Author's Note: HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I hope you're all going to eat lots of candy and watch a ton of scary movies like we've been doing. Anyhow, I present to you 22, and I apologize for how late it's been coming out. This month has been filled with papers and exams, and it's only going to get worse, but at least I can put a stop to procrastinating chapters when I *do* have time. Jen and I had fun concocting this chapter, and I had fun writing it and chuckling evilly to myself about what we're putting the characters through, hehe. Okay, on to something else, and PLEASE READ: we have a proposition for all you readers out there, mainly due to the number of reviews - and we thank all of you who have reviewed from the obttom of our hearts - but we would like to see them go up. And while we hope that you will review out of the goodness of your hearts, we're also adding a bonus in if you do review - anyone who has left more than three reviews by the end of this story, including people who have already reviewed more than three times (and when I mean the end of this story, I mean the end of the first story of the three, not the entire thing) those people get a small part in the second story as a Faerie. Or if those people have a character they want to have in there instead, it doesn't matter. The part won't be huge, but it will be about the size of a part that Ruth or Ara played (Ruth was the healer and Ara's the child-like Faerie). Is this bribery? Yes *grins*. But it's also a fun way to include you guys in the story. If you have any further questions, just email me, okay? Alrighty - on with the story, and remember - REVIEW!
I cannot take this anymore
I'm saying everything I've said before
All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Less I hear the less you'll say
But you'll find that out anyway
Just like before...
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break - 'One Step Closer' by Linkin Park
All was quiet in the realm of Lothlorien in the middle of the late. The merrymaking of the Elves ended somewhere around one in the morning, and by three everyone was into their beds and dreaming the starry night away. The sheltered area in the midst of Lorien was just as quiet, with the occasional rustle of a blanket or movement of a limb. Ten forms wrapped in blankets lay in content for the first time in many weeks. Faces were untroubled and less lined, and dreams were pleasant and languid.
Frodo shifted onto his bed in his sleep, giving a deep sigh before settling into a comfortable position. His dreams were less light than others, but certainly not as dark as they had been. Visions of Moria swept through his mind's eyes, and just when his mouth frowned at the disturbing scenes, they vanished into more pleasant things and his cherub face cleared. Hazy people walked in and out of his mind lazily, but one became brighter than the others. It wore white, and as it drew closer, he could discern it to be female. Brow furrowed in sleep, Frodo wondered idly who it could be, for he felt more at ease at her coming.
A faint wind passed through and ruffled the young hobbit's hair, and with it came the subtle, fresh scent of flowers; it smelled like jasmine and lilacs, he thought to himself. The rustle of clothing sounded from a few feet off, and accompanying it came a soothing voice in his head.
*Frodo.*
With a start, Frodo's eyes opened and his hands pushed his upper body up. Looking around wildly, the hobbit spotted the white retreating figure of a lady with long, golden wavy hair. Lady Galadriel, Frodo thought to himself in amazement. What is she doing here? His curiosity piqued, he removed the blanket from him and got up carefully, blue eyes watching his companions to see if they stayed asleep. The only person who moved at his disturbance was Pippin, and that was to itch his cheek. Frodo's eyes passed Legolas's open ones, and the hobbit shuddered slightly, still unused to the fact that Elves slept with their eyes open. Contented that everyone was still asleep, Frodo rushed after the Lady of Light to see where she was going.
He followed her silent, swift footed form as quietly as he could, but thought his silence was foolish because he was sure she knew he was there. She was smarter than that. She passed tall, thick trees with roots that went clear above Frodo's head, and large fountains where clear pools of drinking water lay. The grass felt lush and cool with dew beneath Frodo's feet, and the air smelled wonderful. The tension in his shoulders relaxed and his curiosity grew as he continued keeping a safe distance from the lady to see where she went.
Galadriel slowed and turned into a rock stairway leading to a small circular clearing a few feet below them. She walked past two Elven statues holding curved pans with flames lighting the immediate area in them, then quickly and silently made her way down the steps. She went as far as a stone structure in the middle of the clearing that looked like a bird bath, then went past it to a shimmering waterfall spilling into a small stone pool. Galadriel picked up a long, slim-necked silver urn and lowered it into the pool, filling it to its brim before lifting it back up.
Frodo slowed and stared down at her magnificent, mysterious form, and he hesitated to walk down those steps. Why was she filling that urn, and moreover, what did she want with him? He knew hardly a thing about her, nor what she wished to speak with him about this late at night. Would she tell him something about the journey? Give consoling words over Gandalf's death, or give some aide to the journey to come? Taking a deep breath, Frodo quelled his uncertainties and turned to walk down the steps. His feet hit the cold stone more noisily than hers had, and he winced at every sound. Any noise seemed so out of place to him.
When he reached the bottom and began the slow walk to the basin, he felt the Lady's eyes on him. Looking up, he found her dark blue eyes staring intensely into his, and he felt the tension come back in. What was she thinking? he wondered. What would she say? He walked closer to the basin filled with water, and suddenly realized that it wasn't just a pool of water. There was something odd about it.
Galadriel's steady gaze stayed on Frodo's, her pale blonde head gleaming in the moonlight. Her presence was powerful, and Frodo had to look up at her.
" Will you look into the mirror?" she asked quietly, yet her voice seemed to fill the air; strong, deeply feminine, and lapping like waves in Frodo's mind.
He looked into her dark, starry eyes, and a sudden urge of foreboding came over him. Wary now, he glanced back up at her and held her eyes." What will I see?" he asked carefully.
Galadriel's head tilted tilted slightly, wavy golden hair spilling over her shoulder, and her lips formed the ghost of a smile." Not even the wisest can say, for mirrors show many things." She lifted it with a white gown-clad hand and tipped it over above the middle of the basin. Water spilled out and fell with loud, hollow splashes into the rounded in space, and Frodo watched, mesmerized, as the water swirled with dark colors in the basin. Her voice took on a slight enigmatic edge." Things that were." She kept pouring the water into the basin, and waves increased in the little area." Things that are." Her eyes bored into Frodo's, sending a silent message he wasn't quite sure of." And some things that have not yet come to pass." Galadriel finished pouring the water and brought the urn down at her side.
Frodo's eyes went from her to the basin, and he slowly made his way up to the mirror. The hobbit stopped in front of it, and watched silently as the small waves calmed and became a shimmering glass mirror showing his reflection. He looked up at Galadriel once more, who nodded almost imperceptibly at him, and he looked down again.
For a few seconds, all he saw was his wary reflection, but soon, it changed. The water rippled, causing Frodo to gasp slightly, and a head came into view. A blonde head. Legolas, Frodo realized with widened eyes as the Elven archer turned to face him. He found it a weird sensation to feel the Elf's stare even through the water. The image of the archer changed, into Merry and Pippin's curly heads and forlorn stares. Their images shimmered into Sam, his eyes mournful to the point of heartbreaking. It changed again, suddenly, into the bright, vivid green of the Shire, and Frodo felt a smile pull at his lips, as well a longing for home. He could see hobbits walking along pathways in the twilight, arm in arm, and he realized with an aching heart how much he missed it.
The picture shimmered into one of fire, and Frodo's mouth opened slightly in shock. Houses were burning, and Orcs brandishing scythes and axes chased after hobbits he knew and some he didn't. Sam came into the mirror again, his wrists chained cruelly together, and a slave driver at his back. The whip rose up, and Frodo cringed when it came down on his best friend's back. The hobbit's heart squeezed painfully, and he gasped for breath at the horrifying images before his eyes.
Galadriel watched Frodo's reaction passively. She knew what he saw, and her heart mourned for the young one. Lowering her eyes, she waited for the vision to finish wrecking havoc on the hobbit's mind.
Tears sting Frodo's eyes when he saw the Shire blackened and gnarled, everything dead or dying as far as he could see. How terrible! What sort of vision was this? Was this going to happen if he...failed?
Red filled the water and Frodo stared in dumb horror as an eye, the One Eye, opened and stared at him. He fought back a yell of horror as the flaming monstrous thing rumbled incoherently to him, its voice thick with evil. The Ring slipped out of his shirt, and some unseen force began pulling it towards the water.
The Lady looked up and at the golden, glittering Ring hanging near the basin, and merely watched to see what would happen. For she, too, could hear Sauron's dooming voice reverberating cruelly in her head.
The Ring drew closer and closer to the water, and Frodo finally noticed it. He fought to lift his hand towards it, shocked at the force holding his arm back, and finally broke through to close his fingers around the Ring. The moment he did, a wind shoved him and he flew back and into the ground with a hard thud. He lay still for a moment, catching his breath, then lifted himself onto his feet.
Galadriel watched him out of the corner of her eye. Her face and tone were somber, and almost grim, and her voice dropped to a whisper as she neared the end of her sentence." I know what it is you have seen, for it is also my mind." The same images whisked through her head, and she willed them away with a sad sigh and the temporary closing of her eyes.
* It is what will come to pass if you shall fail.* Frodo's eyes widened slightly as her voice echoed in his head, and he looked at her as she spoke soundlessly.
* The Fellowship is breaking.*
Frodo thought of the death of Gandalf, of seeing the old wizard he had come to love fall to his death in Moria, and his heart broke a little more.
* Already it has begun. He will try to take the Ring. You know of whom I speak.*
Sauron, a voice in Frodo's head whispered to him, a black voice that made him shudder. The Ring still felt heavy on his chest, pulling him down and making it heard to breathe.
*One by one, it will destroy them all.*
No! he thought in horror. Frodo saw all his companions in his mind, and he wanted to retch at the idea of them dying. She was wrong, he said to himself fiercely. She had to be wrong, she did not know all! She doesn't know how it will turn out, just how it might turn out! The Ring came into his mind again, and he stopped. If she had the Ring...If the Lady had the Ring, imagine the good she could do with it, that voice whispered to him again. She would know what to do with it. Hope flared painfully in his chest. Maybe he wouldn't have to go all the way to Mordor. He could give it to her, and she would know what to do.
Hesitantly, Frodo thought with all his might to Galadriel.* If you ask it of me...I will give you the One Ring.* He held the small, round object out in the palm of his hand, and met her gaze with uncertainty and anticipation.
The Lady dropped her fathomless blue eyes down to the One Ring, and felt her heart start to pound. She could not deny the pull on her heart that she felt when she gazed upon the thing of awesome power. The power to bring peace to all of Middle Earth. Although she knew it to be a thing of Evil, there was always hope that she could control it and use it to benefit her people, benefit everyone.
" You offer it to me freely," she said softly, her eyes still pinned on the little object. Slowly, she began to move forward, interested in the offering of this little hobbit, and the things she could use it for swimming in her mind. Peace for you, a voice whispered to the wise woman. For you and your husband, and your people." I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this," she told him truthfully, her voice bare with trembling emotion that matched the trembling of her hand as she reached out for the Ring.
Galadriel stared at it for a moment longer, and sudden coherence penetrated the haze of what could be. No, this is not right, she whispered to herself. Angered at her previous thoughts, she fought against the lingering evil of taking such an object, and fought her unruly notions. She would become something utterly horrible if she gave in, and she could not give up now." Instead of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen!"
Frodo took a step back as the Lady of Light seemed to grow before his very eyes. A terrible darkly white light surrounded her, and wind blew her hair and gown about her, making her more frighteningly beautiful than ever before.
" Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Tempestuous as the sea, and stronger than the foundations of the earth!" Her voice changed and darkened, as terrible as the words she spoke, and her eyes darkened to the point that the whites of her eyes stood starkly against their blackness." All shall love me and despair!" She stared at the Ring in Frodo's hand with contempt and desire, loathing and longing, and one of them finally won through.
As suddenly as the light came, it left with the wind, and the terrible form of Galadriel shrunk into her own slight, beautiful form. She blinked as if coming out of a stupor, and fought to catch her breath for a number of seconds. Frodo watched her silently, awed and frightened by what he saw, and waited for her to calm and look at him again.
This time, her eyes were sad and deep." I passed the test," she admitted with a slight smile. Her mind was clear, and her future now more certain than ever." I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel."
Frodo's breath came out shaky, and he suddenly felt very alone with her words. The thought of this fair being leaving made him feel awful." I cannot do this alone," he told her; quietly, desperately.
Galadriel's eyes focused on Frodo, her expression almost stern." You are a Ringbearer, Frodo. To bear a Ring of power is to be alone. This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way..." She closed her eyes, then opened them." No one will."
Her words did nothing to comfort the hobbit. He felt coldness settle into his heart, and he swallowed numerous times against the feeling." Then, I know what I must do. It's just...I'm afraid to do it."
The Lady's expression changed to one of compassion, and a small smile graced her lovely face. She leaned down to fully see his face, and kept her voice low and soothing. She saw great things for this one; great, yet terrible.
" Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Liana smoothed her hand over the soft velvet of her dress, feeling the clothing's textures beneath her fingers. She hadn't worn something so nice in a long time, and not just since the beginning of the Fellowship. Since wars started to break out in the Faerie kingdom, some thirty years ago, she had neither the time nor the desire to dress up. They were all too busy defending their borders and aiding other countries to keep them from falling to participate in the frivolities of clothes that couldn't be worn in battle.
War never touched this place, she thought, still admiring the velvety texture of the dress they had given her. Their magic hadn't failed them yet, but the Faerie magic had. She sighed sadly, then focused on the color of the dress. Dark red. To bring out the gold in her eyes, they said. It was dark like the spilling of blood; the blood of Elves, of Men, Faeries, Dwarves and Hobbits. The Faeries she knew that had died, that Nevada had known. They had been through so much war, and was there an end? When had it come to this? she whispered to herself silently. How many more people had to die to set things right? War was so hateful, and it made her heart so heavy. She wondered how her people were doing, and worry gnawed at the back of her mind. She had no idea what was going on at home, and that concerned her greatly. Whenever she thought of Ciel, it was never happy thoughts of their well being.
Liana's fingers drew swirls in the luxurious fabric, and she tried to tuck some shorter hairs behind her ear. They fell forward again, and she sighed. The Elves had been quite horrified at the shearing of the locks of hair on one side, and grudgingly, at her request, they cut the other side to make it even. She would just have to wait for them to grow out again to tuck behind her ears; either that, or bug them for hair pins to pin it back.
The comments said by the unknown Elves the other day still bothered her, but her anger had quelled much since then. Plus, the hospitality, however distant it was, from the Elves today was a little uplifting. She was quiet with them, being just as distant but grateful for the clothes and shelter they were giving them. Her mother's words from so long ago; long before they died, rose up to remind her of good impressions and being in control of oneself in lands not ones own. Nevertheless, she felt out of place here, under constant scrutiny of sharp Elven eyes more than she was used to at her own court. She supposed they couldn't help but stare; on occasions when elves would come to the Faerie kingdoms, they got their share of being stared at, as well, but that thought didn't make the unease lessen. Shaking her head slightly, Liana lifted her gaze from her dress and towards the door of the room she waited in.
A knock echoed, rapping twice before opening at Liana's beckon. Nevada's head poked in, and she smiled." All fancied up? I always thought reds and earth tones looked good on you."
Liana smiled back, feeling her heart lift once more." Thanks. Let's see you now." She stood up and Nevada stepped in, the door shutting behind her. She gave a silly pose, and Liana laughed. Nevada looked just as stunning in dark green, offsetting her dark hair that spilled down her back, much like her own. Their dresses billowed slightly around their feet, but were tight at the top. It hugged their forms beautifully, with scooped necks that showed a bit of cleavage; modest to the Faeries, but apparently enough for the Elves. It was tight around their elbows, as well, then the material dropped off at the back of their arms and hung down, tapering off at their slim waists.
" You are lovely, my fair lady," Liana teased, then held out her hand towards Nev." Please, you enchanting Faerie, do not deny me a dance, for this Ranger's heart could not take it!" She laughed when Nevada's amused smile turned to a look of horror and she hit her friend on the arm.
" That's the last time I ever compliment you, Liana!" Nevada shot back, but then shook her head and smiled. At least Liana's teasing nature was coming out again, despite all that had happened in the past week. She didn't like to see Liana so somber - it didn't fit her personality.
" I was only poking fun," Liana chuckled." How is your knee?"
" Better than before." Nevada's nose scrunched up in distaste as she held up a new vial with dark brown liquid inside." The healers decided that my knee would heal faster with a different type of antibiotic. I haven't taken it yet. The stuff smells foul."
Liana laughed." I'm sure it will taste just as bad."
" Thanks, Liana."
" It always works out that way. The worst tasting medicine always helps the best - it's some cosmic joke." She held out her arm to the darker haired Faerie." Come on, we've kept them waiting long enough."
Humoring her friend, Nevada linked arms with her and they walked out of the room and down the steps towards the area where the rest of the Fellowship members waited. The girls spotted a dark head and two blonder heads, and couldn't help the slight smiles on their faces at the sight of the shorter curly heads waiting restlessly for the two to arrive.
" Whoever would have thought we'd get this far," Liana whispered to Nev.
She nodded, and turned to meet her friend's gaze, smiling sadly." Without Gandalf."
Liana shook her head in agreement mutely, and the two linked arms tighter for a moment." We'll be okay," Liana told her with as much confidence as her shaky voice could muster." We've always been able to pull through stuff like this."
" You got that right," Nevada replied, her voice dropping when they reached the men.
Everyone looked over to see their two missing members, and to certain companions of the fellowship, Pippin's cry of," Finally, we've been waiting for hours!" was lost to them.
Aragorn knew he was staring. He was also aware that Boromir was staring, as well as Legolas, whose lips curved into an appreciative smile. But he could not look away for anything. Both women were absolutely spectacular; radiant, even. His eyes, however, were locked with the violet irises of the darker Faerie. Her hair was loose again, and the dark locks seemed to absorb the light that fell on it from the morning skies. If he was startled to see her in more fitting clothes last night, he was more than surprised to see her now. He felt his mouth go dry when she came closer and bent his head to keep his eyes on her. When she smirked up at him, the spell was broken, and he smiled back.
" You look beautiful, Nevada," he told her truthfully.
Nevada's smirk widened, her expression taking on a superior 'I-know' attitute that made Aragorns mile." Thanks."
" Miss Nevada," Pippin tugged lightly on her dress. When his hand touched the material, his eyes flew open." Is that velvet?"
" No, Pippin, it's bark," Nevada retorted, then smiled and chuckled to let him know she was kidding." Yeah. The Elves spare no expense here, do they?"
" We have velvet in the Shire," Pippin explained happily amidst groans from Sam and Merry. He launched into a full account of all the velvet products he had come into contact in the Shire, who made them, and how much it cost, much to Nevada's chagrin.
Liana cocked an eyebrow at the little man and had to laugh at the look on Nevada's face as he talked their ears off. She looked up slightly and met Legolas's gaze which, to her horror, made her blush. Those blue eyes of his could drill holes into her sometimes, and while it made her self-conscious, it also made her feel extremely warm inside, and made it harder to breathe.
No, she was wrong. Him coming closer to her made it harder to breathe. She watched him steadily, hands at her side, until he came close enough to lean down and whisper in her ear.
" Lle naa vanima." His breath tickled her ear and she resisted the urge to shiver.
" What does that mean?" she whispered, although she had a fair idea, and looked up at him only to bump her head on his chin. They both smiled, and Legolas leaned in to translate for her.
" You are beautiful," he told her again, slowly. She felt a smile creep up on her face again." We must teach you elvish someday, melamin."
Liana tilted her head up and he leaned down for her to whisper in his ear." To baera' ye maen kheili aezizi, kheili khosh sha'nsaem keh to tu' zendegi ye maeni."
Legolas felt a shiver run up his spine as she spoke in her native tongue, so foreign to his ears, and he responded in a low voice." And what does that mean?"
" You are so sweet to me," she replied in his ear." I am so lucky to have you in my life. We must teach you Fae, aezizaem*."
The Elf gave her a brilliant smile and, taking advantage of his closeness with her over the whispering, kissed her temple. Liana was hard pressed to suppress a smile and caught Nevada's sly gaze with a look of her own.
" If that wasn't frightening, I don't know what is," Aragorn murmured, slightly alarmed at the guileless look being exchanged between the two women." What say all of you to a tour?" he asked loudly enough for everyone to hear.
" Sounds like a fine plan," Boromir encouraged, his eyes shifting from Nevada to Aragorn.
" Are we going into the city or the forest?" Merry asked, craning his neck to get a good look at Aragorn.
" Both," Aragorn informed him." Shall we go?" Heads nodded in agreement, and the man paused to look at Legolas." Legolas, are you coming?"
He nodded, and the group began to move down a path leading towards the heart of Caras Galadhon at a less than normal speed due to Nevada's healing injury. The Elf's heart felt overwhelmed, yet peaceful; fulfilled, yet not. She walked close to him, her head tilted up to look at the trees with almost childlike wonder. He hadn't seen her look like that since before Mount Caradhras, and only briefly in Moria, and it made his heart swell. Her eyes drifted from the treetops and over to him at the feeling of being watched, and she gave him an inquisitive look.
" I like to look at you," he admitted, and she laughed.
" I'm flattered," she replied, her eyes still sparkling gold in amusement." I could tell you the same thing, but you already know you're beautiful."
" Perhaps," he said slowly, smiling." When I stand next to you, I find myself paling in comparison, so I am not so sure of my own beauty. Perhaps I need to be reminded."
She threw her head back and laughed at him, and he basked in the sound of it. When her laughter died, she heard Aragorn calling her, and turned to Legolas." I am being summoned, and I have a strong feeling it's about Nevada, so I will return." Only hesitating for the barest of seconds, she stood up on her tiptoes and returned Legolas's previous favor with a kiss on his upper cheek. She walked quickly to the front, leaving Legolas in the back with an odd expression on his face.
" So much for racial rivalries," Gimli grunted, shaking his head at the odd couple. He took in Legolas's sharp look, but ignored it." Just what the world needs; an Elf and a Faerie getting together. The possibilities are horrendous."
Legolas's jaw muscles tightened." That is merely your opinion."
" Aye, it is," Gimli agreed, dark eyes meeting the Elf's hard gray-blue ones." And about as likely as a Dwarf choosing an Elf for a partner. I may not like you, Elf, but I know you're not stupid. An Elf and a Faerie relationship is as dangerous as fighting a battle, only you're not fighting Orcs - you're fighting your people. You have a lot of hardship coming if you choose this route, Elf."
" Then I will gladly bear it," Legolas replied tightly." And I do not see how this concerns you, Dwarf."
Gimli pursed his lips and his eyes darkened slightly." It doesn't. I'm just stating what should be obvious to you-"
" I am very aware of the repercussions of this, Gimli," Legolas interrupted, his voice growing dark," and I said before, I will happily bear them for her. I suggest this conversation cease before we both say things we will regret." The two stared at each other malevolently for a long minutes before breaking their gazes and continuing along with everyone on their tour.
Liana waltzed up to Aragorn and asked," Is there a problem?"
The exasperated look on his face told her much, but she waited for him to say it." Nevada has to take the new medicine, and she refuses because it 'tastes bad.'"
Liana turned and gave Nevada an incredulous look." I'm not your mother. You're a big girl, you can take it."
" Have you smelled it?" Nevada hissed, and thrust the small vial in Liana's direction. She took it with an impetuous sigh, and undid the cork at the top. The smell came wafting out and Liana made the mistake of breathing deep at the same moment. She coughed and her eyes started to burn at the putrid smell coming from the little vial. Trying to coax her face into passiveness wasn't working, so she just pushed it into Nev's hand and looked away to clear her nose from the awful smell.
" You see?" Nevada gestured to Liana and glared at Aragorn." I am not going to drink something this disgusting just to make my knee feel better - I've had worse! I mean, come on, Fae healers at least attempt to make their medicine taste better than this."
" These are Elven healers, not Fae," Aragorn reminded her." You have to take it. Your knee must get better, Nevada."
She turned back to their trail and ignored him, much to Liana and the hobbits's amusement behind them.
" Nev," Liana said with a tremble of laughter." If you take it all at once quickly, it shouldn't be too bad. We can get you water if you need it."
Nevada's eyes narrowed as she watched Liana for a moment, who kept a serious face on, but Nevada wasn't fooled." All right," she said reluctantly." I'll taste it, then see if I can-"
" Just take it," Aragorn argued with her.
" Keep that tone with me, and I'll pour this over your head," Nevada warned. She smelled it for a moment, reared back with her nose scrunched up in disgust, then tentatively put her lips to the vail and tilted it up. The moment the liquid hit her tongue, she gagged and spit it out on the ground.
" Nevada!" Aragorn reprimanded.
" This is repulsive! It tastes like acid!"
" Plug your nose," Sam suggested from behind them." You shouldn't be able to taste it."
Nevada glanced back at Sam for a moment thoughtfully, then reached up and plugged her nose. She tried again, than repeated what she had did earlier: spat it on the ground." Good suggestion, but it still tastes awful."
" Well, sometimes we have to take things whether we like it or not," Aragorn told her, clearly irritated." This is one of those times."
" I'm not taking this poison!" Nevada retorted loudly in Aragorn's general direction.
" Take it, Nev," Liana ordered." Just get it over with."
" No."
" If your knee doesn't get better before we leave, you'll have to stay here," Liana told her, and Nevada looked at her, her expression a cross between horror and contemplation.
" You know, my knee doesn't hurt that bad anymore."
" We can't take that chance," Aragorn explained." Now just take the medicine, Nevada, and we can go into the city and get something to eat."
Nevada's face took on a pouting look." But it tastes so bad!"
" Nevada, don't make me force you to take it," Liana threatened." Remember, you can't run."
The Faerie bared her teeth at her friend in irritation." I hate you."
" I'm sure you do, now take it!" Liana ordered again.
Nevada huffed out a breath and stared at the vial for the longest time. Aragorn coaxed her again, and she lifted the vial to her mouth, expression painful as it got closer and closer. When it touched her lips, Liana's arm shot forward quickly and tipped the vial all the way up so the liquid poured down Nevada's throat. She plugged the girl's nose, as well, to take the edge off the taste, and watched in amusement as Nevada slapped her arm and proceeded to nearly choke on the foul medicine in her mouth." I won't let go until you swallow it," she told her mildly, her grip surprisingly strong on the arm Nevada was trying to hit her with.
The Faerie glared at Liana as she finished swallowing, and when Liana let go she let out a few colorful words in their language that had Liana laughing uproariously.
" What did she say?" Merry asked, more to himself than others.
" Probably nothing good," Frodo mused with a smile.
When Nevada finished cursing Liana to hell and back and wishing a plague of skin-eating diseases on her and any offspring she might ever have, Liana was weak with laughter, Sam looked scandalized, and Aragorn was a mix between the two, not to mention the stares coming from the rest of the fellowship and any Elves passing by.
" Would you like some water?" Aragorn asked politely, but the cool front was ruined by a grin and a slight chuckle as he watched Nevada's expression and Liana trying to calm herself down from fits of laughter.
" Filthy human, I don't need your water!" Nevada told him shrilly. The permanent look of disgust mixed with a scowl on her face made Liana, along with the hobbits and Aragorn, laugh harder." Just wait till I get better, Liana, you just wait. I'll hunt your pretty ass down, oh I tell you, I'll rip-"
" Enough," Aragorn chuckled." We are entering the city, you must calm down, Nevada."
" At least you only had to take it that once," Pippin said helpfully. Nevada's anger cooled and she offered up a weak smile to the hobbit. The taste was still thick in her throat, and she swallowed convulsively to get it all down." Liana, quit laughing," she snapped at the Faerie's stray chuckles, who only smiled innocently in response. Sometimes I could strangle that girl, she thought to herself, but then again, life wasn't much fun without her to joke around with.
Legolas had listened to their conversation with great amusement and watched the scene unfold with even more. Even Gimli had to crack a smile at the predicament further up the line, and both chuckled when Nevada was forced to take it all under Liana's direction. He took great delight in hearing her let go and laugh so much. She really had a beautiful laugh.
Gimli watched the Elf a little closer than just a passing glance. Emotions flitted in and out of the light gray-blue eyes, as if their owner was not aware they were even showing themselves to the outside world. The emotions Gimli could see plain as day, not only in his eyes, but his face and the way he carried himself, were deep; a mixture of longing, sadness, and awe as he gazed upon one creature no more than three yards away. Although he had a good idea already, he let his eyes follow Legolas's to the source: the laughing Faerie in red velvet with an adoration for the hobbits and a knack for making everyone feel included on things; also suffers from bouts of shyness whenever in the presence of the blasted Elf to his left. The Dwarf's face softened slightly, and he recalled his words to Legolas not five minutes ago. They may not be friends of his by any means, but who was he to get into the way of what he saw there?
The group continued their nature walk through the beautiful trees of Lothlorien, and when the path broke into civilization again, they stopped to stare at the breathtaking sight.
" Wow," Pippin exclaimed breathlessly. It was the same as they saw it when they arrived in Lothlorien, but it nevertheless made them stop and stare. The trees' leaves swayed with the breeze, and Elves walked everywhere among the talans and soft grass of the small hills and plains making up Caras Galadhon. Aragorn beckoned them on, and they spent the next thirty minutes exploring old buildings, trees, and monuments that both Aragorn and Legolas explained for the benefit of the rest without prior knowledge of who the monuments depicted. True to his word, Aragorn stopped everyone for something to eat. They ate the breads, cheeses and fruits languidly, making small talk as they basked in the late afternoon glow.
When the meal was finished, it was cleared away and the group started their journey back to where they slept because Merry and Pippin felt a great need to take a nap after filling their stomachs with a lot of food and a lot of wine.
As they came closer to their spot, Aragorn and Boromir noticed the foreign figures standing in front of it with two Elven guards." What could they want with us?" Boromir asked in a low voice to Aragorn.
" I do not know," he replied back just as quietly." But we are bound to find out."
The Faeries did not notice their visitors until they looked up from their conversation, but when they did, they nearly stopped cold. Nevada's eyes grew wide, and Liana paled.
" Who are they?" Frodo asked.
Liana and Nevada recognized the insignia on the light tunics they wore, and were able to identify one of the three. The two exchanged a muted, foreboding look, before heading to the front of their companions to meet the visitors.
" Princess Liana, Commander Nevada!" Diana smiled sunnily, although the smile did not reach her eyes. Her lavender hair was bound tight in the back of her head, and she and the other two wore traveling clothes stained with the wear of much travel." It's wonderful to see you again. You both look lovely!"
" Thank you," Liana replied a bit warily, and Nevada murmured a thanks.
The other female and male Faeries looked startled at the appearance of Nevada." Commander, you're alive," she said, her low voice sharp with surprise.
The other males present shared astonished looks of their own, not only at their apparent surprise of her being alive, but at the rank of commander attached to her name. Nevada's words from early on in the journey came back to most, but it only cleared up a few of the questions.
" We thought you had died with your people," the Faerie continued, and Nevada's face grew dark and stony." How did you survive such a horrifying attack?"
" That will be all, thank you," Liana cut in, her eyes hard and glittering like cold amber. The Faerie blanched slightly, and bowed to Nevada.
" Forgive me, I did not mean to bring up any harsh memories," she apologized.
I'm sure you didn't, Nevada thought sarcastically, and stood quiet for a few more moments while she collected herself." I was filling in for a commander who had died during the war in Charon, so I wasn't at Deimos when it occurred. I was sure Diana would have told you that." She glanced at the Faerie, who flushed slightly.
" I had forgotten that detail on the hasty trip here," she excused, then seemed to remember the matter at hand." Princess," she addressed Liana." Gabrielle, Eolis and I have come all the way here to deliver a message to you from Queen Emilia and your country. May we speak to you in private?"
Liana's heart thudded painfully in her chest at the implications of the supposed 'message.' Her country, what was happening to it? Guilt flooded her at being so far away and not knowing, but she pushed it away and nodded towards Diana." Yes," she said hesitantly." Of course."
" Why can't we hear it?" Gimli challenged the new Faeries." What's so secretive that it has to be kept from her companions?" The hobbits nodded in agreement, along with everyone else present.
Eolis, the male Faerie, focused cold blue eyes on the detestable Dwarf, and Gimli found himself glaring in return." Because none of this concerns you or anyone else here except for Princess Liana. Do you understand, Dwarf?"
" Watch your tongue around me, you disgusting-" Gimli snarled and would have continued if Aragorn hadn't placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.
Nevada glanced at him for a moment, then turned to the three." Let me accompany her, I would like to hear this, too. If it concerns Liana, it concerns me."
Diana shook her head sadly." It'd be best if you stayed, Commander."
Before Nevada could gear up to retort to Diana, Liana stopped her." It's okay, Nev. Just wait here with the other until I get back." When Nevada opened her mouth to protest, Liana held up a hand." Please?" she asked softly, pleadingly. They stared at each other for a moment, worry creeping its way into Nevada's eyes and seeping over into Liana's. Nevada nodded reluctantly and Liana smiled, squeezing her friend's hand briefly before following two Elven guards and the other Faeries to another location. Liana glanced back briefly at the dejected and concerned looks on her friends faces, and her heart went out to them. Legolas was staring at her hard, and from the growing distance she couldn't decipher the emotions in his eyes, but she knew they couldn't have been good. It's going to be okay, she told him in his mind, but it ended being more for herself. Calm down, everything's going to be just fine. But as she watched the backs of the Faeries and Elven guards in front of her that led her away from what had become her life, a cold lump settled in the pit of her stomach and told her that everything was not going to be all right.
" Commander?" Merry echoed, and looked up at Nevada.
She nodded listlessly." Title. That's all. Doesn't mean much anymore." Her eyes glazed over in thought and worry as she mulled over the past ten minutes. Did something happen to Ciel? It had to have - why else would they come this far? Perhaps...realization hit her like a blow to the stomach. Maybe they came to take Liana away, to take her back to the Faerie kingdom because she was needed for something or other. What if they wanted to take both of them away? That thought didn't settle right at all. Nevada's mind mucked through the horror of those possibilities until all the color had left her face and she was unknowingly biting her lip to the point of blood.
" Nevada." Hands on her shoulders brought her out of her stupor, and she blinked and looked up into Aragorn's face." We're going to sit down and wait for her return, okay? Come and sit down." He rubbed the sides of her arms reassuringly, and she nodded dumbly and followed him and the others to their soft area of rest. There she plopped down and brooded quietly over the situation, half listening to the hobbits' idle chatter around her. Her eyes moved over to Aragorn, than to Legolas next to him. The Elf made her mind clear, and she stared at him a bit longer. He looked even more worried than she did; perhaps the same thoughts were running through his head, that she or both of them might have to leave. Nevada felt a reluctant pull on her heart for the Elf and the absolute bleak expression on his face: he really had it bad for Liana. It was achingly sweet, but if things played out for the worse...
" Nevada."
"..."
" Nevada?"
She turned her head and stared down at the cute, curious hobbit." Yes, Pippin?"
" I'm hungry."
Her sigh couldn't have been deeper." I'm sure you are."
The young hobbit shifted from his position on the ground to stare up at the Faerie with pleading eyes." Please, Nev, I'm dyin'!"
She rolled her eyes at him and hid a smile." No, Pip, you'll be just fine."
" I haven't had supper yet!"
" Neither have I. And besides, we just had lunch."
"So? Us hobbits need a lot of food to keep us healthy!"
Nev, who had been sitting, shifted onto her elbows and leaned down to stare at the hobbit. She glared him down for a few minutes, violet eyes on beautiful moss green.
" No."
His face fell as his green eyes went teary." But Nevada..."
She hid another smile and slowly shook her head." If there is any way I can avoid socializing with the Elves, I will. Why don't you go get it yourself?"
Pippin grinned and pointed to his chest, where they both knew he had a bandage from a healing wound from Moria." I'm wounded!"
She rolled her eyes, got into a sitting position again and pointed to her own knee, which was still bandaged." I'm wounded, too."
The young hobbit's mind raced for a way to get the Faerie to retrieve his food, and like a light bulb going off in his head, Pippin smiled and changed tactics." I hear they have some mighty tasty apricot strudel."
Leaning forward, Nevada was prepared to deliver another 'no' to the hobbit, but the thought of eating a delicious apricot strudel made her stomach growl. Plus, it was a perfect way to nonchalantly 'walk' by where they took Liana. Narrowing her eyes, she grabbed Pippin by the chin gently." All right. But it better be a good strudel."
He grinned." Bring back some mushrooms and those yummy potato things they made for us yesterday afternoon."
" Pig."
" I'm still growing."
Nevada snorted and shook her head. Bracing herself for the pain, she slowly lifted herself off the ground, placing as little weight as possible on her right knee. When she was fully upright, she stretched a little, rubbing her knee absentmindedly and starting off toward the kitchens not too far away. The pain was certainly more bearable, to her surprise. That vial of disgusting medicine was starting to kick in. She walked up the path Liana and the Faeries took, and kept walking until she heard voices. Smiling to herself in triumph, Nevada followed the voices to a patch of trees where she could see an upraised platform of some sort lay behind it. She caught a flash of lavender hair, and edged closer as quietly as possible. She stopped when Liana came into view. Her friend looked so distressed, it made alarms go off in Nevada's head, so she decided to stay there and hear what she could.
" I swore to protect the Ringbearer and I am bound to the group!" Liana's voice drifted to Nevada's ears; strained, adamant, and angry.
" You are bound to your country as well, princess," Eolis reminded her as gently as possible.
Nevada watched Liana's back go ridged as she stared down the male Faerie who had spoken." I know this," she said in a more quiet, dignified voice." But after seeing what I have seen these past few months, I cannot just-"
" You have no choice!" Gabrielle cut in.
" Let me finish!" Liana snapped, angry enough to make Nevada flinch. The Faeries looked taken aback, and knew they had overstepped their boundaries. She let out a shaky breath at her outburst, and hugged herself with her arms in a way that made her look hurt, and vulnerable." I can't just leave them," she whispered, her tone heartbroken." But I can't stay, either, can I?" She watched, mournful, as they shook their heads.
Nevada felt her heart jump, then thud a cold, painful tune.
Leave?
Liana's really leaving?
Eolis felt slightly guilty for dropping all of this on the princess just days after they had reached their destination, Lothlorien. He could see her shake with indecision, and realized she had become more than attached to the Fellowship. Attempting to soothe her, he told her in a consoling voice," There will still be ten left in the Fellowship-"
" Nine."
" What?" Diana and Eolis gasped. Liana's head was bowed so that her hair covered her face, and Nevada couldn't see her pained expression.
They heard her sigh out a breath." Gandalf fell into the Shadow," she informed them quietly." In Moria. So there are nine, not ten."
Diana blinked, then felt grief slowly edge its way into her heart. He was such a kind wizard, one all Faeries adores..." Princess, I'm so sorry..."
" She still has to come back with us," Gabrielle, cut in, sympathetic yet stern." We cannot wait any longer. Princess, you do not have a choice. Your people need you. You owe it to them to come back."
Nevada could feel waves of helplessness and pain coming from Liana, but she was practically numb to it. Liana was leaving them...leaving her...
" Do you want us to tell the Fellowship?" Diana asked gently.
Liana shook her head." I will tell them. I owe them that much," she lifted her head to glare at Gabrielle.
Missing the look, Gabrielle nodded, satisfied she had gotten through to the princess." We will leave at first light. I suggest you pack your things tonight."
Nevada never heard the rest of it. She couldn't take anymore. Fleeing as fast as her knee would allow, Nevada crashed through the trees, not caring who heard her. Everything that was ever familiar in her life was now gone. It was bad enough to lose her country, to lose Gandalf, but losing her best friend was more than she could handle. The few tears she let slip past her eyes nearly blinded her as she ran to escape all the awful things that were catching up to her.
" Oh, no," Liana sighed brokenly, listening to the noise of Nevada running away from the platform. She caught a glimpse of long, black hair, which confirmed her suspicion of being spied on by her best friend. She wasn't supposed to find out yet...
" It's all for the best, my princess," Eolis put a hand on her shoulder." Nevada, as well as the others, will soon realize that. I am sorry it had to be this way."
Liana bit her lip hard to keep the tears back, and nodded." I'm sorry, too. Please, leave me while I go pack my things." They nodded and left swiftly, and with a simple request, the two Elven guards left, leaving her alone on the platform surrounded by the pretty trees of Lothlorien.
" I'm sorry, Nevada," she whispered to herself. Liana slowly sank down in the middle of the floor and sat with her knees up to her chin, hunching over protectively and clasping her hands together. She couldn't bring herself to move.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nevada avoided everyone when she left to be by herself. She was too distraught to deal with anyone, especially Liana. She found a secluded area of forest that she had been pacing for the past hour, working through her emotions. Sadness. Grief. Anger. Frustration. More anger. Bitterness. Helplessness. The sun still beat down, but not as hot because the afternoon was late. Sunlight filtered through the trees gloriously, but Nevada didn't notice its beauty.
She was angry with Liana. For some reason, she was more upset with Liana leaving than she had been with the Orcs and Gandalf's death; disappointed, almost. She wanted to scream at her, yell, anything to get rid of the mindless fury that was building up inside her head. Why was she letting them take her? She promised she would stay! And it wasn't just anger; there was fear there. If she left, who knew when she would see her again - who knew what was going on back home? Flashes of Deimos came back unbidden, and she squeezed her eyes shut against the memory. The bodies...would Liana end up like that?
Nevada stopped pacing to let out an anguished, furious sound, then looked around to see if anyone had heard her. Feeling slightly better that she had at least voiced her frustrations, she turned and spotted the large tree that housed their sleeping quarters.
It was time she talked with Liana.
Nevada swiftly made her way back to camp, jogging quickly through the trees and shrubs, and hopping streams, bent on finding her friend and giving her a piece of her mind. Her knee was in a lot better shape than it had been due the medicine, so the jog wasn't too taxing on her.
She didn't have to go far. She nearly ran into Liana halfway back to camp, and neither could tell who was more surprised. They stared at each other for another astonished moment, but the astonishment died to be replaced with unreadable looks.
" Hello, Liana," Nevada said slowly.
Liana nodded." Hello. I didn't know where you had gone, and the others didn't seem to know, either. Where have you been?" she asked, almost lightly.
Nevada's purple eyed narrowed." I heard."
Liana didn't seem surprised." I know you did."
" When were you planning on telling me this?" Before she could answer, Nevada got in," Have you even told anyone yet?"
" No, it has only been an hour since my meeting with them," Liana explained, impatient with Nevada's accusations." I wanted to talk to you first."
" Oh, really?" Nevada folded her arms across her chest." Do you plan on telling them? Or were you just going to go?"
Liana looked genuinely hurt." Nev, I would never-"
" You're leaving!" Nevada exploded." You're leaving me, you're leaving all of them, why??! What is so important that it can't wait until we see this through-"
" My country was attacked, Nev!" Liana cried, and Nevada stopped, her worst fears coming to life." They need my help! If I leave now, there might still be hope-"
She was cut off by Nevada's harsh laughter." Hope? What hope? What makes you think there will be anything left? It had to have happened at least a week ago, for them to have traveled all the way here to tell you."
Liana was so furious, all she could do was stare for a moment." Why are you saying this? My country doesn't have to suffer the same fate yours did, Nev, there's a chance! Who am I to leave my own people to fend for themselves-"
" What people?!" Nevada fired back." They're all dead by now! Ten days is more than enough time to wipe out a country's entire existence! You can go on your little journey if you want, but when you get there, you'll find nothing! Nothing except ashes and blood. Nothing more!"
Liana hissed in a breath and bared her teeth with," That could very well be true, but I am not going to sit here and wonder if that was the case. I have to go, do you understand that? You *know* I want to stay, I have every reason to stay! But I can't," she gritted out, fighting to stop the hitching in her breath and trying to make Nevada understand.
" We made an *oath*," Nevada said in a low, shaky voice." And you're *breaking* it."
" Again, you act like I have a choice," Liana said through clenched teeth." And don't act so righteous on me, Nev - you did the same thing." At Nevada's vaguely puzzled expression, she continued." When you heard Deimos had been attacked, you went flying over there, and I don't blame you. But this is the exact same situation!"
" No, it's not, because I wasn't traveling with a group of people going to Mordor to destroy the Ring at the time!" Nevada shot back." You could die over there, Liana! None of us would know it. We already lost Gandalf," Nevada's voice became hoarse with emotion," of course you see fit to take off, too."
" Is that what this is about?" Liana asked her, her voice barely above a whisper." Nev, I'm not going to die-"
" You don't know that!" Nevada cut her off." I can't-" She hissed in a breath and dragged a hand through her hair." I am so mad at you right now, I just...I have to leave." She turned around and walked through the foilage back to the campsite, leaving Liana standing there in astonishment and fading anger.
Nevada's blood churned and boiled, and her mind filled with mixing emotions until it gave her a headache. She walked right past the hobbits inquisitive glances, didn't bother looking at Legolas or Gimli, and blatantly ignored Boromir and Aragorn. The two men exchanged a glance, and both got up." I'll do it," Boromir offered. You've dealt with enough for today." Aragorn hesitated for a moment and, eased by the honesty in the Gondorian's eyes, nodded.
" Just try and get her to come back here, then we will wait for Liana if it doesn't get too dark," he informed Boromir, who nodded and walked off in the direction Nevada went.
Boromir did not have far to look. He found her sitting on a large white tree trunk laid flat and used as a portion of the side of a structure. Her hands were in her lap, head bowed, and shoulder hunched as if she were on the defensive. Boromir pursed his lips and felt a flood of sympathy. He stepped closer to her, and said softly," Sadness does not belong on your face, my lady." Her dark head went up and over to him, eyes shining but cheeks still dry." It is too beautiful to have such a hard emotion on it."
Nevada felt irritation flicker through her - his words might've worked if he had any idea of what he spoke of, but he was a human and it didn't have quite the same effect." It is there nonetheless," she replied tonelessly. She watched as he moved to sit down next to her, and they stared at each other for a long moment.
" Would you like to talk about why you are sad?" he offered.
She felt anger wash through her again - none of them even knew yet, but then quelled it. She shook her head." Not...not really. Not yet. You'll find out soon enough," she finished bitterly.
Boromir caught the tone and, hesitantly, brought a hand up to grasp her chin lightly. She jerked away at the sudden movement, and stood up.
" I think it is time we had a talk," Nevada told him, her voice and face serious.
" A talk of what?" Boromir asked, feigning ignorance. Now that the moment had come, he felt anxious. What would she say to him? What could he say to make her see what she had grown to mean to him?
" You know what I speak of," she accused him." Why are you doing this? Why me, and what do you hope to accomplish?"
" Why you?" Boromir echoed. He stepped close to her, mere inches from her face, and she fought not to take a step back." From the moment you stormed the Council I knew, I *knew* I had never seen anything like you before." He reached up a hand and lightly brushed some of her dark hair away from her face." You are so beautiful and dignified, and you fight like nothing I have ever seen before. Gondor needs the strength I see in you: I need you."
Nevada shook her head, her heart breaking with pity." No, Boromir. No, you don't."
" Yes!" he exclaimed, frustrated with the look in her eyes." Yes I do." Changing tactics, he stepped closer and said in a low voice," You could be a queen, Nevada. You could have a country again, one that would bow to you like no other. You could be happy again: I could make you happy."
She blinked and stared at him. The pieces fell together, and she took a step back, taking a deep breath and shaking her head." Oh no, Boromir, I know where this is going. Absolutely not. You have no idea what you're saying!"
" Do not question my sanity," he scolded, becoming more frustrated and hurt with her blatant refusal by the minute." I know very well what I want."
" I'm a Faerie, Boromir!" Nevada reverted to the basic argument against any sort of relationship with him." I am-"
" That does not stop Legolas and Liana," Boromir added.
She opened her mouth, then closed it at the mention of those two. How is Legolas going to react to her leaving? she thought quickly in her mind. She didn't even want to think about it." That is not the point. They are both immortal. You are a mortal! That relationship would be doomed to failure!"
" I hear tales of Fae magic, Nevada," Boromir countered, and Nevada's blood dropped." That can tamper with the coils of mortal and immortality. You know if this is true or not."
Nevada shook her head, her pity slowly mixing with disgust." No. It ends here, Boromir. No more...remarks, it's done. I will not have a relationship with you other than that of friendship, and you're sorely pushing that, too."
Her admission hurt. Boromir rode the wave of rejection bitterly, until something dawned on him." It is Aragorn, isn't it?"
She blinked, hesitated, then responded, but not before he saw the hesitation." What do you mean?"
The defeat went even lower when he saw it." You and Aragorn," he said in a low voice. When he thought of Aragorn before, it was skepticism and slight anger at the thought of this man, this stranger, taking over his and his father's realm when they were other people more deserving of it, but now...
" No," Nevada denied, her expression honestly confused and disturbed." I do not think of the filthy hu - Aragorn in that way at all. I just feel comfortable around him. We're just friends."
His face told her he didn't believe her, and she sighed in exasperation." Nevada just give me a chance, please!"
" Boromir, you're making this harder than it should be," she stressed." Just let it go, for both our sakes and so we can look each other in the face later."
The man went forward and grabbed her arm to make her understand. With the ache in her knee, she couldn't help but be pulled forward with the motion, and his grip was a lot stronger than she anticipated. She was pulled so close to his face that her head reared back and her eyes flew open. His grip on her arm tightened to the point of pain, and a brief flit of alarm crossed her mind as she tried to pull away." Boromir, what are you doing?" her voice came out more shrill than she had intended.
" I won't let go unless you listen to me," Boromir said, his voice bordering on desperation." Give me a chance, Nevada!"
" Let go, you're hurting me," she managed to gasp out, more panicked than she had felt in a long time.
" Nevada, please-"
" Boromir!"
Both jumped and looked over to see Aragorn striding over to them, his face furious. Boromir looked down at his hand on her arm, then pulled it away. Nevada rubbed her arm with her other hand and watched the two warily.
Before Boromir could react, Aragorn grabbed the man's arm and glared at Boromir." What are you doing, Boromir?" he asked in a low, chilling voice." Speak clearly!" he snapped louder when Boromir hesitated, causing even Nevada to flinch." If you say the wrong thing, my friend..."
" We were talking, nothing more," Boromir said stiffly, jerking his arm out of Aragorn's grip and holding his ground against the livid ranger." I was trying to make a point to Nevada, and in my emotion I took her arm. I did not mean to press her so hard, Aragorn, now calm down!"
" That is not what I saw," Aragorn growled, his once kind blue eyes turning cold and angry, like hot blue flames." I never want to see you grab a woman such as you did a moment ago again, especially Nevada, and if you do it to Liana, you have Legolas to answer to, as well as me. Do you understand?"
" What exactly are you suggesting, Aragorn?" Boromir asked angrily." That I would do something so heinous? It was a misunderstanding, and I will not be lectured by the likes of you!"
" Do you understand me?" Aragorn nearly snarled, his voice rising to echo in the slowly darkening forest.
" Yes," Boromir said firmly, anger coloring his own cheeks. He would admit he should not have held her so tightly, but he would not be yelled at like an irate child by Aragorn." Do not yell at me as such, Aragorn, I will not stand for it! This discussion is over!"
Aragorn was not finished, however. He leaned in closer and spoke so low that Nevada could not even make out the full sentences, only words here and there.
" If you touch her in any way other than that of friendship, I will know." His voice was chilling against Boromir's ear, and for a moment, the man wondered if the ranger had any weapons on him he would use against him to prove his point." And you will regret it for the rest of your life, however long that may be."
aezizaem - honey
I cannot take this anymore
I'm saying everything I've said before
All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Less I hear the less you'll say
But you'll find that out anyway
Just like before...
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cause I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break - 'One Step Closer' by Linkin Park
All was quiet in the realm of Lothlorien in the middle of the late. The merrymaking of the Elves ended somewhere around one in the morning, and by three everyone was into their beds and dreaming the starry night away. The sheltered area in the midst of Lorien was just as quiet, with the occasional rustle of a blanket or movement of a limb. Ten forms wrapped in blankets lay in content for the first time in many weeks. Faces were untroubled and less lined, and dreams were pleasant and languid.
Frodo shifted onto his bed in his sleep, giving a deep sigh before settling into a comfortable position. His dreams were less light than others, but certainly not as dark as they had been. Visions of Moria swept through his mind's eyes, and just when his mouth frowned at the disturbing scenes, they vanished into more pleasant things and his cherub face cleared. Hazy people walked in and out of his mind lazily, but one became brighter than the others. It wore white, and as it drew closer, he could discern it to be female. Brow furrowed in sleep, Frodo wondered idly who it could be, for he felt more at ease at her coming.
A faint wind passed through and ruffled the young hobbit's hair, and with it came the subtle, fresh scent of flowers; it smelled like jasmine and lilacs, he thought to himself. The rustle of clothing sounded from a few feet off, and accompanying it came a soothing voice in his head.
*Frodo.*
With a start, Frodo's eyes opened and his hands pushed his upper body up. Looking around wildly, the hobbit spotted the white retreating figure of a lady with long, golden wavy hair. Lady Galadriel, Frodo thought to himself in amazement. What is she doing here? His curiosity piqued, he removed the blanket from him and got up carefully, blue eyes watching his companions to see if they stayed asleep. The only person who moved at his disturbance was Pippin, and that was to itch his cheek. Frodo's eyes passed Legolas's open ones, and the hobbit shuddered slightly, still unused to the fact that Elves slept with their eyes open. Contented that everyone was still asleep, Frodo rushed after the Lady of Light to see where she was going.
He followed her silent, swift footed form as quietly as he could, but thought his silence was foolish because he was sure she knew he was there. She was smarter than that. She passed tall, thick trees with roots that went clear above Frodo's head, and large fountains where clear pools of drinking water lay. The grass felt lush and cool with dew beneath Frodo's feet, and the air smelled wonderful. The tension in his shoulders relaxed and his curiosity grew as he continued keeping a safe distance from the lady to see where she went.
Galadriel slowed and turned into a rock stairway leading to a small circular clearing a few feet below them. She walked past two Elven statues holding curved pans with flames lighting the immediate area in them, then quickly and silently made her way down the steps. She went as far as a stone structure in the middle of the clearing that looked like a bird bath, then went past it to a shimmering waterfall spilling into a small stone pool. Galadriel picked up a long, slim-necked silver urn and lowered it into the pool, filling it to its brim before lifting it back up.
Frodo slowed and stared down at her magnificent, mysterious form, and he hesitated to walk down those steps. Why was she filling that urn, and moreover, what did she want with him? He knew hardly a thing about her, nor what she wished to speak with him about this late at night. Would she tell him something about the journey? Give consoling words over Gandalf's death, or give some aide to the journey to come? Taking a deep breath, Frodo quelled his uncertainties and turned to walk down the steps. His feet hit the cold stone more noisily than hers had, and he winced at every sound. Any noise seemed so out of place to him.
When he reached the bottom and began the slow walk to the basin, he felt the Lady's eyes on him. Looking up, he found her dark blue eyes staring intensely into his, and he felt the tension come back in. What was she thinking? he wondered. What would she say? He walked closer to the basin filled with water, and suddenly realized that it wasn't just a pool of water. There was something odd about it.
Galadriel's steady gaze stayed on Frodo's, her pale blonde head gleaming in the moonlight. Her presence was powerful, and Frodo had to look up at her.
" Will you look into the mirror?" she asked quietly, yet her voice seemed to fill the air; strong, deeply feminine, and lapping like waves in Frodo's mind.
He looked into her dark, starry eyes, and a sudden urge of foreboding came over him. Wary now, he glanced back up at her and held her eyes." What will I see?" he asked carefully.
Galadriel's head tilted tilted slightly, wavy golden hair spilling over her shoulder, and her lips formed the ghost of a smile." Not even the wisest can say, for mirrors show many things." She lifted it with a white gown-clad hand and tipped it over above the middle of the basin. Water spilled out and fell with loud, hollow splashes into the rounded in space, and Frodo watched, mesmerized, as the water swirled with dark colors in the basin. Her voice took on a slight enigmatic edge." Things that were." She kept pouring the water into the basin, and waves increased in the little area." Things that are." Her eyes bored into Frodo's, sending a silent message he wasn't quite sure of." And some things that have not yet come to pass." Galadriel finished pouring the water and brought the urn down at her side.
Frodo's eyes went from her to the basin, and he slowly made his way up to the mirror. The hobbit stopped in front of it, and watched silently as the small waves calmed and became a shimmering glass mirror showing his reflection. He looked up at Galadriel once more, who nodded almost imperceptibly at him, and he looked down again.
For a few seconds, all he saw was his wary reflection, but soon, it changed. The water rippled, causing Frodo to gasp slightly, and a head came into view. A blonde head. Legolas, Frodo realized with widened eyes as the Elven archer turned to face him. He found it a weird sensation to feel the Elf's stare even through the water. The image of the archer changed, into Merry and Pippin's curly heads and forlorn stares. Their images shimmered into Sam, his eyes mournful to the point of heartbreaking. It changed again, suddenly, into the bright, vivid green of the Shire, and Frodo felt a smile pull at his lips, as well a longing for home. He could see hobbits walking along pathways in the twilight, arm in arm, and he realized with an aching heart how much he missed it.
The picture shimmered into one of fire, and Frodo's mouth opened slightly in shock. Houses were burning, and Orcs brandishing scythes and axes chased after hobbits he knew and some he didn't. Sam came into the mirror again, his wrists chained cruelly together, and a slave driver at his back. The whip rose up, and Frodo cringed when it came down on his best friend's back. The hobbit's heart squeezed painfully, and he gasped for breath at the horrifying images before his eyes.
Galadriel watched Frodo's reaction passively. She knew what he saw, and her heart mourned for the young one. Lowering her eyes, she waited for the vision to finish wrecking havoc on the hobbit's mind.
Tears sting Frodo's eyes when he saw the Shire blackened and gnarled, everything dead or dying as far as he could see. How terrible! What sort of vision was this? Was this going to happen if he...failed?
Red filled the water and Frodo stared in dumb horror as an eye, the One Eye, opened and stared at him. He fought back a yell of horror as the flaming monstrous thing rumbled incoherently to him, its voice thick with evil. The Ring slipped out of his shirt, and some unseen force began pulling it towards the water.
The Lady looked up and at the golden, glittering Ring hanging near the basin, and merely watched to see what would happen. For she, too, could hear Sauron's dooming voice reverberating cruelly in her head.
The Ring drew closer and closer to the water, and Frodo finally noticed it. He fought to lift his hand towards it, shocked at the force holding his arm back, and finally broke through to close his fingers around the Ring. The moment he did, a wind shoved him and he flew back and into the ground with a hard thud. He lay still for a moment, catching his breath, then lifted himself onto his feet.
Galadriel watched him out of the corner of her eye. Her face and tone were somber, and almost grim, and her voice dropped to a whisper as she neared the end of her sentence." I know what it is you have seen, for it is also my mind." The same images whisked through her head, and she willed them away with a sad sigh and the temporary closing of her eyes.
* It is what will come to pass if you shall fail.* Frodo's eyes widened slightly as her voice echoed in his head, and he looked at her as she spoke soundlessly.
* The Fellowship is breaking.*
Frodo thought of the death of Gandalf, of seeing the old wizard he had come to love fall to his death in Moria, and his heart broke a little more.
* Already it has begun. He will try to take the Ring. You know of whom I speak.*
Sauron, a voice in Frodo's head whispered to him, a black voice that made him shudder. The Ring still felt heavy on his chest, pulling him down and making it heard to breathe.
*One by one, it will destroy them all.*
No! he thought in horror. Frodo saw all his companions in his mind, and he wanted to retch at the idea of them dying. She was wrong, he said to himself fiercely. She had to be wrong, she did not know all! She doesn't know how it will turn out, just how it might turn out! The Ring came into his mind again, and he stopped. If she had the Ring...If the Lady had the Ring, imagine the good she could do with it, that voice whispered to him again. She would know what to do with it. Hope flared painfully in his chest. Maybe he wouldn't have to go all the way to Mordor. He could give it to her, and she would know what to do.
Hesitantly, Frodo thought with all his might to Galadriel.* If you ask it of me...I will give you the One Ring.* He held the small, round object out in the palm of his hand, and met her gaze with uncertainty and anticipation.
The Lady dropped her fathomless blue eyes down to the One Ring, and felt her heart start to pound. She could not deny the pull on her heart that she felt when she gazed upon the thing of awesome power. The power to bring peace to all of Middle Earth. Although she knew it to be a thing of Evil, there was always hope that she could control it and use it to benefit her people, benefit everyone.
" You offer it to me freely," she said softly, her eyes still pinned on the little object. Slowly, she began to move forward, interested in the offering of this little hobbit, and the things she could use it for swimming in her mind. Peace for you, a voice whispered to the wise woman. For you and your husband, and your people." I do not deny that my heart has greatly desired this," she told him truthfully, her voice bare with trembling emotion that matched the trembling of her hand as she reached out for the Ring.
Galadriel stared at it for a moment longer, and sudden coherence penetrated the haze of what could be. No, this is not right, she whispered to herself. Angered at her previous thoughts, she fought against the lingering evil of taking such an object, and fought her unruly notions. She would become something utterly horrible if she gave in, and she could not give up now." Instead of a Dark Lord, you would have a queen!"
Frodo took a step back as the Lady of Light seemed to grow before his very eyes. A terrible darkly white light surrounded her, and wind blew her hair and gown about her, making her more frighteningly beautiful than ever before.
" Not dark but beautiful and terrible as the dawn! Tempestuous as the sea, and stronger than the foundations of the earth!" Her voice changed and darkened, as terrible as the words she spoke, and her eyes darkened to the point that the whites of her eyes stood starkly against their blackness." All shall love me and despair!" She stared at the Ring in Frodo's hand with contempt and desire, loathing and longing, and one of them finally won through.
As suddenly as the light came, it left with the wind, and the terrible form of Galadriel shrunk into her own slight, beautiful form. She blinked as if coming out of a stupor, and fought to catch her breath for a number of seconds. Frodo watched her silently, awed and frightened by what he saw, and waited for her to calm and look at him again.
This time, her eyes were sad and deep." I passed the test," she admitted with a slight smile. Her mind was clear, and her future now more certain than ever." I will diminish, and go into the West, and remain Galadriel."
Frodo's breath came out shaky, and he suddenly felt very alone with her words. The thought of this fair being leaving made him feel awful." I cannot do this alone," he told her; quietly, desperately.
Galadriel's eyes focused on Frodo, her expression almost stern." You are a Ringbearer, Frodo. To bear a Ring of power is to be alone. This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way..." She closed her eyes, then opened them." No one will."
Her words did nothing to comfort the hobbit. He felt coldness settle into his heart, and he swallowed numerous times against the feeling." Then, I know what I must do. It's just...I'm afraid to do it."
The Lady's expression changed to one of compassion, and a small smile graced her lovely face. She leaned down to fully see his face, and kept her voice low and soothing. She saw great things for this one; great, yet terrible.
" Even the smallest person can change the course of the future."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Liana smoothed her hand over the soft velvet of her dress, feeling the clothing's textures beneath her fingers. She hadn't worn something so nice in a long time, and not just since the beginning of the Fellowship. Since wars started to break out in the Faerie kingdom, some thirty years ago, she had neither the time nor the desire to dress up. They were all too busy defending their borders and aiding other countries to keep them from falling to participate in the frivolities of clothes that couldn't be worn in battle.
War never touched this place, she thought, still admiring the velvety texture of the dress they had given her. Their magic hadn't failed them yet, but the Faerie magic had. She sighed sadly, then focused on the color of the dress. Dark red. To bring out the gold in her eyes, they said. It was dark like the spilling of blood; the blood of Elves, of Men, Faeries, Dwarves and Hobbits. The Faeries she knew that had died, that Nevada had known. They had been through so much war, and was there an end? When had it come to this? she whispered to herself silently. How many more people had to die to set things right? War was so hateful, and it made her heart so heavy. She wondered how her people were doing, and worry gnawed at the back of her mind. She had no idea what was going on at home, and that concerned her greatly. Whenever she thought of Ciel, it was never happy thoughts of their well being.
Liana's fingers drew swirls in the luxurious fabric, and she tried to tuck some shorter hairs behind her ear. They fell forward again, and she sighed. The Elves had been quite horrified at the shearing of the locks of hair on one side, and grudgingly, at her request, they cut the other side to make it even. She would just have to wait for them to grow out again to tuck behind her ears; either that, or bug them for hair pins to pin it back.
The comments said by the unknown Elves the other day still bothered her, but her anger had quelled much since then. Plus, the hospitality, however distant it was, from the Elves today was a little uplifting. She was quiet with them, being just as distant but grateful for the clothes and shelter they were giving them. Her mother's words from so long ago; long before they died, rose up to remind her of good impressions and being in control of oneself in lands not ones own. Nevertheless, she felt out of place here, under constant scrutiny of sharp Elven eyes more than she was used to at her own court. She supposed they couldn't help but stare; on occasions when elves would come to the Faerie kingdoms, they got their share of being stared at, as well, but that thought didn't make the unease lessen. Shaking her head slightly, Liana lifted her gaze from her dress and towards the door of the room she waited in.
A knock echoed, rapping twice before opening at Liana's beckon. Nevada's head poked in, and she smiled." All fancied up? I always thought reds and earth tones looked good on you."
Liana smiled back, feeling her heart lift once more." Thanks. Let's see you now." She stood up and Nevada stepped in, the door shutting behind her. She gave a silly pose, and Liana laughed. Nevada looked just as stunning in dark green, offsetting her dark hair that spilled down her back, much like her own. Their dresses billowed slightly around their feet, but were tight at the top. It hugged their forms beautifully, with scooped necks that showed a bit of cleavage; modest to the Faeries, but apparently enough for the Elves. It was tight around their elbows, as well, then the material dropped off at the back of their arms and hung down, tapering off at their slim waists.
" You are lovely, my fair lady," Liana teased, then held out her hand towards Nev." Please, you enchanting Faerie, do not deny me a dance, for this Ranger's heart could not take it!" She laughed when Nevada's amused smile turned to a look of horror and she hit her friend on the arm.
" That's the last time I ever compliment you, Liana!" Nevada shot back, but then shook her head and smiled. At least Liana's teasing nature was coming out again, despite all that had happened in the past week. She didn't like to see Liana so somber - it didn't fit her personality.
" I was only poking fun," Liana chuckled." How is your knee?"
" Better than before." Nevada's nose scrunched up in distaste as she held up a new vial with dark brown liquid inside." The healers decided that my knee would heal faster with a different type of antibiotic. I haven't taken it yet. The stuff smells foul."
Liana laughed." I'm sure it will taste just as bad."
" Thanks, Liana."
" It always works out that way. The worst tasting medicine always helps the best - it's some cosmic joke." She held out her arm to the darker haired Faerie." Come on, we've kept them waiting long enough."
Humoring her friend, Nevada linked arms with her and they walked out of the room and down the steps towards the area where the rest of the Fellowship members waited. The girls spotted a dark head and two blonder heads, and couldn't help the slight smiles on their faces at the sight of the shorter curly heads waiting restlessly for the two to arrive.
" Whoever would have thought we'd get this far," Liana whispered to Nev.
She nodded, and turned to meet her friend's gaze, smiling sadly." Without Gandalf."
Liana shook her head in agreement mutely, and the two linked arms tighter for a moment." We'll be okay," Liana told her with as much confidence as her shaky voice could muster." We've always been able to pull through stuff like this."
" You got that right," Nevada replied, her voice dropping when they reached the men.
Everyone looked over to see their two missing members, and to certain companions of the fellowship, Pippin's cry of," Finally, we've been waiting for hours!" was lost to them.
Aragorn knew he was staring. He was also aware that Boromir was staring, as well as Legolas, whose lips curved into an appreciative smile. But he could not look away for anything. Both women were absolutely spectacular; radiant, even. His eyes, however, were locked with the violet irises of the darker Faerie. Her hair was loose again, and the dark locks seemed to absorb the light that fell on it from the morning skies. If he was startled to see her in more fitting clothes last night, he was more than surprised to see her now. He felt his mouth go dry when she came closer and bent his head to keep his eyes on her. When she smirked up at him, the spell was broken, and he smiled back.
" You look beautiful, Nevada," he told her truthfully.
Nevada's smirk widened, her expression taking on a superior 'I-know' attitute that made Aragorns mile." Thanks."
" Miss Nevada," Pippin tugged lightly on her dress. When his hand touched the material, his eyes flew open." Is that velvet?"
" No, Pippin, it's bark," Nevada retorted, then smiled and chuckled to let him know she was kidding." Yeah. The Elves spare no expense here, do they?"
" We have velvet in the Shire," Pippin explained happily amidst groans from Sam and Merry. He launched into a full account of all the velvet products he had come into contact in the Shire, who made them, and how much it cost, much to Nevada's chagrin.
Liana cocked an eyebrow at the little man and had to laugh at the look on Nevada's face as he talked their ears off. She looked up slightly and met Legolas's gaze which, to her horror, made her blush. Those blue eyes of his could drill holes into her sometimes, and while it made her self-conscious, it also made her feel extremely warm inside, and made it harder to breathe.
No, she was wrong. Him coming closer to her made it harder to breathe. She watched him steadily, hands at her side, until he came close enough to lean down and whisper in her ear.
" Lle naa vanima." His breath tickled her ear and she resisted the urge to shiver.
" What does that mean?" she whispered, although she had a fair idea, and looked up at him only to bump her head on his chin. They both smiled, and Legolas leaned in to translate for her.
" You are beautiful," he told her again, slowly. She felt a smile creep up on her face again." We must teach you elvish someday, melamin."
Liana tilted her head up and he leaned down for her to whisper in his ear." To baera' ye maen kheili aezizi, kheili khosh sha'nsaem keh to tu' zendegi ye maeni."
Legolas felt a shiver run up his spine as she spoke in her native tongue, so foreign to his ears, and he responded in a low voice." And what does that mean?"
" You are so sweet to me," she replied in his ear." I am so lucky to have you in my life. We must teach you Fae, aezizaem*."
The Elf gave her a brilliant smile and, taking advantage of his closeness with her over the whispering, kissed her temple. Liana was hard pressed to suppress a smile and caught Nevada's sly gaze with a look of her own.
" If that wasn't frightening, I don't know what is," Aragorn murmured, slightly alarmed at the guileless look being exchanged between the two women." What say all of you to a tour?" he asked loudly enough for everyone to hear.
" Sounds like a fine plan," Boromir encouraged, his eyes shifting from Nevada to Aragorn.
" Are we going into the city or the forest?" Merry asked, craning his neck to get a good look at Aragorn.
" Both," Aragorn informed him." Shall we go?" Heads nodded in agreement, and the man paused to look at Legolas." Legolas, are you coming?"
He nodded, and the group began to move down a path leading towards the heart of Caras Galadhon at a less than normal speed due to Nevada's healing injury. The Elf's heart felt overwhelmed, yet peaceful; fulfilled, yet not. She walked close to him, her head tilted up to look at the trees with almost childlike wonder. He hadn't seen her look like that since before Mount Caradhras, and only briefly in Moria, and it made his heart swell. Her eyes drifted from the treetops and over to him at the feeling of being watched, and she gave him an inquisitive look.
" I like to look at you," he admitted, and she laughed.
" I'm flattered," she replied, her eyes still sparkling gold in amusement." I could tell you the same thing, but you already know you're beautiful."
" Perhaps," he said slowly, smiling." When I stand next to you, I find myself paling in comparison, so I am not so sure of my own beauty. Perhaps I need to be reminded."
She threw her head back and laughed at him, and he basked in the sound of it. When her laughter died, she heard Aragorn calling her, and turned to Legolas." I am being summoned, and I have a strong feeling it's about Nevada, so I will return." Only hesitating for the barest of seconds, she stood up on her tiptoes and returned Legolas's previous favor with a kiss on his upper cheek. She walked quickly to the front, leaving Legolas in the back with an odd expression on his face.
" So much for racial rivalries," Gimli grunted, shaking his head at the odd couple. He took in Legolas's sharp look, but ignored it." Just what the world needs; an Elf and a Faerie getting together. The possibilities are horrendous."
Legolas's jaw muscles tightened." That is merely your opinion."
" Aye, it is," Gimli agreed, dark eyes meeting the Elf's hard gray-blue ones." And about as likely as a Dwarf choosing an Elf for a partner. I may not like you, Elf, but I know you're not stupid. An Elf and a Faerie relationship is as dangerous as fighting a battle, only you're not fighting Orcs - you're fighting your people. You have a lot of hardship coming if you choose this route, Elf."
" Then I will gladly bear it," Legolas replied tightly." And I do not see how this concerns you, Dwarf."
Gimli pursed his lips and his eyes darkened slightly." It doesn't. I'm just stating what should be obvious to you-"
" I am very aware of the repercussions of this, Gimli," Legolas interrupted, his voice growing dark," and I said before, I will happily bear them for her. I suggest this conversation cease before we both say things we will regret." The two stared at each other malevolently for a long minutes before breaking their gazes and continuing along with everyone on their tour.
Liana waltzed up to Aragorn and asked," Is there a problem?"
The exasperated look on his face told her much, but she waited for him to say it." Nevada has to take the new medicine, and she refuses because it 'tastes bad.'"
Liana turned and gave Nevada an incredulous look." I'm not your mother. You're a big girl, you can take it."
" Have you smelled it?" Nevada hissed, and thrust the small vial in Liana's direction. She took it with an impetuous sigh, and undid the cork at the top. The smell came wafting out and Liana made the mistake of breathing deep at the same moment. She coughed and her eyes started to burn at the putrid smell coming from the little vial. Trying to coax her face into passiveness wasn't working, so she just pushed it into Nev's hand and looked away to clear her nose from the awful smell.
" You see?" Nevada gestured to Liana and glared at Aragorn." I am not going to drink something this disgusting just to make my knee feel better - I've had worse! I mean, come on, Fae healers at least attempt to make their medicine taste better than this."
" These are Elven healers, not Fae," Aragorn reminded her." You have to take it. Your knee must get better, Nevada."
She turned back to their trail and ignored him, much to Liana and the hobbits's amusement behind them.
" Nev," Liana said with a tremble of laughter." If you take it all at once quickly, it shouldn't be too bad. We can get you water if you need it."
Nevada's eyes narrowed as she watched Liana for a moment, who kept a serious face on, but Nevada wasn't fooled." All right," she said reluctantly." I'll taste it, then see if I can-"
" Just take it," Aragorn argued with her.
" Keep that tone with me, and I'll pour this over your head," Nevada warned. She smelled it for a moment, reared back with her nose scrunched up in disgust, then tentatively put her lips to the vail and tilted it up. The moment the liquid hit her tongue, she gagged and spit it out on the ground.
" Nevada!" Aragorn reprimanded.
" This is repulsive! It tastes like acid!"
" Plug your nose," Sam suggested from behind them." You shouldn't be able to taste it."
Nevada glanced back at Sam for a moment thoughtfully, then reached up and plugged her nose. She tried again, than repeated what she had did earlier: spat it on the ground." Good suggestion, but it still tastes awful."
" Well, sometimes we have to take things whether we like it or not," Aragorn told her, clearly irritated." This is one of those times."
" I'm not taking this poison!" Nevada retorted loudly in Aragorn's general direction.
" Take it, Nev," Liana ordered." Just get it over with."
" No."
" If your knee doesn't get better before we leave, you'll have to stay here," Liana told her, and Nevada looked at her, her expression a cross between horror and contemplation.
" You know, my knee doesn't hurt that bad anymore."
" We can't take that chance," Aragorn explained." Now just take the medicine, Nevada, and we can go into the city and get something to eat."
Nevada's face took on a pouting look." But it tastes so bad!"
" Nevada, don't make me force you to take it," Liana threatened." Remember, you can't run."
The Faerie bared her teeth at her friend in irritation." I hate you."
" I'm sure you do, now take it!" Liana ordered again.
Nevada huffed out a breath and stared at the vial for the longest time. Aragorn coaxed her again, and she lifted the vial to her mouth, expression painful as it got closer and closer. When it touched her lips, Liana's arm shot forward quickly and tipped the vial all the way up so the liquid poured down Nevada's throat. She plugged the girl's nose, as well, to take the edge off the taste, and watched in amusement as Nevada slapped her arm and proceeded to nearly choke on the foul medicine in her mouth." I won't let go until you swallow it," she told her mildly, her grip surprisingly strong on the arm Nevada was trying to hit her with.
The Faerie glared at Liana as she finished swallowing, and when Liana let go she let out a few colorful words in their language that had Liana laughing uproariously.
" What did she say?" Merry asked, more to himself than others.
" Probably nothing good," Frodo mused with a smile.
When Nevada finished cursing Liana to hell and back and wishing a plague of skin-eating diseases on her and any offspring she might ever have, Liana was weak with laughter, Sam looked scandalized, and Aragorn was a mix between the two, not to mention the stares coming from the rest of the fellowship and any Elves passing by.
" Would you like some water?" Aragorn asked politely, but the cool front was ruined by a grin and a slight chuckle as he watched Nevada's expression and Liana trying to calm herself down from fits of laughter.
" Filthy human, I don't need your water!" Nevada told him shrilly. The permanent look of disgust mixed with a scowl on her face made Liana, along with the hobbits and Aragorn, laugh harder." Just wait till I get better, Liana, you just wait. I'll hunt your pretty ass down, oh I tell you, I'll rip-"
" Enough," Aragorn chuckled." We are entering the city, you must calm down, Nevada."
" At least you only had to take it that once," Pippin said helpfully. Nevada's anger cooled and she offered up a weak smile to the hobbit. The taste was still thick in her throat, and she swallowed convulsively to get it all down." Liana, quit laughing," she snapped at the Faerie's stray chuckles, who only smiled innocently in response. Sometimes I could strangle that girl, she thought to herself, but then again, life wasn't much fun without her to joke around with.
Legolas had listened to their conversation with great amusement and watched the scene unfold with even more. Even Gimli had to crack a smile at the predicament further up the line, and both chuckled when Nevada was forced to take it all under Liana's direction. He took great delight in hearing her let go and laugh so much. She really had a beautiful laugh.
Gimli watched the Elf a little closer than just a passing glance. Emotions flitted in and out of the light gray-blue eyes, as if their owner was not aware they were even showing themselves to the outside world. The emotions Gimli could see plain as day, not only in his eyes, but his face and the way he carried himself, were deep; a mixture of longing, sadness, and awe as he gazed upon one creature no more than three yards away. Although he had a good idea already, he let his eyes follow Legolas's to the source: the laughing Faerie in red velvet with an adoration for the hobbits and a knack for making everyone feel included on things; also suffers from bouts of shyness whenever in the presence of the blasted Elf to his left. The Dwarf's face softened slightly, and he recalled his words to Legolas not five minutes ago. They may not be friends of his by any means, but who was he to get into the way of what he saw there?
The group continued their nature walk through the beautiful trees of Lothlorien, and when the path broke into civilization again, they stopped to stare at the breathtaking sight.
" Wow," Pippin exclaimed breathlessly. It was the same as they saw it when they arrived in Lothlorien, but it nevertheless made them stop and stare. The trees' leaves swayed with the breeze, and Elves walked everywhere among the talans and soft grass of the small hills and plains making up Caras Galadhon. Aragorn beckoned them on, and they spent the next thirty minutes exploring old buildings, trees, and monuments that both Aragorn and Legolas explained for the benefit of the rest without prior knowledge of who the monuments depicted. True to his word, Aragorn stopped everyone for something to eat. They ate the breads, cheeses and fruits languidly, making small talk as they basked in the late afternoon glow.
When the meal was finished, it was cleared away and the group started their journey back to where they slept because Merry and Pippin felt a great need to take a nap after filling their stomachs with a lot of food and a lot of wine.
As they came closer to their spot, Aragorn and Boromir noticed the foreign figures standing in front of it with two Elven guards." What could they want with us?" Boromir asked in a low voice to Aragorn.
" I do not know," he replied back just as quietly." But we are bound to find out."
The Faeries did not notice their visitors until they looked up from their conversation, but when they did, they nearly stopped cold. Nevada's eyes grew wide, and Liana paled.
" Who are they?" Frodo asked.
Liana and Nevada recognized the insignia on the light tunics they wore, and were able to identify one of the three. The two exchanged a muted, foreboding look, before heading to the front of their companions to meet the visitors.
" Princess Liana, Commander Nevada!" Diana smiled sunnily, although the smile did not reach her eyes. Her lavender hair was bound tight in the back of her head, and she and the other two wore traveling clothes stained with the wear of much travel." It's wonderful to see you again. You both look lovely!"
" Thank you," Liana replied a bit warily, and Nevada murmured a thanks.
The other female and male Faeries looked startled at the appearance of Nevada." Commander, you're alive," she said, her low voice sharp with surprise.
The other males present shared astonished looks of their own, not only at their apparent surprise of her being alive, but at the rank of commander attached to her name. Nevada's words from early on in the journey came back to most, but it only cleared up a few of the questions.
" We thought you had died with your people," the Faerie continued, and Nevada's face grew dark and stony." How did you survive such a horrifying attack?"
" That will be all, thank you," Liana cut in, her eyes hard and glittering like cold amber. The Faerie blanched slightly, and bowed to Nevada.
" Forgive me, I did not mean to bring up any harsh memories," she apologized.
I'm sure you didn't, Nevada thought sarcastically, and stood quiet for a few more moments while she collected herself." I was filling in for a commander who had died during the war in Charon, so I wasn't at Deimos when it occurred. I was sure Diana would have told you that." She glanced at the Faerie, who flushed slightly.
" I had forgotten that detail on the hasty trip here," she excused, then seemed to remember the matter at hand." Princess," she addressed Liana." Gabrielle, Eolis and I have come all the way here to deliver a message to you from Queen Emilia and your country. May we speak to you in private?"
Liana's heart thudded painfully in her chest at the implications of the supposed 'message.' Her country, what was happening to it? Guilt flooded her at being so far away and not knowing, but she pushed it away and nodded towards Diana." Yes," she said hesitantly." Of course."
" Why can't we hear it?" Gimli challenged the new Faeries." What's so secretive that it has to be kept from her companions?" The hobbits nodded in agreement, along with everyone else present.
Eolis, the male Faerie, focused cold blue eyes on the detestable Dwarf, and Gimli found himself glaring in return." Because none of this concerns you or anyone else here except for Princess Liana. Do you understand, Dwarf?"
" Watch your tongue around me, you disgusting-" Gimli snarled and would have continued if Aragorn hadn't placed a restraining hand on his shoulder.
Nevada glanced at him for a moment, then turned to the three." Let me accompany her, I would like to hear this, too. If it concerns Liana, it concerns me."
Diana shook her head sadly." It'd be best if you stayed, Commander."
Before Nevada could gear up to retort to Diana, Liana stopped her." It's okay, Nev. Just wait here with the other until I get back." When Nevada opened her mouth to protest, Liana held up a hand." Please?" she asked softly, pleadingly. They stared at each other for a moment, worry creeping its way into Nevada's eyes and seeping over into Liana's. Nevada nodded reluctantly and Liana smiled, squeezing her friend's hand briefly before following two Elven guards and the other Faeries to another location. Liana glanced back briefly at the dejected and concerned looks on her friends faces, and her heart went out to them. Legolas was staring at her hard, and from the growing distance she couldn't decipher the emotions in his eyes, but she knew they couldn't have been good. It's going to be okay, she told him in his mind, but it ended being more for herself. Calm down, everything's going to be just fine. But as she watched the backs of the Faeries and Elven guards in front of her that led her away from what had become her life, a cold lump settled in the pit of her stomach and told her that everything was not going to be all right.
" Commander?" Merry echoed, and looked up at Nevada.
She nodded listlessly." Title. That's all. Doesn't mean much anymore." Her eyes glazed over in thought and worry as she mulled over the past ten minutes. Did something happen to Ciel? It had to have - why else would they come this far? Perhaps...realization hit her like a blow to the stomach. Maybe they came to take Liana away, to take her back to the Faerie kingdom because she was needed for something or other. What if they wanted to take both of them away? That thought didn't settle right at all. Nevada's mind mucked through the horror of those possibilities until all the color had left her face and she was unknowingly biting her lip to the point of blood.
" Nevada." Hands on her shoulders brought her out of her stupor, and she blinked and looked up into Aragorn's face." We're going to sit down and wait for her return, okay? Come and sit down." He rubbed the sides of her arms reassuringly, and she nodded dumbly and followed him and the others to their soft area of rest. There she plopped down and brooded quietly over the situation, half listening to the hobbits' idle chatter around her. Her eyes moved over to Aragorn, than to Legolas next to him. The Elf made her mind clear, and she stared at him a bit longer. He looked even more worried than she did; perhaps the same thoughts were running through his head, that she or both of them might have to leave. Nevada felt a reluctant pull on her heart for the Elf and the absolute bleak expression on his face: he really had it bad for Liana. It was achingly sweet, but if things played out for the worse...
" Nevada."
"..."
" Nevada?"
She turned her head and stared down at the cute, curious hobbit." Yes, Pippin?"
" I'm hungry."
Her sigh couldn't have been deeper." I'm sure you are."
The young hobbit shifted from his position on the ground to stare up at the Faerie with pleading eyes." Please, Nev, I'm dyin'!"
She rolled her eyes at him and hid a smile." No, Pip, you'll be just fine."
" I haven't had supper yet!"
" Neither have I. And besides, we just had lunch."
"So? Us hobbits need a lot of food to keep us healthy!"
Nev, who had been sitting, shifted onto her elbows and leaned down to stare at the hobbit. She glared him down for a few minutes, violet eyes on beautiful moss green.
" No."
His face fell as his green eyes went teary." But Nevada..."
She hid another smile and slowly shook her head." If there is any way I can avoid socializing with the Elves, I will. Why don't you go get it yourself?"
Pippin grinned and pointed to his chest, where they both knew he had a bandage from a healing wound from Moria." I'm wounded!"
She rolled her eyes, got into a sitting position again and pointed to her own knee, which was still bandaged." I'm wounded, too."
The young hobbit's mind raced for a way to get the Faerie to retrieve his food, and like a light bulb going off in his head, Pippin smiled and changed tactics." I hear they have some mighty tasty apricot strudel."
Leaning forward, Nevada was prepared to deliver another 'no' to the hobbit, but the thought of eating a delicious apricot strudel made her stomach growl. Plus, it was a perfect way to nonchalantly 'walk' by where they took Liana. Narrowing her eyes, she grabbed Pippin by the chin gently." All right. But it better be a good strudel."
He grinned." Bring back some mushrooms and those yummy potato things they made for us yesterday afternoon."
" Pig."
" I'm still growing."
Nevada snorted and shook her head. Bracing herself for the pain, she slowly lifted herself off the ground, placing as little weight as possible on her right knee. When she was fully upright, she stretched a little, rubbing her knee absentmindedly and starting off toward the kitchens not too far away. The pain was certainly more bearable, to her surprise. That vial of disgusting medicine was starting to kick in. She walked up the path Liana and the Faeries took, and kept walking until she heard voices. Smiling to herself in triumph, Nevada followed the voices to a patch of trees where she could see an upraised platform of some sort lay behind it. She caught a flash of lavender hair, and edged closer as quietly as possible. She stopped when Liana came into view. Her friend looked so distressed, it made alarms go off in Nevada's head, so she decided to stay there and hear what she could.
" I swore to protect the Ringbearer and I am bound to the group!" Liana's voice drifted to Nevada's ears; strained, adamant, and angry.
" You are bound to your country as well, princess," Eolis reminded her as gently as possible.
Nevada watched Liana's back go ridged as she stared down the male Faerie who had spoken." I know this," she said in a more quiet, dignified voice." But after seeing what I have seen these past few months, I cannot just-"
" You have no choice!" Gabrielle cut in.
" Let me finish!" Liana snapped, angry enough to make Nevada flinch. The Faeries looked taken aback, and knew they had overstepped their boundaries. She let out a shaky breath at her outburst, and hugged herself with her arms in a way that made her look hurt, and vulnerable." I can't just leave them," she whispered, her tone heartbroken." But I can't stay, either, can I?" She watched, mournful, as they shook their heads.
Nevada felt her heart jump, then thud a cold, painful tune.
Leave?
Liana's really leaving?
Eolis felt slightly guilty for dropping all of this on the princess just days after they had reached their destination, Lothlorien. He could see her shake with indecision, and realized she had become more than attached to the Fellowship. Attempting to soothe her, he told her in a consoling voice," There will still be ten left in the Fellowship-"
" Nine."
" What?" Diana and Eolis gasped. Liana's head was bowed so that her hair covered her face, and Nevada couldn't see her pained expression.
They heard her sigh out a breath." Gandalf fell into the Shadow," she informed them quietly." In Moria. So there are nine, not ten."
Diana blinked, then felt grief slowly edge its way into her heart. He was such a kind wizard, one all Faeries adores..." Princess, I'm so sorry..."
" She still has to come back with us," Gabrielle, cut in, sympathetic yet stern." We cannot wait any longer. Princess, you do not have a choice. Your people need you. You owe it to them to come back."
Nevada could feel waves of helplessness and pain coming from Liana, but she was practically numb to it. Liana was leaving them...leaving her...
" Do you want us to tell the Fellowship?" Diana asked gently.
Liana shook her head." I will tell them. I owe them that much," she lifted her head to glare at Gabrielle.
Missing the look, Gabrielle nodded, satisfied she had gotten through to the princess." We will leave at first light. I suggest you pack your things tonight."
Nevada never heard the rest of it. She couldn't take anymore. Fleeing as fast as her knee would allow, Nevada crashed through the trees, not caring who heard her. Everything that was ever familiar in her life was now gone. It was bad enough to lose her country, to lose Gandalf, but losing her best friend was more than she could handle. The few tears she let slip past her eyes nearly blinded her as she ran to escape all the awful things that were catching up to her.
" Oh, no," Liana sighed brokenly, listening to the noise of Nevada running away from the platform. She caught a glimpse of long, black hair, which confirmed her suspicion of being spied on by her best friend. She wasn't supposed to find out yet...
" It's all for the best, my princess," Eolis put a hand on her shoulder." Nevada, as well as the others, will soon realize that. I am sorry it had to be this way."
Liana bit her lip hard to keep the tears back, and nodded." I'm sorry, too. Please, leave me while I go pack my things." They nodded and left swiftly, and with a simple request, the two Elven guards left, leaving her alone on the platform surrounded by the pretty trees of Lothlorien.
" I'm sorry, Nevada," she whispered to herself. Liana slowly sank down in the middle of the floor and sat with her knees up to her chin, hunching over protectively and clasping her hands together. She couldn't bring herself to move.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Nevada avoided everyone when she left to be by herself. She was too distraught to deal with anyone, especially Liana. She found a secluded area of forest that she had been pacing for the past hour, working through her emotions. Sadness. Grief. Anger. Frustration. More anger. Bitterness. Helplessness. The sun still beat down, but not as hot because the afternoon was late. Sunlight filtered through the trees gloriously, but Nevada didn't notice its beauty.
She was angry with Liana. For some reason, she was more upset with Liana leaving than she had been with the Orcs and Gandalf's death; disappointed, almost. She wanted to scream at her, yell, anything to get rid of the mindless fury that was building up inside her head. Why was she letting them take her? She promised she would stay! And it wasn't just anger; there was fear there. If she left, who knew when she would see her again - who knew what was going on back home? Flashes of Deimos came back unbidden, and she squeezed her eyes shut against the memory. The bodies...would Liana end up like that?
Nevada stopped pacing to let out an anguished, furious sound, then looked around to see if anyone had heard her. Feeling slightly better that she had at least voiced her frustrations, she turned and spotted the large tree that housed their sleeping quarters.
It was time she talked with Liana.
Nevada swiftly made her way back to camp, jogging quickly through the trees and shrubs, and hopping streams, bent on finding her friend and giving her a piece of her mind. Her knee was in a lot better shape than it had been due the medicine, so the jog wasn't too taxing on her.
She didn't have to go far. She nearly ran into Liana halfway back to camp, and neither could tell who was more surprised. They stared at each other for another astonished moment, but the astonishment died to be replaced with unreadable looks.
" Hello, Liana," Nevada said slowly.
Liana nodded." Hello. I didn't know where you had gone, and the others didn't seem to know, either. Where have you been?" she asked, almost lightly.
Nevada's purple eyed narrowed." I heard."
Liana didn't seem surprised." I know you did."
" When were you planning on telling me this?" Before she could answer, Nevada got in," Have you even told anyone yet?"
" No, it has only been an hour since my meeting with them," Liana explained, impatient with Nevada's accusations." I wanted to talk to you first."
" Oh, really?" Nevada folded her arms across her chest." Do you plan on telling them? Or were you just going to go?"
Liana looked genuinely hurt." Nev, I would never-"
" You're leaving!" Nevada exploded." You're leaving me, you're leaving all of them, why??! What is so important that it can't wait until we see this through-"
" My country was attacked, Nev!" Liana cried, and Nevada stopped, her worst fears coming to life." They need my help! If I leave now, there might still be hope-"
She was cut off by Nevada's harsh laughter." Hope? What hope? What makes you think there will be anything left? It had to have happened at least a week ago, for them to have traveled all the way here to tell you."
Liana was so furious, all she could do was stare for a moment." Why are you saying this? My country doesn't have to suffer the same fate yours did, Nev, there's a chance! Who am I to leave my own people to fend for themselves-"
" What people?!" Nevada fired back." They're all dead by now! Ten days is more than enough time to wipe out a country's entire existence! You can go on your little journey if you want, but when you get there, you'll find nothing! Nothing except ashes and blood. Nothing more!"
Liana hissed in a breath and bared her teeth with," That could very well be true, but I am not going to sit here and wonder if that was the case. I have to go, do you understand that? You *know* I want to stay, I have every reason to stay! But I can't," she gritted out, fighting to stop the hitching in her breath and trying to make Nevada understand.
" We made an *oath*," Nevada said in a low, shaky voice." And you're *breaking* it."
" Again, you act like I have a choice," Liana said through clenched teeth." And don't act so righteous on me, Nev - you did the same thing." At Nevada's vaguely puzzled expression, she continued." When you heard Deimos had been attacked, you went flying over there, and I don't blame you. But this is the exact same situation!"
" No, it's not, because I wasn't traveling with a group of people going to Mordor to destroy the Ring at the time!" Nevada shot back." You could die over there, Liana! None of us would know it. We already lost Gandalf," Nevada's voice became hoarse with emotion," of course you see fit to take off, too."
" Is that what this is about?" Liana asked her, her voice barely above a whisper." Nev, I'm not going to die-"
" You don't know that!" Nevada cut her off." I can't-" She hissed in a breath and dragged a hand through her hair." I am so mad at you right now, I just...I have to leave." She turned around and walked through the foilage back to the campsite, leaving Liana standing there in astonishment and fading anger.
Nevada's blood churned and boiled, and her mind filled with mixing emotions until it gave her a headache. She walked right past the hobbits inquisitive glances, didn't bother looking at Legolas or Gimli, and blatantly ignored Boromir and Aragorn. The two men exchanged a glance, and both got up." I'll do it," Boromir offered. You've dealt with enough for today." Aragorn hesitated for a moment and, eased by the honesty in the Gondorian's eyes, nodded.
" Just try and get her to come back here, then we will wait for Liana if it doesn't get too dark," he informed Boromir, who nodded and walked off in the direction Nevada went.
Boromir did not have far to look. He found her sitting on a large white tree trunk laid flat and used as a portion of the side of a structure. Her hands were in her lap, head bowed, and shoulder hunched as if she were on the defensive. Boromir pursed his lips and felt a flood of sympathy. He stepped closer to her, and said softly," Sadness does not belong on your face, my lady." Her dark head went up and over to him, eyes shining but cheeks still dry." It is too beautiful to have such a hard emotion on it."
Nevada felt irritation flicker through her - his words might've worked if he had any idea of what he spoke of, but he was a human and it didn't have quite the same effect." It is there nonetheless," she replied tonelessly. She watched as he moved to sit down next to her, and they stared at each other for a long moment.
" Would you like to talk about why you are sad?" he offered.
She felt anger wash through her again - none of them even knew yet, but then quelled it. She shook her head." Not...not really. Not yet. You'll find out soon enough," she finished bitterly.
Boromir caught the tone and, hesitantly, brought a hand up to grasp her chin lightly. She jerked away at the sudden movement, and stood up.
" I think it is time we had a talk," Nevada told him, her voice and face serious.
" A talk of what?" Boromir asked, feigning ignorance. Now that the moment had come, he felt anxious. What would she say to him? What could he say to make her see what she had grown to mean to him?
" You know what I speak of," she accused him." Why are you doing this? Why me, and what do you hope to accomplish?"
" Why you?" Boromir echoed. He stepped close to her, mere inches from her face, and she fought not to take a step back." From the moment you stormed the Council I knew, I *knew* I had never seen anything like you before." He reached up a hand and lightly brushed some of her dark hair away from her face." You are so beautiful and dignified, and you fight like nothing I have ever seen before. Gondor needs the strength I see in you: I need you."
Nevada shook her head, her heart breaking with pity." No, Boromir. No, you don't."
" Yes!" he exclaimed, frustrated with the look in her eyes." Yes I do." Changing tactics, he stepped closer and said in a low voice," You could be a queen, Nevada. You could have a country again, one that would bow to you like no other. You could be happy again: I could make you happy."
She blinked and stared at him. The pieces fell together, and she took a step back, taking a deep breath and shaking her head." Oh no, Boromir, I know where this is going. Absolutely not. You have no idea what you're saying!"
" Do not question my sanity," he scolded, becoming more frustrated and hurt with her blatant refusal by the minute." I know very well what I want."
" I'm a Faerie, Boromir!" Nevada reverted to the basic argument against any sort of relationship with him." I am-"
" That does not stop Legolas and Liana," Boromir added.
She opened her mouth, then closed it at the mention of those two. How is Legolas going to react to her leaving? she thought quickly in her mind. She didn't even want to think about it." That is not the point. They are both immortal. You are a mortal! That relationship would be doomed to failure!"
" I hear tales of Fae magic, Nevada," Boromir countered, and Nevada's blood dropped." That can tamper with the coils of mortal and immortality. You know if this is true or not."
Nevada shook her head, her pity slowly mixing with disgust." No. It ends here, Boromir. No more...remarks, it's done. I will not have a relationship with you other than that of friendship, and you're sorely pushing that, too."
Her admission hurt. Boromir rode the wave of rejection bitterly, until something dawned on him." It is Aragorn, isn't it?"
She blinked, hesitated, then responded, but not before he saw the hesitation." What do you mean?"
The defeat went even lower when he saw it." You and Aragorn," he said in a low voice. When he thought of Aragorn before, it was skepticism and slight anger at the thought of this man, this stranger, taking over his and his father's realm when they were other people more deserving of it, but now...
" No," Nevada denied, her expression honestly confused and disturbed." I do not think of the filthy hu - Aragorn in that way at all. I just feel comfortable around him. We're just friends."
His face told her he didn't believe her, and she sighed in exasperation." Nevada just give me a chance, please!"
" Boromir, you're making this harder than it should be," she stressed." Just let it go, for both our sakes and so we can look each other in the face later."
The man went forward and grabbed her arm to make her understand. With the ache in her knee, she couldn't help but be pulled forward with the motion, and his grip was a lot stronger than she anticipated. She was pulled so close to his face that her head reared back and her eyes flew open. His grip on her arm tightened to the point of pain, and a brief flit of alarm crossed her mind as she tried to pull away." Boromir, what are you doing?" her voice came out more shrill than she had intended.
" I won't let go unless you listen to me," Boromir said, his voice bordering on desperation." Give me a chance, Nevada!"
" Let go, you're hurting me," she managed to gasp out, more panicked than she had felt in a long time.
" Nevada, please-"
" Boromir!"
Both jumped and looked over to see Aragorn striding over to them, his face furious. Boromir looked down at his hand on her arm, then pulled it away. Nevada rubbed her arm with her other hand and watched the two warily.
Before Boromir could react, Aragorn grabbed the man's arm and glared at Boromir." What are you doing, Boromir?" he asked in a low, chilling voice." Speak clearly!" he snapped louder when Boromir hesitated, causing even Nevada to flinch." If you say the wrong thing, my friend..."
" We were talking, nothing more," Boromir said stiffly, jerking his arm out of Aragorn's grip and holding his ground against the livid ranger." I was trying to make a point to Nevada, and in my emotion I took her arm. I did not mean to press her so hard, Aragorn, now calm down!"
" That is not what I saw," Aragorn growled, his once kind blue eyes turning cold and angry, like hot blue flames." I never want to see you grab a woman such as you did a moment ago again, especially Nevada, and if you do it to Liana, you have Legolas to answer to, as well as me. Do you understand?"
" What exactly are you suggesting, Aragorn?" Boromir asked angrily." That I would do something so heinous? It was a misunderstanding, and I will not be lectured by the likes of you!"
" Do you understand me?" Aragorn nearly snarled, his voice rising to echo in the slowly darkening forest.
" Yes," Boromir said firmly, anger coloring his own cheeks. He would admit he should not have held her so tightly, but he would not be yelled at like an irate child by Aragorn." Do not yell at me as such, Aragorn, I will not stand for it! This discussion is over!"
Aragorn was not finished, however. He leaned in closer and spoke so low that Nevada could not even make out the full sentences, only words here and there.
" If you touch her in any way other than that of friendship, I will know." His voice was chilling against Boromir's ear, and for a moment, the man wondered if the ranger had any weapons on him he would use against him to prove his point." And you will regret it for the rest of your life, however long that may be."
aezizaem - honey
