The fellowship left today.
I watched Aragorn and Arwen say goodbye to one another. At times like these I think that Arwen genuinely loves him. At other times I think she's just leading him on. I don't know what she really feels, It's just that...well...even though he's not that nice to me I...well...I just want him to be happy. I know that sounds really sentimental and perhaps cliché pathetic...but it's true. I just want Arwen to realise how lucky she is to have him.
I said goodbye to Boromir. He thanked me for taking the time to talk to him, said that he'd enjoyed my company. I told him to return anytime. I've said that to so many people over the years because Daddy made me. This time, I really meant it. I hope he knew that.
He said he'd think of me when things got tough, smiled once again and kissed me on the cheek. Then he turned and walked away.
Part of me wanted to call him back, to beg him not to go. But I knew better. After all, if Arwen's ring is that valuable, it must be guarded at all costs.
We all stood on the step and waved as they left. I watched them slowly climb their way up the winding path and out of sight. 4 hobbits, 1 elf, 1 dwarf, 1 istar and 2 humans, a strange mixture. I picked out Boromir and watched him till he disappeared from sight. I hope I see him again soon.
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I can't stand any more of Arwen. I miss Boromir. I'm leaving this dump.
I told Daddy that I was going to visit Granny, he didn't seem to care. He was more bothered about Arwen sulking now that Aragorn has gone.
Arwen overheard and her eyes lit up. She asked Daddy if she could go too. I knew from the evil grin she gave me, that she only wanted to ruin my visit.
But for once Daddy was on my side. At least, I thought he was. He said that it was too dangerous to journey nowadays, she could get killed by orcs or other nasties. I left to pack my bags with a grin on my face. Arwen was screaming and stamping up a terrible temper tantrum. Normally she only has to scream for a few seconds and he gives her whatever she wants. It was really funny watching her puzzled expression as she realised that Daddy was not going to give in this time. I don't think she has ever really had 'No' for an answer before.
It was only when I got back to my room that I realised the catch. Daddy was so preoccupied with the idea of Arwen facing danger, but he never even hinted that I shouldn't go. Well good riddance. If I get killed by orcs, then it will serve him right. Huh. I bet he wouldn't even care.
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I finished packing my bags and was ready to set off. I decided that I couldn't be bothered to walk all the way to Lothlórien, so I thought I'd take a horse.
I entered the cool, dark stables and found only one horse left. It was stamping about in the stall, staring at me with wild, frightened eyes. I heaved a big sigh and strode purposefully towards the stall, trying to remember my Horse Studies lessons.
"Elves have a natural ability when it comes to wild animals." I muttered, trying to reassure myself. The horse backed away from me, Its ears pricked upwards as it desperately searched for an escape route.
I opened the gate into the stall and instructed myself.
"Look deep into its eyes, think soothing...calm...trustworthy...
And for goodness sake, forget that you failed Horse Studies with such a disgusting grade. You can do this...."
I stretched out one hand nervously towards its mane. With a loud whinny of fear, the horse reared onto its hind legs, mane shaken wildly and forelegs flailing madly. I cowered backwards, my arm shielding my face. I didn't see the horse land on all its feet again, or watch it gallop out of the stables through the door I'd just left open.
Instead I felt the red hot, searing pain across my back, caused by the hard hooves of a wild horse.
I collapsed to the floor, unable to move for a while, the pain filling my whole consciousness. Eventually I managed to crawl off in agony, heading slowly towards the doorway.
I saw that horrible horse outside, galloping round in tight, frenzied circles. I scowled, wincing as the pain increased. Then I saw Arwen walking leisurely across the lawn. I felt a sadistic twinge of pleasure, that at least she would suffer too. She watched the horse silently for a moment, then walked straight up to it. She reached out to touch its mane like I had attempted to do. I watched in anticipation.
The horse stared at her and stood still. She stroked him calmly, as he nuzzled against her arm. Finally she jumped onto his back and calmly rode off.
I hate that girl.
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Arwen confronted me in the corridor today. She was angry, I could tell straight away. I knew that there would be trouble. I tried stepping past her, but she moved, blocking my way. She pushed me roughly against the wall and thrust her hand against my throat.
She leaned in close to me, her full, luscious lips right next to my ear.
"I hate you" she hissed quietly, so no one else could hear. "You have no idea how much I have always detested you. I have spent my life trying to get you out of my way, to remove you from the picture." Her voice was slowly increasing in volume.
"And despite all my efforts, you still get to follow the fellowship."
I reminded her that I was forbidden from actually following the fellowship, repeated the dire threats that Daddy said would happen to me if any of them saw me, or if I interfered in any way.
She didn't listen to me, she kept threatening me, her voice rising, then suddenly shouting "Sometimes I wish I could kill you!"
Glorfindel and Erestor were both hobbling past at the time and stopped suddenly when they heard this. They both looked stunned, shocked. Glorfindel stepped forward gingerly
"Arwen...are you ok?" he asked nervously.
"What!" she shouted. Then she checked herself.
"Sorry about that, I meant to say I'm fine, thanks for asking. See you later." She flashed them a beautifully rehearsed smile. I'm sure that made Erestor's day. At the same time she tightened her grip on my neck.
Arwen was literally choking the life out of me. Her beautifully polished nails were digging deep into my neck. I was gasping for breath, my fingers scrabbling at her hand, desperate to remove her grip.
"Arwen, please!" I gasped, trying to distract her for a second. She turned to me, an evil smile on her lips.
It was all I'd been waiting for. As she turned, I grabbed a handful of long hair and yanked her head back hard . At the same time, I raised my knee and thrust her backwards, using all my weight. She toppled to the floor, now it was my turn to take revenge.
Suddenly, everyone went silent. Fear tightened itself into a knot in my stomach. Only one person made everyone fall silent. I slowly raised my head to meet Daddy's angry, piercing glare.
I got off Arwen and stood up. She took forever to get to her feet. Moaning and holding her belly. I knew she was faking, I didn't have time to cause real pain.
Daddy turned to Glorfindel and Erestor, he asked them what happened. Erestor was gazing at Arwen, concern all over his face. He gabbled how I had attacked her, unprovoked.
I closed my eyes in disbelief. Once again I was going to get the blame. I knew that my arguments would do nothing. I gazed pleadingly at Glorfindel. If he stood up for me I might get away with it. If he blamed me I was done for. He took some time to answer, he glanced from Arwen to me and back to her again.
Arwen was glaring at him, threatening him if he dared to stick up for me. I knew a lost case when I saw one. I gazed at the floor in depression. He'd just seen what Arwen did to me. There was no way he'd risk that happening to him by telling the truth.
Finally he stammered his answer. We were both equally to blame. He flashed me a look of apology for not telling the whole truth and an appealing look at Arwen hoping she wouldn't bear a grudge. She glared evilly at him, Erestor kicked him sharply for daring to accuse Arwen.
That was when she sighed heavily and stepped forward.
"Daddy, I apologise for behaving so badly. I do not know what came over me. I have shamed myself and in my position as your daughter, I have shamed you." She knelt at his feet, took his hand and bowed her head. "Please forgive me."
Next she turned to the little crowd surrounding us and gave a similar speech, then she turned to me.
"Dear sister, I apologise for anything I may have done to hurt you. My behaviour was unreasonable and wrong. Please accept my heartfelt apologies" She knelt at my feet, taking my hand and bowing her head. Most of the crowd started applauding. She lifted her head and smirked at me "Beat that" she mouthed, before rising to her feet.
Everyone turned to me, expecting a similar performance. I was furious. She had obviously won this round. They were practically eating out of her hand again.
"She's not sorry!" I burst out. There was a shocked silence. "She's only saying it so that she won't get into trouble. It was all her fault. Not mine, and I won't apologise."
Arwen sidled up to Daddy and took his arm. She secretly smirked at me again. I couldn't stand anymore. I turned and stormed off down the corridor. If only Boromir was here, he would have stuck up for me. I began to miss him even more.
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I had to carry out my punishment today. Scrubbing all the polished marble floors by hand. I'd never realised how many marble floors we had until now. Glorfindel came up to me. I ignored him as he watched me scrub the soapy water, my hands becoming a red, raw colour. Finally he shamefully apologised and quickly scuttled away on his crutches when he saw Arwen coming.
I kept myself sane by promising myself that I would leave for Granny's tomorrow, horse or no horse. I wouldn't get revenge on Arwen yet, because that might slim my chances of getting away. Still, what's the hurry? We're both immortal, I've got hundreds of years to think up the best revenge ever.
I was so shattered, I decided to go to bed early. I got changed and turned out the light. I pulled back the cover and was about to climb in, when I noticed something. The sheet was heaving, hundreds of hairy, scuttling legs twisting and climbing over each other. I leaped backwards and gasped a sharp intake of breath. I clamped my hands over my mouth to stop the scream from coming out, until I had calmed down.
I'd never been scared of spiders, why start now? I blamed it on the sudden shock and was extremely glad that I hadn't given Arwen the satisfaction of making me scream.
Slowly, I transferred all the stowaways to the window and chucked them back outside. I then frantically stripped the bed and searched for any left over. When I was satisfied it was safe, I climbed in. I was quite proud of myself for being so dignified and grown up. Hundreds of ideas for revenge scuttled across my mind. I dismissed them, why should I sink to her level? surely, I was more civilised than that?
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Today was the day I actually managed to leave. I can't believe how long it took to get away. If I don't make a move on, I won't get there before the fellowship. They will have been and gone before I get there at this rate, then I'll have to spend years with boring old Granny with nothing to look forward to.
I carried my pack down to the stables as dusk was falling. I thought it would be safer to travel at night, nothing would see me coming and it wouldn't be so hot.
Glorfindel had got a horse ready, he held it by the mane as I clambered clumsily onto its back. (So much for an elf's natural grace) When I was ready, he let go and rested back leisurely on his crutches.
"Don't stay away too long" he grinned. I smiled coolly. I hadn't quite forgiven him for not standing up for me. The horse was impatiently stamping, I turned to go. Glorfindel raised one arm in a salute,
"Goodbye Arwen!" he called, his eyes laughing. He thought it was funny! He knew perfectly well who I was and still teased me. I was so angry.
I turned the horse around and rode quickly towards him. As I passed, I reached down and grabbed his crutches. He wasn't expecting it and collapsed in a heap with a cry of pain. I rode across the lawn, waving the crutches in triumph, finally chucking them into the waterfall pool. He wouldn't get them back in a hurry.
I rode off over the bridge and started up the winding gravel track. I'd only just started when I heard a loud piercing scream disrupt the valley. I grinned, that would be Arwen going to bed. She must have found the slugs...
