A bird's song lilted through the air as Kate barely felt the wind ruffle her hair. This was a brief moment of bliss before she began to register the electric pain that coursed through her body as she lay against the ground convulsing as her body righted itself. Every joint, every muscle and tendon felt like it was on fire and after what seemed like hours the pain subsided. However painful it was, it was a blessed familiarity, one Kate clung to in the wake of what had happened. When it finally did subside, she stretched an arm out, willing herself to feel cold stone and rubble instead of soft grass, or see the flags flying over the ramparts rather than the too bright sunlight and tree limbs that clouded her vision now. What happened?
She swore to herself as she finally rolled over, hissing in pain as the ground rubbed against the raw part of her wrist. For a moment she stared down at the angry, red skin in confusion and then it all came flooding back. Alice, urging her to leave. A trap. The sting of betrayal. Fighting with another Traveler. Being yanked through after she tried to save Alice. The void and the sensation of being pulled down, further and further and further still. The other Traveler!
As fast as she could Kate scrambled to her feet, untangling herself from her dress's many layers and whipping her head around looking anywhere and everywhere for the assailant. Miles away there he was, laying next to a collection of standing stones, the familiar buzz pulling her closer like a moth to a flame.
He was dead. She knew it before she'd even gotten close enough to confirm, but the metallic smell of blood hit her nose and when she stood over him, taking in the grizzly sight it was undeniable. Kate presumed he must have hit his head against one of the rocks, hard enough to kill him. She shivered, looking across the field and the random stones that lay scattered outside the ring of standing stones. It could easily have been her.
She stood over him a moment longer, his glassy black eyes staring back at her. His lips curled in a permanent snarl, and Kate wondered who he was, this Traveler to have wanted so badly to hurt her. He wasn't anything like her, he certainly wasn't running assignments... or maybe he was. That was a chilling thought. Perhaps he was fulfilling an assignment of his own and he was meant to take Alice here. But why? That wouldn't make sense, Kate would know if she had interfered with some timeline, wouldn't she? Unless... unless it was always intended for her to be here instead of Alice.
"Nonsense," she muttered to herself. It's just the body, it's making you paranoid. She could see a dead person a hundred times and would never get used to it. The cold, waxy skin, the rigid limbs... even as she reached down to search him for any clue as to who he was a part of her still expected to feel his chest expand as his lungs filled with air. But she felt nothing, and she found nothing save the key and cuff that she could have sworn was on her person before she went through. Odd, but other than a few hidden knives and a bag of coins, there was nothing particularly notable about him.
"Sorry," she muttered to the Traveler, as she grabbed the key and cuff out of his pocket and placed it back on her person. "But you did steal them from me first." She stood for a moment, wondering what to do as the wind picked up, shaking the trees over her head.
Leylines rose up from the ground, revealing themself to her now without so much as a second thought on her part, but they looked... odd. Bent, distorted, all converging North when the standing stones lay in the opposite direction. Kate stepped to the side, taking a deep breath as she ran through the previous twenty four hours in her mind. She had been a fool to trust Alice so quickly. The woman had seen how new Kate was to this and took advantage of her... all to lead her right to Kedron. Past Kedron, of course but for what? Money?
Her nostrils flared indignantly as she hiked up her skirt and began walking back up the hill toward the stones. She had trusted Alice and as angry as she was a part of her still did, because in the end she had tried to do the right thing, to warn Kate... and she was so young! God, she must have been not a day over twenty! She hated that she had played the part of the fool but she couldn't exactly blame the woman, Kate knew first hand that Kedron, once fixated on something, did not let it go. If Alice had been a key part of his plan, then Alice surely wouldn't have had much choice in the matter. But you're not thinking clearly, Kate! You like her, you're making excuses for her because you want it to be true.
She paused, staring back down at the body of the Traveler, and imagined Alice's body lying there contorted and shivered. Whether or not Alice had meant to betray her or not, Kate wouldn't get the answers here... and farce or not, Kate still felt it was her job to protect the young woman. She needed to get home, and get to the bottom of this... and then they were going to have a nice long chat about boundaries.
But first things first, she needed to get back home. Gandalf and Nestaron would know what to do and this whole thing would be behind her. Soon she'd be home. Arriving alongside the stones she felt her skin prick and twitch, still sensitive as she stepped forward to place her hands on the monolith, bracing herself.
Nothing happened.
"That's...new." Kate blinked, stepped back and looked around. Yes, this was undoubtedly a stone circle, and while she didn't need one to travel anymore she certainly felt more comfortable using it. Focus Kate. You're not focusing hard enough. Once more she took a deep breath, placing her hands against the stone and once more she felt nothing. It was as if it were a locked door! But why? Why would it be locked to her, she'd done nothing wrong?!
Kate tried, desperately over and over, making portals, using every stone in the circle, beating against it, willing it to bring her out. She didn't know where she was, when she was. She needed to get home! She was begging to feel hysterical as she took to beating against the stones until her hands were raw and bloody but nothing happened.
The sun was high overhead and sweat began to pour down her back from the effort. Hot tears streamed down her face as she sunk down to the ground. She wanted to cry, to sit and here sob, but she just couldn't.
She pressed her palms into her eyes, wondering if they'd notice she'd gone missing? Would Alice tell them the truth, would she come look for her? Legolas would, but he couldn't Travel and she wouldn't want to risk him being hurt or worse.
Kate leaned back against the stone, a hair pin pressing uncomfortably into her scalp. Maybe he wouldn't have to... it's possible I'm still in Middle Earth, still in my time…. just miles away. That is absolutely a possibility,she told herself, yanking the pin out as the rest of her hair tumbled out in a limp cascade of deluded curls.
"Right, chin up then," she told herself. Perhaps she couldn't leave because she had traveled so quickly already? Was there a time limit? She didn't know, usually once she had completed an assignment she usually stayed the night, to rest up and Travel again the next morning, so it was quite possible. Perhaps this situation was a lot less dramatic than she's made it out to be! You're always a bit emotional when you're tired, and you have had quite a lot going on these last few days, she told herself, dusting off the dress and walking back over to the dead Traveler.
She was going to need to figure out where she was and to do that, she needed to find people, and who knew how long she'd have to walk to find them. She figured that the man owed her, at the very least, his coin and knife for her trouble. She sighed, looking down at her dress and slippers and back and the man's hardy boots and sturdy clothes. They were bigger, a bit dirty even, but she doubted that her outfit would hold up during her travels. It wasn't exactly practical... but his…
"I cannot believe I am doing this," she muttered to herself, pulling off the man's boots and tunic. She reasoned with herself that they did it all the time. Every patient that had died in Helm's Deep or Gondor was stripped of their boots and clothing, the family not willing to let such valuable and useful items go to waste, and it wasn't exactly safe to be a woman wandering around alone.
Still, it felt a bit creepy, and despite her strong belief that he deserved whatever card fate dealt him, she still whispered a small apology, and covered his body with the lining of her dress, out of respect. Vagabond or not, he still deserved some decency and privacy in death, as much as anyone else.
Fully dressed, coins, key and cuff resting inside the enormous clothing, Kate turned, headed in the directions the leylines converged in. North seemed a reasonable destination, just as reasonable as south, east or west…. and even though she had no knowledge of where she was, when or how long it might be till she stumbled upon people she plodged onward. The point was to keep moving. She just needed to keep moving.
Three days.
As it turns out it took three days for Kate to walk from the stones to the next village she saw. The sun had only just sunk over the hills when she spotted the small village tucked along the hillside. With a sigh of relief she surged ahead, invigorated by the idea of buying a room in a warm inn, and eating a hot supper.
By morning, she'd be back with her husband, finding ways to laugh about this over a cup of tea. Her heart tightened as she realized how deeply she missed him already and she was eager to return home, back to him, and Aragorn and Arwen. Back with the hobbits, stuffing their faces with those honey and cream pastries that were most definitely gobbled up by now. Back with Gimli, and Eowyn, who had only just yesterday gotten engaged to Faramir, back with her patients. Nestaron. Back home.
Soon, she told herself, hopping over the small little creek, unbothered by the way the large boots sunk deep into the mud. No, in fact her heart lightened even more as she walked through the small village only to discover that there were hobbits there, heading inside for the night and peering suspiciously at Kate.
So, at least I'm in Middle Earth, she thought with a shuddering sigh of relief. Is this The Shire, then? Sam will be happy to know I've seen it, at any rate, even if it was by accident. By the time she walked along the winding path, into the hobbit village it had gone completely dark and the only light provided her was the candlelight that shone out of the tiny windows. Kate quickened her pace, guessing it must be around dinner time, or so her stomach thought.
So fixated on the idea of food, she was that she nearly trampled over a hobbit walking down the path. No, not a hobbit, she realized after a moment of staring, a Dwarf! Wasn't this a hobbit village? Something stirred within her but Kate ignored it, muttering an apology to the odd looking Dwarf as he trampled by.
"Mind the road," he called gruffly, shifting his axe higher up on his back.
"Yes, of course, I'm sorry," she said, marveling at the tattoos along his bald head. Obviously put off by her staring the Dwarf shoved past her, continuing down the road she came. Kate shuffled to the right to let him step by but the Dwarf moved in the same direction, giving her a frustrated look, when they both stepped to the left. "Well, um, since I have you here, you wouldn't happen to know if there's an inn nearby?"
"No."
"No, you don't know, or no, there is no inn?" she asked, needing further clarification.
"No, I do not know."
"Oh, I see," she replied, a bit disheartened. The Dwarf shoved aside impatiently, but Kate followed, determined to at least get some information since he was the first living soul she'd talked to since she'd arrived. "Well, perhaps you know of anyone renting out a room for the evening? I can pay."
"No," the Dwarf shouted over his shoulder, and as Kate opened her mouth, he stopped, clarifying if only so he wouldn't have to hear her ask. "I do not know," he added. Kate nodded, pulling the oversized pants a little higher up as she jogged after him.
"One final question,"
"Oh, I find that hard to believe."
"What is the date?"
"April 27, last I knew it," he added, shoving past Kate with less restraint than he had before and Kate once again felt that familiar stirring in her bones. The deep ache that accompanied an assignment, or an event that was being altered. Ok... when I left it was May 1st... so perhaps I'm not too far off.
"And the year?"
"The year? Are you daft, woman?" he asked, turning to face her, but the pleading in her eyes made him shake his head. She must truly have looked pitiful or he was a softy because he shrugged, answering her. "2941."
Kate blinked, barely noticing as the Dwarf finally walked past her as she called out a thank you. Whether he heard it or not, he gave no indication and Kate didn't care much at this point, because suddenly she was hit with her assignment. Waves of images flooded her mind and she dropped to her knees, clutching the ground to keep herself righted. She crawled across the small road, laying out in the field as she waited for her breathing to settle.
She wanted to stamp her foot. To yell, to scream! Her hand clutched the irritatingly heavy key in her pocket tightly, so tight that she was sure it would be permanently impressed upon her palm. This wasn't fair! She wasn't supposed to be here, she shouldn't even have to put this key back!
As angry as she was about another assignment, Kate couldn't help but be thankful for that small amount of clarification. At least she knew now why she wasn't permitted to go back, she had an assignment... a surprise assignment but a job was a job, and it was her job to see that this key was returned to its rightful owner, especially now that she knew how important it actually was.
Kedron, she sniffed, staring at the stars as she lay on her back. What is his aim? The stars twinkled, and Kate lifted a hand, slowly tracing out the constellation pattern Legolas had shown her that night in Lothlorien and many nights since. Many a night they spent seated together along the ramparts, tracing out constellations or inventing new ones for fun. Seeing it now, the one they had contrived to resemble a boar, Kate traced with her fingers. She wished she were with him now, the two of them unable to sleep, or scared to for fear that time would slip through their fingers while their eyes were closed, curled together and staring up at the sky.
Kate used to think she was so above the idea of missing someone this intensely... Valentines Day in her world prompted many an eye roll from her and the idea of needing someone was laughable... but now she understood. She understood how desperately she missed him, how every cell in her body longed to be next to him and she didn't know why she felt this way...she would do this, complete this assignment and be back home with him, she told herself. And yet the longing was there, coiled up in her heart as it always was when they were apart, filing that space that was only filled by Legolas. It was a nice consolation. A reminder of the task to be done and once it was she would return and things would go back to whatever normal she could make it be.
She pushed herself up, carefully walking toward the spot where she expected it to happen, and when she stumbled across the little hobbit hole with the bright green door, yellow handle and glowing insignia on the door she couldn't but smile. This was Bag End then, she thought, tucking herself in amongst the grass and peering up into the home as another set of doors burst in, one dark haired and one golden, leaving a very disgruntled hobbit in their wake. The Hobbit, who Kate could only assume was Bilbo, based on Sam's telling of the story, had Frodo's exact look of discontent, back lit by the fire light of his home and as he closed the door Kate nodded in approval. Yes, definitely Frodo's relation. She couldn't wait to tell the hobbits!
She waited for what felt like hours, laying flat against the grass until it made her skin itch and she pulled the itchy fabric of the tunic over her forearms to provide some relief. A parade of Dwarves trampled through and Kate had to bite back a yelp of surprise as Gandalf himself, or Gandalf the Grey as he was at this time, walked through the very same door. That would complicate things, she thought, rolling onto her back and sucking her teeth.
She would simply have to make sure he didn't see her, that was all. No one that she knew now could know her then. An easy enough feat as she wouldn't be here long, she reasoned, resting her head upon her hands. No different than any other time she'd traveled.
As Kate continued to wait her eyes grew heavier, her body sinking comfortably into the ground. Could she spare a nap, perhaps? Would it be obvious that it was happening or... turns out it was fairly obvious. Kate was jolted awake as the electric crackling rippled through the air, a sensation she and other Travelers alone would be aware of but Alice would not know Kate was here. Kate turned,trying to shrug off the haze of sleep as she watched Alice nimbly slip out of a portal and tiptoe quietly to peer through a window.
It had been some time before everyone had gone to sleep and Kate watched in fascination as Alice slipped in through the window, gone for a few moments and then back out the window, the moonlight glinting dully against the key before the woman tucked it away into her pocket and pulled up another portal, slipping through it and then she was gone... the literal personification of a thief in the night.
Kate waited a moment, breathing heavily through flared nostrils as she willed the anger to subside. It didn't really appear that Alice was under any sort of control. No one looked to be bending her arm or holding puppet strings. In fact, it looked to Kate that Alice had done this all on her own. It was quick and easy without a moment's hesitation.
Her hands tightened around the key once more as she stared at the spot where the portal had once been. She knew, of course, that things were not always as they seemed, but this... well it was just so obvious!
"Idiot," she muttered to herself as she quietly pulled herself along the grass, tiptoeing along the same path Alice had. "We are absolutely talking about this when I get back."
Kate peered into the window, the dying embers in the fireplace casting a strange glow amongst the sleeping Dwarves, and boy were there a lot of them! Gimli himself wasn't exactly pleasant when awoken and they got along well enough, she couldn't imagine how they'd react to a strange woman waking them up in the dead of the night!
Well, don't get caught then, she thought to herself, sliding in through the window and nearly stepping atop a dwarf with an odd shaped hat who snorted at the intrusion but simply rolled over and went back to sleep. Kate let out a sigh of relief, shoulders relaxing when his breathing steadied and no one else stirred. She looked around, trying to guess which of them was Thorin in the dim light, but there was no way to know. There were simply far too many Dwarves.
Carefully she crept through the house, meaning to leave the key on the table. Perhaps no one would think anything of it, they'd assume it fell out of Thorin's pocket and someone left it on the table to be found in the morning, and it wouldn't matter that none of them would admit to it because the key would be there. There, the easiest assignment she'd ever done she thought with satisfaction, pulling out the key.
"I'll have that back now, if you don't mind," Gandalf's voice called, startling Kate so completely she dropped the ring, it's heavy thud waking the two Dwarves sleeping next to the table, one with a bowl cut and young looking face, and another dark haired Dwarf with a stern gaze who had evidently not been sleeping at all. That's Thorin, you dolt how'd you miss that!
"Thief!" The young faced dwarf called, his alarm awaking the others and suddenly the whole room vibrated with the shouts and accusations of riled up Dwarves and suddenly the tattooed bald one she'd run into on the road grabbed the back of her shirt.
"I am not a thief!" she shouted, her protests barely audible above the din, and then the hobbit rushed out, shouting along with the rest of them.
"A thief? In my house?!"
"I'm not a thief!"
"I knew you for trouble the moment I laid eyes on you!" the bald Dwarf growled.
"Bit small for a thief, her clothes are too big for me!" the rotund dwarf with a bearded braid called out
"Probably stole those too!" a younger blonde Dwarf called, barely a beard on him and his companion, a dark haired dwarf nodded in agreement.
"The lass is clearly a seasoned burglar!"
"Well perhaps that might work out for his, since Bilbo has refused us," the dwarf with that hat shrugged, nonplussed.
"I will have no thief join this company," Thorin called, and Kate finally yanked herself out of the tattooed Darf's grasp.
"I don't want to join your lousy company!" Kate protested, fixing the large tunic. "And I'm no thief! I was returning it!"
"Oh, aye! A likely story!" another Dwarf called out and the whole room erupted once again into chaos. This was certainly not how Kate had imagined this going at all, and she was starting to grow more than a little concerned when suddenly the room grew dark around them and Gandalf's booming voice bellowed.
"She is no thief nor is she our burglar! Quiet down and unhand her I say!" Kate's eyes were the size of saucers when she looked over at Gandalf who seemed to be several feet tall and then suddenly, right before her very eyes he shrunk down, wizened and wrinkled as the grey wizard she'd always known. One by one the dwarves stepped back, looking chastised but still a bit suspicious, though none of them dared to voice those suspicious. None except Bilbo, who looked dazed as he peered up at her through a mop of sandy hair, a burgundy robe tied tightly around his waist.
"Well if you are no thief, then just who, may I ask, are you?" he asked testily. "Am I to be expecting any more visitors tonight! I've no tea left to speak of and they've all but eaten me out of house and home, so I've nothing to offer you. I am not normally such a poor host, but I imagine you were not planning on staying very long."
Kate, stifled a laugh. She couldn't help it! Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's uncle, the one she'd heard so much tell about was angry, not because of her assumed thievery, but because there was nothing to offer her.
"Something amusing you'd like to share?" Gandalf asked, a twinkle in his eye as he leaned back in the chair, arms resting along his stomach.
"No, no... I, gosh, i'm sorry... I just," Kate was laughing now, wiping tears from her eyes as the Dwarves stared at her, their expressions showing outrage, confusion and a small bit of pity. "Really, it's just so funny! This had never happened to me before! I've done this quite a bit you see, and I... this is by far the most hysterical! Oh, you'll have to excuse me."
"This is no laughing matter!" Thorin protested, his tone not carrying one ounce of amusement. "How is it that you have come to this home, to steal this from me? This would fetch no fair price to any trader, I assure you."
"I told you," Kate insisted, wiping her eyes as she straightened up. God she needed that laugh, perhaps the stress of the last few days had really been too much for her. If she were being perfectly honest she was not feeling very well and she was exhausted. "I was returning it. Someone, not me, did take it, and I returned it. That's it."
"And why would you care to return what was stolen?" Thorin asked, suspicion furrowing his brow. He didn't believe her and quite frankly Kate didn't blame him. It didn't matter, she'd done what she came to do. "What reason do you have to bother in the affairs of strangers?"
"Because I had to," Kate stammered unprepared to answer such a question. She wasn't really supposed to even be here. She had righted what went wrong and then she was supposed to leave, not stay and interact. "It's what any traveler would do if they saw a crime being committed. Would they not?" She answered, not realizing the double meaning of her word. She had meant a simple traveler, not what she was.
"A Traveler, you say?" Gandalf asked, eyebrows flying up and once more the room was abuzz once more.
"No, I... I'm not-" Kate stammered, but suddenly the dark haired Dwarf surged forward, grasping her hands in his, his dark eyes alight with hope as he looked on her now devoid of suspicion.
"It is a sign! Proof that Mahal does favor this quest! Surely if a Traveler is here it is to protect what must be done!"
"Or stop it," another red headed Dwarf with metal bands in his braid refuted, spitting at the ground to show his dissent. Bilbo blinked rapidly, looking from the Dwarf to the ground then back at the Dwarf again, before looking back to Kate, the color slightly drained from his face. "Ye cannae trust Traveler's lads. Witch's. They'll boil the skin off ye're bones if you dinnae keep an eye out."
"I have literally never done that." Kate protested, lips curling in disgust.
"But she was here to put back the key," Bowl-cut dwarf chimed in. "She must want to help."
"Or to lead us off our course."
"I want to go home," Kate insisted, backpedaling as she tried to think of a plausible lie. "I don't want to throw anyone off their course, and I'm certainly no good omen."
"Of course not," Gandalf nodded, "but you are a Traveler, are you not?" Kate's shoulders slumped as she stared at the wizard who she could not lie to, even if he didn't know her yet.
"I... Well, I'm…" What could she say? She gave up and slowly nodded. What did it matter? This whole thing had gone to pot by now and she'd given up trying to argue. She might as well just be honest. She'd be out of here soon.
"A t-traveler? You mean to tell me Traveler's are real?" Bilbo stammered, shoving through to get a better look at Kate. "Shouldn't you be a bit taller then? Buffer, I suppose." Kate sighed, looking up at the ceiling.
"I supposed I should but I'm not."
"Oh, I meant no offense, I am sorry, it's just... well I was under the impression that Traveler's were some sort of myth," Bilbo explained.
"And a myth they should stay." Thorin chimed in. "We thank you for your... good nature but we need no help from a Traveler. You'd best be on your way."
"Bad luck to send off a Traveler, Thorin," an older Dwarf with a long grey beard whispered to him. "Should we not offer her the comfort of our hearth?"
"It is not our hearth to offer," Thorin replied and Bilbo rushed forward, shaking his head as he looked around.
"Of course, of course... stay if you need to," the hobbit offered, looking around the room suddenly a bit dejected. "What's... what's one more visitor?"
"Well, that's a very kind offer, but really I must-"
"You must tell of us of how you have come to help us!" the dark haired Dwarf spoke up as Kate took a step back. "Do you not want to hear what she has to say? Fili? Surely she has years of wisdom, and the foresight to aid us on this quest."
"I don't think she wants to help Kili," the blonde Dwarf, Fili, replied nodding his head in Kate's direction.
"Will you not help us then?" the bowl cut, young faced dwarf asked, crestfallen.
"What did I say? Traveler's care nothing for our plight, if they did they would have been here long ago," tattooed Dwarf said and Kate shook her head in protestation.
"Well that's not true, we care quite a lot actually!" she defended, pulling her pants up higher over her waist. "Obviously I care, that's why I returned the key." Mostly because I want to go home, but also because I care.
"So you will help us!" Kili exclaimed
"Well, I-"
"That would be decent of you, lass. And of course we would appreciate the assistance you'd provide," the grey bearded dwarf explained, pulling out a roll of paper and handing it to Kate.
"A real Traveler on our side, we cannot lose!"
"Mahal's blessing!"
"Mind your coin lads."
"We cannot bring a woman along, even if it's a Traveler."
Kate grew dizzy as the room filled with dissenting opinions and hopeful pleas and as she unrolled the paper she jumped back as it unfurled, longer than her body. Her eyes lighted upon the words 'incineration' and she began to panic.
"What is this?" she screeched, speed reading as fast as she could.
"Just the usual proceedings, an explanation of what is to be expected, funeral proceedings, and compensation, though I expect you understand that as a Traveler you will not be entitled to such monetary gain," he explained and Kate nodded mutely, still unable to get over the word incineration.
"Right…right, of course. Why would I?" she muttered sarcastically, looking over the contract.
"Just sign your name there lass, an X will suffice if you cannot write your name."
"I can write my name... why am I signing a contract?" Kate asked, sending Gandalf a panicked look. She should have been well on her way to the stones by now.
"Standard procedure for those who wish to accompany us on this quest," the grey bearded Dwarf explained. "It is for the family, truly, to ensure that you were within your right mind and properly looked after, though I imagine you have none to worry over given your... status."
"I have a family!" Kate snapped, her head throbbing as she tried to take in all the information, doing her best to roll up the contract again. "A family I do have to get back to, actually... they don't know I've gone and I-I need to go."
"You mean you will not help us?" Kili asked earnestly, and suddenly Kate remembered Thranduil's warning.
We knew what you were, the Dwarves knew too. It seemed they believed it was your desire to aid them… you did not come to aid them, it was not your sole purpose…
"Oh crap," Kate whispered to herself looking amongst the scattered company of dwarves, a hobbit and a wizard. Back in time... where apparently she should not be. But this couldn't be it right? Not this same situation... not this wasn't right!
"Perhaps, dear Balin, we give Ms…"
"Mackenzie... Kate Mackenzie."
"Quite right, perhaps we give Ms. Mackenzie a moment to gather her thoughts as she looks over this marvelously thorough document. Should we not?"
"Of course," Balin said with a bow. "Though we will need your answer by the morning."
"Yes, I understand," Kate nodded, hands clenching and unclenching around the extra fabric of her pants.
"Get some rest. We will leave by first light. With or without added members," Thorin ordered, looking to Kate first and then to Bilbo, who seemed to bristle under the Dwarf's weighty gaze. The Dwarves all settled themselves once more, grumbling and whispering about what was to come of them and their quest.
"Are you really a Traveler?" Bilbo asked one more time, and Kate nodded slowly, suddenly quite tired. "And you know the future?"
"Not always... bits and pieces as it pertains to my assignment," she answered with a shrug.
"Then would you know if... if I should sign my name? If I should be their burglar?"
He wanted an answer, a concrete solid answer, but Kate had none for him. Of course she knew, thanks to the hobbits that he would in fact go on this quest... things changed... and she couldn't exactly give him the answer.
"Well... you know things change... what happens in one time might change in the next."
"But is that not your job then? To make sure it remains unchanged?" he countered and Kate shook her head, a smile turning up on her lips.
"You argue like an Elf I know," she teased but Bilbo seemed to take that as quite the compliment, standing a bit taller now.
"Do I? I heard they are not in favor of taking many sides in an argument," the hobbit said leaning forward. "That they will in fact offer up both sides of an argument and leave you all the more confused." Kate laughed.
"Yeah, something like that. Tell them that, if you meant one, they will find it funny." She told him and Bilbo smiled.
"Well, it was a pleasure to meet you Ms Mackenzie."
"You as well Bilbo Baggins," Kate said with a smile as he turned back to his bedroom, straightening a painting that had gone lopsided on the way. She could not wait to tell Frodo she's met his uncle. Sam would love to hear about the Dwarves and Merry and Pippin would have laughed at all the confusion. If she was not mistaken Gimli's father was here somewhere too.
"Would you join me outside," Gandalf asked, stretching his legs as he stood to move. "Some fresh air might do you some good, do you not think?" Kate nodded, knowing that was always Gandalf's way of asking for a private conversation and followed the wizard outside and settled herself among the flower garden, the moonlight washing against the sleeping petals casting them all shades of silver and blue.
"I can't stay, you know," Kate offered after a moment, as Gandalf busied himself with lighting his pipe.
"No? Why is that?"
"Well I- I'm not supposed to be here. I have to get home," she insisted.
"Yes, and what else?"
"I shouldn't be here at all actually. I was warned against coming."
"Oh? By whom?" he asked through the side of his mouth, eyebrows raised as he puffed on the pipe.
"Well by someone who doesn't like me very much... for someone who cares for me quite a bit, so I see no reason why he should lie."
"No, of course not."
"And I've done what I'm supposed to do so I've really no business being here. It's not safe for me and I'd be of no help to you."
"Is that so?" he asked. "But what is it you want, Kate Mackenzie?"
"I want to go home to my husband. To my family, to my time," she answered, not needing a moment to think about it. Her mind was made up and while she felt a sting of regret at disappointing the Dwarves she felt confident in her decision.
"Very well then," Gandalf said with a nod. "I wish you safe Travels, but know should we cross paths once more, you would be welcomed on this journey."
"Thorin does not seem to want my help."
"Thorin does not seem to want help from anyone, but he will need it before this is through. He will learn, as all Kings must," he said. Kate nodded, searching for something to say but no words came. She was simply tired. She wanted to be home and the questions and concerns she had for Gandalf could not be answered by him, only by her Gandalf. Kate stood, wiping the dirt off her pants as she made to leave, wondering how long it would take to make it to the stones if she walked all night. "Oh, Ms Makenzie. A moment if you please," Gandalf called and Kate turned, watching him reach into his robe for something.
"Yes?"
He pulled out a cuff, round and made of brown leather and Kate's mouth dropped open as she padded her pockets for the cuff that obviously was not there.
"A bit of advice regarding this... tool," he said, handing it back to a shocked Kate. "I would not use this unless you were in the most dire need... it is no small thing, to extinguish the magic of an individual... and they will not forget it."
"It wasn't for you."
"Well I should think not!" He said, laughing as he inhaled his pipe, and then coughing a bit. The smoke left his mouth in plumes, forming small little frogs that hopped away. Frog in his throat. Ha!
Kate stared at the wizard for a moment, who stared off into the distance. He seemed happier, less worried now. In fact he seemed just as she knew him now, after the War of the Ring, without the cares the world thrust upon him. Playful and lighthearted, but he was still Gandalf, and he was still just as wise. "All magic comes with a price, Miss Mackenzie. Be sure you are ready to pay it, should you seek to use such a gift. Even if it is only for your protection."
"I will," Kate said. "You'll tell them I'm sorry? That I couldn't be more help."
"If you would like," he said with a nod, turning his head to the side as he looked at her. "Where will you go?"
"Well, I was hoping for some sleep... an inn maybe but there are none here."
"Bree is a two days journey that way, though that is not your road. I would venture to say that Mr. Baggins would be quite happy to offer you the warmth of his home for the night. Though should you find those accomodations disagreeable The Green Dragon is a very comfortable pub and inn," Gandalf advised. "If you make mention you are an acquaintance of Mr. Baggins I'm sure they will be happy to set you up with a room and a warm meal.
"That... that sounds really wonderful," Kate said with a sigh of relief. "I think I'll do that. Thank you."
"Safe Travels, Miss Mackenzie."
"Do you trust me?" Legolas asked as Kate clung to him, the water lapping around them and Kate stared into its murky depths. It was, of course, not very deep as Legolas could stand in it but Kate was still unsure. He was a good deal taller than her.
"Of course, I trust you, I married you didn't I?" she insisted, splashing her feet at a curious fish who swam by.
"Then let go."
"I said I trusted you Legolas, not the water," Kate protested, still not understanding what had made her agree to this at all. Legolas, using his very best prince voice, deemed it necessary that Kate learn to swim. He had been teasing her to learn since the day he found out she couldn't in Lothlorien and Kate supposed she had relented because she saw the reason in it at the time. Now, however, she did not.
"Am I not in the water with you?" he asked, amusement flooding his features.
"Yes, but you're not the one in danger here, sir, I am," she said, half joking. "You know... I'm old enough... when will I ever have to swim? It's kind of too late for me, you know."
"It is never too late," he said, wiping a drop of water away that clung to her lashes. He held her there in the water for a moment, cradling her face. "But you must let go if you are to learn. There is no need to fear, I am here you will not drown, melethnin."
"I am not afraid of drowning," Kate argued with a roll of her eyes.
"It would be better to admit your fears, and face them, then to pretend they are not there, meleth nin." Kate slowly eked a toe out, feeling for the bottom of the river as she clung to him.
"I get that, I do," she insisted. "But that's a lot easier to say when you're a badass Elf who isn't afraid of anything."
"Let go now, Kate."
"No," she said, her head barely cresting the surface as she jumped on her tiptoes to keep herself above water. Legolas laughed at her adamant refusal, shaking his head as he waited for her to grow accustomed to it.
"You are wrong. I am afraid of many things," he insisted.
"Oh? Name one."
"Losing you," he answered, just as calmly as if he were telling her about the weather. Kate faltered, landing on a rock that tipped sideways, nearly plunging into the river but Legolas caught her, pulling her to him before she could even scream. Suddenly she felt quite silly, imagining herself looking like a drowned rat as she gripped his arm and sheepishly met his eye, but there was no judgement there... there never was. "Kate... I cannot go with you when you are gone. I know this... I work to make peace with, but I will not always be there to catch you."
"I know," she muttered, pulling off some grass that clung to his arm and dropping it back in the river.
"Which is why you must let go. You must care for yourself when I cannot be there... I have to know that you are able to save yourself when I cannot save you. Perhaps this desperation is because I myself am scared and that is acceptable, I will admit this and thus conquer this fear by ensuring you can protect yourself from any and all harm that may befall you... especially something that scares you."
"I can take care of myself, Legolas," Kate insisted but the protests fell flat. Perhaps at one time he would have agreed, but not since she had fallen sick, now he worried. Instead he said nothing and Kate wouldn't press him to lie. "But, I see your point. Just be patient… because it is a bit scary," she said and Legolas chuckled pulling her closer to him and kissing her lips, his hands cradling her face.
"Of course. Now," he said, letting her slide further back into the water. "Let go, Kate. I will be here."
Three more days. Three days since her meal at the Green Dragon. Three day since the debacle with the Dwarves and three days waiting to get home. Her borrowed clothes were ripe with sweat and the smell of her travels and her body ached but it didn't matter. Nothing mattered now because she was almost home.
A wide smile broke out across her face as the sun backlit the standing stones and she rushed forward, scrambling up the hillside, and when the familiar twitching and pain began to start Kate was almost giddy with anticipation.
Excitedly she pressed her hands firmly against the cool stone, her ring scraping against the rock and she focused. Focused on him, on Legolas. She was going home!
And yet, nothing happened. No jolt. No pain, no nothing!
"No," Kate whispered in frustration, pressing her hands harder against the rock, splaying her fingers out as wide as they would go. "No!" she shouted again. She tried for hours, well into the night until her hands were bloody and raw. What was wrong? Why was this happening?! She wasn't meant to be here!
"Please! Please, Vaire! I just want to go back, I did what I was supposed to! I didn't do anything wrong. Please!"
Was she stuck here? For how long? And why? Was this what Thranduil had warned her about? This?! Again she tried, rage and heartbreak welling up in her as each attempt was met with failure. She didn't know how long but finally she stopped, too exhausted to keep trying. She was stuck here... she was not going home tonight.
She was not going home.
She would not be with him tonight... or for who knew how long.
She was not going home.
A/N: Ok chapter two! So Kate is stuck, and has already met Bilbo and the Dwarves! Let me know what you think about this and can't wait to post the next chapter. Thank you to RubberDuckiez for beta-ing.
Shoutout to Mooncatknits and daughterofthechief for your wonderful reviews! Can't wait to read more reviews and hope you all will enjoy this chapter