Black and Blue: Chapter Three
Thanks to everybody who reviewed!! I am SO sorry it took so long to update. It's been a nightmare down here. My friend Beth is home from her month long radio tour, and I've been trying to get together with her for a weekend...so far no luck...Plus...school. Ugh. But thanks again for all the reviews! You guys keep me going!!
Dedication: I have to dedicate this one to my dear friend Ashley Smith...it's been 4 months since that fatal crash stole you away...I think about you all the time Ash....you always loved to run...I know now that you were running to heaven...and you beat me to Paradise....I love ya girl....You're never gonna be forgotten.
So....everybody read and review! Enjoy!!!
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Chapter Three
Kimberly was amazed at the size of the palace. There seemed to be thousands of hallways and even more doors. There were pillars that lined the walls, and several paintings adorned the walls. Some depicted waterfalls and forests, others depicted Elven beauties, dancing around a fires or playing strange looking harps. The place was beautiful...but huge. *I would so get lost in a place like this,* Kimberly thought.
"Is there something on your mind, milady?"
The brunette looked over at her escort, who was looking at her gently. She smiled. "No...I was just thinking that I would get lost in a place like this without somebody with me who knew the way." Legolas smiled. "I suppose it would be easy for someone to." Kimberly looked at him. "So you never have?" He laughed. "Believe me, milady, there have been many times when I was younger." She looked at him quizically. "Why does everybody insist on calling me 'milady'?" Legolas looked at her. "Because you are a lady," he said. "It is how we address women here." Kimberly nodded. "Oh...so, I'm supposed to call you 'milord' then?" The elf smiled. "Not if you do not want to," he said. "You may call me Legolas, if you prefer." She nodded. "So, no 'Prince Legolas'? Just...Legolas?" He nodded. "Okay. I'll do that. But you have to call me Kimberly, then." Legolas smiled. "As you wish...Kimberly." He savored the name on his lips. It sounded so natural to say it.
He stopped as they came to a pair of double doors. He released her arm and smiled at her. "After you," he said, pulling open the door. Kimberly smiled softly and slowly walked into the study. Thranduil and Gandalf sat in front of a roaring fire and they turned as she and Legolas entered. Gandalf took his pipe out of his mouth and smiled softly. *Just like her sister,* he thought. Thranduil rose and came towards her. "My dear, you look lovely." The girl smiled. "Thank you." The king smiled and motioned to a chair. "Please, have a seat." Kimberly obeyed and looked up at Legolas as he stood behind Gandalf's chair, his hands clasped in front of him. He smiled reassuringly at her and she shyly returned it.
She turned her attention to the wizard as he began to speak. "I can only imagine that you are quite confused right now," he said. Kimberly nodded. "Oh, yeah." Gandalf smiled. "Perhaps you could inform us on the events that occurred before you arrived here." She felt her heart skip a beat and she looked down at her hands, suddenly ashamed. She desperately didn't want them to know about Roger....didn't want them to discover the truth about her life. "Um...the details are still a little hazy...I'm not really sure about all that happened." Gandalf nodded, understanding. "Anything that you can remember." She sighed. "My parents told me that I wasn't their daughter....and I didn't deal very well with the fact that my entire life was a lie." She was glad when no one questioned how she had been injured.
"What they said was true," Gandalf said. "You weren't even from that time." Kimberly frowned and looked up at him. "Come again?" Gandalf smiled. "You were born here, in Middle-Earth. In an Elven city known as Rivendell. You are the youngest daughter of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian, rulers of Rivendell. When you were but an infant, you disappeared and it was later discovered that you were taken by someone...taken somewhere far from Middle-Earth. We had all lost hope that you would ever be found." He smiled. "We of little faith." Kimberly frowned. "So then...that means...I mean...I'm an..." Thranduil smiled. "An elf." She frowned again. "But....I don't have the pointy ears and blonde hair," she said. Gandalf laughed. "A simple rouge, my dear. And not every elf has blonde hair. You parents and your siblings have your dark hair."
"Siblings?," she echoed. The wizard nodded. "Indeed. You have two older brothers and an older sister. Who has recently wed, I might add." Many emotion coursed through Kimberly as she sat there, absorbing everything that had just been told to her. "We had no idea who you truly were until the healer informed me that you bore the mark of Edain, which only those of Elrond's line are born with," Thranduil said. He looked at her. "Are you alright?" Kimberly nodded slowly. "Um...yeah...I just....can I have sometime to think?" The king nodded. "Of course. It is quite a lot to take in." He turned to his son. "Legolas, please escort Lady Kimberly to her room." Legolas nodded and walked over to Kimberly, who stood and took his extended arm. "I will be more than willing to remove the glamour that disguises your Elvish qualities, Kimberly," Gandalf said. Kimberly nodded and Legolas escorted her out. When the door closed behind them, Thranduil turned to Gandalf.
"I don't doubt that she is very confused and hurt," he said, slowly sitting down. The wizard only nodded and smoked his pipe. "Gandalf, I feel that Kimberly wasn't entirely honest with us about what happened before she arrived in Middle-Earth. About how she was so severely wounded. Do you share my concern?" Gandalf looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I do. But I also saw that she was somewhat ashamed to say....I believe that our young guest still has many wounds that are not yet healed."
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"Are you alright?"
Kimberly looked over at Legolas as they walked from the study. He was watching her closely, his face a mask of concern. She smiled slightly. "Yeah...it's all just a lot to take in...It's hard to believe that the last 17 years of my life have been a lie....It's like I'm not real." Legolas smiled. "Believe me, Kimberly, you are very real," he said. She looked at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" He laughed. "Nothing. I just mean to say that, even if your childhood wasn't real, who you became is." Kimberly nodded. "Ah..." *Rats, I could have sworn that he was hitting on me...not that he would, but....* She sighed and looked at him. "I, um, I wanted to say thank you. For, ya know, finding me and bringing me here." She smiled. "You probably saved my life." The elf smiled. "I believe Jeera saved your life. I merely delivered you to her." Kimberly laughed. "Well, then, thanks for 'delivering' me to her." Legolas laughed, then frowned when he noticed Kimberly wincing and bringing a hand to her ribs.
"If I may ask...how did you acquire your injuries?," he asked. He saw that she avoided his gaze and wondered why. She pulled her arm away and picked her cuticles. "Kimberly...will you tell me?" She was quiet for moments, then sighed. "Promise not to think any less than me?" He frowned, then nodded. "Aye, I promise." She sighed again. "My father," she said, not looking at him. "Or...at least the guy I *thought* was my father." Legolas stared at her, angry and shocked. "Your father did this to you?" Kimberly nodded. "Yeah...he always had. But not as bad as this time. He's...just always drunk and takes it out on my mom and me. The only reason I got beat this bad was because I stood up to him this time." She smirked. "He doesn't like that. He beat me and then told me he was going to 'teach me some respect.' If it hadn't been for my mom, he would've raped me." From the sound of disgust he made, she figured he knew what "rape" was. "That was when he told me that I wasn't their kid. I tried to hit him, but he broke my wrist. So I kicked him and ran away. Then I was hit by a car--which is kind of like a metal horse, just bigger, faster, and heavier. Then the next thing I remember, I woke up here." She laughed. "No idea why I just told you all that."
Neither of them spoke for a long time, but finally Legolas broke the silence. "The man that did this to you should have to answer for his crime," he said angrily. "Any man who would lay a harsh hand to a woman should suffer a torturous punishment." Kimberly smiled softly, somewhat surprised at his opinion. "Tell me....why do you avoid my gaze?" She shrugged. "I don't know....I guess I'm kind of...ashamed...I guess." Legolas stopped and turned her to him. She kept her head down. "Kimberly there is no need to be ashamed. Kimberly..." He pushed her chin up with his finger and his heart broke when he saw tears in her jade eyes. He wiped them away with his thumbs and looked into her eyes. "You are not to blame," he whispered.
A small sob escaped her and Legolas' thumb stroked her cheek. "Your face is far too lovely to be marred by tears..." Kimberly's eyes searched his face as he said the words and she felt her heart skip a beat. Legolas stroked her cheek and slowly drew her face close to his. Her eyes closed as their lips drew closer.....BANG!!!
They jumped apart and turned to see a young elf servant kneeling on the ground, gathering up the items that had toppled off the tray he was carrying. Kimberly quickly recollected herself, wiping away her tears. Legolas looked at her and mentally kicked himself when he saw that she once again avoided his gaze. The elf servant apologized and ran off in a rush. Legolas cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak, but Kimberly walked on, her head downcast and wringing her hands. Legolas winced at his blunder and caught up with her as she reached her door. She looked up at him and shyly smiled. "Thanks again," she said as she opened the door. Legolas nodded. "My pleasure." He watched as she went into her room and shut the door behind her. Legolas stood there a moment, staring at the closed door, before walking towards his room, kicking a tin canister on his way.
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The knock on Kimberly's door snapped her back ot reality. She and Legolas had almost kissed.....they had come so close....It was all she could think about. "Who is it?," she asked, detachably. She sighed with relief when Gandalf's voice replied to her and not Legolas'. She went to the door and let the wizard in. Gandalf smiled at the girl. She had taken her hair down and now it flowed over her shoulders. He saw a young version of Arwen standing before him, and he was, once again, truly amazed. "If you would like, I could remove the glamour now." Kimberly nodded. "Yeah...sure." The old wizard closed his eyes and uttered words in a language Kimberly didn't recognize. When he opened them again, he grinned. "Now you truly resemble your sister."
Kimberly felt no different, but she felt the pointed ears when she brought her hands to the side of her head. *This could take some getting used to,* she thought. She smiled. "Thank you." Gandalf nodded. "How are you adjusting?," he asked. She shrugged. "Alright, I guess...Just a lot of change....Gandalf, how did I get here?" The wizard sighed. "I wish I could answer that, young Kimberly, but I cannot, for I don't know. The only answer that I came up with is that...since you discovered the truth, there was no more reason for you to stay away. But I know not for sure."
Kimberly nodded and sat down on her bed. "Is my name actually Kimberly?," she asked. The wizard smiled softly and shook his head. "No, it's not. Your Elvish birth name is Nebride...I believe that your sister picked it out." Kimberly nodded again. *Nebride...,* she thought. *That's my name....* She looked up at him. "Will you tell me about my family, Gandalf?" The wizard smiled and sat next to her. "What would you like to know?" She shrugged. "Anything." Gandalf laughed. "To begin, your parents are Elrond and Celebrian. They jointly rule Rivendell, which is a very beautiful land, indeed....you would have loved to grow up there." She smiled softly, feeling a little twinge of sorrow in her heart for the land she missed out on. "Your two older brothers are Elrohir and Elladen, twins. They were both quite fond of you. Your sister is Arwen. There is no doubt of your relation. YOu are simply a younger version of her."
Kimberly looked at him. "You said that before she got married." Gandalf nodded. "Yes, about a year ago. Her husband is Aragorn, King of Gondor." She nodded. "However, he is a mortal, only blessed with long life...but not immortal." She frowned. "But....elves are?" He nodded. "Your grandparents are Celeborn and Galadriel of Lothlorien, yet another lovely Elven kingdom. All of them were very fond of you....Although, in the beginning, you weren't very fond of Aragorn. There was never a silent moment when he was around....you always cried or yelled..." He smiled. "But you captured his heart in the end."
"Why does King Thranduil know about me....but Legolas didn't?," she asked. Gandalf smiled again. "Legolas was constantly off adventuring....training to be the best warrior in Mirkwood...and he succeeded." She nodded and looked at him. "I'd like to meet my family, Gandalf. I'd like to know where I came from." The wizard smiled. "Thranduil has asked that Legolas and I escort you to Rivendell in a few days...when you are ready." She nodded. "I think I'm ready....maybe." Gandalf chuckled. "My dear girl..I now know that you are one of Elrond's children...you show the same spirit they do." Kimberly smiled. "Wait a few days. Give yourself time to adjust to everything....We'll leave in about three days....does that suit you?" Kimberly nodded. "Yes...thank you, Gandalf." The wizard nodded and affectionately patted her arm. "My dear, Nebride," he said. "Welcome back." She smiled and watched as he rose and left the room, his long white cloak billowing behind him.
After he'd gone, Kimberly sat staring out the balcony door. *Nebride of Rivendell,* she thought. *The youngest of four children.* A ghost of a smile appeared on her face. *I always wanted a brother or sister....guess I've had them all along.* She looked to the closed door and sighed. She wanted to meet her family....find out where she came from. But perhaps Gandalf was right in asking her to wait a few days. She still didn't fully understand everything that had happened. It wasn't everyday that you got hit by a car and lived to tell the tale; let alone travel to another time and place. She also wasn't sure what she was going to say to them. She groaned and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. *What do you say to the family you never knew existed?*
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The next morning, Legolas stood before Kimberly's door, once again arguing with himself whether or not to knock. All night, he could do nothing but think of what had almost occurred between them in the hallway. He had almost kissed her....By the Valor, how he had wanted to. He had thought about what she had told him; how she had become so severely beaten. He had been furious that any man would lay a hand on a woman that wasn't meant to be intimate. *Intimate.* Legolas clenched his fists when he remembered how Kimberly had said that her father had nearly raped her....It turned his stomach to think of a father doing that to his child...even if it wasn't really his. In Middle-Earth, rape or even attempted rape, could be punished by death....*If only I could face that bastard face to face...* But, pushing the night aside, Legolas had to talk to her. He raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open and he was faced with a surprised Kimberly.
He lowered his hand. "My apologies," he said. "I did not mean to startle you." The young brunette smiled. "It's okay. I was going out anyway...and then I heard something so I opened the door....I guess it was you breathing or something." She looked up at him. "Elves can hear pretty good." It was then that Legolas noticed the points of her ears. "They suit you well, milady." She smiled and shut the door, not looking at him. "Kimberly, I would like to apologize for last night. It was wrong of me to act that way." Kimberly shook her head. "It's alright," she said. "There's no need to apologize." Legolas nodded. "Indeed, there is. I have no excuse for my behavior, and it was wrong of me." Kimberly laughed softly and looked up at him. "Wow...No clue what changed between the the guys here and the guys back home...you're nothing like them," she said. "They would never apologize for something like that." Legolas frowned. "They wouldn't?" She shook her head. "No...they usually put the blame on us women instead. Men shouldn't have changed." She smiled and walked past him, cursing her heart for doing somersaults when she caught his scent. She didn't look at him as he fell into step next to her. "So am I forgiven?" She smiled and nodded. "Yes, even though there was never anything to forgive." Legolas sighed beside her and her smile grew.
"Gandalf told me that you and he will be my escorts to Rivendell," she said, changing the subject. He nodded. "Aye, we will. My father does not wish for you to travel alone." She laughed. "Like I'd be able to....I wouldn't be able to tell which way is right." He chuckled. "There are also many dangers that lurk our woods, even after the War of the Ring." She looked over at him. "What's that?" He smiled, remembering that she knew nothing of Middle-Earth's history. "Are you sure you'd like to hear such a long tale?" She grinned that dazzling smile that made his heart leap into his throat and he felt his breath catch. "What else am I going to do? Besides wander around and get lost?" Legolas laughed and she soon joined in. "Allow me to show you around then, my dear wanderer, and I will tell you the tale."
Gandalf smiled as he watched Legolas and Kimberly walk off together, arm in arm. He chuckled. *Just like Arwen....capturing young men's hearts.* He turned and walked off, shaking his head. He turned the corner and smiled at Thranduil, who walked towards him. "What brings the smile to your face, my friend?," he asked. The wizard's smile grew. "Young love, my friend, young love." Thranduil smiled. "Do you refer to my son and our young guest?" The wizard nodded and Thranduil laughed. "Yes, he does seem quite taken with her, doesn't he?" Gandalf nodded. "Indeed....and at a time like this, it could be just what young Kimberly needs."
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Legolas had given Kimberly a tour of the palace, showing her the many rooms and passages, and now they walked through the garden. Kimberly stared at him, astonished at the tale he had told. The elf had spoken of the Fellowship of the Ring and their journey; his new found friendships with Gimli, the Dwarf, and the four small hobbits from The Shire, including Frodo, the ringbearer. Frodo was one of the details of the story that had captivated her. She was amazed that something so small could bear such a heavy burden and show such courage...and she was also amazed that Gandalf and Legolas had both been members of the Fellowship.
"Wow," she said. "Must have been some adventure." Legolas chuckled. "Indeed. It was an experience that I will not soon forget." She nodded. "So, where are the others now?" He looked at her. "The hobbits returned to the Shire, Gimli to his mines. Aragorn remains in Rivendell with Arwen." She nodded again, and turned her attention to her hands, which she wrung in front of her. "You're a real hero, ya know that?" Legolas frowned and shook his head. "I am no such thing, milady, but I do appreciate the compliment." Kimberly frowned and looked at him. "How can you say that? Of course, you're a hero....Legolas, you helped save the world. You're like Superman with pointy ears." Legolas gave her a bewildered look and she waved her hand. "Don't worry about that," she said. "The point is, you're a hero, whether you like it or not." Legolas looked at her a moment before smiling and taking her hand, bringing it to his lips. "You are one of a kind, Kimberly." She blushed. "Thanks...I think." He chuckled and released her hand. She smiled at him before resuming her walk. He fell into step beside her, and watched her from the corner of his eye. *Has there ever been one as lovely as she who stands before me?,* he thought.
He watched as she reached her fingers out and trailed them over a row of flowers. "You never see stuff as pretty as this back home," she murmered. He frowned at her. "Why is that?" She shrugged. "Just the way things are there. There's not many flowers growing, unless you plant them yourselves. Most of its all buildings and houses. You don't see much nature around." He looked at her. "That's a shame." She nodded. "Yep....it sure is...." She clasped her hands in front of her again and smiled over at him. "Thanks for showing me around," she said. "I really appreciate it." He grinned. "Anything for you, milady." *You and only you.* She laughed. The sound was like music to Legolas, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He stopped and took her hand, pulling her close to him. "Kimberly....what happened last night...." She frowned and shook her head. "Don't worry about it," she said. "It was just because I was so upset....you wanted to comfort me, and that's totally fine. I know that most guys-" she was cut off when his lips met hers, and she stiffened, but then relaxed. Legolas' hands snaked around her waist and Kimberly raised her hands and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Just as quickly as it had begun, it was over, and Legolas pulled back, looking into her eyes. "What were you saying?," he asked softly. Kimberly stared up at him. "I don't remember," she whispered. He smiled at her. She returned it and they pulled apart. She looked down at her hands. "Well, I wasn't really expecting that.." He looked down at her. "Should I apologize again?" She smiled at him. "No way....just like before....there's nothing to forgive." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair off her face. "I've had a desire to that since I saw you." She looked up at him. "Why?," she asked, then realized what she said. "Uh...that is..." Legolas smiled. "Have you ever looked in a mirror, Kimberly? You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, even if you don't think so." She stared at him. No one had ever called her beautiful before, aside from her mother and, occasionally, one of her friends. But to hear it from a very, VERY good looking elf....well, it made her head spin. Legolas bent his head and met her lips again, and she reached up and pulled him closer. "Thank you," she said. Legolas nodded. "Anything for you." She smiled. "We should return to the palace," he said. "We leave for Rivendell in two days. You should rest yourself for the journey." She nodded and they walked again, Kimberly in somewhat of a daze. That had been her first kiss. *And WHAT a kiss.*
She looked over shyly at the elf who walked beside her. *Things just keep getting stranger,* she thought, then smiled. *But right now, they aren't half bad."
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Ta-Da!! Chapter Three is done!!! Sorry if it turned crappy toward the end, but I have had such a bad, BAD writer's block, it is so not funny! So, please, review and let me know how I did. I'm working on chapter four....and the faster I get reviews, the faster I post it!
And, just to say this now, if I offended anyone by the beating scene of Kimberly, I greatly apologize. I was writing from some of my own experiences, and it didn't occur to me until just now that that scene may have been offensive....I apologize to anyone who was offended.
Well, thanks, guys! Love ya all!!
Thanks to everybody who reviewed!! I am SO sorry it took so long to update. It's been a nightmare down here. My friend Beth is home from her month long radio tour, and I've been trying to get together with her for a weekend...so far no luck...Plus...school. Ugh. But thanks again for all the reviews! You guys keep me going!!
Dedication: I have to dedicate this one to my dear friend Ashley Smith...it's been 4 months since that fatal crash stole you away...I think about you all the time Ash....you always loved to run...I know now that you were running to heaven...and you beat me to Paradise....I love ya girl....You're never gonna be forgotten.
So....everybody read and review! Enjoy!!!
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Chapter Three
Kimberly was amazed at the size of the palace. There seemed to be thousands of hallways and even more doors. There were pillars that lined the walls, and several paintings adorned the walls. Some depicted waterfalls and forests, others depicted Elven beauties, dancing around a fires or playing strange looking harps. The place was beautiful...but huge. *I would so get lost in a place like this,* Kimberly thought.
"Is there something on your mind, milady?"
The brunette looked over at her escort, who was looking at her gently. She smiled. "No...I was just thinking that I would get lost in a place like this without somebody with me who knew the way." Legolas smiled. "I suppose it would be easy for someone to." Kimberly looked at him. "So you never have?" He laughed. "Believe me, milady, there have been many times when I was younger." She looked at him quizically. "Why does everybody insist on calling me 'milady'?" Legolas looked at her. "Because you are a lady," he said. "It is how we address women here." Kimberly nodded. "Oh...so, I'm supposed to call you 'milord' then?" The elf smiled. "Not if you do not want to," he said. "You may call me Legolas, if you prefer." She nodded. "So, no 'Prince Legolas'? Just...Legolas?" He nodded. "Okay. I'll do that. But you have to call me Kimberly, then." Legolas smiled. "As you wish...Kimberly." He savored the name on his lips. It sounded so natural to say it.
He stopped as they came to a pair of double doors. He released her arm and smiled at her. "After you," he said, pulling open the door. Kimberly smiled softly and slowly walked into the study. Thranduil and Gandalf sat in front of a roaring fire and they turned as she and Legolas entered. Gandalf took his pipe out of his mouth and smiled softly. *Just like her sister,* he thought. Thranduil rose and came towards her. "My dear, you look lovely." The girl smiled. "Thank you." The king smiled and motioned to a chair. "Please, have a seat." Kimberly obeyed and looked up at Legolas as he stood behind Gandalf's chair, his hands clasped in front of him. He smiled reassuringly at her and she shyly returned it.
She turned her attention to the wizard as he began to speak. "I can only imagine that you are quite confused right now," he said. Kimberly nodded. "Oh, yeah." Gandalf smiled. "Perhaps you could inform us on the events that occurred before you arrived here." She felt her heart skip a beat and she looked down at her hands, suddenly ashamed. She desperately didn't want them to know about Roger....didn't want them to discover the truth about her life. "Um...the details are still a little hazy...I'm not really sure about all that happened." Gandalf nodded, understanding. "Anything that you can remember." She sighed. "My parents told me that I wasn't their daughter....and I didn't deal very well with the fact that my entire life was a lie." She was glad when no one questioned how she had been injured.
"What they said was true," Gandalf said. "You weren't even from that time." Kimberly frowned and looked up at him. "Come again?" Gandalf smiled. "You were born here, in Middle-Earth. In an Elven city known as Rivendell. You are the youngest daughter of Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian, rulers of Rivendell. When you were but an infant, you disappeared and it was later discovered that you were taken by someone...taken somewhere far from Middle-Earth. We had all lost hope that you would ever be found." He smiled. "We of little faith." Kimberly frowned. "So then...that means...I mean...I'm an..." Thranduil smiled. "An elf." She frowned again. "But....I don't have the pointy ears and blonde hair," she said. Gandalf laughed. "A simple rouge, my dear. And not every elf has blonde hair. You parents and your siblings have your dark hair."
"Siblings?," she echoed. The wizard nodded. "Indeed. You have two older brothers and an older sister. Who has recently wed, I might add." Many emotion coursed through Kimberly as she sat there, absorbing everything that had just been told to her. "We had no idea who you truly were until the healer informed me that you bore the mark of Edain, which only those of Elrond's line are born with," Thranduil said. He looked at her. "Are you alright?" Kimberly nodded slowly. "Um...yeah...I just....can I have sometime to think?" The king nodded. "Of course. It is quite a lot to take in." He turned to his son. "Legolas, please escort Lady Kimberly to her room." Legolas nodded and walked over to Kimberly, who stood and took his extended arm. "I will be more than willing to remove the glamour that disguises your Elvish qualities, Kimberly," Gandalf said. Kimberly nodded and Legolas escorted her out. When the door closed behind them, Thranduil turned to Gandalf.
"I don't doubt that she is very confused and hurt," he said, slowly sitting down. The wizard only nodded and smoked his pipe. "Gandalf, I feel that Kimberly wasn't entirely honest with us about what happened before she arrived in Middle-Earth. About how she was so severely wounded. Do you share my concern?" Gandalf looked at him and nodded. "Yes, I do. But I also saw that she was somewhat ashamed to say....I believe that our young guest still has many wounds that are not yet healed."
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"Are you alright?"
Kimberly looked over at Legolas as they walked from the study. He was watching her closely, his face a mask of concern. She smiled slightly. "Yeah...it's all just a lot to take in...It's hard to believe that the last 17 years of my life have been a lie....It's like I'm not real." Legolas smiled. "Believe me, Kimberly, you are very real," he said. She looked at him. "What's that supposed to mean?" He laughed. "Nothing. I just mean to say that, even if your childhood wasn't real, who you became is." Kimberly nodded. "Ah..." *Rats, I could have sworn that he was hitting on me...not that he would, but....* She sighed and looked at him. "I, um, I wanted to say thank you. For, ya know, finding me and bringing me here." She smiled. "You probably saved my life." The elf smiled. "I believe Jeera saved your life. I merely delivered you to her." Kimberly laughed. "Well, then, thanks for 'delivering' me to her." Legolas laughed, then frowned when he noticed Kimberly wincing and bringing a hand to her ribs.
"If I may ask...how did you acquire your injuries?," he asked. He saw that she avoided his gaze and wondered why. She pulled her arm away and picked her cuticles. "Kimberly...will you tell me?" She was quiet for moments, then sighed. "Promise not to think any less than me?" He frowned, then nodded. "Aye, I promise." She sighed again. "My father," she said, not looking at him. "Or...at least the guy I *thought* was my father." Legolas stared at her, angry and shocked. "Your father did this to you?" Kimberly nodded. "Yeah...he always had. But not as bad as this time. He's...just always drunk and takes it out on my mom and me. The only reason I got beat this bad was because I stood up to him this time." She smirked. "He doesn't like that. He beat me and then told me he was going to 'teach me some respect.' If it hadn't been for my mom, he would've raped me." From the sound of disgust he made, she figured he knew what "rape" was. "That was when he told me that I wasn't their kid. I tried to hit him, but he broke my wrist. So I kicked him and ran away. Then I was hit by a car--which is kind of like a metal horse, just bigger, faster, and heavier. Then the next thing I remember, I woke up here." She laughed. "No idea why I just told you all that."
Neither of them spoke for a long time, but finally Legolas broke the silence. "The man that did this to you should have to answer for his crime," he said angrily. "Any man who would lay a harsh hand to a woman should suffer a torturous punishment." Kimberly smiled softly, somewhat surprised at his opinion. "Tell me....why do you avoid my gaze?" She shrugged. "I don't know....I guess I'm kind of...ashamed...I guess." Legolas stopped and turned her to him. She kept her head down. "Kimberly there is no need to be ashamed. Kimberly..." He pushed her chin up with his finger and his heart broke when he saw tears in her jade eyes. He wiped them away with his thumbs and looked into her eyes. "You are not to blame," he whispered.
A small sob escaped her and Legolas' thumb stroked her cheek. "Your face is far too lovely to be marred by tears..." Kimberly's eyes searched his face as he said the words and she felt her heart skip a beat. Legolas stroked her cheek and slowly drew her face close to his. Her eyes closed as their lips drew closer.....BANG!!!
They jumped apart and turned to see a young elf servant kneeling on the ground, gathering up the items that had toppled off the tray he was carrying. Kimberly quickly recollected herself, wiping away her tears. Legolas looked at her and mentally kicked himself when he saw that she once again avoided his gaze. The elf servant apologized and ran off in a rush. Legolas cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak, but Kimberly walked on, her head downcast and wringing her hands. Legolas winced at his blunder and caught up with her as she reached her door. She looked up at him and shyly smiled. "Thanks again," she said as she opened the door. Legolas nodded. "My pleasure." He watched as she went into her room and shut the door behind her. Legolas stood there a moment, staring at the closed door, before walking towards his room, kicking a tin canister on his way.
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The knock on Kimberly's door snapped her back ot reality. She and Legolas had almost kissed.....they had come so close....It was all she could think about. "Who is it?," she asked, detachably. She sighed with relief when Gandalf's voice replied to her and not Legolas'. She went to the door and let the wizard in. Gandalf smiled at the girl. She had taken her hair down and now it flowed over her shoulders. He saw a young version of Arwen standing before him, and he was, once again, truly amazed. "If you would like, I could remove the glamour now." Kimberly nodded. "Yeah...sure." The old wizard closed his eyes and uttered words in a language Kimberly didn't recognize. When he opened them again, he grinned. "Now you truly resemble your sister."
Kimberly felt no different, but she felt the pointed ears when she brought her hands to the side of her head. *This could take some getting used to,* she thought. She smiled. "Thank you." Gandalf nodded. "How are you adjusting?," he asked. She shrugged. "Alright, I guess...Just a lot of change....Gandalf, how did I get here?" The wizard sighed. "I wish I could answer that, young Kimberly, but I cannot, for I don't know. The only answer that I came up with is that...since you discovered the truth, there was no more reason for you to stay away. But I know not for sure."
Kimberly nodded and sat down on her bed. "Is my name actually Kimberly?," she asked. The wizard smiled softly and shook his head. "No, it's not. Your Elvish birth name is Nebride...I believe that your sister picked it out." Kimberly nodded again. *Nebride...,* she thought. *That's my name....* She looked up at him. "Will you tell me about my family, Gandalf?" The wizard smiled and sat next to her. "What would you like to know?" She shrugged. "Anything." Gandalf laughed. "To begin, your parents are Elrond and Celebrian. They jointly rule Rivendell, which is a very beautiful land, indeed....you would have loved to grow up there." She smiled softly, feeling a little twinge of sorrow in her heart for the land she missed out on. "Your two older brothers are Elrohir and Elladen, twins. They were both quite fond of you. Your sister is Arwen. There is no doubt of your relation. YOu are simply a younger version of her."
Kimberly looked at him. "You said that before she got married." Gandalf nodded. "Yes, about a year ago. Her husband is Aragorn, King of Gondor." She nodded. "However, he is a mortal, only blessed with long life...but not immortal." She frowned. "But....elves are?" He nodded. "Your grandparents are Celeborn and Galadriel of Lothlorien, yet another lovely Elven kingdom. All of them were very fond of you....Although, in the beginning, you weren't very fond of Aragorn. There was never a silent moment when he was around....you always cried or yelled..." He smiled. "But you captured his heart in the end."
"Why does King Thranduil know about me....but Legolas didn't?," she asked. Gandalf smiled again. "Legolas was constantly off adventuring....training to be the best warrior in Mirkwood...and he succeeded." She nodded and looked at him. "I'd like to meet my family, Gandalf. I'd like to know where I came from." The wizard smiled. "Thranduil has asked that Legolas and I escort you to Rivendell in a few days...when you are ready." She nodded. "I think I'm ready....maybe." Gandalf chuckled. "My dear girl..I now know that you are one of Elrond's children...you show the same spirit they do." Kimberly smiled. "Wait a few days. Give yourself time to adjust to everything....We'll leave in about three days....does that suit you?" Kimberly nodded. "Yes...thank you, Gandalf." The wizard nodded and affectionately patted her arm. "My dear, Nebride," he said. "Welcome back." She smiled and watched as he rose and left the room, his long white cloak billowing behind him.
After he'd gone, Kimberly sat staring out the balcony door. *Nebride of Rivendell,* she thought. *The youngest of four children.* A ghost of a smile appeared on her face. *I always wanted a brother or sister....guess I've had them all along.* She looked to the closed door and sighed. She wanted to meet her family....find out where she came from. But perhaps Gandalf was right in asking her to wait a few days. She still didn't fully understand everything that had happened. It wasn't everyday that you got hit by a car and lived to tell the tale; let alone travel to another time and place. She also wasn't sure what she was going to say to them. She groaned and flopped onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling. *What do you say to the family you never knew existed?*
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The next morning, Legolas stood before Kimberly's door, once again arguing with himself whether or not to knock. All night, he could do nothing but think of what had almost occurred between them in the hallway. He had almost kissed her....By the Valor, how he had wanted to. He had thought about what she had told him; how she had become so severely beaten. He had been furious that any man would lay a hand on a woman that wasn't meant to be intimate. *Intimate.* Legolas clenched his fists when he remembered how Kimberly had said that her father had nearly raped her....It turned his stomach to think of a father doing that to his child...even if it wasn't really his. In Middle-Earth, rape or even attempted rape, could be punished by death....*If only I could face that bastard face to face...* But, pushing the night aside, Legolas had to talk to her. He raised his hand to knock, but the door swung open and he was faced with a surprised Kimberly.
He lowered his hand. "My apologies," he said. "I did not mean to startle you." The young brunette smiled. "It's okay. I was going out anyway...and then I heard something so I opened the door....I guess it was you breathing or something." She looked up at him. "Elves can hear pretty good." It was then that Legolas noticed the points of her ears. "They suit you well, milady." She smiled and shut the door, not looking at him. "Kimberly, I would like to apologize for last night. It was wrong of me to act that way." Kimberly shook her head. "It's alright," she said. "There's no need to apologize." Legolas nodded. "Indeed, there is. I have no excuse for my behavior, and it was wrong of me." Kimberly laughed softly and looked up at him. "Wow...No clue what changed between the the guys here and the guys back home...you're nothing like them," she said. "They would never apologize for something like that." Legolas frowned. "They wouldn't?" She shook her head. "No...they usually put the blame on us women instead. Men shouldn't have changed." She smiled and walked past him, cursing her heart for doing somersaults when she caught his scent. She didn't look at him as he fell into step next to her. "So am I forgiven?" She smiled and nodded. "Yes, even though there was never anything to forgive." Legolas sighed beside her and her smile grew.
"Gandalf told me that you and he will be my escorts to Rivendell," she said, changing the subject. He nodded. "Aye, we will. My father does not wish for you to travel alone." She laughed. "Like I'd be able to....I wouldn't be able to tell which way is right." He chuckled. "There are also many dangers that lurk our woods, even after the War of the Ring." She looked over at him. "What's that?" He smiled, remembering that she knew nothing of Middle-Earth's history. "Are you sure you'd like to hear such a long tale?" She grinned that dazzling smile that made his heart leap into his throat and he felt his breath catch. "What else am I going to do? Besides wander around and get lost?" Legolas laughed and she soon joined in. "Allow me to show you around then, my dear wanderer, and I will tell you the tale."
Gandalf smiled as he watched Legolas and Kimberly walk off together, arm in arm. He chuckled. *Just like Arwen....capturing young men's hearts.* He turned and walked off, shaking his head. He turned the corner and smiled at Thranduil, who walked towards him. "What brings the smile to your face, my friend?," he asked. The wizard's smile grew. "Young love, my friend, young love." Thranduil smiled. "Do you refer to my son and our young guest?" The wizard nodded and Thranduil laughed. "Yes, he does seem quite taken with her, doesn't he?" Gandalf nodded. "Indeed....and at a time like this, it could be just what young Kimberly needs."
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Legolas had given Kimberly a tour of the palace, showing her the many rooms and passages, and now they walked through the garden. Kimberly stared at him, astonished at the tale he had told. The elf had spoken of the Fellowship of the Ring and their journey; his new found friendships with Gimli, the Dwarf, and the four small hobbits from The Shire, including Frodo, the ringbearer. Frodo was one of the details of the story that had captivated her. She was amazed that something so small could bear such a heavy burden and show such courage...and she was also amazed that Gandalf and Legolas had both been members of the Fellowship.
"Wow," she said. "Must have been some adventure." Legolas chuckled. "Indeed. It was an experience that I will not soon forget." She nodded. "So, where are the others now?" He looked at her. "The hobbits returned to the Shire, Gimli to his mines. Aragorn remains in Rivendell with Arwen." She nodded again, and turned her attention to her hands, which she wrung in front of her. "You're a real hero, ya know that?" Legolas frowned and shook his head. "I am no such thing, milady, but I do appreciate the compliment." Kimberly frowned and looked at him. "How can you say that? Of course, you're a hero....Legolas, you helped save the world. You're like Superman with pointy ears." Legolas gave her a bewildered look and she waved her hand. "Don't worry about that," she said. "The point is, you're a hero, whether you like it or not." Legolas looked at her a moment before smiling and taking her hand, bringing it to his lips. "You are one of a kind, Kimberly." She blushed. "Thanks...I think." He chuckled and released her hand. She smiled at him before resuming her walk. He fell into step beside her, and watched her from the corner of his eye. *Has there ever been one as lovely as she who stands before me?,* he thought.
He watched as she reached her fingers out and trailed them over a row of flowers. "You never see stuff as pretty as this back home," she murmered. He frowned at her. "Why is that?" She shrugged. "Just the way things are there. There's not many flowers growing, unless you plant them yourselves. Most of its all buildings and houses. You don't see much nature around." He looked at her. "That's a shame." She nodded. "Yep....it sure is...." She clasped her hands in front of her again and smiled over at him. "Thanks for showing me around," she said. "I really appreciate it." He grinned. "Anything for you, milady." *You and only you.* She laughed. The sound was like music to Legolas, and he felt his heart skip a beat. He stopped and took her hand, pulling her close to him. "Kimberly....what happened last night...." She frowned and shook her head. "Don't worry about it," she said. "It was just because I was so upset....you wanted to comfort me, and that's totally fine. I know that most guys-" she was cut off when his lips met hers, and she stiffened, but then relaxed. Legolas' hands snaked around her waist and Kimberly raised her hands and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Just as quickly as it had begun, it was over, and Legolas pulled back, looking into her eyes. "What were you saying?," he asked softly. Kimberly stared up at him. "I don't remember," she whispered. He smiled at her. She returned it and they pulled apart. She looked down at her hands. "Well, I wasn't really expecting that.." He looked down at her. "Should I apologize again?" She smiled at him. "No way....just like before....there's nothing to forgive." He reached out and brushed a strand of hair off her face. "I've had a desire to that since I saw you." She looked up at him. "Why?," she asked, then realized what she said. "Uh...that is..." Legolas smiled. "Have you ever looked in a mirror, Kimberly? You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, even if you don't think so." She stared at him. No one had ever called her beautiful before, aside from her mother and, occasionally, one of her friends. But to hear it from a very, VERY good looking elf....well, it made her head spin. Legolas bent his head and met her lips again, and she reached up and pulled him closer. "Thank you," she said. Legolas nodded. "Anything for you." She smiled. "We should return to the palace," he said. "We leave for Rivendell in two days. You should rest yourself for the journey." She nodded and they walked again, Kimberly in somewhat of a daze. That had been her first kiss. *And WHAT a kiss.*
She looked over shyly at the elf who walked beside her. *Things just keep getting stranger,* she thought, then smiled. *But right now, they aren't half bad."
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Ta-Da!! Chapter Three is done!!! Sorry if it turned crappy toward the end, but I have had such a bad, BAD writer's block, it is so not funny! So, please, review and let me know how I did. I'm working on chapter four....and the faster I get reviews, the faster I post it!
And, just to say this now, if I offended anyone by the beating scene of Kimberly, I greatly apologize. I was writing from some of my own experiences, and it didn't occur to me until just now that that scene may have been offensive....I apologize to anyone who was offended.
Well, thanks, guys! Love ya all!!