Disclaimer: Yeah, I really look like a dead English/South African guy. JK.
I don't own Lord of the Rings. If I did, I would be rich, famous, and I
would not live in Wisconsin.
A/N: I don't have much to say (for a change) except that the next two or three chapters will be a bit boring, in terms of action, but there will be a lot of key info revealed. Her friendship with Arwen will develop over time and become very important later on. Please keep reading and reviewing! A/N: Okay, okay, this IS only PARTLY Mary-Sue! Some of the things are based in my life, but a lot has been altered!
Also, does ANYONE know how I can fix the line spacing on here? I can't for the life of me figure it out!!! Also, the things I had italicized on the document weren't transferred when I uploaded it! Help, anyone?
Also, I would like to thank my loyal friend and story editor, Natya, for her help in beating down writers block and endless supply of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares CDs, which for some strange reason inspire me to write. Thank you!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 7: Confessions
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrond was still talking to Gandalf and the others when the elf-maiden motioned for Calime to follow. After looking back one more time at Mirime, she trailed after the graceful woman.
"I am Arwen," the elf said in Elvish. "You are not from Rivendell, which is what you told your companions. Where are you really from?"
"You're not going to tell them, are you? Did your father notice? Will he tell them?" Calime dodged her question carefully.
"My father is preoccupied. I will not tell them if you answer my question, and if you are not a threat to the people of Rivendell," she said. Calime had to admit that this Arwen was good. She took a deep breath.
"I am from a land very far away. When I p-said something, I felt like I was falling and I landed in Mirkwood," she said. Technically, what she had said was true. She had read the inside of the ring, but it wasn't until she put it on that she had come to Middle-earth. Calime just didn't want to say anything about the ring just yet, because as much as she missed her family and wanted to go home, she wasn't ready to go yet. She wanted to see what would happen. She wanted to help.
"Are you a spy?" Calime stopped, and a few paces beyond, Arwen stopped too, and turned to her. Calime looked her straight in the eye.
"No, I am not a spy." Arwen nodded, and her eyes held the trusting look of a person who believed.
"Come, then. I will find you something to wear."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Arwen showed Calime a small, cozy room. Large glass-less windows facing woods covered one wall, and a table and bed made up the sparse furnishings. Arwen left and returned a few minutes later with several dresses over her arm.
"These should fit you," she said, laying them over the table. They were all of the same graceful, elegant, un-structured design, in several colors: emerald, amethyst, red, and a beautiful pale aqua. Calime ran her hand along that one. It felt like a mixture of silk and velvet, and the hem and sleeves were covered in silver embroidery, as was the collar.
"I will leave you to change, and wash. There is water and soap through that door," she said, pointing to a door in the corner that Calime hadn't noticed before. "When you are finished, meet me outside."
Calime crossed the room and opened the door. Inside the small room were a basin and a pitcher of water. A mirror hung over the stand and more open windows covered the wall.
Calime splashed some water on her face and then scrubbed her hands and arms free of the travel dust. Examining herself, she brushed the worst tangles from her hair and re-braided it.
As Calime walked back to the other room, she pulled off her cloak, belt and tunic. She pulled on the aqua dress, marveling at the soft material after the roughness of her other clothes. After pulling off her boots and breeches, she tucked her sword into the braided belt. Rivendell was probably safe, but the orc attack had made her wary. Looking around, she saw no shoes, so she decided to go barefoot. Taking a deep breath in preparation for whatever awaited her, she pushed open the door and went to meet Arwen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When she stepped from her room, she was greeted with the sight of Legolas instead of Arwen. She walked to him.
"Where is Arwen?"
"She had to leave. A bad feeling, I believe, about the hobbits and Strider," Legolas replied, turning and motioning for Calime to follow him.
"Strider? You mean Aragorn?" she asked, images flashing through her head. If Arwen had left today, Weathertop would happen in two days. Oh, no, she thought. This is not going to be good. Legolas stopped abruptly, grabbing her arm.
"How do you know about Aragorn?" Calime wriggled from his grip.
"I know many things about many subjects, including the One Ring and Sauron."
"What? How?"
"Where I come from, see, these things are common knowledge. Many people know of the One Ring. And I know how the quest to destroy the ring will end."
"Where you are from? You said you were from Rivendell!"
Oh, bad Sunni! That was not smooth. Calime mentally punched herself.
"I lied."
"That much is obvious. Why, though? Are you a spy? Because if you are, you may as well say so now and get the punishment over with."
"Why are you suddenly so eager to hurt me?"
"Why did you lie to us? What reason do you have to lie?" "Because you never would have believed me!" she countered.
"How do you know that?"
"Because it sounds unbelievable, even to me!"
Legolas was silent, and Calime suddenly realized why. Looking around her, she saw that they had reached a large, open hall. A dozen or so elves, dwarves and men stood around. Elrond and Gandalf, who were seated a bit apart from the others and had clearly been talking quietly, stood up. Every person in the room turned and stared at Legolas and Calime. It suddenly dawned on her that they had been yelling.
Elrond regained his composure, and turned to the others in the hall.
"If you could please sit, I will return shortly." With that, he motioned for Legolas and Calime to follow him. Gandalf gave Calime a wise look, then turned and followed Elrond.
The others in the hall had been silent through then. Now, however, there was an eruption of whispers in several different languages as they sat.
Calime felt the same dread she had felt the time she had been sent to the principal's office for yelling at a teacher. It was a mixture of dread, indifference, indignation and, strangely, pride. She even felt a bit of relief at no longer having to carry the secret. Is there any way I can escape? No, there were too many people. Any escape without a horse would be futile, and she had no idea where Mirime was. Calime sighed in resignation, and Legolas gave her a piercing look. Without thinking, she stuck her tongue out at him. He snorted and hurried after Elrond.
Elrond led them through a maze of buildings and trees and stopped in a small room. Like the others Calime had seen, it was open, and the wrought iron structure reminded her strongly of a gazebo.
Elrond motioned for them to sit. Calime remained standing, and he sighed and nodded.
"Why don't you start with the truth?" he suggested in Elvish.
"Why should I tell you anything? Who says you'll believe me?" she shot back in the same language.
"If you tell the truth, I will believe you."
Calime glanced at Legolas, who gave her a small nod and at Gandalf, who winked. She took a deep breath.
"My real name is Leah Hudson, but I am called Sunni, like the sun," she began, glancing out at the forest. She began to pace the small room. "I come from a land very far away, America, the land of the free." She snorted at the name that she didn't think was very true. "I am not sure how I got here. I was holding a ring, and when I put it on, I began to fall. I landed in Mirkwood. I think I hit my head when I landed, because I didn't wake up until some elf decided to use me as target practice. Then, knowing that there was a very slim chance that they would believe me, and I did not know where I was going, I lied. I said I was a messenger from Rivendell, and they agreed to let me come with them. And now I am here."
They simply stared at her in a state of shock and disbelief.
"I am not a spy," she added.
"May I see that ring, please, Calime?" Gandalf asked. Calime stopped pacing and turned to him.
"I will give it back," he added. She nodded and crossed the room. She extended her left hand. On her middle finger, the thin silver band glimmered. Gandalf inspected it closely, and then turned to Elrond.
"It is not an evil ring. Whoever made it did not have harm in mind."
"Does this mean I can stay? I want to help in the War of the Ring," Calime interrupted. Elrond and Gandalf exchanged another look. Then Elrond nodded.
"You may stay."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: That was a long one! I think I need to go find a bucket of ice water to stick my head in!
Red Queen4: I'm sorry, but I find humor in your feeble attempts to make me be like you. I am sorry if that offends you. Anyway, I am not sure I want your help, seeing as you a) can't spell very well and b) have never posted anything on here. How do I know you can write worth a damn if you don't put yourself on the chopping block?
Eamane-elf: Thanks for your reviews!! It seems almost everyone I asked wants to keep Aragorn and Arwen together. I hadn't thought of putting Haldir and Calime together, although I do have some plans for the two of them later on. All the Haldir fans out there might not like it, though.
A/N: I don't have much to say (for a change) except that the next two or three chapters will be a bit boring, in terms of action, but there will be a lot of key info revealed. Her friendship with Arwen will develop over time and become very important later on. Please keep reading and reviewing! A/N: Okay, okay, this IS only PARTLY Mary-Sue! Some of the things are based in my life, but a lot has been altered!
Also, does ANYONE know how I can fix the line spacing on here? I can't for the life of me figure it out!!! Also, the things I had italicized on the document weren't transferred when I uploaded it! Help, anyone?
Also, I would like to thank my loyal friend and story editor, Natya, for her help in beating down writers block and endless supply of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares CDs, which for some strange reason inspire me to write. Thank you!
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 7: Confessions
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrond was still talking to Gandalf and the others when the elf-maiden motioned for Calime to follow. After looking back one more time at Mirime, she trailed after the graceful woman.
"I am Arwen," the elf said in Elvish. "You are not from Rivendell, which is what you told your companions. Where are you really from?"
"You're not going to tell them, are you? Did your father notice? Will he tell them?" Calime dodged her question carefully.
"My father is preoccupied. I will not tell them if you answer my question, and if you are not a threat to the people of Rivendell," she said. Calime had to admit that this Arwen was good. She took a deep breath.
"I am from a land very far away. When I p-said something, I felt like I was falling and I landed in Mirkwood," she said. Technically, what she had said was true. She had read the inside of the ring, but it wasn't until she put it on that she had come to Middle-earth. Calime just didn't want to say anything about the ring just yet, because as much as she missed her family and wanted to go home, she wasn't ready to go yet. She wanted to see what would happen. She wanted to help.
"Are you a spy?" Calime stopped, and a few paces beyond, Arwen stopped too, and turned to her. Calime looked her straight in the eye.
"No, I am not a spy." Arwen nodded, and her eyes held the trusting look of a person who believed.
"Come, then. I will find you something to wear."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Arwen showed Calime a small, cozy room. Large glass-less windows facing woods covered one wall, and a table and bed made up the sparse furnishings. Arwen left and returned a few minutes later with several dresses over her arm.
"These should fit you," she said, laying them over the table. They were all of the same graceful, elegant, un-structured design, in several colors: emerald, amethyst, red, and a beautiful pale aqua. Calime ran her hand along that one. It felt like a mixture of silk and velvet, and the hem and sleeves were covered in silver embroidery, as was the collar.
"I will leave you to change, and wash. There is water and soap through that door," she said, pointing to a door in the corner that Calime hadn't noticed before. "When you are finished, meet me outside."
Calime crossed the room and opened the door. Inside the small room were a basin and a pitcher of water. A mirror hung over the stand and more open windows covered the wall.
Calime splashed some water on her face and then scrubbed her hands and arms free of the travel dust. Examining herself, she brushed the worst tangles from her hair and re-braided it.
As Calime walked back to the other room, she pulled off her cloak, belt and tunic. She pulled on the aqua dress, marveling at the soft material after the roughness of her other clothes. After pulling off her boots and breeches, she tucked her sword into the braided belt. Rivendell was probably safe, but the orc attack had made her wary. Looking around, she saw no shoes, so she decided to go barefoot. Taking a deep breath in preparation for whatever awaited her, she pushed open the door and went to meet Arwen.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When she stepped from her room, she was greeted with the sight of Legolas instead of Arwen. She walked to him.
"Where is Arwen?"
"She had to leave. A bad feeling, I believe, about the hobbits and Strider," Legolas replied, turning and motioning for Calime to follow him.
"Strider? You mean Aragorn?" she asked, images flashing through her head. If Arwen had left today, Weathertop would happen in two days. Oh, no, she thought. This is not going to be good. Legolas stopped abruptly, grabbing her arm.
"How do you know about Aragorn?" Calime wriggled from his grip.
"I know many things about many subjects, including the One Ring and Sauron."
"What? How?"
"Where I come from, see, these things are common knowledge. Many people know of the One Ring. And I know how the quest to destroy the ring will end."
"Where you are from? You said you were from Rivendell!"
Oh, bad Sunni! That was not smooth. Calime mentally punched herself.
"I lied."
"That much is obvious. Why, though? Are you a spy? Because if you are, you may as well say so now and get the punishment over with."
"Why are you suddenly so eager to hurt me?"
"Why did you lie to us? What reason do you have to lie?" "Because you never would have believed me!" she countered.
"How do you know that?"
"Because it sounds unbelievable, even to me!"
Legolas was silent, and Calime suddenly realized why. Looking around her, she saw that they had reached a large, open hall. A dozen or so elves, dwarves and men stood around. Elrond and Gandalf, who were seated a bit apart from the others and had clearly been talking quietly, stood up. Every person in the room turned and stared at Legolas and Calime. It suddenly dawned on her that they had been yelling.
Elrond regained his composure, and turned to the others in the hall.
"If you could please sit, I will return shortly." With that, he motioned for Legolas and Calime to follow him. Gandalf gave Calime a wise look, then turned and followed Elrond.
The others in the hall had been silent through then. Now, however, there was an eruption of whispers in several different languages as they sat.
Calime felt the same dread she had felt the time she had been sent to the principal's office for yelling at a teacher. It was a mixture of dread, indifference, indignation and, strangely, pride. She even felt a bit of relief at no longer having to carry the secret. Is there any way I can escape? No, there were too many people. Any escape without a horse would be futile, and she had no idea where Mirime was. Calime sighed in resignation, and Legolas gave her a piercing look. Without thinking, she stuck her tongue out at him. He snorted and hurried after Elrond.
Elrond led them through a maze of buildings and trees and stopped in a small room. Like the others Calime had seen, it was open, and the wrought iron structure reminded her strongly of a gazebo.
Elrond motioned for them to sit. Calime remained standing, and he sighed and nodded.
"Why don't you start with the truth?" he suggested in Elvish.
"Why should I tell you anything? Who says you'll believe me?" she shot back in the same language.
"If you tell the truth, I will believe you."
Calime glanced at Legolas, who gave her a small nod and at Gandalf, who winked. She took a deep breath.
"My real name is Leah Hudson, but I am called Sunni, like the sun," she began, glancing out at the forest. She began to pace the small room. "I come from a land very far away, America, the land of the free." She snorted at the name that she didn't think was very true. "I am not sure how I got here. I was holding a ring, and when I put it on, I began to fall. I landed in Mirkwood. I think I hit my head when I landed, because I didn't wake up until some elf decided to use me as target practice. Then, knowing that there was a very slim chance that they would believe me, and I did not know where I was going, I lied. I said I was a messenger from Rivendell, and they agreed to let me come with them. And now I am here."
They simply stared at her in a state of shock and disbelief.
"I am not a spy," she added.
"May I see that ring, please, Calime?" Gandalf asked. Calime stopped pacing and turned to him.
"I will give it back," he added. She nodded and crossed the room. She extended her left hand. On her middle finger, the thin silver band glimmered. Gandalf inspected it closely, and then turned to Elrond.
"It is not an evil ring. Whoever made it did not have harm in mind."
"Does this mean I can stay? I want to help in the War of the Ring," Calime interrupted. Elrond and Gandalf exchanged another look. Then Elrond nodded.
"You may stay."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A/N: That was a long one! I think I need to go find a bucket of ice water to stick my head in!
Red Queen4: I'm sorry, but I find humor in your feeble attempts to make me be like you. I am sorry if that offends you. Anyway, I am not sure I want your help, seeing as you a) can't spell very well and b) have never posted anything on here. How do I know you can write worth a damn if you don't put yourself on the chopping block?
Eamane-elf: Thanks for your reviews!! It seems almost everyone I asked wants to keep Aragorn and Arwen together. I hadn't thought of putting Haldir and Calime together, although I do have some plans for the two of them later on. All the Haldir fans out there might not like it, though.