The Passing

Nothing but night and fire glow

And you know I see right through you

When the world gets in your way

What's the point in all the screaming

You're not listening anyway.

from Acoustic #3 by The Goo Goo Dolls

Months before:

Kohana looked out the terrace below at the beauty of Rivendell.

'Another lovely morning!' She watched as the elves went about their day, wishing she had more freedom. As the hour turned to noon, Kohana was brought her lunch on the terrace, along with a letter addressed to her.

Aiya Kohana,

Suilannad! Manenna? I have news from Mithrandir. It seems that the plan he has put in action in Mirkwood has run into trouble. King Thranduil will not take you into his lands unless it is certain that you are not a threat to his people. Therefore, Mithrandir told the King that you made an agreement with me to not use your 'magic on anyone'. This should not be a problem-

In addition, you must become mute outside of Rivendell's walls or make up some language of your own. No one must be able to understand you. I have faith in you to do this.

Hold true to your promise.

Namarie,
Lord Elrond

Kohana sighed at the news. She closed the parchment, and walked to the railing.

'At least all those Spanish classes came in handy . . .'she thought.

The winter chill had increased with the altitude, and Kohana found herself struggling to fight the force of the freezing wind. All around her elves made a make shift perimeter, keeping some of her protected from the elements, but to no avail, she faltered.

A few yards away, Legolas looked on with annoyance. Any fool could see the weak girl was pulling them behind.

If she was such a powerful sorceress, why did the wind not obey her call?

He watched as she swayed with the wind, bumping into the elves around her ungracefully. Out of the corner of his vision the Prince saw a flurry of movement.

A giant boulder came shooting down the side of the mountain, hitting a large rooted tree that had nestled itself on the side of the ridge, right above the girl. Before the she-witch could react Legolas watched in horror as the tree crashed on her, pulling both toward the edge of the cliff. The Prince latched onto the falling tree as it rolled over the edge of the cliff, grabbed the girl by her waist as his other hand dug his dagger into the soft earth of the cliff. Together the Prince and girl hung over the side of the mountain until some of the elven party could bring them up to safety.

Amroth looked on as both Prince and girl were heaved up to safety, and as they collapsed on the soft snow heaving and raged of breathe. After a moment, the Prince stirred, and looked to the unmoving form next to him. The witch seemed to have passed out, and as he moved her- he noticed the most sinister thing.

The snow on which she had laid was covered in blood.

Kohana felt like her skin was melting off like wax from a candle.

Pain would appear and disappear in waves, but every time she gasped or sighed from the sensations there would be an elvish voice soothing her.

One thing she had to admit about these people was, even as their prisoner- she was being treated fairly well. She would spend the next two days gathering her strength.

She awoke to someone touching her back. Acting on pure instinct, Kohana grabbed the hand that was touching her and rolled over while used the other hand to cover herself with a blanket. Kohana came face to face with the dark elf that had stared at her days before. He looked startled at her sudden action and a little embarrassed at her attempt to cover herself. She immediately snatched her hand back from the elf in embarrassment.

"Hodo vae?" The dark elf asked.

"Porque?"

The dark elf's face seemed to drain.

"Oh . . . do you speak the common tongue?" He knew Legolas wouldn't like him talking to the witch, but what harm could it do?

Kohana gave a wiry smile. She wanted answers from the only elf in the world that seemed to be talking to her. However- under the circumstances, she had to pretend she only spoke Spanish.

Well, it would be nice to have someone to talk to.

Curiosity got the best of her.

"Te llamo?" She asked directly. She used her body language to try and make him understand. She pointed to herself over and over again, saying "Mi llamo Kohana." Then she pointed to him. He seemed to be getting what she meant after a little while.

'This is very odd' Amroth laughed to himself.

He sat across from her and folded his hands. He pointed to her, "Your name is Kohana."

"Si! Si!" She responded clapping her hands.

"My name is Amroth, the younger prince of Mirkwood."

Kohana's heart skipped a beat. She was suddenly very embarrassed by her behavior. Crap! She was talking to a prince! Why, of all the people, would a prince be escorting her to Mirkwood? Wouldn't they leave that to generals or less important people?

She wanted to ask prince charming why he was stuck babysitting her. Wasn't he suppose to be doing 'princely' things like going to balls and helping his family run their country?

Stupid monarchy.

Remember your manners, Ana!

Kohana smiled.

"Gracias, Prince Amroth."

She continued to grin, and clasped her hands in sincerity. That seemed to be a good sign so he nodded to her.

"I need to tend to your wounds. Would you mind laying back down?" He gestured to the blankets that lay in the courner of the tent, to her back, and then his healing supplies.

Obviously- she understood what he said, but Kohana had to act like his gestures where the only way she could communicate.

Why was a prince dressing her wounds?

"Ummm, ok."

'Crap!' she thought, 'I let one slip!'

'What kind of language was this girl speaking?' Amroth looked confused.

"I do not understand your speech."

Kohana grinned nervously. Thank you for modern slang.

Amroth just nodded.

Kohana laid back down on her stomach and exposed her back to the prince. Slowly Amroth took off the old bandages, and washed the cuts that had excreted fluid. Kohana winced at every touch and her eyes began to water.

Crap! Crap! Crap!

Her thoughts turned to home once again. Hope of seeing it was becoming more of a daydream that a goal in her mind. How long had she even been away?

Kohana was crying now, out of pain or loneliness she didn't know. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Amroth noticed her sobs and the way her back was heaving from them. His own heart seemed to be breaking with her as he continued to clean her back. His gut reaction told him to ameliorate her suffering, for no elf or, man for that matter, could stand to see a lady suffer. However, he couldn't do anything about it . . .she was his prisoner.

It was a cruel thing for any warrior with honor.

Legolas wished this nightmare would end. Months before, in the royal counsel room of Mirkwood King, he had been told many details that had not be revealed to his brother. That was his burden as heir to the throne. Gandalf had informed the Prince that the she-witch had made a pact with Lord Elrond. This agreement stated that she would not use her dark arts against any of the forces that would escort or imprison her in Mirkwood. In return, the witch would be kept alive, and freed after Sauron's threat of Middle Earth had pasted.

Legolas stood outside the makeshift tent, listening to the sobs of the witch.

'The girl has betrayed a pact, and for that she will get hers.'

Meanwhile Kohana was trying not to sob so loud. There was a rustling of fabric behind her, and she felt a freezing draft. Someone had just entered the tent. She felt Amroth's closeness leave and it was replaced by a blanket being draped over her shoulders. Kohana tried her best stop the blanket from touching her wounds, but it was too late. She let out a hiss and cursed under her breath as they began to sting.

Remember to behave, Ana!

Kohana stood up and flung around in furry.

"Who's BRIGHT IDEA was it to cover open wounds with a blanket-"

"Oh no! Oh no!" He head screamed.

Suddenly she had come face to face with "Mr. Mean". At least that is what she dubbed him the first time she saw him.

He was the elf that was in charge- and she really didn't like him. His blonde hair was a little disheveled from the artic winds outside, and he seemed to radiate the coldness as well. Usually the expression on his fair face was one of authority that demanded respect, but the face that stared down to her now was livid with anger.

"YOU WILL SPEEK WHEN SPOKEN TO!" He boomed.

Kohana's mouth dropped. She had never been so afraid of someone in her life!

This guy was mental!

"Uhhh. . .I ummm . . ." She started to mumble. She was silenced by his piercing glare.

Legolas motioned for Kohana to sit back down, and she quickly slumped back to the floor. Amroth looked at her in horror. He had been deceived, for she had pretended to not understand his tongue.

The two Princes started heatedly speaking in their dialect while she sat in a heep of blankets on the floor.

"SILENCE!" Legolas commanded to Amroth.

"Nan Belain Legolas!" Amroth threw his hands up in frustration. Still glaring at his brother from a distance he exited the tent.

Did he say LEGOLAS? Oh my God- I have screwed up everything in middle earth!

She watched as the proud elf turned to look her in the eyes. With hands clasped behind his back and a fierce expression on his face he lowered himself in front of her.

"Listen, she-witch. You may have enchanted others with your evil ways, but I am not fooled." He lowered his face inches above her own. "I do not care what agreement you had with Elrond- I do not care if you die in these mountains- I will be watching every move you make. " His eyes where filled with fire as they challenged hers. He lowered his head closer to hers and in the most hushed whisper to her ear he spoke.

"And mark these words, girl- I will kill you myself if you hurt the ones that I love."

Scary leggy- ehhh? Poor Kohana!

What do ya think? r/r!

Notes:

Suilannad- greetings

Manenna- How are you?

Nan Belain- By the Valar!