Chapter 40: The Calm Before the Storm
Legolas insisted that she rest. He was certain they would be traveling the next day. She was still healing physically from the battle of Helms Deep and he wanted her to rest as much as possible. They left the forge as the storm pulled away and quietly made their way into Ammora's home.
The Elf watched her sleep. Her dark hair was spread out on the feather pillow of the bed. Her body rose and fell with each breath. He felt the warmth of her against him as she had pressed herself close to him in slumber. He stroked her hair. He was weary too.
He closed his eyes, something he had not done in what felt like an age. He was depended on to keep watch nearly every night. Though not tonight. Tonight, he allowed his body to rest. His mind dreamt of the end of the war. The trees and flowers being replanted and homes and great cities rebuilt to erase the scars created by war. His mind created wonderful images of what it would be like to be married to this mortal woman he had come to love.
He felt fingers lightly touching his hair and face. His eyes fluttered open at the contact. He was surprised to see light streaming in through the window. It was after dawn.
"I thought elves slept with their eyes open?" Kaitlyn asked with a tentative smile. She was propped up on the pillow watching him. It was obvious by the concern on her face that she had been worried about him.
"Even elves need sleep at times, melethril, "he told her as he stretched a little. " I must have needed more than I realized." He gave her a reassuring smile and brushed the loose tendrils of dark wavy hair from the edges of her face. His thumb lingered and touched her round ear. Even now, she fascinated him. He leaned up on his elbows to look deeply into her eyes.
"Maer aur," he greeted. (Good morning)
"It would be a good morning everyday if this is how I awakened," she smiled shyly.
Warmth spread through him at the thought. Is this how his father had felt for his mother? This incredible warmth and love that encompassed your entire being? It was no wonder his father had become so bitter at his loss of her. Legolas worried that someday he would lose Kaitlyn. She would grow older as mortals tended to do and she would perish. He pushed that from his mind. She was here now and that is what mattered.
His expression turned thoughtful. There was still so much he did not know. "There is something I desire to ask you."
She nodded.
"How did you come to find yourself in the mines of Moria?"
She looked toward the window where the sky was orange, yellow, purple and green. It was the time of morning just before the sun rose. The brightness of a new day was a stark contrast to the darkness of Moria.
"It's not something I really understand, to be honest, " she frowned.
"We need not speak of it." he covered one of her hands with his and squeezed it gently. "Forgive me for asking."
She shook her head. "No, it's alright." She swallowed hard.
"The day started like any normal day for me. I didn't need to work that day and I went for a walk in the woods. It was a beautiful spring day. The sun shone brightly, the birds sang. It was finally warm enough that I only needed a sweatshirt. I was maybe twenty minutes into my walk I stopped at the waterfall and must have fallen asleep. I felt myself being lifted and thrown violently into the air." She closed her eyes as she relived it all. The memories came flooding back as if the flood gates had been opened.
"First I was pulled in one direction and then in another and then I felt as if I was falling. A woman spoke to me but I couldn't understand anything she said. The air around me became bitterly cold and dark. I thought for sure I'd slam into the ground but I didn't." She shook her head. "It happened so fast that I didn't have time to process what happened. I felt cold wet stone against my cheek and body. The air smelled musty and of old decay. It was so dark that I thought I'd gone blind. I thought maybe I'd fallen in the woods and hit my head and I was hallucinating. Then I was afraid that Derrick had found me and kidnapped me. I assumed that had to be what happened and yet I wasn't restrained in any way. I wasn't hurt even though I felt as if I'd fallen. I couldn't make sense of any of it." She shook her head again, remembering the fear and confusion.
Legolas drew her closer to him and she tucked her head beneath his chin, absorbing the warmth of him.
"I tried to find my way out of where ever I was but it was like a labyrinth of stone. I don't know how far I walked because it was pitch black. I could have been walking in circles in the same place without realizing it. I could hear strange growling and scratching. It terrified me. It had to have been days before I came upon you and the others. There were times I saw shadows of what I thought were skeletons. I saw the light first and then heard quiet voices. I felt relief that I could see again but fear flooded me. I was certain I'd fallen and hit my head or I'd been drugged. Nothing prepared me for meeting wizards, elves and hobbits or for dealing with a cave troll, orcs and a balrog." She raised her head and looked into his blue eyes.
His hands stroked her arms and one moved up and cupped her cheek.
"I cannot fathom how frightening it all was for you. To be taken from all you knew and to be dropped into this world and war. You have done remarkably well adjusting to your new life."
She snorted at him. "I didn't adjust well at all. I cried so much those first few months. Have you forgotten? You must have all felt as if you were babysitting me. What a burden I became to your quest and none of you but Boromir complained about it."
"Daro. (Stop) We all questioned what to do with you, but only because of the quest to destroy the ring. The less that knew of our plans the better. Gandalf and Lady Galadriel believed in you. So did we."
She smiled at him. "You're kind, meleth nin." (my love)
"Nay. Pedin nanu." ( I speak the truth)
She gazed into his blue eyes. Wondering how she ever could have been afraid of him. She'd come so very far from the frightened woman in Moria. There was still so much that she did not know about this world. She vowed that she would continue to learn and do all she could to make this place her home.
"I won't ever be able to show you where I come from," she told him sadly, "but I hope after the war, you will show me Mirkwood."
Legolas smiled at the suggestion. The fact that she wished to travel to the land of his birth gave him joy. He had wanted to leave its borders for so long to see the world outside. While he did not wish to return and dwell there in the shadow of his father, he would enjoy showing her the places that still held beauty to them. He was unsure how his father would react when he brought a mortal woman to the woodland realm and told him that he loved her. It would be a very interesting conversation. By then, the war would be over and perhaps light and life would return to Mirkwood. Perhaps his father would be less cold and unapproachable.
He leaned forward and kissed her. It had become one of his favorite things to do. Though the need to join with her was strong, his heart, mind and instincts kept him in check.
Joining in body was a sacred thing for Elves. They needed to wait until the war was over when they could bind themselves in marriage. He bid himself to have patience. Their time would come. He had waited all of this time for love. He could wait a bit longer for marriage.
Their kisses didn't last long as they heard Ammora calling to ask if Lady Kaitlyn was awake. There was a bath for her at the Golden hall and a meal for them both afterward with the King and his men.
Kaitlyn tied back her hair and they both straightened their sleep rumpled clothing before they left her room. Ammora offered them a smile as they greeted her and went on their way.
Legolas stood in the great hall, the sun shining through its eastern windows as he waited anxiously for Kaitlyn to finish her bath.
The King and his men spoke in hushed tones about the rebuilding of the west fold and how to defend against any attacks from Sauron's forces.
Gimli fiddled with his armor at one of the wooden tables and spoke softly with Merry who was accounting a drinking tale from the Green Dragon. Their soft laughter could be heard every so often. The elf and dwarf had spoken pleasantries, but the mood was somber.
Edoras had given them a place to rest in peace. It would be difficult to leave it and its more pleasant memories behind. Rohan was after all the land in which Legolas had realized his love for Kaitlyn and she had confessed her love to him.
Legolas closed his eyes as, pain, anxiety, excitement and dread filled him all at once. He felt it just before Aragon ran full speed up the steps and into the great hall. It caused the king and his men to look up at his hasty arrival.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith are lit! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!" he cried out. He nearly fell as he stopped himself from running. His eyes and his hair were wild.
All attention was on King Theoden. There were a few long moments of silence.
"And Rohan will answer!" he called out loudly. "Muster the Rohirrim!" His voice echoed in the great stone hall.
Kaitlyn returned to the hall just moments later. Her damp hair had been braided down her back and she wore a green tunic, her elvish cloak, deerskin leggings and leather boots. She looked like a warrior. Legolas could not tear his eyes from her. He burned the image into his mind.
It was obvious from the look of worry on her face that she had heard that the beacons had been lit and Rohan's men would be leaving to answer the call. Already someone was ringing the large tower bell and men rushed into action.
She closed her eyes as her fears were realized. She would be parted from her friends and the love of her life. They would ride into battle to unknown fates, while she would return and stay behind at Edoras.
The King granted permission to Kaitlyn to travel with the army as far as Harrowdale. It was the meeting place where all of Rohan's men would gather before riding to war in Gondor. Lady Eowyn and several women of the high court would also be riding to help set up camp and bid farewell to the men.
She spent little time with her friends as they helped the men prepare to leave in any way they could. Food needed to be gathered for the 2 day journey to Harrowdale and beyond. Weapons were handed out to any able bodied men ready to fight.
Kaitlyn had little to gather as she would be returning with the women in a few days' time.
"When you return, you shall have a room here waiting for you, if you desire it." Ammora told her. She and the older woman had been packing breads that women baked for the soldiers. They also packed root vegetables that traveled well such as potatoes, carrots and turnips.
"Thank you, Ammora. I would like to accept your hospitality, if it is not a burden. When I return I will find a way to make myself useful."
Ammora put a reassuring hand on Kaitlyn's shoulder. "Your companionship will be enough. Though I would not mind help here and there if offered."
Kaitlyn hugged the older woman and Ammora blushed.
"How is your injury healing?"
"I was able to remove my bandages after my bath today. My injury has mended so much. I'm on the road to recovery, thanks to you."
Ammora smiled as she continued to pack food. She was certain the Elf that continued to visit the woman's room, helped in her healing process quite a bit.
After she helped Ammora with the food, she went to the stables to figure out how she would get to Harrowdale.
There were no horses to spare as every rider was going to battle. The women who were riding to Harrowdale had their own horses.
There were only a few horses that did not have riders. Most were injured and others were crazed with grief due to the loss of their riders in previous battles.
Against the advice of several of the Rohirrim, she chose to ride Hasufel. They thought the stallion was going to die. He had not eaten in days and kept his head to the straw on the floor. He looked sick, until he heard Kaitlyn's voice. He raised his head, light returning to his dark brown eyes and nickered softly to her. As she approached the stall, the stallion pressed his muzzle into her outstretched hand.
"I have not forgotten you, Hasufel. I have been healing. As long as I am with the people of Rohan, I promise to look after you."
She offered him hay and he started to eat again.
One of the young boys watched in amazement as the woman and horse reconnected. He brought her a crude wood and hog hair brush and as the stallion munched on hay and oats, she groomed his coat until it shone.
She had not ridden much on her own, but she was determined to ride this horse by herself.
Legolas found her late in the day, brushing the chestnut stallion. She spoke in soothing tones to him. The horse nuzzled her as he munched on hay.
Legolas leaned against the side of the stall and watched her. She was oblivious to him and the chaos as men and horses prepared to leave for battle.
"He's a very wise horse. Even he has fallen in love with you."
She jumped at the voice and looked to see Legolas.
"This poor horse has lost everyone. His original rider, then he thought he lost Aragorn, but course Aragorn rides Brego now. I'm glad he is eating again. The least I can do is give him some love. He helped carry me with Aragorn several times."
"He looks invigorated, especially with your attention."
She smiled and patted the stallion's shining coat.
"You will ride with me to Harrowdale?" he asked and he stepped closer to her. His voice became low. "It is a two day journey and I have thought of little else, but your arms around me."
She flushed red but then she shook her head with a sad smile. Legolas frowned.
"Don't be angry with me. I'm planning to ride Hasufel."
Legolas opened his mouth to protest and she stepped closer to him.
"I need to ride by myself. I need to ride back with the women so I could use the extra practice. Besides, I've mentioned that I don't wish for Gimli to have his feelings hurt being pushed aside for me. There is also no horse for him to ride, as they have all been taken and I have Hasufel I can ride. I don't believe he will let anyone else ride him."
The blond haired elf let out a sigh. "You are right of course, though you will let me have my disappointment?"
"You are not the only one disappointed, " she told him truthfully. "I really would rather ride with you."
His lips curled into a smile at her reply.
Gimli arrived some time later with Merry in tow. Lady Eowyn had found a gray pony for Merry to ride and the hobbit saddled his steed. Gimli breathed a visible sigh of relief when he learned he would ride with Legolas.
Legolas and Gimli saddled Arod, while the young boy who had given her the brush for Hasufel, helped her saddle the chestnut stallion. The boy was quiet as he showed her how to tack up the horse. She did her best to observe the process and memorize it for the future. She needed to learn how to care for and saddle a horse. There were no cars here. These animals were her transportation and freedom.
The women of Rohan lined the streets to wish their men farewell and by early evening the large group of riders and wagons were on their way.
It was not long before Kaitlyn realized that riding Hasufel aggravated and hurt her injury. She kept the discomfort to herself as she did not want to worry her companions. She had no idea how to ride smoothly as the men did. They were at one with their horses. She bounced around and was too busy making sure her heels were down and her back was straight. She was thankful that the chestnut stallion seemed to understand her awkward commands and lack of riding skill. She was equally grateful that she did not make a fool of herself by falling off.
They traveled for a few hours, until the sun set and set up a crude camp. No tents were set up as word spread that the group would be setting out again just before daybreak.
Kaitlyn spent little time with her friends. Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli all set themselves up at different corners of the camp to keep watch. She broke bread with them for a quick meal and they were gone to her dismay.
She was grateful for Merry's company for a short while, before he too went to help in any way that he could.
Kaitlyn felt displaced. She helped the women in camp as they cleaned up the dishes from dinner. There was no finery of Edoras here; only crude wooden bowls, plates and tools. The women spoke in their native language, so Kaitlyn had no one to converse with. Not one of them spoke in the common tongue and none of them seemed inclined to make an effort to include her. She often found them glancing at her as she stacked dishes in one of the wagons. She wondered what they said about her. It made her feel very unwelcome for the first time in a long while.
She did her best to rest on her bedroll that night, but sleep did not come easily. Her mind would not relax and when it did, it was filled with the laughter of women from Rohan who taunted her in her dreams.
She was incredibly sore when she awakened that morning but she was grateful her injury seemed less aggravated. Thankfully, there was no bleeding. They rode hard all the next day and by evening they reached Harrowdale. She knew they were at Harrowdale when they came around a rocky out cropping and before them was a valley with white tents as far as the eye could see.
Towering above it all were several tall mountains. The tallest to the east with a pointy summit was known as Dwimorberg. A quarter of the way up this mountain was a flat grassy area of land where the King and his higher ranking officers and their wives and their older unmarried daughters would stay. It was known as Dunharrow. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry and Kaitlyn had been invited to stay at Dunharrow. They traveled up a narrow winding road known as the Stair of Hold to reach it. Already tents had been set up for their arrival.
The constant whir of energy and motion as the men prepared tents, sharpened weapons and tended to horses, made Kaitlyn anxious. Already she missed the peace and quiet of Edoras before the beacons had been lit.
"Will you stay with me tonight?" Legolas asked as he came to stand beside her. The hope in his voice was undeniable. He had been studying her for several moments as she watched the organized chaos around her.
"Do you honestly need to even ask me, when you know what my answer will be?"
"One can never assume," he grinned. He longed to touch her but he refrained with so many men around them.
A tightness began in his chest. How was he to ride away from her, when the time came to leave for battle?
Things in the camp finally began to settle as night fell. The men did their best to keep their spirits up by telling stories and singing in their native tongue. Though Kaitlyn did not understand a word of most of what was said, their laughter eased her nerves. Merry had joined Kaitlyn and her companions and he talked excessively of the Shire. It was obvious how much he missed Pippin since they had been separated. It was also obvious how anxious he was about the upcoming battle. He was not a warrior after all.
Kaitlyn helped again at dinner. She wanted to be useful in any way she could. Everyone had done so much for her since she had come to this world. She wanted to repay the kindness. She did not allow the whispers and stares to consume her as she helped hand out bread and stew and then helped to clean up.
When she was finished she joined her companions.
Aragorn was restless. Several times he paced to the look out over the valley, a smoking pipe clamped between his teeth. He then paced back and kept staring at the tall mountain that loomed above them.
Gimli attempted to keep the mood light as he offered Legolas a challenge for the days ahead.
"A competition my pointy eared companion! We will keep count once again and there shall be no cheating!"
"Cheating!" Legolas laughed. "My good dwarf, I do not cheat!"
Kaitlyn tried to smile as Legolas and Gimli recalled their kill counts from Helm's Deep, but Aragorn's mood affected her. He was very withdrawn. Where was the man who had come barreling into the Golden Hall with much excitement that the beacons had been lit?
The former Ranger offered her a sad smile as he blew out a puff of smoke.
"Goheno nin. Do not let my mood bring you down. There is much that will be needed of me in the coming days or weeks. I am anxious to ride to Gondor." (Forgive me)
She nodded. She knew he would become the future King of Gondor, if the battle went well and Frodo destroyed the ring. There was so much that still needed to happen. She felt some pity for him.
"I have no doubt that you'll accomplish everything that is needed of you. In fact, I'm certain of it," she told him. "I have never known a man more worthy to lead people to victory than you. You command a presence with just one glance. I have no doubt you will be a good and just King one day."
One side of his mouth moved into a grin at her confidence in him. If only he had as much in himself.
Aragon was the first to retire to his tent for the night. He wanted to rest for the coming battle and bid his companions goodnight
Gimli mentioned it was too early for him. While he was tired and sore , he wasn't ready for sleep. He was surprised when Kaitlyn came and stood next to him.
"Gimli, will you walk with me for a moment?"
"Aye lass."
Legolas raised a curious brow at the request but he said nothing when the pair walked out of earshot.
She nervously fiddled with the ends of her hair.
"Gimli, I have something I would like to ask you."
The dwarf smiled at her. He could sense nervousness and he covered one of her hands with his.
"What is it that you would ask of me? I shall do my best to help you."
"No matter what happens, will you take care of Legolas? Look after him and make sure that he will be okay?"
Gimli chuckled softly. "I dare say, he can take care of himself, but of course I will keep an eye on him. Only because you asked it of me."
She let out the deep breath she had not realized that she had been holding.
"I do not claim to understand it all, but I will admit that I am happy for you. For him too." He gazed off into the distance for a moment with a somber look and then looked back at her. By this time tomorrow, they would be parted from her.
"Go with him…we haven't much time left." She flushed at his words.
"Thank you, Gimli." She kissed him on his cheek and made her way back to where Legolas stood waiting.
They walked to his tent and he had just lifted the flap for her to enter when Aragorn arrived.
The future king's stare was intense. There was a fire in his eyes that was not there before.
"Aragorn, I thought you had gone to bed." she asked in confusion.
"Kaitlyn you are wanted at King Theoden's tent."
Her brows furrowed in surprise. But she nodded. She was leaving for Edoras tomorrow. Perhaps the King wished to tell her what was expected or needed of her while she stayed there.
"I will accompany you." Legolas assured her.
"No, she has been asked to go alone." Aragorn told him. His eyes were intense as he stared at the Woodland Elf.
"It's alright, Legolas." Kaitlyn put a reassuring hand on his arm. "I'll be back soon." She smiled at him and then made her way into the night.
To be continued…
Another chapter done. I actually have the next 2 also written, though I'm still working on them.
Thank you so much to those of who take the time to leave me a review. They are greatly appreciated.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter.