Elves Don't Exist… Do they?
"Oh shit, I am like so late." Joari muttered as she rushed down the street. She knew that those words had earned her even more stares as she pushed her way through the throng. After all, who would have thought that punks would actually be worried about punctuality? But they do have a right to you know, she reminded herself, even as she felt a stab of irritation. Think about it, how many good, nice, obedient kids walked around in leather and raver jeans with electric blue streaks in their hair? None, she sighed, as she walked into the little path through the forest to her home. Today was indeed depressing, with teachers and students' giving her disapproving looks as she walked through the halls. Strange, they didn't seem to mind when she aced her tests and did her work excellently. All because she had a 'different' dress sense...
As she walked along, moaning about the narrow-mindedness of her fellow beings, she suddenly spotted a book in the grass. That's weird, she thought, walking up to where it lay. Slowly, she picked in up. I wonder whose it is... she mused, looking at it. The cover was missing, so she had to flip through the pages to find out what it was. She opened the book and was shocked to see golden streaks of light. What the heck, she thought, and looked up.
Straight into a pair of eyes.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded. "This is private..." Before she could finish, the man covered her mouth. "Keep still," he hissed. Just then, the sound of rushing feet came nearer, as a group of... Joari almost screamed. They were hideous! Like the monsters she had seen in the movies, except now they were more up close and personal. Unlike the cold creatures in the theaters, these were literally pulsing with hate. The man pulled them closer to the tree, his muscles taunt.
After what seemed like eternity, the creatures left. The man slowly relaxed. Joari was stilled stunned after what she had seen. The man faced her. "Tell me," he demanded, "What is a girl like you doing in the forest?" She rolled her eyes. What a pick up line! Then she froze. "Forest?" she looked around at the towering trees around her. Oh my goodness! I really am in a forest! What to do what to do....
Legolas looked at the girl in front of him. He had been luring the group of orcs away from his fellowship, when the girl suddenly just appeared in front of him. There had been no warning, and he did not sense her presence. He would have bumped into her if he didn't happen to be looking straight ahead when she appeared. The darkening sky alerted him though. He had to get back to his friends.
While Joari was still getting used to her surroundings, the guy suddenly grabbed her hand. "Follow me!" he ordered as he took off, dragging her along. She sighed as she began to pick up her pace. Like I have a choice...
***~~~~~***
"Legolas!" Frodo cried upon seeing his fair friend. "We were so worried!" Merry and Pippins would have asked more questions, if not for the strange look on the archer's face. "We have a problem..." he said, as a strange girl suddenly stumbled into the clearing.
What the... Joari thought, her blurry eyes becoming alert as she took in the strange scene in front of her. There were men in all sizes and ages in front of her, they too staring.
"She sure is a sight to see!" Aragorn chuckled, as the rest of the fellowship continued staring at the strange human girl. After all, how many women, race or culture non-withstanding would wear such clothes? She was wearing a pair of very loose pants, with what seemed to be a sleeveless leather vest. She was bearing a piece of spiked leather around her wrist and neck, and her chin-length hair was blue and black. Maybe she's a slave... he mused, looking at her wrist.
"Who are you? Why did your bring me here? What the heck are you guys. You seem to be a walking freak show..." Gimli growled. Aragorn put a placating hand on the dwarf.
"Yes my lady, we have not been formally introduced. My name is Aragorn. These here are my comrades, Legolas," pointing to the blonde hair elf, "Gimli," the dwarf awkwardly bowed, " and Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam." The hobbits nodded sagely, still unused to the sight of such as she. "What brings you here lady..."
"Joari. My name's Joari for Christ's sake. Stop calling me lady will'ya?"
"Who's Christ?" Pippin piped out. (Sorry, couldn't resist)
"He's... well, he's the son of God! Though his name is supposed to be Jesus..." she trailed off.
"What is your God's name?" Legolas asked, interested. "Well... he has a lot of names! But most of the time, we just call him God." Legolas looked puzzled at her answers but let it rest.
"So, are you from Middle-Earth?" Aragorn asked.
"Middle-Earth?" Joari looked puzzled. "As in the Equator? Nah~ Never been there." At her words, the fellowship fell silent. Equator? She obviously wasn't from Middle-Earth. But where was she from?
Aragorn looked at the dark sky. "We'll ask more questions later. Right now, let's go get some rest. We have a big day tomorrow." Turning to Joari, he asked, "I trust you'll be joining us?"
"Of course," Joari snapped. She winced inwardly at her snippy tone. She was just feeling rather frightened-no, not frightened, confused. "Sorry about that," she apologized. Legolas motioned to her, "Come, I've got a bedroll you can use." Gratefully, she followed him to the horses.
"Thanks." She said, as he handed her the bedroll. "You're the one that saved my ass right? Thanks. It was cool of you to." She stated before walking off, leaving a rather befuddled elf behind. Ass? Cool? What does she mean? He thought, as he stared at her retreating back.
***~~~~~***
"Crack!" Joari shot up, startled. "What was that?" she asked to no one in particular.
" It was just the fire, Lady Joari," a low voice answered her. She turned around. It was Legolas.
" Oh. Sorry, did I wake you?" "No, I was on watch." she frowned. "Why? It seems perfectly safe here. It's not like a lion is going to jump out of nowhere and eat us up."
Legolas looked at her; "there are worse things then animals out there my lady." With sudden recollection, Joari shivered. "You mean those... things that were chasing you?" He looked her solemnly. "they are orcs."
Joari didn't answer. Instead, she changed the topic. "Where are you guys headed?" she asked. "To Rivendell, of Elrond's domain. "Rivendell? I don't think I've ever heard off that." "It is the place of the elves my lady." Legolas replied.
"Elves? Are you joking? They don't exist!" Legolas looked at her bemusedly. "I am an elf."
Joari looked at him. Okay... nutcase alert. "I'm sure you are, Legolas. How old do you think I am? Ten?" He looked at her, obviously puzzled. "No, you should be at least half my age, which is about..." he did a mental calculation. " One thousand three hundred and forty nine years old." He answered honestly. She looked at him incredulously. "You don't look that old," Legolas smiled at her reaction. "Lady, elves are eternal. They live forever." She still looked at him, shocked. "That would make you the oldest living creature on the face of the Earth!" And the best looking one too I might add she said to herself silently.
Just then, Aragorn awoke. "Ah, Lady Joari, Legolas. You have awoken already. Come, let us rouse the rest and continue onwards." With that, he started waking up the others.
As they were finishing of breakfast, Joari asked one more question. "What are you guys?"
Gimli replied, "I am a dwarf, most fearsome race of Middle-Earth."
Legolas replied, "I'm an elf my lady, as you already know."
Aragorn said, " I'm a human, like you." Inwardly, Joari relaxed. At least human beings exist here, she thought.
At last, the remaining four said, "We are hobbits."
With those words, it was as if everything clicked into place. Hobbits, Rivendell, Elves, Dwarfs, Middle-Earth, Orcs... "Oh my god! I'm in a J.R..." she fainted, straight into the arms of Gimli.
"By my axe! Why did she faint?" Gimli asked as he lay her down. "Now what shall we do?"
Aragorn thought for a minute. "We'll put her with Legolas. I'll be forging ahead and she's too tall for the rest of you, no offence intended,"
As Pippin helped Legolas lift the girl up, he suddenly started blushing. "Oh my," he murmured, as he went off to mount his horse. Legolas stared after him, wondering at the hobbit's strange behavior. He started adjusting Joari's position in front of him. Absently, he looked in front.
And he could see why, as his cheeks started reddening.
***~~~~~***
