Happy birthday, Hish!
by Odeena Skywalker
Chapter 6: Happy Birthday, Hish!
After a brief stop at Fantastic Fast Food, I took Hish and a very gloomy-looking Figwit on a complete tour of the city. There wasn't really much to show, seeing as my city is pretty small; still, I found a few interesting places and buildings and did my best to offer the two a detailed description of each. Of course, the results weren't that bright...
"And, to your left, you can see a weird statue that looks like half a rooster on a stick. That's a monument dedicated to the fallen heroes of World War Two. Also-"
"What does half a rooster have to do with World War two?" Figwit cut in, raising an eyebrow.
I shrugged, "How should I know?"
"Well, because you live in this city", he answered simply.
"Point", Hish interjected with a smirk.
"So you two are already ganging up on me..." I sighed. "Maybe they used to eat roosters in World War Two. Next off, we have that very interesting building on your right, which was supposed to be the local police headquarters until someone claimed it as an heritage left by some distant relative. It's pretty much deserted now."
"And why is this building important?"
I rolled my eyes. "Figwit, shut up."
"But-"
"I said..."
"He was just curious, that's all", Hish cut in, taking Figwit's arm and cuddling closer to the elf. "It's not like it's a crime or something."
I sighed. "That elf is curious all the time..."
About an hour later, I pulled over in front of my house. If it hadn't been for Hish, Figwit would have been missing several locks of hair by then. However, seeing as my friend seemed to be very fond of the elf, the only thing I could do was to shoot death glares at him in the rearview. As we got out of the car, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. I didn't have much time to ponder that though...
"Nice house!" Hish said, grinning at me.
"Madhouse, more likely... Don't let the looks deceive you, Hish. That place is hell on Earth."
"With the entire Fellowship in there?" Hish shook her head, "I don't think so."
"Well, you'll see", I said prophetically. "Now..." I paused as the door of the house opened, and a very smug-looking Elrond, wearing - as I noticed - one of his festive robes, walked outside.
"I welcome to my humble home, friend", he said officially, bowing.
"It's my home, thank you very much", I muttered under my breath. Elrond didn't seem to notice or care.
"Please, do come in", he continued, beckoning Hish towards the door. I turned to my friend. She was smiling broadly now, and took a step forward.
"Wait... I'm coming, too." I turned to Figwit, "Could you please help us with the luggage? Thanks!" As the elf opened his mouth to protest, I took Hish's arm and nudged her forward. I did my best not to giggle as we walked past Elrond. The elven lord bowed to us once again, and then hurried to open the door.
"Is he always so courteous?" Hish whispered into my ear.
"Not really..." I was going to say something else, but the sight that met my eyes as we entered the hall immediately made me forget about everything else.
All the Fellowship were gathered there. Arwen and Eowyn were wearing their best dresses and shooting death glares at each other. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Frodo looked simply adorable in their hobbit-ish suits. Boromir and Faramir were wearing their ceremony clothes, while Aragorn had put on his official 'King of Gondor' attire, as well as his would-be crown, which Boromir eyed wistuflly from time to time. The elves were dressed in their usual tunics, except for Haldir, who was wearing a very elegant robe. Finally, a fresh and clean Gollum was crouching in a corner and eyeing us curiously.
It didn't take me more than a second or two to take in all this. Before I could say anything, however, everyone started to sing their own version of 'Happy birthday!' Needless to say that nearly everyone was off-key, but that really wasn't the point. Hish was enchanted, and, as a result, so was I.
"This is too much..." she muttered between giggles as Haldir advanced and offered her a bunch of flowers. "Did you plan all this for me?"
I shook my head, "I had no idea about this."
"I planned it", Boromir shouted proudly, making his way towards us. "Welcome, kid! Oh, and happy birthday, by the way." He put a hand on his chest, above his heart. "And know that I, Boromir of Gondor, hereby give my word not to cause any mischief while you will be staying here."
"Don't believe him", I cut in. "He said that to me at least fifty times.
"I mean it this time!" Boromir said, looking offended. "And..." Suddenly, he stopped and scratched his head. "Um... what's the time?"
I raised an eyebrow, but I took out my cell phone and looked at the time. "Well, it's a few minutes to three thirty. Why?"
"What time does your train leave?"
"Train? What train?" I asked, puzzled.
The thought hit both of us at the same time. "Good god!" I shouted, causing everyone else around to stop what they were doing and glare at me. "The train! My cousin! I'm late!"
"I'll go get your luggage!" Boromir shouted, zooming up the stairs. "Get the car keys!" Suddenly, a loud crash came from upstairs, followed by an even louder curse. I grinned despite myself.
"Well, kid, I really have to go now", I said, turning towards Hish. "Sorry we didn't get to hang out much, but I think I already told you that my family is plain evil..." I elbowed her, "You take care of these guys, OK?"
She grinned and took two fingers at her right brow in a mock salute, "Aye. You take care, too."
Just then, Boromir came rushing down the stairs, with a suitcase in each hand and my backpack dangling on a shoulder. "I think I got everything", he panted. "Got the keys?"
"Here", I said, ringing the small bundle of keys under his nose.
"Well then, what are you waiting for? C'mon!" With that, Boromir rushed outside.
"Are you really going to trust him to drive?" Hish asked, raising an eyebrow.
I giggled, "Of course not. After all, I still got the keys, right?" I shook her hand vigorously. "All right then... good luck with these loons, and I'll be seeing you... soon."
We shook hands, and then I waved to the other guys and ran outside. I looked at my cell phone watch again. Boromir and I had precisely seven minutes to get to the station. My luggage was crammed in the back of the car, and I thanked whatever gods were up there that I didn't have anything fragile in it, or else it would have been in pieces by now. Boromir was already installed in the driver's seat, and this time I didn't have time to argue about it. I got in the car, slammed the door and thrust him the keys, "Step on it".
Boromir winked at me as he thrust the key into the contact. "Did you fasten your seatbelt?"
"Working on it..." I muttered.
"All right then. Hold tight!" His last words were covered by a loud tire screech as the car jerked forward.
I sighed and I rolled my eyes. At that moment, the only thing I was praying for was that we made it to the train station in one piece...
Think this is where the story ends? Well, think again! There's still one little story left to be told in the next and final chapter! Stay tuned!
Author's note: Sorry I'm a little late with the update again... school contests are eating up nearly all my free time these days. As always, I hope you liked this chapter. Please review! And the review responses go as follows:
ApocalypticPyro - Yup, I'm alive... I think... (cough) Although if I keep it up working 24/7 like I do now, I'll be brain dead pretty soon... :P
Eris - Well, I updated... Hope I didn't take that long, so you didn't have to tear your hair out waiting :)
Manwathiel - Thankies:)
