Back on Earth

It's my fault. Oh, god, it's totally my fault… I should never have listened to bloody Cora when she told me to trip on purpose… just so she could make Laurena look like a fool. I suppose that's why we're not friends anymore, because she can be so cruel. Ms. Peterson, Laurie's mum, came in to school today… three weeks later and she's still in a bloody coma. I don't exactly know why she had to tell everyone in class though… the only friend Laurie actually had was Claire, who was sitting in the back row next to an empty seat bawling her eyes out. Claire rarely ever came to school these days, they say all she does is hold Laurie's hand by her bedside and sing the songs they wrote together.

Walking down the hallways aren't the same anymore. It's too quiet. Sure, there are the bloody annoying idiots screaming and hitting on every girl they see, picking on the 'lesser' kids. There are still the girls like I used to be, giggling uncontrollably about some text they had gotten, some new gossip. But it's not that kind of noise that makes it loud. I miss the fantastic random outbursts and the crazy sounds that used to come from Laurie's group… The nerds. Geeks.

They would always be so happy, so careless and free. These guys, they never wore make-up or cared about the way they dressed – always some new reference or what they called 'subtle cosplay'- they were just themselves. I think the only reason we were ever mean to them, or teased them was because we were jealous. Jealous of being unable to just be ourselves, to have to keep up the reputation, be skinny, and be pretty and blonde. But now that Laurie's gone… they're so quiet. Timid. Afraid. It's like, one person's gone and everything changes, everything has a darker light to it and a cold feeling.

Truth is, we miss her.

There was laughter, cheer and much merriment throughout the company that evening. Hope had been restored in their hearts. After Kili had finished drowning Laurie in an abnormally long hug, he eventually and rather reluctantly left with Fili to hunt for their supper. Laurie watched their retreating backs until they had almost submerged themselves into the deep pine forest that surrounded them. Kili looked back for a second with a smile of pure happiness etched across his face and she gave him a small and sweet one in return. Most of the company, save Thorin and Laurie, were napping, even Gandalf. All were tiresome after the ordeal. Thorin watched his nephews leave and then turned his head to Laurie. He looked down, deep in thought, took a deep breath and rose from his seat. He strode over to where she was and stood beside her in silence, staring out, following her gaze.

"What is it like? The land you come from?" He asked

"Different. Almost too much so." she replied, emotionless.

"You miss it, do you not?"

"No. Well, not as you think I would." At this reply, Thorin gave her a quizzical look. He could not understand why she wouldn't miss her home, family, and friends. What had her life been like? Seeing his stare, Laurie sighed and continued.

"In my world, it's so stupid. It's a little hard to explain… but it's a little like you all here. There are Hobbits and Elves, Dwarves and Men. Some of you, such as dwarves and men and men and elves – get along. You have alliances and friends. Some, like dwarves and elves, don't. There is hate and mistrust. Then there are the groups like hobbits – No-one really notices them, or they think them queer, strange.

It's like that, but the men are normal people – they try stay out of the way of everything going on. There are dwarves and elves- people that always fight over nothing, just begging for attention. And then there are the hobbits – happy folk, people who can be themselves with no fighting, no cares in the happenings of the rest of the world. Everyone's jealous of the hobbits, of their freedom, so they either fight them until their happiness is gone or ignore them in hate.

And it angers me so much that none of us can just get along you know? If I had one wish it would be to get rid of it all, no elves, dwarves, hobbits, anything! Just everyone together. In my world, it's kind of the same. There are Americans, Africans, Asians, Australians, English and so many more - most people are fine, we all can get along- but some are so horrible. It pains me that not even in this world, things are going to be perfect. I suppose nothing is." Laurie finished. She had sounded so frustrated and angry; Thorin just searched her eyes for some drop of emotion that showed she actually cared about where she came from.

"There must be something that you miss, a pet, or a friend?" Thorin questioned. The girl shook her head.
"I have friends, sure. None of them can come close to what you would call family. They are nothing to miss. There used to be a boy. He had hair down past his eyes; he would always have it tied back though. It was dark, so dark but not black. He had a gorgeous face. He has sweet, caring, funny, but a bit of an ass, honestly. – Everything I needed in a friend." Realizing she was rambling about the boy, she paused and looked at Thorin, who was intently listening. For once.
"His name was Alec. Alec Currie. I loved him to bits, I really did, and I still do. Except nowadays he's not around."

"What happened to him? Of course, if you don't mind me asking, that is." At this time Balin appeared to inform them that the rest of the company were getting some rest. The two would be relieved near morning as they had agreed to take first watch.

"Let's make a deal – I tell you about Alec, and you tell me about something?" Reluctantly but quickly Thorin answered.

"Alright. You are to speak first though." Laurena smiled and nodded in reply.

"I met Alec years ago, on the night of the largest firework display in history, at Edinburgh castle. We talked, and before we knew it, it was as if we had known each other forever. I lived far away, so we could not see each other after that. We kept in touch and wrote each other often."

"What then?"

"Then he became ill. Very ill. I did not know the extent of his sickness until he… He died." Laurena paused in memory of that day, the call she had gotten. The last time she heard his name.

"I am sorry. I understand what it is to lose a dear one." For the first time, Thorin looked truly sincere. He seemed vulnerable, even.

"I know. I was flicking through my book the other day, there was more written. Not forward, in the future, but back. I read about what happened, in Erebor. I'm sorry too."

"That was not yours to know." He warned.

"Excuse me it's my book. It damn well is mine to read, grumpy pants." She joked; he cracked a sad smile and looked into the fire remembering the sight of the blazing mountain.

"I lost everything. We all did."

"Sometimes it's best to talk, Thorin. Some things left unsaid can scar the soul."

The pair talked long into the night, sharing stories of dragons and quests. They were relieved hours before dawn by Dwalin and Fili.

"Well."

"It's… big."

"That's one way to put it."

"Like – plus-size."

"How do people not notice this?"

The company stared. Gandalf gave a chuckle.

"I haven't laid my eyes on this for many years." Thorin exclaimed. Gandalf nodded in agreement as the rest of the company gazed in awe of the great mountain that lay in the mist before them.

Erebor stood alone across the open planes, tall and strong through the mist of the morning. That was their destination, and dead or alive they would get there.

Did y'miss me? ;)