Third Age 441
Eriador - Arda(Middle Earth)
Kagome opens her eyes, and sees a man standing over her with a sword to her throat. She closes her eyes, and a single tear runs down her cheek. Lord Elrond sees her brokenness, and is moved with compassion. He sheaths his sword, and picks her up off the fur. He has a servant take the fur to a chamber close to his, and a guard take the weapons to the armory. Lord Elrond arrives at the selected chamber, and tries to place her on the bed. Kagome clutches onto Lord Elrond's tunic with silent tears streaming down her face. Lord Elrond seats himself on the chair in the room, setting Kagome on his lap, and says in a gentle voice.
"You are safe young one." Elrond
Sobs begin to wrack her frame, and Lord Elrond rubs soothing circles on her back. The only thing going through Lord Elrond's head is: 'What happened to this child that has caused her to break so badly'. Lord Elrond holds her while she sleeps, and ends up falling asleep himself. Morning comes, and Kagome finds herself in the mans lap. She is a little bit uncomfortable being in the strange mans lap which causes her to squirm a little; The man stirs waking up rather easily. He looks at her, and says.
"You are awake. Did you sleep well?" Elrond
"Yes thank you. Who are you, and where am I?" ?
Lord Elrond nods, and says while wiping the last of her tears away.
"I am Lord Elrond, and you are in Rivendell." Elrond
"..." ?
"Middle Earth?" Elrond
"..." ?
"Arda?" Elrond
"..."?
"Interesting. What is your name young one?" Elrond
"Kagome." Kagome
"Pleased to meet you Kagome." Elrond
"Likewise Lord Elrond." Kagome
"What has you in such distress young Kagome?" Elrond
Kagome instantly begins to sob into Lord Elrond's tunic. Lord Elrond holds her whispering words of comfort saying.
"Tell me what's wrong young one; I will help you." Elrond
Kagome's sobs slow hearing Lord Elrond's words. She sniffles, and says.
"Everything that matters is gone." Kagome
Lord Elrond raises a brow, but does not interrupt. She continues her explanation saying.
"Yesterday was my clans seasonal celebration. We were having a merry time when out of the forest came an extremely hostile army. They proceeded to slaughter everyone right down to the smallest infant. The only reason that I survived the massacre was that I was the guardian of an object of power. It protected me until the danger passed. I then buried my kin, collected what was irreplaceable, laid myself down on my fathers pelt, and went to sleep." Kagome
Lord Elrond knows there is something she is not telling him, but does not mention it. He immediately knows what he needs to do for the child in his arms, and says.
"I will take care of you. You will be adopted into my family as if you had been born that way." Elrond
"But why? You don't even know me." Kagome
"You are young, and in need of a family. I will gladly provide you with a home if you want?" Elrond
Kagome is stunned, but also very lonely so she says.
"I accept your offer as long as I can keep my clans artifacts." Kagome
"You may. Now come breakfast is about to be served." Elrond
Kagome nods, and follows after Lord Elrond while running a comb through her hair. Kagome then notices that she is really hungry; In fact she could eat an entire boar all by herself. When Kagome arrives in the dining hall she is exceedingly disappointed to find that only vegetables are being served. Kagome looks at Lord Elrond, and sees that this is the only food she will be getting so she begins to eat. Kagome wants to die so she doesn't know why she is even bothering, but Lord Elrond wants her to so she obeys. Lord Elrond and his family are shocked by the sheer amount of food that Kagome is consuming. When Lord Elrond gets over his shock he asks.
"How can you eat so much?" Elrond
"I am a Yokai; So I have to eat twice as much vegetables to be satisfied." Kagome
"Yokai?" Elrond
"A beast of power; A dog to be more precise." Kagome
"Oh? You don't look like a dog." Elrond
"After I have finished eating I will show you, but I warn you I will have even less desire to live than I do now so take care if you want me to live so badly." Kagome
After she says this Lord Elrond instructs a maid to fetch the strongest thickest ropes they have in case something should happen. Kagome looks at him, and says.
"Can you please take me to the largest clearing in the forest?" Kagome
Lord Elrond nods, and says.
"This way." Elrond
Lord Elrond takes her where she asked. Kagome stands in the center of the clearing, and transforms into her true form. Those present were so shocked by her transformation that their mouths were agape. Lord Elrond was the first to compose himself. He was about to say something to the young one he has come to care about when she takes off running. He and his men pursue her. When they catch up to her they see that she is headed straight for a cliff, and shows no signs of stopping. They wrap the ropes around her, and pull her to a complete stop. Kagome lets out a frustrated whine, and transforms back causing the ropes to fall off. She resumes running, and just before she reaches the cliff Lord Elrond grabs her saying.
"No young one this is not the way." Elrond
Kagome fixes her blood red eyes on Lord Elrond, and says.
"Lord Elrond allow me to go join my kin." Kagome
"No." Elrond
Before she has a chance to protest further Lord Elrond scoops her up into his arms, and returns to Rivendell. He does not take her to her room, but instead locks her up in the dungeon until her eyes return to normal. Hearing her struggle against the chains causes his heart to clench, but the memory of her suicide attempt reminds him why this must be.
A month later Kagome's rational mind regains control, and she is released from the dungeon. After the morning meal Lord Elrond asks her for an explanation. She explains, and Lord Elrond becomes concerned that only half of her has agreed to his proposal. Kagome leaves Lord Elrond in his study to think. As she is walking down the hallway Kagome bumps into Arwen. Arwen smiles at her, and says.
"I have been looking everywhere for you Kagome." Arwen
"Why have you been looking for me?" Kagome
"We are to be sisters; I wish to spend time with you." Arwen
"Alright." Kagome
Arwen grabs Kagome's hand, and begins dragging her down the hall. A bewildered Kagome looks at her soon to be sister, and says.
"Where are we going?" Kagome
"You will see soon enough Kagome." Arwen
Kagome huffs, but continues following Arwen. Arwen and Kagome arrive in the garden and sit down on a bench. Arwen looks at Kagome, and wonders if there is anything she can do to help ease her broken heart. Arwen looks at Kagome, and says.
"Come we will have tea and talk." Arwen
"Sure." Kagome
The two make their way over to a table, and a servant brings them tea. When they are seated in the Gazebo Kagome asks.
"What would you like to ask?" Kagome
"Why did you spend the last moon In the dungeon?" Arwen
"The other half of myself tried to end our life." Kagome
"Why?" Arwen
"She is of the opinion that the only way to solve our loneliness is to join our kin in the afterlife." Kagome
"What of my father's offer?" Arwen
"It was disregarded." Kagome
"Why?" Arwen
"This one does not know. Why don't you ask that one yourself." Kagome
Arwen nods, and Kagome's eyes turn blood red. Arwen looks at this decidedly more feral looking Kagome, and says.
"Why did you reject my father's offer? Are you not lonely?" Arwen
"I am extremely lonely, but what he is proposing is impossible. Therefore that promise must have been made in consolation, and is completely empty. I have no use for empty promises." Beast
"Oh but the promise is not in anyway empty." Arwen
"How so?" Beast
"Elven magic is very powerful. I am certain that it can be done, and you will become my precious little sister." Arwen
"I admit that I know nothing of Elves. So you may be right on this point, but I have a question. Why do you care so much about this broken dog?" Beast
"I can see that you are a pure, and good person. You just need someone to genuinely care about, and love you. I want to be that person. So please let me be your big sister?" Arwen
Beast gives a pained sigh, and says.
"You are right about everything. As long as you keep your promise I will make no further attempts on our life in your presence." Beast
"I am very happy to hear that." Arwen
While they were talking her brothers were coming to find her when they overheard the conversation the girls were having. They had heard rumors of the happening, but hadn't believed a single word of it. Now that they had heard it from Kagomes lips they have no choice, but to believe them. It displeased them that their new little sister would try to kill herself. Their first thought was why would she do it. Then they remembered what their father said about her entire family being murdered before her eyes, and realized that it made sense that Kagome would react badly when they thought about it. They are happy that their sister has things under control in regards to Kagome. The only time they will have to be on guard is when red eyed Kagome is separated from Arwen. Then it would be their responsibility to lock her up in the secure cell in the dungeon so their father will not have to do it. They know how much it saddens him to do it. Their fathers only wish is to help Kagome over come her pain, but he also recognizes that she is a danger to herself in this state. Even though it is an unpleasant task it is a necessary one. The boys decided to enjoy the gardens, and leave the girls to enjoy themselves. They watched them from the distance, and are determined that they will acquaint themselves with their new sister at the earliest opportunity they are presented with. They also wanted to enjoy having another sister to love and protect.
Unbeknownst to all Lord Elrond had been observing the scene from the moment the girls entered the garden. He heard everything Kagome's beast said, and frowned slightly. He would have to talk to Galadriel about the ceremony as soon as possible. Things could not be allowed to continue as they are. For the good of Kagome, and his family this must stop as soon as possible. He knows that even after the adoption it will take some time before they will be completely accepted as family. The whole tragedy saddens him greatly. No one should ever have to go through that especially not someone so young. A century is a mere blink in the life of an elf. The young should be able to enjoy their youth instead of having their hearts broken so badly that death seems like the only way to escape pain and loneliness. He knows that suicide is never the answer to escaping pain no matter how acute it may be. Lord Elrond hopes that his mother-in-law will know what to do so that he can keep his promise to Kagome. The poor child doesn't deserve to have her heart broken anymore than it already is. If that were to happen he fears it would destroy her completely. Between now, and when the spell can be performed he is determined to take the time for him and his family to get to know Kagome better. Kagome the strange elf-like being from another world. He wondered what kind of terrible enemy would cause such a pure being so much unwarranted pain. Who would want to wipe out a clan so badly as to not even leave the children alive. He also wondered what kind of object Kagome was entrusted with protecting that could protect it's guardian from such an assault. What did the object look like, what were it's powers, was it good or evil, did it have a will of it's own; at least enough of one to actually care for it's guardian, and most importantly what happened to it? He would have to wait patiently for the right time to ask his questions. One thing is certain he will get all the answers he seeks without hurting the girl anymore than she already is.
Kagome could not fathom how lucky she is to have come to this world, and to meet such a wonderful and loving family. What could she have done to deserve such good fortune after being unable to to protect what was dearest to her. She thought for sure that she would be punished for her failure, however fate has shown her nothing but kindness. She is getting a second chance at having a family. Even though none of it makes sense to her Kagome is truly glad that this is happening. She knows she deserves none of this. First she was a distant absent pup for her first five years(minus a few months). Then she was a clumsy human burden to her friends. Then she became a faithful daughter and heir for her real father. Next she became the heir to a slaughtered house. Now finally she is the homeless orphan about to be taken in by the most amazing family she has ever met. This twist of fate makes no sense at all to Kagome. Why would fate choose to bless such an utter failure like her. InuYokai exist to protect, and she proved herself completely incapable of this task. Maybe she was being given this one last chance to protect. She is determined not to fail again. She will do what ever is necessary to protect her new family; Even at the cost of her life. She will live up to her purpose, and live a happy life in the process, but for now happiness is only a dream because of the unbearable pain in her heart. Arwen's soft voice rips Kagome from her musings saying.
"While those cloths look good on you they really stick out here." Arwen
"Is there no time at all where it is acceptable to wear my priestess robes?" Kagome
Arwen files the information about Kagome being a priestess away to think about at a later time, and says.
"They would make excellent traveling cloths, but for every day you need dresses. We can go see the seamstress, and have her get started on the first four dresses of your new wardrobe." Arwen
"That sounds like so much fun. Just tell me when, and we can go." Kagome
"I have been wondering something for a while now." Arwen
"What?" Kagome
"What is that fur pelt lying on your shoulder?" Arwen
"That is just what it is my pelt from my true form." Kagome
"So that pelt is literally your fur?" Arwen
"Yes." Kagome
"May I touch it?" Arwen
"You may." Kagome