Disclaimer: I still don't own LOTR or any of it's characters and places, or the songs I'm using. I only own the characters I'm making up for this story, my Converse sneakers, and my Enya cd's. Enjoy Chapter 5!
Chapter 5:
The Heart's Choice
The next morning, the Nine Dreamers and the last of The Fellowship of the Ring were called before Elrond and Galadriel. When they were all assembled, Galadriel looked at each one in turn, looking also into their minds and hearts. Then, a look of surprise and, almost, fear came across her face. Then she spoke, "One of you here has decided to return to Middle Earth."
All but Carole and Frodo looked around confused. "How can that be?" asked Thoron.
"Who is it?" asked Hope.
"Me," said Carole. "I don't want to sail West. I want to go home."
"What?!" her friends exclaimed.
"Are you certain of your choice?" said Gandalf, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"If she wishes to go, then let her," Frodo said, looking at his old friend.
"Then the decision is made," said Elrond. "Fifteen shall sail West with the books, and one shall return East. The Blessings of the Elves go with you all, in all your endeavors."
As they were leaving Elrond's meeting room, Hope and Gem took Carole aside. Hope asked, "Why won't you come? Why did you change your mind?"
"I would just rather go home," Carole said cooly.
"I've been alive too long not to know when someone's lying," said Gem, "What aren't you telling us, lass?"
"Nothing," Carole lied again.
"Is it…," Hope said, lowering her voice, "Is it about Frodo?"
The tears from the night before started to well up again in Carole's eyes. With out a second thought, she started crying for her rejected love again. Both Gem and Hope hugged their young friend, knowing her plight all too well. The three ladies went to Hopes rooms, where they ate on last meal together. This day, the Fifteen who were sailing would make the three day journey to the Western shore, Carole was to wait for the next East-bound boat. Though Carole was certain that she would never see her friends again, Hope and Gem silently hoped that Carole would change her mind.
All shared this thought, except for Frodo. Though his innermost wish was to be with Carole, he knew that he would only bring her hardship. This was for the best.
The goodbyes between the Dreamers were very hard. Gem and Hope began to cry as their hopes dwindled, Tor, Dain, Gwain, Thain, and Gimli gave Carole large bear-hugs, asking her once more to come with them. Thoron and Homer shook her hand, saying that they would truly miss her jokes and her lovely songs. Then Sam came and, laying a hand on her shoulder, and tears welling in his eyes, said, "I'm glad that you come from my Ellie's family. You've always reminded me of her. Take care, Carole," Then, Frodo came up to Carole, and took her hand in his.
They stood there for a few minutes, looking into each other's eyes. Carole knew that she would never forget those beautiful eyes, and that they would haunt her memories and dreams all her life. Then, she let go of his hand, and said to her beloved, "Namaarie, My lord, Frodo."
"Namaarie, mel niem." Frodo said.
As the West-bound company walked away, Carol returning to her rooms, Sam asked his master, "What did you say to her, Mr. Frodo? What does 'mel niem" mean?"
Frodo said nothing, but Legolas came up behind them, bent down, grinning, and said to Sam, "It means 'my love', friend." But Frodo simply looked ahead, remembering the day that the most beautiful girl in all the world came to him by the sea.
*************************************************
The day the Dreamers were to leave arrived. While on the Western coast the gray ship was being loaded and prepped for the journey, Carole sat on the shores of the East coast. She would be going home tomorrow. She thought that she would have been happy at the prospect of seeing her family again, and she still was, a little, and she knew that she would forget Frodo, some, in time, but she still felt unsure. Then, as she was looking around the shoreline again, she saw someone running from the shore to the forest. Forest? These weren't the trees of Valinor. They were brown trunked, and dark green leaves. Then, she saw who had run into the trees. A hobbit child! A little boy, and now a small girl came running behind him. They ran up to a small house, its dark brown door opening up. A grown gentle-hobbit stepped out, taking both children in his arms. Then, they all turned and looked at Carole, smiling in recognition and love. The girl had dark hair and big brown eyes, the boy looked much the same, but with blue eyes. The eyes of his father. Their father was…
"Frodo!" Carole shouted. It was Frodo indeed. He was older, but still the same as he had always been, to her. Suddenly the image vanished, and Carole knew what she had to do. She could not abandon her love. She could not lose the future; her own dear children to come! She ran back up along the trail she had come, running up to the first Elf she could find.
"Has the boat left yet?"
"What boat," said the Elf.
"The boat to the West! I must get to it before it sails!"
"Madam, you would not get there in time," he replied.
Carole moved aside, then ran on. She must get there somehow, she knew she had to! Then, she looked around, and realized that she had come to the glad where she'd seen the tilionroch one year ago. Then, she saw one of them. It was actually coming to her! She ran and met up with the horned-horse, and, not knowing anything else to do, asked it, "Please, please help me. I must get to the Western harbor before the day ends. Will you help me?"
The creature flicked back its ears a moment, then, kneeled down for Carole to mount it. She jumped on its back, remembering from when she rode her grandpa's ponies, garbed hold of its mane as it stood, then bent and said to it, "Thank you, my friend. Show me the meaning of haste!" And without hesitation they rode off. As they rode by the dwellings of the Elves, all looked out from their windows and doors and from where they stood, astonished, pointing and sending word to any who would hear. The Hobbit-girl is riding one of the Tilionroch! No one, not even Elves had ever done such a thing. It was said that only the purest of hearts could ride them. That day a new tale was created, and in time would grow to become a favorite bed time story for all toddlers, and for some dreamers to come.
************************************************
As Elves ran to and fro, loading luggage and crates and carefully brining on trunks filled with books, the fifteen travelers were walking up the gang-plank. All seemed melancholy as they boarded the ship, especially the Nine Dreamers. They missed Carole deeply, wishing that now she were here to lighten everyone's moods with a joke, or to lift them up with a song. They all knew that things just wouldn't be they same, but they couldn't back out of their commitment. Not now. In fact, the one who missed her most was Frodo. He regretted breaking her heart, and his, and telling her to leave. What he wanted most now was to see her again. At that moment, a loud voice and song came up from the distance:
Don't be afraid of feeling this way,
I'm gonna make you understand.
It's not about you, cause I am the fool,
Building castles in the sand.
If I act crazy, just don't care!
It doesn't mean I don't want you near.
This is the story about me and you
And it's called…
Faith!
Right beside you is where I'll stay!
Oh, faith!
Just take me as I am!
So please…
Have faith…
So many times, in so many ways,
I didn't know where to go.
You gave me a sign, and opened my eyes,
And that's the reason why I know…
That you are different. You're still here!
I guess you figured me out right there.
Now I believe that we can make it through
And that's called…
Faith!
Right beside you is where I'll stay!
It's not too late,
Just take me as I am,
So please have faith…
In me!
The voice that sang to them was all too familiar. They turned and saw…Carole! She was coming with them! But, how odd, she was riding… a Unicorn! In disbelief and utter joy, all but Gandalf and Legolas rushed down to welcome their dear friend back. Carole was hugged, had her shoulder hit, and hand shook so much that she thought that she'd end up with bruises. Then, after much exclamation of how she got there and how happy everyone was to see her, the group moved back a little. Carole looked forward and saw Frodo calmly walking up to her. When they stood face to face again, Frodo said, "I thought you were going back?"
"You once told me that you would never have abandoned me," she said to him, "I wouldn't do that to you either." Then, in the most daring thing she had ever done, Carole quickly kissed Frodo. In that one moment that their lips touched, she felt as though a bolt of lightening through her. And, unbeknownst to her, Frodo felt it too, though right then he was too shocked for anyone else to guess.
"Now, now, we have very little time, friends," said Gandalf, laughing from his perch on the ship. "We must leave before the sun sets! Come, Fellowship of Dreams!"
And they boarded the ship, two at a time. Hope and Gem giggling like teenagers, the men-folk (including Dwarves and old Sam) laughing and saying once more how wonderful for it was that everyone was together again, and Carole and Frodo walking up together, with the Ring-bearer taking his lady's daintier one in his.
I know, short, and semi-cliché, but that's how I want it! I got the premonition idea from 'Return of The King'. Please, don't pelt me with rotten fruit, I'm still pretty new at this! Please review! Pleeeeeeeeeeeas!
Chapter 5:
The Heart's Choice
The next morning, the Nine Dreamers and the last of The Fellowship of the Ring were called before Elrond and Galadriel. When they were all assembled, Galadriel looked at each one in turn, looking also into their minds and hearts. Then, a look of surprise and, almost, fear came across her face. Then she spoke, "One of you here has decided to return to Middle Earth."
All but Carole and Frodo looked around confused. "How can that be?" asked Thoron.
"Who is it?" asked Hope.
"Me," said Carole. "I don't want to sail West. I want to go home."
"What?!" her friends exclaimed.
"Are you certain of your choice?" said Gandalf, "Are you absolutely sure?"
"If she wishes to go, then let her," Frodo said, looking at his old friend.
"Then the decision is made," said Elrond. "Fifteen shall sail West with the books, and one shall return East. The Blessings of the Elves go with you all, in all your endeavors."
As they were leaving Elrond's meeting room, Hope and Gem took Carole aside. Hope asked, "Why won't you come? Why did you change your mind?"
"I would just rather go home," Carole said cooly.
"I've been alive too long not to know when someone's lying," said Gem, "What aren't you telling us, lass?"
"Nothing," Carole lied again.
"Is it…," Hope said, lowering her voice, "Is it about Frodo?"
The tears from the night before started to well up again in Carole's eyes. With out a second thought, she started crying for her rejected love again. Both Gem and Hope hugged their young friend, knowing her plight all too well. The three ladies went to Hopes rooms, where they ate on last meal together. This day, the Fifteen who were sailing would make the three day journey to the Western shore, Carole was to wait for the next East-bound boat. Though Carole was certain that she would never see her friends again, Hope and Gem silently hoped that Carole would change her mind.
All shared this thought, except for Frodo. Though his innermost wish was to be with Carole, he knew that he would only bring her hardship. This was for the best.
The goodbyes between the Dreamers were very hard. Gem and Hope began to cry as their hopes dwindled, Tor, Dain, Gwain, Thain, and Gimli gave Carole large bear-hugs, asking her once more to come with them. Thoron and Homer shook her hand, saying that they would truly miss her jokes and her lovely songs. Then Sam came and, laying a hand on her shoulder, and tears welling in his eyes, said, "I'm glad that you come from my Ellie's family. You've always reminded me of her. Take care, Carole," Then, Frodo came up to Carole, and took her hand in his.
They stood there for a few minutes, looking into each other's eyes. Carole knew that she would never forget those beautiful eyes, and that they would haunt her memories and dreams all her life. Then, she let go of his hand, and said to her beloved, "Namaarie, My lord, Frodo."
"Namaarie, mel niem." Frodo said.
As the West-bound company walked away, Carol returning to her rooms, Sam asked his master, "What did you say to her, Mr. Frodo? What does 'mel niem" mean?"
Frodo said nothing, but Legolas came up behind them, bent down, grinning, and said to Sam, "It means 'my love', friend." But Frodo simply looked ahead, remembering the day that the most beautiful girl in all the world came to him by the sea.
*************************************************
The day the Dreamers were to leave arrived. While on the Western coast the gray ship was being loaded and prepped for the journey, Carole sat on the shores of the East coast. She would be going home tomorrow. She thought that she would have been happy at the prospect of seeing her family again, and she still was, a little, and she knew that she would forget Frodo, some, in time, but she still felt unsure. Then, as she was looking around the shoreline again, she saw someone running from the shore to the forest. Forest? These weren't the trees of Valinor. They were brown trunked, and dark green leaves. Then, she saw who had run into the trees. A hobbit child! A little boy, and now a small girl came running behind him. They ran up to a small house, its dark brown door opening up. A grown gentle-hobbit stepped out, taking both children in his arms. Then, they all turned and looked at Carole, smiling in recognition and love. The girl had dark hair and big brown eyes, the boy looked much the same, but with blue eyes. The eyes of his father. Their father was…
"Frodo!" Carole shouted. It was Frodo indeed. He was older, but still the same as he had always been, to her. Suddenly the image vanished, and Carole knew what she had to do. She could not abandon her love. She could not lose the future; her own dear children to come! She ran back up along the trail she had come, running up to the first Elf she could find.
"Has the boat left yet?"
"What boat," said the Elf.
"The boat to the West! I must get to it before it sails!"
"Madam, you would not get there in time," he replied.
Carole moved aside, then ran on. She must get there somehow, she knew she had to! Then, she looked around, and realized that she had come to the glad where she'd seen the tilionroch one year ago. Then, she saw one of them. It was actually coming to her! She ran and met up with the horned-horse, and, not knowing anything else to do, asked it, "Please, please help me. I must get to the Western harbor before the day ends. Will you help me?"
The creature flicked back its ears a moment, then, kneeled down for Carole to mount it. She jumped on its back, remembering from when she rode her grandpa's ponies, garbed hold of its mane as it stood, then bent and said to it, "Thank you, my friend. Show me the meaning of haste!" And without hesitation they rode off. As they rode by the dwellings of the Elves, all looked out from their windows and doors and from where they stood, astonished, pointing and sending word to any who would hear. The Hobbit-girl is riding one of the Tilionroch! No one, not even Elves had ever done such a thing. It was said that only the purest of hearts could ride them. That day a new tale was created, and in time would grow to become a favorite bed time story for all toddlers, and for some dreamers to come.
************************************************
As Elves ran to and fro, loading luggage and crates and carefully brining on trunks filled with books, the fifteen travelers were walking up the gang-plank. All seemed melancholy as they boarded the ship, especially the Nine Dreamers. They missed Carole deeply, wishing that now she were here to lighten everyone's moods with a joke, or to lift them up with a song. They all knew that things just wouldn't be they same, but they couldn't back out of their commitment. Not now. In fact, the one who missed her most was Frodo. He regretted breaking her heart, and his, and telling her to leave. What he wanted most now was to see her again. At that moment, a loud voice and song came up from the distance:
Don't be afraid of feeling this way,
I'm gonna make you understand.
It's not about you, cause I am the fool,
Building castles in the sand.
If I act crazy, just don't care!
It doesn't mean I don't want you near.
This is the story about me and you
And it's called…
Faith!
Right beside you is where I'll stay!
Oh, faith!
Just take me as I am!
So please…
Have faith…
So many times, in so many ways,
I didn't know where to go.
You gave me a sign, and opened my eyes,
And that's the reason why I know…
That you are different. You're still here!
I guess you figured me out right there.
Now I believe that we can make it through
And that's called…
Faith!
Right beside you is where I'll stay!
It's not too late,
Just take me as I am,
So please have faith…
In me!
The voice that sang to them was all too familiar. They turned and saw…Carole! She was coming with them! But, how odd, she was riding… a Unicorn! In disbelief and utter joy, all but Gandalf and Legolas rushed down to welcome their dear friend back. Carole was hugged, had her shoulder hit, and hand shook so much that she thought that she'd end up with bruises. Then, after much exclamation of how she got there and how happy everyone was to see her, the group moved back a little. Carole looked forward and saw Frodo calmly walking up to her. When they stood face to face again, Frodo said, "I thought you were going back?"
"You once told me that you would never have abandoned me," she said to him, "I wouldn't do that to you either." Then, in the most daring thing she had ever done, Carole quickly kissed Frodo. In that one moment that their lips touched, she felt as though a bolt of lightening through her. And, unbeknownst to her, Frodo felt it too, though right then he was too shocked for anyone else to guess.
"Now, now, we have very little time, friends," said Gandalf, laughing from his perch on the ship. "We must leave before the sun sets! Come, Fellowship of Dreams!"
And they boarded the ship, two at a time. Hope and Gem giggling like teenagers, the men-folk (including Dwarves and old Sam) laughing and saying once more how wonderful for it was that everyone was together again, and Carole and Frodo walking up together, with the Ring-bearer taking his lady's daintier one in his.
I know, short, and semi-cliché, but that's how I want it! I got the premonition idea from 'Return of The King'. Please, don't pelt me with rotten fruit, I'm still pretty new at this! Please review! Pleeeeeeeeeeeas!
