Kari did not return to her studies the next day, nor the day after that. It seemed that Lord Elrond had informed Arwen and Aragorn about what had happened. When they had the time, they would have activities that they would want to do with Kari. Practice with Legolas became extended to four hours instead of the customary three they had established when she was ten years old.

During the first few weeks of Kari's separation with studying to be a healer, Arwen wanted to teach her needlework. Kari had insisted on knowing how to make and mend clothing, so much of her time was spent with the seamstresses. She had no desire to learn embroidery or other such artistic needlework. By the end of a month, she could make a very basic style of a shirt and pants. However when she tried the shirt on, it was too narrow around the shoulders and the sleeves were of different lengths. The pants were luckily wearable and she wore them with pride. She had never made anything before.

"Aragorn, shall I make you a pair?" Kari asked him after twirling around a few times to show him her handiwork with the pants. The tan, wide-cut pants ended at Kari's ankles with a drawstring around the waist.

Aragorn laughed heartily as he sat on a bench in the outside gardens. Kari looked so much brighter and carefree during these past few weeks, and it made him much happier.

"I suppose you can," Aragorn replied.

"But would you wear them?" Kari asked, resting her hands on her hips and watching him expectantly.

"Yes, if they fit properly."

Kari smiled. "Good."

"Under one condition," Aragorn said.

"What?"

"You come with me on a trip. We'll camp. I'll teach you how to track animals, make fire, things you would need to survive in nature," Aragorn said.

"Agreed." Kari was excited to learn these new things. She had come to realize that she much preferred outdoor activities to indoor ones. Perhaps all the time spent studying inside made her appreciate her natural surroundings more.

It had rained the second day of the trip, making Kari wet, cold, and uncomfortable. And who knew there were so many insects in the world? But on the third day the animal tracks were fresh in the soft, wet dirt, and what Kari learned on that day outshined the terribleness of the second.

Upon her return to Rivendell from the four day trip with Aragorn, Kari was eager to take a bath and sleep in a real bed instead of on the cold ground. But she loved the experience and begged Aragorn to take her again on a trip when he had the chance. Aragorn agreed.

"Legolas, it was amazing! I had so much fun!" Kari said enthusiastically the day after her trip with Aragorn.

"Good. So, shall we make a Ranger of you?" Legolas asked with a mischievous smile.

Kari laughed. "I have a long way to go before I could survive out there on my own," she said. She shifted her stance, pulled back the arrow on her bow, and fired. The arrow pierced the stem of an apple on a nearby tree, and it fell to the grass with a soft thump.

Legolas smiled widely. "Well, at least your aim is true enough so that you could hunt your own food out there," he commented as he retrieved the apple. He picked it up and looked at it for a while.

"What is it, Legolas?" Kari asked as she watched him stare at the piece of fruit.

"It was not that long ago when you thought you would be unable to pierce the stem of the apple," he said reminiscently. He tossed her the apple, and this time Kari's hands were free of the sticky juice.

Kari smiled, remembering well the conversation Legolas alluded to. "Yes, well, now I want to piece the stem of an apple on that tree," she said, pointing to a tree in the far distance.

"Are you never satisfied?" Legolas asked, chuckling.

Kari took out the small knife Aragorn had given her a few days ago on the trip and cut the apple in half. She gave Legolas one of the halves.

"I'm satisfied with half of the credit for this victory of mine," she said looking up at Legolas with appreciation.

Legolas sensed she was talking about more than the apple, but he took the half graciously and bit into it. The juices traced a path down Legolas' hand, but at that moment, he didn't care. He was too preoccupied with the sense of pride in his heart.

Five months later, Kari announced that she would start studying again for her test. The time away from studying made her realize that she truly did want to become a Healer, but she going about it the wrong way. She hadn't understood what everyone meant when they said she was pushing herself too hard before. But now, after taking time away from her studies, she saw how much she was missing. She refused to return to the mentality that she needed to reach her goal or else her existence was worthless. She could become a Healer and still enjoy growing up.

Kari passed the test rather easily the second time. Perhaps it was due to less pressure or stress.

"So, Apprentice, when do you start?" Legolas asked the now thirteen year old. They strolled aimlessly through the gardens of Rivendell.

"Tomorrow. I apprentice for five hours a day, five days a week," she said.

"Our practices should go back to two hours a day on the days of your apprenticeship. I do not want to overwork you," Legolas said.

Kari nodded in agreement.

"How long will you have to be an apprentice before becoming a Healer?"

"Depends on how well I am an apprentice. Perhaps in five years? We shall see." Kari had a thoughtful look on her face, but then grimaced.

"What is it?" Legolas asked.

"I forgot Arwen wanted me to get fitted for a gown for the upcoming festival," Kari said.

"When is the fitting?"

"In a few minutes. I hate dresses," Kari said.

Legolas laughed. He remembered a few fights Kari had with Arwen about wearing dresses, each one ending with Kari in a dress and sulking.

"They are so big and heavy and you cannot run in them," Kari ranted.

"I do not think they were designed for running," Legolas commented.

Kari sighed. "Arwen says that I am practically a young lady now, so I should start dressing like one. I do not understand why a young lady cannot wear pants."

"I suppose that is because of custom," Legolas replied as he walked with Kari to meet Arwen.

"Custom is awful," Kari commented.

"Not all custom. Our last dance is a custom," Legolas explained.

Kari's scowl softened. Ever since she was seven and went to parties under the supervision of Arwen, Aragorn, or Legolas, she and Legolas would always have the last dance together. It was one of the few things that stopped her sulking because of having to wear a dress.

"The custom of women wearing dresses is awful," Kari revised.

Legolas laughed. "Fair enough."

Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews! I couldn't believe it when I saw how many there were for Chapter 3! Thanks for the insight about the page break thing, the chapters are much easier to read now. I appreciate all the knowledge people are giving me about Middle Earth and its history, I am learning a lot. However, the information will not be incorporated into my story simply because I have everything either written or outlined. So, if my story is unsatisfying because I am not as well versed on Elvin history as you are, I thank you for giving the story a chance but continued reviews simply pointing out all the details that I have wrong will not make me change my story. I must write how I see the story because if I don't, I will have a story that I am not satisfied with, and I will not do that. Thanks again for the support, next chapter will be up soon!