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"

Author's Note: Thanks to all my faithful reviewers. And now…CHAPTER 22! Sorry I haven't updated in a while, but a lot's been going on in my life lately: from college drama to falling in love. Heh heh. I'll update again when I can. Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 22: Seeking Aid

Kayla sat in the rather large library of the palace with a book in her lap. She wasn't even reading it…just simply staring at the silver tunic clasp in her hand. She kept it hidden behind the book and closed her eyes. What was she going to do? She had to tell Legolas the truth. It would be the right thing to do. He was getting married in two days though. What good would it do to wreck his life? He may have admitted that he truly loved her, but what would he say if he discovered that she had lied to him for the past week?

She hadn't spoken to the Mirkwood prince in a day or so. His father had been keeping him busy with his new responsibilities and when Legolas would finally get a breather, Nessa was clinging to him as if he was a piece of meat. It was disgusting! Anyone could see that. Kayla quickly got to her feet and closed the book before tucking the clasp under the long draping sleeves of her dark emerald gown. She knew that this was going to be a hard time for both Legolas and herself.

As she began to walk out into the hallway, she abruptly felt a sharp pain shoot through her chest. She winced and clutched one hand over her heart as she almost dropped to her knees. What was happening? Trying her best to ignore the pain, she managed to scramble back to her chambers. She walked into the bathroom connecting to her room and stared into the mirror. What she saw almost made her stop breathing.

Her hair was a slightly lighter color. It was almost as if she could see her highlights shining through her now dark hair. She blinked a few times and realized that nothing about her had changed. She had to be seeing things. Why would she change back? She was an elleth by birth…at least half elf. She came to Middle Earth and took her true form. Why did everything feel so weird now? She felt as if she was turning back into a mortal. That was impossible though. "What's wrong with me?" she mumbled.

"You confessed your feelings to him, Kayla," a voice stated. Kayla jumped and turned to the door to see Gandalf standing there, both hands gripping his white staff.

"Gandalf! W-What are you doing here!"

"I came for the wedding…and I'm here to check on you. So, you feel yourself changing again? You should not have confessed what you did if you did not what him to know."

"But I didn't! I never told Legolas that I loved him! I never told him who I was!"

"Kayla, you whispered it. It does not matter whether he heard you or not. You said it…and he finally said your true name. Didn't the psychic tell you?"

"Uh…tell me what?"

"Well, you know that if you sleep with him, confess your love completely, or tell him who you are, you will remain an elf…but your eyes and hair will change back to their original look. You will look like yourself, but with Elven ears. You will no longer be Lúthien."

"So…Legolas would recognize me?"

"Yes, my lady," the white wizard replied. Kayla instantly braced her hands on the counter of the sink and stared down into it. "It might not be so bad," he added.

"Gandalf…it will only be hell when he discovers the truth. He'll never forgive me for lying to him."

"He just might, Kayla. He did wish to see you again. Maybe you should consider giving him that much before the wedding."

"But that will mess up the future of Mirkwood. King Thranduil wishes that Legolas wed Nessa…not Kayla. I don't want to ruin this. Why are you suggesting that?"

"I suggest nothing. I simply insist that you follow your heart." Kayla's mouth gaped as Gandalf bowed his head and left her chambers. She smacked her forehead and sighed before walking back into her room and tucking the silver clasp from Legolas beneath her pillow. She walked briskly out of her room and down the hall toward the ballroom. When she reached it, she saw many elves bustling about with activity. Some were setting up flowers while the others set up seats. This was where the wedding was to be held. It was looking amazing right now and only about half of the things were set up. Surely, it was going to be perfect.

As Kayla glanced around the room, she smiled when her eyes landed on Legolas and his father. They were standing under an arch that was being decorated with flowers and speaking about something in Elvish. Apparently it was something pointless, since Legolas seemed to be staring off into space after every few words.

"Ai!" someone shrieked. Kayla looked to her right and noticed that a maid was having some difficulty placing a rather large vase of flowers on a stand. Kayla walked over with a smile and helped her lift it. What she didn't know was that Legolas too had heard the scream and he was now watching her as his father continued to babble.

He watched as Lúthien smiled and started up a conversation. He had to admit that she had this air about her…something he couldn't put his finger on. He wished that in some way he had loved her long before Nessa…long before Kayla…long before anyone. Lúthien was so kind, but had a sharp wit that wasn't found often in an elleth anymore. They were all brought up to be perfect, yet Lúthien contained some unnoticeable differences that intrigued him.

She could dance with attitude and passion, she could care for someone she barely knew when they were drunk and passing out, her smile would light up an entire room, and her voice was that of an angel. She didn't exactly fit the profile she had left before she disappeared for all those years. "Legolas, are you listening?" His father's voice brought him back.

"Yes, Ada (Father)," he replied as he turned and looked at the king.

"You're distracted. I think you need some rest. Go lay down for a few hours You have many long hours ahead of you." Legolas nodded and began to depart the hall, but he stopped when he reached the door and looked at Lúthien.

Kayla looked from the maid and found herself smiling as she looked to Legolas. She politely excused herself from the servant and walked out into the hall with the elf prince. "Busy wedding plans, I take it," she stated.

"Beyond comprehension," Legolas said with a smile as he took her arm and walked her down the hall like a gentleman. They walked in silence for a few moments, holding back any words that might escape and cause a fit of humiliation. It was hard for them to stand this close and not embrace…especially after what had happened earlier that week.

Kayla could feel her heart pounding in her ears as she looked up at Legolas, who was staring right back at her. "Thank you for inviting my family and me to your wedding," Kayla blurted out, not knowing what else to say. It sounded so clichéd and stupid. Honestly though, this was a difficult time.

"I'm glad you're here, Lúthien," Legolas replied. This shot an arrow through Kayla's stomach. She was beginning to loathe that name. It wasn't hers…and she couldn't be herself. She wanted so much just to explain it all and have this dark grey cloud lifted. "I'm glad you're here more than you can comprehend."

"Legolas…I-"

"Come with me," he whispered as he pulled her down a corridor on the right and into a small alcove in the wall. The elf prince quickly brought Kayla close to him and ran his fingers through her long hair.

"Legolas, what are you-?"

"Shh. Lúthien, I don't want anyone to find us."

"And why is that?"

"Because I want to savor the short moments like this. The moments of peace and comfort from one to another."

"Comfort?" Kayla asked. Legolas smiled warmly and leaned in quickly to capture the elleth's lips in a soft kiss. Kayla moaned and wrapped her arms around the prince as he pushed her against the wall. She knew it was wrong to be having this little affair with Legolas, but she couldn't help it. His kiss was more intoxicating than the sweetest wine. It was no wonder that every maiden wanted to be in his company.

Legolas smiled against her lips and skillfully thrust his tongue into her mouth. He entangled his fingers with the ties on the back of her dress and slowly began to untie them. This was one of the many things he adored about Lúthien. She would give him some access and tease him to no end. Her skin was flawless and reminded him of the silk tunics he was required to wear on special occasions.

Kayla smirked at what Legolas was doing. It didn't matter that he was getting married anymore…at least, not in her eyes. She figured that she might as well have some fun right now if she was going to lose it all anyway. She was surely going to fade away when this was all over, but there was nothing she could do to stop how she felt about Legolas. She was always going to love him and always wish to be with him. If this was going to be the last time, she might as well make the most of it. She gently unclasped the top of his tunic and moved her lips to his neck. She gently bit down and soothed the spot with her tongue, knowing it would help reduce the chance of leaving a mark. Legolas pressed his hips further against her, to which she gasped at feeling his arousal.

The two broke apart at the sound of an interrupting cough. Kayla quickly tied her dress back up and as Legolas stepped to the side, they both came face to face with a king…King Elessar. "A-Aragorn?" Kayla stuttered out as she began fixing her hair.

"It's a pleasure to see you again, Lúthien. I'm sure Legolas would say so as well," he replied as he turned his attention to the elf prince, who was almost turning pink.

"Yes, melonin (my friend)…Lúthien is quite a lovely maiden. I should…uh…go help prepare for the wedding tomorrow. I'll see you both then," Legolas stated quickly as he bowed his head and walked away briskly down the hall.

Aragorn watched his friend leave and turned his attention back to Kayla, who was still staring off in the direction Legolas had disappeared. He watched as her blue eyes finally turned and met his grey ones, which were now as cold as steel. "Kayla, what are you doing?" he asked.

"What are you talking about, my Lord Aragorn? Legolas and I were just-"

"Just what, my lady? Because from what I can tell, you two were having a very interesting conversation; one involving some personal contributions that I'm sure not many would approve of."

"Aragorn," Kayla began, "We both couldn't help what happened. It's not like I planned for any of this. I didn't even wanna come here for the wedding!"

"Kayla, don't raise your voice to me. You don't want anyone hearing your temper and getting suspicious…do you, my lady?"

"No, but that's beside the point. You have no idea what it's like for me…lying like this. I can't be myself and I hate it more than anything! I can't even be with the one person I love!"

"You know that you should not be here. You should have stayed in your time. We all love having you here, but most of this could have been prevented if you had stayed away."

"Well, Aragorn…I'm…I'm sorry you feel that way," Kayla replied with her fists clenched at her sides, "But I have to go." She stormed off quickly and held back any tears that wanted to fall. Aragorn was partially correct in his statement, which made all of this harder. Tomorrow, she would witness the wedding of the elf she loved to some other maiden. She couldn't break this up.

"Lúthien!" a voice shouted. Kayla stopped suddenly and turned around only to find herself smiling. Kikilien ran up to her and embraced her happily. "Girl, what are you doing out here? What's going on? I haven't seen you in days."

"Kikilien, I just want this wedding to be over so I can go back to Imladris," Kayla replied as she walked down the hall and into her room with her friend right on her heels.

"You want to leave that badly?"

"You have no idea." Kayla strolled over to her vanity and began taking her braids out of her hair. "This place is just torture for me. I'm thinking I might just stay in my chambers tomorrow."

"You mean you don't want to watch Legolas marry that tramp."

"Kiki, don't call her a tramp. She's just the maiden that's best for the kingdom. And it's not just the whole marriage thing. I'm sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do and how to act."

"I'm assuming you mean Elrond?"

"More like Aragorn," Kayla replied as she finished pulling out her braids and tied her hair up in a loose bun so it was out of the way.

"King Elessar is here? Since when?"

"Since he interrupted Legolas and I in the hall when we-" Kayla stopped herself from speaking and turned to face her friend, who now had a tremendous smile on her face. "What?"

"Kayla, are trying to tell me that you and Legolas were-"

"Don't even say it, girl! I don't want to think about what I have to let go."

"That's why he's been so depressed lately! He loves you and wants you instead of Nessa. I knew it! I knew it!" Kikilien was now jumping in the air with excitement. She had clearly lost her mind.

"He doesn't love me, melonin (my friend). I'm just a convenience…he and I both know that. There's nothing more than lust. He misses Kayla, not Lúthien."

"Then why don't you tell him who you are?"

"It's not simple," Kayla whispered as she walked over to her bedroom door and locked it. She strolled over to her pillow and picked up the silver clasp that had belonged to Legolas. "He won't understand why I deceived him like this. He'll always have a place in my heart, but he only feels lust. He was in love with who I was. I'm not the same girl anymore. And besides, there's no way in hell I can just tell him."

"Then show him tomorrow. Right before the wedding…show him!"

"I have a better I idea, Kiki," Kayla stated with a pondering look on her face, "Do you still sew like a spider?"

"Of course."

"And do you have any CD players with batteries?"

"Brought them back to Middle Earth along with the speakers. Haven't used them, but they were little mementos from your other time."

"I think I know how you can help me."

"I'm listening," Kiklien said with a smirk as she walked over to Kayla and grabbed onto her hands.

Author's Note: Dun dun dun! Cliffhanger!

Next: Chapter 23…the wedding! Will anything change? Will Legolas go through with the marriage? Will Kayla reveal herself?