Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait and for this chapter being a little shorter than normal, but I've had a busy week. I went and saw Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End and it was so good! Anyway, I hope you like this chapter and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.
Legolas had left Carita's side long enough only to bathe and change into fresh clothes. It had been nearly two days since Carita had touched his face and breathed his name. She had yet to wake, and Legolas grew nervous even though Gandalf assured him that she was simply resting. The sun was setting and Legolas was sitting on the sofa and reading a book Merry had brought to him. The young hobbit insisted that Legolas did something other that simply stare at Carita and Legolas was thankful for the slight distraction the book gave him.
Movement caught his sensitive ears and he looked up from the words on the pages and the soft sigh that escaped Carita's lips made him close the book and quickly move to the side of the bed. Her eyes fluttered and he took her hand into his once more.
"Carita?" he asked with a small smile and her eyes slowly opened. Carita felt relief wash over her and she gave Legolas a sleepy smile.
"Hello," she said hoarsely and Legolas laughed quietly before he let go of her hand and handed her a goblet of water. She slowly sat up and took a deep drink of the cool water. She sighed as she lowered the goblet and Legolas took it.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her and she smiled as she shook her head and took his hands as he sat down on the bed.
"I'm fine, Legolas," Carita told him. "Mandos allowed me to return and I could not be happier because Sauron is gone. What of Frodo and Sam? Are they well?" she asked but Legolas did not hear her question.
"Mandos?" Legolas asked with a frown. "You wished to leave?" he asked and Carita smiled as she took her right hand from his and raised it to his face.
"I did not want to be there," she said simply.
"I would have joined you," he said and Carita shook her head as she moved closer to him and wrapped her arms around him.
"I did not want that," she whispered as she buried her face in his neck. "I did not want an eternity there." She raised her head and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "I want it here, with you and with our friends for as long as possible. I want the life I've been denied for many millennia. I want nothing more than to travel to Mirkwood, see your home once more, and formalize our bond."
"I want that too Carita," he whispered before he leaned in and kissed her. Carita closed her eyes tightly and pulled him closer. When he pulled his lips from her, he sighed and rested his forehead against hers. "I thought I lost you."
"You nearly did," she replied quietly, her eyes still closed, "but I'm afraid I have much to live for in this world and I have no plans on leaving you." She opened his eyes when he lifted his forehead from hers and she met his gaze. He opened his mouth to speak when the door opened and gasps were heard. Carita and Legolas looked to the door and Carita smiled brightly at seeing her friends again. Merry and Pippin laughed before they rushed over to the bed.
"Carita! You're alright!" Pippin exclaimed happily and Carita smiled.
"I am," she said.
"We thought . . . well," Merry trailed off and Carita shook her head.
"I know," she whispered. "I know what you thought, but think on those thoughts no more for I am well. Now, Legolas has yet to answer my question, so I will ask it of you. How are Frodo and Sam?" she asked.
"Sam is good," Merry said. "Frodo has yet to wake up, and Sam and Gandalf are sitting with him." Carita nodded and started to climb from the bed.
"Where are you going?" Legolas asked as he grabbed her arm and stopped her from standing.
"I'm going to see Frodo," she said and Legolas frowned, but she smiled. "Don't worry. I am fine. Now, please let go." Legolas did as she asked and she climbed from the bed surprised to find herself in a nightdress. She looked at Legolas and he smiled.
"I changed you after you woke and went to sleep," he said and Carita returned his smile before she grabbed her dressing robe and slipped on her slippers.
"Will you lead the way to Frodo's room?" she asked Merry and Pippin who nodded. Carita and Legolas followed them down the corridors and to where they would find the wounded hobbit.
Merry and Pippin pointed to a door down the hall. "It's right there Carita," Merry said, but stopped Pippin from going down the hall. "We're just going to get something to eat." Carita smiled and nodded at them as they quickly trotted of. She looked at Legolas and th elf gave her a small smile.
"I will let the others know you are awake and where they can find you if they wish it," he said and Carita smiled as she raised her hand to his face.
"Thank you," she whispered and kissed him softly before she pulled away from him and walked down the corridor. Legolas sighed and went the opposite way, his steps lighter because he had Carita back.
Carita opened the door to Frodo's room and smiled at Gandalf and Sam. "Miss. Carita," Sam said as he stood and Carita smiled at him before she moved over to him. She hugged him tightly.
"Sam," she whispered. "Sweet and caring Sam." Carita pulled back, but kneeled before him, her hands still on his shoulders. "Something tells me that if wasn't for you we would not have dear Frodo." Sam blushed slightly and looked down at the floor; that was all Carita needed to confirm her suspicion.
"I think it is time you find something to each, Samwise," Gandalf said making the hobbit look up at him. "Carita and I can manage and word will be sent the second he wakes." Sam hesitated and Carita squeezed his shoulders as she stood fully.
"Go on Sam," she said and he looked at her before he glanced at a sleeping Frodo and nodded. Slowly, Sam left and Carita turned her eyes to Gandalf. "How does he fair?" she asked quietly.
"How do you fair?" Gandalf asked her sternly and she sighed.
"I am fine," she breathed. "I was well taken care of, and I can assume that Frodo has received the same care."
"You can," Gandalf said and she nodded. "However, we know not when he will wake for certain," Gandalf said as he watched her walk over to the top of the bed. She put her hand on Frodo's forehead and closed her eyes. "Carita," Gandalf said wearily but she paid no head. Gandalf watched as a soft glow emanated from her hand.
"Frodo," she whispered mentally. "Come to the light, my friend. Hear my voice come back." She pulled away from him and sighed quietly as she slumped back. However, she did not fall as Gandalf was at her side.
"You are still weak," Gandalf told her as he helped her to a chair at the foot of the bed. "You should not have done that." Carita sighed and pushed her hair from her face.
"I wanted to get his attention, to draw him back," she said softly as she opened her eyes and looked at Frodo. "He carried that evil for so long, I do not want the darkness to have him for much longer. I want him to enjoy the freedom." She sighed and rested her head in her hand as she closed her eyes once more. After a moment, movement on the sheets caught her attention. Gandalf stood fully and Carita turned her light eyes to Frodo to see him slowly sit up, his blue eyes blinking and looking around slightly confused when they fell on the tall wizard.
"Gandalf?" Frodo asked with a smile. Gandalf smiled in return and laughed. Frodo laughed right along with him, until his eyes fell on Carita. His laughter died down and he stared at her with a smile.
"Hello, my friend," she said quietly and stood on slightly shaky legs as she moved over to him. She sat on the bed and hugged. "I thank you for freeing me from my past, Frodo," she whispered to him and pulled back. Frodo looked at her slightly confused, but she smiled at him before she stood and moved back to the chair Gandalf had placed her in just moments before.
Carita no more sat down when Merry and Pippin came rushing in and jumped on the bed. The laughter resumed once more, and Carita even joined in as Merry and Pippin told Frodo of their adventures animatedly. Gimli soon followed and Frodo smiled at the dwarf as he clapped and laughed happily at seeing Frodo awake. At seeing Carita he smiled and bowed his head and she smiled in return. Legolas followed Gimli and smiled at Frodo before he moved to Carita's side and took her hand. Aragorn was next and Frodo gave the man a sad, but relief filled smile to see him well. Sam followed and the two hobbits shared a moment of understanding that no other could share for none knew just what their journey was for them. While the others talked with Frodo, Legolas turned his eyes to Carita.
"Are you well?" Legolas asked and she smiled at him before she looked at Frodo.
"I am," she said quietly and Frodo looked at her. "I am just fine," she whispered as she squeezed his hand tightly and he leaned down and kissed the top of her head. Frodo gave her a smile as he glanced at Legolas. Carita returned his smile and felt her cheeks flush slightly. She had never been happier, and the moment would have been complete had one more of their companions been there to share the happiness. However, something told her that he was. He was there in spirit, for they were in his city and the White City was his heart.