Mellon1: Sorry it's been so long since my last update. I hope this chapter makes up for it.
Serpant of light: Here's the next chapter, my muse finally stuck around enough to let me get it out, hope it does the wait justice.
Aislin2: I usually try to have my pages at seven pages minimum, though I passed that in this chapter. My muse hasn't left me completely, thank goodness. If there's anything I can do to help you, let me know.
Mrs. Ekeena Greenleaf: I know I'm evil, runs around a bit in my nature, lol! About Aidian and Shantel, we'll see how far things go.
Blahblah: You sent Orc's after me, do you know what they did. First they taunted my hair, then teased me about my clothes. I couldn't even call the hero's in from the fellowship to rescue me! Wahhhh… then my muse came and chased them off, but since then I have been having weird dreams. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.
Elen: Ahhhhh! First Orcs now a mob! ::Types furiously:: Okay here's the chapter, hope it's good!
Diane8: Yes, Shantel is quite a character, I honestly can't believe half the stuff about her…okay I can I guess since she is my character. Hope you like this chapter!
Trust No One: What's with the ranger guy you ask, well it's irony of all things that have to go on of course, I couldn't resist, plus my muse threatened to leave if I didn't put him in. And yes Shantel is still a clutz, LOL! And still retains some sense of humor from home. As for how far she'll go with Aidian, we'll have to wait and see. :o)
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"All right Shantel," Aragorn nodded. "What would you like to speak to me about."
"My, uh," Shantel mentally shook herself. "I have been having problems remembering my past."
"What parts are you having problems with?" Aragorn sat Shantel down.
"All of it," Shantel said. "Ever since the battle at Pelennor fields." Looking down, she avoided their eyes not wanting to see their shock and shame at Shantel for not telling them sooner. "All I remember is from the time I met you and the hobbits."
"I am saddened, that you did not see it fit to tell me before now," Aragorn said. "For now there is little I can try to bring your memory back."
"I didn't even think about that," Shantel said looking up.
"My brother and I will be leaving soon," Elrohir said. May chance that father will know of a way to help you."
"If not would you like us to hit you over the head again?" Elladan asked cheerily. Biting in a smile, Shantel attempted to glare at him, but only laughed instead while his brother hit Elladan's shoulder. Later that evening, Aragorn came to Shantel's tent and handed her a small steaming cup.
"Herbs," he said at her questioning glance. "It's not much but hopefully it will help a little."
"Hopefully that's all my brain will need," Shantel shrugged and took a sip. Mid-sip, her eyes widened and Aragorn stepped forward to stop Shantel from dropping the cup.
"Swallow," He commanded. She did and took in a big breath of air.
"That was nasty!" Shantel complained and pushed the cup back to Aragorn. "Take it, I don't want my memories! Ewww!"
"Shantel you are not a child!" Aragorn scolded and Shantel quieted down. "Now drink this," his tone becoming gentle.
"Yes Sir," Shantel did a mock salute and took a huge breath. Swallowing the drink quickly, she made enough faces and odd noises to go with them to attract the attention of a person nearby.
"Are you all right, Shantel?" It was Aidian.
"Yeah," She replied. "You can come in if you want." He stepped in and nodded his head acknowledging Aragorn. Once Aragorn left, Aidian sat and listen to Shantel tell him of the drink she had.
"Why couldn't they have sweets recall memory?" Shantel wondered aloud. "That would have tasted so much better, and then, Aidian are you falling asleep?" He sat up quickly and shook his head.
"No! I am," He paused for a yawn. "Wide awake."
"Get to bed, I can see you tomorrow," Shantel said pushing Aidian to his feet. He then surprised her. Before she could protest, Aidian leaned in, taking Shantel's hand and kisses her palm.
"Till the morrow," He whispered then was gone. It felt strange, but just at that moment, Shantel couldn't explain what it was she was feeling. Hopefully, in time, she would be able to recall her past and understand why her stomach did flip flops.
That night, Shantel had strange dreams. She was walking down, what she assumed to be a road, but it was hard as stone, flat and black as night. Then she noticed the white lines in the middle. Bending down she touched the lines, only to note they were smoothed and slightly raised from the surface. Then a large horn sounded and Shantel looked up to see twin lights bearing down on her. She froze like a deer, mesmerized by the lights not able to move. Just when she turned her head away, shielding her eyes, something hit her, rolling her over, out of the way of what turned out to be a huge metal monster.
"Are you all right?" A voice asked. Shantel slowly got up with the help of the owner of the voice.
"I seemed to be asked that a lot now a days," Shantel said and felt her heart thud when she saw the rescuer. She was sure she had never seen him before, but why did he seem so familiar? Pulling her to the side, more and more, metal monsters were now passing.
"My name is," But the noise drowned it out. "What were you doing?"
"I uh," Shantel looked around. Buildings that seemed to touch the sky were all around them. Her head went up and up and up, until Shantel felt that she was falling, and heard the guy crying out to her, then she landed. Sitting up fast, Shantel grabbed her heart, then looked around. It was still dark outside. Letting out a breath, she was safe, in her tent, no metal monsters. Laying back down, She now found sleep hard to come by. Thinking for a moment about getting up and finding either the hobbits, or Legolas, just so she wouldn't be alone, but then decided not too, simply because the men wouldn't understand. Just before dawn was starting to brighten the edges of the sky, Shantel started to fall asleep, cuddled on her side in her blankets.
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Scott was dreaming. Walking down the streets of downtown, he looked to his left hearing the blast of a horn and saw Shantel, kneeling in the middle of the road, just staring at the light. Springing into action, Scott tackled her and rolled her away from the huge truck that quite possibly would have passed not hurting her if she were lying down. But the car following would have taken care of that.
"Are you all right?" Scott asked, watching Shantel brush herself off. He helped her get up slowly.
"I seemed to be asked that a lot now a days," She replied and gave him a smile when she looked at him. For a moment it faltered and she looked confused.
"My name is Scott," but traffic was increasing and she didn't hear his name. "What were you doing?"
"I uh," Shantel turned from him looking at the tall buildings. As she looked higher and higher, she started to fall back. Scott went forward to catch her but found himself falling as well, which his head landed in a loud bang. Opening his eyes, he sat up rubbing the injured area and looked back seeing that he somehow scooted back on the bed, and moved just enough to smash his head on the headboard.
"Oh, that smarts," Scott winced and shook his head. Believe it or not, the dream reflects the first place he met Shantel. In real life she was with friends not really paying attention to where they were walking. Almost stepping in front of a huge truck, like the one in the dream, Scott reached forward grabbing Shantel around the waist, startling her friends enough to jump out of the way. Staring at the truck in shock for a moment, Shantel turned to him.
"Thank you," She said shyly.
"You're welcome," Scott remembered feeling shy all of a sudden. His friend Nick was with him and smirking at his friends discomfort.
"Is there anything I can do, to thank you properly?" Shantel gave him a shy smile, and Scott was ready to say no when Nick cut in.
"My friend was saying he would like your phone number!" Scott looked at his friend in surprise and then had a piece of paper in his hand with her phone number on it.
"Uh," Nick elbowed Scott. "My name is Scott." He reached out his hand, while Nick rolled his eyes.
"Shantel," She placed her hand in his.
Why was he remembering all this, Scott wondered, still sitting in the bed, his head was now throbbing. Getting up and going to the fridge, he pulled out a bag of frozen peas, wrapped them in a towel and held it onto the back his head. There was a pot on the stove, that had cooked Scott's dinner for him. One thing he found about Shantel being gone, was that he could cook quite well. Must have picked it up from his mother since she went to a chef collage, though she never did anything with it.
The only thing that was different, was Scott had finally moved out of the house that he was sharing with Shantel. Bills just spiraled out of control and Scott didn't want her coming home to that, if she ever got home. So he went to get an apartment, one bedroom, sold a lot of the furniture that they had, since it wasn't being used and hoped Shantel wouldn't be upset about it. He was doing what he thought was best. He kept one medium sized sofa and had a TV stand for the TV. Any movies, he kept in the nearby closet. Sitting down he clicked on the remote and the early morning news was one.
"Another girl gone missing, and the culprit is still at large." The News woman said. A few months after Shantel disappeared more girls went missing, but they now had clues of a kidnapper, in their area. So the police shifted their eyes from Scott to the new kidnappers thinking they had her as well. So far, six, wait, make that seven girls were now missing. Count Shantel in the mix….
"That's now eight girls missing." The news woman said. "The first one was Shantel gone missing several months ago. First suspect was her fiancé until the other girls went missing in the same manner, dropping him from the list of suspects." Scott flipped off the TV not wanting to hear about that. In the bedroom, Scott heard his alarm go off and rubbed his face. Standing up he returned into his room, to get dressed for work, it was going to be a long day.
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Peeking into her tent, Legolas saw that Shantel was cuddled in the blankets, still asleep. Smiling he walked over and gently shook her shoulder, trying to get her to wake. Groaning Shantel pushed him away and rolled away from him.
"Now Shantel it is time to get up," Legolas said. No response. Going towards the bottom of her blanket, Legolas grabbed the top blanket and quickly pulled it off. She gasped at the sudden coldness and reached for the blanket. Lifting her head, Shantel peered through sleepy eyes and frowned at Legolas who smiled at her holding the blanket.
"Too early," Shantel groaned and put her head back down.
"Come now Shantel," Legolas went over and shook her shoulder again.
"Hold on, do something for me first," Shantel requested. He waited. "Lay here for a second I'm going to show you something." With a raised eyebrow, Legolas laid on his back next to her. Shantel promptly cuddled up next to the elf and closed her eyes. "Better." Shantel murmured.
"Hey wait a minute," Legolas realized he had been tricked.
"Legolas, you are suppose to get her up, not cuddle with her," Elladan and Elrohir peeked in from the entrance.
"There's room for you guys too," Shantel said, ignoring Legolas motioning no. The twins ran over jumping on them, as Legolas tried to untangle himself to get away.
"No, no, no, no!" Legolas chanted in the mix of arms and legs.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" The twins chanted.
"That sounds so wrong," Shantel mentioned and got several playful hits from the elves until the sound of some one clearing their throat stopped them.
"If I'm interrupting anything?" Gimli arms crossed laughing at the group.
"Save me from these crazy elves!" Shantel stretched her hands out to the dwarf. He came forward to help Shantel up but Legolas grabbed Gimli's hand and pulled him in before the poor dwarf could react.
"Ack!" Shantel pushed at the elves and now dwarf. "Let me out, I need oxygen to live!" Detangling themselves all were able to stand though now were a little crowded since Shantel's tent was not made to fit five.
"Okay I'm up, am going to get dressed and don't need an audience," Shantel started to push them out, except Elladan had something behind his back.
"What are you smirking about?" Shantel put her hands on her hips and sighed at him. Elladan revealed a parcel wrapped in brown paper.
"A present!" Shantel grabbed it and carefully unwrapped the paper away. Inside was a light blue gown. Simple but elegantly cut.
"Aragorn sent my brother and I in to get you proper clothing," Elrohir said from the entrance. Legolas and Gimli were looking in trying to see the dress.
"Oh." Understanding came that Aragorn would not want Shantel to enter looking like a boy next to the other warriors.
"If you need help," Elladan took leave and the others let the flap shut so Shantel could have some time to dress privately. Slipping off the long tunic, Shantel rubbed her face clean using a small basin with water and put the dress on. It tied around the waist with a sash letting Shantel not worry about calling for assistance. Outside the sun was bright and men were bustling about in activity getting everything ready for Aragorn's entrance as king.
"Here Shantel," Pippin and Merry came forward with a small array of meat and cheese arranged together on a cloth napkin and a small skin of water. "Eat quick." She paused mid bite hearing this from the hobbit and shook her head smiling at him. Once fed and ready to go, Aragorn was already leaving. The hobbits were all at his side, along with Gandalf and a few others Shantel recognized but couldn't name. She walked with Legolas, Gimli, Elrond's sons and the rest of the men from the battle field. Entering the city great cries of joy were heard and Shantel heard many whispers and fingers pointing to her as well as Aragorn.
"They are curious as to who you are," Legolas whispered
being the closest to Shantel.
"They wonder if you stole the kings heart," Elladan smirked with his brother.
"Then wouldn't it make more sense for me to walk beside him?" Shantel gave a duh motion and shook her head. "I don't care, they'll figure it out soon enough."
A ceremony of Faramir meeting with Aragorn followed and the crown was brought forward. He had Frodo present the crown to Gandalf who in turn placed it on Aragorn's head. Then a great cry was sounded and joyful in festivities were all through the streets. Aragorn went into the palace to made sure that Shantel and his guest all had rooms, and took the time until evening to clean up and rest for him the toll was much. On the other hand, Shantel was cleaned had some lunch and spent the time exploring. People were still whispering and pointing but would turn away when Shantel looked at them. This is too much like being a new person at High School Shantel thought, then wondered where the term High School came from. Pushing that thought aside, she ventured up to a group of girls, who seemed to be around her age.
"Hi," Shantel greeted, trying to not burst out questions on the whispering. They said hi back and an awkward silence followed.
"So…" Shantel rocked back on her heels and found herself bumping into some one. Spinning around Shantel was ready to give them a tongue lashing for sneaking up on her when she saw it was Aidian. Lowering her hands, she smiled and he nodded his head at her.
"Hello Aidian, feeling better that you are back in the city?" Shantel put her hands behind her back and heard the girls start furiously whispering behind her back again. Aidian replied yes and seeing Shantel roll her eyes at the girls now behind her, he offered his arm as a form of escape. Mouthing Thank You, she accepted and followed him away from the new gossip that was sure to circle.
"Will you be attending the dinner tonight?" Aidian asked.
"Yeah," Shantel nodded. "I was told it was going to be a randy ol' time."
"Who's Randy?" Shantel laughed.
"It's just a term, I forgot where I heard it though," She shrugged. Aidian brought her back to the palace and promised to see her that evening after she was done getting ready. As he walked off she looked at the sky and nodded to herself thinking it shouldn't be too far off. In her room, she found a closet that had her breeches and tunic hanging, a night shirt, and a dress she hasn't seen before. It was a few layers of different colored green, with draping arms, and a jeweled belt encompassed the waist. After touching the material to make sure it was real, Shantel looked over in the mirror, trying to decide what and how she was going to do her hair. First she piled it all on top of her head then decided she looked silly and wouldn't know how to make it all stay up there.
Finding her book bag, she turned it upside down and emptied out the side pockets. She recognized most of the things and this was a comfort, for it seemed her memory was slowly coming back. She must remember to ask Aragorn for more of those herbs. There was some butterfly clips, about eight, four white, four blue, two strands of fake beaded pearls, small ones, some scrunchies, and her hair brush. Any makeup that was in the bag was smashed or melted so Shantel was a little saddened by that. Some blush was left, so she put a little on her cheeks and carefully with a cloth, applied some white eye shadow, made her eyes stand out more.
Putting on the dress, it took her a few minutes, but she was able to get it tied so it wouldn't hang off of her. It wasn't the tightest but Shantel didn't care too much. A chemise was under it tied in the same fashion, but Shantel shrugged thinking no one was going to see it. Staring at her face in the mirror, Shantel got an idea for her hair. First she braided two small braids, like she saw on Legolas but started them up high instead of by the ears and then twirled the fake pearls around them. Lightly pulling the hair back, Shantel secured it back using a white butterfly clip, one on each side to match and surveyed her handiwork. Not too bad. Hearing a knock, Shantel went and opened the door to find a woman who looked like a maid, mouth hanging open in surprise.
"Milady, I didn't expect you to be ready," Then she looked at the dress. "Your dress…" She let the sentence hang.
"Hi I'm Shantel, you are," She waved a hand trying to get the woman's eyes back up to her face and off the waist of the dress.
"I'm sorry, my name is Nafera," She gave a small curtsey making Shantel raise an eyebrow. "I was going to help you get ready but it seems you have everything but the dress straight."
"Well I bet you can imagine trying to tie one of these things," Shantel smiled at Nafera. "Will you help me?"
"Of course!" Nafera went in and first tightened the chemise, tighter than Shantel would have liked and then the dress. Putting some stray hairs back from Shantel's face, she smiled.
"Well that was simple, you are ready."
"Good, great!" Shantel smiled, then had a thought. "Aren't you going too?"
"Yes, to help serve the dishes," Nafera smiled.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Shantel felt bad for asking.
"Oh, do not worry about it," Nafera waved Shantel's concern away. "I consider it an honor to be a maid in the house of Aragorn. But I would not know what it is like to travel with him."
"He's very polite and caring," Shantel didn't realize that Nafera was looking for gossip. "I was watching him, for Arwen, to make sure no harm should come his way. But try keeping up with that man!" Shantel laughed.
"So you are not with him," Nafera asked.
"No way," Shantel gave Nafera a yeah right look. "I have enough going on trying to get myself back to my home, what time is dinner suppose to start?"
"I can take you on down if you like," Nafera offered. Shantel followed the woman down and was left at the hall which had a very few people in. She was early, Shantel looked around, not sure if she wanted to go in or wait for some one she knew. By now a few people have noticed Shantel and saw her turn to walk away.
"Excuse me," Shantel paused mid-step and slowly turned back around. She recognized this guy as a possible knight but wasn't sure of his name. "Since you are early I thought you might entertain us, with tales of your travels."
"Oh, I'm no bard," Shantel said. "If I could remember where I can from I could tell you many stories, but I don't think I would be very entertaining."
"Try us," He offered his hand and Shantel gave one last second glance around before slipping her hand in his. There was no place for her to flee. It was a few minutes later that Aragorn walked in and he paused for a moment seeing Shantel. She looked very nice in the dress he chose for her and right now there was a small collection of guys gathered around, listening to her talk.
Shantel was telling of her meeting with Aragorn, the trip to Elrond's, and all she had experienced, besides her memory loss since coming here. The tale sounded very much like one that she knew she had seen back home and the lyrics of a song was playing about in her head.
"Dreams that you dare to dream," Shantel trailed off trying to catch the beginning of the song as she hummed to herself.
"Do not keep to yourself," One of the guys yelled. A bard was giving entertainment close by and wondered over hearing the commotion. He listened to Shantel hum and started to copy her hums on a flute he carried. That did the trick as the song came back full force to Shantel, and with out realizing it, she sang.
Somewhere over the rainbow… way up high
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere over the rainbow… skies are blue
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come
true.
Some day I'll wish upon a star and wake up
where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops
away upon the chimney tops,
that's where you'll find me.
Somewhere over the rainbow… blue birds fly
Blue birds fly over the rainbow- why then oh why can't I?
If happy little blue birds fly beyond the rainbow
Why oh why, can't I?
The bard finished up a little of the tune and he bowed to Shantel who bowed back.
"You must teach that tune sometime," He commented.
"Gladly," Shantel smiled then saw Aragorn standing at the entrance. "Hi Aragorn!" Shantel waved. The people in the room turned in unison and bowed including the bard. Shantel looked around for a second and mouthed to Aragorn. 'Am I suppose to do this too?'
'Please don't?' He mouthed back. Shantel smiled and accepted a hand to get up and take a seat by Aragorn's table. Now more guest were starting to arrive and Shantel found herself seated with Legolas, Gimli, Elladan and Elrohir as dinner was served. Looking around, the one person she couldn't find was Aidian. Eowyn was there, seated with her brother. Seeing Shantel, she waved and Shantel waved back. Aragorn had given Shantel more of the herbs from before, instructing her to place them in steaming water. After dinner came the desert and Shantel was only halfway through when she decided she was already too full. Seeing Gimli eye her plate she pushed it towards him which he gobbled up quickly.
"Shantel can I see you outside?" Eowyn was by her and waiting.
"Yeah," I'll see you guys in a bit." Shantel got up as the others nodded and followed Eowyn outside.
"So tell me everything," Both girls burst at once then laughed. Shantel retold her adventure with the hobbits and then Eowyn told of how she brought down the wraith and the next day she would be leaving to her home for a short time.
"For when I return, Faramir and I plan to be wed, not right away, but soon," Eowyn said, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Boromir's brother!" Shantel smiled at Eowyn, happy for her.
"Shantel!" The girls looked up, Shantel recognized the owner of the voice as Aidian. "Could I speak with you for a moment?" Eowyn smiled and excused herself, while her seat was taken by Aidian.
"I haven't seen you all day," Shantel said.
"I've been doing rounds making sure everything was ready," Aidian said. "This was the first chance for me to take a break and I wanted to see you." Shantel could her feel her heart go a little faster from nervousness all of a sudden and she licked her lips.
"That's sweet," Shantel said feeling a little breathless. What was wrong with her? Along with her heart, her stomach was doing acrobatic flips.
"There's something I want to do, if I may?" Aidian took Shantel's hands, getting a little closer.
"Wha, what is it?" Shantel whispered. In answer Aidian leaned closer while Shantel leaned back farther. She closed her eyes and it happened. In a flash, it was like her mind exploded sending imaginary fireworks everywhere. In response, Shantel toppled back, off of the bench seat onto the grass.
"Shantel are you all right!" Aidian stood over here looking concerned as he helped her up.
"Yes, fine," Shantel replied. Her memory had returned.
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Would anyone like me to put them on an e-mail list for when I update? I was thinking that might be easier, since my updates have not been steady as of late.
