Disclaimer: The lord of the rings does not belong to me.
Worlds Apart
Chapter 23
Alone
Kylie's POV _____________________________________
It must have been night when I woke up. There were patches of light on the ceiling because of the lights shining through the windows but I realised it wasn't the ceiling of my room. Where was I? Then I recalled taking the pickles off the shelf in the cafe and I was thinking about Legolas and how wonderful it was to have him in my arms again. After that, I just felt so weak and I blacked out. There could only be one possible place I should be in, where I frequently go in secret, the hospital. I knew it had to be my heart, I had been suffering from plumonary congestion all these years and I was supposed to have died three years ago but I held on so I could fulfill one promise I made years ago, that Branwen would never be alone.
I turned my head and saw Branwen asleep on the chair beside Legolas. Legolas was staring blankly out the window. I tried to get up but I found that I was strengthless. "Legolas..." I called, my voice was soft and even though I tried to cry out to him, it only came out in a tiny squeak. Even that took my breath away, literally.
Legolas quickly came to my side and held m hand and kissed it. His face was gleaming with tears.
"I love you." He whispered. "I love you so much, Kylie. Why didn't you tell me sooner? We could have..we could have done something about this." And his grasp about my hand became tighter as he cried even more.
"What could you have done? There is nothing you can do. I have held on for so long... I'm afraid I can't hold on anymore." I told him sadly. I had been able to live with the fact that I would die anytime but not Legolas.All these years he only had to bear with the fact that he might not see me again.
"I could have done something..." He repeated. He buried his head on my stomach like a child would when he is afraid.
I lifted his head up gently but I said strongly and firmly. "Look at me. I am going to die, Legolas."
"No, you're not." He answered back.
"Yes, I am. I'm sorry but I am... but I want you to promise me one thing before I'm gone." I was on the verge of crying but I wanted to be strong. For the first time in my life I actually didn't want to let my tears fall like I was weak. I had a feeling that I was going to be the only in the room not crying when Branwen wakes up. Its quite ironic that I spent my entire life being angry and sad and crying but on the days leading to my death, I try to be strong.
He did not respond. He turned his head away angrily and in defiance.
"Make sure Branwen... will never be alone."
"I can't... "He whispered angrily. "You're killing me...Kylie... You're killing me..." He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I stared at him in confusion. "Wha--?" He then took my hands in his and kissed them.
"Don't speak anymore, Okay? Just don't..."
Branwen's POV___________________________________________
Ever had the feeling when you know something's gone wrong and there's nothing you can do to change it and you're all like 'Whoa, I wish I could do something to change this' but you just can't? I have and will always remember my father's face that day.
Ada had told me to never (and like when he said never, he like totally meant it) take out anything from the cupboard in his room. But how could you possibly tell a kid not to do that when its practically like saying 'open the cupboard', obviously he has had very little experience with children. So I did open the cupboard and I found all his fighting equipment in there and I was so fascinated. I mean its like finding your Dad's shotgun under the bed and you're all 'this is wayyyy cooler than those spastic dolls your parents are giving you' and this wasn't just one shotgun (of course, I didn't know what a shotgun was then), it was tons and tons of weapons, bows and arrows and knives and whatever you need to fight a war or like just take someone's life away.
So I starting taking out weapon by weapon, fiddling with them, playing with them, running them across my fingers and then at one point, I heard someone climbing up the stairs and I was so terrified that it was going to be him. I quickly shoved all the weapons back into the cupboard but I couldn't because there was this knife that just fell out and it went right through my stomach and it hurt like hell and I was only 5 then and there was this big knife sticking right out my back.
The last thing I remembered before I passed out must have been Ada's face. I didn't know if he was angry, but he certainly was lost and frustrated because he kept calling my mother's name over and over again, something he hardly ever did. He couldn't handle this by himself and I realised how imperfect his was, even though he was an elf. All I heard was 'Kylie.. Kylie... how could this happen... Kylie...Oh Valar...Kylie grab some bandages...No NO OVER THERE! IN THE DRAWER! QUICKLY!" He turned to me and kept shaking me and telling me to open my eyes and he kept talking to me to keep me away. "Branwen, I want you to listen to me.. yes..look at me...no, don't shut your eyes... I know it hurts but try to keep awake...try..please.." But I couldn't, I blacked out.
After that, I woke up to find that I had recovered and my father was standing by my side. I don't remember seeing my mother's face but it was probably because of the way he looked that made me focus all my attention on him, his helpless expression. When he saw that I was awake, he slapped me. And then he cried and he kept saying things but I wasn't listening... it was odd but the slap didn't make me cry, it made me realise how he loved me so much he didn't know what to do and he was so angry. Not at me but because he just didn't know how... how to make things right...how to keep me safe...how to...
At first the sounds seem familiar. Legolas' voice... he said the exact things my father said to me when I woke up that day and when I saw the look on Legolas' face. It was like history repeating himself. The emotions, everything was so clear and so strong that I felt his pain even when I didn't know how much he loved my mother. He held her hand and kissed her and... and even when he didn't say anything, I could see and feel everything he was going through. And above all, I was already in pain... and I could feel his doubts and his fears... I could sense them and they grew stronger and stronger by the minute and I was so friggin' scared. Scared for the both of us.
"Legolas." I called as we walked to the cafeteria. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and his head bowed low. I pulled one hand out of his pocket felt it. Something had been bothering ever since Legolas has said something to my mother and when I felt his hands and they were cold, I knew what he meant.
"Your hands are cold." I said flatly.
"Yes." He looked into my eyes this time as if he knew what I was talking about.
"You meant it when you said my mother was killing you."
Legolas gently pulled his hand away from mine and then he clasped my shoulder. "I am fading, Branwen. Its so hard to watch someone you love die."
I nodded. But did he even know that the pain I was feeling was double of his? I was feeling the pressure of his own grief and my own. "I have always known that I would never be able to have everything I want in life. And you know what, I've gotten used to it because I have what I need. I've lost a father but I still have my mother. Its not much but at least I still have someone. But now..." I needed to cry and I needed to find comfort but I was sure I could not find it in Legolas.
"But now..." I raised my hands to wipe the tears from my eyes. "I'm just so scared, Okay? And I'm afraid for you too. Because right now, I know there is one person whom I can't save. But I also know there is another person... whom I can... and I don't know if you realise this but I want you to stay with me... because my mother can't live forever... but I can."
I pushed his hand off my shoulder and turned away. "And I know you can too." I whispered to myself as I sat myself down on a chair in the corridor just outside my mother's ward. He must have heard me and he sat down beside me.
"Branwen... there was a reason why you were born. Because your mother and I loved each other and you know what, when I knew your mother was going to have you, I had never thought of giving you up. Not once. Even though it was so hard because we had a lot of problems. And the first time I held you in my arms, I felt terrible because you were so precious and I couldn't believe I gave you to someone else. And now, I love your mother but I also love you... and if you'll give me another chance...because I just remembered how much you mean to me..." He took my hands in his and I felt his warmth returning slowly to his palms. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Thank you."
Legolas' POV_____________________________________________
A few days had passed after Kylie's admission into the hospital, she never said much during that time but I could feel her watching as I finally had my time with Branwen, even if we were just sitting around in the ward and just talking. And she was happy. I have never met anyone so brave as her. She faced death as if it was just another part of life. And branwen, she acts as if everything was normal; not a trace of sorrow or pain upon her face. To her, it seemed as if visiting her mother at the hospital was like a play date.
"Hey, Mom... you'll be glad to hear that the Cowboys creamed the Giants 19-3! You should have seen the big game last night! It was incredible!" Branwen announced as she burst into the room.
"What happened?" Kylie inquired.
"Oh you know... "
"It was Carter, wasn't it?"
"Kylie... football is a very American game...and you're not. You Aussie." I accused, trying to hide my laughter. And I realised that she had also lost her accent because she's lived here for so long.
"I have a green card!" She exclaimed. She pointed at Branwen. "Rivendell. That girl was born in Rivendell."
Branwen shrugged and looked at me. "He's from Mirkwood." She said plainly.
"Bringing your own daughter into this.." I continued. "You're terrible."
"You're beautiful." Kylie added, as she held on to Branwen's hand.
"Weird." Branwen said, looking at me.
"Human." I countered.
"Princess." Kylie said.
It was Branwen's turn. "Archer."
"Elf." Kylie laughed pointing at me.
"Its not your turn!" I exclaimed.
"Enough." Branwen giggled as she held on to her stomach, trying not to break down into hysterical laughter.
I wasn't long before night came again and Branwen had to go home because she had school the next day. I walked her to the entrance of the hospital and kissed her goodnight and then I went back upstairs to Kylie's ward. She had already fallen asleep so I pulled the blanket over her.
"Goodnight." I whispered.
Author's POV________________________________________________________
Kylie woke up the next morning to a clear sky and beautiful sunrise with the sound of Legolas' breathing by her side. He had slept by her side all night, kneeling down on the floor with his head resting on the bed. She had finally found her peace when Legolas came back. She had been holding on to her dear life all these years so she could see him again. And when she finally did, she made sure Branwen would never be lonely and then she let go of everything. It was then that she could finally rest and she closed her eyes and no longer did she draw any breath. She passed on, happy, because she could ask for nothing more.
Legolas woke up that morning a little later and when his fingers brushed against her face, he found she was cold.
"Kylie..." He called. "Please, wake up.."
He nudged her gently but she did not open her eyes. "Arise.. my darling...my beautiful one." He cried softly as he held her in his arms and kissed her hair.
"I love you."
____________________________________________________________
In the presence of love, even the mightiest warrior may fall on his knees.
____________________________________________________________
End of chapter 23
____________________________________________________________
Plasmolysed Cell Membrane: Wait! this sin't the end! There's still the epilouge! Hhehehe... I hope you guys like this. =) You know the routine.
Worlds Apart
Chapter 23
Alone
Kylie's POV _____________________________________
It must have been night when I woke up. There were patches of light on the ceiling because of the lights shining through the windows but I realised it wasn't the ceiling of my room. Where was I? Then I recalled taking the pickles off the shelf in the cafe and I was thinking about Legolas and how wonderful it was to have him in my arms again. After that, I just felt so weak and I blacked out. There could only be one possible place I should be in, where I frequently go in secret, the hospital. I knew it had to be my heart, I had been suffering from plumonary congestion all these years and I was supposed to have died three years ago but I held on so I could fulfill one promise I made years ago, that Branwen would never be alone.
I turned my head and saw Branwen asleep on the chair beside Legolas. Legolas was staring blankly out the window. I tried to get up but I found that I was strengthless. "Legolas..." I called, my voice was soft and even though I tried to cry out to him, it only came out in a tiny squeak. Even that took my breath away, literally.
Legolas quickly came to my side and held m hand and kissed it. His face was gleaming with tears.
"I love you." He whispered. "I love you so much, Kylie. Why didn't you tell me sooner? We could have..we could have done something about this." And his grasp about my hand became tighter as he cried even more.
"What could you have done? There is nothing you can do. I have held on for so long... I'm afraid I can't hold on anymore." I told him sadly. I had been able to live with the fact that I would die anytime but not Legolas.All these years he only had to bear with the fact that he might not see me again.
"I could have done something..." He repeated. He buried his head on my stomach like a child would when he is afraid.
I lifted his head up gently but I said strongly and firmly. "Look at me. I am going to die, Legolas."
"No, you're not." He answered back.
"Yes, I am. I'm sorry but I am... but I want you to promise me one thing before I'm gone." I was on the verge of crying but I wanted to be strong. For the first time in my life I actually didn't want to let my tears fall like I was weak. I had a feeling that I was going to be the only in the room not crying when Branwen wakes up. Its quite ironic that I spent my entire life being angry and sad and crying but on the days leading to my death, I try to be strong.
He did not respond. He turned his head away angrily and in defiance.
"Make sure Branwen... will never be alone."
"I can't... "He whispered angrily. "You're killing me...Kylie... You're killing me..." He took my hand and placed it on his chest. I stared at him in confusion. "Wha--?" He then took my hands in his and kissed them.
"Don't speak anymore, Okay? Just don't..."
Branwen's POV___________________________________________
Ever had the feeling when you know something's gone wrong and there's nothing you can do to change it and you're all like 'Whoa, I wish I could do something to change this' but you just can't? I have and will always remember my father's face that day.
Ada had told me to never (and like when he said never, he like totally meant it) take out anything from the cupboard in his room. But how could you possibly tell a kid not to do that when its practically like saying 'open the cupboard', obviously he has had very little experience with children. So I did open the cupboard and I found all his fighting equipment in there and I was so fascinated. I mean its like finding your Dad's shotgun under the bed and you're all 'this is wayyyy cooler than those spastic dolls your parents are giving you' and this wasn't just one shotgun (of course, I didn't know what a shotgun was then), it was tons and tons of weapons, bows and arrows and knives and whatever you need to fight a war or like just take someone's life away.
So I starting taking out weapon by weapon, fiddling with them, playing with them, running them across my fingers and then at one point, I heard someone climbing up the stairs and I was so terrified that it was going to be him. I quickly shoved all the weapons back into the cupboard but I couldn't because there was this knife that just fell out and it went right through my stomach and it hurt like hell and I was only 5 then and there was this big knife sticking right out my back.
The last thing I remembered before I passed out must have been Ada's face. I didn't know if he was angry, but he certainly was lost and frustrated because he kept calling my mother's name over and over again, something he hardly ever did. He couldn't handle this by himself and I realised how imperfect his was, even though he was an elf. All I heard was 'Kylie.. Kylie... how could this happen... Kylie...Oh Valar...Kylie grab some bandages...No NO OVER THERE! IN THE DRAWER! QUICKLY!" He turned to me and kept shaking me and telling me to open my eyes and he kept talking to me to keep me away. "Branwen, I want you to listen to me.. yes..look at me...no, don't shut your eyes... I know it hurts but try to keep awake...try..please.." But I couldn't, I blacked out.
After that, I woke up to find that I had recovered and my father was standing by my side. I don't remember seeing my mother's face but it was probably because of the way he looked that made me focus all my attention on him, his helpless expression. When he saw that I was awake, he slapped me. And then he cried and he kept saying things but I wasn't listening... it was odd but the slap didn't make me cry, it made me realise how he loved me so much he didn't know what to do and he was so angry. Not at me but because he just didn't know how... how to make things right...how to keep me safe...how to...
At first the sounds seem familiar. Legolas' voice... he said the exact things my father said to me when I woke up that day and when I saw the look on Legolas' face. It was like history repeating himself. The emotions, everything was so clear and so strong that I felt his pain even when I didn't know how much he loved my mother. He held her hand and kissed her and... and even when he didn't say anything, I could see and feel everything he was going through. And above all, I was already in pain... and I could feel his doubts and his fears... I could sense them and they grew stronger and stronger by the minute and I was so friggin' scared. Scared for the both of us.
"Legolas." I called as we walked to the cafeteria. He had his hands stuffed in his pockets and his head bowed low. I pulled one hand out of his pocket felt it. Something had been bothering ever since Legolas has said something to my mother and when I felt his hands and they were cold, I knew what he meant.
"Your hands are cold." I said flatly.
"Yes." He looked into my eyes this time as if he knew what I was talking about.
"You meant it when you said my mother was killing you."
Legolas gently pulled his hand away from mine and then he clasped my shoulder. "I am fading, Branwen. Its so hard to watch someone you love die."
I nodded. But did he even know that the pain I was feeling was double of his? I was feeling the pressure of his own grief and my own. "I have always known that I would never be able to have everything I want in life. And you know what, I've gotten used to it because I have what I need. I've lost a father but I still have my mother. Its not much but at least I still have someone. But now..." I needed to cry and I needed to find comfort but I was sure I could not find it in Legolas.
"But now..." I raised my hands to wipe the tears from my eyes. "I'm just so scared, Okay? And I'm afraid for you too. Because right now, I know there is one person whom I can't save. But I also know there is another person... whom I can... and I don't know if you realise this but I want you to stay with me... because my mother can't live forever... but I can."
I pushed his hand off my shoulder and turned away. "And I know you can too." I whispered to myself as I sat myself down on a chair in the corridor just outside my mother's ward. He must have heard me and he sat down beside me.
"Branwen... there was a reason why you were born. Because your mother and I loved each other and you know what, when I knew your mother was going to have you, I had never thought of giving you up. Not once. Even though it was so hard because we had a lot of problems. And the first time I held you in my arms, I felt terrible because you were so precious and I couldn't believe I gave you to someone else. And now, I love your mother but I also love you... and if you'll give me another chance...because I just remembered how much you mean to me..." He took my hands in his and I felt his warmth returning slowly to his palms. I looked up at him and smiled.
"Thank you."
Legolas' POV_____________________________________________
A few days had passed after Kylie's admission into the hospital, she never said much during that time but I could feel her watching as I finally had my time with Branwen, even if we were just sitting around in the ward and just talking. And she was happy. I have never met anyone so brave as her. She faced death as if it was just another part of life. And branwen, she acts as if everything was normal; not a trace of sorrow or pain upon her face. To her, it seemed as if visiting her mother at the hospital was like a play date.
"Hey, Mom... you'll be glad to hear that the Cowboys creamed the Giants 19-3! You should have seen the big game last night! It was incredible!" Branwen announced as she burst into the room.
"What happened?" Kylie inquired.
"Oh you know... "
"It was Carter, wasn't it?"
"Kylie... football is a very American game...and you're not. You Aussie." I accused, trying to hide my laughter. And I realised that she had also lost her accent because she's lived here for so long.
"I have a green card!" She exclaimed. She pointed at Branwen. "Rivendell. That girl was born in Rivendell."
Branwen shrugged and looked at me. "He's from Mirkwood." She said plainly.
"Bringing your own daughter into this.." I continued. "You're terrible."
"You're beautiful." Kylie added, as she held on to Branwen's hand.
"Weird." Branwen said, looking at me.
"Human." I countered.
"Princess." Kylie said.
It was Branwen's turn. "Archer."
"Elf." Kylie laughed pointing at me.
"Its not your turn!" I exclaimed.
"Enough." Branwen giggled as she held on to her stomach, trying not to break down into hysterical laughter.
I wasn't long before night came again and Branwen had to go home because she had school the next day. I walked her to the entrance of the hospital and kissed her goodnight and then I went back upstairs to Kylie's ward. She had already fallen asleep so I pulled the blanket over her.
"Goodnight." I whispered.
Author's POV________________________________________________________
Kylie woke up the next morning to a clear sky and beautiful sunrise with the sound of Legolas' breathing by her side. He had slept by her side all night, kneeling down on the floor with his head resting on the bed. She had finally found her peace when Legolas came back. She had been holding on to her dear life all these years so she could see him again. And when she finally did, she made sure Branwen would never be lonely and then she let go of everything. It was then that she could finally rest and she closed her eyes and no longer did she draw any breath. She passed on, happy, because she could ask for nothing more.
Legolas woke up that morning a little later and when his fingers brushed against her face, he found she was cold.
"Kylie..." He called. "Please, wake up.."
He nudged her gently but she did not open her eyes. "Arise.. my darling...my beautiful one." He cried softly as he held her in his arms and kissed her hair.
"I love you."
____________________________________________________________
In the presence of love, even the mightiest warrior may fall on his knees.
____________________________________________________________
End of chapter 23
____________________________________________________________
Plasmolysed Cell Membrane: Wait! this sin't the end! There's still the epilouge! Hhehehe... I hope you guys like this. =) You know the routine.