CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - PARTING
Kelly steeled her heart, awaiting their judgement. Elladan, Elohir, Celeborn and Galadriel had left to confer and had so far been away only a few minutes.
She glanced at Damien. He smiled and gave her a cocky wink. Trust him to be thinking about things like that at a time like this.
Chrissie sat twirling her fingers around a few blades of grass. She even swore when the blades broke, bringing a smile to Kelly's face. Chrissie wasn't usually one for swearing.
Fred seemed to be thinking about something, looking off into the distance. She looked.thoughtful and kinda sad.
Mark walked around in small circles, continuing to repeat something to himself that she couldn't quite understand. He had seen this scene before in Galadriel's mirror, but he didn't want it to end the same way. There must be some other way to change it, he murmured to himself.
They were by no means perfect, but they were her friends.
Galadriel walked back into their midst, her shining presence drawing the eyes of all present. Celeborn followed, with Elladan and Elohir last.
"We do not hold council of this kind often and I think we are better for it. Yet, much has changed since we last held council. Many things were said this day that will continue to change the way people think and feel for many years to come. And today is the first day of that change."
She focused her glance on Kelly.
/If you had only told the truth to begin with, things would have been easier for you if all you wanted to do was clear your name. You did not even have to come here, I am sure you could have eluded us for your natural life./ Galadriel said silently in Kelly's mind.
Kelly glared at her and mumbled some foul curse. Somehow, she was just beginning to realise what Galadriel had been planning all along.
"You did not kill Laneth of Lorien. You may have hurt him yes, but your intentions were true. You are welcomed into Lothlorien with the greetings of the Elves and we hope this can start to bridge the rift between your people and ours."
Kelly smiled and stood up, easily remembering the way out of the ropes that bound her. Elven rope may be strong, but assassins had been bound by it for thousands of years and had figured out it's magic many years ago. Everything had a weakness, even her so it would seem.
Elladan stepped forward as all the Elves seemed to drift away into their different conversations. You never would have guessed they'd been trying someone for murder only minutes ago.
"How did you do that? Only the Elves are supposed to know it's magic." He asked.
Kelly smiled again. "Long have I studied your ways, even before I was initiated. Yet, the sect has known for some centuries the way out of your ropes."
Elladan laughed nervously, already thinking about how to improve them. "So why did you not break out before?"
"I have not found a trick around arrows yet." Kelly said simply.
An Elf came towards her with a silver platter, her weapons neatly presented on it. Grinning, she thanked the Elf and smiled at how natural it felt to have her own sword back in her hands. Replacing Karth's knife back in her boot, she tucked the other two daggers in her cloak. She turned around to see her friends anxiously waiting for her and excused herself from Elladan's presence, noticing his surprise again as she spoke in Elvish.
A smile came to his face as he watched her leave. She was a warrior for the men of Middle Earth, even though by what Galadriel has said, she bore them no allegiance. She had fought orcs and the sect alike, killing more in a month than most Elves had in their lives.
Elohir watched her go and turned to his brother. "I know what you are thinking brother and I advise you to stop right there."
Elladan blushed. "Am I really that transparent?"
Elohir nodded and walked off to join the other High Elves. Elladan stood blushing for a few moments before he ran to catch them.
***
Kelly stood surrounded by her friends, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, or quite possibly both. She felt slightly self-conscious and vulnerable knowing that they knew some of her thoughts and feelings. But just one look at their faces said that her feelings were quite safe.
One minute they were all just looking at each, the next they all seemed to be having one big group hug. Kelly poked Chrissie in the ribs when Chrissie's foot landed in her stomach.
"Okay, that's enough. Let's not get too cosy." They all stood back suddenly feeling very self-conscious about their hasty outburst.
"I was saving these for a special occasion and I think today counts."
Kelly slipped two daggers from her cloak and handed one to Chrissie and the other to Fred. Fred's eyes gleamed at the sight of her jewelled dagger and even Chrissie seemed appreciative. When she handed Mark one of the folding knives of the sect, he smiled. He'd always liked mechanical things and the way it folded open at the flick of a wrist had always fascinated him.
Damien stood off to one side, leaning against a tree. "Do I get a present too?"
Kelly turned and laughed, walking towards him very slowly. She held her hands up to him. "You are too good to me, Damien but I know how to resolve that. It seems I have been a very, very bad girl." Damien's eyes almost popped out of his head and tried to banish the blush rising in his face.
"But my hands aren't tied anymore you see." She continued, watching Damien raising an eyebrow in sarcastic surprise. "Do you know what I can do with those hands?" She asked, holding her face in an innocent smile.
Damien nearly exploded when she stopped so close to him that he could feel her breath on him and ran her hand down his chest. "I have no idea." He said quietly, his voice barely holding calm.
Kelly turned and looked back to her stunned friends. "I'll see you later at the party."
Fred looked at Chrissie who turned and looked at Mark. "What party? Who said anything about a party?"
Kelly laughed as she began walking away with Damien. "Oh trust me there's going to be a party tonight. I don't think you'll need any dresses though girls."
She could practically feel Chrissie's frown on her back. She turned quickly and waved. When she was almost out of sight, but not quite, she reached down and found Damien's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"So, do you want to know what I can do with these hands Damien."
Chrissie turned back to Fred and Mark, seeing that Kelly was out of sight now. She was still a little shocked over Kelly's forwardness.
"We saved the world. I say we party." Chrissie walked off in the direction where she smelt food.
"Was that a quote from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?" Fred asked, catching up.
"Yeah, but it's true though." Chrissie paused a moment in thought.
Fred stopped and considered it. "I guess it is."
Mark smiled. If they were thinking about Buffy already, things definitely were back to normal.
***
Chrissie was watching some of the Elven dancing doubtfully, when Kelly reappeared behind her. She didn't think she would ever get used to her sudden appearances. Chrissie turned around to face her.
"Kelly is something wrong? What did you do, fight off an entire legion of orcs? Your hair and clothes."
Chrissie fell silent as she realised just what Kelly had been doing. "You have bruises." She said observantly, trying to make conversation.
Kelly nodded and looked down at the green bruise slowly spreading up her arm. "Yeah. I think it was a tree. It got in the way."
Chrissie looked a tad freaked out. "Oh, okay."
Chrissie wasn't sure if she trusted Damien, or even liked him. But as Kelly hadn't killed Duin-Shiel when she'd had the chance, temporarily she would let their relationship be.
The Elves started doing some dance moves that seriously should be censored. Chrissie and Kelly looked at each other. They really did not want to see Elves, the high people of morality and goodness, doing that.
"We could find Fred." Kelly paused as Chrissie gestured to a dark corner on the far side of the clearing. She could just about see Emma and some blonde Elf.
Kelly frowned. She didn't really want to be seeing that either.
"Where's Damien?" Chrissie asked lightly.
Kelly smiled and pointed back in the direction she'd come. "Sleeping. I don't believe he ever did very well in the endurance trials." She really was a hypocrite, but never mind.
Chrissie scowled.
Kelly noticed her discomfort and smiled again. She noticed Galadriel almost floating towards them.
"I would speak with you Kelly, Chrissie. Would you please follow me?"
"Shall I go and get Fred and Mark?" Chrissie asked.
Galadriel glanced at where Fred was. "No, I believe you can pass on whatever information I give to you. She seems to be otherwise involved at the moment."
Chrissie blushed and Kelly had to cough to cover her laugh.
Galadriel swept away and Kelly and Chrissie had to almost run to keep up. They found themselves in what looked like a library, with Mark in the middle surrounded by books.
He looked up guiltily. "I was hoping I might find someway of getting home."
Galadriel's smile softened. "I would not worry about that Mark."
The look on his face told everyone he was panicking.
"Do not worry, Mark. I came here to tell you that we have found a way for you to get home. All of you."
Kelly started clapping, but Chrissie just put her hands to her mouth.
"Oh my God!" Chrissie said. "How? When?"
"You have to go tomorrow. It is in the alignment of the stars and the only time is dawn tomorrow. Or you must wait a further month here." Galadriel said calmly. "All is prepared."
Kelly slumped down to the floor. So much was drawing her home, yet so much holding her back. She looked up to see Galadriel looking at her with that knowing glance.
Chrissie seemed to be thinking much the same thing. Haldir had pulled her aside quietly and said that Duin-Shiel was a great person and she should be grateful for the time she had with him.
There was nothing left holding Chrissie here and she doubted there was anything left for Fred, except for a few random Elves she'd become *acquainted* with. Mark seemed eager as well.
"I am ready to go home." Chrissie looked up to Galadriel and she nodded. Kelly disappeared behind them.
***
Kelly sat at the top of one of the mallorn trees, looking out across Middle Earth. She could stay here and be happy for the rest of her life, with the Elves, with the soldiers, with Damien. She could fight in Helm's Deep as she'd always dreamed, fight orcs all her life and live happily ever after.
But then there was home.the real home where there were no orcs, no fighting. The place where her parents were, her school and other life.
She rested her head on her knees as she remembered what had happened back there. She was the only one with issues and she could tell she was the only who had heard Galadriel's words.
"Four came and four can leave." She had said, to her mind only. That had been what had made Kelly leave.
***
Dawn found her watching the sun climb above the many trees, high above the ground. She didn't care that she was hundreds, maybe thousands of feet up, balanced on a small branch that moved with the breeze.
She had decided.
***
Kelly found the others waiting near Galadriel's mirror, their few belongings strapped to themselves. They seemed almost surprised to see her. She had already spoken to Damien and he agreed with her. She didn't belong here, she belonged back home.
A tear rolled down her face as she saw him come to see her off. She hadn't wanted him to, but then again, he'd never listened to her anyway.
She held him close and whispered to him. "Whatever it takes and however long it takes, I will return. I have some business to take care of, people that deserve explanations, but my heart lies here."
She gripped his hand, trying to emphasize her words. He smiled.
"I'll be waiting." He said as he stepped back.
Galadriel stepped forward and poured a black powder into the mirror. She handed a green vial to Kelly and took several steps back.
"When you are ready." She said smoothly.
Kelly gulped and took a last look at Damien. She looked at each of her friends in turn, making sure this was the decision they wanted. They all seemed eager, anticipating their return. Kelly sighed and unstopped the vial, pouring the contents into the waters.
At first it began to steam, then bubble. The reaction became more violent and it began to spit.
Fred raised her hand to Chrissie and she took it. Chrissie took Kelly's hand and Kelly took Mark's. They held hands together around the mirror and preyed to whatever Gods might hear them that they would arrive safely.
Kelly's last image of Middle Earth was the smoke curling up around her, clouding her vision of Damien.
Mark's was of Galadriel, seeming to glint in the noon sun.
Fred's was of the mallorn trees, slowly being enveloped in smoke.
Chrissie's was of someone with blonde hair running madly down the steps, shouting something she couldn't quite hear. He stopped and looked at her, just as the explosion rocked Middle Earth.
Kelly steeled her heart, awaiting their judgement. Elladan, Elohir, Celeborn and Galadriel had left to confer and had so far been away only a few minutes.
She glanced at Damien. He smiled and gave her a cocky wink. Trust him to be thinking about things like that at a time like this.
Chrissie sat twirling her fingers around a few blades of grass. She even swore when the blades broke, bringing a smile to Kelly's face. Chrissie wasn't usually one for swearing.
Fred seemed to be thinking about something, looking off into the distance. She looked.thoughtful and kinda sad.
Mark walked around in small circles, continuing to repeat something to himself that she couldn't quite understand. He had seen this scene before in Galadriel's mirror, but he didn't want it to end the same way. There must be some other way to change it, he murmured to himself.
They were by no means perfect, but they were her friends.
Galadriel walked back into their midst, her shining presence drawing the eyes of all present. Celeborn followed, with Elladan and Elohir last.
"We do not hold council of this kind often and I think we are better for it. Yet, much has changed since we last held council. Many things were said this day that will continue to change the way people think and feel for many years to come. And today is the first day of that change."
She focused her glance on Kelly.
/If you had only told the truth to begin with, things would have been easier for you if all you wanted to do was clear your name. You did not even have to come here, I am sure you could have eluded us for your natural life./ Galadriel said silently in Kelly's mind.
Kelly glared at her and mumbled some foul curse. Somehow, she was just beginning to realise what Galadriel had been planning all along.
"You did not kill Laneth of Lorien. You may have hurt him yes, but your intentions were true. You are welcomed into Lothlorien with the greetings of the Elves and we hope this can start to bridge the rift between your people and ours."
Kelly smiled and stood up, easily remembering the way out of the ropes that bound her. Elven rope may be strong, but assassins had been bound by it for thousands of years and had figured out it's magic many years ago. Everything had a weakness, even her so it would seem.
Elladan stepped forward as all the Elves seemed to drift away into their different conversations. You never would have guessed they'd been trying someone for murder only minutes ago.
"How did you do that? Only the Elves are supposed to know it's magic." He asked.
Kelly smiled again. "Long have I studied your ways, even before I was initiated. Yet, the sect has known for some centuries the way out of your ropes."
Elladan laughed nervously, already thinking about how to improve them. "So why did you not break out before?"
"I have not found a trick around arrows yet." Kelly said simply.
An Elf came towards her with a silver platter, her weapons neatly presented on it. Grinning, she thanked the Elf and smiled at how natural it felt to have her own sword back in her hands. Replacing Karth's knife back in her boot, she tucked the other two daggers in her cloak. She turned around to see her friends anxiously waiting for her and excused herself from Elladan's presence, noticing his surprise again as she spoke in Elvish.
A smile came to his face as he watched her leave. She was a warrior for the men of Middle Earth, even though by what Galadriel has said, she bore them no allegiance. She had fought orcs and the sect alike, killing more in a month than most Elves had in their lives.
Elohir watched her go and turned to his brother. "I know what you are thinking brother and I advise you to stop right there."
Elladan blushed. "Am I really that transparent?"
Elohir nodded and walked off to join the other High Elves. Elladan stood blushing for a few moments before he ran to catch them.
***
Kelly stood surrounded by her friends, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, or quite possibly both. She felt slightly self-conscious and vulnerable knowing that they knew some of her thoughts and feelings. But just one look at their faces said that her feelings were quite safe.
One minute they were all just looking at each, the next they all seemed to be having one big group hug. Kelly poked Chrissie in the ribs when Chrissie's foot landed in her stomach.
"Okay, that's enough. Let's not get too cosy." They all stood back suddenly feeling very self-conscious about their hasty outburst.
"I was saving these for a special occasion and I think today counts."
Kelly slipped two daggers from her cloak and handed one to Chrissie and the other to Fred. Fred's eyes gleamed at the sight of her jewelled dagger and even Chrissie seemed appreciative. When she handed Mark one of the folding knives of the sect, he smiled. He'd always liked mechanical things and the way it folded open at the flick of a wrist had always fascinated him.
Damien stood off to one side, leaning against a tree. "Do I get a present too?"
Kelly turned and laughed, walking towards him very slowly. She held her hands up to him. "You are too good to me, Damien but I know how to resolve that. It seems I have been a very, very bad girl." Damien's eyes almost popped out of his head and tried to banish the blush rising in his face.
"But my hands aren't tied anymore you see." She continued, watching Damien raising an eyebrow in sarcastic surprise. "Do you know what I can do with those hands?" She asked, holding her face in an innocent smile.
Damien nearly exploded when she stopped so close to him that he could feel her breath on him and ran her hand down his chest. "I have no idea." He said quietly, his voice barely holding calm.
Kelly turned and looked back to her stunned friends. "I'll see you later at the party."
Fred looked at Chrissie who turned and looked at Mark. "What party? Who said anything about a party?"
Kelly laughed as she began walking away with Damien. "Oh trust me there's going to be a party tonight. I don't think you'll need any dresses though girls."
She could practically feel Chrissie's frown on her back. She turned quickly and waved. When she was almost out of sight, but not quite, she reached down and found Damien's hand, giving it a squeeze.
"So, do you want to know what I can do with these hands Damien."
Chrissie turned back to Fred and Mark, seeing that Kelly was out of sight now. She was still a little shocked over Kelly's forwardness.
"We saved the world. I say we party." Chrissie walked off in the direction where she smelt food.
"Was that a quote from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?" Fred asked, catching up.
"Yeah, but it's true though." Chrissie paused a moment in thought.
Fred stopped and considered it. "I guess it is."
Mark smiled. If they were thinking about Buffy already, things definitely were back to normal.
***
Chrissie was watching some of the Elven dancing doubtfully, when Kelly reappeared behind her. She didn't think she would ever get used to her sudden appearances. Chrissie turned around to face her.
"Kelly is something wrong? What did you do, fight off an entire legion of orcs? Your hair and clothes."
Chrissie fell silent as she realised just what Kelly had been doing. "You have bruises." She said observantly, trying to make conversation.
Kelly nodded and looked down at the green bruise slowly spreading up her arm. "Yeah. I think it was a tree. It got in the way."
Chrissie looked a tad freaked out. "Oh, okay."
Chrissie wasn't sure if she trusted Damien, or even liked him. But as Kelly hadn't killed Duin-Shiel when she'd had the chance, temporarily she would let their relationship be.
The Elves started doing some dance moves that seriously should be censored. Chrissie and Kelly looked at each other. They really did not want to see Elves, the high people of morality and goodness, doing that.
"We could find Fred." Kelly paused as Chrissie gestured to a dark corner on the far side of the clearing. She could just about see Emma and some blonde Elf.
Kelly frowned. She didn't really want to be seeing that either.
"Where's Damien?" Chrissie asked lightly.
Kelly smiled and pointed back in the direction she'd come. "Sleeping. I don't believe he ever did very well in the endurance trials." She really was a hypocrite, but never mind.
Chrissie scowled.
Kelly noticed her discomfort and smiled again. She noticed Galadriel almost floating towards them.
"I would speak with you Kelly, Chrissie. Would you please follow me?"
"Shall I go and get Fred and Mark?" Chrissie asked.
Galadriel glanced at where Fred was. "No, I believe you can pass on whatever information I give to you. She seems to be otherwise involved at the moment."
Chrissie blushed and Kelly had to cough to cover her laugh.
Galadriel swept away and Kelly and Chrissie had to almost run to keep up. They found themselves in what looked like a library, with Mark in the middle surrounded by books.
He looked up guiltily. "I was hoping I might find someway of getting home."
Galadriel's smile softened. "I would not worry about that Mark."
The look on his face told everyone he was panicking.
"Do not worry, Mark. I came here to tell you that we have found a way for you to get home. All of you."
Kelly started clapping, but Chrissie just put her hands to her mouth.
"Oh my God!" Chrissie said. "How? When?"
"You have to go tomorrow. It is in the alignment of the stars and the only time is dawn tomorrow. Or you must wait a further month here." Galadriel said calmly. "All is prepared."
Kelly slumped down to the floor. So much was drawing her home, yet so much holding her back. She looked up to see Galadriel looking at her with that knowing glance.
Chrissie seemed to be thinking much the same thing. Haldir had pulled her aside quietly and said that Duin-Shiel was a great person and she should be grateful for the time she had with him.
There was nothing left holding Chrissie here and she doubted there was anything left for Fred, except for a few random Elves she'd become *acquainted* with. Mark seemed eager as well.
"I am ready to go home." Chrissie looked up to Galadriel and she nodded. Kelly disappeared behind them.
***
Kelly sat at the top of one of the mallorn trees, looking out across Middle Earth. She could stay here and be happy for the rest of her life, with the Elves, with the soldiers, with Damien. She could fight in Helm's Deep as she'd always dreamed, fight orcs all her life and live happily ever after.
But then there was home.the real home where there were no orcs, no fighting. The place where her parents were, her school and other life.
She rested her head on her knees as she remembered what had happened back there. She was the only one with issues and she could tell she was the only who had heard Galadriel's words.
"Four came and four can leave." She had said, to her mind only. That had been what had made Kelly leave.
***
Dawn found her watching the sun climb above the many trees, high above the ground. She didn't care that she was hundreds, maybe thousands of feet up, balanced on a small branch that moved with the breeze.
She had decided.
***
Kelly found the others waiting near Galadriel's mirror, their few belongings strapped to themselves. They seemed almost surprised to see her. She had already spoken to Damien and he agreed with her. She didn't belong here, she belonged back home.
A tear rolled down her face as she saw him come to see her off. She hadn't wanted him to, but then again, he'd never listened to her anyway.
She held him close and whispered to him. "Whatever it takes and however long it takes, I will return. I have some business to take care of, people that deserve explanations, but my heart lies here."
She gripped his hand, trying to emphasize her words. He smiled.
"I'll be waiting." He said as he stepped back.
Galadriel stepped forward and poured a black powder into the mirror. She handed a green vial to Kelly and took several steps back.
"When you are ready." She said smoothly.
Kelly gulped and took a last look at Damien. She looked at each of her friends in turn, making sure this was the decision they wanted. They all seemed eager, anticipating their return. Kelly sighed and unstopped the vial, pouring the contents into the waters.
At first it began to steam, then bubble. The reaction became more violent and it began to spit.
Fred raised her hand to Chrissie and she took it. Chrissie took Kelly's hand and Kelly took Mark's. They held hands together around the mirror and preyed to whatever Gods might hear them that they would arrive safely.
Kelly's last image of Middle Earth was the smoke curling up around her, clouding her vision of Damien.
Mark's was of Galadriel, seeming to glint in the noon sun.
Fred's was of the mallorn trees, slowly being enveloped in smoke.
Chrissie's was of someone with blonde hair running madly down the steps, shouting something she couldn't quite hear. He stopped and looked at her, just as the explosion rocked Middle Earth.