Right of Blood

Chapter Eighteen

Reddish-gold patters of light flickered across the ceiling. Kayla blinked as her eyes followed one patch of light and then another, her mind blank and wandering down random paths. 'Being ordered to rest isn't as great as I thought it would be…I need to kill so much time, it's not funny.' She shifted onto her good side, staring out of the window now. 'Been stuck here for at least a week now.' The early morning sunrise was beautiful, rays of light streaming over the treetops. She closed her eyes slowly, savouring the feel of the warm rays on her skin. Undoubtedly, it would be much cooler in the day ; these were the days of winter now, although she found it rather odd that now snow had come as of yet.

"Watch it come in a week or two, three at the most." she muttered to herself. "And the holiday season is almost here." she sat up awkwardly, brushing away the thought when she heard a soft knock on the door. "Enter." she called as she rose.

"Hello Lady Kayla."

"Culros." she smiled seeing the young boy hover around the door. "Come in, come in." she pulled a chair beside her bed. "I feel I should warn you, I won't be retelling some tales."

"I know. Father told me you would do so." Culros paused. " I wanted to come for awhile now. But you know how Faernil can be with his patients. He wouldn't let me come for four days; you apparently needed a lot of rest."

"Indeed." she said with a chuckle. "How are your…how are you feeling?"

"Lady Kayla," Culros smiled faintly. "You don't have to do such things with me. My eyes are perfectly fine now. I can still see, although everything is in shadow." a frown came to his face. "The best way to describe it is that I can and cannot see."

"Be glad that I can understand what you are trying to say," she said. "Now what can I help you with?"

"Well, I was wondering if you could help me with my mind."

"Your mind? In what regard?"

"Expanding it further."

"Further? Culros, you can see the future and past; what more do you want?"

He shook his head, his silver eyes taking on a troubled expression. "That I cannot control…it simply comes to me at times and vanishes away. I want something more… definite."

"Ah…I understand." she nodded her head; she remembered how it felt to be at the mercy of something random; it was far from pleasant. "Then I believe I have a solution for you."

"You do? I only asked Father and Prince Legolas; none of them could help me."

Kayla smiled wistfully as she noted the look of excitement on his face. 'To be young…' She rose from her seat and walked over to the table by the balcony. "All right Culros, we're going to test you for a bit." she grasped something tightly in her hand. "What's in my fist?"

"A scrap of parchment." he replied easily. "This is supposed to help me?"

"One moment. And yes it will. I'll be right back." she said, hurrying from the room.

She made her way to the infirmary, borrowing a few small items from Faernil with the promise to bring them back. As she was walking back to her room she bumped into Legolas, and she promptly borrowed some items from him with a hasty explanation before she walked away, arms full. She paused outside her door, hiding all the objects on herself. If Culros could note all the places where she had hid the things on her person, then they would continue.

"All right Culros, you have to state all the things I have and where they are." Kayla said as she came and sat back down on the bed.

"A game?" he sighed, sounding somewhat bored. "All right. There's a sprig of basil hidden away under your hair on your left ear, you have a small bundle of pine needles hidden in your left sleeve…"

Kayla smiled as Culros named all the items and they fell to the bed. The basil and ten other various plants, the bundle of pine needles, the dagger, ringlet and rope she had borrowed from Legolas, a roll of bandages and tightly wound sheets of parchment. When the last of the items rested on the bed, Kayla smiled, looking down at the objects.

"Lady Kayla, please tell me that there was a point to that." Culros asked in a slightly irritated voice.

"Culros," she said in a voice of mock hurt. "Have you ever known me to be unnecessarily frivolous?"

"Well, you are recalling the time when you were preparing to go down to dinner with-"

"Ai! How did you know that?" she asked in a huffy tone, despite her face going bright red.

"I could always pick up impressions of peoples' thoughts. I probably shouldn't do that."

"That would be a good idea." Kayla said as she thought for a moment. "What's the one thing you want to see?"

"The sea."

"Er…something else." Kayla said; it seemed that once Elves started on the sea, they never stopped.

"Well, I have always wanted to see Rivendell or Lothlórien; especially Lothlórien." Culros' face saddened. "Not that I shall be able to now."

"Who says so?" Kayla asked. "What if it was just like you seeing the things I had hidden, only you were seeking out a place? And the same for talking over a distance as well?"

"I don't know. I have been in Mirkwood all my life. The only idea I have of what these places look like is through what visitors told me."

"I have been to Rivendell and Lothlórien is my home. We'll see if you're right and then go from there." Kayla sat down on the bed; it would probably be best if she took a little peek at Lothlórien too, only she hadn't done this in a long time. "Now close your eyes, and-"

"I don't think it matters if I close my eyes…does it?"

"You can leave them open if you want." Kayla said shaking her head; kids… "Now, concentrate, picture the place you want to see in you mind. Over the vast distance, past mountains shrouded in mist and snow, past the blue waters of the Anduin to the forest of trees that stands beside a small stream. Therein lies the Elven kingdom of Lothlórien and the city of Caras Galadhon."

Kayla's eyes drifted shut, seeing the familiar trees materialize once more around her. They went past her rapidly until she found herself gazing through the familiar halls of her home. 'Galadriel…Celeborn.' She focused her thoughts on them, the hallways moving past in a blur until she found them in their room, conversing quietly.

"Celeborn, this cannot go on any longer. They should not be fighting so." Galadriel's voice sounded disheartened. "You are closer to Carardaiel; what has she been saying?"

"Remorse eats at her, yet she cannot let go and forgive so easily. She has been living with this for four hundred years, and he was her child. Can you blame her for such a reaction?" Celeborn took her hand. "You were of a like mindset when we lost them."

"I know."

"Perhaps it would be best if we left them to solve it for themselves. I am starting to think this is one thing we cannot help them with." Celeborn said.

"As am I. I hope to Valar they can resolve their problems. I would not want my daughters to hate one another."

"I am sure it won't become that bad, melamin [1]."

"I hope you are right Celeborn."

Kayla felt a bit puzzled at the tone in Galadriel's voice; it sounded confused, as if she didn't know what to do. Usually she was so sure of what to do, always in control. 'Perhaps that is what it is to be a parent…' She brushed aside the thought for a moment; what was she thinking, she had no clue of what being a parent entailed. 'I should see what my sister is up to.' She regarded Galadriel and Celeborn for a few more seconds before she focused all her attention on Midori. Everything went somewhat blurry once more before it all stopped, the halls being replaced by the screening trees by the river . Just off to the side, she could see Midori's pack and boots, the sword lying on top of them. 'Where her sword is, she's not too far.' Her view shifted slightly, Midori coming into full sight. She was sitting on the riverbank, her bare feet immersed in the water. What made Kayla stop with amazement was the sight of Haldir seated beside her, his own bare feet in the water as well.

"Better, my Lady?" Haldir asked.

"Much." Midori said. "That was the fourth attack we have had to repel. What is going on?"

"I am still not sure." Haldir's voice grew serious. "There are some nights when…" he trailed off shaking his head. "It is all right my Lady. I should not burden you with my own concerns."

Midori didn't reply for a minute, staring at the reflections on the water. "Some nights I dream of a fire that consumes everything, everyone. But there was someone, a dark shadow, that remained…then there were nine shadows; then all but two vanished and then a third one joined. And all I saw was flame and shadow."

"So have I." Haldir said in a soft voice. "There are times I do not like being so close to the borders of Mordor."

"We are not as close as Gondor." Midori said, looking at him. "Do not worry," she touched his shoulder gently. " I am sure that it will all work out in the end."

Surprise crashed through Kayla as she saw the looks that were passed between the two of them before they looked back at the water. 'What the hell was that?' A sneaking suspicion took hold of her and refused to let go.

"I got a letter a few days ago." Midori said finally.

"From whom?"

"Legolas."

The suspicion dropped away as Kayla paid more attention now; why would Legolas send Midori a letter? 'No, there has to be a perfectly logical explanation.' She hated it when her imagination got the best of her sometimes; it didn't do too well to think such things, it had gotten her into this mess to begin with.

"Legolas," Haldir's voice held a curious tone. "What does he want from you, Cara- my Lady?"

"He wants to know if we can meet soon. We made plans and he wants to know how they are going." Midori smiled faintly. "I shall admit I have never done anything of this sort. It's somewhat exciting. And I still want to go through with it, despite everything that has happened."

"Indeed." Haldir's voice sounded displeased. "My Lady now is not the best time to travel. More and more reports are coming in from the scouts that Orc bands are roaming around freely in the south and close to our borders. It is far too dangerous for you to leave. Wait until a better opportunity comes."

"I know. I may have to leave in the spring or summer then." Midori looked at him. "You worry for me too much."

Haldir's face went slightly red before he got it under control. "It is my duty my Lady."

"I see." Midori looked away, a faint tinge of disappointment in her eyes. "With things calm now, I should reply to his letter. If you'll excuse me…"

Kayla watched as Midori rose, took her things and walked back up the path to the flets. Kayla watched Haldir for a moment before she let her focus on Lothlórien vanish away, her room materializing once more. 'Well, that certainly was interesting.' She looked over at Culros whose eyes were moving rapidly, seeing things she now couldn't.

She looked down at the things that lay discarded on her bed. How long had it been since they had come here…it seemed like no time had passed but she knew it had to be closing onto a year. And now, the one time she found a place that felt like home , that truly was her home she was spending it away from-

"Lady Kayla?"

"Hrm?" she looked up to find Culros looking at her curiously. "Oh, you're done now?"

"Yes. I saw so many things; there was a room filled with herbs and bowls, and a man with dark brown hair bent over a mortar and pestle. And a blond haired man at a river and a kitchen filled with so many things; did I really see Lothlórien?"

"Yup. I saw some of the same things too." she smiled at him. "Does that help any?"

"Yes, thank you." Culros paused. "You seem preoccupied."

"Do I?" she shook her head. "Just thinking, that's all."

"About?"

"You know, never used to ask this many questions," she said, reaching forward and rumpling his hair. "I was just thinking about Christmas."

"What is Christmas?"

"Christmas is…" she paused, rethinking her answer as she recalled past Christmases. "Christmas is a day when people have a big party, spend the day with one another and give each other gifts. Isn't there a holiday that has something like that here?"

"No; there's the Winter Solstice, but it is nothing like what you describe." Culros said after a moment's thought. "That does sound like a lot of fun. What do you have to do?"

"Not much. You have a party on the twenty-fifth of the last month of the year, with a big dinner, and exchange gifts with people. You don't even have to bring gifts if you don't want to. Some people prefer to though."

"Are you going to celebrate?"

"No, I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"There's not much time left to prepare and find gifts for people. I'll admit it, I am a gift person." she shrugged. "Besides Thranduil has other issues to consider before he thinks about allowing a party."

"So you let it go like that?" Culros shook his head. "I think you should-"

Kayla laughed as Culros' stomach gave a loud grumble that interrupted his words. "I think you should get something to eat, ai'er [2]. Come on, we shall both go to the kitchen. I can return these things in the meanwhile."

"I'm not that little," he said in a huff. "I am almost two hundred."

"Ah, I see." she ushered him from the door. "I am sorry I doubted you so."

"There was no need for that bit of sarcasm." Culros said darkly.

"I am sorry." Kayla said with a laugh. "But you are still very young. Give it time Culros; don't be so anxious to grow up. Enjoy your childhood while you still can. Ar' uuma ma' ten' rashwe; ta tulaya a' lle ie' ai' luume' [3]."

"I suppose you're right." Culros said. "But I can still do things."

"I know that. Come on, the sooner we get to the kitchens, the sooner we can quiet that monster." she said, hearing his stomach once more.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kayla shivered slightly as she walked down the hall towards the stables. "Maybe I shouldn't have opened my mouth that day."

All she knew was last night she went to sleep, after spending a late night in the library, only to find herself looking out at a snow-covered world when she looked out the window. 'And it came three weeks later…I guess I should be glad for that. Now I know it really is December.' She rubbed her hands together, feeling the tips start to go numb; her hands were always cold.

"I should have brought my gloves with me. And I want to go out to the river today too. It's been cold enough for the last while, so it should be fine." she mumbled to herself.

"You look miserable."

She looked up to see Legolas smiling in front of her, wearing a cloak. "And you look nice and warm. What are you up to?"

"Nothing in particular. Here, this should help keep you warm."

She looked down at the proffered cloak before taking it. "Thank you. Did you want to do anything in particular?"

"Not really." Legolas replied, watching as she pinned the cloak. "Did you have something in mind?"

"Yes. But we have to go to the river."

"The river?"

"Yes. Just come. I guarantee that you shall enjoy yourself."

"Well, you have caught my interest..."

"Good," she took his arm and they started down the hall. "I was starting to think you may have been bored with me around all the time."

"I doubt that could ever happen." Legolas paused for a second thinking. "What is it?"

"It's a surprise. I can't tell you," she said, giving him an enigmatic smile. "That would just ruin it."

"But…it takes almost an hour to reach the river."

"Then you'll just have to patient. You can be too curious sometimes you know."

"I think you may have done that on purpose," he said, looking at her with a smile in his eyes.

"How can you be so sure?" she asked, stifling a laugh. "See; we're at the stables already. Maybe our horses will be energetic today?"

"Maybe." Legolas said as the groom gave him the reins to his horse. "Or maybe I shall just beat you there." he mounted his horse easily, looking at her.

"Is that a challenge?" Kayla asked as she mounted Slepnir, leaving the reins loose in her hand.

Legolas shrugged, starting his horse forward. "View it as you like. Though I believe that I shall reach there first."

Kayla nodded her head before she urged Slepnir forward, shooting past him. "Then you may want to get moving!" she called after him with a laugh.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The wind blew across the banks of snow at the river, the land all around covered with snow for miles. Then a bird fluttered up from the forest's edge before the whole flock followed it. A few seconds later, two horses exploded from the tree line, neck and neck, heading down for the river. They came to a sharp halt a few feet away, both horses breathing heavily.

"It would seem that we are tied."

"So it would seem, Lady Arlonniel."

"Legolas, I want to ask one thing of you."

"Anything."

"Don't call me Lady Arlonniel, please. Kayla, or Arlonniel; just drop the formality."

"All right. Though both names have a certain charm to them." Legolas looked at her. "So, we are here; what is this surprise?"

"Wait, wait. All in due time." she smiled seeing the slight look of exasperation. "You seem to have no patience today. I have to see if the ice is thick enough. Then and only then."

"Ice?" he followed her down to the edge. "How do you measure the thickness of ice?"

"Quite easily. It's much like ice fishing; only a smaller hole is made."

"You never fail to surprise me." Legolas said, crouching down.

Kayla looked at him as she took out a dagger and started to pick a hole in the ice a bit off. "Now, the ice will thicken as you go farther from shore. So if the ice is at least five inches thick here, we're fine."

"Ah." Legolas watched as ice chips flew, the dagger going lower and lower. "Is it thick enough?"

Kayla looked at him with an irrepressible smile. "Hang on. One more minute."

She continued to pick away until she felt the ice give and a small splash. She held her dagger measuring it; it was at least ten inches. She held it against the side of the hole she had made; it was over half the length of the weapon.

"Well?"

"It's fine. We can go skating." she said looking at him with a smile.

"Yes!" Legolas paused for a second as her words sank in. "Skating?"

Kayla nodded, rising. "Slepnir!" When the horse came trotting over, Kayla reaching into the saddlebags and pulled out two sets of boots. "One for you and one for me." she said handing him one by the laces.

"Hm." Legolas looked at them. "Why are these so long?"

"You'll see. First we should clear away some of that snow."

"That will be laborious." Legolas said, looking over the thick blanket on the river.

"No. Just…don't tell anyone, all right? It might make people wonder."

"Tell them about what?"

Kayla didn't say anything, willing the energy to flow from her necklace into her hands. She held her hands, palms together , outstretched before her. A line appeared in the snow on the river, stream curling off of it slightly. With a quick motion, she parted her hands before they fell to her side. The snow moved to the side as if by some invisible force, a smooth area of ice before them.

"I see." Legolas looked at her. "I thought only Istarea* could use magic."

"Um…surprise?" she looked at him nervously. "Are you mad at me?"

"Why would I be? It is obviously part of who you are." Legolas smiled at her. "I think it would require a great deal more magic to figure out these things." he held up the skates.

Kayla laughed, partly from relief and from his words. "They are quite simple actually. You just have to tie them right. Here, I'll show you how. Sit."

Legolas sat, looking at the boots with a sceptical look, especially at the little triangles at the front of the blade. "That thin metal at the bottom does what?"

"It allows you to skate across the ice. Now, give me your foot."

He reluctantly relinquished it, watching everything she did. Kayla snickered as she removed his boot and promptly put on the skating one.

"When you ice skate, you have to make sure the laces are tied tightly or you just may fall with out the support."

"Aiya!! Tanya awra [4]!!" he glared at her.

"Sorry." she looked at him sheepishly. "I guess I pulled them a bit too tight. I'll be more careful."

Legolas didn't say anything else, simply nodding as she swiftly did up his laces and repeated the same on his other skate. She sat down next and did hers up quickly. She looked over at him when she was done, rising easily and gliding out onto the ice.

"See? Nothing to it; come on." she came to a stop in front of him.

"How can I rise? My entire lower leg is as stiff as a board," he asked, trying to stand. "Rising in these boots is near to impossible."

"No, it's not." she said, outstretching her palm. "Here, take my hand and pull yourself up."

Legolas rose unsteadily, looking at his feet. "Are you sure about this blade?"

"Positive. Now come on; you can hold onto my hand if you think you're going to fall."

"With how unsteady my feet are, I would not doubt that." he said taking small cautious steps. "All right. What comes next?"

"See those small triangles at the front? Use those to propel yourself forward." she took his other hand. "Just give yourself a small push off with it."

"All right." he said, giving it a try. "It's not that bad. Where did you get these?"

"I had to get the smith to make them after the boot maker made the boots. He was highly suspicious when I asked for a set of boots for you. And with such high heels on them too. I had to tell him that I was making a surprise for you. Let's not go into the teasing the smith gave me."

"Uh huh." Legolas was busy concentrating on his wobbling feet. "Should I be so…unsteady?"

"I was like this too once; it's only because this is your first time skating." Kayla said watching his feet too. "Just be careful. You don't want to…you don't want to do that!" she cried out.

Legolas looked up at her sharply, as he tried to keep control of his feet, but fell to the ice with a thud dragging Kayla down with him. They lay there for a few moments before Kayla moved with a small groan.

"Amin nae raika. Sii' tanya awra [5]." Legolas said as he rubbed his hip. "I think I now have more reason to remain on my feet. Are you all right, Kayla? I didn't mean to make you fall."

"It's all right. Sometimes, the fun is in falling down. You'll see what I mean." she sighed as she pulled some stray strands from her face. "Are you ready to try again?"

"Yes." he said, managing to get to his feet alone. "Just so long as we get back in time for dinner."

"No problem." she said, taking his hands once more. "Though, now I feel much better actually going down for such a formal affair."

"You consider that formal?" Legolas glanced at her before his eyes went back to his feet. "It's only dinner."

"Somewhat; but it's still rather nice once you get used to it. Company helps also." she flashed him a look. "Company is very important."

She smiled as Legolas stopped, looking at her with a look in his eyes. He made a motion and promptly fell back down onto the ice, taking Kayla with him once more. He gave her an apologetic look. Kayla looked at him for a few minutes before a smile came to her face. A snicker became a giggle before it changed into a full laugh.

Legolas gave her a puzzled expression before he started laughing too. "You were right Kayla; falling is the best part."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

* Istarea - Wizards
[1] melamin - my love
[2] ai'er - little one
[3] Ar' uuma ma' ten' rashwe; ta tulaya a' lle ie' ai' luume' - And don't look for trouble; it could come to you at any time.
[4] Aiya!! Tanya arwa!! - Oh!! That hurt!!
[5] Amin nae raika. Sii' tanya awra. - I was wrong. Now that hurt.