It's good to be back in Gondor. I have missed this place.

And, as Gimli must point out as often as he can, I have missed her. Who knew that two nights together would make me wish so desperately for her again?

I ride through the gates of Minas Tirith, Gimli complaining about my knives and Ginuviel and Tingalen riding with me. They are dear friends, but when they get on a subject, they will not leave it alone.

"You have told us nothing of her," Ginuviel protests. "How will we know how to act around her?"

Gimli laughs behind me. "Do and say whatever comes to yer mind," the Dwarf says. "Just as the lass will."

Tinalen sighs. "Can we at least know her name?"

"Kayli," I answer shortly.

"Easy to remember," Ginuviel mutters.

They continue to barrage me with questions as we ride into the city. I ignore them as we stable our horses and head for the palace.

"We'll know nothing of her," Tingalen whispers to her brother.

Gimli snorts. "Some things," he says softly, "You have to see to believe," and he gestures towards the training grounds. There is a circle of Men perched on the fence sorrounding it, most of them apparently deep in conversation. Gimli leads us over.

"I hear she's not married," one of the men says casually.

"No Man would have her," another says derisively.

The others laugh. "I think he's still sore about his broken nose."

Another laughs, a young man perched on gate. "Nay, I think he misses his teeth more!"

The man in question lightly touches his nose, which is most decidedly crooked. "I was justr trying to be friendly."

I see red for a moment. I must have moved, because Gimli has a firm grip on my arm. "Nay, laddie," he says softly.

The boy on the gate snickers again. "I don't think the Lady appreciated it," he says cheerfully. He's obviously enjoying the older Man's discomfort.

"No wonder she can't find a man, if that's how she reacts to a simple friendly gesture."

"That's not what I've heard," says another Man. "I hear she's awaiting an Elven Prince."

I ignore them and turn my gaze back to Kayli. She fights with a grace that she didn't have eight months ago when we left. Her blades are faster, and her feet are quicker to move than they were. She's lovely to watch. In one quick movement, she traps the man's sword between her blades and twists up and over, tearing it out of his hands and kicking it away. With a quick movement, she kicks his feet out from underneath him.

She backs away, blades still in hand, and lifts her head to survey her Men. "THIS is what I'm trying to salvage you from," she calls out to them. "From the belief that you're the best. That belief will keep you from seeking to hone your skills. That belief will make you comfortable, secure, in your own skills. That belief, that ARROGANCE, will kill you as surely as an enemy blade." She turns again, checking their faces. "You are not the best, gentlemen. There is always room for improvement. Always." She sighs and drops her blades. "Here endeth the lesson." And she walks off the feild.

Tingalen whistles quietly. "She's good."

Gimli grins. "There's a lass. Knew Aragorn would give her somethin' she was good at."

I jump lightly off the fence. The Men turn around and look, only noticing my presence when I move. The boy's eyes widen, and he nearly falls off the fence. Ginuviel tries not to laugh. "You'd think they'd never seen an Elf before," he whispers, and pulls his hood more firmly around his face.

I shrug him off and follow Kayli.

She's exactly where I thought she would be -- beating on a wall in the stables. I lean back against a stall until she finishes.

She takes a deep breath, then winces and cradles her hand. She turns around and nearly jumps out of her skin. "Fucking-A, are you trying to stop my heart?"

I smile at her. I've been away from her for too long, I'd almost forgotten what it is to just be near her. She's filthy, streaked with sweat and dust, her hair is tangled around her face, and I would swear before Eru himself nothing has ever looked more beautiful.

"You did well," I say instead.

She shrugs and makes a face. "It takes a ridiculous amount of effort just to get them to listen," she says softly. She starts to rub at her knuckles and winces.

I reach out and take her hand, investigating the damage she's done to her knuckles. It's fairly impressive. I raise her hand to my lips. "You need to be more careful, love."

She smiles slightly and tries to fix her hair with her free hand. "I must look like crap," she mutters, trying to fight it away from her face.

I smile. "You look beautiful."

She opens her mouth to protest, and I press a finger to her lips. "You're beautiful," I repeat, and lift my hand to trace the scar along her face.

She actually blushes, then smiles, leans forward, and kisses me.

This is what I had forgotten. Her passion, her fire. THIS is why I was so intrigued by her, why I love her now. I wrap my arms around her and hold her to me. As I will, for as long as I'm able.

TBC...