Well, here it is, Chapter 6. I wanted to get this up last month, but the more I went over it, the more I found problems with it and the more I had to rewrite. I am still not one hundred percent happy with the end result, but this is as close as I can get it without getting wordier than it already is. Not a lot of action in this chapter, but Ricky does meet Galadriel.
It took them the rest of the day to get to the edge of the wood. The trees were full of golden leaves even though it was the middle of winter. The trunks were silver and reached high into the air.
Legolas looked up at the trees. "Ah, Lothlórien. The fairest of all the dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of this land, for in autumn the leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs in Mirkwood say."
Gimli was holding his axe and looking around nervously. "Stay close, young Hobbits. They say a great sorceress lives in these woods. An Elf-witch of terrible power. All who look upon her fall under her spell and are never seen again."
Ricky had long since stopped carrying Frodo, but was usually near him. He rolled his eyes at Gimli's story and cracked his hand across the back of Gimli's helmet. "Stop scarin' them. Been through enough today, don't you think?"
"Mr. Frodo?"
Ricky looked back and saw Frodo had stopped and had a scared look on his face.
"Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily," Gimli went on, glancing over his shoulder. "I have the eyes of a hawk and the ears of a fox!"
When he turned back around, there were two arrows pointed at his face.
The Lothlórien Elves appeared and pointed their arrows inches away from the Fellowship's head.
Ricky twitched his hands. "You were sayin', Gimli?"
"The Dwarf breathes so loud we could have shot him in the dark," said the only Elf that didn't have an arrow trained on them.
Gimli growled.
"Ain't sayin' much, considerin' yo' Elves," Ricky snapped. "Betcha yo' eyesight's da same as mine in da dark."
It was dusk when the Elves led Fellowship to a group of trees with platforms built high in the branches. No one spoke during that time. Already on the platforms were several Elves keeping watch of the ground below. It was only when the Fellowship had climbed up on one of the platforms did the silence break.
The Elf who spoke earlier turned to Legolas with a hand motion. "Mae govannen, Legolas Thranduilion."
"Govannas vîn gwennen le, Haldir o Lórien," replied Legolas.
The Elf turned to Aragorn. "A, Aragorn in Dúnedain, istannen le ammen." He made the same gesture to Aragorn.
"Haldir," greeted Aragorn, returning the gesture.
"So much for the legendary courtesy of the Elves!" snapped Gimli. "Speak words we can also understand!"
The Elf, Ricky guessed his name was Haldir, turned to Gimli. "We have not had dealings with Dwarves since the Dark Days," he said calmly.
"And you know what this Dwarf says to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!"
Aragorn whipped around and grabbed Gimli's arm. "That was not so courteous," he said sternly.
"Quit bein' an asshole."
They turned to Ricky. The boy had sat down and taken a small bottle of strong smelling liquid from his pack and was wetting a gauze pad with it. His tinted goggles were up on his brow while the clear ones were on his face.
"Which one of us are you speaking to, lad?" Gimli barked.
Ricky looked at Gimli and then at Haldir. "Both of you."
The Fellowship stared at Ricky. Haldir raised an eyebrow at him.
Ricky paid no attention to this as he rolled up his trousers and wiped at his scrapes with the gauze. "Shouldn't matter dat Dwarves and Elves hadn't had dealin's since da Dark Days. Dat was den, dis is now, so deal!" He hissed as he held the gauze pad on a particular nasty scratch. "Now I remember sayin' somethin' 'bout bein' screwed and findin' shovels. Gotta remind you of dat, Gimli? S'not like we have a choice about dis."
Gimli lowered his head, somewhat ashamed of being chastised by a boy a fraction of his age.
"And get dat smirk off yo' face, Elf," Ricky added, looking up at Haldir. "I ain't even started wit' you."
"Ricky," Aragorn said warningly.
Ricky turned to Aragorn. "Don't even. I'm beyond pissed as it is. I'm done wit' dis petty bullshit between Elves and Dwarves. We got mo' important t'ings to deal wit'."
He returned his attention to Haldir.
"You are young and do not understand," Haldir said.
"Don't start wit' dat condescendin' shit," Ricky growled. "I'm done wit' it. When you stop actin' like children, maybe I'll actually listen."
Haldir turned away from Ricky and to Frodo. "You carry great evil with you." He turned back to Aragorn. "You can go no further." With that, Haldir walked away.
The Fellowship sat down while Aragorn spoke to Haldir. Ricky kept his ear open for anything he could use. They were speaking Elvish and Ricky knew nothing about the language.
Boromir looked over at Frodo. "Gandalf's death was not in vain. Nor would he have you give up hope. You carry a heavy burden, Frodo. Don't carry the weight of the dead."
"That's what Ricky told me," Frodo said quietly. "Well, not in so many words."
Haldir stood before Frodo. "Very well. Here we will stay awhile, and come to the city of Galadhrim on the morrow."
Aragorn came to sit beside Ricky. The boy was half asleep against the trunk of the tree.
"How are your wounds?"
"Scrapes and bruises," replied Ricky. "Already taken care of."
Aragorn pushed up Ricky's trousers to look at his legs. They were chafed, scraped, and bruised. "You took a great risk when you jumped the stairway."
"I knew I could make it," Ricky said. "You forget, I grew up on the streets and in the tunnels. It's adapt or die. I adapted. You don't remember the glorified version of follow the leader I played with Legolas back in Rivendell, do you?"
"You were not in danger in Rivendell," Aragorn pointed out.
Ricky laughed. "One of the few times in my life."
Aragorn moved his examination to Ricky's hand. He pulled off the glove to look at the knuckles. Dried blood flaked off in his hands. The skin was practically purple. Aragorn went back to his pack and took out some bandages. He returned and began wrapping Ricky's hand.
"You must be careful while your hand heals," Aragorn told him softly. "What about your shoulder?"
Ricky gave a nod and took his hand away.
"Are you all right?" Aragorn asked.
"Yeah." Ricky's reply was toneless. "Sorry about the blow up at you."
Aragorn's grey eyes were soft. "You are upset."
"No shit, Sherlock." Ricky sat back against the tree. "How's Frodo?"
"The same as the rest of us. What did you say to him?"
"I told him he wasn't allowed to quit. Just because Gandalf's gone, doesn't mean this is over. It's all the more reason to finish."
"That is very true, Ricky," Aragorn whispered.
Ricky got up and moved over to where the Hobbits were curled up. Frodo had separated from the others. Ricky sat down next to him and pulled the sleeping Hobbit into his lap and began humming.
"Yay-yay-yay-yay-yay-ho, yo. Yay-yay-yay-yay-yay-ho, ho. Yay-yay-yay-yay-yay-ho, yo. Yay-yay-yay-yay-yay-ho, ho."
Boromir was close by and heard him. It was the same tune he hummed in Moria. But this time, there was a little something more.
The words were barely a whisper. Ricky's hand was in Frodo's curls. "Don't be scared now. Close your eyes. She holds guard tonight. Go forward, no remorse. Life will take its course."
Haldir stood near Legolas. "He sings of our Lady."
"Ricky knows little of Middle Earth," Legolas told him. "I do not believe he knows of Lady Galadriel."
"Then who is he singing of?"
Both Elves watched as Ricky continued his song.
Frodo woke in Ricky's lap. The boy was still asleep. It was a very strange thing to look at him and see him without those goggles of his. Dirt smudged his face, but not around the eyes where pale skin was showing.
Frodo started to get up. Ricky jolted awake.
"I am only waking," Frodo said.
Ricky nodded and pushed Frodo to his feet.
Sam woke moments later and the two Hobbits sat on the edge of one of the platforms.
Sam suddenly looked up and around their surroundings.
"What is it?" Frodo asked.
"It's an odd thing, Mr. Frodo. It's sunlight and bright day, right enough. I thought that Elves were all for moon and stars. But this is more Elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning."
"You feel the power of the Lady of Galadhrim." The two Hobbits turned to Haldir. "Would it please you to climb with me up Cerin Amroth?"
Frodo and Sam followed Haldir up the many platforms to the tops of the trees. At the top, the two Hobbits stared in wonder. They could see Middle Earth for miles to the north. A shadow lingered over a great forest.
"There lies the fastness of Southern Mirkwood," Haldir pointed out to them. "It is clad in a forest of dark fir, where the trees strive one against another and their branches rot and whither. In the midst upon a stony height stands Dol Guldur, where long the hidden Enemy had his dwelling. We fear that now it is inhabited again, and with power sevenfold. A black cloud lies often over it of late."
To the west, they could see the Orthanc and to the east was Mordor and Barad-dûr.
"In this high place you may see the two powers that are oppose one to another; and ever they strive now in thought, but whereas the light perceives the very heart of the darkness, its own secret has not been discovered. Not yet."
Haldir turned and went back down, Frodo and Sam following him a moment later.
The Hobbits went off on their own to finish packing up.
"Hey."
Haldir turned to see the strange boy with his tinted eye covering pulled over his eyes leaning against a tree. His arms were crossed in such a way he was supporting his right arm with his bandaged left hand.
"I'm not going apologize and I'm not making excuses, but you really got to get your priorities straight," said Ricky.
"What do you speak of?" Haldir asked.
"Last night was a repeat of what I saw in Rivendell. You talk a lot, but you don't act. You fight about what should be done and who should do it, but you spend so much time fighting amongst yourselves, you give your enemies time to attack you. In Rivendell, it was about who should take the Ring. Last night, it was about you Elves getting your hands dirty in all this."
"You know so little," Haldir said. "Things are not as simple as you believe they are."
"That's because you're making them harder than what they need to be," Ricky said. "Are you so wrapped up in your little utopia with your Lady of Light that you're blind to everything else?"
"Do not speak of our Lady so," Haldir said coldly, advancing on Ricky. "You know nothing of her and her power."
"I know that nobody's perfect," Ricky hissed back. "Not even her. Sauron's going to come a'knocking soon enough. What will you do then? Cower in the light? Or fight against the darkness?"
Haldir glared. "Mind your tongue, boy. Do not speak of things you know nothing about."
Ricky glared back, but said nothing else.
Haldir led the Fellowship and the other Elves through the forest. Once again, nothing was said as they were led to Caras Galadhon.
They stopped at the top of a hill.
"Caras Galadhon," Haldir announced.
The Fellowship looked in front of them. A few miles away was a large group of massive trees. They were gold like the trees surrounding, but rose above them like a golden mountain.
"The heart of Elvendom on earth. This is the city of Galadhrim where dwell the Lord Celeborn and Galadriel, Lady of Light."
It was dusk when they entered the city. It was built into the trees, staircases winding up and lanterns lighting the way. Thick trunks supported houses and platforms between their branches and bridges linked the trees so there was no need to climb down to get to another house.
"Legolas," Ricky said softly. "You told us about these trees. What do you call them?"
"Mallorn trees," replied Legolas.
Ricky looked up at the tops of the trees. "Nature's skyscrapers. Reminds me of New York."
"Truly?" asked Legolas. "I am glad you found something that reminds you of home."
Ricky's gaze turned from the Mallorn canopy to the path in front of him. "Yeah," he said flatly. "Home."
Haldir led them up the staircase that wrapped around the largest of the Mallorn trees. The stairs led up to a building with green and silver walls and a golden roof. The trunk of the Mallon tree it was built into continued to taper into the crown of the tree above them. They stopped on the platform at the top of the staircase. In front of them, two figures bathed in light descended the steps from the building.
The light faded to reveal a male Elf with a stern, ageless face and silver hair. He was dressed in grey robes with a white shirt. Beside him was a female Elf with long golden hair and beauty beyond compare. She was dressed completely in white with a silver circlet on her head. They all stood in awe of her.
Ricky had to admit these two Elves knew how to make an entrance. He glanced over at the others and noticed that they were bowing their heads. Ricky did the same.
Lord Celeborn was the first to speak. "The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone. Nine there are here, yet ten there were set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? For I much desire to speak with him. I can no longer see him from afar."
Ricky felt his voice was stony and his expression cold.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land," Galadriel said softly. "He has fallen into Shadow."
Celeborn turned to Galadriel.
"He was taken by both Shadow and flame," Legolas informed her sorrowfully. "A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria."
Celeborn looked surprised.
The Fellowship bowed their heads in sadness.
Ricky clenched his fists, ignoring the pain in his left hand as he curled his fingers tight around the bandage. He wouldn't call going through Moria needless. The Hobbits wouldn't have made it over the mountain in that storm and he didn't know if he would have made it himself.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life," said Galadriel. "We do not yet know his full purpose."
Ricky's mouth twitched. Galadriel seemed to have some sense in his mind.
Gimli still had his head down and let out a sad sigh.
Galadriel turned to the Dwarf. "Do not let the great emptiness of Khazad-dûm fill your heart, Gimli, son of Glóin. For the world has grown full of peril, and in all lands, love is now mingled with grief."
Galadriel turned her gaze to Boromir.
Ricky felt Boromir become nervous and he turned in time to see Boromir look away from her. Not much rattled Boromir like that. Ricky's hand crept closer to his dagger, more for security than violence.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship?" asked Celeborn. "Without Gandalf, hope is lost."
Ricky was beginning to seriously not like this Elf.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife." Galadriel let her gaze travel over the Fellowship. "Stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the company is true."
Ricky's mouth twitched again, forming the barest of smirks.
Galadriel let her gaze stop on Ricky for a few seconds.
Boromir noticed Ricky's violent jerk, his hand going for one of his daggers, but stopping.
Galadriel looked to Frodo, but addressed the Fellowship. "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest, for you are weary with sorrow and much toil."
They were given a pavilion near a fountain. Most of the Fellowship was there. The Hobbits were resting. Aragorn was sharpening his sword next to a sleeping Gimli. Legolas had gotten up to fill a pitcher from the fountain.
There was mournful singing coming from above them.
"A lament to Gandalf," Legolas said sadly.
"What do they say about him?" Merry asked.
"I have not the heart to tell you." Legolas turned to Merry. "For me, the grief is still too near."
"Bet they don't mention his fireworks," said Sam, helping Pippin organize some pillows for a bed. "Should be a verse for them. The finest rockets ever seen. They burst in stars of blue and green. Or after thunder, silver showers, come falling like a rain of flowers. Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road." Sam sat down, disappointed.
Ricky returned from wherever he had been. "Better than what I could come up with on the fly. Keep practicing, Sam."
Pippin sat up from where he decided to flop down. "I just noticed. You're speaking so we can understand you."
"Don't get used to it," said Ricky. "As soon as you get me fired up again, you won't be able to understand me."
Aragorn noticed Boromir sitting on the roots of a tree away from the Fellowship. He got up and walked over to him.
"Take some rest," said Aragorn. "These borders are well protected."
"I will find no rest here," Boromir said. "I heard her voice inside my head. She spoke of my father and the fall of Gondor. She said to me, 'Even now, there is hope left.' But I cannot see it. It is long since we had any hope."
Aragorn sat next to Boromir.
Boromir looked at Aragorn with despair. "My father is a noble man, but his rule is failing, and our . . . our people lose faith. He looks to me to make things right. And I would do it, I would see the glory of Gondor restored. Have you ever seen it, Aragorn? The White Tower of Ecthelion, glimmering like a spike of pearl and silver, its banners caught high in the morning breeze? Have you ever been called home by the clear ringing of silver trumpets?"
"I have seen the White City . . . long ago," Aragorn told him.
Boromir smiled. "One day, our paths will lead us there, and the tower guard will take up the call 'the Lords of Gondor have returned.'"
Aragorn smiled as well and it was only when Boromir looked away that it was replaced by sadness. "As for seeing hope, I think you should speak to Ricky. It seems our youngest member knows more about hope than us."
"No more than you do." Ricky was standing close by, holding his right arm up with his left hand. "I just don't know when to quit. It's not over until you stop breathing, and sometimes that's not enough to stop you."
Ricky went to make his bed.
It was only an hour, maybe two, later when Ricky woke up. He wasn't sure why he woke up. Ricky sat up and looked at the Fellowship. He counted only eight, including himself. He was short a Hobbit: Frodo.
Ricky immediately was on his feet and looking around for Frodo. It took him a few minutes, but he found Frodo along with Galadriel. They were down a flight of steps at the base of several of the massive trees. The small glade had a low pedestal in the middle with an engraving of a branching tree around it.
Galadriel was kneeling in front of Frodo.
"Even the smallest person can change the course of the future," Galadriel was telling Frodo. "And youth can hold wisdom."
Galadriel turned in Ricky's direction.
Frodo whipped around to see Ricky standing at the top of the steps.
Ricky made his way down to the small glade they were in, watching Galadriel. "Better get back to bed, Frodo. Sam's liable to have a coronary if he wakes up and you're not there."
Frodo nodded and hurried passed Ricky.
Ricky watched Frodo disappear in the trees in the direction of their pavilion. He turned back to Galadriel.
"Why do you hide?" Galadriel asked Ricky.
"You were in my head," Ricky said. "You tell me."
"You are afraid," Galadriel answered. "Afraid of the truth."
Ricky's mouth twitched.
Galadriel turned. "Come with me."
Ricky followed Galadriel out of the glade.
They walked down a narrow path and Galadriel stopped in front of several large bushes. Ricky could hear water on the other side. He thought it was just another fountain.
Using a narrow gap in the bushes, Galadriel passed through to the other side, Ricky following her. Instead of another fountain, there was a hot spring. A few steps away from the hot spring was a stone bench with towels and a change of clothes.
Galadriel went over to a bench and turned her back. "I will not look."
She could hear Ricky taking off his clothes and putting them in a pile. A splash of water told her Ricky was in the hot spring. The water was up to Ricky's neck and the lights around the hot spring only casted shadows and glares on the water. Ricky's body was hidden.
But his hair was not. It was a bird's nest that hadn't been combed or cut in a long time. Ricky had made a poor attempt at keeping it braided and hidden under his bandana. He couldn't remember when the last time he had taken the time to properly wash it, but it was probably back in Rivendell when he had his last hot bath.
Galadriel brought over a comb and oil for Ricky's hair. The Elf queen had to use her fingers to comb out the tangles after she removed the rubber bands Ricky used to keep the ends from unraveling. She poured the oil on Ricky's hair and massaged it in. Ricky rinsed it out himself, dunking his head under a few times. Galadriel combed his hair out. Without the tangles, Ricky's hair fell over his shoulders in a black curtain. It was not as long as the Elves wore their hair, but it was longer than what a typical Man kept it. Ricky looked over his shoulder at Galadriel as she finished. Without his goggles and with his hair loose, his face looked softer, though it still looked too gaunt to be healthy.
Galadriel turned away again when Ricky got out. When she turned around again, Ricky was sitting on the bench with a large towel pulled around his shoulders. Galadriel came behind him and dried and combed his hair again. She began to braid it at the front of his head and against his scalp and worked her way back. When she was finished, Ricky's hair was in a thick braid that could be easily tucked under his knit hat and bandana.
"You didn't have to do this," Ricky said quietly. "You have better things to do with your time."
"It has been many years since I doted on a child. It matters not to me that the child is one of Men," said Galadriel.
Galadriel stood up and turned away for a third time while Ricky got dressed. He left the bandages off his hand. The clothes the Elves left for him were very similar to the sets given to him in Rivendell. They were a silvery green color, similar to some of the other Elves' clothes he had seen, but he had been given a loose vest of a darker color for over top. Ricky buttoned it up. It made him look a little bulkier than what he really was.
"Thank you," Ricky said softly.
Galadriel tied a silk scarf around Ricky's head, tucking his hair underneath. "You do not need to be afraid of who you truly are. The Fellowship knows you have strength. It would be foolish of them to place who you are above your skills."
"Hmph. Skills." Ricky was a bit amused. "A street rat who up until two months ago didn't have anybody giving a damn about him. I run, I steal, I fight."
Galadriel smiled. "Yes, you fight. You are able to stand victorious. But remember, Ricky Weiss, your strength not only lies in your body, but in your mind." Galadriel touched Ricky's head. She moved her hand to Ricky's chest. "And in your heart."
Ricky smiled.
Galadriel followed Ricky back to the pavilion and tucked him into his bed. You have experienced the evil of Men, more so than any child should endure. But you are not alone. Through these trials, you will find happiness.
Ricky looked up at her. "I don't want happiness," he whispered. His green eyes were shimmering with tears. "I want a family."
And you have one. You do not see it yet.
Ricky was having a hard time believing that he actually going to see Within Temptation. Well, some of it was easy considering he was really good at picking pockets. He had heard the band's CD playing at the foster home he had been staying at three months ago. Ricky didn't have the best seats to see them, but he wasn't going to complain as long as he could hear.
Dressed in a baggy sweatshirt and jeans, he acted casually and pretended he was with the group standing in front of him. He was eleven and didn't want to have to answer a bunch of questions about where his parents were.
Within Temptation certainly knew how to put on a show. Their lead singer had the voice of an angel. Ricky wasn't one for fairytale fantasies, but he liked their songs. "The Last Dance" was one of the songs that stuck with him the most.
In the morning, Ricky, surprisingly, was the last one up. What he woke up to was Gimli standing over him, staring at him with a suspicious look.
"What, Gimli?" Ricky asked.
"I'm seeing if the Elves stole our lad and replaced him with a changling," Gimli said.
Ricky punched Gimli in the leg. "I had a bath. I can't look that different."
"You do," said Gimli. "I thought you were a lass at first."
Ricky shot up. "Screw you, Gimli!" He grabbed the first thing within reach and threw it at Gimli. Gimli ducked out of the way and ran off.
Ricky rubbed his hand over his face. "God." He got up and found the Elves had left food for them, but it was almost gone. Ricky looked around, trying to locate his boots. They weren't anywhere to be seen. Then he remembered he left them at the hot spring, along with his other clothes and his goggles. Squinting, he fumbled through his pack and found his tinted goggles where he left them. Now that he could see again, he went to grab one of the few cold rolls left on a plate. There was no butter or jam and Ricky thought nothing of it. He bit into the roll and looked around.
Legolas was fletching arrows, sitting on the roots of a tree.
"Hey."
Legolas looked up from the arrow in his hand. "Good morning, Ricky. I trust you slept well."
Ricky sat next to him, half a roll in his hand. "Yeah, whatever. I need to talk to you about what happened last night. I didn't have the energy to jump down your throat and I don't think anybody would have appreciated it, either."
"And what is it you wish to speak to me about?" asked Legolas.
"I'm just gonna come out and say it," said Ricky. "You blamed Gimli for what happened to Gandalf."
Legolas's eyes widened.
"You didn't do it intentionally," Ricky went on. "But when you said it was needless for us to go through, you made it sound like it was Gimli's fault."
"You are right," said Legolas. "It was not my intention. I spoke out of sorrow."
"Any one of us could be blamed," said Ricky. "Pippin could be blamed for knocking down that skeleton and bucket. I could be blamed for not being quick enough to stop it. The storm could be blamed for forcing us to take a different route. Hell, you can blame Saruman and those damn birds. You can even blame Gandalf, because I'm pretty sure he knew that Balrog was down there."
Legolas's face fell. "I must apologize to Gimli."
"And something else?" said Ricky. "You might wanna get over whatever it is with Gimli. We gotta long way to go to get to Mordor. Petty bitchin' isn't gonna help much."
Ricky got up and wandered off. He found Boromir giving sword lessons to Merry and Pippin again. He found a place to sit and observe. He finished his roll and sat back and watched. The Hobbits were getting better and Boromir seemed a little more at ease being in Lothlórien.
A glint of white caught Ricky's eye. He looked up and saw Galadriel. She looked down at him and smiled. In one hand was a red apple.
"Eat," she said, offering the apple.
Ricky took the apple and took a bite out of it. "Boromir seems a bit better," he said with his mouth full. "They all do. They found something to keep busy."
"They will deal with their grief in their own way," said Galadriel. "And how are you dealing with your grief?"
"I'm okay," said Ricky. "Gandalf wasn't the first person I saw die. I'm not going to let his sacrifice be in vain. If anything, I'm using it to keep moving forward."
Galadriel looked down at Ricky as he took another bite of his apple.
Ricky swallowed before continuing. "Hopefully Gandalf will be the only one of us to fall. And I know it's stupid, but I want him to be the last. It's a long shot, but it could happen."
"Then it would be best for all of you to train hard while you are here," said Galadriel, watching the Hobbits and Boromir.
Ricky nodded. He remembered the Asian man who took care of him for two years before he died. Ricky was only five when they met and could never pronounce his name, so the man told him to call him Lee. Ricky had watched Lee die.
"Follow me," Galadriel said.
Ricky got up and followed her.
Where she led him to was the training grounds. They were very similar to the ones in Rivendell. There were Elves sparring with swords and knives and on the other side of the grounds was an archery field. Ricky gave a smile when he saw some sand pits for hand to hand combat.
"Rúmil!" Galadriel called.
One Elf in the sand pits turned to his Lady. He dusted himself off and walked over to them.
"Ricky, this is Rúmil," Galadriel introduced. "He is part of the guard. He is also the younger brother of Haldir."
Ricky could see the resemblance. They both had straight blonde hair and the shape of their eyes was similar enough that they could only be blood.
"Rúmil does not speak much Common Tongue," Galadriel continued.
"Not the first time I've had to deal with a language barrier," Ricky said.
Galadriel turned to Rúmil. Ricky was able to pick out his own name when Galadriel spoke. Rúmil replied to whatever she had said.
Galadriel turned back to Ricky. "Rúmil has agreed to be your sparring partner."
"Okay," said Ricky. "Thanks."
Rúmil led Ricky over to the sand pits and got into a fighting position. Ricky checked to make sure his silk bandana was on tight enough. He didn't want his hair getting in the way.
"Ready when you are, Rúmil," said Ricky, gesturing for him to start.
Their spar was much like all the spar Ricky had with Glorfindel. Ricky ducked under Rúmil's blows and attacked with his feet. Rúmil had not come across a fighting style like this before, but unlike Glorfindel, he dodged more than he tried to retaliate. That's when he saw a flaw in Ricky's style: the boy was growing tired quickly. He was wasting his strength missing Rúmil. All Rúmil needed to do was wait until Ricky was tired and then strike.
Ricky realized what Rúmil was doing. No one else had waited to strike back before. Ricky knew he was going to lose embarrassingly if things kept up like this. He needed to change tactics.
Rúmil swung and Ricky couldn't dodge in time. The punch hit him in the goggles and Ricky went down. He tumbled back so he came to rest on his knees. Ricky pulled up his goggles so they rested on his head, holding the silk headscarf in place.
"Shit!" Ricky touched where his goggles went around his face.
Rúmil stood over Ricky, waiting to see if he was all right.
"Okay, that's gonna be sore later," Ricky grumbled. He got up and faced Rúmil. Ricky didn't know how else to tell Rúmil he was ready for round two besides putting his fists up and sliding into a defensive stance.
Rúmil was a bit hesitant after he knocked down the boy. His eye was already beginning to swell shut.
Ricky made the first move. It was a low kick that Rúmil sidestepped. Ricky pushed off in Rúmil's direction and slammed his elbow into Rúmil's stomach. Ricky straightened up immediately and slammed his other elbow into Rúmil's shoulder. Although he was tired, Ricky launched a series of kicks that hit Rúmil in the stomach. Ricky spun around and kicked Rúmil in the stomach once more. Rúmil went down on his backside.
"You good?" Ricky asked.
Rúmil got to his feet and went back into a defensive stance.
"Round three it is," Ricky said with a shrug.
Rúmil and Ricky met together and began exchanging blows. Ricky batted a few punches away and dove into Rúmil's blind spot. By the time Rúmil located Ricky again, Ricky had Rúmil in a headlock. Rúmil flipped Ricky over onto his back. Ricky's foot snapped up and struck Rúmil in the head. Ricky rolled around and got to his feet. He blocked Rúmil's punch and kicked out and hit Rúmil twice before having to place his foot down again.
Ricky dropped to his knees and grabbed Rúmil's ankle. He pulled as hard as he could and Rúmil almost did a full split. Rúmil quickly put his hands down to avoid injury. Ricky pushed off on one foot, bringing his other leg up. The boy's knee connected with the Elf's head.
Ricky got back to his feet and took a few steps back, his fists up.
Rúmil sat up, a bruise already beginning to darken on his temple.
"You good?" Ricky asked.
Rúmil reached up and touched the bruise with a groan. A couple Elves who were spectating came over to help Rúmil to his feet.
A gentle hand touched Ricky's shoulder. He turned and saw it was Galadriel.
"Well done," she commented.
Ricky gave a half smile, trying to ignore the throbbing in his own face.
Galadriel began to lead Ricky away from the training grounds. "Come. Let's get your injuries treated."
Galadriel took Ricky back to the Mallorn tree they met Celeborn and Galadriel in. A small table and two chairs were now set out on the platform. The table was set for lunch.
Ricky frowned up at Galadriel.
Galadriel smiled. She touched the side of his face. "We need to clean this."
Galadriel had Ricky sit at the table. She picked up a jar and a bandage that were sitting off to the side. Inside the jar was strong smelling herbal mix. She smeared the paste over the swelling of Ricky's eye.
Ricky's eyes watered and he sneezed. "Wow, that's strong," he muttered, dabbing at his eyes with the cuff of his sleeve.
Galadriel also smeared the paste on Ricky's injured left hand and bandaged it. She handed Ricky a moist cloth to wipe his hands with before he began eating.
Ricky immediately went for the plate of meat on the table. He got two big pieces and started on them.
Galadriel smiled and sat down. She daintily ate a salad on her plate. Ricky finished off the meat and helped himself to a small salad and what looked to be tomato soup. As soon as he took a sip of the soup, he realized it wasn't tomato, but some sort of squash that he had in the past. Whatever it was, it was good.
"Does the Fellowship not feed you?" Galadriel asked.
"Used to livin' off a few bites a day," Ricky replied. He took a swig from a water cup. "God forbid anythin' happens, the Hobbits have somethin' to eat. They're not used to goin' without anythin' to eat."
"How noble of you," Galadriel said.
"Don't know if it's noble, but I know hunger and I can deal with it."
"Ricky."
Ricky looked up from his plate.
Galadriel was looking at him with that piercing gaze of hers. "When the quest is over, you will never know hunger again."
It was much later when Ricky went back to the Fellowship's camp.
"Where have you been?" asked Boromir.
"Don't worry about it," replied Ricky. "Where's Frodo? I need to talk to him."
Boromir sneered and pointed where Frodo was.
The Hobbits were sitting at a table, eating their fifth meal of the day.
Ricky went over to the table and tapped Frodo on the shoulder. "I need to talk to you. In private."
Frodo nodded and left the table to follow Ricky.
They walked far enough away that the Hobbits could see them, but couldn't hear them. Ricky knelt down so he was smaller than Frodo.
"I know this is harder for you than for any of us," Ricky said. "But I want to tell you something I learned long ago. People make promises all the time if you do something for them. Don't listen to them. The reward is never worth the price. That Ring is going to tempt you. Don't listen to it."
"It is not so easy, Ricky," said Frodo. "Each step towards Mordor, the Ring grows heavier. I know Boromir is already tempted by it. I am afraid he will try to take it."
"And I'll fight like hell to keep it from him," said Ricky.
Frodo smiled.
"Frodo, I've seen suffering," said Ricky. "Misery loves company. Sauron just wants company. That's why he's going after you. If he gets the Ring, it won't stop at Middle Earth. He will never be satisfied."
"I know," said Frodo. "That is why I have to destroy it."
Ricky nodded. "Then we better make sure you destroy it. Now, the Ring tempts you. What does it say to you?"
Frodo lowered his head.
"Frodo," Ricky said warningly. "I'm asking for a reason."
"It promises me wealth," Frodo answered quietly.
"You have a home," Ricky responded strongly.
Frodo blinked. The look in Ricky's green eyes encouraged him to continue. "It promises me power."
"You have the Fellowship."
"It promises me to be able to protect my friends and family."
"You have love."
Frodo stared at Ricky. His eyes had darkened slightly.
"And that's something I don't have," Ricky finished. "Believe in yourself and the others and not the Ring, and you'll be able to do this."
Ricky ran his hand through Frodo's dark curls. "The Ring is evil. You are good. You carry love and hope in your heart. The Ring carries empty promises. Now, what is the Ring?"
Frodo was confused. Ricky just told him what it was.
"Say it," said Ricky.
"The Ring is evil."
"What are you?"
"I am good?"
"What do you carry?"
"Love and hope."
"Where?"
"In my heart."
"What does the ring carry?"
"Empty promises."
Ricky gave a nod of approval.
They went through the mantra again and again until Ricky was sure Frodo would remember it in his sleep.
When they went to sleep that night, Ricky heard Frodo muttering.
"The Ring is evil. I am good. I carry love and hope in my heart. The Ring carries empty promises."
Ricky smiled.
Legolas listened, curious. Whatever Frodo was talking about would help him fight the temptation of the Ring in the future.
Song Ricky sings is "The Last Dance" by Within Temptation from The Unforgiving album.
So why does Ricky hide and what is he hiding? Let me say this; from the beginning, I have had a plot twist in mind and now that I've started posting and getting feedback, I have mixed feelings about it. I want it to be a surprise, but I have started to drop hints about what it could be throughout some of the chapters. You have to look very closely to find them. Even if I decide to ditch the twist, it won't affect the previous chapters. As always, let me know what you think on the review board and if you think you may have the twist figured out, PM me because I would rather you didn't spoil the surprise for those who haven't figured it out.