AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Dear Jen,
You wanted me to answer your questions? Well, let me tell you, I have taken your review into mind, and into the story. Read on and your questions will be answered, most of them anyway. If not, I'll answer them in the chapters to come. Keep checking!
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing.
---------------------------------------- CHRISTMAS
"Gandalf!" Frodo said, running over to the wizard who was happily smoking his pipe and talking merrily to Dumbledore.
"Hmm?" he said, diverting his attention.
"Gandalf, some of the students are leaving for Christmas, some sort of holiday. Isn't it possible that we could leave with them? The Rin- IT has begun to feel heavy..." Frodo's voice quieted.
"Call the rest of the Fellowship; we need to have a private meeting," Dumbledore said, "to my quarters."
~*~*~**~~*~*~**~
"Aww, but we've been having so much fun!" Pippin complained.
"Yes, and besides, if we learn proper magic, we can prepare ourselves for other nasty things to come!" Merry quipped.
"Do you really think Mithrandir would trust you with a wand outside of Hogwarts?" Legolas smiled playfully.
"Yes, he just doesn't trust you with one."
"The hobbit has a point," added the Ranger.
"Dina //be silent/shut up// Aragorn."
"Your choice is to stay until the end of the year then?" Dumbledore asked, raising an eyebrow, "you know that means that Saruman has another year to destroy Middle Earth and that Sauron's forces are massing..." The fellowship remained silent.
"But we've already stayed here for half a year; will another half make much of a difference?" Pippin asked.
"Don't be selfish, young hobbit," Boromir responded, "Do you want all of Middle-Earth suffering because you want to stay here for your own pleasures?"
"No..." Pippin said slowly. Gandalf and Dumbledore remained silent through their argument, both knowing time was passing by slowly. It was an important decision, for once they left, there was no chance that they'd be coming back.
"When does the train leave?" Aragorn asked.
"In exactly thirty four seconds and counting."
"What!?"
"Thirty one seconds."
"It would be impossible to prepare for departure in that amount of time!"
"Twenty five seconds."
"Surely you could have stopped our bickering and remind us of the time!" Merry exclaimed.
"Master Meriadoc, you are a very intelligent and well aged Hobbit, do you expect us to remind you of the time every day like a child?" Gandalf asked.
"Twelve seconds."
"Looks like we're staying here for another few months," Legolas sighed.
"Three seconds."
*~*~*~*~**~*~*~**~ (Back in the Dormitories)
"Legolas, what are you doing? Where's Aragorn?" Ron asked. The elf had his feet on the leather couch, but his back was flat on the floor. His hair was haloed around his head and he had his slender Elven hands intertwined on his chest. Legolas turned his head slightly at his name.
"Aragorn is taking a shower after I spilled the Armadillo bile and Turtle colon on him," he replied stiffly.
"Legolas, what's wrong?" Ron asked, he was used to the lively, perky elf. "Is something on your mind?"
The elf sighed, "Many things trouble my mind, although talking about it would not alleviate any of it."
"You never know. I'm listening."
"There was a time when Mirkwood was Greenwood the Great," Legolas said, not moving his position, diverting his eyes to the ceiling. "Greenwood was the most beautiful wood north of Lothlórien. The trees welcomed any creature, be it elf or human.
"The shadow of Sauron passed over Greenwood, turning in into Mirkwood. I was but a small elfling when this happened, but I still remember how the trees grew bitter and cold. How the spiders began multiplying. How many elves either died or left Greenwood. The Orcs became bolder, venturing farther into our borders and finally attacking my father's palace and the homes of the elves themselves. My mother perished in one of the battles." When Legolas looked at Ron, the wizard swore he could see unshed tears in the elf's eyes.
"That is what I am afraid of. No other people, be in elf, dwarf or man, should have to experience the wrath of Sauron. To watch as their loved ones, homes and everything they hold dear to their hearts shrivel into darkness.
"By staying here, we're giving Sauron and his puppet Saruman more time to do this. That is why I am eager to leave; I cannot bear to think Middle Earth's denizens having to face what fear, anger and sorrow the Sindar elves have seen."
At this, Ron remained silent, not knowing what to say. "Well, come outside, it might help your thoughts wander. I just came to get my cloak. Winter is here and it's mighty cold outside. Harry is still doing his quidditch training. After the snow clears, the matches will begin. Griffindor hasn't won since James Potter left."
The elf smiled slightly. Then flipped backwards, landing daintily on his feet. "Shall we go?"
"Yes, let me get my cloak first. Get yours too, it's just snowed," Ron said, turning the corridor to get his cloak. When he came back, the elf was standing in the same spot, wearing his fawn colored tunic and forest green breeches. "Well?"
"Well what?" the elf answered quizzically.
"Aren't you going to get a cloak? You're going to be freezing your underpants off."
"When one of the teachers get a dragon for a pet and there is a three headed dog in the third corridor, guarding a prized possession. Besides, I'm not wearing any," the elf smiled.
TBC...
A/N: *Growls* I'm teaching my friend Elvish but her letters are all lumpy and distorted (Mine aren't that bad, I think). Her 'A's' looks like three separate 'I's' and she still needs the cheat sheet. (Mind you, it took nearly three days for me to learn fluently.) She doesn't even like LOTR!!