Disclaimer: I do not own anything that Tolkien thought up, sadly, but I do own my characters.
A/N: Sorry I haven't been updating. School has been hectic, and I really haven't had any free time. Here is the next chapter, hope you like it.
01/27/04: NO SCHOOL! SNOWDAY! THIS IS SO GREAT! THE SECOND ONE IN A ROW!
Well, please remember to review, they keep me happy when school gets me down. Oh, and if you have friends, promote this story to them and tell them to review!
Chapter Eleven: Journey's StartThe fellowship stood in the courtyard, saying their goodbyes. Kevaline hugged Elrohir fiercely, crying lightly, "Elrohir, promise me that you will stay safe and that we will see each other again."
"I promise you, melamin." He smiled. He then let her go and looked at Yami, "I want you to keep an eye on her, don't let anything happen to her, understand?"
*I understand fully. Nothing will harm her as long as I am watching over her.* Yami barked.
Kimberly kissed Elladan, "I will miss you. . ."
"Return to me safely," Elladan sighed, hugging her again.
Kevaline went to stand over with Aragorn. Elrohir pulled Legolas off to the side, "I want you to make sure she is not harmed. Please my friend. I need her to survive."
"You have my word that she will return to you safely." Legolas nodded, grasping hands with Elrohir.
Before they left, Kevaline hugged Elrond, whispering to him, "'Rond, when we have left, please let Clitus go. He will know what to do. Put my saddle bags with him as well and stock them with healing herbs and potions, I have a feeling that I will need them." She raised her voice, "I will miss you. I will miss all of you."
Elrond talked to the fellowship before leaving. Then, they headed out towards their destination. Kevaline growled as Kimberly started counting trees.
"One, two, three, four. . ." Kimberly started, "Wait, I lost track. . . back track!" She quickly walked backwards and started again, "One, two, three, four, five, six. . ."
Kevaline rolled her eyes, "Kimberly, shut up!" She then mumbled, "I am going to be bored out of my mind before this journey ends!"
Legolas chuckled, "It was your idea to let her come with us!"
Kevaline growled, looking at Legolas, "You aren't helping me!"
Legolas shrugged, "Oh, well, when have I ever helped you?"
Kimberly giggled as she came back to stand by the two elves. Kevaline glared at her, "Why aren't you up front with the hobbits like I told you?"
"I thought that you and Weggy would need some company!"
It was Legolas' turn to glare, "Weggy?"
"Don't take it the wrong way!" Kimberly stated, "It is just the nickname I thought for you because you are so protective!"
Kevaline laughed at Legolas' stare, "You were saying my friend?" When he looked at her, she shook her head, "I will not help you either."
~**~
Kevaline stretched out as they stopped for a rest. She looked to Aragorn who just nodded to her. She then closed her eyes, keeping alert. She heard the quiet rustling of clothes and opened her eyes to be staring at Legolas' Elvin boots.
"It is alright, Kev, I will watch over you." Legolas smiled as she closed her eyes again.
Kevaline smiled, "I know you will, because Elrohir would have your hide if you didn't."
Gandalf looked over at her, "It seems that Kevaline is in need of some rest. . ."
Kevaline shot up into a sitting position, "No, I do not, I am just fine!"
*Relax, Kevaline, he was just pointing out that you look tired!* Yami growled as he watched Merry and Pippin sword fighting with Boromir.
Kevaline shrugged, "Fine, I will not show any emotion around anyone then!" She froze where she was, feeling an evil presence.
Legolas noticed this, "What is wrong?"
Kevaline growled, "Spies!" She looked out over the plain, "They are an animal! I can feel their presence!"
Kimberly smiled as she sat with Aragorn, "You know, Adam and Andrew always were into this stuff. They loved all of this with their hearts."
Aragorn smiled as he watched Pippin and Merry fighting Boromir. As Boromir started to get attacked by both of them, he stood up and started to walk over to them, "Gentlemen, that's enough."
Kimberly stood up as well, walking with him, "Hey now, you two, ever heard of fighting fair? I mean, I know that Boromir can be mean at times, but deep down, he is a good guy!" She then whistled, "Yami, come help us!"
Yami looked at Kevaline. *Kevaline, shall I?*
Kevaline waved her hand, "Go for it, Yami." Yami then raced over to Kimberly.
After she had said this, Merry and Pippin attacked both her and Aragorn. Boromir started laughing as both fell down, "Well it seems that you cared to join me!" Yami barked playfully and licked Kimberly's face.
Kimberly moaned as she rolled around, "I think I've broken something!"
Merry and Pippin quickly ran over to her, leaning over her, "Oh, we are sorry! We didn't mean to hurt you!"
At that moment, Kimberly grabbed the two of them and pulled them down along with her, laughing up a storm, "You fell for it!"
Legolas looked out at the horizon as Gimli stated to Sam that it was nothing but a wisp of cloud. Kevaline hissed to him, "Legolas, we have to hide!"
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas yelled, looking at the mass there.
Aragorn looked at Kimberly and then back, "Hide!"
Kevaline jumped up in a grace that was almost impossible and ran towards the hobbits, "Come on! Get to shelter!" She then saw Kimberly just standing there, too shocked to move, "Kimberly!" Kimberly looked at her, "Come on!"
Kimberly nodded and ran for shelter. Kevaline then looked around for a place to hide herself. Legolas motioned for her to hide with him, and she complied, pulling Yami with her.
All three watched as the crows flew around and then leave. After she was sure they were gone, Kevaline jumped out of the bush she was in, shaking her hair quickly to get any leaves out of it. Gandalf came out after her, looking at her, "Spies of Saruman." He came over beside her, "The passage south is being watched."
Kevaline moaned, watching as Kimberly started to shake her head, "This cannot be good if Kimberly is refusing to go places."
"We must take the Pass of Caradhras," Gandalf stated, looking up at the mountain.
Kevaline looked at Yami, "I was right, it isn't good!"
*Well, what did you expect? A walk through the woods?* Yami yawned.
Kevaline pointed at him, "That would have been better!"
~**~
Kevaline looked ahead of her, snow falling in her hair. She shook her head, "This is horrible!" She turned back to look at Kimberly. Kimberly was shaking uncontrollably. Kevaline quickly took off her cloak and placed it around Kimberly, warming her up, "There, now you should be a little warmer."
Kimberly nodded, "Yes, I am." Kimberly then looked at Kevaline's outfit, "But won't you freeze?"
Kevaline laughed lightly, "No, I shall be fine, besides, I swore to protect you, and I must, even from the cold."
Kevaline turned around as she heard someone fall and roll down the mountain. She quickly started to run down the path that they had made, running to get to Frodo. She froze as Aragorn picked him up.
Frodo searched around his neck for the Ring, but couldn't find it. Kevaline then searched where he fell, trying to find it to return it to him. "Kevaline, it is lying to the left!" Kimberly shouted to her.
Kevaline nodded and grabbed the ring before Boromir grabbed it. He glared at her as she quickly gave the ring back to Frodo. "Here Frodo, take it, I do not want to ever have to touch that evil foul thing again!"
Frodo quickly took the ring and nodded. As Kevaline walked away, she heard Frodo talk to Aragorn, "She didn't even look at it. She just dropped it into my hand."
She smiled at Aragorn's response, "Yes, Kevaline hates the ring more than anyone here. It is because of the ring that she died as Aurora in the Last Alliance. She feels that it is her fault for the ring surviving!"
"Kevaline, are you alright?" Legolas asked as she turned around to face him.
"Yes, let us continue on our journey. Let us go to the front." She nodded. She then jumped up onto the top of the snow and raced off, running to the front. *Yami, do me a favor and watch over Kimberly. Make sure she stays warm.*
Legolas soon joined her, "What is wrong, little sister?"
Kevaline sighed, looking out at the horizon, "I hate the ring more than anyone thinks. It is because of me that that retched thing survives! If I had only been stronger then Isildur wouldn't have overpowered me!"
Legolas put his hand on her shoulder, "It was not your fault, sister, it was his own fault that the ring still survives. . ." He stopped as he heard a voice. Kevaline looked at him, and he turned to the rest of the fellowship, "There is a fell voice on the wind!"
"It is Saruman!" Gandalf yelled. He then started chanting spells to stop Saruman's attempts to bring down the mountain.
Kevaline looked for Yami, "Yami, come to me!"
*I am coming!* Yami howled as he thudded over to her. *I have a bad feeling about this, Kevaline!*
"Me too!" Kevaline yelled as the mountain started to collapse.
The last thing she remembered was snow and rocks, and then blackness. Legolas yelled her name and lunged for her. Then he too was covered in snow.
Legolas pushed himself out of the snow and looked around. He saw that everyone was pulling themselves out of the snow. He looked at everyone, but didn't see Kevaline. "Kevaline!"
Aragorn quickly pulled out the hobbits and then ran over to Legolas, "Where is she, Legolas?"
"I do not know!" Legolas stated, shaking his head, "She was buried in the snow, that is what I saw!"
The two jumped as they saw Yami's head poke out of the snow. He was trying to pull himself out of the snow. Legolas and Aragorn quickly helped him out. Yami then howled. *Kevaline! She is stuck down there! She is unconscious!*
With Kevaline being able to understand animals, she had given some of her gift to Legolas and Aragorn, saying that they were so close to her. Legolas quickly started to dig at the place where Yami had poked his head out, "Alright, Yami, we will find her!"
Ten minutes later, they had dug down to her. She had a gash on her forehead and she was paler than she usually was. Legolas swore to himself, "Elrohir is going to kill me when he finds out about this!" He quickly took his cloak off and put it around Kevaline, in hopes that she would stay warm.
"We must get off the mountain!" Boromir yelled, "Make for the Gap of Rohan, and take the west road to my city!"
Aragorn shook his head, "The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!"
"We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria!" Gimli stated, trying to convince everyone.
Yami growled. *I don't care where we go, just as long as we tend to Kevaline!*
"Let the Ring-bearer decide." Gandalf finally stated. He looked at Frodo who in turn looked at the unconscious form of Kevaline and then Sam.
"We cannot stay here!" Boromir yelled, "This will be the death of the Hobbits." He looked at Kimberly's shaking form, "And of Kimberly as well!"
"Frodo?" Gandalf asked.
Frodo kept his gaze on Kevaline's form, "We will go through the mines."
"So be it." Gandalf stated sadly.
~**~
Kevaline moaned as they came to the gates of Moria. Legolas looked down at her form in his hands, hoping she would wake up soon. She opened her eyes, "What-What happened?"
"You were hurt when the mountain started. . ." Legolas started to explain.
"Never mind, I now remember." Kevaline sighed, touching her forehead. She pulled her hand away to see blood. She closed her eyes, "Oh no!"
"It is alright, little sister, you are safe. We will take care of you." Legolas smiled down at her.
"Is she awake?"
Kevaline turned her head to see Kimberly, "What have you been doing?"
"Watching over you and the hobbits." Kimberly smiled down at her.
Kevaline squirmed in Legolas' grip, "Put me down!"
"I am sorry, but I cannot do that. I am under orders of Aragorn. . ." Legolas chuckled.
"Put me down or I will slice you to pieces!" Kevaline threatened. She was automatically put down. She walked a step and stumbled. Her head was pounding.
Aragorn came up beside her, "You are supposed to be resting!"
She glared at him, "When have I ever listened to you?"
He sighed, "I see, so you are going to be like that now. . ."
Kevaline started to walk off, "Yes, I am going to be like this! You know how I hate it when people baby me! I don't need that!"
"Oh, but sometimes you do, Kevaline," Aragorn stated.
She stopped as Boromir sneered at her, "Well, it seems that you are still alive, what a shame!"
She quickly spun around, and her eyes changed to those of a tiger, " And here I thought that I wouldn't be missed! Watch your mouth, Boromir! You are not in Imladris anymore! No one can protect you out here!"
Pippin looked at her, "Tiger, please!"
She settled down as his voice hit her ears, "Yes, Pippin, he isn't worth my energy!" She then looked at the lake in front of them, sneering at it, "That has evil in it that I cannot be for sure what it is!"
She then quickly walked back over to Aragorn, grabbing his arm, "Watch and make sure the water isn't disturbed. There is evil in it!"
Aragorn nodded, "Yes, I will make sure."
Legolas came over to her and walked her over to where Gandalf was. She sat down and closed her eyes, "I am not liking going into a mine! I would rather face the coldness then the darkness!"
Kimberly came running over to the door that Gandalf was trying to get open. She smiled, "Mellon!"
The door opened and everyone looked at her. Kevaline glared at her, knowing that she knew everything that was going to happen and she was going to use it to her advantage.
Kevaline followed everyone inside, feeling an evil presence. Legolas put a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her. She nodded to him and unsheathed her Elvin knife. She heard Yami growl as a stench hit his nose. *This place smells of death!*
She totally ignored the comment Gimli was saying to Legolas and herself as she gripped her knife even more. She nodded, "I agree Yami!"
Legolas put his hand on her shoulder, "Kev, you are safe. . ."
Kevaline paused in her walking, something hitting her feet. When Gandalf used his staff for light, Kevaline scrunched up her nose. Dwarf skeletons were lying all over the ground. She heard Kimberly gasp. She closed her eyes and prayed to the Valar that Kimberly would keep safe.
Kevaline spun around as she heard the scuffling of the hobbits' feet. She gasped as she saw tentacles reaching out for them, "Frodo!"
She then ran at them, mentally slapping herself for not getting to them quick enough to keep the tentacles from wrapping around them. She growled *Yami, keep an eye out for the others! Especially Kimberly!* She then ran into the water, hacking at tentacles as she went.
"Tiger!" Kevaline turned as she heard her name, only to face a tentacle as it wrapped around her.
She desperately held onto her knife, not wanting to part with it. She looked over and saw that Aragorn was cutting Frodo free. She also watched as Boromir pulled the hobbits back into the cave.
"Tiger! What about Tiger?" Pippin yelled as he was dragged inside.
"She can fend for herself!" Boromir growled, "Legolas!"
Kevaline looked at Kimberly's face. She was crying silently. Kevaline took a small breath, "I tried!"
Kimberly shook her head fiercely, "No! I won't let this happen!" She turned to Legolas, "Leggy, you aim at its head while Aragorn tries to free her!" She glared at Aragorn who shook his head.
"It could constrict around her even more!" He took a deep breath, "We could harm her even more!"
Kimberly glared at him as she ran out to the lake's edge, "Fuck you then! I will save her on my own!" She unsheathed her sword and hacked at the tentacle that was holding Kevaline, "Take this!"
Kevaline shook her head frantically, "No! Kimberly, don't! You could be harmed!" She hissed in pain as the tentacle constricted around her even more.
*Kevaline!* Yami howled as he raced out to the lake. *Kevaline, do not worry! We will save you!*
Kevaline gasped for breath, "No, Yami! Just go! Watch over the hobbits!" She closed her eyes, "Adam, Andrew, I tried. I tried to watch over your sister, but now I am going to die. I will not be able to carry out your wish to keep her safe. . ."
She whipped open her eyes as she heard Adam's voice, "Do not be so sure that you will die. Remember the gift that Andrew gave you before he died! You have to survive!"
Kevaline bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes, searching for the barrier that she had put around Andrew's gift. She finally found it and mentally slammed into it. The barrier shattered, causing a flood of information and power to overcome her.
She screamed, not ready for the power and knowledge to flow through her. She then snapped her eyes open, grasping what Adam was talking about. She took her knife and stabbed the tentacle that was around her. The creature roared and dropped her into the water. She hit the surface and took huge breaths, not noticing that she was being picked up and taken back into the mines by someone.
She shivered voluntarily as the power of Andrew tried to fuse with her body. She gasped as it overpowered her, "No! Don't do this to me!"
"Kevaline, what is wrong?" Aragorn asked quickly as he turned to her.
Kevaline fell to her knees, "Andrew. . ."
"You cannot be serious," Kimberly stated, wide eyed.
"I cannot put a barrier around his power! It has become stronger after all these years!" Kevaline stated, taking deep breaths as she grabbed her head.
Gandalf looked at Kevaline sorrowfully, "I am sorry, Kevaline, but we must move on."
Legolas picked Kevaline up, "Little sister, please, just relax. It will all be over soon."
Kevaline grabbed Legolas' tunic as her vision got darker and darker, "Legolas. . . It is. . ."
With that statement, she fell into unconsciousness. Kimberly gasped and ran over to Legolas, "Leggy! Is she going to be alright?"
"She will be fine, she just has to let her body relax as your brother's strength fuses with hers." Legolas reassured her.
Kimberly eyed him, "She better be, or I will hurt you!"
~**~
Kevaline awoke to the noises of the hobbits as they talked quietly. She moaned and sat up, "Where am I?"
"In the mines of Moria," Legolas stated, worry etched on his face. He nodded, "I take it that you feel weak at the moment?"
Kevaline just blinked at him, "But how would you. . ."
"I have had similar experiences with Adam when he was in Mirkwood with Aragorn. Except that he fused blood with me. He told me never to tell you until you had fused with Andrew's power."
"So you see them in your dreams as well?" Kevaline asked, standing up to look around her.
"Yes, whenever they do not visit you. They seem to have something planned. They knew about their deaths long before it ever happened. They had decided to do this." Legolas nodded.
Kevaline heard Aragorn's thoughts enter hers *It is good to see you awake, Kevaline.*
*Not as good as it is to see her stand, my friend.* Legolas chuckled in their conversation.
*How long have I been out for?* Kevaline asked.
*No one is sure. We cannot tell for there is no light!* Yami yawned.
*I see you are safe.* Kevaline sighed.
"We took care of him, Kev." Legolas smiled at her.
Gandalf halted their conversation, "Ah, it's that way!"
Kevaline stood up and stretched her weary limbs, "Let us be moving." She nodded to Yami as he thudded over to her, "Oh, Yami, you don't know how good it makes me feel to see your face!"
Everyone followed Gandalf as they went down the passage he had picked. Kevaline could hear voices in her head and knew them to be Andrew and Adam. She withdrew within herself so she could talk with them.
She stood within the confines of the Hall of Mandos. Before her stood Adam. He smiled sadly at her, "I am sorry my friend, I didn't think that that would happen to you when you unlocked Andrew's power."
"Adam, why have you called me here?" Kevaline asked, walking even closer to Adam.
"We have come to give you warning, Kevaline," Kevaline turned and saw Andrew standing beside her.
"Warn me about what?" Kevaline asked, fear entering her heart.
Andrew shook his head, "Do not let fear enter your heart. If you do then all is lost, Tiger of Imladris."
Adam lowered his head, "Kevaline, you will loose another. Please do not fear for them. They would not wish that of you."
"Who? Tell me!" Kevaline yelled at the two of them, "I cannot loose anyone else! I have lost too many already!" She threw up her hands, "Is that my destiny? To loose everyone I hold dear? Will that be Elrohir's fate as well?"
"No, that is not your destiny, nor is that Elrohir's fate." Andrew stated, putting his hand on her shoulder, "Please, Kevaline, trust us. When have we ever led you astray?"
Kevaline lowered her head, "You are right. You have never led me astray before." She nodded, "I will heed you words. I will believe you."
With that said, Andrew and Adam nodded, both becoming transparent as they left Kevaline, "Thank you Kevaline."
Kevaline returned to the confines of Moria just in time to watch as Gimli ran into a side room. Gandalf yelled for him not to go, but he did not heed his words.
As everyone followed the dwarf, Kevaline watched the group, trying to guess which one would leave her next. Something gripped her heart as she turned her gaze over Yami and Legolas, both standing by each other. She silently cursed herself, "Which will it be?"
Kevaline didn't talk or pay attention to anything going on around her. She kept on alert, trying to sense any danger near by. She sighed as nothing was out of the ordinary.
She didn't listen to Gandalf as he read out of a diary. She suddenly felt an evil presence in the mines. One that she couldn't shake off even if her life depended on. She turned towards the entrance to the room they were in, growling so low in her throat that only Yami, the one that was the closest to her heart, heard her.
*What is it, Kevaline?* Yami asked, running over to her and turning to the door. *What is plaguing you?*
Kevaline cut off her mind to everyone except Yami. She didn't want Aragorn or Legolas to listen in on their conversation. *Yami, there is a great evil that is here, I can sense it!* She closed her eyes. *It is very powerful and I fear for us, all of the fellowship.* She quickly spun on her heel as she heard a crash.
Pippin turned to them, looking afraid as a skeleton bounced off the walls of the mine that it had fallen into. Kimberly stood beside him, pointing at him, "It was him!"
Pippin looked at her, "What? It was not! It was you who did it!"
Kimberly shook her head, "I do not know what you are talking about, Pippin! It was you, not me!"
Kevaline felt fear grasp her heart strongly. She took in a deep breath, trying to relax, but the fear just grasped her stronger. She quickly spun to the door as she heard evil laughter and cackles.
She growled loudly so everyone could hear her, "Yrchs!"
"Orcs!" Legolas growled as well.
Yami snarled as the fur on the back of his neck stood on end. *They will not live through this! Not a single one of them! Not for all the pains that they have caused you!*
Kevaline unsheathed her knife, kissing the blade, "May your spirit be with me, uncle. May we live through this to see you again!" She then twirled it in the palm of her hand, savoring the feel of the handle.
Legolas and Aragorn notched arrows to their bows as Boromir stuck his head back into the room, "They have a cave troll!"
They barred the doors and stood back. Legolas glanced over at Kevaline, "Why do you not draw your bow?"
"My father's spirit is not needed in this battle right now. I wish to save it for another battle that is to be more challenging!" Kevaline stated, slanting her body and holding her knife above her head in a stance that showed she knew what she was doing with the knife. "My uncle's spirit will do nicely for this one! He shall make sure that I get through this alive!"
"What is she talking about?" Merry asked.
"She believes that there are spirits in her weapons, spirits of those who gave them to her. In this case, her family's spirits." Aragorn explained quickly.
Yami snarled even more as the door started to give way. *I am here for you, Kevaline, just as I always have been and always will be!*
Kevaline growled low in her throat and her eyes changed to that of the tiger, "I know my friend!"
As the orcs broke through the door, some fell to the arrows of Aragorn and Legolas. The others rushed forwards, dying as they reached Kevaline and Yami. Kevaline spared none as she stabbed and beheaded them. She glared at them all with such hatred that some faltered in their steps and died when Yami pounced on them.
"I have trained you well, Yami!" Kevaline yelled as she beheaded five orcs in a row.
*I'm on fifteen, Kevaline!* Yami howled as he pounced on two more orcs. *Make that seventeen!*
Kevaline rolled her eyes as she stabbed another orc and then spun, slicing and orc across the chest, "That was thirty nine for me, Yami!"
"At a time like this they are counting?" Kevaline heard Boromir grunt as he fought off orcs.
Kevaline smirked as she heard Legolas, "You do not understand why they do that. They do that so that they do not fear during a battle when the odds are stacked against them! It keeps them going."
Kevaline looked over at Boromir to see an orc come up behind him, its sword raised high. She rushed over to him and killed it, putting her back against Boromir's. Boromir looked behind him, seeing Kevaline fending off orcs, guarding him, "You saved me, why?"
"I believe that you do not hate me as much as you think you do. You father's hate runs deep, but you. Your hate is deceiving you. I can tell that you understand why I did the things I did. I could not let someone die that is an innocent soul." Kevaline smiled despite the situation. She cut an orc, pushing it back away from her, "There is still hope in my heart that we can start anew. That we can become friends."
Kevaline stumbled as she felt something slice her arm. She quickly spun around and gutted the orc that had slashed her right arm. She shook her arm and kept fighting, ignoring the blood that ran down her arm, continuously.
She gasped as the cave troll entered the room. Yami lunged onto the cave troll, scratching and biting it. The troll threw Yami from it like he was a rag doll. Yami landed on his feet and growled at the troll, lying low to the ground and circling it.
"Kevaline!" Kevaline heard Boromir's yell. Kevaline quickly turned to see and orc raise its sword and bring it down. She jumped to her right and then stabbed it, kicking it away from her and dislodging it from her knife.
As she continued to fight, she didn't notice as the troll started to go after Frodo. She kept her eyes on Yami, Boromir, and Legolas, worried for their safety.
She then heard her name being called. She spun around to see that the troll had Frodo cornered. Kevaline yelled, "No! Frodo!" She ran towards them, fighting the odds that she wouldn't make it in time.
She skidded to a halt as the troll speared Frodo. Kevaline screamed, her anger taking over her mind, "You will pay for what you have done!" She then ran at the troll, her knife raised above her head, glinting in the light.
"By the power inside me, I damn thee to Hell!" She yelled as she jumped on the troll's back and stabbed it repeatedly in the back of its neck. The troll grabbed her and flung her off of it.
Kevaline stayed where she was, blood loss clouding her mind. She watched as the rest of the fellowship killed the troll. She was almost unconscious as Aragorn checked Frodo, seeing that he was alive.
Yami howled as he came over to Kevaline. *My friend, please get up!*
"I cannot, Yami. I have no strength left." Kevaline stated softly, her strength failing her quickly.
The next thing she knew was that she was being carried as the group ran through the halls of Moria. She looked up to see the determined face of Legolas. She gasped as she felt a new force of evil that made her shiver down to her bones. Legolas looked down on her, "What is wrong?"
"I feel it!" Kevaline desperately stated, shaking in his grip, "It is coming for us!"
She closed her eyes, going deep within herself to try and stop the fear from taking over her. She whispered to herself, "Where are you when I need you, Adam and Andrew?"
*We are here for you, Kevaline, we will never leave you.* Kevaline heard the voices of them.
"Gandalf," Kevaline opened her eyes at the voice. She saw Kimberly shaking in fear, "Gandalf, we must run, we cannot stay here! It is a balrog!"
Gandalf closed his eyes for a second as they heard a deep growl. He then opened his eyes, "Kimberly is right! Run!"
The fellowship then ran as their lives depended on it. Kevaline closed her eyes again, her world was beginning to spin. When she opened them once again, she saw they were running across a narrow bridge.
Legolas put her down as they reached the other side of it. She looked around her, "Yami. . ." She then turned as she heard Gandalf yelling at the balrog. She screamed, "No! Gandalf!" She then noticed the small figure beside him, "Yami!"
*I will always be here for you, Kevaline* Kevaline heard Yami in her head.
"No Yami, don't do this!" Kevaline yelled, running out to the two of them, "I cannot loose you as well! You are the last of your pack! I need you!"
As she was five yards away from them, the bridge collapsed, causing the balrog to fall. Kevaline froze where she was, a new feeling coming over her body. She couldn't move. Tears formed in her eyes as Gandalf was pulled down, and along with him went Yami. "Yami! Let my body go!"
*No for I fear that you will come after me as well!* Yami howled as he fell with Gandalf. *You must go on Kevaline! You must! I will always watch over you!*
Kevaline fell to her knees, crying, "Yami! The last of Kirin's pack is gone! I will never hear them again!"
She screamed as a pain entered her body on her left side. She didn't care about the physical pain though, it was the mental pain that she cared about. She had lost one of the ones that she would spend the rest of her life with.
She didn't fight as Aragorn pulled her to her feet and pulled her out of the mines. Once outside, she looked around her as if she was in a trance. She started to walk off in the direction towards Lothlorien woods. She fell after two steps, not caring to get up.
She did look at her side though. She found that she had and arrow stuck in her side. She quickly pulled it out, savoring the physical pain as it eased her mental pain. She punched the ground, "Why? Why did it have to be Mithrandir and Yami?" She cried even harder, "Of all the mortals and immortals in this world, it just had to be them!"
She unsheathed her knife and spun around, putting it up to the person's neck that had touched her shoulder. Her face didn't lighten as she saw it was Legolas. She turned her face away from him and took the knife from his throat, "Just let me be, Legolas!"
"Kevaline, we must go now, on Aragorn's orders." Legolas stated, not backing away from her.
Kevaline snarled, "Get away from me! I wish to not talk to anyone at the moment!"
Legolas turned to Aragorn who had gotten the rest of the group ready, "I grieve for them as well, you know."
Kevaline stood up, glaring at the scenery around them, "How would you know how I feel? You were not attached to one of them by your soul like I was!"
Kevaline turned to Aragorn as he walked past them, "Kevaline, this is not going to bring them back. We must press on."
Kevaline's eyes turned fully into the tiger's. She brought up the rear, glaring at everything around her. She did not talk or make a sound as they ran, trying to reach the woods by nightfall.
~**~
On reaching the woods, Kevaline sprinted forward to the front of the group. She cared not if the elves killed her. She knew they would recognize her and not shoot. As soon as she was ahead of the fellowship, she let silent tears fall down her face. She cared not that her side hurt like hell and that her right arm had gone numb. All she cared for was that she had lost a dear friend that was as close to her heart as Elrohir was.
She stopped and took in a shaky breath, not realizing that the rest of the fellowship had caught up with her. Aragorn and Legolas walked ahead of her, and the others stayed behind.
Kevaline quickly unsheathed her knife as elves dropped down from the trees. She knew their faces, but she had given up being nice. She wouldn't hesitate to harm anyone of them if they tried to shoot her.
She walked forward as Aragorn started to converse with one of the elves. She froze in her tracks as she saw who he was talking to. Aragorn continued speaking, "Haldir o' Lorien."
Kevaline made a sound that sounded like a chock and a sob at the same time. Tears fell freely from her eyes. She walked forward towards Haldir, speaking in elvish, "Ada!" (Father!)
Haldir took in the condition of his daughter. He turned to Legolas and Aragorn, talking to them quietly so Kevaline wouldn't hear, "What has happened to her?"
"We have no time to discuss it here, Haldir, let us discuss this later. Right now we must get to safety!" Aragorn urged.
Haldir took one more look at his daughter before nodding, "Yes, follow me." He picked Kevaline up, "You owe me an explanation when we get to Caras Galadhon, Aragorn!"
~**~
On reaching the outer limits of the city, Haldir nodded to his wardens, "Go back on watch."
All did as they were told except for his two brothers. They followed him as he entered the city and headed straight for the Lady's flet. He set Kevaline down by the stair and told her that she should follow him.
Kevaline waited until everyone went up and then took up the rear. She grabbed the railing for support. One fourth of the way up, she stumbled. She grabbed the railing with both hands, trying to clear the blurriness from her vision. As she let go of the railing, she left a trail of blood. Little droplets fell onto the stairs as she bled from her side and her arm.
When she reached the top step, she saw that her father was looking at her with worry in his eyes. She couldn't face him. She turned her head away and then looked down at the ground.
She let tears fall from her eyes as she heard Celeborn, "Twelve there were but only ten stand here. Tell me, where is Gandalf, for I wish to speak with him."
Kevaline looked up to see Celeborn eyeing her. She turned her head away as tears started to spill from her eyes. She turned on her heel and walked two steps before Celeborn called her name.
"Kevaline!"
Kevaline turned back around, tears in her eyes. She shook her head, "I cannot, my lord! I have to go!"
"You will go nowhere, Kevaline," Galadriel stated softly. She took a step towards Kevaline, "Why are you like this, Tiger of Imladris?"
"I do not wish to talk about it, my lady," Kevaline sobbed.
"Roar, what happened out there?" Celeborn stated softly. He then looked at the whole group, "Where is Yami?"
"Cele' you do not understand what happened to my heart! No one ever will except Elrohir and all the animals close to me!" Kevaline yelled, not caring that everyone turned to her, "Yami is gone! He has fallen with Gandalf through fire and ash, and I cannot feel his presence in my heart anymore!"
"Fear not, Kevaline, you shall see him again," Galadriel smiled.
"Where? In my dreams like Adam and Andrew?" Kevaline spat out, "It is torment to see them dead and me still living!"
She stopped yelling as her arm and side started to protest. She fell to her knees, not caring to get up. Galadriel gasped, "She is injured badly! We must get her to the healers immediately!"
Haldir quickly picked up his daughter and ran with her to the healer's. Celeborn eyed the fellowship, "Could not one of you see that she was injured?"
"I am sorry, my lord, she wouldn't let us near her after Yami fell with Gandalf." Boromir stated.
Kimberly eyed him, "You just don't like her so much, Boromir!"
Boromir lowered his gaze, "My father doesn't like her, it is not that I do not like here. My father wishes her dead for what she has done, but I understand why she has done it."
Legolas looked in the direction that Haldir had gone with his daughter. He took a deep breath as Galadriel told them to get some rest. As they were led to the place in which they would stay, Legolas' mind was fixed on how Kevaline was doing.
"Legolas, if you worry anymore, I will start to think you a mortal!" Aragorn chuckled.
Kimberly smiled at him, "Weggy, you care for her, don't you?"
Legolas turned his gaze to Aragorn, "Elrohir is going to kill me for this. He wanted me to protect his only one that he could love." He then turned to Kimberly, "She is like a little sister to me! Of course I care for her!"
"You are not at fault, she is an accomplished warrior. She does what she wants, even if it is against Elrohir's wish." Aragorn smiled, "Fear not, my friend, she will be well soon. You know how quickly she can recover. . ."
"Yes, but what about on her trip with you from Bree? She slept for ten days when she got back to Imladris!" Legolas stated desperately.
"If this worries you so much, why don't we go see how she is doing?" Aragorn suggested.
Legolas looked at the whole fellowship, noticing that the hobbits were rather quiet, especially Merry and Pippin. He shook his head, "No, you stay here and watch over the rest, I will go on my own."
With that said, he walked off towards the healers. Gimli watched him go, "I will never understand that elf or the other one accompanying us. . ."
Kimberly jumped to her feet, "Don't say that about Kevaline! If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here! I wouldn't have found the one I love!" She took a deep breath and stomped over to Gimli, grabbing his tunic, "If I ever hear you talking bad about her, I will make sure you regret it!"
Aragorn put a hand on Kimberly's shoulder, "Kimberly, why don't you spend some time with the hobbits?" Kimberly sighed but nodded, understanding that she should try and relax.
~**~
Haldir sat at the bedside of his daughter along with Rumil and Orophin. All three were hoping that Kevaline would make a speedy recovery. Kevaline moaned as she turned onto her side. She then slowly opened her eyes, "Where. . ."
"Oh thank the Valar!" Haldir sighed as he grabbed Kevaline in a strong hug.
Kevaline smiled as she knew that she was safe, "Oh father, it is so good to see you again!" She saw her uncles and smiled at them as well, "Uncles, you don't know how much I have missed you three!"
Rumil chuckled, "Oh, we can guess, for we have felt the same!"
Kevaline then frowned as she didn't feel Yami's happiness enter her heart. She started to cry, "He is gone!"
Haldir wiped the tears away from his daughter's face, "Do not cry, Kevaline. It doesn't do your beautiful face justice."
"Oh, Kevaline, little sister!"
Kevaline turned to the door to see Legolas standing there. She cried even more, "Legolas, Yami is gone along with Mithrandir!"
Legolas ran over to the bed and let Kevaline grab him in a strong hug, "Sh, it is alright. We will get through this together. Do not fret."
"He is gone and I can't have him back! Everyone I get close to dies! Whether it be animal, elf, or mortal! I fear for you, Elrohir, my family and Aragorn!" Kevaline cried.
"Do not talk like that!" Legolas stated. He then rubbed her back, "Kimberly and the hobbits are worried for you greatly. They fear that you would die."
"I am fine, my heart has just suffered a blow that is like being stabbed by a sword!" Kevaline dried her tears. She then smiled, "Well then, I guess I should go and see them, shouldn't I?" She stood up, ignoring everyone's protests, "Now look, if I do not get up, I will get weak!"
"But you need to rest!" Orophin yelled at her, his worry evident in his eyes.
"I do not care, I am fine!" Kevaline smiled, "It was only a scratch!"
"You almost died!" Rumil threw his hands up in protest.
"'Twas only a flesh wound!" Kevaline winked, her eyes sparkling.
Haldir smiled in spite of the situation. He knew that Kevaline was fine and that she was back to strength. When her gaze fell on him, he shook his head, "No, my daughter, I want you to relax."
Kevaline stretched, "I am fine, father, and plus, poor little Pippin is probably worried sick about me." She then looked to the door, smiling as she saw Galadriel, "Ask Lady Galadriel!"
Haldir turned to the door, bowing as he saw Galadriel, "My lady."
"Haldir, it seems that the Tiger is quite fine," Galadriel smiled, "and she needs to get up. Celeborn wishes to speak to her."
Kevaline smiled even more, "So I shall go to Cele'."
~**~
Aww, cliffhanger, I just hate myself. I really do, I didn't mean to cut it off there, but I was having a small writer's block.
Summary for the next chapter:
Chapter Twelve: Lessons of Life
Kevaline goes to talk with Celeborn, and after she is done, she seems to bond with Boromir. Boromir sees the error of his ways, and feels like Kevaline is his older sister.
Kevaline teaches him some new techniques for fighting, and Kimberly learns them as well. Kimberly also bonds with Kevaline's family, and looks into Galadriel's mirror.