An- Hey hey everyone! I think it has been a little while, but here we are again! So, this is kind of a throw back to the whole 'missing month' and as much as I hate going out of order, it only came to me like three days ago. I was writing something else (that takes place after The Final Journey actually) and got to thinking about spending time with the other girls. I love Carla, Jane and Erin beyond measure, but if I was stuck in a house with them for a month straight I would probably kill one of them (lol girls, you know you feel the same way). So I then came to the conclusion that they had to leave the house (an excursion if you well) a bit more to keep their sanity. Then a commercial for a theme park (Marine Land if you want to know) and this idea popped into my head. Enjoy!
l..l.
"It is unbelievably ridiculous how bored I am."
Carla looked over when she heard Niori whine. Her cousin was lying on the family room floor, looking up at the ceiling.
Carla knew exactly how Niori felt, she just wasn't as vocal or dramatic about it. There was nothing to do. At all. There was nothing good on TV, she had read every book and magazine, watched every movie at least twice and she had even tried board games (that of course hadn't panned out because the Hobbits just couldn't learn the concept of Monopoly).
"I mean," Niori continued, "if it is all possible to die of boredom, I must be on my deathbed by now."
"Shut up Niori!" Carla snapped.
Niori muttered something under her breath and Carla chose to ignore it.
"There has to be something we can do!" Niori started in five minutes later, and Carla wanted to slap her, "see a movie, hit the mall…anything!"
"Fellowship + public places = more trouble that it's worth," Carla reminded her, "and I'm not leaving them alone in my house."
Niori groaned and sat up.
Carla never would have assumed it possible; the Fellowship of the Ring had fallen out of her closet and she was sitting there bored out of her mind.
"Okay," Erin spoke as she marched into the room, Jane at her heels, "if I stay in this house one minute longer, I will truly kill someone."
Niori shot Carla a told-you-so look.
"Well then what the hell do you suggest we do?" when none of them answered, Carla made a sound of frustration, "Exactly!"
There were a few more moments of strained silence, and then Jane's tentative voice started off.
"Well, the EX is set up this weekend…"
"Are you effing nuts?" Carla exclaimed, looking at Jane with unbelieving eyes, "You're suggesting we take them to a freaking carnival?"
"It was only an idea…"
"And I like it," Niori spoke up firmly.
Carla looked at her two friends like they were insane.
"I guess we vote it," Jane said, "against?" Carla's hand flew up, "For?" Niori's hand flew up, and Jane and Erin slowly raised theirs.
Carla just looked at them like they had all gone nuts.
"Well then," Niori said in a bouncy, cheery voice, "that's settled; we're going to the carnival."
l.l.l.l
When they pulled into the parking area, Jane began to regret her idea; the parking lot was completely full, and when they had driven past she had seen that the park itself was nearly exploding with people.
After five minutes of driving around they managed to find two adjacent parking spaces at the very end of the lot. It took another two minutes to get everyone out of the van and car, and then they started the trek to the entrance.
"Okay, here's the deal," Jane spoke, deciding that she should school the Fellowship members in how to act a carnival, "for starters, the large steel rides are not monsters even if some of them look like them, so do not attack them. Food items must be bought, and if there are any alcoholic beverages you Hobbits still look too young to order them. If anyone asks you guys, you are the Hobbits uncles; the last thing we need is trying to get you out of jail for being kidnappers. Is that clear to everyone?"
They all nodded, and Jane was pretty sure that they had actually listened to her. If not and they broke any of the rules, she'd sick Carla on them.
It wasn't until they reached the ticket booth that Jane realized something they had totally overlooked.
"Um guys, did anyone check to see if we even have enough money?"
There was silence for a moment, and then four purses were pulled out.
"I have enough for three if we can get the Hobbits in for under twelve."
"Um, I've got enough for only me."
"Only two."
"The other Hobbit and myself."
There were three groans and a curse.
"Well this is just great," Carla groaned, "we drove all this way out here just to have to turn around."
They all looked towards the entrance, and then Niori got a determined look on her face.
"Leave this to me."
She sauntered her way to the ticket booth, where there happened to be a guy from their school (Jane thought his name was Ted but couldn't be sure) manning it. As she approached Niori gave him a stunning smile, which left him looking a lot bewildered and a little frightened. When she got to the counter she leaned her elbows on it, bending over enough that Ted got a clear look down her shirt. She started to talk and then gestured back towards them. Ted didn't even look up but did start to nod. Niori just leaned over more and began to twirl her hair, and then he did look up…and he was smiling a dumb smile. Niori threw back her head and laughed, and then proceeded to lean in, give is tie a little tug and then began walking back towards them, of course giving her hair a toss.
Jane, for some reason, felt like she had just witnessed an art form.
"We're in," Niori informed them.
Only silence answered her.
"Seriously guys," she said impatiently, "we only have two minutes before he's off, so if we want to get us all in for free, we go now."
"How…"
"I used my feminine wiles," Niori replied flippantly, "and am letting him take me to dinner tonight."
"Oh my God Niori," Jane couldn't believe it, "you just whored yourself out to get us into the carnival?"
Niori's eyes narrowed dangerously at her word use, and Jane regretted it.
Whore was a word that Niori did not like to be associated with.
"We're having dinner," Niori's voice was icy, "I'll let him buy me an over priced meal, play footsies and probably kiss me goodnight. Despite what you may think Jane, I do have the ability to say no to sex."
"And if he asks for a second date?" Erin asked.
"Then I'll go to make sure he doesn't feel used, and then wait a few days to tell him that my one true love has come back and as much as I like him, my heart belongs to another."
"You watch way too many soap operas," Carla rolled her eyes.
"Got it in didn't it?" Niori snapped.
"And if he happens to continue to peruse you?" Jane asked, genuinely curious.
Niori had apparently employed this technique before, and Jane wanted to know how she made it work.
"Tell him that the love of my life just happens to be a military sniper who just finished his tour of duty in Afghanistan."
That was sure to work. If Jane was Ted, she would high tail it out of there.
When they reached the ticket booth Niori turned her smile back on.
"See you tonight," she cooed to Ted as they passed.
The Fellowship had been speechless until now.
"Am I to assume," Legolas asked her, "that this is how you flirt your way into the bars you seem so fond of?"
Niori looked surprised, but before she could speak, all hell broke loose.
"Oh look!" Pippin cried, and then the Hobbits took off towards the nearest vendors.
"Guys!" Erin cried and went after them.
Jane groaned, and when she turned her attention back to the others she realized that Aragorn had gone off in one direction and Boromir in the other.
"After him!" Jane pointed to Boromir as she went after Aragorn.
Carla went after him, leaving Niori with Legolas and Aragorn.
This was a really, really bad idea, Jane thought to herself as she pushed her way through the crowd.
l.l.l
"Come back!" Erin cried, trying to catch up with the Hobbits, "Frodo! Sam! Merry! Pippin!"
Frodo and Same stopped at the sound of her voice, but Merry and Pippin just kept going.
When Erin reached where Frodo and Sam stood she was out of breath. She also felt as though she was going to be sick, which was something she had been doing far too often lately.
"Where are they going?" Erin asked them frantically, knowing that Merry and Pippin would get themselves into some sort of trouble if she didn't reign them in.
"They said something about food," Same replied, and Erin cursed under her breath.
"Come on," Erin grabbed onto their hands and then pulled them along.
She had an idea where to go, and kept walking towards where she knew most of the food vendors were located. Just like she figured, Merry and Pippin were standing in the middle of the carts, trying to decide which one to hit up first.
Before they could decide Erin reached them, and letting go of Frodo and Sam, grabbed onto their collars.
"Okay seriously," she warned them, "no running off! With my luck you'd get kidnapped and I'd have a great time trying to explain it to the cops."
"We only wanted to-"
"I don't care," Erin replied irritability.
She had been moody way too much lately; but that's what happens when you spend half your day throwing up. It only made matters worse that nothing would settle her stomach.
"Each of you can pick one thing," Erin sighed, "but only one."
The four Hobbits smiled. When Merry and Pippin reached for a bag of cotton candy, Erin stopped them.
"I don't even think so; I'm not letting you anywhere near pure sugar. That's the last think I need…the two of you on a sugar rush."
They looked disappointed but ended up getting a bag of popcorn each. Sam got a cinnamon pretzel and Frodo got a candy apple.
"Got stuck babysitting huh?" the girl behind the counter asked as Erin handed her the money.
"You could say that," Erin replied with a smile.
"You still got change; you gonna get something for yourself?" the girl asked.
The mere thought of eating made Erin's stomach turn.
"That's alright," Erin shook her head and took the money, "thanks."
Erin turned back to the Hobbits.
"Now what do we do?" Pippin asked.
"Pick a ride," Erin gestured around.
"I want to go on that one," Merry pointed to the Zipper.
Erin felt sick just thinking about getting on it.
"I don't know," Same replied sceptically, "it doesn't look very safe…"
"If it wasn't safe, they wouldn't have it up Sam," Frodo replied.
News reports of carnival related deaths ran through Erin's mind, but she decided she wasn't going to stress out about that. She had enough on her mind.
"Sam, you don't have to go on if you don't want to," Erin informed him, "and you can pick the next one. Whoever's going, go get in line."
God, did this ever feel like babysitting.
Merry and Pippin got in line, Frodo looked like he was considering it and Sam wasn't moving from Erin's side.
"Sorry kids," the operator told them when they got to the head of the line, "height restrictions."
Erin looked over to where the measuring stick was and groaned; there was no way any of them were making it. Merry and Pippin looked like they were going to say something, probably along the lines of they weren't kids, so Erin beat them to it.
"Fine. What can they go on?"
"I don't know," the guy shrugged, "the merry go round."
Christ, this didn't just feel like babysitting, it was babysitting. Erin groaned, knowing that she was sentenced to stand beside all the waving, smiling parents who were so proud that their five year olds got on a ride all by themselves.
She was going to be more bored here than she had been at Carla's. There was no way the others were having this brutal of a time.
"Come on guys," Erin sighed in defeat, "let's go find the kiddie rides."
l.l.l.l
"Okay," Carla snapped as she grabbed onto Boromir's arm, "wandering away is a seriously bad idea."
Boromir's eyes narrowed angrily, and once again Carla was very happy that the Fellowship's weapons were safely locked away back at her house. He so would have attacked her right then.
"I am fully capable of taking care of myself," Boromir snapped.
"By all means, have a great time finding your way back to my house without me."
Carla's sarcastic reply made the angry look falter. He grumbled an irritated, somewhat sulky reply that Carla didn't really make out.
Instead she was scanning the crowd, searching for any signs of the others. She couldn't see any of them. It looked like she was stuck with Boromir for the moment.
Oh great, Carla thought as she rolled her eyes.
"Let's go see where the others are," Carla said, and Boromir nodded in agreement.
"So is there any true purpose to all of this?" he asked as they walked.
"You come, have fun by getting on rides that scare the crap out of you. Just stuff like that."
"So these rides scare you?"
That made Carla stop.
"I meant that in general; I don't do scared."
That made amusement appear in Boromir's eyes.
"Fearless are you?"
"Pick any ride here," Carla challenged him, "and I'll show you just how fearless I am."
Boromir looked around, trying to pick the biggest, baddest ride. Once he decided, he nodded at it.
"That one."
Carla looked to what he was talking about and regretted her challenge; it was the one where they strapped you in, brought you about a hundred feet in the air and then dropped you. The ride didn't scare her exactly, but she really, really hated it. Not that she was going to let Boromir see that.
"Fine then. Let's do this."
When they reached the ride, Carla looked up…and up. Holy crap that thing was high…and that meant it would be a long way down.
And Carla wasn't all that fond of heights.
"Well?" Boromir gestured to the line, a smirk on his face.
Carla totally ignored him and stepped into the line. When she noticed Boromir hadn't joined her, she turned back around.
"Aren't you coming?"
"I do believe the challenge was to you."
"Oh," Carla replied with her own smirk, "so you're the one who's scared."
"I am not!"
"Prove it."
So Boromir got in line beside her, and Carla felt a little better; at least now he was going to suffer right along side her.
"Next."
Carla walked up to the and let herself be strapped in, making sure her face showed no emotion. She was so not going to lose. She glanced over and saw that Boromir had the same neutral expression and wondered if it was as forced as hers was.
The ride began to rise, and Carla felt her heart begin to pound. She really did not want to be on this thing right now.
They got higher and higher until Carla could see pretty much over the entire town.
"Oh look, you can see my house."
Carla had just begun to point it out when they dropped.
She felt like she was freefalling, and couldn't help but cry out in surprise (which was alright since Boromir did the same thing). After that she bit down on her lip to stop herself from screaming…and it wasn't easy.
Or from being sick, which since her stomach felt like it was in her throat, was becoming a very distinct possibility.
It only took about five seconds for it to be over, but for Carla it was five seconds too long.
The minute she was unbuckled she practically bolted for the exit. Boromir was right behind her.
"There," Carla said, her voice a bit shaky, "told you so."
"Of course, but going on the first time is easier; when you know what's coming that really brings the fear."
"Excuse me? Did you just challenge me to another go?"
"Perhaps."
"Fine then. Bring it."
l.l.l.l
"Shouldn't we try to find the others?"
Niori shrugged off Legolas's words and just went back to snacking on her cotton candy.
"We've already proven more than capable of babysitting you lot," Niori replied, "they can handle themselves."
"We don't need 'babysitting'!" Gimli grumbled.
My, someone was having a bad day.
Niori just nodded even though she could think up several occasions when they had, but she kept them to herself.
She was having a rather good time, and didn't want a fight with them to spoil it.
"Cotton candy?" she offered.
"No thank you," Legolas replied, looking at the big poof of pink strangely while Gimli just shook his head.
Oh well, more for her.
"Step right up and have a shot!"
They were walking past all the games, which Niori always loved despite the fact all she could ever win was the lowest prize.
"Come on sir, see if you can a prize for your girl there!"
"Is he talking to me?" Legolas asked Niori in confusion.
"Yep," she laughed, "he wants you to play and try to win me a teddy bear."
"What do I do?"
"Just take the darts," the man running the booth took over the explanation, "and try to hit the balloons."
"Is that all?"
"I'm going to take that as a yes he wants to play," Niori handed over the money.
"Three darts," Legolas was handed them, "good luck."
Legolas looked at the board and threw all three darts in quick succession, hitting three balloons in a straight row.
Niori clapped and he looked at her like he didn't understand what the big deal was.
"Looks like you won a small prize…unless you want to play again."
"Oh he does," Niori put in with a grin, "win me that," she pointed to the giant stuffed panda in the corner, "and I will be very happy."
Legolas just shrugged and took hold of the three darts handed to him. Just like before each dart hit, and now the entire top row of balloons was gone.
"If only you were this good at poker," Niori sighed, "I could make a fortune off you."
"To get the bear do I have to keep going?" Legolas asked her.
"If you want to get me the bear, then yes you do," Niori really wanted the top prize for once, so she even went all puppy face on him.
"Of course," Legolas rolled his eyes and then turned back to the dart board.
Every dart he threw hit a balloon, and after half the board was popped, a few people stopped to watch.
"Hey," one girl who came to stand by Niori said, "your boyfriend is really good at this."
"Yeah," Niori agreed with a grin, not bothering to correct her on the boyfriend this.
That was way too complicated an explanation, especially and Niori didn't understand it a hundred percent herself.
"Alright!" the man behind the counter cried in frustration when Legolas took out three more, "just take the damn bear before you shut me down!"
The giant panda was thrown at Legolas, who then caught it and then handed it over to Niori with a smile.
"Yay!" she squealed .
She had always wanted to be able to walk around one of these places holding one of these. It just screamed awesomeness.
"That was pointless," Gimli, who had been up until that point standing there silently, commented.
"Oh shut up Gimli," Niori replied, "it makes me happy, and since I'm your ride home keeping me happy is a good thing."
Gimli just looked at her like she was insane.
Niori began to walk away, giant panda in her arms, when she nearly ran into someone. She opened her mouth to apologize, but when she realized who it was she stopped.
"Christie?" she asked in disbelief.
That someone was her sister.
"Oh Niori, you are alive. We were all beginning to wonder."
The sarcasm in her sister's voice killed Niori's good mood.
"Well you know me; I just love Carla's house so much."
"Well none of us are really complaining about that."
Niori felt a rush of anger go through her, and she wanted to throw the stuffed animal down so she could take a swing at the other girl.
But two could play this game.
"And I'm certainly not complaining about having a great time at Carla's," Niori replied with the same sickly sweet sarcasm, "it's always nice to spend time away from the annoyances in my life."
Christie's eyes narrowed, and Niori was extremely pleased that she had pissed her off. Claws were something that ran in the family.
"Now do introduce me to your latest 'friend' here," Christie switched the subject, "he's a little older than usual isn't he?"
Niori almost grimaced, but wouldn't give her sister the satisfaction.
"This is Carla's uncle…George," Niori gestured to Gimli and then to Legolas, "and her cousin…Fred. We all came together as a group but the three of us got separated."
Gimli looked like he was going to argue over the name, but one look from Niori stopped him. Legolas was too busy trying to figure out what was going between Niori and the other girl.
"Really? Well I think cousin Carla should be reminded that letting you get 'separated' with an attractive guy usually doesn't end well."
That was it. Niori was going to kick her ass.
"You know what Christie-" Niori seethed, advancing on her.
Niori was very pleased that the other girl took a step back.
Before she could do anything, Legolas grabbed onto her arm to stop her.
"We have to get back to searching for the others now," Legolas spoke in a tone that didn't give her any room to argue, "it was a pleasure to meet you."
His words directed at Christie were icy, and it startled both girls.
"Come," he pulled on Niori's arm, bringing her along before she could attack.
Niori let him lead her along, determined not to let her sister bother her.
Not worth it, she kept telling herself, not worth it.
"I'll tell mom and dad you said hi!"
Screw not wroth it.
"Bitch!" Niori growled, trying to get back at her. Legolas held her tight and stopped her, which was a good thing for her little sister.
"Continue to walk," he advised her and she had no choice but to obey.
With every step she felt her blood pressure go down, but she was still pissed.
Damn bitch had gone and ruined her good day.
"What was that?" Gimli asked when they were far enough away.
"Unfortunately that was my little sister," Niori growled, "and one part of the reasons I have emotional problems."
Legolas actually made a choking sounds "What? You sister treats you like that?"
"Oh yeah…and my parents are worse. Basically my house is a war zone and I'm the target. But I so don't want to talk about this…I just want to leave."
"I'm sure we'll meet the others near the entrance. They'll go there eventually."
God I hope it's soon, Niori thought, God only know what else could happen.
l.l.l.l.l
Jane was walking around the fair grounds with Aragorn at her side, trying to figure out why she had suggested they come here.
"Are you not going to do anything?" Aragorn asked her.
"I don't really like ride rides," Jane explained with a sigh, "I kind of get motion sick."
"Is there nothing else for you to do?"
"There are a few things I guess, like the fun house or something."
"Fun house?" Aragorn said, "that sounds…" he tried to think up another word, "…fun?"
That made Jane laugh.
"Fun house it is then."
When they reached the entrance, Jane walked right in; this was probably the same lame one from last year. So she knew where all the 'fun' parts were.
Aragorn on the other hand didn't, and when the first clown dummy popped out at them not even ten seconds in, he reacted. Since he lacked a weapon to attack with, he balled up his fist and hit the fake clown right in the face.
Jane just stared with her mouth hanging open.
Aragorn cursed and shook his hand, and Jane realized that it had been metal. A few moments later the entire thing toppled over and crashed to the ground.
Jesus, how old was this stuff?
"It was a freaking robot!" Jane cried in disbelief, "why did you kill it!"
"How was I to know?" Aragorn counted.
Jane opened her mouth to reply, but another cry stopped her.
"Hey! What are you two doing!"
Jane looked back down at the broken clown, which had begun to spark, and thought fleetingly about how much it would cost to replace it with a new model. Then she decided it was time to leave.
"Go!" she cried and pushed Aragorn back out the door.
"Where?" he asked.
"Hey! You two get back here!"
"Anywhere! Just go!" Jane replied and proceeded to rush through the crowd.
There was no way she was sticking around to get charged with vandalism.
"Exit's this way!" she called back over her shoulder and moved in that direction. Aragorn followed her without question (and probably without understanding).
Finally they reached the exit, and Jane literally sighed in relief when she saw that Niori, Erin, Gimli, Legolas and the Hobbits were waiting there. The Hobbits looked to be having a good time, Erin looked bored to tears, Niori pissed as she sat on a giant stuffed panda, Gimli pretty much neutral and Legolas looking down at Niori in semi concern.
"Hey guys!" Jane panted when she reached them, "Are Boromir and Carla back yet?"
"Obviously since they're not standing here the answer is no," Niori snapped.
"What's her problem?" Jane asked Gimli lowly when Niori's attention was elsewhere.
"We had the pleasure of meeting her sister."
Jane winced.
"Thank God!" Erin's exasperated voice made Jane look in her direction.
Boromir and Carla were both walking towards them, both looking ill.
"What's wrong?" Jane asked in concern.
"The Drop…" Carla explained in a miserable voice, "thirty-seven times…"
"Good Lord," Erin exclaimed, "and you haven't been sick yet?"
"Please don't say that word," Carla groaned.
"Can we please just go now?" Niori interrupted, "I need a drink," she thought about it for moment, "several drinks."
"Jane," Erin turned to her, "next time you have any great ideas, just keep them to yourself okay?"
Jane nodded in agreement.
l.l.l.l.
An- So just some more random fun. lol