Chapter Ten: Do I REALLY Have to Bring Her Back? I Do? Are You Sure? Well, Okay Then, Don't Say I Didn't Warn You…

Pain. That's all Starr could feel. It radiated outward from the arrow in her shoulder, and coursed throughout her body. Sweet relief filled her as death took her, and she found herself floating in an infinite blackness dotted with pink points of life.
"Where am I?" she asked, her sweet voice echoing around the emptyness.

Realizing she was all alone, and would never see her Legolas again, sadness overwhelmed her and heart-wrenching sobs wracked her tired body.

Meanwhile, all ten readers were currently having a par-tay. Elladan was busy trying to open a bottle of wine but was having trouble with the cork.

Eowyn laughed joyfully as Faramir pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I cannot help but enjoy myself, even though I know she is probably going to come back!"

Everyone froze. "Come…back?" Aragorn whispered, not liking the looks of what his answer was going to be.

The cork finally popped out of the bottle and came close to beheading Merry. But the Elf was no longer so eager to drink himself into a gleeful coma (Elladan: I'm not? Darn.).

"Surely you did not think she would remain dead?"

"Well, yes, because that's what people who die tend to do!" Elrohir yelled.

Arwen shook her head. "You really do not yet understand the true power of the Mary Sue, do you?"

Every one of the males gulped and paled visibly.

"They are not only perfect but all knowing, well-'loved', and, most importantly, invincible."

"Is there no way she can die?" whimpered Pippin.

"Hmm. Good question…" Eowyn looked thoughtful.

"I really, really, REALLY dislike her." Legolas muttered from his chair where he was glaring darkly at the pink book as if it were the reincarnate of all evil. It probably was, but that's beside the point.

Starr felt a tiny hand on her shoulder and looked up to see the faerie that had originally brought her to Middle Earth.

"Peace child. Your time in Middle Earth is not yet up. It was a creul twist of fate that ended your life, but I am here to reverse that. Come now, let's not worry about how this is actually possible, and plan the most touching and romantic way for you to reunite with Legolas."

"Kay!" giggled Starr.

One well-hatched plan later, Starr was preparing herself to return to her new home.

"I can bring you back, but I cannot fully heal the wound. It will be tender for a few weeks. A perfect excuse for you to be coddled. Now, I have already enlisted the help of Gandlaf, who I am resurrecting now, as well." Starr wrinkled her nose. "Oh, don't worry, you won't have to travel back with him, you'll just both be there when back on Middle Earth."

"Oh, that's good."

"Now, go, live your life, continue being an inspiration to all, and go get your man!"

"I will! Thanks!" And Starr shut her eyes, very excited, yet appearing serene and calm.

When they opened again, she stumbled slightly, for her feet were back on solid ground. She looked up to see Gandalf a bit in front of her. He turned, his eyes twinkling.

"They are waiting."

Elladan looked up from the book. "That's the end of the chapter." He turned the page. "On to Chapter…TWO?"

"That's it?" Faramir looked incredulous.

"How many chapters are in the darn thing?" Gimli asked.

"Sixty…"

"SIXTY!" yelped the rest of them.

Merry let out a very imaginative string of curses.

"MERRY!" Eowyn gasped.

"Did you teach him that while on the way to battle?" Arwen asked, slightly coldly.

"How dare you accuse me of such!"

Aragorn, sensing the catfight of the century brewing, edged his chair back, knowing he would inevitably be drawn into this. He glanced over at Legolas, who was looking relieved that everyone's attention was no longer on the story.

"Nice knowing you…" Aragorn whispered fearfully.

But as suddenly as it began, Arwen and Eowyn stopped.

"Forgive me, Eowyn, my patience grows thin because of this story. I did not mean to accuse you of such an injustice."

"Do not worry, my dear friend. No offense taken."

"Now I see the true evil of the Sue." Aragorn mumbled seriously.

"Okay then, back to the story," Elrohir said, ignoring the groans and protests of Legolas.

It was a subdued group that left Lorein. Now all that remained were the hobbits, the two men, the dwarf, and Legolas. Said Elf was so very depressed, it was almost painful to watch.

Aragron put a comforting hand on his shoulder as they began their ride down the river. But the sadness was evident even in his eyes.

"Yes, because I AM a heartless monster incapable of shedding a tear, after all..." Aragorn said sarcastically.

They finally reached Amon Hen, still mourning the loss of their companions. Starr the most, though.

At camp that night, a strange presence seemed to be in the air.

A bright light suddenly appeared, and lo! It was Gandalf!

"SINCE WHEN!" yelled all present in unison, glaring at the book accusingly, while Tolkien rolled over in his grave.

They talked and blah, blah, blah. Then Gandalf held up his hand.

"I come not alone to fight. I bring someone stronger than me and all the other wizards combined." He said.

Then an even BRIGHTER light appeared. It was STARR! She had returned greater than ever before! "Aw, nuts." Pippin muttered.

Legolas stood, too overcome with emotions. Then, with a great cry, he gathered Starr up in his arms, holding her and never wanting to let go.

"My love! You have returned! Empty has been my life of late! Now I can go on living again!"

"I think I'm going to be sick again…" Elrohir muttered.

"Way to sort of copy one of Theoden's lines, too." Faramir rolled his eyes.

Legolas stared deep into her eyes, both sets of crystal orbs locking onto each other and searching the very depths of each other's soul. Their lips met in a passionate kiss, something they had believed they would never again share.

The others crept away to leave the two lovers to their fun…

"Excuse me." Elrohir made a gagging motion.

"That's kinda disgusting…" Arwen looked green.

"Oh, Leggie! I want you right here! On the pine needles, rocks, and roots!" Elladan mocked, in a high-pitched voice.

That caused quite a lot of laughter. Even Legolas joined in.

Starr awoke the next morning by the dwindling campfire. Remembering the 'activities' of last night, she blushed prettily and grinned. The campsite was quiet, everyone else still asleep. Legolas must have been out patrolling because he was nowhere in sight. Then she noticed that the hobbits and Boromir were missing as well.

"Ummm…how could you miss that?" Merry muttered.

"She's obviously going to skip right to the part where we battle the Uruk-hai." Gimli offered.

She jumped about five feet out of her down feather sleeping bag at the sound of a horn going off. The others started awake, and sat up staring wildly around them.

"The horn of Gonder!" Aragorn yelled.

Starr was off like a flash, knowing what that meant. Her incredible sense of direction led her to where Boromir was fighting.

She made her way over to him, cutting down orcs as she went. He smiled, happy to have a partner in his fight. Misery loves company, right? HAHAHA!

He was horrified to see an Urek-hi loading a bow to fire, directly at Starr.

"Look out!" He yelled. Time seem to move in slow motion as the beast fired, and Boromir ran in front of Starr, shielding her.

Three arrows in succession were fired into the man. Starr screamed as he dropped, and began to fight all the more quickly, tears blocking her vision.

Thankfully, Legolas and the others arrived, and began picking off orcs.

"Where are we, during all of this?" Merry asked, looking somewhat annoyed.

"You mean during this mockery of my brother's sacrifice by having him give his life for someone who can be resurrected any way?" Faramir was not just annoyed. He was PISSED.

Starr dropped to her knees next to him. His skin had grown pale as life fled his body.

"Please don't die…I could not bear the guilt. You died protecting me, and I will always be grateful." Tears dropped from her eyes as she looked down upon the dying man.

"Do not be guilty. It is what I had to do. Just do me one favor, and sing me a prayer when I am buried."

"Of course."

Starr stood on a rock overlooking the falls, with Legolas, Aragron, and Gilmi behind her. The wind caused her hair and dress to whip around her as she watched with tear-filled eyes as the boat containing Boromir made it's way to the falls, carrying it's brave warrior to a better place, one where he could finally be free.

"That was a very long sentence." Said Eowyn dryly.

Starr began her song, her clear voice ringing out in the moist air, heard above the roaring of the falls.

"Home is behind, the world ahead,

"Oh no, she didn't." Pippin began.

And there are many paths to tread…

"I know she is not stealing my song."

Through shadow, to the edge of night!

"The one I made up on the spot for Denethor."

Until the stars are all alight.

"And was very proud of."

Mist and shadow, cloud and shade,

"I know she is not stealing one of my most serious moments…"

All shall fade, all shall…fade…"

"That wench!" Pippin yelled. "We hates her, Precioussss!"

Starr ended in a whisper, tears now flowing freely down her cheeks as they all caught a last glimpse of Boromir, son of Denether.

Starr followed Legolas to the boats, as he pointed out to Aragorn that Frodo and Sam had reached the eastern shore.

Starr glared at the Ranger as he did not follow Legolas. The Elf would have made SUCH a better leader, but noooo…

"I will not abandon them to torment and death." Aragorn said. Starr blinked. Oh yeah! Those two hobbits! They were gone, that's right!

"Nice of you to remember us." Merry said almost cheerfully. "You are SO lucky you weren't captured along with us because we would tell the Uruk-hai that you are a spy from Rivendell, and since you aren't a hobbit, they can most definitely eat you. And then we would point and laugh."

The others looked shocked and frightened. One thought was running through all of their minds: Woah, back AWAY slowly from the extremely scary hobbit…O.o

"Come, let's hunt some orc!"

"Yee-HAH!" Starr cheered, and the others laughed as they made their way into the forest to find the hobbits…what were their names again?

END PART ONE

(But I'll be back!)