Chapter Six
Thanks to:
Ginny Starwind- Hey, thanks for the help you have offered, but this is a story I have to d on my own. I will surely accept your help when I need it. Thank you SO much.
Empress Blade- Thanks for waiting. I know you were patient!
CrazyJ Girl- Don't worry, the scouts get paired up. Well. . . All except one. . .
Makura Koneko- Hey, I appreciate the feedback you've been given me. And 'Starlight's Dance' is a cute name. You'll find out why it is named this either in this chapter, eight, or nine. It depends.
Note from the author: Since I cannot access the chapter sixes that I have previously created (Thrice! (3x)), I have had to rewrite it from memory. So please, bear in mind that if a few things don't fit together as they should, I have tried my best. Thank you for waiting patiently, and I hope you enjoy!
That day passed uneventfully, and they camped that night, with Cammi and Legolas taking the midnight watch. We join them now. . .
Cammi peered into the midnight darkness. "Heta iaha ethui presta," (The English translations will be in double parentheses, okay? ((The world has changed)) )
Legolas looked at her face, palely illuminated by the sliver of a moon that was out. "Lio. Kin heere, caled veleg ethui annen ima iaha." ((Yes. Since you came, a great light has gone from this world.))
"Anno naan ahai." ((I feel it in the earth.))
"Lio. Y omi tresa rente." ((Yes. I see it everywhere.))
"Y naan tresa rente, miah Y litsil ne sta" ((I feel it everywhere, yet I still have faith))
"Sauron ethui mor tekan vero ima iaha." ((Sauron has darkness taking over this world.))
"It does not hold sway yet, Legolas. While the Fellowship continues, there is a chance."
"Fate and Destiny have put great odds against us."
Cammi stood and leapt down from the boulder they had been perching on. "Screw what Fate and Destiny have set for me. I make my own." She wandered off moodily into the woods. Legolas watched her go. 'Ima siba a dreha mai uer eran tekan, Kiliu. Ne sta. Uer eran leba presta te ima iaha." ((This is a hard path you are taking, Butterfly. Have faith. You are able to change this world.))
Cammi returned to camp the next morning with a strange satchel slung over her left shoulder so it came down on her right hip. She sat by her things and began to pack them away in moody silence while the rest of the Fellowship did likewise. Boromir kneeled next to her. "Where were you, shimai?"
"I was out, kyodai. Is that a problem?" she replied crisply. Boromir backed off slightly.
"Iie. Daijoubu ka?"
"Yes. What makes you say that?"
"Just asking. It's not like you to wander off in the middle of the night and not to return until the morning." Boromir stood and moved away. Cammi finished packing her things and began to dig through the odd satchel by her side. She grunted frustratedly and dumped the contents out. She sorted through the assortment of plants and herbs, looking around until she found the one she was looking for. Placing the rest back into the bag, she sniffed appreciatively at the strange plant. The rest just stared as she pulled off a curving, aspen-shaped leaf and popped it into her mouth. "What? It's just apple-mint. I smelled it last night and went to collect some. It's actually quite nutritiously satisfying if you aren't ravenously hungry." Cammi shrugged and popped another leaf into her mouth. Legolas walked over, and plucked the small, leafy twig from her hand and pulled a leaf off. He placed it on his tongue, and sat down next to her as he chewed it undecidedly. He swallowed it, and took another leaf as he said, "It's not bad." He munched the leaf as Cammi glared at him and stole it back.
"It may not be bad, but it's mine."
Later that day found the Fellowship taking lunch by the side of a small stream. Aragorn, Rei, and Frodo sat away from the main group, taking in quiet tones. Cammi knew why. Rei had already told her.
"You guys, why don't we play a game?" she asked trying to take their mind off of their current state of depression.
"What game, Cam?" asked Pippin in return.
Serena's eyes glinted mischievously. "Why not spin the bottle?"
Lita glanced around at the bedraggled and dirt-smeared group. "Hell no." she said. "I m not playing spin the bottle with this bunch of rag-bags."
The others glanced questioningly at the five sailors who were laughing. "What is 'Spin the Bottle'?" Gimli asked.
Lita sat down next to the dwarf and whispered in his ear. He turned bright red and left the circle of quizzical men, muttering darkly. They looked at each other for a moment, then looked back to the girls who were on the ground, clutching their sides as peals of laughter rang in the noon air.
They now had themselves under control, but were still tossing about playful banter.
"Rag-bags? Them?" said Mina sarcastically. "They look downright clean compared to some of the things we've fought!"
"That's true, but they still smell," added Lita thoughtfully.
"Hey, Camm, do the sub-space pockets produce soap?" Asked Ami.
A glimmer passed in the girls' eyes as Cammi answered. "Yes, they do. . ."
They each reached into their sub-space pockets and pulled out bars of soap. The grinned evilly. "We have a deal for you," said Serena as they slowly advanced on the guys, circling them.
"You take the soap and bathe yourselves," continued Ami.
"And we'll leave you alone." Mina's grin did not comfort them.
"However, should you choose to decline, we will drag you into the water," Lita showed them her bar of soap as she spoke.
"And we will scrub you down forcefully, with total disregard to anything you might not want us to see." Cammi's words were enough for them. They grabbed the soap from the girls and bolted into the water, wading over to a large cluster of reeds and other water vegetation. The girls giggled as they went off further upstream to bathe also.
Ami, using her powers, had heated a small pool of water for them, and they sat in the warm water. They immensely enjoyed themselves.
Cammi adjusted the blue towel that she had wrapped around her thin wiry frame. "Ami, this was a great idea. I really needed a good long soak in some warm water."
Ami sighed in pleasure. "Hmmm. . . I know, wasn't it?"
Lita was digging through her sub-space pocket. She pulled her hands out, holding two bottles. One was 'Herbal Essences' Shampoo, the other was conditioner. She soaked her hair, popped open the top to the shampoo, and smelled the sweet fragrance. "I love the smell of 'Herbal Essences'."
Suddenly, Serena, and Mina, were both singing. "I've got the *urge* to Herbal!"
They laughed, and each took the shampoo, washing away the dust and muck of their travels. Then it was time to condition. They formed a circle, each one thoroughly conditioning the others' hair; Cammi did Serena's, Serena did Mina's, Mina did Lita's, Lita did Ami's, and Ami did Cammi's. It worked out quite well.
When they finally stepped from the warm, soothing water, they washed their jeans and tee shirts, hung them up to dry, and changed into cotton boxers and comfortably baggy tee shirts. They walked back into camp they found everyone waiting for them. Rei pouted at them. "Why didn't you call me to come take a bath? I need to get clean too, ya know."
Cammi winked. "The water should still be warm still, Pyro. Here's some soap, a towel, some clean clothes, shampoo, and conditioner. Have a blast." Rei strode off, grinning happily and singing quietly to herself.
Ami and Mina handed their soap to Aragorn and Frodo. "Your turn," said Lita, pushing them in the direction of the small river.
Cammi had immediately began digging through her pack, and she pulled out some food. Potatoes and onions. The rest looked at her strangely. She closed her bag after pulling out a pot. She thrust it into Boromir's arms and pointed to the small river. He took the hint and went to fill it as Cammi began digging in her sub space pocket. Again she pulled out food items, but these were things like milk, half-and-half, and flour. As Boromir returned with the pot full of crystalline water, Cammi set it over the fire and waited for it to boil as she diced the onions and potatoes.
When it finally boiled, Cammi dumped in the ingredients. She then sat down and pulled out her book of Elvish lore. The rest were still looking at her strangely. Glancing up from her book, she looked at them look at her, and then set down the book gently. Getting up, she poked the potatoes. "Ah! They're soft!" she said. She drained the potatoes and onions, and then mashed them until they were only a few chunks left. Pouring in some milk, she added a little half-and-half, then set it back over the fire. She mixed in a touch of parsley, and then resumed reading her book, looking up from time to time to stir the stuff in the pot.
"Eh. . . .Cammi. . . .What exactly are you making?" asked Merry after a time.
Cammi looked up briefly from her book to look at the Hobbit, and then she continued to read. "It's potato soup. My specialty."
"It certainly smells good, Cam," said Rei, walking into camp. "I love potato soup. Do you put butter in it?" she asked as she hung up her towel to dry.
"The butter is practically the best part, Pyro," Cammi replied as she stirred the soup again. Grabbing her sub space pocket, she grumbled to herself as she dug around in it. Pulling out two sticks of butter, she put 3 /4 of the first one in the soup and stirred until it had melted completely. "Get bowls," she ordered, "and get in line. The soup is ready."
As they each got their portion of soup-and extra butter if they wanted it- they sat down and ate the soup. Cammi read as she ate, blushing as each new praise was heard. Aragorn and Frodo walked into camp shortly after, each looking decidedly cold. They fell upon the piping hot soup with a will.
*-*-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-*-*
Chibi Arwen: Hehehehe. You like? CrazyJ Girl, I told you that they get a little alone time. They actually get a lot more later in the story. *Evil- authoress-getting-an-idea-Grin* Hehehehehe. . .I'm gonna have fun with this. *Begins talking to the kitten curled up in her lap* Isn't that right Calvin? Yes it is! Yes it is! Hobbes, you're all wet! Have you been in the crawlspace again? *Sigh* Well, get off of me then. I don't want icky dirty crawlspace water all over my favorite flannel pj pants. I'd have to hurt you if you did. *Begins to type again* Anyway, Thanks for putting up with so mush and thanks for waiting for so Long! CHAPTER SIX IS FINALLY UP!!! WAHOOO!!!! PAR-TAY!!
Thanks to:
Ginny Starwind- Hey, thanks for the help you have offered, but this is a story I have to d on my own. I will surely accept your help when I need it. Thank you SO much.
Empress Blade- Thanks for waiting. I know you were patient!
CrazyJ Girl- Don't worry, the scouts get paired up. Well. . . All except one. . .
Makura Koneko- Hey, I appreciate the feedback you've been given me. And 'Starlight's Dance' is a cute name. You'll find out why it is named this either in this chapter, eight, or nine. It depends.
Note from the author: Since I cannot access the chapter sixes that I have previously created (Thrice! (3x)), I have had to rewrite it from memory. So please, bear in mind that if a few things don't fit together as they should, I have tried my best. Thank you for waiting patiently, and I hope you enjoy!
That day passed uneventfully, and they camped that night, with Cammi and Legolas taking the midnight watch. We join them now. . .
Cammi peered into the midnight darkness. "Heta iaha ethui presta," (The English translations will be in double parentheses, okay? ((The world has changed)) )
Legolas looked at her face, palely illuminated by the sliver of a moon that was out. "Lio. Kin heere, caled veleg ethui annen ima iaha." ((Yes. Since you came, a great light has gone from this world.))
"Anno naan ahai." ((I feel it in the earth.))
"Lio. Y omi tresa rente." ((Yes. I see it everywhere.))
"Y naan tresa rente, miah Y litsil ne sta" ((I feel it everywhere, yet I still have faith))
"Sauron ethui mor tekan vero ima iaha." ((Sauron has darkness taking over this world.))
"It does not hold sway yet, Legolas. While the Fellowship continues, there is a chance."
"Fate and Destiny have put great odds against us."
Cammi stood and leapt down from the boulder they had been perching on. "Screw what Fate and Destiny have set for me. I make my own." She wandered off moodily into the woods. Legolas watched her go. 'Ima siba a dreha mai uer eran tekan, Kiliu. Ne sta. Uer eran leba presta te ima iaha." ((This is a hard path you are taking, Butterfly. Have faith. You are able to change this world.))
Cammi returned to camp the next morning with a strange satchel slung over her left shoulder so it came down on her right hip. She sat by her things and began to pack them away in moody silence while the rest of the Fellowship did likewise. Boromir kneeled next to her. "Where were you, shimai?"
"I was out, kyodai. Is that a problem?" she replied crisply. Boromir backed off slightly.
"Iie. Daijoubu ka?"
"Yes. What makes you say that?"
"Just asking. It's not like you to wander off in the middle of the night and not to return until the morning." Boromir stood and moved away. Cammi finished packing her things and began to dig through the odd satchel by her side. She grunted frustratedly and dumped the contents out. She sorted through the assortment of plants and herbs, looking around until she found the one she was looking for. Placing the rest back into the bag, she sniffed appreciatively at the strange plant. The rest just stared as she pulled off a curving, aspen-shaped leaf and popped it into her mouth. "What? It's just apple-mint. I smelled it last night and went to collect some. It's actually quite nutritiously satisfying if you aren't ravenously hungry." Cammi shrugged and popped another leaf into her mouth. Legolas walked over, and plucked the small, leafy twig from her hand and pulled a leaf off. He placed it on his tongue, and sat down next to her as he chewed it undecidedly. He swallowed it, and took another leaf as he said, "It's not bad." He munched the leaf as Cammi glared at him and stole it back.
"It may not be bad, but it's mine."
Later that day found the Fellowship taking lunch by the side of a small stream. Aragorn, Rei, and Frodo sat away from the main group, taking in quiet tones. Cammi knew why. Rei had already told her.
"You guys, why don't we play a game?" she asked trying to take their mind off of their current state of depression.
"What game, Cam?" asked Pippin in return.
Serena's eyes glinted mischievously. "Why not spin the bottle?"
Lita glanced around at the bedraggled and dirt-smeared group. "Hell no." she said. "I m not playing spin the bottle with this bunch of rag-bags."
The others glanced questioningly at the five sailors who were laughing. "What is 'Spin the Bottle'?" Gimli asked.
Lita sat down next to the dwarf and whispered in his ear. He turned bright red and left the circle of quizzical men, muttering darkly. They looked at each other for a moment, then looked back to the girls who were on the ground, clutching their sides as peals of laughter rang in the noon air.
They now had themselves under control, but were still tossing about playful banter.
"Rag-bags? Them?" said Mina sarcastically. "They look downright clean compared to some of the things we've fought!"
"That's true, but they still smell," added Lita thoughtfully.
"Hey, Camm, do the sub-space pockets produce soap?" Asked Ami.
A glimmer passed in the girls' eyes as Cammi answered. "Yes, they do. . ."
They each reached into their sub-space pockets and pulled out bars of soap. The grinned evilly. "We have a deal for you," said Serena as they slowly advanced on the guys, circling them.
"You take the soap and bathe yourselves," continued Ami.
"And we'll leave you alone." Mina's grin did not comfort them.
"However, should you choose to decline, we will drag you into the water," Lita showed them her bar of soap as she spoke.
"And we will scrub you down forcefully, with total disregard to anything you might not want us to see." Cammi's words were enough for them. They grabbed the soap from the girls and bolted into the water, wading over to a large cluster of reeds and other water vegetation. The girls giggled as they went off further upstream to bathe also.
Ami, using her powers, had heated a small pool of water for them, and they sat in the warm water. They immensely enjoyed themselves.
Cammi adjusted the blue towel that she had wrapped around her thin wiry frame. "Ami, this was a great idea. I really needed a good long soak in some warm water."
Ami sighed in pleasure. "Hmmm. . . I know, wasn't it?"
Lita was digging through her sub-space pocket. She pulled her hands out, holding two bottles. One was 'Herbal Essences' Shampoo, the other was conditioner. She soaked her hair, popped open the top to the shampoo, and smelled the sweet fragrance. "I love the smell of 'Herbal Essences'."
Suddenly, Serena, and Mina, were both singing. "I've got the *urge* to Herbal!"
They laughed, and each took the shampoo, washing away the dust and muck of their travels. Then it was time to condition. They formed a circle, each one thoroughly conditioning the others' hair; Cammi did Serena's, Serena did Mina's, Mina did Lita's, Lita did Ami's, and Ami did Cammi's. It worked out quite well.
When they finally stepped from the warm, soothing water, they washed their jeans and tee shirts, hung them up to dry, and changed into cotton boxers and comfortably baggy tee shirts. They walked back into camp they found everyone waiting for them. Rei pouted at them. "Why didn't you call me to come take a bath? I need to get clean too, ya know."
Cammi winked. "The water should still be warm still, Pyro. Here's some soap, a towel, some clean clothes, shampoo, and conditioner. Have a blast." Rei strode off, grinning happily and singing quietly to herself.
Ami and Mina handed their soap to Aragorn and Frodo. "Your turn," said Lita, pushing them in the direction of the small river.
Cammi had immediately began digging through her pack, and she pulled out some food. Potatoes and onions. The rest looked at her strangely. She closed her bag after pulling out a pot. She thrust it into Boromir's arms and pointed to the small river. He took the hint and went to fill it as Cammi began digging in her sub space pocket. Again she pulled out food items, but these were things like milk, half-and-half, and flour. As Boromir returned with the pot full of crystalline water, Cammi set it over the fire and waited for it to boil as she diced the onions and potatoes.
When it finally boiled, Cammi dumped in the ingredients. She then sat down and pulled out her book of Elvish lore. The rest were still looking at her strangely. Glancing up from her book, she looked at them look at her, and then set down the book gently. Getting up, she poked the potatoes. "Ah! They're soft!" she said. She drained the potatoes and onions, and then mashed them until they were only a few chunks left. Pouring in some milk, she added a little half-and-half, then set it back over the fire. She mixed in a touch of parsley, and then resumed reading her book, looking up from time to time to stir the stuff in the pot.
"Eh. . . .Cammi. . . .What exactly are you making?" asked Merry after a time.
Cammi looked up briefly from her book to look at the Hobbit, and then she continued to read. "It's potato soup. My specialty."
"It certainly smells good, Cam," said Rei, walking into camp. "I love potato soup. Do you put butter in it?" she asked as she hung up her towel to dry.
"The butter is practically the best part, Pyro," Cammi replied as she stirred the soup again. Grabbing her sub space pocket, she grumbled to herself as she dug around in it. Pulling out two sticks of butter, she put 3 /4 of the first one in the soup and stirred until it had melted completely. "Get bowls," she ordered, "and get in line. The soup is ready."
As they each got their portion of soup-and extra butter if they wanted it- they sat down and ate the soup. Cammi read as she ate, blushing as each new praise was heard. Aragorn and Frodo walked into camp shortly after, each looking decidedly cold. They fell upon the piping hot soup with a will.
*-*-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-*-*
Chibi Arwen: Hehehehe. You like? CrazyJ Girl, I told you that they get a little alone time. They actually get a lot more later in the story. *Evil- authoress-getting-an-idea-Grin* Hehehehehe. . .I'm gonna have fun with this. *Begins talking to the kitten curled up in her lap* Isn't that right Calvin? Yes it is! Yes it is! Hobbes, you're all wet! Have you been in the crawlspace again? *Sigh* Well, get off of me then. I don't want icky dirty crawlspace water all over my favorite flannel pj pants. I'd have to hurt you if you did. *Begins to type again* Anyway, Thanks for putting up with so mush and thanks for waiting for so Long! CHAPTER SIX IS FINALLY UP!!! WAHOOO!!!! PAR-TAY!!
