A/N: I apologize for the last chapter. Man, that was one nastily written piece!

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I had been walking for quite a few days, I have once again lost count, and I was no longer able to see the guys on the mountain. Not only was I unable to see them, I was also currently bored out of my mind. And I was so sick of "A Sailor Went To Sea," that if I never heard it again it would be too soon.

I shivered, as I had been getting closer to the base of the mountain it had been getting colder by the minute. I was in the Austin Powers clothing, but I was still freezing my ass off.

"I knew these clothes were not worth it! Gawd, I wish I would have packed some of my own clothes! At least they would have fit me!"

Yeah, I was in a bad mood. Could you tell?

Suddenly I heard a crack of lightening and it started to rain, except this wasn't a nice spring rain. No, this was a damn downpour!

"This just is NOT my day. You know I really would like to go home. Man, I am thinking hot tub; three weeks at the nearest spa ought to do it. Yep, I can see it now."

Suddenly I heard something up ahead. I looked off to my left and noticed I was still following the broad expanse of rock that seemed like my only companion. I stopped so I could listen a little better. Yep, just like I thought. Voices.

Just then I got a simply splendid idea, I mean this one should go in the hall of fame baby! I slowly, ever so slowly started to move ahead again. The pouring rain masked all of the noise I was making so I figured I could get pretty close.

I had just gotten so I was right behind a tree that was what I figured pretty close to the voices. I was just about to leap out and scare the nine of them to death when I heard something that made me stop in mid-jump.

"I smell man-flesh! One is near!"

Uh-oh! Last time I checked no one, not even the fat the hobbit Sam, was that hungry. I think something is telling me that that is not the nine guys. Yep, definitely not. Time to make a graceful and quick exit. But, not before I see who these fellas are. There goes my damn curiosity—again.

I slowly peeked around the tree and came face to face with tall dark and ever so ugly. But, the scary part was if you turned your head to the left, squinted up your eyes, and imagined him shorter, he almost looked like Lester. Go figure, just can't get away from him, can I?

"Um, hi, I was just looking for the nearest bathroom. Nope, not here? Well, sorry to bother you. I hope you have a good day." I flashed one of my brightest smiles—and took off running as fast as I could.

"Fresh meat is back on the menu boys! Catch her!"

I was once again running full out. Has anyone else noticed that since I have gotten "here" all I have done is run for my life? Not to mention from a bunch of weirdoes to add to it. I love my life…

I turned around and panted over my shoulder, "You wouldn't like me, I am just all skin and bones. I swear!"

Yeah I know, that's what everyone says, but I figured what the heck. It was worth a shot, the only thing I had to lose was my life and that is no big thing, right?

Argh.

I was really starting to flounder around. All of the rain had made the ground into a virtual mud bath. To top it all off, I was tired so I could not run that well as it was and it sure didn't help that I was battling through ankle deep muck. I shot a glance over my should and at first I didn't see anything, but then I saw the ugly guys were still following me and then I started to hear wolf howls. All of a suddenly a giant wolf-thing leapt out in front of me. I gave a glass-shattering shriek and wheeled in the opposite direction. I would rather take the ugly guys than that mountain of fur.

I ran a few steps and then I noticed that the ugly guys were gaining too fast, I didn't have a chance either way. So, I wheeled a sharp right and started running towards the mountain. I know, not very smart, you do not exactly want to get caught between a mountain and man eating monsters, but I think my brain was just not working then. Suddenly I felt this racking pain on my back. I glanced over my shoulder and saw nothing but teeth. I screamed again and kept running.

Now, don't get me wrong. I was not outrunning that wolf-thing. It was playing with me. At first I was just hoping that it would jump on me and get it over with, but finally what it was doing sank in. It was doing the age-old classic—cat and mouse. Except this was terrifying wolf-thing and running girl. Maybe not quite the classic…

It was also succeeding in giving me the false sense of hope. It was making me work harder, thinking I could get away, so when it got bored with chasing me I would be too tired to fight. This thing was smarter then it looked. But, obviously, because I was going along with it, I was not.

Some time ago I had started to cry, I could almost not breathe. I kept choking on my own sobs and that was slowing me down too. But, the thing was not done playing yet, every time I started to slow down it would swipe at me with its claws, making me run faster. My legs were rubber and my lungs felt like I was breathing acid. All of my muscles were seizing up on me and I was on the point of just giving up.

I looked up ahead of me and could not believe my eyes. A light! At first I couldn't quite comprehend it, I was still running of course, but I was thinking it was the "light at the end of the tunnel." As I got closer, I snapped out of my stupor. It was a campfire; there was someone there. Maybe they could help me! Maybe I won't die!

Just then I got another vicious clawing on the back of my legs. Except this one was deep. I gave another one of my blood-curdling screams and started to stumble. The thing brought one of it's paws up between my legs and supported me so I would not fall on my face and then started to growl and gnash it's teeth at me. I don't think it was quite done playing with me yet. I ran on, I was close enough to the light to see the outlines of many people. I started shouting, or panting out words in my case.

"Help! Help me!"

The beast didn't like my shouting so it bit me…on the butt! The indecency! I screamed again just for good measure.

Suddenly arrows started raining down around me. They were going to help me!

I think they were shouting at me, but I'm not sure, all I could see were their arms beckoning me to run faster. I suddenly got a burst of adrenaline and I remember thinking 'it's about time', that's me…ever the sarcastic one!

I was running full out and then I tripped, I went flying and rolled to a stop right by the campfire and immediately let my body take over. It was shouting at me to sleep so…I did.

*~*~*

I was going to just stop and make you wait for the next chapter, but I feel like I owe you guys for that last chapter so I'm going to continue. Feel lucky!

*~*~*

I slowly regained consciousness again and the first thing I felt was someone was running their hands over my back and legs. That jerked me wider-awake then coffee ever would have. I leapt to my feet as best I could and turned to the person.

"What the hell do you thin—Aragorn?"

I looked around the fire, it was still night, and there were all nine of them. So they were my saviors, I was not going to live this down.

"So, you heard all of my screaming and got rid of big, bad and ugly?"

Gandalf stepped forward, "Yes, we got rid of 'big bad and ugly' as you put it, and all of the others and the orcs that were following."

I heard this and I almost fainted, except Boromir held me up. My legs were not yet able to take this. I looked up and I saw Boromir looking down at me with concern etched on his face.

"Do you need to sit down, Lady?"

"Um, yeah that could certainly help. But, I can't feel my legs anymore. I don't think I can move them either. So, I think I am stuck standing for the time being."

Suddenly I was cradled in Boromir's arms and he was walking over to a log and placed me down gently.

"Okay, never mind. Thanks!"

The rest of the guys came over to sit by me, or in Pippin's case, on me. I looked down at the little guy that was sitting in my lap. "Make yourself at home," I told him with a wink. He did too, he snuggled right down and started to fall asleep.

I shook my head in amusement, and looked at the others.

"So, what were those things?"

"Wargs," Legolas informed me, "And the men like creatures were orcs. You are very lucky to be alive." He walked over and patted me on the back.

"OUCH!"

It would have been quite funny if I wouldn't have been in that much pain. The poor elf jumped about a mile high and then looked very sheepish.

"I apologize."

"That's fine. I just wish the warg, as you put it, would have chosen someone else for a chew toy." I grimaced for emphasis.

Aragorn butted in, "Maybe you should let me look at them again, I was only looked in for broken bones, I did not get the chance to look at the wounds themselves."

"I'd love to let you, but I can't."

He gave me a questioning look.

"I currently have a snoring hobbit using me as a bed."

This caused everyone to start laughing. It was true, for such a little guy, he sure could snore!

"Um, guys, I think he is starting to drool!"

A laughing Boromir came over and removed the hobbit from my lap. Yep, he was drooling. Everyone was laughing at me, or actually at the wet spot on the middle of my shirt.

Once Aragorn caught his breath again, he started playing doctor. "Now, Emily, I need you to lie down on the ground on your stomach and more then likely this is going to hurt."

"Great! Well doc, take it away."

I was lying on the ground and all I could see was their shoes, I wonder what they would look like in Nikes? Well, that is certainly something to think about…

Then I felt the most welcome feeling in the world, cool water running down my back. Then Aragorn started to pull my shirt up, I mean I was still covered but yeah. It's a little disconcerting to have eight guys, not counting Pippin he was still snoring, looking down at you.

When my shirt was pulled up enough, they all gave a collective gasp.

"Let me guess, I look like I was ran through a food processor right?"

"Lady, I do not know what a food processor is, but you are scratched up very badly. I need to put some cleaner on it and this is really going to hurt. I am sorry."

"Ah, that's fine, it can't hurt worse then peroxide." (A/N: That stuff does hurt! But than again I'm a major wuss.)

Suddenly it felt like liquid fire was making its way down my back. Now, I am not going to make you believe I was all warrior-maiden like, you know how they never cry out in pain. Hell, I was screaming bloody murder!

"Oh God! That hurts worse than peroxide! Make it stop! Ahhhh!"

Finally Aragorn doused it in cool water again.

"Ohmygod! That hurt, why the hell didn't you tell me?"

"I did."

"Oh, yeah you did. Oops, sorry."

I looked around at the rest of the guys and it was actually kind of funny. Gimli was pointedly not looking at me anymore, I could not see Legolas at all, Boromir was trying to comfort the terrified looking hobbits, I think Merry was actually crying and Gandalf had hold of one of my hands. I looked up and he was too red in the face. I looked down at his hand and saw why. My nails had dug into his hand and he was bleeding and it looked like I almost broke his hand.

"Oops, sorry about that. How about you just get me a stick or something?"

He nodded without a word and walked off. I noticed he was wincing whenever his hand swung. At this I just had to grin evilly.

Then I noticed that Aragorn was trying to pull up the pants on my leggings to get at my legs. He struggled for a while then he looked at me ashamedly, "Lady, I need to ask you to remove them entirely. I cannot get to the wounds on your legs and …backside while they are on. I apologize profusely for making you go through this shame, but it is the only way."

I was blushing very heavily, "I guess I do not have a choice do I?"

He shook his head.

"All right, but do they all have to see it too?"

Aragorn jerked his head up, "Of course not. Boromir! Gimli! Would you please leave us for the time being?"

They nodded and headed off into the darkness.

"Well, I guess I don't even need to ask if this is going to hurt do I?"

"I'm afraid not."

"Well, let's get on with it," I gritted my teeth. "I'm ready."

*~*~*

Aragorn called into the darkness, "You may return now. We are finished."

Slowly the eight others cautiously made their way back into the firelight.

Pippin ran up to me right away, "Did it hurt as much as you made it sound?"

"Let's just say Aragorn was lucky I was on my stomach, other wise he would NOT be having children at all."

Aragorn bowed his head and was just about to speak but I cut him off.

"Don't apologize, it had to be done. Thank you. I have a feeling I needed that." I rubbed my butt and the hobbits all laughed.

Gandalf then spoke again, his voice tight with pain, "Aragorn, could you also look at my hand? I think Emily may have done some lasting damage to it."

I blushed, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was squeezing that tightly. Please except my heartfelt apologies."

He just shook his head and gave me a weak smile, "Completely unnecessary my dear."

I smiled at him. "Good."

Boromir then broke in, "We should all get some rest. I will take first watch."

Legolas shook his head, "No, I will take it. I do not think I will be able to sleep for quite sometime, I have suddenly gotten an awful head ache."

Oops, I had forgotten how good elf hearing was. Yeah, my screams had to damage something.

"Sorry."

"It's all right."

I then turned to the hobbits, "Well little buddies, should we get ourselves some shut eye?"

They all nodded eagerly, except for Frodo, he just yawned.

We walked over, or in my case hobbled over, to the blankets that were set out by the log I was previously sitting on. I sat down and leaned up against the log. Amazingly, after the pain of the cleaner was gone, so was the pain of the scratches. Too cool.

The hobbits gathered around me and slowly got situated. Pippin once again claimed my lap while Frodo snuggled up on my left side with Sam on his other and Merry took my right. Actually it was pretty comfortable and warm!

We sat like that a while until I noticed not a one of them was asleep.

"What's the matter? Shouldn't you guys be asleep?"

They all looked at me then each other, Merry piped up, "We can't."

Pippin then asked an amazing question, "Would you sing us a song?"

"What?"

Sam then spoke the most he's ever had to me, "Would you sing us a song? When we are unable to sleep we sing songs, hobbits always have and always will."

I was just about to ask why me, when he answered for me.

"We want you to because the day we snuck up on you at the rocks we found out what a beautiful voice you have. Please?"

He then promptly went into the dreaded puppy-face.

"No not the face! All right, but only one. Now which one?"

I quickly did a mental inventory of all the songs I knew and picked one of them my mother always used to sing to me. Elton John's Levon. I had always loved that song. I took a deep breath and began to sing.

Levon wears his war wound like a crown

He calls his child Jesus 'cause he likes the name

And he sends him to the finest school in town.

Levon, Levon likes his money

He makes a lot they say

Spend his days counting

In a garage by the motorway

He was born a pauper

To a pawn on a Christmas day

When the New York Times

Said God is dead and war's begun

Alvin Tostig has a son today

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

And he shall be Levon

In tradition with the family plan

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

He shall be Levon.

Levon sells cartoon balloons in town

His family business thrives

Jesus blows up balloons all day

Sits on the porch swing watching them fly

And Jesus, he wants to go to Venus

Leave Levon far behind

Take a balloon and go sailing,

While Levon, Levon slowly dies.

And he shall be Levon

And he shall be a good man

He shall be Levon.

I let the last note fade away and looked down at the little guys. All four of them were fast asleep. I then looked up at the rest of the group and was surprised to see they too were all asleep, that is except for Legolas. I grinned at him and he gave his slight smile back.

"'Night Blondie."

He looked surprised and then answered, "Good night Lady Emily."

I gave a great yawn and said, "Just Emily."

"All right, good night Emily."

I then closed my eyes and fell into much deserved sleep.

Maybe this isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Then I felt the wet patch starting to spread on my shirt.

Maybe I was wrong, but even though I fell asleep with a smile.

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A/N: How did you like that? I hope it didn't get too cutesy for you but I had to do that. For those of you wondering, there will be absolutely no romance, just friendship. I also apologize if I single Legolas out too much. I just want to you to know that Emily is not falling for him. Sorry ladies!

This is the longest chapter I have ever written so please, take the time to leave a review. It will be much appreciated!

Until next time, (and when I can get the feeling back into my fingers)

~Abskii~