Disclaimer: I don't own LOTR. I also don't own Caleniel, Cadunír, Rodwen, Thinedhel, Elvellaswen, Gaenír, or Aearoniell; they belong to Tador and Aearoniell, who have given me permission to use their characters for my own twisted ideas.

Lady Caleniel

By: Mika Saito

Chapter 15- Last Breath

Caleniel screamed as the blast of energy hit her. Gaenír's attack had surprised her and she had not had much time to dodge, or even prepare herself for it; the attack hit her head on.

The light faded slowly, finally leaving the room lit by a single lamp that sat on the end table across the room. Caleniel lay on the floor, completely still. Legolas rushed to her side while Aearoniell moved to stand between Gaenír and the objects of his anger.

"What do you think you're doing?" She snapped at him angrily. Gaenír glared at her for a moment before turning his attention back to Caleniel. Legolas had gently lifted her to lie across his lap. Blood trickled down the side of her pale face.

Rodwen and Elvellaswen, who had been standing in the doorway watching the scene before them, unsure of what to do, moved into the room and went to Legolas. Without a word the pair took Caleniel away from him and motioned him to face Gaenír, as he obviously wished to.

"We'll take care of her." Elvellaswen finally said, seeing Legolas hesitate. As if to prove it Rodwen ripped a strip of cloth from the hem of her dress and began gently dabbing at the wound on Caleniel's head. Legolas nodded gratefully while he stood and turned to face Gaenír and Aearoniell. None of them said anything for a moment, then Aearoniell moved towards Gaenír.

"You ruined the plan," she hissed softly in his ear. When he did not answer, she continued. "The situation might have been salvageable before you attacked." Gaenír drew back suddenly, glaring at Aearoniell.

"Even if I have ruined it, it didn't matter. She was plotting against us." Gaenír said calmly. Aearoniell raised an eyebrow questioningly, glancing in Caleniel's direction.

"You're acting like a child," she told him disgustedly.

"He might be acting like a child, but he speaks the truth." A weak voice cut in. Everyone turned to face Caleniel. "I was planning against you, but then again, you were planning to use me." Caleniel's voice grew louder and stronger as she spoke.

Cadunír looked up sharply at the scream that pierced the air. The voice was vaguely familiar, and something about it sent a shiver up his spine. The entire hall went silent, worried eyes were turned towards the King of Mirkwood. Thranduil stood up slowly.

"I know not who it was that screamed, but please, do not worry, I'm sure everything is fine." He said calmly. "Please ignore it for now, I'll make an announcement if it is serious." Thranduil motioned Cadunir to follow him as he swept out of the hall.

In the hallway they found Thinedhel. He was fidgeting with his bow and glancing nervously at the door.

"There has been an explosion of sorts near Caleniel's room." He told them the moment they stepped through the door. Cadunír frowned slightly at Thinedhel, his gaze on the bow and arrow in his hand, but did not say anything. Instead, he took off towards his daughters' room, Thranduil and Thinedhel following closely behind.

Caleniel gently moved into a semi sitting position. Gaenír watched her closely; smirking at the wince of pain that crossed her face as she moved. Elvellaswen placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her head.

"You shouldn't move." Rodwen whispered softly. Caleniel nodded silently and allowed herself to lean back against her friends, falling unconscious within a few seconds of doing so.

Legolas moving towards Caleniel's bed brought everyone's attention to him. Gaenír raised a questioning eyebrow at what his opponent was doing. A look of surprise crossed his face when he realized what Legolas was after- Caleniel's sword.

Gaenír drew his sword and quickly followed Legolas. As Legolas knelt next to Caleniel's bed Gaenír raised his sword and moved closer, ready to strike. At that moment, Cadunír appeared silently in the door. He surveyed the scene quickly, his eyes lingering on Caleniel for a long moment, before turning to someone behind him and saying something in a determined tone. When he turned around again he held a sword in his hand.

Rodwen swiftly, but gently, shifted Caleniel unto Elvellaswen's lap so that she could stand. She tried to grab Cadunír's arms as he brushed past her, but he sidestepped her outstretched hand.

"Gaenír!" Cadunír hissed angrily. Gaenír turned around, barely managing to block Cadunír's blade as he moved. He pushed Cadunír away then glanced over his shoulder at Legolas, who now held Caleniel's sword in his hand. He charged at his new target, sword expertly held at his side. Cadunír sidestepped the blade, only to have Gaenír change direction and swiping his sword to the side, the edge ripping through Cadunír's right arm.

Cadunír pulled back, his hand covering the gushing wound. He readied himself to continue the fight, but Legolas caught his eye over Gaenírs shoulder. Legolas shook his head silently at him.

"Gaenír, I am your opponent, not Cadunír." Gaenír turned, a wicked smile upon his lips.

"Of course Prince." He mocked. "Don't want the old man outshining yourself." Gaenír chuckled darkly. Aearoniell shook her head, muttering to herself about Gaenír having lost his mind.

"He can outdo me if he wishes to, I just don't want you harming anyone else when you should be fighting me." Legolas growled. Gaenír continued to smile evilly, bringing his hand up before him.

Legolas charged forward, ducking under the blast of energy Gaenír sent at him. Gaenír, surprised that Legolas had dodged his attack at such a close range, did not get his sword up in time to block Legolas's sword from sinking deep into his side. He stumbled back, his sword dropping from his hand.

Blood gushed from the wound. Gaenír looked at Aearoniell, his mind trying to remember a healing spell. Aearoniell saw the questioning look in his eyes, but chose to remain silent. If he got to close to death, she'd help him out, but he needed to learn not to underestimate people; somehow he always managed to underestimate someone.

Caleniel opened her eyes slowly. Carefully she shifted her body, wincing at the sharp pain that laced through her right side. Elvellaswen looked down at her, sighed softly, and lifted her into a slightly better position to see what was going on. She gasped as she watched her father pull away from Gaenír, blood pouring down his arm.

Gently she began to lift herself off the floor. Elvellaswen grabbed her arm.

"Rest, let Legolas take care of this." She whispered urgently.

"No. It is not just Legolas's battle. It is mine as well." Caleniel clenched her teeth together to prevent herself from crying out in pain. "Help me stand." Elvellaswen shook her head, opening her mouth to issue a refusal, but Caleniel cut her off. "Please."

Elvellaswen gave in. Standing up slowly, she pulled Caleniel up as well.

"Lean on me if you have to." She whispered in Caleniel's ear. "You helped me, now let me help you."

"Alright." Caleniel tried to nod, but decided against it when her vision began to waver. "I need to get a bow."

"The guard over there has one." Elvellaswen nodded towards Thinedhel. Caleniel did not say anything, instead she took a few unsteady steps forward.

"Thinedhel, I need your bow." She spoke softly, gasping for breath, when Elvellaswen had gotten her close enough to the elf.

"I can't let you have it Lady Caleniel." He shook his head.

"Give it to her." Elvellaswen growled, narrowing her eyes at him. He sighed quietly to himself. Caleniel's anger was scary enough, and now this she-elf's anger as well, obviously luck just was not with him. He handed to bow to Caleniel, with an arrow.

"Can you try to hold me steady Elvellaswen?" Caleniel asked her friend.

"Yes."

"Good." Caleniel shakily raised the bow and pulled the string taunt. Her hands were shaking uncontrollably by the time she got it aimed right. Please hit the mark. She released the arrow just as her strength gave out and she collapsed into Elvellaswen's arms.