Before You Hit The Floor
Chapter 6 :: Rivendell
Reviews :: Creepy-Gollum - hey thanks again for your support and encouragement with the email! but dont worry - nobody worry, (yes some of you are thinking hah yeah right) i'm not cutting this story off anytime soon! sorry about stealing frodo's spotlight. and yes, aragorn is going to be a bit of comic relief here!
ybnrml2oo5 - wow, your name is really hard to type! lol, thanks! that was nice. haha yeah aragorn is mean. lol.
2 reviews? aww come on! you can do better than that!
Disclaimer :: yeah you know about the lotr stuff. but 'the reason' is owned by hoobastank. why? keep reading.
Author's Note :: Ok i've got something for all of you to do! It's very simple and should take you around twenty to thirty minutes to complete. go to fiction press [dot] com, click search, and the story id is 1369048 and the author is lavenderann. read her story 'curtain call'. it's about this girl named timber who gets this great part in her school's play but bad things start happening and people want her part and go all psycho and its just a really great story. i know your reviews would be greatly appreciated because so far i'm the only reviewer and her story is worth more than just 4 reviews! ok. im done now.
***
"I..." She began to stand up but winced at the pain in her side. "Give me your hand Merry." Merry complied and Caroline grasped it. She pulled hard and stood herself up. "I," She thought for a moment. "Oh! When the Wraiths came I fell on a rock."
"Oh." Aragorn said slowly. "Well then, we must get to Rivendell as quickly as possible." He motioned for the Hobbits to follow and they ran off.
'A rock?' Aragorn thought as they ran. 'With all that fuss you would think her arm fell off...' The five ran for some time; Merry occasionally inquiring as to Caroline's health.
"For the hundredth time, Merry, i'm fine! My side doesn't hurt, i'm not bleeding, and no I don't need you to carry me!" Caroline finally exploded. Merry backed away, slightly scared. Immediately her annoyed expression turned upside down and she smiled shyly.
"Thanks for your concern though." Merry grinned.
"Anytime." They were silent for a moment. Then Pippin's head popped up between the two.
"Would you carry me, Merry?" Fortunately for Merry, he was saved an answer by Aragorn announcing that their rest was over and that they must move on. Not waiting for Merry to ask if she needed assistance, Caroline began to run right behind Aragorn. Merry dashed off after Caroline and Sam had to drag Pippin behind the rest.
"We should reach Rivendell by nightfall." Aragorn shouted. "That is if you keep up!" Caroline glanced up sheepishly. She wasn't much of a runner. Luckily Pippin wasn't either and he was falling far behind. She turned to fetch Pippin.
"Come on, Pippin! We're almost there!"
"No we're not." He grumbled. "I heard Aragorn. He said by nightfall. That is like all day!"
"More like half a day. We just ate lunch maybe an hour ago."
"Lunch! That was no lunch!"
"Are you feeling okay Pippin?" Caroline felt his head as they walked slowly up a large hill. He wasn't acting much like himself. Pippin sighed.
"No. I'm hungry." She smiled. That sounded more like Pippin.
*
"There lies Rivendell up ahead. Follow me closely unless you wish to be killed by sentinels." Caroline gulped. Rivendell seemed so angelic and peaceful in the movie...
"Are we there yet?" Pippin whined quietly behind her.
"Shh. Yes, we're just about there." Caroline smiled inwardly. She felt as if she were talking to her little brother, Chandler. But that caused her to feel sad. She sighed trying to keep the tears out of her eyes...
"Caroline?"
"Hmm?" She turned to face Merry acting as if everything was cool.
"You're.. you're crying again." He looked concerned at her.
"Oh, hah, must be some dust or something. I'm fine." She faked a smile and rubbed her eye as if she were trying to rub something out of it.
"Oh." Merry nodded in mock belief. "Right." Caroline glared at the air beside her so no one would see. Merry was smart - he knew something was going on. If she kept this crying thing up sooner or later he would force her to explain herself. And that would not be a good thing.
She missed her family - big deal. She had to get over it or the sake of the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy would be at stake! Eventually she would be sent home, right? That always happened in the fanfictions. Maybe she had to learn a life lesson or something stupid like that.
Of course, did she really want to go home? Right now she was in the very place she had wished every day to go; there was no way she was going to whine about wanting to go home. Besides, home wasn't that great anyways. Parents yelling, babysitting 24-7, friends always calling, and Middle Earth being your only escape. Caroline smiled slightly. This was what she wanted. Right?
"Quickly! Night is upon us." Aragorn gave them another warning and motioned for them to run faster. Then suddenly he stopped and shoved everyone behind a large tree.
"What the.." Caroline muttered as she was thrown into a bush. Aragorn shushed them as soft hoofbeats filled the still air. Then two identical, brown headed elves entered their hiding place.
"Elrohir! Elladan!" Aragorn exclaimed happily and he jumped up and hugged them. One stepped back in surprise whilethe other caught on and clapped him on the back heartily.
"What are you doing here this late at night?" One of the twins asked.
"We are with the ill Hobbit who arrived earlier." He paused to let them realize. The twins exchanged glances.
"What Hobbit?" One asked.
"Frodo..." Aragorn looked warily at the other. "You mean to say he did not arrive?"
"How can we tell?" The other twin said calmly. "We have been on a scouting trip for the past week."
"Ah yes, that's right." His brother agreed. "But don't you think father would have let us know if a Halfling arrived?"
"Perhaps he wants it to remain a secret." As the brothers conversed Pippin tugged at Merry's sleeve.
"Merry!" He whispered. "Do they have Frodo?"
"Shh! Yes. I think so." Merry brushed Pippin away and he turned to Caroline.
"Are we going to see Frodo tonight?"
"I don't know. Maybe." She paused, thinking deeply. She was supposed to prevent that accident. Frodo wasn't supposed to be hurt. "I hope so." Pippin sighed and looked back on Aragorn and the two elves. They stopped talking and stared at the four Hobbits.
"Follow us." One commanded. Sam grabbed the strap of his backpack and lifted it off the ground. It looked extremely heavy. Caroline laid her hand on it.
"Let me help? It looks awfully heavy." She proceeded to untie a large sack from the back but Sam stopped her.
"No. I have to do it. For Frodo." She could see the pain in his eyes when he said his friend's name. It was just a backpack now, but later the pain would be much heavier.
*
"Lord Elrond." Aragorn kneeled to the ground once the tall, wise elf entered the room. The Hobbits followed suit.
"Aragorn." Elrond said quietly and continued walking. "Elrohir, Elladan, bring Arwen. I desire to speak with her." His sons nodded and left the room. Aragorn stood up.
"*Ahem*" Elrond cleared his throat as he looked disapprovingly down at the four Hobbits who were still kneeling before him. Sam raised his head.
"Oh!" He exclaimed and hastily stood up. "Get up!" He whispered as he hit Merry on the shoulder. Merry looked up and his face reddened. The others stood up. Elrond sighed and folded his hands.
"Frodo Baggins is very fortunate. If my daughter hadn't found him and brought him here at the time she did, he would be dead by now. But, he is strong and will live. However, he will carry that scar forever." Caroline hung her head. She could have prevented that! But no, she had to fall on a rock or whatever. How stupid.
Just then a tall, fair skinned, dark brown haired woman entered the room. She pushed her long hair behind her ears to reveal that she was an elf. (a/n : hep sorry guys just wanted to comment and say that that sentence is so stupid sounding that i couldnt resist putting in a random authors note that probably screwed up this entire part of the chapter. anyways, sorry bout that.) Once she pushed through the doors she stopped abruptly at the sight of the five travellers.
"Oh, uh, erm, father, Frodo is resting and should be awake within the next day or so." Aragorn stood completely still. The elf looked at him for a moment then turned to leave.
"Arwen!" Aragorn said once he unfroze himself. She turned.
"Yes?" He looked expectantly at her. Caroline was the one to break the very pregnant silence that ensued.
"Ahah. I get it." Everyone stared at her. "You two just go off together, I can handle things here." Elrond glared.
"What?" Angrily Aragorn turned.
"Uhh.." 'Okay. So not the right thing to say. I'm screwed.' "Yeah so i'll just be leaving.. now.." She sidestepped to the door and with a quick peace sign left.
"Well?" Aragorn said to the Hobbits. Immedieately they chased after her. Elrond rubbed his temples.
"An odd one, don't you agree?" Arwen couldn't help but smile at her father's statement. He could be so foreward sometimes.
"Yes. I don't-" Elrond cut him off.
"That is all, Arwen. Would you go find the girl Halfling and find her a room? Please see that she is changed. Then see to it that the others have rooms." Arwen nodded and left. Aragorn's gaze lingered on the door she closed. Elrond sighed.
"She is not a Hobbit." The man stated.
"As i've noticed." Elrond answered. "Where does she hail from?"
"I know not. She followed the Hobbits to Bree. Why, she never rightly told me. All she wanted to do was speak with Gandalf."
"Well she's in luck, Gandalf arrived just yesterday. He is tending to Frodo."
"That is good news. I was afraid there would have been complications with his delay."
"Yes. Saruman's power is growing, but reaching here he will not achieve. I fear for the sake of men, however." Aragorn looked at the floor. "Men are weak."
"I will not follow in the steps of my ancestors." Aragorn said clenching his teeth. Elrond raised one eyebrow.
"Yes.." He said slowly. "On another note, I saw how my daughter reacted to you."
"Is something wrong?"
"She is an elf. You are a man. It will not work out in the end, Aragorn. You know this."
"No." With that Aragorn left the room.
*
Arwen turned a corner and ran straight into a huddle of three Hobbits.
"Oh!" She exclaimed and Pippin staggered a bit but finally caught his balance. "There you are." She counted them. "Three. Um, where did that girl go?" Merry and Pippin exchanged apprehensive glances.
"I don't know." Pippin said simply.
"Oh. Well, if you see her please tell her that i'm looking for her."
"Will do, milady." Merry nodded his head, grabbed Pippin's arm, and steered him away from the elf. "We'll just look for her now." Once they left Arwen let out an exasperated sigh.
"They come and go quite fast!" Sam nodded as he was the only one left.
"Aye. Merry and Pippin; quite the troublemakers."
"Oh.. well Master, er,"
"Gamgee, milady, Samwise Gamgee."
"Yes. Master Gamgee. Shall I show you to your friend?"
"Frodo? We can go see Frodo? Now?"
"Y..yes." Sam's face lit up.
"Oh thank you, milady! Let us go! Right away!"
*
"Which door is it?"
"I don't know!"
"How about that one?"
"I don't think so."
"That one?"
"Maybe,"
"Oh just pick a freaking door already!" The loudly whispering voices of Merry, Pippin, and Caroline filled the hall. They were looking for Frodo's room.
"Ok, that one." Merry approached a door and promptly opened it. Inside was a large, ivory bed with a small figure sleeping soundly in it.
"Frodo!" They all said in unison.
"Shhh!" A low voice inside said. "You'll wake him!" Merry pushed the door all the way open and saw Sam sitting at the foot of Frodo's bed.
"Hey! How'd you get here so fast!" Caroline demanded to know. Sam rolled his eyes.
"You disappeared before Arwen could find you. She's out there looking for you, you know. And after you two left," He pointed at Merry and Pippin. "She asked me if I wanted to see Frodo. Good job for all of you."
"Thanks." Pippin said with a big smile. The three entered the room and the door shut quietly.
"Do you know when he's going to wake?" Caroline said as she approached the side of his bed.
"Sometime this week. Maybe even today." Sam answered looking sadly at his friend. "I should have been there to help him. I could have fought that monster back." Caroline shook her head.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Sam. You didn't know what was going to happen."
"Neither did you." He responded. Caroline nodded back at him nervously.
"Ah, yeah. That too." The four were quiet for some time. Then Pippin sighed.
"Do you think Frodo would like some music?" Merry scowled at him.
"He's asleep! How could he hear any music?!" But Sam's eyebrows raised.
"Naw uh. Remember when Pearl was sick and your mum sung to her, Pippin? She said she 'ad dreams about that song when she woke up."
"Aw yes! Somebody sing." Everyone looked at each other. "We'll i'm not doin it." Pippin shook his head. "All I know are bar songs. Hardly fit for a time of sickness.
"I'm with you, Pip. You can't make me sing." Merry stood next to Pippin.
"Wait," Sam said slowly. "How about you sing, Caroline." Caroline took several steps back.
"Me? Sing?" The three Hobbits nodded. "I can't sing."
"Anybody can sing!" Sam encouraged her. "Come on, please?" Pippin clasped his hands together like he was praying.
"Please? For Frodo?" Caroline shook her head.
"Nothing you do can get me to sing. Besides, I would probably end up killing Frodo!"
"Surely not!" Merry got down on his knees. "Please do it?"
"Well..." The Hobbits looked hopefully at her. "What do I get out of it?"
"Um.." Merry, Pippin, and Sam looked around for likely candidates for her reward. "A mushroom?" Pippin pulled an extra squishy, too green, decaying mushroom out of his pocket.
"Ugh! Pippin! Why'd you keep that?" Merry held his nose and stepped back. Caroline looked horrified at him.
"That gross thing? Are you kidding?" Pippin shrugged his shoulders and tossed it out the open window.
"Well I tried."
"How about you guys huddle up and think of something."
"Huddle? Up?" Sam looked rather frightened at the idea of huddling.
"Yeah. Stand real close together and talk about what i'll get out of singing to Frodo. Just talk so I can't hear it." Slowly the three Hobbits *huddled* together and began to whisper. After several minutes and a few times of Pippin jumping up and down saying "YES! YES! PERFECT!", they knew what they were going to do.
"Ok. This is it. You sing to Frodo and you get," Pippin cut off a slyly smiling Merry.
"Get a kiss."
"Pippin! I was supposed to say it!"
"Well I said it!"
"What'd you do that for?" While the two bickered Caroline stood there, motionless.
"A what?" She said hoarsly. "A kiss?" Sam nodded.
"Yep. From Merry." Finally Merry and Pippin stopped fighting.
"We all want one of course, but you, you're the lucky one." Pippin said smiling brightly.
"Uh, well," Singing might be an embarrassing prospect. But having some guy who you really like offering a kiss to you if you sing a stupid song was a little, well, unnerving.
"Yes?" Merry asked grinning.
"Or no?" Pippin finished. Caroline didn't know what to say. Of course, half of her was saying 'Yes! Say yes! You get a free kiss from Merry!' while the other half was saying 'Just say no! Just say no! Abstinence!!'. She didn't know which voice to go with. Saying yes would be so embarassing! But saying no, well, what if she offended him? What then?
"Uh, ok." She said quietly. "I'll do it."
"Good." Pippin said. "Go on then!" He motioned for Caroline to start singing.
"What, now?"
"Yes!" The three said together. Oh the embarassment was almost unbearable. She was never going to get through this alive. Oh well, there wasn't an alternative.
"Yeah okay, let me think of a song." She stood there, thinking, not daring to make eye contact with Merry. Way too unnerving. "Alright. Promise not to laugh,"
"Oh come off it already! We heard you at the Prancing Pony, you weren't a bad singer then." Pippin shouted.
"A bit drunk," Merry added.
"But still a good singer! Now get on with it!" Sam said.
"Right. Okay." She walked slowly up to Frodo's bed and ran her fingers along the edge.
"I'm not a perfect person, there's many things I wish I didn't do, but I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know," Everyone stood silent, mesmirized by the sound of her voice. Well, not totally mesmirized, but hey. Every story needs some Mary-sue qualities once in a while.
"I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be," Merry and Pippin both sat down.
"A reason to start over new, and the reason is you." Caroline took several small steps closer to Frodo's head.
"I'm sorry that I hurt you, it's something I must live with everyday," The pain Frodo felt was splitting her heart.
"And all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away," She could have done something.
"And be the one who catches all your tears, that's why I need you to hear." And Frodo would no longer be able to live in Middle Earth. All because of her.
"I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be, A reason to start over new, and the reason is you." Maybe she should change.
"And the reason is you." Stop being such a prankster and be serious.
"I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know," She could die here. This needed to be taken seriously.
"I've found a reason to show, a side of me you didn't know, a reason for all that I do, and the reason is you." She stopped singing and kept her back turned to the others, still looking down at the unconscious Frodo. There was a pause between everyone.
"Well that was great." Pippin nudged Merry and the two began to clap.
"Brilliant." Caroline, however, remained quiet. She wasn't crying, but just felt so lost. She didn't belong in Middle Earth and probably the only thing she could do there, tell the future, she was failing at.
***
a/n : well, an interesting chapter, used the word 'stupid' a bit too much. sorry for the super long delay tho! i'm putting myself on internet probation. also, a couple more things i'd like to clear up. first of all is an apology for making this chapter a little, well, mary-sueish. but thats how it goes. second, i know the convo between elrond and aragorn was kind of weird but i don't want my story to be total movie verse. that would suck. and thirdly, i got a wee bit angsty at the end of this chapter, but i must cut it off here and go and eat dinner so have fun leaving me a review.
will caroline ever get that kiss from merry? will frodo awake from his evil sleep? tune in next time and see what if.
Chapter 6 :: Rivendell
Reviews :: Creepy-Gollum - hey thanks again for your support and encouragement with the email! but dont worry - nobody worry, (yes some of you are thinking hah yeah right) i'm not cutting this story off anytime soon! sorry about stealing frodo's spotlight. and yes, aragorn is going to be a bit of comic relief here!
ybnrml2oo5 - wow, your name is really hard to type! lol, thanks! that was nice. haha yeah aragorn is mean. lol.
2 reviews? aww come on! you can do better than that!
Disclaimer :: yeah you know about the lotr stuff. but 'the reason' is owned by hoobastank. why? keep reading.
Author's Note :: Ok i've got something for all of you to do! It's very simple and should take you around twenty to thirty minutes to complete. go to fiction press [dot] com, click search, and the story id is 1369048 and the author is lavenderann. read her story 'curtain call'. it's about this girl named timber who gets this great part in her school's play but bad things start happening and people want her part and go all psycho and its just a really great story. i know your reviews would be greatly appreciated because so far i'm the only reviewer and her story is worth more than just 4 reviews! ok. im done now.
***
"I..." She began to stand up but winced at the pain in her side. "Give me your hand Merry." Merry complied and Caroline grasped it. She pulled hard and stood herself up. "I," She thought for a moment. "Oh! When the Wraiths came I fell on a rock."
"Oh." Aragorn said slowly. "Well then, we must get to Rivendell as quickly as possible." He motioned for the Hobbits to follow and they ran off.
'A rock?' Aragorn thought as they ran. 'With all that fuss you would think her arm fell off...' The five ran for some time; Merry occasionally inquiring as to Caroline's health.
"For the hundredth time, Merry, i'm fine! My side doesn't hurt, i'm not bleeding, and no I don't need you to carry me!" Caroline finally exploded. Merry backed away, slightly scared. Immediately her annoyed expression turned upside down and she smiled shyly.
"Thanks for your concern though." Merry grinned.
"Anytime." They were silent for a moment. Then Pippin's head popped up between the two.
"Would you carry me, Merry?" Fortunately for Merry, he was saved an answer by Aragorn announcing that their rest was over and that they must move on. Not waiting for Merry to ask if she needed assistance, Caroline began to run right behind Aragorn. Merry dashed off after Caroline and Sam had to drag Pippin behind the rest.
"We should reach Rivendell by nightfall." Aragorn shouted. "That is if you keep up!" Caroline glanced up sheepishly. She wasn't much of a runner. Luckily Pippin wasn't either and he was falling far behind. She turned to fetch Pippin.
"Come on, Pippin! We're almost there!"
"No we're not." He grumbled. "I heard Aragorn. He said by nightfall. That is like all day!"
"More like half a day. We just ate lunch maybe an hour ago."
"Lunch! That was no lunch!"
"Are you feeling okay Pippin?" Caroline felt his head as they walked slowly up a large hill. He wasn't acting much like himself. Pippin sighed.
"No. I'm hungry." She smiled. That sounded more like Pippin.
*
"There lies Rivendell up ahead. Follow me closely unless you wish to be killed by sentinels." Caroline gulped. Rivendell seemed so angelic and peaceful in the movie...
"Are we there yet?" Pippin whined quietly behind her.
"Shh. Yes, we're just about there." Caroline smiled inwardly. She felt as if she were talking to her little brother, Chandler. But that caused her to feel sad. She sighed trying to keep the tears out of her eyes...
"Caroline?"
"Hmm?" She turned to face Merry acting as if everything was cool.
"You're.. you're crying again." He looked concerned at her.
"Oh, hah, must be some dust or something. I'm fine." She faked a smile and rubbed her eye as if she were trying to rub something out of it.
"Oh." Merry nodded in mock belief. "Right." Caroline glared at the air beside her so no one would see. Merry was smart - he knew something was going on. If she kept this crying thing up sooner or later he would force her to explain herself. And that would not be a good thing.
She missed her family - big deal. She had to get over it or the sake of the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy would be at stake! Eventually she would be sent home, right? That always happened in the fanfictions. Maybe she had to learn a life lesson or something stupid like that.
Of course, did she really want to go home? Right now she was in the very place she had wished every day to go; there was no way she was going to whine about wanting to go home. Besides, home wasn't that great anyways. Parents yelling, babysitting 24-7, friends always calling, and Middle Earth being your only escape. Caroline smiled slightly. This was what she wanted. Right?
"Quickly! Night is upon us." Aragorn gave them another warning and motioned for them to run faster. Then suddenly he stopped and shoved everyone behind a large tree.
"What the.." Caroline muttered as she was thrown into a bush. Aragorn shushed them as soft hoofbeats filled the still air. Then two identical, brown headed elves entered their hiding place.
"Elrohir! Elladan!" Aragorn exclaimed happily and he jumped up and hugged them. One stepped back in surprise whilethe other caught on and clapped him on the back heartily.
"What are you doing here this late at night?" One of the twins asked.
"We are with the ill Hobbit who arrived earlier." He paused to let them realize. The twins exchanged glances.
"What Hobbit?" One asked.
"Frodo..." Aragorn looked warily at the other. "You mean to say he did not arrive?"
"How can we tell?" The other twin said calmly. "We have been on a scouting trip for the past week."
"Ah yes, that's right." His brother agreed. "But don't you think father would have let us know if a Halfling arrived?"
"Perhaps he wants it to remain a secret." As the brothers conversed Pippin tugged at Merry's sleeve.
"Merry!" He whispered. "Do they have Frodo?"
"Shh! Yes. I think so." Merry brushed Pippin away and he turned to Caroline.
"Are we going to see Frodo tonight?"
"I don't know. Maybe." She paused, thinking deeply. She was supposed to prevent that accident. Frodo wasn't supposed to be hurt. "I hope so." Pippin sighed and looked back on Aragorn and the two elves. They stopped talking and stared at the four Hobbits.
"Follow us." One commanded. Sam grabbed the strap of his backpack and lifted it off the ground. It looked extremely heavy. Caroline laid her hand on it.
"Let me help? It looks awfully heavy." She proceeded to untie a large sack from the back but Sam stopped her.
"No. I have to do it. For Frodo." She could see the pain in his eyes when he said his friend's name. It was just a backpack now, but later the pain would be much heavier.
*
"Lord Elrond." Aragorn kneeled to the ground once the tall, wise elf entered the room. The Hobbits followed suit.
"Aragorn." Elrond said quietly and continued walking. "Elrohir, Elladan, bring Arwen. I desire to speak with her." His sons nodded and left the room. Aragorn stood up.
"*Ahem*" Elrond cleared his throat as he looked disapprovingly down at the four Hobbits who were still kneeling before him. Sam raised his head.
"Oh!" He exclaimed and hastily stood up. "Get up!" He whispered as he hit Merry on the shoulder. Merry looked up and his face reddened. The others stood up. Elrond sighed and folded his hands.
"Frodo Baggins is very fortunate. If my daughter hadn't found him and brought him here at the time she did, he would be dead by now. But, he is strong and will live. However, he will carry that scar forever." Caroline hung her head. She could have prevented that! But no, she had to fall on a rock or whatever. How stupid.
Just then a tall, fair skinned, dark brown haired woman entered the room. She pushed her long hair behind her ears to reveal that she was an elf. (a/n : hep sorry guys just wanted to comment and say that that sentence is so stupid sounding that i couldnt resist putting in a random authors note that probably screwed up this entire part of the chapter. anyways, sorry bout that.) Once she pushed through the doors she stopped abruptly at the sight of the five travellers.
"Oh, uh, erm, father, Frodo is resting and should be awake within the next day or so." Aragorn stood completely still. The elf looked at him for a moment then turned to leave.
"Arwen!" Aragorn said once he unfroze himself. She turned.
"Yes?" He looked expectantly at her. Caroline was the one to break the very pregnant silence that ensued.
"Ahah. I get it." Everyone stared at her. "You two just go off together, I can handle things here." Elrond glared.
"What?" Angrily Aragorn turned.
"Uhh.." 'Okay. So not the right thing to say. I'm screwed.' "Yeah so i'll just be leaving.. now.." She sidestepped to the door and with a quick peace sign left.
"Well?" Aragorn said to the Hobbits. Immedieately they chased after her. Elrond rubbed his temples.
"An odd one, don't you agree?" Arwen couldn't help but smile at her father's statement. He could be so foreward sometimes.
"Yes. I don't-" Elrond cut him off.
"That is all, Arwen. Would you go find the girl Halfling and find her a room? Please see that she is changed. Then see to it that the others have rooms." Arwen nodded and left. Aragorn's gaze lingered on the door she closed. Elrond sighed.
"She is not a Hobbit." The man stated.
"As i've noticed." Elrond answered. "Where does she hail from?"
"I know not. She followed the Hobbits to Bree. Why, she never rightly told me. All she wanted to do was speak with Gandalf."
"Well she's in luck, Gandalf arrived just yesterday. He is tending to Frodo."
"That is good news. I was afraid there would have been complications with his delay."
"Yes. Saruman's power is growing, but reaching here he will not achieve. I fear for the sake of men, however." Aragorn looked at the floor. "Men are weak."
"I will not follow in the steps of my ancestors." Aragorn said clenching his teeth. Elrond raised one eyebrow.
"Yes.." He said slowly. "On another note, I saw how my daughter reacted to you."
"Is something wrong?"
"She is an elf. You are a man. It will not work out in the end, Aragorn. You know this."
"No." With that Aragorn left the room.
*
Arwen turned a corner and ran straight into a huddle of three Hobbits.
"Oh!" She exclaimed and Pippin staggered a bit but finally caught his balance. "There you are." She counted them. "Three. Um, where did that girl go?" Merry and Pippin exchanged apprehensive glances.
"I don't know." Pippin said simply.
"Oh. Well, if you see her please tell her that i'm looking for her."
"Will do, milady." Merry nodded his head, grabbed Pippin's arm, and steered him away from the elf. "We'll just look for her now." Once they left Arwen let out an exasperated sigh.
"They come and go quite fast!" Sam nodded as he was the only one left.
"Aye. Merry and Pippin; quite the troublemakers."
"Oh.. well Master, er,"
"Gamgee, milady, Samwise Gamgee."
"Yes. Master Gamgee. Shall I show you to your friend?"
"Frodo? We can go see Frodo? Now?"
"Y..yes." Sam's face lit up.
"Oh thank you, milady! Let us go! Right away!"
*
"Which door is it?"
"I don't know!"
"How about that one?"
"I don't think so."
"That one?"
"Maybe,"
"Oh just pick a freaking door already!" The loudly whispering voices of Merry, Pippin, and Caroline filled the hall. They were looking for Frodo's room.
"Ok, that one." Merry approached a door and promptly opened it. Inside was a large, ivory bed with a small figure sleeping soundly in it.
"Frodo!" They all said in unison.
"Shhh!" A low voice inside said. "You'll wake him!" Merry pushed the door all the way open and saw Sam sitting at the foot of Frodo's bed.
"Hey! How'd you get here so fast!" Caroline demanded to know. Sam rolled his eyes.
"You disappeared before Arwen could find you. She's out there looking for you, you know. And after you two left," He pointed at Merry and Pippin. "She asked me if I wanted to see Frodo. Good job for all of you."
"Thanks." Pippin said with a big smile. The three entered the room and the door shut quietly.
"Do you know when he's going to wake?" Caroline said as she approached the side of his bed.
"Sometime this week. Maybe even today." Sam answered looking sadly at his friend. "I should have been there to help him. I could have fought that monster back." Caroline shook her head.
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Sam. You didn't know what was going to happen."
"Neither did you." He responded. Caroline nodded back at him nervously.
"Ah, yeah. That too." The four were quiet for some time. Then Pippin sighed.
"Do you think Frodo would like some music?" Merry scowled at him.
"He's asleep! How could he hear any music?!" But Sam's eyebrows raised.
"Naw uh. Remember when Pearl was sick and your mum sung to her, Pippin? She said she 'ad dreams about that song when she woke up."
"Aw yes! Somebody sing." Everyone looked at each other. "We'll i'm not doin it." Pippin shook his head. "All I know are bar songs. Hardly fit for a time of sickness.
"I'm with you, Pip. You can't make me sing." Merry stood next to Pippin.
"Wait," Sam said slowly. "How about you sing, Caroline." Caroline took several steps back.
"Me? Sing?" The three Hobbits nodded. "I can't sing."
"Anybody can sing!" Sam encouraged her. "Come on, please?" Pippin clasped his hands together like he was praying.
"Please? For Frodo?" Caroline shook her head.
"Nothing you do can get me to sing. Besides, I would probably end up killing Frodo!"
"Surely not!" Merry got down on his knees. "Please do it?"
"Well..." The Hobbits looked hopefully at her. "What do I get out of it?"
"Um.." Merry, Pippin, and Sam looked around for likely candidates for her reward. "A mushroom?" Pippin pulled an extra squishy, too green, decaying mushroom out of his pocket.
"Ugh! Pippin! Why'd you keep that?" Merry held his nose and stepped back. Caroline looked horrified at him.
"That gross thing? Are you kidding?" Pippin shrugged his shoulders and tossed it out the open window.
"Well I tried."
"How about you guys huddle up and think of something."
"Huddle? Up?" Sam looked rather frightened at the idea of huddling.
"Yeah. Stand real close together and talk about what i'll get out of singing to Frodo. Just talk so I can't hear it." Slowly the three Hobbits *huddled* together and began to whisper. After several minutes and a few times of Pippin jumping up and down saying "YES! YES! PERFECT!", they knew what they were going to do.
"Ok. This is it. You sing to Frodo and you get," Pippin cut off a slyly smiling Merry.
"Get a kiss."
"Pippin! I was supposed to say it!"
"Well I said it!"
"What'd you do that for?" While the two bickered Caroline stood there, motionless.
"A what?" She said hoarsly. "A kiss?" Sam nodded.
"Yep. From Merry." Finally Merry and Pippin stopped fighting.
"We all want one of course, but you, you're the lucky one." Pippin said smiling brightly.
"Uh, well," Singing might be an embarrassing prospect. But having some guy who you really like offering a kiss to you if you sing a stupid song was a little, well, unnerving.
"Yes?" Merry asked grinning.
"Or no?" Pippin finished. Caroline didn't know what to say. Of course, half of her was saying 'Yes! Say yes! You get a free kiss from Merry!' while the other half was saying 'Just say no! Just say no! Abstinence!!'. She didn't know which voice to go with. Saying yes would be so embarassing! But saying no, well, what if she offended him? What then?
"Uh, ok." She said quietly. "I'll do it."
"Good." Pippin said. "Go on then!" He motioned for Caroline to start singing.
"What, now?"
"Yes!" The three said together. Oh the embarassment was almost unbearable. She was never going to get through this alive. Oh well, there wasn't an alternative.
"Yeah okay, let me think of a song." She stood there, thinking, not daring to make eye contact with Merry. Way too unnerving. "Alright. Promise not to laugh,"
"Oh come off it already! We heard you at the Prancing Pony, you weren't a bad singer then." Pippin shouted.
"A bit drunk," Merry added.
"But still a good singer! Now get on with it!" Sam said.
"Right. Okay." She walked slowly up to Frodo's bed and ran her fingers along the edge.
"I'm not a perfect person, there's many things I wish I didn't do, but I continue learning, I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know," Everyone stood silent, mesmirized by the sound of her voice. Well, not totally mesmirized, but hey. Every story needs some Mary-sue qualities once in a while.
"I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be," Merry and Pippin both sat down.
"A reason to start over new, and the reason is you." Caroline took several small steps closer to Frodo's head.
"I'm sorry that I hurt you, it's something I must live with everyday," The pain Frodo felt was splitting her heart.
"And all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away," She could have done something.
"And be the one who catches all your tears, that's why I need you to hear." And Frodo would no longer be able to live in Middle Earth. All because of her.
"I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be, A reason to start over new, and the reason is you." Maybe she should change.
"And the reason is you." Stop being such a prankster and be serious.
"I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you, and so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know," She could die here. This needed to be taken seriously.
"I've found a reason to show, a side of me you didn't know, a reason for all that I do, and the reason is you." She stopped singing and kept her back turned to the others, still looking down at the unconscious Frodo. There was a pause between everyone.
"Well that was great." Pippin nudged Merry and the two began to clap.
"Brilliant." Caroline, however, remained quiet. She wasn't crying, but just felt so lost. She didn't belong in Middle Earth and probably the only thing she could do there, tell the future, she was failing at.
***
a/n : well, an interesting chapter, used the word 'stupid' a bit too much. sorry for the super long delay tho! i'm putting myself on internet probation. also, a couple more things i'd like to clear up. first of all is an apology for making this chapter a little, well, mary-sueish. but thats how it goes. second, i know the convo between elrond and aragorn was kind of weird but i don't want my story to be total movie verse. that would suck. and thirdly, i got a wee bit angsty at the end of this chapter, but i must cut it off here and go and eat dinner so have fun leaving me a review.
will caroline ever get that kiss from merry? will frodo awake from his evil sleep? tune in next time and see what if.