Chapter 13 – Pushing the Boundaries

//Don't go too far. Limitation scars.//

It seemed odd, not having a usual hysterical reaction. It seemed normal to scream, or faint, or even cry, but none of that occurred as I nodded slowly to the little girl … me. It also seemed strange referring to her as me; my mind had not adjusted to the fact that my younger-self was sitting in front of me…I suppose it wasn't an idea that was easily adjustable to.

She eyed me curiously before gazing back to the crystal orb in her small palm. Following her, I concentrated on the orb as black started to cloud around its edges, slowly filling it. Suddenly, the gruesome red eye that haunted me a few days back flashed through the globe, and I jumped. My heart pounding with swift fear, I stared as the view in the little girl's palm revolved around a field, dusted in shadow. Two people, facing each other stood there, some distance between them, rigid and bracing themselves for an opponent unknown to me. I saw rain begin to fall, the grass glistening with moisture. Lightning cracked, and as quickly as the bright light faded, one of them had their arm raised preparing to strike. Then the scene faded, and the orb returned back to its original crystalline form.

I slumped back against my ankles, my knees beginning to ache from my kneeling position.

"What was that?" I asked, tilting my head to meet her eyes again.

With a small snap, the orb was gone, and the little girl withdrew her hand, placing it delicately in her lap once again. As I looked in her eyes, I realised how similar her chilling blue gaze was to the Lady Galadriel's.  

"That is the battle awaiting you on the Pelennor Fields, a fortnight away," she replied, her voice still a combination of Elvish and English.

"What battle?" I asked, confused.

"The one that determines the fate of Middle Earth. The battle between you and your father."

Cue hysterical outburst. I exploded with laughter, as the little girl in front of me waited patiently, a frown tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Gondor had just faced a war! How is it possible to face another battle that involves the whole of this Earth?!" I exclaimed, puffed for breath from my laughter.

Holding her calm tone, the child replied, "I never said anything about Gondor. I said that this was your battle."

The smile from my face died away.

"What do you mean, exactly? How will the outcome affect me?" I asked softly.

The stone room suddenly seemed too quiet after my loud laughter. I could feel the conversation drawing to a close.

The little girl stood from her wooden stool. Clutching her old satin shoes in one hand, she pressed a surprisingly warm palm to my forehead. A small, knowing smile gathered on her lips.

"This is the time to show the world your power, Laire Carn. Be not afraid."

The last thing I remember of the little girl was her piercing sapphire gaze into mine.

*~*~*~*~*~*

I woke, startled, and nearly fell out of the chair on my balcony. Blinking jadedly, I rose and stretched my aching muscles. I looked around the balcony, puzzled. A peculiar sense of déjà vu started seeping in, as I entered my bedroom.  Hurriedly changing out of my nightgown, I ran down the corridor to find the set of staircases that I had previously taken. I kept running down the shadowy passageway, the shade cast by huge windows along the wall, only to find locked wooden doors at the end.

Frustrated, I pounded my fists against it. I shrieked when the doors were suddenly pulled open, revealing a disgruntled Legolas.

"I-I'm so sorry! Didn't mean to wake you, I mean, of course I didn't. But you know what I mean, don't you? It's not like I go around pounding on people's doors this early in the morning – " I rambled, before being cut off by Legolas' finger on my lips.

"Did you wake me for a reason, Summer?" he asked, amused.

I shook my head, withdrawing my lips from his touch. My cheeks started to burn up again, and there was a warm line against my lips. I spun around and dashed back down the hallway, ignoring his calls.

Pushing my embarrassment down, I raced through the castle, determined to find my mentor. In one of the chambers I passed Arwen, who pointed me to one of the secluded gardens outside. There I found the Lady, in one of her meditative states, and I collapsed on the lush grass in front of her, panting from my darts through the castle.

"I need answers," I pleaded, interrupting her tranquil state.

"Answers come to those who seek for it willfully enough, not for the sake of personal satisfaction," she replied with her eyes still shut.

I knew it was pointless trying to argue her point. The Lady's comments were always wise, and unless you were as astute as her, or incredibly dumb, you knew not to maintain your argument. So I answered as truthfully as possible.

"I seek answers not for self-gain, my Lady, but for ease of mind."

"Is that not the same thing, child?" she said, opening her eyes, "for is not ease of mind for your own satisfaction?"

I sighed resignedly. If she was going to help me, she'd have to do it of her own accord.

"Summer, I know of your dreams. What answers do you need? Why do you question what has already been decided?"

"Already decided? You mean the battle's been planned?" I asked, shocked.

"No, dear child. Nothing has been planned. But it is the decision of the Valar that you will face your father in battle." She explained calmly.

//Don't push too hard.//

Holding my temper was never one of my strong points.

"The Valar?! You cannot make me do this! I will not fight my father!" I yelled.

"Hold your tongue, Summer," the Lady warned, "your outcome in battle will decide the fate of this world, and you cannot run away."

"Don't make me do this, Galadriel, I cannot win," I whispered.

She pressed her cool hands //so unlike the girl's…mine…// against my face like my mother used to, and said, "It is not a matter of winning, Laire. Good can never triumph over evil as long as life exists. It merely holds it. Gondor held Sauron, as will you hold your father in the palm of your hand."

"I have two weeks," I said.

The Lady nodded, her golden tresses fluttering slightly.

"Meet me here, ere noon. We have much to prepare."

I ran back into the castle towards my room. Just as I turned the corner, an arm blocked my way and I looked up to see Legolas.

"What's wrong?" he asked worriedly.

//Limitation scars.//

I hesitated. Two days ago, I couldn't stand him. Now…

Grabbing his hand, I pulled him towards my room.

A/N: Omg, I don't know where to start. It's been 4 MONTHS since I've updated at ff.net and trust me, the guilt is overwhelming. Many would probably think I'm super-slack, leaving my stories for an age in the middle like that, but I really haven't found the time or incentive to write.

So to make a long apology short, I'm SO sorry for deserting my readers and story and to warn you now that my updating patterns are EXTREMELY irregular. So don't count on anything to be delivered on time. I have a 2-week break now and I'll try to update as much as possible before I return to school. After that, my next update might not be till June, so beware!

Please keep reviewing!