Life Sucks
By: Honolulu
Legolas awoke to a soft breeze caressing his face. He opened his eyes and scanned the room. Over in the corner sat Maria in a chair. One knee brought up to her chest as she looked through her backpack. He watched as she smiled when she brought out her pointe shoes. Running her fingers over them, she gave a small laugh. As if knowing that she was being watched, she looked up at him. Still smiling, she spoke, " Do you remember when we were still at Elrond's, and he asked me to dance for the festivities?" He nodded. "I was a bit peeved at the idea and embarrassed when I fell but now...I can look back at it and laugh. Makes me a bit sad actually."
Placing her shoes on the table, she got out of her seat and walked to him. Crawling on the bed, she loomed over him. Bringing her face near his, he met her half way and kissed each other. Moving apart she whispered, "Good morning." He smiled and moved his hands on her back, pulling her forward so she laid against his chest. He flipped them over so he could look upon her. Legolas ran his eyes over her face and came to realize that she looked different. He caught his breath when he looked at her...really looked at her. Her eyes looked to be a bit duller, not as bright as when they first met and when he last saw her. Her hair was no longer chin length but a bit past her shoulders and a lighter shade, making her look older.
"Sut? [How?]" He said dropping his smile.
"What?" She asked, confused by his change in demeanor.
"How?" He repeated. She sighed.
"Let me up." He moved, she sat up and moved back to the table. Licking her lips, she faced him.
"This may be hard for you to believe but it's all true. Legolas," Maria looked at him, her eyes cold sober. "It has been three years since I last saw you." He looked at her, his eyes wide, and then he laughed. "That's not the response I was expecting." He continued laughing hysterically. "Are you quite finished?" He swallowed his laughs and looked at her.
"You must be...joking."
"I wish I were but I'm not."
"You have to be! That can't be true, you're lying!"
"I'm not lying! Look at me, do I look the same to you?" He swallowed...hard. "Let me explain everything without interruptions. Agreed?" He nodded. "Let me start from the beginning. The last time I saw you was when we decided to rest and have Frodo make a decision of where we should head. When it came to our attention that Frodo did not return, Boromir explained that Frodo wore the ring and vanished. All of you left camp to search for him but I was to remain in case he returned. Waiting, I heard fighting and I wasn't sure if I should go and help but then I heard a horn. Right then I made my decision and ran off into the woods."
"I hid as a pack of orcs ran past me but I noticed they had Merry and Pippin with them. I ran after them. I trailed them as best as I could without being caught but it wasn't good enough. I was found and taken. I remember waking up to the sound of my name being called. It was them; we were all tied up and couldn't move. A fight broke out amongst the orcs about whether or not they should eat us. It was agreed that I was worthless and could be food." She took a deep breath. "One crawled up my body and was ready to...bite me!" She spat out. "Just as he was about to, the orc screamed in pain, through his chest was a spear. What happened next was a blur. Um...Merry and Pippin set me free. I instructed them to run into the woods, I would follow after I had retrieved my weapons."
Legolas listened as she spoke about the horrific events. "I neglected to look around me as I ran in after them. I called out for them as a warning was sent my way. A couple orcs followed me into the woods, as did a man. I can't recall his name but with his help, we defeated them. I went to help the man off the ground when I was...um...." Her voice trembled. "...when I threw from behind with a sword." She gripped her hair. "The pain was immense but the man was in trouble, I tried to distract the orc but it proved to be fatal." Tears glistened her cheeks, her nose runny. She closed her eyes. "I can still feel the cold metal against my neck." She brought up her hand to her throat. "I...I can't remember what happened afterwards but I supposed I d-died here. That wasn't the case back home." She looked at him.
"I woke up, as if I were dreaming, back at an old abandoned building that I always go to when I want to dance or be alone. I was brought back to the same spot that I was taken from when I came to Middle Earth." She gave a small chuckle at his incredulous stare. "I found it hard to believe too. When I looked around, it seemed like I wasn't even gone. I looked my reflection in the mirrors; I looked exactly the same before I left. My hair was longer, my hands weren't calloused, and I was wearing my jeans and t-shirt. I thought I was going insane. Was all of it just a dream? A figment of my imagination? I left the place and went in search for the date. It was the same day. The same damn day! I really thought I was going crazy!"
"I walked back to my home in a daze. I entered my place and just sat down. Then it hit me; I didn't have my bag with me. I left it with you. I searched my home and went back to the building, I didn't find it. I had to have more proof though. When I thought about it, I figured if I still had my scars it was all true. The scar on my shoulder was there. I knew I wasn't nuts. I wasn't sure what to do after that." She sighed. "Social services, they're people who help human welfare," She explained at his confused expression, "came to my apartment when they found out my mother died. With their help, I buried my mother and continued going to school." She looked him straight in the eye. "You have to understand, I tried to find out why I came to Middle Earth and a way to get back but after a year and a half with no results...I had to give up. I had to move on."
"The reason why I look so different is because time passes by more quickly back in my world than it does here. Three years have gone by, I was 16 when I left, I'm 19 now. I've matured, changed albeit not much." Legolas simply stared at her. "Do you understand now?" He stared down at his hands. "Legolas?"
"You've only been gone for a few days and I find out that you've been alive all this time. The pain is still fresh." He said after a pause.
"And I understand that, I do."
"Do you really?" He stared at her, his face stony. She looked at him with a puzzled and hurt expression.
"I can't believe that you actually just said that." Her tone expressed her anger. "Of course I understand! I'm the one that fucking died! I'm the one that left! I thought I went insane! I'm the one who left all my friends and YOU! AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK THAT QUESTION?!?" She crumbled against the chair crying. Legolas jumped to his feet and ran to her.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He pulled her to his chest. "I had no right to ask that question. It just hurts so much and to see you alive..." He rocked her in his arms. Her tears wetting his bare chest. "It's all too much."
"I-I k-know...I-I hurt t-t-too." She sobbed. He lifted her in his arms and walked back to the bed. He leaned back on the pillows, rubbing her back to calm her. As her tears started to subside, Maria breathed in his scent. Burying her face in the crevice of his neck, she inhaled deeply and sighed. "You still smell wonderful." She uttered. She could feel his chest rumble at the comment.
"I'm sorry for upsetting you." He murmured.
"It's okay, we're both uptight right now. I mean, how many people can say they went through a situation like this?"
"Not many."
"That's right." He smiled at her and brushed back hair that was getting into her eyes.
"I've missed you." She smiled.
"I missed you too." Tipping her head back, he kissed her.
Aragorn watched Gimli pace the hall with amusement. "Confounded! Where are they?" Gimli grumbled.
"Do not worry yourself. I'm sure that they're fine. They are just getting reacquainted with each other." Aragorn laughed at his expression.
"How much longer must we wait? We have much to do and they are—"
"'They are' what Gimli?" He turned around to see Maria and Legolas beaming at him. "Are you planning to finish that sentence?" She smirked. Gimli opened his mouth then shut it with a 'click'.
"It's about time you two appeared."
"It's only 7:30 in the morning! Relax. Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
"No."
"No wonder you're so grumpy!"
"Hmmph! We were waiting on you two!"
"Well, we're here now. Let's eat." Aragorn smiled at him, then looked at Legolas. Catching his eye, they shared a look and grinned.
"Where did you get the clothes?" Aragorn asked while chewing on a piece of bread.
"What? Oh! I had to convince one of the handmaidens to steal some men's clothes for me. There was no way that I was going to run around in a dress or in the dirty clothes I was wearing." She shifted on the bench. "But they are a tad uncomfortable. Have to get use to them again." She explained.
"Do you plan on cutting your hair again too?"
"No!" "Yes!" Legolas and Maria said at the same time. "What do you mean no/yes?" "You go first." Gimli laughed.
"Argh! You go first!" She said.
"I like your long hair, I enjoy running my fingers though it." He said.
"That's great for you but it's going to get in my way."
"I'll braid it for you."
"Well...okay then. I won't cut it." That's how Eowyn and Theoden found them. Eowyn took in the sight and was startled by the fact that Maria was wearing men clothing.
"Lady Maria, did the handmaiden not give you proper clothing?" Theoden asked as he sat down.
"Oh, she did but I prefer something that's not as binding. Besides, if I'm going to be running around with the guys, I'm bound to get dirty and I don't want to ruin any dresses." He didn't seem to like that last comment.
"What do you mean by 'running around with the guys'?"
"Well, today I need to refresh my self with my weapons so Legolas and Aragorn are going to give me a quick session."
"Milady, are you suggesting that you fight along with us?" Eowyn watched on in interest.
"The name is Maria and yes I do. I was brought back here for a reason and I don't think it was to enjoy the scenery." Theoden opened his mouth to argue when she raised her hand. "I know, I know. You don't believe I should be out there in battle. I've heard it all before. The thing is that it's not your choice. I've been fighting these orcs longer than you have by what Legolas has told me and so I have an advantage. I know what to expect out there on the battle lines and I can handle myself." With that said, she stood up and walked back to her room to retrieve her weapons.
Eowyn turned to face Aragorn, her eyes wide with questions. "Is that how she received those scars?" She asked.
"You've seen the scars?" Legolas asked.
"Yes, how did she acquire them?" Now it was Theoden to watch in curiosity.
"The scar she has on her shoulder, she got it when we were escaping from Moria. She was struck by a poisonous arrow from a goblin. It was too late to realize she was shot when the poison took serious effect. It had to run through her system before she could begin healing. The mark is a reminder to a promise she made to us." Aragorn explained.
"And the others?"
"That's personal." She whirled around to see Maria standing at the entrance, her daggers at her side. Walking up to them she placed them on the table and unsheathed them. Both were covered in a purple and red coating. Addressing the guys, she said, "Do you have anything to clean the blades?" Aragorn nodded and went to seek it.
"May I touch it?" Eowyn asked. Maria nodded. Handling the weapons in her hands, she looked at them. "Are these elvish crafted?"
"Yes, they are."
"It's so light." She gave a quick swipe in the air. "These must serve you well." She said, placing them back on the table.
"Not well enough." She caught the cleaner Aragorn tossed at her.
"What do you mean?" Grabbing a rag, Maria dipped it in the cleaner and started wiping the blades.
"This is my blood I'm cleaning off it." She smirked at her reaction.
"Maria..." Aragorn said, the tone gave off a warning.
"I may have grown up but I'm still a brat." She laughed.
From the steps, Eowyn watched as Legolas and Aragorn trained Maria in the fields. She couldn't help but scorn Maria for her bold ways, defying her Uncle and yet admire her. She could feel herself be a bit jealous at how much respect Maria was shown from the men, even from her Uncle. She observed Maria closely. How she familiarized herself with her weapons, it was obvious that she had some skill. She listened to how well she got along with Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn. Aragorn. From the beginning, he had shown nothing but respect for her views and treated her like an equal. He was attractive and had a nice presence, unlike other men she had been introduced to in the past.
Eowyn was shaken from her thoughts as Gimli's boisterous laughed echoed up to her. She followed his line of sight to see both Legolas and Aragorn flat on the ground. Maria loomed over them, her hands on her hips, looking quite smug. She strained her ears to hear what she was saying. "Just because I haven't handled a dagger in awhile does not mean I've given up everything. I'm still taking kickboxing. Proves you wrong to underestimate me...again."
"That wasn't fair." Aragorn said.
"Fair? Hah! Weren't you the one who told me that no fight is fair? Someone will use every tactic to kill me."
"Alright then." Maria found herself on the ground.
"Ah! I should've seen that one coming!" She groaned. Gimli laughed. " Oh you think that's funny, why don't you come join us?" Kicking out her leg, he accompanied them on the ground. Watching them all laugh, Eowyn couldn't but feel like an intruder on the scene. Walking back inside the hall, she could feel another sensation coming over her...envy.
To be continued...
Authors Note: Short chapter, I know! I wanted to get this chapter out before I go back to school so here it is. I'll try to update as soon as possible. I hope to get another chapter out by Labor Day. Let's hope!