An Aussie in King Aragorn's Court Part !

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 1

Meeting on Caradhras

By
LadyCoralie


Am I mad everyone????

I just can't get enough of TTT or LOTR...I've seen TTT 6 times now and am going again tonight...

I think I've fallen in love with Eomer...No Aragorn...No Legolas.....No wait Faramir, No I mean Boromir too.......

AAAAIIIII!!!! I'm a hopeless romantic.

I don't mind sharing with you all my daydreams I have whils’t riding the ski lift at Vail...
It is a long ride up you know...and I must pass the time.....

I daydream mostly about being transported into Middle Earth whils't I'm gliding down on my skis through some wonderful open portal (like the way to Narnia...just through a gap in the trees) and suddenly appearing in front of a band of Uruk Hai on the slopes of Caradhras.......I go into full extreme mode and ski like lightning, full bore, all the way down with the orcs giving chase...Of course they can't keep up...and then I do a spectacular jump over the heads of the Fellowship, who go "What the %&*#@?" as I sail over head screaming "Orcs behind!" ...The Uruk Hai then turn up and Aragorn and Co make short work of them as they have been forewarned, by the
magical skiing lady overhead .
A strange sight for Middle Earth eyes.

I then take off my skis and whack a few of them over their heads.....skewer others with my poles.......
Of course the Fellowship don't know what to make of me.....here is this strange woman in their midst dressed in even stranger garb with very strange weapons (skis and poles)....

Gandalf: I think there is some strange magic
afoot here!

Boromir: What is this new devilry?????

Sam: Is that Gollum??????

Coralie: I certainly am not Gollum, Samwise Gamgee.....
Can't you see that I'm a girl????? (removing my
headband revealing my blonde, red, brown hair
in all it's glory)

Frodo: How do you know his name?

Coralie: I know all your names, Master Frodo son of
Drogo! Now how do I know that??????)

Frodo: Gasp!!!!!!

Pippin: I rather fancy her coat!!!

Merry: What's she wearing on her eyes??????????

Legolas: Such strange garb.....Perhaps she is of Elven
kind, But I have never seen her like before!!!!

Gimli: Well she certainly made short work of that Orc!
That is a formidable weapon she wields.......even
if she is a woman.

Aragorn: Lady, we are forever in your debt...(swoon)
But, from whence did you come.....and how?????? (looking up at the mountain, I just skied down
and then at my ski gear)

Gandalf: Methinks, that this will be a long tale in the
telling but we have no time at present for long
explanations We have received aid in time
unlooked for. As strange as you may appear, I
sense that there is no evil in you, and that the
Valar have sent you here on winged feet ....perhaps you were mean't to play a part in our
quest..... Lady, I think we should welcome you
to our Fellowship.

Gimli: What! A woman? Never heard of such a thing!!!!!!

Coralie: Now don't go getting your knickers in a knot
Gimli, Son of Gloin....I have no idea how I got
here myself. Maybe I hit a tree and am dreaming
all of this! All I know is that I was just minding my
own business, cruising down China Bowl, went
over a jump in the trees and...Voila!.......
I ski into a bunch of Uruk Hai. One minute I'm in
Vail ....the next thing I'm on the slopes of
Caradhras going for it hell bent for leather!!!!!!!
Making my very own Warren Miller film!!!! Stone
the crows! My poor foofer valve can't take much
more of this mate! What's more....
where I come from...women have had the vote for
ages mate and you should mind your p's and q's
in the future.....

Gimli: P's! Q's! Hell bent for leather! Mate! What strange
speech! I'm not even sure this
is a woman Gandalf! No woman has ever dared
speak in such
a bold manner before!!!! Hrumpphh!!

Pippin: What's she saying???? Cruising? Voila?

Merry: I don't know Pip, but it sounds very interesting......

Legolas: Lady, I am very concerned about your poor foofer
valve....We Elves have much knowledge of the
healing arts…
Do not worry about the crows.The crebain have
flown back to their master Saruman. There is no
need to stone them.
For my part, if Mithrandir has invited you to be a
part of our Fellowship, then part of the Fellowship
you shall be! (stern look towards Gimli)

Coralie: Cool!

Aragorn: Are you cold M’Lady?

Legolas: … and never let it be said that the Elves
were ungracious towards a lone woman in the
wilderness….

Aragorn: Never have I seen such bravery and mystery at
one time...You are most welcome Lady….

Boromir: Well spoken Aragorn. The men of Gondor are
ever gracious toward the fairer sex as are the
Elves (looking at Legolas).....but what does the
Ring Bearer say?

Frodo: She seems fair and not foul to me....More fair
than you seemed at the Prancing Pony Aragorn,
(little wink at Aragorn) and you came to our aid
too unlooked for as she certainly has......
If Gandalf says the Valar have sent her?.......I
would not disagree with him.

Legolas: (Taking me by the arm) Now Lady, I am very
concerned about your foofer valve....Tellme...
where does it hurt? (double swoon)

[Lady Coralie]

Legolas: (Taking me by the arm) Now Lady, I am very
concerned about your foofer valve....Tellme...
where does it hurt? (double swoon)


Legolas is holding Lady Coralie's hand aka known as the Ski Queen
and looking at her anxiously.........

Legolas: Now Lady, you are strange to look upon, but you
cannot be so very different from Men, even
though you are a member of the fairer sex. Tell
me about this foofer valve of yours, for I
am wholly unacquainted with it.....pardon my
ignorance on this matter......but is it too delicate
to mention??????

Coralie: (Eyes wide...trying desperately not to laugh)
Sir Elf, you are very kind to ask about my foofer
valve, but you need trouble yourself no further
on my account.....I was simply referring to my
heart.....

Legolas: (Alarmed) Your Heart! What has it been pierced
by an Orc's arrow....let me see!

Coralie: No! No! Silly. Nice idea though! I mean't I got
quite a shock to find myself suddenly here in
Middle Earth! But if you keep holding my hand
and looking at me like a sick puppy, I'll
lay you tens that Cupid will shoot me in the heart
instead!!!

Legolas: (Suddenly springing to his feet) Where is this
Cupid? He'll be dead before he can draw arrow
from quiver!

The others spin around looking for another Orc (or Cupid) to slay, swords drawn.....

Coralie: OMG! It's moments like these you need Minties!

Gandalf: (Eyeing the ski queen from head to toe) Calm
yourselves! There is no danger here that I
perceive, but rather misunderstanding of sorts. My
Lady, it would appear that not only your sudden
arrival, and strange appearance and weapons
have taken us aback, but your speech
also is strange to our ears. Tell me....By what
name are you known?

Coralie: Well I'd really like to say my name was Picabo
Street, but you may call me Coralie if you like.

Legolas: Coralie...It is a melodious name.....Almost
Elvish....Are you sure you're not Elvish?

Coralie: Yes Legolas, I'm sure I'm not Elvish, but I do
have a smattering of blue blood if that counts
for anything, I may even may have a bit of convict
blood too if I’m lucky! ...Coralie is French and
means prettiness of coral.
(I rather like my name, it was entirely my Mother’s
idea)

Aragorn: What is coral?

Gandalf: I do believe that coral is a rock from the sea that
possesses many beauteous colours. It is found in
the Southron regions.

Coralie: Well, you're partially right Gandalf. Corals are
actually tiny plant like creatures that depend on
clean water and sunlight in order to survive. Coral
reefs are actually composed of tiny organisms
called polyps. The skeleton of a polyp is a simple
combination of epidermis and gastroepidermis.
This is called a corallite. There are two types of of
corals; perforate (which consist of porous
skeletons) and imperforate (which have solid
skeletons). These corals are typically carnivorous,
feeding on small particles floating in the water….

Pippin: EEEWWWW!

Coralie: …They are found in most tropical and sub tropical
oceanic regions of the world and their skeletons
form limestone when they die…..but you are quite
correct Gandalf, to say that they are
beautiful to look upon.



Sam: Carnivorous plants! Skeletons! I told you she
had something to do with Orcs. I don’t like this
one bit Mr. Frodo!

Frodo: Does this creature move and what does it look
like?

Coralie: No Frodo. It does not move save to sway in the
ocean’s currents.It is more like a flower I guess.
A flower that grows in the sea.

Legolas: Lady, this is very intriguing......

Samwise: She said she has a smattering of blue
blood...See! I tell you she has something to do
with the orcs!

Frodo: Hush now Sam! Gandalf seems to approve of
her, and that's alright with me.

Aragorn: What does this blue blood mean Lady?

Coralie: Listen Aragorn. If we're going to knock around
with each other then you should call be by my
name and not by 'Lady" even though I must
admit that I rather like the sound of it.
Blue blood means that I'm descended from
royalty. My great, great grandfather was a French
Count, a grandson of king Louis the XIV of
France. Although I am a sixth generation
Australian which means I probably have a spot of
convict in me as well!

The hobbits look at the ski queen dumbfounded.

Merry: Where is France?
Pippin: What's an Australian?
Sam: Convict….doesn’t sound too good to me!

Coralie: An Australian is a bloody good sort, that's what!
And France is a country in Europe, wherever the
hell that may be at the moment. Actually Middle
Earth could be Old Europe in ancient times come
to think of it? How come you can
understand me?????? We seem to speak the
same language…

Boromir and Gimli raise their eyebrows at each other. Gandalf nods approvingly.

Aragorn: Then indeed, you are a Lady, Coralie...(he stoops
to one knee taking her hand in his, kissing her
Marmot Ultimate Women's Ski gloved
hand)...And I can assure you that I would never
knock you about.....

Coralie: Oh my heart be still! (she drops in a mock faint to
the ground.


Aragorn: Lady!

Coralie: Don't get your knickers in a twist now! I'm
perfectly alright. All this testosterone is making
me light headed!

Boromir: (with water skin in hand) Here Lady. I see you
are in need of refreshment.

Coralie: Thanks. My throat was drier than a bull's bum
going up a hill backwards.....

Gimli: BBBAAAWWWAAAAHHHHAAAA! She may be alright
after all!

Merry: (giggling) What a thing to say!

Coralie: Call it my royal prerogative! Hang around some
more with me and your ears will burn!

Pippin: What's testosterone?

Coralie: Never mind!

Gandalf: Well Lady, er, Coralie, since that is what you
would have us call you...What is this Australia
that you speak of?

Coralie: Well, I come from Australia, otherwise known as
the Land of Oz, or the Great Southern Land, or
Land of the Southern Cross
and …….I think I'm from the future!

Sam: See, she's a Southron! Why should we trust her!!!!

Gandalf: Samwise Gamgee! This is some other land that
this Lady refers to. Have you ever seen a
Southron? They are dark, with dark hair and eyes.
Does she look dark to you? What colour is her
hair?

Sam: .....Well I can't really tell. She has stripes of
gold and red and brown....It's not natural and no
mistake!

Coralie: Honey, I'll have you know that I paid a good deal
of money to my hairdresser to make my hair
look natural thank you very much...it was done
with foils and is the latest fashion where I come
from.

Sam: Foils! I've never heard of hair being done with
swords before...

Legolas: Come Sam. This is no way for a hobbit of the
Shire to talk to a Lady. Besides, I think her hair
is interesting to look at. It is short, but pretty
nevertheless.

Gimli: Well said elf!

Coralie: Why thank you. I think that was a compliment of
sorts.

[Lady Coralie]

Part 1 Continued

Frodo: (scowling a bit at Sam) Coralie, I think your hair
is nice even though I don't understand how it
could be done with swords, or foils as you put
them. But come. Let us see your
eyes, so we may know if you speak the truth or
not. What is this strange covering you have
upon them?

Coralie: (removing her sunnies) Why certainly Frodo.
Here ya go mate.
They are called sunnies or sunglasses. They are
made to protect your eyes from the sun.
Especially up here in the snow. Snow blindness
can be a pain in the bum! Try them on
if you like...they won't bite!

Merry: She has blue eyes!
Gandalf: Yes…Just like most of you in the Fellowship…so
she should fit right in.

Sam: My eyes are green!

Gandalf: That’s because you’re the jealous type, Samwise
Gamgee!

Sam looks very embarrassed by this little home truth.
Frodo handles the sunglasses gingerly in his hands. He puts them on.

Frodo: Oh My! Everything looks clear but dim. I can't
describe it.

Coralie: Hey Frodo! You look pretty cool mate!

Aragorn: Cool? This is the 2nd time you have mentioned
you were cold. Yes night is coming on....May I
suggest that we seek some shelter ere
nightfall? I would very much like to converse
with this lady further, but we must not stay in
the open much longer. Tell me Coralie.
Were there any other orcs you spied on the
mountain other than the ones slain here?

Coralie: They were the only ones I saw, and they scared
the heck out of me as it was.

Gandalf: Aragorn is right. We cannot linger here
much longer. We have a long way to go off this
mountain. Let us make for those
trees down below and make camp. Then we
can talk some more about your strange
comings and goings Coralie. I would like to
find out more about you and your homeland
and what you know of our quest...

Coralie: I know more than you realize Gandalf, but
somehow I seem to be forgetting as well. I
know all of your names, and something of
your quest, but everything else is very faint.
I don't understand...

Gandalf: I think I do. Now let us make for those trees
whils't there is still light.

Coralie: (recovering her skis and poles)
I can ski down if you like and check it out. I
wouldn't mind carving some fresh powder!

Gandalf: If that is what you were doing with those long
poles on your feet, that would be a new thing
to see. Most amusing and I've had little to
amuse me of late. But I fear for your safety
We do not know what may be down there.

Legolas: Gandalf is right Lady. You cannot go alone
and unescorted. I will accompany you.

Coralie: How can you do that? I've only got one pair of
skis here, and I don't reckon I can carry you.

Legolas: I am of Elven kind and tread lightly upon this
earth. I would like to experience this skiing.
It is a new thing to me and I could use some
amusement too. However brief. Besides it
looks to be the fastest way down.

Aragorn: They are right. You cannot go alone.

Coralie: Okay Legolas. How are we going to do this
then?

Legolas: I will stand behind you if you permit?

Coralie puts on her skis and takes her poles in hand. The Fellowship
look on in wonder as she picks up her Northface Chilkats backpack,
slinging it over her shoulder:

Coralie: Climb aboard Legolas...this is going to be
interesting. Never had a passenger before. I can
see a face plant coming on.

Aragorn: Legolas. See those trees down there...Scout
them out, but be on guard.

Coralie: Ready?

Legolas: ( Stepping on the skis from behind and placing
his hands around Coralie's waist)...With your
permission M'Lady?

Coralie: OMG! I think I've died and gone to heaven!

...........

1/1/2003

Glossary of Australian Terms:
(In other words…..A translation)
Full Bore Pretty fast…flat out actually!

Knickers in a knot/twist Toget upset

Hell bent for leather Pretty fast again!

P’s & Q’s manners

Stone the crows! Expression of surprise

Foofer Valve An undesignated part of the body or
Or engine that is prone to breaking
down

Lay you tens Wager with someone

Knock around with Hang out with….

Good sort attractive/likeable/honest

Moments like these you need a Minties...... candy!

[Aragorn's Latest Lay]

I assume the translations are for those elven races out there who speak no English?

Some nice thoughts about Leggie in there. Could be a sleepless night tonight. ;)

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 2
Leggy Can Snowboard!

By LadyCoralie


“Wait! I’ve got a better idea! (Groan! What am I saying?) Boromir, may we please borrow your shield?” said Coralie suddenly as Legolas was preparing to mount her skis from behind. He graciously stepped backwards, wondering what ‘new thing’ the Lady would present them with now.

Boromir handed over his shield with raised eyebrows.

“Certainly Lady….but what use do you have for it?”

Unclipping from her skis and bindings, Coralie took the shield, stunned by its sudden weight and almost dropped it at Legolas’ feet. Everyone watched puzzled by her actions.

“Here! I have absolutely no idea, how I came up with this…but Legolas…I reckon you’d be able to use this shield as a snowboard and ride down the mountain yourself!”

“What do you mean? Should I stand up or sit?” asked Legolas, genuinely surprised by her suggestion.

“Look, I’ll show you what I mean,” she answered. Standing on the shield, she slid down the slope a little way to the amusement of all.

Legolas picked up her skis and poles laughing and walked down to where Coralie waited for him.

“I see what you mean…I’m sure I can manage this ‘snowboard’ as you so aptly put it.”

“Just think of the sea, Legolas, and before you know it, you will be hanging five!” she laughed in return. Legolas chuckled to himself over the strange words she used as he followed her down the slope on Boromir’s shield.

“Well, we are probably the first people in Middle Earth to see a shield put to such use as this,” said Gandalf, his eyes twinkling. The others nodded in agreement and laughed as the two disappeared down the slope.

“Perhaps Coralie can teach me to do that too, one day!” exclaimed Pippin, delighted by the prospect of flying on top of the snow instead of having to trudge his way through.

“You know, the elf is quite good at that…He never ceases to surprise me,” said Gimli.

“It would seem that our lady Coralie is also full of surprises, Gimli. Come! We must be off. They have reached the trees now. Let us make haste to meet them. I am afraid we shall not travel as swiftly though,” said Gandalf as began the slow descent, staff in hand.

The snow upon the slope, seemed to stop mysteriously at the trees as Coralie and Legolas approached. The ground beneath the trees was bare and rocky as Coralie took off her skis.

She approached Legolas with her right hand raised.

“Hey Legolas! That was brilliant. Give me five mate!”

“Five of what?” he asked puzzled.

“Give me your five fingers and slap my hand mate!” she laughed.

Legolas shrugged and slapped her upraised arm, promptly knocking her over at the same time. Horrified, he bent down to help her up.

“Your pardon Lady! I didn’t mean to slap you so hard!” he said ruefully.

Coralie shook her head and smiled. “Mate! You may look thin enough to run around the shower in order to get wet, but you’re tougher than a mallee bull!”

“Nevertheless, I am extremely sorry to have hurt you,” said Legolas anxiously.

“No harm done Leggy!” she replied.

“Leggy?” thought Legolas to himself. He looked into the trees as if listening for a moment.

“Wait here. I am going to make sure this area is safe,” he said as he drew his knife and walked stealthily into the trees. Coralie dusted herself off and clipped her skis together.

“What am I doing here?” she wondered to herself while she waited. “Am I dreaming all of this? How can I just ski into Middle Earth? That’ll teach me to wear a helmet in future.” Looking up she could see the rest of the party approaching quickly. Legolas came out of the trees and stood beside her.

“We are safe for the moment. Look! The others are almost here. Please….Don’t tell Aragorn that I knocked you over,” said Legolas looking down at her. She could read the pleading in his eyes, although his voice sounded calm.

“Not a word,” she returned smiling.

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Aragorn's Latest Lay for the kind words.

Yes Leggy can have that effect on people can't he???
:naughty:

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 3

Legolas and Coralie watched as the others approached the shelter of the trees. Frodo’s legs ached and his head was dizzy as he thought of the long and painful march downhill. Black specks swam before his eyes. He rubbed them, but the black specks remained.

“The birds again!” said Aragorn.

“Stone the flaming crows!” exclaimed Coralie. “What we need is some buckshot!”

“I have not shot a buck in a long time Coralie,” replied Legolas “but I think you’re out of luck as I cannot see any stones lying about the ground here. I should like to see you stone them.”

“What are they exactly?” she asked.

“They are spies of Saruman,” said Aragorn “twould seem that they have come back for a second look”. Gandalf looked grim, but resigned as he lent upon his staff. “Our passing has not gone unnoticed and I fear now they have some more news to deliver to Saruman.” he turned looking at Coralie.

“Yes I’m sure I made quite a spectacle of myself leaping in over the heads of those Orcs and the Fellowship as I did. You’d have to be Blind Freddy not to have noticed my little entrance…just wished I’d caught it on film mate! Warren Miller would have been impressed.”

“Who is this Warren Miller? Is he a great warrior?” asked Gimli eagerly.

Coralie laughed. “No way Jose, he’s pretty long in the tooth for that…strike me pink, I reckon he’s over 70 years old by now…he makes ski films for entertainment….sort of like moving pictures.”

Gandalf and Aragorn looked at her incredulously. “Well he is not so old . I still consider myself worthy of battle….and we won’t even mention Legolas’ age.” said Aragorn.

“Hruumph! Nor mine for that matter,” coughed Gandalf. “I have never seen a moving picture Coralie. You come from a very strange place indeed. As to our present predicament, we must go down at once. Not even on the knees of Caradhras will we wait for another night-fall!”

They made ready to leave. Coralie attached her skis and poles on her Chilkats backpack and took off her ski boots. She rummaged around in her pack and pulled out a pair of women’s Tecnica Vario GTX terrain running shoes. Quite pretty, feminine and durable to boot! The fellowship watched her with growing fascination. Boromir picked up her Raichle CRX 500 ski boot and examined it closer. Gimli was especially fascinated with the intricate detail of the buckles.

“Tell me Lady. Did dwarves make these boots of yours? I have never seen the likes of these before, but the workmanship smacks of dwarven make to me. We are very skilled at such things. Tell me what is the wire made of where you buckle them on?” Gimli asked pointing at the buckles of the red boots he held aloft.

“Well they are called bails Gimli and I do believe that they are made of plastic and steel!” answered Coralie.

Plastic!” wondered Gimli. There is no such metal found in Middle Earth, and I thought Mithril was good!”

Coralie finished packing as she accepted the boot back from Gimli. Still dressed in her ski gear, but now with better footwear for travel, she felt just about ready to face anything. She donned her pack and joined the others as they made their way through the brooding trees.

“What is that noise?” asked Frodo. The company stopped and looked about anxiously. There was nothing to be heard but the breath of the wind talking to the trees. They moved on again. “Wait.”

Aragorn held up his hand. “I heard it too.”

“What did you hear?” asked Merry anxiously looking at the trees suspiciously.

“The sound did not come from the trees, although it was like unto the movement of the leaves in the wind. Rather, it came from amongst us. Lady. Please come here.” beckoned Aragorn. Coralie shouldered her pack as she walked towards him.

“Swish, swish, swish.” Her ski pants rubbed against each other with each step. Feeling very awkward, yet nonetheless relieved at the realization that she made the noise and not some dark and dreadful creature in the woods she looked down at her pants. So did the others.

“Wel,l this will never do.” Said Gandalf. “We’ll have every orc and spy of Saruman knowing our exact whereabouts at this rate.”

“Then I guess I will have to take them off!”

“Lady!” We cannot allow you to disrobe amongst these men! It would not be seemly!” exclaimed Legolas.

“Relax gentlemen! I’ve got a pair of sport wool leggings on underneath, and a pair of jeans in my backpack. Besides…. I have to go see a star about to twinkle!”
Legolas looked up into the darkling sky. “It is not quite evening yet Coralie. There are no stars above,” he said with a puzzled frown.

Coralie winked at him. “I’m not talking about that kind of star Legolas”.

He smiled back at her. “Oh. I see.” He nodded knowingly.

Coralie picked up her pack and headed a little ways into the trees. “What does she mean…see a star?” asked Pippin.

“Yeah. I don’t see any stars over there,” said Sam still suspicious as he tried to watch the direction in which Coralie was going.

“Perhaps, Samwise Gamgee. This is not the sort of star you were mean’t to see.” said Aragorn as he stepped in front of the craning hobbit and gently turned him around.
“Oh!” he muttered with embarrassment. Frodo just rolled his eyes.

It was cold and the wind bit at their backs as they turned from the Redhorn Gate and stumbled wearily down the slope. Caradhras had defeated them. By the time they halted for the night, evening was approaching and the grey light was waning fast. They were all weary.

“We cannot, of course, go on again tonight!” said Gandalf. “We must rest here for a while.”

“And then where are we to go?” asked Frodo.

“We still have our journey and our errand before us,” answered Gandalf. Walking over to the spot where Coralie sat, munching on a snickers bar he sat down beside her.

“Tell me Coralie. What do you know of our errand?”

“I’m not sure Gandalf. I knew it when I first came upon you all on the mountain, but now…..I can’t remember all the details…something about a ring I think, and a dark lord and something about the end of the world…..” her voice trailed off, unsure of what to say next. She suddenly felt a little scared and out of her depth. Here she was in a very strange land with very strange people (even if some of them were hunks) and she still wasn’t sure if she’d actually hit her head and was dreaming or not. The loss of clear memory was the most disturbing aspect to her. She wondered if she had amnesia.

Gandalf patted her gloved hand. “There, there my dear. Do not fear. You are among friends. I don’t think you have amnesia.” She looked at him with wide eyes.

“But what’s going on? How did I get here? I seem to know you all, and then not as well. It is very confusing. I feel like I have one foot in the grave and another on a banana skin!”

Gandalf smiled in return. “There are many paths one could take in life, and for one reason or another, the Valar have sent you along this one with us. I see neither a banana skin, or a grave at the moment. It is true that I had not reckoned on your joining us when we started out on our quest. For better or worse, you are to be counted as one of us. There are many mysteries in the world, and your appearance seems to be one of them. I do not understand it, but I can accept it for now….as should you.”

“Where are we going now Gandalf?” she asked apprehensively.

“We are going to the mines of Moria. We cannot cross the mountain. We must go under.”

“Under?” replied Coralie, as she took another bite of her Snickers bar.

“What is that you are eating?” asked Sam. “Orc food?” He was still not convinced about Coralie’s authenticity. Gandalf sighed.

“Here,” she said handing it to him “Try it if you dare!” Sam gingerly handled the Snickers bar and smelt it suspiciously.

“Go on Sam. It won’t bite!” said Gandalf with exasperation. Sam took a tentative bite.

“Oh my!” he cried with delight! The other hobbits came rushing over.

“Is it good?”

“Here, let me try!”

“Wait your turn!”

They each took a bite of the chocolate and looked at Coralie with new wonder in their eyes.

“It would seem, Coralie, that you have at last made converts out of the hobbits,” said Gandalf with a wry smile as he stood up. He patted Sam on the shoulder as he passed by.
Sam reluctantly smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Well, Lady Coralie….’twould seem I was wrong to misjudge you. That ain’t no orc food you’ve got there and no mistake”.

Coralie just laughed and tossed him another bar.

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 4

What has she gotsssss in her backpackssssssss?

Coralie laughed as the hobbits shared the second Snickers bar she had tossed over to Sam. They were licking their fingers with delight. True joy shone in their faces. Legolas came over and settled himself down beside her.

“Thank you Coralie for making them happy, if only for a moment.” He said wistfully as he looked upon the satisfied hobbits who were now joking about their recent booty.

“Yep! They look about as happy as pigs in mud Leggy! Doesn’t take much does it?” she replied.

“A hobbit and his food should not be parted. That was a real treat you gave them. I’m afraid that our provisions are not as tasteful as the hobbits would like, even though they are as practical as we could provide for our journey. Tell me. What else do you have in that pack of yours? It would seem to be a virtual treasure trove.”

“Treasure? Did someone say treasure?” asked Gimli in his gruff manner as he and the others gathered round Coralie, intent on finding out exactly what her back pack contained. She laughed as she started to empty its contents.

“No Gimli. I have no treasure, just the regular stuff I keep in here in case of an emergency, in case I’m stranded in the back country or decide to camp a night under the stars if it is pleasant out. I was planning to do that before I leapt into your company. The weatherman had forecast a rather warm night, most unusual, but hey! I’m not arguing…you don’t get too many of those this time of year……so my pack has all sorts of thing in it.”

“Weatherman?” asked Boromir. “Is he a wizard? How can he know the weather in advance?” He looked quite perturbed.

“Well, there’s no hard and fast rule about it Boromir……but more often than not he gets it wrong. Nothing is 100% when it comes to the weather.” replied Coralie.

Aragorn nodded in agreement.

“Yes even the weather here is unpredictable and our own Caradhras can be cruel when the mood is upon him.” He drew a long puff on his pipe and smiled at her. She rummaged around in her backpack pulling this and that out until it was all on the ground for all to see.


2 extra pair of white socks
1 pair of Raichle Freedom Ski Boots
1 pair K2 XP Axis Down hill skis
1 pair Black Diamond Carbon Fibre Flicklock Ski Pole (Makes a hand snow probe)
1 Rip curl ski jacket and pants
1 Bota bottle water skin in plush fleece…makes a comfy pillow
1 Silva Polaris compass
1 Climber fuel stove and matches
1 packet Celestial Seasoning Strawberry Kiwi Tea
1 Marmott women’s Zermatt hooded fleece jacket
1 pair of Outdoor Research Windy Ridge fleece gloves
2 Patagonia women’s silk weight capilene t-shirt in buttercup and white
2 Title Nine wicking camisoles freesia print
2 sports wool jumpers by Rip Curl (She was already wearing one)
2 pairs of sports wool pants by rip curl (ditto as above)
1 motive long sleeve wicking top
1 pair of Oakley Penny sunglasses
1 tube of Clinique sunscreen
1 Revlon lip gloss, Breathe Hi Fi Lippie
Several chapsticks and assorted lip glosses (strawberry, mango, banana, cherry)
1 Lancome Definicils Waterproof Mascara and eyeliner (Hey a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do…never know who you’re gonna run into!)
1 SI-5 Portable Flat Speakers with surround sound and (Sony Clie hand held computer, mp3 and digital video + still camera.
1 solar battery recharger and spare batteries
1 Sierra Design Women’s Synthesis sleeping bag
12 Packets of Mainstay Emergency Food Rations
3 pairs of Antz Pantz knickers
1 billabong Lush bikini + shorts
1 micro fiber towel
1 bottle of strawberry milkshake shampoo
1 bottle of Skin Quenchers Berry Juicie A luscious fragrant blend of nature's best berries! Includes naturally antioxidant strawberry, blueberry and raspberry extracts, vitamin C, nourishing avocado and healing aloe extracts.
1 nail file
1 tooth brush and tooth paste
1 Crystal Rock stick deodorant
1 laser light on a chain
1 ski pass
1 first aid kit
1 copy of Lord of the Rings (book)
1 pair Tecnica women’s Vario GTX terrain running shoes.


The Fellowship gazed in wonder at the contents arrayed on the ground.
Merry swooped on the emergency rations. “OY! Coralie! Is this more chocolate?”

“No!” she laughed. “I gave you my last bar.”

“Your pardon Coralie. If we’d known that was all you had we wouldn’t have been so greedy.” apologized Frodo.

“Don’t worry about it fellas….I’m on a diet anyway. It was worth it just to see the look on your faces when you ate it.” she responded. Sam looked at her with new respect.

Boromir picked up the compass.
“What does this do?”

“That’s a compass. It always points true north. Have a bo peep if you like.”
Boromir fiddled with the strange contraption and walked in many different directions.

[Lady Coralie]

“This is truly a wonder….Look the needle always points in one direction!” Gandalf accepted the compass from Boromir and examined it with raised eyebrows.

Pippin picked up Coralie’s bikini and started to stretch it.

“What’s this Coralie? Some sort of slingshot?”

Aragorn took Coralie’s Billabong bikini top away from him and handed it back to her.

“Ahem…..I think you had better put this away my Lady.” He looked rather embarrassed. Coralie giggled wickedly.

“Now, Now, Aragorn don’t be shy. This is a bikini. It is quite common for women to wear these in public where I come from…especially at the beach. We swim in them.”

“Swim in them? You really wear that in public? At the beach?” Legolas looked up at Aragorn’s mention of the word. “There are no beaches on the mountain Coralie.” He tilted his head and winked.

“Ah! But there is a hot spring that I can relax in after a hard day’s skiing that I know of, and as it is frequented by both men and women, it would be prudent of me to wear a swimming costume, even if as an Aussie, I am accustomed to going topless at the beach sometimes. After all, I was in America before I landed here in Middle Earth and they are a bit prudish when it comes to such things. I am not ashamed of my body. It took a lot of hard work to get it looking this good,” she rejoined. The Fellowship looked at one another. Boromir broke the silence with a loud guffaw.

“Coralie, women must be very strange where you hail from. There is no woman that I know of in Minas Tirith who would even contemplate the wearing of a ‘bikini’? in public or otherwise….but I do admire your spirit….perhaps we will have the opportunity to find a hot spring along the road and try it out….Bikini or no!” Boromir’s eyes danced with glee. Aragorn took another puff on his pipe and shook his head. Legolas eyed Boromir warily.

“Hell’s Bell’s Boromir, I didn’t know you fancied women’s clothing? You can borrow my bikini any time you like mate….not sure about the fit though!”

With that, the awkward moment was dispelled and they all laughed heartily around the camp fire. Coralie was not finished though.

“I better put his bloke on his bike while I can.” She thought.

She advanced upon Boromir, hands on hips in a defiant gesture, eyes flashing. Coralie was tall, but Boromir still stood head and shoulders over her. She did not see Legolas and Aragorn stand up behind her.

“Now look here Boromir. I don’t care if that is a sword you’ve got in your pocket or if you really are glad to see me, but I didn’t come down in the last rain shower . I can get as mad as a cut snake when I want to. .…Watch out or I’ll stick yer bloody bum on the barbie…. you’ll get the rough end of a pineapple where it really hurts if you’re not careful ……and let that be a warning to you mate!” she bristled. Boromir backed away from this ‘wild woman of Borneo’. He held up his hand in defense.

“Your pardon Lady. It was a mere jest. Do not be offended by such a thing…such a little thing.”

“ ‘Twas a poor jest Boromir,” interjected Aragorn. “It is well that you sought her pardon when you did.” He gave Boromir a cold, hard stare until an understanding was reached between them.

Gandalf reached for the book among Coralie’s things.

“Lord of the Rings?” He fumbled through the pages.

“Oh that’s a book I like to read before bed…Or at least I think I did? What’s it called again?” she stepped over for a better look.

“Look the pages are fading!” exclaimed Gandalf. “This is indeed a mystery….” His voice trailed off. ….”One of the pages is marked.” The pages faded as he tried to read them before his very eyes. Gandalf blinked to see if it was a trick of the light. “No the writing has disappeared. I would have liked to have read it ere we go much further.”

A small square piece of paper fell out of the book, it fluttered softly to his feet. Stooping he picked it up.

“What’s this? I’ve never seen anything like this before!” Gandalf was a little more than surprised. In his hand he held a photograph.

“Oh! It is a photo of the twin girls that I used to nanny! I use it as a bookmark. Their names are Lauren and Alexa. Lauren is in front and that’s Alexa in the back. Aren’t they lovely?” asked Coralie stepping over for a closer look. Gandalf and the others examined this new wonder.

“Lovely is an understatement Coralie.” smiled Legolas. He handed the photograph to the hobbits who gasped in wonderment.

“Yes. I took this photo the last time I took them horse riding. That’s Aspen they are sitting on. Isn’t he cute? He’s only 3 years old, but extremely patient and gentle.”

Merry grabbed the instant camera. “What is this strange object Coralie? Ain’t never seen one of these before!”

“That’s a personal computer and digital camera! It is called a Clie. It’s the latest thing!” she replied. “I can take your picture too if you like.”

Merry’s eyes opened wide. “You mean like that one of the girls you have there?”

“Exactly! Do you want me to take your photo Merry?”

The other hobbits gathered around eagerly to watch. Coralie took the Clie from Merry and took his picture. There was a flash of light! Gandalf came running over alarmed.

“Don’t worry Gandalf. This camera has a flash so you can take pictures in the dark. It’s supposed to do that. Gandalf sighed, relieved with her explanation.

They gathered around eagerly to view the picture on the display.

[Lady Coralie]

“Look at that!” Merry exclaimed.

“Take mine too!” cried Frodo.

“Yes and mine as well!” yelled Pippin.

“Ow! That was my foot!” Sam nudged Pippin out of the way.

“Gentlemen. Gentlemen!” Aragorn entered the fray, holding up his hands. “There is no need to fight about this. I’m sure that the Lady here will be only too happy to take your pictures as well.”

“How about I take a group photo of you over there by the tree?” she rejoined.

The hobbits quickly scurried over to the tree. The others laughed to see such sudden enthusiasm.

“Now. Why don’t you hold your swords out in front of you and try to look serious for a change?” asked Coralie as she peered through the view finder.

They hobbits were delighted with the result.

“Why, you all look like the sternest, bravest warriors The Shire has ever seen,” said Gandalf musing. There was a twinkle in his eye. Clearly he was enjoying the moment.

“May I try to take some pictures myself Coralie?” asked Frodo in earnest.

“Of course you may Frodo!” laughed Coralie. He took the camera from her. After a brief instruction, he wandered around the camp site taking various snaps of the Fellowship to the
amusement of the others.


“Indeed Lady, you are full of surprises. May I ask what else it can do?” asked Aragorn looking over her shoulder.

“Well, it can also play music.” He looked at her with doubt in his eyes.

“Here!” she said, adjusting the ear phones on Aragorn’s head. She pressed play and Aragorn jumped up in surprise.

“Let me try!” Pippin ran over to where Aragorn and Coralie stood eagerly. Aragorn passed the Clie to Pippin whils’t Coralie, helped adjust it on his head. The other hobbits crowded round straining to hear. “Lady Coralie……What is this Waterloo and how did you put an orchestra in this little box?”

Coralie chuckled. “Why Pip, I do believe that you are listening to Abba. There is no orchestra in that box. Just a recording instead. Do you like it?”

“Like it? It’s magnificent! Here Merry…You go next.”

The hobbits amused themselves with their new found toy and Gandalf laughed delighted at their capers.

“Music is a chief love of the elves Coralie. Perhaps you have something that Legolas would like?” Gimli’s eyes twinkled.

“Do I ever! Oy! You blokes….Let’s give Leggy a go.” She turned to Legolas. “You are going to love this. It’s called The Memory of Trees.” The hobbits handed her the hand held computer and she found the file she was looking for and handed it to Legolas. She helped him put it on. Coralie pressed play. Legolas’ eyes were wide with pleasure.

“I think we’ve lost him Gandalf.”

He smiled back at her. “Shame about your book Coralie. I should have like to have read that.”

“I wonder why it faded like it did? That is totally creepy.” she shuddered.

“Me thinks we are not mean’t to read the story for now.” he nodded. “Some things are best left to work out by themselves. I would like to learn more about your world, but first we have more pressing business at hand.” He called the hobbits over to where they stood, a little distance from the fire. “Frodo. With your permission I will tell our Lady here about our quest. We are on a perilous quest and it would not be fair to further endanger her life without telling her what we are truly about. Come. What say you?”

Frodo looked first at Coralie, then at the hobbits who nodded and shuffled their feet in the dirt. Turning to Gandalf, he looked him squarely in the eye. “I’m sure it will be alright to tell her Gandalf. You’re right of course. It would not be fair to keep it from her.” Gandalf nodded in agreement as did the other hobbits. He proceeded to tell her about the Ring Bearer and his burden.

Aragorn sat down beside Legolas who was still listening to Enya entranced by the music. He drew slowly on his pipe as Gandalf explained all. Legolas took off the earphones.
“Legolas….. this Coralie person is both a wonder and a worry.”

“I know what you mean Aragorn.” Legolas looked at Boromir who was warming his hands by the fire.

“As a man, on the battlefield, I’m sure we can rely on Boromir in a pinch …… but how he is in the company of women? That is untried….. We must keep an extra eye on him.” Aragorn took another puff.

“I agree Aragorn. Although Coralie would seem to be a strong maiden, she is still only a maiden and therefore vulnerable to some extent. I will keep her by my side.”

Aragorn nodded. “There will be much trouble on the road ahead I perceive. We do not need to have trouble at our doorstep. Keep a close watch.”

“Have no fear Aragorn. I will both watch and listen well.”

“Our Coralie has a feisty little spirit and I would not see it dampened by Boromir’s dishonorable advances, Legolas. I could be wrong…….I hope by Eru that I am……but I will take no chances.”

[Lady Coralie]

The night wore on in the telling of the ring to Coralie. Suddenly she yawned, which in turn set off all the hobbits. Gandalf looked around. Boromir, Aragorn and Gimli were fast asleep. Gimli snorked as he rolled over. Legolas stepped out of the shadows. “Come Lady. I think it wise we retire for the night. I have your sleeping blanket ready. Gandalf looked up at Legolas and the now sleepy hobbits.

“Yes. It is late and we need our rest. We have a hard road ahead of us tomorrow. Goodnight Coralie. Sleep well while you may. Have no fear, you have fallen into good company on the road
in spite of its many dangers.” He looked up at Legolas who nodded in return.

“You’re right Gandalf. I’m absolutely worn out. Time to hit the hay. Nighty Night hobbits. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.” She followed Legolas to her sleeping bag and climbed in wearily. Legolas settled down beside her. Aragorn was sleeping soundly on her other side. She lay back and placed her hands under her head and gazed up at the night sky, thinking of all that had befallen her that day. She sighed.

“…….And at night the wondrous glory, of the everlasting stars….”

Legolas roused. “What’s that Coralie?”

“Oh. Nothing. I was just reciting a line from a poem I learn’t as a child.” The stars shone brightly overhead. They both lay there looking up with wonder in their hearts. Presently Legolas spoke.

“Is it a poem from your homeland Lady? If so. I should like to hear it.”

“Okay,” Coralie whispered back. “But I will only whisper it so as not to disturb the others. It will put me in the mood for sleep. It escapes me at the moment. Maybe something familiar will help me drift off. It is a poem by Banjo Patterson. He is my favorite Australian poet. He mostly wrote ballads of the bush.”

“Ballads of the bush?” asked Legolas. “What is this bush you speak of?”

“The bush is in the heart of all true Australians. It is the love and the fear of the bush, it’s beauty and it’s terror that enthralls us. Once it is in your blood, you can’t get it out.” She sighed as if in remembrance and for an instant Legolas caught the sweet smell of eucalyptus and heard the gentle calling of the bellbirds in the rainforest. He smiled at her memory.

“Tell me your poem Coralie”

“It is called “Clancy of the Overflow”. It is about one of our legendary bushmen.



I had written him a letter which I had,
for want of better
Knowledge, sent to where I met him
down the Lachlan, years ago,
He was shearing when I knew him,
so I sent the letter to him,
Just on spec, addressed as follows,
"Clancy, of The Overflow"

And an answer came directed in a
writing unexpected,
(And I think the same was written
with a thumb-nail dipped in tar)
Twas his shearing mate who wrote it,
and verbatim I will quote it:
"Clancy's gone to Queensland droving,
and we don't know where he are."

* * * * * * * * *

In my wild erratic fancy visions come
to me of Clancy
Gone a-droving "down the Cooper"
where the Western drovers go;
As the stock are slowly stringing,
Clancy rides behind them singing,
For the drover's life has pleasures that
the townsfolk never know.

And the bush hath friends to meet him,
and their kindly voices greet him
In the murmur of the breezes and the
river on its bars,
And he sees the vision splendid of the
sunlit plains extended,
And at night the wond'rous glory of
the everlasting stars.

* * * * * * * * *

I am sitting in my dingy little office,
where a stingy
Ray of sunlight struggles feebly down
between the houses tall,
And the foetid air and gritty of the
dusty, dirty city
Through the open window floating,
spreads its foulness over all

And in place of lowing cattle, I can
hear the fiendish rattle
Of the tramways and the buses making
hurry down the street,
And the language uninviting of the
gutter children fighting,
Comes fitfully and faintly through
the ceaseless tramp of feet.

And the hurrying people daunt me,
and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their
rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy, and
their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow,
they have no time to waste.

And I somehow rather fancy that I'd
like to change with Clancy,
Like to take a turn at droving where
the seasons come and go,
While he faced the round eternal of
the cash-book and the journal --
But I doubt he'd suit the office,
Clancy, of The Overflow.


Legolas looked over at Coralie. “It is a pretty poem Lady. You sing it well.” By the gentle rhythm of her breathing, he could tell that she already fallen fast asleep.

[Bess the Bard]

Funny and heartwarming. I enjoyed it at TORC, too. Quite an undertaking you've set yourself here, but you're doing a great job.

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Bess for your encouraging words.

I thought I recognized your name mate!:grin:

Cheers!

LadyC

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

This is good LadyC! I haven't taken the time to read it at TORC, but now I'm wishing I had.

You've got a fascinating storyline...

[Lady Coralie]

Never mind Dawn...

You can read it here mate! :grin:

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I know, that's why I did...and I will continue to as well.

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 5

Coralie awoke with a start. The night was old and the fresh smell of a new morning hung on the air. Fading stars twinkled softly overhead. She looked towards the campfire, and saw the huddled figures of Aragorn, Legolas and Gandalf. No she had not hit her head on some tree limb and the awful realization crept over her that she really was here in the company of these strange men. She shook her head.

“I don’t believe this.” She thought.

Gandalf and Aragorn were both drawing on their pipes. Their muffled voices carried a soft air of urgency about them. The rest of the camp was still asleep. She could hear Gimli still snoring softly.

“Strike! Time to point Penelope at the porcelain!” she rolled over in her sleeping bag .
“Might as well do me ablutions while I’m at it, I need a cold bath to clear my head.” She thought to herself as she lay there contemplating her next move. Legolas looked over to where she still lay and then towards Boromir huddled over near Gimli. The hobbits looked as peaceful as if they were sleeping in their own beds. Day had not quite struck.

“Good!” he thought as he gave his attention to the continuing conversation between Aragorn and Gandalf.

“Since our open attempt on the mountain-pass our plight has become more desperate, I fear. I see now little hope, if we do not soon vanish from sight for a while, and cover our trail. Therefore I advise that we go neither over the mountains, nor round them, but under them. That is a road at any rate that the Enemy will least expect us to take.” Gandalf said soberly.

“It is not of the ring, nor of us others that I am thinking now, but of you Gandalf. And I say to you: if you pass the doors of Moria, beware!” answered Aragorn.

“I do not wish to go to Moria,” said Legolas soberly.

Not wanting to draw attention to herself, Coralie quickly and quietly slid out of her sleeping bag, grabbed her pack and lit off through the woods. She was wearing her long underwear and socks. Her feet made no sound. A little ways down the slope, through the trees, she thought she had heard the sound of water tinkling over rocks. She was right.
A little stream had washed itself into a small rock-pool before continuing its joyful journey down the hill.

“Smasher! This is a great place for a drover’s breakfast!” she thought as she sat down and took off her socks. Reaching into her backpack, she took out her bath gear and laid out her clothing for the day. “I’m stuck out here in the bush with a bunch of spunky blokes,” she thought. “No point looking and smelling like a dog’s breakfast.”

In a brace of shakes, she had slipped off her clothes and slid into the water. The water was up to her neck. This pool was deeper than she thought. She gasped!

“OMG! OMG! Better get my cogs into gear! Bloody Hell!” She reached for her shampoo and started lathering quickly. The sweet scent of strawberry milkshake filled the air.
She softly sung a tune to herself. There was nothing better than a bath, first thing in the morning. She was a little more used to the water now, but it was still invigorating nonetheless. Washing her hair and cleaning her teeth had truly woken her up. Climbing out of the pool, she quickly grabbed her towel and began drying herself. The air was cool and crisp. Morning dew hung on the leaves of the overhanging trees. As she applied her
matching body lotion to her long limbs and torso, she surveyed the awakening countryside before her. They were almost down in the valley under Caradhras now. It was quite narrow with steepening walls toward the eastern end. She could see that they would have to climb up some more in order to get out of the valley if they went that way. There was the very faint outline of stairs in the distance.

Applying her chapstick and gloss, Coralie looked at her watch. She had enjoyed her brief moment of solitude but time was fleeting. She’d been gone half an hour.

“Fair Dinks! If I don’t get back up there in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, they’ll have the search and rescue squad out looking for me….and we can’t have that now can we!” she groaned.

Quickly she pulled on her clothing. The path she had taken down to the pool was before her. With pack in hand she started to make her way back up.

Boromir stepped out from behind a tree.

“None of us should wander alone. You least of all.” He had a stack of firewood in his broad arms.

Coralie started. “How long have you been there Boromir?”

“Just long enough to enjoy the sights and the sounds of the morning Coralie.” He countered looking down at her slyly. She looked up at his giant frame blocking her path and knew she was outmatched. They were all alone. For an instant she felt fear as she looked up into his boorishly grinning face. Gathering her courage she looked up at him and made to go on.

“So are you the search and rescue squad or something? Worried I’d lost my way on the path eh?”

“There are other ways, Coralie, other paths we might take.” As she stepped forward
he put up an arm and lean’t on the other tree, blocking her path. He still held the firewood with his other arm. Instinctively she stepped backwards.

“Why do you recoil? I am no thief! I would not rob you of your virtue!”

Coralie suddenly laughed out loud! She knew she had to turn this situation around fast. She could not play the victim here. This was getting ugly. Unswinging her pack, she threw it at Boromir, hard.

“Horse feathers! Look if you want to make one’s alley good, heave this onto your mud guts will ya? No point mooching around. Nickywoop!” Coralie knew that he had absolutely no idea that she had told him to get lost in no uncertain terms as she had used a friendly, almost bantering tone which to his ears sounded like she was appealing to his masculinity. She smiled up at him from beneath her mascara. Her heart pounded away in her chest, unsure of his next move. She prayed that he had taken the bait.

Boromir looked down at her face. Her sweet scent took his breath away. Was that strawberries? Her lips were a glorious wet pink, the like of which he had never seen before. There was something both feminine and strong about her at once. She had thrown that pack at him with some force. He could see her slim muscled form beneath her leggings and t- shirt. This was not one of the soft, weak maidens of his homeland he was used to. He looked down at the hands she now held on her slim hips, questioning him. They had not known hard work. Her nails were manicured and long. This was a lady of leisure, not some woman of the fields to be taken at will. He was confused. Her manner of speaking was coarse, as those used to waiting upon men at tables in some ribald inn, yet she held herself proudly like a queen. But she showed no modesty either and did not attempt to cover herself from his eyes. What manner of woman was this? A new desire arose in him. She was clearly more challenging than he had first thought.

“Methinks a lengthy hunt increases the appetite and that the chase may be just as merry.” he deliberated to himself.

“Well, I will show you that the Lords of Gondor are equal to the task you have set them M’lady.” He said with a flourishing bow. “I presume by your speech, although difficult to understand, that you wish to me to carry your pack. I am ever at your service. After you.”

Feeling quite relieved Coralie stepped out in front of Boromir. She was trembling from head to toe, but dared not allow him to see this sudden weakness. Suddenly she stumbled
over a rock.

“Fool!” She thought to herself. Boromir’s arm shot out to steady her.

“Well, Coralie it looks as if you’ve finally found that rock you wished to stone the crows with.” he laughed. She looked up at him and saw genuine mirth in his eyes. The darkness had left them. He was trying to be friendly. They both laughed out loud with relief.
Legolas appeared before them bow in hand. He had a concerned look upon his face.

“Lady is anything amiss?” he queried eyeing Boromir.

She immediately felt great waves of relief wash over her as she looked up at him. She was determined though to put on her best Academy Award performance for his benefit.
Coralie slapped him on the shoulder as she passed him by. “Nothing to worry about Leggy ol’ chum. Boromir kindly offered to carry my pack up the hill for me. What a sweetheart!”

Boromir cast his eyes to the ground and followed her. Legolas watched them go on ahead as he brought up the rear. Something was wrong. He could not quite put his finger on it.
Coralie had joked with him on the path and was laughing with Boromir when he found them. Boromir though was a different matter. He had not met his eye when he sought it, almost as if he had something to hide. By all accounts it would seem that he had worried about her safety needlessly. She had not appeared in a distressed state. Perhaps he and Aragorn had misread Boromir. He puzzled this on his way up the path. Coralie turned a little way ahead to look back down at him. Their eyes met. Then he knew…….. the smell of strawberries mingled with the faint scent of fear.

Translation of Australianisms….


“Horse feathers! Look if you want to make one’s alley good, heave this onto your mud guts will ya? No point mooching around. Nickywoop!”

“Nonsense! If you want to make a good impression on me, carry my pack….now rack off quick!”

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Quite an interesting addition LadyC.

But I liked it...

[Lady Coralie]

Here's part 6 for you My Dear.

More interesting additions.....


An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 6
YMCA

Coralie and Boromir headed back into the camp with Legolas not far behind. Aragorn signaled him over.

“I trust that you found everything in order Legolas”, he asked deliberately.

“In truth I cannot say. My instincts tell me that something was amiss between the two of them, yet the Lady was unharmed.” Legolas replied looking over Aragorn’s shoulder to where Coralie was now busy rolling up her sleeping bag. Even from this distance he could see that her hands were shaking.

“Some harm cannot be seen so easily as a bruise upon the skin.” Gandalf said pointedly.

“You are right Gandalf,” agreed Legolas “I sensed some fear in her, although she hid it well. I doubt that any would have noticed save elf.”

“Or ranger.”

“Or wizard, for that matter,” countered Gandalf and Aragorn one after the other. Aragorn turned in frustration towards Gandalf.

“This complicates matters Gandalf. It is not right that she should be here. She is a woman and not suited to this task. I wish that she had come before we left Rivendell. ‘Twould have been better for both her and us to have left her there in Elrond’s care. I would have her safe,” said Aragorn.

“And I would have her safe too Aragorn,” replied Gandalf placing a hand on Aragorn’s shoulder. “I agree with you. She should not be here, and yet she is. It is obvious that our Lady here is not a native of Middle Earth, but comes to us from another place and time altogether. I do believe that she spoke truthfully about coming to us from the future.”

“I know that you are right Gandalf, but why her? Why now? If we needed some help from the future, why didn’t the Valar send us some great warrior who could aid us in our task and not some maiden without strength? It would also help to have someone who could remember what happens to us on our quest!” Aragorn was clearly exasperated.

“Oh she has strength, Aragorn. But not of the kind you would seek. I am sure that there is more to her than meets the eye.” said Gandalf.

“Yes, and what meets the eye is obviously pleasant,” replied Legolas. “Twould seem that Boromir thinks so as well, though that is not to my liking.” He cast one suspicious eye in Boromir’s direction.

Gandalf and Aragorn both looked at Legolas questioning his last statement. They waited expectantly for him to say more. He was looking beyond them, almost lost in some recent memory. Presently, Gandalf took up the thread of the conversation again.

“I do not know or understand the purposes of the Valar in sending her here amongst us. Whether it be for good or ill, to aid our quest in some large or small way (which she has already done, on the slopes of Caradhras by the way), or whether the purpose has neither to do with us nor the ring bearer……… I cannot say. But I will say this……. Whatever it is, I am indeed glad of her company.” He looked around at the various members of the company now gathering their belongings together for the road ahead. Lastly, he looked at the elf and the man who stood before him and sniffed the air. “The lady was absolutely right about too much testosterone! She has lightened my heart and my senses….if you get my meaning…..Ah! I smell strawberries.” And with that he strode off, staff in hand towards her.

Aragorn and Legolas stood for a moment with jaws agape.

“If I didn’t know that was Gandalf among us, I’d say he’s completely lost his mind!” said Aragorn with frustration.

Legolas laughed and cuffed his shoulder. “Or his heart!”

“You don’t think…..” Aragorn looked at Legolas.

“No ….he wouldn’t ….” Legolas looked straight back at his friend.

“He couldn’t….” Aragorn tried to sound confident.

“Couldn’t what?” Pippin had snuck up next to them without their knowing.

“How long have you been there?” They both looked down at him accusingly.

“Not long!” replied Pippin. “I thought you were talking about Gandalf. What can’t he do? I thought he could do everything?”

“Never mind Pippin. Look Gandalf is calling us over to him.” They walked off leaving Pippin standing there scratching his head. He would never understand the ways of big folk.

“What did I say?”

“Lady Coralie. I trust that you are quite refreshed for the journey before us?” enquired Gandalf noting her still wet hair as he lean’t in her direction. “Ah!” he thought to himself. “That is strawberries I can smell!” he noted the bottle of Strawberry Milkshake shampoo on the ground amongst her things. She was busy getting ready for the trek ahead and had dressed in black leggings and a buttercup yellow t-shirt. Coralie looked up at him enquiringly.

“Remarkable!” he thought to himself. Her eyes look so blue against that yellow shirt of hers.” He was still standing there, leaning on his staff smiling down at her.

“Gandalf?” she asked, waiting for his reply.

He heard the footfall of the others and came to his senses.

“Ahem! With your pardon Coralie, we are going to have a meeting about the path we should take today. I have already told Aragorn, Legolas, and of course you my Dear, of my plans. Now I must tell the others and see what the Ring Bearer decides. We must take counsel together before we go further……. By your leave?”

They all looked at Gandalf, amazed that he had so readily taken her into his confidence.

“Sure thing.” She replied, standing up to adjust her Clie player on her waist band, ear phones in hand. “I have to work out anyway. Don’t mind me.” She placed the ear phones on her head and turned to make the final adjustments to her pack, strapping on her skis.

The Fellowship walked over towards the smoldering embers of the camp fire.

“What does she have to work out Gandalf?” asked Frodo as he walked beside him.

“I don’t know Frodo,” Gandalf replied. “Perhaps you can ask her later.”

They stood in a circle, waiting for Gandalf to speak.

“Frodo. We must decide upon the course we shall now take. We cannot go back and attempt the pass of Caradhras again. The Enemy will be watching the pass closely now and I also suspect any path that will take us around the mountain.”

“What do you propose Gandalf? If we cannot go over the mountain and the path around is blocked….. are we to go back to Rivendell?” asked Frodo in return.

Pippin’s face brightened visibly at the mere mention of return to Rivendell; Merry and Sam looked up hopefully. Aragorn and Legolas stood silently by. Frodo looked troubled.

“I wish I was back there,” he said. “But how can I return without shame – unless there is indeed no other way, and we are already defeated?”

“You are right Frodo”, said Gandalf: to go back is to admit defeat and face worse defeat to come. If we go back now, then the ring must remain there: we shall not be able to set out again. Then sooner or later Rivendell will be besieged, and after a brief and bitter time will be destroyed.”

“Then we must go on, if there is a way,” said Frodo with a sigh. Sam sank back into gloom.

“There is a way that we may attempt,” said Gandalf. “I thought from the beginning, when I first considered this journey, that we should try it. But it is not a pleasant way. Aragorn was against it until the pass over the mountains had at least been tried.”

“If it is a worse road than the Redhorn Gate, then it must be evil indeed,” said Merry. “But you had better tell us about it, and let us know the worst at once.”

“The road I speak of leads to the Mines of Moria,” said Gandalf. Only Gimli lifted up his head; a smoldering fire was in his eyes. On all the others a dread fell at the mention of that name. Even to the hobbits it was a legend of vague fear.

“It is a name of ill omen,” said Boromir. “Nor do I see the need to go there. If we cannot cross the mountains, let us journey southwards, until we come to the Gap of Rohan….Or we might pass by and cross the Isen into Langstrand and Lebennin, and so come to Gondor from the regions nigh the sea.”

“Things have changed since you came north, Boromir,” answered Gandalf. “Did you not hear what I told you of Saruman? With him I may have business of my own ere all is over. But the Ring must not come near Isengard, if that can by any means be prevented. The Gap of Rohan is closed to us while we go with the Bearer.”

“To enter Moria would be to walk into a trap, hardly better than knocking at gates of the Dark Tower itself. The name of Moria is black.”

“You speak of what you do not know, when you liken Moria to the stronghold of Sauron, Boromir.” answered Gandalf. “But I would not lead you into Moria if there were no hope of coming out again. If there are Orcs there, it may prove ill for us, that is true. But most of the Orcs of the Misty Mountains were scattered or destroyed in the Battle of Five Armies. The Eagles report that Orcs are gathering again from afar; but there is a hope that Moria is still free. There is a chance that Dwarves are there, and that in some deep hall of his fathers, Balin son of Fundin may be found. However, it may prove, one must tread the path that need chooses!”

“I will tread the path with you, Gandalf!” said Gimli. “I will go and look on the halls of Durin, whatever may wait there – if you can find the doors that are shut.”

“Good, Gimli!” said Gandalf. “You encourage me. We will seek the hidden doors together. And we will come through. In the ruins of the Dwarves, a dwarf’s head will be less easy to bewilder than Elves or Men or Hobbits.”

The hobbits said nothing. Sam looked at Frodo. At last Frodo spoke. I do not wish to go,” he said; “but neither do I wish to refuse the advice of Gandalf. We shall go through the Mines of Moria.”

[Lady Coralie]

Part 6 continued

At these words all fell into silent thought. Their quiet reflection was suddenly interrupted by singing.

“Y.M.C.A. It’s fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.” Coralie had her back to them and was some distance away under the trees. She appeared to be dancing, although this was a dance they had never seen the likes of before. Her arms were waving above her head one minute and the next she was bending at the waist and then standing up again. Clearly, she was listening to something on her head phones and was singing along, oblivious to all around her. Suddenly she leaped up onto an overhanging tree limb above her and started pulling herself up to chin height in a repetitive motion. She was counting.

“What is she doing?” queried Pippin.

“I don’t know Pip…Let’s go take a closer look,” answered Merry as they ran over to the clearing. Sam and Frodo just looked at each other and shrugged, following closely behind. Gandalf laughed delightedly, glad to have something to amuse him after such dark counsel. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other with eyebrows raised behind his back.

“Come,” said Gandalf. “Let’s investigate this new mystery. Very amusing…..” His voice trailed off as he walked away. Aragorn and Legolas just sighed and followed in his wake with Boromir and Gimli in tow.

They all stood now, a little distance away from Coralie in a semi circle. None knew what to make of what she was doing. She had counted to 50 whils’t pulling herself up into the tree with her arms. Clearly, she had no idea she had gathered such an audience. Her back was still towards them and by now she had landed back on the soft earth and appeared to be stretching out her limbs. There was a trail of sweat down the back of her shirt. She was stretching over at the waist quite slowly arms outstretched. The hobbits were involuntarily bending with her. She leaned forward to touch her toes. Aragorn coughed as she did so, trying to alert them to her presence. Boromir had a foolish grin spread across his face, his head was tilted to the side following her every move. Legolas pushed passed him. He stood at the front of the company arms folded across his chest.

“It is plain to my sight that the Lady cannot hear us at present and would deserve some privacy. It is not seemly for grown men to be standing here gawping at her for their own amusement.” His eyes narrowed and focused on Boromir as he spoke.

“Amusement? I would call it something else entirely!” laughed Boromir. He could see that Legolas did not share the joke. “Very well.” he conceded walking away. Gimli followed talking to himself as he trailed his axe in the dust. Gandalf gathered up the hobbits.

“Legolas is right boys. I know you mean no harm and that this is a new thing to see, for all of us actually….but, it would be unchivalrous for us to remain here in this position especially as the lady is not aware of our presence.”

“She said she was going to work out,” said Frodo looking up at Gandalf as he led them away. “Do you think that is what she mean’t?”

Aragorn looked at Legolas and shook his head. “Right, I will leave this part up to you alright? This is no work for a ranger.”

“But you are Aragorn son of Arathorn. You are no mere ranger. You are the rightful king of Gondor! As a woman and a member of your race, she is subject to you!” protested Legolas.

Aragorn held up his hands to ward him off. He had never seen the elf flustered before. “Yes and if you remember, she is the great, great grand daughter of some nobleman from France. For all I know, she could be my great, great grand daughter somewhere down the line if she really does come from the future as Gandalf think, and I don’t wish to cross swords with her.”

“But, but…” Legolas was completely lost for words. He had a resigned look on his face.

Aragorn laughed heartily and slapped Legolas on the shoulder as he departed. “You’re a better man than I, my friend. Perhaps there is ice in your veins after all.” He strode off laughing after the others who were by now getting ready to depart on the next leg of their journey.

“Perhaps not,” muttered Legolas to himself as he looked at Coralie who was now sitting cross legged on the grass in front of him. He walked as silently as only an elf can up beside her. She appeared to have her eyes closed and was singing softly with the music in her ears.


http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/7902/MidiFiles/JohnLennon/imagine.mid

“Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
living for today


Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed nor hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Legolas listened quietly drinking in the sound of her sweet, melodious voice. “She is more elf than she realizes,” he thought to himself. Coralie sat very still with her eyes closed. Her breathing was soft and regular. Legolas noticed small beads of sweat across her brow and upper lip. She had obviously exerted herself, but she did not look to be in any physical distress. Still she sat. So still. He could hear very faintly the strains of music from her earphones.

“I wonder if that is Enya again?” he thought with a smile. He waited. “What can she be doing?”

His words were soft as he gently touched her shoulder.

“Lady?”

She opened her eyes and turned to him with a serene smile upon her lips. The scent of strawberries hung in the air between them as soft as the morning.

“Hello Legolas. I was meditating.”

“Meditating? That’s almost Elvish!” he was more than a little surprised. He had never met a woman, a human quite like her before.

“Yeah! Well I wish I were an elf so I could have your skin mate!” she said patting him on his knee. “But since I’m obviously not and running on a time frame here, I’m going to put on some sunscreen.” With that she jumped up and jogged back to her pack leaving Legolas sitting there alone on the grass.

“She intrigues me…… yet I cannot……. ” Legolas did not finish the thought. He got up and followed her back. She was practically skipping. Legolas laughed to see such youthful abandon.

“She is obviously a woman and not a young maiden without experience, but she has a child like quality about her…. Perhaps she is more kindred to the hobbits in spite of her height.” He mused as the hobbits rushed over to her at once.

“Coralie we want you to……” Pippin came screeching to a halt in front of her.

“What Pippin means to say,” said Merry nudging him out of the way. He fell silent as the shadow of Legolas strode past him. “Is that… er… um,” he suddenly looked quite bashful and kicked at the ground with his hobbity feet.

“ I think, begging your pardon Lady, what Merry and Pippin are trying to say is that we would like to learn that dance you were doing earlier under the tree.” asked Frodo
politely.

“Yeah! Whaddya call it?” asked Sam suddenly, surprised at his own eagerness.

Coralie threw back her head and laughed. “I was doing a work out boys!”

“See I knew that’s what she mean’t by work out after I saw her doing it!” Frodo nudged Sam.

“So……. You were watching me then?” she asked. The hobbits coughed and quickly looked around. The others were out of earshot making final preparations for the day’s trek.

Pippin held up his hands. “No! No! Lady. We wouldn’t spy on you or anything, would we lads?” he quickly gave sideways looks to the others who nodded enthusiastically in agreement.

“No! No! Nothing like that!” They chorused at once.

“Really?” Coralie said with a twinkle in her eye. “Then how do you know what I was doing exactly? The hobbits suddenly felt quite ashamed. They had been spying on this nice lady and now they were caught. They stuck their hands in their pockets and dug at the ground with their toes. Coralie laughed again.

“Don’t sweat it boys. I couldn’t care less. I will teach you if you like.”

“OH! Yes Please!” The hobbits were radiant. Coralie proceeded to show them the accompanying movements for the chorus of YMCA and teach them the words.

[Lady Coralie]

Part 6 Conitinued

“Look,” she said. “I’ve got a better idea. Wait here.” She went over and rummaged about in her pack whilst the hobbits continued to practice the movements. They loved to dance and this was something entirely new and fun to try. Before, this “ski queen” had come upon their path, they were weighed down by the burden of their hearts. Coralie walked over to them with two flat looking boxes.

“Right,” she said. “These are speakers. Believe it or not, I can make the music come out of my little player here, for all to hear.” The hobbits looked at her wide eyed as she attached them to the MP 3 player on the Clie. “Are you ready?”

They all nodded back at once in anticipation grinning from ear to ear. It was all she could do not to laugh out loud. They were so comical.

“Okay! Here we go!” she pressed play.

Aragorn and the others jumped around. True, they had listened to the little music box the night before, but this was different. The music reverberated through the little glen they occupied filling the echoes that were empty but a moment before. There, over near the trees were Coralie and the hobbits dancing away and forming funny shapes with their bodies as she had done so earlier. Gimli let out a loud whoop! Boromir dropped his sword. They all began to laugh. Gandalf was wiping tears away from his eyes.

“Never in the lives of three hundred men…..” he could barely speak from laughter.

“Well Legolas,” laughed Aragorn. “She’s entirely your responsibility. Perhaps you should learn this dance too.” He was crying now.

“Listen. They are singing along!” countered Legolas. He was laughing hard and could barely get the words out.

On the air, they could hear tiny hobbit voices singing. “Y. M. C. A. It’s fun to stay at the Y. M. C. A………….”

Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other. “What are they singing?” chortled Boromir.

“Y M C A and something like ‘Young man….” Aragorn had tried to sing the tune which only served to send Legolas, Boromir and Gimli into more fits of laughter. Gandalf dabbed at his eyes.

“Come.” said Gandalf still shaking with mirth. “We have a ways to go today before we reach the doors of Moria. I will collect my charges.”

They were still chuckling as they made their way forward on the road. The hobbits kept singing “Young man!” and pointing at each other as they walked along, laughing hysterically. Gimli scuttled after Coralie. Looking up at her with a sideways glance he asked “Lady, do you think you could teach me that dance too?”

“Of course!” she grinned and skipped along the path in front of him.

http://www.whitbyhs.cheshire.sch.uk/menai/menai2000/dailym/friday/talentshow/ymca1

Young man, there's no need to feel down
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground
I said, young man, 'cause you’re in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy

Young man, there's a place you can go
I said, young man, when you're short on your dough
You can stay there, and I'm sure you will find
Many ways to have a good time.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
You can get yourself clean
You can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel.

Young man, are you listening to me
I said, young man, what do you want to be
I said, young man, you can make real your dreams,
but you've got to know this one thing.

No man, does it all by himself
I said, young man, put your pride on the shelf
And just go there, to the Y.M.C.A.
I'm sure they can help you today

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
You can get yourself clean
You can have a good meal
You can do whatever you feel.

Young Man, I was once in your shoes,
I said, I was down and out with the blues
I felt, no man cared if I were alive
I felt the whole world was so jive

That's when someone came up to me
and said young man take a walk up the street
There's a place there called the Y.M.C.A.
They can start you back on your way.

It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
They have everything for young men to enjoy.
You can hang out with all the boys.

Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
It's fun to stay at the Y.M.C.A.
Young man, Young man, there's no need to feel down
Young man, Young man, pick yourself off the ground

Y.M.C.A.
Just go to the Y.M.C.A.
Young Man, Young Man, I was once in your shoes,
Young Man, Young Man, I was out with the blues

Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.
Y.M.C.A.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

This is great!

You're an exellent writer LadyC!

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Mate!

Here is Part 7

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 7

(Coralie teaches the hobbits to mosh)


Gimli was delighted that Coralie had consented to teach him the “YMCA” dance as she had done so with the hobbits. He snorked to himself and looked around. It would not do to have the others know about this. No one else had caught the exchange between them. He watched Coralie skip up the path beside Sam and the pony and smiled to himself. “The lady possesses rare energy…..She is like no other woman I’ve ever met.”
He shook his head in wonder and fell back to walk with Boromir in the rear.

Coralie fell in beside Sam and the pony.

“Bill’s a fine pony Sam. Do you mind if I pat him?” she asked.

“Why, of course not!” responded Sam, surprised that she, a woman would take such interest in a pony. Most of the hobbit lasses he knew, felt that ponies were smelly creatures, more fit to the company of outdoor types like Samwise Gamgee, the gardener and such. Well, he didn’t mind the company of ponies. They were far more predictable and steady than the females he knew.

She gave the pony a good rub along his neck. “Oh he’s a grand one Sam. I bet he loves you a lot.”

Sam was extremely flattered that she had taken such a shine to Bill.

“Do you like horses then Coralie? You seem to act like you do. Tho’ I must say that is a strange thing for a woman to like.” He raised his eyebrows at her as he spoke.

“Well, Sam. I’ve had a couple of horses as pets in my time.” she answered.

“Pets!” he snorked. “Whoever heard of a woman keeping a horse for a pet? That’s not right. It ain’t decent. Nor respectable to say the least.” Sam was totally bewildered by Coralie’s response. The thought of keeping a horse for a pet was quite beyond his ken. Horses and ponies and such were kept for work, and not much else.

“When did you become so respectable Sam?” asked Frodo with a wink. “Seems to me that you’re one of the most disrespectable hobbits I know of, seeing the company you keep and all.” He waved his arm to include present company.

Merry and Pippin laughed as well. “Yes Sam, aren’t we on some sort of adventure?” countered Merry. “You can’t be all that respectable as you like to think.” The two of them trotted up beside Sam, Frodo and Coralie. The five of them fell in step with each other on the road.

Sam nodded in agreement. “Well you’ve got me there. Begging your pardon Coralie.
I never mean’t to insult you or nothin’. Just never heard of anyone keeping a horse for a pet before. I know I love Bill and all, but he’s a workin’ pony and I put him to good use. Women are very strange where you come from if they think that horses make good pets.
I would have thought that one of those silly little dogs that most women seem to keep these days would make a more suitable pet than poor Bill here for a lady such as yourself and all.” He was trying to sound apologetic now.

Coralie just laughed and patted Bill as she walked by his side.

“Where I come from, horses are just about a girl’s chief love. You wouldn’t believe how many girls dream about having their very own horse, Sam. It was all I ever thought about growing up,” she said.

“But what would you do with one Coralie. They can’t sit on your lap or nothin’ like a cat can.” Sam asked.

“Why ride it you silly billy. What else?” she cried.

“Ride it? Ride it?” Sam was flabbergasted. “Women can’t go out and about riding horses wherever they please. It’s just not done. Anyway, when would you find the time, what with house chores and children to look after and all?”

Coralie shook her head at Sam.

“Fair crack of the whip! You won’t catch me in the kitchen barefoot and pregnant mate!
I’m a liberated woman. I can do anything I want to ……including riding a horse for that matter!”

Boromir was bringing up the rear. “I’d like to see that M’lady.”

“See what?” Coralie spun around, hands on hips, eyes flashing.

“Oh no! Here they go again,” muttered Merry to Pippin.

“Well he better not say anything untoward this time. I rather like Coralie, now that I’ve got to know her a bit better, and I’m tired of Boromir’s boorish behavior.” sighed Merry.

Frodo turned around with hands in pockets. “Don’t worry lads, I think she can take care of herself.” He looked over his shoulder and winked at them.

Boromir put up his hand in defense. “I was merely referring to seeing you ride a horse Coralie. I would think it would make for a pretty sight.”

Coralie had stopped in front of him now and was eyeing him coolly. She detected no hint of sarcasm or anything else in his voice that may conceal a hidden meaning.

“In fact, I would recommend one of the horses of Rohan for you Lady. They are fine noble beasts to ride, full of fire and courage and would bear you proudly. I would consider it an honor to take you there myself on our way to Minas Tirith.”

The hobbits looked at each other in amazement. Was Boromir playing the gentleman with the lady?

Legolas came striding up to see what the hold up was.

[Lady Coralie]

“What’s wrong? Why have you stopped?” he asked looking at them keenly.

“Nothing Legolas. I was just telling the lady here that it would be nice to go for a ride with her sometime,” said Boromir as he walked past him. The hobbits and Coralie just shrugged at him.

“Sorry Legolas. I’m probably just being a wee bit female.”

Legolas raised his eyebrows at her. “A wee bit? Come. Let us go on. We still have a long journey ahead of us.”

Coralie and the hobbits fell in step together again.

Gimli looked up at Legolas. “Have no fear Master Elf. Boromir was most courteous and really did offer to take the lady riding. Although why anyone would even want to climb up on one of those beasts and be so far from the ground is beyond me.”

“You never know Gimli. You may like it, once you try it,” suggested Legolas looking down at his sturdy companion.

“There is no way that these legs of mine, will ever leave the stout earth to dangle over the sides of a horse Legolas! You can keep your horses, you and the lady there. Seems she kept a few for pets. Has no time for house chores or children either for that matter. Hrumph! What do women do where she comes from? Next she’ll be telling me that they have women in their armies, or some other nonsense like that,” said Gimli gruffly.

“Well actually, we do have women in our armies Gimli, although I have never been in the army myself. I was actually a school teacher for a while back home, and if that’s not enough to put you off kids for life, then I don’t know what is!” said Coralie over her shoulder.

“School teacher!” exclaimed Pippin in surprise. “I didn’t know they had women school teachers. What did you teach?” he was genuinely surprised. Women in the army! Women school teachers! What next?

“Ah Pippin. I can see that you have led a sheltered life,” chortled Coralie. “I was a music teacher for a while and I also taught young children up to the age of 12 the three r’s, although my true ambition in life was to be a singer.”

“The three r’s?” asked Pippin scratching his head. “What are they?”

“Reading, Writing and “Rithmetic…with a smattering of science, physical education and history thrown into the mix as well, among other things.”

“What’s physical education?” asked Sam, not wanting to be left out.

“You know exercise, sport, games, dance…” she replied.

“Like that work out you were doing!” said Sam, proud that he had gotten to the bottom of Coralie’s strange behavior that morning, fun though it was.

“Yes, that’s right!”

“And what were you doing in the tree?” inquired Frodo.

“I was doing chin-ups,” she answered

“But what are they for? Looked like a lot of hard work to me. I’d rather sit under a tree and read a book….. A far more pleasant way to spend your time, don’t you think?” said Frodo.

Coralie laughed. “Frodo, you’ve got me there mate. But no pain, no gain! I do chin-ups to
build upper body strength. Look……” she stopped and flexed an arm muscle for him.
The hobbits crowded round wide-eyed. Sam whistled.

“Not bad for a girl eh?” she said proudly. In truth it was not a very large muscle, such as a man would have, but it impressed them nevertheless. “I don’t go overboard though…just enough to keep me toned. I don’t want to end up looking like a man now.”

“Never fear Coralie. There is no way you could ever look like a man.” Legolas had also come up for a closer look. He had never seen a woman show off her muscles before.
Coralie blushed.


“Well physical fitness is very important.” Coralie continued with the hobbits. “But it must not be the only thing that you develop. Don’t forget your mind or your heart…”

“Or music!” interrupted Merry. “Please Coralie. Teach us some music.”

“Yeah! What about a song! You’d like to hear a song wouldn’t you Legolas?” asked Pippin in mock desperation over his shoulder at Legolas behind him on the road.
They were walking again, and Gandalf was right. It was to be a long, tiresome journey and Pippin was getting a bit bored with the whole thing. It was a beautiful day and he felt like a bit of a sing along. Who would have ever thought that the day before, they were caught in a blizzard on the slopes of Caradhras! The air had an almost spring like quality to it.

Legolas smiled back at him. “Alright, a song may help to ease the journey. What say you lady?”

Coralie trudged on ahead. “Well, alright. But I’m not going to sing it alone. Hefting this pack makes enough hard work by itself without trying to sing as well. How about I teach you something you can all join in on. Let me think for a minute.” The hobbits were hanging on her every word.

“I know a song with many parts that is popular with young people back home. It’s a classic actually …by a group called Queen.”

“How can a Queen be a group?” asked Sam doubtfully.

“Well a group is generally a couple of people (usually 4, although it can be less or more), who get together and play and sing music for fun and profit. They often come up with catchy names so people can remember them like Queen and the Beatles for instance.” Replied Coralie.

“The Beetles? Fancy calling yourself The Beetles!” exclaimed Merry joining in.

“Yeah. That’s almost as bad as Queen!” endorsed Sam.

[Lady Coralie]

Part 7 Continued

“The Beatles were extremely popular Merry. In fact they revolutionized modern rock music and were the biggest selling popular group of their time. They still influence modern musicians to….Oh! I was going to say today, but I’m actually in the past, aren’t I? ……. So, that won’t happen for a long time yet.” She looked a bit wistful as she gazed up the road ahead. The hobbits were not to be put off though.

“So what is rock then? I take it, that it has nothing to do with rocks in the ground,” said Sam.

“You’re right about that Sam. Rock music is the most enduring style of music in modern times and spans part of the 20th and 21st centuries. It is still evolving. Or at least, will be. I don’t reckon that it will ever lose its popularity. Of course there are other styles of music too. It all had to do with the society and the times that you lived in. This greatly influenced the development of music. Music started off with basically simple chants and crude language on paper so it could be read by others and played again…..”

“Music can be read?” asked Frodo genuinely interested.

“Yes. And it has developed into a very precise art form. Even though rock music is the most popular style of music in my time, with many variations such as rock n’ roll, soft rock, and heavy rock, there are other forms of music that are related to it as well such as the blues, jazz, hip hop…”

“Hip hop?” asked Pippin inquisitively.

“Yes hip hop…must sound strange to you eh?” Pippin nodded in return. “It’s an offshoot of rap music another variation related to rock.” Coralie explained.

“Just how many different styles of music are there, where you come from Coralie?” asked Frodo.

“Oh my God! There are so many. Off the top of my head I can think of…I’m going to try and go in chronological order here if I can remember……
Okay, I think I’ll start with I’ll start with……..
Gregorian Chants,
Madrigals,
Baroque,
Opera,
Concertos……….
Which brings me to Classical Music, such as;
Orchestral symphonies
Sonatas
(Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven were masters at composing this type of music) such as serenades, string quartets and symphonies involving whole orchestras of musicians….. Sometimes over 100 at a time playing all sorts of instruments.”

The hobbits and Legolas were listening intently now as they walked beside her, trying to imagine so many people playing at once. She went on with her list, counting them out on her fingers as she walked beside them.

“Ah, let me see…then came the Romantic Period in which music contained deeper emotional depth and built on the prevailing classic forms previously established.
Some of the great composers of this era were Brahms and Tchaikovsky who created even richer themes for operas, symphonies and ballets…..”

“What’s ballet?” asked Merry.

“Ballet is usually a story told in dance and performed on the stage. Female dancers are called ballerinas.” She replied. “It is usually danced to orchestral music such as Romantic or Classical…. now, hang on I haven’t finished yet…are you bored?”

“No! No!” The hobbits chimed in.

“Okay, so now I’m up to the 20th century, (a century is a period of 100 years). I’ve covered a period of about 500 years so far.” The hobbits looked at her in astonishment.

“Righty O!” she continued. “We then have……..
Impressionism,
Ragtime,
Folk Music (but that’s really been going on in the background all this time anyway),
Popular music by composers such as Gershwin, and Porter,
Jazz (which is all American music and still widely popular. There were great composers such as Duke Ellington, and brilliant instrumentalists like Louis Armstong and wonderful women singers such as Billie Holiday and Sarah Vaughan) ….”

“Women singers?” questioned Sam. “Seems women do all sorts of things in your world”.

Frodo rolled his eyes. “Never mind him Coralie. So you’re now talking about the twentieth century, and that is where this music called rock, started?”

“Why Frodo, you have been paying attention…I haven’t lost my touch….”

“How could we not pay attention, with such exceptional company as yourself.” Frodo bowed low. The others all laughed.

“Quite the gentleman, now aren’t we?” giggled Pippin. Frodo cuffed him on the side of the head.

“Go on Coralie. I want to hear more,” said Frodo half annoyed at Pippin making fun of him.

“Alright boys, I’m almost finished. From jazz we get the blues. You know, there’s an old saying in music circles that the blues had a baby and they called it rock ‘n roll!” The hobbits laughed delighted at this description.

“Rock ‘n roll is a mixture of the blues and country music (Yet another musical style I’d forgotten all about), and the person who made that a world wide phenomenon was Elvis Presley. He was called the ‘King of Rock ‘n Roll!….”

“Funny name for a king!”

“Sam! Stop interrupting!” Frodo looked up at Coralie. “Go on please!”

“Are you sure you want to hear more of this?” she asked, reluctant to continue.

[Lady Coralie]

“Yes!” the hobbits cried at once.

“Well, blow me down with a feather. You boys make excellent students. Most kids, where I come from, think they know everything and you just about have to sit on them to make them listen.” Coralie responded.

“I can’t imagine that they would complain too much about that Lady,” said Legolas with amusement in his eyes.

“Legolas!” she blushed “What’s going on here?” she thought to herself. “That’s the second time he’s made me blush today.”

“Your pardon Coralie.” His eyes twinkled. Coralie turned back to the hobbits.

“Alright guys, that’s about it. I’ve already told you about The Beatles and the influence they had on rock music and so on. Look …… on my Clie computer; I have thousands of music files that I’ve downloaded covering just about everything I’ve told you. You’re welcome to try it out for yourself later on if you like.”

“Can we really?” asked Frodo sweetly. Coralie ruffled his hair.

“I said so, didn’t I?” she said smiling down at him. “Now how about we get back to Queen? I have their song Bohemian Rhapsody on file and I can play it on the speakers for you, so you can join in as we walk. Whaddya reckon?”

“Yes please!” they cried grinning from ear to ear.

She and Legolas laughed at their enthusiasm as she dropped her pack to get her player and speakers out.

“Now hang onto Bill there, Sam. I don’t think he will be used to this type of music. I won’t play it too loud, so as not to spook him, okay.” Sam nodded back, grasping Bill’s lead rope tightly. She tied her speakers on the back of her pack. “Now I warn you lads. This is going to be very different….”

She pressed play. The hobbits had her play the song over and over. They were totally engrossed with this new ‘amusement’ and argued over who would sing what in the song.

“Ahem, Teacher. I think you will need to get some order here,” said Legolas laughing.
Coralie put her fingers in her mouth and whistled. They all stopped and stared. Even Gandalf and Aragorn who were leading up front turned around. Legolas signaled that they were alright and to go on.

“Yes I know, I’m as rough as guts…and you will be too if you don’t mind!” she glared down at them.

They had no idea what she was saying but she looked like she would eat them all for breakfast if they made one false move.

“Sorry Coralie. Guess we’re a little over enthusiastic,” said Frodo looking up at her with appeal in his bright blue eyes. It was all she could do not to chuckle.

“Okay. You’re forgiven.” She really couldn’t stay mad at them for long. “Now, I will appoint you your parts so that there will be no further argument. Get it?”

“Got it!” they sang.

“Good”. She stopped and pointed at them one by one telling them exactly where to come in. They’d been practicing for a bit now and wanted to put it all together.

“Okay boys! Here we go!”

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2175/Bohemian_rhapsody.mid






Coralie and Hobbits: Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide,
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes, Look up to the skies and see,
Frodo: I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy,
Coralie and Hobbits: Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high
little low,
Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to
me, to me.

Frodo: Mama just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger,
now he's dead.

“What’s a gun?” interrupted Pip. They all groaned.

“Couldn’t you wait until we finished the song to ask Pip? Now we have to start again,” Merry grumbled. He looked up at Coralie. “What is a gun anyway?”

Coralie slapped her hand to her forehead. “Oh my God! What have I started…? The best way to describe it is a weapon of sorts which you can fire from a distance and put a hole in someone. People usually die. ‘Owzat?”

“My! That sounds like a serious weapon. Are there many?….” his question remained unfinished.

“Merry! Can we go on please?” Frodo was more than a little annoyed. “Any other questions?” he asked pinning them all with a glare.

“No!” They groaned.

“Please Coralie. Can we start again?” begged Frodo.

“You are very brave Lady,” whispered Legolas in her ear. Coralie sighed.

“Alright. If you are SURE there are no more questions, we can start again. Are you ready?”

“Yes!” They chorused at once.

“Here we go again. From the top!” she started the song again.


http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2175/Bohemian_rhapsody.mid




Coralie and Hobbits: Is this the real life?
Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide,
No escape from reality.
Open your eyes, Look up to the skies and see,
Frodo: I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy,
Coralie and Hobbits: Because I'm easy come, easy go, little high,
little low,
Frodo: Any way the wind blows doesn't really matter to
me, to me.
Coralie & Hobbits: Anyway the wind blows (In background)

Frodo: Mama just killed a man,
Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger,
now he's dead.



Mama, life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away.
Mama, ooh, Didn't mean to make you cry,
If I'm not back again this time tomorrow,
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.

Too late, my time has come,
Sends shivers down my spine, body's aching all
the time.
Goodbye, ev'rybody, I've got to go,
Gotta leave you all behind and face the truth.
Mama, ooh, I don't want to die,
I sometimes wish I'd never been born at all.

(Frodo was looking very tragic, whilst the others patted him on the back in sympathy)

Sam: I see a little silhouetto of a man,
Merry and Pippin: Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the
Fandango.
Sam: Thunderbolt and lightning, very, very fright'ning
me.

Merry: Galileo.
Pippin: Galileo.
Merry: Galileo.
Pippin: Galileo,
Merry: Galileo figaro
Sam: Magnifico.
Merry, Pippin & Sam: OH! OH! OH! OH!
Frodo: I'm just a poor boy and nobody loves me.
Sam: He's just a poor boy from a poor family,
Spare him his life from this monstrosity.
Frodo: Easy come, easy go, will you let me go.
Merry: Bismillah! No, we will not let you go.
Sam and Pippin: (Let him go!)
Merry: Bismillah! We will not let you go.
Sam and Pippin: (Let him go!)
Merry: Bismillah! We will not let you go.
Frodo: (Let me go.)
Sam and Pippin: Will not let you go.
Frodo: (Let me go.)
Sam and Pippin: Will not let you go.
Frodo: (Let me go.) Ah.
Merry, Pippin and Sam: No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Coralie: (Oh mama mia, mama mia.)
Frodo: Mama mia, let me go.
Beelzebub has a devil put aside for me,
Coralie and Hobbits: for me, for me.

The hobbits broke into wild abandon, playing their best air guitar and ‘head banging’, and moshing as Coralie had shown them.

Gandalf and the others looked back down the road at them.

“What are they doing?” he asked curiously.

“Looks like they’re fighting.” said Aragorn.

Gandalf sighed. “Well no matter. I guess they have to get it out of their system. Anyway, Legolas is with them and he will see that they come to no harm. Boys will be boys so they say.” They continued on their way.

Coralie and hobbits: So you think you can stone me and spit in my eye.
So you think you can love me and leave me to die.
Oh, baby, can't do this to me, baby,
Just gotta get out, just gotta get right outta
here.
(The hobbits were excitedly singing at each other)

Nothing really matters, Anyone can see,
Nothing really matters,
Nothing really matters to me.

Any way the wind blows.

Legolas was shaking his head and laughing. He didn’t quite know what to make of it all. It seemed the hobbits loved high drama.

“Well done Lady!” he laughed.

[Lady Coralie]

Part 7 Continued

“Now what about the Beatles?” What did they sing?” asked Pippin with determination.

“You can’t be serious. You lot never miss a trick do you?” said Coralie in surprise.

“That’s right! We’re good students. “The Beatles were extremely popular…In fact they revolutionized modern rock music,” intoned Frodo, as he quoted Coralie from her little speech earlier.

Coralie and Legolas looked at each other with brows raised.

“Seems that they were paying attention, after all, Coralie. I think that they deserve some reward for their efforts.” Legolas smiled at her.

“Okay, Okay. You will have your wish. Something from the Beatles eh? Let me see.” She looked at the files on her player. “I know. I really like this one. It’s called, ‘I want to hold your hand.’ Does that sound good to you?”

The hobbits nodded so enthusiastically she thought their heads may roll off.

“Look! Don’t do yourselves an injury there. Here. The words are very easy to learn. Much easier than the other. I thought I’d wear you out with that one. Looks like I was wrong.”

They all laughed at her words and clapped their hands eagerly in anticipation. The music danced around them on the road. They quickly learned the words of the song and soon were dancing around fighting over just who would hold Coralie’s hand. Bill just plodded along beside Sam, sure that his master had lost his mind.

http://kulichki-alt.rambler.ru/beatles/i_want_to_hold_your_hand.mid


Oh yeah I tell you somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I say that somethin'
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

Oh please say to me
You'll let me be your man
And please say to me
You'll let me hold your hand
Now, let me hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

And when I touch you
I feel happy inside
It's such a feelin' that my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah, you got that somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I say that somethin'
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

And when I touch you
I feel happy inside
It's such a feelin' that my love
I can't hide
I can't hide
I can't hide

Yeah, you got that somethin'
I think you'll understand
When I feel that somethin'
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand
I want to hold your hand

The hobbits just couln’t get enough of The Beatles. They insisted that Coralie play more Beatle’s songs from her files and sang along to such classics as

Help (3 times) http://www.hokuriku.ne.jp/yuma/midi/help-b.mid

She Loves You (6 times) http://www.hokuriku.ne.jp/yuma/midi/shelovesu-b.mid

(The hobbits absolutely loved the “Yeah Yeah Yeah’s! Frodo, Pippin and Merry also enjoyed substituting “Rosie” for “She” much to Sam’s embarrassment)

Love Me Do (4 times) http://www.hokuriku.ne.jp/yuma/midi/love_me_do-b.mid

Twist and Shout (7 times) http://www.rena.gr/midi/beatles/twist_and_shout_1.mid
Coralie showed the hobbits how to twist. This became a favorite dance of theirs.

With a Little Help From My Friends (4 times) http://deedee.pcsos.com/Music/withalittlehelp.mid


Octopus’ Garden (3 times ) http://thor.prohosting.com/~sandoz/midis/beatles/05_Octopus_Garden.mid

All You Need Is Love (5 times) http://thor.prohosting.com/~sandoz/midis/beatles/14_All_You_Need_Is_Love.mid

I Wanna Be Your Man (4 times) http://h.escourolle.free.fr/music/beatles/iwbym.mid

And A Hard Day’s Night (lost count) http://www.hokuriku.ne.jp/yuma/midi/hard-b.mid

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

lol...

If you could see my face now, I've got a huge smile on it.

I love it!

[Lady Coralie]

After playing the song for the umpteenth time for the hobbits Legolas held up his hands.

“Stop! Stop! This is too much. I’m sorry Lady; there must be other music. Coralie. Please help an old Elf’s ears out……”

“Old Elf?” thought Coralie. “He only looks about 25!”

“Do you know anything pretty?” he almost pleaded.

“Pretty?” The hobbits all said at once.

“I’m sorry boys. Legolas