A/N: I am swamped in reviews! 300 baby! I think I am going to have to go sit in a corner and try and get my breathing back to normal again! This is just nuts!
Marie: Here's your chapter, sorry it took so long!
pururon: Okay, I am officially freaked out. Just kidding. But you will have to read some more to find out!
levanna: Thank you. Good thing you could hold it in other wise you would have had an irate brother on your hands!
emily: I haven't heard from you in a while! But, I know, isn't it just too cute?
LeopardDance: Man, you are really hung up on that Madonna song aren't you? It's great! Anyway, I was thinking about that too, how will Emily handle Eowyn? Muhahaha. Anyway, you are completely right, why can't she look? But don't expect anything else, not that I think you are, I just cannot write romance. It is really pathetic. So don't worry. By the way, a MAN! That is just plain freaky-deaky!
Rana: Thank you, I try to make it as realistic as possible!
Songelf88 and G.H.S. the warg: I know I was thinking about that. But, I don't know if I will be able to fit the Ents in, but if I can, I certainly will use that!
Beth: You are right, they will either hate each other or like it together. But I still haven't decided which. Guess we both will have to wait and see! Thanks for reading!
Selene: You are right, you were babbling. But that is okay, I love it when people babble, it is the funniest thing in the world, no offense. Anyway, that is too bad that you are having problems with your stories, I know the feeling well. But thank you for reading. (By the way, there will be some ass kicking sometime or another, but it is going to be the last person you expect. Shhh, don't tell!)
Aranel: Yikes! Writing! I'm writing! Thanks for reading!
Hana: So am I getting the drift that you like my story? Hehe, sorry. But yeah, Saruman+Emily=total chaos!
baru-chan: I think you have very good grammar. Put it this way, English is my mother language and you have better grammar than me! But I will try to work that song in, but I cannot promise anything. I feel sorry for you, did you tell that classmate to shut up? I would have ended up drawing blood!
Aithril the Elf-Maiden: I feel honored! But I am really glad that you like it so much, I life to serve!
The Lady Sorcha of Sevenwaters: I promise I will fit that 'I hate you all' comment. I have a use for it coming up...More than likely she will screw up, just to let you know.
MaverickGirl: Don't worry, my comp crashed for a while. I know all about difficult computers!
Laurelasse Goldenleaf: So you normally don't laugh out loud for stories, but mine made you do that? That is great! That is completely what I am aiming for! Ooohhh, that is a good song....muhahaha.
Fly Without Wings: Thanks, I tried to make her really sarcastic.
rangishran: *waggles eyebrows mysteriously* Just wait and see, my dear, wait and see.
Europa: I know me too, but it was a tight miss.
Cassie_bear01: Don't worry, you didn't write awful. I'm sorry you are in school, but here is another chapter to keep your mind off it!
Tough Cookie: Wow! This is your favorite story! Neato!
Norie Ape: Woah! That was a long long review! But I think I will have her do some fighting, but I can't tell you any more than that. Just read and wait!
Maraena: Yup, wizard (moment of sarcasm), battle (moment of sarcasm), oh, this is going to be good!
WeaselyTwinsLover1112: Believe me I know, muhahaha, I know!
Tam Lynne: Hmmm, Broadway, it has its advantage. Thanks for reading!
Black Jaguar12: Yeah, I know, but I am trying to balance the serious and the funny. But I am really glad that I could give you inspiration!
Crimson Moon: Me? A genius? Ahh, you are making me blush! But yeah, he kinda was out of character.
Makura Koneko: Yup, I always keep my promises, and by the way, it is only going to get more fun.
Asarielle: Wow! Thank you!
x-silver-saffire-x: Well then it is definitely about time isn't it? Thanks for reading!
Moon scar: Don't worry about it, but I know how you feel. But I am glad that you got it up and running again!
Morgaine of Ithil: Hmm, it's definitely a thought! But yeah I know, all of the other stories I have read have never had someone yelling at Eomer. Guess it is about time right?
KindCalypso: Haha, I thought everyone would like that! I have gotten more comments on her crush then anything else. Thanks bunches!
Katie: See I told you, you would need them! But do you really think that is my best one yet! Wow, my head is swelling!
Like always, if I happened to miss anyone, it was completely by accident. It is nothing personal, trust me!
Let the story commence! (My, that was stuffy...)
*~*~*
'Do you think I am trying too hard?'
'Nah, you are still probably okay. But you don't want to throw yourself at them too much. By the way, which one has caught your eye?'
I felt Babes shift nervously under me, 'Actually, I like both. They are damn fine looking horses.'
I glanced back at the two that were racing to catch up with us. It was hard to do, we were still running full tilt, but I managed to get a good look at them. Arod was running quickly, but it was in a graceful gallop. Hasufel on the other hand, was pushing himself beyond what he should be able to do; he wanted to win! Strangely, the animals' behavior reminded me strongly of the men that were riding them. Except for Gimli, I still don't know where that guy is coming from!
I leaned over Babes's neck to make the running easier for her.
'You're right, they are fine looking horses.'
'Bet I could handle both at the same time too.'
'Player.'
*~*~*
Finally Babes slowed down enough that the other guys caught up to us. Right away I started getting a butt chewing by the resident Dwarf.
"Thanks to your foolishness, missy, I have lost about ten years off my life span! I am not made for a horse but yet your antics put me in the midst of a rampage!"
I rolled my eyes, "Shut up, you know you were enjoying it. I seem to recall a certain someone was shouting over the noise, 'See Master Elf, I told you that riding a horse would be great entertainment!' Sound familiar?"
Legolas and Aragorn started to laugh at this and the Dwarf looked rather sheepish. He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off, "Don't worry. I know the feeling; sometimes you just have to chew on someone. I get it all the time." I winked at him and he gave me a slight grin. I think someone is starting to like me!
I brought Babes to a walk and Legolas and Aragorn maneuvered their horses onto either side of me.
"Emily, what made your horse so anxious for a run? I noticed it was not you that provoked her into doing so."
I looked over to my left where Legolas was looking at me, waiting for me to answer his question.
"Yeah it wasn't me. Damn horse is having an overbalance on the hormones."
Gimli then spoke up, "I am not sure I understand what you are implying."
"To put it bluntly, Babes is trying to get your horses to notice her. It's great. She's a mooning teenager!"
'I do not need you to state my private affairs to everything that has ears. Just feel lucky that Arod and Hasufel cannot understand you.'
I gave her a sharp kick in the side and she lunged forward because of it, but then stopped herself with a snort. "Ah, so now you are on a first name basis with them?"
She just shook her head and then started to make 'puppy eyes' at Arod.
"Pathetic."
I noticed the guys around me were trying not to start laughing at our antics. Yes, I know, I am just too damn hilarious for my own good sometimes....
I brought a hand up to my face and shaded my eyes. We were getting very close to the column of smoke now, but luckily we were still downwind of it. Suddenly I felt Babes start prancing around and stamping underneath me. Then, she wouldn't go any farther. She just stopped and started to shift around and swing her head.
"Woah! Girl, what is wrong with you?"
'This is where we were last night.'
I looked around and sure enough, there was the tree that we were tied to last night. It didn't really bother me, but then again, I wasn't the one that had heard the last thoughts of the dying horses. Why do I get the feeling that Babes is going to need some major therapy sometime in the near future?
I kept my thoughts to myself and tried to get her to settle down enough so she would move on closer to the smoke.
Aragorn called to me over the noise of Babes's snorts and whinnies, "What is the matter?"
Babes then started to turn in any direction to get away from here, so we ended up spinning in tight fast circles. Finally Legolas seized Babes's head in his hands and Aragorn positioned Hasufel at our side so Babes could not spin anymore. Babes's eyes were still rolled up in her head.
"We were tied up here over at that tree," I pointed to it, "Last night when the battle was going on between the men and orcs. Babes was able to hear the dying thoughts of the horses, but was unable to help them. She has been deeply troubled by that."
While I had been telling this to Aragorn, Legolas had been muttering to Babes in Elvish. I think it actually helped her.
'Get this crack pot out of my face right now Emily, or I swear I am going to lose it!'
"Uh, Legolas?"
He stopped the muttering and looked at me, "Aye?"
"For your physical safety and Babes's mental stability I suggest that you stop that and move away. But thank you, I think it did help to settle her down."
Legolas nodded and stepped away, "How do you know this?"
"I just got a rather vivid death threat in my mind."
"Oh."
"You could say that. Here, hang on a sec."
I then turned my thoughts inside and checked on Babes, who was still shivering underneath me, but not nearly as violently as before.
'Are you okay, hun?'
'Yes, I am better.'
'Can you go on? We really need to check and see if we can find the Munchkins. Can you handle that?'
There was a long pause and what could be described as a sigh, 'I shall manage. But anymore or that highly annoying muttering and I will not be accountable for my actions! Do I make myself clear?'
I laughed out loud, "Crystal clear, my dear."
I rubbed a hand across my face and shook my head. I then looked over at the guys that were staring at me, waiting, "She says that we can continue, but if there is anymore Elvish muttering she will not be accountable for her actions."
Gimli looked stunned, but then started to guffaw loudly, "Did the Lady Horse really say that?"
I motioned to Babes with my head, "Ask her yourself."
Gimli looked skeptical, but asked none the less. "Dear Lady, did you really say that about the Master Elf's chanting?"
Since she could not communicate with words, Babes started to shake her head in what one would interpret as 'yes'. It was priceless.
After everyone was finished laughing, even Legolas was enjoying the moment, Aragorn motioned for us to continue up and over the ridge. Legolas leapt onto Arod and then both of the horses walked over to either side of Babes and pressed into her, giving her reassurance. Even though both Aragorn and Legolas tried to make them move away to give us some breathing room, they refused to move. So, we had to walk up and over the hill like that.
It was not very comfortable, mind you. I was squashed in between the two horses too, but that was not even the bad part. Since they were squeezing into Babes so firmly on both sides, I had to bring my legs up and set my feet on the back of Babes's neck. Oh yes, the picture of grace.
It was also incredibly hard to balance like that. I kept falling into both Aragorn and Legolas, so it got to the point where both of them had to ride with an arm around my shoulders and waist respectively.
"Can't you move the bloody horses away? Even a little bit?"
Aragorn smirked, "I cannot move Hasufel, he refuses to respond to anything."
"Blondie?"
"Nay, Arod will not."
"Damn."
*~*~*
Finally we got to the top of the hill and Hasufel and Arod moved away from Babes. I even managed to not fall off on my butt when they moved away and I could finally sit in the orthodox manner again. But when we crested the hill, I suddenly wished I had fallen, very very very far away from here.
The sight was horrible. All the way around the pile of smoldering bodies, there were Uruk-Hai heads on pikes. As if that was not rank enough, the stench of the burning flesh was enough to gag a maggot.
I suddenly felt very sick to my stomach. I slid off Babes's back and bent over to put my head between my knees. That worked for about thirty seconds and then I started to toss my lembas all over.
When I finally finished, I straightened up and looked over to where the three were standing. Legolas gave me a sympathetic look before Gimli commanded his attention again.
"It is one of their wee belts." He said dismally. Gimli had been digging through the charred bodies. Crazy Dwarf...
Legolas said something in Elvish and Babes suddenly started to move towards him with a snort.
I looked at her, "Oh for God's sake! Stop it! It was not directed at you so why don't you just go back to your admirers? It's not like you give a damn anymore!" I turned away from her and I felt the tear slip down my cheek.
I heard Gimli say in disbelief, "We failed them..."
Aragorn then gave out a horrible yell. He was a royally pissed off man. I jumped and whirled around as an Uruk-Hai helmet narrowly missed taking off my head.
"Will you watch where you are kicking that thing! You are not the only one that is having a hard time with this, Mister All-High-And-Mighty!"
But Aragorn was not listening to my ranting, he was too busy inspecting the ground for him to listen to me.
"What? Did you find an interesting pile of bird shit?" I asked sarcastically. If you hadn't noticed, when ever I get in a bad mood, I tend to take it out on everyone. I was in a horrible mood too, the Hobbits...They were gone....
"Shh!"
"Dwarf! Don't you dare 'shh' me!"
Suddenly Aragorn started to speak without looking up from the ground, "A Hobbit lay here, and the other." He was pointing to the ground, but I sure didn't see anything. But if he wanted to go all delusional on us, who was I to stop him?
He started to move all hunched over, never taking his eyes off the ground, "They crawled." He pointed to the ground that must have told him that. Nope, still not seeing it.
"Their hands were bound."
Walk a little bit further, still looking at the ground.
"Their bonds were cut. They ran over here and were followed." He then straightened up holding two pieces of frayed rope. What? Don't look at me! It's not like I doubted him or anything...
Aragorn dropped the rope and looked into the forest that was previously behind us, "The tracks lead away from the battle, into...Fangorn Forest."
"Fangorn! What madness drew them there?" asked Gimli.
"Maybe the desire to live?"
Gimli shot me a dirty look. Well it sounded legitimate to me.
"So, ah, what do we do now?"
"We follow the tracks," answered Legolas like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He was already following Aragorn into the trees and Gimli was close behind them.
I turned to Babes, "You guys just going to hang here?"
'That's the initial plan.'
I turned away and rolled my eyes. Hormones, go figure.
I jogged up to Gimli's side and we entered the forest.
I looked around and shuddered. It really wasn't very pleasant in here. The trees were extremely thick so they didn't let that much light in and they were not growing straight up and down. They were all very gnarled and reminded me of mean old men. Don't ask me where that came from. If that was not enough, they were also swaying and groaning as if they were actually talking. It was creepy.
"Why do I feel like Little Red Riding Hood walking into the jaws of the waiting wolf?" I said under my breath. Legolas must have heard me because he turned around and gave me a weird look. I just ignored him.
"But the million dollar question is: Where is the wolf?"
*~*~*
A/N: Not a lot happened in that chapter, but believe me when I say it was necessary. Just sit back and relax, more is coming. Don't worry.
Sorry for the long delay folks, but life reared its ugly head again. Like I said in the beginning, I have no idea how long it will be between updates, but I certainly try my hardest to hurry things along! So I apologize, but it can't be helped.
Just one more thing and then I am done. To all of you that happen to celebrate it, Happy Easter!
~A~
Marie: Here's your chapter, sorry it took so long!
pururon: Okay, I am officially freaked out. Just kidding. But you will have to read some more to find out!
levanna: Thank you. Good thing you could hold it in other wise you would have had an irate brother on your hands!
emily: I haven't heard from you in a while! But, I know, isn't it just too cute?
LeopardDance: Man, you are really hung up on that Madonna song aren't you? It's great! Anyway, I was thinking about that too, how will Emily handle Eowyn? Muhahaha. Anyway, you are completely right, why can't she look? But don't expect anything else, not that I think you are, I just cannot write romance. It is really pathetic. So don't worry. By the way, a MAN! That is just plain freaky-deaky!
Rana: Thank you, I try to make it as realistic as possible!
Songelf88 and G.H.S. the warg: I know I was thinking about that. But, I don't know if I will be able to fit the Ents in, but if I can, I certainly will use that!
Beth: You are right, they will either hate each other or like it together. But I still haven't decided which. Guess we both will have to wait and see! Thanks for reading!
Selene: You are right, you were babbling. But that is okay, I love it when people babble, it is the funniest thing in the world, no offense. Anyway, that is too bad that you are having problems with your stories, I know the feeling well. But thank you for reading. (By the way, there will be some ass kicking sometime or another, but it is going to be the last person you expect. Shhh, don't tell!)
Aranel: Yikes! Writing! I'm writing! Thanks for reading!
Hana: So am I getting the drift that you like my story? Hehe, sorry. But yeah, Saruman+Emily=total chaos!
baru-chan: I think you have very good grammar. Put it this way, English is my mother language and you have better grammar than me! But I will try to work that song in, but I cannot promise anything. I feel sorry for you, did you tell that classmate to shut up? I would have ended up drawing blood!
Aithril the Elf-Maiden: I feel honored! But I am really glad that you like it so much, I life to serve!
The Lady Sorcha of Sevenwaters: I promise I will fit that 'I hate you all' comment. I have a use for it coming up...More than likely she will screw up, just to let you know.
MaverickGirl: Don't worry, my comp crashed for a while. I know all about difficult computers!
Laurelasse Goldenleaf: So you normally don't laugh out loud for stories, but mine made you do that? That is great! That is completely what I am aiming for! Ooohhh, that is a good song....muhahaha.
Fly Without Wings: Thanks, I tried to make her really sarcastic.
rangishran: *waggles eyebrows mysteriously* Just wait and see, my dear, wait and see.
Europa: I know me too, but it was a tight miss.
Cassie_bear01: Don't worry, you didn't write awful. I'm sorry you are in school, but here is another chapter to keep your mind off it!
Tough Cookie: Wow! This is your favorite story! Neato!
Norie Ape: Woah! That was a long long review! But I think I will have her do some fighting, but I can't tell you any more than that. Just read and wait!
Maraena: Yup, wizard (moment of sarcasm), battle (moment of sarcasm), oh, this is going to be good!
WeaselyTwinsLover1112: Believe me I know, muhahaha, I know!
Tam Lynne: Hmmm, Broadway, it has its advantage. Thanks for reading!
Black Jaguar12: Yeah, I know, but I am trying to balance the serious and the funny. But I am really glad that I could give you inspiration!
Crimson Moon: Me? A genius? Ahh, you are making me blush! But yeah, he kinda was out of character.
Makura Koneko: Yup, I always keep my promises, and by the way, it is only going to get more fun.
Asarielle: Wow! Thank you!
x-silver-saffire-x: Well then it is definitely about time isn't it? Thanks for reading!
Moon scar: Don't worry about it, but I know how you feel. But I am glad that you got it up and running again!
Morgaine of Ithil: Hmm, it's definitely a thought! But yeah I know, all of the other stories I have read have never had someone yelling at Eomer. Guess it is about time right?
KindCalypso: Haha, I thought everyone would like that! I have gotten more comments on her crush then anything else. Thanks bunches!
Katie: See I told you, you would need them! But do you really think that is my best one yet! Wow, my head is swelling!
Like always, if I happened to miss anyone, it was completely by accident. It is nothing personal, trust me!
Let the story commence! (My, that was stuffy...)
*~*~*
'Do you think I am trying too hard?'
'Nah, you are still probably okay. But you don't want to throw yourself at them too much. By the way, which one has caught your eye?'
I felt Babes shift nervously under me, 'Actually, I like both. They are damn fine looking horses.'
I glanced back at the two that were racing to catch up with us. It was hard to do, we were still running full tilt, but I managed to get a good look at them. Arod was running quickly, but it was in a graceful gallop. Hasufel on the other hand, was pushing himself beyond what he should be able to do; he wanted to win! Strangely, the animals' behavior reminded me strongly of the men that were riding them. Except for Gimli, I still don't know where that guy is coming from!
I leaned over Babes's neck to make the running easier for her.
'You're right, they are fine looking horses.'
'Bet I could handle both at the same time too.'
'Player.'
*~*~*
Finally Babes slowed down enough that the other guys caught up to us. Right away I started getting a butt chewing by the resident Dwarf.
"Thanks to your foolishness, missy, I have lost about ten years off my life span! I am not made for a horse but yet your antics put me in the midst of a rampage!"
I rolled my eyes, "Shut up, you know you were enjoying it. I seem to recall a certain someone was shouting over the noise, 'See Master Elf, I told you that riding a horse would be great entertainment!' Sound familiar?"
Legolas and Aragorn started to laugh at this and the Dwarf looked rather sheepish. He opened his mouth to say something, but I cut him off, "Don't worry. I know the feeling; sometimes you just have to chew on someone. I get it all the time." I winked at him and he gave me a slight grin. I think someone is starting to like me!
I brought Babes to a walk and Legolas and Aragorn maneuvered their horses onto either side of me.
"Emily, what made your horse so anxious for a run? I noticed it was not you that provoked her into doing so."
I looked over to my left where Legolas was looking at me, waiting for me to answer his question.
"Yeah it wasn't me. Damn horse is having an overbalance on the hormones."
Gimli then spoke up, "I am not sure I understand what you are implying."
"To put it bluntly, Babes is trying to get your horses to notice her. It's great. She's a mooning teenager!"
'I do not need you to state my private affairs to everything that has ears. Just feel lucky that Arod and Hasufel cannot understand you.'
I gave her a sharp kick in the side and she lunged forward because of it, but then stopped herself with a snort. "Ah, so now you are on a first name basis with them?"
She just shook her head and then started to make 'puppy eyes' at Arod.
"Pathetic."
I noticed the guys around me were trying not to start laughing at our antics. Yes, I know, I am just too damn hilarious for my own good sometimes....
I brought a hand up to my face and shaded my eyes. We were getting very close to the column of smoke now, but luckily we were still downwind of it. Suddenly I felt Babes start prancing around and stamping underneath me. Then, she wouldn't go any farther. She just stopped and started to shift around and swing her head.
"Woah! Girl, what is wrong with you?"
'This is where we were last night.'
I looked around and sure enough, there was the tree that we were tied to last night. It didn't really bother me, but then again, I wasn't the one that had heard the last thoughts of the dying horses. Why do I get the feeling that Babes is going to need some major therapy sometime in the near future?
I kept my thoughts to myself and tried to get her to settle down enough so she would move on closer to the smoke.
Aragorn called to me over the noise of Babes's snorts and whinnies, "What is the matter?"
Babes then started to turn in any direction to get away from here, so we ended up spinning in tight fast circles. Finally Legolas seized Babes's head in his hands and Aragorn positioned Hasufel at our side so Babes could not spin anymore. Babes's eyes were still rolled up in her head.
"We were tied up here over at that tree," I pointed to it, "Last night when the battle was going on between the men and orcs. Babes was able to hear the dying thoughts of the horses, but was unable to help them. She has been deeply troubled by that."
While I had been telling this to Aragorn, Legolas had been muttering to Babes in Elvish. I think it actually helped her.
'Get this crack pot out of my face right now Emily, or I swear I am going to lose it!'
"Uh, Legolas?"
He stopped the muttering and looked at me, "Aye?"
"For your physical safety and Babes's mental stability I suggest that you stop that and move away. But thank you, I think it did help to settle her down."
Legolas nodded and stepped away, "How do you know this?"
"I just got a rather vivid death threat in my mind."
"Oh."
"You could say that. Here, hang on a sec."
I then turned my thoughts inside and checked on Babes, who was still shivering underneath me, but not nearly as violently as before.
'Are you okay, hun?'
'Yes, I am better.'
'Can you go on? We really need to check and see if we can find the Munchkins. Can you handle that?'
There was a long pause and what could be described as a sigh, 'I shall manage. But anymore or that highly annoying muttering and I will not be accountable for my actions! Do I make myself clear?'
I laughed out loud, "Crystal clear, my dear."
I rubbed a hand across my face and shook my head. I then looked over at the guys that were staring at me, waiting, "She says that we can continue, but if there is anymore Elvish muttering she will not be accountable for her actions."
Gimli looked stunned, but then started to guffaw loudly, "Did the Lady Horse really say that?"
I motioned to Babes with my head, "Ask her yourself."
Gimli looked skeptical, but asked none the less. "Dear Lady, did you really say that about the Master Elf's chanting?"
Since she could not communicate with words, Babes started to shake her head in what one would interpret as 'yes'. It was priceless.
After everyone was finished laughing, even Legolas was enjoying the moment, Aragorn motioned for us to continue up and over the ridge. Legolas leapt onto Arod and then both of the horses walked over to either side of Babes and pressed into her, giving her reassurance. Even though both Aragorn and Legolas tried to make them move away to give us some breathing room, they refused to move. So, we had to walk up and over the hill like that.
It was not very comfortable, mind you. I was squashed in between the two horses too, but that was not even the bad part. Since they were squeezing into Babes so firmly on both sides, I had to bring my legs up and set my feet on the back of Babes's neck. Oh yes, the picture of grace.
It was also incredibly hard to balance like that. I kept falling into both Aragorn and Legolas, so it got to the point where both of them had to ride with an arm around my shoulders and waist respectively.
"Can't you move the bloody horses away? Even a little bit?"
Aragorn smirked, "I cannot move Hasufel, he refuses to respond to anything."
"Blondie?"
"Nay, Arod will not."
"Damn."
*~*~*
Finally we got to the top of the hill and Hasufel and Arod moved away from Babes. I even managed to not fall off on my butt when they moved away and I could finally sit in the orthodox manner again. But when we crested the hill, I suddenly wished I had fallen, very very very far away from here.
The sight was horrible. All the way around the pile of smoldering bodies, there were Uruk-Hai heads on pikes. As if that was not rank enough, the stench of the burning flesh was enough to gag a maggot.
I suddenly felt very sick to my stomach. I slid off Babes's back and bent over to put my head between my knees. That worked for about thirty seconds and then I started to toss my lembas all over.
When I finally finished, I straightened up and looked over to where the three were standing. Legolas gave me a sympathetic look before Gimli commanded his attention again.
"It is one of their wee belts." He said dismally. Gimli had been digging through the charred bodies. Crazy Dwarf...
Legolas said something in Elvish and Babes suddenly started to move towards him with a snort.
I looked at her, "Oh for God's sake! Stop it! It was not directed at you so why don't you just go back to your admirers? It's not like you give a damn anymore!" I turned away from her and I felt the tear slip down my cheek.
I heard Gimli say in disbelief, "We failed them..."
Aragorn then gave out a horrible yell. He was a royally pissed off man. I jumped and whirled around as an Uruk-Hai helmet narrowly missed taking off my head.
"Will you watch where you are kicking that thing! You are not the only one that is having a hard time with this, Mister All-High-And-Mighty!"
But Aragorn was not listening to my ranting, he was too busy inspecting the ground for him to listen to me.
"What? Did you find an interesting pile of bird shit?" I asked sarcastically. If you hadn't noticed, when ever I get in a bad mood, I tend to take it out on everyone. I was in a horrible mood too, the Hobbits...They were gone....
"Shh!"
"Dwarf! Don't you dare 'shh' me!"
Suddenly Aragorn started to speak without looking up from the ground, "A Hobbit lay here, and the other." He was pointing to the ground, but I sure didn't see anything. But if he wanted to go all delusional on us, who was I to stop him?
He started to move all hunched over, never taking his eyes off the ground, "They crawled." He pointed to the ground that must have told him that. Nope, still not seeing it.
"Their hands were bound."
Walk a little bit further, still looking at the ground.
"Their bonds were cut. They ran over here and were followed." He then straightened up holding two pieces of frayed rope. What? Don't look at me! It's not like I doubted him or anything...
Aragorn dropped the rope and looked into the forest that was previously behind us, "The tracks lead away from the battle, into...Fangorn Forest."
"Fangorn! What madness drew them there?" asked Gimli.
"Maybe the desire to live?"
Gimli shot me a dirty look. Well it sounded legitimate to me.
"So, ah, what do we do now?"
"We follow the tracks," answered Legolas like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He was already following Aragorn into the trees and Gimli was close behind them.
I turned to Babes, "You guys just going to hang here?"
'That's the initial plan.'
I turned away and rolled my eyes. Hormones, go figure.
I jogged up to Gimli's side and we entered the forest.
I looked around and shuddered. It really wasn't very pleasant in here. The trees were extremely thick so they didn't let that much light in and they were not growing straight up and down. They were all very gnarled and reminded me of mean old men. Don't ask me where that came from. If that was not enough, they were also swaying and groaning as if they were actually talking. It was creepy.
"Why do I feel like Little Red Riding Hood walking into the jaws of the waiting wolf?" I said under my breath. Legolas must have heard me because he turned around and gave me a weird look. I just ignored him.
"But the million dollar question is: Where is the wolf?"
*~*~*
A/N: Not a lot happened in that chapter, but believe me when I say it was necessary. Just sit back and relax, more is coming. Don't worry.
Sorry for the long delay folks, but life reared its ugly head again. Like I said in the beginning, I have no idea how long it will be between updates, but I certainly try my hardest to hurry things along! So I apologize, but it can't be helped.
Just one more thing and then I am done. To all of you that happen to celebrate it, Happy Easter!
~A~