Life Sucks
By: Dreamweaver9
For the next week, Maria spent most of her time with Legolas and Aragorn training. She had learned how to use daggers, bow and arrow, sword and horseback riding. She learned horseback riding with Legolas much to her dismay. She couldn't concentrate when he was sitting right behind her, thankfully she was a quick learner. In her spare time she would hangout with Arwen and Celeste or dancing. Sometime with the hobbits, especially Bilbo. She loved to hear his stories and learn about middle-earth. In return she would tell him all the stories she read.
Right now she was wearing her pointe shoes and her proper dancing attire. She was in the clearing near the garden dancing in front of Aragorn and Legolas. Aragorn puffing away on his pipe and Legolas watching her dance with content. The serene feeling was soon disturb when Boromir walked into the clearing. Maria stopped dancing when she caught sight of him. Boromir looked at her with disgust written on his face. " What the hell are you staring at?" Maria asked.
" What are you wearing? That is not proper clothing for a woman." Boromir answered.
" Oh. So now I'm a woman? What happen to stupid child? Besides I don't give a damn that this isn't 'proper' clothing." She retorted. Boromir was bristled at her language towards him. He stood up straight.
" Show me some respect child. My patience is running thin with you." He said.
" Show you respect? Why don't you show me some respect? Why the hell are you here anyways?"
Ignoring her, he turned toward Legolas and Aragorn. " Lord Elrond has requested your presence in the library." He told them. He turned on his heal and walked away.
" OH! That man just infuriates me so! Then he just brushes me off. Asshole!" She said. Legolas and Aragorn just shook their head at her and left to go see Elrond. Maria huffed, knowing that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on her dancing, she took of her shoes and headed back to her room. After changing into her clothes she went to go look for Arwen and Celeste. She entered to see Arwen hugging Celeste who's face was streaked with tears. She quickly sat down next to them.
" What's wrong? What happened?" Maria asked, concern laced with the question.
" I was doing my morning chores when I was approached by two ladies. They started to talk about you." Celeste said. Maria pointed to herself.
" Me?" Celeste nodded her head. " What did they say?"
" They said that you were a ugly pathetic human and you are a stupid wench." Celeste told her. Much to Celeste and Arwen's surprise, Maria started laughing.
" Is that all? I have heard worse from girls at school. You don't have to cry about that." Maria said.
" I'm not crying about that."
" Then what are you crying about?"
" The elves said some very cruel things about me. They said I was a poor excuse of a elf and insulted my family." Maria jumped onto her feet.
" What?!? Oh hell nah! They can't do that. It's one thing when they insult me, it's a whole other thing when they insult my friends. Come Celeste, wipe away those tears and show me who these elves are." Celeste pulled out of Arwen's embrace and wiped away her tears. She got to her feet and walked out with Maria and Arwen following.
" What are you going to do when you find them?" Arwen asked.
" Give them a taste of their own medicine." She answered. Arwen's forehead wrinkled in confusion but didn't ask what her answer meant. Celeste stopped walking and pointed out two elves. Both were fair skinned and had dark raven hair. Maria walked up to the two elves and tapped them on the shoulder. They turned to look at her. Their eyes roamed Maria and then turned to ignore her.
" Excuse me, ladies." Maria said. They turned back again. They looked at her with discuss written on their faces. " Hi. My name is Maria--" She was interrupted.
" We know who you are." One of them said.
" Oh, good. Why don't you tell me who you are?"
" I am Nienna Coamenel." The one with the green eyes said.
" I am Artanis Elanesse." The one with blue eyes said.
Maria smiled at them both. " Nice to meet. Now that we've been introduced you can tell me why you were insulting my friend and I."
" Llie n'vanima ar amin feuya ten' lle [ You're ugly and you disgust me]." Artanis said. Arwen and Celeste gasped. Since Maria didn't understand one word spoken she could only figure by their reactions that what was spoken was a insult.
" Mani ume lle quena? [ What did you say?]" Arwen asked.
" Dina Arwen. [Be silent Arwen.]" Nienna said.
" Amin il naa lle nai. [ I am not yours to command.]" Arwen retorted.
" Antolle ulua sulrim Arwen. [Much wind pours from you mouth Arwen.]" Nienna replied. Maria's eyes darted between them, wandering what they were saying. Artanis turned her attention to Celeste and Maria.
She smiled at them and said, " Auta miqula orqu. [Go kiss an orc.]" Celeste gasped again. Maria raised a eyebrow. She stood tall and faced both Nienna and Artanis.
" Why don't you say that in English and lets see how I react." Maria said.
" You are a pathetic human and you are ugly. You try to fit in but you are still an outcast. You try to wear our beautiful elven clothing but it looks awful on you. You are disgusting to look at." Artanis told her.
" I know you don't like me but you still haven't told me why. Aragorn lives here and he fits here, how come I'm so different?" Maria asked. Artanis got close to her and whispered into her ear so only Maria could hear.
" Estel was raised here and we are used to him. Besides he is a handsome human. You on the other hand are stupid. You are a wench who entertains Aragorn and Prince Legolas with your idiotic antics. I hate you because of who you are. Your mother and father must be fools as well." She whispered in Maria's ear. Artanis pulled back with a cruel smile on her face. Maria was furious, her eyes filled with tears.
" Don't you talk about my family." Maria's words laced with anger.
" Your parents must be sad to have a child like you but then again you must carry some of their traits. They must be pathetic as well---" Before Artanis could say another word a fist landed in her face, breaking her nose. Nienna turned to help her friend but was punched as well.
In the library:
The fellowship were sitting in the chairs watching Elrond. " Where is Maria, for she should be here as well." Elrond said.
" Boromir failed to mention that Maria should be here when he came to summon us." Aragorn glared at him. " We were with her at the gardens but I believe she left to her room. She I go get her?" He asked.
" No need. We will go to her." Elrond said and walked out of the room with the fellowship behind him. When they found Maria wasn't at the gardens they went to go to her room. When they entered the corridor, the sight before them surprised them all. Maria was struggling with an elf on the ground, slapping the elf. Arwen and Celeste were holding another elf back. Elrond took in the sight.
" What is going on here?" He bellowed. Artanis and Maria looked up at him from the ground. Artanis nose bleeding, her hair mangled and face red. Maria had blood dripping from her mouth, her hair messed up and her face covered in scratches. They looked at Elrond's angry face and immediately sprang apart. Celeste and Arwen released Nienna. " What are you five doing?"
" She started it milord." Nienna pointed at Maria. " She attacked Artanis and myself." Elrond turned to look at Maria.
" Maria, is what she says true?" He asked.
" Yes, but---" He cut her off.
" I don't want to hear it. I am very disappointed in you. You will go into your room and stay there. Celeste, Arwen, you are not allowed to visit her until I say so. Artanis, Nienna, follow me so we can clean you up." Elrond commanded.
" But sir," Maria cried. He held up her hand to silence her.
" But nothing Maria. Go to your room." Maria faced everyone else. Her eyes pleading to listen to her. She looked at Aragorn and Legolas for help only to see their faces masked in disappointment. Celeste and Arwen tried to explain but Elrond refused to listen. Everyone looked at her with disappointment, Celeste and Arwen looked at her with pity. Maria could feel the anger rise in her. She spit out the blood in her mouth at their feet and turned on her heel and walked away.
She stalked into her room and stayed there. She ignored all the knocks from her door. After a couple hours a guard entered her room saying that Elrond requested her presence for dinner and that she should dress appropriately. Maria changed into one of the dresses in the closet and fixed her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror then walked down to the dining hall. She ate dinner with the fellowship, Celeste, Elrond, Arwen and the two elves that she got into a fight with.
Maria ignored all the looks coming her way and tuned out all conversations. When she finally did look up she caught the eye of Artanis. Artanis words rode through her head from earlier. Having enough of dealing with everyone she threw down her napkin and stalked away from the table. She heard her name being called but chose to ignore it. She walked back to her room and stared at her image in the mirror. "You try to wear our beautiful elven clothing but it looks awful on you. You are disgusting to look at." Artanis words striked her.
Maria glared at her image. " This isn't me." She told herself. She ripped the dress of her. She stared at her image, now only in her underwear. She clenched her eyes shut, refusing the tears in her eyes to fall. So many thoughts running through her head. She opened her eyes and looked at herself. Instead of seeing herself in her underwear she saw herself lying in the hospital bed. Her body all torn, bruises and blood covering her skin. Tears glided down her cheeks. She shook her head to clear the image.
She removed her bra and underwear, she looked at her skin and saw all the little scars all over her skin. Most of them were not visible to the eye unless you took time to study her skin. She sat down on the ground, her body racking with tears. Maria looked back at the mirror, her eyes bloodshot, her skin red from her constant rubbing, wishing for the scars to disappear. Her lips all puffy thanks to Artanis. Her image was again replaced by the sight of her in the hospital, then the sight of her mother dead, then her standing at her father's grave. " STOP!" She yelled at the mirror.
Maria quickly got to her feet. She pulled back her fist and then punched the mirror, shattering it. The shards flying onto the ground, some of them cutting her legs, face and arms. Her right hand was raw and bleeding. Her body shaking with tears. She quickly dressed into her jeans and t-shirt. She stuffed all her stuff in her bag. She grabbed some parchment and ink and wrote down a letter. She sealed it in an envelope and placed it on her bed. Making sure no one was in the hall, she ran down to the kitchens and stashed some food in her bag.
Maria then went into the weaponry room and grabbed her daggers. She took one look at Rivendell then left in the midst of the night.
The next morning:
The fellowship were back in the library with Elrond talking about their course and how long it could possibly take to reach Mordor. " Where is Maria? She should be here as well, she needs to know this. Have any of you seen her." Elrond asked. No one said anything.
" The last I saw her was at dinner last night." Gandalf said. The rest of them agreeing with her.
" Little hobbits. Would you mind in getting Maria for us?" Elrond asked.
" Not at all." Frodo replied. The hobbits left the room in search of Maria. A couple minutes later the hobbits came back all trying to catch their breath.
" Where is Maria?" Legolas asked.
" We don't know. We searched the grounds but we couldn't find her." Sam said.
" Did you check her room?" Aragorn asked.
" Yes. It was very odd when we entered. We found a dress all tattered on the ground. And blood." Merry answered.
" Blood?" Legolas questioned.
" Let them finish Legolas." Gandalf said.
" Yes, blood. Small droplets all over the ground. The mirror was shattered on the ground as well. We had to be careful to not step on any shards. Her bed wasn't slept in either. Her stuff was gone. But we did find this." Frodo explained then handed them the letter. Elrond took the letter and saw that even the envelope had blood on it. The letter was addressed to himself, the fellowship, Celeste and Arwen. On the front of the envelope it said, 'Do not open unless all are present.'
" Someone get Celeste and Arwen immediately." Elrond said. Legolas rushed out of the room only to return with Celeste and Arwen hot on his heels. Elrond explained the situation to them. All of them took a seat as Elrond opened the letter.
" Dear Everyone," Elrond read. " If you have gotten this letter you have seen my room and know that I'm no longer in Rivendell. Don't worry, I haven't been kidnapped so don't panic. You're probably now wondering why I have left. I'll tell you. Make sure you are all sitting down for this, its going to be a long letter." Legolas smiled for he could just imagined Maria's voice.
Elrond looked at everyone then continued. " I have left for I couldn't stand seeing all your disappointed looks. I was so angry at you all, except Arwen and Celeste, for not allowing me to explain what had happened yesterday. Now I will tell you. Yesterday afternoon, I had found Celeste in tears because Artanis and Nienna had said some cruel things to her about herself and me. I had confronted them about it. They did not deny that fact of what they said and then continued to bash me, Celeste and Arwen."
" I don't know all of what they said to us for they spoke in elvish. Arwen and Celeste can confirm what they said. I didn't really get angry by what they said for I've heard much harsher words from others in my lifetime. I controlled my anger towards them until Artanis got into my face and said things about my family. I finally snapped. It's a unspoken rule but when you get into a argument with someone you never mention family unless you're ready to get physical. I punched both Artanis and Nienna."
" Arwen and Celeste tried to pull me back but I was too blinded by my anger and continued my strike towards Artanis. In the past I've handled situations better than that but due to dramatic events in my life I couldn't take anymore. Now you're wondering what dramatic events have caused this change in me. I won't go into deep details but I will tell what you need to know to have some kind of understanding." Elrond took a breather but then continued.
" Only few of you know but I don't originally come from middle-earth. Not really a big shocker. Anyways, moving on. Two years ago I was in a accident with my parents. I was told my father was killed instantly and my mother was placed into a coma. A coma is where someone is placed into a deep sleep that they can't wake up from. If they do wake up they're very likely to have brain damage. The doctors or 'healers' told me that I would never be able to walk again thanks to all the extensive damage done to me. Showed them wrong."
" I had no other kin. As I got out of the hospital or 'healing place' , I had to live alone, work and still go to school for my education. The stress was too much for me to handle. My life was crashing down around me. So I cut myself trying to end my life, hence the scars on my wrist. My neighbor found me and called the doctors, they fixed me up and I moved on. I was finally starting to get use to my new life until something happened. The same day I landed in Middle-Earth, my mother past away. You know the story of what happened afterwards. I fought two orcs, killed them, in the process got my ass whooped, yada yada. You know the rest up till now."
" I've left Rivendell to take a much needed breather. Don't worry I won't stray too far for I know what's out there. Thanks to my training with Legolas and Aragorn I can handle myself. If it makes you feel any better I brought along my daggers. I need the time alone and should be back in two days. If I'm not back by then, just wait longer. If I'm not back within the week I'm either a) lost, b) need more time or c) I got attacked and waiting for you to rescue me. Hopefully it will be the first two choices if I'm not back."
" If you doubt that I will return, enclosed is something very precious to me and I will be back to get it. Besides I haven't turned my back on the fellowship. I hope you all understand my need to leave. I shall return soon. -Maria." Elrond finished. He looked around to see everyone's reactions Celeste, Arwen, Legolas, Aragorn and the hobbits seemed the most affected by this. Everyone sat in silence, no one dared to speak up until Pippin spoke.
" What is it that Maria left behind?" He asked. Elrond picked up the envelope and pulled out a picture. He looked at it and shook his head, then rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration and sadness. He handed the picture to Gandalf who looked at it then handed it down. One by one everyone looked at the picture. As they passed it down everyone seemed to feel guilty and saddened as soon as they saw the picture.
Finally the picture was handed to Arwen. Everyone heard her gasp as she started to cry. She handed the picture to Celeste. Legolas and Aragorn huddled by her for they hadn't seen the picture yet. Celeste soon started to cry as well. " Damn it." Aragorn said. Legolas took the picture and stared at it. The picture held Maria standing in front of a castle made of sand with a big smile on her face. Next to her were two adults which he could say were her parents for she looked like both of them. Maria was wearing a bikini, Legolas could see that the scars weren't on her stomach. All three of them were smiling in the picture and standing near the near the ocean.
Legolas placed the picture on a desk and walked out. The picture moving to the breeze entering the room from the window.
To be continued….
Authors Note: Thank you to those who reviewed. I hope you guys like this chapter. Lots of drama. More coming soon. Please review. It keeps me motivated. Thank you!
By: Dreamweaver9
For the next week, Maria spent most of her time with Legolas and Aragorn training. She had learned how to use daggers, bow and arrow, sword and horseback riding. She learned horseback riding with Legolas much to her dismay. She couldn't concentrate when he was sitting right behind her, thankfully she was a quick learner. In her spare time she would hangout with Arwen and Celeste or dancing. Sometime with the hobbits, especially Bilbo. She loved to hear his stories and learn about middle-earth. In return she would tell him all the stories she read.
Right now she was wearing her pointe shoes and her proper dancing attire. She was in the clearing near the garden dancing in front of Aragorn and Legolas. Aragorn puffing away on his pipe and Legolas watching her dance with content. The serene feeling was soon disturb when Boromir walked into the clearing. Maria stopped dancing when she caught sight of him. Boromir looked at her with disgust written on his face. " What the hell are you staring at?" Maria asked.
" What are you wearing? That is not proper clothing for a woman." Boromir answered.
" Oh. So now I'm a woman? What happen to stupid child? Besides I don't give a damn that this isn't 'proper' clothing." She retorted. Boromir was bristled at her language towards him. He stood up straight.
" Show me some respect child. My patience is running thin with you." He said.
" Show you respect? Why don't you show me some respect? Why the hell are you here anyways?"
Ignoring her, he turned toward Legolas and Aragorn. " Lord Elrond has requested your presence in the library." He told them. He turned on his heal and walked away.
" OH! That man just infuriates me so! Then he just brushes me off. Asshole!" She said. Legolas and Aragorn just shook their head at her and left to go see Elrond. Maria huffed, knowing that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on her dancing, she took of her shoes and headed back to her room. After changing into her clothes she went to go look for Arwen and Celeste. She entered to see Arwen hugging Celeste who's face was streaked with tears. She quickly sat down next to them.
" What's wrong? What happened?" Maria asked, concern laced with the question.
" I was doing my morning chores when I was approached by two ladies. They started to talk about you." Celeste said. Maria pointed to herself.
" Me?" Celeste nodded her head. " What did they say?"
" They said that you were a ugly pathetic human and you are a stupid wench." Celeste told her. Much to Celeste and Arwen's surprise, Maria started laughing.
" Is that all? I have heard worse from girls at school. You don't have to cry about that." Maria said.
" I'm not crying about that."
" Then what are you crying about?"
" The elves said some very cruel things about me. They said I was a poor excuse of a elf and insulted my family." Maria jumped onto her feet.
" What?!? Oh hell nah! They can't do that. It's one thing when they insult me, it's a whole other thing when they insult my friends. Come Celeste, wipe away those tears and show me who these elves are." Celeste pulled out of Arwen's embrace and wiped away her tears. She got to her feet and walked out with Maria and Arwen following.
" What are you going to do when you find them?" Arwen asked.
" Give them a taste of their own medicine." She answered. Arwen's forehead wrinkled in confusion but didn't ask what her answer meant. Celeste stopped walking and pointed out two elves. Both were fair skinned and had dark raven hair. Maria walked up to the two elves and tapped them on the shoulder. They turned to look at her. Their eyes roamed Maria and then turned to ignore her.
" Excuse me, ladies." Maria said. They turned back again. They looked at her with discuss written on their faces. " Hi. My name is Maria--" She was interrupted.
" We know who you are." One of them said.
" Oh, good. Why don't you tell me who you are?"
" I am Nienna Coamenel." The one with the green eyes said.
" I am Artanis Elanesse." The one with blue eyes said.
Maria smiled at them both. " Nice to meet. Now that we've been introduced you can tell me why you were insulting my friend and I."
" Llie n'vanima ar amin feuya ten' lle [ You're ugly and you disgust me]." Artanis said. Arwen and Celeste gasped. Since Maria didn't understand one word spoken she could only figure by their reactions that what was spoken was a insult.
" Mani ume lle quena? [ What did you say?]" Arwen asked.
" Dina Arwen. [Be silent Arwen.]" Nienna said.
" Amin il naa lle nai. [ I am not yours to command.]" Arwen retorted.
" Antolle ulua sulrim Arwen. [Much wind pours from you mouth Arwen.]" Nienna replied. Maria's eyes darted between them, wandering what they were saying. Artanis turned her attention to Celeste and Maria.
She smiled at them and said, " Auta miqula orqu. [Go kiss an orc.]" Celeste gasped again. Maria raised a eyebrow. She stood tall and faced both Nienna and Artanis.
" Why don't you say that in English and lets see how I react." Maria said.
" You are a pathetic human and you are ugly. You try to fit in but you are still an outcast. You try to wear our beautiful elven clothing but it looks awful on you. You are disgusting to look at." Artanis told her.
" I know you don't like me but you still haven't told me why. Aragorn lives here and he fits here, how come I'm so different?" Maria asked. Artanis got close to her and whispered into her ear so only Maria could hear.
" Estel was raised here and we are used to him. Besides he is a handsome human. You on the other hand are stupid. You are a wench who entertains Aragorn and Prince Legolas with your idiotic antics. I hate you because of who you are. Your mother and father must be fools as well." She whispered in Maria's ear. Artanis pulled back with a cruel smile on her face. Maria was furious, her eyes filled with tears.
" Don't you talk about my family." Maria's words laced with anger.
" Your parents must be sad to have a child like you but then again you must carry some of their traits. They must be pathetic as well---" Before Artanis could say another word a fist landed in her face, breaking her nose. Nienna turned to help her friend but was punched as well.
In the library:
The fellowship were sitting in the chairs watching Elrond. " Where is Maria, for she should be here as well." Elrond said.
" Boromir failed to mention that Maria should be here when he came to summon us." Aragorn glared at him. " We were with her at the gardens but I believe she left to her room. She I go get her?" He asked.
" No need. We will go to her." Elrond said and walked out of the room with the fellowship behind him. When they found Maria wasn't at the gardens they went to go to her room. When they entered the corridor, the sight before them surprised them all. Maria was struggling with an elf on the ground, slapping the elf. Arwen and Celeste were holding another elf back. Elrond took in the sight.
" What is going on here?" He bellowed. Artanis and Maria looked up at him from the ground. Artanis nose bleeding, her hair mangled and face red. Maria had blood dripping from her mouth, her hair messed up and her face covered in scratches. They looked at Elrond's angry face and immediately sprang apart. Celeste and Arwen released Nienna. " What are you five doing?"
" She started it milord." Nienna pointed at Maria. " She attacked Artanis and myself." Elrond turned to look at Maria.
" Maria, is what she says true?" He asked.
" Yes, but---" He cut her off.
" I don't want to hear it. I am very disappointed in you. You will go into your room and stay there. Celeste, Arwen, you are not allowed to visit her until I say so. Artanis, Nienna, follow me so we can clean you up." Elrond commanded.
" But sir," Maria cried. He held up her hand to silence her.
" But nothing Maria. Go to your room." Maria faced everyone else. Her eyes pleading to listen to her. She looked at Aragorn and Legolas for help only to see their faces masked in disappointment. Celeste and Arwen tried to explain but Elrond refused to listen. Everyone looked at her with disappointment, Celeste and Arwen looked at her with pity. Maria could feel the anger rise in her. She spit out the blood in her mouth at their feet and turned on her heel and walked away.
She stalked into her room and stayed there. She ignored all the knocks from her door. After a couple hours a guard entered her room saying that Elrond requested her presence for dinner and that she should dress appropriately. Maria changed into one of the dresses in the closet and fixed her hair. She looked at herself in the mirror then walked down to the dining hall. She ate dinner with the fellowship, Celeste, Elrond, Arwen and the two elves that she got into a fight with.
Maria ignored all the looks coming her way and tuned out all conversations. When she finally did look up she caught the eye of Artanis. Artanis words rode through her head from earlier. Having enough of dealing with everyone she threw down her napkin and stalked away from the table. She heard her name being called but chose to ignore it. She walked back to her room and stared at her image in the mirror. "You try to wear our beautiful elven clothing but it looks awful on you. You are disgusting to look at." Artanis words striked her.
Maria glared at her image. " This isn't me." She told herself. She ripped the dress of her. She stared at her image, now only in her underwear. She clenched her eyes shut, refusing the tears in her eyes to fall. So many thoughts running through her head. She opened her eyes and looked at herself. Instead of seeing herself in her underwear she saw herself lying in the hospital bed. Her body all torn, bruises and blood covering her skin. Tears glided down her cheeks. She shook her head to clear the image.
She removed her bra and underwear, she looked at her skin and saw all the little scars all over her skin. Most of them were not visible to the eye unless you took time to study her skin. She sat down on the ground, her body racking with tears. Maria looked back at the mirror, her eyes bloodshot, her skin red from her constant rubbing, wishing for the scars to disappear. Her lips all puffy thanks to Artanis. Her image was again replaced by the sight of her in the hospital, then the sight of her mother dead, then her standing at her father's grave. " STOP!" She yelled at the mirror.
Maria quickly got to her feet. She pulled back her fist and then punched the mirror, shattering it. The shards flying onto the ground, some of them cutting her legs, face and arms. Her right hand was raw and bleeding. Her body shaking with tears. She quickly dressed into her jeans and t-shirt. She stuffed all her stuff in her bag. She grabbed some parchment and ink and wrote down a letter. She sealed it in an envelope and placed it on her bed. Making sure no one was in the hall, she ran down to the kitchens and stashed some food in her bag.
Maria then went into the weaponry room and grabbed her daggers. She took one look at Rivendell then left in the midst of the night.
The next morning:
The fellowship were back in the library with Elrond talking about their course and how long it could possibly take to reach Mordor. " Where is Maria? She should be here as well, she needs to know this. Have any of you seen her." Elrond asked. No one said anything.
" The last I saw her was at dinner last night." Gandalf said. The rest of them agreeing with her.
" Little hobbits. Would you mind in getting Maria for us?" Elrond asked.
" Not at all." Frodo replied. The hobbits left the room in search of Maria. A couple minutes later the hobbits came back all trying to catch their breath.
" Where is Maria?" Legolas asked.
" We don't know. We searched the grounds but we couldn't find her." Sam said.
" Did you check her room?" Aragorn asked.
" Yes. It was very odd when we entered. We found a dress all tattered on the ground. And blood." Merry answered.
" Blood?" Legolas questioned.
" Let them finish Legolas." Gandalf said.
" Yes, blood. Small droplets all over the ground. The mirror was shattered on the ground as well. We had to be careful to not step on any shards. Her bed wasn't slept in either. Her stuff was gone. But we did find this." Frodo explained then handed them the letter. Elrond took the letter and saw that even the envelope had blood on it. The letter was addressed to himself, the fellowship, Celeste and Arwen. On the front of the envelope it said, 'Do not open unless all are present.'
" Someone get Celeste and Arwen immediately." Elrond said. Legolas rushed out of the room only to return with Celeste and Arwen hot on his heels. Elrond explained the situation to them. All of them took a seat as Elrond opened the letter.
" Dear Everyone," Elrond read. " If you have gotten this letter you have seen my room and know that I'm no longer in Rivendell. Don't worry, I haven't been kidnapped so don't panic. You're probably now wondering why I have left. I'll tell you. Make sure you are all sitting down for this, its going to be a long letter." Legolas smiled for he could just imagined Maria's voice.
Elrond looked at everyone then continued. " I have left for I couldn't stand seeing all your disappointed looks. I was so angry at you all, except Arwen and Celeste, for not allowing me to explain what had happened yesterday. Now I will tell you. Yesterday afternoon, I had found Celeste in tears because Artanis and Nienna had said some cruel things to her about herself and me. I had confronted them about it. They did not deny that fact of what they said and then continued to bash me, Celeste and Arwen."
" I don't know all of what they said to us for they spoke in elvish. Arwen and Celeste can confirm what they said. I didn't really get angry by what they said for I've heard much harsher words from others in my lifetime. I controlled my anger towards them until Artanis got into my face and said things about my family. I finally snapped. It's a unspoken rule but when you get into a argument with someone you never mention family unless you're ready to get physical. I punched both Artanis and Nienna."
" Arwen and Celeste tried to pull me back but I was too blinded by my anger and continued my strike towards Artanis. In the past I've handled situations better than that but due to dramatic events in my life I couldn't take anymore. Now you're wondering what dramatic events have caused this change in me. I won't go into deep details but I will tell what you need to know to have some kind of understanding." Elrond took a breather but then continued.
" Only few of you know but I don't originally come from middle-earth. Not really a big shocker. Anyways, moving on. Two years ago I was in a accident with my parents. I was told my father was killed instantly and my mother was placed into a coma. A coma is where someone is placed into a deep sleep that they can't wake up from. If they do wake up they're very likely to have brain damage. The doctors or 'healers' told me that I would never be able to walk again thanks to all the extensive damage done to me. Showed them wrong."
" I had no other kin. As I got out of the hospital or 'healing place' , I had to live alone, work and still go to school for my education. The stress was too much for me to handle. My life was crashing down around me. So I cut myself trying to end my life, hence the scars on my wrist. My neighbor found me and called the doctors, they fixed me up and I moved on. I was finally starting to get use to my new life until something happened. The same day I landed in Middle-Earth, my mother past away. You know the story of what happened afterwards. I fought two orcs, killed them, in the process got my ass whooped, yada yada. You know the rest up till now."
" I've left Rivendell to take a much needed breather. Don't worry I won't stray too far for I know what's out there. Thanks to my training with Legolas and Aragorn I can handle myself. If it makes you feel any better I brought along my daggers. I need the time alone and should be back in two days. If I'm not back by then, just wait longer. If I'm not back within the week I'm either a) lost, b) need more time or c) I got attacked and waiting for you to rescue me. Hopefully it will be the first two choices if I'm not back."
" If you doubt that I will return, enclosed is something very precious to me and I will be back to get it. Besides I haven't turned my back on the fellowship. I hope you all understand my need to leave. I shall return soon. -Maria." Elrond finished. He looked around to see everyone's reactions Celeste, Arwen, Legolas, Aragorn and the hobbits seemed the most affected by this. Everyone sat in silence, no one dared to speak up until Pippin spoke.
" What is it that Maria left behind?" He asked. Elrond picked up the envelope and pulled out a picture. He looked at it and shook his head, then rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration and sadness. He handed the picture to Gandalf who looked at it then handed it down. One by one everyone looked at the picture. As they passed it down everyone seemed to feel guilty and saddened as soon as they saw the picture.
Finally the picture was handed to Arwen. Everyone heard her gasp as she started to cry. She handed the picture to Celeste. Legolas and Aragorn huddled by her for they hadn't seen the picture yet. Celeste soon started to cry as well. " Damn it." Aragorn said. Legolas took the picture and stared at it. The picture held Maria standing in front of a castle made of sand with a big smile on her face. Next to her were two adults which he could say were her parents for she looked like both of them. Maria was wearing a bikini, Legolas could see that the scars weren't on her stomach. All three of them were smiling in the picture and standing near the near the ocean.
Legolas placed the picture on a desk and walked out. The picture moving to the breeze entering the room from the window.
To be continued….
Authors Note: Thank you to those who reviewed. I hope you guys like this chapter. Lots of drama. More coming soon. Please review. It keeps me motivated. Thank you!