Woohoo, chapter update! With school about to end, I'm gonna have whole days of writing. I'll finish my stories, start on new ones, blah blah blah. Okidokie lets read!
Kuil blinked at the sudden light, keeping close to Arwen as they made their way to the courtyard. Arwen kept a close eye on Kuil as they wondered, guiding her through different sections of the home, the autumn trees trickling their leaves to the ground. Kuil stayed close to her, not daring to step closer, viewing from a distance. Arwen made sure to keep her close and interested, always talking and telling stories in attempt to make her laugh, but Kuil never broke a smile. After a while Arwen began to lose hope, beginning to trail off on one of her stories.
"Do-" Kuil's sudden outburst surprised Arwen. "I-I mean, you didn't finish your story." She gave a sheepish smile, bringing up her shoulders and clasping her hands.
Arwen laughed, tilting her head so she could make eye contact with the girl. "You like the stories?" Kuil glanced up, the blue eyes hesitant to the dark brown, courageous ones. Nonetheless, Kuli nodded giving another small smile that further encouraged Arwen into telling her story. Kuil was able to show her smile now, bright and even laughing with Arwen, and the lady of the house knew that their bond was growing stronger.
Elrond saw the two walk around, smiling and laughing, but he still saw the obvious discomfort and frightened body in Kuil.
"She needs proper care," Elrond spoke aloud so his sons could hear. "To talk to someone and counsel with." His sons approached him, gazing out and seeing their sister laugh with the distant women.
Elladan turned to his father, asking. "Do you want me to go retrieve her?" Elrond kept his gaze on Kuil, her gentle laugh loud enough for him to here.
"No," Elrond softly shook his head. "Wait until she has finished with Arwen." The twins nodded, leaving his father's study in peace.
The two finished their tour, Kuil repeatedly asking questions about Rivendell, and Arwen gladly answering. Elrond descended the stairs and out the home, approaching the two girls sitting on the bench.
"Ladies," he bowed, Kuil jumping slightly. "Ah, apologies. Kuil, I was just wondering if you could come with me, I want us to have a talk." Kuil blinked, turning to Arwen for help, her eyes pleading. Arwen simply nodded, giving a gentle smile. Kuil turned back, Elrond's hand extended for her, and she shakily took out her hand from beneath her arm. She lightly touched his hand, grasping it and starting to lift, Elrond lifting his hand to help her.
He kept his hand around hers, but she quickly wiggled away from him and stopped, hands tucked beneath her arms again.
Elrond turned, quickly trying to figure out how she offended him, but she stuttered. "T-the Jealous Man... H-he liked to hold my hand a-and force me to w-watch..." She shuddered at the dark memories, unable to speak any more.
Elrond quickly approached her, hands secured on her shoulders and whispering. "Shh, it is okay my lady. You don't have to relive those memories, ever again." \Kuil sniffed, but she did not believe him.
"The only memories I have a-are from him," her voice was soft and weak. "What else can I do?"
"This is why I am having us talk in private. To counsel and help you heal from your mental wounds and break away from him." Elrond made sure to keep his voice strong, hope running through him, though his hope was thin. Kuil lifted her head, a small smile growing and nodding; she took his arm in hers and followed him into his study. For the rest of the day they talked, discussing her troubles and working towards overcoming them. Elrond would write as she would talk, but having to keep encouraging her to talk.
The sun started to set when they finally finished, Elrond lead Kuil out for dinner where the twins were already getting everything set up. Kuil sat back in her chair, waiting patiently with her hands in her lap. Arwen appeared again and sat next to Kuil, starting a conversation again as the servants came with food. They all ate, Kuil taking the foods she recognized and nibbling on the new ones. The others ate happily, telling stories that interested Kuil into smiling. One of the stories the twins told even got a small laugh out of Kuil, the laugh bright and new to the women that shocked her most of all.
"My lord," Lindir's sudden call made Kuil jump and scream, but was quickly calmed down by Elrond. "A letter for you." Elrond extended his hand and took the sealed envelope, quickly opening it and reading the context.
"It's a letter from Gandalf... about the one ring." Elrond gasped, skimming over the text again and again. Kuil watched the others gasp in horror, turning to each other and whispering elvish.
Kuil fought the urge to ask, to keep silent, but instead turned to Arwen and asked. "What's the... one ring?"
Arwen didn't know how to answer, so Elrond answered for her. "The one ring is a very, very dangerous weapon. It is the most dangerous weapon in this land, I... though that it was lost beyond hope of resurrection..."
Elladan spoke now. "Well maybe it's not the ring, maybe Gandalf is just being superstitious as always."
"No...I've never seen him this confident, this paranoid." Elrond set the letter down, letting his sons take a look. When they read the letter they two believed their father and Gandalf, that the rings was back.
"Gandalf is having a hobbit... Bilbo's cousin, come and bring the ring to Rivendell. Lindir, I want you to order a council, people from all lands and races must come and decide the fate of the ring."
Kuil heard the order, a spark of hope rising within her and she piped. "If Legolas comes, c-can I go home with him?" They all turned to her, smiles big and bright in all of them.
Elrond softly grabbed her hand, speaking softly. "If it works out dear." That answer wasn't good enough for her.
"I-I just want to go back to Mirkwood. I miss it... please." Elrond could see tears forming in her eyes, but he choked back his own and continued to stroke her hand.
"I promise you that you will return Kuil, but when is hard part. Evil is stirring in the land, and I can't risk you getting hurt, or the Jealous Man finding you." Kuil sighed, nodding despite disagreeing with him.
Arwen escorted Kuil to her own room, helping her get her night wear on and clean up for bed. Kuil laid in the bed, the soft mattress making Kuil uncomfortable.
Though as Arwen began to leave, Kuil had the heart to speak up gain. "Arwen," the lady turned, smiling warmly. "If the Jealous Man were to... were to... acquire the ring of power. H-how powerful would he be?"
Arwen stuttered, not sure how to answer, but tried her best. "He will never get the ring Kuil. I promise you that, Elrond and everyone else will protect the ring with their lives, and you." Kuil went wide eye, a smile trickling across her face. "Now get your sleep Kuil." Arwen ended and blew out the candle light, leaving Kuil to carefully curl up in the sheets.
I know not very action packed, yet! Things will come, I have my plot all written out! It's gonna be great, or not... 'cause you'll probably cry.