I'm going to try and start replying to my reviewers more....lol just
because it's fun! Right. The truth is I have strep throat and am hopelessly
bored so I decided to write back to you wonderful, wonderful :) people who
are reviewing my story.in hopes..you'll review again! LoL. So here goes..
Raider-K: LoL, your right - I do have a lot of references to normal stuff v.s. Middle Earth stuff. It's kinda by oversight rather than intention lol - I happened to be watching Jurassic Park when I was writing the last chapter - but still, I think it adds a touch of realism to a completely fictional story..lol.
Levanna: LoL, well, I must admit, I entertained the notion of having the four guys rush in and save her from Worti's evil clutches right before she got her butt kicked, but that seemed a little too.whats the word I'm searching for.MarySue-ish lol, and yeah I guess this can be considered a Mary Sue, but it doesn't have to be that obvious lol. I thought it'd be much more interesting if she got the crap kicked out of her cuz they were stupid enough to leave her alone in a hostile village, lol and she was stupid enough to instigate arguments with her captors. Much more dramatic. :)
LanierShazar: Don't worry too much about Elrohir - his brother would beat him down if he started feeling too guilty. After all, it was just as much Elladan's fault that they left her there that it was Elrohir's. As for her rescue.well I'm working on that. :)
MaverickGirl: I know! It's seems like they're taking a really long time to get there, right? I mean, first they had to escape, then get to Rivendell.then get chewed out by Elrond and THEN get back and devise a plan and save her.I might have to speed things up a bit to get to the dramatic rescue part, but don't worry, it *is* coming lol.
Froggy: Haha, Sorry! But don't call the cops on me yet, cuz herrrrrre ya go! ..
------
That light. Oh, it was so annoying. Why wouldn't it just go away?
A groan tore from her lips as she suddenly became aware of the aching of every muscle in her body, and still that light kept shining.
All she wanted to do right now was sleep...and who sleeps with the lights on? Huh? Nobody. This was why the lights should be off.
And what was all that noise? She thought irritably. Her brother had probably left the TV on again. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but her breath faded over dry, cracked lips. Too much effort to call out.
Vaguely, she heard quiet laughter, and something about it sent a chill up her spine and she stiffened. Alright, she decided reluctantly. It was to wake up.
She tried to open her eyes, but something was holding them down. Why couldn't her eyelids open? They seemed awfully heavy today..
Finally, she wrenched them open, and with one look, instantaneously shut them again. The light instantly sent waves of pain through her skull, and with it her memories also came flooding back. Now she knew why there was so much noise..she groaned slightly, and the laughing increased.
Gritting her teeth with determination, she forced her eyes to open and remain open. Annore stared coldly back at her. The sun, fading into the trees, sent it's last rays of the light to give her courage, and the noise from the "TV", turned out to be the sounds of the village behind her. Blinking a few times, the world swam until she was finally able to focus on the cold man who stood before her.
"Good morning," he answered mockingly. She tilted her head, staring around to gather her surroundings, and with a sigh realized she was back where she started. Her arms were bound tightly behind the thick wooden pole at the edge of the village, nearest Annore's cottage. This was where she had been bound with the others.
The others...did they ever make it back to Rivendell okay? Were they coming back? Did they wonder what happened to her? Did they even care?
Annore glared harshly at her from where he sat directly opposite, studying her.
"We really need to work on your manners," he remarked sarcastically, standing up and taking a few steps closer. He leaned down closer to her face, and his putrid breath filled her nostrils and she cringed slightly. This guy *really* needed some mentos. Or gum. Oh dear God how she missed gum. Juicy Fruit gum. Yum. Hey, was that where they got the idea of calling it gum from? Because everyone goes "yumm!" when they have it, but when they say it, it sounds like "gumm!" because they have the gum in there mouth and- -
"Are you listening to me?" Annore snapped skeptically. Slowly, tilting her head to better take in her surroundings, her eyes locked on his.
"Not really," she answered slowly. "I was thinking about the origins of the word 'gum.'".
He stared blankly at her, amazed even in this condition she would dare to talk back. Worti, standing besides Annore's cabin watching the whole affair, raised his brows.
"I didn't know you let captives speak to you as such, my lord." Worti called. He knew he was out of place, but he could see Annore would not punish the girl on his own, and needed some prompting.
Annore frowned and dutifully raised a hand to punish her for her words. But his eyes held a hint of amazement, and his hand was slow. She watched his arm with startling attention, positive she could feel no more pain than she was already in now - what was one more bruise?
He went to slap her, but instead of punish her, his hand stopped on her cheek and he simply held it there.
She jerked away from his hand roughly and he let it drop to his side slowly, his eyes on hers.
"Worti, go keep Faro company until I can return." Annore dismissed the man. Worti's eyes narrowed, but he bowed slightly and backed away, opening the door softly and shutting it with a bang.
Krystal's head swam and her eyes fluttered open several times in her attempts to stay conscious.
Annore leaned back on his heels, and stood up fully, looking down on her as he took a few steps back.
"I don't understand you," he said after a moment, studying her.
"I capture you unfairly, and bring you miles out of your way to my village." He said evenly, his voice low. "Your friends abandon you, and just when you and I forge a friendship, your unruly tongue ruins it." He shook his head at her, not really expecting an answer, and still he continued. "To break your spirit, I throw you out in the dumps, on a day where the sun has never been more punishing. The smell alone on a cold day is enough to make a grown man faint, and yet you still survived on the hottest day of the year. I put my strongest and smartest guards to watch over you, and yet you convince my nephew to help you escape--"
Krystal's eyes finally snapped up and she spoke up swiftly. "I did not say anything to your nephew. He had nothing to do with my escape."
Annore waved an impatiently hand. "It matters not. Truth be told, I am rather proud he managed to dupe Luthro in time for you to escape." A small proud smile found it's way to the cold man's lips, and Krystal stared blankly in amazement.
"In any case, you managed to persuade my nephew, who knows he would purposely be going against orders if he aids you, to help you escape. I decided that I had been to harsh, and call Worti up from the fields to release you, but when I descend, I find you gone. I send Worti and Luthro after you, and when they return, I find you near dead. I gave no such order to Worti but he acted as he saw fit, I suppose. You were about 2 hours away from death, and I couldn't have that on my head. So I had the healers put just enough medicine on you to keep you alive through the night, not enough to mask your pain or to serve you any longer than that. You awake, confused and no doubt in pain, and I taunt you and still you do not yield."
Krystal watched him warily as he continued with his speech. He raised his hands in silent defeat. "I give up," he said slowly. "There is nothing I can do to make you behave, to break you. I see that it's simply a waste of my time."
She said nothing still, and he exhaled sharply. Night was setting in.
"Well?!" he snapped awkwardly. "Say something!"
She sighed and her eyes became unfocused. "Would you happen to have a milkshake?"
He stared blankly. "A what?"
"A milkshake." She repeated firmly, and when he shook his head slowly, she lightly threw her head back and leaned against the thick wooden stake.
"What is a milkshake?"
"It's where you get milk and you shake it." She answered sarcastically. He chuckled. "Right."
"If you've decided that it's useless to try and make me into an obedient captive, can you at least untie me?"
Annore chuckled. "Sorry. It's against town law. However," he said when she sighed and shut her eyes lightly, "I can loosen the ropes if they hurt you."
She shrugged. "I don't really care."
He sighed, and walking around behind her and bending down to untie the ropes. She quickly snatched her hands out of his reach and rubbed her wrists wistfully, but the sudden movement made a blinding pain flash throughout her body, starting from her ribs and spreading quickly. Grimacing, she spat, "Why..ugh...You couldn't have let them mask the pain, you...Argh!" Leaning back against the poll, breathing heavily, she started as a bright flash of pain made her see bright white stars dancing before her eyes the minute her back barely touched the wooden pole. Oh god, now what? She thought miserably. What was wrong with her?!
When he said nothing, she winced and asked haltingly, "What happened to my back? I don't remember it getting hurt."
Annore frowned and gently reached for her wrists, tying them loosely around the wooden stake once more.
"According to Worti, you receive 20 lashes across the back in punishment--
"Wasn't getting my ass kicked punishment enough?" She asked through her teeth. Pain was clouding ever fiber of her being and she was getting very irritable. Annore frowned. "Would you like to know a full list of your injuries?"
She scowled but sighed. "Got anything better to talk about?"
He ignored her and quickly launched into a medical analysis. "You're sporting a lovely bunch of black and blues across your face--"
" I wonder why," she muttered sarcastically.
"--and your left ankle is broken. You have a infected wound in your right thigh." He frowned and his eyes darkened. "The gash is jagged and rough, I don't understand how you got it, but no matter. The thing is, we don't have the medicine to treat it right now, but some women will gather the herbs on the morn. Besides that, you have several broken ribs." She stared blankly at him.
"Is that all?" She asked dryly. Suddenly her injuries hurt worse because she knew about it.
"No." He answered honestly. "You also have a few injuries to the head. *That's all.*" He scowled and glanced towards the cabin where Worti's disappeared from the window. "Also, you should know, I shall speak to Worti about the 20 lashes. That was undeserved."
"Fat load of good that does me," she muttered furiously, and Annore stifled a grin. "I'm sorry if you're in discomfort, but you deserved it ."
She glanced up at him in annoyed surprise then rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're hopeless," she pronounced.
He chuckled. "Am I really?"
She nodded firmly, wincing. "Definitely. If I were you--"
She was about to launch into a tirade, when something caught her attention.
Eyes. Eyes peering at her from the forest, from the shadows of the wood. Several pairs of eyes.
She closed her own eyes and leaned back heavily mid-sentence. Now she was seeing things. She was delirious.
Annore raised an eyebrow. "If you were me?" he prompted when she didn't finish her sentence.
She kept her eyes shut tight. "I'd go get my poor captive some more drugs before she passes out."
He chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he promised, walking towards his cabin to have a word with Faro and leave her alone.
"If you see any wolves, just holler, alright?" he called as an afterthought, one foot inside the door.
She rolled her eyes internally, but nodded. "Like that'll do me much good." She muttered to herself.
Her eyes were still shut tight, and whispering feverently to herself, she murmured, "Okay. Don't panic. We'll just open our eyes and those eyes will be gone, and everything will be okay. And then maybe we'll stop referring to ourselves as 'we', which is very Queen Elizabeth, we might add."
When she opened her eyes slowly, she snapped them shut imeaditely.
"Okay. So they're still there. No big deal. We'll just..uh..call for Annore? No, bad idea. He's with Faro..uh..well...we could.."
"You could stop talking to yourself and open your eyes, " A familiar voice interrupted softly in a whisper, the grin in the voice obvious.
Krystal's heart froze. Very slowly, she opened her eyes. Elladan smirked back at her.
He just stared at her for a moment, getting his first good luck at her.
He had been within hearing distance when Annore had listed her injuries and with every word that cursed man spoke, Elladan longed to reach out and kill him. But he didn't. Maybe some other time. As for now, now was for going home, everyone.
She stared numbly at him, as Legolas dropped down soundlessly and gracefully from a nearby willow, while Aragorn rolled out from the under bush. Elrohir stepped mildly out from the bush he had been concealed in and began earnestly, "Krystal, we are so sorry. Truly, we never expected any of this to happen, please accept our - my - sincerest apologies--"
She blinked at him, shut her eyes and then slowly opened them again. "What are you doing?" she interrupted Elrohir blankly. The twins exchanged looks before Elladan answered, "We've come to take you home."
She stared at them in surprise, her eyes betraying nothing. The minute she had heard Elladan's voice, it was as if something snapped inside her and a icy mask of nothing. No emotion whatsoever.
"You've come back for me?" She questioned doubtfully.
Legolas nodded. "I gave you my word that we would return, and now we have," he whispered, sending a wary glance towards Annore's cabin.
She eyed them all warily, and Aragorn gently dropped to his knees and reached for her bindings, but she spoke up.
"What if I don't want to leave?"
The words fell upon them like a hiss of a whip and no one spoke for a moment. Legolas glanced uneasily at Aragorn, then at Elladan. Was she *joking*? Elladan looked as though he had been punched in the stomach, and even Aragorn's hand stopped midair.
Elrohir, who was finally learning to read some of her words, shook his head - she wasn't joking, but she wasn't serious. But now was not the time to give them a hard time. "You don't have a choice," he told her firmly, walking over and reaching around her. With the help of Aragorn, they quickly released her hands, but she made no motion to move.
Elrohir leaned close to her hear, and whispered a few fierce words. Even the sharp ears of Legolas couldn't hear what he said, but Krystal clearly did. Her eyes widened and she instantly eased forward, trying her best to hide her grimace but failing completely. Reaching over with a smirk, Aragorn wrapped his arms around her and lifted her slightly. "May i?" he asked politely. She shook her head stubbornly. "I can walk, you know." She said sharply, brushing Aragorn's hand aside and using the pole to ease herself to her feet. However, leaning against the pole only further agitated her back and she gasped, pushing herself forward. However, that landed all weight on her broken ankle, and stars flashed before her eyes. Color fled from her face and she would have crumpled to the floor in a heap had Aragorn not been standing at the ready. His strong arms caught hers and he eased her to her feet, then swooped down and picked her up, holding her under her legs. "What're you doing?" she asked furious, her temper flaring. "I told you I could handle it!" She kept her body rigid and taunt, her head away from the ranger's chest as he stepped out of the clearing, out of sight from village's cottages. Legolas moved ahead, but the twins pressed closer as night began to fall.
Elrohir grinned, trying to keep up her spirits. "Milady, we'd like to reach the horses *before* the next Yen festival."
She glanced over in mild surprise and raised her brows, wrapping her arms around the strong ranger's neck as he took several jilting steps forward that put her teeth on edge. "When was the last one?"
"Oh, quite recently." Legolas chimed in as he cut a path for them as they reached the thickness of the forest.
"So the next one would be?" Krystal asked, trying to keep her mind off the sharp pain ricocheting throughout her body. It started as a fire in her ribs, than quickly the rest of her body caught flame.
"134 years," Elladan told her with a grin. She stared blankly at him. "Right," she murmured weakly. Aragorn's grip on her tightened, and he frowned at her. "The ride might be a bit smoother if only you would stop fighting me."
"Or if I was allowed to walk on my own two feet," she snapped. He considered this. "Add your broken ankle into that equation, my lady and see how much you like the outcome." He answered with a grin. She rolled her eyes and glared at him indignantly. "Lord Aragorn, whatever your last name is, wherever it is your from, whatever it is you are- put me down!"
He paused, as if thinking it over, then shook his head. "Sorry, milady. I'm under strict instructions for an elder to be sure you arrive at Rivendell safely, and another to make sure you do not injure yourself further."
She rolled her eyes. "I won't tell."
He chuckled and leaned his neck closer to her ear to whisper to her, "One of them is besides us"
She pulled away instantly and shot the grinning Elladan a withering look. He only smiled.
When the reached a clearing in the wood, Legolas paused. Krystal's torso grew tired for keeping her rigid position, and she bit her lip tightly as her ribs ached. Finally, she leaned back, gently placing her head on Aragorn's chest. Ignoring his smile, she kept her eyes on Legolas, whose muscles were taunt and eyes bright. "Let me guess," she murmured. "Dr. Doolittle strikes again?"
Elladan chuckled softly. "What did you call him?"
She glanced up at him. "Long story," she said shortly, and Elladan leaned back, stung. It would be a long time, he realized, until she trusted him as she once did.
Before long, horses appeared in the clearing, nickering quietly. The gray and the bay Krystal recognized from her ride over the wastelands, but the other two were new - obviously Elladan and Elrohir's mounts. One of them was an inky black, blending in perfectly with his surroundings. The only thing that distinguished him from the darkness of the night was the glint of the moon reflected in his eyes. The other, a stark white, and there was the same subtle glow about him as there was about the elves. His eyes were piercing and for once, not even Krystal had a comment. But slowly, something dawned on her.
"Aragorn," she whispered softly. "Why are there on 4 horses, when there's five of us?
He grinned crookedly at her. "Well, you're not really in the best state to ride."
She scowled. "I can do it," she insisted. He shrugged. "Too late now."
Sighing, she turned towards the others. "Who do I ride with?" she asked deflated, her eyes brightening slightly when she gazed at the horses.
Legolas shrugged. "Whomever you want."
Closing her eyes, she asked simply, "whose got the smoother horse?"
Elrohir chuckled. "That would be me. But I understand if you're furious with me, Lady Krystal--"
She eyed him warily. "I'm pissed off at all of you beyond words. But right now, I'm in too much pain to come up with any scathing comments, so you're safe. Wait until I've had my fair share of Advil, and *then* be scared." She warned.
He chuckled, and whistled slightly. The black horse approached cautiously, and Aragorn eased her into the saddle, trying to ignore her wince and slight cry of pain. Elrohir hopped lightly into the saddle behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and whispering a few words to his mount. When everyone was mounted, the black horse took the lead and started towards Rivendell, Krystal assumed with a slight smile. Towards..home.
Raider-K: LoL, your right - I do have a lot of references to normal stuff v.s. Middle Earth stuff. It's kinda by oversight rather than intention lol - I happened to be watching Jurassic Park when I was writing the last chapter - but still, I think it adds a touch of realism to a completely fictional story..lol.
Levanna: LoL, well, I must admit, I entertained the notion of having the four guys rush in and save her from Worti's evil clutches right before she got her butt kicked, but that seemed a little too.whats the word I'm searching for.MarySue-ish lol, and yeah I guess this can be considered a Mary Sue, but it doesn't have to be that obvious lol. I thought it'd be much more interesting if she got the crap kicked out of her cuz they were stupid enough to leave her alone in a hostile village, lol and she was stupid enough to instigate arguments with her captors. Much more dramatic. :)
LanierShazar: Don't worry too much about Elrohir - his brother would beat him down if he started feeling too guilty. After all, it was just as much Elladan's fault that they left her there that it was Elrohir's. As for her rescue.well I'm working on that. :)
MaverickGirl: I know! It's seems like they're taking a really long time to get there, right? I mean, first they had to escape, then get to Rivendell.then get chewed out by Elrond and THEN get back and devise a plan and save her.I might have to speed things up a bit to get to the dramatic rescue part, but don't worry, it *is* coming lol.
Froggy: Haha, Sorry! But don't call the cops on me yet, cuz herrrrrre ya go! ..
------
That light. Oh, it was so annoying. Why wouldn't it just go away?
A groan tore from her lips as she suddenly became aware of the aching of every muscle in her body, and still that light kept shining.
All she wanted to do right now was sleep...and who sleeps with the lights on? Huh? Nobody. This was why the lights should be off.
And what was all that noise? She thought irritably. Her brother had probably left the TV on again. She opened her mouth to call out to him, but her breath faded over dry, cracked lips. Too much effort to call out.
Vaguely, she heard quiet laughter, and something about it sent a chill up her spine and she stiffened. Alright, she decided reluctantly. It was to wake up.
She tried to open her eyes, but something was holding them down. Why couldn't her eyelids open? They seemed awfully heavy today..
Finally, she wrenched them open, and with one look, instantaneously shut them again. The light instantly sent waves of pain through her skull, and with it her memories also came flooding back. Now she knew why there was so much noise..she groaned slightly, and the laughing increased.
Gritting her teeth with determination, she forced her eyes to open and remain open. Annore stared coldly back at her. The sun, fading into the trees, sent it's last rays of the light to give her courage, and the noise from the "TV", turned out to be the sounds of the village behind her. Blinking a few times, the world swam until she was finally able to focus on the cold man who stood before her.
"Good morning," he answered mockingly. She tilted her head, staring around to gather her surroundings, and with a sigh realized she was back where she started. Her arms were bound tightly behind the thick wooden pole at the edge of the village, nearest Annore's cottage. This was where she had been bound with the others.
The others...did they ever make it back to Rivendell okay? Were they coming back? Did they wonder what happened to her? Did they even care?
Annore glared harshly at her from where he sat directly opposite, studying her.
"We really need to work on your manners," he remarked sarcastically, standing up and taking a few steps closer. He leaned down closer to her face, and his putrid breath filled her nostrils and she cringed slightly. This guy *really* needed some mentos. Or gum. Oh dear God how she missed gum. Juicy Fruit gum. Yum. Hey, was that where they got the idea of calling it gum from? Because everyone goes "yumm!" when they have it, but when they say it, it sounds like "gumm!" because they have the gum in there mouth and- -
"Are you listening to me?" Annore snapped skeptically. Slowly, tilting her head to better take in her surroundings, her eyes locked on his.
"Not really," she answered slowly. "I was thinking about the origins of the word 'gum.'".
He stared blankly at her, amazed even in this condition she would dare to talk back. Worti, standing besides Annore's cabin watching the whole affair, raised his brows.
"I didn't know you let captives speak to you as such, my lord." Worti called. He knew he was out of place, but he could see Annore would not punish the girl on his own, and needed some prompting.
Annore frowned and dutifully raised a hand to punish her for her words. But his eyes held a hint of amazement, and his hand was slow. She watched his arm with startling attention, positive she could feel no more pain than she was already in now - what was one more bruise?
He went to slap her, but instead of punish her, his hand stopped on her cheek and he simply held it there.
She jerked away from his hand roughly and he let it drop to his side slowly, his eyes on hers.
"Worti, go keep Faro company until I can return." Annore dismissed the man. Worti's eyes narrowed, but he bowed slightly and backed away, opening the door softly and shutting it with a bang.
Krystal's head swam and her eyes fluttered open several times in her attempts to stay conscious.
Annore leaned back on his heels, and stood up fully, looking down on her as he took a few steps back.
"I don't understand you," he said after a moment, studying her.
"I capture you unfairly, and bring you miles out of your way to my village." He said evenly, his voice low. "Your friends abandon you, and just when you and I forge a friendship, your unruly tongue ruins it." He shook his head at her, not really expecting an answer, and still he continued. "To break your spirit, I throw you out in the dumps, on a day where the sun has never been more punishing. The smell alone on a cold day is enough to make a grown man faint, and yet you still survived on the hottest day of the year. I put my strongest and smartest guards to watch over you, and yet you convince my nephew to help you escape--"
Krystal's eyes finally snapped up and she spoke up swiftly. "I did not say anything to your nephew. He had nothing to do with my escape."
Annore waved an impatiently hand. "It matters not. Truth be told, I am rather proud he managed to dupe Luthro in time for you to escape." A small proud smile found it's way to the cold man's lips, and Krystal stared blankly in amazement.
"In any case, you managed to persuade my nephew, who knows he would purposely be going against orders if he aids you, to help you escape. I decided that I had been to harsh, and call Worti up from the fields to release you, but when I descend, I find you gone. I send Worti and Luthro after you, and when they return, I find you near dead. I gave no such order to Worti but he acted as he saw fit, I suppose. You were about 2 hours away from death, and I couldn't have that on my head. So I had the healers put just enough medicine on you to keep you alive through the night, not enough to mask your pain or to serve you any longer than that. You awake, confused and no doubt in pain, and I taunt you and still you do not yield."
Krystal watched him warily as he continued with his speech. He raised his hands in silent defeat. "I give up," he said slowly. "There is nothing I can do to make you behave, to break you. I see that it's simply a waste of my time."
She said nothing still, and he exhaled sharply. Night was setting in.
"Well?!" he snapped awkwardly. "Say something!"
She sighed and her eyes became unfocused. "Would you happen to have a milkshake?"
He stared blankly. "A what?"
"A milkshake." She repeated firmly, and when he shook his head slowly, she lightly threw her head back and leaned against the thick wooden stake.
"What is a milkshake?"
"It's where you get milk and you shake it." She answered sarcastically. He chuckled. "Right."
"If you've decided that it's useless to try and make me into an obedient captive, can you at least untie me?"
Annore chuckled. "Sorry. It's against town law. However," he said when she sighed and shut her eyes lightly, "I can loosen the ropes if they hurt you."
She shrugged. "I don't really care."
He sighed, and walking around behind her and bending down to untie the ropes. She quickly snatched her hands out of his reach and rubbed her wrists wistfully, but the sudden movement made a blinding pain flash throughout her body, starting from her ribs and spreading quickly. Grimacing, she spat, "Why..ugh...You couldn't have let them mask the pain, you...Argh!" Leaning back against the poll, breathing heavily, she started as a bright flash of pain made her see bright white stars dancing before her eyes the minute her back barely touched the wooden pole. Oh god, now what? She thought miserably. What was wrong with her?!
When he said nothing, she winced and asked haltingly, "What happened to my back? I don't remember it getting hurt."
Annore frowned and gently reached for her wrists, tying them loosely around the wooden stake once more.
"According to Worti, you receive 20 lashes across the back in punishment--
"Wasn't getting my ass kicked punishment enough?" She asked through her teeth. Pain was clouding ever fiber of her being and she was getting very irritable. Annore frowned. "Would you like to know a full list of your injuries?"
She scowled but sighed. "Got anything better to talk about?"
He ignored her and quickly launched into a medical analysis. "You're sporting a lovely bunch of black and blues across your face--"
" I wonder why," she muttered sarcastically.
"--and your left ankle is broken. You have a infected wound in your right thigh." He frowned and his eyes darkened. "The gash is jagged and rough, I don't understand how you got it, but no matter. The thing is, we don't have the medicine to treat it right now, but some women will gather the herbs on the morn. Besides that, you have several broken ribs." She stared blankly at him.
"Is that all?" She asked dryly. Suddenly her injuries hurt worse because she knew about it.
"No." He answered honestly. "You also have a few injuries to the head. *That's all.*" He scowled and glanced towards the cabin where Worti's disappeared from the window. "Also, you should know, I shall speak to Worti about the 20 lashes. That was undeserved."
"Fat load of good that does me," she muttered furiously, and Annore stifled a grin. "I'm sorry if you're in discomfort, but you deserved it ."
She glanced up at him in annoyed surprise then rolled her eyes and shook her head. "You're hopeless," she pronounced.
He chuckled. "Am I really?"
She nodded firmly, wincing. "Definitely. If I were you--"
She was about to launch into a tirade, when something caught her attention.
Eyes. Eyes peering at her from the forest, from the shadows of the wood. Several pairs of eyes.
She closed her own eyes and leaned back heavily mid-sentence. Now she was seeing things. She was delirious.
Annore raised an eyebrow. "If you were me?" he prompted when she didn't finish her sentence.
She kept her eyes shut tight. "I'd go get my poor captive some more drugs before she passes out."
He chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he promised, walking towards his cabin to have a word with Faro and leave her alone.
"If you see any wolves, just holler, alright?" he called as an afterthought, one foot inside the door.
She rolled her eyes internally, but nodded. "Like that'll do me much good." She muttered to herself.
Her eyes were still shut tight, and whispering feverently to herself, she murmured, "Okay. Don't panic. We'll just open our eyes and those eyes will be gone, and everything will be okay. And then maybe we'll stop referring to ourselves as 'we', which is very Queen Elizabeth, we might add."
When she opened her eyes slowly, she snapped them shut imeaditely.
"Okay. So they're still there. No big deal. We'll just..uh..call for Annore? No, bad idea. He's with Faro..uh..well...we could.."
"You could stop talking to yourself and open your eyes, " A familiar voice interrupted softly in a whisper, the grin in the voice obvious.
Krystal's heart froze. Very slowly, she opened her eyes. Elladan smirked back at her.
He just stared at her for a moment, getting his first good luck at her.
He had been within hearing distance when Annore had listed her injuries and with every word that cursed man spoke, Elladan longed to reach out and kill him. But he didn't. Maybe some other time. As for now, now was for going home, everyone.
She stared numbly at him, as Legolas dropped down soundlessly and gracefully from a nearby willow, while Aragorn rolled out from the under bush. Elrohir stepped mildly out from the bush he had been concealed in and began earnestly, "Krystal, we are so sorry. Truly, we never expected any of this to happen, please accept our - my - sincerest apologies--"
She blinked at him, shut her eyes and then slowly opened them again. "What are you doing?" she interrupted Elrohir blankly. The twins exchanged looks before Elladan answered, "We've come to take you home."
She stared at them in surprise, her eyes betraying nothing. The minute she had heard Elladan's voice, it was as if something snapped inside her and a icy mask of nothing. No emotion whatsoever.
"You've come back for me?" She questioned doubtfully.
Legolas nodded. "I gave you my word that we would return, and now we have," he whispered, sending a wary glance towards Annore's cabin.
She eyed them all warily, and Aragorn gently dropped to his knees and reached for her bindings, but she spoke up.
"What if I don't want to leave?"
The words fell upon them like a hiss of a whip and no one spoke for a moment. Legolas glanced uneasily at Aragorn, then at Elladan. Was she *joking*? Elladan looked as though he had been punched in the stomach, and even Aragorn's hand stopped midair.
Elrohir, who was finally learning to read some of her words, shook his head - she wasn't joking, but she wasn't serious. But now was not the time to give them a hard time. "You don't have a choice," he told her firmly, walking over and reaching around her. With the help of Aragorn, they quickly released her hands, but she made no motion to move.
Elrohir leaned close to her hear, and whispered a few fierce words. Even the sharp ears of Legolas couldn't hear what he said, but Krystal clearly did. Her eyes widened and she instantly eased forward, trying her best to hide her grimace but failing completely. Reaching over with a smirk, Aragorn wrapped his arms around her and lifted her slightly. "May i?" he asked politely. She shook her head stubbornly. "I can walk, you know." She said sharply, brushing Aragorn's hand aside and using the pole to ease herself to her feet. However, leaning against the pole only further agitated her back and she gasped, pushing herself forward. However, that landed all weight on her broken ankle, and stars flashed before her eyes. Color fled from her face and she would have crumpled to the floor in a heap had Aragorn not been standing at the ready. His strong arms caught hers and he eased her to her feet, then swooped down and picked her up, holding her under her legs. "What're you doing?" she asked furious, her temper flaring. "I told you I could handle it!" She kept her body rigid and taunt, her head away from the ranger's chest as he stepped out of the clearing, out of sight from village's cottages. Legolas moved ahead, but the twins pressed closer as night began to fall.
Elrohir grinned, trying to keep up her spirits. "Milady, we'd like to reach the horses *before* the next Yen festival."
She glanced over in mild surprise and raised her brows, wrapping her arms around the strong ranger's neck as he took several jilting steps forward that put her teeth on edge. "When was the last one?"
"Oh, quite recently." Legolas chimed in as he cut a path for them as they reached the thickness of the forest.
"So the next one would be?" Krystal asked, trying to keep her mind off the sharp pain ricocheting throughout her body. It started as a fire in her ribs, than quickly the rest of her body caught flame.
"134 years," Elladan told her with a grin. She stared blankly at him. "Right," she murmured weakly. Aragorn's grip on her tightened, and he frowned at her. "The ride might be a bit smoother if only you would stop fighting me."
"Or if I was allowed to walk on my own two feet," she snapped. He considered this. "Add your broken ankle into that equation, my lady and see how much you like the outcome." He answered with a grin. She rolled her eyes and glared at him indignantly. "Lord Aragorn, whatever your last name is, wherever it is your from, whatever it is you are- put me down!"
He paused, as if thinking it over, then shook his head. "Sorry, milady. I'm under strict instructions for an elder to be sure you arrive at Rivendell safely, and another to make sure you do not injure yourself further."
She rolled her eyes. "I won't tell."
He chuckled and leaned his neck closer to her ear to whisper to her, "One of them is besides us"
She pulled away instantly and shot the grinning Elladan a withering look. He only smiled.
When the reached a clearing in the wood, Legolas paused. Krystal's torso grew tired for keeping her rigid position, and she bit her lip tightly as her ribs ached. Finally, she leaned back, gently placing her head on Aragorn's chest. Ignoring his smile, she kept her eyes on Legolas, whose muscles were taunt and eyes bright. "Let me guess," she murmured. "Dr. Doolittle strikes again?"
Elladan chuckled softly. "What did you call him?"
She glanced up at him. "Long story," she said shortly, and Elladan leaned back, stung. It would be a long time, he realized, until she trusted him as she once did.
Before long, horses appeared in the clearing, nickering quietly. The gray and the bay Krystal recognized from her ride over the wastelands, but the other two were new - obviously Elladan and Elrohir's mounts. One of them was an inky black, blending in perfectly with his surroundings. The only thing that distinguished him from the darkness of the night was the glint of the moon reflected in his eyes. The other, a stark white, and there was the same subtle glow about him as there was about the elves. His eyes were piercing and for once, not even Krystal had a comment. But slowly, something dawned on her.
"Aragorn," she whispered softly. "Why are there on 4 horses, when there's five of us?
He grinned crookedly at her. "Well, you're not really in the best state to ride."
She scowled. "I can do it," she insisted. He shrugged. "Too late now."
Sighing, she turned towards the others. "Who do I ride with?" she asked deflated, her eyes brightening slightly when she gazed at the horses.
Legolas shrugged. "Whomever you want."
Closing her eyes, she asked simply, "whose got the smoother horse?"
Elrohir chuckled. "That would be me. But I understand if you're furious with me, Lady Krystal--"
She eyed him warily. "I'm pissed off at all of you beyond words. But right now, I'm in too much pain to come up with any scathing comments, so you're safe. Wait until I've had my fair share of Advil, and *then* be scared." She warned.
He chuckled, and whistled slightly. The black horse approached cautiously, and Aragorn eased her into the saddle, trying to ignore her wince and slight cry of pain. Elrohir hopped lightly into the saddle behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and whispering a few words to his mount. When everyone was mounted, the black horse took the lead and started towards Rivendell, Krystal assumed with a slight smile. Towards..home.