A Search for Answers

by Light Dragon

A woman tries to find where she belongs. This is a tale of her adventures. For more info, see my author page.

10. Strider and Tiger

A/n: Sorry I haven't updated in such a long time. Soccer season has been a tough one, I have been injured too many times to remember. My brother was also very sick, and they didn't know what was wrong with him. He was put on Homebound.

I hope this was worth the wait. It is seventy four pages on my computer! So you could say that it was well worth it. Have fun, and make sure to take an intermission.

Chapter Ten: Strider and Tiger

Thirty years passed from that day, Kevaline continued to travel with Estel, even when she was given the chance to go with Elrohir and Elladan. Her reason was that Estel needed company on his journeys. Elrohir had agreed without a fight, knowing that Kevaline would distract him even more of she was there. Yami continued to travel with them. He seemed to not have aged a day in his body, but he was old in his spirit. His wisdom was wise, and his strength was a great help.

The two were sitting in the inn 'The Prancing Pony'. Yami was laying down by Kevaline's foot. Both were wearing cloaks to hide what they looked like. Kevaline searched the room, eyeing everyone that was there. The men had learned a while ago that they shouldn't try and talk to her. She then saw four little creatures sit down at a table. Kevaline elbowed Estel in his stomach, "Estel, look." At this, Yami looked up, his ears going forward. Kevaline petted his head, "Relax my friend, they are no harm to us. Remember, we were to search for them."

*I know, but one of them is carrying something of great evil, I can smell the stench. . .* Yami closed his eyes.

Kevaline interrupted him, "Yes, I know." Kevaline's ears picked up their conversations, "Maybe I should start to call you Strider?"

Estel shrugged, still smoking his pipe, "It doesn't matter to me, 'Tiger'." He chuckled, "I can't believe that name has stuck around with you."

Kevaline shrugged, "It comes with the job." She looked down at Yami, "Now you behave yourself! You are almost the size of them, that might scare them."

*I will not try anything unless they try something to you.* Yami yawned. He then got up into a sitting position. *Let's just hope the nazgul don't come here too quickly.*

Kevaline listened to the four hobbits' conversation. She glared at one of the hobbits as it talked about Estel, "Those fellows' done nothing but stare at you since we've arrived." Another one looked over at the two of them, trying not to seem like it, but Kevaline could tell.

"Excuse me," the hobbit that looked over at them stated as he stopped the bar tender, "Those two men in the corner. Who are they?"

"Well, the one smoking the pipe is one of them rangers. They're dangerous folk, wandering the Wilds. What his right name is, I've never heard, but around here he's known as Strider." The bar tender nodded to the hobbit, "Now the other one is known as Tiger. You don't want to mess with that one. More wild than a ranger. More dangerous than Strider himself. Strider is even afraid of Tiger."

The hobbit thought for a moment, "Strider. . . Tiger. . ."

Estel looked at the hobbit, not taking his eyes off of him. Kevaline watched as the hobbit started to finger something. Her eyes narrowed, "That is it!" Kevaline watched with interest as another hobbit was talking to some men, rambling on about how he knew a Baggins. She also watched with interest when the hobbit jumped up and ran over to the other one. She watched as he tripped and fell, disappearing. She then rushed with Estel over to where he reappeared.

Estel grabbed his shoulder and pulled him to his feet, pushing him into a wall, "You draw far too much attention to yourself, 'Mr. Underhill.'" He then nodded to Kevaline and pulled the hobbit up the steps into another room.

Kevaline guarded to steps as Yami followed Estel. Kevaline growled as the hobbits looked around for the other one. She pulled her cloak around her even more as they ran over to her.

"Move out of the way!" One of them yelled, putting up his fists.

"I will not move from my spot!" Kevaline growled, taking a step forward.

"I warn you, we will attack you!" Another stated.

"You will not like the outcome of that attack!" Kevaline snarled, grabbing one's wrist. Some of her hair fell out of her hood, causing the hobbits to go wide eyed.

"You are a woman!" They all yelled.

Kevaline shook her head as the men in the inn turned to look at her, "Do not utter that in here!" The men turned back to their business, knowing not to mess with her. She smiled, "Even if you thought that would cause men to run to me in hopes of something, then your hope has been shattered! These men know not to mess with me. They know that I would kill them in less than two seconds if they got too close tome. . ."

"Then what about that Strider?" the one hobbit that Kevaline had grabbed asked.

Kevaline stared intently at the three, her silver eyes startling them, "I have traveled with him for a while, he has already learned not to make me cross!"

Yami growled as Estel threw the hobbit into the room and closed the door. The hobbit stood up, "What do you want?"

Estel walked closer to the hobbit, "A little more caution from you. That is no trinket you carry."

The hobbit just stared at him, "I carry nothing."

Estel started walking over to the candles, "Indeed." He started to put them out, "I can avoid being seen if I wish. . . but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift." He then pulled down the hood to his cloak.

"Who are you?" The hobbit asked.

Estel stared at him, "Are you frightened?"

"Yes," was the hobbit's reply.

"Not nearly frightened enough. I know what hunts you." Estel stated.

Yami growled still, but went into the shadows. As the door opened, Estel whirled around and pulled out his sword. The three other hobbits came running into the room, the first of the group yelling, "Let him go! Or I'll have you, Longshanks!"

Kevaline came running up behind them, her hood falling back. She rubbed her head, "I'm sorry, that one hit me with a chair!" Her forehead had a red mark on it. Her black hair fell over her ears, masking them from everyone. Frodo's eyes went wide at the sight of her. He thought she was beautiful and she seemed to glow.

Estel sheathed his sword, "You have a stout heart, little hobbit. But that will not save you." He turned to the hobbit that he had taken, "You can no longer wait for the wizard, Frodo. They're coming." He nodded to Kevaline, "Tiger, you gave me enough time."

Kevaline whistled quietly as she put her hood back up, "Yami, come out of the shadows."

Yami did as he was told. *They harmed you!* He growled at the other three hobbits.

"Nothing that isn't serious. They only hit my head. They were too worried to see what I looked like." Kevaline giggled lightly, causing the hobbits to look at her. She nodded to Estel, "Strider, I think. . ."

"Yes Tiger," Estel nodded.

Kevaline shook lightly in her place, sitting in a chair beside Estel, She whispered so only he and Yami could hear, "They are here, I can feel them, I can smell them. . ."

Estel put a hand on Kevaline's shoulder, trying to soothe her, "Think how far we have come in these thirty years we have traveled together, Roar'."

Sounds of swords being driven through wood made Kevaline looked out the window, "They are here. . ."

Estel looked out the window as well. When the two of them heard a screeching sound, Kevaline put her hands over her sensitive ears. She didn't turn her head as the four hobbits awoke with a start.

Frodo watched the two intently, "What are they?"

Estel turned his head to Frodo, keeping his hand on Kevaline's shoulder, "They were once Men. Great Kings of Men. Then Sauron the Deceiver gave to the nine rings of power. Blinded by their greed, they took them without question. One by one, falling into darkness." He turned to look out the window, "Now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul. Ringwraiths. Neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring. . . drawn to the power of the One. They will never stop hunting you." He squeezed Kevaline's shoulder, "It is alright my friend, they are gone."

Kevaline walked ahead of the group with Yami, her hood still up. Estel was back some, leading the four hobbits. Frodo called up to him, "Where are you taking us?"

Estel pulled the pony along with him that they had gotten in Bree, "Into the wild."

Kevaline turned to face him, "They are tracking us, Strider, maybe I should travel ahead, take them off your trail?"

"I will not let you go off on your own! You need to stay with us!" Strider stated to her in a whisper that she could only hear.

Kevaline stayed in front, not wanting the hobbits to ask to see her face. She did hear their conversations though. She growled low in her throat as one of them talked to Frodo, "How do we know this Strider and Tiger are friends of Gandalf?"

She smiled at Frodo's answer, "I think a servant of the enemy would look fairer and feel fouler."

Estel nodded to Kevaline who had turned to see his reaction. She glared at another one of the hobbits as he answered back to Frodo. "He's foul enough. And that Tiger, we don't even know what she looks like!"

Estel walked up to Kevaline and grasped her shoulder, "Don't."

Frodo kept quiet, "We have no choice but to trust him."

"But where is he leading us?" a hobbit asked that was leading the pony.

"To Rivendell, Master Gamgee." Estel stated, continuing to walk. Kevaline nodded and leapt ahead, Yami at her heels. Estel smiled at her, "To the house of Elrond."

Sam smiled, "Did you hear that? Rivendell. We're going to see the elves."

Kevaline chuckled as she slowed to talk with Estel, "I guess they haven't figured out that I am one."

Kevaline walked ahead so that she stood on the top of a hill. She turned to Estel, "Strider, I smell their stench, they are still after us. We must press on!"

Estel came up beside Kevaline. He then turned back to the hobbits, "Gentlemen, we do not stop till nightfall."

Pippin looked at him, a frying pan in his hand, "What about breakfast?"

Estel looked at them, "You've already had it."

Kevaline shook her head, "I am going ahead." She then ran off, Yami with her.

"We've had one, yes. What about second breakfast?" Pippin stated.

Estel turned from them and glanced down the hill, seeing Kevaline waiting for him with apples. She threw him two. He walked a little farther. "Don't think he knows about second breakfast, Pip." Merry stated, walking.

Pippin was frantic, "What about elevenses? Luncheon? Afternoon tea? Dinner? Supper? He knows about them, doesn't he?"

Merry stopped and looked at him, "I wouldn't count on it."

Estel then threw one of the apples over a bush. Merry caught it and gave it to Pippin, patting his shoulder. A second later, Estel threw the other apple, hitting Pippin in the forehead. He looked around to see what was happening. Merry called to him, "Pippin!"

Kevaline frowned as they walked through the marshes, she hopped gracefully from one little island to another, not stepping into the water, "This is the last time that I let you talk me into doing this, Strider!"

"Calm down my friend, you remember what happens when you get angry." Estel tried to soothe her.

Kevaline turned her head as she heard Merry grumbling, "What do they eat when they can't get hobbit?"

Kevaline looked over at Yami to see him snapping his jaws at the insects that wouldn't leave him alone. *Bugger off! Just leave me alone!*

"They eat wolf and mortals," Kevaline smiled as the insects stayed away from her.

Kevaline sat by the pony during the night. She looked up as she heard Estel returning from his hunt. Her face went pale as she saw what he had caught. He had snagged a twelve-point buck. She looked at Yami who smacked his lips with his tongue. "Go ahead and eat my friend, you deserve it."

Yami thudded over to Estel, waiting for his piece of meat. *I thank you. I haven't eaten anything this nice in a long time.*

Kevaline shuddered as he got the meat ready to cook and gave Yami a piece of meat. She scooted farther away from the group, knowing that at sometime she would have talked to the deer.

Frodo looked at the shadowy figure of Kevaline, "Why doesn't she come over with us to eat?"

Estel turned to Kevaline to see her body shake with a silent sob. He then remembered, "What have I done?"

"You have caught us dinner!" Pippin smiled at him.

He shook his head, "No, you do not understand!" He sighed, "Tiger is very sensitive about deer, she doesn't kill them, she talks to them." He stood up and walked over to Kevaline. He tried to talk silently to her, "Kev, I am sorry. . ."

Kevaline pulled her cloak around her even more, "Don't say anything Estel, you were just trying to feed the hobbits. I will go without food tonight." She looked up to the sky, "Please just leave me be for now." She then fingered the pendant around her neck, starting to cry again, "I would have talked to that deer you know."

Estel nodded and turned, "As you wish."

As he left, Kevaline looked at the pony, "I guess it is just you and me boy."

"Why do you say that?"

Kevaline didn't turn, "Why have you come over here, Frodo?"

Fordo sat down beside her, "Well, I came to ask if I could look at you, without your hood up. I saw you at the inn, but it was only for a brief second. You seemed beautiful."

Kevaline turned to him, "You will not like what you see." She then pulled her hood down.

Frodo had never seen someone of such beauty. Her silver eyes had specks of gold in them and sometimes shifted to that of a feline's. He looked at her ears and gasped, "You are an elf!"

Kevaline quickly put her hood back up, "Do not utter that to anyone. . ."

"Does Strider know?" Frodo asked as he stood up.

Kevaline laughed, "Of course. He should, considering he was one of the first to know that I picked to be an elf. We have traveled with him for at least thirty years. I have lost track."

Kevaline sat away from the group, her silver eyes shining in the moonlight. She patted Yami as he fell asleep. She then looked at the pony, "Well, Bill, I guess I can talk to you know without looking stupid." Bill nodded his head, and Kevaline then heard Estel singing. She watched as Frodo sat up.

"Who is she?" Frodo asked, "This woman you sing of."

" 'Tis the lady of Luthien." Estel answered sadly, "The Elf-maiden who gave her love to Beren, a mortal."

"What happened to her?" Frodo asked, quieter.

"She died." Estel sadly stated. He turned to Frodo, "Get some sleep, Frodo."

Before Frodo closed his eyes, he looked over at Kevaline. Kevaline smiled to him and then looked down at Yami. She then whispered so Estel could only hear her, "You know that my secret is going to be blown as we get closer to Rivendell. I can't risk that Frodo now knows. Those Ringwraiths want more than just the ring, you know that. They have hunted us for too long. I shouldn't even be traveling with you anymore. I should be trying to get them away from you!"

"Do not worry, Kev, I will die before Sauron has you in his clutches." Estel answered her. He nodded, "You are a gift from the Valar, we need to keep you safe!"

The group stopped as they came over a hill. Kevaline walked father ahead of the group. Estel stared at some ruins on a hill, "This was the great watchtower of Amon Sul." He turned to the hobbits, "We shall rest here tonight."

As they reached a place where they were stopping for the night, and the hobbits unloaded their things, Kevaline strode up to Estel, "They ride behind us. They are close, I can feel their evil. Yami is unsettled."

"We shall keep watch then." Estel stated, knowing what Kevaline was getting at. He shook his head, "I will not push them on. They are tired and need rest."

Kevaline growled and turned to go, "You are putting the hobbits in grave danger! From the nazgul. . ." She lowered her voice so he could only hear, "and from me!"

"That is a danger I am willing to make!" He then turned to the hobbits and walked over to Bill. He then took a cloak that had something wrapped in it. He unwrapped it, showing little swords, "These are for you. Keep them close." He threw them to the hobbits, "I'm going to have a look around. . ."

"What about Tiger?" Merry asked, looking at Kevaline who was still staring down at the valley below.

"Tiger is going to have a look around as well. She will leave Yami here with you though. He shall protect you." Estel nodded, turning to Kevaline, "Stay here."

Kevaline didn't move from her spot. *Yami, protect them with your life.*

Yami bowed his head, his ears perking forward. *As you wish. I will not let them leave my sight.*

Kevaline then turned to leave, "Don't let them out of your sight. Follow them to death!" She then walked off, Estel following her. When they were out of ear and sight, Kevaline turned to Estel, "Estel, I am going to transform. . ."

"Kevaline that could be dangerous for you!" Estel argued.

Kevaline smiled and transformed, her white coat shining in the moonlight. She growled at him. *You see, it will make it easier for me to deal with these thing now. . .*

"Kevaline, I still don't know, I mean, what if the aftermath is horrible?" Estel looked worried.

*I have not had a horrible aftermath in thirty years! I will be fine, and if I do have a horrible aftermath, then I can just travel alone until it is done!* Kevaline started thudding off.

Estel sighed, defeated, "Fine, but don't tell me I didn't warn you!"

Later on that night, Kevaline was watching everything from a hill farther away. She growled as she saw the little fire the hobbits had made. She reached out with her mind. *Yami, where are you?*

When Yami answered her, he sounded angry. *I am here, sitting on the edge, watching for any movement.*

*Well, get those hobbits to put out the fire. They are going to attract the. . .* Kevaline started.

She stopped as she heard a screech that hurt her ears. She started bounding towards the watchtower. *Yami, don't get yourself killed!*

She heard Yami's howl. *They are here! Hurry Kevaline, I don't know how long I can fend these nazgul off!*

Kevaline roared, reaching out with her mind to Estel. *My friend, Frodo and the hobbits are in grave danger! You must get back to them!*

Kevaline bounded up the watchtower, reaching the very top. She roared, causing one of the nazgul to turn her way. It slashed at her with its sword. Kevaline bit at the sword, chomping down on it and causing it to shatter. She heard the hobbits yelling in fear about the nazgul and now her. She ignored them and focused on the Ringwraith in front of her. She lunged at her enemy, growling low in her throat.

The Ringwraith hit her head, trying to get her to get off it. She only snarled at it and slashed it. It then grabbed her throat, causing the growl that she was trying to get out sound horrible. She wriggled free and jumped away. She then thudded over to the hobbits, circling them to keep them safe. *Yami, where are you?*

Kevaline's ears perked up as she heard a growl. Yami lunged at the closest Ringwraith, growling more than Kevaline had. Another Ringwraith then decided to go after Frodo. It kicked Kevaline out of the way and then pushed the other hobbits out of the way as well. Kevaline watched as Frodo fell backwards. She felt the One Ring calling Frodo.

Kevaline roared and lunged for Frodo as he pulled out the ring and put it on. A Ringwraith lunged in front of her, stopping her from getting closer. Another one came up behind her, trapping her from an escape. She roared again as Estel jumped at one of the Ringwraiths. Kevaline looked at him and he nodded to her, "I will take care of these, go get Yami!"

Kevaline nodded and transformed back. She ran over to where Yami was. He looked into her eyes, *They just hurt my paw, I am alright.*

Kevaline nodded and then ran over to where Frodo had just appeared. She grinded her teeth at how much his screaming hurt her ears. She tried to quiet him down as Sam came running over.

Kevaline backed away from them as Estel got rid of the last Ringwraith. She shook uncontrollably. Yami had limped over to her. *Kevaline, the aftermath!*

Estel ran over to Frodo's side, checking his wound. He saw the blade that Frodo was stabbed by and picked it up, "He has been stabbed by a Morgul blade." The blade disappeared, and Estel threw the blade down. He then started to pick up Frodo, "This is beyond my skill to heal. He needs Elvish medicine." He then started to walk back to where they had camped. He looked at Kevaline, "Tiger, come!"

Kevaline nodded, but continued to shake as she followed him, Yami limping behind her, "Yes, Strider."

He whispered to her, "Try to hold back the urge. Wait until we are in Rivendell. Then Elrond may help you as well as Frodo."

Estel carried Frodo through the forest, a torch in his hand. The hobbits then followed and Yami and Kevaline brought up the rear. Kevaline was ghostly white, and was drenched in a cold sweat. She barely heard Estel as he turned to them and yelled, "Hurry!"

"We're six days from Rivendell! He'll never make it!" Sam yelled to Estel.

Kevaline was having a hard time keeping up with them. She was fighting a battle that she was loosing. She started to lag behind until Yami barked at her. *Kevaline keep running, we are almost there!*

As they stopped to rest, Kevaline started shake even more. She grabbed onto a tree for support as she felt the aftermath coming. She shook her head. She didn't hear a word anyone was saying. Estel quickly grabbed Merry and Pippin's arms as the tried to get close to her, "No, don't go near her!"

"But she might want to help find some Kingsfoil," Merry stated.

"She is fighting a battle like Frodo is, and she is loosing it. If you go near her, you could die of she looses it." Estel stated as he turned to look at Kevaline. She looked at him, her eyes constantly shifting from her original look to her tiger-eyes. He felt a pang of guilt as she looked at him, pleading with him to run.

She took a deep breath, "Run! Take them and Flee!" He shook his head, and Kevaline pleaded even more, "Please! Go before I do something I regret!"

Estel shook his head and turned to leave, "Stay there! Tiger, just hold on!"

Kevaline closed her eyes, trying to keep the aftermath from taking control. Even Yami stayed away from her. A voice rang through her head, a familiar one. *Kevaline! Kevaline hold on!*

She opened her eyes to see Clitus pawing at the ground, snorting at the hobbits. She was lifted off the ground and placed on Clitus's back. "Make sure she gets to Lord Elrond! Clitus, this is a life or death situation!" He patted Clitus's neck, "Keep her on your back my friend!" He looked down at Yami, "Be their look out! Follow them even to death!"

Clitus tossed his head and then started galloping off. He knew that it would only take him a little while to get Kevaline to the safety of Imladris, her home. *Hang on Kevaline, I will make sure you are back in Imladris soon!*

Yami howled. *There are two nazgul on your tail, Clitus!*

Clitus tossed his head as two black riders rode up along side of him. It grabbed at his mane, trying to make him stop so they could grab Kevaline. In a screeching voice that he could barely understand, the black riders called to Clitus, "Give us the Tiger of Imladris!"

Clitus turned his head and snapped at one of them. It pulled its hand back and screeched, "We will take her away from you!" It then sped up so that his horse galloped in front of Clitus.

Clitus tossed his head. *You will not take her from me! I will never allow you to take her!*

Clitus raced across the river and turned to snort at the black riders. They turned and raced back into the woods. Yami howled as he raced ahead of them, *Hurry, we must get Kevaline back to Imladris!*

On reaching the walls of Imladris, Clitus raced through them. Kevaline screamed an ear-piercing scream and fell off of Clitus as they reached the courtyard. She started to gasp for breath, "'Rond. . . Elrohir. . ."

Warriors came rushing out to her, Elrond among them, "Kevaline!"

"The. . .aftermath. . ." Kevaline continued to gasp for breath.

"You don't need to fight it anymore Kevaline, I am here," Elrond stated, rushing to her side. "Let it go. Let it take control, I am here."

Kevaline screamed yet again and transformed into her tiger look. She growled low in her throat, and her eyes narrowed. She took a step forward, licking her lips. She snarled at the nearest warriors and lunged at them, slashing. They backed away from her, not daring to attack her. Kevaline turned to Elrond who was eyeing her and started to inch closer to him. The warriors saw this and jumped in front of Elrond, hoping to keep him safe. Kevaline growled low in her throat, her eyes narrowing. She lunged at the closest warrior, pouncing on him. She licked her lips as she trapped him on the ground.

"Roar'!" Elrond yelled, making Kevaline stop in her tracks. He glared at her, "Don't you dare attack!"

Kevaline quickly transformed back, shaking, "'Rond. . ."

He placed his hand on her shoulder, "Roar' you are safe."

"Frodo. . ." Kevaline shook, "Frodo, he was stabbed by a Morgul blade! I can't help him, I can't go! Oh, 'Rond! I took a risk! I could have killed the hobbits!" Kevaline laid there, helpless as she was weakened by the aftermath, "I could have killed them!"

Elrond tried to quiet her, "Kevaline, it is alright. . ." He turned to Glorfindel who had rushed out to see her as well, "Take her to her and Elrohir's room. Let her rest. You know she needs it after the battle that she fought."

"Glor' what about Frodo?" Kevaline asked weakly as he picked her and started to carry her to her room.

"Do not worry about him right now. We will save him," Glorfindel answered her. He smiled as Kevaline fell asleep in his grasp.

Kevaline shot up in her bed, gasping for breath. She looked around, noticing that she was in her room that she shared with Elrohir. She laid back in the bed, "Frodo. . ."

"Is safe. He is sleeping."

Kevaline turned to the voice, sighing as she saw Elrond. She closed her eyes, "That is good news. . ."

Elrond smiled, "The other three hobbits keep asking about you. They want to know if you are safe."

Kevaline's eyes snapped opened, "Why do they want to know if I am safe?"

"It seems that Frodo told them that you were an elf on your travel here." Elrond answered her, "They want to see the fair face of the Elvin maiden known as Tiger in Bree."

Kevaline turned on her side and took a breath in. She smiled as she could still smell Elrohir, "You know, I miss your son. I wish to see my husband."

Elrond chuckled, "I bet you do." He turned to the door, smiling as the three hobbits were standing there, "She is awake, you can come in and see her."

Merry and Pippin ran into the room while Sam walked in quietly. They crowded around her bed, smiling at her. Merry nodded, "I am glad you are safe!"

Pippin nodded as well, "Yes, it is nice to see your face, not that hood that you kept up. Your are beautiful!"

Kevaline laughed lightly, the sound causing Elrond to smile, "I am sorry Master Hobbits, I am already taken. I am married to the best elf anyone could ask for. . ."

"Who would that be?" Sam asked shyly.

When Kevaline smiled at him, he blushed. Kevaline nodded to Elrond, "I am married to one of lord Elrond's sons. I am married to Elrohir. He is my heart as I am his." She tried to sit up, but fell back down, "Elrond, why can't I move?"

Elrond looked at her sadly, "I am sorry Kevaline, that aftermath took all of your strength when you fought it. You surprised me when Estel told me of how long you dealt with it."

"Kevaline. . ." Sam stated, saying her name, "That is a beautiful name."

Kevaline lowered her head, not wanting to talk, "You might not want to say that name around anyone. It might mean your death. Just call me Tiger or Tiger of Imladris. Only few call me by my real name."

"Why?" Pippin asked, intrigued.

Kevaline looked at her hands, "I have caused many deaths, more than I should have. Mortal men hate me, with an exceptional few. There are elves that wish me dead, but only a few. I am a gift from the Valar themselves." She took a deep breath, "My past life is of a woman that fought in the Last Alliance. She was a legend, and still is. My present life is one of mixed traits. I can talk to certain animals. I can call upon their aid when I am in need. I also have access to their memories." She smiled, "Did you know that Yami, the wolf that traveled with me, is over thirty years old?"

"But how?" Merry asked.

Kevaline nodded, "Clitus, the horse that you saw carry me here, is about thirty-three. They are two of the animals that hold dear in my heart. The have immortality like I do." She then laughed, startling the hobbits, "I come from another realm. I do not hail from Middle Earth. My mother brought me here about thirty years ago. My father was from here while my mother hailed from the realm I was in. I never had the chance to go back to that realm. My mother died from orcs in this realm." She then started to cry, making Elrond rush to her side, "Two of my friends from my realm somehow made their way to here, and we took them in. It was good to see them again, but that time with them was short. Both died from orcs. Both gave me gifts before they died. It has been hard for me, I have never really had friends like them, unless you count. . ." Kevaline then came back to her senses. She looked into Elrond's eyes, seeing the sadness in them, "I am alright now, I think I just needed to get that out of my system."

Elrond nodded, "Yes, Kevaline, it is alright now. You are safe."

Kevaline smiled and swung her feet around to get out of bed, "Yes, I am." She stood up, patting Sam's head, "Elrond, how is Estel?"

Elrond smiled, "He is fine, just worried that Elrohir is going to harm him because of your aftermath."

"What happened out there, Tiger?" Pippin asked, "You didn't help us when those Black Riders attacked us!"

Kevaline started to shake as she remembered every little detail of that fight, how her tiger instincts took over her. Elrond saw this. He nodded to the hobbit, "She was indeed there, in fact, from the story you have told me, she was right there in front of you, trying to protect you."

Merry thought about this, "Wait, she couldn't be. . ."

"Oh, but I was. I was the big feline that you saw. I was the white tiger that raced onto the scene just a few minutes after those 'Black Riders' as you would call them attacked you." Kevaline sighed, "That is one of the gifts I am gifted with. That is why Estel, or Strider, or Aragorn, whichever you want to call him, stopped you from coming close to me after that attack."

Elrond sighed, "Kevaline, I am glad you have finally come back to Imladris. . ."

"Talk to Estel about that!" Kevaline stated, trying to walk, "He is the one that thought we should just continue on, not go back! I was about to punch him a couple of times!" She took two steps and started to fall.

Elrond was at her side, keeping her from falling, "Thank you 'Rond." She then nodded, "I think my legs are working again." He let her go, and Kevaline walked two steps and then turned around, "Well, are you four just going to stand there, or are you going to come with me?"

Kevaline stood in Elrond's study, looking out the windows, "I hope Elrohir comes back soon. I miss him with all my heart. . ."

"As he misses you with all his heart," Elrond stated, coming into his study. He nodded to Kevaline who sat down, "Kevaline, I want you to know that you have improved in all these years. You have gotten better with the aftermath. The last time I saw you, you couldn't hold it off even for a day."

" 'Rond, it's been a long time since then. Of course I've gotten better. After that one incident when I was in Gondor, I had to get better." Kevaline stated, still looking out the window. She sighed, "As much as I love Imladris, my home, I love to travel. I just don't feel right sleeping inside walls and not outside on the ground with the stars and moon." She then looked him in the eyes, "I have come here today to ask you if I could borrow that book about the Tiger of Imladris."

"Of course you can borrow it. That is why I brought it to my study, I knew you loved to read it." Elrond chuckled.

Kevaline looked around the room, registering that something was missing, "Where is Yami?"

Elrond smiled, "He is safe. He is watching over the three hobbits, Merry, Pippin, and Sam."

Kevaline stood and bowed to Elrond, "Thank you 'Rond, I am ever grateful."

Elrond smiled as she then ran to him and hugged him, "I see you have lost none of your old ways."

Kevaline walked into the gardens, reading the book Elrond had given to her. She didn't notice that all the elves looked up from what they were doing to watch her intently. One voice made her look to see who it was. "Roar' what are you doing out of bed?"

Kevaline smiled as she saw it was Glorfindel, "Well, my lord, you see. . ." She couldn't stop her laughter from coming, "I can't seem all formal! Glor' I didn't want to be in bed, and 'Rond knew he wouldn't win if he tried to keep me in one."

Glorfindel smiled at her, "You do have a point there. I was all worried about you. You have slept for ten days. . ."

Kevaline dropped her book, "WHAT?" She took in a breath, "Ten days? I have been sleeping for that long?"

Glorfindel nodded to her, "Yes, you have. Elrond says it was because of how long you held off the aftermath." He picked up the book and gave it back to her, "Yami was going wild. We had to put him in charge of the hobbits to keep him busy." He smiled again, "I would be afraid to know how Elrohir would act if he ever found out. . ."

"That reminds me," Kevaline started, "Do you know when my husband is supposed to return?"

"He is supposedly to be returning tomorrow. Elladan and Elrohir sent us a messenger saying that they were going to return tomorrow if no problems arose." Glorfindel told her.

Kevaline laughed in joy, lunging at Glorfindel and hugging him strongly, "This is great! I finally get to see my husband after all these years!"

"Yes, and won't he be surprised to see you haven't changed your appearance!" Glorfindel laughed as well. He then pulled out of Kevaline's grip, "Well, if you do not mind, my lady, I will take my leave." He then walked off, leaving Kevaline staring off after him.

Kevaline smiled as she continued to walk through the gardens. Her head was sidetracked, thinking about seeing Elrohir again. She didn't notice when she ran into something small, "Oh, I am sorry. . ."

"Don't be Lady Kevaline. . ."

Kevaline looked down to see who she ran into. She shook her head, "No, Pippin, don't call me that!" She growled low in her throat, causing the elves around them to scoot away, know what could happen, "Don't call me 'Lady' or 'Kevaline'!"

One of the elves rushed over to them. He was dressed in a soldier's uniform, "Kev!"

Kevaline turned and stopped growling. She smiled as she recognized who it was, "Keehal!"

"Yes, Kev, it is I." Keehal laughed as he walked up to her. She grabbed him in a hug and he returned it, "It is good to see you again! I missed your shining face at breakfast every morning!"

Kevaline laughed, "So you still haven't found a maiden?"

Keehal blushed, "No, I haven't. No maiden is like you. Elrohir stole you from us. I know we stood no chance with you, but we all held you in our hearts."

"How has border patrol been without me?" Kevaline asked, blushing at his comment.

"Boring, but we have dealt with it." Keehal smiled. He let Kevaline go, "You scared all of us when you returned to us. And then you were out for ten days. We had started to worry greatly."

Kevaline smiled as he bowed and left, leaving her standing with Pippin. She smiled down at him, "Now Pippin, you can call me Kev, Tiger, or Tiger of Imladris. Do not utter my full name. It could get you killed if you say it outside of Rivendell's borders."

Pippin nodded, "Alright Tiger, I understand."

Kevaline kneeled down, "What brings you out here?"

Pippin smiled, "Well, Merry said that I should go find you. I now have done that!"

Kevaline laughed, "Now what?"

Pippin nodded, "Now you are to follow me. We are going back to the other two."

"What game is this?" Kevaline asked as she started to follow Pippin. "Pippin, where are you taking me?"

"To another garden!" Pippin smiled as he walked into another garden.

Kevaline stopped as a memory came back to her of that garden.

~*Memory*~

Andrew smiled up at her as she walked into the garden, "This garden seems to relax me Kev, I don't know why."

"I came to find you, I was told by Elrond that you will be put on the next border patrol. I wanted to see you before you left. . ." Kevaline started, sitting down beside him.

Andrew nodded, "Yes, I am glad you came to find me, I leave tomorrow." He then whispered, "And I won't see you again. . ."

"Why won't you see me again, Andrew?" Kevaline asked, worry in her voice.

Andrew looked up at her, shock in his face, "Damn you elf ears!"

"Is something going to happen Andrew?" Kevaline asked, grabbing his hand. "You can tell me. I need to know. I can't loose you!"

"Nothing, you just won't see me for a while because I am going on duty. Don't worry, we'll see each other again before I die. . ." Andrew stated.

"Andrew, what are you getting at? Are you going to die?" Kevaline asked, afraid of loosing him as well.

Andrew stood up, "Just forget about it, Kevaline, don't worry yourself. Go see Elrohir. He is probably looking for you." Then he quickly kissed her cheek, "That is to hold you off until we see each other again." And with that he ran out of the garden.

~*End of Memory*~

Pippin turned to Kevaline who was holing her right cheek, "Tiger, are you alright?"

Kevaline's eyes started to water with tears, "Yes, Pippin, I am fine."

"Tiger!" Merry yelled, running over to her, "Thank you for coming!"

Kevaline let her tears run down her face, feeling weak at the moment, "Hello, Merry."

Merry stopped running to her, "What is wrong?"

Kevaline bowed to them, "I am sorry, but I must leave you now. I must go talk to lord Elrond." With that, she ran out of the gardens, crying.

When she was inside, Glorfindel saw her crying. He rushed over to her, "What is wrong, Roar'?"

"I didn't think that coming here would bring back old memories that I don't want! Now I know why I stayed away from Imladris all those years. I didn't want to remember all those times I had failed my friends!" Kevaline cried, burying her face into Glorfindel's chest.

Estel walked in at that moment. He rushed over to them, "Kevaline, what is wrong?"

"I don't want to be here! I want to travel! I don't want to remember all the times that I failed them!" Kevaline cried. She shook her head, "I should have come back earlier! Then maybe it wouldn't be so hard!"

"I am sorry! I should have brought you back before this!" Estel stated, patting Kevaline's back, "I thought you didn't want to come back. . ."

"Andrew, he. . .He knew he was going to die when he went on border patrol!" Kevaline sobbed, "I remember when we sat out in the gardens. He said that that would be the last time we saw each other! He knew Estel! Do you know how much that hurts my heart! He knew and yet he still went!"

"He faced it with courage!" Estel urged her, rubbing Kevaline's back, trying to calm her, "We will never forget him!"

"They plague my dreams, they won't leave me alone!" Kevaline stated, calming down some, "They talk to me, just like you talk to me right now. They comfort me and help me when I am in a situation that I need help in!" She took a deep breath, "Thank you, both of you. I am alright now."

Both nodded, but stayed with her. She growled at them, and they backed off some. Estel looked at her, "Kevaline, I am glad to see you are alright. You frightened me when you slept for those ten days. I was afraid that I didn't get you quick enough here."

Kevaline turned to him and smiled, drying her tears, "Thank you Estel. . ." She then looked at Glorfindel, "What was Clitus doing out there? He should have been in the stables. . ."

"Clitus could sense you were close and in trouble. He broke out of his stall. He then raced off. We were certain that he would come back with you, which he did." Glorfindel answered her.

Kevaline nodded her head, "Well, I am glad that for once my horse has a bad ass attitude." She then turned to Estel, "Where is Frodo? I wish to see him."

Estel nodded, "Yes, follow me, I will take you to his room."

Kevaline walked into the room that Frodo was sleeping in. She walked quietly over to his bed, her face one of sadness, "If only I had been stronger, I could have stopped this from happening!"

"Don't blame yourself, Tiger of Imladris."

Kevaline turned to the door and smiled, "Gandalf!" She rushed to him and hugged him, "I have missed you."

Gandalf chuckled as he sat down in the chair beside Frodo's bed, "You haven't changed one bit since the last time I saw you."

"That isn't true. I have changed. I have gotten stronger and wiser," Kevaline smiled at him.

"I have to thank you, if you hadn't have been there, Frodo could have died. . ." Gandalf started.

"Thank Estel, he is the one that did it. I just caused complications." Kevaline sighed, turning away from them. She walked out of the room, mumbling to herself.

"She always blames stuff on herself, doesn't she?" Gandalf asked Estel.

"Yes, it could be Sauron's fault, and she would still balm it on herself." Estel nodded.

Kevaline awoke in the middle of the night, looking around the room, screaming, "Adam. . . Andrew!"

A few minutes later, Elrond and a couple guards came rushing into her room. Elrond then saw there was no danger. He turned to the guards, "Go back to your posts, it is safe." When they were out of the room, he sat on the bed by Kevaline, "What is wrong?"

"Andrew and Adam! They were in pain!" Kevaline gasped. She turned to face Elrond, " 'Rond, it was horrible!" She started to shake, "I watched them die, again! Again! I couldn't take it! The pain was real!"

Elrond rubbed her back, "It is alright, you are safe. Nothing is going to happen to you."

A half an hour later, Kevaline was sleeping again. Elrond sighed as he stood up, "Poor Kevaline, she will never have a full restful night unless she is with Elrohir."

Kevaline awoke the next morning, yawning. She quickly got dressed and headed down to the dinning room. On entering the dinning hall, she was met with smiles. She sat down in Elrohir's chair, knowing that he wasn't coming to breakfast because he wasn't there, " 'Rond, I am going to take Yami on a hunt today. He hasn't had one in a long time, and I think it will do me some good. . ."

Elrond turned to her, smiling, "Maybe you should wait until after lunch to go?"

"What do you know that you aren't telling me?" Kevaline asked warily. She then felt a warm presence farther off. She gasped, "Elrohir!"

Elrond nodded, "You sense him, do you not?"

Kevaline nodded and jumped up, "I want to go greet him!" She started to run out of the dinning room.

*Kevaline, stop!* Kevaline stopped dead in her tracks.

"Yami?" Kevaline asked, looking around for him.

*I am with the hobbits. You just need to settle down. I know how much you miss him, but try and keep your head.* Yami barked, causing Kevaline to smile.

Before she could react, Yami pounced on her. She started laughing, "You got me! After thirty years you finally got me!"

Yami then got off of her. *You aren't going anywhere without me!*

Kevaline searched the horizon, looking for any trace of Elrohir and Elladan's horses. She couldn't help but stare out. The guards on the gate chuckled at her, knowing that she desperately wanted to see Elrohir. They were patient with her, "My lady, I am sure they will be here soon."

Kevaline only let the warriors and Elladan and Elrohir call her lady. She relented and let Elrond call her a lady, but that was after hours of arguing.

Finally, Kevaline saw what she wanted to see, "There, on the horizon! I can see Alaquis! I can also see Kirkelan!" She jumped up and down, "Finally! It has been so long!"

One of the guards laughed, "My lady, you have been out here all morning staring off into the horizon, are you sure you are not seeing things?"

Kevaline turned towards him, sadness creeping into her silver eyes, "You mean that I am seeing things? They are not there?"

The guard's eyes went wide, fear for making her cry, "No, my lady! They are there, I was just trying to relax you from jumping off the wall!"

Kevaline smirked, "Well then, I am glad I am not seeing things!" She then turned and jumped off the wall, "But that doesn't stop me from jumping off the wall!" She landed gracefully on her feet, "I am after all the Tiger of Imladris!"

She ran out of the gates, wanting to meet Elrohir before a huge crowd got to him before she did. She heard Yami behind her, barking as he ran. Alaquis skidded to a halt as Elrohir looked at Kevaline. *I think it is her! It has to be Kevaline!*

"Alaquis! So good to see you again!" Kevaline yelled to the horse, telling her that it was indeed Kevaline.

Elrohir dismounted and grabbed Kevaline in an unbreakable hug, "Kevaline! Melamin! I have dreamt about seeing your face again!"

Kevaline hugged him back, not wanting to let him go, "Oh, Elrohir, it has been too long!" She started crying, "I have worried for you for the longest time!" She then kissed him, letting all her pent up love go.

After they broke the kiss, Elladan cleared his throat, "As much as I would love to watch this, let's get back inside the gates. You can then talk about all that you want to."

Kevaline laughed, "Get down here!" He did as he was told, and Kevaline grabbed him in a hug, "You two scared me on my travels! I could have lost my husband and my new found brother!" She smacked his arm playfully, "Ask Estel about how much I worried, he will tell you."

"I will," Elladan smiled, picking her up and throwing her to his brother, "Brother, I think this belongs to you."

Elrohir caught Kevaline as she screamed, not ready for the two to play a prank on her, "Yes, she is mine. Thank you for finding her." He walked over to Alaquis and put Kevaline on Alaquis's back. He then jumped up himself and looked down at Yami, "Yami, it is good to see you again my friend."

Elrohir and Elladan were surrounded by elves as they reached the gate. Kevaline stepped back, not wanting to intrude on anything. She turned and started to walk away, knowing that when Elrohir wanted to see her, he would come and find her. She didn't turn as she heard her name called, just thinking it was her imagination.

Elrohir moved out of the group of elves, excusing himself politely so he could find Kevaline. He ran to her retreating form, calling her name. He felt hurt as she didn't answer him. He ran to her side and picked her up, causing her to gasp. He smiled down at her, "Well now, why were you ignoring me?"

Kevaline snuggled even closer to his strong chest, "I thought I was imagining things." She put her face in his chest, "It has been such a long time since I have had attention like you give me."

He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating in his chest, "Melamin, you deserve the attention. Why hasn't anyone given you attention in these long years?"

Kevaline sighed, content at where she was, "They all thought I was male. I never let anyone see my face." She closed her eyes, feeling safe, "They would have killed me. . ."

Elrohir stopped dead in his tracks, "Why would they have killed you?"

Kevaline didn't open her eyes, "I have caused people pain in these past years. The aftermath is nothing to mess around with. It got out of control."

Elrohir continued walking, nodding as his wife rambled on. He reached his father's study, and set her down in a chair. He sat down on the arm of it, not wanting to be too far from her. A few minutes later, Elrond entered. He smiled at his son, "I see you have come back."

Elrohir nodded, "Yes father, I have. I just wanted to tell you that since you were busy and didn't have time to come and greet us." He bowed, "I see you have kept my wife safe since she has returned back to Imladris."

Kevaline laid her head on Elrohir's side, mumbling as she closed her eyes. Elrond smiled at his son, "She has been asking for you ever since she woke up." He answered his son's questioning look, "She fought off the aftermath, waiting until she got here. She then slept for ten days."

Elrohir ran his hand through Kevaline's hair, feeling horrible about his wife having to go through it all. She batted his hand away, yawning, "Stop it! I don't want to go to sleep!"

Elrohir chuckled as he stood up, pulling Kevaline up with him, "Well then, my wife, what do you want to do?"

Kevaline smiled wickedly, "I was going to go on a hunt with Yami, care to join me?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Elrohir asked as he started to walk out of the room with Kevaline. They headed to their room so Kevaline could get her weapons. He smiled, "It will be good to be beside you again."

Kevaline quickly grabbed her weapons and then they started to walk to the gate, knowing Yami stood there waiting for them. On reaching the gate, Yami thudded over to them. *I feel something is going to happen!*

Kevaline and Elrohir nodded and started out, walking into the woods. Kevaline looked at Elrohir, "So how has Tobie been?"

Elrohir smiled at her, "He has been fine. Very useful, let me tell you that. How has travels with Estel been?"

Kevaline giggled, "Well, you see, it has been very interesting." She paused for a moment, realizing that Yami had gone off somewhere without even telling them. She sighed, "Yami, where are you?"

A howl a little ways off told her. *I am over here. You two need some time alone. I want to give it to you, you let me have that deer meat, so I am returning the favor.*

Kevaline walked deeper into the forest, smiling as she felt free. Elrohir seemed to be distracted, and Kevaline stopped, "Elrohir, what is wrong?"

"Nothing," Elrohir shook his head, "I was just thinking."

Kevaline nodded, her thirty years with Estel racing through her head. She knew not to ask the Ranger what he was thinking about. She knew that Estel would give her a glare and then walk off to talk to himself. She smiled, "Alright, let's go, we have to catch up to Yami or he'll kill everything in this wood."

As the two reached a clearing, Elrohir smiled at Kevaline, "Now you seem to have something wrong. What is it?"

Kevaline shook her head, "It is nothing, just a feeling."

Elrohir took a step closer to her, "Is it a bad one?"

As Kevaline opened her mouth to answer, something came crashing down on her. The thing started yelling and wriggling around as Kevaline moaned underneath it. The thing turned out to be a young woman. She jumped off of Kevaline and started to inch away. Kevaline moaned as she sat up, "That would be it!" She then growled at the young woman, "Daro!" (Halt)

The young woman inched away even more. Kevaline growled even more and narrowed her eyes. Elrohir jumped in front of her and yelled at the young woman, "Daro!"

"What are you saying?" the young woman cried, falling backwards.

"Dina!" Kevaline snarled, her temper almost lost. (Be silent)

"I don't understand!" the young woman yelled even louder, "Speak a language I can understand!" She grabbed her pack that had fallen away from Kevaline.

Elrohir turned to Kevaline, "Melamin, no!"

Kevaline composed herself, "Who are you?"

"The question is, who are you?" the young woman sneered.

Elrohir grabbed Kevaline as her eyes shifted to that of a tiger's. He held her back as Kevaline tried to get to the girl. He glared at her, "You have no room to talk, you are trespassing on Rivendell lands!"

"I am not trespassing! These woods are owned by my brothers' friend! I played here since I was a child!" the girl shouted, causing Elrohir to cringe. She smiled, "So you are the ones that are trespassing!" She glared at Kevaline, "What are you doing here?"

"These lands are owned by lord Elrond! How did you get here?" Kevaline snarled again.

"Quit joking around! I can't be in Rivendell's lands! That is just a made up place that my brothers talked about all the time!" the young woman laughed. She shook her head, "Could you just point me in the direction of San Francisco?"

"Gondor?" Kevaline stated, shaking her head.

"Las Vegas?" the young woman suggested.

"Rohan? Mirkwood?" Kevaline growled.

"How about New York, everybody knows about New York?" the young woman tried.

Kevaline snarled, "How about the Shire? Lothlorien?"

"Alright, I'm going out on a limb. . . What about Hollywood?" the young woman asked, throwing her hands up in the air.

"A final attempt. . . Mordor?" Kevaline cringed.

The young woman's face lit up, "That name. . . Rings a bell!"

"A spy!" Elrohir yelled, Kevaline unsheathing her Elvin knife and holding it up to the young woman's throat.

"No, no! No spy! I am no spy! I am just a girl that is lost!" she yelled, trying to defend herself.

Kevaline growled low in her throat. She whistled, "Yami, get you ass here now!"

The young woman looked at her closely, "Do I know you?"

Kevaline dryly laughed, "I doubt it, unless I knew your brothers."

"My brothers hung around a girl named Kevaline all the time. She was like another sister to them!" the girl screamed at Kevaline.

Kevaline stopped her laughing and turned away from the girl, "What were their names?"

"Adam and Andrew. I loved them dearly! They disappeared a couple of years ago, same with Kevaline and her mother. The police gave up on the search, but I haven't! I will not stop until I see proof that they are dead!" the girl stated.

"What is your name?" Kevaline asked, settling down some.

"My name is Kimberly," the young woman answered.

Elrohir looked at Kevaline, trying to understand why his wife had reigned her anger so quickly at the girl. Kevaline nodded, "Yes, I have been waiting for you, Kimberly."

"Who are you?" Kimberly asked, glaring at Kevaline.

Kevaline smiled, seeing some of Andrew in her. She had the same eyes and the same color of hair. She bowed, "I am known as the Tiger of Imladris." She took a step towards Kimberly, "Please accompany me back to the palace."

Kimberly put her fists up, "Why should I trust you?"

Elrohir quickly notched an arrow in his bow and pointed it at Kimberly. Kevaline looked at him, glad to have him with her, "You have no other choice."

Yami came rushing into the clearing they were in, and Kimberly screamed, "Oh, my god! A wolf!" She continued to scream.

*Ugh! Make it stop! Make it stop! It hurts!* Yami howled.

Kevaline covered her ears, "Stop! He will not harm you!"

Kevaline walked back inside the gates of Rivendell. She glanced back to see Kimberly look at the sight before her eyes. Elrohir kept his bow ready, in case she tried to harm anyone. Yami growled. *I am going back to the hobbits!*

"Yes, please go check on Frodo for me, I wish to see if he has awakened." Kevaline told Yami as he ran off, going towards Frodo's quarters.

"Frodo. . ." Kimberly thought. She gasped, "Oh my! Andrew would die if he knew about this!"

"Follow me," Kevaline stated, leading her towards Elrond's study.

Kimberly readjusted her backpack on her back and then followed her. She looked back at Elrohir, "And who might you be handsome?"

Kevaline's growl startled Kimberly. Elrohir chuckled at how his wife had reacted, "I am lord Elrohir."

"So, you are one of Elrond's twin sons." Kimberly winked at him, "So where is your brother?"

"You shouldn't worry about where my son is."

Kimberly turned her head back to the front to see Elrond standing there, a hand on Kevaline's shoulder. Kevaline looked away from her, "I have faith that you will deal with her my lord."

With that said, Kevaline started to walk off down the hall. Elrohir ran after her, making Kimberly think that there was something with those two. Elrond looked at her, "What is your name, pen neth?" (little one)

"My name is Kimberly. I am in search of my two brothers." Kimberly bowed to him.

"What were their names?" Elrond asked.

Kimberly smiled, "First I just want to say that that Tiger of Imladris went a little pale when I said their names to her." She then got serious, "Their names were Adam and Andrew."

Elrond sat down at his desk, motioning for her to sit down in one of his chairs in his study, "Please sit." She did as she was told and stared at Elrond. Elrond sighed, "The reason the Tiger of Imladris did that was because she knows about your brothers. . ."

Kimberly stood up then, "Well, I have to go talk to her!"

Elrond shook his head, "You will do no such thing!"

"Why not?" Kimberly asked, "If she knows about my brothers, then she should tell me what she knows."

"The Tiger doesn't need to say anything to you!" Elrond crossly stated, "I will tell you about your brothers!"

"Where are they? I want to see them!" Kimberly quickly stated.

Elrond massaged his temples, "Kimberly, it is not easy to tell you this, but your brothers are dead. . ."

Kimberly shook her head, "No! I will not believe it! If they died, then what about their friend Kevaline, where is she?"

Elrond remembered that Kevaline had told him not to tell Kimberly who she was, "Why don't you go talk to the Tiger about that."

Kimberly walked through the gardens, being told by another elf that the Tiger was here. She took a deep breath and walked up to Kevaline, "Uh, Tiger of Imladris. . ."

Kevaline opened her eyes and looked at Kimberly, "What can I help you with?"

"I only have one question, then I will leave you alone," Kimberly stated, shifting uncomfortably, "What happened to my brothers' friend Kevaline?"

Kevaline had thought that she would ask about her. She had planned it all out. Kevaline took a deep breath, lowering her head, "Kevaline was a good fighter. She died thirty years ago. . ."

Kimberly turned from her, "Thank you for telling me. Now I know that my search was in vain. . ."

"You will see your brothers again." Kevaline stated, "They will come to you." She watched Kimberly walk away.

Kimberly sobbed silently as she walked back inside. Elladan was walking inside at the same moment. He quickly rushed to her side, "My lady, what is wrong?"

Kimberly looked up at him, "Get away from me Elrohir!"

Elladan chuckled, "I am sorry my lady, you have me mixed up with my brother. . . Did he cause you this pain?"

"No, the Tiger of Imladris did!" Kimberly cried.

"How so?" Elladan asked, helping her back inside.

Kimberly looked up at him, "Your father told me about my brothers' deaths, and then told me to go talk to the Tiger if I wanted to know about their friend. She told me Kevaline had died thirty years ago!"

Elladan drew back from her, "But. . ." He then shook his head, it was useless to think about the things Kevaline did, "The Tiger didn't want to hurt you, she is one of the prides of Imladris. She wouldn't dare to cause you pain." He walked with her, "Do you have a room?"

Kimberly shook her head, "No, I do not. I left before your father could give me one."

Elladan nodded, "Do not worry, let us go talk with him."

Kevaline sat in the garden, silent tears falling down her face. She looked up as she heard a little voice, "Tiger, what is wrong?"

Kevaline wiped her tears away, "Frodo, so good to see you up and moving!"

"Why were you crying?" Frodo asked, walking over to her.

Kevaline looked down at her feet as Frodo sat down on the bench with her, "I had to tell a girl of a death that I didn't want to."

"That is right, elves do not like death," Frodo stated, patting Kevaline's hand.

Kevaline looked up at Frodo, "You are a strong hobbit. I am honored that you talk to me."

"I am honored that a beautiful Elvin maiden like you would talk to me," Frodo blushed.

Kevaline laughed lightly, causing him to blush even more, "And to think that when you first met me, you thought I was a male that was too foul for your tastes!"

She stood, "Thank you Frodo, you have eased my mind." She then walked off to find Elrond.

Kevaline walked in on a conversation between Elrond, Kimberly and Elladan. Elrond shook his head, "No Kimberly, Kevaline didn't die! I am quite sure of that!"

Kevaline gagged as he said that. Her plan wasn't working very well. Elladan turned to see Kevaline standing in the doorway, "Ah, just the elf we were looking for!"

Kevaline turned to leave, but froze as Elrond spoke, "What is the meaning of this?" Kevaline turned around to face him, "Why did you tell Kimberly that **Kevaline** died thirty years ago?" He eyed her, trying to figure her reasoning behind saying that she had died.

Kevaline bowed her head, "I am sorry my lord. . ."

"Roar'!" Kevaline's head snapped up. Elrond was staring at her, his words stung, "You had no right to tell her that!"

Kevaline's anger swelled. Elrond could tell. She growled, "I had every right to tell her that 'Rond!"

Elladan looked down at Kimberly as she grabbed onto his tunic, afraid of what was going to happen. Elladan watched as Elrond glared at Kevaline, and Kevaline growled low in her throat. "Why didn't you tell her the truth?" Elrond asked, his voice raised.

Kevaline continued to growl, her eyes changing to those of a tiger's, "It is my story, my life! I tell who I want that I am alive!" She snarled, "I didn't want her to ask me about them! I didn't want to be hated! I want to get over their deaths! 'Rond, it was my fault! Both times!"

Kimberly dug her face into Elladan's chest, her tears drenching his tunic. He rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. He looked at his father, "Ada, not now. . ."

"Snag it Elladan!" Kevaline snarled even more.

Kimberly cried even more, and Kevaline couldn't take her crying. As Kimberly brought her head out of Elladan's chest, she saw Kevaline transform into the white tiger she always became. The tiger turned and raced out of the room, roaring.

Elrond ran to the door, "Roar'!"

Elladan looked at his father, "She has never acted like that! What is her relationship with this young woman that she wants to hide?"

"We can worry about that later, we now have to catch her before she attacks the next person she sees!" Elrond yelled, running out of the room.

Kimberly sobbed, "This can't be happening!"

Elladan rubbed her back, "Kimberly, what is your relationship to Kevaline?"

"She was my brothers' best friend! I was just the sister of Andrew." Kimberly cried.

"How old are you?" Elladan asked, trying to get her to calm down even more.

"I am now twenty." Kimberly stated proudly.

Elladan nodded, "Yes, so you are twenty and Andrew's younger sister."

Elrohir sighed as he stood out in the archery range. Kevaline had gone to talk to his father, and he had said that he would let her have peace with him. He froze as he heard a roar and then saw a familiar white and black blur jump into the archery range. He yelled to it, "Kevaline!"

Kevaline skidded to a halt and looked at Elrohir. She purred and thudded over to him. *I am glad to see you melamin.*

"Kevaline transform back!" Elrohir stated firmly to her. She did as she was told, looking down at the ground. He grabbed her in a hug, "Why?"

Kevaline started to cry, "I had an argument with your father about me telling Kimberly that I was dead. She asked me about myself and I told her that I was dead. I didn't want her talking to me at the moment!"

"Kevaline!"

Kevaline didn't turn towards the owner of the voice, "Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to you!"

Elrond put a hand on Kevaline's shoulder, "Kevaline, you have to tell her the truth. Her brothers have died. You are the only other person she knows here."

Kevaline stated shaking, "I have my reasons for telling her that!" She fell to her knees, "I made a promise to both of them that I would watch over her. I can't do that if she hangs around me until she dies. I am a wanted person, you know that! The mortals fear for what I could do to them!"

"Just tell her who you are," Elrond stated.

Kevaline walked into Elrond's study, looking down at the floor. She looked up as she heard laughing, "So Kevaline ran at you and you pushed her into the bathing pool?"

Elladan nodded, "Yes, and when she surfaced, she was fuming!"

Kimberly giggled even more from her place on Elladan's lap in a chair, "This is great!"

Elladan looked over to Kevaline, "It is about time!"

Kevaline bowed her head, "Kimberly, I am sorry I lied to you. . ."

"Where is Kevaline?" Kimberly asked, "You said you knew her. She actually looks like you, but she is human, not an elf. . ."

"Kimberly, I am Kevaline." Kevaline stated, not looking up. "My father was from Middle Earth. I was given the chance to become an elf, and I took it."

Kimberly shook her head from her spot on Elladan's lap, "Stop joking around! Stop the lies! Where is Kevaline?"

Elladan nodded his head, "Kimberly, that is Kevaline. Kevaline is right in front of your face."

Kimberly shook her head, "No, I don't believe it! This is just another lie that she is telling me!"

Kevaline turned as she heard her name, "Kevaline!"

"Hey Glor' what are you up to?" Kevaline giggled as he ran into the room.

"Kevaline, Elrohir told me to tell you that when you are done, you are to meet him down in the dinning hall." Glorfindel smiled.

"See Kimberly, she is Kevaline. She can not change who she is, even though she tries all the time." Elladan stated, wiping a strand of hair out of her face.

Kevaline smiled at Elladan, talking to him in elvish, 'Elladan have you found yourself someone? She seems like your type.'

Elladan glared at her, ready to answer, but Kimberly stopped him, "Elladan, what did she say to make you angry?"

"I am not angry!" Elladan growled.

Kimberly shook her head, "You are, your muscles are all tense like you are getting ready to attack someone!"

Elladan seemed to relax then, letting out a sigh, "I am not. I am sorry if I frightened you." He wrapped his arms around her, trapping her where she was, "See, I am fine."

Kevaline turned, "Kimberly, if he starts to call you melamin, come to me. I wish to know."

When she was gone, Kimberly looked at Elladan, "What does melamin mean?"

Elladan smiled at her, "Do not worry. That is something you don't need to know about right now, but in time you will need to know."

Kevaline sat down in Elrohir's seat, forgetting that he had returned. She then closed her eyes, taking in the day's events. She tensed as she remembered her argument with Elrond. She gasped as she felt hands on her shoulders. "Melamin, why are you sitting in my chair?"

Kevaline relaxed, knowing that she was safe, "I usually sit here when you aren't here. I like sitting in your chair, it reminds me of you."

Elrohir sat down in her chair, not wanting to make her move, "Fine then, you may sit there." He then slid his drink down to her, "Here, drink this, you will feel better."

Kevaline took it and drank it without even asking what it was. She then closed her eyes, "Elrohir, I am going to make you regret ever giving me that wine!"

Elrohir chuckled, "The last time you said that to me was our wedding night."

"Yes, I haven't had any wine since then!" Kevaline stated, opening her eyes. She gasped as she saw Kimberly walk in with Elladan, hanging on his arm. She watched as Kimberly sat down beside Elladan and started to talk to him. "No, not what I wanted to happen!" Kevaline moaned.

Elrohir looked over at the two, "Well, what do we have here?"

Elrond sat down beside Kevaline, whispering to her, "There is to be a secret council tomorrow, I wish for you to attend. . ."

"As what 'Rond? A friend? The Tiger of Imladris? Elrohir's wife? Or a lady?" Kevaline asked, whispering back to him as well.

"All of them if it pleases you," Elrond chuckled.

"All except the lady!" Kevaline smiled.

Elrond got serious, "Kevaline, I wish for you to watch over Kimberly. . ."

Kevaline shook her head, "Put her under Elladan's watch. I can't watch over her, I have too much to do to watch over some mortal. . ."

"Is that so, Kevaline?" Elladan laughed, "Or is it that you want me to watch over her for a different reason?"

"Kimberly, has he started to call you melamin?" Kevaline smiled at her.

"No, he hasn't! And so what if he has? Why would you care?" Kimberly snapped at Kevaline.

Kevaline felt hurt at Kimberly's words. She grabbed her cup and drained it, much to the amusement of Elrohir and Elladan. She then filled it up again. She didn't look at Kimberly as she drained another cup. Elrohir started to worry, "Melamin, maybe you should stop?"

Kevaline closed her eyes, "I can never have a peaceful life! Maybe I should go live with father." She then stood up, "I am sorry, my lord, but I must leave. I must clear my head with some fresh air."

Kevaline stood out in the gardens, hating herself. She tensed as she was grabbed in a hug from behind. "My, something is very wrong with you."

"Elrohir, did you hear what she said to me?" Kevaline stated, "She acted out of hatred. Her words stung."

Elrohir shook his head as both of them sat down on a bench, "No, melamin, don't think such thoughts."

Kevaline shook her head, "I shouldn't have had those three cups of wine."

Elrohir chuckled, "You deserved it." He kissed her cheek, "Kevaline, it has been thirty long years without you."

"Yes, I know." Kevaline nodded, smiling as Elrohir stood up. She looked up at him, "Where are you off to now?"

"To bed, I must rest from my ride and day. My wife loves to tire me out." Elrohir chuckled as he pulled Kevaline with him.

Kevaline awoke the next morning to the soft sound of Elrohir as he got out of bed. She turned to see what bothered him, "Melamin, what ails you?"

Elrohir turned to face her, "Kevaline, go back to sleep, it is still early. . ."

"I can not go to sleep without you by my side." Kevaline admitted to him. She got out of bed as well, quickly dressing, "What ails you?"

Elrohir sighed, "Your pain."

Kevaline stopped her humming and looked at him, "What are you talking about?"

"Melamin, we share a bond, I can feel you pain. It is because of Kimberly, I can tell." Elrohir told her.

Kevaline shook her head as she walked out of the room, "I am going to speak with your father, go get something to eat."

Kevaline sat down in Elrond's study, knowing that he would come in any moment and start talking to her. As she sat there, she thought about her thirty years of travel with Estel. What she had done and how she had paid for it.

~*Memory*~

Kevaline growled low in her throat as orcs surrounded Estel and her. Estel unsheathed his sword and glared at the orcs. Kevaline looked at Estel with a sad look, "I am sorry my friend, I didn't think there was so many!"

"Do not blame yourself, Kevaline, you only wanted that village to be safe," Estel stated, not taking his eyes off of the orcs.

Kevaline took a step back from Estel, snarling, "I don't care what you say, but I am transforming!" She then transformed, startling the orcs that had surrounded the two. She licked her lips in satisfaction, knowing that she could defeat half of them without breaking a sweat. She then lunged at the closest of the orcs, severing its throat with one swipe of her claws. She then circled around when she felt something grab her tail. She bit the orc's throat, causing it to drop dead.

"Kevaline!" Estel yelled, getting her attention. When she turned, she jumped to the side as an orc's gruesome sword came swiping down where her head used to be. "You can not do this alone my friend!" He then swung his sword, beheading four orcs on a row, "And I will not allow you to!" He dodged orc attacks, "You have already been through a lot! I will not let you be taken for their evil plots!"

~*End of Memory*~

Kevaline came back to reality when she heard Gandalf and Elrond's voices. "His strength returns," Elrond stated, looking out the window.

Gandalf stood beside him, "That wound will never fully heal. He will carry it the rest of his life."

Elrond turned away from the window and looked at Kevaline, "And yet to have come so far still bearing the ring the hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil."

Gandalf stood where he was, "It is a burden he should never have had to bear. We can ask no more of Frodo."

Elrond walked towards Kevaline, "Gandalf, the enemy is moving." He turned back to Gandalf, "Sauron's forces are massing in the East. His eye is fixed on Rivendell." He stared Gandalf in the eye, "And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us." He lowed his voice, "Our list of allies grows thin."

Kevaline sat up in her chair, not believing what she heard. She looked at Gandalf, "Is this true? Is what 'Rond saying true?"

Gandalf lowered his head and then looked back at Kevaline, "His treachery runs deeper than what you know." He started to walk towards Elrond, "By foul craft, Saruman has crossed orcs with goblin-men." He stopped in front of Elrond who was standing protectively in front of Kevaline, "He's breathing an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance at speed." He looked at Kevaline who was shocked, "Saruman is coming for the Ring and you."

"The Ring's evil cannot be concealed by the power of the elves, but Kevaline can!" Elrond whispered to Gandalf in hopes that Kevaline wouldn't hear, "We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!" Gandalf walked away from Elrond, back over to the windows. Elrond watched him, ignoring that Kevaline had stood up as well and was walking with him, "Gandalf. . . The Ring cannot stay here." He looked at Kevaline, "But Kevaline can. She is one of us, but the Ring is evil."

Gandalf turned and looked out the window, Kevaline following his lead. She watched as a man came galloping in on a brown horse, looking around. She was brought to a smile as Legolas came galloping through the gates with three elves behind him. She watched as he dismounted and looked around. She didn't turn her head as Elrond started to speak again, "This peril belongs to all Middle Earth. They must decide now how to end it." Kevaline frowned as she saw a group of dwarves walk through the gates. Elrond walked over to them, "The time of the elves is over. My people are leaving these shores." Kevaline looked up at him, worry in her silver eyes. He nodded to her, "Who will you look to when we've gone? The dwarves?" Kevaline frowned even more, and Elrond continued on, "They hide in their mountains seeking riches. They care not for the troubles of others."

Kevaline nodded, "That is true."

Gandalf turned towards Elrond, "It is in men that we must place our hope."

Elrond turned, "Men?"

Kevaline looked at Gandalf, "Men?" She shook her head, "Then that hope will fade quickly!"

"Men are weak. The race of men is failing." Elrond stated, walking back into his study with Kevaline right beside him, "The blood of Numenor is all but spent, its pride and dignity forgotten."

Kevaline looked at Elrond as she sat down, "Men fear the smallest thing. Any thing that they do not understand they fear! They fear me with a passion! They want to kill me just because they cannot explain me!"

Elrond looked at Kevaline, "It is because of Men that the Ring survives. I was there, Gandalf. I was there three thousand years ago. . ."

Kevaline shuttered as she remembered the Last Alliance.

~*Memory*~

Aurora growled at the orcs that surrounded her, not letting her eyes stray too far from Elrond, Gil-galad, Thranduil, Celeborn, and the other elves that she had sworn to protect. She held onto the hilt of her Elvin knife, the knife that Glorfindel had given to her saying that he would always be by her then. "Glorfindel, this is for you!" Aurora yelled, unsheathing the knife and embedded it deep in an orc's throat and then pulled it out again. The orcs chose that time to attack her. She spun around, bringing her knife out so that it could slash at the orcs.

"Roar'!"

Aurora stopped her spinning, looking in the direction of the voice. She screamed at the sight, "Thranduil! Behind you!" She lunged over to him, pushing him out of the way as an orc swung his sword.

Thranduil nodded to her, helping her up quickly and handed her knife to her, "Thank you my friend, I would have been dead."

Aurora nodded and started to kill the orcs around them. She yelled to the soldiers around them as orcs started to attack her only, "Aid, I need some aid!"

"My Lady!" A soldier yelled as he sliced through an orc to get to her. He nodded to her, "My Lady, are you alright?"

Aurora nodded, running off toward Elrond, "I am fine, I was not harmed." She then spotted an orc running at Elrond, intent to run him through. "NO! 'Rond!" She ran towards him, trying to beat the orc.

Elrond turned to her, and started to run to her. When reaching her, he brought her into an unbreakable hug, "Aurora, what is wrong?"

Aurora pulled out of his grip and quickly transformed. She then slashed the orc that ran at the two of them. *Please be careful, you scared me to death. I am glad that you think about us during the battle, but please don not let your mind stray.* She rubbed up against him. *'Rond, be careful, I can't live without you!* She then raced off, taking down any enemy that got in her way.

Aurora snarled as Sauron appeared in front of them. She growled even more as he started to attack elves and men alike. She had not heard from any of her friends for about three hours. She rushed out to meet him, growling as she approached him. He swiped at her with his mace, but she jumped up on it and then lunged at his face. He grabbed her around the neck with his other free hand. He then threw her away from him. Aurora watched as Isildur cut the ring from Sauron's hand.

Aurora ran backwards, trying to get to Elrond. She could sense where he was and so she headed in that direction. The wave that erupted from Sauron made her fly seventy-five feet. Aurora fell, shaking her head. Elrond ran to her and helped her stand up, "Aurora, are you alright?"

Aurora blinked her eyes, "I am not quite sure, I felt Gil-galad's force fade. . . Where is he? 'Rond, where is he?"

Elrond shook his head, "Not now Aurora." He started walking off towards Isildur, "Come." He walked over to Isildur, Aurora right behind him, "Isildur, hurry. Follow me!"

Aurora kept behind Isildur as Elrond lead them into Mount Doom. Elrond turned back to Isildur, "Cast it into the fire!" Aurora watched as Isildur looked at the ring. Elrond called to him, "Destroy it!"

Isildur looked him in the eye, an evil look there, "No." He then turned, Aurora blocking his exit, "Move, woman!"

Aurora shook her head, "Cast it into the fire! Destroy it! It is evil! It must be destroyed!"

He shook his head, "No!"

Aurora growled, "Then you give me no choice!" She transformed into her tiger look and lunged on Isildur. He glared at her and wrestled her. He flung her off of him, slamming her into the wall. He smirked at her, "A female could never beat me at anything!" He then walked out.

Aurora stood up, her legs wobbly. She then walked over to Elrond and transformed back. She put her hand on Elrond's cheek, "'Rond, please, it wasn't your fault!" He didn't move, and finally Aurora put him on her back and transformed into the white tiger. She then thudded out of Mount Doom.

~*End of Memory*~

Kevaline came back to reality when she heard Elrond state, "It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure."

Elrond felt Kevaline's hand on the shirtsleeve of his tunic, and turned to her, "Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken." He then turned to Gandalf, "There's no strength left in the world of men." He frowned as Kevaline let him go and stood up, coming to stand at a window, "They're scattered, divided, leaderless."

Kevaline turned from the window to look at Elrond. Gandalf didn't change his emotionless face, "There is one who can unite them. One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."

Elrond frowned even more, not happy with what Gandalf had just said, "He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile."

Kevaline turned to Gandalf, "He doesn't wish to walk down that path! He wishes to walk down the path that he has chosen! I have done the same! Leave him be!" She turned to Elrond, "I am sorry, 'Rond, but I cannot stand to listen to this any more. I am leaving!" She then walked out, not stopping as Elrond and Gandalf called to her.

Kevaline walked down the hallway, growling to herself. She wasn't watching where she was going, not caring if anyone ran into her. She turned on her heel and snarled as someone grabbed her shoulder, "What the Hell do you want?"

Legolas stood there, not fazed by her attitude, "Well, it seems that someone has gotten on your nerves."

Kevaline was brought to a smile at this and hugged Legolas strongly, "Oh, Legolas, it has been a long thirty years! I have missed you my friend!"

Legolas hugged her back, laughing lightly, "Yes, I have missed you as well." He brought her out to arm's length and kissed her forehead, "Well, my little sister, what has your travels been like?"

Kevaline giggled, "Ever since I came to Mirkwood, you have been calling me that." She nodded to him, "They have been eventful. . ."

"They must have been, you are wanted in Gondor! What did you do to make such ruckus?" Legolas regarded her.

"What have we here?" Kimberly asked as she ran into them in the hallway, "So is this your one love that you found here?"

Legolas looked startled, not ready for the attack. Kevaline blushed, "No! He is not! He is just a close friend!"

"Kevaline is right, I am not her love. She is like a little sister to me." Legolas shyly stated.

Kimberly smiled, "Oh, pretty!" She took a step closer to Legolas, "You must be Prince Legolas! Though you aren't as pretty as Elladan!"

Legolas nodded, "Yes, I am, and you are?"

Kimberly beamed at the attention she was getting, "I am Kimberly, Adam and Andrew's little sister!"

Legolas's smile died away, "I see. . ."

"Leggy, you missed your opportunity then!" Kimberly laughed.

"Leggy?" Legolas looked at her.

Kevaline shook her head, "She makes nicknames for everyone, don't worry about it." She nodded to him, "I will see you later, my friend." She then walked away with Kimberly.

"Kevaline, how do you like the nickname I gave Legolas?" Kimberly smiled.

"You always did pick fluffy names for Legolas. Andrew told me all about it." Kevaline chuckled. She then looked to the side at Kimberly, "Andrew told me that you named him Weggy once!"

Kimberly nodded, "Yes, I named him that because he is a cutie when it comes to protecting the fellowship!" She then got serious, "Kevaline could you tell me about my two brothers? Tell me how they were while in Middle Earth!"

Kevaline turned away from Kimberly, "I do not wish to talk about that. I do not wish to talk about the two that I failed." She sighed, "Follow me, I am going to the library. . ."

"Now isn't a time to read!" Kimberly yelled.

Kimberly followed Kevaline into the library, shaking her head. Kevaline ran her hand down one of the rows of books, "Where is it?"

"Will you listen to me?" Kimberly shouted, causing some of the elves in there to look over at her, shock filling their faces. "Why are we trying to find a book!"

Kevaline smiled, pulling a book from the shelf, "Aha! I have found it!" She walked over to a table, "I thought that 'Rond had someone write a book, but I didn't think it would have been done for another fifty years!"

Kimberly raced over to Kevaline, "What are you talking about?"

Kevaline opened the book, "This is the story of Andrew and Adam while they were in Middle Earth." She turned through the pages, gasping as she came upon a portrait of the two standing together, in back of Kevaline. She blinked back tears, "I didn't think 'Rond would put this picture up for everyone to see, I was wondering why he had us pose for the artist."

Kimberly looked at the picture closely. She saw her two brothers smiling as they stood in back of Kevaline, pulling her hair behind her ears so that you could see her pointed ears. Kimberly took the book from Kevaline, "I am taking this book!"

Kevaline nodded, "Yes, go right ahead. No one is going to stop you, I will make sure of that." She then turned to leave, "Now if you excuse me, I have to get ready for an important. . ."

"Council!" Kimberly smiled, bounding behind her, "I get to go!"

Kevaline rolled her eyes, "Who gave you permission?"

Kimberly beamed with pride, "Lord Elrond himself! He said that since I knew about the ring, I might as well join in the council."

Kevaline stood beside where Elrond was seated, looking out at every person that had come. She shifted her weight, unsure of the whole thing. Elrond put his hand on her arm, "Settle down, Tiger of Imladris, we are to start soon."

"I am sorry my lord," Kevaline stated, bowing, "I have just been thinking about the Last Alliance." She then smiled, "Please proceed."

"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor.Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." Elrond started.

Frodo did as he was told, putting the Ring on the little table in the front of Elrond. Kevaline closed her eyes as Frodo walked back to his chair. She then opened her eyes, glaring at the Ring in such a way that startled even Elrond himself.

She glanced at a human sitting on the opposite side of the council as he leaned forward in his chair and spoke, "So it is true."

Kevaline turned her attention over to Kimberly who was sitting by Estel. She was shaking her head, looking like she was trying to clear her mind. Kevaline brought her attention back to the human as he stood up, "In a dream. . . I saw the eastern sky grow dark. . . but in the West a pale light lingered." He was slowly walking towards the Ring, stretching his hand out, "A voice was crying: 'Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's bane is found.' Isildur's bane."

Kevaline growled low in her throat as she started to run to the table, in attempts to stop the man from getting the Ring. Elrond stood, "Boromir!"

Gandalf stood at the same moment and started to chant something. Kevaline snarled and quickly transformed into the white tiger and started to circle the little table as it got dark out. She thought that she could stop anyone who attempted to try and touch the Ring. As she looked over at Elrond, she saw a look of pain cross his face as he put a hand to his forehead and step back. She then looked at Legolas to see him close his eyes and lean back in his chair. She stole a glance at Kimberly to see her crouched behind her chair, shaking from fright.

Boromir sat back in his chair, looking around. Elrond lowered his hand and looked at Gandalf, "Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris!"

Kevaline roared as she continued to circle the table, her hair standing on end. She could feel the evil radiating from the Ring and wished it to go away. Gandalf looked from her to Elrond, "I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. . .for the black speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!" He started to walk around the council, looking at everyone and then finally patting Kevaline on the head, "The Ring is altogether evil. Kevaline can even sense it."

Kevaline looked at Elrond with her silver eyes, and he nodded to her. She transformed back and then walked over to her place beside him, standing. She whispered to him, "I am sorry, my friend."

Boromir shook his head, "It is a gift!"

Kimberly snorted from her seat, "It is gay!"

Boromir glared at her, "A gift to the foes of Mordor." He stood up, "Why not use this Ring?" He started to walk around, "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him." He then looked finally over at Kevaline and a huge frown appeared on his face.

Estel spoke in there, "You cannot wield it. None of us can." Boromir turned to Estel, and he continued, "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

Kevaline nodded to Elrond and walked over to Estel, standing beside his chair. Boromir glared even more at this, "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?"

Kevaline growled, "I see that you have no room to talk on these matters!"

Boromir set an icy glare on her, "Don't talk, Tiger! You are one of the reasons I was sent here! You are wanted in Gondor for murder!" He asked again, "And I still want to know, what would a Ranger know of this matter?"

Legolas stood up, glaring at Boromir with hate in his eyes at how he had treated Kevaline, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir turned back to Estel, "Aragorn. This is Isildur's heir?"

"An heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas stated, still standing.

Estel shook his hand and his head, "Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas)

Kevaline nodded, "Uma, Legolas, seas."(Yes, Legolas, please)

Boromir turned back to Legolas, "Gondor has no king." He then turned to Estel and Kevaline as he walked back to his chair, "Gondor needs no king."

Kevaline started to walk over to Boromir, growling. Elrond knew that nothing good could happen from this whole thing if Kevaline was allowed to attack Boromir. He looked at Estel who nodded and grabbed her. Estel pulled her back, "Go over and stand by lord Elrond!"

Kevaline did as she was told, grumbling about it all. Gandalf sat where he was, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."

Elrond stood up, glancing at Kevaline from the corner of his eye, "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."

A dwarf grumbled, "What are we waiting for?" He then grabbed his ax and started to run to the Ring.

Kimberly mumbled under her breath, "Christmas!" The elves sitting by her chuckled a little bit and then stopped.

Kevaline jumped towards him, but was stopped by Elrond. The dwarf brought down his ax, and was flown backwards. Elrond stared at the dwarf, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade." He turned to Kevaline to see her face of torment. He then looked around at everyone, "It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the firey chasm from whence it came."

Kevaline moaned, "Just when I thought I would get through one thing without that stupid volcano being brought up into it! Now here it is again, haunting me to no return!" She looked around to see everyone staring at her. She shook her head, "I have been there before, and that is the last place you want to be!"

"And how would that be? You are but a lass of about twenty!" Gimli stated, eyeing her.

Legolas rolled his eyes but didn't say a thing, Elrond smiled, "This is Kevaline. She is wise and is more than twenty. She is an old friend from the Last Alliance reborn."

Kevaline growled at Gimli, "I am not twenty! If you want to get technical, then I would have to say that I am two thousand fifty six, give or take a couple of years!"

Elrond quieted her, "Now to get back to what I was saying, one of you must do this."

Boromir put his hand to his forehead, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that doesn't sleep. The Great Eye is ever watchful." His put his hand in front of him, "It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"

Legolas stood up quickly, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"

"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it!" Gimli yelled as he sat where he was.

Boromir stood up, "And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Kevaline strode forward, ignoring the glare that Boromir was giving her, "We would not fail!"

Gimli stood up, yelling, "I would be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" He still yelled, "No one trust an elf!"

Kevaline snarled at this and ran at him, not caring about the look that Elrond gave her, trying to plead with her not to attack. Everyone then stood up, arguing. Kimberly sat where she was with Estel, shaking her head, "This is not going to get us anywhere!"

Kevaline lunged at Gimli, snarling and showing her tiger teeth. Legolas grabbed her and stopped her from attacking the dwarf who was still yelling. Kevaline pulled at his grip, "Let Me Go!"

"No, my friend, because I am afraid of what you might do." Legolas replied to her.

"I won't kill him. . ." Kevaline started as Legolas let her go. Kevaline lunged on Gimli, slamming him to the ground, "Fast!" She started to punch him, "You are one of the most rude tempered. . . foul smelling. . ."

At that, Kimberly stood up, putting her hands in the air, "Wohoo! Go Kevaline! Kick his ass!" She ran over to the group that was arguing, yelling, "Smack Down Wrestling!" She looked at everyone, "I bet one hundred dollars that Kevaline beats him!"

Kevaline stopped her assault as she heard a small voice, "I will take it." She looked up to see who had said it. Her eyes fell on Frodo, "I will take it." She sat up on Gimli's stomach, listening to Frodo, "I will take the Ring to Mordor." Everyone stopped arguing and looked at him, "Though. . . I do not know the way."

Gandalf walked over to Frodo, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Kevaline punched Gimli one last time before getting off of him, "Frodo, I will come too. I have had experience in this sort of thing. I wish to get rid of the Ring more than anyone else here. You have the Tiger of Imladris on your side!" She jumped gracefully over to him, putting her hand on his head. She didn't look at Elrond, knowing that he would forbid her to go.

Estel stood up and walked over to him, "If by my life or death I can protect you. . .I will." He then kneeled down, "You have my sword."

Legolas walked over to Kevaline, winking at her, "And you have my bow."

"And my ax." Gimli stated as he walked over beside Legolas. Every now and then he would steal a glance at Kevaline, afraid that she would attack him again. When her eyes fell on him, he would start to twitch.

"You carry the fate of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir stated, walking over with the rest.

Kimberly pushed men and dwarves out of her way, "If you think I am going to let you just go out of here without me, then you are wrong!"

"Hey!" a voice yelled from the bushes.

Kevaline smiled at Elrond and whispered to him, "Sam was standing there the whole time. I didn't want you to kick him out. . . Oh, and Merry and Pippin are standing behind pillars."

"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" Sam yelled as he ran over to Frodo.

"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Elrond smiled.

"Oi! We're coming too!" Merry yelled, running out with Pippin, "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."

Pippin nodded, "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of. . . Mission. . . Quest. . .Thing!"

Kevaline couldn't control her laughter. As she laughed, Merry turned to Pippin, "Well, that rules you out, Pip!"

"Eleven companions. . ." Elrond started, looking at them all.

"Eleven?" Kevaline asked, controlling her laughing, "It's ten companions and one tag along!"

Kimberly looked around, "Where is the tag along?" She turned to Pippin, "Is it you? How 'bout Merry?" She then turned to Sam, pointing at him, "It's you, isn't it?!"

Kevaline shook her head as the newly formed fellowship had second thoughts about it all, "Do not worry, I will keep one eye on her at all times!"

Kimberly looked at Kevaline, "So wait, does that mean that I am the tag along?" She got a devious smile, looking at Legolas, "That isn't true, is it Leggy?"

Kevaline shook her head, apologizing to the fellowship, "I am sorry, but I cannot stop her, and this is the only way I will be able to do the promise that I made to my two friends."

The fellowship walked down the halls, Elrond with them. Kimberly ran in front of them, yelling, "Elladan!"

Elladan laughed as he caught her in a hug, "I t is good to see you too!"

Kimberly smiled, "I missed you!"

"But we were only separated for a couple of hours. . ." Elladan stated.

"It doesn't matter!" Kimberly stated.

Elladan looked up at the group, spotting Kevaline, "You didn't!"

Kevaline lowered her head, "I am sorry, I felt like I had to. Your father has already tried to get me to back out. I feel that I can help, I have been to Mordor before. I can make a difference!"

Kimberly nodded, "Yup, and I get to go as well!"

Elladan looked down at her, "What?" He shook his head, "I don't think that is a good idea!"

Kevaline nodded her head, "It is the only way that I can fulfill the promise that I made to Adam and Andrew. She has to come with us." Kevaline bowed, "I swear to you that I will bring her back safely. . ."

Elladan frowned, "Kevaline, Elrohir isn't going to like your decision one bit! I don't like it either, but if it is what you wish, then I will side with you. I don't agree with Kimberly going with you though! She has only come to Middle Earth, and she won't survive!"

Kimberly looked from Kevaline to Elladan and then did it again, "Is it true? Will I not survive?"

Kevaline let out a sigh, "Nothing is for sure, Kimberly, but then, you aren't what I expected from Earth. I suspected that Andrew and Adam's little sister would have toughened up since her brothers' disappearance."

Kimberly looked crossly at Kevaline, "What is that supposed to mean?"

Legolas chuckled from his spot beside Kevaline, "I think she means that you are weak and could be a hazard to us."

Kimberly glared at Legolas, "Well, I am sorry Leggy! I am tougher than what I appear to be!"

"Yeah, and I am not wanted on Gondor for murder!" Kevaline rolled her eyes, glaring at Boromir.

Boromir took a step towards Kevaline, "You killed innocent people! Of course you would be wanted in Gondor!"

"It wasn't my fault!" Kevaline yelled, waving her hand in the air.

"It was and you know it!" Boromir yelled right back at her.

Elrond stepped over to Kevaline, a frown upon his face, "You know nothing of what you speak!"

"I know of what I speak of! I watched her kill those people! I watched as she transformed and killed them!" Boromir stated, not backing down.

Legolas glared at Boromir, "Your eyes must have deceived you! The Tiger of Imladris would never kill an innocent!"

Kevaline lowered her head, "No, he is right. I killed them." Legolas turned to her, his eyes full of concern. Kevaline looked up, her eyes full of sadness that she had kept locked up for too long, "It was after Estel and I fought a pack of orcs. I'll admit that I was stupid for what I did during that fight, but it was all I could think about to save the village! I transformed! When we got back to the village, the aftermath occurred. I tried to get away from everyone, but a bunch of men followed me, not heeding the words of Estel to stay away. When it got unbearable, I let it take over. The men were terrified as I attacked them."

Elrond shook his head, "That was not of your own accord!"

"'Rond!" Kevaline yelled, startling him. He just stared at her, "I admit that it was my fault! Not once since that time have I ever set foot in Gondor again!"

"Now that you admit it, will you not run from the punishment?" Boromir stated icily.

Elladan let Kimberly go and strode over to him. He grabbed his shirt collar and picked him off of the ground, "I will not let you talk to my brother's wife that way! She is very dear to me! I will not stand around and let you torment her like you are!" He shook him, "She has been through more than anyone in Middle Earth should be put through! She is having a hard enough time as it is!"

He stopped as he heard a small voice, "Elladan, please stop. . . Please don't go into detail." He looked up to see Kevaline's tear stained face, "Please, I don't want to think about all the times I have failed in my new life! I failed them both, and they have paid the price, not me!"

Elladan dropped Boromir and turned to Kevaline, feeling guilty, "I am sorry, Kevaline, I didn't mean to harm you."

Legolas put a hand on Kevaline's shoulder along with Estel, "It is alright, Elladan, we will take care of it. . ."

"Elladan!" Elladan turned as he heard his name. Elrohir came running down the hall, "Why did you leave in the middle of our competition?" He then saw Kevaline's tear stained face, "What happened? Who made her cry?"

Elladan walked back over to Kimberly, "It was Boromir of Gondor!"

Elrohir turned to Boromir, glaring at him, "You will wish you had never set foot in. . ."

Kevaline shook her head, her tears running down her face even more, "No, don't Elrohir!" She lowered her voice, "You mustn't! He is part of the fellowship as I am, he is needed to help with our journey!"

Elrohir turned to Kevaline, "You joined?" Kevaline nodded, and Elrohir shook his head, "But we have just returned to each other! Now you must go off again!"

Kevaline hugged him, burying her face in his strong chest, "Amin hiraetha! I need to get ride of the ring! I failed the first time, I can't let it happen again!" (I am sorry)

Everyone standing there except for Kimberly, Elladan, Estel, Legolas, and Elrond blushed, feeling as thought they had walked in on a private moment between the two. Elrohir hugged her back, knowing that she would go even if he tied her up and locked her in their room, "Amin sinta." (I know) He rubbed her back in hopes of soothing her, "If you wish to do this, then I will not stop you. Just promise me that you will come back to me safely. I can't live without you!"

Elrond remembered when Aurora had said the same thing to him during the Last Alliance. He smiled. Kevaline brought her face out of his chest, "Uma, Elrohir. I promise I will return safely to you." She then let him go and backed away from him a step, "Besides, I will have Legolas watching my back and Estel watching my trail."

Merry smiled, "So, you are married?"

Pippin nodded, "Yes, I remember you telling us! So this is Elrohir! He seems very protective of you!"

Frodo walked over to Kevaline, "Tiger, what were you talking about when you said that you had failed them both?"

Kevaline's smiled disappeared as she looked down on the hobbit, "Well, Frodo, my two friends were found in Imladris about thirty years ago. We traveled to Lothlorien and then Estel took one of them on a trip with him to Mirkwood. He died from orcs there." She glanced at Legolas to see him struggling with himself to not frown, "Well, then my other friend was guarding Imladris's borders right after I had gotten married. Orcs attacked his group. He fought bravely, saving elves' lives. He was then killed before I could save him. What really made me feel bad was that I was there when he got attacked. I couldn't save him!" She took a deep breath, "He smiled at me before he passed on. He also gave me his wisdom and his strength before he passed on."

Elladan shook his head, "Kevaline, that wasn't your fault, I should have commanded Andrew to go on guard duty like I was supposed to. He was so determined to do border patrol. . ."

Kevaline shook her head, "He knew he was going to die, Elladan! He told me before he left! I couldn't save him, just like I couldn't save Adam! What about Kirin and Cleo? I couldn't save them as well!"

Gimli spoke up, "My lady, it couldn't have been your fault. The way you fight, it must have happened for a reason."

For the first time, Kevaline smiled at the dwarf, "You know master dwarf, that is the first comment I have gotten from someone other than my friends."

*Kevaline!* Kevaline turned as she heard her voice. Yami came bounding around the corner. *I heard that you are going on a trip to get rid of the Ring!* Kevaline nodded to him, and he barked. *I am coming as well! I wish to help you, and I would not leave you to die in the wilds with these men!*

Boromir glared at Yami, "What is a wolf doing here? He is dangerous!"

Kevaline glared at Boromir, but Kimberly surprised her by fending for Yami, "This is not a dangerous wolf! Well, not dangerous to Kevaline's friends! He is a wise and strong wolf!"

Kevaline glanced down at Yami. *How would she know all this?*

Elrohir smiled as he joined their conversation that the two were having in their minds. *She learned it from Elladan. He seems to have found someone.*

Kevaline giggled, causing everyone to look at her, "Elladan, I am glad you have found someone. She is a good one, trust me on that one!"

Elladan smiled, "I am relieved that you approve." He nodded, "I would have come to you and asked of you approved."

Kimberly grabbed Elladan in a great big hug, "You are mine, Elladan! No one else's!" She glared at a group of Elvin maidens walking by, yelling at them, "MINE! MINE! MINE!"

Kevaline almost couldn't control her laughter, "Kimberly, I don't think you should be that protective over him. . ."

Kimberly glared at Kevaline, "And why not?"

Kevaline watched as Elladan's face turned to one of pure joy, something she had not seen on his face since he had played tricks on everyone with Andrew. She smiled, "Because he is loved by others as well." She motioned to Elrohir, "Like his brother. . ."

When she opened her mouth to say that Elrond also love him, Elrond spoke up, "It seems that you have found yourself a lady, Elladan. She seems to be a good catch too."

Kevaline stood in the archery range, waiting with Elrohir for Elladan to bring Kimberly out so they could teach her how to use a bow. Kevaline turned to Elrohir, "Melamin, I just want you to know that I don't want to not be beside you. I would love to spend all my time around you, but the destruction of the Ring must come first, after that, we can live in peace!"

Elrohir smiled at her, his eyes twinkling, "I know. There is no need to tell me. I can feel it within your heart. I don't think your father will be too pleased to hear that his daughter is going on a mission that she might die from."

Their conversation stopped as Kimberly came skipping into the range, Elladan right behind her. Elladan nodded to Kevaline, "She is going to need all the help she can get."

Kevaline smiled, "That is why I am going to teach her while you two can give her pointers. She will learn quicker from me than anyone else in all of Imladris."

Kimberly jumped up and down, "Come on, I want to learn now!"

Kevaline shook her head, "Alright, alright!" She nodded to Elladan, "Now watch closely, maybe I won't have to teach you if you watch me." She quickly grabbed an arrow and set it to her bow, releasing it without a second's thought. It sunk deep into the target down on the other end of the range. She turned to Kimberly, "Did you see what I did?"

Kimberly tilted her head to one side, squinting her eyes, "Well, I saw some of it, but you did it too quickly!"

Kevaline smiled, "Soon you will be as fast as that if I am your teacher." She then walked over to a little table, picking up another bow. This one was brown with the tips gold. It had silver elvish writing all along the bow. She then turned back to Kimberly, "This is yours. . ."

"Kevaline, how did you get that bow?" Elladan asked.

Kevaline smiled mischievously, "It took a lot of work, but I got my way!"

"Kevaline, do you think it wise to let her use that bow?" Elrohir asked, looking to Kimberly's face of joy.

Kevaline nodded, "She deserves it!" She laughed, "Kimberly, think of it as a birthday gift."

"Wow! How did you know it was my birthday?" Kimberly asked, taking the bow from Kevaline.

"I have my sources!" Kevaline smiled, "Now, try and use it!"

Kimberly looked at Elladan and blushed, "I don't think that is a good idea, I mean, I. . ."

Elladan smiled and walked behind her, grabbing her hands and fitting them to the bow, "Here, I will help you." He then explained what to do, winking at her as he ended, "Now you should be alright. Just try."

Kimberly sighed, "Fine!" She pulled back the string of the bow and then let it go, praying that it would go far. She closed her eyes as it flew, afraid of what she would see.

She opened her eyes as she heard clapping. Kevaline was smiling at her, clapping along with Elladan and Elrohir, "Nicely done!" Kimberly looked down at the target and gasped, the arrow was on the outer rim of the bull's eye.

"But how?" Kimberly asked.

"I remember teaching you when you were ten. You wanted to be like the 'elf' that your brothers were friends with. You adored your time with me, but then you grew away from me when you got a new group of friends. You thought that I wasn't cool enough to be your hero. You thought I was too manly!" Kevaline laughed, reminding Kimberly of her time with her.

Kimberly smiled at the memories of her time with Kevaline. That was time that Kimberly had loved with her heart. Kevaline was very skillful with a bow. She remembered that her brothers had picked people from the fellowship that they would be and labeled Kevaline an elf. She remembered that her brothers had labeled her as no one in the group, her positive attitude not fitting anything. She had then dubbed herself just a fan girl.

~*Memory*~

Kevaline was standing with Kimberly in her archery range in her woods, "Kimberly, you are doing good!"

Kimberly stopped her shooting and smiled at Kevaline, "Thank you, Kevaline the elf!"

Before Kevaline could answer, Andrew and Adam arrived, "Aragorn and Legolas have arrived!"

Kevaline laughed, "I don't know why you call yourself Legolas, Adam, you can't shoot as well as him!"

Adam smiled, "I know, but I just love the elves!" He then nodded, "I see you are teaching our fan girl archery of the elves."

Kevaline nodded as she fit another arrow to her bow and shot it, faster than the eye could see, "Yes, I am. She is a fast learner. I admit that she has talent, but I just can't help her. I shoot too fast for her to see what I am doing. I can't slow down either. I tried once. . ."

"Yes, she did, and you know what?" Kimberly giggled.

"What Kimberly?" Andrew smiled at his smaller sister.

"She shot it twice as fast as she would regularly!" Kimberly giggled even more.

~*End of Memory*~

Kimberly smiled, "Yeah, you just became too manly for my tastes!" She laughed, "I remember when I asked you to wear a dress for me once, you went wild and punched a hole in your wall."

"And you became to lady like for my tastes!" Kevaline stated. She then nodded, "Now lets get back to your lessons!"

Kevaline sighed as she sat down in the dinning hall. Elrohir came and sat down beside her, "Kevaline, are you sure about this? I mean, if you back out of this everyone will still love you as much as they did before."

"If I back out, I must go to Gondor to repent for what I have done. I do not wish to leave you in this world with a broken heart. You would die." Kevaline closed her eyes.

"Legolas has told me that he doesn't want you to go. He says that he doesn't want to see you hurt." Elrohir stated, kissing her forehead.

"I will be fine!" Kevaline whined as she looked down at her food.

*Kevaline!* Kevaline chocked on her food. *I am going to have your hide when I get to you! If you think you are going without me then you are nuts!*

"Yami, I was going to bring you with me. You will have to watch over the hobbits!" Kevaline coughed as she swallowed the food that was in her mouth.

Kimberly sat in her room, reading the book she had gotten from the library. She never knew her brothers were that important to everyone. Of course she knew they were important to her, but everyone else just seemed to think that they were the two big boys on campus.

She closed the book as she heard yelling in the hallway. Being how she is, she decided to have a look and see who was arguing. What she saw shocked her.

Kevaline was thrown into a wall, three men surrounding her. She already had a bloody lip and her left eye was swollen shut. The men were glaring at her with such hatred that it mad Kimberly shudder.

Kevaline looked up at the men and then yelled, "They didn't listen! It was their own stupidity that killed them!"

One man stepped forward and kicked her in the stomach, "Shut up! Just because you are in Imladris doesn't mean you are surrounded by elves the entire day!"

Kevaline growled at him, "That doesn't mean that all of Imladris couldn't hear our argument!"

Kimberly ran out of her room, skidding in front of the three men, "Um excuse me. . ." They turned to her, and she smiled, "Is there a problem here?"

"Not of your concern. You may go back to what you were doing beforehand!" Another man yelled.

Kimberly backed away from him, her face scrunched up, "Eww, you need to eat a mint of something! You breath stinks!"

Kevaline sat where she was, mumbling, "That's it, keep them busy until help comes. I guess we taught you well."

Kimberly started coughing, "Oh, I think I'm going to be sick! When was the last time you brushed your teeth?"

At that moment, one of the men turned back to Kevaline and grabbed the front of her tunic. He picked her up off the ground and held her in mid- air, "You killed my brother!"

Kevaline couldn't take it anymore, "Help!"

Elladan, who had been coming to see Kimberly, came walking around the corner. He quickly heard Kevaline cry and ran, knowing that she wouldn't call for help lightly. He shoved into the man, causing him to go flying across the hall. He caught Kevaline before she could fall to the ground, "Kev, are you alright?"

Kimberly ran over to her, "Did I do good?"

Kevaline nodded, "Yes, you did good, Kimberly." She looked at Elladan, "Thank you my friend."

Elladan turned to the remaining two, "What business do you have attacking the Tiger of Imladris?"

"She is wanted for murder in Gondor!"

Elladan rolled his eyes, a habit he had got from Kevaline, "Your point? She is in Imladris, her home." He glared at the two, "She will be protected by my father until she dies!"

"Which will be soon if we have our way!"

"You will do no such thing!" A voice boomed.

Everyone turned to see Elrond standing with Gandalf, Elrohir beside the two. Gandalf strode over to the two men, his voice commanding, "If the One Ring is to be destroyed, the Tiger must live!"

Elrohir ran over to Kevaline, "What did they do to you?"

"Nothing I am not used to," Kevaline responded to him, smiling. She put her hand on his right cheek, trying to relax him, "Melamin, I am fine. They did not cause me too much pain."

Elrond looked at her, "Roar' what happened?"

Kevaline turned her attention to Elrond, "Well, 'Rond, I was out in the gardens talking to Legolas, but then these three came over to me, saying they wished to talk to me. I agreed, knowing something was amiss. I then came to Kimberly's room, knowing that if anything went wrong, she would hear our argument and come running to see what it was all about." She nodded to Kimberly, "She did as I thought, coming after I had yelled at the three, stating that every elf would harm them if they hurt me. They then replied by saying that they weren't going to hurt me, but kill me."

Elrond turned his gaze to the three humans, his look of disgust, "I should let Elrohir take care of you, he is less forgiving when it comes to Kevaline. He should have the right to kill you or harm you in anyway that he sees fit, but. . ." He looked at Kevaline's face, "Kevaline doesn't want anymore deaths if she has anything to do with it." He nodded to Elrohir, "Please take Kevaline to your room. I wish to talk with these three alone."

Kevaline sat down on the bed, "Elrohir, relax, please!"

"They could have killed you!" Elrohir stated, pacing.

"Do you really think that I would let a bunch of weak humans kill me?" Kevaline smiled.

Elrohir stopped his pacing, "I guess you are right."