Right of Blood

Chapter Twelve

Kayla frowned to herself as she urged her horse on after the others. They had been traveling towards the north in order to complete the last part of their training for a few days now. Even bow, when she glanced towards the back, she could catch a glimpse of black shadow that seemed to be following after them. She didn't quite believe it when she saw the. . .apparition before her. It was simply an apparition and, having heard enough stories about the things that lurked in this world, she took off like a shot.

"Oi, oneesan! Shimpai shinai.1"

"Huh?" she looked up, seeing Midori come trotting beside her. "Oh. What do you want?" she asked with a good natured roll of her eyes. "And must you do that?"

"Do what? You were so lost in your thoughts that I had too. How else could I get your attention? It's a bad habit you know."

"I know. Ambush and such." she frowned again. "I just have a lot on my plate now."

"Ah; like making up for lost talking?"

"Hey, that wasn't funny on my end you know." Kayla gave a mock huff. "Having someone look down your throat for two days straight to make sure that you are fine is not fun at all."

"How so? You didn't brush your teeth?"

"What? Of course I did. That's not it though."

"What then?" It's been bothering you for the past while; all of us could see it clearly."

"Everyone?"

Midori nodded her head. "Hai. Since you have been so wrapped in your thoughts for the past days that I feel I should inform you on a few key. . .developments."

"All right then. What?"

"Firstly, we are going to the Grey Havens area and not due north. Apparently, there's someone important there that we need to meet and talk to. Secondly, Elladan and Elrohir say they want something good for their birthday; it's our duty as their aunts."

"What? Come again? I have nephews? They're my nephews? Those two?" Kayla couldn't stop the incredulous look from sweeping over her face. "You've got to be kidding me."

Midori shook her head. "Mother and Father had one more child after us, Celebrían. She's gone onto the Undying Lands. Since she's their mother and Elrond's their father, which makes Elrond our brother-in-law."

"This gets better and better." Kayla ran a hand through her hair. "And what's after this bombshell?"

"Not much." Midori shrugged, pausing before she spoke again. "Are you sure that you're all right?"

"I'm fine, really I am." she slid the reins in between her fingers.

"Are you sure? Since you came back from getting the water skins, you've seemed. . ."

"Edgy?"

"Hai. Are you sure that you're fine?"

"Actually. . .I think I may be starting to see things. It was such a vivid hallucination."

"What was?" Midori asked, coming in a bit closer, her voice low.

"It was something, I am still not too sure what it was. . .it was like a shadow. . .and I felt that I knew it on some level. It didn't creep me out or anything. It was like. . .seeing someone familiar again in a way."

"I shouldn't have told you to not worry about it." Midori said as she leaned back in the saddle to make herself more comfortable. "What else happened?"

"I can't really recall anything else, but I remember something." she fell silent as she struggled to recall.

"Well?"

"I'm thinking!!" she hissed as she racked her brain. "Ah, I remember; it was Forobas."

"Forobas?" Midori paused as she mused over the word. "You may think this odd, but I recognize it on some level as well."

"There's something I wasn't expecting." Kayla paused. "You recognize it as well?"

Midori nodded. "Maybe it's that thing about being twins?"

"Maybe, who knows. But why would I recall something like thing now, in this place?"

"First of all Kayla, I think you have to admit certain things; kami do exist, so who's to say that you didn't encounter one."

"Kami?"

"Spirits. Perhaps you do not wish to acknowledge the validity of what you saw for a reason. Kami usually show themselves to people who are of good character."

"Do they?" she murmured.

Midori nodded. "They accept no less. Unless you encountered a dark kami; then you did the right thing in fleeing."

"Oh. How long until we reach the Grey Havens?" she didn't like the grounds where this conversation was heading.

"Well, this area is close to where we first found ourselves, so I guess about a day or two away."

"Ah. Remember when you would barely talk to me? And you nearly killed yourself trying to get to Hobbiton?"

Midori chuckled. "I wasn't about to let you carry my backpack."

"And you still have it with you. Just what do you have in there anyways?"

"What don't I have?" Midori said with an arched eyebrow.

"Is in the fabled backpack? Mystical wonders that are yet to be beheld?" Kayla asked with a laugh.

"Maybe." Midori said as she urged Kuroi on.

"Come on Midori, what's in the backpack? Midori?" Kayla watched as Midori continued on with no sign of stopping. "Midori!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kayla sighed as she trudged up the steps with her fellow travellers in the softly lighted night. Having finally made it to Grey Havens should have been a better moment for her; so why did she feel anxious and slightly uneasy? Her hackles rose sharply as they walked through a corridor, led by their guide; it had been along time since she had felt this before. It was something potent and strong and old, very old, not a force to be reckoned with.

Feeling an elbow nudge her in the side, she glanced over to see Elrohir give her a smile; that eased her tension slightly. Smiling, she nudged him back. "What are you so happy about?"

"Can't you smell it?"

Kayla looked at him. "Smell what? The salt?"

"Yes, the salt. What else." he took a deep breath. "Have you ever seen the sea?"

"Man, you sound as if you've. . ." she paused, remembering Legolas' reaction to discovering that she had been on the sea, as well as the subsequent questions. "Never mind." she said stifling a laugh.

"What's so funny?"

"It's something you wouldn't quite understand." she was almost bursting with laughter when she recalled the part about pirates.

"You seem to be very sure about that."

"Trust me Elrohir." she gained composure of herself. "This is one thing that you have absolutely no concept of; it maybe a bit beyond you."

"You have no faith in my abilities of comprehension?"

"No, I simply think that-"

"Carardaiel, Arlonniel, follow me. Everyone else, get some rest."

She waved goodbye to Elrohir and followed Midori and Strider down the hallway, not wishing to interrupt their conversation. Their quiet murmurs filled the hallway until Midori finally looked back at her.

"You haven't said a word Kayla."

"I didn't want to interrupt." she said softly. "What were you talking about?" "What we're going to eventually be doing." Midori shrugged. "Basic reconnaissance more or less. Just with higher stakes."

"What are we looking for Strider?"

"Not what; who. Who we are looking for is a smallish sort of creature with a pale colour. He hides in the shadows and night and travels on all fours and looks odd at a first glance." Strider said. "It makes an odd noise that sounds like he's saying 'gollum'."

"Hence it's name, Gollum." Midori cleared her throat. "Strider, if you are going to have us keep watch for Gollum, why are we doing this? Meeting with this other person?"

"Gandalf is a man of great character and wisdom." he said pausing in front of a door. "It would be well to have his advice, for he is the one that seeks Gollum more than any of us."

Kayla froze for a split second as Strider pushed the doors open and walked in, Midori close behind him. There it was again, that strange emanation of power. She walked into the well lighted room hesitantly to find a grey bearded old man sitting down at a table placidly enough, a pipe in his mouth.

"Ah, I was wondering when you would arrive. With two more in tow as well?"

"Konbanwa ojiisan.2" Midori said bowing.

Kayla sighed as a puzzled look came over his face. "I'm Kayla. Forgive my sister please. She simply said 'Good evening old man'."

Midori looked at Kayla horrified before her whole face went bright red. "Iie, I mean, no, no, I didn't mean that, not old man. What I mean was-"

"I haven't heard that language before." he said with a smile as he put his pipe down. "My name is Gandalf."

"I am Midori. What I meant was not as rude as Kayla made it out to be."

"I'm sure it's not." he placed the pipe back in his mouth. "Come have a seat, all of you."

Kayla sat down in the seat closer to Midori who was clearly fuming with her at the moment. "So. . .Gandalf. . .what exactly did you want to talk to us about?"

"I was wondering if you had any questions for me." he said, before blowing a ring.

"For you?" Midori asked before she glanced at Strider. "Well, Strider says that you are of great character and wisdom."

"I'm honoured."

"Yes well. . .I wanted to ask you something. About baelnornea3."

Gandalf stopped in midpuff, looking at Midori. "Do you know what you speak of?"

"I do. Ah. . .Strider. . .you look a bit haggard. Why don't you get some rest?" Midori said with a knowing look.

Strider rose. "We leave at dawn Lady Carardaiel."

Kayla watched as Midori nodded and Strider left. "Should I leave also?" she was slightly puzzled as to the direction that the conversation had now taken.

"No. This concerns you Lady Arlonniel." Gandalf placed his pipe down. "How did you come to learn of this?"

"I came across it in my readings in Rivendell." Midori said. "Tales of the Dark Elves spoke of something that protected families; something that wasn't alive but wasn't quite dead also."

"You are right. The baelnornea is that of the unknown and that is very few to begin with."

"I realize this Gandalfsama, but. . .I saw something one day that raises such a question in my mind."

"Midori, are you-" Kayla started; she wasn't expecting Midori to place herself out there like that.

"I am Kayla, thank you. Besides, I am simply paying back a debt ne?"

"I think you should stop. You're doing it again."

"Sorry." Midori's face flushed red. "But Gandalf can hopefully give us some advice on this."

"And I most certainly can." he eased himself back into the chair. "Now do you know anything else of this particular baelnorn?"

"It has a name; Forobas."

"Forobas? Are you sure of this?"

"Very. It. . .It spoke to me." Midori said after a moment's hesitation. "It said. . ."

"Amin nae Forobas." Kayla said. "That and something about a 'dae' and a 'tualle'." she paused as Gandalf looked at her. "She told me one night over a campfire."

"Hm. And you wouldn't happen to understand the significance of this by any chance?"

"Forobas? No." Kayla began.

"But I believe that 'dae' may be archaic for shadow and 'tualle' is still servant." Midori said filling in the moment of silence.

"Very good." Gandalf beamed somewhat. "Your mind grasped that easily enough. Too easily perhaps?"

"I don't think that now is really the time for jokes." Kayla said in a mildly disapproving tone.

"Quite right." Gandalf said taking a contemplative draw on his pipe. "Forobas is a name I thought had disappeared from most ancient Elvish texts."

"You mean it's not used anymore?"

"Oh no; it has a less than pleasant history behind it. Ever since you two were lost by him, it has never been used by an Elven parent."

"Kinda like using the name Adolf I guess." Kayla murmured to herself. "He didn't lose us on purpose. . .did he?"

"Of course not. He swore to protect you two with his very life and that's exactly what he did. And that is what he shall do."

"An Istar's4 word is binding is it not?" Midori's words were faint, as if she were off in the recesses of her mind. "It's like a code of honour so strong that even in death he is bound to fulfil it."

"Something like that Lady Carardaiel." Gandalf said. "When the Lórien search party finally found his trail and found it, all that they found was his torn cloak and the hilt of a Nazgûl blade. They never found his body. It was assumed that the Orcs got to it first."

"And now it would seem that he is back."

"Yes. But be wary. His intentions may be noble but we don't know how he discovered that you have returned or what prompted him to seek you two out. Use caution and always be wary."

"We shall Gandalf." Midori said as she shifted slightly. "I don't believe that we have anymore questions for you."

Kayla shook her head as she caught Midori's glance at her; she felt somewhat belittled, and that really irked her. She may as well have not existed for the entire conversation, despite having out in her two cents.

"No? Then I must be heading off. Places to go and people to talk to, as I am sure you know." he slipped his pipe away in a pocket.

"Yes, of course, we understand. Thank you for taking the time to talk with us." Midori said gratefully.

"No no, thank you." Gandalf said as he headed for the door. "It has been a pleasure talking to such fine young ladies."

Kayla watched as the touched the brim of his hat and disappeared behind the door. "Come on Midori. We should at least see about getting a bath."

"Good idea." Midori said as she rose and walked to the door slowly. "You seem a bit tense. You don't think that went well?"

"No, it fine." she said with a smile. 'If you count not getting in a single word, you glut for praise.' Kayla felt her face flush at the sudden black whisper. "Gandalf was nice."

"He was wasn't he?" Midori paused. "Are the baths in a particular direction?"

"This way I think." Kayla said in a murmur, horrified and perplexed; she thought it had disappeared for good. "I hope they're like Aqua Sulis."

"I heard of those." Midori mused aloud to herself. "Apparently they were the most infamous bathhouses in the world, and still were when we left."

"Too bad you never got to go to those bathhouses." Kayla said as she placed an arm around Midori's shoulders. "Maybe the Elves here did the Romans justice."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kayla sighed as she leaned back against the side of the tub. Delicate clouds of steam drifted upwards towards the wide window that allowed a view of the night sky that came in snatches through the flickering curtains. She glanced over at Midori who had a content and dreamy smile on her face.

"Enjoying yourself?"

"Hai, very." Midori shifted slightly. "You're not used to this kind of bath are you?"

"Not really. I mean you just stripped, grabbed a towel and strolled out. I haven't done anything remotely similar to that in a couple hundred years."

"Ah yes; oppressive Western mentalities." Midori chuckled. "All societies are liberal and constricting in some degree, are they not?"

"Yes." Kayla swirled her hand around in the water with a pensive look on her face. "Do you think anyone back there misses us? And I mean really miss us?"

"I know that many will miss me back home." Midori said after a moment's silence. "I'm sure that people will miss you as well, even though you may not realize it."

Kayla nodded her head as she gazed out of the window; the starlight was starting to fade faintly, they only had a few hours left before dawn. She would much rather ask Midori than someone she didn't know as well. She sighed, still unsure; should she ask? But what if Midori knew something about him that she didn't? Would it slant Midori's view of her for what she saw already? It was one thing to say you thought you saw something as opposed to saying that-

"What was that?" Midori sat up, her entire back stiff like a board as she started intently out the window, eyes scanning. She clutched the wet towel closer to herself. "I saw something out there..." her hand trembled slightly.

"What did you see?" Kayla asked, ignoring the trembling and rising out of the water, picking up the dagger that was resting by the side.

"I...I'm not to sure." Midori's voice sounded scared and unsure. "I...I..."

Kayla motioned for silence as she crept towards the window. Lifting up the edge of the curtain, she peered out; just around the corner, she caught a flicker of shadow.

"Hello?" she called softly, leaning out further.

"Uma, arwenamin5?" the words were soft and sibilant with a lingering sad quality.

"Forobas?" Kayla felt the blood drain from her face slightly, her word a bare whisper. "Can you talk in English?"

Nothing happened for a few minutes. Kayla paused as she felt something funny tickle her in the back of her throat. It made her want to cough but she resisted it, tightening her grip on the dagger.

"You can talk now my Lady and I shall understand you."

"Oh. You can speak English." she said.

"No," the soft voice held a faded tinge of amusement. "You can speak Elvish now. I simply cast a spell on you. A rather permanent one I am afraid."

"I can still speak English though, right?"

"English?"

"Um," she paused, thinking quickly. "Westron."

"Ah. Yes, you can." there came a moment. "Have I disturbed you?"

"You kinda gave Midori a scare."

"I have scared Lady Carardaiel?"

"Just a bit; she's kinda jumpy now."

"I shall make myself more invisible."

Kayla paused as a breeze started up and died suddenly. "Forobas?" she sighed as nothing greeted her. 'Invisible as he wanted.'

She turned around and walked back into the room, relaxing her hand around the hilt. At least she didn't have to -

"What was there Kayla?"

She looked back up to see Midori seated on the edge, her hand hovering by her sword hilt. The fear in her eyes was so great that she had to stop for a moment; should she tell her the truth? She wasn't quite laughing at her now for bringing it in with her.

"It was nothing. Just a very curious bird, I shooed him off." she said as she sat on the edge. "Are you all right?"

"Hai." Midori's voice still shook as she ran a hand through her hair, now a violently trembling hand through her hair.

"Midori, you don't look all right. What's wrong?" she patted her shoulder comfortingly.

"I'm all right!" Midori pulled away as if she had been burned. Her breath came out in irregular gasps. "Just...Just don't touch me, that's all."

Kayla watched as Midori pulled away holding her arms. The trembling gradually stopped before Midori was breathing easily again.

"Midori are you sure that you're-"

"I said I was fine." the words were curt as Midori rose and took her sword with her.

"Midori, wait I want to ask you something else. Not about....whatever."

"What is it?" she asked, not turning around from the door to look at Kayla.

"Have you ever heard, or read, of Annatar?"

"Annatar?"

"Yes, Annatar."

There came a moment's silence. "Hai, I have. He is the one that knows Sauron. He is the one that created the Rings of Power and allowed them to fall into Sauron's hands. It was sometime then I believe that we were lost, indirectly due to his carelessness."

Kayla paused as Midori opened the door. "Please, won't you tell me what's wrong?"

"No."

Kayla was left alone in the warm room, feeling a bit crushed before she focused her attention on another fact. 'Annatar knows Sauron? I knew he wasn't telling me something.' She paused looking out the window. "It's all right Forobas." she said, feeling an odd thrumming in her throat. She hadn't even realized she was speaking Elvish. "She's going to get some rest as am I."

"Very well my Lady."

She sighed as she rose and walked out, making it to her room easily. She changed into her now clean travelling clothes and lay down on the bed, trying to get some rest. Her mind continually turned over the words, Gandalf's and Midori's. She knew now that there was something else afoot, and in more place and in more ways than one.




1 = Oi, oneesan! Shimpai shinai.
Hey sister! Don't worry about it.
2 =Konbanwa ojiisan
Good evening, Sir. [Don't say 'old man'; that HIGHLY disrespectful; ojiisan roughly means 'Sir']
3 = baelnornea
plural of 'baelnorn' meaning undead Elven family protector
4 = Istar
Wizard
5 = Uma, arwenamin?
Yes, my Lady?