Yay summer is here and I'm ready to partyyy! By that I mean sit on my computer all day and work on stories for you all, but I'll also work out so that's a good thing!
Some serious shit happening in this chapter (as you can imagine with the last chapter) so have fun!
The sun glared in my face, waking me up semi-peacefully, but blinding me in the process. Luna wasn't by my side, no one was, so naturally I freaked out and shot up. The others were gathered around a small fire, helping each other with who knows what, and Ari was leaning against the tree and being cared for by Aragorn.
"Ari..." I called out, but I don't know what the fuck to say.
Air answered for me. "Ari. Oh no. Your arm. Yeah, thanks for chopping it off." He smiled, his squinty eyes trying to make out my figure without his glasses. I stood, getting to a standing position and hobbled over to the camp fire, settling down and getting the plate Sam handed to me. I took it, digging into the contents. Everyone was silent, all in a vigil for any scrap of danger. Legolas wasn't around the fire, or by Ari. I looked around, trying to find him, but gurgling sounded and I turned, ready to fight, but an arrow flew across my head and whizzed into the head of the zombie. I blinked, looking for a source. Legolas jumped down from a tree, making his around the fire and to the zombie, carefully ripping the arrow out. He turned, giving a small smile and I returned it. He leaped back into the tree, keeping a look out as we ate and recovered. I finished my food, lifting and going for Ari; Aragorn moved to his side, and I went to the other.
"How're you feeling?" I asked, holding his hand.
He noised, shrugging. "I'm thirsty as hell, I'm hungry as hell, and my arm hurts. So I'm good." I laughed a little, he laughed as well, but he soon made the sound of pain. Aragorn silently tended to him, dabbing a wet rag here and there, and carefully feeding him foods and water.
"Does he have a fever?" I question softly, leaning over the indonesian, armless fellow.
He sighed and gave a slight smile. "No, he hasn't had a fever all night, nor hallucinations, he's just very thirsty and hungry." Well that's a relief, I leaned back, somehow completely relaxed. But then his sentence made sense.
I called out loud, "did you sleep at all last night?"
Aragorn laughed and explained. "No I switched shifts with Legolas last night, and he kept a close eye on him as well." Oh, okay that makes more sense and makes me feel better that you won't fucking collapsed suddenly.
"Hey if you're gonna talk shit about me," Ari spoke up. "At least do it to my face or have me walk away." We laughed and went to help him up, but a sudden high squealing made us stop.
"Ari!" Dwi shouted, face paled with worry as she ran over to him and collapsed into him, he fell ungracefully onto the ground.
"Oh! Hey Dwiei, how you like the new look?" Ari joked and tried to lift the half gone arm. Dwi gave him a small slap and tangled her arms around his neck, sitting on one leg.
"That's not funny!" She demanded, pouting. She suddenly turned her head back to him, eyes soft. "When will it grow back?" Ohhhh Dwi don't fucking do this! We all went silent, swallowing hard and trying to figure out what to say.
Ari was the one to speak. "Maybe if we get to middle-earth and find a special wizard, they can help us." If only...
Dwi nodded and smiled, getting off her brother and now trying to lift him up, but to no avail. Aragorn and I stepped in, lifting him from his shoulders and our other hand resting on his lower back. He stood, wobbly at first, but slowly regained his balance and stumbled on over to the fire.
The others looked on as he approached them, Mark and Kai helping him sit down next the them and handed him a bowl. Brumby quickly marched over and began to give him kisses laying his head in his lap. We heard another wizz and an arrow landing. Legolas leaped down again and went for the arrow, padding softly over all of us.
"Mellon nin." Aragorn called out, the elf turning towards him. His blue eyes were dark and posture was oddly straight, but there was no sign of being tired. "Tula, vasa ar' yulna." Ugh elvish is so pretty when you don't know a word of it! Legolas shook his head and turned, jogging into the forest.
I leaned over to Gandalf who was near me. "What did he say?"
Gandalf looked at me for a second, turned away and pursed his lips. "He wanted Legolas to come sit with us, to eat and drink, but I don't think he'll be doing that." Oh I don't need conflict when things are already tense!
"Why?" I asked, and Aragorn must've heard me.
He sighed, going for an empty space by Boromir and Gimli. "Whenever something like... this happens, he goes into a constant vigil. Barely eating, sleeping, drinking, and always praying to the Valar for help and wisdom. He'll always be on guard for us, but he will damage his body greatly if he does it for too long." What the fuck Legolas?! I sighed heavily and slouched, munching on my bread. Though as I ate, I noticed everyone was giving me stares, what, was I bit or something?
"What?" I ask, annoyed that I don't know what it is.
Luna shifted, stuttering. "W-well it's just that... that well since Ari lost an arm a-and we have the fellowship... I was just... well we were just thinking to... change the plans just a bit." What the fuck do you mean change the plans...
When I kept giving them the dumb look, Gandalf explained better. "Well back at that library, we found that book on J.R.R Tolkien. I've been reading the book when I've had the chance-" Imma stop you right there.
"The book was in my bag?" I lifted an eyebrow to him, and he smiled.
"Well I was curious. Anyway, it says that he developed such great lore form it, created the elvish language and the dwarven language, almost like he didn't make it, he studied it." Where the fuck are you going with this old man? "If we get to Maryland, find his home and search, I'm sure we'll find something that will lead us back to Middle-earth."
"No," I commanded. "No, no, fuck no!"
"Flamey..." Luna whined, but I didn't have any of it.
"We're in no position to even think about traveling to another city! Ari has half an arm, Legolas won't do... anything besides shoot things! We have Dwi who is young, and I don't know 'bout you all, but I do not want to have another gladiator scene in a city!"
Mark tried to make it better. "Not all cities are going to have a weird cult of crazy people." Like that makes it better.
"Well just about all of them are going to have people who are trying to survive in whatever way possible!"
Lily leaned in and took my hand. "Hon, if we find a way out of this hell hole, we get out of trying to survive! We'll be in Middle-earth! It will be safe with no more zombies or scraping for food!" I smell bullshit!
I looked up the Gandalf, interrogating. "Really, because I thought you all were on a quest to destroy some ring because you all are at war with some evil eye person?!"
"You would be safer with us," Legolas sounded behind me. "The danger isn't as prominent there." I spun around to him, my eyes turning to fire.
"I don't think a fucking war would be any easier than a apocalypse!" He shifted his weight and I continued, "look you all can go risk your lives over in that crowded as hell city! I'm going to stick to the plan that keeps us alive and keep going up to Canada. You all are welcomed to join me!" I stood and marched away from them, to my things and got everything packed.
As I worked I called Brumby who walked over and I petted and gave him kisses. I stood again, finding where the sun was and going right of the sun, north.
"Have fun figuring out where Maryland is or whatever!" I called out, ready to leave, but they stopped me. Calling to me and holding me back.
"Babe let's just talk about this!" Luna begged and I turned, her eyes crushed and she swallowed hard. My eyes softened at the sight, which soon softened my face and I looked down to my feet.
"There is nothing to talk about, I promised my dad I would keep you safe, and the only way I know I'll keep you safe is by going north to Canada where it's too cold for zombies to walk. You all are welcomed to join, but we will not go to Maryland, we will go to Canada." Everyone was silent, taking in the news.
Merry spoke up in a small voice. "But... what about us? What about our quest?" I looked down at Merry, his eyes, and all of the hobbits eyes were begging me to stay.
I answered so all could hear. "Look, maybe we can figure that out when we get to Canada, but right now I'm just worried about getting my friends to safety!" Immediately they all started to get their things together. "What're you doing?" I deadpanned, my stuff landing with a thud on the ground.
Boromir stood, slinging his shield over his shoulder and giving me a hard look. "Like you said, we wouldn't survive one night here, and you need our help, believe it or not."
Gimli then spoke. "I'm not leaving young lads and lasses like you all alone in this hell, unprotected by any kind." Ugh whatever, I waited as they all got everything ready and we left, walking silently through the forest, no one talked.
We reached a road by lunch, stopping for a break as Sam got the food ready. I didn't join them however, I just sat on the road and kept watch, but my vision was really only pinned to the north. I heard steps approach me and a plate was shown in my vision. I took it without a word and began to eat, but the deliver of the food took a seat next to me.
"I am really hoping to eat this in peace." I spoke, staring at the plate of beans and bread.
"I am just here to remind you of something." Legolas used his soft voice to speak and I groaned, tilting my head back. I looked back at him though, and his eyes were soft and kind, waiting patiently for me to give consent.
I sighed, "sure, why the fuck not."
He leaned in, shoulder touching mine. "Do you remember when I sat with you for your watch, and I described my home to you?" I nodded, putting some bread in my mouth. "Well I said if we ever find a way to get back home, you're welcome to stay. I meant that Flame, we all would protect you and your friends with our lives, don't ever forget that." I didn't look at him, I stayed with my eyes to the road.
I heard him stand, but he pointed out. "There's a zombie that's interested in you." He walked away, leaving me and the zombie that stumbled towards me. I let him approach me, he wore a muddied suit that was completely too big for him now; he didn't look more than 35. He approached me and I let him, his gurgling and growls growing louder, but it was numbed out as I thought. How could they be sure that their home is safer and better than here? I mean zombies are slow and dumb, their enemies are fast and somewhat smart right?
I lifted my knife to the zombie, stabbing the head that was inches from my face, the smell wrenching my nose. The blood and goop fell onto my plate, covering my bread and beans in disease. I took my knife out and let the zombie drop, I then took my plate and emptied its contents into the grass.
Liked it? I did, and I actually read over it before uploading (even though it was only once but whatever!)
Leave a review if you enjoyed it, or didn't, I love feedback to improve!