A/N: Sorry! It's been aaaaages since I last updated!! MAJOR Writer's Block, half asleep when I wrote it, so it may not completely make sense. Going to Cornwall surfing for a few days for my birthday from tomorrow, so won't be typing then. Sorry again! I don't intend to discontinue this story any time soon, so if there is another long gap between updating, it's only because I'm busy or am stuck. Sorry!!
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Chapter 19 - The Truth
The ride from Isenguard to Edoras was pretty uneventful, unless you count the frequent practical jokes performed by Laila, Bex and Ilréthiel. I can safely say I had nothing to do with it. It was quite a relief when we got to Edoras.
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Théoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!
Crowd: Hail!
Éowyn approached Aragorn with a cup.
Éowyn: Westu Aragorn hál.
She gave the cup to Aragorn, who drank some. He walked off with a nod.
Théoden: I am happy for you. He is an honourable Man.
Éowyn: You are both honourable Men.
Théoden: It was not Théoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.
Éowyn look at her uncle, not understanding. Théoden: Ah, don't listen to me. You are young, and tonight is for you.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I think everyone got drunk that night. Either drunk or very tipsy. We (Laila, Bex and I) spent most of the evening drinking, singing, drinking, laughing, drinking, making idiots of ourselves and, well, drinking. Unfortunately the hobbits joined in with us on all of these, so you can imagine what the consequences were. Now I look back, I'm surprised anyone could understand me, as I was slurring my words more than jack.
Pippin: I say we... play a game.
Keikæ: Eh?! Wha' type o' game?
Merry: A game from where you come from! Haldir:
Keikæ: Er... k.
Bex: How 'bout monopoly?
::Where in Middle Earth did that come from?::
Keikæ: Becky-dear, it would be one hundred times easier if we had a board and the monopoly money? Unless you just happened to carry one in you're back pocket.
Laila: Well, fine. How 'bout... Strip poker!
I nearly choked on my rum (yet another luxury produced from Bex' bag.)
Keikæ: NO. NOT Strip poker. Poker, yeah, but NOT strip poker. 'Ang on – how 'bout Poker?
Laila made an impression of a very pissed me when saying this:
Laila: Keiki-dear, it would be one hundred times easier if you had something to bet with.... After all, wha's the point otherwise.
Bex: We do have stuff to bet with.
Keikæ: Mmm... talking of bets, I get the feeling it's way over a month since the beginnin' o' the New Year, so.
I began taking off all the Jack Sparrow rubbish, starting with the bandana.
Keikæ: I can get rid of that, that and that, take out these, you can have back that, and I can finally drop this bloody accent!
I dumped the stuff in the middle of the table. Bex was staring at all of it.
Keikæ: Bex? Caw-caw! Bex? Heeeeeeello?
Bex: Tha's what we can bet on.
::I gettit.::
Laila: Alright, then. Anyone got a pack of cards?
We finally got our hands on a pack of cards (with some help from Merry and Pippin). We agreed to bet on everything. I mean everything. Bex went first. She made the pile of pirate stuff into a small mound, with her purse, keys, loose change, you name it.
Bex: Finished.
Laila: Nope.
I grabbed the bottomless-bag, that Bex was unsuccessfully attempting to hide behind her and dumped it on the table. Laila's turn next. She added a considerable amount to the prizes, including the lighter from her back pocket and a wallet. A certain policeman's wallet.
Laila: Your turn Keeks.
I added Just about everything I had on me. Jewellery, Money, Keys, Wallet, Knives, penknife, and finally my dreamcatcher necklace. There wasn't really everything special about this necklace, only that it was the only thing I possessed from my childhood. I wore it the whole time and was reluctant to let go of it.
Bex: Don't bother, Keeks.
She meant it. I smiled and refastened it at the back of my neck. Everyone was looking at me.
Keikæ: What?
Laila: Your oh-so-wonderful-belt-that-I've-had-my-eyes-on-for-a-long-time?
Keikæ: No way!
Laila&Bex: Yes way.
I scowled and took off my oh-so-wonderful-belt-that-Laila's-had-her-eyes-on- for-a-long-time. By now, the only bit of Bex I could see was her hair. It wasn't a very good game. None of us got good hands and we were beginning to get bored.
Bex: This is getting boring. I haven't had a single decent hand.
Keikæ: Yeah. Ditto.
Pippin: Ditto?
Keikæ: Same as her.
Laila: 1 card high draw to finish it off?
Bex: Don't see why not.
::Bex, you wouldn't know what a high card is.::
Keikæ: Yeah.
Laila dealt 3 cards, one to each of us. Bex smiled, Laila grinned and I stared blankly at the wall. Very difficult when you're tipsy and everyone's giggling. Bex laid down her card. Jack of Spades. Fine by me. Laila. Queen of Diamonds. Pretty high. I grinned and laid down the Ace of Clubs. I put on a Russian accent.
Keikæ: It appears you have been beaten by the Ace of Clubs.
I grinned.
Keikæ: Well, I definitely am not going to be needing this, this or this, I have no need for a lighter so you can have this, these, I believe are yours because they are not my colour, although this, this and this is mine. And this. Although I do have one small change to make.
I smiled sweetly and placed the bottomless-bag beside my chair.
Keikæ: Well, that was a good game, wasn't it?
-x-x-x-x-x-
After a few other card games, most of which the hobbits took part in, we found ourselves in the centre of the hall, next to a dancing and singing, drunk Merry and Pippin.
Merry and Pippin:
Oh you can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,
As the one we drink in our hometown.
You can keep your fancy ales,
You can drink them by the flagon,
But the only brew for the brave and true,
Comes from the Green Dragon!
I saw Gandalf laugh and clap, soon joined by Aragorn.
Aragorn: No news of Frodo?
Gandalf: No word. Nothing.
Aragorn: We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
Gandalf: Do we know that?
Aragorn: What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf: That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he's alive.
I smiled.
Pippin: And what of your songs, Keikæ?
Merry: Yes – can you sing a song from your world.
Keikæ: Er... No.
"Pleeeeeease?" They chorused. No wonder they can get themselves out of trouble; sometimes you simply can't say no.
Bex: Yeah, sure.
Keikæ: Thanks for that Bex.
Bex: The 'usual' song – shortened version of course. A sort of, tribute to your wonderful acting over the past month.
My smile widened to a grin.
5 minutes, a lot of encouragement and 3 bottles of rum/home-brewed vodka later, and I was standing on the table, bottle in one hand, glass in the other.
# We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. Maraud and embezzle and even highjack. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We're rascals, scoundrels villains, and knaves Drink up me 'earties yo ho, We're devils and black sheep and really bad eggs. Drink up me 'earties yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. #
Keikæ: Really bad eggs!
Laila: Drink up me 'earties yo- woah!
By now we were definitely 100% tipsy. Definitely. I couldn't walk in a straight line at all, and eventually decided it was too hot and I needed to be outside.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I leant against the wall, my head slightly clearer than before. I was beginning to regret convincing myself to leave the alcohol inside. I walked over to the wall and looked up at the flagpole. The flag was still missing. I smiled to myself and swung my legs over the wall.
Keikæ: Such a perfect night.
# My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all,
The morning rain clouds up my window and I can't see at all,
And even if I could it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall,
It reminds me that it's not so bad it's not so bad,
I drank too much last night, got bills to pay,
My head just a feels in pain,
I missed the bus and there'll be hell today,
I'm late for work again,
And even if I'm there, they'll all imply that I might not last the day,
And then you call me and it's not so bad, it's not so bad and-
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life
Push the door, I'm home at last and I'm soaking through and through,
Then you handed me a towel and all I see is you,
And even if my house falls down now, I wouldn't have a clue,
Because you're near me and-
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life....#
I heard someone approaching and turned to see who it was. I'll give you three guesses.
Haldir: Certainly is a perfect night.
Keikæ: I agree with you there. Although something stirs in the East – a sleepless malice.
He seemed surprised to hear me say this. Then, I was just quoting the Return of the King. He sat down beside me. Yet another awkward silence.
Haldir: I'm sorry, Keikæ. What I did... it was wrong of me.
I paused for a minute. It was obvious what he was talking about, though I wasn't sure how to react.
Keikæ: No, no it wasn't wrong of you. I... I'm glad you did, actually.
He turned to face me. I kept my eyes fixed on the stars.
::What the hell just made me say that?::
Maybe it was pity, or loneliness, the fact I was still slightly drunk. Though I knew for a fact it was none of those. It was the plain truth.
Keikæ: The plain truth.
Haldir: The truth?
Keikæ: Yeah. Although I know I'm going to be kicking myself in the morning for saying that.
I finally forced myself to look at him. Deep blue eyes. So much feeling. Only inches away. Close. Too close.
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A/N: Phew... another chapter over and done with. Sorry it's been ages – the next chapter will be out sooner. If I'm ever this long again, please email me, because otherwise I forget. Thanx!!
ASSBB!!
Kess ;P
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Chapter 19 - The Truth
The ride from Isenguard to Edoras was pretty uneventful, unless you count the frequent practical jokes performed by Laila, Bex and Ilréthiel. I can safely say I had nothing to do with it. It was quite a relief when we got to Edoras.
-x-x-x-x-x-
Théoden: Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!
Crowd: Hail!
Éowyn approached Aragorn with a cup.
Éowyn: Westu Aragorn hál.
She gave the cup to Aragorn, who drank some. He walked off with a nod.
Théoden: I am happy for you. He is an honourable Man.
Éowyn: You are both honourable Men.
Théoden: It was not Théoden of Rohan who led our people to victory.
Éowyn look at her uncle, not understanding. Théoden: Ah, don't listen to me. You are young, and tonight is for you.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I think everyone got drunk that night. Either drunk or very tipsy. We (Laila, Bex and I) spent most of the evening drinking, singing, drinking, laughing, drinking, making idiots of ourselves and, well, drinking. Unfortunately the hobbits joined in with us on all of these, so you can imagine what the consequences were. Now I look back, I'm surprised anyone could understand me, as I was slurring my words more than jack.
Pippin: I say we... play a game.
Keikæ: Eh?! Wha' type o' game?
Merry: A game from where you come from! Haldir:
Keikæ: Er... k.
Bex: How 'bout monopoly?
::Where in Middle Earth did that come from?::
Keikæ: Becky-dear, it would be one hundred times easier if we had a board and the monopoly money? Unless you just happened to carry one in you're back pocket.
Laila: Well, fine. How 'bout... Strip poker!
I nearly choked on my rum (yet another luxury produced from Bex' bag.)
Keikæ: NO. NOT Strip poker. Poker, yeah, but NOT strip poker. 'Ang on – how 'bout Poker?
Laila made an impression of a very pissed me when saying this:
Laila: Keiki-dear, it would be one hundred times easier if you had something to bet with.... After all, wha's the point otherwise.
Bex: We do have stuff to bet with.
Keikæ: Mmm... talking of bets, I get the feeling it's way over a month since the beginnin' o' the New Year, so.
I began taking off all the Jack Sparrow rubbish, starting with the bandana.
Keikæ: I can get rid of that, that and that, take out these, you can have back that, and I can finally drop this bloody accent!
I dumped the stuff in the middle of the table. Bex was staring at all of it.
Keikæ: Bex? Caw-caw! Bex? Heeeeeeello?
Bex: Tha's what we can bet on.
::I gettit.::
Laila: Alright, then. Anyone got a pack of cards?
We finally got our hands on a pack of cards (with some help from Merry and Pippin). We agreed to bet on everything. I mean everything. Bex went first. She made the pile of pirate stuff into a small mound, with her purse, keys, loose change, you name it.
Bex: Finished.
Laila: Nope.
I grabbed the bottomless-bag, that Bex was unsuccessfully attempting to hide behind her and dumped it on the table. Laila's turn next. She added a considerable amount to the prizes, including the lighter from her back pocket and a wallet. A certain policeman's wallet.
Laila: Your turn Keeks.
I added Just about everything I had on me. Jewellery, Money, Keys, Wallet, Knives, penknife, and finally my dreamcatcher necklace. There wasn't really everything special about this necklace, only that it was the only thing I possessed from my childhood. I wore it the whole time and was reluctant to let go of it.
Bex: Don't bother, Keeks.
She meant it. I smiled and refastened it at the back of my neck. Everyone was looking at me.
Keikæ: What?
Laila: Your oh-so-wonderful-belt-that-I've-had-my-eyes-on-for-a-long-time?
Keikæ: No way!
Laila&Bex: Yes way.
I scowled and took off my oh-so-wonderful-belt-that-Laila's-had-her-eyes-on- for-a-long-time. By now, the only bit of Bex I could see was her hair. It wasn't a very good game. None of us got good hands and we were beginning to get bored.
Bex: This is getting boring. I haven't had a single decent hand.
Keikæ: Yeah. Ditto.
Pippin: Ditto?
Keikæ: Same as her.
Laila: 1 card high draw to finish it off?
Bex: Don't see why not.
::Bex, you wouldn't know what a high card is.::
Keikæ: Yeah.
Laila dealt 3 cards, one to each of us. Bex smiled, Laila grinned and I stared blankly at the wall. Very difficult when you're tipsy and everyone's giggling. Bex laid down her card. Jack of Spades. Fine by me. Laila. Queen of Diamonds. Pretty high. I grinned and laid down the Ace of Clubs. I put on a Russian accent.
Keikæ: It appears you have been beaten by the Ace of Clubs.
I grinned.
Keikæ: Well, I definitely am not going to be needing this, this or this, I have no need for a lighter so you can have this, these, I believe are yours because they are not my colour, although this, this and this is mine. And this. Although I do have one small change to make.
I smiled sweetly and placed the bottomless-bag beside my chair.
Keikæ: Well, that was a good game, wasn't it?
-x-x-x-x-x-
After a few other card games, most of which the hobbits took part in, we found ourselves in the centre of the hall, next to a dancing and singing, drunk Merry and Pippin.
Merry and Pippin:
Oh you can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,
As the one we drink in our hometown.
You can keep your fancy ales,
You can drink them by the flagon,
But the only brew for the brave and true,
Comes from the Green Dragon!
I saw Gandalf laugh and clap, soon joined by Aragorn.
Aragorn: No news of Frodo?
Gandalf: No word. Nothing.
Aragorn: We have time. Every day Frodo moves closer to Mordor.
Gandalf: Do we know that?
Aragorn: What does your heart tell you?
Gandalf: That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he's alive.
I smiled.
Pippin: And what of your songs, Keikæ?
Merry: Yes – can you sing a song from your world.
Keikæ: Er... No.
"Pleeeeeease?" They chorused. No wonder they can get themselves out of trouble; sometimes you simply can't say no.
Bex: Yeah, sure.
Keikæ: Thanks for that Bex.
Bex: The 'usual' song – shortened version of course. A sort of, tribute to your wonderful acting over the past month.
My smile widened to a grin.
5 minutes, a lot of encouragement and 3 bottles of rum/home-brewed vodka later, and I was standing on the table, bottle in one hand, glass in the other.
# We pillage plunder, we rifle and loot. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We extort and pilfer, we filch and sack. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho. Maraud and embezzle and even highjack. Drink up me 'earties, yo ho.
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. We're rascals, scoundrels villains, and knaves Drink up me 'earties yo ho, We're devils and black sheep and really bad eggs. Drink up me 'earties yo ho. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me. #
Keikæ: Really bad eggs!
Laila: Drink up me 'earties yo- woah!
By now we were definitely 100% tipsy. Definitely. I couldn't walk in a straight line at all, and eventually decided it was too hot and I needed to be outside.
-x-x-x-x-x-
I leant against the wall, my head slightly clearer than before. I was beginning to regret convincing myself to leave the alcohol inside. I walked over to the wall and looked up at the flagpole. The flag was still missing. I smiled to myself and swung my legs over the wall.
Keikæ: Such a perfect night.
# My tea's gone cold, I'm wondering why I got out of bed at all,
The morning rain clouds up my window and I can't see at all,
And even if I could it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall,
It reminds me that it's not so bad it's not so bad,
I drank too much last night, got bills to pay,
My head just a feels in pain,
I missed the bus and there'll be hell today,
I'm late for work again,
And even if I'm there, they'll all imply that I might not last the day,
And then you call me and it's not so bad, it's not so bad and-
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life
Push the door, I'm home at last and I'm soaking through and through,
Then you handed me a towel and all I see is you,
And even if my house falls down now, I wouldn't have a clue,
Because you're near me and-
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life....#
I heard someone approaching and turned to see who it was. I'll give you three guesses.
Haldir: Certainly is a perfect night.
Keikæ: I agree with you there. Although something stirs in the East – a sleepless malice.
He seemed surprised to hear me say this. Then, I was just quoting the Return of the King. He sat down beside me. Yet another awkward silence.
Haldir: I'm sorry, Keikæ. What I did... it was wrong of me.
I paused for a minute. It was obvious what he was talking about, though I wasn't sure how to react.
Keikæ: No, no it wasn't wrong of you. I... I'm glad you did, actually.
He turned to face me. I kept my eyes fixed on the stars.
::What the hell just made me say that?::
Maybe it was pity, or loneliness, the fact I was still slightly drunk. Though I knew for a fact it was none of those. It was the plain truth.
Keikæ: The plain truth.
Haldir: The truth?
Keikæ: Yeah. Although I know I'm going to be kicking myself in the morning for saying that.
I finally forced myself to look at him. Deep blue eyes. So much feeling. Only inches away. Close. Too close.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
A/N: Phew... another chapter over and done with. Sorry it's been ages – the next chapter will be out sooner. If I'm ever this long again, please email me, because otherwise I forget. Thanx!!
ASSBB!!
Kess ;P