- - CALINA - -
The dining hall was colossal with a high ceiling and towering glass windows. With the trial having ended so late in the day, there were only a few other Elves scattered at the long tables, but even they were beginning to depart. The group chose to sit close to one of the many fireplaces. Once settled, a great feast was brought out to them, and they all dined happily while recounting the day's events.
"I still can't believe you chose a bow." Boromir declared, tilting his tankard in her direction, "Yes, you are a brilliant archer. But you still left things obliterated."
"I had to force him out of the tree somehow." She answered, twirling her wine glass.
Sam interjected, "Wait now. You meant to blow up the tree?" Calina nodded, sipping her wine. "Gracious!"
The Prince's silvery eyes fell on her, "Then what of the feather?"
She stared intensely at her wine, "To deliver it to Lord Elrond. That was my goal after all."
"Hold on." Merry began, "So not only did she have to sneak past all those Elves, but she had to retrieve that feather? How is that fair?!"
"These are Lord Elrond's trials. He sets the rules." The Prince stated simply.
"But how is she supposed to pass them if they're nearly impossible to complete?" Merry retorted, clutching his knife aggressively.
"Fair or not, Calina has performed brilliantly." Gandalf said, coming to stand. "Now, Hobbits, it is late, so you should be off to bed. Come now, up you get." The Half-lings all groaned. Sam lingered too long so Gandalf pulled him up by the collar. "Boromir, if you would join me. There are things I wish to discuss with you."
Boromir rose, planting a sweet kiss on his sister's head, "Good night Calina. I will see you in the morning." He then strode off after the wizard. Then, all at once, the others had gone, leaving the ranger, Prince, and Shadow Walker alone at the table.
"Well this is awkward…" Calina murmured, picking at the last of the food on her plate.
"I don't have any idea what you're talking about." Aragorn teased as he took a sip of his ale.
"Oh, of course not. It's not like I'm sitting at a table with the man who ran me through with a sword, and the Elf Prince I seriously injured. No, it's no big deal at all." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she glared huffily at the ranger.
Aragorn laughed, "I'll leave you to sort out things between yourselves." He then pulled his legs out from beneath the table and began to walk off, taking his mug and plate as he went.
"Wait, but–!" Calina reached after him, but he only flashed her the back of his hand as he headed away. A petrified look shot across her face as she watched him go. She then dropped back down in her seat, words immediately tumbling out of her, "I'm sorry for what happened. I never meant to hurt you. I was so afraid, and the magic reacted on its own and–"
"It's alright." The gentleness of his interjection halted her rambling and she looked at him in blatant surprise, "It was an accident. If anything, I should apologize."
"What in the world do you have to apologize for?" She asked incredulously.
"For two things, actually. The first, for not stopping Aragorn from trying to kill you. I had joined him in his search in hopes of mediating the situation, but that clearly was not successful. Aragorn was consumed by his rage. The second, I was the one who brought you down yesterday as your brother arrived. I hope you weren't injured when we fell."
Though still taken aback at his declarations, she replied, "No, I wasn't." Among the mention of injuries, Calina's eyes wandered towards the Prince's hands, "Forgive me if this is too bold, but may I see the scars? I completely understand if you–"
"It's alright." He pulled his sleeves up to his elbows and set his arms on the table, turning his palms skyward as he let the magic that concealed the scars faded away.
Calina had to force away a cringe. The flesh was gray and looked like the result of a catastrophic burn that had been left untreated for far too long. She reached out, brushing his open palm, "I'm so sor–"
Suddenly, a pale violet light sprouted from her fingertips. Both of them watched, now stunned silent, as the light began to flow across the Prince's skin. Without thinking, Calina reached out and took hold of both of his hands and they watched as the magic encased his forearms. It completely enveloped the scars and as it did, they began to mend. Within a matter of seconds, the scars had completely disappeared. With the scars gone, the glow faded away, leaving the two of them sitting there hand in hand in the now vacant hall.
They lifted their eyes and they stared at one other, the unspoken intimacy of the moment lingering between them. There was a sudden 'pop' from the fireplace. Calina jumped, snatching her hands away from having been startled. The Prince withdrew his arms slowly, turning them over. "What just happened?" Legolas asked, his words low.
"I think I purified the scars." She answered, looking at her own hands in astonishment.
He looked back at her, "You are a wonder."
"But I have no idea how I did that." She admitted, rubbing the side of her neck.
He took back one of her hands, "Does it matter? The light of Elvin magic couldn't heal those scars." Their eyes met again, "As I said: you are a wonder."
She blushed at his praise, quickly turning her head away to try and hide it, "We should tell Gandalf about this." She suggested, set on changing the topic.
"Shall we go look for him then?" The Prince proposed. His hand felt warm against her own.
She peeked back at him, her embarrassment subsiding at the sight of his ease. As their hands fell apart, she smiled and nodded, "Let's."
.
While Calina was initially still a bit hesitant and baffled at the Prince's overall lack of disdain for her, it soon became apparent that his kindness was genuine. Eventually, she relaxed and they chatted pleasantly as they searched for the wizard. Though it was well into the night, the glow of the magical orbs throughout the city were steadfast in lighting their way.
At one point, the Prince told stories of his home, to which Calina became enamored. "Mirkwood seems like an amazing place." She admired.
"It is. It was even more so when it was Greenwood the Great."
"Greenwood?"
"That was its name before the arrival of Sauron. Now a dark sickness has overtaken it."
"Oh. Well, once Sauron is defeated I'm sure it will return to being known as the Greenwood." She said optimistically.
He smiled, "One can only hope."
"There he is. Gandalf!" Calina called out as the familiar gray-clad wizard rounded the corner ahead of them.
"Is something the matter?" He asked, wiry brows furrowed as they came together.
"No, but we need to tell you something." Calina answered.
They then regaled him with their story. The tale ended with Gandalf having a distinctly pleased expression on his face. "It would seem the spell is bringing about the return of your old powers as well."
"Old powers? What do you mean?" She asked, perplexed.
"I suspected that prior to being cursed, you were a wielder of light magic."
"Why didn't you mention this before?"
"Because I was unsure. But after what has transpired between the two of you, it is clear that is indeed the case."
She let out a frustrated sigh, "Too bad I have literally no idea how I did it."
"In good time." Gandalf promised. "For now, it is clear the magic has reached a balance. This is something Elrond must be informed of. But the hour is late, so we will inform him tomorrow. Until then." He then gave them a nod and disappeared around the next corner, humming a soft tune as he went.
The pair smiled at one another, pleased at the knowledge they had gleaned from their conversation with Gandalf. They wandered and talked for a bit longer before, during which Calina told the Prince of the snippet of memories that had returned to her earlier that day.
Eventually they wound their way back to Calina's room, and the pair stopped before the door, "Well, this is me. Goodnight Prince Legolas."
"Please, just Legolas." He said.
His request had surprised her, but she smiled nonetheless, "Alright then. Goodnight Legolas."
"And you as well, my Lady." He answered.
"Legolas?"
"Yes?"
She was smiling, "Just Calina."
He continued to smile back at her, "Goodnight Calina."
- - LEGOLAS - -
'What a day this has been.' He thought, turning away from the door and beginning to head back down the corridor. However, after all that had happened since dinner, he found himself still quite energized. So instead of turning in, he meandered the nearby veranda, reflecting on all that had transpired over the course of the day.
"It is not often you are so lost in thought."
"Aragorn." Legolas broke from his trance as his friend came to stand beside him. "There is something I must tell you." The Elf then told the ranger about what had transpired after man had abandoned him and Calina alone at the dinner table.
"So, the scars?" Aragorn asked.
The Elf flexed his fingers, "Entirely healed." This time, it was Aragorn who turned pensive.
"I know what you are thinking, Estel."
"And what is that?"
"That you might have been wrong about her."
His expression was conflicted, "Yes, I wanted vengeance for what she had done to you and Elrond. However, I have let that go. But also I know what I saw that day. And it was her."
"Perhaps she has a less than savory twin." Legolas offered casually.
The Elf's joke earned a laugh from the ranger, "Perhaps."
- - CALINA - -
It was morning, and everyone had rendezvoused back at the arena where the first trial had taken place. A crowd had already gathered, having once again congregated in the upper balcony. As Calina walked to head down the stairs back down to the grounds, everyone tried to offer her pieces of advice all at once.
"Do not let your guard down." Aragorn instructed.
"Be sure to watch your partner's back." Her brother added.
"And don't be afraid to use those peculiar arrows of yours." Legolas teased goodnaturedly.
"I would if I was allowed to use them." She grumbled. Much to everyone's dismay, Elrond had forbidden her from using a bow in the final trial, so she was back to her sword.
"Who needs magical arrows anyway? Take a few dirty shots if you have to. They'll hate you for it, but you've got to do what you've got to do to win." Everyone looked at Pippin with a look of pure lunacy, to which he simply either ignored or was completely unaware of.
In the moment of humorously stunned silence, Calina spoke, "I appreciate all of the advice, but may I ask who my teammate is?"
A new and rather gruff voice spoke out, "That would be me, lassie." Everyone looked behind Gandalf and Boromir to see a robust Dwarf walk over to them. His vermillion beard was long and thick, and his beetle black eyes peeked out from beneath a bushy pair of eyebrows. With armor, a helmet, and a brutal looking ax in hand, he looked like a force to be reckoned with.
"My name's Gimli. Now, let's get down to the arena. Can't have our host thinking up yet another reason to toss me out."
She followed him down the steps, "You and I could probably write a book on that topic."
As they stepped out onto the training grounds, a voice hollered out from above them, "You can do it Calina!" Looking up, they saw Pippin cheering loudly into the midmorning sky.
Gimli chuckled, "Lively bunch aren't they?" The Dwarf suddenly let out a guttural sound of obvious distaste, "Why am I not surprised?" He then muttered something about accursed Elves and cockroaches under his breath.
One of Calina's eyebrows shot up in confusion. That was, until she followed the eyes of her comrade to see the two figures that had appeared before them.
"You two." Her boots shifted against the dirt in apprehension.
Elladan spoke, his voice deep, "Today we hope to regain our honor."
The Dwarf guffawed, "So you defeated them before? Excellent." Gimli flexed his gloves, gripping his ax in what seemed to be almost gleeful anticipation.
"Do not be so hasty, small one. The Shadow Walker cheated." Elrohir chided. Gimli's hand flexed aggressively against his ax, his blood beginning to boil at the Elf's insult.
"I was defending myself." Calina retorted in frustration.
"You would do well, Elf, to watch your tongue. Or my ax might just slip between your eyes."
They were interrupted when a voice from above called out across the arena, "The third, and final trial will commence as follows: as a test of comradeship, the team that forces their opponents to yield will be pronounced the victor. Begin!"
The brothers leapt backwards and drew their bows, immediately firing off arrows at Calina and Gimli. The other pair quickly reacted, knocking the arrows away while retreating backwards to distance themselves from their opponents. After a tense moment, the assault ended, allowing the he-she duo to catch their breath.
"Wretched pointy-ears." The Dwarf said loudly. Their enemy was now a good distance away, swiftly returning their bows to their shoulders. One brother drew a sword, the other a set of long knives.
"Do not blame us for your lack of mobility. You get that from being so close to the ground." Elladan reproached as he and Elladan began to advance on them.
"We can't outrun them. Let them attack first." Calina suggested, dropping into a defensive stance while the brothers began to run towards them.
"A wise choice on your part, wench." Elrohir taunted loudly.
This time, it was Calina whose knuckles turned white. Her boots ground against the dirt, eyes glaring venomous daggers, "I'm sick and tired of your insults!" She yelled as she hurled herself forward at Elrohir. He brought his blades up at the last possible instant, having to jump back in order to properly block her strike. Elladan rounded on her as well, leaving Calina attacking and dodging both of the brothers at once.
"What happened to patience?!" Gimli hollered, running forward to join the fight. She never answered him. Instead, his ax joined in the clashing of metal that proceeded to ring throughout the arena. The audience gasped every moment or so, for both teams were fighting so ferociously that they were afraid heads might fall.
After a time, Gimli and Calina had been forced to retreat to the trees that lined the edge of the arena. Gimli was breathing heavily as they both hid behind two large trees. "Give up." Elrohir hollered off to their left.
"You have no chance at defeating us." Elladen's voice said, this time from the right. The pair scanned the trees, hoping to find precisely where the voices were coming from. Yet they saw no one. "There is no hope for you now." Elladen has moved closer. A twig snapped. Leaves rustled.
"Run for it, lass."
Her head snapped towards the Dwarf, "What?" She said in disbelief.
"You heard me, run!" He urged.
"No." Her voice was firm. "You are my comrade. I won't leave you behind."
"Then you have won." A precariously mesmerizing voice said in her ear.
On reflex she swung, her blade coming to slice a few long brown hairs before making contact with the side of a tree. She dislodged her sword, swinging again at her Elladan, who countered her strike.
"Stop, lass!" Gimli hollered, following after her, "He's right. You've won." All sense of urgency had vanished from the Dwarf's voice and his face was calm.
"What?" Calina inquired, jumping back with her sword still in hand.
"Gimli is correct." Elrohir had appeared as well, returning his blades to their sheaths as he stepped out from the trees. "A simple victory was not the trial's true purpose. It was to see if you would stand by your comrade until the end."
"Thus, as I stated previously, you have won. Well done." Elladan concluded. The twins then bowed to her, but the look of skepticism had yet to disappear from Calina's face.
That was, until a yelp of triumph came from above, "She's done it, HA-HAA!" Pippin had exuberantly flung himself onto the rail with the other members of the Fellowship applauding beside him. Sam whistled loudly. Her stance finally relaxed as she watched them.
She finally tore her eyes away and looked back to the brothers, "So that's it? That's the end of the trial?"
"It is." Elrohir confirmed.
"Unless you would care to have another go?" Elladan said, his expression cheeky. Calina hastily declined with a frantic wave of her hands.
Though she sheathed her sword, she still kept her distance. A gruff, but entertained voice spoke from behind her, "It's alright, lassie. It really is over."
"Did you know about this Gimli?" She asked.
A look of guilt crossed the Dwarf's face, "Aye. But it had to be done. Elrond's orders." The pair then began to head back towards the staircase with the brothers walking ahead of them.
Elladan spoke, "This was father's last attempt at trying to show that you were unworthy."
"However, you managed to prove him wrong quite brilliantly." Elrohir continued.
"And you two are happy about that?" Calina wondered, raising an eyebrow at the twins.
"It's not everyday that someone manages to one-up our father."
"What's more important is that you proved just how loyal you are to your companions."
"This was the ultimate test."
"One to show your true character."
The brothers stopped just before the bottom steps, "And despite being unaware of the trials true purpose, you passed." Elladan presented her with a dangerously alluring smile.
"You two are ridiculous." Gimili said with a snort, beginning to walk ahead of them up the stairs.
Elladan stalked after him, "Now, now Master Dwarf. Why would you ever say such a thing?"
Elrohir chuckled and shook his head before turning to Calina. He too graced her with a brilliant smile and accompanied it with a wink. Calina hastily tucked her chin as a dusting of blush overcame her cheeks, 'Stupid Elves and their ethereal charm.'
"Come. There is to be a celebratory dinner with the rest of the Fellowship in honor of your accomplishments." He said, beginning to head up the stairs.
"I don't understand." He stopped and looked back to see her serious expression, "A few days ago you wanted to kill me, but now you've had a total change of heart? What's changed?"
"Like you said before: you were only defending yourself."
She eyed him suspiciously, "I feel like there's more to it than that."
His fair features turned fox-like. He then hopped down off the stairs, hands in his pockets, and stood in front of her. "And what if there is?" He countered.
Though he towered above her, she gazed up at him boldly, "Would you tell me?"
He leaned down so far down their noses nearly touched. He grinned slyly, "No."
She refused to flinch. "Fine then." She shooed his face away and stomped off up the stairs. He watched her for an instant before laughing vibrantly and following her up and out of the arena.
At the top, they were greeted by a shower of jubilance. Frodo flung his arms around her in a bear hug, Merry and Pippin were doing a victory dance, and countless words of praise lofted through the air.
To everyone's surprise, the voice of Elrond broke from the crowd. He was looking directly at Calina, but his words had lost their usual sting, "You have passed all of my trials and proved that you are a worthy companion and friend to those among the Fellowship." He walked forward and stood directly before her, their eyes meeting, "Calina of Gondor, you are now a part of the Fellowship of the Ring."