Probablility
By Thalia Weaver
A/N: I'm not too sure about this chapter. It may stink. Tell me if it does, okay?
Chapter Nine: The Double Slit Experiment
When an electron travels between two points, according to Feynman's theory it travels every possible path at once...because when you view the world at a quantum scale, it stops making sense and becomes a frantic, undulating world full of a host of bizarre, vacillating particles...
~.~
Thalia was officially in a state of bliss so profound it illuminated her whole being: she had found Rivendell's library. It had all begun rather innocently; she had been wandering around late at night, being the victim of both a latent insomnia that periodically manifested itself and a slight case of post-traumatic stress from the events of the day. She had wandered into the library and immediately whacked her shin on a bookshelf. After some fumbling, a few bruises and many a muttered curse, she found the cache of candles and matches that had been left lying on a convenient table. Once she had enough light to see by, she nearly fell over backwards.
"Well, call me a Kilted Yaksman," the stunned girl whispered, shocked. She lifted the candle higher. Before her, like solidified epiphanies, stood bookshelf upon bookshelf stocked with musty tomes. Thalia nearly salivated.
So many books, so little time, she thought, grinning. Where to begin?
**
Morning found her with her face stuck firmly to the pages of "An Account of the History of Doriath". She awoke with a start to find the sun shining brightly through a large window and her head aching with fatigue.
"Gnuuuuurh," she moaned drowsily at nothing in particular, stretching and yawning. She rubbed her eyes, sighing, and got to her feet- just as one of the precariously balanced piles of books she had placed on the table, hardly the epitome of steadiness, fell over. Thalia, in a misguided attempt to rescue the precious volumes, made a dive for them- using a patented move that had made her famous during the volleyball tournaments in gym. Unfortunately, one of the books fell directly on her head.
Shaking her bruised head dazedly, Thalia got to her knees and attempted to stand, despite the massive wave of pain in her skull.
"Are you all right?" a voice from somewhere above her asked. Due to the Narrative Laws of Comedy, it was, of course, Estel. Needless to say, Thalia was not at her most attractive- sporting bed hair, a few nasty bruises and the general effects of severe lack of sleep.
"I'm fine," she answered unconvincingly, and tried to stand again. This time she managed to get to her feet, swaying a little.
"Are you sure?" Estel asked, concerned. Thalia, in reply, swayed, shut her eyes and fainted.
**
"She has a concussion," came the voice of Lord Elrond from somewhere above her. Thalia blinked experimentally.
"Thalia? She's awake!" Estel.
"I can see that. Thalia?" Elrond's voice was gentle, soft and placating. She attempted to focus on him.
"Lord Elrond?" Thalia asked, dazedly.
"Yes?"
"Why are there two of you?"
~.~
A/N Pt II: Thalia's really accident-prone, isn't she? ^^ Much like me in that respect. I know piling diarrhea, ale sickness, flatulence, embarrassment AND a concussion on one little...er...me... may seem a bit much, but...well...I mean this story as something of an Anti-Sue, so it's intentionally over the top....and don't worry! The concussion actually serves a purpose. Now, if I can only figure out what it is... -Thalia