A/N: Back for chapter 4! I just wanted to a take a moment and thank everyone who reviewed and who is following and favoriting this story! I definitely appreciate it and it makes my day! All I own is Kate. This is just for fun - Also, i'm really glad I got the chance to edit this, there were a few parts that were a bit cringy to me so I hope you all enjoy the new edit just as much!
Kate awoke the next morning with a start. A nightmare, it was only a nightmare she said to herself, easing out of bed and shaking off the dream. Today was the day they were leaving so, Kate reasoned, the nightmares were obviously just a reaction to the stress.
She shuddered at the remembrance of the dream, the screams of the black riders, a fiery eye that seemed to be looking for her, the memory of crossing over, the boy that had died in the OR before she had left, the orcs she had met once she arrived here…She shook her head, pushing the thoughts out of her mind.
She hadn't slept well and today was not the day to have a bad night's sleep, between the dreams and the dinner with the fellowship last night she was exhausted and wondered how the rest of the fellowship fared. They all had drank more than enough and she imagined they would all be more than a little tired. Wouldn't they?
Kate slowly stretched, marveling at the pale blue light streaming into her open room, the sun only just beginning to rise. She loved mornings this early, while the world was still quiet and full of possibility.
But today there was no time to lazily bask in the morning light today and no possibility of anything she would be used to, just a knock at the door reminding her of the task she'd mistakenly signed up for.
She slowly began getting dressed in the clothes that had been carefully made for her and laid out the day before, probably after she had passed out but she couldn't be sure.
She was more than thankful that she had clothes, supplies, proper leggings and not a burdensome dress, and even more happy for the boots! Her flats that she had crossed over in were barely held together by a thread, and she knew they wouldn't have lasted long out there.
God bless those Elves.
She continued the dressing process, binding her breast, begrudgingly and with much difficulty. How the hell did women do this?! Why is this a thing?! Finally, pulled on the two layers of grey leggings, undershirt and dark green tunic that went past her knees.
She tugged on the boots and began tying the laces when saw her old clothes thrown on the chair. She wasn't worried about the clothes…but the stone, her father's letter in the pockets of her jeans…she wanted those things.
If she was ever getting home those gem stones would ensure she didn't die getting through, she had one and evidently it only took three. She had time, she could find two more, she hoped…She grabbed the items and carefully tucked them in her pack, already full of whatever medical supplies could be spared and easily travelled with, a small bar of soap, a comb, and another set of leggings.
Her sword that she had been practicing with and a bow and several arrows had been given to her to take with her on the journey and Kate marveled at the transformation in the mirror. She looked like a real warrior.
Only in appearance. Kate scoffed to herself.
Fear started to nag at her as she adjusted the sword on her hip, suddenly feeling that it was heavier than before. Of course, she was afraid, she shouldn't be doing this! This was all a misunderstanding and a couple weeks of training could not possibly have equipped her with the skills she needed to save herself! She looked like a fraud. Play acting. She wasn't a warrior, she could barely fight off Boromir! What was she doing?! She should have backed out while she had the chance.
All she wanted was to go back home and now she was going to be traipsing across Middle Earth on a secret quest.
"This is stupid. This is a terrible idea, Kate." She muttered to herself, trying to calm the panic that was starting to rise up in her. "Of all the truly idiotic things you have done in your life this really takes the cake. And now, you're talking to yourself. Nice. Just … breathe … I need to breathe." She sat on the edge of her bed forcing herself to breathe in and out as best she could. She could still back out. Aragorn would understand, even be thrilled about her changing her mind. She could stay and hide here where nothing would bother her, nothing wanted to kill her, and she would never have to think about these powers or any of it ever again.
We've been through this before, Kate. You can't stay here. She couldn't, it was true. Gandalf had more or less eluded to the fact that it would not be safe for the people of Rivendell if she stayed.
"Whether you stay or go your trouble will follow. Saruman has a mind to make use of the skills you possess, and it would be better that he remained unaware of where you were. This is, of course the first place he would look, Saruman is no fool. You may stay here for a time, if that it what you wish, but it will not be a permanent residence. Eventually you will have to leave this place." The wizard had warned her only just a week ago.
It was too late anyhow. She had agreed to go, had given her word. She and many others had put time and effort into training her, educating her and making sure she was prepared. If this is what she had to do to ensure that her going back home wouldn't cause a threat to her world or this one than she would do it; and Kate was nothing if not a woman of her word.
A knock at the door roused Kate from her thoughts, signifying it was time for her to leave. Kate opened the door and was surprised to see Aragorn there, smiling ruefully as he took in the sight of her in all her regalia.
"I will ask once more…will you not stay?" He implored, though he knew the answer. The only thing that would change her mind at this point would be telling her she was able to return home.
"You know I can't." She said firmly, hoisting up her pack and grabbing the bow and arrow. "What are you even doing here? Shouldn't you be saying goodbye to your lady love?" She teased. Aragorn looked away, frowning.
"We have taken our leave." He said quietly, he looked as if he might say more but decided against it and Kate didn't push it but she suspected it had not been a happy parting. He didn't have the same sense of assurance he usually had when leaving the Lady Arwen. "You have everything? Enough medical supplies? Clothing?"
"Everything that's transportable and will fit in this bag. What about you? Is that all you're bringing?" Kate asked, frowning at the small satchel over his shoulder, the only other item he carried with him was a sword.
"It is enough for me." He said simply and jutted his chin toward the long hallway. "Let us go."
Kate followed him out the door, nervously making small adjustments to her pack as they made their way to the front gate where the rest of the group would be waiting.
When they finally arrived at their destination Kate was happy to see a small pony that would carry the majority of the gear for everyone, for as long as it could. She strapped her pack to the pony, Bill she learned, and inconspicuously checked out the rest of the fellowship.
Every looked a little worse for wear, except Legolas of course, who smiled encouragingly at her. Kate smiled back nervously, biting her lip as she scanned her surroundings trying to commit every detail to memory.
She would miss this place, she decided, glancing around as the early morning light shone through, sending shards of light bouncing off the drops of dew that still clung to blades of grass and the leaves of the trees. There was a peacefulness and a beauty here that Kate somehow knew was unique to Rivendell. Risking a glance to the other members, her eyes finally settling on the three Hobbits, Kate realized that no one seemed particularly ready to leave Rivendell. No one but Boromir, of course.
Boromir slid over and clapped her on the shoulder.
"There's still time to excuse yourself from this quest, little woman." He said, not trying to be condescending and yet it saturated his tone whether he wanted it to or not. "There would be no dishonor in it for you, Aragorn would see to that."
Kate shrugged off his hand in frustration. Why is everyone saying that?!She couldn't help but wonder if she really had made improvements in her fighting or if they were only flattering her, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
Aragorn would not lie to her about her skill certainly, and neither would Legolas for that matter. This group did not tip toe around feelings, there would be no time for it if the quest was as dangerous as she was warned it would be. Regardless of the intent, Boromir's comment had been a blow to her pride.
"There would be dishonor in it for me. How's your arm?" She asked hoping to change the topic. Boromir smiled lazily.
"Quite well, as you know. You are a worthy healer, we will be more than grateful for your skill should you choose to continue."
"The lass said she was coming, aye? Does the race of men think so low of their women that they will not take them at their word?" Gimli asked, leaning confidently on his axe and fixing Boromir with a steely gaze.
"Yeah!" Kate added, emboldened by Gimli's statement. If the Dwarf meant it sincerely or if he just wanted to argue with the man, she still appreciated the back up.
Boromir looked as if he might argue, stress clearly evident on his face, but at that moment Gandalf and Frodo appeared, along with Lord Elrond and a troop of elves, including Lady Arwen.
"Of course not. I meant you no offense to the lady." Boromir replied, bowing his head to Kate in response. Kate gave a small smile to the dwarf who winked at her reply. I knew I liked him. She thought, but noticed neither Legolas or Aragorn had much to say in her defense. She couldn't help but wonder if that was any indication of their opinion on the matter or a diplomatic choice to stay out of it. Perhaps a bit of both.
As the troop of elves assembled in front of them, Kate snuck a glance at the blonde-haired elf once more. Gone was the care free and warm elf of last night replaced by the aloof and mysterious warrior elf that she was more familiar with, albeit much friendlier than during their first meeting.
She found it difficult to get a read on what he was thinking, which Kate found incredibly frustrating. Legolas turned to meet her gaze, feeling her eyes on him and gave a curt nod in acknowledgement; business mode. Of course, right. Who cares what he thinks?Kate thought, a slight blush spreading on her cheeks at being caught. Gandalf and Frodo stood at the ready and Lord Elrond began to speak gaining everyone's immediate attention.
"The Ring bearer is setting out on a quest to Mount Doom. Of you who travel with him no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will." The elf lord began, giving Kate a pointed look. Kate returned the gaze, steeling herself. Oh, good grief, you too?! This was basically your fault, you said this was a good idea.Lord Elrond's face softened as if he could read her thoughts. "Farewell. Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves, men and free folk go with you."
Kate's heart thumped wildly in her chest, so loudly she wondered if the others could here.
Last chance, Mackenzie, last chance to back out and make a break for it. Even as she thought this, the fear settling in her stomach, she knew she wouldn't do it. Where would she go, what would she go back to? She'd been here nearly a month and had more than likely already lost her residency, and her apartment and she couldn't continue to mooch off the elves, she had to leave, and if she couldn't go home her best bet was with the fellowship. At least until she could leave.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring bearer." Gandalf said ceremoniously and all eyes turned to Frodo, who looked just about as terrified as she felt. Quietly he turned around and began to lead the way, taking a left and leading the group out of Rivendell.
That was that. There was no turning back now. If this Hobbit, who was very obviously at a disadvantage here amongst all of these other races, could lead this fellowship to save the world Kate could surely protect him, or at the very least pop a few blisters for him.
She could do this. She would do this and then she would go home. There. Putting the plan in action. Give yourself a pat on the back, Kate.
The departure itself was actually quite anti-climactic; there was no grand overture for the merry band of heroes. there was only walking, and a lot of it.
They walked on and on, no one really saying much, perhaps trying to acclimate themselves to the physical activity. She found herself falling in stride with the dwarf, both of them ignoring the other's labored breathing, which she was thankful for. The two of them developed a small, unspoken bond between them. There was a special type of friendship that formed when two individuals desperately tried to perform a physical activity that neither of them were suited for, and both of them joining the other in respiratory distress.
The dwarf was proud, albeit slow, but he kept his pace and didn't complain and Kate followed suite, focusing on the road ahead instead of Aragorn and Boromir's nervous faces constantly checking to see if she was keeping up.
As the day dragged on they stopped checking on her, either confident enough that she wouldn't be lost or too tired to care, and instead focused on the hobbits.
Left foot, right foot, breathe, left foot, right foot breathe.That was her mantra, a steady rhythm in her head to keep moving despite the sweat pouring down her back and her aching muscles screaming at her to stop.
Kate had thought she was in good shape, she went to the gym frequently and even though she helped herself to a steady diet of Starbucks and Taco Bell, she was pretty fit she had thought; boy was she wrong! She had never been so tired in all her life, and thanked God everyday she didn't have to lug the pack! Bless that pony.
For days they moved like this, and when night fell they made camp, Kate would treat any blisters that needed attention and all of them would collapse, wake up with the sun rise. rinse and repeat. Sometimes they would take a break if Gandalf needed time to consider different paths to take, but Kate knew it was really just to give the hobbits a moment or two to collect themselves; it was quite a lot on them.
They ate a lot those hobbits, and Pippin and Merry gripped a lot about how hungry they were but they were good sports, considering all they had been through, especially Sam who always seemed to see a silver lining in everything. Even after he had become the honorary cook of the fellowship, a job he had taken over after Kate had tried and failed, he didn't seem to mind and Kate was happy not to do it. She was a shit cook anyway, domesticity didn't suit her; she was better with the medicine…and slowly getting better with the sword.
Whenever possible her and the hobbits trained with Boromir, practicing their footwork and blocking.
"Move your feet!" Aragorn instructed from his perch, indulging in one of their few breaks and languidly watching as Boromir instructed Merry, Pippin and Kate.
"Good, very good!" Boromir praised the hobbits.
"Hey!" Kate jokingly exclaimed "What about me?"
"Well you'll do alright, so long as Boromir and myself can keep a steady eye upon you." Pippin teased in response, earning a hearty laugh from Boromir and Aragorn. Kate snorted in response.
"Well don't look too far up, sun might get in your eye." She shot back, earning herself a swat from Merry. Her and the hobbits had built up quite the repartee, jokingly taking shots at each other, none being offended so easily.
It made the day go faster and reminded Kate of the OR, everyone taking pot shots, only then there was a competitive edge that made the jokes sting a bit more, and with the hobbits it was all in good fun; they'd taken quite a liking to each other.
"Again, faster!" Boromir called, starting with Pippin and Merry as Kate watched, waiting her turn. She glanced around, making a mental note of where everyone was and trying to assess their physical condition in a way that wouldn't hurt their pride, making sure no one looked dehydrated; clearly there were no major injuries.
All of this was needless of course, as Legolas stood watch, scanning the horizon with his keen sight. Kate found herself marveling at the elf again, amazed by the lithe creature. How could someone live forever, be great at everything, have amazing hearing and eyesight, and be so stunningly attractive? Kate was fascinated by him…in a purely scientific manner, of course.
More often than not Kate found her attention drawn to the elf. It was a curiosity she told herself …but the truth of it was, he was beautiful and she couldn't help herself. He was like nothing she had ever seen. Not like a celebrity girls drooled over in a movie, or beautiful like some people might call a musician…Legolas was different. He reminded her of a storm she had seen out over the ocean. The lightening flashed, and the skies darkened and she was transfixed by the way the waves rolled and crashed against the shore, the roar of the ocean thundering in her ears . She remembered sitting on the beach watching it roll in and she knew in her gut that she was in a dangerous position, she knew she should leave but she couldn't stop staring at the beauty of it all! It amazed her how something could be so beautiful and serene one moment and so volatile and deadly the next. She couldn't stop staring.
And that was how this Elf was to her. Beautiful and deadly but she could not for the life of her figure out why she couldn't tear her eyes away, because she knew in her gut that it was a bad idea. Knew that there was a danger in getting too close…but she couldn't stop, it was almost an instinctual draw to him.
Legolas turned to meet her gaze, giving a brisk nod in acknowledgement as he always did when he was in business mode. If he noticed her blush he was much too chivalrous to point it out and Kate turned to attention back to the lesson. A lesson she should have been paying attention to instead of gawking. She needed to put a pin in this whole situation, and soon.
"Woman!" Boromir chided, forcing her attention back. "If you need a break, you must only ask!" He teased, giving her a knowing smiling as he followed her gaze back to the elf.
"Why you scared, Boromir? Or does your old age make you tired?" Kate shot back, raising her sword and with a thrilled hoot the man rushed at her, allowing her to practice at her usual tempo.
"You gotten slow these last few day, little women." Boromir teased, a grin spreading across his face, he really did enjoy trying to get a rise out of her.
"Just trying to give you a fair shot." She countered, blocking his strike. Then it hit her, a surge of electricity like she had stepped an electric wire. A familiar buzzing sound filled her ear, she could fill the thrum through her entire body as it twitched in response and she stumbled back, a cold sweat beginning to bead on her forehead.
There can't be an opening here? Not here, there can't be. She thought, but there was no mistaking the feeling, bringing up a wave of nausea. Man, how many are there?
"Ha! Over confidence got the better of you?" Boromir asked, the laughter fading slightly as he watched her wrap her arms around herself.
"Actually, I…I do need a break, you go Pip." Kate called, waving over Merry and Pippin, who happily took her place. To anyone else, it looked like she had worked too hard, and it was clear no one else was aware of how she was feeling.
She had to move, Kate wasn't sure how these things worked, not being as well versed on the topic as she should have been, but she knew she had to get away from this spot. Slowly she eased herself up off the rocky floor, her goal was to make it to Gandalf, maybe he would know what to do? Or at the very least he would know there was a portal here, maybe close it to prevent enemy access? Wasn't that why he agreed to take her? She swayed a bit and was not at all surprised to see Legolas by her side, steadying her.
"Kate?" Boromir called again, distracted form his fight with the hobbits, who at that moment tried to strike at the man. Pippin called out in pain, shaking his hand where Boromir had accidentally struck him. "Sorry!" He called earnestly.
"Are you well?" Legolas, asked, trying to focus her attention, his face tensed.
"I … I need to talk to Gandalf." Kate muttered. Legolas simply nodded and helped her up. Making sure she was steady on her feet, the elf leaped on top of a tall outcropping of rocks, looking at something only he could see.
Kate was feeling better now that she was further from the initial fault line. Was that how it worked? She could still feel it, but not so bad, a distant hum now, something she might not have noticed with everything else going on had she not triggered whatever she had.
She watched Boromir and the hobbits, play fighting, pinning the large man to the ground as her mind raced. She could go home. Right now, if she just followed the fault line, there was no one to say she couldn't…no one except for sound reason. She had no stones to help ensure she would even safely get through, and no way of knowing where, or when she'd end up. And, if there were other worlds besides her own who's to say she would even make it back to where she was supposed to be. The thought that wormed it's way into her mind was quickly tossed out.
"Are you well?" Aragorn called, picking himself off the ground and walking over to his niece. He clasped her face, searching for any sign of illness, as if his mere presence could rid them off. He was too concerned for her, too worried underneath his quiet and steely Ranger-man attitude; he was being her family.
"Are you? Nasty fall you took there." She said weakly, teasing as she tried to give him and encouraging smile.
"What is that?" Sam called, and Gimli huffed.
"Nothing, it's a wisp of cloud." He retorted, but no one else seemed so convinced. It didn't look like any cloud Kate had ever seen. Her hair stood on the back of her neck, adrenaline pumping as everyone stopped to take a look at the "cloud". A sharp rip of electricity passed through her hands, like needles under her nails. She swore, grabbing her hand and ignoring the twitching in her face, spreading to the rest of her. What was happening to her?
"It's moving fast, against the wind." Boromir replied, coming to stand with them. There it was again, the buzzing sound growing louder by the second, and Kate gripped Aragorn's arm in a panic. Whatever that thing was, a cloud or something else, there was obviously a correlation between the standing stones and that thing. She hated this, she wasn't scared of a cloud, she was…concerned, alright petrified that she might go through any set of stones. Could she fall through and not be ready? Was it possible, or did she have to be touching them? There were so many damn rocks she had no idea which would be the stone circle, nothing looked like the ones she'd passed through at Craigh Na Dun
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas shouted and the fellowship exploded in a flurry of activity.
"Hide!" Aragorn roared and all but dragged Kate to a hiding place under a bush, calling for Frodo before dragging him under too.
Everyone scrambled for a place to hide, quickly putting out the fire and hiding what evidence they could, trying to make it seem like they were not there. It was impossible to hide all evidence in such a short time, however and eventually those left had to find a hiding space before it was too late.
As the birds flew closer, so did the buzzing, growing louder, calling her, making her skin jump. This can't be right, this is not rightKate thought. She closed her eyes and tried to cover her ears like a frightened child, desperately trying to drown out the cawing of the birds and the roaring sound of the now obviously open stones, but when she closed them all she saw was the same fiery eye that had featured in so many of her nightmares.
She didn't know how the stones were open but she knew they were and when she looked down she could see Frodo's ring hanging off the chain. Surely that tiny ring couldn't open it? Could it? That tiny, beautiful ring could get her safely through the stones…and take her home? It called to her, quietly at first and then louder until it was a roar in her ear, loud enough to match the roaring echo of the stones.
Frodo snapped his head up to glare at her as if her could feel her eyes on it, could hear its voice calling to her. Clutching the ring protectively to his chest and it quieted, and Kate wondered if she had made it all up. Though she knew she hadn't and that ring, whatever the hell it was…scared the piss out of her whether she wanted to admit it or not.
Suddenly Aragorn, gripped her to him, moving her further back into the safety of the brush. He didn't say anything, but shame wash over her. He thinks I'm scared of the birds. Admittedly they were nasty things, she saw and smelt them, like a cloud of decay wafting in the air, but they were just birds. This whole scene was nothing but a low budget Hitchcock movie and Kate was not afraid of any damn birds.
She was, however, afraid of what was happening to her, what was happening with the stone circle…of which she still could not locate, the fiery eye that stared at her like it had finally found her, and the ring. Quite a long list of fears, none of which she was willing to share, but she didn't want to go down as the poor human woman who was scared of some crows! As the birds flew over and away from them the stones stopped their vibrations, quieting down to their previous electric hum. After what seemed like an eternity and no more bird sightings, the group breathed a collective sigh of relief and cautiously climbed out. Kate crawled out from under the bush, avoiding eye contact with Aragorn, but she could feel him frowning at her; a silent "told you so", if he were immature enough to say something like that. Which of course he wasn't.
"Spies of Saruman, the passage South is being watched." Gandalf declared, straightening up as everyone crawled out from their respective hiding places. The hobbits looked at each other, frightened. "We must take the pass of Caradhras!"
"Carahras?!" Gimli shouted, indignantly planting the handle of his axe in the ground. "Why go through all the needless effort when we could just go-"
"Because I said so, Master Dwarf! Though you are more than welcome to take your own course if you'd like." Gandalf returned, cutting off the dwarf's sentence and leaving him looking rather foolish. "Kate, come help an old man navigate these rocks." He called, beckoning her over in a way that did not indicate a request.
Kate obligingly walked over, and shakily grabbed his arm, knocking away any small rocks with her boot that might trip up the old wizard. Then she saw it, a rock skipped and landed just on the perimeter of a small outcropping of rocks placed in a perfect circle, barely detectable at first but now impossible not to notice. Kate stopped and stared, mouth agape as Gandalf came to stand by her patiently. "You would not have made it through." He said calmly, reading her thought. Kate crossed her arms in frustration… the phrase 'so close and yet so far' had never meant so much to her as it did now.
"With the ring, I could." She said quietly, dangerously. She knew it was a foolish thing to say and she didn't know why she had said it in the first place. She half expected the wizard to toss her through the stone circle if only to protect the ring from her reaching grasp.
"Oh? You think you could wield it, to take you home? You, the woman who thinks she is a god?"
"I don't think that." She bit back, all the frustration and shame she had been feeling suddenly mounting in this conversation. Gandalf looked at her as one would a petulant child. "That is really the most ridiculous stereotype you know, that surgeons think they're gods. It's not true."
"No? Isn't that the same to you all? Well who could fault you, bringing men back from the dead, deciding who will live and die…I suppose that kind of power might be very alluring." Kate snorted, was he testing her? It sounded pretty sarcastic, exactly like a test.
"It's not. It comes with a price. Sometimes you make a bad call and screw up, or kill someone. It's not a fun power play it is life and death, and I don't enjoy being tested."
"And I don't enjoy watching you feed into the enemies lies, Kate Mackenzie!" Gandalf shouted, quietly enough to not be overheard but just enough to shame her. "You cannot wield this ring no matter what it has told you, and yes I know it called for you! It will call for anyone stupid enough to listen!"
"I am not stupid!"
"No? You certainly act like it! You've been gifted with just enough education to be utterly useless to the rest of us and yet you still know nothing of the own skills you possess." He continued, unbothered by how enflamed Kate was becoming. "You are just now aware that this opening was here? And yet you are so unfamiliar with them you cower and fall to your knees once you stumble upon them. Only a stupid person would not take the opportunity to learn the skills that you have. Have you any idea what you cou- no of course you don't. You're above it all, aren't you? No, you'd much rather stick your nose in your books and insist that your way is above all the others.
"No, I knew it was there, I felt it! It hurts, you know, actually physically hurts! So, I'm not falling to my knees because I'm scared, I'm falling because it hurts. Yes, maybe I'm a little scared but you would be too if you had any idea. And of course, I didn't learn about it I didn't want to learn about it! It wasn't really of use to me at the time!" Kate shouted back, nostrils flaring in anger.
"Well, you seem to have a use for that knowledge now, wouldn't you agree?" He responded satisfactorily. "Your world, with all your sciences and education, while very beneficial to the average human, leaves little room for the possibility of anything that might be outside of their realm of explanation. Men are a very arrogant race." He commented, rested his hands on his hips and frowning down at Kate who snorted in response.
He wasn't wrong…about any of it. For just the briefest, stupidest moment she really thought that ring could get her what she wanted. She didn't know why she felt so compelled to take it and it all seemed rather silly now.
"Will the ring get me home?" She asked, resignation taking over.
"I do not know all that the ring is capable off. I do believe Sauron would have you believe it could, perhaps to gain access to your world through you and gaining an advantage through your world's weaponry. You do realize how disastrous that would be, don't you?" Kate shoulders slumped.
Of course, she realized, all the insane bombs and guns on her world versus the medieval swords and arrows here? It would be a massacre. Suddenly it all became very clear to Kate, she had been used as a pawn. That stupid ring and Sauron, Sir Fiery Eye, had used her and cost her Frodo's trust.
"Now you see." Gandalf nodded approvingly, relaxing as the realization dawned on her face. She would not be a threat, not anymore.
"I'm sorry. Wow…I'm so sorry." She whispered. This really was real, all of it, the threat of the ring was very real, Sauron…all of it.
"It's quite alright, no harm came from it." Gandalf said merrily, nudging her forward with his staff so they could continue walking and catch of with the group. They were quiet a length ahead of them but not so far that Kate didn't notice Aragorn and Legolas looking back at them every so often.
"Would… would you teach me then, about it…. whatever it is? I mean you obviously know more about it than I do." She asked, suddenly hopeful.
"No, I cannot." He replied evenly, his tone concealing knowledge he wished he did not have.
"Oh, what the hell!" Kate grumbled, throwing her arms in the air. "You just gave me that whole speech about how stupid I was for not taking the time to learn this and now you won't even teach me? Come on!"
"It is not for me to teach you."
"Really? What does that even mean?! Why won't you be my Yoda?"She continued, hoisting herself up a particularly large rock. "Not for me to teach you. Why the hell not? You met my father! Went through the effort of going to see him even, obviously you have some knowledge about tra-"
"Silence!" Gandalf shouted to the babbling woman, who clamped her mouth shut. The wizard'seyes scanned the area around them, as if looking for spies only he could see. As his gaze landed on the woman once more his face softened, taking in her frustration. She had no idea what her life would become…he wished he didn't either. It voice softened to a whisper as he leaned in, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard. "That…was not something you should have known about. As I said…it is not for me to teach you. There are things that will be revealed to you in due time, but it is not for me to reveal them. I cannot teach you, you must wait until you arrive back to your world, in your time."
"Yeah, ok. Whatever." Kate shrugged, still annoyed but realizing with resignation that she would not be getting a direct response from the wizard. "Should I have to worry about learning it all?"
"I think, dear Kate, it would be best to out one foot in front of them other for now. We have enough to worry about at the present moment. Wouldn't you agree?" He asked. "Hurry now, we should not worry your uncle any more than is necessary."
"He worries too much, I can handle myself." Kate commented.
"No, you cannot." The wizard retorted, not missing a beat. Kate huffed after him, following him up the incline.
" Um, I think I can, thank you very much. In my world, I can. I'm 26, I have money, I'm a surgeon- "
"A surgeon is what you are not who you are, Kate Mackenzie, do try and remember that. The art of healing is not a personality trait; however, arrogance is. And we are not in your world so you'd do well to keep your mouth shut, bridle your pride and accept whatever help you can take, you'll need it. We all will before this is through." Gandalf shot back, leaving Kate dumbfounded and very humbled. A wizard just called her arrogant? She wasn't arrogant…was she? Kate chewed her lip as she made her way to the rest of the group who were oblivious to the dressing down she had just received.
"Are you well?" Aragorn asked quietly, devoid of all mirth and Kate knew he was pissed at how she'd handled herself out there. If she could only explain it to him!
"Yes, fine, I'll tell you about it later."
"Yes, I should think you would." He responded, giving her a quick once over, to ensure she really was quite safe before stalking past her and claiming his usual spot next to Frodo. Greeaaatt she thought, rubbing her hands in frustration. She wanted to stab something, take her sword out and go to town. A quiet muttering, turned her attention to Boromir, angrily muttering to himself as he drudged up the incline.
"What's wrong with you?" Kate asked, tiredly.
"We are going the wrong way? Can you not see?" He spat.
"Well no…I'm not from around here…so…no. Gandalf knows the way, it's fine." She responded.
"He only does this so we can avoid my city! He would be so scared to let us use the ring? What great danger lies in my city to have us needlessly take a longer more arduous route?" Kate rolled her eyes at the man, she was used to his grumblings and she knew he was a man who usually got what he wanted, so this was quite the blow to his pride but she had had enough drama for one day.
"I'm sure it's fine, Boromir." She repeated, wearily. Boromir snatched her arm pulling her around to face him. From where she stood on the hill, the normally tall man towered over her, red faced and seething.
"It is not fine! What would you know of it?"
"Let go of my arm." Kate said evenly, throwing him her best surgeon voice. She knew Boromir meant her no harm…but she also knew she had inadvertently struck a nerve with the man and he was not letting up.
After a beat, as Boromir still grasped her arm, an arrow sailed through the air, planting itself in the ground between them. A warning shot, and Kate knew only Legolas was good enough to shoot it without hitting either of them, and just like that the anger melted from Boromir's face and he stared confusingly at his hold on Kate's arm before dropping it, as if he had just been burned. He was suddenly lucid, and a stream of apologies fell from his mouth. "It's fine." Kate assured, still not quite sure what had set him off in the first place.
"No, it is not fine, Kate! I- I- I don't know what came over me. Forgive me, I beg you. I am sorry." He apologized again.
"Boromir." Aragorn called from further up the hill, standing next to Legolas who had already thrown his bow back over his shoulder. "Come walk with the hobbits, I am sure they would like to hear tales of Gondor." Boromir nodded, and with a final sad smile to Kate, trudged back up the hill to Merry and Pippin.
She waved a halfhearted thanks to Aragorn who nodded in return and to Legolas who continued to frown down at her, standing as tall as a tree from way up there. He turned without another word and continued walking, resuming his initial aloof manner.
Maybe she was being sensitive…but it seemed to her that theme of the day was to further cement the idea that this had all been a huge mistake. Her being here was beginning to become much more of an issue than she thought, and she wondered again if she had made the right choice. If perhaps her stubbornness had once again lead her down the wrong path…maybe she should not have gone with them, and stayed in Rivendell, if it was only for a little while.
You are being sensitive, Kate. Buck up! Kate decided and continued up the slope that would lead them up over the mountain and through the Pass of Caradhras.
A/N: Okay! Hope your enjoyed that chapter, thanks all for being patient with the late uploads and allowing me to get through finals! And an even bigger thank you to all who have followed, favorited and reviewed! What do you think, is Gandalf right about Kate? Yes…she is very arrogant lol, but she will learn as we all do when given enough time and patience Please continue to read and review, let me know what you think