Chapter Twenty Three

The sky was a darkening orange as Kayla reined in, pausing to admire the beauty of the placid land, looking at the mountains off in the distance. They had been riding at an easy pace and now found themselves less than a day's ride away from the pass through the mountains. The path followed the river through the mountains, but it was rife with danger and a steeply inclined path. They had been saving their energy to cross the pass, since it would demand almost everything from them. Kayla shifted her gaze to the trees of Mirkwood.

"So close, yet so far," she murmured wistfully; there was a part of her that longed to go back there.

"Is something amiss, Lady Arlonniel?"

Kayla looked back with a startled expression to see Haldir and Midori facing her. "No, nothing wrong," she said. "Simply enjoying the beauty of the land."

"It is picturesque, isn't it?" Midori said softly. "The forest does add, doesn't it?"

"It does," Haldir agreed as he looked between the two of them. "Perhaps a temporary camp?"

"I agree, Midori replied after a few moments. "Our horses could use the break before we cross the pass tomorrow."

"Then it looks like we'll make camp here," Kayla said as she swung off of Slepnir easily. "Who's in charge of dinner tonight?"

"Lembas isn't good enough?" Midori asked in a teasing voice.

"I get the feeling we'll be eating much more lembas soon enough," Kayla thought for a moment. "Maybe a hare or a bird?"

"It's Lady Carardaiel's turn to cook and your turn to set up camp Lady Arlonniel." Haldir stated as he dismounted as well.

"What about you Haldir?" Kayla asked.

"Make sure the horses are fed and watered enough, and to see that we still have horses in the morning." He replied easily.

"It's an invaluable job, Kayla." Midori removed Kuroi's reins. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes. Yah!"

Kayla watched with a chuckle as Midori moved her legs slightly, causing her horse to charge forward with an incredible burst of speed. She shook her head as she removed her pack and patted Slepnir's rump. He snorted and walked off, going to graze beside Haldir's horse. Walking a few feet, she frowned as she spotted a small depression in the ground, topped with a dead patch of yellow grass.

"Strange," she murmured as she crouched down to inspect it.

"What is?" Haldir asked as he came and crouched down beside her.

"This," she gestured to the patch. "What do you make of it?"

Haldir didn't answer for a moment. "A fire pit?"

"Maybe; but the person didn't put the grass down properly, as if they were in a hurry. Hm, should probably take a look underneath."

Nothing was said as Kayla felt around the edges before she found a loose spot to pull up. She dug her fingers in and pulled it up carefully. Sure enough, there were bits of black charcoal and flakes of light grey and white ash. There were small stones around the edge, ringing the fire pit, with black spots on the insides.

"A very meticulous person."

"A very meticulous Ranger," Kayla corrected. "Odd for Golan, leaving the rocks behind; no wonder the grass didn't take back."

"Golan?" Haldir gave her a quizzical look.

"Very…particular about his fire pits. You don't forget something like that easily." Kayla explained as her frown deepened. "He's usually neater than this. Something must have caused him to pick up and leave in a hurry."

"There is ill news I could do without," Haldir murmured. Low plaintive whinnies from behind made him turn and look back. "If you'll excuse me, I have to make sure your tempered horse doesn't bother mine too much."

Kayla chuckled as she pulled out some firewood from her pack and arranged the sticks properly. She held out her hand and made a small blaze start up. It had been blazing away cheerily for a few minutes when Midori came riding back with two hares tied to her side.

"Slepnir being a pain again?" she asked as she dismounted and let Kuroi wander over to graze as well.

"Probably," Kayla looked at the hares. "They're awfully fat."

"Then enjoy it now. You say we'll be eating much more lembas soon enough." Midori took out her knife and some herbs from her pack and started to skin and gut the hares.

"There's something here we ought to be wary of," Kayla said. "See the fire pit."

"Yes, it's one of Golan's," Midori said.

"Well, something made him pick up and leave in a hurry," Kayla paused. "I think we should be careful." She watched as Midori pulled out a blackened piece of metal and removed the cover. Midori chopped up and put in some parts of the entrails, sprinkled on some of the herbs and closed it before she shoved it into the heart of the fire. "Um…aren't you going to cook the rest?"

"No; I'll leave that for the fishes." Midori said as she rubbed herbs on the hares and tied them to a pole and set up a turning spit; then she laid the skins down close to the fire.

"At least you're going to cure the skins," Kayla asked. "Then may I ask why you are cooking only the best parts?"

"All with good reason," Midori said. "Care to walk with me to the river?"

"Sure." Kayla rose. "What about the hares? Aren't you going to tell Haldir?"

"He said he can take care of the hares," Midori said as she started to walk off.

Kayla shook her head as she started off after her. "You know you could have told me."

"I could have," Midori said with a smirk.

"Horrible," Kayla muttered as she glanced at the sky; it was now a deep golden red. "So what's up?"

"What's up?" Midori asked in a puzzled voice.

"You know, what's been going on in your life."

Midori didn't answer for a moment. "I'm considered a full member of the Galadhrim. I received pay for it; quite a bit actually."

"Buy anything interesting?"

"Simply things I needed; clothes, and such things." Midori shrugged as they reached the banks of the Anduin. She tossed in the remaining entrails while she washed her hands clean. Already the larger fish were coming up from the depths to feed. "To be honest," Midori said as she watched bits and pieces disappear. "I've…been making my room into something of home."

"Having any fun with it?" Kayla asked as they started walking back.

Midori's face flushed unexpectedly. "Yes, I suppose."

Kayla didn't say anything as she caught Midori's glance at Haldir's form; he was turning the spit by the fire.

"What is it?" Midori asked with a sigh.

"What exactly do you see in him?"

It was tough to not laugh as Midori's face turned an even brighter shade of red. Her sister's mouth opened and closed a few times as Kayla waited patiently.

"It's…there." Midori finally said as they sat down.

Kayla nodded, glancing at Haldir who was slowly turning the rabbits. They were starting to smell good. 'Midori, do you know about the others?'

Midori was digging around in her pack for a scraper, which she pulled out a few moments later. 'Others?' She picked up a skin and started to scrape the sharp edge along the surface.

'The others.' Kayla watched as Midori softened the rough dry side; apparently, starting a fire with magic sped things up a bit.

'What "others" are you talking about, Kayla?' Midori ran her hand along the smooth side before she resumed scraping.

'The other women.' Kayla stared at the fire.

Midori made no visible outward reaction; she simply continued to scrape. Kayla looked up when Midori finally moved, but all she did was pull the blackened metal out from the fire, with a grim expression; apparently she hadn't known. She watched as Midori put aside the skin and rose, looking out towards the Mirkwood forest. She cupped her hands to her mouth and uttered a clear and piercing bird call, before she sat back down and resumed scraping the skins.

Kayla and Haldir glanced at one another in puzzlement before going back to what they were doing before. It was Haldir that spotted it first, the black shape that was flying over the Mirkwood forest in the dusk. When it came a bit closer, Kayla could see that it was a rather large bird, probably a raven. Midori didn't move, even when it alighted easily on her shoulder.

"How are you Tearc?" Midori asked in a cool voice as she continued to scrape.

"Fine," the raven hopped down to her leg, peering at the blackened metal. "Is that-"

"Just the way you like it." Midori smiled slightly. "But first, I need to ask you something."

"Ask, Zirakshathûr." Tearc flexed his wings

"Are there still Orcs in the mountains?"

Tearc didn't reply for a moment. "No, but there are some in the mountains themselves; they come out at night. If you wish to travel through the pass, do so by day and tread lightly and with caution."

"Hm. And things at Erebor?"

"Fine, nothing past the Second. Glóin still rules and Gimli is in charge of the fortifications."

"Ah, comforting news. Thank you Tearc." Midori said as she lifted the small container and rested it on the leg Tearc was on. "It's chopped into pieces."

"Considerate as ever," Tearc said before he started to eat.

"Yes," Midori murmured.

"Are those hares done yet, Haldir?" Kayla asked suddenly; she could sense the cold fury that had taken hold of Midori's mind and it unnerved her.

"Almost," Haldir replied. "A few more minutes and they should be done."

Kayla nodded her head, watching the flames. When Haldir pulled out his dagger, she took her out and carved off a hind leg for herself. The quiet sounds of eating now filled the camp fire as Midori finally carved off a piece for herself. When Tearc looked at Midori, she laughed and carved off a bit more from the hare, cutting it into small pieces and putting it in the bowl. Kayla smiled slightly to herself. Three Elves and a raven sitting down to dinner did have a certain humour to it.

~*~

It was another bright and sunny day as it had been for the past week. The mountains loomed up around them; the snow capped peaks seemed to glare down at them. Sounds echoed around them, every spoken word, every whisper; it echoed out, amplified by the narrow confines of the pass. Now, however, the only sound to be heard was the horses' hooves. Kayla, Midori and Haldir had resorted to mindspeaking.

'This place is too quiet, even for a mountain,' Midori's eyes cast around, seeking out an invisible enemy. 'And I smell the stink of yrch[1].'

'As do I,' Haldir was also looking around warily. 'Tearc was right; this is a place to tread lightly and caution.'

'Well, now I know I am not the only one to smell that,' Kayla held the rein in one hand as she pretended to scratch her side and leave her hand there. Her fingers wrapped around the comfort of her axe hilt. 'Judging from the stink, I would say that it's very re-'

Kayla's words were cut off as Slepnir reared suddenly, neighing loudly. She calmed him down quickly and glanced over to see Midori and Haldir doing the same to their own disturbed mounts. She turned Slepnir around in an attempt to see what had made the horses frightened. But the only thing was the stink of Orcs.

'Ambush up ahead.' Midori looked at Kayla with certainty in her eyes.

'They'll want us to move in further before they strike,' Kayla looked at Haldir. 'Is there another way through these mountains?'

Haldir glanced at Midori before he spoke. 'Once we leave this pass, they will be watching all the passes for us. Our best chance is to ride straight north and beat them. We can wait there for a few days and try again.'

'Gundabad Pass?' A doubtful look crept into Midori's eyes. 'That will take us right into the Northern Wastes. We have to get to Rivendell as soon as possible. Mother did want us there for a reason.'

'What other option do we have?' Haldir looked at her with resignation in her eyes. 'We have to go back there again. Perhaps they will be hospitable again.'

Kayla didn't say anything, keeping her surprise to herself; since when had they been there before? 'Look, I hate to interrupt, but we need to move now, before our friends ahead of us decide to.'

Midori nodded as she turned Kuroi around and started back carefully down the steep path, Kayla and Haldir following after her. Kayla watched the back of her sister's head with curiosity. She had been to the Northern Wastes and with Haldir apparently. There really were some things that she had no clue about concerning those two.

They had made it halfway down when a frightful noise came from behind them. Kayla looked back to see the Orcs come running after them. Her lips thinned into a grim line as she took out her axe and twirled it. By the time the Orcs had caught up with them, they were a few feet away from breaking into a full run. Kayla's axe greeted the first one that caught up with her, with a heavy downwards blow that cleaved open its chest. The Orcs crowded around now, pressing in thicker. Slepnir reared, hooves pawing rapidly and crushing many an Orkish skull. She glanced over to see Midori' katana moving in a blur, the sunlight winking off her blade in so many different places, it seemed impossible. Haldir was using the long knife he had, slashing his way through.

Midori was quickly carving a path through the thick press and Kayla started after her as did Haldir. It seemed like an eternity had passed before they finally broke free, spurring their horses into a full run. She ignored the black blood spattered all over her as she rode; the sooner they made it to the Gundabad Pass, the better. Those Orcs were probably moving through the mountains now, trying to cut them off.

By mid afternoon, they reached a fork in the river, mountains visible in the distance. When Midori reined Kuroi in, Kayla and Haldir did the same. Slepnir's sides where heaving as he breathed heavily. Kayla dismounted and walked him to the river, allowing him to drink. Haldir followed after her, patting his horse's neck affectionately. Midori walked Kuroi over and let him drink.

"Have you ever been to the Northern Wastes?" she asked quietly.

"No." Kayla glanced up as she looked at the mountains. "Is there something I should be expecting?"

"If you don't like cold or snow, then I suggest you bundle up." Midori said after a moment. "I think we can find the Snowmen once we're there."

Kayla looked at her before she started chuckling. "Snowmen?" the chuckle turned into a laugh. "Do they have corncob pipes with button noses and eyes made out of coal?"

Midori grinned, shaking her head. "Not Snowmen like Frosty. Snowmen like the Eskimos."

"Oh," Kayla's laugh became a chuckle again. "You had me thinking of walking snowmen with those stove pipe hats."

"Nothing like that," Midori chuckled. "Only, make sure you follow what Haldir and I do once we get there, all right."

"All right," Kayla's glance flickered to Midori's legs. "Aren't you going to be cold like that?"

"I'll be fine. I think it's time we started heading out again." Midori glanced at the sky. "We will have quite a bit of searching to do once we get there."

"Will the horses be fine?" Kayla asked as she bent down and washed some of the blood from her hands and face.

"They'll be fine. It's cold yes, but tolerable; besides, the Snowmen have horse like animals up there with covers for them." Midori paused. "Are you ready to go Haldir?"

"Yes," Haldir looked over at them. "Are you two done with your laugh?"

"Quite," Kayla said as she let Slepnir drink for a few more moments before she mounted once more. "You two shall have to lead the way."

Midori glanced at Haldir and smiled slightly as she mounted. "Gundabad Pass, and then, the Northern Wastes."

~*~

Kayla blinked as she moved the fur flap aside and stepped out into the bright sunlight. The snow stretched all around, reflecting the sunlight with a wicked glare. They had found the Snowmen the same day they had entered the Northern Wastes. They had been here for about a week so far, and even Kayla could tell that there was something off here. She flexed her gloved hands as she looked around.

She walked through the snow houses, making her way to the slightly larger one at the end. As she walked, she could feel the eyes on her. It still unnerved her. Since they had show up, the people had given the three of them hostile looks from behind their flaps. Even now as she walked by, she could feel the accusation in their expressions, blaming her for something. She stopped and glanced back. The people were already gone, save for a few children who stood in the doorways, looking at her with a peculiar mixture of fear and curiosity. One child started to walk out but was yanked back in. Kayla sighed as she heard the admonitions and the child crying. Midori had asked her to come to the chief's house as soon as she had woken and eaten. Perhaps she would get some answers as to the behaviour directed towards them.

When she pushed aside the flap, she waited until the guards had seen her face and uncrossed their staffs to walk in. Haldir and Midori were already seated there, Haldir cross-legged, Midori on her legs, on a large fur pelt. Their fur gloves sat on the ground before them. The hare pelts had been taken and made into warm snug gloves for the three of them when they had first arrived. They didn't really need them, but wore them to show their appreciation. The fur gloves were very warm and making her hands hot, and she pulled them off as she came and sat down also.

The chief was a rather large, portly man with a face crisscrossed by thin scars. His frame was covered by soft looking clothing, with a fur coat folded by his side. His eyes were dark with a calculating and shrewd light in them. The lower part of his face was covered by a massive pepper beard, which added to the appearance of size.

"There is something you should hear," Midori said quietly after a few moments. "Daltrebi, the chief, decided the three of us should hear this."

Kayla nodded as she looked at Daltrebi. "What is it?"

"Last summer it came," his voice was surprisingly soft, and his Westron crystal clear. "We have not seen anything like this before. It is faster than us, stronger than us and much cleverer. It hunted us when we went to hunt it." He paused. "I must apologize for my people's reaction to you. This creature came shortly after you two left," he gestured to Haldir and Midori. "And now the people blame you for their woes. We have no idea of how to stop this creature. We haven't moved in almost a year, and we are starting to feel the strain."

"What does it look like?" Midori asked quietly.

"You must give me a moment," Daltrebi murmured. "I saw this creature during twilight and it all seems rather faded in my memory."

"Please, try." Kayla said gently. "We might be able to do something."

Daltrebi didn't say anything as his brows furrowed in thought. Kayla retracted back into her thoughts, trying to think of what it could possibly be when she felt Midori reach out to her.

'Yes?'

'Haldir wants you to know that we still have to go to Rivendell.' Midori glanced at Haldir. 'Soon.'

'Why doesn't he just say this to me himself?'

Midori gave the mental equivalent of a shrug. 'Men are peculiar that way. One moment.'

Kayla waited and a few moments later, she felt Haldir reach out to her. 'Now you volunteer our services? Without even asking us?'

'I said 'might', did you not catch that?'

Haldir closed his eyes for a moment. 'You should have let Carardaiel do the talking. Here, might is the same as will. And will is will be done, no matter the cost.'

'Uh oh…'

'Yes, uh oh.'

'Oh calm down Haldir,' Midori joined the conversation once more. 'Kayla's heart is in the right place; she wants to help the Snowmen.'

Haldir didn't say anything for a moment. 'Do you have any idea of what we might be up against, Lady Arlonniel?'

'I am not too sure; I'll have a better idea when he describes this creature.'

Daltrebi looked between the three of them before she spoke again. "It was large. The body was…grey and white. There were so many legs, they seemed so spindly. They were everywhere. But the two in the front were very strange; they weren't like any of the other legs. They were like…hands, with these curved claws. The face…the face was horrible."

Kayla felt a chill run down her spine. "Were the claws black?"

"Yes."

"And was the face was…odd?"

Daltrebi nodded. "It was…human in a way."

"How many of your hunting party did you lose?" Kayla asked after a few moments.

"All except for me and four others; we took fifteen." Daltrebi paused. "We had no warning when it attacked us."

Kayla rose suddenly mumbling a brief 'Excuse me'. The guards didn't stop her as she strode outside, her steps quick and heavy. A few people peeped out from behind the fur flaps but ducked back when they saw the expression on her face.

"Kayla! Wait!"

She didn't turn at the sound of Midori hurrying behind. Her steps still moved along rapidly, taking her out past the houses of snow. When she felt Midori's hand settle on her shoulder, she whirled around grabbing her sister's hand. Midori was quicker. She grasped Kayla's wrist and braced her against her back, before she flipped her onto the snow. It crunched as Kayla landed on it, breathing heavily.

Kayla stared up into Midori's patient expression. "Thanks,"

"Not a problem," Midori sat down beside her. "Now, before Haldir comes out here and gets testy, explain your rather abrupt actions to me."

Kayla stared up at the white sky, noticing how it blended in with the snow covered ground. "It's a Spider. When I was in Mirkwood, I fought one with Legolas and others. They are not fun to kill by any means."

"From what was said in there, I get the impression that this is nothing like a normal Spider." Midori said quietly.

"It is very different," Kayla replied after a moment. "The sooner it is taken care of the better."

Midori nodded her head slightly, making understanding noises from the back of her throat.

"And since I am the only one here who's had an experience with one of these things, it will be better of just the three of us go and kill it ourselves."

"Kayla," Midori's brow furrowed slightly. "There is strength in numbers. Besides, we must get to Rivendell soon; Haldir is right on that point. We have been here long enough."

"And I am not leaving this Spider to pick off an entire tribe of people." Kayla replied. "We leave immediately."

"But we don't-" Midori began.

"I picked up impressions from Daltrebi's mind as he recalled. I know the way."

Midori looked at Kayla before she smiled. "Cunning, but you should know Haldir doesn't isn't very fond of taking orders."

"Heh," Kayla snorted. "It must run in the family; neither does Orophin."

~*~

Cold snow blustered down from the mountain peak at the three figures trudging through the snow. Kayla looked out from her fur lined cowl, up at gently sloping ground. Their destination wasn't that far now. Haldir and Midori drew up beside her as she stopped to look. Midori's expression was calm and thoughtful while Haldir's was slightly cross and critical as the wind furled and whipped their cloaks around them. It was Daltrebi who had insisted on them wearing the fur lined cloaks.

And it was a good thing as well. Out here beneath these mountains, the cold didn't chill immediately. It sank into ones bones first and then made its way outwards, chilling the flesh. The fur kept the cold at bay and held in their warmth. The fur gloves were perfect for this type of coldness. And the snowshoes that they were made to wear under the boots were another good thing. They allowed them to walk easily across the snow and not have to slog through it.

'Is it much further up?' Midori asked suddenly.

'Not that far from here,' Kayla could see the slight opening from here. 'It's that hole up there. There's a cavern inside. That's where the Spider is.'

'This had better be a worthy challenge,' Haldir grumbled.

'Don't worry,' Kayla chuckled. 'You'll have quite a tale to tell your brothers and friends.'

'Lead the way,' Midori said as she shot Haldir a look.

Kayla started walking, breaking her link with Haldir. 'I'd let him go first, but I know you prefer him alive and whole.'

Kayla smiled slightly to herself as she felt Midori's embarrassment, as well as gratitude. The path was covered in hard snow and patches of ice. Kayla looked back every so often, to see Midori and Haldir sill following after her, making their way over the same things. Every so often, they could hear the sound of an icicle crashing down. Kayla didn't like the fact that the path became something of a narrow gully before the cave entrance; the edges above them were lined with daggers of ice, waiting to crash down on them. The light reflected through them, illuminating the cave.

When they finally stood in front of the cave entrance in a row, she could see the worried expressions in Midori and Haldir's eyes, however faint it was. The temperature had dropped sharply by at least ten of fifteen degrees. This was the cold that could freeze you to death if you were not careful, man or Elf alike.

'I sense it in there,' Midori's tone was puzzled. 'But it's not purely Spider. There's a human cunning there I do not like in the slightest.'

'As do I,' Haldir added as he looked at Kayla. 'What now, Lady Arlonniel?'

'Have your weapon ready. You will go through those arrows fast Haldir. Use your knives first. Don't think with your head; think with your gut, your instincts. And maybe, just maybe, we'll all live to speak of this.'

'Maybe? That's not what I like to hear before.' Haldir said as he drew his knives out. 'You said you fought this before.'

'With nine others; the tenth one was…eaten.' Revulsion flitted through her as she recalled the horrid screams of pain briefly. 'We can do this. But we must always be one step ahead and do things it doesn't expect at all.'

'Easier said than done,' Haldir's tone was grim.

Kayla gave a small sound of agreement as she stepped inside warily. The cave was relatively dry, but it was as if she'd stepped into some strange form of liquid nitrogen. Her breath condensed in the air before her eyes, and minute drops of ice tinkled down to the ground. From the light melodic sounds behind her, she could hear the sound bouncing off the cave walls, travelling down. There went their element of surprise.

There were icicles hanging from the ceiling, fringing an inverted pathway. Stalagmites reached up from the ground, tall columns of mineralized rock. Scattered on the path were some patches of ice. Kayla wrinkled her nose at a peculiar sulphuric smell. There was definitely a Spider here; it had the same scent as the one at Dol Guldor; and that was a massive Spider.

They continued walking down the path, their silent footfalls betrayed by their tinkling breath when they saw the first one. Stretched out between two stalagmites was a web, with a desiccated, wrinkled body stuck to it. The clothes on it were torn, but it was plain to see this was one of the people lost on Daltrebi's hunt to kill the Spider.

Kayla watched as Midori walked up to it silently, and reached out and touched it.

'Only a child…' the fleeting words were followed swiftly by sadness and cold blazing rage.

They continued walking along, a grim look on all their faces. The dry husks became more frequent now, trapped on webs or simply sprawled on the floor, with contorted expressions of pain and horror on the crumpled faces. They walked along, trying to ignore the blatant death around them when they all stopped, looking around.

A rock had fallen from somewhere in the cave. Their sharp Elven hearing could hear every single bounce that the rock made before it landed on the ground with a heavy sound. They glanced at each other before they started looking around.

'Lure it out?' Haldir suggested.

'Then go on the offensive.' Midori added. 'That might be-'

There came a sudden burst of movement from the ceiling, too fast even for their eyes. It barrelled into Haldir, knocking one of his knives uselessly to the ground. Kayla and Midori made a move to attack but suddenly found themselves thrown back against the wall, caught in sticky webbing. Midori gave a small growl of anger as she struggled to free herself. Kayla noticed the Spider coming back around as it scuttled over the ceiling, still carrying Haldir who was slashing at it with his remaining knife. She shook her head curtly, telling Midori to stop as the Spider dropped down from the ceiling.

Haldir managed to sink his knife into the hilt in the Spider's side. It gave a high pitched shriek, as blue blood bubbled out, and shook Haldir hard, as if he were nothing more than a rag doll. The knife fell from his hand to join the other one on the ground, along with most of his arrows. Kayla glanced over at Midori to find her struggling once more, her lips curled back in an angered snarl. The Spider held Haldir close, its mandibles clicking together eagerly. Kayla looked at the Spider's face, seeing those strange humanlike features. It truly was eerie.

"Three Elves so far north," its eight eyes gleamed happily. "This is an unexpected delicacy."

Kayla gripped her axe tighter beneath the webbing. 'This is unexpected.'

'You didn't know this vile thing could talk?' Midori sounded shocked.

'No.'

'I can hear you she-Elves.'

Kayla looked sharply at the Spider; they weren't safe even in their thoughts. She narrowed her eyes, watching Haldir as she focused her magic. If this worked right, they could still kill the Spider. She knew it could do anything at any moment, and that would not be good for Haldir. The Spider tightened its forelimbs around Haldir as he struggled to reach his bow and quiver.

When Kayla acted, the Spider was temporarily confused. Kayla summoned a bolt of fire that cut through the sticky webbing trapping her and Midori easily. Midori's cloak was still stuck to the rock as she charged at the creature with an undulating cry. The Spider moved to strike Midori but whipped around to face Kayla with a howl of pain as she sent spheres of fire crashing against its side. It dropped Haldir and charged at her.

Kayla drew up a large fireball between her hands, increasing its intensity when the Midori jumped into the air from a rock and landed right on the Spider's thorax. It stopped and tried to grab at Midori, scuttling around in a circle, but Midori kicked it sharply in the side and it lifted the upper part of its body off the ground, trying to get a batter reach at her. Kayla sent the fireball directly towards its underbelly, but the Spider landed and scuttled away just in time. That was when she spied the rope Midori had managed to sling around it. Kayla ran over to Haldir and stuffed the arrows back into his quiver as he picked up his knives.

"You stupid, clever woman," Kayla muttered as Midori tightened the rope and the Spider made a strange strangled sound.

The Spider turned around and thrashed, trying to get Midori off its back. Kayla and Haldir moved in, their blades slashing against the Spider's limbs. The Spider shrieked in pain once more, redoubling its efforts to dislodge Midori from its back. But now Midori had her own blade out and was slashing at the Spider's lower body. Haldir had sheathed his knives now and had notched an arrow. He sent one hissing home to the Spider's other side, barely inches from where Midori's hand was.

'Are you crazy?!' Kayla demanded. 'What if you hit her?!'

'He…won't…hit…me. Just…start…attacking!' Midori's words were disjointed and strained.

Haldir notched another arrow as Kayla charged in. The Spider swung its forelimbs at her but drew them back as it felt the bite of Haldir's arrows. Kayla's axe blade swung, slicing off a limb easily. She jumped back, caught by the edge of the spray of blue blood. The high-pitched screech echoed around the cave, causing the icicles to vibrate. Kayla caught Midori's eye for a moment as well as her nod. The axe fell more heavily now, aiming for any spot it could get to. The Spider continued to screech, the pitch rising as it became more and more infuriated.

The icicles trembled and shook with the frequency. Midori's head snapped up as she looked at the cave ceiling. She managed to stand up on the Spider's back and throw herself off. Icicles crashed down, impaling the Spider to the floor. The thin legs thrashed as the Spider tried to free itself.

"Damn, it didn't hit any vitals. Of all the fucking luck," Kayla muttered fiercely to herself. "Midori, what the hell are you doing?!"

Midori had ripped her gloves off, and sheathed her katana back. Even Haldir was looking at her like she was crazy.

'Horta, khila amin[2].'

Kayla looked at her as she slowly started to take her gloves off. 'Mankoi[3]?'

'Khila amin!' Midori said as she held her hand out towards Kayla.

Kayla's eyes glanced at the Spider that had managed to free itself and was nursing it hurt with murderous intent in its eyes. Kayla dropped her gloves on the ground and took Midori's hand in hers. The Spider started scuttling towards them, slowed down by its missing limbs and gashes. A wild sort of panic took hold of her; that Spider was moving far too fast for them to do anything to stop it. Haldir was emptying the last of his quiver rapidly. The arrows hissed home, embedding themselves deep in the Spider's flesh, but it still charged at them.

Then a strange sense of purpose filled her. Kayla closed her eyes for a moment and then looked over at Midori who had her eyes closed, expression serene. Her gaze cast back to the Spider. Everything seemed to be moving so slowly now. The panic dissipated and she closed her eyes, allowing the sensation to wash through her. Kayla could feel something odd happening inside her. The magic was there, waiting to be unleashed, but this was much different. The magic inside her was usually fiery, burning and raging, seeking to be unleashed for free reign to do something. This was a surety with a deliberate, merciless plan of attack. She inhaled deeply, allowing it to flow and gather in her.

After what seemed like an eternity, she opened her eyes to see the Spider a few feet closer. Midori's hand raised itself slowly, the palm facing the Spider that barrelled towards her. Midori looked at Kayla and smiled slightly. Kayla smiled back and looked at the Spider, raising her palm also. Purple light coalesced in front of their outstretched palms, motes flying towards the palms and sinking in. Then everything stopped, silence enshrouding the cave.

Everything sharply lurched back into reality as purple light exploded from their palms with a bang, barrelling into the Spider and pinning it against the far wall. The Spider writhed and shrieked, causing more icicles to fall and smash into tiny fragments. They relented, the stream of light lessened and the Spider to fall to the cave floor, while the light moved to form a ring around the Spider. It tried to charge at them once more, but the light leapt up, flaring like an inferno.

The Spider shrieked, as it fell back into its jail. The light started to move in like water, sloshing around with the Spider's frantic, trapped movements. The light moved up until it formed a sphere that obscured the Spider from view. Then it closed in until the shape of the Spider could be seen. The Spider thrashed and shrieked horribly for a few moments before it stopped moving, the legs curling inwards. The light retracted abruptly as it had come, leaving behind only a dry corpse folded on the cave floor. Kayla glanced down at their hands before let go of Midori's. There was a reluctance there that surprised her. Haldir walked past them slowly, looking at the Spider warily.

"Ta naa ba[4]?" Haldir asked in an unsure voice.

Kayla nodded her head as she started walking towards the Spider also. "We can go now."

"Let me get my cloak." Midori murmured softly as she walked back towards the web covered rock.

Kayla glanced as Midori skirted a patch of ice before she looked back at the Spider's corpse. She grasped an arrow and pulled it out. The head, that was once metal, was now a strange icy blue colour, which became iridescent when she turned it over in the light from outside.

"What is it?" Haldir asked as he came over.

"This," Kayla held up the arrow. "Something in the blood might have reacted with the metal."

Haldir nodded his head as he looked at the arrow. "Perhaps Daltrebi knows. I'll take them back." He plucked the arrow from her and deposited it in his quiver before he went around and collected the rest of them swiftly.

"Are we done?" Midori asked as she refastened her cloak. "I, for one, would like to leave this tomb."

"Me too," Kayla replied. "Are you almost done Haldir?"

"Done." He replied as he dropped the last of the arrows into his quiver. "We can go."

~*~

"We thank you, Carardaiel, Haldir and Arlonniel of Lothlórien," Daltrebi's voice was filled with unmistakable gratitude. "You have saved us from certain doom."

Kayla glanced at the tribe that had gathered behind the chief. When they had come walking back, there had been a loud whoop that erupted from the sentries posted to watch for their arrival. It hadn't been long before they were swept up in a crowd of cheering and singing people. When Daltrebi had come out from his tent, and Haldir had shown the arrows they were greeted with awe and respect. The tribe shaman, Shawri, had inspected them, pronouncing them blessed by Béma*, himself. All the hostility had melted away to be replaced by joy; there had been a massive feast that night. And now, the next day, their horses were pawing the ground impatiently as they were saying their goodbyes.

Kayla felt a flush come to her face. They had been told that a lot. And she always said the same thing. "It's quite all right. You don't have to thank us."

Daltrebi smiled broadly at that before he made a motion to the woman beside him. She was the tribe shaman; her neck tinkled slightly with ivory as she stepped forward, wearing nothing but her leggings and tunic. Kayla glanced as Haldir and Midori knelt before she knelt also. Something tinkled as she placed it around their necks. She looked down to see a necklace made of carved ivory, which looked like teeth.

"So others may know of your valour," Shawri said as they rose back up. "May the Valda** protect you on your path," she touched each one of them lightly on the forehead. "And grant you a swift journey."

"Thank you," Midori said as she bowed. "May Béma grant you plentiful hunts."

That seemed to please everyone in the crowd, especially the men and the young boys. Kayla glanced at Midori who nodded slightly. They mounted their horses and started away from the gathering, waving as they went. Cheers and wishes of luck followed them as they went. Kayla smiled as Slepnir plodded along, the snow crunching beneath his hooves. She glanced over at Midori who was lost in thought, a wistful smile on her face. She reached out gently but drew back as an image inadvertently flashed through her mind. Kayla stared ahead, looking at the mountains. Perhaps Haldir wasn't all that bad for her.

~*~

Kayla sighed as Slepnir trotted along, pausing at the top of the path. They had been travelling for almost another week now, snatching what rest they could in the saddle; always pressing on towards Rivendell. She looked up wearily, seeing the valley below. And nestled in the trees, green with late summer foliage was Rivendell. She looked back at Haldir and Midori, who were following up in the rear, with a sudden, bright smile. Slepnir started down eagerly by himself with no urging from Kayla at all.

"Come on you guys. We finally made it after three bloody weeks!" she called back at the duo. "Hot food and a good hot bath!"

Haldir and Midori, who had been unusually silent for this part of the trip glanced at one another and smiled as they urged their horses down as well.

~*~

[1]yrch - Orc
[2] Horta, khila amin - Hurry, follow me.
[3] Mankoi - Why
[4] Ta naa ba - Is it dead

* Béma - the Westron name for Oröme.
** Valda - since the Snowmen are basically Men that chose to live apart from the rest, they must have a dialect of Westron. Valda is the equivalent of Valar.