Elvish Princess: thanks for reading!
Susan: Thanks for the compliments, yeah, Soren is Sauron, heh…
Hermione Eveningfall: You are so strange, *smacks girl*
Elbereth: Thanks, your encouragement is greatly appreciated.
BB: hey! Your back! Thanks for staying with me, I hope this one lives up to your expectations.
Chapter 3
Problems with Darkness: Arrival in RivendellThe morning came quickly and Arwen roused Kay. Her clothes had been washed and dried; thankfully she donned them. Her shoulder felt better, though Aragorn insisted that she drink some foul smelling brew to help with the pain through the day. Her stomach felt queasy and hard, and she was coughing. When Aragorn asked her about her ailments, she said that she was all right, just hungry. She was given some strange bread-like thing and water, it didn't make the pain go away, but it did help with her hunger.
Not wanting to be more of a burden than she already was, Kay kept quiet about her cough, hiding it behind her arm. She offered to help break camp with the guard, but one just smiled and shook his head kindly.
"With you're arm like that, lady, I doubt very much you could," he said. He was a middle-aged man, whose name she later found out was Marel. "You just sit tight, and let us take care of this." Kay sniffed and coughed slightly, then moved over to where the horses were tethered. She checked their feedbags and brought more water for them from a stream. Aragorn stopped her on one of her trips from the stream with her bucket.
"What are you doing?" he asked, amused. Kay shrugged as best she could with one shoulder, holding the bucket to a black mare's nose for her to drink.
"They didn't have any water, so I brought some. I take care of horses back at home, its natural," she said. Aragorn cocked an eyebrow at her. "I was feeling useless, I needed something to do, ok?" The king shook his head and allowed her to finish her task.
When everything was packed the horses saddled, Kay was led over to Marel's horse. The knight looked down at the girl from his perch and smiled.
"Ol' Coal here thanks you for your care," he said, patting the large steeds neck affectionately. "You are to ride with me, lady, do you know how?" Kay nodded and Marel reached down a hand for her, and she hesitated. She had never ridded with another person before. "Just take my hand, here and put your right foot on mine, trust your weight to me and I'll pull you up," Kay nodded and started to reach up to the man, when Aragorn rode up to them.
"Wait, Marel," he called and the knight looked up at his king. "With her shoulder still injured, it would be better is she rode in front of you, so she wont fall off," said Aragorn. Kay bristled and turned to give the man a stern reply, but Marel beat her to it.
"Of course, my liege," he said and moved back in the saddle. Before she knew what was happening, one of the other soldiers lifted her by the waist, up toward the rider. Stifling a gasp of surprise, she felt Marel's arm around her as well, mindful of her shoulder and then she was astride the large horse. "Are you settled?" he asked. Kay, still steaming from Aragorn's earlier comment nodded. Then the whole company was off.
Ahead of them, Aragorn rode beside his wife who was upon a beautiful white mare. Her anger at the king stemmed off and she settled back against Marel, unconsciously. The man chuckled, startling her.
"If you wish to rest your eyes, mistress, go ahead, I won't let you fall," he said kindly. This brought back Aragorn's comment of falling off a horse; Kay frowned and sat up straight, ignoring the protest from her shoulder.
"I have never fallen off a horse in my life, Marel, I do not intend to start now," she said sternly. Instead of the man becoming defensive, she felt him chuckle again.
"Of course not, lady, I meant no disrespect," he said. Kay's anger disappeared at that and she looked back at her riding partner.
"Its ok, Marel, and please don't call me 'lady', just call me Kay, that is all I am," she said. The knight nodded and they rode on together, talking about horses, Marel's home and he got her to tell him about her home.
"It is much different from here, everything is so busy. Technology rules and we certainly have fast means of getting places," she said, thinking about her beloved car wistfully.
"Your home sounds very strange indeed, Kay," he said laughing. Kay giggled, but this caused a fit of coughing that racked her body. She covered her mouth with her arm, coughing into her sleeve. Marel held onto her, firmly, watching with a worried look on his face. Finally, the fit passed and Kay wiped her lips, she saw a bit of blood staining her sleeve, and hid her arm quickly.
"Are you alright, Kay?" asked Marel. Swallowing, she nodded but the man was not convinced. "Perhaps I should tell the king, he is good healer and he could make you a tea…" he offered. Kay shook her head.
"No, don't worry about it, Marel, I just laughed too hard, its ok," she reassured. He frowned but nodded. The company moved on, only stopping once to water the horses and eat some waybread.
Night fell quickly and Kay shivered, pulling up the hood of her sweatshirt. Her cough had been getting worse, but she waved off Marel's attempts to help her. Her shoulder had started to throb again, but she ignored it for now she had more to think about.
The ring was cold against her skin, dangling from its chain (damn, unbreakable thing…). She was getting tired and her head bobbed with the motion of the horse. Marel's body was warm against her and she relaxed into a restless sleep.
Her dreams were troubled, filled with fire, war and death. A voice whispered dark and horrible things into her mind. Telling her that death awaits her ahead and she should turn back. That Aragorn would harm her, not help her. She was frightened; a cold finger weaved its way into her heart. In her mind's eye, she saw a dark tower and a fiery eye. A huge, metal hand reached out to her, and Kay screamed.
She jerked awake, gasping. She was lying down and it was past morning, how long had she been asleep. Aragorn was above her, shaking her shoulders. He looked worried, beyond him Kay saw Marel who wrung his hands nervously. When he saw that she was awake, Aragorn backed off.
"I was afraid you would never waken," he said and helped the girl sit up. He presses a steaming mug into her shaking hands and helped her to drink. He frowned when she flinched away from his touch. "Kaylen? I would never hurt you, I told you this," he said softly. Kay nodded, sipping the tea, barely noticing the bitter taste; her mind was still in the dream. The king saw the haunted look on her face and rested a hand on her knee. "What did you see?" he asked.
"Fire, lots of it. Blood, death, and …an eye," she whispered, Aragorn glanced back at his wife at this. "It was huge, it was like it was staring right through me, a voice telling me these…things, horrible things," she shivered, clenching her eyes closed. Aragorn put an arm around her shoulder, but she pulled away, staring at him wide eyed.
"What is it?" he asked, now extremely worried about the child's mind. Kay shook uncontrollably.
"It said – it said that you wouldn't help me, that you only wanted to hurt me. it showed me…all of these things," her body convulsed. "I can't say it! Don't make me!" she cried.
"Kaylen, it was the ring, it lies. That thing will tell you anything it can to get what it wants, you cannot listen," said Aragorn. "I won't hurt you, I swear," he said, vehemently. Kay slowly met his gaze and nodded, the man took her into his arms, holding her until her shaking stopped. He released her, looking solemnly into her eyes. "We should reach Rivendell before evening, I want you to be under Elrond's power soon, its too dangerous to linger," he pulled he to her feet.
Marel had mounted again and Aragorn lifted the girl up in front of the soldier again. After making sure Kay was situated, the king mounted his own horse, giving his wife a worried look, she nodded. They continued on toward the city of Rivendell. Along the way, Kay had been told it was one of the last elven cities in Middle Earth, which was where she was. This world was unlike anything she could have imagined. Filled with knights, warriors, elves, kings and queens, but also a looming darkness. And with every passing moment, the girl could feel that darkness closing in around her. It felt like something, or someone was watching her every move. It made her shiver.
She rested off and on through that day, and it was just becoming evening when Marel gently shook her shoulder and pointed. Ahead of them was the most beautiful city Kay had ever seen. Nestled in a low valley, between the rock walls of high mountains, little waterfalls cascaded in between the very buildings. Domed towers and sweeping rooftops, archways draped with flowered vines. Stone columns held up this magnificent city. As they neared, Kay saw a few graceful figures walking about, through the houses and meandering the lush gardens splayed throughout the entire scene.
Their company entered into the hidden city, and Kay didn't know what to expect. They crossed a stone bridge; green, leafy vines fell from tall trees above them. They rode up to the stairs of the main house, stopping before them. Some of the people came up and took the reigns of their mounts as they dismounted. Kay looked closer, and saw the gracefully pointed ears sticking out of their long tresses.
Marel slid to the ground, then reached up to help the girl. Kay didn't protest as he lifted her effortlessly off the horse. She gritted her teeth when her shoulder began to throb again. Aragorn, with Arwen at his side, walked over to Kay.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Kaylen," said the king smiling, "This is where I grew up." A blonde elf came down the stairs to meet them, he had sparking green eyes, and was slender, but he carried himself like a seasoned warrior. He spoke something in elvish, Kay had heard the musical language from Arwen and Aragorn. Arwen gasped and threw herself into the arms of the newcomer. Aragorn smiled and clasped arms with the elf. The blonde's eyes moved to encompass the girl with them and he spoke again in his native tongue. Aragorn turned to Kay.
"Kay, this is Glorfindel, Elrond's seneschal and chief guard," he said and Kay nodded to the elf. She held out her hand in greeting, but Glorfindel's eyes became dark and he stepped back.
"Ai, 'ksher!"[1] he cried and reached for his slender sword at his side. Kay recalled her hand suddenly, startled. Then she felt something pulling at her, something whispering in her main and darkness closed in around the edges of her vision. Vaguely, she saw Aragorn stop the blonde from drawing his sword. She heard him speak in elvish with him. The ring pulled, it felt like it was trying to drag her down. Kay swayed on her feet, the darkness closing in around her. She wanted to call for help, but her throat became dry and her lips wouldn't move. Her hand came up to her chest, feeling the ring through her sweatshirt. Someone called her name, but it sounded like it was coming from a distance. The darkness nearly had her…
An arm wrapped around her middle, pulling her back against a solid chest. The darkness retreated a bit and her body became loose, her hand falling to her side. Another hand pressed against her forehead, and her neck instantly relaxed, allowing her head to fall back onto a strong shoulder. A light replaced the darkness; it was tinted blue and almost blinding. Someone was whispering soft words into her ear. These words pushed away the dark hissing in her mind. This person continued to speak until the darkness had retreated back. But the weight of the ring remained. The girl's entire body was limp, the one behind her was holding her up. Her head was still spinning and she was quite content to remain where she was.
Kay slowly came back to herself, she heard others speaking around her. Focusing her eyes, she saw Aragorn, Arwen and Glorfindel standing in front of her. They looked shocked and worried. Aragorn was speaking in elvish to the one holding her. The newcomer responded, his deep, musical voice resonating in his chest. The hand on Kay's forehead was soft and cool, she suddenly felt very sleepy. She was swept into strong arms and she was too tired to protest. The girl faded in and out of wakefulness, not really seeing where they were going.
They must have entered a room because it darkened slightly. She was laid on a soft bed and a form bent over her. Sleep was swiftly steeling over her, but she saw the face of the one who had helped her. Long, dark hair framed a beautiful, ethereal face. Two pointed ears were easily visible, parting the ebony strands. Wise, gray eyes stared intensely into her own. The face seemed ageless and fair, but the eyes held knowledge and power beyond her comprehension. Kay felt nervous and exposed, and she squirmed under the intense stare. The elf softened his look and stroked her hair affectionately.
"Kaima, pen-neth. Ím Elrond Peredhil, lasto bethnin, ilye nauva quell,"[2] he said and Kay slid into oblivion.
[1] Ah, evil one!
[2] Sleep, young one. I am Elrond Half-Elven, hear my voice, all will be well. (Very rough translation – if anyone knows of GOOD elvish lang. sites, please tell me!)