Guys, I almost forgot to update today. Thank goodness I remembered. *wipes brow* phew!
*

White, brilliant light exploded from my being, heating my skin to match that of a kiln. Out it wildly went, dancing out with ferocity. It blinded me, but I forced it out, forward, not behind towards innocents. The brilliance raged, screaming as it engulfed the air.

I screamed with it, as the energy burst from my skin like tiny needles, knives. Is it taking off my skin?

Don't think, just do.

But this pain, this energy.

I can do this. I must do this.

Orcs and uruk alike screamed as they burned from the outside in, skin melting from bones, eyes bursting in sockets, blood evaporating. I could feel them dropping to the heated stone, husks now, barely bodies.

Still, I pushed out that star-light, determined to take as many orcs with me as I could. This power does not control me. I control it. Right?

That bursting energy made me come alive, yes in pain, but in power.

I was made for this.

But how was there this much? Brilliance came and came. How had I even contained it all? How am I not dead?

I'm blind, surely, I'm blind. That soft star-light didn't seem so soft. Its hardness filled my vision, overtook my vision. I felt lost in it. Never had I before felt this out of control with its power.

But I kept its expansive form from taking human soldiers, barely. I imagined the plain that must somehow still be before me, through all this white, white, white and let that brilliance shine down the causeway, spilling out onto the field overrun with orcs. I could feel them dropping.

I could also feel the life draining from me.

Fatigue rushed forward in overwhelming strength and I staggered through the unfaltering white. And my feet stopped hitting stone as my legs gave out, instead being met with air.

I couldn't even scream as I plummeted off the causeway, throwing light out down below me.

And my fatigue welcomed that soft darkness as my body impacted the ground with a deafening crunch.

*********

"Lads! Over here!"

...

Gimli?

I groaned, shifting in what must be a sea of rocks. Valar, everything hurt.

"How... not dead...?" The amount of energy it took to say those words should've killed me. I couldn't lift my thousand-pound eyelids.

"By Durin's Beard, Lass! How'm I supposed to answer somethin' like that?! I was just asking myself the same thing!"

Light feet bounded across gravel, crunching and grinding against each other. I could barely make out the other set that followed. "Is she...?" Aragorn asked. Clammy fingers rested on my neck, digging in uncomfortably.

"Yes, somehow, by some miracle that lass still draws breath."

"Her pulse is weak, but still there. Concussion, most likely. Splintered leg... Judging by that hand, I'd assume every bone in it is broken. Most likely has broken ribs..."

"S... stop..." I sluggishly lashed out with my hand but hissed at the movement. Then hissed again at the pain in my ribs.

"We should call for—"

I felt myself being lifted into the air, every part of me protesting and screaming against the movement. Including my leg which felt as if it had been dipped in fire.

"Don't suppose you could work any of ya elvish magic, eh?"

"No," warm breath brushed my throbbing cheek. "I trained as a warrior, not a healer."

"Careful!" Aragorn yelled. "She's bleeding out!" Surely, I'm not that bad...

Something pressed against my leg, into it. A strangled kind of scream, more like a gurgling moan, ripped its way from my throat.

"Keep a tight hold on her," Aragorn said, fingers still wrapping excruciating pain around my leg. "That'll have to do for now. We need a healer quick."

Had it rained? My clothes felt damp and warm from...

Oh.

Panic flooded my veins, pushing back at the wall of pain. Blood. I'm covered in blood.

"Lumornel! Stop thrashing!"

But blood pounded in my ears, becoming a haze of music and crimson poured out of my searing arm and dripped into my eyes.

And the world started to fade into nothing.

*********

"I'm fine," I snarled at the very concerned and befuddled Legolas, though obviously, I was not.

But then that smirk smothered his face.

"Most surely you are not Fine. Or are you Lumornel's twin?" He held out a hand, this time not for support as I wobbled on my feet but in a human greeting. "I am called Legolas."

I took another step, a step that I hadn't been allowed to take for weeks. I almost fell as I put pressure on my right leg. It had broken in my fall. But despite weeks of healing, I still couldn't walk! This wasn't a limp, this was flopping wilt! I had been going at this for five minutes and nothing! I shouldn't need practice for walking, I should just be doing it!

Gritting my teeth, I put pressure on that leg—the world tilted and—

—And Legolas caught and steadied me. Then took a step back.

"You call that a step, Fine? I would never have thought Lumornel's sister could've been more of a klutz than she."

My face heated. "Legolas—"

"Fine, you've got a temper as bright as the sun." He crossed his arms and backed up to the door frame, leaning against it. That smirk wouldn't blasting leave.

"I don't need this from you," I growled, looked down at my own two feet, wondering how on earth am I going to continue this journey.

"Then who do you need it from, Fine?" He jabbed a thumb behind him. "I may be able to find your sister."

I ground my teeth to nubs. Ignored him. I couldn't walk. My leg simply wouldn't allow it. I bit my lip.

"You're pathetic."

I jerked my head up. What did he say?

"Impersonating a prophecy-written. You're doing a terrible job at it."

I stumbled towards him, face heating with rage. I'm trying my best; couldn't he see that? Couldn't he see how hard this is? How much it hurts?!

And then his face was inches before mine. I could feel his infuriating breath upon my nose. And my leg ached like mad.

He...

He had tricked me into walking.

"I'm certain there's a law forbidding the crime, somewhere out there," he said, voice husky.

Valar, that smirk.

I could do nothing but watch stunned as the proud amusement shifted in his eyes to hesitation to something else. His eyes drifted lower. I found my eyes doing the same.

A deep blushed bloomed across my cheeks and I turned away.

"And I'm sure there's a law against princes taunting innocent women."

"Most likely." Eru, I could practically hear the smirk on his face.

I bit my tongue, then turned back around. I didn't look at his face.

"Go," I mumbled, pushing at his chest. "Wait just outside in the hallway."

He obliged, after a quick quip, and left me to my gloomy room. A couple weeks back the healers had finally acknowledged my begging and returned me to my room. The room was dim, like it always was with only a few candles, but it was much better than the bright and sunny hospital wing. I love the sun, just not when it's accompanied by the pained moaning of the injured.

Taking in a deep breath, I quickly—well, as quickly as an injured person could—pulled on a dress. I don't particularly think the people of Helm's Deep would like to see me in the stupid gown the healers oh-so-wanted me to wear all the time. I relished in the simple feel of a comfortable dress; flowing white underdress, tight green over-vest, and sleeves that wouldn't stray above my wrists. Rohan dresses were strange, but a wonderful change. At least they covered my scars.

I couldn't seem to put on my trousers and tunic again. Not with the memory of so much blood—mine and the enemy—drenching it.

As I strode for the door, my eyes caught on my closed journal. So many thoughts I wanted to add to it but couldn't bring myself to do it. Not while they're so fresh.

Battle left my memories raw and bleeding, cringing every time I thought of it. The way I cut down living creatures so easily.

I opened the door with a jolt and peaked my head out. Legolas leaned against the wall, playing with something in his hand.

"Hey."

He jumped with a start, then quickly put the gleaming object back in his pocket.

I limped out, using the wall as a some-what crutch. "What was that?"

Legolas rubbed the back of his neck and glanced down the hallway. "Something that will be of importance, later."

I raised my brows. "Ooo, like what?

"I'd rather not say."

I squinted but decided to let it go. He'd tell me sooner or later. Maybe.

Legolas swung away from the wall and held out his arm for me to take. "What would a lady such as yourself like to do?"

I shrugged. "Go anywhere but back into that room." I couldn't bring myself to go do what I wanted to do.

He nodded. We ambled along the halls for some time, resting here and there to allow my leg to stop aching. My ribs had healed considerably well during the last weeks. They barely hurt. My hand... it had mostly healed, but a couple fingers now sat bit different, not too noticeably. When I make a fist, my point finger doesn't quite look right. Luckily, the healers had said the leg would be back to normal in a couple weeks. Unfortunately, we didn't have that time. We'd been here longer than we should've been.

Voices drifted down and unto Legolas and myself. Familiar ones. I hastened my pace—to the best of my ability, forcing Legolas to match my steps.

And then I stood smiling in the door frame to a sitting-room. Gimli lounged in a chair he seemed to sink halfway into, thick hand plucking meats off a tray. Aragorn stood against a mantle, smiling at something Gimli had said. Mithrandir sat more dignified in a sturdy plush armchair, looking thoughtful. Not grumpy, for a change. My friends.

It struck me senseless. Friends. Ones I could call so easily. I guess that decision I made back in Lothlorien did turn up with some good things.

"Nice to see you on your own two feet." Aragorn strode forward, a wide grin splitting his face, and embraced me. I stood stiff as a plank, but eventually melted and wrapped my arms around him.

I pulled back, "nice to see myself out of that bed."

He barked a laugh. "I can imagine."

"As much as I agree upon your improved health," Gandalf began, voice weary but stern. I braced myself for whatever the wizard had to say. "We must move along in our journeys."

"...Journ... oh."

Gimli chuckled as my confusion melted away. We were leaving. All going our separate ways—Me only knowing Legolas and I's destination for the safety of my friends and the preservation of our success. Sauron couldn't know what the Heir of Gondor was planning. Which means I cannot know.

Mood severely dampened, I limped to a nearby armchair and tried—tried—sitting like a lady.

"Lumornel," Gandalf continued, "I've already held counsel with the remaining members of the Fellowship. We leave today, it is crucial to our plans. I fear, already, that we have lingered in this stone encampment far too long."

Nodding, and self-consciously pulling on my cuffs, I said, "I get it. The plans have been damaged because of the amount of time my healing took."

Before Mithrandir's silence could answer, Legolas strode forward. "It is not her fault of the time that has been taken away. She has been healing. You cannot expect her to heal from several broken bones while traveling over mountains and through forests."

"While that is true, Thranduilion, she must travel now. The healers have informed me she is suitable enough to ride on horseback. Plans have not—and will not change."

Legolas stepped down. "Very well."

"You will leave at sun-high," Aragorn announced from the mantle, "so I recommend you say your goodbyes and put on some trousers."

Blushing, I nodded.

*********

I knocked on the door again. No one would answer, but someone had to be home. I needed to say goodbye to Sunngifu and Sunnwyn. Shuffling on my feet, I adjusted the crutch I had been given for the time being. It was a crude tool, carved poorly from wood, but I was grateful for it nonetheless. It was all the Rohan people could spare me. They tried their best to please me, even though I wished they would treat me like any other person, and they felt deeply sorry for only having the old, crooked crutch to spare. An injured with one in good condition had even tried to trade with me. I refused, of course.

The door creaked open, an unfamiliar woman with blonde hair tucked beneath a kerchief peeked her head out. She didn't open the door all the way.

"What is with the racket?! We are—" Her eyes widened as she saw my winter hair.

I took advantage of her surprise. "Where's Gifu? Is she here? ...Who are you?"

"Nurse Estswith. Lady Sunngifu is giving birth—" Her head disappeared from the door in a forced flurry.

"It is very unladylike to give false information, Nurse. There is no baby currently exiting me—" she cut of in an abrupt gasp.

"My Lady!" Cried the nurse.

The door opened fully and revealed a cringing Gifu, hair damp from sweat.

"Gifu!" I hurried to her side. "Get back in—"

"No," she gasped, struggling to take in a deep breath. Her pain passed. "No baby yet."

Still, her hands resting on her swollen belly. After all this time, she was finally giving birth. And I wouldn't be here to see her baby! She wouldn't even tell me the names she came up with.

But I broke out in a wide grin. "You're the stubbornest person I know."

"Not... true." She leaned against the door frame. "I believe you've met yourself."

I gasped and refrained from slapping her arm. Then winced at how easily we were conversing. We've only visited with each other once since when we last fought. And I had been so drugged with herbs to ease my pain I could barely recall it.

Not surprisingly, she didn't remark on seeing me on my two feet. But she motioned for me to come in.

Shaking my head, I didn't take the offer. "Gifu... I'm... sorry."

"That looked more painful than what I'm going through now."

I glared at her. "You know what I mean."

She crossed her arms, wearing a smirk on her face. "So, you finally agree with sense."

"I-uh-no! I don't agree that I should carry a knife, I just acknowledge your commitment and I'm sorry I wasted your time arguing." I bit my tongue—

"Do I smell tea?" I exclaimed in bewilderment.

She almost snorted, instead she pushed back her sweaty blonde hair. "I guess that's the best I'm going to get for now. Just please remember, Nelly, my words. Your knives won't harm you, they protect you."

"And—" She winced, and her knees almost buckled, "of course... you smell tea. Birthing will—not stop me from—tea drinking."

"Well... uh... maybe you should get back...?"

"Nonsense—"

"I came to say goodbye."

She stared at me blankly, her hand falling from midair. For a terrifying second, I thought she was going to cry.

"I... I guess I always knew this day would come." She hobbled forward. "Safe travels, Nelly."

I nodded and found myself tearing up. She gave me a surprisingly strong hug, her chin resting on my shoulder, as she was an inch or two shorter than me.

"You'll at least tell me the baby's name, won't you?" I squeezed—not too tightly and let go so she could pull back.

"No. That way you'll have to come back and find out for yourself."

"But—"

"Come back and you'll find out."

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Stubborn."

She smiled wide. "Relentless."

We stood there for a brief moment, trying to memorize each other. We both knew I might not return.

"Ah!" She exclaimed, and I rushed forward, fearing the worst. "Mother has something to give you!"

"Mother!" She called over her shoulder, turning back to smile knowingly at me. Sunnwyn's muffled response came back.

"What is... it's not a knife, is it?" I eyed her suspiciously as she gave a smile in answer. Despite my efforts, my heart beat faster, my palms became clammy.

"Here... here it is." Sunnwyn came up behind her daughter, one hand on her shoulder for support. For herself or Gifu, I didn't know.

In her wizened hand, she held a leather and bronze bracelet. She held it out and spoke words that I didn't hear through my awe. Gently, I took the beautiful piece of jewelry in my hands. The piece was thrice braided with soft and hard leather, each one dyed in varied shades of brown. Little beads encased singular strands in some of the braids here and there, each one engraved with different things. I spotted my name among them. With every strand of leather having a burned pattern on it, it was difficult to see it all.

"Thank you," I whispered. "This must've taken you ages."

"Don't fret, my lady. It took as long as all the others." Gifu held up her wrist in evidence for her mother's words. Vaguely, I remembered seeing a similar bracelet on Leofwyn.

"Still, thank you."

"You are very welcome, my lady."

Reverently, I clasped the jewelry around my wrist. Then twisted it about.

"Elves, I see, don't have much in the way of jewelry," Sunngifu commented.

I shook my head. "They have great jewelers. I'm mean, what about Feanor! He created the Silmarils!"

"As I recall from my grandmother's bedtime stories, those were stones, not worn as jewelry." She looked deeply disappointed in me.

"Morgoth would beg differently."

Sunnwyn gasped softly and made a sign of protection up to Eru, whereas Gifu snorted. Then her expression softened.

"When are you leaving?"

"Just after I say goodbye to you. Then it's off to Mirkwood."

She nodded. "But why... Mirkwood? Why not to Gondor?"

Shaking my head, I answered. "Don't know. And I don't want to know in case... Mithrandir—Gandalf says we've wasted enough time here already. And... I think we're going to Mirkwood partly because King Thranduil is dead. Legolas will want to lead his people."

"What?" Sunngifu and Sunnwyn gasped in unison. Gifu stared wide-eyed, "we have not yet heard news of this. When... how did this happen?"

"Assassin." I shivered. "Legolas is... coping." Actually, I had no idea how he's feeling. He hides his feelings so well and masks it over with something else it's difficult to even remember his father just died.

"Well... I guess this is a goodbye, Nelly. I... stay safe. Promise me you won't die—no, promise—" she choked up, thinking of Sormer, "—promise you'll return."

I smiled and leaned in for possibly the last hug I'll ever give her.

"I promise."

*********

"'Farewell,' they cried. 'Wherever you fare till your eyries receive you at the journey's end!'"

--The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien

There. Is. A. Gnat. AND IT WONT STOP BOTHERING ME.
*heavy breathing*
*crickets*

I have been dumping the foreshadowing on you guys, especially in past chapters... Any theories on what's going to happen?

Novaer mellyn,
~awatin~