A/N: I'm trying VERY VERY VERY hard to get this chapter you to you guys before Christmas (Or Hanukah, or just the holidays in general), because I'm gone for half of my time off from school. So probability of an update during the holidays is very small. I hope ya'll enjoyed that last chapter, and if you didn't, you can complain about it all in your review. *hint hint* Happy Christmas and Merry Holidays! ~MoI~
Disclaimer: if I owned LotR I would be rich. And since I don't have a laptop, that would indicate lack of money, hence, I own nothing except Nicole. But she's cheap, so that doesn't exactly count. ;) Also, I'm trying to mix both book and movie here... Oh, one more thing. The title of the chapter comes from the lyrics of the song Na Na Hey Hey by Donna Summers. It's a disco song.
Home Sweet Home
Chapter Nineteen ~ Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye
Nicole cursed her Elven nature as she woke up the next morning to see that the sun was just rising. Ughh... go back to sleep, sun, I need more rest. She rubbed her eyes groggily as she clambered out of her bed and over to the wash basin to fix up her face. That party was forever... I wonder how long I stayed up. After she and Ella had run like mad banshee's out of the hall, they had crashed into Nicole's room and spent a long time laughing and talking about nothing at all. Two hyper Elves + Elven resilience to need for sleep + lots of sugar = late night gossip fest and feeling hung over in the morning.
Not particularly caring that the only clothes that she liked were the once-worn tunic and leggings (slightly messy and wrinkled from the fight with Legolas), Nicole pulled the clothes on, brushed her fingers through her hair (still braided from the party, but not ornamented), and set off to hunt for breakfast.
I... see.... you.... I... SEE.... YOU!!!! With the best creepy mental voice Nicole could summon up at... 5 or 6 in the morning, judging by the dawn, she pounced on the first item of food she saw when entering the dining hall. Apples. Grabbing one in each hand, the girl scanned the room for someone to sit with. Finding Ella looking just as tired as Nicole by the wall closest to the second entrance, she headed in that direction, alternating which apple she bit into as she went. Nicole reached her friend's table and pulled a chair up backwards, so that she was straddling it and could rest her head on the back of the chair.
*Howdy,* she mumbled around a yawn and bite of apple. Thankfully, Ella had thought of Nicole when getting all her food and pushed a plate laden with all sorts of Elven goodies towards Nicole. Abandoning the apples, now reduced to cores, Nicole dug into the meal. Through mouthfuls of food she somehow noticed that Ella wasn't her usual cheery self. *Why so glum, chum?*
Ella remained silent for a second and then looked up with a small smile that did not reach her eyes. *You are leaving tomorrow.*
Nicole's brow furrowed. *Huh. You're right, I am. I guess that leaves me with today for packing and the lot of it...* Saying good-bye was not mentioned, but implied and Nicole knew that this was what was bothering her friend. *I still have a day, Ella,* she said softly, placing a hand on the young Elf's arm.
*I know not much of your journey, but if you must learn to fight, then it must be perilous indeed. Loss of an immortal life, and if that life was my friend's...* she nearly broke into tears at this point and Nicole began to panic.
Oh Valar, she thinks I'm going to die. But I'm not going to... I hope... Ignoring her own insecurities and lack of faith in her fighting skills, Nicole tried to comfort Ella. *I know how to defend myself, Lathanir even said that I had learned very well. Besides, I have a whole bunch of well-trained fighters with me. I promise, I'll be alright,* said Nicole. She still didn't quite see why this was bothering Ella so much. So she asked.
*Since you got here I've had so much fun, and I've learned, and I'm trying to be better, I'm trying to be like you. And where would I be if my role model went off to die somewhere?* Ella's response made Nicole feel very old and shocked.
She couldn't help snorting her laughter. *Yeah, uh-huh, I'm a regular Mary Sue! Never seen one that snorts, though, or that doesn't fall in love with someone, or fulfill some ancient prophecy that saves the world. But that's ok. You seem to think so,* she replied lightly.
Ella had gotten lost in the very first sentence. *What is a 'Mary-sue'?*
Nicole regarded her for a moment, trying to judge if she was joking or just naive. Then she shook her head with a laugh saying, *Never mind about it, it's nothing. C'mon, I'm done stuffing my face, let's go see what trouble we can rummage up before I go.* Pulling Ella up with her, Nicole set off. And Ella, being encouraged by Nicole's levity regarding the situation, followed happily, beginning to chatter about a new coworker that was very easily annoyed...
The plan for creating havoc was removed swiftly by Ulanieta and Lathanir. The older Elves had stopped the youngsters on their way out of the dining hall, and insisted that they follow them. The two girls glanced at each other, hopping that they weren't in trouble for their marvelous exit the night before. To their relief, surprise, and mild suspicion, they were led straight back to Nicole's room, whose occupant found it to be changed yet again.
*Look, if you guys want to redecorate, that's fine by me, just don't do it every day,* she joked, but became silent when she looked around. Ella at her side was gaping, eyes wide, and disbelief displayed clearly on her features. Rahiolae had returned, with another set of fabrics, and a table had been brought in, much like the one at her fight a few days ago, laid out with weapons of all kinds. Lathanir ordered them to sit, and once again the only place to sit was on the edge of the bed, so that's where the younger Elves sat.
*I do not know if you wish to remain here, Eletarien, but if you stay, know that you will not be needed to work today,* said Ulanieta, generously offering Ella a chance to stay with her friend at no cost. Ella quickly agreed.
*Very well, then we may begin,* Lathanir continued. *Now, as we all know, Lady Nicole will be leaving tomorrow, and as the situation stands at the moment, she will be leaving for the Wilds with a wardrobe full of dresses and one set of ill-fitting hunting garments, and only a dagger to protect herself.*
Nicole frowned, and her fingers unconsciously brushed the dagger she had constantly worn at her side, even in Lothlorien, all the time except for the ball last night. *I happen to like the dagger and the clothes, thank you very much,* she protested indignantly, feeling that Lathanir was somehow making fun of her.
*Young one, despite the obvious like you have for those clothes, I assure you, I can create something better suited,* Rahiolae replied. She sounded less than happy to be there, and considering how incredibly annoying Nicole had been as a model yesterday that was no big surprise.
*I'm not young,* Nicole protested, more weakly this time. She allowed herself to be taught some more skills by Lathanir, and given more advice by Ulanieta though she spent more time with Rahiolae than anyone else. The choice of fabrics today was much more to Nicole's liking. Silks were less common, now replaced by a light, soft, but sturdy material and by a thick, resistant, wool. To calm Nicole's doubts about some horrible lavender tunic with a skirt and flowy sleeves being made her new outfit, Rahiolae sketched a design and explained the colors. She was to have leggings, a tunic (longer than most, just so that she didn't look completely masculine), and her sleeves would be loose, but not overly so. Going by the measurements taken previously, Rahiolae began to cut and arrange fabrics of different shades of green, brown and grey.
By the time that the day was half-over, both Ella and Nicole had given up trying to plead for Nicole's freedom and a chance to go out and have fun in Lothlorien one last time. Nicole had suffered the learning of three different knot types and what they were used for, reviewed the proper making of arrows, the importance of diplomacy when (or if) interacting with other races/cultures, and was about to be led off for riding lessons.
She came back to her room three hours later unable to sit down and very grumpy. *I don't see why I had to do that. We're traveling on foot. Horses don't seem to like me all that much. Even if I had one, I'd probably be choosing to walk rather than ride. That really hurts,* she complained and complained about horses, but finally was silencing by Lathanir's yelling.
*You rode your horse without a saddle, without a bridle, and got the horse to obey your command with the slightest touch, and had no problems mounting or dismounting! STOP COMPLAINING!*
Nicole backed away from Lathanir, meekly apologizing, but bumping into Rahiolae as she walked backwards. Immediately, she was snapped up by the seamstress, forced into a half-finished outfit, and placed atop a low stool so that the clothing could be fitted. The first outfit was a dark green tunic, with a lighter green shirt, and a deep two-toned brown jacket, with brown-green leggings. The second that the last seam was sewn, Nicole switched outfits, to another partially-finished collection. This set turned into a silver-grey shirt with a grey-green tunic and leggings of the same color. The tunics and jacket were sewn in the same basic fashion: loose sleeves, somewhat fitted top which allowed for movement, and going straight down to just before her knees, with slits on each side to avoid restraint, as well as hoods. And where would a girl be without accessories? Nicole thought to herself. She had been commenting on the entire game of dress-up to Ella with enthusiasm and al the flair of a Vogue fashion editor.
*And now we have the cloak: its so IN this season. This particular design has a huge hood, capable of hiding the wearer from prying eyes, as well as the added bonus of being made of material that blends into any natural surrounding! And a nice length too, just past the knees, this years hottest trend.* Nicole grinned when Rahiolae stepped back for a moment to check how her work looked, just in time for Nicole to do a final runway-style spin.
*Alright, that's enough out of you. Change out of those clothes and off you go: Lathanir still wants something,* Rahiolae said, waving Nicole away.
Obediently, Nicole changed back into the rumpled outfit of before and came up to the table of weapons, where Lathanir currently resided. *Aye, cap'n? You rang?*
Merely ignoring her comments, Lathanir waved an arm towards the selection of weapons and said, *Choose.*
*You can't be serious!* Nicole burst out, but saw that the older Elf was. The table had swords and daggers, knives and bows, and even some little daggers, the kind you would use as throwing knives. After taking a general inventory, Nicole scanned it once more, noting the pieces that caught her eye. Slowly, she pointed out her choices and Lathanir placed them aside. Two long-handled knives, one of the favorite weapons of the Elves, with sheathes to match the flowing pattern on the blades. A dagger, smaller than the one given to her by Aragorn, but large enough to do damage, made of silver with an inlaid green and clear gem, also with matching sheath. Finally, a bow made of light and strong grey wood and the quiver of arrows that came with it. Having chosen all she thought she would need, Nicole glanced up at Lathanir to see if he approved of her choices.
To her surprise, he actually nodded. *Well-made choices. Those were the weapons I had in mind for you. Now, you must see if you can fight with them,* he commented, picking up Nicole's two long knives and flipping them so that she could take the hilts. He himself picked up another pair, and did a few practice strokes until he was satisfied that Nicole could work with them. They went through each weapon like this. Finally, Lathanir told Nicole how to wear them all, with some minor disagreements from Nicole.
*I don't see why the knives have to be strapped right beside the quiver. That just confuses me when I reach for one of my weapons,* Nicole tried to reason.
*It is the only way we wear the knives, and it is well suited to the manner in which we fight,* Lathanir threw back at her.
Angrily, Nicole took the two knives, stuck them in their sheaths and fumbled with the straps and buckles that held the knives in place on the wearer's back. Five minutes later, she strapped the knives on around her hips, one hanging on each side, within easy reach and balanced. *THIS is how I wear them, and THIS is how it suits me in my manner to fight,* she replied. Lathanir gave up trying to convince the stubborn girl.
*Very well, as you wish. Thought that will interfere with your dagger.*
*I thought of that too!* Nicole proclaimed happily and showed that her dagger had been relocated to a place in the small of her back, still accessible, but hidden enough if need be.
Reluctantly, Lathanir moved on. *Gauntlets,* he stated, and gave Nicole two arm-bands of leather with fine Elvish writing on them. Nicole could tell they were excerpts from A Elbereth, Gilthoniel, one of the Elves' most favored songs. The gauntlets were placed over her sleeves, so that the material would be kept in place and not hinder her fighting. Finally, Lathanir presented her with boots and a belt. The boots were made of durable leather reaching halfway to her knees and laced up. The belt was made of metal but looked like finely woven material, and was placed to hold the tunic belted around her waist. Having fully suited Nicole up, Lathanir admired his handiwork. The girl looked like a warrior, as much as he was loath to admit it.
*You are... ready,* he admitted with a sigh.
*I am? I am!* Nicole exclaimed, interrupting Lathanir's unfinished conclusion.
*But, you are--*
*I am NOT too young,* Nicole quickly said, knowing what was coming. *I've told you before, and I'll tell you again: I am old enough to take care of myself, and just wait a few years, then I'll look older too, and then you won't be able to say that I'm too young to protect myself.*
Lathanir laughed. *It will take you many millennia to become old, young Nicole. And so that you do not deny it again, I say to you now: I was the first to support the idea of training you. I must be losing my senses to say this but you are a fine fighter and I am pleased with the result of the training.*
And now, the cue for the humongous, bone-crushing hug of gratitude. Heeding her mental advice, Nicole threw her arms around Lathanir. *Thanks, I'm really pleased with the way you turned out too,* Nicole said with a wink.
All the people who had helped Nicole train and prepare over the past few days bid her farewell that night, including Lathanir, Tarcalen (who dropped in for a brief visit), Ulanieta, and Rahiolae, and left her in her room with Ella. The two girls were silent and stared at each other.
*I feel young.*
*I feel old.*
The two comments were simultaneous and a second later, neither was sure which comment belonged to who because they were both busy fighting off a fit of giggles. They spent another hour or so, now long past nightfall, talking about more serious things and making plans for future visits. Before Ella left, they held each other tightly: one, an Elf unwilling to see what would happen to her 'role-model', the other a girl afraid to be a role-model and afraid to go out into the world again. They released each other with a smile.
*Let's hope next time we meet, we won't be so immature,* Nicole said with a rueful grin, remembering the previous night's farewell.
*Let us hope that we will meet again at all,* Ella said, a touch more solemnly than Nicole.
*Namaarië, mellon-nin, until we meet again,* Ella continued.
*Namaarië, mellon-nin, until we meet again,* Nicole repeated.
Then Ella left, and Nicole closed the door after watching her to the end of the hall. The night was long, but she still had some things to do. Taking off all the weapons, sheaths, and accessories, Nicole placed them by the side of the bed, ready to be put on again come morning. She went out onto a branch of the tree closest to her huge window. There, the young Elf woman perched for a while and thought... of traveling songs to sing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
She was led from her room at first light. Nicole was dressed and ready, and jittery, when Haldir and Rahiolae came to her door.
Rahiolae gave her a pack and instructed Nicole to put her extra clothes in it. *There are also several tunics and shirts inside, and some dried plants you many find useful,* the seamstress explained. She caught the younger Elf's arm. *May you go well and return better.*
Nicole forced a wobbly smile onto her face. *Thanks, that's cool. Good, great. Useful. Helpful. Yeah. Good. Thanks,* said Nicole. Rahiolae smiled back uncertainly and left the room.
Concern etched in his features and stance, Haldir laid a hand on the girl's shoulder and asked softly, *Are you well, Nicole?*
*Who? Me? Yeah, great, fine, splendid. Marvelous. And you?* Her words were skittish and her eyes shifted frequently and weren't in focus.
*Did you sleep at all?*
*Sure I did.* It was an obvious lie.
Haldir let it pass. If the girl was worried about something she would talk about it.
Some short time later, they were part of a host of Elves assembled at the gates of LothLorien. A group of the Eldar were accompanying their Lord and Lady out to the edge of the forest, were the Silverlode and the Anduin joined, to bid the Fellowship farewell. Once ready, they began to move out of the city and through the trees. The Fellowship had already gone ahead and was making their way towards the river, then walking along its bank, unknowing of the Elves coming to them. Nicole walked with Haldir because she didn't know most of the other Elves very well. She was wringing her hands and fiddling with the straps of the pack she carried on her back. She still hadn't said anything about what was bothering her but it seemed to be wearing away her usual strange humor.
*What bothers you?* Haldir finally asked softly, taking one of her hands so that she would stop squeezing her fingernails into her palms.
*Yes, the weather is nice today,* Nicole said without hearing the question. She unconsciously began digging her fingernails into his hand.
*Nicole.* He stepped in front of her for a moment so that she would focus on him. *What is wrong?*
Nicole gnawed her lip, unsure whether she should tell Haldir or not, since it wasn't something an Elf would particularly approve of. He took her out of the way of the traveling Elves so that they could talk without bothering anyone and rejoined the group once they were at the end of the column.
*Well?*
She took a huge breath and let it out in one jumble of words. *IdontwannagocauseIthinktheymightsaynoandIwannagowiththem, butIlooklikeanElfsotheywontknowmeanymore.*
Haldir's response took a moment. He was first trying to understand what the girl had said. *Just because you are an Elf does not make you any different than the person you were when you first arrived here. They will accept you as a friend, as always,* he reassured.
Nicole's shoulders slumped. *But Gimli... he's a Dwarf. And you don't know how weird he is with Elves. And Boromir too. I don't think they will trust me as much.*
Haldir frowned. Looking at it from the girl's point of view, he could understand her concern but he couldn't think of any way to help her with her problem.
*It'd be better if I was just a human again. But I'm not, and I can't be, unless I get a miracle, which is very unlikely. I could conceal myself and still pretend to be a human. It's not going to be hard to act like it, that's my nature. But I look so much like an Elf...* Nicole trailed off, sweeping her hands out to point out the obvious Elf clothing and features, such as pointed ears.
*No, I don't suppose that acting will be hard for you at all,* Haldir replied with a chuckle. *You are right, you do look like an Elf. If you covered your ears, and did not wear your hair in such a fashion, you might look more human,* he suggested. Before even waiting for Nicole to agree to it, he stepped behind her, but kept her walking, so that he could unbraid her hair and let if fall straight over her ears. He moved up beside the girl again, and approved the change. *That is better. But I regret to tell you that is the most you will be able to do.*
Nicole fingered her loose hair. She smiled at Haldir. *It will have to do. Thank you.* She stopped fidgeting and was happy to have Haldir lead a light conversation. Not much I can do now. Just walk and wait. Why is it that I'm always walking or waiting? Or running... we did a lot of running before we got to LothLorien. But now it's all walking. I'm surprised my legs haven't fallen off. Although really, they can't fall off, because they're on the ground. It would be more like they become detached, and then I'd just be a torso with arms. Ick. Scary mental image... As usual, the mental dialogue had nothing whatsoever in common with what was really going on, but somehow Nicole kept the two conversations separate.
When they finally reached the edge of the forest where the two rivers met, the Fellowship had not yet arrived and the Elves began to set up a place on the green grass where the Lord and Lady could eat the mid-day meal with the travelers. Or, in Nicole's words, "We got there, but they were late, so we sat on the grass in a good spot for a picnic." At the shore of the rivers, three boats were prepared and were being stocked for the journey. Looking at them made Nicole nervous again and she carefully approached Galadriel.
To her surprise, Galadriel laughed when Nicole tried to come up to her. *Dear Nicole, surely you are not still afraid of us?* the Lady asked, remembering the girl's actions on the first night they met.
In all honesty, this entire day Nicole had seen Celeborn and Galadriel treated as the royal and high Elves they were, and it made her aware again that she shouldn't act so familiar with them. She gave a half smile of defeat. *Ever and always. Afraid of the dark too. And spiders. And Moria... that place was creepy!* she said and shivered slightly, then remembered her train of thought. *My Lady, I wonder if the Fellowship will still allow me to continue with them. I have learned many skills this past month, but they may think that I will hinder their voyage.* Nicely done, I'm getting better at this big-words-fancy-polite-talking thing. Pretty soon, I'll be just as enigmatic and confusing as all the other Elves!
*Do not worry yourself, we will speak with them ere they depart,* Celeborn replied. He looked up, as did all the other Elves at a sound coming to them above the gurgling of the two rivers. *We will speak with them very soon indeed.* At his words, the Fellowship appeared at the riverside and most (except Aragorn and Legolas, because they had exceptional hearing) were surprised to see the Elves there. For their part, the Elves fell into formation (two lines lined up width-wise) behind the Lord and Lady. Nicole stood at the far side of the second line, keeping her head down to keep herself from being recognized. She wanted to listen to this exchange.
"My Lord, my Lady," Aragorn began respectfully bowing, and speaking in the Common tongue for the benefit of his companions. "We did not expect this."
"We have come to bid you farewell and to prepare you for the journey. Would you join us for the mid-day meal as the boats are readied?" Celeborn invited and gestured towards the set out eating area. They agreed and soon all the Company was seated with the Lord and Lady of Lorien, eating and chatting about the road ahead. The sun fled through the sky and an hour had passed. At around that time, Aragorn stood again and spoke.
"We thank you for your hospitality and the shelter you have given us. But it is past time that we move on."
Nicole had watched the whole picnic take place from her spot sitting on a tree root beside the boats. Now everyone began to stir and move around, both Elves and the companions walked around the camp to make sure everything was packed and ready to go. Seeing this movement, Nicole stood up quickly and shied out of the way, again to avoid being seen. Things were put together quickly and not a half hour later, the Elves had taken up the same formation (Nicole in the same spot as before), with Celeborn and Galadriel in front of them and the Fellowship facing them.
"We give you gifts now, to aid you in your quest," Galadriel said, and two Elves came up to her, arms laden with various items. "For you, Masters Peregrin and Meriadoc, belts and daggers of Elven make, strong weapons to match your bravery." The two hobbits fastened the belts around their waists and bowed in thanks. "Master Samwise, I have been told that you are interested in plant life. Thus, accept this gift so that your garden may grow ever more beautiful." Sam beamed happily and muttered some clumsy words of gratitude. "A bow of the Galadhrim, Legolas Thranduilion. May your arrows ever find their mark." The Elf's eyes lit up as he took the bow and bent gracefully. "Master Boromir, a golden belt woven by the Elves, a symbol of the fortitude of Men." Boromir accepted the gift, placed it around his waist, and thanked the Lady. "And to you, Frodo of the Shire, I give the light of Eärendil, our most beloved star. May it be a light for you when all other lights go out." And Galadriel kissed the top of his head. "Namaarië." Frodo gazed in awe at Galadriel of the Golden Wood. She turned next to Gimli, a smile playing on her lips. "And what would a Dwarf ask of an Elf?"
Gimli turned a satisfying shade of red and mumbled into his beard. "It is enough to look upon one so fair as yourself, milady. I could ask no greater gift."
Galadriel laughed. "Let it not be said that Dwarves are incapable of fair speech! Master Gimli, you are eloquent and kind, and I thank you for your company." They both bowed to one another.
Nicole observed this with interest. He doesn't seem to mind Galadriel so much. But then again, she IS a heck of a lot nicer looking than me. Gimli probably wouldn't make another exception for little old me. She frowned and bit her lip. I guess I have to stay un-Elf for a while. Or forever. That was not going to be an easy task.
At last Galadriel came to Aragorn and they shared one of those secret smiles that annoyed Nicole to no end. *Your gift has already been given, Elfstone, Elessar.* Aragorn acknowledged the Elvish words with a nod. "Is there any other gift that you would ask of me?"
The ranger shook his head. "There is nothing, milady." He paused for a second and then looked around at the company of Elves, finally turning his gaze back to Celeborn and Galadriel.
"You seek something?" Celeborn asked.
"Yes, Lord Celeborn. We came with a young woman, but have not seen her since we were parted at our first meeting in your flet. Is there anything you can tell us as to her fate?" Nicole stayed hiding behind Haldir, even though she desperately wanted to rejoin her friends. She realized that Aragorn was behaving as though he had not recognized her on the night of the ball, and was thankful (surprised too) that Legolas had kept his word.
Gimli stepped forward as well. "Aye, Nicole. I worry for the lass." Aragorn placed a hand on the Dwarf's shoulder, and then his other hand on Pippin, to hold him back when he rushed forward.
"Please, Lady Galadriel, what's happened to her? Is she well? Won't she say goodbye?" The hobbit was clearly distressed and pleaded for any information about Nicole.
The secret smile appeared again, this time between Celeborn and Galadriel. "We do have news of the Lady Nicole," Celeborn began. "She has stayed with us this past month, and brought us quite a few surprises and laughs in the process." He glanced over his shoulder, sharp eyes immediately spotting Nicole behind Haldir. Celeborn winked and turned back to Aragorn. "We would be happy to have her stay here. Although perhaps she has a few words to say on that account."
Haldir stepped away and gave the girl a gentle shove. The Fellowship saw a dark haired she-Elf come forward, with head lowered.
"Now being fully aware of the quest, and of the perils with it, the purpose of it seems clear to me," she cleared her throat nervously but kept her head down. "If you would allow it, I ask permission to continue with you on your journey." She looked up now, meeting Aragorn's gaze and straightening her back, hoping that they wouldn't laugh outright at the foolish little girl that followed them over and under mountains and into a forest.
The Elf who had addressed the Fellowship had looked up at them and met their eyes. Indeed, it was not an Elf at all, it was Nicole, but dressed as an Elf and so changed that they barely recognized her. But there was no question about what they would do with her now.
"We wouldn't have it any other way," Aragorn said with a smile. "And I do not think that any other choice would have been acceptable," he noted. Pippin had escaped Aragorn and was flitting around Nicole, oozing happiness. Gimli grinned (it looked like he grinned... you never can tell with that beard) and Boromir came to her and threw an arm around her shoulder, squeezing her lightly. The rest of the Fellowship was somewhat more restrained, or maybe less happy to see her (this being the case with a certain Elf Prince), and smiled, though still anxious to be on their way.
Nicole laughed at the attention her friends were giving her, remembering their reactions at the ball. Funny how so much can change in such a short time. But she also knew that even though she was leaving with her companions, she would be leaving behind a forest that had become a home. The girl turned away from her newly reunited friends and looked back at the Elves.
*For all that you have done for me, I can't find enough words to thank you,* she said softly to Celeborn and Galadriel. *I promise that I will return, if I ever have a chance. And I'll try to be as normal an E-- as normal as I possibly can,* she adjusted the sentence with a lopsided grin. Me, normal, NOT in the same sentence.
The couple came closer to her, each placing a hand on one of her shoulders. *Never stop learning, young one,* said Celeborn with glimmering eyes. *But always be yourself, no matter what form you must take,* Galadriel advised. They released her as Haldir approached.
*Training will not be amusing without you. How will I amuse myself, now that you are leaving?* he teased, crossing his arms and pretending to think.
Nicole held no restraints and wrapped her arms around Haldir tightly. *It would have been nice to stay here,* she mumbled into his shoulder. Haldir gently held her.
*Yes, it would have been nice.* He held her at arms length now to properly look at her. *You know, if you keep frowning all the time, you might just pull it off,* he joked, referring to her attempted disguise.
Nicole bit her lip and hard and punched him lightly in the shoulder. *Don't joke about it. I'm trying not to have a breakdown, your humor is not helping me.* The words were beginning to stick in her throat.
Haldir's eyes softened. *Forgive me. Jesting helps to say goodbye. You are always welcome here.* He pulled her back into an embrace now and whispered in her ear. *Just don't go getting yourself killed. And be kind to your fellow Elf.* The last part was so quiet that she barely caught it, but knew that Haldir was serious about it. They broke apart, leaving Nicole swallowing hard against the lump in her throat.
*Namaarië, my brother. Until we meet again,* she struggled to say. Haldir nodded and smiled confidently. The Fellowship stepped into the boats, ready with supplies, and Nicole tried not to complain too much when she ended up in the boat with Gimli (that was good) and Legolas (that was not good) because they only had the two of them in their boat and the others were three per boat. They pushed off from the shore and began to paddle out into the merging of the Silverlode and Anduin. They looked back at the receding shore and at the Elves still standing there and bidding them farewell.
The Company was silent until they rounded a bend in the river and the Elves and the land of LothLorien disappeared from sight. In that instant, it was like a spell had come over Nicole in the woods and had made her much more serious than usual. Now, beyond the realm of Lorien, the spell was lifted and Nicole was just a normal, crazy girl again.
"Alright, gang! Who practiced their singing voices? On three, ready? One, two, three! Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream! Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is like a dream! Row, row, row, your boat, gently down the stream! If you see a crocodile, don't forget to scream!" Nicole pouted when she saw that she was the only one singing her marvelous song. The occupants of all three boats were staring at her. "Whatever it is, I didn't do it!" she immediately said in her defense.
They shook their heads, smiling at the crazed girl. "There's nothing quite like being back on the move, and having Nicole with us again," Merry commented.
"Quite right, Master Meriadoc! I'm glad you see things my way!" she replied enthusiastically over the water. The Company kept giving her strange looks anyways, but Nicole took it as nothing more than the usual confused glare or eye-brow raising thing.
Legolas was the one to clear up the whole staring issue. *You speak now with a slight accent,* he told her. *It seems to unnerve them, to see that you have changed.* He remarked this as he glanced at the boat on the left, with Boromir, Merry, and Pippin in it.
Nicole pulled her long hair down more, practically yanking it out of her scalp. *That's not that bad,* she replied, remembering to be civil. *I can just stay quiet. Not too hard, I suppose.* She heard Legolas suppress a laugh behind her. Gimli, sitting at the front of their boat, had not heard the whispered Elvish conversation. Suddenly Nicole felt the urge to talk to Gimli about the possible mining potential of Moria. She bit her tongue. Or I could talk to Merry and try to get him to talk some sense into Pippin. Nicole gnawed her tongue harder. Maybe Frodo could tell me about Bilbo's book. Or I could talk to Boromir about Gondor: seems like a nice place. By this time, her teeth had bitten into her tongue and she tasted blood in her mouth. She gingerly opened her mouth and touched two fingers to her tongue. As expected, red blood stained her skin. Nicole frowned, then crossed her arms. She shifted her position in the boat and began tapping her fingers.
I can't do this I can't do this I can't do this. Calm down, breathe, it's ok. All I have to do is not talk. I CAN'T!!! I need to talk about something, anything, everything. Must not talk. Must not talk. Must not talk. Must not talk. Nah, I don't like that. Too boring... how about...? I'll never tell, I'll never tell, I'll never tell, I'll never tell, I'll never tell, I'll never tell, I'll never tell...
And so passed the first day of travel on the Anduin, with Nicole desperately trying to keep her mouth shut and be civil to Legolas at the same time. Good luck to her. Her quest stands upon the edge of a knife too, but since we all know (from previous training scene in which she had to stand on a balance beam and ended up falling off), Nicole doesn't have very good balance, so her quest is going to fail.
A/N: And there you have it! I finished it all by myself, and I'm leaving my precious computer in a few hours, never to return again... or at least, never to return in a week. *Does gollum imitation and coughs up hair ball* you cant takes it from us, no, no, precious, no! It's ours! They tries to steals it from us, but we wont let them! It's mine... my... preciousssss....
Ok, enough of that. Sorry about this chapter being horrendously short when compared with the previous one, but I hope it's still OK for ya'll. Be kind, review. please? It'll be a gift from you to me! Review! ~MoI~