Title & Chapter Number The Wayward Wish 4/14
Author(s): - Author's Index
Website: Tortured Scribes
Fandom: Tolkien
RatingNC-17
Disclaimer Thank you J.R.R. for the wonderful playground of Middle Earth. Thank you Peter for the wonderful playground created by your casting department. I don't own any copyrighted material in this fic, I'm just borrowing it and I promise to return it when I'm done. Did I mention I have no money?
Warnings None
Betas Alex and Hedda
Cast Characters for Lord of the Rings, Original Female Character
Timeline Lord of the Rings AU
Spoilers Fellowship of the Ring
Summary The realities of being a modern woman zapped back in time to Middle Earth - minus the fluff.
Notes Elvish is Sindarin; If it looks like Tolkien and it sounds like Tolkien, it probably is. He wrote it first, he wrote it best, I'm just repeating it for storytelling purposes and make no claim that I came up with it. Everyone else has done the Modern Female in M.E., so now it's my turn. Hopefully, I've done it with a bit of style and believability.
Chapter Four: Unwanted Attention
Aragorn led the survivors of Moria urgently down the mountain. He wanted to be well away from them, before night set in and they were covered with Orcs. His mind was numb with the shock of losing Gandalf. He pushed thoughts of the wizard away, until he could find a private moment to grieve. Looking back, he noticed that the Hobbits and the girl were lagging again. Sighing, he reluctantly called a brief halt. The Hobbits had taken Gandalf's death hardest of all, and the relentless pace he set gave them little time to grieve. His heart sank once again at the thought of Gandalf.
The group gratefully dropped in the grass, resting their weary limbs. Legolas, who seemed unaffected by grueling pace, walked the perimeter, eyes watchful for danger.
Aragorn turned his attention to the girl as she started to wander away from the group. "Do not go to far," he warned her sternly. She nodded and disappeared behind a group of boulders. He considered what to do with the girl. She seemed recovered from her episode in Moria, but he could not afford any more trouble from her. No answer immediately presented itself, and he let the matter drop for the moment.
~*~*~*~
Jessy confirmed her growing suspicions about her itchy posterior. No exotic bug bite plagued her but good old fashioned poison ivy. She a gotten a bad case of it once before at summer camp when she was a child. Only now she was stuck in world without calamine lotion. Sighing, she straightened her skirt and returned to the group, determined not to scratch the rash and make it worse.
~*~*~*~
All too soon, Aragorn marshaled the group to its feet and continued down the mountain. Jessy walked in quiet contemplation as she took stock of her situation. She was short one pair of ruby slippers, and Oz was looking more and more like a permanent home. Fear crept along her spine at the realization that she was completely on her own. The group of adventurers was content to allow her to tag along for now, but sooner or later, they would have to part ways. If she didn't get killed first, Aragorn would no doubt dump her off at the first village he came across. She had no idea how she would survive in this world. She doubted there was much call for administrative assistants. She had worked in a bar part time off and on for extra money, and now, she was thankful for the experience.
Guess I'm destined to be a tavern wench after all, she thought to herself. It had been a running joke with some of her friends that she was too grumpy to be a proper wench. She pushed back her fears and concentrated on resisting the urge to scratch her bum.
~*~*~*~
Night surrounded them as they entered the forest of Lothlórien. Jessy was amazed at the size and beauty of the trees. Beside her, Boromir complained bitterly about passing through the woods. He had been her constant companion since Moria. Jessy had watched him wearily, not forgetting that he had broken her nose on the mountain. Aragorn had convinced him to enter the woods, but Boromir was not happy about it.
Before long, they came to a stream, flowing silver in the starlight. "Here is Nimrodel!" Legolas exclaimed, telling the others about the songs sung in his homeland about the river as he clambering down the steep slope to the waters edge. He entered the river. It was not deep, and he bade them to cross with him. He claimed that the river had healing properties, and Jessy did feel more refreshed once she reached the other side. She dropped on the grass near Legolas, hoping that Boromir would keep his distance. She hoped in vain, but soon forgot her anxiety as Legolas began to sing a song about a woman who lived next to the stream and shared its name. She had never heard a more beautiful sound that the Elf's voice. Legolas soon stopped unable to continue.
They set out again following the path before turning and traveling deeper into the woods. They finally stopped at a cluster of trees next to the river. They were so tall that the tops could not be seen. Legolas offered to climb up and find a perch for the night. He had just started to climb when a sharp yell stopped him.
"Daro [Stop]" came the strange voice.
"Stand still!" he whispered to the others. "Do not move or speak!"
As if in defiance to Legolas' request, Jessy's bottom began to itch with a vengeance. Before she could stop herself, she reached around and scratched the rash. Boromir's cloak hid the movement to all but the sharpest of eyes.
Legolas narrowed his eyes at Jessy, Fool girl, he thought, I just told her not to move. His thoughts were turned away from the Human as the Elves in the treetops asked him his business.
Soon, a silver rope ladder dropped from the treetops, Legolas and Frodo ascended to discuss their situation with the Lórien elves.
Jessy sighed and sat on the ground. She was bone weary and almost immediately sleep claimed her.
Before long, Legolas returned. "They have agreed to lead us through the wood. The Hobbits and Jessy are to stay in the flet with them. We are to take the second flet.
"The girl is scared of heights," Boromir interjected. "I do not think you will get her to climb the ladder."
"I will carry her up," Legolas shrugged. "Her weight will not be a burden."
Without another word, Legolas lifted the lightly snoring girl to his shoulder and climbed the ladder. He did not notice the grim look Boromir sent his way, but Aragorn did.
The girl will mean trouble if I do not see her settled soon, Aragorn thought. He was not unknown to the Lady of the Wood. Perhaps she could help him see to the matter.
~*~*~*~
Jessy awoke with a start and looked around. It was night still, and it took her a second or two to realize that she was on a platform built into one of the trees. Not daring to look over the side, she turned her attention to Frodo. He was quietly talking to a strange Elf.
Jessy lay back and dared not move a muscle. Sweat beaded her forehead, and her breath came in short quiet pants. She was trying desperately not to give into the panic attack that threatened to overwhelm her. Her imagination began to run wild with thoughts of the entire platform collapsing, sending them all crashing to the ground. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore the relentless itching that plagued her. Her fingers rubbing her hip were the rash had spread.
Haldir eyed the young human cocooned in a cloak twice her size. He could hear her erratic breathing and wondered what ailed her. Crossing the flet, he stooped next to her, gently resting a palm on her forehead. He had noted the damage to her face, but Legolas had been unwilling to tell him what had happened. He had gazed back down at the Humans, and Haldir wondered if one of them had struck the girl. He couldn't see why, she really was such a small female, hardly a threat.
Jessy's eyes snapped open as the hand came to rest on her face. The Elf eyed her with concern.
"What ails you child? You do not have a fever." He asked her softly.
"I'm scared of heights," Jessy managed to croak out between soft pants.
Haldir caught the movement of the girl's hand worrying her hip under the cloak. He raised a brow, "Is that all that ails you?"
Color stained Jessy's cheeks as she realized what the Elf was staring at. She stilled her hand movements and nodded affirmatively.
Haldir sighed, guessing the girl probably had received some injury and embarrassment at its location had prevented her from telling anyone.
He retrieved a small pack and dug out a leather flask. "Drink some of this." He told her sternly.
Jessy noted his stern look and decided against arguing with him. She sat up shakily and accepted the offered flask. She took a small swallow and gasped as the liquid burned its way down her throat. She started to hand it back to him, but he pressed her to drink more of the foul liquid. Finally, he was satisfied and took the flask back from her.
Jessy laid back deciding that men on this world were heartless jerks who didn't care one whit about other people. They were all sadists. If they weren't forcing her to cross bridges or breaking her nose, they took delight in other tortures. The liquid had left a foul aftertaste. She wanted to ask for some water, but she couldn't seem to get her mouth to work. Her lids grew heavy and finally closed.
Haldir watched the girl succumb to the sleeping draught he had given her. Her breathing had evened out, and he knew she would be blissfully unaware of her surroundings for some time. He deftly opened the cloak and gently rolled the girl on to her stomach. He frowned, not noting any blood or signs of injury. He untied the makeshift lacing that held her strange garment shut. Flipping the skirt back, he caught sight of the rash peaking out from the edge of her undergarment. Chuckling softly, he dug through his pack looking for the healing salve. Retrieving the salve, he worked quickly, and before long, he laced the skirt closed.
Rolling the oblivious girl back over, he examined her bruised face. She had taken quite a blow, and the knot on the bridge of her nose told him it was broken. He reached over and with a snap, reset it. She winced and moaned softly but otherwise didn't react. Haldir cleaned the fresh blood from her face and then wrapped her in the cloak. Satisfied that she would pass the night comfortably, he moved to the edge of the talan to watch for Orcs.
~*~*~*~
Jessy struggled to open her eyes. Someone was shaking her shoulder, urging her to wake up. Her eyes opened briefly, and she saw Aragorn leaning over her, Boromir standing over his shoulder. She tried to move but her body refused to respond. For a moment, she considered the possibility that she had indeed fallen from the platform in the trees. Perhaps she was paralyzed from the fall. Her arm finally rose off the group only to flop uncontrollably to the ground. She again opened her eyes and was this time able to blink a few times before they shut again.
"I tell you Aragorn, they have worked some foul magic on her. We should have never entered these woods."
Aragorn shot Boromir an irritated glance. "Haldir told you, he gave her a sleeping draught to calm her fears. She is still under its influence." He turned and called the girl's name again.
Boromir scowled as the Elf in question approached them. He had a leather flask, which he passed to Aragorn. "This will help clear away the sleeping draught effects."
Aragorn accepted the flask and held it to Jessy's lips. She choked and sputtered, but managed to swallow some of the liquid.
Jessy slowly opened her eyes, this time they stayed open. Her nose throbbed, but otherwise she felt extremely relaxed. Aragorn was saying something to her, she tried to concentrate, but it was difficult. Her brain seemed to be filled with cobwebs and thoughts flashed disjointedly through her mind. Finally, everything seemed to clear, and she slowly sat up.
"What happened?" she asked, her words slightly slurred.
"You were given a sleep draught." Aragorn answered. "Can you stand?"
"I think so." Jessy said as she struggled to her feet. The world seemed to tilt and spin, and she wobbled slightly.
Boromir reached over and placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. Jessy couldn't help but flinch at the motion of his arm. He frowned, but understood her mistrust of him. Perhaps as they spent more time together, she would come to trust him. Perhaps I shall even wed her myself, he thought idly. She needs a strong man to look after her. But I must keep her away from these blasted Elves.
After a few moments, Jessy shrugged his hand away. "I'm fine," she murmured. She walked on slightly unsteady legs over to where the Hobbits had prepared a light breakfast. She smiled at Pippin as he handed her a piece of bread covered with some bacon.
~*~*~*~
Haldir and his brother, Rúmil, led the group deeper into the woods until they came across a second stream that ran much swifter than the first. From the woods on the far bank came another Elf carrying several ropes. They fashioned a makeshift bridge and the Fellowship soon crossed. Rúmil stayed behind to await reinforcements for Orcs had been spotted in the woods the night before.
Haldir turned to the party, "Now as was agreed, I shall blindfold Gimli the Dwarf before we pass any further."
Gimli was not very happy about this announcement. He was quite belligerent and refused to be blindfolded. Finally Aragorn settled the matter by decreeing that the entire Fellowship would be blindfolded, for they were bound by a common goal and should all share a common fate. Gimli's pride was soothed and he agreed. Legolas, however, took exception for he was kin to the elves of Lórien. Aragorn refused to change his mind, and Legolas begrudgingly allowed himself to be blindfolded also.
Jessy attempted to find a place between Pippin and Merry, before she was blindfolded, but unfortunately Boromir latched onto her hand. She was beginning to feel very uncomfortable around the man and wished that he would divert his attention elsewhere.
It was a long, boring, day without even scenery to look out. Thankfully, the poison ivy rash seemed to have cleared up, and she no longer itched like crazy. The path was smooth under their feet, for which Jessy was grateful. She had finally lost her other shoe and was completely barefoot. Finally, they stopped for the night but Haldir refused to allow them to remove their blindfolds. Boromir refused to release his grip on Jessy's hand and pulled her to the ground next to him. It wasn't until food had been passed around that he finally let go of her, much to Jessy's relief. However, as soon as the meal was over, he reached for it again.
Jessy lay rigidly between Boromir and what she thought was one of the Hobbits. Boromir had made no other advances towards her other than the light caresses of his thumb across her palm. Finally after what seemed an eternity, his grip went slack and she could her the low rumbling of his snores. Holding her breath, she gently slipped her hand out of his. Climbing to all fours, she began to crawl away from the group.
Screw this; she thought to herself, I'll take my chances. It can't be any worse than here. She had crawled only a few feet when her hand came to rest on a soft, suede boot. Before Jessy could react strong hands pulled her to her feet.
"Where do you think you are going?" came Haldir's soft timbre close to her ear.
Jessy reached up to remove her blindfold but he captured her hands in his. "I'm leaving", she said softly, desperate not to draw Boromir's attention. "I've had enough of Boromir." She tried to pull her hands free but was unable to.
"He struck you?" came the quite response.
"Yes, but I bit him first. If you're done with the interrogation, I'd like to be on my way."
"As I told you and the others at stream, no one may leave until you have been brought before The Lady. Boromir is your husband?"
Jessy inhaled sharply, "No! He is nothing to me. I just met him a couple of days ago."
Haldir said nothing else and began pulling her back towards the sleeping party. Jessy resisted, dig her heels into the ground. Haldir stopped and said, "If you do not wish to wake Boromir, then I suggest you come along quietly." Jessy relented and followed him meekly.
They walked a few more steps, before Legolas stopped them.
"Are you well, Jessy?" he asked softly.
"No, but I guess it doesn't really matter," she said sulkily.
Legolas seemed to understand. Turning his attention to Haldir, he said " Place her among the Hobbits. She will find some peace and rest there." Then he dropped back into his place among the sleeping group.
Haldir led Jessy over to where the Hobbits had bedded down for the evening. Nudging Sam and Merry to get them to roll over, he pushed Jessy down into the vacant space between them. Jessy having no choice, curled up against Sam.
Haldir returned to his spot between Legolas and Calatar. They made small talk until Jessy's snores mingled with the Hobbits. Switching to Sindarin, so that Boromir couldn't chance to overhear, Haldir said, "The girl told me that Boromir hit her. She claims she bit him. What happened?"
Legolas sighed, not really wanting to sour their opinion of the girl. He knew that there would be no secrets to The Lady, so he explained. "She succumbed to the lure of The Ring. Boromir grabbed her, when she tried to attack Frodo. She bit him, and he reacted."
Haldir exchanged glances with Calatar. To Legolas, he said, "That does not explain his possessiveness. I had thought perhaps the girl was his wife."
"I think he intends to claim her." Legolas said simply.
Calatar had never been beyond the Golden Wood and knew little of Man's ways. "But if she is unwilling, why does he persist?"
"Men are different than Elves. They see women as possessions, having no say in their marriages. Most daughters are sold into marriage for property or gold."
Calatar was shocked. "How barbaric."
Haldir didn't answer. He had seen the result of such marriages, and it wasn't pretty. As long as the girl remained in Lothlórien, Man's law held no sway. She was free to make whatever choice she wished.
~*~*~*~
The following morning after a light meal, Haldir once again led the group towards Caras Galadon. Boromir had called to Jessy to join him for the march. Pippin had intervened on her behalf, telling Boromir they wished to hear stories of her home to pass the time. Boromir seemed to except this, much to Jessy's relief.
Finally, as the noon sun shone down on their heads, Haldir called the group to a halt. The voices of many Elves were heard around them. After a brief conversation, Haldir bade them to remove their blindfolds. The sight that greeted them was beautiful to behold. A large mound to their left held two circles of trees. In the inner circle stood a huge tree with a white talan in its branches.
"Behold! You are come to Cerin Amroth." Haldir said. "We will rest here awhile and make for Caras Galadon at dusk."
Frodo walked with Haldir to the hill while the rest of the party dropped onto the grass. Jessy was careful to place herself in the middle of Sam and Merry. She could feel Boromir's eyes on her and it gave her a creepy feeling.
The sun had all but set when they finally reached the northern wall of Caras Galadon. They finally reached the gate, and Haldir knocked and then spoke. The gates opened soundlessly, and the party entered the city.
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