Alright, hey yall! What's up? (dodges flying objects being hurled at head) Jeez, sorry about not updating as much as I said I would. I have some good news and some bad news. The good news if that I have a co-writer on this story now. Her name's Sammy but everyone calls her Whistler. She doesn't have an account on so don't waste your time looking. Also, it might take longer to get more chapters up, but I'm trying! That's the bad news. Anyway, she has a few words to say before the chapter begins.
Whistler: Hi everyone, Like Elfbrat18 said, I'm Whistler. From time to time I'll take control of the computer and send her off to do something else until she gets some ideas. So if the story starts to sound different, just look up at the top and check to see if I wrote it. Oh, and I might also make appearances in Elfbrat's other stories as well.
Elfbrat18: Except for Remember Me?.
Whistler: Why's that?
Elfbrat18: It was a one-chapter fic.
Whistler: NOOOO!
Elfbrat18: … get a grip…there might be a sequel…
Whistler: Really? (looks hopeful)
Elfbrat18: I said there MIGHT…there's a big difference between there might and there is-
Whistler: (flailing arms about madly)Attention everybody out there in cyberspace! Ask Elfbrat to make a sequel for Remember Me, but she needs some ideas so-
Elfbrat18: (clamps hand over Whistler's mouth) She forgets that I have many, many more fic ideas up on my computer that I want to start-
Whistler: Don't listen to her, she's crazy! (flinches at the sound of ducktape being pulled) (gets panicked look on face as Elfbrat starts to edge closer) Anyway, lovely meeting everyone…ask sweetly for sequel…enjoy the next chapter…AAAAAAHHHHHH! (runs off screaming with the cackling laughter of Elfbrat in the background) (muwahahahaha…)
: She's Not Just A Pretty Face :
(Roxy's POV)
I woke up earlier then Arlene had, so I moved quickly and quietly so as not to wake her. The sun wasn't even out, and I much doubted that anyone else would be awake. Skipping out on a bath, I put on some jeans Arlene had loaned me and a shirt Anamaria had sewn for me. Without so much a glance I left the room.
It had been three weeks to the day since I had 'officially' become acquainted with Arlene and so much has happened in that short amount of time. Someone, or something is out to kill her, and she wants to leave and face whatever it is head on. Now tell me, is that sane? Well, I've already sworn that I would stay by her side, so maybe I've lost my mind as well. I don't know if we'll be leaving by ourselves, but I doubt that Aragorn will let us go, and I have a definite feeling that decision won't settle over too well with Arlene.
To make matters worse, not two days ago Pippin reported to us with some folded pieces of paper that a messenger dropped off. We were about to start training again when he and the other Hobbits came running up to the group.
Flashback…
"Lady Arlene! Lady Arlene!" I heard the Took's voice carry across the fields. "There is a message for you." He finished in-between breaths as he stopped in front of her.
Arlene took the papers and unfolded them. I watched as the expression on her face turned from shock, to sadness, to worried, and finally to livid all in one quick motion. :What's wrong:
"Nothing." She replied, holding back the tears that threatened to fall. "Nothing's wrong."
I walked over and grabbed her by the arm. :Dammit Arlene! Don't lie! I can tell by just looking at your expression. Now if you don't tell me what's wrong I'm going to be forced to beat it out of you:
Arlene, and I imagine the others, were staring at me in shock. I didn't care, though. Something was wrong with my best friend and I wanted to know what it was that made her upset.
Said friend jerked out of my grasp. "Fine. You obviously want to know. So I'll tell you; better yet, I'll read it to you, so listen up, I'm not repeating myself." Arlene said, unfolding the letter again.
"Greetings and salutations my dear Arlene. I was quite surprised to hear word that you were still alive. Apparently my soldiers aren't as capable as I made them out to be. I suppose you are wondering why they tried to kill you. You will find out soon, but not just yet. I have been watching you; and I know what it is that you are planning. And I will be waiting, but not alone.
You might be asking yourself now, 'what do you mean?' As it turns out, I happened to come across two particular acquaintances of yours, a Miss Billy Jean Valcen and a Miss Gabriel Turner. Surely you haven't forgotten about your two best friends? They've been wondering about your whereabouts. I could assure them that you are alive…just as I could assure you that they are as well…but would you believe me?
In the past I have spoken many lies, as you remember dear Arlene, and as the rest you didn't believe me. But she did. You know who I speak of. She always believed me.
When you think you are ready, come and find me. I'll give you a clue about my whereabouts; it's on the next paper. You must think that I am making it easy for you, but I'm not. I'm making it harder on you. I'm going to push you to the limits of your sanity and force you to make the hardest decisions of your life." Arlene paused, then flipped the papers around. "Here's the 'clue:'"
"And so they shall name her Aura
Without them she would not exist
The shining girl Aura
We will entrust her with our will
The future is in our hands
She is our-
I must
Speak with Anagarom
To go where she is
The living flesh poses a hindrance
But I must
I must go for our Aura
Memnon, please give me a little more
courage
No…the passage of time
is irreversible
birth or death
now only these two
choices remain
Aura is the child of light
Memnon's daughter
my protector
The end will make itself known
Soldier, take this to heart
It is darkest before the dawn"
"But what does that mean?" I heard Aragorn ask from behind me.
Arlene shook her head. "I don't know. From what I can gather, he knows where we are, what I'm planning, but more importantly, he knows about my friends!"
I put my arm around Arlene's shoulders. :Hey, don't get upset. You don't know for sure if this freak's bluffing or not. This guy's trying to trip you up so that he can catch you of guard. We're here for you, you're not alone in this.:
I heard her sigh as I felt her muscles shift. "I know, I know that. But what I don't know is if my friends are alright. I can't get to them, much less be able to contact them in any shape or form. What can you do about that, huh?"
For a while no one spoke. I was beat. Arlene put me in a position where I didn't have an answer, even one that would satisfy her. Luckily Gimli thought of something, or rather someone.
"Did you forget about the Lady Galadriel, lass? Surely she would be able to help you locate your friends."
"This isn't her concern, Master Dwarf. I appreciate your suggestion, but I would rather not bring anymore into this conflict. It's my problem, and here I've got all of you mixed up in my mess."
Eowyn cam up on Arlene's other side. "Gimli is right. And so are you, but you will need all of the help that you can get."
"I will send a messenger to Lothlorien to summon the Lord and Lady by my request." Aragorn said. "If there is any chance that she can help locate the status of your friends, then she will come. I can tell that she has a special place for you in her heart, Arlene."
Arlene didn't respond to the king's comment. Instead she picked up her sword and said simply, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get back to training."
But the look in her eyes was different. She had more of a purpose for her revenge.
End Flashback…
As I reached the bottom of the stairs, it was clear that not even the servants had woken up. My stomach made an odd gurgling noise telling me, 'eat now or there's going to be trouble.' So I made a B-line for the kitchen, grabbed a couple of apples and made my way to the stables.
:Hey, Morwen, how are you this morning:
She replied with a whinny and bob of her head. So you know, Morwen was the horse given to me by Aragorn. She was one of many that survived the War of the Ring. From what I was told, she carried one of the soldiers that rode alongside Faramir in an attempt to regain control of Osgilliath.
I hopped up onto the gate and scratched her nose. Morwen looked at the apple in my hand and then back up at me with hopeful eyes.
: I know you want some, but I don't have anything to cut it with. :
"Maybe I could be of service," a voice said behind me, reaching around my left side, holding up a small knife. I took it and smiled.
: Thank you very much, Legolas : Morwen nudged me with her nose. :Oh, and Morwen says thank you too.:
"Well you are very welcome," he said, bowing slightly to each of us.
:You hungry: I asked, tossing him the other apple.
"Somewhat, thank you," he said, taking a bite out of the apple. "What brings you out here this early morn?"
:I woke up early, as did my stomach, and I couldn't go back to sleep. I ought to ask you the same question: I began, slicing the fruit in half, giving one halve to Morwen and biting into the other.
"Elves don't require much sleep, and I normally wake with the sun, but my mind refuses to let me put aside something that is plaguing it."
:What's on your mind:
"Arlene."
:Oh, I see. You fancy her, right:
"I'm not sure," he said, his brow furrowing. "I'm not sure what to think. She's quite the unique person."
:That she is: I said, finishing off my apple and hopping down off the gate. 'Ow…my butt hurts.' I grabbed a brush and opened the gate to give Morwen a good brushing. After all, I needed something to do while I listened to Legolas. :So what's the problem:
"She seems standoffish to everyone but women, and it's like she's trying to avoid me of all people. Have I done something wrong?"
I didn't know what to tell him. Arlene could mask her emotions somewhat well, and I couldn't read her mind so I didn't know if she 'liked him' liked him or not.
:Sorry, but I'm not sure what to tell you, Legolas. I don't even know. You see, Arlene is very…complex. She's not just a pretty face. From what I can gather, her childhood was rocky. Everyone from her parents to her oldest cousin had constant disagreements. She's told me that there was even one point where two of her uncles nearly killed another because he was abusing her grandmother's sister. So, she has a dislike to the men in her family and thus it takes her time to trust men…and in this case males in general.: I added, noticing the look said elf gave me.
"How long do you think that will be?" he asked with hopeful eyes.
I shrugged my shoulders. :Who knows? She's unpredictable. Just give her time, she'll come around.:
My heart sank at his crestfallen expression and I nearly scrambled my brain trying to think of something to lift his spirits.
:Hey, I've got it: I nearly shouted.
"What?"
:Arlene told me that she hasn't been on a horse in years. You're a skilled rider. You can help her remember how to ride:
He nodded his head. "Yes, that is a good idea."
:Yeah, and maybe this way she'll open up to you:
"Alright, I'll do it! Thanks for the advice, Roxy."
:My pleasure, Legolas: I waved to him as he left. 'Now maybe the girl will open up for once.'
I scratched Morwen's nose once more before I closed the gate. :The sun's up, and so's my stomach. I'm gonna go get some breakfast and I'll see you later, Morwen.:
Elfbrat18: Well, that's it. So what did you think?
Whistler: I think it was a bit on the lighter side.
Elfbrat18: What's that mean?
Whistler: I'm just saying that there's no bloodshed! Where's the gore? Where's the flesh being shredded? Where's the squished eyeballs? Where's the-
(The sounds of Whistler being restrained can be heard in the background)
Elfbrat18: That's because I haven't gotten to that part yet. But never fear, if it's violence you wanna read, it'll be coming up very very soon. I think it might start after the next few chapters, I'm not exactly sure, but I can guarantee it will be soon! So tell me what and Whistler what you think!