*Author's note: Gah! School! It has begun! Run; run while you still can! I'm sorry this chapter took so long to post up. I've been swamped with homework. And on the first week, too! Maybe I should join the circus. They don't require much education. The only thing I need to know is "Trapeze for Dummies: Second Edition". I've already completed the first edition. Only three more to go, and I'll be off to the circus!

Disclaimer: Yes, I think you all get the picture. I own nothing. Perhaps and busted-up, used disposable camera, a piece of corn that is now digesting, and some graphic novels. That's about it. I possess none of the Lord of the Rings characters, nor the plot, nor do I own Orcs. If I did, school will be no more! MUAHAHAHAHA! Now that that's out of my system, I will also inform you that I am NOT responsible for any unreasonable and irresponsible behavior. If you so happen to be caught stealing, don't tell the judge, "Mercies Angel brain washed me and said it was okay to steal things." That's not true; so don't say that in court. Or anywhere else, for that matter.

An additional chapter? Good Grief:

Jen's POV

I picked up the note from my bed and suddenly realized that I could hardly read past the rushed, terrible handwriting. I walked out the door, beginning my search for my friend. I found Liz in the dining hall, chatting with Maegheruien about how she made the pie. I interrupted and asked Liz if she could read the poorly written note. She could hardly read it, but had more luck than I did. She cleared her throat and began:

"It reads:

'Though your reluctance to join the Fellowship of the Ring is acceptable and understandable, my heart tells me that you and your friend have some part to play in this quest yet, for good or ill before this is over. Fate'############## hands have a way of twisting the future. Your presence may have a good or bad affect to the destruction of the ring. Only time may tell its course. I pray you consider you're decision and choose your path judiciously. Note this: Even the very wise cannot see all ends.'"

She smirked, "And it appears that Gimli got a hold of this letter, too."

"What?!" I asked, yanking the letter from her grip. Sure enough, there was a large line, then a scribble; as if the utensil used to write the manuscript was fought over. It then read, in a completely different handwriting:

"Farewell, my love. How I love thee. My heart yearns for thee, though my duties part our ways, making our love impossible to share. Fear not, for my thoughts shall never wander, and my heart shall never falter from thy. Fate shall allow our love to flourish, just as fate has allowed our paths to cross in the beginning. Until that time, fare thee well, my love"

"I think I'm going puke," I said after reading the finishing paragraph silently, trying to force the thoughts of the irritating dwarf to the back of my mind and concentrate on Gandalf's half of the letter. I was beginning to recognize it, but from where?

"That jerk! I can't believe he compared us to Gollum!" I fumed, realizing where it was from. "It sounds as if he's practicing his lines," noted Liz. She was scanning the note again for any hints. "What was he talking about?" questioned Maegheruien. I looked over and immediately changed my expression, "Nothing at all! He was just talking about how great the . . .um. . .pie there is. 'The Fellowship' is his nickname for pie." Liz nodded her head in agreement; knowing that opening her mouth would result in disaster. "Some how, I don't believe you," she said, staring at us with a quizzical look. "Okay, the jig is up. We are going to start a music band called 'The Fellowship of the Ring'. We wished to surprise you, but you are obviously too smart for us. We're sorry for deceiving you," I said, backing towards the door with Liz in tow. Maegheruien gave up, knowing us too well and deciding to put her energy to her chores.

"Stupid, friggin, old coot!" I said angrily, taking out my aggravation on Gandalf. 'Did he know of our plan?' I kept asking myself. 'How could he have known?' I thought. Then it slammed into me. 'It was when he came to ask us to come to dinner. He must have over heard! How could I have been so careless?!' I mentally cursed at myself. Liz was baffled, obviously trying to figure out what the note meant. I knew her too well, and saw through her perplexed look.

"Go pack your stuff, we're leaving soon," I said, surprised at the authority in my own voice. "Fine, Miss Bossy-Boots, but don't have any sympathy from me when that love-crazed half pint starts to jump you," she responded with a sniff. She turned and grinned. "If this goes as planned, we'll be, like, superheroes or something," she said. "Don't start planning your speech, Liz. I doubt we'll make any difference." Her smile never left her face. "Yeah, right," she said as she walked out of the room. "First off, I'd like to thank my mom. . ." I heard her say as her voice faded down the hall. I shook my head and turned to finish packing my stuff.

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"Hurry, Liz!" I tried to say as low as I could, but still trying to make it sound like I was yelling. "I'm coming, I'm coming," she said. I had been waiting for ten minutes and was growing impatient. She was now trying to lower herself out of the window without falling. Her efforts were in vain, however, and she landed onto the ground with an "Oof". The next room's window open quickly and an Elven head popped out. I mouthed a curse and dived into the nearest bush, literally dragging Liz behind me. "How's there?!" a voice called out. An Elf's sharp eyesight certainly could have seen through the weak hiding place, but apparently he was too weary to care and shut the window in a retreat to his sleep-sanctuary. I realized that I was holding my breath, and let out a sigh of relief. After Liz and I regained our composure after the nearly-discovered experience, we began to jog lightly down the incline of brush.

We traveled approximately three miles away from the last of the Elven haven before we stopped for the rest of the night. I was scanning over a map to Moria when Liz asked, "Where'd you get that map?"

"I found it in Elrond's library. I doubt he'll even miss it," I answered, mostly ignoring her. "You know, if you keep stealing, you'll never go to Heaven." She sounded as if she was a priest. "Yes, well, if we save the world, that will erase all of my debts, and account for any other ones I may happen to commit. And besides, this map is for a good cause," I replied, hoping it will shut her up. It did, to my surprise, but when I turned around, she was already asleep. I was officially elected first watch.

I sat on a dead log, still plotting the path to the mines. After three hours, I was becoming groggy and finding hard to stay awake. 'Should have brought and Elf,' I thought to myself, 'They hardly sleep at all.' I was halfway to sleep when a sound reached my ears and jerked me from my daze. It was the howl of a wolf, followed be intense pawing sounds at the earth. I let out a small cry, then a curse before rushing to awaken my sleeping comrade. "Liz, wake up. NOW!"

"Huh? Wha?" she asked blearily before hearing the approaching carnivores. "Oh, crap!" she exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. We grabbed our stuff hastily and began running at a full-fledged sprint. As the sounds neared, I grabbed the hilt of my sword, hoping Liz would ready herself for the attack as well. A small river appeared ahead, seeming slow at current. I glanced to my side, which was a mistake, and saw several wolves slightly behind and to the right of me. My fear and adrenaline increased, as did my speed. The river seemed to take an eternity to reach, but at last our refuge was reached.

Plunging into the frigid water, I struggled to get my bearings. The current was stronger than expected, and I was swept farther still. At last, I broke the surface of the water and took a big gasp of air. I saw Liz had already heaved herself onto the opposite shore and collapse, obviously tired. My journey was still far from over. Summoning all the strength I had, I swam towards the shore. Luck was with me, and the current carried me halfway there.

As I crawled onto the shore, I realized how far down stream I had been swept. I could hardly see Liz, who had by now gotten up. I tried to get up, but my muscles refused to function. I rolled onto my back, trying to breathe easier, but only succeeded onto my side. As I watched the wolves pace back and forth on the reverse bank, I realized how close Liz and I came to being a mid-night snack between six carnivorous beasts. I heard footsteps behind me and immediately knew it was Liz.

"You okay?" she asked, poking me in the shoulder to assure herself. I was really alive. She helped me up and we walked about twenty yards before I finally gave up, dropped to my knees, then onto my side, finding that it was the most comfortable place in Middle-Earth at the moment. Liz sighed and sat down beside me, shuffling through my pack before taking out the map. She let out a cheer of victory to find that the map was still intact and readable, even when it was soaked with water. She began to nibble on some bread, but spat it out quickly, mumbling about soggy bread. I noted all of this for the few more minutes of consciousness that I had before sleep found me.


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I woke up with the sun in my face. I saw Liz several feet away, eating the once soggy bread. I glanced at the sky, trying to decide what time is was. It was only about 7 o'clock. Rummaging through my pack I found some of the fruit I packed and began eating breakfast. I studied the map a bit longer, and found that Liz and I ran three miles; which meant we were half a day a head of schedule. "Yo, Liz!" I called out to her. She jumped, obviously oblivious that I had woken up. She turned toward me, and I noticed that she wasn't really eating the bread. She was eating a candy bar.

"You have chocolate? And you didn't tell me?!" I said, trying to sound hurt for sympathy. "No, wait! It'######! All mine!!" she answered, standing up while holding her hand as far away from me as possible. "It's been an entire week of madness I've stayed here in Middle-Earth, and it's been four weeks since I've had any candy at all!"

"You know what sugar does to you. You get all crazy and don't listen to anyone. Besides, it's all mine!" she exclaimed, attempting to hide the candy in her pack. I lunged at the rectangular shaped goodness that I was being deprived of. Liz saw my movement and backed away, holding the half eaten chocolate bar close to her. I knew she would see me coming again, so I faked and grabbed the chocolate bar with one hand, while shoving Liz's face with the other. "Why. . .won't. . .you. . .let. . .GO!!" I said, trying to pry her fingers off the chocolate. I finally got her fingers off and was about to take a bite when I noticed what kind of chocolate it was.

"Why in Heaven's name is Legolas' face on this chocolate bar?!" I asked with disbelief in my tone. "Because it is. That's how it was made," she answered, looking sadden by her lack of Legolas engraved candy. "Where can you buy this stuff? 'Legolas-R-Us'?" I asked while giving the bar a second thought. "I didn't buy it. I made it," she stated, looking proud of her culinary achievements. "You cook?!" I asked, surprised. "Of course I cook! And that candy bar is what kept me up all night. I packed it with extra caffeine."

"How'd you do that?" I dared to ask. "Instead of milk, I used soda. Extra caffeine soda called 'Caff-Zap!'," she said, replied, grabbing the bar back as I remained astonished. "That's disgusting! And how'd you get Legolas' face on it?" I asked with my curiosity not yet fulfilled. "I printed a picture off the Net, then sculpted it onto the candy bar after I finished making it," she answered, taking a bite off the chocolate.

"Well, you can keep it. I'm not going to eat the 'Soda de Choco' you've made," I said while taking an apple out of my pack. "More for me," she said, fanning out ten more chocolate bars. "Whoa! You made all of these?" I said, grabbing them to take a better look. "Yup," she said in triumph, though she didn't do too much. Each one of the bars had a different face of Legolas. "Man, you have too much free time on your hands. Do something productive, like learn Calculus, or something," I said, handing her the bars of chocolate. "Psht. Like I'll do that. I'd much rather make soap sculptures of my sweet love's face," she answered.

"This isn't infatuation, its obsession," I said with a strange glance. "It's devotion," she wittingly added. "Whatever," I retorted, packing my stuff back into my pack. Liz sighed. "We're leaving already? My back hurts, and so do my legs," she whined. My hamstrings hurt, too. It wasn't like we stretched out before running for our lives. "Don't worry. I'll carry your pack if your too much of a wimp," I said, attempting reverse psychology. "I'm not a wimp!" she said with determination. She stood up and grabbed both her own pack and mine. I shut my mouth, because commenting anything would cause her to realize what she was doing. She trudged out of the makeshift campsite and called out to me, "Hurry up, wimp!" I grinned at myself and followed after her, tossing the apple core behind me.

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Sorry this was sooo short, and sooo late. Anyways, please review; I'd greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism and words of advice are greatly appreciated.