LoTR - Mischief's Wanderlust

[Ariel]

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Title: LoTR - Mischief's Wanderlust

Based on: The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy

Rated: PG

Genre: Action,Adventure,Drama,Fantasy,Romance

Summary: Terâ Proudfoot wants nothing more than to venture through life through the eyes of a free spirit. Breaking the norms of Hobbiton, Terâ Proudfoot embarks on adventures with her friends Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took into the big, open world and experiences the ultimate tests of strength, friendship and love. This part one is based off of events that have taken place in the first installment of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy: "The Fellowship Of The Ring" called A Night To Remember.

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LoTR - Mischief's Wanderlust, Chapter One: A Night To Remember


Keeping to one's self and avoiding any mischeif if possible was the adjenda of the ordinary Hobbit.

As for Terâ Proudfoot, she was far from ordinary.

Rather than planning the next meal of the day or attending to daily keepings of a peaceful hole in the ground as a Hobbit maiden would do, Terâ was busy getting up to her knees in mischeif and fun. She was a free spirit, as her Old Gaffer would always say ever since she was a young girl sitting on his lap listening to never ending stories of legends and adventures, her beaming cherub features would gleam with excitement through her everflowing ringlets of golden hair. As the years carried forward, Terâ grew from a curious youngster into a headstrong woman, unable to keep her nose out of trouble and tom foolery, especially with her lifelong friends Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took. She craved more from the world other than being a bar maiden and tending to the needs of the household, and more than anything did she want to be one of the characters in her Old Gaffer's stories on their whimsical adventures. Her Gaffer could have foretold to anyone that this spitfire of a Hobbit would grow up to defy the routine of the habitual Shirefolk lifestyle, and many in the Shire frowned upon her eccentric behaviour. Often times her Gaffer would chuckle and tell her that he's almost convinced that she is a different kind of breed. But he believed in Terâ, and knew she would amount to wondrous things beyond their small minded imaginations.

Though, the Shirefolks small minded imaginations wouldn't have drifted too far off course if they had suspected that the infamous trio of shenanigans would be up to their usual micheviousness at Bilbo's One Hundred and Eleventh birthday party. The fact that Gandalf The Grey had rolled into their sleepy little village with a cart of every firework known to the world was no surprise. Word traveled fast about the exciting contribution Gandalf had to bring to the party, and when the ears of Merry, Terâ and Pippin perked up to listen they gleefully rubbed their hands together and brewed up a plan of complete high jinks. The night of the big birthday bash had come, and propping herself onto her elbows Terâ leaned her back against the bar top as she waited paitently at the nonchalant meeting spot for Merry and Pippin so that they could kick the master plan into motion. The spot was right in the middle of all the action, so she figured no one could possibly suspect that they would be up to something. Not yet, at least.

The upbeat music from the live band flowed through the party tents as Terâ's massive green eyes scanned her surroundings of the bustling scene of excitement. Bilbo Baggins, the birthday fellow himself, was spotted sitting down in a corner in front of an audience of children whose eyes lit up at astonishing details of his adventure to the Misty Mountains. Hobbits, small and stout alike, were cackling mercilessly as they hung onto the kegs for dear life while glorious ales flowed nonstop into their pints all evening. And Terâ's rose tinted cheeks widened into a toothy grin as she watched ladies and gents hoot and holler as they joyfully danced the night away with one another under the night lit up with millions of stars in the sky. With her whole heart, Terâ loved every single one of these people at the party and although she fantasized what more was out there in the world for her to discover, she adored everything about the Shire.

Suddenly, the heart she was loving her community with leaped in her chest with startling surprise as she was suddenly whisked away from the bartop. A small yelp had escaped Terâ's lips as someone had swept her off of her feet, and before she knew what was going on she was in the middle of the dancing crowd. Terâ peered up with a rash expression, as one would know better than to suddenly grab her for a dance unless they wanted a part of them to be spoiled with a black ring. Though, the pair of angry emeralds that dorned her porcelain complexion softened immensley at the sight of Merry Brandybuck staring back down at her with a playful expression.

"Gave you quite the fright, didn't I?" Merry chuckled lightly as he continued to lead Terâ in dance as he held his leading hand upward in hers, his other hand gently placed on her waist.

Terâ rolled her eyes, yet she did not resist as she allowed Merry to lead her along the dance floor with the other dancing Hobbits, "If you had only just asked, I would have said yes, you know."

Switching from looking down at Terâ to keeping an eye on the dance floor, a devious side grin formed in the corner of Merry's mouth as his brow furrowed slightly, "But where's the spontaneity in that?"

Terâ couldn't help but to bashfully crack a smile at his tickling charm, one of the many things she had grown to become fond of. Not many were able to keep up with her antics, but Merry always had a spur of the moment appeal that kept Terâ on her toes. With Merry Brandybuck, she never knew what she was going to get, and her curiosity as to where the roads would lead them to next kept her chasing after him and she couldn't help herself. Terâ threw her long locks back in a hearty laugh along with Merry as their feet carried them relentlessly through the moment of bliss they shared. They could have easily danced the night away together, both being utterly fond in each other's company with neither knowing the true feelings of the other. Though, their existance in this world was still young and although a spark between them was felt it was the advantage of being comfortable that they took for themselves. Neither one of them could have imagined what was brewing in the southeast, a plague most unimaginable that would sweep them away and test their strength in the vast, open world - and with each other.

Suddenly, the music number stopped and everyone around them clapped with their partners. As they broke apart, Terâ and Merry paused for a moment as they were still the only two in the whole field. And when their attention was caught by the clapping and cheering, they peered around in their surprise and nonchalantly joined the clapping for the band as to hide any lingering inklings between them that were there, that is, any inklings they did not want to address quite yet.

"Psst! Merry! Terâ!" A low whispering was coming from underneath the flaps of one of the nearby tents. Terâ and Merry looked at eachother and with a single nod, they put their game faces on and slyly made their exit to where Pippin was giving his cue that Gandalf's wagon was unattended and that it was time for them to put on a show to remember.


(Part two coming soon...)

[Ariel]

- PART TWO - 

Terâ remembered every part of the whimsical day that would drastically change her life forever. From the sun rays that delicately grazed her blonde hair to the invigorating smell of manure that surrounded her, Merry and Pippin in the midst of Farmer Maggot's farm. The slow and simplicity of life they tended to enjoy and endure would come to an end as they unexpectedly knew it. Terâ, of course, had been roped into another scheme as an accomplice. But, in spending another waking moment with Merry, she did not regret her agreeance once bit as they secretly stock piled produce after produce under the farmer's sleepy nose. Her arms were overloaded, pouring over with carrots and potatoes alike as the trio was knee deep in their mischevious scheme. Until suddenly, she heard Pippin become overwhelmed in a sudden shriek.

"Merry! It's Frodo, Frodo Baggins!"

Terâ turned around, frozen in fright as if they had just become caught in their impromptu mission. She was about to surrender, when Merry and Pippin began to help their friends upright. She let out an exhale of relief, thinking that their friends would simply forget and move on with whatever their business was out in the fields. Sam pointed an accusatory finger at them for stealing, and as Merry and Pippin began to explain their reasons - they all turned their heads in the direction of a new voice entering amidst the crops. Farmer Maggot himself.

It all had happened so fast. Terâ didn't know what else to do but flee the scene of the crime. And so did the other four boys, as they all tailed it out of the fields faster than a rabbit. They ran for what felt like miles, until Terâ crashed into the lot that stood above the edge of a bank. Terâ couldn't have seen what was coming next, but before she could have seen any forewarned premonition they went from running to tumbling down a hill. All Terâ could think of was how much the tumble would smart in the morning. Little did she know that this would be the least of her troubles for god knows how long. The tumbling finally ceased as they reached the roads with minor bumps and bruises. The rest of the hobbits were mumbling amongst themselves as Terâ tried to pull herself upright once more, rubbing a spot on her backside that she knew would turn up as a nasty bruise later.

"MUSHROOMS!" Terâ had heard Pippin exclaim with utter delight, and everyone but Frodo gathered around the delectable fungus to harvest it for dinner later. Terâ couldn't help but notice Frodo staring down the road, as if he was in some sort of trance. 

"Uh...Merry?" Terâ called out in a hush tone, as she grew with immense concern for their friend. She took a few cautionary steps further, until...

"Get off the road! Quick!!" Frodo yelled, and in that moment everybody in their company jumped off the road and under an embankment. Terâ had no idea what was going on, and yet the evil presence she felt looming as they hid was daunting beyond compare.

They fled, for what felt like days. They wondered what sort of trouble Frodo had gotten himself into. He gave them no straight answers, other than they needed to get to Bree - and fast.


(Part three coming soon...) 

[Ariel]

-PART THREE-

It was a secret meeting. And yet, it wasn't so secretive to the company of Merry, Pippin and Terâ who had evesdropped on a secret operation that had been taking place. Involving their friends Sam and Frodo, no doubt, in a meeting that would turn the fate of the age as they knew it upside down.

"Quiet yourselves!" Terâ scolded the two as they chattered amongst themselves behind the pillars from which the grand meeting unfolded, "And listen! We don't know what Frodo has gotten himself into. But whatever it is, it's important." She kept her explanation brief and to the point. She did not want to miss a single word of what was to be spoken. This whole operation was much bigger than the comforts they shared together in The Shire - for it had consequences that would shake the entire age as they knew it. She felt it in her entire being as the other two quieted themselves enough to listen to what was going on - and what was at stake.

Suddenly, in the midst of the meeting, it appeared the all of the members emerged from their seats and were verbally fighting with one other. Tensions were high, and the weight of the world was felt heavily all around them. That was, until a small voice piped up from behind all of the chaos.

"I'll do it!" Frodo stood up and retorted, "I will take the Ring, though I do not know the way."

Hearts stopped within that moment. Including Terâ's. She felt the breath of Merry and Pippin beside her cease as all ears knelt in to hear the outcome. One by one, members of the council stood up, pledging their allegiance to the cause. It was a moving sight to say the least. Though, before Terâ could utter anything to the others, Merry and Pippin suddenly jumped out from behind their hiding spot to volunteer on behalf of their dear friend. Terâ had no idea what exactly they were getting themselves into, but she knew that she couldn't bear to live with herself if she didn't follow suit.

As she took her place beside Merry in the lineup that was proclaimed the fellowship of the ring, Merry looked upon her with eyes of grave concern.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Merry asked her. Not because she was a girl. But because the woman that he looked upon was that of the woman he deeply loved. They had no idea what they were getting themselves into, and Terâ knew that. He knew that she knew. He didn't want to hold her back from fighting for a cause she cared about. But he cared for her. And didn't want his actions to influence her fate.

"I'm all in if you are," Terâ spoke assertively to Merry. She knew that this mission would have it's risks. But the biggest risk of all would be possibly living a live without Merry by her side.

(Part four coming soon...)

[Ariel]

-PART FOUR-

The blade from it's sheath was on full display for all that could see.
A knight in shining armor was the projection that was being portrayed from the outside.
And yet, from the inside, Teragrin boiled with anger and angst as she stood outside the tented confinements, her gaze dawning upon the one that she loved, ready to go to battle for their friends. Although...she wasn't so inclined to share the same feelings herself. Masking her fright with a cup over her lips, she swiftly moved through the lips of the tent.
Merry, in his feat of glory, had noticed his love disappear through the flaps of the tent without a whisper or word.
Intentionally did he break away from the awes of the crowded men around the fire, backed into a corner within an instant of entering the tent in which Tera tearfully resided, her cheeks buried in his old cloth from before.

"Hey," Merry started.

"Hey...,"Tera managed through the muffles of her anguish that plagued her every being.

"What troubles you?" Merry spoke as he reached a hand out towards her, "I can sense you are trembling," He exclaimed with empathy in his being. And yet, Tera was quick to pull away as she busied her had with the laundry at hand.

"What troubles me, you ask?" Tera spoke spitefully, as her hands quickened with folding the linens that grasped her fingertips, "What troubles me, is if you so dare to tread the battlefield of our enemies, and lose your life. The life we so fantasized of living. You and me, a home, full of children and not a care in the world. If you go out there...you risk everything we ever wanted. And if you die...you're going to leave me in this world alone. That consequence is of my own...and yet, I feel as if you are leaving me deserted, Merry." Tera announced as every bone in her body trembled, not knowing if this would be their last encounter.

Merry heaved a deep sigh, understanding of the circumstances head before leaning his forehead voluntarily into hers, "There is no where on earth where I wouldn't follow you. But in this instance, I ask that you place a chance on me. A chance on us." He pleaded, his hands warmly enveloping her torso as he allowed her to cry silently into his shoulder until they managed to collapse into sleep.

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