Replies to Reviews!!
Niffers - I know. But that grudge is about to be shoved pretty much out of the window. And as far as the whole Haldir/Midori thing…I'd like to think it was pretty evident.
Malfoy's Babe - Is it? Well, midori in Japanese means green, and that's pretty much the meaning I was going for. Midori is the name of an alcoholic drink? Man, you really are gonna have to tell me more about this, because now you got me curious! E-mail me and let me know, please! I'd reconsider the name thing, but for two things: I am on Chapter Twenty Two - it's just not going to happen - and I think her name fits well. My suggestion: have a juice box on hand. I'm drinking a Bibo right now. ^^
Right of Blood
Chapter Twenty Two
"That one looks very nice on you."
"Do you think so, Linalambe?" Kayla twisted around, looking at herself and the way the fabric ran across her fingers. "The colour is great."
"It is. It brings out the green in your eyes."
"It does. And Valar knows I don't have enough clothes that aren't travel worn." She regarded the smooth cloth for a moment before she nodded her head. "I'll take it."
"A wise choice, my Lady."
"Thank you for all your help." She smiled at Linalambe. "You made this much easier than I thought it would be."
Linalambe gave her an amused look of puzzlement. "You don't shop much?"
"Not for clothes like this. I've never had to, really." Kayla smiled as she watched him wrap up the clothes she had picked for herself. "So, how much is all of this?" she had four large wrapped parcels.
"For such a customer, I'll only charge you nine gold pieces."
Kayla gave him a scrutinizing look. "You're not just saying that? Not because of whom my parents are? I was expecting to pay you eleven gold pieces."
"No, I'm not." Linalambe said. "You're the best customer I've had here in awhile."
Kayla smiled once more. "I seem to attract flattery like honey draws a bear." She reached into her pouch and pulled out eleven gold pieces. "And don't complain."
"And people say I'm generous." Linalambe snorted. "But I won't complain. Money helps to buy the supplies needed. Money is money"
"I'd have to agree with that sentiment." Kayla laughed. "Now, before I go, could you direct me to a place for jewellery?"
"Jewellery?" Linalambe paused. "There're many good shops to the west of here. I suggest you go and browse. I can't recommend any one in particular."
"All right, thank you very much Linalambe." Kayla said as she scooped up her packages and walked out.
"No, thank you. Come back if you need anything!" he called after her.
Kayla smiled as she walked out into the sunshine that trickled down through the mallorn leaves. She had spent a good portion of the morning shopping for some things she needed. She had been surprised when there had been an Elfling at her door with a surprisingly heavy pouch for her. She had been even more surprised when she had read the note inside from Haldir. It seemed that she was now considered a full member of the Galadhrim and she was receiving pay from when she had first stepped foot on a defensive flet. Not that she could complain, however. Shopping had been a nice way to spend her day off duty.
"I wonder if Midori received pay as well?" she murmured to herself. "Hm, not my place to go and ask her. She's just been bitchier to me than usual."
She scowled for a moment as she started up the stairs from the forest floor to the upper flets. It was really starting to irk her and it interfered when they had duty together on the flets or simply during dinner with Galadriel and Celeborn. The dinners were the worst. Kayla could feel the tenseness in the air, as well as the general frostiness aimed in her direction. Her foot landed on the last step and she turned to the right, heading for her room. She quickly deposited the parcels on the bed and walked out once more, pausing when she reached the staircase.
"I don't really need anything else. I got extra slippers, clothes, everything I could possibly need for awhile." She mused as she turned around. "I think I'll just go and relax somewhere."
Kayla's feet started in the opposite direction towards a staircase that was on the opposite side of the royal talan. She walked down, her dress trailing a bit behind her. The stairs twisted down along the tree trunk, ending in stone steps down through the tangled roots. She could hear the water running freely and splashing down into the pool. It was strange, but she had come here to Galadriel's Mirror sometimes; not to look into it, but for the strange comforting silence that enshrouded the area. There was sadness to the spot, something that seemed to be approaching its end. Not in the short concept of time that men had, but a slow fading that only Elves could perceive.
She skirted the roots that jutted up through the ground sharply, finding a worn sunken ledge that curved into the rock. She pulled her feet up and curled up in it, her eyes wandering around. The grey tree trunks rose up gracefully to the sky, contrasting the leaves on their branches and the few on the ground. Kayla closed her eyes, a faint smile coming to her lips. This land, Middle-Earth, was the place where she felt she belonged the most. The wind, the air, the waters, the very dirt, it was all part of her being. She had never felt such an overwhelming sense of completion; the inexplicably missing part of her was filled.
A slight wind rushed through the small glade, blowing the few leaves up the step. There came a faint crushing sound that made her ears move to catch the sound. It was someone walking on a fresh green leaf. Judging from the sound of the step, it was someone particularly light on their feet. She didn't open her eyes; perhaps the person never even saw her here, hidden by the rock.
The person walked, the sound of their clothing trailing behind them giving away their location. Silence followed as the person came to a halt. Kayla remained seated but opened her eyes. The figure was wearing a hooded cloak, the grey hood covering their head completely. She frowned slightly, wondering why someone would wear such garb at this time in the day. Moving quietly, she slid out from the niche and stood up straight. The person had stopped right in front of the Mirror, apparently looking at its surface.
"Since when have you taken to hiding in rock?"
Kayla didn't say anything as Midori's voice rang through the clearing with a sombreness. She simply walked over and stood beside her. The rock pool wavered as the small waterfall cascaded down. The reflection of their faces and the trees moved, sometimes melding together, at others stretched far apart. The quiet in the air was thick, trembling with things they wanted to say, couldn't say and thought they should say. Suddenly Midori sighed heavily, whispering something before she turned to leave. Kayla watched as she started walking, feeling her heart constrict with pity.
"Would you like to know?" she said, softly.
Midori paused, her back still facing Kayla. "To know what?"
"To know," Kayla began slowly; she had been expecting a scathing, sarcastic reply; not the tired weariness. "To know Jubei's last words."
Midori didn't say anything, her entire figure as still as a stone carving. Kayla exhaled somewhat noisily as her sister started to turn around slowly. She hadn't even realized that she had been holding her breath. Taking a deep breath, she looked Midori straight in the eye. She should have done this from the start; she was the only one who could do this for Midori, no one else. She stepped up to the rock basin, taking the pitcher and filling it with water before she walked over to the Mirror and poured it into the shallow bowl. Midori came and stood on the opposite side, looking at it warily.
"Last time, this Mirror showed me things I would rather forget." Midori glanced at Kayla. "For your sake, it had better not show anything similar this time."
"It will be painful. But you need to know, to see for yourself." Kayla said as she rested her hands on the side of the bowl. "Should I?"
Midori's lips tightened before she curtly nodded her head. Her eyes were dark and unyielding. Kayla didn't say anything, as she brought her hands together over the basin, palms together. She glanced at Midori before she closed her eyes. The magic started as a slow trickle at first but sped up as she made it pool in her hands, burning with its intensity to be released.
Kayla parted her hands slowly, allowing it to trickle down into the water below, invisible to Midori's eye. But once she opened her eyes, she could see the tendrils curling along the surface, smouldering, and waiting for her next command. She brought her hands down low before she raised them again sharply. A large burst of flame followed them upwards, burning brightly upon the water's surface.
"Look into the flames," she said quietly. "And you'll see what I saw. You'll know Jubei's last words."
Midori didn't even look at Kayla as she gazed at the flames intently, not blinking at the heat they radiated. The flames shivered before an image appeared in its depth. The narrow alleyways flashed by, accented by the pounding of feet and then the ringing gunshot that broke the night's stillness. The walls flashed by until there was a man lying on the ground, the gun discarded by his side, while his blood pool beneath him, life seeping away.
"Kimi wa-"
The English words sounded now, but Kayla felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise; something was definitely off here.
"Okassan, onegaishimasu, kimi-"
It seemed as if Jubei was speaking directly to Midori, and not to her, not to the Alice Merritt in the alleyway. Midori's face was wavering between her stoic expression and pure grief. Kayla concentrated on holding the flames together. What nearly made her lose everything was when Jubei raised his hand. It came closer and closer to Midori until it passed through the flames and into the air. It connected with Midori's cheek, the fingers covered with blood as they caressed.
"Okassan…suki dake." His voice was a bare whisper, but it was filled with an indescribable emotion. "Suki dake zutto."
Grief contorted the planes of Midori's face; the tears sliding freely down her cheek accented her skin. Her hand went to Jubei's as if she could save him from death this one time. But Jubei's hand started to slip away slowly. It retracted back into the flames as he closed his eyes, a strange smile on his face as his chest stopped moving.
Midori looked at her blood smeared hand before she touched her cheek; her hand was trembling violently. Kayla swallowed harshly as she fought to keep the flames going. That had been far from expected and it had drained her to the brink of exhaustion. She could feel the sweat starting to bead her brow.
A choked sound came from Midori's throat as she leaned in a bit more, but the image was fading away back into the recesses of Kayla's mind. She blinked, as everything started to swim and the edges of her vision started to go black. She raised her shaking hands and lowered the flames until there was nothing on the surface of the water. She held her hands in an upside down V, drawing the remnants of the magic back up before she closed her hands.
She glanced up looking at Midori; her hand was smeared with blood as was the right side of her face. She swallowed thickly, seeing the pain and grief opened fresh again, but sealed off in a different manner.
"There." She managed in a slow voice. "Now you know your son's last words."
That was the last thing she remembered before she collapsed to the ground, the sound of Midori's sobs following her as the blackness took over.
"Arlonniel."
She stirred slightly before she opened her eyes to cracks; the voice was faint like a passing breeze. She rubbed her eyes as she stood and surveyed the area around her. She was in a forest, the sound of roaring water reaching her ears. A slight sense of panic took hold of her as she look around. This was not a forest that she had ever seen before. The leaves crunched as she walked, despite her light step, the sound travelling through the silence.
"Arlonniel."
Her entire body froze as she tried to hear where the voice had come from. It seemed as if it was all around her, taunting and mocking her. She stopped walking, controlling the sudden anger welling from inside her. The trees around her whispered with the wind; it was as if they were hiding something from her.
"Arlonniel."
She started with a burst of movement, heading to the voice, as well as the roar of the water. Tree branches seemed to grab for her face as she ran, but she pushed them aside. The green seemed to be leeching away gradually, replaced by a dull grey and dark black. Her feet slowed down as the sound of the water drew closer. What had happened here?
"Arlonniel."
Kayla walked forward until she was through the thick press of trees. The waters of a fall poured down, the spray misting in the air. She drew back instinctively, noticing the murky darkness of the water; it was the waters of war and death. She had seen it enough, caused it enough, to know it when she saw it. Bringing a hand to her bridge of her nose, she noticed the red sleeve of her dress. Her hand stopped in midair, her eyes clouded with suspicion. She had been wearing a dark green dress just before she passed out.
"Arlonniel."
"What the hell do you want," she asked frostily; the voice was louder, she knew who it was. "Annatar?"
No response greeted her as she stood few feet away from the riverbank. Her eyes darted around in an effort to try and find someone else in this inhospitable wasteland. The dark waters stretched far up, around a bend in the river. She walked back to one of the dying trees and rested her hand on it, as she looked for a grip.
"Valar," she hissed as she snatched her hand back. "It's blazing."
She looked at the black tree; it hadn't been death, but fire that had done this.
"Arlonniel!"
Her body pivoted as she heard Legolas' voice through the sound of the waterfall. He was on the opposite bank, his bow gripped tightly in his hand. He looked as if he had been travelling for days on end; the slight signs of wear were there.
"Legolas!' she called over to him. "What are you doing here?"
Legolas didn't say anything, as he had an arrow notched and drawn in less than a heartbeat. Kayla felt her throat constrict as she noticed the arrow was aimed right at her. A second later, it flew, hissing through the air towards her. She closed her eyes and ducked, hands flying to her head.
The sound of a 'thunk' was swallowed by the noise, but Kayla was glad to not feel it buried in her chest. She lifted her hands and started to open her eyes, Arrows were flying past her to something behind her. When a loud shriek came, she clamped her hands over her ears, trying to block it out. But it continued on, loud piercing and grating against her nerves. It made her head swim and it hurt. Blood was starting to trickle from her ears when it finally stopped. She pulled herself to her feet slowly and turned around. A gauntleted hand grasped her around the throat, constricting with an inexorable slowness. She found herself looking into a steel helm, the eyes burning at her from the depth.
"Annatar," she croaked out. "Put me down."
His eyes seemed to burn more intensely. "No. Not until I have what I want. I gave you the chance to give it to me freely. I came to you as Annatar. Now I come to you as Sauron. This is your last chance; give it to me." He lifted her off the ground to let her feet dangle a few inches above.
"No dice." She managed.
"Think hard about your answer. This is your last chance since I can only take it from your cold dead body."
Sauron's hand moved suddenly, slamming her against his armoured body. She could see the other side of the river now, with Legolas there, a large sword to his throat, held by an Orc. There was a barely disguised look of fury and loathing in his eyes. Her eyes widened as she recognized the Orc as Grimuk, from the fortress of Dol Guldor. She grasped at Sauron's fingers, trying to pry them loose. But she knew it was hopeless. Her eyes flickered up to meet Legolas' once more. There was something in the blue depths of his eyes; something that told her what she had to do, despite the cost.
"No." she said as she smiled at Legolas and closed her eyes.
The last thing she saw was the sword glinting in the sunlight as it was raised. Sauron's fingers closed around her neck, crushing it in a single movement.
Kayla scrambled in the soft bed, trying to get up. The sheets tangled around her, blanketing her vision with white. She had to get out and see Galadriel; she would understand what she had just seen. Celeborn would, perhaps. And Midori, Kayla wasn't too sure if she wanted to see her yet.
"Shh, calm down." Luweinor's voice was soothing. "Calm down. You're in your own bed Lady Arlonniel."
Kayla took a steadying breath as she stopped struggling with the bed sheets. They gently disentangled from around, revealing Luweinor and Orophin standing by the bed. She regarded them for a moment, before she pressed her hand to her brow. It was cold, clammy and sweaty. Her heart was still pounding in her chest wildly. That was the worst one she had yet, by far.
"How are you feeling Lady Arlonniel?" Luweinor asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed. "You fell and hit your head fairly hard on a stone."
Kayla looked at him blankly as a dull throb started to register. She ran her hands along her head, wincing as she felt the bump just behind the top of her head. She looked at Luweinor and Orophin as she closed her eyes with a deep sigh. There was a breeze coming through her room, light and gentle. She kept her eyes closed as she struggled to calm herself down. She let her mind drift for a moment, before she concentrated on Mirkwood. The trees came up fast, abruptly as she sought out Legolas. He was in his room reading by the window. He hesitated after a few moments, looking around the room before he spoke.
'Arlonniel, you're troubled. What's wrong?'
'I thought you might have been hurt.' She paused for a moment. 'Are you all right?'
'Aside from a fall from a tree in front of some Elflings, nothing is hurt but some of my pride.'
Kayla felt a smile coming to her face. 'At least it's just your pride.'
'Indeed.´ Legolas lapsed into silence for a moment. 'Arlonniel, what is wrong? Have you dreamt something again?'
'I did,' Kayla paused. 'Just now. Luweinor and Orophin are here with me now. It happened after I fainted.'
'Fainted?'
'It's a long story.' Kayla sighed mentally. 'I'll see if I can send you a letter.'
'You could just show me.'
Kayla shuddered. 'No, it's still too fresh to go through again now. But I'll write you; I need to take an objective look at it. Plus I'll explain the whole fainting thing.'
'As you wish. Perhaps you should ask Luweinor for a sleeping draught? You may need something to ease your rest.'
'I will ask. Thank you for just listening to me.'
'You don't have to thank me for that. Should you ever need to talk, I'll listen, carad'lokiamin [1].'
Kayla paused, unsure if she had heard correctly. 'I wish I was back in Mirkwood.'
'This place is duller without you around.' Legolas didn't say anything for a moment. 'Perhaps you should talk to some? Carardaiel, perhaps?'
'If I can find her. Make sure to give Culros and Alusil my regards.' She didn't say anything for a moment. 'Diola lle au' [2], Legolas.'
'Lle creoso [3], Arlonniel.' Legolas' words were soft, barely a whisper.
Kayla broke the link, opening her eyes to find Luweinor peering at her intently. She inhaled slowly before she shifted, swinging her feet out over the edge of the bed. She gave both him and Orophin a small smile. She rose, but was unprepared for the world swirling around her suddenly.
"Lady Arlonniel, you must rest." Luweinor said as he guided her back down to the bed. "Your balance might have been thrown from the bump. You may hurt yourself if you try to walk."
"I'll walk, thank you." She rose again, but much more slowly this time; the room stayed still. "I need to talk to my sister."
Luweinor nodded after a few moment's of hesitation. "But no strenuous activity, while you are out of bed. By all rights, you should still be in bed. But Valar forbid you two stubborn ones should listen to the simple healer."
Kayla smiled as she walked over to the door and slid her feet into her slippers. "Must you grumble so? I suppose I should count myself lucky that you're not…" she trailed off, as she looked back at Luweinor, who was already muttering something to Orophin.
"Orophin will go with you." Luweinor said. "And I've given him explicit instructions as to what you're not supposed to do." His glance went to her axe. "Such as sparring or any thing that involves weapons."
"Fine, suck all the fun away." She replied with a smile. "Very well, come on Orophin."
Orophin walked after her, a clearly displeased expression on his face. As soon as they were safely away from her room and the healer he spoke. "Now I must baby-sit a full grown woman? Luweinor worries too much for his own good."
"You know you are free to leave." Kayla said with repressed laughter that showed as a smirk.
Orophin glared at her. "If I leave, he shall find out by some method and then Valar knows what will happen to me."
Kayla's smirk grew wider. "You wouldn't happen to know where Midori is, would you."
"Last I knew Lady Carardaiel was by the river." Orophin said. "She might have come back by now."
"I should have known. How long was I out for?" Kayla asked.
"At least a day," Orophin said. "Luweinor was in a fit and Galadriel, something happened to her as well."
Kayla stopped in her tracks. "Something happened to Galadriel? You tell me this now?! By Elbereth…"
"And I should have told you while you were fighting with the bed sheets? Of which were winning, by the way." Orophin retorted. "It's all over Lothlórien now. Everyone knew something happened to you; but when something similar happened to Galadriel, people have been worrying."
"Orophin, I'm sorry. It just took me by surprise. I should have spoken so harshly." Kayla took a deep breath. "I…I didn't expect to be this rattled."
"Imagine how I felt," Orophin replied. "I was reporting on the border defences when she suddenly saw something. I have never seen anything like that before."
"I think I might have panicked." Kayla admitted with a small laugh, before it died away. "Galadriel will probably be in her chambers."
"Do you want to see her instead?" Orophin asked.
"Yes. I can talk to her before I talk with Midori. I'll have to work up the nerve to do that." Kayla paused. "You know what?"
Orophin simply gave her a quizzical look.
"You're a good friend." She patted his shoulder lightly. "And you put up with some insane things from me."
"Indeed." Orophin's lips curved into a slight smile. "Such as the dummy sword you gave me during that practice."
"It was the students' idea really. They didn't want to do it, but I had seen you earlier and you looked like you could use the laugh."
"I did need the laugh." Orophin said with an amused expression in his eyes. "Thank you."
"Not a problem. We all forget to laugh at one point or another. That's where friends come in." she paused at a set of doors. "Do you mind if I speak to Galadriel in private?"
"Not at all." Orophin turned to leave. "I'll be nearby when you're done."
Kayla nodded as she gave him a small wave. She turned, opening the door as she walked in slowly. The room was wide and spacious, creating a rather airy feel to it. It seemed to be sparsely decorated at first glance, but the shelves and such were cleverly built into the walls, slender and blending in completely with the décor. Seated on the bed was Galadriel, with Celeborn and Midori standing in front of her.
"Arlonniel." Galadriel's voice was ghostly.
"Are you all right, Mother?" she asked as she walked forward slowly. "Orophin told me what happened…somewhat."
Galadriel didn't say anything for a moment. "There was a black river, surrounded by a dark forest…ravaged by fire."
Kayla felt a chill run through her spine. "Mother," she raised a hand to her neck, curling her fingers around. Her pulse was racing, pounding beneath the skin.
"Yes," she murmured. "And then," she reached at her neck and made a jerking motion. "Then pure darkness descended, save for one faint light."
"Hm, ron nae umien au', atar [4]." Midori murmured. "Do you mean to say that you both had the same vision?"
Kayla looked at Midori sharply; there was a stark gauntness to her. "Yes." she couldn't bring herself to reveal what had happened before the part Galadriel had revealed. "Is there something about these necklaces we should know?"
Celeborn and Galadriel glanced at one another, too many things flitting in their eyes for Kayla to grasp. She looked at Midori with a slightly arched eyebrow. There was a curious and intrigued light there.
"Those necklaces you two now wear," Galadriel started. "Come from , crafted by Feanör himself."
"So how did you get them?" Midori interjected. "Are you from his or her bloodline or was it through Atar?"
"Through Galadriel's bloodline; she is a descendant of Feanör, himself." Celeborn said as Galadriel seemed to have suddenly lost her voice. "The two necklaces you now wear were passed down from mother to daughter. But their purpose was never truly known."
"Perhaps with good reason," Kayla said softly. "Midori, you should know what I am talking about."
Midori shot her a piercing look. "I know full well what you are talking about; it is nothing more than a double edged sword. You should know what I'm talking about."
"Hm," Kayla met Midori's eyes for a moment before she looked at Galadriel and Celeborn. "Mother, you told me about magic; how all Elves have that inside them."
"Yes. What do the necklaces have to do with it?"
"Everything," Midori said. "Everything; with the events happening, we shouldn't let Sauron get his hands on the One Ring, much less one or two of these."
Kayla nodded in agreement. "The necklaces are like," she paused thinking over her words carefully. "They are much like the One Ring. Only they do not bend the person's will to evil. They can be used to whatever end a person sees fit; be it good or evil. The One Ring alone on Sauron's finger will be trouble enough. Combined with this and Middle-Earth would plunge into a darkness that it would never come out from."
"You are sure of this?" Celeborn asked after a few moments of thought.
"That is the best way to describe it," Midori said as Kayla sat down the bed, running a hand through her hair. "But once they are on a person, they only way they can be removed is through-"
"Prying it from a cold dead body." Kayla stated abruptly.
"Or sheer willpower. But if you desire to safeguard it, to prevent evil from being wrought from it, it must be taken from your cold dead body."
"How do you know this?" Celeborn's voice was quiet.
Midori sighed deeply. "Because my necklace was stolen from me one time; it felt as if part of my very being had been ripped away, part of my soul gone. At the time, I didn't want it, didn't think it was for any good since I sought to protect people I cared about with it and I failed."
"What happened?" Galadriel asked softly.
"They were slaughtered by the conquering armies of a daimyo." Midori's lips tightened momentarily with bitterness. "They were simply farmers who wanted a peaceful life. They wanted nothing more; just a peaceful life."
Silence descended over the room before Celeborn spoke again. "Carardaiel, you said it was double edged."
Midori nodded her head. "The necklaces seem to be a bit wild at times. It is best to use them with a cool head. I used mine once during a very heated moment. I blacked out for a week and I couldn't remember anything for about a month; wandering around Nihon* not knowing your own name is not fun. Consider yourself lucky, Arlonniel."
Kayla didn't say anything for a moment. "I noticed that. But do you remember the Barrowdowns. When we fought together? Perhaps there is more reason why these two are part of a whole."
"Hm," Midori said as she fell into silence.
"Mother, you said you saw a faint light?" Kayla asked as she shifted her attention.
"A faint light, the place of Rivendell," Galadriel's brow furrowed. "Something shall happen there; something important. It will affect all of Middle-Earth."
"Perhaps we should go?" Kayla looked at Midori and Celeborn before she looked back at Galadriel.
'You must," Galadriel said. "Someone must go. Elrond has reinforced the enchantments that keep Rivendell hidden from the unknowing. But in doing so, I cannot converse with him so easily. Not at all even. Someone must go and see what is occurring there."
"I'll go atara [5]. Midori murmured.
Celeborn cleared his throat. "Then Haldir shall be going with you."
A deadly silence seemed to radiate off of Midori before she spoke. "What?"
"Haldir shall be going with you." Celeborn said.
"Ed' i' ear ar' elenea [6]!" Midori ran a hand through her hair. You'll have to excuse me, atar. Some pressing matter has made itself known to me." She headed for the door. "Ed' Elbereth, amin karnuva antaho quern coria! Iire amin naa tela yassen ho, ro gorguva ten' ilfirin coiaho [7]!"
Kayla watched Midori's fuming exit, before she looked over at Galadriel and Celeborn. "So, we're going to Rivendell, then?"
Celeborn nodded his head, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Glancing at Galadriel, Kayla saw a similar expression. She let hers show through before she spoke.
"I think she's a bit angry. I feel sorry for him on the receiving end."
The dark early morning sky held the last few stars that refused to fade away. In her room, Kayla was putting away the last few items into her Ranger pack. A faint smile came to her face as she smoothed her hand over the stains and neatly stitched up tears. It would be good to be out on the open road again. She had taken Slepnir out for short rides, but she could always sense his impatience to be out in an open space, to race and thunder across the ground. She looked up as a faint knock came from her door.
"Enter." She said as she tied off her pack and shouldered it.
Midori entered the room slowly, something wrapped in a plain packaging in her hands. She came to a few feet of Kayla before she sank to her knees, sitting on her legs. Her head was bowed and the package held up, waiting for Kayla to take it.
"Um," Kayla looked at her. "You don't have to do this."
Midori didn't reply, simply holding the package out. With a sigh Kayla walked up to her and took it.
"Now stand up. We don't exactly have time t be doing stuff like this. We're leaving any minute now." Kayla paused as she noticed Midori still sitting on the ground. "For Christ's sake Midori, get up!"
Midori rose slowly. Kayla started when she realized she was wearing a shortened kimono that stopped just above her knees. It was as if a piece of history came out from a page of a book. Midori's sword was tied to the sash around her waist, while her shins and forearms were covered by metal guards. On her feet were wooden shoes that she'd seen so many times in Madama Butterfly. And over this she had on the grey Lórien cloak, fastened with the leaf of Lórien. Kayla put her pack on again, shifting it slightly so it was more comfortable.
"May I ask what you are wearing?"
"What I have worn for a thousand years. The other clothes I found cumbersome to some degree. They were hampering, limited my movement."
"I see." Kayla held the package up. "What's this?"
A slight flush came to Midori's face before it vanished away a split second later. "It's something. I know I haven't been so cordial with you, much less treating you as my kin,"
Kayla gave a grunt of agreement that made Midori hesitate for a moment.
"But…you were there for his last moments. For that, I thank you." Midori bowed to Kayla.
Kayla didn't say anything as she regarded the package in her hands. She glanced at Midori before she smiled slightly. "Is it really that hard for you to say two little words?"
Midori didn't reply, simply looking at her shoes, wiggling her toes slightly Kayla gave a small laugh as she shook her head. She took off her pack and tucked the package that Midori gave her. When she put it back on, she couldn't help but laugh again as she looked at Midori's feet.
"What is so funny?" Midori asked in a soft, displeased, voice
"You made the damned geta** as well as the tabi*** socks!" Kayla opened the door and waited for Midori to follow her out.
"How did you know they were geta and tabi?"
"I knew Puccini." Kayla said with a shrug. "It was a good opera."
Midori didn't say anything as she walked out the room, heading in the direction of the stables. Kayla fell in step beside her. She could smell the fresh feed and water along with the horses. She paused at the entrance, stopping Midori with a hand on her shoulder.
"Midori, you don't have to feel so guilty."
Midori didn't say anything for a moment. "I tried to kill you."
"Heh, if I was in your position, I might have done the same." Kayla cleared her throat. "I went through some things in Mirkwood that made me realize just what you were going through." Her teeth gritted together as she remembered Vioviel. "It wasn't exactly the same, but it made me think. Of course, you didn't make it any easier."
"Indeed." Midori said before she lowered her head.
"It was a joke, Midori," Kayla said as she patted her shoulder. "You know a joke. A witty pun or amusing story you tell to make someone smile or laugh?"
"I know." Midori paused. "It is appreciated, but once I walk in there…"
"In where? There?" she glanced into the stables. "How so?"
"Never mind. We have to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible." Midori pulled her hood on slightly. "There are some reasons why I don't relish travelling by the light of day."
Kayla chuckled as they walked into the stable; she could see Haldir by his horse. "And shinobi prefer to travel under the cover of darkness."
"Yes." Midori said simply as she stopped in front of the stall where Kuroi was stabled, taking the saddle down from it's peg on the post. "Darkness has its…advantages."
Kayla shrugged as she let Slepnir out. He trotted out quickly, dancing around. It took her a few minutes to calm him down long enough to get the saddle on his back. When she finally mounted, Haldir and Midori were looking at her, similar expressions of cool amusement on their faces. She grumbled as she urged Slepnir into a brisk trot. It was going to be a long trip.
[1] carad'lokiamin - my red dragon
[2] Diola lle au' - thank you again
[3] Lle creoso - You're welcome
[4] Hm, ron nae umien au, atar - Hm, they did it again father
[5] atara - mother
[6] Ed' i' ear ar' elenea - By the sun and stars!
[7] Ed' Elbereth, amin karnuva antaho quern coria! Iire amin naa tele yassen ho, ro gorguva ten' ilfirin coiaho! - By Elbereth, I will make his face turn purple! When I am done with him, he will fear for his immortal life!"
* Nihon - Japan
**geta - wooden sandals; copy and paste this url to see a picture of geta:
***tabi - the split socks that are worn with geta, or zori; copy and paste this url to see a picture of tabi: and this is what zori looks like in case you're wondering: