Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back II
Title: Save Yourself, I’ll Hold Them Back [2/?]
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Humor/Angst
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 - For mild language, violence, abuse, slight crude humor, and uh...more violence.
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters except the ones that are not related to the books/movies (fan characters, in other words). This is based on the movies, not the books, and the storyline has been altered just slightly with the new character. It’s the same story, but with the new character as an extra member of the Fellowship Of The Ring.
Summary: This is a remake of Through The Fire And Flames! Angelica (Aspen) Breann was a normal highschool girl struggling with her life, trying to keep her step-father pleased as to avoid any abuse. Although after a collision with an 18-wheeler, she finds herself and her friends waking up in a completely different world. Now they're stuck there. What a life.
Chapter Warnings: LOTS of cursing :U
Scroll Two: No Second Breakfast
The girls followed Strider and the four other young halflings, as confused as they all were, it was really the only option they had. Strider kept quiet, while the halflings occasionally glanced back at the girls, Mishka and Trish whispering to each other about 'how much we're so screwed right now'. Aspen kept her eye on the strange men...she still didn't trust them, but they had no choice. They were about as lost as a blind person in a desert.
More importantly, how they even got in a place like this was another good question. Aspen was looking forward to that field trip...moreso she would be able to sneak off the bus and to Trish's house to stay. She would have escaped Maverick's clutches. ...And now this. Just what a day this was.
Suddenly stopped in her tracks, Aspen nearly stumbled over one of the Hobbits, “Ack!”
“Oi!” The one with the thick Scottish accent yelped as she wobbled to keep from tripping over him. “Watch where you're--” he looked up to see Aspen and he instantly shrunk back. “--...oh. Ah...s-sorry milady.”
She blinked at him, finally noticing how tiny they were compared to her. How on earth could these men be so small...unless they were midgets?
“Oh it's alright...ahh...” She motioned as if to recall his name...which she already forgot. Getting them all mixed up, rather.
“Oh, I'm Pippin.” He pointed to himself, seeming a bit more content that she didn't squash him.
The girl nodded slowly. “...Right.”
The Hobbits turned and began pulling cookware and food out of their packs. Mishka and Trish came up behind Aspen, both babbling about where they could be, and how they could've gotten there. Strider appeared to stop as well, seeming to look around the area before turning to the group behind him.
“Gentlemen,” He began, catching their attention. “we do not stop 'till nightfall.”
The Hobbits looked up at him, a tad confused. “What about breakfast?” Pippin spoke.
Strider gave him an odd look. “We've already had it.” He said obviously.
Pippin tilted his head. “We've had one yes, but what about second breakfast?” He asked.
Without a word, Strider turned and walked away past the bushes. The girls and Pippin blinked.
“I think you're the only one I'd know to have a second breakfast, Aspen.” Trish giggled. Aspen rolled her eyes.
Merry turned to look at Pippin, packing his cookware back up. “Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.”
Merry slung his pack over his shoulder and began to walk off, while Pippin looked quite surprised. “But what about elevensees?” He asked, following Merry and avoiding a root in the ground as to not trip on it. “Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?”
The girls blinked again. “You'd fit in with them, Asp--” Trish began, though was nudged in the ribs by Aspen.
Merry stopped to turn and look at Pippin. “I wouldn't count on it.” The other looked rather disappointed at this.
Then suddenly, an apple is tossed over the bushes and Merry catches it just in time before it clocked him in the head. He looked at it a moment before handing it to Pippin and patting him quickly on the shoulder, shrugging his pack back over his shoulder and began walking again.
Pippin, looking confused as ever, just looked at the apple and back to Merry, only to have another apple fly out of nowhere and hit him on the forehead, startling him as he held his head and began looking around for the source of where the apple was flung.
“Pippin!” Merry called irritatingly.
The halfling looked down at the apple in his hands a little disappointed, but still holding his head to make sure no more apples came around to hit him again. Suddenly an apple met his sight inches from his face, looking to see that Aspen had picked it up and was handing it to him. He looked up at her, seemingly entranced by her appearance, even though she looked rugged as ever; her messy hair strewn about her face and loose ponytail dangling over her shoulder. He then noticed the small gash on her head...and the blood stained down the side of her face. His brows raised and eyes widened.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “You okay? Here's your apple.”
He blinked. “U-um...yes. Thank you.” He then took the apple from her and looked back up as she raised back up to her own height. “...Are you okay?”
Aspen looked confused a moment. Then she recalled the pain she had in her head. Trish and Mishka came around to look at her, then they both bore surprised expressions at the blood and gash on their friend's head.
“Good God, Aspen! Doesn't that hurt you?!” Mishka blurted, raising her hands to the blonde's head.
“Well I do have quite a headache...why?” She then saw blood on Mishka's fingers when she lowered her hand. “...Oh shit.”
“You need a doctor!” Trish exclaimed.
“...I bet that's what's wrong with me.” Aspen muttered rather flatly. “Hit my head and now I'm dead.”
“Don't say that,” Mishka retorted. “you just need a doctor so that doesn't get infected.”
Aspen nodded and turned back to the Hobbits, who were staring at them over their shoulders. “...What?”
“You are odd.” Pippin blurted out to them, rather innocently oblivious.
Aspen looked down at him amusedly. “Yeah, well you guys aren't exactly normal for us either.” She began walking to catch up with Strider, as the rest of them followed suit.
“Where do you come from then if you aren't from here?” The chubby one, called Samwise as the girls remembered, spoke up to them.
Aspen wobbled over a small rock, not noticing it at first. “Goddamn it,” she spluttered before regaining her balance and coming up behind Strider, who appeared to have stopped on a nearby cliff.
“A huge city with towering buildings and cars, not a desolate landscape like this.” Trish said, almost exasperatedly, gesturing out towards the open areas with not a single skyscraper in sight.
“Cars?” One of the Hobbits piped.
The girls exchanged glances.
“...You know what cars are, don't you?” Mishka looked at the boys like they were crazy. They shook their heads. The girls looked at each other again. “You know...automobiles? Transportation devices? Made out of metal? Four wheels? ...Vroom, vroom?”
It seemed that only the more Mishka went on, the more confused the Hobbits looked.
Trish leaned in. “...I don't think they even know what 'vroom vroom' means, Missy.”
The brunette flailed. “GOD! I want to be back in my own city...no, wait, my own time!” She stormed off towards Aspen.
Aspen stopped behind Strider, a little curious as to why he was so still. “Hey, Strider,” She called, “what's wrong?” When he didn't answer, she shook her head and tried climbing up the rocks without stumbling, more or less slipping on the snow even, to get to where he was.
Ignoring the sound of Mishka squealing about wanting to get back home, Aspen walked up behind Strider, “Hey, you hear me--?” She instantly froze once she raised her head up to see what he had been staring at.
The sight both shocked and horrified her, causing her whole body to stop working, the impact delivering both disbelief and even more confusion. She hadn't even noticed Mishka coming up behind her with the others, still running her mouth uninterrupted.
“--and sane people, and the freaking--” Mishka immediately paused once she saw what the other two caught eye of, Trish coming over her shoulder and looking at the sight with the same expression. “--...cars.”
The sight before them was a large, yellow vehicle, crushed in one area and lying on its side. Bodies were strewn about the ground around it, most of them presumed dead due to how there appeared to be blood staining the snow beneath a few of them. This was the girls' school bus...and their classmates lying lifeless in the snow and grass. Nobody was moving, none even twitched, or groaned, not even the bus appeared to be in working condition, bits of metal and glass were everywhere.
The girls were taken by complete surprise. They were here...and now they find their bus, and their entire class dead on the ground there with them. Not only was this even more confusing, it also sparked the suspicion that...perhaps they really weren't in their original world anymore. But even if this were true...how in the hell did it happen?!
Strider and the Hobbits looked confused compared to the girls, both of them just looking at the strange yellow object as if they'd seen a group of men just run streaking in front of them down the plains.
“There are people!” Merry uttered, sounding surprised. “...Dead people! Where...where did they come from?”
Mishka looked on the brink of tears. “This is...oh, God this is...”
“Our bus...” Aspen finished in a whisper.
Trish covered her mouth, brows twisting upwards in an upset expression. “...They're dead! The whole class is...”
Without a word, Aspen turned and pulled both girls into a hug, as they wrapped an arm around her back and all huddled together in a moment of silence for their lost classmates, as well as the bus driver himself...he was trying to save them and in turn, this happened...
“I take it this is yours...” Strider spoke quietly, turning to them.
Aspen swallowed, taking a moment before she replied to him. “Our bus...it's what we were on before we got sent here, I guess...” she sniffled slightly. “...we knew those people. We got into a collision with...another one of those, uh...” she paused, trying to put it in a way he could understand. “...another one of those yellow things crashed into ours...”
She knew very well it was an eighteen wheeler, but they didn't even know what a damn skyscraper was, it didn't matter if they knew what kind of car slammed into their bus.
“You are definitely not from here...” She heard Strider mumble to himself.
Still holding her friends in a hug, letting them continue having their silence for their lost ones, she heard a twig snap in the background.
“Ooohhhh FFFUCK!!!”
That shout snapped everyone out of their daze, causing them to look to where the shrill cry had come from. Trish and Mishka wiped their faces and jerked up, the Hobbits looked scared, Strider gripped the haft of his sword in case of trouble, and Aspen? ...Oh, Aspen would know that angry voice anywhere.
The group looked up to see a familiar bleach-blonde appearing from behind the bus, her torso ducked as if she was injured, her once prepped wavy hair gone frizzy and messy due to the crash, her clothes torn in a couple of areas, and blood was visible on her left arm. She was definitely reduced to a mess compared to the glossy look she always had.
“Oh shit...” Trish sniffled.
“Rich bitch?” Aspen inquired. The girls nodded. “Thought so.” She then turned around, releasing the girls from the hug so she could see the she-bully stumbling her way out from around the bus.
Melanie stopped and looked around, angry and confused even more than the other three girls were when they just arrived. She let out a frustrated growl and turned back to the bus. “STEPHEN! Hurry up!”
Wobbling around, the girl's boyfriend appeared instantly around the wrecked vehicle like a loyal dog, the entire sleeve of his hoodie had been torn off, and as he stood up straight, looked equally as stunned as Melanie did, slowly turning in circles to look around him.
“Woah...” He uttered.
Melanie groaned. “Where the fuck are we?!” She then raised a hand to one of her ears...which was rather bloody...and hurting...and missing a large hooped earring. “...Ohh GOD! My EARRING!” She yelped.
Stephen walked over her to have a look. “Oh God, you gotta get that bandaged up!” He said.
As the two bickered and shouted, the group just stood and watched them. Strider didn't really sense any danger from these two...and thus released his sword. Besides, even if they were dangerous, he wouldn't have any difficulty of incapacitating them.
He leaned over to the girls. “Do you know these two?”
Aspen grimaced. “They were on the bus with us. If you think my mouth is bad for your time, these two have an even sharper tongue.” She said, earning a glance from the rugged man.
Mishka then turned to the halflings. “Remember what I was saying about cars?” The boys nodded. Mishka then pointed to the school bus. “That is one of the cars that's driven in our world.” The four looked wide eyed at the strange object, almost like a group of kids looking at something that would make them go 'Woah'.
Right after this was said, the girls made eye contact with Melanie. The stare lasted for a few seconds before the prep's expression twisted into a look of utter contempt, disgust...and complete anger.
“YOU!” She shouted and pointed.
“Ohh damn.” Aspen groaned and rolled her eyes.
Trish put a hand to her temple. “Great. Now we gotta deal with her.”
Melanie slapped Stephen away and stormed towards the girls, instantly scaring the Hobbits as the four of them turned and hid behind the three girls. Trish and Mishka looked at them amusedly, but patted their shoulders to reassure.
“Don't worry,” Mishka began. “Melanie couldn't hurt a fly--”
Immediately interrupting her was Melanie delivering a loud slap across Aspen's face, causing the the halflings to back away as to avoid any conflict that might get them squashed. Strider attempted to intervene, until Aspen grabbed Melanie's arm and flipped her over, slapping her onto the ground in an instant with a pained shout once the prep impacted with the ground.
Angrily, Aspen stomped her foot on the bleach-blonde's collarbone, the spikes on the tip of her boot a little too close for comfort to her face. “Bitch, you touch me like that again and I'll shave all that pretty silken hair off your snooty ass.” She snapped.
The Hobbits hid behind the other two girls even closer, already intimidated by the blonde pair being so blunt to each other. They must not be used to seeing women fight. Strider certainly looked equally surprised, though if not a little annoyed at their behavior.
“Melanie!” Stephen arose over the hill, glaring up at Aspen. “Get off her, cave girl--!”
Before he could finish, he was quickly yanked to the side by Strider, who was keeping him in a strong grip. Stephen looked at the man with disgust, even though now, the two didn't look all too different in appearance after that car crash pretty much wrecked both his and his girlfriend's appearances.
“That's enough,” Strider spoke. “there is no need for conflict, now calm down until we can figure out what has caused this situation.”
Aspen rolled her eyes and lifted her foot off Melanie's chest, who instantly stood up and dusted herself off in a paranoid manner before turning to look at Strider with the same look Stephen gave him.
“Who the fuck--”
“This is Strider, he found us unconscious a ways away from the bus.” Aspen explained.
“Shame you weren't dead.” Melanie spat. Strider's brows furrowed at her. He'd seen some haughty and tough females in his life, but none were as bad-mouthed as these girls.
“Yeah, well we ain't exactly happy to see you and your manwhore alive either.” Mishka said, putting a hand on her hip and looking at her with a brow raised.
“I don't have time for this shit,” Melanie spat. “I don't know why I'm standing here wasting my time with a group of losers and some hobo when I--” She instantly paused when she saw the halflings hiding behind the two girls. “...Wha...”
Trish glanced behind her. “Stop it, you're scaring the kids.”
“'Ey!” Sam piped up. “We're not kids!”
“FUCK this!” Melanie shouted. “You're all crazy! This...this place is crazy! And I'm getting out of here!” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone, dialing on it and holding it to her ear. She was awaiting a ringtone and someone to answer, but what she got instead was static blaring into her ear, causing her to jerk away and hang up the phone. “What the...”
Aspen tilted her head. “Huh...so our cellphones won't work here either.” She turned back to Mishka and Trish, who were pretty much sunk in to the fact that they were not in their present world. “Guess that's further proof we got flung into another world. ...Dimension. ...Timezone. Whatever.”
“What the hell?” Stephen spluttered. “What is going on?”
“We were in a car crash and knocked unconscious, the rest of our class is dead, and upon waking up we wound up in a completely different world.” Aspen explained in a nutshell rather flatly. “Either take it or leave it because you're stuck here with us losers.”
Melanie raised her hands to her head and began pulling on her hair, groaning frustratingly. “I cannot believe this shit is happening. I'm stuck here with these freaks--I need a hospital so I can get myself fixed and looking PRETTY again!”
Stephen tilted his head. “Oh come on babe, you're always pretty--” She sent him a quick glare, pointing at the blood on her arms and scrapes on her face. He swallowed and said no more.
Aspen stepped forward expectantly. “Are you two lovebirds finished? Because Strider here was going to show us to someone who might be able to help. So either shut up or stay here.”
Mishka and Trish looked at their friend, incredulous. “You're offering them to come with us? Fuck that, let them stay here!” Trish blurt out.
“We're wasting time here arguing when we probably could have met this person to help us already.”
Strider released Stephen and stepped forward, folding his arms. “It's your choice, because we must not tarry. We must find a place to rest before nightfall, which will come soon.”
The couple looked at him like he was crazy. “Who the...is this guy some stupid cosplayer or something?”
Strider looked at her with furrowed brows. What was it with them calling him this 'cosplayer' thing? He looked up at Aspen.
“Unfortunately, no, he isn't.” She shook her head and pointed to his sword. “Fuck with him and I'm sure he could cut you into pieces.” Melanie and Stephen looked to where she pointed and backed away once they saw the sword around his waist.
Mishka then stomped her foot and approached them, huffing. “Alright, I'm getting impatient. Unlike you, we actually want to get home, and we're going to leave with or without you, so either shut up and follow us, or sit your asses here and stay put!” She then stormed off towards the bus.
Aspen, Trish and the Hobbits looked at each other. Aspen shrugged. “She said it for me. Seeya.” She turned and followed her friend, with Trish behind her, and the Hobbits along as if in a line.
Strider glanced between them all and raised his brows, shaking his head and turning to lead them on. “As she said, either follow us or stay here. Your choice.”
Melanie and Stephen stood there as the others walked on, completely lost and confused.
With an angry huff and pout, the two chased after the group ahead of them.
The group left behind the wrecked school bus, unable to really do much about it...the girls at least had stopped to mourn the dead. Mishka suggested and pleaded that they buried their fellow classmates...as it did appear that, none of the others had survived. A few had been crushed underneath the bus, others had been thrown violently onto the ground. It was quite a gruesome scene for them...none of them had experienced something like this, and it wasn't easy to even see.
They buried who they could find, as Mishka said a prayer for their dead. Aspen had tried to keep Melanie and Stephen away to prevent them from ruining the moment, as they were already in enough of a predicament, something like their behavior wasn't needed in a moment of silence for lost ones. Strider, needless to say, was rather appalled at Melanie's behavior during Mishka's praying. It wasn't difficult to see who was the real ass out of the bunch.
A few hours later after that, the group had pushed on and were crossing through rough, rocky country. The landscape grew even more desolate of anything that might look modern, none of them saw anything that could possibly be from their time. And mostly, all they got was trees, rocks, and more trees. Occasionally, Melanie would splutter some garbage about Aspen and the others getting her into this mess, followed by slapping Stephen on the shoulder if he tried to comfort her. It was clear she didn't want anyone touching her in the mood she was in.
Strider stopped and looked up, what appeared to be the ruins of a building stood atop a tall hill. Aspen and the girls stopped, looking at what was left of it...figures the first building they see in this world is old and crumbling. Their shoulders sagged.
“This was the great watchtower of Amon Sûl.” Strider spoke, turning to his group. “We shall rest here tonight.”
“The Amou wha?” Trish asked.
Strider chuckled at her.
“Oh fucking great,” Melanie came up behind them. “the FIRST building in this screwed up place turns out to be old and rotting.” Did she read their minds?
Aspen turned around and tilted her head. “What, not enough wallpaper and chandeliers for you, Ms. Priss?”
Melanie sneered at her. “I think I'd prefer those instead of that junk heap.”
Strider raised a brow at her. “Well, let us hope that your loud mouth does not attract any unwanted attention.” He said before looking at Aspen and nodding, pressing onward towards the ruins.
Melanie stood still, shocked that he said such a thing to her. Aspen and her girls snickered, turning to follow Strider.
“...Wait...what did he mean by 'unwanted attention'?”
They continued up the hill and eventually made it into an overhang in the hill's summit, deciding to settle down in the area for the night. The Hobbits, weary from their long travel, slung off their packs to plop down on the ground. When Aspen looked at them, she assumed they must have been traveling a longer distance than initially thought.
Once entering the overhang, the girls saw the view it gave off over the entire valley. The plains were in perfect view, they could see everything. The clouds grew dark, with the sunset only shining brightly through a few cracks. It didn't look like a sunset back in their world...but it was still beautiful. Strider stood looking out over the land, while the rest of them sat down to rest after walking so long.
“Ah finally, m' feet are killing me.” Sam flopped back onto the ground.
The girls took their seats as well, all trying to bundle up against the cold. Aspen took her backpack off, but kept it very close to her as to not risk it getting stolen.
Strider came around and sat a bundle down on the ground, opening it up to reveal four small swords inside. Melanie jumped back in surprise, looking at him with disgust.
“These are for you. Keep them close.” He picked up the swords and tossed them one by one to the halflings, Merry and Pippin catching theirs clumsily. Strider rolled back up the cloth and stood up. “I'm going to have a look around.”
The girls looked up at him, surprised. “Wait...you're just gonna leave us here?” Trish asked, incredulous.
“What if some nutjob comes around and tries to kill us?!” Mishka squeaked, curling into a ball.
Strider was about to answer her question until Aspen gestured out to the landscape. “Look at that-we're in the middle of nowhere. I doubt anyone is going to stumble on us anytime soon.” She said rather nonchalantly.
Mishka looked at her like she was mad. “Are you nuts?! We're in a completely different world and you act like it's just a damn cakewalk!”
A scoff was heard behind them and they all turned to Melanie. “Another world? You people are crazy.”
“You got a good explanation for all this?” Trish inquired, gesturing to Strider and the four halflings.
“Yeah,” Melanie stepped away from Stephen and looked Strider up and down. “this is some messed up LARPer who hasn't showered in a few days, and these guys are his four weird little midget friends.” She looked at the Hobbits.
“Beggin' your pardon milady,” Sam spoke up, giving Melanie a defensive look. “but we're Hobbits.”
Melanie rolled her eyes. “I don't care what you are, you nutjob.” Sam certainly looked taken aback.
“Then explain how the fuck we got out in this godforsaken country and how we're not in the city.” Trish retorted.
Before Melanie could answer her, Strider stepped in to prevent the argument from getting worse.
“Miladies and sir, you will get your answers once we find Gandalf,” He instantly saw their expressions grow more confused and expectant. “but for now, you will just have to trust me. I will get you to Rivendell, and to the answers you seek. For now, stay here while I have a look around.” He turned to leave, looking at them one more time. “Scream if any trouble does show up.” And then he disappeared.
Melanie scoffed again. “Well that's helpful.”
Stephen looked at Melanie confidently. “Looks like I'm the only man around here to protect you.” She grinned at him.
“Uh, hey,” Trish interrupted them, much to their disappointment. “this is not the place to start eating each others' faces off.”
“Who the hell is Gandalf?” Mishka turned to Aspen, who merely shrugged.
“No idea, but if it makes you feel any safer,” The blonde began, unzipping her backpack and reaching down into the very bottom of it to pull out something metallic and...dangerous. It was a Beretta pistol...not too hard to figure out where she got it from. “I got this. Stole it from Mav's gun cabinet.”
Mishka yelped and backed away, startling Trish and only shocking Melanie and Stephen further. “Holy shit, girl!” Mishka shouted. “Are you crazy?! Stuffing a gun in your backpack?! What if that thing was set off!”
Aspen sighed and rolled her eyes. “That's what the safety on guns are for.”
“You know way too much about those things.”
“Living in a house with a guy like Maverick, kinda hard not to want to learn how to use them.” Aspen snapped rather quickly, checking the clip in the pistol before aiming it off into the distance.
Mishka and Trish instantly went silent, sending her sympathetic looks. Before one of them could say anything, Pippin, already known as the most curious and oblivious, leaned in to try and examine the weapon further interestedly.
“What's that? I've never seen anything like that before!” He asked.
“Careful kid,” Mishka warned. “you don't know what it is, don't need to be handling it.”
Aspen turned back around to show it to him a moment. “This is called a gun. It's a standard weapon in our world. We don't use swords.” The other three Hobbits joined in to look at it curiously.
“And I bet you got a nice knife down in there somewhere.” Trish said humorously.
“Of course I do. I never leave that house unarmed.” Aspen snorted.
“You certainly seem to know how to arm yourself for defense.” The girls turned to the one they assumed was Frodo. He seemed to be the one that spoke the least.
“He can speak!” Trish giggled.
“Lay off 'im,” Sam retorted. “we aren't supposed to be out 'ere. He's nervous enough as it is.”
Mishka turned around a bit more to face them. “What do you mean?”
The Hobbits exchanged glances, almost as if they were wondering if it was a good idea to tell them or not.
“They just strayed too far from their role-playing bounds.” Melanie soon piped up. “And being that short I'm not surprised they got lost.” She snorted.
“Mind you, we're as equally as lost as they might be, dumbass.” Trish pointed out. Melanie rolled her eyes.
Sam cleared his throat to gain their attention again. “We're...headed to Rivendell. To deliver an important item.”
Frodo nodded. “It cannot stay where we live...it's much too dangerous.”
Aspen tilted her head. “...Wait, what? Where's Rivendell? And what're you delivering there?”
For a moment, they seemed a bit surprised, specifically Sam. “It's Rivendell! One of the cities of the elves!” He spoke as if it were obvious.
The modern ones blinked.
Melanie and Stephen burst out laughing.
“Elves?! Can you believe this?!” Stephen said between laughs.
Mishka then gestured for Merry to come towards her, and he did so very reluctantly. She turned his head so she could see his ear...which was larger than normal human ears, and pointed at the end. Trish and Mishka's brows raised, though Mishka reached and then tugged on his ear rather hard, emitting a yelp from the halfling as he jerked away and looked at her as if she was mad, holding his ear.
The two looked back at each other and then to Aspen. “...Those are pretty authentic to be fake.”
Mishka shook her head. “If those were fake, it would have come off,” She glanced back to Merry who was still holding his ear and glaring at her. “...his ears are real.”
“He's mutated.” Melanie scoffed.
“All four of them have ears like that.”
“Quadruplets then.”
Aspen rolled her eyes.
Sam turned to Frodo. “You best get some sleep, Mr.Frodo. We still have a ways to go before we reach Rivendell.” Frodo nodded, clasping a necklace across his collarbone, catching Aspen's attention.
She said nothing though. Frodo stood and began to walk away from the group, as Pippin began to question Aspen again about her gun, curious as ever. He made his way towards Melanie and Stephen, to pass them, only to stumble slightly over Melanie's foot, to which he turned around to look at her angrily, she just scoffed and snickered. He just turned his head and continued walking to find a spot on the ground to lie down on.
Aspen had her eye on all three of them.
An hour and a half had passed, and it had become dark. The sun was no longer sending an odd shine through the clouds, the moon now sending an eerie glow across the lands through the night sky, even though the clouds only grew dark and rolled over them. Wind whipped only slightly, and thankfully the group was out of the snow and had built a small fire to keep them warm, along with pulling out the cookware to make some food. The girls couldn't understand how the Hobbits could handle this weather in such light clothing...and with no shoes. Everything still surprised them, even though they had sort of sinked into the fact that they were no longer in their own world.
After such time had passed, Aspen grew impatient, Mishka grew concerned, and Trish was just outright bored. Melanie occasionally let slip a few complaints and more insults towards the girls, of which were swiftly ignored, unless Mishka wanted to exchange words with her. Apart from the growing tension, Pippin and Merry would often speak up and ask them questions about their homeworld, Sam mostly kept to himself apart from one or two questions. Frodo, well...Aspen felt a little concern for him, as before, she could tell that by the look in his eyes and his behavior, he had a lot on his mind. She would ask what, if she didn't already have her mind clogged with other emotions and questions.
And there was Strider...she didn't know what to make of him. The Hobbits appeared to still be naïve, although Strider...actually kind of made her worried. Besides him being armed with a legit and sharp sword and looking as if he knew how to use it, he acted only slightly...odd. Okay, the whole thing was odd, but still. When she had spoken her name to him, he looked a little surprised even. She couldn't make out what that meant. Unless he knew someone with that name...which would have also been interesting since she was the only person she knew to be called 'Aspen'.
Very slowly...but surely...she was beginning to accept that...she could quite possibly be fucked over in some medieval nightmare.
“Your clothes are so odd!”
Pippin's inquiries snapped her from her thoughts.
“Well your clothes aren't really odd to us considering we have people who dress up like you,” Trish replied, mouth halfway full from some bacon they had cooked. “not unless they're going to a party or Renaissance fair. Or something else of the sort.”
“You gotta remember, think of it like we're back in medieval times. It's like trying to explain the future to them.” Mishka added.
Trish shrugged. “Were midgets common in the medieval days?” She asked.
Mishka shrugged. “How should I know? I never payed attention in history class.”
Merry blinked. “Medieval?”
“Renaissance?” Pippin followed.
The other two looked at each other. Aspen smirked. “In our world, a Renaissance fair is where people get together to sort of just have fun and celebrate, they dress up like you all do.” The two Hobbits looked at her. “And medieval times are close to the era you all live in.”
“Because we have electricity and skyscrapers and cars, bitch.” Mishka said, gesturing wildly and giggling. “...Oh, and cellphones. ...Even though ours won't work here.” She pulled hers out to examine it.
Sam leaned in a little, actually coming out from his little corner to stay out of the way. “That isn't dangerous is it?”
“It can be.”
“Oh for-we scare them enough already, don't make it worse.” Trish slapped Mishka's shoulder.
“What a strange looking thing...” Merry said, looking at the cellphone, intruiged.
Melanie, of course, didn't hesitate whenever there was an opening for an insult. “Maybe they'll teach these lunatics how to be modern again.”
The girls only gave her irritated looks before going back to their conversation. “At least in this place you can't damage anyone with that thing...especially when your last one exploded.” Aspen laughed.
“Heeey that wasn't funny!”
The group continued to chatter, giggling and laughing a moment or two. The sound seemed to rattle Frodo from his sleep, as he woke up with a start. He looked around a moment before turning back to the others, only to look at them with a horrified expression.
Aspen blinked, making eye contact. “Hey, you're awake!” The others turned to look at him.
“What are you doing?!” He yelped incredulously.
Melanie yawned. “Dividing by zero.”
“Tomatoes, sausages,” Merry gestured to the frying pan over the fire happily. “some nice crispy bacon! And cellphones!” Aspen laughed at him.
Without another word Frodo instantly jumped up and rushed over to them. “We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo--” Sam was soon cut short when Frodo began to stomp on the fire, scattering the wood to try and put it out.
“Put it out, you fools! Put it out!” He shouted.
“Oh, that's nice!” Pippin whined. “Ash on my tomatoes!”
“Oi, hold up shorty! What's with the panic--” Aspen began to answer, until she was very quickly cut off by something that shocked every single one of them out of their skins, although the modern ones seemed to be more startled.
A high-pitched shriek pierced their ears and through the land around them, a feeling of dread washed over the Hobbits and the three girls as well. Melanie and Stephen jumped up from their seats to look around, as they all ran to look over the cliff to see what in the world just emitted that haunting cry.
None of them knew exactly what on earth was approaching the hill, but what they did see did not look pleasant. There were five figures draped in black cloaks, no faces could be seen under the hoods, and a growing fear manifested in Aspen's stomach, along with everyone else near her. She had no idea what these things were, but seeing five suspicious dark figures approach them in an organized manner made her even more worried.
Suddenly, the Hobbits all drew their swords, unsure of what else to do. They needed to move. They couldn't stay there any longer, otherwise these suspicious beings would reach them. And quite frankly, Aspen was done with meeting suspicious people for the day.
Frodo turned around to see a stairway leading from the overhang up to the ruins. It was their only way away from the hooded people below, and so he gestured for the others over to it. “Go! Up to the ruins!”
Without any protest, The Hobbits made a run for it, Mishka and Trish behind them as Aspen stuffed up her backpack and whirled it over her shoulders, keeping her Beretta in hand as she followed. Melanie and Stephen looked at each other, even more confused, but not unconcerned. Stephen seemed to be growing a bit frightened...although Melanie just looked down at the black cloaks coming closer to the hill. The two had no other choice but to dart back and follow the others.
Genre: Action/Adventure/Fantasy/Humor/Angst
Rating/Warnings: PG-13 - For mild language, violence, abuse, slight crude humor, and uh...more violence.
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters except the ones that are not related to the books/movies (fan characters, in other words). This is based on the movies, not the books, and the storyline has been altered just slightly with the new character. It’s the same story, but with the new character as an extra member of the Fellowship Of The Ring.
Summary: This is a remake of Through The Fire And Flames! Angelica (Aspen) Breann was a normal highschool girl struggling with her life, trying to keep her step-father pleased as to avoid any abuse. Although after a collision with an 18-wheeler, she finds herself and her friends waking up in a completely different world. Now they're stuck there. What a life.
Chapter Warnings: LOTS of cursing :U
Scroll Two: No Second Breakfast
The girls followed Strider and the four other young halflings, as confused as they all were, it was really the only option they had. Strider kept quiet, while the halflings occasionally glanced back at the girls, Mishka and Trish whispering to each other about 'how much we're so screwed right now'. Aspen kept her eye on the strange men...she still didn't trust them, but they had no choice. They were about as lost as a blind person in a desert.
More importantly, how they even got in a place like this was another good question. Aspen was looking forward to that field trip...moreso she would be able to sneak off the bus and to Trish's house to stay. She would have escaped Maverick's clutches. ...And now this. Just what a day this was.
Suddenly stopped in her tracks, Aspen nearly stumbled over one of the Hobbits, “Ack!”
“Oi!” The one with the thick Scottish accent yelped as she wobbled to keep from tripping over him. “Watch where you're--” he looked up to see Aspen and he instantly shrunk back. “--...oh. Ah...s-sorry milady.”
She blinked at him, finally noticing how tiny they were compared to her. How on earth could these men be so small...unless they were midgets?
“Oh it's alright...ahh...” She motioned as if to recall his name...which she already forgot. Getting them all mixed up, rather.
“Oh, I'm Pippin.” He pointed to himself, seeming a bit more content that she didn't squash him.
The girl nodded slowly. “...Right.”
The Hobbits turned and began pulling cookware and food out of their packs. Mishka and Trish came up behind Aspen, both babbling about where they could be, and how they could've gotten there. Strider appeared to stop as well, seeming to look around the area before turning to the group behind him.
“Gentlemen,” He began, catching their attention. “we do not stop 'till nightfall.”
The Hobbits looked up at him, a tad confused. “What about breakfast?” Pippin spoke.
Strider gave him an odd look. “We've already had it.” He said obviously.
Pippin tilted his head. “We've had one yes, but what about second breakfast?” He asked.
Without a word, Strider turned and walked away past the bushes. The girls and Pippin blinked.
“I think you're the only one I'd know to have a second breakfast, Aspen.” Trish giggled. Aspen rolled her eyes.
Merry turned to look at Pippin, packing his cookware back up. “Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip.”
Merry slung his pack over his shoulder and began to walk off, while Pippin looked quite surprised. “But what about elevensees?” He asked, following Merry and avoiding a root in the ground as to not trip on it. “Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?”
The girls blinked again. “You'd fit in with them, Asp--” Trish began, though was nudged in the ribs by Aspen.
Merry stopped to turn and look at Pippin. “I wouldn't count on it.” The other looked rather disappointed at this.
Then suddenly, an apple is tossed over the bushes and Merry catches it just in time before it clocked him in the head. He looked at it a moment before handing it to Pippin and patting him quickly on the shoulder, shrugging his pack back over his shoulder and began walking again.
Pippin, looking confused as ever, just looked at the apple and back to Merry, only to have another apple fly out of nowhere and hit him on the forehead, startling him as he held his head and began looking around for the source of where the apple was flung.
“Pippin!” Merry called irritatingly.
The halfling looked down at the apple in his hands a little disappointed, but still holding his head to make sure no more apples came around to hit him again. Suddenly an apple met his sight inches from his face, looking to see that Aspen had picked it up and was handing it to him. He looked up at her, seemingly entranced by her appearance, even though she looked rugged as ever; her messy hair strewn about her face and loose ponytail dangling over her shoulder. He then noticed the small gash on her head...and the blood stained down the side of her face. His brows raised and eyes widened.
She raised an eyebrow at him. “You okay? Here's your apple.”
He blinked. “U-um...yes. Thank you.” He then took the apple from her and looked back up as she raised back up to her own height. “...Are you okay?”
Aspen looked confused a moment. Then she recalled the pain she had in her head. Trish and Mishka came around to look at her, then they both bore surprised expressions at the blood and gash on their friend's head.
“Good God, Aspen! Doesn't that hurt you?!” Mishka blurted, raising her hands to the blonde's head.
“Well I do have quite a headache...why?” She then saw blood on Mishka's fingers when she lowered her hand. “...Oh shit.”
“You need a doctor!” Trish exclaimed.
“...I bet that's what's wrong with me.” Aspen muttered rather flatly. “Hit my head and now I'm dead.”
“Don't say that,” Mishka retorted. “you just need a doctor so that doesn't get infected.”
Aspen nodded and turned back to the Hobbits, who were staring at them over their shoulders. “...What?”
“You are odd.” Pippin blurted out to them, rather innocently oblivious.
Aspen looked down at him amusedly. “Yeah, well you guys aren't exactly normal for us either.” She began walking to catch up with Strider, as the rest of them followed suit.
“Where do you come from then if you aren't from here?” The chubby one, called Samwise as the girls remembered, spoke up to them.
Aspen wobbled over a small rock, not noticing it at first. “Goddamn it,” she spluttered before regaining her balance and coming up behind Strider, who appeared to have stopped on a nearby cliff.
“A huge city with towering buildings and cars, not a desolate landscape like this.” Trish said, almost exasperatedly, gesturing out towards the open areas with not a single skyscraper in sight.
“Cars?” One of the Hobbits piped.
The girls exchanged glances.
“...You know what cars are, don't you?” Mishka looked at the boys like they were crazy. They shook their heads. The girls looked at each other again. “You know...automobiles? Transportation devices? Made out of metal? Four wheels? ...Vroom, vroom?”
It seemed that only the more Mishka went on, the more confused the Hobbits looked.
Trish leaned in. “...I don't think they even know what 'vroom vroom' means, Missy.”
The brunette flailed. “GOD! I want to be back in my own city...no, wait, my own time!” She stormed off towards Aspen.
Aspen stopped behind Strider, a little curious as to why he was so still. “Hey, Strider,” She called, “what's wrong?” When he didn't answer, she shook her head and tried climbing up the rocks without stumbling, more or less slipping on the snow even, to get to where he was.
Ignoring the sound of Mishka squealing about wanting to get back home, Aspen walked up behind Strider, “Hey, you hear me--?” She instantly froze once she raised her head up to see what he had been staring at.
The sight both shocked and horrified her, causing her whole body to stop working, the impact delivering both disbelief and even more confusion. She hadn't even noticed Mishka coming up behind her with the others, still running her mouth uninterrupted.
“--and sane people, and the freaking--” Mishka immediately paused once she saw what the other two caught eye of, Trish coming over her shoulder and looking at the sight with the same expression. “--...cars.”
The sight before them was a large, yellow vehicle, crushed in one area and lying on its side. Bodies were strewn about the ground around it, most of them presumed dead due to how there appeared to be blood staining the snow beneath a few of them. This was the girls' school bus...and their classmates lying lifeless in the snow and grass. Nobody was moving, none even twitched, or groaned, not even the bus appeared to be in working condition, bits of metal and glass were everywhere.
The girls were taken by complete surprise. They were here...and now they find their bus, and their entire class dead on the ground there with them. Not only was this even more confusing, it also sparked the suspicion that...perhaps they really weren't in their original world anymore. But even if this were true...how in the hell did it happen?!
Strider and the Hobbits looked confused compared to the girls, both of them just looking at the strange yellow object as if they'd seen a group of men just run streaking in front of them down the plains.
“There are people!” Merry uttered, sounding surprised. “...Dead people! Where...where did they come from?”
Mishka looked on the brink of tears. “This is...oh, God this is...”
“Our bus...” Aspen finished in a whisper.
Trish covered her mouth, brows twisting upwards in an upset expression. “...They're dead! The whole class is...”
Without a word, Aspen turned and pulled both girls into a hug, as they wrapped an arm around her back and all huddled together in a moment of silence for their lost classmates, as well as the bus driver himself...he was trying to save them and in turn, this happened...
“I take it this is yours...” Strider spoke quietly, turning to them.
Aspen swallowed, taking a moment before she replied to him. “Our bus...it's what we were on before we got sent here, I guess...” she sniffled slightly. “...we knew those people. We got into a collision with...another one of those, uh...” she paused, trying to put it in a way he could understand. “...another one of those yellow things crashed into ours...”
She knew very well it was an eighteen wheeler, but they didn't even know what a damn skyscraper was, it didn't matter if they knew what kind of car slammed into their bus.
“You are definitely not from here...” She heard Strider mumble to himself.
Still holding her friends in a hug, letting them continue having their silence for their lost ones, she heard a twig snap in the background.
“Ooohhhh FFFUCK!!!”
That shout snapped everyone out of their daze, causing them to look to where the shrill cry had come from. Trish and Mishka wiped their faces and jerked up, the Hobbits looked scared, Strider gripped the haft of his sword in case of trouble, and Aspen? ...Oh, Aspen would know that angry voice anywhere.
The group looked up to see a familiar bleach-blonde appearing from behind the bus, her torso ducked as if she was injured, her once prepped wavy hair gone frizzy and messy due to the crash, her clothes torn in a couple of areas, and blood was visible on her left arm. She was definitely reduced to a mess compared to the glossy look she always had.
“Oh shit...” Trish sniffled.
“Rich bitch?” Aspen inquired. The girls nodded. “Thought so.” She then turned around, releasing the girls from the hug so she could see the she-bully stumbling her way out from around the bus.
Melanie stopped and looked around, angry and confused even more than the other three girls were when they just arrived. She let out a frustrated growl and turned back to the bus. “STEPHEN! Hurry up!”
Wobbling around, the girl's boyfriend appeared instantly around the wrecked vehicle like a loyal dog, the entire sleeve of his hoodie had been torn off, and as he stood up straight, looked equally as stunned as Melanie did, slowly turning in circles to look around him.
“Woah...” He uttered.
Melanie groaned. “Where the fuck are we?!” She then raised a hand to one of her ears...which was rather bloody...and hurting...and missing a large hooped earring. “...Ohh GOD! My EARRING!” She yelped.
Stephen walked over her to have a look. “Oh God, you gotta get that bandaged up!” He said.
As the two bickered and shouted, the group just stood and watched them. Strider didn't really sense any danger from these two...and thus released his sword. Besides, even if they were dangerous, he wouldn't have any difficulty of incapacitating them.
He leaned over to the girls. “Do you know these two?”
Aspen grimaced. “They were on the bus with us. If you think my mouth is bad for your time, these two have an even sharper tongue.” She said, earning a glance from the rugged man.
Mishka then turned to the halflings. “Remember what I was saying about cars?” The boys nodded. Mishka then pointed to the school bus. “That is one of the cars that's driven in our world.” The four looked wide eyed at the strange object, almost like a group of kids looking at something that would make them go 'Woah'.
Right after this was said, the girls made eye contact with Melanie. The stare lasted for a few seconds before the prep's expression twisted into a look of utter contempt, disgust...and complete anger.
“YOU!” She shouted and pointed.
“Ohh damn.” Aspen groaned and rolled her eyes.
Trish put a hand to her temple. “Great. Now we gotta deal with her.”
Melanie slapped Stephen away and stormed towards the girls, instantly scaring the Hobbits as the four of them turned and hid behind the three girls. Trish and Mishka looked at them amusedly, but patted their shoulders to reassure.
“Don't worry,” Mishka began. “Melanie couldn't hurt a fly--”
Immediately interrupting her was Melanie delivering a loud slap across Aspen's face, causing the the halflings to back away as to avoid any conflict that might get them squashed. Strider attempted to intervene, until Aspen grabbed Melanie's arm and flipped her over, slapping her onto the ground in an instant with a pained shout once the prep impacted with the ground.
Angrily, Aspen stomped her foot on the bleach-blonde's collarbone, the spikes on the tip of her boot a little too close for comfort to her face. “Bitch, you touch me like that again and I'll shave all that pretty silken hair off your snooty ass.” She snapped.
The Hobbits hid behind the other two girls even closer, already intimidated by the blonde pair being so blunt to each other. They must not be used to seeing women fight. Strider certainly looked equally surprised, though if not a little annoyed at their behavior.
“Melanie!” Stephen arose over the hill, glaring up at Aspen. “Get off her, cave girl--!”
Before he could finish, he was quickly yanked to the side by Strider, who was keeping him in a strong grip. Stephen looked at the man with disgust, even though now, the two didn't look all too different in appearance after that car crash pretty much wrecked both his and his girlfriend's appearances.
“That's enough,” Strider spoke. “there is no need for conflict, now calm down until we can figure out what has caused this situation.”
Aspen rolled her eyes and lifted her foot off Melanie's chest, who instantly stood up and dusted herself off in a paranoid manner before turning to look at Strider with the same look Stephen gave him.
“Who the fuck--”
“This is Strider, he found us unconscious a ways away from the bus.” Aspen explained.
“Shame you weren't dead.” Melanie spat. Strider's brows furrowed at her. He'd seen some haughty and tough females in his life, but none were as bad-mouthed as these girls.
“Yeah, well we ain't exactly happy to see you and your manwhore alive either.” Mishka said, putting a hand on her hip and looking at her with a brow raised.
“I don't have time for this shit,” Melanie spat. “I don't know why I'm standing here wasting my time with a group of losers and some hobo when I--” She instantly paused when she saw the halflings hiding behind the two girls. “...Wha...”
Trish glanced behind her. “Stop it, you're scaring the kids.”
“'Ey!” Sam piped up. “We're not kids!”
“FUCK this!” Melanie shouted. “You're all crazy! This...this place is crazy! And I'm getting out of here!” She reached into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone, dialing on it and holding it to her ear. She was awaiting a ringtone and someone to answer, but what she got instead was static blaring into her ear, causing her to jerk away and hang up the phone. “What the...”
Aspen tilted her head. “Huh...so our cellphones won't work here either.” She turned back to Mishka and Trish, who were pretty much sunk in to the fact that they were not in their present world. “Guess that's further proof we got flung into another world. ...Dimension. ...Timezone. Whatever.”
“What the hell?” Stephen spluttered. “What is going on?”
“We were in a car crash and knocked unconscious, the rest of our class is dead, and upon waking up we wound up in a completely different world.” Aspen explained in a nutshell rather flatly. “Either take it or leave it because you're stuck here with us losers.”
Melanie raised her hands to her head and began pulling on her hair, groaning frustratingly. “I cannot believe this shit is happening. I'm stuck here with these freaks--I need a hospital so I can get myself fixed and looking PRETTY again!”
Stephen tilted his head. “Oh come on babe, you're always pretty--” She sent him a quick glare, pointing at the blood on her arms and scrapes on her face. He swallowed and said no more.
Aspen stepped forward expectantly. “Are you two lovebirds finished? Because Strider here was going to show us to someone who might be able to help. So either shut up or stay here.”
Mishka and Trish looked at their friend, incredulous. “You're offering them to come with us? Fuck that, let them stay here!” Trish blurt out.
“We're wasting time here arguing when we probably could have met this person to help us already.”
Strider released Stephen and stepped forward, folding his arms. “It's your choice, because we must not tarry. We must find a place to rest before nightfall, which will come soon.”
The couple looked at him like he was crazy. “Who the...is this guy some stupid cosplayer or something?”
Strider looked at her with furrowed brows. What was it with them calling him this 'cosplayer' thing? He looked up at Aspen.
“Unfortunately, no, he isn't.” She shook her head and pointed to his sword. “Fuck with him and I'm sure he could cut you into pieces.” Melanie and Stephen looked to where she pointed and backed away once they saw the sword around his waist.
Mishka then stomped her foot and approached them, huffing. “Alright, I'm getting impatient. Unlike you, we actually want to get home, and we're going to leave with or without you, so either shut up and follow us, or sit your asses here and stay put!” She then stormed off towards the bus.
Aspen, Trish and the Hobbits looked at each other. Aspen shrugged. “She said it for me. Seeya.” She turned and followed her friend, with Trish behind her, and the Hobbits along as if in a line.
Strider glanced between them all and raised his brows, shaking his head and turning to lead them on. “As she said, either follow us or stay here. Your choice.”
Melanie and Stephen stood there as the others walked on, completely lost and confused.
With an angry huff and pout, the two chased after the group ahead of them.
The group left behind the wrecked school bus, unable to really do much about it...the girls at least had stopped to mourn the dead. Mishka suggested and pleaded that they buried their fellow classmates...as it did appear that, none of the others had survived. A few had been crushed underneath the bus, others had been thrown violently onto the ground. It was quite a gruesome scene for them...none of them had experienced something like this, and it wasn't easy to even see.
They buried who they could find, as Mishka said a prayer for their dead. Aspen had tried to keep Melanie and Stephen away to prevent them from ruining the moment, as they were already in enough of a predicament, something like their behavior wasn't needed in a moment of silence for lost ones. Strider, needless to say, was rather appalled at Melanie's behavior during Mishka's praying. It wasn't difficult to see who was the real ass out of the bunch.
A few hours later after that, the group had pushed on and were crossing through rough, rocky country. The landscape grew even more desolate of anything that might look modern, none of them saw anything that could possibly be from their time. And mostly, all they got was trees, rocks, and more trees. Occasionally, Melanie would splutter some garbage about Aspen and the others getting her into this mess, followed by slapping Stephen on the shoulder if he tried to comfort her. It was clear she didn't want anyone touching her in the mood she was in.
Strider stopped and looked up, what appeared to be the ruins of a building stood atop a tall hill. Aspen and the girls stopped, looking at what was left of it...figures the first building they see in this world is old and crumbling. Their shoulders sagged.
“This was the great watchtower of Amon Sûl.” Strider spoke, turning to his group. “We shall rest here tonight.”
“The Amou wha?” Trish asked.
Strider chuckled at her.
“Oh fucking great,” Melanie came up behind them. “the FIRST building in this screwed up place turns out to be old and rotting.” Did she read their minds?
Aspen turned around and tilted her head. “What, not enough wallpaper and chandeliers for you, Ms. Priss?”
Melanie sneered at her. “I think I'd prefer those instead of that junk heap.”
Strider raised a brow at her. “Well, let us hope that your loud mouth does not attract any unwanted attention.” He said before looking at Aspen and nodding, pressing onward towards the ruins.
Melanie stood still, shocked that he said such a thing to her. Aspen and her girls snickered, turning to follow Strider.
“...Wait...what did he mean by 'unwanted attention'?”
They continued up the hill and eventually made it into an overhang in the hill's summit, deciding to settle down in the area for the night. The Hobbits, weary from their long travel, slung off their packs to plop down on the ground. When Aspen looked at them, she assumed they must have been traveling a longer distance than initially thought.
Once entering the overhang, the girls saw the view it gave off over the entire valley. The plains were in perfect view, they could see everything. The clouds grew dark, with the sunset only shining brightly through a few cracks. It didn't look like a sunset back in their world...but it was still beautiful. Strider stood looking out over the land, while the rest of them sat down to rest after walking so long.
“Ah finally, m' feet are killing me.” Sam flopped back onto the ground.
The girls took their seats as well, all trying to bundle up against the cold. Aspen took her backpack off, but kept it very close to her as to not risk it getting stolen.
Strider came around and sat a bundle down on the ground, opening it up to reveal four small swords inside. Melanie jumped back in surprise, looking at him with disgust.
“These are for you. Keep them close.” He picked up the swords and tossed them one by one to the halflings, Merry and Pippin catching theirs clumsily. Strider rolled back up the cloth and stood up. “I'm going to have a look around.”
The girls looked up at him, surprised. “Wait...you're just gonna leave us here?” Trish asked, incredulous.
“What if some nutjob comes around and tries to kill us?!” Mishka squeaked, curling into a ball.
Strider was about to answer her question until Aspen gestured out to the landscape. “Look at that-we're in the middle of nowhere. I doubt anyone is going to stumble on us anytime soon.” She said rather nonchalantly.
Mishka looked at her like she was mad. “Are you nuts?! We're in a completely different world and you act like it's just a damn cakewalk!”
A scoff was heard behind them and they all turned to Melanie. “Another world? You people are crazy.”
“You got a good explanation for all this?” Trish inquired, gesturing to Strider and the four halflings.
“Yeah,” Melanie stepped away from Stephen and looked Strider up and down. “this is some messed up LARPer who hasn't showered in a few days, and these guys are his four weird little midget friends.” She looked at the Hobbits.
“Beggin' your pardon milady,” Sam spoke up, giving Melanie a defensive look. “but we're Hobbits.”
Melanie rolled her eyes. “I don't care what you are, you nutjob.” Sam certainly looked taken aback.
“Then explain how the fuck we got out in this godforsaken country and how we're not in the city.” Trish retorted.
Before Melanie could answer her, Strider stepped in to prevent the argument from getting worse.
“Miladies and sir, you will get your answers once we find Gandalf,” He instantly saw their expressions grow more confused and expectant. “but for now, you will just have to trust me. I will get you to Rivendell, and to the answers you seek. For now, stay here while I have a look around.” He turned to leave, looking at them one more time. “Scream if any trouble does show up.” And then he disappeared.
Melanie scoffed again. “Well that's helpful.”
Stephen looked at Melanie confidently. “Looks like I'm the only man around here to protect you.” She grinned at him.
“Uh, hey,” Trish interrupted them, much to their disappointment. “this is not the place to start eating each others' faces off.”
“Who the hell is Gandalf?” Mishka turned to Aspen, who merely shrugged.
“No idea, but if it makes you feel any safer,” The blonde began, unzipping her backpack and reaching down into the very bottom of it to pull out something metallic and...dangerous. It was a Beretta pistol...not too hard to figure out where she got it from. “I got this. Stole it from Mav's gun cabinet.”
Mishka yelped and backed away, startling Trish and only shocking Melanie and Stephen further. “Holy shit, girl!” Mishka shouted. “Are you crazy?! Stuffing a gun in your backpack?! What if that thing was set off!”
Aspen sighed and rolled her eyes. “That's what the safety on guns are for.”
“You know way too much about those things.”
“Living in a house with a guy like Maverick, kinda hard not to want to learn how to use them.” Aspen snapped rather quickly, checking the clip in the pistol before aiming it off into the distance.
Mishka and Trish instantly went silent, sending her sympathetic looks. Before one of them could say anything, Pippin, already known as the most curious and oblivious, leaned in to try and examine the weapon further interestedly.
“What's that? I've never seen anything like that before!” He asked.
“Careful kid,” Mishka warned. “you don't know what it is, don't need to be handling it.”
Aspen turned back around to show it to him a moment. “This is called a gun. It's a standard weapon in our world. We don't use swords.” The other three Hobbits joined in to look at it curiously.
“And I bet you got a nice knife down in there somewhere.” Trish said humorously.
“Of course I do. I never leave that house unarmed.” Aspen snorted.
“You certainly seem to know how to arm yourself for defense.” The girls turned to the one they assumed was Frodo. He seemed to be the one that spoke the least.
“He can speak!” Trish giggled.
“Lay off 'im,” Sam retorted. “we aren't supposed to be out 'ere. He's nervous enough as it is.”
Mishka turned around a bit more to face them. “What do you mean?”
The Hobbits exchanged glances, almost as if they were wondering if it was a good idea to tell them or not.
“They just strayed too far from their role-playing bounds.” Melanie soon piped up. “And being that short I'm not surprised they got lost.” She snorted.
“Mind you, we're as equally as lost as they might be, dumbass.” Trish pointed out. Melanie rolled her eyes.
Sam cleared his throat to gain their attention again. “We're...headed to Rivendell. To deliver an important item.”
Frodo nodded. “It cannot stay where we live...it's much too dangerous.”
Aspen tilted her head. “...Wait, what? Where's Rivendell? And what're you delivering there?”
For a moment, they seemed a bit surprised, specifically Sam. “It's Rivendell! One of the cities of the elves!” He spoke as if it were obvious.
The modern ones blinked.
Melanie and Stephen burst out laughing.
“Elves?! Can you believe this?!” Stephen said between laughs.
Mishka then gestured for Merry to come towards her, and he did so very reluctantly. She turned his head so she could see his ear...which was larger than normal human ears, and pointed at the end. Trish and Mishka's brows raised, though Mishka reached and then tugged on his ear rather hard, emitting a yelp from the halfling as he jerked away and looked at her as if she was mad, holding his ear.
The two looked back at each other and then to Aspen. “...Those are pretty authentic to be fake.”
Mishka shook her head. “If those were fake, it would have come off,” She glanced back to Merry who was still holding his ear and glaring at her. “...his ears are real.”
“He's mutated.” Melanie scoffed.
“All four of them have ears like that.”
“Quadruplets then.”
Aspen rolled her eyes.
Sam turned to Frodo. “You best get some sleep, Mr.Frodo. We still have a ways to go before we reach Rivendell.” Frodo nodded, clasping a necklace across his collarbone, catching Aspen's attention.
She said nothing though. Frodo stood and began to walk away from the group, as Pippin began to question Aspen again about her gun, curious as ever. He made his way towards Melanie and Stephen, to pass them, only to stumble slightly over Melanie's foot, to which he turned around to look at her angrily, she just scoffed and snickered. He just turned his head and continued walking to find a spot on the ground to lie down on.
Aspen had her eye on all three of them.
An hour and a half had passed, and it had become dark. The sun was no longer sending an odd shine through the clouds, the moon now sending an eerie glow across the lands through the night sky, even though the clouds only grew dark and rolled over them. Wind whipped only slightly, and thankfully the group was out of the snow and had built a small fire to keep them warm, along with pulling out the cookware to make some food. The girls couldn't understand how the Hobbits could handle this weather in such light clothing...and with no shoes. Everything still surprised them, even though they had sort of sinked into the fact that they were no longer in their own world.
After such time had passed, Aspen grew impatient, Mishka grew concerned, and Trish was just outright bored. Melanie occasionally let slip a few complaints and more insults towards the girls, of which were swiftly ignored, unless Mishka wanted to exchange words with her. Apart from the growing tension, Pippin and Merry would often speak up and ask them questions about their homeworld, Sam mostly kept to himself apart from one or two questions. Frodo, well...Aspen felt a little concern for him, as before, she could tell that by the look in his eyes and his behavior, he had a lot on his mind. She would ask what, if she didn't already have her mind clogged with other emotions and questions.
And there was Strider...she didn't know what to make of him. The Hobbits appeared to still be naïve, although Strider...actually kind of made her worried. Besides him being armed with a legit and sharp sword and looking as if he knew how to use it, he acted only slightly...odd. Okay, the whole thing was odd, but still. When she had spoken her name to him, he looked a little surprised even. She couldn't make out what that meant. Unless he knew someone with that name...which would have also been interesting since she was the only person she knew to be called 'Aspen'.
Very slowly...but surely...she was beginning to accept that...she could quite possibly be fucked over in some medieval nightmare.
“Your clothes are so odd!”
Pippin's inquiries snapped her from her thoughts.
“Well your clothes aren't really odd to us considering we have people who dress up like you,” Trish replied, mouth halfway full from some bacon they had cooked. “not unless they're going to a party or Renaissance fair. Or something else of the sort.”
“You gotta remember, think of it like we're back in medieval times. It's like trying to explain the future to them.” Mishka added.
Trish shrugged. “Were midgets common in the medieval days?” She asked.
Mishka shrugged. “How should I know? I never payed attention in history class.”
Merry blinked. “Medieval?”
“Renaissance?” Pippin followed.
The other two looked at each other. Aspen smirked. “In our world, a Renaissance fair is where people get together to sort of just have fun and celebrate, they dress up like you all do.” The two Hobbits looked at her. “And medieval times are close to the era you all live in.”
“Because we have electricity and skyscrapers and cars, bitch.” Mishka said, gesturing wildly and giggling. “...Oh, and cellphones. ...Even though ours won't work here.” She pulled hers out to examine it.
Sam leaned in a little, actually coming out from his little corner to stay out of the way. “That isn't dangerous is it?”
“It can be.”
“Oh for-we scare them enough already, don't make it worse.” Trish slapped Mishka's shoulder.
“What a strange looking thing...” Merry said, looking at the cellphone, intruiged.
Melanie, of course, didn't hesitate whenever there was an opening for an insult. “Maybe they'll teach these lunatics how to be modern again.”
The girls only gave her irritated looks before going back to their conversation. “At least in this place you can't damage anyone with that thing...especially when your last one exploded.” Aspen laughed.
“Heeey that wasn't funny!”
The group continued to chatter, giggling and laughing a moment or two. The sound seemed to rattle Frodo from his sleep, as he woke up with a start. He looked around a moment before turning back to the others, only to look at them with a horrified expression.
Aspen blinked, making eye contact. “Hey, you're awake!” The others turned to look at him.
“What are you doing?!” He yelped incredulously.
Melanie yawned. “Dividing by zero.”
“Tomatoes, sausages,” Merry gestured to the frying pan over the fire happily. “some nice crispy bacon! And cellphones!” Aspen laughed at him.
Without another word Frodo instantly jumped up and rushed over to them. “We saved some for you, Mr. Frodo--” Sam was soon cut short when Frodo began to stomp on the fire, scattering the wood to try and put it out.
“Put it out, you fools! Put it out!” He shouted.
“Oh, that's nice!” Pippin whined. “Ash on my tomatoes!”
“Oi, hold up shorty! What's with the panic--” Aspen began to answer, until she was very quickly cut off by something that shocked every single one of them out of their skins, although the modern ones seemed to be more startled.
A high-pitched shriek pierced their ears and through the land around them, a feeling of dread washed over the Hobbits and the three girls as well. Melanie and Stephen jumped up from their seats to look around, as they all ran to look over the cliff to see what in the world just emitted that haunting cry.
None of them knew exactly what on earth was approaching the hill, but what they did see did not look pleasant. There were five figures draped in black cloaks, no faces could be seen under the hoods, and a growing fear manifested in Aspen's stomach, along with everyone else near her. She had no idea what these things were, but seeing five suspicious dark figures approach them in an organized manner made her even more worried.
Suddenly, the Hobbits all drew their swords, unsure of what else to do. They needed to move. They couldn't stay there any longer, otherwise these suspicious beings would reach them. And quite frankly, Aspen was done with meeting suspicious people for the day.
Frodo turned around to see a stairway leading from the overhang up to the ruins. It was their only way away from the hooded people below, and so he gestured for the others over to it. “Go! Up to the ruins!”
Without any protest, The Hobbits made a run for it, Mishka and Trish behind them as Aspen stuffed up her backpack and whirled it over her shoulders, keeping her Beretta in hand as she followed. Melanie and Stephen looked at each other, even more confused, but not unconcerned. Stephen seemed to be growing a bit frightened...although Melanie just looked down at the black cloaks coming closer to the hill. The two had no other choice but to dart back and follow the others.