Before You Hit The Floor
Chapter 4 :: Don't Talk Smack About His Girl
Summary :: Girl falls into Middle Earth. Girl joins Fellowship. Girl falls in love with Merry...
Disclaimer :: i only own caroline and the funky plot twists i so wittily create. not really.
Author's Note :: holla, thanks for coming back! sorry i haven't updated in forever, actually i don't know how long ago it's been, but thats not a good sign. but thats because i violated some ff.net code or something and now i can't update for a few days. but by the time you're reading this, it will have been fixed. yeehaw.
Reviews :: The Last Eventar - erm, what?
Helmsdeep2234 - yes! falling in love with merry is very good!!
ilovmerry2 - oki : rock on pyros
ybnrml2005 - omg okay i was worried that that reaction would be a little spaztic, but then it turned out okay! glad you like!
creepy_gollum - yes! merry and pippin are the cutest bestest midgets around!! carol's okay [even tho its my grandmothers name so that might be a little creepy but w/e ill live] ermm a beta reader is someone who gets the story before its posted and like checks over it for grammer, spelling, plot holes, stuff like that. thank you for the 3 reviews! that was awesome!
Lothliana - i most certainly will carry it on! so... here's an update!
***
"Do you.. did we.." Caroline breathed in a very frightened tone.
"No! No, no no.. sometime after all of you had fallen asleep you, Caroline, rolled over and put your head on Merry and he involuntarily, uh, well, put his arm around you.. i guess.." He muttered nervously.
"So it was you're fault!" Pippin said as he helped Merry stand.
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Look it doesn't matter!" Frodo took a stand. "We have a long way to go and no time to spend on trivial matters such as this."
Aragorn nodded at the Hobbit's remark. "Frodo is right. Pack up. We are leaving." He grabbed his sword and made for the door. Caroline sighed. This was not the Middle Earth she had been dreaming about.
She had always wanted to go to Middle Earth - but what else is new? Who doesn't! The problem was, she didn't think it would be this problematic... one day into her journey and she's already having issues with the one and only Middle Earth man she liked. Not that he was a man.
They had left the Prancing Pony under an hour ago and were now marching through the 'wild' as Aragorn called it. Everyone had been quiet most of the walk, and Caroline took to walking towards the back so she wouldn't have to deal with Merry. I mean, how embarassing!
Soon the Hobbits were getting restless from the everlasting walking and began to doubt this Aragorn fellow. Merry had stayed near the front walking behind Frodo. He didn't know what to say to Caroline.
"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?" He asked Frodo as they stared at Aragorn's back suspiciously.
"We have no choice but to trust him." Frodo responded. The ring was already taking an effect on him; he felt more weary with every step he took - and they weren't even to Rivendell yet. Gandalf had told him the ring would be a burden, but once they got it safely to Rivendell, he would be released from it.
"But where is he leading us?" Sam hurried to the front to walk protectively near Frodo. Aragorn spoke before Frodo could say another word.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee, to the house of Elrond." Sam gasped excitedly.
"Do you hear that? Rivendell! We're going to see the elves!" Frodo smiled at Sam's enthusiasm, and the party pressed on.
*
"Aww, but i'm hungry Merry!" Pippin whined quietly as they pushed their way through a mass of bushes. Aragorn was already up ahead.
"Pippin, we can't stop! Look how far ahead Strider is! He's gonna leave us behind!"
"Oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please?" The youngest Hobbit bounced up and down beside his friend.
"Fine! Go eat! I don't care!" Merry shouted exasperatedly. Behind him Caroline sucked in a deep breath [hey, imagine if you were in her place. you'd do the same thing!] and approached the two.
"Did someone say food? I'm starving!" Merry stared at Caroline. She had been avoiding him all day and now shes all friendly. He stood there, mouth hanging open, for a minute, an expression on his face that looked as if he had never seen her before.
"Er, Merry?" Pippin tried to get his attention back. "Merry!"
"What?!?" Merry shouted. "What is it?"
"You were, uh, well nevermind." Pippin turned away and began taking pots and other cooking supplies out of his bag. Merry looked back at Caroline and proceeded to get food ready ignoring her.
"Hey, we need to talk." Caroline said as she grabbed a small bag and started taking food out of it. Merry looked up with a slightly annoyed look on his face.
'First she sleeps on top of me, [not that he didn't mind... ;D], then she punches me in the face, ignores me, now she wants to be nice?' He thought disgustedly. His nose still hurt very much.
"Look. I acted like a total spaztic loser this morning. I'm really sorry about the whole, er, sleeping thing, and for punching you.. I'm not very good at controlling my anger." Merry couldn't help but laugh. Unfortunatly, it came out more like a scoff.
"Hah, I see that."
"What? I'm serious. My friends used to call me 'Angry Child' and my parents made me take Anger Management.
"I'll believe that." He paused. "Angry Child." At first Caroline thought he was being mean, but seeing the good natured grin on his face she broke out laughing.
"So now you're going to call me Angry Child?" Merry nodded and smiled. It was good to have her back on his side.
"Hey! Help me out here!" Pippin called for help as he struggled with a pan.
"Put the mushrooms in that one." Merry directed Caroline.
"No not that one!" Pippin shrieked as she accidentally dropped the mushrooms in the wrong pot.
"Jeez! Cool it.. don't have a cow.." Pippin and Merry glanced at each other.
"Have a cow? I'm not having a cow!"
"Or are you?" Merry said in mock suspicious as he caught went along with Caroline's phrase even though he didn't know entirely what it meant.
"What?!" Pippin shouted indignantly, accidentally catching the attention of Aragorn.
"Gentlemen," He said in concern once he saw them preparing food. "We do not stop 'til nightfall." Pippin looked confused.
"But what about breakfast?"
"You've already had it."
"We've had one yes." He said a-matter-a-factly. "What about second breakfast?" Pippin finished his request off with a charming smile. Aragorn turned away without another word. Merry sighed.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip." He started walking forward and tried to put his pan away but Pippin caught up with him.
"But, but what about elevenses?"
Caroline cut in. "Luncheon?"
"Afternoon tea?" Pippin spoke after.
"DInner?" Caroline said with a smile. This was so one of her favorite lines.
"Supper? Do you think he knows about them... doesn't he?" Merry looked sadly at Pippin.
"I wouldn't count on it." Pippin stood there, crestfallen. Aragorn threw an apple over a tall bush and Merry caught it. He walked back to Pippin and handed it to him. Cuffing him on the shoulder, he smiled reassuringly. Caroline smiled in wait. This was so funny.
Another apple came flying out from behind the bush and hit Pippin on the head. He looked around the sky as if he would see some sort of bird dropping apples on his head.
"Pippin!" Merry said shaking his head. Caroline and Frodo started laughing at Pippin's obliviousness.
"Nice." Caroline said as she passed him and continued walking. Soon she was side by side with Merry. "Hola."
"What?"
"Um, it's a way of saying hello."
"Oh. Hola!" He repeated and Caroline laughed. "You have strange words. Where did they come from? Did you make them up?"
"Um.. no. It's just how people talk in.. in.." She broke off tears coming to her eyes. Merry didn't see the tears.
"Where?" She sniffed and let out a small sob. Merry instantly knew he had hit a nerve and stopped walking. "Oh, i'm sorry. I didn't, didn't know.."
"It's okay. I don't know what came over me. Sorry." She gasped slightly as Merry raised his hand to her face and wiped a tear off her cheek.
"Don't be. Crying isn't something to be sorry about." Caroline nodded, but their little fiasco was interrupted when Aragorn saw who was keeping up the line.
"Merry! Caroline! Don't stop we're trying to go fast!" He turned and began walking at an even quicker pace.
"Sorry." Caroline apologized again and the two began walking. "So, what I was saying was that's how they talk back where I live."
"Oh." Merry knew she was hiding something, about her home, but he didn't want to make her cry again so he dropped the subject. "I was wondering," He paused trying to find a way to phrase his question.
"Yes?"
"Er, what are you wearing on your feet?" He looked at Caroline's face expecting to see an annoyed look but instead she was grinning.
"Shoes!"
"I see that, but what kind are they?"
"Not sure of the name."
"Oh. What color are they? And what is the thing on the side? And why is there a pocket on the side?"
"Somebody's inquisitive." Sam dropped from the front of the line and began walking again beside Caroline.
"Their pink and green. And that's a Kangaroo."
"Kangaroo?" Sam and Merry said in unison.
"Um yeah. Nevermind." She put her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie and shivered involuntarily.
"Are you cold?" Sam asked anxiously.
"No, not really." Merry shook his head.
"You shivered." He unfasted then tie on his cloak and pulled it off his shoulders. "Take this."
"No really it's okay." Despite her protests Merry draped the cloak around her and the two slowed down as he tied it. "Thanks." Caroline said nervously as Merry's fingers brushed the front of her neck as he fastened it.
"Anytime." They resumed walking in silence. Caroline drew the cloak tightly around her as the air began to chill as the night set in. She took a deep breath and noticed that the cloak smelled of pipe weed and well, Merry. Warmth flooded through her body. Suddenly Merry spoke.
"Sam, why did you help Caroline at the Prancing Pony that time she passed out?" Caroline smiled at the, *ahem* "memory". But she didn't know Sam helped her. Come to think of it, she hadn't realized that he had been so nice to her in the past day.
"Well why would you say a think like that Mister Merry?"
"I thought you didn't like her."
"What?"
"You said youself I was untrustworthy and a spy." Caroline chimed in. It was funny to lay the guilt on someone, knowing it was all in good fun.
"I, well, someone needed to take care of her and the rest of you were all drunk!"
"So you do like her?"
"I, oh yes then!" Sam went beet red in the face and hurried away."
"Aww Sam!" Caroline called after him as Merry snickered behind her. Sam turned slowly. "Come here Mister Designated Driver Hobbit."
"Mister who?" Merry asked confused.
"It's someone who watches over their friends while they all get wasted and drunk."
"Oh."
"Sam." Caroline said sternly as Sam approached her meekly.
"Mhm?"
"I want to thank you for what you did. If you didn't, then who knows what would have happened with all these other *reliable* Hobbits running around. So, thanks. And i'm glad you don't think i'm untrustworthy or a spy anymore." Sam smiled.
"Your most welcome Lady Caroline."
"Just Caroline."
"Caroline." He repeated. "I better go find out how Frodo's faring then." Sam turned and ran off to his friend, but stopped for a moment when he saw Frodo, Pippin, and Aragorn standing on a hill in front of them.
"Why are they just standing there?" Merry shrugged at Carolines question. They finally caught up with them, only to feel their hearts sink with despaiar and the sight they saw.
"We are going to cross that?" Pippin asked faintly as looked out upon the barren wasteland of marsh. Aragorn nodded toughly and started walking.
'Woah! Where did this come from?' Caroline thought as they stumbled down the dirty hill. "I never saw the special edition version."
"What?" Merry asked.
"Woops. Did I say that out loud?" Merry's answer was stifled by a cry from Pippin. He had fallen face first into the greenish muck. "Aww Pippin!" Caroline ran as fast as she could through the thick mud over to where Pippin was struggling to get out of the marsh.
"I don't like this very much!" He said spitting mud out from his mouth.
"Sorry about that." She said as she grabbed his arm and tried to steady him so he didn't fall again. They walked for some time through the marsh. Eventually they began to attract bugs.
"What do they eat when they can't get Hobbit?" Merry said impatiently as he smacked the back of his neck where some midges were pestering him.
"Ugh. This sucks." Caroline complained as she struggled to pull her foot out of a particularly sticky patch of mud. Finally, when the sun was setting low in the sky, they reached the edge of the marsh.
"Finally!" Pippin exclaimed as they left the mud behind and entered a more rocky landscape. They had not walked long when Aragorn stopped.
"This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul." The Hobbits looked out onto a gargantuan stone ruin atop a tall hill. "We shall rest here tonight."
*
The four Hobbits and Caroline sat in a line, shoulder to shoulder, once they had climbed to the first ledge on the watchtower. Aragorn drew a small pack out of his cloak and let it unroll on the ground. Swords, daggers, and arrows all tied to a cloth rolled onto the ground.
"Take these. Keep them close." He said hoarsly as he tossed each Hobbit a sword.
"Um, don't I get a sword?" Caroline asked innocently. Aragorn shook his head.
"You cannot fight. They will kill you."
"Oh yeah? Watch this!" Without warning she lunged forward and tackled Aragorn pinning him to the ground with her right foot as she stood triumphantly beside him.
"What was that?"
"MY way of showing you I can fight and I need a sword." Aragorn sighed and relaxed his head.
"Fine. But when you are hurt, do not blame me."
"Yay!" Caroline said happily as she bounced over to the collection of swords and picked one out. "Can I have this one?"
"No." Aragorn said flatly as he stood up.
"Why not?"
"Because it is much too heavy for you." Caroline shook her head.
"Yeah right." She attempted to pick it up, but failed miserably. "Okay fine. How about this one?"
"No."
"Why not?? What do you have against women??? Don't you have some happy go lucky girlie elf waiting for you? I'm sure you respect her!" She had gone too far. In a split second Aragorn had drawn his sword and had the cool tip touching Caroline's neck.
"Never. Insult. Her. Again." Caroline fought back the temptation to say something sarcastic, since sarcasm was her middle name, but decided against it. The situation wasn't exactly in her favor. "I will be back."
"So can I have one or not?" She asked Aragorn's retreating back. He stopped and sighed annoyed like.
"Yes, yes just pick whichever one you want. I care not." Then he was gone.
"YES!" Caroline shouted happily as she did a little victory dance while the other Hobbits stared hopelessly at her.
***
author's note :: well now, this story gets a bit more comic as we go. i know the walking from the prancing pony to weathertop kind of went fast, like how its just after they leave and its getting cool with the night air - deal with it i could care less. so, you know what to do!
review!
Chapter 4 :: Don't Talk Smack About His Girl
Summary :: Girl falls into Middle Earth. Girl joins Fellowship. Girl falls in love with Merry...
Disclaimer :: i only own caroline and the funky plot twists i so wittily create. not really.
Author's Note :: holla, thanks for coming back! sorry i haven't updated in forever, actually i don't know how long ago it's been, but thats not a good sign. but thats because i violated some ff.net code or something and now i can't update for a few days. but by the time you're reading this, it will have been fixed. yeehaw.
Reviews :: The Last Eventar - erm, what?
Helmsdeep2234 - yes! falling in love with merry is very good!!
ilovmerry2 - oki : rock on pyros
ybnrml2005 - omg okay i was worried that that reaction would be a little spaztic, but then it turned out okay! glad you like!
creepy_gollum - yes! merry and pippin are the cutest bestest midgets around!! carol's okay [even tho its my grandmothers name so that might be a little creepy but w/e ill live] ermm a beta reader is someone who gets the story before its posted and like checks over it for grammer, spelling, plot holes, stuff like that. thank you for the 3 reviews! that was awesome!
Lothliana - i most certainly will carry it on! so... here's an update!
***
"Do you.. did we.." Caroline breathed in a very frightened tone.
"No! No, no no.. sometime after all of you had fallen asleep you, Caroline, rolled over and put your head on Merry and he involuntarily, uh, well, put his arm around you.. i guess.." He muttered nervously.
"So it was you're fault!" Pippin said as he helped Merry stand.
"Was not!"
"Was too!"
"Look it doesn't matter!" Frodo took a stand. "We have a long way to go and no time to spend on trivial matters such as this."
Aragorn nodded at the Hobbit's remark. "Frodo is right. Pack up. We are leaving." He grabbed his sword and made for the door. Caroline sighed. This was not the Middle Earth she had been dreaming about.
She had always wanted to go to Middle Earth - but what else is new? Who doesn't! The problem was, she didn't think it would be this problematic... one day into her journey and she's already having issues with the one and only Middle Earth man she liked. Not that he was a man.
They had left the Prancing Pony under an hour ago and were now marching through the 'wild' as Aragorn called it. Everyone had been quiet most of the walk, and Caroline took to walking towards the back so she wouldn't have to deal with Merry. I mean, how embarassing!
Soon the Hobbits were getting restless from the everlasting walking and began to doubt this Aragorn fellow. Merry had stayed near the front walking behind Frodo. He didn't know what to say to Caroline.
"How do we know this Strider is a friend of Gandalf?" He asked Frodo as they stared at Aragorn's back suspiciously.
"We have no choice but to trust him." Frodo responded. The ring was already taking an effect on him; he felt more weary with every step he took - and they weren't even to Rivendell yet. Gandalf had told him the ring would be a burden, but once they got it safely to Rivendell, he would be released from it.
"But where is he leading us?" Sam hurried to the front to walk protectively near Frodo. Aragorn spoke before Frodo could say another word.
"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee, to the house of Elrond." Sam gasped excitedly.
"Do you hear that? Rivendell! We're going to see the elves!" Frodo smiled at Sam's enthusiasm, and the party pressed on.
*
"Aww, but i'm hungry Merry!" Pippin whined quietly as they pushed their way through a mass of bushes. Aragorn was already up ahead.
"Pippin, we can't stop! Look how far ahead Strider is! He's gonna leave us behind!"
"Oh please oh please oh please oh please oh please?" The youngest Hobbit bounced up and down beside his friend.
"Fine! Go eat! I don't care!" Merry shouted exasperatedly. Behind him Caroline sucked in a deep breath [hey, imagine if you were in her place. you'd do the same thing!] and approached the two.
"Did someone say food? I'm starving!" Merry stared at Caroline. She had been avoiding him all day and now shes all friendly. He stood there, mouth hanging open, for a minute, an expression on his face that looked as if he had never seen her before.
"Er, Merry?" Pippin tried to get his attention back. "Merry!"
"What?!?" Merry shouted. "What is it?"
"You were, uh, well nevermind." Pippin turned away and began taking pots and other cooking supplies out of his bag. Merry looked back at Caroline and proceeded to get food ready ignoring her.
"Hey, we need to talk." Caroline said as she grabbed a small bag and started taking food out of it. Merry looked up with a slightly annoyed look on his face.
'First she sleeps on top of me, [not that he didn't mind... ;D], then she punches me in the face, ignores me, now she wants to be nice?' He thought disgustedly. His nose still hurt very much.
"Look. I acted like a total spaztic loser this morning. I'm really sorry about the whole, er, sleeping thing, and for punching you.. I'm not very good at controlling my anger." Merry couldn't help but laugh. Unfortunatly, it came out more like a scoff.
"Hah, I see that."
"What? I'm serious. My friends used to call me 'Angry Child' and my parents made me take Anger Management.
"I'll believe that." He paused. "Angry Child." At first Caroline thought he was being mean, but seeing the good natured grin on his face she broke out laughing.
"So now you're going to call me Angry Child?" Merry nodded and smiled. It was good to have her back on his side.
"Hey! Help me out here!" Pippin called for help as he struggled with a pan.
"Put the mushrooms in that one." Merry directed Caroline.
"No not that one!" Pippin shrieked as she accidentally dropped the mushrooms in the wrong pot.
"Jeez! Cool it.. don't have a cow.." Pippin and Merry glanced at each other.
"Have a cow? I'm not having a cow!"
"Or are you?" Merry said in mock suspicious as he caught went along with Caroline's phrase even though he didn't know entirely what it meant.
"What?!" Pippin shouted indignantly, accidentally catching the attention of Aragorn.
"Gentlemen," He said in concern once he saw them preparing food. "We do not stop 'til nightfall." Pippin looked confused.
"But what about breakfast?"
"You've already had it."
"We've had one yes." He said a-matter-a-factly. "What about second breakfast?" Pippin finished his request off with a charming smile. Aragorn turned away without another word. Merry sighed.
"I don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip." He started walking forward and tried to put his pan away but Pippin caught up with him.
"But, but what about elevenses?"
Caroline cut in. "Luncheon?"
"Afternoon tea?" Pippin spoke after.
"DInner?" Caroline said with a smile. This was so one of her favorite lines.
"Supper? Do you think he knows about them... doesn't he?" Merry looked sadly at Pippin.
"I wouldn't count on it." Pippin stood there, crestfallen. Aragorn threw an apple over a tall bush and Merry caught it. He walked back to Pippin and handed it to him. Cuffing him on the shoulder, he smiled reassuringly. Caroline smiled in wait. This was so funny.
Another apple came flying out from behind the bush and hit Pippin on the head. He looked around the sky as if he would see some sort of bird dropping apples on his head.
"Pippin!" Merry said shaking his head. Caroline and Frodo started laughing at Pippin's obliviousness.
"Nice." Caroline said as she passed him and continued walking. Soon she was side by side with Merry. "Hola."
"What?"
"Um, it's a way of saying hello."
"Oh. Hola!" He repeated and Caroline laughed. "You have strange words. Where did they come from? Did you make them up?"
"Um.. no. It's just how people talk in.. in.." She broke off tears coming to her eyes. Merry didn't see the tears.
"Where?" She sniffed and let out a small sob. Merry instantly knew he had hit a nerve and stopped walking. "Oh, i'm sorry. I didn't, didn't know.."
"It's okay. I don't know what came over me. Sorry." She gasped slightly as Merry raised his hand to her face and wiped a tear off her cheek.
"Don't be. Crying isn't something to be sorry about." Caroline nodded, but their little fiasco was interrupted when Aragorn saw who was keeping up the line.
"Merry! Caroline! Don't stop we're trying to go fast!" He turned and began walking at an even quicker pace.
"Sorry." Caroline apologized again and the two began walking. "So, what I was saying was that's how they talk back where I live."
"Oh." Merry knew she was hiding something, about her home, but he didn't want to make her cry again so he dropped the subject. "I was wondering," He paused trying to find a way to phrase his question.
"Yes?"
"Er, what are you wearing on your feet?" He looked at Caroline's face expecting to see an annoyed look but instead she was grinning.
"Shoes!"
"I see that, but what kind are they?"
"Not sure of the name."
"Oh. What color are they? And what is the thing on the side? And why is there a pocket on the side?"
"Somebody's inquisitive." Sam dropped from the front of the line and began walking again beside Caroline.
"Their pink and green. And that's a Kangaroo."
"Kangaroo?" Sam and Merry said in unison.
"Um yeah. Nevermind." She put her hands into the front pocket of her hoodie and shivered involuntarily.
"Are you cold?" Sam asked anxiously.
"No, not really." Merry shook his head.
"You shivered." He unfasted then tie on his cloak and pulled it off his shoulders. "Take this."
"No really it's okay." Despite her protests Merry draped the cloak around her and the two slowed down as he tied it. "Thanks." Caroline said nervously as Merry's fingers brushed the front of her neck as he fastened it.
"Anytime." They resumed walking in silence. Caroline drew the cloak tightly around her as the air began to chill as the night set in. She took a deep breath and noticed that the cloak smelled of pipe weed and well, Merry. Warmth flooded through her body. Suddenly Merry spoke.
"Sam, why did you help Caroline at the Prancing Pony that time she passed out?" Caroline smiled at the, *ahem* "memory". But she didn't know Sam helped her. Come to think of it, she hadn't realized that he had been so nice to her in the past day.
"Well why would you say a think like that Mister Merry?"
"I thought you didn't like her."
"What?"
"You said youself I was untrustworthy and a spy." Caroline chimed in. It was funny to lay the guilt on someone, knowing it was all in good fun.
"I, well, someone needed to take care of her and the rest of you were all drunk!"
"So you do like her?"
"I, oh yes then!" Sam went beet red in the face and hurried away."
"Aww Sam!" Caroline called after him as Merry snickered behind her. Sam turned slowly. "Come here Mister Designated Driver Hobbit."
"Mister who?" Merry asked confused.
"It's someone who watches over their friends while they all get wasted and drunk."
"Oh."
"Sam." Caroline said sternly as Sam approached her meekly.
"Mhm?"
"I want to thank you for what you did. If you didn't, then who knows what would have happened with all these other *reliable* Hobbits running around. So, thanks. And i'm glad you don't think i'm untrustworthy or a spy anymore." Sam smiled.
"Your most welcome Lady Caroline."
"Just Caroline."
"Caroline." He repeated. "I better go find out how Frodo's faring then." Sam turned and ran off to his friend, but stopped for a moment when he saw Frodo, Pippin, and Aragorn standing on a hill in front of them.
"Why are they just standing there?" Merry shrugged at Carolines question. They finally caught up with them, only to feel their hearts sink with despaiar and the sight they saw.
"We are going to cross that?" Pippin asked faintly as looked out upon the barren wasteland of marsh. Aragorn nodded toughly and started walking.
'Woah! Where did this come from?' Caroline thought as they stumbled down the dirty hill. "I never saw the special edition version."
"What?" Merry asked.
"Woops. Did I say that out loud?" Merry's answer was stifled by a cry from Pippin. He had fallen face first into the greenish muck. "Aww Pippin!" Caroline ran as fast as she could through the thick mud over to where Pippin was struggling to get out of the marsh.
"I don't like this very much!" He said spitting mud out from his mouth.
"Sorry about that." She said as she grabbed his arm and tried to steady him so he didn't fall again. They walked for some time through the marsh. Eventually they began to attract bugs.
"What do they eat when they can't get Hobbit?" Merry said impatiently as he smacked the back of his neck where some midges were pestering him.
"Ugh. This sucks." Caroline complained as she struggled to pull her foot out of a particularly sticky patch of mud. Finally, when the sun was setting low in the sky, they reached the edge of the marsh.
"Finally!" Pippin exclaimed as they left the mud behind and entered a more rocky landscape. They had not walked long when Aragorn stopped.
"This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul." The Hobbits looked out onto a gargantuan stone ruin atop a tall hill. "We shall rest here tonight."
*
The four Hobbits and Caroline sat in a line, shoulder to shoulder, once they had climbed to the first ledge on the watchtower. Aragorn drew a small pack out of his cloak and let it unroll on the ground. Swords, daggers, and arrows all tied to a cloth rolled onto the ground.
"Take these. Keep them close." He said hoarsly as he tossed each Hobbit a sword.
"Um, don't I get a sword?" Caroline asked innocently. Aragorn shook his head.
"You cannot fight. They will kill you."
"Oh yeah? Watch this!" Without warning she lunged forward and tackled Aragorn pinning him to the ground with her right foot as she stood triumphantly beside him.
"What was that?"
"MY way of showing you I can fight and I need a sword." Aragorn sighed and relaxed his head.
"Fine. But when you are hurt, do not blame me."
"Yay!" Caroline said happily as she bounced over to the collection of swords and picked one out. "Can I have this one?"
"No." Aragorn said flatly as he stood up.
"Why not?"
"Because it is much too heavy for you." Caroline shook her head.
"Yeah right." She attempted to pick it up, but failed miserably. "Okay fine. How about this one?"
"No."
"Why not?? What do you have against women??? Don't you have some happy go lucky girlie elf waiting for you? I'm sure you respect her!" She had gone too far. In a split second Aragorn had drawn his sword and had the cool tip touching Caroline's neck.
"Never. Insult. Her. Again." Caroline fought back the temptation to say something sarcastic, since sarcasm was her middle name, but decided against it. The situation wasn't exactly in her favor. "I will be back."
"So can I have one or not?" She asked Aragorn's retreating back. He stopped and sighed annoyed like.
"Yes, yes just pick whichever one you want. I care not." Then he was gone.
"YES!" Caroline shouted happily as she did a little victory dance while the other Hobbits stared hopelessly at her.
***
author's note :: well now, this story gets a bit more comic as we go. i know the walking from the prancing pony to weathertop kind of went fast, like how its just after they leave and its getting cool with the night air - deal with it i could care less. so, you know what to do!
review!