Nissa: LMAO! I love reading your review, I read it like six times over
because it had a lot of things to say and I wanted to make sure I got
everything. Okay, yeah, I guess it is partly a Mary-Sue..not a *complete*
one, I hope, but yeah, sorta. I mean, one of the things with Mary-Sues is
that they have Tragic Pasts, and I guess Krystal does have a dramatic
little thang going on. I tried to keep it away from a few cliché but hey,
nobody's perfect. And, if you look at some of my other stories, most of
them ( with the exception of Believe in the Stars) are no where near Mary-
Sues, lol. Live, A Vow to Defend and a Nameless Fear are all action fics
without a trace of a main female, and Comforting Shadow the female
character is *not* a Mary-Sue, so maybe this is my one extravagance,LOL The
movie quotes are my favorite things too...I'll just be writing something,
for example in Chapter 5 (No lasting damage), Aragorn says "As you wish."
And I *love* the movie Princess Bride (if you haven't seen it...GASP! WHAT
IS *WRONG* WITH YOU :D) so it just popped into my head. Same with Kevin
Cosner lol that one was fun..hhahah the *steak* line. I'm glad you loved it
so much lol. I was writing and I reread it and I was like okay, someone's
going a tad too dramatic on me, (Elrohir, damn him) so I decided to make
Aragorn lighten the mood..lmao, I'm like okay, what else do men desire
above all else? And the answer was obvious. Steak! LoL I also like how
Legolas is always correcting Krystal in her pronounciation. I think by now,
she knows it's Mirkwood, not Murkytree, or whatever, lol, but she does it
simply to see if he'll correct her..and he always, always does.
As for the whole, rescue and recovery operation, yeah okay, I knew it was
sucky. But I was so sick of her being injured and helpless and just, ugh,
so I decided to get her home as quick as possible. Yeah, it was a tad busy,
but if you imagine something like that actually happening..it'd prolly be
really busy. Maybe. Lol - I'd tried with the whole, saving thing and I
wanted to bring Celebrian in, but I could see how you could think that
whole thing was overdone. As for the tan thing, that's my bad. I figured
since Krystal was out in the sun a lot more during her ride to Rivendell
and the time in the village and basically her time in Middle Earth, she'd
have a pretty decent tan. I guess I just made that conclusion in my head
and forgot to explain it in the story -- sorry! But I think I do say
something along the lines of it..in Chapter 25 - Curious, I think it says
something like.. her skin glowing from the light kiss of the sun that
afternoon had given her...err something, lol. I'm sorry if I didn't make
the clear enough. Okay, and the hair thing - the funny thing is, when I was
picturing Krystal, I always saw her with shoulder length hair, not like
down to her derriere or anything lol. But I guess everyone sees it
differently, and come to think of it, I might have even said it was floor-
length at one point or another, but I'll be sure to rectify that. LoL,
thanks for your awesome review, it really helped me see this stupid story
(lol the story and I have a love/hate relationship) in a different
perspective. :D
Blahblah: lol, love your user name btw, but anyway..nope, Krystal has always had black hair. If you check the first chapter, in the very beginning when she's buying her stupid dress (one again - love/hate relationship with my story lol) it says something like jet-black hair. Haha, the friendship between the four is my favorite thing-a-ma-bob too...which is basically why there will be no romance in my story, lol, but yeah, I love stories where the twins, Aragorn and Legolas are friends. :D
MaverickGirl: Elrond, tie her down? No, no..that's uncivilized. Perhaps he'll use a more devious form of trickery, hmm? LOL.
Lady Eleclya: hmm..how do you know she *does* go with them? I mean, Elrond has a point..it's really dangerous, and she's not really much use. I mean, she *says* she's decent with a bow and arrow, but I say pigs fly...lol. LoL I'm just kidding, she prolly will go with them, knowing Krystal, try to stow away in a Saddle bag or something...haha, imagine Aragorn's face if she hides in his saddle bag and eats all his steak...*lol* not that she could fit in a saddle bag..but still...
Levanna: Thank you! :D That's the exact terminology I was going for, but my mind could not conjure lol - stern compassion.
To everyone else who reviewed, I'm sorry I can't reply, but I need to get this posted and eat breakfast lmao, yes my stomach comes first..but thanks, I love you guys!
*************************
Krystal's eyes narrowed and she frowned, dragging her finger lightly across the page. Her lips moved soundlessly and her brow was furrowed, eyes glued to the book held inches away from her face. The soft smell of new books and fresh pages surrounded her, and for a moment, she was reminded of home, her school, her prom, her life...
She was snuggled up in the corner of Elrond's library - the last place anyone who might be looking for her would look. She had retreated into the darkest corner, surrounded by piles upon piles of books. Not ordinary books, mind you. Maps. Atlases. History.
For the first time in her life, Krystal was voluntarily learning...learning the history and geography of Middle Earth.
Her finger traced over an illustration of the Misty Mountains in the book on her lap. The Mountains, Krystal learned from the book on her right, were often referred to as the backbone of Middle Earth.
"Well, that's just dandy," Krystal muttered sarcastically. "But it doesn't tell me how to get over them."
Exasperated, she threw the book to the side, frowning. She couldn't do this by herself, she didn't know enough, and even the mountains of lore in Elrond's library couldn't exactly tell her how to cross mountains, forest and flatlands and make it back alive. But anyone she could ask would only stop her. There was no one to help her now.
She leaned her back against the bookshelf, her side pressed against a closed window, giving a spectacular view of the grounds of Rivendell. Glancing out the window, Krystal caught a flash of her reflection and stared dully into her own eyes for a moment, thinking.
Glorfindel, maybe? No, no, she shook her head. He would be in the expedition, and she wasn't really all that friendly with him anyway. He was kind of intimidating, and from what she heard, he'd died and been brought back to life. "Call me crazy," she mumbled to herself. "But I'd rather not have to tagalong with a ghost - or, whatever."
Elrond and his sons ( all of them ) were out of the question, and for that matter, so was Legolas. Those idiots from Rohan were sending Annore, so that showed their intelligence - they weren't much better off then she was. No, there had to be someone else, somewhere else...
Then she had it - she knew. She sat up, abruptly, banging her head on the bookshelf in her haste. "Ow...ow...ow..." she muttered under her breath, stuffing the books awkwardly into the bookshelf before sprinting out of the library, attracting several annoyed glances, and towards the Hall of Fire.
She skidded around corners on the marble floor, trying not keep her feet under her, but she had heard he was leaving, she had to catch him, what if he had left...
She prayed he was in the Hall of Fire, perhaps saying his goodbyes to several of the elves she knew he was close with. Perhaps..
Suddenly, her body crashed into another, sending her reeling backwards. The person she hit remained standing, but she landed sprawled out on the floor, her heart in her throat, eyes shut tightly. 'Oh, God,' she thought anxiously to herself. 'Don't let it be..'
Her thoughts were cut off abruptly as a kindly chuckle made her ears burn, and the laughing voice whispered quietly, "Going somewhere, young one?"
She opened her eyes reluctantly, her gaze locking with his for a few brief moments. Then she snapped her eyes shut, her face bright red with embarrassment, throwing her head back and accidentally smacking it on the cold marble floor. "Ow ...stupid, stupid," she murmured, but a gnarled old hand soon reached down and grabbed hers. "Silly girl," the kindly old voice chuckled. "You'll hurt yourself that way."
Krystal sighed, using his hand to help her to her feet, finally opening her eyes and staring into his merry blue ones. "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry."
His eyes crinkled and his smile widened beneath his beard. "Well, yes, that much I deduced."
She allowed a small smile before saying with all the politeness she could muster, "erm, Sir? I know you're leaving today but I really have something to talk to you about--"
Gandalf's eyes softened and his smile faded away. "Yes," he murmured softly in a agreement. "I imagine you do."
----
"Do you get it, Gandalf? Do *you* at least understand?" Krystal finished, her tone pleading. She and Gandalf had retreated into Gandalf's guest room study, and the elderly wizard sat surveying her with a mild stare. Krystal had pled her case and begged for assistance, but the wizard had shown no outward signs of emotions at all, and she had nothing left to say.
Gandalf studied her quietly, his eyes never once leaving her face. Her voice got softer as she made her final plea. "Please, Gandalf. I know you don't know me very well, but I very rarely get this worked up about something that does not involve myself. I *need* to go. Elrond told me I had a purpose for being here--" she tore her eyes from the wizard's steady gaze but her tone still rang with conviction--"and *this* is it."
The Wizard sighed, but after a few long moments of tense silence, he nodded. "You're right," he agreed quietly. "You must go."
Krystal stared blankly at him, her mouth half open as she had been about to deliver another argument as too why she should go. "Did you just agree--"
Gandalf nodded slowly again. "Child, I do not know why you are here," he began carefully, "but there must be a reason. People do not just wander through time and space aimlessly! However, Elrond has forbidden you to go, and you are in his care--"
"He's not my father," Krystal interrupted bluntly, but Gandalf shot her a sharp look.
"You would be better off if he was. He is only looking out for you. Elrond tends to have a blind spot when it comes to his children, and you are beginning to be counted among them, and I'll thank you to speak of your superiors in a more respectful tone."
Krystal glared furiously at him, but he ignored her. "As I was saying, Elrond has forbidden you to go, and though I think you should, I cannot give you permission to go. If you are to go, you must travel behind the members of the expedition, alone, until you are far enough away from Rivendell. Are you up for the challenges, Krystal?"
She just stared. "Alone? Why can't I just catch up with them just outside of Rivendell?"
"Lord Elladan and Elrohir will bring you back immediately and Elrond will make sure you do not attempt again if you are brought back in disgrace."
He continued, ignoring her horrified look, as he spoke in a serious, low, rough tone. "I will give you everything you need and I will aid you in your course over the mountains. Once you pass the mountains, you may join the expedition - if they will let you. There is a very good chance that, although your friends may appreciate your efforts, they will insist you return to Rivendell. In that case, someone will be forced to abandon the party and bring you back home, like a child misbehaved. There is also the risk that once you get to Mirkwood, you will be injured, captured, or lost. Mirkwood is a very dangerous place, Krystal, this you *must* understand. It is not in anyway related to Rivendell. These are very real risks, and no," He paused as she looked away, tore her gaze from his eyes and glanced down at her shoes. Suddenly, this all seemed very impossible to her. "Do not look away, Krystal, these are things you must hear. You must understand completely before you decide if you truly wish to do this. I dare say you have not enough experience with evils of the world to understand the full danger, but you do have one thing, Krystal, and I tell you, this one thing is the only thing that is truly the reason why I think you should go. You have determination unlike that in anyone I've ever known. You have to, to have survived what you have been through. You are determined enough to stand next to your friends and fight. But Krystal, I would not forgive myself if I did not try to persuade you *not* to go. Do I think you should if you wish it? Yes. Do I think this may be the purpose you were brought to Middle Earth for? Yes. But do I also know of the dangers, of the horror that awaits you? Yes, Krystal I do. And I will not send you in there with out trying to persuade you otherwise."
Krystal dragged her gaze back to his.
Outside the window, birds sang and the sun shone. Children laughed and women and men sang and danced. It was hard to imagine a place of complete and utter darkness and danger, such as describe to her by Elrond and now Gandalf while surrounding by such complete light and happiness. It was hard for her to imagine her friends sending her away like a troublesome two year old, and yet she knew it was a possibility.
She would be of little use, she knew. She could shoot an arrow in the relatively right direction, if she concentrated, and she could run fast enough if the occasion called for it. But would she be an asset to this expedition physically? No.
But morally? Was she really willing to risk her life and limbs for four people who she had only meet a few months ago? Would her presence mean anything to them?
Her eyes remained clouded in thought, and Gandalf waited patiently. He could not - no, he would not ask this of her. It had to be her choice. He would aid her if she asked, for truly, he knew this was right. But he would not ask it of her.
Krystal nodded slightly to herself. Her presence would remind them of everything they were fighting for, she told herself. For people, for friendship, for the innocent and the guilty alike. For freedom to cry, and seethe, to laugh and smile. She would remind them what it was to try, and to believe in something other then pain. She would be there for them in whatever way she could.
Her friends had taught her so much. She would not let them go into darkness without her by their side - no matter how little her presence mattered, she knew, deep down - it mattered.
Her gaze focused on Gandalf's, and her nod became more firm. Her jaw set, but a smile played on her lips. "Gandalf, if that speech and the picture Elrond painted for me this morning could not persuade me to stay home...then I suppose I'm going."
Gandalf unfurled himself slowly from the chair he had been sitting in, his eyes still bearing into hers. "You are positive, young one?"
Her grin widened at the term, remember the time Legolas had used it with her in Mirkwood and her sassy response. "I'm not young," she reminded Gandalf with a smile. "Not anymore."
"I'm positive."
Blahblah: lol, love your user name btw, but anyway..nope, Krystal has always had black hair. If you check the first chapter, in the very beginning when she's buying her stupid dress (one again - love/hate relationship with my story lol) it says something like jet-black hair. Haha, the friendship between the four is my favorite thing-a-ma-bob too...which is basically why there will be no romance in my story, lol, but yeah, I love stories where the twins, Aragorn and Legolas are friends. :D
MaverickGirl: Elrond, tie her down? No, no..that's uncivilized. Perhaps he'll use a more devious form of trickery, hmm? LOL.
Lady Eleclya: hmm..how do you know she *does* go with them? I mean, Elrond has a point..it's really dangerous, and she's not really much use. I mean, she *says* she's decent with a bow and arrow, but I say pigs fly...lol. LoL I'm just kidding, she prolly will go with them, knowing Krystal, try to stow away in a Saddle bag or something...haha, imagine Aragorn's face if she hides in his saddle bag and eats all his steak...*lol* not that she could fit in a saddle bag..but still...
Levanna: Thank you! :D That's the exact terminology I was going for, but my mind could not conjure lol - stern compassion.
To everyone else who reviewed, I'm sorry I can't reply, but I need to get this posted and eat breakfast lmao, yes my stomach comes first..but thanks, I love you guys!
*************************
Krystal's eyes narrowed and she frowned, dragging her finger lightly across the page. Her lips moved soundlessly and her brow was furrowed, eyes glued to the book held inches away from her face. The soft smell of new books and fresh pages surrounded her, and for a moment, she was reminded of home, her school, her prom, her life...
She was snuggled up in the corner of Elrond's library - the last place anyone who might be looking for her would look. She had retreated into the darkest corner, surrounded by piles upon piles of books. Not ordinary books, mind you. Maps. Atlases. History.
For the first time in her life, Krystal was voluntarily learning...learning the history and geography of Middle Earth.
Her finger traced over an illustration of the Misty Mountains in the book on her lap. The Mountains, Krystal learned from the book on her right, were often referred to as the backbone of Middle Earth.
"Well, that's just dandy," Krystal muttered sarcastically. "But it doesn't tell me how to get over them."
Exasperated, she threw the book to the side, frowning. She couldn't do this by herself, she didn't know enough, and even the mountains of lore in Elrond's library couldn't exactly tell her how to cross mountains, forest and flatlands and make it back alive. But anyone she could ask would only stop her. There was no one to help her now.
She leaned her back against the bookshelf, her side pressed against a closed window, giving a spectacular view of the grounds of Rivendell. Glancing out the window, Krystal caught a flash of her reflection and stared dully into her own eyes for a moment, thinking.
Glorfindel, maybe? No, no, she shook her head. He would be in the expedition, and she wasn't really all that friendly with him anyway. He was kind of intimidating, and from what she heard, he'd died and been brought back to life. "Call me crazy," she mumbled to herself. "But I'd rather not have to tagalong with a ghost - or, whatever."
Elrond and his sons ( all of them ) were out of the question, and for that matter, so was Legolas. Those idiots from Rohan were sending Annore, so that showed their intelligence - they weren't much better off then she was. No, there had to be someone else, somewhere else...
Then she had it - she knew. She sat up, abruptly, banging her head on the bookshelf in her haste. "Ow...ow...ow..." she muttered under her breath, stuffing the books awkwardly into the bookshelf before sprinting out of the library, attracting several annoyed glances, and towards the Hall of Fire.
She skidded around corners on the marble floor, trying not keep her feet under her, but she had heard he was leaving, she had to catch him, what if he had left...
She prayed he was in the Hall of Fire, perhaps saying his goodbyes to several of the elves she knew he was close with. Perhaps..
Suddenly, her body crashed into another, sending her reeling backwards. The person she hit remained standing, but she landed sprawled out on the floor, her heart in her throat, eyes shut tightly. 'Oh, God,' she thought anxiously to herself. 'Don't let it be..'
Her thoughts were cut off abruptly as a kindly chuckle made her ears burn, and the laughing voice whispered quietly, "Going somewhere, young one?"
She opened her eyes reluctantly, her gaze locking with his for a few brief moments. Then she snapped her eyes shut, her face bright red with embarrassment, throwing her head back and accidentally smacking it on the cold marble floor. "Ow ...stupid, stupid," she murmured, but a gnarled old hand soon reached down and grabbed hers. "Silly girl," the kindly old voice chuckled. "You'll hurt yourself that way."
Krystal sighed, using his hand to help her to her feet, finally opening her eyes and staring into his merry blue ones. "I'm sorry, I was in a hurry."
His eyes crinkled and his smile widened beneath his beard. "Well, yes, that much I deduced."
She allowed a small smile before saying with all the politeness she could muster, "erm, Sir? I know you're leaving today but I really have something to talk to you about--"
Gandalf's eyes softened and his smile faded away. "Yes," he murmured softly in a agreement. "I imagine you do."
----
"Do you get it, Gandalf? Do *you* at least understand?" Krystal finished, her tone pleading. She and Gandalf had retreated into Gandalf's guest room study, and the elderly wizard sat surveying her with a mild stare. Krystal had pled her case and begged for assistance, but the wizard had shown no outward signs of emotions at all, and she had nothing left to say.
Gandalf studied her quietly, his eyes never once leaving her face. Her voice got softer as she made her final plea. "Please, Gandalf. I know you don't know me very well, but I very rarely get this worked up about something that does not involve myself. I *need* to go. Elrond told me I had a purpose for being here--" she tore her eyes from the wizard's steady gaze but her tone still rang with conviction--"and *this* is it."
The Wizard sighed, but after a few long moments of tense silence, he nodded. "You're right," he agreed quietly. "You must go."
Krystal stared blankly at him, her mouth half open as she had been about to deliver another argument as too why she should go. "Did you just agree--"
Gandalf nodded slowly again. "Child, I do not know why you are here," he began carefully, "but there must be a reason. People do not just wander through time and space aimlessly! However, Elrond has forbidden you to go, and you are in his care--"
"He's not my father," Krystal interrupted bluntly, but Gandalf shot her a sharp look.
"You would be better off if he was. He is only looking out for you. Elrond tends to have a blind spot when it comes to his children, and you are beginning to be counted among them, and I'll thank you to speak of your superiors in a more respectful tone."
Krystal glared furiously at him, but he ignored her. "As I was saying, Elrond has forbidden you to go, and though I think you should, I cannot give you permission to go. If you are to go, you must travel behind the members of the expedition, alone, until you are far enough away from Rivendell. Are you up for the challenges, Krystal?"
She just stared. "Alone? Why can't I just catch up with them just outside of Rivendell?"
"Lord Elladan and Elrohir will bring you back immediately and Elrond will make sure you do not attempt again if you are brought back in disgrace."
He continued, ignoring her horrified look, as he spoke in a serious, low, rough tone. "I will give you everything you need and I will aid you in your course over the mountains. Once you pass the mountains, you may join the expedition - if they will let you. There is a very good chance that, although your friends may appreciate your efforts, they will insist you return to Rivendell. In that case, someone will be forced to abandon the party and bring you back home, like a child misbehaved. There is also the risk that once you get to Mirkwood, you will be injured, captured, or lost. Mirkwood is a very dangerous place, Krystal, this you *must* understand. It is not in anyway related to Rivendell. These are very real risks, and no," He paused as she looked away, tore her gaze from his eyes and glanced down at her shoes. Suddenly, this all seemed very impossible to her. "Do not look away, Krystal, these are things you must hear. You must understand completely before you decide if you truly wish to do this. I dare say you have not enough experience with evils of the world to understand the full danger, but you do have one thing, Krystal, and I tell you, this one thing is the only thing that is truly the reason why I think you should go. You have determination unlike that in anyone I've ever known. You have to, to have survived what you have been through. You are determined enough to stand next to your friends and fight. But Krystal, I would not forgive myself if I did not try to persuade you *not* to go. Do I think you should if you wish it? Yes. Do I think this may be the purpose you were brought to Middle Earth for? Yes. But do I also know of the dangers, of the horror that awaits you? Yes, Krystal I do. And I will not send you in there with out trying to persuade you otherwise."
Krystal dragged her gaze back to his.
Outside the window, birds sang and the sun shone. Children laughed and women and men sang and danced. It was hard to imagine a place of complete and utter darkness and danger, such as describe to her by Elrond and now Gandalf while surrounding by such complete light and happiness. It was hard for her to imagine her friends sending her away like a troublesome two year old, and yet she knew it was a possibility.
She would be of little use, she knew. She could shoot an arrow in the relatively right direction, if she concentrated, and she could run fast enough if the occasion called for it. But would she be an asset to this expedition physically? No.
But morally? Was she really willing to risk her life and limbs for four people who she had only meet a few months ago? Would her presence mean anything to them?
Her eyes remained clouded in thought, and Gandalf waited patiently. He could not - no, he would not ask this of her. It had to be her choice. He would aid her if she asked, for truly, he knew this was right. But he would not ask it of her.
Krystal nodded slightly to herself. Her presence would remind them of everything they were fighting for, she told herself. For people, for friendship, for the innocent and the guilty alike. For freedom to cry, and seethe, to laugh and smile. She would remind them what it was to try, and to believe in something other then pain. She would be there for them in whatever way she could.
Her friends had taught her so much. She would not let them go into darkness without her by their side - no matter how little her presence mattered, she knew, deep down - it mattered.
Her gaze focused on Gandalf's, and her nod became more firm. Her jaw set, but a smile played on her lips. "Gandalf, if that speech and the picture Elrond painted for me this morning could not persuade me to stay home...then I suppose I'm going."
Gandalf unfurled himself slowly from the chair he had been sitting in, his eyes still bearing into hers. "You are positive, young one?"
Her grin widened at the term, remember the time Legolas had used it with her in Mirkwood and her sassy response. "I'm not young," she reminded Gandalf with a smile. "Not anymore."
"I'm positive."