Through A Nightingale's Eyes

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

RATED "R" FOR LANGUAGE AND POSSIBLY OTHER STUFF

Author's Note: HELLO EVERYONE! Wow…I haven't updated in forever! I'm so sorry about that. Life has just been crazy, and now I'm in college! Woot! Heh heh. I'll try to update when I can…I finally got some inspiration, so hopefully the following chapter will be up soon.

Chapter 16: Message from Mirkwood

It had been a month since the coronation of Aragorn as king, and Kayla was now sitting in her mother's old room at Imladris, her home. She sat on her bed with her journal in her lap, and began writing:

Dear Journal,

Well, I've been here in Middle Earth for about a month now and I must say that it's been pretty damn awesome. I mean, I miss my home and my friends, but I guess that's life, right? I'm just sitting in my room writing as usual and thinking about everything that's been happening. Elrond is the best grandfather someone could ask for. I know I sound like a child when I say that, but for an elf I am a child. I'm only 18 for God's sake…I mean…the Valar's sake. :smirk: I still have to get the hang of this place.

Elladen has been pushing me lately about learning the Elven tongue more thoroughly. Everyday he has me in out library studying the writing and how to say certain phrases. I'm telling ya, when he's not with his brother he's so serious. Yet when they get together, HIT THE DECK:laughs: I just can't believe how young they look. They seem to be my age in human years, yet they're over 1,000 years old, damn it. Kinda scary sometimes.

Elrohir is as usual, pushing me around and pulling pranks every five minutes, as well as training me with a bow and arrow. Luckily I dyed his hair pink last week, so he's cut down a bit. It's just starting to wear out. But that's what you get when you mess with Kayla Sparrow! I wish that I could really be known as that, but if I were to even be called that and another elf heard, I'd be screwed over once it got to Mirkwood. I don't know how quickly elves can gossip…but I'm not taking any chances anytime soon.

Arwen has been writing us every few weeks about her life with Aragorn. It turns out that they are expecting their first child, which will be Eldarion…a baby boy…according to the books and movies, followed by several daughters. They must be pretty busy at night. Just kidding:chuckle: Living here has been cool other than all that. Rivendell is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. I just wish that my friends in the present day could see it. Alana and Kiki would have loved it here. Damn it…I really miss them.

"HEY LÚTHIEN! YOU'RE LATE FOR YOUR LESSON AND ELROHIR IS GOING TO KILL YOU!" Elladen shouted from outside.

Well, I have to go now. I'm late for my archery lesson. I best be off. Namarie.

Kayla gently closed her journal and placed it under her pillow before walking over to her balcony and looking out at the waterfall and the amazing colors of the flowers that surround it. It was so peaceful and nothing could break it. There was one upside to Middle Earth that the modern world did not possess, and that was relaxation. There were no cars zooming by at three o'clock in the morning and no stupid phone calls about the latest product on the market. "Everything here is so calm and-"

"LÚTHIEN, GET DOWN HERE NOW!"

"Except for Elladen's big mouth," she muttered as she walked back into her room and then out her bedroom door and down the spiral stairs to the main floor. As she strolled down the hallway and out onto another balcony, she saw Elrohir standing down below waiting impatiently for her arrival. He was always the anxious one when it came to schedules lately. As Kayla reached over and grabbed the vine that hung from the balcony, she saw Elrohir look up and smile at her. "I know, I'm late!" she called down.

"Then why waste your time climbing down?" he asked as he walked directly below the balcony where Kayla was, "Just jump."

"Yeah right! The last time you said that…you fucking dropped me!"

"You dyed my hair pink and it still hasn't come out!"

"I thought you wanted to look pretty for once," she replied jokingly.

"Alright…as you put it…'cut the crap and get down here!'" Kayla smirked at her uncle and then braced her hands on the railing before swinging her legs over and letting herself fall. Thankfully, Elrohir caught her and spun her around like she was a child, making both of them burst out laughing. When he put her down and looked at her, a smile graced his lips. "Sometimes I really think you are my sister. You dress in that same maroon riding dress to train with me and laugh with the same spirit she had."

"Well…I am her daughter, aren't I, Uncle?"

"Uh huh…now…I think we should train you in archery today. You have greatly improved your skills since your arrival, but your stance is the reason you haven't progressed further." Kayla nodded to Elrohir's words and then walked over to her usual spot, picking up the bow and quiver full of arrows that were there. She gracefully pulled an arrow out and strung it before firing. It only hit the edge of the target. She groaned slightly and looked at him, only to see him smirking as he walked over. "Now that's what I find unusual. Your stance is perfect, yet you're not hitting the center."

"Listen, Elrohir, maybe we should forget lessons for today. I've been working so hard lately that I need a break."

"Is he still on your mind?"

"Uncle, don't bring him up, please-"

"That may be the reason you're not doing as well."

"Please…like I could ever let anyone influence me? I grew up in a place entirely different from this. People were drugged, raped, got drunk…would you like me to continue?"

"I hate to break it to you, but some of those things still happen here."

"It's different in a modern world, Uncle. If I can handle myself there for eighteen years, I'm sure I can handle life in Middle Earth." Elrohir smiled gently and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, gently kissing her brow. "Does that mean you understand?" she asked as she looked up into his grey eyes.

"Of course I do…and right now I believe that we have company," he replied as he gestured behind her. Kayla slowly turned around and almost gasped as she saw a blonde elf wearing green leggings and a tunic standing there. "Amder (pronounced Am-deer), mae govannen (well met)."

"Nice to see you as well, Elrohir," the stranger replied as he strolled over and placed a small paper in the elf's hand, "Your father wants to see you in his office. It's about the journey to Mirkwood you're to make."

"For the wedding, I assume."

"I'm afraid so. Nessa is insistent about marrying."

"Elrohir, you're getting married?" Kayla asked as she gave him a questioning look. The elf simply laughed and shook his head.

"Elrohir is not getting married, my Lady," Amder stated, "It will take him many long years for a lady to withstand him."

"That wasn't funny a century ago…and it isn't funny now," the Imladris prince said with a smirk.

"I still find it amusing. Anyway, this wedding is for Legolas Thranduillion. I'm sure you recall him." Kayla nodded and smiled politely, not knowing what else to say. "I'm sure that I will be seeing you both there." Again, Kayla nodded and smiled before walking over to her bow and quiver to start training again. She listened to the rustling of feet from behind her and realized that both of the elves had left for Elrond's quarters.

"A journey to Mirkwood?" she mumbled softly, "Like that's going to happen anytime soon. I wouldn't be caught dead there." Kayla strung another arrow on the bow and let it fly, but it went straight over the target and landed in the grass behind it. "DAMN IT!" she shouted.

"In all my years, I have never heard a lady of Rivendell speak in such a tongue." Kayla froze at the voice and peered over her shoulder to see Amder standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Then I guess you do not know me as well as you thought," Kayla stated, calming her voice into the delicate Elven style she had become accustomed to using.

"I'm afraid I don't know you at all, my Lady. Although, you greatly resemble Lúthien, daughter of Elrond."

"That's because I am Lúthien, daughter of Elrond," she lied. She had become so accustomed to it now that it was like a reflex.

"Ai! (Ah) I did not know she had returned to us. Thank the Valar you are safe."

"It seems that's what everyone has been saying lately."

"You were gone for many years, my Lady. It's remarkable that you survived out there. By watching you practice today, it looks as if you've only been training a month."

"Very observant, you are," Kayla said, her heart skipping a beat at the fact that Amder was right, "However, I was trained to use daggers and swords more than arrows. I'm a little rusty is all." The elf nodded slowly.

"Would you like some assistance? I've been told that I'm quite skillful in weaponry."

"No thank you, Amder. I'm afraid that I've worn myself out for the day," she replied gracefully as she picked up her weapons and darted across the grass and onto a stone walkway. Geez…who does that guy think he is?

Kayla, I need to see you in my office…

Her heart stopped and her body froze hearing Elrond's voice inside her head.

Kayla, it's important…please come here…

Yes… she thought, knowing that her grandfather had heard her. She gracefully lifted her dress slightly with her hand and darted down the path and up a set of stairs. After going down many halls, she finally reached Elrond's office and placed her weapons against the wall. Carefully, she knocked gently on the large door.

"Come in," came his voice from the other side. Kayla slowly grabbed the smooth handle and pushed the door open a little before stepping inside and closing it behind her. At hearing the click, she turned and faced her grandfather, who was standing by one of the bookshelves. His eyes were firm and his arms crossed, sending a nervous shiver down Kayla's spine. "So you've decided not to attend the wedding," he stated, having heard her thoughts from earlier.

"That's right," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady, "I really don't see the point in traveling to Mirkwood. It's too far."

"That's not the reason you don't want to go. It's because of Legolas." Elrond strode across the room, over to his desk, and picked up a dark blue book. "It's because of how he hurt you."

"Please! Are you kidding me?" Kayla asked, her voice rising, "I don't care for him anymore. He's not my type."

"Then why are you taking that tone with me? And you forget, my child, that I can in fact read your mind."

"Listen, Elrond, I don't need this shit from you right now. If you're gonna make me go, then fine…but don't expect me to be courteous to the prince."

"I'm afraid you'll have to."

"I don't fucking think so!" she shouted, "After what he did to me, I ought to strangle him!"

"Kayla, everyone knows you as your mother. Only Legolas, your closest family, and a few others know of your true nature. If you were to unleash it, I'm sure that Legolas would be first to point out who you are." Kayla's eyes suddenly went wide with shock and a look of sadness slowly crept across her face. Her gaze traveled quickly from the bookshelves against the walls, to the floor, and back to her grandfather all too quickly. "Oh…Kayla, I'm sor-"

"No…forget it," she interrupted as she wiped beneath her eyes and looked up at the elf before her, "I'll go to Mirkwood…but don't expect me to be happy about it, savvy?" With that, she turned and strode from the room, grabbing her weapons as she went.

Author's Note: Hope this chapter made everyone happy. Coming next...MIRKWOOD and that sexy elf prince...