Title: The Road is Destiny
Author: Firefly Lantern
Rating: PG-13 for language and violence
Author Note: Wow, I'm changing my author note; I haven't had any problems thus far with any "Tolkien-Purists" swatting at me with their autographed copies of the Fellowship of the Ring, phew! Not that there is anything wrong with digging JRR ^.- .
Disclaimer: JRR owns the LOTR characters. Any other modern things mentioned here belong to the makers, etc.
Oh, and P.S. AH! -53- reviews!!!! W@wzers! BIG hugs and party hats to everyone who has written a review! Thanks for hanging in here with me! I am SO sorry for not writing in sooooo long! I am going to work extra hard over holiday break to start getting more chapters out. Yay! Everyone go see TTT, it's out and it's awesome!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
_The Road is Destiny_
"Do you wish to return to the tavern?"" Legolas asked in a polite, detached voice. His eyes were lost in a trance as he stared down the road.
"We should head back, the others are probably wondering if we got lost." Julie admitted. Legolas gave a slight smile, more strained than sincere, and mannerly offered his arm. Julie accepted and found herself at his side once more, comforted by the warmth of his body. She and Legolas would share a special bond no matter what the future held. She felt it in her heart. Was she right?
"Legolas. Please. Don't shut me out. No matter what happens, I will be your friend. I promise." She stopped and held onto his elbow as if pleading. Her eyes shone with the painful force of honesty.
"Do you swear it, Julie?" He asked slowly and clearly. The question was given to her in such a bland voice, void of bias, hope, or scorn. Any answer, good or bad, would be accepted. Was he hiding his own fear?
"Yes, I swear it. The bracelet I gave you can be proof of it, remember? I gave it to you to show I had trust in you."
"Then I must give something to you in return." An enigmatic slant tilted his face as he amused himself with his private thoughts. He obviously knew what he was giving her, but he wasn't going to share his secret.
"What?"
"Later I shall give you a surprise."
"All right, but it better not be a bow and arrows. I'm terrible with it."
"As the lady prefers." He did a slight bow and Julie moved to swat at his shoulder. He caught her hand and both girl and Elf froze, watching one another. Legolas reclined his head in earnest and Julie quirked an eyebrow before they continued their walk back.
"Legolas, will you teach me how to fight?" Julie blurted. " I really want to learn how. I need to learn how."
"You have fared well thus far. I've never seen a broom wielded by more capable hands." That sly, impish grin curled the corner of his lips; he did he best to hide his smiles as well as his feelings, Julie noticed. If only she were as cool and composed.
"Heh, you should get a look at me when I just have my trusty purse. Back home, purses that big are called "man beaters" for a good reason." She laughed. "Really though. I don't want to be helpless in the next fight I'm in. I don't care if it's not a woman's place to fight. I want to be able to handle myself."
Legolas nodded in false agreement. Julie could never be helpless, especially with him watching over her. He forbid anything to happen, he did not want her to be exposed to the gruesome bloodshed of battle. Had she ever seen a man take a mortal wound? Had she ever witnessed a man die at the hands of a sword? He shuddered at the horror yet unknown to her. It was his duty, as the one who found her and swore her protection on his kingdom, to ensure her safety. Did she realize it? His arrow was the arrow that found its mark on the disfigured forehead of the Orc that attacked her in the forest.
He saw how the Orcs attention was split on Frodo and the girl from Ohio. Perhaps ht e Orcs were attracted by her perfume? Or the knowledge that women and children were usually the easiest targets to kill in a fight. Orcs were not attracted by beauty; they spurned and despised it.
He glanced at Julie from the corner of his Elf-eyes. How could he find a child of man to be so beautiful? She was not tall and reed-slender as an Elf. She was. small and had a figure that curved enticingly as if asking to be smoothed over with the gentle hands of a lover.
"Where did you learn hand-to-hand combat? Those men outside the tavern were strong and reeked with ale."
"From a woman's seminar at college. An officer from the Marine Corps came in and taught us a few things like an eye gouge, arm hold, wristlock, and a simple takedown."
Legolas was impressed.
"What was your craft in Ohio? Did you farm? Weave? Sew clothes? Or were you of high society?"
"Me? Farm?! On no, never. I was a student and . a barmaid. A respectable one. I served customers their food and drinks. And if anyone had touched me, they'd have been thrown out. There are sexual harassment laws against stupid stuff like that." Heck, the wench-wages in Middle-Earth were probably more than what J.R. Hickory paid his employees at the "Hickory Stick", the most back-woods 'hick-ery' in the state. Julie laughed to herself at the memories of working there. "Hmm. I'll probably have to learn a craft now. Should I be the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker?"
They made way through the tavern and made haste up the stairs. Legolas' knuckles rapped a lively beat on the heavy wood of the room's door. An equally quick rhythm tapped from the other side; to which Legolas replied with a third and different rhythm. What was this, dueling door-knockers? The door opened by the hands of a relieved Merry.
"Enjoy your walk, Julie?"
"Yes, the fresh air was good for me." She patted his head when he moved to close the door behind Legolas.
"Shouldn't you be resting and not walking?" Pippin asked in a slightly accusing tone. It hid his worry.
"Er. well."
"Aye, rest, lass. Tomorrow, we begin on our journey once more. The nearest village is at least a week's travel away." Gimli urged. A week!? Julie's eyes widened. This was turning out to be one long, peril-wrought camping trip from hell.
"Okay, I'll go 'get my rest on' since you guys are so pushy about it." Julie grumbled and slumped her shoulders. "I'm not delicate, you know. Because I'm a girl. I played soccer in high school." She said proudly.
Everyone stared blankly at her. What was soccer? Their puzzled faces asked. "Nevermind. Save some dinner for me." She grumbled to herself and waved to everyone as she sluffed behind the privacy screen. She suddenly felt very alone again, even though she was in a small room with 9 men. It was like being the only girl in a Boys-Only treehouse club, and she was the one who had to leave.
She did not belong here.
Something told Julie the next week was going to be a rough haul. She refused to let herself give up or fall into despair; she didn't have the option of quitting and going home.
Julie began to pace in front of the small window and watched Eris circle above the village below. The ebony Griffin-hawk's wings curled like wisps of smokes as she glided on a breeze. Eris appeared so peaceful and free. Julie was envious.
She stretched out on her bed and started out the window. What was out there for her? What dangers and adventures were waiting for her? Her own adventure started in the middle of an even grander happening- whatever Frodo and those guys were up to that involved Orcs and a ring. By coming to Middle-Earth, her fate was now intertwined with the fates of the Nine. Was her presence in this world an interference with the greater scheme of their lives? Could she somehow force them to travel the wrong road?
The unanswerable questions frustrated Julie and weakened her resolve to be strong. She would follow wherever Aragorn would lead because he knew the way to take without getting lost. He'd take her to her new home and from that moment on, her connections to her new friends would be broken. Wouldn't they?
It was painful to think about, but Julie felt they had a right to their own destinies without her interference. She reached for her journal and scribbled her scattered thought on a fresh, neatly lined page. The words "road" and "destiny" caught her eye and captivated her. Everything else blurred out of sight in her mind. Struck by inspiration, she flipped to the front cover of the journal-and empty page that her fingers itched to write on-and carefully penned:
the road is destiny.
The phrase held a special meaning to her; nothing else could come close to capturing how she felt. Julie didn't have a clue where she was going, but it wasn't like she had a choice in the matter. Hopefully, she would see Legolas again. She did not want to lose him to battle, or the forgetfulness often caused by time. She put her journal away and hugged Pierre to her chest. He was her only shred of comfort left, and she did not want to let go.
Author: Firefly Lantern
Rating: PG-13 for language and violence
Author Note: Wow, I'm changing my author note; I haven't had any problems thus far with any "Tolkien-Purists" swatting at me with their autographed copies of the Fellowship of the Ring, phew! Not that there is anything wrong with digging JRR ^.- .
Disclaimer: JRR owns the LOTR characters. Any other modern things mentioned here belong to the makers, etc.
Oh, and P.S. AH! -53- reviews!!!! W@wzers! BIG hugs and party hats to everyone who has written a review! Thanks for hanging in here with me! I am SO sorry for not writing in sooooo long! I am going to work extra hard over holiday break to start getting more chapters out. Yay! Everyone go see TTT, it's out and it's awesome!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
_The Road is Destiny_
"Do you wish to return to the tavern?"" Legolas asked in a polite, detached voice. His eyes were lost in a trance as he stared down the road.
"We should head back, the others are probably wondering if we got lost." Julie admitted. Legolas gave a slight smile, more strained than sincere, and mannerly offered his arm. Julie accepted and found herself at his side once more, comforted by the warmth of his body. She and Legolas would share a special bond no matter what the future held. She felt it in her heart. Was she right?
"Legolas. Please. Don't shut me out. No matter what happens, I will be your friend. I promise." She stopped and held onto his elbow as if pleading. Her eyes shone with the painful force of honesty.
"Do you swear it, Julie?" He asked slowly and clearly. The question was given to her in such a bland voice, void of bias, hope, or scorn. Any answer, good or bad, would be accepted. Was he hiding his own fear?
"Yes, I swear it. The bracelet I gave you can be proof of it, remember? I gave it to you to show I had trust in you."
"Then I must give something to you in return." An enigmatic slant tilted his face as he amused himself with his private thoughts. He obviously knew what he was giving her, but he wasn't going to share his secret.
"What?"
"Later I shall give you a surprise."
"All right, but it better not be a bow and arrows. I'm terrible with it."
"As the lady prefers." He did a slight bow and Julie moved to swat at his shoulder. He caught her hand and both girl and Elf froze, watching one another. Legolas reclined his head in earnest and Julie quirked an eyebrow before they continued their walk back.
"Legolas, will you teach me how to fight?" Julie blurted. " I really want to learn how. I need to learn how."
"You have fared well thus far. I've never seen a broom wielded by more capable hands." That sly, impish grin curled the corner of his lips; he did he best to hide his smiles as well as his feelings, Julie noticed. If only she were as cool and composed.
"Heh, you should get a look at me when I just have my trusty purse. Back home, purses that big are called "man beaters" for a good reason." She laughed. "Really though. I don't want to be helpless in the next fight I'm in. I don't care if it's not a woman's place to fight. I want to be able to handle myself."
Legolas nodded in false agreement. Julie could never be helpless, especially with him watching over her. He forbid anything to happen, he did not want her to be exposed to the gruesome bloodshed of battle. Had she ever seen a man take a mortal wound? Had she ever witnessed a man die at the hands of a sword? He shuddered at the horror yet unknown to her. It was his duty, as the one who found her and swore her protection on his kingdom, to ensure her safety. Did she realize it? His arrow was the arrow that found its mark on the disfigured forehead of the Orc that attacked her in the forest.
He saw how the Orcs attention was split on Frodo and the girl from Ohio. Perhaps ht e Orcs were attracted by her perfume? Or the knowledge that women and children were usually the easiest targets to kill in a fight. Orcs were not attracted by beauty; they spurned and despised it.
He glanced at Julie from the corner of his Elf-eyes. How could he find a child of man to be so beautiful? She was not tall and reed-slender as an Elf. She was. small and had a figure that curved enticingly as if asking to be smoothed over with the gentle hands of a lover.
"Where did you learn hand-to-hand combat? Those men outside the tavern were strong and reeked with ale."
"From a woman's seminar at college. An officer from the Marine Corps came in and taught us a few things like an eye gouge, arm hold, wristlock, and a simple takedown."
Legolas was impressed.
"What was your craft in Ohio? Did you farm? Weave? Sew clothes? Or were you of high society?"
"Me? Farm?! On no, never. I was a student and . a barmaid. A respectable one. I served customers their food and drinks. And if anyone had touched me, they'd have been thrown out. There are sexual harassment laws against stupid stuff like that." Heck, the wench-wages in Middle-Earth were probably more than what J.R. Hickory paid his employees at the "Hickory Stick", the most back-woods 'hick-ery' in the state. Julie laughed to herself at the memories of working there. "Hmm. I'll probably have to learn a craft now. Should I be the butcher, the baker, or the candlestick maker?"
They made way through the tavern and made haste up the stairs. Legolas' knuckles rapped a lively beat on the heavy wood of the room's door. An equally quick rhythm tapped from the other side; to which Legolas replied with a third and different rhythm. What was this, dueling door-knockers? The door opened by the hands of a relieved Merry.
"Enjoy your walk, Julie?"
"Yes, the fresh air was good for me." She patted his head when he moved to close the door behind Legolas.
"Shouldn't you be resting and not walking?" Pippin asked in a slightly accusing tone. It hid his worry.
"Er. well."
"Aye, rest, lass. Tomorrow, we begin on our journey once more. The nearest village is at least a week's travel away." Gimli urged. A week!? Julie's eyes widened. This was turning out to be one long, peril-wrought camping trip from hell.
"Okay, I'll go 'get my rest on' since you guys are so pushy about it." Julie grumbled and slumped her shoulders. "I'm not delicate, you know. Because I'm a girl. I played soccer in high school." She said proudly.
Everyone stared blankly at her. What was soccer? Their puzzled faces asked. "Nevermind. Save some dinner for me." She grumbled to herself and waved to everyone as she sluffed behind the privacy screen. She suddenly felt very alone again, even though she was in a small room with 9 men. It was like being the only girl in a Boys-Only treehouse club, and she was the one who had to leave.
She did not belong here.
Something told Julie the next week was going to be a rough haul. She refused to let herself give up or fall into despair; she didn't have the option of quitting and going home.
Julie began to pace in front of the small window and watched Eris circle above the village below. The ebony Griffin-hawk's wings curled like wisps of smokes as she glided on a breeze. Eris appeared so peaceful and free. Julie was envious.
She stretched out on her bed and started out the window. What was out there for her? What dangers and adventures were waiting for her? Her own adventure started in the middle of an even grander happening- whatever Frodo and those guys were up to that involved Orcs and a ring. By coming to Middle-Earth, her fate was now intertwined with the fates of the Nine. Was her presence in this world an interference with the greater scheme of their lives? Could she somehow force them to travel the wrong road?
The unanswerable questions frustrated Julie and weakened her resolve to be strong. She would follow wherever Aragorn would lead because he knew the way to take without getting lost. He'd take her to her new home and from that moment on, her connections to her new friends would be broken. Wouldn't they?
It was painful to think about, but Julie felt they had a right to their own destinies without her interference. She reached for her journal and scribbled her scattered thought on a fresh, neatly lined page. The words "road" and "destiny" caught her eye and captivated her. Everything else blurred out of sight in her mind. Struck by inspiration, she flipped to the front cover of the journal-and empty page that her fingers itched to write on-and carefully penned:
the road is destiny.
The phrase held a special meaning to her; nothing else could come close to capturing how she felt. Julie didn't have a clue where she was going, but it wasn't like she had a choice in the matter. Hopefully, she would see Legolas again. She did not want to lose him to battle, or the forgetfulness often caused by time. She put her journal away and hugged Pierre to her chest. He was her only shred of comfort left, and she did not want to let go.
