A/N: I am back people!! I wasn't wasting all the time I had on the break kicking myself for leaving the diskette at skool. Now we got some things in here that may not be clear beacuse I am one of those people who can happily sit over a history book and not give a damn about anything else. Heh....
1. 'Germania' is the ancient Roman word for 'Germany'
2. Aqua Sulis [not too sure if I spelled that right] was the ancient Roman city of Bath, in south-eastern England and was supposed to have the most renowned baths in the ancient world. I wanna go damnit!!
3. A daguerreotype is a really old picture circa the late 1800's - early 1900's.
And there's the history lesson for the day. Man, I am such a nerd…
Anyways, there's just a few more things that I want to address before you read.
Did you think I had forgotten about those neckalces? Nuh-uh!! ^___~
And last, but most certainly not least, responses to reviews!! ^^ See; I get around to them sooner or later.
Luwana Fluff-Dragon: Wow...I am honestly amazed and deeply humbled that you like this fic that much. You must be glad I posted three chapters on the same day... And I hope you finish chapter two when you are able to. My own Harry Potter fic is not going so swimingly to say the least. I read the books a year ago; I have brushing up to do. And really, I'm not that great; my friends and HP beta reader are putting up with a lot of inane questions and general stupidity on my part.
Peridot Pooka: Hai, bakana onna, I forgot the disk, but I wrote two chapters on the break, amidst my crazy family who disrupted my wondeful sleep in the day and write/type at night in peace pattern, and starting a Harry Potter fic. Cut me a litle friggin' slack!!! You nagging me half the time and whining wasn't helping much either you know!!
Kolinshar Jackie Chan Benito: I know, Elves and Dwarves friends...pre-Legolas and Gimli *cue Twlight Zone music* What other strange things lie ahead?? lol Hope part two is going great. ^^ I am curious as to how Usagi is gonna handle this. And the whole thing with the transformation and the "glimpses of skin" leading to male drooling...brillant. ^^
All others reading but who don't review [I do it too]: I hope your enjoying this fic! ^___^
Chapter Thirteen
The sunlight winked down through the trees, making light dance across the ground. Kayla looked over at Midori who was seated away from her before she went back to twirling her axe with a sigh. Midori had become silent again, and not talking beyond necessary. Why couldn't Midori simply talk and tell her what was wrong?
"We should get going." Kayla rose, not looking at her. "We should probably head westwards, that where Gandalf had found the diverging trails."
Midori nodded and mounted Kuroi, starting off in said direction. Kayla gave a sigh and followed behind her on her on her own horse. 'Back to the good old days.' She shouldered her weapon more squarely, flexing her feet a couple of times before she started after her sister. Now most of the Rangers were off throughout the north, seeking this one creature that so much seemed to ride upon.
"Midori, do you think we'll know the creature when we see it?"
"Hn." was the monotone grunt.
"You call that a reply? Could you at least answer me? Properly?"
"Iie."
Kayla sighed with exasperation. "For Christ's sake, in English please!" nothing came back. "Fine, be a bitch; I don't care. Just so long as we get this done."
Nothing more was said as they made their way across the countryside, following the trail. The sun passed by overhead. Kayla looked around warily as she noticed them approaching the edge of The Shire, the outskirts by a glance at the trees all around. By late afternoon they had crossed into it, just over the river into a hilly region. Nothing grew there except for grass; it was the silence that really got to her though as well as the horses; it seemed more to her a graveyard than a hilly region north of Hobbiton. 'Rather nice though…' She smiled as she took in the scenery. Every once in awhile, she turned around, feeling as if someone was watching her. When she looked ahead at Midori for confirmation, all she saw was her back; it had been like that all afternoon. The sky was turning a deep indigo when they found themselves on the edge of a forest, the darkness thick and palpable, like a heavy murk. She looked at Midori, who was clearly hesitant for some odd reason, and shook her head.
"Do you fear the darkness?" she asked suddenly in a mocking voice as she slipped off and walked by Midori, heading right in. "Perhaps you should…"
Hearing an angry growl of irritation, she smirked to herself as she moved through the trees silently. 'Where did that come from?' She frowned slightly to herself, puzzled. It wasn't her style to be so openly cruel to someone who was obviously hurting. 'I gotta get my head straight again.'
"It's late."
She looked back to see Midori looking around warily as she dismounted. "And so? Should we leave?"
Midori gave her a look before she seated herself against the tree, a hand on her sword. Kayla sighed in exasperation as she took a seat also. So Midori wanted to rest now; fine by her. She seated herself also, in the opposite tree. 'Acting like she's all smug; I hate it when people do that.''I could be looking now, not sitting here like a fool, in the dark.' She sighed once more, taking comfort in the odd creaking noises that came from all around them. She could have sworn that the trees were alive in the sense that they could move, walking like humans.
"I'm going to go ahead a bit. I'll be back soon." Kayla said abruptly as she rose and started to walk away. "God she's starting to annoy me." she muttered as soon as she was out of earshot.
Kayla smiled as she continued on through the trees, breathing in deeply. There was a somewhat acrid scent that stung her nostrils, the acidic scent that reminded her of Germania's forests. Smiling, she paused, looking up at the tall heights around her; they seemed almost alive to her somehow. With a wistful sigh she continued on, memories coming back to her, most of them happy ones.
"Huh? What's that?" she paused on a tree root, sniffing slightly.
There was a definite fishy stench on the air. She cocked her ears, hearing a shuffling sort of sound, twigs breaking gently. Moving like a wraith, she searched until she came to a small stream. There was a pale pallid figure, hunched over, with its arms between its legs.
"What's in my pocketses…the pocketses," the lisping words were malicious and vicious sounding. "We'll show him what is in the pocketses, won't we precious? Precious…my precious!! Him and his pocketses!!" a knobbly fist rose and shook at the canopy up above. "My precious…precious…"
"Gollum?" she asked softly stepping out from behind the tree; he looked so miserable and wretched.
The hunched figure whipped around, bounding over the small rivulet of water that separated them. His large eyes gleamed dully in the shadows, pupils like pinpoints. She seated herself calmly, watching him with a smile. Gollum tilted his head curiously and crept forward slightly.
"What does Elf lady want?" he spat out; his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"To talk. Get to know you. Are you fishing Gollum?"
"Gollum must fish; Gollum must eat. But Elf ruinses fishing. Leave Elf." the last word was a hiss that could have made her laugh.
"I won't leave Gollum." she said, moving closer to the stream.
She didn't say anything as he leapt back, further away from her. Rolling up her sleeve, she looked in the water; it was small but surprisingly deep. There, just by the big rock. She slid her arm in slowly, ignoring the frigidity of the waters. Her hand crept closer and closer until there was a sudden explosion of movement that resulted in the fish flopping on the bank. She watched as Gollum darted forward and snatched the fish up, smacking it sharply against a rock and started gnawing on it.
"Elf fishses well." he said cautiously after a few seconds.
Kayla simply inclined her head. "What are you doing here Gollum?"
"Big People hunt Gollum. Gollum did nothing to them." there was a mournful tone in his voice. "Gollum only wants his precious back."
"Who took your precious Gollum?" she asked, hearing the vindication in his voice. "Was it some one you know?"
"Not Gollum; Sméagol for nice Elf who fishes. Elf gave Sméagol a nice fish, a fine tasty fish. Elf will help Gollum escape the mean Big People?" his voice sounded so gentle, like a child's. "No, no for precious, is Gollum. Not Sméagol, Gollum!" now it sounded bitter and harsh.
"It's all right; Gollum will suffice." she said. "Do you like the fish?"
"Good fish. Fine and tasty fishses for us." he paused. "Why is Elf here?"
She chuckled at the sly tone in his voice. "I am here because I was supposed to look for you. But," she said as he started. "I think that perhaps you deserve a second chance for whatever it is you did."
"Gollum did nothing!" he wailed plaintively.
"Hush! There is another here who is not as generous as I. She would tell the others you are here." she said in a low voice.
"Elf will help Gollum?" he looked at her in disbelief. "I told you nice Elf will help Gollum." there was a vindicated tone in his voice.
"I can help you Gollum. All I can do is tell you the way you should not go. Go south, not north, and you shall be fine."
"Elf no trick Gollum? Not send Gollum to big people?" his voice sounded sceptical.
"On my word. You will not find Gandalf or-"
"Gandalf! Here?!" Gollum's face seemed to twist in rage and anger. "Gollum will leave. No like Gandalf, do we preciouss? But preciouss is here in the north."
"I will watch out for your precious. If I find you again, I shall return it. Thievery is nothing to be proud of." Kayla said as she rose. "How shall I find you if I do find your precious again?"
"Gollum will find Elf. Elf smells like flowerses. Those wonderful wretched flowerses."
Kayla paused for a minute, watching as Gollum melted into the shadows. His voice had that peculiar tone of a torn soul. She sighed as she rolled her sleeve back down and headed back to where Midori was. She paused, making out her sister's form in the shadows. She sat down silently and watched her as she twirled her axe around and around.
"Here."
Kayla stuck her axe out, expertly catching the piece of bread that was thrown her way. She chewed on the end slowly, watching Midori the whole time; she seemed to be cradling something in her hands, like one would a child. She waited until Midori had closed her eyes, the object in her hand simply sitting there, calling to her. She crept forward slightly, unsure if Midori was truly asleep; she still remembered that backpack slamming into the Wild Men from when they first arrived. It was the steady sound of breathing that told her all was fine. She walked over silently, slipping the paper from her hands.
It was a small collage of pictures on a single page, protected by a laminate; all of one person. 'You know...he's not that bad looking' She smiled slightly as she looked at the old watercolour, the black sloe eyes gleaming dully and brightly on the silk cloth. The next one was on a thin paper, the colours delicate as before. Only now the clothes had changed completely. She frowned, her brow wrinkling as she went from picture to picture, ending when she finally ended at the daguerreotype. The man was wearing the full armour of the ancient samurai, the sword by his side and a patch on his left eye. 'And they are all the same man. Who is he? Was he her lover or something? How can he look the same in all the pictures? These must span the country's history and then some.' She placed it back carefully, making sure to not wake Midori.
Taking her seat by the opposite tree, she settled herself down easily. 'He was her lover. She wraps herself in memories and grief and ignores her own sister; the one who wants to help her more than anything else. What kind of sister is she?'
"Hush your tongue viper!" she snarled at herself. "I have no need for your venomous words and lies." she turned herself over grumpily, pulling her cloak closer.
'But I speak the truth. I speak what you are afraid to acknowledge or even consider.'
"Who the fuck are you?" she spat as she attempted to stare up at her forehead as if she could see the person.
'Why, I am Annatar. Have you not put two and two together yet Arlonniel?"
"Shut up; if I want something I can get it myself."
'But you are not sure of one thing; the Elf whose company you value above hers.'
"How the hell can you be talking to me from Mirkwood?" she asked in a rather irritated and interested voice.
'I have great mental abilities. I can make these yours if you-'
Kayla looked up to see Forobas' arm extended over her head. She looked up at him curiously, cocking her head.
"Do not listen to him my Lady. He will simply lead you astray."
"How so?"
"There is much about Annatar that he does not wish for you to know. Or to ever know. He will use you like a puppet as he has with Gollum and countless others."
"Are you one of those countless others Forobas?" she asked after a few minutes hesitation. "What is your story; how did you come to be this way?"
There came a laden and tense silence. "Do not ask that of me yet my Lady. Now is not the time nor is this the proper place for talk of such dark things."
"I do not mind Forobas." Kayla shifted. "At the moment, I would much rather a dark tale than have to put up with Midori."
Forobas gave a pause. "What do you wish to know my Lady?"
"How did you end up as shadow?" she reached out to touch his cloak, pausing as he retreated. "Why do you draw away from me so?"
"You must not do that; you must never touch me. I still fear what my vessel may now be. I cannot endanger one as young as you."
"I am not young Forobas. I have lived out almost three thousand years where I grew up, Midori as well. I have seen more changes than you can begin to comprehend. I have seen darker and fouler things; the story of how you came to be this way cannot scar me anymore than I already I have been."
Nothing was said for a few minutes. "Do you forgive me my Lady? Can you forgive me?"
"Forgive you? What for?" she was puzzled now.
"I-I failed you and Carardaiel my Lady. Yet I still exist because of my charge to protect you two."
"You did not fail Forobas. You sent us to a place where we would not be hunted down simply because we were helpless children and unable to defend ourselves against whatever Sauron had planned for us."
"You are most gracious my Lady."
Kayla paused as Forobas' voice became choked slightly; was he crying? "Do you think that Sauron would have wanted us for anything?"
"That is no mere bauble you bear on your neck my Lady. Not even Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel know of its true origins."
"Do you?"
"It is all part of my tale. I would advise that you make yourself comfortable Lady Arlonniel. This is a lengthy tale and not for the faint of heart."
Kayla sighed as she rubbed her eyes briskly. It had taken Forobas all night to impart his tale, and even afterwards, when he had melted back into his voluntary obscurity, she remained awake, the tales of Orcs, Nazgûl and their doings fresh in her mind. She tilted her head back as she looked up at the slivers of sky that were turning a light blue. Rising, she walked over to where Midori lay.
"Come on, time to get up." she said nudging Midori with foot gently.
"Give me five more minutes Haldir... simply five minutes." Midori murmured to herself as she rolled over, clutching the paper in her hands tighter. "I miss...so much..."
Kayla raised an eyebrow sharply hearing the disjointed words. 'Nah, it couldn't possibly be what I think it means. I mean, come on. Her...Haldir...she freaked on his ass that day at the river. And she obviously hates his guts...she never talks to him whenever he followed us around. Crap, I forgot about that. When we get back to Lothlórien...' She gave a resigned sigh before she nudged Midori harder.
"Get up..." she paused for a minute trying to think of a word. "Baka!" 'That's the best you can do? God...'
Midori stirred and raised her hand to her hilt as she stood at attention, the sleep vanishing from her eyes. "Hai, Jubei-kun? Nande wa…oh...it's you." she relaxed her grip and turned. "We should have been gone by now. Which way?"
"South." Kayla said as she started ahead of Midori, leading her horse, irritated by her attitude already. "I found Sméagol's tracks heading that way."
"You know this how?"
"Look at this." Kayla crouched down, looking at a track that was close by. "You wish to tell me that there is a creature here in Middle Earth that can make a humanoid track like that and not be an Orc? Look at how it is splayed out, the slight webbing in the tracks."
"I'm not that blind gaijin1. I meant the name Sméagol." Midori's voice was cold and impassive. "How did you find it out?"
"After you left the bath, I went to find Gandalf. We had a further talk." she said smoothly as she rose and continued to follow the trail.
Midori seemed to accept this answer, falling silent afterwards. Kayla snorted every once in awhile as she made her way back over the path they took last night on foot, leading her mount. Before long they found themselves back in the hilly region, the silence wrapped even thicker than before like a heavy shroud. Kayla adjusted her grip on her axe handle, her instincts now screaming at her to get out of there; she wasn't inclined to disagree with them after so long.
"We're getting out of here." she said curtly as she turned around.
She paused as she saw Midori; her sister's face was perfectly calm and blank but her hand was gripping the hilt so tightly that her knuckles and upper digits were white. When she looked up to see the trees just behind her, all she saw was the sky.
"Oh fuck." she breathed as she grasped the necklace around her neck.
Midori gave her a quizzical eyebrow before she turned around. "Nande kuso?! Doko wa koubokutachi ka2?!"
"Right, whatever you said. Look, let's just follow Gollum's trail; it probably leads out of here anyways."
She didn't wait to see if Midori was behind her. This place was already starting to get to her; being edgy was never a favourable thing for her, no matter what the situation. The tracks wound through the hills, some closer together, some farther apart but they all lead straight up to a particularly large hill, the gaping stone lined entrance a black maw. Midori dismounted and stood beside Kayla, looking at it. She started in but was stopped by Midori who suddenly grabbed her arm. Kayla looked into her eyes before she snatched her arm back; all she saw in those eyes was sadness and...no; she looked closer - it was arrogance and defiance. That same bloody arrogance that she had faced in Manchuria when... 'That was then and this is now. You have no right to drag the past into this, absolutely no right.'
'And you think that she has forgotten? You feel it deep inside...you know it...she resents you...hates you even.'
Kayla's face twisted into a frown as she continued on into the darkness. 'Shut the fuck up you bastard. You don't give , or know, two shits about how I act with her.'
'Don't I? I know she never told you why she doesn't use the necklace anymore. Did she even tell you that she knows how to use it?'
"Shut up!" she snarled suddenly, the harsh words echoing out through the darkness.
They both froze in their tracks, waiting for the echo to die. Kayla was about to start walking again when Midori spun her around.
"Do that again and we leave and take our chances outside."
"You can't order me around." she jerked her shoulder away from Midori's reach. "I came in here and this is where I am going to try to find Gollum. His tracks led right here. We just confirm that he is here and then we'll leave."
Midori looked at her before she readjusted her grip on her sword hilt, not replying at all. Kayla turned, angrier than before. Who was she to try and order her around as if she didn't have ahead to think? They were the same age and had more or less the same experience...probably.
'She will stab you in the back. You saw what was in the mirror.'
'Annatar, if you have nothing to help me you'd had better leave me alone or you will eventually regret it.'
There came a blissful period of silence. 'Very well then lady Arlonniel. I simply wish to help my friends.'
Kayla sighed as she carefully skirted a puddle of smelly brackish water. 'Forobas says that you are not my friend.'
'You would trust Forobas?'
'He died to save us from Sauron.' She paused as she tightened her grip on her axe. 'Is it true Annatar? That you caused the war over the Rings of Power?'
'Regrettably so; I was young and naive. I didn't know that the Dark Lord would come to treasure such jewels. I made them for the Dwarves, Elves and Men so that all could have something to enjoy in life. Sauron turned it to his benefit.'
Kayla paused for a minute, hearing a strange sound off in the distance. 'Annatar...'
'Prepare yourself Lady Arlonniel. Grasp your necklace and use it to route your essence through the amulet before you direct it to your axe.'
'All right.' What did she have to loose from his advice?
'They shall come from the left.'
'Who will-'
Kayla didn't have time to finish the thought for a blur of motion caught her eye from the right. She quickly channelled her...essence through the amulet on her neck. Remembering Annatar's words, she faced the right, axe ready.
"Kayla!" Midori cried out.
She was ready for it, swinging her axe above her head with a roar, before she brought it crashing into the figure that leapt out at her from the shadows. Her axe connected with a hard crack, the sound accented by the red light that sprang from her blade and enveloped the figure, burning like a flame. It writhed and screamed in a high pitched noise that made her gasp, clutching her hands to her ears; it was so high pitched. Plus she felt drained by doing whatever she had just done. She raised her head painfully to see the figure still convulsing, the folds of its clothing sinking closer and closer to the ground. She staggered up to see Midori slashing her sword through her opponent viciously, the bright blue swathe folding around it before it dissipated away, with the figure as well.
Kayla picked herself up, rubbing at her ear; she was lucky there was no blood. She looked around warily before she started to make her way back to the entrance. Midori came behind her, sword out as she covered the escape from the darkness. Once they made it back outside, Kayla could see the trees once more; and Gollum's tracks had mysteriously vanished.
"It could have gotten you." Midori said as she sheathed her sword. "What's wrong with you?"
"What's wrong with me?" Kayla flared suddenly. "Maybe you haven't noticed but we - as Elves - do have extremely sensitive hearing! That thing could have killed me with its voice alone!"
"Hmph." Midori turned her back as she started to walk away.
"Where the hell do you think you're going? I'm not done talking to you yet!" she ran in front of Midori. "What the hell is your bloody problem anyways?"
"Leave me alone gaijin." Midori almost spat before she tried to sidestep her.
Kayla gritted her teeth as rage flooded through her. How dare Midori do this to her? Was she simply to be brushed aside as some common annoyance, like an object that got in the way? She was a person for God's sake. Clenching her fist, she closed her eyes; there was no way that she could let this past. Midori's eyes grew slightly wide as she started to look down at the amulet on her neck. Her hand flew up in a second, connecting with Midori's face as a slap. She poured all her rage into it, sending Midori flying. She felt something drain from her as she saw Midori lying there motionless for a few seconds. A panic started to grip her as she ran over and picked her up.
"Midori? Midori? Oh God Midori, answer me!"
Midori opened her eyes a few seconds later, only to shove Kayla away violently. "If you ever do that to me again, you'll find something new to fear from water and its forces."
Kayla didn't move at the soft, deadly tone in Midori's voice. She simply nodded her head as she left Midori to rise on her own. She winced seeing the large bruise starting to form on Midori's cheek. Kayla made a motion to reach out and touch it but was stopped when Midori grabbed her wrist, her face and expression implacable. Kayla nodded her head in acknowledgement as she started to pull her hand back; there was no way she could win against the hard light that was now in Midori's eyes. They mounted their horses and continued on in silence, searching through the hills, Midori had just started to the forest when Kayla finally talked.
"I looked all night; Gollum is not there."
Midori didn't respond, simply turning and heading back north. Kayla followed after her, unsure of how to heal the rapidly widening rift between them.
The flat sight of prairie land greeted them for the fifth day in a row. Kayla sighed as she urged her horse to trot to keep up with Midori. This was the first of the initial sweep and now they were meeting to see what the next course of action would be. 'If I remember correctly Strider said that all the Rangers would be here...all of them.' She couldn't help but wonder just how many Rangers there were in this land. One hundred, two hundred; it didn't matter what her speculations, she would see soon enough.
The mountains were coming up closer and closer, making her grateful for her thick cloak; how many nights had it kept her warm alone or with the help of a fire? She had lost count now but she was growing very attached to the cloak and this outdoors life that she was leading once again; even if she was starting to smell a bit funky. 'Next time we stop off somewhere near water, I'll take a bath. A nice long bath, even if the water is cold.' She frowned as she looked up at the hill that Midori was starting to climb; they should have reached the place by now; where they behind?
Seeing Midori standing at the top, she hurried up after her to see what had made her stop. Horses of almost every colour stood on the plain below. She rubbed her reins before she urged her horse downwards eagerly; finally, some company besides Midori's. She allowed her horse to have a free charge down, sensing the animal's need to fully stretch its muscles. She reined the beast in easily as hill eased off into the flat plain once more.
"Arlonniel! Carardaiel!"
"Must I always be plagued by people?" she groaned in a good natured voice as she dismounted and left her horse with the others to feed. "Elladan, Elrohir! How have you two - oof!" the breath was knocked out of her as she was sandwiched in a hug by Elladan. "That's nice guys." she wheezed.
"Maybe you two could let me go?" Midori gasped as she was crushed in a bear hug by Elrohir. "Have we suddenly become your favourite people?"
"Always glad to see kin." Elrohir said as he released her after a few minute.
"Could you do the same thing, Elladan?" Kayla managed.
"She does need to breathe after all." Midori said as she walked past slowly.
Kayla shot her a look before she focused her attention on Elladan. "Please?"
"Anything for our aunt." he said letting her go finally.
"So how was your search?" she asked as they made their way to the large meeting in the trees.
"Very unsuccessful." Elladan said with a shake of his head. "For such an ungainly creature, it is extremely hard to locate."
"Midori and I had the same luck."
"Where did you look?" Elrohir asked.
"We go this place with hills in the Shire. The Barrow Downs I believe." she paused, seeing the looks on Elladan's face. "What is so bad about them?"
"The Barrowwights." Elrohir explained quickly. "You don't want to run into one of those things. They aren't much fun to deal with."
"I would imagine so." even now, her hands felt as if they burned with some unquenchable fire.
"We are more than likely the last few to be arriving, so we shall start this soon." Elladan said as they made their way into the large circle.
Kayla watched as the murmurs in the circle died down gradually to be replaced by silence. She craned her neck slightly as she saw Strider come take his place in the circle and make way for Gandalf's tall grey figure.
"I would like to thank you all for taking the time to actually aid me in my search for Gollum." Gandalf's voice rang out clearly. "Has anyone found anything?"
"Tracks heading to the North." one Ranger voiced.
Kayla watched as nods of assent passed around. "I found the tracks doubling to the south." she voiced.
A hush went around a Gandalf regarded her for a moment. "The south you say?"
"Yes. Midori and I were in the forest on the edge of the Shire when I found the tracks one night and we followed them to the Barrow Downs where they turned and headed back southwards."
"This is most unpleasant news indeed." Gandalf said in a murmur as he paced for a bit. "How old were the tracks?"
"Not more than three days old."
"Then there might still be time." Gandalf cleared his throat. "If I may ask but one more favour of you all?"
"Ask Gandalf. You have our ears." someone piped in from the back.
"Thank you. Could you by any chance, watch the Shire as I head after Gollum? I fear the agents of the Dark Lord may be stirring and will find the Shire a far too easy target."
"You have our help once more Gandalf." Strider said with a nod of his head.
"Well, that's nice to know. I am not as young as I used to be. Lady Arlonniel, Lady Carardaiel, may I have a word with you?"
Kayla looked around as the rest of the Rangers dispersed as she walked forward slowly, not looking at her sister once. "Yes Gandalf?" she asked, not giving Midori a chance to speak.
"Perhaps you two could do me a small favour in addition?"
"Gandalf, I must be honest with you." Midori said in a quiet voice. "My soul is weary and I wish to return to Caras Galadhon for a brief respite; I fear that I may not be able to ask such in the future. You still have my sword if you need it. Perhaps I can watch the southern border while you seek Gollum out. Kayla can stay here in the Shire if need be."
"Actually, I simply wanted you to stop by and visit Bilbo. He has been asking about you two."
"He has?" Kayla asked in a surprised voice. "He remembers us?"
"It's not everyday he has the honour of entertaining Elves, much less as guests for the night." Gandalf's eyes twinkled. "Simply stop by for a visit. Then, you both return home and can keep an eye on the southern border."
"Thank you Gandalf. My own bed will be a welcome change from the ground and tree bark." Midori said with a faint smile.
Gandalf nodded and motioned for them to hurry off. "And make sure that Bilbo gets out of his study. I think he may be spending too much time in there."
Kayla nodded as they started towards their horses, waving farewell to Gandalf. "So we are to return home?"
"Yes." Midori said as she walked up to Kuroi and mounted easily. "And name your horse. I am tired of hearing his complaints."
Kayla looked up at Midori surprised before she looked into her horse's eyes. There was definitely a light of annoyance and strained patience.
"You want a name?" she laughed as her horse nickered loudly and started off after Kuroi and Midori. "All righty then. A name, a name." she thought for a minute. "How about Epona?"
The horse gave a loud unpleasant snort.
"All right, not that one. Oh! I know! Sleipnir?" she smiled as the horse tossed its head, a small prance coming into its step. "Sleipnir it is then."
Kayla paused at the large round door before her, waiting for Midori to finish setting the horses on their lines. When she finally saw the dark head coming down she knocked on the door. Midori sighed as not a single answer came; she simply crossed her arms and seated herself on the step.
'Yeah sure, act like that. It really helps.' She knocked again, with a bit more force and insistence. The door remained silent as did the house; not even a vehement 'Go away!' came from inside. She glanced as Midori rose and walked away before she gave a snort and started knocking again. Then she paused as she heard the sound of bare feet against the gravel. Turning around, she saw Frodo come from around the corner, another hobbit by his side.
"I'm telling you Sam-"
"Mr. Frodo! There's people at your door! Big Folk!"
She smiled as she walked to the end with Midori, trying to not laugh at the mixture of fascination and slight fear and awe mixed on Sam's face. Frodo simply smiled further and hurried up.
"It's nice to see you again Midori. Kayla, how have you been?" he said as he shook their outstretched hands.
"You know these people Mr. Frodo?" Sam's voice held a tinge of doubt.
"I do Sam." Frodo said, looking at Sam with amusement. "They're Elves and my friends."
Sam's eyes nearly popped from his head as he looked at them in full blown awe. "Elves?"
"You'll have to forgive Sam." Frodo said. "He has wanted to see an Elf for a long time now."
"That's all right." Midori said as she watched Sam more carefully. "I have wanted to see more hobbits, so the feeling is mutual."
"May I ask what you are doing here? If we had known you were coming, I would have made sure that Bilbo stayed."
"Bilbo's gone?" Kayla asked. "Where to?"
"Oh, just down to the East Farthing somewhere. He needed to get away from some people."
"Hm." Midori frowned as she looked down the path that Frodo and Sam had just come off of. "There is a foul voice on the air3."
Kayla paused as did Frodo and Sam, ears cocked and ready.
"Where is he? That Baggins will not escape us this time Otho, we'll set things straight with him!"
"It's Lobelia! Hurry, into the house!" Frodo said rushing past the gate and opening the door.
Kayla and Midori hurried in, pressing themselves close to the wall as Frodo shut the door and motioned for them to be silent. A loud insistent pounding followed on the door along with a screeching voice. Kayla winced at each demanding squealish note that came through the thick wood. After a few minutes, Midori, who had her hands over her ears, glared at the door and started towards it when Frodo grabbed her arm, eyes pleading with her not to.
Her expression soften somewhat. "Lle dura amin4?"
"Eithel...uma5." he said in a quiet voice, letting go.
Kayla watched as Midori strode to the door and opened it.
"All right you, what that idea with..."
Lobelia's words fell short as Midori simply stood there, making no effort to hide her sword hilt. Kayla snickered as she saw Midori's finger tapping against it impatiently, waiting to see what Lobelia would do. After a few minutes, Lobelia took off with Otho in tow. Midori shut the door and walked in with a quiet sigh.
"Thank you very much." Frodo said. "Would you like a cup of tea or something?"
"A cup of tea would be nice." Midori replied in a quiet voice.
Kayla watched as they made their way to the kitchen and seated themselves as best they could. Every once in awhile she would catch Sam staring at her and she would throw him a smile, only to find that he looked away as if she wasn't there. 'Shy...'
"So," Frodo said as he seated himself after serving the tea. "You still haven't said why you came by."
Kayla looked at Midori who was sipping her tea in quiet enjoyment. "We decided to take Bilbo up on his offer to come and visit again."
1 gaijin - Japanese for 'foreigner'; more precisely, it refers to 'someone who isn't from Japan' *keep that in mind people!! crucial later. hint hint*
2 Nande kuso?! Doko wa koubokutachi desu?! - Japanese for 'What the hell?! Where are the trees?!' * 'koubokutachi' means 'tall trees'
3 There is a foul voice on the air - not mine in any remote way. I'm sure you all remember this from the movie - if you have seen it...I hope you have ^^ - when a certain Elf, that ~some~ people are enamoured with *koff koff*, by the name of Legolas says it. Mainly when they try to make the Gap of Rohan via the Caradhas Mountains and...well...it's history from there.
4 Lle dura amin - Do you believe me?/Do you trust me?
5 Eithel...uma. - Well...yes.