Important Notice: I have finally brought in the bad guy. If you can guess what his name or initials stand for you can help decide that fate of the woman in the modern times! Is she at Columbian? Or being secretly held at Southside!
Dr. Hadhafang walked down the hall while clipping his Id badge onto his lab coat. He had a turtle neck on today to hide the raw marks that wrapped around his throat. In his pocket a few little packets of flower seeds. He was heading to his first appointment of the morning when Dick Rimbolt stopped him in the hallway.
" Whoa Ronny boy! You look like hell! What's up pal?" He asked taking a huge bit out of his pink twinkie.
Ron sighed he really didn't have time for this now. "Look Dick, I have an appointment in five minutes and I have to get some reference papers out of my office. I have to go."
Dick shrugged " I just thought you'd like to know their moving the broad in ward 31. But you're busy so…."
Ron grabbed Dick's arm and said " What? I didn't give permission for that."
" The new man did, the one who transferred to take your place. He thought that she was pretty batty and so he's having her sent to Southside."
Thoughts swirled through Ron's mind as he processed this information, Southside was the worst possible mental hospital in their district, there were worse ones, but not many.
Ron ran a hand through his hair and said "Where is she now?"
Dick grinned showing pink frosting in between his teeth. He crossed his chubby arms and said " What's in it for me?"
" My gratitude."
" That's hardly what I had in mind."
" What did you have in mind?" asked Ron warily.
" Well, you have Serena's e-mail right?"
" I fail to see what she has to do with it."
" Really? Well, I guess I can't remember where they're taking the woman…."
"Dick! What do you want it for?"
" I have been asking that woman out for years and she won't answer me. Sooo I thought I could e-mail her and send a really romantic e-card to win her over."
" Aha, well " he thought. He didn't want to sacrifice Serena's peace of mind, but he had to find the woman. Just than a savior appeared in the form of Shelby the orderly.
" Shelby! I need to know when we are sending the patients to Southside."
Dick scowled unhappily as Ron went to the orderly. " I heard that that they already left. I guess you could get in touch with the head nurse there and find out what you need to know."
Ron slammed his hand onto the wall and said " D , Thanks Shelby I'll remember that."
He turned and got to the phone and dialed Southside, he drummed his fingers impatiently on the desk while waiting for the connection to be made.
" Happy Southside Mental Homes, how may I direct your call?" said a nasally bored voice.
" Hello, this is Dr. Hadhafang for Robackers Mental hospital, I'd like to speak to speak Miss. Ruhlen please."
" Just one moment please."
The clock ticked by and every second was a minute in his wait. Finally the voice returned and said " I'm sorry, but Miss Ruhlen is away on a business trip, however Mr. Thomas is acting head in her absence would you like to speak with him?"
" Yes thank you."
Tick, tick, tick……..
" Hello?" said a nervous voice. " This is Lawrence Thomas, how may I help you Dr. Hadhafang?"
" I need some information about the transfers that will be arriving at your ward today. There was a mistake that I'd like to correct as soon as possible."
" T..transfers? I afraid I don't know what your talking about. We haven't had any transfers in months and not scheduled to have any till next July." the man stuttered.
" I'm afraid your mistaken Mr. Thomas we sent some transfers over today."
" I can assure you I don't know what your talking about." the man laughed nervously.
Ron was losing his patients but obviously the man didn't have a clue what was going on. He would have to find out from the new doctor.
"Thank you for your help" he said although the man hadn't helped at all. " I'll check my records it's probably just a typo."
He hung up and went in search of his replacement.
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The scene was one of battle, two forts faced each other and the armies of both prepared for war. One flew the banner of Fingolfin and the other of Fingon, two houses at war from within. The general one the one rallied his troops and armed them with the missiles of choice, even as the other did the same.
The tall black haired general spoke to his men in control and measured tones.
" The enemy is waiting us and it may be that some of us will be captured and some will not return home. But we will fight to free our land from the tyrannical rule of the Fingonians!"
His army cheered and waved their weapons threateningly at the other fort. The opposition returned with the cry " For all free folk!" The general of this army being tall and red haired. His lieutenant was in a long green clock and raised the cry among the troops. " For the King and his people!"
The armies rushed out and begin pelting each other with the packed snow balls, and snow boulders. Each fought fearlessly, but some of each army was captured while others fell "dead" to the ground trying not to giggle as they "died."
The Fingolfin army fought bravely, but the onslaught of the Fingonians was too fast for them to hold off and in the end the only thing to do was surrender. The red haired general strode up to the defeated general and said " Now Darien, you have lost and are at the mercy of my fierce soldiers. What do you have to say for your elves?"
" Please release the troops, they were only fighting for their freedom. I beg you take my life instead."
Maehsos…I mean the General turned to his second in command and said " Shall we show mercy to this miserable failures?"
" The quality of mercy is not strained my Lord." was the answer. He nodded and climbing onto the highest wall of the fort he called out to the defeated army " I hereby pardon you all, but from this day let none of you take up snow balls against that of the Fingonians!"
" Yea!" was the return.
" If you should do so, you shall surely be put to death in screams of agony and pain most horrible! You must hereby swear alliance to Fingon and declare his right to rule!"
" We swear it!" called the elflings trying not to laugh as they did so. But one lone elfling whose soul was mischievous to the last degree called out " I'd rather die then betray my king! Death to the rebels!" he cried and threw one last snowball at Maehsos, catching him square in the face. The steward fall back and was immediately attacked by the eflings who had just sworn alliance.
The fight turned into a free for all wherein all the little girls hair was pulled out of neat braids and the boys completely disheveled. Snow was packed into pointed ears and into every bit of clothing. Finally they dissolved into laughing heaps, and lay too tried to do anything.
Maehsos really was a sight, his carroty hair in his eyes and full of the fully white snow, Aeroniel was nearby trying to bring some semblance of order to her own hair and that of the little eflleths with her. Darien was trying unsuccessfully to rally his troops again but they were all too weary to continue the fight. He had somehow managed to survived the fight without misplacing a hair or having snow shoved down his tunic.
" Oh I declare I have never had so much fun in all my life!" laughed Aeroniel as she worked a tangle out of a little girls hair. Maehsos pulled his hair out of his face and said "Agh, I hate having this stuff in my eyes! I cannot understand why you like it that way Darien!"
Darien smirked and said " Well if you would only braid it along your ears like everyone else it wouldn't be a problem now would it?"
" Of course it would! Always swinging into my way and getting into everything. I have always hated it that way and always will." he said firmly. He braided the hair into the thick plait that he always wore.
" But you do have to wear it lose for the dance, Maehsos." Darien said wickedly. Aeroniel looked up in surprise and said " Really? I thought I only had to. Maehsos have you been keeping it a secret so you wouldn't have to wear it down?"
Maehsos had the good grace to blush a little and said " It won't make much difference if I do or not so I won't."
" Won't make much difference? Ha, that's funny Maehsos old friend, I remember it being a must if there ever was one!" snorted Darien with a wink at Aeroniel.
Aeroniel put her hand s on her hips and gave Maehsos a look that said "Well?"
He shrugged and said " You won't force your dear devoted steward would you Mellonin?"
She pursed her lips and said " I suppose not, but you should have at least told me."
Just then the bell for lunch was heard ring from the great house and they all headed back through the snow. The eflings were rosy cheeked and quite hungry, but when the maids and mothers saw them they were marched off to the washroom to make themselves presentable.
Aeroniel went to her own room to brush out her own hair properly. To her surprise and dismay the Lady Bethriel was waiting for her there. She stood before the fire her severe features lit by the dancing flames. She turned and the hint of a sneer was in her eyes as she saw the slightly disheveled young woman before her.
" I see you have spent your morning out of doors." she said.
Aeroniel nodded and pulled the brush slowly through her hair. She watched the Lady finger one of the bells that still hung from the bed.
" These belonged to Fingolfin you know, I cannot understand that he would give them up for so foolish a purpose, but there's no accounting for taste."
Aeroniel frowned and said " My Lady I am sure you did not come here to discuss the gifts that the children gave me. Perhaps you would get to the point?"
Lady Bethriel raised a brow and said " I see that your new freedom has made you bold as well. But that is as you have said that is not my reason for being here. I have come to find out if you intend to accept Lord Aradan's request to court you?"
A fiery blush was on Aeroniel's cheek and she said " I am afraid that it is none of your business, and I would request that you keep yourself out of my affairs."
The lady laughed a mirthless chuckle and said " Then what I heard was correct, you did refuse him. And in a similar fashion as you have just spoken to me no doubt. I suppose I should have excepted you to do something so foolish."
" I beg your pardon!"
" I dare say, but surely you see the mistake in your actions? He is an honorable man and one of your kind, I should think that you would be pleased by such an offer."
" I respect Lord Aradan very much and he has been a good friend, but he is not… he does not hold my affections." answered Aeroniel struggling to withhold her anger.
" I see." replied the Lady, she brushed a bit of lint off her gown and said " You owe him an apology for your rudeness. You should have not been so harsh with one who sought your……… affections." She said this last word with obvious distaste. Then with a bow of her regal head she was gone and Aeroniel threw her brush onto the bed in frustration. The Lady was always so….She always had the power to make life uncomfortable for those around her, if those people were humans.
A gentle knock came at the door and a quiet " Aeroniel? Are you there my dear?" was whispered through the door.
" Yes, just one moment." she twisted her hair up and tried it with a ribbon. She opened the door to see Maehsos standing there, a tray with lunch steaming on it in his hands. He smiled a bit and said " I saw the Lady leaving, I suppose she was delivering her weekly lecture?"
Aeroniel followed him to the gallery and said " She is now trying to get me to give Lord Aradan permission to …well to court me." Maehsos glanced at her sharply and asked "And what was your answer?"
" Why does everyone care so much? I am still young enough to wait a while and I don't care for Lord Aradan that way. I don't believe I ever could."
Maehsos set the tray down and they set out the little lunch in silence. After a few minutes when neither spoke Maehsos asked " Did you reject his suit?"
" I told him that until King Fingolfin give him permission I do not wish to hear of it." she said lifting her chin a little. The steward shook his head and said " I hope you didn't say it the way you just did to me." Then seeing her face he said " Oh Aeroniel! How could you? He has always been a good friend and although he is a bit rough always kind and gentle toward you. He deserved better treatment at your hands."
She bowed her head and picked at the sandwich in her hands. " I am sorry Maehsos, it's just that it was so sudden and I wasn't excepting anything like that and I…I just did the first thing that came to mind. I will speak to Aradan about it. I promise." She smiled up at him and he said "That's my girl, I am sure that if you would explain things to him he will understand. "
"Now" he said standing a holding out his hand " Will my fair lady consent to dance?"
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Ronald looked at the young man in front of him. He was tall with jet black hair and dark eyes. He was handsome, but there was a foul distrustful air about him that seemed evil. Even if he smiled, as he did now, there was something that Ron couldn't quite put a finger on that bothered him.
He was the replacement and had introduced himself as Samuel Anderson. The name was unfamiliar to Ron and that was even more cause for concern because he knew nearly everyone in the business and the name Anderson wasn't ringing any bells.
" I am sorry about this mix up doctor, but I assure that it will be corrected within the hour. I made an error when I said that the transfers were bound for Southside, I meant Columbian. I can't understand how I could have done something so foolish." He laughed showing rather sharp white teeth.
Ronald felt an odd chill ran down his spine at this and said " I am still confused as to why you took it upon your self to transfer one of my patients that was making good progress."
" I see, well it was simply that she wasn't, and when I spoke to the head he said it would be better to send her where she could get more help then we have here." was the smooth answer.
" Did you bother to read her files?" asked Ron
" I can assure you that I have read every single one of them." he said in tone that was at once dark and dangerous. Ron was not going to get any more out of him at this time and would have to wait till later to make his move.
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Maehsos and Aeroniel were deep in the dance, moving and turning in the rhythm of music they alone heard. They both quietly hummed the tune as they spun and bowed to each other.
" I think we're finally getting it." said Aeroniel as she stopped for breath.
" Yes, just in time too. I was afraid it wouldn't be ready by the time Fin…." He trailed off at the look on Aeroniel's face. " Is the Prince returning? And you knew and didn't tell me!"
" Please Aeroniel don't ask me, and I won't have to break my word either way."
" But he is isn't he?" she demanded. Maehsos face was blank and she couldn't tell whether or not he was. Just then they heard a step coming down the hall outside. It was the Lady!
They scrambled to the far end of the room and flew out the secret passage and down the corridor. Maehsos dragged Aeroniel after him and they rushed by the twins who were just emerging from the library. They blandly looked after them as they went and looked at each other, just then the Lady came rapidly walking after them and seeing the twins stopped.
" Have you seen anyone walk by here?"
The twins looked at each other again and said " No my lady, I haven't seen anyone walk by here." said Erynion. " Have you Darien?"
Darien shook his dark head and said " No indeed my Lady."
The Lady nodded and went on in her search. The twins watched her go and Darien said "If she had asked us if we had seen anyone running…."
"Well…" said Erynion and with a shrug they continued on their way.
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Just a random reviewer: Thank you so much! It is so encouraging to get reviews like that. I try and make my story like that, to leave you at a lose for words. But wait that could mean you thought is was really bad and couldn't even begin to flame it. I guess I'll just shut up now.
Navaer Lalaith : Thanks for sighting that for me. I had discovered it earlier though and I don't think I used it passed chapter three. Umm most of the links you sent didn't work or won't pull up for me. Maybe you could e-mail them directly. About the names, I don't have the access to the "Book of Lost Tales" because my parents are dead set against the LOTR so…. Anyway I get my names from They are translations of Edain names to Elvish…I think. I look for a name to fits what the life work or personality is for the character. Please forgive me if they are not all right on to Tolkien's work. Thanks for all your help! And for the review.
Sirielle: I loved your review! Honestly I think I must have just gotten the two biggest reviews ever! And I love it! About asking for reviews before posting again; I put a lot of time and thought into my story and it is a big time sucker as well. So I hate putting all that time and work out without even knowing that people like or hate it or what. So please forgive me. I did love writing the dance scene between Maehsos and Aeroniel, just wait for the full thing when Fingon comes home!
I think that I have fallen in love with Maehsos myself, so Aeroniel doesn't stood a chance!;-) About Melcinítan; I didn't know about the sibling issue sorry, we'll say that they were all adopted shall we? Melcinítan means " Strong Mind."
I personally think that Luthien was a bit too much and I like to think that Fingon thought she was too sappy. Not that she wasn't brave just….weird. Thanks again and enjoy the story.!
Jaffee