:: All Work & No Play Makes Arlene A Sore Sprite…::

Previously…

Aragorn's grin widened, something I didn't like. "In 30 minutes."

"WHAT?!"

"I suggest that you change clothes, I highly doubt that you want to tear those clothes. Wear something that is worn. Ask Anamaria to prepare a room for Roxy, possibly the one beside yours."

::How sweet! You already know my name…and we hardly even know each other…::

"You just think you're so funny?" I asked her. "Aragorn, if it's not too much trouble, couldn't Roxy just stay in my room? It's just too big a room to stay in by myself, and it would save Anamaria the trouble."

"That's fine, whatever suits the two of you. Just make sure that the both of you have changed and bring any weapons you might have with you down to the gates. We'll wait for you girls there."

:: Wait, why am I being forced into this?! :: Roxy whined.

"Because you said it yourself: 'I'm here to help you in any way possible…' Did you forget?" I said with a smile, slapping the girl on the shoulder.

:: Yeah…yeah…whatever. Let's get this show on the road. ::

"Anamaria, there's someone I'd like you to meet," I said, pushing Roxy in front of me. "This is Roxy. She's going to be my room mate, if that's okay. I don't like staying in this huge room by myself at night, especially after those dreams that I've been having."

:: Dreams? What dreams? Wait. Don't tell me. They have something to do with this bozo that tried to kill you? ::

"Sounds about right, I'll fill you in on the details later." I said, pulling out my duffel bag and emptying the contents on the already-made bed. This earned me a stern look from Anamaria. "I just fixed that, Lady Arlene." She said tartly. "Don't worry, I'll fix it back when we're done."

"So what did Lord Aragorn say when you asked him to leave?"

"We argued…I said some things I shouldn't have…we both apologized…he suggested that if I'm to leave that I undergo at least 3 weeks of training, and then Roxy appeared…"

:: Wait, 3 weeks AT LEAST!? By that time, we'll be too tired and sore to leave! :: Roxy squeaked, her eyes widening. Then she started in on some odd rambling that had even me confused.

"Here," I said, throwing her a pair of drawstring sweat pants and a tank top. "Try these on. The pants are long on me so maybe they'll fit you."

Anamaria took her by the arm. "I'll show you where you can change."

"Remember Roxy, we only have…" I paused, looking at my watch. "…18 minutes."

While Roxy was changing in the bathroom, I threw on a black tank top with a skull and cross bones that had the saying 'Exhaustion: Face it: Men don't ask for directions. Ever. It's genetic. Also, it pisses women off, which is the real reason they do it.' Originally, it just had the skull and cross bones, but I was surfing the net once and found that quote so funny I printed it out on an iron-on and put it on the top. I drew out a pair of gray drawstring sweatpants, the kind that didn't draw up at the bottom (I hate those), a pair of socks and my tennis shoes.

I was pulling my hair into a ponytail and tying it back with an elastic when Roxy came out. I handed her the socks and shoes, telling her to put them on while I pulled her hair back. :: What are you gonna do? :: she asked, referring to my bare feet.

"I'll be fine. I'm used to running around outside barefoot." I said, finishing up on her hair. "Now, just let me grab my bow and quiver and we can set off."

While we were making our way down to the gates as Aragorn requested, I had so many questions for Roxy. It was so strange to have a guardian, and often I kept thinking that she was an angel, but then she would open her mouth and that possibility jumped out the window.

"Roxy, do you mind if I ask you some questions?"

::Sure, go ahead and ask away. It's understandable.::

"Okay…how old are you? Or do you age?"

::Yes and no. Right now I have aged 20 years since you created me. My age will continue to rise as normal, but my body will only age for 10 more years and then it will cease. ::

"So you're immortal?"

::Not exactly. I can die but I can't get sick.::

"So does that mean that you can't catch a cold, develop cancer, anything like that?"

::That is correct.::

"But you can die. Like…I dunno…burning or drowning?"

::Yes.::

"Then I guess that you're like an Elf."

::If it makes it any easier for you to understand, then yes.::

"Alright. When I reached my teens and stopped 'interacting' with you, if you will, where did you go?"

::That was a deeply depressing day for me, but I knew that you were growing up and would eventually forget about me. Anyway, I was pushed back into the deepest parts of your memory. You know, with the things that you will never forget, like riding a bike. No matter how long you neglect it, when the situation arises, you will always remember what to do.::

"Well, what did you do…or could you do anything?"

::I watched you grow up. Think about what I said earlier: I was always with you, even when you thought you were alone. Well, as the years passed and things became more advanced, I picked up the new things that you were learning to do.::

"So you know how to work the notebook in my room?"

::Duh! I needed something to do while I spent what felt like an eternity in your mind. And I have to ask you some thing. What were you thinking hanging out with Mandy and Tara in middle school?!::

"I have no idea. Maybe I was too naïve to believe that they were using me."

:: I'll say. You didn't have even a smidgen of a backbone in the sixth grade.::

"Yep. According to Mama, I've become quite the mean little bitch."

::Yes, I can definitely see a change from the little girl that created me so long ago.::

"That brings me to another question. When I created you, what did you look like back then? I don't remember a whole lot." I asked as we were stepping through the doors of the palace.

::Oh gosh…let me think, I barely remember myself. When you were crying into your pillow, you asked out loud for a girl your age that could understand the pain you were in. Someone that wasn't perfect, someone that wouldn't laugh at your downfalls and would listen like a true friend should. You lifted your head to see a girl standing beside your bed, your height, short, blond hair in dog tails with pink ribbons. She wore baggy jeans with the Mickey Mouse logo on the back pocket, a white T-shirt with a turtle on the front and 'Tama-chan' below it, and black sandals, holding out a Kleenex, telling you not to cry anymore. That was the day you created me.::

"Now I remember! You looked so cute in dog ears! So since then, you've been growing up as well?"

::Yes.::

There was silence for a while before something struck me. Why didn't I think of it before?! It was sooo obvious! Yet again another blond moment,

"Say, if you've been hiding out in my mind all these years, how come you didn't know that I was a Sprite?"

::Do you mean like the drink?::

"Don't be a smart ass, Roxy."

::Sorry, couldn't resist. No, I didn't. The reason why is because it was even hidden from you yourself.::

"But that doesn't make sense. You were stowed away in my mind all those years, how is it that you didn't see anything related to it?"

::I am ashamed to admit that I don't know. The only thing I can figure is that the memory was too far back for even me to notice.::

We made it to the gates shortly after our discussion. Just as he said, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Eomer, Faramir, Elladan, Elrohir, and Eowyn were waiting for us at the gates, each carrying either swords, knives, bows, or quivers. Aragorn did give me a rather odd look though.

"Something wrong?" I asked, trying to break the silence.

"Yes. Why aren't you wearing anything on your feet?"

"Well, I can't fight in my boots, and I didn't want Roxy to go barefoot so I gave her my shoes. I like to go barefoot anyways."

::That, and the boots Arlene wears totally clash with sweatpants.::

"Clash?" Gimli asked.

"Yeah, not looking right. What Roxy is saying is my boots wouldn't look right with these pants that I'm wearing."

"You girls truly have an odd way of saying things." Eomer said.

Aragorn shifted the bow and sword that he carried on his back. "Come now. We must be going. It is better that we start early so that we can be back at dusk."

When we reached the destination that Aragorn had picked out, a pretty good distance from the city I might add, we set our things down on the ground and waited for Aragorn to start barking orders.

"Before we begin, it would be a good idea to stretch our muscles."

"I didn't say anything but proceeded to follow through with my yoga exercises. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Roxy imitating each of my moves. Mama once told me that this was supposed to help relax the mind and body, but when I straightened back up, I was more tense then when I began.

"What's wrong now?" I asked, slightly annoyed.

No one spoke. Finally Gimli did. "We're just amazed that such a young lass like yourself can move like that. How is it possible?"

I put my arms behind me and continued to stretch. "Oh please, don't flatter me. Actually, what I'm doing is really popular back where I come from. It takes a great deal of time to become this flexible; it's not something someone can learn overnight." I looked over at Roxy, who just stood there with a smug look on her face. Don't say a word Roxy. "And it also helps that I took dance lessons when I was little."

"Alright, let's get started. I want you and Roxy to at least get the main points of fighting down today. Now, what did you bring?" Aragorn asked, rubbing his hands together,

I held up my bow, quiver, and sword. "My grandfather made each of these by hand before I was born. When I turned 13, he gave them to me as a birthday present and taught me how to use each before he died five years later, so I do have some skill."

"Good, that will save some time. Now," he began, picking up his sword, "I will go first. Come at me with everything you have. As far as everyone else is concerned, it would be a good idea to move back."

"Why's that?" I asked.

"Because you have hidden powers that are yet to be released. If you were on the sidelines, wouldn't you want to be out of range of any berserk attacks?"

"Good point."

Aragorn braced himself for any attack before he called "Now!"

My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword, my bare feet dug into the soft blades of grass and I lunged forward at the King. Our swords clashed, and he was able to block each of my maneuvers. No surprise, though I hadn't used my sword for a while, but I could still defend just as well as ever. At one point I even thought my eyes were playing tricks on me, because the friction of our swords were causing sparks to fly. The burning in my wrist made itself known to me again, and this gave Aragorn the leeway he needed to send me flying across the grass with the force of a Mumakil behind his sword.

"What happened?" Aragorn asked. "You were doing so well."

"It's my wrist. It's burning again." I winced.

Eowyn brought over a cloth soaked in cold water from a container she brought with her. I thanked her and slowly wrapped the semi-dripping cloth around my wrist. It seemed to dull the pain, but not much.

"I had a feeling that this would happen. The Lady mentioned something about the crow on your wrist to me before she left." Aragorn said.

"Well what did she say?"

"Keep in mind that this is just a theory, but she believes that it will be a key factor when you unlock a hidden power from within. I'm not sure how long you will have to bear the pain, she could not tell me."

"Well hell," I said standing back up and picking my sword from off the ground, "I just hope that it's gonna stop soon or I am so fucked."

Aragorn sighed and rubbed his temples. "There's something else we need to work on."

"Gee whiz, what could that possibly be?" I asked sarcastically.

He looked back up at me. "Your language."

"What's wrong with the way I talk?" I asked bewildered.

:: You talk worse than a truck driver with hemorrhoids sometimes Arlene. :: Roxy shouted to me.

I pulled a face at her. "Thanks for that visual, Roxy. But seriously, if you lived in my time you would hear more than that. Plus add in the fact that I'm not completely sane due to the influence of my family and you'd consider me normal compared to some quacks that I know."

Aragorn sparred with me for a little while longer before Eomer came up to bat. Now in the movies I had never really seen him swing a sword, so I didn't know what to expect. He had pretty good aim with a spear, but that was about as far as picked up because when he wasn't on a horse he was running his mouth. But now…now I was fighting blind, figuratively speaking of course.

"Don't go easy on me just because I'm a girl." I told him.

"Good because I wasn't planning on it." He smirked. It was strange to be going up against Eomer without his armor on; instead he wore what looked like a worn and faded long sleeve shirt and pants that he might wear underneath the armor. Guess he thought that since I was a girl I would fight like one as well. I wasn't about to let him think that.

"Instead of using a sword, I'd like to fight you barehanded, does that suit you?" he asked me.

I handed my sword to Roxy to use later. "Sounds fine by me. You can go first."

He nodded and took off running straight at me. I put my hands up to defend myself just in time; he was quicker than I expected. His knuckles were callused from the many battles he had seen and I was about to suggest some hand lotion when he back-handed me in the gut, once again sending me flying. Literally. I was up in the air. However, this time I didn't come back down.

"What in the name of Eru is going on?!" Elladan shouted.

"How the fuck am I supposed to know?!" I shouted back.

"Language, Lady Arlene, language…" Aragorn said through gritted teeth, rubbing his temples more.

"Could this be one of your new abilities?" Eowyn shouted.

:: Gee, whatever gave that away… :: I heard Roxy mutter under her breath.

Wow, even my hearing has improved. I wonder what else I can do? But how the hell am I staying in the air?! How do I get down?! Shit, I'll be lucky to land on my feet when I do.

It was then that I felt something odd inside, like some kind of aura that was pushed beneath me, keeping me afloat. Once I swallowed my fear and the adrenaline kicked in, I kicked with my legs and I went a little bit higher. Hmm…kind of like swimming. This made me think back to the Superman episodes and how he 'moved' so I gave it a try. Things were going along well until I started to feel drained, and I eased up on the energy I used and attempted to make a somewhat graceful landing. That's definitely gong to take some practice.

"Can we continue, or do you need a moment?" Eomer asked patiently.

I placed my hands on my knees and took a few deep breaths before answering. "I'll be fine. Just give me a moment…to catch…my breath…"

"Alright. Here…I…come!" I shouted, charging at him with full force. He dodged and blocked each of my punches, but he failed to miss the kick to the back of his right knee that brought him to the ground.

"That was a sneaky trick young lady," he said from his position on the ground.

I was hopping from one foot to the other with my fists up. "Ready for round two?" I asked mockingly.

"You really don't know when to keep your mouth shut do you? Where did you learn such moves?" he asked.

I stopped bouncing but kept my hands up. "From an old friend of mine. His name's Scott. Taught me how to fight and defend myself since I was 13. He would've started earlier, but my grandfather asked him to wait. I know more tricks to flooring a guy than you'll know."

"I'm impressed, but that will not stop me from getting back up. See? I'm standing again. What do you have to say to that?"

"The bigger they are, the harder they fall." I replied with a grin as he lunged at me again.

Eomer showed me on more than one occasion in our short sparring session that he had a great deal of strength behind his fists, but if whoever it was that wanted to kill me was planning on striking again, I think Eomer would be fit for wide-ranged battles better than close combat.

The twins volunteered to challenge me next. "Aw come on," I said, "Two against one?"

"Whoever said that this thing would fight fair?" they both answered and I was beat.

"Fine, but I want a break after this."

Despite the fact that they were twins, Elladan and Elrohir couldn't have been further apart in the sense of fighting. They were both quick on their feet; that's pretty much all that they had in common, other then their ability to use a bow.

Elrohir had a mean punch that sent me flying backwards again, this time tearing the ground up a little bit as I dug my feet in. Elladan was behind me in a matter of seconds and slammed his fists into the small of my back with a great amount of energy behind it. So now I was on the ground, coughing up a little bit of blood.

"Fuck!" I swore. Aragorn was about to chide me for my mouth again but I continued. "I think you forced my kidneys up into my lungs with that hit, Elladan!"

"Terribly sorry about that." he apologized.

"Yeah…you did say not to go easy on you." Elrohir reminded me.

"I know and you're forgiven Elladan," I said, standing back up and wiping the blood from my mouth. "Okay, let's keep going."

Eowyn seemed genuinely worried about my condition, however. "Shouldn't you stop right now and rest?"

Gimli put his opinion in. "You did cough up some blood young lass. Maybe you should rest."

"No, I'll be fine. We just got started after all. I'm not ready to take a break just yet."

But I think it was what Legolas said that made my blood boil. "And here I thought that you were the most stubborn that I have met., Gimli Clearly I was mistaken."

"You'd better watch it, Elf-boy! You still have to contend with me so don't go getting cocky over there on the sidelines."

"Elf-boy?" he asked.

"You heard me!"

Legolas was about to reply but Elladan broke in. "Legolas! Quit flirting with Arlene!"

"Yes, the same goes for you Arlene," Elrohir said, running at me again.

Who the hell classified that as flirting?! I thought.

I dodged his maneuver seconds before he would have collided into me. My temper was getting the better of me once again but this time it was different. Would you believe that I shot an energy blast from my hand?! Blazing fireballs! I don't think I've seen anyone move so fast, but what was funny was their comments on my new talent.

"Holy shit!" they both yelled from their positions on the ground. It was crystal clear to me that they had inadvertently picked up on the modern phrases. Hearing myself or Roxy say something like it was 'yeah, whatever,' but hearing it come out of two Elven brothers was just too funny. "What in Elebreth's name did you just do?!" they asked me. Well, that was short lived. I thought.

"I think I just found another way to use my energy," I replied. Sometimes I'm such a smart ass it just isn't funny. "Fine, I won't use that anymore," I assured them.

Elladan and Elrohir seemed skeptical about my word but they found it just as another excuse to get to hit me. We continued on and I found out that Elladan has better kicking power than with what he can do as far as punches, which were still strong. Elrohir seemed to be the one with the fists of iron. His only drawback was that he relied on that factor too much, and I was able to floor him in no time. So afterwards I showed him some ways that he could incorporate his feet into attacks; giving him the opportunity to move about and still use his hands so he wouldn't be taken down so quickly. As for Elladan I showed him some vital points that he wasn't aware of that could bring somebody down.

Aragorn gave me the signal that I could take a rest, and it couldn't have come sooner. I slumped down right there and refused t move. Turns out Eowyn brought food with her, which made me, Aragorn, and Gimli a little nervous. Last thing I needed was to get food poisoning. Fortunately she asked a cook to prepare something, so I felt a little better.

"This isn't much, but I thought that since you'd be out here all day you would need something to keep you going." She said, handing me a sandwich and some fruit.

"After the workout I've had over the last few hours or so, I'd take anything."

The sun was at it's peak, making the heat unbearable for me to train in, so I sat and watched Roxy. Turns out that she wasn't kidding when she said that she could copy my moves. There was just one setback. Where I had the physical strength that could execute each move perfectly, she did not. However, that was going to change. As soon as she finished her lessons with the twins, I had her doing push ups, sit ups, you name it. If she was going to come with me she would have to get stronger. My energy felt like it was still drained, but good news was, that bloody mark quit burning so I was able to take the now semi-damp cloth off it. I took the cloth and re-wet it again before lying back onto the ground and putting it over my eyes. Wouldn't you know it that the Elf just felt that he had to talk to me at that moment.

"If you're not feeling up to fighting me today it can wait."

The cloth stayed over my eyes. "Who says?"

"Not me, but it looks like you're exhausted."

I waved a hand back and forth. "So-so tired, but I ain't ready to quit yet. You heard what Aragorn said: We don't leave until sundown, and I won't budge until then."

"No matter how sore you are?"

"No matter how sore I am."

He lifted the cloth from my eyes and leaned over to meet my gaze. "Of all the females I have met, I think you are the most stubborn."

I was a little pissed that he wouldn't leave me be so that I could relax, but damn! He had some blue eyes! His stare was hypnotizing, but I wasn't in the mood to be wooed. "Thanks for the compliment."

His lips curled into a small smile. "Never have I met anyone like you before."

I smiled as well. "I can be a great friend to have or a horrible enemy to contend with, Leggy, take your pick."

"Leggy?"

"Yeah, thought it would be a nice nickname. Whadya think?"

"I think I find it annoying."

"Tough, that's what I'm gonna call you." I teased, putting the cloth back.

"Fine," he said, moving to sit beside me. "but I'll have to call you something. Now let's see…what shall your name be?"

:: How about Brat? :: Roxy suggested.

"That's good…but not quite there…I know, Elfbrat."

"WHAT?!" I groaned. "But I'm not even an Elf."

"Yes, but you are the closest creature to an Elf, you have the pointed ears…and you're a brat." He added finally.

"I am not," I pouted like a little kid. With the cloth over my eyes I didn't see his expression but I did hear him laugh. But before I knew what was happening he had grabbed my hand and pulled me up to my feet.

"Come now, Aragorn wants you to get back to training. Eowyn will be going against you now."

Must I? And just when I was getting comfortable too… As I laid the cloth down onto my quiver, I noticed that the sun was beginning to slowly fall behind the western horizon. Damn. I guess Leggy was right for once.

"So how do you want to do this, Eowyn?" I asked cracking my knuckles.

"I'd like to test you with the sword myself, does that suit you?"

I grabbed my sword and began to swing it around. "Sounds great to me."

Eowyn had more strength behind her swings and blocks than I gave her credit for in the movies. I mean the sword that she was using was heavier then any I have ever used, so I knew that this woman knew what she was doing. I think the only flaws that I seen were the confinements in the dress that she was wearing (Think of the one from ROTK, where she's getting some armor for Merry). Things would have definitely been different if she was wearing a tunic and leggings.

"You are far better skilled than I expected, Eowyn." I said, slowly making my way over to her. She just smiled and shook her head.

"Nay, I am not that good."

Roxy was chanting something about girl power from where everyone else was, but I wasn't paying that much attention. Because at that moment Legolas looked at me and said, "My turn."

Oh yes, I was especially looking forward to getting to spar with Leggy, cause then I'd have an excuse to hit him and get away with it. The look in his eyes seemed to say the same thing.

"So what'll it be?" I asked, referring to what choice of weapons he might want to use.

"I'll surprise you." Was all that he said before he came after me. I managed to dodge to the right as he passed me, but my left arm was out and he took that opportunity to grab me and swing me up into the air, knowing full well that my energy was close to empty.

He let go of me as I screamed, knowing that his hearing was very sensitive I chose to scream into his ears as I went up. Unfortunately, I didn't land on my feet when I came back down, to be specific, I landed square on my ass. Oh yeah…there's definitely gonna be a bruise there tomorrow. Leggy wouldn't even give me a chance to regain my footing. He floored me once again as I nearly go to my feet. As soon as the stars disappeared, I noticed that he was practically straddling me to the ground, so I did something a little immature to make him get off me.

I pulled his hair.

He gasps from surprise and slight pain for I hadn't pulled that hard, and that gave me the edge to flip us over, but I still couldn't get up. Did I want to?

"That's not fair," he breathed.

"Neither was flooring me before I could get up again," I countered.

Then he decided to be immature and kissed me on the end of my nose, just to be funny. "Ew! You're supposed to fight me, not kiss me on the nose!" I said, hopping off him and rubbing my nose.

"You're supposed to fight me, not pull my hair!" he mocked.

"Stuff it, Leggy."

"Make me, Elfbrat."

That did it. I ran back at him and he came at me. We met somewhere in the center and locked hands, trying to push the other back. It was all a matter of strength now. Clearly he had the advantage because he hadn't fought everyone else today like I had, but I still managed to hold my ground and even push him back once or twice. Leggy was using his full strength and he wasn't letting up, so I had to think quick. I tightened my grip on his hands and made to jump over his head and kick him between the shoulder blades, and I would have made it if it wasn't for him grabbing my ankles and slamming into the ground again.

"Legolas. Arlene. That's enough for today." I heard Aragorn say. My back and everything else was sore as hell, so I was glad to hear him say that.

"Great. But you might have to leave me here and come get me in the morning. I doubt that I can get up." I winced.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that I was being picked up and thrown over the shoulder of Legolas. "W-what are you doing?!"

"You said you were sore. I'm going to carry you back. Now don't argue with me Elfbrat."

I was too tired to struggle so I just crossed my arms and sighed, watching Roxy grab my things and hurry along behind us. It was then that I noticed that being carried this way gave me a very nice view of Elven booty. He wasn't wearing the elvish cloak that day; instead he just wore a silvery tunic and dark leggings. So what if he's annoying at times…he still ain't bad to look at. Maybe being carried like this isn't so bad after all…

Author's Note: I know, I know I haven't updated in like forever on this, but I didn't get a brainstorm until just recently. Sorry it's so long, but I didn't want to break this one day up into two chapters. This will be moving a bit faster in upcoming chapters, cause everyday I'm constantly getting new ideas. RR!Elfbrat18