** Disclaimer: I only own Zana *****************
I'm sorry for the big delay! The last weekend I didn't come home, I had a birthday party of a friend at university and it was great! : ) Now I'm back to reality.. : ( But you'll get some chapters from me, I hope you didn't forget about me!
************ ************* ************** ************* **************
I want to live my feelings day by day
I like to give emotions , in my way
But I don't know if its the right day, for this word
Now I see things I didn't see before
I need an explanation, tell me more
Why I am in love now? I don't know
How can I live forever? I don't know
Where can I find Heaven? I don't know
What is going to happen? I don't know
Why I am in love now? I don't know
In my soul, In my soul...
Haldir looked around himself, thinking.. the past week they had been crossing the Rivers and they seemed not to end. The humans were tired, the dwarf , impossible to bear. And Legolas.. his face had changed since the last time they took a break. He was paler than usual and his blue eyes were lost in the distance. Haldir approached him, worried, and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Legolas, what's wrong? " Their eyes met and Haldir felt scared for the first time. The elf was shocked, so shocked that he almost couldn't speak.
"The Rivers.. you know what happens if you cross them.." He looked behind, at Zana and Fern.
"No, I don't know it.. please, tell me!" Some time passed before he replied.
"There's a story about this place.. in the end of the land there's a small lake, with dark waters.. by the lake there's a fountain, carved in marble, covered with the nicest flowers you can find in Middle Earth.." He took a deep breath and Haldir felt his heart beating so fast. " Once we'll arrive there, we must cross the pool, but it's not that easy.. because each of us will have to make a question to another one.. a question about what is inside our heart.. a question we wish to know.. a secret we're afraid to share. If we lie, and if we step into the water, the lake will shallow us.. so we must be very careful selecting the question.. but they have to be very careful replying it.. if they don't speak with their heart, and if we don't ask with our heart.. we all will die.." Haldir shook his head.
"I don't understand, are you telling me that I have to ask them something I want to know? But this is stupid, I can do it now!" He laughed, more calmed. But Legolas kept the serious gaze.
"You didn't understand anything, Haldir.. it's not a simple question the one you must make.. you must ask the thing that most scares you, the thing you strongly wish to know.. will you be able to do it in front of all of us? And will you be ready to reply what they will ask you? What I will ask you?" Haldir checked his friend in silence. Thinking of his possible doubts, his wishes.. and he realised that it would be so difficult.
"After it, things will change a lot between us.. " Haldir murmured, and Legolas nodded.
"Because finally, we all will know what is inside our hearts.."
"But we have to warn them about it" Haldir stopped and waited for Zana , Fern and Gimli, but Legolas took his arm.
"Not yet.. wait a bit. Tonight, before sleeping, we'll talk about it" Haldir went on walking with Legolas, lost in his thoughts.
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After climbing some rocks I felt more tired than ever before.. the landscape was turning into something boring, trees, more trees, rivers, more rivers.. they all were so quiet, worried.. and they made me worried too. I was loosing my energy, my illusion.. that journey was taking too long, and the past days had been terrible, I felt ignored by all of them.. the silence was killing me. Fern was pale and tired.. I was afraid that this was too much for him. His bright eyes were dark now, without life. Gimli was the last in the queue , his angry face even more angry. And I realised that we couldn't bear that situation for longer.
At noon, when our stomachs were complaining and asking for food, we all sat around a fire. It was colder, in the northern areas of Middle Earth. I put my bag on the ground and searched for some lembas. I wasn't too hungry, I was loosing weight, but I didn't care.. the past days I had been completely lost in my thoughts, and for once since I had finally felt comfortable around elves, I wished to come back home, come back to reality. I looked at Haldir, but he was ignoring me. I felt a pain inside me, a sad feeling invading my heart. Something had changed.
"Today we'll only walk some more hours. we all are tired and we have to prepare for the end of this stage of journey" Legolas commented, looking at me. I somehow felt that I was the only one listening to him.. maybe I was dreaming and I heard his voice inside me.
"What do you mean? Get ready for what?" Fern asked, with a sharp voice. They all looked at him. I noticed that Legolas was avoiding his gaze, and for once, Haldir looked at me.
"Maybe we should tell them, Legolas.." The elf commented, and I felt scared.
"What are you hiding to us?" I asked, worried. When I saw Legolas eyes I felt a pain in my stomach. Obviously, something terrible was waiting for us.
"The Fountain of Truth.." He murmured, as if that explained everything.
"And what is it, if we can know it?" Fern's voice was even sharper, he stood up and walked around us. Haldir gave him a freezing look.
"Sit down and listen to us" Fern obeyed, and the elves stared at each other. Haldir nodded, and Legolas began to speak.
"We'll have to pass a kind of big proof.. in short time we'll reach the end of the Rivers.. but this doesn't mean anything good.. what we'll find there will make us change.. our relationships, our situation.. each of us.. " He pointed at us " .. we'll have to make one question to another one.. but not a simple question.. it has to be something you strongly wish to know.. even if it's embarrassing, or shaming.. sure there's something inside your heads that you want to know.. that will be the right time to do it."
"And what if we don't reply with the truth? What if we don't want to ask? " I said, nervous. Legolas looked at me sadly.
"The water won't allow you to cross, and you won't be able to go on." We all kept silence, thinking.
"What will the water do?" Fern asked, with a bit of fear.
"After replying all the questions from the rest of us, the water will disappear, the lake will become dry, and you'll be able to cross it.. but if you didn't reply with the truth, if your heart didn't speak honestly.. just when you'll be in the middle of the path, when you won't be able to return, the lake will come back and swallow you" Haldir said, and he looked at me.
"This is crazy.." I murmured, wondering why we suddenly had to pass that big proof. It wasn't fair, after all the things that had happened.
"So.. now that you know this.. I suggest start making the four questions.. one for each of us.. obviously, we can't ask ourselves.. so Zana, prepare the questions for Haldir, Fern, Gimli and me.. I'll do the same for you, Fern, Haldir and Gimli.. and the thing goes on like this.." Legolas explained, and my head started to think again. "And remember that if the questions are not made with heart, and if the replies are not honest.. you can die"
The next hours we walked in a complete silence. I was becoming crazy, knowing that all my questions would cause a terrible effect, that they would change all things between us.. if I had to follow my confused heart, then for sure I would make a mess. They didn't look better than me.. Haldir was mad at everybody, walking separated from us. Legolas kept his elegant attitude, but a worried look showed up in his eyes. And Gimli, the poor dwarf, was too lost to think of anything.. he complained saying that he didn't have any question for us, that all what he had inside his heart was what he showed every day.. and it was true.. he was the only one without secrets.. so he would have a difficult duty.
It was getting dark when we saw a big cliff in the middle of the forest, made of black rocks. A kind of corridor in the base, under an arc, led us to the other side. And a magical light filled everything.. strange high trees, with the most amazing flowers I had ever seen, and a narrow path rounded by plants that seemed to be moving with our steps.. the smell of flowers, the blue lights, the sound of water.. I was charmed.. unable to speak. And we saw it. A small marble fountain with strange decoration carved on it.
"I can't understand this language" Legolas commented, amazed, trying to read the phrase over the pipe. Haldir walked there and looked into the water. His face changed for a while, he became scared.
"The water is alive, I can feel it.. it talks to me, but I don't know what it tells.." His whispers scared me, I started to shake, and I felt Fern's arm around my waist.
"Don't be afraid, Zana.. we won't die here, I assure you it" I looked into his dark eyes and I saw a confident gaze. "We don't belong here, remember it.. and we can't die on a place where we don't belong to"
"But I belong here.." I murmured, but he shook his head. Feeling angry, I walked apart from him. But I didn't find comfort on Haldir, he was ignoring me again.
"Here there's the lake" Legolas moved some leafs and a big extension of dark water appeared. I felt so scared that I almost couldn't breath. He looked at me and smiled, calming me. "Nothing bad will happen if you're honest, Zana"
"I will spoil everything with what I will ask, Legolas" I looked at Haldir, and this time he was staring at me.
"This is something we all have to make." Gimli said, sitting on a rock and moving his hands. "Come on, my friends.. it's time to pass this horrible step of the journey" Suddenly the night became darker and the only light came out from the marble of the fountain ,as if it was a wonderful lamp from a palace. We all made a circle, facing each others. My heart was beating so fast, the elves looked at me.
"I can't help it.." I shrugged. Legolas sighed.
"So.. who will be the first one asking us?" We all looked at each others. "Gimli?" The dwarf jumped.
"Why?" But when he saw Legolas gaze he obeyed. Looking at me, he smiled. "Very well.. Zana. This question goes for you.. I always wanted to know.. how come are you so tall?" We all made an exclamation, the dwarf wasn't serious at all.
"Gimli! This is a serious thing!" Legolas shouted, but Gimli looked at him angry.
"I'm serious, I always wanted to know this!" He looked at me, waiting for an answer. I was so happy that it was so simple.
"I'm very similar to my grandfather and to my uncle, and they both are so tall, more than average" A silence came, and we heard a kind of sigh from somewhere. Gimli looked at Legolas.
"Legolas..and Haldir.. this question goes for you both. What do you really think about dwarves?" An evil smile came to his face.
"Are you kidding? You're my best friend!" Legolas said, angry.
"I said "dwarves", not "Gimli" Legolas and Haldir looked at each other.
"I don't like dwarves, but I like you" Haldir said, convinced.
"I respect dwarves, but honestly, they're not my favourites, although you're my best friend" Legolas remarked. Gimli looked satisfied.
"I knew it.." He murmured. And looked at Fern. "I don't know what to ask you.. I almost don't know you, but.. OK, I've always wanted to know how come you were so stupid that you followed this girl to an unknown world" Fern blushed and looked at the ground. Legolas and Haldir stared at him, and they made a face, as if Gimli had stolen them the question of the century. "Remember that you have to say the truth"
"I know" Fern said, and took a deep breath. "I followed her because I had to do it.. I felt the need.. and I'm honest when I say that I don't know why.. I just had to do it.."
"We believe you" Gimli said, and he sat down, taking a deep breath. "Now I feel very well" He commented with a smile. But now the worst part came. The next in the circle was Haldir.
"Well.." He said, and looked at me. "Zana.. I think that Legolas also shares this question with me.. so I suggest him making it at the same time" He looked at the other elf, and he nodded. "Who of us do you really love?"
"No, you can't ask me this!" I said, shaking.
"If we don't ask you this, we'll die or you'll die, Zana" Said Legolas, looking in my eyes. I laughed, with a sad laugh.
"But.. I can't reply it.. I mean.. " When I saw Haldir's eyes, full of pain, I realised that it was the first time I was admitting my confusion.
"Zana.. who of us do you love?" Haldir repeated, with a sharp voice. "If you're not honest, you'll die" I froze with his words, and I realised I didn't have an answer for that, I was too confused.. so I would die, yes..
"I'm too confused to reply, this is my honest answer. I can't be more honest, because my heart can't know it.." They both kept silence, shocked.
"Zana, do you realise what are you saying? You're killing yourself.." Legolas ran out of words.
"But it's my honest reply.. I can't do anything else.. I can't lie" They all looked at me. Haldir took a deep breath.
"Ok, now my question goes to Legolas" He looked at the other elf. "Do you love Zana?" Legolas looked at me and nodded, without doubting.
"I do" Haldir sighed, sadly.
"I knew it" He murmured, and looked at Fern. "And what about you? Did you come here because you also love her?" Fern also looked at me.
"I don't know if I love her.. but sure I like her"
"This is unbelievable" Said Haldir, shaking his head. "What is this? A stupid game?"
"Calm down, Haldir" Legolas put his hand on his shoulder.
"And you, Gimli? You also love her?" Asked Haldir, with a sarcastic voice. The dwarf became so angry.
"Of course not, evil elf! " A silence came, and a breeze.. Haldir had finished with his questions. It was Legolas turn, but he already had made me a question, so he looked at Fern.
"Fern.. I want to know what do you plan to do.. I know that there's something strange with you, I know that you want to return to Earth.. and that you want to take Zana with you, even if she doesn't finish this mission.. you will spoil everything if you had the chance, right?" He gave the human a freezing look.
"I can't lie, so.. yes, I want to take Zana with me to a safer place and forget about everything here. She belongs to my world and life must go on" Fern said, convinced. Haldir became mad.
"You.. stupid human, you will destroy both worlds!" He jumped but Legolas stopped him.
"He's being honest and this can save our lives, Haldir" Legolas said. Haldir calmed a bit. "Now, Haldir.. I want to know if you plan to stay with he forever.. even knowing that she will die sooner or later"
"Yes, I want to be with her and I don't have doubts about it" I looked at him and couldn't help smiling. Legolas looked at Gimli, with an evil smile.
"Gimli.. in the Helms Deep battle.. you lied to me, right? You killed less orcs than the ones you said you had done " Gimli's face turned into red, and he shouted.
"Argh! Yes, I admit it, I thought we were friends!" That break made us laugh and I thanked Legolas that moment of optimism . He always knew how to make things better. He caught me staring at him and when our eyes met he smiled kindly. It was Fern's turn to ask.
"Zana.. do you want to stay here forever?" His dark eyes on mines, and I was surprised when I saw that I had doubts!
"Until now I wanted.. but now I'm not sure of anything.. and this is the honest truth.. I'm mortal and I don't want to be with them because I'll become old and they will stay young forever.. but at the same time, I don't want to leave and never see them again.. my life on Earth is not that good t owish to come back" I murmured, and I felt Fern's hand on mine.
"We can make it better" He smiled, and then looked at Legolas and Haldir. "And you both? Are you aware that Zana must go back home?"
"She doesn't have to return if she doesn't want" Legolas said, firmly.
"I agree" Said Haldir. Fern looked at Gimli.
"And you, Gimli.. will you help me to make Zana go back home, even if she didn't want?"
"No" I was surprised with the fast answer.. I smiled and in that moment I loved Gimli more than ever, like a friend or a brother I never had. I felt all gazes on me, because it was my turn.. after me, we would cross the lake and who knows what would happen.
"OK.. I don't know where to start.. and I'll be ashamed of myself.." I looked at Legolas. "When I was on Earth I dreamt about you every day.. once here I thought you ignored me, and I gave up with my dreams.. now I want to know if, since the day I arrived, I had a chance with you, if you felt something for me since the first moment we met" Legolas looked surprised.
"I must admit that I felt something for you soon, yes.. but not since the first day, Zana.." Haldir looked happy, so I gave him the same question.
"And you, Haldir?" He was shocked, and took a deep breath.
"Maybe not since the first moment.. at first I was trying you, checking what kind of being you were.. please, don't be mad at me.. then I fell in love and you know that.."
"It's OK, Haldir. You don't have to explain anything" I said, looking at Fern. "Why did you help me , on Earth, without saying anything?" He smiled, and shrugged.
"I suppose I needed to know you, I don't know why.. I thought , when I first saw you, asking me that question in class, that it was a Destiny's sign.. I can't explain."
"Well, Gimli, you're the last one.. and I don't know what to ask you, so.. well, would you be my friend forever?" He smiled and nodded firmly.
"Forever". We all looked at each others. It was time to cross the lake. And suddenly the fountain shone with a brighter light, and the water rose the edges of the marble.
"We must drink from it" Legolas said, and we all did it. I felt a kind of warm sensation inside me, and without thinking, I began to walk. The lake had disappeared, the other side looked so far away, but I walked and walked, forgetting abut everything.. I didn't hear the voices of my friends, I didn't hear anything.. just peace.. I was so happy, calmed and confident, as if someone was leading me.. I smiled, my legs weren't tired any more.. and after short time I reached the edge, I put my feet on the grass and sighed. I had crossed it, the Rivers had ended. But my smile disappeared when I heard the strong noise of water behind me, someone had been caught. And I couldn't know who. I fainted.
I'm sorry for the big delay! The last weekend I didn't come home, I had a birthday party of a friend at university and it was great! : ) Now I'm back to reality.. : ( But you'll get some chapters from me, I hope you didn't forget about me!
************ ************* ************** ************* **************
I want to live my feelings day by day
I like to give emotions , in my way
But I don't know if its the right day, for this word
Now I see things I didn't see before
I need an explanation, tell me more
Why I am in love now? I don't know
How can I live forever? I don't know
Where can I find Heaven? I don't know
What is going to happen? I don't know
Why I am in love now? I don't know
In my soul, In my soul...
Haldir looked around himself, thinking.. the past week they had been crossing the Rivers and they seemed not to end. The humans were tired, the dwarf , impossible to bear. And Legolas.. his face had changed since the last time they took a break. He was paler than usual and his blue eyes were lost in the distance. Haldir approached him, worried, and put his hand on his shoulder.
"Legolas, what's wrong? " Their eyes met and Haldir felt scared for the first time. The elf was shocked, so shocked that he almost couldn't speak.
"The Rivers.. you know what happens if you cross them.." He looked behind, at Zana and Fern.
"No, I don't know it.. please, tell me!" Some time passed before he replied.
"There's a story about this place.. in the end of the land there's a small lake, with dark waters.. by the lake there's a fountain, carved in marble, covered with the nicest flowers you can find in Middle Earth.." He took a deep breath and Haldir felt his heart beating so fast. " Once we'll arrive there, we must cross the pool, but it's not that easy.. because each of us will have to make a question to another one.. a question about what is inside our heart.. a question we wish to know.. a secret we're afraid to share. If we lie, and if we step into the water, the lake will shallow us.. so we must be very careful selecting the question.. but they have to be very careful replying it.. if they don't speak with their heart, and if we don't ask with our heart.. we all will die.." Haldir shook his head.
"I don't understand, are you telling me that I have to ask them something I want to know? But this is stupid, I can do it now!" He laughed, more calmed. But Legolas kept the serious gaze.
"You didn't understand anything, Haldir.. it's not a simple question the one you must make.. you must ask the thing that most scares you, the thing you strongly wish to know.. will you be able to do it in front of all of us? And will you be ready to reply what they will ask you? What I will ask you?" Haldir checked his friend in silence. Thinking of his possible doubts, his wishes.. and he realised that it would be so difficult.
"After it, things will change a lot between us.. " Haldir murmured, and Legolas nodded.
"Because finally, we all will know what is inside our hearts.."
"But we have to warn them about it" Haldir stopped and waited for Zana , Fern and Gimli, but Legolas took his arm.
"Not yet.. wait a bit. Tonight, before sleeping, we'll talk about it" Haldir went on walking with Legolas, lost in his thoughts.
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After climbing some rocks I felt more tired than ever before.. the landscape was turning into something boring, trees, more trees, rivers, more rivers.. they all were so quiet, worried.. and they made me worried too. I was loosing my energy, my illusion.. that journey was taking too long, and the past days had been terrible, I felt ignored by all of them.. the silence was killing me. Fern was pale and tired.. I was afraid that this was too much for him. His bright eyes were dark now, without life. Gimli was the last in the queue , his angry face even more angry. And I realised that we couldn't bear that situation for longer.
At noon, when our stomachs were complaining and asking for food, we all sat around a fire. It was colder, in the northern areas of Middle Earth. I put my bag on the ground and searched for some lembas. I wasn't too hungry, I was loosing weight, but I didn't care.. the past days I had been completely lost in my thoughts, and for once since I had finally felt comfortable around elves, I wished to come back home, come back to reality. I looked at Haldir, but he was ignoring me. I felt a pain inside me, a sad feeling invading my heart. Something had changed.
"Today we'll only walk some more hours. we all are tired and we have to prepare for the end of this stage of journey" Legolas commented, looking at me. I somehow felt that I was the only one listening to him.. maybe I was dreaming and I heard his voice inside me.
"What do you mean? Get ready for what?" Fern asked, with a sharp voice. They all looked at him. I noticed that Legolas was avoiding his gaze, and for once, Haldir looked at me.
"Maybe we should tell them, Legolas.." The elf commented, and I felt scared.
"What are you hiding to us?" I asked, worried. When I saw Legolas eyes I felt a pain in my stomach. Obviously, something terrible was waiting for us.
"The Fountain of Truth.." He murmured, as if that explained everything.
"And what is it, if we can know it?" Fern's voice was even sharper, he stood up and walked around us. Haldir gave him a freezing look.
"Sit down and listen to us" Fern obeyed, and the elves stared at each other. Haldir nodded, and Legolas began to speak.
"We'll have to pass a kind of big proof.. in short time we'll reach the end of the Rivers.. but this doesn't mean anything good.. what we'll find there will make us change.. our relationships, our situation.. each of us.. " He pointed at us " .. we'll have to make one question to another one.. but not a simple question.. it has to be something you strongly wish to know.. even if it's embarrassing, or shaming.. sure there's something inside your heads that you want to know.. that will be the right time to do it."
"And what if we don't reply with the truth? What if we don't want to ask? " I said, nervous. Legolas looked at me sadly.
"The water won't allow you to cross, and you won't be able to go on." We all kept silence, thinking.
"What will the water do?" Fern asked, with a bit of fear.
"After replying all the questions from the rest of us, the water will disappear, the lake will become dry, and you'll be able to cross it.. but if you didn't reply with the truth, if your heart didn't speak honestly.. just when you'll be in the middle of the path, when you won't be able to return, the lake will come back and swallow you" Haldir said, and he looked at me.
"This is crazy.." I murmured, wondering why we suddenly had to pass that big proof. It wasn't fair, after all the things that had happened.
"So.. now that you know this.. I suggest start making the four questions.. one for each of us.. obviously, we can't ask ourselves.. so Zana, prepare the questions for Haldir, Fern, Gimli and me.. I'll do the same for you, Fern, Haldir and Gimli.. and the thing goes on like this.." Legolas explained, and my head started to think again. "And remember that if the questions are not made with heart, and if the replies are not honest.. you can die"
The next hours we walked in a complete silence. I was becoming crazy, knowing that all my questions would cause a terrible effect, that they would change all things between us.. if I had to follow my confused heart, then for sure I would make a mess. They didn't look better than me.. Haldir was mad at everybody, walking separated from us. Legolas kept his elegant attitude, but a worried look showed up in his eyes. And Gimli, the poor dwarf, was too lost to think of anything.. he complained saying that he didn't have any question for us, that all what he had inside his heart was what he showed every day.. and it was true.. he was the only one without secrets.. so he would have a difficult duty.
It was getting dark when we saw a big cliff in the middle of the forest, made of black rocks. A kind of corridor in the base, under an arc, led us to the other side. And a magical light filled everything.. strange high trees, with the most amazing flowers I had ever seen, and a narrow path rounded by plants that seemed to be moving with our steps.. the smell of flowers, the blue lights, the sound of water.. I was charmed.. unable to speak. And we saw it. A small marble fountain with strange decoration carved on it.
"I can't understand this language" Legolas commented, amazed, trying to read the phrase over the pipe. Haldir walked there and looked into the water. His face changed for a while, he became scared.
"The water is alive, I can feel it.. it talks to me, but I don't know what it tells.." His whispers scared me, I started to shake, and I felt Fern's arm around my waist.
"Don't be afraid, Zana.. we won't die here, I assure you it" I looked into his dark eyes and I saw a confident gaze. "We don't belong here, remember it.. and we can't die on a place where we don't belong to"
"But I belong here.." I murmured, but he shook his head. Feeling angry, I walked apart from him. But I didn't find comfort on Haldir, he was ignoring me again.
"Here there's the lake" Legolas moved some leafs and a big extension of dark water appeared. I felt so scared that I almost couldn't breath. He looked at me and smiled, calming me. "Nothing bad will happen if you're honest, Zana"
"I will spoil everything with what I will ask, Legolas" I looked at Haldir, and this time he was staring at me.
"This is something we all have to make." Gimli said, sitting on a rock and moving his hands. "Come on, my friends.. it's time to pass this horrible step of the journey" Suddenly the night became darker and the only light came out from the marble of the fountain ,as if it was a wonderful lamp from a palace. We all made a circle, facing each others. My heart was beating so fast, the elves looked at me.
"I can't help it.." I shrugged. Legolas sighed.
"So.. who will be the first one asking us?" We all looked at each others. "Gimli?" The dwarf jumped.
"Why?" But when he saw Legolas gaze he obeyed. Looking at me, he smiled. "Very well.. Zana. This question goes for you.. I always wanted to know.. how come are you so tall?" We all made an exclamation, the dwarf wasn't serious at all.
"Gimli! This is a serious thing!" Legolas shouted, but Gimli looked at him angry.
"I'm serious, I always wanted to know this!" He looked at me, waiting for an answer. I was so happy that it was so simple.
"I'm very similar to my grandfather and to my uncle, and they both are so tall, more than average" A silence came, and we heard a kind of sigh from somewhere. Gimli looked at Legolas.
"Legolas..and Haldir.. this question goes for you both. What do you really think about dwarves?" An evil smile came to his face.
"Are you kidding? You're my best friend!" Legolas said, angry.
"I said "dwarves", not "Gimli" Legolas and Haldir looked at each other.
"I don't like dwarves, but I like you" Haldir said, convinced.
"I respect dwarves, but honestly, they're not my favourites, although you're my best friend" Legolas remarked. Gimli looked satisfied.
"I knew it.." He murmured. And looked at Fern. "I don't know what to ask you.. I almost don't know you, but.. OK, I've always wanted to know how come you were so stupid that you followed this girl to an unknown world" Fern blushed and looked at the ground. Legolas and Haldir stared at him, and they made a face, as if Gimli had stolen them the question of the century. "Remember that you have to say the truth"
"I know" Fern said, and took a deep breath. "I followed her because I had to do it.. I felt the need.. and I'm honest when I say that I don't know why.. I just had to do it.."
"We believe you" Gimli said, and he sat down, taking a deep breath. "Now I feel very well" He commented with a smile. But now the worst part came. The next in the circle was Haldir.
"Well.." He said, and looked at me. "Zana.. I think that Legolas also shares this question with me.. so I suggest him making it at the same time" He looked at the other elf, and he nodded. "Who of us do you really love?"
"No, you can't ask me this!" I said, shaking.
"If we don't ask you this, we'll die or you'll die, Zana" Said Legolas, looking in my eyes. I laughed, with a sad laugh.
"But.. I can't reply it.. I mean.. " When I saw Haldir's eyes, full of pain, I realised that it was the first time I was admitting my confusion.
"Zana.. who of us do you love?" Haldir repeated, with a sharp voice. "If you're not honest, you'll die" I froze with his words, and I realised I didn't have an answer for that, I was too confused.. so I would die, yes..
"I'm too confused to reply, this is my honest answer. I can't be more honest, because my heart can't know it.." They both kept silence, shocked.
"Zana, do you realise what are you saying? You're killing yourself.." Legolas ran out of words.
"But it's my honest reply.. I can't do anything else.. I can't lie" They all looked at me. Haldir took a deep breath.
"Ok, now my question goes to Legolas" He looked at the other elf. "Do you love Zana?" Legolas looked at me and nodded, without doubting.
"I do" Haldir sighed, sadly.
"I knew it" He murmured, and looked at Fern. "And what about you? Did you come here because you also love her?" Fern also looked at me.
"I don't know if I love her.. but sure I like her"
"This is unbelievable" Said Haldir, shaking his head. "What is this? A stupid game?"
"Calm down, Haldir" Legolas put his hand on his shoulder.
"And you, Gimli? You also love her?" Asked Haldir, with a sarcastic voice. The dwarf became so angry.
"Of course not, evil elf! " A silence came, and a breeze.. Haldir had finished with his questions. It was Legolas turn, but he already had made me a question, so he looked at Fern.
"Fern.. I want to know what do you plan to do.. I know that there's something strange with you, I know that you want to return to Earth.. and that you want to take Zana with you, even if she doesn't finish this mission.. you will spoil everything if you had the chance, right?" He gave the human a freezing look.
"I can't lie, so.. yes, I want to take Zana with me to a safer place and forget about everything here. She belongs to my world and life must go on" Fern said, convinced. Haldir became mad.
"You.. stupid human, you will destroy both worlds!" He jumped but Legolas stopped him.
"He's being honest and this can save our lives, Haldir" Legolas said. Haldir calmed a bit. "Now, Haldir.. I want to know if you plan to stay with he forever.. even knowing that she will die sooner or later"
"Yes, I want to be with her and I don't have doubts about it" I looked at him and couldn't help smiling. Legolas looked at Gimli, with an evil smile.
"Gimli.. in the Helms Deep battle.. you lied to me, right? You killed less orcs than the ones you said you had done " Gimli's face turned into red, and he shouted.
"Argh! Yes, I admit it, I thought we were friends!" That break made us laugh and I thanked Legolas that moment of optimism . He always knew how to make things better. He caught me staring at him and when our eyes met he smiled kindly. It was Fern's turn to ask.
"Zana.. do you want to stay here forever?" His dark eyes on mines, and I was surprised when I saw that I had doubts!
"Until now I wanted.. but now I'm not sure of anything.. and this is the honest truth.. I'm mortal and I don't want to be with them because I'll become old and they will stay young forever.. but at the same time, I don't want to leave and never see them again.. my life on Earth is not that good t owish to come back" I murmured, and I felt Fern's hand on mine.
"We can make it better" He smiled, and then looked at Legolas and Haldir. "And you both? Are you aware that Zana must go back home?"
"She doesn't have to return if she doesn't want" Legolas said, firmly.
"I agree" Said Haldir. Fern looked at Gimli.
"And you, Gimli.. will you help me to make Zana go back home, even if she didn't want?"
"No" I was surprised with the fast answer.. I smiled and in that moment I loved Gimli more than ever, like a friend or a brother I never had. I felt all gazes on me, because it was my turn.. after me, we would cross the lake and who knows what would happen.
"OK.. I don't know where to start.. and I'll be ashamed of myself.." I looked at Legolas. "When I was on Earth I dreamt about you every day.. once here I thought you ignored me, and I gave up with my dreams.. now I want to know if, since the day I arrived, I had a chance with you, if you felt something for me since the first moment we met" Legolas looked surprised.
"I must admit that I felt something for you soon, yes.. but not since the first day, Zana.." Haldir looked happy, so I gave him the same question.
"And you, Haldir?" He was shocked, and took a deep breath.
"Maybe not since the first moment.. at first I was trying you, checking what kind of being you were.. please, don't be mad at me.. then I fell in love and you know that.."
"It's OK, Haldir. You don't have to explain anything" I said, looking at Fern. "Why did you help me , on Earth, without saying anything?" He smiled, and shrugged.
"I suppose I needed to know you, I don't know why.. I thought , when I first saw you, asking me that question in class, that it was a Destiny's sign.. I can't explain."
"Well, Gimli, you're the last one.. and I don't know what to ask you, so.. well, would you be my friend forever?" He smiled and nodded firmly.
"Forever". We all looked at each others. It was time to cross the lake. And suddenly the fountain shone with a brighter light, and the water rose the edges of the marble.
"We must drink from it" Legolas said, and we all did it. I felt a kind of warm sensation inside me, and without thinking, I began to walk. The lake had disappeared, the other side looked so far away, but I walked and walked, forgetting abut everything.. I didn't hear the voices of my friends, I didn't hear anything.. just peace.. I was so happy, calmed and confident, as if someone was leading me.. I smiled, my legs weren't tired any more.. and after short time I reached the edge, I put my feet on the grass and sighed. I had crossed it, the Rivers had ended. But my smile disappeared when I heard the strong noise of water behind me, someone had been caught. And I couldn't know who. I fainted.