Hey guys! I know it's been a while since I have updated this story. I am going to try to keep up with it now since I have been in the mood to write a lot more lately. I have most of the plot for this story figured out so I hope it doesn't disappoint. This chapter is a little on the shorter side, but I promise the next one will make up for it.
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Melody awoke to the feeling of someone shaking her gently. Her slumber had been all but peaceful, however, she managed to sneak in about an hour of deepened sleep. Eyes adjusting to the fogginess of daybreak, she let her gaze fall upon the wizard who had woken her.
"It is time to wake, child," He instructed, "We are to leave in less than half an hour."
She nodded in understanding and inspected her surroundings. The woman realized that she was still in Middle Earth as well as traveling with the company. A sharp pang of homesickness struck her heart as she recalled that there was still no answer as to why she was brought here.
An anxious sigh left her lips and suddenly she was greeted by an outstretched hand.
"My lady, if you would be so gracious to return my cloak to me," The hand was attached to the blonde elf and his facial expression carried seriousness and distrust. Melody realized that a piece of grey cloth that she assumed to be his cloak was still wrapped around her shoulders.
Heat rose to her cheeks instantly, "I am so sorry, I didn't know that I had it on me. Did I accidentally take it?"
The elf shifted only for a moment which was not detected by the woman. He did not want her to think that he was caring for her wellbeing since they had only met but a day ago; even though that was the motive behind his action to begin with.
"I presume so," He answered tightly. The split second of indecision within his mind had gone completely unnoticed by Melody.
Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, she handed the cloak back to him, "My apologies… what did you say your name was again? I'm sorry I have a horrible time remembering names, also the whole being zapped here out of nowhere thing has kinda got me a little dazed."
"Legolas," He said as he studied her with interest—but not the usual kind she was used to. His gaze was calculating and unwavering; almost as if he was trying to figure out what types of evil could wrestle within her soul.
But before she could question him on this, he simply walked away with his cloak in hand.
Hmph, elves aren't the most communicable beings in this world I guess, Melody thought momentarily before she realized that she would need to gather the meagre supplies that had been entrusted to her for this journey. At her side, she held a knapsack with a small bedroll as well as one of the extra packs that had been for the pony to carry, but Gandalf had said that they did not want to burden the small mare with extra weight so that task had been left up to Melody. She did not complain, because of course her mind was still whizzing with possible explanations as to why she had been brought here, but if this was truly her new reality and these people had decided to trust Melody, she wanted to gain their acceptance by carrying a few things.
After the woman finished packing the small items, the company started to walk along rocky terrain that seemed endless. Most everyone was quiet and only spoke to each other if it was related to the route or about when we would stop for rest. Melody could hardly believe that something so disinteresting could make such a big impact in her world. However, this thought would be squashed the moment they decided to halt for a quick lunch break.
The fellowship and Melody climbed a small hill and set up their camp once more to apparently help the hobbits with swordplay as well as regain their strength. Melody knew that the latter was definitely more suited for her because her feet ached terribly in the black leather boots she chastised herself many times for wearing. At least it wasn't high heels, her thoughts reminded her, which elicited a small laugh to escape her serious profile.
As previously mentioned, there was not much talking during their journey from the forest. Only the occasional question from one of the hobbits who she could not for the life of her get their names straight. Obviously Frodo was the one she could get right, but the other three she still couldn't quite remember their names. Mippin? No, that's not right… Pam? That's a woman's name, Melody! Get yourself together!
Finally, the Sean Bean lookalike whose name she had learned was Boromir, saved her from her confusion, "Merry, Pippin! Come, we will practice a bit of swordplay before we depart once more."
Melody let a quick breath of relief escape her lips before Gandalf again came to her side. She was still on edge with the whole company wanting to end her life not twenty-four hours prior, but she relaxed more with the wizard by her. He was the only one who she truly trusted as of now, as well as the only one she felt truly trusted her.
"You have been silent all day," He pointed out after taking a long draw from his pipe, "What is going on in that mind of yours that ails you so?"
The woman's form uncoiled a bit more, she knew she could confide in the wizard because he too wanted to figure out why she had been sent here, "I think a better question would be what isn't going on in my mind. I can't understand why this would happen to me, it all doesn't make sense and I know that the others think I'm a burden to their quest, which they wouldn't be wrong for thinking that."
Gandalf took in her words and placed a hand upon her shoulder, "I understand you feel much pain, my dear. However, these times are treacherous and there is not much hope backing our quest to begin with. Any occurrence that may be marked as strange or different could bring us our victory or our utter defeat."
The woman blinked slowly, "No pressure there. I'm pretty sure that my presence in this journey was not intended."
The wizard sighed, but there was a glint of humor in his eyes, "It may, but the important thing now is that you are here. There is no escaping that."
Melody nodded and pulled her knees into her chest, there was so much anxiety and dread filling within her heart. All of her life she always had someone there to help her through tough situations, but as of now the closest thing she attained was the wizard.
He patted her on the shoulder, "I think it may help to try and befriend some of the others. You're quiet nature may be mistaken as arrogance to some."
There was a slight furrow in her brows as she heard what the wizard instructed her to do. She had always been pretty introverted when it came to strangers—especially men for that matter. Melody had not realized that her silence could be interpreted as hostility from the other members of the fellowship; it was just how she was reacting to this very peculiar situation she was in. The only time she felt like she could be herself around new people was with the help of some booze. That thought brought a slight curve to appear upon her lips and she snapped from her reverie to answer Gandalf.
"Yeah, I think you're right," Melody said as she raised from the small rock she had been sitting on, "Might do me some good especially since they will probably have to save my life at some point."
The last comment caused Gandalf to wear a weary smile, "Try with the hobbits first, their inquisitive nature very well might drive you to insanity, but they are the most welcoming."
So with that, she went to where Sam was cooking and took a seat next to him and Frodo. Their eyes scanned the woman for the briefest moment and she could tell that they were still alarmed in her presence. However, that only lasted for a moment because soon enough they were wrapped up in endless conversation about the Shire and different types of food they would make. She found that the way they spoke distracted her from the pain that wrestled within her soul about leaving home. Melody could truly see light dancing in their eyes as they wove several stories about their homeland. It was comforting to know that some peaceful places still existed in this world, but she could still sense discomfort and unease in their voices as the quest was remembered.
The woman caught on to this and looked to the two small beings, "I am sure that you will see your home again, this journey will not be for nothing."
A small smile escaped their profiles as well as a knowing glance between the two. Whether they thought she was crazy for the previous statement or just being a good person, she did not know. The next words caused her heart to become warmer for a moment.
"Thank you, lady Melody," Frodo said to her, "I hope so too, I would see this darkness pass so that you will be able to someday visit the Shire instead of hearing our tales of it."
She could only offer them a genuine smile as all three of them turned around to shouting from the other two hobbits as they tackled Boromir with their wooden swords. A hearty laugh was heard from Sam and Frodo's lips quirked upwards momentarily as the scene unfolded. Merry and Pippin were pinning down the great warrior of Gondor and the rest of the company watched in amusement. Well, everyone except for Legolas who stood about fifty meters away on another rock as his eyes surveyed the distance ahead.
And just as the moment of hilarity was gained, it was lost upon all of the fellowship. Several voices of warning pricked at Melody's ears. Imminent danger was coming at them faster than an arrow could be released into its prey. Adrenaline shot through her veins but not before something strange took over her mind.
Before everything went dark around the woman, an outstretched hand pulled her forcefully under a bush and a flash of blonde hair was all that she remembered.
Oooh what will happen next? Stay tuned to find out in the next chapter and don't forget to review!
