A.N.: Hallo people! You really made me happy with your reviews.

Disclaimer: Okay… so our phone lines were stolen, meaning we didn't have internet for the past week. If I did own LOTR, I would just be paying MERALCO to do the re-instalment of lines faster.

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In The Beginning of The End

By Analiria

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Chapter 4: Training

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'What?!' I looked up at him, wide eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Do all chapters need to start this way?

Just because I do taekwondo doesn't mean I would want to learn to wield a sword!

…wait.

I do want to know how to swing a sword… but that doesn't mean I would do Elvish medicine. As if modern medicine isn't hard enough. THINK ABOUT THE CHEMISTRY! CHEMISTRY!! Oh, my head hurts… Is this really a dream?

"Oh, and add sewing." Lady Celebrian cheerfully added.

If sound was evident in my vocals, I would've screamed: 'Why, OH WHY?!' to God, which I mostly don't. Sewing is one more thing that I'm not good at. Sure, I can do decent simple dresses and such, but you wouldn't be able to find one dress that I've made without a stain of blood to it. In case you're wondering, it's my blood we're talking about.

I simply gave a meek nod.

"What do I need training for?" I wrote hastily.

Lord Elrond simply glanced at Gandalf, who got the message… what ever message they want to pass. But, before Gandalf could speak, Aragorn beat him to it.

"We think it would be appropriate if you learn how to protect yourself. It would raise suspicions in the enemy's eyes as to why a girl such as you is in the care of the elves."

I furrowed my eyebrows at this.

"Then, if I bring trouble in this land, wouldn't it be better if you would send me away?"

"Yes, but us elves are too much hospitable for that." One of the twins answered, able to spare a glance at my note.

"Also, there is no assurance that the rangers to be with you in your journey to another place would be able to protect you from harm." The other added.

"But, why give much importance to me? A normal girl that fell into another world in a normal, or rather, weird occurrence would surely be banished from the land she has stepped on… At least, that would be what would happen in my world, if they don't dissect or kill me first."

Silence filled the room, and I swear you would be able to hear if a pin fell into the floor.

A few more seconds passed, before Arwen cleared her throat. "It is the custom of the Elves. Aragorn was taken care of my mother and father. That would be the same that we would do to you."

I gave a reluctant nod, since a nagging feeling tells me that they are hiding something from me. I swear I heard Lady Celebrian exhale a rather large amount of air.

"Well, now that the explanations are finished, I would like to know what Reesha's schedule would be." Gandalf said, before sipping on his soup.

"Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday would be spent on sword-wielding. Tuesday, Thursdays, and Saturday mornings would be spent for Elvish Medicine. The rest of the time would be spent with Lady Celebrian and Arwen, with whatever they might want to teach you." Lord Elrond dictated. "Would that be all right with you, Reesha?"

I gave a nod and a smile. At least I won't be pricking my finger each day in my dream.


KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

"Reesha, are you there?" A male voice asked.

I sat myself up and swung my legs on the side of the bed, before standing up and making my way towards the door.

Dinner ended at least ten minutes ago, and everyone went to their respective bed rooms. Since 'training' would start tomorrow, they told me that I had to sleep early, thus landing myself on my bed.

I opened the door, and one of the twins leaned on the door frame.

"Really, Reesha. How long would it take you to open a door?" He teased.

I glared at him, before opening the door wide enough to let him enter. He did, and sat on the edge of my bed. I closed the door and plopped myself unto the pillows. I reached for the parchment, quill, and the bottle of ink that I hid under my right pillow.

"Why are you here?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to disturb you."

"Well, thank you very much. You succeeded on your quest." I gave him the parchment, complete with a glare.

"Elrohir, at your service!"

"Oh. I thought you were Elladan."

"Don't worry. It's not your fault that you're stupid."

I glared at him. "Oh, but I will worry since I have a gay person sitting near me."

"Hey! I'm not gay."

"Of course you're gay! Isn't it obvious that you're so merry and cheery?"

He rolled his eyes. I smiled in triumph.

"Okay, it's clear that you won this round… but that doesn't mean you'll win in the next."

I raised my eyebrow at him, and he merely smirked.

Few seconds passed, before the elf in front of me jumped at me. A few seconds after that, both of us were rolling around the bed, Elrohir's laughter in the air.

Suddenly, the door opened, causing us to freeze in our position.

"Now, now." The elf said before imitating the elf on top of me, which I guess he really didn't need to. "If it was father that saw you both, what do you think would be his reaction? I told you not to do something tempting!"

Elrohir, who had somewhat managed to catch his breath again, stared at his twin. "Haha, very funny, Elladan." He stated sarcastically.

Elladan closed the door and jumped on my bed, face and stomach first. A few seconds after, he raised his head from the sheets, looking at me. "What were you two doing?"

"Isn't it obvious?" The other said.

"I was not talking to you." He said while he turned to Elrohir, before turning to me again. "Well?"

I rolled my eyes, and reached for the parchment and quill again.

"We were in a tickle war."

"Oh. Don't you think it's a bit early for you both to do this?" He said with a smirk. "I mean, you just met this afternoon, and now you both are acting as if you knew each other since birth."

I widened my eyes in realization, before nodding my head in agreement. I mean, I don't easily become close friends with a person in an instant!

"Hey! I do this with lots of people you know!" He reasoned. "I guess I'll have to leave now. I believe Elladan has something important to tell me right now."

I nodded my head, and the twins left the room with one smiling at me as he closed the door. As soon as my door closed, I ran towards the door and placed my ear right at it.

"…yes, considering that you hardly are ever out going, not to mention opening up to anybody… and you only ever did that with me, mom, and Arwen."

"Shut it, Elladan."

A door slammed, and after a moment, another door closed.

I went out my room and knocked at the room beside me, in hopes that it's Elrohir's room.

The door opened, and gratefully it was Elrohir in front of me.

"Sorry about what happened just now. Would you like to enter?" He invited.

I nodded my head and entered the room with paper, ink, and quill in hand. I sat at the chair placed in front of his study table. His room was just the same as mine, though more grand and manly. Bows, daggers, and swords adorned his walls, replacing the paintings that I had in mine.

"Well then, would you care to tell me about this world? Also, how you came to know that I came from another world, since you two didn't seem surprised about the conversation that occurred in supper."

Elrohir simply handed the note back.

"Ada filled us in just after you lot went out of the parlor. We weren't sure if you were the one he had talked about, until you knocked at my door earlier. Ada is "father" in Elvish." Elrohir answered.

Then a knock was heard from the other side of the door, before Elladan's head peeked in.

"Hey, sorry about earlier…" Elladan started. "…and you're at it again."

"At what again?" Elrohir asked.

"You. The both of you. First you were in Reesha' room, and now you're here. What if father saw this?" Elladan smiled at his last sentence.

I glared at him, while Elrohir simply ignored his twin.

"What would you like to know about Rivendell?" Elrohir said.

"Everything."

"Hey, come inside you prick, and help me with this." Elrohir shouted at his twin.

Hey, just because this is a dream doesn't mean I won't do some studying about this place, you know? Who knows, maybe this world is real in my world.


KNOCK, KNOCK.

I tried to open my eyes, which was closed a second later because of the light coming in from the window. I groaned, throwing the covers upon me. I heard a groan.

I stiffened.

Oh God… Please don't let it be the horse again.

I panicked, before relaxing once again when I felt the comforter. I yawned, sitting up from my position. I looked around, finding two identical persons beside me. I screamed.

…Only to find that I can't hear a scream. My jaw opened bigger, if that was even possible. Heck, if I had a voice, I would've screamed louder.

'What is this?! I mean, it was a dream, yes, but a REAL DREAM?!'

One of the twins snored loudly, before breathing steadily once again. I looked at him in disbelief.

'Wait. That didn't make sense. So…'

I poked the one who snored, and actually felt his skin against mine.

'Oh, man…'

The door opened slightly, and I saw Aragorn peeking through the door. As I met his eye, he went inside and closed the door, greeting me with a raised eyebrow. I reached for my parchment and quill, writing: "Well, Good Morning to you too." Before showing it to him.

He chuckled. "Yes, good morning. May I ask how you ended up between these two, and why you're in this room and not yours?"

"Lecture about Rivendell's history. Why are you here, anyway?"

He smirked. "Sword fighting. I'll wait for you in the kitchenette. We'll start the lesson in a few minutes." With that, he went out.

I gave a nod, rolling on one of the twin's back to get out of bed. I poked the both of them, but to no avail. I sighed before going to my room, rummaging the cabinet for some clothes and found leggings, a brown belt, and a medium-sized polo. Brown boots were beside the cabinet. I went inside the bathroom and did the daily routine.


A sword swung for my right temple, and I ducked, the blade swishing two centimetres from my head. I tried to pierce him, but he managed to step away, making me lose my footing. He swung the sword towards my right neck, before expertly stopping it a centimetre from me.

"Dead." He said, pausing before sheathing his sword. I followed suit, my breathing returning to normal.

"You're good for your age, but not good enough to be fighting an expert. Don't always be on offence or defence. Work on balancing the two."

I gave a nod, before sitting on the grass, still huffing.

"We'll start again later, after lunch."

He sat beside me, looking at the scenery. Minutes have passed, but it was of comfortable silence… until Aragorn suddenly spoke.

"Strengthen up. We're both here for the same reason."

I looked at him incredulously. He just turned to me, smiled, and stood up, before reaching a hand out to me, ignoring the hidden question in my eyes. "Come on, let's have one more spar before heading back."

I gave a nod, and took his hand. They were warm and comforting. He pulled me from the ground, and I bumped onto him. I stepped back, and straightening my clothes as I looked at the ground.

I suddenly heard the sound of a sword being taken off from its sheath. I reached for the hilt of my sword and looked up. As I suspected, Aragorn tried to catch me off-guard, his sword already in mid-air. As he raised his sword, I stepped my left foot back and removed my sword from it sheath with my right hand, and lifted it in the air in a vertical manner, hoping that my arm wouldn't give out on the impact.

Just before his sword hit mine, he stopped. "Good." He stepped back, and started to place it back in his sheath.

I nodded and headed for the entrance while placing my sword on its sheath. Suddenly, swift air and the sound of the sword slicing the air sounded near my right. I felt the cool metal resting in my right shoulder. "Dead."

I turned towards him, disbelief on my face.

"Careful, Reesha. Some people might seem trustful, but they could be the one who would betray you. Be alert." He said, placing the sword away from me.

My eyes widened at this, hurt pouring out of my eyes.

'Does he think that I'm a spy?' I looked up at him, and he seemed rather surprised at my reaction.

"Reesha, if ever you think that I think that you're a spy, that's where you're wrong. I'm simply giving you advice for what would and could happen in the future."

Now, it's my turn to be confused. What does he know about my future?

Since I have no parchment or quill, perhaps I'll just ask him later.

I nodded.

"Besides, I haven't said 'class dismissed'.'" He said while walking side by side with me towards the castle.


--3 years after--

"Trust me, Reesha… I would be okay." She reassured as she hugged me.

"But… with the orcs on the loose… If you didn't allow me to leave from Rivendell, then how can I assure that you'll be oh-so safe as you say? Please mom… Aragorn just left a few days ago." I wrote.

"I'm sorry, Ree… but I do have to go. I'll be okay. I promise." She hugged me tight, kissed my forehead, before straightening up. "Promise me that you'll do your best on your training, okay? Once I get back, I'll make sure to see your progress in sewing."

I grinned before hugging her again.

"Celebrian!" Lord Elrond called from the distance.

"I'll have to leave now, Ree. I'll see you after a week, okay?"

I gave a nod, letting her go. She gave me one last kiss in the forehead before walking away. Still, that doesn't take the feeling of panic and distress in my chest.

A year after I fell into this world, strong bonds have been made. Arwen became a close friend and a real sister, just as Elladan and Elrohir became brothers. Not by blood, of course. I look at Lady Celebrian like my real mother, and is one of the two that knows of my parent's deaths. The other is Elrohir.

Even though I call Lady Celebrian 'mom', I don't call Lord Elrond 'dad'. It just doesn't feel right. Also, Lord Elrond is more of a guardian and not like a dad. Aragorn…

Well, Aragorn is just like an uncle. Uncle, but not something else. Really.

"You okay?" Arwen asked me, seeing me as she turned the corner. I gave a nod again, giving her a small smile in reassurance. She smiled at me. "Come on, I'll walk you to your room."

She took my hand, and we started on our way.

"BOO!" Elladan and Elrohir shouted as we turned at the corner, with Elladan wearing Elrohir's robes and vice-versa.

Arwen and I raised both our right eyebrows. They rolled their eyes.

"Who am I?" Elladan asked. I kept my raised eyebrow, and Arwen simply giggled.

I took his hand, and spelled his name on it using my pointing finger.

They both groaned. I grinned.

Two months after my first day here, I got them figured out. I don't know how I do it, but I just do. Three months after that, I introduced to them another way of communicating. Because the parchments were being wasted on my writing, I tried to train them into understanding my word-spelling to save the parchment and ink. Sadly, only the twins could understand it.

I reached for Elrohir's hand, and spelled: "Oi, let's do archery."

Elladan paled when Elrohir dictated what was spelled.

"You're alone on that." He said quickly, before sprinting off to a general direction.

"Okay then." Elrohir smirked. He turned to Arwen. "Is it okay if I kidnap this little sister of ours?"

Arwen nodded, before putting an edge in her eyes. "Just make sure that she would go to her sewing class tomorrow."

I took a step back and smiled nervously. Just last week, I hid in the halls to escape sewing.

"You heard her." Elrohir said. "Let's get going then."

Elrohir started walking away. I started to turn and follow suit, before Arwen stopped me. "Ree, Mother always goes to Lothlorien and comes back unharmed. Don't worry about it."

I looked at her in the eye, before nodding. She gave a smile of reassurance, and let go of my arm.


Stand straight, get in stance, get arrow from the quiver, position it in the arrow, aim for the target, breathe, and let go. Woosh…

The feel of the feather and the air as the arrow goes off… It's one that I won't let go.

The arrow aimed straight, true to its direction. Bull's eye.

I smiled. I took an arrow again, and did the same routine, going faster in pace. I did the same directives, faster by the next arrow.

This went by a quarter of an hour or so, before I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at Elladan.

"You're getting a lot better." He paused. "Do it again."

I did as he asked. He nodded. I did it again, but he stopped me before I let go of the arrow.

"Form is good, but you could work on your accuracy. Keep your chin up." He said, using his index finger to lift my chin.

"And your chest out." He said as he turned towards my back, holding my shoulder in place and pushed my upper back. "Now shoot the apple on that tree, the nearest from the target."

I did, and it hit the centre of the apple.

He smiled in satisfaction. "I don't think I'll see Elladan running around and screaming like a homo."

I smirked.

The reason why Elladan ran away earlier is because I nearly hit him five days earlier. He was reading a book while leaning in a tree, and I accidentally shot the arrow at him, because I turned when Aragorn called my attention. The arrow was a centimetre away from his face.

This is going to be a loooong week…


A.N.: Hihi. I'm sure the story is a bit rushed in this part but I have to fasten things up a bit so that the real story can start. I guess it would be two more chapters before the journey begins. I'll see you then.

Aragorn: Analiria would love to thank:

Le Pain Perdu – (I hate gay people, that's why I won't make them gay. EVER.)

Anonymous Reviewer and Inferno – bows Arigatou Gozaimasu! (Thank you very much!)

Enyamorntuilr – T-T Your pen name is so hard to get right. Hehe. Still, I like it. Thank you for thinking Ree cute!

Now that that's finished…

Everyone: WATCH OUT FOR THE NEXT INSTALMENT OFF: "In the Beginning of The End!"

Dumbledore: Those who review would not only get a cookie point, but also a toffee.