Disclaimer: Also, to my dismay, Legolas is not mine.
Chapter Two
My heart almost melted when I saw the two little ones waving their swords before the Nazgul. Now I'm sure the scene must have been interesting.
The wraith almost looked confused. Not that I could blame him. Pippin lunged at the wraith. The latter parried the blow, and thrust its own sword towards the Hobbit.
"No!" I cried, hurling myself forward, shoving the blade aside so it narrowly missed Pippin. Merry stabbed the wraith on its foot, but it only made contact with the metal armor around the said appendage.
The wraith looked like it was about to counter-attack- but then paused, its head swiveled to one side, and I heard a sniffing sound from within the hood. The other wraiths had stopped fighting, and all three were sniffing the air excitedly.
From nearby, I heard an anguished cry of, "Frodo!" and Aragorn burst onto the scene, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"He put on the ring!" he wailed to Gandalf, who was looking worriedly around.
"Fool!" spat Boromir, throwing his sword to the ground. The three Nazgul had disappeared in the second of confusion.
"Frodo!" Gandalf called into the night, "Remove the ring! They can sense it!"
There was a rustling sound, and Sam tumbled into the clearing, and seemed to be wrestling an invisible object.
Aragorn hastened to Sam's side, and wrapped both arms around the thing Sam was fighting with.
A second later, Frodo appeared, his bright blue eyes wide, and his face deathly pale.
"Mr. Frodo!" cried Sam as Aragorn set the Hobbit to the ground.
Frodo looked around bewildered, and promptly swooned.
"What now, Gandalf?" Sam asked, in a panic.
"We must flee." the wizard replied. I saw Gimli's shoulders slump, "But we can not let them win!"
"Nay, but mortal weapons cannot destroy them." Aragorn replied, hastily shoving things in his pack.
In a few seconds, everything was packed away, and Gandalf was leading the way deeper into the forest.
"Come." Barked Boromir, glaring at me. I returned the glare, and followed.
.
By morning, I was exhausted, hungry, thirsty, cold, and miserable. I didn't dare complain, though. The fellowship decided that I was to blame for the wraiths finding us, and therefore didn't deserve the privoledge of acceptance and/or acknowledgement.
Of course, when I say fellowship, I mean Gimli, Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf. Frodo, Sam, and Merry apparently couldn't care less what happened to me. Only Pippin had a shred of compassion. He had, at least, protested when Boromir blamed me for the fight last night.
Around noon, we finally stopped. Only because the Hobbits were begging for a rest and food. I silently agreed with them, and smiled gratefully at Aragorn when he said we could rest.
He ignored me.
Boromir pulled out some of the roasted deer from the other night, and divided it into equal portions of nine. As he was passing them around, Legolas nudged him and gave a curt nod at me.
Exhaling loudly, Boromir slashed a small piece of stringy meat off, and shoved it at me. Scowling, I ate it quickly, and fell backwards on my back, looking up at the steely sky. The company was in a peaceful silence, and the next thing I knew, Gimli had kicked me in the side and was growling that we didn't have to sleep.
Getting shakily to my feet, I saw the others standing with their backs to me, except Pippin, who was gathering up a small frying pan.
As we continued the journey, Pippin, who was walking beside me, whispered, "How are yeh gettin' on, Miss Eleanor?"
"Oh, just great." I replied, not bothering to keep my voice down, "I really enjoy being ignored and having cold stares shot at me, not to mention the whole 'I'm-not-trusted-enough-to-not-be-tied-up-to-a-tree' plan. I feel really accepted, wouldn't you?"
Pippin gave me a sad smile. Merry slowed his gait, and became even with us. He looked up at me, and asked, "Is there in apple in your pack?"
Hoping to be more trusted, I had volunteered to carry the food bag instead of Sam. I slung it off my shoulder, and dug around. I pulled out an apple, and handed it to Merry, who grinned widely, and hurried up and began talking with Frodo.
Something, I can't remember what, made me remember the happenings of the night before. I realized that Legolas had never gotten his knife back. Panicing, I wondered when he would miss the blade.
I knew when he did, he'd probably kill me. Folding my arms over my chest, I felt something brush my elbow. I looked down and saw my first stroke of luck. After the fight, I must have slipped the blade under my belt, and there it was. I grinned.
Then I frowned. What would the others do to me if they found I still had Legolas's knife? They'd say I'd stolen it and was planning to kill them in their sleep.
Cautiously and gradually, I hastened my pace so I was right behind the Elf. I spent some time figuring out where the knife belonged in his sack. Finally, I decided to gently slide it next to the other. I slowly pulled it from my belt, and checked to see that no one was watching.
As quickly but safely as I dared, I began eased it into the bag.
"You!" I heard an angry voice cry. I yanked the knife out and tried to hurriedly hide it, but it was too late.
Boromir grabbed me roughly by the writs, and held my hand that was holding the knife up high for all to see.
"Gandalf- surely this is proof of her treachery." Boromir spat, glaring at me like he'd never glared before.
The others stopped, and looked at us. I felt the blood rise to my face in embaressment and anger. Legolas whipped around, and his eyes widened when he saw the blade.
"What is this?" Aragorn demanded, striding closer to us.
"This-" Boromir struggled for words, "-witch was stealing Legolas's knife. I caught her in the act."
"Eleanor," began Gandalf, looking coldly at me, "is this true?"
"No!" I cried, "I was returning it!"
"If I may say-" Legolas began, but Gimli cut him off, saying, "So you have already carried out your plans, and it is only a matter of time before we find what she has slashed."
"Last night-" Legolas tried again, but this time Frodo interrupted, "Gandalf, we cannot trust someone who steals."
I glanced at Merry and Pippin, who had reddened, and were now looking curiously at Frodo. Gandalf looked hard at Frodo, then replied, "Nay, Master Frodo, especially one who steals weapons. On only the second day of her trial, Eleanor has prooved herself a troublesome, deceitful enemy. Now we must decide her sentance."
"May I speak?" Legolas demanded rather forcefully. Everyone turned to him, and I prayed he would tell what had happened.
"Last night," he began, looking around, as if daring someone to interupt him, "Eleanor was helpless against the Nazgul. I supplied her with one of my knives. Afterwards, I forgot to take it back. However, that doesn't explain why Lady Eleanor waited almost a day to return it."
It was silent for a moment, then, "Legolas," Gandalf started, "do you realize the danger you put the whole fellowship in by trusting her with a weapon. We are still not sure of what side she is truly on. She could have killed us all."
Boromir gave a snort of defiance, "I doubt this wench could have sneaked up on me." Aragorn and Gimli nodded.
"Look," I protested, "doesn't this prove that I am on your side? I was trusted with a weapon. Did I even attempt to kill any of you? Did I do anything except defend myself with it? If you decide that I am an enemy solely because I was carrying a weapon, you must be really desperate to get rid of me."
I paused to take a breath, everyone was staring at me, but I didn't care, I still had a few more things to say, "Do you think I enjoy being ignored and tied to trees? Would you like being given smaller portions of food than anyone else just because you're different? If I could leave you all, believe me, I would, but I have nowhere to go, and am in a foreign world. There's nowhere I could go."
I stopped, glaring at all of them in turn, except Pippin.
"Eleanor, " Aragorn began, his expression softening slightly, "you have given us a good point."
Boromir gave a noise of objection, but Aragorn ignored him, "Perhaps we have been harsh. Please accept my humble apology." he approached me, bent, and kissed my hand.
If only guys were all a chivalrous... I instantly forgave Aragorn. Maybe a bit stupid on my part, but hey, I'd never been kissed on the hand before. Giving a small smile, I returned the knife to Legolas.
Giving me a hard look, Legolas snatched the knife from my hand. I guess I couldn't blame him. I'd made him look bad.
We moved on. Gandalf started walking only when he was even with me. He surveyed me for a long while, until I began feeling uncomfortable, and stared at my feet as we plodded along.
"You still have some explaining to do, Miss Quame." Gandalf said finally. I looked up at him, "What do you mean?"
His bushy eyebrows narrowed, "Perhaps you have already forgotten how you are even alive this moment?"
I stared at him cluelessly. He sighed, and drew out his pipe, lit it, and then said, "If I remember correctly, you came here by plummeting from the sky, yet you didn't die. I am waiting for an explanation."
I thought for a moment. Obviously, a moment too long, because Gandalf made an impatient noise, and quickened his pace to join Aragorn at the front. As he hurried away, I heard him mutter, "I'm keeping a close eye on you."
"Was that a threat?" I whispered, glaring at the wizard. Pippin, who was walking besides me, shrugged. "I would like to know how you did that trick too." he mumbled softly. I sighed, wondering where on earth I was going to get answers.
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Acharnae: Yey! You're reviewer #1. The whole tumbling from the sky but not getting hurt deal will get resolved. Tubby...That's a word I need to use more. Hehehe, alright, if I type much more, it will be mindless prattle.
-Cynthia
Chapter Two
My heart almost melted when I saw the two little ones waving their swords before the Nazgul. Now I'm sure the scene must have been interesting.
The wraith almost looked confused. Not that I could blame him. Pippin lunged at the wraith. The latter parried the blow, and thrust its own sword towards the Hobbit.
"No!" I cried, hurling myself forward, shoving the blade aside so it narrowly missed Pippin. Merry stabbed the wraith on its foot, but it only made contact with the metal armor around the said appendage.
The wraith looked like it was about to counter-attack- but then paused, its head swiveled to one side, and I heard a sniffing sound from within the hood. The other wraiths had stopped fighting, and all three were sniffing the air excitedly.
From nearby, I heard an anguished cry of, "Frodo!" and Aragorn burst onto the scene, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"He put on the ring!" he wailed to Gandalf, who was looking worriedly around.
"Fool!" spat Boromir, throwing his sword to the ground. The three Nazgul had disappeared in the second of confusion.
"Frodo!" Gandalf called into the night, "Remove the ring! They can sense it!"
There was a rustling sound, and Sam tumbled into the clearing, and seemed to be wrestling an invisible object.
Aragorn hastened to Sam's side, and wrapped both arms around the thing Sam was fighting with.
A second later, Frodo appeared, his bright blue eyes wide, and his face deathly pale.
"Mr. Frodo!" cried Sam as Aragorn set the Hobbit to the ground.
Frodo looked around bewildered, and promptly swooned.
"What now, Gandalf?" Sam asked, in a panic.
"We must flee." the wizard replied. I saw Gimli's shoulders slump, "But we can not let them win!"
"Nay, but mortal weapons cannot destroy them." Aragorn replied, hastily shoving things in his pack.
In a few seconds, everything was packed away, and Gandalf was leading the way deeper into the forest.
"Come." Barked Boromir, glaring at me. I returned the glare, and followed.
.
By morning, I was exhausted, hungry, thirsty, cold, and miserable. I didn't dare complain, though. The fellowship decided that I was to blame for the wraiths finding us, and therefore didn't deserve the privoledge of acceptance and/or acknowledgement.
Of course, when I say fellowship, I mean Gimli, Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gandalf. Frodo, Sam, and Merry apparently couldn't care less what happened to me. Only Pippin had a shred of compassion. He had, at least, protested when Boromir blamed me for the fight last night.
Around noon, we finally stopped. Only because the Hobbits were begging for a rest and food. I silently agreed with them, and smiled gratefully at Aragorn when he said we could rest.
He ignored me.
Boromir pulled out some of the roasted deer from the other night, and divided it into equal portions of nine. As he was passing them around, Legolas nudged him and gave a curt nod at me.
Exhaling loudly, Boromir slashed a small piece of stringy meat off, and shoved it at me. Scowling, I ate it quickly, and fell backwards on my back, looking up at the steely sky. The company was in a peaceful silence, and the next thing I knew, Gimli had kicked me in the side and was growling that we didn't have to sleep.
Getting shakily to my feet, I saw the others standing with their backs to me, except Pippin, who was gathering up a small frying pan.
As we continued the journey, Pippin, who was walking beside me, whispered, "How are yeh gettin' on, Miss Eleanor?"
"Oh, just great." I replied, not bothering to keep my voice down, "I really enjoy being ignored and having cold stares shot at me, not to mention the whole 'I'm-not-trusted-enough-to-not-be-tied-up-to-a-tree' plan. I feel really accepted, wouldn't you?"
Pippin gave me a sad smile. Merry slowed his gait, and became even with us. He looked up at me, and asked, "Is there in apple in your pack?"
Hoping to be more trusted, I had volunteered to carry the food bag instead of Sam. I slung it off my shoulder, and dug around. I pulled out an apple, and handed it to Merry, who grinned widely, and hurried up and began talking with Frodo.
Something, I can't remember what, made me remember the happenings of the night before. I realized that Legolas had never gotten his knife back. Panicing, I wondered when he would miss the blade.
I knew when he did, he'd probably kill me. Folding my arms over my chest, I felt something brush my elbow. I looked down and saw my first stroke of luck. After the fight, I must have slipped the blade under my belt, and there it was. I grinned.
Then I frowned. What would the others do to me if they found I still had Legolas's knife? They'd say I'd stolen it and was planning to kill them in their sleep.
Cautiously and gradually, I hastened my pace so I was right behind the Elf. I spent some time figuring out where the knife belonged in his sack. Finally, I decided to gently slide it next to the other. I slowly pulled it from my belt, and checked to see that no one was watching.
As quickly but safely as I dared, I began eased it into the bag.
"You!" I heard an angry voice cry. I yanked the knife out and tried to hurriedly hide it, but it was too late.
Boromir grabbed me roughly by the writs, and held my hand that was holding the knife up high for all to see.
"Gandalf- surely this is proof of her treachery." Boromir spat, glaring at me like he'd never glared before.
The others stopped, and looked at us. I felt the blood rise to my face in embaressment and anger. Legolas whipped around, and his eyes widened when he saw the blade.
"What is this?" Aragorn demanded, striding closer to us.
"This-" Boromir struggled for words, "-witch was stealing Legolas's knife. I caught her in the act."
"Eleanor," began Gandalf, looking coldly at me, "is this true?"
"No!" I cried, "I was returning it!"
"If I may say-" Legolas began, but Gimli cut him off, saying, "So you have already carried out your plans, and it is only a matter of time before we find what she has slashed."
"Last night-" Legolas tried again, but this time Frodo interrupted, "Gandalf, we cannot trust someone who steals."
I glanced at Merry and Pippin, who had reddened, and were now looking curiously at Frodo. Gandalf looked hard at Frodo, then replied, "Nay, Master Frodo, especially one who steals weapons. On only the second day of her trial, Eleanor has prooved herself a troublesome, deceitful enemy. Now we must decide her sentance."
"May I speak?" Legolas demanded rather forcefully. Everyone turned to him, and I prayed he would tell what had happened.
"Last night," he began, looking around, as if daring someone to interupt him, "Eleanor was helpless against the Nazgul. I supplied her with one of my knives. Afterwards, I forgot to take it back. However, that doesn't explain why Lady Eleanor waited almost a day to return it."
It was silent for a moment, then, "Legolas," Gandalf started, "do you realize the danger you put the whole fellowship in by trusting her with a weapon. We are still not sure of what side she is truly on. She could have killed us all."
Boromir gave a snort of defiance, "I doubt this wench could have sneaked up on me." Aragorn and Gimli nodded.
"Look," I protested, "doesn't this prove that I am on your side? I was trusted with a weapon. Did I even attempt to kill any of you? Did I do anything except defend myself with it? If you decide that I am an enemy solely because I was carrying a weapon, you must be really desperate to get rid of me."
I paused to take a breath, everyone was staring at me, but I didn't care, I still had a few more things to say, "Do you think I enjoy being ignored and tied to trees? Would you like being given smaller portions of food than anyone else just because you're different? If I could leave you all, believe me, I would, but I have nowhere to go, and am in a foreign world. There's nowhere I could go."
I stopped, glaring at all of them in turn, except Pippin.
"Eleanor, " Aragorn began, his expression softening slightly, "you have given us a good point."
Boromir gave a noise of objection, but Aragorn ignored him, "Perhaps we have been harsh. Please accept my humble apology." he approached me, bent, and kissed my hand.
If only guys were all a chivalrous... I instantly forgave Aragorn. Maybe a bit stupid on my part, but hey, I'd never been kissed on the hand before. Giving a small smile, I returned the knife to Legolas.
Giving me a hard look, Legolas snatched the knife from my hand. I guess I couldn't blame him. I'd made him look bad.
We moved on. Gandalf started walking only when he was even with me. He surveyed me for a long while, until I began feeling uncomfortable, and stared at my feet as we plodded along.
"You still have some explaining to do, Miss Quame." Gandalf said finally. I looked up at him, "What do you mean?"
His bushy eyebrows narrowed, "Perhaps you have already forgotten how you are even alive this moment?"
I stared at him cluelessly. He sighed, and drew out his pipe, lit it, and then said, "If I remember correctly, you came here by plummeting from the sky, yet you didn't die. I am waiting for an explanation."
I thought for a moment. Obviously, a moment too long, because Gandalf made an impatient noise, and quickened his pace to join Aragorn at the front. As he hurried away, I heard him mutter, "I'm keeping a close eye on you."
"Was that a threat?" I whispered, glaring at the wizard. Pippin, who was walking besides me, shrugged. "I would like to know how you did that trick too." he mumbled softly. I sighed, wondering where on earth I was going to get answers.
----------------------
Acharnae: Yey! You're reviewer #1. The whole tumbling from the sky but not getting hurt deal will get resolved. Tubby...That's a word I need to use more. Hehehe, alright, if I type much more, it will be mindless prattle.
-Cynthia