Chapter Fifteen

Kayla winced as she held her head in a hand. It throbbed and pounded insistently, making her wish she had Midori's aspirin with her. 'Right genius, that's not going to happen.' She opened her eyes expecting to see the room in Mirkwood; what she found herself faced with was a much different and familiar sight.

She was back in the dark room again, the silver bowl resting on the black pedestal again, the water just clinging to the brim. She backed away slowly to the door and tried to tug it open; it was securely locked, preventing her escape.

"Annatar, what is this?" she called out harshly, rubbing her temple. "I am in no mood for games and such today."

"Indeed you aren't."

She whipped around as she heard his voice. He slunk out from behind a large chair, running his slim gauntleted fingers against the arm. She watched him warily as she kept herself close to the door, taking in his armour and the helmet under his arm; it was the same suit of armour that was in the mural. He was very different this time, not the person she usually knew. His eyes flicked to her every once in awhile as he slowly made his way to the bowl.

"I haven't seen you in a long while."

"Perhaps that is a good thing."

"Forobas broke the link I worked so hard to make." his voice was mournful. "Then your mother stepped in and severed it completely."

She narrowed her eyes at his savage tone. "If you wish to keep your tongue, you'll speak in civil tone regarding, Galadriel."

"Hm." his voice was contemptuous. "She has done me no favour of late."

"Not that I blame her." she mumbled to herself. "Why did you bring me here?"

"I brought you here to offer you a choice." he said resuming his usual silky smooth voice.

"And just what would that be?" she asked in suspicious voice. "You want my hand so I can take my role as Queen?" she didn't bother to hide the contempt.

"No. If you don't want that, then I shall not make you." his eyes gleamed with something else for a split second. "I propose a much different choice."

Kayla remained against the wall, Forobas' warning echoing through her thoughts. "What choice?"

"I shall imbue you with pure magic." he said with a simply shrug as he started forward again. "No longer would you need that paltry necklace that graces your throat."

Kayla's hand went to the metal that had rested there since she was a babe. "If it's so paltry, then I think I will keep it. I shall forfeit your offer...Annatar."

"Perhaps you do not fully comprehend what I am offering you here." he said more intently, his eyes gleaming with flickers of fire. "I can give you all that you desire, Arlonniel."

She remained against the wall, clutching the amulet in her hand tightly as he approached rapidly. "I don't want what you have to offer. I can obtain what I want myself."

Annatar laughed out loud as he stopped in front of her. "As can I."

A gasp came from her throat as his hand shot out and grabbed hers, pulling it towards him. She fought, pulling back with all her strength. His other hand came and started to pry open her fingers, eyes gleaming with avarice as the leaf inside her palm was slowly revealed.

She gritted her teeth and concentrated as she focused and sent him flying with a large crack of red light. Sinking to one knee, she kept holding onto the leaf; she nearly forgot how draining it could be. Annatar laughed manically as he rose, his body crackling and falling away with flame. She watched horrified as she watched him burn away into a pile of ashes, silence filling the room. With a sigh, she sunk down to the floor against the wall, her grip relaxing around her necklace. Now she was truly free. His words didn't haunt her mind and now he wouldn't haunt her... She looked around as the normally cool room started to heat up slightly. She winced as she felt a burning sensation on her palm. A glance down showed the fine leaf on her skin glowing as if it were heating up. She tried to move it but found it indelibly fixed on her flesh. She tried even harder as it continued to burn, the edges of her skin blackening and smoking. She screamed in pain as she ran to the basin and poured the water over it, clouds of steam billowing off and filling the room rapidly.

"You cannot escape."

She froze as the white clouds around her, steadily and rapidly, turned pinkish and then a deep bloody red. Backing away, she ran to the wall blindly, feeling around until she came to the door. She tugged frantically hoping it would open, glancing back and seeing the red become brighter and much more intense. Suddenly a gust of wind blew through, whisking all the clouds away and leaving her out there. Slowly, she stopped tugging and turned around, seeing the giant flaming eye that had come to her in Dublin, She started screaming, banging on the door as if it would open and free her as the eye started forward again, slowly trapping her between it and the door, burning and scorching in its intense flames.

"You will be mine. It will be mine."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Arlonniel! Wake!"

Her eyes flew open with a scream, looking around wildly for the burning death to bear down upon her. Instead she was looking at Legolas' worried face as well as that of King Thranduil's. She swallowed hard before she brushed the hair from her face, finding it to be stringy and wet from her sweat drenched forehead.

"Y-Yes? Have I disturbed you?"

"Screams at a late hour in the morning would be enough to bring anyone running, Lady Arlonniel. The groom tells me you arrived last night." King Thranduil said.

"Yes, I did. I didn't wish to disturb either of you. I am sure you must be busy." she said in a quiet voice.

"What happened at Caras Galadhon to make you come here so immediately?" Legolas asked as he peered carefully into her face.

Kayla opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. "It is best if I remain away from my sister for the time and Mirkwood was the first place I thought to come. I hope you do not mind if I stay here for a little bit."

"You are welcome here whenever you come." Thranduil said with a gracious nod of his head. "Perhaps it would be best for you to stay here for the winter."

"Thank you, King Thranduil, I wasn't expecting such hospitality." she said catching the mild look of surprise on Legolas' face. "I simply feel a bit tired. Perhaps you could leave me to rest and then later..."

"Very well." Thranduil said with an understanding smile. "Come Legolas, we shall leave her to rest."

"Actually," she said as they stated for the door. "I wanted to talk to Legolas...alone."

Thranduil regarded her for moment before he nodded his head as he left, closing the door behind him.

"I thought you wanted rest." Legolas said as he came back and stood by the side of the bed.

"I do. But of late, I find my dreams have been troubled lately." she said, staring at the bedcovers. "A person is there who..." she shook her head, rethinking what she wanted to say. "There is something off, something wrong. I think something is going to happen soon, I am not too sure what."

"You are not alone in this." he frowned slightly thinking. "I have felt something off as well but not something like what you describe."

"Before I came here, I saw a great eye in my dreams one night." she looked up at him. "It was red, covered...no dripping in flames. And I saw it again last night and...Legolas...I...why am I seeing such things?"

"Evil is stirring again." he said. "I fear that there may be another war looming."

"Another?" she paused. "That could explain the Orcs."

"Orcs?"

"Four days ago, before I left, we drove off a large band of Orcs that tried to enter the woods." she shuddered. "I never imagined that Orcs were so..."

"Hideous?"

"Well...they certainly aren't picturesque." she said in a cynical voice.

Legolas chuckled before he fell silent. "It was a great eye you say?"

"A great eye." she shuddered. "I can't help but think..." she shivered and held her arms. "When I was in Rivendell, I saw a painting, of the last stand against Sauron. In my dream I saw the same armour. For some reason, I fear that the eye is Sauron in some manner."

Legolas sat down on the bed, an uncertain look on his face. "Why do you not tell my father this? Why do you tell me?"

"I prefer talking to you." she said. "If you listen to my stories, then surely you will listen to me when I have something serious to say and believe me to a certain degree. At least, I hope so." she managed to put a light tone in her voice.

He nodded his head before he rested his hand on hers gently. "Make sure you get some rest Arlonniel. We can talk later."

She nodded as he gave her a smile and pulled the blankets back up. She looked back seeing him in the doorway, with a thoughtful expression.

"Legolas?"

"I think my father has taking a liking to you." he gave her a grin. "And it is no easy feat to win his approval."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kayla walked out among the trees, staring thoughtfully at the ground as it passed by. She still felt bad about up and leaving like that right after, but if Midori has hated her so much that she would kill her, it was best of she stayed away for a lengthy amount of time. A breeze came and whipped loose strands of her hair into her face; she was glad she had done her hair in a tight French braid.

"I, for once, do not know what to do." she murmured to herself, pausing by a tree and seating herself underneath it. "There is no way I can face her now. She'll look at me and only be reminded of her loss."

She sat there, playing with the hem of her shirt futilely. Her mind couldn't stop dragging up the image of Midori being carried away, the tears streaming down her face; it seemed to be stuck on a loop. The words she could never understand but they echoed around in her mind constantly, reminding her of a past she thought she had long forgotten. She stared out at the fallen leaves, noticing the shadow that fell over her but choosing toignore it.

"Are you so lost in thought again Arlonniel?

"Legolas…" she looked up with an unconscious smile. "Vioviel." she added seeing the sombre woman before she turned her attention back to him. "Do you want something of me?"

"Archery." he stated simply, tapping his bow against his leg slightly. "You have not been doing much for the past day. And you are not, for once, surrounded by your usual audience."

"That I am not," she agreed with a chuckle, rising. "I suppose I could join you for a bit of target practice, but I shall not be shooting anything."

He nodded his head. "Did you sleep well last night?"

"Yes." she said as they started walking; if she admitted the truth, she knew he would start some sort of fuss.

"I see you have not brought your axe with you."

"My axe is for battle, and as you can see…" she made a sweeping gesture with her hands.

"But a bow is much more easier to handle. No cumbersome bulk to worry about and such." he slid her an amused look. "Plus the arrows can be a fearsome weapon without the bow."

She chuckled slightly. "Are you trying to get me to switch weapons?"

"No. I am merely pointing out the attributes of bows and arrows."

Kayla coughed, covering up her laughter. "I am sure that you know all of such things. But I am perfectly content with my choice of weapon. I find bows and arrows to be too…frail."

"Frail?" he gave something of a slight scoffing sound. "Bows are made of the strongest wood there is."

"And axes to metal." she gave him an oblique glance with an irrepressible smirk. "Each has their own attributes, Legolas."

"That is Prince Legolas, Lady Arlonniel." Vioviel corrected her from behind them.

"Oh yes. How could I forget?" she replied in an ironic, blasé voice.

"Ah, we have reached the shooting ground." he said, his lips tugging into a smile as they entered the clearing. "If you would be so kind, Vioviel, to help me set up the targets?"

Kayla watched as they walked down to the end of the range and set up all the wooden posts and things before coming back and checking over heir weapons. She silently climbed up a tree, seating herself on the lower branches, chuckling at their preparations; hopefully, Vioviel was not always that slow, for Legolas was patiently waiting for her. She waved down with a smile as he looked for her. Then she spied Vioviel's frown of displeasure as she had finished and stood up. With a motion for him to turn around, she leaned back against the tree trunk and watched as they notched their arrows and let them fly to their targets with a satisfying 'thunk'.

'Arrows and bows. I never did see the fascination with them.' She tucked the loose flyaway strands behind her ear as Legolas and Vioviel emptied their quivers, the wood targets at the end filled with feathered shafts. Even from here, she could see his taut muscles moving beneath his shirt, straining from the tension of the bow. And they way they settled back into place as he let the arrow fly to its target before the whole process repeated again; it was mesmerizing in a way. When Legolas looked around for her once more, she slithered down from the tree and ambled over.

"Had fun?" she asked with a smirk.

"Yes." he grinned at her. "Much easier than an axe, wasn't it?"

"Oh no you don't. I said I am not going to shoot," she admonished. "I just want to have a quiet day."

"Come now Arlonniel. You're here. I am sure that even one small shot will not destroy your quiet day."

"Perhaps Prince Legolas," Vioviel offered quietly. "She cannot shoot an arrow from a bow properly.

Kayla regarded the older woman for a moment. "Perhaps it is you who cannot shoot. Even one with your experience would not miss the same shot four times voluntarily."

"And the strength of youth can do better?" Vioviel arched an eyebrow in blatant challenge.

Kayla narrowed her eyes as she looked at Vioviel's now proffered bow. She took it and plucked the string before shaking her head. "How can you use this? It's so loose. May I?"

Vioviel nodded her head as she reached into her quiver. "And I happen to have a single arrow left."

"How gracious of you." Kayla took it as she finished restringing the bow and notched the arrow. "Now throw something up."

"I beg your pardon?" Vioviel asked in a somewhat surprised voice.

"Throw something up; did you not hear me the first time. That small sack by your side should do nicely." Kayla said as she pulled back slightly, smiling at the tension she now had. "You started this Vioviel."

Vioviel's jaw hardened as she detached the bag by her side. It was no bigger than a coin purse. Kayla narrowed her eyes in anticipation, fingers stroking the soft feathers on the arrow. Vioviel looked at her, no emotion on her face before her arm moved like lightning, the bag hurtling up into the air. Kayla aimed upwards and released all in one fluid motion, the string still thrumming from the release.

"Your bow." she said, handing the weapon back over with ease.

"And the bag?"

"At the end of the range, you can go see it you like. It should be on the second target from the left." Kayla said as she rubbed her temples.

"Forgive Vioviel." Legolas said as the Elf stalked off to see. "She hasn't really been herself lately and seems prone to picking fights with people."

"Yes well…she rubs me the wrong way also. She seems a bit…jealous and overprotective."

"Really?" Legolas asked, a thoughtful look on his face. "Do you think that she could like me?"

They looked at each other before they started chuckling to themselves.

"Egotist." she said as she smacked him gently. "It's not very nice to play with someone's feelings and emotions."

"You are right," he said. "I hope that we shall see you at dinner tonight."

"Um…" she faltered. "I'm not too sure."

"Have you made other plans?"

"No, it's just that…well…um…" she felt herself blush madly as she tried to think of something. 'Just tell him Kayla. Dinner parties are not your thing and you'll just spend the night reading a nice book. Go on, tell him.'

"Do you not wish to go down by yourself?"

"Um…yeah?" she offered kind of weakly. 'That's it? You've lived through countless battles, have had to lie through your teeth constantly to save your own skin and that was the best you could do? This couldn't possibly get any worse.'

"Then I shall come to your room and escort you down."

"What?!" she squeaked in an alarmed voice. "No, no, no, you don't have to do that!"

"It will not be that bad." Legolas said in a comforting voice. "Most likely Father will have a place for you beside me."

"Really?" she managed. 'I just had to open my big fat mouth and say that, didn't I?' She cleared her throat of its imaginary obstruction. "And when is dinner served? Around sunset?"

Legolas nodded. "Do you need an hour to get ready?"

"An hour is more than enough." she replied, biting on her inner lip.

"Very well. Ah, Vioviel, did you find it?"

Vioviel had a sour expression on her face as she held up the bag with the hole in it, the offending arrow clenched tight in her fist. "Perhaps you should go and see to your other lessons Prince Legolas."

"I suppose I should," he said in a resigned voice. "Until tonight, Arlonniel."

Her face flustered madly again as he took her hand and kissed it softly, his lips brushing faintly across her skin. She cleared her throat, as Legolas walked away Vioviel now not bothering to hide the dirty look she had plastered across her face before she went after Legolas. Kayla didn't reply, simply walking back to the spot she had previously occupied. She now had some time to kill before she had to go upstairs and get ready. She was just coming from around the corner when she spotted a familiar rumpled head.

"You're here, you're here!"

"It's nice to see you again Culros." she said with a smile as she plunked herself down in her usual spot. "Let me guess; you want to hear of the Spiders again?"

"Yes, the Spiders!" he sat in front of her, ears straining for her to start.

"All right, all right." she readjusted herself and started the tale. "If you insist."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Argh! None of these will do!"

Kayla glared down at the dresses that she had found waiting for her when she arrived in her rooms. The blue one was too bright and made her look angry, whereas the pale green one reminded her too much of mustard gas and all that came with it. The red one clashed horribly with her complexion and made her feel like a Christmas tree decoration.

"I now know why women insist on having two hours to prepare!" she half snarled to herself.

She stalked back to the closet and riffled through it again in case she missed anything. She sighed, seeing nothing and was about to close the door when a flash of purple caught her eye. 'Hello….what have we here?' She reached around into the back, cursing the fact that someone would put in a dress in the most hidden part of the closet. She held it up to the mirror for closer inspection; the deep lavender colour made her red hair stand out as well as her bright green eyes.

"This one will have to do." she sighed, giving the soft material a flick. "He'll be here any minute now."

She changed into it quickly, shaking out the clingy spots. 'Damn static…' Irritated, she snapped out a fold that clung stubbornly to her leg. She walked out onto the balcony, letting her hair down from its braid when a soft knock came on her door.

"Enter." she called, as she shook her head to free the final strands.

She turned, seeing Legolas as he entered hesitantly. A smile came to her face as she noted the shy, and somewhat wary look on his face; he looked like he had just entered one hell of a forbidden place.

"You look…" Legolas said, trailing off.

"I look what? Horrible?" she felt like laughing at the look on his face.

"I find myself at a loss for the proper word." his voice was bordering on awe almost.

"Flatterer." she said with a laugh. "You don't need to look as if you are about to be shot."

Legolas simply 'hmed', standing there patiently. Kayla stood there also, watching to see what he would do. The seconds ticked by before he started to tap his foot gently, looking around at the room with great interest.

"Oh, fine. Let's go down now," she finally said with a laugh. "You look absolutely uncomfortable!"

A look of relief swept across Legolas' face before he offered her his arm and they walked out of the room.

"What was wrong Legolas?" she asked, giving him a nudge. "You looked like you wanted to bolt."

"It…is not often that I find myself in a lady's room with invitation." he said, face going red.

"Ah, I see." she mused. "And you didn't want to do something embarrassing?"

"That was my goal."

"You didn't embarrass yourself, but you certainly made me laugh."

Legolas simply shrugged, as if he was thinking over what to say next. "That is a very nice dress."

"This?" she looked down at the folds. "I found it and threw it on. It's not much really."

"But it is not every night that such elegance and beauty graces my humble arm."

Kayla opened her mouth to respond, her face going red rapidly. "Legolas, you do not-"

"Lady Arlonniel! Prince Legolas!"

They both turned to see a Culros' distraught father come rushing up to them.

"Alusil, calm down, what's wrong?" Kayla asked, trying to keep the man still.

"Is Culros with you by any chance?" he looked at them hopefully.

"No, he is not." Legolas frowned. "You do not know where he is?"

"He spoke of trying to find Lady Arlonniel again. He wanted to ask you something about Spiders."

"He did?" she looked puzzled. "Before I left him, he said he wanted to go to the forest. I told him he was too young to go alone. Then he left to go play with his friends; did you talk to them?"

"Yes. And they said he left soon afterwards to find you." Alusil was becoming more upset. "Neither of you has seen him?"

"I am sorry." Legolas said with a shake of his head.

Kayla nodded her head, a pit developing in her stomach. "What did he want to ask me about the Spiders?"

"He didn't say my Lady, I am sure you know how Culros is…" Alusil trailed off, a horrified light in his eyes now.

"Surely you don't mean…" Kayla asked in a whisper, as it hit her too. "He's too young! He can't handle the forest, he will get lost too easily among other things!"

"The Elfling entered the forest alone? Speak quickly, Alusil!" Legolas said in a commanding voice.

"He most likely did my Lord." Alusil looked about ready to collapse into a nervous hysterical fit.

"Legolas, I'll go and inform the guard. Perhaps they saw him leave."

"I shall inform Father of what happened and meet you there." Legolas said. "Go with Lady Arlonniel, Alusil, she will be the first at the guard flets."

Kayla watched as Legolas hurried off before she looked back to Alusil. "It's all right. I am sure we'll find him."

"This is my fault my Lady. He listened too much to you. I should have known better when I knew he was of such fanciful character."

"Don't worry." she said as they started down the hallway. "Once this is all over, I'll make sure to leave out such…adventurous tales that can give small Elflings the wrong ideas."

She gritted her teeth as she did her best to comfort the distraught father. It would seem that she was taking another trip into Mirkwood Forest.