Life Sucks
By: Honolulu
Authors Note: I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I was going to update sooner but I had the worst writers block I've ever had. Also, I auditioned for a part in the school play and I got it. To those who emailed me for the original version of Training Haldir, I did receive your emails requesting it but I've seemed to misplaced the chapter. If I can find it I will email it to you straight away, if I don't I'll rewrite and mail it to you. Thank you to those who reviewed or emailed me to tell me to start updating. I hope you like this chapter. I appreciate all the reviews. R & R.
That next day, Maria and Legolas avoided each other at any cost. Maria spent most of her time with Haldir even when he was on duty and Legolas was with Celeborn or Gimli. Maria was with Haldir on one of the borders. Haldir was gritting his teeth while listening to Maria speak with him about nothing. He was very much considering doing something drastic when Lady Galadriel approached them. " Maria," She called out to them.
" Lady Galadriel, what can I do for you?" Maria replied.
" Come take a walk with me while we leave Haldir to his duties. I have something I wish for you to see." Haldir thanked the Valor as he watched Maria follow Lady Galadriel down the border. Maria walked next to Galadriel in silence.
" Where are you taking me Lady Galadriel?" She asked. Galadriel turned her head and gave her a smile.
" Don't worry, it's not much farther now." Galadriel replied. She led Maria to small clearing, in the middle of the clearing was a small basin on a low pedestal, beside it stood a silver ewer. Galadriel walked to the stream and filled up the basin to the brim and breathed on it, when the water was still again she spoke. " I have seen what will come to past. Do not doubt my words Maria, many challenges lay ahead of you. It is your choice to see what will become of you. Will you look into the mirror?"
Maria did look interested, she was curious as to what she would see but curiosity killed the cat. She licked her lips and slowly walked to the basin. She tucked strands of her behind her ears. Slowly she bent over the mirror and looked inside. She saw...nothing.
" I don't see anything." She told Galadriel.
" Be patient. Look again." She licked her lips again and looked down. She once again saw nothing. Maria was starting to doubt Galadriel's words when the water rippled. An image started to take shape, Maria gasped as she stared down at the image. Galadriel watched Maria's reactions to the pictures she saw in the mirror.
Tears started to form in her eyes as she continued watching. One tear made its way down her cheek, chin then into the water. The water rippled and the images disappeared. Maria looked at Galadriel dumbfounded, her knees buckled and she hit the ground. Galadriel looked at her. " You've now have seen what will come to past. Do not tell anyone what you have seen. The fellowship leaves five days from now. It's your decision now, will you continue with the them? If not, Lothlorien will accept your place here."
She opened her mouth to respond but Galadriel raised her hand to stop her. " Do not answer now. Think about what you have seen. Think about this hard, will you continue this journey even if it means your death? I leave you now." Galadriel started to walk away when Maria's voice called her.
" Wait." She halted. " Why show me this? Why not let me continue without all of this knowledge?" She asked. Without turning, Galadriel answered her.
" I would not have you fight for a cause that you don't fully understand nor face the challenges ahead that will cause you extreme pain. You don't belong in Middle-Earth Maria, you shouldn't have to fight for us." Maria opened her mouth to ask another question when Galadriel walked away from the clearing.
Maria watched her walk away. She pulled her legs to her chest and rested her head on her knees. She closed her eyes and just cried.
************************
Haldir walked towards the clearing where the fellowship was eating dinner. He greeted them. " Quel undome [Good evening]. I'm sorry to disturb you but have any of you seen Maria?" The fellowship shook their heads.
" No, we haven't seen her. We thought she was with you. Why do you ask?" Aragorn said.
" I haven't seen Maria since two mornings ago. She hasn't showed for training and she's not in her room." Haldir told them.
" How do you know that she's just not answering the door?" Merry asked.
" I would've heard movement in her room even her breathing but I heard nothing."
" Did you do anything to her that would make her ignore you? Did you hurt her?" Legolas asked, his eyes narrowing at Haldir.
" No, I would do none of the kind. The last I saw her was two days ago. She was speaking to me while I was on duty but the Lady called her away. I haven't seen her since." Haldir responded.
" Why don't you ask the Lady where she is?" Gimli asked. He shook his head.
" I have already asked but she told me nothing. I ask you to help me find her." Aragorn nodded.
" We will help you." The fellowship pushed aside their dinner and went to go look for their missing friend. The hobbits of course grabbed some apples before they went searching.
************************
Gimli was walking with Legolas around Lorien to look for Maria. " Legolas,"
" Yes Gimli?"
" What happened between you and the lass?" Legolas looked at him.
" What do you mean?" Gimli chuckled.
" Don't try to lie. You two have avoided each other since that night when I talked to you."
" What talk?" Legolas smiled.
" Don't try to change the subject. What happened Legolas?"
" I never knew that dwarfs were so nosy."
" Legolas," Gimli said in a more firm voice.
" We kissed."
" HAHA!" Gimli gave him a hard pat on the back. " Good for you lad, what else happened?"
" Nothing." Legolas told him. Gimli raised an eyebrow.
" What do you mean nothing?"
" Exactly that Gimli, nothing. We kissed and it felt great but before anything else happened I asked her to leave."
" Did you not tell her that you fancied her?"
" No! I should have but when I'm around her I act like a young elfling. I don't know what to do."
" You two have been avoiding each other over a kiss? Laddie, you better speak with her and make your intentions clear. Can't have the lass all confused over you."
" You're correct Gimli. I will speak with her when we find her."
**************************
" Where is that blasted girl?!?" Gimli growled. " I missed dinner to go look for her and we can't find her anywhere in this confounded place." Legolas swallowed the urge to laugh at his companion.
" Why don't you go back to camp Gimli? I will continue to look for her."
" Are you sure?"
" Yes, soon it will become to dark for you to look for her."
" Humph. I'm going to give that lass a piece of my mind when I see her." Gimli grumbled when he started to make his way back to camp. Legolas laughed and turned to continue walking.
" Legolas," A voice called out. He turned to look at the direction the voice came from. He saw that the voice belonged to Galadriel.
" Lady Galadriel, Quel undome [Good evening]."
" Quel undome Legolas."
" I am sorry Lady but I can't speak with you, I must find Maria."
" That's why I came to speak with you Legolas." A confused expression was pasted on his face.
" What do you mean?"
" I know where she is Legolas."
" Please tell me. The others are worry as am I."
" She by the stream in the east border. You will find her there."
" Thank you Lady Galadriel." She simply smiled and watched as he took off running towards the east.
*********************
Maria was sitting by the stream, her legs in the water. She had been sitting there since her talk with Lady Galadriel. She leaned back, her hands supporting her as she stared at the stars. She lifted one hand and reached towards the stars.
" How much I have changed since I've been here." She sat up and looked at her hands. No longer were her hands smooth but rough and slightly calloused. Her body covered in more scars and her hair that took her forever to grow long was now shorter that ever. She was deadly with daggers and had kissed an elf.
" How did my life get this way?" She mumbled to herself. She took off her shirt and let her body slide into the water. Wearing just her bra and cut off leggings, she floated in the stream and looked up at the stars. She closed her eyes and let the water sooth her tense body.
********************
Legolas ran toward the east stream. " Maria! Where are you?" He yelled out. Maria opened her eyes and swore that she heard someone call out her name. " Maria!" She knew someone called her that time. She lifted up her head.
" Legolas? What are you doing here?" Legolas looked towards the water and saw her treading water.
" Looking for you. Have you been here this whole time?" He asked.
" Yes, Galadriel assured me that I would find privacy. What's wrong?"
" Haldir came to us, he said that you haven't been showing up for training and was worried about you. He asked us to help him look for you. Why did you need privacy? Is something wrong?"
" No, I'm fine. You can go back to camp and tell the rest that you've found me."
" Don't do this Maria."
" Don't do what?"
" You promised us that you would tell us if something is wrong, even if it was something small. Do not go back on your word."
" I'm not hurt."
" Not physically but emotionally. What's wrong Maria? Please tell me. Does have to do with the me?" He asked.
" No."
" Haldir?"
" No."
" The fellowship?"
"…"
" So it involves the fellowship."
" Kind of."
" Come out of the water Maria and speak with me." Maria nodded and swam towards him. He lent her a hand and helped her out of the water. She squeezed the water out of her hair and put back on her tunic. She sat down with Legolas.
" Where do you want me to start?"
" From the beginning." She sighed.
" I went walking with Galadriel two days ago. She took me to this clearing and talked to me. She made me look into this mirror. I didn't like what I saw."
" She showed you her mirror? What did you see?" He asked.
" Some very disturbing things, I would tell you but she told not to say anything to anyone. But it wasn't so much the images I saw, it was her words that cut me like a knife. It made me think." She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. " God! Why couldn't she leave me alone?"
Legolas rubbed her back in soothing circles. " Nobody truly knows what the Lady thinks or why she acts the way she does. All I know is that her actions are usually for the best." She nodded and laid down on the grass. " Do you feel better?"
" Yes, thank you." Legolas laid down next to her. " Was Haldir really worried?" She asked.
" Yes. Everyone was. Gimli was with me looking for you but I had enough of his grumbling and sent him back to camp. You better avoid him when you get back." Maria laughed. He turned to face her, he raised himself onto his elbow and looked down on her.
" What?" She asked.
" You have to stop worrying everyone."
" I'll try." He caressed her cheek and moved closer to her face.
" I don't want to hurt you." He said. Maria moved her hands to his chest and grabbed his tunic.
" Then don't." was her reply before she brought his body against hers and kissed him.
************************
Maria was back in her room complaining to Legolas. " That jerk Haldir. I'm gone for two days and he tells me that I'm out of shape. He made me run ten miles this morning!! TEN!!! That little bugger." Legolas laughed. " It was bad enough that even the hobbits had the nerve to lecture me." He laughed again and kissed her. They broke the kiss when there was a knock on the door.
" Come in!" Lady Galadriel entered the room. She smiled at the sight of Legolas and Maria.
" Hello. Legolas, may I speak to Maria privately?" Galadriel asked. Legolas looked at Maria, she sighed and nodded. Legolas walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Maria sat up and offered Galadriel a chair.
" Why do you want to talk to me?"
" I came for your answer."
" I've had the same answer since you talked to me. I will be going."
" Even if it means death?" Maria looked her straight in the eyes.
" Even if it means death." Galadriel gave her a smile that confused Maria. " Is that all you wanted?"
" There's one more thing. Tonight you and the fellowship are invited to dine with Lord Celeborn and I. There will be others but we would be happy if you joined us. Will you come?"
" Do I have to wear a dress?"
" No."
" Then I'll go."
" I leave you to your thoughts." Galadriel walked out of the room leaving Maria slightly confused.
" What a strange life I live." She muttered.
To be continued…
Authors Note: Those who wanted the original chapter of Training Haldir, could you leave a review with your email address! I hope you liked this chapter, I had a heck of a time writing it, I'm still battling writers block. Come join my group at yahoo. Click to my bio page and the website will be there. I'll have my stories there and some other writers have already posted there stories there as well. You can post any kind of story you want. Please join!
By: Honolulu
Authors Note: I'm so sorry for the long wait for this chapter. I was going to update sooner but I had the worst writers block I've ever had. Also, I auditioned for a part in the school play and I got it. To those who emailed me for the original version of Training Haldir, I did receive your emails requesting it but I've seemed to misplaced the chapter. If I can find it I will email it to you straight away, if I don't I'll rewrite and mail it to you. Thank you to those who reviewed or emailed me to tell me to start updating. I hope you like this chapter. I appreciate all the reviews. R & R.
That next day, Maria and Legolas avoided each other at any cost. Maria spent most of her time with Haldir even when he was on duty and Legolas was with Celeborn or Gimli. Maria was with Haldir on one of the borders. Haldir was gritting his teeth while listening to Maria speak with him about nothing. He was very much considering doing something drastic when Lady Galadriel approached them. " Maria," She called out to them.
" Lady Galadriel, what can I do for you?" Maria replied.
" Come take a walk with me while we leave Haldir to his duties. I have something I wish for you to see." Haldir thanked the Valor as he watched Maria follow Lady Galadriel down the border. Maria walked next to Galadriel in silence.
" Where are you taking me Lady Galadriel?" She asked. Galadriel turned her head and gave her a smile.
" Don't worry, it's not much farther now." Galadriel replied. She led Maria to small clearing, in the middle of the clearing was a small basin on a low pedestal, beside it stood a silver ewer. Galadriel walked to the stream and filled up the basin to the brim and breathed on it, when the water was still again she spoke. " I have seen what will come to past. Do not doubt my words Maria, many challenges lay ahead of you. It is your choice to see what will become of you. Will you look into the mirror?"
Maria did look interested, she was curious as to what she would see but curiosity killed the cat. She licked her lips and slowly walked to the basin. She tucked strands of her behind her ears. Slowly she bent over the mirror and looked inside. She saw...nothing.
" I don't see anything." She told Galadriel.
" Be patient. Look again." She licked her lips again and looked down. She once again saw nothing. Maria was starting to doubt Galadriel's words when the water rippled. An image started to take shape, Maria gasped as she stared down at the image. Galadriel watched Maria's reactions to the pictures she saw in the mirror.
Tears started to form in her eyes as she continued watching. One tear made its way down her cheek, chin then into the water. The water rippled and the images disappeared. Maria looked at Galadriel dumbfounded, her knees buckled and she hit the ground. Galadriel looked at her. " You've now have seen what will come to past. Do not tell anyone what you have seen. The fellowship leaves five days from now. It's your decision now, will you continue with the them? If not, Lothlorien will accept your place here."
She opened her mouth to respond but Galadriel raised her hand to stop her. " Do not answer now. Think about what you have seen. Think about this hard, will you continue this journey even if it means your death? I leave you now." Galadriel started to walk away when Maria's voice called her.
" Wait." She halted. " Why show me this? Why not let me continue without all of this knowledge?" She asked. Without turning, Galadriel answered her.
" I would not have you fight for a cause that you don't fully understand nor face the challenges ahead that will cause you extreme pain. You don't belong in Middle-Earth Maria, you shouldn't have to fight for us." Maria opened her mouth to ask another question when Galadriel walked away from the clearing.
Maria watched her walk away. She pulled her legs to her chest and rested her head on her knees. She closed her eyes and just cried.
************************
Haldir walked towards the clearing where the fellowship was eating dinner. He greeted them. " Quel undome [Good evening]. I'm sorry to disturb you but have any of you seen Maria?" The fellowship shook their heads.
" No, we haven't seen her. We thought she was with you. Why do you ask?" Aragorn said.
" I haven't seen Maria since two mornings ago. She hasn't showed for training and she's not in her room." Haldir told them.
" How do you know that she's just not answering the door?" Merry asked.
" I would've heard movement in her room even her breathing but I heard nothing."
" Did you do anything to her that would make her ignore you? Did you hurt her?" Legolas asked, his eyes narrowing at Haldir.
" No, I would do none of the kind. The last I saw her was two days ago. She was speaking to me while I was on duty but the Lady called her away. I haven't seen her since." Haldir responded.
" Why don't you ask the Lady where she is?" Gimli asked. He shook his head.
" I have already asked but she told me nothing. I ask you to help me find her." Aragorn nodded.
" We will help you." The fellowship pushed aside their dinner and went to go look for their missing friend. The hobbits of course grabbed some apples before they went searching.
************************
Gimli was walking with Legolas around Lorien to look for Maria. " Legolas,"
" Yes Gimli?"
" What happened between you and the lass?" Legolas looked at him.
" What do you mean?" Gimli chuckled.
" Don't try to lie. You two have avoided each other since that night when I talked to you."
" What talk?" Legolas smiled.
" Don't try to change the subject. What happened Legolas?"
" I never knew that dwarfs were so nosy."
" Legolas," Gimli said in a more firm voice.
" We kissed."
" HAHA!" Gimli gave him a hard pat on the back. " Good for you lad, what else happened?"
" Nothing." Legolas told him. Gimli raised an eyebrow.
" What do you mean nothing?"
" Exactly that Gimli, nothing. We kissed and it felt great but before anything else happened I asked her to leave."
" Did you not tell her that you fancied her?"
" No! I should have but when I'm around her I act like a young elfling. I don't know what to do."
" You two have been avoiding each other over a kiss? Laddie, you better speak with her and make your intentions clear. Can't have the lass all confused over you."
" You're correct Gimli. I will speak with her when we find her."
**************************
" Where is that blasted girl?!?" Gimli growled. " I missed dinner to go look for her and we can't find her anywhere in this confounded place." Legolas swallowed the urge to laugh at his companion.
" Why don't you go back to camp Gimli? I will continue to look for her."
" Are you sure?"
" Yes, soon it will become to dark for you to look for her."
" Humph. I'm going to give that lass a piece of my mind when I see her." Gimli grumbled when he started to make his way back to camp. Legolas laughed and turned to continue walking.
" Legolas," A voice called out. He turned to look at the direction the voice came from. He saw that the voice belonged to Galadriel.
" Lady Galadriel, Quel undome [Good evening]."
" Quel undome Legolas."
" I am sorry Lady but I can't speak with you, I must find Maria."
" That's why I came to speak with you Legolas." A confused expression was pasted on his face.
" What do you mean?"
" I know where she is Legolas."
" Please tell me. The others are worry as am I."
" She by the stream in the east border. You will find her there."
" Thank you Lady Galadriel." She simply smiled and watched as he took off running towards the east.
*********************
Maria was sitting by the stream, her legs in the water. She had been sitting there since her talk with Lady Galadriel. She leaned back, her hands supporting her as she stared at the stars. She lifted one hand and reached towards the stars.
" How much I have changed since I've been here." She sat up and looked at her hands. No longer were her hands smooth but rough and slightly calloused. Her body covered in more scars and her hair that took her forever to grow long was now shorter that ever. She was deadly with daggers and had kissed an elf.
" How did my life get this way?" She mumbled to herself. She took off her shirt and let her body slide into the water. Wearing just her bra and cut off leggings, she floated in the stream and looked up at the stars. She closed her eyes and let the water sooth her tense body.
********************
Legolas ran toward the east stream. " Maria! Where are you?" He yelled out. Maria opened her eyes and swore that she heard someone call out her name. " Maria!" She knew someone called her that time. She lifted up her head.
" Legolas? What are you doing here?" Legolas looked towards the water and saw her treading water.
" Looking for you. Have you been here this whole time?" He asked.
" Yes, Galadriel assured me that I would find privacy. What's wrong?"
" Haldir came to us, he said that you haven't been showing up for training and was worried about you. He asked us to help him look for you. Why did you need privacy? Is something wrong?"
" No, I'm fine. You can go back to camp and tell the rest that you've found me."
" Don't do this Maria."
" Don't do what?"
" You promised us that you would tell us if something is wrong, even if it was something small. Do not go back on your word."
" I'm not hurt."
" Not physically but emotionally. What's wrong Maria? Please tell me. Does have to do with the me?" He asked.
" No."
" Haldir?"
" No."
" The fellowship?"
"…"
" So it involves the fellowship."
" Kind of."
" Come out of the water Maria and speak with me." Maria nodded and swam towards him. He lent her a hand and helped her out of the water. She squeezed the water out of her hair and put back on her tunic. She sat down with Legolas.
" Where do you want me to start?"
" From the beginning." She sighed.
" I went walking with Galadriel two days ago. She took me to this clearing and talked to me. She made me look into this mirror. I didn't like what I saw."
" She showed you her mirror? What did you see?" He asked.
" Some very disturbing things, I would tell you but she told not to say anything to anyone. But it wasn't so much the images I saw, it was her words that cut me like a knife. It made me think." She ran her fingers through her hair in frustration. " God! Why couldn't she leave me alone?"
Legolas rubbed her back in soothing circles. " Nobody truly knows what the Lady thinks or why she acts the way she does. All I know is that her actions are usually for the best." She nodded and laid down on the grass. " Do you feel better?"
" Yes, thank you." Legolas laid down next to her. " Was Haldir really worried?" She asked.
" Yes. Everyone was. Gimli was with me looking for you but I had enough of his grumbling and sent him back to camp. You better avoid him when you get back." Maria laughed. He turned to face her, he raised himself onto his elbow and looked down on her.
" What?" She asked.
" You have to stop worrying everyone."
" I'll try." He caressed her cheek and moved closer to her face.
" I don't want to hurt you." He said. Maria moved her hands to his chest and grabbed his tunic.
" Then don't." was her reply before she brought his body against hers and kissed him.
************************
Maria was back in her room complaining to Legolas. " That jerk Haldir. I'm gone for two days and he tells me that I'm out of shape. He made me run ten miles this morning!! TEN!!! That little bugger." Legolas laughed. " It was bad enough that even the hobbits had the nerve to lecture me." He laughed again and kissed her. They broke the kiss when there was a knock on the door.
" Come in!" Lady Galadriel entered the room. She smiled at the sight of Legolas and Maria.
" Hello. Legolas, may I speak to Maria privately?" Galadriel asked. Legolas looked at Maria, she sighed and nodded. Legolas walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. Maria sat up and offered Galadriel a chair.
" Why do you want to talk to me?"
" I came for your answer."
" I've had the same answer since you talked to me. I will be going."
" Even if it means death?" Maria looked her straight in the eyes.
" Even if it means death." Galadriel gave her a smile that confused Maria. " Is that all you wanted?"
" There's one more thing. Tonight you and the fellowship are invited to dine with Lord Celeborn and I. There will be others but we would be happy if you joined us. Will you come?"
" Do I have to wear a dress?"
" No."
" Then I'll go."
" I leave you to your thoughts." Galadriel walked out of the room leaving Maria slightly confused.
" What a strange life I live." She muttered.
To be continued…
Authors Note: Those who wanted the original chapter of Training Haldir, could you leave a review with your email address! I hope you liked this chapter, I had a heck of a time writing it, I'm still battling writers block. Come join my group at yahoo. Click to my bio page and the website will be there. I'll have my stories there and some other writers have already posted there stories there as well. You can post any kind of story you want. Please join!