Chapter Ten
The Rebel Transformation

Came back to the Great Hall feeling a whole lot better than when I left it. Still I sat awkwardly and answered people in a strange I-have-nothing-to-hide voice. One other teensy thing I'd like to point out- don't start a fight with me when I'm like this because I'll kill somebody.

I saw Lord Elrond's sons talking to a crowd of girls hanging on their every word. That's when I realized they were talking about my crew.

"All of them are strange. If you ask me, they're spies. And I don't like the way the green-eyed elleth looks at me. Like she's guilty of something."

Now I really don't like them. I was sure I was turning red, and the room instantly shot up 20 degrees.

"…and the way Lord Legolas actually tolerates her, that weird little thing. I am embarrassed for him. Why does he not treat our sister the same way? Even the elleth in the sky blue gown is a better catch."

As you might have guessed at this point, I'm not very good at controlling my temper. But, I will not be compared to her! Guys beware, periods be damned! I got up and strode over to where he and is brother were, my fists clenched hard. I pushed against the surrounding elleths.

The pointy-eared girls all gasped and backed away from me. I grinned evilly. They were so weak! In Elvish I venomously said,

"I can't believe your insolence Elladan! Have you not any chivalry for your father's guests?" But he just leered at me, answering,

"I would if I could understand you. Not like green-eyed strangers are to be trusted anyway- doubly for a female."

Heaven knows I'm sure, how much I wanted to fight him, but as there was a crowd, I was his "guest," and he was much bigger than me, I decided it wasn't looking good. His younger brother Elrohir stayed quiet, but his face meant what his brother said. I cursed him out in Elvish and English to his face, cursed his girly hair.

My friends sitting down on the long benches came running over, finally hearing what I was doing.

"Vanessa stop! C'mon shut up!"

Oh, if I could just ring his pale prissy neck! Don't they get it? No, they don't. My friends and I are stuck in Middle Earth during the ending of the world, have been transformed into alternate selves, and I'm totally PMSing. But I knew what to do.

I dramatically turned on my heel and tripped, then straightened and walked grandly to the shared room. Aleyna called after me, but I yelled,

"Leave me the hell alone!" I don't know why I was crying. (But you probably do.) I hit the silver door knob so hard it vibrated and locked the door behind me. Grabbing my backpack, I took out the Ring of Power.

"It's all because of you." I talked to it out loud. Then threw it back into the Jansport. Instead of forcing it all down, I allowed the tears to flow over my face, cheeks, hands. It messed up my makeup, and the girl I saw in the finely carved mirror was barely recognizable. It was like I was a pretty shadow of my former self. When had I become this? And WHY was I here?

A small thought appeared in my head; it was time to rebel. Time to go against all they thought was the ideal proper elf lady; after all I wasn't one of them, so why did I have to wear their clothes? New instincts took over, ones that weren't in my old self. Instead of trying to fit in, I should flaunt standing out.

Opening the immense wardrobe, I fished out a simple evergreen long sleeve tunic. Grinning like the Devil, I took out the nurse elf's sewing knife from her sewing basket at the foot of the door. I proceeded to cut the hem to mini skirt length in a pointed fashion. Then when I was done with that, I thought the square neckline was too boring.

SNIIIPPP! There a new v-neckline. Not too low, but not too high either. Carefully I snipped two long holes in the back where my wings could unfurl out. I found some warm brown leather boots, and decided they were good, but kinda short. Luckily, the matching leggings were in an oak draw. I sliced the leggings into tubes, and then sliced up the tube, so it was just a strip of brown leather. Stealing some of the sewing supplies, I sewed the extra fabric, making the boots thigh-high. There! I had pimped my first medieval outfit. After several gut-wrenching moments of fiddling with the corset, I took off the mint green dress and got into the new clothes.

Was going to attempt to braid my brown hair, but then thought, 'screw it'. I left it down, and unfurled my wings. It felt so good to stretch them!

So I can't believe it actually worked, all that cutting and sewing, but I had made a more useful outfit than before. (Okay, not so much useful, but it did look much nicer than before.) I could run more freely, plus the boots were longer for added comfort! Something definitely was missing though; a cloak. God bless that wardrobe and diligent nurse elf! Within the hanging part was a long black velvet cloak. I put it on and tied the sloppy bow, letting the warm hood cover my face halfway.

"V! Vanessa! Are you in there?" A huge knocking on my door. Crap. I couldn't let them see me, playing Fairy Princess dress up.

"Yeah I'm coming!" I would be really embarrassed if my friends-

"Yo V, let us in! We're not mad at you."

More banging, matching the beat of my racing heart. I ripped off the cloak, and then put it back on. There was no time to change. Grabbed the strip of cloth lying on the floor and tied it to my waist, a kind of bathrobe formed. I opened the door, feigning sickness.

"Oh, if I had known you were going to faint I wouldn't have made you get up Queen of Sleep-a." (Paused to roll eyes.)

"We just came to tell you that the Council will be starting soon. But they said no girls allowed." Lauren's small voice piped.

"Sexist pigs." Colyne snorted.

"Make that hot sexist pigs and we'll agree with you." It was Mark. Beyond my little clique of girls was the guys who had been ditched at the Long Wood Table (or something like that.)

"Of all the nerve!" I said mockingly and opened the door wider.

"Well, I don't care. I have to give them this ring, so who's sneaking in with me?" No one immediately came forward and said 'Yeah my best friend, I'm behind you 100%.' I made a face.

"Thanks you know, I will remember to save you when you have an Orc kicking your ass guys."

"Will we get in trouble?" asked Bryan wide-eyed. Um, duh?

"Hell yes." I answered.

"I'm game for it." He answered. The others looked at the floor.

Delilah, however looked at me. "That is the ugliest robe I've ever seen Vanessa, God."

"Oh, really? I guess it matches your face Delilah." Oh diss! Then she stood on her tiptoes peering over me into the room.

"Who're you in there with hmm? Sam? Gimli? Or is it LLL-"

Nick cleared his throat. Loudly.

"So uhm, V we'll all be behind you. Far behind you." He added quickly. I sucked my cheeks in and said,

"Fine, but hide somewhere in the garden at least? I don't wanna be totally alone."

"You won't be." He assured.

"They're leaving now!" yelled Aleyna, after looking out the window.

"Oh no I'll be late! Bye!" I clipped the Ring in my sweaty-cold palm.

I left them eating my dust, as I ran into the Rivendell Library.