In between
Lexi was drumming her fingers on the table waiting. Nick had promised to take her note to Brandal for her. He didn't want her out of the house so he was going to take the letter to the post office. She heard the key turning and a click.
"Okay, I'm here. Sorry I took so long. So, give me the letter and I'll drive it over." Nick was totally out of breath.
"Alright, just sit down for a minute. You're going to go crazy if you don't stop working yourself. I'm sorry I'm causing you all this trouble," said Lexi.
"It's okay, I don't mind. It's just hard to keep up with everything," he explained. Nick slowly got up and snatched the note from her. "I'll see you tomorrow, bye" He then turned to the door and left.
Lexi made her way to her room. She was going out with Orli tonight. She slipped on one of her favorite blue dresses. It was a strapless baby blue dress. At the top were dark blue vines with leaves on them. They trailed down having fewer and fewer ends until there was only one left that stopped at her knee. The dress itself was slender until you got to the waist. Then it flowed out so it was like a minor ball gown with only one layer of material. It was so long that you couldn't see her feet. She put on some white high-heel shoes. Then she clipped on a find silver necklace with a delicate heart hanging from it.
She looked in the mirror and smiled. She put on some sparkly lip gloss and pale blue eye shadow. She looked in the mirror and uttered, " perfect!"
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Laura was at her apartment talking with Zach. "Laura I have to ask you something" said Zach.
"Okay shoot."
"Bang. No, just kidding. Anyway do you mind if I gave our secret spot to Orli? I mean we're no going to use it anymore" asked Zach. He looked a little unsure of what her reaction would be.
"Yeah that's fine. I think they need a place of their own to get away from the pressing outside world," responded Laura.
"Good, I told him about it last night. He said that'd be great and he'd take her there on their next date" continued Zach.
"Okay good, thanks for listening, bye." Zach got up and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi laughed as Orli excitedly dragged her to some surprise, unknown spot. She was acting just like a little girl waiting to get a surprise.
"Alright, we're here," announced Orli.
"I don't see anything but a big plant wall," said Lexi.
"This big plant wall is the key to everything," explained Orli.
"Oh." Orli then pushed a small pink rose. A little door came up and read his hand. Lexi followed in pursuit. Then a huge archway formed. Lexi gasped, she was speechless. "Orli, I, I don't know what to say" she said.
"How about I love it," mocked Orli. Lexi turned to him a passionately kissed him.
"I love it," she said.
The place was beautiful; it was better than Laura's secret garden. There were all kinds of pretty flowers in the bushes and walls. Light fairies were dancing in the air. Little brooks and streams ran through the place.
Lexi and Orli silently followed a little stream. Then it all of a sudden stopped. In its place was a beautiful, towering waterfall. Silently falling down the waterfall were small Lily pads. Lexi's smile brightened. She had always loved waterfalls and secret gardens. Just a few yards away was a little rock by the water. Orli led her over to it and motioned for her to sit down.
Lexi sat down and kicked off her shoes. She dipped her feet in the cool, clear water. Orli just sat down next to her.
"Orli, how on earth did you find this place? You always seem to find the perfect places," asked Lexi.
"I don't know, it just happened I guess," admitted Orli. Lexi just nodded and smiled.
"It's beautiful," she added.
"Yes, you are." Lexi looked at him and looked deep into his eyes. Then their lips met and they kissed. It seemed to last an eternity.
"I love you" Orli whispered in her ear.
"I love you too Legolas" she replied. He gave her a sad smile.
"We'll see it again, I promise." Lexi nodded and snuggled up closer to him.
"What do you think Jiwen and Yurwen are doing right now?" Lexi asked.
"Probably thinking about us, don't worry, they didn't forget about us" reassured Orli. Lexi just sighed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yurwen, Yurwen! Yurwen come here now!" yelled Jiwen. Jiwen was running through the fields of Lorien desperately looking for Yurwen. "Yurwen!" she yelled again.
"Jiwen, I'm right here. What's wrong?" asked Yurwen.
"Come on" Jiwen said. She dragged Yurwen back to Yurwen's house and locked the door. She pushed Yurwen back into a chair and looked at her.
"Jiwen breath, it's okay. Calm down."
"No, It's not okay! What I saw is not okay! We've got to go and tell Lexwen and Legolas and the others" rushed Jiwen.
"Wait, slow down. Tell the others what?"
"I saw, a really bad thing. Coming from Mordor, something really bad" started Jiwen.
"Just tell me what it is!" yelled Yurwen.
"Okay, form Mordor was a huge army! They were half orc and half another foul creature. There were about 500,000 of them. I got scared and hid. Then I heard one of the horrible creatures yell something. In 40 days, we will set out to destroy middle-earth for good. We will attack 2 elf cities and 2 man cities. They are Rivendell, Mirkwood, Gondor and Rohan. That's all I heard but it's still enough. Don't you get it Yurwen? They are planning an assault on middle-earth to defeat them all!" cried Jiwen. "We've got to find a way to get a bigger army here in 40 days!"
"Okay, let's go back and tell the others," said a resolved Yurwen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, have those nightmare's gone away yet?" asked Orli as he splashed the water.
"Sort of." Lexi and Orli were still sitting on the rock with their feet in the water.
"What do you mean? It's either a yes or no," said Orli.
"No, it's a sort of. Those horrible flashbacks are gone. But on Wednesday night I had something else. I have a bad feeling its in the things yet to come if we don't do something about it" explained Lexi.
"What was it about?" pressed Orli.
"I'm sorry, I just can't remember. If I do I'll tell you immediately," said Lexi. Orli sighed and nodded.
"So, do you think Yuri and Max will get together?" asked Lexi changing the subject.
"Well, after what Max did to her and the way she looked I would say so" Laughed Orli.
"Yeah, when Max first hugged her she was surprise but she wasn't mad. She almost liked it" finished Lexi.
"So now most of us are paired off and to think it all started last weekend with Zach and Laura." Lexi smiled and lightly kissed him.
"As long as I have you I'm fine." Then she leaned in again and kissed him. After a while they were totally lost.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi sighed as she ran her fingers through the water. It had been a week since she had been out with Orli in their secret world. He finally decided to let her go out sometimes.
She was wearing a totally white dress. The top had long sleeves. They attached at her wrist. Then it looked as if someone had cut a slit in it up to the top of the sleeves. They rested on her shoulders. The material was very thin and flowly. The skirt was a layered flowly skirt. There was a fine belt made of small diamonds strung together. Her hair was pulled back in a half ponytail. Resting gracefully was a sting of diamonds like a necklace placed on her head. But as it dropped on her forehead there was one bigger diamond. Altogether she looked stunning.
She was at a nearby garden. It was a maze of bushes and vines. In the center was a little circular water fountain. The water squirted in all directions.
She was feeling lonely and just wanted to get away from everything. She wished Jingning and Yuri were back. That was partly why she felt so down.
In the distance she heard Jingning frantically calling he name. "I must be hearing things," she told herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, Lexi! Oh man, where could she be? If I were she, I would probably be feeling very lonely right now. The gardens!" Yelled Jingning. She was now back in Middle-Earth. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Now she's getting closer! Maybe I'm not hearing things." Lexi ran towards where the sound was coming from.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, Lexi! Where are you? Lexi!" screamed Jingning.
"She was now in the gardens. All of a sudden she heard Lexi's voice. "Jingning, is that you?"
"Lexi, it's me. I'm in the gardens," Jingning yelled back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jingning, Jingning! Where are you?" All of a sudden she ran into something and fell down. She slowly picked her herself up and fixed her headdress. "Jingning, is that you?" Lexi asked. Jingning nodded.
"Lexi, I've got to."
"Oh Jingning, I'm so glad your back! I've been so low this is just what I needed and." Jingning cut her short.
"Lexi I've got to tell you something and it's really important. I was running in the fields of Mirkwood, when I saw something really bad coming from Mordor" started Jingning. When she said this, her face paled a significant amount. "I saw, well." All of a sudden she stopped. She was really pale now and she wasn't speaking in sentences, as is she'd totally lost it.
"Mirkwood, Rivendell, Gondor, Rohan. 500,000.half and half.40 days.big assault.500,000.. Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.40 days.. half and half.big assault.40 days." All of a sudden Jingning fell down and fainted.
Lexi was totally stunned and didn't know what to do. Then she grabbed her phone and dialed Nick's number.
"Hi Nick. Come to the gardens quick. There's an emergency" rushed Lexi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alright, I'm here. What's the problem?" asked Nicky.
"Well I was just walking in the gardens when I heard Jingning urgently calling my name. We ran towards each other's voices until I ran right into her. Then she started mumbling something about home in elvish" explained Lexi.
"Can you remember what she said?" pressed Nick.
"No, I really can't" admitted Lexi.
"Well, let's get her to a doctor. She looks strangely pale" finished Nick. Lexi nodded and together they lifted Jingning up and into Nick's car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, will you please stop pacing around the room! You're making me dizzy" commanded Liz.
"Sorry, I'm just trying to think. What on earth did she say?" Lexi returned to pacing the room and Liz sighed. Then Lexi lifted her arms up in defeat and plopped into one of the chairs. Orli came up behind her and started to massage her neck and shoulders. Lexi closed her eyes in content. She could feel some of the stress leaving her.
This feeling of content quickly left her. A disheveled looking nurse had just walked into the room.
"Who is the woman in here who heard what Miss Jingning Ao last said?" the nurse asked. Lexi sighed and stood up.
"I am."
"Okay, are you sure you can't remember what she said.
"Oh my gosh, why does this question keep coming up! I can't remember what she said. Now just leave me alone!" Lexi yelled at the nurse. The nurse looked utterly scared.
"O-okay. I'll j-just leave you a-alone" stuttered the nurse and then she hustled out of the room.
"Let's go, follow me," Orli whispered in Lexi's ear. Lexi sighed and followed him out.
"Poor Lexi" said Kyle.
"Yeah, she really just needs to get away from everything. I wish there was a way I could help," said Nick.
"We all do man, we all do" said Max.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Where are we going?" asked Lexi. Orli was driving her to somewhere.
"We are going back to our secret world," said Orli.
"Oh."
"Okay, we're here," said Orli. They both got out and went to their secret world. Once Lexi stepped inside and the arch closed she felt relieved. Orli once again led her to their rock by the waterfall.
They both just sat down and watched the flowers fall. After a while Lexi finally broke the silence.
"I'm worried about Jingning. What if she's really hurt?" asked Lexi. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Orli pulled her close.
"It's okay, she'll be okay." He gently rocked her back and forth.
"Orli what if we all get separated? Maybe we're destined to all be ruined in the end, never seeing each other again?" asked Lexi. Tear streamed down her face.
"Don't worry, we'll make it through this. Here, I have something to give to you. I was going to save it for your birthday but I think now is a much better time," said Orli.
He pulled a long fuzzy blue jewelry box out of his pocked. Lexi slowly took the box. After she opened it she gasped. Inside was a beautiful silver bracelet. But instead of being a silver chain it was something better. Instead it was a chain of find silver hearts. Each one was linked to another.
"Orli, I, it's beautiful" awed Lexi. Orli took it out of the box and clipped it onto her wrist as he spoke.
"Now, even if we do get separated you will always have my thoughts and me in this bracelet."
"Thank you Orli" Lexi leaned in and gave him a deep passionate kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said against her lips.
"I just have one question," Orli said. Lexi frowned slightly. "Why are you wearing this beautiful white dress today?" Lexi laughed. And explained.
"I found this in my closet today and I loved it so I put it on. I had no idea we would be going out tonight."
"You look absolutely stunning in it" finished Orli.
"Thank you" said Lexi. All of a sudden Orli's phone rang. He listened for a short while then said bye.
"That was Becky, They told us to come back to the doctors. They have an update on Jingning" said Orli. They got up and headed to the exit.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, what did they say?" asked Lexi.
"Well this really isn't good news. They said her conditions not getting better. She's still deathly pale. They think she fainted from some type of severe shock. I have a feeling it has to do with what she was telling you in the gardens" said Becky.
"Lexi sweetheart, are you sure you can't remember the slightest thing she said?" asked Orli. He was almost pleading for an answer.
"I'll try, I know it had to do with Middle-Earth" Lexi started.
"Go on" urged Orli.
"I'm thinking, oh man what did she say?" yelled Lexi.
"Lexi, just calm down and think. You won't remember if you're all worked up," said Nick.
"Okay sorry. Let me think." Lexi closed her eyes tightly and recalled back to the gardens and replied in elvish. "Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.500,000.half and half." Lexi drifted off and opened her eyes. Everyone was looking at her.
"Anything else?" Becky pressed.
"Yes just let me think some more." Lexi closed her eyes again. (Elvish) "Big assault.40 days.Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.big assault.40 days" Lexi finished and opened her eyes. (English) "That's all but I don't know what she meant." Everyone shook his or her heads; no one really understood what she meant.
"Well it has to do with the two man cities, and Mirkwood and Rivendell," said Paula.
"There are 500,000 half and half. Could it be half of those are men and half are the elves?" asked Charlotte.
"I doubt it. Would Jingning come back from West-Earth just to tell you guys that?" asked Connie.
"Yeah, she does have a point," said Laura.
"Well maybe the elves are going to fight the men in 40 days" said Tyler.
"Yeah!" was heard from a lot of them.
"Wait, wait, wait, I think I've got it. The men and elves wouldn't fight each other. No, we are good friends with them. What kind of creature do we know that can be half and half?" Lexi asked. Everyone shook their heads, they were stumped.
"Well, aren't some foul creatures from Mordor usually half and half? Half orc and half something else that makes them a better stronger kind. This could be an army of 500,000 of those half and half creatures" brightly said Lexi. Everyone's face's lit up.
"They could be attacking Mirkwood, Rivendell, Gondor and Rohan. That would be the big assault. Then the 40 days, hmm, the 40 days could mean. Oh, the 40 days means that the army will set out in 40 days to carry out their big assault!" finished Lexi.
"Lexi, you're right, it all makes sense!" said Orli. He swept her off her feet and happily kissed her making everyone smile. Ever since Lexi had gotten together with Orli she had become 10 times happier. Also they smiled because she had figured out the puzzle.
"Wait guys, I know Lexi figured it out but think about what the puzzle actually means! There are 500,000 horrible creatures attacking 4 of our most prominent cities in 40 days" said Zach. Everyone's smiles slowly faded as the truth hit them. "There aren't enough warriors in Middle-Earth to destroy this army! There are only so many warriors in Lorien, the Shire and the other wandered cities. What are we going to do" finished Zach.
"He's right. Middle-Earth is doomed," cried Laura. Lexi and Orli sat back down. Everyone was deep in thought.
"You guys, where's Yuri? I haven't seen her yet" said Liz.
"Yeah, she could have helped us with that puzzle" said Max.
"Look guys, I have no idea" called out Lexi. " Why don't we just go home. We can think of a way to help middle-earth and then one of us can contact Yuri" suggested Lexi.
"I agree but we need to wait for the latest results on Jingning then we can go" said Kyle. Everyone agreed and started to talk. Orli got up and went over to talk to Zach.
"Hey Zach."
"Hey Orli."
"Look, I just wanted to say thanks for giving me your secret place" said Orli.
"No man, it was nothing. Besides I'm not going to use is anymore" said Zach.
"Lexi absolutely loved it. But what really turned her on was the waterfall" started Orli.
"Wait, waterfall? What waterfall?" cut in Zach.
"You know the waterfall that all the brooks and streams led to" said Orli.
"Brooks streams, are you sure you went to the same place? How did you get in?" asked Zach.
"I just pressed the little pink rose and then the screen came up and read our hands" said Orli.
"Little pink rose? I pressed a perfect red rose. That's probably why I didn't know what you were talking about" laughed Zach.
"Oh well, she loved it" replied Orli.
Mean while Lexi got up to go and talk to her friends.
"Hey Lexi" said Paula.
"Hi guys" called Lexi. Finally she got to them and sat down.
"Good job with figuring out all this stuff today" said Charlotte.
"Thanks."
"So, where did you go with Orli?" asked Rachael.
"Oh nowhere important" said Lexi. Laura knew by the look on her face that they had gone to the secret place. Lexi put her arms on the arm rests and propped her head. As she did her bracelet slid down her arm. Rachael noticed and grabbed her arm.
"Oh my gosh Lexi, where did I you get this?"" awed Rachael. All the girls looked at it and gasped.
"Orli gave it to me while we were gone" said Lexi.
"Oh man, I'm green with envy" said Laura.
"Don't worry, Kyle's a good guy, you'll get something in time" said Lexi as she patted her back.
"Shut up!" said Laura. At that moment the disheveled nurse walked in.
"okay, listen up everybody" yelled the nurse. Everyone immediately stopped talking and turned towards the nurse.
"I have more news about Miss Ao. We still don't know why she fainted, but" she said as everyone's faces started to fall. "But she has regained much more color on her face. I think she will most likely be waking in on or two days. She will need maybe a day or two to regain her strength depending on when she wakes up" reported the nurse. She smiled and walk away.
Everyone got up and cheered.
"So, let's go, I'm exhausted" said Nick. Everyone agreed and started to leave.
"Good work Lexi" said Orli when he reached her.
"All in a days work" said Lexi.
"Sure, yeah right" mocked Orli. Lex hit him and then playfully kissed him. He kissed her back and they walked out together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi wearily got dressed for work. Everyone had decided to just lift most of the security measures for Lexi. Sauron hadn't made a move for a while.
She sat on he bed brushing her hair absently thinking. She was really tired and just laid down and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Dream~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An arrow had just missed her ear. Men, elves, and humans alike stood in Gondor ready to fight. "Tangado a chadad! Leithio i philinn!" (translation: prepare to fire! Fire the arrows!)" Lexwen yelled. The men shot a batch of arrows then ducked down. Then the elves shot a batch of arrow and ducked down too. Finally the humans shot a batch of arrows and ducked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi jerked up, she had just remembered her "dream" and thought of a way to save Middle-Earth! All of a sudden a loud knocking came upon the door and Lexi went to get it.
"Hi Lexi, we're late for work" said Orli with a smile plastered on his face.
"Orli, I'm so glad you're here. I just remembered" Orli cut her off.
"Tell me later, we're really late for work" pressed Orli.
"No, this is 10 times more important. I remember my dream thing and because of that I know how to save Middle-Earth!" exclaimed Lexi.
"Wow, can I come in?" asked a stunned Orli. Lexi nodded happily. Orli slowly stepped inside.
He sat down on one of her family room couches and looked her straight in the eye.
"So what is this genius plan you've come up with but first what was your dream about?"
"Okay my plan actually came from part of my dream. The first part was a scene of men, elves, and humans stood in front of Gondor ready to fight. Then in turn we shoot arrows at them. Then it goes to Rivendell where creatures jump out and they're in heavy war. Then Mirkwood has been burned to the ground with dead bodies everywhere. Rohan was already winning the war so back to Gondor. There were men, elves AND humans!" happily explained Lexi.
"So, I don't get it" Orli said totally clueless.
"You don't get it? We have to get a huge army of trusted humans to help with the war!" rushed Lexi. Orli's whole face lit up.
He jumped up, pulled her into a joyful kiss and danced around the room. Lexi just stood in the middle of the room, totally stunned by his actions. Then Lexi started laughing when he started doing summersaults across the floor. Then he stood up and started to kiss her nonstop for 10 minutes. Finally they pulled apart.
"Orli what about work?" Lexi whispered.
"Who cares about work. You solved the problem of Middle-Earth! We've got to get everyone together and tell them the plan" yelled Orli.
"Orli shhh, I'll get started on calling people. You use the other line and call the others" explained Lexi. They both separated and started calling.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Max slowly walked out of the building. He was thinking of Yuri. "Where could she be?" he thought. Yuri had been in Middle-Earth with Jingning. What happened to her? Maybe she didn't come back and didn't even know Jingning had left. What if she was searching hopelessly for her? Horrible thoughts began to flood through his head. After 5 minutes Max shook his head and looked up.
He blankly stared and watched a tall purple blur move towards him. It took him a few minutes to realize what he was seeing. Slowly the purple blur became focused and Max jumped in happiness. He started to run towards the shape. He finally reached her and picked her up. He spun her around.
"Yuri I'm so glad you've back." He then leaned in and passionately kissed her. Yuri and Max stood in the empty parking lot kissing for ages. Finally they pulled apart and slowly looked into each other's eyes. "Yuri, where were you?" breathlessly asked max.
"I tried to follow Jingning home but couldn't. I took the boat back here late last night and here I am" explained Yuri.
"I'm glad you're back. Do you want to go out to lunch with me?" asked Max.
"Max, it's 10 o'clock. At lunch time yeah" laughed Yuri.
"Who cares, we'll have brunch. Let's go." Max didn't wait for the reply and just pulled her towards his car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Okay you guys, good news" started Lexi. Everyone but Jingning, Max and Yuri were piled into Lexi's apartment.
"The good news is" said Orli but was cut short. There was a light ramble on the door. Then Max and Yuri walked in.
"The good news is that I found Yuri!" yelled Max. Everyone turned to see her.
"Look guys, I'm glad to be back, but I have to tell you something horrible going on in Middle-Earth" started Yuri.
"We already know Yuri. Lexi figured it out last night while we were at the hospital with Jingning" smiled Nick.
"Oh" said Yuri.
"No, the good news is that I found a solution to our problem of saving Middle-Earth" started Lexi. Nick whooped and then Lexi launched into explanation about her dream and plan.
"So all we have to do is get some humans to help out" finished Lexi after 10 tedious minutes of explanation. Everyone was speechless until Rachael spoke.
"Oh my gosh! Good job!" she said.
"Is that why you guys weren't at work?" asked Liz.
"Yeah, I fell asleep again and then Orli came over to get me and I though and told him about my plan" explained Lexi.
"Well, all we need now is for Jingning to wake up" said Paula.
"Wait guys, I think we should appoint a Captain or commander of this mission" said Kyle.
"Yeah! So if anyone has a nomination please speak" inquired Laura. Everyone but Lexi, Orli, and Kyle rose their hands.
"Um, Becky go" said Orli.
"I nominate Lexi" said Becky.
"Why me?" piped up Lexi.
"Because you're smart, you're a good leader, and you figured out a solution to all our problems" said Becky.
"Okay, any other nominations?" asked Orli. Everyone shook his or her head.
"Okay all in favor of Lexi say ai"
"ai" everyone said.
"Okay Lexi, you're the Captain or commander now" said Orli.
"Wait, I think we should have a vice commander" blurted out Lexi.
"Okay, I nominate Orli" said Charlotte.
"All in favor of Orli say ai"
"ai" everyone shouted again.
"So Lexi Black and Orli Bean, you are the commanders in charge. You may now kiss" Mocked Nick. Lexi and Orli turned to each other and kissed passionately to seal the position. Everyone cheered as they kissed.
Liz just sat there, a pang of guilt shot through her. She had always had a little thing for Orli. But she knew he was out of her reach now. Orli had Lexi and made her constantly happy. She knew she couldn't ruin that. Lexi was a sensitive person and would be totally crushed if Orli were taken away from her. Liz sighed and looked at Lexi. She knew he was right for her and would always protect and love her. Lexi's face shone with happiness. When she was around him it was just right. Liz then joined in the cheering.
Lexi and Orli finally pulled apart, gasping for breath. Lexi looked at everyone cheering and blushed. Orli kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. After 5 minutes the clapping stopped and Orli and Lexi returned to the chair they were sharing.
"So, I guess almost everyone's happily together" said Kyle with a smile. "Except for maybe Nick" joked Kyle.
"Hey!" Nick said
"Hay's for horses. I'm sorry Nick but you're an elf, not a horse" said Kyle, an evil grin playing on his face.
"Alright, just shut up Kyle, just shut up" said Nick shacking his head. Kyle laughed evilly. Laura giggled and snuggled up close to Kyle. He kissed her forehead and put his arm around her. Everyone seemed to be comfortably lost in love.
"So um.when should be get started with the army?" asked Candice. Everyone jumped at her voice. They had forgotten that she was there.
"I don't know, lets ask our commanders what our next action should be" suggested Rachael.
"Um, lets get some lunch and Lexi and I will talk it over" said Orli. Everyone nodded and got up.
"Hey guys, there's some meat in the fridge. You can make sandwiches and have some chips from the pantry." Said Lexi. She led them into the kitchen. As Paula and Lexi pulled out meats and bread Connie and Charlotte brought out chips, cups and plates. As soon as everything was ready everyone began to make his or her sandwiches. Orli and Lexi decided to bring their lunches into the living room where they could talk.
"So, any ideas on our next course of action?" asked Lexi.
"Well, I think we should have someone stationed with Jingning. The moment she wakes up the person will fill her in on our plans. Then they should cal us and Jingning would be totally up to date when she joined us" suggested Lexi. Orli just stared at her as she spoke. "Okay, what" said Lexi not understanding what he was looking at.
"Nothing, it's just you always seem to have a plan up your sleeve. I mean you're on a roll this week. I also don't understand something" awed Orli. Lexi blushed and nodded as to tell him to keep going. "When you got that letter from Sauron, you reacted strangely. Most people would have been scared to death at the fact that they were found out and you of all people. I'd think you'd be more careful" said Orli in a good way.
"Orli, I know Sauron's out for my blood. He wants to destroy Middle-Earth. The easiest way is to just kill me. As you know, the sprit of Lorien resides in my blood. If he kills me the people will slowly fade away. He knows it's easier than setting war on the whole of Middle-Earth. He's now giving me a chance to confess and not have war set upon Middle-Earth. But he knows I'm not going to give up without a fight.
So, he's forced to do war and it's coming in 37 days. The good think is he doesn't know that we know that's he's calling war. So, I guess I know I have to be strong. And no matter what, we're going to win this war" reassured Lexi. Orli nodded but still looked a little apprehensive. Lexi leaned in and kissed him.
"I promise" she whispered against his lips. Orli nodded obediently and leaned in for another kiss. Pretty soon Lexi and Orli were lost tin their own world consisting of each other's lips.
Lexi, Orli, do you know what you're-" Laura stopped as she had just walked in to see Lexi and Orli kissing like crazy on the couch. Lexi was lying on top of Orli, totally oblivious to Laura. "Ehem guys?" said Laura. Lexi immediately sat up to see Laura. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red.
"Anyway guys, we left you in here to plan what we're going to do next, not sit here making out" laughed Laura.
"Come on Laura, we're just having a little fun" complained Orli. He pulled Lexi down and they started to playfully kiss. Laura groaned.
"Well, when its convenient pleas finish planning and don't make too much noise, we're trying to eat in peace" said Laura. Her answer was a groan form Lexi. Laura rolled her eyes and left.
After 5 minutes Lexi sat up. "Orli, stop, stop, we really should get back to planning, stop!" shrieked Lexi. Orli made a sad face that Lexi almost couldn't resist.
"No, Orli, come on, let's get back to work" said Lexi.
"Fine" pouted Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright, alright guys, we finally know what we are going to do next" yelled Lexi.
"After a few minor interruptions" said Laura, Lexi blushed.
"We know what we're doing" called out Orli. "Lexi used her brilliant mind to think up our plans so lets let her explain" said Orli. Lexi blushed more if possible.
"Anyway, Orli did help me with his plan, I'm not that brilliant" started Lexi, everyone laughed. "Okay first we have to do something about Jingning. We've decided that someone needs to stay with her while she's in the hospital. When she wakes up this person is to fill her in on where we are so far in our plans for the war. After she understands it you should call us. After that every day they are going to go in and tell her what else is happening. Then when she is released she can immediately join in the game" explained Lexi.
"So who volunteers to be on Jingning duty?" asked Orli. After 5 minutes Zach groaned and raised his hand. "Good man Zach. Thank you for this favor. We'll make sure Jingning pays you back" said Orli. Zach waved his hand.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Anyway, as for the rest of us" started Lexi. "We are going to start gathering our army. Today and tomorrow everyone is to start making a list of where we can find people. But these people have to be trustworthy. We can't take people who might tip us off to the dark lord. We must be cautious. We will be pairing off into teams of 2. You are to work with your teammate. Once you have a fair list, come and show either Orli or me. It's important you show us. In two days everyone should be done his or her list and we'll announce the next part. Now Orli is going to give you you're groups" explained Lexi.
Orli stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Okay, here are the groups. Lexi and me are obviously in a group and are the heads of this mission. Then we have Laura and Kyle together. Charlotte and Tyler; Yuri and Max. Also there's Nick and Liz; Rachael and Paula; Becky and Candice. Zach, if Jingning wakes up in time she's going to be your partner" announced Orli. Everyone nodded and got up.
"Since tomorrow is our last day at work for the summer this should be easy" said Lexi. Everyone then headed to the door and left. "Oh Orli, curiously nodded and stayed back.
"You wanted something?"
"Yeah, first off I want to say thanks for coming over this morning and helping me. I really needed it. And I'm really glad we're working together. Trust me, I'm not all the brains. You're wiser than you think" said Lexi. Orli just nodded, he didn't know how to respond to this. Lexi seemed to notice this. She laughed lightly and leaned in to kiss him. Soon their lips met and Orli was kissing her back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Someone was knocking rapidly at Liz's door. She groaned and got up to get it. At the door was Nick and he had a huge pile of papers and books in his hands.
"Nick, hi, let me give you a hard with those" Liz reached over and took half the pile. Liz led Nick into her Hawaiian kitchen. They set their books on the table with a loud thump.
"Okay what on earth are all these books for?"
"These are to help us get started with our lists" replied Nick.
"Oh, I take it you want to get a head start?" sarcastically said Liz. Nick threw her a dry smile and sat down.
"We better start looking for places where we can find people we trust" said Nick. Liz nodded and cracked open a book.
"Hey Nick, look here. It says that on Sunday there is a Conestoga meeting. All the kids who graduated from 12th grade 10 years ago will be there. This is perfect. I'm sure there are some people there who could help," suggested Liz.
"Yeah, then they'd all have some connections to some people who could help" brightly said Nick. They let out a cheer and went to get some wine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Yes, no more work for the summer!" cheered Liz. Orli gave her a curt smile.
"It feels good, to be free for the summer. So, let's station our headquarters at my place. I've got more space. And also it won't direct more attention to you. It's just safer this way," said Orli. Lexi nodded and stopped at Orli's apartment instead of going to hers.
"Let's call the others and tell them where our headquarters is." He nodded and opened the door. Lexi set down all the papers on his kitchen table and grabbed the phone. She quickly dialed Laura's number and waited.
"Hi Laura, this is Lexi. I just called to tell you that our headquarters is at Orli's place. So when you and Kyle find your research just swing by his place for our approval. See you some time this weekend, bye." Lexi called everyone in a similar fashion until they were all called.
Orli came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"So, what do you want to do now? We've done all we can do before the people start coming with their information," said Orli.
"I don't know, think of the next step?" asked Lexi cluelessly. Orli kissed her on the neck. "No Orli, what if someone comes while we're away?" said Lexi, pulling away from Orli. Orli looked at her.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine." Lexi sighed heavily and Orli slowly put his arms around Lexi as to comfort her. Lexi just sighed again and leaned onto Orli's chest.
"So, what now? Do we just sit around and wait for everyone to come with their plans?" asked Orli.
"No, we just can't be in our own world for a while. We have things to do and plan, I'm sorry. You know it's for the best," said Lexi, not really wanting to believe what she said.
"Oh come on, you owe me, I feel so lonely today" pouted Orli. Lexi smiled and went to the door.
"I'll see you in an hour or two. I've got to go get some things for our headquarters. See you" said Lexi. She opened the door and closed his behind her. Orli crossed his arms and frowned but gave up after 5 minutes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi knocked 4 times on the door and unlocked it. She was holding all her headquarters things in a box. She stepped inside, locked the door behind her and placed her stuff on the kitchen table.
"Orli, you here?" She looked through the house and found him in the back of the kitchen, furiously throwing eggs into a pan and chopping them viciously. "Orli, calm down, what's wrong?" Orli just gritted his teeth and kept chopping his eggs. "Oh, is this about earlier, I'm sorry sweetheart, let me fix your booboo" cooed Lexi.
She turned his around, pushed him against the wall and began with kiss with great zeal. Orli just stood there, stunned by her actions, but then began to kiss her back. Finally they were in their own world, oblivious to everything around them. Then at the door came 4 knocks and the door unlocked.
Too busy with themselves, that they didn't notice Liz and Nick quietly step inside and look around. They went into the kitchen to see Lexi holding Orli against the wall and them kissing madly. Liz's jaw dropped and Nick's eyes bulged.
"I always thought that Lexi and Orli were madly in love but I didn't know we had to plan the wedding so soon" said Nick incredulously.
"Neither did I, for all I know, they could have eloped" added Liz.
"Well, shall we bring them back to the real world or should we leave them?" asked Nick.
"Let's bring them back, we need to talk to them" said Liz. They cautiously stepped towards Lexi and Orli.
"Lexi, hello?"
"Orli, are you here?"
"Lexi, Lexi, Lexi, LEXI!" finally yelled Liz. Lexi slowly pulled away from Orli.
"Okay, I can see this is a bad time so, we'll came back later. You just on with your business" said Liz looking away.
"Oh shut up Liz. We're not that busy," said Lexi. Nick snorted.
"If that's not busy then I hate to think what is busy"
"Alright, just drop it what did you come here for?" asked Orli interrupting Lexi's fight.
"We know where we are going to go for the warriors. We figured it out last night. We need your approval and what our next part of action is," said Nick.
"Oh well, just show us your plans" said Lexi. "Okay, let's get to work."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Guys, this is perfect! If we can just go to a bunch of things like this we'd be on a roll. But I have to ask you a favor. When you go to this thing, I have just the person that can help you. Connie went to high school and Conestoga! She probably knows most of the people who would be willing to help get their offices involved!" said Lexi.
"So, you want Connie to join our group when we go to Conestoga?" said Nick.
"Well, yea" Lexi said in an apprehensive voice.
"Okay, that's fine. Nick's just being weird right now" said Liz happily. Lexi let out a sigh of relief.
"Good, so we'll talk about this at the meeting early Sunday morning. We've got a lot of work to do," said Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright guys, me and Orli have been working hard all weekend but we've finally got a plan for our next step. We've been at meetings seeing people's ideas all weekend. They are all very good ideas and going to work very well with it. We've decided that you will do a slideshow presentation. We have made a slideshow of pictures and facts about our people, Middle-Earth, and of course, the 15 of us. We are to present this to the trusted people. There will be pictures of the 15 of us, which you are supposed to explain who we are and what we are doing," said Lexi. Everyone was totally silent.
"Now remember, we need to get as many people as you can. We are going to war. You know how many people die and you should keep that in mind. Also, remember, they have 500,000 beasts attacking, but that certainly not all of them. If they're attempting to attack Gondor it's going to take a lot more. Last time they brought trolls but still didn't win. It's going to take much more then that." Said Orli, his voice very serious.
"We also one more thing to tell you. All of the women here have necklaces with different shapes and colors. The men all have rings with different jewels. This is going to help us greatly in war. Whenever one of us is in danger, these will tell us so.
"Let's say Laura was in trouble. On my necklace, it would heat up and glow. Then on my hand, her shape on her necklace will faintly appear. For the men, you're rings would heat up and her sign would appear in the ring. Also the color of the shape will appear.
"If one of us is hurt, it will glow more and heat up farther. The star on my hand, since it's Laura's sign, would get darker. The star in the rings would get darker too.
"Then, if, well, if one of us dies it goes all the way. So, if Laura died, her star would become imprinted on my upped arm in dark color. Same for the men, the star would imprint on your arm.
"Now let's say Nick was in trouble. My necklace would light up and on my hand would be a blue circle with a silver outer would appear. If he got hurt the necklace would heat up and the color would get darker. If he died it would be imprinted on our arm.
"But for the men, your ring would still light up, but, Nick's sign out appear on your palm. It would get darker until he died. Now the sign will remain in you're ring or hand or palm until either, the danger has past or until the hurt are healed. If the danger passes the sign will slowly fade away. Now, if someone is in trouble or hurt, you will be helped. Your partner should go and find you if a warning appear. So, if Nick's hurt then Liz should go and try to help him. Now you notice it's not working now" explained Lexi. Everyone listened with rapt silence.
"Wait, Jingning is hurt so her sign of a crescent moon should be glowing darkly on our hands and rings" said Rachael.
"Yes, that is because I haven't turned on the system yet," said Lexi.
"Wait, when the sign appears or it's imprinted, does it hurt?" asked Paula.
"Well, when it appears on your hand or palm it burns for a second. Now, if it's imprinted it's a different sorry. It burns for 5 minutes after they die. Don't worry; it's going to be okay. Now let's see if this works. I'm going to turn it on and see what it does," said Lexi.
She unclipped her necklace and took it off. She turned the heart over and flipped open the smallest door. Inside was the tiniest of buttons. She took a pencil and gently pushed the button. She closed the door and put the necklace on. As soon as she clipped it back together her necklace began to glow and heat up. Then a quick burning pain on her hand told her it worked. On her hand was a dark crescent moon.
Lexi smiled weakly. She was glad it had worked but it was sad that the sign was there. Jingning had been unconscious for 6 days. Orli came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Lexi sighed sadly and leaned on Orli's shoulder. Lexi stood looking at her hand in silence for a few minutes.
Then, as though a light of hope shone through, the moon began to slowly fade. Lexi smiled and looked up. Everyone was staring disbelievingly at his or her hand.
"What does this mean? Is the system failing or-"Nick trailed off.
"You all know what this means.Jingning's awake" said Orli. Everyone jumped up and cheered.
"Look guys, why don't you stay here and party. I have to go and see her. I'm going to fill he in on everything that's been happening. I'll bring her back here when we're done, although she might have to spend the night at the hospital. She has been out of it for 6 days. I'll be back later. See you all, bye" said Zach. He got up quickly and left.
"Well, he's in a hurry" said Becky.
"Well, he's just been kind of useless in our war plans, he's kind of bored" said Nick. Everyone stared at Nick in disbelief. Most of the time Lexi or Orli would be the ones answering the questions. "What's so funny? Do you not like my new do?" cried Nick again, pulling his long mop like hair, his face totally clueless. Everyone simply kept laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Connie, are you sure we're going the right way?" asked Nick.
"Chill out, I'm positive. We'll be there in a few minutes," said Connie. After a few minutes of silence Connie drove into a busy parking lot.
"Okay, here we are" said Connie. Liz and Nick looked around to find a huge sign saying "Conestoga, class of '93" in bright maroon lettering.
"I guess we're here," said Nick. Liz whacked him on the shoulder. The others started to slowly gather up behind them.
"Tell me again why we're all here?" Max asked.
"Because, this is our first recruiting and I thought we should all be here" said Lexi. Max just nodded and they started up to the school.
"Okay, let's spread out and find worthy people," ordered Orli. They broke apart and set out, thinking this is going to be a trying night. What they didn't was that in a couple of hours they would begin the making of a great army.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright, listen up, what we are about to reveal to you is major stuff. We are not joking and expect full attention. You are a chosen group of people who are about to set out on a great journey" started Orli.
"We are else, from Middle-Earth. We all came from different reins. There are many different elven places, all very well respected. But right now, more than just elves are in trouble. I'd like to introduce you to 15 elves that are trying to save Middle-Earth. I am Lexwen Mapleleaf, Princess of Lothlorien" started Lexi. In the back Connie put on a picture of Lorien on the screen projector.
"I am the commander of this operation. And here is my co-commander, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood." Now a picture of Mirkwood was projected as Legolas walked up.
"Now, let me introduce Lawen Goldenleaf, Lady of Rivendell and her partner Kyomir Sunstar, of the high elves." There was a split screen of Rivendell and the high elves projected.
"Next is Charwen Oakleaf, Lady of Rivendell and Tyolas Blueleaf, Prince of Rivendell," roared Orli.
"And Yurwen Lavendarflower, Lady of Lorien and Maxomir Redwood, of Lorien." Yuri and Max ran onstage hand-in-hand.
"Nekolas Evilslayer, Prince of Mirkwood, and Lizwen Sweetheart, Lady of Mirkwood. Rawen Stardust, of Rivendell, and Pawen Autumn, Princess of Mirkwood. And last but not least of the present elves is Becwen Birchwood, of the high elves. Also not with us at the time is Jiwen Moonlight, Lady of Rivendell, and Zachalf Elmwood, of Mirkwood," announced Lexi. In the back were pictures of Jiwen and Zachalf.
"Our story begins with Jiwen and Yuri, when they went on a trip back to Middle-Earth after three years" started Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Orli and Lexi took turns explaining their situation. They only left out the Lexi and Sauron problem, the necklace signs and the love connections in between. After 2 hours of telling their story it was out and they were taking questions. Lexi had just picked on a man with blondish hair named Gowie.
"How do we get to Middle-Earth? I've never heard of it before. How do we find it?"
"You can only find it if you know it exists. If you do then you can just get on a boat and sail to it" explained Orli.
"Are you really elves? Where are your pointy ears?" called out a dark haired woman. All the elves pushed back their hair in uniform and showed them their ears. Some people gasped and others just gaped at them.
"So, how long do we have before we leave? Or go to war?"
"Well, the beasts are going to attack in 33 days. But we have to get there in time for the elves and men to get together armies, for you to be assigned to a battlefield and be suited up. So, that's a day getting there. Then we're going to hold council, we need 2 days to talk. Then get there armies together is another 3 days. Getting you assigned will take 2- 3 days and suiting up will take a day. So be prepared to leave in 23 days. So that's 10 days before war. The reason everything will take so long is that we have other's coming. We need about 20,000 people, so you get the picture. We have 23 days to gather that many people so." Lexi drifted off.
"If you know anyone that would be willing to help please ask them. Then bring them to our meeting headquarters, which is my apartment. The building is called 345 and my room is 462. We'll be giving out schedules about the days we'll be informing people about this so, keep an eyes out for those. So, be ready to because you have 23 days. On our way out sign your name on a piece of paper located by the doors. Have a nice days and see you in 23 days" called Orli.
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"Well, I'd say that went well, wouldn't you?" asked Kyle, the optimist. Everyone looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I'd say we scared them just a little bit," Liz said.
"Just a little" Orli said. Lexi laughed and Orli hit her on the arm. "Don't make fun, I was being serious Lexi" Orli said. This just made Lexi laughed harder and they exited laughing and joking lightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi pulled her hair in frustration as she sifted through papers. She was looking over numbers for the war. The number of people sighed up for the war had increased incredibly and Lexi turned the lectures over to Liz and Nick. But with the increased numbers came the prices of ships and supplies. Elrond didn't know about their arrival to Middle-Earth and t therefore couldn't help. Lexi sighed and continued adding up the numbers.
Lexi worked in frustrated silence. She was stressing over the fact that they had so much to do and only 23 days to do it. Lexi tugged on her hair again when Orli came and slipped his arms around her.
"So, are you excited about going back to Middle-Earth in 13 day?" Orli asked.
"Excited? I'm going crazy with all the work we have to do," exclaimed Lexi.
"Have you forgotten about where we're going Lexi? 30 days ago you would have killed to get to go back home. Now you want everything but to go home," Orli said.
"Yeah well 30 days ago I wanted to go home to see friends, family and plain home. Now I'm going back to fight for all that" Lexi protested.
"But if we don't who will? Even if we weren't going back to face war we would end up having to. Don't you see, we're fighting for the survival of Middle-Earth? It all depends on you. I know you're really fighting a war right now with yourself. But you've got to put that aside right now. I know things are rough but put aside your war of decisions and follow your instincts" said Orli.
"Look, I know you're trying to help but it's not working. You don't get that our timing and planning depends on people's lives!" Lexi said and she jumped up from her seat. Orli's hands fell to his sides and he stared at her.
"I'm sorry" he muttered.
"I know you are but you just don't get it. We're going to full on WAR! We are going to lose so many good people's lives and I don't know how to prevent it. I can see why you're okay with this, war's cool with you. You've been through it all with Aragorn and Gimli. You just don't get that the lives of my people and other people related to them lie in my hands. Galadriel passed it on. She never thought I'd be in charge of such a big war" Lexi yelled. Orli sighed. Lexi then spoke to him in Elvish.
"I don't see how you're taking this so lightly. I'm sorry but I have to be serious about this. This is not like Helms Deep. We don't have the luck of Aragorn in this. We are on our own; it's up to us, Legolas. We are all on our own," Lexi said, tears silently slipping down her face. Orli desperately wanted to go to Lexi and comfort her, but he knew she'd just push him away.
"I know that, I'm just saying to relax a little bit. If you don't you'll just get so worked up and nervous that you'll break down. Just calm down, I understand" Orli cooed. Lexi shook her head, tears freely flowly down her face.
"No, you just don't get it Legolas. We're going to war. The lives of my people depend upon me. And I can't relax. This isn't like when the ring was around. We don't have Aragorn or anyone to save my people or everyone else. There's no hope! You just don't get it!" sobbed Lexi. Orli sighed and shook his head.
"Lexwen, did you know it was my fault Helm's Deep was breached? Some bombs were planted in a sewer drain. Then an Uruk-hai came running with a torch. Aragorn yelled Togo han dad, Legolas! Dago hon! Dago hon! (Translation Bring him down Legolas! Kill him! Kill him!) I was concentrating on my aim so much that I only could shoot two arrows and he tripped when the second hit and fell into the bombs. The wall was breached and the real war began. I do understand, I do!" explained Orli.
It was silent after that except for Lexi's piercing sobs. Lexi shook her head and slid to the ground, her head in her hands. Orli wanted to help her but he knew he just couldn't. He turned to leave but found he couldn't do that either.
He turned back around knelt down next to Lexi. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She took a shuddering breath and continued crying into his chest. Orli held her tight and stroked her hair until she calmed down. 20 minutes later Lexi sat in Orli's arms as he rocked her, occasionally hiccupping.
"You alright?" Orli finally asked. Lexi shook her head. Then she leaned over and kissed him. Orli sat there stunned for a few seconds that she had gone from crying hysterically to kissing him hungrily. Lexi then bit his lip and he fell out of his trance and kissed her back. Then Orli sipped his tongue into her mouth and they entered a whole new level.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi lay on top of Orli laughing her heart out. Orli smiled to himself. Making Lexi laugh always made his heart soar. Laughing also was the best medicine for anything.
(English) "Oh man Orli, was that random. 'Grilled cheese, French fries" whispered Lexi then laughed again.
"Sorry, I don't know where that came from" Orli had admitted. Lexi and his had been "kissing" like crazy. Then they broke apart and he whispered ' grilled cheese, French fries.' He had no clue where is came from but it cheered her up.
"But Lexi, do you understand that I get it, I understand?" Orli asked. Lexi sat back up and leaned against Orli.
"yes, I'm sorry. I'm just so worried and scared, I don't know what to do. What happens if we lost?" she asked.
"Lexi, has evil ever won in the end?" he asked.
"Orli, I'm serious."
"So am I, if we lose the war fine but we won't lose the war for good against evil. Sauron will never win" Orli reassured her. Lexi nodded and they sat in silence.
"Do you want some grilled cheese?" Lexi asked suddenly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"So, has anyone seen Zach recently?" asked Candice. Laura, Connie, Paula, Rachael, Charlotte, Becky, Lexi, Yuri and Candice sat in a circle on the floor in Becky's apartment.
"Actually no. I now he went to see Jingning 10 days ago but haven't seen him since" Lexi said.
"So, how is he updating Jingning on everything?" Laura asked. Everyone shrugged and looked at each other. There came a knock at the door. Becky got up to get it followed by Lexi. Becky opened the door slowly.
Jingning stood in the doorway in a long flowly white strapless dress. Her hair was done up in a fancy twist. Lexi smiled and Becky ran over to Jingning. She hugged her tightly and moved over so Lexi could say hi. Lexi smiled and hugged her.
"Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?" Jingning asked. There came an excited squeal and the rest of the elves ran in. Lexi smiled and leaned against the doorway next to Zach.
"How you doing? Haven't seen you since Jingning woke up. How did you get all your info to update her?" Lexi asked.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I've been away but Jingning was a mess. We hadn't gone to see her in about 5 days. She had come down with a fever. She was all clammy and pale. The nurse said she woke up but just barely. You didn't record our system to detect sick danger. N She was very ill and didn't awake for real for about 3 days. She wasn't in a deep dark lost sleep she was just unconscious. Everything she saw just sent her into shock. So for the past week, 10 days, I've been updating her slowly so I wouldn't scare her" Zach explained.
"So, what caused her to go into shock? " Lexi asked.
"Everything she saw and heard over those past three days when she found out finally took a toll on her and not a minute too soon" Zach said. Lexi nodded again. She watched as Jingning and the elves gossiped away. Lexi smiled then something dawned on her.
"How did you find out what we were planning if you were never here?" Zach laughed.
"Do you remember all those times Orli went out shopping or made phone calls for the war?" Lexi nodded slowly. "Well, eh was really passing the info onto me most of the time. Notice when he came back from the store he never came back with bags?" Zach asked. Lexi laughed loudly.
"I was so blind! I never saw it coming!" Zach gave her a lopsided smile and Lexi looked back at the elves. Jingning was back and fit right in.
"Well, I'm off to see old Kyomir. I'll see you later" Zach said and left. Lexi shut the door and went over to the elves gossip circle.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"So, what happened with you Laura? We haven't gotten together since last Sunday?" Paula asked.
"Nothing really. I've been really busy working with Kyle finding the people for the war. We've been working day and night. We went sailing on Wednesday night. So we went on a date, I guess" Laura said. Jingning snorted.
"Shut up!" cried Laura.
"Anyway Lexi, what did you do yesterday?" Rachael asked.
"Well, let's just say it was a very French day" Lexi said. Candice squealed.
"Oh my god Lexi! He frenched you! Come on give me details!"
"Well, it was very weird. I had spent the whole day doing paperwork for the war. Then Orli came in and asked me if I was excited about going home. I yelled at him that he was crazy and that he'd didn't understand. We're going to war, people's lives were on our hands blah, blah, blah. I just couldn't take the pressure and totally broke down and fell to the ground crying. He turned to leave but changed his mind and went to comfort me. After I stopped crying and he asked if I was okay. I shook my head and kissed him. After two minutes he changed the kiss to a French kiss. It was crazy" Lexi said. The girls smiled but Charlotte didn't.
"Lexi, you really should say sorry to him. He was only trying to help" Charlotte consoled. Lexi gasped and ran out of the apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi took out her keys and opened the door to Orli's apartment. "Orli!" she called. No one answered so she sat on the couch and waited. 10 minutes later Orli walked in running his hands through his hair and sighing loudly. Lexi heard him walk into the kitchen talking to himself.
"I really blew it now" he said. Lexi crept into the kitchen and came up behind him.
"Hi" she said over his shoulder. Orli jumped and looked away.
"Hi Lexi" he said in a weird voice.
"Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about earlier. I believe that you understand" she said.
"Thanks" he said shortly. He turned to her and Lexi leaned in to kiss him. But as she came to his lips he moved his head and Lexi got his cheek instead.
"Lexi" he whispered. Lexi pulled back. "Lexi, I just can't" he said.
"Hey, if you're not in the mood for me to kiss you that's fine" she said.
"No, it's not that it's just." he drifted off.
"What? You can tell me. We've been together for almost 2 months. I think you can tell me" Lexi said. Orli shook his head and looked away still. Lexi noticed that he had yet to meet her eyes.
"What? Orli, this is getting serious. Is this about the war?" she urged. Orli shook his head. "What?" she asked again. He muttered something Lexi couldn't hear. "What? Couldn't catch that" she said.
"I ran into Liz at a restaurant" Orli said.
"So? That's why she wasn't with us. Who was she with?" Orli took a deep breath.
"No one. We ate lunch together and then we." he trailed off. Lex nodded.
"I kissed her. In the beginning I don't think she knew what to think but then she kissed me back and." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Orli you bastard" she cried and ran out of the apartment. She turned and ran down the hall to her apartment.
Nick saw Lexi flee out of Orli's apartment and into hers. He ran after and found her crying in her room.
"Lexi, what's wrong?" he asked as he sat on the bed him moppy hair flopping all around.
"Orli the bastard. He kissed, your sister, Liz" she cried. He sat there stunned, Liz and.Orli?
Lexi was drumming her fingers on the table waiting. Nick had promised to take her note to Brandal for her. He didn't want her out of the house so he was going to take the letter to the post office. She heard the key turning and a click.
"Okay, I'm here. Sorry I took so long. So, give me the letter and I'll drive it over." Nick was totally out of breath.
"Alright, just sit down for a minute. You're going to go crazy if you don't stop working yourself. I'm sorry I'm causing you all this trouble," said Lexi.
"It's okay, I don't mind. It's just hard to keep up with everything," he explained. Nick slowly got up and snatched the note from her. "I'll see you tomorrow, bye" He then turned to the door and left.
Lexi made her way to her room. She was going out with Orli tonight. She slipped on one of her favorite blue dresses. It was a strapless baby blue dress. At the top were dark blue vines with leaves on them. They trailed down having fewer and fewer ends until there was only one left that stopped at her knee. The dress itself was slender until you got to the waist. Then it flowed out so it was like a minor ball gown with only one layer of material. It was so long that you couldn't see her feet. She put on some white high-heel shoes. Then she clipped on a find silver necklace with a delicate heart hanging from it.
She looked in the mirror and smiled. She put on some sparkly lip gloss and pale blue eye shadow. She looked in the mirror and uttered, " perfect!"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Laura was at her apartment talking with Zach. "Laura I have to ask you something" said Zach.
"Okay shoot."
"Bang. No, just kidding. Anyway do you mind if I gave our secret spot to Orli? I mean we're no going to use it anymore" asked Zach. He looked a little unsure of what her reaction would be.
"Yeah that's fine. I think they need a place of their own to get away from the pressing outside world," responded Laura.
"Good, I told him about it last night. He said that'd be great and he'd take her there on their next date" continued Zach.
"Okay good, thanks for listening, bye." Zach got up and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi laughed as Orli excitedly dragged her to some surprise, unknown spot. She was acting just like a little girl waiting to get a surprise.
"Alright, we're here," announced Orli.
"I don't see anything but a big plant wall," said Lexi.
"This big plant wall is the key to everything," explained Orli.
"Oh." Orli then pushed a small pink rose. A little door came up and read his hand. Lexi followed in pursuit. Then a huge archway formed. Lexi gasped, she was speechless. "Orli, I, I don't know what to say" she said.
"How about I love it," mocked Orli. Lexi turned to him a passionately kissed him.
"I love it," she said.
The place was beautiful; it was better than Laura's secret garden. There were all kinds of pretty flowers in the bushes and walls. Light fairies were dancing in the air. Little brooks and streams ran through the place.
Lexi and Orli silently followed a little stream. Then it all of a sudden stopped. In its place was a beautiful, towering waterfall. Silently falling down the waterfall were small Lily pads. Lexi's smile brightened. She had always loved waterfalls and secret gardens. Just a few yards away was a little rock by the water. Orli led her over to it and motioned for her to sit down.
Lexi sat down and kicked off her shoes. She dipped her feet in the cool, clear water. Orli just sat down next to her.
"Orli, how on earth did you find this place? You always seem to find the perfect places," asked Lexi.
"I don't know, it just happened I guess," admitted Orli. Lexi just nodded and smiled.
"It's beautiful," she added.
"Yes, you are." Lexi looked at him and looked deep into his eyes. Then their lips met and they kissed. It seemed to last an eternity.
"I love you" Orli whispered in her ear.
"I love you too Legolas" she replied. He gave her a sad smile.
"We'll see it again, I promise." Lexi nodded and snuggled up closer to him.
"What do you think Jiwen and Yurwen are doing right now?" Lexi asked.
"Probably thinking about us, don't worry, they didn't forget about us" reassured Orli. Lexi just sighed.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Yurwen, Yurwen! Yurwen come here now!" yelled Jiwen. Jiwen was running through the fields of Lorien desperately looking for Yurwen. "Yurwen!" she yelled again.
"Jiwen, I'm right here. What's wrong?" asked Yurwen.
"Come on" Jiwen said. She dragged Yurwen back to Yurwen's house and locked the door. She pushed Yurwen back into a chair and looked at her.
"Jiwen breath, it's okay. Calm down."
"No, It's not okay! What I saw is not okay! We've got to go and tell Lexwen and Legolas and the others" rushed Jiwen.
"Wait, slow down. Tell the others what?"
"I saw, a really bad thing. Coming from Mordor, something really bad" started Jiwen.
"Just tell me what it is!" yelled Yurwen.
"Okay, form Mordor was a huge army! They were half orc and half another foul creature. There were about 500,000 of them. I got scared and hid. Then I heard one of the horrible creatures yell something. In 40 days, we will set out to destroy middle-earth for good. We will attack 2 elf cities and 2 man cities. They are Rivendell, Mirkwood, Gondor and Rohan. That's all I heard but it's still enough. Don't you get it Yurwen? They are planning an assault on middle-earth to defeat them all!" cried Jiwen. "We've got to find a way to get a bigger army here in 40 days!"
"Okay, let's go back and tell the others," said a resolved Yurwen.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, have those nightmare's gone away yet?" asked Orli as he splashed the water.
"Sort of." Lexi and Orli were still sitting on the rock with their feet in the water.
"What do you mean? It's either a yes or no," said Orli.
"No, it's a sort of. Those horrible flashbacks are gone. But on Wednesday night I had something else. I have a bad feeling its in the things yet to come if we don't do something about it" explained Lexi.
"What was it about?" pressed Orli.
"I'm sorry, I just can't remember. If I do I'll tell you immediately," said Lexi. Orli sighed and nodded.
"So, do you think Yuri and Max will get together?" asked Lexi changing the subject.
"Well, after what Max did to her and the way she looked I would say so" Laughed Orli.
"Yeah, when Max first hugged her she was surprise but she wasn't mad. She almost liked it" finished Lexi.
"So now most of us are paired off and to think it all started last weekend with Zach and Laura." Lexi smiled and lightly kissed him.
"As long as I have you I'm fine." Then she leaned in again and kissed him. After a while they were totally lost.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi sighed as she ran her fingers through the water. It had been a week since she had been out with Orli in their secret world. He finally decided to let her go out sometimes.
She was wearing a totally white dress. The top had long sleeves. They attached at her wrist. Then it looked as if someone had cut a slit in it up to the top of the sleeves. They rested on her shoulders. The material was very thin and flowly. The skirt was a layered flowly skirt. There was a fine belt made of small diamonds strung together. Her hair was pulled back in a half ponytail. Resting gracefully was a sting of diamonds like a necklace placed on her head. But as it dropped on her forehead there was one bigger diamond. Altogether she looked stunning.
She was at a nearby garden. It was a maze of bushes and vines. In the center was a little circular water fountain. The water squirted in all directions.
She was feeling lonely and just wanted to get away from everything. She wished Jingning and Yuri were back. That was partly why she felt so down.
In the distance she heard Jingning frantically calling he name. "I must be hearing things," she told herself.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, Lexi! Oh man, where could she be? If I were she, I would probably be feeling very lonely right now. The gardens!" Yelled Jingning. She was now back in Middle-Earth. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Now she's getting closer! Maybe I'm not hearing things." Lexi ran towards where the sound was coming from.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, Lexi! Where are you? Lexi!" screamed Jingning.
"She was now in the gardens. All of a sudden she heard Lexi's voice. "Jingning, is that you?"
"Lexi, it's me. I'm in the gardens," Jingning yelled back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Jingning, Jingning! Where are you?" All of a sudden she ran into something and fell down. She slowly picked her herself up and fixed her headdress. "Jingning, is that you?" Lexi asked. Jingning nodded.
"Lexi, I've got to."
"Oh Jingning, I'm so glad your back! I've been so low this is just what I needed and." Jingning cut her short.
"Lexi I've got to tell you something and it's really important. I was running in the fields of Mirkwood, when I saw something really bad coming from Mordor" started Jingning. When she said this, her face paled a significant amount. "I saw, well." All of a sudden she stopped. She was really pale now and she wasn't speaking in sentences, as is she'd totally lost it.
"Mirkwood, Rivendell, Gondor, Rohan. 500,000.half and half.40 days.big assault.500,000.. Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.40 days.. half and half.big assault.40 days." All of a sudden Jingning fell down and fainted.
Lexi was totally stunned and didn't know what to do. Then she grabbed her phone and dialed Nick's number.
"Hi Nick. Come to the gardens quick. There's an emergency" rushed Lexi.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Alright, I'm here. What's the problem?" asked Nicky.
"Well I was just walking in the gardens when I heard Jingning urgently calling my name. We ran towards each other's voices until I ran right into her. Then she started mumbling something about home in elvish" explained Lexi.
"Can you remember what she said?" pressed Nick.
"No, I really can't" admitted Lexi.
"Well, let's get her to a doctor. She looks strangely pale" finished Nick. Lexi nodded and together they lifted Jingning up and into Nick's car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Lexi, will you please stop pacing around the room! You're making me dizzy" commanded Liz.
"Sorry, I'm just trying to think. What on earth did she say?" Lexi returned to pacing the room and Liz sighed. Then Lexi lifted her arms up in defeat and plopped into one of the chairs. Orli came up behind her and started to massage her neck and shoulders. Lexi closed her eyes in content. She could feel some of the stress leaving her.
This feeling of content quickly left her. A disheveled looking nurse had just walked into the room.
"Who is the woman in here who heard what Miss Jingning Ao last said?" the nurse asked. Lexi sighed and stood up.
"I am."
"Okay, are you sure you can't remember what she said.
"Oh my gosh, why does this question keep coming up! I can't remember what she said. Now just leave me alone!" Lexi yelled at the nurse. The nurse looked utterly scared.
"O-okay. I'll j-just leave you a-alone" stuttered the nurse and then she hustled out of the room.
"Let's go, follow me," Orli whispered in Lexi's ear. Lexi sighed and followed him out.
"Poor Lexi" said Kyle.
"Yeah, she really just needs to get away from everything. I wish there was a way I could help," said Nick.
"We all do man, we all do" said Max.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Where are we going?" asked Lexi. Orli was driving her to somewhere.
"We are going back to our secret world," said Orli.
"Oh."
"Okay, we're here," said Orli. They both got out and went to their secret world. Once Lexi stepped inside and the arch closed she felt relieved. Orli once again led her to their rock by the waterfall.
They both just sat down and watched the flowers fall. After a while Lexi finally broke the silence.
"I'm worried about Jingning. What if she's really hurt?" asked Lexi. Tears started to well up in her eyes. Orli pulled her close.
"It's okay, she'll be okay." He gently rocked her back and forth.
"Orli what if we all get separated? Maybe we're destined to all be ruined in the end, never seeing each other again?" asked Lexi. Tear streamed down her face.
"Don't worry, we'll make it through this. Here, I have something to give to you. I was going to save it for your birthday but I think now is a much better time," said Orli.
He pulled a long fuzzy blue jewelry box out of his pocked. Lexi slowly took the box. After she opened it she gasped. Inside was a beautiful silver bracelet. But instead of being a silver chain it was something better. Instead it was a chain of find silver hearts. Each one was linked to another.
"Orli, I, it's beautiful" awed Lexi. Orli took it out of the box and clipped it onto her wrist as he spoke.
"Now, even if we do get separated you will always have my thoughts and me in this bracelet."
"Thank you Orli" Lexi leaned in and gave him a deep passionate kiss. "I love you."
"I love you too," he said against her lips.
"I just have one question," Orli said. Lexi frowned slightly. "Why are you wearing this beautiful white dress today?" Lexi laughed. And explained.
"I found this in my closet today and I loved it so I put it on. I had no idea we would be going out tonight."
"You look absolutely stunning in it" finished Orli.
"Thank you" said Lexi. All of a sudden Orli's phone rang. He listened for a short while then said bye.
"That was Becky, They told us to come back to the doctors. They have an update on Jingning" said Orli. They got up and headed to the exit.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"So, what did they say?" asked Lexi.
"Well this really isn't good news. They said her conditions not getting better. She's still deathly pale. They think she fainted from some type of severe shock. I have a feeling it has to do with what she was telling you in the gardens" said Becky.
"Lexi sweetheart, are you sure you can't remember the slightest thing she said?" asked Orli. He was almost pleading for an answer.
"I'll try, I know it had to do with Middle-Earth" Lexi started.
"Go on" urged Orli.
"I'm thinking, oh man what did she say?" yelled Lexi.
"Lexi, just calm down and think. You won't remember if you're all worked up," said Nick.
"Okay sorry. Let me think." Lexi closed her eyes tightly and recalled back to the gardens and replied in elvish. "Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.500,000.half and half." Lexi drifted off and opened her eyes. Everyone was looking at her.
"Anything else?" Becky pressed.
"Yes just let me think some more." Lexi closed her eyes again. (Elvish) "Big assault.40 days.Mirkwood.Rivendell.Gondor.Rohan.big assault.40 days" Lexi finished and opened her eyes. (English) "That's all but I don't know what she meant." Everyone shook his or her heads; no one really understood what she meant.
"Well it has to do with the two man cities, and Mirkwood and Rivendell," said Paula.
"There are 500,000 half and half. Could it be half of those are men and half are the elves?" asked Charlotte.
"I doubt it. Would Jingning come back from West-Earth just to tell you guys that?" asked Connie.
"Yeah, she does have a point," said Laura.
"Well maybe the elves are going to fight the men in 40 days" said Tyler.
"Yeah!" was heard from a lot of them.
"Wait, wait, wait, I think I've got it. The men and elves wouldn't fight each other. No, we are good friends with them. What kind of creature do we know that can be half and half?" Lexi asked. Everyone shook their heads, they were stumped.
"Well, aren't some foul creatures from Mordor usually half and half? Half orc and half something else that makes them a better stronger kind. This could be an army of 500,000 of those half and half creatures" brightly said Lexi. Everyone's face's lit up.
"They could be attacking Mirkwood, Rivendell, Gondor and Rohan. That would be the big assault. Then the 40 days, hmm, the 40 days could mean. Oh, the 40 days means that the army will set out in 40 days to carry out their big assault!" finished Lexi.
"Lexi, you're right, it all makes sense!" said Orli. He swept her off her feet and happily kissed her making everyone smile. Ever since Lexi had gotten together with Orli she had become 10 times happier. Also they smiled because she had figured out the puzzle.
"Wait guys, I know Lexi figured it out but think about what the puzzle actually means! There are 500,000 horrible creatures attacking 4 of our most prominent cities in 40 days" said Zach. Everyone's smiles slowly faded as the truth hit them. "There aren't enough warriors in Middle-Earth to destroy this army! There are only so many warriors in Lorien, the Shire and the other wandered cities. What are we going to do" finished Zach.
"He's right. Middle-Earth is doomed," cried Laura. Lexi and Orli sat back down. Everyone was deep in thought.
"You guys, where's Yuri? I haven't seen her yet" said Liz.
"Yeah, she could have helped us with that puzzle" said Max.
"Look guys, I have no idea" called out Lexi. " Why don't we just go home. We can think of a way to help middle-earth and then one of us can contact Yuri" suggested Lexi.
"I agree but we need to wait for the latest results on Jingning then we can go" said Kyle. Everyone agreed and started to talk. Orli got up and went over to talk to Zach.
"Hey Zach."
"Hey Orli."
"Look, I just wanted to say thanks for giving me your secret place" said Orli.
"No man, it was nothing. Besides I'm not going to use is anymore" said Zach.
"Lexi absolutely loved it. But what really turned her on was the waterfall" started Orli.
"Wait, waterfall? What waterfall?" cut in Zach.
"You know the waterfall that all the brooks and streams led to" said Orli.
"Brooks streams, are you sure you went to the same place? How did you get in?" asked Zach.
"I just pressed the little pink rose and then the screen came up and read our hands" said Orli.
"Little pink rose? I pressed a perfect red rose. That's probably why I didn't know what you were talking about" laughed Zach.
"Oh well, she loved it" replied Orli.
Mean while Lexi got up to go and talk to her friends.
"Hey Lexi" said Paula.
"Hi guys" called Lexi. Finally she got to them and sat down.
"Good job with figuring out all this stuff today" said Charlotte.
"Thanks."
"So, where did you go with Orli?" asked Rachael.
"Oh nowhere important" said Lexi. Laura knew by the look on her face that they had gone to the secret place. Lexi put her arms on the arm rests and propped her head. As she did her bracelet slid down her arm. Rachael noticed and grabbed her arm.
"Oh my gosh Lexi, where did I you get this?"" awed Rachael. All the girls looked at it and gasped.
"Orli gave it to me while we were gone" said Lexi.
"Oh man, I'm green with envy" said Laura.
"Don't worry, Kyle's a good guy, you'll get something in time" said Lexi as she patted her back.
"Shut up!" said Laura. At that moment the disheveled nurse walked in.
"okay, listen up everybody" yelled the nurse. Everyone immediately stopped talking and turned towards the nurse.
"I have more news about Miss Ao. We still don't know why she fainted, but" she said as everyone's faces started to fall. "But she has regained much more color on her face. I think she will most likely be waking in on or two days. She will need maybe a day or two to regain her strength depending on when she wakes up" reported the nurse. She smiled and walk away.
Everyone got up and cheered.
"So, let's go, I'm exhausted" said Nick. Everyone agreed and started to leave.
"Good work Lexi" said Orli when he reached her.
"All in a days work" said Lexi.
"Sure, yeah right" mocked Orli. Lex hit him and then playfully kissed him. He kissed her back and they walked out together.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi wearily got dressed for work. Everyone had decided to just lift most of the security measures for Lexi. Sauron hadn't made a move for a while.
She sat on he bed brushing her hair absently thinking. She was really tired and just laid down and fell asleep.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~Dream~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
An arrow had just missed her ear. Men, elves, and humans alike stood in Gondor ready to fight. "Tangado a chadad! Leithio i philinn!" (translation: prepare to fire! Fire the arrows!)" Lexwen yelled. The men shot a batch of arrows then ducked down. Then the elves shot a batch of arrow and ducked down too. Finally the humans shot a batch of arrows and ducked.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Lexi jerked up, she had just remembered her "dream" and thought of a way to save Middle-Earth! All of a sudden a loud knocking came upon the door and Lexi went to get it.
"Hi Lexi, we're late for work" said Orli with a smile plastered on his face.
"Orli, I'm so glad you're here. I just remembered" Orli cut her off.
"Tell me later, we're really late for work" pressed Orli.
"No, this is 10 times more important. I remember my dream thing and because of that I know how to save Middle-Earth!" exclaimed Lexi.
"Wow, can I come in?" asked a stunned Orli. Lexi nodded happily. Orli slowly stepped inside.
He sat down on one of her family room couches and looked her straight in the eye.
"So what is this genius plan you've come up with but first what was your dream about?"
"Okay my plan actually came from part of my dream. The first part was a scene of men, elves, and humans stood in front of Gondor ready to fight. Then in turn we shoot arrows at them. Then it goes to Rivendell where creatures jump out and they're in heavy war. Then Mirkwood has been burned to the ground with dead bodies everywhere. Rohan was already winning the war so back to Gondor. There were men, elves AND humans!" happily explained Lexi.
"So, I don't get it" Orli said totally clueless.
"You don't get it? We have to get a huge army of trusted humans to help with the war!" rushed Lexi. Orli's whole face lit up.
He jumped up, pulled her into a joyful kiss and danced around the room. Lexi just stood in the middle of the room, totally stunned by his actions. Then Lexi started laughing when he started doing summersaults across the floor. Then he stood up and started to kiss her nonstop for 10 minutes. Finally they pulled apart.
"Orli what about work?" Lexi whispered.
"Who cares about work. You solved the problem of Middle-Earth! We've got to get everyone together and tell them the plan" yelled Orli.
"Orli shhh, I'll get started on calling people. You use the other line and call the others" explained Lexi. They both separated and started calling.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Max slowly walked out of the building. He was thinking of Yuri. "Where could she be?" he thought. Yuri had been in Middle-Earth with Jingning. What happened to her? Maybe she didn't come back and didn't even know Jingning had left. What if she was searching hopelessly for her? Horrible thoughts began to flood through his head. After 5 minutes Max shook his head and looked up.
He blankly stared and watched a tall purple blur move towards him. It took him a few minutes to realize what he was seeing. Slowly the purple blur became focused and Max jumped in happiness. He started to run towards the shape. He finally reached her and picked her up. He spun her around.
"Yuri I'm so glad you've back." He then leaned in and passionately kissed her. Yuri and Max stood in the empty parking lot kissing for ages. Finally they pulled apart and slowly looked into each other's eyes. "Yuri, where were you?" breathlessly asked max.
"I tried to follow Jingning home but couldn't. I took the boat back here late last night and here I am" explained Yuri.
"I'm glad you're back. Do you want to go out to lunch with me?" asked Max.
"Max, it's 10 o'clock. At lunch time yeah" laughed Yuri.
"Who cares, we'll have brunch. Let's go." Max didn't wait for the reply and just pulled her towards his car.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Okay you guys, good news" started Lexi. Everyone but Jingning, Max and Yuri were piled into Lexi's apartment.
"The good news is" said Orli but was cut short. There was a light ramble on the door. Then Max and Yuri walked in.
"The good news is that I found Yuri!" yelled Max. Everyone turned to see her.
"Look guys, I'm glad to be back, but I have to tell you something horrible going on in Middle-Earth" started Yuri.
"We already know Yuri. Lexi figured it out last night while we were at the hospital with Jingning" smiled Nick.
"Oh" said Yuri.
"No, the good news is that I found a solution to our problem of saving Middle-Earth" started Lexi. Nick whooped and then Lexi launched into explanation about her dream and plan.
"So all we have to do is get some humans to help out" finished Lexi after 10 tedious minutes of explanation. Everyone was speechless until Rachael spoke.
"Oh my gosh! Good job!" she said.
"Is that why you guys weren't at work?" asked Liz.
"Yeah, I fell asleep again and then Orli came over to get me and I though and told him about my plan" explained Lexi.
"Well, all we need now is for Jingning to wake up" said Paula.
"Wait guys, I think we should appoint a Captain or commander of this mission" said Kyle.
"Yeah! So if anyone has a nomination please speak" inquired Laura. Everyone but Lexi, Orli, and Kyle rose their hands.
"Um, Becky go" said Orli.
"I nominate Lexi" said Becky.
"Why me?" piped up Lexi.
"Because you're smart, you're a good leader, and you figured out a solution to all our problems" said Becky.
"Okay, any other nominations?" asked Orli. Everyone shook his or her head.
"Okay all in favor of Lexi say ai"
"ai" everyone said.
"Okay Lexi, you're the Captain or commander now" said Orli.
"Wait, I think we should have a vice commander" blurted out Lexi.
"Okay, I nominate Orli" said Charlotte.
"All in favor of Orli say ai"
"ai" everyone shouted again.
"So Lexi Black and Orli Bean, you are the commanders in charge. You may now kiss" Mocked Nick. Lexi and Orli turned to each other and kissed passionately to seal the position. Everyone cheered as they kissed.
Liz just sat there, a pang of guilt shot through her. She had always had a little thing for Orli. But she knew he was out of her reach now. Orli had Lexi and made her constantly happy. She knew she couldn't ruin that. Lexi was a sensitive person and would be totally crushed if Orli were taken away from her. Liz sighed and looked at Lexi. She knew he was right for her and would always protect and love her. Lexi's face shone with happiness. When she was around him it was just right. Liz then joined in the cheering.
Lexi and Orli finally pulled apart, gasping for breath. Lexi looked at everyone cheering and blushed. Orli kissed her forehead and pulled her closer. After 5 minutes the clapping stopped and Orli and Lexi returned to the chair they were sharing.
"So, I guess almost everyone's happily together" said Kyle with a smile. "Except for maybe Nick" joked Kyle.
"Hey!" Nick said
"Hay's for horses. I'm sorry Nick but you're an elf, not a horse" said Kyle, an evil grin playing on his face.
"Alright, just shut up Kyle, just shut up" said Nick shacking his head. Kyle laughed evilly. Laura giggled and snuggled up close to Kyle. He kissed her forehead and put his arm around her. Everyone seemed to be comfortably lost in love.
"So um.when should be get started with the army?" asked Candice. Everyone jumped at her voice. They had forgotten that she was there.
"I don't know, lets ask our commanders what our next action should be" suggested Rachael.
"Um, lets get some lunch and Lexi and I will talk it over" said Orli. Everyone nodded and got up.
"Hey guys, there's some meat in the fridge. You can make sandwiches and have some chips from the pantry." Said Lexi. She led them into the kitchen. As Paula and Lexi pulled out meats and bread Connie and Charlotte brought out chips, cups and plates. As soon as everything was ready everyone began to make his or her sandwiches. Orli and Lexi decided to bring their lunches into the living room where they could talk.
"So, any ideas on our next course of action?" asked Lexi.
"Well, I think we should have someone stationed with Jingning. The moment she wakes up the person will fill her in on our plans. Then they should cal us and Jingning would be totally up to date when she joined us" suggested Lexi. Orli just stared at her as she spoke. "Okay, what" said Lexi not understanding what he was looking at.
"Nothing, it's just you always seem to have a plan up your sleeve. I mean you're on a roll this week. I also don't understand something" awed Orli. Lexi blushed and nodded as to tell him to keep going. "When you got that letter from Sauron, you reacted strangely. Most people would have been scared to death at the fact that they were found out and you of all people. I'd think you'd be more careful" said Orli in a good way.
"Orli, I know Sauron's out for my blood. He wants to destroy Middle-Earth. The easiest way is to just kill me. As you know, the sprit of Lorien resides in my blood. If he kills me the people will slowly fade away. He knows it's easier than setting war on the whole of Middle-Earth. He's now giving me a chance to confess and not have war set upon Middle-Earth. But he knows I'm not going to give up without a fight.
So, he's forced to do war and it's coming in 37 days. The good think is he doesn't know that we know that's he's calling war. So, I guess I know I have to be strong. And no matter what, we're going to win this war" reassured Lexi. Orli nodded but still looked a little apprehensive. Lexi leaned in and kissed him.
"I promise" she whispered against his lips. Orli nodded obediently and leaned in for another kiss. Pretty soon Lexi and Orli were lost tin their own world consisting of each other's lips.
Lexi, Orli, do you know what you're-" Laura stopped as she had just walked in to see Lexi and Orli kissing like crazy on the couch. Lexi was lying on top of Orli, totally oblivious to Laura. "Ehem guys?" said Laura. Lexi immediately sat up to see Laura. Her cheeks turned a deep shade of red.
"Anyway guys, we left you in here to plan what we're going to do next, not sit here making out" laughed Laura.
"Come on Laura, we're just having a little fun" complained Orli. He pulled Lexi down and they started to playfully kiss. Laura groaned.
"Well, when its convenient pleas finish planning and don't make too much noise, we're trying to eat in peace" said Laura. Her answer was a groan form Lexi. Laura rolled her eyes and left.
After 5 minutes Lexi sat up. "Orli, stop, stop, we really should get back to planning, stop!" shrieked Lexi. Orli made a sad face that Lexi almost couldn't resist.
"No, Orli, come on, let's get back to work" said Lexi.
"Fine" pouted Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright, alright guys, we finally know what we are going to do next" yelled Lexi.
"After a few minor interruptions" said Laura, Lexi blushed.
"We know what we're doing" called out Orli. "Lexi used her brilliant mind to think up our plans so lets let her explain" said Orli. Lexi blushed more if possible.
"Anyway, Orli did help me with his plan, I'm not that brilliant" started Lexi, everyone laughed. "Okay first we have to do something about Jingning. We've decided that someone needs to stay with her while she's in the hospital. When she wakes up this person is to fill her in on where we are so far in our plans for the war. After she understands it you should call us. After that every day they are going to go in and tell her what else is happening. Then when she is released she can immediately join in the game" explained Lexi.
"So who volunteers to be on Jingning duty?" asked Orli. After 5 minutes Zach groaned and raised his hand. "Good man Zach. Thank you for this favor. We'll make sure Jingning pays you back" said Orli. Zach waved his hand.
"Yeah, yeah."
"Anyway, as for the rest of us" started Lexi. "We are going to start gathering our army. Today and tomorrow everyone is to start making a list of where we can find people. But these people have to be trustworthy. We can't take people who might tip us off to the dark lord. We must be cautious. We will be pairing off into teams of 2. You are to work with your teammate. Once you have a fair list, come and show either Orli or me. It's important you show us. In two days everyone should be done his or her list and we'll announce the next part. Now Orli is going to give you you're groups" explained Lexi.
Orli stepped forward and cleared his throat. "Okay, here are the groups. Lexi and me are obviously in a group and are the heads of this mission. Then we have Laura and Kyle together. Charlotte and Tyler; Yuri and Max. Also there's Nick and Liz; Rachael and Paula; Becky and Candice. Zach, if Jingning wakes up in time she's going to be your partner" announced Orli. Everyone nodded and got up.
"Since tomorrow is our last day at work for the summer this should be easy" said Lexi. Everyone then headed to the door and left. "Oh Orli, curiously nodded and stayed back.
"You wanted something?"
"Yeah, first off I want to say thanks for coming over this morning and helping me. I really needed it. And I'm really glad we're working together. Trust me, I'm not all the brains. You're wiser than you think" said Lexi. Orli just nodded, he didn't know how to respond to this. Lexi seemed to notice this. She laughed lightly and leaned in to kiss him. Soon their lips met and Orli was kissing her back.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Someone was knocking rapidly at Liz's door. She groaned and got up to get it. At the door was Nick and he had a huge pile of papers and books in his hands.
"Nick, hi, let me give you a hard with those" Liz reached over and took half the pile. Liz led Nick into her Hawaiian kitchen. They set their books on the table with a loud thump.
"Okay what on earth are all these books for?"
"These are to help us get started with our lists" replied Nick.
"Oh, I take it you want to get a head start?" sarcastically said Liz. Nick threw her a dry smile and sat down.
"We better start looking for places where we can find people we trust" said Nick. Liz nodded and cracked open a book.
"Hey Nick, look here. It says that on Sunday there is a Conestoga meeting. All the kids who graduated from 12th grade 10 years ago will be there. This is perfect. I'm sure there are some people there who could help," suggested Liz.
"Yeah, then they'd all have some connections to some people who could help" brightly said Nick. They let out a cheer and went to get some wine.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Yes, no more work for the summer!" cheered Liz. Orli gave her a curt smile.
"It feels good, to be free for the summer. So, let's station our headquarters at my place. I've got more space. And also it won't direct more attention to you. It's just safer this way," said Orli. Lexi nodded and stopped at Orli's apartment instead of going to hers.
"Let's call the others and tell them where our headquarters is." He nodded and opened the door. Lexi set down all the papers on his kitchen table and grabbed the phone. She quickly dialed Laura's number and waited.
"Hi Laura, this is Lexi. I just called to tell you that our headquarters is at Orli's place. So when you and Kyle find your research just swing by his place for our approval. See you some time this weekend, bye." Lexi called everyone in a similar fashion until they were all called.
Orli came up behind her and put his arms around her waist.
"So, what do you want to do now? We've done all we can do before the people start coming with their information," said Orli.
"I don't know, think of the next step?" asked Lexi cluelessly. Orli kissed her on the neck. "No Orli, what if someone comes while we're away?" said Lexi, pulling away from Orli. Orli looked at her.
"Don't worry, we'll be fine." Lexi sighed heavily and Orli slowly put his arms around Lexi as to comfort her. Lexi just sighed again and leaned onto Orli's chest.
"So, what now? Do we just sit around and wait for everyone to come with their plans?" asked Orli.
"No, we just can't be in our own world for a while. We have things to do and plan, I'm sorry. You know it's for the best," said Lexi, not really wanting to believe what she said.
"Oh come on, you owe me, I feel so lonely today" pouted Orli. Lexi smiled and went to the door.
"I'll see you in an hour or two. I've got to go get some things for our headquarters. See you" said Lexi. She opened the door and closed his behind her. Orli crossed his arms and frowned but gave up after 5 minutes.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi knocked 4 times on the door and unlocked it. She was holding all her headquarters things in a box. She stepped inside, locked the door behind her and placed her stuff on the kitchen table.
"Orli, you here?" She looked through the house and found him in the back of the kitchen, furiously throwing eggs into a pan and chopping them viciously. "Orli, calm down, what's wrong?" Orli just gritted his teeth and kept chopping his eggs. "Oh, is this about earlier, I'm sorry sweetheart, let me fix your booboo" cooed Lexi.
She turned his around, pushed him against the wall and began with kiss with great zeal. Orli just stood there, stunned by her actions, but then began to kiss her back. Finally they were in their own world, oblivious to everything around them. Then at the door came 4 knocks and the door unlocked.
Too busy with themselves, that they didn't notice Liz and Nick quietly step inside and look around. They went into the kitchen to see Lexi holding Orli against the wall and them kissing madly. Liz's jaw dropped and Nick's eyes bulged.
"I always thought that Lexi and Orli were madly in love but I didn't know we had to plan the wedding so soon" said Nick incredulously.
"Neither did I, for all I know, they could have eloped" added Liz.
"Well, shall we bring them back to the real world or should we leave them?" asked Nick.
"Let's bring them back, we need to talk to them" said Liz. They cautiously stepped towards Lexi and Orli.
"Lexi, hello?"
"Orli, are you here?"
"Lexi, Lexi, Lexi, LEXI!" finally yelled Liz. Lexi slowly pulled away from Orli.
"Okay, I can see this is a bad time so, we'll came back later. You just on with your business" said Liz looking away.
"Oh shut up Liz. We're not that busy," said Lexi. Nick snorted.
"If that's not busy then I hate to think what is busy"
"Alright, just drop it what did you come here for?" asked Orli interrupting Lexi's fight.
"We know where we are going to go for the warriors. We figured it out last night. We need your approval and what our next part of action is," said Nick.
"Oh well, just show us your plans" said Lexi. "Okay, let's get to work."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Guys, this is perfect! If we can just go to a bunch of things like this we'd be on a roll. But I have to ask you a favor. When you go to this thing, I have just the person that can help you. Connie went to high school and Conestoga! She probably knows most of the people who would be willing to help get their offices involved!" said Lexi.
"So, you want Connie to join our group when we go to Conestoga?" said Nick.
"Well, yea" Lexi said in an apprehensive voice.
"Okay, that's fine. Nick's just being weird right now" said Liz happily. Lexi let out a sigh of relief.
"Good, so we'll talk about this at the meeting early Sunday morning. We've got a lot of work to do," said Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright guys, me and Orli have been working hard all weekend but we've finally got a plan for our next step. We've been at meetings seeing people's ideas all weekend. They are all very good ideas and going to work very well with it. We've decided that you will do a slideshow presentation. We have made a slideshow of pictures and facts about our people, Middle-Earth, and of course, the 15 of us. We are to present this to the trusted people. There will be pictures of the 15 of us, which you are supposed to explain who we are and what we are doing," said Lexi. Everyone was totally silent.
"Now remember, we need to get as many people as you can. We are going to war. You know how many people die and you should keep that in mind. Also, remember, they have 500,000 beasts attacking, but that certainly not all of them. If they're attempting to attack Gondor it's going to take a lot more. Last time they brought trolls but still didn't win. It's going to take much more then that." Said Orli, his voice very serious.
"We also one more thing to tell you. All of the women here have necklaces with different shapes and colors. The men all have rings with different jewels. This is going to help us greatly in war. Whenever one of us is in danger, these will tell us so.
"Let's say Laura was in trouble. On my necklace, it would heat up and glow. Then on my hand, her shape on her necklace will faintly appear. For the men, you're rings would heat up and her sign would appear in the ring. Also the color of the shape will appear.
"If one of us is hurt, it will glow more and heat up farther. The star on my hand, since it's Laura's sign, would get darker. The star in the rings would get darker too.
"Then, if, well, if one of us dies it goes all the way. So, if Laura died, her star would become imprinted on my upped arm in dark color. Same for the men, the star would imprint on your arm.
"Now let's say Nick was in trouble. My necklace would light up and on my hand would be a blue circle with a silver outer would appear. If he got hurt the necklace would heat up and the color would get darker. If he died it would be imprinted on our arm.
"But for the men, your ring would still light up, but, Nick's sign out appear on your palm. It would get darker until he died. Now the sign will remain in you're ring or hand or palm until either, the danger has past or until the hurt are healed. If the danger passes the sign will slowly fade away. Now, if someone is in trouble or hurt, you will be helped. Your partner should go and find you if a warning appear. So, if Nick's hurt then Liz should go and try to help him. Now you notice it's not working now" explained Lexi. Everyone listened with rapt silence.
"Wait, Jingning is hurt so her sign of a crescent moon should be glowing darkly on our hands and rings" said Rachael.
"Yes, that is because I haven't turned on the system yet," said Lexi.
"Wait, when the sign appears or it's imprinted, does it hurt?" asked Paula.
"Well, when it appears on your hand or palm it burns for a second. Now, if it's imprinted it's a different sorry. It burns for 5 minutes after they die. Don't worry; it's going to be okay. Now let's see if this works. I'm going to turn it on and see what it does," said Lexi.
She unclipped her necklace and took it off. She turned the heart over and flipped open the smallest door. Inside was the tiniest of buttons. She took a pencil and gently pushed the button. She closed the door and put the necklace on. As soon as she clipped it back together her necklace began to glow and heat up. Then a quick burning pain on her hand told her it worked. On her hand was a dark crescent moon.
Lexi smiled weakly. She was glad it had worked but it was sad that the sign was there. Jingning had been unconscious for 6 days. Orli came over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Lexi sighed sadly and leaned on Orli's shoulder. Lexi stood looking at her hand in silence for a few minutes.
Then, as though a light of hope shone through, the moon began to slowly fade. Lexi smiled and looked up. Everyone was staring disbelievingly at his or her hand.
"What does this mean? Is the system failing or-"Nick trailed off.
"You all know what this means.Jingning's awake" said Orli. Everyone jumped up and cheered.
"Look guys, why don't you stay here and party. I have to go and see her. I'm going to fill he in on everything that's been happening. I'll bring her back here when we're done, although she might have to spend the night at the hospital. She has been out of it for 6 days. I'll be back later. See you all, bye" said Zach. He got up quickly and left.
"Well, he's in a hurry" said Becky.
"Well, he's just been kind of useless in our war plans, he's kind of bored" said Nick. Everyone stared at Nick in disbelief. Most of the time Lexi or Orli would be the ones answering the questions. "What's so funny? Do you not like my new do?" cried Nick again, pulling his long mop like hair, his face totally clueless. Everyone simply kept laughing.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Connie, are you sure we're going the right way?" asked Nick.
"Chill out, I'm positive. We'll be there in a few minutes," said Connie. After a few minutes of silence Connie drove into a busy parking lot.
"Okay, here we are" said Connie. Liz and Nick looked around to find a huge sign saying "Conestoga, class of '93" in bright maroon lettering.
"I guess we're here," said Nick. Liz whacked him on the shoulder. The others started to slowly gather up behind them.
"Tell me again why we're all here?" Max asked.
"Because, this is our first recruiting and I thought we should all be here" said Lexi. Max just nodded and they started up to the school.
"Okay, let's spread out and find worthy people," ordered Orli. They broke apart and set out, thinking this is going to be a trying night. What they didn't was that in a couple of hours they would begin the making of a great army.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Alright, listen up, what we are about to reveal to you is major stuff. We are not joking and expect full attention. You are a chosen group of people who are about to set out on a great journey" started Orli.
"We are else, from Middle-Earth. We all came from different reins. There are many different elven places, all very well respected. But right now, more than just elves are in trouble. I'd like to introduce you to 15 elves that are trying to save Middle-Earth. I am Lexwen Mapleleaf, Princess of Lothlorien" started Lexi. In the back Connie put on a picture of Lorien on the screen projector.
"I am the commander of this operation. And here is my co-commander, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood." Now a picture of Mirkwood was projected as Legolas walked up.
"Now, let me introduce Lawen Goldenleaf, Lady of Rivendell and her partner Kyomir Sunstar, of the high elves." There was a split screen of Rivendell and the high elves projected.
"Next is Charwen Oakleaf, Lady of Rivendell and Tyolas Blueleaf, Prince of Rivendell," roared Orli.
"And Yurwen Lavendarflower, Lady of Lorien and Maxomir Redwood, of Lorien." Yuri and Max ran onstage hand-in-hand.
"Nekolas Evilslayer, Prince of Mirkwood, and Lizwen Sweetheart, Lady of Mirkwood. Rawen Stardust, of Rivendell, and Pawen Autumn, Princess of Mirkwood. And last but not least of the present elves is Becwen Birchwood, of the high elves. Also not with us at the time is Jiwen Moonlight, Lady of Rivendell, and Zachalf Elmwood, of Mirkwood," announced Lexi. In the back were pictures of Jiwen and Zachalf.
"Our story begins with Jiwen and Yuri, when they went on a trip back to Middle-Earth after three years" started Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Orli and Lexi took turns explaining their situation. They only left out the Lexi and Sauron problem, the necklace signs and the love connections in between. After 2 hours of telling their story it was out and they were taking questions. Lexi had just picked on a man with blondish hair named Gowie.
"How do we get to Middle-Earth? I've never heard of it before. How do we find it?"
"You can only find it if you know it exists. If you do then you can just get on a boat and sail to it" explained Orli.
"Are you really elves? Where are your pointy ears?" called out a dark haired woman. All the elves pushed back their hair in uniform and showed them their ears. Some people gasped and others just gaped at them.
"So, how long do we have before we leave? Or go to war?"
"Well, the beasts are going to attack in 33 days. But we have to get there in time for the elves and men to get together armies, for you to be assigned to a battlefield and be suited up. So, that's a day getting there. Then we're going to hold council, we need 2 days to talk. Then get there armies together is another 3 days. Getting you assigned will take 2- 3 days and suiting up will take a day. So be prepared to leave in 23 days. So that's 10 days before war. The reason everything will take so long is that we have other's coming. We need about 20,000 people, so you get the picture. We have 23 days to gather that many people so." Lexi drifted off.
"If you know anyone that would be willing to help please ask them. Then bring them to our meeting headquarters, which is my apartment. The building is called 345 and my room is 462. We'll be giving out schedules about the days we'll be informing people about this so, keep an eyes out for those. So, be ready to because you have 23 days. On our way out sign your name on a piece of paper located by the doors. Have a nice days and see you in 23 days" called Orli.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
"Well, I'd say that went well, wouldn't you?" asked Kyle, the optimist. Everyone looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I'd say we scared them just a little bit," Liz said.
"Just a little" Orli said. Lexi laughed and Orli hit her on the arm. "Don't make fun, I was being serious Lexi" Orli said. This just made Lexi laughed harder and they exited laughing and joking lightly.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* ~*
Lexi pulled her hair in frustration as she sifted through papers. She was looking over numbers for the war. The number of people sighed up for the war had increased incredibly and Lexi turned the lectures over to Liz and Nick. But with the increased numbers came the prices of ships and supplies. Elrond didn't know about their arrival to Middle-Earth and t therefore couldn't help. Lexi sighed and continued adding up the numbers.
Lexi worked in frustrated silence. She was stressing over the fact that they had so much to do and only 23 days to do it. Lexi tugged on her hair again when Orli came and slipped his arms around her.
"So, are you excited about going back to Middle-Earth in 13 day?" Orli asked.
"Excited? I'm going crazy with all the work we have to do," exclaimed Lexi.
"Have you forgotten about where we're going Lexi? 30 days ago you would have killed to get to go back home. Now you want everything but to go home," Orli said.
"Yeah well 30 days ago I wanted to go home to see friends, family and plain home. Now I'm going back to fight for all that" Lexi protested.
"But if we don't who will? Even if we weren't going back to face war we would end up having to. Don't you see, we're fighting for the survival of Middle-Earth? It all depends on you. I know you're really fighting a war right now with yourself. But you've got to put that aside right now. I know things are rough but put aside your war of decisions and follow your instincts" said Orli.
"Look, I know you're trying to help but it's not working. You don't get that our timing and planning depends on people's lives!" Lexi said and she jumped up from her seat. Orli's hands fell to his sides and he stared at her.
"I'm sorry" he muttered.
"I know you are but you just don't get it. We're going to full on WAR! We are going to lose so many good people's lives and I don't know how to prevent it. I can see why you're okay with this, war's cool with you. You've been through it all with Aragorn and Gimli. You just don't get that the lives of my people and other people related to them lie in my hands. Galadriel passed it on. She never thought I'd be in charge of such a big war" Lexi yelled. Orli sighed. Lexi then spoke to him in Elvish.
"I don't see how you're taking this so lightly. I'm sorry but I have to be serious about this. This is not like Helms Deep. We don't have the luck of Aragorn in this. We are on our own; it's up to us, Legolas. We are all on our own," Lexi said, tears silently slipping down her face. Orli desperately wanted to go to Lexi and comfort her, but he knew she'd just push him away.
"I know that, I'm just saying to relax a little bit. If you don't you'll just get so worked up and nervous that you'll break down. Just calm down, I understand" Orli cooed. Lexi shook her head, tears freely flowly down her face.
"No, you just don't get it Legolas. We're going to war. The lives of my people depend upon me. And I can't relax. This isn't like when the ring was around. We don't have Aragorn or anyone to save my people or everyone else. There's no hope! You just don't get it!" sobbed Lexi. Orli sighed and shook his head.
"Lexwen, did you know it was my fault Helm's Deep was breached? Some bombs were planted in a sewer drain. Then an Uruk-hai came running with a torch. Aragorn yelled Togo han dad, Legolas! Dago hon! Dago hon! (Translation Bring him down Legolas! Kill him! Kill him!) I was concentrating on my aim so much that I only could shoot two arrows and he tripped when the second hit and fell into the bombs. The wall was breached and the real war began. I do understand, I do!" explained Orli.
It was silent after that except for Lexi's piercing sobs. Lexi shook her head and slid to the ground, her head in her hands. Orli wanted to help her but he knew he just couldn't. He turned to leave but found he couldn't do that either.
He turned back around knelt down next to Lexi. Then he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She took a shuddering breath and continued crying into his chest. Orli held her tight and stroked her hair until she calmed down. 20 minutes later Lexi sat in Orli's arms as he rocked her, occasionally hiccupping.
"You alright?" Orli finally asked. Lexi shook her head. Then she leaned over and kissed him. Orli sat there stunned for a few seconds that she had gone from crying hysterically to kissing him hungrily. Lexi then bit his lip and he fell out of his trance and kissed her back. Then Orli sipped his tongue into her mouth and they entered a whole new level.
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Lexi lay on top of Orli laughing her heart out. Orli smiled to himself. Making Lexi laugh always made his heart soar. Laughing also was the best medicine for anything.
(English) "Oh man Orli, was that random. 'Grilled cheese, French fries" whispered Lexi then laughed again.
"Sorry, I don't know where that came from" Orli had admitted. Lexi and his had been "kissing" like crazy. Then they broke apart and he whispered ' grilled cheese, French fries.' He had no clue where is came from but it cheered her up.
"But Lexi, do you understand that I get it, I understand?" Orli asked. Lexi sat back up and leaned against Orli.
"yes, I'm sorry. I'm just so worried and scared, I don't know what to do. What happens if we lost?" she asked.
"Lexi, has evil ever won in the end?" he asked.
"Orli, I'm serious."
"So am I, if we lose the war fine but we won't lose the war for good against evil. Sauron will never win" Orli reassured her. Lexi nodded and they sat in silence.
"Do you want some grilled cheese?" Lexi asked suddenly.
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"So, has anyone seen Zach recently?" asked Candice. Laura, Connie, Paula, Rachael, Charlotte, Becky, Lexi, Yuri and Candice sat in a circle on the floor in Becky's apartment.
"Actually no. I now he went to see Jingning 10 days ago but haven't seen him since" Lexi said.
"So, how is he updating Jingning on everything?" Laura asked. Everyone shrugged and looked at each other. There came a knock at the door. Becky got up to get it followed by Lexi. Becky opened the door slowly.
Jingning stood in the doorway in a long flowly white strapless dress. Her hair was done up in a fancy twist. Lexi smiled and Becky ran over to Jingning. She hugged her tightly and moved over so Lexi could say hi. Lexi smiled and hugged her.
"Why is it so quiet? Where is everyone?" Jingning asked. There came an excited squeal and the rest of the elves ran in. Lexi smiled and leaned against the doorway next to Zach.
"How you doing? Haven't seen you since Jingning woke up. How did you get all your info to update her?" Lexi asked.
"I'm fine. I'm sorry I've been away but Jingning was a mess. We hadn't gone to see her in about 5 days. She had come down with a fever. She was all clammy and pale. The nurse said she woke up but just barely. You didn't record our system to detect sick danger. N She was very ill and didn't awake for real for about 3 days. She wasn't in a deep dark lost sleep she was just unconscious. Everything she saw just sent her into shock. So for the past week, 10 days, I've been updating her slowly so I wouldn't scare her" Zach explained.
"So, what caused her to go into shock? " Lexi asked.
"Everything she saw and heard over those past three days when she found out finally took a toll on her and not a minute too soon" Zach said. Lexi nodded again. She watched as Jingning and the elves gossiped away. Lexi smiled then something dawned on her.
"How did you find out what we were planning if you were never here?" Zach laughed.
"Do you remember all those times Orli went out shopping or made phone calls for the war?" Lexi nodded slowly. "Well, eh was really passing the info onto me most of the time. Notice when he came back from the store he never came back with bags?" Zach asked. Lexi laughed loudly.
"I was so blind! I never saw it coming!" Zach gave her a lopsided smile and Lexi looked back at the elves. Jingning was back and fit right in.
"Well, I'm off to see old Kyomir. I'll see you later" Zach said and left. Lexi shut the door and went over to the elves gossip circle.
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"So, what happened with you Laura? We haven't gotten together since last Sunday?" Paula asked.
"Nothing really. I've been really busy working with Kyle finding the people for the war. We've been working day and night. We went sailing on Wednesday night. So we went on a date, I guess" Laura said. Jingning snorted.
"Shut up!" cried Laura.
"Anyway Lexi, what did you do yesterday?" Rachael asked.
"Well, let's just say it was a very French day" Lexi said. Candice squealed.
"Oh my god Lexi! He frenched you! Come on give me details!"
"Well, it was very weird. I had spent the whole day doing paperwork for the war. Then Orli came in and asked me if I was excited about going home. I yelled at him that he was crazy and that he'd didn't understand. We're going to war, people's lives were on our hands blah, blah, blah. I just couldn't take the pressure and totally broke down and fell to the ground crying. He turned to leave but changed his mind and went to comfort me. After I stopped crying and he asked if I was okay. I shook my head and kissed him. After two minutes he changed the kiss to a French kiss. It was crazy" Lexi said. The girls smiled but Charlotte didn't.
"Lexi, you really should say sorry to him. He was only trying to help" Charlotte consoled. Lexi gasped and ran out of the apartment.
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Lexi took out her keys and opened the door to Orli's apartment. "Orli!" she called. No one answered so she sat on the couch and waited. 10 minutes later Orli walked in running his hands through his hair and sighing loudly. Lexi heard him walk into the kitchen talking to himself.
"I really blew it now" he said. Lexi crept into the kitchen and came up behind him.
"Hi" she said over his shoulder. Orli jumped and looked away.
"Hi Lexi" he said in a weird voice.
"Hey, I just wanted to say I'm sorry about earlier. I believe that you understand" she said.
"Thanks" he said shortly. He turned to her and Lexi leaned in to kiss him. But as she came to his lips he moved his head and Lexi got his cheek instead.
"Lexi" he whispered. Lexi pulled back. "Lexi, I just can't" he said.
"Hey, if you're not in the mood for me to kiss you that's fine" she said.
"No, it's not that it's just." he drifted off.
"What? You can tell me. We've been together for almost 2 months. I think you can tell me" Lexi said. Orli shook his head and looked away still. Lexi noticed that he had yet to meet her eyes.
"What? Orli, this is getting serious. Is this about the war?" she urged. Orli shook his head. "What?" she asked again. He muttered something Lexi couldn't hear. "What? Couldn't catch that" she said.
"I ran into Liz at a restaurant" Orli said.
"So? That's why she wasn't with us. Who was she with?" Orli took a deep breath.
"No one. We ate lunch together and then we." he trailed off. Lex nodded.
"I kissed her. In the beginning I don't think she knew what to think but then she kissed me back and." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Orli you bastard" she cried and ran out of the apartment. She turned and ran down the hall to her apartment.
Nick saw Lexi flee out of Orli's apartment and into hers. He ran after and found her crying in her room.
"Lexi, what's wrong?" he asked as he sat on the bed him moppy hair flopping all around.
"Orli the bastard. He kissed, your sister, Liz" she cried. He sat there stunned, Liz and.Orli?