Disclaimer: As I said before, check the other chapters.
A/N: I'd like to thank Dunthonwen for reviewing my story. You make me feel like I'm needed in this world. This chapter is for you. It starts to get confusing, but it will all be explained in later chapters. . .(hint hint) This gives you another reason to review.
Chapter Four: Clitus and Orcs
Three weeks had past since that night, Kevaline showing Elladan that she was in fact better than him at archery. She had also improved on her sword fighting skills, shocking Elrohir that she could almost beat Estel in a fight. She had accompanied Elrohir in his boarder patrols, and proved useful when needed.
Kevaline rose with the sun on the start of the next week, she had to go with Elrohir and do a routine check of the border to the east. She quickly got dressed, people barging in on her coming more frequent as the days past, and then grabbed her bow and sword. On heading to the door, she stopped as she heard a knock. It seemed urgent as the person started to bang on the door. Kevaline rushed to the door, and opened it, not ready for the person's fist to bang on her face. "Ow!"
The person stopped its assault, and put a hand on Kevaline's head, "Oh, Kev, I'm sorry!"
Kevaline pushed the hand off her head, and saw Elrohir and three other elves standing in the hallway. She blinked, trying to clear her eyes, "What is wrong? I usually meet you in the dining hall on a run." She then looked at the faces of the other three elves, "Hiliar, Kallin, Kalhir, what are you doing here with Elrohir, I usually don't grace myself with you unless we are out in the woods. . ."
"Orcs have attacked the eastern border, and we are needed to help." Elrohir stated, looking Kevaline up and down, "Are you sure you're ready?"
Kevaline growled at him, "Ask me that question again, and you won't wake up the next morning!"
Elrohir chuckled as he turned to the other elves, all three in shock, "She's ready."
All five then raced down to the dining hall, getting ready to grab food and run. Elrond saw the five and watched as they raced for food. He nodded to Kevaline who ran over to him, "Kevaline, I know how much you have been training." He handed her two pastries and smiled, "You will do alright. . ."
Kevaline shoved one in her mouth and started to run back to Elrohir, "Yeah but I don't know if I'll think that!" She waved goodbye and ran out with the others. On reaching the stables, she saw Clitus saddled and ready to go. She mounted him and whispered in his ear, "Don't start acting up, now isn't the time."
Elrohir nodded to the four others, "Lets go!" All five horses raced off down the road that led to the eastern boarder. "We don't know how many have been injured or died! Be prepared for anything!"
Kevaline looked ahead of her, Clitus snorting his uneasiness. Now was the time to get back at the foul creatures for killing her mother, she was certain that she could handle herself against them. All because of them she had not been able to find out what her father's name was. She didn't notice she was clenching her jaw until Hiliar talked to her, "Kevaline, are you ok? You're clenching your jaw really tight. . ."
Kevaline finally noticed the pain from her jaw. She relaxed her jaw and tried to smile. She failed miserably, but hid it with her voice, "I'm fine, remember, this is my first time in going off to a battle to fight orcs!" He looked at her, not believing that was the problem. She rolled her eyes and patted Clitus's neck, "Just ignore them Clitus, they have no clue. . ."
The rest died in her throat as Clitus reared on his back legs. His nostrils flared as an unearthly smell hit them. Kevaline grabbed his mane to keep on his back, her face drained of its color. Elrohir spun Alaquis around to see what the problem was. He reached a hand out to grab Kevaline, but Clitus turned his head and tried to bite him.
"Kevaline!" Elrohir yelled, pulling his hand back, "Kevaline, get control of him!"
"I-I ca-can't!" Kevaline stuttered, "He seems to smell something!" Sensing his rider's panic, Clitus landed on all fours, his nostrils still flaring. Elrohir put a hand out to Kevaline, who grasped it firmly and let him pull her to safety on Alaquis. She hugged him strongly from her seat in back of him, her face still drained of its color. Clitus snorted at the woods to the left of them and then looked back at Kevaline.
Elrohir sighed, "Next time, I'll know to have you ride with me and we can bring Clitus as a pack horse. . ."
"No, something totally got under his skin. He doesn't like the smell here, it unnerves him," Kevaline stated in a whisper. She let Elrohir go, but her color didn't return as she got back up on Clitus's back.
"Lord Elrohir, we only have two more miles before we reach the border!" Hiliar stated.
Before anyone else could say anything, orcs surrounded them. Kevaline put her hand on her sword hilt. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the smell of them. Elrohir unsheathed his sword, "I didn't think they would dare come into elven lands!"
All the orcs looked at the five, finally looking at Kevaline who was in the middle of the elves. The leader of the orcs yelled something and pointed to her, causing all the orcs to run at the elves and Kevaline. Kevaline held the hilt of her sword and started to tremble a little bit. Kallin looked at her, "Kevaline, now isn't the time to do this!" He urged his horse towards a whole flock of orcs, swinging his sword amongst them.
Orcs rushed by him and towards Kevaline. Elrohir noticed the orcs luring him, Kallin, Hiliar, and Kalhir away from Kevaline. He yelled to Kevaline, "Kev, get Clitus to come over here!"
Clitus bit at the orcs, forcing them away from him and his rider. Kevaline stuttered to Clitus, "Please, get to Elrohir!" Clitus snorted and reared, Kevaline ready for the action. Two orcs advancing on them fell dead from the horse's deadly hooves. Kevaline remembered her mother's face from when orcs had killed her. Her mind went numb, but her body took over.
She unsheathed her sword, causing the orcs to back off some. She set her jaw and started to hack at the orcs, not caring if she connected or not. She yelled, blinking away tears as the orcs started to flee from her, "Where are you going! Get back here you cowards!" her whole body was numb of feeling as she continued to yell, "So you decide to kill my mother, but you'll have mercy on me! Get back here! I will not rest until all of you are dead! You hear me!" She started to cry as feeling came back to her body. All of a sudden she felt a pain in her side.
As she grabbed her side in pain, Elrohir put a hand on her forehead, "Kevaline. . ."
Kevaline pulled her hand away from her side to see she was bleeding. She then looked at Elrohir, "El-Elrohir. . . I'm bleeding. . ."
Elrohir looked at her hand to see it stained with blood. He then looked at her side where the blood continued to flow from. Yelling to his three other companions, he grabbed Clitus's reigns, "Hiliar, Kallin, Kalhir, we are returning! Kevaline is badly injured!" He then thought for a second, "No, wait. . . Kallin go see if the border patrol is all right. Tell them they will have to wait another shift before their relief comes. Relate to them what happened so they know we aren't trying to sluff off." He shook his head at Kevaline, "They were after Kevaline."
Kevaline swayed in the saddle of Clitus, "Elrohir. . . The border patrol. . ."
"I am sending Kallin to see what happened," Elrohir stated. He urged Alaquis into a trot, "Lets go!"
On the way back to Rivendell, Kevaline shot from consciousness to unconsciousness. All three elves tried to keep her talking as she was conscious. Kalhir looked grim as Kevaline fell into unconsciousness while he was talking to her for the seventh time, "She seems really bad. I don't know if she'll make it back to Rivendell. I think the only thing that is keeping her going is you my lord Elrohir. . ."
Elrohir nodded grimly as they reached the road to the halls, "I think you are right. Its like she's fighting to stay alive because of me."
Hiliar rode up to Elrohir, "I'll race ahead to tell of our arrival. . ."
"Take Kalhir with you. Then while you are telling my father what happened, Kalhir can find my brother and Estel." Elrohir stated. He watched both race off, hoping that they would get there fast.
"Elrohir. . ." He heard it faintly, but it was there. He turned his head to Kevaline, "Elrohir, I think I finally figured this all out. . ."
"Kev, what are you talking about?" Elrohir asked, trying to keep her conscious.
"You were meant to be my savior, you were meant to be there for me always. That's how it was for mother. . ." Kevaline stated.
The halls came into view, and along with them came the view of several people on horse back riding towards them. He could make them out as his father, Estel, Elladan, and a figure he was acquainted with. He yelled to them, "Hurry! I don't know how much longer she can handle!"
Elrond watched the sleeping Kevaline along with another elf. He sighed, "Kevaline shouldn't have gone, but I let her."
"It is not your fault, you didn't know that the orcs had destroyed the lookout for the eastern border. . ." The other elf stated.
"I guess you are right Haldir. I am sorry I have not had time to listen to your message that you have brought to me. She needed direct attention. . ." Elrond started.
Haldir couldn't help but stare at Kevaline, she reminded him of his wife that lived on earth. He had longed to see her, but the portal on which they met each other closed. Seeing Kevaline brought back memories of them together.
Haldir smiled at Kevaline as she turned on her side in her bed, "She reminds me of my wife. . ."
"Oh," Elrond stated.
"My wife lives in a far off place, but I haven't been able to see her for eighteen years. She was going to have a child the last time I saw her." Haldir stated.
"Did you happen to give your bow to her for your child?" Elrond asked, recognizing some of the story from when Kevaline had told him about the bow.
Haldir nodded, "Yes, but how do you know?"
Elrond smiled at him, "She is your daughter. Her mother somehow brought her here and then died from and orc attack." He nodded his head, "She has not stopped talking about finding her father since she started to do things."
Kevaline opened her eyes slowly, trying to figure out where she was. "Elrohir. . ."
She felt a hand on her head, "I will go get him for you."
Elrond?" She asked.
"Yes, it is me. . . I will go get Elrohir for you." He then walked to the door and opened it.
Elrohir burst in, running straight for the bed. He sat down in the chair beside the bed, "Kevaline. . ."
She smiled, "Elrohir. . ." She then frowned, "What happened to the border patrol?"
Elrohir put his hand over her mouth, "The border patrol was destroyed, but we fought off the remaining orcs. Kevaline, if it wasn't for you, we would be dead. . ."
Kevaline shook her head, "Not me, Clitus. He warned me. Elrohir, did they hurt you? I didn't get to ask you back then. . ."
Elrohir smiled, "I am fine, but you almost left us back there." Kevaline sat up, and took in a sharp breath. Elrohir quickly placed his hands on her shoulders, "Kev, you shouldn't move! That wound could still break open!"
Kevaline blinked, not believing what she saw, "Who is that?"
Elrond chuckled, nodding to Haldir, "This is Haldir of Lorien." Haldir bowed, smiling at Kevaline.
Kevaline went into thought, "Hal. . . Hal. . . wait, it can't be. . ." She looked Haldir in the eye, "Haldir! That name! Mother spoke of it while she used to rock me to sleep while I was a baby! It can't be! That was the name of my father! I now remember what mother used to say. . . She used to say that Haldir would always come and save her, she never had to worry about anything!"
"You look a lot like Elizabeth. You have her eyes and hair. . ." Haldir smiled, nodding to Kevaline.
Kevaline laughed and kissed Elrohir on the cheek, "This is great! I have found my father thanks to you Elrohir!"
Elrohir smiled, "Kevaline, I am glad to have helped you. . ." He then nodded, "You should get more sleep, you need time to heal. . ."
"And how many times have I listened to you in the past week when you have started a sentence with 'You should get some sleep'?" Kevaline put her hands on her hips, wincing as she hit her wounded side.
"Only once, the first night you came here!" Elrohir laughed.
"Wow, you remembered that, I'm surprised!" Kevaline stated, probing the wounded area to see how much pain she could get from it. Her experimenting stopped as two big but gentle hands grabbed hers to make her stop.
She looked up to see Haldir. He shook his head, "If you aren't going to get sleep, then you should not prod at it!"
Kevaline stuck her tongue out at him, "You might be my father, but mother always did this to me when I got hurt. . ."
"And how many times was that?" Haldir asked, eyeing Kevaline with a stern glare.
Kevaline shrugged, not noticing the glare, "About twenty times a week, at the minimum. . ."
"What?!" Haldir almost screamed.
Kevaline chuckled, "I was in a gang. We had competitors! It didn't help that all the guys would hurt me if I didn't kiss them. Plus there was sparing sessions with Adam and Andrew all at once. Oh yeah! I remember coming home and mom always prodding at every bruise, making me wince. She would then set an icy glare on me, put her hands on her hips, and say, 'Serves you right! Going off and getting hurt like that! If only your father was here. . .'" Kevaline paused for a second, then continued as a tear ran down her cheek, " 'If only your father was here, he would make sure you told him exactly who did this, and he would go beat the shit out of those boys! Then he would come back and make sure you got rest to heal up and make sure you didn't prod at them!'"
Elrohir put his hand on Kevaline's cheek, "Kev, are you alright?"
Kevaline nodded, her eyes not leaving Haldir's, "Yes, and now that I have a father, I don't have mother!" She then let the tears run down her face unchecked, "Damn those orcs! They will pay! I will make sure that none of them survive, or I will die trying!"
Elrohir looked sympathetically at Kevaline, "Kev, please!"
Kevaline kept crying, shaking her head, "Elrohir, I just want. . ." She looked at Elrond's face, "I just want to be alone right now, . ."
Elrond nodded, walking to the door with Haldir, "We will leave you. . ."
They then walked out, talking about the message Haldir had to deliver. When Elrohir stood to walk out, Kevaline grabbed his hand, "No, I want you to stay, I just want to be with you. . ."
Elrohir sat on the edge of the bed, "Kevaline, are you sure?" Kevaline nodded, laying her head on his shoulder. He smiled, "Estel and Elladan were worried that you wouldn't make it. You should have seen them, you would have died laughing. . ."
"I can now hold something against them," Kevaline smiled, looking into Elrohir's eyes. "How are Hilliar, Kalhir, and Kallin?"
"All are fine, just kicking themselves for not seeing what the orcs were trying to do when they attacked us." He answered Kevaline's look, "They wanted you, they were luring us away from you."
Kevaline nodded, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, "Thank you for telling me." She then stood up, stretching. She winced as a sharp pain shot through her side. Elrohir jumped to help her, but she shook her hand, "I am alright." She then smiled as best she could, "Lets go get something to eat, and then maybe we can go into the gardens."
Elrohir laughed, "Kev, your stomach always knows when its time to eat! Yes, lunch should be ready, and I can tell you that your presence in the dining hall would lighten the mood!" He watched Kevaline walk to her door, noticing that she would wince every time she would bend in the wrong direction or accidentally hit her side.
Kevaline turned back to him, "Well, are you coming?" Elrohir ran over to her, and both walked out of the room. Kevaline grabbed Elrohir's hand for comfort, squeezing it every time her side would start hurting.
On entering the dining room, all sound stopped. Kevaline didn't stop, but continued to her seat, relenting and letting Elrohir pull out her chair. She slowly sat down, her side throbbing as she did. "Kevaline. . ."
Kevaline tried to hide her pain as she turned to see Glorfindel eying her, "Yes, Glorfindel?"
"Are you sure you are alright enough to be out of bed?" He stated, seeing her pain.
Estel looked at Kevaline, "I think you should still be in bed. . ."
Kevaline's face burned red in anger, "Well, you two aren't me! I am fine! I have already told everyone else that! LAY OFF IT!"
"It seems your temper is still the same," Kevaline turned to see Elrond and Haldir enter the room.
Kevaline shut her mouth, not wanting to say anything at the moment. Elladan smiled, "Well, nonetheless, I am glad you are alright, Kevaline. Elrohir wouldn't stop fretting. . ."
"I wouldn't be talking Elladan! You were almost about to lock yourself in your room with worry!" Elrohir countered on him.
Kevaline started laughing. She quickly stopped as her side protested. She then started eating her lunch, not really caring what it was. Talking started again around her, and she tried to listen to their conversations. One thing bothered her as she couldn't hear Elrohir's voice. She looked up to see him looking at her. She blushed, forgetting about her food, "Elrohir, not in here, not in front of your brother and Estel, you know they will make fun of us. . ."
"They are just jealous," Elrohir smiled.
"Brother, you might want to wait until Haldir leaves. . ." Elladan laughed from his place to the right of Elrohir.
Kevaline glared at him, "Snag it Elladan!" His response was to laugh even harder. Kevaline's anger started to rise again, and Elrohir could tell. Her eyes narrowed, and she started to growl, "Elladan, I know where you sleep, if you don't remember! I'll get you back!"
Haldir looked at Kevaline, "Elrond, what is she talking about?"
Elrond chuckled, "Her and Elrohir have been close for a while now, and Elladan makes it his business to make a sport of it all. Kevaline likes to threaten him to stop it. Sometimes it works, but other times it doesn't."
"How close have they gotten?" Haldir questioned.
"Even I am not sure of that. They will not let anyone know of their relationship. . . though Elladan has caught them in the gardens sometimes. He will not speak of what he has seen, but I think it is because of Kevaline. She has control of whether he says stuff about them." Elrond smiled.
Elladan laughed still, not afraid, "Kevaline, you couldn't hurt anyone right now!"
Kevaline jumped up from her seat and lunged on Elladan, "What were you saying?!"
Elladan continued to laugh, "Kevaline, you. . ."
Kevaline wrestled him, not relenting a bit. Elrohir shook his head as he watched the two. He quickly jumped to his feet as he heard Kevaline yell in pain. He grabbed Kevaline and pulled her away from Elladan who looked surprised. Kevaline bit the bottom of her lip in pain, not wanting to scream out. Elrohir sat her down in her seat again, "What were you thinking? You could have opened your wound up again. . ."
Kevaline's face went expressionless. She then gripped his shoulder tightly, "I think I have. . ." She looked desperate, "Elrohir, I have broken it open again! Damn me and my temper!" She then grabbed her side, "I hate myself!"
Elrohir nodded, "Don't worry, just relax. Father will fix you up. . ."
Kevaline pushed him away, "No, not this time! It was my damn fault, so I should have to pay the price! I will deal with it!" She then winced, "I must not show that it hurts and I'll be fine. . . that's all I need to tell myself."
Elrohir shook his head, "Kevaline, stop this! You were like this when we went on patrol two days ago. . ."
"Yeah, and I saved our asses when that band of orcs ran through! They would have found us and killed us if it wasn't for my bitching!" Kevaline argued, pulling away from Elrohir.
Elladan grabbed Kevaline's arm, "Stop it Kev! Elrohir is only trying to help you!" He then smiled at her, "Do you want to be able to beat me into a pulp? If you do, then you better let father heal you!"
Kevaline glared at him, knowing that he was right, "Shut up! I don't want to hear it!" By now, everyone in the dining hall was deadly quiet, wanting to hear the argument. Kevaline turned her head away, "Let me go!"
"Sorry, I have my orders. . ." Elladan smiled.
"Argh! Let me go! You sound just like Andrew!" Kevaline yelled even louder.
Elladan looked at Haldir, "Are you sure you two are related? It seems iffy to me. . ."
He didn't finish as Kevaline's fist connected with his face. She looked up at his shocked face, tears ready to fall from her eyes, "Don't say that!" She then pulled at his grip, "This is the last time I will ask. . .Let me go!"
When Elladan looked to his father and Haldir, both nodded. He let her go and watched as she walked out. He shook his head, "Father, why did you tell me to let her go? She needs to be healed. . ."
"She needs some time alone. Well, maybe not entirely alone. . ." Elrond stated, looking at Elrohir, "Go find her, comfort her. She needs you right now it seems."
Elrohir nodded and walked out, surprised to see Kevaline waiting for him. She smiled for him, "What, did you think I was going to run off without you?" As he grabbed her in a light hold, as to not hurt her, she took in a deep breath. Letting it out, she sighed, "Elrohir, can we go to the stables? I need to talk to Clitus. He helped save my life, and I'd like to thank him. After that, you can take me back to your father to be healed, I won't fight it."
Elrohir let her go, smiling, "Sure. He is probably breaking down the stable walls."
When the two got to the stables, they heard yelling from the stable hands. Kevaline looked at Elrohir who laughed. On walking inside the stables, they saw Clitus rearing on his hind legs. Kevaline yelled, her voice commanding, "Clitus! Stop it!" The horse automatically listened to her, going down on all fours once again. She smiled as he snorted, "Now Clitus, what have I told you beforehand? You were supposed to let them take you without trouble!"
Elrohir smiled as the two of them walked over to Clitus. Kevaline's face was one full of joy as she put her hand on his forehead. She then turned to Elrohir, a devious smile on her face, "Elrohir, hun. . ."
He frowned, "Whenever you start a sentence with those words we end up doing something I will regret. . ."
Kevaline pleaded with him, "Lets go to our secret grove! Please. . . Elrohir. . ."
"Don't say the word. . ." Elrohir complained.
"Hun!" Kevaline smiled. She knew the word would always get him if her pleading failed. He seemed to have a soft spot for when she said that word to him. "Please! It would mean so much to me!"
Elrohir sighed, finally giving in, "Alright, we'll go!" She kissed him on the cheek and ran to get Clitus's bridle. He called after her, "But only for a little bit!"
Kevaline smiled as they reached their secret grove. Jumping off Clitus's back, she ran to the edge of the little lake that was there, "Elroir, come on!"
Elrohir just laughed as he shook his head, dismounting from Alaquis, "Well, it seems you are ready to do anything. . ."
Kevaline put her feet in the water and whined, "Elrohir, please! I need you to sit behind me!"
Elrohir walked slowly over to Kevaline, smiling as she whined even more. Finally he sat down behind her, and she leaned her head back on his chest. He then kissed her. On ending, he smiled, "Is that better?" She nodded, smiling, and Elrohir chuckled, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Well. . ." Kevaline started, turning to face him, "You can kiss me again!"
Elrohir laughed at this, knowing that Kevaline was just fine, her wound not fazing her, "I could, but will I?" Her pleading face tore at his heart, making him want to do anything to make her happy.
"Please!" Kevaline stated, adding more pressure to his heart.
Elrohir bit his lip, "I don't know. . . I mean anyone could be watching. . ." Her face made him smile on the inside. It was the excuse she used on him in the dining hall every day when he tried to hold her hand or greet her with a kiss.
"That's not funny!" Kevaline almost cried, her face pleading even more.
Elrohir finally gave in, "Alright! I can't take anymore of that face! You're going to tear my heart in two!" He kissed her passionately, smiling under the kiss. After he ended, he winked at her, "Your face always gets me! I can't deny you when you use it!"
"One day you'll regret not being able to resist it. I made my two friends regret it, trust me." Kevaline winked back. She the put her head on his shoulder, looking into his eyes, "Elrohir, I never want to leave you!"
Elrohir looked away from her, looking out at the waterfall, "There will come a day when you might have to. . ."
"Never!" Kevaline yelled, shaking her head, "Not unless I die! That is a promise!" She buried her face into his chest, seeking comfort, "If I left you, I don't know what would happen to me, I wouldn't be whole!"
Elrohir caught his breath as she said this, he didn't believe that she had thought that way. He thought she was only playing around to his love, he thought she was just doing all of this to just learn, not to have a real relationship. He struggled with his next words, "Are y-you serious?"
She looked up at him, placing her hand on his cheek, "Of course I am! I now realize that I do love you, that I do want to have a real relationship with you!" She then looked out into the water, "At first I was just playing around, trying to learn, but now that I truly think about it, I want a relationship with you."
~**~
There ya go, chapter four. Now if you're a good reader, then you will review and tell me that you read it.
Again, until the next time I review, here is some weird words of advice. . . If all else fails. . . stare your opponents in the eyes and tell them insults! Then sit back and wait for death! It's your only option then. (I watch too many movies! That is my excuse for this.)
Dunthonwen, I hope you liked this chapter. I have chapter five ready if people send me reviews.
A/N: I'd like to thank Dunthonwen for reviewing my story. You make me feel like I'm needed in this world. This chapter is for you. It starts to get confusing, but it will all be explained in later chapters. . .(hint hint) This gives you another reason to review.
Chapter Four: Clitus and Orcs
Three weeks had past since that night, Kevaline showing Elladan that she was in fact better than him at archery. She had also improved on her sword fighting skills, shocking Elrohir that she could almost beat Estel in a fight. She had accompanied Elrohir in his boarder patrols, and proved useful when needed.
Kevaline rose with the sun on the start of the next week, she had to go with Elrohir and do a routine check of the border to the east. She quickly got dressed, people barging in on her coming more frequent as the days past, and then grabbed her bow and sword. On heading to the door, she stopped as she heard a knock. It seemed urgent as the person started to bang on the door. Kevaline rushed to the door, and opened it, not ready for the person's fist to bang on her face. "Ow!"
The person stopped its assault, and put a hand on Kevaline's head, "Oh, Kev, I'm sorry!"
Kevaline pushed the hand off her head, and saw Elrohir and three other elves standing in the hallway. She blinked, trying to clear her eyes, "What is wrong? I usually meet you in the dining hall on a run." She then looked at the faces of the other three elves, "Hiliar, Kallin, Kalhir, what are you doing here with Elrohir, I usually don't grace myself with you unless we are out in the woods. . ."
"Orcs have attacked the eastern border, and we are needed to help." Elrohir stated, looking Kevaline up and down, "Are you sure you're ready?"
Kevaline growled at him, "Ask me that question again, and you won't wake up the next morning!"
Elrohir chuckled as he turned to the other elves, all three in shock, "She's ready."
All five then raced down to the dining hall, getting ready to grab food and run. Elrond saw the five and watched as they raced for food. He nodded to Kevaline who ran over to him, "Kevaline, I know how much you have been training." He handed her two pastries and smiled, "You will do alright. . ."
Kevaline shoved one in her mouth and started to run back to Elrohir, "Yeah but I don't know if I'll think that!" She waved goodbye and ran out with the others. On reaching the stables, she saw Clitus saddled and ready to go. She mounted him and whispered in his ear, "Don't start acting up, now isn't the time."
Elrohir nodded to the four others, "Lets go!" All five horses raced off down the road that led to the eastern boarder. "We don't know how many have been injured or died! Be prepared for anything!"
Kevaline looked ahead of her, Clitus snorting his uneasiness. Now was the time to get back at the foul creatures for killing her mother, she was certain that she could handle herself against them. All because of them she had not been able to find out what her father's name was. She didn't notice she was clenching her jaw until Hiliar talked to her, "Kevaline, are you ok? You're clenching your jaw really tight. . ."
Kevaline finally noticed the pain from her jaw. She relaxed her jaw and tried to smile. She failed miserably, but hid it with her voice, "I'm fine, remember, this is my first time in going off to a battle to fight orcs!" He looked at her, not believing that was the problem. She rolled her eyes and patted Clitus's neck, "Just ignore them Clitus, they have no clue. . ."
The rest died in her throat as Clitus reared on his back legs. His nostrils flared as an unearthly smell hit them. Kevaline grabbed his mane to keep on his back, her face drained of its color. Elrohir spun Alaquis around to see what the problem was. He reached a hand out to grab Kevaline, but Clitus turned his head and tried to bite him.
"Kevaline!" Elrohir yelled, pulling his hand back, "Kevaline, get control of him!"
"I-I ca-can't!" Kevaline stuttered, "He seems to smell something!" Sensing his rider's panic, Clitus landed on all fours, his nostrils still flaring. Elrohir put a hand out to Kevaline, who grasped it firmly and let him pull her to safety on Alaquis. She hugged him strongly from her seat in back of him, her face still drained of its color. Clitus snorted at the woods to the left of them and then looked back at Kevaline.
Elrohir sighed, "Next time, I'll know to have you ride with me and we can bring Clitus as a pack horse. . ."
"No, something totally got under his skin. He doesn't like the smell here, it unnerves him," Kevaline stated in a whisper. She let Elrohir go, but her color didn't return as she got back up on Clitus's back.
"Lord Elrohir, we only have two more miles before we reach the border!" Hiliar stated.
Before anyone else could say anything, orcs surrounded them. Kevaline put her hand on her sword hilt. She couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the smell of them. Elrohir unsheathed his sword, "I didn't think they would dare come into elven lands!"
All the orcs looked at the five, finally looking at Kevaline who was in the middle of the elves. The leader of the orcs yelled something and pointed to her, causing all the orcs to run at the elves and Kevaline. Kevaline held the hilt of her sword and started to tremble a little bit. Kallin looked at her, "Kevaline, now isn't the time to do this!" He urged his horse towards a whole flock of orcs, swinging his sword amongst them.
Orcs rushed by him and towards Kevaline. Elrohir noticed the orcs luring him, Kallin, Hiliar, and Kalhir away from Kevaline. He yelled to Kevaline, "Kev, get Clitus to come over here!"
Clitus bit at the orcs, forcing them away from him and his rider. Kevaline stuttered to Clitus, "Please, get to Elrohir!" Clitus snorted and reared, Kevaline ready for the action. Two orcs advancing on them fell dead from the horse's deadly hooves. Kevaline remembered her mother's face from when orcs had killed her. Her mind went numb, but her body took over.
She unsheathed her sword, causing the orcs to back off some. She set her jaw and started to hack at the orcs, not caring if she connected or not. She yelled, blinking away tears as the orcs started to flee from her, "Where are you going! Get back here you cowards!" her whole body was numb of feeling as she continued to yell, "So you decide to kill my mother, but you'll have mercy on me! Get back here! I will not rest until all of you are dead! You hear me!" She started to cry as feeling came back to her body. All of a sudden she felt a pain in her side.
As she grabbed her side in pain, Elrohir put a hand on her forehead, "Kevaline. . ."
Kevaline pulled her hand away from her side to see she was bleeding. She then looked at Elrohir, "El-Elrohir. . . I'm bleeding. . ."
Elrohir looked at her hand to see it stained with blood. He then looked at her side where the blood continued to flow from. Yelling to his three other companions, he grabbed Clitus's reigns, "Hiliar, Kallin, Kalhir, we are returning! Kevaline is badly injured!" He then thought for a second, "No, wait. . . Kallin go see if the border patrol is all right. Tell them they will have to wait another shift before their relief comes. Relate to them what happened so they know we aren't trying to sluff off." He shook his head at Kevaline, "They were after Kevaline."
Kevaline swayed in the saddle of Clitus, "Elrohir. . . The border patrol. . ."
"I am sending Kallin to see what happened," Elrohir stated. He urged Alaquis into a trot, "Lets go!"
On the way back to Rivendell, Kevaline shot from consciousness to unconsciousness. All three elves tried to keep her talking as she was conscious. Kalhir looked grim as Kevaline fell into unconsciousness while he was talking to her for the seventh time, "She seems really bad. I don't know if she'll make it back to Rivendell. I think the only thing that is keeping her going is you my lord Elrohir. . ."
Elrohir nodded grimly as they reached the road to the halls, "I think you are right. Its like she's fighting to stay alive because of me."
Hiliar rode up to Elrohir, "I'll race ahead to tell of our arrival. . ."
"Take Kalhir with you. Then while you are telling my father what happened, Kalhir can find my brother and Estel." Elrohir stated. He watched both race off, hoping that they would get there fast.
"Elrohir. . ." He heard it faintly, but it was there. He turned his head to Kevaline, "Elrohir, I think I finally figured this all out. . ."
"Kev, what are you talking about?" Elrohir asked, trying to keep her conscious.
"You were meant to be my savior, you were meant to be there for me always. That's how it was for mother. . ." Kevaline stated.
The halls came into view, and along with them came the view of several people on horse back riding towards them. He could make them out as his father, Estel, Elladan, and a figure he was acquainted with. He yelled to them, "Hurry! I don't know how much longer she can handle!"
Elrond watched the sleeping Kevaline along with another elf. He sighed, "Kevaline shouldn't have gone, but I let her."
"It is not your fault, you didn't know that the orcs had destroyed the lookout for the eastern border. . ." The other elf stated.
"I guess you are right Haldir. I am sorry I have not had time to listen to your message that you have brought to me. She needed direct attention. . ." Elrond started.
Haldir couldn't help but stare at Kevaline, she reminded him of his wife that lived on earth. He had longed to see her, but the portal on which they met each other closed. Seeing Kevaline brought back memories of them together.
Haldir smiled at Kevaline as she turned on her side in her bed, "She reminds me of my wife. . ."
"Oh," Elrond stated.
"My wife lives in a far off place, but I haven't been able to see her for eighteen years. She was going to have a child the last time I saw her." Haldir stated.
"Did you happen to give your bow to her for your child?" Elrond asked, recognizing some of the story from when Kevaline had told him about the bow.
Haldir nodded, "Yes, but how do you know?"
Elrond smiled at him, "She is your daughter. Her mother somehow brought her here and then died from and orc attack." He nodded his head, "She has not stopped talking about finding her father since she started to do things."
Kevaline opened her eyes slowly, trying to figure out where she was. "Elrohir. . ."
She felt a hand on her head, "I will go get him for you."
Elrond?" She asked.
"Yes, it is me. . . I will go get Elrohir for you." He then walked to the door and opened it.
Elrohir burst in, running straight for the bed. He sat down in the chair beside the bed, "Kevaline. . ."
She smiled, "Elrohir. . ." She then frowned, "What happened to the border patrol?"
Elrohir put his hand over her mouth, "The border patrol was destroyed, but we fought off the remaining orcs. Kevaline, if it wasn't for you, we would be dead. . ."
Kevaline shook her head, "Not me, Clitus. He warned me. Elrohir, did they hurt you? I didn't get to ask you back then. . ."
Elrohir smiled, "I am fine, but you almost left us back there." Kevaline sat up, and took in a sharp breath. Elrohir quickly placed his hands on her shoulders, "Kev, you shouldn't move! That wound could still break open!"
Kevaline blinked, not believing what she saw, "Who is that?"
Elrond chuckled, nodding to Haldir, "This is Haldir of Lorien." Haldir bowed, smiling at Kevaline.
Kevaline went into thought, "Hal. . . Hal. . . wait, it can't be. . ." She looked Haldir in the eye, "Haldir! That name! Mother spoke of it while she used to rock me to sleep while I was a baby! It can't be! That was the name of my father! I now remember what mother used to say. . . She used to say that Haldir would always come and save her, she never had to worry about anything!"
"You look a lot like Elizabeth. You have her eyes and hair. . ." Haldir smiled, nodding to Kevaline.
Kevaline laughed and kissed Elrohir on the cheek, "This is great! I have found my father thanks to you Elrohir!"
Elrohir smiled, "Kevaline, I am glad to have helped you. . ." He then nodded, "You should get more sleep, you need time to heal. . ."
"And how many times have I listened to you in the past week when you have started a sentence with 'You should get some sleep'?" Kevaline put her hands on her hips, wincing as she hit her wounded side.
"Only once, the first night you came here!" Elrohir laughed.
"Wow, you remembered that, I'm surprised!" Kevaline stated, probing the wounded area to see how much pain she could get from it. Her experimenting stopped as two big but gentle hands grabbed hers to make her stop.
She looked up to see Haldir. He shook his head, "If you aren't going to get sleep, then you should not prod at it!"
Kevaline stuck her tongue out at him, "You might be my father, but mother always did this to me when I got hurt. . ."
"And how many times was that?" Haldir asked, eyeing Kevaline with a stern glare.
Kevaline shrugged, not noticing the glare, "About twenty times a week, at the minimum. . ."
"What?!" Haldir almost screamed.
Kevaline chuckled, "I was in a gang. We had competitors! It didn't help that all the guys would hurt me if I didn't kiss them. Plus there was sparing sessions with Adam and Andrew all at once. Oh yeah! I remember coming home and mom always prodding at every bruise, making me wince. She would then set an icy glare on me, put her hands on her hips, and say, 'Serves you right! Going off and getting hurt like that! If only your father was here. . .'" Kevaline paused for a second, then continued as a tear ran down her cheek, " 'If only your father was here, he would make sure you told him exactly who did this, and he would go beat the shit out of those boys! Then he would come back and make sure you got rest to heal up and make sure you didn't prod at them!'"
Elrohir put his hand on Kevaline's cheek, "Kev, are you alright?"
Kevaline nodded, her eyes not leaving Haldir's, "Yes, and now that I have a father, I don't have mother!" She then let the tears run down her face unchecked, "Damn those orcs! They will pay! I will make sure that none of them survive, or I will die trying!"
Elrohir looked sympathetically at Kevaline, "Kev, please!"
Kevaline kept crying, shaking her head, "Elrohir, I just want. . ." She looked at Elrond's face, "I just want to be alone right now, . ."
Elrond nodded, walking to the door with Haldir, "We will leave you. . ."
They then walked out, talking about the message Haldir had to deliver. When Elrohir stood to walk out, Kevaline grabbed his hand, "No, I want you to stay, I just want to be with you. . ."
Elrohir sat on the edge of the bed, "Kevaline, are you sure?" Kevaline nodded, laying her head on his shoulder. He smiled, "Estel and Elladan were worried that you wouldn't make it. You should have seen them, you would have died laughing. . ."
"I can now hold something against them," Kevaline smiled, looking into Elrohir's eyes. "How are Hilliar, Kalhir, and Kallin?"
"All are fine, just kicking themselves for not seeing what the orcs were trying to do when they attacked us." He answered Kevaline's look, "They wanted you, they were luring us away from you."
Kevaline nodded, swinging her feet over the edge of the bed, "Thank you for telling me." She then stood up, stretching. She winced as a sharp pain shot through her side. Elrohir jumped to help her, but she shook her hand, "I am alright." She then smiled as best she could, "Lets go get something to eat, and then maybe we can go into the gardens."
Elrohir laughed, "Kev, your stomach always knows when its time to eat! Yes, lunch should be ready, and I can tell you that your presence in the dining hall would lighten the mood!" He watched Kevaline walk to her door, noticing that she would wince every time she would bend in the wrong direction or accidentally hit her side.
Kevaline turned back to him, "Well, are you coming?" Elrohir ran over to her, and both walked out of the room. Kevaline grabbed Elrohir's hand for comfort, squeezing it every time her side would start hurting.
On entering the dining room, all sound stopped. Kevaline didn't stop, but continued to her seat, relenting and letting Elrohir pull out her chair. She slowly sat down, her side throbbing as she did. "Kevaline. . ."
Kevaline tried to hide her pain as she turned to see Glorfindel eying her, "Yes, Glorfindel?"
"Are you sure you are alright enough to be out of bed?" He stated, seeing her pain.
Estel looked at Kevaline, "I think you should still be in bed. . ."
Kevaline's face burned red in anger, "Well, you two aren't me! I am fine! I have already told everyone else that! LAY OFF IT!"
"It seems your temper is still the same," Kevaline turned to see Elrond and Haldir enter the room.
Kevaline shut her mouth, not wanting to say anything at the moment. Elladan smiled, "Well, nonetheless, I am glad you are alright, Kevaline. Elrohir wouldn't stop fretting. . ."
"I wouldn't be talking Elladan! You were almost about to lock yourself in your room with worry!" Elrohir countered on him.
Kevaline started laughing. She quickly stopped as her side protested. She then started eating her lunch, not really caring what it was. Talking started again around her, and she tried to listen to their conversations. One thing bothered her as she couldn't hear Elrohir's voice. She looked up to see him looking at her. She blushed, forgetting about her food, "Elrohir, not in here, not in front of your brother and Estel, you know they will make fun of us. . ."
"They are just jealous," Elrohir smiled.
"Brother, you might want to wait until Haldir leaves. . ." Elladan laughed from his place to the right of Elrohir.
Kevaline glared at him, "Snag it Elladan!" His response was to laugh even harder. Kevaline's anger started to rise again, and Elrohir could tell. Her eyes narrowed, and she started to growl, "Elladan, I know where you sleep, if you don't remember! I'll get you back!"
Haldir looked at Kevaline, "Elrond, what is she talking about?"
Elrond chuckled, "Her and Elrohir have been close for a while now, and Elladan makes it his business to make a sport of it all. Kevaline likes to threaten him to stop it. Sometimes it works, but other times it doesn't."
"How close have they gotten?" Haldir questioned.
"Even I am not sure of that. They will not let anyone know of their relationship. . . though Elladan has caught them in the gardens sometimes. He will not speak of what he has seen, but I think it is because of Kevaline. She has control of whether he says stuff about them." Elrond smiled.
Elladan laughed still, not afraid, "Kevaline, you couldn't hurt anyone right now!"
Kevaline jumped up from her seat and lunged on Elladan, "What were you saying?!"
Elladan continued to laugh, "Kevaline, you. . ."
Kevaline wrestled him, not relenting a bit. Elrohir shook his head as he watched the two. He quickly jumped to his feet as he heard Kevaline yell in pain. He grabbed Kevaline and pulled her away from Elladan who looked surprised. Kevaline bit the bottom of her lip in pain, not wanting to scream out. Elrohir sat her down in her seat again, "What were you thinking? You could have opened your wound up again. . ."
Kevaline's face went expressionless. She then gripped his shoulder tightly, "I think I have. . ." She looked desperate, "Elrohir, I have broken it open again! Damn me and my temper!" She then grabbed her side, "I hate myself!"
Elrohir nodded, "Don't worry, just relax. Father will fix you up. . ."
Kevaline pushed him away, "No, not this time! It was my damn fault, so I should have to pay the price! I will deal with it!" She then winced, "I must not show that it hurts and I'll be fine. . . that's all I need to tell myself."
Elrohir shook his head, "Kevaline, stop this! You were like this when we went on patrol two days ago. . ."
"Yeah, and I saved our asses when that band of orcs ran through! They would have found us and killed us if it wasn't for my bitching!" Kevaline argued, pulling away from Elrohir.
Elladan grabbed Kevaline's arm, "Stop it Kev! Elrohir is only trying to help you!" He then smiled at her, "Do you want to be able to beat me into a pulp? If you do, then you better let father heal you!"
Kevaline glared at him, knowing that he was right, "Shut up! I don't want to hear it!" By now, everyone in the dining hall was deadly quiet, wanting to hear the argument. Kevaline turned her head away, "Let me go!"
"Sorry, I have my orders. . ." Elladan smiled.
"Argh! Let me go! You sound just like Andrew!" Kevaline yelled even louder.
Elladan looked at Haldir, "Are you sure you two are related? It seems iffy to me. . ."
He didn't finish as Kevaline's fist connected with his face. She looked up at his shocked face, tears ready to fall from her eyes, "Don't say that!" She then pulled at his grip, "This is the last time I will ask. . .Let me go!"
When Elladan looked to his father and Haldir, both nodded. He let her go and watched as she walked out. He shook his head, "Father, why did you tell me to let her go? She needs to be healed. . ."
"She needs some time alone. Well, maybe not entirely alone. . ." Elrond stated, looking at Elrohir, "Go find her, comfort her. She needs you right now it seems."
Elrohir nodded and walked out, surprised to see Kevaline waiting for him. She smiled for him, "What, did you think I was going to run off without you?" As he grabbed her in a light hold, as to not hurt her, she took in a deep breath. Letting it out, she sighed, "Elrohir, can we go to the stables? I need to talk to Clitus. He helped save my life, and I'd like to thank him. After that, you can take me back to your father to be healed, I won't fight it."
Elrohir let her go, smiling, "Sure. He is probably breaking down the stable walls."
When the two got to the stables, they heard yelling from the stable hands. Kevaline looked at Elrohir who laughed. On walking inside the stables, they saw Clitus rearing on his hind legs. Kevaline yelled, her voice commanding, "Clitus! Stop it!" The horse automatically listened to her, going down on all fours once again. She smiled as he snorted, "Now Clitus, what have I told you beforehand? You were supposed to let them take you without trouble!"
Elrohir smiled as the two of them walked over to Clitus. Kevaline's face was one full of joy as she put her hand on his forehead. She then turned to Elrohir, a devious smile on her face, "Elrohir, hun. . ."
He frowned, "Whenever you start a sentence with those words we end up doing something I will regret. . ."
Kevaline pleaded with him, "Lets go to our secret grove! Please. . . Elrohir. . ."
"Don't say the word. . ." Elrohir complained.
"Hun!" Kevaline smiled. She knew the word would always get him if her pleading failed. He seemed to have a soft spot for when she said that word to him. "Please! It would mean so much to me!"
Elrohir sighed, finally giving in, "Alright, we'll go!" She kissed him on the cheek and ran to get Clitus's bridle. He called after her, "But only for a little bit!"
Kevaline smiled as they reached their secret grove. Jumping off Clitus's back, she ran to the edge of the little lake that was there, "Elroir, come on!"
Elrohir just laughed as he shook his head, dismounting from Alaquis, "Well, it seems you are ready to do anything. . ."
Kevaline put her feet in the water and whined, "Elrohir, please! I need you to sit behind me!"
Elrohir walked slowly over to Kevaline, smiling as she whined even more. Finally he sat down behind her, and she leaned her head back on his chest. He then kissed her. On ending, he smiled, "Is that better?" She nodded, smiling, and Elrohir chuckled, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"
"Well. . ." Kevaline started, turning to face him, "You can kiss me again!"
Elrohir laughed at this, knowing that Kevaline was just fine, her wound not fazing her, "I could, but will I?" Her pleading face tore at his heart, making him want to do anything to make her happy.
"Please!" Kevaline stated, adding more pressure to his heart.
Elrohir bit his lip, "I don't know. . . I mean anyone could be watching. . ." Her face made him smile on the inside. It was the excuse she used on him in the dining hall every day when he tried to hold her hand or greet her with a kiss.
"That's not funny!" Kevaline almost cried, her face pleading even more.
Elrohir finally gave in, "Alright! I can't take anymore of that face! You're going to tear my heart in two!" He kissed her passionately, smiling under the kiss. After he ended, he winked at her, "Your face always gets me! I can't deny you when you use it!"
"One day you'll regret not being able to resist it. I made my two friends regret it, trust me." Kevaline winked back. She the put her head on his shoulder, looking into his eyes, "Elrohir, I never want to leave you!"
Elrohir looked away from her, looking out at the waterfall, "There will come a day when you might have to. . ."
"Never!" Kevaline yelled, shaking her head, "Not unless I die! That is a promise!" She buried her face into his chest, seeking comfort, "If I left you, I don't know what would happen to me, I wouldn't be whole!"
Elrohir caught his breath as she said this, he didn't believe that she had thought that way. He thought she was only playing around to his love, he thought she was just doing all of this to just learn, not to have a real relationship. He struggled with his next words, "Are y-you serious?"
She looked up at him, placing her hand on his cheek, "Of course I am! I now realize that I do love you, that I do want to have a real relationship with you!" She then looked out into the water, "At first I was just playing around, trying to learn, but now that I truly think about it, I want a relationship with you."
~**~
There ya go, chapter four. Now if you're a good reader, then you will review and tell me that you read it.
Again, until the next time I review, here is some weird words of advice. . . If all else fails. . . stare your opponents in the eyes and tell them insults! Then sit back and wait for death! It's your only option then. (I watch too many movies! That is my excuse for this.)
Dunthonwen, I hope you liked this chapter. I have chapter five ready if people send me reviews.