Hello, I'm here again…
Alassea: Banned from the internet?! What?! Why? Soo sorry to hear that – hugs Alassea – I hope it has been resolved… Anyway, there's a new update. Hope to hear from you soon.
Happy Easter everybody!
CHAPTER VII: A NASTY JOKE
Are you ready for your first lesson? Boromir asked, cutting through the air with his sword.
I'm always ready! Victoria replied, unsheathing the light but strong weapon that Boromir had chosen for her.
The Man of Minas Tirith lowered his sword and shook his head. I don't think so, seeing as you hold your sword. Let me show you… he said approaching her and correcting her hold. Now, the first thing I'll teach you is how to move and how to parry your opponent's blows…
The lesson lasted for the whole morning. Boromir was a wonderful teacher, and Victoria was a good student. Even if she wasn't really gifted with sword-fighting, Victoria did her best and never stopped rising when she fell.
She got back to her feet for the nth time and stood on guard in front of her opponent, waiting for him to attack. Boromir lingered for a moment, watching the girl's serious and concentrated face, then he attacked her. The first blow was easily parried, just like the second and the third one. The fourth one was blocked with an effort, but Boromir managed to throw her on the ground only at the seventh blow. He was glad to notice that, even in her fall, Victoria hadn't let go of her sword. As soon as she got back to her feet, they started dueling again.
They were in one of the courts of Rivendell that ended in a great balcony that Victoria, even when Boromir pursued her incessantly, did her best to avoid. After long hours of training, they stopped for a break.
You're very good, dilàrlis. Maybe one day you'll manage to beat me.
Who knows… By the way, what does "dil…dilarlìs" mean?
Dilàrlis…. It means "little star." I hope you don't mind if I call you so.
No, not at all…
A strong and sudden wind tore her white and green scarf away from Victoria's hands, raising it high like a butterfly. The girl moved immediately to catch it, but the wind took it to the high balcony. Victoria stopped at the very end of the yard, staring at her scarf without taking a step ahead. Boromir came near her and laid a hand on her shoulder. He knew that something wasn't right.
Victoria? What's happening to you, rei neién? he asked her, unconsciously calling her "my child". The girl didn't answer and kept on staring at the scarf. Confused, the Man of Minas Tirith walked on the balcony and bent down to pick it up, then he came back to the girl and returned it to her. As soon as Victoria had the scarf in her hands, she held it to her chest tightly, like a beloved thing, and stepped back, staring at the balcony.
What's the matter, rei neién? Boromir asked again, sustaining her even if there was no need of it. Do you feel sick? Do you want me to take you to the healers?
Victoria shook her head. No, no…I'm fine, it'll be over in a minute…
It's better if you sit down, Boromir said, taking her with unexpected gentleness to one of the benches. Little by little, Victoria's breath returned to normal, but her face was still pale.
Do you wish to tell me what happened? Boromir asked her gently.
Nothing. The witch shook her head It's just that… I'm utterly and completely terrified by heights. I… I can't even go on a balcony or look down from a window.
Boromir knitted his eyebrows. You looked lost in your memories again. If you think that it will make you feel better, then tell me and I shall listen.
Victoria hesitated for a moment, then she said slowly: It's because of Draco…He died during a Quidditch match. It's the Wizards' favorite sport. She added quickly, noticing his puzzled expression, It's played on flying broomsticks, with two teams of seven players and three balls. There are three Chasers that play with the Quaffle. They must throw it through one of the three rings, that are at about 15 meters high from the ground and are defended by a Keeper. Then there's the Golden Snitch, the smallest and the fastest ball, that is worth 150 points and it's caught by the Seeker. And then… She shivered lightly. …. then there are the Bludgers. The most dangerous ones. They fly around the pitch, trying to throw the players down from their brooms. Theoretically, it would be the Beaters' duty to protect the players of their own team form the Bludgers and throw them toward the opponents. She closed her eyes, clenching her scarf tighter. It was all because of a Bludger, she murmured.
Where you there? Boromir asked, laying a hand on her shoulder.
Victoria nodded.
It was the last match of the year, against the Gryffindors…Draco was our Seeker… he was hit by a Bludger and fell from his broom. It had already happen so many times… but that fall was fatal for him. Victoria's eyes were far away, her voice little more than a whisper. It happened almost two years ago, and yet it's like it was yesterday. I'm trying to convince myself that, maybe, it was better that way for him… But I can't.
Boromir put an arm around her shoulder without speaking.
Do you know what, Boromir? The others… the others kept on telling me: "he broke his neck, he didn't even realize he was dying." She clenched her fist, her nails cutting through the flesh. Did they really think it should have made me feel better?!
Boromir didn't know what to say and held her tighter. Victoria crouched against his side, like a little girl.
It started like this… she murmured, and her voice really sounded like a child's, a little, lost child. Then other things happened…
You have spoken enough for today. I fear I was wrong to ask you to speak… Boromir said sadly.
He turned to look at the girl's face and suddenly wondered how old she was. Sometimes she appeared older than her age, she almost looked old… Other times –like in that moment – she looked like an innocent girl, who didn't understand why all those things had happened to her. He thought sadly that surely once, not so long ago, she had been like that and decided to ask, even if he knew that it was very rude.
How old are you, Victoria?
I turned seventeen on September 29th.
Boromir was caught off guard: she was so young! Little more than a child indeed, she could have been his daughter.
Her voice wakened him. So, let's go back to practice? I think we had enough rest! she said, rising to her feet.
Boromir of Gondor, Captain of the White Tower, is at your disposal, my lady, he replied, getting on his feet and bowing slightly.
Victoria laughed as she shook her head, and this time it was a real laughter. Well, almost. It reminded him the coo of a dove, it was like she hadn't laughed in such a long time that she had almost forgotten how to do it. They resumed to their interrupted fight and kept on dueling until it was almost lunchtime.
I think it's enough for today, Boromir said as he helped Victoria to get back to her feet Lunch will be served soon.
Okay. I'd like to refresh myself a little bit before going to lunch! She replied, dusting her bottom.
I fear we will not be able to have our lesson this afternoon for much business awaits me, but if everything goes fine I should be free at around sunset and, if you agree, we could train again.
Victoria couldn't hide a face. Boromir was the only one she was at ease with, Frodo excluded, and the idea of spending the whole afternoon alone wasn't exactly of her taste.
"Oh, come on!" she scolded herself "It won't be the end of the world."
That's okay for me. See you later, then. She waved at him as she walked away.
Boromir followed her with his eyes, thinking about what she had said.
"Seventeen years old! That should be the age where just the most beautiful parts of the world and of the life are seen!"
So, Vicky, what was your first lesson like? Frodo asked, blushing, as soon as the girl sat down at the table.
Oh, that was great! Victoria replied, smiling.But it's all thanks to my teacher…
Oh, that's not true! You're good!
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
How can you know? Did you spy on me?
Frodo blushed crimson. No, no, I 'd never dare…It's just that… I passed near the court a couple of times and I saw you…
He didn't tell that he had taken a longer way on propose to pass there casually.
I see. By the way, what are you going to do this afternoon?
Well… I thought to have a look at the library of Rivendell. Bilbo told me that there are a lot of interesting books.
Does it bother you if I come along?
W-what? Bother me? Not at all!
Good, Victoria replied, sticking her fork into a potato. I would have come anyway.
I knew… I hoped so. Frodo smiled at her.
The young witch found herself smiling back at him.
As soon as they finished their meal, Frodo and Victoria rose and left the hall, headed toward the great library. Merry and Pippin followed them with their eyes and as soon as they were out of sight, they exchanged a conspiring glance.
Let's go! said Merry with a grin.
Sam watched them rising and going away. He was very, very worried.
Less than an hour later, Samwise Gamgee ran at break-neck speed in the passages of Rivendell, slaloming among the Elves. Finally, he reached his destination and flung the door open. The noise startled Frodo, who dropped the book of Elvish poetry he was translating to Victoria. Both him and his listener turned toward the newcomer.
Master Frodo, lady witch… come, hurry… a terrible trouble… he panted, leaning on the doorframe.
Immediately, the two sprang to their feet and followed him in his race through the corridors. They ran through half of Rivendell before they reached their destination. Always following Sam, they made their way through a small crowd of Elves and Men, who blocked the passage and stared at something with their noses in the air, until they got out into a yard.
Up… up there, Sam gasped when they managed to pass, pointing at something in the sky
Frodo raised his gaze and almost fell on the ground out of shock. About ten meters high in the air there were his young cousins, who hung to a broom that floated in the sky with evident difficulty. Merry hung in the air, holding on to the broomstick with his hands only, and also Pippin, who was still in the saddle, more or less, was having a hard time.
Frodo turned toward Victoria. She was pale as a ghost and looked petrified with fright.
He wasn't the only one who watched her. Boromir of Gondor was in the crowd of watchers and he had seen her arrive. He saw how she had stopped dead on her tracks, her eyes going wide, her hands shaking… He saw that look in her eyes. The look she always wore when the tide of memories carried her away, now mixed with a deadly fear.
In a few seconds, the broom bucked again, Merry lost his grip on one hand with a scared cry, and Victoria finally pulled herself together. She started transfiguring the stones of the pavement under the Hobbits into soft hay, but she wouldn't have had time if another ray of light coming from Gandalf's staff, hadn't wrapped up the strange trio, keeping them in the air until the transformation was over.
Thanks, by now I can take them. The witch murmured to the Istari, pointing her wand at the two Hobbits and her Stardust. She said some strange words and they were wrapped up in another ray of light. Slowly, Victoria brought them down. In the crowd, Boromir held his breath, his eyes darting from the two Halflings to the girl's concentrated face. At ten centimeters from the ground, the girl lost her grip on them and the Hobbits and broom fell on the hay, unscratched.
Merry and Pippin looked at each other and then burst out laughing like madmen, but they stopped as soon as they realized that a shadow had fallen upon them. They raised their eyes and saw Victoria towering over them, her fist on her hips and bloodshot, flashing eyes.
I believe that your cousins will regret that they weren't left in the air, Gandalf murmured to Frodo, who nodded without averting his gaze from furious witch. She looked like a boiler about to explode.
So? she asked in a menacing voice. What the hell did you think you were doing, eh?
Well…ehm…we…uh! Merry stumbled, not looking at her.
We wanted…we wanted to take a turn! said Pippin with his best angel's face, but it was useless. He saw the girl narrowing her eyes and he understood that it wouldn't work, not this time.
Hearing those words, Victoria shook from head to toe and burst.
ARE YOU TOTALLY DOTARD? YOU LITTLE FOOLS, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR MIND? AIR? YOU GOOD-FOR-NOTHING BRAINLESS IDIOTS, IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO THEN GO DROWN YOURSELVES NEXT TIME! BADOLA! WHO GAVE YOU THE PERMISSION TO TOUCH MY THINGS? EH? BALENGHI! YOU'RE COMPLETELY OUT OF MIND! DID YOU KNOW IT OR NOT THAT YOU COULD KICK THE BUCKET, YOU DORKS! NEXT TIME I'LL LEAVE YOU THERE, DULLARDS! YOU CAN'T BE SO STUPID, BY GOD! IMMENSI PIRLA! IF YOU WANT TO KILL YOURSELVES, THEN HANG YOURSELVES NEXT TIME AND DON'T BOTHER THE OTHERS! STASI! CRETINS! MORONS! IDIOTS!…
Her outburst lasted for more than ten minutes under the eyes of the whole astonished crowd.
More or less halfway among the heap of insults Victoria screamed at the two Halflings, Aragorn moved as to intervene and make her stop, but Gandalf stopped him laying a hand on his shoulder and whispering to him, If you don't want to be transformed into a lizard or worse, it's better if you stay out of this.
Aragorn cast a glance to the furious witch's red face and nodded.
Great Eru! Are the girls of the Men kind all like this? Legolas asked, shocked, behind his shoulders.
Finally, Victoria ran through all her repertory of insults and curses against the two Hobbits and their ancestors and stopped, panting, concluding with a booming NEXT TIME I'LL BEAT YOU BLACK AND BLUE AND NOW GET OUT OF MY SIGHT BEFORE I CUT YOU INTO PIECES!!!!
Merry and Pippin didn't need to be told for a second time and took to their heels, running as if Sauron himself had been chasing them… and truth to be told, they couldn't be really blamed.
Victoria turned to the Elves and the Men, who were staring at her with their mouths open.
Well? What the hell are you staring at?
Nothing! replied an Elf from the fourth row, raising his hands and walking away swiftly…and with a good reason, too, for he was the same Elf whose nose had been broken by Victoria just the previous day.
The crowd dispersed hurriedly. Frodo took a step toward the witch, but Sam blocked him as if he had seen him heading toward the lair of a troll. Gandalf laid a hand on his shoulder and started leading him away.
It's better if you let her calm down on her own…
But…
Come.
The small Hobbit couldn't do anything else but cast the girl a sad glance. Aragorn and Legolas started walking away, but before they came back under the arcades, the Elf turned again toward the girl. Victoria had picked up her wand – she had thrown it at the Hobbits in the middle of her row – and now she was fussing over the hay.
Legolas? Aragorn called him.
Go ahead… the Elf replied with eyes full of pity. …I'll catch up with you later.
The Ranger shook his head. He knew how stubborn the Elves could be, so he just said to him, As you wish. It's your life. He walked away.
Legolas slowly approached the red-faced girl, who kept on gathering the hay that had been scattered and muttering insults and curses .
Are you all right? he asked her.
How do you think I… The end of the sentence died in her throat when she raised her eyes and saw him.
You shouldn't be so irritated, the prince of Mirkwood said. I don't think it's healthy for you.
That's none of your business, she murmured, lowering her gaze and avoiding looking at him. Leave me alone.
I'm sure they meant no harm, he went remorselessly on. Hobbits are such curious and lively beings… I fear you have been a little harsh on them, even if I can understand that you got angry because they took your things without… He moved as to lay a hand on her shoulder, but she moved away brusquely, taking a few steps away from him. … without…asking. he finished, confused.
I have my reasons to be mad at them! Victoria replied throwing him a dirty look, but averting her gaze immediately. Stupid idiots! she muttered, kneeling down to replace the hay she had gathered. Legolas handed her some more, but she refused both to take it and to look at him. After he had been waiting for a few moments, he sighed and let it drop on the pile with the rest.
I'm just trying to help you…
If you want to console someone, go find the two brats! she replied furiously, then she lowered her voice. I don't wanna be helped… not by you. Now go away. Leave me alone.
Legolas sighed resignedly. As you wish.
He walked away under the arcade, his steps noiseless.
Victoria was alone. She gathered all the hay and finally she retransformed the pavement. She sighed and wiped away the sweat from her forehead, then her hand slowly descended on her left forearm, clutching it tightly.
As they had agreed, at sunset Boromir was in the yard where they had practiced that morning. During that second lesson, his pupil surprised him a lot. She fought with something more, an energy she didn't use that morning… She fought with all her might, with her soul. They stopped when darkness started to fall and they stood side by side, watching the last sunrays disappearing behind the mountains.
I saw you speaking with Legolas… after that quarrel. The prince wanted to console you.
It seems so, she replied, shrugging her shoulders.
May I know why you turned down him, an Elvish prince, and yet you allow me to be around you?
It's different… she murmured, lowering her eyes. …don't get it wrong, but… I like you, Boromir. I'm at ease with you, maybe because we're both simple Humans…I don't get along so well with Aragorn. She smiled at him. At Hogwarts, it was said that even once that you were out, you could instinctively recognize another Wizard or another Witch who came from your own House… Maybe it's not a great compliment, seeing what had been said about us and how we ended up, but….
To me, belonging to the Lost House of Slytherin would have been an honor. The Man cut her off. And then it couldn't be bad if there were people like you, Merilìs! He added, ruffling her hair with a move quite fatherly. Victoria smiled at him, then turned toward the horizon.
I've had a strange relationship with my House… She murmured. I didn't become a Slytherin because the Sorting Hat said so, oh no. I am from my birth, because of something I have in me… When those rumors about Draco started to spread, I stopped being one. Now that my House doesn't exist anymore, and also because of what happened on April 30th, I am a Slytherin again. The Slytherin. She added, almost correcting herself.
I'm not sure I know what you mean. Boromir said.
It's better this way… Victoria replied.
By the way… the other noted. We weren't talking about this… am I wrong?
The witch sighed. No, you aren't. We were talking about prince Legolas.
Boromir didn't say a word, waiting for her to start. After long minutes, Victoria broke the silence.
Do you know why I got so mad at Merry and Pippin? She whispered.
It was because of Draco, wasn't it? Boromir asked.
Victoria nodded slowly, her eyes far away.
I had begged him to stop playing… But he couldn't, because of his father. I explained it all to you yesterday, no?
The Man of Minas Tirith nodded without missing a word.
Well, you see… There's a certain resemblance between Draco and prince Legolas… oh, it's minimum, but… She didn't finish her sentence and Boromir had to do it for her.
But it hurts you nonetheless.
Victoria nodded silently and he couldn't resist the urge to hold her in his arms and try to ease her sorrow as much as he could. The girl leaned her head against his shoulder and held him close wordlessly. Two silent tears stained his clothes. Boromir felt funny… he couldn't understand the sensations he was feeling in that moment. He felt a strange warmth in the middle of his chest as he held that child close. After long minutes, she stepped away from him, wiping away her tears.
Are you going to get angry if I tell you a thing?
I won't, pray tell me.
Your children are very lucky.
I have no children. I'm not even married…
Victoria blushed. Oh. Sorry, I thought…
…that with my age and my position, I must be already settled down with at least half a dozen kids. Please, spare me. There's already my father, who doesn't miss a chance to remind me that "as future Steward of Gondor and his heir, it is my duty" and more vexatious comments such as that.
The girl couldn't hide a face.
Oh my God, he sounds just like Draco's father.
Well, no… He's not so terrible.
If you say so… Victoria remarked doubtfully.
A few hours later, while he waited to fall asleep, Boromir suddenly understood what he felt for the young witch. He thought about what he had told her in the court.
" 'I have no children.' Well, not exactly. Truth to be told, I do have a daughter."
Because he really thought Victoria so: just like a daughter. A daughter, not a heiress… Like he sometimes he felt he was to his own father or like surely Draco had been to Lucius Malfoy.
The morning after, Victoria was headed to the court where her practice was waiting for her when suddenly she caught a suspicious movement out of the corner of her eyes. She turned in time to see the edge of a black cloak disappearing behind a corner. Immediately, she came back. Something wasn't right, she felt it…Then it hit her: no one wore black cloaks in Rivendell, nor Men, nor Elves.
The only ones who wear black cloaks are…
Suddenly, she realized it. She started to run, following the trail of the black-cloaked shadow. She had no time to look for help, she knew where that Black Wraith was headed: to Frodo's rooms. She climbed the stairs running, catching a glimpse of a black shadow three flights above herself, then she saw it disappearing down in a corridor that she recognized with a shudder. She hadn't been wrong. The door of Frodo's room was being closed, but she threw it open. The room was empty. She walked in with caution, her wand clenched in her right hand and her ears pricked up. The door that led to the balcony was open and the white curtains danced to a light breeze. Victoria came near that door and forced herself to look out, even if she didn't dare to go out. That bastard could be hidden there, somewhere… She felt somebody moving behind her and she turned around as she stepped back. In her hurry, she stumbled and fell backwards, landing on her elbow. She got difficultly back to her feet, holding her wounded elbow. It was nothing too serious, but she felt flashes of pain running through her arm. Slowly, the flashes died out. The wind made her suddenly remember where she was. Victoria stood frozen, staring at the railings and at the city below. Her head started spinning, she started to see double, then triple… Terror drowned her, blocking her every move, memories of the past came back filling her mind, not allowing her to think. She was short of air, she couldn't breath… and all those imagines running through her head… she felt the ground waving under her feet, soon she would fall… she dropped on her knees with a cry, burying her face in her hands.
What's the matter, Boromir? Aragorn asked him, seeing him coming near them with a troubled look upon his face.
Did you see Victoria? he asked back.
Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a puzzled glance.
I haven't seen her since two hours ago, when she had breakfast with us. Legolas replied I know not where she could be.
That's strange… said Boromir I've been waiting for her for her lesson, but she's late. I'm worried, she's always so punctual.
Maybe she's with Frodo… Aragorn said They spend a lot of time together, did you ask him if he has seen her?
Aye, I did, but he hasn't.
Right in that moment hurried steps were heard and Frodo and Sam turned a corner.
Aragorn, Legolas, did you see… Oh, I think that Boromir has already told you everything. Frodo said, noticing the other Man.
Suddenly, Legolas turned around, frowning. Somebody is screaming… he murmured, trying to hear better that distant sound. It is Victoria's voice! he started to run, following the faint voice, with the others trailing behind him.
Legolas and Aragorn where the first to reach the balcony, where they found an unexpected scene. Victoria, the proud, terrible, Victoria, was crouched on the floor with her legs against her chest, shaking and moaning out of terror. Usually, she let two locks of hair fall on her face, in front of her eyes, but now her face was completely hidden away by her dark hair. She kept her eyes shut and covered by her arms, as she feared to be blinded by a light too bright… or as she wished for something to go away.
What's the matter, Victoria? Aragorn asked as he knelt down next to her and grabbed her arm, trying to see her face.
The girl kept on moaning and yanked her arm free from the Ranger's grasp with unexpected strength, bringing it back in front of her face.
Boromir reached the door. Just a glance was enough to understand what was going on. He pushed Legolas away and lifted her in his arms, carrying her inside the room immediately. The girl tried to struggle, scared, then she clung to him as if she had been afraid to fall. She never opened her eyes.
Calm down, dilàr neièn, calm down, no one will hurt you… It's alright, you're safe now, you are not on the balcony anymore…
Victoria kept on moaning and sobbing, clinging to him tightly. Boromir kept on holding her and cradling her, caressing her hair and whispering comforting words until she calmed down a little bit. She didn't sob anymore, but she hadn't stopped shaking, nor had she opened her eyes.
It's better if we carry her to her room…. murmured Aragorn, who had watched the scene developing in front of him without understanding and without speaking.
Boromir nodded, not averting his gaze from the girl's face. He lifted her up again and followed Aragorn out of the room.
Frodo moved away to let them pass. He couldn't avert his gaze from Victoria, he couldn't understand what was happening to her… She looked like she had fallen into pieces. He followed them to Victoria's room like a robot. Boromir had just laid her on her bed when Gandalf arrived and shooed them out. They stayed in the corridor, watching the closed door, unsure of what to do.
I think… said Aragorn. I think we all need something hot and strong.
A few minutes later, they sat in a little room with a cup of hot tea in their hands. The five members of the Fellowship had been joined by the other three, Merry, Pippin and Gimli. They sat there, silent, lost in their own thoughts until Gimli spoke.
So, it seems that the sorceress lost her mind…
Wait until she wakes up and then you'll see how she lost her mind! Boromir replied.
How do you explain such a behavior? Legolas asked. I've never seen anyone acting like that.
It's just that… The Man of Minas Tirith murmured, lowering his gaze on his cup.
Just that…? Frodo asked, raising his head.
Boromir sighed. He thought he was being unfair toward Victoria, but the others had to know…after all, they were the Fellowship of the Ring (or of the Nine plus One, as Merry and Pippin called it).
Victoria is terrified by heights, great or small alike.
Tzk! remarked Gimli, gaining himself a dirty look from the warrior of Minas Tirith.
You would be scared as well if you had seen your best friend falling from four meters high and breaking his neck!
He swiftly précised all the things Victoria had told him, trying to choke down the guiltiness he felt toward her.
After a while, Gandalf joined them.
She's fine, but she has a temperature. I gave her a potion to make her rest.
Can we see her? Frodo asked, springing on his feet.
Not all together. One of us should stay with her. It's better if she sees a familiar face when she wakes up.
I'll stay with her, Legolas volunteered, but Boromir contradicted him immediately.
No, you cannot do it.
Why not? replied the Elf warily, piercing him with his gaze.
Have you ever noticed that Victoria avoids looking at you?
Yes, I know, but what does this…
It has a lot to do with it. According to her, you look like Draco and remind her of him. I don't think it would be healthy for her to see you as soon as she recovers, respectively speaking.
If it's really so… Aragorn spoke up, laying a hand on Legolas' shoulder to calm him down. …then Boromir's right.
We tread on a dangerous ground… Gandalf murmured. Neither a wizard can say precisely how the mind of a person works. We can't risk to hurt her.
"More than we already have." Boromir added mentally.
They discussed for a while and in the end Gandalf himself was chosen.
Victoria was under the potion's effect for almost the whole day. Finally, around dinnertime, Gandalf told the Fellowship that she had awoken, but he didn't allow them to see her, for she needed to rest.
After dinner, they gathered in a room to discuss what had happened to the girl.
I told it once and I shall say it again. She's not normal! She shouldn't absolutely come with us. Gimli said for the hundredth time at least.
Don't be too easy in judging by appearances, master Dwarf. Aragorn scolded him before Boromir could speak up.
I agree, Gandalf added. We know nothing of the girl's past. We cannot judge her if we don't know what happened to her.
I don't know much… said Boromir, glaring at Gimli. …but there's something I can tell you: that girl has had a hard life.
Around her… Legolas murmured. …I can feel a strong aura of sorrow and anger. He shook his head. Only the Valar know what happened to her.
Judging by the way she spoke of her school, definitely nothing good, Frodo remarked.
You can say what you want, but I still think that she's totally mad.
They say that the brain isn't directly proportional to height, but it looks like they're wrong said a new voice from the threshold. Doesn't it, stump?
Victoria! Fordo cried out, jumping on his feet at the sight of the girl standing in the doorway in a nightgown and barefoot. You should stay in bed…
No way. Not before I clarify a couple of things… She calmly walked across the room and sat down on the table. Her violet eyes watched them one by one, behind the usual locks of hair. Finally, they stopped upon Gimli.
Do you know what my mama used to tell me, you puny one? "Never judge someone before walking a mile in his shoes." She glanced around the group. Since it's so important for you, I'll lend you my shoes. But I warn you. It won't be a pleasant walk.
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