Chapter Seven:
It had started raining shortly after setting out. It was a small shower at
first, but with every step that the Fellowship took the rain came down
harder and faster. It was well after noon, and the group had stopped for
lunch and a chance to rest. There was no possible way to make a fire so
lunch was eaten cold that day. Kayla sat a small distance away from the
rest of the group sheltered under the thick branches of a huge tree,
feeling like an outsider. The rest of the group knew each other well, and
Kayla felt slightly inadequate. Apart from being the new addition to the
group - Faramir had known the others for years - she was the only girl.
Kayla felt a small hand on her shoulder. She turned to see the four Hobbits standing behind her. They grinned and sat down around her. "I hope we aren't disturbing you," Frodo said. "Oh no," Kayla replied, "I'm glad to have your company." "Why are you sitting all by yourself?" Pippin wanted to know. Merry gave him a shove "Pippin, maybe she doesn't want to tell you," Merry hissed. "I'm siting over here because I feel awkward around the group." Kayla smiled at the antics of the two younger Hobbits. "Why?" Pippin looked confused. "Because you've all known each other for so long, and I feel I am intruding on that. And I'm also the only girl here." Usually Kayla didn't share her feelings so openly, but there was something about the Hobbits that made her feel comfortable.
Kayla and the Hobbits finished their lunches off and turned to see what the rest of the Fellowship was doing. It was no surprise to Kayla to find Aragorn gathering up his things and getting everyone ready to set off again. He was a hard taskmaster. "We are to meet Gandalf before sunset. At this rate it will be well into the night before we reach him." The Hobbits groaned at this. During the years after Frodo destroyed the One Ring, the Hobbits had fallen back into their former lifestyles, growing fat and content back in the Shire. "Well then, think of it this way," Kayla spoke softly to the Hobbits. "The sooner we start, the sooner we finish." Kayla had spoken softly, so only the Hobbits would hear her words of encouragement, but Legolas had managed to catch her words. He did have Elvish hearing after all. He smiled to himself. It was just like Melian to help those around her. *Not Melian! Kayla,* he said firmly to himself, as he picked up on his mistake. *She is NOT Melian.* Looking at her, she reminded him of Melian though. The way she sat with her Elven bow, quiver and two swords lying on the ground next to her. She had become very adept with them in a short amount of time and Legolas knew that her skills rivalled even his own. He picked up his belongings and marched off, leaving everyone else in the group to look after him in astonishment.
They walked in silence. Legolas leading the pack, followed by Aragorn and Faramir. Gimli was close behind them, and Frodo, Merry, Sam, Pippin and Kayla took up the rear. To Aragorn it seemed that Legolas was trying to get as far away from Kayla as possible, but he could understand his friend's actions. After all he had revealed by the lake that night, Aragorn was sure that he would feel the same if it were him. But even though he understood what Legolas was feeling, Aragorn thought it would be damaging to the group. There could be no friction between the members of the Fellowship if they were to survive these times. There had to be complete confidence and understanding between everyone, and that included Legolas and Kayla. Aragorn took the responsibility upon himself; to see that this did not carry on for too much longer.
The trees were beginning to thin around them, and Kayla realised that they were reaching the edge of the forest. The group slowed, unconsciously, realising they now had to be on alert. They were no longer under the protection of the Lady of the Wood. Kayla's eyes darted nervously through the surrounding trees, and she started as she felt a small hand slip in to her own. She looked down to see Frodo standing beside her, an small smile on his face. He looked up at her and she smiled back, hoping it conveyed none of her inner fears to him. She had never been in a situation that could turn life threatening at any moment, and was glad for Frodo's comforting presence.
Aragorn moved to Kayla's side. "Can you go up front with Legolas? We need to be alert and since you are clearly the best with a sword, we need you to keep point." His face showed tension, as if he was expecting an attack at any moment. "I will stay here with the Halflings." Kayla looked at Frodo, and he nodded slightly, as if to say that she would be fine. She dropped his hand and made her way to Legolas.
He did not even glance at her as she fell into step with him. She felt uneasy, and she tried to ignore him, but she was nervous. He did save her life after all. She turned to thank him. "Diola lle, Legolas." His gaze flew to her, shocked. "What did you just say?" "Thank you?" She wanted to know what brought on this reaction. "No you spoke Elvish. You said 'Diola lle'." He looked at her. "I did?" She was confused. "I don't remember saying that. I can't even speak Elvish." "Well you just did." He looked as perplexed as her. "I must have learnt more than just fighting in Lothlorien," she said, trying to blow the whole thing over. After all, what were a few Elvish words, after spending days with the Elves?
Legolas drew into himself once again. *She even speaks Elvish like Melian,* he mused. *Somehow, I don't think she picked that up from the Elves.* Legolas remembered what Galadriel had whispered to him at the gift giving ceremony. You will find her again, both the past and the present. Make sure you tell her what you did not have time to before.' The instant Kayla had spoken those words Legolas knew what Galadriel had meant. And that scared him. His heart had closed up after Melian had died. Did he have the strength to open it again, for this.mortal? After all, while Melian had been an Elf, Kayla was human. And she was destined to die. Legolas did not think he had the strength to suffer that loss again.
Kayla looked sideways at Legolas. *What the hell is his deal? Every time I talk to him he freezes up. He can't still be disappointed that he was wrong about me.* His behaviour puzzled her. She tried talking to him again. "I meant it, you know," she said, staring straight ahead. "Meant what?" "When I thanked you. I meant it." "What do you have to thank me for? The fact that I thought you were an enemy spy, or the fact that I held you hostage in a tree?" He grimaced as he remembered the past. "The fact that you didn't leave me in the woods for the Uruk-Hai to find. I'd certainly be dead now if you had." She looked at him daring him to draw back into himself again. She was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn't happen. "It was no more than I would have done for anyone else." He tried to wave off his actions. "Nevertheless, you did, and I thank you for it."
They walked together in silence until Legolas started to smile. Kayla looked at him and raised an eyebrow, which only caused him to start laughing. "What?" "I was just thinking of how we met." "Oh?" Kayla wanted to know why this had caused him to laugh. "Well you can't deny it was funny." "I can't see how." She was perplexed at his actions. They seemed so out of character for him. "Well I walked into a clearing to find you fast asleep on the ground, wearing very little. And I drew my bow and arrow at you." Kayla thought back and she started to smile as well. "Ok, I'll give you that. It was pretty funny."
The two at the head of the pack continued on, grinning like madmen, until Legolas stopped suddenly. The whole group froze, waiting. "Mani naa tai? Mankoi lle ele? " Kayla asked in a low voice, not realising she had, once again, spoken Elvish. " Yrch. " Legolas grabbed his bow and fitted an arrow to the string. Kayla followed suit. She listened hard and could just make out the sounds of an Orc patrol.
The Fellowship stood, frozen in place, weapons at the ready. The five bigger members stood close around the four Hobbits, hoping to shield them from the Orcs as much as possible. Minutes ticked by, and finally Legolas lowered his bow. "They have passed us by." The group let out a collective sigh of relief. Weapons were replaced and the group looked to Aragorn for instructions. "We will rest here for a moment, to ensure that the Orcs have passed far enough away, for us to continue unnoticed." Kayla sank to the ground where she stood, realisation what might have just happened sinking in. She grabbed her water skin and took a gulp. Pippin soon came and sat next to her, followed by Merry, Sam and Frodo.
Aragorn moved to Legolas' side. "We were lucky this time, but I doubt that will happen again." "We have passed out of the protection of the Lady. Soon we will enter combat, and I dread that." "As do we all. But we will do what we can to prevent it." Aragorn looked at Legolas. "How are you holding up?" "I do not tire easily." "I meant emotionally. Having Kayla around must be difficult for you." Legolas looked to where Kayla was sitting with the Hobbits and then looked back at Aragorn. "It hurts. Seeing Melian but not being able to act like I once could." Aragorn could see the pain in his friend's eyes. "Before the Orcs, she came to thank me for saving her from the Uruk-Hai." "She is polite. We all knew that." Aragorn did not understand. "She did so in Elvish."
"I did not think she could speak Elvish." "Neither did she. She did not realise that she had, and just said it was because she had spent so much time around the Elves, but I feel there was more to it." "How so?" "Something Galadriel said to me during the gift ceremony. She told me that I would find her again both the past and the present. I assume she was talking about Melian." "So how does this affect Kayla?" "Kayla has so many of Melian's talents and traits that I believe that she is also unconsciously picking up on her knowledge of Elvish." "Well that would explain how she was able to pick up the weapon skills so quickly and skilfully." Aragorn pondered this.
Gimli moved over to where Aragorn and Legolas stood. "Night draws near. We should move on. It would not be good to be here in the dark with Orcs so near." "No, we will not. We shall move on once we are all set to go." Aragorn moved off to get the others ready to move on.
Kayla felt a small hand on her shoulder. She turned to see the four Hobbits standing behind her. They grinned and sat down around her. "I hope we aren't disturbing you," Frodo said. "Oh no," Kayla replied, "I'm glad to have your company." "Why are you sitting all by yourself?" Pippin wanted to know. Merry gave him a shove "Pippin, maybe she doesn't want to tell you," Merry hissed. "I'm siting over here because I feel awkward around the group." Kayla smiled at the antics of the two younger Hobbits. "Why?" Pippin looked confused. "Because you've all known each other for so long, and I feel I am intruding on that. And I'm also the only girl here." Usually Kayla didn't share her feelings so openly, but there was something about the Hobbits that made her feel comfortable.
Kayla and the Hobbits finished their lunches off and turned to see what the rest of the Fellowship was doing. It was no surprise to Kayla to find Aragorn gathering up his things and getting everyone ready to set off again. He was a hard taskmaster. "We are to meet Gandalf before sunset. At this rate it will be well into the night before we reach him." The Hobbits groaned at this. During the years after Frodo destroyed the One Ring, the Hobbits had fallen back into their former lifestyles, growing fat and content back in the Shire. "Well then, think of it this way," Kayla spoke softly to the Hobbits. "The sooner we start, the sooner we finish." Kayla had spoken softly, so only the Hobbits would hear her words of encouragement, but Legolas had managed to catch her words. He did have Elvish hearing after all. He smiled to himself. It was just like Melian to help those around her. *Not Melian! Kayla,* he said firmly to himself, as he picked up on his mistake. *She is NOT Melian.* Looking at her, she reminded him of Melian though. The way she sat with her Elven bow, quiver and two swords lying on the ground next to her. She had become very adept with them in a short amount of time and Legolas knew that her skills rivalled even his own. He picked up his belongings and marched off, leaving everyone else in the group to look after him in astonishment.
They walked in silence. Legolas leading the pack, followed by Aragorn and Faramir. Gimli was close behind them, and Frodo, Merry, Sam, Pippin and Kayla took up the rear. To Aragorn it seemed that Legolas was trying to get as far away from Kayla as possible, but he could understand his friend's actions. After all he had revealed by the lake that night, Aragorn was sure that he would feel the same if it were him. But even though he understood what Legolas was feeling, Aragorn thought it would be damaging to the group. There could be no friction between the members of the Fellowship if they were to survive these times. There had to be complete confidence and understanding between everyone, and that included Legolas and Kayla. Aragorn took the responsibility upon himself; to see that this did not carry on for too much longer.
The trees were beginning to thin around them, and Kayla realised that they were reaching the edge of the forest. The group slowed, unconsciously, realising they now had to be on alert. They were no longer under the protection of the Lady of the Wood. Kayla's eyes darted nervously through the surrounding trees, and she started as she felt a small hand slip in to her own. She looked down to see Frodo standing beside her, an small smile on his face. He looked up at her and she smiled back, hoping it conveyed none of her inner fears to him. She had never been in a situation that could turn life threatening at any moment, and was glad for Frodo's comforting presence.
Aragorn moved to Kayla's side. "Can you go up front with Legolas? We need to be alert and since you are clearly the best with a sword, we need you to keep point." His face showed tension, as if he was expecting an attack at any moment. "I will stay here with the Halflings." Kayla looked at Frodo, and he nodded slightly, as if to say that she would be fine. She dropped his hand and made her way to Legolas.
He did not even glance at her as she fell into step with him. She felt uneasy, and she tried to ignore him, but she was nervous. He did save her life after all. She turned to thank him. "Diola lle, Legolas." His gaze flew to her, shocked. "What did you just say?" "Thank you?" She wanted to know what brought on this reaction. "No you spoke Elvish. You said 'Diola lle'." He looked at her. "I did?" She was confused. "I don't remember saying that. I can't even speak Elvish." "Well you just did." He looked as perplexed as her. "I must have learnt more than just fighting in Lothlorien," she said, trying to blow the whole thing over. After all, what were a few Elvish words, after spending days with the Elves?
Legolas drew into himself once again. *She even speaks Elvish like Melian,* he mused. *Somehow, I don't think she picked that up from the Elves.* Legolas remembered what Galadriel had whispered to him at the gift giving ceremony. You will find her again, both the past and the present. Make sure you tell her what you did not have time to before.' The instant Kayla had spoken those words Legolas knew what Galadriel had meant. And that scared him. His heart had closed up after Melian had died. Did he have the strength to open it again, for this.mortal? After all, while Melian had been an Elf, Kayla was human. And she was destined to die. Legolas did not think he had the strength to suffer that loss again.
Kayla looked sideways at Legolas. *What the hell is his deal? Every time I talk to him he freezes up. He can't still be disappointed that he was wrong about me.* His behaviour puzzled her. She tried talking to him again. "I meant it, you know," she said, staring straight ahead. "Meant what?" "When I thanked you. I meant it." "What do you have to thank me for? The fact that I thought you were an enemy spy, or the fact that I held you hostage in a tree?" He grimaced as he remembered the past. "The fact that you didn't leave me in the woods for the Uruk-Hai to find. I'd certainly be dead now if you had." She looked at him daring him to draw back into himself again. She was pleasantly surprised to see that it didn't happen. "It was no more than I would have done for anyone else." He tried to wave off his actions. "Nevertheless, you did, and I thank you for it."
They walked together in silence until Legolas started to smile. Kayla looked at him and raised an eyebrow, which only caused him to start laughing. "What?" "I was just thinking of how we met." "Oh?" Kayla wanted to know why this had caused him to laugh. "Well you can't deny it was funny." "I can't see how." She was perplexed at his actions. They seemed so out of character for him. "Well I walked into a clearing to find you fast asleep on the ground, wearing very little. And I drew my bow and arrow at you." Kayla thought back and she started to smile as well. "Ok, I'll give you that. It was pretty funny."
The two at the head of the pack continued on, grinning like madmen, until Legolas stopped suddenly. The whole group froze, waiting. "Mani naa tai? Mankoi lle ele? " Kayla asked in a low voice, not realising she had, once again, spoken Elvish. " Yrch. " Legolas grabbed his bow and fitted an arrow to the string. Kayla followed suit. She listened hard and could just make out the sounds of an Orc patrol.
The Fellowship stood, frozen in place, weapons at the ready. The five bigger members stood close around the four Hobbits, hoping to shield them from the Orcs as much as possible. Minutes ticked by, and finally Legolas lowered his bow. "They have passed us by." The group let out a collective sigh of relief. Weapons were replaced and the group looked to Aragorn for instructions. "We will rest here for a moment, to ensure that the Orcs have passed far enough away, for us to continue unnoticed." Kayla sank to the ground where she stood, realisation what might have just happened sinking in. She grabbed her water skin and took a gulp. Pippin soon came and sat next to her, followed by Merry, Sam and Frodo.
Aragorn moved to Legolas' side. "We were lucky this time, but I doubt that will happen again." "We have passed out of the protection of the Lady. Soon we will enter combat, and I dread that." "As do we all. But we will do what we can to prevent it." Aragorn looked at Legolas. "How are you holding up?" "I do not tire easily." "I meant emotionally. Having Kayla around must be difficult for you." Legolas looked to where Kayla was sitting with the Hobbits and then looked back at Aragorn. "It hurts. Seeing Melian but not being able to act like I once could." Aragorn could see the pain in his friend's eyes. "Before the Orcs, she came to thank me for saving her from the Uruk-Hai." "She is polite. We all knew that." Aragorn did not understand. "She did so in Elvish."
"I did not think she could speak Elvish." "Neither did she. She did not realise that she had, and just said it was because she had spent so much time around the Elves, but I feel there was more to it." "How so?" "Something Galadriel said to me during the gift ceremony. She told me that I would find her again both the past and the present. I assume she was talking about Melian." "So how does this affect Kayla?" "Kayla has so many of Melian's talents and traits that I believe that she is also unconsciously picking up on her knowledge of Elvish." "Well that would explain how she was able to pick up the weapon skills so quickly and skilfully." Aragorn pondered this.
Gimli moved over to where Aragorn and Legolas stood. "Night draws near. We should move on. It would not be good to be here in the dark with Orcs so near." "No, we will not. We shall move on once we are all set to go." Aragorn moved off to get the others ready to move on.