Disclaimers can be found in chapter 1. But by now I think it is sort of obvious whom I own and whom I don't!

This chapter was edited by me, so please forgive the errors. My beta has been busy and I didn't want to bog her down with more work. When she has a chance to beta this chapter I will replace it with the beta'd version.

Chapter 33: Reunion

The Elf exhaled sharply and his eyes clouded with tears. His brows lowered and his lips parted as he reached forward and brushed his thumb and fingers of his right hand along Kaitlyn's hairline. The hair was dry and not damp as it had been only a day ago.

Kaitlyn closed her eyes at the touch and then opened them slowly. She peered into Legolas' face, gazing at the smooth flawless skin. She looked into his pale eyes and the volume of emotion was staggering. Such intense concern and pain.

"I thought I would never see your beautiful leaf green eyes open again," he whispered so softly and with such anguish that it took Kaitlyn's breath away.

She exhaled at the realization that Legolas thought she might die and she winced slightly at her physical action.

"You are in pain," Legolas whispered softly.

Kaitlyn nodded. "A little," she said and immediately changed the subject. "Are we in Edoras?" she asked slowly.

"Aye. We reside in a house just outside the Golden Hall."

Kaitlyn sighed deeply and attempted to ignore the pain she felt at such a small motion. "The others?" she choked out. She had been too disoriented and too afraid to inquire about her other companions when she had last awakened.

Legolas smiled broadly. "Aragorn, Gimli, and Gandalf are well." Legolas' smile broadened. "Merry and Pippin have joined us from Isengard."

Kaitlyn's face lit up with the knowledge and were she feeling well enough she would have jumped out of the bed and danced around with joy.

Tears clouded her eyes. "You don't know how happy that makes me."

Legolas brushed the backs of his fingers across her face and smiled.

"And Haldir? Is he still here?" she asked with a grin. Kaitlyn realized she had come to admire the March Warden of Lorien in a short time.

The smile immediately disappeared from Legolas' face and Kaitlyn felt her heart drop into her stomach.

She covered her mouth with her hand in a weak attempt to compose herself. "He …he didn't …make it…did he?" she choked out.

Legolas lowered his head and shook it slowly, his blond hair cascaded down his shoulders.

"Oh, god…not Haldir," she sobbed. The tears began to stream down her face. "Who else?" she asked.

Legolas looked up into her eyes. The Elf wanted to protect her from the pain he was causing by telling her who had passed, but he realized that keeping the truth from her would only hurt her more. "Anargthed and many of his people were slaughtered," he whispered.

The Elf did not expect the loud sob that filled the air. He watched Kaitlyn twist in physical and emotional pain and he reached for her. She pushed his hand away and lay on her uninjured side, facing away from him, sobbing into her pillow. His heart tightened within his chest. She was hurting and she had refused his comfort.

"Kaitlyn…" he whispered brokenly.

She turned to him at the sound of his anguished voice. She ceased her loud sobbing and now tears streamed from her eyes, down her cheek and onto her pillow.

"Why?" she asked.

Legolas looked down at the floor and then he gazed into her tear filled eyes. "It was their time."

"No, why the hell am I still alive when so many others died? Why didn't I die?"

Legolas inhaled sharply at her words. They stabbed at him like a thousand knives. "Say not such things…" he told her, his voice cracking. "Eru did not believe it was your time…"

Kaitlyn inhaled and exhaled quickly several times. She ignored the physical pain the actions caused. "I saw boys…some of them were my cousin's age. Just little kids…And warriors…Great warriors fell!" she cried out. "And yet… I live," she added, her voice little more than a whisper.

"Istan, melethril." ( I know, beloved. ) Legolas whispered.

Kaitlyn reached for Legolas' hand and pressed it between her cheek and the pillow.

Legolas felt her warm wet tears spill down through his fingers. If she were well he would have gathered her into his arms and crushed her to his body. But all he could do was let her hold onto his hand.

"It was not your time, "he said again. "I thank Eru a thousand times over for sparing your life. Just as I thank him for allowing me to live so that I could see you again." His words were full of raw emotion, his voice low and heavy.

She felt a warm hand close over her other hand, which was clamped shut beside her on the feather mattress. Legolas gently pried her fingers open, entwined his fingers with hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. She squeezed in return.

"I know you are anguished, but you must not cry. I fear you may tear your stitches."

Kaitlyn swallowed, sniffed and rolled onto her back. The pain shot up her side as the skin around the injury stretched. She cried out softly. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and then peered at Legolas.

The Mirkwood Prince appeared in turmoil. His dark brows were lowered over his light eyes and his lips were parted due to his breathing being slightly heavier than normal. His body was tense much like it was when he sensed danger on the plains of Rohan when the Wargs had come.

"I wish I could have harbored you from this all…" Legolas silently wished they had left her in Lothlorien and then he selfishly took that wish back. He would never have formed the friendship with her that he had. He would never have fallen in love with her.

Legolas felt the palm of her hand rest upon his cheek and jaw and then her fingers smoothed over his skin.

"I feel safer whenever you are near," she told him honestly.

Legolas parted his lips to speak. His heart flooded with his affection for her and he feared if he did not say something it would burst.

The Elf felt her fingers tracing his jaw line and he closed his eyes. Elbereth! Did Kaitlyn realize how she made him feel?

"This is something I thought I would never see," she told him.

Legolas opened his eyes and realized she stared at him intently, her eyes roaming over his form.

"What is that?" he asked softly.

She smiled through her tears. "You're dirty."

Legolas' eyes widened.

"Your hair is tangled and most of it has fallen out of its braids. Your clothes are full of blood and you're still wearing your armor." She let her eyes glance over him and then she frowned. She had never seen him look like this and he had battled before.

Legolas laughed softly though it was without humor. "My appearance has been the last thing on my mind these past few days. "

"This isn't like you. I've never seen you like this." She stopped speaking and her brows drew together. " I…I did this, didn't I?" she realized with horror.

Legolas shook his head.

Kaitlyn swallowed and nodded. "Yes, I did. My crazy heroics…"

"You quite possibly saved Aragorn's life. I have never been more honored or proud to know you…"

She moved her thumb over the smooth skin of his face and he took her hand into his and then repositioned it so it rested over his pounding heart.

His expression and how hard his heart was pounding beneath his chest startled her. The sorrow and pain in his eyes… He had worried about her deeply.

"Legolas, What is it?"

The Elf brushed his fingers over the back of her hand and did not break eye contact with her. "The dark lord himself could have challenged me to battle and I would not have been as frightened as I have these past 2 days."

Kaitlyn gasped as she realized how afraid he must have been to learn she had been injured. She had acted so foolishly and without thought!

"I'm so sorry…" she offered lamely. She swallowed hard. "I remember asking for you when I awakened. Eowyn said you had gone to Isengard and would return. I passed out again, but I heard her say you had stayed with me the night after the battle."

Legolas nodded. "I went to find you the moment I learned you were hurt. I stayed with you for as long as I could…" The Elf glanced down and inhaled and exhaled deeply. He looked into Kaitlyn's eyes. "When they came and took you away it felt as if my heart would break…"

Kaitlyn's lips parted and her brows raised in surprise. His words were thick with emotion. She realized Legolas cared for her as a friend, but she did not realize the extent of his emotions. Gimli told her Elves felt more intensely than mortals did. She felt guilty for asking why she was still alive. It was apparent to her that had she died her death would have hit Legolas very hard.

She removed her hand from his pounding heart and reached for his face again. The Elf cupped her palm to his cheek and closed his eyes at the contact of her warm skin.

Tears once again filled Kaitlyn's eyes. "I'm so sorry I fought…so sorry I worried you and the others… Goheno nin…" ( Forgive me )

Legolas opened his eyes and slid her palm to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss on her flesh. "You proved yourself a worthy fighter, melethril. You accomplished a great deed and you still draw breath. That is what matters." ( beloved )

He kissed her hand again, causing her to shudder, and his mouth lingered on her palm. His heart raced like a runaway stallion.

Kaitlyn could feel his warm breath on her hand. Legolas breathed much heavier than normal. He looked at her intensely and for the first time in many long weeks she found it hard to hold his gaze. The temperature in the room seemed to have risen, as did the tension.

Legolas exhaled harshly. "Kaitlyn…there is something I must tell you-" The Elf tensed suddenly and halted his words at the sound of someone entering the house. He heard Ammora and two familiar voices. He removed Kaitlyn's hand from his face and laid it beside her on the bed.

Kaitlyn gave him a confused glance, wondering why he had stopped speaking but then she heard the voices that were not there earlier. Her eyes widened.

"Where is she? We want to see her!"

"And we want to see her now!"

Moments later two hobbits entered the room and what Legolas was going to say was lost.

The Elf smiled as Merry and Pippin burst into the room with concern for their friend.

Legolas relinquished his seat and stood, choosing to step away into the shadows of the room to slow his pounding heart and harsh breathing as the hobbits crowded around Kaitlyn's bed.

"Thank the rocks that roll!" Pippin cried out.

Kaitlyn's face lit up at the remark and she laughed. The action hurt her and she clenched her teeth in pain.

"Oi! You are still hurting!" Merry called. Concern etched into his youthful features and his brows drew together in confusion. "Aragorn said he and an Elf healed you."

"Her injury was severe and will still take time to mend."

Kaitlyn and the hobbits glanced up to see that Aragorn was standing in the doorway. Legolas had heard Aragorn approach, but remained quiet.

The Ranger was holding back the curtain that separated the room from the kitchen and remainder of the house and leaned against the doorframe.

"Aragorn." Kaitlyn grinned and tears filled her eyes. "All we need is Gandalf and Gimli and everyone would be together again!" she cried happily, glancing at each of her companions. Her eyes lingered on Legolas who stood in the darkness and she felt her heart skip a beat when he smiled warmly at her.

"Gandalf is with the King and Gimli prepares for the feast."

"Feast?" Legolas asked.

"To honor those who died," Merry told the Elf. "Food is being cooked and people are gathering in the Golden Hall as we speak."

"And great smelling food it 'tis!" Pippin nodded, his brows raising over his widened eyes.

Kaitlyn grinned and for a short while the terrible times and the pain in her side were forgotten.

"The hobbits wanted to see you before the feast," Aragorn smiled. He had come to stand inside the room and he held his hands together behind his back.

Kaitlyn laughed softly and hid the pain she felt. "I'm honored to have come before your stomachs!" she told the hobbits.

Merry and Pippin laughed. "You shall always come before our stomachs, fair lady, and that makes you a very important person," Pippin told her.

"How are you feeling?" Merry asked. The laughter was gone from his features and he appeared worried. Deep lines of concern marred his fair features and his lips were pursed.

Kaitlyn sighed. "I'm in pain from my injury and I'm sad that so many have been lost. " She paused as moisture filled her eyes.

Legolas shifted his weight as he stood in the shadows.

"But I'm also happy that you are all here with me," she finished as she gazed at each of her companions and smiled through her tears.

"We heard that you killed a couple Uruk-hai. Did you really fire arrows with Legolas' bow?" Merry asked.

Kaitlyn nodded. "I did and I don't know how I managed it! I was so scared!" she laughed.

"Despite her fear, she triumphed," Legolas said aloud, causing everyone to turn toward him. "She saved Aragorn's life," the Elf boasted proudly.

Aragorn cleared his throat. "She was indeed brave and surprised us all. I do not wish to cut our visit short, but now that we know she is awake and well we must prepare to join the others."

Pippin pouted like a child, his bottom lip protruding, and his arms crossed over his chest.

Merry reached for one of Kaitlyn's hands and pressed his lips to the back of it. "We will be back to see you. Very soon," he added.

She smiled and blushed at his touching gesture. "I sincerely hope so," she whispered.

"Count us in!" Pippin exclaimed.

Kaitlyn smiled broadly. Oh, how she had missed the hobbits. She watched as they waved to her wildly before they exited the room. She could hear them chattering about what sort of foods and ale's there might be to found at the feast.

Legolas returned to the chair beside the bed and gave a soft sigh. "I will stay with Kaitlyn," the Elf told the Ranger.

"King Theoden hoped that you would say a few words at the feast in the Elvish tongue for those of the Eldar that fell in battle."

Legolas looked to Kaitlyn. He did not wish to leave her alone. "And what of Kaitlyn?" the Elf asked boldly.

Kaitlyn noted that it was the first time she could remember the Elf not immediately submitting to a request from Aragorn.

"Ammora is preparing a warm bath with salt to help Kaitlyn's injury. She will not be alone."

"Go on, Legolas. I'll be all right." Kaitlyn told him, waving her hand at him. "A bath doesn't sound like such a bad idea. In fact, you could do with one yourself," she teased lightly to hide the sorrow of knowing he would leave her.

The Elf sighed and nodded. "Aye, the stench of Orc clings strongly to me."

Aragorn laughed and teasingly he pinched his nostrils closed. "I had noticed not," he spoke, his voice sounding more high pitch.

Kaitlyn laughed and Aragorn grinned at how easy it had been to make her smile again. He removed his fingers from his nose and clapped Legolas playfully on the shoulder before the man stepped toward the curtain and began to lift it. "I am pleased that you are awake, Kaitlyn," Aragorn said, concentrating on the mortal woman. "We will speak later after you have rested."

"I look forward to it."

There was a silent exchange between the Elf and Ranger and then Aragorn was gone, his footsteps fading as he went.

Legolas and Kaitlyn heard Ammora bid fair well to Aragorn and then the house was quiet.

The Elf drifted into deep thought and startled when he felt Kaitlyn's fingers brush back some of his blond hair, which had fallen from its bindings. He closed his eyes as her fingers made contact with his hairline on his forehead. He prayed to the Valar that she did not wander lower and touch his ear. Yet his mouth went dry with hopeful anticipation. One innocent touch from her and it might be his undoing. Disappointment filled him when her hand fell to her side, his ear left untouched.

"Go on, Malthen Calad. I'll be here when you return." ( Golden light )

Legolas opened his eyes and nodded reluctantly, his heart thundering within his chest.

"Say something for Haldir…and the others that fell." Like Thunin. She thought to herself.

Legolas leaned over the bed and placed his lips upon her forehead. His mouth lingered as it had with her hand earlier and Kaitlyn felt her heartbeat quicken.

"Ú-vistan anann," he whispered. ( I will not stray long. )

Kaitlyn closed her eyes and swallowed at the low throaty tone of his voice, but before she could contemplate it any longer, Legolas had gone. The curtain rustled, waving back and forth from his abrupt departure and then it stilled.

Tears filled Kaitlyn's eyes at Legolas leaving, Haldir and Anargthed's death and the survival of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Ammora arrived moments later with a large beige robe made of furs that looked very warm. "Your bath is ready, my lady."

Kaitlyn nodded and watched as the curtain was held back and two men brought in a metal tub that was large enough for her to sit in and soak. They also brought bucket after bucket of steaming hot water straight off the fire.

The men left and Ammora helped Kaitlyn from the bed. It was painful, but Kaitlyn managed and walked very slowly with Ammora's assistance.

Ammora helped Kaitlyn undress and Kaitlyn blushed when she stood without a piece of clothing on her body before this woman she did not know.

If Ammora noticed her embarrassment she did not make mention of it. She helped Kaitlyn into the tub, handed her a bar of crude white soap, checked that the lanterns were not in danger of burning out and propped the robe on Kaitlyn's bed.

"I am preparing dinner. Do you enjoy beef and vegetables?"

Kaitlyn nodded eagerly. The idea of a hot meal made her stomach rumble. "Oh, yes! Thank you."

The woman smiled. "My name is Ammora, Call me if you need me, my lady."

"Kaitlyn," Kaitlyn called out to the retreating woman.

Ammora turned.

"My name is Kaitlyn. You don't need to call me 'my lady.'"

Ammora nodded and smiled. "As you wish, Lady Kaitlyn." And then Ammora, too, was gone.

Kaitlyn sighed and sank into the hot salty water. She began to wash herself with the soap and as she neared her injury beneath her arm and along her side she stopped washing. Very carefully she brushed her fingers over the jagged, ugly wound and the stitching that held it together. She winced at the first few touches, but then grew accustomed to the feeling. Who had stitched her? Had it been Aragorn or the Elf or…? She flushed hotly at the thought that perhaps Legolas might have been involved. He had not mentioned helping to heal her but he had not dismissed the idea either. They said an Elf had helped to heal her. Had it been him? Had he seen her half naked? Or completely naked while they stitched and bandaged her?

She swallowed at the idea and then thought about how strangely Legolas had been acting with her before he left.

Immediately she shook her head and dismissed the crazy romantic notions. This was innocent Legolas she was thinking about. Innocent Legolas who had never loved anyone save his friends and family. He had been concerned about her as the others had. He was an Elf and he just felt more intensely that was all.

Yet as she soaked she could not seem to dismiss how hard his heart had been pounding beneath the palm of her hand, how uneven his breathing had been or how his touches had lingered. And the look in his eyes…

Kaitlyn sighed and sank lower into the steaming water. She forced herself to let go of those thoughts and images. This was not a fairytale she was living and it was best if she purged that idea once and for all.

To be continued…

I'm terribly sorry for making everyone wait so long for this chapter. This is a very busy time of the year for not only myself, but for everyone. This may be the last chapter until Christmas or New Years. I know that sounds a long way off but in reality that's only a month away.

For those who have not seen it, I made a video music trailer for "Mysterious Fate" It can be found on my web page. (link is in my profile)

Thank you to everyone for their continued reviews. I have had a few people offer wonderful comments and crits. Please keep them coming. You are all an inspiration!