Stalking the Fellowship
Chapter Forty: Neon pink party lights
"Don't panic. Everyone just keep calm," Gimli manoeuvred himself between the fallen debris to get to the girls. "Where has the other one of you gone? Where is Mo?" He demanded.
"She's…oh crap," Maddy looked around to see a great number of scattered crates, "she's here somewhere."
"MO!"
"…"
"MO! Where are you?" cried Fran desperately.
"We need to find her fast. Aragorn has called everyone to the captain's quarters."
"He isn't a King yet so he can wait. Tell him we'll be there when we're ready to be." Maddy began knocking on the crates, calling out Mo's name.
Ooooo0ooooO
"What has happened here?" Aragorn marches through the group that had followed his orders, eyes peeled on the defiant pair.
"We've lost Mo. She hid in one of those crates but someone piled a whole load of them on top of her, and whatever hit us a few minutes ago set her crate somewhere else. MO!" Maddy knocked on the crate next to her, "Mo, is that you?"
"…"
"I'm sorry to hear of this but we hit another ship from what Legolas can see in the gloom of the night. We will have to wait until morning to navigate around it. Tonight we shall stay anchored here, although we are still leagues away from our destination."
"Great," breathed Fran, "see you in the morning."
"I would have preferred it if you were to stay below deck, safe from the unknown enemies that may be among us."
"No without Mo," Fran put on her stubborn face, crossing her arms and staring into every eye watching her.
"Hold the dramatics Fran, I've found her!" Maddy waited for Fran to arrive before tearing apart the strips of wood.
"MO! See we found you eventually!"
"About time too. You have no idea as to how much brain damage I am suffering from!"
"It's good to see you too," Maddy helped Mo to her feet and walked with her below deck, "Argh!"
"Yes Madeleine?"
"Rats, I can't stand rats!"
"This is gonna be interesting," laughed Fran to Mo.
Ooooo0ooooO
"Finally," Fran grumbled, "I'm fed up of this mangy boat, with mangy rats!"
"Though Maddy was quite amusing," Mo contemplated.
"Yes Mo." Maddy rolled her eyes, "I'm sorry that rats are not my best friends, unlike you! You were right at home among them."
"As amusing as your barbed banter is we are arriving in Pelennor soon. I suggest you start practicing."
"Thanks Halbarad!" Maddy replied brightly.
"How do you know that?" Mo questioned.
"Know what? I do know a lot of things, not to be conceited or anything. But in my sixteen years of existence I have picked up a thing or two." Maddy replied casting her eyes ahead, down stream.
"How do you know all their names?"
"We spoke to him yesterday," Maddy replied, perplexed.
"Ahh! Lady Francesca," Franny winced, turned around and smiled fakely.
"Harry!"
"How are you? You appear well this morn. And look at your boots. Amazing! Beautiful! A vision!"
Fran looked down at her boots nonplussed. They were brown with mud and grime, though their original colour still shone through; an acid pink, as bright as the neon lights found at home.
"Or not," Maddy muttered.
"Do you think so?" Fran asked Harry though gritted teeth.
"Why yes!" Harry grinned.
"Oh, right. Well I have to go practice sword fighting…Bye!" Fran turned and practically ran, Mo and Maddy following attempting to hold back fits of laughter.
"He has gone even further down in my opinion," Fran let out a loud burst causing a few people to turn around.
"It was funny," Mo laughed.
"It's ridiculous, he just won't leave me alone."
"Great how he has the same opinion of your boots," Maddy joked, "good that he's in line with your personal fashion style."
"I'm not laughing," Fran ground out.
"Well we are!" announced the three elves who has suddenly appeared behind them.
"His courting could be much improved," acknowledged Elladan.
"This coming from you?" Elrohir questioned, looking at Mo pointedly.
Fran, Maddy and Legolas snorted in laughter while Mo remained oblivious as she was staring into the distance. "Look," she breathed.
Fran and Maddy turned and their eyes widened. "So many people…" Fran trailed off.
"All enemies," Maddy sighed, "like lambs to the slaughter."
"UNFURL THE FLAGS!" came the voice of a nameless ranger.
The flags of Umbar were unfurled, flapping greatly in the wind.
"A cave," Fran muttered, "we need to find a cave."
"Why?" Legolas questioned.
"To hide in of course," she replied, her eyes scanning the horizon.
A/n Didn't take me as long to update, I feel proud of myself. Unfortunately I seem to be making a habit of not reply to reviews, a very bad habit but unfortunately it's something I can't avoid at the moment.
PiXiE