A/N: Yes, I still live, but um… I have plenty of excuses for not updating in over a month.
Elladan: no she doesn't
Authoress: Yes I do.
Elladan: Do not.
Authoress: Well regardless I won't keep you waiting, I think I did that long enough, here's ch.15
P.S. Reread ch.14 I fixed a few mistakes in it. Review Replies will be at the bottom.
Chapter 15: A Place To Stay
Elrond looked Locon from head to toe from the safety of his desk. This one did not appear intimidated by him at all. He did not so much as flinch from the looks Elrond always used that would normally send anyone to their knees in confession of their crimes. He didn't seem to mind waiting for the half-elf's decision either; he seemed content to stand in that spot in the middle of the room for as long as it took to receive an answer.
His eyes traveled to the boy in the back of the room. He was nervous and uneased by the prolonged waiting. His eyes were clear and spoke of his fears of being turned away into the wild with only two others to defend him and the child.
Then there was the girl who had dared to threaten and accuse his youngest son and probably the others as well. He didn't trust her at all no matter what excuses her superior offers for her. There was no reason behind such behavior. In a strange way it reminded him of Elladan when he was first out on his own, hunting.
The face of little Jayna passed across his minds eye. The little cat with strange eyes and a very happy disposition. He had to admit she was cute. He thought back to when she first came to Imladris and how she had been hurt, and how she had licked his nose. He also remembered how Elladan had been looking forward to keeping her as his pet and so fiercely defended her when Elrond had nearly thrown her out. He wondered if Elladan had considered that fact, after all she was one of them.
Elrond sighed he would need to take council on this matter. He wanted to help the changing ones, he truly did, but he needed to speak with the ones who had been around these creatures for they had better experience with them then he. Even if that experience was gained in the last few hours, it was far more than he had.
Elrond stood, as did the others with him. Locon straightened his back and squared his shoulders staring at Elrond with his one eye.
All was silent when the elf lord spoke, "I hope you understand, but this is not a decision easily made at this moment it time. I need to take council with my advisors on this, but I will allow you to stay until I have come to a decision. Glorfindel will escort you to a room in the visitor's quarters. You and the other lad will stay together and the two females will have a room nearby yours, if that is acceptable?"
Locon nodded, "It is more then acceptable Lord Elf. You have shown us more kindness then any other outside our borders. Even if you turn us away we will be grateful for the fair chance you have given us. I only hope mine or my comrades actions will not be all that is judged." He then looked at Gandalf, "Mithrandir I hope you may use your knowledge of us to show some insight as to our ways. You have a better understanding of our kind then most."
Gandalf smiled and nodded, "Of course Locon I will see what can be done. But I make no promises."
"Thank you. Now if we are dismissed I will take my leave and speak with my second, who I once again apologize for." Locon gave a low bow and turned to walk out the room Glorfindel and a still limping Kanu not far behind.
As the door shut voices filled the air.
"Ada you can't seriously consider letting them stay."
"Elladan they really aren't that bad. It was only the girl."
"But if she's like that openly then what are the others like? Looks can be deceiving my dear brother. "
"SILENCE!" Gandalf had had enough of the twins arguing. It was not their decision to make, that right belonged to their father. Besides Locon had asked him to help them out, how could he possible let them down. "What you two don't realize is their way of life outside of here is very different from what any of you are used to. They are not from here and face creatures more foul than orcs and wargs. They have been betrayed by those they trusted. Their own families give away their young if only to live another day."
"You seem to know much about them Gandalf. Enlighten us for we know so little." said Elrond lost in thought. He had many things to consider. He thought about how the beings came to Imladris, all because of one girl. A girl who needed protection from an enemy her guardians could not protect her from. "But first Elladan, tell me what do think of little Jayna now that you have met her betters? Do you now dislike her for what she is?"
All traces of resentment and anger instantly disappeared form Elladan's fair face. He hadn't thought of that, Jayna was a werecat, just like her guards. If he turned them away then she would be forced to leave to. She was sweet and kind and hadn't caused any trouble. He then remembered what it was he had promised earlier that morning when they first set off to find Jayna's 'pack', as she called them.
Flashback
Elladan kept Jayna at his side preventing any harm that may come to his young charge. He wasn't sure how everyone would react to her. He didn't want any harm to come to the one who so freely offered her love and respect to him. However, he didn't want any harm to come his family because of this. If any thing happened to them…. He shook his head slightly to remove the thoughts to something else. His thoughts traveled back to the dream he had the night before. He had lied to everyone when he said he couldn't remember what had happened in his dreams. He only wished that they would never come true. Besides, he enjoyed having Jayna around it reminded him of when Estel was little and how he would look up to them, wanting nothing more than to be in their presence. Those were the days that brought smiles to the older elf's face, and he was happy to have it again with this little one around. He didn't want to admit it, but it would make him sad to see her go back to her kind.
End Flashback
Elrond smiled at the sight of the wheels working in his oldest head. He would not turn her away, this he knew.
Elladan sighed in defeat, "Perhaps they should stay ada. After all Jayna is the one danger of hunters. From the way her guard acted they would not be able to fulfill their duties should they encounter their enemy. So yes, I think they should stay."
Elrond smiled he had taught his sons well. "Very well, Then they shall stay assuming the rest of you agree." Elrond looked around the room and saw every head nod yes. "Now Gandalf, tell me what you know of these people."
"I would be happy to. First of all you might want to know, is something very important. Werecats may at times have no control over their actions, as we saw this morning, you see they are." the wizard paused in search of the words to describe what went on in the workings of a werecat mind. "How should I put this, well the way it was described to me was that werecats, like all werecreatures, have two minds, two souls incased into one working body."
"What do you mean." asked Erestor.
"It is difficult to explain without experiencing it. They have the vicious animal side and then the human side. A werecat, especially the young ones, have to learn to control this animal side of them, but if they don't learn to except as a part of themselves then it will slowly over time drive them insane. If they never learn control then they live very hard and often traumatizing lives. They go on out of control killing sprees and often never remember them. Those that can't control themselves become a danger to all who surround them. It is a very hard and long process to learn, but a necessary one. Once they learn control the outbursts are less frequent and they learn to speak with the wild spirit."
"What about full moons, do they react the same as werewolves?" asked Aragorn, who had been sitting and quietly listening to everything that was said.
Gandalf shook his head, "It depends on the events surrounding the werecat at the time as to what they do at the full of a moon. But to answer your question no, for the most part they do not react the same."
"What do they do?" asked Elrohir.
"They sleep." said the wizard simply as he looked around the room at the shocked look on the faces in the room. "I'm not sure what they mean by that, but that was what I was told."
"How could you not know what that means?" asked Aragorn.
"I never found out. My boy I wasn't among them for a full moon turn." said Gandalf laughing at the shocked looks on the faces surrounding him.
"You actually lived with them." asked Elladan amazed the wizard would actually stay with such vile creatures for any long period of time.
"Yes, and I found them to be quite interesting and so shall you young one." Gandalf's voice holding a knowingly tone.
"Well then I suppose it's all settled then. They shall stay."
By evening when an agreement was struck and plans for their stay made out Elrond summed Locon into the study of which many hours had been spent in discussion.
"We have come to a decision on whether or not you stay." Elrond watched and waited to see how the werecat would react. He sensed the tension around the young man before continuing. "I will allow you stay."
Locon almost sighed and flopped into the nearest chair in relief, but quickly remembered his station and where he was he straightened up.
"I thank you my lord elf. You do know how much your kindness means to us."
Elrond nodded his head, "But there is one condition. You must at all times maintain control over yourselves. Is that understood?"
"Yes sir."
"The girl who was in here with you…"
"Rish, sir."
"Yes, Rish. She is to be behaved; I care not how she raised among you or what her life is like while she is out of your line of sight, she is to control her temper."
"Yes, sir. I have spoken with her on that matter and she is looking into her reasons for the outburst at this moment."
Elrond nodded, "How long until your escort arrives?"
Locon pondered this question for a few moments before answering. "I am no exactly sure my lord, but rest assured I will find out by tomorrow evening at the latest."
"Very good then I will expect an answer before tomorrow is out, but for now I welcome you and your brethren to Imladris."
Locon bowed, "Thank you Lord Elrond."
Later that night
Locon stepped out onto the moonlit porch it was there he saw the person he was looking for. Rish sat cross-legged on the stone ground. Her eyes were closed tight, shutting out the light the moon and stars brought. Her back was stiff as her hands folded neatly in her lap. She was trying to regain her senses, to calm her wild spirit. Having done this many times himself Locon knew exactly what she was doing, for every werecreature had two spirits build inside of them. One spirit contained the aspects of the human side while the other held the wild, monstrous beast all werecreatures call a curse and a blessing.
While Locon enjoyed the quiet that came with Rish's mediations he still needed to speak with her about her performance in the meeting.
Coming beside her he gently nudged her with his toe. "Rish I need to talk to you." he said though he knew it was unneeded to be said.
"What do you wish to speak about?" Said Rish cracking open one eye.
"What happened to you Rish? You're not normally like this." Locon sat in a nearby chair.
"I don't know. The cat in me is not happy with the way things are, but she won't tell me why."
"What grievance do you have with Helsing? It never mattered before."
That was it that hit the nerve. Rish sharply turned her head to face her leader. "That is none of your business." she was almost yelling before stomping back into the house heading to the room she had been assigned.
The next day brought an interesting sight for all the elves to see. They gathered from all over the house to watch the dust covered courtyard. Two figures were wrestling below. Dust and dirt was kicked up into the dry air as they fought. But this fight was not done in a fierce manner neither opponent held any hatred, anger, or any malice towards the other what so ever. The beings were engaged in fight that was nothing more than simple play, or to the female werecat watching from one of the lower balconies a training practice.
Locon and Kanu had been locked in this mock battle for half an hour and only the younger of the two was beginning to tire. But that was to be expected since his brother was gently cutting off his air supply in a fierce headlock.
Spots began to dace past Kanu's eyes he quickly losened one hand and quickly tapped his brother's arm while saying, "Locon… Locon I can't …. breath."
Locon instantly released his hold; "Sorry." the apology was short lived as Kanu lunged at him catching his brother around the middle, head buried into the elder's stomach. Locon knew what to do. Falling backwards he drove his knee into his brother's abdomen sending Kanu flying over head and landing with an audible "Oomph" on the other side of his head.
"Time!" yelled Rish from her spot on the balcony
The play fight ended between the brothers and Locon stood dusting himself off. Kanu sat from his place on the ground massaging his neck where Locon had him in the headlock.
Locon reached out a hand, helping his younger brother to his feet. Looking up to the balcony, where an audience had quickly formed, he motioned for his next challenger.
"Come down here Rish it's your turn."
Rish smiled, "I don't want to now. I feel lazy in this heat." She fanned her face with her hand.
"That's why it's a morning practice. Now come, you need to work out that extra tension you've built up over the past month." said Locon with his hands firmly locked at his hips.
Rish finally relented and jumped off the balcony railing landing nimbly on her feet, her knees slightly bent to absorb the shock of the landing, she watched Locon in anticipation.
"What will the choice of fighting be today my all mighty leader?" she asked in play mockery.
Locon shook his head, "No weapons. Let us show my wayward brother how true werecats wrestle." Locon looked up at his brother in time to see the young one stick out his tongue.
The fight was not instant as it had been with the brothers instead they circled each other. Each never missing a step as they kept eye contact trying to read each others moves and picking up on each others strengths and weaknesses. This seemed to go on for hours before they two stopped and stared. As if they could kill off the other by thought alone.
Locon was the first to move he came head on. Knowing this move before hand, it was one of Locon's favorite to start with; Rish closed her eyes and felt his movements beneath her feet. The ground shook only barely as he moved closer. The fight started in one instant. The moment she opened her eyes a cold glare was sent straight through Locon straight to his very soul.
Having seen this glare many times in his life Locon was phased in the slightest as he head straight to the fight not missing a step. Their hands locked as he finally reached her. They pushed each other back and for the testing one another's strength. Before Locon loosed one hand form the females grasp and into a headlock.
Rish easily slipped out before he could tighten his grip around her neck. She now stood behind him and wrapped her arms around him to pin his arms to his side. Taking notice of this Locon squatted low to the ground effectively slipping through her arms and rolled one leg out from under him catching Rish's feet, tripping her, as he circled around coming to a stand.
Rish instantly bounced up from the ground beneath her as Locon came in for another assault. Acting on muscle instinct Rish balled her fist and brought into Locon's gut and thrust the fist upward the second it came in contact with him. Shocked by the play turned rough Rish instantly pulled back and Locon stumbled forward clutching his gut. A slight smirk appeared on her face when the other seemed to stand and quickly recover.
"Sorry Locon." The happy glint in her eyes and proud smirk never left her face that was until she saw Locon's reaction.
Rish's smirk instantly left her face when Locon's face started to turn green. Eyes wide the one eyed werecat turned and with his hand over his mouth hurried behind the nearest tree gripping his stomach the whole way. Soon the sounds of retching could be heard by all who were present. Rish now looked stunned at the tree her leader now stood behind.
With the job of emptying his stomach was at last over he spit any leftover onto the fairly small pile and kicked dirt over the top until the contents were completely covered and all smell would be erased. He stood and took a deep breath allowing his stomach to calm down before returning to the others beyond the trees.
At last he was back into the open and saw one of the elves with a cup in her hand. She walked aver and shoved it into his hands.
"Drink it. You will feel better."
Locon nodded and after examining the cups contents and smelling the warm steam that flowed from the top he gulped it down. Instantly his stomach felt better.
"Thank you. It helped a great deal." he said handing the now empty cup back to the elf. She nodded and went back to the healing wing to attend to her duties.
"Feel better?" asked Rish
"Ow," Locon blinked a couple of times clearing the tears that began to cloud his eyes.
Review Replies:
-Hyperactive Forever- (Screams) NO INTERNET! How did U survive? Hehe Estel was in your shoe. You misplace your clones a lot. Do elves like cheesy puffs? Maybe I should feed them to mine they tend to get hungry and I can't keep feeding them at three in the morning.
Elrohir: That's because you don't let us have dinner.
Legolas: At least she stopped blaming us for her long waits between updates.
Elven Muse: No, now she blames me.
(Kat hugs muse) My poor muse he's been so abused and over worked lately.
(Elladan walks in covered in dirt in grass)
Legolas: (laughs) what happened to you?
Elladan: Mining and harvesting.
Elrohir: Mining and harvesting what?
Elladan: Plot bunnies.
Authoress: I found a job for my clones while I'm away at school.
-Beginning 'n' End- Hehe I love your reviews. They're sooo funny. Yes the language is mine. Elrond's just trying to protect everyone; he gets a little better eventually. (Maybe) I wonder if you'll be able to predict what I'll do next time Helsing enters. Never mind U probably will. I might have to change a few things just to see how much you get. (Thinks for a min.) Naa I'm not that clever. Oh well I can still try. Thanks for your reviews and sorry to keep U waiting on this ch. P.S. I know I said it would be long, but I shortened it I found a happy place to stop a lot further back. So it's a little short, but hey a least U won't have t wait as long for the other ch.
-Lynn-G- Sorry to keep U waiting, Glad U like.
-Zammy- Sorry it took so long, here's your new ch.
-A Sly Fan- Glad U like my endings. Sorry this one's not as action packed as some of the others, but hopefully the play fighting was at least something. The action will come in later ch. Any fighting for at least two ch. will be play. Sorry to keep U waiting.