A/N: I'm kinda spaced out from doing two days' worth of annotations for The Joy Luck Club for English. o.0 My head is reeling from Jing-Mei's teen rebellion and Lena's disturbing and morbid thoughts, while Dir en grey's Raison D'Etre plays in the background of my spaced out mind.
Right of Blood
Chapter Seventeen
Kayla watched as the trees they passed through started to thin out. After a full night of travelling, they were now approaching their destination and for once in her life, she had never felt more nervous that she did now. Every bone in her body, every nerve ending screamed that she was walking into a trap of some sort. But she would not sacrifice anyone in order to get Culros back; she'd leave with both of them if she had anything to do about it.
"All right, we're about to enter Dol Guldor," she said looking at the massive ruins. "Does anyone have any last reservations?" she nodded her head sympathetically. "As do I. But you must rid yourselves of them; reservations can be a serious liability. However…we will need a few to stay here and keep watch over the perimeter." she looked over at the ones who looked the most repulsed by the ancient fortress. "The three of you, stay here and keep watch. Everyone else, we're going in."
She watched as the other Elves started down, rubbing the palm of her hand anxiously; it felt like it was burning again for some reason. Staring at her palm, she held the gasp that came from her throat. There, right on her palm where the necklace had been, she saw an angry red mark; it looked like it was starting to blister and swell grotesquely. She shook her head and looked back down; her hand was perfectly fine, barring the angry red colour that patch of her skin was. 'You fucking idiot. Letting dreams get to you...' She started down with the last of the few, feeling mad at herself. It was as if she was intent on get herself killed on this rescue.
As they approached the entranceway, they ducked behind the rocks seeking out any possible ambush spot and avoiding it. Before long, they made it to the door way. She curled her lip as she peered in, past the gently waving gossamer webbing. She motioned around at the ceiling before she made a motion to move silently and quickly. The last encounter with a Spider had done enough to teach her that new ones needed to hear sound in order to attack.
Rocks and other debris blocked their way as the guardedly made their way deeper into the ruined fortress of Dol Guldor. Kayla couldn't help but feel a shiver pass through her as she made her way in. This place stank, no reeked, of death and torture. Kayla looked back to see the other six moving through the webs, taking care to not touch the strands in any way. 'I don't think any of them want to deal with the weird Spider again...not that I blame them in the slightest.'
They continued on until they reached a split in the hall, both ways looming before them as black impenetrable abysses. They paused there for a moment while Kayla looked at the paths before them. When she spied Vioviel looking down the opposite one, her lips thinned into a line; her decision was made. Kayla motioned for Legolas and the other three Elves to head down one way. She, Vioviel and Narwen would take the other. She gave Legolas a rather pointed look as a look of disagreement flitted across his face. She watched as he motioned curtly to the others and they vanished away in the dark.
"Are you sure that was a wise idea, Lady Arlonniel?" Narwen asked in a muted voice.
"Hush!" Vioviel ordered in a harsh, yet quiet, voice. "You will draw the Spiders to us!"
Kayla gave Vioviel a scathing look as she led Narwen on with a gentle nudge to the back. If Vioviel wanted to get her hands on Narwen, it would be over her dead body. She didn't leave with anyone left behind. They made their way down, the fetid stench worsening in the still air, the ground sloping downwards. Kayla felt the hairs on her neck rise abruptly, stiff like bristles as she paused at an entranceway; there was something lurking in there for them. And that was the only way to go now that they had run out of hallway to go down.
She peered in past the door, surprised to see a torch flickering in the dank stained scone on the wall, far away on the other end. And then she heard it; the faint shuffle of chains punctuated by a terrified whimper and the acrid scent of metallic rust.
"Please...don't torture me so." the sound of chains came louder now. "I can hear the three of you out there. Just...just do what you want and leave me be."
"Culros?" she whispered in a faint voice. "Is...Is that you?"
"Arlonniel?!" he asked in a hopeful yet dismayed voice. "It...it really is you."
She motioned for the others to follow her as she made her way in. "Yes. It's me Culros. I have brought Narwen and Vioviel with me."
The chains started rattling even worse that before. "No...not her, please. She scares me."
"Narwen?" she asked puzzled; the gentle girl was a surprise, she seemed so unsuited for battle.
"No...the other one." Culros' voice was trembling now. "Please, don't let her come near me! Please, Arlonniel!"
"All right, Culros, I won't." she said in a soothing voice as she looked back at Vioviel with a rather sharp look. "We won't let anything more happen to you." she took the torch from the wall.
"You won't?" he asked in a hopeful voice. "Do...do you promise?"
Kayla blinked as she felt tears start to pool in her eyes. "I won't, Culros. Now come, I'll free you of your bonds and we can have you back home with your father in no time." she stepped closer, only to find him shrink away from her and the light.
"No. I don't want you to see me. I don't want you to see me like this."
"Culros, you are being very foolish at an imprudent time. Whatever it is, I promise I won't do anything to make you feel worse." she bent down, watching the area of shadow that he had retreated into. "Please, Culros, your father wants you back home with him. He was very worried about you when he realized that you had come into the forest alone; in a panic even and extremely distraught."
"You aren't mad that I came in here alone?" he sounded hopeful.
"Come boy, you are wasting valuable time!" Vioviel said in an urgent voice as she looked around before stepping forward. "Let us free you and-"
"Enough Vioviel!" Kayla said in a harsh whisper as she heard Culros whimper and cower back. "Don't worry Culros. I or Legolas will take you back ourselves. But you will be safe with us." she held the light up, noticing a flight of stairs behind a corner. "Please, Culros, we do not have much time. Let me free you from your bonds. That way we can find the others and leave this place soon."
She gave a sigh of relief as the boy managed to make a sound of assent from his sniffles. She came forward with the light to find that he had turned around, hiding his face from her. With a gentle touch, she turned him around to find that he threw himself on her, hugging her tightly. Kayla froze for a second, amazed at the sobs that were wracking his body before she enveloped him in a tight hug.
"Lle anta ilgorg, ai'er[1]." she murmured as she drew back. "Lle-"
She broke off, hearing a loud commotion come from the entranceway of the dungeon. Her eyes widened as she saw Legolas charge in with the other few, slamming the door shut and locking it with the dead bolt.
"Vioviel, Narwen, see to it that the door holds for a few more minutes." she said as she pointed. "Legolas, come here for a minute."
"They chained the child?" his voice sounded outraged and disgusted. "Brutes..."
"Help me with these. They are old and rusted." she said. "Give me an arrow. What is on the other side of the door?"
"Orcs and some other strange creatures." he said quickly, supplying her with an arrow.
Legolas fell silent as they both went to work on the locks, brows furrowed with concentration. When the device inside finally clicked and the shackles feel from his feet, he clung to Kayla's neck, burying his face in her neck. Murmuring to him, she rose in a half stoop, trying to draw back.
"Culros let me see your face. Let me see for myself that you are fine."
"But-" he began.
"Culros." she said in a weary voice.
He drew back quickly, trying his best to shield his eyes, but she pulled his hand away gently. She felt her throat constrict tightly as she looked at him. Culros' face was dirt stained and streaky from tears, overall fine. But his once bright inquisitive blue eyes had become a silvery sightless colour.
"What is this? What have they done to him?" she whispered in horror, touching Culros' face gently
Legolas turned Culros and looked into his eyes quickly. "Only once have I seen it; it comes from the Spiders poison. We must hurry. We can still save him."
"Save him from what, Legolas?" Kayla asked.
"Later. Is there another way out of here?" he asked, looking around.
"Il'er[2], this way!" she called, as she watched Legolas dart up the flight of stairs.
She waited as everyone made their way up, following directly after Vioviel. When she felt a sharp thrust against her chest that propelled her backwards towards the room that had just been entered by the throng of assailants, she looked up to see Vioviel's face before it disappeared. She hit the floor hard, as she saw feet tramping in, the black boots caked with mud and a disgusting layer of something else.
"Bind her! Make sure she doesn't escape!" the loud harsh voice was thick and barely understandable.
She gritted her teeth and gripped her axe harder as she tried to make it to the stairwell and retreat. But when she found herself caged in a ring of Orcs, she felt her throat go dry. Even now, she could hear the faint steps of the others coming back down.
"Leave!" she cried out. "Make sure he gets back safely! Auta[3]! Rima ten'ta[4]! Demada amin, rima[5]!"
When she heard the steps going back in the direction she focused her attention back on the Orcs around her before she turned her axe blade on them pouring her rage out onto them. Bright red swathes cut through them like they were nothing, limbs and such falling. Their screams mingled with her battle cries, creating a din that echoed out through the dungeon. Then she felt a rope around her neck that brought her crashing to the ground, the axe still held tightly in her hand.
Before she could get up to fight them off, she found more ropes around her, trussing her up like a wild animal. She squirmed and twisted in an effort to free herself. By the time a pair of booted feet stopped in front of her, she found herself blowing the strands of hair out of face that had come loose.
"Well, look at what we have here; an Elf...a female Elf too."
She didn't wince as the Orc dragged her up by her hair, peering into her face with dislike. "Go to fucking hell, asshole!" she spit in its eye.
The Orc didn't move at all, not even to wipe the spittle away. "If he didn't want you, I'd be inclined to eat you right now. Me and my men are hungry for fresh meat. We found the one you left behind in the forest."
"You ate Gazar?" she made a gagging sound. "And here I thought you Orcs may have had some taste."
The Orc before her narrowed its eyes. "If my brother couldn't defeat an Elf," the word was filled with derision. "Then he deserved to be eaten; though I hear that Elf is rather tasty as well."
She looked around at the other Orcs who were looking at her with a hungry gleam in their eyes. "Guess what I say to that."
She didn't even give the Orc time to respond, her leg flying up to kick it square in the temple and make it stagger back. When the creature dropped her, she found herself besieged by the rest of the Orcs filthy hands, dragging her up. She could barely see out of the curtain of her hair, spying the Orc that was shaking its head to clear away the aftershock.
"No one does that to Grimuk." came the low snarl.
Kayla never saw the blow coming that connected with her temple in a hard powerful blow. Her eyes rolled back into her head as she slipped into unconsciousness, the half blurred face of Grimuk and Vioviel's smile of triumph melting into the darkness as she did.
Opening her eyes, Kayla looked around seeing a rather dark room. 'Christ…' She rose unsteadily from the floor, shaking her head to clear it. When she heard a faint rattle, she looked down at her arms and ankles to see them shackled in cuffs. Giving them an experimental tug, she found them to be unfortunately secure and sturdy. What surprised her even more was the fact that her axe was lying right beside her, waiting to be picked up once more.
She peered into the darkness, straining to see if there was anything she could use. Her hand went to her waist after a few seconds, seeking the hilt of her barely used dagger. 'Idiot, they probably took that off of you when they tossed you in here.' But she looked down in surprise when she found her hand closed around it. It didn't take her long to start picking on the lock.
"This is far too easy. Managing to find Culros was far too easy. And when Vioviel…" she trailed off, feeling anger well up inside her. She may not have liked the woman but she at least had he decency to give her a degree if trust. "When I get back I'll show her who's the…"
Kayla trailed off as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up once more. She looked around the room, allowing the shackles to fall from her hands and feet. She looked around rapidly as she picked up the axe before she spied an ambush spot, darting into it quickly. Whoever put her in here seriously didn't think about the amount of shadows that would be casted in the corners. But then again, they probably didn't see her escaping anytime soon…if they had remembered to strip her of her dagger.
Grasping the weighty weapon firmly by the hilt, she watched carefully as the sound of the door opening came, followed by silence. She swallowed as her eyes moved from space to space, seeking their target. But all she saw was the faint flickering of the torch and nothing more. She stepped out hesitantly, looking around. 'Oh Valar…' She turned around as her gut screamed at her, bringing the axe down.
The stab was stopped by a death hold grip. Kayla looked up to find herself facing a shadowy pit where a face should have been, the hand that grasped her own skeletal-like and insubstantial. Then she felt it the lancing pain that burst from her hand, radiating outwards and spiralling through her body in convulsing tendrils. With a gasp she forced her hand back up, unwilling to yield to such an opponent. The grip increased, wanting her to drop the axe and still she held on, refusing to relinquish. She would not relinquish…she would rather fight that succumb.
"No!" she cried out, shoving the creature back with all of her strength, pulling it from inside.
Red light threw it farther, sending it hurtling against the wall. She didn't wait to see, bolting for the door. She was just about to make it when it slammed shut, leaving her with no time to stop. 'Okay, that really killed.' She reeled back from the door, after she managed to peel herself off from it, and faced her opponent once more. It was odd how her hand felt; like it was numb and on fire at the same time, especially that accursed spot.
She felt a chill run through her as it made some sort of sibilant sound, as if communicating with her. Ignoring it, she started to tug on the door, wanting to escape more than anything. When a forceful hand turned her around, she was prepared, laying the axe pole flat against her arm before she slashed it across its hood, dropping the axe and clapping her hands over her ears at the shriek it gave - she had put a bit of that magic into it as well and apparently it didn't like it. Before she knew it, she felt a burning sensation against her shoulder that brought out the burning sensation in her hand again.
"You..." she gasped as she looked down at her shoulder, as it went numb. "Stabbed me?"
She made an attempt to move her arm but found it sufficiently deadened. She knew how false her words now; it was only a superficial wound, but it was more than enough to immobilize her arm. She watched as the creature advanced on her slowly, an ominous intent in its steps. Grasping the axe in her other hand, she watched and waited, tense as a cat. She was glad that she had her axe was in her hand; that mithril was sturdy as hell - it had survived her of all people.
'Arlonniel. . .'
Her eyes widened in apprehension as she saw the pit glow a faint red. The spot on her hand burned worse than before, as if it was a scalding blister ready to burst while the rest of it felt cold and numb. Her shoulder felt icy cold also. She pressed herself back against the door, wishing that it would just go away and let her flee from the thing before it did anything to her.
When it stopped in front of her, she leaned off from the door slightly feeling for the handle. It raised its hand in front of her, palm open. What lay inside was a slender object, strange to her unfocused eye and mind. She grasped the handle, starting to pull the door open. The Nazgûl made a screeching sound as it slammed the door shut with its other hand, moving its hand forward more.
Kayla narrowed her eyes in suspicion. She had assumed my now that it would have tried to finish her off. And now it was offering her something after stabbing her with Valar knew what. Leaning forward, she pretended to inspect the object before she brought her dagger in with a vicious upper cut, the red light sinking into its robes.
She winced as it gave a shattering shriek, opening the door and bolting out down the hallway. Her feet pounded as she raced through the corridors following the faint scent of fresh air. She burst out into the forest, a rare beam of sunlight illuminating her path. She didn't waste any time, vanishing into the trees and the murk as she heard the sounds of a pursuit starting up behind her, the Orcs crowing with bloody intent and eagerness. She felt a chill pass through her as she jumped over tree roots and dodged low branches that threatened to knock her too her feet. Now she was the hunted.
A strange silence surrounded the small clearing as faint wisps of mist curled through it. A faint creak from one of the branches was barely heard, dying away in the murk. Seconds later, another sound could be heard, increasing in strength. A few minutes passed before a troop of Orcs passed through in their usual noisy manner, weapons clanking and grunting noises adding to the general din. As soon as the area was quiet again, a soft thud landed on the ground, watching where they went warily.
"Great...that's the fifth one to pass me in three days. This is taking far too long when I have to worry about Orc, Spiders and that weird ghost thing." Kayla muttered as she pulled a dirty strand of hair from her face. "You think someone up there would cut me a break."
She jumped back up into the trees, running along the thick branches at a breakneck speed. Where the Orcs were, the Spiders weren't too far behind. She learned that the hard way when they caught up to her the first time. She shuddered, trying to forget the madness that had descended when one of the Spiders decided to have a little snack. She took a firmer hold on her axe hilt as she passed by a particularly large oak. With a hasty stop, she climbed down, hanging from a branch to inspect the area around her. She smiled as she recognized the area; she wasn't too far away now. She could make it in fifteen minutes and be out of this nightmare for good.
As she swung herself back up easily, she froze, her hairs standing on end suddenly. There was a rather odd silence surrounding the place. She took another step hesitantly hearing something rustle in the branches behind her. Swallowing, she grasped a loose branch and flung it to the ground. Expletives ran through her mind as she heard and saw the dishearteningly familiar bulk flash down to the ground; another one of those weird Spiders.
She didn't wait to think, running for her life. Fighting one of these things with nine other was a different story; doing it alone just might get her killed. The noises of it following her made her steps quicken, the trees flying past her, twisted distorted observers of her flight. When a grey shape whipped past her, she ground to a halt, grabbing a tree branch to steady herself. The Spider scuttled forward, its six eyes gleaming with intent and something akin to hunger. She made a feint to the right, trying to elude the creature but found herself caught by a pair of sharp claws that dug into her shoulder and flung her to the far ground below.
Tears sprang to her eyes as her shoulder gave a sickening crunch, pain bursting through her arm and neck. Why did it have to be her left hand, her writing hand, of all parts of her body? The one hand that wasn't numbed and deadened? The Spider hovered over her triumphantly, its silky web shooting out as it wrapped her up swiftly into a large and increasingly squirming bundle. She shrank back, her soul rebelling at the thought of what would happen to her as it picked her up. Its eyes looked at her neck, the fangs moving as if in anticipation of a meal.
One of the claws darted down, ripping the necklace from her neck with precise aim. She watched horrified as the chain remained snarled in the claw by her head, tauntingly close, but far away to be mocking. She glanced up as her hand wriggled to grasp the rarely used dagger by her side, those same fangs starting to move forward slowly, as if savouring the moment. Kayla could only watch as her hand moved frantically as those fangs drew closer and closer. Her finger brushed against the tip of the hilt as the fangs came to her head, a stinking air rushing past her face. She shrank back as much as she could, her motions even more frantic now as she managed to grasp it. How dare this creature try to eat her; eat her! She felt immense anger well up inside her, begging for an outlet. She steeled herself before she forced her broken shoulder to move, the dagger being yanked up and sliced through the coils of webbing. An expression of surprise lit the Spider's eyes as she grabbed her necklace and glared at it.
As if by her simple thought, the amulet glowed with a bright red light, increasing with intensity and heat. Her anger didn't seem to end, the endless stream of rage in her becoming a river. In a large explosion, the light surged forth, filling the forest with its brilliance. Kayla couldn't see anything more beyond the Spider's body being flung back before all she saw was red, filling her vision, burning itself into her mind.
Then the light was suddenly gone, leaving her alone and on the ground, the necklace tangled in her tingling fingers. She picked herself up wearily, looking around to see what happened. The Spider's body lay a few feet away, braced against a tree trunk as a charred smoking corpse, its legs curled into a defensive posture. Shocked, she continued on, making her way through the now eerily silent forest in a daze. When she came upon the next scene, she leaned heavily against a tree trunk, as if what she was seeing was a nightmare. What lay scattered through out the trees were the bodies of the Orcs, burnt and in convoluted postures.
She wandered her way through the graveyard until she saw the familiar light of Thranduil's realm. When she stepped through the trees, she found a small crowd of guards and people looking at the trees in wonder and fear, murmuring something about the red light that had halted the Orcs.
"Arlonniel!"
Looking up, she saw Legolas came through the crowd, a relieved expression on his face. "Sorry I took so long to get back."
Legolas stopped in front of her. He looked about ready to crush her in a hug. "What happened to you? He has been asking for you for the past four days."
"Has it been four?" she asked before she paused, thinking. "Maybe it has been...I lost track of time in there. I've had little sleep and been hunted down since I managed to escape. Plus my busted shoulder could use some attention."
"Come, I will take you to the healers." Legolas said in a firm voice as he led her away. "Back to your duties!" he ordered the crowd.
Kayla watched as it dispersed rather slowly, some still watching the forest with amazement. She looked away and sighed heavily. She was finding it rather hard to believe that she had willed such a force to come from inside herself. But then again, she had been facing her death, and it would have been far from pleasant.
"What happened?" Legolas asked in a hushed voice as they made their way through the corridors. "How did you become separated?"
"After my arm is fixed." Kayla said. "How is Culros? Are his eyes fine?"
Legolas shook his head. "He is blind. Alusil did not take the news very well."
"I would imagine so." she looked up as she saw the healer's door. "At least I know this will be speedy."
"You know?" he looked at her with an amused light in his eyes.
"This is not the first time I have broken a shoulder. It's just the first time that I have broken my left one." she looked at Legolas. "The healer couldn't save his sight?"
"No. The poison had worked far too fast, but he was able to save Culros' life." Legolas paused as she seated herself. "And now he has come forward with a serious accusation."
"Against whom?" Kayla asked with curiosity as the healer came in and started inspecting her shoulder.
"Vioviel." Legolas said with a frown. "It seems the Culros' lack of sight has opened up other things for him in an unbelievable manner. Namely his perception of things that have happened and what will happen."
"You mean he's psychic?" Kayla snorted as the healer pressed down particularly hard in a swelling.
"If that is what you call it." Legolas said with a troubled look. "I do not see how she could be guilty of the things he is accusing her of."
"Don't worry Legolas." she said, leaning forward and patting his arm. "Once I get bandaged up, I'll see him."
"Oh no you don't." the healer admonished as he leaned her back and took out a roll of bandages. "You are going to get some rest and sleep. You are the worst patient I have ever had by far in my entire life; you are even worse than the Prince! I bandage you up once and, lo and behold, here you are again!"
Kayla gave Legolas an amused look as he suddenly scowled at the man. "Really? And just what has he done that was so bad?"
"That's not of importance now." Legolas said quickly as he shot her a look. "Make sure you do as Faernil says. I shall tell Culros that you will see him tomorrow."
Kayla couldn't stop her smirk as she nodded her head in farewell and Legolas left to find the young Elfling. "So...Faernil...just what did he do when he was younger?" she asked with her most charming grin.
The man gave her a look before he laughed. "Valar, you are just like the Prince when you have the look on your face and that tone in your voice! Now hush and don't worry about Prince Legolas. Your broken shoulder and wound are of greater importance."
Kayla nodded her head and sat there silently, suffering through the brisk and through administration Faernil gave. The disinfectants were applied, as well as poultices and bandages. Kayla remained silent when Faernil looked at the stab wound curiously and gave her a questioning look. She could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew exactly what had caused the wound; and that he was surprised by something. When she finally shrugged nonchalantly, the man went back to work putting the bandages on over the poultice. Her arm was feeling better than before; there was no need to worry unnecessarily over it.
"Make sure you rest the shoulder and do not move it for at least two weeks. You took a nasty spill." Faernil gave her a look as he tied off the final knot for her sling.
"Thank you." Kayla said bowing. "And I shall go straight to my room and rest after I get a bath. I get the feeling that you would come to check on me."
Faernil snorted as Kayla opened the door. "That you may be sure of." he paused before he spoke again. "Although...like you...he was not too fond of bandages."
A cool breeze swept through the room, brushing the loose strands of hair over Kayla's forehead. With a sigh, she tucked them away once more, knowing they would be free with the next stirring of the air. Sleep was not coming to her tonight and she now found herself reading quietly, the candle by the bedside, flickering in sporadic motions. The shadows cast eerily on the dagger that lay hidden behind the holder, making her shiver. She frowned as she looked around and then went back to her book. So far, she was making good progress in figuring out written Elvish; but, like Midori had said, it was far from easy. If anything, she could have something foreign when she went back home, and turn the tables on her.
"Listen to myself." she scolded herself. "Talking like that when she'll probably hate my guts for the rest of our lives. She has hated me for the past four hundred years."
She placed the book down and stared at the candle before she rose and walked out onto the balcony. What could she say when she finally went back to Lothlórien? There was no way that they could spit out a few more words, and then act as if all had been forgiven. It was much deeper than it; it ran down to the blood and bone. Those were the things that never forgot. But she hadn't killed him, whatever his name had been. It most likely wouldn't do any good to start asking questions about her deceased nephew.
"It seems as if there's no way out of this situation." she ran a hand through her hair in frustration. "Perhaps simply staying away from Midori is what I am going to have to do."
She stood out in the cool air before she started back in, past the filmy curtains. She paused when she saw that the candle was now out, the smoke drifting upwards in delicate curls. She had not outed the candle and the breeze wasn't strong enough to out it on its own. She took a hesitant step in, wishing she could move her left arm properly and that it wasn't so tightly bound and slung up. Her eyes darted from shadow to shadow, seeking what lay in wait for her.
As she approached the bed, her instincts started screaming at her to leave the room. Yet she still sat on the bed, albeit gingerly, coiled and ready to spring. When hands grabbed her ankles and yanked hard, she was completely unprepared, landing face first on the floor. She had turned onto her back and was struggling up when she felt an arm grasp her head in a lock, the dagger pressed against her jugular, stilling her motions.
"I should have taken the Spider's advice and killed you myself." came the spiteful whisper. "Never trust another to do something you yourself should do."
Kayla's eyes widened as the voice clicked in her head. "Vioviel." she managed to croak out.
"My, the Galadhrim brat can talk such simple sentences. Have you lost your tongue? Not yet, you haven't." Vioviel's hold tightened, straining on her neck.
"Why are you doing this? I never had anything against you." she managed as she squirmed closer to the night table; if she could get close enough, she could get the dagger and even out the odds in her favour.
"You waltz in here and charm everyone, so they can't see you for what you really are; a snake that needs to be sent off for good. I am simply seeing this through...Kinslayer."
Kayla struggled further, not understanding Vioviel's words. "I actually liked you somewhat, despite what you may think."
"Don't lie to me!" Vioviel's voice was harsh and twisted with fury and surety. "I sense it curled up deep inside you, the darkness that you keep chained tightly...but the chains are starting to break. You are a threat to all. You could be the one to kill of the rest of the Elves. I cannot allow that."
"So, you resort to vigilante actions?" she croaked out as he hand slid up the side of the table.
"Someone must!" Vioviel snarled. "You have bewitched everyone, leaving the powerless against you; especially Prince Legolas."
Kayla didn't say anything as she stared into Vioviel's eyes. 'Do you think that she could like me? It all made sense, now; how Vioviel always disapproved of her, whisked Legolas away when they were getting closer to one another, citing some other lesson or other duties. Her hand closed around the hilt of the dagger, the weight making her glad.
"What do you have to say for yourself, Noldor?" Vioviel's voice was triumphant as she pressed the dagger into the soft skin hard enough to draw blood.
Kayla shivered as her mind replayed a flash of the first dagger that had ever touched her throat. "I say that the field is even." she murmured as she pressed the dagger hard against Vioviel's spine. "What do you have to lose now Vioviel?"
The elder Elf's eyes narrowed as she looked down at her much younger adversary. Kayla felt sorrow well up inside of her as she saw the ancient anger that had refused to let go of Vioviel, festering away like a cankerous sore. She let the dagger fall to her side, as she shook her head.
"And this is how the cycle keeps on. Shouldn't one with your age learn to let go?" Kayla asked in a soft voice.
"Hush your tongue!" Vioviel snarled as she drew back slightly. "I am finally doing the right thing!"
Kayla reacted almost instantly as Vioviel made a motion for her neck. She brought the dagger up, sinking it deep into her side. Vioviel, looked at her shocked, gaping in surprise as blood rimmed her lips. Kayla shuddered as Vioviel collapsed onto her, limp as a doll. She rolled her off and pulled herself into the corner, shivers running through her body, staring at Vioviel's motionless figure. Then another noise registered in her mind; pounding on the door. Standing up, she walked over and saw the bar had been lowered, locking the room. She lifted it up and opened the door, seeing Culros standing there with his silver eyes staring at her, flanked by Legolas and a few guards.
"Are you all right Arlonniel? He insisted that we come up here now." Legolas asked.
"Vioviel is in my room." she said simply as she looked at Culros. "She tried to kill me."
"I told you Prince Legolas!" the boy exclaimed. "Vioviel is dangerous!"
"You can see for yourself." she said, gesturing numbly to the spot where the body lay.
Legolas touched her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze, before he walked in and looked around, the guards following him. Kayla watched him until a hand slipped in hers. She looked down at Culros, startled by the shy sad smile he gave her; those silver eyes of his were startling.
"I heard what she called you."
"Pardon?" Kayla looked down at him, surprised.
"She called you Kinslayer." Culros paused. "You shouldn't let it get to you. It is part of your heritage and who you are. Don't deny that."
Kayla felt tears suddenly come to her eyes before she managed a smile and rumpled his head affectionately. "How old are you Culros?"
"Oh, not that old, almost a hundred." he said in a nonchalant voice before he became serious. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
"Why did you go out into the forest anyways? You should have known better than that."
"I did. But I thought I saw you go in and I didn't want you to get hurt. But then I got lost and...well...you know the rest."
"You have a very brave heart Culros." she said as she felt more tears well up. "How about you run off to bed now? I am perfectly fine and will be here in the morning if you want to talk."
"All right." he said in quietly. "Good night."
"Night, Culros." she murmured back as he walked down the hallway unerringly and turned the corner. When she turned back around, she saw Legolas standing in front of her, the guards carrying the body out of the room. She looked away almost immediately, feeling guilty for some odd reason. "I didn't want to. But she was going for my throat and..." she broke off, not wanting to finish.
"I understand." he said in a soft voice.
Kayla looked at him, hearing the sadness. She moved forward a bit and hugged him tightly as she buried her face in his shoulder, allowing all the tears to spill out. His hand moved to her head, petting it gently as he murmured into her ear. After a few minutes, she drew away, sniffling.
"Sorry. I don't normally cry like this." she said regaining composure of herself.
Legolas gave her a gentle smile as he wiped away one of the tears. "Come, I'll get you another room."
She nodded as they left the room. "I think I really will rest now."
"It would be wise. I think Faernil will have both of our heads if you don't." he said, as his eyes gave her a look of faint amusement.
"And we can't have that." she replied, feeling a bit better. "Legolas?"
"Yes?" he asked as they made their way down the hall.
"Why do you…never mind." she said as he paused by a door. "That's not important now."
Legolas didn't reply for a few minutes before speaking. "Shall I send a guard for you? Or do you prefer to be alone?"
"I'm fine." she smiled as she opened the door. "You yourself should go and rest. I would imagine that you were interrupted from something."
He shrugged. "It was not a problem. I hope you rest well now. Will you be fine alone?"
"Yes, thank you." she said as she leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Quel undome[6] Legolas."
"Quel undome." he said, his face flushing slightly as he bowed and walked away.
Kayla smiled as she watched him go before she walked in and closed the door. She leaned against it heavily before she walked over to the bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling. She hugged the pillow close, her brow furrowing. Her hand was hurting again, as well as the spot on her shoulder. What if Vioviel was right? What if the darkness inside of her was starting to come loose?
[1] Lle anta ilgorg ai'er = You need not fear, little one.
[2] Il'er = Everyone
[3] Auta = Go
[4] Rima ten'ta = Run for it
[5] Demada amin, rima = Forget me, run
[6] Quel undome = literally 'Good evening'; figuratively, 'Good night'