Chapter 8: Nightmares and Arrivals
A/N: I am so sorry for not updating you have no idea! When did I last update? Oh yes, I have it now. I went to band camp (Whoa!) had a ton of fun while I realized I can't march-but I'm definitely better than the freshman. And then I had the weekend and we started school up so that takes us to about the 11th. For the last three or four weeks I have been adjusting to my classes, fighting with the idiotic counselors at my school, and trying not to get my butt kicked by my AP class-which is my favorite class now. Plus on top of all this the lab top wasn't working so I couldn't get on to access the internet, and my dad broke the internet on the big computer so I still can't get on it at this moment! So, that's what's been going on at my house.
Oh plus my BF moved to Detroit and her sister is living in our house now. I live with 6 other people now . . .
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Annadîn woke to Serina's usual jokes and smiled as her friend threatened her with all sorts of tortures if she did not rise. Groggily she sat up and yawned excessively.
"Sorry but that will not get you out of anything Anna. Up! Up! You have to be at breakfast in 15 minutes."
Annadîn rolled her eyes and went to lie back down.
"No you don't!" Serina exclaimed coming over and pulling Annadîn off the bed. "I was not kidding, breakfast really does start in fifteen minutes!"
The two young woman got Annadîn dressed and cleaned up in a matter of minutes. Serina was just fixing a piece of hair into place when there was a knock on the door.
"Wait a second please!" Serina yelled. "There, now I wonder who our visitor is today?" She said walking towards the door. As soon as the door opened, Serina curtsied and let the person enter.
"What happened in here?" Aragorn exclaimed.
Annadîn gave a weak smile. Suddenly her hand was raised to her mouth as she hid a yawn.
"Ahh. I guess someone stayed up late last night." Aragorn teased.
Annadîn nodded meekly and left with Aragorn to the dining hall.
It was in the middle of breakfast that the usual group was disturbed. A messenger came to the King and bowed before him. Still on his knee, he began to speak. "I am a messenger from the Riddermark. I come ahead of Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Perigrin Took to warn you of their coming. They shall arrive here in two day's time."
"The Hobbits!" Gimli exclaimed, a grin spreading about his face, and a look of remembrance in his eyes.
Aragorn chuckled and turned back to the messenger. "I thank you for your news. Please join us and relax. You may return to your realm after you have rested. But take as long as you need."
The messenger bowed and left.
"Oh Anna wait 'til you meet them!" Gimli was giddy with excitement. "They are marvelous creatures! Merry and Pippin can eat more then humanly-even dwarvenly-possible!"
Annadîn nodded her head. She knew about hobbits, from what she learned from books in the library. And the names were familiar but she could not exactly place them. She was mulling over her thoughts for a minute longer when it hit her. They were part of the Fellowship that had been formed years ago.
The three "men" continued to talk about Merry and Pippin retelling tales from their experiences. Annadîn looked around her. All three had been going on for quite some time now and even though she was interested, she had blocked them out without realizing. As she looked at-her now normal-companions, she caught Arwen's eye. Arwen nodded her head towards a door, Annadîn nodded. The two stood up and left the hall practically noiselessly.
"Oh those three once you even mention the word hobbit they talk for hours." Arwen bellowed.
Annadîn gave a warm smile.
"Sorry Annadîn but you know how they get. But you will enjoy Merry and Pippin. They are fun loving creatures that no matter what will always find some mischief. Perhaps they are the key to you? Maybe we will hear a laugh escape your lips while they are here, it is almost impossible not too."
Annadîn gave another smile. She was intrigued and wished to meet these two. Arwen said a good bye and left her to her own demise. But as the Queen walked off Annadîn heard her muttering about how Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas were still probably chatting away like teenage girls.
The next two days were a whirlwind. All the three hunters would talk about was Merry and Pippin. Annadîn found herself taking refuge in the secluded corners of the library not just to read, but also to get away from the talk of the halflings. Even with this constant murmur, she was anxious to meet them.
It was a day before the two arrived that Serina found her in a comfy corner of the old library.
"Ah I see you are not out and about hearing the three chatter constantly about the halflings."
Annadîn rolled her eyes, and stopped herself from making choking gestures.
Serina smiled at her friend. "So you are as sick as I am about all the talk."
A firm nod was the answer she received.
"I love the two though they do seem to send the whole place into an uproar."
Annadîn raised an eyebrow.
"Oh so you have not heard this tale." A mischievous grin spread across the maid's face as she settled into a chair near Annadîn. "See the last time these two were here they stole something of Aragorn's-I'm not really quite sure what it was. So the King ran-okay maybe not ran more of hurried-down the halls calling out their names. I swear it was a bear looking for his dinner. Once he found the two-who might I add where laughing so hard they were crying-he not only retrieved his belongings but also gave them a repayment. He set dinner that night an hour and a half later then usual. The poor hobbits were so frightened they missed dinner they ran about yelling." At this point Serina was chuckling.
Annadîn smiled brightly imagining the seen that the three must have made.
*******
I've forgotten what if feels like
To feel normal
To be normal
And I've forgotten what food tastes like
The way it tastes right
The taste buds taste right
********
She kept smiling until her friend disappeared from her view. Then, the mask fell. She wondered what it would be like to joke like that again. Annadîn could not remember what it was like. She felt different, out of place, like she had never felt before in this strange world. In her mind she went over the story, went over the actions of her friends. But no matter what she could not remember what it was like to be carefree. Nothing came to her about what it was like to joke and play. What it was like to crave jokes. And for once in a long time, she wished she could be like that.
Never had she wished for a thing as simple as that in a long while. Everything had always been complicated, tied to what happened years ago. But now all she wanted was to forget. She wanted to be like her friend.
For a long while, she sat and mulled over what it would be like to be free of all her burdens. Her feet left the library and took her outside into the magnificent gardens. But she did not notice the change of view.
*******
Well I wake up in so much spit and sweat
It is not normal
What is normal
I go to bed
When I wake up
After cleaning all
All the spit and sweat
Now I'm
Sh sh Shakin
Sh Shakin
I'm Sh Sh shakin
Sh Shakin now
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Annadîn opened her eyes and found herself in the gardens. She blinked repeated and stifled a shudder. Not remembering how she got there, she sank to the bench behind her. But as she closed her eyes and figured out the last thing she remembered, she began to shake.
How odd it seemed for her to want such things as being normal. She would never be normal and she never was normal. But still it was strange to came back to reality after spacing out and realize that she was wishing for something that had never plagued her before. Well never truly plagued her; she guessed she must have accepted the fact somewhere along the rode that she would never be able to have a normal life again.
Shaking her head to clear her confusing thoughts she left the garden. Her rooms soon came into view as she walked down one of the many corridors. The moonlight was coming through her window and when she saw it was giving her room a celestial glow. A small smile of remembrance was set on her features for it reminded her of all the times that she had stayed up just waiting for the moon to shine upon her and make her troubles disappear. It was with comfort that Annadîn readied for bed. And soon she was lying, head on her pillow waiting for the sand man.
******
I tossed and turned
All night cause I
Cause I was looking for
For an ending
This was so because because
I watched all day
The "Neverending Story" with Atreyu
******
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The young Annadîn waved to her friend, she walked up to her door. The clouds in the sky were ominously waiting and it would soon rain again. It had rained early during practice but coach had not let them stop practicing. She opened the heavy wooden door. The cool air from outside quickly mingled with the air from inside. Breathing in deeply she closed the door letting her nose smell the grass one last time before the door clicked shut. Bending over she took her flip-flops, which she had taken off, and placed them on her step. Her backpack landed on top of them and the sound of the books and binders slapping together echoed throughout the foyer.
That's when she noticed it. The eerie quiet. She had never heard the house this silent before. Only at night when the magic powders of the sand man had been laid on all of the family's eyes, and she sat up avoiding the sand man for a little longer. She shrugged her shoulders releasing the tension that had built up there, so they were sleeping.
Then going to the left, she went to the small corridor that led to the kitchen. The dining room -to the left of the corridor- remained the same as always, empty. The bathroom on the right in the corridor was empty. Then, she turned her head to the left and peeked into the laundry room. Shoes lay inside so she knew someone was home. Her socked feet padded loudly on the wooden floor. It went straight to her heart and made her muscles tense. Why was it so quiet? She had never heard soft steps echo, but now as she did she wished never to hear it again.
The lights of the kitchen were off, it was the first thing she noticed when she left the small corridor. She turned to her right, something was making her look, but as her body moved her mind screamed at her to stop. She did not want to see what was waiting for her; she knew, what ever was there would not be good. Her eyes looked into the family room, the kitchen table separating the two rooms.
What she saw made her back up. They were there, all of them, except one. One was missing. Where is he? her mind screamed. The tears struck her. She watched as they fell freely from her mother's face. Nothing could halt their flow and her mother did not even try and brush them away. Their trails were slick with thousands of tears, which glided noiselessly down her cheek and fell from her chin.
Quickly her eyes went to her father. He too had tear-stained cheeks. And still more fell down his face. This wasn't right, her mind screamed, they are mistaken.
Her head kept shaking it wasn't true they were lying! But her eyes roamed to her older brother. And as she watched the first tears fell from his eyes-they were his very first, she could see that his cheeks were completely dry-tears were then brought to her eyes. The crystal water droplets danced melancholy down her brother's cheeks and glided off of his face. She shook her head one last time knowing the desperation was evident in her eyes. But she was met with pain. He nodded slowly, strongly, in confirmation, never breaking eye contact.
She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. Slowly she closed it, but not before a tear slipped inside, and she tasted its saltiness, creating a bitter taste. And she knew from that moment on that her life was to be smeared with bitterness.
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******
The next day came
But not a beam of light
Because the blinds were shut
SH SH SH
Shut so tight
I fell out of bed
Laced in spit and sweat
It made me very cold
It made me very cold
******
Annadîn awoke in a cold sweet. It was late morning for she had tossed and turned most of the night, sleeping little and far between. She sat up immediately and stared at the other side of her room.
Why did she have to recall that day? It had been haunting her dreams for four years now. Wasn't it enough yet? She wondered. Couldn't it just leave her alone! That was all she wanted but it would not stop, it never stopped. But the thing that frightened her the most, was that it was revealed in clear detail. She had truly felt this nightmare. Usually it was but snatches of the incident, pieces; enough to evoke memories but not enough to make her this frightened.
Quickly Annadîn rolled out of bed and opened the curtains to let in the light. Immediately there was a flood of the sun's rays. She closed her eyes hoping that their warmth would replace the coldness she felt at the moment. The dream always brought her pain and with the pain was coldness. She never could figure out what caused it, but it always appeared.
It was a long while before Annadîn moved, and still no one came to her room. She shrugged it off and went to ready for the day. As usual, she put on something simple and comfortable. Next, she ran a comb through her hair and walked towards the door.
******
I'm suppose to fell better
This nightmare supposed to end
I am holding on
I'm Shakin' now*
******
Annadîn's hand left the doorknob as the door closed tightly. For now, she would forget about the nightmare as much as she could. It did not belong in the day's bright world.
She walked to the dining hall but did not run into a soul on the way. There was no one there or any remnant of a meal being recently eaten. Confused Annadîn made her way to the kitchens to find out exactly how late it was. As she entered the kitchens, she finally found a flurry of activity. Cooks were running around shouting at each other, doing anything conceivable to make complete-yet slightly organized-chaos.
Annadîn found a young maid communicated to her what she wanted to know. She pointed at her wrist with a confused look, it was the only way she knew how to ask for the time.
"It is 10:30 Miss, breakfast has been finished for many hours now. But I assume you are hungry for you were not seen."
Annadîn nodded.
The young girl scurried off and came back with a thick slice of bread. "This is all I can get for you. I hope it is sufficient."
Nodding politely with a soft smile on her face, Annadîn accepted the bread and then left. But the reason for all the activity in the kitchen still mystified her. Still as she continued to walk, she found not a being in her sight. And soon Annadîn gave up looking for someone altogether and went to her usual spot, the library.
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"Where have you been!"? Serena shrieked. "I have been looking for you all morning!"
Annadîn placed her hands next to her head imitating sleep. Then flashed the numbers ten and three, indicating the time that she found she awoke.
"Oh my I forgot to wake you! I am so sorry Anna, but the hustle and bustle got to me."
Annadîn's eyebrows came together in confusion.
"The Hobbits arrived this morning. And we have all be rushing around preparing their rooms and the small feast for tonight."
With the new information, Annadîn was no longer perplexed and she nodded her head in understanding.
"I'm glad you understand, now come on! I still have to clean their rooms and you might as well help me rather then sit on your bottom all day!" Serena grabbed Annadîn's wrist and pulled her from the library.
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"Do you think they'll feed us?" Pippin asked Merry outright in front of their friends.
"I don't know Pip. Why don't you ask them?" Merry said playing along with Pippin, acting as if Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Arwen were not beside them.
"But I'm hungry I don't think I could last long enough to ask them!" Pippin whined.
"Neither could I!" Merry agreed.
"Do not fret my friends we have a snack being readied for you at the moment." Aragorn informed between chuckles.
"It always food with you too!" Gimli exclaimed.
Merry and Pippin looked at each other for a split second then burst into grins while nodding wildly.
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"Are you jealous of how much attention the Hobbits have received, especially since you have quite unceremoniously been forgotten?" Serina questioned.
Annadîn rolled her eyes and shook her head. Then, continued to wash the tile floor.
"Are you sure?" Serina questioned in mock seriousness.
Annadîn's only answer was to fling the soap, from the brush she was using to clean the floor with, at Serina. With a shriek, Serina did the same. Soon the two were outright throwing suds at each other, running, screaming-only on Serina's part-, and having a general good time. This lasted for many minutes-well at least until they caught sight of the room and stopped immediately. They stood in the middle of the room like guilty children covered in the evidence needed to convict them of their crime, fighting with suds.
After a long while of staring Serina spoke, "I guess we should clean this up if we do not wish to be yelled at."
Annadîn nodded firmly in agreement and the two began-once again-to make the room spotless.
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"Come on hurry up! You're going to be late!" Serina cried. She was sitting on Annadîn's bed while Annadîn was in the bathroom putting on her black skirt and Legolas's blue shirt. "You're not wearing that!" she exclaimed, the dismay evident in her voice. "You can't!"
Annadîn just shook her head.
"Your not going." Serina stated surprised.
Annadîn nodded softly.
"But why."
Thoughtfulness came upon Annadîn's face as she thought how to convey her message. Closing her eyes, she thought about what exactly she wanted to tell Serina. She knew she did not belong with the group of old friends, at least not this night. Finally, she opened them and pointed in the direction of the hall. Next, she pointed to the ground. Then, she pointed at herself and stepped away from the spot that she had pointed at.
"You don't think you belong with them." Serina voiced.
Annadîn nodded.
"But why?"
The young woman shrugged. She did not know how to communicate time to her friend. These beings had known each other for years while she had been in their lives to catch only a glimpse of what they are like.
"You have your reasons I am sure, so I promise I will stop now Anna. I must be off for I am supposed to help serve tonight. You can come if you wish."
Annadîn nodded and the two young women left the chambers. As they walked, they met up with a servant here and there but nothing more. No ladies or lords, or any of the inhabitants of the place were to be seen.
When they arrived at the kitchens Annadîn was surprised to how many people there were already inside, numerous cooks and scullery maids, servers and squires, and many others. Annadîn snuck out of the busy kitchen and into the small room that led to the dining hall. Here the courses were placed before they were taken to be served.
Annadîn went to the door leading to the dining chamber; it was cracked to make it easier for the servers to go in and out while carrying numerous plates. Inside she could just make out the outlines of six people. It was not a large number just those who had arrived and their friends. The Hobbits' welcome feast to Minas Tirith would be on a later date, if there was one.
Annadîn filled with wonder at the group of people just beyond the door and sat just by it. Here she could look out and watch them, and she could not be seen. As the servers came in and out of the door, their bodies or the door itself would conceal her. She smiled at the thought of not intruding on the group and still finding out information about the Hobbits.
"Anna!"
Annadîn sat bolt up right and looked guiltily at Serina.
"So you will not go because you believe you are intruding but you will sit by a door all night long and watch them!"? The amusement was evident in her voice.
Annadîn shrugged.
"You are a waste of time you know that my friend."
Annadîn smiled sweetly at Serina.
Serina mean while shook her head. "Might I tell you this my friend, you have chosen a good seat to observe them from. I used to do it myself as a child." A warm smile was then present on Serina's lips. "I have work to do unlike some people." Serina stated and went back into the kitchens.
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*This was I'm Shakin' by Rooney. And I know its about the Neverending Story but hey if you disregard that its fine. Oh if you believe that the song doesn't fit just tell me and if a lot believe it doesn't work I'll take it out. (I'm not sure how the story works with the song so . . .)
Okay I am so, so, so, so, sorry. I have been really preoccupied with school, I don't want to make you guys upset, and ahh I'm just really busy. So I hope you enjoyed this and I promise I am making a new chapter right now and it will be up in at least 3 weeks (I have to give myself a stress filled week)
Here's to all of my wonderful reviewers. (See above paragraph).
Serpent of Light- Okay so I didn't update soon but it was completely out of my control! And they did it to me again! I wrote a chapter then ended up rewriting it because it wasn't right at all. Anyway, I'm glad you like it and hopefully there wasn't too much pain with the waiting.
Lina Skye-No of course I wouldn't be a softball player ::::: scratches her head while looking anywhere but at the computer screen ::::: Yeah I have softball on my mind a lot too but I'm still contemplating where to play still or not I already had to give up soccer for school. Anywho I don't think those bruises hurt that bad, only when you first get them, but I have a high tolerance of pain. Well I'm glad you liked it, and hopefully this chapter was good work too.Jazmin-I know you asked for the description of Anna but I didn't want you to feel bad. Well Aragorn kinda already dismissed the head maid so . . . And I agree the library is a wonderful place. Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long.
Andreah-Yay the Muses are still here. :::: waves to all the muses ::::: Yeah I really didn't like the old maid either. Glad you like it :::: Thank you muse # 3 for interpreting :::: I enjoy that short Hobbit thing too, I was like I'm short what would I say to me that would be kinda mean but still funny and polite. Really no. I was like how can I make fun of her/myself without being too mean. I'm shutting up I promise thanks for the review and for waiting.
MaverickGirl-Okay I'm glad you liked it. And yes I love Anna and Serina's relationship too. Sorry I didn't update soon!
Dawnlady-I'm glad you liked the story! But as for a hint I hope this chapter is a little help. And if not then you will just have to wait.
Royleen-I am so sorry I haven't updated and I'm glad you enjoy it.
Just Me-Well I guess it would be a good thing that my story is worthy of having cuss words when it is being described as good. (And if that makes no sense sorry.)
Me-Groveling, you mentioned groveling. Hmmm . . . maybe I would. No really, I'm really sorry that I have not updated. Just a question for you, are you related to Linds or are you Linds? because you sound like her, if not sorry.
Gillabilla-Sorry for not updating soon. You believe that her not speaking suits her well? That's good, oh and also thanks for saying she's unique sometimes I'm not so sure and it's so great to have your guy's support.
Eyrn (of) Lasgalen-Thank you for reviewing first off and secondly I am sorry for the wait! It's good to know that you believe Annadin is a generally unique character. Also, I tried as much as I could to keep the other characters with there same personality while expanding on it. Anyway, thanks for backing me up with the other persons review, I just got so mad when they did that and well . . . Thanks for the support and sorry about my bad timing.
Oil Pastel-Thanks for the review I'm pleased to hear that you like the story. As for Anna I'm still working on it.
Sarah-I feel bad because you asked for more the day after I updated and I haven't updated for close to a month. So I hope that this chapter is worthy of the wait.
Coolio02-I'm delighted that you like it. And sorry about the long wait.
Kiki-The-Random-Maiden-Sorry about not updating! Well since I'm so sorry I'll say it again, I'm really, really sorry for not updating!
Kurleyhawk2-Well I'm glad you like it. But as for her age I haven't really said that yet. So I'll try to clear that up as soon as possible in the story.
Dark Angle 4523-I'm happy you like this story. It good to hear from all of you guys. As for the hobbit comment I'm so sorry that you were called a hobbit. (I'm short too under 5'3" and my parents aren't small at all. I'm the shortest of most of my friends. But hey being short definitely has its advantages! Like not hitting your head on car doors. (Sorry my friends just did that))LadySiri-Good to hear from you, and so sorry about the wait, I'm glad Serina's back too. Was Estel acting cute? I don't even remember what he did. Oh well at least you enjoyed it. .
Siren6-Sorry, sorry, sorry for not updating. And it's good to see your enjoyed Serina coming back.
Sparkle23-I'm glad you enjoy this and so sorry about the extended wait.
Haki-Yes, I rox someone's socks! That was my goal in life I can die a happy one. Really, thanks for the comment you have no idea. Glad you like the story and I am extremely sorry for not updating.
Jazmin3-Well I guess my story is good if it is worthy of rereading. And I was on vacation plus school began again. Hopefully you haven't given up on my story.
Eryn(of)Lasgalen-Other chapters, is there suppose to be other chapters. Dang it that's what I forgot to do. Sorry about the long wait!
Crimson Starlight-Yes more rocking, just kidding. Alright sorry about the extensive wait. And I'm pleased to hear you enjoy their pillow fights as much as I do.