A/N: Sorry it's taken so long to update... but i've been really buys with all my swimming! Not to mention that high school swimming is coming up.. so I am training for that, and all that shizz! i promise that i will try to update more often!

Chapter 5

After another moments thought, I blinked hard, only to find that the snow had begun to fall even harder than before. The Six halflings, even Veronica and Laura, were huddled on either side of Aragorn or Boromir. Gandalf continued to lead the company.... fighting a path through the snow with his staff. Legolas was making his way to the head of the line, up to where Gandalf was. He was lightly walking atop of the snow, not leaving any trace of a foot print. 'How does he manage to do that!?!' I asked myself. Then it hit me. I'm light footed too! I can walk atop the snow... so why am i still walking on the ground?!? I awed at my knowledge, and hopped atop the snow, to walk near Legolas.



By the time I had thought of doing this, Legolas had run ahead of the line. "There is a fell voice on the air!!" He yelled to Gandalf through the wind and snow.

"SURAMON!" Gandalf shouted back to Legolas. At the same time, the snow peak above us rumbled and let loose an avalanche of snow. Like Gandalf, the rest of us followed suit and flug ourselves against the wall of rocks.

"He's Trying To Bring Down The Mountain!" Aragorn desperately yelled, despite the howling winds. "Gandlaf, We MUST Turn Back!" He yelled again, emphasizing the word Must. "NO" was Gandalf's only reply He quickly climbed atop a rock that was sticking out of the snow. Immeaditly he began to shout a counter-curse. The words thundered from his mouth, and he raised his staff. Unfortunately... the counter curse failed. Moments later, a great bolt of lightening hit the peaks above us. Again, letting loose an avalanche of snow, this time much grater. The fellowship had no time to react... we were caught under the snow.

Legolas was the first to pop his head out of the snow, the Me. Slowly the others dug their way out. Everyone climbed their way out with the help of the others. Finally everyone was out.... except Laura. "Where's Laura?!?!?!?" Merry cried desperately. Everyone when frantic, we couldn't find her... who knows what could have happened to her! "I found her!" Gimli yelled after moments of searching.

Laura was buried under the snow, her eyes rolled back into her head. All of us took the effort to help dig her out of the snow. When she was finally dug out... she lie there limp, her lips were blue, and there was a gash going from the back of her neck, and traveling down her spine. She had gotten hit with one of the fallen rocks.

"Make for the gap of Rohan!" Boromir yelled, picking up Laura's limp body. "Take the west road to my city!"

"That would bring us too close to Isenguard!" Protested Aragorn.

"If we must go over the mountain, let us go under it!" Gimli began to suggest. It seemed that everyone knew what he was going to say. There was complete and utter silence, except for the wind. "Let us go through the mines of Moria."

Everyone's faces seemed to become plae. No one but Gimli thought this to be a good idea. Espically Veronica and I. Gandalf's face seemed to fill the most with fear. He knew about the more foul things that the dwarves had awoken in the mines. It seemed to him as though this was Saramon's plan, for them to be forced into the mines. Though Gandalf refused to accept it, he knew that that would be their destined path. "Let the ring Bearer deciede," he said suddenly. Everyone turned their attention to Frodo. "Frodo?" Gandalf asked.

Frodo struggled for a few moments, before looking over at Laura. Her body was now clutched in Boromirs protective arms. "We shall go through the mines!" He announced. "So be it," said Gandalf. His eyes were full of fear and worry, and his voice trembled. Again, he made his way to the head of the company. Slowly, though it seemed to go much faster, we made our way back down the mountain. As though the Mountains were happy, it stopped snowing, and the wind died down. But darkness soon prevaled.

"Gandalf," I said walking up to him atop the snow. I had Laura in my arms, for Boromir was tired, and was barley able to walk by himslef, let alone with the weight of a hobbit. "Can we not make shelter? The storm is dying down, yes!" I said in one breath. I drew in the cold air, and began again. "But it is dark, and the Hobbits, and most definitly Aragorn and Boromir are tired. Not to mention, if we don't stop, Laura might freeze. The wound on her neck is lookin most horrible, we need to clean it and bandage it. We must stop soon Gandalf," I repeated.

"Yes, I agree with you whole heartedly. But we MUST press on! Evil is afoot, and we musn't take any chances." He said sternyl, looking me strait in the eye. I grumbled under my breath, and was about to begin about Laura again, when someone else joined the conversation. "I agree with Addie!" The distant voice said. I looked around to see who my follower was.... it was Frodo. "Gandalf, we must rest," he paused. "We are all weary, and in pain, let alone we must try to cure Laura.

I could not help but smile. Its a good thing that Frodo had come to help me... I was beginning to run out of ideas to use to persuade Gandalf. Let alone Gandalf would give into Frodo because he is the ring bearer! "If I remember correctly, there should be a cave somewhere up ahead," I reminded Gandalf. He sighed in defeat, and agreed to rest there for the night. But he also reminded us that at the first sight of the sun, we would have to begin our journey to Moria. All of us agreed, just happy that we actually got the chance to rest. Only moments after my conversation with Gandalf did we find the cave.

Slowly, the 12 of us crammed into the cave. Which turned out to be much bigger than any of us had expected. As we filed in, Boromir and Gimli began to make a fire to keep us warm. Aragorn immeaditly began to check out Laura's wound. The rest of us (being Merry, Pippin, Veronica and I) gathered together in a corner. Frodo and Sam had hidden them sleves in another corner, and seemed to be talking about the shire, and Rosie Cotton.

In a matter of minutes... there was a shrill screech in the cave. Laura had woken up in the middle of being stitched up by Aragorn and Legolas. She wasn't too happy from what we could see. But no matter, after she was done getting stitched up, Aragorn let her come over to our corner of the cave. "Just don't do anything to bother the stitches, and you will be better in a few days," Aragorn had warned Laura. Though she took no heed to his words.

Soon, Laura found her way over to the rest of us. Aragorn and Boromir had become deep in conversation when joined by Legolas. Where as Gimli was talking excidetly to Gandalf about going through the mines. Everyone sitting near me seemed to be in a gloomy state. "Who's up for a game of cards!?!?" Laura said abruptly, jumping up from where she was sitting. "Ouch," She softly wimpered after that.

"Cards?" Pippin and Merry asked at the same time. Both looked at the other with confusion, yet wonder.

"Yes," I said to them. "Cards, it's fun. We can teach you some of our favorite games... Like Poker!" I told them. I got up, and streched. "Get the cards Addie?" Veronica asked. Well, actually, it was more of a demand, but I said yes any ways. I made my way over to our packs, which happened to be resting near the fire.

"What, may I ask, are you doing?" Boromir asked with wonder. For a moment, I did not answer, I just burried my head deeper into my pack. Finally, I brought up my head and held up the deck of cards. "Cards!" I said excidetly. Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas looked at me in confusion. It was just like the look the hobbits gave us. 'They've spent too much time together,' I thought to myself. "Would any of you boys care to join the on going excitement in our corner??" I asked politley. I highly doubted that they would want to join. But to my surprise came an "I will join you!" announcement from Legolas. After a few seconds silence, I nodded my head. "Any other takers?" I asked before going back to the group. Both Boromir and Aragorn decilned the offer. "Suit yourselves!"

Legolas and I began to make our way back to the anxiously waiting hobbits. "What are the stackes Ladys and Gents?" I asked as i sat down in my spot. Legolas sat his body gracefully down next to mine. "Stakes?" Pippin asked. "Yeah, you gotta have stakes if your playing poker you dumbie!" I paused, giving Pip the 'you-stupid-idoit' look. "Make a bet, Veronica, give you lover boy here an example!" I said, rolling my eyes. Pippin blushed a deep red, and turned his attention towards Veronica. She cleared her voice and began.

"Ok, there will be three teams, no," she said thinking outloud. "Make that two teams," she announced looking at Laura and I with a rather large grin. The boy's nodded their heads and Veronica continued. "It'll be girls against guys, don't worry, we'll go easy on you. We bet...." she paused to think.

"That if we win, each of you boys has to do what ever one girl wants!" Laura said evily. "If we loose, we each have to do something for one of you." The boy's looked at each other for a breif moment, and then agreed to the stakes. We soon began to teach them. At first we went easy on the. Ya know, because they were beginners at the game. But they soon caught on, and rather quick at that. So the gals team began to put pressure on them. Everyone back in our home (michigan) knew that Laura, Veronica and I were the unstoppable trio at poker. So we were guarenteed to win even in the beginning. As it turned out, we did end up winning, and by quite a bit at that.

"I think that they cheated! I bet they switched our cards when we weren't looking!" Merry convicted us.

"We did not!" Us gals protested. "We just happen to be very extreamly good at the game!" Laura argued back. "Or would you rather have a fist fight over the matter?" I added, giving Merry an evil eye.

"NO! NO! OK! I give in, you win!" He said with fear.

"Thats more like it!" I siad smiling. "Now, Ladies," I paused turning towards my friends. "What should make these lovely lads do for us tonight." I asked them openly. Veronica's hand shot us in the air in an instant. "Yes Ms. Veronica?" I asked. She scooted herself closer to me, so that the boys could not hear her plot. She whispered in my ear... "Make them kiss us or something like that!" She said softly giggling with excitement.

"Very good idea my Lady!" I told her out loud. I scooted over to laura and told her the ides. Then it hit me.... Make them sleep next to you! And make them stay up until you fall asleep. Let alone they should have to make us breakfest in the morning. "I GOT IT!" I yelled. Everyone in the cave turned to look at me. I smiled sweetly, and then waved to my fans. Then, I signaled for Laura and Veronica to huddle up with me.

"Lets make them sleep next to us, and they have to stay up till we fall asleep. Then, in the morning, they have to each make us breakfest. Oh! and then they have to teach us hand to hand combat, and how to use swords!" I giggled with joy. Veronica popped her head out of the huddle. She took one look at Pippin, smiled happily, and then dug her head back into the huddle.

"Hella yeah! I'm totally in, but we gotta have the training part too though," she added. I nodded my head in agreement. "I'm in, what 'bout you Laura?" I asked her. She smiled devilishly and agreed to the terms. The three of us broke from our huddle and turned twords the boys. "Whe have made our decision!" Squealed Veronica.

"And?" All three of them asked with wonder and curiosity.

"Well," I paused. I quickly decided that it might be better if Legolas expalin the terms to Pippin and Merry. So I crawled over to Legolas and began to whisper in his ear. "First, you must teach us to fight... seeing as we are going on this quest too. But be careful with Laura," I added. "Second of all, you have to sleep next to us, and wait untill we fall asleep to go to bed. And in the morning, you have to cook us breakfest... and don't even think about getting sam to do it for you!" I told him gleefully. He looked at me weirdly, and I decided that this might need a lilttle more explaination. "Ok, Merry gets paired up with Laura. Veronica gets paired up with Pippin, and I get paired up with you." I said finally.

"WHAT!!!" He literally shouted. "I'll agree to the training and breakfest parts... but the sleeping parts... DON'T THINK SO!" He told me. "If you stayed up all night, that means we would have to too! That's just not fair!"

"Well, it's either that, or we can have Laura beat you up. Now, from my experience," I said showing a few of my scars from Laura. "Thats gotta be the stupidest thing to agree to! I'd take the first chioces."

"Fine, let me at least talk it over with the others," he told me, moving towards Pippin and Merry. Silenly Legolas told them of our terms. Both of them reacted the same way Legolas did. "WHAT! Not the middle term!" They shouted in unison.

"Ahem!" I said with a tinge of anger. The three of us girls looked over at them with puppy dog eyes. There was no way that they were going to get out of our terms... and they knew that.

"Fine!" They said at last, giving into our puppy dog eyes. "Good, we begin now," I paused and smiled at my friends. "Lets go gals," I mouthed to Veronica and Laura. Both of them made their way over to their teachers, and I headed for Legolas, who was over by Bill, getting spare swords. He handed one to each of us girls, while Pippin and Merry got out their own swords. Merry began to teach Laura... in the mean time hurting her neck. But on a lighter note, she caught on pretty fast, and was as good as Merry in a matter of minutes. On the other hand, Pip was having a hard time teaching Veronica. Finally he got behind her, and did the sword motions with her. She smiled up at him, and he swiftly bent down and kissed her on the lips. Me, on the other hand, got to start with learning how to use a bow and arrow. Seeing as that was what Legolas was best at. Using the bow and arrow was actually easier than I thought it would be. Despite the fact that on my first shot I almost hit Boromir in the shoulder.

"Sorry!" I yelled to him. He looked at me cautiously and then softly smiled. He went back to talking to Aragorn. After those first few shots, Legolas thought it would be safer if I learned to use a sword. It was harder than the bow was. Mainly because my upper body strength wasn't in the best condition... seeing as I hadn't had a hard swimming work out in a while. But I eventually got used to the feeling. A few hours passed, and us girls began to get weary. One by one, starting with Veronica and Pippin, we laid down for bed. Veronica didn't look the least bit tired. I think that she just wanted to watch Pippin suffer (because he had to go to bed after she did). Though Pippin, on the other hand, didn't even look excited. It's probably the fact that he had to sleep next to Veronica as opposed to next Merry. I told Legolas to hold on a moment and I walked over to Pippin.

Quietly, so no one else would hear, I whispered something in Pippin's ear. His eyes grew wide and he groaned. I just smirked, and smiled nicely at him and walked back to Legolas. Who, for being an elf, looked tired. "Tired all ready my love?" I asked him. He just nodded and yawned. 'Too bad he has to stay awake till I go to sleep!' I thought to myself. "We can go to bed now if you really wanna," I told him. As he did before, he nodded his head. So we set down our battle gear and walked over to our bed rolls. (which were previously set up). I glanced over to find Veronica and Pippin literally making out. And Merry and Laura were sitting by the fire, kissing. I could not help but smile to my self. 'Hmmm, my plans went better then expected!' I said in my head, almost saying it out loud.

"Did you say something?" Legolas asked. I shook my head no. I looked around the cave. Everyone seemed to be asleep. Veronica and Pippin had laid down and were in each others embrace. (Even though Pippin only had to sleep next to her). Laura and Merry were still a little awake, because they were still kissing. But every one else seemed to be asleep, or coarse, everyone but me and Legolas.

Though I guess I spoke too soon. Because as soon as we (Legolas and I) were settled in our bed rolls, he fell asleep like a baby. 'He didn't wait for me to fall asleep!' I thought. 'That's ok though, he rarely ever sleeps, so I'll cut him some slack.' I sighed and placed a one-sided kiss on his lips. Then I laid down in my bed roll, and attempted to fall asleep. My attempts failed, despite the urge to stay near Legolas, I found myself restless. So I got up, and walked over to the entrance to the cave.

I softly started to hum my favorite song, Miss American Pie (A/N: It's the one sung by Don McClean).

'A long long time ago

I can still remember how that music used to make me smile!'

I paused for a moment. That song made me think a lot about my home. But here, I was happier here, in Middle Earth, with my friends... and Legolas.

'I knew if I had my chance

That I could make those people dance

And maybe they'd be happy for a while!

But February made me shiver

With every paper I delivered

Bad news on the doorstep!'

I stopped to catch my breath, and slid down against the stone wall.

'I can't remember if I cried

When I read about his widowed bride

But something touched me deep inside

The day, the Music... Died!'

I again paused to catch my breath. I was about to start my soft singing again when I heard another voice join in.

'So bye bye Miss American Pie

Drove my Chevy to the Levy

But the levy was dry

Them good ole boys were drinking whisky and wine

Singing this'll be the day that I die

This'll be the day that I die!'

The voice stopped singing. And all was quiet. I looked up to see Boromir walking towards me. My eyes grew wide. 'How did he know the lyrics to that song? I've never sung that one before!' I asked myself. "B... Boromir?" I whispered with awe.

"Yes," he replied.

"How, How," I stumbled. I took in a deep breath and tried again. "How do you know the lyrics to that song?" I asked him.

A/N: MUAH HA HA HA HA HA! cliffhanger! aren't you all just soooo anxious to see what happens? (Fans yell YES) lol. I should have the next chapter up in like... a week tops. But for now.... common, send those lovely reviews!