"Are you alright?" Aragorn shouted over the sound of pounding horse hooves and rushing winds for what seemed like the hundredth time.
"Yes, fine. Thanks!" Kate shouted back in reply, for the hundredth time again. She felt her uncle relax slightly, the arm around her slackening only just enough.
In truth? She wasn't fine at all. Her leg throbbed and the repeated motion of the galloping horse under her yanked and tugged at the hastily made bandage which in turned pulled at her healing skin. She hadn't had a full night's rest in days and she needed to pee. Additionally, she was almost positive her butt would never recover for her horseback riding excursion.
But it wasn't the actual pain that was bothering, no. Physical pain was temporary. Her wound would heal and she'd be good as new after some time.
No, what bothered her was having to sit on this horse as they rode through the uneven grasslands with only the four of them where there should be, at the very least five.
What bothered her was having nothing to distract her mind. Now that the hobbits were safe and in the well-meaning hands of an Ent of all things…there was nothing to stop her from thinking about the events of the last few days, to relive it in her mind over and over again.
What bothered her was realizing how close she had come to dying and possibly being used by Saruman to betray her friends and hurt the ones she loved.
What bothered her was the first friend she had ever made in this place had died trying to protect her and the hobbits while she stood there and did nothing, unable to save him.
She had nothing else to do for the rest of the day and through most of the night but sit and think; a dangerous opportunity for someone like Kate, who had so much to think on and not enough mental strength to do so.
But these weren't things she could say right now, it wasn't the time. She was too tired to even try and make sense of all this.
Kate gripped the saddle a little tighter as they galloped down the steep incline, praying to God that she didn't fall off this horse.
Boromir would have laughed at how uncomfortable she was. He would have made some joke about how foolish she'd been to have gotten herself injured and chided her on how she had managed to get herself captured.
"Hadn't I taught you better than that? You shame me, Kate." She could practically hear him joke.
But he wasn't here.
She felt Aragorn's grip around her tighten, helping to hold her on the horse as they road up and over the rolling hills.
"I'm fine!" Kate called, beating him to it before he could. Aragorn couldn't help but laugh a little and gave her a small squeeze on the arm.
"We are here." Aragorn said, pointing to the city that miles ago Kate had thought was just part of the mountain range. However, now that they were close enough Kate could see the smatterings of houses and the large hall at the top. Not just your average mountain range.
"Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Théoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is overthrown. Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here." Gandalf announced as they moved their horses closer to each other and looked out onto the aforementioned city. "Saruman's hold over King Théoden is now very strong."
"Aye. Of course, it is." She heard Gimli grumble sarcastically, echoing her thoughts exactly.
Saruman again? He really is just…the worst!
Letting the horses pick their way down the hill, Kate couldn't help but ask.
"What exactly are we going to do about that? How does one …fix him. What's the plan?"
Gandalf shot her a sour look, opened his mouth to speak and then clamped it shut, urging Shadowfax ahead.
"You are in no condition to do anything." Gandalf reminded her with a pointed look at her leg. The impulse to ask what he was going to do rose up in her but she shoved it down.
"Fair enough." She said, sucking her teeth in annoyance. He had a point, but it still stung a bit. She was ready to be good and healed again. She hadn't realized how slowly humans actually healed until she had taken care of Elves…that was eye opening. But, still there wasn't much she could do with no weapons and a bum leg.
Perhaps it's just best not to know, Kate. Gandalf would never go into something without a plan. Right? Right…right.
After the grasslands around them had leveled off they urged the horses into a run once more, riding up toward the gates of Edoras. Instantly Kate felt a crushing weight around her, the air thick and oppressive. She looked to Legolas, wondering if he had sensed the same thing, but if he had he did not show it.
Kate looked up curiously as a flag floated down from some unseen place, tumbling uselessly to the ground as if to illustrate just how dire a situation the town was in. She hoped that it wasn't a bad omen of some sort.
They continued on however, weaving their way through the dirt path while people spilled out of thatched houses to eye the intruders, their faces grave and eyes wary.
It was uncomfortably quiet, except for the sound of their horses, and the creaking of old wooden houses as the wind beat against them. No one said any words of greeting or welcome, they just stood and watched, stopping their work or lining up along the dirt path.
It wasn't that they were actively unfriendly but it was clear they hadn't had visitors in quite some time and many of Edoras' people regarded them with suspicion. Kate coughed as the smoke from one of the houses got caught in her throat and cringed as the noise echoed through the town sounding volumes louder than it actually was.
Her eyes met another woman's, her ruddy face chapped by frozen winds and beaten by age. Kate gave a small smile as she passed but the woman gave none back just stared blankly as she clutched a forgotten broom in her hand, her eyes held only the smallest amount of suspicion.
What kind of Children of the Corn town…
She hadn't expected her first Human town in Middle Earth to be…quite like this. She knew it would be a bit more medieval than home and probably less advance than the elves…but this town was just so heartbreaking.
They were clearly hungry and Kate's eyes had already assessed and diagnosed several different injuries and illness, noting the few pregnant women. Were they receiving medical care? Did they have healers? What did they do for food? Was the king really so far gone that he could not care for his people at all?
Perhaps things in Edoras were far worse than she had initially thought, she wondered and instantly felt sorry for the people of this town. She made a mental not to ask about medical care, wondering if she might be of help in that way. Once they'd sorted it all out with the king of course, and that shouldn't be too hard, right?
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli noted and Aragorn hummed in agreement.
"What happened to them?" Kate asked, whispering to Aragorn.
"They have lost their hope." He answered back but gave no further explanation.
Finally, they reached the great hall and Aragorn helped Kate dismount from the horse. She stifled a grunt of pain, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself than necessary and limped along.
Subtly, Aragorn took her arm, allowing her to lean on for support while making it look like nothing more than a friendly gesture.
For all his fretting while they were on the horse, Kate was thankful he let her keep her pride intact while they were out in public.
The massive green and gold doors swung open just as they were reaching the top and what remained of the fellowship were met by several armed guards.
Oh, Gandalf, and here you thought we shouldn't expect a welcome! She thought drolly, shifting her weight to her good leg.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame, by order of…Grima Wormtongue." The chief soldier informed Gandalf and Kate didn't miss the flinch on his face as he delivered the message, obviously not thrilled about the arrangement either.
Kate snorted but covered it with a pretend cough. I mean…Grima Wormtongue? No one good could possibly have that name! Your parents have set you up for a lifetime of villainy, Wormtongue, sorry to say.
Gandalf, however, seemed unsurprised by such a request and nodded compliantly to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli as the guards stepped forward to collect their weapons. Begrudgingly they all handed over their swords, daggers, bows and axes, a particularly tough blow for Gimli and Kate sent him a sympathetic smile. A shadow passed over her and she turned, eyebrows raised in surprise to face the soldier who stood in front of her.
"What, me? I don't have any weapons." Kate said incredulously to the guard. To illustrate her point, she held out her cloak and turned as best she could. "See? But thank you for including me in this little shakedown. That's very progressive of you and I admire you for it." The guard looked unconvincing to the redheaded leader who waited. He looked at the woman helplessly, wordlessly begging her to make this easier for him.
"You have no weapons on you at all?" The guard asked. Kate crossed her arms.
"I mean I had weapons, at one point, good weapons too, but I was… relieved of them."
"She is my kin and our healer. It is as she says, she carries no weapons with her at this time." Aragorn vouched, before she said anything incriminating and handed over his final dagger to the soldier. This seemed to suffice and the soldier stepped back.
An awkward silence fell over the group as the redheaded soldier stood in front of Gandalf, who offered him a friendly and unassuming smile.
"Your staff." The man insisted once it was clear Gandalf was not coming to that conclusion on his own.
"Hm? Oh. You would not part an old man from his walking stick." Kate clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to betray them with her amusement. Walking stick? If Gandalf needed a walking stick then she needed a hole in her head.
The soldier didn't seem to buy it either, but he quite obviously over the whole ordeal and sick of their troupe, so with a roll of his eyes, nodded, and allowed them to head in as Legolas gave Gandalf his arm to lean on.
"Very chivalrous of you." Kate whispered teasingly to the elf so smiled politely in reply.
"I have my moments, fleeting though they may be." He replied, sounding every bit the prince he was, but Kate didn't miss the playful glance he gave her.
Gandalf rolled his eyes, and continued shuffling a long, keeping up the pretense of being an aged old man until they were well inside the hall.
As they walked in the door slammed behind them, sounding like the closing doors of a prison cell. Kate shivered, eyes examining the hall. She wanted to admire the architecture, marvel at the detailing, and perhaps she would have if it had been a warmer welcome.
Instead eyes stared accusingly at them as they walked toward the throne where a greasy looking man sat next to an obviously ill and decrepit man.
Well I am willing to wager a guess on which one is Grima. She thought, lips curling slightly in disgust. Just the sight of him made her want to shower off.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Theoden King." Gandalf remarked as he casually strode onward.
"Be on your guard." Aragorn whispered to Kate, jutting his chin toward a group of men who seemed uncharacteristically interested in them. Kate assumed these men were not the welcome wagon as she calmly glanced around the hall, noting a few more on the other side.
"Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" King Theoden asked, his voice grating from disuse and sounding all together void of any emotional at all. Kate surveyed the King, wondering if she might pinpoint what exactly it was that had caused such a deterioration, which of course she couldn't.
"A just question my liege." The slimy man purred. "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest." He slinked down to them until he stood directly in front of Gandalf.
"Be silent! Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth." Gandalf commanded, now bereft of any and all previous niceties and feigned weakness. "I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."
Gandalf brought his staff up now and Grima froze, not anticipating that reaction.
"His staff. I told you to take the wizard's staff!" He whined backing up fearfully, and suddenly the men Aragorn had warned her about rushed forward ready to take them down. Legolas took the first one easily, while Aragorn and Gimli took the others, but it wasn't long before a weasely looking thug land on eyes with Kate, taking in her injury and the fact that she was a woman Kate knew he thought she would be an easy target.
Sending up a mental 'thank you' to Boromir, wherever he was, she squared up, and successfully hopped to the side, avoiding the man's fist. Kate punched as hard as she could, her fist landing in the man's stomach and bringing her injured leg up, kneeing him in the groin. The action hurt her, sure, but it wasn't like she had much of a choice.
She could almost hear Boromir's chortle of laughter, and the names he would have called her fighting style.
With a satisfied snort, Kate kicked the man one more time, for good measure. Childish? Possibly but it felt good.
"You're a lot easier to fight than an orc." She remarked, looking around to see the skirmish all but over, but they were not done here. As quickly as she could Kate limped forward, moving to stand behind Legolas.
"Harken to me. I release you from this spell!" Gandalf said, bowing his head reverently.
Nothing happened.
Then laughter. The King tilted his head back, really seeming to find this funny. His laughter made Kate's stomach drop.
"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey." That seemed to rev up the old wizard, who through off the grey cloak to reveal himself in all his glory. He was so bright, so dazzling, Kate had to cover her eyes, afraid what would happen if she stared at him for too long.
"I withdraw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound." Gandalf pushed his staff forward, shoving the King back against the throne, writhing and groaning.
Oh my God! He could have a heart attack, Gandalf what is going on? Kate thought bewilderedly. She desperately hoped the wizards plan was not to kill the king and get them all imprisoned. There was no way she could catch up if they made a run for it.
A flash of white and gold rushed in front of Kate, only for it to be yanked back by Aragorn. A young woman, Kate realized, a pretty one at that and obviously of some importance, given her clothing. Was this her father perhaps?
Kate felt her blood run cold and turned her attention back to the unfolding scene in front of her and noticed the eyes of the king on her…except it was not the King who sat cackling in front of her now, she knew that it was Saruman, somehow, she knew.
"If I go, Theoden dies!" A completely different voice growled out from the king. She felt Legolas's hand reach for hers and happily took it, if only to steady herself. So this was Saruman?
Gandalf wasn't having it, and forced him back, the frail body of the king bouncing against the throne with a sickening thud.
"You did not kill me. You will not kill him."
"Rohan is mine!" Again, Gandalf fought him, and the king was thrust back.
"Be gone." Gandalf ordered and with one final cry from the both of them, delivered the last blow, sending Theoden King falling forward, almost hitting the ground before the golden-haired woman caught him.
Kate hesitantly took a step forward, wondering if she should offer any help and yet unsure of what the protocol was concerning kings. However, all that was unnecessary, for in front of their very eyes Theoden seemed to melt and morph until he was no longer the old man on the brink of death, but a younger, clear eyed version.
"Unbelievable." Kate whispered in disbelief, still clutching Legolas's hand.
"Saruman's hold on King Theoden was quite strong indeed." Legolas answered, his voice tense.
"Gandalf?" The king gasped, only just now recognizing faces it seemed.
"Breathe the free air again, my friend." Gandalf said happily and Kate couldn't help but smile as the king rose to his feet, unsteadily at first. This was a win, they had won this round.
We needed a win. Kate thought happily, as joyful and excited whispers rippled throughout the crowds.
"Dark have been my dreams of late." The king mused, staring at his hands in wonder, as if he were remembering how it felt to be in his own body as well.
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword." And they did, it seemed as Theoden pulled out the sword from its sheath and holding it in front of him…and then his eyes landed on something and the wonder on the king's face turned to rage.
"Seize him." Theoden said, the guards more than happy to grab Grima. They yanked him up, none too gently and dragged him out through the doors. Everyone followed hurriedly behind, watching with mouths agape as he was tossed down the stairs, and Kate couldn't help but cringe as his body made a sickening thud.
Theoden stalked down the steps, as Grima groaned and pleaded.
"I've only ever served you my lord." Grima insisted, backing away from the following crowd.
"Your witchcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Kate watched anxiously, wondering if they would have kill him here or just lock him up? Legolas helped her walk down the stairs, as they listened to more begging from Grima.
Theoden, having heard enough of the disgusting man's pleas, lifting his sword above his head with a roar, ready to swing it down.
"No, my lord!" Aragorn shouted, running up to grab the sword from Theoden who tried to wrestle it back, bent on killing Grima. "No, my lord. Let him go. Enough blood has been spilled on his account."
With more kindness than that greasy man deserved, Aragorn extended his hand to help Grima off the ground.
"Oh, that's nice. Real mature." Kate grumbled as she watched him return Aragorn's kindness by spitting in her uncle's hand.
"Should have killed 'em and been done with it." Gimli said in agreement and they all watched in disgust Grima shoving his way through the crowd and making his escape.
A part of her felt guilty that Kate had bent so easily to the idea of killing someone, a human being. Was it just adapting to the ways of this world or was she just a different person all together?
"It is done. We cannot say what should or should not have happened. Let us be thankful we are rid of him for now, and that the king is unharmed." Legolas remarked, ever the diplomat.
"Hail, Theoden King!" Someone called out, and everyone around them bowed. Kate gulped nervously, not sure if she should bow or not. But quite honestly, she was not totally confident that she would be able to get up again. Then Aragorn began to bow and Kate looked nervously to Legolas, who was not bowing, nor Gimli.
What's the plan here? To bow or not to bow? She settled for bowing her head, and scrunching down as best she could. You're a mess, Kate.
Theoden scanned the crowd, looking for someone and mouthed words that Kate didn't catch.
"He looks for his son."
"He will look for him, but he will not find Theodred here." The woman from earlier said her voice thick with grief. Kate tried to look anywhere but at the now grieving king, feeling that she should give him a moment of privacy but no one moved until the redheaded guard began explaining that today would be a day of mourning for Prince Theodred and details about the funeral that would be held tonight. Only then did the people of Rohan disperse.
"I'm…so sorry for your loss." Kate said to the woman, not sure what else was to be said. The woman lifted her head high and gave a thin-lipped smile, grief still etched onto her face.
"We owe you all a great debt. We will have a room prepared for you so that you rest and bathe."
"We would also wish to pay our respects. I have heard a great many things of Prince Theodred's valor and benevolence. He would have made a worthy king." Legolas said kindly. The woman stared at the elf, eyes widened, as if she'd only just realized that he was an elf but stuttered out her thanks before turning on a heel and leaving to prepare the rooms, Kate assumed.
Kate shifted uncomfortably, her leg growing tired from standing. It seemed…odd to her that someone who lost a loved one should be going to prepare room for them. They didn't do anything really, it was all Gandalf.
"Who is she? Was that Theodred's wife?" Kate asked, trying to make sense of who was who.
"No, that is the Lady Eowen. Niece of King Theoden and Shield maiden of Rohan. Theodred is her cousin." Legolas explained, taking Kate's arm again so that she could lean against him. The elf frowned, staring at the sweat beading up on Kate's forehead. "You should sit, do not over exert yourself."
Kate grunted, waving away his concern.
"I'm fine, Legolas. I'm just…a bit sore, and tired. But thanks. I'll have to change this bandage at some point."
Legolas nodded, sweeping away a piece of hair that had escaped her braid and tucking it behind her ear.
"You are sore because you have over exerted yourself. Allow yourself to rest so that your tonics might do their job. The injured need rest, do they not?"
"Hey, who's the healer here? I'm the one that should be saying that." Kate joked, earning a small laugh from him, who was still wholly unconvinced. "I'll rest tonight. I'll be fine, the infection is all but gone now and I haven't had a fever since I found you all."
"Don't fuss over her, lad!" Gimli pipped up, exasperated by the pair. "She's quite alright! The lass is made of sterner stuff than the wee elvish maidens you are used to."
"Well I wouldn't go that far." Kate laughed, pleased that Legolas had seemed equally amused by Gimli's comment. In fact, that two of them seemed to be getting a long quite well these days. "Still, it might be nice to freshen up a bit before the funeral, look respectable enough."
"Aye. Bad luck to mourn the dead when you look like death yerself." The dwarf agreed, shrugging off Kate's frown. "Smell like it too."
"Um, speak for yourself!"
"I am! I smell of iron, stone, and three days pursuit to find the likes of you and the other wee rascals."
"Oh, well then who can argue with that?" Kate asked, moving to hug the dwarf who returned the embrace, grasping her hand. "Thank you, Gimli." She said fondly, squeezing his hand.
"'s nothing. Good to have ye with us again, lass."
"Yea. It is." She said, her eyes trailing back to Legolas, who met her gaze. It was good to be back.
"I hope this will suffice for now." The Lady Eowyn said, leading Kate so a small room so that she might change. Kate gave her a thankful smile, and clutched the borrowed dress to her chest. "Your husband asked that you be allowed to bathe, and change your bandaging, this was all I could do in such a short time, we were not aware of your coming."
"Husband?" Kate gaffed, stopped short. "I don't have a husband?"
"Then men you traveled with? I assumed the Lord Aragorn was your husband, as he insisted upon your care. He said you had been through a difficult ordeal…which would explain your appearance…" She continued, eyes scanning Kate's dirty and bruised body, along with her knotted and unkempt hair. Kate rolled her eyes dramatically.
"I'm fine, he worries too, but he's not my husband. Good grief! He's my uncle! His sister was my mother and I guess he just feels responsible for me…but I'm traveling with them as their healer. That's it." She added quickly, hoping to stave off any uncomfortable suggestions.
"I see. Well, the Lord Aragorn must be a good husband to someone to care so kindly for his sister's child. I should ready another room for him then."
"He will be one day. He's not married yet." Well…not technically Kate thought, pursing her lips a bit when she noticed the woman visibly relax. Oh…oh, honey. Kate opened her mouth, meaning to mention his relationship with Arwen but clamped it shut. It wasn't her place and far be it from Kate to rain on this woman's parade after the day she had had?
No, she decided, no harm in Eowyn just looking. Kate looked at Legolas all the time and nothing came from that?
Perhaps not the best example.
Eowyn, suddenly much warmer handed Kate a bar of soap, and a comb explaining a towel would be on the chair next to the tub. Kate inhaled the tiny bar of soap, marveling at the floral scent scrubby seeds and flower petals packed inside, laughing sheepishly when Eowyn caught her.
"It's been awhile." Kate explained, pulling the soap away from her nose, feeling more than grateful now. She imagined soaps like these were luxury items, and hard to come by. "Thank you, for this. The soap, and the room, and the dress…it's far too kind of you, really. I'm so sorry for your loss, it must be hard for you to have to do all this." Eowyn smiled kindly, arms crossed around her.
"Thank you. It is hard…but life goes on, and so must we. I will be back after you have bathed and changed to help with your hair if you would like?"
"That would be nice, thank you, and please let me know if there is anything I can do. I want to be of help."
"I am sure we can find something."
With a curt nod Eowyn left, leaving Kate alone in the stone room. She was under the impression that there was not much time to dawdle but…she couldn't help it! Kate had only been to Elvish cities, but this was all human, evident in the uneven stone patterns in the wall, and the tapestries of great battles with small bits of loose thread, the rough wood of the bathing tub. Perfectly imperfect.
With a comfortable sigh Kate gingerly slid of her clothing, mud caked and bloodied, and tossed it to the ground, half surprised they hadn't stood on their own.
She peeled off the poultice, hissing a bit as it stuck and pooled to dried blood and healing skin and then letting out a full-on yelp as the hot water touched the sensitive skin.
"Damn orcs." Kate grunted sinking further in the tub that sat in the middle of the room. Damn them for running this bath for me! The last relaxing thing in this world! Quickly she sent about washing the dirt and grime from her body and hair, surprised by just how many cuts and bruises she had earned and now regretted taking off the bandage as she stared at the dirt swirling atop the water.
Kate lifted her hands out of the water, just now taking stock of her body. She had been so preoccupied with the main wound she hadn't noticed the minor ones; the bent and torn nails that she had ripped trying to claw away from the orcs and get back to Boromir, the large bruise on her hips from being thrown over their shoulder and onto the ground, and the bruise on her face from being punched by the orc. And all the scrapes and bruises on her legs from their armor…and when they would rake their gnarled hands down her thighs just to hear her shriek and plead with them.
They couldn't touch her, she knew it…but still she begged and she hated that she did…she thought she'd be braver, stronger, but really all she had done was survive. Surviving was enough, though. It would have to be enough. Tears began to pool in her eyes and Kate's throat began to tighten from trying to hold back the tears.
With a frustrated splash Kate pulled herself out of the tub, thankful that no one was here so she was able to swear, grunt and grumble as much as she wanted without being heard. Shivering in the now too cold room, Kate grabbed the towel and did her best to sort through the layers on clothing. It was smart though, she realized, to have so many layers. Edoras was bitterly cold and they needed the extra warmth.
The black dress was thick, and too long but Kate was thankful for it anyway. It was simple and did its job, and wouldn't call too much attention to her.
A knock at the door made her rush to yank on the dress over the layers of undergarments, her hair still hanging wet and tangled down her back. She assumed it was Eowyn come to help her with this sad excuse for hair.
"Oh, hi!" Kate said, surprised by the sight of Legolas in the doorway holding her pack and a small bowel of steaming water with a few clothes in his hands. She noticed that he still wore the clothes he had arrived in and Kate wondered just how bad she must have looked for Aragorn to insist that she change. "Come on in." She insisted leaving the door open and grabbing the comb to try and work it through her hair.
Legolas hesitated for a moment, contemplating and then stepped in shutting the door behind him.
"I brought you your pack, so that you might change your bandaging."
Kate sighed.
"Yea…I'll be needing that. Thanks." She said, glancing at the bowel of water and wondering if it was still unbearably hot. Best to let it cool a bit before tucking in she thought, taking her pack and pulling out the necessary items, deciding she could use some of the water to make a bit of healing tincture Nestaron had sent with her to drink. She needed all types healing properties as she could get…and possibly a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
Legolas amusingly watched her dig through the pack and pull out a cup with a dramatic flourish.
"If I might offer any assistance would you relent to resting a moment?"
"There it is. I knew that was coming." Kate said, squinting her eyes in mock accusation. "I can do it myself, Legolas I've made it this far." She continued, whirling back around to complete her task. Clearly, she overestimated her ability and just as soon as she had started to fall Legolas was there to catch her. He was just kind enough not to outright say 'I told you so' even though the sentiment was written plainly across his face.
"I know that you are able to do it yourself, Kate, but you do not have to."
"I see your point." Kate said tersely, awkwardly smoothing out her dress and limping to sit on the small bed on the corner. She still had her pride. What was left of it anyway. "I just have that tincture steeping, and then I just need to clean the wound, repack it and bandage it again. It's not pretty, Legolas, seriously, now's your time to bail. Let's keep the mystery alive, right?"
Legolas didn't bother hiding his eye roll as he carried the supplies over to Kate and resting them on the bedside table.
"This is not the first injury I have seen, Kate. I have fought in many wars and seen worse wounds than yours." The elf insisted, motioning for her to bring her leg up. With one last grunt of disapproval she hitched up her skirt, and tucked a towel under her leg, in a vain attempt at keeping the bed as clean as she could. "Oh…oh no." Legolas breathed, his mouth agape. Kate shrieked, pulling the dress back down ignoring the peals of laughter the elf.
"Oh, that's very princely behavior. Quite nice. That's it, mystery ruined." She chastised, arms crossed and glowering. "It's not funny."
"No, no it was not. Forgive me, I could not resist the temptation."
"See, I would forgive you but you're literally still laughing."
"I am sorry. Here, come, vanima, let me help. Forgive me." He implored, hands pressed together, face smoothed to hide his amusement. But Kate could still see the ghost of a smile in his upturned lips, and the slight crinkle of his eyes. Still, she relented, muttering to herself about how much easier it would have been to do it herself. "Do not worry, vanima, there is still some mystery yet, as you say. Do not be ashamed, I do not laugh to offend you. I am sorry. Truly."
"No, your fine. I'm probably just a bit… sensitive. I'm just tired, you know?" Legolas nodded knowingly, his eyes carefully assessing the wound as fingers lighted over the reddened skin.
Humans healed so slowly, how was it that she had sustained this injury nearly 5 days ago and it looked only just to be healing?
"Yes, you have not slept since we found you…and I do not imagine you slept much with the Uruk-hai either." Legolas said, nostrils flaring in anger as his eyes fell on the scratches down her leg. Kate was quiet as she watched him gently pour what was left of the water over her wound and pat it dry before her stood to gather the kingsfoil.
"No." She whispered in reply after a long pause, keeping her eyes fixed on Legolas's hands which expertly applied the poultice to her wound. "I was too scared to sleep."
Legolas paused, his hand resting on her legs while he collected himself. He looked at the woman and his heart broke as she sat there, swallowing back tears. He continued, though, wrapping the bandage and tying it off around her leg, waiting for her to continue.
"It was stupid, I know. They weren't supposed to hurt us, they just hauled us about, harassed us a bit."
"It is not stupid. You had every right to be afraid."
"You keep saying that but it's that fear that got Boromir killed. And then I was too scared to fight back, to try and help to do something." Kate let a frustrated sigh. This should not be such a big deal. Why was she so afraid? Even now the thought of being taken again was enough to make her want to crawl under the covers and hide. "Let's not talk about this. It just bothered me, but I'm fine. It's fine, not a big deal. Sorry to put that on you."
"Kate…" Legolas breathed, his fingers tenderly tracing the long scratches up her leg before lightly touching the yellowed bruise on her chin, as if his touch alone might heal them. Carefully his fingers traced the lines of her face, wanting desperately to smooth away all traces of sadness and pain. "What happened is no small thing. There is no dishonor in being afraid, it is natural."
"You were not afraid. All of you…you never seem afraid."
"You think I was not afraid?" He asked incredulously, giving a small mirthless laugh as he shook his head in disbelief. Leaning forward he cupped her face with both hands, staring into her eyes so intently Kate had to look away. No one had ever looked at her that way before. "Kate…I thought you had died. We saw no sign of you except for torn leggings tossed aside. Do you not know what went through my mind? I thought I should die right then, I believed I would, the thought of losing you in such a way…No, Kate. I have never been more frightened of losing someone in all my long years…and I do not think I shall again feel that way about any other again."
Well, what could she say? Words failed her. She was keenly aware of his hands on her now, how he smelled faintly of pine and fresh rain and how her breathing now quickened when he looked at her. All things that were familiar to her before, his warmth, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled, the soft exhale of breath when he could not think of what to say…. but now she was so much more aware of him. Every part of him.
The corners of his mouth lifted into a sad smile as he held her face between his hands. He felt like one condemned to die, but gladly accepting his fate if such a thing were possible…because he knew if she were to die then so would he.
The air in the room shifted, crackling with the unspent energy of words left unsaid and Kate felt her mouth go dry as he looked at her with heartbreaking sincerity.
"Legolas…I…what do you mean by that?"
"Do you truly not know, Kate?"
Kate felt like her heart had stopped as she blinked stupidly for a moment, scanning his face for any sign that this was a joke.
Slowly, Legolas bent his head down, hesitating for a moment as if he was waiting for her to stop him and gently kissed her. Shivers rippled down her spine as his soft lips met hers and she shocked herself by how quickly she responded to him. Kissing him back slowly she moved her hands up his chest, and burying themselves in his hair and with that Legolas needed no further encouragement as he deepened their kiss with such an intensity and desire Kate was sure she would have collapsed in his arms if they had not already been sitting.
He pulled back suddenly, breaking their kiss as he stared at her, wild eyed and breathing just as heavily as she was. Kate stared back, mouth agape, unsure of what else to say; her mind was too full of him to think of anything else.
For a moment, he looked as if he might apologize, back away and ask forgiveness for his inappropriate behavior. But he said nothing as his hands trailed down her face, her neck and down her back. He dipped his head down to kiss her again, pulling her to him as carefully as he could and his lips crashed into hers once again.
Kate couldn't have read the expression on his face, couldn't tell if they'd crossed a line. If this had been a huge mistake.
Maybe they had. Maybe it was. It was too late for either of them now.
There was no going back.
A rapt knock at the door made them both jump out of their skin, like teenagers being caught by their parents and before Kate could even ask who was at the door Legolas was up and several feet away, his clothing smoothed and face blank.
Eowyn burst through the door, clearly hurried.
"You have not combed your hair even? What have you been doing all this time? Oh!" The lady exclaimed, her face going whiter than usual as she took in the sight of Legolas in the corner. In Kate's room. Alone, unchaperoned and with the door shut. Eowyn's head turned slowly back to where Kate sat on the bed, her skirt hiked up over the bandage of her injured leg. Her expression was one of only mild judgment as Kate gaped like a fool, and blood rushing out of her face.
"Thank you again, Lady Kate, for showing me how to properly tend to such an injury as this. You are quite the skilled healer." Legolas said quickly, his voice betraying none of the alarm that was so clearly displayed over Kate's.
"I did not know you were injured, Lady Kate, you did not say. I would have sent someone to help you had I known, of course. It is no wonder you took as long as you did." Eowyn stated, visibly relaxing a bit at Legolas's explanation.
"Yes, she received a grievous sword wound while fighting several Uruk-hai. The wound became infected after she was taken captive by them, as a result of their inappropriate cauterization of the wound."
Grievous? Hardly.
"Taken captive? "
"Is that not right, Lady Kate?" Speak you idiot! Say something! Kate screamed to herself as Legolas easily continued on, expertly weaving their cover story. "Lord Aragorn addressed the wound after we had found her again, but it must be properly cleaned as I am sure you know. I expressed in interest in learning how to care for such in injury, to compare the healing of humans to my own people, and the Lady Kate was gracious enough to instruct me. Thank you again, vanima."
"Yersh, hmmsure." Kate blurted out, her words entirely incoherent. Nice one, Mackenzie. Well done then.
With a deep and regal nod Legolas bowed his head, putting on an extra princely show as he turned to leave. Pulling the door shut behind him he turned, giving Kate a secret smile that made her heart start up again, and the breath refill her lungs.
There can be no future in this union. Galadriel's voice echoed, unwelcomed through her thoughts.
A/N: That was the first kissing scene I have written before…like, ever… so I will 100% welcome any and all constructive criticism and tips you all are willing to leave!
Once again, thank you all for your reviews, and the favorites and follows. It's a simple thing, but it really does mean a lot, and I'm so glad you all seem to be enjoying this!