Hiya again!
Sorry it's so late. Got grounded. Sucks I know. I couldn't get on the computer for a week. Except for homework... *_- Anyway, let's get on with it.
Reviewers- THANKS!!!
- You're not far off. However, this story was made for my brother and the character is all my own. I couldn't think of a name for her so my brother suggested in using mine. BIG thanks to you for taking the time to review.
Chapter Five-Action
Early the next morning Crystal and Legolas rejoined the group.
Gimli, noticing their smiles, happy expressions, and close proximity, called out. "Where have you two been?"
Crystal grinned as she hopped over to the fire where breakfast was being cooked. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Legolas smiled as he sat down. In a little while breakfast was being eaten.
"We are close to Mordor," Aragorn announced, breaking the silence.
Crystal dropped her empty plate, eyes wide in terror, her breathing quickening.
Legolas was by her side in a flash.
"What's wrong Pixie?" Pippin asked worriedly.
She shook her head, smiling for his benefit. "Nothing. It's okay."
"We had better start moving," Boromir suggested quickly.
"Totally agree." Crystal grabbed her pack and skipped ahead.
The others shook their heads confused and followed after her.
"Tell me what is wrong, Tirielen**?" Legolas asked a few minutes later, trailing with her behind the others.
She stopped. "It's just... I'm so scared." Tears welled in her large eyes. "All the pain you felt last night I left behind a long time ago. Sauron will bring it back up to the surface; and as a human I don't have the strength to fight him." She threw herself into his arms. "I can't go through all that again! I won't be able to survive it."
"If ever you need strength and have none of your own, just call on me," he said comfortably, rubbing her back. "I will gladly give you all of mine."
She smiled and leaned forward. "I might take you up on that."
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The journey was harsh. The weather was constantly changing, but with Crystal there no one took much notice. As they approached ever closer to their destination their fear that they would be attacked grew.
One night they camped under few closely gathered trees, whose branches acted like a roof, watching the rain fall and the lightning flash. Leaning on Legolas' shoulder, Crystal jumped when the thunder roared.
"Whoa. That was a good one." She nodded her head absentmindedly. "You all should see the storms Icy, Lett, and Windy can call up. Now that's freaky." She continued to look blankly ahead. "Know what? I don't want this right now."
"Planning on calming the storm Pixie?" Gimli grinned.
"Not by magic. Just a song kids from my world would sing." She shrugged. "Got nothin' better to do. Might as well."
Still under the protective branches of the trees she spread her arms and tilted her head back slightly. "Rain, rain go away. Come again another day."
The rain soon slowed, then stopped, and the moonlight forced it's way through the clouds.
"Aha! It worked! It worked! It worked!" she chanted happily, leaping over scattered objects and legs.
Legolas' face lost it's amusement as he jumped up from his seat.
Crystal froze as a black arrow suddenly embedded itself in a tree uncomfortably close to her head. She turned her wide eyed stare to the vexed faces of the Fellowship. She looked back to the arrow. "This can't be good."
Loud screeching was then heard.
"Ah hell," Crystal sighed dejectedly. "I know that smell." She watched as Frodo lunged to grab the blue glowing Sting. "It's party time." She bent and pulled two delicately carved daggers with jeweled handles from her boots and twirled them skillfully while backing into a fighting stance.
Orcs soon came running into the camp. Metal clashed and grunts were heard. Legolas fired arrow after arrow trying to keep as many as he could at bay. From the corner of his eye he watched astonished as Crystal weaved gracefully through her foes; slicing and stabbing as she went.
"This is so disgusting!" she shouted, killing yet another orc. "I wanna know who's gonna wash my clothes?!"
She flipped over a couple orc heads, avoiding their deadly blades. Within a few minutes the present enemy's were dead.
"Whew." Crystal wiped the gathered sweat from her brow. "That was fun." The surrounding warriors turned their gaze to her. "What? What'd I say?"
Legolas' head shot back to the forest. "It is not yet over."
"Uruk-hai," a voice whispered on the breeze.
Crystal smiled fondly. "Windy."
"Who Pixie?" Pippin questioned.
"Chi Chi. She's giving a warning." She looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "Uruk-hai. They must be the things Saruman's creating."
A growl brought their attention to a large revolting black being.
"Eww. Nasty. They smell worse than the others."
It snarled as others rushed past it.
"Damn." Crystal raised her daggers just in time to deflect a blow meant to slice her in half.
The Fellowship's strength was diminishing yet the uruk-hai were still strong.
"We must retreat!" Aragorn shouted while chopping off an enemy head.
"There ain't no damn way in hell you're gettin' me to run!" Crystal objected, dodging a swinging blade to her abdomen.
Legolas gently grabbed her elbow. "We must for now," he whispered, using his eyes to convince her to go.
"Fine," she agreed reluctantly, then she flipped backwards as she dodged yet another arrow aimed for her head.
"Hurry, Pixie!" Gimli yelled, managing to kill a black creature.
"We can't run from them!" Sam reminded, ducking behind a tree.
"Then we'll need a diversion," Crystal murmured to herself, taking hold of her pack. "Everyone gather 'round me and hold on to each other."
She pulled out a small glittering blue bag as they ran to her side and took hold of each other's arms. She poured the shimmering snow like contents into her palm and threw the powder high above their heads. The blue/white dust fell slowly down to the forest floor and as it did it turned into a heavy fog.
"Now we can run," Merry said needlessly.
Blindly they reached for their belongings and took off in a dead run.
"How long will the fog last?" Pippin panted, now that they were out of the thick mist.
"Only a few minutes."
"That's not enough time to completely escape from them," Frodo said worriedly.
"Yeah," Crystal agreed. "But it does give us some time."
"Look!" Legolas pointed ahead and they ran forward.
"It must be a hunter's cabin," Boromir concluded.
"Then we will use it to our advantage."
The others followed Aragorn's example and went with him into the small shack. As soon as they were in Pippin bolted the door.
"I don't think that'll hold 'em Pip." Merry commented.
The hobbit shrugged.
"All right now," Crystal began taking command. "Frodo, Sam, you take the right window. Merry, Pippin, take the other one.
Stab anything that comes through. The rest of you, help me make a barricade."
The elf, dwarf, two men and the Guardian placed everything they could, tables, furniture and stuff, in front of the door. As soon as it was done they stopped to catch their breath.
"This could be it," Sam stated slowly, sitting on the floor in a circle with the Fellowship.
Crystal looked up sharply. "It's only over when the fat lady sings." Her face scrunched up in thought. "Or was it the skinny lady."
She was jolted out of her daze by a loud growling. The halflings took their posts at the windows and the others braced themselves against the barricade. Any greasy hand that entered the windows were hacked off and soon there was a large pile of limbs and dark blood. The taller warriors were jerked forward as the uruk-hai continually pounded against the door.
"You can keep on knockin' but you can't come in," Crystal sang loudly, ignoring the looks she received as her body was pushed.
This lasted for several more minutes. Until...
"We can't hold them any longer," Legolas said as he was shoved forward.
They had broke through.
"Leo!"
In her panic she didn't notice the creature come up behind her until it's hand descended upon her cheek. All went black.
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When she awoke she found herself shoved into a small closet. She stumbled out and gasped at what she saw. There was dead uruk-hai everywhere, and blood. So much blood. She focused her attention to the sounds around her. Nothing; absolutely nothing. No sounds of battle, not even the chirping of birds. Only her own ragged breathing. Trying to overlook the growing dread filling her heart she raced out, bounding over bodies. She came to a glen not far off.
"No," she moaned, falling to her knees. Scattered were the fallen figures of the Fellowship. Blood was flowing from their bodies, their bones bent in almost impossible angles. She shouted her pain to the morning sky and squeezed her eyes shut in agony. Her tears pouring down her flushed cheeks. "No... Please, God, no. Not again." She crawled to each body, mindless of the blood, and one by one rocked them back and forth for what seemed like hours. "Not again." When she finally held Legolas' lifeless form in her arms she sang. The melody exquisite yet full of anguish.
"Soon you'll know
What life is all about
Living is the key
To immortality
Someday you'll be
A Guardian like me
One day you will see
The true strength of we
So don't you fret
Never is there a threat
We'll still have our fun
Keep the power of one
Listen to me
Our love can fly so free
And when we're apart
There's a pain in my heart
Now I am filled
Our love and joy unreal
I know that it's true
I've sensed it over and through
So don't you fret
Never is there a threat
We'll still have our fun
Keep the power of one
We have this bond
It'll stay forever strong
Every day and night
We'll fight the endless fight"
Her cries intensified.
It hurt so much. It was like her essence was being ripped from her body. Her head splitting. Her heart shattering. Why did this happen?! Once again it was her fault! Once again she did nothing as loved ones were killed! If only she hadn't been so pig-headed! If only she hadn't turned herself into a human! If only she had found the courage to destroy the One Ring in the beginning, damning the consequences of her interference! Surely nothing could be worse than this. If only she wasn't so selfish! So many if onlys. She finally found someone in which she could share her inner soul. And he was stolen from her grasp. So much effort in opening up, for nothing. That hole in her heart opened and grew until the emptiness and ache was all that remained.
For these brief agonizing moments she forgot who she was and what she could do. She forgot she had the power over life and death. She forgot that she could make things right in the end. In times like these she always forgot these important facts and wholly wrapped herself in her misery.
She ignored the growling of the uruk-hai as they surrounded her. She just kept rocking and humming. Then, as one bent to retrieve the Ring from Frodo's neck, she tackled it with a vicious snarl to match their own. How dare they come close to those she held dear and had already killed!
Stealing a blade from a shocked uruk-hai she proceeded to kill, not caring that she was badly out numbered and mortal. All that mattered were that these things caused the pain. Her energy was rabidly deserting her, for she had lost much weeping. Soon two had managed to grab both her arms and two others, her legs. She struggled with what little power she had left. Before long she stopped and quieted in her screams and curses. Then started up again with past vigor as the 'boss' appeared with the Ring.
He came towards her smirking cruelly. Her eyes widened in dismay when she understood what he was going to do.
Grabbing her right fist he forced it open. He then placed the One Ring on her middle finger; in the place were the Gemmed Ring would rest if she were not human.
"NO!" she screamed in terror. The creatures dropped her and stepped back to watch, laughing maliciously.
Pain. Sorrow. Loss. Loneliness. Torture. Wounded pride. Guilt. Emptiness. Distress.
She clutched one hand to her head and one to her heart.
"NO! It wasn't my fault! I had no choice! It had to be! It was the only way!"
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An all consuming pain entered their hearts and souls and they ran into the woods. They met up with each other at the Pond of Visions.
"What the hell is going on?!" Wufei shouted, his breathing uneven.
"Something must have happened to Clear," Amy concluded.
"Like what?" Serena asked in worry.
They circled the pond and looked in.
Crystal lay, rocking Legolas' motionless form.
In a flash they were in the glen.
They stood crying with her, feeling at least a small measure of her pain. They didn't show themselves in order to comfort her. Is this what it felt like? Watching someone you love in agony and knowing you could lessen it, but dared not? During their own past lives, did Clear feel like this? Completely helpless? It was not a feeling they cherished. Their eyes widened in growing panic was Clear was held still as Sauron's Ring was placed on her finger.
They watched in horror as she was dumped and screamed in torment.
"NO! It wasn't my fault! I had no choice! It had to be! It was the only way!"
"Oh, hell no!" Bulma shouted taking a step forward, Mina restraining her.
"We can't," Trista said calmly, despite her wants shining brightly in her water filled burgundy eyes.
A few moments later, though it seemed much longer, Serena gave a shout.
"I can't take it anymore!"
"You're right," Darien agreed. "It's too much."
One last look at the screaming Guardian their resolve to not interfere broke. They turned to each other and nodded their heads solemnly in settlement.
They moved into a loose circle and held out their right hands, fingers spread pointing to the sky and palm aimed in the center. They closed their eyes and glowed their respective colors. In a flash of multicolored light the Gemmed Ring
appeared, spinning slowly.
Trowa walked up and took the ring, then proceeded to approach Clear.
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The uruk-hai looked around startled as an unseen force shoved one of their number away from the sobbing woman. The Master Ring moved from her finger and settled in Frodo's palm. It was replaced by a sparkling silver ring with a precious stone set in the middle that glowed warmly.
Crystal's eyes snapped open and her clothes changed. Her elven outfit was replaced by flared white jeans, low on her hips, a white tank top with a lavender over shirt and lavender boots.
The 'boss' stepped up and aimed an arrow at her chest. It bounced off harmlessly and landed with a soft 'thud'.
Crystal laughed. "You are *so* gonna die." In a flare of light the uruk-hai disappeared. Nothing of them remained, not even scorches in the grass. She walked to the spot where her Guardians had once stood, just moments before.
"Thank you."
Her clothes reverted back to her elven wardrobe and she moved towards the lifeless warriors. Ignoring their bloodied and torn bodies she gently flicked their noses. As soon as she did blood vanished, wounds healed, and bones and clothing mended. She stepped back to take a look at her work and nodded in satisfaction.
"Wake up and pee the world's on fire!"
Legolas was the first to spring to his feet. He looked around and saw Crystal smiling dazzlingly. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. The last couple things he remembered were placing his new mate in a closet to keep her from harm and leading the uruk-hai away from the cabin with the others, were they....
His head shot up and in a hurried glace to took in those around him. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw everyone was fine. He frowned. In fact too fine. No signs that they had ever been in battle. No bruises, bumps, or even scratches for that matter. He turned his confused gaze to Crystal, which he noticed the others did as well. She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively.
"What's done is done and in the past. No point in lookin' back."
Without another word she grabbed her pack and walked on. The Fellowship turned to each other. It would seem that she had no longing in retelling recent events. Deciding it would be better if left alone they followed.
Not even an hour later they encountered a white hooded figure.
"Saruman," Gimli hissed as he raised his ax.
"Chill," Crystal said simply placing her hand lightly on his.
The figure removed the hood. Gandalf smiled and the other males gasped.
"Well, I guess this means I can't call you Grey Beard anymore, huh?" Crystal mused, noticing his straight white hair and beard.
"Hello my friends," Gandalf said warmly.
"Gandalf!" Frodo shook off his shock and ran to embrace the old wizard.
"How?" Aragorn approached slowly, cautiously.
"Really Airs. So little faith in me? I told ya he would pop back up."
"Truthfully, I'm not exactly sure how it happened," he confessed. "I remember falling. Then it seemed as if time itself had stopped all around me."
"That was Trist."
"Another of your Guardians I presume."
"Trista is the Princess of Pluto and the Guardian of the Gates of Time," Merry said helpfully.
"I guess that makes her the Senshi of Time."
Crystal looked down on Merry and Pippin, happy pride shining from her eyes. "You remembered. Very good."
The two hobbits flushed under her praise.
"Next," the new white wizard continued, "I found myself in Lothlorien. I was told the Guardian had joined the Fellowship and had left with them a month before my arrival, so I decided to follow." He turned to Crystal. "I thank you for all that you and yours have bestowed upon us."
Crystal was about to deny, saying she did nothing, but decided against it. Instead she nodded her head.
'The old guy's just too stubborn," she thought with some amusement.
"How did you manage to catch up with us?" Gimli questioned. "Or, better yet, find us?"
"By the most peculiar mode of transportation. A silver stallion appeared in a clearing before my eyes and would not let me pass until I was upon his back."
"A silver stallion," Legolas mused.
"Yes," Gandalf nodded. "A stunning sight. Curiously, he had no saddle nor reins. I was forced to hold onto his mane as he brought me here faster than the wind itself."
"How did he know where we were?" Sam inquired.
"I do not know, Samwise Gamgee. I do not know."
"I'll bet she does," Boromir stated, noticing Crystal's secretive smile.
"Who me?" She sat up and blinked innocently. Seeing that they wanted answers she dropped the act. "In fact, I do. The silver stallion's mine. His name's Thara. He knew that I wanted you here so brought you too me. It's really quite simple."
In the silent moments that followed Legolas caught a glimpse of the silver ring upon her finger.
"Melamin, when did this appear?" He held up her hand for all to see.
"Hey! I survived as a human for over a month! I've proved myself!"
As the Fellowship processed this information, Aragorn and Gandalf did a double take. Did Legolas call her "Melamin" "my love?" They turned to face each other, then the two across from them, and surmised it was true. They were gazing lovingly upon each other. They nodded their heads in unison, happy for the new couple. The elf prince had done what all others could not.
"What are we going to do about the Ring?" Frodo asked.
Crystal's face hardened as she picked up the gold object. "We're going to destroy it. Now. To hell with the consequences!" Her eyes flashed briefly as she stood. With a snap of her fingers they found themselves in front of looming doors in Mordor. "Frodo come with me. Gandalf, Saruman's here. Find him. Everyone else, free any prisoners." She walked stiffly up the large black doors. The happy cheerfulness gone from her eyes, replaced by serious determination. "It ends now," she said softly.
Only Legolas heard her words. He shivered lightly at the chills her deadly said promise evoked. It was a voice he had never before heard from her and prayed he never had to again.
She shoved the doors open with little, if any, effort.
"Hey Sour-boy! I'm here! Ah, look you sent the welcoming committee," she said sarcastically. "How sweet. I fell oh, so special now."
The others watched unmoving as she swung her arm and the rushing rocs were thrown against a nearby wall. They didn't get up.
"C'mon." Crystal started marching swiftly down a shadowy corridor, the torches lining the hall creating an eerie glow.
Frodo looked at those around him, nodded and took off after her.
"What are we doing here Pixie? I thought the Ring could only be destroyed in Mount Doom." He jogged to keep up with her fast paced strides.
"Only a certain part of the volcano's lava will destroy the Ring. Sauron just happens to keep it in his throne room."
"We're going face to face with Sauron?!"
"Don't worry. He can't to anything," she consoled smugly.
"All right."
"We're here."
She shoved open another set of doors and stepped inside. Frodo had to shield his eyes to keep from going blind from the light of Sauron's monstrous lidless eye.
"You!" a deep, unnerving, though slightly scared, voice roared.
"Yes me." Crystal narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Did you honestly think you could get away with that little stunt you pulled?" She took a step forward. "Creatures like you caused my Guardians pain. Make no mistake you will all pay. One by one."
Sauron bellowed in fury and his eye swelled in power. Crystal yawned rudely, covering her open mouth with her hand. She turned to the semi cowering halfling.
"You see that big pot next to the throne?" she asked, pointing to the mentioned object.
Frodo gulped and nodded weakly. "I have to put the ring in there?"
"Join in Frodo Baggins of the Shire," the voice invited in a sickly sweet tone. "Give me my Ring and you shall have all your heart desires."
Frodo stood his ground. "Empty promises, Sauron! I have all my hearts desires!" He started to walk steadily towards the eye above the throne.
"Take one more step and you shall know the true meaning of hell!"
Dozens of orcs burst into the room, intent on killing the ring bearer. However, they were held back by an invisible force field. The orcs were ignored as they beat against the unseen wall.
"This is for all those you hurt!" Crystal shouted, standing directly behind Frodo, watching as the One Ring met it's end in the magical liquid fire.
Sauron screamed in rage and agony and the eye wreathed in flame exploded. The shock wave washed over all of Middle-Earth taking with it all the orcs and uruk-hai. Frodo nearly fainted as the energy passed harmlessly through him. In a few minutes the wave dissipated and the caldron of lava disappeared.
"That's it."
Frodo sighed in relief.
Crystal walked over to him and encircled her arms around his small body in consolation as he began to cry. The weight of the world finally off his slight shoulders. "Why don't we go meet up with the others." Frodo nodded sniffling and as a mother would to a small unsure child, she took him by the hand and lead him through the place where nightmare had once resided.
"Tirielen!**"
Crystal spun around, just outside the black palace doors, as Legolas called weakly out to her. He was limping as he slowly made his way to her, smiling happily despite his obvious pain. She peeked around him to see all the others as well. She sighed in relief and returned the elf's cheerful smile, then frowned slightly as she looked them over. "You all look like you've been through hell," she commented, sitting down on the hard, dark ground.
Eyebrows raised as they, quite literally, flopped down beside her.
"Saruman?" Frodo asked in a few moments.
"Is dead," Gandalf replied gravely.
Crystal yawned noisily as she leaned into Legolas' arms. "I think we could all use some sleep."
She snapped her fingers and in an instant everyone was sparkling clean. Their wounds and clothes once again mended. All were tired, so they didn't make such a big deal out of it as they would have.
"Sleep's a good thing," Pippin said as he promptly fell asleep next to the snoozing Merry.
Boromir was already asleep and Gimli was snoring loudly.
"Yes," Gandalf agreed, yawning as well. "It has been a long tiring day."
Aragorn leaned against a nearby boulder which suddenly seemed highly comfortable. "Perhaps we could make do with a few hours," he whispered tiredly.
Legolas smiled down at the sleeping woman in his arms. He leaned down and whispered into her hair, "Lle naa uanima tar ilya eile."^ He laid down on the soft mass that had grown beneath them and brought her down with him, then kissed her lightly on her forehead. She yawned again as she nuzzled her head in the crook of his neck and thick blankets appeared and settled over them all. Legolas smiled and gave a contented sigh as he closed his eyes in blissful sleep, his arms tightening slightly over the one in his arms.
The moon herself seemed to smile down at them as she shed a soft light over the sleeping figures of the Fellowship of the Ring and the Guardian of the Gem.
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How 'bout it? Was it good? REVIEW and tell me.
I know it's kinds anti-climatic, but I'm just no good at action. Oh, well.
Tirielen** means bright star. I tired to find something like guiding star or leading light, but the dictionary didn't have the elvish words for guide or lead. Sucks.
The elvish phrase with a ^ at the end means "You are beautiful beyond all else."
For anyone whose wondering I got the epilogue left to write.
See ya there!!
Sorry it's so late. Got grounded. Sucks I know. I couldn't get on the computer for a week. Except for homework... *_- Anyway, let's get on with it.
Reviewers- THANKS!!!
- You're not far off. However, this story was made for my brother and the character is all my own. I couldn't think of a name for her so my brother suggested in using mine. BIG thanks to you for taking the time to review.
Chapter Five-Action
Early the next morning Crystal and Legolas rejoined the group.
Gimli, noticing their smiles, happy expressions, and close proximity, called out. "Where have you two been?"
Crystal grinned as she hopped over to the fire where breakfast was being cooked. "Wouldn't you like to know."
Legolas smiled as he sat down. In a little while breakfast was being eaten.
"We are close to Mordor," Aragorn announced, breaking the silence.
Crystal dropped her empty plate, eyes wide in terror, her breathing quickening.
Legolas was by her side in a flash.
"What's wrong Pixie?" Pippin asked worriedly.
She shook her head, smiling for his benefit. "Nothing. It's okay."
"We had better start moving," Boromir suggested quickly.
"Totally agree." Crystal grabbed her pack and skipped ahead.
The others shook their heads confused and followed after her.
"Tell me what is wrong, Tirielen**?" Legolas asked a few minutes later, trailing with her behind the others.
She stopped. "It's just... I'm so scared." Tears welled in her large eyes. "All the pain you felt last night I left behind a long time ago. Sauron will bring it back up to the surface; and as a human I don't have the strength to fight him." She threw herself into his arms. "I can't go through all that again! I won't be able to survive it."
"If ever you need strength and have none of your own, just call on me," he said comfortably, rubbing her back. "I will gladly give you all of mine."
She smiled and leaned forward. "I might take you up on that."
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The journey was harsh. The weather was constantly changing, but with Crystal there no one took much notice. As they approached ever closer to their destination their fear that they would be attacked grew.
One night they camped under few closely gathered trees, whose branches acted like a roof, watching the rain fall and the lightning flash. Leaning on Legolas' shoulder, Crystal jumped when the thunder roared.
"Whoa. That was a good one." She nodded her head absentmindedly. "You all should see the storms Icy, Lett, and Windy can call up. Now that's freaky." She continued to look blankly ahead. "Know what? I don't want this right now."
"Planning on calming the storm Pixie?" Gimli grinned.
"Not by magic. Just a song kids from my world would sing." She shrugged. "Got nothin' better to do. Might as well."
Still under the protective branches of the trees she spread her arms and tilted her head back slightly. "Rain, rain go away. Come again another day."
The rain soon slowed, then stopped, and the moonlight forced it's way through the clouds.
"Aha! It worked! It worked! It worked!" she chanted happily, leaping over scattered objects and legs.
Legolas' face lost it's amusement as he jumped up from his seat.
Crystal froze as a black arrow suddenly embedded itself in a tree uncomfortably close to her head. She turned her wide eyed stare to the vexed faces of the Fellowship. She looked back to the arrow. "This can't be good."
Loud screeching was then heard.
"Ah hell," Crystal sighed dejectedly. "I know that smell." She watched as Frodo lunged to grab the blue glowing Sting. "It's party time." She bent and pulled two delicately carved daggers with jeweled handles from her boots and twirled them skillfully while backing into a fighting stance.
Orcs soon came running into the camp. Metal clashed and grunts were heard. Legolas fired arrow after arrow trying to keep as many as he could at bay. From the corner of his eye he watched astonished as Crystal weaved gracefully through her foes; slicing and stabbing as she went.
"This is so disgusting!" she shouted, killing yet another orc. "I wanna know who's gonna wash my clothes?!"
She flipped over a couple orc heads, avoiding their deadly blades. Within a few minutes the present enemy's were dead.
"Whew." Crystal wiped the gathered sweat from her brow. "That was fun." The surrounding warriors turned their gaze to her. "What? What'd I say?"
Legolas' head shot back to the forest. "It is not yet over."
"Uruk-hai," a voice whispered on the breeze.
Crystal smiled fondly. "Windy."
"Who Pixie?" Pippin questioned.
"Chi Chi. She's giving a warning." She looked thoughtful for a few seconds. "Uruk-hai. They must be the things Saruman's creating."
A growl brought their attention to a large revolting black being.
"Eww. Nasty. They smell worse than the others."
It snarled as others rushed past it.
"Damn." Crystal raised her daggers just in time to deflect a blow meant to slice her in half.
The Fellowship's strength was diminishing yet the uruk-hai were still strong.
"We must retreat!" Aragorn shouted while chopping off an enemy head.
"There ain't no damn way in hell you're gettin' me to run!" Crystal objected, dodging a swinging blade to her abdomen.
Legolas gently grabbed her elbow. "We must for now," he whispered, using his eyes to convince her to go.
"Fine," she agreed reluctantly, then she flipped backwards as she dodged yet another arrow aimed for her head.
"Hurry, Pixie!" Gimli yelled, managing to kill a black creature.
"We can't run from them!" Sam reminded, ducking behind a tree.
"Then we'll need a diversion," Crystal murmured to herself, taking hold of her pack. "Everyone gather 'round me and hold on to each other."
She pulled out a small glittering blue bag as they ran to her side and took hold of each other's arms. She poured the shimmering snow like contents into her palm and threw the powder high above their heads. The blue/white dust fell slowly down to the forest floor and as it did it turned into a heavy fog.
"Now we can run," Merry said needlessly.
Blindly they reached for their belongings and took off in a dead run.
"How long will the fog last?" Pippin panted, now that they were out of the thick mist.
"Only a few minutes."
"That's not enough time to completely escape from them," Frodo said worriedly.
"Yeah," Crystal agreed. "But it does give us some time."
"Look!" Legolas pointed ahead and they ran forward.
"It must be a hunter's cabin," Boromir concluded.
"Then we will use it to our advantage."
The others followed Aragorn's example and went with him into the small shack. As soon as they were in Pippin bolted the door.
"I don't think that'll hold 'em Pip." Merry commented.
The hobbit shrugged.
"All right now," Crystal began taking command. "Frodo, Sam, you take the right window. Merry, Pippin, take the other one.
Stab anything that comes through. The rest of you, help me make a barricade."
The elf, dwarf, two men and the Guardian placed everything they could, tables, furniture and stuff, in front of the door. As soon as it was done they stopped to catch their breath.
"This could be it," Sam stated slowly, sitting on the floor in a circle with the Fellowship.
Crystal looked up sharply. "It's only over when the fat lady sings." Her face scrunched up in thought. "Or was it the skinny lady."
She was jolted out of her daze by a loud growling. The halflings took their posts at the windows and the others braced themselves against the barricade. Any greasy hand that entered the windows were hacked off and soon there was a large pile of limbs and dark blood. The taller warriors were jerked forward as the uruk-hai continually pounded against the door.
"You can keep on knockin' but you can't come in," Crystal sang loudly, ignoring the looks she received as her body was pushed.
This lasted for several more minutes. Until...
"We can't hold them any longer," Legolas said as he was shoved forward.
They had broke through.
"Leo!"
In her panic she didn't notice the creature come up behind her until it's hand descended upon her cheek. All went black.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
When she awoke she found herself shoved into a small closet. She stumbled out and gasped at what she saw. There was dead uruk-hai everywhere, and blood. So much blood. She focused her attention to the sounds around her. Nothing; absolutely nothing. No sounds of battle, not even the chirping of birds. Only her own ragged breathing. Trying to overlook the growing dread filling her heart she raced out, bounding over bodies. She came to a glen not far off.
"No," she moaned, falling to her knees. Scattered were the fallen figures of the Fellowship. Blood was flowing from their bodies, their bones bent in almost impossible angles. She shouted her pain to the morning sky and squeezed her eyes shut in agony. Her tears pouring down her flushed cheeks. "No... Please, God, no. Not again." She crawled to each body, mindless of the blood, and one by one rocked them back and forth for what seemed like hours. "Not again." When she finally held Legolas' lifeless form in her arms she sang. The melody exquisite yet full of anguish.
"Soon you'll know
What life is all about
Living is the key
To immortality
Someday you'll be
A Guardian like me
One day you will see
The true strength of we
So don't you fret
Never is there a threat
We'll still have our fun
Keep the power of one
Listen to me
Our love can fly so free
And when we're apart
There's a pain in my heart
Now I am filled
Our love and joy unreal
I know that it's true
I've sensed it over and through
So don't you fret
Never is there a threat
We'll still have our fun
Keep the power of one
We have this bond
It'll stay forever strong
Every day and night
We'll fight the endless fight"
Her cries intensified.
It hurt so much. It was like her essence was being ripped from her body. Her head splitting. Her heart shattering. Why did this happen?! Once again it was her fault! Once again she did nothing as loved ones were killed! If only she hadn't been so pig-headed! If only she hadn't turned herself into a human! If only she had found the courage to destroy the One Ring in the beginning, damning the consequences of her interference! Surely nothing could be worse than this. If only she wasn't so selfish! So many if onlys. She finally found someone in which she could share her inner soul. And he was stolen from her grasp. So much effort in opening up, for nothing. That hole in her heart opened and grew until the emptiness and ache was all that remained.
For these brief agonizing moments she forgot who she was and what she could do. She forgot she had the power over life and death. She forgot that she could make things right in the end. In times like these she always forgot these important facts and wholly wrapped herself in her misery.
She ignored the growling of the uruk-hai as they surrounded her. She just kept rocking and humming. Then, as one bent to retrieve the Ring from Frodo's neck, she tackled it with a vicious snarl to match their own. How dare they come close to those she held dear and had already killed!
Stealing a blade from a shocked uruk-hai she proceeded to kill, not caring that she was badly out numbered and mortal. All that mattered were that these things caused the pain. Her energy was rabidly deserting her, for she had lost much weeping. Soon two had managed to grab both her arms and two others, her legs. She struggled with what little power she had left. Before long she stopped and quieted in her screams and curses. Then started up again with past vigor as the 'boss' appeared with the Ring.
He came towards her smirking cruelly. Her eyes widened in dismay when she understood what he was going to do.
Grabbing her right fist he forced it open. He then placed the One Ring on her middle finger; in the place were the Gemmed Ring would rest if she were not human.
"NO!" she screamed in terror. The creatures dropped her and stepped back to watch, laughing maliciously.
Pain. Sorrow. Loss. Loneliness. Torture. Wounded pride. Guilt. Emptiness. Distress.
She clutched one hand to her head and one to her heart.
"NO! It wasn't my fault! I had no choice! It had to be! It was the only way!"
*****************************************************************************************************************************
An all consuming pain entered their hearts and souls and they ran into the woods. They met up with each other at the Pond of Visions.
"What the hell is going on?!" Wufei shouted, his breathing uneven.
"Something must have happened to Clear," Amy concluded.
"Like what?" Serena asked in worry.
They circled the pond and looked in.
Crystal lay, rocking Legolas' motionless form.
In a flash they were in the glen.
They stood crying with her, feeling at least a small measure of her pain. They didn't show themselves in order to comfort her. Is this what it felt like? Watching someone you love in agony and knowing you could lessen it, but dared not? During their own past lives, did Clear feel like this? Completely helpless? It was not a feeling they cherished. Their eyes widened in growing panic was Clear was held still as Sauron's Ring was placed on her finger.
They watched in horror as she was dumped and screamed in torment.
"NO! It wasn't my fault! I had no choice! It had to be! It was the only way!"
"Oh, hell no!" Bulma shouted taking a step forward, Mina restraining her.
"We can't," Trista said calmly, despite her wants shining brightly in her water filled burgundy eyes.
A few moments later, though it seemed much longer, Serena gave a shout.
"I can't take it anymore!"
"You're right," Darien agreed. "It's too much."
One last look at the screaming Guardian their resolve to not interfere broke. They turned to each other and nodded their heads solemnly in settlement.
They moved into a loose circle and held out their right hands, fingers spread pointing to the sky and palm aimed in the center. They closed their eyes and glowed their respective colors. In a flash of multicolored light the Gemmed Ring
appeared, spinning slowly.
Trowa walked up and took the ring, then proceeded to approach Clear.
*****************************************************************************************************************************
The uruk-hai looked around startled as an unseen force shoved one of their number away from the sobbing woman. The Master Ring moved from her finger and settled in Frodo's palm. It was replaced by a sparkling silver ring with a precious stone set in the middle that glowed warmly.
Crystal's eyes snapped open and her clothes changed. Her elven outfit was replaced by flared white jeans, low on her hips, a white tank top with a lavender over shirt and lavender boots.
The 'boss' stepped up and aimed an arrow at her chest. It bounced off harmlessly and landed with a soft 'thud'.
Crystal laughed. "You are *so* gonna die." In a flare of light the uruk-hai disappeared. Nothing of them remained, not even scorches in the grass. She walked to the spot where her Guardians had once stood, just moments before.
"Thank you."
Her clothes reverted back to her elven wardrobe and she moved towards the lifeless warriors. Ignoring their bloodied and torn bodies she gently flicked their noses. As soon as she did blood vanished, wounds healed, and bones and clothing mended. She stepped back to take a look at her work and nodded in satisfaction.
"Wake up and pee the world's on fire!"
Legolas was the first to spring to his feet. He looked around and saw Crystal smiling dazzlingly. He shook his head to clear his thoughts. The last couple things he remembered were placing his new mate in a closet to keep her from harm and leading the uruk-hai away from the cabin with the others, were they....
His head shot up and in a hurried glace to took in those around him. He let out a sigh of relief when he saw everyone was fine. He frowned. In fact too fine. No signs that they had ever been in battle. No bruises, bumps, or even scratches for that matter. He turned his confused gaze to Crystal, which he noticed the others did as well. She shook her head and waved her hand dismissively.
"What's done is done and in the past. No point in lookin' back."
Without another word she grabbed her pack and walked on. The Fellowship turned to each other. It would seem that she had no longing in retelling recent events. Deciding it would be better if left alone they followed.
Not even an hour later they encountered a white hooded figure.
"Saruman," Gimli hissed as he raised his ax.
"Chill," Crystal said simply placing her hand lightly on his.
The figure removed the hood. Gandalf smiled and the other males gasped.
"Well, I guess this means I can't call you Grey Beard anymore, huh?" Crystal mused, noticing his straight white hair and beard.
"Hello my friends," Gandalf said warmly.
"Gandalf!" Frodo shook off his shock and ran to embrace the old wizard.
"How?" Aragorn approached slowly, cautiously.
"Really Airs. So little faith in me? I told ya he would pop back up."
"Truthfully, I'm not exactly sure how it happened," he confessed. "I remember falling. Then it seemed as if time itself had stopped all around me."
"That was Trist."
"Another of your Guardians I presume."
"Trista is the Princess of Pluto and the Guardian of the Gates of Time," Merry said helpfully.
"I guess that makes her the Senshi of Time."
Crystal looked down on Merry and Pippin, happy pride shining from her eyes. "You remembered. Very good."
The two hobbits flushed under her praise.
"Next," the new white wizard continued, "I found myself in Lothlorien. I was told the Guardian had joined the Fellowship and had left with them a month before my arrival, so I decided to follow." He turned to Crystal. "I thank you for all that you and yours have bestowed upon us."
Crystal was about to deny, saying she did nothing, but decided against it. Instead she nodded her head.
'The old guy's just too stubborn," she thought with some amusement.
"How did you manage to catch up with us?" Gimli questioned. "Or, better yet, find us?"
"By the most peculiar mode of transportation. A silver stallion appeared in a clearing before my eyes and would not let me pass until I was upon his back."
"A silver stallion," Legolas mused.
"Yes," Gandalf nodded. "A stunning sight. Curiously, he had no saddle nor reins. I was forced to hold onto his mane as he brought me here faster than the wind itself."
"How did he know where we were?" Sam inquired.
"I do not know, Samwise Gamgee. I do not know."
"I'll bet she does," Boromir stated, noticing Crystal's secretive smile.
"Who me?" She sat up and blinked innocently. Seeing that they wanted answers she dropped the act. "In fact, I do. The silver stallion's mine. His name's Thara. He knew that I wanted you here so brought you too me. It's really quite simple."
In the silent moments that followed Legolas caught a glimpse of the silver ring upon her finger.
"Melamin, when did this appear?" He held up her hand for all to see.
"Hey! I survived as a human for over a month! I've proved myself!"
As the Fellowship processed this information, Aragorn and Gandalf did a double take. Did Legolas call her "Melamin" "my love?" They turned to face each other, then the two across from them, and surmised it was true. They were gazing lovingly upon each other. They nodded their heads in unison, happy for the new couple. The elf prince had done what all others could not.
"What are we going to do about the Ring?" Frodo asked.
Crystal's face hardened as she picked up the gold object. "We're going to destroy it. Now. To hell with the consequences!" Her eyes flashed briefly as she stood. With a snap of her fingers they found themselves in front of looming doors in Mordor. "Frodo come with me. Gandalf, Saruman's here. Find him. Everyone else, free any prisoners." She walked stiffly up the large black doors. The happy cheerfulness gone from her eyes, replaced by serious determination. "It ends now," she said softly.
Only Legolas heard her words. He shivered lightly at the chills her deadly said promise evoked. It was a voice he had never before heard from her and prayed he never had to again.
She shoved the doors open with little, if any, effort.
"Hey Sour-boy! I'm here! Ah, look you sent the welcoming committee," she said sarcastically. "How sweet. I fell oh, so special now."
The others watched unmoving as she swung her arm and the rushing rocs were thrown against a nearby wall. They didn't get up.
"C'mon." Crystal started marching swiftly down a shadowy corridor, the torches lining the hall creating an eerie glow.
Frodo looked at those around him, nodded and took off after her.
"What are we doing here Pixie? I thought the Ring could only be destroyed in Mount Doom." He jogged to keep up with her fast paced strides.
"Only a certain part of the volcano's lava will destroy the Ring. Sauron just happens to keep it in his throne room."
"We're going face to face with Sauron?!"
"Don't worry. He can't to anything," she consoled smugly.
"All right."
"We're here."
She shoved open another set of doors and stepped inside. Frodo had to shield his eyes to keep from going blind from the light of Sauron's monstrous lidless eye.
"You!" a deep, unnerving, though slightly scared, voice roared.
"Yes me." Crystal narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Did you honestly think you could get away with that little stunt you pulled?" She took a step forward. "Creatures like you caused my Guardians pain. Make no mistake you will all pay. One by one."
Sauron bellowed in fury and his eye swelled in power. Crystal yawned rudely, covering her open mouth with her hand. She turned to the semi cowering halfling.
"You see that big pot next to the throne?" she asked, pointing to the mentioned object.
Frodo gulped and nodded weakly. "I have to put the ring in there?"
"Join in Frodo Baggins of the Shire," the voice invited in a sickly sweet tone. "Give me my Ring and you shall have all your heart desires."
Frodo stood his ground. "Empty promises, Sauron! I have all my hearts desires!" He started to walk steadily towards the eye above the throne.
"Take one more step and you shall know the true meaning of hell!"
Dozens of orcs burst into the room, intent on killing the ring bearer. However, they were held back by an invisible force field. The orcs were ignored as they beat against the unseen wall.
"This is for all those you hurt!" Crystal shouted, standing directly behind Frodo, watching as the One Ring met it's end in the magical liquid fire.
Sauron screamed in rage and agony and the eye wreathed in flame exploded. The shock wave washed over all of Middle-Earth taking with it all the orcs and uruk-hai. Frodo nearly fainted as the energy passed harmlessly through him. In a few minutes the wave dissipated and the caldron of lava disappeared.
"That's it."
Frodo sighed in relief.
Crystal walked over to him and encircled her arms around his small body in consolation as he began to cry. The weight of the world finally off his slight shoulders. "Why don't we go meet up with the others." Frodo nodded sniffling and as a mother would to a small unsure child, she took him by the hand and lead him through the place where nightmare had once resided.
"Tirielen!**"
Crystal spun around, just outside the black palace doors, as Legolas called weakly out to her. He was limping as he slowly made his way to her, smiling happily despite his obvious pain. She peeked around him to see all the others as well. She sighed in relief and returned the elf's cheerful smile, then frowned slightly as she looked them over. "You all look like you've been through hell," she commented, sitting down on the hard, dark ground.
Eyebrows raised as they, quite literally, flopped down beside her.
"Saruman?" Frodo asked in a few moments.
"Is dead," Gandalf replied gravely.
Crystal yawned noisily as she leaned into Legolas' arms. "I think we could all use some sleep."
She snapped her fingers and in an instant everyone was sparkling clean. Their wounds and clothes once again mended. All were tired, so they didn't make such a big deal out of it as they would have.
"Sleep's a good thing," Pippin said as he promptly fell asleep next to the snoozing Merry.
Boromir was already asleep and Gimli was snoring loudly.
"Yes," Gandalf agreed, yawning as well. "It has been a long tiring day."
Aragorn leaned against a nearby boulder which suddenly seemed highly comfortable. "Perhaps we could make do with a few hours," he whispered tiredly.
Legolas smiled down at the sleeping woman in his arms. He leaned down and whispered into her hair, "Lle naa uanima tar ilya eile."^ He laid down on the soft mass that had grown beneath them and brought her down with him, then kissed her lightly on her forehead. She yawned again as she nuzzled her head in the crook of his neck and thick blankets appeared and settled over them all. Legolas smiled and gave a contented sigh as he closed his eyes in blissful sleep, his arms tightening slightly over the one in his arms.
The moon herself seemed to smile down at them as she shed a soft light over the sleeping figures of the Fellowship of the Ring and the Guardian of the Gem.
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How 'bout it? Was it good? REVIEW and tell me.
I know it's kinds anti-climatic, but I'm just no good at action. Oh, well.
Tirielen** means bright star. I tired to find something like guiding star or leading light, but the dictionary didn't have the elvish words for guide or lead. Sucks.
The elvish phrase with a ^ at the end means "You are beautiful beyond all else."
For anyone whose wondering I got the epilogue left to write.
See ya there!!