Life After High School - Ten Years Later

By Risty and Silver

Disclaimer: Ahem. We don't own them.

Summary: You figure it out.

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(Kane's POV)

I was very worried when Elrond said that Boromir was here. I wasn't allowed to go near him because when I had said that I didn't want to see him any more, he had tried to get me away from my mum and dad. Luckily he didn't succeed, but none of us had seen him or spoken to him since and we didn't want to. When Elrond had finished his story, my uncles, Kivan and Ranger came up. Ranger looked really pissed off, I think Kivan had made him come. Kivan just looked really worried. He talked to Ria for a minute and then took my arm.

"We have to go for a while, Kane," he said quietly. "To the inn with Billee and Legolas. Just until all these people have gone."

"Then he can come back and see me?" Ria asked. "Please?"

"I suppose so," Kivan said quietly. "It depends on what Damon wants to do. He might well want to take the little ones home, where they will be safer. But I don't think he'll be leaving today. He's a hero, your dad," he told me. Elrond looked faintly surprised.

"What happened?" he asked. "It must have been pretty bloody good.

"Why?" Ria asked. "What did he do?"

"I don't think Jaime has told anyone, Ranger said sharply. "Because it kind of destroys all the bad things she's said about Damon over the years. Benny told Billee and Legolas and they told us, but I think we are the only people who know."

"Know what?" the three of them sad together. Kivan hesitated and looked at Ranger, who nodded.

"According to the doctor" he said carefully. "Damon saved Ria's life. He and Benny found them and he took care of Ria's head and took her straight to the hospital. A few minutes more and she could have died."

"I…" Elrond and his friend looked at each other, completely lost for words. "I can't believe it." Elrond managed to say finally. "Damon…he hates Jaime."

"He's a father himself" Kivan shrugged. "He understands. Anyway, Ria has lots of people waiting to see her so we had better go. Billee and Legolas have already taken Vincent back to the inn and we should be going too. You can see Ria later, Kane."

"Bye Elrond" I said politely as Kivan took my hand. "See you later Ria."

"Bye Kane" she said giving me a small smile. "Kivan?"

"Yes Ria?"

"When Kane comes back later," she said quietly. "Do you think…his father might come with him? I just want to say thank you."

"Well, he might" Ranger said, exchanging a look with his brother. "If that lot down there have gone. But you might want to tell your mum that he might be popping by, since this doesn't change much, Ria, there is still a lot of bad feeling between them. You talk to her, Kivan will talk to Damon."

With that, Kivan led me out of the room and down the stairs. And for the first time in two years, I caught sight of my real father. He reached out as if to touch me, but Kivan and Ranger both glared at him and he backed away. We left Bag End and headed over to the inn where Vincent was waiting outside for us.