Disclaimer: Tolkien's in Tolkien's. Cassie and Aubrey, however, are mine.
Important note: This is one of those weird in-between chapters. Just giving you a heads up.
Many thanks to...
LilactheDryad— (Surprisingly, I have a pretty good idea!)
CodenameAgentC— (Aww! Thanks! And I messed up in my reply; Celebrian does not die, she sails.)
The better twin— (You're so sweet! I really appreciate the way you stick with not only this story, but my other one, and I just have to say that you are awesome!)
1 fan of pj . hp . lotrh . con . ra— (I can't wait to figure out how I should write it!)
Me And Not You 1001— (Wha la! I give you the next chapter!)
And to all the reviewers who wish to know when Cassie is going to die... unfortunately, she is going to die eventually, so I haven't let myself get to attached... *hides face in pillow before sobbing hysterically*
When we last left off... Oh yeah. I'm stuck in middle earth as a teenage mutant with no foreseeable way to get home. And just to add to the pile, my dad turns out to be an elf, which he failed to mention. This would make me a peredhil, which long story short means that if I choose to be immortal I watch my best friend die.
Oh sure. Living forever is going to be all rainbows and unicorns! As if.
I stabbed a piece of fruit with my fork and glared at it.
"Gosh, Bree. I come to eat the best breakfast I've had in years and I get to see you wreak havoc on your meal. Remind me to never make you mad. I can already see my murder in the headlines: Death by Silverware!" Cassie spanned her hands in the air to accompany her dramatics, waggling her eyebrows.
My scowl deepened.
"For heaven sakes Aubrey! I don't know what the heck is wrong with you!', she griped from her place beside me.
"What's wrong with me? You're the one who woke up all of Rivendell with your fangirl screaming this morning!"
"I found a phone charger that will actually work in middle earth!"
"There is no use for smartphones in middle earth!"
"Unless you want access to all of your favorite music!"
"My point exact— what the heck!"
"What is that infernal racket!?"
Cassie and I had decided an outing was in order and had taken our bored selves to the gardens, bringing our phones along so we could listen to our extensive music collections. Unfortunately, our little adventure was interrupted by a very grumpy bard.
"I'm glad you appreciate the finer points in music.', I deadpanned, not even opening my eyes as I continued to relax in my sprawled position on the grass. I would be dead if Muriel decided to walk out here; we would probably have another one of our 'chats' on proper decorum.
"Whatever that is, it's certainly not music!"
"It's called Skillet."
"No, it's called an abomination! How do you even listen to this– this rubbish? I cannot understand a word they are saying!"
I rolled over and snatched my phone, scrolling through the music. My tastes varied greatly, an effect of my diverse personality, I suppose. But among my favorites were several pieces of classical music —mostly violin scores—, a few albums of bluegrass and country (yes, there is a difference!), and a good bit of celtic music. Each genre was like a little piece of me.
I hit shuffle and laid back down, ignoring the sour-faced Lindir. I really hadn't thought of the effects our music would have on the poor bard, but it must have been a huge culture shock. He visibly relaxed when Enya's May It Be began to play, but immediately tensed again. I began to pay attention to the song, and was amazed to find that I understood the elven parts of the lyrics. Example: Mornie utulie meant... Oh crap.
"Darkness has come..."
Well that part of the song sounds slightly morbid when you think about it... And when you can't understand english it's probably much worse.
I sat bolt upright and quickly punched in a different song. Lindir had apparently just noticed the iphone in my lap (Seriously? And I thought elves were super perceptive! Where did he think the music was coming from?) and was staring at it in wonder.
"What is this strange metal object? Is it some type of magic?', he inquired as he eyed it.
"No. It's called technology."
He frowned, his impressive eyebrows drawing together.
"Technology?"
"Yes. And I may be counted as smart by some people, but I still haven't figured out how the little doodad works so do not even think about asking me that."
He pressed his lips into a firm line and gave me another irritated look at my rude manners. Apparently my 21st century teenager attitude wasn't endearing me to anyone; I really needed to start paying attention to Muriel's etiquette lessons.
"But I can explain the basic idea.', I added quickly, trying to smooth things over a bit.
These in-depth conversations about the modern world are really starting to get old.
I was still in a terrible mood after supper that evening when I wandered into the library to curl up in the two armchairs that Cassie and I had often occupied over the past few days. My friend had decided to call it a night early, and I was left to my own devices.
"Is something wrong?"
I glanced up from the book I was glowering at to see Glorfindel slip into the small area.
"Would you like a list?', I snorted dryly.
Wrong thing to say, by the way, because not even two minutes later I found myself working on a list. Apparently no one can sass the Balrog slayer and get away with it.
"Done.', I sullenly pronounced as I passed the sheet of paper to the blonde elf. He raised an eyebrow before passing it back to me.
"What?"
"Read it."
I scanned the words silently and he sighed with impatience.
"Aloud, if you please. I cannot decipher the strange tongue you write in."
I don't please, but I'm sure as heck not going to tell you that.
"One: I've been dropped into a totally different world. Two: I have to learn proper manners because my world has become barbaric, according to Muriel." The list continued on and on and on. "Twenty-two: My dad is an elf and he didn't tell me about it. Twenty-three: No one seems to know of said father, even though red hair isn't very popular in Rivendell. And twenty-four: I can't read a single elvish word and it's beginning to annoy me."
"Are you finished?', he smirked. How he had remained patient as I droned on about everything wrong with my life was beyond me.
"Quite. So, what was the point of this again?"
"Mostly to teach you a lesson.', Glorfindel chuckled.
I scrunched up my nose at that. He was starting to sound like my dad in a really weird way.
"But also to find out what has been bothering you. I do not understand what Wi-Fi is or why you need this 'social media' to survive, but I can certainly help you with some of the other items on your list."
"Such as?"
"I can inquire about reading lessons. I'm sure Erestor will be delighted to help."
"Noooo nooo nooo! I'm happy being illiterate!', I fibbed. I did not want to be around Erestor anymore than I had to. Glorfindel obviously didn't buy my lie, and made that fact blatantly obvious.
"I doubt you would have spent the past hour and a half complaining about your reading abilities if you were happy with them. It is not wise to be untruthful; I have lived long enough to know a falsehood when I hear one."
Dang.
"And as for the finding of your father's identity, Elrond has been contemplating the matter."
My dad had obviously changed his name when he had come to my mother planet (I never thought those words would come out of mouth), so it was pretty darn hard to find any information. It didn't help that most elves with auburn hair resided in the Woodland Realm.
Glorfindel startled me when he finally broke the awkward silence with a grin as he clapped my shoulder.
"Meet me in the training fields at dawn tomorrow. We will begin training your senses."
"W-what?', I managed to splutter out before he strode away.
"I believe you heard me.', he tossed back.
This is not going to be good.
I hate early morning wake-up calls. Muriel was, as always, in cahoots with Glorfindel, making sure I got to the training fields on time.
"Lord Glorfindel does not appreciate tardiness.', she scolded as I struggled to get dressed. She all but pushed me out of my bedroom and down the stairs.
The cool morning air made me shiver, reminding me how un-elvish I was. Apart from the shape of my ears anyway.
The sun was barely peeking over the horizon as Glorfindel met me with his confident stride.
"Today, we begin with balance."
I should have known that nothing good could come of those words. And I was incredibly right as the elf-lord disappeared— only to reappear moments later leading a horse.
Yep, this would not be good at all.
I took several nervous steps back as the light grey mare trotted closer.
"It is only a horse, little one. It will not hurt you."
"It's— it's big.', I swallowed, taking yet another step back.
He laughed, rubbing the horse's forelock affectionately as they stepped closer.
"What's so funny?', I ground out, scowling in his direction.
He didn't answer, only shook his head and said, "Come, I will help you mount."
"I am not getting on that thing."
"It is not a 'thing'. It is an animal, and a loyal one at that. Dúelin will not harm you.', Glorfindel calmly tried to reassure me.
"I am not getting on that horse.', I argued once more, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Must you be so difficult?', he chided. "This is a necessary skill."
"How does riding a horse have anything to do with balance?"
That was a stupid question. Can I get a witness?
"Everything. We are training your 'senses'. And riding a horse will hone your 'sense' of balance."
"So... I suppose we're not training the five senses? You know... sight, smell, touch, and hearing?"
"Elves have more than five senses, young one. You have much to learn."
Great. Just great.
"Uh—" What's the right title again? Oh. Right. "— Lord Glorfindel? I'm in a dress."
"I am not blind, child."
"Not that I'm riding anyway, but if I were, I couldn't ride in a dress."
"Why not?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
"No."
I expelled a frustrated breath of air.
"I wouldn't be able to sit in the saddle wearing a dress!"
Understanding dawned on his face, and a deep vibration of laughter bubbled from his chest.
"Ladies ride sidesaddle, not astride."
That makes my decision a double heck no.
"I'm not riding either way."
"Why are you so frightened of riding a horse?"
"I'm not afraid of riding, I'm afraid of falling."
"You should not be afraid of falling until you fall off of a cliff.', Glorfindel muttered wryly. "And that is not something I would recommend trying."
"Right. I'm still not getting on that horse."
"I will be by your side the entire time. You will not fall."
I thought about that for a moment.
"Fine. I'll give it a go."
"You lied.', I accused the Balrog slayer as Muriel dabbed some sort of weird herbal cream to a particularly nasty scratch that ran down the length of my arm. "I fell off of that blasted horse at least ten times!"
Glorfindel's eyes twinkled, and I just knew he was secretly laughing at me.
"I was not prepared for how terrible a rider you were."
"I might have rode better if I had been allowed to ride like a regular person would, but noooo! You made me ride sidesaddle!"
"You are a lady.', Muriel scolded gently as she bandaged the injured arm. "And ladies must learn how to ride properly."
"What about Cassie?"
"Hey!', my friend protested. "Throw me under the bus why don't ya? I was quite happy being overlooked!"
"She will have her lessons before lunch.', Elrond smiled amusedly as he walked into the healing wards.
"Why is he here again?', I whispered to Muriel, who raised a finger to her lips as she concentrated on tying off the white gauze-like material.
"I am here, dear Aubrey—', Elrond began, unable to keep the amusement from his voice. I apparently need to learn how to whisper around elves. "—because for the first time in several years someone is actually in need of a healer. You seem to have the unlucky tendency to get into trouble no matter what the situation is."
"Murphy's law.', I shrugged.
"Thanks a bunch, Aubrey.', Cassie huffed, apparently still on the topic from several minutes ago. "Now I get to be beat up by a horse, too."
"The horse did not 'beat her up', Glorfindel protested as he rubbed the bridge of her nose. "She fell because she did not follow the instructions I gave her."
"That squirrel came out of nowhere! It's not my fault it scared the living daylights out of me!"
Cassie burst out laughing.
"You fell—', she wheezed. "—off of a horse because you saw a freakin' squirrel?"
"It was HUGE!', I yowled defensively.
"What was huge?"
I looked up to see the twins standing in the door way, their lips turned up in teasing smiles.
Why do they always seem to show up at the wrong moments?
"If you two are here to give me a hard time you can go ahead and scaboodle back to wherever you came from. I am fresh out of southern grace."
"You never had any grace.', Cassie smirked. "Or else you wouldn't have fallen off of the horse in the first place!"
"Hey!"
"I am quite inclined to agree.', Glorfindel commented cheerily.
I gave an overly exaggerated pout before glancing at Muriel.
"Can I go now?"
"May."
"May I go now?"
"Yes, you may. I will check your scratch again tonight."
"Thanks!', I bounced, giving her a hug before bounding out the door, the twins hastily stepping out of my way.
"Aubrey?"
"Yes?', I called back.
"Your reading lesson with Erestor begins after lunch."
"Darn it."
The last thing I heard was Glorfindel asking Cassie if she were sure that darn wasn't a swear word.
"This makes no sense at all."
"Nothing makes sense when you first attempt to learn it. Try to pronounce it again."
Learning Tengwar stinks. And when I finally run out of ink pens to use, it will stink even more. But learning a new language with Erestor... that's much, much worse than learning to write with a quill. The guy seriously gives me the creeps. He has this all-knowing look constantly plastered to his face, especially whenever I'm around. It's straight up weird.
"You are distracted."
"Huh?"
"You have slipped back into your own language again.', my tutor chuckled.
I glanced down at the paper to find that he was right. I had not only slipped back into english, but I had also doodled all over the cream colored parchment.
"Whoops."
Erestor only shook his head in mild exasperation.
"You may be excused, if you wish. It is almost time for supper."
"Thank the lord!', I grinned as I bolted out the library door.
"No running through the halls, Aubrey!', Muriel called as she dodged my running form.
"Aye, Aye, Captain Crunch!', I playfully saluted.
"So.', Cassie said, looking to begin a conversation as we plopped into the armchairs in the library alcove. They seemed to be our go-to place whenever things got too hectic.
"So."
"How'd it go today?"
"Well, my butt currently feels like it's going to fall off from riding a horse for two hours, I have a scratch that barely missed the need for stitches, and I have to relearn the alphabet. Anything else you want to know?"
She opened her mouth, then shut it thoughtfully.
"Come on, Cassie. You were going to say something.', I pressed.
"Have you noticed how polite everyone is around here?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Did you ever notice how we're kind of..."
"Neanderthals?"
"I was going to say impolite, but I guess that works too."
"Actually, I did notice that. And I don't think our attitudes have earned us any brownie points with anyone either."
"Do you think we could, I don't know, act a little less..."
"Like country bumpkins?', I supplied with a cheesy smile.
"Exactly."
"Hm. It will take some work. I mean, we are rednecks. It kind of runs in our blood."
"It runs in my blood.', Cassie sniggered. "You're Irish and Elvish."
"But I grew up in Georgia! I have the southern twang!"
"Alright, alright!', she giggled. "I never said you weren't southern! I only implied that you didn't have it running through your blood! But seriously, Bree. We have got to learn some manners."
"Agreed. I don't want to be stuck acting like Mark my whole life."
The reference to my brother had sort of popped out without me realizing it. Cassie shifted uncomfortably as I immediately dropped into thoughtful silence.
"You miss him, don't you?', she asked softly.
"Yeah. I even miss his stupid guinea pig that looks like Bugsy from that movie Bedtime Stories."
We laughed for a moment before sobering again and deciding to go to bed. But sleep was elusive, and we both spent a good part of the night thinking about our families.