Dear Readers,
Blame an epic binge watch of Outlander for the plot bunnies now running rampant in my mind.
It just reminded me how great the storyline girl falls into foreign world/time period can be if it is done right. Outlander has just the right mixture of fish out of the water and woman with a pragmatic head on her shoulders moments. And of course hawt scots … never forget those ;-)
So I took this idea mixed it with some meddling gods (too many greek inspired books lately I guess) and threw in a good amount of every story has two sides goodness.
I am be no means a Tolkien expert. I read the Hobbit and LOTR and saw all the films but thats it. So if there are any glaring inconsistencies - that are not necessary plot wise - feel free to comment (nicely of course ;-) and I will try to correct them.
So without further words … enjoy!
Disclaimer :
I own nothing but my own characters and some crazy plot twists.
Story:
Kenna o'Brien has it all: The job of her dreams, a cute boyfriend and friends to rely on. The only thing missing might be …may I say it a little bit of adventure.
That is until she catches the eyes of meddling gods, that expect her to preserve a timeline that seems to spin out of control. Thrown in a world not her own she tries desperately to protect the strands of a story she only knows to well.
Too bad Kenna does not believe in fate - only in creating your own destiny.
Chapter 1 Grey's anatomy
Kenna o'Brien lay down the latest test results of Mrs. Kennedy with a sigh. The last half an hour she had read the same paragraphs over and over again hoping against hope that they would change their meaning. „Damn it!", she murmured staring unseeingly out of the doctors' cubicles worn shutters. The left side was hanging down precariously giving it a rather sad appearance that fit her mood just fine at the moment.
„Rather conclusive.", a smooth voice commented behind her. Kenna spun her desk chair around slowly to look back at her supervisor Doctor Mannings. Not a silver hair out place, his white lab coat pristine and pressed as if fresh from the laundry, he appeared as calm and collected as ever. But in the last six month she had learned to interpret the small signs with the man her peers called „The ICICLE" (in capital letters). A small frown around his mouth hinted at - dare she think that - concern. Plus there hadn't been any sarcastic remarks towards efficient work behavior or her no doubt atrocious posture when he entered the cubicle.
Comments about her future as a sister to the hunchback of Notre Dame were an everyday occurrence. She had learned to take that in stride - although she just failed to understand how it could be considered natural to always walk around with a ramrod straight spine.
As far as she remembered that behavior had once sparked a betting pool to catch Doctor Mannings once - just once - hunched down (photographic proof required of course) but after weeks without success it had twindled down into oblivion. Mannings had commented to her about the unusual amount of attention in that time: „Doctor o'Brien I fear you have to inform the zoological department: Your peers have finally arrived at the next step of evolution and are now aware of my greatness!"
A lot of her fellow residents had asked her why she put up with his attitude for so long when so far no resident had lasted longer than two month with him - she was quite sure that spawned another betting pool. But as she always said: He was one of the best oncologists in the country - if not the best - and she refused to settle for anything less just because of some snide comments. And they had some history - a fact she tried to keep out of work as best as she could.
„Your diagnose, resident?" Mannings took Mrs. Kennedy's folder from the worn down surface of the desk and scanned over the content quickly.
„The radiation therapy on the primary ovary tumor has damaged the cancerous tissue as we hoped. While the tumor has not been destroyed completely it has been reduced sufficiently to allow a surgical removal without damaging too much healthy tissue." Kenna indicated the second and third page of the report. „However the X-ray examination shows growth of metastasis both in the lungs and the liver." Mannings skimmed to the neurological results. „ And the brain?" Kenna felt the bleak hopelessness of the situation drowning her but she continued dutifully: "Three visible tumors. Too emerged in the surrounding tissue to allow surgical removal."
Mannings looked out at Mrs. Kennedy's door directly at the other side of the floor. „She has perhaps three or four more month."
His seemingly callous attitude raised Kenna's ire. She pushed back her chair and stood. „ With an aggressive chemotherapy…" „ We could buy her a few month." the supervisor interrupted her. „ At the price of great pain, staying at the hospital the whole time and with no real hope of success." Kenna rubbed her suddenly throbbing head. She just couldn't accept that there was really no way: „ Perhaps a combination of radiation and chemotherapy…" she felt her throat constrict. Damn it! She would not get all emotional in front of her boss. Mannings looked at her. „ Doctor o' Brien I understand your investment in this. But given the circumstances it might be better to assign you to another case. If this hits too close to home…"
Kenna was about to reply that she was fine when the door to Mrs. Kennedy's room opened. The circumstances… The girl was perhaps fourteen, the boy around two years younger. A much smaller age gap than her and Peter. And they were both blond and fair like their mother opposed to her family's darker looks. But apart from that she guessed this case did hit too close to home. Watching the dark smudges under the children's eyes, their sallow faces speaking of the austerity of the last months, she steeled herself.
„ I can handle this." she told Doctor Mannings decisively. „ Although I would appreciate it if I could speak with Mrs. Kennedy first." The silver haired doctor scrutinized her for a moment before he nodded curtly.
Kenna took a deep breath and opened the door of the cubicle. „ Doctor O' Brien!" Mannings' voice stopped her. „ There are some of my colleagues that thought a residency in my specific field would not be advisable given your own family's history. But I have never found that to be an impediment to your work. More an additional motivation that makes you better than others." He glared at the broken shutters. „ And god knows we can use that a lot of times." The young woman nearly gaped at him. Had he just kind of complimented her work? „ Now, of you go! In the time you just wasted standing there looking like a fish a dozen patients could have died."
…
Mrs Kennedy was alone when Kenna opened the door to her room. She was a small, fair women that seemed to be dwarfed by the big hospital bed. Although being in her mid forties and having children of her own she seemed oddly childlike herself laying there, her blond, long locks a halo around her face.
„ The children are just getting something to eat." she explained with a smile. „ I don't even know when they last had something. My sister was here before but I think she forgot. She takes it all rather hard. She was always the most sensitive in the family." She trailed of, the smile leaving her face. „ You have news, doctor? Did the radiation therapy work?".
Kenna sat down next to Mrs. Kennedy's bed and begun to explain the test results to her. She always tried to give the patients the facts as straight as possible not hiding behind medical expressions that they couldn't understand. Mrs. Kennedy listened to it all with a composed face, only at the end when they discussed her options one glittering tear escaped her eyes and landed on the white bed sheets.
„It is not because of me, you know.", she confided in the other woman. „ Brenda will of course take the children in but… after Dave has been gone. I don't know if they can take this…"
Kenna decided then and there that fate was a vicious bitch that enjoyed trampling on those that were already on the ground.
Her patient looked at her with tear filled eyes: „ What advice would you give me doctor?"
„ As your doctor I should tell you that any additional therapy will almost certainly only delay the inevitable. That for you and your family it would be wiser to spend the remaining time together as best as possible." Mrs Kennedy looked at her for a long moment. „ And as a person?" Kenna swallowed: „ I would tell you to fight! To do everything, to try everything until the end so that they don't loose you no matter how hopeless it may seem!" Kenna realized that she nearly shouted that last part. Mrs Kennedy blinked her big blue eyes at her. „You have amazing eyes, you know. Like a cat's." Kenna smiled sadly. „ From my mother's side."
„ Did she…?".
„ Yes, when I was thirteen." The doctor straightened the slightly wrinkled sheets on her side nervously. It was still hard to say the words after all this time. „ Breast cancer.".
„ Did you ever … ever got over it?". „ The pain… it blurs after some time. Gets less acute. But no. It never goes away completely.", Kenna answered truthfully. „ You just learn to live with it."
…
After the talk with Mrs. Kennedy Kenna looked in on her other patients. There was a young girl free of leukemia that was due to be released before the christmas break and the way she and her parents smiled happily when she finished her discharge papers lifted her downtrodden spirits considerably.
Afterwards there were a lot of other things to do and the day seemed to fly by. Since it was only two more days to Christmas it was her last day at the hospital and she decided to look for Dr. Mannings to discuss Mrs. Kennedy's case before her week long holiday.
She found him in one of the laboratories, furiously scribbling something down in some folders.
„ Doctor o'Brien", he greeted her absently „ I hear you are giving unasked advice to my patients." The young woman felt her composure slip at that: „ Oh come on. As if being who you are, you would do anything less. If it were you, you sure as hell wouldn't just give up!"
Mannings put down his notes on a table with a snap and looked at her with glittering dark eyes. „ Hell, no. Being the stubborn asshole that I am, I would say fuck you fate and move heaven and hell before giving up.", he grinned and waved the notes in front of her. Now that she had a good look at them she saw the folder was actually Mrs. Kennedy's. „ I might have some ideas, how we can proceed. There is a new therapy being tested over at Stanford. Very early stages of course, but in this case… „ Mannings continued. „ Mrs. Kennedy decided to return home over the holidays but she will be back here in the new year for further treatment. So Doctor o'Brien I suggest you get yourself all pampered by your no doubt hunk of a boyfriend over the holidays because next year we won't have time for slugging, there will be a war to fight."
Kenna grinned at him and did a mock salute: „ Aye, aye sir! And have a happy christmas!"
She was just at the door when her supervisor stopped her again. „ Oh, it might have been a little presumptuous but that consultant of yours was here. Clark or something like that. He wanted to know what your chosen field for your last resident year will be. I told him since you are clearly not completely daft like the other residents you will of course remain in the oncology department." For the first time in their acquaintance the doctor seemed almost sheepish. Kenna could not help smiling a little at that. „ It was a bit presumptuous", she said, „ but yes I will stay."
„Never had a doubt about that!" Mannings returned to his notes. „ Happy holidays! And my regards to your father!"
Kenna's smile faltered.
…
„I'm late, I'm late…" Kenna chanted while simultaneously opening the door of her and Marc's apartment and trying not to let go of her various shopping bags. She was mostly successful, the door swinging open with a small creak and her only loosing one bag in the process. She would have lost another but at the last moment a big hand shot out behind the door and caught it before it hit the floor. „ Nice reflexes!" she complimented." „ That's what you get with a former pitcher." Marc grinned up at her from his crouched position, warm brown eyes laughing.
She bent down for a quick kiss. „Sorry, I'm in a bit of hurry! I'm supposed to meet the girls in twenty minutes downtown." „ Spent too much time shopping? From the size of that hoard I would wager, yes!." her boyfriend teased while carrying her bags to the living room. „ Quiet. I also have something for your Mum so that makes up for it." „ You are a gem!" Marc beamed blowing her a kiss.
Kenna quickly grabbed a simple but classical sexy black dress out of her wardrobe and went to the bathroom. A short shower later she went through the, as liked to call it, „quick and efficient routine" of primping herself up for a ladies night out.
A bit of Mascara made her green, almond shaped eyes stand out even more. She brushed her long brunette locks until the curls bounced in a shimmering wave. Since she wore her hair up all the time at work she preferred it open in private. She repositioned the old necklace she got from her mother, a small ruby set in golden writhing flames, in the middle of her cleavage. A touch of rosecolored lipgloss and she was good to go.
„ I might be late!" she called out to Marc while pulling on some black knee high boots to finish off her outfit. „ No problem." He leaned in for a goodbye kiss. „ I have already told Mum we won't be over tomorrow before afternoon." He looked at her. „ Wow you look great! Should I be worried?" „ Never!" She gave him another kiss. „ Mmh you taste good. Chocolate chips ice-cream?" „ Caught!´" he grinned. „ If you are nice and leave some for me, I might be persuaded to let you unwrap an early present tonight." The brunette indicated her dress with a wink. Marc laughed and drew her in for one last kiss. „ You little minx! Off with you. And give the girls my love. I expect to see them on new year's eve!"
Kenna grabbed her warm winter coat and left with a last wave. Fortunately she spotted a cab just in front of their building and traffic was light ,so she was only a few minutes late when she arrived at the „ Carazon", a new restaurant slash at later hours bar, they had decided to meet at. The place lived up to its name being somewhat flamboyantly tropical, but after a short look around she spotted Jules and Elisabeth at one of the quieter corner tables. „ Sorry!" Kenna murmured when she hugged her friends in greeting.
„ Did the Icicle keep you even two days before Christmas?" Beth asked sympathetically. „ No, I fear that was all my own doing. I left most of the Christmas shopping until the last moment." „One day you really have to introduce us to that man. I bet he is hot. Arrogant but hot." Jules grinned wickedly tossing her blond shoulder length hair. „ And nearly fifty." Kenna said. „ Well there is worse than a twenty year age gap. And you didn't contradict me on the hot part I noticed." The blonde had always been attracted to slightly older and complicated men while Kenna and Beth were the ones with the long stable relationships. Kenna could not really see the attraction, in her opinion a good relationship should have a foundation of mutual interests and goals and not only some physical pull to someone. But since Jules did not take it all very seriously, her latest amorous adventures where always a cause for amusement in the group.
The girls ordered some fajitas and caught up with each others life in the next half an hour. They had come to Seattle together after high school - following the irresistible pull of the big city as Jules once put it poetically- but their high school friendship had survived different colleges, new jobs and various relationships. Kenna realized she had neglected her friends in the last months. There had been times when they sat together like this every week.
She just resolved to tell her friends to be better next year, when she felt it. A cold shiver running over her spine. „ Don't make promises you can't keep."
„What?" Beth looked at her with concern in her blue eyes. „ I just asked if our yearly date is still on?. „ Oh sorry, I could have sworn someone whispered something about promises in my ear."
Jules laughed: „Perhaps a guy promising you a night you will never forget? That blonde on the bar has been looking here since we came in." „ Yeah funny. I fear I'm more stressed out from work than I thought. But whatever. Yes of course it is still on. The Hobbit Part three just after christmas just like every year." Kenna had introduced her friends to the goodness that was Middle Earth some years ago and although she suspected their reasons were a little bit different than hers, they were immediately hooked. „ Will Legolas be in that one again?" Beth asked with a glow in her eyes confirming Kenna's suspicion that there was indeed a correlation between hot elves and her friend's enthusiasm for fantasy stories. „ Oh god, your taste is just awful. I prefer men to feminine boys." „There is nothing wrong with Orlando Bloom." Kenna let her friends bicker for a moment and drifted on her own thoughts. She had always liked the Hobbit story even a little bit more than the original Lord of the Rings, perhaps because it was the last book her mother read to her and her brother. They would all three snuggle in her parents big bed, warm and comfortable under the blankets and her mother's soft voice would lead her to a world full of dragons, elves and adventures. Looking back her mother had already been so weak, only being able to read a few pages before tiring, but it was still one of her fondest memories.
„ Kenna, you're not listening again!" Jules bopped her playfully. „Where are you today?" „I'm sorry I have that case in the hospital that just won't leave my mind. A young mother, two kids…" „ It makes you think of your mum." Jules smiled sadly. Being friends for so long they had known Kenna's mother before her illness. Actually she did not know how she would have gone on without her friends' support in that time.
„Will Peter be home at Christmas?" Kenna sighed, still angry at her younger brother. „ No, again he had some kind of bullshit excuse. Work it seems. Though it escapes me how a vet isn't able to come home for at least a day or two." „You know how he is. He just doesn't feel at ease at the house." Beth was always the most understanding of the three of them. Kenna knew what she meant, after all her brother had moved to the other side of the country in, as she saw it, an attempt to avoid. But not so much the house, more their father.
„It might have helped Dad." the brunette said. „He is still not better?" Beth asked worriedly. Kenna shook her head. „ He lives in his own world and I think for him it is as if she has died yesterday. „ He loved her very much." „I know." and if she was really honest that kind of complete, utter fixation on one person scared her a little bit. Not that she didn't love Marc, but it was a more comforting, secure kind of love. She was still her own person. A little more boring perhaps but also a lot safer.
…
Their food had arrived after that and they had ordered a round or two of margaritas to rid Kenna of her gloom as Jules put it. An hour later Kenna coaxed her friends to the already crowded dance floor next to the bar, drinks in hand. She had always loved to dance, starting with ballet when she was a little girl and progressing to more modern styles later. Another thing she resolved to make more time for next year. Perhaps she should sign up for one of the open courses at the studio round the block.
They danced to some songs and after a somewhat daring interpretation of „Shake it off" that involved a lot of shaking, the blonde that Jules had spotted earlier got brave and asked her to dance. Kenna watched with a smile as her friend flirted in front of her.
„ I'm just going to the restroom. You're OK alone?" Beth asked. Kenna nodded. She was just enjoying the faster beat, moving her body to the music when she felt it again, an icy shiver down her spine.
„You are really perfect." The voice was smooth like honey, wrapping around her like a warm coat. A man slipped in the space next to her. She supposed he was good-looking, tall with dark, slightly longer hair and eyes of the same color, but something made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. „ Excuse me…". „You are exactly right, if I may say so. But then I always liked dancers. Perhaps a little bit too pretty. But that might cause its own kind of mischief." He grinned widely causing her to make a step backwards. „Perfect for what?" Who was that guy? Some kind of pervert?
He quickly followed and took her hand to press a soft kiss to it. „ Miss o'Brien, might you be interested in an adventure?" Kenna was caught between throwing her remaining margarita in his face and calling for help. His smile turned sad: „ You might thank me for this one day. Or probably you will not, if I think about it. Everything comes with a price you know."
He squeezed her hand one more time and then he was gone as quickly as he came. She tried to see where he went but since she was not the tallest, even in high heels, the crowd around her made it impossible.
„What the hell was that? There are really guys who give a kiss on the hand in this times?" Jules and Beth had appeared next to her again. „ Just some creep!" Kenna answered, still a little bit confused. Nothing he said had made any sense and still his words had somehow shook her. She told herself that there were a lot of strange people around and dragged her friends back to the middle of the dance floor.
Only when she sat in the cab back home hours later she remembered a strange detail: How could he have known her name?
…..
Kenna did not have much to drink but she was pleasantly buzzed when she arrived at home. Giggling quietly she got rid of her boots and coat and sneaked in the bedroom. Marc was laying on the bed, sprawled out, his blond hair messy around his head. For a moment she just stood in the doorway watching him, all long, lean limbs and golden brown skin. Damn, she was a lucky woman. Not longer able to help herself she pounced.
Before she reached the bed, however she was caught and twirled around in a storm of sheets and warm male body. She ended up on the bed under him, smiling. „ You are awake!" she concluded. He grinned „ You are not very subtle or quiet, when you are buzzed, little lion. I heard you at the door." She laughed „There was something wrong with the key, I swear." He absently played with her fire necklace. „ Did you have a nice evening?" „ Very nice! The girls sent their love." She nuzzled his neck enjoying his warm body next to hers. He caught her lips in a long and thorough kiss. „Mmmh strawberry margerita, my favorite!"
„ Marc are we boring?" The words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. „ I mean could we use some more excitement or..or… adventure in our lifes?" He tensed and looked at her: „From my point view it was getting really exciting right this moment." „ No, that was not what I meant. I don't know, perhaps it is just that feeling that everything is so serious, so planned out. My job at the hospital, your job at the law firm. I remember all those dreams I had when I was younger. To travel, to see the world. And I remember you wanted the same. Did we give that up?"
He looked pensive for a moment: „I think some of it is just being adults, having responsibility and knowing what we want from life. And we did reach some of our dreams. You always wanted to specialize in oncology. I always wanted to become a lawyer." He stopped." But perhaps you are right in a way. We should make sure to have some things just for us. Plan a trip to South America next year like we always said." He searched her face. „ Or is this something more? You are happy aren't you?" Kenna did not know what had come over her. Had that strange encounter this evening meant more to her than she thought? „Just a drunken, crazy thought I suppose." She kissed him deeply. „ I am happy! Very happy!" He grinned: „ Well than I should proceed to show you how very not boring I am! I still have a present to unwrap." She laughed when he began to kiss a path down her body and soon all thoughts about strange questions were of her mind.
They slept in the next morning, enjoying the first day of the holidays. When they finally got out of bed Marc made his famous pancakes after one of his mother's recipes. They tasted simply delicious. Kenna couldn't resist when a fleck of the liquid chocolate they ate with them clung to the corner of Marc's mouth. She darted in and liked it off. That ended in a short chocolate kissing match that promptly brought them back to bed.
So as expected it was rather late until they finally had packed all their things and got the car ready to drive home to Kensington. The drive normally took around two hours so they still had enough time before dinner and Marc drove at a relaxed pace giving them the opportunity to talk about the planned Christmas activities and the anticipated craziness with Marc's loving but big family.
Darkness had already settled when they arrived at Kenna's family house, a two-storey farmhouse her parents had painstakingly restored more than 30 years ago when they had married.
Kenna took in the still beautiful house with the somewhat neglected garden and sighed. Last year he had at least still tended to the garden.
„ You're sure you want to stay here alone tonight? I can come with you." Marc said. „No, it's no problem, your mother will be already waiting. I will be at your place tomorrow for dinner and the day after you come here. Just like every year." She gave him an encouraging smile, although she could feel herself that it looked fake. „You could both come to the Christmas dinner tomorrow…" „You know how he is. He will not want to leave the house."
With a quick goodbye kiss she opened the car door, grabbed her things and made her way to the front poach.
She pressed the bell and called out: „Dad, it's me Kenna!" She had a spare key but did not want to startle her father. There were a few heavy steps on the other side of the door and then it opened. „Kenna!" her fathers worn face smiled at her happily and she stepped in his warm embrace breathing in the familiar scent of tobacco that reminded her of home.
She had tried to get him to give up smoking - her being a doctor after all - but he head steadfastly refused all her efforts so far.
He had prepared his signature dish - lasagne - and after bringing her things to her old room they settled in the kitchen, talking and eating. That meant mostly she was talking - about work and her friends latest gossip. Her father mostly listened just asking a question here and there, smiling contently now she was there.
Soon she was completely full. „ I can't even eat one more bite." She said patting her tummy. „Yes ,it was a little bit much. I thought perhaps Peter would come…" Her father trailed of sadly. Kenna felt anger towards her brother all over again. While she tried to visit every other week, he could not even manage one visit on Christmas. But it would make her father even more sad, if she said something now, so she decided to deal with her brother later. On her father's birthday in March he would be here even if she had to drag him all the way herself.
They sat down in the living room then, sharing a bottle of Italian white Kenna had brought from Seattle. Her father seemed relaxed but after a while she realized he did not longer really listen to her. He smiled dolefully when she asked him if everything was alright:" You look so much like your mother,"
And that was the truth. She had inherited her mother's green eyes and brown hair as well as, to her chagrin, her slight height of under 5 and a half feet.
Her father and brother on the other hand came completely after the Irish half of the family, over six feet tall, red haired and well built.
„ She chose your name, you know. Kenna, born of flames." „ Really?" she didn't know that.
„ Said it was an old name. She dreamed of flames a lot when she was pregnant and she still had that old family necklace so it seemed fitting. Your grandmother thought of it." „Grandma Lulu?" Kenna had not seen her mother's mother a lot, there had been some kind of falling out when she was younger. „ Ah yes, she would know all about it, perhaps you should ask her one day." Kenna thought she should perhaps visit her grandmother soon, it would be nice to reconnect and share some old stories, she hadn't known her name had any meaning before.
Her father was quiet after that, staring pensively at his wine. It was often like this when she was here. Sometimes she didn't know if her presence made him happier oder more sad.
…
The next day was cold and clear and she decided to go to Marc's family in the morning to ask Donna if she needed any help with Christmas preparations. Marc's mum was a wonderful, caring person that ruled over her brood of five children and her husband with a loving hand. When Marc and her had become an item shortly after high school she had taken Kenna in as another surrogate daughter and showered her with the motherly love the girl had missed for many years. In the beginning she had sometimes felt a little bit overwhelmed but soon she could not imagine life without her. The two women had grown even closer over the years and Kenna considered Donna her own family. Jules had sometimes jokingly said, that even if Marc wasn't such a catch himself his family would be worth marrying him alone.
When she entered the big Donovan family house chaos greeted her as so often. Two of Marc's siblings already had children of their own so Christmas was always a big affair. „Kenna!" Donna embraced her warmly, kissing her cheek. „ It's so good you are here." The blond woman was already bustling in the kitchen together with Anna, one of Marc's sisters and Bridget, his brother's wife. „Would it be too much trouble to help me with the cookies? I still have to prepare this turkey…" This turkey was a monstrosity nearly weighing down the entire kitchen table. „Sure…!" Kenna said rolling up the sleeves of her red cashmere sweater.
Soon she was emerged in the familiar craziness of christmas preparations and catching up with the family.
Kenna had finished her third load of cookies when Donna turned to her. „ Kenna, do you think you could drive Molly to the Mall at Baker Street? I know it's late but it seems our little princess forgot some of her christmas presents." Kenna gave her an understanding smile. Molly, the Donovan's youngest, was nearly a decade younger than Marc. She had hit puberty hard this year and, as Marc explained, was against everything at the moment. It was more than probable that she had decided to not buy presents as a sign of being against capitalism or the church or just consumption overall.
„Perhaps being with another young lady will help her." Donna said hopefully. Kenna did not know if she was really the right person to connect with a rebellious seventeen-year-old, at that age she had already cared for her younger brother for four years, but she would try.
She grabbed hers and Marc's keys from the board and called for Molly. When she made her way through the corridor warm arms came around her from behind. „ And, already captured by the crazy Donovans again." Marc's warm breath whispered in her ear. „ You know I love your family." „ Must be real love when you go out with the monster willingly." He grinned at his younger sister that came down the steps at this moment. Molly shared the blond hair and good looks with the rest of the family although she mostly hid them behind a scowl and eclectic dressing choices these days. Today the style of choice was a yellow skirt with green tights and a brown sweater that looked like a complete dead lamb. Kenna got a small headache just looking at the combination.
„Be back before darkness. Dad wants to light the Christmas fire and he's already excited as a child. Have fun!" Marc gave Kenna a quick goodbye kiss and left for the kitchen.
„Oh gross!" Molly said. Kenna sighed. This would be a long day.
…
When they drove on the big mall parking space it became apparent that they were not the only ones who had some last minute christmas shopping on mind. Kenna had to take a slot quite at the far end and Molly immediately complained about the long walk.
So Kenna was already slightly irritated when she got out of the car, pulling her coat around her against the cold wind. She was just turning to Molly wanting to ask her at which side to start, when she got that feeling again. Cold fingers at the base of her neck, a whisper.
„Kenna!"
She looked at Molly totally startled. „Sorry I must have sped out there a moment." „ I called your name three times at least!" The teenager looked at her with a slightly worried gaze. „You're sure you're okay?" „Yeah of course! Nothing to worry about!"
After that they made their way to the shops. Molly seemed to have thawed a little bit perhaps feeling a bit guilty for dragging her out here and talked about school and her friends. Kenna was glad. Normally they got along quite well and it was nice to listen to the girls everyday problems. It distracted her from the fact that she had that strange feeling again, whatever it was.
After two hours they had most of the shopping done and decided to have a coffee and relax their feet.
They had just joined the queue at the coffee place when it happened again. A strange chill ran down her spine. She looked around, expecting someone to whisper…when a loud shot resounded in the mall. A moment of silence, then people began to scream.
„Kenna!" Molly clung to her arm. „ What is happening?" „ I don't know!" Suddenly there were people running around everywhere, the Mall erupting in chaos. More shots sounded.
„We have to get out of here!" Kenna grabbed Molly and made for the closest exit. Unfortunately everyone else had the same idea and they were jostled and shoved into the chaos. Kenna hold on to Molly's arm, not wanting to loose the girl. Then it happened. Someone crashed into her from behind and she was thrown forward landing on her knees, Molly screamed her name and she realized that she had let go after all.
It took her a few moments to notice that there was a strange silence around her. She slowly looked up. There was a man a few feet in front of her, his back to her. When she saw the blood on his clothes she immediately got to her feet. „Sir, I'm a doctor. Can I perhaps help…"
She trailed of when he turned towards her seeing the rifle in his hand.
„ It's not his blood." a strangely calm part of her whispered. The same calm part told her that he would kill her. Kill her if she didn't do anything. She watched, strangely detached as he aimed at her. She had never seen him before, was just at the wrong place at the wrong time.
„If you want to live, jump!" the voice was clear and female. Kenna looked to the right where it had come from, there was a strange shimmer in the air. The man pulled the trigger. She jumped.
…
„If this is death it is strangely anti-climatic." Was her first thought when she could think again. She was drifting in nothingness, no light, no warmth, no colors. Time seemed to pass but she could not say how much. Minutes, hours, days..? After a while something changed, so gradually that she did not realize it at first. Small lights appeared above her, shining on her drifting body. First a few, than more and more. Stars she thought. Stars on a tapestry of darkness burning with a white cold fire.
They were beautiful but she could not stop herself from panicking. What if she drifted here for eternity? Was she dead? Where were her family, Marc, her friends?
„Shh" a soothing female voice. „You are safe. Nothing will harm you here." She had heard that voice before, but she could not remember where. She became aware that people were standing around her, ten or more, looking down on her, although she was still floating.
„Are you sure, beloved?" a booming, powerful male voice.„ The risks involved…"
„There are risks in acting and risks in not acting, Aule. I for one would prefer to take the ones acting brings, brother." a smooth voice like the waves of the ocean interrupted.
„I agree with Ulmo, husband. „ the soothing female again. „ It may be risky but it is the only way."
„ Isn't there another candidate? She seems rather small… And a female at that…" that voice was harsh bringing with it the clash of battle.
„Oh as my sisters and I are helpless females and need to be protected. Is that what you want to say, brother?" A powerful female that, full of fire.
„Not at all, dear sister ,not at all. But you are the Queens of the Valar. She is just a human girl. Quite a difference that."
„Enough! We do not have time for this!" This voice was strong and authoritative, ending all other conversations. „ While we bicker he is moving again. You have all seen the signs, felt the change they herald. If we do not not act the strands of fate will come undone like a broken tapestry. And who can say to what outcome this will lead? Chaos will reign. We need a guardian of our own to stop this."
„ Why not use one of the Maiar again? Olorin has shown his worth in this matters time and time again. The grey wizard will surely understand the importance of this."
„ You know the rules as well as I brother. He is of this world and thus cannot know what fate awaits it. The girl does know, but she is not of Middle Earth and therefor not bound by any fate at all. She may choose her own destiny."
„ And that is what troubles me so. Who can say if she will choose the path we want her to take?" the harsh male voice was still unconvinced.
Kenna felt a soft cool hand stroking over her hair. The soothing voice spoke again:„ You have watched her as we did, brother. She is dutiful, strong and compassionate. She will do what is necessary."
„ And she has the old blood. Do you know how few the old ones have become in this age and world? Men have turned away from magic there"
„ And we can only awaken it in her not create it." The strong Male sighed. „ Fine. If there is no other way, it shall be as it is. Kenna o'Brien will become our guardian of Middle Earth's fate."
„ What will become of her once the threat is averted? We cannot keep a being from another world in ours indefinitely." „ As soon as fate has come to pass as predetermined, she may return to her own world with the gratitude of the Valar. After all she would have died, if we didn't interfere today."
Kenna realized someone was leaning over her, but she could not make out any features only eyes that seemd to be made out of starlight and hair so bright it shown like molten gold.
„I am sorry, my dear, this may hurt slightly." a voice cautioned.
Suddenly strong arms were holding her down. She tried to squirm away but the grip was so unbelievable strong that she could not even move an inch.
„Kenna o'Brien." An man with eyes that seemed to look into another world and hair as dark as ink, stared at her. „ I gift you with the power of Sight! May you see the paths that fate lies before you." He bent forward and kissed her once over each eye. Where his cool lips touched her she felt a burning sensation start, that seemed to travel through her whole body. She tried to get away again but to no avail. It was as if every muscle in her body was paralyzed.
„ Kenna o' Brien" The bright lady was leaning over her again. „ I gift you with the wisdom of tongues. May you understand the words of all beings, great or small in Middle Earth." She softly kissed her brow.
By now Kenna felt as if her whole body was coated in flames. A tear escaped her eyes and although she could not move she tried to fight her invisible bonds.
„Something is wrong." The bright lady was worried. „She is not yet used to magic. She will adjust as soon as she is in Middle Earth. Quick now brother and sister."
Immediately two shadows were leaning over her. „ I gift you with the power of life!" A woman with gentle brown eyes said. „ And I with the power of death.", the pale man added. „ As a healer you may hold both in your hands." they finished together and kissed her on her cheeks.
The moment their lips touched her, Kenna felt another wave of pain explode in her body.
Her body lifted out of the stasis it had been held in and higher in the air. The stars that had slowly drifted before her eyes now raced by with the speed of light, blurring before her eyes.
She tried to scream, tried to move, do anything to stop but the pain overwhelmed her senses and she fell into the darkness.
…
„Amateurs" an angry voice woke the young woman. „ Sometimes I'm not sure, if I should be amused or offended." She knew that voice of honey and darkness from somewhere.
She slowly blinked her eyes open. To her dismay she was still at the strange twilight place of stars and air she had seen before.
But something was different. Her body seemed lighter, more controlled this time. She sat up carefully, flexing her hurting muscles.
The dark-haired man she met in the „Corazon" stood next to her. „What…?"
„ We do not have much time, my dear." He leaned close to her. „ They might get suspicious if you do not arrive soon. And that would endanger all our careful planning, wouldn't it?" He gave her a lopsided grin. „Now were where we? Ah, yes! You will need a little gift from me as well."
Kenna tried to scoot backwards thinking she did definitely not need an experience like that again.
„Oh don't worry. I am a little more sophisticated than my brethren, I can ensure you of that."
He touched her face: „Kenna o'Brien, you will possibly not thank me for this, but I gift you with fire and shadows. May you burn bright!" His lips were strangely gentle on her own as he kissed her. Kenna waited for the burning pain to start again, but she only felt a soft rush of energy through her veins. „Now of you go! You have an adventure to catch and no time to waste." The stranger lazily waived his hand and she went flying again. The stars raced above her crazily, even faster than before.
„ And remember", the dark voice called after her, „ You make your own destiny! You alone, Miss o' Brien." A bright light appeared before her. Kenna had only time for a scream and then she crashed against it, breaking it into a thousand multicolored shards.
….
Teaser:
She had stared at the wizard for what felt like hours now, called his name multiple times and even waived her hand directly in front of his faces. Still no reaction. He seemed completely absorbed in their merrily burning camp fire, deeply thinking about something. She would swear she did not even see him blink once the entire time.
„Miss o' Brien" his sudden words made her startle and nearly topple of her perch next to him. He gave her a grave look and slowly started to grin. „I fear there is no way around it. You will become my apprentice for the duration of this quest!"
And … we are in Middle Earth. Finally!
I plan to update around every Friday or Saturday so watch out for Kenna meeting the grey wizard next week!
And don't forget: Feedback is the author's pay ;-)