The Invasion Of Aragorn
Chapter Three: The Minstrel Of Lothlórien
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Two
tall cups of chai and a notebook of blank paper sat on the coffeeshop
table. "Okay, the Galadriel thing didn't work. Maybe we're trying to be too serious. Let's do something just for fun." "So, back to Aragorn, then?" "I've always wanted to write one of those 'mysterious girl joins the Fellowship' stories. It would be kind of Mary Sueish, but that's not a bad thing if we have fun with it." "So she's joining as a love interest of Aragorn's, then? That could be good." "Aragorn *has* a love interest, remember?" "He could always use another one--you know, one who appreciates his supreme hotness." "Nah, to get the full Mary Sue effect, she's got to fall for Legolas." "Legolas is a nancy. I prefer real men, and so should my avatar." "C'mon, it'll be fun. Let's see, she's got to have a name which sounds sort of Elvish but isn't quite..." ******* The moon was setting upon the Golden Wood of Lothlórien as Muriel finished singing the beautiful lament for Gandalf. The fallen wizard who had been like a second father to her, she reflected as she brushed the tears from her long-lashed, violet eyes. She knew that her voice had not been at its best, though anyone listening would have said that the slight break of sadness made it all the more surpassingly lovely. As she made her way down from the flet where she had been singing, the long skirt of her silken dress trailed behind her. It was the color of sea foam, with a silver belt and sweetheart neckline. She stepped daintily to the forest floor. The soft grass felt cool and pleasant to her bare feet. Seated under a tree was a tall Elf she had never seen before. His long, blond hair was perfectly arranged on his broad shoulders and his sapphire-blue eyes were bright with tears. At Muriel's approach, the Elf stood up and bowed respectfully. "Were you singing just now?" he asked. "It was beautiful." "It most certainly was," a Man remarked, as he came out of the shadowy wood. "Thank you," Muriel replied modestly. "I have been told that I get my singing skill from my father, who was a famous Elven minstrel from Rivendell. My mother was one of the last Unicorns in Middle-Earth." Muriel had all but forgotten about the Elf, and now focused completely on the Man, with his powerful shoulders and dark, mysteriously handsome looks. "Alas," she continued, "my mother was slain by orcs a few years ago and my father has disappeared. I do not know whether he has gone to Valinor or been taken captive by Sauron's dark powers." "I am sorry to hear of your loss," said the Elf. "By the way, I am Legolas, prince of Mirkwood." "And who are you?" Muriel asked the handsome Man, oblivious to the Elf's attempts at an advance. "I am called Aragorn," he said, in a gruff but surprisingly warm and comforting voice. "And I know your pain, my lady, for I too am an orphan." "Aragorn..." breathed Muriel, "such a beautiful and noble name!" "My father is King Thranduil," Legolas added helpfully. "And what is your name, beautiful singer?" "I am called Muriel," she answered in offhand manner, and then turned back to the Man. "How did you ever overcome that terrible loss?" "I have never overcome it, my Lady," he answered, with a sadness in that gentle voice that nearly broke her heart. "It is a trial I live with daily." "Oh!" Muriel cried, shedding a single, crystal tear of her own. "Perhaps we could walk in the woods together, my Lord, and share our sorrows?" He extended his strong arm, bent at the elbow for her. "I would be honored, Lady Muriel." She hooked her arm in his, and the two of them strode away from Legolas into the leafy green wood. ******* The authors looked at each other silently for a few seconds. "Okay, so maybe Muriel Sue was a bad idea." "I kinda like her. She has quiet dignity." "I'm closing the notebook now and if anyone ever asks me about that story, I will plead insanity." ******* Legolas sat moping on a log, staring wistfully into the forest. He wished silently for a mirror, or a gazing pond. Had his looks gone south that quickly, after only these few months on the road? Suddenly, a half-dressed Aragorn came crashing out of the brush, straight toward the Elf. The Man was looking wildly about, as if his very life depended on escaping his apparent pursuer. "Hide me!" he hissed, grabbing the elf around the shoulders. "From what?" Legolas craned to see around him, but noticed nothing save the green of the wood. "From Muriel, the mad half-dragon, half-unicorn, half-minstrel--thing--out there! She's trying to bed me! First, I had those disturbing dreams about Galadriel, and now this!" "What exactly were you dreaming about Galadriel, eh?" Legolas asked archly. He tried to cross his arms for effect, but Aragorn's proximity made the pose an impossibility. "Never mind that! You have to hide me!" "I'll hide you, *Lord* Aragorn, only if you'll promise to never tell a single soul that a fair maiden actually preferred you to me." "I will, I swear it!" the desperate Man fairly shouted. He then added, under his breath, "And Legolas...please do not mention this to the future queen..." GO TO Chapter Four BACK to Chapter Index BACK to GypsieRose Index BACK to Fanfic Index BACK to Main Page |