The Passing
Paths meet
The sky remained a stagnate gray in contrast to the lush forest that engulfed the party of green clad elves moved through its terrain.
A noise was heard down the path.
"Daro!"
The elves stopped in unison at the sound of the Prince's order. All eyes directed their attention toward the front of the line. Their arrows were notched and ready.
From a distance a messenger ran toward them.
Legolas turned to his brother Amroth that followed beside him. Amroth's looked into the stern and watchful eyes of his older brother. The blue orbs looked back into his own. There was a twinkle in them.
Legolas had recognized the garb of the Mirkwood messenger, Cirdan, who made his way toward them.
"Hodo, Maethron!" Legolas yelled.
The elves dispersed through the area and began to talk amongst themselves or rest until more orders were given.
Legolas and Amroth walked farther down the path to discuss more important matters with Cirdan.
As Cirdan reached Legolas, the elf smiled, followed by placing his forearm over that of the Prince. Both Prince and messenger clasped each other's overlapping arms followed by a cheerful embrace. Amorth, the shyer of the two brothers, just nodded his greeting toward Cirdan.
"Mellon, glessen a cheued le!"
Legolas let out a hearty laugh. Cirdan was among on of his closest friends.
"Suil!" He replied. Legolas wished he could visit with Cirdan longer, but there was much to be asked. The expression on his fair face quickly turned serious as he faced the messenger once more.
"Is Lord Elrond well? What did he say of our letter?"
Cirdan responded with much concentration.
"The Elf Lord is well. He stated that all the requests be granted. He will provide the steed for the creature, as well as her provisions."
Cirdan paused for a moment, as if to consider saying more.
"I fear for Lord Elrond, though. I have heard the witch has enchanted both him, and Glorfindel! I also heard that she is bewitchingly beautiful and uses her feminine charms to enchant her prey."
Legolas was surprised. The great Elrond would never be entranced by a mere witch! Something wasn't right. Amroth looked at Legolas with much concern. Legolas's eyes responded with a defying stare.
"Did you see this sorceress in person?"
"No, I just heard stories."
Legolas smiled to himself.
"I am sure they are just that, Cirdan."
"I suppose we will find out for ourselves soon enough, brother." Amroth added while fiddling with one of his arrows.
"We are two nights from Imladris." Cirdan commented. "Elrond was much detained when I talked with him. The fair Arwen is home from Lothrien. We should arrive in time for the festivities."
Legolas smiled. The Prince would be able to gaze upon the fair Arwen once again. Long had he thought of her beauty.
"Well, Cirdan. That is certainly good news!" Amroth looked to Legolas as if asking 'Are there any more questions'?
Legolas replied with patting Cirdan on the shoulder.
"Hilya."
The two elves followed Legolas to where most of the party rested.
"Erio!" He commanded. All rose to their feet and prepared to move once again.
"Si ath Imladris!"
Legolas and Amroth began to once again lead their party toward the dwelling of Elrond.
Kohana sat on her balcony overlooking the elves below that prepared for tomorrow's festival. Her journal lay on her lap as she played with the quill in between her fingers.
Two days she had been left to her solitude. Glorfindel had been to busy to train her for the end of summer was upon them. He had to attend to his troops.
Elrond had also been to busy to visit her or even send her a note. Arwen had arrived yesterday, and the entire royal family had retired to their quarters to relax and visit.
Kohana was utterly bored. She drew sketches in her journal, and sang little songs to herself to pass the time.
Currently she was humming a tune she had made up, when a horn was sounded off in the distance. She heard the commotion of servants passing her doorway in hast and dropping their tasks below her balcony to make their way to the gates.
Kohana stood up, and after putting her journal away within, made her way toward the outer edge of her balcony. She grabbed a tree branch to steady herself as she stood on the ledge to see was all the fuss was about.
And that is when she heard the elves walk under her balcony. Hiding herself behind the branches she clinged to, Kohana strained to hear their conversation. She could not understand any of what they said until the dreadful words she wished never to hear ran off their tongues.
Mirkwood.
Her time had worn thin.
A tear streamed down her face once more. There would never be another archery lesson or the company of Elrond. She would never see the beauty of Imladris in its entire splendor.
Although Elrond granted her passage back to Rivendell after the war of the ring, Kohana knew that Elrond, along with the rest of the Rivendell population, would sail to the grey heavens.
She was royally screwed.
The next afternoon merriment and song filled the palace halls with all the festivities of Rivendell.
Legolas stood on the balcony adjacent to Lord Elrond's study. His hands were clasped firmly behind his back as he scanned the beauty of Rivendell that lay before him.
His fair face held admiration for the land before him. Many times had he visited this retreat, and every time Rivendell befell his path he drank it in. The city held lush plants and towering cliffs accenting waterfalls that differed from the cave palaces of Mirkwood.
The Prince's thoughts dwelt on his childhood memories of old. He remembered his first visit to Rivendell with is Father. Although nothing of great importance became of his first visit to Imladris, Legolas still remembered the curiosity he held for the enchanting place.
It was hard for elves to pick apart certain dates from their past, because thousands of years pasted for them like a sunrise to sunset. Legolas did not remember his age, but he must have been very young his first visit to Rivendell.
The most ridiculous questions he had asked his father!
"Ada! Why does Imladris have such marvelous sunshine?"
"Ada! Why may the elves in his great city not dig their palaces into the earth as we do?"
King Thranduil had smiled at his son with much amusement. Legolas held memories such as these close to his heart.
The Prince's thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of Lord Elrond entering the study. Legolas had heard the elf lord's footsteps as they made their way to the balcony were he stood, and like a proper elf, took his time greeting his elder. As Legolas turned Elrond bore his eyes into the blue orbs of his dear friend. The two embraced with much tenderness, both not wanting to talk business but knowing they must.
"Anann le u-gennin Legolas." Elrond spoke with much warmth in the Prince's native tongue.
Legolas showed the joy upon his worn face.
"Glessen an achened le." His expression changed as the topic they both avoided but must bring up arouse. "I wish my visit could be under better circumstances."
Legolas searched Elrond's eyes for evidence of folly. Perchance the elf lord was under this witches spell! Elrond grinned, because for an elf; Legolas's motives were transparent upon his face.
"Avaro naeth, Legolas. I am not under any spell."
Legolas let out the breathe he had been subconsciously holding in. Although the Prince was embarrassed, mostly he was relieved. He lifted his eyes sheepishly to Elrond ever present stare.
"I was never one to deceive."
Elrond laughed at this, and stood along side of Legolas near the balcony's edge. He crossed his hand behind his back and his manner became somber after some silence.
"Your task is very grave. I will not be false."
"Aye." Was the response. Legolas turned his head. A gulp caught itself in his throat as the question that had been festering on the end of his tongue begged for an answer. The disgust he had for the vile creature that would be his charge and responsibility for the uncertain future worried him. Legolas wanted to be prepared, as all warriors yearned to be.
"How foul is the creature, for I need to know how to handle her."
Elrond, unknown to Legolas, had to stop the smile that wanted to creep up his face. He wished Legolas could know Kohana's true origin even though it would be folly. The girl would be miserable in Mirkwood without an ally of some kind. However, that was her road. Kohana wouldn't hurt a fly, although her temper might anger the Prince.
Elrond reminded himself to talk to the girl about that, for Prince Legolas also bore a mighty temper.
"Come, Legolas. We will talk of these grave things at a later time." Elrond put his arm around the confused Prince.
"Come Prince! Now is the time of merriment!"
Legolas nodded and let the elf lord lead him to the great hall.
There would be much feasting this night.
The great hall was filled with the light from lanterns, the tables filled with all sorts of delectable foods. Elf maidens escorted by their beaus scattered about the courtyards while musicians played their lyres and sung tales of old.
Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir, Arwen and Lord Elrond sat at the table of honor overlooking the festivities. Elrond clasped his hand over his daughter's slender palm and gave her a grin.
"I hope you enjoy the celebration, my child."
Arwen smiled back.
She was happy to be home. The past two days her brothers had filled her in on the details of the happenings of late. She was told of the witch child that dwelled in the far wing of the palace, as well as what the fate of the witch was.
She pitied the poor creature, for Elrohir spilled the secret to Arwen that the witch was not really evil, but actually just a child that knew too much of some vile secret. However, her father did not know that she was aware of this.
But the elf maid kept many things from her father.
She smiled at Elrond.
"I am most humble, Ada."
She loved her father with all of her being, but at this certain moment her mind was preoccupied with matters of the heart.
Estel had visited her while she was in the company of her Grandparents in the GoldenWood. Her soul ached to see his face once more.
Oh how she wished he would come home to Imladris!
Elrond stood from his place of honor. His gaze caused the room to hush in silence.
"Great Imladris!" Elrond reached for his daughter's hand. "How great a joy to have our beloved Even Star once again in our sacred realm!"
There was great cheer throughout the hall as Arwen nodded humbling.
"Let us feast and make merry this eve! Welcome, all friends and distant travelers to our halls!"
Elrond nodded to Prince Legolas, who in turn raised his glass to the elf lord.
"My Lord Elrond! May your house be filled with joy of the heavens!"
All at the feast lifted their glasses and cheered.
Elrond nodded, and the festivities began.
As roasted boar, sweet meats, elfish wine and fresh fruits were brought out for the masses to enjoy, in the center of the great hall musicians entertained and acrobats dazzled the crowd with their art.
All seemed to enjoy the merriment.
Kohana could hear the music and the laughter from her garden. She spent most of the night packing for the next day's travels.
Meanwhile, the seamstress that had sewn Kohana's gowns when the girl had first come to Imladris now spent the night crafting traveling attire for her, as well.
While Kohana sat in her garden taking in the last of Rivendell she could under her limited time, the seamstress sat in her chamber sewing till the wee hours of the morning sewing trousers and tunics for the girl.
Thoughts of home crept into the girls' brain. Thoughts of lazy mornings listening to elvish voices outside her window and lazy afternoons writing under the trees in her garden flooded Kohana's mind.
She would never see this place again. She would never see home again, for that matter.
Kohana folded her hands together as tears flowed freely. Her hair swept around her face as the echo of her sobs filled the garden.
The breeze blew as the elf warrior looked upon the girl. His heart ached to comfort her.
Reason told Glorfindel that Kohana was distraught child and it was his duty to take care of her.
Deep down, his other motives demanded to be heard.
"Do not weep child." Glorfindel stood under the archway dividing his world from hers.
Freedom from shackles.
The girl's shoulders arched.
Kohana raised her head as her breath caught itself. She sniffed and wiped her nose as she stood up.
This was not very ladylike, but Glorfindel thought it cute none the less.
Kohana stood with her hands clasped. She noticed that the elf lord wore a gilded tunic and his hair lay in adorned braids pulling his hair back.
She thought it ironic that an elf could wear braids and a golden shirt and still managed to look hot.
Elves.
Somehow it also warmed her heart. As Glorfindel approached her he clasped her hands into his own. His heart betrayed his head, for her hands felt quite well in his.
For the first time in his life, Glorfindel was nervous. His eyes locked with hers and she nervously grinned back.
It was then that he realized that he didn't need to say anything, but just return the grin and hold her.
As the two stood inches apart grasping each other's hands the lights and music faded away. Glorfindel watched as Kohana's face peered into his own with a look of tenderness. The glow from the torches that light the garden glowed on side of her face, deepening her features.
It was at that moment that he saw her as a woman, and not a girl. His arms invited her in, and she complied. She leaned into his chest and rested her head. Her eyes closed as his heartbeat became her own and she sucked in her breathe as Glorfindel began to sing.
He sung of longing and sorrow.
She had no idea what it was about, but his voice soothed her to the core.
Kohana would have melted in she could.
The elf and the young woman stood there in an innocent embrace as their beating hearts joined the fireflies and the night sundered on.
They stayed that way until both were snapped out of their trance.
As fireworks lit up the dark sky, playing with their reflections, Kohana sighed.
"I will miss you." She whispered.
Glofindel looked down at her face.
"Aye." He sighed. His hands placed themselves along the sides of her head.
His lips met the crown of her head and lingered there until his breath reached his mouth again.
Kohana's eyes remained closed until she felt his warm no longer.
She opened her eyes to find herself alone in the darkness of her garden.