Meet the Cast

Disclaimer: No, we don't own Lord of the Rings. We own ourselves and our copies of FotR and TTT but that's all.

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Laura stood there for a moment, leaning on the balcony and watching the diminishing view of her friend being carried away by a dark stranger. It took a moment for her to comprehend everything that just happened before she fled from their room and ran in the direction she saw Legolas turn. She had no way to determine where Elrond and his company would be meeting, but she had to try to reach them. The girl stopped before an elf.

"Do you know where Lord Elrond is?"

The elf only looked at her strangely. Laura attempted to think of every Sindarian phrase she knew.

"Manke naa i'omentien? Elrond?" [Where is the meeting? Elrond?]

She assumed that the names were the same in both Elvish and English, so that should clarify which meeting she meant. The blonde elf looked at her hesitantly, unsure if he should disclose his lord's location. The lady looked desperate, however, and so he consented.

"Khila amin." [Follow me.]

The human woman nodded and trailed the elf, looking about her in order to familiarize herself with the scenery. She was brought to a room, as the elf tapped lightly on the door. Gandalf opened it, seemingly displeased that the meeting was being disrupted. His eyes opened a bit wider at the sight of Laura. Gandalf opened the door wider, allowing the human girl inside. Laura looked at him, frightened for her friend's fate. At the sight of the others, she subtly pulled up the neckline of her dress as she spoke.

"Suzanne, she tripped off the balcony!"

They all looked at her in shock, knowing that it would be difficult for someone to survive falling such a distance.

"No, no. Someone caught her. But he carried her off! I don't know who he is; all I know is that he has Suzanne."

Elrond muttered under his breath, not pleased with this turn of events. It would be difficult for the enemy to infiltrate Imiladris, but not impossible. He looked to Legolas and Gandalf.

"Find her."

Legolas reached the door before stepping back to allow two others to enter. Aragorn walked in, followed by Suzanne. Laura breathed a sigh of relief as her eyes glanced on her friend. Suzanne smiled at her friend.

"You know, this dress really is too long."

Laura rolled her eyes at her friend, giving her a look that could kill before taking her arm and walking toward the door.

"We'll be leaving you alone now."

Elrond looked at the departing two before speaking.

"No, we intended to send someone for you soon anyway."

The two stopped and turned toward the group again. Elrond gestured for them to take a seat at the table. Gandalf, Legolas, and Aragorn also sat down.

"We have decided that you will attend the council we have set two days from now. Your fate, as well as the fate of the Ring will be decided. Do you know anything of the One Ring or Frodo Baggins of the Shire?"

Laura and Suzanne looked at each other momentarily, trying to decide whether they should tell them that they knew of the fate of Middle Earth. Or rather, it was only one fate of Middle Earth. Their presence could disturb everything, causing things to happen differently than in the books and movie. Any knowledge of what the girls knew, however, would be helpful. Laura looked at the four before speaking.

"You might assume that we are from the future of this land. We know everything that will happen involving the Ring and Frodo."

They all looked at her, waiting for her to continue. The men assumed that since she knew this information, she would share it with them.

"I fear that if I tell you what happens, it will change the course of what would have taken place."

Gandalf seemed content with this answer, instructing Aragorn and Legolas before Elrond could request any more information from the two.

"Legolas, Aragorn, you will teach these two how to defend themselves. They will attend the council in two days. Both of them are under your charge until then."

The elf and the man nodded to the Istari before gesturing to the two women that they were to follow them.

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Aragorn needed to ensure Frodo was well before he left for the day, so the other three accompanied them. Legolas and Aragorn decided to instruct Suzanne in how to use a sword, while Legolas was to instruct Laura in the use of scimitars*. They would then meet again at mid-day and teach the two girls archery.

Aragorn and Suzanne went into a less-used garden, bringing with them two of Aragorn's swords. He showed her how to properly hold the hilt and how to begin standing. It was quite easy for her to pick up. In fact, she and Laura already knew most of the basics from the sword fighting lessons their friend Kati had given them. It would be best if she had it mastered though, so she continued the instruction. He began to give her the counts, teaching her how to be on both offense and defense. Suzanne was able to parry his blows rather easily, although she knew that he was holding back in order to refrain from harming her.

Legolas took Laura with him to a nearby stream, carrying with him four blades and a sword. Scimitars were composed of two shorter swords that were used in unison and were a particular favorite of the brunette. The elf handed the girl a pair and took a pair for him. He demonstrated the beginning fighting stance before slowly moving the blades to collide with Laura's own scimitars. The effect was about the same as sword fighting; it simply involved the use of both hands. Once she had mastered the basics, he picked up a sword and began to teach her moves to parry against such a weapon.

Both couples met at the archery range at about noon. Aragorn looked at the mid-day sun before suggesting a meal before they began. They ate a loaf of elvish bread and a slab of what the girls suspected was venison before once again returning to instruction.

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First the two men attempted to show the girls how to hold a bow. Suzanne gripped the middle of the wooden part with her right hand before pulling on the string with her left. Laura either had a harder time understanding this or was purposely attempting to mess up. Legolas sighed slightly, stepping behind the girl and pressing his body up against hers. Suzanne cast her a look that said "I know what you're doing, and I can't believe it's working." The elf placed his hands on hers and guided them to the proper placement on the bow.

Once she seemed to grasp the formation, he released his hold for a minute to remove an arrow from his quiver before stepping back to where he was and stringing it on the bow by guiding her hands. Laura could feel his breath on her neck and suppressed a shudder, pulling the string tight once the arrow was loaded. Legolas spoke softly, telling her what to do in order to shoot the weapon.

"Keep both eyes open. Look at the target and try to align the angle of the tip of the arrow with the its center. Once you have it lined up, release the string."

Laura did this, missing the target by a foot. Legolas handed her another arrow.

"Try again."

She strung up the arrow once more, still with some assistance. Her grip on the bow tightened as she followed the line of the tip of the arrow with her eyes. The woman adjusted the angle of the bow slightly before releasing the string once more. The arrow hit the target this time. It was not in the center, yet perfection could not be attained in one day. Legolas continued to help her, pointing out things she could change to improve her aim.


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Suzanne was enjoying the lesson just as much as her friend. Aragorn stepped behind her to instruct her how to position the arrow. She smiled as it was her turn to 'not quite get it'. He was already behind her so he came closer and placed his hands upon hers. Aiming and pulling back she released the arrow which miraculously hit its target. Her teacher congratulated her on her small success.

"At camp, during the summer, I took a small course in archery."

"Camp? As in Battle Camp?"

The girl smiled slightly at another misunderstanding.

"No, it was a summer camp. Umm...a place where I go and fellowship with friends and do other activities."

He only nodded, though she could tell he did not fully understand. He again stepped close to her to where his body almost seemed at one with hers. How much she wanted to trust him, to be able to tell him how she felt, but there was always that fear of being hurt. A shadow crossed over her face and she paused in her actions. To her dismay this did not go unnoticed by Aragorn.

"My Lady, what is wrong?"

She attempted to cover it up with a smile.

"It is nothing, my Lord. And, please, call me Suzanne."

He nodded his consent while continuing to assist her. After at least an hour her arms began to grow weary. Her teacher, catching on to this, suggested they stop for now. She agreed and placed the bow on the ground carefully. She sat down by a tree where she was joined by him. They watched Legolas and Laura finish up their lesson as well. She drifted, almost unwillingly, into her thoughts again. Her friend came up and touched her shoulder, frightening her out of her daze. A tear had formed in her eye, but she quickly wiped it away.

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The lesson was finished for the day. Aragorn and Legolas led the two friends back to their room. Adjacent rooms had been prepared for both of them so that the two men could continue to protect their charges. The four departed, the two girls thanking Aragorn and Legolas for the lessons.

"'Quel du." [Good night.]

Suzanne and Laura went into their room, while the two men went to their separate rooms. The two girls found softer gowns lain out for them, which they assumed were their nightclothes. The two stayed up to talk for a while, Suzanne slightly reprimanding Laura for her actions earlier, although she couldn't blame her.

"I saw what you were up to! You are so lucky!"

"So, you had Aragorn teaching you. Don't tell me you didn't enjoy that. I saw that look in your eye."

"Yeah, I'm just afraid of getting hurt again."

Laura looked strictly at her friend momentarily.

"Don't you dare go and get depressed on me."

"Alright, I won't."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Alright, well, I'm tired. Good night. See ya in the morning!"

"Good night."

Laura turned, put out the candle, and quickly fell asleep on her pillow. Suzanne stayed awake a while longer, considering what had happened to them before drifting into sleep.

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Laura's A/N: I think that those two blades Legolas uses in FotR and TTT are scimitars at any rate. If not, please let me know. I know what I'm thinking of exists; I just can't find the right name!

Suzanne's A/N: Don't hate us for fulfilling our dreams here, lol. I know I sound depressed ( *cough* i am *cough* ) bear with me.

Both: Please review! Thanks to all of you wonderful people who did review! Cookies for all!