A/N - I'm back! That was just in case you hadn't already worked that one out! I had a fab holiday in Paris, and have now returned refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the Olympics! Plus, I got my AS level results in the post yesterday and am well happy!!!!
A/N#2 - To all the lovely and possibly slightly mad reviewers out there who continue to write me nice things - I am completely overwhelmed by the support you have showed for this story! I have now reached 30 reviews!!!!!!!!
Chapter 9 - Well we made it this far...... So let the games begin!
It had finally arrived. The day that everyone in Middle Earth had been anticipating for the last year: the opening day of the Official Olympics of Middle Earth.
*Mysterious disembodied voice speaks over a rusty tannoy system*
"We interrupt this broadcast to inform you of the activities of our *cough* heroes over the last year.
Frodo Baggins has been sighted in an area north of Hobbiton shooting random things within his line of vision in his attempts to challenge the infamous and increasingly popular Legolas of Mirkwood to the archery title. He has also been seen trying to out stare anything that will sit still long enough. One of his brave volunteers sat for so long that she fainted and was only revived when Legolas appeared. We are unsure of her name - she travels only as "Empress Greenleaf".
Legolas himself has been sighted running: a lot. Generally from the as yet unidentified species we have come to refer to as fangirls. We had arranged an interview with him, but he vacated the premises about ten minutes ago due, or so I am told, to the sudden appearance of twenty or so young female hobbits.
Samwise Gamgee has retained something of a low profile, but we are informed by a 'close personal friend' that he has been in hard training for both the 100m race and the mushroom eating contest. He has also been attending to his new wife and baby daughter. We send our congratulations.
Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took have not been seen for six weeks - since an incident in Minas Tirith involving alcohol and Britney Spears songs...... We are sure that they are up to their usual tricks and will cause havoc at the Olympics in the next few days.
The King Elessar was last seen buried under a pile of paperwork. He sends his best wishes for all participants and.......
*Pause*
We have just received a newsflash concerning the whereabouts of the escaped Gollum. He has been spotted hunting for fish in the river Isen.
Thank you for your attention. We will now return to the original programming."
*Rusty tannoy switched off after five minutes of expletives because the disembodied voice couldn't find the switch*
Anyway..... where were we? Ah yes! The opening day of the Olympics! Well, that leads us to what no opening day would be complete without - the opening ceremony.
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Dawn broke over the Olympic Village (although really it should be called a city - it was that big), which was situated in Gondor, a couple of days riding out from Minas Tirith. The location was buzzing: a combination of frenzied last minute preparations, expectant crowds who had arrived early to claim the best seats and, of course, anxious participants themselves. As soon as second breakfast for the hobbit section was downed and the washing up was done the ceremony was to begin.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls..... I am proud to present to you King Elessar, the host of the first Official Olympics of Middle Earth!" the tannoy roared to life throughout the Olympic Stadium. The crowd went silent, and Aragorn and Arwen entered the stadium through the elaborate elvish carved entrance. It took the crowd a few moments to recognise the king as, upon the advice (followed by fierce threats) of Arwen, he had both visited the barbers and had a wash! But that's another story.......
Accompanying the King and his beautiful bride were the remainder of the fellowship, adorned in fanciful costumes. With the exception of Legolas. He was nowhere to be seen. The entire female assemblage of the crowd seemed to realise this simultaneously, as a hush - followed by boos and disappointed sobs - fell on them.
Suddenly there was a deafening series of bangs as fireworks exploded in all directions and Legolas flew in on Gwahir, the giant eagle. Everyone cheered as Legolas was flown around the stadium, maintaining a safe distance between himself and his fangirls. As he soared, Legolas waved at the crowd - basking in the attention and reading all of the banners written for him: "Legolas! Marry me!" The rest, I will not utter here, as they are not suitable for those of a nervous disposition.
Anyway, eventually everyone who was supposed to be there was assembled in the centre of the stadium. The crowd sat, restless with excitement as everyone waited to see what the ceremony would bring. A short man jogged to meet the group of 'performers' and handed out objects. Suddenly, the group (or 'fellowship plus a few' as we shall now call them) started to dance, and cheer (cheerleader style but without the short skirts), and generally act as if they were all completely drunk. Then a representative from each race participating in the Olympics sang the appropriate anthem - in full, with actions. Well..... except for the ents. If they did, then the Olympics would never get started! However, not all of the anthems were as you would expect: for instance, the hobbits had spent their allotted composing time eating mushrooms and getting drunk, so their anthem consisted of several verses about mushrooms, alcohol and hairy feet.
After about three hours of revelry, the ceremony began to draw to a close. Sam had been the lucky person chosen to carry the Olympic flame (they drew straws), and so carry it he did. However, in Middle Earth nothing was ever that simple, and Sam was pursued...... by Gollum, who looked incredibly evil and possibly possessed. The time to wreak his revenge had come!
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A/N - Soooooo....... *grins evilly* I have a challenge for you - what will Gollum's revenge be? Suggestions on a postcard to.... No! Just put them in your reviews! I don't mind what you suggest as long as it's not particularly offensive and doesn't kill anyone off - that would be mean! I will feature the best one in chapter ten!
Thank you again for your continuing support! I will write more soon, and I promise that in the next chapter the Olympic events will begin! No more transitionals!
Rachel xx