A/N: Mucho gracias for all the wonderful feedback! But I'm afraid I've got a slight hitch over here. I won't be posting till 31st August. Yeah, what a bummer I know but real life is demanding my attention right now. Will post as soon as the wretched exams are over.

Chapter Eight

The Cook thrust the baskets of fruits and fresh bread into Callysta's hands. She was standing in the large, bright kitchen in Elrond's house. One way or other, she managed to persuade and charm the Cook into giving her some bread and fruits to take along on her trip to Redwine Valley.

"Will this be sufficient?" The Cook asked.

"Oh, more than enough! I don't know how to thank you. The folks of Redwine Valley will be so grateful to you." Callysta beamed.

"The pleasure is all mine."

Armed with two basketful of food, Callysta prepared to make her walking trip to Redwine. No sooner had she crossed the meadow, she heard a voice behind her that made her jumped.

"And where are you sneaking off to this early in the morning?" It was Legolas. He glanced at the food in the baskets, "A bit too much for a picnic of one, eh?"

Callysta's grip tightened around the handles of the basket. Frankly, she was getting tired of the constant 'put-me-downs' Legolas was handing to her.

Callysta shot back, "These were given to me by the Cook. I didn't steal it. If you're really interested, why don't you tag along and see where this little sneak thief is making off with her loot?"

"I'll take that as an invitation." Legolas replied.

Callysta rolled her eyes and started to walk away. Legolas followed her from behind.

"Let me help you with those baskets." He offered.

"I can manage."

"Alright, suit yourself. Let's see how far you'll get without whining for my help."

"Stop arguing with me! That'll be a real help." Callysta said, "And 'sides, I don't whine."

Legolas did not say another word but picked up both the baskets and walked ahead. Callysta threw up her hands in exasperation. She didn't know what to make of that Elf. The two of them disappeared into the Woods using the hidden path. None saw them go, except for a pair of jackrabbits hopping on the meadow.

They went along hedgerows and borders of coppices. After some time, they crossed the Water, by a narrow stone bridge. The stream was no more than a winding brown ribbon, choked with weeds. They followed the path, walking on eastward and climbed up a green slope. Atop the mound, Callysta paused. She could see the lower lands below, dotted with small clumps of trees and houses. Redwine Valley.

A small group of children was playing in the field when one of them spotted Callysta walking towards them. She recognized who she was.

"Cal!" The little girl shouted, "Cal!" and she ran towards her.

"How are you, Nerri?" Callysta laughed, as she picked up the girl. The girl covered her with kisses and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you." Nerri said.

"Yeah, we all missed you! We thought you've forgotten about us!" One boy said.

" 'course not. Here I am." Callysta replied.

"Would you play a game with us?"

"There's a grape-stomping party later at Farmer Hock's. Say you'll come!"

"Tell us the new adventures you had!"

All the children spoke up at once, greedy for her attention.

"Alright, alright! But first, tell me how's Aunt Keila?" Callysta asked and a shadow fell across Nerri's face.

"She's taken ill." The girl-child said, softly. Those words stabbed Callysta's heart. She bade Nerri to take her and Legolas to the old woman.

The dilapidated house was located not far from where Callysta had met the group of children. Inside, a frail old woman lay huddled on the straw bed. Callysta's heart broke when she saw the sight and condition of the woman and the house. She knew she should have come sooner.

"Aunt Keila, I'm here." Callysta said, softly to the woman. Slowly, the woman turned around. She said nothing but a smile spread slowly across her wrinkled face and that was enough for Callysta.

Callysta brought her water and gave her some of the food she brought from Rivendell. She fussed over her and tidy up the place. As Callysta was busying herself in the kitchen, she heard Aunt Keila talking to Legolas.

"She's a real angel at heart. You're one lucky man, son to have her chose you as a husband."

Legolas was mildly amused but said nothing. Callysta popped her head out from the kitchen. A horrified expression on her face.

"Aunt Keila! He's only a friend!" Callysta exclaimed. She stole a quick look at Legolas but his expression displayed nothing of what he felt inside.

Damn, doesn't he ever display any kind of emotions? She cursed him inwardly.

"Ah, oh-er…well, how stupid of me!" Aunt Keila apologized.

Sighing, Aunt Keila added, "Ah, but to me, she's almost like a daughter. The way she cares about me, it's almost like having my own daughter back."

After they left Aunt Keila's house, Callysta was in a considerably light-hearted mood. She hummed a tune as she walked along. They visited many cottages after that and when the basket was empty, she stopped by a cool stream and dipped her aching feet.

"The villagers love you." Legolas said.

"Hhhmmm…yes, it's almost like coming home."

"Where's your real home?" Legolas asked.

Callysta did not answer immediately. She pondered if she should reveal himself to him.

What's the harm? Callysta thought, After all, so far he had kept her identity a secret and protected her from Ceren.

At last she said, "I was born in Redwine Valley."

"And your parents? Are they still alive?"

"My father is dead-nay, don't be sorry for I am not." Callysta's eyes blazed at the mention of his name, "It was because of him that our family was ruined."

And slowly, she told him her Past.

Callysta's earliest memory of her parents was the sight of her father beating her mother with a brass vase. Her earliest memory of time spent with Jyohen was the time shared hiding in an old cupboard while their father abused their mother.

There was always never enough money in the house no matter how they scrimped and saved. Her father was a heavy drinker and was constantly waist-deep in gambling debts. It so happened that once he had owed a ringleader of smugglers a large sum of money. The ringleader was Ceren. There was no way her father could repay him and so, he was mortally afraid for his own hide and skin. However, Ceren struck him a bargain, a deal in which her father could not resist and he succumbed.

"Our father sold Jyohen and me to Ceren as a repayment of his debts." Callysta said, with a shudder of disgust and old fear. "I was only 5 and Jyohen, 8. If life at home was bad, that was hell. We were always hungry and cold but both of us were fast learners. By 6, I could pick any lock in 5 seconds and I became Ceren's favourite. When I was old enough, I joined him with his group of swindlers and smugglers. I learnt every trick of the 'trade'." She paused and looked at Legolas.

A bitter smile escaped her lips, "Not your average happy childhood fairy tale, huh?"

"Forgive me for my harsh words towards you." Legolas said, quietly, "Wood-Elves do not welcome strangers easily and especially not…thieves. But I knew not the perils you have suffered then."

Callysta nodded her head. They spent an awkward moment looking at each other before a loud firecracker bang almost jolted them out of their skins.

"Farmer Hock's!" Callysta squealed, climbing to her feet.

"What-" Legolas started to ask.

"Grape-stomping party. C'mon! It's starting now!" Callysta said, pulling him to his feet.

"Wait. What happened to your mother?"

Callysta bit her lips, "She's still alive but let's leave that tale for another time! Now is the time for merriment!"

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A huge and colourful tent was erected on the premise of Farmer Hock's land. Many villagers milled around, talking and laughing. It was a jolly event. Food and wine were aplenty. Many recognized Callysta and welcomed her warmly. They were a bit apprehensive of Legolas at first because of his stature and his strange raiment.

A very large wooden basin, measuring about 10 feet in diameter, stood at the center of the tent. It was filled with plump juicy grapes. Farmer Hock standing on a makeshift dais announced to the crowd that it was grape-stomping time. An excited cheer spread throughout the crowd and the ladies took off their footwear. The village folk band striked up a lively tune and the womenfolk climbed into the basin. Their skirts and dresses were folded up to their thighs and they squashed the fruit with their bare feet.

Callysta wasted no time in joining in the fun. She folded up her skirt and two men helped hoist her into the basin. As she turned around to look for Legolas, she found that a few men were trying to get the boots off the poor Elf.

"Come, you are our guest! You have to participate!" The men were saying.

Callysta laughed to think of Legolas stepping on the grapes with his delicate feet. A moment later, Legolas was good-humouredly thrown into the basin filled with girls and grapes. Soon, he and Callysta were drowned in the merry laughter of the people, in the surreal sensation of crushed grapes beneath their toes but most of all, in the sight of each other covered with sticky grape juice.

Without realizing what he had done, Legolas grabbed Callysta by her hand and took her away from the basin and the cheering crowd. He led her, running into the Woods until they could no longer hear the sounds of the merrymaking. Then, he stopped. Callysta stopped beside him, trying to catch her breath.

"What was that fo-" Callysta turned to ask him, and he silenced her with his mouth.

For the next brief moment, which seemed like eternity to Callysta, Legolas kissed her with a hungry, consummating fervor. And as swiftly as he had taken her, he pushed her away firmly. The taste of the sweet grape juice on his searing hot lips lingered on hers. Callysta barely had time to register that he was already moving away from her.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. I'm sorry." She heard him say but didn't quite understand his meaning. Surely he couldn't be mistaken that it was against her will. After all, it wasn't as though she put up a fight or tried to resist him.

"I didn't think it was anything bad." Callysta blurted out and she mentally stuffed her foot in her mouth when she saw Legolas expression.

"It should never have happened in the first place…between an Elf and a Mortal." Legolas said, quietly. Or at least, it should not happen between Figwit's bride-to-be and me, He added to himself.

Callysta fought back the tears. So, he thinks I'm not good enough, Callysta thought, After I have revealed myself to him, he still sees me in the same light as before.

Between them, no words were exchanged after that. They trudged home in the waning light of day, each nursing their own feelings and thoughts.