When the Worlds Cross
By Heather and Jane
Disclaimer: Middle-Earth and its peoples belong to the great J.R.R. Tolkien. Mia, Rowan, and Randy belong to us. Any and all similarities to real life events/people are pure coincidence—unless they appear with permission (reason for this will come in a later chapter.)
Summary: Goodbye to the woods and the Breaking of the Fellowship. Also, Mia gets hit a lot.
Authors' Notes: co-written between Jane and Heather, two Lord of the Rings fans that are trying to keep true to the story. First part more movieverse than bookverse, but will soon go to bookverse. Credit to Heather's father and our friend Wesley as story consultants.
Additional notes – we paraphrase a quote from a Buffy the Vampire Slayer and invite readers to play spot the Shrek joke.
Chapter Eight
Goodbye Gifts
~*~*~*~
The remaining members of the Fellowship stayed in the woods of Lorien for a few days, simply relaxing and recuperating from their ordeal. (Though Rowan was certain that some members had nearly been kicked out because of a certain girl teaching a certain pair of hobbits how to play Sardines.) Then one night, the company was asked to appear before the Lord and Lady. If Rowan and Mia were right about the time frame of events, Frodo and Sam had had their experience with the Mirror of Galadriel by then.
It was time for the Fellowship to move on, as the Lord and Lady of the woods tactfully informed them. Galadriel told them to go to sleep peacefully in preparation for the next day's journey, but most of the Fellowship was fairly certain that no peace would come to them. For even now, they did not know where they would go once they left the woods—to Mordor or to Minas Tirith, as suggested by Boromir.
And what made things worse was that Rowan and Mia also weren't sure where they would be going, since everything seemed to be different from what they had expected. Why not the final destination of the Fellowship as a whole? (Privately, Mia was praying that they didn't stray too far from the 'sacred storyline'—otherwise she would just have a fit.)
The next morning, the ten of them made swift work of their packing, and the Lorien elves gave them supplies for the journey. Food and clothing, including lembas and size fit cloaks. They were light, warm gray cloaks, also great for concealing one's self. Mia said, "I would have preferred an invisibility cloak."
"I'm going to regret asking this, but why?" asked Sam as they headed for the river and the boats that would take them out of Lothlorien. He noticed Rowan making frantic signals for him to take that back, but that just made him all the more curious about this one of Mia's strange comments.
"Because then I could swoop around and scare Professor Snape!" Mia said gleefully.
"She had to read Harry Potter," Rowan muttered.
Legolas looked from girl to girl and said, puzzled, "Is that so bad?"
Almost cynically, Mia thought, Only if you're Rowan and swearing off the fad of the literary world. Aloud, she said, "Only if you're obsessed or plain crazy…and Rowan, FYI, I was making a joke? You know, funny comment?"
"Don't do that again."
Aragorn glanced back at them, lifting an eyebrow. They shut up and went to the boats, with a bit of fumbling on the orders and Mia nearly falling into the river. (By the fault of Merry, who thought it would be amusing to startle her.)
As the Fellowship left the shores of Lothlorien, they arranged themselves on the boats in this manner: Frodo, Sam, and Mia on one boat, Rowan and Aragorn on another, Merry, Pippin, and Boromir on the next, and Legolas and Gimli in the fourth. Mia felt quite happy about the arrangement on the whole, until she remembered what happened next. (Or what was supposed to happen, but there was no harm in being prepared.) Oh smeg oh smeg, she thought. Trying to get a silent message across to Rowan didn't help matters any, since Rowan decided to ignore her and Sam was muttering about knocking the boat over.
Mia had just given up on her Charades endeavor when the Lord and Lady invited them Fellowship to eat with them before leaving the woods entirely. Celeborn gave advice on where to go and Galadriel gave gifts to each member of the Fellowship. Including the girls from the future, both of whom stammered and said that the Lady Galadriel didn't really need to give them gifts…
Of course, the elven lady ignored their subtle hints to leave them out. While a good percentage of the Fellowship (and Celeborn) hid smiles, Galadriel said to the girls, "My gift to you both is advice and counsel that I believe you need. Choose wiser than your friend and do not follow his path."
"Believe us, Lady Galadriel, that is the last thing we want," said Rowan.
"Keep it that way. And remember what you saw!" Galadriel said sternly, definitely meaning the visions of destruction she had given them on their first day in Lothlorien. She smiled at their worried expressions. "Though as I am a fair lady, I shall not have you leave without more than words. To you, Mia, I give a book filled with some of the most powerful words in the Elvish tongue. For I know you have spent your time in Lorien studying and have become fairly fluent in Elvish." Galadriel handed the girl a small, 'pocket-size' book that would not be too cumbersome on the journey.
Mia immediately started flipping through it, her eyes lighting up with pleasure. "Awesome…thank you, Lady," she said absently, ignoring the surprised look on Rowan's face. She had more reason to master the Elvish language than she'd had reason to pass Spanish class, after all.
"It may come in handy," said Galadriel enigmatically. Now Rowan looked very surprised. "And for the young woman who takes what actions may be necessary, I give you a sword. Mind you not just any sword. This sword was crafted by some of the best swordsmiths in Lorien. I give it to you because there may be a time when an action must be taken and no one else will be able to but you."
Rowan looked at the sword, noting that it looked like any sword of Elvish make and feeling oddly relieved that it wasn't anything special like Excalibur or Aragorn's sword. She said, "Thank you." (And ignoring Mia's mutter of "Sure, she gets to act like Luke Skywalker…")
Now was the time to continue with the journey. They all rose and headed back to the boats. All were arranged as before. The elves pushed the four boats onto the river. Soon most of the fellowship could see much of Lorien. While Gimli and Legolas discussed how sad for all it was to leave, Mia and Rowan sat with their companions in thoughtful contemplation. How could they have expected this sadness? Yes, they had read in the books how sad the company was to leave Lorien.
It was one thing to read of light and joy, and the loss of such things. It was a whole other feeling to experience the world that was Lothlorien and leave it behind knowing they might never see it again.
~*~*~*~
The next few days passed very slowly, for no one really wanted to reach Findrock. Even though they had to. The discussion of where to go next would be made there.
About four days down the river, Sam saw Gollum. Seeing as Aragorn was already aware of him, they merely kept a sharper look out for the creepy sneaker. And Mia started another quiet argument with Rowan involving calling Gollum by his proper name of 'Smeagol.' Actually, the argument was about as quiet as a regular argument between the two, since they were traveling on the river at the time. When the argument degenerated into one better heard from five year olds, Aragorn informed them that they ought to shut up or else, never mind that mostly everyone else found the argument a bit funny.
On the eighth night, they kept traveling down the river rather than stop on the shore. Aragorn had believed that the rapids of Sarn Gebir were mile ahead but they were not. Within moments, they had to turn up river. The only problem was, as the Fellowship came back, Orcs began to attack them.
Rather than try to pull off a water fight, they got back to the shore. And just to make matters worse, shadow appeared. Legolas shot at with his bow, and that action was followed by a distinctly satisfying 'thunk' as the first arrow fired hit its mark. The hovering thing disappeared before the next arrow went up in the air, and the girls looked at each other in fear. It was a Ringwraith, that much was obvious—but a different Ringwraith than everyone else was expecting.
The Nazgul of Middle-Earth didn't exactly ride on horses that buzzed, after all.
And neither girl had heard a buzzing like that since they'd last been at school, where some ingenious teachers drove their cars right to the classroom—or in the case of Mia's science teacher, his motorcycle.
~*~*~*~
The rest of the journey passed with solemnity and wariness, especially after the Ringwraith encounter. And for once, Rowan felt more worried than Mia did—the other girl was more involved in helping Boromir's endeavor to quiet the chattering Pippin.
The Fellowship stopped at the Parth Galen in the late afternoon, unloaded a few things as they had the intent of staying on shore that night, and Boromir began to speak of going to Minas Tirith. Frodo looked torn between that idea and continuing onto Mordor as had been planned, and asked to have an hour by himself—which was granted.
As Frodo walked off into the woods, and while Rowan was otherwise occupied by a small squabble with Gimli, Mia glanced at Sam. "Master Samwise, are you thinking what I am thinking?" she asked in a low voice.
"That Mr. Frodo has something else in mind?" Sam whispered back. Mia nodded. "Aye, Miss Regan, I have thought that for a while now. He has acted strangely, ever since…an incident back in Lothlorien."
"And let me guess: the mirror did not reply that Middle-Earth was the fairest kingdom of all," Mia said dryly. Sam blinked at her. "Rowan and I have heard legends about Galadriel's mirror, you know." Not quite the truth, not quite a lie. "And please tell me that the mirror did not speak, 'cause that would have spoiled my joke."
Sam smiled despite his worry for Frodo. "No, it did not."
"Okay, then. So what did you have in mind about Mr. I'll Just Sneak Away From You All back there?" Mia asked cheerfully.
After informing her that 'Mr. Frodo prefers the shortened version of his name,' Sam admitted that he'd only planned to go after Frodo—and the girl said it was a brilliant idea. The two spoke quietly and presently, Sam casually stood, his intent to follow Frodo not obvious at the moment. Go him, Mia thought encouragingly, deliberately not looking in Rowan's direction. She felt as if she might start giggling, for some reason.
At the same time that the hobbit gardener stood up, Legolas announced that he felt a 'foul thing' on the wind.
"Wraiths, I'll bet," Rowan growled.
Mia listened for a telltale motor sound—the previous evening, she and Rowan had agreed that something very creepy had happened to the wraiths (well, creepier than usual), and they'd suddenly been gifted with flying motorcycles. Either that or their flying horses made weird noises. She shook her head. "I don't hear anything," she said. "Er, wraith like, anyway."
"And I'm sure they make the big honkin' screeches for our benefit," said Rowan sarcastically.
"Funny, I thought they just honked nowadays."
Legolas looked at them, sensing an argument on the rise. "I do not hear anything either—rumbling or screeching or honking—but I do not doubt that the wraiths or something worse are on the way," he said hastily, placating both girls.
"Frodo is out alone!" Pippin yelped and ran into the woods. It was a perfect cover, but still Mia yelled, "Pip—SAM!" She shot Rowan an exasperated glance, which was returned with an eye rolling. Well, if the intent wasn't clear before, it sure as heck is now, Mia thought.
As Boromir had also gone off by then, Aragorn decided to see where the Gondor man and Ringbearer had gone. Maybe he suspected that Boromir was going to go after the Ring or do something else equally insane. "Mia, you stay here as a guard," he ordered.
Translated roughly; you're not good at kicking wraith or Orc butt while searching for people. Yeah, whatever. Mia nodded, not feeling too bad about being shoved in the 'stay out of place and guard' position.
Rowan snorted. "Have fun, Mia," she said.
"You'll be having fun all the mo-ore," Mia said in a sing-song voice, waggling her eyebrows.
Rowan felt her ears turn red. That was not fair! she thought indignantly, and did not look at Legolas as they jogged into the woods a step behind Gimli.
~*~*~*~
At the banks of the river, it was still and eerily so at that. Mia hummed absently and kept her eyes out for Orcs and the Ringwraiths. Just as she started to run over her Elvish lessons in her head, there was a rustling in the brush. She drew her gray cloak around her and backed into the shadows, fearing an attack. It was only Frodo. He stood there on the banks for a long moment and then headed for the boats decisively.
Something was wrong with this picture. Instead of two hobbits, there was only one. And there wasn't even a telltale crashing in the forest to announce the arrival of the one missing from the picture. This isn't good. Where the H-E double-hockey-sticks is Sam? Mia thought and stepped forward. "Frodo?" she called. He jumped, spinning around and nearly falling over. She winced slightly and moved to help, but he'd already regained his balance by the time she reached the boats. Keep her voice deliberately casual, she said, "Sorry, but I need to get my pack."
"You aren't going to stop me?" Frodo said suspiciously as the girl grabbed her pack.
Mia paused and then knelt down in front of the Ringbearer. "I think the phrase I'm looking for is 'no way,'" she said reflectively, prompting a slight smile. "Frodo, this is your quest now—if it is your belief that you must go alone, then few can sway you otherwise. I have great faith in you, dear hobbit." This is good. This sounds logical. One teensy-weensy problem. Where. Is. Sam?!
Frodo looked at her for a moment before hugging her, quite suddenly. Mia had a brain short-circuit (AGAIN) but her automatic pilot had thankfully taken over. She returned the hug, almost carefully, and placed a kiss on his forehead. After another second, Frodo released her and she stood, blinking rapidly. Hurry up, Sam! she thought. Before I make a complete dingbat out of myself! "Namarie, Frodo."
"Namarie," Frodo responded, quietly.
Mia nodded, and as was her habit by then, cut out of there quickly. She told herself it was because Sam was pretty much as good as there—if the loud rustling in the forest was any indication, anyway—though as she broke down into tears once she was out of the hobbit's sight, that was probably a lie. "Bloody soft-hearted," Mia growled at herself.
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, as Rowan searched for the wayward hobbits with Legolas and Gimli, a horn suddenly blared. The girl nearly leapt out of her skin, but she wasn't the only one nearly frightened to death. "The horn of Gondor!" Legolas exclaimed, looking as startled as Gimli was. "Come, we must help!"
Why do elves have to run so fast? Rowan groaned inwardly as she struggled to keep pace with Legolas and Gimli.
But the three of them arrived moments too late, and found Aragorn sitting near Boromir's still body. Rowan swallowed back the bile rising in her throat at the sight of the arrows and blood and carnage surrounding them—it looked a lot worse in reality than she had expected. Aragorn swiftly related what Boromir had told him—the attempted taking of the Ring and Merry and Pippin's capture.
"And what of the Ringbearer?" Gimli asked.
"No sight of Frodo yet, I am afraid. Sam suspected he would try to leave," said Aragorn slowly. Rowan instantly looked towards the river. "Ah! So you suspect the same?"
"Er. Maybe," Rowan hedged, and changed the subject. She didn't know exactly what was going on back on the shores of the Great River, but she had a pretty good idea. "Shouldn't we give Boromir a proper burial?"
Sufficiently distracted, Aragorn nodded briskly. "Yes. By boat."
By boat. Oookay…just go with it. Rowan wondered what it was about guys and sending people out in glory but she assisted in the preparations, and then they went to get one of the boats. They found Mia sitting near the trees, staring at the water.
"They left, didn't they?" Rowan muttered to her friend.
"Yep."
"Shoulda had you go hunting," Rowan said with a sigh and decided not to ask why Mia suddenly grinned like some kind of goof. In a lower voice, "What are we going to do?"
Mia shrugged. "Not sure." The girls exchanged glances and the same thought went through their heads. Randy. "Oh, great. You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Aragorn called to them just then and they stood. Rowan said, "That we need to go back to Lorien?"
"Enh?!"
"Oh, that's not what you were thinking?" Rowan asked and Mia rolled her eyes in exasperation.
The two girls helped the guys send Boromir off and then they went to get into the remaining boats. Aragorn had decided that they should go after Merry and Pippin, and the girls weren't exactly sure how to explain that they were not going along.
Explanations came when the guys docked and began walking away, while the girls did not. Man, dwarf, and elf all looked back. "Are you not joining us?" Aragorn called. Mia shot Rowan a look—obviously the hobbit friend wanted to go help the hobbits, despite whatever else might be going down somewhere. Rowan shook her head, both at Mia and Aragorn. "Where do you plan to go?"
"Wherever it is, it involves trouncing Randy into the next millennium," said Mia, smiling brightly. Rowan smacked her. "Ow! Rowan, stop hitting—"
Legolas shot Rowan a look and said something in Elvish. (Mia blinked rapidly and took a few steps back.) "Legolas, I don't understand a word you're saying," Rowan said.
"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "I asked if you truly mean to say goodbye like this."
"We thought it would mean less delay," said Rowan. "And we figured Randy wouldn't be…um…"
This would be so much easier if she didn't know that Mia was smirking at her.
Legolas cut her off. "It is all right, Rowan. I understand one must follow their own path."
At this Rowan felt flustered, not knowing at all what to say next. "Well, Legolas, thank you for understand. I…" Legolas had been moving forward towards her as she spoke. This of course made Rowan a little nervous. (And again, it did not help that her friend was standing not a yard away, trying not to laugh and still smirking.)
"Rowan," he placed his hands on her shoulders. "I believe we shall meet again." He gave her a brief hug. Oh, my GOD! Legolas just HUGGED me! Oh, man oh man oh man… Now Rowan knew what Mia meant by 'brain short-circuits.' "All of us. You and Mia have to do what you were sent here for."
"You cannot take on the Nine Riders!" Gimli said, giving the girls a look. He thought about that. "Or eleven riders, as seen by the Rivendell elves—but that is not the point! You cannot!"
Rowan cut Mia off before the inevitable 'no—really?' could come out. "We're aware but we also fear the—" Mia coughed. Right, use of profane words and names probably would not go over well with the remaining Fellowship. "Um, Randy may be planning something. And I don't think he's fully wraith yet. We can handle that creep."
"And if not, we can run like heck," said Mia solemnly, well out of the way of Rowan's hitting hand.
"Then go, if you believe that you can stop him," said Aragorn. "And perhaps we may meet up again."
At that moment, Legolas chose to look at Rowan again and say something. Again, in Elvish and again, Rowan did not understand a word. To make matters worse, Mia started giggling. "Until we meet again, namarie," said Rowan as the dwarf, elf and man began to walk away.
"Namarie. Bye! Ciao. Sayon—OW!"
Rowan turned, shaking her hand absently. Constantly hitting someone's shoulder bone could hurt the hand after a while. "Har, har. What'd he say?" Grinning wickedly, Mia flipped through her book and showed her friend. 'My heart will sing when we meet again,' Rowan read, and her eyes bugged out. "Good GRIEF!"
"Hey, at least you didn't talk to your shoes."
"Oh, shut up."
To be continued in Chapter Nine – where a lot of questions are answered…hopefully.