Chapter 5

Awakening

Kalan's eyes shot open, their silver depths sparking. Legolas was bent over him, gently shaking his shoulder, looking worriedly down at the boy. He was speaking in elvish.

"More'-lai," he said once more. Kalan blinked, becoming fully awake. He was lying in a cave, a dwindling fire to his right. He had been covered in layers of blankets and could barely move.

He looked up at the fair elf above him, the stormy eyes staring into his own. Kalan looked to the left. Samwise sat there, beside him, also looking quite concerned. Past him lay Frodo curled under blankets, asleep. On the other side of the fire were the other two hobbit, Merry and Pippin, also deep in slumber. At the entrance to the cave sat Gimli the dwarf with Boromir. Kalan, confused, looked back at the elf.

"Legolas, wha-what is it?" he asked, surprised at how weak his voce sounded. He saw the elf heave a sigh of relief and sat back.

"You were dreaming, violently. You frightened Sam," he said nodding toward the hobbit. Kalan looked over at him, Sam nodded.

"You were havin' an awful fit, Kalan sir, sayin' frightful things, groaning in pain, and cryin'…" his voice trailed off. Kalan nodded, as much as he could.

"I'm sorry Sam, I should have warned you: I am notorious for night terrors," Kalan shifted, trying to sit up. Legolas reached out and helped him, leaning him back against the cave wall. Kalan hissed in pain when he moved his leg. Drawing aside the blankets he saw his lower leg was bandaged and some old blood staining the cloth. Kalan then brought his injured hand up to his face, made a fist then extended his fingers.

Sam held out a mug of hot tea. Kalan look it in his uninjured hand, nodding his thanks. He sipped the drink, color slightly returning to his face. His silver eyes swept the cave and its occupants once more, coming to rest at last on Frodo.

"Sam, how is Frodo doing?" he asked, anxiety under his voice. The hobbit looked over his shoulder at his sleeping friend.

"Oh, yes, he's doing much better. Actually he was already awake for a while," when he turned back he was smiling, "and he asked the same thing about you," he said, somewhat amused. A light flush crept across Kalan's face and he looked hurriedly down at his drink.

Aragorn walked into the cave, and noticing Legolas and Sam beside the now awake Kalan, he joined them.

"Well, you finally decided to wake up," he said, crouching down in front of Kalan, who looked up at him, nodding. "You gave us all a good scare, you're lucky that thing was not too hungry," he smiled softly and Kalan smirked. Aragorn sobered and he looked seriously into the youth's face. "I hope you are going to explain this to me," he held up his hand, the palm was burned, the skin red and blistered. "This was from your blood. Your blood burned me. Now, no normal man's blood burns the skin," Kalan frowned and looked away, but Aragorn caught him again with his piercing eyes. "Kalan? Your blood is not my blood," he stated simply. There were a few moments of silence, Kalan took a long breath before speaking.

"Only the elves and myself can touch my blood and not be burned. We have already established the fact that I am not like you, Aragorn, but I am sorry that I cannot explain to you why. You just need to trust me when I tell that I am with you till the end. No matter what I am, I am a part of the Fellowship." He placed his cup down and reached out to the man, "I cannot tell you anymore, unless the Fates decide that I should. None of you are ready to hear and understand what I would say. I am only asking that you trust me," he looked pleadingly into Aragorn's eyes. Aragorn paused, then took Kalan's hand in his own.

"Your loyalty and trustworthiness was never in question. You nearly died trying to save Frodo, I think that is proof enough," he nodded and squeezed Kalan's hand before releasing him. They spoke no more of it that day.

*

Frodo woke not long after and, seeing Kalan awake, leapt from his blankets and threw his small form at the boy, overjoyed.

"OOF!" Kalan got the wind knocked out of him by the small flying form. The others laughed as Frodo then proceeded to squeeze the life out of Kalan, hugging him. Kalan laughed as well, ruffling the small hobbit's hair.

Gandalf appeared then; as if out of nowhere and was also pleased to see the two of them awake. He announced that the storm had died down and that they must leave and continue through Caradhras.

"But Kalan's leg, he couldn't possibly-" Legolas started, but Kalan stood disengaging Frodo's arms from around him

"No worried, Legolas. It only pains me a little. But Gandalf in right, we have already wasted too much time. I can walk, slowly, but we must go. That is if you are feeling strong enough, Frodo?" he looked down at the hobbit.

"I feel much better, and I don't expect to go for another mid-winter swim anytime soon," he joked. Kalan smiled.

"Good, because I will only freeze my arse off for you once," he gave the hobbit a gently shove to get his things.

**Thanks for the reviews, I am sorry I am going so slowly, I am a VERY bad typist. Hope you all are enjoying the story, next part: see part of Kalan's secret!**