Faulkner: YAY!!!! I made the schools softball A team!!! GO ME!! ::does happy dance:: And i'm gonna kill this one girl I know. She keeps spraying this nasty smelling perfume on me and chases me around the girls locker room.

CrystalMeth: I wish I could've been there...

Pinky: ::whacks Crystal with hat:: Shush you!!!

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I just stared at the elves. How was I supposed to explain it to them? I barely understood how I had gotten the stupid powers in the first place. How was I supposed to tell them?

Oh fuck it. Life sucked ass. Or dick. Whichever you prefer.

I swallowed and talked in a voice that I thought was pretty calm. "I told you already. All I want is to get to the nearest town."

"Lie." Haldir pulled his bow back. "One more try, demon."

"I'm no demon!" I yelled at him. "I'm just a kid with a messed up life! Please Haldir! Don't shoot!" I had to get through to his thick skull. If pleading did it, then i'd plead. If kissing his ass did it, then i'd kiss his ass.

Well, maybe.

I saw him take aim and I closed my eyes, waiting for the pain. When it didn't come, I looked at Haldir.

His eyes had a far-away look. Suddenly his mouth dropped open and he started to speak.

"But, my Lady-" he stopped as if he was cut off by someone. Then he closed his mouth and put the arrow away. He marched over to me and stared into my eyes. He had the most fascinating eyes. Too bad they were in a skull thicker than rock.

"You are lucky, girl. The Lady wishes to see you. Not many have felt the mercy of the Lady." Was it just me, or did Haldir hate me?

He untied my hands, and I rubbed the red skin where the ropes had rubbed me the wrong way. "The Lady also requested this. But if you try anything, I will not hesitate to shoot you." Then he walked off and yelled at the men in elvish. They all walked over to a tree and started to climb.

Rumil motioned to me, and told me to climb. I followed the elf up above me and came upon another one of those wooden platforms. Good grief, how many of those were there?

I walked over to a little spot where I could rest in peace and leaned against a branch. I was really starting to get cold again. The wind was a lot stronger up here. But no way was I gonna risk some flame after that incident.

Orophin came over after a bit and gave me a circular piece of food that looked a little like a sand-dollar. I said 'thank you' and ate it. It tasted pretty good and almost filled up my stomach.

The elves were talking to each other, and every once in a while they would glance my way. I just shrugged it off and got comfortable. I was gonna get as much sleep as possible, whether they liked it or not. I curled up into a ball and used my arm as a pillow. I hummed to myself and eventually fell asleep.

I had some of the strangest dreams that night. I dreamt about crazy elves in the Institute and the patients from Block Z with bows and arrows. Then I relived the night that I was given those confounded powers.

That was one memory that I couldn't take, and woke up in a cold sweat.

It was still nighttime and the wind was still blowing. The sweat on my forehead was already disappearing, but for some reason I wasn't cold. I looked and saw that a dark green cloak was on me. I stared at it in confusion and then looked for an elf missing a nice warm cloak.

Some of the elves were missing, so I didn't find my answer. I just sighed and pulled the cloak closer. Might as well use it since I had it. The cloak had the smell of rain and forest with the muskiness that came from a guy. I took another deep breath of this pleasant combination before falling asleep.

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Someone nudged my shoulder and I just turned the other way. "Ten more minutes Nattie." I mumbled. Stupid ten year olds never took a hint.

I was nudged again, harder. "Shove off Nattie. I need sleep." I was nudged again and lost my temper.

"Goddammit Nattie!" I sat up and was just about to grab her when I saw a guys face instead of a little girls. I jumped about ten feet in the air. When I settled back down on the ground I started grumbling.

Everything came back to me. Escape, elves, nearly being shot.

"Fudge Haldir. Just shake me or yell at me or somethin'. Don't just nudge me with your foot like i'm some dead animal in your way." I complained.

He snorted at me and handed me some more of the sand-dollar food. When I was about halfway through it did I realize that the cloak was gone. Figures. So, the elf wanted to remain anonymous. Fine by me.

After a few more minutes we were all back on solid ground and marching. Everything was quiet again. I occaisonally snapped a twig under my boots, but the stupid elves didn't make a sound. Then I heard that one girls voice in my head.

~"Elves are lightfooted beings. When they walk they don't make a sound. That makes them the best sneakers around. Even better than you, Gostannen."~ Then the moron had the gall to smirk at me. At ME!

I made sure she paid for that.

I got extremely bored, so started humming. Then softly singing to myself.

"I am a question to the world

Not an answer to the earth

Or a moment

That's held in your arms

And what do you think you'd ever say?

I won't listen anyway

You remove me

And i'll never be what you want me to be

And what

Do you think you'd understand

I'm a boy, no, i'm a man

You can't take me

And throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown?

Yeah, you stand here on your own

They don't know me

'Cause i'm not here

And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change?

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

'Cause i'm not here."

I was about to start on the next verse, but that's when I noticed the elves were staring at me as we were walking. I blushed and looked at the ground. I wasn't singing that loudly, so how had they-

Stupid elvish hearing.

We walked along in silence again, and my muscles were starting to burn. I walked up to Orophin and asked him a question.

"When are we gonna get to the city?"

"We should be there by lunchtime tomorrow." he answered.

I groaned and he grinned at me. He knew that I didn't like this whole walking for half a day buisness. I think all the other elves also knew. I was absolutely POSITIVE Haldir knew.

After another couple of hours I was wiped out. Lucky for me, Haldir told everyone that we would stop for a rest. I immediatly sat on a tree root and got comfortable. An elf handed me some more of that sand-dollar food and I thanked him. But before he could walk away, I grabbed his sleeve.

He turned around, and I asked him what the stuff was called. I think he was sort of relieved that all I wanted was to ask a question.

"It is called lembas, elvish waybread." he answered with a little smile, and walked off.

Lembas huh? Well, it didn't taste half bad. Pretty filling too.

I sat there and watched the elves. Some of them were sharpening arrow tips, others were taking care of their bows. They occaisonally joked with each other, but usually quiet. The quiet unsettled me. I was used to hearing the noise of every day life in the Institution.

Some of the patients yelling at each other or an orderly. Others complaining about the nasty taste of the medication. Some just talking to themselves. Sure, I liked some silence every now and then. But complete silence was just plain creepy.

Well, I didn't care if they heard me. I was going to sing, goddammit! And was going to enjoy my own company. The silence was just not right.

"I'm seein' red

Don't think you'll have to see my face again

Don't have much time for sympathy

Cause it never happened to me

You're feeling blue now

I think you bit off more than you could chew

And now it's time to make a choice

And all I wanna hear is your voice

So follow the leader now

And swallow your pride and drown

When there's no place left to go

Maybe that's when you will know

So follow the leader now

And swallow your pride and drown

When there's no place left to go

Baby that's when you will know

And foolish lies.....

Oh, can't you see I tried to compromise?

Cause what you say ain't always true

And I can see the tears in your eyes

And what you said now....

Can't stop the words from running through my head

And what i'd do to get through to you

But you'd only do it again."

As I was about to start on the chorus, I felt something. Something powerful, that even a total ditz oblivious to the world could feel. It was near, yet far away at the same time. I looked around, and immediatly felt the presence recede to wherever it came from.

It felt familiar somehow. Like an old friend that you haven't seen in years. I looked around again but didn't see anything. I ignored the elves stares and looked down at my hands. I suddenly realized that I was hot and took off my hoodie.

Underneath was a light short sleeved shirt. It was blue and had the outline of a fox head in white. It was one size too big and was kinda loose on me. I tied me hoodie around my waist and sat back down. I stared at the scar on my arm.

It was one of the two physical marks of the abilities that I had been cursed with. The scar was a burn mark on my left forearm in the shape of a hand. That was the place where I was grabbed by the person who gave me my stupid gifts. The other mark was a tattoo located on my back. The doctors had marveled at the amazing tattoo. I just loathed it.

It was a giant flame, starting from my waist, the top stopping at my neck. The flame was of red, orange, and yellow with a light blue outline. Then in the very heart of the fire were two trees. In between the trees was an anvil with a hammer over it. Over those two devices were seven stars situated in an arch. These were all tattooed in silver (AN: Think the design on the doors of Moria, 'cept without all the runes).

It would have been a pretty cool tattoo if it wasn't for the powers that came with it. I growled at the memory of their appearance.

"Gostannen? We are leaving." Rumil called. I nodded at him and got up.

We walked for the rest of the day, and I was glad for the activity for a change. It helped me concentrate on things that kept my mind from my bitter memories.

When night came I put my hoodie back on and shivered slightly. We climbed a tree and found another one of those wooden platforms. I went over to a corner and immediatly went to sleep. I didn't wait for any elf to give me lembas.

During the night a particularly painful memory resurfaced.

"Ashley McClane? Your parents are here to see you." an orderly brought two people over. They were Dennis and Amanda McClane, my blood parents.

"Ashley honey, how are you?" my mom asked me.

I just stared at the other patients.

"Hun? What's wrong?" my dad asked.

I replied coldly, "Nothing's wrong Dennis."

My parents stared wide-eyed at me. Then they looked at each other and nodded.

"We'll come back and see you when you're feeling better Ashley." my mom said quietly.

"Good bye Amanda, Dennis." I still didn't look at them. They walked off and I laid my head on the metal table. None of the other patients or any of the orderlies notice me crying.

God, I hated that memory. That was the last time I had ever seen my parents. They had stopped coming to visit me every month after that day.

I felt someone shaking me. In my mind, I thought it was an orderly. I started kicking and screaming, trying to hit the guy, but he just laughed and kept shaking me. "Run away, Gostannen! Run away little girl! HA HA HA HA!!"

When I woke up, I found out that it was Haldir. He had pinned my arms and legs, and was calling my name.

"Gostannen! Wake up!"

I looked in his blue eyes and saw something that I vaguely recognized, but couldn't quite put my finger on it. I relaxed and he let go of me. I reached up to rub my eyes, and found that my cheeks were wet. I had been crying. Damn. The last thing I needed right now was to be teased by those stupid elves.

I wiped my cheeks and looked around. Lovely, all the elves were staring at me. I glared at them.

"What are you all lookin' at?" I growled. They quickly lost interest in me.

"What were you dreaming about?" Haldir asked me softly so the others couldn't hear.

I turned my attention back to him. I thought about what I should tell him, if I told him anything. Well, I guess I should give stick-in-the-ass another chance. Only one other though.

"My parents." I said, equally quiet.

He raised a questioning eyebrow. "One would think that dreams of their parents would happy."

"Yeah. Well. Not of my parents. ESPECIALLY not my parents." I made sure he got the message that I didn't want to talk about it and closed my eyes. I curled into a ball and shivered. Just when I was drifting off to sleep did I feel the warmth of a cloak fall on me.

I pulled it up to my chin and breathed deep. It was the same cloak, I was sure of it. I didn't bother opening my eyes to figure out who did it. I was too wiped out.

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I felt someone shake me and whisper my name. I opened my eyes and saw Rumil smiling at me.

"Mornin' Rumil. What's got you in such a good mood?" I asked as he gave me a wafer of lembas.

"Today we will reach Lorien." he answered. Then he went and started to talk to some of the other elves.

I finished the lembas and stood up. The cloak was gone, probably on its owners shoulders right now. I stretched and yawned. We went down the rope ladder and started marching again. But this time we were going at a much faster pace than we usually did.

I wore out even sooner than I usually did. It was about late morning and my muscles were already protesting. I used what was left of my strength to run up to Haldir.

"I realize that.....you are eager to.....get to Lorien.....but.....agh." I could barely talk and jog at the same time. "But..... I need a rest. I'm not used.....to.....this kind of....pace!" Haldir glared at me, and I glared back.

I could see his resolve wavering a little. Then I just had to trip and fall. Damn me!

Haldir grabbed me under the arms and hauled me up easily. I looked up and saw him smirking at me.

"Oh, shut up." I grumbled.

"I did not say anything." He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, well, you were thinking of saying something." I replied as I dusted myself off. Then he was off again. I groaned and tried to keep up. This was not easy, let me tell you. Especially since I was already dead on my feet.

"Argh! Stupid elves and their stupid long legs." I knew they heard me. I could feel their glares. I looked up at them and stuck out my tongue. I know, I know. Very mature, aren't I?

At lunch time we didn't stop. I was lagging behind, but an elf always seemed to be pushing me along. Trying to make me go faster. I was about ready to set something on fire to make them stop.

I fell to the ground as I walked right into Haldir's back. Orophin helped me up, and I dusted myself off again.

It seemed that we had reached Lorien. I walked in front of Haldir and gasped. Lorien was....well.... gorgeous. It was so beautiful and graceful and cool and....and....did I say beautiful?

As we walked along, everything seemed to have a glow to it. Even the elves that we passed glowed!

"Ooooh. Pretty glowing elves." I whispered to myself. I think I heard one of the elves snicker, but I wasn't sure.

We reached a gigantic tree and started to climb some stairs that wound around the trunk. My already tired legs were screaming right now. Every step felt like someone put a torch to my leg muscles and was roasting them. I was about ready to drop on the steps and tell them all to let me rest.

Just when I was about to that, we reached the top. It was a porch of some sort with five steps that led up to a gigantic pair of double doors. The pillars next to them and the doors themselves had incredibly detailed carvings. There were a pair of guards stationed on each side of the doors.

I looked back to find that only Haldir and myself had climbed the steps.

I was about to comment on this when the doors opened of their own accord. I blinked as an amazingly bright light came from them and momentarily blinded me. I blinked and the light started to dim. I saw two people, a male elf and female elf.

I squinted my eyes at the female elf. I tried to remember....yes.... It was the very same elf.

"You." I said dumbly. Then with anger, "You!" I started to stomp towards her, but my legs decided that right then was a good time to turn into jelly.

"You're the jackass that gave me those stupid powers! It's all your fuckin' fault! If you hadn't interfered with my life, I wouldn't have lost everything! It's all your fault you old hag! It's all-" I started to yell incoherently and pounded my fist on the floor. I didn't care who saw me.

"Yes, Ashley. It is good to see you again too." Lady Galadriel said evenly. Oh, how I wanted to choke her!

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Faulkner: Okey dokey. First thing, songs: Goo Goo Dolls, I'm Still Here and Unwritten Law, Seein' Red. Second thing: Thankies to my few reviewers!!! Cookies and brownies of your choosing go to you!!!! I'm happy that some people are taking a minute or so to write a little review.