DISCLAIMER: I own nothing of the LotR

A/N: in this chapter, Kaye has a confrontation with Boromir . . . now, I have absolutely nothing against Boromir (and I understand why he tried to take the ring from Frodo (at least in the movie, I can't remember from the first book : ) but that's just as a little heads up. Boromir's a good guy and it wasn't necessarily his fault that he attempted to take the One—I mean, he did try to save Merry and Pippin : )

Anywho, time for chappie 11!!

:: A Nighttime Stroll::

October came and left. Now November had swept the rest of the leaves off of their limbs. The Fellowship had not yet left Rivendell, but continued to ready themselves for the journey ahead.

I couldn't bring myself to see any of them . . .

Especially Frodo.

Ever since Elrond and I had spoken with one another, I could not bear to see Frodo . . . it was as if I couldn't see him smile knowing that he would suffer in the near future. In fact, it seemed as if I ignored all of my companions completely. I would rarely leave my accommodations and when I did, I would use the abandoned corridors and at night.

I shut myself away from the world.

Frodo was my dearest friend . . . why was it so hard that I couldn't go with him? He should not have to bear this burden alone . . . I was one of his closest friends . . . couldn't I bear it with him?

The curtains billowed gently as they caressed my bare arms. Several stray leaves scuttled across the tile flooring. I paid no heed to them, but watch the setting sun through the drapes. The daily noises were beginning to fade away, leaving only the crickets to soothe me. Soon all would be asleep and I would sneak out for my evening walk.

I sighed. It would be another month before the Fellowship would leave for Mordor . . .

Gods, why did Frodo volunteer to go?

Then there were all the others who had joined him . . .

Gandalf . . .

Aragorn . . .

Sam, Merry, and Pippin . . .

. . . Legolas . . .

They were all going . . .

And I had to sit around and do nothing to help them. All I could do was wait day after day not knowing whether they were alive or dead; whether they were safe or in danger . . .

I couldn't live like that. Not when I knew every day put their lives at risk.

The moon was now spanning across the floor and over my bare feet. I stood slowly and made my way towards the door. Cracking it open slightly, I peered out into the hall.

Candles danced along the corridor and moonlight shadows spread along the ground. Other than me, the hallway was deserted. Picking up the hems of my nightgown, I stepped out of the safety of my rooms.

Lately I had grown used to the darkened halls of the night and learned by heart their twists and turns. The night did not bother me as much as it had when I was younger. Now, it was almost as if it was calming to be out in the darkness.

I turned a corner and stepped onto an archway bridge that overlooked Rivendell. I stopped for a moment and stared off over the horizon.

The moon was full and lit up the entire elfin haven in a pale silver glow. Bruinen reflected the moon's light and its roar was muffled from a distance. The wind moaned gently over my feet and scattered leaves over the ground.

Suddenly, my ears pricked at the sudden noise that carried over with the wind.

I turned and stood rigid as a figure caught my attention.

A man with a leather tunic stood with his back towards me. A silver tree was embedded onto his chest along with the gauntlets on his wrists. An ivory horn had been strapped around his shoulders and he wore a sword at his belt. His auburn hair and beard were what caught my attention.

Boromir paced slowly across the lawn and was oblivious to my presence. He murmured to himself and kept his eyes to the ground.

Cautiously, I carefully padded down the staircase leading to the ground.

My footsteps were silent along the dried-out leaves, leaving me invisible to the Gondorian soldier. Hastily, I made my way behind a pillar and listened.

". . . He asked me to bring It to him . . . I should have taken It when I had the chance . . ."

He fingered the hilt of his sword delicately, as if itching to draw it and strike someone. I felt the night suddenly grow colder.

". . . Without it, the Dark Lord might attack . . . with it, He might attack . . ." he paused for a moment as if listening to something and continued pacing. I crouched closer to the ground, ". . . gods . . . gods . . ." he muttered and suddenly clutched his head, "Get out of my mind, damn it!"

I started at the tone of his voice and stared at him awe-struck. What was wrong with him? Was he ill?

Boromir growled furiously and shook his head.

Taking a risk, I cautiously stood and peered out from behind my covering. The man was still unaware that I was with him, but he had resided into silence and did not mutter any longer. His silhouetted figure moved slowly in front of the rising moon.

Breathing deeply, I stepped out from behind the pillar.

"Boromir?"

He jumped wildly and turned to glare at me. His expression softened slightly, however, when he noticed it was me and not some spy, "Can I help you?"

I tried to smile gently, "Excuse me, but I heard you talking and I couldn't help but wonder if you were alright . . . it is rather late in the evening to be out alone."

Boromir nodded gruffly and turned his head once more, "And yet you are out on your own."

"I happened to be running a quick errand before retiring," I told him rather sternly and fibbed as well, "On my way back I noticed you out here and you looked troubled . . . is it a crime to be worried about someone?"

His gray-blue eyes stared at me intensely. Already he had taken a slight dislike towards me.

"You didn't hear what I said, exactly, did you?"

"No," I lied quickly.

He nodded but didn't say any more. I watched him for a moment before hurrying away.

"If you excuse me, Boromir, I really must go--."

"Kaye."

I stopped and stared at him oddly, "Excuse me?"

"Your name is Kaye." He confirmed; his eyes still locked on me.

"It is . . ." I replied warily. He was acting very strange lately, especially at the council a month earlier. Was he feeling alright? He seemed fine on some occasions . . . but others . . .

Boromir's eyes darted to my hand, and when he did, I withdrew it into the folds of my gown, "You are the Bearer of Light . . ."

I felt the color of my cheeks fade and my blood run cold. He didn't . . . Elrond wouldn't tell anyone else who I was—what I was . . .

"You hold Narulin . . ." he took a step closer and I took one back.

This man was starting to frighten me. The gleam in his eyes sent a chill down my spine and I saw something there I did not wish to see . . .

Malice.

I had now backed away and was at the base of the stairs. But Boromir still pursued me, causing my fear to grow within.

"You hold the hope of Middle Earth . . ." he murmured as if in a trance.

"Boromir . . . you're scaring me," I whimpered and took a step up the staircase, but stumbled and slid down on the step below. Boromir now towered over me; his form blocking the silver moon. But his gray eyes still glinted with something of a frightful sort.

And even though I couldn't see it, I heard his sword sliding from its sheath

I sobbed fearfully and shut my eyes forcefully. Oh, gods . . . oh, gods, oh gods . . . please don't let him; don't let him draw his sword! It was sliding further and further out of its scabbard; closer and closer towards my flesh.

Sweat perspired along my skin despite the cool night and the soldier's breathing as hard and rapid.

""Please, Boromir . . . you don't want to do this . . ." I whimpered.

But he didn't seem to hear me, as if he were in a daze, "If I cannot bring back the One . . . Narulin will have to do . . ."

"Please . . ." tears came to my eyes and I shook my head, "Please don't . . ."

"With Narulin . . . Gondor might defeat Sauron once and for all . . ."

"Please, Boromir . . ." I said tearfully as I saw the final point of the sword glittering in the moonlight. Oh, gods, he was going to do it . . . whatever was wrong with him . . . he was going to do it!

I turned my head away, "Please don't . . ."

"Boromir!!"

My eyes shot open and darted to the bridge above.

A wave of relief washed over me as I detected Aragorn standing there. Even if his eyes were filled with a fiery anger, I could not have been happier to see him.

He watched the man of Gondor furiously. I too, turned and observed as a sudden change swept over Boromir. He blinked; his eyes wide with shock and he trembled violently. His gaze darted to the sword in his hand. Immediately, he dropped it as if it were ablaze and backed away slowly. I stared into his eyes and saw the horror within as he shook his head and sprinted off into the shadows.

My body shook violently from what had happened. Tears of pure terror raced down my face and I sobbed into my hands.

Soon, I sensed the ranger's presence next to me and felt his arm around my shoulder. On instinct, I fell into his open arms and wept into his shoulder. I drenched his jerkin, but he did not seem to mind. I felt his fingers stroking my hair gently and I let him continue.

"Can you walk?" he asked gently.

I didn't respond. The incident was still too real in my mind for comfort. I couldn't erase it from my head.

Then I felt him lifting me into his arms like a child. He carried me back up the stairs and down the corridors towards my rooms. The door was opened and he gently brought me over to my bed and set me down.

I continued to weep and he did not make a move to stop me.

"Oh, gods, Aragorn . . ." I whispered softly, "I thought he was going to do it . . . I thought he was going to kill me . . ." I blinked and sniffed, "He was trying to take Narulin . . . and I thought he would succeed . . ."

Elessar's expression was grave, "We should not have let Boromir into the Fellowship--."

"No! No, Aragorn," I said, controlling myself, "It was not Boromir who was trying to take Narulin . . ."

"Then who was it, Kaye?" he asked, suddenly alarmed, "There was no one else there."

I felt a sudden chill race through my blood and I turned my head away slightly.

". . . It was Sauron . . ."

-------

A/N: okay, that will probably be that last chapter for a few days . . .

Cuz it's the 4th and we're going to party! And probably set our house on fire with fireworks, hehe

I'll write soon, though!

Ja'ne!