The New Girl (A Lord of the Rings Fanfiction)

Ch.2

Julie's PoV:

'I told Gandalf I would keep you safe, and safe I will keep you.' Treebeard says.

'Whats going on?' Pippin says as he looks across the trees.

'The orcs are going to war...' Treebeard says as I start to zone out what he says. Being in this tree reminds me of when I sat on the roof of the apartment complex, looking at the night sky, except right now it's daytime. The cool breeze in my face refreshes my senses as Treebeard paces through the woods. I can't seem to collect my feelings about my current situation. Do I like Pippin? I mean, my likes will eventually turn to the unwanted feeling of love, and I don't want to fall in love because I once heard that everything that falls gets broken. I come back and notice that Treebeard has stepped into a clearing.

'Now we will decide if the ents will go to war.' Treebeard said, and started naming different types of trees. I look at Pippin, who looks at me and Merry. Treebeard takes is off his branches and sets us down on the ground. My legs feel wobbly and I stumble, and unfortunately tripping. My hands catch myself before I hit the ground, as do my knees. I look up to see a hand.

'You okay?' I hear Pippin ask me. I nod and take his soft hand, and he grasps it and helps me up. He hasn't really spoken to me for a while... is he mad?

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That evening, before it gets dark, I sit on the ground and look through my purse, to make sure the stupid orcs didn't go through it. I pick through the remnants inside, making sure everything is there. Let's see... bandages: check, books: check. My fingers graze a piece of paper and my heart stops. I has to muster the courage to breathe as my heart pounds against the trap of my body. My eyes well up as I take hold of the smooth and rough card-stock. I pull it out of the soft purse and look at the picture.

It's... me, my mom, my dad, and my sister, Karen. This was taken of us a day before... the thing happened. A tear falls from my eyes and drops on the picture. I close my eyes tight and take a deep breath, hoping not to draw attention. Releasing the breath, I carefully put the picture back in my purse and close it. I release another tear and pull my knees to my chest, with the purse next to me. I sob quietly as the memory haunts my memory.

Pippins PoV:

Merry and I are eating some of the Lembas when Merry gives some to me.

'What is this for? I already have plenty.' I tell him, pushing the lembas to him.

'Well why don't you take it to your girlfriend over there? She looks like she need some company.' Merry offers, bouncing the lembas back.

'Merry-' I start.

'Pippin, go.' Merry said sternly.

'Okay okay!' I say, taking the waybread. He smiles and lays on the grass. 'I think I am going to take a nap Pippin.' He says and I chuckle.

'Have fun.' I tell him. I get some water I got at a spring, and make my way to Julie.

She hides her face in her knees and makes quiet gasps, with occasional sniffs, as if she's crying. Her hair is the same beautiful shade of black it's always been. I sit next to her and put my hand on her back.

'Hello Julie.... um... Merry and I were eating some lembas and I was just wondering if you wanted some...' I explain, offering the bread and water to her. She takes a deep breath and removes her head from her knees, then putting them cross-legged. Her face looks damp as she takes the food and water.

'Thank you.' She says. I recognize the sadness in her voice, and my heart starts to ache. I decide not to tell her what I saw days before.

'Are you okay?' I ask her, putting my hand on her shoulder.

She takes another deep breath and smiles faintly. 'Yes I am fine.' She says and takes a small bite of the lembas. I don't believe a word of it.

'No your not Julie. Please tell me what wrong?' I ask.

'You're just saying that Pippin. I...' She pauses and shuts her eyes for a moment. '... I am fine.' She says, her voice cracking. We make eye contact and hug, with her quietly crying on my shoulder. I know what's wrong. It's her parents.

'I can't run from the memory Pippin.' She whispers. I listen to her and stroke her hair, like how a guy-who-likes-her-but-she-doesn't-know-it-yet guy would. I take her shoulders lightly and push her in front of me. Her eyes glow in the shining sunset behind her.

'Julie... It's going to be okay. Your family may have left you, but you have Merry and I! And Frodo and Sam.' I comfort.

'Well, that doesn't sound so bad.' She sad playfully an smiles, this time for real. Her eyes have a faint red outline from the tears.

'No it doesn't.' I assure. 'Now, why don't you get some sleep?' I suggest, standing up. It's now dark, and I see Merry get up from his nap.

'Okay. Goodnight Pippin.' She says.