Stuck In The Middle

Mellon

  

   Atalanta's light blade clashed with a heavy one, and Atalanta looked at the familiar figure. She sighed, lowering her blade, and plopped down on the grass.

''You're awfully alert.'' Aragorn noticed, as he sat down next to her. ''Why?''

Atalanta sighed. Well, for one, she didn't wanna die. For two....well, wasn't it obvious? ''I just want any threat to my sisters gone.''

Aragorn nodded. ''You care for them very much, do you not?''

''Yes.'' Atalanta said, rather stiffly.

''Is there something more?''

''Well, Kate.....she doesn't think she's ready, and I really want to believe she is, but.....she isn't. I can tell that she joined for us, to act like a mother. I can tell that her and Boromir have a thing, though, and I know that she won't leave the Fellowship.

''Ashley......well, Ashley is more ready. She's really great with the bow, and she's rapidly improving. However, I think she struggles to realize that we are in Middle-Earth, and that this is real.'' Atalanta explains, as Aragorn listening intently.

''And you?''

''Hmm?''

''What's your flaw?''

Atalanta thought, for a second. Should she tell him? It was a rather personal matter. ''I'll let you find out, for yourself.''

Aragorn chuckled at her answer, before standing up. He reached his hand out, to help her up, but Atalanta ignored it, standing up, on her own. This caused Aragorn to laugh, as Atalanta glared.

''I'll take watch.'' He said, and Atalanta nodded. She had to admit, she was exhausted. It had to have been their fourth day of traveling, and she hadn't slept one bit. What good was she in the Mines, if she were tired?

___

Atalanta felt a boot to her rib, and cracked an eye open, to see Ashley standing there. ''What?'' Atalanta grumbled, irritably.

''Wake up, sleepy head. It's time to get going!'' Ashley said, helping her sister up. With Ashley, Atalanta wasn't as stubborn, so she allowed her twin to lift her up.

''Is everyone ready?'' Atalanta asked, glancing. She was still in her previous attire, which contained a light green tunic, and black athletic pants.

''Well......everyone but the love birds.'' Ashley replied, smirking. Atalanta realized whom her twin was talking about and shook her head. She looked around, and sure enough, Kate and Boromir were holding hands, muttering warm words of comfort. Sighing, Atalanta swung her bag over her shoulder, and took a gasp of breath.

''ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, LISTEN UP.'' Atalanta shouting, as the Fellowship diverted their attention to the craziest of them all – the youngest Jackson sister. ''I WANT AS ALL TO AGREE ON SOMETHING. YOU SEE, MY SISTER KATHERYN AND THE STEWARD - I MEAN, THE SON OF THE STEWARD OF GONDOR ARE CLEARLY IN A RELATIONSHIP, HERE. SO......WHO AGREES?''

The majority of the Fellowship laughed, as Boromir and Kate turned beet-red. They all gave some sort of recognition, prompting Atalanta and Ashley to burst out laughing.

Boromir stood up, holding Kate's hand. ''We agree, too. We are in a relationship, and one that we are proud of.'' Boromir said, confidently. Kate smiled, and Boromir felt as if he had won the world. She kissed his cheek, as the Fellowship cheered.

''We should be going.'' Gandalf broke it up, speaking gravely. The Fellowship turned solemn, and Atalanta wondered why such a killjoy has been invited.

Gandalf sashayed over, his dark grey cloak billowing around him, like a grey storm. He walked confidently, and in a moment of pride - he was sure he could figure out the password of Moria - he forgot that the girls knew the password.

Atalanta caught Ashley glancing Legolas's way, and saw him return the stare. She knew - a hundred percent - that Ashley had a huge crush on him. Atalanta didn't know why, for all she knew of Legolas was the Legolas of the movies, who was the 'perfect' Prince of Mirkwood, and could be slightly cold at times.

However, Atalanta had a slight suspicion that Legolas returned Ashley's feelings. She knew that - if this was true - that they would dance around each other, until the last possible minute.

"Ashley!" Atalanta shook her twin's arm, shaking Ashley out of her thoughts. Atalanta knew that these feelings of love were precious to Ashley, but sincerely hoped that her twin would put her feelings aside. Or for the duration of the quest, at least.

"Huh?" Ashley asked, confused.

"The Gate of Moria, remember? We need to give them the password, so we don't have to fight the ocean demon thing." Atalanta explains.

''Right.'' Ashley nods, and smiles at Atalanta. Legolas saw this smile, and felt slightly jealous....why could Atalanta make Ashley smile so easily?

''You good?'' Atalanta asked, looking at Ashley, carefully. ''And don't you dare lie to me. I'm your twin, I know when something's up....ish.''

''Mhm. Everything's fine.''

''Yeah. Sure.''

''What?''

''Legolas.'' Atalanta stated, quiet bluntly.

Ashley raised her eyebrow. ''Legolas what?''

''You like him.''

''You don't have to say it like that! I thought it was obvious.''

Atalanta laughed. ''You're hiding it well.''

Just then, the girls heard a conversation. When they heard this, they laughed, for it was a very well known conversation.

''The doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.'' Gandalf muttered, trying to figure out the puzzle.

''What do you suppose that means?'' Merry asked, as Atalanta rolled her eyes. Why must Merry and Pippin be so clueless?

''Oh, it's quite simple. If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open.'' Gandalf explains, pacing around the cave, waving his stick like a madman.

''Excuse me!'' Atalanta calls, dragging Ashley behind her. She wore a proud look upon her face, and the Fellowship turned to look at her - once again - with raised eyebrows. ''Now, we don't have all day. Has anyone figured out the riddle?''

''I believe the riddle in unknown, Lady Atalanta. The password does not have to be a riddle, perhaps it is just a tricky password, so it has been named a riddle.'' Gandalf muttered, slightly annoyed.

''Well, it's a blunt riddle.'' Atalanta retorted, rudely. ''The riddle is 'speak friend and enter'. Well, the riddle is right in front of your eyes. Speak friend. So, the answer to this - quite blunt, if I say so myself - riddle, is,''

''Mellon.'' The three girls stated, confidently, in unison.