A/N: Disclaimer: Both songs featured in this piece are by Garth Brooks and
do not belong to me.
Thank you for all reviewers and let me know what you think of this final chapter. The writing style may be a tad different because it is a transition between this story and the sequel: Band of Thieves by Elven Frog. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
.
Epilogue
The dark room was hot from the many sweating bodies packed in. The smell of perspiration and alcohol lay heavy in air. Candles were strewn over various table tops giving the place an eerie glow. Laughter, belches, and yells came from almost everyone present.
I sat at a corner table at the pub, nervously looking around. I was alone and concealed partially by a shadow. I really shouldn't have come. I never would have thought I was more closely related to these sick creatures than to elves. No wonder they hated me. My race was sick.
A cloaked man sat nearby, engulfed in shadow, smoking a pipe. I shivered and drew back into the corner a bit more. This had definitely not been a good idea. I had heard a small man who was unusually short, and I guessed was a hobbit, ask the bartender who the man was. Strider. I sent another glance at him as another puff of smoke exited his mouth. I coughed and turned away, hoping he would leave soon.
I glanced once more at the piece of parchment before me.
Sit in the booth at the back. Order a Bud Light.
We will meet you there.
I had followed the instructions to the pub explicitly, yet there was no sign of any of the three women I had previously met in Mirkwood. I was in the right spot, I knew it. I had checked countless times on the journey here. It was the time I was worried about. They said nothing about when and I wondered how long I would end up sitting here. It wouldn't be long, I knew that. I would most definitely be out of here by morning even if they weren't.
The barmaid, clad in a very familiar looking red cloak and a dangling gold and ruby bracelet around her wrist, set a mug before me. "Thanks," I mumbled, truthfully for none had splashed on me when she slammed it on the table before hurrying on. I had no idea what a Bud Light was and wasn't sure I wanted to find out. I nervously peered in only to find no liquid inside.
I groaned and pulled out the note, unfolded it and read:
Welcome to the Band of Thieves. If by chance
you do not see us, please meet us at the
Brandywine Bridge in the Shire.
I almost yelled in my frustration. 'Brandywine Bridge!' These women were running me all over the countryside! I really shouldn't be there. Ever since I agreed I have regretted it; when I woke up the next morning to find them gone and only a note left behind to lead me here, I knew this was to be a life-changing experience. But this was outrageous. Why couldn't they settle on a place? I was trying to think of an answer when I spotted the barmaid giving a lady a drink nearby. Her foot caught on the stool and she tumbled forward, drenching cold beer on the lady. Some inaudible words passed between the two as the woman clad in green and drenched in alcohol jumped to her feet in shock, knocking over her chair in the process. The barmaid frantically tried to apologize and grabbed a rag from her cloak to soak up some of the mess on the other woman's shirt. Her bracelet caught, however, and tore the front of the shirt in the process.
"Sorry, so sorry," the barmaid apologized profusely, trying to untangle it without lengthening the rip.
The green woman's fist collided into the barmaid's cheek and a fight began. They rolled on the floor, hitting tables and capturing everyone's attention. Men left their previous occupations to watch the brawl and place bets on the victor.
The waitress grabbed the woman in green and threw her onto the table before me causing me to jump to my feet just as the woman had earlier and stumble backward over the fallen chair to get out of the way. The notes and map fluttered to the ground and I quickly grabbed them and placed them securely in my pocket. The event was beginning to be too much to handle and I dodged my way quickly to the door.
Something about the cloaks was stirring inside of me. The woman in the red cloak was clad in almost the exact same outfit as the thief I met, but was completely different. Not only was her hair black, but she was heavier. I didn't get a good look at the woman in green, but assumed it was just another ordinary woman with a similar cloak.
I canceled my room and shoved the coins into the pocket containing my map and notes then headed to the country to begin my long hike.
"That's it! You're fired!" someone yelled as the door closed behind me. I began my walk according to the map and caught site of a fleeing shadow carrying a large bag disappear into the shadows of the buildings.
.
I walked through the night and well into the morning before arriving at the point they chose. I half expected there to be another note for me there, but found none. I settled myself down, lying in the grass to wait for the women to arrive. It was the best I could do to resist the urge to jump into the rippling water just feet away. I stared into the water for a few moments before tearing my eyes away to resist.
A few hours later, I was awakened by the sound of singing. I opened my eyes and sat up to see the band of three women, hoods drawn as always, making their way towards me.
"Operator won't you put me through. I have to send my love down to Baton Rouge. Harr-riet! Won't you put her on the line? I gotta talk to the girl just one more time!" they sung at the top of their lungs as they laughed. "Sweet Baton Rouge!"
The woman cloaked in black stood before me. "Sure left in quite a hurry the other night, but glad it was not to hurry to meet up with your boyfriend and you were able to hook up with us." She paused. "You don't talk much do you?"
"Westron is new to me," I informed them before getting straight to the point, saying sarcastically, "Did you have a hard time finding the table I was at?"
"Yes, well, sorry we couldn't sit down with you. We were working."
"Stealing again, perhaps?"
"And other work!" Red interjected.
"What other work would you do?"
"You don't use your eyes, do you?" asked Red.
"Sure I do."
"No, you don't," Black corrected as Red held up her wrist. A bracelet very similar to the barmaid's settled around her hand. The gold and red rubies glinted in the sunlight.
"Did you steal that from the barmaid?" I asked on impulse. She shook her head, meaning only one thing. "I noticed the clothing and cloak of the barmaid, but she looked nothing like you!" I defended. I looked to Green who was smiling slightly, fingering the hole in her shirt. "The woman who was fighting with the barmaid resembled you in many ways, but you-or she- acted strangely and you would have defended yourself better."
"All right, you do, but you could use some improvement," Black gave in slightly.
"You were the barmaid? You couldn't. . .must have been the dark," I concluded before voicing the questions which were rapidly surfacing. "What was the fight about, then? Why did you not tell me you were there?"
"One question at a time, please!" said Black, holding up a hand. "You'll be doin' the same sort of thing in time. The fight was just part of the distraction. We needed more than just our normal LGM tactics and well, it gave us a chance to meet you."
"You had already met me. I don't see why you had to meet me again."
"You wouldn't," she mumbled. "As I said we would, we were working the pub."
"How was I supposed to know what type of work you were doing? You could have meant bartending, stealing, or both and with costumes like Red's I would have never picked any of you out!"
This statement produced a wide, mischievous smile on Red's face and Black laughed. "Costumes. Yes, only red has the good costumes and to answer your question we were doing both."
"Yes, I realized that, thank you."
"Anytime! Green, give the lady her sword."
"I am already equipped with a sword." I pulled out Legolas' sword.
"Wow," Red breathed in awe. She grabbed for the sword and I moved it away. She frowned and I hesitantly handed it to her.
"Be careful with it," I warned.
Red tossed the blade back and forth. "It's so light." She threw it in the air and caught it. Green glared at Red who smiled suspiciously before chucking it into the river. "Whoops!"
"Hey!" I ran to the water's edge, prepared to dive in.
"Don't worry," Black said. "Green made you your own personal sword."
"That was my personal sword," I whispered as I stood, looking into the water where the last object I had of Legolas lay within. Green tapped me with the hilt of a sword. I grasped the hilt, covered in bright and polished sapphires. My hand dropped with the weight.
"Heavier than an elvish one, but that's because they can't make a real one," the one who presented me the sword informed me.
Black turned me away from the river so I faced her. "This won't do," she muttered disapprovingly.
"What won't?" I asked.
She ignored me, "Red, get the blue for our friend here." Red pulled out a pile of clothing from her cloak. "These'll be your new clothes," Black said, handing them to me. "Go ahead, put them on."
I paused, making sure I heard her correctly. "Put them on?"
"Isn't that what I said?"
"Here?"
"Where else?"
"Now?"
"Would be a good idea."
"Isn't that a little improper?" I asked, wondering what the woman's customs were.
"Is anything we do proper? Just do it. You can hide behind that bush if you want. We'll shield you event though there is no one else around." I uncertainly headed for the bush and quickly started changing, wondering once again what I was going to do with the ones I was wearing.
"She needs a name," I heard Green point out, "and a LGM."
I found this odd because they knew my name and had used it on previous occasions. "I have a name."
"How 'bout Hammy?" Black suggested.
"Hammy? As a title?" I asked, nearly astonished.
"Hmm," thought Red. "We could call her Fins, or Fish, or Aqua-woman, or The Speedo Torpedo, or--"
"Done," I interrupted, not wanting to hear any more and finished changing. I stepped out and Black immediately confronted me.
"Always keep your hood up," Black commanded, throwing it over my head. She reached in her pocket and grabbed my hand. "This is your LGM," she said, placing the object in my palm.
A small green man stood in hand, unmoving. "What is it for?"
"Every one 'o us has one," Black told me. "It-he-is a key distraction for burgling."
I looked at them as if they were crazy. "Key distraction? It's so small and made of some hard material. What could it possibly do?"
"Now, now. He's just sleeping. It's a totally different story when he's working. Hey, Bob!" she shouted at it. "Middle-earth to Bob! Yoo-hoo! Wake up!"
I continued staring at her as if she had gone mad when I felt the thing move. I looked at it and quickly dropped it when it started to grow. He landed not as a small, plastic army man, but transformed into a short, rounded, green, gnome-like creature.
He bowed to Black, "Good morn, madam."
"Bob," Black gestured to me. "You'll be working for Blue now."
"Good day, miss," he greeted in his scruffy voice, bowing.
I stood in shock. "I've heard of hobbits, men, and dwarves, but never have I heard of something like this," I said in awe.
"Yes, well, I will be needing to borrow him. Back to bed, Bob."
"Yes, madam," he said before obediently jumping into her hand once more to be stored in her pocket as a small action figure. "Your first trick will be with Green, Blue. Red and I will be joining you two at the appointed place." She glanced at Green who nodded. "Six o'clock."
"Yeah, see you at seven," mumbled Green.
"Oh, be quiet," Red ordered.
"Green will show you the ropes."
"So, we leave in the morning?" Red asked with a yawn and Black shrugged. Red laid in the grass as did the other two.
"Morning? It is morning."
"Fine then, the evening," Black said. "Now shush, we're trying to sleep. I was up last night trying to clean up the mess those two dug themselves into without trying to get in trouble myself. I'm tired. Go away."
I raised my eyebrows at their strange behavior and turned away, sitting on the river's edge.
.
That evening, after forcing Red to get up, we set off over the bridge to the Shire. After a few miles of walking together, Black and Red split from us and could be heard singing.
"Standing outside the fire! Standing outside the fire! Life is not tried it is merely survived if your standing outside the fire."
.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed Book of Blue. Thank you for reading and thank you to the following for reviewing throughout the story!
Dulaithlossword
Dandylion345
Caladiel Meril W
Elven Frog
Katharwen
Elven at Heart
I love Orlando Bloom
Brianna
Sekhet
SpiderLegs&RobinEggs/FairyWings
Nadine
Hirotani
Star-dust creations
.
I may post another chapter after this which may explain some questions such as the double Legolas in chapter four, why the woman in red was two different people in this chapter, why I am living, and why the guard feared me touching him and the woman in black (and how Legolas knew her). I am hoping to write this and post it over winter break which begins Monday. Happy Holidays to all! Please review!
Thank you for all reviewers and let me know what you think of this final chapter. The writing style may be a tad different because it is a transition between this story and the sequel: Band of Thieves by Elven Frog. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
.
Epilogue
The dark room was hot from the many sweating bodies packed in. The smell of perspiration and alcohol lay heavy in air. Candles were strewn over various table tops giving the place an eerie glow. Laughter, belches, and yells came from almost everyone present.
I sat at a corner table at the pub, nervously looking around. I was alone and concealed partially by a shadow. I really shouldn't have come. I never would have thought I was more closely related to these sick creatures than to elves. No wonder they hated me. My race was sick.
A cloaked man sat nearby, engulfed in shadow, smoking a pipe. I shivered and drew back into the corner a bit more. This had definitely not been a good idea. I had heard a small man who was unusually short, and I guessed was a hobbit, ask the bartender who the man was. Strider. I sent another glance at him as another puff of smoke exited his mouth. I coughed and turned away, hoping he would leave soon.
I glanced once more at the piece of parchment before me.
Sit in the booth at the back. Order a Bud Light.
We will meet you there.
I had followed the instructions to the pub explicitly, yet there was no sign of any of the three women I had previously met in Mirkwood. I was in the right spot, I knew it. I had checked countless times on the journey here. It was the time I was worried about. They said nothing about when and I wondered how long I would end up sitting here. It wouldn't be long, I knew that. I would most definitely be out of here by morning even if they weren't.
The barmaid, clad in a very familiar looking red cloak and a dangling gold and ruby bracelet around her wrist, set a mug before me. "Thanks," I mumbled, truthfully for none had splashed on me when she slammed it on the table before hurrying on. I had no idea what a Bud Light was and wasn't sure I wanted to find out. I nervously peered in only to find no liquid inside.
I groaned and pulled out the note, unfolded it and read:
Welcome to the Band of Thieves. If by chance
you do not see us, please meet us at the
Brandywine Bridge in the Shire.
I almost yelled in my frustration. 'Brandywine Bridge!' These women were running me all over the countryside! I really shouldn't be there. Ever since I agreed I have regretted it; when I woke up the next morning to find them gone and only a note left behind to lead me here, I knew this was to be a life-changing experience. But this was outrageous. Why couldn't they settle on a place? I was trying to think of an answer when I spotted the barmaid giving a lady a drink nearby. Her foot caught on the stool and she tumbled forward, drenching cold beer on the lady. Some inaudible words passed between the two as the woman clad in green and drenched in alcohol jumped to her feet in shock, knocking over her chair in the process. The barmaid frantically tried to apologize and grabbed a rag from her cloak to soak up some of the mess on the other woman's shirt. Her bracelet caught, however, and tore the front of the shirt in the process.
"Sorry, so sorry," the barmaid apologized profusely, trying to untangle it without lengthening the rip.
The green woman's fist collided into the barmaid's cheek and a fight began. They rolled on the floor, hitting tables and capturing everyone's attention. Men left their previous occupations to watch the brawl and place bets on the victor.
The waitress grabbed the woman in green and threw her onto the table before me causing me to jump to my feet just as the woman had earlier and stumble backward over the fallen chair to get out of the way. The notes and map fluttered to the ground and I quickly grabbed them and placed them securely in my pocket. The event was beginning to be too much to handle and I dodged my way quickly to the door.
Something about the cloaks was stirring inside of me. The woman in the red cloak was clad in almost the exact same outfit as the thief I met, but was completely different. Not only was her hair black, but she was heavier. I didn't get a good look at the woman in green, but assumed it was just another ordinary woman with a similar cloak.
I canceled my room and shoved the coins into the pocket containing my map and notes then headed to the country to begin my long hike.
"That's it! You're fired!" someone yelled as the door closed behind me. I began my walk according to the map and caught site of a fleeing shadow carrying a large bag disappear into the shadows of the buildings.
.
I walked through the night and well into the morning before arriving at the point they chose. I half expected there to be another note for me there, but found none. I settled myself down, lying in the grass to wait for the women to arrive. It was the best I could do to resist the urge to jump into the rippling water just feet away. I stared into the water for a few moments before tearing my eyes away to resist.
A few hours later, I was awakened by the sound of singing. I opened my eyes and sat up to see the band of three women, hoods drawn as always, making their way towards me.
"Operator won't you put me through. I have to send my love down to Baton Rouge. Harr-riet! Won't you put her on the line? I gotta talk to the girl just one more time!" they sung at the top of their lungs as they laughed. "Sweet Baton Rouge!"
The woman cloaked in black stood before me. "Sure left in quite a hurry the other night, but glad it was not to hurry to meet up with your boyfriend and you were able to hook up with us." She paused. "You don't talk much do you?"
"Westron is new to me," I informed them before getting straight to the point, saying sarcastically, "Did you have a hard time finding the table I was at?"
"Yes, well, sorry we couldn't sit down with you. We were working."
"Stealing again, perhaps?"
"And other work!" Red interjected.
"What other work would you do?"
"You don't use your eyes, do you?" asked Red.
"Sure I do."
"No, you don't," Black corrected as Red held up her wrist. A bracelet very similar to the barmaid's settled around her hand. The gold and red rubies glinted in the sunlight.
"Did you steal that from the barmaid?" I asked on impulse. She shook her head, meaning only one thing. "I noticed the clothing and cloak of the barmaid, but she looked nothing like you!" I defended. I looked to Green who was smiling slightly, fingering the hole in her shirt. "The woman who was fighting with the barmaid resembled you in many ways, but you-or she- acted strangely and you would have defended yourself better."
"All right, you do, but you could use some improvement," Black gave in slightly.
"You were the barmaid? You couldn't. . .must have been the dark," I concluded before voicing the questions which were rapidly surfacing. "What was the fight about, then? Why did you not tell me you were there?"
"One question at a time, please!" said Black, holding up a hand. "You'll be doin' the same sort of thing in time. The fight was just part of the distraction. We needed more than just our normal LGM tactics and well, it gave us a chance to meet you."
"You had already met me. I don't see why you had to meet me again."
"You wouldn't," she mumbled. "As I said we would, we were working the pub."
"How was I supposed to know what type of work you were doing? You could have meant bartending, stealing, or both and with costumes like Red's I would have never picked any of you out!"
This statement produced a wide, mischievous smile on Red's face and Black laughed. "Costumes. Yes, only red has the good costumes and to answer your question we were doing both."
"Yes, I realized that, thank you."
"Anytime! Green, give the lady her sword."
"I am already equipped with a sword." I pulled out Legolas' sword.
"Wow," Red breathed in awe. She grabbed for the sword and I moved it away. She frowned and I hesitantly handed it to her.
"Be careful with it," I warned.
Red tossed the blade back and forth. "It's so light." She threw it in the air and caught it. Green glared at Red who smiled suspiciously before chucking it into the river. "Whoops!"
"Hey!" I ran to the water's edge, prepared to dive in.
"Don't worry," Black said. "Green made you your own personal sword."
"That was my personal sword," I whispered as I stood, looking into the water where the last object I had of Legolas lay within. Green tapped me with the hilt of a sword. I grasped the hilt, covered in bright and polished sapphires. My hand dropped with the weight.
"Heavier than an elvish one, but that's because they can't make a real one," the one who presented me the sword informed me.
Black turned me away from the river so I faced her. "This won't do," she muttered disapprovingly.
"What won't?" I asked.
She ignored me, "Red, get the blue for our friend here." Red pulled out a pile of clothing from her cloak. "These'll be your new clothes," Black said, handing them to me. "Go ahead, put them on."
I paused, making sure I heard her correctly. "Put them on?"
"Isn't that what I said?"
"Here?"
"Where else?"
"Now?"
"Would be a good idea."
"Isn't that a little improper?" I asked, wondering what the woman's customs were.
"Is anything we do proper? Just do it. You can hide behind that bush if you want. We'll shield you event though there is no one else around." I uncertainly headed for the bush and quickly started changing, wondering once again what I was going to do with the ones I was wearing.
"She needs a name," I heard Green point out, "and a LGM."
I found this odd because they knew my name and had used it on previous occasions. "I have a name."
"How 'bout Hammy?" Black suggested.
"Hammy? As a title?" I asked, nearly astonished.
"Hmm," thought Red. "We could call her Fins, or Fish, or Aqua-woman, or The Speedo Torpedo, or--"
"Done," I interrupted, not wanting to hear any more and finished changing. I stepped out and Black immediately confronted me.
"Always keep your hood up," Black commanded, throwing it over my head. She reached in her pocket and grabbed my hand. "This is your LGM," she said, placing the object in my palm.
A small green man stood in hand, unmoving. "What is it for?"
"Every one 'o us has one," Black told me. "It-he-is a key distraction for burgling."
I looked at them as if they were crazy. "Key distraction? It's so small and made of some hard material. What could it possibly do?"
"Now, now. He's just sleeping. It's a totally different story when he's working. Hey, Bob!" she shouted at it. "Middle-earth to Bob! Yoo-hoo! Wake up!"
I continued staring at her as if she had gone mad when I felt the thing move. I looked at it and quickly dropped it when it started to grow. He landed not as a small, plastic army man, but transformed into a short, rounded, green, gnome-like creature.
He bowed to Black, "Good morn, madam."
"Bob," Black gestured to me. "You'll be working for Blue now."
"Good day, miss," he greeted in his scruffy voice, bowing.
I stood in shock. "I've heard of hobbits, men, and dwarves, but never have I heard of something like this," I said in awe.
"Yes, well, I will be needing to borrow him. Back to bed, Bob."
"Yes, madam," he said before obediently jumping into her hand once more to be stored in her pocket as a small action figure. "Your first trick will be with Green, Blue. Red and I will be joining you two at the appointed place." She glanced at Green who nodded. "Six o'clock."
"Yeah, see you at seven," mumbled Green.
"Oh, be quiet," Red ordered.
"Green will show you the ropes."
"So, we leave in the morning?" Red asked with a yawn and Black shrugged. Red laid in the grass as did the other two.
"Morning? It is morning."
"Fine then, the evening," Black said. "Now shush, we're trying to sleep. I was up last night trying to clean up the mess those two dug themselves into without trying to get in trouble myself. I'm tired. Go away."
I raised my eyebrows at their strange behavior and turned away, sitting on the river's edge.
.
That evening, after forcing Red to get up, we set off over the bridge to the Shire. After a few miles of walking together, Black and Red split from us and could be heard singing.
"Standing outside the fire! Standing outside the fire! Life is not tried it is merely survived if your standing outside the fire."
.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed Book of Blue. Thank you for reading and thank you to the following for reviewing throughout the story!
Dulaithlossword
Dandylion345
Caladiel Meril W
Elven Frog
Katharwen
Elven at Heart
I love Orlando Bloom
Brianna
Sekhet
SpiderLegs&RobinEggs/FairyWings
Nadine
Hirotani
Star-dust creations
.
I may post another chapter after this which may explain some questions such as the double Legolas in chapter four, why the woman in red was two different people in this chapter, why I am living, and why the guard feared me touching him and the woman in black (and how Legolas knew her). I am hoping to write this and post it over winter break which begins Monday. Happy Holidays to all! Please review!