A/N: Well, after something of a temporary hiatus, I'm back in full force!! I need something to distract me from university. ^__^

Right of Blood

Chapter Twenty Five

The heavy rustle of cloth greeted Kayla's eyes as she rifled through her closet. The entire week seemed to be nothing more than a pesky, annoying headache. The amount of planning that had gone into this one day seemed rather ludicrous to her. But Glorfindel had a good point; if he was to enrage Haldir, he'd preferred to be prepared for almost any contingency. Hence the four alternate plans that was prepared as well.

And Glorfindel was rather adamant about her performing well. He'd shown up at her rooms, arms piled high with clothes. She had protested but stopped when he gave her a harsh expression and admonition that travelling clothes were not appropriate for their plans.

She frowned slightly as she ran her fingers along the silky cloth. Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Glorfindel seemed to enjoy the time they spent together far too much. But then again, if she were hatching some plan that might involve someone wanting to pound her guts out, she'd try to take as much joy from it as she could.

"I think…this one." She mused, looking over the dark grey material. "Or perhaps the light amethyst coloured one." She frowned and bit her lip, unsure. Today, she had to make something of a striking impression. "Yes, the light amethyst one."

She changed from her night robe quickly and sat down, yanking the brush through her thick hair. This would definitely be one of the rare occasions she left her hair free. It took her a good hour of combing, brushing and working water through the length. And when it dried, it would stay that way. She half smiled to herself as she regarded herself in the mirror.

The dress was long, a small train at the back of it. The sleeves were dagged and had fine beaded embroidery around the cuffs. The neckline had it as well, and plunged slightly, showing a bit of cleavage. She frowned at that, trying to pull it up a bit, but it refused to budge. After a few moments of futile struggles, she simply gave up. Her hair lay in heavy curls and ringlets all the way down her back, with small braids threaded with purple ribbon peeking out. A slender white flower was tucked in behind an ear, contrasting the purple and completing the entire look.

She smirked to herself as she slipped on her soft shoes and quietly left her room. Haldir was supposed to meet her by the large old beech tree by the garden pathway's eastern most edge. If he wasn't there, he had better be sailing for Valinor. Thankfully, he was already there when she walked up. He too was dressed rather nicely. Actually he looked quite good. Maybe there was something appealing in there after all. Well, appealing to Midori.

"Arlonniel," he said with a slight bow. "You do look stunning."

Kayla giggled a bit, cursing herself. Men had been bowing to her and complimenting her for hundreds of years. And she either blushed like mad or giggled insanely. Unfortunately for her, the giggle won out this time.

"Thank you, Haldir," she replied graciously. "Now, isn't it much better outside your rooms? In the sunlight, instead of the dark?"

Haldir gave a slight nod. "Highly preferable." "Come," Kayla slipped an arm through his. "We have a very full day."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"And this is perhaps the best part," Haldir said with a chuckle.

"All right." Kayla found herself leaning forward slightly to listen to Haldir talk.

"We're there on the branch, hanging from it upside down and clinging to it with all our strength, listening to our parents talk with the Lord and Lady. Then, something scrambles over our arms and legs. Being Elflings, we first think of getting it off. But the moment we let go, we realized our folly because we fell right on top of Lord Celeborn and our Mother. Needless to say, our mother was not very thrilled with us."

Kayla's sides quaked with laughter; she'd been in that situation quite a few times before. But for some reason, picturing it with the normally stern faced Haldir was ten times as funny, and as a child no less. Granted, it had taken the better part of a day to get him to relax this much to even relate such a childhood story. They had taken a walk through the gardens first before going out on up through the smooth clear paths t the top of the mountain and spent some time taking in the scenery around them. In the afternoon, they had ventured out for a small bit of horseback riding travelling up to the lake that spawned the waterfall.

She and Haldir passed by Midori and Glorfindel often enough - as with their plan - though it was always from a safe enough distance. And every time, Kayla could see displeasure in Haldir's eyes. It flared to jealously when one of Midori's laughs would echo across to them as she clung to Glorfindel's arm to steady herself. Usually Haldir's expression would become a bit grimmer and he would grit his teeth. But it only last about five minutes; it was as if he was determined to enjoy himself. And Kayla was glad because she certainly didn't want to have to deal with a miserable Haldir again.

Currently, she and Haldir were dining by a small brook, looking out at the lake. There was some roasted duck, as well as fresh baked bread, some sliced fruits and a small sealed pot with soup that had, miraculously, not spilled at all during the trip up here. All in all, it made for a rather pleasant day. And she could catch glimpses of just what it was her sister saw in him.

"Arlonniel?"

Kayla snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry Haldir. You were saying?"

"I asked if you wished to head back now. Do you?"

"I suppose so," Kayla said, regarding the barren remains of their dinner. "The sun will be setting soon and I'm not fond of going down trails at night."

Haldir nodded as they started to pack everything back up. "I…really must thank you, Arlonniel."

"Think nothing of it," Kayla said waving a hand in dismissal. "If anything, I got tired of your moping around. After such long periods of time - say a month or two - I start to draw the line."

"I could imagine." Haldir replied dryly.

Kayla grinned at him and the ride back down was filled with light banter and somewhat friendly jokes as the sky darkened with the sun's departure. When Kayla made sure that Slepnir was fed and brushed down, she started for her chambers. Haldir had been kind enough to take care of what had been their picnic. She rubbed her eyes a bit wearily, as she walked up the flight of stairs and started down the hallway to her room.

"Arlonniel." She looked up in time to stop herself from running right into Glorfindel.

Glorfindel too was dressed rather nicely in fitted light brown leather leggings and a rather striking blue tunic with laces down half its length; the cloth seemed to ripple like water in the lowering light. She hadn't thought those colours could work together, but Glorfindel pulled it off rather nicely.

"Oh, didn't see you there for a moment." She said with a light laugh. "How did it go with my sister?"

"Very well," Glorfindel said as he pushed himself off the door to Kayla's room and approached her. "My ribs do not ache and my life was not attempted on, though I certainly could feel some of those glares Haldir was sending my way."

"Ah. And when did you come back?"

"Not that long ago. I hung around Lady Carardaiel's chambers for a bit. Haldir simply walked up to Lady Carardaiel's bedroom door. She had locked it, but he broke it open and shut it again behind him." Glorfindel chuckled. "There was an indiscriminate amount of yelling before it all went silent. And I presume it went well, since I heard no sounds of anger after it."

"Good. Now, we never have to suffer from rants and attempts on our ribs," Kayla chuckled as she took a deep breath and stretched her arms. "I was just thinking of retiring to my rooms for a bit. Did you want something?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Yes." Glorfindel's tongue darted out for a moment to moisten his lips.

"Well what is it?" Kayla demanded after a few seconds silence. "I'm not going to stand around here, waiting for you to-"

Kayla's words were drowned out as Glorfindel closed the distance between them quickly and silenced her with a kiss. Kayla's brain floundered for a second, as Glorfindel's tongue delicately probed her mouth; she almost found herself giving in to the instinctual urge to kiss back. But she beat it back down, managing to separate their lips for a moment.

"Glorfindel," she gasped, trying to catch a breath. She placed her hands against his shoulders, preparing to push herself away. "Th-"

Glorfindel groaned a bit as his mouth descended on hers once more with increased ardour, his arms wrapping around her. Kayla mentally cursed, as he moulded his frame to hers. This was not what she wanted at all. Hell, how it went from her asking him a question to him kissing her in the hallway was far beyond her. When she felt an insistent hardness against her leg, she squeaked in surprise, pulling away so fast that his hold on her broke. That was when she caught a glimpse of a horribly familiar green cloak vanishing around the corner along with a familiar tread. She closed her eyes as curses in about fifteen different tongues flew through her head.

"Glorfindel!" Kayla said as she struggled to get her voice back.

"Yes, Arlonniel?" Glorfindel's eyes were darkened with desire and his voice was low and somewhat rough.

Kayla watched him for a moment, wondering if Legolas' eyes would look like that, or if his voice would be so deliciously husky. She closed her eyes, banishing away the sudden pictures that brought up. She struggled, torn between letting him down gently and taking off.

"Glorfindel…I…you…we…no! No, no, no!" she managed to choke out before she took off back down the staircase, ignoring the gawk of shock on his face.

Her feet slid along the descending steps, making her grab onto the railing wildly. When she managed to arrive safely at the bottom she looked around frantically. She only realized the state of her desperation when she grabbed a servant passing by in a panic almost.

"Did you see who just went by here?" she demanded.

The young boy looked ready to wet his pants. "P-Prince Legolas, Lady." He stammered out. "It-It was Prince Legolas. I don't where he has gone to Lady." He seemed to add as an afterthought.

"Which way did he come from?" Kayla asked in an anxiousness edged voice.

"The same way you did, Lady." The boy said quickly.

Kayla groaned as she sank down to the step, holding her head in her hands. This was just great. She sat there for a bit, trying to calm the sickening whirling feeling in her stomach while her mind thought. She didn't know what her plan was yet, but she'd be damned if she let it get any worse than it already was.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Lady Arlonniel?"

Kayla looked up at the voice to see Strider approaching her. She gave a faint smile - she was glad to see him again - before it immediately disappeared. She didn't know how long she had been sitting here on the step, simply thinking. But all her brain seemed to draw was a blank - a horrid mocking blank that refused to go and let her think of a solution. And now it was pitch black outside, a faint glow of light coming from a nearby window. She didn't say anything as he sat down beside her.

"Mani rashwe lle [1]?" he asked quietly.

"Nothing you should worry yourself about," she said before she looked at him. "Where were you off to?"

Strider shrugged. "I was going to find Arwen."

"Ah. Please, don't stop on my account." Kayla said. "I think I shall be sitting here for a long while."

"I simply wanted to ask when you would be leaving for Lothlórien. Watchful eyes are needed desperately in the south, even more so in Gondor."

Kayla didn't say anything for a moment. "Gondor I can go to, but it will not be for a year at least. I have many duties and responsibilities to take care of before I can take a leave of absence from the Galadhrim." She paused. "If war will be coming, I would much prefer to train the recruits we have and see that their skills surpass excellent. Something to ease my mind, I suppose."

"Understandable." Strider paused for a moment. "Are you sure that it is nothing?"

"Yes." Kayla said, with a smile before she pushed him gently on the shoulder. "I'm sure my niece is expecting you. Get going."

Strider rose. "Take care then Arlonniel. Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta [2]."

"Ar' menealle vee' eithel [3]." Kayla said, watching him walk away. "Strider, wait!"

"Yes?" he asked, pivoting slightly on his heel.

"Would you happen to know where Legolas is?"

Strider paused, thinking for a moment. "When I last saw him, he was in the dining hall, nursing some hurt."

"Where is his room?" she asked after a moment's thought.

"On the east side. Do you know the room with the view of the waterfall? That's the room."

Kayla nodded her head in mute thanks, and watched as Strider disappeared into the shadows. She remained seated there for a few more minutes before she stood slowly, her knees protesting the sudden movement after unwanted stillness. She walked down the path, heading for the covered colonnade at the other end. Her skin prickled slightly as a breeze blew past, but it disappeared after a few moments.

Her feet suddenly felt like lead as she moved up the spiralling staircase, and her heart started hammering away in her chest. This was foolish; she should go back down and think of a solid coherent plan. Not be walking to Legolas' room without the vaguest clue of what to say. She took a steadying breath as she reached the polished wood door and knocked. It seemed to echo hollowly to her ears. She knocked a few more times, not getting a response.

Placing a hesitant hand on the knob, she turned it and opened the door. Her steps were small as she darted in and closed the door behind her. A soft breeze pushed the fresh scent of water past the light curtains. Tree branches fringed the edges of the small balcony that jutted out, providing some sort of screening; the thicker branches, were within easy jumping distance from the balcony. Kayla looked around the room, noting the bow and quiver placed reverently on the long table, and Legolas' other travelling things scattered around. His cloak was draped over the footboard of the bed; it's hem trailing against the floor. His travelling boots were discarded by the pulled out chair and left somewhat haphazardly on the ground.

She walked up to the bed and sat down, looking at the table before she shifted her eyes to her hands, which were curled up on her knees. She felt so angry with herself, and angry with Glorfindel. Why did he have to go and kiss her? Why, why, why?! She didn't want Glorfindel; she didn't want anyone else but Legolas. With a sigh and a shiver, she looked around the room. After a few moments of thought, she plucked up Legolas' cloak and wrapped it around herself.

"Valar," she murmured, inhaling a deep breath as she held the cloak to her face.

The cloak had a distinct scent that was the outdoors mixed with a musky scent that made her stomach whirl and leap while her body quivered with anticipation. It smelled like…woods, grass, sunshine and everything from nature. But that underlying scent, of a slightly spicy musk, was like a drug to her. She inhaled again, her eyes fluttering shut. She could just see those blue eyes of his now, darkened with hunger. He'd kiss her and then, then she could taste that skin, his lightly tanned skin, taste the musk on her tongue and-

Her eyes opened slowly; this was just plain wrong. She was sitting here, in the dark, with Legolas' cloak wrapped around her as she fantasized about the two of them making out. She knew she should put the cloak down and simply walk out the room. But she still sat there, clutching it tightly around her. She slid her slippers off and sat up in the bed, tucking her feet underneath the folds of her dress.

She forced herself to keep her eyes open, watching the door intently, though she veiled her eyes slightly with her lids. In no way could she let herself start drifting off again like that. She'd just horribly embarrass herself when Legolas came back into the-

"Enjoying yourself?"

She shrieked with fright, trying to scramble off the bed. But her hands got caught in the cloak and she landed face first on the floor beside the bed. Her face was slightly red as she picked herself up with a groan of pain; her nose really hurt, but at least she hadn't lost a tooth. When she glanced up, Legolas was crouching down in front of her. She could see his toes splayed against the floor. His leggings had wet patches on them, and he had on no shirt. Her face flared a bright red as she met his eyes, to see faint amusement swimming in them.

"Where did you come from?" she asked in a voice that she hoped was steady.

"I went for a swim a bit after dinner. I needed to relax." Legolas said as he helped her up. "This day has been far from enjoyable to say the least."

Kayla noticed he was clearly avoiding her eyes. "Oh." She wouldn't press it; yet. "How come you're in Rivendell?"

"There was a council. I came to represent the Silvan Elves." He said simply as he walked over to the table, finding something that required his full attention.

"A council? Today?" Kayla's brow furrowed. "About what?"

"Do you know the ring Bilbo Baggins had?"

"Yes. I always felt something strange coming from that ring when I was near him. He always had it in his pocket, always fiddling with it."

"You knew of this before?"

Kayla nodded her head. "Yes. And when I told Mother and Father, they told Gandalf. That was all a year ago." She paused for a moment. "Why? Is something wrong?"

"Bilbo's ring is the One Ring."

"One Ring?" Kayla asked. "The One Ring?"

"The One Ring." Legolas affirmed. "The council, with a representative from Men, Elves and Dwarves, was held to decide as to what to do with it."

Kayla paused. That must have gone over well; if you considered bickering and arguing 'going over well'. "Well, why summon such a council? Simply melt down the ring and everyone can be on their way."

"It's not that simple," Legolas said quietly. "Sauron forged it deep in Oroduin. There it was forged, and there is where it must be destroyed."

"I see," Kayla said, pausing for a moment. "And Oroduin is deep in Mordor, isn't it?"

Legolas nodded his head. "Since none of us could decide on who should take it, Frodo has volunteered to destroy it."

Kayla felt her face blanch; Midori would probably flip if she heard that - she was always looking out for Frodo when he was around her. "One Hobbit, journeying to Oroduin alone; that alone could be considered sheer folly."

"Indeed," Legolas said. "But Frodo doesn't know the way. So some of us…elected to aid him on his journey."

"How many in all?" Kayla asked as her heart found its way to her throat.

"Nine." Legolas paused. "Aragorn, Boromir, heir to the stewardship of Gondor, Gandalf, Gimli," Legolas' shoulders tightened slightly at that. "Myself, Sam, Merry and Pippin. Eight of us to help Frodo to Oroduin."

Kayla closed her eyes, as she suddenly saw the nine shadows against encroaching flames. She opened her eyes to find Legolas glancing at her from the corner of his eye. "I see. Just who is Aragorn?"

Legolas arched an eyebrow. "Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Heir to the throne of Gondor."

Kayla simply blinked in the face of these facts.

"Aragorn, also know as Strider." Legolas offered.

"Really?" Kayla mused. "Not the first time a king would have been forced to go into hiding. A rather appropriate name, don't you think?"

Legolas nodded his head as he looked back at whatever it was at the table. Kayla watched him, chewing on her lip slightly. The silence was growing more awkward by the second. Her mind raced trying to think of something to say, anything at all.

"I didn't even know you were here. Where you looking for me earlier on today?" she blurted out, screwing her eyes shut at the sheer transparency of her question.

"I was," Legolas said quietly after a few minutes. "But you were fairly…occupied so I left."

"I don't know what to say." Kayla found herself wincing at her own stupidity again; she was thinking that, she wasn't supposed to say it out loud.

"You gasping out Glorfindel's name told me more than enough." Legolas said in a distant voice.

"No, no, no," Kayla said, hurrying forward and turning Legolas around so she could look him in the eye. "He kissed me. I didn't kiss him."

"It certainly didn't look that way to me." Legolas said, glancing at her face. "I thought you would still be with him, not here waiting for me to come back."

"Well, I'm here, not with him." Kayla paused for a moment. "I can just imagine what it looked like from your eyes. He caught me by surprise. I was heading back to my rooms for a rest when I saw him there, waiting for me. What I certainly wasn't expecting was…that."

Legolas turned to look at her. "He simply kissed you, with no warning?" he snorted. "That is very much like Glorfindel. His passions sometimes get the better of him."

"Eh heh." Kayla affirmed with a nod of her head. "They certainly do."

Legolas looked at her with a slightly curious light in his eyes. "Just how long have you been here waiting for me?"

"I don't know." Kayla said. "After I left Glorfindel gaping like a fish, I tried to find you. But I couldn't. I ended up sitting on the steps until Strider walked by; I had no remote idea of what to do. Then I came here and waited for you to come back."

Legolas watched her for a moment. "For the remainder of afternoon and evening?"

Kayla nodded her head in mute agreement. She glanced up at Legolas, her face flushing. She took his cloak off and held it back out to him. He took it and settled it back on her shoulders, leaving his hands on her arms.

"It looks much better on you." He murmured softly.

"Thanks, but I can't take your cloak." She said, reluctant to take it off.

"Very well," Legolas said swirling it around her body. He settled the cowl at his back and pulled Kayla into a hug, wrapping the remainder around her as well.

"Legolas!" she chuckled, drawing back a bit to look at him.

"What? I took my cloak back," he said, with something of an impish smirk. "However, I seem to have found someone else using it."

Kayla rested her head against his shoulder, shaking her head as she chuckled with mirth, as well as relief. She had half expected Legolas to be extremely displeased and some ugly scene would have taken place. Her brow furrowed slightly as something occurred to her.

"How long have you known Glorfindel?" she asked quietly.

"I know him well enough," Legolas said. "To know that he would do something like that. Though…I don't think anyone's ever turned him down like that."

Kayla looked up to see a quirky smile on his lips. "Well, it's not him I want."

"And who is it you want, Arlonniel?" Legolas asked as the smile slowly faded until only a vestige was left.

Kayla felt her face flush even brighter than before. "I'm sure you can tell by now." She murmured.

"Well, I'm not too sure," Legolas' face became pensive as he made a mock show of thinking. "If you could convince me of this person's identity-"

Kayla smiled as she drew his head down a few inches and kissed him lightly, running her tongue along his lips. She drew back a few moments later, seeing his eyes still closed. He opened them a few seconds later and pressed a kiss to her brow.

"You can't say you don't know now." She said with a small smirk.

Legolas smiled and bent in again. "No, I certainly can't."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Kayla paused as she knocked on the door hesitantly. She had been looking for Midori. It had taken her all morning, but when she couldn't find her, she went to Haldir. It was then the she discovered that her sister had gone to see Frodo early in the morning and had not come back yet. So now she found herself knocking on the door to Frodo's room early in the afternoon.

"Enter!"

Kayla opened the door slowly as she heard Midori's rather… chipper voice. She had come down to see Frodo and how he was doing. What greeted her was the sight of an Elf - Midori - and four hobbits - Pippin, Merry, Sam and Frodo - seated on the floor. The next thing that caught her eye was the piles of paper that surrounded them.

"Er, may I ask just what is going on?" Kayla asked looking around. "Don't you four have some packing to do?"

"That's what tomorrow is for!" Pippin said with an assured tone.

"Quite right," Merry said with a nod of his head. "What we're doing-"

"Is wasting time!" Sam said, cutting Merry off.

"Well, that was rude!" Merry said in an indignant voice.

"Well, she's right," Sam said. "We shouldn't be sitting here like this when we have a…" he trailed off, glancing at Kayla and looking back down guiltily.

"A quest?" Kayla said as she entered the room and shut the door behind her. "I know about it Sam."

"Well, we need something to sing about on the road!" Pippin interjected.

"Poor Frodo, you can't a word in edgewise with this bunch, can you?" Kayla asked with a laugh.

Frodo shrugged with a helpless smile. "I try. I was packing, and then Carardaiel came to see me. And then they came as well." Frodo said gesturing.

"Hey!" Merry exclaimed. "We do have names, you know!"

Kayla shook her head as she sat down in the available space between Sam and Merry. "So, you're trying to write a song for the road? Do you think that's a wise idea?"

"I'd like to think so," Pippin chimed in. "Need something to keep spirits up."

"Or give away your position and get your heads lopped off," Midori replied easily.

"See what we have to put up with. We were trying to make it humorous," Merry began. "But she countered with very boring things."

"They were realistic!" Midori exclaimed defensively.

"Really?" Pippin said, flourishing a piece of paper from his side, glancing over it. "I couldn't tell. Your words of 'dank, putrid reek' were much better than 'woodsy scent'."

"You asked me for adequate descriptors of a bog! They do not smell 'woodsy', or aromatic in a good sense!" Midori bristled.

Kayla bit back a laugh that rose at the look Midori shot Pippin. "Er, do you think it's possible I can…borrow my sister for a moment?"

"We'll be more than glad if you'd keep her!" Merry said. "The way she writes, this song would be nothing but bleak, depressing stuff. Not suitable at all." He shook his head with a sad 'tsk'.

"Then why, in Valar's name, did you ask me to help you write a song?!" Midori snapped. "I warned you! Did you heed my words? No. And now you complain." She huffed and fumed to herself.

"Do you at least want to hear what we have so far before you go?" Pippin asked.

"As much as I wish I could say yes, I really do need to talk to my sister. If you are ever in Lothlórien, I would be more than glad to hear it though." Kayla said as she rose. "Midori?"

"I'm coming," Midori said as she picked herself up. "And I still stand by my words of 'dank putrid reek'."

"Can you do us a favour?" Pippin asked.

"Yes?" Midori looked at him warily.

"Never write a song." He quipped.

Midori shook her head and walked away quickly, but Kayla caught the grin on her face. She waved at the quartet and shut the door firmly behind her. She walked beside Midori, not saying anything for a good amount of time. They made their way down the stairs to the gardens, and back up into another hallway.

"What did you want to talk about?" Midori said suddenly.

"I was thinking about something Mother told me once. You were gone to Erebor, and there was another attack on Lothlórien."

"And this is of consequence how?"

Kayla didn't say anything for a moment. "You aren't thrilled by the fact that Frodo is taking the Ring to Oroduin, are you?"

"I can't say that I am," Midori said after a moment's silence. "He's simply a Hobbit who wants nothing more than to go back to the Shire. But with all the rivalry that goes on between men, Elves and Dwarves…it's no small wonder that he volunteered to take it."

"Indeed," Kayla said before lapsing into silence once more.

Midori didn't respond for a bit either. "Once again," she aid, clearing her throat. "How is this of any consequence in regards to what-"

"There you are Carardaiel. I have been trying to find you. Frodo said you left with Arlonniel."

Kayla turned to see Haldir come walking up behind them. She waited until he had caught up before she turned around and started walking once more. When she realized that neither Midori nor Haldir weren't walking with her, she looked back to find them nuzzling and murmuring between themselves.

"Excuse me, but I am still going to tell you." Kayla said a bit miffed. That got them moving again. Kayla shook her head as they fell in step beside her. "As I was saying, you are obviously bothered by Frodo going off like this, despite having nine others with him. And so much is riding on this that Elrond is more than likely worried about it in some regard."

"Again," Midori said. "Of what consequence-"

"We should still discuss this with Elrond tonight, but what if we…ensure that nothing follows them from behind? Something of a guarantee?"

Haldir raised an eyebrow. "You do not think that they cannot complete the task?"

"I didn't say that," Kayla said. "But there is a lot riding on the destruction of the One Ring. We would simply be facilitating the endeavour by making sure that nothing catches them by surprise from the rear."

"What did Mother say?" Midori asked.

"What Mother said was, 'When the time comes, we shall not stop you or her from going.'. I think she was referring to now."

"We don't necessarily have to get involved in this you know," Midori said quietly. "We could simply board a ship to Valinor at the Grey Havens."

"And you would simply walk out when you voluntarily became a Ranger and Middle-Earth needs us now?"

Midori shook her head and gave a heavy sigh. "No. However, I am just very tired of fighting. It seems that I've been fighting for my entire life. Valinor sounds like the one place where I won't have to ever do that, again."

Kayla gave a sympathetic smile. "I know. After this entire affair is over, we'll all go. All four of us."

"Four?" Haldir asked, his voice teasing.

Kayla felt her face go red. "Yes, all four of us. Now, how about we go find Elrond and put forth this small proposition to him?"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

[1] Mani rashwe lee? - What troubles you?
[2] Aa' menealle nauva calen ar' malta - May your paths be green and golden
[3] Ar' menealle vee' eithel - And your paths as well.