Through A Nightingale's Eyes

Disclaimer I do not own any of Tolkien's creations. I only own my characters and some of the storyline

IMPORTANT

Please DO NOT flame my story, because you have been warned. By the way, I HAVE read the LOTR books. If you have some constructive criticism or tips for me, please e-mail me

Thank you for your consideration. Peace!

Jack-Sparrow-Lover

RATED "R" FOR LANGUAGE AND POSSIBLY OTHER STUFF

Author's Note: Well…here comes the return to Middle Earth…dun dun dun…

Chapter 14: Lúthien?

Kayla stood in front of her television, now wearing shoes that somewhat fit the era she would be living in and her travel pack with weapons and clothes on her back. And so she wouldn't miss her birth home, she decided to pack a few things to remember it by, including photos and some minor necessities. She stared at the black screen and then looked at Alana, who stood beside her, a smile on her face. "I can never come back you know…"

"I know, Kay…but think about this: What is there here that you care about so much? Your friends would want what was best for you…what makes you happy. I can see it in your eyes how much you want to be with Legolas and how much you want to live the life of your mother."

"Alana-"

"Kayla, listen to me!" her friend exclaimed as she pulled her into a hug, "I know what you've been through your entire life. We've been friends for so long that I can practically read your mind. Living here is not what was meant for you. You're meant to be happy. I belong here, as do the rest of our friends. You…you're different. You have Elven blood. You're a Princess of Rivendell. What more could anyone wish for?" Both of the friends felt tears prick their eyes and tightened the hug. This would be the last time they would ever see each other. "Go on now…"

"Alana, please tell my friends the honest truth about all this. Take care of my house and everything for me," Kayla said desperately as she cried on her friend's shoulder, "And promise that we'll always be friends."

"Of course, Mister Frodo." Kayla laughed as Alana's comment. They had always said how their friendship was like that of Sam and Frodo. "This is how they departed, remember?"

"How could I forget, Samwise the Brave," Kayla replied laughing the entire time, "And don't forget that you have so much to enjoy and to be and to do."

After a few more moments of crying, the friends broke apart and looked at each other. They had both been crying so much that it was hard for them to bear the fact that they were departing. There would be no more journeys for them, save one: a Fellowship over time. Kayla wiped away her own tears and then turned to press the play button on the VCR. A bright light abruptly filled the room and then reduced to the same size it was when Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli had departed. Kayla looked into it and heard Gandalf speaking of a king. She would be entering at Aragorn's coronation. As she turned and looked at Alana for the last time, they shared the all familiar hobbit smiles. Alana watched as Kayla stepped backwards, a smile on her face as she vanished into the light, it disappearing with her. Our Fellowship will never end was the one thing that crossed both of their minds.

Kayla closed her eyes as she felt the light consume her, but then opened them, feeling it was necessary. What she saw was breathtaking. There were silver sparkles all flowing around her and she could hear the wizard still speaking. This was it. She was almost there. However, what shocked her was that this "time warp" was so calming and beautiful that it almost made her not want to leave it. Then again, she would not want to be stuck there forever. She wanted to embrace Legolas and smile at him before his lips met her again. She wanted to see the gulls flying over the shores of the sea. She wanted to see the world to which she had always thought of as a second home when she was stressed. Hard to believe that it really was her second home.

Then, Kayla felt the most unusual feeling. Her body was changing and she could hear the soft voice of Galadriel speaking to her in Elven tongue. She sounded just as Cate Blanchett had in the films. This was too perfect. Kayla brought her hands to her ears and found them to be already pointed and then looked down and saw her hair growing long and dark. Suddenly, she looked up and saw a mirror in front of her. There was her reflection, but it didn't look like her. Her hair was now almost black and her eyes a bright blue. She was the spitting image of her mother from the photos she had seen. "That's me?" she asked no one in particular.

"Yes," whispered a soft voice, but it was not that of Galadriel. Kayla turned around within the mist and saw one of the most beautiful elves she could have imagined. "That's you now, my daughter," the woman whispered again.

"M-Mom? But-you-how?" Kayla stuttered.

"You needn't worry about me now, sweetheart. I'm happy here."

"Mom, you're stuck between the times! Why didn't you go to heaven or something?"

"Because I died in a place to which I didn't belong. I was able to watch over both you and the rest of my family, to which I will continue." Kayla smiled at her mother's words and reached out, trying to touch her hand. She hadn't seen her mother for so long that it was uplifting to finally look upon her again.

"Mom…will you keep an eye on my friends for me since I'll be here now?"

"Of course, sweetie. I was planning on it." Both of them smiled at each other and then managed to clasp hands.

"Lúthien…" Galadriel's voice whispered.

"Mom, please don't leave me again!" Kayla exclaimed.

"Lúthien…"

"And who is Lúthien?" Kayla asked, slightly annoyed that her mother would vanish from her sight again.

"That is my name, Kayla. My grandmother, though still alive, knows I came here to see you. It is my time to return to my place. And you…will return to yours."

"But-"

"You will love your grandfather dearly, for he was a great father. Your aunt, Arwen, she will look after you as she did me. As for your uncles…well…watch out for their little jokes."

"Mom!" It was too late. Lúthien was fading away into the light. "Mom, will I ever see you again?!"

"Someday…someday…" Her mother's voice then diminished as well with the bright light and Kayla became surrounded by white walls. As she took in her surroundings, she knew exactly where she was. She was on one of the seven levels of Minas Tirith. Kayla ran to the edge of her level and thanked the Valar that she was on the sixth level. She could make it to the coronation, her favorite part of the books and films. But she had no time to think about that now. She had to run.

Thankfully, it didn't take her long, nor was she out of breath, being an elf again. She walked up the ramp and noticed that there were guards in her way. Not wanting to disturb them and cause chaos on Aragorn's big day, she looked up at the small wall and reached for the top. Surprisingly, she was able to reach it and pulled herself up and over. Did I get taller? she thought. She briskly walked through the crowd of people, who seemed mesmerized by Aragorn being crowned. Kayla strolled to where the elves were and stood in back, not wanting anyone to see her, and looked toward the front of the crowd.

Aragorn stood at the top of the steps so proudly that everyone began to applaud loudly. He was now the King of Gondor, his rightful title. Kayla could tell he looked nervous, but still he looked as if he was ready for the role. Then, he began to speak. "This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world…that we may share in the days of peace." Everyone began to cheer again and Kayla couldn't help but join in. She knew Aragorn would do a fine job as king, but what she needed to do now was find Legolas. The only problem was that there were many blonde elves there. Where was he?

Aragorn gently sang his coronation speech in Elven tongue, causing everyone to go silent and the petals on the blossoming White Tree of Gondor spread through the air as if by magic:

"Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien...Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta!"

(Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world)

Kayla smiled as Aragorn walked down the steps and began strolling down the teal carpet on the ground, nodding to his guests as he went. It was quite a sight to behold. She saw Faramir and Eowyn together, Èomer, and then her gaze fell upon Legolas. There he was in his blue dress robes with a gorgeous, thin, silver headdress on his head. "Wow," she whispered to herself as she saw him and Aragorn clasp their hands on each other's shoulders. This would be the time that Arwen was revealed as a mortal…and just like clockwork…she stepped forward, holding Aragorn's coronation flag.

It was so touching to watch them both stare into each other's eyes with such love and awe, and then kiss passionately. The elves all clapped, including Kayla, who then turned her attention back to Legolas. He had stepped to the side and was standing next to a beautiful blonde elf maiden, obviously a princess or at least someone of stature. Her hair was pulled back like Kayla's, but her headdress was a simple silver band. Must be a relative Kayla thought. By the Valar, was she WRONG! Her heart snapped in two as she saw Legolas lean down and place a chaste kiss upon the maiden's lips. How was this possible? He had kissed her just that day, according to her world time, but there he was…snogging some other chick.

When Kayla saw Aragorn walking toward the hobbits, she slowly backed away through the crowd and made it back to the wall. When she saw everyone begin to kneel, she hopped over the small wall and onto the ramp before running down to the sixth level again and sitting down on a corner of the street. She let her bag drop to the ground by her feet and took a deep breath, trying not to let any tears run down her face. She couldn't believe it. Legolas had been in love with someone else the entire time they had been together in her world. Kayla, herself, had kissed him so many times…and she couldn't forget that she had almost asked him to sleep with her after her father died!

"I feel so filthy," she muttered to herself as she placed a hand on her cheek, "I've been so foolish. Now…I have nothing." She had given up everything, and now she had nowhere to go. There was no one she could go to, for Elrond most likely wouldn't help her now, even if she was his granddaughter. Kayla knew it was time to face the music. She had made a mistake and there was no way around it. She had to ask for help.

As Kayla walked slowly up the ramp once more, she noticed that the people of Gondor were all back at their homes, and that everyone else was already inside the palace. "How long was I sitting there?" she whispered. This was going to be so humiliating, walking in after the others and drawing attention to herself. She strolled up to the huge doors of the palace and looked at the two guards that stood beside them. "Excuse me…but is it too late to enter?" she asked, letting her voice become more delicate and polite.

"Everyone enjoy yourselves and help yourself to this great feast. I honor you all as you have honored me!" Aragorn announced as he lifted his glass, "And I would love to thank the Fellowship who traveled with me…and my lovely betrothed, Arwen, who I will love even after my death." Many awes and cheers erupted from his company, especially the hobbits, though they were so small. Everyone lifted their glasses and drank to King Elessar's honor before seating themselves and talking.

Aragorn sat on his throne, which was perched highest in the throne room, Arwen sat on the seat at the bottom of the stairs that led to her lover's seat, and Gandalf sat at a nearby table with the hobbits as he preferred to. Legolas sat with the fair maiden he had kissed earlier, who was holding onto his arm and smiling, while Gimli sat on the other side of his traveling companion, drinking down his ale as fast as he could. The maiden looked over at the dwarf and slightly glared, speaking up as she did so, "Must you drink so much, Master Dwarf?"

"Of course, Lass," he replied as he looked at Legolas, "Why don't we have another drinking game?"

"Legolas, did you do that?!"

"Nessa, please calm down," Legolas assured the maiden as he kissed her hand, "It was only once at Edoras after the battle at Helms Deep. Now, I know you may not like the fact that a dwarf and I are friends, but I'm sorry…I will not change for you."

"But we are to be wed within the next few months, my Prince. Compromises must be made."

"That does not include-" Legolas cut himself off when he saw Nessa's eyes focused on something behind him. He looked around and noticed that the entire room had gone silent and that they were all staring in the same direction. As he followed their gaze and his eyes arrived on the entrance doors, his heart stopped. Kayla! he thought, but then he blinked and saw that this maiden's hair was long and dark, and her eyes were a light blue. This wasn't Kayla. It couldn't have been.

In reality, it was Kayla who stood there. Her heart was beating rapidly as she gazed around the room and saw everyone's eyes on her. Still, she kept a proud, yet not arrogant look on her face as she met the gaze of Aragorn, who was now standing. She was about to step down from the short staircase when she saw Arwen stand from her chair and run to her, her arms open wide. Arwen embraced Kayla as if she was family, to which Kayla responded as if she knew what was going on. "Welcome home, Lúthien," she whispered. Kayla's eyes slightly widened at the comment and she stepped back to look at the Queen of Gondor. "Welcome, my sister," Arwen stated again, "It's been so long."

It hit Kayla like a dull bullet…everyone thought she was her mother!

Author's Note: Okay...quick recap: Legolas is betrothed to another and everyone thinks that Kayla is her mother. They don't know that Lúthien is dead. Eh heh...uh oh... ::ducks the flying vegetables being thrown::