story, including myself. The teacher really made me get up and walk around the track to get me to breathe properly. I Promise you I'm not kidding, ask Sai queen, she'll vouch for me. It didn't work. At all.
**It's something my teacher say when one of us gets hurt, ok (Usually during Geography, don't ask me why) and because of their Homophobia.
Well, chapter four and although it doesn't really add to the plot, it kinda is useful, and I can't be bothered to tie up any lose ends in another way. I promise next chapter you'll get some great Legolas and Gimli stuff. I promise!
Please read and review. Like most other writers, I live for reviews
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Froda knew that they didn't want her to be with them. It had been nice at the time, but they found excuses not to talk to her, and now, as usual, she was on her own. If she saw Sam, or Pippin, or whatever-there-names, they avoided her. She had grown used to this, but it never made it any easier. Instead of lunch, she found refuge in the library, and she only had to see them in lessons. This was not good. When you see some-one, and your heart doesn't know weather to pump its hardest or rip itself in half, it really hurts.
Shit. It was P.E next. She hated P.E. It was all cheerleaders and jocks, and people like her got left behind. She kicked her locker open, and grabbed her P.E stuff. Stupid old dwarf. She hoped he would have the sense to ignore her and let her off.
She wasn't like Roland, he was the original jock and everyone loved him. She hoped like hell that they would keep to the arrangement. They didn't talk, or see each other, and they didn't reveal that they were brother and sister. She put her bag in, and felt around her neck. The ring was still on. She wondered if she should take it off, or risk it being confiscated. No, she would leave it on. It was safer on her, than in her locker.
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They sat outside on the running track. Pippin worried about the red dust on her white P.E clothes, but the wind blew gently across the arena. In the middle of the track were the axes and archery targets, which looked very, used. The class sat next to the targets, watching Mr Gimli.
'I want no skiving, no shirking and no attitude problems in my group!' Said Mr Gimli. 'I can bring out the best sport in each of my pupils, and you will do that sport until you are the best you can achieve in a terms space of time. You may not be the best, but one of you from each group will represent our school at the middle earth interschool heats, ok? So, anyone who slacks in my lessons will learn the meaning of ''detention''. I hope that is clear. Now today we will be doing axe, archery, and running practise. Does anyone have a problem with that?'
Estel, Ledron and Thorin high fived as Mr Gimli read out the lesson plan. Froda lurked at the back, wearing a second hand kit, handed down from her brother. She hid the ring further down her bra****. Pippin studied her nails. Mr Gimli rounded on her.
'Girl! What's your name?'
'Err… Pippin sir?' she said looking up.
'Why is your hair not tied back?' He demanded.
'Because I don't have anything to tie it with?' she said. The class laughed raucously.
Mr Gimli did not waste any time. 'I've got a rubber band, just use it to tie back you hair.' He took the band of rubber from his wrist, and gave it to Pippin, who regarded it with distaste.
'Please bring a hair tie to your next lesson Miss Gamgee.' He said with a hint of venom.
'Don't worry Pippin, you can borrow one of mine' said Ledron, handing her a purple hair tie.
'Thanks' she said, tying her hair back. She put the rubber band around her wrist.
'I don't think I've ever seen such a motley group of people!' Barked Mr Gimli. 'YOU!' He shouted at Froda,' You in the back! What's your name?'
'Froda sir. Froda Baggins!' she barked back.
'And what are you planning to do?'
'Fail P.E, you to shout at me and to flunk school.' The class laughed. Mr Gimli pulled a face, and then a look of good-humoured anger came over his face.
'Mr Greenleaf told me about you. Are you the girl who refuses to work with anyone and puts up a fight about everything?' There was an intake of breath. They couldn't wait to hear Froda's response.
'Did Mr Greenleaf tell you last night in bed,' she said sweetly, ' before or after you bummed each other?' The class erupted in laughter.
'Right Miss Baggins, see me after class! We can discuss your attitude problem them!' the class when' Ohh' and 'nice comeback!'
'Who is captain of the running team at the moment?' asked Mr Gimli.
'Me sir' said Estel raising a hand.
'Ah, young man. Who's in the team?'
'Me, Kavamir and Marshal' (Marshal was an elf who was a fast runner.) Kavamir and Marshal waved at Mr Gimli slightly embarrassed. Mr Gimli gave them a look of disbelief, and said, 'So, what are your times?'
'Mine is 12.64 seconds for 100 metres' said Estel.
'Mine is 13 exactly for 100 metres.' Said Kavamir.
'Mine is 14.54 for 100 metres.' Said Marshal sheepishly.
'You're an elf! Aren't you meant to be able to run longer and faster than anyone else?' said Mr Gimli.
'I'm a distance runner. Estel is into sprints and Kavamir is backup.' Explained Marshal.
'The team is so small!' exclaimed Mr Gimli,' I have to do something about it. Does anyone know who is the head of the Axe team?'
'Thorin sir!' shouted a voice at the back. Thorin stood up, and did a few acrobatics with the axe.
'Good work lad! Just a little work on technique, and we could have you best in the country.'
Thorin rolled his eyes. Mr Gimli walked up to him, and held the axe.' Nice balance, good grip, well polished. Is this yours lad?'
'Yep!' said Thorin proudly,' Handed down from my Mum. It had decapitated many an orc in its time. Not an axe to be used down in a mine though sir.'
Mr Gimli weighed it in his hands, and ran his finger down the blade. Then he gave it back to Thorin.' Take good care of it Lad. It's a nice axe. Archery team?'
'Me, sir, Ledron' he said standing up. He brought out his bow, and slipped the arrow in place instantly. Mr Gimli walked around him, examining his stance critically.
'Nice stance, good upper body strength. How good's your aim?' Ledron let the arrow go. It flew into the distance. Mr Gimli tutted and then a faint Plink was heard far off. The arrow headed back, like a speeding bullet. It hit a point in the track, which put it on course, and hit one of the targets, pushing it over. The class cheered at this spectacle.
'Too much showing off' said Mr Gimli critically, 'but a nice shot.' He patted the elf on the shoulder.
'I bet you want to feel his bow!' shouted Ponto.
'Yeah, he can feel your axe any time!' shouted some one else. Ponto's minions started to laugh uncontrollably. A few people tuttered nervously.
Mr Gimli turned around slowly, and shouted,' WHO JUST SAID THAT! I WANT A NAME!'
'Froda Baggins' shouted Ponto, laughing,' although she doesn't interest you!'
'She wouldn't interest me either!' shouted his best mate Leo, 'She's enough to make any man queer.' They burst out laughing again.
Froda could feel herself sinking in the ground. She knew that teachers were to stupid to recognise different voices, and that she would not only be in enough trouble to be excluded, she was already in trouble with Mr Gimli.
'Right young lady, if you want it that way, you can have a detention today after school!' said Mr Gimli, irate. Froda narrowed her eyes and scowled. Bastard! Why was everything her fault? She had asked for it before, but not now. She hadn't said that. She wasn't homophobic, unlike Mr Ponto Chubb. She had taken it too far though. The class got up, sorted into groups. Shit! She hadn't been listening. She walked to the running team on the basis that she knew that she was bad at running, so therefore she would have to do that first.
'Err, Right, ' started Estel,' First heats are like for the hobbits. So if you give me your name's I'll sort you into heats. The top six runners overall after all the heats will be given a place in the running team, ok?'
The group of milling people nodded and agreed. Froda stood at the back of the crowd, waiting for her name to be called out.
Estel looked rather sheepish, standing at the front, reading out the heats. 'Err, heat number one, Ponto, Daisy, Froda and Garadoc, please go to your marks. '
They lined up. Froda realised that no one was looking at her, even her arms. They were longing at Ponto, the favourite to win. He grinned nastily at her, and looked away, as if she wasn't worth talking to.
She looked at the track. Why was she so sure she was going to lose? She had good legs, for a hobbit, she had run at great speed in the past, like all those times Roland had been chasing her. Sometimes not fast enough. He was very fast. But, she reasoned, why shouldn't she be fast, like Roland, it was in her blood. She saw the track. Some red dust danced on the white lines. She could feel the adrenaline seep into her blood.
'See you at the finishing line loser.' Said Ponto,' We'll probably have to wait ages to see your fat arse reach the line.'
'Eat my dust Ponto,' she said winking,' All that is gold, does not glitter.'
'On your marks,' shouted Kavamir. The four competitors automatically lent down. Except Froda, who just wound herself up tighter, which made her lean forward.
'Get set' he shouted. Pause.' GO!' there was a thunder of feet and a click of watches at the finishing line.
Froda ran. She could already feel the wind in her hair and the g forces on her frame. She could honestly say that she had never run like this, except when being chased by Roland. She could feel his breath on her neck, and her screams being choked in her throat. She could almost feel his hands trying to reach around her neck.
She ran faster, lactic acid building up in her legs. She felt the ring. It was safe. She felt another burst of speed and ran. She didn't look back, she always knew better than to do that when Roland was after her.
She could hear Ponto taunt her, but it was an echo, as if of a distant memory. All she could here was Roland, his voice oozing into her ear, poisoning her whole body. She breathed in deeply, and kept running. That was always necessary in these matters. Run, run and never look back.
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Xandra watched astounded at the finishing line. She knew that Froda had something about her, something special, but this was just ridiculous! The track was long, about 200 metres, but no hobbit should have got that far in 3 seconds. The school record for a hobbit was 60 seconds. That was soon to be broken at this rate.
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Merry burst into Axe skills.
'What the?…' started Thorin.
Merry panted. 'I got here as fast As I could, but it looks as if some one is going to beat Ponto!'
The class looked at one another. Then they ran out.
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Marshal burst into Archery.
Ledron was about to fire the arrow, when Marshal shouted, 'Some one is about to beat Ponto! Come quick!' He ran out again.
Ledron put his arrow away, and ran out. The class followed him.
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Estel stood next to Xandra. His mouth was hanging open. 'Oh sweet Valour!' he whispered.
The small, unnoticed body of Froda can hurtling down the track. Estel had loads of experience in running, and he knew that if she kept up at that Speed, she could hurt herself. Or was that the point? He didn't care, but her knew who was keeping her time. It was him. She was halfway around the track, and all of the others had hardly reached a quarter of the way around the track.
Ponto was trying to catch up, but he failed. Not even he was that stupid to try to keep up with her unless it was important. But what worried Estel was the expression on her face. It should have been an expression of determination, or one of triumph, but it was one of fear. Fear so raw that it scared him, just thinking that something that could scare her that much.
He saw Ledron and Thorin arrive. They watched with amazement as she beat her way past them, and then they did something no one ever thought that they would do, except up to 20 seconds ago. They cheered for her.
'GO FROOOOOOOOOODAAAAAAAAA!' shouted Ledron raucously.
'You go girl!' screamed Pippin excitedly.
Thorin jumped up and down in excitement.' FRooooooDAAA!' he screamed, 'Beat that twat Ponto!'
'FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODA FRODAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA' screamed Xandra, jumping up and down, whooping for joy. 'YOU CAN MAKE IT! JUST RUN! RUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!'
Estel joined in. 'FRODA, FRODAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA'
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She ran on faster. She couldn't stop. She could already here the mocking chant of her loss, but if she stopped now, she would let Roland win. Then she tripped over her feet. She felt forward, adding to the amount of scars and bruises as she skidded. She couldn't win now, not after falling over, but some how she was being forced onward…..
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'Estel, , she's fallen over and I don't think she can win!' said Xandra urgently.
The hopes of the class had fallen, but they stayed to see her fail. Just to be certain. Something was wrong, she was being propelled forward, very fast. She looked in excruciating fear, or was it pain? But she skidded along the dust and screaming, half in fear, half in pain, she raised her arm and broke the ribbon.
She had won.
The crowd exploded in cheer. This was new, they had never seen anyone do it before. Many a hobbit had sworn to beat Ponto, but, even by a close hair, had they ever done it. Ledron leap in the air, literally 10 feet, and hollered. Thorin just screamed in delight.
Ponto and the other racers reached the finish line, but no one was bothering to keep their times. Froda, a weird freak, had beaten Ponto, a cool guy who most people wanted to be associated.
Froda, on the ground, rolled over like an obedient dog. She gave out a low moan, and felt the ring about her neck. Using all her strength she pulled her body up on all fours. He elbows felt as if they were on fire. She looked at one of them. There was a little blood amongst scuffmarks. Her throat felt as if it were on fire, breathing was becoming quiet painful as her chest closed up. She couldn't here anyone else, but she could vaguely see Sam running towards her. He head was spinning and she cried, as she couldn't breathe. She tried to get up, but fell down again, like a baby.
When she fell over again, she lay on her face. She got up again on her hands and knees and coughed. She coughed up some phlegm.
Sam skidded to halt, and embraced her. He helped her up. She was shaking like a leaf, and couldn't breathe properly. Sam led her to a bench near by, and sat her down. She was just trying to breathe, she couldn't talk. He hit her gently on the back, trying to get rid of some of the stuff in her throat. She was trembling near tears. Her skin was cold, from sweat and running.
She breathed in slowly, and out again, but she lent forward, and something silver on a chain fell out again. Sam stared at it. Then he realised that Mr Gimli was running over the field, looking angrier than before if that was possible. Estel came over to her.
'Great run!' he grinned.
Xandra followed him. 'Hey Froda, you did great!' she said.
Froda looked up. She breathed in and said hoarsely,' Thanks!'
Ledron and Thorin were totally crazy with joy. They practically sang walking across the field to Froda. Ledron shouted across the field, 'WHO'S THE DADDY NOW FRODA!? YOU!!!!!'
'FRODA, YOU BEAUTY! ' Shouted Thorin.
'What's my time?' asked Froda. Estel looked at his watch. ' About…43.89 seconds for 200 metres.'
'Is that good?' she asked, her throat killing her.
'You did great Froda,' said Xandra.
'You ok Froda?' asked Sam.
'I'll be fine' she said, 'Just don't ask me to do anything strenuous for at least five minutes, like get up.' She lent over and hugged him. He hugged her back.
Then Mr Gimli was in front of her. 'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING!' he shouted at her.
Froda trembled again. Usually she didn't stand for that shit, but she was too tired to protest or think of a comeback. It would be whole lots easier to listen to him have a go at her. She waited, but he didn't say anything. Finally he said, 'Well, I'm waiting…'
She looked up at him with her big blue eyes. Gimli gasped. Although he wasn't into giving preferential treatment to anyone (Except Legolas of course), he couldn't help thinking…. Maybe that was what Legolas was talking about the other night. His heart softened. He pulled some of the hair out of her eyes and shouted,' Sam, go away, she doesn't need crowding! '**'
He said in a voice so soft, 'What was that all about then eh? What made you try to do that? You could have seriously hurt yourself.'
'To late Sir, I think I have' she said, half laughing, half choking on fear and exhaustion.
'Come on, the best thing for you is to walk about, get some air.' He said kindly*****. She got up, and he walked her away.
He noticed her arms. He hadn't noticed them before, but they were bruised. Some of them were pretty old, and some of them were only a few days old. It looked at if someone had been trying to bash her, or hold her back. As if they wanted to talk something away from her, something that was to precious to let go. When he was far from the other pupils, he talked to her.
'You all right now?' he asked.
'Yeah' she said. She was too tired to walk any more. Her head was spinning, and she didn't really understand what was going on fully. She shook, and she wanted to sit down.
'What made you do that? You aren't a trained runner, I can tell.'
'Don't know sir.' She knew all right, but to tell anyone would be stupid.
'And that speed. I don't think I've ever known a hobbit reach that speed.'
'Don't know sir.'
'Do you want me to call your mum….'
'NO!' she said. Then she calmed down and said, 'Maybe not. No need to worry her.'
Gimli saw something on a chain around her neck. It was silver, and his dwarfish palms could tell that it was something expensive. He almost reached out for it, when a horrible image came across his mind. A picture of an eye. A flaming red eye, an eye full of the fire of rage and it seemed to be looking for something. It had lost something, the something that could let it come to power again. He stopped.
Oh dear. He recognised the eye. He had seen it over a hundred years ago and at the time seeing it never again would be to soon. This was not good, but hadn't it been destroyed? Oh dammit. Gandalf would know more, but would he want to help? He had let Radagas take over the order, so would Gandalf still be interested in this sort of thing? He would be when he found out.
'Froda?' he said, trying not to scare her.
'Yes?'
'Are you sure you should be wearing that ring?'
Froda looked at it, and it was gone. 'What ring?' she said innocently. She must have been able to make it disappear, or maybe it could disappear itself when it felt the need to.
Gimli should have known better. Froda had obviously picked up some skill that could hide the ring effectively, or she wouldn't have held onto it for so long.
He walked Froda back to the students. He had to talk to Legolas, and about more things than this ring.
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****Bra's are useful in that way. Like a couple of extra pockets, only you really shouldn't show them off in public.
*****This is based on a true story, including myself. The teacher really made me get up and walk around the track to get me to breathe properly. I Promise you I'm not kidding, ask Sai queen, she'll vouch for me. It didn't work. At all.
**It's something my teacher say when one of us gets hurt, ok (Usually during Geography, don't ask me why) and because of their Homophobia.