I Cyll E-Hiniath Faeg - The Bearer Of The Bad Tidings
Calina undid her hair from its tight plait and brushed it out. The hair had dried in a neat set of waves, which Calina shook out down her back. There was a knock at the door,
"Come in!" She called. Mineta was there with a large box in her arms,
"Good day Calina, how was your ride?"
"Very good thank you. There are some beautiful places in Eryn Lasgalen if you know where to find them."
"Let me guess, Legolas took you to the view from the mountain for the sunrise and the waterfall for breakfast." Calina nodded and Mineta laughed, "As predictable as ever."
"He took me to see the statue of his mother as well," Calina said softly and watched her friend stop laughing,
"The one in the by a clump of bushes?" She said sharply. Yet again Calina nodded. Mineta sat down and looked out of the window for a moment. She muttered something to herself that Calina had to strain to catch, "Then it is all as I thought." Mineta then turned to look at Calina, "I thought you might like to look through this this afternoon with me. It is a box of all the things I kept from the wedding. The dress designs, that sort of thing." Calina smiled warmly,
"I would love to. I.I have never actually been to a wedding," she admitted,
"You will go to your own one day, of that I am sure." Mineta said,
"I do not share your confidence," said Calina in a whisper, "I fear I shall never marry." Mineta only smiled at her. The bell for lunch rang and Calina looked at the high Sun outside, "Is it that time already? Where did today go? It seems like I have only been awake a few hours." She and Mineta linked arms and walked to the Hall for lunch.
The two of them joined Nithin and Verlat at a small table. There was another seat there for Legolas, but as they ate it became clear he was not coming. Verlat turned around and called to one of the guard,
"Where is the Prince?"
"I believe Prince Legolas is shut in conference with his father, sir. This food is being sent down to them."
"Is it a danger in the wood? Have the Captains been called for?" Nithin asked, preparing to defend the Halls,
"No sir. I believe it is a personal matter." The guard left carrying a loaded tray of food.
Mineta exchanged a knowing look with her husband, but they kept their suspicions between them. Verlat cleared his throat and they noticed Calina was looking from Mineta to Nithin and back again,
"What is going on?" she asked,
"I am sure it is nothing Calina," said Nithin smoothly,
"No, you know something. What is happening to Legolas? He is not sick is he?"
"No, no Calina. They often have talks like these. Remember it has been many years since Thranduil spent a good deal of time with his son."
"Oh of course." Calina was relieved. So were Mineta and Nithin.
Their lunch continued without further incident, as did the afternoon. Mineta and Calina were sitting in the chambers Mineta and Nithin shared. The women were in a sitting room and Nithin was at a desk in the corner, occasionally making sarcastic comments or rolling his eyes at the wall when they became particularly soppy or girlie. No one saw anything of Legolas that afternoon and Thranduil came alone to dinner that night. Calina overheard Mineta speak to him,
"My lord, is Legolas not with you?"
"He was Mineta, but I think you will find him now on the archery range."
"Oh," was Mineta's reply but Calina saw the knowing look pass between them,
"You know Legolas well my child. He will seek you out soon. Of all left in Middle Earth now, you know him best." Mineta curtseyed slightly and took her seat down the table.
Calina was puzzled. Mineta had said she had no idea what was wrong with Legolas. Calina was resolved to find him after dinner, even though she had no idea where the archery ranges where.
After the meal was over Calina rose discreetly and asked a nearby guard where the archery ranges where. She was sent in a direction she had not explored before, through the corridors of many of the ordinary people of the Halls. Calina got lost in the endless lengths of corridors with room after room and door after door. In the end a passing elf took pity on her and said,
"Are you lost my lady?"
"Yes I am. I am trying to get to the archery ranges."
"You are not lost then my lady. The door at the end of this corridor leads down a set of stairs which come out just by the range." Calina smiled and thanked him before hurrying down the stairs. She could hear the rapid bow fire before she had set two steps out of the door. She could hear the twang of the bowstring as someone let fly arrow after arrow. Legolas' hair caught the moonlight filtering through the trees and Calina finally saw where the noises were coming from. Legolas was standing not far from her and a few hundred metres in front of him was a target full of arrows. He had not heard her come down the stairs and so Calina got quite close before saying
"I heard that if a girl was looking for some fun in the palace then you were the prince to ask." Legolas was startled and the arrow he had just let go flew into some trees overhead. He did not turn. Instead he just strung another arrow and continued with his actions. Calina crept closer and took the remaining arrows from his quiver. Legolas reached for another arrow, but found them all gone. He spun round to face Calina,
"My arrows, Calina." She was not going to hand them back like he wanted her to. She saw a strange light in his eyes, one she had never seen before. It looked liked desperation, but she could not be sure,
"Legolas, I was worried. What is wrong?"
"It is nothing for you to concern yourself with Calina. Give me my arrows and go back inside."
"No." She was not going to let him avoid her question. They were deadlocked. For several minutes they stood there as if eyeing each other up as fighters do before a match, subconsciously pacing round a ring watching for the other's weakness. Legolas let his eyes meet Calina's and she said gently, "I have never seen you like this Legolas. You are sad right down to the bottom of your soul. I want to help."
"You could not do what I ask, Calina, so do not continue to question me." He turned away to walk towards the target and collect his arrows. Calina dropped what arrows she had onto the floor and ran after him. She went round him and stood between Legolas and the target, putting her hands on his shoulders,
"Legolas I would do anything I could for you. I owe you my life after all." Legolas' expression darkened further,
"You would do it out of duty?" His voice was bitter. Legolas took her arms from his shoulders. He felt the skin of her wrist, the scars raised and rough compared to the soft, milky-white of the rest of her. He almost did not let go. He almost took what he wanted so badly, but Legolas took only an instant to let go of her arms so Calina did not notice his indecision. He brushed past her to the target and set about pulling the deeply imbedded arrows from it. She watched him for a moment and then turned to head back onto the palace.
Calina found her way back to her room much easier than she had got outside. She went to unlock the door but found it open and slightly ajar. The balcony door, which she remembered locking was swinging in a slight breeze. Her things had been rifled through, drawers were opened and her clothes strewn about the room. The scene was similar in all the other rooms. Calina could see nothing immediately missing. She was in the small living room at the time. She heard a noise coming from the bedroom where she had just checked. Calina was not waiting to see what it was, but ran from the room and into the corridor. She ran towards the main hall where she knew there would be some guards. Calina rounded the corner just before the door and rang slap-bang into Aragorn. He looked at the breathless elf and immediately knew something was wrong. He could see the fear in her eyes,
"Calina what has happened?" His voice was full of concern,
"My room. Someone has been through all my things. I think they are still there," she said between breaths,
"Fetch some guards. Tell them to follow me," and he ran off. Calina ran into the hall and saw the only guards there were the ones assigned to Thranduil. She went up to him and said hurriedly,
"Your highness, there is someone in my room. They have been through all my things. Lord Aragorn has gone to deal with it, but he asked for some guards too."
"By Elbereth, he will get himself killed!" Thranduil was alarmed, "Guards! Go to Calina's room." Several elves ran out of the hall and Thranduil followed them with Calina by his side.
They reached her rooms, the main door was open with a guard stationed in front of it. He moved aside for Thranduil and Calina to pass through. Candles had been lit in the living room and Aragorn was there laid out on the couch. Calina rushed and knelt down beside him,
"Oh Aragorn, what happened?"
"I am not sure. It was an elf, I am in no doubt of that, fast and nimble. I came in here because I heard a noise. They cannot get down to the ground from in here, the jump is too much, even for an elf to be sure of its footing at the bottom. It is much easier to get down from your bedroom by climbing onto the tree and going down that. The intruder was trapped in here. As soon as I walked into the room they hit me round the head and rushed past me and out of the room. It was only seconds before the guards came in."
"Oh Aragorn I am so sorry, I did not mean for you to get hurt."
"Calina, it is only a bump on the head. I have been hit worse before and no doubt shall be again."
"All the same, you should not have rushed in here like that with no help."
"Calina is right Aragorn. You are a Ranger no more, Kings should not take such risks without protection."
"As always Thranduil, you are right, but let us be glad that my wife is visiting her brothers in Rivendell. No doubt she would also side with you."
"There is nothing to match the scorn of a woman Aragorn," said Thranduil laughing, but then the mood became serious again, "Calina is there anything missing?"
"Nothing obvious your highness, but I cannot be sure until this is all tidied up and I can see where everything belongs."
"Very well. I will send Telina to help you. We will leave you now, but I will post a guard at your door tonight, in case anything should happen. I think I know of some with no duties." Calina did not know why Thranduil's eyes twinkled slightly. He nodded at one of his own guards who left the room and the others left with Aragorn and Thranduil.
Calina found that the worst parts of the mess were the bedroom, which she left Telina to clear because she would have more of an idea where all the clothes had been hanged, and the study. Calina had brought some work with her, just on the off chance that she got a moment to herself or inspiration came upon her. She had not done much, just a couple of idle doodles for a piece of carving and several sketched outlines of a desk for Gimli. This was all missing from its place in a desk draw, but Calina could not fathom out why someone would want these. That was not the only mystery of the night. As Calina finished sorting out all the other papers that had been tossed about the room, Telina came to her and said,
"Excuse me, my lady, but I think you should see this. Telina led her to the bedroom and to where Calina's dresses were hung up. At one end hung something Calina hoped she would never see again. It was the dress she had worn the first time she had eaten in the Halls, the first time she had sat at the King's table seventeen years before. Calina took it from the hanger and held it up in front of her,
"It is the same one is it not?"
"I believe it is my lady."
"How did it get here? I left it behind when I left here."
"I do not know how it came to be back in your wardrobe, but I thought you had taken it with you when you left because I came to clear your room after you had left, and there was nothing here."
"It must have been taken then. But who, and why?" Calina felt real fear rise inside her, "Is there anything missing?"
"I am not sure."
"How can you not be sure?" Calina snapped, and then sighed, "I am sorry Telina, I did not mean to snap, I realise you are giving up your time to help me."
"Do not upset yourself, my lady. It has been a bad night for you." Calina smiled and thanked her, "As for what is missing, I am sure I put a pile of your dirty clothes in the bottom of one of the cupboards to be collected for washing. They are gone now, but today is the wrong day for washing, it is not for another 2 days, unless the staff have got ahead and are trying to do this week's washing as well to have a few days off. They do that sometimes usually around festival time."
"But this is not festival time. There is not one for another month and a half. I do not understand. Who breaks into a room for a few scribbled drawings and a bag of my dirt clothes and brings back a dress they took years ago?"
"It is a puzzle indeed. The King ordered that everything missing be reported to him as soon as possible. Would you like me to do that?"
"Yes please Telina if you would. And then go and get some rest. I will finish off the bit left to do."
"As you wish my lady. I will see you in the morning."
"Thank you Telina."
Calina was left alone and she finished straightening the room, putting everything back in the place it had originally been put. Then she made sure all the doors and windows were locked and settled down in bed. Calina locked herself in her bedroom with all the candles that she could find. She made sure every part of the room was lit so nothing could get through unnoticed. Calina did not rest, but sat as if on guard all night.
In the morning the light began to filter through the curtains and Calina let the candles burn down. She had not been disturbed during the night, but nevertheless, she was still considerably shaken. Telina knocked lightly on the door and called through softly,
"My lady, are you there? The King wishes to see you before breakfast." Calina rose and unlocked the door. Her maid regarded her for a moment before saying, "You did not rest well." It was a statement, not a question, "Perhaps you could ask for new rooms."
"No, I do not want that. I will not be driven out of here through fear." Telina nodded and set about running a bath for Calina and getting her dressed. Later Calina unlocked the final door of her room, the one leading to the outside corridor. As she opened it, the door swung back quicker than she had expected and an elf fell back into the room. Calina watched the fallen figure with some amusement. He stood up and spoke to her,
"Father asked that I would stand guard in case something happened. He wants to you see you now." Calina could not understand why the Prince was made to guard her door, but knowing Legolas' credentials as a warrior she at least felt less in danger than she had throughout the night. Calina wanted to continue the conversation that they had had the night before, she could still see something that unsettled her in his eyes, but now was not the right time. She followed him silently down the corridor and to Thranduil's study. He appeared to have been up for many hours, Calina even doubted that he had rested that night. He beckoned them both in and bid Legolas to stay and hear what was said,
"Calina I spoke to your maid last night. Has anything else happened since then?"
"No my lord. I cannot see anything else missing."
"And nothing else has mysteriously turned up?"
"No, it has not."
"Do you still have the dress?"
"What dress?" Legolas interrupted. Calina turned her attention from the King to his son,
"Whoever broke into my room last night stole some drawings of mine, some dirty clothes and hung up the dress that I first wore to the King's table after you brought me here."
"But why would someone do that?"
"That is precisely why I have asked you both here. Calina, someone from your workshop has arrived this morning. Show her in please," Thranduil ordered the guard. Lathrin practically ran into the room and threw herself at Calina,
"Oh Calina, I am so glad you are alright. I am so glad you were not at home."
"What do you mean Lathrin?" Calina asked pulling away from her friend,
"The workshop. I am so sorry, I know I was meant to be looking after it. I do not know how it happened. I know I put the fire out when I left, but maybe I missed some embers."
"Lathrin, what happened?" Legolas rose from his seat also now,
"It burnt down. I am sorry, Calina." Calina sunk back down onto her chair completely speechless. She took hold of Lathrin's hand and turned to her,
"It is not your fault Lathrin. I know you are careful with the fire. You always have been. I do not think this was your fault." Calina looked at Thranduil. His hands were clasped together on his desk and there was a grave look on his face,
"Taking last night into account, I do not believe this was an accident. Lathrin, what time do you think the fire started?"
"Sire, I believe it was after midnight."
"That leaves plenty of time for someone to ride from here out to the village, father." Said Legolas. Thranduil just nodded.
"Calina, you are to remain here with a guard assigned to you at all times until more can be determined about these events. Legolas take the ladies to breakfast. Make sure Calina is not left on her own. Lathrin, thank you for coming to report this promptly to us. After breakfast, there shall be someone assigned to you too. I presume you will want to stay with Calina until this is cleared up."
"Thank you highness." Lathrin curtseyed. The three of them left the room. Legolas closed the door behind him and turned to face Calina and Lathrin. They were both waiting for him to tell them what to do, he was the soldier after all.
"There has been a breakfast set out in one of the smaller rooms. Nithin, Mineta and Verlat will be joining us as well." Lathrin would normally have questioned Calina as to who these people where, but she sensed this wasn't the time for gossip and she would be introduced in due time.
Legolas led them to a small day room Calina had not been in before. There were many rooms of this type scattered throughout the Halls for people to meet in during the day and for private meals and discussions at night. There was a guard on either side of the day and they saluted to Legolas as he walked past them and into the room. The other three were already seated round the table with Aragorn. Verlat spoke first,
"What is going on Legolas? Are you alright Calina?"
"Now is not the time for questions Verlat. Let us just sit and eat a nice breakfast."
"With guards at the door?" Said Calina. "Lathrin let me introduce you to everyone. This is Legolas as you had no doubt guessed and Mineta and Nithin, Verlat and Aragorn." Calina pointed everyone out and Lathrin curtseyed and sat down. Aragorn, Mineta and Nithin attempted to inject some lively conversation into the meal. Verlat joined in and occasionally Calina, but Legolas was silent and Lathrin was simply overawed.
After a while, the conversation died. Calina had finished eating and she looked at the others. There was a large bruise on Aragorn's forehead. Calina decided it was best to tell them what was going on, they were her friends and she would need their help. She cleared her throat and began,
"I ought to tell you what's going on. Last night someone broke into my room. Aragorn went to see what was going on and got attacked, hence the bruise. Telina and I cleared up and found that some designs of mine were missing as well as a pile of laundry. The dress that I first wore when I first ate in the main hall, you know the one I really hated?" Mineta smiled at the memory, "It was hanging up in my wardrobe. I left it here when I left, but Telina says she never found it when she cleaned my room and assumed I had taken it with me. This morning Lathrin arrived, I left her in charge of the workshop while I was gone, but it was burnt down last night. I do not think it was an accident. The fire was started a couple of hours after my room was broken into. Long enough time to ride from here to there." She stopped. Legolas spoke finally for the first time in over an hour,
"Calina and Lathrin are staying here now, by my father's orders. They will be under our protection for the time being, until we can find out either who is responsible so we deem there is no further threat to Calina's safety."
"Oh Calina. How awful for you!" Mineta's voice was full of concern. Verlat immediately jumped in with,
"Do not worry Calina, you will be safe here with us."
"What if it is you that are causing the danger?" Said Lathrin,
"I beg your pardon my lady?" Verlat was shocked by Lathrin's rudeness,
"What if the person doing this is one of you, or because Calina is here with you? I do not mean to be rude, but you are all jumping to the conclusion that this is some person completely disconnected to you all. What if it is someone you know?"
"Lathrin is right," said Legolas, "That is also my train of thought. I know it would be none of you all, but there is one here at the Palace I do not trust. You know of who I speak."
"No Legolas, he would not, would he? He is not even here." Verlat was quick to catch on,
"Legolas you cannot blame Garin for this. Do not let the past cloud your judgement." Lathrin gasped,
"Calina, is he the one that came the other day while you were all having tea?"
"Yes, Lathrin, why do you ask?"
"He came by yesterday, asking after you. He said he was visiting relative in the area. I told him you were here at the Halls at the Prince's invitation. He asked about what we were working on and I told him about the order you have had from the dwarf lord and that you were designing something special for him. He did not seem happy when he left."
"That settles it then," said Legolas. "I must speak to my father and my uncle. Garin must return here. Stay with Calina." He swept out of the room, leaving the rest of them stunned. Calina could not believe it. Lathrin sat down next to her and said,
"Calina, I am sorry. It is my fault. I should not have told him where you were. Please, can you forgive me?"
"Lathrin, it was not for you to know. Please, do not blame yourself. I am the one sorry you have been dragged into this mess."
"What are friends for?" Lathrin smiled at Calina, who had gone an even paler colour than normal,
"That goes for us as well Calina," said Aragorn, "Even if I have to mobilise every soldier in Gondor." Calina laughed gently,
"I hope it shall not come to that."
"Nevertheless, if it would help, I would do it."
The door to the room they were in slammed open. Garin was launched through the opening and followed by Legolas, Thranduil, Garin's father Landuil and a couple of guards, "He arrived back this morning apparently." Legolas' voice was full of disdain as he manhandled Garin onto a chair. The guards stood behind him,
"That is enough Legolas." Thranduil's eyes were blazing. Landuil just looked disappointed.
"Will somebody please tell me what I am meant to have done?"
"You know full well Garin, do not waste our time." Legolas let slip,
"Legolas! Now is not the time. Control yourself or leave." Legolas was shamed into silence by his father, who then addressed Lathrin, "Lathrin, is this the person who called at the workshop yesterday."
"Yes my lord." She was sure in her answer. Thranduil nodded,
"Garin where have you been since then?"
"I went to visit my friends in the next village to Calina's. I wanted to see her and explain about before, everything with Lineil. Her friend said she was here and so I decided to come back here. What has happened? What am I supposed to have done? I was with my friends all night." Thranduil sighed,
"Very well Garin, you may go with Landuil."
"Father! You cannot let him go until we are sure."
"Legolas I have already sent messengers to where Garin was staying. They will return in a matter of hours. If you stay with Calina till then, I am sure nothing will happen to her." Garin left accompanied by his father, and Thranduil gave his son one last glance before following them. A solitary tear ran down Calina's face and Mineta put her arms around her.
"Perhaps we should go for a walk," suggested Verlat,
"And expose her to the possibility of an attack from any direction. At least in here there is only one way in and one way out. Call yourself a soldier?" Lathrin scoffed, much to Verlat's irritation,
"What do you suggest then, my lady?" He said with false politeness. Calina had had enough and she stood up,
"Stop it, stop it both of you. Just all leave me alone." She ran from the room, and the others called out for her to come back. Legolas followed her silently. Calina did not get far before Legolas caught up with her. Automatically he took her into his arms and hugged her tight to him. All the harsh words they had exchanged the night before dissolved and no longer mattered. All that was important was that while she was wrapped in his arms she was safe and protected. Legolas stoked her hair and whispered soft words in her ear. He did not care about the fact that he had her in his arms, all he wanted to do was keep her safe and out of the reach of whoever was trying to hurt her. Calina lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were wet with tears. Legolas smiled at her,
"You certainly liven this place up Calina."
"I do not mean it to be so. I always cause trouble for you. I am sorry. Last time I almost died and this time someone is trying to kill me."
"Calina, we do not know they are trying to kill you. Do not jump to conclusions."
"You have jumped to the same thought, do not try and tell me you have not." Legolas sighed into her hair and pulled her close to him again. He rested his chin on the top of her head,
"Calina I would protect you with all my strength, I would do anything I could to keep you safe. Do not feel like a burden to me or to my family, especially as I am sure one member is behind all this, even if he was not here last night."
"Legolas, do not talk about it anymore. Please? I think I should go and apologise to the others."
"They know you did not mean it Calina."
"All the same, I should say sorry," she said, "Besides," and she smiled, "safety in numbers." Legolas laughed hollowly and they went back to the others.
The breakfast things had been cleared from the table and the five of them sat round the table discussing what was to be done. Calina and Legolas stopped outside the door for a moment listening to a heated argument between Lathrin and Verlat,
"You cannot expect her to stay here a prisoner," Lathrin cried,
"Better a prisoner than dead," Verlat replied,
"Come you two, calm down," Nithin had a worried tone in his voice,
"Calina is going to want to go back to the workshop. She is devoted to it. It is the last thing she has of her family." Verlat had no reply to that, "She has work to do, a contract to carry out."
"Lathrin, I am sure Gimli would not mind a small delay on the delivery of his furniture. He too would only want Calina to be safe," Aragorn tried to smooth the situation. Calina had decided she had heard enough and stepped into the room. Silence fell, and they all looked uncomfortable, no knowing how much she had heard,
"I take it as a compliment that you are all so concerned with my well- being, but rest assured I will make the decisions as to where I go and what I do." That was Calina's final word on the matter and the subject was closed. Mineta and Lathrin started to get to know each other, asking each other questions about different aspects of their lives. Nithin and Aragorn joined them and finally Verlat was dragged into their conversation, despite the conflict of tempers between him and Lathrin. Only Calina and Legolas sat silent.
At lunchtime, Thranduil returned with Garin and Landuil and was accompanied by a messenger. Garin sat down with his father, trying to ignore the looks that Legolas was giving him. Thranduil ordered the messenger to hand him the piece of parchment he carried. The king perused it for a moment before fixing his gaze on his nephew,
"Very well Garin, please give to me the details of your activities last night."
"As I said I called upon some friends, the Sycamores. We ate dinner, which consisted of three courses, soup, a ham served with greens and a fruit pudding. After dinner, I played with their children who are still very young and after they had been sent to rest for the remainder of the night, I spoke for many hours with their parents who I have not seen for several years. I stayed there because it was after midnight when we stopped talking. This morning I rode back to the palace and was accosted by Legolas. I think you know the rest."
"Very well Garin. That is enough. Your account agrees with the testimony of your friends. I apologise for this mistake, nephew. You are free to go."
"Father! His friends could be lying. You cannot set him free."
"Legolas they have sworn an oath that this is the truth. I have no reason to doubt their words. Do not let past grievances cloud your judgement of the present." Legolas opened his mouth to protest further, but Calina put her hand on his arm to stop him. She looked at Garin. Their eyes met and he said,
"Calina, please let me explain." But she turned away from him. Thranduil stepped in before the situation escalated. He could already see Legolas' temper was almost ready to boil over,
"Garin, if Calina does not wish to speak with you then I suggest you leave." Garin was pushed out of the room by his father. Thranduil turned to the rest of them,
"Calina, as far as we know you are still in danger. You should not be on your own. Stay with someone at all times. I will have lunch sent to you here. Aragorn, we have received word that the lady Arwen returns this afternoon. A messenger has been sent from Rivendell."
"Thank you Thranduil. I had better go and see the Healers, see if I can do something about this bruise or Arwen will not be pleased when she returns." There was a gentle ripple of laughter and the atmosphere in the room relaxed again. Aragorn left and soon enough lunch was brought to them.
They passed the afternoon quietly. Calina went back to her room for some paper and a pencil to begin to redraw the initial ideas she had had for Gimli. It was uneventful, except for another couple of arguments between Verlat and Lathrin. Calina began to see similarities between them as between Mineta and Nithin when she had first known them, but kept that to herself. If something good were to come out of this whole mess then she did not want to get in its way. In the late afternoon, Aragorn and Arwen rejoined them. The latter expressed her sorrow for Calina's situation and was introduced to Lathrin, who's awe of the Evenstar almost rendered her speechless for the first time in hundreds of years. Calina then apologised to Arwen for getting her husband injured. Much to Aragorn's surprise she simply smiled and said that she had missed the Ranger side of him, turning up unexpected covered in dirt with cuts and bruises everywhere. They all laughed.
In the late evening, Legolas walked Calina to her room. She had to change for dinner. Calina had insisted they all ate in the main hall. It would look strange after all if half the top table were missing. Calina would not permit Legolas to watch her change, so instead he sat in her living room while Telina watched over mistress. Calina chatted away to her, relating the incident of Arwen and Aragorn's bruise as Telina did her hair. Calina was just going about choosing a dress when she heard a dull thud and a yelp coming from her living room. She rushed to the door between her bedroom and there, but it was opened just as she reached for the handle. Calina turned, "Telina get help," but her maid remained where she was and handed Calina a dress.
"I think you should wear this my lady." Telina handed her the dress that had been added to her wardrobe. Calina turned and there in the doorway was Garin. Legolas was lying on the floor behind him, out cold.
Calina undid her hair from its tight plait and brushed it out. The hair had dried in a neat set of waves, which Calina shook out down her back. There was a knock at the door,
"Come in!" She called. Mineta was there with a large box in her arms,
"Good day Calina, how was your ride?"
"Very good thank you. There are some beautiful places in Eryn Lasgalen if you know where to find them."
"Let me guess, Legolas took you to the view from the mountain for the sunrise and the waterfall for breakfast." Calina nodded and Mineta laughed, "As predictable as ever."
"He took me to see the statue of his mother as well," Calina said softly and watched her friend stop laughing,
"The one in the by a clump of bushes?" She said sharply. Yet again Calina nodded. Mineta sat down and looked out of the window for a moment. She muttered something to herself that Calina had to strain to catch, "Then it is all as I thought." Mineta then turned to look at Calina, "I thought you might like to look through this this afternoon with me. It is a box of all the things I kept from the wedding. The dress designs, that sort of thing." Calina smiled warmly,
"I would love to. I.I have never actually been to a wedding," she admitted,
"You will go to your own one day, of that I am sure." Mineta said,
"I do not share your confidence," said Calina in a whisper, "I fear I shall never marry." Mineta only smiled at her. The bell for lunch rang and Calina looked at the high Sun outside, "Is it that time already? Where did today go? It seems like I have only been awake a few hours." She and Mineta linked arms and walked to the Hall for lunch.
The two of them joined Nithin and Verlat at a small table. There was another seat there for Legolas, but as they ate it became clear he was not coming. Verlat turned around and called to one of the guard,
"Where is the Prince?"
"I believe Prince Legolas is shut in conference with his father, sir. This food is being sent down to them."
"Is it a danger in the wood? Have the Captains been called for?" Nithin asked, preparing to defend the Halls,
"No sir. I believe it is a personal matter." The guard left carrying a loaded tray of food.
Mineta exchanged a knowing look with her husband, but they kept their suspicions between them. Verlat cleared his throat and they noticed Calina was looking from Mineta to Nithin and back again,
"What is going on?" she asked,
"I am sure it is nothing Calina," said Nithin smoothly,
"No, you know something. What is happening to Legolas? He is not sick is he?"
"No, no Calina. They often have talks like these. Remember it has been many years since Thranduil spent a good deal of time with his son."
"Oh of course." Calina was relieved. So were Mineta and Nithin.
Their lunch continued without further incident, as did the afternoon. Mineta and Calina were sitting in the chambers Mineta and Nithin shared. The women were in a sitting room and Nithin was at a desk in the corner, occasionally making sarcastic comments or rolling his eyes at the wall when they became particularly soppy or girlie. No one saw anything of Legolas that afternoon and Thranduil came alone to dinner that night. Calina overheard Mineta speak to him,
"My lord, is Legolas not with you?"
"He was Mineta, but I think you will find him now on the archery range."
"Oh," was Mineta's reply but Calina saw the knowing look pass between them,
"You know Legolas well my child. He will seek you out soon. Of all left in Middle Earth now, you know him best." Mineta curtseyed slightly and took her seat down the table.
Calina was puzzled. Mineta had said she had no idea what was wrong with Legolas. Calina was resolved to find him after dinner, even though she had no idea where the archery ranges where.
After the meal was over Calina rose discreetly and asked a nearby guard where the archery ranges where. She was sent in a direction she had not explored before, through the corridors of many of the ordinary people of the Halls. Calina got lost in the endless lengths of corridors with room after room and door after door. In the end a passing elf took pity on her and said,
"Are you lost my lady?"
"Yes I am. I am trying to get to the archery ranges."
"You are not lost then my lady. The door at the end of this corridor leads down a set of stairs which come out just by the range." Calina smiled and thanked him before hurrying down the stairs. She could hear the rapid bow fire before she had set two steps out of the door. She could hear the twang of the bowstring as someone let fly arrow after arrow. Legolas' hair caught the moonlight filtering through the trees and Calina finally saw where the noises were coming from. Legolas was standing not far from her and a few hundred metres in front of him was a target full of arrows. He had not heard her come down the stairs and so Calina got quite close before saying
"I heard that if a girl was looking for some fun in the palace then you were the prince to ask." Legolas was startled and the arrow he had just let go flew into some trees overhead. He did not turn. Instead he just strung another arrow and continued with his actions. Calina crept closer and took the remaining arrows from his quiver. Legolas reached for another arrow, but found them all gone. He spun round to face Calina,
"My arrows, Calina." She was not going to hand them back like he wanted her to. She saw a strange light in his eyes, one she had never seen before. It looked liked desperation, but she could not be sure,
"Legolas, I was worried. What is wrong?"
"It is nothing for you to concern yourself with Calina. Give me my arrows and go back inside."
"No." She was not going to let him avoid her question. They were deadlocked. For several minutes they stood there as if eyeing each other up as fighters do before a match, subconsciously pacing round a ring watching for the other's weakness. Legolas let his eyes meet Calina's and she said gently, "I have never seen you like this Legolas. You are sad right down to the bottom of your soul. I want to help."
"You could not do what I ask, Calina, so do not continue to question me." He turned away to walk towards the target and collect his arrows. Calina dropped what arrows she had onto the floor and ran after him. She went round him and stood between Legolas and the target, putting her hands on his shoulders,
"Legolas I would do anything I could for you. I owe you my life after all." Legolas' expression darkened further,
"You would do it out of duty?" His voice was bitter. Legolas took her arms from his shoulders. He felt the skin of her wrist, the scars raised and rough compared to the soft, milky-white of the rest of her. He almost did not let go. He almost took what he wanted so badly, but Legolas took only an instant to let go of her arms so Calina did not notice his indecision. He brushed past her to the target and set about pulling the deeply imbedded arrows from it. She watched him for a moment and then turned to head back onto the palace.
Calina found her way back to her room much easier than she had got outside. She went to unlock the door but found it open and slightly ajar. The balcony door, which she remembered locking was swinging in a slight breeze. Her things had been rifled through, drawers were opened and her clothes strewn about the room. The scene was similar in all the other rooms. Calina could see nothing immediately missing. She was in the small living room at the time. She heard a noise coming from the bedroom where she had just checked. Calina was not waiting to see what it was, but ran from the room and into the corridor. She ran towards the main hall where she knew there would be some guards. Calina rounded the corner just before the door and rang slap-bang into Aragorn. He looked at the breathless elf and immediately knew something was wrong. He could see the fear in her eyes,
"Calina what has happened?" His voice was full of concern,
"My room. Someone has been through all my things. I think they are still there," she said between breaths,
"Fetch some guards. Tell them to follow me," and he ran off. Calina ran into the hall and saw the only guards there were the ones assigned to Thranduil. She went up to him and said hurriedly,
"Your highness, there is someone in my room. They have been through all my things. Lord Aragorn has gone to deal with it, but he asked for some guards too."
"By Elbereth, he will get himself killed!" Thranduil was alarmed, "Guards! Go to Calina's room." Several elves ran out of the hall and Thranduil followed them with Calina by his side.
They reached her rooms, the main door was open with a guard stationed in front of it. He moved aside for Thranduil and Calina to pass through. Candles had been lit in the living room and Aragorn was there laid out on the couch. Calina rushed and knelt down beside him,
"Oh Aragorn, what happened?"
"I am not sure. It was an elf, I am in no doubt of that, fast and nimble. I came in here because I heard a noise. They cannot get down to the ground from in here, the jump is too much, even for an elf to be sure of its footing at the bottom. It is much easier to get down from your bedroom by climbing onto the tree and going down that. The intruder was trapped in here. As soon as I walked into the room they hit me round the head and rushed past me and out of the room. It was only seconds before the guards came in."
"Oh Aragorn I am so sorry, I did not mean for you to get hurt."
"Calina, it is only a bump on the head. I have been hit worse before and no doubt shall be again."
"All the same, you should not have rushed in here like that with no help."
"Calina is right Aragorn. You are a Ranger no more, Kings should not take such risks without protection."
"As always Thranduil, you are right, but let us be glad that my wife is visiting her brothers in Rivendell. No doubt she would also side with you."
"There is nothing to match the scorn of a woman Aragorn," said Thranduil laughing, but then the mood became serious again, "Calina is there anything missing?"
"Nothing obvious your highness, but I cannot be sure until this is all tidied up and I can see where everything belongs."
"Very well. I will send Telina to help you. We will leave you now, but I will post a guard at your door tonight, in case anything should happen. I think I know of some with no duties." Calina did not know why Thranduil's eyes twinkled slightly. He nodded at one of his own guards who left the room and the others left with Aragorn and Thranduil.
Calina found that the worst parts of the mess were the bedroom, which she left Telina to clear because she would have more of an idea where all the clothes had been hanged, and the study. Calina had brought some work with her, just on the off chance that she got a moment to herself or inspiration came upon her. She had not done much, just a couple of idle doodles for a piece of carving and several sketched outlines of a desk for Gimli. This was all missing from its place in a desk draw, but Calina could not fathom out why someone would want these. That was not the only mystery of the night. As Calina finished sorting out all the other papers that had been tossed about the room, Telina came to her and said,
"Excuse me, my lady, but I think you should see this. Telina led her to the bedroom and to where Calina's dresses were hung up. At one end hung something Calina hoped she would never see again. It was the dress she had worn the first time she had eaten in the Halls, the first time she had sat at the King's table seventeen years before. Calina took it from the hanger and held it up in front of her,
"It is the same one is it not?"
"I believe it is my lady."
"How did it get here? I left it behind when I left here."
"I do not know how it came to be back in your wardrobe, but I thought you had taken it with you when you left because I came to clear your room after you had left, and there was nothing here."
"It must have been taken then. But who, and why?" Calina felt real fear rise inside her, "Is there anything missing?"
"I am not sure."
"How can you not be sure?" Calina snapped, and then sighed, "I am sorry Telina, I did not mean to snap, I realise you are giving up your time to help me."
"Do not upset yourself, my lady. It has been a bad night for you." Calina smiled and thanked her, "As for what is missing, I am sure I put a pile of your dirty clothes in the bottom of one of the cupboards to be collected for washing. They are gone now, but today is the wrong day for washing, it is not for another 2 days, unless the staff have got ahead and are trying to do this week's washing as well to have a few days off. They do that sometimes usually around festival time."
"But this is not festival time. There is not one for another month and a half. I do not understand. Who breaks into a room for a few scribbled drawings and a bag of my dirt clothes and brings back a dress they took years ago?"
"It is a puzzle indeed. The King ordered that everything missing be reported to him as soon as possible. Would you like me to do that?"
"Yes please Telina if you would. And then go and get some rest. I will finish off the bit left to do."
"As you wish my lady. I will see you in the morning."
"Thank you Telina."
Calina was left alone and she finished straightening the room, putting everything back in the place it had originally been put. Then she made sure all the doors and windows were locked and settled down in bed. Calina locked herself in her bedroom with all the candles that she could find. She made sure every part of the room was lit so nothing could get through unnoticed. Calina did not rest, but sat as if on guard all night.
In the morning the light began to filter through the curtains and Calina let the candles burn down. She had not been disturbed during the night, but nevertheless, she was still considerably shaken. Telina knocked lightly on the door and called through softly,
"My lady, are you there? The King wishes to see you before breakfast." Calina rose and unlocked the door. Her maid regarded her for a moment before saying, "You did not rest well." It was a statement, not a question, "Perhaps you could ask for new rooms."
"No, I do not want that. I will not be driven out of here through fear." Telina nodded and set about running a bath for Calina and getting her dressed. Later Calina unlocked the final door of her room, the one leading to the outside corridor. As she opened it, the door swung back quicker than she had expected and an elf fell back into the room. Calina watched the fallen figure with some amusement. He stood up and spoke to her,
"Father asked that I would stand guard in case something happened. He wants to you see you now." Calina could not understand why the Prince was made to guard her door, but knowing Legolas' credentials as a warrior she at least felt less in danger than she had throughout the night. Calina wanted to continue the conversation that they had had the night before, she could still see something that unsettled her in his eyes, but now was not the right time. She followed him silently down the corridor and to Thranduil's study. He appeared to have been up for many hours, Calina even doubted that he had rested that night. He beckoned them both in and bid Legolas to stay and hear what was said,
"Calina I spoke to your maid last night. Has anything else happened since then?"
"No my lord. I cannot see anything else missing."
"And nothing else has mysteriously turned up?"
"No, it has not."
"Do you still have the dress?"
"What dress?" Legolas interrupted. Calina turned her attention from the King to his son,
"Whoever broke into my room last night stole some drawings of mine, some dirty clothes and hung up the dress that I first wore to the King's table after you brought me here."
"But why would someone do that?"
"That is precisely why I have asked you both here. Calina, someone from your workshop has arrived this morning. Show her in please," Thranduil ordered the guard. Lathrin practically ran into the room and threw herself at Calina,
"Oh Calina, I am so glad you are alright. I am so glad you were not at home."
"What do you mean Lathrin?" Calina asked pulling away from her friend,
"The workshop. I am so sorry, I know I was meant to be looking after it. I do not know how it happened. I know I put the fire out when I left, but maybe I missed some embers."
"Lathrin, what happened?" Legolas rose from his seat also now,
"It burnt down. I am sorry, Calina." Calina sunk back down onto her chair completely speechless. She took hold of Lathrin's hand and turned to her,
"It is not your fault Lathrin. I know you are careful with the fire. You always have been. I do not think this was your fault." Calina looked at Thranduil. His hands were clasped together on his desk and there was a grave look on his face,
"Taking last night into account, I do not believe this was an accident. Lathrin, what time do you think the fire started?"
"Sire, I believe it was after midnight."
"That leaves plenty of time for someone to ride from here out to the village, father." Said Legolas. Thranduil just nodded.
"Calina, you are to remain here with a guard assigned to you at all times until more can be determined about these events. Legolas take the ladies to breakfast. Make sure Calina is not left on her own. Lathrin, thank you for coming to report this promptly to us. After breakfast, there shall be someone assigned to you too. I presume you will want to stay with Calina until this is cleared up."
"Thank you highness." Lathrin curtseyed. The three of them left the room. Legolas closed the door behind him and turned to face Calina and Lathrin. They were both waiting for him to tell them what to do, he was the soldier after all.
"There has been a breakfast set out in one of the smaller rooms. Nithin, Mineta and Verlat will be joining us as well." Lathrin would normally have questioned Calina as to who these people where, but she sensed this wasn't the time for gossip and she would be introduced in due time.
Legolas led them to a small day room Calina had not been in before. There were many rooms of this type scattered throughout the Halls for people to meet in during the day and for private meals and discussions at night. There was a guard on either side of the day and they saluted to Legolas as he walked past them and into the room. The other three were already seated round the table with Aragorn. Verlat spoke first,
"What is going on Legolas? Are you alright Calina?"
"Now is not the time for questions Verlat. Let us just sit and eat a nice breakfast."
"With guards at the door?" Said Calina. "Lathrin let me introduce you to everyone. This is Legolas as you had no doubt guessed and Mineta and Nithin, Verlat and Aragorn." Calina pointed everyone out and Lathrin curtseyed and sat down. Aragorn, Mineta and Nithin attempted to inject some lively conversation into the meal. Verlat joined in and occasionally Calina, but Legolas was silent and Lathrin was simply overawed.
After a while, the conversation died. Calina had finished eating and she looked at the others. There was a large bruise on Aragorn's forehead. Calina decided it was best to tell them what was going on, they were her friends and she would need their help. She cleared her throat and began,
"I ought to tell you what's going on. Last night someone broke into my room. Aragorn went to see what was going on and got attacked, hence the bruise. Telina and I cleared up and found that some designs of mine were missing as well as a pile of laundry. The dress that I first wore when I first ate in the main hall, you know the one I really hated?" Mineta smiled at the memory, "It was hanging up in my wardrobe. I left it here when I left, but Telina says she never found it when she cleaned my room and assumed I had taken it with me. This morning Lathrin arrived, I left her in charge of the workshop while I was gone, but it was burnt down last night. I do not think it was an accident. The fire was started a couple of hours after my room was broken into. Long enough time to ride from here to there." She stopped. Legolas spoke finally for the first time in over an hour,
"Calina and Lathrin are staying here now, by my father's orders. They will be under our protection for the time being, until we can find out either who is responsible so we deem there is no further threat to Calina's safety."
"Oh Calina. How awful for you!" Mineta's voice was full of concern. Verlat immediately jumped in with,
"Do not worry Calina, you will be safe here with us."
"What if it is you that are causing the danger?" Said Lathrin,
"I beg your pardon my lady?" Verlat was shocked by Lathrin's rudeness,
"What if the person doing this is one of you, or because Calina is here with you? I do not mean to be rude, but you are all jumping to the conclusion that this is some person completely disconnected to you all. What if it is someone you know?"
"Lathrin is right," said Legolas, "That is also my train of thought. I know it would be none of you all, but there is one here at the Palace I do not trust. You know of who I speak."
"No Legolas, he would not, would he? He is not even here." Verlat was quick to catch on,
"Legolas you cannot blame Garin for this. Do not let the past cloud your judgement." Lathrin gasped,
"Calina, is he the one that came the other day while you were all having tea?"
"Yes, Lathrin, why do you ask?"
"He came by yesterday, asking after you. He said he was visiting relative in the area. I told him you were here at the Halls at the Prince's invitation. He asked about what we were working on and I told him about the order you have had from the dwarf lord and that you were designing something special for him. He did not seem happy when he left."
"That settles it then," said Legolas. "I must speak to my father and my uncle. Garin must return here. Stay with Calina." He swept out of the room, leaving the rest of them stunned. Calina could not believe it. Lathrin sat down next to her and said,
"Calina, I am sorry. It is my fault. I should not have told him where you were. Please, can you forgive me?"
"Lathrin, it was not for you to know. Please, do not blame yourself. I am the one sorry you have been dragged into this mess."
"What are friends for?" Lathrin smiled at Calina, who had gone an even paler colour than normal,
"That goes for us as well Calina," said Aragorn, "Even if I have to mobilise every soldier in Gondor." Calina laughed gently,
"I hope it shall not come to that."
"Nevertheless, if it would help, I would do it."
The door to the room they were in slammed open. Garin was launched through the opening and followed by Legolas, Thranduil, Garin's father Landuil and a couple of guards, "He arrived back this morning apparently." Legolas' voice was full of disdain as he manhandled Garin onto a chair. The guards stood behind him,
"That is enough Legolas." Thranduil's eyes were blazing. Landuil just looked disappointed.
"Will somebody please tell me what I am meant to have done?"
"You know full well Garin, do not waste our time." Legolas let slip,
"Legolas! Now is not the time. Control yourself or leave." Legolas was shamed into silence by his father, who then addressed Lathrin, "Lathrin, is this the person who called at the workshop yesterday."
"Yes my lord." She was sure in her answer. Thranduil nodded,
"Garin where have you been since then?"
"I went to visit my friends in the next village to Calina's. I wanted to see her and explain about before, everything with Lineil. Her friend said she was here and so I decided to come back here. What has happened? What am I supposed to have done? I was with my friends all night." Thranduil sighed,
"Very well Garin, you may go with Landuil."
"Father! You cannot let him go until we are sure."
"Legolas I have already sent messengers to where Garin was staying. They will return in a matter of hours. If you stay with Calina till then, I am sure nothing will happen to her." Garin left accompanied by his father, and Thranduil gave his son one last glance before following them. A solitary tear ran down Calina's face and Mineta put her arms around her.
"Perhaps we should go for a walk," suggested Verlat,
"And expose her to the possibility of an attack from any direction. At least in here there is only one way in and one way out. Call yourself a soldier?" Lathrin scoffed, much to Verlat's irritation,
"What do you suggest then, my lady?" He said with false politeness. Calina had had enough and she stood up,
"Stop it, stop it both of you. Just all leave me alone." She ran from the room, and the others called out for her to come back. Legolas followed her silently. Calina did not get far before Legolas caught up with her. Automatically he took her into his arms and hugged her tight to him. All the harsh words they had exchanged the night before dissolved and no longer mattered. All that was important was that while she was wrapped in his arms she was safe and protected. Legolas stoked her hair and whispered soft words in her ear. He did not care about the fact that he had her in his arms, all he wanted to do was keep her safe and out of the reach of whoever was trying to hurt her. Calina lifted her head to look at him. Her eyes were wet with tears. Legolas smiled at her,
"You certainly liven this place up Calina."
"I do not mean it to be so. I always cause trouble for you. I am sorry. Last time I almost died and this time someone is trying to kill me."
"Calina, we do not know they are trying to kill you. Do not jump to conclusions."
"You have jumped to the same thought, do not try and tell me you have not." Legolas sighed into her hair and pulled her close to him again. He rested his chin on the top of her head,
"Calina I would protect you with all my strength, I would do anything I could to keep you safe. Do not feel like a burden to me or to my family, especially as I am sure one member is behind all this, even if he was not here last night."
"Legolas, do not talk about it anymore. Please? I think I should go and apologise to the others."
"They know you did not mean it Calina."
"All the same, I should say sorry," she said, "Besides," and she smiled, "safety in numbers." Legolas laughed hollowly and they went back to the others.
The breakfast things had been cleared from the table and the five of them sat round the table discussing what was to be done. Calina and Legolas stopped outside the door for a moment listening to a heated argument between Lathrin and Verlat,
"You cannot expect her to stay here a prisoner," Lathrin cried,
"Better a prisoner than dead," Verlat replied,
"Come you two, calm down," Nithin had a worried tone in his voice,
"Calina is going to want to go back to the workshop. She is devoted to it. It is the last thing she has of her family." Verlat had no reply to that, "She has work to do, a contract to carry out."
"Lathrin, I am sure Gimli would not mind a small delay on the delivery of his furniture. He too would only want Calina to be safe," Aragorn tried to smooth the situation. Calina had decided she had heard enough and stepped into the room. Silence fell, and they all looked uncomfortable, no knowing how much she had heard,
"I take it as a compliment that you are all so concerned with my well- being, but rest assured I will make the decisions as to where I go and what I do." That was Calina's final word on the matter and the subject was closed. Mineta and Lathrin started to get to know each other, asking each other questions about different aspects of their lives. Nithin and Aragorn joined them and finally Verlat was dragged into their conversation, despite the conflict of tempers between him and Lathrin. Only Calina and Legolas sat silent.
At lunchtime, Thranduil returned with Garin and Landuil and was accompanied by a messenger. Garin sat down with his father, trying to ignore the looks that Legolas was giving him. Thranduil ordered the messenger to hand him the piece of parchment he carried. The king perused it for a moment before fixing his gaze on his nephew,
"Very well Garin, please give to me the details of your activities last night."
"As I said I called upon some friends, the Sycamores. We ate dinner, which consisted of three courses, soup, a ham served with greens and a fruit pudding. After dinner, I played with their children who are still very young and after they had been sent to rest for the remainder of the night, I spoke for many hours with their parents who I have not seen for several years. I stayed there because it was after midnight when we stopped talking. This morning I rode back to the palace and was accosted by Legolas. I think you know the rest."
"Very well Garin. That is enough. Your account agrees with the testimony of your friends. I apologise for this mistake, nephew. You are free to go."
"Father! His friends could be lying. You cannot set him free."
"Legolas they have sworn an oath that this is the truth. I have no reason to doubt their words. Do not let past grievances cloud your judgement of the present." Legolas opened his mouth to protest further, but Calina put her hand on his arm to stop him. She looked at Garin. Their eyes met and he said,
"Calina, please let me explain." But she turned away from him. Thranduil stepped in before the situation escalated. He could already see Legolas' temper was almost ready to boil over,
"Garin, if Calina does not wish to speak with you then I suggest you leave." Garin was pushed out of the room by his father. Thranduil turned to the rest of them,
"Calina, as far as we know you are still in danger. You should not be on your own. Stay with someone at all times. I will have lunch sent to you here. Aragorn, we have received word that the lady Arwen returns this afternoon. A messenger has been sent from Rivendell."
"Thank you Thranduil. I had better go and see the Healers, see if I can do something about this bruise or Arwen will not be pleased when she returns." There was a gentle ripple of laughter and the atmosphere in the room relaxed again. Aragorn left and soon enough lunch was brought to them.
They passed the afternoon quietly. Calina went back to her room for some paper and a pencil to begin to redraw the initial ideas she had had for Gimli. It was uneventful, except for another couple of arguments between Verlat and Lathrin. Calina began to see similarities between them as between Mineta and Nithin when she had first known them, but kept that to herself. If something good were to come out of this whole mess then she did not want to get in its way. In the late afternoon, Aragorn and Arwen rejoined them. The latter expressed her sorrow for Calina's situation and was introduced to Lathrin, who's awe of the Evenstar almost rendered her speechless for the first time in hundreds of years. Calina then apologised to Arwen for getting her husband injured. Much to Aragorn's surprise she simply smiled and said that she had missed the Ranger side of him, turning up unexpected covered in dirt with cuts and bruises everywhere. They all laughed.
In the late evening, Legolas walked Calina to her room. She had to change for dinner. Calina had insisted they all ate in the main hall. It would look strange after all if half the top table were missing. Calina would not permit Legolas to watch her change, so instead he sat in her living room while Telina watched over mistress. Calina chatted away to her, relating the incident of Arwen and Aragorn's bruise as Telina did her hair. Calina was just going about choosing a dress when she heard a dull thud and a yelp coming from her living room. She rushed to the door between her bedroom and there, but it was opened just as she reached for the handle. Calina turned, "Telina get help," but her maid remained where she was and handed Calina a dress.
"I think you should wear this my lady." Telina handed her the dress that had been added to her wardrobe. Calina turned and there in the doorway was Garin. Legolas was lying on the floor behind him, out cold.
