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 is right. Contrary to popular opinion, you can have too much of a good thing, sometimes!” laughed Coralie at their down cast looks. “Anyway, I don’t know how much more of The Beatles, I can take at the moment either.”

The hobbits looked genuinely disappointed.

“I suppose you’re right Coralie. We were getting a bit carried away there,” said Frodo sheepishly.

“Sure thing. If our Master Elf wants something pretty, then have it he shall. What do you have Coralie? Got anything pretty there?” asked Merry joyfully.

Coralie reached for her player. Legolas touched her arm gently.

“Nay Coralie. I would rather hear just your voice for a change.”

She looked at him and smiled at his earnestness. “Alright Leggy. I know a song that may be more to your liking. Here…” She took off her pack and handed it to him. “I can’t possibly do this song justice and carry this pack as well.”

“What about your muscles Coralie?” asked Legolas mischievously.

Coralie rolled her eyes at him. “I’m still a girl, remember?”

“How could I forget?” he thought. “Your pardon Lady. I would be only to glad to oblige.” He said graciously. She walked a little ahead of him with the hobbits.

http://www.musiccareers.net/audio/FOG1.mp3

url]http://www.musiccareers.net/audio/FOG1.mp3[/url]

http://www.musiccareers.net/audio/FOG3.mp3

http://www.musiccareers.net/audio/FOG3.mp3

http://www.musiccareers.net/audio/FOG1.mp3

Coralie sang.


“You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk in fields of gold

So she took her love
For to gaze awhile
Upon the fields of barley
In his arms she fell as her hair came down
Among the fields of gold
Will you stay with me, will you be my love
Among the fields of barley
We'll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we lie in fields of gold

See the west wind move like a lover so
Upon the fields of barley
Feel her body rise when you kiss her mouth
Among the fields of gold

I never made promises lightly
And there have been some that I've broken
But I swear in the days still left
We'll walk in fields of gold
We'll walk in fields of gold

Many years have passed since those summer days
Among the fields of barley
See the children run as the sun goes down
Among the fields of gold
You'll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You can tell the sun in his jealous sky
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold
When we walked in fields of gold”


Legolas and the hobbits fell silent at the gentle calling of this songbird. Her voice caressed them with the sweet melody. It’s mellow fragrance brought remembrances to each one of happier times. Once more Frodo and the hobbits felt as though they were tripping over the little streams and running gaily through the rich fields of the Shire. Legolas shared their memories and looked at Coralie with newfound wonder.

“Does she know the power she possesses in her voice?” he wondered. “It is like a light upon the meadows of my spirit.” He studied her again, under the golden ‘sun in his jealous sky’ as she walked in contemplation beside the hobbits. They were unwilling to break the peaceful spell she had unwittingly woven, and remained silent as they approached the others who had been waiting patiently up ahead.

Gandalf met them. He was initially going to reprimand the hobbits for their outrageous behavior on the road earlier. But instead he paused, and noted the calm mood that had apparently come upon them. It was almost palpable.

“Well, I’m glad to see that walking beside Legolas and Coralie has had some calming effect on you boys,” he nodded approvingly.

“More than you know,” thought Legolas.

”We must reach the doors of Moria by sunset,” continued Gandalf. “ And I feared that you would spend all your energy before we got there. It is not far, but we follow a winding path, and Aragorn cannot guide us; for he has not walked often in this country, and I have only once traveled to the Western Door and that was long ago. There it lies,” he said, pointing away south eastwards to where the mountains’ sides fell sheer into the shadows at their feet.

Aragorn and Boromir strode up to meet them, whilst Gimli remained, leaning on his axe gazing with anticipation towards their goal.

“Let us go!” said Gandalf walking away. Boromir came up to Legolas who was still holding Coralie’s pack over his shoulder. She stood beside him with her hand shading her eyes as she surveyed the valley ahead.

“Legolas, I will take the lady’s pack for awhile and lighten your load.”

Legolas had been caught off guard. He had not expected Boromir to offer to carry Coralie’s pack. Coralie reached for the pack on Legolas’ shoulder before he could respond.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I can carry my own pack. I’m sorry Legolas. I forgot you still had it on,” she said.

“No Lady.” said Boromir as he took the pack from her. This is a difficult path we tread, and I wish to be of service to you. Come.” He entreated. “Let us be on our way.” He ushered her gently forward, knowing that she would protest his gallantry. After they had walked a ways ahead, Aragorn came over and looked sternly down at the hobbits.

“It is a good thing that you stopped fighting when you did. You would not have liked to see my wrath. Fighting in front of a lady as you were is most unbecoming. Our road is hard. There is danger enough ahead without inviting it amongst ourselves.”


“What are you talking about, Aragorn? We weren’t fighting!” protested Frodo.

“But we saw you from afar. You were fighting on the road a ways back,” countered Aragorn. He loomed over them his grey eyes grim as he met theirs.

“But we weren’t fighting! Honest!” protested Merry.

Aragorn looked at Legolas who was desperately trying to choke the laughter in his throat.

“It is true Aragorn. They weren’t fighting but dancing instead.”

Aragorn relaxed his stance a little. “Then that was the strangest dancing I have ever seen. In truth you looked to be fighting amongst yourselves. Where did you learn this dance?”

The hobbits and Legolas broke out laughing. “From the lady of course!”

Aragorn laughed with them. “I might have known!”

Suddenly Gandalf, who had pressed on ahead, turned and waved them along.

“Come hobbits. Let’s make our way quickly before Gandalf gets worried……”
He looked at them and winked. “And no more dancing.”

They nodded grinning in agreement and leapt up the path behind him.

[Bess the Bard]

You are unique in providing a multimedia experience with your story. :grin:

Thanks. And great job as always. Keep it up.

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 8

(The Watcher and the Lady)

Gimli scampered up beside Gandalf. The lure of Moria was upon him and he could not get there fast enough. Together they led the company in that direction. There was but one road which they could follow. It ran beside the course of an old stream named the Sirannon, but whether Gandalf was astray, or the land had changed in recent years no sign of the stream was to be seen when they started out.

Frodo pushed past Boromir as he followed Coralie on the path and caught up to her.

“Hello Coralie! Do you think that we might borrow that music box of yours?” he asked eagerly.

“Of course you can Frodo. Just the player only now. No speakers. I don’t think that poor Legolas could take anymore right now.” She said looking back over her shoulder to where he walked with the other hobbits and Aragorn. Frodo laughed in agreement.

“You’re right of course. Poor Legolas! His elf ears must really hurt.”

“Yes, and I don’t think he will ever want to listen to The Beatles again, poor fellow,” she conceded.

“Beetles? How do you listen to beetles?” asked Boromir who had been trying to follow the conversation.

“Not those sort of beetles, Boromir. I was talking about The Beatles. They’re a rock band,” grinned Frodo.

“A band of rocks!” exclaimed Boromir. “I would ask you, Frodo Baggins, how one could listen to rocks as well, but I know your answer would be just as cryptic. Mayhap the lady can show me herself, what you mean sometime.” He turned to Coralie. “I gather that this music box of yours is on your pack somewhere?”

“Yes it is. If you turn around, I will take it off.” Boromir turned around and grinned down at Frodo who was looking quite pleased with himself. After a brief reintroduction on the workings of the player, he was running back down the path towards the others with his treasure held aloft.

“Don’t worry Legolas. I left the speakers behind!” cried Frodo with glee as the others gathered around arguing whose turn it would be next.

Aragorn gave Legolas a questioning look.

“Let’s just say that the hobbits are rather enthusiastic about loud, repetitive music.” Legolas answered his unspoken thought. “All they wanted to do was sing along with The Beatles and hold the lady’s hand over and over again.” He sighed.

Aragorn looked at his old friend. “You really can’t blame them for that, can you Legolas?” he chuckled.

Legolas smiled back at him. “In truth, I cannot.”

“Was the music really that bad? ‘Twould seem to amuse the hobbits greatly if Frodo is anything to go by.” Aragorn was watching Frodo skip merrily along with the music box in hand. “It does my heart good to see that little fellow happy for a change.”

“No…Aragorn. Don’t misunderstand me. The music wasn’t bad. It had a merry rhythm all its own. ………. But, …..” his voice trailed off.

“But?” asked Aragorn prompting Legolas for more information.

Legolas turned towards Aragorn, eyes shining. “You should hear the lady sing!”

Boromir laughed heartily as he watched Frodo run back to join the others. This trip had held little cheer. The hobbits could always be counted on to provide some amusement, but things had changed dramatically since yesterday. He looked at Coralie who walked ahead of him in her leggings and t-shirt. It was a pleasant view from behind, now that he was carrying her backpack. He had never seen a woman dressed in such compromising clothes before.

Boromir noted every step she took. The gentle sway of her hips, upon those slim thighs and shapely calves. A cool breeze had started to blow as the wind changed back to a northerly direction and gently ruffled her shining hair. He caught the faint smell of strawberries every now and then. She had asked him to stop so she could remove her ski jacket and jeans from her pack and put them on. He was as equally delighted by the view from the front. The gracious curve of her breast, displayed proudly through the outline of the shirt, which clung to her womanly form, beckoned his admiring eye. He made sure his stolen glimpses were discreet though, having learned his lesson that very morning. This was no easy mark, but clearly a lady of consequence. He had misread her entirely and was desperately trying to make up for his oafish behavior earlier. She had mentioned something upon their first meeting about having a king as a distant sire. He could well believe it. Her self-assurance impressed him. Most women would twitter like tiny, peeping birds in his company, trying to impress this Lord of Gondor with their feigned modesty and deceptive virtue. However, here was a woman who cared not one little jot what he thought about her, and she had managed to inflict a sorry wound on his pride.

He wanted to make amends for the incident on the path with her that morning and helped her gallantly with her jacket, anxious to impress her with his knightly demeanour. She was close now. Her light scent was intoxicating. His hands lingered lightly upon her shoulders momentarily. He would have spoken softly to her, but she was totally unaware of his attention to the small details of her. With a stride she left him standing mute upon the path. There was nothing to be done, but to pick up her pack and follow.

[Bess the Bard]

Your narrative style is quite sophisticated here. I enjoyed it. Poor Boromir is a man of his time--a double standand for women, one for the upper class and one for the lower. Coralie will teach him better.

Keep up the good work.

[Aaliyah Baggins]

Hahah! Boromir's pride hurt, now that is a good one!
Frodo listinig to the Beatles HAHAHHAHH!
*Snicker,Snicker*
:cool:
:elfqueen:

[Aaliyah Baggins]

More please!
Boromir's pride hurt lol
:elfqueen:

[Lady Coralie]

Coralie put her head down and hunched her shoulders. The wind was becoming increasingly bitter. The day had started out so fine, almost spring like in mood and temperature. Now the provoked wind sought to make them pay for their previous optimism, darkening the day with his resentful breath.

“Look! There is the stream, Sirannon, the Gate-Stream,” cried Gimli, pointing to the right of the path. The company hurried up to look down the slope where he was pointing. A deep channel had narrowly carved a way through the valley floor. The laughing water had long abandoned its previous course and only a mere trickle seeped through the water worn stones on its bed.

“Come! We must hurry on. We are late!” he said pushing on.

The company were footsore and tired, but wound their way doggedly along the winding track for many more miles before they took a brief and hasty meal.

“I’m so hungry, I could chase the horse and eat the rider too,” said Coralie as she fumbled through her pack for her rations. The hobbits laughed to hear her talk so.

“You almost sound like a hobbit Coralie!” Frodo chuckled as he stood beside her.

“I work hard and play hard, therefore I eat lots!” she replied, nibbling on a biscuit.

“Then you are in good company, for hobbits love to eat more than anything else!” he grinned, accepting the food that she had offered. “Hmmm. This is rather good. What flavor is it?” he enquired.

“Chocolate Banana,” stated Coralie matter of factly. She did not know that bananas were unheard of in that part of Middle Earth.

“Then that is another new thing you’ve introduced me to Coralie,” said Frodo. She looked at him in response.

“Banana,” he replied. “Never had it before? What is it?” asked Frodo.

“Really! I just took it for granted that you had tried it at least once. I keep forgetting that I’m in the Northern Hemisphere in an ancient time and place. Bananas are tropical fruit Frodo and since we are a long way from the tropics, then you will have to go a long way to find another unfortunately,” she answered.

Merry, Pippin and Sam came over to join Coralie and Frodo as they sat on the ground eating the remains of the health bar.

“Hello you two. What are you plotting now?” asked Merry inquisitively.

“Coralie’s just been introducing me to the delights of banana, and she’s been telling me that we’re she comes from, people are known as banana benders because they grow bananas there!” answered Frodo nodding his head for added emphasis.

Coralie reached into her backpack as Merry was just beginning to open his mouth.

“I’m one step ahead of you China!” she said tossing a bar in his direction. “Make sure you share that with Sam though. Fair Dinks, I swear you hobbits are going to eat me out of house and home. Shame I don’t have any worm tablets in my first aid kit. I’d be giving you lot double doses, ” she laughed at the horrified looks on their faces.

Merry pointed at Coralie’s left wrist.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you for a while, Coralie. What is that on your wrist?”

“Oh this? This, my friend is a watch. It tells the time,” she replied.

“What like a sundial?” asked Sam incredulously.

“Not quite Sam. But close enough. The time right now is 5 minutes past 1 o’clock,” she said looking at her watch.

The hobbits raised their eyebrows in disbelief.

“Does it play music like your music box?” asked Merry enthusiastically.

“No,” laughed Coralie in response. “Here. Wear it for a while if you like!” She tossed the watch at him. Merry caught the watch with glee and strapped it on immediately. The hobbits then huddled together and examined the watch in detail. Frodo looked up at Coralie and smiled.

“Honestly, I do wonder what you’re going to do next, but somehow I know it won’t surprise me.”

Gandalf signaled the company that it was time to move off. Tired and weary as they were, there was no point lingering any more. Aragorn came over to Coralie and the hobbits as they shouldered their packs in readiness for the journey before them.

“Let me help you with that burden Lady.”

Coralie made to protest, but Aragorn held up his hand.

“I know that you have joined us on our quest freely, and we are glad of your company Lady, but nevertheless we have need of both speed and strength now. I would not see you weighed down by this burden whils’t there are good men available to carry your load. Besides, I do believe that it is my turn.” He smiled graciously as he spoke this and Coralie’s protests melted beneath his knightly gaze. She nodded in acquiescence and took the path behind the hobbits.

“Wish I was a girl. Then Aragorn might carry my pack for me,” said Pippin as he handed the Clie player to Sam, whose turn it was now.

“How do you know you’re not?” teased Merry as he ran ahead whilst Pippin chased him in mock offence.

The day was growing old and the mountains knit their brows together, an unbroken wall of stone, as they followed the trail beside the withered stream. Aragorn looked ahead to where Coralie trod the trail without falter. She and Frodo were partaking in some animated conversation about the music he had listened to earlier. It was now Sam’s turn with the music box, and he looked to be happily away with the faeries as he nodded his head and skipped along.

“Ah! My Lady. You have not a care in the world and know not the dangers that may beset us upon the way. What folly could have persuaded the Valar to send you on our quest,” he thought grimly. “I would not have chosen a woman to join us and Gandalf is unsure of what part you have yet to play. But I trust him in his judgment of you, and quickly did he take you into his confidence. He does not aught, without good reason. As for myself, I have known you but a short time, and I can see no guile in your heart, but instead a merry little spirit. Even I have forgotten the trials of our journey, if only for a moment. Whatever the reason you have joined us, matters not. Here you are and we must make do. I have vowed to protect the ring bearer with my life, but this I vow as well. You shall be as sister to me and if by my life or death I can protect you, I will,” he set his face as flint as he followed behind.

[Lady Coralie]

Presently, their path rounded a sharp bend and they came to a low cliff where once a waterfall of deep measure had carved a cleft in the rock. A small trickle now fell fitfully to the rocks below.

“Indeed things have changed!” said Gandalf. “But there is no mistaking the place. There is all that remains of the Stair Falls. If I remember right, there was a flight of steps cut in the rock at their side. There used to be a shallow valley beyond the falls right up to the Walls of Moria, and the Sirannon flowed through it with the road beside it. Let us go and see what things are like now.”

They ascended the stone steps easily, and Gimli sprang up them in the lead like a hare.
When they reached the top they were dismayed to see the reason for the pitiful state of the riverbed they had followed. Before them stretched a still, dark lake. The sun hung low and golden in the westering sky yet no reflection could be seen upon its brooding surface. The Sirannon had been dammed and filled all the valley. Beyond the ominous water reared vast cliffs, their stern faces pallid in the fading light: final and impassable. No sign of entrance, not a fissure or crack could Frodo see in the frowning stone.

“There are the walls of Moria,” said Gandalf, pointing across the water. “And there the Gate stood once upon a time, the Elven Door at the end of the road from Hollin by which we have come. But this way is blocked. None of the Company, guess will wish to swim this gloomy water at the end of the day. It has an unwholesome look.”

“We must find a way round the northern edge,” said Gimli. “We must climb up by the main path and see where that will lead us. Even if there were no lake, we could not get our baggage- pony up this stair.”

“But in any case we cannot take the poor beast into the Mines,” said Gandalf. “The road under the mountains is a dark road, and there are places narrow and steep that which he cannot tread, even if we can.”

“Poor old Bill!” said Frodo. “I had not thought of that. And poor Sam! I wonder what he will say?”

“I am sorry,” said Gandalf. “Poor Bill has been a useful companion, and it goes to my heart to turn him adrift now. I would have traveled lighter and brought no animal, least of all this one that Sam is fond of, if I had my way. I feared all along that we should be obliged to take this road.”

The day was drawing to a close, when the company with all the speed they could make, climbed up the slopes and reached the side of the lake. Bleak stars glinted in the sky above and the wind had now dropped to a distant murmur. They hurried forward, for they still had a mile or so to go in order to reach the far shore that Gandalf was making for; and he still had to find the doors. He pressed on at a great pace, and the others followed as quickly as they could. Finding a narrow strip of land that hugged the bottom of the cliffs and the shoreline, the Company followed after Gandalf as he led them on. Most of the trees that they passed were now drowned in the fitful black water of the lake. The only two living trees in that region stood a little apart from each other under the cliff. They were that largest holly trees that Frodo had ever seen. Their great roots twisted their way down to the water’s edge, as they stood silent and grim, as if on silent watch before the wall.

“Well, here we are at last!” said Gandalf. “Here the Elven-way from Hollin ended. Holly was the token of the people of the land, and they planted it here to mark the end of their domain; for the West-door was made chiefly for their use in their traffic with the Lords of Moria. Those were happier days, when there was still close friendship at times between folk of different race, even between Dwarves and Elves.”

“It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned,” said Gimli.

“I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves,” said Legolas.

[Aaliyah Baggins]

Keep going its sooo good! !!!:thumbs: :thumbs:
:elfqueen: :elfqueen: :elfqueen:

[Lady Coralie]

“It was not the fault of the Dwarves that the friendship waned,” said Gimli.

“I have not heard that it was the fault of the Elves,” said Legolas.

“I have heard both,” said Gandalf; and I will not give judgment now. But I beg you two, Legolas and Gimli, at least to be friends, and to help me. I need you both. The doors are shut and hidden, and the sooner we find them the better. Night is at hand!”

Turning to the others he said: “While I am searching, will you each make ready to enter the Mines? For here, I fear we say farewell to our good beast of burden. You must lay aside much of the stuff that we brought against bitter weather: you will not need it inside, nor I hope, when we come through and journey on down into the south.”

“But you can’t leave poor old Bill behind in this forsaken place, Mr. Gandalf!” cried Sam, angry and distressed. “I won’t have it and that’s flat. After he has come so far and all!”

“I am sorry, Sam,” said the wizard. “But when the Door opens I do not think you will be able to drag Bill inside, into the long dark of Moria. You will have to choose between Bill and your master.” Gandalf laid his hand upon the pony’s head and spoke in a low voice. “Go with words of guard and guiding on you,” he said. “You are a wise beast, and have learned much in Rivendell. Make your ways to places where you can find grass, and so come in time to Elrond’s house, or wherever you wish to go.”

At first Sam stood silently beside the pony as he weighed up the obvious choice he must make in his mind. Bill, nuzzled him gently and put a nose to his ear. Suddenly Sam burst into tears and started fumbling with the straps holding the provisions on his back. Aragorn and Coralie went to help him.

“The mines are no place for a pony, Sam; even one so brave as Bill,” said Aragorn as he
took off Bill’s halter and lead rope.

“Bye, bye Bill,” sniffed Sam. The pony gave him one last nuzzle before turning on his hooves.

Coralie laid a comforting hand upon Sam’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Sam. I’m sure he knows the way home.” She brushed quickly at the tears that were forming in her eyes.


Coralie walked over to where Aragorn had laid her pack. Sam had returned her Clie player and she took out the batteries and placed them in the recharger. Luckily she had thought to take it out when they stopped for lunch and had allowed it to store enough energy that afternoon as they walked along. Next she wearily unstrapped her skis and poles from the back of her pack.

“Goodbye K2’s. You have served me well upon the slopes, but I fear that I shall ski thee no more,” she said wistfully. “Oh my God! I’m starting to sound like them!” she shook her head and pulled out the contents of her pack. Next she laid her Ski Jacket, pants and boots beside the skis. “Farewell, Rip Curl and Raichle, I am loath to leave you behind before I begin this dark journey, but can see no use for you in there! OMG! I am talking like them!”

“Who are you saying goodbye to and who are you talking like?” asked Legolas puzzled.

“Oh Leggy! I’m saying goodbye to my ski gear. I don’t suppose I will ever see it again,” she sighed.

Legolas smiled in sympathy. “You never know Lady. Perhaps our road will lead us back here someday and we will find your things just as you left them. Besides. I wouldn’t mind trying that…what did you call it? Snowboarding?…. Again with you sometime.”

“I shouldn’t be upset about leaving this stuff here, Leggy. Poor Sam just lost his pony and feeling sorry for myself just won’t do. Anyway it might be for the best. I’m not sure I’d want to keep skiing here in Middle Earth as it is a dangerous business, and if I broke my leg who would fix it? If you know where there is a beach, I reckon I’d rather go surfing instead,” she replied.

“Surfing?” asked Legolas surprised at her request to find a beach. He was trying to fathom exactly what she mean’t by surfing. Coralie realized that he did not quite understand.

“Surfing, Leggy, is actually quite similar to snowboarding, except you ride a wave instead of the snow. I’m sure you could pick it up in a snap,” She clicked her fingers to emphasize the point.

“Nevertheless, if there is a way, I will bring you here myself so you can retrieve your belongings,” he assured her. “I am curious Lady. What are these surfboards made of and do you wear that ‘bikini’ when you go ‘surfing’?”

“Well, the boards are usually made of fiberglass, but since I know that we won’t be able to get any of that in Middle Earth, a nice light wood should suffice. It would be pretty primitive, but the Hawaiians managed quite well with wooden boards for centuries….and as to whether or not I would wear my bikini?…..,” she said with a wicked grin, “It would depend on whether the beach was deserted or not. And if it were, I would probably consider surfing in my birthday suit.”

This time it was Legolas’ turn to blush. He hastened up to where Gandalf was still standing between the two trees gazing at the blank wall of the cliff, as if he would bore a hole in it with his eyes.

“Well here we are and all ready,” said Merry; ‘but where are the Doors? I can’t see any sign of them.”

“Dwarf-doors are not made to be seen when shut,” said Gimli. “They are invisible, and their own master cannot find them or open them, if their secret is forgotten.”

“Why am I not surprised,” said Legolas. He was pressed up against the rock as if listening.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Yeah...more Aussie in ME!

I've been waiting for you to post more.

Thanks...and I liked it alot.

[Lady Coralie]

“But this Door was not made to be a secret known only to Dwarves,” said Gandalf, coming suddenly to life and turning round. He walked forward to the wall. Right between the shadow of the trees there was a smooth space, and over this he passed his hands to and fro, muttering words under his breath. Then he stepped back.

“Look!” he said. “Can you see anything now?”

The grey stone shone under the moon’s influence, and silver threads as faint lines of writing began to appear, where the wizard’s hands had passed. At the top of the arch Elvish characters were interwoven. A crown with many stars sat atop a hammer and an anvil. Below these shone a single great star shaded by two elegant trees which were framed by two pillars drawn on either side.

“There are the emblems of Durin!” cried Gimli.

“And there is the Tree of the High Elves!” said Legolas

“And the star of the house of Feanor,” said Gandalf. “They are wrought of ithildin that mirrors only starlight and moonlight. It reads; The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak friend and enter.”

“What do you suppose that means?” asked Merry.

“It’s quite simple, if you are a friend, speak the password, and the doors will open,” said Gandalf.

“That is plain enough,” said Gimli. “If you are a friend, speak the password, and the doors will open and you can enter.”

“Let me see now,” thought Gandalf aloud. “Annon Edhellen, edro hi amen! Fennas nogothrim, lasto beth lammen!” he said in a commanding voice. Everyone waited in anticipation, but the sullen stone did not respond.

The wizard sighed and repeated the words in a different order. Still nothing happened. Over and over again, Gandalf tried many different versions of the original spell he had spoken without success. He altered the phrases as many different ways as his mind could both conjure and remember.

“Edro! Edro!” commanded Gandalf at the doors. Their silence only served to weary him all the more. He sat down and took out his pipe in frustration.
Coralie walked over to Merry and Pippin who were huddled together near the waters edge. They looked up at her approach. She was wearing her hooded fleece over her t-shirt. Around her neck she wore her laser light on a chain.

“What’s that?” asked Merry.

“This is a laser light. I thought it might come in useful in the dark. See!” she shone it down at the rocks at their feet.

“I’m certainly glad that Gandalf didn’t make us swim this lake to get to the other side. It looks awful. We may be a ways inland, but for all I know, there could be a bloody shark in it or something!” she looked quite relieved.

“What’s a shark then?” asked Pippin, ever curious.

“A shark is a big fish that lives in the ocean, Pippin. It has many rows of teeth and could bite you in two as easily as snapping a twig. I guess it’s the only thing we Australians are truly afraid of, being beach lovers and all,” she answered.

“What do you do at the beach?” asked Merry.

“We swim and surf the waves mostly. But we’re always on the look out for sharks. They’re a real menace. Of course, statistics say that you have more chance of being struck by lightning than being eaten by a shark, but then a shark is a lot more scary, don’t you think?”

“Never Fear! Merry’s here! If I saw a shark I would throw a rock at him and slay the beast for you Lady!” Merry suddenly picked up a rock and threw it into the water.

“Do not disturb the water!” Aragorn had grabbed Pippin’s hand, as he was about to follow suit with a rock of his own.

Frodo suddenly stood up and looked at the Doors that had confounded Gandalf.

“It’s a riddle! Speak ‘friend’ and enter. What’s the Elvish word for friend?” he asked Gandalf.

“Mellon,” answered Gandalf.

Suddenly, there was a great crack. The doors were now clearly outlined in the pale moonlight. Now divided in the middle, they stubbornly opened outwards in order to admit them. The outline of a shadowy stairway leading upwards could just be seen in the cavern beyond. The Company stared in wonder. Picking up their packs, they edged warily into the looming cavern.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

So the watcher was Coralie's fault.

[Lady Coralie]

Not really....Merry was being silly...Just thought I'd add another dimension to it........

[Lady Coralie]

“Soon Master Elf, you will experience the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves; roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone. This my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!” Gimli exclaimed.

“I could do with a beer right now, “ said Coralie.

Boromir looked at the ground at his feet. He gasped. “This is no mine – it’s a tomb!”

The stairs were littered with the many skeletons, and decayed bodies, their armour cleft with the stains of war. Gimli cried aloud in disbelief. The hobbits and Coralie gathered together, afraid of what they may see next.

Legolas bent to the ground and picked up an arrow. “Goblins!” he cried. He pulled an arrow from his quiver and strung it in one fluid motion.

“Gee. He pulled that off as quick as a bride’s nightie!” thought Coralie, trying not to get alarmed. She thought perhaps that if she maintained her sense of humor, she’d be less likely to panic and get the vapors or some other such nonsense.

The Fellowship drew their weapons; their swords rang in the darkness. Coralie grasped her ski pole. She had taken the basket off the bottom. It was all she could think of to use as a weapon under the circumstances. When she first landed in Middle Earth, she had unexpectedly flown over the heads of a band of orcs who were hunting the Fellowship on the slopes of Caradhras. True, the men had done most of the fighting and she’d only belted a few dead and dying ones over the head with her skis and stabbed others with her poles when they landed on the ground beside her. It had all happened so fast that she had no time to think about it and just reacted to the situation she found herself in. She wasn’t blind. She had noticed the weapons they all carried and felt it wise to have one of her own. Rather impromptu, but hopefully effective. Although she really hoped that it wouldn’t come to that.

“Oh dear!” she thought to herself. “Why didn’t I persist with those martial arts lessons? I only have a smattering of kung fu left in my head from all those Bruce Lee movies. Dad did teach me to box a bit for self defense.” She’d grown up with three brothers and they often rough housed together. “Yeah a real tom boy I was…fat lot of good it will do me right now…..been a lady for too long I fear! Do I still have a good left hook?” These thoughts rambled through her head as they started backing out of the cavern. “I’m not going to have the vapors. I’m not going to have the vapors….” she repeated as a mantra to herself.

Suddenly Frodo gave a cry of alarm and fell backwards. Before the others could respond, he was dragged back into the water by a long pale green tentacle. The hobbits and Coralie sprang after him. Sam was on his knees stabbing at the arm that held Frodo with his knife. For a moment the tentacle released its prey. Calling for help, they tried to drag Frodo back inside the doors. Almost instantly twenty other arms came hissing out of the water and knocked the hobbits and Coralie out of the way, seizing upon Frodo once more.

Boromir, Legolas and Aragorn came running out at their cries, weapons drawn. The water boiled and a great hideous creature like unto a giant squid emerged. It roared and opened its mouth, revealing row upon row of teeth as well as its intention to swallow Frodo whole. Legolas released an arrow at the sinuous arm that held Frodo aloft by one foot. Running into the water Boromir hacked at the tentacle and caught Frodo as he tumbled into his broad arms. Aragorn slashed at another.

Boromir turned and ran with his precious cargo.

“Legolas! The eye! Shoot it in the eye!”

Legolas’ aim found its mark. The monster screamed in agony as they ran for the gate.

“Into the gateway! Up the stairs! Quick!” shouted Gandalf leaping back. Boromir still carried Frodo as he ran for the gate. The hobbits scrambled behind him. Legolas grabbed Coralie by the arm as Aragorn brought up the rear.

They were just in time. No sooner had they run through the gateway, when the groping tentacles writhed across the narrow shore and fingered the cliff-wall and the doors. They seized the doors on either side, and with horrible strength, swung them round. There was a thunderous echo as great boulders came crashing down from the ceiling and walls, threatening to engulf them in their ruinous fall as they ran for their lives. All light vanished in that instant. The darkness smothered them with its finality.

“Well, Well!” said the wizard. “The passage is blocked behind us now and there is only one way out – on the other side of the mountains.”

“Who will lead us now in this deadly dark?” asked Boromir, still shaken.

“I will,” said Gandalf, and Gimli shall walk with me. Follow my staff!”

Gently he blew on the crystal at the top of his staff. A faint radiance brightened upon their worried countenances. One by one, Gandalf, surveyed the members of the Fellowship. He stopped at Coralie. “Are you alright My Dear?” he asked, concern lit his features.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. How’s Frodo?” she said.

“I’m alright, I think,” he trembled.

“Oh you poor thing!” Coralie ran straight over to him and gave him a squeeze.

“I should get snatched by a watery creature more often if this is the reward I get,” he tried to sound confident.

“Me too!” sounded the other hobbits at once suddenly forgetting their previous ordeal at the prospect of getting a hug. Coralie shook her head and embraced each one in turn, glad to fulfill the simple request considering how close they had all come to disaster.

“Now let us face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world. Quietly, now. It is a four-day journey to the other side. Let us hope our presence may go unnoticed,” said Gandalf as he began to climb the stairs with Fellowship in tow.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

That is great! I love this story.

[Lady Coralie]

Okay. I'll post chapter 9 for you now! Thanks mate!

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 9

Gandalf gets more than just tea and biccies, Aragorn is a smarty pants, and Legolas learns a lesson

As Gandalf led the way up the steps, he held his staff aloft. It shone faintly defying the shadows that threatened to engulf them in their dark embrace. Coralie used her laser light as extra guidance for her feet.

“I am so glad that I thought to pack this as well as my shoes,” she thought. “Fancy walking through this place in socks!” she shuddered.

By the time they had gained the top of the stairs, the Company was exhausted. Two hundred they had counted! A level floor finally greeted them.

“I’m hungry!” said Pippin.

“What’s so unusual about that, Pip?” responded Merry wearily.

“The hobbits are right,” agreed Gandalf. Let us rest and take something to eat and drink while we may. We need some refreshment to help us shake off the horror that we have just encountered, and strength for what lies ahead.”

Coralie sat down beside the hobbits and opened up some rations for them.

“Here, I thought you may like to try this. The hobbits found it good,” she said as she threw a packet at Aragorn who caught it deftly with one hand.

“Nice catch Aragorn. I could make a cricketer out of you yet!” she chuckled.

He looked at Gandalf to see if he knew what she mean’t by cricketer, but he merely shrugged his shoulders. Aragorn examined the contents of the packet, marveling both at the packaging itself and the contents inside. He broke off pieces and passed them around.

“What flavor do you call this Coralie?” asked Aragorn.

“I do believe that you have tropical fruit salad there, mate,” she replied.

The others nodded in approval as they tasted the food passed around.

“The lady is both fair and generous,” said Aragorn with satisfied delight.

Coralie looked at the hobbits munching away on the biscuits she had provided.

“Now, how about a cup of tea?” she asked them. They looked at her as if she was mad.

“There ain’t no wood in here to light a fire, Coralie,” admonished Sam. Coralie winked at him and started to rummage through her pack. She fished out her fuel stove and a packet of strawberry kiwi herbal tea.

“We don’t need wood Sam,” she grinned. The hobbits and the others looked in wonder as she lit the fuel stove with a lighter. They had seen neither before. It seemed like she was performing magic. Gandalf and Aragorn had lit their pipes and seemed to take great satisfaction from the hobbits reaction to Coralie’s ‘magic’. They watched and listened as she explained the inner workings of her stove. Sam came forward with a contribution of water and cups following a quick whip around. As the water boiled, Coralie then placed a tea bag in each.

“So you can make tea without a teapot then?” confirmed Sam, as he examined the teabag and sniffed at it.

“Yeah! Pretty nifty eh?” agreed Coralie. “Shame I don’t have any eucalyptus leaves on me. Then I’d be able to make you a real Aussie cuppa.” She handed a cup to Gandalf who sat on a large boulder, drawing on his pipe methodically.

“Here you go Gandalf. Age before beauty. Get that into you and you’ll be as right as rain.”

“My Dear. I’m sure that you are much younger than quite a few of us here in spite of our appearance. I can think of one in particular,” he said as he looked in Legolas’ direction. “As for the beauty part….Well, I see no other contestants for that title in this sea of ‘testosterone’ as you most aptly put it, apart from yourself. So you are correct on both counts,” he said as he put out his pipe and thanked her.

“Gandalf!” Coralie blushed. “Nevertheless, you look as old as my late Grandpa, and I’m giving you extra rations,” she said as she collected herself. Aragorn looked over his cup at Gandalf and had a good chuckle at his expense.

“Now Gandalf. I managed to find one last Chocolate Banana health bar that the hobbits haven’t devoured yet. Very good for you and it tastes real beaut! My Grandpa was especially fond of bananas and ice cream with chocolate syrup, and I have a feeling that you will like it too. Can’t help you out with ice cream at the moment though. This will have to do instead.” She handed him the health bar. Nodding his thanks, Gandalf gingerly took the health bar and took a bite.

“Hmmm. This is good!” he said between mouthfuls.

“Oh and one more thing,” she said as if reminding him of something he had forgotten to do. “I’ve picked out some lovely music for you to listen to. It’s classical music by Brahms. Have no fear Legolas, It is not The Beatles,” she said looking over her shoulder at him, whilst he desperately tried to keep a straight face. “This will help you relax.” And with that, she plopped the headphones down on the unsuspecting wizard’s head before he could protest.

They all fell about laughing as Gandalf sat there unable to remove the head-set, as both of his hands were occupied with either a cup of tea, or a health bar. After he’d gotten over the shock, he found he quite enjoyed the music and sipped at his tea with great satisfaction.

Coralie strode over to Aragorn, whose laughing eyes betrayed the serious face he tried to put on as she stood over him with hands on hips. She wagged a finger at him.

“Watch out Smarty Pants! How dare you make fun of an old man? You’re next!” she bristled.

“Your pardon M’Lady,” he said trying very hard to look ashamed. “Um. Thank you for the tea,” he raised his cup in acknowledgement.

“Good work Aragorn, “whispered Boromir as she walked away. “Believe me. That is one lady you don’t want to cross swords with.”

“She does have a way about her now, Aragorn. Even Gandalf was dumbstruck!” chuckled Gimli.

“I heard that Gimli!” said Gandalf as he listened to the music.

The hobbits were practically hysterical.

“Smarty Pants!” they laughed. Aragorn shot them a look that definitely said that he was not amused. They stopped laughing rather abruptly. Coralie sat down with her cup beside Legolas who was still trying to maintain some sense of self-control.

“Now what flavor tea is this?” asked Legolas as he sipped his cup, determined to occupy himself.

“Strawberry kiwi, Leggy. Do you like it?” she replied.

“Yes. Very much,” said Legolas. “I think though, that whenever I smell strawberries in the future I will think of you,” he smiled.

Coralie laughed. “Yeah, I do like my strawberries, now, don’t I? I’ve got strawberry shampoo and conditioner, berry hand and body lotion, strawberry tea, and strawberry flavored lip balm…. Oh, but my toothpaste is flavored like the sea.”

Legolas’ eyes shone at her mention of the sea.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Sea flavored toothpaste? Wonder how that would taste...

[Lady Coralie]

“Which reminds me that I must clean my teeth amongst other things,” said Coralie as she looked for her toiletries bag in her pack.

“How do you clean your teeth?” asked Pippin inquisitively.

“I have toothpaste, a toothbrush and a little bit of water to spit with Pippin,” she said as he grimaced. “Now a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do, if you get my meaning. I suppose one of you must go with me then,” she sighed as she stood up. Boromir made as if to stand up.

“Aragorn can go with you Lady,” said Gandalf as he took off the headset. “He’s practically a married man. Oh, and by the way. The music was indeed quite relaxing.”

As Aragorn got up wearily, he gave him a look that said, “Better get used to it.”

When the two had come back, they all started on their journey again, anxious to get it over with as quickly as possible. Gandalf walked ahead with his staff in left hand and his sword Glamdring in the other. The others had their weapons ready as well. Gimli followed close behind, his axe glinting feebly in the dim light. Frodo followed anxiously. He drew Sting and examined it for any faint sign that Orcs may be near. There was no gleam from either Glamdring or Sting that he could see. He breathed a sigh of relief. Behind him came Sam, Coralie and Legolas. The young hobbits were in front of Boromir, and Aragorn grim and silent, brought up the somber rear.

“Go carefully with the water from now on!” said Gandalf. “There are too many streams and wells in the Mines that should not be touched. We may not have a chance of filling our skins and bottles till we come down to the Dimril Dale.”

“I reckon, I had better get used to having bad hair days from now on,” said Coralie.

Legolas just looked at her uncomprehendingly.

The way they followed had many twists and turns. They were descending again and it would be a long time until they reached a level path. Down in the lower reaches of the caverns, the air closed in upon them as a cloak. The hot air was stifling, but at least it was not foul. From many unseen holes in the walls came the faint breath of cooler air upon their faces. They wondered what they may hold, but cared not to dwell on the thought for long. Frodo occasionally caught glimpses of stairs and arches, and other passageways either sloping up or running steeply down in the faint light of the wizard’s staff as he followed. He wondered how Gandalf could find his way through this endless maze.

The only aid that Gimli really gave was his stout courage. For whenever the two would consult with each other, on which way the party should turn next, it was always Gandalf who had the last say. It had been a long time, since he trod the winding tunnels of Moria, and every now and then, he would stop to get his bearings. Despite all the windings of the road, he was always sure of the direction they should go, and did not hesitate when his mind was made up.

The company continued in this fashion for three days and nights, half stumbling through Moria in the half-light of the wizard’s staff. The calignosity of the tunnels oppressed them, but Gandalf had promised them a four-day journey, and this was to be their last night before emerging into the realm of sunlight again. They had paused longer than usual at a place where a wide dark arch stood opening up into three passages: all led in the same general direction, eastwards; but the left-hand passage plunged down, while the right-hand climbed up, and the middle way seemed to run on, smooth and level, but very narrow.

“I have no memory of this place!” said Gandalf with uncertainty. He held up his staff to examine the three passages further. “I am too weary to decide and I’m sure you are too. I suggest that we rest here for a while, until I can gather my bearings.”

They all sat down wearily amongst the dust and the rocks piled around. Coralie sat with her back to a wall. Her journey was much easier now that she had left her ski gear behind at the Doors of Durin. Still she was tired, and was not too proud to admit it. She searched around in her pack for a moment. Presently, she fished out a little book and a dark bottle with a sealed lid.

“Aha!” she said as she held a bottle of vitamins in her hand. “This should fix me up like Billyo!”

“What is Billyo?” asked Legolas coming to sit beside her. “And what do you have there?”

“It’s a saying Legolas. It means ‘real fast’, so you can say that something goes like the billyo such as, ‘that horse flies down the track like billyo! ….. And these, my lad (Legolas laughed to himself at the word ‘lad’) are vitamins. I need a boost. All I have to do now is get some Adam’s ale and I’ll be as happy as Larry” she replied.

Legolas gave her an inquiring look.

“Water, Leggy. Pure, unadulterated water.” She made to reach into her pack, but Legolas already had a skin handy. He wondered who Larry was.

“Here! Do you want one?”

Legolas looked at the strange capsule she held in her hand.

“What’s in it?” he asked.

Coralie read the label of the bottle with her laser light.

“Vitamin A, B complex, Vitamin C and rosehips,” … (Legolas knew what rosehips were), “…..bioflavinoids, Vitamin D, (believe me you need that, especially after being out of the sun for almost 4 days…” she went to go on but Legolas interrupted her monologue.

“What does the sun have to do with this Vitamin D?”

“Oh you need sunlight so your body can produce Vitamin D. It is good for your bones, skin, teeth, eyes,” she answered. “Look! Try one. I promise it won’t hurt you,” she assured him.

Legolas chuckled.

“I’m not worried about that Lady. Just wondering how you can get all of that in there!” he said pointing at the capsule.

“Here!” she said as she swallowed her capsule and handed him the bottle and laser light.

“There’s even more. I just touched the tip of the iceberg. You can read it for yourself. I have to go see Aragorn about watering the horses!”

Legolas shook his head as he watched her walk off with Aragorn. “The things my Lady says!” he laughed to himself as he peered at the vitamins in the dark.

[Lady Coralie]

Hey Dawn!

Sea Flavoured toothpaste!!!!!!

I reckon it'd tast great...Found it on the web. May give it a burl one of these days mate! :)

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

:) I just might, if I ever stumble upon it... :p

[Lady Coralie]

Do a search for toothpaste and up will come all this natural stuff, that's how I found it...Will look for it and see if I can find the link again.

Cheers

LadyCoralie

[Lady Coralie]

Legolas shook his head as he watched her walk off with Aragorn. “The things my Lady says!” he laughed to himself as he peered at the vitamins in the dark.

“Do not be afraid!” said Aragorn to Coralie as he led the way to some dark recess before her. “I have been with Gandalf on many a journey, if never on one so dark; and there are tales of Rivendell of greater deeds of his than any that I have seen. He will not go astray – if there is any path to find. He has led us in here against our fears, but he will lead us out again, at whatever cost to himself. He is surer of finding the way home in a blind night than the cats of Queen Beruthiel.”

“I am not afraid,” she said as he turned towards her. He looked at her features closely in the dim light and knew she spoke the truth.

“God!” she thought as the two of them returned to the others. “If that wasn’t an Academy Award performance, what was? I reckon I’ve convinced Aragorn that I’m not scared to death, but Gandalf better not question me too closely…he’ll have me figured out in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.”

Aragorn rejoined Boromir on the steps and lit his pipe. He looked over at Coralie who was sitting back against the wall between Legolas and Pippin.

“Lady, we have been most discourteous to you. All along this journey we have lit our pipes at every opportunity and offered you none. Is it the custom of women in your land to partake of weed to smoke? For if it be so, I have a spare pipe in my kit,” he asked.

Pippin lit up his pipe beside her. She started coughing and spluttering in disgust.

“Look boys. The Surgeon General says that smoking is a health hazard, and if you value your health you will quit now. Aragorn, there is tobacco and there is weed where I come from and both sexes smoke it… but if you’re smart, you keep away from it altogether. Even side stream smoking is bad for you. Thanks, but no thanks, I don’t want another nail in my coffin…I’m outta here!” and with that she jumped up and made for the other wall away from the drifting smoke. They were all smoking now, except for she and Legolas. He laughed at her antics.

“At last! A human who does not take pleasure in filling their lungs with smoke! I think I will join you, for I take no pleasure in their smoke either.” He leapt up and quickly joined her on the other wall where she now sat with her little book and laser-light in hand. The others just shook their heads and continued to draw on their pipes with distinguishable pleasure.

“What are you reading? I remember the book with blank pages in your backpack, so it can’t be that,” Legolas asked as she traced the lines in her book with her little light.

“I’m reading English poetry Leggy. I forgot I had this altogether. It was in my ski jacket actually with a few other things. I like to read it sometimes when I take a break,” she replied.

“English poetry? We Elves are also fond of poetry. Although, I’m not quite convinced that humans can shape their words as well as an Elf.”

She looked up to protest as he held up a hand. “Do not be offended Lady. Perhaps you could read some to me, so I may judge the worth of it?” his eyes twinkled with the challenge.

“Hmmm. Let me see. What could possibly impress an Elf from amongst these works written by mere mortals?” said Coralie in a high tone as she flipped through the pages.

“I’m waiting Lady,” chuckled Legolas. “Impress me if you dare!”

“Watch out Legolas… I think you are treading on very thin ice there, no matter how light your elf feet may be!” called Aragorn with a laugh.

“Bilbo’s poems are quite good!” said Frodo joining in on the banter.

“He’s a hobbit Frodo. That doesn’t count. I’m far more interested to see how far humans have come in the Lady’s time. Perhaps we have managed to civilize them after all,” Coralie glared at him. “I’m still waiting,” he said nonchalantly.

“Okay Smarty Pants! Try this on for size!”

“She called him Smarty Pants!” guffawed Merry and Pippin together.

“Quiet you two! I would like to hear a poem as well,” shot Aragorn.

Coralie opened the book and started reading out loud without any further ado.

“Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm'd;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature's changing course untrimm'd;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow'st;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow'st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.”

“There. Will that do? That was a sonnet by William Shakespeare. More noted for his plays than poetry, but pretty good don’t you think?”

“That was better than Bilbo’s poetry!” cried Frodo. “But don’t tell him I said so.”

“To be sure, it was much better Frodo. Still I’m not at all convinced,” said Legolas with a naughty wink to the hobbits. “Perhaps Lady, you could read something else in order to convince me?”

The others looked on half expecting her to hit him with that little book. The poem was exceptional, but they did not want to interrupt, and waited anxiously to see what she would do next.



“Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
`Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!' he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.


`Forward, the Light Brigade!'
Was there a man dismay'd?
Not tho' the soldier knew
Some one had blunder'd:
Their's not to make reply,
Their's not to reason why,
Their's but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.


Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.


Flash'd all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn'd in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder'd:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro' the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel'd from the sabre-stroke
Shatter'd and sunder'd.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.


Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley'd and thunder'd;
Storm'd at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro' the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.


When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder'd.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!


“Now that’s a poem a man would write!” exclaimed Gimli.

“They were brave men Lady, outnumbered though they were. Tell me did they win?” asked Boromir, for he was now listening as well.

“Yes they did, although at great cost.” She turned to Legolas. “So Legolas, is that enough? Have I managed to convince you yet?” asked Coralie as she closed her little book.

[Lady Coralie]

“Yes they did, although at great cost.” She turned to Legolas. “So Legolas, is that enough? Have I managed to convince you yet?” asked Coralie as she closed her little book.

“Nay Lady, for you have read me only poetry written by men so far. Are there no women poets in that book of yours? Surely, the fairer sex can bandy words with their tongues, and no one would argue that you are indeed our superiors on that score, but have they yet learned the gentle art of the written word?”

Coralie looked like she would burst at any moment. The hobbits held their hands over their mouths, trying desperately not to laugh out loud and spoil Legolas’ game. Aragorn and Gandalf coughed.

“Here! You read it!” she said slapping him in the chest with the book. “Let us see if an Elf can do a mere mortal woman’s poem any justice!” huffed Coralie.

Aragorn gave Legolas a sympathetic look as he tried not to laugh. He wasn’t about to draw the Lady’s ire again. Gandalf, Gimli and Boromir laughed and shook their heads as they drew on their pipes.

“Well Master Elf? Are you going to take up the lady’s challenge?” asked Gimli.

Legolas sighed and opened the book, trying not to smile at the dwarf, whose eyes were dancing with glee behind his frowning countenance.

“Which poem would you have me read?” he asked carefully. Coralie was cross now, and he knew it.

“That one there,” she snapped.

“Ahem,” Legolas cleared his throat. “This poem is called ‘How Do I Love Thee.’ and was written by one Elizabeth Barrett Browning.” He nodded in deference to Coralie who just sniffed in return.


"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,--I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!--and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.”

A hush fell on them all. Legolas’ musical voice had borne each one away to where their hearts desires waited patiently in yesterday’s shadows. Aragorn beheld his beloved Arwen in the quiet recesses of his heart, and warmed at the gentle design the poem had wrought upon his memory. The hobbits sighed as one as they emerged from their reverie. Legolas turned gently to Coralie.

“ Indeed Lady, ‘twould seem I crave your pardon as I have been sorely amiss in my estimation of your poets, especially of women,” he smiled graciously. “I am forever in your debt for the enlightenment you have bestowed upon me.”

Coralie looked up at his smiling face and forgot all previous thoughts of giving him a sound thrashing. “You are forgiven. But only just. You look about as innocent as a cat in a goldfish bowl, though.”

Legolas gave her a look which said “Who me?” and laughed softly.

“Ah Lady, it was worth it just to hear you read. But my education is not complete. I would like to learn more about you. You are so strange to me at times, and yet you also seem familiar as well. I cannot fathom it. So, let’s start at the beginning. Now that we are taking a rest for a while, tell me your story from the beginning,” said Legolas.

“What! From my birth or when I was just a twinkle in my Father’s eye?” said Coralie.

Legolas smiled. “Before that Coralie. When we first met upon the slopes of Caradhras, you were a wonder to behold. It seemed that you had wings on your feet as you flew over our heads. Of course, now, we know that you were ‘skiing’ as you call it, for sport. Another mystery to me, and I would learn more about this love for ‘sport’ that you have, but first I would learn more of your history; your ancestry, so I may discern your nature better.”

Gandalf came over to join them. He had finished his pipe and settled himself down beside them.

“And I too Lady, would like to learn more about you,” said Gandalf.

“What is this? The Spanish Inquisition? Or are we going to have a debate over nature versus nurture?” she joked. However, she could see that they were both in earnest.

“Alright, you want my family history…There’s not that much to tell. I can only go back so far,” she replied.

“That’s alright My Dear. Just start where you can.” Gandalf patted her hand. “Tell us about your family and this land, Australia, that you come from.”

Coralie shrugged. “Okay, I already told you about the ‘blue blood’ bizzo!”

“You are of course referring to your royal blood?” asked Gandalf keenly.

“Yep, but look….Where I come from, all people are equal, and no one is impressed by that sort of stuff. It’s far more important to be a fair dinkum Aussie and be true blue. We don’t go in for people bunging on airs and graces.”

“But who is your ruler then? Do you have no king?” asked Boromir.

“Not really. We still have a queen in England, (Which is a very long way away from Australia) but she is just a figure - head. She’s more of a symbol of another time really. Some people don’t like that idea at all back home, and want to turn us into a Republic, but I say “If it ain’t broken, then don’t try to fix it.” We actually elect our own government officials, and if they don’t do a good job, come next election (approximately every three years) we boot them out.”

Gimli snorted. “Boot them out? How can you have no king? That’s not right.”

“Well it seems to work pretty well for us Gimli. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you,” said Coralie apologetically.

Gandalf patted her hand. “None taken My Dear. It just seems so strange to us, but we know that you come from the future and things are vastly different from our time.” He gave Gimli a dark look warning him to keep silent.

“So Coralie, I can tell that you have a great love for this land of Australia. Tell us something of its history, for I would like to know more,” continued Gandalf.

[Lady Coralie]

“Well Australia is a great island continent in the Southern Hemisphere and was originally inhabited by Aborigines before European settlement.

“What’s an Aborigine?” Sam asked again.

“Aborigines were the indigenous people of Australia. They were supplanted by the early colonists and lost their lands and way of life to them, They were pretty upset at having lost their land to the interlopers, but they were outgunned.” she responded.

Legolas spoke up. “Do not ask what a gun is again, Pippin.” Before he could interrupt.

“Go on Lady. This is very interesting.”

“Are there any hobbits in Australia?” asked Frodo.


Coralie laughed. “No Frodo. No hobbits that I know of. But Australians love their beer just about as much as you hobbits do. We’re world famous for it. I guess our image may be that we are a bunch of drunken scoundrels, considering that we started off as a convict settlement. But we have built a great country in about 200 years, that in many cases is the envy of the world. Australia was also settled by free people who emigrated there for a better way of life, not just convicts. Most of my family were free settlers. I’ve searched in vain to find a convict ancestor.”

“But why on earth would you want to be descended from a convict?” asked Sam, not believing his ears. “I prefer the royal part, if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah, well if my great, great, great, great grandfather, Count De La Rue, hadn’t been so stupid and sold the finest land on Sydney Harbour for a keg of beer in the rum trading days, leaving us as poor as church mice, I probably wouldn’t have minded that either, Sam. I told you we were fond of beer,” she said to Frodo. “Anyway, you’ve got it all wrong. Most of the convicts were poor people who couldn’t make a living to buy food to feed themselves or their children. The English government decided that their jails were too full of these desperate people and transported them as far away from England as possible, to Australia. The sentence was usually for life, just for stealing a loaf of bread!” The hobbits were wide eyed at this injustice.

“Just for a loaf of bread? That’s not fair!” cried Sam.

“Well, that’s the way it was. The poor people who were transported, felt they were given a death sentence as they would never see their homeland or loved ones again. Many of them failed to make the voyage to Australia as they were chained up below the decks of the ships for eight long months. Much cruelty was done in those days, and the convicts were little more than slaves at first. You know, they originally sent women convicts to civilize the men.” Coralie nudged Legolas hard in the ribs. Aragorn laughed as he rubbed his side. “But in spite of our humble beginnings, we have built a great nation. The most important things to an Australian are a strong sense of fair play, equality for all, always stick by your mates, when you shake on an agreement it is written in stone, help others before yourself, and never give in, especially when it comes to sport. But, mind you, it’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game. We hate poor losers in Australia.”

“Do all Australians think this way?” asked Frodo.

”Pretty much. Throw in a bit of larrikinism and you are on your way,” she answered.

“What’s larrikinism?” asked Frodo, genuinely puzzled.

“I think the best way to describe larrikinism is this Frodo. Even though, my country has existed for about 200 years since it was first colonized, Australia didn’t really come of age until our soldiers went off to fight in the First World War. (And no Gimli, there were no women soldiers, so you can relax.) Our soldiers were called ANZACS meaning Australia New Zealand Army Corps, and was composed mostly of fine young men from the cities and the outback, many too young to be at war. Quite a few of them put their ages up so they could enlist and fight for their country. The most important date on the Australian calendar is ANZAC Day, when we commemorate those that have fallen in battle, and have laid down their lives for their mates. I was actually born on that day. Even though some 80 odd years have passed, since those terrible days of battle and trial, our enemies that we once fought, The Turks, celebrate the day also, to honor our fallen soldiers as well as their own. They had never seen a fighting man like the ANZAC before, and his legend is held sacred. Both for courage under fire, and because of the kindly way we treated the prisoners we took. The boys actually gave them a smoke and a cup of tea instead of flogging them to death before returning them in exchange for Australian prisoners of war.” Aragorn and Boromir raised their eyebrows and looked at each other. Coralie went on.

“The ANZACS became a legend and personified all that Australians held dear about our basic values of life. They were defeated in battle, and we’re the only modern country that commemorates a defeat, because of the courage our young men showed, in spite of all odds. One terrible day, we lost three light horse brigades in a matter of minutes, but they never gave up the fight or turned and ran from the enemy. Australians were bold and ferocious in battle but were unwilling to bow to military discipline. I guess that is where the real larrikin element came in. An ANZAC never flinched in battle – if he died it was with a joke, or a wry smile on his face – nor would he salute a superior officer. The ANZAC hated military etiquette, and as we were still considered an English colony at the time, and held the English officer class in contempt. The Australian Imperial Force had friendly relations between officers and men, and anyone could rise from the ranks to a commission. At Gallipoli, where we fought and lost, men from all backgrounds and classes from the newly federated Australia, created the essence of what it means to be Australian – courage under fire, grace under pressure, giving a hand to a mate. I lost a great uncle and great grandfather from both sides of the family in that war.”

[Lady Coralie]

“To be a larrikin then, is to be a good thing in your country. What is Australia like? Is it like Middle Earth at all?” asked Frodo.

“In some ways it is Frodo, but the climate is vastly different. More temperate, with long, hot summers. Our winters are very brief. I think the land has done much as well in shaping our national identity. The country is beautiful, the people are friendly and we have very little strife. Our biggest problems come from natural disasters such as fire and flood. When something disastrous happens, Australians are known for pitching in and helping each other. That is the Australian way. Our land can be very harsh at times, and the climate unforgiving, so we must come together as one in order to survive. Look! I will tell you a poem about my country. In fact it is called “My Country” and was written by Dorothea Mackellar.”

“Another female poet!” said Gimli shaking his head.

Coralie ignored the interruption.

“It is a poem that every Australian child can recite and my telling of it may help you picture my country better.”

The love of field and coppice,
Of green and shaded lanes,
Of ordered woods and gardens
Is running in your veins.
Strong love of grey-blue distance,
Brown streams and soft, dim skies –
I know, but cannot share it,
My love is otherwise.
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel-sea,
Her beauty and her terror –
The wide brown land for me!
The stark white ring-barked forests,
All tragic to the moon,
The sapphire-misted mountains,
The hot gold hush of noon,
Green tangle of the brushes
Where lithe lianas coil,
The orchids deck the tree-tops,
And ferns the warm dark soil.
Core of my heart, my country!
Her pitiless blue sky,
When, sick at heart, around us
We see the cattle die –
But then the grey clouds gather
And we can bless again
The drumming of an army,
The steady, soaking rain.
Core of my heart, my country!
Land of the rainbow gold,
For flood and fire and famine
She pays us back threefold.
Over the thirsty paddocks,
Watch, after many days,
The filmy veil of greenness
That thickens as we gaze……..
An opal-hearted country,
A willful, lavish land –
All you who have not loved her,
You will not understand –
Though Earth holds many splendours,
Wherever I may die,
I know to what brown country
My homing thoughts will fly.
http://www.alphalink.com.au/~wiseowl/asunburntcountry.htm”[/url]]I Love A Sunburnt Country

“Lady, I can well understand your love for this country, Australia,” said Legolas. “Even when she does not sing, she is still a songbird and can paint a picture more cleverly than any artist that I know of,” he thought to himself as the images she had brought to life receded from his mind. He looked at her tenderly and knew how much she missed her homeland. As if she had read his mind, she looked up at him and smiled. “She gives me much to ponder on.” He continued his thought as he recalled the images to mind again.

“So, Coralie. You have told us well about your country Australia and you do it proud. Now, tell us about your parents and your family?” asked Gandalf gently.

Coralie sighed. “My father, did not love me, nor my sister, or mother, for he left us when I was still a baby after my sister was born. We have not heard from him since.”

Legolas drew in his breath as he felt the subdued pain, still lingering in the walls of her heart.

“My mother remarried since, and I now have a new father who is very good to us, as well as brothers and sisters as well, though I have not seen them in a long time, as we are scattered all over the country.

“Must be a big country, then!” interrupted Pippin. Gandalf gave him a stern look. He knew he was on the brink of something important and did not want any interruptions. Coralie continued.

“We did it rough there for a while after my father left. I guess my real father was my maternal grandfather. Grandpa. He raised us, and I grew up looking to him until my mother remarried,” she stopped and looked down at her hands. “He is dead now…..” her voice trailed off.

Gandalf sighed. “Well, I think that is enough for now, Coralie. I can see that you are tired. You can tell us more about yourself another time.” He patted her shoulder as he got up and walked over to Aragorn who joined him at some distance from the others. After a while he spoke.

“She is a curious mixture, this Lady. Don’t you think Aragorn?” Gandalf asked.

“What do you mean exactly?” he asked as he re lit Gandalf’s pipe.

“Well, I’m trying to get to the bottom of just why she is here. She comes from the future, there’s no doubt about that. She is no spy of the enemy either, for which I am relieved as well,” said Gandalf.

“She has a sad story to tell,” responded Aragorn. “Her family has lost everything, so it would seem.”

“Have they really?” responded Gandalf. “I’m not so sure that the loss of her royal heritage is as of much concern to her, as the loss of other things. In many ways, she is a lot like you Aragorn.”

“What do you mean?” asked Aragorn, unsure of what Gandalf intended by that statement.

“You were raised far away from your true heritage, Aragorn. The lack of growing up without a castle, without a crown upon your head, has done you no harm. Instead, I believe that it has served to strengthen your character and resolve all the more. You care little for the trappings of royalty, and care far more for duty than you do material gain. Coralie seems to me to be the same in that respect. She also has grown up without knowing her father as she would have liked, although to my mind, she was better off without him,” said Gandalf matter of factly.

“You will get no argument from me there, Gandalf. ‘Tis strange though, that she is so strong of heart,” pondered Aragorn.

“Tis not so strange as you may think Aragorn. The blood of kings and warriors flows in her veins, although I discern that she is disappointed about not having any criminals there as well,” joked Gandalf. “She is both ordinary and extraordinary, like our young hobbit Frodo,” he said looking in his direction. “But I will say this, she gives me hope.”

“How say you, Gandalf,” asked Aragorn.

Gandalf smiled. “She comes from the future Aragorn. Do you not see? That means we must win in the end.” He stood up. “Now, I must go sit alone for a while and try to determine the way we must go from here.”

He left Aragorn sitting there drawing on his pipe. The embers reflected warmly in his eyes as he studied Coralie sitting with the hobbits and Legolas, and a smile briefly played about the corners of his mouth.

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 10

The Company, for the most part, were taking full advantage of Gandalf’s deliberation regarding which way they were to go next. Most of them were napping or lost deep in thought, whilst they rested against the rock walls of the small alcove they waited in. Legolas was reading Coralie’s little book of English Poetry. He turned to a poem by John Keats, attracted by the title.

Bright Star, Would I were Steadfast as Thou Art

Bright star, would I were stedfast as thou art--
Not in lone splendour hung aloft the night
And watching, with eternal lids apart,
Like nature's patient, sleepless Eremite,
The moving waters at their priestlike task
Of pure ablution round earth's human shores,
Or gazing on the new soft-fallen mask
Of snow upon the mountains and the moors--
No--yet still stedfast, still unchangeable,
Pillow'd upon my fair love's ripening breast,
To feel for ever its soft fall and swell,
Awake for ever in a sweet unrest,
Still, still to hear her tender-taken breath,
And so live ever--or else swoon to death.

He gazed tenderly at the head that had fallen softly, unawares onto his shoulder as she slept, and wondered what she may be dreaming. Watching the gentle rhythm of the rise and fall of her breast, he knew her to be deeply lost between the slumber of the steadfast stars of night and day. Legolas sighed briefly and returned to reading the poem again.

Frodo and Gandalf were in deep conversation. The look on Frodo’s face was quite anxious, yet Gandalf appeared to be trying to comfort him in some way. The company could not pick up all the words spoken, but every now and then, they could hear the word ‘Gollum’ amid the hushed tones of the conspirators. Coralie awoke with a start.

“What is it Coralie?” asked Legolas peering anxiously at her through the gloom. One moment she had been resting soundly, the next she was wide-awake with a worried expression on her face.

“I thought I heard something,”

“What did you hear?” asked Legolas in return.

“I thought I heard Gollum.” Her brows were knit together. “Or at least I thought I did.”

Yes, you most likely did. For I have heard him also. You know of this creature, Gollum?” he asked wondering how she could possibly have heard of him.

“He’s…well, he…”Coralie stammered. “Legolas, pinch me!” she demanded.

“Pinch you?” he asked in surprise.

“Yes, pinch me Legolas. I can’t remember, and it’s driving me round the twist!” she was frustrated now. “All I can remember is something about Gollum, but I can’t remember anymore! What use am I?”

Legolas smiled grimly at her. “Lady, you are here for a reason. Sooner or later, we will find out what that reason is. In the meantime, we can only do what we can with the time that is given us.”

Suddenly, Gandalf stood up and picked up his staff and hat, placing the latter on his head.

“Ah! It’s that way!” he said.

“He’s remembered!” cried Merry, pleased to be moving along at last.

Gandalf patted him on the shoulder at the entrance to one of the tunnels.

“No. But the air doesn’t smell so foul down here. When in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose.”

The company followed him down the tunnel he had chosen. They had only traveled a little way when suddenly, it seemed as if the walls to the left and right had vanished as they could feel warmer air as a great draught behind them, and faced colder air ahead.

Gandalf walked a little head with his staff raised.

“Let me risk a little more light!” The receding shadows vanished in a blaze of light as a great chambered hall with many pillars of hewn stone suddenly revealed itself. Vast beyond their immediate sight, the ceiling far above their heads, was not reflected in the polished stone floor they stood upon. The dim reaches of this hall were flung beyond the faint radiance of the meagre light that Gandalf displayed in his outstretched hand.

“Behold! The great realm of the dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!”

They gasped in awe as their eyes strained to find the corners of this colossal hall without success.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Yeah!

More story...thanks a bunch!

[Lady Coralie]

“Now, there’s an eye opener, and no mistake,” ventured Sam as they made their way through.

“Gandalf, do you think it would be alright if I took a picture?” asked Coralie turning to him.

“I don’t think that it will do any harm,” he responded smiling. “Of course you may!”

Coralie fumbled around in her pack for her Clie camera and stood looking through the viewfinder. Suddenly there was a flash, which made the hobbits jump.

“Good thing we know what that is now Coralie. That flash took me by surprise!”

Coralie clipped the Clie onto the wristwatch on her left wrist. She still held her ski pole in her right hand.

“Sorry about that lads. I should have reminded you about the flash before I took the piccie.”

The Company began their long march out of the Mines again following Gandalf’s lead,
walking in awe through the now silent hall, filled with the empty echoes of dwarven arts. A faint glimmer of light outlined an archway and smaller chamber to their right. Suddenly, Gimli gasped and ran through the door falling to his knees in front of a stone slab in the center of the room. The others followed him, blinking in the new light from a small window high above their heads. After the dark of Moria, it was like stepping into the bright sunlight again. A small shaft of light from above, fell directly onto the slab below. Gimli’s head was bowed before the slab and he was weeping. The room was littered with ruins of battle. Gandalf came over for a closer look at the runes that were graven there.

“Here lies Balin, son of Fundin. Lord of Moria. So he is dead then,” his voice was grave with sorrow and regret. Boromir placed a comforting hand on Gimli’s shoulder. The others stood silent before the tomb of Balin. Frodo remembered that Balin was his Uncle Bilbo’s friend and fellow adventurer to Smaug’s lair in the Lonely Mountain. How long ago that seemed. How far away now the carefree days of the Shire were from that grim, dusty room. Presently, Gandalf roused himself from his mournful meditation and began to search around for anything that would provide a clue to Balin’s fate. Stooping near the slab, he picked up a dusty tome from the skeletal hands of a bloodless sentry, still on ghostly watch, by his master’s grave. The leaves of the book crackled and fell away as he did so. Gandalf turned the pages gingerly as he found the final entry.

“Twould seem that this is a record of the last days of Balin’s folk,” he paused as he silently read its contents.

“I fear that he had ill tidings to record in a fair hand,” said Gandalf at last. “Their end was cruel. Listen! ‘We cannot get out. They have taken the Bridge and second hall. We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out….. They are coming’….”

While Gandalf was reading, Pippin began to back away with dread, as the wizard revealed the doom of Balin’s folk. He was holding Gandalf’s hat and staff, which he gripped all the more tighter as he retreated. A bleak weight had gripped the corners of his heart, and the ominous strain was almost more than he could bear. Turning, he found himself face to face with a cadaverous soldier, sitting on the edge of an empty well. A black, feathered arrow protruded from what remained of his armour. With vacant fascination, Pippin reached out to touch the arrow. To his horror, the skeletal remains toppled over backwards into the well. A bucket and iron chain that had been sitting beside the corpse were dragged over the precipice also. There was a terrible clatter of metal against stone. The Company whirled as one, overtaken by the sudden onset of the reverberations emanating from the deep. Down, down fell the metallic remnants of the embattled ghoul. Pippin’s face reflected every crash and clatter as he faced Gandalf’s ire.

“Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!” Gandalf grabbed his hat and staff from the hapless hobbit.

He had barely spoken these words when a great booming noise came out of the depths. The stones trembled where they stood. Harsh cries and running feet could be heard as the drums rolled, coming closer with each boom. Boromir ran for the entranceway and peered out. Several arrows met his brash employment, finding their mark in the wooden door near his head.

“Orcs!” cried Legolas.

The hobbits drew their swords. Frodo’s shone blue in the grey light.

Boromir and Aragorn barred the door as Legolas threw great axes for them to secure it with.

“They have a cave troll!” said Boromir to Aragorn as they held the door.

“Get Back! Stay with Gandalf!” cried Aragorn over his shoulder to the hobbits and Coralie.

[Lady Coralie]

Gandalf gathered them together as they all turned to face the onslaught, weapons in hand.
Coralie grasped her ski pole with both hands.

“OMG! OMG! What am I doing here? This has got to be some ghastly nightmare! I did hit my head on a tree! Wake up! Wake UP!” she thought desperately.

The Orcs were hacking at the door from the other side. The door quivered. Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas stood armed vigil before its failing timber. The door staggered from the relentless beating and a hole started to form. Legolas let an arrow fly. The scream from the other side told that it had made its mark.

“Let them come!” shouted Gimli from atop of Balin’s tomb. “There is but one dwarf left in Moria who still draws breath!”

As if to answer his challenge the Orcs broke through. Legolas felled two almost immediately with arrows. Aragorn and Boromir assailed the invaders with their swords whilst Gandalf and the hobbits advanced with blades drawn shouting “For the Shire!”

Coralie had backed up about as far as she could in the chamber.

“OMG! I’m not going to wake up am I?”

Without bothering to stoop, a giant cave troll suddenly came lurching into the room, crashing through the lintel, stone club in hand. He swung at Sam, near his feet. Sam gave a mighty yell and dove between the brute’s legs. The troll seemed puzzled that he had missed his target and looked around for another. He spotted Coralie shrinking up against the back wall and raised his club. She cowered against the wall looking for a place to run. Suddenly as if by a stroke of genius, she took his picture! There was a blinding flash. Coralie ran for cover. The troll rubbed at his eyes and Legolas took full advantage of his temporary blindness by shooting an arrow at him. It glanced off his stony hide. Coralie then ran over to Sam who was swatting at Orcs with a fry pan. An Orc had advanced on him without his knowledge from behind. She aimed her camera at him. The Orc howled in pain and Sam now alerted to the danger turned and brought his pan down crashing upon its skull.

“Thanks. I think I’m getting the hang of this,” said Sam to Coralie as he bashed another one. Aragorn, Gandalf and Boromir were at the forefront of the battle trying to stem the tide of Orc’s pouring in through the open door. Aragorn beheaded one whilst Boromir drove his sword through another’s ribs. Striking at others with both his sword and staff,
Gandalf was a formidable opponent.

Pippin ducked as an Orc swung wide with his sword and drove his blade into the creature’s chest. Merry stabbed him from behind. Another advanced upon the pair, crying as he raised his sword. Coralie fumbled with her camera, but could not position it correctly. There was no time! Instead she grabbed her laser light at her neck and shone it directly in his eyes as she jumped in front of him. The Orc dropped his weapon and howled with pain. Cruel nails dug into her shoulders as he shook her with rage. Legolas flung a knife at the Orc that held her, striking between the shoulder blades with deadly precision. Another grabbed her from behind and swung her around away from the direction of the previous blade hoping to use her as a shield. Legolas raised his bow. His arrow flew into the Orc’s eye as Merry and Pippin dug their knive’s in his back. The Orc fell dead at their feet. Before they had time to congratulate themselves more Orcs fell upon them. The hobbits slashed at them whilst Coralie held up her ski pole as a spear. Boromir jumped to their defense and clove the skull of one who was advancing on them with upraised sword. She nodded her thanks as he swung around, shield and sword flashing amid the din.

Legolas had drawn his long knives and was carving his way through a group of Orcs on a low wall. The troll swung the end of the chain around his neck at Legolas who had dispatched the Orcs. He ducked out of the way easily, anticipating the troll’s awkward flailing with lightning speed. The great chain became entangled around one of the stone pillars. Legolas placed his foot on the links and ran directly up the taut chain as the troll pulled back on it. Standing on top of his head he fired an arrow into the troll’s skull. The troll screamed and swatted at Legolas who jumped out of reach of his hulking arms.


Coralie was now wrestling with another that had broken through Aragorn’s and Boromir’s line of defense. He had one hand around her neck and all his weight was bent upon her as he brought his blade up to strike. She aimed her laser light with one hand, the Orc’s blow fell wide and she followed by driving her ski pole through its neck as he stumbled forward. He fell to the ground gasping for breath. Aragorn arrived to her defense as the Orc fell. He nodded quickly with a wry smile before leaping into the fray of the battle again. The chamber was filled with the havoc of blood, cries and death as the Company fought with fierce determination against the odds.

Still defiant, Gimli stood atop Balin’s tomb, cleaving the heads from the shoulders of Orcs who attacked him with his great ax. The troll swiped his club at Gimli, but his arc swung wide and missed him by mere inches. He raised his club a second time. Legolas seeing the danger, fired two arrows in an effort to save Gimli. He was spared, but two Orcs had met their doom at the troll’s hands instead. The troll pushed on relentless, sniffing this way and that as a bloodhound on the scent of some trail. Cowering behind a pillar, the hobbits had gathered together trying to hide from the troll. It seemed to be singling out Frodo who had tried desperately to hide, but could not escape this obdurate foe. Suddenly he was discovered. He swung upside down in the troll’s indomitable grasp as it drew him out from behind the pillar.

“Aragorn!” cried Frodo. He desperately clawed at the rocks in an effort to escape.

Aragorn, besieged by a number of Orcs, turned quickly seeing Frodo’s danger.

“Frodo!” he shouted, fighting his way out of the melee.

Suddenly amidst the confusion, Frodo’s chain carrying the ring slipped off his neck and fell to the ground as the troll swung him around. Frodo stabbed at the brute’s great arm with his blade Sting. The troll screamed with pain and dropped him momentarily. Aragorn, sword in hand fought his way to Frodo’s defense. The others were desperately trying to aid Frodo as well, but were caught up in the affray.

The fallen chain had not escaped the attention of one of the Orc’s though. He ran straight to the very spot where it lay as the others engaged the troll and slipped it over his head. From behind there came a sudden crunch. Coralie had noted the fallen chain as well.

“Up the Rabbitohs!” she cried, and had made her best rugby tackle at the Orc.

The Orc tumbled over and rolled with Coralie still wrapped around his legs. He dragged her to her feet and head butted her as he held her by the shoulders. She grabbed at him in a daze and suddenly shifted her balance. As she fell backwards, she dug a foot in his stomach and flung him over her head. She tried to stand up beyond his reach, but staggered from the blow on her forehead. A great black arm shot around her neck and pulled her backwards. They both fell to the ground. Coralie drove her elbow into her assailant’s ribs as they fell together. She tried to struggle out of his grasp whilst he was still winded from her well-aimed blow, but he grabbed her and threw her over the top of him. The Orc rolled with her as they struggled. Together, they both tumbled into the well.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I loved the camera flashes and the laser light as weapons bit!

A great piece of imagination...

[Lady Melody]

Lovely! Splendid! (I'm sounding more like a Brit... where did my American accent went to?) lol

No offence!

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 11

The Rescue

Scrambling at the lip of the well with her bare hands, Coralie desperately tried to find some hand-hold as the Orc tumbled over the top of her. His black hands grabbed at her backpack as he fell, dragging his unwilling victim with him. It had happened too fast for her to cry out. Her hands, in their desperate scrabble to halt her fall, had miraculously wrapped themselves around a large iron spike, that protruded from the well’s wall some five feet down inside. They came to a jarring halt as gravity conceded its loss to her fortunate grip.

Her assailant had wrapped himself around her lower body, as they swung in the black void together. She was facing the wall, feet flailing as she tried to find some foothold. The loathsome creature dug a claw like hand into the waistband of her jeans and began to climb up. Coralie realized the awful truth, that in a matter of moments he would be able to climb out of the well using her body as a ladder and then most likely dispose of her before any help could come to her aid. Groaning with strain, Coralie gripped the spike tightly with both hands and twisted around to face her foe.

He was almost level with her now as he grasped her shoulder in a vice like grip, still wearing the ring around his neck. She wasn’t going down without a fight. Grabbing the laser light, she shone it into the Orc’s eyes, temporarily blinding him. Her left hand shot out and yanked at the chain snapping it off the furious Orc who roared his foul breath in her face. Jamming the ring and chain into her mouth she smashed a left hook into his gruesome jaw. Suddenly, he slipped down her body, almost as surprised as she was by the force of the blow. He screamed with rage and pulled a short dagger out of his belt, plunging it into her left arm near her shoulder, as she fought to dislodge him.

Desperately she hung on with her one right hand as the pain shot through her arm. She longed to scream both her agony and defiance at her attacker, but could not do so with the ring still between her teeth.

Again she shone the laser light into the loathsome creature’s eyes. Clenching her jaw with one final effort she kicked out at him and pushed with her left arm. He started to fall backwards groping in the air for some hand-hold. Grabbing at her left arm in a frenzy of panic he found her wrist. His full weight fell upon it. She felt a sudden pull in her shoulder as the humerus dislocated from its socket. In agony she brought her left heel down on the Orc’s outstretched forearm with all her strength as he swung from her wrist. Howling in pain, the Orc was forced to release his grip and disappeared into the black depths below her.

Coralie renewed her right hand grip on the spike. Her left arm hung useless at her side. She whimpered in agony listening to the sounds of the battle above. Lights danced behind her eyes in rhythm with the searing pain that coursed its way through her broken shoulder. Her mother’s words came to her through a grim veil.

“You can be so stubborn at times Coralie!”

Stubborn! Now her very stubbornness hung with her in the void. There was nothing to be done, but hang on for grim death, and hope that someone discovered her soon. Tears stung at her eyes. The effort to hold on was overwhelming.

Suddenly from above there came a great crash. Tremors from the troll’s fall cracked through the rock of the well. The sounds of the battle died away and still she hung on, unable to call out for the burden between her teeth. Her final predicament crushed in upon her as her eyes desperately sought for aid from above through the blur of tears.

Aragorn and the Company ran to Frodo’s side where he lay face down in the dirt with the troll’s great spear beneath him.

“No!” uttered Aragorn as he turned him over with dread. To his amazement, and the others of the Company, Frodo opened his eyes and gasped.

“He’s alive!” cried Sam with tears of relief.

“I’m alright! I’m not hurt,” Frodo answered weakly.

“You should be dead! That spear would have skewered a wild boar!” exclaimed Aragorn, his eyes unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

Gandalf labored over Frodo, leaning on his staff.

“I think there is more to this hobbit than meets the eye!”

Frodo reached up and opened his shirt. They gazed in wonder at the beautiful mail as it glittered in the soft grey light that fell into the chamber.

“Mithril!” exclaimed Gimli. “Master Baggins you are full of surprises.”

Frodo suddenly clutched at the empty space at his throat.

“Where’s the ring? What has become of it?” They looked around in panic.

“Where’s Coralie?” asked the Hobbits at once. She was nowhere to be seen.

Coralie longed to cry out to them and tell them where she was as their panicked voices fell down the well. All she could do was moan and clench her teeth.

“There!” cried Legolas springing forward as he heard her faint groan with keen ears. He reached the edge of the well as the others raced behind him.

“Lady!” he cried, looking down in sudden horror. Coralie looked up at him with tear stained cheeks as the other faces of the Company suddenly appeared above.

“Coralie!” cried the Hobbits at once.

“Look she has the ring!” cried Pippin.

“Give me your hand!” cried Legolas reaching down to her, expecting her to respond in kind. She shook her head weakly. Legolas read the agony and desperation in her eyes, unable to comprehend why she did not reach for his hand. Aragorn stood to Legolas’ right.

“Her left arm is useless, look!” he pointed. The others looked down and saw her bloodied arm hanging at an awkward angle.

“We must get her out!” cried Gandalf. “Hold on Coralie! We’re here to help you!”

Aragorn and Legolas both reached for her good hand still gripping the spike, but their reach fell short. She felt her fingers loosening and knew that fatigue was taking its deadly toll. She could not hang on much longer. She looked up at them, eyes wild with urgent fear!

“Hang on Coralie! Help is at hand!” cried Legolas locking eyes with her own. Boromir and Gimli broke away from the well and found the troll’s chain. The dwarf smashed at the chain with his ax. Sparks flew and one of the links snapped open. Wrapping one end around his waist, Boromir flung the other end towards Legolas.

“Quick! She can’t hold on much longer!”

Aragorn, Gandalf and Gimli lent their support to Boromir gripping the chain as one.

Legolas flung himself over the edge as Coralie’s iron like grip unwillingly loosened. A strong arm reached for her waist and held her securely in his safe embrace. She moaned as new agony flashed through her dislocated shoulder as Legolas took her weight.

“I have you now,” he said as he began to climb out of the well. Every step he advanced only served to send jarring bolts of fresh pain through her empty socket. The muscles across her shoulder, spasmed in protest at the unnatural alignment of her arm. With a final heave, Legolas had reached the top with his precious cargo. He gently laid her on the floor. Coralie could finally cry out, no longer having to hold the ring between her teeth. Frodo rushed to her side and slipped it into his pocket as he peered down anxiously at her, desperate to be of some aid. He clasped her right hand in his.

“Coralie! Dear Coralie! What can I do?” he cried, longing to ease her suffering.

She tried to smile up at him through her tears.

“Just keep rubbing my hand Frodo!” she gasped, exhausted with the effort to speak.

The other hobbits gathered around anxiously, trying to offer some comfort.

“You won’t laugh at my chin-ups anymore will you boys,” she said weakly, trying to smile through the agony as Aragorn examined the wound left by the Orc’s knife on her left shoulder. A small, dark pool of blood had gathered on the stony floor as it dripped relentlessly down her arm.

“I can’t really do anything about this until we mend her shoulder,” he nodded at Legolas who had positioned himself behind her. “I’m sorry Lady, this is going to be very painful, but it must be done.”

Without warning, Legolas lifted Coralie up to a sitting position as Aragorn raised her arm to a right angle and slid the offending joint back into its socket. Red fire exploded through her brain, then, a merciful release from immediate pain fell on her.

She lay there for a moment as they all looked down anxiously at her.

“Oh! Thank you. That’s better,” she gasped as she looked up at the sea of faces that hung overhead. “Well, don’t just stand there looking at me like stunned mullets! Help a lady up why don’t you?”

All hands reached down towards her. Batting them away, she reached for Gandalf’s as Legolas and Aragorn helped to support her weight. Catching her breath, she leaned against Gandalf’s chest as he put a comforting arm around her.

“It’s moments like these I could really use a Mintie!” she laughed weakly.

“We better take a look at that arm of yours as well,” said Aragorn.

Suddenly, there came a loud tumult of harsh cries and horns. “Doom! Doom! Doom!” The walls trembled with the rolling drums. They all looked up alarmed as they realized their foes were gathering to attack them again.

“Now for the last race! If the sun is shining outside we may still escape! Come now! We must run! Can you manage?” Coralie nodded. “To the Bridge of Khazad-Dûm!” called Gandalf over his shoulder as he sped away.

“My arm can wait!” cried Coralie to Aragorn as she chased after Gandalf with the others.

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Lady Melody.

Hope you enjoy the next part mate!

PS. Your accent is just fine!:grin:

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Oh, that was good!

I ws actually afraid that she would fall for a while...

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 12

The Bridge

The Company fled across the smooth stone floor of the Dwarrowdelf. From all sides their enemies raced towards them. Vastly outnumbered, and with little hope, save that of their flying feet, they ran on behind Gandalf, his staff blazing a way through the dark. Far ahead in the distance, they could dimly see the outline of a great archway. It was further than it looked.

Hideous cries could be heard from above. Coralie looked up as she ran, alarmed to see the shadows of Orcs tracing the walls as they crawled out of spaces in the ceiling overhead. Their arms and legs akimbo, like squat, ugly spiders.

“God! This is worse than Eight Legged Freaks and I hate spiders! Now I can add Orcs to my list!” she sped on, her feet compelled by the grim certainty, that death awaited any who faltered. Her shoulder hurt like hell, but at least the pain wasn’t blinding as before.

Suddenly, they were overtaken by their monstrous foes and were surrounded by a sea of slathering faces, baying for blood. Orcs, too numerous to count, rattled their crude blades and shields at them. The Company held up their weapons in readiness for the fight of their lives. Coralie grasped her laser light around her neck. One Orc leapt out at them from the mass of seething monstrosity and challenged them with raised scimitar. She shone her light in its eyes as Gandalf’s staff grew even brighter. It fell back bawling in pain.

A low rumbling roar, filled the chamber, blotting out the hideous gurgles and cries of the Orc’s with its fell power. In the distance, a blood-red element reflected on the many pillars beyond where the company stood, holding their ground. The Orcs seemed to cry out in alarm. Another low growl echoed the former, only this time much closer in its power to afflict. Woe fell upon the faces of the Orc’s, who suddenly panicked and ran in every direction away from the Company.

“What is this new devilry?” asked Boromir. The fear caught in his throat.

Gandalf lowered his head briefly, whilst Legolas’ dismay drained all the blood from his features. A dread and terror fell on all their hearts as the red glow crept closer.

“A balrog. A demon of the ancient world. This foe is beyond any of you. Run!”

Turning with newly awakened fear, they fled towards the archway looming in the distance. The hellish roaring was still behind them, yet drawing closer as they reached the door. Boromir was the first to descend the steep stairway as he flew through. He came to a frightful halt at the precipice of an abyss, where the steps suddenly terminated with abrupt finality. Swaying at the brink, unable to bring his body under command, his faggot fell into the terrible chasm as he fought to regain balance. Legolas’ arm shot out quickly around his chest and brought him back to relative safety.

The others followed, breathless, avoiding the same error, as they had witnessed the near disaster that Boromir had almost come to. Legolas led the way, jumping down the stone stairway ahead of them. Gandalf and Aragorn came last, the latter making as if to make a stand and fight the fell beast as it advanced toward them. The wizard grabbed his shoulder with urgency.

“Lead them on Aragorn. The bridge is near. Do as I say!” he emphasized. “Swords are no more use here!”

Aragorn looked questioningly at Gandalf, but knew better than to argue with him.
The Company clattered down a severe stairway, carved out of the ancient stone, high above the chasm, which threatened them on both sides. They halted at a narrow gap in the steps. Legolas jumped easily across the breach.

“Gandalf!” he waved him across.

The wizard jumped down to Legolas with staff aloft in the dizzying blackness. Coralie followed next, falling into their arms. She winced at the pain that freshly assaulted her shoulder. A black arrow shot into her backpack. Several others zoomed overhead, whilst others bounced off the stone steps. Legolas fired an arrow in return. The offending Orc fell screaming from his perch.

“Merry! Pippin!” Boromir tucked both hobbits, one under each arm and made the perilous jump. As he did so, the steps he jumped from broke off, making the gap even wider.

Aragorn suddenly picked up Sam and threw him across the divide to Legolas. The Elf caught him easily. Aragorn turned to Gimli.

“Nobody tosses a dwarf,” he said dourly before making his leap. Unfortunately the fissure was a little too wide for his stout legs. Teetering on the brink, Legolas reached out and grabbed his beard.

“Not the beard!” Gimli yelled with pain, as he was hauled over the edge.

Again the crumbling steps broke away as Gimli jumped. Aragorn flung Frodo back as he scrambled to regain the stair, grappling with the empty space below where his feet once stood.

From above came the haunting grumble of their relentless adversary. The walls reverberated and collapsed near the archway they had just run through. Great stones answered his growl and dropped onto the steps behind Aragorn and Frodo. They staggered on an island of stone, now teetering and lurching as it searched for support.
Aragorn grasped Frodo’s shoulder.

“Hold on!” he cried. “Lean forward!”

Fear gripped at the hearts of the Company as they watched the two balancing on the tilting steps. For an instant, the stone faltered, then swayed towards them. Aragorn and Frodo launched themselves at Legolas and Boromir, as their stony parapet crashed into the stairs below, and hurled them towards the two waiting catchers. With hurried relief the Fellowship continued their escape down the stone steps.

The stairs gave way to a great hall bordered by a black chasm on one side with the bridge, their long sought goal on the other, beyond that, the Eastern Door and the safety of sunshine awaited them. They were almost there. The Bridge, sans railings, crossed an abyss of unknown depth. It was some fifty feet in length across, an ancient defence of the Dwarves, in case the first hall was taken. Friend or foe would be forced to cross in single file. An enemy host would be strongly disadvantaged.

[Lady Coralie]

As The Company sped through the last hall, the Balrog revealed himself at last, ascending as it were from the very depths of hell. His cloven feet thundered on the stone floor in pursuit of his quarry. Shadow and flame, its mane kindled with flaming tongues of fire, challenged their hearts, and endurance during this last race for freedom. Each fiery stride was equal to twenty of their own. The struggle to maintain hope against such an adversary waged war in every soul, as in single file they were forced to cross the bridge.

Gandalf was the last to cross over. Realizing that the enemy was close upon them, he wheeled to face him, Glamdring gleaming cold and white in his hand. The Balrog halted his forward march. The two foes faced each other without retreat. Smoke and flame enveloped the fell creature as he stretched out his wings and roared in baleful defiance of Gandalf’s stand. The wizard held his ground.

“Gandalf!” cried Frodo in desperation for his dear companion.

Dismay fell upon all. The Balrog seemed to grow and increase in malevolent strength and menace as he roared his challenge at the wizard, standing alone and determined in spite of the doom laid upon him. Coralie felt the dread foreboding of the Balrog flood through her entire being. Her courage dissolved into the shadows that dodged every crevice of her heart. The others called out to Gandalf, only half aware that their cries dropped like stones at their feet. Her chest tightened against the effort to breathe. Bowing her head, she bent all her will to dislodge the chains that had bound themselves around the confidence of her spirit, and found she couldn’t do it.

“Oh God!” she cried. “This isn’t funny anymore.” She thought as terror pressed down on her from every side. She tried to call out to Gandalf and found that nothing emerged but a hoarse cry. Her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth.

“Ha! Not as brave as you thought, are you?” the derisive laughter echoed in her head. Coralie staggered under the weight of contempt that had suddenly invaded her mind and heart.

“What?” The accusation was flung back again with full force. Quailing under the assault on her soul by this malefic voice, she could mount no defence against the logic of its argument. She had no answer for it. Her spirit felt crushed, defeated.

Then, from somewhere deep within her, deeper than even she remembered, she heard a tiny voice singing a tune that sounded vaguely familiar.

“That will not help you. You are doomed!” The other voice snarled.

She shook her head against the intruder. Now what had she heard? What was that tune? A child’s voice? Whose?

“Shepherd…my Shepherd? Think Coralie! …..Leads me , waters…” She shook her head, desperate to make sense of the random words that accompanied the growing familiarity of the tune. The laughter in her head grew louder as if to drown out the other. Faintly her voice took shape for a moment.

“The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want…..”

Her tongue stumbled over every forced syllable as it fell from her dry mouth.

“The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want…..” Her voice faltered. She tried again. “The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want, He makes me down to lie….

Her voice not even a whisper plunged into the depths of her spirit, only to be thrown back at her with derisive laughter. Every morbid iron link that bound her heart, held fast, and resolute.

The Balrog raised his fiery whip to assault the lone, grey, figure that stood firm.

“You cannot pass!” declared Gandalf.

Making no answer, the Balrog drew himself up to an even greater height, and spread forth his wings. Then bending down he roared his brazen defiance, at the wizard, now seemingly shriveled as a gnarled tree before the storm of his baleful passion.

Coralie’s desperation increased. The old hymn with the young voice broke out in her head again. It was a song she’d learned in Sunday School. She could remember singing it
at church. “How did the words go?”

“What good will that do you now?” The contemptuous voice had returned, sneering at her efforts.




“Oh God!” she cried with all her might. “Help me!” Sweat framed her brow with painful effort. The old hymn struck up from her memory again.

“The Lord’s my Shepherd,
I’ll not want,
He makes me down to lie,
In pastures green,
He leadeth me,
The quiet waters by.” Her voice barely above a whisper at first had returned the bold cry of her inner being as she cried out to Gandalf.

“Yea, though I walk,
Through Death’s dark vale,
Yet will I fear none ill,
For Thou art with me
And Thy rod,
And staff me comfort still”

Gandalf still stood, firm and undaunted.

“You cannot pass!” he repeated. “I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udun. Go back to the Shadow! You shall not pass!”

“He cannot stand alone!” cried Aragorn drawing his sword suddenly running back to the bridge. “I am with you Gandalf!”

Boromir leapt after him. “Gondor!”

A bright light enveloped Gandalf with power and majesty against the overwhelming darkness. The Balrog replied with a stroke of his fiery sword. A stab of white fire met the Balrog’s opposition, his molten blade fell into the void below. Gandalf swayed a little, took a step backwards and held his ground.

Coralie rushed after Aragorn and Boromir.

“Gandalf!” she cried. “Yea, though I walk through Death’s Dark Vale, Yet…..”Legolas pulled her back. He had chased after her, sure that some madness had come upon her, desperately driving her forward to destruction.

Lifting his staff at that very moment, Gandalf cried aloud and smote the bridge as he brought the end down with tremendous force at his feet. There was a blinding flash and the staff broke in two. The Balrog stamped his cloven foot onto the bridge and made to advance. The bridge crumbled and broke below his weight. With a terrible cry he plunged him into the black pit below. Gandalf momentarily remained on the trembling tongue of stone that prevailed. Exhausted by his effort, he turned around in order to follow the others, the fiery whip of his fallen foe lashed up and wrapped itself around the wizard’s knees, dragging him to the brink. He staggered and fell, grasped vainly at the stone, and slid into the abyss.

“Fly, you fools!” he cried, and was gone.

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 13

The long, long road to Lothlórien, and Coralie’s not going to make it easy on them.


The Company stood rooted to the spot as empty darkness poured into the chasm where Gandalf had fallen.

“No!” cried Frodo. He would have run back to the brink, but Boromir swept him up into his broad arms as he ran. Black arrows rained down upon them. Ducking and weaving the Company raced up the final steps away from the Bridge of Khazad –Dûm.

At the top was a long echoing passage. Frodo heard Sam weeping as he ran and realized he was weeping too. Running on, they found that great shafts of light began to pour in through high windows above them. Sanctuary was near. A guard of Orcs, hidden in the shadows, challenged them before the great door posts that led to the outside. Aragorn slew their captain in his wrath, as the rest fled.

Coralie felt herself being pushed and dragged along by Legolas. She was only half aware that her feet were tripping as she ran blindly in the dark. It made no difference. Gandalf was dead. Fresh air and sunshine bathed her face as they flew down the great steps outside the Eastern gate of Moria, not daring to stop until they were at the bottom out of bowshot.

Overcome by grief, the Company halted for some measure of respite. Merry and Pippin fell sobbing to the ground along with Sam. Anguish struck at all their hearts. Lost in a fog of grief, Frodo wandered aimlessly about, not caring where his feet took him.

Aragorn called to the Elf. “Legolas, get them up! We must make ready to leave as soon as possible. I will tend to the Lady’s wounds for they are severe, and then we must make haste to leave this place.”

“Let them have a moment for pity’s sake!” cried Boromir with dismay.

“By nightfall these hills will be crawling with Orcs,” answered Aragorn “The Sun sinks early, we must be far away before nightfall. The moon is spent, and it will be dark tonight.” He looked about for Frodo who had wandered a little ways off.

“Frodo!” cried Aragorn, bringing him back to his senses. He turned to face him, eyes heavy with sorrow.

Weary with heaviness of spirit, Legolas moved amongst the hobbits, offering what aid he could.

Aragorn strode over to where Coralie sat in the dust with her pack. He knelt down and removed his kit. “Lady, we must tend to your arm before we go further. Here, let me help you with your pack,” he said as he helped take it off.

He knelt in front of her, noting her glazed expression as well as the dark purple bruise that had formed across her forehead. Seeing that her Clie was still attached to her left wrist, he removed it and switched it off. The red light for digital video faded. He started to remove her jacket. The blood had dried upon it and stuck to her clothing. As Aragorn removed it, the wound started to bleed afresh.

“Not a sound does she make,” he thought grimly to himself. “She is far too quiet.”

Drawing her jacket gently over her hand, he noted that she made no resistance. Her eyes seemed dull and heavy to his gaze.


“There is a first aid kit in my pack.” Legolas had joined Aragorn and almost winced at the hollowness of her voice as she spoke. He rifled through her kit. Finding the little red box, he handed it to Aragorn.

“See that little brown bottle of iodine. Pour that on the wound. That will kill anything, but it hurts like hell.” Aragorn opened the bottle and sniffed at it.

“Coralie, I have some athelas that I gathered near Weathertop. That would……”

Before he could finish his sentence, she grabbed the open bottle from his hand and poured the contents over the wound. She then let out a yell that made them all jump at the suddenness of it. Falling to her side, she cradled her left arm in agony.

Legolas picked her up. “Twould have been better to let Aragorn use the athelas, Lady.”

Coralie ignored him and spoke with deliberate effort to Aragorn. “There should be enough bandages there to make a sling as well,” she winced as Aragorn applied a swab and wrapped her arm. Placing her wrist in the sling he constructed, he shook his head and smiled trying to encourage her.

“I have seen grown men cry like children over much less than you have suffered today on the battle field, Lady. You are very brave Coralie, but you are also the most willful woman I have ever met.”

“Just put it down to PMS!” Coralie snapped. Aragorn and Legolas looked at her without understanding.

“PMS!” Coralie repeated. “Do I have to spell it out for you? You know? How cranky women get some times?”

They still looked at her, trying to find the meaning for her outlandish behavior.

“Yeah, well PMS may make some women a little hard to get along with, at that time of the month, but in my case it makes me certifiably insane!” she was practically screaming.
Aragorn held up his hand as if to quieten her.

“Lady, this is hardly the sort of subject you should be bringing up, out loud in front of all these men,” chided Aragorn, giving her arm the once over. Legolas just looked at her, and nodded in agreement with him.

“Why not?” her voice rose. “We’re all adults here aren’t we? Oh I forgot! I’ve fallen into some ancient time warp and women should be seen and not heard….right? Sort of like children. Or better yet, we should be stuck on some pedestal until we get dizzy from the height and fall willingly into your arms?”

“Lady, you are not in your right mind,” assured Legolas.

“Not in my right mind? How dare you! Look here China! I’ve been on many a camping trip with blokes, my whole life long and I know how to take care of myself. Do you?” she challenged, thrusting out her chin at him. “All I can say is, Thank God, I’m enough of a greenie to carry a spare sea sponge with me, cause I’m sure as hell not going to find a Seven Eleven out here!” she threw out her arm in a wide gesture as she struggled to her feet with her pack.

Legolas and Aragorn tried to help her, but she shrugged them off. Aragorn held her fast by her arms.

“I am not going to let you carry that pack considering all that has happened. Clearly, to my mind, you are overcome by grief, although you struggle to hide it with your brash behavior.” He gazed long and hard at her. What was that he saw behind her eyes? Fear? Mistrust? Defiance? Of him? He dismissed the thought almost immediately. It was something else and concern gnawed at the edges of his thoughts.

“Excuse me,” Gimli broke in. “Perhaps, the lady would allow me to carry her pack for her. We dwarves are known for our endurance, and it would not be a difficult burden to bear.”

Coralie looked down at Gimli’s worried face. “Well, since you put it that way,” she condescended as he slipped the pack off her shoulder.

“Now, why wasn’t she so reasonable with us?” asked Legolas to Aragorn.

“You have much to learn about women, Master Elf,” laughed Gimli as he watched Coralie flounce off. “Let me give you some advice. It would be wise to stay out of her way, for a little while at least. That is if, you value that fair head upon your shoulders.”

Aragorn turned to the rest of the Company. “Let us gird ourselves and weep no more! Come! We have a long road, and much to do.”

[PunkRock12]

Your story is very good Lady C. I injoy it most. Please post more!
:stomper:

[Bess the Bard]

Lady C--I am enjoying this here and other places. I like your character's fiestiness. You make no compromises with her modernity but you manage to keep the canon characters in character. Good work.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Yes, please do!

(I've been waiting for this a while! :p)

[Lady Coralie]

Hey thanks for the praise and all. Sorry I haven't posted in a while...too busy writing and stuff...

I will put up the next part now!


VCheers

LadyCoralie

PS. And I do thank you for liking Coralie's character. I'm trying not to let her fall into the Mary Sue routine....but then she is hardly a 16 year old virgin either.....LOL:o

[Lady Coralie]

Rising, the weary Fellowship looked about them. The sun shone bleak in the afternoon sky. To the north, the dale was lost in the shadows of three white peaks that towered above. Celebdil, Fanuidhol, Caradhras, the mountains of Moria, glinted in the sunlight. Their white faces cold, and stern framed by the crisp blue sky. High up in the glen, the mountains’ threshold was bathed in a film of mist from a lattice -work of falls, that fell to the dale below.

“Yonder is the Dimrill Stair,” said Aragorn, pointing to the falls. “Down the deep-cloven way that climbs beside the torrent we should have come, if fortune had been kinder.”

“Or Caradhras less cruel,” said Gimli shaking his fist at the silent monument. “There he stands smiling in the sun!”

Surveying the landscape below them, they could see the long oval shape of a lake, wrought as a spear-head thrust deep into the northern glen, it’s southern tip lost in the haze of shadows beyond their sight. The sapphire face of the waters, lay quiet and smooth, with no reflection cast upon its surface.

“There lies the Mirrormere, deep Kheled-zâram!” said Gimli sadly. “I remember that Gandalf said; ‘May you have joy of the sight! But we cannot linger there.’ Now long shall I journey ere I have joy again. It is I that must hasten away, and he that must remain.”

The Company followed Aragorn, down the road from the Eastern gate of Moria. A great paved road had once wound its way there, amidst the heather and sedges that now broke through the pavement where they trod with heavy feet. Rounding a bend in the road, they drew closer to the green sward above the lake. A single stone pillar, broken at the top stood not far from the road, near the water’s edge.

“That is Durin’s Stone!” cried Gimli. “I cannot pass without turning aside for a moment to look at the wonder of the dale!”

“Be swift then!” said Aragorn glancing back at the Eastern Gate.”

“Come with me Frodo!” cried the dwarf, springing from the road. “I would not have you go without seeing Kheled-zâram.” Frodo followed the running dwarf slowly drawn by the beauty of the still blue water in spite of his grief; Sam came up behind.”

Gimli stood beside the stone and looked up at it’s cracked, weather beaten face. Runes, now faint with long years of weathering could barely be seen.

“This pillar marks the spot where Durin first looked in the Mirrormere,” said the dwarf. “Let us look ourselves once, ere we go!”

Stooping over the dark water, at first they could see nothing. Eventually, the surrounding mountain peaks, began to reflect in the sapphire water, a profound blue, with their white snow caps appearing as plumes of flames reaching far into the eternal sky above.
In that space, they saw jewels begin to form, as deep sparkling stars, though it was still daytime and the sun shone above them. Their own shaded reflections were not mirrored in the lake’s surface.

“O Kheled-zâram fair and wonderful!” said Gimli. There lies the crown of Durin till he wakes. Farewell!” He bowed, and turned away, and hastened back up the greensward to the road again.

Turning south, the road went quickly downwards, some way below the mere, where a deep pool of crystal, clear water gurgled over a stone lip, to run swiftly and noisily down the rocky channel below.

“Here is the Spring from which the Silverlode rises,” said Gimli. “Do not drink of it! It is icy cold!”

“Soon it becomes a swift river, and it gathers water from many other mountain streams,” said Aragorn. “Our road leads beside it for many miles. For I shall take you by the road that Gandalf chose, and first hope to come to the woods where the Silverlode flows into the Great River – out yonder.” Following the direction in which his hand pointed, they could dimly see the stream leaping down the trough of the valley until it disappeared into a golden haze in the distance.

“There lie the woods of Lothlórien!” said Legolas. “That is the fairest dwellings of my people. There are no trees like the trees of that land. For in autumn their leaves fall not, but turn to gold. Not till the spring comes and the new green opens do they fall, and then the boughs are laden with yellow flowers; and the floor of the wood is golden, and golden is the roof, and its pillars are of silver, for the bark of the trees is smooth and grey. So still our songs of Mirkwood say. My heart would be glad if I were beneath the eaves of that wood, and it were springtime!”

“My heart will be glad, even in the winter,” said Aragorn. “But it lies many miles away. Let us hasten!”

Frodo and Sam managed to keep up with the others for some time, but eventually fell back a pace and lagged behind. Sam had a nasty gash on his forehead that burned like fire, and he felt a little lightheaded. With every step that Frodo took, he gasped for breath that did not easily come. His side ached where the troll had battered him with his spear.

At last Legolas turned and seeing how far back they had fallen, called to Aragorn.
Aragorn ran back with Boromir in tow.

“I am sorry Frodo!” he cried, full of concern. “So much has happened this day and we have much need of haste, that I have forgotten you were hurt; and Sam too. You should have spoken, when I was tending Coralie. We have done nothing to ease you though all the Orc’s of Moria were after us. Come now! A little further on there is a place where we can rest for a little. There I will do what I can for you. Come, Boromir! We will carry them.”

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Yeah! More AAIKAC!

I'm so happy...

[Lady Coralie]

Hey! Saw your comments over at TORC mate...Go defend me on 28 please....
And trust me 29 is going to be a lot worse!!!!!:naughty: mecry :o

[PunkRock12]

Oh that post was very good!
:stomper: ~Miss Punk Rock~

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Me go defend you?

[Lady Coralie]

Sure why not?????

That is unless you object to me wearing a bikini!

Coming up soon. Will post next part below!

Cheers
:thumbs:

[Lady Coralie]

Legolas nodded. “Yes, you are right. Night fast approaches. Don’t worry Lady. We shall be on our way soon enough.”
The Company soon came upon another stream that ran bubbling to join the Silverlode as it fell away to the west. Forming a single stream, they plunged over a little rapid into a level dell lined with fir trees, where it danced over shiny pebbles on its way. Coralie looked at her watch. It was only three o’clock in the afternoon. She looked up concerned, noting that the sun was already westering.

“What troubles you Coralie?” asked Legolas. She had not spoken since Aragorn had strapped her arm back at the Eastern Gate, and as this was completely out character, for her, so far as he had come to know it, he was a little concerned.

Sighing, she looked at her watch and then at the sky. “The sun is starting to set and it is only three hours since noon.”


Coralie made no reply, and only nodded at Legolas as she went to sit down on the grass.

Concern darkened his features as he watched her walk away. Gimli and the hobbits were busy gathering firewood to make a small fire. The air was chill with the expectancy of a fast approaching night. Pippin drew water from the stream when the fire had kindled.
Merry walked over to Coralie who was leaning against her backpack, where Gimli had placed it, trying to find some support for her stiff shoulder.

“Are you alright Coralie? You look a little green around the gills, asked Merry a little worried by the blank expression on her face.

Coralie’s eyes lurched up towards him. Was that Pippin or Merry in front of her? She couldn’t tell. Her head was pounding and a sick feeling had sunk into her stomach along the road.

“Be a good lad will you, and fetch my the little red box and my water -bottle out of my pack. It has some aspirin in it, and I could really use some at the moment, ” she asked weakly.

Merry went straight to her pack and dug out the box and water bottle.

“What’s aspirin?” he asked handing them to her nervously, worried about what she was going to do to herself next, after witnessing the incident with the brown bottle.

“Painkillers,” Coralie replied as she tore open a packet and swallowed the contents.
Resuming her former position on the pack, Coralie leant back and closed her eyes, trying to ignore the spinning feeling that reeled behind them.

Merry went back to the fire where Pippin was tending two pots of water.

“This one’s for tea Merry, and this one’s for Aragorn apparently,” said Pippin pointing them out to his companion. “Don’t know what Aragorn is going to do with all this hot water though,” he continued, thinking that plain hot water would not nearly be as satisfying as a good cup of tea.

“Well, let’s hurry up and make some tea. Coralie looks like she could really use a good cuppa at the moment.” Pippin looked over where she lay with her eyes closed and nodded in agreement. Merry took one of the pots of warm water over to Aragorn, who then poured some into a cup.

He examined the gash on Sam’s forehead.

“Luckily for you Sam, the cut is not deep. It should heal well when I have tended it.” Aragorn reached into his pouch.

“You’re not going to put that brown stuff on my forehead that made Coralie yell are you?” he looked up fearfully at Aragorn.

“No Sam,” laughed Aragorn in response. “I promise I will use only athelas.” With that he poured some clean water into a cup and crushed some of the dried leaves into it. The fragrance lifted the little hobbit’s spirits.

“Good! You had me worried for a moment then,” winced Sam with relief as Aragorn tended to his wound.

“Good luck, Sam!” he said. “Many have received worse than this in payment for the slaying of their first orc. The cut is not poisoned, as the wounds of orc-blades too often are. It should heal well when I have tended it.” Aragorn looked over at Frodo when he had finished with Sam.

“Now Frodo, it is your turn.”

“No. I’m alright, really,” he replied weakly.

“I disagree with you Master Hobbit. I still marvel that you are alive at all.”

Lifting Frodo’s jacket and mail shirt off him gently, he laughed as the silver corslet shimmered before his eyes and held it up for all to see.

“Look, my friends!” he called. “Here is a pretty hobbit-skin to wrap an Elven-princeling in! If it were known that hobbits had such hides, all the hunters of Middle Earth would be riding to the Shire.”

They all gazed with wonder at the Mithril shirt that Aragorn held up. Now they could see it fully, rather than just glimpsing it beneath Frodo’s shirt as before. It shimmered in the afternoon light.

“Bless the old hobbit,” said Merry. “Remind me to thank Bilbo for giving you that Mithril-coat to wear, when we get back Frodo.” Frodo nodded in return.

Aragorn dressed the dark and blackened bruise that was spreading underneath Frodo’s ribs with athelas and soft pads, before binding them. After he had finished, he handed the Mithril-coat back to Frodo.

“The mail is marvelously light,” he said. Put it on again, if you can bear it. My heart is glad to know that you have such a coat. Do not lay it aside, even in sleep, unless fortune brings you where you are safe for a while; and that will seldom chance while your quest lasts.” He stood up and called Legolas over to him.

The hobbits began to fell refreshed and heartened as the pungent odor of the leaves continued to bathe their senses.

“Here Legolas. See if you can persuade Coralie to allow you to bathe that bruise on her forehead with this pad that I have soaked in athelas. I do not like the look of her at the moment.” Legolas answered with a grim nod and walked back over to her. She was still leaning against her backpack, favoring her left arm in the sling. Legolas knelt down before her. At first she looked at him without recognition, his features appeared blurred in the afternoon shade.

“Lady?” he enquired as he applied the damp pad to her forehead.

“Huh?” she appeared not to notice as he tended to the bruise. The sweet scent of the athelas wafted on the air. Recovering slightly, she looked up into Legolas’ worried face.
He smiled weakly at her.

“Now to what ill use, have you been putting that pretty little head of yours to? That is a nasty bruise you have managed to acquire.”

“I had a fight with an Orc. He came off worse than I did though. I reckon he’s got more bruises than a bucketful of rotten apples.” Her hand crept up to the laser light around her throat and gripped it until her knuckles whitened. Legolas sighed with relief as he gently unwound her fingers and held her hand in his.

“At least she still has her sense of humour,” he thought.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I'm confuzzled...

never mind!

*Am waiting for next part*

[Lady Coralie]

Merry approached, balancing the cup in his hand.

“Here Coralie. A nice, warm cup of tea for you. This should fix you right up,” he said placing it gingerly in her outstretched hand. Thanking him, she took a little sip. The fragrant liquid warmed her as she drank. She was feeling a little chilled. Aragorn had managed to place her torn jacket around her shoulders before she got angry with him.
Now just why was she upset with him? Being unable to remember clearly, she found comfort in another sip of tea.

Legolas examined her bruise in the fading light again.

“I really don’t like the look of that bruise Coralie. I think we should have Aragorn take a look at it.”

“Look it’s just a bruise. Nothing to worry about,” she almost snapped.

“And what about your arm then? How does it feel?”

“How do you expect it to feel? The arm’s been dislocated and stabbed both in the same day. I would say that it hurt… a lot,” she was losing patience with these incessant questions.

Legolas could see the unshed tears in her eyes, and decided not to press the matter further. He wondered at her. It was not hard to see that she was in great distress of both body and mind. Tightly wound as a coil she was. He sighed with frustration. Why was she rebuffing all of his attempts to aid her?

Pippin brought a plate of food over.

“Now that we have a camp fire again, we can make a proper meal. Here Coralie, this is for you,” he handed the plate and flashed a smile as he did so.

“Ah!” That was Pippin, she thought. “I recognize that impish grin.” Looking down at the plate, she realized that she had absolutely no appetite. Her grief and pain threatened to swallow her.

“Try to eat something Coralie. You haven’t eaten since morning,” said Legolas beside her. He still held the athelas soaked pad against her brow.

“Well I would, if you’d remove your hand so I could see what I was supposed to be eating!” she snapped.

Legolas stood up. “I will leave you to it then,” he said as he walked away.

Coralie grimaced. “Now why was I so mean to him? He’s only trying to be helpful.”

“You don’t deserve any help!”

The black voice in her head made her start. “Who said that?” she suddenly jerked and spilled half of her food on the ground.

“Who said what?” asked Pippin beside her as he started to clean up the mess. “Coralie are you alright?” he asked kindly.

“Yes! No! Oh I don’t know!” her head was pounding. She wanted to cry, but the tears would not come.

Pippin took the plate from her. “Never mind Dear. I can see you are out of sorts, and not the least bit hungry. Let me get you a fresh cup of tea,” she weakly nodded yes in return.

“I see she chased you off, then?” Aragorn half questioned Legolas as he joined him on the sward with the hobbits. It was more of a statement of fact really. They both watched Pippin fuss over her with a fresh cup of tea.

“At least, he seems to have remained in her good graces,” replied Legolas wryly as he nodded toward the little hobbit as he rejoined her on the grass.

Aragorn smiled at his friend. “Looks like little Pippin has a way with the ladies, that you and I are both severely lacking in,” he laughed at Legolas’ downcast expression.
“Don’t worry, my friend. If I know anything about women, it will soon pass, and the sun will peep out from behind the clouds again, no matter how thunderous they may appear!”

“Perhaps, but she is like no other woman I have ever met, nor you for that matter. How can you be so sure?”

“You have trusted me thus far, haven’t you?” winked Aragorn.

Legolas arched an eyebrow at him. “Next time that bruise needs bathing, Aragorn, it’s your turn.”

“Now listen to you two!” said Frodo standing up. “She’s just a girl. She can’t be as daunting as carrying the ring into Mordor can she?” he asked shaking his head at them.
“I will do it if necessary. After all. I am the ring bearer aren’t I?”

Aragorn and Legolas challenged him with amused laughter.

“Perhaps the hobbit has something there,” said Aragorn turning to Legolas who broke out into a wide grin.

“Go on then Frodo. If needs be. I will protect you with my bow!” he laughed.

“And my sword,” said Aragorn joining in on the fun.

“Really Frodo. Don’t listen to them,” interjected Sam standing up beside his master. “A fine pair of…What did she call Aragorn earlier? Oh yes…Smarty Pants! That’s right! You should both be ashamed of yourselves… what with the Lady injured and all. Come on Mr Frodo. I will go with you to see how she fares.”

“Now Sam. No need to get angry,” cajoled Frodo as he noticed the exchange of bemused smiles between Aragorn and Legolas. “Wish me luck!” he called over his shoulder as he and Sam strode over towards Coralie.

“He doesn’t need luck,” said Aragorn. “He’s got those big blue eyes on his side.”
Legolas clapped him on the shoulder as they both stood up.

“Really?” he said in mock amusement.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

lol

I love it!

'A way with the ladies that you and I haven't got!' That's great...

Please, post more!

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Dawn, That was a funny line wasn't it? I can just see Pippin being so sweet though!


An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 14

Throwing up…Can Boromir get out of range?


Coralie was struggling to rise to her feet after Aragorn gave the order to strike camp. Frodo and Sam were about to reach down and help her when suddenly a strong arm grasped her elbow and gently raised her up. As she stood the world started to reel a little and she held the arm for support until the spinning stopped.

“Steady there. I’ve got you.” Boromir smiled down at her. “That’s quite a grip you have there M’Lady. ‘Tis no wonder, after the way you hung on in that well. No other maiden could have done what you did. In fact, I doubt even I could.”

Coralie tried to take a step and faltered once again. She grabbed for his arm.

“Ho now! Let’s just take this one step at a time, shall we?” Coralie nodded weakly and took a deep breath. She turned to look at Boromir who smiled encouragingly in return.

“Twould seem that purple would be a most striking colour on you, Coralie, if that bruise on your forehead is anything to go by. But I would prefer to see it anywhere upon your person, rather than on your pretty face.”

She swayed a little as he held her, and was about to thank him for his courtesy, when the awful realization struck her, that she was about to be sick. Falling to her knees without warning, she vomited into the grass. Boromir reflexively jumped back a little, but he wasn’t quite quick enough. Some of the splash, found its way to his boots. He knelt beside her and offered her a kerchief from inside his tunic.

“I’m afraid it’s not the cleanest, but it’s all I have at the moment.” She thanked him as she took the kerchief and retched again. By now she was on all fours and looked a most pitiful sight.

“Looks like I just wasted a good cup of tea,” she barked between heaves. Boromir handed her a water skin, when it looked like the worst was over.

“Just rinse out your mouth now. Only take a little sip as well, or you will be bringing that up too.”

The hobbits were busy stamping out the remains of the fire with Gimli, when they noticed Coralie on all fours. They came running over as one. Boromir held up his hand.

“Give the lady some room now lads.”

“I’m okay. Really I am,” she said trying to reassure them. “Just haven’t got my sea legs yet…that’s all.” Pippin was about to open his mouth and say something to the effect that they were on dry land when Merry nudged him in the ribs. He knew Pippin well enough.

Coralie made to stand up, and suddenly they were all fussing over her in an effort to help.
Acknowledging their concern, she gratefully took hold of their hands and stood up tentatively.

Pippin reached for her pack where it lay.

“I’ll carry your pack for you Coralie.”

“No. I’m going to carry her pack Pip,” said Merry making a grab for it.

“I offered first,” countered Pippin.

“I’m the strongest out of the lot of you,” argued Sam snatching it out of Pippin’s hands.

“I’m in charge, and I’m going to take it,” cried Frodo.

“No you don’t, Master Frodo. Not with that sore side of yours from the troll’s spear, you’re not,” said Sam grabbing it out of Frodo’s hands.

They were all yelling at once. Coralie just sighed and leaned against Boromir’s arm.

“What’s going on here?” thundered Aragorn. The hobbits immediately stopped arguing and dropped the pack on the grass at their feet. They looked up guiltily at Aragorn and Legolas who had by now joined them, anxious to find out what all the commotion was about. Making dwarvish curses under his breath, Gimli continued to hide all traces of the fire after the hobbits had run off and abandoned it.

“Well, I wanted to..”

“I offered first…”

“Coralie's not feeling…”

“She's sick….”

Aragorn held up his hands. “One at a time! I can’t understand a word your saying! Frodo. You first.”

Frodo dug his hands in his pockets, suddenly feeling quite foolish. “Um. Well, Coralie just threw up in the grass and we were trying to help her.”

“Yeah! I offered to carry her pack and then, Merry…..” Pippin’s voice caught in his throat as Aragorn’s face clouded over.

“What? You think you’re helping her, by fighting amongst yourselves like a pack of unruly children?”
Not daring to look up, they kicked the ground and shook their heads a little.

“Perhaps, you had better go help Gimli with the fire, and we will see to the Lady,” said Legolas calmly.

Marching off towards Gimli, Pippin and Merry could be heard muttering about whose fault it was, and who started what as Aragorn turned gravely to Coralie who was still holding onto Boromir’s arm for support.

“I am sorry you are ill, Lady,” he said softly as he walked over and placed a hand gently on her forehead. She felt a little clammy to his touch.

“I think the worst of it is over,” Coralie replied.

“Nevertheless, I think that I should take another look at that arm of yours, and I regret that I did not do so earlier,” he looked up at the darkening sky.

Coralie followed his gaze and swayed a little as she looked up. Legolas reached out to steady her, then dropped his hand as he noted that she still clutched at Boromir’s arm.

“Look I’m fine. Really. I just couldn’t keep my tea down. That’s all,” she said bravely.

Aragorn hesitated.

“Why don’t we wait until we make camp for the night. We are still too close to Moria for my liking, and I don’t want to hold you up,” she continued.

Aragorn looked hard at her. Some of the colour had returned to her cheeks, but she was still too pale for his liking. Her voice spoke bravely, although her eyes betrayed her. However, she was right about their position being still too close to Moria.

“Alright Lady. Then you will walk at the front between Legolas and myself. I am not certain of your condition, and feel that you would be better served by me, if I were near,” he turned to Boromir. “If you will carry Coralie’s pack and see that the hobbits get up to no more mischief on the road, my mind would be easier. Dark is settling fast and we are not as far away from danger as I would like. We must make haste to find some decent shelter for the night. Then I can tend to the Lady’s wounds again, and make certain of the treatment myself this time,” he looked directly at Coralie as he spoke these last words. “Come. Let us tarry no more.”

Legolas took Coralie’s arm as Boromir picked up her pack. “Please Coralie. Let me help you,” he looked enquiringly at her.

She was not quite sure if she had forgiven him or not yet.

“Forgiven him for what? Why was I mad at him?” she thought as she shook her head trying to clear it. Everything was still a little blurry. Then she remembered the day’s events as they flowed as a river behind her eyes. Gandalf! He was gone! Grief stabbed at her heart.

Legolas saw the little shake of her head and the pain that shrouded her figure as he held her arm gently. He dropped his hand, at a loss, for what offence he may have caused now, unaware of the silent conflict that raged within her.

“It’s all your fault you know,” the black voice returned.

Aragorn called after them. Coralie stumbled blindly along, dragging her heart with her.

“Yes it is all my fault,” she thought.

Legolas walked somberly behind her.

“So glad you agree with me,” the black voice sneered. “If you hadn’t held them up with that little dance you did in the well, Gandalf may still be alive.”

“Still be alive?” her thoughts followed the train of the black voice.

“Yes. You shouldn’t have bothered hanging on so long. It would have been better if you’d sacrificed yourself for the others.”

“But what about the ring?” she questioned.

“What of it? At least Frodo would have been freed of his burden. Now he has it back again and Gandalf is dead thanks to you.” The powerful logic of the loathsome voice assailed her.

“And now, you’re putting them all in danger again.”

“Danger?” she blinked and looked about her. Legolas noticed her half startled look.

“Lady?”

“Yes danger. Look at you. You’re practically an invalid. They'll have to go out of their way to protect you now.” The voice went on unabated.

“Practically an invalid?” this time Legolas heard her.

“Lady?”

“Yes. You’re an invalid.” Her cunning demon continued.

“No!” she gasped, fighting the accusations that threatened to drown her in guilty recriminations.

The voice laughed at her futile attempts to justify herself.

“Yes. You’re slowing them all down now. It would be better if you left….. After all,” it sneered, “You are an invalid.”

Legolas touched her arm.

“Coralie?”

She whirled on him, suddenly furious.

“I’m not an invalid!” she ran after Aragorn, leaving Legolas standing there in confusion.

“I never said you were,” but she was gone and his assertion fell upon the stony ground at his feet.

[PunkRock12]

Very good! I like it alot Lady C. I'm confused about the hole voice thing though!
Miss Punk Rock

[Lady Coralie]

All will be explained shortly...Gotta keep you in suspense!!!!

[PunkRock12]

I'm guessing that Coralie is infected with orc poisin and the voice that she is hearing is some evil demon or dude. And her emotions are going haywire, and she taking it out on Leg babe.

[Lady Coralie]

Very good mate! You are pretty close. Would you like me to post next chapter now????

[PunkRock12]

Yeap

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 15

The Falls of Nimrodel


The Company took to the road again as they left the dell behind. They had not traveled far when the sun sank behind the mountains to the west, and shadows crept along the path to meet them. Their feet soon became hidden in the gloaming, as mist crept through the valley. Pale stars began to adorn the evening sky, their bright rays veiled by the waning light that prevailed to the east, where dim woods and plains began to fade from sight. Frodo and Sam, feeling much more eased and refreshed after Aragorn’s ministrations, followed behind.

Aragorn led them on for another three hours. Coralie struggled to keep up with him. Often he would turn to check on her, but at those times she always managed to appear physically able, and would nod affirmatively that she was all right with the pace. Legolas not far behind, however, noticed every misplaced step. At times he took her elbow to steady her. She spoke little and he was aware that her breathing seemed labored to his ears. He knew she was putting up a brave front and wondered how long she could keep this up. Her stumblings were coming more frequently now, and Legolas reasoned that she would not complain, no matter how poorly she was faring.

“She cannot continue at this pace much longer,” thought Legolas. “But how do I get Coralie to consent to allowing me to carry her, if only for a little?” he mused. Rehearsing various lines in his head in order to persuade her, he then rejected each one summarily, knowing full well what her reply would be. “She is much too proud to admit defeat, and how does one inform her that the battle is not hers alone?” he sighed as he gazed upon her bowed form in front. With steely resolve, he determined that if she faltered one more time, he would pick her up in spite of all her protestations to the contrary.

A profound darkness had swept over the sky, wrapping the evening securely overhead.
Gimli held the rear with Frodo.

“Not a sound but the wind,” he said. “There are no goblins near, or my ears are made of wood. It is to be hoped that the Orcs will be content with driving us from Moria. And maybe that was all their purpose, and they had nothing else to do with us – with the Ring. Though Orcs will often pursue foes for many leagues into the plain, if they have a fallen captain to avenge.”

Making no answer, Frodo looked at Sting, but the blade did not reply in kind. No gleam was to be seen along its edge. But he knew that something else was on the road with them. As soon as the shadows of night had fallen, he thought he could hear the cautious patter of hurried feet behind. Turning swiftly, he espied two gleaming eyes that vanished abruptly into the dark.

“What is it?” asked the dwarf.

“I don’t know,” answered Frodo. “I thought I heard feet, and I thought I saw a light – like eyes. I have thought so often, since we first entered Moria.”

Stooping downwards and placing an ear to the ground, Gimli halted for a moment.

“I hear nothing but the night-speech of plant and stone,” he said. “Come! Let us hurry! The others are out of sight.”

With every single step, Coralie’s arm reminded her of the injury. She gritted her teeth against the pain, blinded by her resolve not to slow them down. She could hear the labor of her heart pounding away in her ears. Doggedly she kept up the pace, making sure that Aragorn would see no sign of weakness in her. The black voice had finally silenced itself in her head, but his malice echoed resolutely within her heart. Grief and guilt yawned as a great chasm, and with each step she took, its dizzying thrall threatened to swallow the very life out of her.

“I must keep going,” she thought. “I only have to keep this up until we find shelter. I can’t slow them down anymore. No one else must die on account of me. Oh Gandalf! I’m so sorry. Please forgive me…. It’s all my fault….” Her thoughts rambled and wove their way along this remorseful path in a tangle of sorrow and regret. She could still hear the echoes of her accuser, and followed after, unable to extract the thorns embedded in her soul.

Presently, they came upon the grey shadows of a great wood, its leaves murmuring in the chill wind that blew up the valley behind them.

“Lothlórien!” cried Legolas. “Lothlórien! We have come to the eaves of the Golden Wood. Alas that it is winter!”

The tall grey forms of the trees arched overhead, with trembling soft golden leaves dimly reflecting the clear stars from the night sky above.

“Lothlórien!” said Aragorn. “Glad I am to hear again the wind in the trees! We are still more than five leagues from the Gates, but we can go no further. Here let us hope that the virtue of the Elves will keep us tonight from the peril that comes behind.”

“If Elves indeed still dwell here in the darkening world,” said Gimli.

“It is long since any of my own folk journeyed hither back to the land whence we wandered in ages long ago,” said Legolas, “but we hear that Lórien is not yet deserted, for there is a secret power here that holds evil from the land. Nevertheless its folk are seldom seen, and maybe they dwell now deep in the woods far from the northern border.”

“Indeed deep in the wood they dwell,” said Aragorn, and sighed as if some memory stirred in him. “We will go forward a short way, until the trees are all about us, and then we will turn aside from the path and seek a place to rest in.”

Stepping forward, Boromir barred his path.

“Is there no other way?” he said.

“What other fairer way would you desire?” said Aragorn.

“A plain road, though it led through a hedge of swords,” said Boromir.

Coralie sighed and leaned against Legolas as he stood behind her. She felt too sick and weary for this argument. Legolas looked down at her head resting against his chest.

“Well, this is a new thing,” he thought, “Or perhaps not,” his memory rekindled as in his mind’s eye he saw the sleepy head that had fallen softly onto his shoulder in the Mines of Moria. A smile played briefly around the corners of his mouth and he placed a tender hand upon her hair. She felt quite hot to his touch, and would have made more of it, but for the argument that Boromir persisted in following.

“By strange paths has this Company been led, and so far to evil fortune. Against my will we passed under the shades of Moria, to our loss. And now we must enter the Golden Wood, you say. But of that perilous land we have heard in Gondor, and it is said that few come out who once go in; and of that few none have escaped unscathed.”

“Say not unscathed, but if you say unchanged, then maybe you will speak the truth,” said Aragorn. “But lore wanes in Gondor, Boromir, if in the city of those who once were wise they now speak evil of Lothlórien. Believe what you will, there is no other way for us – unless you would go back to Moria-gate, or scale pathless mountains, or swim the Great River alone.”

“Then lead on!” said Boromir. “But it is perilous.”

“Perilous indeed,” said Aragorn, “fair and perilous; but only evil need fear it, or those who bring some evil with them. Follow me!”

Once again, Coralie picked up her weary feet and trod the path behind Aragorn. A nameless fear dogged her every step, gnawing behind her eyes with the loudly growing drumbeat of her heart. She rubbed at her temple, trying to ease the growing tension hammering away at the nail she felt sure was being driven into her forehead. Still she did not grumble aloud, but kept the secret of her pain within the confines of her aching heart.


Even in the dark of night, Legolas could see the drawn movements of Coralie ahead.

“We must stop soon. I fear that something is greatly amiss and that Aragorn and I have overlooked her distress long enough,” he thought. Almost, he was about to catch her up in his arms and carry her the rest of the short mile they traveled, when they came suddenly upon a small stream, flowing swiftly over a rocky waterfall to their right. The whirling eddies of the current, washed over the path ahead of them, joining with the Silverlode to meander lazily in deep pools, under the trees that hung over the riverbanks, as it fell away.

“Here is Nimrodel!” said Legolas. “Of this stream the Silvan Elves made many songs long ago, and still we sing them in the North, remembering the rainbow on its falls, and the golden flowers that floated in its foam. All is dark now and the Bridge on Nimrodel is broken down. Come! Let us bathe our feet, for it is said that the water is healing to the weary.” Taking Coralie’s hand, he led her to the river’s edge and knelt before her.

“Sit for a moment, for I know you are tired.” Kneeling, he unlaced her shoes and took them off her feet along with her socks, and rolled her jeans above her knees. After tying the laces of her shoes to his belt, he climbed down the deep cloven bank and stepped into the stream. Legolas turned to Coralie who stood upon the bank unsteadily, and held up his arms towards her.

“Come! The water is not deep. Let us wade across! On the further bank we can rest, and the sound of the falling water may bring us sleep and forgetfulness of grief.”

Aragorn steadied Coralie as she leaned forward to fall into Legolas’ embrace. She barely had the strength to stand, let alone wade across some swirling stream in the dark. The rush of cold water about her feet sent a small shock through her. Legolas drew her across the water, upholding her with one arm as his other held her waist. He could feel her trembling at his side.

The others followed after. Frodo stood in the shallows for a moment and let the clean water wash over his tired feet. Cold but with a clean touch, the water washed the weary stain of travel from his tired limbs as it mounted to his knees.

[Lady Coralie]

They rested on the other side when they had all crossed over. Sam opened up some rations and passed them around. Coralie looked at her portion and knew that she would not be able to keep it down. She still had no appetite, and feeling much worse for wear, passed it on to Pippin who accepted it gratefully.

As they ate, Legolas told them tales that the Elves of Mirkwood kept in their hearts of Lothlórien, of starlight and sunlight upon the meadows by the Great River before the world was grey.

Coralie drank in the sound of his voice as it fell upon the waters of the stream that flowed merrily by. For a moment, all was quiet and well within her. The other voice had not returned since they entered the wood. Still her body was betraying this brief respite from torment, and she sagged into the grassy bank, filled with pain and illness.

“Do you hear the voice of Nimrodel?” asked Legolas. “I will sing you a song of the maiden Nimrodel, who bore the same name as the stream beside which she lived long ago. It is a fair song in our woodland tongue; but this is how it runs in the Westron Speech, as some in Rivendell now sing it.” Softly, he began, his voice barely heard above the rustle of the leaves;

An Elvin-maid there was of old,
A shining star by day:
Her mantle white was hemmed with gold,
Her shoes of silver-grey.


A star was bound upon her brows,
A light was on her hair
As sun upon the golden boughs
In Lórien the fair.

Her hair was long, her limbs were white,
And fair she was and free;
And in the wind she went as light
As leaf of linden-tree.

Beside the falls of Nimrodel,
By water clear and cool,
Her voice as falling silver fell
Into the shining pool.

Where now she wanders none can tell,
In sunlight or in shade;
For lost of yore was Nimrodel
And in the mountains strayed

The elven-ship in haven grey
Beneath the mountain-lee
Awaited her for many a day
Beside the roaring sea.

A wind by night in Northern lands
Arose, and loud it cried,
And drove the ship from elven-strands
Across the streaming tide.

When dawn came dim the land was lost,
The mountains sinking grey
Beyond the heaving waves that tossed
Their plumes of blinding spray.

Amroth beheld the fading shore
Now low beyond the swell,
And cursed the faithless ship that bore
Him far from Nimrodel.

Of old he was an Elven-king,
A lord of tree and glen,
When golden were the boughs in spring
In fair Lothlórien.

From helm to sea they saw him leap,
As arrow from the string,
And dive into the water deep,
As mew upon the wing.

The wind was in his flowing hair,
The foam about him shone;
Afar they saw him strong and fair
Go riding like a swan.

But from the West has come no word,
And on the Hither Shore
No tidings Elven-folk have heard
Of Amroth evermore.





His voice faltered as the song ended. “I cannot sing anymore,” he said. “That is but a part, for I have forgotten much. It is long and sad, for it tells how sorrow came upon Lothlórien, Lórien of the Blossom, when the Dwarves awakened evil in the mountains.”

“But the Dwarves did not make the evil,” said Gimli.

“I said not so; yet evil came,” answered Legolas sadly. “Then many of the Elves of Nimrodel’s kindred left their dwellings and departed, and she was lost far in the South, in the passes of the White Mountains; and she came not to the Ship where Amroth her lover waited for her. But in the spring when the wind is new in the leaves the echo of her voice may still be heard by the falls that bear her name. And when the wind is in the South the voice of Amroth comes up from the sea; for Nimrodel flows into Silverlode, that the Elves call Celebrant, and Celebrant into Anduin the Great, and Anduin flows into the Bay of Belfalas whence the Elves of Lórien set sail. But neither Nimrodel nor Amroth ever came back. It is told that she had a house built in the branches of a tree that grew near the falls; for that was the custom of the Elves of Lórien, to dwell in trees, and maybe it is so still. Therefore they were called the Galadrim, the Tree-people. Deep in their forest the trees are very great. The people of the woods did not delve in the ground like Dwarves, nor build strong places of stone before the Shadow came.”

“And even in these latter days dwelling in the trees might be thought safer than sitting on the ground,” said Gimli, looking back across the stream to the road by which they had come.

“Your words bring good counsel, Gimli,” said Aragorn. “We cannot build a house, but tonight we will do as the Galadrim and seek refuge in the tree-tops, if we can. We have sat here beside the road already longer than was wise.”

Legolas walked over to Coralie, who had sunk into the deep grass of the riverbank from great weariness of body and spirit. His hand wandered apprehensively to his knife as he approached. For a moment, he thought that he saw a nebulous shadow fall upon her form as she lay there, unawares. But the hobbits sat on either side and if anyone or anything had approached, they would surely give the alarm. Pippin was vainly trying to engage Coralie in a brief conversation, about whether The Beatles had ever made a song about Nimrodel as the Elves had done. Legolas smiled at his persistence. “Coralie would say that the hobbits were ‘hooked’ on The Beatles,” he thought, as he recalled an expression she had used on the path regarding their insistence on playing their tunes over and over again. “Must have been a trick of the light and nothing more,” he reasoned to himself seeing nothing amiss. He sank to one knee in front of her.

“Lady, we have decided that we should take shelter in the trees, a little further in the forest.”

She looked up at him with an expression that clearly told him she could go no farther that night, and as for climbing a tree? …… That would be completely out of the question.
He took her hand and drew her slowly up, steadying her as she wavered.

“I know that you are exhausted, Coralie. Trust me. We have not far to go, and I myself, will bear you up into the tree. You will not have to climb.” He smiled a little as he said this trying to encourage her.

Turning aside from the path, the Company walked a little deeper into the shadow of the woods. They found a cluster of trees not far from the falls of Nimrodel with some of the boughs of the great trees overhanging the water.

“I will climb up,” said Legolas. “I am at home among trees, by root or bough, though these trees are of a kind strange to me, save as a name in song. Mellyrn they are called, and are those that bear the yellow blossom, but I have never climbed in one. I will see now what is their shape and way of growth.”

“Whatever it may be,” said Pippin, “they will be marvelous trees indeed if they can offer any rest at night, except to birds. I cannot sleep on a perch!”

“Then dig a hole in the ground,” said Legolas, “if that is more after the fashion of your kind. But you must dig swift and deep, if you wish to hide from Orcs.” Springing lightly from the ground, he caught a branch that grew high above his head from the trunk of the tree. Suddenly a voice called down to him from the shadows of the leaves above.

“Daro!” it said in commanding tone, and Legolas dropped to the ground in surprise.

“Stand still!” he whispered to the others as he shrank against the bole of the tree. “Do not move or speak!”

Overhead, soft laughter floated down to them, and then a clear Elven voice spoke in the Silvan tongue that the fair folk use east of the mountains. Looking up, Legolas answered in the same language.

“Who are they, and what do they say?” asked Merry.

“They’re Elves,” said Sam. “Can’t you hear their voices?”

“Yes they are Elves,” said Legolas; and they say that you breathe so loud that they could shoot you in the dark.” Sam hastily put a hand over his mouth. “But they say also that you need have no fear. They have been aware of us for a long while. They heard my voice across the Nimrodel, and knew that I was one of their Northern kindred, and therefore they did not hinder our crossing; and afterwards they heard my song. Now they bid me climb up with Frodo; for they seem to have had some tidings of him and of our journey. The others they ask to wait a little, and to keep watch at the foot of the tree, until they have decided what is to be done.

A thin sliver-grey ladder made of rope was let down from the shadows above. Legolas ran lightly up, followed by Frodo and Sam, who was busy trying not to breathe too loudly, a quite difficult feat considering he was climbing up a ladder after all.


Coralie followed the ascent of Legolas, Frodo and Sam as they clambered up the rope ladder, trying to see how far up into the trees, she may have to climb, or as Legolas had promised, be carried. As her head swung back the voice returned.

“You haven’t got rid of me yet, my girl. The time has come for your departure from this Company.”

A great stab of pain coursed through her shoulder. The dizzying leaves on high were the last things she saw.

[PunkRock12]

This is good Lady C. So how close was I and what voice was she hearing at "You haven’t got rid of me yet, my girl. The time has come for your departure from this Company.” ? Still pondering.

[Lady Coralie]

Geez you finished that quickly. I'll put up 16 for you mate!

PS. YOu are pretty close!

Cheers
LadyC:) :thumbs:

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 16

You Give Me Fever



Pippin cried out as Coralie fell. She had fallen on top of him, and now he lay on the earth with her unconscious body across his middle.

“Aragorn!” he cried out. But almost before his name reached his ears, he was there, lifting her prostrate form off the prone hobbit. The others rushed over as Aragorn held her in his arms.

“Hey!” cried Pippin as Merry fell over the top of him in his haste. “That’s the second time someone has fallen over me this evening.

“Hush Pip!” said Merry helping him up. “Looks like Coralie is in a far worse state than you friend.”

“What ails the lady?” asked Boromir, as he dropped to one knee beside where Aragorn bent over her. Merry, Pippin and Gimli followed in his wake.

Placing a hand on her brow, Aragorn’s voice was grim.

“She has a fever.”

It had taken a little longer for Frodo and Sam to climb up the grey ladder to the wooden platform, where Legolas now sat with three others, clad in shadowy grey. Unless one of them moved, he could not discern them amongst the tree stems. Standing up, one of them uncovered a little lamp, which gave out a slender silver beam. Looking at Frodo’s face and then Sam’s, he quickly put it out again and welcomed them in his own tongue. Haltingly, Frodo tried to reply in kind.

“Welcome!” said the Elf then in the Common language. “We seldom use any tongue but our own; for we dwell now in the heart of the forest, and do not willingly have dealings with any other folk. Even our own kindred in the North are sundered from us. But there are some of us still who go abroad for the gathering of news and the watching of our enemies, and they speak the languages of other lands. I am one. Haldir is my name. These are my brothers, Rúmil and Orophin.” The two Elves nodded and smiled at Frodo and Sam. “But we have heard rumours of your coming, for the messengers of Elrond passed by Lórien on their way home up the Dimrill Stair. We had not heard of – hobbits, of halflings, for many a long year, and did not know that any yet dwelt in Middle-earth. You do not look evil! And since you come with an Elf of our kindred, we are willing to befriend you, as Elrond asked; though it is not our custom to lead strangers through our land. But you must stay here tonight. How many are you?”

“Nine,” said Legolas. “Myself, four hobbits; and two men, one of whom, Aragorn, is an Elf-friend of the folk of Westernesse.”

The name of Aragorn son of Arathorn is known in Lórien,” said Haldir, “and he has the favour of the Lady. All then is well. But you spoke only of seven.”

“We also have a maiden,” at this the Elves raised their eyebrows, “and a dwarf,” said Legolas.

“A maiden and a dwarf!” said Haldir. “I cannot understand why you would bring a maiden on so dangerous a journey. But the dwarf! That is not well. We have not had dealings with the Dwarves since the Dark Days. They are not permitted in our land. I cannot allow him to pass.”

“But he is from the Lonely Mountain, one of Dáin’s trusty people, and friendly to Elrond,” said Frodo. “Elrond himself chose him to be one of our companions, and he has been brave and faithful.”

Speaking together softly, the Elves questioned Legolas in their own tongue.

“Very good,” said Haldir at last. “We will do this, though it is against our liking. If Aragorn and Legolas will guard him, and answer for him, he shall pass; but he must go blindfolded through Lothórien. But now we must debate no longer. Your folk must not remain on the ground. We have been keeping watch on the rivers, ever since we saw a great troop of Orcs going north toward Moria, along the skirts of the mountains, many days ago. Wolves are howling on the wood’s borders. If you have indeed come from Moria, the peril cannot be far behind. Tomorrow early you must go on. The four hobbits shall climb up here and stay with us. There is a talan in the next tree. There the others must take refuge. You Legolas, must answer to us for them. Call us if anything is amiss. And have an eye on that dwarf!”

Frodo and Sam remained behind whilst Legolas climbed down the ladder to take Haldir’s message to those that waited below. Seeing the remaining Company huddled together, he immediately sensed that something was wrong. Aragorn looked up at him as he cradled Coralie’s still form in his arms.

“She is very ill, Legolas. She has a fever. I can’t do anything here in the dark. Do we have permission to shelter in the trees?” Aragorn stood with Coralie’s limp body in his arms.

“Yes. There is another talan in yonder tree we can take refuge in. Here give her to me,” Legolas said holding out his arms. “It will be easier for me to take her.”

Aragorn nodded grimly as he gently eased her into his arms. “Legolas. I have no more athelas. I used the last on Frodo and Sam. Do you think our Elf-friends here would have some?”

“Merry! Pippin!” said Legolas to the two hobbits. “You are to spend the night with Frodo and Sam. Climb quickly and ask Haldir to bring us athelas. Explain to him that the maiden is ill. Go!” He issued this last order with such urgency that the two hobbits leapt for the ladder one after the other almost before he had finished speaking.

Legolas, Boromir and Gimli waited anxiously at the base of the neighboring tree whilst Aragorn climbed up first in search of the silver grey ladder, that he knew would be found at the top of the flet. Finding it, he let it down through the round hole in the middle of the talan’s wooden floor. The hobbits had been quick with their message and Haldir had appeared swiftly. He gazed for a moment at the unconscious figure in Legolas’ arms as he gave the fresh, green leaves to Boromir.

“This is all we have, you are welcome to it. If it is not enough, send word and we will go in search of more.” He nodded and withdrew in the direction from which he had come.

A soft moan escaped Coralie’s lips as her teeth began to chatter.

“Hold on Coralie!” said Legolas as he ascended the ladder with his insensible burden. Boromir and Gimli waited until he had reached the wooden platform high above, before following.

Reaching the top, Legolas gently placed her on the floor as Aragorn knelt beside them.
With experienced hands, Aragorn quickly untied the sling that bound her left forearm and shoulder and cast her jacket aside. The brown stain of the iodine she had thrown over herself, still marked her arm. Aragorn gasped as he unwound the bandage that he had earlier strapped.

“It is as I feared! The Orc’s blade was poisoned!” The wound was now an ugly raised open welt, from which yellow puss seeped insidiously along its weeping edges. Crimson lines flared out from the original laceration running the length of her arm. Pulling at the top of her t-shirt, Aragorn could see the lines beginning to spread across the hollow of her neck along the collarbone, before streaming down her chest.

[PunkRock12]

I'm a speedy reader, I can read a book in a day. I still can't figure out the evil voice in her mind is it the evil guy in Mordor? Your story is very good, I'm guessing your from England from some sourt because you said "mate" when you where reffering to me. I say dude (lol not proper english but hey it serves its corse.)

[PunkRock12]

It feels like I'm the only person you is reading your story I'll put it somewhere in one of my posts.

[Lady Coralie]

I'm an Aussie mate! Hence the title of me little story. Will post next part of 16 for you. You speedy reader you.

LadyC

[Lady Coralie]

“I pray we are not too late. I do not know which poison it is, but I think it is seeking an organ so it can inflict the most damage first. Once it has found what it seeks, it will course through her blood more readily,” he said grimly. “I need warm water, but how to light a fire up here?”


“Here! In her pack, she has that little stove of hers with which she made tea!” cried Boromir as he started to rummage through it. Producing the stove first, and then her lighter from an inside pocket, he and Gimli set about trying to work out how to operate it.

“How serious is it Aragorn?” asked Legolas.

Aragorn looked gravely at his friend. “I should not have let the lady’s obstinacy prevent me from treating her wounds properly when we left Moria. But so much has happened today,” sighed Aragorn. “Now I fear we may lose another of our company.” He turned to Boromir and Gimli. “How’s that water coming?”

“It will be ready soon,” said Gimli. Aragorn left Coralie’s side momentarily, taking the athelas from Boromir he crushed the leaves in his hands and breathed upon them. Placing them in the small pot of water that sat on top, he turned to the Dwarf.

“Gimli! See if she has any more clean swabs in that first aid kit of hers. Just simmer the leaves gently for a few minutes,” Nodding an affirmation, Gimli rifled through her kit until he found the little red box, then handed over some swabs he found inside.

Legolas held Coralie’s hand to his chest and cradled her head with his arm. Leaning down he whispered softly into her ear. The pungent scent of athelas enveloped them as it warmed in the water.

Suddenly, Coralie sat bolt upright with a cry that startled them all, and fell back just as promptly. Legolas caught her by the shoulders as she fell. Quickly returning to her side, Aragorn began to bathe the wound with a swab dampened in the athelas water as Boromir brought the little pot over with the remaining leaves.

“Is there another bandage Gimli?” asked Aragorn over his shoulder.

“Yes!” said the Dwarf handing one to him. Aragorn placed a few leaves of the athelas on the wound as he prepared to bind it. Without warning a great trembling shuddered through Coralie’s body. Crying out, she thrashed her arms and legs about as if in great pain.

“We must keep her still!” cried Aragorn as he held her arm fast in his. Each of them grabbed a remaining limb as they tried to hold her down.

“The Lady has some strength!” exclaimed Gimli as he vainly tried to hold down one of her legs.

“Don’t let her thrash about! I must wrap this arm again and pray that the virtue of the athelas is not too late to undo the damage already done!” said Aragorn as he placed a knee across her forearm, pinning it down as he reworked the bandage over some fresh leaves he had placed on her wound. They all renewed their grip upon her flailing limbs as a new tremor shook her. Coralie’s chest rose and arched off the floor as she fought the strong arms that held her down. Legolas and Aragorn both pressed her shoulders down in an effort to restrain her.

“No!” she suddenly cried aloud as her wild eyes suddenly opened, focusing on some point beyond them. With a deep sigh, she closed them as she exhaled. Her body became limp as a rag beneath their hands, and cautiously they released her from their grip. The trembling ceased in all her limbs as she lay there, still and quiet.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Aragorn felt her brow with his palm. It still felt very hot to his touch.

“Something is wrong Aragorn!” Legolas’ anxious cry broke the stillness. “Her chest does not rise again!”

Quickly, Aragorn bent his ear to her chest. He could hear no intake of breath, and her chest did not rise and fall in answer to the call of her heart, its faint flutterings slowing their rhythm almost imperceptibly to the untrained ear. Without delay, Aragorn clamped his mouth down upon hers as he held her jaw with one hand and pinched her nose with the other. Blowing deeply into her mouth he turned his head to watch for the rise of her chest. There was no reply. Again he blew into her mouth and repeated the procedure several times. Still her chest did not rise of its own accord.

“Legolas! Does her heart still beat?” asked Aragorn. Legolas placed his ear upon her breast.

“Yes, but it is slow and faint,” he answered.

Aragorn continued breathing into her mouth.

“At least we have that,” he said between breaths. “The poison is seeking to paralyze her muscles so she cannot breathe. We must breathe for her in the meantime.” Aragorn continued his labor. “Come on Coralie. Don’t give up. Breathe!”

Legolas knelt beside her with anxious eyes, watching for the rise and fall of her chest as he held her hand in his. There was no movement. For how long Aragorn breathed for Coralie in this fashion, he could not tell. The Elf had placed his hand over her heart, and every now and then he would nod as Aragorn looked up at him to see if it still beat. Boromir paced around the flet running his hand through his hair and shook his head uneasily as Gimli looked on anxiously.

All of a sudden Legolas cried out. “There! Her chest rose of its own accord. I think she is breathing again!” He still held his hand over her heart as her body began to tremble under his touch. Aragorn watched as her breast swelled slowly and steadily.

“Praise Eru,” he said as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “But she is not out of danger yet. We must keep her warm,” he noted as her teeth began to chatter again. Boromir went straight to her pack and pulled out her sleeping bag, unzipping the length of it, he cast it over her body. Placing her head in his lap, Legolas stroked her brow.

“She still feels very hot Aragorn, even though she is shaking with cold,” he said.

“It is the fever. We must keep a close watch. We’ve won the first round though,”

Her teeth began their chattering again as Legolas brought the covering up around her shoulders.

Softly then with more urgency, she began to speak though her eyes were still closed.

“I will not ……. I will not listen to you,” she repeated over and over. Aragorn and Legolas bent to listen to her words. Her words grew louder and more insistent as her shivering increased.

“Coralie! Coralie! To whom do you speak?” Legolas caressed her brow with tender concern as Aragorn wrapped the covering tightly around her.

“No power….. no power ……… over me….. your weapons….have no power over me………you have no advantage…..no advantage,” Her words were halting but clear. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other with increasing anxiety.

Suddenly she cried aloud again. “No m-m-ore! H-He will f-f-fight for me!” Another tremor shook her body. Legolas slipped his hand underneath the cover of her sleeping bag and took her hand.

“She is like ice!” he exclaimed.

Aragorn felt her other. “You are right! There is no warmth left in her. The battle begins anew,” he said as he turned her on side. “We must warm her ourselves. Get under the covers with her.”

They both slipped under the blanket and embraced her as one. Legolas placed her trembling head upon his breast as he wrapped her in his arms. Aragorn held her close and rubbed her back. Even through her clothing she was deathly cold.

“Boromir! Gimli! Bring every blanket you can find and cover us!” called Aragorn.
The two of them searched through every kit and threw the extra coverings on top.
Coralie continued to shake violently, muttering over and over to herself. Every now and then, Aragorn and Legolas could make out her words as they held her fast in their embrace.

“He will f-f-fight……. H-H-He will…….f-f-fig-ht for m-me……..f-fi-ght
for m-m-me….” Her voice broke and chattered with the trembling cold that enveloped her.

“There is foul craft at work here,” spoke Aragorn.

“S-S-Str-ength-th of li-fe……f-f-fi-ght f-f-or me……m-m-my sh-ie-ld
…… f-f-fi-ght for m-m-me-e….” she moaned shuddering as a new wave of coldness swept through her. Aragorn wrapped his leg over her side, amazed at the frozen condition of her body as he sweated under the blankets that confined them.

“We are fighting for you Lady! Fight with us! Fight for your life!” he held his face against her shoulder.

“O Elbereth Starkindler from heaven gazing-afar, to thee I cry now in the shadow, of the fear of death. O look towards me, Everwhite,” Legolas whispered into Coralie’s hair.

As suddenly as the trembling had begun it now ceased. Aragorn and Legolas felt her limbs flood with warmth as they embraced her. Coralie lay very still between them. Tentatively, they threw the covers off and unwound themselves gently from her insensible frame. Aragorn’s head was wet with perspiration as he sat up beside her. Legolas only looked slightly uncomfortable. Small beads of sweat, barely noticeable, draped his brow in contrast to Aragorn’s sodden locks. Standing upright and stretching out his limbs, Aragorn removed his jerkin and looked down at Coralie and Legolas who still knelt anxiously beside her sleeping form. The back of Aragorn’s shirt clung to his skin, damp with sweat.

“Take rest for yourself, Legolas, if only for a moment. I fear that this is going to be a long night,” he said.

“I will take no rest for myself whilst the Lady suffers so,” he answered clasping her hand in his. “What do we do now?”

“We wait,” came Aragorn’s grim reply.

[PunkRock12]

So two men are in the same sleeping bag with her? (Wow) Lucky bird. lol Okay that is pretty funny though your killin' two birds with one stone. Very good. I put your story on my poll Who Would you write a LOTR romance story about so people should start reading and responding atleast I hope.

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks mate. I will post the next chapter tomorrow, so people have a chance to read this part first, otherwise they may get confused. And yes...this was a rather nice situation to be in...It gets better though!:naughty: Cheers

LadyC

[PunkRock12]

Wow so it will get better! lol :naughty:
So you live in Austrailia
Cool! Sorry for mix hap here
I have my stupidity moments once
In a while. Great story by the way!
~******Lúthien******~

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Good Night Lady_C!

So many new parts and happenings! I love it!

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 17

You Give me Fever (Continued)

Legolas sat with Coralie’s head in his lap as Aragorn changed the dressing on her arm. He had replaced his jerkin after the sweat dried upon his back, for though the wind had turned to the south; the night air was a little chill and damp beside the stream.

“How does she look?” asked Boromir coming over to join them with a cup of tea for Aragorn and Legolas. Gimli had found the strawberry kiwi tea in her pack after Boromir had found her stove, and was busy preparing more for both himself and Boromir. Nodding their thanks, they each took a cup gratefully.

“Still no change,” replied Aragorn.

The stars were continuing to trace their inexorable path through the worn mantle of the night sky, but still there was no improvement in Coralie’s condition. Beads of sweat formed on her brow. It seemed to Legolas that no matter how many times he wiped her forehead, it was still wet with perspiration almost as soon as he had finished. Indeed the corner of the blanket he was using was beginning to dampen. In contrast to the icy cold that had overtaken her before, she was now extremely warm to the touch. Looking down at her, he noticed tiny rivulets of perspiration running the length of her face, then gathering in a small pool in the hollow of her neck. Her shirt was clinging to her torso as well. Vainly he tried to mop up the moisture.

“Don’t go,” she groaned.

Legolas stroked her brow, mopping up more sweat.

“Don’t go. Grandpa! Don’t leave! Grandpa! Come back! I’m sorry! Please don’t go!” she was more insistent now. Aragorn clicked his tongue and felt her forehead.

“She’s burning up!”

“She’s crying for her Grandfather. She’s delirious Aragorn,” replied Legolas.

“Don’t leave me!” she cried aloud.

“Hush Titheniel,” soothed Legolas.

Coralie’s voice dropped to a whisper as she continued to cry for her Grandfather.

“Titheniel. Little maiden,” said Aragorn ruefully, “How is it then, that this ‘little maiden’ had me so bluffed, that I failed in my duty toward her, allowing her to succumb to the poison of an Orc’s blade?” He ran his hands through his hair as if to emphasize his frustration.

“It is not your fault,” answered Legolas.

“Perhaps I did not wield the knife myself, but my neglect of her should not be overlooked.”

“But…” Legolas interrupted.

“I failed her Legolas,” Aragorn looked at his friend soberly. “I swore an oath to her on the road. She did not hear it, but that does not make it any less valid,” he sighed “I should have been more vigilant.” His eyes fell to the head that Legolas cradled in his lap.

They were all listening now. Aragorn did not lightly take an oath without purpose.

“I swore her to myself as sister, Legolas. My sister!” he repeated the latter to add emphasis, “I swore to protect her by either my life or death, and I have done neither. It is I who live, and she, whose life now hangs in the balance. Her present condition is entirely my fault.”

The three of them shook their heads in wonderment at him. Aragorn had sworn her to himself as sister, and although he had done so privately, this was just as binding for a man of honor, such as himself.

“Why?” Aragorn had anticipated the unspoken question, “How can I explain this?” he sighed. “I feel a certain kinship with her. I don’t really know why for certain. Gandalf pointed some of this out to me in Moria, but I actually felt this kinship between us ere that, and swore my oath unto her before we entered the mines. Gandalf merely confirmed my own heart’s belief. She is also alone in this world, (if what Gandalf said is true about her coming from the future, and I for my part have no cause to doubt him,) and as a result she has no family here, no man to stand up for her. This leaves her in a very vulnerable position, and I would not have her taken advantage of. Now that I have sworn her to kin, if anyone sought to harm her, or dishonor her in any way, then they do so at their own peril, for they would then be held accountable unto me.”

His eyes lingered on Boromir for a moment before he went on.

“She is a kindred spirit and a member of our Company, and now the leadership has fallen upon my shoulders, as Gandalf is no more. I would treat her with the honor that she deserves. All the more considering how she availed herself against our foes in the Chamber and…” his voice faltered, “in that accursed well.”

He looked at each one in turn, measuring their response as they fixed their gaze upon his set features.

“My oath was not misplaced. Coralie is more worthy than any of us fully realize. She saved the Quest Gentlemen, from certain ruin. I do not know how it happened, but the Ring escaped Frodo for a moment, and somehow, she ended up with it and found herself in deadly peril. I would know exactly what happened, for I am only putting the pieces together. Boromir, you have her pack. That device of hers is in it. She wore it throughout the battle. I want to see if it can tell me more.”

[PunkRock12]

Very Good Lady C.!

[PunkRock12]

So now she is just dilarios, wow and is Legolas holding her like a baby or what? lol I really enjoy this story!
Miss Punk Rock

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

LadyC!

Another new development...please post more as soon as you can! :p

[PunkRock12]

Yes please! Post more soon!

[Lady Coralie]

Boromir found the Clie easily and passed it over. Sitting down next to Legolas, Aragorn examined the device for a moment and switched it on. He had some experience with the Clie from taking video and pictures of the Fellowship around the campfire when Coralie had first joined them. It was an intriguing device, and the music it contained had certainly entertained Frodo and the hobbits, but now Aragorn sought to play it for another purpose.

With sickening reality, the player provided a previously unseen window, into the events that had transpired in the Chamber. This was much more than the mere retelling of a tale, where the listener needed to engage the use of their imagination, in order to see the story played out in their mind’s eye. Aragorn held in his hand, the entire battle, and more, through the objective device that Coralie had worn on her wrist. Although fragmented by the general chaos, the true tale of the events could still be read. With grim fascination, both Aragorn and Legolas relived the battle as their eyes were held fast by the small screen in Aragorn’s palm. Gimli, and Boromir, had by now settled themselves behind them both as the video played.

Plainly now they could witness for themselves, Coralie’s struggle with the Orc, that they had all missed in their desperation to save Frodo from the troll. But most amazing of all, to these seasoned warriors, was the fact that it was she, who had engaged the Orc to prevent him from escaping with the Ring, rather than had been previously supposed, that the Orc had originally attacked her. The mystery of how she came to be found hanging in the well was solved. But now, the full horror of what this ‘little maiden’ had gone through, alone with her adversary was revealed.

The Clie had been attached to her left wrist as she clung to the spike in the well and continued to record without her knowledge. It had been used effectively as a weapon against the troll and various Orcs for the great flash of light it could produce. At times they could see her hand reach for the laser-light she wore around her neck. The video fully told them the details of Coralie’s battle from her standpoint. They could almost feel the Orc’s hateful breath on their own persons when they saw a close-up of his face as he roared his defiance at Coralie after she had struck him and grabbed the ring from around his neck, thrusting it into her mouth as she continued to wrestle with her foe. He had repaid her blow with his cruel knife, and they were just able to make out the flash of the blade as the camera had swung around on her wrist. Then came the final struggle before the Orc plummeted to certain death, and the muffled sounds of choked sobs as she hung there in the dizzying void, unable to climb out without aid.

Eventually, they could hear their own shouts when they finally found her, and caught brief glimpses at awkward angles of their faces appearing overhead, as Legolas’ form drew her out of the well. Yet the moving pictures did not end there. Instead they went on to show the repositioning of Coralie’s shoulder by Aragorn and Legolas and then the Company’s flight through the Dwarrowdelf, followed by their mad rush down the broken stone steps as they fled the Balrog.

Broken pieces of the larger puzzle were finally being put together, albeit via a jumble of assorted pictures that were not even graceful in their execution. Gandalf stood upon the bridge for what seemed an eternity as he faced the Balrog alone. Severed images, as the camera swung about resurrected both Gandalf’s last moments and Coralie’s unmistakable efforts to master her own fear, including her uncompromising rush after Aragorn and Boromir in their last desperate bid to aid the wizard, before Legolas dragged her back.

The final race to freedom was before them, and then the sunshine of the open world, and their profound grief, before Aragorn had finally found Coralie’s player still attached to her wrist and switched it off.

Sighing, they looked at Coralie for a moment. She was still muttering softly to herself, in the grip of the fever, as Legolas mopped her wet brow again with the corner of the blanket. From what they knew of her, this was a teacher of children, not a warrior. Furthermore, she had never been tested in the furnace of combat either. Even she had admitted, that actual fighting was still the province of men in her own society, and had thus enjoyed a peaceful existence, thanks to her countrymen who had gone before her, and fought bravely for what was right and true. This untried maiden had been willing to lay down her life for them, and each one felt keenly the sacrifice she was prepared to make on their behalf.


“I was partially right, but now I understand the full tale more truly and I regret the knowledge of it.” Aragorn leaned forward and held his head in his hands. To the others’ eyes he seemed weary beyond all reckoning.

“Gandalf! I grieve your loss more than my heart can bear. I have need of your counsel now more than ever.” Legolas gripped Aragorn’s arm with his left hand.

“It is not your fault, brother,” Legolas’ calm gaze held his eyes with their certainty of truth.

“Gandalf!” The soft cry drew their attention to the broken form that lay beside them.

“Gandalf! It is all my fault!” she groaned.

“No Lady! The fault is mine!” cried Aragorn as he took her hand, stroking her arm. Drawing his hand away, he looked at the moisture that clung to it.

“Gimli! Get that stove working again and boil some more water. Legolas! Find Haldir. I need more athelas.” Aragorn tended Coralie’s wet brow as Legolas flew down the ladder. She seemed even hotter to his touch than before, and the purple bruise that swept across her forehead, was darkening against her fair skin. Boromir knelt beside him.

“Is she getting worse?”

“Perhaps. The crisis is not over. ‘Twas but a mere lull in the storm,” his grey eyes were grim with foreboding. Boromir clasped his shoulder.

“What can I do Aragorn?”

“Pray Boromir. Pray with all your might. Mayhap Eru will bend His ear toward us.”

Legolas returned a little while later with the fresh athelas and placed it in the small pot of water that Gimli was tending. Aragorn called him over.

“Stand! Stand!” Coralie was still muttering, but now her voice had taken on a different tone. There was a desperate urgency about it. Legolas bent down to hear her, but suddenly stiffened and sat upright as if listening.

“What is it?” asked Aragorn.

“Yrch!”

“Stand Gandalf!” They started at the shout from Coralie. Aragorn quickly placed a hand over her mouth.

“Gimli, turn off the stove. There are Orc’s about.”

Extinguishing the little light of the stove plunged them all into darkness as abruptly as if a thick curtain had been drawn about them. Some ways off, they heard a harsh laugh and the tread of many feet below followed by the sharp ring of metal. Gradually the sounds faded away into the surrounding woods. They waited with baited breath until nothing more could be heard. All was silent.

Suddenly a head appeared through the hole in the flet. Looking over in alarm, they saw it was Haldir wearing his grey hooded cloak, and relaxed a little.

“A strong company of Orcs has passed. They crossed the Nimrodel – curse their foul feet in its clean water! – and went on down the old road beside the river. They seemed to pick up some scent, and they searched the ground for a while near the place where you halted. The three of us could not challenge a hundred, so we went ahead and spoke with feigned voices, leading them into the wood. Orophin has now gone in haste back to our dwellings to warn our people. None of the Orcs will ever return out of Lórien. And there will be many Elves hidden on the northern border before another night falls. But you must take the road south as soon as it is fully light. How goes it with the maiden?”

“Not well. She has been poisoned,” answered Legolas.

“Another reason for us to exact vengeance on these invaders. I must see to the hobbits. Farewell,” said Haldir as he slipped out of sight.

[Lady Coralie]

Gimli relit the stove. In the small light, they could see Aragorn shaking his hand. He held it up and examined the broken skin. Looking at Legolas he smiled wryly.

“She bit me!”

Legolas smiled back at him. “I would call that sibling rivalry.”

A shuddering gasp from Coralie brought their attention back to her. By now her clothes were wringing wet from perspiration, and her hair hung in dripping strands that clung to her features.

“Ai! She is soaked through,” cried Legolas.

“Her body is seeking to expel the poison. It is not good for her to be so wet with such a high fever. She will catch another chill.” They looked at each other through the dim light, recalling the previous battle.

“We must take off her clothes. Be quick!” responded Aragorn.

“Take off her clothes?” interjected Boromir.

Aragorn rounded on him. “Would you have her die for some feigned modesty on your part Boromir?” he turned to the Dwarf who sat anxiously by the stove. “Gimli, find something in her bag that we can soak in some of that water you are simmering with the athelas. She must have some spare clothing. Make sure it is light in weight.”

Gimli began to rummage through her things. At first he examined her underpants and leggings, and deeming them to be unsuitable for the purpose discarded them until at last he found two singlets.

“I have never seen so many things in one pack before,” he muttered as he wondered at the construction of the expandable pack.

Aragorn was slipping off Coralie’s t-shirt as Legolas removed her shoes and socks, and tossed her shirt to Boromir. Gimli looked over at Aragorn and Legolas as he tied up Coralie’s pack.

“If the contents of this pack are any indication, you can be sure that the Lady has a multitude of clothing on beneath her outer garments anyway,” interjected the Dwarf.

“Here! Gather up her clothes and lay them out to dry somewhere.”

Noticing the laser light still hanging on its chain around her neck, Aragorn tried to unfasten it.

“No!” Coralie moaned as her hand stole to the little light and held it firmly in her grasp. Gently he tried to pry open the fingers that held it fast, but found he could not.

“Twould seem to be of some importance to her,” he sighed relinquishing the small battle to Coralie.

“Your pardon Lady,” Legolas followed suit with the jeans and leggings, which then fell sodden at Boromir’s feet.

“There is no need to remove any more clothing,” said Aragorn as she was now dressed only in gym shorts and a crop top beneath the layers. Though this too was wet through, it did not bode as much of a hazard as being fully dressed in sopping clothing.

“I am relieved to hear you say that Aragorn. If you hadn’t sworn herself to you as kin, we may be facing a dilemma right now,” responded Legolas with his eyebrows raised.

“First we must dry her off,” said Aragorn reaching for a blanket. Hurriedly, they dried her body as best they could. No sooner had they done so, than new beads of sweat appeared upon her skin. She began to moan again under their ministrations. Grimly, Aragorn looked at the blanket. Already it was slightly damp.

“Boromir. We need you to gather up the blankets and dry them out for us. Keep a ready supply handy. We have two spares right?” The man nodded. “We shall keep hers separate as the material is not absorbent, and besides we need something to cover her with later.” He turned again to the Dwarf. “Gimli, we will bathe her with the clothing soaked in the athelas. What did you find?”

Gimli held up the two singlets.

“These should do,” said Aragorn examining them further. “Just pour a little water over them at a time. We must make our supply last.” Gimli did as he was bidden and handed a wet singlet each to Aragorn and Legolas.

“We must bathe her lightly first then dry her off again, and keep doing this until the sweating stops. Perhaps the virtue of the athelas will penetrate somewhat into her skin, and attack the poison via another route.” Nodding, Legolas followed Aragorn’s instructions.

“Stand your ground!” Coralie began again.

Aragorn and Legolas exchanged worried frowns as they ministered to her needs. Coralie was becoming increasingly agitated. Again they dried her with the blanket. Boromir exchanged the wet cover for a dry one as Gimli brought over the singlets soaked in fresh athelas again. Aragorn and Legolas repeated the procedure as Coralie continued to call out in her fever.

“Stand! Gandalf Stand! Gird yourself with truth!” she called aloud. “Gandalf!” Suddenly she lifted her arm up above her head as if to ward off a blow. “Don’t give up! Gandalf!” her voice trailed off as Aragorn caught her arm and lowered it gently to her side.

“She calls out to Gandalf!” cried Legolas.

“This is the fever talking,” responded Aragorn.

Another change of blankets, followed by another gentle laving with the athelas. It was becoming more difficult to attend to her as she tossed from side to side. Aragorn felt her brow. The heat almost exploded through her skin.

“He will fight for you! Stand your ground! Let your hands be strong!” she cried as they dried her wet limbs yet again. It was hard to keep her in their grasp as she writhed about on the wooden floor.

“Her delirium increases. Somehow we must bring down her fever!” said Legolas as Coralie groaned again.

Suddenly she sat up again, taking them by surprise. Her eyes now open, burned as if lit with an intense fire from within. Raising her arm, she pointed to some unseen space beyond them. Gently, they tried to restrain her and lower her down, but she held firm against their grasp.

“You shall not die, but live and declare the works of Eru! It is He, who will deliver your soul from the battle. It is He, who stands in the gap and you will prevail!”

“She is fey!” Aragorn took hold of Coralie’s arm and found he could not lower it without hurting her. With a commanding tone, full of authority she continued speaking into the present darkness that surrounded them on all sides.

“You shall tread down the wicked for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet. Death is swallowed up in victory. Death is swallowed up in victory!”

Without warning, her shoulders slumped and she fell back just as suddenly as she had arisen. Legolas caught her and gently laid her down. Her lips were still moving, but her voice barely rose above a whisper.

Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief as he and Legolas began to dry her off. Gimli brought over the wet singlets again. Aragorn held up his hand.

“Wait! I don’t think we need them. Look Legolas. She seems dry.”

Legolas nodded in agreement. “You are right Aragorn.”

Indeed her skin no longer cast the sheen of the continual drip of moisture. Aragorn signaled for them to cover her with her sleeping bag. As he draped the cover around her shoulders, he leaned in to try and catch her whispered words.

“What is she saying? Her voice is barely above a whisper. I can’t make it out,” asked Aragorn unable to catch her words.

Legolas bent down to hear.

“ ‘lavrol nâ he. Pêd brass,”
“She is babbling. It is the fever talking,” he replied, slipping into Sindarin unawares.

Suddenly she was awake and grasped him by the shoulder.

“Na Eru, ûnon ‘lavrol! Maetho annin! Ranc chon gant he”
“I am not babbling, by Eru! Stand with me!” And then she fell back as in a swoon.

Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other in surprise and spoke the other’s thoughts aloud in unison.

“Edhellen vîn ped he!”
“She speaks Elvish!”

[Astaliel]

OMG! this story is getting better and better!!! I love it!!

[PunkRock12]

Oncore! oncore! That was great Lady C! Just brillant!
Miss PunkRock

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn's Court Part 18

Daybreak

"I narthair i Eru, gerithar vellas eden, eraithar na rovail be theryn"

"What is she saying Legolas?" asked Boromir, drawn by the strange mutterings from Coralie's lips. "Can you understand her?"

"Aye. She is speaking Sindarin," Legolas replied.

"But that's impossible! How can she know Sindarin? She's not an Elf!" said Boromir.

Aragorn eyed Boromir coolly. "Neither am I an Elf, Boromir, but I can speak Elvish as well."

"But how did she learn to speak thus?" Boromir was clearly flabbergasted.

Gimli interjected. "Perhaps she speaks Dwarvish as well! Ah! This lady is indeed a mystery beyond our ken. Come Elf! What did she say just then?"

Raising an eyebrow, Legolas answered the Dwarf. "Those that wait upon Eru, will have renewed strength,
they will rise with wings like eagles."

"That is strange indeed. Is she getting better?"

Aragorn laid a hand upon her brow. "The fever is still upon her. Gimli, I will need to change the dressing on her arm."

"Say no more, Aragorn. The water is on its way," answered the Dwarf. And with that he scampered off to re- fill the pot.

Aragorn gazed at his patient as he gently unwound the bandages he had wrapped around her left arm. He sighed deeply. This fever was the most perplexing one that he had ever encountered. He had seen people poisoned before and was familiar with the various types of toxins that Orcs could possibly use on their weapons. This was of a particularly evil kind, certainly fatal. It was a wonder that the lady had survived this long. But cling to life she did, and whilst there was yet breath in his body, he was not about to give up.

"We will prevail Aragorn," said Legolas noting the shadow that had fallen over Aragorn's features as he attended to the wound on Coralie's arm.

"I pray that you are right my friend. But I fear that there is something else at work here beyond my ken. This is more than just a mere poisoning, Legolas. I am reminded of Frodo's fight for life after the Nazgul
struck him at Weathertop. It took all of Elrond's skills to bring him back, and I have only his skills in part," he looked keenly at Legolas before going on. "Coralie was not struck down by a Morgul blade, as Frodo was. This does not make any sense. It's almost as if we were not just battling for her life, but for her soul as well Legolas, and I am at a loss what to do!" Aragorn shook his head as if trying to come to grips with what he just said.

"The hands of the King are those of a healer Aragorn. Her life will be spared. I am sure of it," reassured Legolas.







A Elbereth Gilthoniel,
O Elbereth Star-kindler
silivren penna míriel
glittering white slants down sparkling like jewels
o menel aglar elenath!
from the glorious firmament of the host of stars
Na-chaered palan-díriel
To-remote distance having gazed afar
o galadhremmin ennorath,
from tree-tangled middle-lands,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
Fanuilos, to thee I will chant
nef aear, sí nef aearon!
on this side of the ocean, here on this side of the Great Ocean! "

Aragorn and Legolas caught their breath as Coralie spoke this Elven prayer in her fevered state.

"A Elbereth Gilthoniel
silvren penna mîriel
o menel aglar elenath!
Na-chaered palan-díriel
o galadhremmin ennorath,
Fanuilos, le linnathon
nef aear, sí nef aearon!"

Coralie was repeating the prayer without pause. Her voice sounded faint and weak to their ears.
Sighing to himself, Aragorn crushed more of the athelas leaves and breathed on them before placing them in the simmering water on the stove. The bright fragrance strengthened their hearts with its clean influence, restoring their hope, even as their faith wavered but for a moment.


"Nan lá ëa sére indonyan sinomë tennoio,
But my heart resteth not here for ever,
an sinomë ëa tyelma, ar euva metta ar i narquelië",
for here is ending, and there will be an end and the Fading,

"Now she is speaking Quenya, Aragorn! That is part of Firiel's Song. How came she to have knowledge of this?" asked Legolas troubled by her words. "Her voice sounds heavy with sorrow." Legolas stroked Coralie's cheek as he cradled her head in his lap.

"I know not Legolas. Perhaps this is her spirit speaking to us," replied Aragorn.

"Mana tárë antuva nin Ilúvatar, Ilúvatar
What will the Father, O Father,
enyárë i metta pella, írë Anarinya queluva?
give me in that day beyond the end when my Sun faileth?
ar ilyë tier undulávë lumbulë
and all paths are drowned deep in shadow;
ar sindanóriello caita mornië
and out of a grey country darkness lies
i falmalinnar imbë met,
on the foaming waves between us,
Namárië!"
Farewell!

A single tear slid down her cheek and rested on Legolas' fingers where he caressed her.
Legolas looked up in alarm.

"Aragorn she is bidding us farewell! She is saying goodbye!"

"No!" Aragorn took hold of the feverish girl from Legolas and fiercely embraced her, holding her close to his breast. He then looked deep into her face as if he delved for some lost way in which he may restore her.
The others hung their heads, as hope defeated, fled from their grasp. Aragorn's eye's appeared to grow even greyer with the sheen of sorrow that filled them.

"Coralie! Coralie! Come back!" he whispered as he rocked her in his embrace and kissed her brow.
"Coralie! I will not let you take that path willingly. Come back Titheniel. Little Maiden. Do not leave us! Coralie! Little Sister! Thêldithen! Coralie!”


Each time Aragorn called her name, his voice grew fainter, as though even he had left them momentarily to tread the shadowy paths where now her spirit wandered. At last, Aragorn, grey with exhaustion, looked up and signaled for Gimli to bring over the little pot of warm water and some fresh leaves. Holding Coralie fast in his arms, he crushed a few leaves anew into the water. A sudden refreshment filled their hearts, as a soft breeze kissed the Mellyrn leaves atop their talan, with its sweet breath of hope restored.
Dipping his fingers into the sweet water, Aragorn caressed Coralie's face as he continued to hold her.
Thêldithen, tolo dan enni! Little Sister come back to me! Coralie! Thêldithen, tolo dan enni" tenderly he kissed her brow.

The leaves upon the Mellyrns’ branches, reflected the clear dawn, as the sun broke its fresh countenance, upon the green land. Pale streams of light bathed the flet in the soft embrace of a new day as birdsong fell softly upon their quiet vigil.


“Faug,” Aragorn started at the soft whisper that escaped Coralie’s lips and buried his face in her shoulder.
“Legolas!” he cried.

Gimli and Boromir sadly looked over at Aragorn as he crushed her to his breast, fearing that she had indeed passed away in his arms. Turning towards them, Legolas broke into a wide grin.

“She’s thirsty! Quick Gimli! Some water!” he spoke the words in rapid succession as the Dwarf immediately jumped up and poured some water into a cup. Relieved beyond all measure, he handed it to the Elf.

“Have we won?” his voice broke a little with the question.

“It would appear so,” replied Legolas smiling up at him. Boromir sighed as he shook his head with relief.

She could barely focus on the man who embraced her as he tenderly placed the cup to her lips.

“Mae govannen. Thêldithen. Only sip it gently. Not too much now,” spoke Aragorn gently as Coralie drank eagerly.

“Estel?” Aragorn was surprised to hear her use the name that his mother, Gilraen had given him when she took him to Rivendell as a child, but nodded smiling at her as she looked up at him with tear filled eyes.




“Mithrandir! Telin pân naid no,”
“Gandalf! It’s all my fault,” she cried.

“Na alohen, rîn,”
“No, Lady. None of it is,” said Aragorn trying to reassure her, wiping the tears away that fell from her lashes.


“Pent enni.”
“He spoke to me.”


“I?”
“Who?” Aragorn asked, puzzled by her words.


“I lam. I lam morn.”
“The voice. The Black Voice.” Her eyes, heavy with weariness, were closing even as she spoke. Aragorn lightly kissed her brow.

“Hiro hyn hîdh ab ‘wanath. Togo îdh.”
“Be at peace. Rest now,” he said gently as she fell asleep in his arms.


Carefully, he laid her on the floor and covered her with the sleeping bag. Relieved smiles were now overshadowed by her last words.

“I do not like this Aragorn,” whispered Legolas as he drew him away from the sleeping form of Coralie. “This ‘Black Voice’ she speaks of. What can she mean?”

Boromir and Gimli joined them as they spoke in worried tones.

“I suspect that the Lady came to more harm than we knew as a result of carrying the Ring in her mouth, than just the mere poisoning alone,” replied Aragorn.

“It does not surprise me,” said Gimli, “this has been a long, dark battle for the Lady’s life.”

“Is she alright now?” asked Boromir.

Aragorn nodded. “Well, the crisis has passed, but she is very weak and I think she will sleep most of the day. We will have to carry her.”

“I will do it!” interjected Legolas, noting the small movement from Boromir as though he made to volunteer. “You are almost spent Aragorn from your labors to revive her.”

“And what of you Elf? Are you not tired?” asked Boromir with one eyebrow raised.

‘Come! I am sure that Legolas would not have offered to carry the Lady, unless he was well able to do so. There is no point debating this, and we still have a long way to go. Let us make haste to leave and pack our gear away. I’m sure that if Legolas tires on the path he will let us know,” directed Aragorn, as he turned to help Legolas pack up Coralie’s belongings.

“But somehow I don’t that is going to happen, is it?” he smiled softly as he clapped Legolas’ shoulder. By his friend’s returned expression, he knew this to be true.

[Astaliel]

It is really good!!! How come she is speaking in Elvish though?! You are such a good writer!! :)

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks Guys for the nice compliments on my story.

Astaliel, she is speaking Elvis just as Sam spoke in tongues in Mordor when he recited the Elven prayer. There are some other reasons, but you will have to wait for those. ;)

Here is the next chapter. Sleeping Beauty.

The Company gathered together at the bottom of the trees before setting out for Lothlórien. The pale light of the morning sun filtered through the golden leaves of the Mellyrn trees above. Seeing Coralie’s limp form in Legolas’ arms, the hobbits rushed forward as one.

“How is she?”

“Is she alright?”

“Oh! Poor Coralie!”

“How’s Coralie?”

They all spoke at once in their nervous rush towards Legolas. Aragorn suddenly stepped in front of them and held out his hands.

“Hush now!” he said placing a finger to his lips. “The Lady is alive, but she is very weak, and sleeps now. Do not disturb her.”

Frodo looked up at Aragorn searchingly, as Pippin, Merry and Sam savored stolen peeks around him at the burden that Legolas carried, only half convinced that he spoke the truth. Not much could they see though, as she was wrapped securely in a warm blanket.


“Are you sure Aragorn? We heard that she was poisoned by that Orc’s blade, and Legolas came for Haldir during the middle of the night, and then I think that it was that creature Gollum that woke me up…..”

“Gollum? What do you mean that he woke you up?” interrupted Aragorn.

Haldir came striding over with his brother Rúmil.

“It is true that this creature Gollum, had attempted to climb the tree where the hobbits were, but when he spied me he fled. Such a strange creature! Our scouts will be on the look out for him. How does the maiden fare this morning?”

Aragorn placed a reassuring hand on Frodo’s shoulder as he answered Haldir.

“The maiden will live, and sleeps in Legolas’ arms. She is very tired after her long battle through the night. I do not expect her to wake soon unless,” and he looked down sternly at the hobbits, “someone disturbs her rest.”

“Oh we won’t make any noise! We promise!” piped up Pippin in a loud clear voice.

“SSSH!” said the other hobbits and Aragorn at once.

“Let us be on our way. We still have far to travel,” said Haldir as he led the hobbits after him.
Looking back, Frodo caught a glimpse of the white spray of the falls of Nimrodel through the grey tree trunks. The music of the falls caressed his ears with their lilting melody, cascading with interwoven harmonies as it ran on its way. He thought that he would never hear such beautiful water music again.

“Farewell Nimrodel,” he sighed as he joined the path with the others.

Following Haldir, they rejoined the path beside the Silverlode, and continued southward for some way.
The tracks of the Orc’s could be clearly seen in the earth, though no sign of them was to be found. Turning aside from the path, Haldir gathered them under the shadow of the trees on the riverbank.

“There is one of my people yonder across the stream,” he said, “though you may not see him.” The low call of a whistling bird escaped his lips, and out of the trees an Elf stepped out, clad in similar garments to Haldir. His hood was thrown back, and his hair glinted like gold in the morning sun. Skillfully, Haldir cast a rope across the water to the waiting Elf, who tied it around the base of a nearby tree.

“Celebrant is already a strong stream here, as you see,” said Haldir, and it runs both swift and deep, and is very cold. We do not set foot in it so far north, unless we must. But in these days of watchfulness we do not make bridges. This is how we cross! Follow me!” Making the end of his rope fast about a tree near the bank’s edge, he lightly ran across the already suspended rope across the stream, and back again, as lightly as if he were on a road.

“I can walk this path,” said Legolas; “but the others have not the skill. Must they swim?”

“No!” said Haldir. “We have two more ropes. We will fasten them above the other, one shoulder-high, and another half-high, and holding these the strangers should be able to cross with care.”

On completion of this slender bridge, the Company passed over. Legolas was the first to cross, and in spite of his sleeping burden, did so lightly and quickly. Pippin was the surest footed of the hobbits and crossed more easily than the others, as he kept his eyes fixed on the bank ahead and did not look down.
Gripping the rope with both hands, Sam shuffled along as if he were crossing over some deep chasm, as he gazed into the eddying waters below.

“Live and learn! As my gaffer used to say!” he sighed with relief when he finally set foot on the far bank, “though he was thinking of gardening, not of roosting like a bird, nor of trying to walk like a spider. Not even my uncle Andy ever did a trick like that!”

After the last member of the Company had passed over the river, the Elves untied the silvery ropes and coiled two of them. One was thrown back over to Rúmil, who had remained behind. Slinging it over his shoulder, he waved as he went back towards Nimrodel to keep watch again.

“Now, friends,” said Haldir, ‘you have entered the Naith of Lórien, or the Gore, as you would say, for it is the land that lies like a spearhead between the arms of the Silverlode and Anduin the Great. We allow no strangers to spy out the secrets of the Naith. Few indeed are permitted even to set foot there. As we agreed, I shall here blindfold the eyes of Gimli the Dwarf. The others may walk free for a while, until we come nearer to our dwellings, down in Egladil, in the Angle between the waters.”

“The agreement was made without my consent,” murmured Gimli. “I will not walk blindfold, like a beggar or a prisoner. And I am no spy. My folk have never had dealings with any servants of the Enemy. Neither have we done harm to the Elves. I am no more likely to betray you than Legolas, or any other of my companions.”

“I do not doubt you,” said Haldir. “Yet this is our law. I am not master of the law, and cannot set it aside. I have done much in letting you set foot over the Celebrant.”

Obstinately, Gimli planted both feet firmly apart and rested his hand on the haft of his axe.

“I will go forward free,” he said, “or I will go back and seek my own land, where I am known to be true of word, though I perish alone in the wilderness.”

“You cannot go back,” said Haldir sternly. “Now you have come thus far, you must be brought before the Lord and the Lady. They shall judge you, to hold you or to give you leave, as there are now secret sentinels that you cannot pass. You would be slain before you saw them.”

Gimli drew his axe from his belt as the Elves bent their bows.
“A plague on Dwarves and their stiff necks!” said Legolas.

“And a plague on Elves and their stiff necks as well! Come!” said Aragorn. “If I am still to lead this Company, you must do as I bid. It is hard upon the Dwarf to be thus singled out. We will all be blindfold, even Legolas. That will be best, though it will make the journey slow and dull.”

“A merry troop of fools we shall look!” laughed Gimli suddenly. “Will Haldir lead us all on a string, like many blind beggars with one dog. But what of the lady? Surely you don’t expect Legolas to carry her blindfold?”

“I shall carry her myself!” replied Haldir.

“Come! Haldir bind our eyes. We shall all fare alike!” interjected Aragorn, seeing the cloud that had passed over Legolas’ face.

“I shall claim full amends for every fall and stubbed toe, if you do not lead us well,” said Gimli as they bound a cloth about his eyes.

“You will have no claim,” said Haldir. “I shall lead you well, and the paths are smooth and straight.”

“Alas for the folly of these days!” said Legolas. “Here all are enemies of the one Enemy, and yet I must walk blind, while the sun is merry in the woodland under leaves of gold!”

“Folly it may seem,” said Haldir. “Indeed in nothing is the power of the Dark Lord more clearly shown than in the estrangement that divides all those who still oppose him. Yet so little faith and trust do we find now in the world beyond Lothlórien, unless maybe to Rivendell, that we dare not by our own trust endanger our land. We live now upon an island amid many perils, and our hands are more often upon the bowstring than upon the harp. Come! Give me the lady, so we may be on our way.”

Reluctantly Legolas eased her into Haldir’s arms, and permitted himself to be blindfolded. The Company filed slowly behind Haldir, along the path through the wood, while the other Elf walked behind. The ground beneath their feet was smooth and soft, and after a little while they walked more freely. Frodo found that being deprived of sight actually sharpened his other senses of sound and smell more keenly. All manner of scents and sounds from the surrounding forest washed over him. The scent of fresh, green trodden grass, and the gentle rustling of the golden leaves overhead delighted him. A strange feeling had overcome him, as soon as he had set foot upon the far bank of the Silverlode, and with each step that took
him deeper into the realm of Lothlorien, more and more he felt the weight of passing years fall from his shoulders. The memory of ancient things still lingered in Rivendell, but in Lórien the ancient things still lived on in the waking world. Time almost seemed to be of little consequence in this corner of Middle Earth, and he felt that he had crossed a bridge into some distant memory of the Elder Days, when the world was still green and young.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Oh wow!

That was really great...

I cannot wait for more!

[PunkRock12]

That is great Lady C. very great.

[Lady Coralie]

Taa muchley to my two greatest fans.

Will post more now.

LadyC

[Lady Coralie]

Far the Company walked that day, until the cool of evening fell upon them, whereupon they ate a little and rested on the ground for the night, as their guides would not allow them to unbind their eyes, and they could not climb into the trees for shelter. Haldir laid the sleeping girl down gently amongst the roots of a mallorn- tree and then led Aragorn and Legolas over.

“Here lies the lady, Gentlemen. She still sleeps, and if you wish, you can spend the night beside her on either side, so you can be assured of her well being for yourselves. I myself have tended to the wound upon her arm, and have carried her well, and her sleep remains undisturbed. The wound is healing well now, but grievous must have been the poison used upon her, for her to sleep so long.”

Thanking Haldir, Aragorn and Legolas settled themselves wearily beside her. The long, tiring hours that had passed since leaving Moria, traversed their tired bodies with unrepentant fatigue.

“I am glad at last to truly rest,” said Aragorn softly, “it has been a very long two days, and I am in sore need of sleep myself.”

“How long do you think the maiden will sleep, Aragorn?” whispered Legolas concerned that she had slept all that day without awakening.

“I do not know, Legolas. I am not really surprised that she still sleeps considering all that has happened to her. I myself am very weary and expect to sleep long and well tonight. Take some rest for yourself Legolas, as the lady does, and as I intend to do,” and with that, Aragorn fell away into sleep, whilst Legolas, with relieved acceptance of Aragorn’s explanation, at long last, drifted into the quiet dreaming of the Elves.

The next morning, the Company arose and continued in the same fashion as afore, led by their Elven guides. Haldir carried the still, sleeping form of Coralie lightly in his arms. He could tell that she was resting soundly, by the slight fluttering of her eyelids, and knew that she dreamed. The bruise upon her brow, was now in the full bloom of it’s ripening, and only served to deepen his sadness at her hurt. Presently a marching host of Elves had come upon them silently, on their way to the Northern borders to guard against any attack that may come from Moria. The leader spoke in quiet whispers with Haldir. Turning to the Company, Haldir now addressed them.

“You are to walk free and may unbind your eyes. The Lord and Lady of the Galadrim have declared this, and apparently each one of you is known unto them. Even the Dwarf Gimli, may go freely through our land. However,” he said whilst looking down at Coralie, “this one won’t be doing any walking it seems today, whether blindfolded or not. I pass her back into your care Legolas, knowing full well that it has been with great reluctance, and yet also graciousness on your part, that has permitted me to carry your fair burden, whilst having to endure being blindfolded by your own kinsmen.”

Carefully he passed her over into Legolas’ arms as Aragorn approached after his eyes were unbound.

“She still sleeps, Aragorn,” said Legolas.

“Perhaps, she will awaken some time this morning,” answered Aragorn, noting that a healthy colour once more bloomed in her cheek.

As Frodo’s eyes were unbound, he looked up and caught his breath. The Company stood in an open space upon a lush green sward as Spring-time in the Elder days. A great mound stood to their left on which two circles of trees grew upon it as a double crown; the bark of the outer was snow white, whilst the leaves of the inner mallorn- trees were covered in pale gold. A white flet gleamed in the centre of the trees high above the ground. About their feet, and all the surrounding hillsides, little golden flowers, shaped like stars, nodded their heads on slender stalks, whilst others of white and palest green, shimmered richly through the verdant grass. The afternoon sun played gently upon the blue sky above.

“Behold you are come to Cerin Amroth,” said Haldir. “For this is the heart of the ancient realm as it was long ago, and here is the mound of Amroth, where in happier days his high house was built. Here ever bloom the winter flowers in the unfading grass: the yellow elanor, and the pale niphredil. Here we will stay awhile, and come to the city of the Galadrim at dusk.”

“Good afternoon Sleeping Beauty,” spoke Legolas softly as he met the grey-blue eyes that finally opened and blinked up at him.

“I thought Sleeping Beauty was awakened by the kiss of a Prince?” whispered Coralie, from the twilight realm of half wakefulness.

Legolas laughed softly. “Then you shall have it.” Leaning down, he softly brushed her lips with his own.
“I think this must be part of my dream,” she smiled as Legolas gently embraced her as he knelt upon the grass.

“Tis no dream Lady,” said Legolas as he caressed her cheek. “At long last, you have returned to us.”

Coralie looked up at him with a puzzled expression. “Where have I been?”

“You have been very ill with a fever, Titheniel, but now you are well, thank Eru,” responded Legolas.

“Who’s Titheniel?” wondered Coralie.

“Mae Govannen Titheniel!” said Aragorn kneeling beside the two of them as he took Coralie’s hand in his own and kissed it.

“What did you just say?” she asked drowsily.

“Mae Govannen Titheniel,” repeated Aragorn.

Coralie shook her head slightly. “Well it sounds pretty, but I haven’t got a clue what you just said.”

Aragorn laughed lightly. “Well, I guess she doesn’t speak Elvish, after all Legolas!”

“Elvish! What are you talking about? And furthermore…” she was now peeking under the blanket, “Where are my clothes?”

Aragorn and Legolas raised their eyebrows at each other before Aragorn spoke at last.

“Ahem…We had to take them off. You had wet them through…”

“What? I wet my pants? Oh no! How embarrassing,” groaned Coralie.

Aragorn and Legolas laughed, which only served to increase her anxiety.

“Stop laughing at me!” she cried as the tears flowed freely down her cheeks.

Legolas kissed her cheek. “Oh I’m sorry Titheniel. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Nor I,” said Aragorn taking her hand again. “We are just so glad to have you back. Forgive us. Please. Let me assure you that the only reason we removed your clothes was to prevent you from catching a chill, as you had wet them through with perspiration from your fever.”

Coralie tried to smile through her tears. “So you’re really just glad to see me? Not for any other reason?”

Aragorn lightly kissed her hand. “We are overwhelmed with joy Lady, and we laugh only to see that you are indeed well and whole.”

Legolas brushed away the tears that had fallen onto her cheeks. “Do not cry Lady Coralie. You are well and our hearts are merry. Look! We have come into the land of Lothlórien, the heart of Elvendom on earth.”

Gently he sat her up, so she could look about her. Legolas felt the small intake of breath she took as she leaned against his chest. Everywhere she looked was more beautiful than she could ever have imagined. The very air about her seemed to shimmer with golden light as it fell upon the little flowers that turned their sweet faces up to greet the sun. Exquisite shades of colour and scent delighted her senses. Carefully she plucked one of the star shaped flowers and inhaled its sweet scent as tears dropped from her lashes.”

Sensing the change within her, Legolas bent down and whispered. “And why do tears fall from your fair eyes now, Lady?”

“Because it is so beautiful Legolas,” Coralie sighed. “It is like a fairyland. Are you sure I’m not in heaven?”

Legolas laughed and kissed the top of her head as they sat together amongst the gently scented elanor and niphredil.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

:naughty:

I love it! :p

[PunkRock12]

I love it 2! Leg sounds so sweet, I want to be in he spot write know.

[Astaliel]

I love what you have done with you're story!! Legolas sounds sooooo sweet!! :naughty:

[PunkRock12]

Yes.....post more!

[Lady Coralie]

Okay Gang,

Here it comes...

Cheers

LadyC

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 20

Lothlórien

"Excuse me Aragorn, I have a slight problem," said Coralie hesitantly as she sat with them on the green sward overlooking the City of the Galadrim.

"Lady?" he enquired.

"I'm hungry, I'm thirsty and I have to go, all at once!" she cried, for once feeling quite embarrassed by the predicament she was in.

Laughing, Aragorn scooped her up into his arms.

"Well that is easily remedied Lady, but we shall tackle each problem one at a time."

“And I shall have food and water ready upon your return,” said Legolas.

Shortly after, Aragorn was spied carrying Coralie by the hobbits, who then chased after him across the grass as he once again placed her within the circle of Legolas' arms.

"Just a little at a time, Lady. It has been quite a while since you have had anything of substance in your stomach," said Legolas as he filled a cup.

“Coralie! You’re awake!” cried Frodo and Sam together as they jumped in front of her. Merry and Pippin came to a screeching halt behind.

“Coralie’s awake! Coralie’s awake!” they chanted in unison as they capered about in front of her. Finally exhausted by their madcap posturing, they flung themselves down on the grass at her feet. She couldn’t help but laugh at their antics.

“Seems that they are glad to see you Lady,” laughed Legolas.

“Oh Coralie! That’s a nasty bruise you have on your forehead,” chimed Pippin. Coralie’s hand strayed to her forehead, and touched the bruise gingerly.

“Ouch! I bet that hurts!” exclaimed Merry.

“Yes it does. I do have a bit of a headache,” she replied.

“It’s a beautiful purple colour though. Brings out your eyes!” added Pippin with a laugh.

“Oh Pippin!” cried Frodo. “That’s not going to help her feel better!”

“Trust a Took to say something like that! Especially to a girl!” admonished Sam.

“But purple suits her! Boromir thought so too!” Pippin was defending himself.

“Pippin! If you…..” Merry was suddenly interrupted.

“I think that is enough excitement for the lady for one day, Gentlemen,” said Aragorn rising from the grass abruptly. “I‘m sure her headache will only get worse with all this shouting. Come be off with you!” he commanded, herding them away as Gimli and Boromir strode over.

“Well! I’m just glad to see her eyes open at last!” said Gimli kneeling before Coralie. “Lady, it was a long battle to save you, and I’m more than a little pleased to see that we did indeed prevail.” He took her hand in his and smiled.

“How long have I been asleep?” she asked.

“About 2 days at the very least,” said Boromir as he stood behind Gimli. “And I too, am happy to see you awake. The world would have been a poorer place without your presence to grace it, Lady.” He tilted his head to one side and smiled down at her.

Haldir met up with Frodo and Sam after Aragorn had led them away. Sam stood a little behind Frodo rubbing his eyes with a puzzled expression.

“It’s sunlight and bright day, right enough,” he said. “I thought that Elves were all for moon and stars: but this is more elvish than anything I ever heard tell of. I feel as if I was inside a song, if you take my meaning.”

“You feel the power of the Lady of the Galadrim, said Haldir, understanding the meaning behind Sam’s words. “Would it please you to climb up Cerin Amroth?”

Nodding assent, they followed him as he stepped lightly up the grass-covered slope. Frodo felt the amaranthine beauty of Lothlórien envelop him, whispering of endless summer while the little flowers nodded to him as he passed by. When he had gone and passed again into the outer world, still Frodo the wanderer from the Shire would walk there, upon the grass among elanor and niphredil in fair Lothlórien.

Entering the circle of white trees, the South Wind blew upon Cerin Amroth and sighed among the branches. Frodo stood still for a moment and caught the far off cry of lonesome sea-birds soaring on the up draughts of breezes, as they wheeled above great seas, and ancient shorelines that had had long ago been washed away. As he prepared to climb up behind Haldir, he placed his hand upon the smooth surface of the tree, beside the ladder. The texture of the tree, spoke of the life deep within, and for the first time in his life, Frodo knew that a tree was indeed a living thing.

Stepping out onto the flet, Haldir took his hand and turned him southwards.

“Look this way first!”

A hill of many green trees, like unto a city of lush towers greeted his view. It seemed to him, that the very light and the power that held sway over the land of the Galadrim, emanated from that one central place. Suddenly, wishing for the wings of a dove, he longed to fly away to rest amongst its tender green arms. Looking eastwards, the land of Lórien ran gently down to the ever- flowing Anduin, the Great River. His eyes looked over beyond the river, to where all the light seemed to go out, and again he was back again in the world he knew. Far beyond that, the land lay under a shadow, which not even the bright sunlight of Lothlórien could penetrate.

“There lies the fastness of Southern Mirkwood,” said Haldir. “It is clad in a forest of dark fir, where the trees strive one against another and their branches rot and whither. In the midst upon a stony height stands Dol Guldur, where long the hidden Enemy had his dwelling. We fear that now it is inhabited again, and with power sevenfold. A black cloud lies often over it of late. In this high place you may see the two powers that are opposed one to another; and ever they strive now in thought, but whereas the light perceives the very heart of the darkness, its own secret has not been discovered. Not yet.” He turned and climbed swiftly down, and they followed him.

Frodo found Aragorn at the base of the hill, as Sam went on ahead. A light was in his eyes as he stood still and silent, and in his hand he held a small golden bloom of elanor. As Frodo looked upon him, he knew him to be clothed in the reverie of some sweet memory. Tall and fair he appeared as though all the years of care that had been chiseled upon his features, fell away at the fair remembrance that now shone upon his countenance.

“Arwen vanimelda, namárië!” Becoming aware of Frodo’s presence, he smiled warmly at him. “Here my heart dwells forever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we must still tread, you and I. Come with me!” Together they walked down the green sward of Cerin Amroth, and Aragorn never returned there as a living man.

[PunkRock12]

Into the fog we must go! lol

[Lady Coralie]

I know I should understand that line Punk Rock...but I don't

Please don't think me dumb

[PunkRock12]

Into the fog means Cheers. I didn't understand it at first we must go I just added that.

[PunkRock12]

Into The Fog!

[Lady Coralie]

You make me laugh! :)

[Lady Coralie]

Rejoining the others on the grass, the sun began to sink behind the mountains, and long shadows crept from under the leafy branches of the tall trees.

“I thought I’d instructed you to leave the lady in peace?” enquired Aragorn, as he spied the hobbits sprawled about the grass in front of her.

“It’s alright Aragorn,” said Coralie smiling up at him. “They seem to have calmed down a bit now and the colour of my bruised forehead is no longer the chief subject.”

“We found other things to discuss Aragorn. And we have been nice and quiet. Honest!” said Pippin looking up at him with all the endearance he could muster.

“Indeed, they have been on their best behaviour Aragorn,” said Legolas, “and, to keep them away from the lady, is as vain as trying to prevent moths from seeking the very source of the flame that so enchants them.”

“Or perhaps, one could liken them more as flies to honey!” snorked Gimli.

“Hey! I’m no fly!” interjected Pippin.

“Perhaps not, but never a truer analogy regarding the lady and honey was ever spoken,” said Boromir, his eyes gleaming in the fading light.

Coralie felt the blush rise up her throat to fan its way across her cheeks.

“Ahem,” coughed Aragorn spying Haldir’s approach. “I think we had best be on our way.”

“Ah! I see i titheniel is now awake,” said Haldir as he gently bowed before her. “I am Haldir, Lady. It has been my honour to bear you some ways into our fair land. May I say that never have we been graced with such a comely visitor from beyond our realm before, and if we had but known that the daughters of men were as fair as yourself, the invitation would have been extended long ago.” Again he bowed, this time with a low sweep of his hand.

“Oh my!” said Pippin and Merry together, taking the very words out of Coralie’s mouth. They all laughed as they made to stand up.

“And what do you think you are doing?” asked Legolas with a disapproving air, noting Coralie’s weak attempt to rise.

“Getting up of course,” she said.

“You shall do no such thing!” and even before he had finished speaking, Coralie found herself once again in the secure arms of Legolas as he held her near.

“Am I never to walk on my own two feet again?” she asked gazing up at Legolas as he carried her along beneath the silver lamps that now shone down from the trees above.

Legolas smiled softly down at her. “Not until I have deemed you are fit to try Titheniel, and in the meantime you will have to be content to let me carry you in my arms.”

“Oh! You are spoiling me Legolas. I could get used to this and then what good will I be to anyone?” sighed Coralie.

“Titheniel, you have done more good than you realise already,” Legolas replied.

Coralie looked up at him trying to understand the meaning that lay behind his words.

“Why is everyone calling me Tith.?Tithen….?”

“Titheniel? Why, that is what I have dubbed you. It means little maiden,” laughed Legolas softly.

“Little maiden? Why I am hardly that Legolas. I am tall enough and come up to your shoulder.”

Suddenly her eyes met his and she found herself falling as it were into a deep well of time, the endless ripples of long ages beyond her reckoning washed over her soul, and she knew fully, that he spoke the truth.

Presently their path brought them before two great gates, upon which Haldir knocked and spoke. The gates opened soundlessly at his word, though no guards could be seen. The city of the trees was before them. No folk could they see, though many fair voices in song fell down as soft rain upon the Company from above. Following after Haldir, they wound their way along many paths, and climbed many stairs, until they came at last to a broad lawn. A sparkling fountain graced the centre, its waters reflecting the silver lamps that hung low on trees about it, as it fell into a silver basin, before flowing down as a white stream. The mightiest of trees stood upon the south side,
towering above them, where it opened its branches amid a cloud of leaves. Three Elves clad in mail, with long white cloaks were seated at its base beside a broad white ladder, and sprang up as the Company approached.

“Here dwell Celeborn and Galadriel,” said Haldir. “It is their wish that you should ascend and speak with them.”

Standing at once, one of the Elf wardens blew a single clear note into a silvery horn. It was answered three times from above.

“I will go first,” said Haldir. “Let Frodo come next and then Legolas. The others may follow as they wish. It is a long climb for those that are not accustomed to such stairs, but you may rest on the way.”

After they had ascended some way, Coralie looked down over the side and caught her breath at the steep drop; she unknowingly increased her grip around Legolas' neck.

"Gimli was right," he laughed. "You do have some strength!"

"Actually, I think I am rather glad that you are carrying me at the moment," she replied.

"Believe me Lady, I am well aware of that," he responded with a smile.


Climbing up slowly, Frodo passed many flets. A wide talan , like the deck of a great ship greeted him almost at the top of the tree. A house so large that it would have served as a great hall of Men upon the earth, was built upon it. Frodo followed behind Haldir as he entered it, and found that he was standing in an oval shaped chamber. Through the centre, the mighty mallorn tree, now tapering towards its crown, stood as a living pillar as its centerpiece. Soft light emanated throughout the chamber as it lightly danced on the golden roof, and walls of silver and green. Many Elves were seated there. On two great chairs, canopied by a living bough, were seated Celeborn and Galadriel, the Lord and lady of the Galadrim. They stood up to greet Frodo, as was their manner in greeting guests. Clad wholly in white, with golden hair, they seemed both tall and beautiful to Frodo, with an air of gravity about their countenances, that bespoke the importance of his mission beyond any explanation he would have gladly given. The keen depths of their eyes, announced the long ages they had spent in Middle Earth, whilst their features showed no outward sign.

Celeborn greeted Frodo in his own tongue, whilst the Lady Galadriel said no word, but looked long upon his face.

"Sit now beside my chair, Frodo of the Shire!” said Celeborn. "When all have come we will speak together."

"Welcome son of Thranduil! Too seldom do my kindred journey hither from the North! I see that you have i titheniel with you. You also are welcome, Lady. Come Legolas, we have a chair for her here," directed Celeborn as Legolas sat her down.

As each of the Company entered, he greeted them courteously by their name.

"Welcome Aragorn son of Arathorn!" he said. "It is eight and thirty years of the world outside since you came to this land; and those years lie heavy on you. But the end is near, for good or ill. Here lay aside your burden for a while!"


"Welcome Gimli son of Glóin! It is long indeed since we saw one of Durin's folk in Caras Galadon. But today we have broken our long law. May it be a sign that though the world is now dark better days are at hand, and that friendship shall be renewed between our peoples." Gimli bowed low before taking a seat.

When all were seated before his chair, the Lord of the Galadrim looked at them again.

[PunkRock12]

Into the fog!
I'm ubessed with that saying.
Love the story!

[Lady Coralie]

"Here there are but nine, though there should have been ten. One of your company has been replaced by i titheniel. Tell me where is Gandalf? Was there some change of counsel? Although I cannot understand the wisdom in sending a maiden in his place."

Coralie cast down her eyes at the mention of Gandalf's name.

"Nay, there was no change of counsel," said the Lady Galadriel, as her eyes fell upon Coralie where they remained for a long time before at last she spoke again. Her voice deep with music, more than a woman's wont, spoke clear and firm.

"Gandalf the Grey set out with the Company, but he did not pass the borders of this land. Now tell us where he is; for I much desired to speak with him again. But I cannot see him from afar, unless he comes within the fences of Lothlórien: a grey mist is about him, and the ways of his feet are hidden from me."

"Alas!" said Aragorn. "Gandalf the Grey fell into shadow. he remained in Moria and did not escape.


At these words, all the Elves in the hall cried aloud in grief and amazement. Coralie stifled a sob as it caught in her throat.

"These are evil tidings," said Celeborn, "the most evil that have spoken here in long years full of grievous deeds." he turned to Haldir. "Why has nothing of this been told to me before?" he asked in the Elven-tongue.

"We have not spoken to Haldir of our deeds or our purpose. At first we were weary and danger was too close behind. I Titheniel, was dangerously ill with poison from an Orc’s blade, and we feared for her life; and afterwards we almost forgot our grief for a time, as we walked with gladness on the fair paths of Lothlórien.”

“Yet our grief is great and our loss cannot be mended,” said Frodo. “Gandalf was our guide, and he led us through Moria; and when our escape seemed beyond hope he saved us, and he fell.”

“Tell us now the full tale!” said Celeborn.

Aragorn then recounted all that had befallen them, from the evil way that cruel Caradhras had defeated them, to the meeting with Coralie as they were descending, then the days that followed, of Balin’s last days and the finding of his tomb within the Chamber of Mazarbul, how they had fled across the Bridge, and of Gandalf’s fall with the Balrog.

“A Balrog of Morgoth,” said Legolas; “Of all elf–banes the most deadly, save the One who sits in the Dark Tower.”

“Indeed I saw upon the bridge that which haunts our darkest dreams, I saw Durin’s Bane,” said Gimli in a low voice, and dread was in his eyes.

“Alas!” said Celeborn. “We long have feared that under Caradhras a terror slept. But had I known that the Dwarves had stirred up this evil in Moria again, I would have forbidden you to pass our northern borders, you and all that went with you. And if it were possible, one would say that at the last Gandalf fell from wisdom into folly, going needlessly into the net of Moria.”

“He would be rash indeed that said that thing,” said Galadriel gravely. “Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life. Those that followed him knew not his mind and cannot report his full purpose. But however it may be with the guide, the followers are blameless. Do not repent of your welcome to the Dwarf. If our folk had been exiled long and far from Lothlórien, who of the Galadrim, even Celeborn the Wise, would pass nigh and would not wish to look upon their ancient home, though it had become an abode of dragons? Dark is the water of Kheled-zâram, and cold are the springs of Kibil-nâla, and fair were the many pillared halls of Khazad-dûm in Elder Days before the fall of mighty kings beneath the stone.” She looked upon Gimli, who sat glowering and sad, and she smiled. Looking up to meet her eyes, as he heard the names spoken in his own tongue, Gimli was surprised to see love and understanding in the heart of a former enemy, rather than disregard and hatred.

Bowing in dwarf fashion he addressed the Lady; “Yet more fair is the living land of Lórien, and the Lady Galadriel is above all the jewels that lie beneath the earth!”

Silence followed, until at last Celeborn spoke again.

“I did not know your plight was so evil,” he said. “Let Gimli forget my harsh words: I spoke in the trouble of my heart. I will do what I can to aid you, each according to his or her wish or need, but especially that one of the little folk who bears the burden.”

“Your quest is known to us,” said Galadriel, looking at Frodo. “But we will not here speak of it more openly. Yet not in vain will it prove, maybe, that you came to this land seeking aid, as Gandalf himself plainly purposed. For the Lord of the Galadrim is accounted the wisest of the Elves of Middle Earth, and a giver of gifts beyond the power of kings. He has dwelt in the West since the days of dawn, and I have dwelt with him years uncounted; for ere the fall of Nargothrond or Gondolin I passed over the mountains, and together through ages of the world we have fought the long defeat. I it was who summoned the White Council. And if my designs had not gone amiss, it would have been governed by Gandalf the Grey, and then mayhap things would have gone otherwise. But even now there is hope left. I will not give you counsel, saying do this, or do that. For not in doing or contriving, nor in choosing between this course and another, can I avail; but only in knowing what was and is, and in part also what shall be. But this I will say to you: your Quest stands upon the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and it will fail, to the ruin of all. Yet hope remains while the Company is true.”

Holding each one in turn with her eyes, she looked searchingly at them. From amongst them all, only Aragorn and Legolas could withstand her glance. Sam blushed and hung his head. Releasing them from her eyes, Galadriel smiled.

“Do not let your hearts be troubled,” she said. “Tonight you shall sleep in peace.”

As though released from a long interrogation, each of the Company sighed and felt suddenly weary.

“Go now!” said Celeborn. “You are worn with sorrow and much toil. Even if your Quest did not concern us closely, you should have refuge in this City, until you were healed and refreshed. Now you will rest, and we will not speak of your further road for a while.”

[PunkRock12]

Very good!
Into the fog
lol

[Astaliel]

awsome story so far!! keep it up! :wiggle:

[PunkRock12]

I love this story!
It is great!
My stories look like crud compared to yours.
(and my friends say I have great skill in writing
and I myself want to be writer.)
:notworthy:
I gave this story a big :smooch:
Lol okay I'll stop having my stupidity moments
Into the fog!

[Lady Coralie]

You guys are so funny. Sorry it is sometimes a while until I get back to you. I do all of this stuff from work, and I'm often too busy at times to come back and check, even though the site says I'm online. So I'm not being rude or anything. Anyway, it is 6.10 pm and I'm still at work. so here is the rest of Lothlórien.

Thanks for the kiss...so cutelol

[Lady Coralie]

“I will have a place prepared for the Lady, and shall send for her when it is ready,” said Galadriel as she smiled at Coralie. “I should like to speak with her some more.”

Taking their leave of the Lord and the Lady of the Galadrim, the Company wove a descending path down the mighty mallorn-tree, with Legolas once more bearing Coralie in his arms.

“Third floor; kitchenware, home furnishings, Manchester. Second Floor; mens wear, sporting goods, electronic equipment. First floor; ladies wear, lingerie, cosmetics…….”

“What are you talking about?” asked Legolas with an amused smile.

Coralie laughed. “I’m pretending that we are going floor to floor in a big department store, (like a market Legolas) and these are the sorts of goods you can buy on each one.”

“Really?” he replied. “What was on the first floor again? I think we are low enough now.”

“Um….That was ladies wear, cosmetics, lingerie.”

“Lingerie?” queried Legolas. “What is that exactly?”

“It’s ladies underwear,” Coralie said matter of factly, until she looked up and caught the twinkle in his eye. “Oh you!” she exclaimed while she gave him a playful slap.

“Well I’m glad to see you at least have some of your spirit back, Lady,” he laughed.

Glad at last to be on the ground, the Company fell upon the soft couches that the Elves had laid out in pavilions at the base of the trees round about. Together they talked about all that had befallen them since entering Lothlórien, for to look further back would have been too disheartening.

“What did you blush for, Sam?” said Pippin. “You soon broke down. Anyone would have thought you had a guilty conscience, I hope it was nothing worse than a wicked plot to steal one of my blankets.”

“I never thought no such thing,” answered Sam, in no mood for jest. “If you want to know, I felt as if I hadn’t got nothing on, and I didn’t like it. She seemed to be looking inside me and asking me what I would do if she gave me the chance of flying back home to the Shire to a nice little hole with - with a bit of a garden of my own.”

“That’s funny,” said Merry. “Almost exactly what I felt myself; only, only well, I don’t think I’ll say anymore,” he ended lamely.

“What about you Coralie?” asked Pippin still incessantly curious. “What did the Lady say to you? You would seem to be the most strangest of our group, being a lady from the future and all. I bet she was very interested in you!”

Legolas had seated Coralie on a couch, where she sat still wrapped in her blanket beside him. She looked rather uncomfortable at first and looked down at her fingers, which she fidgeted with for some time.

“Well?” said Pippin pressing for information.

“Just girl stuff,” answered Coralie a little nervously.

“Girl stuff! What sort of answer is that?” came Pippin’s retort.

“It obviously means ‘mind your own business’, Peregrine Took,” stated Merry, suddenly annoyed with his friend.

“And I would agree with Master Merry, Pippin. Perhaps the ladies did indeed discuss matters that only concern themselves and it would be improper for us to press the matter further,” said Legolas firmly.

“To me it seemed exceedingly strange,” said Boromir. “Maybe it was only a test, and she thought to read our thoughts for her own good purpose; but almost I should have said that she was tempting us, and offering what she pretended to have the power to give. It need not be said that I refused to listen. The Men of Minas Tirith are true to their word.” Then turning to Frodo he continued. “She held you long in her gaze, Ring-Bearer. What did she say to you?”

But of what passed between himself and the Lady Galadriel, Frodo would not say.

“Whatever came into my mind, I will keep there,” he replied.

“Well, have a care!” said Boromir. “I do not feel sure of this Elvish Lady and her purposes.”

“Speak no evil of the Lady Galadriel!” said Aragorn sternly. “You know not what you say. There is in her and in this land no evil, unless a man bring it hither himself. Then let him beware!”

From above the sound of fair Elvish voices wafted down in mournful melody, and they knew by the very tone, that it was a lament for Gandalf, whom they called Mithrandir.

“A lament for Gandalf,” spoke Legolas.

“What do they say about him?” asked Merry.

“I have not the heart to tell you. For me the grief is still too near,” he answered sadly.

It was Frodo who first put something of his sorrow into song as the lamentation of the Elves grew in his heart.

When evening in the Shire was grey
His footsteps on the Hill were heard;
Before the dawn he went away
On journey long without a word.

From Wilderland to Western shore,
From northern waste to southern hill,
Through dragon-lair and hidden door
And darkling woods he walked at will.

With Dwarf and Hobbit, Elves and Men,
With mortal and immortal folk,
With bird on bough and beast in den,
In their own secret tongues he spoke.

A deadly sword, a healing hand
A back that bent beneath its load;
A trumpet-voice, a burning brand,
A weary pilgrim on the road.

A lord of wisdom throned he sat,
Swift in anger, quick to laugh;
An old man in a battered hat
Who leaned upon a thorny staff.

He stood upon the bridge alone
And Fire and Shadow both defied;
His staff was broken on the stone,
In Khazad-dûm his wisdom died.


“Why, you’ll be beating Mr. Bilbo next!” said Sam.

“No, I am afraid not,” said Frodo. “But that is the best I can do yet.”

“Well, Mr Frodo, if you do have another go, I hope you’ll say a word about his fireworks,” said Sam. “Something like this:

The finest rockets ever seen:
They burst in stars of blue and green,
Or after thunder golden showers
Came falling like a rain of flowers.

Though that doesn’t do them justice by a long road.”

“No, I’ll leave that to you, Sam. Or perhaps to Bilbo. But – well, I can’t talk of it any more. I can’t bear to think of bringing the news to him.”

[Lady Coralie]

“Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is a music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.”

Startled, Sam and Frodo looked over at Coralie along with the others. She was standing upright, sans blanket with her eyes looking afar into some distant space and time. Legolas stood up beside her and lightly placed his hand on her shoulder.

“She is fey!” said Boromir to Aragorn, who now held fast a grim expression upon his face.

“They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted:
They fell with faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from our sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the night

As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end they remain.”

For a moment there was silence as each contemplated the verses Coralie had just spoken. The music from the Elves still fell softly upon their sorrow, making their anguish all the more keener still. In spite of Legolas’ gentle hand, Coralie stood adamant as if she had been carved from stone. Then, as though cut from living crystal, with a voice fashioned from the oldest griefs, high and clear she sang;


Oh Danny boy,
The pipes,
The pipes are calling
From glen to glen,
And down the mountain side
The summer’s gone,
And all the flowers dying
‘Tis you, ‘tis you must go
And I must bide.

But come ye back
When summer’s in the meadow
Or when the valley’s hushed
And white with snow
‘Tis I’ll be here
In sunshine
Or in shadow
Oh Danny boy,
Oh Danny boy,
I love you so

But when ye you come
And all the roses falling
And I am dead,
As dead I well may be
Go out and find
The place where I am lying
And kneel and say
An Ave there for me

And I will hear,
Tho’ soft you tread
Above me
And then my grave
Will warm and sweeter be
For you shall bend
And tell me
That you love me
And I will sleep in peace
Until you come to me.

http://synergy-records.com/eva/

http://music.walmart.com/m/007/39/34/10/07/52/0073934100752.01.01.010.mp3

http://musicgreetings.mp3.com/card?val=aAaT2zkgS&card_id=5895142

And while she painted the ‘Air’ with her voice, every song of mourning from above, every soft spoken word, every imagination, cast itself upon her canvas of woe. There was singing within her song, of young men’s voices raised with bravado and patriotic fervour, as ships pulled away from quays. And sweethearts, mothers, daughters, grim and fierce with love: bidding them farewell with jealous duty. Boys who should have been in school, tasting the mud, the blood and tears of combat, the glory of youth cut down. Of valour and self-sacrifice, laying down one’s life for a brother, a comrade, the noise of battle and the mercy of silence. Fathers bent over with grief at sons who had gone before them, too soon, too early, young desperate lives lost beyond the measure of their worth.

For a moment, silence more profound than the grave itself, descended upon the Company, save the soft wash of tears that fell from every eye, for hers was the chief lament.

She fell, then into her grief, and lay upon the ground sobbing, and none could comfort her, until Galadriel herself came and spoke softly to her as Legolas held her in his arms. Then he and Aragorn, carrying her pack, followed Galadriel to the chamber she had prepared for i titheniel.




http://www.anzacs.net/MainCinemaV1.htm For the Fallen

http://www.anzacs.net/CinemaCJD1singing.htm CJ Dennis

[Astaliel]

Poor Coralie! :mecry: I wish I could write as well as you. I love you're story!! :grin:

[PunkRock12]

Great story! I love it.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Oh, this is really, really good!

:p I love it!

Into the Fog!

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks everyone. Been off with a migraine...back now. Will post next part!

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 21


The Unseen Escort

Legolas lay Coralie gently down on the bed that Galadriel had prepared for her, before the Lady of the Wood drew them both reluctantly away. They spoke quietly at the door of her chamber, as she wept.

“Come. You can do no more for her at present, though I perceive that if it were in your power to assuage her grief, you would gladly do so,” said Galadriel softly.

Aragorn and Legolas nodded their assent.

“Her suffering is great, and not all of it can be accounted for by the wound on her arm. I fear there is a deeper wound to her heart.” She continued. “You have done all you can. Allow me to care for her in my own fashion, Gentlemen. You are worn with care for i titheniel, and have need of comfort and rest of both heart and body, as well as she.”

Aragorn looked sadly beyond Galadriel towards Coralie, before returning his gaze to the Lady.

“I entrust her to your care Lady, and know that she is in capable hands,” he said. Legolas lingered by the door for a moment longer as Galadriel took him by the arm.

“Have no fear, Gentlemen. I shall tend to her as if she were my own daughter, for I perceive a glory in her spirit that is more than the usual wont of mortal women, though her trials of late have proven very hard. Am I not right in this?” She looked keenly at them both.

“Aye,” replied Legolas. “You are right,” as Aragorn nodded in agreement.

“And I would hear the full tale of this titheniel, who has captured both your hearts, and admiration, but now is not the time,” said Galadriel. “You have done much for her already, but she is in sore need of the companionship and understanding that only another female’s heart can provide.”

“I understand,” acknowledged Legolas.

“And I,” added Aragorn. “Come Legolas. Let us go and find rest for ourselves. We can do nothing more here, and the Lady will call upon us if we are needed. But I for one, am very glad that it is she who will tend to Coralie herself, and that eases my heart greatly.”

They watched as Galadriel entered the chamber to sit by Coralie’s side, and gently embrace her as she sang sweetly, before turning away.

Daybreak broke softly into the chamber where Coralie had slept. On first awakening, she knew not where she was, being unaccustomed to the luxury of a bed for quite a while, and thought she may have woken from a dream, until the mallorn leaves rustled softly about her chamber. Scattered images from the previous day and night, floated through her memory. Her fingers strayed to her lips as if trying to recall by touch the faint tenderness of a kiss. Had Legolas really kissed her, or was that part of a dream? The sweet reverie caressed her spirit as she decided it had really happened, until the other memories came flooding in, and reopened the wounds that sorrow had graven upon her heart.

“Gandalf,” she cried softly. It was now the fourth day since he had fallen from the bridge, and still his sudden loss gnawed painfully at her soul. Wiping away her tears with one hand, Coralie sat up slowly and looked about. Someone had brought in food and drink, and placed it on a small wooden table by her bed during the night. She could dimly recall a beautiful song from somewhere as it played on the edges of her thoughts. Then she remembered weeping in Galadriel’s arms for a time, before sleep at last overtook her weary heart. Now, morning had broken, and the long sad night was behind her as a new song drifted into her chamber, soothing in its melody and intent.

“Am I to spend the rest of my days lying down in sorrow?” she thought as she rose. “This will never do. I can’t do this anymore. The only cure for me is to keep busy and find some other way to occupy my time. I must distract myself, or I will surely go mad with grief.” These thoughts crowded her mind, as she ate and drank, glad of the familiar satisfaction of a full stomach. When she had finished, she grabbed her pack, and quickly changed, wearing her bikini underneath a clean pair of leggings and t-shirt.

“Fair Dinkum!” she thought to herself as she changed. “I am absolutely rank. Surely there is a river around here somewhere I can bathe in. And my clothes! Strike a light! They could just about get up and walk by themselves.”

After some reorganizing of her back-pack, Coralie attached her Clie to her pants and hung her earphones around her neck. Just as she was about to slip out the door, she spied a lute with a long strap attached in a far corner of the room. “Interesting,” she thought as she took it with her. Stepping outside, she found herself upon the same platform that Legolas had carried her up the previous night, only lower down the great tree they had ascended.

“I am on the first floor after all,” she smiled to herself. “Now I must take care of my own lingerie, or people will start avoiding me.”

A lone Elf was standing on the platform near her chamber. She smiled at Coralie and inclined her head,

“Good morning Lady, I am here to attend to you. My name is Nólemíre.”

“G’day Love! Pleased to meet you. Nólemíre is it?” The Elf nodded and smiled. “Well, can you point me in the direction of the river?” Stepping to the edge, Coralie took in the view as the land of Lothlórien swept out before her. But before the Elf could reply, Coralie answered her own question. “Never mind Love! I can see it. I will just follow the trees!” she said with a well-practiced eye for bushcraft, noting where they grew the thickest and greenest in a crowded line in the distance. Coralie looked over her shoulder at the waiting Elf.

“I’m going walkabout!” and with that she took her leave and descended the long narrow path to the bottom.

[Astaliel]

wonderful! I lovvvvvee it! Keep up the good work!!:thumbs:

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

This is really great.

Sorry to hear about your migraine, glad to hear you feel better...

[BeLLe_Etoille]

I have just recently started reading this story, and I have to say... AWESOME work LadyCoralie!! :thumbs: :whoohoo:
The story has a nice flow, it doesn't drag on, great laughs, nice character development, suspense, etc....love it...love it!! :)
Have you also posted this story over at TORC?
Keep up the great work LadyCoralie, and I am definitely looking forward to reading your next installment! :thumbs: :read:
*Can just see the Hobbits "moshing"* lol roflmao

[Lady Coralie]

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Still a bit sick today...got another migraine..will post the next part for you! :)

[Lady Coralie]

Reaching the bottom of the tree, Coralie looked over where the others still lay asleep in the pavilions that the Elves had erected for them.

“Good! Don’t want to have another incident on the path, like the last time,” she thought as she took a sniff under one arm. “Besides, anyone who wanted to try and get that close to me, uninvited or not, would have to be a fool!” Quickly, she scampered off in the direction of the river.

Her path wound leisurely through the forest of mighty Mellyrn that graced the land of Lothlórien. She had strapped the lute about her shoulders, and gently felt along its neck with her left hand as she familiarized herself with the instrument, while she walked. Coralie took her time as she drank in the beauty of her surroundings. She was in no hurry, and paced herself, stopping frequently for rests beside the path, as her former strength had not yet fully returned. At times she would sit with her back against one of the mallorn trees and gently strum the lute and hum, enjoying the texture of the wood and strings against her fingers. During these moments she almost fancied that the trees actually welcomed her playing, as the leaves seemed to whisper around her on the soft breeze that teased them. She played no tune in particular, just random chords and notes at first, developing rather a ‘feel’ for the instrument. Coralie played the guitar rather well, and was pleased to find that the lute also, consisted of six strings, though the frets were not marked.

In this manner of short walks followed by pleasant musical rests, she eventually found herself by the riverbank around mid morning. The surrounding trees overhung the water intent on seeing their beautiful reflections in its depths. Finding a sunny spot in the long grass, Coralie put down her pack and the lute and undressed down to her bikini. After she took off her shoes and socks, she examined the wound on her left arm. A thin red line was all that remained of the ugly laceration that had been there before. Coralie grimaced as she remembered how she had obtained it.

“I can’t believe, how quickly this is healing. Just what exactly is in those athelas leaves anyway?” she thought as she touched the wound gingerly with her right hand and flexed her muscle. “Maybe tomorrow, if I have more energy, I will put this arm to a test.”

Standing up, Coralie took out her toiletries bag and all her dirty clothing and laid them on some rocks by the river. “Time to check out this shake and shiver and clean up before I wilt the flowers with my stench,” she said as she slipped into the water. To her surprise, the water was not as cold as she expected, but rather had a refreshing quality about it. Soon the sweet smell of strawberries lathered the air with its fresh scent as not only Coralie, but all of her clothes endured a thorough scrubbing.

Joining her clothing she had laid out in the sun to dry, Coralie flung herself down upon her towel and let the warmth of the Lothlórien sun conquer all resistance regarding an early return to her chamber. She put all thoughts of worry concerning her whereabouts, on the part of the others, as far away from present mind as possible.

Indeed, Legolas had been the first to approach her chamber in the morning, followed shortly by Aragorn, only to be turned away by Nólemíre. She informed them both, that i titheniel had told her she was going ‘walkabout’, and pointed them in the direction she had gone. Meeting up on the winding platform around the tree, they had decided that a walk to the river, may be a pleasant way to spend the morning, and as Boromir was nowhere in sight, it may also behoove them to go in search of Coralie.

Coralie felt the morning sun beating a path up her back, in spite of its welcoming warmth. “I better put some clothes on, or I will get so badly sunburnt, I will resemble a lobster. I wish my mother had married a Greek or an Italian, instead of a redhead,” she sighed as she put on her leggings and t-shirt again. Grabbing the lute and attaching the Clie to her pants, she selected a music mix file to play as she walked up the path strumming the lute absent mindedly as she sought for the correct chords as she listened to the music.

Eventually her feet left the path, as she was drawn into the deeper beauty of the woods. Walking under the leaves of the forest, she reached out to caress the smooth grey bark of the trees as she passed by and slung the lute over her shoulder. The life within them beckoned her ever deeper into their sanctuary, until she found herself in the middle of a great grove of trees, the height of which she could only guess at. The air hung redolent with unspoken thought, as Coralie imagined the wood about her alive with conversation. Taking off the lute and placing it carefully at the base of one of the trees, she suddenly had an overwhelming urge to embrace it. Although her arms could not possibly reach around its great bole, she felt unusually comforted as she pressed her cheek against its smooth surface.

A new song began to play on the Clie as she stood there embracing the tree, and Coralie felt the tears well up in her eyes, as Mariah Carey’s ‘One Sweet Day’, with Boys II Men joined her in the mournful ballad. She had forgotten this track was in this mix. The sad, sweet sentiment of the song, pierced her heart afresh as she slid to the ground still holding onto the tree as though it were an anchor for her storm tossed soul.


http://www.muchmusic.net/en/listcdinfo.asp?cd=Daydream


Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say
And now it's too late to hold you
'Cause you've flown away
So far away

Never had I imagined
Living without your smile
Feeling and knowing you hear me
It keeps me alive
Alive

[Chorus:]
And I know you're shining down on me from heaven
Like so many friends we've lost along the way
And I know eventually we'll be together
One sweet day

Darling I never showed you
Assumed you'd always be there
I took your presence for granted
But I always cared
And I miss the love we shared

[Chorus]

Although the sun will never shine the same again
I'll always look to a brighter day
Lord I know when I lay me down to sleep
You will always listen as I pray

[Chorus]

Sorry I never told you
All I wanted to say


“Oh Lord,” she cried. “I can’t bear this. My heart cries from a barren place, and you are so far away. You’re so far away, and I can’t find you. I am drowning in my own tears. Am I to be washed away? If so, then wash me away, Lord. Wash me away, for this is more than I can bear.”

A great sigh seemed to pass through the tree as she wept at its base. Eventually, weariness of mind and body overcame her as she lay there clinging to the tree trunk, and she cried herself momentarily to sleep.

Aragorn and Legolas arrived at the riverbank, to find no sign of Coralie except for the faint scent of strawberries as the sun dried out her clothes where she had left them.

“Well, the clothes are a certain indication that she has been here, but where is she now?” asked Aragorn looking about him.

“I think all we have to do is follow the scent of strawberries, and we shall find her soon enough,” responded Legolas. “I do believe she went that way,” he said pointing beyond the path into the woods.

Aragorn laughed. “What are you? An Elf or a bloodhound?” He slapped his shoulder as he made to go in the direction of the trees.

[PunkRock12]

Oh very good Lady C.
I must say Dawnnamira Nerwen I like people
using my saying. :grin:
I do injoy this story of yours!

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Good! Then I shall use it again! :p

Into the Fog!

Please post more soon LadyC

[Lady Coralie]

Here's more of 21 for your reading pleasure!!!

Thanks guys!

[PunkRock12]

Okay

[Lady Coralie]

Coralie opened her eyes aware that a presence had approached her as she lay at the base of the tree.

“Why are you so sad?” tinkled a small sweet voice.

Looking up through bleary eyes, she saw a small child standing in front of her.

“I heard you weeping through the night, and I heard the Lady Galadriel singing to you as well. I would have hoped that made you feel better.”

Coralie sat up and wiped her face as she examined the child more fully. A young, golden haired girl, stood before her with the most exquisite expression of concern upon her features. A circle of tiny flowers crowned her head.

“I lost someone,” replied Coralie as she leaned back against the tree.

“You must have loved them a great deal to be so sad. What is your name?” asked the girl.

“My name is Coralie, What is yours?”

“Támuríle,” she said in reply.

“That is a pretty name. And so are the flowers in your hair. Do you think you can show me how to make one for myself?”

“Of course!” answered Támuríle holding out her hand to Coralie. Together they walked away into the distant sunshine that bordered the forest until they came out under the broad blue sky. The sweet smell of niphredil and elanor gently greeted the two as they sat down in the long grass amongst the flowers. Laying aside the lute, Coralie watched carefully as Támuríle showed her how to thread the flowers together in a chain. She laughed with delight.

“Oh! I haven’t done this since I was a little girl, like you!” Bending her head forward, Támuríle placed the circlet of flowers upon Coralie’s head.

“There! Now you really look like a princess Coralie!” smiled Támuríle.

“Why, thank you so much Sweetie. But I’m not a princess. Although I can pretend for a while, thanks to this little golden crown you just made for me,” laughed Coralie in return.

“Oh!” said Támuríle. “I heard you were a princess.”

“Sorry to disappoint you Love. But I’m just an Aussie instead,” said Coralie looking down at’ Támuríle s disappointed face. “But for you possum. I will be a princess if you want me to. Quick!” said Coralie, plucking a long flower from the grass and handing it to the little Elven child, “Dub me a princess with this
flower, before the magic wears off!”

Standing up with a most solemn expression, Támuríle held out the long golden flower.

“Kneel please, Lady Coralie!” Coralie did as she was bidden and adopted a similar solemn expression as Támuríle held the golden flower aloft. “I, Támuríle of the Golden Wood, dub thee Princess Coralie of the Aussie!” Lightly she dubbed each of Coralie’s shoulders and head then, they both fell into the grass giggling.

Legolas and Aragorn arrived at the edge of the green forest drawn by the tinkle of girlish laughter, as it floated across the meadow. For a moment, they stood there entranced by the sight of Coralie and the girl, giggling gaily as only females can, when the mood is upon them.

“Ah! I see at last you have found what you have sought for so long,” said Haldir stepping up beside them.
Legolas and Aragorn turned to greet the Elf, surprised to find him there. “Do not fear Gentlemen. I titheniel is safe and well, I myself have seen personally to that. You are not the only ones to follow after her this morning. I sent the others on their way.” They both raised their eyebrows at Haldir, following his final statement. “Her privacy has remained, exactly that, and no one has disturbed her. I allowed the two of you to approach only on the basis that she had finished bathing and had disappeared into the woods, long before your arrival.” Noting the exchange between Aragorn and Legolas, Haldir continued. “Do not be overly concerned, the lady’s honour is intact. She did not undress entirely and bathed with some sort of clothing on, if you could actually call it that.” Haldir gave them a reassuring smile.

“And how is it that you know what she wore?” queried Legolas suspiciously.

“It is my job to know these things, Sir. The Lady Galadriel has appointed me her unseen escort, until I return to our borders at the North. She would not have i titheniel feel the restriction of knowing I escorted her, but would rather grant her the freedom of the Wood as she wishes.” he answered.

“Really? I would think that escorting i titheniel around Lothlórien, would be unworthy of your talents, Haldir,” Legolas answered curtly.

“Come Legolas!” interrupted Aragorn. “This is Haldir, the marchwarden of the Galadhrim of Lórien, who has been appointed this task. The Lady Galadriel has shown Coralie a great honour, and you do Haldir here much disservice by taking this position.” He tempered his reprimand with a steady hand upon Legolas’ shoulder.

“Your pardon, Haldir. If I have offended you, I am deeply sorry. Unfortunately, this is not the first time I have felt the need to defend the Lady when she took a bath.”

Haldir inclined his head at Legolas. “I have taken no offence from your remarks. Indeed, if the situation were reversed, I would probably be questioning you at length myself.” For a moment, he looked out across the meadow as he watched Coralie and the little Elven girl play some sort of hand clapping game, as they sat in the grass together. Aragorn and Legolas followed his gaze. “The Lady Galadriel, also sent the child Támuríle to her, and as you can see for yourselves, the lady is safe, and may I even add happy? Is it not good to see her laugh again?”

“Aye. It does my heart good to see her in this mood. I do believe, Legolas, that Galadriel was correct about the need of some female companionship for a while,” said Aragorn smiling at his friend. He looked up suddenly as the four hobbits came sweeping into view, with a weary Dwarf in tow, as they ran across the meadow. “ I thought you said you had sent the others away Haldir?” asked Aragorn.

Haldir laughed. “I did Aragorn, but the hobbits are much too canny at woodcraft to be delayed for any great length of time, and as you can see, the Dwarf has great endurance. However, I sent the man via the long way!” They all laughed as the meaning of his words sunk in. “May I make a suggestion Gentlemen?” he asked turning to them.

Aragorn and Legolas looked at him for a moment before Haldir went on. “’Twould seem to me, that i titheniel had the right idea about taking a bath this morning. How long has it actually been Sirs? Before approaching her you may wish to make good use of that river over yonder first,” Haldir winked at them both, before striding off across the meadow in a vain attempt to intercept the hobbits.

Aragorn laughed as he sniffed the air. “You know Legolas, Haldir is absolutely right. Perhaps we should take a bath first. I don’t think the Lady will mind too much if we use her strawberry scented soap. After all, she is my sister!” he called over his shoulder as he ran through the woods.

“Not if I get there first!” laughed Legolas leaping after him.

[PunkRock12]

LOL Oh gosh
Quote “Not if I get there first!” laughed Legolas leaping after him.
Ah lol !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm laughing my head off!

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Oh...that's great!

I can't wait to read more of this excellent story!

[Lady Coralie]

You asked for it...

Personally..This chapter (22) is one of my favourites!

into the fog!

[Lady Coralie]

An Aussie in King Aragorn’s Court Part 22

Too much kissin’ Going On


“Hey Coralie!” called out Pippin as he dodged past Haldir, who was busy scooping up Merry with one hand and Sam with the other. Frodo, seeing that Haldir had already cornered at least two of them, decided to hang back a little with Gimli.

Looking up from the grass where they lay, imagining shapes in the frothy white clouds that danced in the sky above them, Coralie and Támurile laughed uproariously at the sight of Haldir chasing Pippin around with two hobbits under his arms.

“Oh My God! I’m going to cry!” laughed Coralie falling to the ground again in a convulsing heap. Támurile joined her giggling and crying as well.

“No! Princess! Don’t start to cry again! I couldn’t stand it!” she laughed as they both fell into gales of laughter watching Haldir give chase to Pippin.

“I can’t take anymore of this!” said Coralie standing up shaking with mirth. “I’m going to die of laughter, if I don’t put a stop to this! Oy! Haldir isn’t it? What’s going on?” Both girls were now on their feet, trying to gain some sort of composure, as Haldir momentarily gave up the chase. He still had one Hobbit under each arm as he answered her.

“It would seem Lady, that these Hobbits here are determined to see you, no matter what,” he replied laughing as he chased them around, now more in jest than previously.

“Well, bring them over then!” Coralie called out as she held Támurile’s hand. “Ever met Hobbits before Támurile?” asked Coralie. The little girl shook her head in response. “Get ready!”

“I would if I could catch them Lady!” said Haldir with exasperation.

“No need!” shouted Pippin as he skirted once more around Haldir and ran for the girls.

“Stop!” shouted Coralie, holding up both hands at once as Pippin stopped dead in his tracks. In fact they all did for a moment, surprised by her outburst. Coralie pointed to a spot about 3 feet in the grass in front of Pippin.

“There’s a lute there and you almost trod on it Pip!” she said, relieved at how quickly he had come to a halt.

“Oh, you play then?” responded Pippin completely unfazed. “Oy! She’s got a lute here and she can play it!” he shouted over his shoulder.

“No need to shout Pippin. We’re right here!” said Merry standing behind him. Haldir walked up with Sam, Frodo and Gimli who stood beaming at her.

“Hello Coralie! You look well. How are you today?” asked Frodo genuinely surprised to see her laughing with an Elven child in the middle of a meadow.

“She must be feeling better!” interrupted Pippin. “Look that bruise has faded a bit! It’s a little yellow around the edges now!”

Coralie held up her hand before any could protest Pippins remarkable observation.

“If you tell me it brings out my eyes again, I’ll give you one to match, and then a fine pair we will be!” she laughed as Pippin extended his forehead in her direction, eyes closed tight half expecting her to carry out her threat.

“Go on Coralie! I deserve it!” he grimaced. Instead Coralie bent down and kissed him. Pippin’s eyes opened wide with joy. “She kissed me! She kissed me! Tell me I’m the first Hobbit to win a kiss from the Lady!” he was tugging on Merry’s jacket as he danced around.

“Yes you are the first!” sighed Merry. “Now get off me, or I’ll plant that bruise on your forehead you so richly deserve!”

“And I’ll give him one next,” said Sam as well.

“Excuse me Lady. Is this too much mayhem for you at the moment? Would you like me to escort the hobbits to a safer distance?” asked Haldir with an amused smile on his features.

“No Haldir, But thanks mate. I think I can handle them,” she laughed.

“Good Day to you Lady,” said Gimli stepping up taking her hand in his. “The Hobbits and I have been on a merry chase all morning to find you,” he gave a small sideways glance in Haldir’s direction. “But we are indeed glad to find you well and refreshed, for if I’m not mistaken….I can smell strawberries!” his eyes twinkled merrily as he held her hand.

“We took a bath too!” cried Pippin. “Although we didn’t have the luxury of strawberry soap such as yourself. I hope you can smell the difference!” he sniffed a bit under his arms as he said this.

“Pippin, where are your manners?” asked Merry with exasperation.

Coralie and Támurile giggled at Pippin’s confession. “Yes, I can tell or rather, smell the difference Pippin. But where are my manners. This is Támurile, a new friend I have made here.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance Támurile,” said Pippin bowing with all the grace he could muster as Sam kicked him in the pants.

“Hey!”

“Gentlemen, if you cannot behave in these ladies’ presence, I will indeed escort you back to the pavilions,” said Haldir looking sternly down at them.

“It’s alright Haldir. Honestly!” laughed Coralie.

“So what are you doing with a lute then, Coralie? Can you really play it?” asked Merry.

“Well, I only picked it up today, Merry, but I do believe I can play a song or two on it with some practice,” she replied.

“Then what are we waiting for Coralie?” said Merry, plonking himself down in the grass. “A song would be grand right now.”

“Alright! But you will have to put up with plenty of mistakes, as I’m still learning how to play this lute. I’m more used to a guitar!” she said taking up the lute and sitting down.

“What about something from your homeland, Coralie. I would like to hear you sing something exclusively Australian!” suggested Pippin as the others, nodding in agreement, seated themselves in a circle on the ground.

[PunkRock12]

Oh that was grand!
Into the fog,
Into the fog!
(Dancing around like little Pippin)
Very good!
Post more!

[Silverleaf]

LadyCoralie, I love your story!! I found it quite by accident when searching for fanfic - and I am so happy I came across it! Of course, I stayed up til 2am reading when I found it, so I wasn't so happy with myself the next day, but it was well worth it.

Please, please post more, I can't wait to read what happens!

[PunkRock12]

Hello Silverleaf I'm so glaid you are reading Lady C. story with us and welcome to War of The Ring Community. I hope you will have a good time here! As all of us do on this website.
Post more Lady C.
Into the fog!

[Elleth]

That was great! Post more please!

[Lady Coralie]

Righty O gang...Here it comes

Into the fog!!!!!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

[Lady Coralie]

Coralie strummed a few chords on the lute, as she considered this request. She looked up at Haldir, who was standing on the outside of the circle behind Gimli.

“Please Haldir. Won’t you join us? That is if you have nothing better to do at the moment.”

Haldir coughed. “Ahem, well actually…”

“Oh please do!” cried Támurile and Coralie together, which set them off a-giggling again.

“Well, I suppose I could join you all for a little while,” he said slipping in between Gimli and Merry, who suddenly produced a bag of apples, he had been carrying around.

“Look! I brought food!” he shouted with glee.

“And I too!” cried Pippin producing some loaves of bread he had hidden on his person. “They’re a bit squashed, but they’re still edible,” he said tearing off a piece and stuffing it into his mouth.

Coralie looked at Frodo. “Don’t tell me, you brought cheese!”

“How did you know that?” he asked as two rounds of cheese magically appeared from out of his pack.

“And I too!” said Sam, not to be outdone by Frodo as he produced another round from his pack as well.

They all laughed again as Gimli then brought out a water-skin and some cups.

“Never let it be said that we Dwarves come unprepared.”

Coralie was still strumming away on her lute, trying to decide what to play, and how the chord progression should proceed.

“So what are you going to play then?” asked Sam, impressed by her quick finger play upon the lute’s neck.

“Um…let me see. Would you like to hear “Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport, Give Me a Home Among the Gum Trees, or a song about a bird that laughs, ……?

“A bird that can laugh?” asked Pippin with a mouthful of bread, cheese and apple all at once.

“Pippin, say it don’t spray it! Yes a bird that can laugh. In Australia we have birds that can laugh. They are called Kookaburras.”

“Oh do go on Coralie! Birds that can laugh, called kookaburras? Now I’ve heard everything!” replied Pippin skeptically.

“No you haven’t heard everything Pippin, for Australia has some of the most unusual creatures ever created. And I will tell you about them later. Now do you want a song or not?”

“Yes please!” the hobbits cried together.

“Okay. This is called Botany Bay. I think I will start you off at the beginning. As you know Australia was first founded by convicts,” she said as she quickly worked out the chord progression.

“Don’t worry Haldir, Coralie’s descended from royalty, so she won’t be taking the silver with her when she goes!” interrupted Pippin.

“See, I knew you were a princess!” said Támurile looking up at Coralie, who then shook her head, slightly annoyed at Pippin.

“Well, considering the fact that most of the convicts were transported for life to Australia, for stealing a loaf of bread, because they were hungry….You’d be a prime suspect to haul before the magistrate.”

They all laughed as Pippin almost choked on the bread he was eating and put on his most innocent face.

“Okay Gang! Here we go. And don’t forget to join in on the chorus!”


http://www.rolfharrissongs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/botany_bay.htm

Botany Bay

Farewell to old England forever
Farewell to you numbskulls as well
And farewell to the well known Old Bailey
Where I always did look such a swell

Singing Tooral liooral liattity
Singing Tooral liooral liay
Singing Tooral liooral liattity
And I'll see you in Botany Bay

Now my crime against the old British nation
Was to take some dry bread one fine day (Everyone then looked at Pippin who gulped)
T'was death or T'was transportation
So they tossed a coin and sent me away

Singing Tooral liooral liattity
Singing Tooral liooral liay
Singing Tooral liooral liattity
And I'll see you in Botany Bay

Now there's the captain he's our commander
(SPOKEN well that stands to reason doesn't it?)
There's the bosun and all of the crew too
There's the first and the second class passengers
Only know what we poor convicts go through

Singing Tooral liooral liattity
Singing Tooral liooral liay
Singing Tooral liooral liattity
And I'll see you in Botany Bay

Now take warning you Dukes and blummin' old fat Duchesses
Pay close attention to what I say
Just make sure it's your own what you touchesses
Or you'll join us in Botany Bay

Singing Tooral liooral liattity
Singing Tooral liooral liay
Singing Tooral liooral liattity
And I'll see you in Botany Bay
And I'll see you in Botany Bay


“That’s a merry tune for a sad subject!” said Gimli impressed with the song.

“Not really Gimli. Otherwise, there’d be no Australia, and I may not even exist!” said Coralie. “Do you want to sing it again?”

“Yes!” The Hobbits chorused at once. So they sang the song again. Whether the magic that Coralie was able to wield when she sang, was as a result of her being transported to Middle Earth, or a hidden gift that she had always possessed was lost upon her, being unawares of the power her voice held in song. However, it was not lost on the others, who suddenly felt the swell of the ocean underneath them, as the sails billowed in answer to the rising breeze, the pervasive smell of salty air and even felt the misery of the convicts, torn from kith and kin, chained up below decks. When they insisted on a third rendition, Coralie turned to Haldir.

“I must warn you Haldir, that these Hobbits will sing the same song over and over again, until you can’t take any more, so I’m going to change the tune and not give them the chance.” He merely laughed, so taken was he by her song and the images she had brought to life, that he wouldn’t have minded her singing it again. He looked at her with a new respect that he found surprising, for she was a mere mortal, and had not counted them to possess any gifts, such as were reserved for the Elves alone. Támurile gazed up at Coralie with innocent wonder, and then at Haldir, who then smiled secretly at her, confirming her thought, that Coralie was completely unaware of what transpired whenever she sang.

“Hey! That’s not fair!” cried Pippin.

“Do you want to sing or not?” asked Coralie with her best ‘teacher’s’ tone she could muster. “Crikey!” she thought “They can be worse than the 4th grade sometimes.”

[Silverleaf]

Thank you for the welcome, PunkRock - and thank YOU for the new addition to your story, LadyC.! ;o)

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

Oh! This is great!

'Never let it be said Dwarves come unprepared.' Oh, this is rich!

I'm eagerly waiting for more...

[Lady Melanie]

Hi Im from South Africa
I Love ur story nd cant wait to hear more of it!

[PunkRock12]

Welcome Legolaa, The Elf to WOTR
INTO THE FOG! (<chants that until Lady C. posts more) INTO THE FOG!

[Lady Coralie]

HI! Wow south Africa eh? That's cool...Gonna post more!

Yee Haa...

No I mean into the fog!!!!

[Lady Coralie]

“Now where were we? Oh yes. After the convicts, came the settlers, wanting to move to a new land. One of the main ways you could make a living was in wool growing. There is an old saying that “Australia rides on the sheep’s back”, because we are one of the primary producers of wool. This song is called ‘Click Go the Shears’ and it’s about shearing the sheep. A blue bellied ‘joe’ is a sheep that has just been shorn. A ‘snagger’ is a lucky bloke and a ‘ringer’ is the champion shearer. That’s all the translation I’m going to give you. You should pick up the chorus easily. Join in when you can.”


http://www.rolfharrissongs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/click_go_the_shears.htm

Click go the Shears

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"

Out on the boards the old shearer stands
Grasping his shears in his thin bony hands
Fixed is his eye on the blue-bellied "joe"
And glory if he gets her, won't he make the ringer go

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"

Out in the middle on his caned bottom chair
Sits the boss of the joint, with his eyes everywhere
He watches every fleece as it comes up to the screen
Pays particular attention if it's taken off clean

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"

Well the tar boy is there and he's in great demand
With his blackened tar-pot in his tarry hand
He sees an old sheep with a cut upon her back
And this is what he's waiting for "Tar here Jack!"

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"

Well the colonial-experience man he is there, of course
With his shiny leggin's like he just got off his horse
He casts his blummin eyes around just like a connoisseur
And you can hear him whistling "Ain't I the perfect lure!"

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"

Well the shearing is over, we've all had our pay
Pack up your swags boys and lets be on our way
The first pub we come to we'll all have a spree
With everybody shouting "Well have a drink with me!"

Click go the shears boys, click, click, click
Wide is his blow and his hands move quick
The ringer looks around and he's beaten by a blow
And curses the old snagger with the blue-bellied "joe"


“Now I suppose you Hobbits want that one again? Am I right?” The Hobbits all looked at her and nodded vigorously. Coralie rolled her eyes at them in mock frustration. “Okay then. How can I resist?”

“Shame there isn’t a pub around here to drink to the shearing champions, Coralie!” said Sam with a laugh, relishing the images of hard, working men drowning their parched throats with cool draughts of beer. It reminded him very much of The Green Dragon, and he missed the warm camaraderie of familiar conversation over a drink, and songs with his ‘mates’, as Coralie would put it.

“Well, somehow, I don’t think that the lack of a pub would stop you Hobbits from trying anyway!” Coralie replied.

“Hey Haldir! Got any ale around here somewhere?” Haldir just laughed at Merry’s request.

“Or how about a pair of shears? I reckon Pippin’s hair needs a good cutting, and we could pretend he is a sheep!” cried Merry, terribly amused by the prospect of ‘shearing’ Pippin’s head.

“Stop that Merry!” admonished Coralie, as Merry tugged at Pippin’s hair. Merry obliged by sitting as far away as possible from Pippin who had tried to return the gesture in kind. When you both have settled down, I will continue,” the two hobbits then sat up straight –away, with the purest look of devotion written across their features. Sighing to herself, Coralie went on.

“Now I would be amiss, if I didn’t sing to you Australia’s most famous song of all, Waltzing Matilda. Waltzing Matilda is a song about an Australian hobo I guess you'd call him. He wanders through the bush land of Australia, and he takes all his meagre belongings wrapped up in an old blanket, which is strung across his shoulders with an old piece of twine, and this is called his swag. Hence the name swagman.

“What about Orcs and such? Does he have to worry about those?” asked Frodo.

“There are no Orcs that I know of In Australia, Frodo. I think his biggest worry would have been snakes,” she replied.

“Snakes!” cried the Hobbits together.

“Australia has the ten deadliest snakes in the world, as well as the deadliest spider, and the deadliest marine stingers, and the deadliest creature in the world is the Blue Ringed Octopus! Of course it is found in Australia! One bite from that little beast and you will be dead within minutes….Oh we have the deadliest of everything…...but don’t worry. If you ever run across a snake…just give me a holler and I will protect you.” She added with a wink before she went on.


“Now affectionately or otherwise the swagman refers to his swag as Matilda, it’s like his only companion as he wanders through the bush tracks, he finds himself talking to it as if it’s a real person. So the term Waltzing Matilda has nothing to do with dancing at all, it means in fact carrying this thing on your back through the long lonely stretches of the Australian bush. Couple of other terms quickly, pay attention because I will be asking questions afterwards about this. A billabong is a pool of deep water, a billy is a little tin can they boil the tea in, a jumbuck is a sheep, er tucker bag is a bag for carrying tucker. What else? The squatter is the big land owner, that's enough! Let’s get on with the song.”


http://www.rolfharrissongs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/waltzing_matilda.htm

Waltzing Matilda

Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong
Under the shade of a Coolibah tree
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he watched and waited till his billy boiled
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
Then down came a jumbuck to drink at that billabong
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him with glee
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And he sang as he shoved that jumbuck in his tucker bag
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
Then down came the squatter mounted on his thoroughbred
Down came the troopers one two three
Right-o where's that jolly jumbuck that you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
Right-o where's that jolly jumbuck that you've got in your tucker bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
So up jumped the swagman and he sprang into that billabong
You'll never take me alive said he
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a-waltz ....
Waltzing Matilda, Waltzing Matilda
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me
And his ghost may be heard as you pass by that billabong
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me.


“Coralie! “Why did that ‘swagman’ kill himself rather than go quietly with the men who captured him?” asked Sam intrigued by the image of the swagman drowning himself.

“Australians love their freedom Sam. There is nothing worse for us than being locked up forever with the key thrown away,” she replied.

“Really?” asked Merry, butting in. “You mean to say that he would rather die for a bit of food instead of going to gaol?”

“Well, wouldn’t you? But of course, if they fed you well enough in gaol, Merry, you would probably go willingly, as long as the tucker were decent!”

They all laughed in agreement.

“But Coralie. Don’t you think that killing oneself over a meal you don’t want to give up is a bit extreme?” asked Frodo.

“Call it a race memory if you like, Frodo. Our convict heritage weighs heavy upon our souls, whether we are actually descended from them or not. We much prefer wide open spaces, and the freedom of traipsing through the bush, living off the land as we go,” she replied. “The idea of being locked away over an injustice is anathema to us. He killed himself out of principle. Now, I don’t need to ask you if you want another song, now do I?” They all looked up and nodded eagerly. “Oh Dear! I’m going to be at this all day!”

“Lady if you are tired, we can stop if you like,” interjected Haldir.

[PunkRock12]

Oh please do.
I thought that was cool to South Africa
Dude how hott is there write know?
Or is it winter over there?(I'm in the U.S)
Yes, Into The Fog!

[PunkRock12]

Quietly sitting in the corner rocking
back and forth waiting for the you got
mail to sound of and any second.
My imanginary friend is doing that (<LOL!
No I don't have a imanginary friends)
He is saying Lady C.
Into the Fog!
Okay that is one of my ding bat moments.
I probley freaked ya'll out! lol
I am nown for doing that to many people
even people I don't peronaly know.
Okay I'm just waiting for more story and no I say
again I HAVE NO IMANGINNARY FRIEND!
I'm not mental (Unless you count mental for Orlando Bloom
But that's a diffrents story won't go there)
Can't what for more. Really CAN'T what for more!

[PunkRock12]

Are you there Lady C.?

[Lady Melanie]

The sun is shinin here
its autumn or fall as sum ppl call it here but it is still hot!
Excellent Story!!!!

[Lady Coralie]

Hi mates! Punk Rock you are too funny!

Here is rest of it if I can get it all on!

Sunny6 in SA! Snowing here. Had two feet over night and just dug out 60ft driveway...only took me two hours to get to work and I live 5 mins away..physical wreck now LOL

[Lady Coralie]

“No it’s alright. I’ve already decided to play just two more songs and then that’s it!” she said staring the Hobbits down. They looked up at her with the most disappointed expressions on their faces. “See what I’m up against Haldir? Gimli? How can I possibly say no to such sweet little Hobbits?” They were all pouting now.

Gimli just looked at them and snorked! “Lady! I have learned to say no, and will say it for you if you like. They didn’t spend that dreadful night with you in the tree, trying to save your life. Instead they were tucked away with Haldir here, and have no idea just how desperate our fight to save you was. And that was only three nights ago. But I was there, and took part, and know you must be tired. You only came back to us yesterday. If you have had enough, just say the word and I will chase them off for you,” he said making to get up. Instead Coralie leaned over and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you Gimli, for saving my life. You are so sweet. But just two more please?”

The Dwarf went a bright red colour as Coralie kissed him and reluctantly agreed to let her sing two more songs. “Just two more Lady. That is all I will agree to.”

Suddenly she looked over at Haldir. “Oh Dear! I’m forgetting someone.” Quickly she passed the lute to Gimli and flung her arms around Haldir’s neck and planted a kiss on his cheek as well. “Thank you Haldir, for helping me too!” The Elf also blushed as Támurile eyes opened wide at this unprecedented gesture.

“Whoever thought of kissing the March-Warden before?” she thought to herself. “No one has ever done that to my knowledge!”

Suddenly Merry leaned forward and stuck out his cheek. “What about me?” he asked mischievously.

Frodo pulled him back. “Get in line! If anyone else is getting a kiss around here, it’s going to be me!”

“Coralie and Haldir sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes Love, Then comes……..

“Hey! Cut that out!” cried Coralie to Pippin as the Hobbits all started laughing.

“Oy! What about this one? Coralie and Gimli sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First….” Gimli suddenly cut them off.

“I think we’ve had enough singing for one day!”

“No Gimli! Please!” begged Frodo. “We’ll be good. Won’t we lads?”
Again they all nodded vigorously.

Coralie laughed as she struck up the chords for the next tune.

“Right guys. No more silly rhymes from you. Second last tune, according to Gimli here, who has so graciously forgiven you for your childish behaviour. And I should think you are also lucky, that I’m not up to taking care of you myself!” she pointed out whilst giving them the best evil eye she could manage. They pretended to cringe under her withering glare. “Alright, you’ve convinced me you will be good. This is called Tie me Kangaroo Down Sport.”

“What’s a kangaroo?” asked Pippin and Merry together as they munched on some apples for dessert.

“If you save me an apple, and promise not to interrupt again, I will tell you all about Australian animals on the way back. But in the meantime, just to whet your appetite, a kangaroo is almost like a giant rabbit, that hops around and carries its baby in a pouch in its tummy! That’s the shortest and best description I will give at the moment.”

“A giant rabbit!” began Pippin.

“A pouch in its tummy?” added Merry.

“Uh! Uh! Uh!” said Coralie shaking her finger. “You promised not to interrupt now.” Quickly they nodded an unspoken promise and held their fingers to their lips.

“Okay! Okay! This has a chorus you can join in on too!”



http://www.rolfharrissongs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/tie_me_kanga.htm

Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport

Spoken
(There's an old Australian stockman, lying, dying,
And he gets himself up onto one elbow,
And he turns to his mates,
Who are gathered 'round him and he says:)
Watch me wallabies feed mate
Watch me wallabies feed
They're a dangerous breed mate
So watch me wallabies feed
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Keep me cockatoo cool, Curl
Keep me cockatoo cool.
Don't go acting the fool, Curl
Just keep me cockatoo cool.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
And take me koala back, Jack
Take me koala back.
He lives somewhere out on the track, Mac
So take me koala back.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
And mind me platypus duck, Bill
Mind me platypus duck.
Don't let him go running amok, Bill
Just mind me platypus duck.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Play your didgeridoo, Blue
Play your didgeridoo.
Oh like keep playing 'til I shoot thro' Blue
Play your didgeridoo.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tan me hide when I'm dead, Fred
Tan me hide when I'm dead.
So we tanned his hide when he died Clyde
And that's it hanging on the shed.
Altogether now!
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.
Tie me kangaroo down sport
Tie me kangaroo down.


“Hey! I could see a kangaroo!” shouted Merry.

“Yeah! Me too!” cried Pippin as well.

“Don’t be ridiculous! If you blokes really want to see a Kangaroo, I have some images stored on my Clie here and will show you later.”

“But I saw it too!” exclaimed Frodo. It was a big brown looking rabbit with soft fur! And it had a pouch on its tummy and a little head was sticking out!”

“Yeah! That’s what I saw!” added Sam excitedly. “It had a long tail though, not like a rabbit’s at all. And it hopped around on great big hind feet! Look! Like this!” And before anyone could stop him, Sam was doing his best imitation of a kangaroo as he hopped around the grass. Támurile giggled softly into her hand, as she took in the sight, and realized that Sam was doing a rather good impersonation of the creature she had just seen in her mind’s eye.

Coralie looked at Sam and the others incredulously. “You lot are just making fun of me now, and you had promised to be good!” Quickly Sam rejoined the others in the circle a little breathless.

“We will be good! We promise. Look!” said Pippin as he folded his arms in expectation of the next song.

Coralie felt all her resistance dissolve as all of the Hobbits in turn folded their arms and sat up straight. “Really! You boys remind me of naughty little school children sometimes! What am I going to do with you?”

“Sing us another song please!” they all chorused at once. Shaking her head, Coralie picked up the lute one more time.

[PunkRock12]

Oh that is so funny!
Very good
Lady C.
My imanginary friend says to post more!
INTO THE FOG!

[Lady Coralie]

“Okay. I give in. I’ve saved the best for last. And I mean this is the very last song. This is not strictly a song about Australia, but it was sung by an Australian man, named Rolf Harris, and it is very funny. Are you sure you want to hear it, since it’s not really Australian and all?” teased Coralie with a big grin on her face.

“Yes!” The Hobbits cried in unison. Coralie looked down at her new found friend. “What do you reckon Támurile? Do you think they deserve to hear another? Have they been good enough?”

Támurile looked up at her and winked slightly. “I don’t know Princess. Seems they’ve been pretty rude, asking you for kisses and such.” Seeing the deflated look on the Hobbits faces, she added. “But you can’t really blame them. After all! They are Hobbits, and perhaps they were just a little bit too enthusiastic about your singing. I would give them a second chance!”

“Hear that boys? You just got your wish! Join in when you can. But I warn you. It gets faster as you go along!” The Hobbits smiled as Coralie struck up a note on the guitar.


http://www.rolfharrissongs.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/court_of_king_caractacus.htm

The Court of King Caractacus

Now the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
All together now,
The ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by.
Now the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem
Of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
All together now,
The noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem
Of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem
Of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem
Of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by.
Now the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by.
Now the fascinating witches who put the scintillating stitches
In the britches of the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the fascinating witches who put the scintillating stitches
In the britches of the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the fascinating witches who put the scintillating stitches
In the britches of the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by,
Now the fascinating witches who put the scintillating stitches
In the britches of the boys who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus
Were just passing by.
Now if you want to take some pictures of the fascinating witches
Who put the scintillating stitches in the britches of the boys
Who put the powder on the noses of the faces
Of the ladies of the harem of the court of King Caractacus,
You're too late! Too late!
Because they've just ... passed ... by!

Aragorn and Legolas, fresh from the river, and carrying Coralie’s belongings, were now approaching the group as they sat upon the grass in the meadow. They had heard the strains of a strange song and couldn’t help but note the fact that everyone was laughing out loud, especially the Hobbits who were rolling about on the grass.

“Oh my! I think I’m going to die! Quick Coralie! Kiss me before it’s too late!” cried Pippin as he shook with laughter.

“No kiss me! I’m going to die first!” shouted Frodo.

“No! No! It’s me who needs the kiss of life! Coralie! Kiss me please. Or I shall die!” groaned Sam, as another wave of laughter overtook him.

“Then I shall tell Rosie, you’ve been asking girls for kisses!” cried Merry. “Coralie shall kiss me first!”

“What’s all this about?” asked Aragorn striding up to them.

“And why are you all asking Coralie for a kiss?” queried Legolas next to him.

The hobbits wiped the tears of laughter from their eyes as they looked up at the two, who now loomed over them.

“Oh Coralie, just sang the funniest song I’ve ever heard,” began Frodo.

“Yes! And we were laughing so much, we couldn’t breathe,” continued Sam.

“You should get her to sing it for you. Then you might need a kiss too!” contributed Merry.

“Yes after all. She has already given Gimli and Haldir a kiss today!” cried Pippin. “We just hoped we would be next!”

“You forgot to include yourself in that list, Pippin. Don’t you remember she kissed you too!” laughed Frodo.

“Oops! You are right my fine friend! The lovely lady did indeed give me a kiss. Right here on my brow! See!” He was pointing to his forehead as if Aragorn and Legolas could see the imprint of a kiss there.

Aragorn and Legolas looked over at Haldir and Gimli as they sat together on the grass looking rather uncomfortable at the Hobbits’ assertions.

“Oh sing the song again Coralie! Please!” cried the Hobbits.

“I don’t know. Since you are spreading rumours about me to all and sundry,” she replied quite flustered by their ridiculous antics.

“It’s not a rumour! We saw you do it with our own eyes!” exclaimed Merry.

“Yes. Well there was a reason for that, and you jolly well know it you little imp!” she cried.

“Reason? What possible reason could the Lady have to kiss you both?” asked Legolas raising his eyebrows at Gimli and Haldir. He thought that Pippin was probably only jesting about his kiss, as was his wont. But to have kissed Haldir and Gimli? Well that was entirely another matter.

Gimli coughed. “Ahem. Perhaps, we can sing that song again Lady?”

“What? And have them begging me to kiss them again?”

“This must have been quite a song Coralie, to have caused so much ado amongst the Hobbits,” said Aragorn.

“I would call it much ado about nothing!” she replied.

“Nothing? You kissed them! Don’t you deny it!” cried Pippin.

Aragorn sat himself down beside Coralie on the grass, obviously amused by all the carry on from the Hobbits. He was too delighted at finding Coralie apparently well enough to sing and laugh, to be upset with the Hobbits over their assertions that she had been kissing anyone. This was not the sort of behaviour he expected from a decent woman, and he only believed half of what they were saying anyway. “Perhaps, you can sing this song for me, so I can judge for myself what has caused all this fuss, and then you may like to explain why you kissed Haldir and Gimli afterwards,” He nodded at Támurile who was trying to contain herself.

“Mae Govannen!” he smiled.

“Well I shall go one better, and just give you a kiss now!” and before Aragorn could answer, she quickly wrapped her arms about his neck and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. Aragorn scratched his head and looked at her as Legolas sat down beside the Hobbits.

“Now Lady. To what honour do I deserve the giving of this kiss?” he asked with a wry grin, as she smiled up at him. He caught his breath for a moment, so changed was she from the sad girl he had last encountered. The little circlet of flowers in her hair only added to the brightness of her smile.

“Why! Saving my life of course!” she laughed as she took his hand. “That’s what all this is about, and I haven’t had the chance to thank you properly yet. Thank you. And you too Legolas. I must also thank Boromir, but he’s not here. The hobbits are just being silly about it. That’s all!”

Aragorn laughed. “Is that what all this is about? No wonder they are carrying on so!”

“Yes! Can you blame us? We weren’t there to help Coralie, and now we don’t get a kiss!” pouted Merry.

“I got one!” said Pippin smugly. Legolas looked down at the little Hobbit beside him and raised one eyebrow.

“Really? And what did you do in order to obtain this kiss”

Pippin looked up at Legolas, rather smugly. “Nothing! Nothing at all! But what about Legolas?” cried Pippin not to be deterred by the Elf. “He saved your life too! Doesn’t he deserve a kiss?”

“Perhaps, I shall give him a kiss later, and you shall receive a good thumping from me instead, for being so impertinent!”

“Coralie and Legolas, sitting in a tree! K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes love, then comes marriage……

Coralie put her head in her hands. “Aragorn! Make them stop! Please!

Merry and Pippin stopped mid sentence all of a sudden, at the look that Aragorn shot them across the circle.

“Gentlemen, I think that is enough!”

“I should like to hear this song that has caused such an uproar,” said Legolas with a bemused smile at Coralie.

“Hmmm! You smell good Legolas. Is that strawberries I can smell, or is it just my imagination?” asked Pippin.

“Lady. The song if you please?” asked Legolas as he rolled his eyes at Pippin. Coralie noted her pack beside him and smiled secretly to herself.

[Dawnnamira Nerwen]

I love it!

[PunkRock12]

OH very good Lady C.!
Very good
INto the fog!

[Silverleaf]

Wonderful Lady C!!!! Love the play between Coralie and Legolas! ;o)

[Lady Coralie]

“Of course!” she replied and struck up the song again. At the end, everyone was laughing again at the funny words. Coralie looked at Aragorn as he helped her up.

“Tell them,” she said looking at the Hobbits who were again in hysterics. “That if they go on about my kissing anyone again, that the convict side of me will take over and I will probably throttle them while they sleep!

“You heard her Gentlemen! I think we have heard enough about this kissing business to last a lifetime. There will be no more of it. Do you understand me?”

They all looked up at him rather sheepishly and nodded. Now I shall carry the lute for the Lady, if Legolas will carry the pack?” Legolas inclined his head in agreement. Coralie turned to Támurile who was still giggling a little at the hobbits.

“Come Támurile. How about you walk with me a ways, so we can at least let them calm down a bit. Shall we?” She extended her hand to the child and the two of them skipped off together laughing. The Hobbits, not wanting to be left behind, quickly packed up their belongings and chased after the two girls. When they had gone some ways, Aragorn turned to the Elf and Dwarf, who were both desperately trying to look as calm, and disinterested as possible under his steady gaze.

“So, the lady kissed you both then?” asked Aragorn, as he looked Gimli and Haldir up and down, who then quickly nodded their assent. “I have heard the tale from the lady, and now I would like to hear it from you both.”

“Yes. March -Warden of Lothólrien. I did not realise that your duties in regard to i titheniel, included the receiving of kisses. I too would like to hear this tale,” said Legolas arching his eyebrows.

“Honestly Sirs. The lady just kissed us out of the blue! I didn’t ask her for a kiss. As her kinsman, I must make my apologies to you, Aragorn,” said Gimli giving a short bow at the waist.

“And I too must make amends,” added Haldir. “It was most unexpected, and not solicited in any way.”

“Really?” asked Legolas, slanting one eyebrow suspiciously. Haldir and Gimli, shuffled a little uneasily beneath his cool stare.

Suddenly, Aragorn clapped them both on the shoulders and laughed. “Gentlemen. Do not fear. My anger is not aroused. The lady was merely expressing her thanks, albeit in a most unusual manner. I know she was not being forward with either of you, and that the kiss came unlooked for. Neither of you are responsible for what has transpired. She is a most unusual maiden, and you would not be the first that she has taken surprise by some whimsy on her part. Do not let it trouble you any further. I shall speak to her myself when I feel the time is right and come to some sort of understanding. But at the moment, I am not vexed by her behaviour as she came so near to death, and rather I am just glad to see her former merry self has returned.” He looked ahead of them for a moment to see the Hobbits chasing around Coralie and Támurile, far in the distance. “Come! Let us catch up, for I fear those Hobbits will tire the lady out before long.”

“Hey! Coralie! You promised to tell us all about those Australian animals remember?” cried Pippin as he ran over with the others. They were now on the path under the trees that led back to the city of the Galadrim. Coralie had stopped skipping with Támurile long before they reached the edge of the woods. It seemed to her now, that her shoes had leaden soles, and each step was becoming more difficult the further along she went. The Hobbits had to run back to where she lagged behind, in order to badger her further about her promise about telling them more about Australia’s unusual creatures.

“Alright. But I have worn myself out with skipping and singing, even though it was delightful, and must sit for a minute. I’ll find you some pictures on my Clie.” She sat down with weariness flooding her bones at the base of a tree with Támuríle beside her.

“Are you alright Coralie?” asked Frodo, noting her drawn features.

“Not really, I suddenly feel very tired. Here Frodo,” she said passing the Clie over to him, “I’ve loaded the file on Australian animals for you. You know how to operate it, and I just can’t at the moment.”

“Princess. I don’t think you are faring very well, at all. Let me run and fetch Aragorn,” said Támurile.

“It’s alright Támurile. I just need to rest for a moment.”

“Oh Coralie. I am so sorry. Of all of us here, I should have known better and realised we were tiring you out. I know what it feels like to be stabbed,” empathised Frodo as his hand momentarily crept to the young scar under his clothing. The other Hobbits looked rather remorseful, as they took in the weary set of Coralie’s face as she sat under the tree, and suddenly felt quite guilty that they may have been the cause for her relapse.

“Frodo!” cried Coralie suddenly aroused by his remark. “Were you wounded too? I’m sorry I didn’t know, and I gave you all such a hard time on the road here, from Moria.”

“No! No! Coralie. This happened quite some time ago. Long before I even met you. I just know how it feels, and should have taken more care with you. That’s all. I guess we were just so happy to see you laughing and singing again, that we couldn’t help ourselves.”

“It’s alright Frodo,” said Coralie from under weary eyelids. “I’ve just done too much today. Go on now and enjoy yourselves. I’m sure Aragorn and the others will be here soon enough. I just need a bit of a rest.” Frodo hesitated for a moment. “Honestly, I’m fine. I will just close my eyes for a moment. That’s all. Nothing could possibly happen to me here anyway.”

“I will sit with the Princess until the others come,” said Támurile. Nodding, Frodo reluctantly withdrew with the other Hobbits. As they walked away, Támurile could hear them oohing and aahing over the various pictures.

“That’s the kangaroo I saw!” exclaimed Pippin.

“I saw the same one too!” cried Merry.

“How could that possibly be?” asked Sam as their voices faded away in the distance.

“I see what you mean’t about Hobbits, Princess. Now, thanks to you I have met some,” but even as she spoke, Támurile could see that Coralie was asleep.

A sudden footstep from behind startled her, and she spun around to find a rather tall man staring down at her.

“Do not be afraid little one. I am Boromir, son of Denethor, the Steward of Gondor, and part of the lady’s Company. I am at your service, and the lady’s too.”

Támurile looked up at him warily, unsure of this man who had so suddenly surprised her.

[PunkRock12]

Oh very good Lady C. post more
Into the fog

[Lady Coralie]

Okay here is the last part of 22

[Lady Coralie]

“Come! I shall carry her, and you shall lead me,” he said as he bent down and picked Coralie up and held her aloft in his broad arms. “What is your name?” he asked looking down at the Elven child briefly.

“Támurile,” came her soft reply.

“A pretty name for a pretty girl,” he smiled. As they walked the path, he looked down at Coralie, who remained fast asleep in his arms. He clicked his tongue at how drawn her features were, and silently chided the Hobbits for wearing her out. “So the lady owes me a kiss?” he thought to himself. He had come upon the party unawares, just after Legolas and Aragorn’s arrival in the meadow, and had lingered at the edge of the wood, so he may observe what was happening from a distance. “She is a nice fit. I would see her here more often,” he thought as he admired her sleeping form in his arms.

A cry from behind brought him to attention, and he turned around to find Aragorn and the others bearing down upon him rapidly.

“What has happened?” asked Aragorn with concern.

“The Princess fell asleep from weariness, and this man carries her,” answered Támurile; glad to see familiar faces again.

“Give her to me, Boromir. I will take her. It is only fitting that I should carry her back to the city as I am her kinsman,” said Aragorn, as he gave Legolas the lute and took Coralie into his arms.

“Princess?” queried Aragorn smiling at Támurile.

“Isn’t that what she is?” asked the Elven child.

Aragorn looked down at Coralie, fast asleep in his arms with the circlet of flowers gracing her brow. “Well, I suppose that you are right Támurile. She certainly is a princess.”

“Aragorn?” came the sleepy voice from his arms.

“Hush Thêldithen. It is I. You have worn yourself out. Go back to sleep.” She sighed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

They arrived back at the city in the cool of the evening, and all bade farewell, save Aragorn and Legolas who stood at the base of the tree leading to her chamber.

“Legolas, I will pass her over to you for this final climb. She is light enough, but I have already carried her for two leagues now, and as I’m not as agile in climbing stairs as yourself, I am afraid that I will stumble.”

Exchanging the lute and the pack for the girl, they both ascended to her chamber, whereupon Aragorn held the door open for Legolas as he carried her in. Carefully Legolas placed her on the bed, before turning to Aragorn who stood near by.

“You don’t think she has had a relapse do you?” he asked with concern.

“No. I believe this merely to be great weariness on her part. It has only been four days since she was first poisoned, a