My turn

So I've finally been writing! And here's the start of my story.

Prologue
Kyra woke to screaming. Her eyes flew open, was she still dreaming? She had never heard anyone scream like that before.
"Kyra!" And then there was her name in the screaming, and she recognized the voice.
"Mom!" Kyra slid out of bed and stumbled towards the door, she could hear her Dad's voice in the screaming too. She pushed the door open and was immediately confronted with smoke -- smoke was everywhere. Squinting and coughing she made her way forward only to jerk back in horror, angry flames crawled over her parent's bedroom door.
"Kyra!" Kyra whirled around, Estelle stood at the top of the stairs coughing. "We have to get out of here!"
"What about--?"
"We can help them once we're out of the house, it's too dangerous to stay here." Estelle pushed Kyra in front of her and down the stairs. Kyra's throat was filling with smoke and she rushed outside. For a moment she bent over coughing but when she had inhaled the cool night air she turned back to Estelle - who wasn't there.
"Estelle!" Kyra took a step towards the house and was stopped by a fireman she hadn't even noticed.
"I'll get her," he told her but before he could move the outside of the house erupted in flames. From somewhere inside there was an explosion, and a wall caved in.
People rushed around like ants, spraying water at the unquenchable fire, trying to beat their way in and not succeeding. She felt her breathing slow and the tears roll down her face.
Kyra stood motionless as flames filled the sky, destroying her house and her belongings and her life.

Chapter One
Kyra stood like a statue in her black coat, ignoring the wind as it whipped around her. The gray sky threatened to rain but even if it had she would have still stood there, staring out over the graveyard. The three headstones stood out, far away as she was, and she had no desire to go any closer. She knew the inscriptions now by heart. 
Her grandmother sat on a bench behind her quietly, wishing she knew what Kyra was thinking.
Kyra herself didn't know what she was thinking. Her thoughts were blurred - dismal - an echo of everything else she had thought while standing there every Sunday. She wished the grief would go away, since she knew wishing her family back would be no use. She wished she could go on with life and leave this silent angry person far behind. She wished Estelle had lived instead of her. She wished--
Kyra sighed and turned away, her grandmother looked up. "Let's go home," Kyra said, the word tasting bitter in her mouth. Her grandma nodded and they walked back to the car silently.
Kyra was staring out the window when she saw him, a boy who looked barely sixteen driving alongside them. He looked at her and grinned as if he didn't have a care in the world and she frowned. His car (a shiny bright red convertible) stayed beside them the whole ride home and she couldn't help but watch him, singing along with his music, practically bouncing to the beat in his seat. He looked at her again a few times and grinned whenever he caught her watching, this annoyed her to no end and she stopped looking at him after a while. 
But when they turned off the highway she caught a glance of him out of her eye, he was looking at her (paying no attention to his driving) almost sadly. The unexpected expression made a lump rise in her throat. He couldn't have known who she was or what had happened, and yet somehow she felt like he did know. What it was like to suffer, at least.
Her Grandma attempted conversation that night at dinner. "Are you glad school's over?" she asked tentatively.
Glad? Kyra snorted. Would you be glad to be let out of prison? "Yes," she answered and turned back to her food.
"And you're going to be a junior next year," Grandma said half heartedly. "How exciting." Kyra didn't even try to think of a sarcastic one-syllable reply to that, she was thinking about the boy again. Why was she thinking about him so much? It wasn't like she hadn't gotten sympathy from people before. In fact, she was drowning in it. But the boy's sympathy had seemed more like empathy. Maybe his music dancing/happiness had all been an act.
"What are you going to do this summer?" Grandma asked, jolting Kyra from her thoughts.
"Um…" Kyra's mind blanked. She must have made some plans for the summer. Sadness… school loathing… she couldn't find any plans in there. "I was thinking about taking a writing course actually," Kyra said, her eyes widening in surprise as the words came out. Where had that come from? But then she remembered the handbill she had seen a while back, the tired thought that maybe she could do that to get away from her Grandma's empty house…
"Well that's great!" A smile broke out on Grandma's face and she beamed at Kyra. "What a great idea! When does it start?"
"I don't know," Kyra said. "I'd have to check." With that she retreated into the safety of silence, thinking it over. A writing course wouldn't be bad. But since when had she been interested in writing? She tuned out her grandma's happy chattering and did the dishes without being asked.

Kyra had no idea what to bring to the writing course, so she turned up a few days later with a pad and pen in her coat feeling rather queasy. This was the first thing she had done anything outside of school since her family died. She pushed that thought away and with a tense smile to her beaming Grandma, Kyra stepped out of the car.
She was in a section of the city she never went to, the buildings were brick and tall and old fashioned looking. Kyra looked up at the building that had the class in it and sighed, she doubted there was an elevator. It was on the top floor.
The receptionist looked up as she walked in and pointed to a sign in sheet. There were all kinds of places in this building, stores and offices and classrooms. Kyra signed her name next to the writing course and started up the stairs.
Before long, before Kyra could run out of breath at any rate, she heard someone running up the steps behind her. She had just turned to look at who was so energetic when he rounded the corner, grinning at her.
"Hi!" The boy said. "Are you doing the writing course?"
"…Yes…" Kyra said, staring in surprise. His hair was spiked today, the tips a bright blue.
"So am I." he slowed to her pace and walked along beside her. "What's your name?"
"Kyra Dalue," Kyra answered. "What's yours?"
"You can call me Alex," the boy said, giving her a mischievous look.
"Call you? That's not your real name?" Kyra was almost smiling. She couldn't believe it. That brought her to her senses quickly. "But I don't need to know," she said before he could say anything. "It's not like we're going to be friends."
"We aren't?" he seemed surprised and Kyra felt bad, but she knew he wouldn't want to be friends with her once he knew what she was like. And it wasn't like she wanted any friends.
"I don't relate well to happy people," she told him. "Or people in general."
"Oh." that deflated him. "Well that's okay. But we'll have to at least be acquaintances, because I know I'll have to explain some stuff to you."
"Explain what?"
"Well, for one thing, who started the fire that night," he said. He had come to a stop and was looking at her quite seriously, all traces of bounciness gone. Kyra took a breath and it caught in her throat. "Didn't you ever wonder?" he asked softly.
"It was arson?" she got out at last. He nodded. "Who…" He sighed and looked away from her, as if she had proven something to him.
"They were right," he said after a moment. "You'd never believe me."
"No! I will believe you. Tell me, who…" Kyra took his arm, almost begging. She, who never begged. But she had to know this. He looked at her with that expression again that made him look so much older. He leaned forward and gently touched her right eyelid, and then all she saw was blackness.

Chapter Two
Kyra woke feeling very disoriented. She swayed slightly - which made her look down and gasp, for she was still standing. She had just been unconscious! How could she have stayed upright?
Kyra quickly looked around, Alex was nowhere to be seen. The stairs were empty and the light filtering in through the high up window seemed very bright.  Feeling that something was very much different, she slowly started up the stairs while trying to work out what had happened. She couldn't make any sense of it. Alex had told her that someone had set the fire that killed her family and then touched her eyelid - and then she had blacked out. Or had he knocked her unconscious?
Kyra climbed the rest of the stairs without noticing the burning in her legs, she was so preoccupied. But she was jolted awake when she reached the top-- the sight was unlike anything she had been expecting.
Ignoring the hallway, the hallway was ordinary, Kyra's eyes had immediately gone to the large window at the end. It faced away from all the other tall buildings and overlooked the city, a view like many others. But Kyra had never seen a view like this before.
Rising from Satire was a city. The towers shone golden in the sunlight, a color that made her feel that she had never seen gold before. It didn't look quite real - or it looked more real than anything Kyra had ever seen. Like a mirage, or something from a dream. She hadn't thought it was possible that buildings could go so high.
Kyra slowly moved towards the window, taking in every detail she could. Other than the magnificent towers, there was a city all made of the glittering gold material on top of Satire. It was like she was seeing two things at once, mansions covered the town hall but yet she could still see it - highways ran across lush parks and she could even see people, who clearly weren't human, walking on their streets which went through her buildings. It was like two worlds, co-existing in the same space.
That was when the shock set in. "What on earth????" Kyra felt like screaming, she stopped the explosion just in time. "What am I seeing?" she breathed to herself. This was impossible! Obviously a city hadn't sprung up in the time she was unconscious--- and she couldn't think of a way this could happen. It was beyond the supernatural. And why was she seeing it now?
"Alex," Kyra muttered to herself. Obviously he had something to do with it. Her life had been normal before she met him-- no, she stopped herself, it hadn't been normal. It hadn't been normal since her family had died. But this-- this was downright unbelievable.
"Pretty view, isn't it?" A voice spoke behind Kyra and she whirled around. "Sorry for startling you," a small woman with gray hair said.
"Oh no, that's okay," Kyra said, trying to smile naturally. "You like the view?"
"It's gorgeous," the woman said, staring out the window happily. "I love the city. So quiet and peaceful."
"Mmm," Kyra agreed, turning to look at the cities again. Obviously the woman couldn't see it. This freaked her out more than she liked to admit.
"Are you here for the writing class?" the woman asked Kyra.
"Um..." Kyra wasn't sure if she could concentrate on writing after everything that had happened. But another glance out the window made up her mind for her. "No, I'm just leaving."
"Oh, well have a good day," the woman said as Kyra walked away. I will, Kyra thought grimly Once I catch that Alex and make him do some explaining. She pounded down the stairs and set off in the direction she had seen his blue hair traveling. 
Kyra walked slowly, though she wanted to run after Alex as fast as she could, but she couldn't help it. It was an effort to walk at all. She was walking through buildings. Sparkling buildings that sat on top of moving cars and everything that was on the street, buildings inhabited by creatures that looked like they came from a fairytale. Some vaguely human looking ones were talking loudly in an unknown language as she passed through their house and Kyra tried not to stare. Questions filled her mind. She wondered briefly if she was insane. And then she saw Alex, and started running.
"What on earth is happening to me?" Kyra caught up to Alex and yanked on his arm, spinning him around. "Why am I seeing things other people can't? What did you do to me?"
She didn't register his expression until the flow of questions stopped, and then she quickly took a step back. On top of everything she was seeing, Alex seemed to have changed. His face was the same youthful, happy and mysterious boy she had seen before -- but something else showed through beneath it. Something old and strange, and infinitely not human. His cheekbones were more prominent and his eyes were silver, and he watched her warily.
"I gave you the sight," he said at last.
"The sight?" Kyra felt her breathing become normal again, his voice at least was the same. "What does that mean?"
"You can see Frayre Wolde now. It's where I live."
"And what, it's like on top of earth?"
"No, your civilization is on top of ours," he explained to her. "Hardly any of you can see it. And you can't walk in our world, or hurt it."
"How on earth does that work?" Kyra shook her head, dispelling the question. "Never mind, it's probably magic or something. But why did you give me the sight?"
Alex paused, thinking. "You wanted to know why your family died," he said. "This is the only way you can find out."
"Couldn't you have just told me?" Kyra was indignant. She'd rather not know that there was a whole other world underneath hers!
"You never would've believed me," Alex said. He seemed genuinely sorry. "Look, I know it's not easy. I'm one of the only people who can walk in both worlds. But once everything's cleared up, you can go back to living your life and try to ignore us."
"Right," Kyra said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "Like I'm just going to go back to my Grandma's house and my life - which sucks even more now - and let whoever killed my family get away with it!" After a moment her breath whooshed out and Kyra sighed. "They're in your world, aren't they? So I can't touch them."
Alex paused, looking up for a moment into the glittering house above them. He waited until a strange being walking by passed and then turned to Kyra, for the first time seeming agitated. "No you can't go after them yourself," he said quietly, leaning in. "But you can bring the case to people who can punish them."
"Why can't you do it?" Kyra asked. "You know who did it."
"They wouldn't believe me," he grimaced. "Old grievances."
"Well if they don't trust you, why should I?" Kyra asked, stepping away.
"You can't," Alex said, for a moment becoming the carefree boy she had known him as and grinning at her. "That's why you have to find out for yourself."
"Ugh!" Kyra walked away, thoroughly fed up. She tried to ignore the house she was walking through. "Can they see me?" she asked at last, not looking at him.
"Only if they want to, and they have no reason to when they think you can't see them," He answered sounding smug. "See you around!" He called after her retreating back and sighed when she didn't answer. He retreated into his doubts and watched as the sky darkened, the towers above gleaming in the darkness.

And then some questions for ya'll... does it start too abruptly? Does it go too fast? Did I explain Frayre Wolde well? 

Yay for challenges starting soon!

KrazyK

Because I was threatend.....

Okay. So as you all should know by now LoA is done and in the typing stages. Because of that I have nothing to really show you at the moment...however! I do have a clip from one of it's sequels. I hope this surffices, MissAnnapants =).

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“Kill them,” The King said, turning on his heel and walking up the stairs. “Wait!” Alana dared to walk forward, as far past the guards who raised their arms against her. Her eyes locked on the back of the mans head, her blonde hair streaked in blue fell in her face and her eyes narrowed. Almost immediately the man froze, “My name is Alana Athena OrGena. You killed my fathers parents in an explosion." She paused to watch his reaction. "You swore, you promised, to be forever in our debt. Now, I demand your service.”

The King turned to look at her, fire in his crystilline eyes. “You demand?” He hissed, anger lacing every ounce of the words.









Her eyes flashed dangerously, “Will you retract your statement and anger the gods?” To that the fragile and delicate castle began to rumble and shake. "Will you leave you and your peoples fate in the hands of their mercy?" She swiped her hand in the air and the dangerous shaking stopped. "Because I can assure you, they do not take lightly to broken oaths."

The King took in a breath, meeting her eyes. There was a few moments of silence, a few moments where the two stared eachother down. Both members of royal stature, both suffering from this war but yet, both completely different. Not a one before her had dared speak to him that way, nor had they dared use magic as a threat. “Release her.” He commanded and the guards did as they were told.

Alana looked at him after being allowed to walked towards the stairs freely and then looked back at her friends, “Them as well, they are only my friends here to make sure that I am alright.” She looked at him once more with dangerous eyes, “If you have your men raise a hand to them, I will raise mine to yours.”











The King rose his eyebrows at her daring nature. His eyes travelled over to her four companions for a moment before making his decision. “Release them as well.” He commanded once more and his guards took only seconds to obey.








Her next actions shocked him. Alanna knelt at the base of the stairs, head tilted down in a bow “My friends and I, we are ring holders, the last generation.” She raised her deep blue pools to meet his nearly silver ones and instantly the locked for moments which seemed endless. “Come with me,” He told her and turned to his guards.“take the others with you-treat them well.”

Quickly and eloquently they disappeared within his den, looking like nothing more than to wisps of air as they did. Once there he shut his door and crossed towards, towering over her like a skyscaper. “What do you, leader, require our assistance for?”

“You have mass numbers and great knowledge. I have the senate and the armies. This darkness is dimming all hope within the galaxies and our numbers are dwindling. There are so many neutral planets and sooner or later they will either be invaded or forced to choose sides. I assure you they will not choose the loosing side. I beg of you, Mlkin king, gracious holder of knowledge, round up your armies and assist us. With your help we could banish this darkness forever.”










Never once had her eyes wavered when speaking to him, they stayed staring up at him with great care. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as he walked around his desk, reaching in his drawer for something.“What makes you so sure?”











“Have you heard the prophecy?” She asked him and when she saw him nod, her eyes glinted. A small smile formed on her face looking almost mischevious,“Be like one of us." She paused as he crossed from behind his desk to stand infront of her. "Become legend.”








“You elf,” He spoke handing her something and closing her hands around, “You have our allegence.”

~~~~~~~

The noise within the Senate building was immense. It reminded Alanna of why she disliked these meetins so much. Her fingers rubbed her temples as she tried to shove away what she could of an impending headache.“Please,” Alanna spoke, finally attempting to break the endless arguing. She stood and looked at them, feeling nervous as she did. Being the youngest there was not reassuring.“ORDER!" At that the room went dead silent, "We have a dire need to discuss something,” Her eyes scanned the large crowd infront of her. “We are all aware of Curn’s power and the darkness that is lingering over us. But Curn has over 50,000 armies and thousands of planets upon it’s side-”

“You have the power, you stop it!” A voice yelled from

“Power alone, Senate Armada, is not going to stop them. What is power without numbers? Without knoweldge? My friends and I seek not to stop Curn this time but to permantly banish it. We can only do that with help. Your help specifically. I come to you, good people of this universe, and beg of you…please, gather your armies, your arms, your strength and join the fight. Alone we are weak and easy to attain but together, together I can assure you, your freedom.”

“How?" Yet another voice called from the crowd.

“A long time ago, an elf family - natives of Galileo - were traveling to the Klatine base to see their sons. The Mlkins, people of the stars, cousins of the elves who - until that time were just myths - shot down the family. Bombed them….killed them. To make up for such foolery they promised, they swore, that thy would forever be in their dept. Those elves that were murdered were my father’s family. And Mlkins have honored their oath and have agreed to assist us in this fight. In these dark ages you must take what you can get.” She swallowed nervously if she wanted their help she would need to choose her words carefully. “We have their allegiance…and with your allegiance, our allegiance....Then maybe, hopefully, we can over power Curn once and for all. We can assure that our children, their children and their children will not know the darkness we have grown up knowing, They will know only of peace and serenity. These stories….just like everything else will fade to history….to be nothing more than legend.”










There was a silent stretch that seemed to go on forever. That was until the person in the seat next to Alana cleared her throat. “Let’s vote,” Natalie spoke, “all who agree.” Slowly everyone in the room stood, thousands upon thousands of senators; represenitives of every planet stood. Not a soul was seated “All who appose.” As everyone sat, it was the opposite not a soul was left standing Alanna felt like she could cry tears of happiness. Finally, though, she composed herself.“Then it is agreed-you will go back to your planets and I to mine. You will go to your armies and I will go to mine. We will meet back within two weeks time and arrange battle plans.”

There it is - somethign LoA related....finally. =) *sighs*

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O_O o_O

Challenges?!

Um...

First of all, writing rants is definitely not dying. Kelia. Jeeze. O_O
Secondly... someone remind me WHY I was determined to have White Rose in first person? I've been trying to work on it for a couple weeks, and every time I opened it up just like... gagging.
It was not working, people.
So I um... started over.
That's only 20000 words in the trash. Gulp. What I'm doing is telling it from several peoples perspectives, in third person. What I have here is bits from everyone I might use... not sure if it's an actual beginning or an experiment of sorts to see who I want to stick with. I don't think I can really use ALL of them because it might get too confusing... but I dunno. Read, and tell me what you think. :)

Zara ran. She didn’t know where she was going, or why she was even leaving. Mirany and Emmy could undoubtedly use her help now, with the castle in ruins, and the princes undoubtedly rendered useless. Maybe she could even fix what the fariies had done... but no. She’d brought this on herself, and now, of course, Mirany was paying the price for her. She had never meant it to go this way. She had been so stupid.
She shook her head and stopped moving abruptly, skidding to a halt at the base of the moutain. The night was dark, except for a sliver of moon that peeked through the tree’s, casting an eerie light over the path. Her heart was beating at a ridiculous rate and she placed a cool hand on her head, calming herself. The fariie’s face flashed unbidden to her mind, but instead of the fariie who had sentenced Mirany and her brothers, it was Trilian. Trilian... She sucked in her breath and hissed quietly. She had not thought of him for what seemed a long time. She wouldn’t let it happen again.
Zara looked down at her hands and grimaced. It was as if she could see blood on them, glittering in the pale moonlight, though she knew they were really perfectly clean. The blood of twelve princes on her hands, for if - no, when Mirany gave in and spoke, they would die, just as the fariies had foretold. Mirany would blame herself, of course. A wave of nausea washed over her and she clenched her teeth.
Time to go home.

“What exactly are we supposed to do with ten birds for two years?” Trilian said, his voice as calm and even as ever, despite the slight edge of irritation in his words.
“I thought you would think of something.” The older fariie smiled at him, and if Trilian had not been fariie himself he would have been blinded by the light coming off his face.
“Of course.” He half bowed, keeping his thoughts carefully to himself.
“It was not your decision to make young one,” the older fariie spoke again. Apparently he had not been that good at masking his opinions. “We did what was best for the child.”
“You did what you thought Zara deserved,” Trilian said evenly.
The older fariie shrugged. “Perhaps. But the girl needed to have her powers under control to begin with. She will be of no use to us if she cannot even do that. It will be a great test.”
“You speak of her as if she is a tool.”
The fariie raised one delicate eyebrow. “Is that not what she is?”
Trilian bowed again, and turned away, before his thoughts could betray him.
“Trilian,” the older fariie called, stopping him. “You will see that the birds are given tasks?” It was posed as a question, but he knew it was a command. Trilian nodded once. It wouldn’t be difficult.

All was dark in the castle. Emmy tucked her legs further underneath her and tried to lay still, but her mind hadn’t stopped whirring. She missed home, vaguely, or the comforts of her bed at least.
“How are ma and da going to do without me?” she whispered to the bird that lay bundled next to her head. They had found Mattew shortly after the fariie and Zara had disappeared, croaking faintly on the floor, a small black raven drowning in a pool of blood. Emmy shuddered at the memory. She and Mirany had both been in shock, she thought, but they had picked up the bird despite it, washed him and cleaned his wounds. Emmy had wondered once, in the fog of pain and shock, why they were even doing this for the betrayer. But he was still Mirany’s brother, and now just a helpless bird. They couldn’t have left him there to die. She just hoped now that somehow he would pull through. If the blade the king had thrust into Mattew’s side was poisoned... Well, they could only hope it hadn’t been.
She closed her eyes and wished desperately for sleep, but the scene that had taken place just hours before kept playing behind her eye lids, never giving her peace. The moment when the fariie had proclaimed his sentence and she’d looked into Stesha’s eyes, as he disappeared into a flurry of feathers...
He was gone.
She bit the inside of her cheek hard, tasting blood, but it relieved the ache in her chest and the urge to cry. Emmy knew Mirany wasn’t asleep either, just as she knew she wouldn’t hear her best friends voice again for two years, and she didn’t want the sound of her stifled tears to start another epidemic of sobbing. They’d done enough of that shortly after the whole catastrophe. No, there was nothing to do now except try to sleep, and on the morrow, figure out what they were going to do to fix all this. The fariie had said she would rule for Mirany, and if that was what she had to do - leave her family, her village - she would.
Besides, she knew above all, she had to do everything in her power to help Mirany. She could not possibly remain silent for two years without a little help, and nothing, nothing, could be allowed to force her to speak. She would die before she would ever let that happen.

Mirany awoke with the morning sun, although she could only sense the light, being closed inside the cold stones of the castle. Her cheek was pressed uncomfortably against the uneven floor but she lay quietly for a long moment, hardly daring to breathe as the events of the past day came rushing back down on her.
Her father, dead.
Zara, gone.
Her brothers, birds.
And silence.
She sat up abruptly, knocking over the bowl they had used to clean Mattew last night and sending it clattering across the room. The sound rang out and she winced, looking quickly at Emmy to see if she’d woken her. Emmy’s blond hair lay spread around her head rather like a halo, except for the griminess and traces of battle. Mirany breathed out a sigh of relief on seeing that she still slept, although she couldn’t say peacefully. She had a worried expression even in sleep.
Mirany’s eyes traveled to the bird laying next to Emmy, and suddenly she was very, very, very angry. At Mattew, for betraying them; at Zara, for coming up with the plan, but not explaining; at the fariies, for cursing them all with this. At her own stupidity. She should have trusted Zara. She should have guessed what she was doing, instead of jumping to the obvious conclusion. She should have... She shook her head and pulled on her grimy hair, filled with such unutterable self loathing. She wished she had been the one to be turned into a bird. For the princes lives, her fathers death seemed hardly worth the price. But they were not dead yet, she reminded herself, glancing at Mattew again. If she could but save them from that final fate, maybe there was still hope.
Maybe.

“Eriq,” a soft voice whispered on the wind. He looked up, startled, and listened. A flash of silver and gold streaked between the tree’s, and he sucked in his breath, silently dropping his bow. Whoever it was, he didn’t want to seem a threat, for he knew instinctively it meant him no harm.
“Eriq,” the voice came again, and this time a small face appeared, peeking out from behind some leaves. It looked like a breathtakingly beautiful child, it’s face glowing in the late afternoon light.“Follow,” it breathed.
Eriq glanced back at his sisters, still seated on the picnic blanket but a few feet away, but they were distracted and before he could think better of it, he had followed the child into the woods. They walked quickly for a moment, before the small boy turned to grin at him. He was a fariie, Eriq realized, probably far older then him although he looked about six. Eriq had never seen one before but he’d heard the tales, read the legends. The noblemen all said they had gone into hiding, not seen in these parts for centuries.
Clearly, they had been mistaken.
“You know what I am,” the fariie spoke, sounding faintly delighted, “but you do not know why I am here.”
“Would you care to tell me?” Eriq said. The fariie laughed and stepped forward, placing a glowing hand on his arm. He clenched his jaw, forcing himself not to draw back as every instinct in him would have.
“Mirany needs you,” the fariie boy said, looking into his eyes. Eriq found he could not look away from the golden eyes, and an image of a fiery haired girl, standing in the middle of a large room and looking intensely angry suddenly entered his head.
“Who-” he started, but the fariie shook his head, and turning, ran lightly away, apparently having completed his mission.
“Find her,” the fariie called over his shoulder. “Find her, and you will find yourself.”
He was left standing, staring after the traces of gold that glinted faintly on the forest leaves. If he had not known, he could have sworn there had been no fariie there that day. Perhaps there had not. He knew his sisters would call him crazy, at least. But then, his sisters could not possibly see the image of the red haired girl that danced in his head.
Her name was Mirany.
Who was she?

That's it for now. As a kind of threat though, come september the challenges are starting back up.
Be scared. Be very scared.

With love,
The Founder.

Summer Has Been Insane!

And is why I have failed to post. However, W.R. will not die! If I have to post gibberish ever day to keep it afloat I will but it shall not die! This W.R. Elf will hunt each of you down and make it so it doesn't die.

I will.

Anywho, I have something to post that's been a long time coming....Lenia's next chapter. It's not as long as the others because I'm dragging it out - the next chapter will probably be the last of the Fellowship or close too it. Then I'll start the Two Towers (which has a load more action/romance bits just so you know! =) hehehehehe)

Disclaimer: The only thing I own are my made up plot twists, made up charactors and places, other than that it's 100% J.R.R. Tolkien or the movie company that made it a movie (....erg not sure what it's called.....). I've used several lines/things from the movies in this, I DO NOT OWN THEM.Copyrights: Lenia, Lord Sryton, Rhamdal, Kadden, Ashanti, Tripton, Alicia ©Katherine

LaGassie.All others© J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson and his film company

Fan Fiction Book: Shadow of a Doubt

Chapter 11: The Journey Begins

By: Katherine LaGassie

‘What’s the fun of an adventure without a little danger?’

It was a line her brother had said over and over again, she remembered hearing it and despite how much her feelings were torn into small parts and strewed about the world she had to agree. Though, she thought there was a line you shouldn’t cross; a line where the danger becomes too dangerous.

And she feared that this fellowship was going to cross that line quite soon.

The wood was cool the next morning which made it hard to awaken and become ready to get out of such a warm bed. She yawned lazily and stretched only to find Legolas’ blonde head lying not from her only with his back to her. Feeling inclined to have more heat she moved over towards him and laid against him. “You know,” He whispered a loud, “if I rolled over you’d be squished.”

“Bed, Legolas and Lenia tuna salad sandwich. Yum.” She mumbled burying her head into somewhere around the middle of his upper back by his shoulder blades. “You’re still tired, go back to sleep.” She yawned, “We’re leaving today—we need to get up.”

“I don’t think a few more moments will set us back that far.” He reassured her looking over his shoulder to look at her only to find a black sheet of hair connected to blankets. Somewhere beneath the blankets her small body was curled into his seeking the warmth and heat that was sucked from the wood.

A slight tired girlish giggle tickled against his back, “You’d be surprised.” she mumbled into his clothing. Lazily she rolled over and groaned not wanting to move. “It’s such a shame,” She spoke softly and smiled lightly, “I could lay around all day.” As Legolas stood her kissed her cheek, “So could I, however,” He pulled her too her own feet, “we have business to attend to.” She groaned rolling her eyes, “Business, business, business,” As she grabbed daytime attire and walked out of the tent he could hear her mimicking his tone and saying ‘blah, blah, blah’ repetitively.

“She’s not a morning person is she?” Legolas asked turning to Aragorn as he exited the tent. Aragorn smirked, “You haven’t seen the half of it.”

Lenia flipped her hair over her head and washed it as she knelt beside the stream closest to them. The pebbles in the streams were good for skipping, she remembered that from when she was little and they were so full of minerals it made the water quite pure. “Masydi?” Haldir spoke stepping beside her as she stood. “Your grandparents wish to have you and your friends dine with them when you are prepared.”

“Thank you, Haldir.” She blinked as her dear friend just continued to stand there and stare at her. “Yes?” She questioned looking around her, “Is something wrong.” He sighed, “I do believe mingling with the rangers has killed all sense of royalty within you.” Immediately her hands flew to her hair and she sheepishly grinned. “Dried, brushed, and pulled from my face.” She spoke like she’d heard the words a thousand times. “Give me five minutes; I’ll be up there in no time.” Haldir never had the time to answer, before his mouth could open she was flying down the embankment scrambling to prepare. “Wasn’t quite what I was getting at,” He looked at her clothes as she walked off, smiled and shook his head, “ but…it‘ll do.” He uttered and made his way back to the Lady and Lord of the Wood.

Lenia knew she was supposed to have been in the attire that her grandparents had given her the night before, but her tattered and torn ranger clothes were clean and made her far more comfortable. As much as she loved the silken Elven robs she was so used to not wearing them anymore they made her feel uncomfortable. Carefully she ran a brush through her hair and braided certain strands, pulling them back and tying them so no hair fell upon her pale and freckled face. It was the way it was supposed to be, so you could see every facial expression, every eye glint. It was only proper.

“Morning, Frodo.” She told him, sinking down into a chair beside his on the rather long table. “Morning.” He replied as he watched her pull a book from a case on her belt. She undid an extensively decorated lock and opened the brittle brown pages, turning them one by one.

“What is it?” Pippin asked, seated across from her. His words reflected the curiosity in all the hobbits eyes, especially Frodo. She looked up and smiled a bit, eyes sparkling beneath her dark lashes, “Something of a log, I record feelings and places….nearly everything I see or feel when I’m away or at home. Thoughts I may not want to release or rather more cannot. Basically anything I see fit. It holds my deepest darkest feelings, secrets, emotions everything.”

“It’s like a book.” Sam mused.

Lenia looked at him, smiling feeling privileged to have been mixed into that coloration, “Something of the sort, yes, but not nearly as exciting or proper, I fear.”

“My Uncle Bilbo wrote a book, A Hobbit’s Tale.” Frodo spoke thoughtfully before turning to the she-elf, “Do you think it will be anything like that?” Lenia looked ahead thoughtfully, “Truthfully, my dear hobbit, I do not know. Given the adventures we shall face and obstacles we shall come across it may well become something of the sort. Though you, my ring bearer, shall probably have a far more interesting tale to tell when we’re through. One I’d much like to hear of.” A smile crossed her face as she quickly marked the last page she’d written on with a carefully beaded and braided marker before placing it back in its safe place.

Her head rose at the entrance of her grandparents who seated at the end of the rather large table. Around them were seated the rest of the fellowship, the hobbits and Lenia included. Haldir and several other guards stood around the room looking like no more than statue. As a child Lenia used to laugh at their stiff expressionless demeanor, especially since Haldir was nothing of the sort when off duty. “How was your sleep?” Galadriel asked the travelers, echoes of voices all speaking the same good words filled the hall. Soft blue eyes rose to meet rich, deep blue eyes from across the table as their lips settled upon their goblets, moist fluid flowing through their mouths and down their throat. Cooling the rising temperatures between the two as their eyes locked, souls nearly entwined in just one stare.

Swiftly Aragorn cleared his throat before their deep gaze caught the attention of anyone else at the table. Both heads turned abruptly from one another and in two different directions. “Lord Celeborn, we’ll be leaving soon after this. The quicker we leave the better-the less time we waste adds to our advantage.” Lenia poked her food, struggling with inner confidence as she felt her grandmothers eyes bore into her. “Very well, Estel.” Slowly Lenia raised her eyes to meet Galadriel’s. ‘Have confidence within you capabilities child…you are not helpless.’ Lenia swallowed, feeling ashamed and looked away, ‘Forgive me…I seem to struggle with such thoughts.’ And then her grandmother sounded appalled, 'Forgive you? There is nothing to forgive. Yes you may be full of doubt and lacking confidence when there is no need but if you were full of anything less I would be concerned. You, above all else, know what you’re getting into. These dangers have haunted your life since you were young and now you’re going to face the very evil you fear. Aragorn and you are brave rangers, my child. You would give your life for another, it’s written in your heart and your personality. That is strength. That is lack of fear. Find it, embrace it…then everything will be alright.’

She felt her breath hitch, ‘Embrace fear?’ Her grandmother smiled in her mind, ‘To embrace fear, to except fear, is to weaken fear.’ There was a warm tingle in her heart, a feeling of acceptance and understanding. Those words made sense to her, they comforted her. Gently she raised thankful eyes to the wise Lady of the Wood whose eyes smiled back as she nodded lightly to her. Letting out a weightless breath Lenia looked at her plate finally realizing how hungry she truly was.



<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3>

They were taken down river, led by Haldir and several other Galadhrim, while her grandparents were brought by boats. They were gifted three boats to help their passage down the river and then asked to stand in line. Each was cloaked and had broaches attached. “Never before,” Her grandfather reflected as this was done, “have we clad strangers in the garb of our own people.” As the assistant elves stepped back Lord Celeborn looked at the group of nine, “May these cloaks help shield you from unfriendly eyes.” He told them and willed them to go fill their boats.

“Are you ready?” Lenia asked Legolas, “For what?” She smirked, “Our dare to be set in motion, of course.” As he reached within on boat to pick up bags he grazed his lips upon her ear, “I won’t surrender.” He whispered. “I won’t admit you’re the better marksmen.” Something inside her fluttered helplessly, full of excitement to something normally she’d take as insult when really she knew it was furthest from it. She knew his conditions for the dare…if he won, and he wore it….she was to marry him. Normally she would feel forced - with anyone other than Legolas she’d have called off such a dare at that but this…this was Legolas. This was oh so much different. This time she did love him - and of her own accord.

Legolas smiled at her reaction, love reflecting in his eyes more than it probably should in such times and it took everything within him to turn away from her even just to toss some bags within Merry and Pippin’s boat. As he went to toss one bag he paused opening it and smiling, feeling even more warmth within him at the familiar food, “Lembas,” he spoke aloud, “It’s Elvish way bread,” He attempted to clear the hobbits confusion. Carefully he took a bite - trying to set an example as best he could, “One small bite is enough o fill the stomach of a grown man.” He stuffed the bread back, plopped it in the boat and turned back to his job. Only to see Lenia fighting off fits of laughter at his boy-like excitement over the bread. “Lord, Legolas, you’d think we hadn’t fed you this morning.” She teased, eyes a glow. He sighed, shaking his head before stepping out of the boat and onto the land once more, grazing his hand across her neck.

Lenia picked up yet another bag full of Lembas and placed it in another boat but not without hearing Merry turn to Pippin, “How many have you had?” He asked, “Four.” He spoke proudly, causing laughter to escape her lips as she walked up the embankment.

Suddenly she paused, looking over at her grandfather who was talking with Aragorn. She should have been helping, that she knew but instead she used her highly sensitive ears and keen eyes to focus in on the two, “Every league you travel south the danger will increase. Mordor orcs now hold the eastern shore of the Anduin. Nor will you find safety on the western bank.” Celeborn whispered to him, looking around-eyes grazing over his granddaughter before beginning to walk with Aragorn. He wanted her to hear. Quickly Lenia followed, moving stealthy through the brush making not a sound…she was praising both her training and Elvin roots.

“Strange creatures bearing the White Hand have been seen on our border.” Celeborn continued, chills running up and down Lenia’s spine suddenly. He glanced over his shoulder ducking deeper into the forest with the ranger-king away from other prying eyes...still Lenia followed. “Seldom do Orcs journey in the open under the sun, yet these have done so.” The two men face each other; quickly her grandfather unveiled a dagger within his hands. It was Elvin by looks of its shape…beautifully and carefully crafted by the looks of it as well.

Carefully Aragorn unsheathed the weapon and looked at it; the dagger itself reflected more light than the waters beside them. Her grandfather leaned in close to him, “You are being tracked,” he told him in Elvin—she was one of the few who could understand it…that’s how he wanted it. Less people to know…less panic. “By river,” He began, warm breath causing fog amongst the crisp air, “you have the chance of outrunning the enemy to the Falls of Rauros.” Aragorn nodded, both men now looking at the young female ranger. Celeborn whispered something inaudible to Aragorn, clasped him firmly on the shoulder and turned, walking even further into the depths of the woods. “He and your grandmother wish to see you, Tia thol.**” Aragorn whispered to her as he passed, making his way towards the boats. “Don’t be long!” He called back.

She smiled lightly and walked further into the woods, “Kalaraes, kalyraes?”*** As she looked around her, suddenly they were in front of her, “Strider said you wished to see me?” Celeborn nodded, “Yes, we did…for a number of reasons too numerous to mention.” He placed his hand upon one of her shoulders and began to have her walk with them, “As you noticed we gave everyone, minus you and Aragorn tokens in their parting.”

“Yes,” Lenia remember softly of something that happened only moments before, “Grandmother told Aragorn he already had the greatest gift she or anyone could ever give him.” Lord Celeborn smiled at her recall, “Precisely.” He reassured.

“However,” Lady Galadriel’s regal voice caused her granddaughter’s head to turn to look away from the gaze she and her grandfather held. “we do have gifts for you. Not all of them are from us though.” Both grandparents looked at each other before stepping in front of the young girl.

“Your brother left these in our hands before he left here the last time we saw him.” Her grandfather explained talking out three things from his robes. Holding them securely in his hands and handing two to Galadriel. “He wished it would give you luck in battle,” She slipped a large necklace over her head. Its chain was delicate but it had a large wooden pendant on it, their home crest carved three dimensional into it.* “Comfort of his loss,” She spoke again placing a silver locket in her hands.* Her name delicately carved into the front, his on the back.

Her grandfather stepped forward, a delicate blue rose in his hands* “And hope for the defeat of Sauron and the survival of your people.” Lenia went to take it but instead Celeborn went over her hands and placed it in the back of her hair. “Lastly,” He told her stepping back to grab something, “there was a discussion of sorts quite some time ago between Gandalf and us…we came to an agreement.” He held out something draped in cloth.

Carefully she slipped the locket over her head before taking the long object and unraveling it. A carefully crafted staff, suited with a crystalline sapphire jewel by the top.* “But I’m not-” She began her grandfather cutting her off, “Gandalf said it was for you, no matter what type of wizard you were. You’ll know how to use it when it’s time.” Carefully he rewrapped it. “Keep it safe.” He handed it to her and kissed her forehead. “Be safe my child.” He told her in Elvin.

Her grandmother traced her face with her long delicate fingers, “We will see you again someday.” She reassured. “Find Haldir, he has your weapons.” She nodded, thanked them and hurried to find Haldir…they were loosing time and she knew it.

“Masydi,” Haldir said when he saw her coming…she’d given up protesting him calling her that. There was no use. “Your weaponry,” He acknowledged her carefully laid out life savers. “Thank you,” She told him collecting her old friends and attaching them in different places upon her back or utility belt. She went to grab her swords and paused. Resting there were three swords two of which she came in with, one of which she had never seen before.* “Your grandparents wished you to have it.” Haldir explained.

She managed to hitch all three to her belt. “I’ll be lucky if I can run a mile with all this attire.” Haldir smiled and placed his hand upon her shoulder, “You will do fine my friend.”

“Thank you,” She whispered, placing her hand upon his and turning, rushing down the embankment and to the boats. Gimli and Legolas were in one, Boromir, Merry and Pippin in another and lastly Aragorn, Frodo and Sam. It wasn’t hard to figure out who she would ride with—Legolas was an Elf, he could easily last for days without tire and Aragorn did not like the combination of Lenia and Boromir, they hadn’t gotten into arguments but the air was always tight between them. “Give your things to Legolas,” Aragorn instructed from his boat.

Lenia walked over and handed him her staff, he looked from the wrapped object back at her, utterly confused, “Later.” She spoke to him in Elvish, catching Aragorn’s attention. Legolas nodded understandably and placed the object in the bottom of the boat. Slowly she detached her utility belt-hesitant to let it out of her sight as she handed it to him. “It’ll all be safe.” He reassured her as he took it from her. Lightly she smiled and went back to Aragorn, quiver still on her back, determined to keep that form of protection with her.

With Aragorn’s help she climbed into the boat and sat down, “I’ll let you know if we need to switch.” He stated but Lenia rose her eyebrows, “And I’ll interject earlier if I see fit.” They pushed off; three good sized boats traveling down a peaceful river full of raw travelers some of which knew what they were getting into and others were heading into a field of unknown.

Lenia absently rubbed her necklaces as she watched the shores pass them by with every stroke of the paddle. “You’re grandparents didn’t let you get away then.” Aragorn spoke, breaking the silence within the boat by noticing her head decoration. Lightly startled Lenia brought her hand up, fingering the delicate flowers petals one by one. She pierced her lips, “No.” It was a strange relief to feel the petals upright, strong and healthy.

“What is it, Shadow?” Sam asked, calling her by the name he’d heard Aragorn call her before. Lenia turned her head towards him allowing her hand to slowly drop from the flower, “It’s my homes flower….our emblem.” She fell silent, she knew there was more to that special flower. A flower that will never fade on its on accord is a flower seeked by many.

It had been hours since the last darkness had set in and the morning had come yet she could not sleep…she could not find rest. Every rock of the boat filled her mind with thoughts; she could not clear her mind. Still she reached for the paddle handed to her; she had not told Aragorn of the fact that she had not rested - it was best he didn’t know. She pushed through the water absently as Aragorn talked and rested with the hobbits. Her mind was the only thing keeping her awake and she didn’t know why. Half of the thoughts running through her head she couldn’t really distinguish, they were just there, spinning through her head and making all other forms of living impossible.

“Lenia?” Aragorn’s shoulder tap caused her head to turn, thoughts to break. “Hand it here.” She blinked, “I’m-” She paused noticing that darkness was setting in, “We’re nearly there.” He told her taking it from her. “I can handle it from here.” She went to protest but he didn’t allow it. She sighed and began to occupy her time with the Hobbits.

She felt a connection with Frodo, a common ground that was far more than the ring. As little as Frodo conversed with her she could tell, by how he looked at her, just how much he felt it too. As she talked with them in low whisper she watched Frodo look at her, a smile on his face - a common understanding. She flashed him a small smile before her eyes darted to the opposite shore, a feeling of anxiety creeping up her spine. In the distance she could hear a rumble, a thunder of footsteps. Their pace was quick and their numbers great. Her eyes darted up towards Aragorn lightly he shook his head. 'Keep calm, show know worry, protect the hobbits. Focus,' she told herself quietly, 'focus.' The idea of settling down upon shore made her weary; she’d rather risk her ability to keep strength with lack of sleep than rest upon unsafe shores. Yet she never protested, she trusted Aragorn he was her mentor-he wouldn’t lead them astray.

The stars were high in the sky when they finally pulled ashore. Her legs were unsteady for awhile but she hid it, the feeling of land would take some getting used to now. “Come on,” She told Frodo as she hoisted him out of the boat. “Time for you to get a proper rest, we have quite a travel ahead of us.” Again she smiled gently, their eyes locking. “You understand don’t you?” He asked as she grabbed her things and tossed them over her shoulders. Gently she let out a sigh and nodded, “More than anything, Frodo, I understand.” Frodo stared at her for awhile. “You’re afraid of it?” Slowly she smirked, giving a quiet laugh through her nose, “In a demented way I am, Frodo, I am. I respect it’s power ten thousand times more than anything else in this world…I’d never disrupt it.” Her lips pierced and she crouched down, “Gandalf saw something in you, something all of us see but cannot pin point. He saw something, Frodo, something that shows your strength is far more hard than any of ours could ever be.” There was a silence, this time he returned her smirk. “I think there are different forms of strength.” He turned and followed the other hobbits to their resting spot leaving her sitting there staring after him. “Huh,” It had been the last thing she had expected out of him, still she couldn't help but smile and stand up. There was something about the hobbits that brought lightness to her heart. Tripton had always said it was the way Hobbits could find humor in any situation but there was something more too it.

She turned the corner in stood at a distance, carefully watching Aragorn and Boromir. They were staring out at something hidden in the water, “Gollum,” Aragorn mused, “he has tracked us since Moria.” He let out a small sigh that only Lenia could make out, “I had hoped that we would lose him on the river, but he’s too clever a water man.” He moved, walking more to the side of Boromir but keeping quite a distance between them. There was a moments pause, a tension between the two men. “And if he alerts the enemy of our whereabouts…it’ll make the crossing even more dangerous.” Lenia’s eyes darted towards where the Hobbits were, Frodo sat watching the scene, Sam trying to get him to eat. Frodo looked at Lenia and she returned the look, apology pouring out to him. They moved, Frodo focused outward on the water and Sam continued his talking. Lenia would have listened in but she was carefully watching Boromir and Aragorn. They two together worried her. Her worries were reality she noticed when Boromir turned from looking at the water and made his way towards Aragorn, “Minas Tirith is the safer road. You know that, from there we can regroup.” Aragorn looked away, eyes glancing back. He saw her, standing there in the shadows unnoticed by all other life. She’d gotten far too good at that-at being invisible. “Strike out for Mordor from a place of strength.” Boromir almost seemed to be begging. Aragorn turned and looked at Boromir, “There is no strength in Gondor that can avail us.”

Fire was burning in Boromir; Lenia could see it from the distance. “You were quick enough to trust the elves.” He snapped quietly, arm thrusting towards an unnoticing Legolas. Anger welled within Lenia but she concealed it, jaw clenched. Boromir had no idea what he was saying. “Have you so little faith in your own people?” Her eyes widened and mouth opened, hanging in the air. How dare he even… “Yes there is weakness. There is frailty. But there is courage also and honor to be found in men. But you will not see that!” Aragorn turned to walk off and Boromir grabbed him, pulling him around. That was it. Lenia went to charge forward but the look Aragorn through at her held her off. “You are afraid!” Boromir hissed at him. “All your life you have hidden in the shadows. Scared of who you are, of what you are.” He released Aragorn and he turned to him. “I will not lead the Ring within a hundred leagues of your city.”

“And why not?” Boromir hissed, “Do you not trust your own-” She couldn’t take it anymore, “Stop it!” She cried in a low whisper. “Please, there is enough strain upon us as it is do not burden us with anymore. Strider cares for your people more than anything in the world and if you stopped for one minute to use your insolent brain maybe you’d come to the conclusion that he wouldn’t lead the Ring anywhere near the city because he doesn’t want the Darkness surrounding it to consume the city like it has the rest of this godforsaken land!” The two men turned to face her, “Shadow,” Aragorn held up his hand, “that’s quite enough.” She let out a heavy breath and glared at Boromir before charging up the rocks.

“Meleth nin,* something wrong?” Legolas asked looking up at her; by the angered look she shot him he knew it true. “Shouldn’t have asked, huh?”

“For the love of the Gods, I don’t know why,” She sunk down beside him, “but Boromir just turns me the right way. It’s as if he cannot focus on anything but that damned Ring and cannot clearly see-”

“He’s only human, Lenia.” Legolas reminded her and she sighed aggravated. “I know, but so is Aragorn. At least his mind is clear and sensible. Boromir acts so…” She sighed deciding to drop her train of thought, “I don’t know.”

There was a few moments of silence where Legolas' deep blue eyes ran up and down her face. Her face looked drawn and tired to him.“You should rest,” He kissed her head and stood up, “I don’t think it’ll happen.” He gave her an inquisitorial look, “And why not?”

She nearly beat herself over the head...how could she have said that out loud? “Never mind…” She stood and kissed his cheek, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

He grabbed her wrist before she could get away, “What’s wrong??” Her small shoulders shrugged, “I have a lot on my mind, that’s all.” She was silent for a moment, “I don’t think I’ll sleep well that’s all.”

If he’d known that for the past few nights she’d sleep little his top would have blown, and she knew it. As she looked into his eyes she knew, he knew something was wrong. “I’m fine, Legolas,” She reassured, smiling a little at him for good measure. Still he stared at her for a while before gently touching her face. “Try, meleth nin? Please.” He whispered to her. Softly she sighed and closed her eyes, melting against his touch.

Finally, she nodded, “I’ll try my hardest.” Her voice whispered back to him as he kissed her forehead once more and walked further up the rocks to where he was set up for sleeping. With a hefty Lenia sat down and curled up, yawning and closing her eyes. “I wish you would have let me continue.” She informed Aragorn once he returned. Lightly she smirked, “I’d have loved the opportunity to battle with him.” Her crystal blue eyes locked with his.

Aragorn let out a deep sigh, “Let’s try to be civil, Shadow, please?”

“He hates my guts as much as he does yours.” Lenia hissed to him before turning away, “And to think…we’re always the ones coming to their aid.” Her eyes glanced at Aragorn, “Can you blame me for hating him, Strider?”

Aragorn chuckled eyes lifting lightly to look at her, “You hate? Never.” He looked into her eyes again, “I appreciate you wanting so hard to stand up for me, Lenia, to help me. Really, you’re loyalty is highly appreciated and excessively commendable…but I can handle this myself.” Tiredly Lenia nodded and rested her head against a cool rock, she suddenly felt extremely hot.

“You’re seventeen, Lenia, act it.” He smiled lightly at her, although it was strained. Gently he walked over and sat beside her, settling down ready for sleep.

A half-hearted laugh escaped her lips, “I’ve never acted my age, Strider. You know it.” Her eyelids felt so heavy for the first time in a long time and she let out a deep yawn, eyes barely looking up at him. To her she still felt like she was burning up, despite the cool weather of the sheltered wood.

She must have been paler than she thought because Aragorn disregarded everything she spoke before, worry and frown lines creasing his face. “You didn’t take it do you?”

“What?” Her voice was distant as she spoke to him. He gave her a firm, authorative look, “You know exactly what I am talking about, Lenia Kin-dal.” She couldn’t fight with him, she didn’t have the strength, “There’s not enough.” His head was already shaking in protest. “It’s not that I didn’t bring it,” She retorted, “I did…” Bright pink lips pierced as she tried to think of how to explain it to him without causing him anymore worry. “The herbs running out….we’ve been using it for years Aragorn. There’s not enough of it anymore and right now…the people in the hospitals need it more than us.” Her voice seemed to trail off into nothing. 'More than I do' She thought.

“Lenia, without that…” Lenia sighed and looked up at Aragorn, “I know, Aragorn.” Her lungs filled with the cool air, “I’ll be fine, I’m strong.” A forced smile plastered on her face and she kissed the cheek of the man that was so much like a brother to her. “Night.” She whispered to him and rested her head on his shoulder. If either of them were going to get any sleep that night she needed to end the conversation and fast – she knew that. He murmured goodnight back to her but she never heard him; much to her surprise she was already fast asleep.

*I know it's a lot of things to be given at one point but I nearly had no choice. I needed to have a way for her to have them because three of these things will be highly important in the chapters to come.

** My friend

***grandfather, grandmother

**** My love

What the...?

NO.

Love,
Lauren.

(When? Why? Who? HOW?!)

Once upon a time....

...there was a blog. It was a good blog, full of crazy story idea's and poems and challenges. But as all things must change, this blog grew old and neglected, and one month when no one posted at all it died....

Dearly beloved,
we are gathered here
to fondly remember
this blog
it offered support
through all the hard times
and trials of writing
it formed friendships.
But people move on
and the people of this blog
must go on with their lives
it is the natural way of things
but for today, we can mourn
think of all the good times
we have had
with this blog
farewell Writing Rants.