Me Title: The Road is Destiny
Author: Firefly Lantern
Rating: PG-13 for language and violence
Author Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and who is staying with the story! I'll try not to take too many liberties with the Tolkienverse.
Disclaimer: JRR owns the LOTR characters. Any other modern things mentioned here belong to the makers, etc.
Oh, and P.S. Yay, another chapter! Sorry for all the typos, ladies and gents, but for some reason my "spellchecker" doesn't do a very good job. I guess I should ~pay~ Pippin for his work, or find a booster chair for him so he can actually sit and comfortably and reach the keyboard [instead of having to stand on my LOTR boxed trilogy set]. ::cracks the whip!::. What? Running a fanfiction mill with Hobbits as spellcheckers and typist-slaves? Nooooo. Who, me?
Extra note: (Teh typos are not Pippin's falut !!1 He kneeds a better chair and a labour union!)
Just some typo humour ^_^*.
_The Road is Destiny_
Julie was awake the instant her eyes opened.
She sat up and kicked her feet over the edge of the bed. The world outside the window was still dark and cold, but she felt the morning sun would soon be rising. Yay for getting up early, Julie almost grimaced as she unfolded her clothes. Dang, she really needed to brush her teeth. And oddly enough, she had a toothbrush, thanks to Boromir. Heh, she never would have expected the peoples of Middle-Earth to care about their dental hygiene, but they did. The brushes they used were made from bone and bristle and were cheap enough for anybody to own. The downside was that instead of having minty-fresh, kissable-clean toothpaste, the only kind of 'toothpaste' available here was a blue-green mixture of salts and minerals that reminded Julie of gritty sea algae. Cack! Her nose wrinkled even as she thought about the foul concoction. Julie smiled as she quietly laced up her boots; at least two people on the other side of the screen were snoring, but she couldn't tell who.
She had stayed in the room last night as the men-crew went drinking . again. The wine from last night still made her head fuzzy; she couldn't take being hung over if she had to be hiking through the wilderness in the early morning. Uh-uh. No way; no how. Boromir offered to stay upstairs with her for a while, and she was flattered at his kindness. He was a serious, almost tortured man, Julie noticed. He didn't seem to take well to stress, and she wished he would go downstairs and get punch-drunk. And relax, for his own sake. If anyone needed to get liquored up, it was Boromir. Pippin had then replaced Boromir as her babysitter, and the Hobbit was clever enough to bring two steins and a large pitcher of ale.
Hobbits were such mini-alcoholics! It was astonishing. Those little guys liked getting sloshed off their rockers, and could probably out-drink a fraternity of college boys.
Julie folded the heavy length of her cloak and rested her halberd on the bedcovers. It was such an intimidating weapon, and Julie was glad that Boromir helped her buy one that wasn't too long or cumbersome. Yes, it was definitely something she could drag into the forest and poke at some Orcs with. Now, she had to learn how to use it .
"Julie. Are you awake?" A little voice whispered.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"I had a nightmare." Merry's blonde head peeked from behind the privacy screen. His dark eyes reminded Julie of the innocent eyes of a fawn.
"I know how ~that~ goes. C'mon over." She moved her halberd, purse, and cloak and helped hoist him onto her bed. "Are you okay? You look pale." She squinted as the dim moonlight began to fade. Merry leaped at her as if he had springs on his feet and hugged her tight.
"I dreamed you were kidnapped by a cloaked rider . and I couldn't move to help you. He took you away, and there was nothing I could do. I know I woke up, but I thought it was real. I wanted to make sure you were still here... I'm sorry for bringing you, Julie. I mean, for taking you from your home." He stammered. "It's all my fault. I'm so sorry . ! "
She cradled his head in the nook of her neck. Tears caused his voice to croak. Suddenly, she felt stupid for being such a crybaby when others were obviously [or not so obviously] suffering in more pain.
"Merry, hey! It's all good. Everything's cool. It was an accident. You didn't mean to do it, and that's all that matters. You're sorry for what happened, but you can't take it back. I'm here and that's the end of it. Maybe I'll be happier here in Middle-Earth then back on plain old Earth. It's a mystery. Think how special you are for doing what the greatest wizards in your world can't do. You ripped through the fabric of freaking space and time to get me here. Pretty impressive if you ask me." She rubbed his back until his breathing calmed and he was asleep but still clinging to his waking memories.
Julie slowly slipped out of his hold and let him settle down into the soft cover of the bed. She draped her cloak over him like a blanket. Julie had a lot of love and comfort to give, her own hard life made her sensitive to the most base need of all-the need to be loved. The group of guys, being bull-headed males, probably tried to keep every sorrow hidden, instead of allowing themselves to vent. Stupid male egos! She hmphed to herself and sat beneath the window in the waning moonlight. From the other side of the room, Julie heard the rustling of blankets and the light ta-thump of footsteps skittering across the floor.
"Julie.?"
"Yes?" She looked up to see Pippin's sheepish face smiling at her.
"No one else is up and I can't sleep. I'm hungry."
"Pull up a seat." She motioned to the less-than-welcoming stretch of cold wooden floor beneath the windowsill. "Do you want a piece of candy?"
"What's candy?"
"This is candy." From her purse, she pulled a generic butterscotch disc wrapped in shiny gold foil and held it out for Pippin. "Unwrap it and let the candy part melt in your mouth."
His eyes lit up and he smiled from ear to ear as he tasted it.
"What is it?"
"Butterscotch."
"Butterscotch. What's that from?"
"Butter and sugar, I think. Most stuff is artificially flavored now-a- days." She spoke softly, careful not to wake anyone else.
"Um. . . Julie, I'm happy you're. since Merry cast his spell. I've never seen Legolas smile until you fell out of the sky. Everyone seems happier now, since you're here . . . Thank you." He smiled and enjoyed the sweet taste of butterscotch. "You. don't happen to have any more candy with you, do you?"
"Yes, Pippin. Help yourself." She gave him two more pieces, which his pudgy Hobbit fingers tore open in an instant. Legolas' Elfin ears tickled at the sound of Merry greedily unwrapping the sweet treat.
So, it seemed even the little Hobbit noticed the change in his spirit. Julie was a welcomed distraction in this time of stress and uncertainty. Her smile vanquished the shadows from his heart, and her kindness made him forget the great evils of the world. He was not the only member of the Fellowship to be affected by her charm; it was a sight to see the Hobbits come to her in the night with their fears and sullen hearts. They sought comfort in Julie's soft voice and gentle manner. She sat under the windowsill with Pippin, talking quietly about delicious foods and recipes, until hints of sunlight began to throw warm tones onto the chilled darkness of the night sky.
Legolas stood and stretched with the limber laziness of a cat. Since his kind never slept, he was given the important task of keeping watch through the night, as well as bearing the dreaded task of waking everyone in the morning.
"First light! Dawn approaches! Rise from your beds, or be left behind!" Came his light-hearted wake-up call. Immediately, he was the target of several fearsome groans and an airborne pillow. "Thank you, Sam." Legolas smiled and caught the pillow as it sailed a course for his smirking face.
"Keep it, pointy ears!" Sam huffed, still half asleep. He scratched the side of his head and ran his stout-fingered hand through the hornet's nest of his hair.
"Where are Merry and Pippin?" Gandalf placed his hat on his gray head.
"Keeping Julie company. She was the first to wake, while the moon still clung to the stars."
Aragorn frowned as he tightened the laces of his leather tunic-vest.
"I worry for her. It is unwise to move so suddenly after such an injury, but we have no choice. The sooner we reach Morlye, the sooner she will be safe." He buckled his sword-belt as he spoke.
"Yes." Legolas agreed. And the sooner he would lose her .
"Merry! Wake up, eh! It's time to get moving." Pippin shook Merry's shoulder roughly. "Merry!"
"Pippin!" Merry growled with a laugh and tackled his cousin.
Oh dear. Honey, it was too early in the morning for Hobbit wrestling, Julie closed her eyes and groaned. Pippin and Merry rolled off the bed and onto the floor; they came dangerously close to knocking over the privacy screen. Julie decided it was time to put her foot down.
Literally.
"Watch out!" Pippin squeaked as Julie pinned him to the floor by his chest. His arms flailed like the legs of a giant tortoise flipped helplessly onto its back.
"Are you done?"
"Yes! Lemme up, I can't breathe!" He choked dramatically. Julie didn't buy his act [thanks to rumbles and tumbles with her little brother, Patrick]. She helped him up anyway. "Julie, you're pretty strong. for a girl!" He stuck out his tongue and laughed before he skittered away. Ooooh! He was going to get it! She stayed put and resisted the urge to run after him; she feared accidentally bounding into the bunch of half-dressed men on the other side of the screen.
"Are the provisions packed?" Boromir asked. The knot of his cloak-tie strangled around his neck like a tight noose. He undid it with difficulty then retied it with clumsy fingers.
"Yes. Legolas and Sam tend to Bill; it is time to leave. The journey must be swift and silent. Gaernod Wood is not a place to overdue a stay." The Ranger replied darkly, giving Boromir a glimpse into the strain Aragorn hid behind dark eyes and a firm chin.
"Are the legends true? Do witches and dancing devils live in the wood? It is myth, surely." Boromir laughed softly to himself.
"We shall see, Boromir. We shall see."
Author: Firefly Lantern
Rating: PG-13 for language and violence
Author Note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed and who is staying with the story! I'll try not to take too many liberties with the Tolkienverse.
Disclaimer: JRR owns the LOTR characters. Any other modern things mentioned here belong to the makers, etc.
Oh, and P.S. Yay, another chapter! Sorry for all the typos, ladies and gents, but for some reason my "spellchecker" doesn't do a very good job. I guess I should ~pay~ Pippin for his work, or find a booster chair for him so he can actually sit and comfortably and reach the keyboard [instead of having to stand on my LOTR boxed trilogy set]. ::cracks the whip!::. What? Running a fanfiction mill with Hobbits as spellcheckers and typist-slaves? Nooooo. Who, me?
Extra note: (Teh typos are not Pippin's falut !!1 He kneeds a better chair and a labour union!)
Just some typo humour ^_^*.
_The Road is Destiny_
Julie was awake the instant her eyes opened.
She sat up and kicked her feet over the edge of the bed. The world outside the window was still dark and cold, but she felt the morning sun would soon be rising. Yay for getting up early, Julie almost grimaced as she unfolded her clothes. Dang, she really needed to brush her teeth. And oddly enough, she had a toothbrush, thanks to Boromir. Heh, she never would have expected the peoples of Middle-Earth to care about their dental hygiene, but they did. The brushes they used were made from bone and bristle and were cheap enough for anybody to own. The downside was that instead of having minty-fresh, kissable-clean toothpaste, the only kind of 'toothpaste' available here was a blue-green mixture of salts and minerals that reminded Julie of gritty sea algae. Cack! Her nose wrinkled even as she thought about the foul concoction. Julie smiled as she quietly laced up her boots; at least two people on the other side of the screen were snoring, but she couldn't tell who.
She had stayed in the room last night as the men-crew went drinking . again. The wine from last night still made her head fuzzy; she couldn't take being hung over if she had to be hiking through the wilderness in the early morning. Uh-uh. No way; no how. Boromir offered to stay upstairs with her for a while, and she was flattered at his kindness. He was a serious, almost tortured man, Julie noticed. He didn't seem to take well to stress, and she wished he would go downstairs and get punch-drunk. And relax, for his own sake. If anyone needed to get liquored up, it was Boromir. Pippin had then replaced Boromir as her babysitter, and the Hobbit was clever enough to bring two steins and a large pitcher of ale.
Hobbits were such mini-alcoholics! It was astonishing. Those little guys liked getting sloshed off their rockers, and could probably out-drink a fraternity of college boys.
Julie folded the heavy length of her cloak and rested her halberd on the bedcovers. It was such an intimidating weapon, and Julie was glad that Boromir helped her buy one that wasn't too long or cumbersome. Yes, it was definitely something she could drag into the forest and poke at some Orcs with. Now, she had to learn how to use it .
"Julie. Are you awake?" A little voice whispered.
"Yes, what's wrong?"
"I had a nightmare." Merry's blonde head peeked from behind the privacy screen. His dark eyes reminded Julie of the innocent eyes of a fawn.
"I know how ~that~ goes. C'mon over." She moved her halberd, purse, and cloak and helped hoist him onto her bed. "Are you okay? You look pale." She squinted as the dim moonlight began to fade. Merry leaped at her as if he had springs on his feet and hugged her tight.
"I dreamed you were kidnapped by a cloaked rider . and I couldn't move to help you. He took you away, and there was nothing I could do. I know I woke up, but I thought it was real. I wanted to make sure you were still here... I'm sorry for bringing you, Julie. I mean, for taking you from your home." He stammered. "It's all my fault. I'm so sorry . ! "
She cradled his head in the nook of her neck. Tears caused his voice to croak. Suddenly, she felt stupid for being such a crybaby when others were obviously [or not so obviously] suffering in more pain.
"Merry, hey! It's all good. Everything's cool. It was an accident. You didn't mean to do it, and that's all that matters. You're sorry for what happened, but you can't take it back. I'm here and that's the end of it. Maybe I'll be happier here in Middle-Earth then back on plain old Earth. It's a mystery. Think how special you are for doing what the greatest wizards in your world can't do. You ripped through the fabric of freaking space and time to get me here. Pretty impressive if you ask me." She rubbed his back until his breathing calmed and he was asleep but still clinging to his waking memories.
Julie slowly slipped out of his hold and let him settle down into the soft cover of the bed. She draped her cloak over him like a blanket. Julie had a lot of love and comfort to give, her own hard life made her sensitive to the most base need of all-the need to be loved. The group of guys, being bull-headed males, probably tried to keep every sorrow hidden, instead of allowing themselves to vent. Stupid male egos! She hmphed to herself and sat beneath the window in the waning moonlight. From the other side of the room, Julie heard the rustling of blankets and the light ta-thump of footsteps skittering across the floor.
"Julie.?"
"Yes?" She looked up to see Pippin's sheepish face smiling at her.
"No one else is up and I can't sleep. I'm hungry."
"Pull up a seat." She motioned to the less-than-welcoming stretch of cold wooden floor beneath the windowsill. "Do you want a piece of candy?"
"What's candy?"
"This is candy." From her purse, she pulled a generic butterscotch disc wrapped in shiny gold foil and held it out for Pippin. "Unwrap it and let the candy part melt in your mouth."
His eyes lit up and he smiled from ear to ear as he tasted it.
"What is it?"
"Butterscotch."
"Butterscotch. What's that from?"
"Butter and sugar, I think. Most stuff is artificially flavored now-a- days." She spoke softly, careful not to wake anyone else.
"Um. . . Julie, I'm happy you're. since Merry cast his spell. I've never seen Legolas smile until you fell out of the sky. Everyone seems happier now, since you're here . . . Thank you." He smiled and enjoyed the sweet taste of butterscotch. "You. don't happen to have any more candy with you, do you?"
"Yes, Pippin. Help yourself." She gave him two more pieces, which his pudgy Hobbit fingers tore open in an instant. Legolas' Elfin ears tickled at the sound of Merry greedily unwrapping the sweet treat.
So, it seemed even the little Hobbit noticed the change in his spirit. Julie was a welcomed distraction in this time of stress and uncertainty. Her smile vanquished the shadows from his heart, and her kindness made him forget the great evils of the world. He was not the only member of the Fellowship to be affected by her charm; it was a sight to see the Hobbits come to her in the night with their fears and sullen hearts. They sought comfort in Julie's soft voice and gentle manner. She sat under the windowsill with Pippin, talking quietly about delicious foods and recipes, until hints of sunlight began to throw warm tones onto the chilled darkness of the night sky.
Legolas stood and stretched with the limber laziness of a cat. Since his kind never slept, he was given the important task of keeping watch through the night, as well as bearing the dreaded task of waking everyone in the morning.
"First light! Dawn approaches! Rise from your beds, or be left behind!" Came his light-hearted wake-up call. Immediately, he was the target of several fearsome groans and an airborne pillow. "Thank you, Sam." Legolas smiled and caught the pillow as it sailed a course for his smirking face.
"Keep it, pointy ears!" Sam huffed, still half asleep. He scratched the side of his head and ran his stout-fingered hand through the hornet's nest of his hair.
"Where are Merry and Pippin?" Gandalf placed his hat on his gray head.
"Keeping Julie company. She was the first to wake, while the moon still clung to the stars."
Aragorn frowned as he tightened the laces of his leather tunic-vest.
"I worry for her. It is unwise to move so suddenly after such an injury, but we have no choice. The sooner we reach Morlye, the sooner she will be safe." He buckled his sword-belt as he spoke.
"Yes." Legolas agreed. And the sooner he would lose her .
"Merry! Wake up, eh! It's time to get moving." Pippin shook Merry's shoulder roughly. "Merry!"
"Pippin!" Merry growled with a laugh and tackled his cousin.
Oh dear. Honey, it was too early in the morning for Hobbit wrestling, Julie closed her eyes and groaned. Pippin and Merry rolled off the bed and onto the floor; they came dangerously close to knocking over the privacy screen. Julie decided it was time to put her foot down.
Literally.
"Watch out!" Pippin squeaked as Julie pinned him to the floor by his chest. His arms flailed like the legs of a giant tortoise flipped helplessly onto its back.
"Are you done?"
"Yes! Lemme up, I can't breathe!" He choked dramatically. Julie didn't buy his act [thanks to rumbles and tumbles with her little brother, Patrick]. She helped him up anyway. "Julie, you're pretty strong. for a girl!" He stuck out his tongue and laughed before he skittered away. Ooooh! He was going to get it! She stayed put and resisted the urge to run after him; she feared accidentally bounding into the bunch of half-dressed men on the other side of the screen.
"Are the provisions packed?" Boromir asked. The knot of his cloak-tie strangled around his neck like a tight noose. He undid it with difficulty then retied it with clumsy fingers.
"Yes. Legolas and Sam tend to Bill; it is time to leave. The journey must be swift and silent. Gaernod Wood is not a place to overdue a stay." The Ranger replied darkly, giving Boromir a glimpse into the strain Aragorn hid behind dark eyes and a firm chin.
"Are the legends true? Do witches and dancing devils live in the wood? It is myth, surely." Boromir laughed softly to himself.
"We shall see, Boromir. We shall see."
