A/N: Hello! Back again with another chapter and just wanted to thank you for your patience!
Kate's laughed echoed through the room, coming out in uncontrollable hiccups as Legolas gave her a wry look.
"I fail to see how any of this is funny." He said, the ghost of a smile tugging at his lips as he sat back against the wall of Kate's room, arms crossed.
"Because it happened to you." Kate snorted, wiping away tears in between fits of laughter. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Probably foresight on my part, anticipating your laughter. It was very uncomfortable, Kate."
"I'm not laughing at you, I'm sorry, I really am."
"And yet…" Legolas quirked a brow at the continued laughter coming from Kate. "She is a very forward woman."
"Yea that's what I hear!" Kate snorted, taking another sip of mead. "Elostre told me Bronna had her sights set on you, not hard to see why. Poor Legolas, it must be so hard to be so attractive and have people fall over themselves all the time. I can't imagine how difficult!" Legolas shook his head as Kate gave him a flirtatious wink.
"We all have our burdens to bear. And it was not just her sight she had intended to set on me, I assure you." This set Kate off into another fit of uncontrollable laughter, and he waited amusingly until she had regained her composure once more. "I had assumed this would upset you. Was I wrong in thinking your affections true?" Legolas teased, and Kate shook her head wildly.
"Absolutely not! In fact, I intend to challenge her to a duel this very moment!" Kate declared, scrambling off the bed and to her feet, arms placed heroically at her side. "I will fight Bronna for your honor!"
"You are drunk." He chided, laughing to himself as he watched the woman waver precariously atop her mattress. "You cannot fight anyone in your state, no matter how noble your intentions."
"On the contrary master Elf! I am just drunk enough to believe I could fight her!" She declared, jumping off the bed and onto the stone floor, arms flailing wildly as she righted herself.
"Kate, I know you jest and yet I am beginning to grow concerned." Legolas replied, standing to his feet as he prepared to catch the woman who had captured his heart, who was at the moment engaging in a pantomimed sword fight with an imaginary villain.
"Well, I gotta keep you on your toes!" She laughed, nearly falling over as her imagined sword flew vigorously through the air. "Besides, in addition to besmirching your honor she also called me an Elf-whore, so I do owe her one!"
"She called you a what?" Legolas asked, his face falling.
"An Elf-Whore" Kate repeated, her words slurring together and she parried another feigned strike. "Hardly fair really, since I haven't even done anything worthy of the title. I blame you for that, my love."
"And it was for that reason that I had hoped to shield you from such things. How can she say such a thing to you, there is no basis for such an insult! She should not say such a thing to you." He replied, anger winding its way into his stomach as he considered the vial insult thrown at Kate, who for her part seemed unaffected. She had moved on from swordplay to some other odd type of combat, her arms flailing and legs kicking too high in her dress. Suddenly, her legs become caught in her dress, and down she went, letting out a strangled yelp just as Legolas caught her, smiling down and she stared up in surprised, red faced and breathless. "Does nothing upset you at this moment?" He laughed.
"It's the mead. I am utterly unaffected."
"Perhaps I ought to remember that, should I ever have to deliver bad news to you."
"It could only help, really." Kate declared as Legolas quickly brought her back to her feet. Her head began to spin and she grasped onto Legolas, as a wave of nausea rolled through her. "Oh no…I am drunk." She said, her eyes widening in horror and Legolas simply nodded, doing his best to control the laughter that threatened to erupt from him at any moment.
"Yes, you are." He said in agreement, handing her a cup of water.
"I haven't been drunk like this since…I can't even remember. Oh…no… have I been completely ridiculous?" She asked, suddenly horror stricken, and Legolas did laugh now as he encouraged her to drink the water.
"Not completely." He teased, kissing her heated forehead, warmed from the effects of her over indulgence. "But this is not the firsts time I have seen you in such a form."
"Oh, it must certainly is!" She argued, snapping her head up. "When else would I have even had the opportunity? Do tell."
"Rivendell."
"I was not drunk in Rivendell. If you're referring to the feast then you are absolutely incorrect. I might have overindulged, yes, but I was not drunk. This right here is drunk Kate, not that, and drink her in buddy cus you won't likely see her again!"
"Yes, the difference is quite alarming." He teased, knowing full well it was two very different experiences.
"Oh, you just kiss me before I sober up and decide to become bothered after all." She retorted, and Legolas happily obliged, leaning down to kiss her lips, the taste of mead still on her tongue. And then, suddenly she lurched back, running over to the chamber pot and emptying the contents of her stomach. So much for that, he thought wryly, moving to the bedside table and dampening a cloth. "Oh no." She moaned over and over, vowing never to have another drop of mead again.
"Here," Legolas said after she had finished, handing her the dampened cloth.
"You should run now, while you still have the chance." Kate moaned, wiping her mouth. As the smell of bile wafted through the air she shook her head from embarrassment and moved to toss the contents out of the window. After she was satisfied, she turned, straightening her back and staring him straight in the eye, as if she were about to make an important speech. "I must admit that I regret my actions, most entirely."
Legolas barked out a laugh and shook, his head, taking the chamber pot and moving it to the furthest corner of the room.
"You should not." He said. "Perhaps you should not have tried to rival Gimli in your consumption, but it is not something to regret. I for one, will remember this night for a very long time."
"You're hilarious. This is Aragorn's fault. Should have just stayed in the infirmary. No mead in the infirmary." Kate muttered to herself, shimmying as she tried to undo the laces of her dress. In all the ways that she imagined this night going, throwing up in front of Legolas after a bender had not been anticipated. Legolas allowed her the benefit of her continued attempts and her grumbled curses before offering to help undo the laces. "Well you could, but I only have a shift under here so, you know, watch out! Very scandalous."
"I will try to control myself." Legolas replied, moving her hair aside as he nimbly undid he laces. His fingers hovered hesitantly over the exposed skin at the back of her neck and slowly he bent down and placed a light kiss, smiling to himself as he noticed her shiver in response.
"See…very scandalous." Kate breathed, sliding out of the dress and carefully placing it over the chair. "Even with the vomiting."
"It truly is a wonder how such an item can be available." Legolas teased sarcastically, handing her another cup of water.
"This is nothing. The undergarments from my world would shock you."
"I would not mind being shocked by you." Kate's jaw dropped, as the normally reserved Elf made such a suggestive comment.
"Why, Prince Legolas! What a suggestion! So brash!"
"It's the shift." He replied simply, giving a teasing wink.
"It is rather alluring." Kate said sarcastically, pulling at the long sleeved white shift that reached down to her feet. As thick and heavy as it was, there was absolutely nothing alluring about her at this moment, Kate thought, taking another sip of her water and moving to sit on the bed, head still swimming as she pulled the covers over her and leaned her head against the pillow with a sigh. She had to admit, it was a nice sentiment that even at her worst Legolas still made her feel beautiful.
Legolas smiled amusedly, moving to kiss her forehead and bid her goodnight.
"You should stay." Kate said, her eyes still closed. "Just to sleep."
"I would not want people to talk."
"People are already talking." She said, rolling back to give him room on the bed and patting the empty space. "I don't care what their saying either." Legolas frowned, his indecision warring within him until finally he relented.
"As it so happens, neither do I." He said, chuckling to himself at her pleased squeal as he pulled her into his lap, spreading the blankets around them. "Just until you've fallen asleep."
"I'll take what I can get." Kate laughed, snuggling against him and smiling contentedly. Now this was how she imagined the night going…more or less.
Legolas shook his head in amusement as his fingers wove their way into her hair, combing through it and loosening the braids as he sang to her.
"I really liked those braids. Eowyn did a great job, they looked beautiful." She sighed contently.
"You are beautiful." He said, resuming his ministrations, "Sleep now, Kate."
"Stay with me." She whispered, her words jumbled and slurred from drink and exhaustion.
"Of course."
It was not long before she was asleep, the alcohol induced state putting her out much faster than she normally would have. Legolas smiled to himself and he remembered her dancing with Ardith, singing with the hobbits and dancing some more with Eowyn. It had pleased him to see her so at ease…he couldn't actually remember a time when he had seen her laugh so much and it brought his heart joy to see it!
That was what he wanted for her! The freedom to simply enjoy her life, not to be burdened by all of the tasks she seemed to take upon herself. Not that he would encourage her drunkenness, but tonight was a special occasion, and she was only human.
Legolas continued singing until he was sure had fallen asleep, gently smoothing the furrowed brow across her head. It was amazing to him how quickly she could transition from completely care free to burdened once more. He'd watched her sleep before, as they traveled with the fellowship, more times than he cared to admit, and each night it was the same. She would toss and turn, lying awake and whisper to herself a list of tasks she must accomplish and recite herbal mixtures until she was too exhausted to keep her eyes open any longer and then she would fall into a fitful sleep, the worries of the day etching itself across her face.
Quietly he whispered soothing words in elvish to her, the same words his mother would say when he could not sleep, watching in fascination the way her nose wrinkled in confusion, relaxing shortly after. Moments like these were rare, and it was these moments that he took the time to study her…to commit every plane of her face to memory, down to the last freckle and pore.
He knew it all of course, the curve of her cheek as familiar to him as the bend of his bow, but there was a part of him that feared the moment she slipped away from him, to a place he could not follow, that he memory would as well. That the sound of her laughter, the flutter of her lashes and her teasing rebukes would all fade away until there was nothing left of her to hold on to…and would he fade then, he wondered?
Would the great void of her absence finally take its toll on him when he could no longer remember the warmth of her hand against his face, or the scent of herbs that clung to her? Would he forget the feel of her lips against his and the way it stole the very air from his lungs? Or the way she bit her lip when she was unsure of herself, and furrowed her brow when she concentrated. The lilt of her voice when she knew she was right and the way it deepened when she wasn't sure and wanted to appear more confident. The way her head cocked the side and her eyebrows quirked when she felt she'd been insulted, or the sound of her quickening breath when he kissed her neck in the way he knew she liked.
These were not things he wanted to forget! And should she pass how could he not fade?! Her demand of him was unreasonable! He could not live in a world that would move on without her, growing, and sweeping aside any trace of her until it was as if she had never even existed. He could not understand how his father endured it!
Legolas let out a heavy sigh, craning his neck to glance at the stars through her window hoping to divine some sort of guidance, but he could not see them. He needed some air, he realized, lightly pulling himself out from under the blanket. Slowly, so as not to wake her, he bent and kissed her forehead, whispering more soothing words when suddenly Kate's hand shot out, grabbing his own in a vice grip. She was still lost in a dream as her eyes searched for his in the dark, lips quivering.
"I don't want this." She whispered. "I don't want to be a Traveler. I don't want to keep seeing these things Legolas…these dreams…I can't do this, I think I have to but …but I can't, I can't. I don't want it. I don't want it." Legolas frowned, wondering what had caused such an upset in her and grabbed her hand in his.
"A dream cannot hurt you, melethnin."
"I think…I think maybe they can." She breathed, her voice so quiet and full of dread it broke his heart to hear it. "I think…I think I have assignments…and I don't know what will happen if I ignore them."
"Nothing can be done now." He soothed, brushing the hair out of her face as her wide eyes stared back at him. He had never seen her like this…so openly fearful and it chilled him to the bone but he did his best to school his features and lull her back to sleep. "Sleep now, Kate. You must sleep…and in the morning, we will sort this."
Kate nodded, letting out a heavy sigh as she clutched his hand to her, listening to the comforting words he spoke to her. Slowly her features softened, the hard lines melting away and surrendering themselves to sleep's inevitable peace.
"Do you think Frodo's ok? And Sam?" She asked, another seemingly random concern, and yet the safety of Frodo and Sam were largely on everyone's minds.
"I believe them to be well, at this moment. Sleep now, tomorrow will have it's on troubles, Kate."
"I hope Sam got to make his roast chicken." She muttered, falling back into a more restful sleep, and Legolas could not help but laugh to himself.
"Oh, how I long to know what goes on in that mind of yours, vanima."
Hours past and only after Legolas was quite sure that she was sleeping peacefully now, he stood to his feet and gathered his cloak, slipping quietly out of her room.
He needed fresh air, and the smell of trees and the light of the stars and though he wouldn't get all of that here in Rohan it was his best option. Something was infinitely better than nothing he decided as he noiselessly made his way through the halls, the people of Rohan only just starting to settle down themselves.
"My lord." A saccharine sweet voice called and Legolas stilled, nostrils flaring in frustration. It was all he could do to keep himself from letting out an irritable sigh. He turned toward Bronna, eyebrows raised as she stood outside her door, leaning suggestively against the frame. "I had hoped to see more of you tonight."
"I do hope you found a way to manage your disappointment." He replied, his tone clipped and unimpressed and Legolas realized with sudden horror that he sounded very much like his father.
"Perhaps you could remedy that? It was such a wonderful evening, I would hate for you to spend it alone."
Legolas kept his face impassive, doing his best to hide his contempt. He wasn't a fool, he knew when someone was flirting and when they wanted more than just company. If it wasn't for the woman's outright brazen appeal and her harsh words she had said to Kate he was sure he would have been far kinder to the woman. But she was far too forward for his comfort, and she did say it so Legolas was not moved to be kind.
"I was not alone, I had spent most of the evening with my intended."
"Your intended?" She asked, her face blanching.
"Yes. Kate will be my wife. Were you not aware?" he asked watching the woman's face scrunch up in scorn. "Surely you must know her? Kate, niece to Lord Aragorn and the healer ,who along with a few of my kin, helped save countless lives during helm's deep? But perhaps you don't know her by that name. What was it you called her? Elf-whore?"
Bronna's face turned white, then red and finally a sickly green as she ducked her head, bowing contritely.
"I'm begging your pardon, my Lord. I did not know." She said, the words sounding forced and insincere, but perhaps she was.
"Well, now you do. I expect you will take more care in how you speak to her from this point on. The Greenwood would not so lightly bear further insult to the future wife of its Prince again." Legolas said, inwardly moaning as he knew he absolutely sounded like his father now.
"Of course, my lord, my apologies." Legolas turned, hearing Kate's voice in his head making a snide remark about how un-princely that was. He didn't quite care at this moment. Perhaps he too had had too much to drink. "A word of caution though, if you please." She said, louder now and Legolas turned to meet her acidic gaze.
"Go on."
"Not everyone is as thankful to your Kate as you think. Turns out people aren't too pleased to be handled by a witch."
"I assure you, she is no witch." Legolas said, not bothering to hide the roll of his eyes. "Yet if she were, it would behoove you to be kind, least she desire to turn you into a toad. If you have no other unfounded accusations…"
"Aye, of course…and there are worse things to be called then a witch. There are those who'd rather her be a witch than what it's said she really is..."
"Good night, Lady Bronna."
"They say she's a Traveler." The woman spat out, as if the word was a curse rather than a descriptor. Legolas's stilled, the breath catching in his throat and his muscles twitched in an effort to keep his face impassive. "Heard it from her own mouth they said."
"I have not the slightest idea-"
"I thought it was only a story, not something real…of course there was a time I thought elves were only stories too, and look at you standing here all high and mighty before me. It would make sense though, if she were a Traveler…her oddities, her healing…she ain't like us…it ain't natural. There are those who cannot abide it…who will not abide it."
Anger flared and Legolas stepped forward, his voice growing cold and his eyes hardened.
"I care not for what others will or will not abide, it is of little consequence to me or to Kate. But, allow me make myself very clear, she is no Traveler. It is nothing but a myth, a story told to scare children and explain away inconsistencies that the mind cannot rationalize." Legolas felt a pang of guilt as he blatantly lied away something that was so obviously a part of Kate now. He couldn't help but wonder if he would be telling this same lie for the rest of his life.
"Just a warning, your grace. Wouldn't want anything to happen to her."
"No, we would not. And should something happen to her, anything at all, I shall hold you personally responsible. Is that understood?"
"Of course."
Legolas turned, anger coiling up inside of him as he silently stalked through the halls to the outdoors. How could Kate have been so careless? Had she told someone? Did someone overhear her? They had only just learned a few days ago, surely it wouldn't have gone through the whole of Meduseld in such a short amount of time?!
He shoved through the doors, pulling his hood on over his head as he stepped out into the night, letting the crisp night air cool the hot anger that burned within him.
Of course it could, he realized, taking another deep breath. He knew as well as anyone how fast news, especially gossip, could travel.
He let out a weary sigh and wondered again, how she could be so reckless. She didn't know, he argued with himself, staring out into across the plains, he couldn't be angry with her for something she didn't know. Lest, of course, she did know, and had simply been careless. Perhaps in her anger and refusal, her words were not as guarded as they should have been…perhaps. Yet this was not something Kate welcomed with open arms, so he could not imagine her flippantly discussing it in such an open way, but there was always room for error.
His mind slipped back, remembering the fear and desperation on her face as she reached out to him. Whatever she dreamt, whatever…'assignments' she had had been clearly upsetting. Could she even ignore such a calling? Reject all promptings and simply live her life as she wished? Would she be content to lie for the rest of her days? Would he?
No.
He knew the answer before his mind had even finished forming the question. She wouldn't be content. She would have to know; her curiosity would get the better of her and what then? Would she go off and come to the aid of whatever and whoever needed her? Would she come back? How dangerous was this job? Could she be killed? Would Nestaron be honest in his answer if he asked him?
But perhaps worst of all was the knowledge the Legolas would never be able to go with her. What little time they would have together already would be cut in half! Perhaps it was selfish, wrong to think that her leaving to help others would result in less time with him. It was selfish, there was no perhaps about it, he knew that, but he could not help the wanting of it!
He let out a frustrated sigh, watching as the cold air froze his breath and carried it up and away, towards the heavens where he hoped his answers would lie. Yet the stars held none of their insight this night, their usual brilliance dimmed. It was if someone had thrown a shroud across the sky…Legolas tensed, his ears picking up the familiar footfalls of Aragorn.
Legolas said nothing, knowing the man would make his way over in a moment or so.
"Is she bent over a chamber pot yet?" Aragorn asked, slowly grinding the pipe weed into his pipe. Legolas's lips tugged into a small smile.
"She sleeps."
"As she should." Aragorn answered, laughing to himself. They stood in companionable silence for a few moments until Legolas spoke up again.
"It is…my intention to send a letter to my father with Nestaron, regarding Kate and I…with your blessing of course." Aragorn's back straightened as he contemplated the request, taking another puff from his pipe.
"I am not her father, she has no need of my blessing."
"No, but you are her next of kin and she regards your opinion just as highly." Legolas said, his eyes still on the clouds. A sense of unease was starting to fill him, but Legolas thought it might be the topic at hand. "And it would ease my heart, if I knew it would not cause you discontent."
"My friend…I could have not have chosen one better suited for my sister's daughter than you." He said quietly.
"And yet?"
"And yet…" Aragorn let out a strangled sigh, "I would not want to lose the life of my dearest friend and niece in one day. You know what this will do to you. More so now because of what she is...she would not want you to fade"
"I am aware of the risks…it is worth it to me." The feeling of dread had not lessened and in fact was growing stronger by the moment.
"Then you have my blessing, if you truly desire it." Aragorn answered, clasping Legolas on the shoulder and giving him a friendly shove. "Though I do not believe it is my approval that causes you concern. Is it for your father that you seek an answer from the stars?" Legolas laughed, shaking his head. After several moments his face suddenly grew serious as he looked to the sky.
"I would, but the stars are veiled. Something stirs in the East. A sleepless malice…the Eye of the enemy is moving."
"Has he seen Frodo?" Aragorn asked, his voice tense as the energy began to shift.
"No…" Legolas responded. "He is here!"
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"Kate!" A knock on the door startled Kate into waking, and she lifted her head to the window, letting out a groan as the grey early morning light filtered in through the window.
"Go away." She mumbled, pulling the pillow over her pounding head.
"Kate! Get up." Aragorn's voice called through her door until finally, exasperated by her unresponsiveness he opened it, peering his head in. "Are you decent?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" She croaked out, pulling the pillow off her face and squinting at him. "You really can't demand I enjoy myself and then come pounding on my door after the sun has barely risen!"
"Something's happened, get dressed and meet us in the main hall." He replied. Kate sat up quickly, her head swimming in protest as the pounding grew louder.
"Is everyone ok?"
"More or less. Hurry." He said, shutting the door. Kate dressed as quickly as she could, throwing own her tunic and leggings, not bothering to brush back her hair. A hundred thoughts rushed through her mind as she sped down the hall. Were there more orcs? News of Frodo? Another impending battle?
Kate burst through the door of the hall to see Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli all seated at one table, Pippin and Merry on the far end of the room looking as if they were awaiting judgement. Kate was all too familiar with that look.
"What happened?" She asked after no one offered any explanation. Her head turned to the hobbits, zoning in on the particularly penitent Pippin, who grasped his hands to his chest, his eyes unblinking as he stared into his lap. "Pippin are you hurt?" She asked cautiously.
"No…at least, I don't think so." He answered, hand still clutched protectively to his chest.
"May I see?" She asked slowly walking forward. Pippin made no objections and Kate slowly unfurled his hands as Merry briefly explained what had happened, and that they were awaiting King Theoden and Gandalf.
Kate studied Pippin's hand, which did not seem to be injured, and yet… small fragments, like mica powder, shown on his hand. Kate frowned, and lightly brushed her hand across his, hoping to dust it off and surprised herself when they stung her hand, but fell away like embers floating on the wind.
"What did you do?" Pippin asked, some of the tension leaving his face. "It's much better!"
Kate's eyebrows rose in surprise, unsure of how to answer when suddenly she remembered the palantir, when the sparks of it had burned her. Was it possible that these fragments, smoldering red like a dying coal, were residual magic? So, he was hurt… Kate thought pityingly had she realized that touching the palantir must have caused him a lot more pain then the dear hobbit let on.
"Traveler magic." Merry whispered, and Kate rolled her eyes in response, leaning back on her heels and running a weary hand through her hair.
"I need coffee." She sighed. It was much too early for this, and she was far to hungover for any of it.
At last, Theoden arrived and the group sat around and listened to Pippin recount what had happened, his story making Kate's heart clench. Poor, Pip!
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Gandalf explained as the hobbit finished his tale. Kate gave an encouraging squeeze to Pip, just as Merry did. The three of them back together once more. "A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plans. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, and strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fear this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
"Tell me…" Theoden started, "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
Kate clamped her mouth shut, biting into to her cheek to keep her from screaming out her answer. You didn't ask Gondor for help! Why would you not help them?!
Aragorn turned his head to regard the king, his voice low and threatening.
"I will go." He answered.
"No!" Gandalf said in reply, without so much as a second thought.
"They must be warned!"
"They will be." The wizard said again, leaning forward to whisper something to Aragorn not meant for her ears. "Understand this! Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith …and I won't be going alone," He said, his blue eyes landing on Pippin. Kate's whipped from Gandalf's back to the hobbits and back to Gandalf, suddenly understanding what was happening, but that did not make it easier!
A small part of her thought to speak up, offer to go with them but a white-hot flash in her mind, and the memory of last night's dream caused her to quickly reject that thought. She had to stay, she had stuff to do here, she knew it…she just didn't want to do it.
The room cleared quickly after Gandalf and the hobbits left, leaving behind Kate, Gimli and Aragorn.
"You should go see Nestaron and retrieve something for your illness, and then we must strain again." Aragorn said, the edge creeping back into his voice and the four of the nodded in agreement. It was back to business now.
"I have some in my room. I'll grab a few things and meet in the training yard." She said quietly, her words sounding to bright for the feeling of the room and she sullenly trudged back to her room.
They had only just gotten the hobbits back and now Pippin was leaving? And of course, Merry too, right? They were inseparable! She didn't want her friends to keep leaving, she thought, shoving open the door to her room and set about the task of washing her face, hoping the cold water would revive her. She knew Pippin needed to leave, he needed to stay safe and he absolutely had to go to Minas Tirith, she knew that for whatever reason, but it still hurt. With a sigh she grabbed the towel and began to pat her face dry when something on the table caught her eye.
An envelope lay on the table, and when she picked up she realized there was something in it. Curiously, she opened it, dumping the contents out into her hand.
She couldn't help the shocked gasp that leapt from her mouth as the iridium ring bounced happily into her hand. Delightedly she shoved the ring onto her finger, the familiar metal instantly making her feel more relaxed and finished the note out of the envelope only to have her previous delight significantly dulled as her eyes scanned the letter.
To the Harpy,
Had to borrow this, hoped you wouldn't mind. We can consider it payment for one of your debts. Turns out the ring won't actually work for me, so i'm returning it. You'll need it more than I will in the coming days, I'm quite sure. I'll be coming to collect on your debts soon, so I hope you will be ready!
Practice, Kate.
-Kedron
A/N: Ok! Once again, I'm sorry for the length but I do hope you've enjoyed the chapter! We're in the homestretch here so hang tight guys!
A huge thank you to : d'elfe, Julsalthil, WickedGreene13 ,leward1992, ForeverCharmed00 ,yasmina1, peygoodwin and Mooncatknits.
And of course, thank you to those who have facorited and followed.
Please, review! Thank you, and until next time!