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Niffers: I know; that was something of a rather graphic scene. But I didn't want to shy away from it. The chapters play like a movie in my head. The least I can do is describe the scenes as they play out to the best of my ability. So far, in my opinion, it's turning out to be one hell of a movie. But it is my creation, so I am prone to say things like that. ^^;; But I was going for reaction, so I am glad that it evoked something…even if it was a wince.

Right of Blood

Chapter Twenty-One

"Uh…go away." Kayla grumbled as she turned over in the bed, pulling a pillow over her head. "I don't wanna get up yet."

The sun was impervious to her protestations as it continued to beam into her room. The bright light wavered through the filmy curtains, creating a rippling effect that danced over her bed. She was not pleased with this in the slightest. She gave a groan of defeat as she let her arms go slack. But she had to get up; she had a rather full day ahead of her. She sat up in bed, squinting for a moment before she rose and grabbed her brush from the nightstand and went to the mirror.

"Stupid tangles," she muttered fiercely as she dragged the comb through her head. "Why'd it have to be so damn thick?"

She continued on mercilessly, and a few minutes later, she had a shimmering length of red hair down her back. A smirk crossed her lips as she glanced at her tame locks. She grabbed them and swiftly braided them and pinned them up in a loose style.

"I think today I shall go out to the flets. See what's happening before I come back and help out with the new recruits. They're gonna need all the help they can get." she mumbled out herself as she riffed through her dresser quickly and pulled out her Ranger clothes.

She smoothed a hand over them fondly, noticing some unwashable stains before she changed into the quickly. Ever since the attack three weeks ago, Lothlórien was on guard, the outer flets bristling with sentries and commanders. In the city training had been stepped up, much to the recruits' dismay.

With a deep breath, Kayla grabbed her axe and dagger, securing them onto her belt before she hurried from her room. The one thing she had to do before all that was getting breakfast. A quick trip to the kitchen, and many good-natured scoldings later, she was swallowing the last of her hasty meal and walking out to the flets.

She made a quick inspection for herself when she arrived, after talking to the commanders. They had been right. The Lórien borders had been quiet as before. Before it wouldn't have bothered Kayla, but now, it only made her feel more worried. What if Sauron was simply planning another attack for when their defenses were lowered? She brushed the thought from her mind as she shimmied down the rope ladder and headed for Caras Galadhon once more. By the time Sauron dared to try and attack again, they would have a sizable force, ready to defend the entire woodland area. An incident with the Olog-Hai would never need to happen again.

"Ah, Lady Arlonniel, you have arrived just in time."

Kayla looked up to see the smiling face of Orophin. "Are all the recruits here?"

"All but one," Orophin pointed to an empty space in the line. "Nirlaiorn is late."

Kayla sighed; that was the fifth time this week the boy was late. She rubbed her temples. "Then we shall have to start without him. You lead this morning's exercise. I'll take the afternoon and deal with Nirlaiorn."

Orophin nodded with a repressed smile. "Be gentle." the mirth disappeared when he faced the line of recruits.

Kayla took a seat on a particularly large tree branch, watching Orophin hand out the dummy bows and wooden sticks. She had to admit, it was somewhat surprising when he had approached her to help him with the recruits. But she had a sneaking suspicion that Rumíl had something to do with it. She braced a leg against the trunk and rested her chin on a fist, waiting patiently for the absentee to show up. The sun was nearing halfway to its apex of the day when an Elf raced into the training grounds, panting slightly.

"I'm here!" he said with a grin.

Orophin barely gave him a glance before he barked a sharp order to the recruits and focused their attention back on their sparring. Kayla jumped down and walked over to him.

"You have no reason to be smiling so. Follow me." she said brusquely.

Catcalls and hoots followed after them, the others jeering at Nirlaiorn as he walked after her. Kayla led him away from the others before she turned and looked at him. She didn't say anything, allowing him to look at her. The grin that had been on his face melted away and before long, he was shifting awkwardly from foot to foot, awaiting his punishment.

"Lady Arlonniel… are you going to kick me out?"

"You are in severe danger of being kicked out of the training program." she said simply.

"No, you can't!" he said quickly. "I've wanted to do this all my life!"

"So far, I have not seen this being upheld. You're constantly late, sometimes never even showing up. You waste time in the lessons, and do not follow instructions." Kayla paused allowing her words to sink in. "Orophin and I discussed this last night. Either you prove that you want to be part of the Galadhrim or you can find another trade. We think a storyteller may be something more suited for you. You do come up with some inventive excuses for us."

"Lady Arlonniel, please, you can't cut me."

"That is in your hands." she paused. "Is there a reason why you are so late constantly?"

"I slept in today." he said, face red.

Kayla swallowed the sigh of disgust she had coming. "Do these classes bore you?"

"Somewhat, my Lady," Nirlaiorn admitted in a quiet voice. "My father taught me to use such weapons when I was younger."

Kayla simply arched an eyebrow. "You should have mentioned this before. We could have placed you in a more advanced class. You are with rookies."

"They are my friends. I didn't want to be alone with people I don't know." Nirlaiorn looked at her. "You and Captain Orophin said that the ones we train with are our brothers. We let no harm befall one another."

"And who better than your friends to be with." Kayla murmured. "All right, this is what is going to happen. You will show up for classes on time. We will not tolerate this lateness anymore. Your friends need to know that you are reliable and can be counted on no matter what. Second, if you wish, either I or Orophin will provide extra practice for you, after the main training is done."

"So, I'm not being kicked out?"

"No." Kayla softened her expression slightly. "Now go and join in the drill. You have your options."

Nirlaiorn bowed before taking off back towards the clearing. Kayla chuckled as she walked back. She sat back on the tree root, watching the recruits. A few minutes later Orophin came over and sat beside her.

"Well?"

"He should be on time now." Kayla paused. "He thought I was going to kick him out. I had to play on that or he would have continued on. He is well advanced with a blade. We should have seen that before."

Orophin mused for a moment. "We do have twenty five students to go over. And they need much practice. No wonder he has been this way."

"I know. I told him that either one of us would stay with him afterward and help him as needed. He didn't want to leave his friends behind."

"Understandable." Orophin looked up as a sudden burst of noise came from the novices. "Now what?"

"I'll take care of it." Kayla said, walking into the small crowd. "All right, what happened?"

"He whacked me with the stick! And now look at my hand!!" the boy held out his hand which was already covered in blood.

Kayla sighed as she rubbed her temples. "You should know better than to hit his sword hand so hard that it bleeds. I'll take you to the healer. The rest of you continue on with your sparring. But remember, Orophin isn't a lenient as I am." she glanced at Nirlaiorn before she started off.

"Will I be able to use my hand again?" the boy asked as they made their way up the stairs.

"It's nothing more than a superficial wound." Kayla said. Be glad we are right beneath the healer's rooms. He tolerates the noise rather than have a big scene when something bad happens. A week and you'll be back fighting again. Luweinor!" she called as she opened he door and they walked into the herb-scented room.

"What is it now?" came the testy reply from the back. "I'm grinding ingredients for a poultice!"

"We have a small injury here." she seated the boy down. "The skin across his knuckles was cut. If you're busy, I'll take the splints and bandages and necessary things you can continue your work."

"You'll do nothing of the sort." he huffed as he came out. "You have some skill with herbs, true, but you confuse them too easily. I'll make a wet bandage for the boy. You will not be using this hand for a week. It will need to heal cleanly, or you may have an awkward scar."

"Yes, Sir." the boy said in a hushed voice.

Kayla watched as Luweinor took out the herbs and poured water in a bowl and started to grind them all up. He was just scraping it off from the sides when the door burst open. Kayla looked up sharply to see Haldir standing there…with Midori passed out in his arms. She watched speechless as he laid her down on an empty table, blood starting to pool beneath her. Kayla glanced down at the boy who looked terrified.

"She just showed up at the border like this," Haldir explained. "You have to do something! Help her!"

Luweinor gave a frustrated sigh. "Lady Arlonniel, take these and fix his wound." he pushed the things into her hands, eyes scanning Midori critically. "Go outside and leave me be. Make sure nothing disturbs me. Haldir, you'll have to restrain her."

Kayla didn't mange to get a word in as Luweinor shut the door with a slam. She blinked for a moment before she looked at the boy in front of her. She bent down and started to apply the paste to the hand in front of her.

"Lady Arlonniel…wasn't that your sister?"

"It was." she said quietly. "I don't know what happened to her."

"Is that what-"

The words were cut off by a shrill scream that echoed down the corridor from the room. The boy's face turned pale as another one echoed out. Kayla wrapped the bandage around quickly and securely, her face grim.

"Go back down to the grounds and explain to Orophin that you cannot attend sessions for a week."

"What about you?"

"I'll stay here and make sure no one enters, as Luweinor wished." Kayla rose, holding the mortar and pestle. "Go on, now."

The boy scampered off as groans and moans started to come from the room. Kayla leaned against the wall, scowling at the few people who did come by to see what the noise was about; they left as soon as they saw her. She glanced at the door, everyone in awhile, wondering what the silence was for. After what seemed like forever, Luweinor came out of the room, a weary expression on his face. Kayla glanced down at his clothes, horrified and not surprised to find it stained with blood; it was the amount that left her horrified.

"You're still here?!" Luweinor looked at her in surprise.

"Yo-You wanted me to make sure that no one entered." she didn't say anything for a moment. "How is she?"

He rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I've never had a patient scream so loudly."

Kayla felt a stab of guilt run through her at those words; she didn't know why. "Will…Will she be all right?"

"Been through Valar knows what, to be honest." Luweinor sighed. "Never seen anyone berate themselves so much…"

"I beg your pardon?" Kayla asked, looking at him puzzled. "Who are you talking about?"

"Haldir," Luweinor looked at her as if she was completely dumb. "He's still in there. I think he blames himself for what happened to Lady Carardaiel."

"He blames himself?" Kayla looked at Luweinor before she pegged her gaze on the door, her eyes narrowing. "He blames himself…if you'll excuse me Luweinor. Make sure you take good care of Carardaiel."

Kayla didn't even wait to hear his response before she strode down the hallway. She had a lot of things to do for tomorrow.

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

"Are you all right, Arlonniel?"

Kayla looked up to see Celeborn's concerned expression. "Just preoccupied, Father."

They were both in Celeborn's study, looking over an immense map of Middle Earth. The Orcs and other creatures had been leaving Mordor and were streaming out to various places in Middle Earth. And according to the Elves in Mirkwood, many were coming there and setting up. Some said they were heading to the mountains and some said they were going farther north, past the trees of Mirkwood.

"You worry for your sister." Celeborn looked back at the map.

"Yes. It's been two days and she still isn't awake." her brow furrowed. "As far as I know, Haldir has actually left her side."

Celeborn remained silent for a moment. "He and I both warned her to not leave. She left with no regard for our warnings."

"Father, Haldir and Carardaiel…are they," she paused thinking over the words over carefully. "Friends?"

"Yes." Celeborn looked at her after a few moments. "Why do you ask?"

"I've heard tales of Haldir. Rumíl and Orophin have been more than willing with information." she paused. "Apparently he has had quite a few admirers."

"That is true." Celeborn said. "But Haldir has enough sense to not incur Galadriel or my wrath."

Kayla didn't say anything for a moment as they both looked at the map. That was all she needed to hear from Celeborn. "Here. The Orc are undoubtedly coming through this pass here and avoiding our forests all together."

"And going to every other place," Celeborn mused. "The other inhabitants will be hard pressed to stop Sauron' menace."

"You mean, we aren't doing anything to help out?" Kayla looked at him in surprise. "How can you say that."

"Elves are leaving Middle Earth in vast numbers. We are a tiny fragment of what we were once were. There simply are not enough of us."

"Even one can make the difference, Father." she said, remembering Frodo surrounded by his friends, their fear palpable. "It can make all the difference."

"We shall see. Many leave by the day; if we can even send one willing enough, it will be a miracle enough."

Kayla nodded. "We should strengthen the guard at these two points." she pressed her finger on the trees by the mountains. "And here, by the river, at the fork. An encamped army can easily lay siege and wait us out. Fortification of the flets should be done; the rope bridges are fine and the water is so swift that the Orcs will not be passing through it anytime soon. None the less, sharpened stakes could be placed there to thwart them. Things like that."

"I'll speak to Haldir at once."

"You relax, Father." Kayla said with a smile. "I have to talk to him anyways, so I can tell him what measures to take."

"How are the newest members of the Galadhrim doing?" Celeborn asked, rolling up the map and placing it back on a shelf.

"If the manage to survive their training, they'll make excellent additions." she chuckled. "If you see Luweinor, tell him I said he should be careful. I get the feeling my sister doesn't like to be poke at very much."

Celeborn gave her an amused and slightly disapproving look. "Don't go around antagonizing anyone else."

"I won't Father." she said, trying to not chuckle again as she closed the door behind her.

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

Kayla sighed as she pulled herself up the ladder. She was going to need to take it easy for a bit; in between all the teaching she was doing with Orophin and running around Caras Galadhon, she would run herself down. After this, she'd take a bath and see if Midori was doing any better. Of course, by then, Luweinor wouldn't be so glad to see her face.

She started down the wooden walkway, waving and smiling to the others she knew. Spending almost every other waking moment out here did do wonders for connecting with people. When she finally found Haldir, he was off at the southern most flet, alone and looking out at the river Nimrodel as it joined back with the Anduin. He glanced at her as she came and stood beside him, watching the river's rushing waters.

"May I help you with something, my Lady?" he asked, turning to face her.

She didn't reply for a moment. "The defenses here need to be strengthening as well as the one to the northwest close to the mountains. A few well placed spikes along the sides of the river should thwart any Orcs who are foolish enough to try and attack the city. That is, provided they even get this far."

Haldir nodded. "That can be done as well as additional measures. The northwest area only needs hidden traps to prevent an enemy to lay siege to us."

"I see you have been thinking these things over."

"Since the Olog-Hai, I have been thinking about much, my Lady."

Kayla paused; this was the perfect moment. "Anything in particular?"

"I beg your pardon?" Haldir looked at her with surprise and wariness in his eyes.

"I asked if you were thinking of anything in particular. Are you?"

"Simply of Lórien, my Lady." he replied quietly. "And of things from the past."

"I see. Is it something particular from the past? Or someone?" she said, trying to not allow the smirk to show on her face as he looked at her rather sharply. She must have truly taken him by surprise.

Haldir didn't say anything for a moment. "My Lady, I believe that my personal life is mine to keep private."

"I would like to respect that; but with all the tales I have heard, I think I have enough reason to be concerned."

"That's very admirable, my Lady."

"And if it involves someone close to me, it's my concern to make sure nothing happens to them." she glanced at Haldir. "You know, you're highly spoken of, from what people have told me about you."

"Then I suppose that I have nothing to worry about."

"Especially the women. They have many a tale to tell concerning you and your…exploits."

Haldir's face paled slightly as he continued to look out at the waters. "Why would they be of any interest to you?"

"Since you seem to have fixed your eye on my sister by all accounts."

Haldir didn't say anything for a moment. "I have no interest in her."

"I think your actions betray you." Kayla paused, mulling over the sound of the water's roar. "You seemed to stay unusually long with her after Luweinor was done."

"I wanted to see for myself."

"All night long?"

"One never knows what may happen." Haldir said tersely.

"Indeed," Kayla said in a sarcastic voice. "One never knows."

"Lady Arlonniel, I do not care for the tone in your voice."

"I would imagine." Kayla said somewhat airily. "Unless you would like to refute the things I have heard."

"My Lady, I cannot be held responsible for what some maidens say of me."

"Maidens no longer." Kayla corrected; that one hit home, causing a slight flush to appear on Haldir's cheeks. "Please, feel free to correct any mistake I have made so far."

"My Lady, I would not do anything to hurt Lady Carardaiel in any manner."

"Good. I wouldn't care to see my sister hurt." she watched as the foam roiled on the surface, Haldir's panicked words and expression flitting through her mind when he burst into the healer's room. "Even if she does not want me around, I will not forget her that easily, Haldir."

Haldir didn't say anything for a moment. "If I may return to my duties?"

She nodded as she turned to leave. "I pray for your sake that you do not hurt her. You do not want to see me when I am truly angry."

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

The wind blew through the open room gently, whispering around the still figure that leaned against the wall on the bed in the corner. A door creaked open, followed by Kayla's hesitant figure. 'Oh Valar, Midori's up…finally.' She closed the door behind her and walked over, pulling up a seat. She didn't say anything for a moment, unsure of what to say. It was so late at night - the moon was already high in the sky - and she had been expecting to find Midori asleep, not staring out of the window.

"Luweinor said it was all right for me to visit you, but not to expect you to be up." Kayla said in a quiet voice as she looked at her sister.

Midori didn't say anything as she looked out the window, a pensive expression on her face and in her eyes. Kayla sighed as she rubbed her face. After dealing with novices all day and running around on various errands, she was not in the mood for Midori's strange brand of accusing and condemning silence.

"Would you at least say something to me?"

"Get out."

Kayla didn't say anything for a moment, knowing there was no way she was leaving for at least a few more minutes. "How did you get so beat up?"

"None of your business."

"Yeah, nice to have you back too." Kayla said in a wry voice. "How did you get so beat up?"

Midori looked at Kayla for a moment before she looked back out the window. "I had a long trip home. There were many dangers along the way…some I wasn't able to avoid."

Kayla's eyes took in the wound bandages that covered her entire upper body and shook her head. "Then why go rushing off like that? Father and Haldir warned you to not go."

Something flashed in Midori's eyes before she hid it. "Undoubtedly. My help was needed."

"Help with what?"

"Orcs were laying siege to Erebor."

"I'd have to agree with you then." Kayla said; it seemed that Midori was bound in far too many bandages. "What were you screaming about?"

"Having a wound fester for days beneath the skin is painful enough. When it has to be lanced and drained, it would be a miracle to remain silent." Midori looked at her, lips in a scowl and her brow furrowed. "Why are you even here to see me?"

"I just wanted to see how you were doing." Kayla said simply. "Is that a crime?"

"I still don't want to see your face." Midori looked away, her features smoothed by the moonlight. "Get out."

"Look, how many times can I say it?" Kayla asked in irritation. "I didn't kill your son. You weren't there, you don't-"

"I wasn't there?" Midori gave her a venomous look. "You dare to say that to me?! I saw with my own two eyes what you did!"

Kayla bit her lip hard as she cursed her hasty words. "That's not what I meant. You didn't see the two men leave-"

"Get the hell out!" Midori said in a heated voice as she pointed to the door. "I don't need you with your attempts to absolve yourself from your hideous sin!"

"My hideous sin?!" Kayla stood up in outrage, the chair falling to the ground. "I swear to Valar, if it wasn't for those bandages, I'd kick your ass so soundly, you wouldn't know what hit you."

"I'm surprised you would even consider such an idea. But then again, what should I expect from a barbarian."

"I wouldn't talk if I were you," Kayla shot back. "You're not fucking St. Augustine, you know!"

Midori's eyes darkened with rage. "I would expect that to be your department! You came here with one intent only. Say whatever the hell you like, gaijin, but you came here with the hope that I would forgive you."

"That's a load of shit! I came to see if my sister was getting better. But I only see her wallowing in something she should have gotten over years ago. Get over yourself! You're not the only one who's lost a child you know!"

"You don't know a single thing!!" Midori screamed at her. "Bakana gaijin! Temae o korosu [1]!"

Kayla closed her eyes as she struggled to compose herself. It seemed that there was no getting through to her stubborn sister. She had just opened her eyes when she saw a solid wall of rippling, shifting blue. She didn't have time to react as it ploughed into her. It rammed her against the wall, suffocating her as she tried to push it away. Her hands simply moved through it in a fruitless effort, the liquid swirling through her open fingers. A few seconds later it fell away, leaving her gasping for breath in between her coughs. Her eyes widened as she saw small puddles of water spotted across the floor. 'It's water…' She looked at Midori as her words from so long ago echoed through her head. She didn't want or need anything else to fear from water.

"Midori…" she looked up, seeing deadset intent in her sister's eyes.

"Dete kure [2]," Midori said in a tight voice, lowering her arm. "Before I do something I regret."

Kayla didn't say anything before she yanked the door open and walked out, slamming it behind her. Her feet made slight squishing noises as she stalked down the halls back to her own room. She dried herself off briskly, trying to cool the anger inside of her. She yanked down some dry clothes and changed into them before she walked out again, intent on calming down. There was no way she would be going around Lothlórien steamed simply because of her sister.

"She has some nerve. She's acting like a spoiled brat who's had their toy broken." she muttered as she made her way down the stairs. She paused when she reached the end, thinking over her words before she sighed. "This is just going from bad to worse." she muttered as she let her feet move her along.

The way things were going, she and Midori would be permanently estranged. Even a year later and Midori still hated her guts. She wouldn't listen to a word she said and when Kayla tried to persist and explain, Midori responded in a violent manner. She looked up at her surroundings, surprised to find herself by the basin again.

"Mother's mirror." she walked up to it and touched the cool stone, looking at the empty bottom. "Perhaps…"

She went to the small waterfall where the silver flagon was and filled it up. She walked over to the basin and poured it all in before she set the flagon back where it was. She walked up to the basin and started down into the reflective waters.

"Arlonniel?"

She looked up to see Galadriel standing by a tree looking at her with a worried expression. "Did you want something Mother?"

"To know if you're all right." Galadriel stepped forward slowly, approaching the other side of the basin. "We talked to Carardaiel."

Kayla groaned. "What did she say?"

"It is not an easy thing to forget, though one may try and struggle. It is sometimes, the crisis that reveals enough."

"More cryptic words. Can't you just tell me?"

Galadriel shook her head. "It is for you and her to resolve; how that comes to be, will be of its own accord."

Kayla nodded her head before she spoke again. "Were you going to use the basin for something?"

"Yes. I would like your help." Galadriel said as she leaned over slightly and scanned the water's surface. "This should do well."

"Pardon?"

"Sauron's forces must never again penetrate our borders." Galadriel said as she rested her hands on the side of the basin.

"All right, how do you intend to see that done? Haldir's taking care of the defensive measures."

Kayla watched as Galadriel didn't say anything but simply leaned forward and took her hands. Kayla's brow furrowed as Galadriel rested a hand on hers and slipped her other hand beneath hers. She looked into her mother's eyes questioningly. Galadriel simply nodded her head and closed her eyes. Kayla glanced down into the water and saw nothing before she closed her eyes as well.

Galadriel's voice was quiet at first, the soft words nothing more than a bare whisper. But it grew and swelled filling the small glade with a tension, that seeped into the very ground. She could feel it working its way through her as if it was seeking something and latching onto it.

"Valar, tena bethaelye;" Galadriel's voice was suddenly loud, clear and crisp. "Atara ar' tinu utunea llie, putta tel' ksh'er irma ten' Lórien. Karna lye dolen ar' vara i' taure ndor imya lye. [3]"

"Lye utunea lle.[4]" she added with a humble note in her voice.

Nothing happened, the area still silent with the tension palpable. Then Kayla felt it; something seeping from her and into the ground. And it didn't frighten her in the slightest. She could see it in her mind from the sky, racing through the ground, past tree roots and rocks to the ends of the Lórien forests; it was like seeing blood rushing through the capillaries of the earth, they were everywhere like a fine webbing. The bright red and yellow tendrils curled their way through out the forest and into the trees, pulsating as they went.

And when the light tendrils reached the edges of the Lórien forests it stopped forming a shimmering line around the trees. It was as if Lórien had been marked out in a fluorescent marker on the ground. Then it flared up as if sending a beacon before it died down. The tension that had filled the small glade dissipated until there were only the familiar sounds of the Lórien forest. Kayla kept her eyes closed for a few moments longer until she opened one hesitantly.

Galadriel was smiling at her. "You can open your eyes."

"Er…" she opened the other one and looked down into the basin unsure of what to see. She could see all of Lórien lit up there by the light tendrils. The light pulsated as it faded away gently, leaving only the shadows of trees. "What was that?"

"Sauron can no longer break through out defense so easily. Our magic was reinforced by Nenya. Lórien will not be attacked ever again while we are here."

"Your ring…" she murmured, looking at the object in question on her mother's finger. "You have magic too?"

"Yes; but not the same as yours; yours has a fierceness to it, much like a blaze."

"Do all Elves have magic?"

All Elves have that ability. Some, like us, can use it for anything."

"All Elves have the same level of magic as us?"

"No," Galadriel said. "The magic they have is so small that the most they can do with it is use it to speak through thoughts over short distances."

"Oh. So that's why I could talk to you from the Shire." Kayla paused before she spoke again.

"Yes."

"Mother?" Kayla asked after a few moments of thought.

"Yes?"

"When did you meet Father?"

"A long time ago and under some rather boring circumstances."

"What was he like?"

"Much like you, somewhat rash and impulsive but he knew what he was doing. Midori is much like I was; very serious at a young age."

"Mother, could we continue this conversation somewhere else?"

"Yes." Galadriel patted her hand gently. "We could talk over a cup of wine if you wish."

Kayla nodded as they started for the steps. "Sure, I'd like that."

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

[1] Temae o korosu - I'll kill you [somewhat rude] (Japanese)
[2] Dete kure - Leave (in a very blunt way); verb: deru -> to leave (Japanese) [Yes Peridot, I am putting my dictionary to good use. Bwhahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!]
[3] "Valar, tena bethaelye; atara ar' tinu utunea llie, putta tel' ksh'er irma ten' Lórien. Karna lye dolen ar' vara i' taure ndor imya lye - Valar, hear our words; mother and daughter ask you, stop the evil one's desire for Lórien. Make us hidden and protect the forestland through us (Elvish)
[4] Lye utunea lle - We ask you (Elvish)