KPOV:
"Legolas, we have to go in. The king must be warned"
Although the embrace felt so nice, I had to go with Aragorn. Rohan has yet to win this war. This will not be an easy battle. Legolas releases me of his hold and lets me go. I turn around and head straight through the tall wooden doors that have been opened. Legolas follows behind. I see Aragorn on his knee, paying his respects to the Rohan King. The king looks up from Aragorn and sees me entering behind. I walk up and take my place beside Aragorn.
"Well, you two have been through much, haven't you?"
"Yes my lord, we have. If it weren't for Kaydriella, I probably would not be standing here; before you. She saved my life."
I keep my head at the ground and my eyes at the floor. Complements always make me feel funny.
"Did she now? You are very lucky indeed Aragorn to have such a loyal friend"
"I am my lord, thank you. However, now is not the time for complements. You must know we are in terrible trouble"
Aragorn rises from his state and I follow suit.
"All of Isengard is emptied"
"How many?"
"Ten thousand strong at least"
The king turns around shocked at the number but it was the truth. Saruman has released a lethal army.
"Ten Thousand!?"
"It is an army bred for one purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall"
The king turns from us and heads out the doors. There was stark fear across his face. But he cannot show it to his people. If they find out that their king fears for Rohan, then they all will fall to Saruman's army.
"Let them come!"
The utters the remark with strength and pride as he walks out of the room. WE follow him out of the hall as he talks to his second in command about the preparations they will make.
"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall"
Oh no, he is taking the boys as well. They will be an easy kill for the Uruk-hai. They will not stand a chance. The king leads us outside the gates to show us his plan for the battle.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army ahs ever breached the Deeping walls or set foot inside the Hornburg"
"This is no rabble of mindless orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and shields broad"
Looks like Gimli was also getting annoyed with King Theodon's blunt disregard of the fact that this isn't going to be like any other fight he has fought. Gimli's words however, did not seem to rub the king the right way. His scowl could kill.
"I have fought many wars, master dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep"
Gimli was not to pleased with the kings retort but he couldn't do anything about it. As the king passed Gimli, the group followed suit.
"What were you expecting Gimli? When has a person ever thanked anyone for telling the truth"
Gimli laughed at my comment and followed behind me. We walked up to the top of the wall. The king went on another loud tyrant of how the enemy will not break through the wall but all of us knew that he was underestimating the strength of this army. Aragorn took an attempt at opening the kings eyes.
" They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy its people, down to the last child."
The king turns and grabs Aragorn's vest. I, instinctively, grab onto my short swords and try to push in front of Legolas. Gimli grabs my arm and I take a deep breath. I nod to Gimli and release my grip of my swords. He moves his arm and I try to relax.
"What would you have me do? Look at my men, their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such and end as to be worthy of remembrance"
"Send out riders. You must call for aid"
"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you."
The king looks to me when he ends that last statement.
"The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer-"
"Gondor?! Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell?! Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us?! Where was Gon-"
The king forced himself to stop, he was beginning to make a scene.
"No my lord Aragorn, we are alone"
The king walks away. As he does, Saruman's crows fly around the keep. I would always know those crows. I don't know if it was fear or the cold getting to me, but I began to feel this terrible feeling; like the world just got a little bit darker. I turn around and walk with Gimli back down to the main level of the keep. I see Eyowen's eager eyes catch me and run up to me as I reach the bottom step.
"It is good to see you Kaydriella. I cannot believe you are here and alive. Gimli told me of you fall. I'm so glad you are alright"
She gives me a big hug and I reluctantly return the gesture.
"Well I'm glad you had faith in me. You guys even sent out my horse to find me"
"Oh please let me explain"
She pulls out of the hug and begins the explain what happened.
"You see, your elf friend there released him. I was trying to ask him if he thought you would survive a fall of that magnitude but he wouldn't respond. He thought you were dead. He spoke so coldly, as if all the sun set and never rose back up"
I laugh at her description. I could just picture it now.
"I believe that. Legolas can be a bit dramatic at times. He always assumes the worst"
"You can say that again. I'm going to ask my uncle to fight with the rest of you. If he lets me, may I stand with you and you fellows?"
"Of course."
"Come, we must approach him now while he is busy making preparations."
"Wait what do you mean 'we'? This is your battle, Eyowen."
"Oh please you must come. He might let me if I say you will stand beside me."
She grabs my hand and begins to pull me through the bunches of people.
"Eyowen, you musn't tell him that. I cannot completely ensure your safety and-"
"-it's alright. I know what I'm doing"
I don't like this. She is going to make me her babysitter, and if her uncle agrees, I will be responsible for her fate. I know it sounds bad but I hope her uncle does not let her fight. She drags me all the way to her uncle who is obviously distracted by other concerns.
"Uncle, I must ask you something"
"Speak quickly niece, I have much to do before the sun sets."
"Uncle, I wish to fight"
His attention to everything else drops and he now gives Eyowen his undivided attention."
"You may absolutely not. I need you to lead the woman and children into the caves, and keep them safe."
"But I would have Kaydriella and-"
"-I said no, Eyowen. Your job has been decided. I will not have your life put at risk."
"But uncle-"
"NO! No is my final answer. Now stop wasting my time and yours. Prepare your provisions for the caves because that is where your post will be."
Eyowen's eyes swelled with tears. She really wanted to fight for Rohan. She turned from her uncle and ran past me in tears. I watched her run off down the steps and disappear into the crowd of people.
"That, King Theoden, was not the wisest move."
"You would have her fight? You would put my niece into war just for the sake of-"
"No! No, you majesty I would not have put her in battle. But I also wouldn't send her away in tears."
"This is war little missy. There is not time for sugar coated words. You are too young to understand"
"That is amusing your majesty, considering I am probably four times your age and have five times the battle experience"
"You think you can do this job better than me?"
"I would not dare to think about what you have to shoulder your majesty. But do not forget what you are fighting for. You say it is for Rohan, you say it is for man kind, but do not lose yourself. You are also fighting for her, for Eyowen. You wish for her to smile again and to rule these lands; just as you have. And while you are fighting for her, she is fighting for you. Do you not see the way she cares for you and looks up to you? All she wishes for is to stand by your side, even if that means picking up a sword. Do not ever doubt her courage, for it is the very essence of mankind."
The king looks at me shocked. He looks as if he has no words to say.
"Gandalf never told me you were this wise."
" I speak only as I find your majesty."
"Will you fight, my lady?"
"I will."
"May I ask why? Why do you fight? Is it for Aragorn?"
"Partially yes. Aragorn is a born leader; one cannot help but follow him. But there is also an evil that is threatening any existence of good. That, your majesty, I will not tolerate. However, I do have my own personal reasons too, but they come last."
"I see. Well I better let you get back to your preparations"
I bow to the king and take my leave. As I pass by a group of people, I can hear cries of mothers as the soldiers take their sons away. The boys are barely tall enough to see over the cliff, how on earth will they be able to wield a sword?
"Kaydriella?"
Before I knew it, Legolas was right by my side. I didn't even hear him approach me. To be honest, he gave me a fright.
"Kaydriella are you alright?"
"This isn't right Legolas. They are taking small children away. They probably can't even lift a sword high enough to strike an orc"
"I know. The are sending them to an early grave."
"This is going to be some fight, isn't it"
"Kaydriella, I must speak with you. It is a matter of importance."
"Of course, Legolas. What's on your mind?"
"I do not feel comfortable with you fighting this battle"
"Legolas I-"
"- You know already my feelings towards you. I apologize for not keeping them as reserved as we agreed on but I just don't want you to fight this one. You mean too much to me."
"Legolas I-"
"Please Kaydriella, I would never be able to forgive myself"
"Will you let me finish, Legolas?"
Finally, he shut up.
"Legolas, what I said in Lorien, about taking things slow, I meant it. But I would be a true fool indeed if I were trying to ignore the way I feel about you. The problem, Legolas, is that nothing has changed. Our circumstances are still the same. Our duty is to Frodo and by extension this war."
"But do you not see? You are weak, you've only just arrived and you need to recover. Why not go with your friend into the caves? There you will be safe."
"Safe is not where I want to be. If I wanted to be safe, I would never have left Rivendell. If I wanted to be safe, I would not have joined this fellowship. If I wanted to be safe, our paths would have never crossed. So you see, not being safe has brought many positive things into my life, including yourself."
Legolas looks at me as if he was going to say something, but then shakes his head. He begins to pace back and forth with his head towards the ground. His hand keeps rubbing the temple of his head. He turns to look at me, then continues to pace. He stops to look again and I wait for words to from from his mouth but they do not come. He goes back to pacing. I cannot take any more of this pacing about. I walk straight at him and he abruptly stops from my blocking of his path.
I turn to face him and place a hand on his cheek. He lays his head into the palm of my hand and stares at me as he takes my hand and gently kisses the palm. He holds my hand with both of his as he brings it to his chest. I close my eyes and sigh. This is a sadness. We both have feelings for each other and now they are getting in the way. I knew this would happen. I pull my head back to speak but something stops me from speaking. Legolas' lips were stopping me from speaking. He was kissing me!
My heart began to race. I've never kissed anyone before, at least not in this sort of way. Legolas wraps his hands around my waist even tighter and pulls me in closer. My heart is beating so fast. I rest my hands on his chest and lift up to on my toes. I think we have both wanted to do this for sometime.
I then remember that we are on the brink of war and I push back. My feet lower and I pull away from our kiss. I duck my head down and turn away. My cheeks are hot and my heart is still pounding.
"Kaydriella, I'm so-"
"-Don't apologize Legolas. Don't apologize for things you are not sorry for. I know I'm not"
I turn back around to look him in the eye.
"Legolas, I do feel something for you. In Loth Lorien, I was too afraid to admit it. But now, now I'm not. Legolas I-"
"-I'm in love with you Kaydriella"
That was not how I was planning on finishing my sentence. WOW he loves me. What does this even mean. Is he just saying this to try and make me sit this fight out? Why is he telling me this now? I don't know what to say. Do I say it back? Nobody taught me how to handle these sort of situations.
"Legolas, your words are beautiful. But do not think they will stop me from fulfilling my role."
"I know they wont. You are too good for that. You will plunge yourself into a massacre if it means defending the greater good. You are so strong. I wonder, sometimes, how I ever will win your favor. You are so bold and brave. No matter what happens to you, you always find away to succeed. I know you may think that I'm protective of you, but I have to try. I know, in the end, it is your choice and I will always honor it, no matter what. I promise t stand by your side"
His words were powerful. I could feel his emotions pouring out. The poor lad, what did he ever do to deserve to fall in love with me. But I do admit, I've become very attached to him over the years.
"Legolas, I love you too."
I walk back and wrap my arms around him. There I hold him in my tight embrace. I was never going to let go. I couldn't form words for how I felt. Every time I thought of something, it never was good enough to say. So we just stayed like that. Locked in each others arms, on the brink of war.
Author's Note's:
Yep it has been a really long time and I apologize for it. It has been a busy new year for me and I've been hit with a lot of work. Since school is slowing down, until finals week, I'm going to try and get back into this story. To those of you who still want to read it, thanks for sticking around. Again, I always welcome comments, thoughts, ideas, anecdotes etc. Please know I will be picking back up with the story and I'm sorry for the long delay in update. As always R&R and thank you for taking the time to check my story out ;)
-Flutte