Chapter Eleven: Mind Wraiths
Disclaimer: G.I. JOE IN PANTY-HOSE … wait, that's not a disclaimer. JUST WAIT TILL ALL THE GUYS GET A LOAD OF ME! (That's a hecka tight Green Day song!)
A/N: Okay, well I hope all of you have been listening to your Green Day (especially Time of your Life [Good Riddance] which I'm listening to right now. Basically, I've been listening to Green Day, Will Smith, and Usher. Johnny Mosley is a hottie! Any who … ENJOY! Woo woo! Yea …
…
"Exactly," replied Legolas. "I will show you the prophecy once the council is over." Sighing deeply, Aila felt like she was going to fall over from all of her new found knowledge. Seeing her distress, Legolas placed a hand on her arm, lest she fall. She turned her head and smiled at her friend laughing inwardly as she remembered there meeting. How silly of her. "I don't think Legolas Greenleaf exists …"
The vision she had had before met her eyes in reality now, the golden leaves falling in waves to the forest floor. The Council of Lord Elrond started and continued past noon with a dull drone that had her bored beyond sanity. Though for the first hour or two she was intrigued by the sight of Gimli, Boromir, and Gandalf. She searched in the trees for Sam but couldn't find him. She had read this chapter so many times that it seemed she could mouth the words before Lord Elrond even said them. She was just waiting for them to create the Fellowship so she could start asking about her being the Light Bearer and all that other crap. Aila began to slip off back into sleep, but all she was able to attain was a light daze. The outside world faded and she began to imagine seeing halls. Sitting next to her, Gandalf began to shift uncomfortably. From her other side, Legolas watched with interest, no longer paying attention to Elrond.
The halls in front of her were made of stone and they were lined with torches making them warm, but her feet were cold from the drafts. Her blue Roxy shoes kept her feet somewhat warm, but the drafts got through the suede to her chilled feet.
Doors opened up on either side of the corridor, all unlabeled. Curious as always, Aila opened a random door and cautiously walked through. Cobwebs cluttered the corners and the walls of the musty room. Bookcases were much in evidence and books were littered across the tables and the floor.
From everywhere Aila heard a whispering. It sounded like an old man speaking Latin and various other languages at the same time that she couldn't identify. She could tell it was magic and she was terrified. Aila tried to cover her ears with her hands to block out the confusing mass of languages, but she found in one hand she held a scroll and in the other a sword. She twirled around to find others that were identical to her, reacting in the same way. One of her twins was holding a bow and arrow, along with two swords strapped across her back. Another had a scroll and a feather, her face smothered behind glasses. The third and final likeness of herself, Aila found wore the clothes the tomb-raider wore, the white t-shirt and short-shorts, with handguns strapped to her thighs. Her combat boots were polished and shone like a star. In the back of her mind, Aila knew there were more likenesses of herself somewhere and that they all had different traits. The one with the scroll was the scholar, the one with the archery was the medieval warrior, and the Aila with the guns was the bad-ass.
Faintly, Aila could still see Elrond's council and everyone present was staring at her and Gandalf, who was currently holding his head with distress, staring at her in wonder.
"Get out!" He screamed and the command echoed throughout the room that Aila and her likenesses were in. The screech brought Aila back to reality and she blinked the halls from her eyes, leaving all four of her behind in the halls. She sat for a few more seconds, dazed and confused before she found her voice.
"What was that?"
"You were in my head," said Gandalf, who had obviously recovered from whatever had bothered him. "Why didn't anyone warn me you were a Mind Walker? You're mind wraiths were much to powerful! I couldn't even go near them to fight you off."
"What?" Aila asked, her eyes slanted at crazy angles in her confusion. She felt like falling over and just going to sleep. "Was I just in your mind? Mind wraiths? Is that what those were? I'm confused."
"That shall be left to another time," Lord Elrond said, "now we have to create the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Oh God," Aila said. "Just get it freaking over with." Several laughed, others nodded, agreeing with her that the council was taking much too long. "There has to be those who accompany the Ring-Bearer on his journey."
"Exactly! And who are they to be? That seems to me what this Council has to decide, and all that it has to decide. Elves may thrive on speech alone, and Dwarves endure great weariness; but I am only an old hobbit, and I miss my meal at noon. Can't you think of some names now? Or put it off till after dinner?" Bilbo cried.
"I will take the Ring," said Frodo, in his small, timid voice. "Though I do not know the way."
…
Sam raced from his hiding place in the bushes around them and flew to his master's side. He looked pleadingly at Elrond.
"But you won't sent him off alone surely, Master?"
"No indeed!" said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Silently, Gandalf stood up from his chair and stood before Frodo, towering over him.
"You have my staff."
"And my bow," said Legolas, standing up on the other side of Aila. He took his bow from his shoulder and placed it alongside Gandalf's staff."
"And my axe," said Gimli in his gruff voice. He ruggedly tossed his axe down on the other side of Gandalf and stood behind Frodo with the other two. Boromir volunteered his sword and laid his horn down between Gandalf's staff and Gimli's axe. Merry and Pippin rushed from where Sam had been hiding and timidly joined the Fellowship, under the surprised glares of all. Aragorn volunteered his sword and pulled out the Sword that was Broken and placed it on the other side of Legolas' bow.
"There," cried Aila. "That is Nine. Nine to face the Nine Nazgul. The Fellowship is formed."
"Wait a moment, Light Bearer. There is but one more that I wish to ask to join the Fellowship of the Ring." *What* thought Aila, *surely this wasn't in the book! It was Nine of the Fellowship to face the Nine Nazgul!* She glanced around at the others. There was one to represent the three races: Man, Elf, and Dwarf. And then four hobbits. And another man.
As she was thinking, she noticed everyone looking at her in a straight-forward sort of way. Even Elrond had raised an eyebrow in amusement as she finally clued in. Sighing, she stood up, knowing what she was about to get herself into. She kneeled in front of Frodo, rearranging the weaponry in front of him. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her glasses, the best symbolization she had. She lay it down on top of Legolas' bow, between the wood and string.
"Frodo Baggins of Bag End, Ring-Bearer. There is not much that I can offer you. For I am from another world and unfamiliar with this one. However, I am well versed in what the Nine of you are about to undertake. Therefore, I offer you my knowledge, if you are willing to have it. I will not be of the Fellowship, but a companion of it. The saying will remain Nine of the Fellowship to face the Nine Nazgul."
"Let it be so then. You shall go," said Elrond, and he sighed. "Now the tale of Nine is filled. In seven days the Company must depart." Retrieving their weaponry, the nine hungry companions talked lightly amongst themselves, but Aila separated herself from them, after taking hold of her glasses from Legolas who picked them up for her. Sitting down back into her chair she groaned and realized what she had just gotten herself into. Seven days.
"Ugh."
Disclaimer: G.I. JOE IN PANTY-HOSE … wait, that's not a disclaimer. JUST WAIT TILL ALL THE GUYS GET A LOAD OF ME! (That's a hecka tight Green Day song!)
A/N: Okay, well I hope all of you have been listening to your Green Day (especially Time of your Life [Good Riddance] which I'm listening to right now. Basically, I've been listening to Green Day, Will Smith, and Usher. Johnny Mosley is a hottie! Any who … ENJOY! Woo woo! Yea …
…
"Exactly," replied Legolas. "I will show you the prophecy once the council is over." Sighing deeply, Aila felt like she was going to fall over from all of her new found knowledge. Seeing her distress, Legolas placed a hand on her arm, lest she fall. She turned her head and smiled at her friend laughing inwardly as she remembered there meeting. How silly of her. "I don't think Legolas Greenleaf exists …"
The vision she had had before met her eyes in reality now, the golden leaves falling in waves to the forest floor. The Council of Lord Elrond started and continued past noon with a dull drone that had her bored beyond sanity. Though for the first hour or two she was intrigued by the sight of Gimli, Boromir, and Gandalf. She searched in the trees for Sam but couldn't find him. She had read this chapter so many times that it seemed she could mouth the words before Lord Elrond even said them. She was just waiting for them to create the Fellowship so she could start asking about her being the Light Bearer and all that other crap. Aila began to slip off back into sleep, but all she was able to attain was a light daze. The outside world faded and she began to imagine seeing halls. Sitting next to her, Gandalf began to shift uncomfortably. From her other side, Legolas watched with interest, no longer paying attention to Elrond.
The halls in front of her were made of stone and they were lined with torches making them warm, but her feet were cold from the drafts. Her blue Roxy shoes kept her feet somewhat warm, but the drafts got through the suede to her chilled feet.
Doors opened up on either side of the corridor, all unlabeled. Curious as always, Aila opened a random door and cautiously walked through. Cobwebs cluttered the corners and the walls of the musty room. Bookcases were much in evidence and books were littered across the tables and the floor.
From everywhere Aila heard a whispering. It sounded like an old man speaking Latin and various other languages at the same time that she couldn't identify. She could tell it was magic and she was terrified. Aila tried to cover her ears with her hands to block out the confusing mass of languages, but she found in one hand she held a scroll and in the other a sword. She twirled around to find others that were identical to her, reacting in the same way. One of her twins was holding a bow and arrow, along with two swords strapped across her back. Another had a scroll and a feather, her face smothered behind glasses. The third and final likeness of herself, Aila found wore the clothes the tomb-raider wore, the white t-shirt and short-shorts, with handguns strapped to her thighs. Her combat boots were polished and shone like a star. In the back of her mind, Aila knew there were more likenesses of herself somewhere and that they all had different traits. The one with the scroll was the scholar, the one with the archery was the medieval warrior, and the Aila with the guns was the bad-ass.
Faintly, Aila could still see Elrond's council and everyone present was staring at her and Gandalf, who was currently holding his head with distress, staring at her in wonder.
"Get out!" He screamed and the command echoed throughout the room that Aila and her likenesses were in. The screech brought Aila back to reality and she blinked the halls from her eyes, leaving all four of her behind in the halls. She sat for a few more seconds, dazed and confused before she found her voice.
"What was that?"
"You were in my head," said Gandalf, who had obviously recovered from whatever had bothered him. "Why didn't anyone warn me you were a Mind Walker? You're mind wraiths were much to powerful! I couldn't even go near them to fight you off."
"What?" Aila asked, her eyes slanted at crazy angles in her confusion. She felt like falling over and just going to sleep. "Was I just in your mind? Mind wraiths? Is that what those were? I'm confused."
"That shall be left to another time," Lord Elrond said, "now we have to create the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Oh God," Aila said. "Just get it freaking over with." Several laughed, others nodded, agreeing with her that the council was taking much too long. "There has to be those who accompany the Ring-Bearer on his journey."
"Exactly! And who are they to be? That seems to me what this Council has to decide, and all that it has to decide. Elves may thrive on speech alone, and Dwarves endure great weariness; but I am only an old hobbit, and I miss my meal at noon. Can't you think of some names now? Or put it off till after dinner?" Bilbo cried.
"I will take the Ring," said Frodo, in his small, timid voice. "Though I do not know the way."
…
Sam raced from his hiding place in the bushes around them and flew to his master's side. He looked pleadingly at Elrond.
"But you won't sent him off alone surely, Master?"
"No indeed!" said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Silently, Gandalf stood up from his chair and stood before Frodo, towering over him.
"You have my staff."
"And my bow," said Legolas, standing up on the other side of Aila. He took his bow from his shoulder and placed it alongside Gandalf's staff."
"And my axe," said Gimli in his gruff voice. He ruggedly tossed his axe down on the other side of Gandalf and stood behind Frodo with the other two. Boromir volunteered his sword and laid his horn down between Gandalf's staff and Gimli's axe. Merry and Pippin rushed from where Sam had been hiding and timidly joined the Fellowship, under the surprised glares of all. Aragorn volunteered his sword and pulled out the Sword that was Broken and placed it on the other side of Legolas' bow.
"There," cried Aila. "That is Nine. Nine to face the Nine Nazgul. The Fellowship is formed."
"Wait a moment, Light Bearer. There is but one more that I wish to ask to join the Fellowship of the Ring." *What* thought Aila, *surely this wasn't in the book! It was Nine of the Fellowship to face the Nine Nazgul!* She glanced around at the others. There was one to represent the three races: Man, Elf, and Dwarf. And then four hobbits. And another man.
As she was thinking, she noticed everyone looking at her in a straight-forward sort of way. Even Elrond had raised an eyebrow in amusement as she finally clued in. Sighing, she stood up, knowing what she was about to get herself into. She kneeled in front of Frodo, rearranging the weaponry in front of him. Reaching into her purse, she pulled out her glasses, the best symbolization she had. She lay it down on top of Legolas' bow, between the wood and string.
"Frodo Baggins of Bag End, Ring-Bearer. There is not much that I can offer you. For I am from another world and unfamiliar with this one. However, I am well versed in what the Nine of you are about to undertake. Therefore, I offer you my knowledge, if you are willing to have it. I will not be of the Fellowship, but a companion of it. The saying will remain Nine of the Fellowship to face the Nine Nazgul."
"Let it be so then. You shall go," said Elrond, and he sighed. "Now the tale of Nine is filled. In seven days the Company must depart." Retrieving their weaponry, the nine hungry companions talked lightly amongst themselves, but Aila separated herself from them, after taking hold of her glasses from Legolas who picked them up for her. Sitting down back into her chair she groaned and realized what she had just gotten herself into. Seven days.
"Ugh."