Fox Birch
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beauty lost
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Post by Fox Birch on Jun 28, 2002 4:24:34 GMT -5
Fox Birch: song of innocence
In the depths of the woods of northern Mirkwood, the morning sun rose and shone brightly through the branches. Near the river, an elf was running deep into the forest, tirelessly, away from Thranduil’s Halls. He crouched down next to a brook and took a drink of water, listening carefully. He looked back and saw nothing… but he did sense something. A slight grin played across his lips as he got slowly to his feet and glanced around.
“Legolas!”
A second elf jumped on top of him and he collapsed to the ground. After a quick brawl on the fallen leaves, the female elf pinned him face down and held his arms behind his back. She grinned and said in a playful, mocking tone.
“Not so tough now, are you, Prince?”
He laughed through a mouthful of leaves and rolled over onto his side, pinning Fox to the ground with his left arm. He spit out more leaves, grinned again, then chuckled.
“Just caught off guard, that’s all.” He sat up and looked at her closely, eyebrow raised. “You are the only one who has ever been able to do that, you know.”
Fox smiled, satisfied with her accomplishment and pushed him away with her foot. He fell backwards in a heap. She sat up and brushed off her clothes, grinning to herself. Legolas got up and crouched in front of her, looking slightly indignant.
“Now, Fox… is that any way to treat royalty?” She stifled a laugh. The sight of the prince before her with dry leaves in his tousled hair and smudges of dirt on his almost serious face was too much; she laughed. He raised an eyebrow and grinned.
“Oh, is that the way you feel about it? Looks like I’ll have to teach you a lesson, Fox Birch.”
She grabbed the collar of his tunic and pulled his face close to hers.
“I’d like to see you try… your majesty.”
With that, they grappled on the forest floor. (Ouch!) Fox was pinned several times (Ack! That’s my hair!) and retaliated artfully by kicking Legolas aside. (Oof!) It was just… beautiful.
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Fox Birch
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beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jun 29, 2002 23:36:39 GMT -5
* * *
Hours later, the two elves sat on a large rock next to the river, still taking dry leaves and twigs out of each other’s hair and laughing. When they had finished, Fox turned to face Legolas, who now looked a bit more serious.
“I apologize for pulling your hair, Fox.”
She nodded in response.
“And I’m sorry for kicking you in the face.”
And there was an awkward silence. Legolas took his hand to his face and touched the fresh bruise on his cheekbone gingerly as they began walking back toward his father’s hall, then looked back at Fox.
“Er… don’t worry about it.”
She smiled. “Okay.”
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jun 29, 2002 23:37:35 GMT -5
* * *
It was late in the day when Fox and Legolas reached the halls. They descended the staircase and were greeted by Thranduil himself. He smiled and shook his head.
“You two… sometimes I cannot find you for several days straight.” He turned to Fox. “Does the wind take your spirit so swiftly into the world that your body does not have time to let me know your whereabouts?” He looked at his son, smiling. “I trust you took care of--” He paused and eyed Legolas’ slightly beaten state; he pointed at the bruise on his cheek. “What is that?”
Legolas opened his mouth to answer, then glanced at Fox.
Thranduil saw this and sighed, turning back to her. “You two were fighting… again?” He glanced at his son then whispered to Fox. “What sort of fight is this where your opponent is still left standing? I expect you intend to finish this later, yes?” He winked at her and she fought back a laugh.
The king straightened up and took a piece of faded parchment from his tunic and handed it to Fox.
“This came for you last night… by owl post.”
Her face fell. Thranduil and Legolas urged her to read it right then and there, so that they would know if there would be something they could do to help, should it contain bad news. Fox nodded and read it silently, the paper shaking in her quavering hands. She recognized the writing to be her sister’s.
Fox,
You’ve been accepted to Hogwarts.
I have your list of supplies here. If you arrive
before August 30th, I will take you to London
to buy them. That gives you 4 and a half weeks.
Cris
Fox gave a sigh of relief, then came back to her senses. She looked confused.
“Hogwarts?” She shook her head and scoffed. “My mother did not want me to go there.”
“Why not?” asked Legolas curiously.
Fox shrugged. She really didn’t know why her mother had not wanted her to go. She tried to think of possible reasons, but each one she came up with seemed more unlikely than the last. Prejudice, discrimination, false knowledge, deception, depravity, corruption, and pain. The words rang in her mind as if her mother had just spoken them to her.
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jun 30, 2002 1:08:08 GMT -5
* * *
Late that night, Fox left her chamber hoping to find guidance in the stars. They shone down on her pale skin in all their silvery beauty on that cool, summer night. There was a faint breeze and she shivered. She folded her arms in front of her and rebuked herself silently for leaving her cloak in her room. She just couldn’t enjoy the cold right now. She gazed up at the sky and sighed. What was she going to do? It was not en easy decision. Elves were fascinated by wisdom and learning. They were warriors and artists, always up for an adventure. But Fox thought that it may be best to honor her mother’s wish, however inexplicable it may seem. She pondered this for hours, pacing the terrace near the waterfall. She looked up frequently to the stars of Elbereth, particularly to Gil-Estel, the star of hope. Sensing a familiar presence, she turned to find Legolas standing in the doorway. They watched each other carefully. He walked to Fox and threw his cloak over her shoulders. She pulled it tightly around her and looked at him, despair gleaming in her green-gray eyes.
Legolas placed his hand gently on Fox’s cheek and smiled comfortingly. She prepared to speak, but he slipped his thumb over her soft lips and she was silent.
“You must think now about what you want, Fox… about what is best for you. Ever since you could, you always looked out for others, never giving any thought to yourself. I think it is about time you did. You have spent your life helping people feel compassion, wisdom, joy, friendship, and love. Now you should go experience it yourself.”
Fox said nothing. She wanted to tell him about the words… about her parents... about her mother. Legolas read her expression and stroked her cheek affectionately. He spoke softly.
“There are many things in the world of men that you may not understand. They are very different from us and you are still very young... even by their standards. But always remember this: only truth and love are unwavering. When everything is going wrong, when you feel it in your heart, your mind, your soul, and you think you understand but you don’t really know, when you’ve lost someone you love, and everything in your past you just want to let go, just remember, nobody wants to be alone… and you won’t be. You’ll wake up the next day, ready to soar again. You’ll be free… free to believe whatever you feel… so, Fox, feel something true… feel something real.”
By this time, Legolas was holding Fox’s face with both hands and wiping away her tears.
“Only truth and love are unwavering, Fox… and I’ll always love you.”
They looked deeply into each other’s eyes. Still crying softly, Fox threw her arms around Legolas’ neck; he drew her face closer and kissed her delicate lips tenderly. They parted slowly and he ran his fingers through her silky hair, not taking his eyes from hers. They stood on the terrace all night in each other’s arms, looking up at the stars, until they faded into a gray sky, dotted by soft, pink clouds sprayed golden by the dawning sun.
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 6, 2002 23:41:26 GMT -5
* * *
Fox left Mirkwood later that same day to give herself enough time to get to her siblings’ house before the end of August. She took close to nothing, as she always did on her journeys and told only Legolas and his father. He offered to come with her, but, remembering their previous trek to her father’s house and the suffering it had brought both of them, she refused.
It was a long time since Fox had gone to visit her brother and sister. Six years, at least. Of course, this was nothing to her, since she was immortal. Her mother was an elf and her father was a wizard. But both of them were now dead because of her. She had never forgiven herself for it, and she figured that her siblings hadn’t either. Which is why she almost dreaded this visit. She rode atop her trusty elven mustang, Eldoras, and sometimes beside him. For over thirty days they traveled through harsh weather and rugged terrain. Neither of them escaped the land unscathed.
Fox sent Eldoras back into the woods and walked into town. She was oblivious to the comments floating in the air around her… some of complete wonder at seeing an elf for the first time, and others rude, captious, and even lascivious.
A slow wind was blowing through her soft, blond hair falling in slightly tousled locks over her pointed ears and upon her slim shoulders; the afternoon sun shone golden on her pale, elven skin. Her gait was graceful, yet determined. The blades of grass never so much as bent beneath her feet. Her dark green raiment was weather stained and torn in several places, revealing patches of pale, bare skin lined with dry blood. Needless to say, Fox looked quite out of place in this town of men. They eyed her with suspicion and her weapons with alarm. She carried a delicately carved bow and had a fine, leather quiver of arrows strapped to her back along with two sheathed, silver blades.
Not wanting to stay on large streets, Fox took back roads and small paths. She kept her eyes downcast, wondering why men preferred to walk on flat, stone streets, rather than friendly, swaying fields of grass and fallen leaves. She was surprised, then, to look up from the ground only to be cornered by four lewd-looking men. She took a small step backward so as not to run into the large man in front of her. She looked at him curiously… she had never seen anyone like this man before. He was a bit taller than she was and at least twice as wide, though most of it was in his upper body. He had a very thick build and flaming red hair, which she found most interesting.
Fox stood her ground.
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 6, 2002 23:41:52 GMT -5
“May I help you, sir?”
A man different from the one she had spoken to started to chuckle. She turned. The second man was small, and had black, beady eyes under an almost completely balding head. He had a small, nervous sort of voice filled with senseless hate.
“Hey, Russell… looks like we got something after all…”
Fox could tell that this man was talking to the larger man (apparently called Russell) even though he was looking at her the entire time, entranced by her wild, perpetual beauty. He answered in a deep, grunting voice.
“Yes… so it does. Brilliant observation, Delves.” He threw Delves a disapproving look, then took a step closer to Fox. He made a move to stroke her face, but she jerked her head away, breaking contact. Anger flashed in Russell’s eyes. He drew back slowly, raised his arm, then hit Fox hard across the face with the back of his hand. The blow sent her reeling to the ground, blood trickling from her mouth. The men surrounding her laughed. She was utterly shocked. There was no reason for this man to be acting so violently… she had done nothing to him.
Fox wiped the blood from her mouth and stood slowly, unsure of what to do. She looked around her, feeling cornered and helpless. She held her bow tightly, ready to use it if necessary. The men drew back only slightly, giving Russell space to advance once again. This time, he grabbed the collar of her tunic and jerked her toward him. She felt a thick hand move to the back of her head. She couldn’t move away this time… he kissed her hard on the mouth. She shuddered with disgust, and struggled against his tightening grip. Angered at her reaction, he grabbed Fox’s hair and threw her to the ground.
She stood and loaded her bow, more swiftly than anyone had ever seen before, and pointed it at Russell. She watched him carefully and was relieved to see him hesitating. She did not want to shoot him, but she did want to be left alone. He took a step back, but then did something strange. His gaze drifted to the men behind her and mouthed something to them.
Against every instinct in her being, she remained still, arrow pointed at Russell. Then, all at once, there was a shot and Fox felt a searing pain rip through her back and stomach; she fell to her knees in pain.
Delves grabbed Fox’s bow and stepped aside. Russell grunted to the others and they picked her up brusquely, holding her arms tightly.
Russell came forward one last time and wrapped his thick hand around her neck. He ran his other hand up and down the sides of her body, savoring the smooth curves. He leaned close to her face and whispered into her ear angrily.
“It’s a shame, really… we would’ve had a good time together.”
Fox felt his fingers tightening around her neck, cutting off her air. Everything around her became a dizzying blur. She felt her body being beaten, but only vaguely. Then she heard a new voice… a girl’s voice. She was thrown to the ground and remembered nothing more.
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Post by Sara_Jayne on Jul 6, 2002 23:54:28 GMT -5
I want to read more foxie!
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 7, 2002 0:08:59 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]lol aight, here's another little tiny piece to hold you off for a couple days...[/glow]
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 7, 2002 0:09:52 GMT -5
* * *
“What is it?”
“She is an elf.”
“Wow! It’s so pretty… I want one! How come I don’t get one?”
There was the sound of someone getting slapped.
“Ow! Jeez, Abby! What was that for?”
There was a pause. “For being a dork.”
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Post by Sara_Jayne on Jul 7, 2002 0:12:53 GMT -5
hehe your such a good writer!! ^_^
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 7, 2002 0:25:25 GMT -5
[glow=red,2,300]LMAO! that's the funniest thing i've heard all day! thanks, anyway... [/glow]
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 9, 2002 22:30:17 GMT -5
* * *
Fox opened her eyes slowly and saw a boy and a girl standing over her. Startled, she sat up and reached for the knives on her back… but they weren’t there. The two had jumped backwards, surprised. She looked around and saw that her weapons were on a chair behind the boy. She tried to get up but was held back by the pain. Feeling helpless once more, she let herself fall on her side and put a hand over her stomach, her eyes and mouth closed tightly. A tear trickled down the side of her face.
The boy spoke in a loud whisper.
“Hey, Abby… what should we do?”
Abby bit her lip and walked slowly toward the bed. She saw that Fox’s wound had reopened and was bleeding freely into the bandages. She turned her onto her back and addressed the boy.
“Chris, go get a doctor, quick.”
He nodded and left the room.
Abby touched Fox’s skin lightly, who flinched at the touch. She frowned at the elf’s reaction and withdrew. She looked at her carefully. Something about the shivering body before her was… captivating. She didn’t know why, but Abby was drawn to her. Seeing her in such a wretched state caused her to feel a hollow ache in her soul. She felt as though she had to help her somehow. But what could she do?
As Fox opened her eyes again, she felt less uncomfortable in the girl’s company. She got the feeling that she had already known this person… that she knew her very deeply. But, try as she might, she could not remember ever having met her. So, she decided to introduce herself.
“Hello. I’m Fox Birch. Elen sila lumenn’ omentielvo.”
This came as a bit of a surprise to Abby. She didn’t expect the elf to have said anything to her. Much less given her a formal, elvish greeting. She smiled and answered softly.
“I’m Abigail Kramer. But you can call me Abby. How are you feeling?”
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Fox Birch
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beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 9, 2002 22:31:02 GMT -5
“I’m okay,” Fox lied. She didn’t want to give this girl a burden that wasn’t hers to bear. “In fact, I should probably get going. I thank you for your hospitality…” She started to get up but Abby pushed her down, shaking her head.
“So it’s true?” she asked, grinning slightly.
“What is true?”
“You elves… you’re so stubborn. You really should learn to rest. It’s obvious that you won’t get far like this.”
Fox lay back, looking a bit indignant. Her brow furrowed in thought. Suddenly, she remembered something.
“Abigail? What happened?”
She smiled. “Just Abby.” Her smile faded. “Well… Chris and I found you just outside the city. There were these four guys… don’t you remember? When I found you, you were so beaten up… and they had shot you… I thought you weren’t gonna make it.” She scoffed. “I guess those dirty jerks hadn’t had enough. The cops said that they had just been released from jail that morning for assault and rape. I’m just glad I found you before they got a chance to finish their business…”
Fox didn’t know what to say. She was utterly shocked, and realized that nothing she possessed could ever repay what this girl had done for her. She lay staring up at Abby, unable to speak. Abby read the volumes of gratitude in Fox’s eyes correctly and smiled. She stroked the elf’s hair comfortingly.
The doctor entered the room, Chris close behind. He looked over the elf carelessly.
“Oh, this is nothing,” he said when he saw her bloody bandages. “Honestly, as if I had nothing better to do than care for a fussy elf. Can’t you just re-bandage this yourself?”
Fox was ready to apologize when Abby stood up suddenly fuming.
“Excuse me?! You’re a doctor! Of course you have nothing better to do than to care for your patients! I have a mind to knock you out right now… and if not for this elf here, I would. Now you do your job before she bleeds to death! Or I guarantee you will…”
Now quite frightened, the doctor bustled over to the cabinets to retrieve bandages. Abby sat down and watched him through narrowed eyes. He finished wrapping Fox’s slim torso with shaking hands. He wanted to leave; he didn’t like treating elves and felt very uncomfortable under Abby’s glare. He forced a smile and left after Fox whispered “thank you.” Abby shook her head, now visibly calmer.
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Fox Birch
Gryffindor Alumni
beauty lost
Posts: 7,556
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Post by Fox Birch on Jul 9, 2002 22:31:53 GMT -5
“It’s not fair.”
“What is not fair?”
“That the idiot doctor is… such a… such an idiot.”
She stared.
Abby sighed. “There is something, Fox… something you may not understand if I have heard correctly about you. Some people… most people are prejudice… prejudice against people that are different. People fear what they don’t understand…”
“I have heard of this before. My mother never explained it to me.”
She hesitated. “It means to pre-judge. To make assumptions about people… groups of people that usually aren’t true. It’s natural, I guess… but it’s stupid.” She was unsure of how to explain.
Fox looked at her curiously. She wanted to put her hand on Abby’s to comfort her… but found that her arm was tightly bound to her body. She struggled against the binding, but stopped when she felt a sharp pain shoot through her arm. Her shoulder had been dislocated and still hurt very much to move, so she settled with staying as she was.
“Men do many strange things… but you can’t say they are stupid. Things are the way they are for a reason. It is not our choice to make. It is life.”
Abby wanted to say something, but remained silent. She knew better than to argue with an elf, so she rolled her eyes and stood up.
“You should get some sleep, Fox. I don’t know how long it’ll be, but I think you’ll be okay.”
Time. Fox sat up again, very suddenly.
“I have to get to my father’s house before the end of the month!”
“Don’t worry, you still have a week.” She pushed her down gently. “Now get some rest. Don’t think you’ll be fooling anyone, either… I’ll be checking in myself now and then and I’d better find you here…” She paused. “In bed.”
A week, she thought. I don’t even know where I am… She watched Abby leave, dragging the still awestruck Chris out of the room. Fox started to undo the fastenings of her sling… when Abby popped back into the room.
“And no funny business! I mean it!”
Fox stopped and sighed; she lay back into the huge pillow, her lips pouted slightly.
“Fine.”
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Post by Sara_Jayne on Jul 10, 2002 3:03:30 GMT -5
great! I lvoe it, and you are a good writer!
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