Very sorry about the late posting, had SERIOUS writers block and lost my wind. This is the huge arse last chapter, I hope you like it. Thank you to all of my readers. (BB, Rabid Locust, Debby, LotR-FaNAtiC, Frying Pan Girl, Megami, Wierdlet, Alaskantiger, Cat, and Hermione Eveningfall, and all others I might have missed!! Sorry) I hop you enjoy it!! Love, your Authoress.
Chapter 12
It had been five years since Kay's arrival in Imladris. Her wounds had been healed, at least the ones that could be seen, that is. Elrond had tried to talk to the girl about what was troubling her mind and heart so, but she refused to speak of it. It had taken all of the elf lord's power and skills to bring her out of the darkness that had swallowed her. But the darkness remained, and had never left her completely.
Kay's heart was full of pain and sadness, and though Elrond had tried to help, the only healing that could help was far away. After a time, the sadness faded into a restlessness that bordered on anger. Kay had asked to be taught how to fight; Elrond couldn't refuse her. She spent most of her days training with Glorfindel, Elrond's seneschal, learning the skills of the blade and bow. She trained tirelessly and with a determination that scared the lord of Rivendell.
After four years she could fight almost as good as any elf and would go on orc hunts with Elrond's own sons, though it was against his advisement. Elrond's concern for the girl never wavered but there was naught he could do. In his mind he knew there was something missing from Kay's heart, and it was this thing that was causing her pain. The only way for her ever to heal would be to reunite them, but Elrond didn't even know what this thing was, Kay steadfastly refused to speak of it.
"Please, Kaylen, it will help you if you speak of your troubles, it is the only way I can help you."
"I – can't. Please, Elrond, don't make me, it hurts too much…"Kay had become an accomplished fighter and also had a good command of the elvish language. Though she had become good friends with the twins she spent most of her time alone, walking though the forests around Rivendell. And it was the same with this day.
Kay walked through the woods, aware of the elvish eyes that watched her from the trees. Most of the elves had left the city for the Grey Havens and from there, to the Undying Lands. However, Elrond's household remained and with them, the guards, they would not leave until their lord did.
"Tira ten' rashwe, Kay!"1 a voice called from the branches high above her head. The young woman looked up and smiled slightly. Today she wore a long gray tunic of soft fabric and black leggings, not her scouting and hunting clothes, but something comfortable to walk in and practical to fight in. On her left forearm she wore a leather gauntlet, she had kept the thing since she was found in the woods and wore it everyday. She lifted her leg, showing a knife tucked into her boot and then turned, showing her side where a short, elvish sword hung from her belt.
"Uuma dela, Gwalhir," she replied in smooth but different elvish. "Amin nauva tereva."2 She continued her walk into the woods. After he had brought her into Rivendell, Gwalhir had always been protective of her, following her when she went on the hunts and giving her some lessons in hand to hand fighting. He was like a father to her; the dark haired elf only wanted her to be happy, and sighed as he watched her walk off alone in the woods.
Kay walked slowly through the trees, not really thinking of where she was going, just walking. She was thinking back, five years ago on this day, when her heart was torn apart. The only thing that had saved her was the power of Elrond, which had pulled her back from that dark, deep chasm in her soul. Kay was so wrapped up in her thoughts, that she didn't notice the eyes on her, eyes that watched her every move from the shadows of the forest.
Garak watched the young woman walk into the clearing; he could see in her eyes that she was not too aware of her surroundings. He had been watching her for the past few weeks, though he was not ready to reveal himself to her at those times. But today was different, today was the day he left her and ran to the northwest. He had broken his own heart, and doubtlessly hurt Kay as well. He watched her walk with fascination.
She had grown up to be a striking young woman; five years could change a human drastically. Gone was the girl who would laugh in the sunlight with eyes that twinkled like tiny stars. Now a warrior maiden stood before him, though still small in stature, she was well built, lean muscle moved under her clothing, and she walked with the sureness of an elf. Her eyes no longer danced but help mirrors and were clouded. The only thing of her that had not changed was her hair. She still had it cut short, close to her head; it fell into her face in unruly waves. She was beautiful.
Garak took a deep breath and stood, coming out of his hiding place and walked toward the young woman who had possessed his every waking thought and sleeping dream since that heart-wrenching day.
Kay's ears heard the sound of footfalls coming toward her, and turned an exasperated remark for Gwalhir's persistence at following her ready. But when she saw whom it really was the words died on her lips. The large figure of an Uruk-hai stood there, he held no weapon in his hands, but a large sword was strapped to his broad back. He didn't look like any other Uruk or orc she had seen, his features was softer and his eyes were not cruel…and familiar. The forehead was lower but his dark, almost black skin marked him as one of the dark race. His lips parted in what could have been called a smile, revealing sharp canines but not the horrible fangs that were in the mouths of the others.
Kay took a defensive stance, one hand straying to her sword at her side. But the creature made no threatening movements; he only stood there staring at her. Why was he looking at her like that? Like he knew her? How could he-?
"Kaylen?" he spoke, the deep, almost gravely voice said. The Uruk said her name and made her jump. The young woman closed her hand firmly around the hilt of her sword.
"Leave now, this is Elven land," she said. Why was she speaking? She should just kill him – it. The Uruk's eyes widened, those eyes were a startling shade of deep gray, not black like his brethren. He was so familiar, but this wasn't – it couldn't be, he looked different.
"Kay, it is me," he spoke again. Dear gods please don't say it, she thought. "Its Garak, don't you remember me?" No… Kay froze, locked in a deep gaze with the Uruk-hai before her. It couldn't be, it had been too long, he was dead, never coming back.
"You lie, you are an imposter sent to trick me and gain entrance to Rivendell. Well, it won't work," she hissed. Garak took a step forward, but stopped when she tensed and gripped her blade more tightly. He held up his hands before him, trying to prove his innocent intentions.
"No, Kay, it is me," his gray eyes traveled down her body, coming to rest on the leather gauntlet on her arm. "That is my gauntlet, you kept it with you all this time," he whispered. Kay flinched, instinctively covering the leather with her other hand. Once more she locks eyes with him, and in one moment everything is revealed. It really was Garak, her friend, her heart, he had returned just like he said he would. A small part of her jumped for joy and cried out in happiness, a part of her that died when Garak had left her behind. She pushed that small part, the girl she used to be, away and faced Garak, anger and hurt in her eyes.
"How could you? How could you leave? Why?" she asked. The heat of her words hit Garak like a brick wall.
"I said I would come back for you, didn't you believe me?" he asked. Kay's face contorted and she glared at him with such heat he felt he might burn and die right there.
"I waited, Garak," bitterness, "For five years I waited for you, and during that time I found that the one thing that takes away the pain of the only one you care about leaving you is fighting," she draws her sword in one smooth motion. "You see? You did rub off on me, Garak. Now, fight me!" she readied her sword. In any other situation, Garak would have laughed, seeing this young human woman daring to stand up to him in a physical battle. But this wasn't another situation; this was Kaylen, his heart.
"I do not want to fight you, Kay, I wont," he spread his hands, showing her that he will not. But Kay did not listen and charged him, wielding her sword like a trained warrior. Garak managed to stay out of the way of the slashing blade but soon he was forced to draw his own blade, parrying Kay's attacks. "I don't want this, Kaylen! Please, just let me talk to you, let me explain!" he cried. Kay growled, ferally and renewed her attack. She managed to cut Garak on the shoulder, but he barely felt it. He accidentally cut her hand, but she didn't stop. Garak held back, allowing himself to be pushed back, steadfastly remaining on the defensive. Inside, he was secretly proud of how well the young woman was fighting, she had the skills of an elf, but she was still young and fighting with too much passion, she wearied quickly. Garak managed to knock Kay's blade away, then threw his own into the forest with it. "I had to leave, so I could come back and we would have a chance to be together!" he said, heatedly.
Kay cried out and lunged at him, using her bare fists. Garak caught her fists and used her momentum against her, spinning and pins her to the ground underneath him. He straddled her writhing body, holding her wrists to the ground with both hands, using his well-muscled legs to hold down hers, which she tried to kick him with.
"Kay, please, just listen to me. When I left you, my heart felt like it would break into a million pieces, but it had to be done. With your blood in me, I felt myself changing, I had to allow those changes to come about, I was very confused with all of the feelings inside of me," he said. Kay lay still finally, but she refused to meet his gaze. He continued, hoping to get through to her. "I traveled very, very far away, to lands that never knew of orcs or Uruk-hai, or even elves, they accepted me for what I was and didn't ask questions. There I learned how to live like you do, not by blood and fighting. When I accepted this change, my appearance changed and then I knew it was time to come and find you. Understand, Kay, that though my time apart from you was enlightening, I have never felt such pain in my whole life than I have in these past years. There were times when I thought just the shear thought of you would break my heart in two. But it was quite the opposite, the thought of you gave me a reason to continue, to make myself better, so I could return and be with you again." Kay's eyes softened, but she didn't look at Garak. "I know that you are angry and I deserve everything you do to me, but please, try and understand that I had to leave, to give us a chance to be together in this world." Kay finally met his gaze, but her eyes still held anger and pain, though not the burning hatred there was before. Garak pleaded. "You gave me a second chance before, to become more than what I was. Now, all I ask is that you give me another chance to do the right thing. I never should have left you, Kay, but I have changed, I had to change, for you, for us. I did what I thought was the best for the moment, I only wanted you safe," he said, tears forming in his gray eyes.
"You could have taken me with you…" Kay whispered. She tried to come up with a rational argument, but in her heart she knew that Garak is right, but it still hurt. Garak shook his head.
"No, I traveled far and fast, faster than I ever have. I went through many dangers, you would have been hurt," he said.
"I am hurt, Garak." She spat, but it was with despair, no hate. "When you left, I was alone and empty inside. My only escape was to fight, it took away the pain for a while, but it always came back," she sniffed and Garak loosed his hold on her. "Every tome I woke up, hoping, praying that you would be there, beside me, holding me, like you would when we were traveling. But you weren't," she stared directly into Garak's eyes. "I was alone, and it hurt, Garak, I …I missed you, it felt like I was missing a part of myself. Even right now, I fear that this whole thing will be a dream and I will wake up and be alone again…" tears slipped down her cheeks, the anger was gone only the pain remained, pain that matched his own, tears that matched as well. Garak held her tightly to his chest and she wrapped her arms as far as they would go around his broad torso.
"You're not alone anymore, never again, Kay. I'm here now, and I will never leave again," he whispered into her ear. They just held each other, like they did before, healing each other, and taking comfort from the other's presence.
"I was so scared."
"Me too."
With tears in both of their eyes, their gazes meet. The salty droplets falling from their eyes cleaned the years of pain and loneliness from them both. After a few moments, they reached a silent understanding and forgave. Kay saw the wound in Garak's shoulder; blood trickled from it. She blinked, surprised, it was not black like the orc blood she had seen and spilt before, it was red, like any human or elf's.
"You are bleeding," she stated. Garak nodded, then took her hand in his large one, still able to totally engulf it with his own. Tenderly, he kissed the slice that marred her skin.
"So are you," he answered. Kay smiled, a true smile, her first in five years, it was full of regret, relief and the most important: love. Garak smiled as well the expression holding just as many emotions. His features, though not totally orcish, he was not anything else either; he was his own person.
"I'm sorry."
"Me too." They hold each other again, though this time they were interrupted by a light voice speaking elvish, and someone entering the clearing.
"Kaylen? I heard you shout is everything al…" Gwalhir froze, mid-sentence upon seeing the two on the ground. With a cry, the elf drew an arrow to his bow and pulled it back, aiming at the Uruk holding Kay. But before he could shoot, the young woman shouted and threw herself between the arrow and the creature.
"Daro, Gwalhir! N'ndengina ho!"3 She knelt, arms spread wide, protecting the Uruk from his weapon. She continued speaking in the Eldar tongue, since he didn't know westron. (A/N – couldn't translate this to elvish, heh, sorry) "Please, don't ry to understand just yet, Gwalhir, its too complicated to explain, but he is a friend, a friend I thought I had lost forever. Please, I need to speak to Elrond; he is no danger to anyone. His name is Garak, he is not an Uruk-hai," she said vehemently. Gwalhir lowered his bow a fraction, staring at the child (well, compared to him at least…) in disbelief.
"Kaylen, it is a monster, he could kill you in an instant, get away!" he commanded. Kay didn't move. She shook her head.
"No, Gwalhir. You always said you would do anything to make me happy, well; this is the only thing that makes me happy. It is too hard to explain, but we are bound to one another, there is great feeling between us," she said. Garak couldn't understand what they were saying, but he hoped whatever it was, it worked. "Please, just trust me, Gwalhir," Kay pleaded with him, her eyes so open that it started the elf. Gwalhir lowered his bow, looking deeper into Kay's eyes. There were no more mirrors, just bright, happy eyes! His gaze shifted to the Uruk, studying him closer. He had made no threatening movements, and held no weapon. Orcs and Uruks always traveled with weapons, why did this one not? Gwalhir looked into his face, and was taken aback.
There was not a shred of evil or hatred there, just gentleness, kindness, and …love? These emotions were never found in one of the dark race! On closer examination, he saw finer, softer features in his face, though still large and heavily muscled, the Uruk looked nothing like his kin, if one took the time to look. Gwalhir looked to Kay once more and nodded.
"Alright, I will allow him entry," he said. Kay smiled, and took Garak's hand, and they stood together. With Gwalhir leading, they entered into the elven city of Rivendell. Seeing Garak walking in the fair city caused commotion enough. But when the elves saw him gently holding Kay's hand, the whispers heightened. The three of them went to the Last Homely House, and Elrond met them on the steps. He looked between them, focusing on the Uruk. He stared deeply into the large one's eyes, and his soul and found no darkness in him. Then his gaze settled on the young human with them. Kay was not utterly devoid of the darkness and anger that once frightened him. He now saw only happiness, love and hope. Looking deeper between the two, the elf lord gasped, inwardly. They had formed a bond, a soul bond! The deep connection between them pulsed with an unearthly light, that only one with the Sight could see. So, this was the problem that plagued his young human. These two, being apart had nearly killed them both, but now that they were reunited, their souls sang as one.
Kay opened her mouth to explain, when the lord didn't speak for a time. Elrond hushed her with a raised hand. He took a deep breath before speaking.
"I will not ask you to explain why you have brought this one here, Kaylen, for I already know the answer," he said. Kay gasped; this was not the answer she had been expecting. Elrond continued, now speaking to the assembled elves. "I ask you all, look upon this newcomer with open eyes. You will see that he has been purged of the darkness that had taken him. Through the love of one young human, he found life again in the light." At this he smiled down upon the two before him. He walked down the steps to stand directly before them. "May I ask your name?" he asked directly to Garak. Garak started, not expecting this.
"Garak is what most call me, though in my past life, my name was Elharyon4," he answered. Kay looked up at him, surprised, but all he did was smile at her.
"Mae Govannen, Elharyon…..Garak," said Elrond with a slight incline of his head. Garak bowed from the waist, but looked over to Kay for a translation, quite confused. Kay giggled and whispered.
"Well met, it means well met," she said. Garak nodded.
"You are welcome here, Garak, you brought back the light to our young Kaylen's life. You may stay and be welcome, as long as you wish," he made this last statement loud enough for all to hear, it was a decree. Kay grinned at Garak, then at Elrond. On impulse, she released Garak's hand and threw her arms around the elf lord, startling him. After a moment, Elrond smiled and gave her a firm squeeze. The elves around them, looked between themselves, but for the most part they shrugged, acceptingly. Kay released the elf lord and took Garak's hand again, pulling him away.
She led him to her quarters, which were away from the main house. Together, they talked for long hours into the night, of what had passed and what was to come.
"You remember what I told you, the night I left?" Kay nodded. Garak touched her face. "I meant it," he whispered and kissed her gently on the lips. His once clawed hand stroked through her hair. They parted after a while and Kay reached up and touched his cheek.
"So did I."
FinisEpilogue
A few months later, the elves of Rivendell were gathered before the statue of Varda5. With them stood Kind Elessar of Gondor, and his queen, Arwen, Elrond's daughter. Also there were the four hobbits, Merriadoc, Peregrin Samwise and Frodo, each wore their best outfits. Alongside them stood Legolas in his Mirkwood finery and Gimli, in bright Mithril armor. The remaining fellowship was gathered at the summons of Lord Elrond, who stood beside Gandalf the white, on a dais.
Before them all, hand in hand stood the reunited Kay and Garak. Kay wore (for once) a gown of white, embroidered with silver thread in decorative patterns around the hem and sleeves. On her head she wore a thin band of white flowers. Beside her, Garak stood tall, dressed in a deep maroon tunic, specially tailored for him. Over his breast was embroidered a star encircled with a simple crown. This signified his old name: Elharyon, Star Prince. It was finished with black pants and boots. All of Rivendell was decorated for this special occasion: the union of human and ex-Uruk, Kay and Garak.
"By the power vested in me by the Light of the Valar and all that is good, you are now a couple for the world to see. Bonded in blood and soul, you two are one in life and in death," Gandalf's voice rang out over the crowd. "I now pronounce you man…"
"Ahem!" someone coughed and the wizard stopped. He though a moment, then continued, smiling.
"Lover and Beloved, you can pick which one's which," he said, the familiar twinkle in his eye. "You may kiss the bride," he said. Garak turned to Kay, smiling.
"You don't have to tell me twice," he murmured bending down. Kay, grinned then reached up, hooking one arm around Garak's head, pulling him down.
"Shut up, Garak and kiss me," she returned, pressing her lips to his. The crowd cheered and clapped. When the two parted, they turned to face the assembled people. Elessar, or Aragorn as his friends called him grinned, squeezing Arwen's hand in memory. The hobbits whooped and cheered, then ran forward and hugged Kay together. She laughed and squeezed her little friends. Legolas and Gimli came forward; the elf prince nodded and clasped hands with Garak, the same with Gimli. Legolas and Kay embraced each other for a long while. Kay bent and embraced the dwarf, kissing his cheek. Then she rolled up her sleeve, revealing the Mithril bracelet that he had give to her before their parting. Gimli smiled and patted her hand, fatherly.
Aragorn strode forward, winged crown upon his head and pulled the young woman into a tight hug. "I am so happy for you, Kay," he whispered to her. She gave him a squeeze, and then they released each other. Kay grinned, then tweaked his nose with a wink.
"Congrats to you too, sorry I missed your wedding," she said. "And remember, you'll always be just Aragorn to me, a crown and robes will never change that," she grinned. Aragorn laughed out loud and nodded. He then turned to Garak. He held out his arm, and Garak clasped it in the warrior's way.
"Take good care of her, Garak," said the human king. Garak nodded.
"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said, sincerely. Aragorn nodded and they released each other. Garak took Kay's hand again, then quite unexpectedly, swept her into his arms. She laughed as he swung her about.
"This is my love and my wife!" he cried out. "I will love her forever!"
"Garak!" she squealed and he laughed. The elves raised their voices in song and led the way to the great hall where a large feast had been prepared. Long into the night, the festivities ran. But it soon came to an end.
Though the years passed by them, the humans growing more and more populous, Kay and Garak's love never faltered. And when it came time for the last of the elves to go into the West, they stayed in Rivendell, at the request and offer of Elrond. They lived their lives together, happy and in love, but the most important thing was together.
1 Be careful.
2 Don't worry, Gwalhir, I will be fine.
3 Stop, Gwalhir! Don't kill him!
4 Elharyon – "Star Prince" Garak's past elvish name, thought it was cool…heh….
5 Varda – Elbereth, the Valar who made the stars, beloved of the elves