Disclaimer: The characters are not mine. They are themselves, and belong,
rightfully, to themselves. Don't ask me for them, because you can't have
them.
Lhunkaliel and Ivy are mine and Stephanie's, and...... . .. . .... . .. and anyone who uses it will be flamed for the rest of their lives!!!!!!
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Ivy walked about the gardens over her home in the Shire, humming to herself and stuffing mushrooms in her mouth as she walked. I mean, who could resist a good mushroom when they're in season? Ivy certainly couldn't.
Lhunkaliel trotted down the rode on her horse, down into an unknown country to her. She had no familiarity with it at all, and all the people were short. "Midgets..." she muttered out of pure boredom.
Ivy glanced up and saw the "big person" on their horse. She unmistakably heard the person mutter "midgets" as she trotted passed her. Ivy chewed up her last mushroom and ran after the horse and rider. "Hey, who you're calling midget?!" she yelled. Yes, she knew, she was pretty short, but...oh well.
The rider checked her horse and turned around. "Is someone speaking to me?" she asked, then looked down to see a hobbit running up to her.
"I'm speaking to you," said the hobbit, putting her hands on her waist and staring up at the big person. She suddenly craved another mushroom...but now would be not that time to turn tail and get one.
"Oh, one of the folk who dwell here." The rider looked around. "Can you tell me which way it is to Mirkwood?" She dismounted her horse and knelt down to stare eye to eye at the hobbit.
Ivy shrugged. "Don't really know what Mirkwood is in the first place," she stated, feeling a little self-conscious about her ignorance to the world around her. But oh well.
"That is fine, it doesn't matter. I heard on my way that this place I was passing through was called the Shire, and that it's folk seldom leave. Is that true?"
Ivy nodded at this. "Yes, that's very true. It's very, very comfortable here, and everything is where you want it to be and where it should be if you need something, so most just stay." She was shredding a piece of grass she found on her dress. "All except for," her voice was down to a whisper again, "Bilbo Baggins, and his nephew, Frodo Baggins. They're always off on adventures of some type."
The rider paused before speaking. "By the way you speak of them, I'd say you admire them a lot."
Ivy colored a little. "Yes...yes I do," she said in a low voice, casting her eyes about at the hobbits around the area, as if they would jump out at her and attack her at any given moment. One hobbit was clipping his lawn. The other smoking a long pipe. Yeah, it looked like they were ready to attack.
"Where are they now?" the woman asked. She threw back the hood of her cloak. "Are they here, or off on an adventure?"
Ivy motioned with her hand for the woman to follow her. She brought her up the steadily sloping sand trail, passed a few hobbit holes on the side of the great green hill, and soon she stopped in front of a comfortable, cozy hobbit hole. The door was circular; large and green, with a brass knob in the exact middle. "That's where they live," she said, and then ran off back down the trail.
"Wait, where are you going?" Lhunkaliel, who had led her horse with her, threw herself upon its silver back, and raced after the hobbit, coming in front of her and stopping her.
"Hey! I didn't know that would happen..." muttered Ivy, sighing. "Well...don't you want to go and talk to Frodo and Bilbo? I'm sure they'll know where...Murkyforest is...or whatever it's called..."
Lhunkaliel took a long, hard glance at the hobbit, then laughed good- naturedly. "It seems you've taken a fancy to one of those hobbits, or someone who dwells among that place, for you are as red as a tomato. Look at yourself! Why not go talk to them too?"
Ivy reddened a little bit more and sighed. "Fine...fine, fine, fine, fine, fine..." she kept on muttering, all the way back up the hill to Bag End. She took a shuddering breath and knocked steadily on the round green door. There was a few seconds, and then little foot-falls could be heard, and the door was wretched open. "Hello, Ivy," said Frodo, smiling warmly at the hobbit. "Come in." Ivy smiled back. Then Frodo looked over at the woman behind her. "Who are you?" he asked, politely.
"So, you are either Frodo or Bilbo. I am Lhunkaliel, a traveler, and would you, by any chance, know the directions to Mirkwood?" Lhunkaliel ducked her head as she was escorted inside, and Frodo shut the door behind them.
"Mirkwood?" said Frodo, as he ushered the hobbit and the woman inside to sit down in the small dining room, where the window looked out to his garden. He took awhile preparing tea and food, because every hobbit learns how to prepare food even before they learn the alphabet, and set the trays on the table and sat down finally with a sigh. "Yes, I know where Mirkwood is."
"Could you please tell me? I am eager to get there, for I was told that there was someone who would "change my life." Do you know of an old Istari that is named Gandalf? I met him a while ago on the road, and he also said to tell the hobbits that his return is coming. He takes his time at his leisure though. Quite peculiar, that one, for a while we have been friends, yet he urges me to Mirkwood, for I have nothing better to do with my life." She paused. "Says he," she quickly added.
Frodo's eyes grew larger than they usually were, great blue orbs of excitement and happiness. "Gandalf? Yes, he's an old friend of mine!" Frodo exclaimed, setting his napkin on the table. He had forgotten all about Mirkwood now, his thoughts were intent on his old friend, for he hadn't seen him in a long while.
"Yes, he should be here in a few hours, I believe. He was taking an awful long time, what with him riding in a cart, dragged by a poor, labored pony." Lhunkaliel shook her head. "Anyway, back to Mirkwood. How do I get there? Ivy said you knew, that you also went on adventures. Maybe we could travel together some time, and you could show me what you have seen! I don't go many places....."
Frodo stood up abruptly, putting his plates and trays in the sink. "Yes, I'd love to finally travel again! I'll accompany you to Mirkwood, I know of an elf-friend that lives there. But..." he glanced over at Ivy, who was still sitting at the table watching everyone, feeling uncomfortable. "Would you like to come with me, Ivy?" he asked, a little bit of shyness creeping into his voice. Ivy pretended to think about it for awhile. "Yes!" she exclaimed, standing up for no particular reason. "Lets go now!"
"Don't be hasty, Gandalf is meeting me here! He just wanted me to find someone who could direct me. Why he wants me to wait though...." Lhunkaliel trailed off, glaring out the window. "Eh, that wizard. Anyway, do you know of a place I can stay, and can I talk to you a moment, Ivy?"
Frodo was busy washing the dishes at the time, but he glanced over his shoulder. "Don't be silly you can stay here," he said, turning back around and washing the dishes again. Case. Closed. Ivy nodded and walked over to Lhunkaliel.
Lhunkaliel hauled Ivy into a corner out of earshot. "I take it you like him," she said. "He's a fine hobbit, very polite. Have you ever gotten to really know him before?"
Ivy was coloring again and staring at the floor, but she glanced up at Lhunkaliel. "Oh, yes, plenty," she replied. "We used to be good friends when we were young."
Lhunkaliel raised an eyebrow. "Used to be?"
Ivy stared at the floor. "Well...you know...we're older now...it's not as close as it used to be...we were young..." she was mumbling a little, glancing over her shoulder to see if Frodo was eavesdropping. His back was turned and he was whistling.
"I see," Lhunkaliel said knowingly. "It seems that things are a bit...tighter, if you know what I mean....." Suddenly, there was a rap on the door, and Frodo raced by and got the door.
"Gandalf!" came a happy shout from the front room, and Ivy raced over to see. The wizard pulled Frodo into a bear hug, and it probably would have suffocated him...but it didn't. They let go, Frodo smiling happy. "Ivy, this is Gandalf, a good friend of mine. I've been on many adventures with him," he said. Gandalf smiled down at Ivy, who smiled back up.
"Gandalf!" Lhunkaliel cried. Gandalf nodded at her, smiling mischievously. "Lhunkaliel," he said in response. Suddenly, Lhunkaliel clenched her fist and pursed her lips, then stormed up to the Istari, and slapped him over the head. "You told me you would be a few hours, you liar!" she hollered. "A wizard comes and goes at his own time, let me remind you, Miss Luna," Gandalf said, rubbing the back of his head.
Frodo and Ivy stood side-by-side, Frodo's eyes a little wide in shock, for he had never seen anyway treat the wizard so. But Gandalf didn't seem to mind too badly. "Gandalf, are you coming with us, too?" asked Frodo, sort of unnecessarily, though he wanted to make sure and not be taken off his guard...which the little hobbit usually was.
"Yes Frodo, I am coming," Gandalf said. "Oh, we always have to be the big brother now, don't we?" Lhunkaliel growled through her teeth. "Yes, dear, I do." "Then why send me here?" "So we could get a few extra members, namely Frodo, and Ivy, my dear, it would be a pleasure to have you."
Frodo smiled happily, and then ran off down the corridor to his room to get his walking stick and a few provisions. Ivy didn't really care, so she stayed put. He came back, a big smile smacked on his face. He had been restless in his hobbit hole ever since he had destroyed the Ring, and the need to go out, and do something, had been dire. "I'm ready," he said, brushing past everyone, opening the door, and beginning to walk and hum the Walking Song that Bilbo taught him. Ivy followed beside him, singing as well.
"Hasty folk...." Gandalf said. "You hang around the Ents too much for your own good," Lhunkaliel said, walking after the hobbits. Gandalf followed, only to conk himself in the head on the doorframe.
A while had passed, actually, a few, few days had passed, actually, a really long time had passed, since they left. Lhunkaliel let the hobbits occasionally ride on her horse, as they got weary more than she and the wizard.
Ivy was now on the horse, Frodo was walking beside it, humming to himself and looking about with blue eyes at the scenery around him. Then he abruptly stopped humming, bringing a hand slowly up and clutching at a spot on his shirt. He made a faint sound in hit throat but continued to walk, hoping that the wizard and Lhunkaliel wouldn't notice.
"So, now, Gandalf, tell me, why in Middle-Earth have you sent me on this quest to find this "someone who will change my life"?" She paused. "Says you," she added quickly. "Because dear, there is someone special there I feel you should meet. You have met before, long ago, you just don't remember." "I remember hill and tree, everyone I pass!" Lhunkaliel protested. "I cannot forget a face nor name, and I would know of this person, if you'd just give me the name." "I can't do that yet, it will be a surprise." "But Mithrandir....." "Don't give me that Mithrandir stuff, I am not falling for your mind tricks!"
Ivy was slouched over on the old horse, yawning idly and listening to the conversation between Lhunkaliel and Gandalf; though she didn't understand it, at all. She glanced downward at Frodo, meaning to ask him if he understood anything they were saying, for somehow he could pick up on those things, but when she saw him she immediately stopped. "Frodo...what's bothering you...?" she said, hopping off the horse and stumbling a bit. "The cut...from Weathertop..." Frodo mumbled, pressing his hand against the wound through his shirt, "it still pains me, at times." Ivy held onto his arm. "Well here, Frodo, climb up onto the horse and rest!" She helped Frodo up, and he immediately slouched over and closed his eyes, breathing heavily.
Gandalf nudged Lhunkaliel in the side, who slapped him over the head, thinking he was being a pest, but after slapping her back, pointed ahead at the two hobbits. Ivy had just helped Frodo up onto Lhunkaliel's steed, and then slouched forward. "Come," Gandalf said, and both raced over. Lhunkaliel stopped her horse, then went back to Gandalf's side.
Frodo didn't even notice them, or tried not to; he was concentrating on trying to forget the pain; blue eyes were shut tightly. Ivy was looking up at him with worry in her eyes, hoping and wondering if this new side of pain would leave the hobbit. She had never seen him like that, before. When the pain came, Frodo usually just went into his room and shut the door tight.
Gandalf touched Frodo's forehead. "Goodness, I think that something terrible is riding inside him." Ivy gasped at this. "Come, we are not to far from Mirkwood. We shall have to leave some behind, if we want to make haste. Who will ride Frodo there?" "I can ride Tsuki fast," Lhunkaliel said. "But I feel that Ivy wants to come as well. Tsuki can bear her, me and Frodo, and you too, if she had more room on her back. Will you walk?" "Indeed," Gandalf said, as Lhunkaliel hopped up on Tsuki, and pulled Ivy in front of her. Ivy wrapped her arms around Frodo and pulled him up before he slid away. "Come quick!" Lhunkaliel cried to Gandalf, then took the reins and snapped them. "Noro lim, Tsuki, noro lim!"And the horse shot off.
After awhile the pain began to gently subside, but there was still, an aching, throbbing pain that lingered on. The hobbit was able to sit up now, and look around to see where they were, but his vision was spotted and blurry from closing his eyes tight for so long. "Ivy...where are we going? Where are we? I've seemed to have forgotten...." he said, in a rather hushed voice. "We're riding on the trail to Mirkwood," replied Ivy, squeezing him gently on the arm.
"You two had best hold on, Tsuki wants to go faster," Lhunkaliel said, and the horse immediately knew that she was permitted to go the speed she wished. The one's she bore bumped up and down on the saddle-less horse. Lhunkaliel held onto the reins, and pushed the horse faster. "Frodo, if you are able to say, how far is it from here to Mirkwood?" But she needed no response, for suddenly through the trees, she saw something dart to the side. Suddenly, her horse reared back as something appeared in front of it. Lhunkaliel had to grab the two hobbits so they didn't fall off. "Settle down, Tsuki!" And with that, the horse fell back to all fours, and snorted at the thing in front of them. "Who are you, and what are your means of being in Mirkwood?"
Frodo straightened himself up on the horse's back. He was so used to answering for his friends on adventures, that he answered the person, now. "I'm Frodo Baggins of the Shire, this is Ivy, and Lhunkaliel," he said, raising his voice slightly. "We've been sent here by Gandalf, or Mithrandir."
"Gandalf? This is good news. I have been expecting him for some time." The person walked up next to the horse, then looked up at Frodo. "I did not think you would be returning to my sight for quite a while." Lhunkaliel looked down to see a tall Elf, handsome, with blond hair and deep blue eyes. She couldn't keep herself from staring.
Frodo's eyes widened in surprise. "Legolas? Is that you?" he said, smiling. He would have hopped off the horse, but he didn't trust his legs, or his agility quite enough.
"Legolas...." Lhunkaliel repeated to herself. The name stirred something in her memory, but she couldn't place it. The Elf looked at Ivy a moment, holding onto Frodo like he'd disappear if she let go. "Is something wrong?" he asked, looking to each of the three riders.
"No, nothing at all friend," said Frodo. Well, at least not now. But he didn't really want to go into explanations on what happened in the past.
Legolas eyed Frodo for a moment. "You are fine now, I can see, but something has happened. Why else would you be clutched in such a way?" Lhunkaliel would have slapped him, if he were Gandalf, for it seemed rude and bold. That stirred Gandalf back into memory. "He said to me that there was someone here that would "change my life."...." She paused. "He says...." she added quickly. "Well, I do not know of anyone that has changed life like you seem to expect, but you are welcome here, friend of Gandalf." He helped the hobbits down, but when he offered his hand to Lhunkaliel hesitated, then hopped down by herself, refusing the offering.
To Be Continued
HOBBITS RULE THE EARTH! –Stephanie
Legolas, my anti-drug – Elizabeth
Frodo, my anti-preppy-losers. –Stephanie :D
OO – Elizabeth
: D – Stephanie
Grabs an arrow from Legolas and runs after Gandalf for no apparent reason -Elizabeth
"Abusive..." muttered Stephanie
Lhunkaliel and Ivy are mine and Stephanie's, and...... . .. . .... . .. and anyone who uses it will be flamed for the rest of their lives!!!!!!
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Ivy walked about the gardens over her home in the Shire, humming to herself and stuffing mushrooms in her mouth as she walked. I mean, who could resist a good mushroom when they're in season? Ivy certainly couldn't.
Lhunkaliel trotted down the rode on her horse, down into an unknown country to her. She had no familiarity with it at all, and all the people were short. "Midgets..." she muttered out of pure boredom.
Ivy glanced up and saw the "big person" on their horse. She unmistakably heard the person mutter "midgets" as she trotted passed her. Ivy chewed up her last mushroom and ran after the horse and rider. "Hey, who you're calling midget?!" she yelled. Yes, she knew, she was pretty short, but...oh well.
The rider checked her horse and turned around. "Is someone speaking to me?" she asked, then looked down to see a hobbit running up to her.
"I'm speaking to you," said the hobbit, putting her hands on her waist and staring up at the big person. She suddenly craved another mushroom...but now would be not that time to turn tail and get one.
"Oh, one of the folk who dwell here." The rider looked around. "Can you tell me which way it is to Mirkwood?" She dismounted her horse and knelt down to stare eye to eye at the hobbit.
Ivy shrugged. "Don't really know what Mirkwood is in the first place," she stated, feeling a little self-conscious about her ignorance to the world around her. But oh well.
"That is fine, it doesn't matter. I heard on my way that this place I was passing through was called the Shire, and that it's folk seldom leave. Is that true?"
Ivy nodded at this. "Yes, that's very true. It's very, very comfortable here, and everything is where you want it to be and where it should be if you need something, so most just stay." She was shredding a piece of grass she found on her dress. "All except for," her voice was down to a whisper again, "Bilbo Baggins, and his nephew, Frodo Baggins. They're always off on adventures of some type."
The rider paused before speaking. "By the way you speak of them, I'd say you admire them a lot."
Ivy colored a little. "Yes...yes I do," she said in a low voice, casting her eyes about at the hobbits around the area, as if they would jump out at her and attack her at any given moment. One hobbit was clipping his lawn. The other smoking a long pipe. Yeah, it looked like they were ready to attack.
"Where are they now?" the woman asked. She threw back the hood of her cloak. "Are they here, or off on an adventure?"
Ivy motioned with her hand for the woman to follow her. She brought her up the steadily sloping sand trail, passed a few hobbit holes on the side of the great green hill, and soon she stopped in front of a comfortable, cozy hobbit hole. The door was circular; large and green, with a brass knob in the exact middle. "That's where they live," she said, and then ran off back down the trail.
"Wait, where are you going?" Lhunkaliel, who had led her horse with her, threw herself upon its silver back, and raced after the hobbit, coming in front of her and stopping her.
"Hey! I didn't know that would happen..." muttered Ivy, sighing. "Well...don't you want to go and talk to Frodo and Bilbo? I'm sure they'll know where...Murkyforest is...or whatever it's called..."
Lhunkaliel took a long, hard glance at the hobbit, then laughed good- naturedly. "It seems you've taken a fancy to one of those hobbits, or someone who dwells among that place, for you are as red as a tomato. Look at yourself! Why not go talk to them too?"
Ivy reddened a little bit more and sighed. "Fine...fine, fine, fine, fine, fine..." she kept on muttering, all the way back up the hill to Bag End. She took a shuddering breath and knocked steadily on the round green door. There was a few seconds, and then little foot-falls could be heard, and the door was wretched open. "Hello, Ivy," said Frodo, smiling warmly at the hobbit. "Come in." Ivy smiled back. Then Frodo looked over at the woman behind her. "Who are you?" he asked, politely.
"So, you are either Frodo or Bilbo. I am Lhunkaliel, a traveler, and would you, by any chance, know the directions to Mirkwood?" Lhunkaliel ducked her head as she was escorted inside, and Frodo shut the door behind them.
"Mirkwood?" said Frodo, as he ushered the hobbit and the woman inside to sit down in the small dining room, where the window looked out to his garden. He took awhile preparing tea and food, because every hobbit learns how to prepare food even before they learn the alphabet, and set the trays on the table and sat down finally with a sigh. "Yes, I know where Mirkwood is."
"Could you please tell me? I am eager to get there, for I was told that there was someone who would "change my life." Do you know of an old Istari that is named Gandalf? I met him a while ago on the road, and he also said to tell the hobbits that his return is coming. He takes his time at his leisure though. Quite peculiar, that one, for a while we have been friends, yet he urges me to Mirkwood, for I have nothing better to do with my life." She paused. "Says he," she quickly added.
Frodo's eyes grew larger than they usually were, great blue orbs of excitement and happiness. "Gandalf? Yes, he's an old friend of mine!" Frodo exclaimed, setting his napkin on the table. He had forgotten all about Mirkwood now, his thoughts were intent on his old friend, for he hadn't seen him in a long while.
"Yes, he should be here in a few hours, I believe. He was taking an awful long time, what with him riding in a cart, dragged by a poor, labored pony." Lhunkaliel shook her head. "Anyway, back to Mirkwood. How do I get there? Ivy said you knew, that you also went on adventures. Maybe we could travel together some time, and you could show me what you have seen! I don't go many places....."
Frodo stood up abruptly, putting his plates and trays in the sink. "Yes, I'd love to finally travel again! I'll accompany you to Mirkwood, I know of an elf-friend that lives there. But..." he glanced over at Ivy, who was still sitting at the table watching everyone, feeling uncomfortable. "Would you like to come with me, Ivy?" he asked, a little bit of shyness creeping into his voice. Ivy pretended to think about it for awhile. "Yes!" she exclaimed, standing up for no particular reason. "Lets go now!"
"Don't be hasty, Gandalf is meeting me here! He just wanted me to find someone who could direct me. Why he wants me to wait though...." Lhunkaliel trailed off, glaring out the window. "Eh, that wizard. Anyway, do you know of a place I can stay, and can I talk to you a moment, Ivy?"
Frodo was busy washing the dishes at the time, but he glanced over his shoulder. "Don't be silly you can stay here," he said, turning back around and washing the dishes again. Case. Closed. Ivy nodded and walked over to Lhunkaliel.
Lhunkaliel hauled Ivy into a corner out of earshot. "I take it you like him," she said. "He's a fine hobbit, very polite. Have you ever gotten to really know him before?"
Ivy was coloring again and staring at the floor, but she glanced up at Lhunkaliel. "Oh, yes, plenty," she replied. "We used to be good friends when we were young."
Lhunkaliel raised an eyebrow. "Used to be?"
Ivy stared at the floor. "Well...you know...we're older now...it's not as close as it used to be...we were young..." she was mumbling a little, glancing over her shoulder to see if Frodo was eavesdropping. His back was turned and he was whistling.
"I see," Lhunkaliel said knowingly. "It seems that things are a bit...tighter, if you know what I mean....." Suddenly, there was a rap on the door, and Frodo raced by and got the door.
"Gandalf!" came a happy shout from the front room, and Ivy raced over to see. The wizard pulled Frodo into a bear hug, and it probably would have suffocated him...but it didn't. They let go, Frodo smiling happy. "Ivy, this is Gandalf, a good friend of mine. I've been on many adventures with him," he said. Gandalf smiled down at Ivy, who smiled back up.
"Gandalf!" Lhunkaliel cried. Gandalf nodded at her, smiling mischievously. "Lhunkaliel," he said in response. Suddenly, Lhunkaliel clenched her fist and pursed her lips, then stormed up to the Istari, and slapped him over the head. "You told me you would be a few hours, you liar!" she hollered. "A wizard comes and goes at his own time, let me remind you, Miss Luna," Gandalf said, rubbing the back of his head.
Frodo and Ivy stood side-by-side, Frodo's eyes a little wide in shock, for he had never seen anyway treat the wizard so. But Gandalf didn't seem to mind too badly. "Gandalf, are you coming with us, too?" asked Frodo, sort of unnecessarily, though he wanted to make sure and not be taken off his guard...which the little hobbit usually was.
"Yes Frodo, I am coming," Gandalf said. "Oh, we always have to be the big brother now, don't we?" Lhunkaliel growled through her teeth. "Yes, dear, I do." "Then why send me here?" "So we could get a few extra members, namely Frodo, and Ivy, my dear, it would be a pleasure to have you."
Frodo smiled happily, and then ran off down the corridor to his room to get his walking stick and a few provisions. Ivy didn't really care, so she stayed put. He came back, a big smile smacked on his face. He had been restless in his hobbit hole ever since he had destroyed the Ring, and the need to go out, and do something, had been dire. "I'm ready," he said, brushing past everyone, opening the door, and beginning to walk and hum the Walking Song that Bilbo taught him. Ivy followed beside him, singing as well.
"Hasty folk...." Gandalf said. "You hang around the Ents too much for your own good," Lhunkaliel said, walking after the hobbits. Gandalf followed, only to conk himself in the head on the doorframe.
A while had passed, actually, a few, few days had passed, actually, a really long time had passed, since they left. Lhunkaliel let the hobbits occasionally ride on her horse, as they got weary more than she and the wizard.
Ivy was now on the horse, Frodo was walking beside it, humming to himself and looking about with blue eyes at the scenery around him. Then he abruptly stopped humming, bringing a hand slowly up and clutching at a spot on his shirt. He made a faint sound in hit throat but continued to walk, hoping that the wizard and Lhunkaliel wouldn't notice.
"So, now, Gandalf, tell me, why in Middle-Earth have you sent me on this quest to find this "someone who will change my life"?" She paused. "Says you," she added quickly. "Because dear, there is someone special there I feel you should meet. You have met before, long ago, you just don't remember." "I remember hill and tree, everyone I pass!" Lhunkaliel protested. "I cannot forget a face nor name, and I would know of this person, if you'd just give me the name." "I can't do that yet, it will be a surprise." "But Mithrandir....." "Don't give me that Mithrandir stuff, I am not falling for your mind tricks!"
Ivy was slouched over on the old horse, yawning idly and listening to the conversation between Lhunkaliel and Gandalf; though she didn't understand it, at all. She glanced downward at Frodo, meaning to ask him if he understood anything they were saying, for somehow he could pick up on those things, but when she saw him she immediately stopped. "Frodo...what's bothering you...?" she said, hopping off the horse and stumbling a bit. "The cut...from Weathertop..." Frodo mumbled, pressing his hand against the wound through his shirt, "it still pains me, at times." Ivy held onto his arm. "Well here, Frodo, climb up onto the horse and rest!" She helped Frodo up, and he immediately slouched over and closed his eyes, breathing heavily.
Gandalf nudged Lhunkaliel in the side, who slapped him over the head, thinking he was being a pest, but after slapping her back, pointed ahead at the two hobbits. Ivy had just helped Frodo up onto Lhunkaliel's steed, and then slouched forward. "Come," Gandalf said, and both raced over. Lhunkaliel stopped her horse, then went back to Gandalf's side.
Frodo didn't even notice them, or tried not to; he was concentrating on trying to forget the pain; blue eyes were shut tightly. Ivy was looking up at him with worry in her eyes, hoping and wondering if this new side of pain would leave the hobbit. She had never seen him like that, before. When the pain came, Frodo usually just went into his room and shut the door tight.
Gandalf touched Frodo's forehead. "Goodness, I think that something terrible is riding inside him." Ivy gasped at this. "Come, we are not to far from Mirkwood. We shall have to leave some behind, if we want to make haste. Who will ride Frodo there?" "I can ride Tsuki fast," Lhunkaliel said. "But I feel that Ivy wants to come as well. Tsuki can bear her, me and Frodo, and you too, if she had more room on her back. Will you walk?" "Indeed," Gandalf said, as Lhunkaliel hopped up on Tsuki, and pulled Ivy in front of her. Ivy wrapped her arms around Frodo and pulled him up before he slid away. "Come quick!" Lhunkaliel cried to Gandalf, then took the reins and snapped them. "Noro lim, Tsuki, noro lim!"And the horse shot off.
After awhile the pain began to gently subside, but there was still, an aching, throbbing pain that lingered on. The hobbit was able to sit up now, and look around to see where they were, but his vision was spotted and blurry from closing his eyes tight for so long. "Ivy...where are we going? Where are we? I've seemed to have forgotten...." he said, in a rather hushed voice. "We're riding on the trail to Mirkwood," replied Ivy, squeezing him gently on the arm.
"You two had best hold on, Tsuki wants to go faster," Lhunkaliel said, and the horse immediately knew that she was permitted to go the speed she wished. The one's she bore bumped up and down on the saddle-less horse. Lhunkaliel held onto the reins, and pushed the horse faster. "Frodo, if you are able to say, how far is it from here to Mirkwood?" But she needed no response, for suddenly through the trees, she saw something dart to the side. Suddenly, her horse reared back as something appeared in front of it. Lhunkaliel had to grab the two hobbits so they didn't fall off. "Settle down, Tsuki!" And with that, the horse fell back to all fours, and snorted at the thing in front of them. "Who are you, and what are your means of being in Mirkwood?"
Frodo straightened himself up on the horse's back. He was so used to answering for his friends on adventures, that he answered the person, now. "I'm Frodo Baggins of the Shire, this is Ivy, and Lhunkaliel," he said, raising his voice slightly. "We've been sent here by Gandalf, or Mithrandir."
"Gandalf? This is good news. I have been expecting him for some time." The person walked up next to the horse, then looked up at Frodo. "I did not think you would be returning to my sight for quite a while." Lhunkaliel looked down to see a tall Elf, handsome, with blond hair and deep blue eyes. She couldn't keep herself from staring.
Frodo's eyes widened in surprise. "Legolas? Is that you?" he said, smiling. He would have hopped off the horse, but he didn't trust his legs, or his agility quite enough.
"Legolas...." Lhunkaliel repeated to herself. The name stirred something in her memory, but she couldn't place it. The Elf looked at Ivy a moment, holding onto Frodo like he'd disappear if she let go. "Is something wrong?" he asked, looking to each of the three riders.
"No, nothing at all friend," said Frodo. Well, at least not now. But he didn't really want to go into explanations on what happened in the past.
Legolas eyed Frodo for a moment. "You are fine now, I can see, but something has happened. Why else would you be clutched in such a way?" Lhunkaliel would have slapped him, if he were Gandalf, for it seemed rude and bold. That stirred Gandalf back into memory. "He said to me that there was someone here that would "change my life."...." She paused. "He says...." she added quickly. "Well, I do not know of anyone that has changed life like you seem to expect, but you are welcome here, friend of Gandalf." He helped the hobbits down, but when he offered his hand to Lhunkaliel hesitated, then hopped down by herself, refusing the offering.
To Be Continued
HOBBITS RULE THE EARTH! –Stephanie
Legolas, my anti-drug – Elizabeth
Frodo, my anti-preppy-losers. –Stephanie :D
OO – Elizabeth
: D – Stephanie
Grabs an arrow from Legolas and runs after Gandalf for no apparent reason -Elizabeth
"Abusive..." muttered Stephanie