Faulkner: Disclaimer huh? Been a while since I last did one of those.
Alrighty, here it goes....
I hereby declare that I own none of the names, characters, places, and other crap in this story except for the pendant, Ratchet, and parts of the plotline. And if you try to sue me, all you'll get is some sand and a torn shirt. P
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Ratchet awoke, all she felt was a throbbing in her left wrist. She grimaced and thought 'Damn, i'm still here. Why can't I even kill myself right?' She shifted into a sitting position and looked around. She had been moved into a small room, and her clothes were changed.
Ratchet now wore dark brown pants and a dark green shirt. She pulled her arms out from under the covers and stared at her wrist. It was thickly bandaged, and now only a small red spot could be seen.
'Well. If i'm going to recover, I might as well do that right' she thought humorlessly.
After putting her boots back on and grabbing the dagger that Haldir had given to her, she left the room and wandered down the halls. Only one person passed her, and it was an old woman. Ratchet asked the lady for directions, but was ignored.
Ratchet did a very childish thing, stuck her tongue out at the lady when she passed her.
"Some people and manners." Ratchet grumbled.
It didn't matter though, for she soon found the kitchen on her own. The headwoman gave her some kind of broth and directed her to a seat in the corner of the kitchen. Ratchet ate it all and was then given a piece of stale bread.
She grimaced at the taste of the bread, but ate it anyway. She thanked the headwoman and left the kitchen.
Ratchet wandered around the halls for what seemed like an eternity to her. She was lost in her thoughts, mostly about how her life had come to this, when she heard an indignant yell.
"I am NOT a child! I can take care of MYSELF!"
Ratchet stopped dead in her tracks at the voice. It couldn't have been him. It was impossible. He was dead. Haldir was dead!
Wasn't he?
Ratchet slowly walked to the door where all the commotion was coming from, not daring to hope it was really him. She stopped in front of the door and put her hand on the door knob. Slowly, she pushed the door open and entered.
The sight that greeted her was so ridiculus, and yet, so relieving.
On a bed in the middle of the room, sat Haldir. He was naked from the waist up, the only thing on him a bandage on his side. A healer was fussing over the bandage, and Haldir was trying to push him away, while another healer tried to hold him back.
Ratchet blinked several times to make sure she wasn't sleep-walking or something of the sort.
"Oh, for the love of God people!" she burst out. "Leave the damn elf alone, will ya?!" The healers looked up at her and she could swear she saw them grin evilly.
"Ah yes. Our other patient is awake!" The two were next to her, quick as a flash, and were checking her bandaged wrist. She tried to pull her arm away, but the two had gotten her good.
When they were satisfied, they bowed at Haldir and left. Haldir, in the meantime, had put on a grey shirt and had watched the healers fuss over Ratchet.
Ratchet then turned her attention back to the Lorien elf. She walked over to his bedside and looked at his sheets.
"You no good, son of a bitch. You mother fuckin' perverted bastardized little shit." Haldir's eyes widened at her curses. But then he gasped when he felt something wet and warm hit his hand. He looked down at his hand, and saw a lone tear.
He gently put a finger under Ratchet's chin and lifted so he could see her face. Ratchet was crying.
"I thought you were dead." she whispered so softly, it was hard for even his elven ears to hear. "I didn't want you to die."
Haldir was taken aback at this behavior. He had never seen her cry before, and it was a strange sight to behold. She grabbed his hand and gently squeezed it between two of hers. She choked back a sob and shakily caressed his hand.
With surprising deftness, he pulled her onto the bed and hugged her to his good side. He smoothed back her hair and tried to calm her down.
"It is all right. I am alive, Ratchet. Everything will be fine. Do not cry. Sssshhh." She held onto him, like he would die if she let go. She buried her face into his good side and tried to stiffle her sobs.
The door silently opened, and Haldir looked up from Ratchet to see Legolas and Aragorn in the doorway. The two looked at Ratchet's slightly shaking form and shook their heads.
'We'll be back later' Aragorn mouthed to Haldir. The elf nodded, and started to stroke her back. Legolas smiled at the sight of the two. This was a side of the marchwarden he had never seen before. It was interesting to see him comforting a human in such a way.
Ratchet didn't notice their sudden presence, or their leaving. She was concentrating on trying to stop crying. She didn't like to cry, it made her feel weak and vulnerable.
But it was so relieving to see Haldir alive and sort of well. It was good to see that he didn't disappear when she touched him, or hugged him back. He was alive, and she was determined to keep it that way.
Ratchet finally stopped crying, but didn't loosen her grip.
"Feel better?" Haldir asked.
"Much, thanks." Ratchet mumbled into his side. A smile tugged at Haldir's lips as he watched her cling to him. He thought it slightly humorous that a human with such a spirit could act like this.
When she did pull back, Ratchet only moved her head so she could see Haldir's face. She studied it carefully, noting every curve and delicate feature. She had come so close to losing him as well. It nearly killed her.
Haldir's thoughts turned from Ratchet's odd behavior, to the bandage on her wrist.
"What happened?" he asked, gently taking her wrist in his hands.
"Oh." Ratchet laid her head on Haldir's stomach and stared rather dully at the wound. "It was cut by a knife." she answered. She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes. She hadn't intended to go to sleep, but it happened anyway.
The elf smiled ever so slightly as he heard her breathing even out. He sat and watched her sleep for a good while when Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli entered.
Legolas smiled tenderly at her. "It is good to see her sleep peacefully." Legolas sighed and looked back up to Haldir. "I hope I do not wake her when I move her back to her room." and the elf moved to pick her up.
"No. Let her sleep here." Legolas was shocked to hear the marchwarden say this, but honored his request.
"May I ask why you have such a request?" Aragorn asked suggestively.
"Certainly for not the reasons that you are thinking of!" Haldir snapped.
The three comrades chuckled at the elf's expense. But Aragorn sobered up suddenly and stared at Haldir's wounded side with a slight frown.
"How is it that you survived?" Gimli and Legolas quieted to better hear Haldir's reply. "I saw the orc stab you and watched as you fell. How is it that you are still alive?"
The marchwarden sighed heavily and watched Ratchet sleep with a thoughtful look.
"I have often thought of that myself." he finally said. "And yet, I can only come up with a guess at what happened. Sit." He motioned to some chairs situated at a small table over to the side of the room. The elf, man, and dwarf dragged chairs over and sat, ready to hear Haldir's tale.
"I remember the sword hitting me and everything going momentarily blurry. Pain washed over me as I slowly fell. The sounds and sights of battle were fading, and gradually I lost all sense completely and found myself in darkness." Haldir reached over to the bedstand and grabbed a glass of water. He took a couple drinks before continuing. "I suddenly found myself in a great hall lit only with a few torches set in the wall at intervals. I decided to walk down this hall, for it could only have been the Halls of Mandos."
Legolas sucked in a quick breath.
"I saw a few elves dallying in the halls, undoubtably waiting for family or lovers before entering. It seemed that I walked down that hall for ages before I finally caught sight of giant double doors that were open. Beyond them, I only saw a beautiful light that had no color. And yet it was all the colors of the world at the same time. As I approached the door, someone came out of the doors and halted my progress. He slowly shook his head and gave me a wistful smile. 'You cannot enter.' he told me. 'Why?' I asked him. 'Because you are being called back.' he answered."
"Called back? How can one be called back from death?" Gimli interrupted.
"Shush, and you may find out." Aragorn told the sceptical dwarf.
"I started at this reply, and I asked him the very same question that you asked me, Master Dwarf. 'Iluvatar made only one thing stronger than himself and the Valar.' he answered. I was quite surprised and asked him what it was. He shook his head at me and answered, 'You shall have to find out for yourself. There is no time to explain.' And I felt that he was right, for I felt an inexplainable pull back from where I came. The elf went back and stood in front of the door and spoke to me for one last time. 'Saesa omentien lle, Haldir o Lorien. May it be a long time before next we meet, if at all.'" (Pleasure meeting you, Haldir of Lorien)
Haldir took another drink of water before continuing.
"The elf disappeared into the light and the doors slowly closed. I did the only thing I could do. I turned and walked back. After what seemed like ages again, I saw what seemed to me, to be a giant sun painted on a stone wall. I felt the urge to touch it, and could hear a faint crying and pleading coming from the painting. The Halls disappeared, and suddenly I could feel a great pain in my side. I involuntarily groaned and I heard men come and turn me over on my back. They inspected my wound and brought me here. You three know what happens after that."
Silence reigned for seconds. Then seconds drifted into minutes.
"A sun, you say?" Legolas broke the silence.
Haldir nodded and Legolas let his gaze rest on Ratchet. "The Lady of the Wood gave Ratchet a sun pendant as her gift." the Mirkwood elf thought aloud. "Could that have something to do with it?"
Haldir sighed and also turned his eyes to the sleeping teen. "I do not see it. I think it only a coincidence. I admit that she is strong in spirit most times, even after what happened. But I highly doubt that she could do such a thing."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Legolas argued. "The way she was affected by your 'death' attests for that. Did she tell you how her wrist was injured?"
"She said it was cut by a knife, but would say no more." Haldir wondered where this was going.
"Yes. Her very own knife, in fact." Aragorn said. "She slit her own wrist, Haldir. She deemed that life wasn't worth living anymore, so decided to end it. Possibly also in hopes of meeting Boromir."
"She....what?" Haldir asked uncertainly.
"Ratchet tried to kill herself. Legolas found her, bleeding in a corner. She tried to commit suicide." Aragorn stated.
Haldir reached out and started stroking her hair slowly. "So young.... Yet so sad....." he murmured. He shook his head, but his hand never left her. "Even if it was her, how did she do it?" he asked.
Everyone was silent in thought.
"Hope...." Legolas whispered. "On the back of her pendant, in older form of elvish is written 'estel'. Could that be it?" the elf asked.
"We can only guess." Gimli said.
The three companions sat for a while, deep in thought. They would have stayed there most of the day if a soldier hadn't informed them that King Theoden wished to speak with them. They said good-bye to Haldir and promised to inform him of the happenings later.
Haldir sat up for a while, thinking on what had been said and other things. But soon he laid under the covers and went into the elvish version of sleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ratchet woke up in an unfamiliar bed. She blinked and looked around sleepily. The room was lit by only a few candles and the drapes were drawn over the one window in the room.
After seeing that nothing was wrong, she wondered what had prompted her to wake up. Ratchet was still very tired, but could feel a nagging in the back of her mind that had woken her. She carefully got off the bed so as not to wake Haldir and slipped out of the room.
The hall was dark, only a few torches were lit and put in sconces.
Ratchet walked quietly through the halls and to the outside. The stars were bright and a crescent moon was high in the sky. She wound her way around the few sleeping forms that had decided to sleep outside and found herself on the part of the wall that hadn't been blown to bits.
She sighed and looked over the ashes of the burnt orcs and the seperate mounds of dead elves and men.
"So many dead...." she whispered to herself. "How many of them had family waiting for them?"
"So lately, been wondering
Who will be there to take my place
When i'm gone you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
Then between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own?"
It was all so horrible. So many were dead that deserved to live. And yet many people who deserved death were alive. Ratchet was grateful to whatever powers that had brought Haldir back to life. He definitely deserved life over death.
"If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
And maybe, i'll find out
A way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you
Through the darkest of your days
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
Then I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you
If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Run away with my heart
Run away with my hope
Run away with my love
I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I'll stay with you for all of time
If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
I'll go wherever you will go."
'I wish I could be with Boromir now' she thought to herself.
"That was beautiful."
Ratchet slowly turned around and saw Haldir standing behind her. He had somehow managed to get out of bed and put on some boots and had evidently followed her.
"Haldir!" Ratchet whispered hoarsly. "You shouldn't be out of bed! You crazy elf!"
"Neither should you." Haldir replied. He walked over to where she was sitting and stiffly joined her on the wall. "After a battle like that, you should be sleeping so deeply that you would be thought dead." he joked.
"Ha ha. Very funny." Ratchet looked at Haldir's injured side and checked for any signs that something was wrong. When she was pretty sure it was fine, she looked back up to the stars. "Something woke me up. I just can't get back to sleep."
"Really?" She could hear the silent question in his voice.
"I don't know what, though." Ratchet stood up and started to pace. She was feeling restless now, and very unsettled.
"Are you sure?" Haldir asked.
"Positive. One minute i'm sleeping. The next, i'm wide awake I feel like I could fight another battle. I don't know what the hell is goin' on."
"Stop pacing, you're making me dizzy." Haldir said. "Try to relax, and maybe you'll be able to go back to sleep."
"That's the problem. I can't relax. I feel like something's gonna happen. Something bad."
The words seemed to bring what was coming, and Ratchet felt that sickeningly familiar pulling feeling.
The heat was worse than unbearable. It was so intense, that you could actually see flickers of it in the air.
~Sooooo. You have beaten the orc army of the White Wizard.~ the voice was unnaturally calm.
"Neener neener neener." Ratchet taunted. "And your ass is next Mister Dark Lord."
It felt like a giant hand had wrapped itself around her neck. It started to slowly choke her.
~NEVER taunt ME little girl. You shall get yours soon enough. Soon enough you all shall get what you deserve.~ the Eye grated in her brain.
"Don't hold your breath." Ratchet choked out. "If anyone's going down, it's you." The invisible hand tightened painfully and all the breath left her body.
~We shall see..... We shall see.....~ The invisible hand squeezed even tighter and Ratchet blacked out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Faulkner: You didn't think I was gonna kill off Haldir, did you???? How could I kill off the second hottest elf in the whole LOTR series?! I'm not THAT evil. And Boromir? Well..... let's just say he's hangin' around.... ::grins:: you'll have to wait a little while.
Pinky: The song was The Calling Wherever You Will Go (as if you didn't know....).
I hereby declare that I own none of the names, characters, places, and other crap in this story except for the pendant, Ratchet, and parts of the plotline. And if you try to sue me, all you'll get is some sand and a torn shirt. P
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
When Ratchet awoke, all she felt was a throbbing in her left wrist. She grimaced and thought 'Damn, i'm still here. Why can't I even kill myself right?' She shifted into a sitting position and looked around. She had been moved into a small room, and her clothes were changed.
Ratchet now wore dark brown pants and a dark green shirt. She pulled her arms out from under the covers and stared at her wrist. It was thickly bandaged, and now only a small red spot could be seen.
'Well. If i'm going to recover, I might as well do that right' she thought humorlessly.
After putting her boots back on and grabbing the dagger that Haldir had given to her, she left the room and wandered down the halls. Only one person passed her, and it was an old woman. Ratchet asked the lady for directions, but was ignored.
Ratchet did a very childish thing, stuck her tongue out at the lady when she passed her.
"Some people and manners." Ratchet grumbled.
It didn't matter though, for she soon found the kitchen on her own. The headwoman gave her some kind of broth and directed her to a seat in the corner of the kitchen. Ratchet ate it all and was then given a piece of stale bread.
She grimaced at the taste of the bread, but ate it anyway. She thanked the headwoman and left the kitchen.
Ratchet wandered around the halls for what seemed like an eternity to her. She was lost in her thoughts, mostly about how her life had come to this, when she heard an indignant yell.
"I am NOT a child! I can take care of MYSELF!"
Ratchet stopped dead in her tracks at the voice. It couldn't have been him. It was impossible. He was dead. Haldir was dead!
Wasn't he?
Ratchet slowly walked to the door where all the commotion was coming from, not daring to hope it was really him. She stopped in front of the door and put her hand on the door knob. Slowly, she pushed the door open and entered.
The sight that greeted her was so ridiculus, and yet, so relieving.
On a bed in the middle of the room, sat Haldir. He was naked from the waist up, the only thing on him a bandage on his side. A healer was fussing over the bandage, and Haldir was trying to push him away, while another healer tried to hold him back.
Ratchet blinked several times to make sure she wasn't sleep-walking or something of the sort.
"Oh, for the love of God people!" she burst out. "Leave the damn elf alone, will ya?!" The healers looked up at her and she could swear she saw them grin evilly.
"Ah yes. Our other patient is awake!" The two were next to her, quick as a flash, and were checking her bandaged wrist. She tried to pull her arm away, but the two had gotten her good.
When they were satisfied, they bowed at Haldir and left. Haldir, in the meantime, had put on a grey shirt and had watched the healers fuss over Ratchet.
Ratchet then turned her attention back to the Lorien elf. She walked over to his bedside and looked at his sheets.
"You no good, son of a bitch. You mother fuckin' perverted bastardized little shit." Haldir's eyes widened at her curses. But then he gasped when he felt something wet and warm hit his hand. He looked down at his hand, and saw a lone tear.
He gently put a finger under Ratchet's chin and lifted so he could see her face. Ratchet was crying.
"I thought you were dead." she whispered so softly, it was hard for even his elven ears to hear. "I didn't want you to die."
Haldir was taken aback at this behavior. He had never seen her cry before, and it was a strange sight to behold. She grabbed his hand and gently squeezed it between two of hers. She choked back a sob and shakily caressed his hand.
With surprising deftness, he pulled her onto the bed and hugged her to his good side. He smoothed back her hair and tried to calm her down.
"It is all right. I am alive, Ratchet. Everything will be fine. Do not cry. Sssshhh." She held onto him, like he would die if she let go. She buried her face into his good side and tried to stiffle her sobs.
The door silently opened, and Haldir looked up from Ratchet to see Legolas and Aragorn in the doorway. The two looked at Ratchet's slightly shaking form and shook their heads.
'We'll be back later' Aragorn mouthed to Haldir. The elf nodded, and started to stroke her back. Legolas smiled at the sight of the two. This was a side of the marchwarden he had never seen before. It was interesting to see him comforting a human in such a way.
Ratchet didn't notice their sudden presence, or their leaving. She was concentrating on trying to stop crying. She didn't like to cry, it made her feel weak and vulnerable.
But it was so relieving to see Haldir alive and sort of well. It was good to see that he didn't disappear when she touched him, or hugged him back. He was alive, and she was determined to keep it that way.
Ratchet finally stopped crying, but didn't loosen her grip.
"Feel better?" Haldir asked.
"Much, thanks." Ratchet mumbled into his side. A smile tugged at Haldir's lips as he watched her cling to him. He thought it slightly humorous that a human with such a spirit could act like this.
When she did pull back, Ratchet only moved her head so she could see Haldir's face. She studied it carefully, noting every curve and delicate feature. She had come so close to losing him as well. It nearly killed her.
Haldir's thoughts turned from Ratchet's odd behavior, to the bandage on her wrist.
"What happened?" he asked, gently taking her wrist in his hands.
"Oh." Ratchet laid her head on Haldir's stomach and stared rather dully at the wound. "It was cut by a knife." she answered. She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes. She hadn't intended to go to sleep, but it happened anyway.
The elf smiled ever so slightly as he heard her breathing even out. He sat and watched her sleep for a good while when Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli entered.
Legolas smiled tenderly at her. "It is good to see her sleep peacefully." Legolas sighed and looked back up to Haldir. "I hope I do not wake her when I move her back to her room." and the elf moved to pick her up.
"No. Let her sleep here." Legolas was shocked to hear the marchwarden say this, but honored his request.
"May I ask why you have such a request?" Aragorn asked suggestively.
"Certainly for not the reasons that you are thinking of!" Haldir snapped.
The three comrades chuckled at the elf's expense. But Aragorn sobered up suddenly and stared at Haldir's wounded side with a slight frown.
"How is it that you survived?" Gimli and Legolas quieted to better hear Haldir's reply. "I saw the orc stab you and watched as you fell. How is it that you are still alive?"
The marchwarden sighed heavily and watched Ratchet sleep with a thoughtful look.
"I have often thought of that myself." he finally said. "And yet, I can only come up with a guess at what happened. Sit." He motioned to some chairs situated at a small table over to the side of the room. The elf, man, and dwarf dragged chairs over and sat, ready to hear Haldir's tale.
"I remember the sword hitting me and everything going momentarily blurry. Pain washed over me as I slowly fell. The sounds and sights of battle were fading, and gradually I lost all sense completely and found myself in darkness." Haldir reached over to the bedstand and grabbed a glass of water. He took a couple drinks before continuing. "I suddenly found myself in a great hall lit only with a few torches set in the wall at intervals. I decided to walk down this hall, for it could only have been the Halls of Mandos."
Legolas sucked in a quick breath.
"I saw a few elves dallying in the halls, undoubtably waiting for family or lovers before entering. It seemed that I walked down that hall for ages before I finally caught sight of giant double doors that were open. Beyond them, I only saw a beautiful light that had no color. And yet it was all the colors of the world at the same time. As I approached the door, someone came out of the doors and halted my progress. He slowly shook his head and gave me a wistful smile. 'You cannot enter.' he told me. 'Why?' I asked him. 'Because you are being called back.' he answered."
"Called back? How can one be called back from death?" Gimli interrupted.
"Shush, and you may find out." Aragorn told the sceptical dwarf.
"I started at this reply, and I asked him the very same question that you asked me, Master Dwarf. 'Iluvatar made only one thing stronger than himself and the Valar.' he answered. I was quite surprised and asked him what it was. He shook his head at me and answered, 'You shall have to find out for yourself. There is no time to explain.' And I felt that he was right, for I felt an inexplainable pull back from where I came. The elf went back and stood in front of the door and spoke to me for one last time. 'Saesa omentien lle, Haldir o Lorien. May it be a long time before next we meet, if at all.'" (Pleasure meeting you, Haldir of Lorien)
Haldir took another drink of water before continuing.
"The elf disappeared into the light and the doors slowly closed. I did the only thing I could do. I turned and walked back. After what seemed like ages again, I saw what seemed to me, to be a giant sun painted on a stone wall. I felt the urge to touch it, and could hear a faint crying and pleading coming from the painting. The Halls disappeared, and suddenly I could feel a great pain in my side. I involuntarily groaned and I heard men come and turn me over on my back. They inspected my wound and brought me here. You three know what happens after that."
Silence reigned for seconds. Then seconds drifted into minutes.
"A sun, you say?" Legolas broke the silence.
Haldir nodded and Legolas let his gaze rest on Ratchet. "The Lady of the Wood gave Ratchet a sun pendant as her gift." the Mirkwood elf thought aloud. "Could that have something to do with it?"
Haldir sighed and also turned his eyes to the sleeping teen. "I do not see it. I think it only a coincidence. I admit that she is strong in spirit most times, even after what happened. But I highly doubt that she could do such a thing."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Legolas argued. "The way she was affected by your 'death' attests for that. Did she tell you how her wrist was injured?"
"She said it was cut by a knife, but would say no more." Haldir wondered where this was going.
"Yes. Her very own knife, in fact." Aragorn said. "She slit her own wrist, Haldir. She deemed that life wasn't worth living anymore, so decided to end it. Possibly also in hopes of meeting Boromir."
"She....what?" Haldir asked uncertainly.
"Ratchet tried to kill herself. Legolas found her, bleeding in a corner. She tried to commit suicide." Aragorn stated.
Haldir reached out and started stroking her hair slowly. "So young.... Yet so sad....." he murmured. He shook his head, but his hand never left her. "Even if it was her, how did she do it?" he asked.
Everyone was silent in thought.
"Hope...." Legolas whispered. "On the back of her pendant, in older form of elvish is written 'estel'. Could that be it?" the elf asked.
"We can only guess." Gimli said.
The three companions sat for a while, deep in thought. They would have stayed there most of the day if a soldier hadn't informed them that King Theoden wished to speak with them. They said good-bye to Haldir and promised to inform him of the happenings later.
Haldir sat up for a while, thinking on what had been said and other things. But soon he laid under the covers and went into the elvish version of sleep.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Ratchet woke up in an unfamiliar bed. She blinked and looked around sleepily. The room was lit by only a few candles and the drapes were drawn over the one window in the room.
After seeing that nothing was wrong, she wondered what had prompted her to wake up. Ratchet was still very tired, but could feel a nagging in the back of her mind that had woken her. She carefully got off the bed so as not to wake Haldir and slipped out of the room.
The hall was dark, only a few torches were lit and put in sconces.
Ratchet walked quietly through the halls and to the outside. The stars were bright and a crescent moon was high in the sky. She wound her way around the few sleeping forms that had decided to sleep outside and found herself on the part of the wall that hadn't been blown to bits.
She sighed and looked over the ashes of the burnt orcs and the seperate mounds of dead elves and men.
"So many dead...." she whispered to herself. "How many of them had family waiting for them?"
"So lately, been wondering
Who will be there to take my place
When i'm gone you'll need love
To light the shadows on your face
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
Then between the sand and stone
Could you make it on your own?"
It was all so horrible. So many were dead that deserved to live. And yet many people who deserved death were alive. Ratchet was grateful to whatever powers that had brought Haldir back to life. He definitely deserved life over death.
"If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
And maybe, i'll find out
A way to make it back someday
To watch you, to guide you
Through the darkest of your days
If a great wave shall fall and fall upon us all
Then I hope there's someone out there
Who can bring me back to you
If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
Run away with my heart
Run away with my hope
Run away with my love
I know now, just quite how
My life and love might still go on
In your heart, in your mind
I'll stay with you for all of time
If I could, then I would
I'd go wherever you will go
Way up high or down low
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could turn back time
I'll go wherever you will go
If I could make you mine
I'll go wherever you will go
I'll go wherever you will go."
'I wish I could be with Boromir now' she thought to herself.
"That was beautiful."
Ratchet slowly turned around and saw Haldir standing behind her. He had somehow managed to get out of bed and put on some boots and had evidently followed her.
"Haldir!" Ratchet whispered hoarsly. "You shouldn't be out of bed! You crazy elf!"
"Neither should you." Haldir replied. He walked over to where she was sitting and stiffly joined her on the wall. "After a battle like that, you should be sleeping so deeply that you would be thought dead." he joked.
"Ha ha. Very funny." Ratchet looked at Haldir's injured side and checked for any signs that something was wrong. When she was pretty sure it was fine, she looked back up to the stars. "Something woke me up. I just can't get back to sleep."
"Really?" She could hear the silent question in his voice.
"I don't know what, though." Ratchet stood up and started to pace. She was feeling restless now, and very unsettled.
"Are you sure?" Haldir asked.
"Positive. One minute i'm sleeping. The next, i'm wide awake I feel like I could fight another battle. I don't know what the hell is goin' on."
"Stop pacing, you're making me dizzy." Haldir said. "Try to relax, and maybe you'll be able to go back to sleep."
"That's the problem. I can't relax. I feel like something's gonna happen. Something bad."
The words seemed to bring what was coming, and Ratchet felt that sickeningly familiar pulling feeling.
The heat was worse than unbearable. It was so intense, that you could actually see flickers of it in the air.
~Sooooo. You have beaten the orc army of the White Wizard.~ the voice was unnaturally calm.
"Neener neener neener." Ratchet taunted. "And your ass is next Mister Dark Lord."
It felt like a giant hand had wrapped itself around her neck. It started to slowly choke her.
~NEVER taunt ME little girl. You shall get yours soon enough. Soon enough you all shall get what you deserve.~ the Eye grated in her brain.
"Don't hold your breath." Ratchet choked out. "If anyone's going down, it's you." The invisible hand tightened painfully and all the breath left her body.
~We shall see..... We shall see.....~ The invisible hand squeezed even tighter and Ratchet blacked out.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Faulkner: You didn't think I was gonna kill off Haldir, did you???? How could I kill off the second hottest elf in the whole LOTR series?! I'm not THAT evil. And Boromir? Well..... let's just say he's hangin' around.... ::grins:: you'll have to wait a little while.
Pinky: The song was The Calling Wherever You Will Go (as if you didn't know....).