Chapter Five
The crackle of the fire made Kayla glance up. Elladan and Strider were stirring it with sticks, trying to build it up somewhat in order to make dinner. They had been traveling all day at a somewhat leisurely pace, which she felt sure was for their benefit. Now they had just finished setting up camp for the night and she was somewhat glad. She rose with a stretch, spying Midori perched on top the large , nearby boulder. She sauntered over, resting against the rock.
"Midori, what are you doing?"
"I was meditating." she replied in a placid voice. "Meditating and reflecting on certain things."
"Oh. Sorry then. I'll just go." Kayla said as she started back towards the fire.
"Here."
She turned around with barely enough time to catch the large backpack that came flying at her. "What's this for?"
"The deck of cards is in the front pocket. Play a game if you are that bored."
Kayla didn't say anything but seated herself in front of the now done fire, digging around until she found her prize. She looked around for a bit; Strider was busy taking care of something while Elladan was re-organizing his packs. Happily, she started to set up the cards for a game of solitaire.
"Kings, queens, jacks and aces. . .my, I did get a great set here." she murmured to herself as she started laying down the cards like rapid fire.
"Lady Kayla, are you busy?"
She looked up at the sound of Elladan's voice. "No, not really; have a seat." she said gesturing to the spot beside her. "What's that you have there?"
"A dagger. It's for you. I just gave Lady Midori hers."
"A dagger?" she repeated as she looked at the object in his hand. 'Very well. They'll have minimal weapons; they can wait for the larger things.' She blinked before she took it, pushing Strider's words from her mind. "Thanks. I guess I really shouldn't be walking around out here without some to defend myself with."
Elladan nodded. "You do know how to use one right?"
"More or less." she replied with a shrug. She couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face as a hesitant look crossed his face. "Or would you prefer that we practiced with it?" she asked as she fastened the hilt belt around her hips.
"Yes, I would. Lady Midori, could you come here for a minute?"
Kayla shook her head as she scooped up the cards with a fluid motion and stowed them away in the respective pocket. She watched as Midori came over easily enough, looking around with a puzzled look on her face.
"Is there a problem Elladan?"
"No." he said. "We're going to see how well you two can use a blade."
A slightly disgusted look crossed Midori's face. "That's it? I can use a blade very well. I don't need anymore practice with one."
"Oh come on." Kayla said as she took her arm and pulled her closer. "Must you be such a grumpy old woman?"
"If you are as good as you say you are, then you should be done in no time Lady Midori." Elladan said smoothly as he took out his own dagger.
Kayla stepped back as Midori gave Elladan a look and drew her own blade.
"See if you can hit me." Midori said softly, with a glint in her eyes.
'I think she's pissed at him.' Kayla didn't say anything as Elladan watched Midori warily, waiting to pounce. She glanced to her side as Strider came up and watched along with her.
"When did they start?" he asked in a hushed voice.
"A few minutes ago." she whispered back. "Who knows when they're going to-"
Kayla stopped as there was an explosion of movement. All she saw was Elladan heading for Midori, a blur of motion and next thing she knew, Elladan was on his back, staring at the sky with the dagger lying in the grass far away from his hand. Midori walked over and gave him a hand up. Elladan didn't say anything as he dusted off his clothes while Midori retrieved his dagger.
"Now you see my words were far from idle Elladan." she said quietly, holding it out.
"How did you do flip me over like that; I wasn't even expecting it." he asked as he took it.
Kayla paused as she thought back to the way Midori moved. "You know karate and you never said anything?!" she said suddenly.
Elladan and Strider looked at her surprised as she stalked up to Midori.
"What else have you been hiding?" she demanded as she poked Midori in the shoulder.
"Now why on Earth would I tell you?" Midori said with a faint smile. "But yes, I do know karate. That's all I ever did for a very long time. If need be I can kill with my hands."
"With your bare hands? That's pretty cool. Kinda like. . ." she trailed off as Midori made a motion with her head. She looked back to see Elladan and Strider giving them strange and lost looks. "Uh. . .we were training or something, right?"
"Lady Midori was." Strider said. "We've yet to see your abilities Lady Kayla."
"Right." she said as she took out her weapon. She flipped it around getting a feel for the metal object. "So are you up to it Elladan?"
"Let's give Elladan a break shall we?" Strider said suddenly. "You try to hit me Lady Kayla."
"Me? Hit you?" she asked in a slightly dubious voice. "Are you sure Strider?"
"I am." he said taking out his own weapon. "Or do you feel that you can't hit me?"
Kayla gave him a look as she adjusted her grip on the dagger. 'Nice attempt to goad me to do something stupid.' She watched him for a few seconds before she went in for a low sweeping movement. Strider twisted around and made a motion for the small of her back. Sensing it, she flipped away before charging forward once more. Strider blocked her thrust with his forearm against hers, forcing her to come in with her other hand. He made a motion to block it from coming in from the right. Seizing her opportunity, Kayla changed the motion suddenly, twisting her hand past his defense and bringing the blade right to his stomach.
"I believe that I won this one Strider." she said as she stepped back, placing the dagger in its hilt.
"I believe so Lady Kayla. If you two can ride as well as you can fight, then we should be at Lothlórien in no time." Strider said as he sheathed his own weapon. "But first we should eat dinner and get some sleep before we set off again."
Kayla nodded her head as she seated herself in front of the fire. She didn't say anything as Midori came and sat beside her, only nudging her a bit with her elbow. Midori glanced at her with a faint smile before she focused her attention back to the fire. Kayla didn't say or do anything else as dinner was passed around and they ate in silence. Every once in awhile, she would glance over and see that Midori had barely eaten anything; her plate was still fairly full. She peered into her face as she rested her hand on her shoulder. Midori pulled away and put her plate down. Silently, she rose and went back to the rock. Strider and Elladan looked up at her before Elladan motioned to Midori. She shrugged and gave them a confused look. They nodded and went back to their meals. Kayla paused in hers to look back at Midori's faint figure that was barely illuminated by the firelight and the slivers of moonlight that peeped out from the overcast sky. 'It still bothers her, even to this very day. What could it have been?'
"Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety nine bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, ninety eight bottles of beer on the wall." Kayla sang softly to herself as the countryside passed by. "Ninety eight bottles of beer on the wall, ninety eight bottles of beer. Take one down, pass it around ninety-"
"Kayla, please, stop with that incessant song." Midori asked as she glanced over at her. "It has been driving me insane for the past few hours."
"Well, you have to admit that I did pretty well considering that I started at one thousand." she said. "But if you want me to stop. . ."
"That would be greatly appreciated Lady Kayla." came Elladan's voice from up ahead. "That song does become rather annoying even after awhile."
Kayla felt her face go red slightly as she promptly shut her mouth; she didn't think that Elladan would or could hear her.
"It's all right Kayla. Besides, perhaps you shouldn't be singing anyways. There may be things with ears sharper than ours." Midori gave Kayla a sympathetic look. "Besides, it's early in the day and I'm sure that you'll find opportunity to annoy us later somehow."
"Thanks." she mumbled as Midori gave her a smile. "If you just wanted me to shut up, why didn't you just come out and say so?"
Midori simply gave her an arched eyebrow and returned her gaze to the grassy ground ahead. Kayla sighed as she turned her attention back also, watching the blades of grass pass by one by one. 'One blade, two blade, three blade, four blade. . .' She started counting them, looking up only occasionally to steer her horse past small annoying obstructions in the road. When she finally looked back up she found everyone had stopped the sun low in the afternoon sky. From the top of t he hill, she could see the silver ribbon up ahead, still a fair distance away.
"The Great River," Midori whispered softly as she gazed down at it. "The Anduin."
"It would seem that your visit to the library was useful Lady Midori." Strider said with a smile. "Come, we'll cross and stop for the night. We made good distance today."
Kayla didn't say anything as they started down, watching uneasily as the dark blue waters drew closer and closer. There was something deep inside her that was protesting violently to the mere thought of setting foot in its waters. 'And there's no bridge in sight. We have to swim the damn thing.' She managed to keep her apprehension to herself even when they paused at the banks of the river for a moment. She watched as the others dismounted and let the horses drink from the water. Taking a steadying breath, she got down also and led her horse. She eyed the waters with distaste, the roiling inside growing stronger than before.
"All right Kayla." Midori said a few minutes later as she rubbed her horse's muzzle with the faint expression of fondness.
"What?" she asked almost snappishly as she looked at Midori.
"We have to swim across on our horses. You have done this before I assume?"
"Yes, I have." she replied a bit nastily as she mounted her horse again. "I know what I am doing."
Midori didn't say anything as she easily mounted her horse and confidently led it into the waters. "Then let's hurry shall we? The others are waiting for us on the other side."
"What?" she looked across to see Elladan and Strider on the other side, waiting patiently. "When did they cross?"
"When you were busy daydreaming as you looked at the water. Come on." Midori said as she waited for Kayla.
Kayla gave a clearly irritated snort before she mounted her horse again and started forward. 'All right, you can do this, no sweat. Just in and out, it'll all be over in a few minutes.' Kayla took a breath and started to move the horse out to deeper water. 'Horses can swim; they can swim really well.' She found herself slightly short of breath as the water started to lap at her feet, before it began to rapidly move up her legs. Her composure started to crack once the water started to lap at her waist. 'Oh God, the river's going to wash me away. It just creeped up on me and now it's going to wash me away for sure this time.'
Her horse, sensing her indecision, started swimming away from Midori, going with the flow of the current. Frightened, she started to pull on the reins frantically, trying to steer the horse towards the opposite bank where Strider and Elladan waited. The horse started to move around as it tried to avoid the sharp yanks to its bridle. Kayla's foot slipped out of the stirrup and with a violent turn from the horse, she found herself submerged and trapped as her other foot remained tangled in the other stirrup.
Fighting, she managed to break the surface once, taking a loud and deep gasp, before the current and the stirrup pulled her under once more. She fought to swim to the surface but found a heavy weight was dragging her foot down and her along with it. 'The saddle came off of the horse's back and it's pulling me under with it.' She panicked completely now, fighting for dear life to reach the surface and see the sun again. It twinkled mockingly at her as she sank further and further into the river, her vision starting to blacken as she finally ran out of oxygen. Just as she closed her eyes, she felt a sharp tug that made her force them open. The weight was gone and she found that the surface was coming up rapidly.
She blinked blearily, clearing the running water from her eyes as she looked to the shore; there was Elladan and Strider, their horses pounding by the banks as they kept up with the rapid current, shouting something as a riderless horse followed after them. Moving her head somehow, she saw Midori's wet and bedraggled face before she closed her eyes once more; it seemed so easy to give to the darkness that started to encroach once more.
"Kuroi!"
The loud yell didn't make her open her eyes; neither did the sensation of being pulled out of the water. When she felt the solid ground beneath her, she opened her eyes to slits, seeing Strider and Elladan's face hovering around Midori's. Feeling exhausted, she closed her eyes again.
"Don't you dare!"
Midori's words were accompanied by a stinging slap that made her eyes fly open. Then she promptly turned over, all the water that made it into her stomach and lungs coming back up as she heaved and coughed. She collapsed back to the ground breathing hard. She looked weakly up at soaked and angry Midori who was yelling at her in Japanese while being pulled back by Elladan.
"Are you all right Lady Kayla?" Strider asked as he crouched beside her and helped her sit up.
"Yeah." she managed as she gave him a smile. "Just peachy."
"What happened? It looked like you lost control of the horse out there in the middle of the river."
"I did." she admitted as she rose shakily to her feet. A quiet jangle made her look down to see part of the stirrup still attached to her foot. 'Midori must have cut it off. . .' She looked up to see the irate girl pacing like a cat, a furious expression on her face as she muttered to herself and Elladan was making an obvious effort to calm her down.
"Well, your horse is gone now; you can ride with Lady Midori until we reach Lothlórien." Strider said as he steadied her. "We'll make camp here."
She nodded as he helped her to a nearby rock and had her sit on it. She flashed him a grateful look as he settled his cloak around her wet and cold shoulders. She watched as the three of them set up camp and set the horses out on picket lines. Once the fire was started she ambled over and seated herself in front of it with everyone else, sneezing slightly.
"O genki desu ka?" Midori asked in a quiet voice as she stared into the flames.
"Eh?" Kayla looked up at her surprised.
A look of irritation crossed Midori's face before she smoothed it away. "Are you all right?"
"Yes, thank you." Kayla said. "It was just a little. . ." she trailed off before she sneezed slightly again. "Just a little dunk."
"Sounds like you're catching a cold." Midori said quietly as she stirred the fire a bit.
"Maybe." Kayla gave a shrug. "When I have a runny nose and bloodshot eyes, it'll be official."
Elladan gave Strider a worried glance before he looked back at Kayla. "Do you feel hungry? You should eat something even if it is a little bit."
"I will, thank you Elladan." she said as she sniffled and rubbed at her nose.
"Here. You look ready to freeze to death, even if you have Strider's cloak." Midori rose and settled her cloak around her shoulders. "I gave mine to Elladan since it was a nice day out. Be glad that it's not wet also."
"No. Here, take it back." Kayla said as she took it off and held it out to Midori.
"Bakana onna. Do you want to freeze to death or die of a simple little disease? Take the damn cloak and stay warm!" Midori yanked it back and settled it around her shoulders again. "And don't ever do anything like that again."
"Thanks. It's nice to see that you care."
"Don't let it go to your head." Midori said as she plunked herself back down in her seat. "And before you insist on opening your mouth and asking me, it means stupid woman."
Kayla chuckled. "I am that in some ways I suppose."
"Very." Midori said. "Now you are going to eat and I do not want to hear a single complaint. Understood?"
"Yes Ma'am." Kayla said, earning a look from Midori. She looked around innocently, seeing trees in the distance. "Hey, what's that forest over there?" she asked pointing.
"Mirkwood." Midori said. "Am I right Strider?"
"Yes. That is Mirkwood Forest where King Thranduil rules."
"Oh. Any kids?" she asked, trying to make conversation as Midori took out the bowls and ladled out the food. She murmured a thank you as a steaming hot bowl and a spoon was placed in her hands.
"Only one. Prince Legolas." Elladan said as Midori gave him his bowl and handed Strider his before she sat down with her dinner. "He's a nice guy. You should meet him sometime."
"Maybe when I don't stand a chance of shooting boogers all over him." Kayla said as she took a sip of the hot liquid. "It's good."
"I should hope so." Elladan said. "I made it."
"Braggard." she said with a smile.
That earned grins from everyone, easing the slightly tense air that hung around the campsite. Kayla focused her attention on her bowl, draining it in a few minutes. She rubbed her eyes as she placed the bowl down scooted herself back a bit before she curled up into a little ball and promptly fell asleep.
The soft cheeps of birds greeted Kayla as she opened her eyes. She was rather surprised to find a single seated a few inches away from her face. She sat up slowly, watching the avian creature. Slowly, she reached her hand out. It hopped up, twittering happily. She smiled gently, reaching out with a hesitant finger to stroke its head softly. It chirped a bit more and hopped around before it took flight and headed back to the forest.
"Nice to see that you're awake."
She rose slowly to find Elladan and Midori seated by the river, cards in their hands. "Why didn't you wake me up? Shouldn't we have left by now?"
"Strider went to Mirkwood to check something." Elladan said in an offhand remark as he studied his cards. "All right then, I think I can beat you this time Lady Midori."
"Give it a try." she said.
Elladan laid down his five cards. "A. . .flush! Ha! Beat that."
"All right, you won this time." Midori said with a small smile. "I only have a two of a kind."
"You taught him to play poker?" Kayla choked out as she watched amazed.
"He asked me to show him an interesting game." Midori said simply as she reshuffled the cards. "Would you like in?"
"No thank you. Now that you have corrupted an innocent. . ." she mumbled as she sat back down cross legged.
"D-Thanks." Midori said as she dealt the cards rapidly. "Try your luck this time Elladan."
Kayla watched as they played game after game, Elladan developing his 'poker face' while Midori managed to keep the game evenly matched; it was fairly obvious to her eye that she was holding back somewhat.
Kayla watched as they played game after game, Elladan developing his 'poker face' while Midori managed to keep the game evenly matched; it was fairly obvious to her eye that she was holding back somewhat. After awhile, and three different card games later she looked up, feeling vibrations in the ground; Strider came riding back, a slightly frustrated look on his face.
"Ah, you're up now Lady Kayla." Strider said as he reined the horse to a halt. "Are you all ready to leave?"
"Yup." Kayla said as she rose easily. "At least the sniffles are gone now."
"For which I am glad. The last thing I would have needed would be you riding with me and having a leaky nose. Come on." Midori said as she went to her horse.
Kayla headed over, swinging herself up behind Midori. Bored, she glanced up at the sky as she held onto Midori's waist. "More than half the day has passed!" she exclaimed as she saw the sun was just past its apex.
Strider nodded as they started off. "We'll most likely make it as far as the edge of Lothlórien. Did you want to rest for the night there or continue on?"
"It's probably best of I rest for a bit. The last thing I want to do is tire myself out unnecessarily. After a day or so, I should be back to my normal self." Kayla said as they trotted along at a brisk pace.
The day passed by comfortably enough, clouds passing by overhead every once in awhile. Kayla found herself resting her head against Midori's back. The soothing motion of the horse ride and the warm sun made her drowsy, her eyelids growing heavier and heavier. 'I'll just rest them for a bit.' She readjusted her grip and allowed herself to drift off to sleep. When she felt the horse stop abruptly, she opened her eyes to find the sky a deep orange colour, a rough triangle of trees just on the other side of the shallow ford.
"Did you have a nice nap Kayla?" Midori asked as she looked back at her with a smile.
"Yeah. Setting up for the night now I assume?" she asked stifling a yawn.
"You did want a rest. Can you picket the horses?" Midori asked as she slid off and took hold of the reins.
"Sure." Kayla gave her an amused smirk. "Are you out to corrupt Strider next?"
"Just picket the horses." Midori said with a half irritated, half amused grin.
Kayla dismounted and took the reins from the others, setting the horses with wide feeding areas. She patted the animals before she walked back and seated herself down in front of a ring of stones.
"Where's Midori?" she asked looking around.
"She went to find firewood just over there." Strider replied, pointing to the tress. "I told her to not enter the forest though. I'd much rather a formal introduction than have it thought that she is a trespasser."
"That's understandable." Kayla said as she rearranged the stones to place them closer together. "How about I cook tonight? It's the least I can do."
"All right." Elladan said as he sat beside her as Strider took out all the cooking utensils. "I think it's about time for us to see just how well you can cook."
"So I can cook all the time?" she asked dryly.
"Of course not. So we can set up a rotational shift. That way, we don't have to put up with his cooking." Elladan said motioning to Strider.
"I saw that." Strider said in a wry voice. "All we need is fire and we can eat tonight."
"Which means we're stuck waiting for Midori." Kayla said as she watched the forest rather anxiously; her stomach was starting to grumble.
They all sat down, enjoying the late evening as they patently waited for Midori to re-emerge with the firewood. When the sky started to become a deep indigo colour, Kayla stood and gave the forest a frown.
"You don't think that she could have gone into the forest do you Strider?" she asked, looking at him.
"I told her not to. If she did, it's probable that she may have been captured then."
"By who?" Kayla asked. "This is ridiculous, I'm going to go and find her."
She didn't even wait to hear what Strider had to say before she started towards the forest, stepping gingerly through the water, despite seeing the gravelly bottom with her own eyes. She paused as she reached the fringe of the trees, peering into the dark, shaded woodland. She stepped in, her eyes searching for any sign of a struggle. When a hand settled down on her arm, she whipped around, dagger ready.
"Elladan!" she hissed in a less than pleased voice.
He made a gesture for quiet before he motioned for them to keep searching. Kayla nodded in response and started out, her eyes able to pick out shapes and objects in the night sky. She had just come around a large tree when she spied Strider's familiar figure, bent down over something. Tugging on Elladan's sleeve, she pointed to their compatriot and headed over. Strider rose and held up the bag for Kayla's inspection. She took it turning it over in her hands before she nodded her head; it was Midori's backpack all right; it weighed its usual ton.
Hearing a slight crackle, she looked around suspiciously. Elladan looked at her curiously before he turned also, hearing the noise now also. They turned to face Strider who had his hand on his sword hilt. They looked at each other, reaching a silent agreement. They turned around to find themselves half encircled by armed men. Kayla took a deep gulp as she took an involuntary step back. A single man stepped forward, his voice demanding and almost imperious, the same strange and familiar words coming off his tongue. Strider stepped forward, talking to the man easily. She and Elladan watched the whole thing as words flew thick and fast.
When the bows and knives were lowered, Kayla leaned in close to Elladan. "Did you understand any of that? What's going on?" she asked in a hushed voice.
"Yes. It seems that we're going to Caras Galadhon a bit early."
"Why?" Kayla asked as she and Elladan fell in step behind Strider. "What about the horses and packs?"
"Those are going to be taken care of. We're going to meet with Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."