[A/N: For Disclaimer, seek ye the chapter of this story's birth.]
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WHAT?!! Only one review?! I feel cheated! Do you not love me anymore? *sigh*
Anyway, I've finally typed up Chapter 4 for you. I know, I know. You'd like to bite my head off, but refrain until the end of the story, or you'll never get to hear the rest of it.
Yes, I know, I'm getting on with the story. Sooorrryyy. I'll just say this. You'll be surprised. (I hope.)
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Thank you Starbrat, for reminding me. You're right. It still has Mary-Sue potential. *sigh* Well, all I can do is try.
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Yay! Mesopotamia and Crystal reviewed! I love you guys!
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Moon Song
Chapter 4- Who are you?!
(revised edition)
Alyce waited, trembling, for the creature to come towards her. Each step brought another onslaught of waves from the lake, almost knocking her feet from under her.
But she stood fast, legs braced, feet firmly planted on shore. The monster of stone roared, a sound to strike terror in even the bravest of hearts. The urge to flee was so strong she almost gave into it, but she fought it and watched as the lake creature bellowed yet again.
Deadly ice shot from its mouth to attach itself to a boulder but a few inches from her shaking body. Alyce shivered and shuddered violently and it wasn't just from the sudden cold either. The abomination was only a few feet away from her now, and the stench of brimstone filled her nostrils. Brimstone? She thought remotely. Why would it smell like brimstone? An answer came to her a few moments later. Because it came from the depths of hell…
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Lord Elrond warily opened the guest-room door and silently stepped inside. But he saw his caution was quite unwarranted as soon as he glanced around.
The sheets were halfway off the bed and a human-shaped lump was cocooned on the ground. The figure's legs were propped up on the mattress and its head lay on the hardwood floor. Lord Elrond stepped up to the figure and crouched down to further examine it. The person was unconscious. So this was the girl-child of Man that had so frightened Losloth. Turning, he spotted Losloth huddling near the door, looking at the child with wide eyes. He almost laughed at the absurdity of it.
The Eldar looked back at the young girl. Her burnished copper hair was flung across her face from the fall. He gently moved it to gaze at her face. It was an intriguing visage, no less, the face of a cherub. Most of the faces he had seen were lean and angular. Just then, her shot open and widened when they saw him. He got only a small glimpse at them before the girl screamed…right in his extremely sensitive ear.
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The gouge in her side burned with an icy fire and her muscles ached from their recent abuse. She was only just able to stand.
The creature suddenly stopped. It stood stock still, looking at her as if seeing her for the first time. It snorted, its breath causing ice crystals to form on her face. The monster suddenly bent down. She blinked in surprise but otherwise didn't move. Its now blue-glowing orbs narrowed.
A little closer…just a little bit closer…she mentally urged. Slowly, ever so slowly, she raised the knife behind her back. A menacing growl rose in its throat. Alyce began to panic. Did it know what she was planning to do? Oh gods, please don't let it know. Dagger-like stone teeth bared themselves in a snarl. It reared its head and roared inches from her face. Her heart beat like a wild rabbit in a cage, but she did not move, knowing that if she did not get rid of it, no one would, and many innocent (and not so innocent) lives would be lost. Because she didn't have the courage to stand up to this abomination.
The monster's frigid breath ruffled her hair from its closeness. Yet...it did not attack. It stood there, glaring at her, as if appraising her to be worth its time. Alyce glared back with every ounce of bravery in her body. Its face got closer and closer and closer. Too soon, the creature's stone countenance was so close that their noses were almost touching. Her right arm muscles tensed, preparing for the strike. She waited for the next move, but it never came. It just stood there, scowling at her. The girl mentally shrugged. Nothing to it but to do it. In a few moments, her battered body would turn traitor and collapse from pure pain and exhaustion.
Striking as fast as she could, she aimed for its eyes. But it was not injured, and she was. It recoiled its head and grabbed her around the waist with its enormous stony hands. She writhed in its iron grip, shouting for it to let her go with as much verbal power as she could muster. Alyce didn't truly believe it would work but a few seconds later, she was deposited on the ground in a heap.
Her knife was nowhere in sight, thrown away in her exuberant attempts at escape. The monster was no longer menacing her but merely gazing at her curiously. She sat on the muddy shore, breathing hard from her exertions.
They watched each other for a few moments and then the creature slowly, gingerly moved towards her as though not to frighten her off. How ironic. She couldn't have moved if she were tied to a stampeding herd of wild horses and was dragged off. It was so close now, that she could discern the odd spicy odor of its breath. It no longer smelled of brimstone.
They blinked at each other and then it began to lower its head until it rested in her quivering lap. The stone being's gaze seemed to soften. She was so immersed in its eyes that she almost jumped out of her skin when something warm and silky brushed her hand. The startled girl glanced all the way down and discovered the creature was nuzzling her hand.
Her breath quickened, and shocked at her own daring, she reached out and stroked under its muzzle. A pleasured rumbling began in its throat. She gasped and pulled her hand away as if it were burned. What the hell was going on here?! Please, continue…Alyce heard in her mind.
She almost screamed in surprise, but bit her lip to stop its escape. "Did…d-d-did you say that?" She stammered. It cocked its head slightly. Indeed. "Oooookkkkaaayyy. Then…what should I call you?" She paused. "And what the heck are you?" She continued, gaining confidence from its ongoing peacefulness. "And why did you stop? And—" Whoa, whoa, whoa! It cut her off. One question at a time, there. It gave her a toothy grin. First of all, my name is…
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Lord Elrond came to with a throbbing headache and ringing ears. A golden blur above his head glanced down in obvious concern. "Lord Elrond, Lord Elrond, are you quite alright?" Glorfindel's worried voice broke through the tolling bells in his ears. How could he not hear them? He grunted in pain. Even that small sound intensified his headache. "Glorfindel?" He queried through the ringing. "Oh, heruamin, you had me worried." Yes, that was Glorfindel. He tried to sit up but instantly regretted it. "Glorfindel, could you fetch me some brewed athelas leaves?" The blur nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, my lord. I will return in a moment." All this trouble over a scream in his ear. A rather loud scream, he might add. There were stirrings next to him and a sharp intake of breath. So the child was still awake.
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Kathy awoke to find a pair of pewter-gray eyes inches (not really, she just thinks they are) from her face. She screamed in surprise. The eyes jolted back, giving her enough room in her field of vision to make out a face. But the man's eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped to the floor, unconscious, all in matter of seconds.
She blinked, and then blinked again. That wasn't supposed to happen… The girl scooted over to get a closer look. Before she could, the elf-maiden near the door screeched and raced into the hallway, calling yet another name. "Lord Glorfindel, oh, Lord Glorfindel help!"
Kathy shrugged and turned back to the man on the floor. His eyes were back in their normal position, but unfocused and glazed. It kinda gave her the creeps.
A silver circlet had slipped off his head to roll onto the ground. His brown hair was so dark, it was practically ebony. It framed a still-serious face, even in unconsciousness. I have the feeling he doesn't smile much…she thought to herself. He moaned, beginning to come to. Her eyes widened. Oh no! What do I do?! Kathy cast about, looking for some sort of aid. Her aid came in an unexpected form. Suddenly, a blond-haired man appeared in the doorway, with that damned she-elf behind him. The blond rushed to the comatose man's side, not even sparing her a glance. "Heruamin? Heruamin, are you well?" No answer. Not much that you can expect from an unconscious man. Then the brunet moaned again, in obvious pain.
A clump of golden hair fell in the blond's face and he brushed it back in irritation. Her jaw dropped. He was also an elf! So that must mean…The said elf rushed off to do the bidding of his 'heruamin'. Whatever the heck that was. But still… She turned to the now conscious man, no, elf, who was gazing at her through pain-narrowed eyes.
A wave of recognition rushed through her with the intensity of a spring flood. Kathy gasped, clutching her heart. That was Lord Elrond!
Whew! That was a long chapter! My hand is cramping…
See that button down there? The one that says Review? You want to push that button! Yeah, you do don't lie to me! I'm psychic, y'all…you can't fool me! Review, or you have to wait for a whole year for me to update!! Muhahahahahaha!!! ;)
For whom it may concern, me and my pet elf are practically popsicles!! Arrrggghhhh! I don't care if it's a flame, we might just make it through the month!