Disclaimer - I do not own LOTR
What was left of the Fellowship was huddled in Lauren's makeshift dwelling. They sat over the rest of her fruit and lambas bread while the Fellowship told her of Lothlórien.
"Tomorrow you three must run out towards Fangorn. When the sunrise is red, you should come across the Rohirrim. Merry and Pippin are fine, or they should be. They will have escaped into Fangorn, although the Rohirrim will suggest that they might be dead because they left no orc alive. After speaking to them, you should acquire two horses, although that depends on how their battle went. You must go into the wood, it is save don't fret Gimli but I will tell you no further of that tale. We will meet back at Théoden's in Edoras."
The three nodded, although Gimli still dreaded the idea of going into Fangorn. Boromir shook his head, he didn't like being excluded.
"I can travel, why do you say otherwise?"
Lauren turned toward Boromir and rested her chin on her knuckles.
"Could you possibly run leagues to catch up to the hobbits and the Rohirrim? I think not, and would you have me travel across Orc infested lands alone? I like to think that my skills with sword and bow have improved but they are not at the point where I could defend myself against a troupe of skilled smelly-minions. Plus if you travel with them it might alter what was supposed to happen and I don't want to change it more than it already is."
Boromir thought it over for a moment and agreed to ride with Lauren, he did owe her that much.
"Right then, we should rest now to gain as much sleep as possible. We all have long roads ahead of us come the morn'. I'll take first watch."
Before the others could argue Lauren rose and climbed the tree that grew next to the camp, of course the finch flew up with her as an extra pair of eyes. Thankfully, the tree was old and its branches were wide and provided much room. While the men and dwarf began to sleep, Legolas sat with his back against the crumbling wall not able to fall into the dream sleep of the elves. Lauren had used her cloak to hide herself against the tree and to keep her warm; the wind was bitter up in the tree. A few uneventful moments passed before Lauren was startled by a sound next to her. She turned to see Legolas lounging on the branch next to her smiling.
"How did you… oh never mind, you're an elf after all. Although you might as well be a ninja, you're stealthy enough."
Legolas almost laughed, Lauren spoke oddly and used weird words sometimes but then again she was not of this world; or so she claimed.
"Being a warrior does have its advantages. But what is a ninja?"
Lauren didn't hold in her laughter like her Elven counterpart did. Her laugh startled the finch that slept on her shoulder and he woke with a chirp. He ruffled his feathers and gave Lauren a sideways glance before flying down to the camp to find a warm, quite place to sleep.
"A ninja is kind of like a really cool assassin; they're stealthy and can hide in the shadows although they aren't really assassins, they just have their abilities like I said; if that makes sense. You can't sleep?"
He readjusted himself into a more comfortable position in the tree and tried to think of a legitimate excuse as to why he was up here.
"I guess so, although I don't know why. I gather that there are too many things on my mind. You think I would be able to rest easy knowing that Merry and Pippin are safe, well are going to be safe. I can't imagine that a party of Uruk-hai would be much fun to travel with."
Lauren turned to face Legolas and she placed a hand on his.
"Don't worry this experience will make them stronger and bolder. They'll find Treebeard and meet Gandalf, everythin' is gonna be alright, just you wait and see."
This got Legolas attention; Gandalf was alive!
"You didn't say so before! Gandalf is alive; but how?"
Lauren squeezed Legolas's hand and he began to understand why she withheld certain information.
"I didn't want to say so before in case things weren't as they were supposed to be. Gandalf fought with the Balrog and died. He will be reborn as Gandalf the White and you will find him in Fangorn on your search for Merry and Pippin. Merry and Pippin have a great adventure ahead of them with the Ents."
Legolas began to think of the magnificent tree herders and what they might be like. He might ask Lauren about them before they left or maybe not, some things were better left off as surprises.
"Now my Elven friend, what else troubles your mind?"
A smile crept upon the fair Elven face.
"Only that it is my turn to take up watch."
Lauren laughed and was about to begin her decent down the tree when she was stopped by Legolas's hand on her arm.
"Would you mind resting in the tree with me? Leaving Lórien and my kin has left me saddened and I…"
Lauren climbed over to the branch that Legolas was on and sat next to him.
"If I get a cramp when I wake I'm blaming you and getting payback."
She punched Legolas lightly in the shoulder before resting on it. As her mind drifted off to sleep, she noted that Legolas smelt of pine and the woods, even after the battle. She always did like the smell of the forest.
Morning came and Lauren curled up to the warmth next to her. Her memories came back to her and she quickly stopped herself from jumping away. It would be a long fall down from the branch that she and Legolas were in. She gazed up and noticed that Legolas was still in his dream sleep. He looked so peaceful, she hated to wake him. Before she did, she ran her fingers along his cheek and jaw line, trying her best to study the fine features.
"Legolas, it's morning; time to wake up."
The elf did not move a muscle. She called out to him a few more times and Lauren began to worry, so much for his elven-warrior instincts and their dream sleep.
Time for more drastic measures then.
"ORCS!"
Legolas bolted up and drew his bow. He scanned the area and found nothing. Next to him Lauren was laughing and holding her sides, trying her best not to fall out of the tree; that would be quite un-lady like after all.
"Oh I'm so sorry Legolas, but you wouldn't wake up. I would have shaken you awake but my arm seems to have gone numb… and I did say I would get payback didn't I?"
Legolas couldn't help but laugh as he put away his arrow; he hadn't slept so soundly since he was young, it felt refreshing.
"We should probably go down to the others."
Lauren nodded as the two made their way down the tree and into the camp. There they found the others already awake and almost completely packed. Gimli looked at the two with a glint in his eye, a glint that neither Legolas nor Lauren were very fond of. It spoke of mischief.
"Didja have a good sleep Laddie?"
Catching the double meaning and not used to being called out on something like that Legolas didn't know how to respond without feeding the fire.
"Well I slept like a log."
Lauren winked at Legolas and walked over to her pack to put her things away. The others froze then began to laugh, leave it to Lauren to fan the flames. Legolas shook his head, why did he think that this was going to come back to haunt him later?
Aragorn led them out of the forest and fingered his sword as he faced Lauren and Boromir.
"You're sure you'll be alright?"
Boromir gave a huff as he sat on Sundance; he wasn't completely useless… even though he could still barely lift up his one arm.
"Yes Aragorn, for the last time, geeze you're worse than my mom. We will meet you at Edoras like we agreed on, plus Boromir isn't a boned fish, he can fight if such a time comes. He still has his one good arm doesn't he? Given a day or two he will be as fit as a fiddle, ain't that right?"
The man gave her a playful glare, apparently, he did not like being compared to a musical instrument but Lauren didn't really care.
"Now off with the lot of you. There is much work to be done, don't forget to search the Uruk-hai bodies for the hobbits' daggers."
Legolas shook his head and smiled as he turned to run alongside Aragorn and Gimli. Lauren looked at their retreating for a moment longer before she too turned to begin walking towards Edoras.
"So does Legolas know?"
Lauren glanced as she took hold of Sundance's reigns.
"I don't know what you mean Boromir, Legolas knows a great many things I'm sure being the grandpa that he is. He is older than you and I combined."
Boromir laughed; of course she would try to dodge the question with an attempt at a joke.
"I'm sure he does but a man would have to be blind to not notice that you are smitten with him; and it would seem that the feelings are mutual."
The redhead sighed and her pace slowed fractionally.
"Remember how I told you about my home? Well, my friends and I used to fantasize about what would happen if we lived in Middle Earth. It was just girls being silly of course but when I came here, it dawned on me that I am living a dream. Seeing all of you, helping even, it's more than I could ever ask for. I don't know how long my time here will be, if it will be snuffed out by a blade or the thing that brought me here will bring me back. I worry Boromir, and it scares me to think that I might wake up only to find myself back in my old room looking up at my ceiling. But I stray off topic. Legolas is… Legolas is everything a fangirl could ask for, more than I could ask for really. I probably shouldn't be so forward with him but I can't help myself, where I come from people are usually forward. I must remind myself that I am only a mortal and he is not only immortal but an Elven Prince as well, and elves don't announce their feelings easily, having long life and all. It's one thing for people like Aragorn and Arwen to be involved, they are of the same status; what with Aragorn being a king and all; but me? I'm nothing but a regular human, lower even. All I have to my name are the things that I carry with me… and Sundance."
Boromir didn't realize how much she was hiding from all of them. She always seemed so happy and tranquil that it never occurred to him that she had any worries. It was clear now, that she had many.
"Lauren, you shouldn't worry about such things; live in the now if you must. Legolas is noble and would not have asked you to spend the night in his company if he did not have intentions of getting to know you more. You claim to have naught but the things in your pack; do your friends not count? You have friends who would be willing to help you without question, and who happen to be of high status. Now come, let us speak of happier things."
The two talked about anything that came to mind. Lauren learned much about Gondor and its history and about Boromir's brother, of whom he was very proud. The day went on much like that until they decided to make camp. Before they turned in for the night, Boromir instructed her in swordsmanship. At the end of her lesson, Lauren was sore in many places. As Lauren packed her sword away, she wished that she had a katana or one of the many Japanese weapons she knew.
That'd show those Orcs whose boss.
Lauren went to sleep dreaming of a group of samurai running through the armies of Sauron like a knife cuts through cake; which got Lauren dreaming about cake and other sugary foods like Reese's. Oh how she missed the lovely peanut butter and chocolate heaven.
Just about a week went by before the two travelers finally spotted Edoras. Lauren wasn't going to complain but with only one horse, which they were using as a pack horse, traveling was quite a drag. That and Boromir made her practice whenever they stopped. At first, Boromir began training her in the style of Gondor but Lauren refused and changed it so she had her own style. She incorporated her martial arts training with her dual swordsmanship skills and was becoming quite deadly, if she may be so bold. Lauren wanted to try it out on some Uruk-hai but she would rather wait until the rest of the fellowship was present, why tempt fate? Boromir was recovering splendidly but his arm was still week from the arrow wound. It was only two days ago that he began practicing with his sword again.
"I hope that the others have reached Edoras by now. If not it's going to be interesting."
"How so?"
Lauren thought of how she should go about telling Boromir that Théoden was under Saruman's spell. There was no real delicate way so she decided to be blunt.
"King Théoden is under the power of Saruman, when Gandalf comes he sets him free from the spell."
It then occurred to Lauren that she forgot about a very important thing. Gandalf will leave them to find the Rohirrim, Lauren should have just told Aragorn what was going to happen and that he should ask the Rohirrim to remain close to Helm's Deep or Edoras. Lauren scolded herself until they came to the gate. The guard readied his weapon but when he got a better a look at the travelers, he lowered it.
"Lord Aragorn told us of your coming. Welcome to Edoras. You can bring your horse to the stables around the bend."
So they were here, Lauren thanked whatever entity was watching over her right now. She verbally thanked the guard and headed for where she thought the stables might be. Word must have been sent to their friends because by the time Boromir and Lauren finally took everything off her horse Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli walked into the stables with smiles.
"What took you so long Lass; things were beginning to get boring around here!"
Lauren laughed as she hugged Gimli; it still unnerved her that she was only a few inches taller than he was but she had a plan to correct that. She smiled as she saw Gandalf and nodded in hello.
"You didn't tell us that Gandalf was alive, Lauren. Why not?"
Aragorn gave Lauren a hug and waited for her reply.
"Well I wasn't 100% sure that things would turn out as they should have but who am I to question the might of Mithrandir? It is good to see you all safe. Gandalf, how are Merry and Pippin?"
Gandalf smiled, he almost forgot that Lauren knew the future, unwritten as it is.
"They are fine, a little shaken up by the ordeal but they will be better for it. Hobbits are a strong race."
They all nodded and began to talk about their journeys. Gimli complained about the pace of his companions; dwarves were natural sprinters after all, they were wasted on cross-country, and Lauren complained about Boromir's harsh lessons; she had calluses on her hands. Calluses! Talk about being un-lady like. Everyone laughed as the two shared their tales of woe.
"I know I was harsh Lauren but now I have confidence in saying that you might even give even the strongest Uruk-hai a run for his money."
Lauren laughed at the phrase, she was beginning to wear off on the group and seeing her influence inaction was humorous to say the least. She should probably refrain from using too many phrases from home, but where would be the fun in that?
"That Uruk-hai will curse his maker and wish he was never spawned!"
The group continued to laugh over a full meal and drink as they shared stories, but of course, Lauren didn't drink for she found the liquid offensive to her taste buds. After the men departed for their rooms, Lauren walked out onto the hall and looked out on the stars.
"Are they much like the ones from your home?"
Lauren smiled as she felt Legolas's presence next to her.
"Yes and no. Stars are stars but the constellations are all wrong. Then again, I didn't study the stars as much as I would have liked. For all I know these stars could be the same but I don't think they are. At home we had a star we called the North Star because it was always in the north sky, it's how our ancestors would tell which direction they were going. I don't see that star here."
The two sat down on the edge of the landing and continued to gaze at the stars.
"What do you use now?"
"Our technology is more advanced, not that makes us superior mind you, I don't think it does at all, quite the reverse actually. There are some things called electronics, I'm not sure how they work; it's all very confusing unless you make it your profession. We use these devices to navigate our world. Enough of my home though, tell me about yours."
Legolas told Lauren much about the woodland realms and about his people. It never occurred to him that she might already know everything he was telling her though. He lifted his eyes and immediately knew that everything he was telling her was new to her. The light in her eyes shined as she absorbed as much information as she could.
"Legolas, you speak of you home as if you'll never see it again."
He didn't quite know how to ask her. She would know if he died in this war, right? What Mithrandir told him in Fangorn still weighed heavily on his heart.
"It's just something Mithrandir told me when we were in Fangorn. Galadriel sent him with a message. If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore, Thy heart shall rest in the forest no more. I take it that she spoke of my death."
Lauren couldn't bare the look that he was giving her. He so desperately wanted to know but was trying so hard not to ask, he knew that Lauren didn't like to divulge what she knew. Lauren took his hands in hers and forced herself to look him in the eye to answer his unasked question.
"You will not die, not ever. When Aragorn is crowned king, you and Gimli will help restore Gondor. I'll tell you no more than this but know that even if I did see your death I wouldn't let it happen."
She pushed a loose hair back behind his ear and smiled.
"For someone as old as you, you fret way too much. You won't die from battle or sadness but from insurmountable stress."
As she rose, she tapped him on the nose and walked into the hall to rest. Legolas then began to see how an elf could begin to love a human. He wondered what his father would say if he found out.
The next day Lauren was introduced to King Theoden and at first, he was a little arrogant. He didn't believe that a woman could hold such significance in a war like this. He wasn't about to judge Mithrandir's advice though, even if the wizard stole his best horse.
"So you will know what is going to happen?"
Lauren fidgeted under his intense gaze. Boromir and Legolas were standing next to her giving their support but it didn't seem to help.
"Aye, but since I saved Boromir things might have changed. I can't be 100% certain of what will happen; I only now have the knowledge of what should happen. It's the reason why Lord Elrond let me meet up with the fellowship. Though I suspect he didn't think I would alter anything."
Theoden leaned back in his chair. Lauren would bet her whole savings account that he was going to ask her what would happen if he sent his people to Helm's Deep.
"Tell me Lauren, if I move my people to Helm's Deep what will happen?"
And Bingo was his name-o.
"I can only tell you that along the way you will be ambushed by a squad of warg riders and you will lose many good men. At Helm's Deep you will be victorious but only after a great defeat."
The old man sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"You speak in riddles like Gandalf. You have been under his influence for too long."
Lauren smiled, that was exactly what she was planning. Let him infer what he will from that.
"And if I leave my people here?"
"You will lose Helm's Deep and many more will die. Even a blind man could see that one coming."
The fellowship tried not to laugh; that was the Lauren they knew.
"King Theoden, you would be wise to send your people out now. Hopefully you could avoid the wargs all together, I doubt it though. Since you know of their coming, however you can be better prepared. If you don't mind I didn't have my afternoon tea or meal and I fear it is shortening my tongue; if you'll excuse me?"
Legolas couldn't help but smirk. It certainly was their Lauren, always thinking about food. Sometimes he wondered if she were related to a hobbit… or a dwarf. Lauren and Gimli sat together at a nearby table quarreling over would get the last bit of meat. They decided on whoever could finish their drink first would get the meat but as Gimli began to drink Lauren snatched the meat and popped it in her mouth. Aragorn and Boromir, who sat across from them, laughed as Gimli tried to figure out who took the meat. Lauren shrugged her shoulders as she swallowed. Gimli began accusing the men and it only made them laugh more. It seemed a fight was imminent but was quelled when a servant brought more food.
"Come Old Man, join us; there is plenty of fruit to spare!"
Gimli laughed at the nickname that Lauren gave Legolas then stopped when he realized that if Legolas was old than so was he. He playfully punched Lauren in the shoulder before continuing to eat. They enjoyed each other's company while Mithrandir and Theoden conversed about the course of action they should take.
In no time at all everyone was packing their things together for the long journey to Helm's Deep. If Lauren thought her trek with Boromir was slow then this venture was set at a snail's pace. This time however Lauren didn't really mind. While on their way to the keep Lauren became better acquainted with the fellowship and the only other female that Lauren saw since she was in Rivendell.
"So Éowyn, tell me what it's like living amongst all these men? I bet they don't even notice when you style your hair differently! There is way too much testosterone around here if ya ask me."
Éowyn laughed as she and Lauren began talking, she wasn't quite sure what testosterone was but she could tell it was an insult to the men by the way she said it. They talked until they quite literally ran out of things to talk about. That was until Éowyn noticed a certain elf look back from his horse to make sure that everything was alright. That made five times since they left Edoras, but who was counting… other than Éowyn?
"So, you and Legolas then?"
Lauren choked on the water she was drinking and almost spit it out on Sundance, who flicked his head and gave her a reproachful look. Saezuri chirped his laughter at the look on Laurens face. If she didn't know any better Lauren would swear that her animals were beginning to understand more and more of the human tongue.
"No! Well, it's there on my part but he is a prince. I'm sure his father has someone in mind that he is to marry… if he isn't already."
Éowyn shook her head at her friend.
"I saw no ring and he would not be continuously looking back just for the fun of it."
Lauren balked at her new friend; so bold, she liked it. Lauren tried to spin the conversation so it was focused on Éowyn. Maybe now was a good time to draw Éowyn's focus away from Aragorn.
"Well, what about Aragorn then? I see you eying him like a shiny new toy on Christmas. I hear there is better in Gondor though."
Éowyn laughed and tried not to draw attention to them and their conversation. She didn't know what this Christmas was but she didn't need to in order to get the gist of the statement.
"Pray tell who is in Gondor that would catch my fancy; Boromir? He seems a little too gruff for my taste."
A sly look passed across Lauren's face and she suddenly looked something akin to a fox.
"No, his brother Faramir might though. More brain than brawn. Faramir studied with Gandalf for some time. Plus I hear he is pretty cute."
"I know you, Lauren, what is it that you're not telling me?"
Lauren laughed as she and Sundance trotted towards Legolas and Gimli.
"You'll never take me alive Coper!"
Her shout sent ripples of laughter through the surrounding people as Éowyn attempted to catch Lauren, which was futile.
"Give up Éowyn, I'm a cowgirl, you won't catch me on horseback."
Boromir who had joined in on Legolas's and Gimli's conversation sometime prior couldn't help but ask what a cowgirl was.
"In the literal sense it's a girl that herds cows on a large pasture or field, much like this one. I ride and perform in rodeos; contests if you will."
"So you have some skill with a horse then?"
Lauren scoffed at the unintentional insult.
"Some skill, some skill? Sundance, my boy, I do believe that is a challenge!"
Sundance whinnied as he trotted over to Boromir.
"Here take these."
Lauren passed off her belongings and Saezuri before going towards a mostly flat area of the field. She straightened her back and sat deep in the saddle. With a kissing sound from Lauren Sundance took off down the plain and suddenly came to a halt when Lauren yelled whoa. Lauren then proceeded to do spins and canter in different size circles, doing lead changes, and rollbacks too. She was practicing the exact routine before she was thrown into Middle Earth and it was the drill they practiced all the time. As she rounded the corner for the final pass, she sped Sundance up to a fast canter then a gallop and reined him with a sliding stop. Of course, he would do a sliding stop in Middle Earth where there were no judges but at the ranch or in the arena, nooo, he wouldn't do it when it counted. Lauren patted Sundance's neck for a job well done and steered him back up the hill.
"And that, my friends, is how it is done."
The people that were watching cheered for her as she trotted to Boromir to collect her things.
"I'm at a loss for words."
Lauren smiled and patted the man on the shoulder.
"I believe the word you're looking for is yehaw."
She fell back to Éowyn and they continued gossiping about the men they knew and so forth. After they had stopped gossiping Lauren was in deep thought when she felt something was wrong. It was way to quiet; there were no sounds of nature around her. Everyone around them was talking so they most likely didn't notice it. Up ahead she saw Legolas and Aragorn look around as well. If that didn't mean something was amiss then what did?
"Saezuri, go scout ahead, quickly. Three chirps for enemy."
The finch titled his head as if he didn't understand a word she had just said; little devil.
"All the fruit you can have as soon as I can acquire it."
Saezuri straightened up and whistled his agreement chirp as he flew off in the sky. Lauren spurred Sundance to catch up to Aragorn and the King.
This is starting to become more and more like Kel's story. If that bird comes back and starts hopping on the ground dragging a wing, I know I've gone off the deep end.
A few moments passed when Hama and his comrade trotted passed them. There was still no sign of Saezuri.
"Hama stop!"
Hama reigned in his horse and faced Lauren.
"Lady Lauren is everything alright?"
Lauren shook her head as Saezuri came soaring out of the sky chirping in threes.
"They're here! They should be coming over the crest of the hill any moment. I have an idea though."
The orcs came rushing over the hill as Lauren predicted and they came to a halt. There before them was a small feast.
"Hello! Welcome! Come, come, you all must have had a hard journey. Eat, stay a while. The men you seek are just over yonder. Why not build up your strength before going into the fray?"
Lauren walked out from behind a table and greeted the still confused orcs and hungry wargs
"We… uh…"
Behind the table, Legolas and Aragorn smiled as they readied their bows. They still couldn't believe that Theoden agreed to this. It was insane! Then again, this was Lauren they were talking about here, when it came to her, she was sure to do things that were out of the norm.
"Are trespassing and should be killed on sight?"
Lauren provided as she ducked and whipped out her swords. The battle was over before Lauren could even comprehend what even happened. She did remember though that she wished she had a kyoketsu-shoge, which is a cool looking blade that's attached to a long rope or chain. Or a kusarigama, it's similar to the kyoketsu-shoge but instead of the blade it's more of a sickle. Lauren like the kyoketsu-shoge more though; maybe if she told the smithy or gave him a picture of it he could make one. Oh, that would make Lauren's day.
When Lauren stopped daydreaming about Oriental weapons she realized that they had lost fewer men than she had figured on, which was a good thing. However, when she didn't see Aragorn she was worried that he might have fallen over the edge of the cliff as he was meant to.
I told you about that for a reason, fool.
"Aragorn!"
"No need to yell, Child. I'm right behind you."
Lauren spun around to come face-to-face with Aragorn. He was a little worse for wear but otherwise unharmed.
"Lord, don't do that to me. I thought you took a little tumble over the edge."
Aragorn laughed as he pulled the girl he considered something akin to adaughter into a hug.
"And I'm not a child. I'm almost 23."
The man laughed harder, considering he was pushing 90 Lauren was most definitely a child. Legolas came up to them with a worried look on his face and Aragorn waved his hand in a negative signal to let Legolas know that she was unharmed. She mumbled something about berries before she began to go slack in Aragorn's arms.
"Lauren?"
Aragorn sighed as he tried to get a better grip on his companion. Legolas laughed as he took Lauren from his friend and held her bridle style. Sundance came trotting over and nudged his tired rider in the shoulder. Lauren only mumbled more and curled into Legolas. The two friends laughed.
"Well it was her first battle after all. She fought like a wild thing; I've never seen that style of fighting before."
Legolas nodded as he whistled for his own horse. He asked his horse to kneel so he could get on and the horse obeyed without hesitating. As Legolas readjusted himself in his seat, Gimli came over and grunted.
"And do you suppose I walk just the rest of the way to Helm's Deep so you can…"
Sundance nudged Gimli from behind, stopping him short.
"Well, I guess that answers that."
With some help, Gimli was seated on Sundance and the group was on their way to Helm's Deep. When they finally arrived Legolas tried to wake Lauren up.
"Lauren, come, we are at Helm's Deep. We need to know what you know."
Lauren only gripped onto the strap of Legolas's quiver and muttered something about not wanting to go to school.
"Saezuri is getting impatient Lauren."
Her eyes slowly opened and when she realized where she was and who she was with she sat up quickly and fell off the horse. Luckily, Théoden was just about to ask if he could help when Lauren fell. He caught her and carefully stood her up.
"Lauren, are you alright?"
Lauren blinked a few times before she began laughing.
"I just fought a squad of wargs and lived and remembered about a cool weapon that I hope the smithies can make. I couldn't be better."
Boromir passed by and handed Lauren very watered down alcohol.
"To clear your mind and I think that's not the only reason you're happy."
Lauren glared daggers at Boromir as he walked into the hall with Gandalf and Aragorn. Gimli was still seated on Sundance and was trying his best not to laugh.
"If you don't mind Lauren, your horse here is giving me quite a difficult time."
Her glare turned toward Sundance, whose head immediately lowered.
"Bend down, Sundance."
The horse did as he was told and Gimli slid off the saddle.
"Thank you, Lass. Now come, let us see what food there is too eat; after a battle like that it could make even the fittest of men hungry."
All of Lauren's anger was diffused as she followed Gimli inside. While they walked, Lauren was telling Gimli about the kyoketsu-shoge and what it looked like. The surrounding people laughed as Gimli roared that he could create the weapon in a day. Legolas smiled knowing that Lauren had somehow tricked Gimli into making the weapon, but he figured the dwarf would have made it for her anyway. Theoden glanced up at Legolas who was still looking at Lauren's retreating figure.
"You should just tell her."
Legolas bowed his head as he dismounted Arod.
"I wish it were that simple."
*Author's Note*
Thank you all for reading and thank you Archer117, Hope and Love, Emzy2K11, and Lunaris Pheonix for the review
Don't forget to leave a comment :3
Next up on SIME: The army from Isengard is at their doorstep. What can Lauren do when everyone wants her save in the caves?