A Middle Earth Quest
Chapter 10
Disclaimer- Once again, I do not own LOTR- if any one thought that they must have mistaken me for a dead, long-winded man, which I am most certainly not. I also do not own the concept behind the park. That would mean that, again, you have mistaken me for a man.
Suuki- Hey there! Thanks for your review and your comments! Unlike me, I don't think Mel is as ungraceful as that to allow herself to fall into his arms, but if worse comes to worse, I guess they could do that. Mel would be very unhappy with me if I made her do that, but she wouldn't have a choice. I think I made a step in the right direction here in the beginning of this chapter, but I'm not sure. It makes me laugh though. If you have any more bright ideas, tell me! I would love to hear them!!
A.Troll- Yea!! New Reviewer!! glomps I am very happy to hear that you think this is interesting. I thought this would be a new kind of crossover, not a clichéd one that has been run into the ground cough, HP/LOTR, but anyways. Thank you, and I look forward to hearing from you again, that is, if you want to.
A/N- I just wanted to issue a general apology to all you out there for how long it took to update. Huh, I just looked at the story, and I just realized that I last updated on the 4th, god September drug by. I swear it felt like it had been two months since I last updated, oops it has been! Anyway, my apology still stands. Now I will quit babbling and get on with the story.
Enjoy!!
Mel hopped into the driver's seat and started the engine.
"Oh, really?" she asked calmly, pretending not to notice he was angry. "Shoot!"
Cale, who was a little taken aback, deigned not to ask his question, preferring instead to insult her. "I find it hard to believe that you, Miss Cowan, would stoop to lying to your precious little hobbits! They are people too! They have a right to know that they were created by you and Mr. Bridges, and that geneticist!" Cale had not yet buckled up, and that fact was the only thing that kept Mel from slamming on the breaks. As mad as she was, she couldn't have people flying through her windshield.
"Whoa, whoa, wait a second! You have no idea what you're talking about!" she all but screamed at him.
"Really? I know that they think all the new hobbits that come in are orphans from other villages. I know that they have no clue why they're here with you people looking after them. I know they haven't figured out they can't reproduce on their own."
If it hadn't meant driving off the road, Mel would have slapped him. "First of all," she said severely, defending herself. "I had no hand in their creation, any of them. I was hired a year after they were started here on the island. I had no idea what I was getting into. Second, I am a psychologist, not a full time babysitter! And do you honestly believe that I like having to lie to them?! I think of them as my children.
"And how would you take it if someone you loved and trusted suddenly told you that you were created by someone who wanted to use you to make money and that you were a veritable tourist attraction, like caged animals in a zoo? That your very existence was to provide entertainment, at your expense I might add, for a paying customer who did not care what happened to you, so long as they got their money's worth? Much as I despise myself for it, it is far better for their mental well-being if they remain ignorant of those particular facts!"
Cale became very quiet; whether it was due to the fact that he hadn't thought of those aspects before or due to her zeal, she didn't know and didn't exactly care. Having vented her spleen, she kept driving, waiting for him to speak. He was quiet for some moments, and the silence between them became almost unbearable.
Finally, as they approached the Mines, he spoke up. "I didn't think," he said quietly. It wasn't exactly an apology, but Mel sensed it was the closest thing she would get to one. He continued, "So how did you plan on handling that? You know, when they start to ask you questions, or when Mr. Bridges decides it's time to open this place to the public?"
Mel thought about it. Truthfully, she hadn't yet broached this problem. She knew she would have to, but she had put it off for some time now. "I'm not sure. I have been thinking about it, and I was hoping I could come up with something that they would believe. At least for the hobbits and the dwarves. They are either not intelligent enough to believe me, or they don't care enough to question me. I hate having to lie to them, but at the same time I can't tell them the truth. In these matters, I've been going with the lesser of two evils."
Cale nodded. "I know what you mean, and I don't envy you the position you're in." He paused for a moment, thinking. "So what're you going to do when this place opens? Are you going to leave and find somewhere to set up a practice?"
Mel shook her head vigorously. "No! I'm going to stay here and look after them. Would you leave your kids with some stranger?" She wasn't going to tell him that she was not about to leave them all in Owen's clutches. He really didn't care what happened to them, as long as there were more of them and they made him money.
He didn't bother to answer her question, and she hadn't really expected one.
A moment later they rounded a curve and they came upon the Mines. She parked the car and they piled out. Of the three land based regions on the island, this was her least favorite. The Mines and surrounding lands were all gray and bleak. The path that led to the cave mouth led straight into a crevasse, man-made of course, and into the looming dark maw that was the cave mouth. Mel sighed; the area was just so ugly on the outside.
She walked to the back end of the SUV and rummaged around in the back until she found some torches. Owen, in his obsession to keep things as authentic as possible, had declared that there be no artificial lighting; so they made do with torches and sky lights (wherever they were practical). She lit one and passed the others around, using hers to light the others.
After a moment of torch lighting, they started off for the gaping maw.
Mel and Cale came out of the Mines ahead of the other three. Mel doused her torch and placed it back in the compartment it normally dwelled in. Cale, who did not have a torch, leaned against the SUV with an expression on his face that told her that he was sort of bored. She could tell he had thought the visit to the dwarves mines had been the same experience with the hobbits, only in a different place and with a different people. But she couldn't blame him; the dwarves cared nothing for anything but their mines.
At about this time, they heard the echoes of conversation emanating from the cave mouth. Sure enough, the conversation preceded the arrival Owen, Freddy, and Liam. They were laughing and joking about something. As they approached the vehicles, Owen called out to Cale.
"So, Mr. Major, what did you think of the Dwarven Mines?"
Cale shrugged. "I found them fascinating. Though I think I would become claustrophobic if I was in there too long." Owen seemed to think that an acceptable assessment, for he laughed out loud. He clapped both Cale and the actor on the back.
"Shall we move on?" he asked, not waiting for an answer, but moving to the passenger side door. Everyone took that as his or her cue, and they loaded back up. The ride to Lothlorien was pleasantly quiet, their previous argument forgiven and forgotten.
As drab and unimpressive the Mines had been; Lothlorien was just the opposite. Cale was amazed that this one little island held such a variety of habitats; from rolling hills, to rocky, craggy Mines, to lush forests. For that's what Lothlorien was, a forest with giant untamed trees. They drove through the gate, which didn't look so much like a gate as a pass through located conveniently between the overhanging boughs of some particularly large oak trees, and into the welcoming space inside the forest.
Of course, Cale realized as he exited the car, the island was probably altered to fit what Mr. Bridges wanted. The knowledge that it was man-made did nothing to diminish the wonder Cale felt as he walked about, smelling the pleasant aroma of dried leaves and clean air.
No sooner had they exited the vehicles than they were approached— and approached was the right word, rather than greeted— by a small group of elves. Cale was awed, yet again; these elves so closely resembled those from the award-winning movies it was uncanny, or just a demonstration of today's technology. They were all tall and fair of complexion, and all had blue eyes, except for one pretty brunette whose eyes reminded Cale of light colored emeralds. It was a common feature of theirs to have high cheekbones, and finely arched, perfect eyebrows that flawlessly conveyed emotions. Each of them was garbed in tunic in shades of russet, gold, and green, presumably to help them to blend in with the forest. One thing he noticed was that none of them seemed particularly happy to see them. He also noticed that none of them was without a bow and quiver full of bolts.
When the pretty brunette glared at him, Cale realized he was staring. He quickly shifted his gaze to take in the surrounding area. The forest also greatly resembled that from the movies; it seemed Mr. Bridges was being blunt about the nature of his inspiration. There were great spiraling staircases from which to gain access to the canopy level, where all the dwelling places seemed to be. As more of a convenience, rather than trekking all the way back down to the ground level and back up another staircase, there were beautifully carved connecting bridges from one tree to another. Cale looked up and saw a lone elf, standing in the middle of one such bridge, watching the newcomers with a look of utter disdain on his face.
Cale quickly looked away. This place was beautiful, but hardly seemed friendly. Finding no better place to look without risking being glared at, Cale found himself looking at the other members of their small group. Owen and the geneticist looked completely calm and casual, even as they waited for someone to speak first. The actor, Cale glanced his way in time to see him conspicuously checking out the pretty brunette elf. Cale rolled his eyes. Did the man ever give it a rest? Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the brunette was not oblivious to Liam's overtures, though she was doing her best to pretend she was. Then he looked at Mel. She was standing a little behind Mr. Bridges and she looked nervous. She was standing there twirling a lock of dark brown curls in her fingers and her eyes were darting from the elves to the elf on the bridge above them and back to their little group. She was obviously worried, and that made him nervous. If she was really as close as she claimed she was with the elves, why, or he should say what, was she afraid of?
But he had no more time to ponder this troubling question; the envoy had decided to address them.
"Welcome," a gray-haired elf, who was apparently the leader, said. "Welcome to Lothlorien."
While the elf was addressing the group, he was looking right at Mel. Obviously he expected her to stand up and be spokeswoman for their group, but she looked far to nervous to do it. Owen saw this and hastily stepped up to her rescue.
"Thank you, kind sir," Owen said smoothly to the elf. "We are glad you welcome us so warmly to your wonderful wood."
Cale listened to this exchange of pleasantries and nearly snorted. Even he could see that they were anything but welcome here, and that the greeting was anything but warm. He had never liked this kind of political charade; the trading of compliments when nothing but antagonism was felt between the two parties. He had never understood the need to appear to be friends when everyone around knew them to be enemies.
"It is our pleasure. We are honored to think that you consider our humble wood a place worth touring and showing off." The comment was directed at Owen, but again he was looking at Mel. His eyes glittered with something akin to righteous anger. It was particularly fierce, and Cale wondered what the psychologist had done to arrange this tour, and why it so ticked off the elves. He glanced back at her; she was looking guiltily at the dark soil at her feet.
"Oh, nonsense! It is absolutely beautiful, you should be proud to call it your own." The elf bristled with "pleasure" at the compliment and lowered his head, hiding the expression on his face. Cal e grimaced inwardly, this dance of compliments and jabs was getting to be too much for him; if the tour didn't start soon, either the elf or Owen was going to lose his cool.
When he had control of his expression, the elf lifted his head and suggested, "Shall we start? I do not want to interfere with any other plans you may have today." Cale breathed a sigh of relief. "I only ask," the elf continued, "that you please respect the privacy of our people. We four are here to answer any questions you may have, but please refrain from interrupting anyone else while they work. We value our privacy, and do not lightly take being disturbed." With that said, the four elves turned around and began walking down the path. The five humans followed a few paces behind.
This tour was unlike either tour thusfar. It was very structured. They kept too the path and were not allowed to wander. The only dwellings they entered were those of the envoy, and were empty of people. In fact, they only passed one or two other elves at all.
All the while they walked and explored, the lead elf, who still remained nameless, narrated to them on the lifestyle of and elf. Some of it was quite fascinating, but other bits reminded Cale strongly of early nineteen-nineties science teaching video's, in which the students supposedly learned, but more often than not served as a great sleeping aid. Cale did have to admit, though the lecture was rather dull at times, the scenery was breath taking, especially from the canopy level of the forest. Between the beauty of the foliage itself and the intricate architecture, Lothlorien could easily have been considered heaven.
Towards the half way point of the loop— that's all the three areas were, a large loop of homes and surrounding habitat— Cale noticed, out of the corner of his eye, the actor sidle up to walk beside the brunette. Cale watched him for a moment or two, to see what the man was up to. When he didn't do anything, he turned his attention elsewhere. The man wasn't hitting on her, or doing any harm. And he had a right to walk where he wanted to. Cale turned back to the tour.
By the end of the tour Mel had calmed down considerably. She was no longer flicking her gaze between their guide and the group of humans every few seconds. Though perhaps, Cale thought, her earlier nervousness could have been nerves of excitement. Perhaps she was really looking forward to showing off the showpiece of the park. It sounded mean to say, but that's all they were. The hobbits and dwarves were like sideshows, there only to prove that the park was indeed about The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Cale decided not to worry about it. They were almost done here, and he was getting hungry. They were standing back at the rendezvous point from earlier, attempting to make awkward thank you's and goodbye's.
By this time Mel had recovered her voice enough to become the spokes person for the group, instead of Owen.
"Once again, thank you for your hospitality. You all have been very gracious in allowing us into your homes," she said sincerely.
The gray headed elf bowed deeply and smiled at her. "You are most welcome. You were wonderful guests, all of you."
Cale sighed quietly. This was the same exchange they had made in the beginning, only more warm-hearted. Only half truths were being uttered, instead of whole lies. At this point Cale lost interest. He looked around him one last time at the beauty of the forest. But as he looked around his eyes came to rest on Liam.
The actor was trying his best to inch around behind the brunette's shoulder without being observed. The man's eyes were focused on a spot above her waist and just below her chin. Cale narrowed his eyes, what was the man up to?
As if in answer to his unspoken question, Liam leaned in real close to her ear and said, in a voice just above a whisper, "Hey baby! What do you say you and I go make ourselves a distraction?" Then, to make matters worse, he kissed the curve of her pointed ear and pinched her lightly on the behind.
Obviously Cale was the only one watching, for no one else noticed the brunette go real stiff and pale with shock. When she registered what had taken place, new emotions flashed across her face. Anger swept by, only to be replaced by fury. She whirled half way around and struck him, hard, across the face with her open palm.
The loud crack made by her hand connecting with his cheek turned heads their way. They watched confused as the brunette drew a dagger from some hidden pocket with lightning speed and advance on the dumbstruck actor. All she had time to do was take a step toward him before a voice rang out from above.
As one, nine heads turned skyward, searching for the hidden speaker. Cale was the first to spot him; it was the elf from before, still standing on the bridge between trees.
"Mel," he bellowed. "I agreed to allow your people in here on the condition that they leave my people in peace. You have broken your promise! Out! I want you all out now! Even you, Mel, are no longer welcome in my forest!" He turned his back on the five humans.
Cale glared at the actor, who was still backing away from the brunette. In one stroke he had ruined all the good will they had built up in the past two hours. He had completely shattered the situation.
Owen took a step forward and opened him mouth to protest, no doubt to inform the elf that he owned these woods. But before he could get a word out, Mel grabbed his arm.
"Come on," she urged. Then she added in an undertone, "It's not a good idea to argue. They have weapons and we don't. I told you it was a bad idea to force them into this."
Reluctantly he obeyed. The five of them scrambled into the two vehicles and took off, heading for the hotel. As soon as Mel's car had cleared the gate, it was slammed shut behind them and bolted in place.
Cale once again found himself sitting in silence with an angry Mel. She made an exasperated and determined noise in her throat and glared at the car in front of them, the car Owen was in. Cale then realized that whatever had had her nervous two hours ago had indeed happened.
And somehow Cale got the impression that this was only the beginning.
A/N- Eee! I apologize once again for the delay in posting chapter 10, which is really the second half of chapter 9. I also apologize for the mini cliffhanger and the use of the clichéd line "it was only the beginning", but it seemed to fit. And once again, thank you very much for your patience with me. This chapter didn't seem to want to write itself, and neither did I. Anyway, I would love to know what you think, and as always, Thanks!!!!!