Chapter 25- Me and Boredom is NOT a Good Combination! - Katie's POV:
DISCLAIMER: I don't own LotR
Sunlight poured gently through the open window like a river of light. But Legolas and I were already up and about. Today we left for Mirkwood. Everything was set in place and if the humans looked carefully, they would see the forests coming alive. I could just make out the shapes of the Ents that now surrounded Rivendell, fixing themselves into place. My plan was working perfectly. Throughout the whole west of Middle Earth, I had sent up a network of Ents. They would help protect the borders of The Shire, Moria, and the three elven kingdoms, as well as giving us warning of any forces that might cause up trouble. They could pass messages to each other and at certain points, make contact with the inhabitants. The elves had decided, well, more I had persuaded them to stay. Grandma had taught me how to put a ring of compulsion around things. Ada had Rivendell covered and Grandma assured me she could look after Lothlórien. That only left Mirkwood, my new home. I stood by my horse, Arrow, saying my final goodbyes to my family and friends. I could feel the tears springing to my eyes as I hugged Ada my vision becoming more watery by the second.
"You will come and visit us, won't you?" Fae sounded so sad I couldn't help the tears that came flowing.
"Of course I will!" I cried, throwing my arms around my sister. "As often as I can! You'll visit as well though, won't you?" My voice turned from sad to accusing and I shoved my finger into the end of her nose. Her tears stopped and she laughed at my outburst.
"Duh!"
"All right girls, who's ready to start?" I addressed my small class of girls which ranged from handmaidens to cooks to children. Apparently a bored me was a danger to Mirkwood, so Thranduil had set me a task. I was to teach other women in the kingdom to fight, everything I knew and then some. That was why Legolas had been roped in to help me. There was a murmur of excitement and a few hard nods. "Let's start with archery! It's always been a favourite of mine" Legolas ran off to set up the targets while I took the girls to the armoury to fit them with bows. "Ok, so you want to use these two fingers to draw back you arrow" I gave them my dorky little piece sign, which earned me an eye roll from Legolas."Fine then Mr Smarty Pants! If you're so clever, you take them!" I handed Legolas my bow.
"Right girls…" That was about as much as I understood. Too many technical words.
"Sorry to interrupt" Legolas stopped and raised an eyebrow. "How many of you actually understood a word he said?" the women all looked down, ashamed. "Don't feel bad, I don't get it either!" I snatched my bow back and kicked Legolas off my stage, sticking my tongue out at him as he passed. He kissed me quickly on the nose, causing me to sneeze. He laughed and so did quite a few of the women in the class. I blushed before quickly getting back to what I was doing. We started without arrows; I didn't want anyone to land themselves in the infirmary first day. I was saving that for the second. I could do basic stiches, flushing and wrapping a wound, but anything beyond my help would be sent to Thranduil. He was a pretty good healer, but not as good as Ada, but I would never tell him that. As I talked, Legolas walked through the crowd, adjusting arms, posture and footing. Legolas judged them as he went, nodding at me if their technique was good enough to give them ammo. The cook, Naureth was the first to gain his approval. Her name translated to something along the lines of fire. She was much more curvy than most of the elves, and I'm certain her name came from her temper! She was stern-face and hard. If the twins had been here they would have been all over her! And she would have gone on training, barley noticing their presence. The thought made me smile. My family were visiting next month. I could hardly wait to see Fae again. She was bringing Haldir and his brothers Orophin and Rumil. Legolas handed Naureth a quiver and pointed her in the direction of the targets. "Alright girls, let's call it quits for today. Be back here tomorrow…on time if you don't mind! And please, no dresses! If you wanna stay out here for a bit longer, you can. Just make sure those bows go back to the armoury. Only Naureth has permission to use arrows, the rest of you will have to wait till you're approved! Now off with you, and remember your duties come first! If you start neglecting those Thranduil will have my head!" The women chuckled and headed off to work. I was about to put away the targets when I saw Celidë dressed in one of her beautiful golden-orange dresses that she was famous for, leaning against a tree. I can't believe I hadn't seen her! Her dress was a beautiful standout to the dense green and darkness around us. Celidë was a platinum blonde, so skinny she made a stick insect look fat! It was a wonder she didn't blow away in the wind! Celidë didn't walk anywhere; she floated and danced gracefully over the ground, moving so flexibly she looked almost feline. She had a small angular face with a hint of tan and bright rosy cheeks that reminded me of hobbits. She was tall, even for an elf and made most look like un-coordinated slobs! Her circlet was of delicate gold, fashioned as leaves. They made an almost perfect triangle on her forehead, down to the beginning of her nose where a small, oval emerald was set with diamonds like compass directions on the outside. She seemed friendly enough, and actually quite harmless, but, something told me, if she wanted to, those delicately manicured nails could turn into lightning fast claws. And those pencil thin arms that seemed to have nothing but skin and bone to them, were in fact all well built muscle that could take down a cave troll! In truth, she scared me! I had no idea how to act around her when we were alone. Legolas tried to stay with us, but his mother was a force to be reckoned with! If she told you to do something, you had no choice but to obey! Thranduil was fun if you caught him in a good mood, and most of the time he was. But on the rare occasion he snapped, it was pretty nasty! I had been in Mirkwood for three months and I still needed to ask directions to my room. This place was huge! And the fact it was surrounded on all sides by forest didn't help me either. I didn't need to worry about getting lost in the woods though, I refused to go anywhere near them alone. Those spiders scared the shit out of me!
"Wanna lesson?" I asked, walking towards Celidë. She raised an eyebrow. I swear everyone in Legolas's family could do that! Was it genetic? Or a learned behaviour? When they became adults, did someone take them aside and show them how to master the eyebrow thing and the half amused look that goes with it?
"Maybe another time" I could tell that was a 'no' she was probably better than me anyway! "Come and join me for lunch, the both of you. Thranduil is busy and you would not believe how lonely that hall can get!" Her mouth said one thing, but her eyes said another. She wanted to talk to me, that much was obvious. She knew I could read people like an open book and was trying to hide what she really wanted. Legolas stiffened beside me. He obviously was picking up the same thing I was.
"Sure…" I answered hesitantly, not at all trying to hide my lack of trust in her. "Just let us finish putting away these targets" She smiled. I couldn't tell whether she was happy or evil, maybe both! With that she floated away and left me gaping after her. I turned to Legolas. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
"I don't trust her either. The Dark Lord is defeated, now all that's left to do is work out what wheels are turning in my mothers' head and all the problems of this world will be solved!" I couldn't help but laugh.
"Let's go, I don't want to keep your mother waiting. 'Cause, quite frankly, she scares me to death!"
One of Naureth's assistants served us lunch, assuring me that Naureth had cooked ours specially.
"So Katie, are you enjoying your training sessions?" I could tell Celidë wasn't really interested, but I decided to humour her.
"Yeah, I think they're gonna be a massive hit! I mean, we may only have ten girls now, but give it a couple of months and we might have twenty! Or thirty! And if all of them are anywhere near as good as these girls are gonna be soon, we'll have a whole other army at our disposal!"
"So…" Celidë took advantage of my pause, jumping to the point. I was probably making her out to be more of a witch than she actually was, but when she wanted something, she got it! "Have you two thought at all about children?" I choked on my mouthful of salad and had to receive a helpful slap on the back to keep from choking to my death.
"Not really!" I squeaked, taking a big mouthful of wine that Celidë had chosen, as usual, much too sweet for my liking.
"Come now, you've been married almost four months! Don't tell me children never once crossed your mind!"
"Nup! Not once!" I hated lying to her and I'm sure she could tell I was. Legolas and I had had this conversation months ago, and agreed not to bring it up if it could be avoided. But as usual, Celidë had other plans! She raised a perfect blonde eyebrow, her brilliant blue eyes piercing my soul. Hey! Wasn't I supposed to be doing that? Legolas grabbed my hand under the table; bring me back to the present. Fae was right, I couldn't analyse on the go! But, hey, that's me, take it or leave it! The room seemed to spin and blur at the edges. Usually places like this didn't affect me, but my claustrophobia always played up when I was nervous!
"Katie, are you ok?" Legolas' voice seemed distant and had an almost dream like quality.
"Yeah…I… I just need some air!" I rushed from the room; gasping with relief as the warm air hit me, but it was still too late I stumbled forward, falling into the West Wing corridor. The last sight I saw before the darkness took me was the stone floor rushing up to meet me.
The soft sheets of the infirmary were unmistakable, even as you were regaining consciousness you could instantly tell where you were. The sheets were far softer than any I had ever felt. Even the ones on my own bed felt rough in comparison to these. The mattress seemed to sink around you while at the same time keep you off the floor. Even the soft, loosely flowing, cream coloured, silk gowns that were the signature of the infirmary were recognisable, just by the feel! The only real bad thing about the infirmary was the blankets. When they first put them on they were ice cold, and that's coming from an elf who survived an avalanche in the Carahdras! Then, once they warmed up, they quickly made you too hot!
"Good morning Katie" I opened my eyes and found myself staring at Thranduil.
"What time is it?" I rubbed the sleep from my eyes with one hand, propping myself up with another.
" Almost ten" I quickly threw myself out of bed, grabbing the clothes Legolas had brought down for me as well as my weapons- I never went anywhere without them!- and hurried behind the screen to shower and change. The bath was already lit and a note sat on the side;
You're so predictable!
I Love you,
Legolas
P.S- Hurry up or you'll be late to training, and apparently I don't do it right.
Was that elf physic? "He left a few minutes ago" Thranduil added from the other side of the curtain. I shook my head; it must run in the family!
After my bath, I changed into the clothes Legolas had bought for me. My top was of the same material and colour as the infirmary dress, starting closely fitted at the top then slightly flowing at the bottom. The collar was cut big and frilly, coming down to cover the tops of my shoulders. My pants were tight brown leather that was more for protection purposes than fashion. I loved these pants when in war; so much more comfortable than anything else Rohan had thrown at me! Along with that was my brown leather jacket I had bought from home. I slid my favourite blades, the ones from Grandma down my back and into the leather strapping that wrapped around my torso quite comfortably with the scabbards forming an 'X' in the middle of my back. My boots were also brown and went up to my knee with a solid sole and up my calf, but flexible at the ankle. I slung my bow and quiver over my back, put my swords down my boots and slid my daggers into my belt. By the time I got out to the clearing the girls were already equipped with bows and Naureth and three other girls were practicing their aim. Naureth hit more or less dead centre every time. I didn't know the names of the other girls.
"Naureth" She turned, lowering her arrow. "Help her!" I jerked my chin at the girl standing beside her. She smiled and nodded. I took the girl next to the one Naureth was helping. She jumped in surprise at my touch, the arrow flying into the dead centre. I smiled as she gaped in awe. "What is your name?" It took her a moment to recover, and even with my improved hearing, I struggled to hear her answer.
"My…My name is Vanya" I spent the rest of the morning showing her how to hit the target. She was scared of me, and that was what had originally made her hit the target.
"Alright girls, that's it for today!" Legolas called from the front. That's when I noticed her. I should have realised we had more girls than normal. Fae stood in the midst of the crowd, firing practice arrows – a wooden shaft with a cloth bundle tied to the front- At Elladan and Elrohir, who were showing the girls how not to sword fight.
"You better not be teaching my girls bad habits!" I laughed, jogging over to join them.
"Us? And you're not?" They laughed, dropping their swords and running over to hug me.
"Apparently a bored me is a danger to Mirkwood!" The twins laughed and Fae launched herself into my arms, with Hal smiling behind her. "It's great to see you!"
Fae had got us a table in the corner. Ada was sitting with Celidë and Thranduil. Orophin and Rumil turned out to be another version of my brothers, only with different tricks up their sleeves. All I can say is: Women of Mirkwood beware!
"To my family!" I raised my tankard in toast.
~150 Tankards Later~
"There's always cracks.
A crack of sunlight
A crack in the mirror, on your lips.
It's the moment of a sunset Friday
When our conversations twist
It's the fifth day of ice on a new tattoo
But the ice should be on our heads
We only spun the web to catch ourselves
So we weren't left for dead
And I was never looking for approval from anyone but you
And though this journey's over I'll go back if you ask me to
I'm not dead just floating
Right between the ink of your tattoo
In the belly of the beast we turned into
I'm not scared just changing
Right beyond the cigarette and the devilish smile
You're my crack of sunlight
You can see the math a thousand ways but you can't erase the facts
That others come and others go but you always come back
I'm a winter flower on the ground always thirsty for summer rain
And just like the change in seasons
I know you'll be back again
I'm not dead just floating
Underneath the ink of my tattoo
I've tried to hide my scars from you
I'm not scared, just changing
Right beyond the cigarette and the devilish smile
You're my crack of sunlight
I'm not dead just yet
I'm not dead just floating
Doesn't matter where I'm going
I'll find you
I'm not scared at all
Underneath the cuts and bruises
Finally gained what no one loses
I'll find you
I will find you
I'm not dead just floating
I'm not scared just changing
You're my crack of sunlight" With that final line, I fell crying into Fae's arms. "Why? Why?" My words were barely audible through the sobs.
~4319 Years Later~
A/N-Aragorn was reincarnate as an elf to save Arwen because Katie and Faelwen are a force to be reckoned with! Galadriel found out the hard way!
We were in Lothlórien for Faelwen's birthday. She made us stop counting around two thousand years ago. She's 8928 this birthday…but you didn't hear it from me! But that's nothing compared to the Twins and Haldir. It was just past dawn and Legolas was still in bed. Too much ale last night I bet! Grandma had called me to her mirror. According to Fae she barley left there. She was working on something, the question was: What? I opened the doors and went down the steps.
"Grandma" I hugged her. She hugged me back though hers felt a little stiff. "What can I do for you?"
"It's time Katie" I stepped back and looked her in the eyes that gave nothing away even to me. "You've been living a dream, you have to go back!" I stepped back as the horror of her words dawned on me.
"You…You can't…You wouldn't do that to me! We both know I wouldn't survive a day! What about Legolas? Fae and Hal? Aragorn and Arwen? Ada? The Twins? I can't go back!" My voice was a barely audible whisper, cracking and shaking with fright.
"I'm sorry Katie, but you don't have a choice!"
Legolas' POV:
The floor rushed up to meet me. Well, that was one of the ruder awakenings I've had. Fae was jumping up and down screaming at Hal; turning on me the second she realised I was awake.
"Hurry up! Do you wanna save Katie or not?" I quickly pulled on the clothes I had worn last night and ran after Fae and Hal.
"What the hell is going on?" I shouted, struggling to keep up with what was going on. Fae sighed, still on the move.
"Galadriel wants to send Katie back to her world; we'll take out the guards! You've got to stop her!" We came to the doors of Galadriel's mirror. Hal's patrol were standing guard. "I've always wanted to do this!" Fae laughed evilly throwing herself into battle with Hal close behind.
Katie's POV:
The room was thrown into complete darkness and I could no longer see the way out. I could hear the sounds of a battle, but they were distant. At the far end of the room, a white light appeared, soft and inviting, drawing me towards it. Since when was I a moth? The shadows seemed to bend and there appeared my mother. Rebecca Mason. Her face was tear stained and her eyes a puffy red. Her black hair was un-kept and dirty. Her face lit up with recognition.
"Katie?" her voice was soft and cracked as she spoke. I felt like crying. I had been so caught up in this world I barley thought about the people I had left behind me. An icy wind seemed to blow around us, gripping at me, pulling me forward. My necklaces, both the one from the hobbits and the one from Damian whipped franticly around my neck.
"Mum?" She didn't understand me. My common wasn't great; I hadn't used it in so long. I swallowed and tried again. "Mum?" She smiled. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to find you! They said that you were dead! But you're not! You're here!" I immediately felt bad. How could I have abandoned her?
She abandoned us first! My internal Aragorn countered angrily. It was scary how much anger was built up inside of me.
Since when did my pain bother you? You've been enjoying it for the last few thousand years, so I'd shut up, or I'll shut you up! I snapped back.
"Katie?" Mum brought me back to what was currently the real world. "Come back with me!" I took a step forward. It was an uncomfortable step. There was a noise and a burst of light behind me. Legolas stood behind me, looking out of breath, worried and still in the same clothes from last night.
"Legolas?" he smiled.
"I'm glad I found you!" He sounded sad. I could lie to anyone but him. He knew why I was here. I was his open book. Part of me wanted to run to him, to pour my soul out to some who would not only understand and tell me the right thing to do, but who I could talk to and understand without getting a headache! No matter which way I turned now, someone was going to get hurt, but no more than me. It felt like my soul was being torn in two.
"Legolas, I'm sorry!" I sobbed in Elvish.
"Katie? Come on! You don't have to be their prisoner anymore! I know they've hurt you but not anymore!" Mum sounded so sure of herself. I could hardly believe the words that next came from my mouth.
"You know nothing!" Mum looked taken aback.
"Katie, I know this is my fault! I sent you away! But if I didn't…Aunt Meredith thought I was unfit to loom after you! She said I could either leave you with her or she'd send out Social Services… then I'd never see you again. You'd be with a stranger!" Mum was sobbing, almost as much as me. I took a step forward. I couldn't help but looking back. Legolas was crying. I immediately stepped back and felt the ice cold fingers made of air clutching at my wrist.
"I can't lose you!" I called back at Legolas.
"You're not! I'll come for you! I promise!" A warm finger of air caressed my face, whipping away my tears. How could I go back? How could I stay? If I went back, I would remain an elf, forever frozen. Doomed to watch everyone I loved die around me, and my heart couldn't take that.
"Mum…I…I have to stay!" I felt the icy grip loosen slightly. "I love you Mum, but I can't sit around and watch you die…it'll kill me! I can't take anymore death!"
"And you think you're escaping it here?" She whipped her hand angrily across her face.
"Yes! I've changed Mum. Mentally and physically, but I the fact that I love you, and that no one will ever replace you hasn't! I WILL see you again, I promise! Just don't believe I'm dead!" The icy finger lost some of their chill, becoming almost as warm as the ones belonging to Legolas. My head was thumping. Stupid Common! I un-fastened Damian's necklace and placed it in the ghostly hand. Mum took it in her hands, staring at me in confusion. Her form wavered. "Don't forget me, don't forget this!" With that she was gone. The blackness rushed up to meet me. The lights were thrown back on and I found myself lying at Galadriel's feet.
"Katie!" Legolas rushed over, sitting down beside me and pulling me up against him. "Are you ok?" I nodded, my mouth felt too dry to speak. Galadriel could only stare at us, a mixture of anger and shock.
"How…?" Galadriel's eyes lit up with understanding. She smiled her secretive little smile. I had no idea what went on in that head of hers…and something told me I didn't want to!
"You either wipe that grin off your face or tell me what's so amusing!" I snapped. Galadriel stopped smiling, but her eyes still glinted with mischief.
"All in good time my dear, all in good time!" I sighed and turned to Legolas.
"Get me out of here before I kill her!" He smiled and helped me to my feet. Well, at least Fae got her lifelong wish- to take out Hal's guard, no matter how temporarily and how little damage she did!- And I would see Mum again, and Damian, and Jess, I was sure of it!
~The End~
But stay tuned for my sequel, The Tale of Two Hearts
Hey ya'll! Hope you liked my last chappie, that last part was really hard to write! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with me through my rather confusing story plot! I really appreciate it and send love and hugs your way! Also big thanks to all my editors! Please review, I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks again!
Luv ya'll,
Lost