The group settled down amongst a pile of rocks for a break after a
long day of marching nonstop. Rumor sat on the ground, and leaned back on a
rock with her eyes closed. The break was nice, and she was not use to
walking for miles on end. The cackling sounds of fire let her know without
opening her eyes that Sam was starting to cook a meal to help them get
through until the next time they stopped. Her stomach growled angrily in
anticipation, for she ate erratically, losing weight with each passing day.
"Two, three, four, five." The sounds of swords clashing made her open her eyes. The sight of Boromir, a man who was both tall and proud, fighting with the small Halflings, was a sight to chuckle at. "Move your feet." Aragorn commented from off to the side, a smile growing on his face as well. "Good, faster now," Boromir said, heading towards Merry and Pippin, who were waiting for his advances eagerly.
"Amusing, is it not?" Rumor looked down at her side to see Frodo sitting next to her. "Almost as entertaining as Television," she commented offhand. The tiny hobbit glanced up at her curiously, "Is that a thing from your old world?" He asked Rumor never spoke about where she came from; it was too painful, in more than one way. Nodding her head, Rumor ended any discussion of Earth there, "But I guess once you think of the fact that these skills will need to be put to use someday dampens the whole carefree atmosphere, although, hopefully not anytime soon will they be used." Rumor stumbled over her words, trying to get them to sound right, but Frodo nodded, understandingly. He opened his mouth to say more, but a cry from Pippin stopped him. Together they watched the two hobbits take down the captain of Gondor, and then bring down the ranger of the North to his back with one swift move. The innocence of the moment let them forget the seriousness of the quest, even if it was only for a few minutes as Rumor and Frodo broke down into a series of laughter, while Sam just shook his head.
Looking off into the distance upon a nearby rock, Legolas narrowed his eyes in concentration at a dark cloud in the distance. Sam glanced towards the sky where Legolas gazed at, "What is that?"
Gimli followed the hobbit's and elf's gaze, not seeing what the big deal was, "Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud." Boromir gently pushed the still wrestling Halflings off of him, "It's moving fast...and against the wind." He commented suspiciously.
Legolas squinted, trying o identify the moving objects before him. "Crebain, from Dunland!" He cried, as everyone leapt into action. "Hide," cried out Aragorn, grabbing things as he did. "Come on, come on! Take cover!"
Rumor watched the other members dash around like headless chickens, trying to escape from a bunch of birds. The idea its self made her was to crack up, yet these people found the birds threatening. Out of nowhere, two long arms snaked their way around her slender body and pulled her towards the bushes. Instantly, Rumor began to squirm, trying to pull free from the arms that clamped around her like a chain of iron. Opening her mouth to yell, one of the hands cupped her mouth before a word could get out. "I wouldn't say a word if I were you." A low, gruff voice hissed in her ear as the owner of the arms and voice pushed her into a bush for cover.
Legolas wormed his way over to the girl, trying to keep her from jumping into the clearing, and into the eyes of the enemy. Pulling her towards his, he steadied his propped-up body against her thin one, molding them into one, meanwhile, overhead the enemy flapped by, unaware of the Company below. Rumor stiffened at the movement of the elf, but ended up cowering against his as the birds went by.
Once they were gone, the Fellowship emerged from their hiding spots once more. Rumor practically leapt out of the elf's arms, and when she too was free of the bush, she whirled around to give him a piece of her mind. "What the hell was that?" She screamed while the others scrambled out of their spots. "Don't you ever touch me without my consent again. In fact, just don't touch me at all. God, what the fuck is wrong with ya'll?" By now the others were staring at the girl and elf with a morbid fascination, wondering what they had missed.
Legolas stiffened at her choice of words, but still remained calm. His outer being portrayed nothing of the turmoil that raged within him, he stayed emotionless and detached. "My lady, please settle yourself—"
"Why? You gross pervert!" She moved over to where the hobbits stood, getting a small sense of comfort with their presence. Aragorn walked over to Legolas, and together they talked about what had just happened in the elven tongue. While the two of them argued, Rumor sat down on a stone, under the watchful gaze of Gandalf, who stood in a silent scrutinize.
"Mellon, do you care to explain what had just occurred?" Aragorn demanded Legolas, concerned over the welfare of the girl. "Peace Aragorn, it is not what you think...I was merely trying to keep her from getting caught from the spies of Saruman." It hurt Legolas to have his friend even consider that he would touch or harm the girl, or anyone, in that sort of fashion. Aragorn sighed heavily, "She is simply not use to all of this. I am beginning to think that it was a mistake on Lord Elrond's part to have her come along. We can not protect her if needed; she is simply in the way." Legolas nodded, understanding the stress his friend was under, but this was no time to despair, "I believe Lord Elrond had his reasons. There is a reason she is here, there is a reason we are all here. We just have to trust that the explanation for that reason will be found in Lothlorien."
While Rumor sat, tracing her scar, she stared at a small rock intently; desperately want to hurl it at Legolas. Without warning, the rock zippered off the ground and smacked Legolas square in the back of the head. Legolas spun around, looking wildly for the attacker, with Aragorn standing in the background with a pale face. The elf's gaze came to rest on Rumor, who sat in a stunned silence.
Boromir leapt to his feet, "Witch!" He cried out, although softly, in fear of a lurking enemy. The Fellowship reacted quickly, all pulling out their weapons, and Aragorn and Gimli pulling the hobbits away from Rumor. Yet Rumor took no notice to this, she still sat in shock, her face deprived of all color. None of the Company took notice to Gandalf, who stood quietly observing the girl. He had neither touched nor drawn out his sword. All were on guard, yet none moved or said a word.
Aragorn stood right in front of the girl, his mind racing. What had happened? Why is she just sitting there? Of the norm, she would be yelling and cursing over something such as this. Gandalf vouched for her, yet still...could this be a devious ploy of Saruman? Out loud, he demand to the girl in a harsh tone, "What did you do? And who are you? Speak quickly."
Rumor jumped at the sound of Strider's voice, knocking her out of her daze. Strider didn't sound too happy, but she didn't mind the harsh tone of his voice, it almost reminded her of home, if only he added a few whores and sluts in there. "Can't you see it?" said Gimli, "She is a spy, a spy of the Dark Lord!" No words came to Rumor in her defense, and she noted almost sadly, that none came from any of the Fellowship either. "Should have known, no creature could have hair of flames such as she. Evil is at work with this child, if she is indeed a child." The dwarf muttered under his breath, yet still clear for all to hear. Normally a crack like that about her streaked hair would send her into a fit of giggles, but this was not the time or place.
"Of course she is a child, and that is all she is, neither a spy nor witch." Gandalf said, equally as harshly. "She is merely coming to her gifts." Rumor raised her head, meeting her steel blue eyes with his gray ones. Everything that was happening and all that was said was finally beginning to process.
"You knew what the hell was going to happen. You know everything." She stated, feeling betrayed. She thought she could count on Gandalf to help her. "All this time, and you didn't tell me. What the hell?" She cried out, the Fellowship watched the once strong girl shrivel to someone weak and broken.
"Peace, young one. I do have more knowledge of you and your coming then what was led on, but it was all for good reasons." Rumor glared at the old man before her. The others still held their weapons out, but unsure of what was happening. Unperturbed by it all, Gandalf continued, "Your coming was foretold by the Valar in the past ages of the world. It was said hat a dark one would come out of light with the powers to prevent the doom of Man. Now that I have met you, I am indeed sorry for the pain that will be endured, but your sacrifice will save us all."
Rumor dropped back upon her stone in stunned silence. Her mind raced to digest the information, "What kind of 'powers' will I get? What do you mean by 'a dark one'? And what the hell do you mean by 'sacrifice'? I don't know what the fuck is going on with all of this, but listen up buck-o, you got the wrong girl. I don't want any part of this, go and find yourself another 'dark one' cuz I'm not going to be it. I just want to survive all of this bullshit to get back to Driver." Her voice squeaked out the last part, afraid of what the answers to all her questions were going to be. She was equally afraid of any pity she might see in their eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought fiercely to prevent them from spilling over. Despite all she had learned, she would not star crying in front of people, not even now when she needed to be braver than she's ever been.
All of those who surrounded her lowered their weapons, their pity shone clearly on their faces. Gimli made a small noise in the back of his throat, mistrust growing inside him. If there was anything he hated more then elves, it was sorcery. Legolas was he only one who heard he dwarf, but said nothing. He could understand where the mistrust came from, and he wouldn't deny that he too felt the same way, but if Gandalf spoke the truth...
Gandalf's eyes softened beneath his bushy eyebrows. The girl had to accept who and what she was; otherwise all of Middle Earth would be doomed to the destruction of all. "Your powers were never specified, unfortunately, but I imagine that was a slight demonstration of a growing ability. And I wouldn't worry about the rest. You're surrounded by friends, I do not think they would let harm come of you." The group nodded its agreement, although rather hesitantly. "Why don't you work to perfect this new power of your," Gandalf asked of her gently.
Rumor nodded, feeling a little like a puppet with someone else moving her strings. Taking a deep, slow breath, Rumor concentrated on the rock she nailed Legolas with earlier. Slowly, the rock began to rise on its own. The others watched both the girl and the rock as she sent the rock crashing against a wall of stone with a mere flick of her wrist. Rumor let out a shaky gasp as the rock shattered to tiny pieces from the force. Her tiny body quaked from the energy spent.
Boromir caught he girl as she slide backwards off the rock. Her breathing was irregular, and her pupils were dilated from the effort. Boromir held her close as the rest of the Fellowship gathered around. "How do you feel?" Aragorn asked softly, afraid of the girl's condition after lifting up only a tiny rock.
Rumor looked up, "I feel so tired." She breathed out. Backing away, the others looked to Gandalf as the girl rested. "She is to travel with us, even past Lothlorien," he stated firmly, answering the question in their eyes. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." The entire Fellowship, with the exception of Rumor, looked up to the Grey Mountains that stood defiantly, looming over them, casting a twinge of doubt and fear in their hearts and in their minds.
"Two, three, four, five." The sounds of swords clashing made her open her eyes. The sight of Boromir, a man who was both tall and proud, fighting with the small Halflings, was a sight to chuckle at. "Move your feet." Aragorn commented from off to the side, a smile growing on his face as well. "Good, faster now," Boromir said, heading towards Merry and Pippin, who were waiting for his advances eagerly.
"Amusing, is it not?" Rumor looked down at her side to see Frodo sitting next to her. "Almost as entertaining as Television," she commented offhand. The tiny hobbit glanced up at her curiously, "Is that a thing from your old world?" He asked Rumor never spoke about where she came from; it was too painful, in more than one way. Nodding her head, Rumor ended any discussion of Earth there, "But I guess once you think of the fact that these skills will need to be put to use someday dampens the whole carefree atmosphere, although, hopefully not anytime soon will they be used." Rumor stumbled over her words, trying to get them to sound right, but Frodo nodded, understandingly. He opened his mouth to say more, but a cry from Pippin stopped him. Together they watched the two hobbits take down the captain of Gondor, and then bring down the ranger of the North to his back with one swift move. The innocence of the moment let them forget the seriousness of the quest, even if it was only for a few minutes as Rumor and Frodo broke down into a series of laughter, while Sam just shook his head.
Looking off into the distance upon a nearby rock, Legolas narrowed his eyes in concentration at a dark cloud in the distance. Sam glanced towards the sky where Legolas gazed at, "What is that?"
Gimli followed the hobbit's and elf's gaze, not seeing what the big deal was, "Nothing, it's just a whiff of cloud." Boromir gently pushed the still wrestling Halflings off of him, "It's moving fast...and against the wind." He commented suspiciously.
Legolas squinted, trying o identify the moving objects before him. "Crebain, from Dunland!" He cried, as everyone leapt into action. "Hide," cried out Aragorn, grabbing things as he did. "Come on, come on! Take cover!"
Rumor watched the other members dash around like headless chickens, trying to escape from a bunch of birds. The idea its self made her was to crack up, yet these people found the birds threatening. Out of nowhere, two long arms snaked their way around her slender body and pulled her towards the bushes. Instantly, Rumor began to squirm, trying to pull free from the arms that clamped around her like a chain of iron. Opening her mouth to yell, one of the hands cupped her mouth before a word could get out. "I wouldn't say a word if I were you." A low, gruff voice hissed in her ear as the owner of the arms and voice pushed her into a bush for cover.
Legolas wormed his way over to the girl, trying to keep her from jumping into the clearing, and into the eyes of the enemy. Pulling her towards his, he steadied his propped-up body against her thin one, molding them into one, meanwhile, overhead the enemy flapped by, unaware of the Company below. Rumor stiffened at the movement of the elf, but ended up cowering against his as the birds went by.
Once they were gone, the Fellowship emerged from their hiding spots once more. Rumor practically leapt out of the elf's arms, and when she too was free of the bush, she whirled around to give him a piece of her mind. "What the hell was that?" She screamed while the others scrambled out of their spots. "Don't you ever touch me without my consent again. In fact, just don't touch me at all. God, what the fuck is wrong with ya'll?" By now the others were staring at the girl and elf with a morbid fascination, wondering what they had missed.
Legolas stiffened at her choice of words, but still remained calm. His outer being portrayed nothing of the turmoil that raged within him, he stayed emotionless and detached. "My lady, please settle yourself—"
"Why? You gross pervert!" She moved over to where the hobbits stood, getting a small sense of comfort with their presence. Aragorn walked over to Legolas, and together they talked about what had just happened in the elven tongue. While the two of them argued, Rumor sat down on a stone, under the watchful gaze of Gandalf, who stood in a silent scrutinize.
"Mellon, do you care to explain what had just occurred?" Aragorn demanded Legolas, concerned over the welfare of the girl. "Peace Aragorn, it is not what you think...I was merely trying to keep her from getting caught from the spies of Saruman." It hurt Legolas to have his friend even consider that he would touch or harm the girl, or anyone, in that sort of fashion. Aragorn sighed heavily, "She is simply not use to all of this. I am beginning to think that it was a mistake on Lord Elrond's part to have her come along. We can not protect her if needed; she is simply in the way." Legolas nodded, understanding the stress his friend was under, but this was no time to despair, "I believe Lord Elrond had his reasons. There is a reason she is here, there is a reason we are all here. We just have to trust that the explanation for that reason will be found in Lothlorien."
While Rumor sat, tracing her scar, she stared at a small rock intently; desperately want to hurl it at Legolas. Without warning, the rock zippered off the ground and smacked Legolas square in the back of the head. Legolas spun around, looking wildly for the attacker, with Aragorn standing in the background with a pale face. The elf's gaze came to rest on Rumor, who sat in a stunned silence.
Boromir leapt to his feet, "Witch!" He cried out, although softly, in fear of a lurking enemy. The Fellowship reacted quickly, all pulling out their weapons, and Aragorn and Gimli pulling the hobbits away from Rumor. Yet Rumor took no notice to this, she still sat in shock, her face deprived of all color. None of the Company took notice to Gandalf, who stood quietly observing the girl. He had neither touched nor drawn out his sword. All were on guard, yet none moved or said a word.
Aragorn stood right in front of the girl, his mind racing. What had happened? Why is she just sitting there? Of the norm, she would be yelling and cursing over something such as this. Gandalf vouched for her, yet still...could this be a devious ploy of Saruman? Out loud, he demand to the girl in a harsh tone, "What did you do? And who are you? Speak quickly."
Rumor jumped at the sound of Strider's voice, knocking her out of her daze. Strider didn't sound too happy, but she didn't mind the harsh tone of his voice, it almost reminded her of home, if only he added a few whores and sluts in there. "Can't you see it?" said Gimli, "She is a spy, a spy of the Dark Lord!" No words came to Rumor in her defense, and she noted almost sadly, that none came from any of the Fellowship either. "Should have known, no creature could have hair of flames such as she. Evil is at work with this child, if she is indeed a child." The dwarf muttered under his breath, yet still clear for all to hear. Normally a crack like that about her streaked hair would send her into a fit of giggles, but this was not the time or place.
"Of course she is a child, and that is all she is, neither a spy nor witch." Gandalf said, equally as harshly. "She is merely coming to her gifts." Rumor raised her head, meeting her steel blue eyes with his gray ones. Everything that was happening and all that was said was finally beginning to process.
"You knew what the hell was going to happen. You know everything." She stated, feeling betrayed. She thought she could count on Gandalf to help her. "All this time, and you didn't tell me. What the hell?" She cried out, the Fellowship watched the once strong girl shrivel to someone weak and broken.
"Peace, young one. I do have more knowledge of you and your coming then what was led on, but it was all for good reasons." Rumor glared at the old man before her. The others still held their weapons out, but unsure of what was happening. Unperturbed by it all, Gandalf continued, "Your coming was foretold by the Valar in the past ages of the world. It was said hat a dark one would come out of light with the powers to prevent the doom of Man. Now that I have met you, I am indeed sorry for the pain that will be endured, but your sacrifice will save us all."
Rumor dropped back upon her stone in stunned silence. Her mind raced to digest the information, "What kind of 'powers' will I get? What do you mean by 'a dark one'? And what the hell do you mean by 'sacrifice'? I don't know what the fuck is going on with all of this, but listen up buck-o, you got the wrong girl. I don't want any part of this, go and find yourself another 'dark one' cuz I'm not going to be it. I just want to survive all of this bullshit to get back to Driver." Her voice squeaked out the last part, afraid of what the answers to all her questions were going to be. She was equally afraid of any pity she might see in their eyes. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought fiercely to prevent them from spilling over. Despite all she had learned, she would not star crying in front of people, not even now when she needed to be braver than she's ever been.
All of those who surrounded her lowered their weapons, their pity shone clearly on their faces. Gimli made a small noise in the back of his throat, mistrust growing inside him. If there was anything he hated more then elves, it was sorcery. Legolas was he only one who heard he dwarf, but said nothing. He could understand where the mistrust came from, and he wouldn't deny that he too felt the same way, but if Gandalf spoke the truth...
Gandalf's eyes softened beneath his bushy eyebrows. The girl had to accept who and what she was; otherwise all of Middle Earth would be doomed to the destruction of all. "Your powers were never specified, unfortunately, but I imagine that was a slight demonstration of a growing ability. And I wouldn't worry about the rest. You're surrounded by friends, I do not think they would let harm come of you." The group nodded its agreement, although rather hesitantly. "Why don't you work to perfect this new power of your," Gandalf asked of her gently.
Rumor nodded, feeling a little like a puppet with someone else moving her strings. Taking a deep, slow breath, Rumor concentrated on the rock she nailed Legolas with earlier. Slowly, the rock began to rise on its own. The others watched both the girl and the rock as she sent the rock crashing against a wall of stone with a mere flick of her wrist. Rumor let out a shaky gasp as the rock shattered to tiny pieces from the force. Her tiny body quaked from the energy spent.
Boromir caught he girl as she slide backwards off the rock. Her breathing was irregular, and her pupils were dilated from the effort. Boromir held her close as the rest of the Fellowship gathered around. "How do you feel?" Aragorn asked softly, afraid of the girl's condition after lifting up only a tiny rock.
Rumor looked up, "I feel so tired." She breathed out. Backing away, the others looked to Gandalf as the girl rested. "She is to travel with us, even past Lothlorien," he stated firmly, answering the question in their eyes. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras." The entire Fellowship, with the exception of Rumor, looked up to the Grey Mountains that stood defiantly, looming over them, casting a twinge of doubt and fear in their hearts and in their minds.