Chapter Fourteen

The Gods, a Plan, and an evil plot

Back on Taniquetal, Orome was once again peering into his crystal orb. There was a slight frown on his face . . .

"Not fair!" he muttered, "Those two were supposed to be taken with the others!"

He sat up straight with a start and quickly stashed the orb in his tunic. He'd heard footsteps . . .

Sure enough, his sister goddess, Yavanna, was walking through the groves at the foot of the mountain. She smiled upon seeing him.

"Mae govannen, my brother."

The young god stood, his green eyes flashing as he smiled.

"Mae govannen, my sister. Why art thou not upon Tantiquetil with they husband, Manwe?"

She looked at him strangely.

"Doth mineself need a reason to walk among the flowers I hath created?"

Orome shook his head, still smiling.

"Fay! Of course not, mine sister." he said, looking for somewhere to run.

"I shall bid thee, farewell, Yavanna. Namaarie."

She was still staring at him, confused, but did not voice her questions.

"Namaarie, Orome."

As soon as he was out of earshot and out of sight, Orome pulled out his seeing stone again. The mists inside held for a moment, but soon parted to reveal the group of children right where he'd left them.

"This game is growing dull," he muttered.

"If the actors don't salvage their parts, I might have to help them along . . ."

Legolas helped Jamie to her feet and held her arm so she wouldn't fall. She didn't seem to register where she was and nothing fully clicked until her view panned back to the elven prince and his friends.

It was then that she almost fell.

"So it wasn't a dream," Legolas heard her whisper.

"I am afraid not, Miri. It is all far too real."

None of the others had noticed their friend return to consciousness. At the moment they were still screaming at Nicky, who was pointedly ignoring them and discussing the terms of registry with his fellow orc-brother.

Aragorn was the first to discover the newly awakened Miri, who had crept up beside him with Legolas to see what her friends were all so upset about.

"Jamie!" he cried, pulling her into a hug, "Thank the Valar you are unhurt!"

At his cry the rest of them turned toward her and converged in a sea of jubilant exaltation and happy bear hugs. Nick actually began to feel a little left out for the few moments that he was not the center of attention.

He turned to the president of the orc study group and handed it his things.

"Hold these for a second."

By the time he'd moseyed over to his friends, they had started to tell Jamie the horrors that had befallen them while she'd slept.

"The Rings were activated again," Aragorn said, nervously toying with the band on his finger, "many of the others were taken . . ."

Jamie realized from his hesitation what he was trying to say.

"Vikki . . ." she murmured, still in shock, "then . . .she's gone. . ."

She turned to look at the ranger-to-be. He seemed abated that she had taken the news so well.

"How is it that we weren't ta-"

Her eyes went wide as she stopped in mid-sentence.

"Never mind, Aragorn. We need not discuss that right now."

Only Legolas noticed her eyes flicker for a moment over to Boromir's face. When he stopped to look at the knight, himself, he found Boromir to be slightly

blushing. . .

Before he could inquire as to the peculiarity of his friends' actions, Legolas' thoughts were interrupted by a vow from Aragorn.

"We'll get her back, Jamie." he said, clasping the girl's hand, "I promise."

She smiled slightly at him.

"I know you will, guys." Jamie said, addressing them all. She noticed with a slightly amused expression that the orcs were trying to talk to Nicky, who was promptly ignoring them.

Mike was looking around at the group nervously.

"Um, I hate to burst everyone's bubble," he began, "but how, exactly, are we going to do that. We don't even know where they were taken."

Aragorn looked grim.

"But we know the one place the answers we seek can be found."

Everyone exchanged looks.

"The Principal's office."

Vikki woke up to find herself in what looked to be a small classroom. She was sitting at a desk . . . and noticed with sudden alarm that she was chained to it. She surveyed the room, only to discover that other students were present, and that they were chained as well. Even young Frodo was there.

"I hate quoting Boromir . . ." she mumbled, "but . . . what new devilry is this?"
A sound like a thunderclap echoed through the classroom so that any of those not yet awake were promptly conscious. Suddenly Saruman was standing at the front of the classroom, grinning evilly.

"Good morning, children," he drawled out for them, "I'm so pleased you could all join me for this lovely class."

A small boy with blonde hair raised his hand. The wizard turned a withering look in his direction.

"Yes?!"

The boy gulped.

"Um, excuse me sir, but what class is this?"

The wizard's demonic smile widened.

"I suppose I should correct myself," he turned to the boy, "I don't do it often, so be happy that you are not dead where you sit, but I shall do it now. This really is not a class of any sort. This is, in fact, detention," he laughed, "and you are all going to be here quite a while."