Hi everybody! Sorry I've taken so long to reply, but I've been grounded and
everything's been a mess. So, here's my new chapter. Hopefully I'll be able
to update all my other stories as well.........
Lady Taliana: Yeah, my puppy is part Chihuahua part Dachshund and is only two months old! Unfortunately, she hasn't quite grasped the concept of going to the bathroom on paper and not on my bed (or myself for that matter.........) Thank you for reviewing!
Dara: I will gladly explain about Gollum =). I can't remember the exact events, but basically, the Mirkwood elves had caught Gollum trying to go through their territory and the King, Thranduil (if I spelled that right) told his son, Legolas, to take him to Elrond. On his way, Gollum escaped him. That is one of the main reasons Legolas was in Rivendell for the meeting in the first place. Thank you for reviewing! =)
the greenish plate: thank you! =)
Agent Midnight: I'm sorry you don't like Mary-Sue's, but I did warn you in the summary. Why read them if you don't like them?
Stinky Stan: thank you! =) I'll try to update soon.
dulaithlossword: Hey! Pay attention! It ain't my fault if ya fail! (But, don't fail, cause that isn't good! ^_^) I know! I could not figure out what people meant by Mary-Sue's until someone kindly told me what they were (of course, that was after I was flamed for writing one.........). I don't write flames either, and I'm very receptive to constructive criticism when the tone is nice, not harsh. And, if a story gets too bad, I just stop reading as well. I didn't really think mine was so horrible, that's why I got so nettled with the others. One of my friends is named Brit, and I just loved her name. And, I have another friend named Alison Jones, and while I liked her nickname (which is AJ), I love the name Andrea much more than Alison (no disrespect to any Alison's out there!). Actually, Haldir doesn't die in the books. I was raving mad when I saw the movie, because he DIDN'T die at Helm's Deep. And, besides, he is the romantic interest for Brit, I can't kill him off! =) However, I still misted up when he died in the movies. And "Tourniquet" is awesome, hence my choosing it! Thank you for the nice review!
Written Sparks: thank you! =) I really love it when people like my story, it boosts my self-confidence. I don't think, however, that I could handle any more new characters, primarily because I'm afraid that if I introduce anybody new, I will get flamed for the smallest inconsistency! But thank you for offering! ^_^V
Melissa Ocean: Yeah, sorry about the J.R. thing. I was really tired when I began typing that chapter, and it kind of......... slipped in there, I guess. I wasn't paying close attention. And I know, I know, Eowyn was just flirting and she fell in love with Faramir and all that, but her character just nettled me! I don't know, I liked when she killed the head Nazgul and all, but otherwise, her character seemed whiny and annoying to me, always complaining that she should be able to fight with the men and disobeying orders and stuff. No, she probably wasn't a sap, and you do present a very good argument, I just don't like her very much! Don't worry, the bashing won't be major, just AJ glaring and one hella bad cat fight and that's about all! And, Brit will be trying to tone AJ down. So, no, Eowyn wasn't a sap (and yes, Faramir and Eowyn are a cute couple^_^), but I still don't like her very much. But thank you for reviewing and presenting very nice arguments! =)
Allrighty then, here is the next chapter! Hope ya'll like it!
Chapter Seven
The sun was annoyingly bright as AJ and Brit walked out to the area where all the members of the Fellowship were waiting for them. Brit went straight to the hobbits and began to joke with them, trying to lighten their hearts. AJ just looked around her, wondering what to do. Her gaze fell upon a very unhappy Arwen and a grimly determined Aragorn walking away from her. She knew instantly what had happened.
AJ rolled her eyes and sighed. 'Damn men', she thought in annoyance, 'and how disappointing. You'd think that Aragorn wouldn't break up with Arwen just because daddy Elrond told him to.' She made her way over to Arwen, ignoring the odd looks she received from everyone present because of her outfit.
When she reached Arwen, she silently cursed again when she saw the tears shimmering in her gorgeous blue eyes. Aragorn had sure made a mess of this one. Pity peer pressure was every where, not just her world.
Arwen looked at her sadly and tried to smile when AJ placed a hand on her shoulder, "I am fine, truly. It is just a sad thing to see them go."
"And I'm sure it's just as sad to have your soul mate tell you that you can't be together, as well," AJ said gently, looking directly at the elven beauty.
Wincing slightly, Arwen hung her head, "Is it that obvious?"
AJ shook her head, lightly circling Arwen's shoulders with her arm, "No, it is not. However, I do know what happened. Worry not over it. Aragorn will return to you, alive and well. You shall both rule Gondor and be loved by all. I know, technically, I'm not supposed to tell you that. But it is true, believe me. Do not lose hope, ever."
"But my father-"Arwen began.
"Knows that all will be well. Do not believe him when he says hope has gone from this place. And do not go over the sea," AJ whispered in reassurance as she moved swiftly away from the very stunned Arwen. Inwardly, she was cursing both her revealing of the future, and her deterioration of language into something from the Middle Ages. How depressing.
However, part of her was glad she told Arwen. She didn't want her to go through anymore trouble because she thought that Aragorn didn't love her, or wouldn't return. She just knew, the instant she saw Arwen, that she had to say something, do something, to reassure her. And in the end, she was glad she did.
Making her way to the group, AJ glared at Elrond and stalked up to him, "Listen, no disrespect or anything, but I don't think you really have the right to tell Aragorn to forget Arwen or to make her forget him. For god's sake, they love each other! Would it be really so bad that she become mortal, or at least die sooner than you would wish? After all, didn't your brother choose to be mortal? Wasn't he granted an extension but ended up dying after five hundred years? Really, you should leave the poor kids alone!"
Elrond was just staring at her, gaping at her, completely stunned that she had just said all that to him. Without waiting for his reply, she walked off, a small smile curving her lips. She walked up to Aragorn, who was talking with Legolas, Boromir, and the twins, Elladan and Ellrohir. Smiling wickedly, she smacked him on the back of the head, hard.
"Idiot," she said with a hint of censure in her voice. He turned around incredulously in time to see her shake her head at him in exasperation and walk off, her trench coat swirling around her slightly in the wind. His eyes were wide and rubbed the back of his head in surprise.
Legolas smiled at him, "I believe you just felt the wrath of a woman."
"Why did she hit me?" Aragorn said, still massaging the back of his head. Brit choose that moment to walk up and she looked at him with raised eyebrows, all ready knowing why her sister had hit him.
She rolled her eyes. "Because you're stupid," she said slowly, then whacked him on the head as well and walked off.
Aragorn was blinking rapidly, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. His gaze swung to Arwen, who was trying desperately not to giggle, her eyes oddly happy, even after what they had been talking about. Realization dawned on him, and Elladan, one of the elves he had grown up with, nodded.
"Of course they know something you don't. Although, that could just be a woman thing........."
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
AJ had pulled her thick red hair up into a very messy bun, her gloved fingers now lightly touching the long, slender elven sword at her side. Last night, both she and Brit had been presented with weapons to protect themselves. AJ had gotten two elven swords, so beautiful that they took her breath away. On the blades were inscriptions that, of course, AJ couldn't read, but were beautiful all the same. The hilts on both were made of a beautiful glazed cherry wood, or Middle Earth's equivalent to cherry wood, with silver filigree laid in made to look like leaves wrapping around the length of both. It was love at first sight.
She also received a long elvish knife, similar to the two Legolas carried. Like something out of a western movie, AJ tied the knife to her left thigh, so the could reach it easily.
Surprisingly, Brit showed more proficiency with the bow and arrow than with a sword. She got a bow made of an elegant white wood, gold vines at the top and bottom were the string was connected. It was obviously a lady's bow, but deadly nonetheless. However, she too received a long knife, but kept hers strapped to the pouch that held her arrows.
AJ took her last look at the safety of Rivendell as they left its beautiful gates, her blue eyes sad. What would begin now was a long journey with pain and horror lining it. This world was about to go through something akin to both World War One and Two combined. Many would die.
Her chest constricted at that thought. Though she put up the pretense of being the 'rough and tough, touch me and get my boot up your ass' type of girl who cried at nothing, the thought of so many useless deaths made her want to weep. She knew war was sometimes necessary, but that didn't mean she liked it. The thought of so many families losing fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands made her want to curse at the Heavens. She never could watch the battle of Helms Deep in the second movie without shaking with anger, her eyes misting up, wishing she could be there and try to somehow prevent the slaughter.
And now she had the chance. Or, at least she would, if she lasted long enough to make it to Rohan.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
They walked for several days, stopping only a short time to rest and to eat. For the most part, Brit stayed with the hobbits, encouraging them in their mischievousness, and AJ stayed up with Aragorn or Gandalf. As each day passed, a shadow grew in AJ, bigger and bigger until she said very little, always serious, always on the alert.
Brit had noticed this and commented on it, but AJ had snapped at her, telling her to mind her own business. Neither had talked to each other since.
It was about midday when the reached an outcropping of rocks in the so far deserted mountainous terrain, large boulders spread randomly about the place. Aragorn had decided this would be a good place to stop. AJ and Brit knew otherwise.
"We must hold to this course, west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east to Mordor," Gandalf said, holding his pipe in his hands, his hair pulled back and tied with a strip of leather.
AJ sat silently beside Brit on a large boulder, watching Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin how to fight with swords. It was quite amusing, actually.
"Two, one, five. Good! Very good!" Boromir encouraged, making the adorable little hobbits smile happily.
Aragorn also smiled softly as he watched them, a warm, happy look in his eyes. "Move your feet!" He warned, grinning at Merry and Pippin as they praised each other.
"You look good, Pip," Merry said to his friend as they stood with their chests thrust out proudly.
"Thanks," Pippin answered, grinning triumphantly as well.
Unfortunately for them, they weren't quite ready when Boromir cried, "Faster!" And the three began to spar again.
AJ couldn't prevent the smile on her face as she watched them fight. She only half-heard Gimli begin to speak. But when she realized what she was saying, she turned around slightly and watched him with hooded eyes.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note their not, I would say we were taking the long way 'round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
'If he weren't all ready dead,' AJ thought bitterly, brushing away at the thick locks of hair that had escaped the bun she had them in. Gandalf shook his head slowly.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice," he answered, his voice grave.
"Ouch!" The outcry from the small hobbit drew AJ's attention back to the practice between man and hobbits. Merry and Pippin stood by each other as Boromir looked on in horrified worry.
"I'm sorry!" He cried as he reached for Pippin.
Without warning, Pippin kicked him in the shin, and Merry got the back of his knees with the flat of his blade, and Boromir tumbled to the ground in surprise.
"Get him!" Pippin cried as Merry said, "For the Shire!" The two little hobbits pounced Boromir and began to tickle him ruthlessly. All three of them laughed as the much larger man tried to squirm out from underneath them, but failing to do so.
Both AJ and Brit were laughing outright at the sight of one man being brought down by two small hobbits. Aragorn was laughing as well, and both Sam and Frodo smiled, though Frodo's was obviously forced.
Suddenly, Sam said, "What's that?" AJ's gaze drifted to where he was looking, as well as Brit's, and both girls stiffened. Merry and Pippin stopped tickling Boromir, and all three of them looked up.
"It's nothing, just a wisp of clouds," Gimli said gruffly, dismissing the rapidly moving black thing in the sky.
Surreptitiously, both Brit and AJ moved to hide themselves. Brit hid underneath a large boulder, and AJ hid underneath a particularly big bush.
"It's moving fast," Boromir said as he took Aragorn's proffered hand of help and stood up. "And its moving against the wind."
Legolas jumped up onto a large rock, looking into the sky, "It's Crebain from Dunland!"
The Fellowship went into a flurry of action, and AJ watched them with dry amusement as they quickly gathered everything and hid. She jumped about three feet when she felt a solid body slide beneath the bush beside her. Oh yeah, Legolas had hid underneath a bush in the movie, too. Gee, what a coincidence.........
Neither said anything as they watched the birds fly over them. AJ's breathing quickened in fear at the sight of so many birds, remembering the time she had gone to see the famous Hitchcock film at an outdoor theater. She had run home faster than she had run ever before, her hands covering her head, scared to death that some bird was going to attack her. Looking back, that movie was nothing compared to the real thing.
Pressing herself as closely as she could to Legolas' larger frame, she tried to suppress her shivering. Again, she jumped when she felt his hands closing around her shoulders, holding her in reassurance. Without thought, she relaxed in his hold, glad that somebody was there to comfort her.
When the birds were completely gone from sight, the Fellowship slowly, cautiously, got out from their hiding places. Brit held both Merry and Pippin close to her, her eyes unusually serious when she looked over to AJ. A glance passed between them, one that meant that all was forgiven and everything was okay. Thus, they were back on speaking terms.
Legolas helped AJ out from underneath the bush, his body still close to hers, though he looked all around them, just in case. He still held both of her shoulders in his hand, but AJ didn't notice it, still shaking slightly with fear. Gandalf looked at both girls quietly.
"Both of you knew about the Crebain." He said it as a statement, not a question.
Neither girl answered him, but there eyes said all. Gandalf nodded, and looked at the sky. He leaned upon his staff as he looked at the Fellowship, specifically Frodo.
"What were those, Gandalf?" Frodo asked, standing close to Sam and Aragorn.
"Spies of Saruman," Gandalf answered candidly. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras."
The Fellowship looked at the mountain. AJ sucked in a deep breath, her eyes widening, her face going deathly pale.
Brit moved instantly to AJ, placing a gentle hand on AJ's shoulder, and Legolas looked down at her in confusion. The Fellowship also turned to look at AJ in question.
Thankfully, Brit answered for her, "When we were about fifteen, AJ and I went on this charity field trip to the mountains of our world, to climb them. Even then, AJ was terrified of heights. However, something went wrong with the rope holding her to the mountain. It snapped, and she fell. Fortunately, we were perhaps only ten or fifteen feet up, but it was still frightening. Ever since, she has tried to stay away from mountains."
Merry looked at her in concern, "Were ya hurt much, AJ?"
Swallowing painfully, AJ shook her head, "I broke my leg and a few ribs, but for the most part, I was okay. I just don't like mountains any more."
Aragorn looked at her kindly, "Will you be able to make it across, Lady AJ?"
"Yes, I will be able to make it across. And stop calling me 'Lady', 'cause God knows I'm not even close to being a lady."
Legolas lightly squeezed her shoulders in reassurance, "I'm sure everything will be just fine, AJ. We all will be able to help you make it across."
Her feathers ruffled, AJ glared at them all indignantly, breaking free from Legolas, "I'm not some porcelain doll who will break at the lightest touch. It's a mountain, inanimate. I was just being clumsy that day. After all, I don't really fear a mountain, I fear what can happen. Something doesn't make you fear it, your own inadequacies make you fear."
Gandalf looked at her with approval, "That is a very wise thing that you say, AJ, for own so young as you."
AJ smiled wryly at him, "Just because your nearly seven thousand years old doesn't mean I'm young!"
He just shook his head in mock-exasperation, though there was amusement in his eyes. Everyone relaxed then. Merry and Pippin walked up to both of the girls.
"Surely heights aren't that bad?" Pippin said, his blue eyes wide and so innocent that AJ wanted to send him back to Rivendell, to keep that innocence in his eyes.
"I'll tell you something, Pip. Every time I look scared, you can throw a snowball at me," AJ said in a conspirators whisper. "Or, better yet, when I look scared, throw a snowball at Boromir."
Pippin's eyes lit up and his smile widened impishly. Brit snorted in laughter, her body shaking with the effort to prevent the giggles to spill out.
"Oh! Can I do that too, AJ!?" Merry asked hopefully. At AJ's nod, Merry and Pippin smiled at each other triumphantly and began to plot how big the snowballs were going to be and which appendage to throw them at.
Brit walked over to AJ, who was smiling softly, shaking her head, "Oh boy, now you've done it. I bet you're going to purposely looked scared just to get them to throw snowballs at poor Boromir."
AJ's grin widened and she looked at Brit innocently, "Who? Me? Never!"
Her sister rolled her eyes and walked off, picking up random stuff and putting it together to help them get ready to leave.
AJ's grin disappeared, then, and she looked at the mountain. She just wished what she said was true. Could she make it over the mountain?
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
Well, there we go! Howdya like it? The next chapter is going to be full of snowball fights and the such! Review! ^_^V Sparky
Lady Taliana: Yeah, my puppy is part Chihuahua part Dachshund and is only two months old! Unfortunately, she hasn't quite grasped the concept of going to the bathroom on paper and not on my bed (or myself for that matter.........) Thank you for reviewing!
Dara: I will gladly explain about Gollum =). I can't remember the exact events, but basically, the Mirkwood elves had caught Gollum trying to go through their territory and the King, Thranduil (if I spelled that right) told his son, Legolas, to take him to Elrond. On his way, Gollum escaped him. That is one of the main reasons Legolas was in Rivendell for the meeting in the first place. Thank you for reviewing! =)
the greenish plate: thank you! =)
Agent Midnight: I'm sorry you don't like Mary-Sue's, but I did warn you in the summary. Why read them if you don't like them?
Stinky Stan: thank you! =) I'll try to update soon.
dulaithlossword: Hey! Pay attention! It ain't my fault if ya fail! (But, don't fail, cause that isn't good! ^_^) I know! I could not figure out what people meant by Mary-Sue's until someone kindly told me what they were (of course, that was after I was flamed for writing one.........). I don't write flames either, and I'm very receptive to constructive criticism when the tone is nice, not harsh. And, if a story gets too bad, I just stop reading as well. I didn't really think mine was so horrible, that's why I got so nettled with the others. One of my friends is named Brit, and I just loved her name. And, I have another friend named Alison Jones, and while I liked her nickname (which is AJ), I love the name Andrea much more than Alison (no disrespect to any Alison's out there!). Actually, Haldir doesn't die in the books. I was raving mad when I saw the movie, because he DIDN'T die at Helm's Deep. And, besides, he is the romantic interest for Brit, I can't kill him off! =) However, I still misted up when he died in the movies. And "Tourniquet" is awesome, hence my choosing it! Thank you for the nice review!
Written Sparks: thank you! =) I really love it when people like my story, it boosts my self-confidence. I don't think, however, that I could handle any more new characters, primarily because I'm afraid that if I introduce anybody new, I will get flamed for the smallest inconsistency! But thank you for offering! ^_^V
Melissa Ocean: Yeah, sorry about the J.R. thing. I was really tired when I began typing that chapter, and it kind of......... slipped in there, I guess. I wasn't paying close attention. And I know, I know, Eowyn was just flirting and she fell in love with Faramir and all that, but her character just nettled me! I don't know, I liked when she killed the head Nazgul and all, but otherwise, her character seemed whiny and annoying to me, always complaining that she should be able to fight with the men and disobeying orders and stuff. No, she probably wasn't a sap, and you do present a very good argument, I just don't like her very much! Don't worry, the bashing won't be major, just AJ glaring and one hella bad cat fight and that's about all! And, Brit will be trying to tone AJ down. So, no, Eowyn wasn't a sap (and yes, Faramir and Eowyn are a cute couple^_^), but I still don't like her very much. But thank you for reviewing and presenting very nice arguments! =)
Allrighty then, here is the next chapter! Hope ya'll like it!
Chapter Seven
The sun was annoyingly bright as AJ and Brit walked out to the area where all the members of the Fellowship were waiting for them. Brit went straight to the hobbits and began to joke with them, trying to lighten their hearts. AJ just looked around her, wondering what to do. Her gaze fell upon a very unhappy Arwen and a grimly determined Aragorn walking away from her. She knew instantly what had happened.
AJ rolled her eyes and sighed. 'Damn men', she thought in annoyance, 'and how disappointing. You'd think that Aragorn wouldn't break up with Arwen just because daddy Elrond told him to.' She made her way over to Arwen, ignoring the odd looks she received from everyone present because of her outfit.
When she reached Arwen, she silently cursed again when she saw the tears shimmering in her gorgeous blue eyes. Aragorn had sure made a mess of this one. Pity peer pressure was every where, not just her world.
Arwen looked at her sadly and tried to smile when AJ placed a hand on her shoulder, "I am fine, truly. It is just a sad thing to see them go."
"And I'm sure it's just as sad to have your soul mate tell you that you can't be together, as well," AJ said gently, looking directly at the elven beauty.
Wincing slightly, Arwen hung her head, "Is it that obvious?"
AJ shook her head, lightly circling Arwen's shoulders with her arm, "No, it is not. However, I do know what happened. Worry not over it. Aragorn will return to you, alive and well. You shall both rule Gondor and be loved by all. I know, technically, I'm not supposed to tell you that. But it is true, believe me. Do not lose hope, ever."
"But my father-"Arwen began.
"Knows that all will be well. Do not believe him when he says hope has gone from this place. And do not go over the sea," AJ whispered in reassurance as she moved swiftly away from the very stunned Arwen. Inwardly, she was cursing both her revealing of the future, and her deterioration of language into something from the Middle Ages. How depressing.
However, part of her was glad she told Arwen. She didn't want her to go through anymore trouble because she thought that Aragorn didn't love her, or wouldn't return. She just knew, the instant she saw Arwen, that she had to say something, do something, to reassure her. And in the end, she was glad she did.
Making her way to the group, AJ glared at Elrond and stalked up to him, "Listen, no disrespect or anything, but I don't think you really have the right to tell Aragorn to forget Arwen or to make her forget him. For god's sake, they love each other! Would it be really so bad that she become mortal, or at least die sooner than you would wish? After all, didn't your brother choose to be mortal? Wasn't he granted an extension but ended up dying after five hundred years? Really, you should leave the poor kids alone!"
Elrond was just staring at her, gaping at her, completely stunned that she had just said all that to him. Without waiting for his reply, she walked off, a small smile curving her lips. She walked up to Aragorn, who was talking with Legolas, Boromir, and the twins, Elladan and Ellrohir. Smiling wickedly, she smacked him on the back of the head, hard.
"Idiot," she said with a hint of censure in her voice. He turned around incredulously in time to see her shake her head at him in exasperation and walk off, her trench coat swirling around her slightly in the wind. His eyes were wide and rubbed the back of his head in surprise.
Legolas smiled at him, "I believe you just felt the wrath of a woman."
"Why did she hit me?" Aragorn said, still massaging the back of his head. Brit choose that moment to walk up and she looked at him with raised eyebrows, all ready knowing why her sister had hit him.
She rolled her eyes. "Because you're stupid," she said slowly, then whacked him on the head as well and walked off.
Aragorn was blinking rapidly, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. His gaze swung to Arwen, who was trying desperately not to giggle, her eyes oddly happy, even after what they had been talking about. Realization dawned on him, and Elladan, one of the elves he had grown up with, nodded.
"Of course they know something you don't. Although, that could just be a woman thing........."
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
AJ had pulled her thick red hair up into a very messy bun, her gloved fingers now lightly touching the long, slender elven sword at her side. Last night, both she and Brit had been presented with weapons to protect themselves. AJ had gotten two elven swords, so beautiful that they took her breath away. On the blades were inscriptions that, of course, AJ couldn't read, but were beautiful all the same. The hilts on both were made of a beautiful glazed cherry wood, or Middle Earth's equivalent to cherry wood, with silver filigree laid in made to look like leaves wrapping around the length of both. It was love at first sight.
She also received a long elvish knife, similar to the two Legolas carried. Like something out of a western movie, AJ tied the knife to her left thigh, so the could reach it easily.
Surprisingly, Brit showed more proficiency with the bow and arrow than with a sword. She got a bow made of an elegant white wood, gold vines at the top and bottom were the string was connected. It was obviously a lady's bow, but deadly nonetheless. However, she too received a long knife, but kept hers strapped to the pouch that held her arrows.
AJ took her last look at the safety of Rivendell as they left its beautiful gates, her blue eyes sad. What would begin now was a long journey with pain and horror lining it. This world was about to go through something akin to both World War One and Two combined. Many would die.
Her chest constricted at that thought. Though she put up the pretense of being the 'rough and tough, touch me and get my boot up your ass' type of girl who cried at nothing, the thought of so many useless deaths made her want to weep. She knew war was sometimes necessary, but that didn't mean she liked it. The thought of so many families losing fathers, sons, brothers, and husbands made her want to curse at the Heavens. She never could watch the battle of Helms Deep in the second movie without shaking with anger, her eyes misting up, wishing she could be there and try to somehow prevent the slaughter.
And now she had the chance. Or, at least she would, if she lasted long enough to make it to Rohan.
~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~
They walked for several days, stopping only a short time to rest and to eat. For the most part, Brit stayed with the hobbits, encouraging them in their mischievousness, and AJ stayed up with Aragorn or Gandalf. As each day passed, a shadow grew in AJ, bigger and bigger until she said very little, always serious, always on the alert.
Brit had noticed this and commented on it, but AJ had snapped at her, telling her to mind her own business. Neither had talked to each other since.
It was about midday when the reached an outcropping of rocks in the so far deserted mountainous terrain, large boulders spread randomly about the place. Aragorn had decided this would be a good place to stop. AJ and Brit knew otherwise.
"We must hold to this course, west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east to Mordor," Gandalf said, holding his pipe in his hands, his hair pulled back and tied with a strip of leather.
AJ sat silently beside Brit on a large boulder, watching Boromir teaching Merry and Pippin how to fight with swords. It was quite amusing, actually.
"Two, one, five. Good! Very good!" Boromir encouraged, making the adorable little hobbits smile happily.
Aragorn also smiled softly as he watched them, a warm, happy look in his eyes. "Move your feet!" He warned, grinning at Merry and Pippin as they praised each other.
"You look good, Pip," Merry said to his friend as they stood with their chests thrust out proudly.
"Thanks," Pippin answered, grinning triumphantly as well.
Unfortunately for them, they weren't quite ready when Boromir cried, "Faster!" And the three began to spar again.
AJ couldn't prevent the smile on her face as she watched them fight. She only half-heard Gimli begin to speak. But when she realized what she was saying, she turned around slightly and watched him with hooded eyes.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note their not, I would say we were taking the long way 'round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
'If he weren't all ready dead,' AJ thought bitterly, brushing away at the thick locks of hair that had escaped the bun she had them in. Gandalf shook his head slowly.
"No, Gimli. I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice," he answered, his voice grave.
"Ouch!" The outcry from the small hobbit drew AJ's attention back to the practice between man and hobbits. Merry and Pippin stood by each other as Boromir looked on in horrified worry.
"I'm sorry!" He cried as he reached for Pippin.
Without warning, Pippin kicked him in the shin, and Merry got the back of his knees with the flat of his blade, and Boromir tumbled to the ground in surprise.
"Get him!" Pippin cried as Merry said, "For the Shire!" The two little hobbits pounced Boromir and began to tickle him ruthlessly. All three of them laughed as the much larger man tried to squirm out from underneath them, but failing to do so.
Both AJ and Brit were laughing outright at the sight of one man being brought down by two small hobbits. Aragorn was laughing as well, and both Sam and Frodo smiled, though Frodo's was obviously forced.
Suddenly, Sam said, "What's that?" AJ's gaze drifted to where he was looking, as well as Brit's, and both girls stiffened. Merry and Pippin stopped tickling Boromir, and all three of them looked up.
"It's nothing, just a wisp of clouds," Gimli said gruffly, dismissing the rapidly moving black thing in the sky.
Surreptitiously, both Brit and AJ moved to hide themselves. Brit hid underneath a large boulder, and AJ hid underneath a particularly big bush.
"It's moving fast," Boromir said as he took Aragorn's proffered hand of help and stood up. "And its moving against the wind."
Legolas jumped up onto a large rock, looking into the sky, "It's Crebain from Dunland!"
The Fellowship went into a flurry of action, and AJ watched them with dry amusement as they quickly gathered everything and hid. She jumped about three feet when she felt a solid body slide beneath the bush beside her. Oh yeah, Legolas had hid underneath a bush in the movie, too. Gee, what a coincidence.........
Neither said anything as they watched the birds fly over them. AJ's breathing quickened in fear at the sight of so many birds, remembering the time she had gone to see the famous Hitchcock film at an outdoor theater. She had run home faster than she had run ever before, her hands covering her head, scared to death that some bird was going to attack her. Looking back, that movie was nothing compared to the real thing.
Pressing herself as closely as she could to Legolas' larger frame, she tried to suppress her shivering. Again, she jumped when she felt his hands closing around her shoulders, holding her in reassurance. Without thought, she relaxed in his hold, glad that somebody was there to comfort her.
When the birds were completely gone from sight, the Fellowship slowly, cautiously, got out from their hiding places. Brit held both Merry and Pippin close to her, her eyes unusually serious when she looked over to AJ. A glance passed between them, one that meant that all was forgiven and everything was okay. Thus, they were back on speaking terms.
Legolas helped AJ out from underneath the bush, his body still close to hers, though he looked all around them, just in case. He still held both of her shoulders in his hand, but AJ didn't notice it, still shaking slightly with fear. Gandalf looked at both girls quietly.
"Both of you knew about the Crebain." He said it as a statement, not a question.
Neither girl answered him, but there eyes said all. Gandalf nodded, and looked at the sky. He leaned upon his staff as he looked at the Fellowship, specifically Frodo.
"What were those, Gandalf?" Frodo asked, standing close to Sam and Aragorn.
"Spies of Saruman," Gandalf answered candidly. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the pass of Caradhras."
The Fellowship looked at the mountain. AJ sucked in a deep breath, her eyes widening, her face going deathly pale.
Brit moved instantly to AJ, placing a gentle hand on AJ's shoulder, and Legolas looked down at her in confusion. The Fellowship also turned to look at AJ in question.
Thankfully, Brit answered for her, "When we were about fifteen, AJ and I went on this charity field trip to the mountains of our world, to climb them. Even then, AJ was terrified of heights. However, something went wrong with the rope holding her to the mountain. It snapped, and she fell. Fortunately, we were perhaps only ten or fifteen feet up, but it was still frightening. Ever since, she has tried to stay away from mountains."
Merry looked at her in concern, "Were ya hurt much, AJ?"
Swallowing painfully, AJ shook her head, "I broke my leg and a few ribs, but for the most part, I was okay. I just don't like mountains any more."
Aragorn looked at her kindly, "Will you be able to make it across, Lady AJ?"
"Yes, I will be able to make it across. And stop calling me 'Lady', 'cause God knows I'm not even close to being a lady."
Legolas lightly squeezed her shoulders in reassurance, "I'm sure everything will be just fine, AJ. We all will be able to help you make it across."
Her feathers ruffled, AJ glared at them all indignantly, breaking free from Legolas, "I'm not some porcelain doll who will break at the lightest touch. It's a mountain, inanimate. I was just being clumsy that day. After all, I don't really fear a mountain, I fear what can happen. Something doesn't make you fear it, your own inadequacies make you fear."
Gandalf looked at her with approval, "That is a very wise thing that you say, AJ, for own so young as you."
AJ smiled wryly at him, "Just because your nearly seven thousand years old doesn't mean I'm young!"
He just shook his head in mock-exasperation, though there was amusement in his eyes. Everyone relaxed then. Merry and Pippin walked up to both of the girls.
"Surely heights aren't that bad?" Pippin said, his blue eyes wide and so innocent that AJ wanted to send him back to Rivendell, to keep that innocence in his eyes.
"I'll tell you something, Pip. Every time I look scared, you can throw a snowball at me," AJ said in a conspirators whisper. "Or, better yet, when I look scared, throw a snowball at Boromir."
Pippin's eyes lit up and his smile widened impishly. Brit snorted in laughter, her body shaking with the effort to prevent the giggles to spill out.
"Oh! Can I do that too, AJ!?" Merry asked hopefully. At AJ's nod, Merry and Pippin smiled at each other triumphantly and began to plot how big the snowballs were going to be and which appendage to throw them at.
Brit walked over to AJ, who was smiling softly, shaking her head, "Oh boy, now you've done it. I bet you're going to purposely looked scared just to get them to throw snowballs at poor Boromir."
AJ's grin widened and she looked at Brit innocently, "Who? Me? Never!"
Her sister rolled her eyes and walked off, picking up random stuff and putting it together to help them get ready to leave.
AJ's grin disappeared, then, and she looked at the mountain. She just wished what she said was true. Could she make it over the mountain?
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Well, there we go! Howdya like it? The next chapter is going to be full of snowball fights and the such! Review! ^_^V Sparky