WOW. Just WOW!! I never expected the kind of response I got to chapter 15,
I am so overjoyed that you all loved it so much. Well you can thank
Butterflykisses14 for making me put the first kiss scene in earlier than I
originally planned. It was her suggestion that prompted me to create that
lovely romantic part.
HISTORY: You all would have hated me. In the original draft of this
story they don't kiss until way down the road, but through about 5
different storyline rewrites I placed the first kiss while they were
heading to Helms deep, and then after reading Butterflykisses14 review
I decided to rearrange things once more. The first kiss also was
originally going to be initiated by Legolas but upon further editing I
determined that Caitlin was the one who was more weighted down by her
responsibility and knowledge and it would be more dramatic and useful
for her to realize her feelings and initiate the kiss as opposed to
Legolas who had all but said "I love you" and knew how he felt.
His embrace was strong and warm and she lingered there. Feeling his
touch, until he released her and their lips parted as she slid down to
the ground.
"You read my mind." Said Legolas placing her feet down on the ground once more. "I feared I would consume you had I waited a moment longer to kiss you." He said looking at her. He ran his fingers through her hair. " Ed' I'ear ar' elenea. (By the sea and stars) Manke naa lye omentien, hodoer,? (Where did you come from, wise one?)" He said as he gazed deeply into her eyes.
"Tula, hama neva I' naur. (Come sit near the fire.)" He said as he took her hand in his and motioned to the fire.
"What?" she said, not understanding.
"Oh, I apologize, speaking elvish just comes so naturally, when I am happy. I lost myself for a moment, in your eyes." he said hugging her. "I said to come sit with me by the fire, you are freezing." He said as he wrapped his elven cloak about her body.
Caitlin smiled, clinging tightly to him, smelling his hair, and the soil on his tunic. "Thank you, but I have to get to bed, I am so tired," she said as she released his embrace. "I will see you tomorrow." she said. He smiled at her, and took her hands in his, blowing on them, making them warm.
"If you ever need to be warmed, call on me, my dearest friend." He said.
"I will."
Legolas left her alone, to sleep, heading toward the fire.
Caitlin watched him leave, seeing his form disappear into the darkening sky. Her body was so exhausted, she felt the three days of activity catching up to her quickly and she came over to her bed and laid down. She lifted her feet and brought the covers up to her shoulders. Her eyes were heavy and she could not stay awake. Drifting with a smile into slumber.
She walked across the plains of Rohan, finding Shadowfax standing there with Gandalf. Beyond Gandalf, Aragorn, stood with narsil. And Gimli stood beside Aragorn. She saw herself standing next to Gimli.
The wind was fierce and the sky cloudy, dark. She looked beyond the group, and saw a war party of orcs running toward them.
"No, make ready for battle, she yelled." But her voice was deep and not her own. Her body moved to protect her friends, and she drew a bow from her back and then an arrow, she drew the bow and let fly and arrow, one of the orcs fell but many more remained. Her body moved without her consciously making it move, and her hands were masculine, also not her own.
"NO." she yelled as she watched her friends killed by the orcs. She ran, fast, to the fallen, reaching Aragorn first. She held him as his breath left his body. "Arwen." He said.
She looked around, and found her body among the dead, her face her cloths.
Just beyond, frodo and sam lay back down the ridge, dead. Sam sat up,
his cold dead face dark and pale. "Look above it comes down" he said.
"What does that mean." She said. Walking toward him, " why am I here?"
she said, running toward him now.
Sams voice was dark and musical at the same time, as many voices in
one coming from his mouth.
"Legolas Greenleaf, your contribution is needed, you are a valued
member of the fellowship." Said the voice.
"What, is that who I am?" what are you trying to tell me, what are
these visions you keep showing me?" she stopped, looking down at
herself, she was in Legolas's body, these were his hands. It was his
voice coming from her mouth. It was his skill that shot the arrow.
"You know who I am, I am not Legolas, I am Caitlin Mcpherren, from
earth, you must know this. Why are you speaking to me this way," she
yelled but their was no response, and sams body lay dead again. "TELL
ME, WHAT SHOULD I BE LEARNING THROUGH HIS EYES?!!" She yelled.
"Many things become clear when tasks are fulfilled." she heard from a
distant voice, across the wind.
"Look above, it comes down..."
Caitlin felt a warm breath on her face. The blanket around her body,
she opened her eyes, to see a huge snout in her face. She was startled
and backed away, but then saw it was Asufeld. " And where did you come
from," she said as she stood. The morning air was still and cool. The
dew on the grass caressed her bare feet as she looked out at the
horizon; the sun was just coming up, not yet visible but casting a
dull blue light in the sky. Asufeld meandered over to her once more
and gave her a nudge. "What, that do you want." she said. His saddle
was next to her sword along with the reigns and harness. She knew that
Rohan horses would not willfully leave their owners so there had been
no need to tie him up. "What, is It." she said again when he nudged
her again. She looked around, seeing that everyone was still asleep.
She looked again at Asufeld, then again at the camp. A great smile
crept across her face. She turned to her horse. Whispering to him. "Do
you think a morning ride would be alright." She said with a grin. The
air was still a bit nippy from the night as she went over to his side
and hoisted herself up onto his bareback. "Ok, my friend, I think we
can manage without all that equipment, what do you think." She said as
he began to walk away from the camp. "But please do not let me fall
from you." She said. She had a sence that Asufeld acknowledged her and
then be begun to trot away from camp. She squeezed her legs telling
him to go faster. "Don't be shy my friend." She said. And Asufeld sped
up into a canter. She held onto his mane at first, getting yeust to
the feeling of riding without a saddle. Then she released his mane and
outstretched her arms feeling the wind on her body. Asufeld cantered
for a few minutes and then went into a full gallop.
Caitlin leaned into his run, the exhilaration running like cold
refreshing water through her veins.
"Asufeld, wait, " she said turning to see a fire at the camp. He
stopped abruptly. She didn't have to say anything more as she peered
at the smoke billowing from the fire; he felt her intention and began
his return to the campsite.
"Where is Caitlin?" said Gimli as he approached the fire where
everyone had gathered.
"She is taking a morning ride," said Aragorn as he puffed on his pipe.
"That girl is just incorrigible, I can't understand anyone wanting to
spend any more time on those beasts than necessary." He said with a
grumble as he sat.
"shadowfax might say differently." said Gandalf with a smile.
Gimli became a bright shade of red as he became flustered. "Uh, well I
mean no disrespect, I um just meant that. well."
Gandalf laughed "oh, sir Gimli it is alright, I only jest." He said
with a smile.
Caitlin came galloping up to camp and swiftly jumped off, before
walking over to the rest of the group. "Good morning." She said.
"You look like you have had a good morning," said Aragorn pointing to
her hair.
"Oh," she said as she pulled a couple of leaves from her wind tossed
hair. "Well, um, yes, actually I have a fabulous morning" she said
looking at Legolas.
"We wanted to be getting underway as soon as possible, it will be
quite some time to Edoras."
"I understand," she said.
The group seemed unusually silent, looking at her as though they had
something to say. Caitlin would have said something about it but
Gandalf spoke up.
"Caitlin, I have spoken with everyone here, they all seem to
understand how difficult your task is, the burden of your knowledge
and they have said you have been adjusting well to this world. Yet
now, war has started, and our time comes to a critical road, their
will be times that we all must fallow your judgment, that you will
choose to lead they way. Your words will be a guild for us all." He
said in a serious voice. "You must be ready to take on this
responsibility."
"I knew this day would come, had you told me this only a week ago, I
know I would not have fulfilled this awesome task" she said rising to
her feet to address them. "But I have grown since then." She said
looking at Legolas. "I know I am strong, my knowledge gives me great
power, which I believe no one person should possess" She paused for a
moment, trying to choose her words wisely. "And this is why I must
choose specific times and situations to take the lead. I will only
interfere in times that if I did not, we would fail when I know we
should win." She said. Her voice then became very serious and she
spoke with the quality of a true warrior, a true leader. "You must do
everything in your power to not question my judgment during these
times." She said. The words came from her almost instinctively, and as
she finished she realized just how much of a leader she sounded. How
much she truly had changed.
Gimli stood and came over to her. " You are dear to me. And I have
seen the strength in you that only previously I had seen in the lovely
Galadriel, I will follow you lass, to where ever you may lead, weather
to death and defeat or victory." He said.
"I would also say that my sword has followed many kings, but never one
so born to lead," said Aragorn as he stood and came over to her.
"And I," said Legolas as he stood and came over to her. "I have
followed you from the beginning, my heart could not falter now." He
said placing a hand on her shoulder.
Gandalf stood his raspy voice echoing through to them as he walked.
"The stars do not lie when they say you were destined to join this
quest." He said standing in front of her. He smiled brightly. "But I
must say I have never found a warrior so near in height to that of a
dwarve in all of my days." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
Caitlin smiled, as tears fell from her eyes, "I could not ask for
better companions." She said wiping the tears from her face.
"So we are to ride to Rohan, are we not." Said Gimli with a smile. "No
sense in standing around here watching our fearless leader bawl her
eyes out." He said playfully.
An hour later everyone was ready. The horses were ready, and they set
out to the Golden hall, with haste and hope.
Ok so this has got to be the shortest chapter in history, but I chose
to separate it from the entering into Rohan section because I wanted
to establish just how much the characters have all evolved through the
story with their love and friendship before I went on. So that is
chapter 16. Any questions or comments will be responded to during the
next chapter.
See ya
Aiko alima
HISTORY: You all would have hated me. In the original draft of this
story they don't kiss until way down the road, but through about 5
different storyline rewrites I placed the first kiss while they were
heading to Helms deep, and then after reading Butterflykisses14 review
I decided to rearrange things once more. The first kiss also was
originally going to be initiated by Legolas but upon further editing I
determined that Caitlin was the one who was more weighted down by her
responsibility and knowledge and it would be more dramatic and useful
for her to realize her feelings and initiate the kiss as opposed to
Legolas who had all but said "I love you" and knew how he felt.
His embrace was strong and warm and she lingered there. Feeling his
touch, until he released her and their lips parted as she slid down to
the ground.
"You read my mind." Said Legolas placing her feet down on the ground once more. "I feared I would consume you had I waited a moment longer to kiss you." He said looking at her. He ran his fingers through her hair. " Ed' I'ear ar' elenea. (By the sea and stars) Manke naa lye omentien, hodoer,? (Where did you come from, wise one?)" He said as he gazed deeply into her eyes.
"Tula, hama neva I' naur. (Come sit near the fire.)" He said as he took her hand in his and motioned to the fire.
"What?" she said, not understanding.
"Oh, I apologize, speaking elvish just comes so naturally, when I am happy. I lost myself for a moment, in your eyes." he said hugging her. "I said to come sit with me by the fire, you are freezing." He said as he wrapped his elven cloak about her body.
Caitlin smiled, clinging tightly to him, smelling his hair, and the soil on his tunic. "Thank you, but I have to get to bed, I am so tired," she said as she released his embrace. "I will see you tomorrow." she said. He smiled at her, and took her hands in his, blowing on them, making them warm.
"If you ever need to be warmed, call on me, my dearest friend." He said.
"I will."
Legolas left her alone, to sleep, heading toward the fire.
Caitlin watched him leave, seeing his form disappear into the darkening sky. Her body was so exhausted, she felt the three days of activity catching up to her quickly and she came over to her bed and laid down. She lifted her feet and brought the covers up to her shoulders. Her eyes were heavy and she could not stay awake. Drifting with a smile into slumber.
She walked across the plains of Rohan, finding Shadowfax standing there with Gandalf. Beyond Gandalf, Aragorn, stood with narsil. And Gimli stood beside Aragorn. She saw herself standing next to Gimli.
The wind was fierce and the sky cloudy, dark. She looked beyond the group, and saw a war party of orcs running toward them.
"No, make ready for battle, she yelled." But her voice was deep and not her own. Her body moved to protect her friends, and she drew a bow from her back and then an arrow, she drew the bow and let fly and arrow, one of the orcs fell but many more remained. Her body moved without her consciously making it move, and her hands were masculine, also not her own.
"NO." she yelled as she watched her friends killed by the orcs. She ran, fast, to the fallen, reaching Aragorn first. She held him as his breath left his body. "Arwen." He said.
She looked around, and found her body among the dead, her face her cloths.
Just beyond, frodo and sam lay back down the ridge, dead. Sam sat up,
his cold dead face dark and pale. "Look above it comes down" he said.
"What does that mean." She said. Walking toward him, " why am I here?"
she said, running toward him now.
Sams voice was dark and musical at the same time, as many voices in
one coming from his mouth.
"Legolas Greenleaf, your contribution is needed, you are a valued
member of the fellowship." Said the voice.
"What, is that who I am?" what are you trying to tell me, what are
these visions you keep showing me?" she stopped, looking down at
herself, she was in Legolas's body, these were his hands. It was his
voice coming from her mouth. It was his skill that shot the arrow.
"You know who I am, I am not Legolas, I am Caitlin Mcpherren, from
earth, you must know this. Why are you speaking to me this way," she
yelled but their was no response, and sams body lay dead again. "TELL
ME, WHAT SHOULD I BE LEARNING THROUGH HIS EYES?!!" She yelled.
"Many things become clear when tasks are fulfilled." she heard from a
distant voice, across the wind.
"Look above, it comes down..."
Caitlin felt a warm breath on her face. The blanket around her body,
she opened her eyes, to see a huge snout in her face. She was startled
and backed away, but then saw it was Asufeld. " And where did you come
from," she said as she stood. The morning air was still and cool. The
dew on the grass caressed her bare feet as she looked out at the
horizon; the sun was just coming up, not yet visible but casting a
dull blue light in the sky. Asufeld meandered over to her once more
and gave her a nudge. "What, that do you want." she said. His saddle
was next to her sword along with the reigns and harness. She knew that
Rohan horses would not willfully leave their owners so there had been
no need to tie him up. "What, is It." she said again when he nudged
her again. She looked around, seeing that everyone was still asleep.
She looked again at Asufeld, then again at the camp. A great smile
crept across her face. She turned to her horse. Whispering to him. "Do
you think a morning ride would be alright." She said with a grin. The
air was still a bit nippy from the night as she went over to his side
and hoisted herself up onto his bareback. "Ok, my friend, I think we
can manage without all that equipment, what do you think." She said as
he began to walk away from the camp. "But please do not let me fall
from you." She said. She had a sence that Asufeld acknowledged her and
then be begun to trot away from camp. She squeezed her legs telling
him to go faster. "Don't be shy my friend." She said. And Asufeld sped
up into a canter. She held onto his mane at first, getting yeust to
the feeling of riding without a saddle. Then she released his mane and
outstretched her arms feeling the wind on her body. Asufeld cantered
for a few minutes and then went into a full gallop.
Caitlin leaned into his run, the exhilaration running like cold
refreshing water through her veins.
"Asufeld, wait, " she said turning to see a fire at the camp. He
stopped abruptly. She didn't have to say anything more as she peered
at the smoke billowing from the fire; he felt her intention and began
his return to the campsite.
"Where is Caitlin?" said Gimli as he approached the fire where
everyone had gathered.
"She is taking a morning ride," said Aragorn as he puffed on his pipe.
"That girl is just incorrigible, I can't understand anyone wanting to
spend any more time on those beasts than necessary." He said with a
grumble as he sat.
"shadowfax might say differently." said Gandalf with a smile.
Gimli became a bright shade of red as he became flustered. "Uh, well I
mean no disrespect, I um just meant that. well."
Gandalf laughed "oh, sir Gimli it is alright, I only jest." He said
with a smile.
Caitlin came galloping up to camp and swiftly jumped off, before
walking over to the rest of the group. "Good morning." She said.
"You look like you have had a good morning," said Aragorn pointing to
her hair.
"Oh," she said as she pulled a couple of leaves from her wind tossed
hair. "Well, um, yes, actually I have a fabulous morning" she said
looking at Legolas.
"We wanted to be getting underway as soon as possible, it will be
quite some time to Edoras."
"I understand," she said.
The group seemed unusually silent, looking at her as though they had
something to say. Caitlin would have said something about it but
Gandalf spoke up.
"Caitlin, I have spoken with everyone here, they all seem to
understand how difficult your task is, the burden of your knowledge
and they have said you have been adjusting well to this world. Yet
now, war has started, and our time comes to a critical road, their
will be times that we all must fallow your judgment, that you will
choose to lead they way. Your words will be a guild for us all." He
said in a serious voice. "You must be ready to take on this
responsibility."
"I knew this day would come, had you told me this only a week ago, I
know I would not have fulfilled this awesome task" she said rising to
her feet to address them. "But I have grown since then." She said
looking at Legolas. "I know I am strong, my knowledge gives me great
power, which I believe no one person should possess" She paused for a
moment, trying to choose her words wisely. "And this is why I must
choose specific times and situations to take the lead. I will only
interfere in times that if I did not, we would fail when I know we
should win." She said. Her voice then became very serious and she
spoke with the quality of a true warrior, a true leader. "You must do
everything in your power to not question my judgment during these
times." She said. The words came from her almost instinctively, and as
she finished she realized just how much of a leader she sounded. How
much she truly had changed.
Gimli stood and came over to her. " You are dear to me. And I have
seen the strength in you that only previously I had seen in the lovely
Galadriel, I will follow you lass, to where ever you may lead, weather
to death and defeat or victory." He said.
"I would also say that my sword has followed many kings, but never one
so born to lead," said Aragorn as he stood and came over to her.
"And I," said Legolas as he stood and came over to her. "I have
followed you from the beginning, my heart could not falter now." He
said placing a hand on her shoulder.
Gandalf stood his raspy voice echoing through to them as he walked.
"The stars do not lie when they say you were destined to join this
quest." He said standing in front of her. He smiled brightly. "But I
must say I have never found a warrior so near in height to that of a
dwarve in all of my days." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
Caitlin smiled, as tears fell from her eyes, "I could not ask for
better companions." She said wiping the tears from her face.
"So we are to ride to Rohan, are we not." Said Gimli with a smile. "No
sense in standing around here watching our fearless leader bawl her
eyes out." He said playfully.
An hour later everyone was ready. The horses were ready, and they set
out to the Golden hall, with haste and hope.
Ok so this has got to be the shortest chapter in history, but I chose
to separate it from the entering into Rohan section because I wanted
to establish just how much the characters have all evolved through the
story with their love and friendship before I went on. So that is
chapter 16. Any questions or comments will be responded to during the
next chapter.
See ya
Aiko alima