Flight Of Fate

Chapter Eight - Puzzle Pieces

Thranduil's heart pounded so hard, he was sure it could be heard over the racket coming from the neighbours through the wall. He tried to speak, but he couldn't. He tried to look away, but he couldn't. He tried to gather his thoughts. But he couldn't.

Silent tears streamed down Kira's cheeks as she held his horrified gaze. Her arms tightened around the child she held, in a protective manner.

"Please don't take her away from me," she whispered brokenly. "Please. She's all I have. I wouldn't have made it if it hadn't been for her. Please don't take her away." Her shoulders shook as she broke down, giving in to heartfelt sobs that shook her body. "Please!"

His heart broke.

"No-one is going to take her away," he whispered, lowering himself slowly to sit on the quilt. "Why would you think otherwise?"

She was crying too hard to respond.

"Kira? Kira, talk to me," he urged gently. "Tell me everything."

Her head shook stubbornly as she sobbed, still clinging to the baby.

He closed his eyes against the anguish he felt, both his own, and coming from her in strong, pulsating waves of grief. "Listen to me, Kira," he said, still in the same gentle tone. "I want to help you. I know that something is terribly wrong here, but I cannot help if you do not talk to me. Let me in, please, Kira."

"I can't," she gasped between sobs. "I can't."

The little one had stopped crying and was gazing at Thranduil instead, with curiosity and trust in equal balance within the eyes that were identical to his own.

He wanted more than anything to hold her, but knew that Kira was so fragile, it wouldn't be a good idea to suggest it. He settled for gently touching a tender hand to the back of the child's head.

A gummy smile was the response, and his own eyes filled with tears. "What is her name?" His question was hoarse, and was voiced with difficulty.

"Eden," she whispered. "I called her Eden."

"Eden," he repeated softly. "It's a beautiful name."

The ruckus from through the wall was still on-going, and the baby jumped in fright as another loud crash sounded followed by more furious screaming. Another thump.

"This is not the place for either of you right now," he said. "You will not get any rest. It's too cold in here, too noisy, and you have no bed to sleep in."

"It's home," she managed to say. "It'll do."

"It's not good enough for you both," he told her. "Let me find you somewhere better, somewhere warmer, at least if only for tonight. Please let me help."

She heard the urgent plea as he spoke.

"I can't walk away from here knowing that you are living like this," he continued in a gentle tone. "It's not comfortable for you, and it's definitely not comfortable for Eden. Think of her, Kira. She needs to be warm and safe, somewhere where she will get the sleep she needs."

Her eyes moved to his hand cradling the back of her daughter's head. He was right. Eden deserved better than what she was trying to provide for her. "Where can we go?" she whispered. Tear-filled eyes lifted to his. "There's nowhere. I don't know anyone here."

He swallowed away the lump in his throat. "You know me," he whispered back. "You know that I would never hurt you or do anything which would cause you distress. I only wish to help you, both of you." His amazing eyes seemed to stare deep into her soul, and she felt vulnerable as she sat rocking the baby.