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: Thanks to all my faithful reviewers. And now…CHAPTER 18!

Chapter 18: Just Caring

"What in the world was that about, Kayla!" Elrohir shouted as he followed her out of the grand hall.

"It was nothing, alright? And careful what you call me!" she stated firmly as she quickened her pace and turned right down a dimly lit hall.

"Well, it looked like something. I haven't ever, ever seen you dance like that. When Elladan and I tried to teach you-"

"Look…I don't want to talk about what happened, Uncle." Kayla turned around and faced him. "I'm having enough problems being here and seeing Legolas face-to-face. I danced with him because he requested it and I thought it polite. You want me to pass off as my mother, don't you?"

"Of course, but only for your sake. I know how you don't want anyone to know about who you are, especially Legolas…but you need to start acting like your mother."

"Aren't I? I followed every instruction you've given me!"

"Well…you just lost about twenty points, Kay. Your mother never danced that well. She could dance, don't get me wrong…but the attitude…that's got to go. She was always calm and graceful. She never once raised her voice or showed any discontent. She was almost perfect. Actually, I think she might have qualified for that."

"Well, there's no way that I can live up to her standards. I'm supposed to be her after many years lost. She could have changed."

"Yes…but not as much as you're adding to it."

"Look, shut the fuck up!" she screamed as she clenched her fists and darted down the hallway. Elrohir just shook his head and went back to the ball. There was no point in trying to calm her.

As Kayla walked down the hall, she felt herself fuming with rage. She was doing everything wrong again. It was just like when she would work in the hospital. Her boss would just throw a fit and scream at her. This isn't what she wanted. Originally, she had just wanted to go to Middle Earth and be in love with someone who showed her care that no one had before. Yet, everything went straight into hell. "Come to think of it…maybe I am in hell," she muttered as she turned a corner and leaned against the wall.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed down the corridor, causing Kayla's head to snap up and stare aimlessly around. Now, the logical thing to do would be run away and go back to her room, but…curiosity…damn it's a bad thing. She kept her Elven eyes alert as she strolled down the hall. There was a dim light shining from underneath a large door at the end of the passage. What's going on? she thought. Then, another loud noise followed by a groan of pain erupted from that room. Kayla picked up the pace and darted down towards the door at that. Since she had worked in the hospital for many years, it was pure instinct now.

However, she was not prepared for what she saw when she pushed open the doors and stepped inside. There was Legolas, standing stark naked in the center of the room (facing away from her, thank the Valar), holding a glass bottle. His bed sheets were tangled around his ankles and his hair drenched as if he had just bathed. Kayla's eyes went wide in shock and she slowly took a step backwards, however, the prince heard her and turned his head. "Lúthien?" he asked, his voice slurring.

"Y-Yes, Legolas. Listen, I'm sorry about bursting in like this. I'll just leave now and-"

"NO!" he exclaimed, "Don't…leave…" His voice trailed off slowly as he collapsed forward to the floor, the bottle shattering to pieces. Kayla instantly darted over to him, disregarding the fact that he wasn't clothed. She quickly knelt down and rolled him onto his back, tucking the sheet around him so she wouldn't see anything. Somehow, she managed to lift him up slightly and laid him on his bed. Pulling the covers up over his body, she stared down at his face. His eyes were closed in a featherlike manner, his lips pursed, and tiny strands of his golden hair were sprawled across his cheeks.

Kayla swiftly made her way to Legolas' private bathroom, filled a bowl with cool water, and grabbed a small towel before walking back over to his bedside and placing the bowl on the table. She didn't understand why she was taking care of him after what he did to her, but she couldn't just leave him drunk. She picked up the cloth and folded it gently before dipping it into the water and placing it on the elf's forehead. She pressed down softly and brought her other hand to his cheek, murmuring barely audible words in Elvish.

As she gazed upon his face, she recalled everything that had happened in her world with him…from the joking mind games, to the sexual tension. It was hard to believe what a thin line there was between love and hate. No, she didn't hate him…but just seeing him with another broke her heart. It's not easy to love someone you know you can never have…and it's worse when they can never know.

When she felt him take in a deep breath, her hand left his cheek, but the one on his forehead stayed, keeping the cloth on. She watched as his pale blue eyes opened slowly, and he blinked once or twice, almost as if he wasn't sure of what he was seeing. "L-Lúthien?" he whispered.

"Yes, it's just me," she whispered quietly as she took the cloth from his forehead and began to dab the rest of his face.

"What…what happened?"

"You were drinking, I believe. I got here just in time…considering you passed out rather quickly."

"Oh…" His voice was delicate and weak, almost as if he was going to fade away into shadow and leave Middle Earth. His eyes were soft and almost as clear as water now that Kayla really looked at him.

"Why were you drinking? I thought elves didn't get drunk easily…after all…it's never happened to me."

"Lúthien, I may not get drunk easily, but it can be…done…"

"I can see that," she whispered with a small smile as she finished dabbing his face and neck with cold compress. She ran a hand through a strand of his golden silk hair and then stood, looking down at him gently. "I think I should let you rest."

"No," he stated as he reached out and grabbed her hand, softly caressing it with his thumb, "Please stay…at least until I drift off. I don't want to be alone." Kayla slowly nodded, agreeing even though it was against her better judgment. She sat down on the bed next to him and looked down at their interlocked fingers. It almost brought a tear to her eyes, but she blinked it away before Legolas could notice. As her eyes came back to his, she smiled gently and he closed his eyes.

It was then that she felt a slight motivation to sing:

"Hold on.
Hold on to yourself.
For this is gonna hurt like hell…"

Legolas gave a barely audible sigh and his entire body just relaxed. Kayla's voice shook and she took another breath.

"Hold on.
Hold on to yourself.
You know that only time can tell…"

Kayla slowly took her hand from the prince and rested it on his cheek, watching him slowly drift off.

"What is it in me that refuses to believe
This isn't easier than the real thing.

"My love
you know that you're my best friend.
You know that I'd do anything for you."

She slowly leaned down so her face was close to his.

"And my love
Let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true."

Legolas' eyes slowly opened and Kayla jolted her body back to a sitting position in shock. It was then that she noticed his eyes were beginning to glaze. He was starting to sleep.

"Am I in heaven here or
Am I...
At the crossroads I am standing.

So now you're sleeping peaceful.
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow
And will see another day
And we will praise it.
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face."

She looked up to the ceiling and moved her hands in front of her so they were braced on the bed.

"Oh God,
if you're out there won't you hear me.
I know we're never talked before.

And oh God,
The man I love is leaving.
Won't you take him when he comes to your door?"

Kayla looked down at Legolas again and a small smile crept over her face. He looked so peaceful when he slept. Even though she was heartbroken, she knew he was perfect.

"Am I in heaven here or
Am I in hell?
At the crossroads I am standing.

So now you're sleeping peaceful.
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow
And we will see another day
And we will praise it.
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face."

She reached out and traced the outline of his cheek once more.

"Hold on.
Hold on to yourself.
For this is gonna hurt like hell."

Legolas suddenly awoke and sat up straight in his bed. As he glanced around the room, he saw that it was morning already. He placed a hand on his forehead and took in a deep breath, recalling last night. He had danced with Lúthien, freaked out because she reminded him of Kayla, gotten drunk, and then…Lúthien still came back and helped him. "She…cared for me?" he asked himself, "Why?"

Kayla stood down in the stables, gently stroking the mane of her beautiful horse. She hadn't slept a wink last night, considering she had spent most of it sitting by Legolas and watching him sleep. "I should have just left," she whispered to the horse as she nuzzled her nose on his snout. It had been a big mistake staying with him all night. She felt that she was already getting too attached to him…and she shouldn't. Legolas was engaged to an elleth who was drop dead beautiful, not that Kayla wasn't. She assumed that he would just prefer another. He did leave her after all…then again…she didn't go with him until it was too late.

"Lúthien…" She jumped at the sound of her name and turned around to see Legolas standing a few feet away and leaning against the wall. How had he gotten there? She hadn't sensed him. "What are you doing out here?" he asked.

"I'm spending time with my horse. He had a long journey and I thought he'd like company," she replied as she took a step away from the magnificent creature and gazed upon the elf prince. "I see that you're doing well."

"Yes, thanks to you, my lady."

"What did I do?"

"You looked after me even though I was drunk. Not many elleths would have cared for me."

"They would have, Legolas…they just…they would have taken advantage of you first. I mean, all the she-elves at the ball wanted to be with you."

"Including you?" Kayla laughed quietly at his words. "What's so funny?"

"Well, I hate to disappoint, but I don't want to be with you. I only helped you because I am a healer." In reality, she was. Kayla had been a nurse. She knew what she was doing…not that Legolas needed to know all that.

"I see…and yet…you sang as well?" Kayla nodded. "Well, that was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard…and I must say your voice was amazing."

"H-Hannon le (Thank you)," she whispered silently as she looked away and started to walk past him. She kept her eyes down and tried to avoid looking at him, but found herself stopped by a hand. As her gaze traveled up, she once again met the crystal orbs of Legolas, which were filled with concern.

"Are you alright, my lady? You seem distracted."

"I'm fine. Now, I think I should be going. I have many things to do."

"Such as…?"

"Not that it's any of your concern, but I must go speak with my family. Elrohir wishes for me to continue my training as long as I'm here."

"Ah yes. I recall Amder telling me of your archery skills." Kayla's eyes suddenly sparked with both anger and fear. "He says that you also have a slight temper now. That you've changed since we met long ago."

"Being lost for many years will do that, my lord. Now, if you'll excuse me…" And with that she left, her dress sweeping beautifully from side to side behind her. Legolas let a smile gently grace his lips. Lúthien had changed greatly, from the way she walked and spoke to the way she danced. He didn't know why, but it was intriguing…and he would discover why.

Author's Note: Well…looks like Legolas is a bit suspicious. Notice how he didn't mention the dance to her? Gee…I wonder why. Well, only time will tell…who knows what goes on in that sneaky elf's head? Oh wait…I do. Buah:grin:

Song: "Hold On" by Sarah McLachlan

Next: Chapter 19…training with Elrohir and maybe a challenge…