Thanks and replies are at the end! I so love you all!
~
Chapter 18
~
I sigh and rub the back of my neck. I am currently handing out weapons, helping to arm little boys and men old enough to be my grandfather. I've pulled on a chain mail shirt, and bracers, and I'm wearing my weapons in the open. The little boys are looking at me and Aragorn and the warriors of Rohan with open admiration. The looks they give Legolas and Gimli are nervous.
Me, I'm scared absolutely shitless. But I certainly don't let Boromir see that. He'd like, take it was a victory.
I look up when Legolas and Aragorn start to argue. I sigh, and Boromir and I exchange a glance. We've noticed the looks that Legolas has been giving our not-exactly-impressive little army. He doesn't think we can win. Guess what?
Neither do I.
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn yells, then storms away.
"Great," Boromir mutters.
I nod. "Yeah."
"We're going to die," Boromir mutters.
I nod again.
Boromir sighs. "I miss Faramir."
I glance at him. "Faramir. Your brother?"
He nods this time. "Yes. Father should have sent him on this errand. He would have resist the temptation of the Ring."
I touch his shoulder. "I've said it before, and I'll probably have to say it a few more hundred times, it wasn't your fault."
He smiles and kisses my cheek. "I wish I believed you."
~
It is going to rain. This entire joint is going to smell like rust. Ew.
I'm huddled outside, by the wall, watching the men hurry by. Aragorn is pacing, suiting up for the coming battle. Gimli's with Legolas, out by the wall, scouting. Boromir is helping the people back into the caves. With Eowyn. Theoden's starting to look a little panicked.
What fun. Yay. Note the joy.
I push away from the wall, and run my hands through my hair. This is going to be so many levels of suck. I head back to the armory. Legolas and Aragorn are talking quietly, and Gimli is suiting up. Boromir's tossing his sword from hand to hand, like he's testing the balance or making sure he has use of both arms, or something.
And no, Gimli doesn't have the too-long mail shirt. He looks like a battle- hungry dwarf. In mail that fits. Honestly, The Gimli Two Towers Comedy Loop kinda bugged me. The Dwarf's a warrior, folks, not comedy relief.
Aragorn turns and frowns at me. "You are dressed to go to battle."
I groan. "Not you, too."
He gives me a confused look.
Legolas grins. There's a gleam in his eyes that I can't quite identify. Like he's looking forward to the coming battle. I always knew Elves were crazy. "She and Boromir discussed the fact that perhaps she should not participate."
"Lass didn't take that suggestion too well," Gimli chuckles.
Boromir winces. "I shall never make a similar suggestion. Next time she may not be so charitable as to allow me to keep my head."
I look from Boromir, to Gimli, to Legolas. Boromir and Gimli both look grim and determined, like Aragorn, but there's a gleam in their eyes that Aragorn doesn't have. Anticipation.
And Legolas...well, he looks gorgeous. But I'm probably not an unbiased source. But let's not go there, huh? The possibilities in that are too grim to think about before my nearly-inevitable death.
But he has that same look. That battle-ready gleam.
I shake my head. "You guys are enjoying this way too much."
Aragorn glances at them, smiling slightly. "Battle holds a certain zest for our companions, my Lady."
Boromir laughs. "Battle I understand! 'Tis the politics of running anything that bother me!"
Legolas nods in agreement. Gimli just snorts. "Politics I doubt I shall have to worry about."
"Lucky you," Legolas says wryly.
Aragorn's attention has remained fixed on me, just a steady, unnerving stare. I wonder if he picked that look up from Elrond. "What?" I ask, sounding almost as irritable as I feel.
"Why do you wish to fight?" Aragorn asks. "It is possible that you will perish."
I shrug and study my feet. "I...just have to."
"Why?" Aragorn presses. "To prove your valor? For honor and acclaim?"
I can't help it; I start to laugh. "Aragorn, I'm sorry, but I don't give a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut about honor or valor. Or acclaim or song or any of that other crap."
I mean, c'mon. That's strictly Eowyn's department.
"Then why?"
I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "Maybe because me being out there can save somebody else. Maybe I can take out a couple bad guys. And if me dying out there can save just one little boy from dying the same way, I will gladly jump in front of that orc."
There's a long silence. Then Aragorn leans forward and places a hand on my shoulder. "That is honor, and that is true courage, for these are not your people."
I frown, chewing on my lip. "But they ARE. I mean, I wasn't born here, or anything like that, but..." I shake my head. "I'm going to fight and maybe die beside them. That makes them my people."
Aragorn nods slowly. "Agreed."
Oooh, a HORN. Gee, I wonder who that could be.
Legolas looks up sharply. Boromir's hand has dropped to the horn at his own waist. "That is no orc horn," the Elf says softly, and then heads up the stairs. We all troop after him.
~
Look! Elves! Bunches and bunches of Elves!
And it's that guy – remember, the one from 'Lorien? The cranky border guy? Yeah, him. He's got that...nose.
And I still can't remember his damn name. ARG! And I even asked Legolas before we left 'Lorien!
"Haldir!" Aragorn calls.
Yes! That's it! Haldir! Ha!
"Mae govannen!" Aragorn says, and hugs him.
Legolas clears his throat. Haldir looks surprised, but then returns it, really awkwardly, like it's been a long time since he hugged anybody. Then he and Legolas clap each other on the shoulders, and Haldir turns back to Theoden. "We are proud to fight along side Men once more."
Yay! Reinforcements!
TBC...
~
Snorkle -- *starts to panic* Misspelled words? WHERE? *thwacks her computer* Goddamn you, spell check...Thanks so much!
Girl Tree – Here it is! I know, men suck, don't they? Is it OK? Absolutely. I would love for this guy to meet me. I'd kick his ass. I don't wear girlie clothes. Ever. Thanks hugely!
Andrew Joshua Talon – Thanks again! If you don't stop, my head's gonna explode. *winces* I don't mean for it to happen, really I don't...But she likes him! And there will be no heavy-duty tongue hockey. Scout's honor. And thank you! Hugely! PS. Would you happen to know where they met the Rangers?
MiniMoose – Gollum? You have Gollum? Damn you. I was lookin' for him. Thank you so much!
Soymaid – Thanks! Hugely! I'm hoping that if Kayli's insistent on falling for Legolas, that it doesn't get too grody. Hmm...recommendations... "Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire" & "Cantrip," both by bryn bnw. "Brothers In Arms," by The Nightrunners, which is a modern-day Fellowship fic. Breadboxes by Evadne. "The Scruff Factor" by JastaElf. "Quarantined" by Shirebound. Enough? I think I could find more! All of these can be found on ff.net.
Becca – Thank you! Thank you so much! You kick so much ass!
Catherine Maria – *evil laughter* You'll see, you'll see...Pfft. Talk about a screw-up...that kid in the movie was like five years YOUNGER than Eomer... Thanks so much!
True Maven – I'm trying! And thanks!
BtchieChrissy – OK, please don't beg! It's here!
Sylvia Viridian – Oh, come on, who COULDN'T love Grima? Hee. And as for the ear-blowing...I think we'll find out some more about THAT later. Leggy-boy. Leggy-boy. I love it. Thanks!
Anime no Megami – Don't worry, chill, the battle's coming! Blood and gore and explosions! Thanks!
ADC – Thank you so much! We'll find out more about the ears later.
Ainu lote – Don't worry about Gimli and his kisses. There'll be plenty of Gimli in the next chapters.
Meee – I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! My family thinks I'm completely bonkers too, so don't worry
~
Chapter 18
~
I sigh and rub the back of my neck. I am currently handing out weapons, helping to arm little boys and men old enough to be my grandfather. I've pulled on a chain mail shirt, and bracers, and I'm wearing my weapons in the open. The little boys are looking at me and Aragorn and the warriors of Rohan with open admiration. The looks they give Legolas and Gimli are nervous.
Me, I'm scared absolutely shitless. But I certainly don't let Boromir see that. He'd like, take it was a victory.
I look up when Legolas and Aragorn start to argue. I sigh, and Boromir and I exchange a glance. We've noticed the looks that Legolas has been giving our not-exactly-impressive little army. He doesn't think we can win. Guess what?
Neither do I.
"Then I shall die as one of them!" Aragorn yells, then storms away.
"Great," Boromir mutters.
I nod. "Yeah."
"We're going to die," Boromir mutters.
I nod again.
Boromir sighs. "I miss Faramir."
I glance at him. "Faramir. Your brother?"
He nods this time. "Yes. Father should have sent him on this errand. He would have resist the temptation of the Ring."
I touch his shoulder. "I've said it before, and I'll probably have to say it a few more hundred times, it wasn't your fault."
He smiles and kisses my cheek. "I wish I believed you."
~
It is going to rain. This entire joint is going to smell like rust. Ew.
I'm huddled outside, by the wall, watching the men hurry by. Aragorn is pacing, suiting up for the coming battle. Gimli's with Legolas, out by the wall, scouting. Boromir is helping the people back into the caves. With Eowyn. Theoden's starting to look a little panicked.
What fun. Yay. Note the joy.
I push away from the wall, and run my hands through my hair. This is going to be so many levels of suck. I head back to the armory. Legolas and Aragorn are talking quietly, and Gimli is suiting up. Boromir's tossing his sword from hand to hand, like he's testing the balance or making sure he has use of both arms, or something.
And no, Gimli doesn't have the too-long mail shirt. He looks like a battle- hungry dwarf. In mail that fits. Honestly, The Gimli Two Towers Comedy Loop kinda bugged me. The Dwarf's a warrior, folks, not comedy relief.
Aragorn turns and frowns at me. "You are dressed to go to battle."
I groan. "Not you, too."
He gives me a confused look.
Legolas grins. There's a gleam in his eyes that I can't quite identify. Like he's looking forward to the coming battle. I always knew Elves were crazy. "She and Boromir discussed the fact that perhaps she should not participate."
"Lass didn't take that suggestion too well," Gimli chuckles.
Boromir winces. "I shall never make a similar suggestion. Next time she may not be so charitable as to allow me to keep my head."
I look from Boromir, to Gimli, to Legolas. Boromir and Gimli both look grim and determined, like Aragorn, but there's a gleam in their eyes that Aragorn doesn't have. Anticipation.
And Legolas...well, he looks gorgeous. But I'm probably not an unbiased source. But let's not go there, huh? The possibilities in that are too grim to think about before my nearly-inevitable death.
But he has that same look. That battle-ready gleam.
I shake my head. "You guys are enjoying this way too much."
Aragorn glances at them, smiling slightly. "Battle holds a certain zest for our companions, my Lady."
Boromir laughs. "Battle I understand! 'Tis the politics of running anything that bother me!"
Legolas nods in agreement. Gimli just snorts. "Politics I doubt I shall have to worry about."
"Lucky you," Legolas says wryly.
Aragorn's attention has remained fixed on me, just a steady, unnerving stare. I wonder if he picked that look up from Elrond. "What?" I ask, sounding almost as irritable as I feel.
"Why do you wish to fight?" Aragorn asks. "It is possible that you will perish."
I shrug and study my feet. "I...just have to."
"Why?" Aragorn presses. "To prove your valor? For honor and acclaim?"
I can't help it; I start to laugh. "Aragorn, I'm sorry, but I don't give a flying fuck at a rolling doughnut about honor or valor. Or acclaim or song or any of that other crap."
I mean, c'mon. That's strictly Eowyn's department.
"Then why?"
I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "Maybe because me being out there can save somebody else. Maybe I can take out a couple bad guys. And if me dying out there can save just one little boy from dying the same way, I will gladly jump in front of that orc."
There's a long silence. Then Aragorn leans forward and places a hand on my shoulder. "That is honor, and that is true courage, for these are not your people."
I frown, chewing on my lip. "But they ARE. I mean, I wasn't born here, or anything like that, but..." I shake my head. "I'm going to fight and maybe die beside them. That makes them my people."
Aragorn nods slowly. "Agreed."
Oooh, a HORN. Gee, I wonder who that could be.
Legolas looks up sharply. Boromir's hand has dropped to the horn at his own waist. "That is no orc horn," the Elf says softly, and then heads up the stairs. We all troop after him.
~
Look! Elves! Bunches and bunches of Elves!
And it's that guy – remember, the one from 'Lorien? The cranky border guy? Yeah, him. He's got that...nose.
And I still can't remember his damn name. ARG! And I even asked Legolas before we left 'Lorien!
"Haldir!" Aragorn calls.
Yes! That's it! Haldir! Ha!
"Mae govannen!" Aragorn says, and hugs him.
Legolas clears his throat. Haldir looks surprised, but then returns it, really awkwardly, like it's been a long time since he hugged anybody. Then he and Legolas clap each other on the shoulders, and Haldir turns back to Theoden. "We are proud to fight along side Men once more."
Yay! Reinforcements!
TBC...
~
Snorkle -- *starts to panic* Misspelled words? WHERE? *thwacks her computer* Goddamn you, spell check...Thanks so much!
Girl Tree – Here it is! I know, men suck, don't they? Is it OK? Absolutely. I would love for this guy to meet me. I'd kick his ass. I don't wear girlie clothes. Ever. Thanks hugely!
Andrew Joshua Talon – Thanks again! If you don't stop, my head's gonna explode. *winces* I don't mean for it to happen, really I don't...But she likes him! And there will be no heavy-duty tongue hockey. Scout's honor. And thank you! Hugely! PS. Would you happen to know where they met the Rangers?
MiniMoose – Gollum? You have Gollum? Damn you. I was lookin' for him. Thank you so much!
Soymaid – Thanks! Hugely! I'm hoping that if Kayli's insistent on falling for Legolas, that it doesn't get too grody. Hmm...recommendations... "Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire" & "Cantrip," both by bryn bnw. "Brothers In Arms," by The Nightrunners, which is a modern-day Fellowship fic. Breadboxes by Evadne. "The Scruff Factor" by JastaElf. "Quarantined" by Shirebound. Enough? I think I could find more! All of these can be found on ff.net.
Becca – Thank you! Thank you so much! You kick so much ass!
Catherine Maria – *evil laughter* You'll see, you'll see...Pfft. Talk about a screw-up...that kid in the movie was like five years YOUNGER than Eomer... Thanks so much!
True Maven – I'm trying! And thanks!
BtchieChrissy – OK, please don't beg! It's here!
Sylvia Viridian – Oh, come on, who COULDN'T love Grima? Hee. And as for the ear-blowing...I think we'll find out some more about THAT later. Leggy-boy. Leggy-boy. I love it. Thanks!
Anime no Megami – Don't worry, chill, the battle's coming! Blood and gore and explosions! Thanks!
ADC – Thank you so much! We'll find out more about the ears later.
Ainu lote – Don't worry about Gimli and his kisses. There'll be plenty of Gimli in the next chapters.
Meee – I'm sorry! I didn't mean to! My family thinks I'm completely bonkers too, so don't worry