A Tamora Pierce and Lord of the Rings Crossover
-Dancing With Lightning
Quick note: Sorry I haven't been able to put this up for a while! I've been really busy with school, because it's the end of the year and everything, so sorry! I hope you like this chapter though. The end was a bit rushed, but. oh well! Thankyou to all who reviewed. -Dancing With Lighting
Chapter 3 Daine watched as Rikash Moonsword came down the hall. The funny thing was: he had no more wings. He looked like a-a. man-male. Wearing camel-coloured breeches and a flowing white shirt, with his hair all neat, but still long, just in a horsetail, he looked hardly recognisable. But Veralidaine Sarrasri could still recognise the Stormwing that she'd grown to love- almost as a brother. He stopped dead in the hallway, looking carefully at Daine. Then his face transformed into a grin and he started down the hall again. He saw Daine's face go pale, and then she ran at him, narrowly missing Legolas as he came out of a door. "Rikash!" she threw herself at him and he wrapped his arms around her, laughing. "You're alive!!" Legolas watched them, his eyes narrowed. Daine pulled away, looked up at his dancing green eyes, and broke into tears, burying her head in his shirt. "I c-can't believe. y-you. I missed you so much." Rikash smiled at her, and hugged her again. "I missed you too," he murmured. "I really did." "Why are you human? Last time I checked, you were all Stormwing." "Well, it's sort of a long-"
Legolas walked forward. "Who is this, Veralidaine?" he asked mildly. Daine disentangled herself from Rikash and looked at Legolas. "I'm surprised you're speaking to me." "Just because I am an elf does not mean I cannot talk to someone who smells like a man." Daine snorted, and took Rikash's hand. "Come on." She led him up the hall, waving to Keladry, who was standing at her door, looking extremely confused.
* * *
"Numair!!" The door flew open and Daine waltzed in, looking for Numair. She stopped dead, seeing him sitting at the table with Emperor Kaddar of Carthak. Rikash bumped into her from behind, and asked quietly. "What's the matter, Daine?" "It's Kaddar." She turned her attention to Numair. "Guess what? He's not dead; he's back in human form!!" She grabbed Rikash's hand again, and pulled him forward. Numair squinted at him for a second before grinning at the former Stormwing. He reached out with his hand and gripped Rikash's. Daine walked over to Kaddar while they both began talking and asked, "What are you doing here?" Kaddar sighed, looking not a day older than when she saw him last. She knew she looked a lot different. "Mother is taking over for me for a little while. She sent me here to talk to Lindhall. She wants me to take lessons with him again. "Oh. Well, welcome to Tortall." "Thankyou. Oh, hello Skysong! How are you?"
* * *
"I'll write, I promise." "I know." "Don't forget to tell the children goodbye." "I know." "I'll be fine." "I know." Alanna kissed her husband, George Cooper, Baron of Pirate's Swoop, on the cheek. "I'm only going to see the Bloody Hawk Tribe for a while. Apparently they're having trouble with orcs and Uruk-hais." "I know."
Alanna mounted Darkmoon and nodded to Aragorn, to let him know she was ready to go. "Are you sure?" he asked her. "Indeed," she answered. They both rode off at a gallop, Alanna waving to George as they passed the gate.
* * *
"Daine, Daine! Wake up, Onua's here to talk to you!" Daine opened her eyes and glared at Numair, who was shaking her gently. "I'm tired," she murmured thickly. "I know. Onua says it's urgent, though." Daine tumbled out of bed and pulled on a cream shirt and blue breeches with cream boots. She pulled her hair into a horsetail, tying it with a blue ribbon. Walking out of their room, she bumped into an extremely tired Rikash. She hugged him. "I hate the morning," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Daine met Onua at the door. The older women looked pale and a little worried. "Jonathan wants to see you," she told Daine worriedly. "There are some people with him. They're from Snowsdale. I don't think they even know you're coming." Daine nodded and followed Onua up the hall, into Jonathan's study. Onua opened the door and Daine walked inside. Onua closed the door so Daine was left alone with the two Gallans and the King. She bowed to Jonathan, who bowed his head politely. He smiled reassuringly at the worried Daine. "Please sit, Veralidaine." Daine sat in the chair next to Jonathan, feeling scared. He patted her arm for support. "Is there a problem, your Majesty?" she asked carefully.
One of the Gallans jumped out of his chair, glaring at the king. Daine realised with horror that he had been the man that she had been promised to. The man she was to marry. The man that tried to rape her. She'd forgotten all about Ryder Muransra. "Of course there is a problem!" he cried angrily, not even glancing at Daine. He must think I'm from Tortall, she thought. My accent's just about gone, anyway. I never really had one in the first place, considering Da isn't from Galla, or at least, I think he isn't. "Our village is getting attacked daily by beasts we have never seen before!" Jonathan opened his mouth, but Daine squeezed his arm and stood up. For the first time, Ryder looked at her. "Why are you coming to us, then?" she asked mildly. "If it is a problem in Galla, why don't you settle it with your king?" "He will do nothing," Ryder snapped. He looked at her a moment longer, then his mouth dropped open. "You're not," he stammered. "You can't be." Daine stared at him. "I don't even know why I'm here," she said calmly. "I am doing nothing, so I will be no help. It was nice seeing you again, Ryder, but I certainly can't help you."
She started to walk away, but Jonathan grabbed her wrist. "I didn't call for you to come just to have you walk out in the first two minutes," he muttered to her, pulling her back to her seat.
Daine stared determinedly at Jonathan, silently begging him to let her go. He shook his head and turned to Ryder as he said carefully, "I thought she died." Daine wheeled around to face him. "You only thought I was dead because I ran away! You probably were relieved, too! Didn't want anyone to find out what you did to me!" He turned bright red at the memory. Daine frantically tried to blink away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "Veralidaine." Daine got out of her chair, and stalked to the door, wrenching it open. Jonathan was too stunned to try to stop her. She turned around, tears dripping down her cheeks. "Don't you think I'll ever forget it, either!" She whirled around and ran out the door, sprinting the length of the hall and outside, to the horses and ponies' paddock. She vaulted over the fence and ran through the startled ponies, stopping at a massive oak tree in the middle of the field.
She sat in between two of the huge roots and let the ponies and horses come sit or lie down with her. Cloud picked her way through the horses and ponies and lay next to her. She rested her head on the pony's back and cried into her mane. "Veralidaine?" Daine straightened up, wiping her eyes. Standing up, she looked Ryder over. He was tall, well-muscled, strong hands and straight, short, blonde hair. "What?" she asked. The ponies around her stood up, feeling her fear. "I. are we still betrothed?" "Betrothed?!?!" she screeched. "Betrothed! Goddess, Ryder, is that all you think about? Women?" He smiled handsomely at her, and she suddenly remembered the major crush she'd had on him when she was eleven. She was thrilled when she found out they were betrothed. Now when she saw him, she just kept on thinking of him trying to. she couldn't even bear to think of the words, it still hurt too much. You didn't tell anyone, did you? Cloud asked, exasperated. You promised me you'd tell Numair. I lied, she answered. I was going to, but I never got the chance. It's not like it matters, anyway.
"Daine? What are you doing out here? I thought Jonathan wanted to see you." Daine turned to the right and saw a confused Numair coming towards them. She ran over to him, taking his hand and hiding behind him, away from Ryder. He glanced at the Gallan, and then at Daine, whose eyes were red and puffy. She looked pleadingly at Numair, and he nodded, leading her away, his arm around her shoulders, pinning her tightly to his side. She leaned into his chest, grateful for him coming.
* * *
"Alanna, they're coming!!" Alanna ran up to where Halef Seif was pointing, and swore, running back down the hill. "Aragorn!! Get everyone ready!!"
In a matter of a minute, the whole tribe had a weapon and was standing in a line, facing the Uruk-hais running across the desert towards them.
* * *
"You know, it's actually quite good to see you again." Kel grinned at Fanche and hugged the woman around the shoulders. "The man Cleon's been good, but you're so much better." "Thankyou." She turned to the men, who just dismounted. "Right. Everyone. hello?? HELLO?!?!" They all stopped talking and stared at her. She smiled. "Thankyou. Tomorrow morning come and meet back here for your orders. Understood?" They all nodded. "Excellent. Have some fun for the remainder of the day, gentlemen. This may be the only fun you have for quite some time. Dismissed."
The men walked off in little groups, chatting to each other quietly. She laughed when a small explosion hit her back and a voice cried, "You're back!" She pulled Owen's arms away from his waist, turned around, and hugged her friend tightly.
* * *
"Hello?? Rikash? Earth to Rikash, Daine's here!" Rikash jumped and looked down at Daine, who was waving a hand up to him. "Hello," he told her with a smile. She looked up the tree he was sitting in. "Will you come up?" "Um, I'd better not-" "Oh, Veralidaine, where might you be?? Oh, Ver-al-i-daine??" She glanced around in alarm, and then quickly clambered onto his branch, putting a finger to her lips to keep him quiet. Ryder walked under the tree, looking around for Daine. She held very still, not wanting to talk to him. She kept quiet until he had gone. Sighing, she leaned against the trunk of the tree and relaxed. "Good, he's gone." "Who was that?" "Ryder Muransra. My former betrothed from Galla." Rikash looked revolted. "He looks like custard and cream, all sickly sweet," he commented. Daine laughed. "You have no idea."
"Oh well." Rikash jumped from the low branch and motioned for her to follow. "Come on, we can go for a walk. Ooh! Walk! I can walk! I knew that," he added as she began to smirk, "It's just -I can walk! I always used to have to fly or waddle." Daine laughed and jumped down next to him. He offered his arm to her, as he'd seen many humans do in the past, and smiling shyly, she rested her arm onto his. They walked into the archery field, where Daine sat on a fence with Rikash, explaining about archery.
* * *
A warning call sounded as Keladry picked up her knife and fork for supper. Another warning call this time, more urgent. There was a louder one and Kel got up from her seat, jogging through the mess hall doors, almost bumping into an excited Owen. "First attack!" he cried happily. "It's going to be a jolly good fight!!" Tobe appeared at her elbow with Éomer right behind him, his sword in one hand and Kel's glaive in the other. Passing it to her, Tobe handed her helmet and sprinted around the corner, coming back with Peachblossom at his rear. She mounted her horse and Éomer ran to get his horse, returning in three seconds. She nodded to him and they both galloped through the open gates, Kel gasping at the sight in front of her. At a distance they looked like black men, but closer up you could tell they weren't human. Their black hair was matted and covered leathery skin, covered with white marks that were different on each one. Their teeth were black and rotten, their nose large and their eyes haunting and scary. The armour they wore was heavy plate, while the weapons they carried were two handed broadsword, but most carried the swords with only one hand. An alien cry came from them, and Kel called a battle-cry as Owen came galloping up next to her, looking a little more frightened than what he intended to be. "What are they??" he yelled. "Uruk-hais!" Éomer replied, from Kel's other side.
Fortunately, there are no Uruk-hais or orcs or trolls around. They're apparently bad news, but nothing to what we've fought before, I expect.
She remembered what Alanna had said in her letter. Now she understood why Uruk-hais were not liked by the other Middle-Earthlings. The first one tried to cut at her leg, but with a smooth swish of her glaive, his head flew into another Uruk-hai, blinding him with blood. Another threw him/herself at her, screaming in some language she didn't know. It sliced his sword under and up, scraping her side and cutting her cheek, splattering her face with blood. With a cry of pain, Kel pulled a dagger that was hidden in her boot and lodged it into its eye. Blood sprayed while Kel fought to pull the knife out, the blood making her fingers slippery. With one last tug, he fell backwards and she pulled her dagger out. But she pulled his eyes out with it. She screamed and dropped the knife, beheading another Uruk-hai, and another one, occasionally getting hit.
After an hour and a half of fighting, there was a horn call, and the Third Company from the King's Own came riding through the forest, Dom at their head.
* * *
"Veralidaine?" Daine turned around to see Legolas coming towards her, a cluster of flowers in his fist. He held them out to her. She took them, wondering why he was being so nice. "I talked to Alanna yesterday and." he trailed off. "Yes.?" "I know now that male and female go by different names here. In Middle Earth we call both sexes men. But you call men, men, and the other men women. I know now, please forgive me." A smile tugged at Daine's lips, and then laughter bubbled out. "Of course Legolas, how could I not forgive you!? After all, no man has breasts like mine!!"
Quick note: Sorry I haven't been able to put this up for a while! I've been really busy with school, because it's the end of the year and everything, so sorry! I hope you like this chapter though. The end was a bit rushed, but. oh well! Thankyou to all who reviewed. -Dancing With Lighting
Chapter 3 Daine watched as Rikash Moonsword came down the hall. The funny thing was: he had no more wings. He looked like a-a. man-male. Wearing camel-coloured breeches and a flowing white shirt, with his hair all neat, but still long, just in a horsetail, he looked hardly recognisable. But Veralidaine Sarrasri could still recognise the Stormwing that she'd grown to love- almost as a brother. He stopped dead in the hallway, looking carefully at Daine. Then his face transformed into a grin and he started down the hall again. He saw Daine's face go pale, and then she ran at him, narrowly missing Legolas as he came out of a door. "Rikash!" she threw herself at him and he wrapped his arms around her, laughing. "You're alive!!" Legolas watched them, his eyes narrowed. Daine pulled away, looked up at his dancing green eyes, and broke into tears, burying her head in his shirt. "I c-can't believe. y-you. I missed you so much." Rikash smiled at her, and hugged her again. "I missed you too," he murmured. "I really did." "Why are you human? Last time I checked, you were all Stormwing." "Well, it's sort of a long-"
Legolas walked forward. "Who is this, Veralidaine?" he asked mildly. Daine disentangled herself from Rikash and looked at Legolas. "I'm surprised you're speaking to me." "Just because I am an elf does not mean I cannot talk to someone who smells like a man." Daine snorted, and took Rikash's hand. "Come on." She led him up the hall, waving to Keladry, who was standing at her door, looking extremely confused.
* * *
"Numair!!" The door flew open and Daine waltzed in, looking for Numair. She stopped dead, seeing him sitting at the table with Emperor Kaddar of Carthak. Rikash bumped into her from behind, and asked quietly. "What's the matter, Daine?" "It's Kaddar." She turned her attention to Numair. "Guess what? He's not dead; he's back in human form!!" She grabbed Rikash's hand again, and pulled him forward. Numair squinted at him for a second before grinning at the former Stormwing. He reached out with his hand and gripped Rikash's. Daine walked over to Kaddar while they both began talking and asked, "What are you doing here?" Kaddar sighed, looking not a day older than when she saw him last. She knew she looked a lot different. "Mother is taking over for me for a little while. She sent me here to talk to Lindhall. She wants me to take lessons with him again. "Oh. Well, welcome to Tortall." "Thankyou. Oh, hello Skysong! How are you?"
* * *
"I'll write, I promise." "I know." "Don't forget to tell the children goodbye." "I know." "I'll be fine." "I know." Alanna kissed her husband, George Cooper, Baron of Pirate's Swoop, on the cheek. "I'm only going to see the Bloody Hawk Tribe for a while. Apparently they're having trouble with orcs and Uruk-hais." "I know."
Alanna mounted Darkmoon and nodded to Aragorn, to let him know she was ready to go. "Are you sure?" he asked her. "Indeed," she answered. They both rode off at a gallop, Alanna waving to George as they passed the gate.
* * *
"Daine, Daine! Wake up, Onua's here to talk to you!" Daine opened her eyes and glared at Numair, who was shaking her gently. "I'm tired," she murmured thickly. "I know. Onua says it's urgent, though." Daine tumbled out of bed and pulled on a cream shirt and blue breeches with cream boots. She pulled her hair into a horsetail, tying it with a blue ribbon. Walking out of their room, she bumped into an extremely tired Rikash. She hugged him. "I hate the morning," he muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Daine met Onua at the door. The older women looked pale and a little worried. "Jonathan wants to see you," she told Daine worriedly. "There are some people with him. They're from Snowsdale. I don't think they even know you're coming." Daine nodded and followed Onua up the hall, into Jonathan's study. Onua opened the door and Daine walked inside. Onua closed the door so Daine was left alone with the two Gallans and the King. She bowed to Jonathan, who bowed his head politely. He smiled reassuringly at the worried Daine. "Please sit, Veralidaine." Daine sat in the chair next to Jonathan, feeling scared. He patted her arm for support. "Is there a problem, your Majesty?" she asked carefully.
One of the Gallans jumped out of his chair, glaring at the king. Daine realised with horror that he had been the man that she had been promised to. The man she was to marry. The man that tried to rape her. She'd forgotten all about Ryder Muransra. "Of course there is a problem!" he cried angrily, not even glancing at Daine. He must think I'm from Tortall, she thought. My accent's just about gone, anyway. I never really had one in the first place, considering Da isn't from Galla, or at least, I think he isn't. "Our village is getting attacked daily by beasts we have never seen before!" Jonathan opened his mouth, but Daine squeezed his arm and stood up. For the first time, Ryder looked at her. "Why are you coming to us, then?" she asked mildly. "If it is a problem in Galla, why don't you settle it with your king?" "He will do nothing," Ryder snapped. He looked at her a moment longer, then his mouth dropped open. "You're not," he stammered. "You can't be." Daine stared at him. "I don't even know why I'm here," she said calmly. "I am doing nothing, so I will be no help. It was nice seeing you again, Ryder, but I certainly can't help you."
She started to walk away, but Jonathan grabbed her wrist. "I didn't call for you to come just to have you walk out in the first two minutes," he muttered to her, pulling her back to her seat.
Daine stared determinedly at Jonathan, silently begging him to let her go. He shook his head and turned to Ryder as he said carefully, "I thought she died." Daine wheeled around to face him. "You only thought I was dead because I ran away! You probably were relieved, too! Didn't want anyone to find out what you did to me!" He turned bright red at the memory. Daine frantically tried to blink away the tears that had formed in her eyes. "Veralidaine." Daine got out of her chair, and stalked to the door, wrenching it open. Jonathan was too stunned to try to stop her. She turned around, tears dripping down her cheeks. "Don't you think I'll ever forget it, either!" She whirled around and ran out the door, sprinting the length of the hall and outside, to the horses and ponies' paddock. She vaulted over the fence and ran through the startled ponies, stopping at a massive oak tree in the middle of the field.
She sat in between two of the huge roots and let the ponies and horses come sit or lie down with her. Cloud picked her way through the horses and ponies and lay next to her. She rested her head on the pony's back and cried into her mane. "Veralidaine?" Daine straightened up, wiping her eyes. Standing up, she looked Ryder over. He was tall, well-muscled, strong hands and straight, short, blonde hair. "What?" she asked. The ponies around her stood up, feeling her fear. "I. are we still betrothed?" "Betrothed?!?!" she screeched. "Betrothed! Goddess, Ryder, is that all you think about? Women?" He smiled handsomely at her, and she suddenly remembered the major crush she'd had on him when she was eleven. She was thrilled when she found out they were betrothed. Now when she saw him, she just kept on thinking of him trying to. she couldn't even bear to think of the words, it still hurt too much. You didn't tell anyone, did you? Cloud asked, exasperated. You promised me you'd tell Numair. I lied, she answered. I was going to, but I never got the chance. It's not like it matters, anyway.
"Daine? What are you doing out here? I thought Jonathan wanted to see you." Daine turned to the right and saw a confused Numair coming towards them. She ran over to him, taking his hand and hiding behind him, away from Ryder. He glanced at the Gallan, and then at Daine, whose eyes were red and puffy. She looked pleadingly at Numair, and he nodded, leading her away, his arm around her shoulders, pinning her tightly to his side. She leaned into his chest, grateful for him coming.
* * *
"Alanna, they're coming!!" Alanna ran up to where Halef Seif was pointing, and swore, running back down the hill. "Aragorn!! Get everyone ready!!"
In a matter of a minute, the whole tribe had a weapon and was standing in a line, facing the Uruk-hais running across the desert towards them.
* * *
"You know, it's actually quite good to see you again." Kel grinned at Fanche and hugged the woman around the shoulders. "The man Cleon's been good, but you're so much better." "Thankyou." She turned to the men, who just dismounted. "Right. Everyone. hello?? HELLO?!?!" They all stopped talking and stared at her. She smiled. "Thankyou. Tomorrow morning come and meet back here for your orders. Understood?" They all nodded. "Excellent. Have some fun for the remainder of the day, gentlemen. This may be the only fun you have for quite some time. Dismissed."
The men walked off in little groups, chatting to each other quietly. She laughed when a small explosion hit her back and a voice cried, "You're back!" She pulled Owen's arms away from his waist, turned around, and hugged her friend tightly.
* * *
"Hello?? Rikash? Earth to Rikash, Daine's here!" Rikash jumped and looked down at Daine, who was waving a hand up to him. "Hello," he told her with a smile. She looked up the tree he was sitting in. "Will you come up?" "Um, I'd better not-" "Oh, Veralidaine, where might you be?? Oh, Ver-al-i-daine??" She glanced around in alarm, and then quickly clambered onto his branch, putting a finger to her lips to keep him quiet. Ryder walked under the tree, looking around for Daine. She held very still, not wanting to talk to him. She kept quiet until he had gone. Sighing, she leaned against the trunk of the tree and relaxed. "Good, he's gone." "Who was that?" "Ryder Muransra. My former betrothed from Galla." Rikash looked revolted. "He looks like custard and cream, all sickly sweet," he commented. Daine laughed. "You have no idea."
"Oh well." Rikash jumped from the low branch and motioned for her to follow. "Come on, we can go for a walk. Ooh! Walk! I can walk! I knew that," he added as she began to smirk, "It's just -I can walk! I always used to have to fly or waddle." Daine laughed and jumped down next to him. He offered his arm to her, as he'd seen many humans do in the past, and smiling shyly, she rested her arm onto his. They walked into the archery field, where Daine sat on a fence with Rikash, explaining about archery.
* * *
A warning call sounded as Keladry picked up her knife and fork for supper. Another warning call this time, more urgent. There was a louder one and Kel got up from her seat, jogging through the mess hall doors, almost bumping into an excited Owen. "First attack!" he cried happily. "It's going to be a jolly good fight!!" Tobe appeared at her elbow with Éomer right behind him, his sword in one hand and Kel's glaive in the other. Passing it to her, Tobe handed her helmet and sprinted around the corner, coming back with Peachblossom at his rear. She mounted her horse and Éomer ran to get his horse, returning in three seconds. She nodded to him and they both galloped through the open gates, Kel gasping at the sight in front of her. At a distance they looked like black men, but closer up you could tell they weren't human. Their black hair was matted and covered leathery skin, covered with white marks that were different on each one. Their teeth were black and rotten, their nose large and their eyes haunting and scary. The armour they wore was heavy plate, while the weapons they carried were two handed broadsword, but most carried the swords with only one hand. An alien cry came from them, and Kel called a battle-cry as Owen came galloping up next to her, looking a little more frightened than what he intended to be. "What are they??" he yelled. "Uruk-hais!" Éomer replied, from Kel's other side.
Fortunately, there are no Uruk-hais or orcs or trolls around. They're apparently bad news, but nothing to what we've fought before, I expect.
She remembered what Alanna had said in her letter. Now she understood why Uruk-hais were not liked by the other Middle-Earthlings. The first one tried to cut at her leg, but with a smooth swish of her glaive, his head flew into another Uruk-hai, blinding him with blood. Another threw him/herself at her, screaming in some language she didn't know. It sliced his sword under and up, scraping her side and cutting her cheek, splattering her face with blood. With a cry of pain, Kel pulled a dagger that was hidden in her boot and lodged it into its eye. Blood sprayed while Kel fought to pull the knife out, the blood making her fingers slippery. With one last tug, he fell backwards and she pulled her dagger out. But she pulled his eyes out with it. She screamed and dropped the knife, beheading another Uruk-hai, and another one, occasionally getting hit.
After an hour and a half of fighting, there was a horn call, and the Third Company from the King's Own came riding through the forest, Dom at their head.
* * *
"Veralidaine?" Daine turned around to see Legolas coming towards her, a cluster of flowers in his fist. He held them out to her. She took them, wondering why he was being so nice. "I talked to Alanna yesterday and." he trailed off. "Yes.?" "I know now that male and female go by different names here. In Middle Earth we call both sexes men. But you call men, men, and the other men women. I know now, please forgive me." A smile tugged at Daine's lips, and then laughter bubbled out. "Of course Legolas, how could I not forgive you!? After all, no man has breasts like mine!!"
