~ An- Jane: Well, we're back!
Carla: All except Niori, who we haven't seen since our last chapter.
Jane: Well, do you really blame her?
Carla: No, not really, Hey! We haven't Legolas in a while either!
* Aragorn walks in *
Aragorn: He's hiding from you; he didn't appreciate you two trying to beat him at the end of our last chapter. As for Niori, she told me to tell you to stop talking about her!
Carla: Make us!
*Niori shouts from the background * SHUT UP!
Aragorn: I feel an argument coming on.........
Chapter 27
A few days later, they reached Rohan. As they rode into the city, the people came out of their homes and clapped.
When they entered the halls, Theoden announced there would be a celebration, to well, celebrate.
"Great timing too!" Niori commented off handily.
"What do you mean?" Jane asked her in a confused manner.
"You don't know! Well, in case you forgot Jane, today's your birthday!"
"Oh my God!" Jane's eyes grew wide, "Is it!"
"Yeah!" Niori replied with a laugh, "And a few weeks ago was Erin's!"
"Wow!" Jane shook her head, "I didn't even realize what month it was, let alone what day it was!"
"Well you know Niori," Carla laughed, "She ALWAYS knows what day it is!"
Niori smiled proudly, and then at the exact same time, Niori and Carla started to sing Jane 'Happy Birthday', causing everyone else to stare at the trio.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The three girls, linked arms and all, walked through the halls of Golden halls, chatting away loudly. They had a lot of time to kill before the party started, so they were doing what they did best, talking and making a lot of noise.
"But anyway-"Carla was saying as she walked between Niori and Jane, but totally stopped when someone came around a corner and almost walked straight into them.
That someone was Gimli, who was walking along side Legolas.
As soon as they saw each other, both Legolas and Niori stiffened. Neither had said little more than two words to each other since they had left Isenguard.
Jane looked from Legolas, to Niori and then singled to Carla that they should leave. Both girls had noticed Niori's odd mood, and she wouldn't even talk about it. After observing Legolas acting in the same manner, they drew some very interesting conclusions. While exiting, Carla grabbed on to Gimli's arm and pulled him out with them.
So there Niori and Legolas awkwardly stood. They stood there for quite a long time, until Legolas finally got tired of the silence and broke it.
"Niori," he started, "I know things have been.........weird between us, but I want it to stop. Despite what it may feel like, nothing happened between us that night in Isenguard,"
"It's not what happened that I feel weird about," Niori said, looking straight at him for the first time since leaving Isenguard, "It's what ALMOST happened," ~ and that I had WANTED it to happen ~ Niori added at the back of her mind.
Legolas was silent for a moment before continuing, "I hate us not talking Niori. We're such good.........friends, and I don't want something that almost but didn't happen to come between us,"
"You're right," Niori replied with a sigh, "I hate us acting like this too! So, we're good now?" Legolas nodded, "Good, because I've been dying to tell you something!"
Legolas laughed at how quickly everything seemed fixed between them, "What do you need to tell me Niori?"
"That you have an incredibly sexy body," Niori said with a smirk.
"Why did you have to wait till now to tell me that?" Legolas asked her, confused.
"Because," Niori went on her tiptoes and whispered it in his ear, " I meant with your clothes OFF,"
A bright red blush traveled up Legolas's face and he found himself at a loss for words.
"You're not the only one who can see really good in the dark," Niori told him with a wink and walked away, leaving the Elf standing there, speechless.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carla, Jane and Niori laughed aloud as Merry and Pippin sang and danced up on the table. All of the people of Rohan were celebrating their victory at Helm's Deep, and the two Hobbits were providing the entertainment.
"Those two sure know how to steal the show!" Carla laughed again, looking at the other two.
"They're a lot more exciting than the other three!" Jane agreed with a laugh, "I mean, have you even seen them do anything but walk across the room? At least Gimli is drinking, but the other two (Aragorn and Legolas) are just standing there doing nothing!"
Legolas, who wore a long hooded cloak, stood near the back doorway, and Aragorn was sitting in a chair only a few feet away.
"So Jane," Carla asked, "How does it feel to be the first one of us who is of legal age?"
"It feels the same as before," Jane replied simply, but then smirked, "except now I can get drunk and have sex without it being against the law!"
That got laughter from both Niori and Carla "Have anyone in mind?!"
"Quite possibly," Jane smirked.
"Just think Carla," Niori laughed, "in a couple of weeks, it's your turn!"
"And poor Niori has to wait about three months!" Carla smirked, and Niori stuck her tongue out.
Suddenly, Merry and Pippin finished their song/dance and there were cheers all around. And Niori got an idea.
"Hey Carla," she asked with a smirk plastered on her face, "you have your CD player here right?" Carla nodded, "Fine, Jane, how about you and I resurrect our dance from the last school dance and upstage the demonic duo?"
Jane's mouth fell open in mock surprise, "Niori! You're crazy! No way am I doing that dance here!"
"Oh, but you'd do it in the middle of the school gym in front of people we actually knew? Geez, Jane.........it'll be fun! Think of it as my gift to celebrate your legal-hood,"
Jane tried to say no again, but then laughed "Oh hell..........it was fun last time, so why not?! Carla, get out the CD player and put on the song 'Dirrty'"
Carla laughed a bit, and then obliged. Niori and Jane went over to the table where Merry and Pippin were still on and spoke to them.
"Hobbits, it's our turn!"
They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders down as Niori and Jane climbed up.
At the back of the room, Aragorn turned back and raised an eyebrow at Legolas, asking him if he knew what they were doing. Legolas just shook his head and watched the two girls.
The suddenly, the song blasted over the stereo's speakers and Jane and Niori began. They both started dirt dancing, back o back. And to make it even better, they had both changed from their Elf clothes and had on 2003 style clothes. Niori had changed from her blood stained Elf clothes into a pair of black leather pants and a black tank top with 'witch' written across the chest. Jane had on blue jeans with a short, bright yellow halter. When they first started their dance, the room fell silent for a moment, but then a moment later, exploded with shouts, cheers and whistles.
When the song ended, both girls looked to the back of the room and almost burst out laughing. Aragorn and Legolas's mouths were both hitting the floor, and their eyes were bugging out of their heads. They DID NOT believe Niori and Jane had just done that!
Gracefully, the two girls climbed down and walked, side by side, to the door. When they reached the exit, both girls (at the same time) flipped their hair, turned back over their shoulder, blew the whole room a kiss and walked out into the hall.
Moments later, the only sound coming from the hallway was a pair of teenagers laughing hysterically.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jane, who had been on the verge of sleep, slowly opened her eyes as she heard Merry talking. Slowly, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Would you please shut-up-"She started to say, but she closed her mouth as she saw Pippin sneaking across the room.
"What are you doing?!" Merry asked Pippin.
Pippin turned around surprised, but didn't stop nor answer.
"Pippin!" Jane whispered urgently, worried about why Pippin was standing above Gandalf.
Slowly, Pippin reached down and retrieved something from Gandalf.
"Pippin, what are you doing?!" Jane asked a little more urgently.
Pippin turned back around and started to unwrap the sphere that Gandalf had taken from him earlier.
"Pippin! Are you mad!" Merry cried lowly, his mouth dropping open.
"I just want to look at it one more time..........." Pippin spoke, his voice dazed as he unwrapped the palantir.
"Pippin! Put it back!" Jane cried in disbelief.
With a satisfied smile, Pippin lowered his hands to the palantir. Quickly, his smile faded and he began to shake violently.
"No! PIPPIN!" Merry screamed.
"Pippin!" Jane screamed, her eyes widening in fear as she saw Pippin whipping himself around, trying to get the palantir off his hands.
Bounding to her feet, Jane rushed towards Pippin. Around her, Merry was screaming and Niori and Carla were rising.
Hurriedly, Jane tried to grab on to Pippin's wrists to try and stop him from moving. But just as she reached, Pippin jerked sideways and instead of clasping Pippin's wrists, her hands were on the palantir.
Suddenly, all around her changed. All she could see was the eye of Sauron. Pippin still seemed to be beside her. Sauron's evil whispers soon invaded her mind, demanding to know where the ring was.
She wanted to scream, but she knew if she opened her mouth, she would tell Sauron about Frodo.
Just as suddenly as she was pulled into this place, she was suddenly pulled back out. Darkness was all around her.
"JANE!" She heard Niori scream out frantically.
Slowly, her vision began to fade from the darkness. When she could see again, Niori and Carla were kneeling above her, both looking terrified. At the other end of the room, Legolas was slowly helping Aragorn to his feet, and Gandalf was leaning over Pippin, demanding to know if he had said anything about Frodo.
Tears gathered in the corners of Jane's eyes. That had been the most terrifying event of her life. And she had come so close to telling............
"Jane," Gandalf was now leaning above her, "are you alright?"
Jane tried to answer, but didn't really know. Instead, she said, "I didn't tell..........him about Frodo Gandalf," by now she was close to sobbing, " but he thinks Pippin has the ring! He tried to get me to tell him.............but I didn't............"
Gandalf gave Jane a quick hug to help calm her, and then he wrapped and took the palantir away, leaving the terrified human girl and Hobbit.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~
The next day, the whole company stood in the golden hall. Gandalf was talking to Theoden about what had happened the previous night. Merry and Pippin (who looked both ashamed and remorseful) were off to the side, while Niori and Carla stood by a very tired looking Jane.
Every time Jane had almost fallen asleep........she had seen the eye of Sauron again. She had been too terrified to fall asleep.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," Gandalf told Theoden, who looked relived at this, "a fool he is..........but an honest fool he remains. Jane's word I trust, for it had not been her doing to look into the palantir. They have both told Sauron nothing about Frodo or the ring,"
They were all silent for a moment, everyone counting their blessings.
"We've been strangely fortunate though," Gandalf continued, "Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron means to strike Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: The heir of Elendil has come fourth," Gandalf paused for a moment before continuing, "men are not as weak as he supposed; There is courage still in the hearts of men. He will not risk the people of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of men," Now Gandalf turned to face Theoden, " if the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war,"
Theoden glared at Gandalf for a moment, before answering, his voice cold, "Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
"I will go," Aragorn told Gandalf, throwing Theoden a glare.
"No!" Gandalf cried, causing everyone to look at him.
"They must be warned!" Aragorn replied, looking at Gandalf in confusion.
"They will be," Gandalf replied, "you five must come to Minas Tirith by the other road. Follow the river and look to the black ships,"
"Wait! Five of us!" Niori asked suddenly from where she stood.
"Understand this: things are now in motion that not even I can stop. I ride for Minas Tirith.........." Gandalf turned and looked at Jane and then to Pippin, "I won't be going alone,"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~ AN- Niori: Hey guys! Just me here today! So, not much to say, all but bai bai! Oh, yeah, Jane's leaving us * Tear tear, cry cry* but oh well.......... Erin: YES! Well g2g! Bai bai! ~
Carla: All except Niori, who we haven't seen since our last chapter.
Jane: Well, do you really blame her?
Carla: No, not really, Hey! We haven't Legolas in a while either!
* Aragorn walks in *
Aragorn: He's hiding from you; he didn't appreciate you two trying to beat him at the end of our last chapter. As for Niori, she told me to tell you to stop talking about her!
Carla: Make us!
*Niori shouts from the background * SHUT UP!
Aragorn: I feel an argument coming on.........
Chapter 27
A few days later, they reached Rohan. As they rode into the city, the people came out of their homes and clapped.
When they entered the halls, Theoden announced there would be a celebration, to well, celebrate.
"Great timing too!" Niori commented off handily.
"What do you mean?" Jane asked her in a confused manner.
"You don't know! Well, in case you forgot Jane, today's your birthday!"
"Oh my God!" Jane's eyes grew wide, "Is it!"
"Yeah!" Niori replied with a laugh, "And a few weeks ago was Erin's!"
"Wow!" Jane shook her head, "I didn't even realize what month it was, let alone what day it was!"
"Well you know Niori," Carla laughed, "She ALWAYS knows what day it is!"
Niori smiled proudly, and then at the exact same time, Niori and Carla started to sing Jane 'Happy Birthday', causing everyone else to stare at the trio.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The three girls, linked arms and all, walked through the halls of Golden halls, chatting away loudly. They had a lot of time to kill before the party started, so they were doing what they did best, talking and making a lot of noise.
"But anyway-"Carla was saying as she walked between Niori and Jane, but totally stopped when someone came around a corner and almost walked straight into them.
That someone was Gimli, who was walking along side Legolas.
As soon as they saw each other, both Legolas and Niori stiffened. Neither had said little more than two words to each other since they had left Isenguard.
Jane looked from Legolas, to Niori and then singled to Carla that they should leave. Both girls had noticed Niori's odd mood, and she wouldn't even talk about it. After observing Legolas acting in the same manner, they drew some very interesting conclusions. While exiting, Carla grabbed on to Gimli's arm and pulled him out with them.
So there Niori and Legolas awkwardly stood. They stood there for quite a long time, until Legolas finally got tired of the silence and broke it.
"Niori," he started, "I know things have been.........weird between us, but I want it to stop. Despite what it may feel like, nothing happened between us that night in Isenguard,"
"It's not what happened that I feel weird about," Niori said, looking straight at him for the first time since leaving Isenguard, "It's what ALMOST happened," ~ and that I had WANTED it to happen ~ Niori added at the back of her mind.
Legolas was silent for a moment before continuing, "I hate us not talking Niori. We're such good.........friends, and I don't want something that almost but didn't happen to come between us,"
"You're right," Niori replied with a sigh, "I hate us acting like this too! So, we're good now?" Legolas nodded, "Good, because I've been dying to tell you something!"
Legolas laughed at how quickly everything seemed fixed between them, "What do you need to tell me Niori?"
"That you have an incredibly sexy body," Niori said with a smirk.
"Why did you have to wait till now to tell me that?" Legolas asked her, confused.
"Because," Niori went on her tiptoes and whispered it in his ear, " I meant with your clothes OFF,"
A bright red blush traveled up Legolas's face and he found himself at a loss for words.
"You're not the only one who can see really good in the dark," Niori told him with a wink and walked away, leaving the Elf standing there, speechless.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Carla, Jane and Niori laughed aloud as Merry and Pippin sang and danced up on the table. All of the people of Rohan were celebrating their victory at Helm's Deep, and the two Hobbits were providing the entertainment.
"Those two sure know how to steal the show!" Carla laughed again, looking at the other two.
"They're a lot more exciting than the other three!" Jane agreed with a laugh, "I mean, have you even seen them do anything but walk across the room? At least Gimli is drinking, but the other two (Aragorn and Legolas) are just standing there doing nothing!"
Legolas, who wore a long hooded cloak, stood near the back doorway, and Aragorn was sitting in a chair only a few feet away.
"So Jane," Carla asked, "How does it feel to be the first one of us who is of legal age?"
"It feels the same as before," Jane replied simply, but then smirked, "except now I can get drunk and have sex without it being against the law!"
That got laughter from both Niori and Carla "Have anyone in mind?!"
"Quite possibly," Jane smirked.
"Just think Carla," Niori laughed, "in a couple of weeks, it's your turn!"
"And poor Niori has to wait about three months!" Carla smirked, and Niori stuck her tongue out.
Suddenly, Merry and Pippin finished their song/dance and there were cheers all around. And Niori got an idea.
"Hey Carla," she asked with a smirk plastered on her face, "you have your CD player here right?" Carla nodded, "Fine, Jane, how about you and I resurrect our dance from the last school dance and upstage the demonic duo?"
Jane's mouth fell open in mock surprise, "Niori! You're crazy! No way am I doing that dance here!"
"Oh, but you'd do it in the middle of the school gym in front of people we actually knew? Geez, Jane.........it'll be fun! Think of it as my gift to celebrate your legal-hood,"
Jane tried to say no again, but then laughed "Oh hell..........it was fun last time, so why not?! Carla, get out the CD player and put on the song 'Dirrty'"
Carla laughed a bit, and then obliged. Niori and Jane went over to the table where Merry and Pippin were still on and spoke to them.
"Hobbits, it's our turn!"
They looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders down as Niori and Jane climbed up.
At the back of the room, Aragorn turned back and raised an eyebrow at Legolas, asking him if he knew what they were doing. Legolas just shook his head and watched the two girls.
The suddenly, the song blasted over the stereo's speakers and Jane and Niori began. They both started dirt dancing, back o back. And to make it even better, they had both changed from their Elf clothes and had on 2003 style clothes. Niori had changed from her blood stained Elf clothes into a pair of black leather pants and a black tank top with 'witch' written across the chest. Jane had on blue jeans with a short, bright yellow halter. When they first started their dance, the room fell silent for a moment, but then a moment later, exploded with shouts, cheers and whistles.
When the song ended, both girls looked to the back of the room and almost burst out laughing. Aragorn and Legolas's mouths were both hitting the floor, and their eyes were bugging out of their heads. They DID NOT believe Niori and Jane had just done that!
Gracefully, the two girls climbed down and walked, side by side, to the door. When they reached the exit, both girls (at the same time) flipped their hair, turned back over their shoulder, blew the whole room a kiss and walked out into the hall.
Moments later, the only sound coming from the hallway was a pair of teenagers laughing hysterically.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Jane, who had been on the verge of sleep, slowly opened her eyes as she heard Merry talking. Slowly, she sat up and rubbed her eyes.
"Would you please shut-up-"She started to say, but she closed her mouth as she saw Pippin sneaking across the room.
"What are you doing?!" Merry asked Pippin.
Pippin turned around surprised, but didn't stop nor answer.
"Pippin!" Jane whispered urgently, worried about why Pippin was standing above Gandalf.
Slowly, Pippin reached down and retrieved something from Gandalf.
"Pippin, what are you doing?!" Jane asked a little more urgently.
Pippin turned back around and started to unwrap the sphere that Gandalf had taken from him earlier.
"Pippin! Are you mad!" Merry cried lowly, his mouth dropping open.
"I just want to look at it one more time..........." Pippin spoke, his voice dazed as he unwrapped the palantir.
"Pippin! Put it back!" Jane cried in disbelief.
With a satisfied smile, Pippin lowered his hands to the palantir. Quickly, his smile faded and he began to shake violently.
"No! PIPPIN!" Merry screamed.
"Pippin!" Jane screamed, her eyes widening in fear as she saw Pippin whipping himself around, trying to get the palantir off his hands.
Bounding to her feet, Jane rushed towards Pippin. Around her, Merry was screaming and Niori and Carla were rising.
Hurriedly, Jane tried to grab on to Pippin's wrists to try and stop him from moving. But just as she reached, Pippin jerked sideways and instead of clasping Pippin's wrists, her hands were on the palantir.
Suddenly, all around her changed. All she could see was the eye of Sauron. Pippin still seemed to be beside her. Sauron's evil whispers soon invaded her mind, demanding to know where the ring was.
She wanted to scream, but she knew if she opened her mouth, she would tell Sauron about Frodo.
Just as suddenly as she was pulled into this place, she was suddenly pulled back out. Darkness was all around her.
"JANE!" She heard Niori scream out frantically.
Slowly, her vision began to fade from the darkness. When she could see again, Niori and Carla were kneeling above her, both looking terrified. At the other end of the room, Legolas was slowly helping Aragorn to his feet, and Gandalf was leaning over Pippin, demanding to know if he had said anything about Frodo.
Tears gathered in the corners of Jane's eyes. That had been the most terrifying event of her life. And she had come so close to telling............
"Jane," Gandalf was now leaning above her, "are you alright?"
Jane tried to answer, but didn't really know. Instead, she said, "I didn't tell..........him about Frodo Gandalf," by now she was close to sobbing, " but he thinks Pippin has the ring! He tried to get me to tell him.............but I didn't............"
Gandalf gave Jane a quick hug to help calm her, and then he wrapped and took the palantir away, leaving the terrified human girl and Hobbit.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~**~*~*~*~*~*~**~
The next day, the whole company stood in the golden hall. Gandalf was talking to Theoden about what had happened the previous night. Merry and Pippin (who looked both ashamed and remorseful) were off to the side, while Niori and Carla stood by a very tired looking Jane.
Every time Jane had almost fallen asleep........she had seen the eye of Sauron again. She had been too terrified to fall asleep.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," Gandalf told Theoden, who looked relived at this, "a fool he is..........but an honest fool he remains. Jane's word I trust, for it had not been her doing to look into the palantir. They have both told Sauron nothing about Frodo or the ring,"
They were all silent for a moment, everyone counting their blessings.
"We've been strangely fortunate though," Gandalf continued, "Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron means to strike Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: The heir of Elendil has come fourth," Gandalf paused for a moment before continuing, "men are not as weak as he supposed; There is courage still in the hearts of men. He will not risk the people of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of men," Now Gandalf turned to face Theoden, " if the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war,"
Theoden glared at Gandalf for a moment, before answering, his voice cold, "Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
"I will go," Aragorn told Gandalf, throwing Theoden a glare.
"No!" Gandalf cried, causing everyone to look at him.
"They must be warned!" Aragorn replied, looking at Gandalf in confusion.
"They will be," Gandalf replied, "you five must come to Minas Tirith by the other road. Follow the river and look to the black ships,"
"Wait! Five of us!" Niori asked suddenly from where she stood.
"Understand this: things are now in motion that not even I can stop. I ride for Minas Tirith.........." Gandalf turned and looked at Jane and then to Pippin, "I won't be going alone,"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~ AN- Niori: Hey guys! Just me here today! So, not much to say, all but bai bai! Oh, yeah, Jane's leaving us * Tear tear, cry cry* but oh well.......... Erin: YES! Well g2g! Bai bai! ~