Yay! So this is the long overdue chapter 8. Like, several months overdue.
Blame school, and the fact that my brain for what the word "creative" means.
So yeah, I finally got it done. Actually, chapter 9 might not be too far behind, because I know what I'm doing for the next chapter. Then again, It all depends on how much homework I have. School really sucks when it comes to homework. I always seem to have a ton of it. Maybe I'll get lucky and tomorrow will be a snow day for my area. A girl can dream.
Anyway, do me a favor and leave a comment if you would :) That would make my day. I love feedback. Even if it's telling me that I need to change something or do something differently. That means I can learn, and improve, and strive to be a better writer like I want to be :) So, if you would please, leave me a review and let me know what you think. Good, bad or otherwise.
" As always - - - - Elvish" - - - 'Thoughts' - - - - 'Mental conversation' - - - - - "Dwarvish"
Chapter 8
Kijo
"You do not have to go."
Kijo turned to look at Arwen. The dark haired woman was sitting on the bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap. The princess had sought her out after the council, sitting with her silently until Kijo had broken down and confessed that she had absolutely no idea what she was doing. Kijo was terrified. There was no other way to describe what Kijo was feeling.
She couldn't understand why she had thrust herself into the fray. She wasn't brave like Divan. She wasn't smart like Suva. She didn't even know what was going on! She had never read these books, or watched the movies that went along with them. Everything she knew about Middle Earth was from the snippets of conversation she actually paid attention to when Suva and Divan talked about the books. How was she supposed to survive a perilous journey to an evil infested land when she could barely hold a kitchen knife without hurting herself?!
"No. I told them I would go, and I'm going to go. I just… don't know what I'm going to do." Kijo muttered. "I'm terrified, Arwen. I can't fight. Not really. I'm not good with maps or directions or landmarks. I'm just going to be a burden. I don't know why I even volunteered."
"Because you were angry." Arwen supplied. Kijo's brows furrowed, and she turned fully to face the elf.
"Angry?" Kijo asked. "Why was I angry?"
"Because of the young woman that has travelled with the dwarves. You two do not seem to be on speaking terms." Arwen replied. Kijo immediately realized that she was talking about Divan, and one might hazard a guess at their new rivalry being the reason Kijo had volunteered to go on this quest.
Those people would be wrong.
Kijo realized now that she had not thought once about her and Divan's disagreement during the time she had stepped forward to go on the quest. Whatever her reasons for wanting to go, it wasn't Divan or some half-assed attempt to prove something to Divan. Divan had no part in Kijo's decision. Neither, Kijo thought, did Suva.
"No." Kijo shook her head. "Whatever my reasons for doing this, Divan and Suva weren't part of it. I don't have anything to prove to either of them."
"You do not have anything to prove to anyone. Not my father, not I. You do not have to do this to prove anything, Kijo." Arwen stated. "Do not put yourself in harm's way for something you do not need to do."
"But that's just it!" Kijo exclaimed, throwing her hands into the air, startling Tezo, who had remained quiet through the conversation so far. "I have to do this. I don't know why, or how, but I know that I have to go on this journey. There is something for me, something that I have to do. I just don't know what the hell it is."
"Language." Arwen chastised almost robotically. "You feel that you must do this?" Kijo nodded mutely.
"I don't know why I feel like I have to. I'm utterly terrified to go through with this. But I just feel like if I don't do it, then something really freaking bad is going to happen, and that everything that can go wrong will go wrong." Kijo explained. "It's like I have a magnet inside me, and the other one is pulling me in the direction of the fellowship." Kijo, oblivious to the confused look adorning Arwen's face, continued on.
"And it's not even a gentle tug. This is like two magnets that are so close together that you can barely hold them apart. I've always been a relatively simple person, and this is just asking me to give up everything I've always considered within my comfort zone and asking me to become complex and do things completely different from what I've always done. This is like switching from smooth peanut butter to crunchy peanut butter! I'm not crunchy peanut butter! I'm smooth peanut butter damnit!" Kijo panted.
"Peanut… butter…?" Arwen asked cautiously. "Magnets? Do I wish to know what it is you speak of?" Kijo could do nothing but stare open mouthed at the elven princess.
"I FREAKING HATE HAVING TO EXPLAIN EVERYTHING!"
"Perhaps you should quit alluding to objects that none of us know of, then." Elrond stated from the doorway. Kijo nearly tipped herself over the banister she was standing in front of. Much to the displeasure of both elves in the room, Kijo began muttering curses under her breath as she straightened and tried to look as if she hadn't almost fallen off the balcony.
"It's kind of hard to just forget everything you've ever learned or known. I can't just erase everything. I don't want to. My memories are the only things I have left of my home, besides Tezo." Kijo muttered. She wanted to tear up just thinking about it. She would never see her home again.
"Do not speak like that. There is hope that you can return to your world." Arwen said gently. Kijo shook her head.
"Even if I could get back, I'm dead there. I died. I would just be a walking corpse." Kijo whispered. "I can't go back." Arwen looked sympathetic, but her sympathy did nothing to cheer Kijo up.
"You will always be welcome within these halls, Kijo." Elrond said. "If you find you have nowhere else to turn, know that you are always welcome here." Kijo nodded, sniffling quietly.
"Thank you." She murmured. "That means more than you'll probably ever know." Elrond smiled at her before sighing to himself.
"But now, for what I came for." Elrond grumbled, clearly unhappy with what he was about to say. "Since you are going on the quest, you will need weapons. As you have previously stated, you have little skill with weapons, but I am sure you must have skill with something. Is there any weapon that you have used before?" Elrond asked. Kijo cocked her head to the side, thinking.
"I've used daggers before. Like, throwing daggers. I've got decent enough aim when throwing, and I'm not completely horrible at regular combat with them. I didn't hurt myself when trying, anyway." Kijo stated. Elrond nodded, more to himself than to her.
"That can be arranged. I am sure that Megildur will have something that will suit you." Elrond stated. "Come. Let us find you some weapons." With that, Elrond turned and left the room. With a quick glance at Arwen, who nodded, Kijo got up and followed after him, Tezo not far behind.
Elrond led them through the halls of the Last Homely House, down across the courtyard, and through the open streets of Rivendell. Many of the dark haired elves nodded or bowed their heads as they passed, and both Kijo and Elrond returned the gesture. It still amazed Kijo how the elves were so respectful. She honestly couldn't see how Divan could think anything bad about the elves. They were so kind and considerate, so polite. It was the dwarves who were rude and disrespectful. They had been the first to speak harshly towards the elves, not the other way around. Kijo shook her head. She just didn't understand.
The weapon shop wasn't a building, but an open area with workbenches and forges. There were a few elves working at the forges, but other than that the area was empty. Kijo looked around, taking in the scenery that seemed to glow red from the fires. It was warm here, Kijo noticed immediately. Not overbearing, as it likely would have been had it been an enclosed space, but it was still warmer than the rest of the city. And the closer they got, the warmer it became.
A tall, surprisingly blonde elf (one of the few she'd seen) was working the forge farthest back. That seemed to be the elf Elrond was making his way to. Kijo silently grumbled, but followed after the elf lord, trying not to knock anything over or get burnt. Tezo weaved in and out of the tables expertly, not at all deterred. Kijo grumbled again, cursing Tezo's sure footedness. Why couldn't she be like that?
By the time she had safely reached where the blonde elf, Mergil-something-or-other, was standing, Elrond had already explained the situation and he and the elf were walking in a different direction. Kijo glared at their backs, cursing as she weaved and bobbed. This time, when she reached the two elves, they stayed put, still talking rapidly in elvish about the array of throwing daggers in the blonde elf's hand. She couldn't see them very well, as they were sheathed on a belt and the elf was dangling them from his hands, but they were made of dark metal (Iron, maybe) and appeared to have leather wrapped around the handle.
The two elves argued for a few more moments, leaving Kijo standing there awkwardly, Tezo sitting at her heels panting lightly. Finally the blonde elf handed the belt to Elrond who bowed lightly and stepped away. The elf bowed back and quickly retreated to his workspace. Elrond turned towards Kijo, now holding the belt of daggers in his hand.
"These should fit you nicely." Elrond stated, walking forward and holding out the belt. Part of her was reluctant to take them, because she did tend to hurt herself with any sharp objects given to her, but also because she knew there was someone else out there who would find them more useful than she would. Nonetheless, she took the belt from the elf-lord, holding it almost as if it was a poison snake that would bite her at any moment.
"They will do you no good if you are afraid of them, Kijo." Elrond stated, and she could hear the smirk in his words. She turned narrowed eyes up at him, scowling in irritation.
"I know that." Kijo muttered. "I just feel like I don't deserve them. Someone else would get more use out of them than I will." Kijo's head tilted slightly and she winced. "In all honesty, I'll probably do more damage to myself than to anything else." Elrond chuckled lightly.
"All you need is some training. Perhaps you should head for the training grounds. I could send the twins to help teach you." Elrond suggested. Kijo nodded slowly, knowing that for as much as they goofed off, the twins were skilled fighters. They were good friends, she and the twins, so if anyone could help her it would be them, because she certainly wasn't going to ask a no good dwarf lover to help her (even if said dwarf lover was the best fighter she'd ever met).
"You know where the training grounds are, correct?" Elrond asked. Kijo nodded. "Go there, then, and I will send the twins along as soon as I am able to find them. Likely after I scold them as well. They are always getting into trouble." Elrond muttered the last part and Kijo hid a smirk as she ducked her head to fasten the belt around her hips. The belt felt surprisingly right, sitting around her hips snuggly, as if they were meant to be there.
When she looked back up, she was surprised to find that the elf-lord was already gone. Kijo rolled her eyes. Elves and their disappearing acts. They were very good at that, as she had learned first-hand from the twins who delighted in scaring the daylights out of her whenever they could. She had tried getting them back, but elves had sensitive ears and Kijo wasn't as graceful as them. It made sneak attacks near impossible, and Kijo had almost given up trying.
She turned to look at Tezo who had taken interest in a rabbit hiding in the bushes. Kijo sighed in exasperation. "Tezo, come on. We need to go." Kijo announced. Tezo hung his head, looking regretfully in the direction of the small bunny he'd probably been torturing.
'But Kijo…' her wolf whined. 'I was having fun.'
"You're not supposed to be torturing the poor rabbits. You know the elves don't like it when you do that." Kijo scolded. Tezo rolled his blue eyes, but trotted to catch up with Kijo as she walked away from the forges.
'So you're allowed to get into trouble with the twins, letting the animals loose on the city, but I can't pester a rabbit?'Tezo asked incredulously.
Kijo scowled. "Yes."
'Because that's totally fair.'
"Tezo, shut up."
'Fine.'
They walked in silence, passing through the center of the city on the way to the training grounds. The grounds were on the outskirts of the city, visible from several places (including the Last Homely House), but secluded enough that no one was accidentally hit with arrows (not that they needed to worry anyway, since elves had flawless aim). It was good for Kijo though, because she wasn't sure how accurate her throws would be, and she knew she was capable of hitting someone who wasn't even standing near her. It was just her luck.
They were just passing the bridge leading to the other side of the valley, the one that would lead them out of Rivendell, when Tezo suddenly turned and bound across the bridge.
"Tezo! What are you doin?!" Kijo called, half running after him. The oddly colored wolf bounded to the middle of the bridge, and no doubt to anyone watching the scene it was a strange sight.
'Let's go on an adventure!' Tezo exclaimed. 'Come on, let's take a quick jaunt to the gates and back. Just for fun!' Kijo scowled, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Elrond told us not to leave the city!" Kijo argued.
'So you're going to listen to him? You don't listen to him when you go off with the twins to cause mischief! Come on, just a short little trip. We'll be back before anyone knows where we went.' Tezo said. If he was human, he would have been grinning mischievously. As it was, his tongue was lolling to the side and he was doing the equivalent of a doggie grin. 'Since when have you ever listened to rules before? It'll be fun!'
Kijo's scowled deepened. They shouldn't do this. They'd get into a lot of trouble, and no doubt she'd be saying "I will not leave the city" for the next three hundred years, but the thought of just being able to see what lay beyond the borders of Rivendell was appealing. She'd been outside the borders when the twins had found her, but she'd been unconscious, because she didn't remember any of it.
Was there a well-worn path from years of traveling people? Were there tall trees scattered about, or was there a whole forest just outside the borders? Were there any trees at all? Did the river run past, or was it a barren landscape? She wanted to know what was beyond the borders of this little safe haven, and perhaps it was a bad idea, but as Tezo had said, she didn't listen very well when it came to things like this.
"Alright, let's go." Tezo seemed to grin even larger, immediately turning and bounding across the bridge. Kijo followed him at a sprint, adrenaline already beginning to course through her veins. The exhilaration of breaking rules.
Surprisingly, she didn't trip once. The daggers at her waist bounced slightly as she ran, but it was almost comforting the way it reminded her that she had a method of defense. Tezo was in front of her, bounding over rocks and taking turns sharply. What would normally take someone fifteen minutes to walk, Kijo and Tezo ran in half the time. Soon, they were at the top of the path and hiding behind some rocks, peaking around to find the guards on duty. They would have to sneak past them somehow if they wanted to get outside the borders.
But it was just their luck that right after they dove into the bushes beside the rocks, the pair of guards came walking down the path.
"We will get in trouble for this, Melcindómien." One of the elves said worriedly. The other scoffed and shook his head.
"We will be gone for five minutes, Ainion, what could happen?" the other elf asked. His companion didn't seem convinced, but continued to follow him down the path anyhow. Kijo glanced over at Tezo with a wicked grin on her face.
"I'll race you." She whispered. Insider her head, Tezo laughed.
Once the coast was clear they both sprung from the bushes and dashed for the entry gate into Rivendell. This time, Kijo did trip, but she managed to stay on her feet and reach the exit. Tezo, of course, was laughing at her from where he'd plopped down and Kijo glared halfheartedly at him. "It's not funny." She panted as she stopped beside him. Tezo's tongue lolled to the side again as he told her that yes, it was very funny, but Kijo had quit listening as she got her first glance at the world beyond the elf haven of Rivendell.
It was beautiful, with gentle hills surrounded by a wall of high cliffs. It was littered with tall trees and covered with brilliant green grass that looked unbelievably soft in the evening light. There was a well-worn dirt path leading down across the valley, the result of many seeking refuge within the city. There were birds singing and Kijo could see a pair of squirrels playing in a tree. It was the epitome of paradise.
Without really thinking about it, Kijo began walking, wandering down the path as she looked around. Tezo, she was vaguely aware, had bounded over to a bush and startled a nest of rabbits out of their hiding spot. He proceeded to chase them around, bounding happily through the valley. Kijo smiled, laughing boisterously as she spread her arms and spun around. 'Oh it's beautiful!' Kijo thought to herself. 'Utterly stunning! It looks like paradise.'
Kijo was so caught up in the beauty that she didn't notice the squealing start. She continued to spin, delighted in the sun and sounds around her. It was only when the squealing began to grow deafening that Kijo finally took notice, and at that point Tezo was sprinting towards, yelling warnings in her head. She had just enough time to turn, spot the source of the noise, and mutter "oh shit" a whole lot louder than was probably appropriate before Tezo slammed into the creature's side and took it to the ground.
It was a wild pig with tusks, whose actual name she couldn't remember, but it was terrifying and it was also trying to slice Tezo into strips. Kijo fluttered nervously, now feeling incredibly stupid for wanting to do this, because it was her fault that Tezo was now in a death battle with a giant damn pig. She backed up, watching with worry and fear as Tezo snarled, bit, and clawed at the pig. Then the second squeal started, and Kijo panicked. Her eyes darted around as she looked for the second pig, finding it running full speed towards her, a mad look in its small black eyes. Kijo whimpered, trying desperately to think of something that would help her.
Her hands touched the knives at her waist.
Without really thinking it through, Kijo unsheathed one of the daggers. She'd thrown knives once before at a fair. She'd actually hit the target board, which was more than she could say for the archery she'd done with a regular bow. She could shoot a pistol, or even a crossbow, but anything other than that was a safety risk. Kijo took a deep breath, eying the pig coming towards her. She had to hit this thing, and she would only have one shot before it probably killed her. So, letting the breath rush out of her lungs, she took the chance and hurled the dagger at the boar.
There was a pained squeal, the sound of sliding dirt, and then a few hundred pounds (at least) slammed into her and sent her flying. She must have been closer to the rock wall surrounding the valley than she thought, because she could feel the vibrations in her skull as her head smacked off the rock hard. Kijo landed in a crumbled heap on the ground. Her vision was swimming and her head hurt something awful. She was faintly aware of Tezo asking if she was alright, and she could still hear squealing, which she was pretty sure meant that if anything, she had only pissed the stupid pig off more instead of hurting or killing it like she'd hoped.
"Being vegetarian didn't earn me any brownie points…" She slurred in irritation as her vision began to fade. Just before her sight was consumed by black, Kijo caught a glimpse of shining silver and heard a cry that certainly didn't belong to a pig. "Well shit…"
Suva
"Thank you for this, Lord Elrond." Suva murmured as she and the elf-lord strode down the hallway. The elf sent her a gentle smile, his hands clasped neatly behind his back as he walked.
"It is no trouble. Truly, it is refreshing. To know that there are still those that actively seek out knowledge. You are free to use the library whenever you wish, and you are even free to the books in my study." Elrond stated. Suva smiled softly, though on the inside she was squealing happily.
When they reached the large double doors to the House's library, Elrond pushed them open and then stepped aside, gesturing for Suva to enter. Suva stepped across the threshold and let out a quiet gasp. The sheer number of books was almost enough to make her faint. All the history! She spun a slow circle, taking in the floor to ceiling shelves and ladders for the books not reachable by hand. There were even a few desks scattered about, littered with books that perhaps hadn't fit onto the shelves. This was heaven.
"I shall leave you to your study. Should you need any assistance I am sure Erestor will be happy to help. He will no doubt be somewhere near the library, he always is." Elrond explained. Suva nodded, a content smile on her face. She could spend the rest of her life in this room and be perfectly happy.
"Thank you Lord Elrond." Suva said, bowing towards him. Elrond bowed back before turning and disappearing down the hallway, and Suva absentmindedly noticed that he was headed in the direction of her and Kijo's room. Suva turned around once again, examining the books within her grasp. There was so much history in this room. So many memories and long forgotten tales. She wandered over to the nearest shelf and plucked a book from its hold.
'So many stories to discover…'Kixi murmured as she walked along the wall. Suva looked up and smiled at her cat.
"It is amazing. I could spend the rest of eternity in this room and live happily, Kixi." Suva laughed.
'Aye, I could as well. Curled on the windowsill as you read quietly. It would be just like it was at home.' Kixi said, jumping up onto the windowsill beside one of the desks. 'If you had your sketchpad, the memory would be complete.' Suva giggled.
"Perhaps I can find one for the journey. It would be a good way to pass the evenings and I could have memories of it." Suva suggested. Kixi hummed in agreement. Suva smiled as she watched her cat curl up in the sunlight before turning back to the shelf to grab a few more books on the history of Middle Earth. Once she had an armload full of books, she made her way to the desk Kixi was lying beside and sat the books down. She lowered herself into the seat, picked up a book, opened it to the first page, and began the history of the First Age…
She stared up at the daunting bookshelf in front of her. True to his word, or perhaps the word of Elrond, Erestor had appeared in the library some time after Suva had sat down. At that point, Suva was already a third of the way through the book, and had two others open and spread on the table as she checked facts, cross-referenced stories, and read deeper into the tales that were not explained in the Book of the First Age. She had come upon a figure briefly mentioned in the Book of the First Age and was trying to find more history on this figure, yet there seemed to be no mention of him in any of the other texts she had grabbed.
It was at that point that Erestor had wandered in, a book of his own open in his hands. The elf had nearly leapt out of his skin when Suva called his name hesitantly, but he quickly righted himself and asked if he could help her with something. She had quickly explained her predicament, and Erestor had smiled immediately and pointed out the shelf on which the necessary book sat and gave her its location. She had smiled, thanked him, and then watched as he hurried to grab a few books of his own before disappearing back out the doors.
Now she stood staring up at the spot Erestor said she would find the book she desired. The only problem, however, was that that book was on the shelf right below the very top one, meaning that she would have to use the ladder to reach it, and she really detested heights.
She also really wanted that book.
With a sigh, Suva went over to drag the ladder to the spot she'd need it in to reach the book. Once she had secured it against the shelf, Suva took a shaky breath and began to climb. It wasn't really that far off the ground, but to Suva three feet looked like three thousand feet. She inched her way up the ladder, muttering the whole way and silently telling herself not to look down. She knew better than this, of course, because telling yourself not to do something just made you want to do it more, but she tended to forget these things when she was nervous.
But to her relief she made it to the top of the ladder without trouble. She quickly scanned the shelf, easily finding the tittle she was looking for. She thanked her lucky stars that she had found it without incident, and reached out to grab the book.
It turned out, she had thought too soon.
She had to stretch a little to reach the book, meaning she was leaning as she pulled the book off the shelf. So it was just her luck that the book slipped from her grasp, and went tumbling towards the floor. It was also her luck that her first reaction was to try to grab the book before it fell, and while she did manage to latch onto the book, she also managed to lose her balance and she began teetering on the ladder.
In the end, it was a losing battle.
She toppled backward off the ladder, letting out a scream as she did so. Kixi, who had woken up sometime after she had went up the ladder, screamed out her name, but there wasn't a thing the bobcat could do to help her. Suva closed her eyes, bracing herself to hit the ground. She just hoped she didn't break anything. That would definitely put a damper on her ability to go on the quest.
She felt the impact, felt as her body shook and jarred as she landed. But the landing was soft, or at least, softer than a marble floor should have been, and it was also noisy. She knew for a fact that she hadn't made those sounds. Her eyes popped open and immediately she looked up. Her eyes met a pair artic blue ones. She gulped, letting out a tiny squeak as the owner of those beautiful eyes shifted and caused her to move. Her hands were immediately around his neck and she was clinging to him, afraid of falling once again.
"I will not drop you, Suva." Legolas murmured, and his hold seemed to tighten around her, pulling her small body closer to his own. "You need not worry about that." Suva nodded mutely, finding herself leaning against his shoulder almost against her will. "Are you alright?"
"You ask me that a lot, you know." Suva pointed out. Legolas rolled his eyes, but there was a small smile on his lips.
"If you did not get yourself into such trouble, I would have no need to ask you that so often." Legolas replied. "Nevertheless, it does afford me a reason to continue saving you."
"You think I need a knight in shining armour?" Suva asked coyly, her cheeks going pink. She watched as Legolas' ears tinted a rosy color, and she found her insides doing flips. Was that normal?
"You may not need one," Legolas whispered. "but I do believe that you deserve someone who will protect you." Suva's lips parted as she stared up at the elf prince in shock. What could she say to that? Absolutely nothing, as she and Legolas continued to stare at each other, both caught up in the moment.
Across the room, someone cleared their throat. "Quite done, are you?"
Legolas nearly dropped her. As it was, he quickly set her down on her feet, and Suva hurriedly straightened the dress she was wearing. By the time they both turned to face the voice, they were a few steps away from each other, both their faces were cherry red, and Legolas was standing with his hands behind his back.
'Why didn't you warn me Kixi?!' Suva exclaimed. Kixi meowed nervously.
'You were having a moment, what was I supposed to do?!' Kixi answered. Suva tried not to scream.
Leaning against a bookshelf, arms crossed over her chest and an eyebrow raised, Rata sitting on her shoulder, was Divan.
"If I recall correctly, there are bedrooms just down the hall. I am sure they would be far more suited to your needs." Suva wanted to strangle the dark haired woman, because if her face wasn't red before, it sure was now. "And far less jarring on my eyes."
"Back to snide comments, are we Divan?" Suva asked. "You certainly are not capable of restraining yourself for long."
"I never restrain myself. I do not overlook stupidity." Divan retorted, smirking.
"Perhaps not, but you certainly give in to it." Suva replied.
"How else am I supposed to communicate?" Divan asked, still smirking, not at all deterred by Suva's comebacks. Suva scowled. "Stupidity only speaks one language."
Suva continued to glare at Divan. "Is there something you needed, Divan?" Suva questioned. Divan gave a one shouldered shrug, standing up straight.
"Nothing I cannot find on my own. I will leave you to your… activities." She said, a sly grin on her face as she turned and walked in a different direction, calling back over her shoulder, "Though I do suggest a bedroom. I doubt Elrond or Erestor would be too pleased with you otherwise." Then she was gone, leaving Suva fuming beside the Mirkwood Prince and Kixi still meowing nervously.
'Suva…?' Kixi asked hesitantly.
"Oh, that insufferable woman!" Suva exclaimed, unable to help herself. "She has nerve!"
"So I am correct in assuming that she is always like that?" Legolas asked. Suva jolted, having forgotten that the prince was even there. Suva nodded bitterly.
"I am sorry you had to witness that, Legolas." Suva apologized. "She is not always so bold, though she is always that rude."
"And yet you called her friend?" Legolas asked. Suva scowled.
"Sometimes I wonder why I did." Suva grumbled. Kixi jumped down from the windowsill, padding over and rubbing her head against Suva's leg. Suva reached down to pet her.
"Perhaps a walk in the gardens, away from everything?" Legolas suggested. "I am sure it would do us both some good." Suva took a deep breath, nodding.
"I would like that." She smiled up at the prince. Legolas grinned back, offering her his arm. She took it, and together they strolled out of the library and down the halls to doors. They talked the whole way. They discussed the journey ahead of them, the places they might see, and the people they could meet. Suva mentioned wishing she had her sketchbook, so she could draw the places they visit. Legolas seemed surprised at that, having apparently not taken her for an artist. She told him that she loved to draw, and it was one of the things she was very good at. They spent much of their stroll through the gardens discussing her artwork, and Legolas asked if she would show him some when she finally had time to draw again.
They sky was darkening as they walked along the final strip to the House when the commotion started. There were a few shouts coming from down by the bridge, and they could see a crowd gathering. From behind them, the twins came rushing down the path followed closely by their father.
"Lord Elrond, what has happened?" Suva called worriedly. The elf-lord slowed, but only enough so that he could gesture the two to follow him.
"I am not sure exactly, but I was informed that Kijo has been brought back, injured." Elrond explained. Suva's eyes widened.
"Injured?!" She nearly shouted. "When? How badly? Is she going to be alright?" Elrond shook his head.
"I do not know, Lady Suva. Come, we must make haste." Elrond replied. The four of them hurried down the path, Kixi mentally expressing her worry for her friend. Suva silently agreed. Kijo knew how to get herself into trouble. She didn't always know how to get herself out of it without getting hurt.
Elrond, Legolas, Kixi and she pushed through the crowd, finding Kijo sitting in the middle of the circle, Tezo lying beside her with his head in her lap. Standing above her, to Suva's surprise, was a young dwarf with blonde hair. Elrond quickly sent the group away, leaving only Legolas, the twins, Arwen and herself surrounding Kijo and the dwarf.
"I'm fine, Arwen, really. I just hit my head." Kijo tried to soothe the dark haired elf. Arwen looked near panic, fretting over Kijo like a mother hen. Suva wasn't far behind.
"What happened?!" Suva demanded as she rushed forward and knelt beside her friend. She immediately began checking her over, looking for wounds or blood. Kijo began swatting at her, slapping her hands and muttering under her breath.
"I'm fine!" Kijo shouted. "Really, I am. I just hit my head. It's nothing."
"It was not nothin' lassie. Ya hit yer head pretty hard, and if I had not of shown up when I did, ye would have been a goner." The dwarf spoke up. Kijo glared up at him.
"I had things perfectly under control." Kijo argued, before her eyes snapped down to Tezo and she glared at him as well.
"That board would have gouged out yer guts in a heartbeat. All ye managed to do with that knife-a yers was make it mad." The dwarf replied.
"Yes, thank you for your input, Renon." Kijo grumbled. She looked up at Suva, who was glaring at her. "Okay, so maybe Tezo and I left the borders, and maybe we got into a bit of trouble with a couple of wild pigs that weren't very happy with us, and maybe I pissed it off when I threw my dagger, but I would have been okay!"
Elrond was glaring at her as well as he knelt behind her to check the wound on her head. He poked around, and when he earned a loud yelp as a response, his glare increased tenfold.
"You likely have a concussion." Elrond scolded. "What were you thinking, Kijo, leaving the borders? I told you not to for a reason."
"You should have at least come to get Ro and I." Elladan said. "We would have kept you from getting attacked by pigs." He and his brother snickered as Elrond shot them a glare.
"That is enough, you two. What she did is not funny." Elrond scolded, and the twins quieted down. "She could have gotten herself killed. If it was not for master Renon, she could be a lot worse than she is now." Suva nodded, more to herself than anyone else, and muttered about Kijo acting rashly.
"Hey, it's not my fault I've been cooped up here. Everyone else has seen outside the borders but me! I only wanted to look." Kijo pouted.
"As those two said, lassie, if ya would have asked, I am sure someone would have taken ye." Renon stated. "As it is, yer lucky. Yer wolf's a fine fighter, strong and quick. He did good, protecting ye like he did." Kijo nodded, obviously proud of her companion. She looked up at the blonde dwarf that had saved her life and sighed, her eyebrows drawing together.
"I haven't properly thanked you." Kijo admitted, and Suva watched with interest. She herself wasn't particularly a fan of the dwarves, but this one had saved Kijo's life, despite the fact that it was well known that she was with the elves. "So, thank you, for saving my life. I can't say I expected it out of one of you."
The dwarf's eyebrows drew down, and the corners of his lips fell. "I did not do nothin' that any other would not have done. Even for the likes of ye." Renon stated, and Suva's eyes narrowed. She noticed Kijo's, as well as all the elves, do so as well. Kijo opened her mouth to reply, and Suva could only guess that it probably wasn't anything nice, but she didn't have to worry, because Kijo was interrupted before she could even begin.
"Renon, there you are." Divan said, striding forward. "I have been looking for you. Gloín wishes to speak with you." The dwarf looked up and met the dark haired woman's eyes. Suva, too, looked up, finding Divan standing just outside the circle they had created around Kijo. Tezo growled lightly and Divan's eyes glanced in his direction. Her chin tilted up as she regarded him, and then her gaze shifted to the others standing around Kijo. She bowed her head in Elrond's direction and the elf bowed his back. She looked to the twins and Arwen, who all glared at her with a look that could have been hate. Divan rolled her eyes, looking to the Legolas and Suva. Divan quirked an eyebrow, a smirk pulling at her lips. Suva glared.
Divan's lips twitched, but she turned away to look down a Kijo. They locked eyes, and for several moments nothing was said. They seemed to be having some sort of contest, but Suva couldn't quite figure out what it was.
"Divan." Kijo said icily.
"Kijo." Divan returned, and Suva noticed the unhappy look on her face. There was a frown tugging at the woman's lips, and her eyes seemed darker than normal. It was curious, Suva decided.
"Come, Renon. We should see Gloín before the day is gone." Divan said. The dwarf nodded, turning and nodding towards Elrond before stepping out of the group and walking to Divan. Divan had her arms crossed over her chest and a dark look on her face as she looked in Kijo's direction, but she said nothing. She too nodded at Elrond, and then she and Renon had turned and were walking in the direction of the House.
"I really do not like that woman." One of the twins said. The other muttered his agreement.
"She certainly has… character." Elrond stated as he rose and offered a hand to Kijo. She took it and he pulled her to her feet, steadying her as she swayed. "But it is no matter. Come, let us do something about that nasty head wound of yours. I am sure we will hear from her again before long."
"Of course we will. If there's one thing Divan's good at, it's being heard." Kijo muttered angrily. "And she usually isn't very nice about it, either."