A/N: Uh...me found a small mistake on my part in the last chapter. I found myself thinking about the movie and I accidentally typed in one hundred and eleventy-one. My bad folks, Bilbo is one hundred and ten when this happens. One hundred and ten; a year before all the stuff that happens. I'm really sorry if I caused any confusion. And at this rate I'm thinking movie-tie in. Anyways, ignore my mad prattling, back to the story!! ^^
Chapter Four
Kayla stirred slightly in the bed as she opened her eyes and looked out the wide window that graced her room. Draping the sheet around her shoulders she walked to the window and looked out. The mountains towered on either side, sheltering with their impassive height. A smile caught her lips as she spied the faint colorings of the dawn approaching from the east. They had made it here early in the night but she found that she couldn't sleep well; oddly enough, she found herself missing the war torn world they had left behind.
"What does Midori know." she muttered as she walked back and sat down on the chaise at the foot of her bed.
A set of clothing was draped out over and end drawing her eye with the deep green colour. She smoothed a hand across the fine fabric before she changed into it quickly. 'A dress of all Goddamn things, I had to wear this accursed thing for the past one and a half millennia. I don't intend to start now; wait until I find some pants.' Subsiding into grumble, she opened her door and peered down the hallway; nothing, simply dead silence. The soft slippers were a comfort to her achy feet. They glided along the floor as she moved through the halls. Pausing by a wall she looked up at the fresco that stretched out across the room her hand pulling the necklace out to play with it.
"What's this?" she murmured as she gazed down at the massive story that it told.
"That is the painting of the Last Battle against Sauron."
She turned at the august voice. A tall brown haired man stood behind her, a silver circlet on his head. Her eyes swept over him warily as she tried to place the face that seemed familiar.
"You're...Elrond...aren't you?"
He nodded his head, his eyes lingering at her neck. "I am surprised you remember me. You were asleep in the saddle when you arrived last night with Lady Midori."
"Is she up?" Kayla asked as she looked back at the painting.
Elrond shook his head. "She is still asleep as far as I know. That battle was so many years ago..."
"You were there?" she looked at him in surprise.
"I was." he slid her an oblique glance. "You sound surprised Lady Kayla. You don't think that's possible?"
"Half the time I think I am a walking impossibility." she murmured as she stared at the blues and whites. "I shouldn't be alive for as long as I have been. I shouldn't have seen some of the things I have."
"It sounds as if you have had a hard life. Particularly hard for an Elf."
"You called me and Midori Elves last night; why?"
"That is what you are from what I can see." Elrond took a step back. "All people are guarded to be sure. You seem to be more on edge for some reason."
"I have my reasons." she said as she took a step back from the wall. "I'm sure that you have had things happen to you that you rather didn't"
Elrond didn't respond, simply nodding his head. "Where do you come from?"
"Where do I come from?" she asked as her mind raced. "Just outside Grey Havens." she said in a low voice; Strider had said something along those lines last night and she would stick to that. "If you'll excuse me Elrond, I think I shall see more of Rivendell."
With a bow she turned and left her feet carrying her away like the wind. 'That was close. I should talk to Midori and see what she says about all of this. I think that Elrond and Strider are up to something.' She slid down the halls until she found herself in the garden, at the foot of a tree. She barely glanced up it until she found herself hitching her dress up and swinging up into the leafy top.
"Now this is nice." she murmured as she watched the road that led out of Rivendell.
The sky faded from a deep indigo to a rich golden red before the thin disc of the sun appeared between the two mountains. It rose steadily higher and higher, the light spreading out over the nestled valley. She leaned back against the tree trunk, glad to find herself alone for once. With a sigh, she turned away from the sight before her, searching for a foothold.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?!"
She looked up sharply at the voice. In plain sight, right before her in a room, was an Elf with an outraged expression on his face; a shirtless Elf with a now furious look as she simply stayed there with her jaw hanging and a stupid appearance.
"I'm really sorry." she blurted out as she looked away, her face gong bright red.
"Well get away from there and don't peep on people!" he yelled at her.
"I'm really sorry." she said as she covered her eyes with a hand and started to feel her way down. "I never meant to...uh...peep on you."
"Get down out of the tree and...hey watch out!"
Kayla felt her foot touch down on a branch before it slipped and left her to plunge all the way down to the ground with a loud thud. With a groan she picked herself up and dusted off the dirt that clung to her dress. She was rubbing her shoulder when a flurry of noise drew her attention to a doorway at the side.
"Are you all right?"
She froze as she recognized the face of the man who had just been in the room. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit banged up, that's all."
"You did fall far. What were you doing in the tree anyways?"
"Watching the sunrise." she said quietly. "I really didn't know you were there and I didn't mean to spy on you."
"We all make mistakes I suppose. But climbing a tree in a dress?" he gave her a skeptical look.
"I'm not that fond of dresses."
"Apparently not." came Midori's voice as she stepped out of the doorway slightly "Is your shoulder sore?"
"No. It's fine." she replied a bit sullenly. "I don't need babying."
"As you say. I'll leave you in Elrohir's capable hands then."
Kayla didn't say anything as Midori vanished back into the doorway leaving her and Elrohir alone. He didn't say anything for a few minutes as he looked her over once more.
"Well you seem to be fine." he said in a doubtful voice. "Are you sure you didn't hurt anything?"
"Yes. What's with the twenty questions? Will you get in trouble or something because I am a guest here?"
"That wouldn't surprise me. I'm Elrohir as Lady Midori just said."
"Kayla." she stuck out her hand. "Please to meet you."
"Likewise." he said slowly taking hers.
"What? You've never shaken hands before?"
"Not with a lady."
"Oh." Kayla took her hand back, feeling as if she did something wrong. "So, when do you eat here?"
"Soon. The main dining hall is just down that hallway." Elrohir said pointing to a doorway across the compound. "I have to leave you now anyways. It was nice meeting you Lady Kayla."
She nodded as Elrohir bowed and walked away swiftly. 'I just seem to be making the greatest first impressions on people today. Maybe I should just stay in bed.' She made her way down the hall warily, making sure that she didn't walk into something else. Passing by a hallway, she caught a glimpse of Midori standing before a doorway, waiting patiently. Curious, she walked up to her.
"Midori, why are you simply standing here?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"Strider found me. He said that Elrond wanted to talk to me."
"Just you? What for?" Kayla asked. "You're actually going to talk to him?"
"That's the reason why I am standing here." Midori said flashing her a look before she resumed watching the door.
Kayla snorted for a minute before she took Midori's arm and dragged her around the corner. "Midori, you have to be careful what you say to Elrond."
"Because. . ."
"When I talked to him earlier in the morning, I told him that we came from an area close to Grey Havens."
"That's the closest to the truth that I was going to tell him. I've been studying maps all night and that's seems to be around the area where we came to."
"You didn't sleep at all?"
"No. I had Strider direct me to the closest library and that's where I met Elrohir. I miss the Alexandrian one sometimes. . ."
Kayla felt her face blanch at her words. "Don't ever say that. That man was a monster."
Midori looked up at her sharply, her face going white as her mouth opened and shut. "Onegai. . .I am not crazy. I. . .I should go now. . ." she finally managed.
"No." Kayla took her arm as she made a motion to leave. "You and I really should talk of this other thing that seems to have made itself known."
"Lady Kayla. Lady Midori."
Kayla paused as she looked up and saw Strider standing there, watching them. Her lips tightened as she saw his eyes stray to where her hand had a grip on Midori's arm. She relaxed her hand slowly as she drew it back. Midori didn't say anything as she slipped past Strider and disappeared into the room. Kayla turned to leave but stopped at Strider's voice.
"It would be best if you were there also Lady Kayla."
"All right." she said as she turned and walked into the room also.
An involuntary swallow went down her throat as the doors thudded shut gently. Glancing back, she saw Strider leaning slightly against the door, in a semi-relaxed position. 'Sure, seal us in why don't you.' Nervously she took the seat beside Midori and waited.
"You're not in trouble Lady Kayla." Elrond said with a chuckle as he rose. "You don't need to be so nervous."
"What gave you that idea?" she asked as her shoulders dropped a few inches.
Elrond didn't say anything as he walked to the front of his desk and leaned against it. "Strider tells me that you two are capable on a horse."
"We are." Midori said quietly. "The farmer said they were too wild too tame but they pretty much calmed down when I took them."
"I see. And you, Lady Midori, made do very well with your bag as a weapon."
"She did. They dropped left right and center." Kayla said as Midori sat there silently, her face starting to flush slightly.
"It sounds as if you know how to fight. . .with or with out weapons. The both of you."
"Just how much did Strider see?"
"Plenty to tell me that you are admirable warriors." Elrond paused. "If you two have no desire to remain here for the rest of your days, then Strider has a proposition for you."
"Which would be?" Midori asked in a soft voice.
"That you two become Rangers." Strider said.
Kayla looked back and found herself rather surprised that Strider had a dagger out and was sharpening it slowly. "And what exactly does that entail?"
"Protecting men from their own folly."
Kayla paused for a minute. "I will if Midori will. I honestly would prefer to have her by my side in a battle."
Everyone turned to look at Midori who had a slightly pale and stern expression. Kayla paused as she detected a hint of pain in those brown eyes that wanted nothing more than to escape the room.
"Midori, are you-"
"No Strider, I can't accept your offer. Not now." she managed as she rose and walked to the window.
Kayla watched Midori's back for a few seconds before she looked between Strider and Elrond. "Could you give us a few minutes alone please?"
Elrond and Strider nodded and exited the room silently. Kayla turned back to the window where Midori stood with her back towards her. She walked up to her slowly, resting a hand on her shoulder.
"Midori?"
"I can't. Not after I failed them so." she whispered in an anguished voice.
"What happened?"
"I try to forget but the screams still haunt me." Midori rubbed her arms. "The screams in the night. . ."
Kayla paused as she watched the flickers in Midori's eyes. "Look, that was then. Are you going to let it affect now?"
"Many things affect me Kayla; many thing that you wouldn't care to know about at all." Midori said as she stared out at the trees with a slightly vacant expression.
"Then can you please come for my sake?"
Midori glanced back at her sharply. "Why do you want me to come?"
"You saw me this morning; I am a complete train wreck when it comes to new situations, well meeting new people by myself. I made a fool of myself in front of Elrohir. And I banged myself up. I didn't see any of that stuff happening when it was just you and me. You're like my lucky charm that keeps me safe from harm."
"If you want a lucky charm, get a rabbit's foot." Midori said in a bitter voice.
"Come on. Do you have to be so jaded?"
"And you're not?"
"In a way, no. I try to not dwell on the bad. I know that sounds rather hard but if you do that you'll feel so much better. Come on. . .please. . .so I don't die from falling off a horse or something stupid?"
"Very well; but only to protect you from your own stupidity." Midori said in a faint smile. "If the tree was any indication, you will need my help pretty soon again and often."
Kayla smiled as she patted Midori on the back. "Besides, if you were here by yourself, I would only worry about you and not get much done."
"You'd worry about me?" Midori gave her a slightly curious expression. "Why?"
"Well, we've only traveled together for the past few days. I do kinda like you. Almost like a sister that I never had."
Midori gave her a smile, a full smile this time. "If you insist."
"Hey, look at it this way; we'll always watch each other's back, ne?"
"So now you're picking it up?"
"Why not?" Kayla shrugged. "Do you think we should tell Strider and Elrond that we're done? And that we accept Strider's offer?"
"That would be a good idea." Midori said. "Besides, it will give us an excuse to get out of these dresses and into pants."
"Midori," Kayla said as she hugged Midori around the shoulders with one arm as they walked to the door. "I like your way of thinking."
Kayla scuffed her foot in the straw that littered the stable floor. Her hand absentmindedly stroked the horse's muzzle before her as it watched her carefully lips searching for something.
"Where you expecting something to eat? All I have is this apple I was going to have as a snack." She said as she held out said fruit.
Velvety lips descended and her apple was gone in a second. She watched as the fruit gave a juicy crunch and disappeared down the animal's throat. 'At least you enjoyed that more than me.' She rubbed the muzzle affectionately as she sighed.
"Now we're off to be Rangers. You know what that means? Lots of wandering around with a bit of fighting sprinkled in."
The horse gave an irritable snort as it pawed the ground. She patted the neck before she reached for the curry comb. The soft whish of the coat being combed soothed her in an odd manner but at the rate things were going she could use that more and more.
"Are you in here Kayla?"
She didn't look up, hearing Elrohir's voice. "I'm here."
"Busy huh?"
She looked up to see him leaning against a stall. "Not really. Waiting to see when we leave here."
"I heard. Off to become a Ranger?"
"I may as well make myself useful in some way you know. It's better than sitting down and doing nothing."
"True." Elrohir said as he nodded his head. "So does that mean I'm not to expect someone peering into my bedroom in the early morning?"
Kayla's face went bright red immediately. "I said I was sorry."
"I know." he gave her a warm smile. "But I have to admit, that's never really happened to me before."
"What? You mean a girl's never spied on you before and fallen out of a tree?" she asked with a smirk.
"No. But I can't say that I meet many interesting-"
"Kayla, come. There's something I want to show you."
Kayla looked to the side just in time to see Midori vanish from the doorway. She gave Elrohir an apologetic look before she dashed out of the stables, leaving the comb on the stall door. "Where are we going Midori?"
"Elrond and Strider are having a discussion now. And the topic has shifted to us."
"Should we be spying like this?" Kayla asked as she looked around to see if anyone else was hearing this. "I mean they did give us this place to stay."
"True, but you know that they seem to have ulterior motives. I think the reason why Strider offered to make us Rangers has to do with something else." she flicked Kayla a slightly amused glance. "Look at it this way, we're starting our Ranger training a bit early."
Kayla frowned but still followed Midori down the hallway. She watched as she slowed down at the impassive doors that led to Elrond's study. 'She's really serious about this.' Kayla watched as Midori vanished into an adjacent room before she followed her. The room was dark but for a lone candle guttering on the table in its holder. Kayla's eyes widened as she spied the playing cards on the table.
"Where did you-" she began in a hushed voice but was stopped when Midori clapped a hand over her mouth.
Kayla nodded her head as Midori motioned for her to be quiet and to press her ear to the wall.
"They are Elves Strider, you can be sure of that." Elrond's voice sounded tired and strained.
"That's what Garath told me. And he was right about their dress. It's like nothing I have ever seen before." Strider's voice paused. "What if they came from the Undying Lands?"
There was a pause. "No, that's not it. Did you know that Galadriel and Celeborn had two other children before Celebrian?"
"No. Since when?"
"A very long time ago, about a hundred and fifty years before Celebrian was born. Only they vanished during an Orc attack on Lórien. The Elf wizard in charge of them vanished as well. All that was found was the hilt of a Nazgûl blade and a bloodied torn cloak."
"You don't mean to say that they-"
"I'm not. But they could be. Lady Kayla had a necklace did catch my interest."
Kayla gulped as she caught Midori's glare. 'So that's what he was looking at. . .'
"Necklace?"
"Yes. As far as I know, only one set of them was made and that went to Galadriel and Celeborn. No one knows what they did with them."
"Who made them?"
"It's said that the Valar themselves did. Either them or the Elven smiths, no one can really say."
"But I thought Lórien never suffered an Orc attack."
"It did once and they relocated and rebuilt the city in the forests of Lothlórien." Elrond's voice paused. "I do have something that Galadriel and Celeborn should see. . ."
"Shall I take it to them?"
"Yes. And let Lady Kayla and Midori present it to them. It's been far too long and I am sure that Galadriel would like it back. Elladan will be joining you if that's not too much. Galadriel says that he should learn more of diplomacy."
"No, he's fine. I more worry about Lady Midori and Kayla. I don't know the full extent of their skills. This trip might take longer than expected if they can't travel fast."
"That's not a problem. Outfit them with weapons and see that they learn how to use them properly. Elladan can help with that."
"Very well. They'll have minimal weapons; they can wait for the larger things."
Midori pulled Kayla away from the wall and collected the playing cards. Kayla gave her a puzzled look as the candle was outed. She walked to the door and opened it, waiting outside until Midori came walking out.
"I got some answers." Kayla said softly. "But now I just have more bloody questions! Like what in God's name is and or the Valar? And Lothlórien; is that a place like Rivendell?"
"Lothlórien is a forest region on the other side of these mountains that lies to the south not too close to Mordor but close enough. Not as close as Gondor though." Midori murmured absentmindedly as she shuffled the cards in her hands. "I was looking at maps remember?"
"Right. You have a photographic memory." Kayla said with a laugh. "What about that Valar thing?"
"I don't know. I find myself hoping that's some sort of food, but I know that's highly unlikely."
"And now we get trained with weapons. Do you know how to use a sword?"
"Kamisama I wish I had my katana with me. At least I can make it when push comes to shove."
"That reminds me. You said onegai earlier on in the day. That means. . ."
"Please. Kamisama means God. . .but respectfully you know?" Midori paused as she reached a fork in the path. "I'm going to the stables all right?"
"Cool. I'm going to go see about some pants. This dress is just annoying me now."
Midori simply smiled as she walked down the path leaving Kayla alone in the silence once more. She smiled as she walked up the stairs and down to her room. 'So now we go to this Lothlórien. What could be so special about that place? We could very well stay here and no one would really give a damn.' She started to chew on her lip as she paused at her bedroom door.
"Lady Kayla. Are you ready to leave?"
Her eyes flicked to the pile of clothes he carried in his arms. "What of Midori?"
"Elladan went to find her. We're leaving tonight."
"Why tonight?" she asked as she looked up at the sky. "It's fairly dark out now. Wouldn't it be better to leave in the morning?"
"There's something I must take somewhere and it is rather urgent." Strider handed her the pile. "Meet us in the stables when you are done dressing."
She simply nodded her head as she ducked into her room and tossed all her clothing on the bed. Her eyes widened as she spied a dagger that lay half covered. She walked over and picked it up slowly as she looked over the clothing. Leatherish pants were followed by a shirt that looked like it was made from some sort of burlap and a thick green traveling cloak along with leather boots. Kayla grabbed the clothes ecstatically and stripped out of her dress and had the articles and weapon on in less than five minutes. She stood admiring herself for a few minutes before she walked out of her room and down to the stables. 'Man did I ever miss clothes like these. They remind me of the good old days. . .' She found herself smiling happily at the slight thunk sound the boot heels made against the floor and the ground as she walked into the stables.
"Is your new foot wear that interesting?"
She looked up to see Midori fixing the reins on her horse. "How did you know?"
"You almost walked into that post there."
Kayla looked to her side to find herself a few inches away from the solid wood post. She sidestepped it easily and went to her horse. "Hey. . .two horses are missing."
"Yeah. Strider and Elladan went to give their horses a quick once around to stretch their muscles. I told them to leave ours. They seem to have enough spirit. And I don't think they like Strider that much."
"Speaking of said person. . ." Kayla said as she led her horse out of the stall.
"Good; you're ready to go." Strider said as he looked between them. "You have everything you need?"
"Yes. We do." Midori said before Kayla could open her mouth. She patted the backpack for emphasis. "Everything."
"Then let's go." Strider said turning his horse around.
Kayla and Midori mounted their horses and trotted them out, finding another Elf waiting by the westward path entrance. He looked up as they approached bowing his head slightly.
"My name is Elladan. I hope you don't find that I'm intruding on your trip."
"Not at all Elladan." Strider said as he looked between the rest of the party members. "We have far to go so let's make the best of the time we have."
Silent agreement went around as all nodded their heads and went after Strider in a single file. Kayla found herself looking up ahead at Midori's back and Elladan's pensive face as they made their way through the mountain pass. 'Why do I feel like some showpiece being trounced around?' With a shrug, she settled herself in the saddle and focused on the road ahead. 'I swear, once we get to Lothlórien, I am not taking another step until I get all the answers I want.'