I could say I'm ill. I have a headache. It's not a lie and it's not like anyone would doubt me. Kate argued with herself as she squeezed her eyes shut, hoping the throbbing headache was enough to keep her out of the coronation. I've looked plenty sick for awhile now. I could just stay here.
It was a selfish thought and instantly she felt a pang of guilt. Aragorn would never admit it but she was sure he'd appreciate her being there. It was nice to have family there at these sorts of things, especially now that the whole of Gondor would be looking to him. No, Aragorn needed all his people there, that was certain. Kate let out a self pitying groan, burying her head deeper into her pillow.
"Enjoyed yourself last night?" Legolas asked lightly, chuckling to himself as he stared down at his wife. Kate cracked an eye open, squinting as she noted that he was, of course, already dressed and looking fresh as a daisy. "Nestaron tells me the two of you indulged in some of my father's wine."
"That wasn't wine," she croaked out. "More like poison. Should be illegal."
"It is quite strong."
"Then it shouldn't taste so good! It encourages one to drink more of it."
"Yes, well, I believe that is the point." He laughed, leaning over to kiss her and smiling to himself as the taste of wine still lingered on her lips. "Glad you enjoyed yourself."
"I did," she said with a contented sigh. "You look beautiful," she blurted, wondering if he'd object to being called "beautiful'. But of course he simply smiled, brushing the limp curls out of her face and kissing her once more.
"As do you." Kate snorted, pushing herself out of bed.
"You don't have to lie. We're married now, you can be honest."
"Oh well, that is a relief," Legolas said sarcastically. "To think I have wasted countless hours telling you how beautiful you are when I needn't have said anything at all."
"Work smarter, not harder. I keep telling you." Kate teased, grabbing a pillow and playfully smacking him with it. Legolas dodged it easily, planting another kiss on her lips as he gracefully stood to his feet. "Where are you off to then?"
Legolas smiled, grabbing her tonic off the table and setting it in front of her with a pointed look. She poured it, drinking the medicine and set the empty cup aside with an exaggerated flourish. Satisfied, Legolas continued.
"Lord Elrond has come." Kate slumped.
"That was not as exciting as you made it seem," she admonished, hanging her legs over the bed for a moment before standing and heading over to the bureau to pull her dress for the Coronation. "Of course he's come. He practically raised him and my mother."
"He's come with Arwen," Legolas explained. Kate slammed the bureau door shut, and turned with a smile.
"No!"
"It is quite true," he replied and Kate shook her head, a broad smile spreading across her face. She couldn't quite form words but the realization of what this meant for Aragorn was bringing her so much joy! It meant Arwen had not sailed, just as she thought and now she was here.
"Well, how about that!" she exclaimed with a smile, imagining a wedding for the two of them, children. The future Queen and King of Gondor. He'd be thrilled.
"It is a secret, of course. Arwen does not want him to know, lest he should have second thoughts."
"He doesn't have second thoughts!"
"I know that, and you know that, but Arwen is not certain. The way the left things made the nature of their relationship... uncertain."
"Oh, I see. And he's assumed she's sailed already…"
"Correct. So, I would like to pay them a visit before the coronation, to perhaps ease her worries. I've explained you are checking on patients and readying yourself for the day."
"Thanks, I would like to see them later though, but I guess there's time at the feast," she said, pulling on the shift dress she typically wore for patients. "I've just a few today, but I'll need to go to the shop."
"Will you be bringing Alice?" he asked just as the woman knocked against the door.
"Crap." Kate muttered, tying her apron strings. She had forgotten all about Alice. She'd forgotten quite a lot actually and memories of last night flooded her thoughts. There was actually quite a lot still to talk over and she did have a few tasks for the woman to complete. Still, it couldn't hurt to bring her along for the day, Kate could certainly use the help in the shop. Who knew, maybe Alice would prove to be quite the accomplished healer, then she wouldn't have to bother with the unsavory business of Traveler-for-hire.
"Just a minute!" she called out to the woman.
"If the two of you need some privacy I'll be happy to leave the area! I'll just meet you down the hall then, boss!" Alice replied, tapping on the door and Legolas and Kate both rolled their eyes.
"No need, I'm just getting changed... for the day!"
"Completely understand. I'll just be down the hall. Take your time."
Kate shook her head, mumbling under her breath as she tied her hair into a sloppy bun and gave her husband a chaste kiss goodbye. He pulled her closer, extending the kiss as his hands rested lazily against her hips.
"Well, if she's been so kind as to allow us a few moments of peace…" he suggested, trailing kisses down her neck. "How could we deny such a gift?"
"It would be rude to," she agreed as Legolas pressed her against the wall. She hiked her dress up as he lifted her, and wrapped her legs firmly around him. "Not a good look for us. A bit snobbish, really."
"Deplorable," he agreed, as he gripped her legs pulling her closer to him "And we are, of course, nothing less than grateful recipients of such a thoughtful gift." He teased, and Kate laughed tangling her hands into his hair as she kissed him again, feeling just how gracious he was.
"I love you,' she whispered.
Kate would always be thankful for stolen moments of time like these. She was thankful to spend them with one who she loved more than anything, and thankful that he reminded her to stop and enjoy them.
"I'm gonna be sick." Alice gagged, her face turning green as she threw her hands over her mouth. Kate rolled her eyes and continued draining the cyst on her patients back.
"Well if you are, be sure to do it in the streets," she grunted, "and hand me another towel before you go." Alice did as instructed, but upon seeing the river of purulent drainage ooze out she quickly darted out the door. Should have left her at the palace. She obviously will not be a useful aid in medicine… I'll have to find something else she can do.
"Ignore her," Kate said to the man's wife as she continued, finally satisfied that it had been successfully drained.
"No bother at all," the woman said with a shrug. The man shrugged, giving a lighthearted wink to his wife.
"Imagine you would be doing that yourself if you did not love me so."
Kate smiled and after cleaning the wound until she was satisfied she packed it.
"I imagine there is still time for that," the woman shot back with a grin.
Several moments later Kate was finished, showing the wife how to properly pack and clean the wound and instructions on what to look for in the case of infection she sent the couple away with a bag of herbs that should hopefully stop one.
She let out a sigh slumping against her work table for a few moments to catch her breath. God, she was tired. She hated how exhausted she was all the time. The very blood in her veins felt like sludge, creeping along, barely making its way throughout her body. That was the worst part of this blood bond... the waiting. Waiting to feel better or worse, to have both good and bad days and waiting to die. She heard the door open and chuckled, grabbing the scalpel.
"All finished puking?" she teased, grabbing her scalpel to begin sanitizing it. "I guess you won't be helping me here then, but in the future, should you change your mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd refrain from saying such things in front of my patients? It's not very professional."
"I shall endeavor to try," a male voice called out behind her and Kate froze. She'd never met him, barely laid eyes on him but she knew at once who that voice belonged to.
"Forgive me, I thought you were someone else," she said turning around slowly and keeping her eyes downcast. That was respectful right? Was that not how you talked to a King? Of course, he is my father-in-law, do I need to be so formal?
"So it would seem," he said coolly. Kate bristled, standing taller now and risking a peek. The resemblance to her husband was quite striking as Kate had always imagined he would have taken after his mother, but King Thranduil was every bit Legolas's father in appearance. His hair was more silver, where Legolas' looked more gold, and he was taller... but aside from physical characteristics the Elven King possessed a hardness and imperialism that she would have never imagined Legolas could possess. But he was, in every stretch of the imagination, a king. The two of them assessed each other in silence until Kate couldn't stand it anymore.
"Well, you're definitely his father. No doubt about that," she choked out, grabbing the instruments she had used and slowly beginning to put them into the boiling water. Thranduil arched a dark brown, hands clasped over his robes in front of him.
"Yes... Nestaron did say you were quite clever," he said drolly, taking a few steps forward to look over the multiple vials in her medicine shelf. Kate sucked her teeth and dipped her head, now quite certain there'd be no need to worry about proper etiquette.
"I'm usually a lot more clever when I've had time to prepare my material," she quipped, hands on her hips. "You'll have to excuse the mess, I've only just sent off my patient and am cleaning my supplies still. Your... visit is a bit of a surprise."
"It should not come as a surprise that I would seek to set eyes on the woman my son has wed," he replied, gazing around the small room. Kate sniffed. You never wanted to before, why now?
"You know in some parts of the world that would make me your daughter in law," she said, a small laugh bubbling up that quickly died on her lips as soon as Thranduil's eyes met hers. His expression was blank but his jaw tightened, obviously not finding that funny in the least. She cleared her throat and grabbed the tongs to pull out her scalpel, needing desperately to keep herself busy. "Yes, actually, it is a surprise now that you mention it. I'm not sure why you're here as you have never expressed any interest in meeting me before. Of course, I'm happy to finally meet you, and Legolas will be happy but ...it is odd. Isn't it? Or is it just me that thinks that?." Oh my God, shut up, Kate! Just stop talking! She screamed to herself as she bit her lip to contain her words. Why was she so nervous? He wasn't the first King she'd met and more than likely wouldn't be the last. But there was something that made her nervous. Even worse it seemed to amuse him how frazzled she had become and he was happy to watch her run herself into the ground.
He stared evenly at her a moment longer, ensuring she was quite finished before finally starting again.
"I have heard a lot about you. The Traveler, come at long last to Middle Earth . The Traveler my son has bonded himself to. The Traveler my closest confidant and oldest friend seems to hold in high esteem. In such high esteem, in fact, that he withheld from me the knowledge that you are dying." His words were cold and matter of fact, almost clinical in their delivery and yet his final words shocked her so much she dropped the scalpel on the floor, swearing as the metal clang against the cobblestone floor.
She let out a frustrated grunt, knowing she'd have to clean it again, momentarily distracted from the King's harsh assessment of her situation. She was dying, that wasn't new. She'd mourned and grieved and accepted it, even joked about it now and then. But she just assumed Nestaron would have told him.
"Uh, yes... that is a thing," she fumbled, scrambling to find the words and wishing she wasn't making a complete fool of herself. "I, um, well it's a blood bond so... no help for it really." Thranduil blinked, the only indicator that he was at all surprised by this and Kate squared her shoulders, not willing to look like a helpless fool who needed to be saved. The kind of fool who put herself in this position. Thranduil took a step back, appraising her once more and something flashed across his eyes, something Kate couldn't quite put a finger on. Not pity thankfully, but... recognition?
"No, you are correct, there is no help for it. Not unless he releases you from it." Kate nodded, feeling a bit deflated. A part of her hoped he'd have some secret elvish knowledge on how to free herself from this. It was a silly thought, and she wiped her hands needlessly across her apron, as if she were wiping away the very idea. "Kedron will not do that. You must know this. To try and persuade him otherwise would be unwise," he said pointedly.
"Well, obviously Nestaron didn't withhold that little tidbit from you," came her clipped reply as she grabbed the tongs again, once more attempting to remove the scalpel.
"There is not much he does. To withhold anything suggests he's very fond of you."
"And I him. He is a very good friend."
"That he is. Which is why he struggles to tell you the truth."
"I beg your pardon?" Kate asked, hand on her hips now, fully prepared to defend herself. In her head she had come up with multiple scenarios of how meeting King Thranduil would happen, none of them occurred quite like this. "Trust me, Nestaron has never held back the truth from me, even when I wished he would."
"That may have been true once,but things are different now," the King said, settling languidly into the wooden chair next to her desk. "It is because he cares for you that he hesitates. Yet his desire to be forthcoming and the rules that govern him even now are at war with one another. It causes him great pain. I find that to be a common theme when those I love align themselves with you."
Kate shook her head violently, clenching her jaw as she held back the torrent of insults that threatened to spew out of her mouth like acid.
"That's not fair, and it isn't true." But the words sounded hollow, even to her own ears and Thranduil proceeded, ignoring her as if she'd never even spoken at all.
"I, however, am under no such constraints. Nestaron stays silent because he is afraid for you, afraid that in telling you what he knows it will change your fate. Cause harm to you in some way."
"And you obviously hold no such concerns," she snapped, rage boiling up inside of her. She wanted to believe he was good... that this being that raised Legolas was good, but all she felt toward him was anger. How could he be so cold?
"My concern is for my son," the Elk king snarled, his anger unleashed now as he leaned forward scowling at Kate. "Do you truly think I would willingly see harm come to you now that you have entrapped my son? Do you think me a fool? If you die, my son will follow! You are dying now, and with each shuddering breath you take my son fades. I see it in his eyes already, the fear, the uncertainty. Your health is on the forefront of his mind every waking moment, do not think for one moment that I would seek to hasten his death by expediting yours!" Kate felt as if she'd been slapped in the face and her stomach burned with unspent ire. She turned, unable to stand under the intensity of his gaze a moment longer and proceeded to clean the work table.
"No. He said he would not fade. I do not believe he will fade because of me."
"Ha!" Thranduil barked out a mirthless laugh, leaning back as he regarded the woman, wondering what had so enraptured his son. "I once thought the same until I saw him, saw the way he spoke of you…"
"You didn't. Lord Elrond didn't it's possible that -"
"That you know nothing of which you speak!" He snapped, his hands curling around the armrest of the little chair and Kate wondered if it was possible he could snap it in half.
"It was not something we chose. I explained to Nestaron that it had not been my intention to-"
"It matters not what your intention was, what's done is done," he replied coolly, his face blank once more.
"I am sorry... I thought we'd have more time, what Kedron did…"
"Was unimaginable and I have grieved for what he has done to you. It is no way to die. He will pay for his crimes, he pays for them now, so I have heard, but even if that never happened you still would never have enough time. Your life would never be long enough."
"Well," Kate said, clearing her throat to force down the lump that burned in her throat. "Thank you for stopping by. Next time please allow me time to adequately prepare. Perhaps you'd enjoy a nice cheese plate to snack on while you berate me. Hmm, what wine pairs well with disdain?"
"Sit, we are not finished."
"No, I think we are, actually."
"You are not prepared for the decisions you are about to make, for the road that lies ahead of you. Sit you foolish girl and listen to the foresight Nestaron is unable to bequeath you," he ground out. If there was one thing he could not stand it was willful insolence and this human woman had it seeping out of every pore. Were it not for his friend, or his son he would not be here. But Nestaron had saved his life, supported his wife during the birth of his son and practically helped raise Legolas. He owed the Ellon more than he cared to admit, and it was for that Thranduil found himself here at all.
"I think I'll stand. Tell me what you wish," she said, arms crossed and breathing raggedly. What could he possibly say that would be of any benefit to her? Thranduil's eyes narrowed as he tapped his finger against her wooden desk, finally he continued.
"I have met you once before," he said simply. "I did not know who you would become at the time, but you seemed to know me, Nestaron and my son very well." Kate's brow furrowed and she bit her lip, trying to think how on Earth she didn't remember meeting the Elven King. "It hasn't happened for you yet. For us it is in the past, for you in your future. I suppose that is how a Traveler's life is blurred; past, present and future all bleeding together like ink bleeding through the page."
"Yeah, something like that," Kate responded quietly, sinking into another chair directly across from the king. He gave a raised eyebrow at that, a smirk spreading across his face that screamed Legolas. She rolled her eyes, crossing her arms as she repositioned herself. "I have decided to sit."
"Pleased to hear it," he replied, his voice overly sweet and entirely insincere and yet it brought a small smile to her face. She assumed that was where Legolas had learned his sarcasm.
"Alright, so I've met you before. It's not something that's happened yet so what is the point in telling me."
"You were not alone. Nestaron said you begged him to warn you, begged him to tell you to stay."
"To warn me against what?"
"Against going back," he explained. "We knew what you were, the Dwarves knew too. It seems they believed you were there to aid them."
"To aid Dwarves? Was I not?"
"I believe that was also your desire, but not your sole purpose. You did not come to aid them."
"Why did I then?" she asked, chewing her lip and she raked her mind for any dreams, assignments that she felt pressing upon her... she felt nothing.
"I know not."
"Oh, well, that's helpful. I can see why Nestaron would want to hold that back."
"And yet I still cannot see why he finds your company tolerable," he shot back. "However helpful you find it or not, you were quite insistent that you be warned not to go back. You told him you had made a mistake, that you could not get back. Said that you could trust no one and he must tell Legolas... that you were sorry."
"Oh...ok," Kate said, nodding slowly. She wasn't quite sure what to make of it, the whole thing was incredibly vague. "I suppose Nestaron felt that would, what, deter me from my course? Change my future?"
"He did. He worried what delivering that warning might be for your future. He never saw you again after that visit until your meeting in Lothlorien. But that was not what concerned him," Thranduil explained. "It appeared to him that you had aligned yourself with Kedron, that you were in fact working toward a common goal. There was no way to know for certain and you certainly would not speak of anything you and he, or the dwarves for that matter, had planned."
"Well you're obviously wrong," she insisted, the chair scraping across the floor as she moved to stand. "I can't think of any scenario that would have me siding with Kedron. Ever. So thanks, but no, that's... you're mistaken."
"Believe what you wish, I care not now will I sit and plead the truth," he said, reaching into his robe and pulling out a small leather bracer. Too small to be of any use and too large to be considered a bracelet. Thranduil tossed it to her and she caught it, just before it bounced off the floor. Nothing special about it, just... a leather bracer. "You told him to procure it for you. That you would need it. Nestaron made no attempts at having one made until he met you in Lothlorien. It was then he felt there was truth in what you said."
"What is it?" she asked and Thranduil shook his head, flipping his hand as he rolled his eyes in disbelief.
"It will stop magic, so he says. The wearer will no longer be able to use what magic they have, nor can they take it off on their own. I suppose you felt you could not trust your partner and you would be in need of such a device in the future."
"He is not my partner!" Kate bellowed, to which Thranduil barely blinked.
"Whatever he is to you, I care not. But I have delivered the device and the warning. So let us hope our mutual friend does not feel the need to help himself to my wine this evening."
"Well, thank you, I guess. I will... take this under advisement," she said, nodding to herself as silence began to fill the room. It was an uncomfortable silence, the kind that crackled with words begging to be spoken, and questions never answered and it wouldn't be long before Kate would open her mouth and ask about what she really wanted to know.
Just then a large clamour could be heard below the window and Alice's voice rang out loud and clear. Alice, she grumbled, walking over to the window and peering out at the blonde woman who seemed to be in a shouting match with another woman, one who'd sold Kate quite a good many fabrics for bandages. Great, just what I need, she thought in frustration.
She turned around, meaning to thank the King once more and leave with a better parting image of her than what he had, but when she turned he was gone, like he'd never been there at all. All that was left was the leather cuff, sitting on the table mocking her. She ignored the ruckus outside a moment longer as she stared at it. What kind of a warning was that?
It told her nothing except that she could not go back, whatever than meant, and that it appeared as if she had teamed up with Kedron. Kate scoffed, turning her back on the item and continuing to clean her shop for the day. She still had the coronation to prepare for. Besides, there was no assignment pulling at her, begging her attention. All she needed to do was discuss some things with Alice, and put that key back, and that was such a small thing, so inconsequential it couldn't be what the warning had alluded to.
No, she decided, doffing her apron in finality. No, obviously something else. Probably a trap, she decided. Fine, I won't go back. I won't let him bait me, send another traveler maybe? I can do that, she decided. Perhaps that was why Nestaron had been warning her to stop all along, telling her that she had made this personal now.
It all made sense now! Well, that much did, there were still so many other things that brought up questions in her mind but now she was too tired to think on it, and she still have a very full day left with the coronation and the feast afterward. She'd deal with it another time. With a weary sigh she walked over to the window, pushing it open and leaning out.
"Are you quite finished Alice? Or do you want to find me someone else who will sell me bandages for that price?"
"Relax." Kate whispered as she stood next to her uncle. "A king should look more relaxed."
"I am not yet king," Aragorn teased, staring out at the crowd amassing outside.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Still time to run."
"Do not tempt me," he said, an exasperated laugh escaping his lips. Kate turned, starting a bit at the way his brow furrowed now, his shoulders tensing as if already holding the weight of the crown. In reality he always held it; it always weighed heavy on his mind, even whilst he tried to hide from it. He had always been a king, but he had accepted it now, however grudgingly. Kate learned forward, stepping on her toes to kiss her uncle's cheek.
"I'm proud of you," she said and he stared down at her in surprise, as amusement pulled at the corners of his mouth.
"Proud of me? For this?" he asked, shaking his head. "This... this was not hard won. I earned this by birth. It is not something to be proud of."
"Not hard won? Think of everything you've been through Aragorn! Everything your mother went through to ensure you got here, safely. Yeah, your lineage is what set you on this path but it was you that had to walk it... and that was no easy thing. So yes, I'm proud of you," Kate insisted, pulled up her sleeve over her thumb to shine a dulled spot on his armour. "But not because you are a king, to be quite honest I haven't been very impressed with the kings I've seen, but maybe that's the revolutionary in me. No, I'm proud of you because you are a good man. I'm proud that people would happily follow you into battle because they trust you. I'm proud that you resisted the Ring and did all you could to help Frodo, and I'm proud to call you uncle. You're a good man Aragorn. You're going to be a great King. Trust yourself."
"You speak with such surety," he said with a smile, though it didn't quite touch his eyes. There was a bit of trepidation there, something Kate was not used to seeing.
"Of course. I'm a Traveler. We see things now and then."
"And have you seen it?" he asked, turning, nostrils flaring as he tried to quell his unease. Kate paused for a moment, and then shook her head, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
"No. And I don't need to. I am sure of it. Now," she started giving him a once over before patting his arm. "Head up. Look happy to be here," she teased, and suddenly Aragorn had pulled her into a hug, holding her tight as he kissed the top of her head.
"Should I be lucky enough to have a daughter, I would hope she would be like you, Kate. For I am proud of you as well, and I know Raen would be." Kate swallowed hard as she relaxed into her uncle's embrace, willing herself not to cry. God, she needed to hear that. Such a small thing it was but she really had needed it. Kate felt the leather cuff in her pocket, heavier than she remembered and she stepped away, shoving it deeper into her pocket. It nagged at her for whatever reason, reminding her of the decisions she had made...decisions that weren't always the best.
"Well," she started, clearing her throat as she pulled away. "I would hope she'd be a bit taller, for her sake," she teased, bidding a final farewell as she dashed down the steps toward Legolas, who stood with the other Elves. Tucked away, concealed by some sort of barrier she could see a tumult of dark hair and instantly she rushed forward in excitement. She ran until a pair of steely blue eyes came into focus, and the King stared down at her evenly.
She stood frozen for a moment, unsure, and suddenly not feeling welcome at all. That was new. Perhaps it was presumptuous of her to assume she would stand with the elves simply because her husband was. That was fair, and still she was not used to the cold reception with which all the elves from the Greenwood regarded her. It was so unlike all the elves she had ever known and it was rather unnerving.
"Is it not the custom to match your husband in dress," Nestaron's blessedly familiar voice called drolly to her, lazily strolling past the King to link arms with Kate. "You look as if you just left the infirmary."
"That's because I did." Kate whispered back, thankful for the Elf's teasing, though mention of the infirmary brought back the uncomfortable encounter she had had with King Thranduil only hours ago. "Speaking of, we've got quite a lot to discuss, you and I, You've got some 'splainin to do."
Nestaron pursed his lips, giving an unreadable glance to the King who either could not or would not return it. He opened his mouth and then shut it suddenly as Kate patted his hand lightly, hoping he knew she was only moderately outraged. She gave him a teasing smile, of which his own returning one faltered. Man, Thranduil was right. That whole thing must have really messed him up.
"Allow me to return you to your husband's side, lest the other's begin to whisper that you are unfaithful."
"A shame really, as they already have so much to whisper about. Things that are actually true."
"Not in the presence of their prince they won't," Nestaron insisted, keeping his voice low as they two friends whispered. "In name only he may be now, but in the hearts of every elf in the Greenwood people Legolas will always be their prince and would-be King."
"Which explains why they look at me like I'm the wicked witch of the west," Kate nodded, suddenly understanding.
"It matters not," he said with a shrug, but Kate heard the meaning in his tone, the words he didn't say."Give them some time, they will find something else to occupy their attention."
Kate nodded, but couldn't shake the feeling that she'd ruined everything just by being here. Her thoughts strayed to the first time she'd arrived on Middle Earth, wondering what would have happened had she not arrived, if she herself had been an anomaly that time had to correct. Would a Traveler sent her back had there been one, or was this always to be her course? She shook her head, ridding herself from such thoughts. They didn't matter now.
Legolas came alongside the pair and Kate's mouth nearly dropped open, and she smiled as Nestaron rolled his eyes.
"I take it you approve?" Legolas asked with a smile.
"Oh most definitely." She said with a coy smile, grabbing his arm as people began taking their places.
"Well, I shall leave the two of you to admire one another," Nestaron remarked, though his voice was light and teasing. He moved to stand by Thranduil, who made no attempt at acknowledging Kate, though he had greeted Legolas, so for that Kate was thankful. She let go of any notion that her and the King would get on and decided to settle for being tolerated by him. That would do.
From the corner of her eyes she spotted Alice and waved her over, not wanting the woman to feel out of place.
"Really, it's no bother I can stand in the back."
"You could," Kate agreed. "But you don't have to." Alice gave her a quizzical look but mumbled her thanks, standing next to the woman as the coronation began. She could feel Alice growing increasingly uncomfortable, fiddling with the sleeve of her dress now and then but Kate shrugged it off, assuming she was just unused to the clothing.
The rest of the coronation went by as all coronations do and more than once Kate found herself clapping and tearing up, especially when Aragorn honored the hobbits. She felt her heart bursting with pride for her small little fellowship family and suddenly the gravity of everything they had all been through hit her like a ton of bricks. They had all been through so much, and even Frodo and Sam's retelling of what happened on their way to Mordor couldn't have been close to the hell of their reality.
As if reading her thoughts, Legolas squeezed her hand, mirroring the exact same sentiment and she smiled. It was hard. It was terrifying and heart wrenching but she knew deep down in her heart that this was the path she was meant to take. It had all worked out for the best, and she was proud to have played a role in that. As the people dispersed Legolas kissed her cheek, leaving to chat with Gimli about something or another.
"So, what now?" Alice asked, fidgeting still as hundreds of people milled about, readying themselves for the rest of the day's events and hoping to set eyes on the legendary hobbits that saved Middle Earth. "I suppose we still need to lay out the groundwork of our arrangement then?"
"At some point, but for now we'll change again and head to the main hall for the feast. But I'm really rather tired so I probably won't be long and if you're not up to it you don't have to go. It should be fun though, and I can introduce you to Eowyn, a friend of mine. And the food will be great as always. I think you'd enjoy it." Alice opened her mouth to reply but someone knocked into her, muttering their apologies as Alice scrambled to pick up whatever had dropped from her sleeve. Kate was quicker though and she held the key up, inspecting it. Nothing special, she deemed. A simple silver key, rather heavy but other than that, nothing that provoked such a reaction from Alice. "I assume this is the key he sent you to get?"
"Yes, I'll have it back now," she said, grasping for it, but Kate held it back, suspicion clouding her face.
"Why do you have this with you? You could have just left it in your room?"
"I felt better holding on to it. You never know who might be lurking around," Alice shrugged, looking over her shoulders. "Besides, I need to put it back." She reached once more for the key, and once again Kate held it back, eyebrows raised.
"No, you can't put it back... you're in hiding, as you said. So which is it? Are you able to return it or are you in hiding?" Kate's voice had grown stern now and was starting to attract unwanted attention, this wasn't the place to have this conversation.
"You weren't supposed to be nice," Alice said to herself, dragging a hand down her face in despair. "If I wasn't before I certainly am now!" Kate shook her head not quite understanding but a familiar current shot through the air. Someone was here. Someone who shouldn't be. Before she could speak Alice grabbed Kate's arm, yanking her into the hall and down the corridor.
"Alice, let go of my arm. What are you doing?" Kate whispered urgently, trying not to draw anymore attention than she needed to. Alice kept running, down down down into the lowest part of the city and even further still, past the dungeons, and into a closed off area. It was empty, where the rubble was being stored while they tried to repair the damage that had been done to the city. Giant chunks of the wall were pushed up against another, just waiting to be repurposed and it was only then that Alice stopped, chest heaving as she tried to regain her breath. Kate leaned against a bolder, vision tunneling as she sucked in air. "What the hell Alice!" she shrieked.
"This key... it's a trap." Alice said finally, face contorted to keep from crying. "He wanted me to take it so you'd have to go back. I...I was supposed to get you to go back...but I didn't think you'd agree to help me! I didn't know...I thought you'd be a wretch! All heads are! They look out for themselves, they care about timelines not people. But you- shit, you have a whole family here! And you're so bloody good!"
"You are not making sense Alice! Tell me straight what's going on."
"Give me the key, I'll put it back."
"You can't put it back, Alice, you're being ridiculous!" Kate argued. Another crackle ricocheted through the air and Alice sent her a panicked look. Quickly she pulled together the ley line, forging a portal. "Stop this, just-just wait. We'll take you to the stones, I'll take you, it's safer to Travel that way."
"Don't be naive, Kate. None of it's safe," Alice laughed, straining as she continued to pull ley lines toward her. "I'll take that key now."
"Absolutely not," Kate protested, hand tightening around the key as she took a step back.
"Kate, I'm doing this to help you! Let me help you!" Kate's face fell. It all made sense now, Thranduil's warning, and Alice just showing up. It was just another trick. Kedron really was trying to pull her back...but why?!
"You don't want to help me," Kate said in horror. "This whole thing... you made it up, to send me to him and for what? Money?"
"You don't understand... I didn't know what he wanted to do, I-"
"No, I understand plenty! If you think for one moment I'll trust you to bring this back, you're crazier than he is!" Wind whipped around them as Alice finished, the portal open and waiting and now Kate began to worry. She couldn't risk being sucked into that thing, and she certainly couldn't trust Alice. Not now!
"You can't go back, Kate. Not if you ever want to see your family again. You can't leave. No more tasks-"
"I don't have that option, I'm The Traveler."
"I'll do it. I'll go, I'll complete the assignments. I'll do whatever you ask. They will be completed and you can stay here and live." Kate barked out a bitter laugh, the wind distorting the sound.
"You?! You think I'd trust you after this! You're not even making any sense!"
"That's because I-"
Crack.
Alice went flying through the air, her body bouncing off a tree as a man strode forward. A Traveler, but he certainly didn't look like anyone she'd ever seen and he certainly wasn't on her side.
He gripped a ley line in his hands, sending another blast in Alice's direction but Kate sent out one of her own, blocking the man's attack.
"Time's up, Alice," the man said calmly, looking over to Kate before turning his attention back to the trembling girl. "He knew you would crack."
"Because I'm not a murderer!" Alice shouted, "Kate you've got to run. Go."
"I can't, I'm supposed to protect you, remember? I promised."
"I made it up! I lied!" Alice shouted in exasperation. "You can't protect me from him. Give me the key and run."
"No," the man countered, dodging Alice's line. Wielding it like a whip he cracked it, wrapping it around the woman's hands. He sent another one toward Kate who narrowly missed it. "I'm here for both of you. What a reward for me when I go back with The Traitor and The Traveler."
Kate yanked up to more lines and the portal pulsed, barely able to keep itself open. She needed to close it, or send him through, but one thing was for sure, she needed to stay the hell away from it.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"Are you going to fight me?" he laughed, looking down at her. "Please, try, this should be fun. Though he does want you alive." Kate shot the lines toward the man, sending him back but cursing as they action yanked back Alice too. Alice looked at Kate, then at the portal and she could see the decision being made in her eyes.
"No," Kate whispered urgently but it was too late, she'd made up her mind. Alice, with a burst of energy, yanked the man back, pulling him toward the portal. Kate helped, pulling out a stronger vein buried deep within the ground and wrapping it around the man who cursed and shouted. "We'll send him through, we'll do it together and then you're going to explain this to me!" she shouted, but Alice shook her head.
"I'm sorry, Kate. I never meant for this to happen! You can't help, you have to get away from here."
"Of course, I'm helping! You can't do this alone, Alice!" The portal pulsed, and Kate's eyes widened as she felt herself being drawn toward it. The women pulled, using all of the strengths they had to send the man back. Finally the pull was too strong and the man was being pulled back, whether he wanted to or not and Kate let out a sigh of relief when he finally went through. "Now, close it and tell me what the hell is going on."
"Gladly," Alice laughed, letting out her own sigh of relief. Suddenly, a line shot through, out from the portal. It was an impossibility but there it was... and before Kate knew it there she was, pushing Alice out of the way, her arm burning as the ley line coiled around her arm pulling her. She barely registered hearing Alice yell, but it was muffled, as if she was hearing it underwater.
She didn't have time to scream, to fight. One moment she was there and the next... white hot pain.
A/N: Ok! The first official chapter is up! Let me know what you think, i love reading reviews! Hope you enjoyed it and thank you RubberDuckiez for beta-ing for me!
Thank you to Guest, WickedGreene13, Mooncatknits, and peygoodwin for the first reviews!