South Ithilien High School

"Dad, I don't feel good. I don't think I should go to school today," Isilwen said, wrapping her arms around her tummy. Her father eyed her in the rearview mirror.

"Honey you'll be fine!" he smiled. "Everyone gets nervous on their first day of school in a new place where they don't know anyone."

"Thanks. That makes me feel loads better," Isilwen muttered sarcastically. He ignored the comment and pulled up to the large school.

"Have a good day! Be nice! Make lots of friends!" He waved goodbye, and Isilwen started weeding through the crowds of people in The Courtyard blocking the front doors. She was relieved when she found she remembered where the main office was and pulled the heavy glass door open. A pretty elf woman was sitting at the reception desk, talking on the phone. When she noticed Isilwen she smiled and held up a finger.

"I'll just be a minute." Isilwen sat down in one of the visitor's chairs next to a hobbit boy. He smiled at her widely and shook her hand.

"Hi! I'm Pippin! Are you the new girl? What's your name? Where are you from?" he said all this very fast, confusing Isilwen.

"Oh... um... yes, I'm new here. My name is Isilwen."

"Of course it is! I knew that. I'm going to be showing you around today! Where are you from?"

"Oh, I'm from Gondor," Pippin looked at her quizzically. "Aren't you short for a Gondorian?" The secretary, who had just gotten off the phone, gave Pippin a look.

"Pippin! That's not a polite thing to ask. Now, you must be Isilwen." Isilwen nodded. "I have some papers for you here," She handed Isilwen a folder. "There is the student handbook, a homework planner, a map, forms for your parents to fill out and return, a temporary student ID, your locker number and combo, and your schedule. Your teachers will tell you what you need for your classes. Oh, and Pippin here will be showing you around today."

"Thank you," Isilwen said quietly.

"Have a good day!" Pippin took the folder and rifled through the papers, removing the schedule as they left the office. As soon as the door closed behind them, he let out a gasp that made Isilwen jump.

"What's wrong?" Pippin grinned.

"We have two classes and homeroom together! Let's go see Mr. Schuffert!" He grabbed her arm and dragged her down some hallways with twists and turns that left Isilwen more confused. He led her under an archway and into an alcove that held a bank of lockers. Pippin pointed out Isilwen's and she started trying the combination.

"PIPPIN!" An angry voice yelled from the hall outside the alcove. Pippin yelped and jumped inside Isilwen's newly opened locker and then yanked the door closed. A tall, muscular guy ran over, stopping the door with his foot. It was immediately obvious to Isilwen why he was angry; she could barely stifle her giggles.

"Really Pippin? You're hiding in lockers now?" He rolled his eyes.

"Ahaaaaahaaaaa... Hey Strider. I didn't see you there. What seems to be the problem?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"What's the problem?! YOU DYED MY EYEBROWS ORANGE!" Some of the passersby started to laugh as well. Pippin tried to hide his growing grin.

"How do you know it was me. It could've been Merry!" he said defensively.

"Does 'watch your back' ring a bell? Besides, Merry isn't crazy enough to mess with me," the man, Strider, said. His voice sounded angry but there was a small smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. He punched Pippin in the arm and chuckled, then pulled him out of the locker. "You better watch out Pippin. You never know when I'll make my next move. Who's your friend?" He turned and smiled at Isilwen. She blushed and blinked.

"Oh! This is Isilwen. She's from Gondor too! Though if you ask me, she's kind of short for a Gondorian." Strider laughed.

"You're one to talk, Pip!"

"Everyone says that," Isilwen replied.

"Well we'll just make you an honorary hobbit," Pippin said excitedly. The bell rang and Isilwen jumped. Strider chuckled.

"Maybe I'll see you around," Strider waved and Pippin led Isilwen into the classroom adjacent to their lockers. There were a number of tables spread throughout the room, surrounded by groups of giggling hobbits, conversing elves and men, and laughing dwarves. Pippin led her over to an emptier table with a few quieter hobbits.

"Hey guys! This is Isilwen. she's new here. I made her an honorary hobbit! Isilwen, this is Rosie, Primrose and Posco." Isilwen waved shyly as they beamed up at her.

"Hi Isilwen! You must be the new student Pippin was talking about yesterday!" Rosie said cheerfully. Isilwen nodded and smiled a little.

"She's a little shy," Pippin said, sitting down and placing his feet on the table.

"Eww, Pippin!" Rosie shoved them off and made a face. "They smell like old baby diapers!" Pippin began to laugh, and she gave him a disgusted look. Suddenly the door opened and the teacher stepped in, his arms full of folders.

"Oh! Isilwen, that's Mr. Schuffert. He's the photography teacher," Pippin said. Mr. Schuffert sat down at his desk and started looking through some photos, mumbling to himself and jotting down notes. Isilwen couldn't help but notice how attractive Mr. Schuffert was with his dirty blonde hair and bright green eyes hidden behind his glasses. She was brought from her thoughts when the bell rang. Pippin grabbed her hand and helped her weave through the other students, then led her to her next class, which they shared.

Isilwen and Pippin spent their first period playing hangman in the back of the room while their Honors Westron teacher ranted about how to correctly punctuate an essay and bad slang. Second period was alchemy, where she tried to make a Philosopher's Stone. It would've been fun if Isilwen had known anyone in her group. There was a dwarf named Gimli, a man named Boromir, and an elf girl named Eldarwen. They all seemed to be good friends already. She stood off to the side while the others laughed and worked, and she felt awkwardly out of place. When the bell rang she was the first out of the class and she hurried downstairs to the band room.

Legolas was already set up, and he smiled at her in greeting as he gestured to the seat next to him. Isilwen crossed the room hurriedly and tried to stay out of everyone else's way. She sat down on his right and put her instrument together.

"Hello Isilwen! It's nice to see you." Legolas smiled sincerely. She smiled back shyly.

"Hi Legolas."

"How has your first day been?" he asked politely as the other students got their things together.

"It's been alright," she said softly. He handed her the tuner which she took gratefully.

"Have you made any friends?" he asked. She shrugged and passed the tuner on.

"A hobbit named Pippin and your friend, Strider. I don't think he remembers me though." Legolas rolled his eyes.

"He wouldn't remember his own feet if they weren't attached to him." Isilwen giggled and Legolas smiled. "Well, would you like to sit with us at lunch? The hobbits and dwarves have a different lunch time and I'm sure Strider will remember you eventually."

"Sure!" Isilwen smiled. "Wait, they split lunches up by race? Isn't that... kinda racist?" Legolas shrugged.

"No one really cares. Hobbits and dwarves like the early lunch. They are ALWAYS hungry. Trust me," he chuckled. Mr. Billoufourte finally hurried in and started class, jumping right into the pieces. The next couple of periods dragged on. Isilwen felt distracted, tired, and fidgety, unable to concentrate on her teachers' words. Luckily for her, biology was easy. On the other hand, calculus was considerably more difficult. She was relieved when the lunch bell rang.

The cafeteria was packed full of students. She weaved through others hesitantly. Finally she spotted Legolas at a table surrounded by his friends. When he saw her, he waved her over with a smile. She walked over awkwardly, unsure of where she should sit.

"Hi Isilwen!" Legolas said happily as she approached. "This is Eldarwen, Boromir and Strider."

"We met this morning," Strider said. "Nice to see you again."

"Actually you met her a week ago at her Select Band audition," Legolas corrected.

"Oh, yeah..." he grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

"Aren't you in our Alchemy class?" Eldarwen asked, referring to herself and Boromir.

"Yes, she was part of our group today," Boromir said. Eldarwen nodded.

"I thought so."

"Sit down! We won't bite," Boromir said. "I promise." He offered up the chair next to him. She sat down and started munching on her salad, listening to the conversation. Legolas gasped when he saw Strider pop a chicken nugget into his mouth.

"Strider! You know you're eating a POOR, DEFENSELESS CHICKEN, right?!"

"Hey, a man's gotta eat," Strider replied, patting his tummy.

"Yeah, Legolas. Besides, chicken nuggets are fuckin' delicious," Eldarwen added.

"Naw, guys, you have it all wrong! Fish sticks are so much better!" Boromir grinned, biting into one.

"You guys are sick!" Legolas said, shaking his head.

"Not everyone can survive being vegan like you," Strider chuckled, patting his friend's back. "Except Isilwen, apparently." He nodded at her.

"I'm a vegetarian," Isilwen stated. "Vegan is too hard," she laughed.

"Ew, another one?" Strider teased.

"Psh, vegetarians are cool," Boromir said, smiling at her. She grinned back.

"I try."

"Everyone's a critic," Legolas grumbled, crossing his arms. He glanced over at Isilwen. "Do you want to hang out with us after school today? We're going to Eldarwen's house. Our hobbit friends, including Pippin, are coming. Oh! And Gimli, too"

"Sure! Thanks!" Isilwen replied.

"We always meet up at the photography room, so just wait for us after homeroom," Strider said. She nodded and packed up her things as the bell rang.

"I'll see you guys later, " she smiled.

"Bye Isilwen," Boromir said, handing her backpack to her.

"Thanks," she shouldered her bag gratefully. "Bye." After she walked away, the other three turned to Boromir with raised eyebrows.

"What?" They just stared. "Okay... fine. I think she's cute. Sue me." Strider chuckled and pat his friend on the back, and they all went their separate ways.

Isilwen was the first to arrive to her sixth period class. Culinary Arts seemed to be very popular among the hobbits as the class was made up mostly of them. To her surprise, Boromir was also in the class with her, and he insisted on being in her group. Pippin was also in her group and he was getting very competitive with the group next to them, which was comprised of his friend Merry, Merry's cousin Frodo, and Frodo's friend Sam. His competitive attitude almost ended with him making mistakes, which Isilwen and Boromir caught and remedied, humored by his spirit. By the end of class they had managed to successfully make some omelets, sausages and strawberry-kiwi smoothies.

After the food was gone and the bell had rung, Isilwen and Pippin went to homeroom accompanied by Boromir, Merry, Frodo and Sam. Legolas and Eldarwen were already waiting for them, and the small group was joined by Strider and a dwarf who introduced himself as Gimli.

"Alright, so... are we ready to go, then?" Strider asked. Everyone nodded. "Okay. There are ten of us and two cars. It'll be a squeeze but we can do it." They all managed to get outside without losing one another and into the parking lot.

"Isilwen, you can come with me," Boromir flashed her a grin and gestured to his car.

"Oh! Yeah, alright."

"I'm going with Boromir too!" Eldarwen yelled. Boromir tossed her a glare and she just smiled innocently.

"We're coming too!" Merry and Pippin said cheerfully, clambering into the back seat and smooshing Eldarwen between them. Strider shrugged.

"Well that was easy. I guess the rest of you are coming with me," he said. Gimli grumbled.

"I do not want to be cooped up in a car with that bloody elf!" Legolas gasped and was about to retort when Strider cut him off.

"Don't start this again. Just get in the car." They did as they were told and soon they were on their way to Eldarwen's house. The ride was short and uneventful, except for Eldarwen, Merry and Pippin goofing off in the back seat. The cars pulled up to a large blue mansion. Isilwen stared at it in awe.

"Welcome to my humble abode," Eldarwen said sarcastically, unlocking the door and letting everyone in. The hobbits laughed uproariously at the expression Isilwen's face. Eldarwen led everyone into the living room, but someone was already sitting there.

"Ew! Go away, you little creep!" Eldarwen said as she glared at the boy. He glared back and ignored the TV for a moment.

"No way! I was here first!" he snapped.

"Ugh! Maeglin! Go watch TV somewhere else! We have guests!"

"GUEEESTS?!" A voice from outside the room sang. Eldarwen's eyes got wide.

"Oh no..."

A poofy-haired, blonde man wearing a lot of makeup and sparkly white leather pranced into the room.

"What's crackelakin' errybody?!"

"Hey CC," they all chorused, trying to hide their laughter.

"Hello! Who's this?!" he asked as he spotted Isilwen and pulled her into a crushing hug.

"Dad! Don't! You'll scare her away forever!" Eldarwen cried.

"Well, are you going to tell me her name?" he asked, releasing her. Isilwen doubled over and tried to catch her breath.

"I'm... Isilwen," she gasped, massaging her ribs. "It's nice to meet you."

"It's nice to meet you too! M'alright, have fun. I'll be working out if you need me." He waved lazily and left the room. Eldarwen turned back to the boy, her brother, and the two resumed bickering. Strider rolled his eyes and gestured for everyone to follow him into the kitchen. The hobbits helped themselves to a bowl of chips on the counter. Eldarwen stomped in moments later.

"He's such a nasty little elfling," she grumbled, finishing off a bottle of soda. After a moment of silent eating, Eldarwen looked up.

"So what do you guys want to do?"

"...I have to pee," Legolas announced, excusing himself.

"Let's go play a game!" Pippin suggested.

"Um, alright. I have Just Dance, Rock Band and Super Mario Bros."

"ROCK BAND!" Boromir yelled. "I CALL DRUMS!" He ran into the living room, leaving his friends bewildered and amused.

"Alright, Rock Band it is," Eldarwen laughed and followed Boromir into the living room. She set up the game, despite her brother's protests. Boromir pressed the guitar into Isilwen's hands and tossed the mic to Eldarwen.

"LETS DO THIS!" The hobbits and Gimli got some popcorn and sat down on the couch to watch.

"Wait... where's Strider?" Eldarwen asked. Everyone looked around and shrugged.

"Who cares? ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?!" Boromir selected the song.

"IMAGINE ALLLL THE PEOPLE! LIIIIIVING LIFE IN PEEEEEACE! YOOOO MAY SAAAY I'M A DREAMER! BUT I'M NOT THE ONLY OOOOONE! I HOPE SOME DAAAAAY YOU WILL JOIN UUUUUS! AND THE WOOOOORLD WIL BE AS ONE!"

Near the end of the song, Strider and Legolas snuck back into the room quietly, their footsteps masked by the sounds of the hobbits singing along. Isilwen seemed to be the only one who noticed their return. She raised an eyebrow and Legolas shrugged innocently, but she didn't miss his mussed hair and slightly flushed cheeks.

The next couple of hours they spent playing video games, goofing off and annoying Eldarwen's little brother. They were interrupted when the doorbell rang.

"I'll geeet iiiit!" CC sang, running towards the door. Apparently he had found time to change into other embarrassing clothes, because now he was wearing a white tank top and cowboy boots, which would have been fine if he wasn't wearing short shorts. Before Eldarwen could protest, CC pulled the door open.

"...CC?" a voice cried in disbelief.

"Slash?!" CC pulled his friend into a hug. Isilwen hung her head in shame. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here to pick up my daughter."

"Isilwen is YOUR daughter? She is just the sweetest!" CC said.

"That's what she wants you to think," Slash replied. CC laughed.

"Dad, you're weird..." Isilwen said. She sighed and stood up. "I guess I have to go, guys. It's been fun!" she smiled.

"Bye!" They all chorused again, waving. She followed her dad out to the car.

"So you had a good first day?" he asked.

"Yeah, it was alright. Pippin, one of the hobbits, showed me around. Legolas and Strider were at my audition."

"I thought they looked familiar..." Isilwen bucked her seatbelt as Slash pulled away from the mansion.

They are so gay... which sucks because Strider is HOT. But Boromir is too...