Disclaimer: The studly Taren is all mine, as is the slightly bitter and
very angry Kalina. The story ideas are obviously mine, but if you have a
problem with anything...I blame Dreamstrifer!
Chapter One: In which the two meet, and the adventure really begins
Taren woke with a start. It was dawn, and that meant that the last day of his journey to the Great Gulf had begun. He sat up with a groan. The ground was very hard, and it seemed to him as though every rock in Middle Earth had gathered under his blanket the night before. Taren collected himself then slowly stood up and began getting ready for the day's travel. First he re-kindled the fire, then he checked the horses. After he had fed and watered the horses, and made a pot of tea, Taren walked over to the large, white bundle of cloth that was Gandalf. In his hand, he carefully balanced a small cup of tea.
*Gandalf,* Taren quietly called. *It is time to rise and greet the day my friend*
Gandalf blinked, then nodded. *Indeed it is.* He reached out a hand and Taren helped him to his feet, careful not to spill the tea he was still holding. *Do you have the horses ready?*
Taren nodded. *Once you drink your tea, we can leave.* With this, Taren handed Gandalf the cup of tea, and went to put out the fire.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(A few hours later...)
Taren blinked in bemusement. Who would have thought that there would be someone crazy enough to travel all the way out to the middle of the Great Gulf and build a hut? To be sure, it was a small hut, and rather rundown, but still...
In the doorway of the hut stood an elf maiden. Obviously, this was the infamous Kalina. She was rather tall for an elf, with long dark brown hair. Her skin was tanned a golden brown, as if she had spent long hours outside practicing with the numerous weapons strapped to her sides. Like most elves, she was exceptionally beautiful, with striking green eyes.
*Put your eyes back in your head, and wipe that drool off your chin,* Gandalf muttered out of the corner of his mouth. Taren blushed and looked down at his hands.
Meanwhile, Kalina was undergoing a similar experience. She had heard horses approaching, and had walked to the door in time to see Gandalf and an unknown elf riding towards her. She was glad to see Gandalf, and yet it was the elf that held her interest. This must be her companion the one Gandalf had called...Tora? (no)...Taner? (no)...Tampon? (no)...Taren! That was it! His name was Taren!
Most elves considered Kalina tall, yet this elf would tower over even her. Taren had black hair, and the most attractive blue eyes...
Kalina shook her head. This daydreaming had to stop! *No. I don't have time for this. I have a mission to complete, and I will not be distracted!!!!*
*Distracted by what?* a voice asked. It was a pleasant voice, and it sent shivers down Kalina's spine. With dread, Kalina slowly raised her gaze. Directly in front of her face, there was a riding boot. Connected to that boot was the studly new elf...her companion...Taren.
*Never mind.* Kalina took a hasty step backwards and turned her gaze to Gandalf. *It's about time you got here.*
Gandalf gave a knowing smirk and glanced quickly at each elf. *I'm terribly sorry. We had to take a 'detour'. It seems the path I usually travel was closed for repairs.*
Kalina sighed. *You always have an excuse. Well, I suppose you two might as well come in out of the sun until it is time to leave,* she stated reluctantly. Taren dismounted, and as expected he towered over Kalina. As he started for the door, Kalina quickly jumped out of his way, then as if angry at this show of timidity, she stalked after him through the door. Gandalf, too, had dismounted, and he leisurely followed the two elves into the hut.
*It will take a few hours for me to gather sufficient strength to open the doorway,* Gandalf seriously informed the others. All trace of his earlier amusement was gone. *I suggest you two take this time to acquaint yourselves with each other.*
Kalina snorted and gave Taren a disparaging look. *If you need me, I'll be outside.*
*Doing what?* Taren inquired. His eyes gleamed with a mischievous light.
Kalina looked confused. *Practicing of course. What else would I be doing outside?*
Taren shook his head. *Never mind. I have to take care of the horses, so I'll be outside too. I guess that leaves Gandalf alone inside. Should be nice and quiet, eh Gandalf?*
Gandalf didn't answer. Kalina and Taren both turned to look at him, surprised by his lack of courtesy. He was sitting cross-legged on the bed. His face had a vacant expression on it, and his eyes were not focused on anything inside the room. Kalina nodded once in understanding, then left the hut. Taren followed her out.
*Are you always this serious?* Taren asked.
*Of course,* Kalina replied. *How else would I be? And why do you care?*
Taren shrugged. *Gandalf said we should get to know each other, and I think he's right. We going into what could prove to be a very dangerous situation, and from what I've heard, the only ones we can truly trust are each other. The followers of this Lord Voldomort aren't as easy to identify as orcs are. When you see an orc, you know it's an orc, but the followers of Lord Voldomort look like any other Man.*
Kalina gave Taren a quizzical look. *You're smarter than you seem.*
Taren grinned. *I have lots of...hidden talents* He wiggled his eyes suggestively, then had to duck quickly to escape the sting of Kalina's swinging hand.
*You are so immature!* Kalina fumed.
*But you love me anyway.* Taren taunted. Kalina gave a screech of anger and ran at him. Taren turned and ran, laughing all the way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gandalf smiled to himself. Everything was going to be o.k. They obviously found each other attractive, yet each fought it in their own way. Taren would make jokes, and Kalina would get angry. At the moment, they were chasing each other around like children. Yes he decided, his decision to send these two to Earth was a wise one. Plus, he got the opportunity to play matchmaker at the same time. This was going to be fun.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(Several hours have passed, and Gandalf is ready to open the portal that will send Taren and Kalina to Earth.)
*It's really very simple,* Gandalf explained. *I will open the portal, and all you have to do is walk through. You will be greeted on the other side. Any other questions?*
Taren and Kalina looked at each other. Taren raised his eyebrow, and Kalina shook her head in response. *No, we're good.* Taren stated.
*Then I wish you good luck, and safe journey.* With that final thought, Gandalf closed his eyes and began speaking the incantation that would open the portal.
Three times three
And seven more
Help us to see
Show us the door
One of Gandalf's eyes peeked open. *Are you ready?* he whispered. When the two elves nodded, he closed his eye again and shouted. "Opensesame!"
A great wind started to blow. It was all Taren and Kalina could do to keep standing. Both had to narrow their eyes to slits because of all the sand that was being blown on the wind. The wind started to blow in a circular pattern in front of the two. It spun faster and faster until, with a loud bang, it gave one final gust outward. Kalina and Taren threw their hands in front of their faces to protect themselves from the flying sand. When it became obvious that the wind had stopped, they slowly lowered their arms. In front of them stood a wooden door. It looked old and rather beaten up, and the top of it rounded off to a point.
Taren reached for the handle of the door as if in a trance, and Kalina quickly knocked his hand away. When Taren gave her an inquiring look, Kalina explained, *We do not know what will greet us on the other side of this door. I think it best that I lead the way.* Taren gave her a mocking bow, and Kalina opened the door. When nothing immediately jumped out at her, she cautiously walked through the door. Taren quickly followed with only a quick glance and a small wave back at Gandalf. Before Gandalf could return the wave, the door closed with a snap behind the two.
*May God be with you,* Gandalf muttered wistfully. *You'll need all the help you can get.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Would you please stop stepping on me?* Kalina asked irritably. Although she knew it was hard to see in this dark tunnel, it was still irritated her that Taren kept trodding on her heels.
*I think we're getting closer. That light seems to be getting larger.* Taren's voice sounded hopeful. The two of them had been in this tunnel for a while, and he, for one, was tired of walking. That light had to be their destination, because once they got there, Taren wasn't going to move a step farther.
*You're right. It is.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (A while later...)
*Another door?* Kalina sounded positively livid. *I'll go first again, but if we end up in another tunnel...* After walking for what seemed forever, Taren and Kalina had finally reached that light, only to find that it illuminated another door. This one was black, and looked as though it had just been carved. Like the first door, this one came to a point on top.
*...Then the Men can save their own bloody world.* Taren finished Kalina's threat. Easygoing elf that he was, even Taren was cranky after walking through that tunnel.
*Ready?* Kalina asked.
*Go for it* came Taren's reply.
Kalina opened the door, and drawing her sword once more, carefully stepped through. Taren heaved a weary sigh, and stepped through after her.
The two found themselves on a bridge. It was made out of some sort of grey stone, and had no hand rails to hold on to. Across the bridge there drifted a gentle fog.
*At least it isn't a tunnel,* Taren commented as cheerfully as he could.
*Just be careful.* Kalina cautioned crossly. *Let's go.* The two began making their way across the bridge. Kalina carefully tested each stone ahead of her before putting her full weight on it. Taren meticulously stepped on only the stones that Kalina had tested and walked on. And so, their journey continued.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Why me?* Kalina was no longer angry. She was too tired for anger. It had been a very long bridge. She had carefully made her way over that bridge, stone by stone, and had found at the end of it...a door. A pretty door, but none the less, it was a door! Sure this one was gold, and had what looked to be a shield with four designs in it painted on it, but she really didn't want to open it.
*That's it!* Taren yelled. *I'm sick of all these doors!*
Kalina wearily nodded her head, then, with a resigned sigh, reached out and gripped the door handle. When her hand touched the handle, all of her weariness left her. It was as though she hadn't just spent what seemed to be days walking. *Taren!* she exclaimed. *Touch the door!*
Taren gave her a look, as though he had thought she had lost her mind, then reached his hand out at her insistent gesture. As soon as his hand came in contact with the door, he too lost all the weariness and irritability that had built up over their trek.
*We might as well,* Kalina spoke with purpose. She once more reached out and grabbed the door handle. *Here goes nothing...*
This time the door led to an interior hallway of some sort. It was dimly lit with torches, and seemed rather grungy. In fact, it appeared to be part of some sort of castle. *Wonderful,* Kalina muttered sarcastically.
As the two studied the hallway, a small squeaking sound came from behind them. Kalina, who interpreted this sound as a threat, whirled around. At the same time, she drew her sword from its sheath and started to swing it. The sword came to an abrupt stop and inch from a small girl's nose.
"Ah." The little girl's eyes were as big as a silver dollar, and her mouth was opened in a small O shape. She had been innocently taking a shortcut to her common room before going to the sorting ceremony, when she had come across two of the tallest people she had ever seen. Why, they were almost as tall as Hagrid! All the other second years were going to be jealous of her because of this encounter.
"Sarah! Go upstairs." Sarah jumped as professor McGonagall's voice came from behind her. She quickly turned and, dodging around the two people behind her, ran towards the dining hall.
The two elves watched Sarah run away. Both noted that these Men seemed to be using an odd form of the common tongue. While somewhat odd, it was understandable. Taren and Kalina then turned their attention to the two females standing in front of them. One was older, and seemed to have some sort of authority here judging by the way Sarah reacted to her command. The other was young, yet her eyes appeared wise beyond her years.
"Hello, my name is Professor McGonagall," the older woman informed the elves. "I know you must be tired, but if you would just follow me, there is a small ceremony you must participate in before you can rest."
Taren and Kalina nodded. Both very obviously had questions they wanted answers to, but they decided that they could wait until later.
"I'll take your packs," the girl spoke for the first time. "My names Hermione, and Professor McGonagall said I was to help you out." She reached her hand out for Taren and Kalina's packs, but recoiled in shock when she noticed Kalina's weapons. "You can't have those here!" she exclaimed. "Weapons are strictly prohibited."
Kalina glared at Hermione, then turned to McGonagall. "No one, and I mean no one, separates me from my weapons. Is that clear?"
Hermione swallowed hard and nodded. "Perfectly," she said with a sick smile.
All four of them walked toward the dining hall. Along the way, McGonagall did her best to explain the houses to the elves.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," she reassured the two as she reached out to open the door to the dining hall.
As the door swung open, Kalina could hear the babble of many voices. She glanced at Taren, who nodded at her, and proceeded to enter the hall while discreetly loosening her sword in its scabbard.
"Amin nauva auta yeste' (I will go first)" Kalina murmured to Taren. He nodded again, his eyes already darting around the hall to search for danger.
A girl near the entrance of the hall spotted the elves. Her mouth dropping open in astonishment, she immediately nudged the person next to her and pointed at Taren. By the time both elves had cleared the doorway, a ripple of silence had fallen across the room.
"Ah, good," a voice spoke from the front of the great hall. "Now that you two have arrived, we may begin the ceremony. Kalina and Taren exchanged glances. This must be the Professor Dumbledore that McGonagall had told them about. He was after all, the older man they could see, just as she had told them he would be. Taren gave a small smile as he realized why Dumbledore seemed so familiar. Dumbledore looked a lot like Gandalf.
"Come along, come along," McGonagall ushered the two forward. "We haven't got all day."
As Kalina graciously allowed McGonagall to usher her, she noticed that at the front of the hall, there was a small stool with a hat on it. She hadn't seen a hat that ugly since Gandalf had gotten rid of his old one...
Taren watched in amusement as the hat started talking. McGonagall had warned them about this too, probably in fear that Kalina would chop it into little bits with that small hatchet she had concealed...
Kalina ignored the hat altogether. Unless it suddenly learned how to spit daggers, it was no threat. Instead, she spent her time studying the hall, and the Men in it. Most of the people there would be no threat. Some of them, Kalina was able to identify as bullies. This meant that after looking at Kalina's weapons they would avoid her. Others, however, would definitely be a problem. Take, for instance, that blond boy over at the green and silver table. He looked like trouble.
"Taren Val'istar." Kalina quickly began paying attention when Taren's name was called. She watched with apprehension as Taren began making his way through...what was this?! Why was she surrounded by very young Men? Surely McGonagall and Dumbledore didn't expect her to spend time with these...these...these children?!...Just as Taren reached the stool, Kalina remembered her pledge to protect him from physical harm. The hat might not do anything to him, and even if it did, he was the mage, not her, but it wasn't entirely impossible that one of these Men might attack him while he was alone and vulnerable.
"Wait!" Kalina interrupted. "Taren...Tira ten' rashwe (be careful)"
"Manka lle merna (If you wish)" Taren replied with confidence. Then, with a wink at her, he sat down on the stool, and waited patiently while the hat was settled on his head. After a moment, he nodded, then smiled as the hat exclaimed...
"Gryfendor!"
Kalina watched with trepidation as Taren calmly walked over and sat at the gold and red table. She then whipped around with startling speed as her own name was called. Lifting her chin high in the air, she walked to the stool. "I'll put on the hat," she stated, "but I'm not sitting on that stool!" McGonagall nodded, and placed the hat on her head.
Taren watched with amusement as Kalina defied tradition and stood instead of sitting on the stool. He almost laughed out loud when she glared daggers at the hat while it declared "Ravenclaw!" in a loud voice.
Kalina stalked over to her table, and plopped with a huff into her seat. She pouted through the last two placements, and only grudgingly made room for one last person at her table. Just after this person sat down, platters of food appeared on the table. Kalina gave the food a skeptical look, but when she glanced at Taren, he was scarfing it down. Kalina figured that it must be safe, and had only just started scooping a portion of mashed potatoes onto her plate when the boy next to her spoke.
"Stop hogging the food and pass the potatoes elf." The boy said. Kalina gave him a startled look. He had said elf as though he thought he was better than her..."Are you stupid?" the boy asked angrily. "I said pass the potatoes!"
Enough was enough. Kalina had just spent God knows how many days walking, and she was hungry. To top all that off, this stupid little man thought he could boss around an elf? Oh no. Not this elf. Not today. Kalina rose violently, her hand going to her sword hilt as she came up.
*Kalina!* Taren screamed. *Remember our mission. You cannot kill the boy!* As he spoke, he ran full speed across the hall towards her, grabbing her hand so that her sword slid back into its scabbard.
*Let go of me Taren.* Kalina warned. *It's been a very long day, and I will be damned if I will put up with such insults from a Man.* With this last comment, she threw a disparaging look at the boy.
"Hey!" the boy yelled. "I don't know exactly what she's saying, but I know it's not good. She can't talk about me like that. She's just an elf!" Kalina towered menacingly over the boy as he spoke these words, and the boy, seeming to finally recognize his mistake, cowered.
Kalina's eyes took on a light like burning coals at this last outburst. She tried to draw her sword again, only to have Taren re-sheath it once more.
*Calm down.* Taren soothed. *Our problems here cannot be solved with a sword, or with violence.*
Kalina flung his hand off hers. *I believe they can!* she insisted angrily. *However, if you are too much of a coward to fight and defend our honor, then solve this matter with words. I wish you luck, because you're on your own!* Kalina stalked out of the hall.
Taren stared after her for a moment, then turned and walked wearily back to his own table. This journey had definitely gotten off on the wrong foot, and Taren was just too tired to care. He carefully made his excuses to Dumbledore (which seemed to greatly amuse the green and silver table for some reason...) and left. Since he had no idea where he was to stay, he wandered around until he found an exit. He quickly walked down the steps, and stepped out onto the lawn. He stood there until late, when one of the older students came out, and showed him the way to his common room. Upon reaching this room, Taren immediately took off his boots, and lay down upon his bed. With one last sigh, Taren gave up consciousness, and let sleep carry him into a sweet oblivion.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note:
A really long chapter for me, this baby is 9 pages long. The ending is kinda weak I think. This simply due to the fact that I wanted this chapter to be over. Now it is, and I am glad. I realize that English and Common aren't technically the same language, but for the sake of simplicity (and my sanity) I decide to make them nearly the same thing in this story. I felt that Kalina and Taren had enough to deal with without worrying about learning a new language.
*WARNING*: Drama is starting up at my school, and since I hope to have a part, and am the stage manager and prop manager, this will take up a lot of my time. I will still try to update, but it will be difficult for me. Thanks for your understanding. And with that, I leave you with these thoughts:
"Gandalf is George W. Bush" ~some article on the internet
"Dreamstrifer is not (I repeat, not) spider man." ~me
"How can you fall head over heels, when your head is already over your heels?" ~me
Peace out!
~The Dobre Ytka
Chapter One: In which the two meet, and the adventure really begins
Taren woke with a start. It was dawn, and that meant that the last day of his journey to the Great Gulf had begun. He sat up with a groan. The ground was very hard, and it seemed to him as though every rock in Middle Earth had gathered under his blanket the night before. Taren collected himself then slowly stood up and began getting ready for the day's travel. First he re-kindled the fire, then he checked the horses. After he had fed and watered the horses, and made a pot of tea, Taren walked over to the large, white bundle of cloth that was Gandalf. In his hand, he carefully balanced a small cup of tea.
*Gandalf,* Taren quietly called. *It is time to rise and greet the day my friend*
Gandalf blinked, then nodded. *Indeed it is.* He reached out a hand and Taren helped him to his feet, careful not to spill the tea he was still holding. *Do you have the horses ready?*
Taren nodded. *Once you drink your tea, we can leave.* With this, Taren handed Gandalf the cup of tea, and went to put out the fire.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(A few hours later...)
Taren blinked in bemusement. Who would have thought that there would be someone crazy enough to travel all the way out to the middle of the Great Gulf and build a hut? To be sure, it was a small hut, and rather rundown, but still...
In the doorway of the hut stood an elf maiden. Obviously, this was the infamous Kalina. She was rather tall for an elf, with long dark brown hair. Her skin was tanned a golden brown, as if she had spent long hours outside practicing with the numerous weapons strapped to her sides. Like most elves, she was exceptionally beautiful, with striking green eyes.
*Put your eyes back in your head, and wipe that drool off your chin,* Gandalf muttered out of the corner of his mouth. Taren blushed and looked down at his hands.
Meanwhile, Kalina was undergoing a similar experience. She had heard horses approaching, and had walked to the door in time to see Gandalf and an unknown elf riding towards her. She was glad to see Gandalf, and yet it was the elf that held her interest. This must be her companion the one Gandalf had called...Tora? (no)...Taner? (no)...Tampon? (no)...Taren! That was it! His name was Taren!
Most elves considered Kalina tall, yet this elf would tower over even her. Taren had black hair, and the most attractive blue eyes...
Kalina shook her head. This daydreaming had to stop! *No. I don't have time for this. I have a mission to complete, and I will not be distracted!!!!*
*Distracted by what?* a voice asked. It was a pleasant voice, and it sent shivers down Kalina's spine. With dread, Kalina slowly raised her gaze. Directly in front of her face, there was a riding boot. Connected to that boot was the studly new elf...her companion...Taren.
*Never mind.* Kalina took a hasty step backwards and turned her gaze to Gandalf. *It's about time you got here.*
Gandalf gave a knowing smirk and glanced quickly at each elf. *I'm terribly sorry. We had to take a 'detour'. It seems the path I usually travel was closed for repairs.*
Kalina sighed. *You always have an excuse. Well, I suppose you two might as well come in out of the sun until it is time to leave,* she stated reluctantly. Taren dismounted, and as expected he towered over Kalina. As he started for the door, Kalina quickly jumped out of his way, then as if angry at this show of timidity, she stalked after him through the door. Gandalf, too, had dismounted, and he leisurely followed the two elves into the hut.
*It will take a few hours for me to gather sufficient strength to open the doorway,* Gandalf seriously informed the others. All trace of his earlier amusement was gone. *I suggest you two take this time to acquaint yourselves with each other.*
Kalina snorted and gave Taren a disparaging look. *If you need me, I'll be outside.*
*Doing what?* Taren inquired. His eyes gleamed with a mischievous light.
Kalina looked confused. *Practicing of course. What else would I be doing outside?*
Taren shook his head. *Never mind. I have to take care of the horses, so I'll be outside too. I guess that leaves Gandalf alone inside. Should be nice and quiet, eh Gandalf?*
Gandalf didn't answer. Kalina and Taren both turned to look at him, surprised by his lack of courtesy. He was sitting cross-legged on the bed. His face had a vacant expression on it, and his eyes were not focused on anything inside the room. Kalina nodded once in understanding, then left the hut. Taren followed her out.
*Are you always this serious?* Taren asked.
*Of course,* Kalina replied. *How else would I be? And why do you care?*
Taren shrugged. *Gandalf said we should get to know each other, and I think he's right. We going into what could prove to be a very dangerous situation, and from what I've heard, the only ones we can truly trust are each other. The followers of this Lord Voldomort aren't as easy to identify as orcs are. When you see an orc, you know it's an orc, but the followers of Lord Voldomort look like any other Man.*
Kalina gave Taren a quizzical look. *You're smarter than you seem.*
Taren grinned. *I have lots of...hidden talents* He wiggled his eyes suggestively, then had to duck quickly to escape the sting of Kalina's swinging hand.
*You are so immature!* Kalina fumed.
*But you love me anyway.* Taren taunted. Kalina gave a screech of anger and ran at him. Taren turned and ran, laughing all the way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Gandalf smiled to himself. Everything was going to be o.k. They obviously found each other attractive, yet each fought it in their own way. Taren would make jokes, and Kalina would get angry. At the moment, they were chasing each other around like children. Yes he decided, his decision to send these two to Earth was a wise one. Plus, he got the opportunity to play matchmaker at the same time. This was going to be fun.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
(Several hours have passed, and Gandalf is ready to open the portal that will send Taren and Kalina to Earth.)
*It's really very simple,* Gandalf explained. *I will open the portal, and all you have to do is walk through. You will be greeted on the other side. Any other questions?*
Taren and Kalina looked at each other. Taren raised his eyebrow, and Kalina shook her head in response. *No, we're good.* Taren stated.
*Then I wish you good luck, and safe journey.* With that final thought, Gandalf closed his eyes and began speaking the incantation that would open the portal.
Three times three
And seven more
Help us to see
Show us the door
One of Gandalf's eyes peeked open. *Are you ready?* he whispered. When the two elves nodded, he closed his eye again and shouted. "Opensesame!"
A great wind started to blow. It was all Taren and Kalina could do to keep standing. Both had to narrow their eyes to slits because of all the sand that was being blown on the wind. The wind started to blow in a circular pattern in front of the two. It spun faster and faster until, with a loud bang, it gave one final gust outward. Kalina and Taren threw their hands in front of their faces to protect themselves from the flying sand. When it became obvious that the wind had stopped, they slowly lowered their arms. In front of them stood a wooden door. It looked old and rather beaten up, and the top of it rounded off to a point.
Taren reached for the handle of the door as if in a trance, and Kalina quickly knocked his hand away. When Taren gave her an inquiring look, Kalina explained, *We do not know what will greet us on the other side of this door. I think it best that I lead the way.* Taren gave her a mocking bow, and Kalina opened the door. When nothing immediately jumped out at her, she cautiously walked through the door. Taren quickly followed with only a quick glance and a small wave back at Gandalf. Before Gandalf could return the wave, the door closed with a snap behind the two.
*May God be with you,* Gandalf muttered wistfully. *You'll need all the help you can get.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Would you please stop stepping on me?* Kalina asked irritably. Although she knew it was hard to see in this dark tunnel, it was still irritated her that Taren kept trodding on her heels.
*I think we're getting closer. That light seems to be getting larger.* Taren's voice sounded hopeful. The two of them had been in this tunnel for a while, and he, for one, was tired of walking. That light had to be their destination, because once they got there, Taren wasn't going to move a step farther.
*You're right. It is.*
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* (A while later...)
*Another door?* Kalina sounded positively livid. *I'll go first again, but if we end up in another tunnel...* After walking for what seemed forever, Taren and Kalina had finally reached that light, only to find that it illuminated another door. This one was black, and looked as though it had just been carved. Like the first door, this one came to a point on top.
*...Then the Men can save their own bloody world.* Taren finished Kalina's threat. Easygoing elf that he was, even Taren was cranky after walking through that tunnel.
*Ready?* Kalina asked.
*Go for it* came Taren's reply.
Kalina opened the door, and drawing her sword once more, carefully stepped through. Taren heaved a weary sigh, and stepped through after her.
The two found themselves on a bridge. It was made out of some sort of grey stone, and had no hand rails to hold on to. Across the bridge there drifted a gentle fog.
*At least it isn't a tunnel,* Taren commented as cheerfully as he could.
*Just be careful.* Kalina cautioned crossly. *Let's go.* The two began making their way across the bridge. Kalina carefully tested each stone ahead of her before putting her full weight on it. Taren meticulously stepped on only the stones that Kalina had tested and walked on. And so, their journey continued.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
*Why me?* Kalina was no longer angry. She was too tired for anger. It had been a very long bridge. She had carefully made her way over that bridge, stone by stone, and had found at the end of it...a door. A pretty door, but none the less, it was a door! Sure this one was gold, and had what looked to be a shield with four designs in it painted on it, but she really didn't want to open it.
*That's it!* Taren yelled. *I'm sick of all these doors!*
Kalina wearily nodded her head, then, with a resigned sigh, reached out and gripped the door handle. When her hand touched the handle, all of her weariness left her. It was as though she hadn't just spent what seemed to be days walking. *Taren!* she exclaimed. *Touch the door!*
Taren gave her a look, as though he had thought she had lost her mind, then reached his hand out at her insistent gesture. As soon as his hand came in contact with the door, he too lost all the weariness and irritability that had built up over their trek.
*We might as well,* Kalina spoke with purpose. She once more reached out and grabbed the door handle. *Here goes nothing...*
This time the door led to an interior hallway of some sort. It was dimly lit with torches, and seemed rather grungy. In fact, it appeared to be part of some sort of castle. *Wonderful,* Kalina muttered sarcastically.
As the two studied the hallway, a small squeaking sound came from behind them. Kalina, who interpreted this sound as a threat, whirled around. At the same time, she drew her sword from its sheath and started to swing it. The sword came to an abrupt stop and inch from a small girl's nose.
"Ah." The little girl's eyes were as big as a silver dollar, and her mouth was opened in a small O shape. She had been innocently taking a shortcut to her common room before going to the sorting ceremony, when she had come across two of the tallest people she had ever seen. Why, they were almost as tall as Hagrid! All the other second years were going to be jealous of her because of this encounter.
"Sarah! Go upstairs." Sarah jumped as professor McGonagall's voice came from behind her. She quickly turned and, dodging around the two people behind her, ran towards the dining hall.
The two elves watched Sarah run away. Both noted that these Men seemed to be using an odd form of the common tongue. While somewhat odd, it was understandable. Taren and Kalina then turned their attention to the two females standing in front of them. One was older, and seemed to have some sort of authority here judging by the way Sarah reacted to her command. The other was young, yet her eyes appeared wise beyond her years.
"Hello, my name is Professor McGonagall," the older woman informed the elves. "I know you must be tired, but if you would just follow me, there is a small ceremony you must participate in before you can rest."
Taren and Kalina nodded. Both very obviously had questions they wanted answers to, but they decided that they could wait until later.
"I'll take your packs," the girl spoke for the first time. "My names Hermione, and Professor McGonagall said I was to help you out." She reached her hand out for Taren and Kalina's packs, but recoiled in shock when she noticed Kalina's weapons. "You can't have those here!" she exclaimed. "Weapons are strictly prohibited."
Kalina glared at Hermione, then turned to McGonagall. "No one, and I mean no one, separates me from my weapons. Is that clear?"
Hermione swallowed hard and nodded. "Perfectly," she said with a sick smile.
All four of them walked toward the dining hall. Along the way, McGonagall did her best to explain the houses to the elves.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," she reassured the two as she reached out to open the door to the dining hall.
As the door swung open, Kalina could hear the babble of many voices. She glanced at Taren, who nodded at her, and proceeded to enter the hall while discreetly loosening her sword in its scabbard.
"Amin nauva auta yeste' (I will go first)" Kalina murmured to Taren. He nodded again, his eyes already darting around the hall to search for danger.
A girl near the entrance of the hall spotted the elves. Her mouth dropping open in astonishment, she immediately nudged the person next to her and pointed at Taren. By the time both elves had cleared the doorway, a ripple of silence had fallen across the room.
"Ah, good," a voice spoke from the front of the great hall. "Now that you two have arrived, we may begin the ceremony. Kalina and Taren exchanged glances. This must be the Professor Dumbledore that McGonagall had told them about. He was after all, the older man they could see, just as she had told them he would be. Taren gave a small smile as he realized why Dumbledore seemed so familiar. Dumbledore looked a lot like Gandalf.
"Come along, come along," McGonagall ushered the two forward. "We haven't got all day."
As Kalina graciously allowed McGonagall to usher her, she noticed that at the front of the hall, there was a small stool with a hat on it. She hadn't seen a hat that ugly since Gandalf had gotten rid of his old one...
Taren watched in amusement as the hat started talking. McGonagall had warned them about this too, probably in fear that Kalina would chop it into little bits with that small hatchet she had concealed...
Kalina ignored the hat altogether. Unless it suddenly learned how to spit daggers, it was no threat. Instead, she spent her time studying the hall, and the Men in it. Most of the people there would be no threat. Some of them, Kalina was able to identify as bullies. This meant that after looking at Kalina's weapons they would avoid her. Others, however, would definitely be a problem. Take, for instance, that blond boy over at the green and silver table. He looked like trouble.
"Taren Val'istar." Kalina quickly began paying attention when Taren's name was called. She watched with apprehension as Taren began making his way through...what was this?! Why was she surrounded by very young Men? Surely McGonagall and Dumbledore didn't expect her to spend time with these...these...these children?!...Just as Taren reached the stool, Kalina remembered her pledge to protect him from physical harm. The hat might not do anything to him, and even if it did, he was the mage, not her, but it wasn't entirely impossible that one of these Men might attack him while he was alone and vulnerable.
"Wait!" Kalina interrupted. "Taren...Tira ten' rashwe (be careful)"
"Manka lle merna (If you wish)" Taren replied with confidence. Then, with a wink at her, he sat down on the stool, and waited patiently while the hat was settled on his head. After a moment, he nodded, then smiled as the hat exclaimed...
"Gryfendor!"
Kalina watched with trepidation as Taren calmly walked over and sat at the gold and red table. She then whipped around with startling speed as her own name was called. Lifting her chin high in the air, she walked to the stool. "I'll put on the hat," she stated, "but I'm not sitting on that stool!" McGonagall nodded, and placed the hat on her head.
Taren watched with amusement as Kalina defied tradition and stood instead of sitting on the stool. He almost laughed out loud when she glared daggers at the hat while it declared "Ravenclaw!" in a loud voice.
Kalina stalked over to her table, and plopped with a huff into her seat. She pouted through the last two placements, and only grudgingly made room for one last person at her table. Just after this person sat down, platters of food appeared on the table. Kalina gave the food a skeptical look, but when she glanced at Taren, he was scarfing it down. Kalina figured that it must be safe, and had only just started scooping a portion of mashed potatoes onto her plate when the boy next to her spoke.
"Stop hogging the food and pass the potatoes elf." The boy said. Kalina gave him a startled look. He had said elf as though he thought he was better than her..."Are you stupid?" the boy asked angrily. "I said pass the potatoes!"
Enough was enough. Kalina had just spent God knows how many days walking, and she was hungry. To top all that off, this stupid little man thought he could boss around an elf? Oh no. Not this elf. Not today. Kalina rose violently, her hand going to her sword hilt as she came up.
*Kalina!* Taren screamed. *Remember our mission. You cannot kill the boy!* As he spoke, he ran full speed across the hall towards her, grabbing her hand so that her sword slid back into its scabbard.
*Let go of me Taren.* Kalina warned. *It's been a very long day, and I will be damned if I will put up with such insults from a Man.* With this last comment, she threw a disparaging look at the boy.
"Hey!" the boy yelled. "I don't know exactly what she's saying, but I know it's not good. She can't talk about me like that. She's just an elf!" Kalina towered menacingly over the boy as he spoke these words, and the boy, seeming to finally recognize his mistake, cowered.
Kalina's eyes took on a light like burning coals at this last outburst. She tried to draw her sword again, only to have Taren re-sheath it once more.
*Calm down.* Taren soothed. *Our problems here cannot be solved with a sword, or with violence.*
Kalina flung his hand off hers. *I believe they can!* she insisted angrily. *However, if you are too much of a coward to fight and defend our honor, then solve this matter with words. I wish you luck, because you're on your own!* Kalina stalked out of the hall.
Taren stared after her for a moment, then turned and walked wearily back to his own table. This journey had definitely gotten off on the wrong foot, and Taren was just too tired to care. He carefully made his excuses to Dumbledore (which seemed to greatly amuse the green and silver table for some reason...) and left. Since he had no idea where he was to stay, he wandered around until he found an exit. He quickly walked down the steps, and stepped out onto the lawn. He stood there until late, when one of the older students came out, and showed him the way to his common room. Upon reaching this room, Taren immediately took off his boots, and lay down upon his bed. With one last sigh, Taren gave up consciousness, and let sleep carry him into a sweet oblivion.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Author's Note:
A really long chapter for me, this baby is 9 pages long. The ending is kinda weak I think. This simply due to the fact that I wanted this chapter to be over. Now it is, and I am glad. I realize that English and Common aren't technically the same language, but for the sake of simplicity (and my sanity) I decide to make them nearly the same thing in this story. I felt that Kalina and Taren had enough to deal with without worrying about learning a new language.
*WARNING*: Drama is starting up at my school, and since I hope to have a part, and am the stage manager and prop manager, this will take up a lot of my time. I will still try to update, but it will be difficult for me. Thanks for your understanding. And with that, I leave you with these thoughts:
"Gandalf is George W. Bush" ~some article on the internet
"Dreamstrifer is not (I repeat, not) spider man." ~me
"How can you fall head over heels, when your head is already over your heels?" ~me
Peace out!
~The Dobre Ytka