Since not a lot was changed in the Prologue, you get the NEW chapter 1 also!
Yay!
Let me know what you think!
Thank you Dwyna for pointing that out!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize!
"English"
"Elvish"
'Thought'
150 years have passed since Kagome made the village of Archet her new home.
Archet was nestled within Chetwood Forest, which held many different kinds of medicinal herbs that she used to help the people of the other villages.
Every once in a while, she'd take on an apprentice from each village. Making receiving care easier for the people.
Periodically, she would travel to the different villages, making sure the people were still cared for and that she didn't have to replace any of her students.
Lately, her mind had become troubled.
On one of her visits to the Shire, Frodo Baggins had come to her with a concern.
He told her about his uncle's 111st birthday and the strange warning given to him by Gandalf the Grey.
'Keep it secret, keep it safe' he had told the young Hobbit.
It had been almost a month since the wizard had cautioned the youngest Baggins.
'I should probably visit the Shire soon.'
Walking through the streets of Bree, her attention was caught by a crowd in front The Prancing Pony.
Curious, she wondered over to see what the commotion was.
"…Four Hobbits…"
"Wraith's came…"
"…Left with a ranger!"
"…Baggins…"
The last word caused Kagome's green eyes to widen.
Pushing herself past the crowd and into the Inn, she made her way to the counter where Barliman Butterbur stood talking to a few patrons.
"Barliman!"
Surprised, he raised his eyes to see the elf healer approaching him.
"Miss Kagome!"
"What happened?"
Seeing the worried look on her face, he quickly told her what he knew.
Apparently, four Hobbits had ventured into Bree looking for Gandalf the Grey. During the Night, they were escorted out by a ranger just before some Wraiths came into the inn looking for them.
"What did the ranger look like?"
After a brief description of the ranger, Kagome sighed with relief.
"You know him?"
"I know of him," she corrected. "He is honorable and will take them safely to their destination."
"I hope so Miss."
Kagome nodded.
"Thank for your time Barliman."
"It was no trouble," he called to her retreating back.
Head down in thought, Kagome made her way back to Archet; her body moving along the familiar path on its own.
'This feeling of ill-ease has been getting stronger,' she thought. 'I should probably go to Lothlorien and speak to Lady Galadriel.'
Reaching Archet, she changed direction and made her way to a house not too far from her own.
Walking up the path, the door opens and a young woman steps out; confusion written on her face.
"Miss Kagome, is something wrong?"
She gives the young woman a reassuring smile.
"No Elthia," she said. "I have business to attend and I do not know when I shall be returning. I need for you to go to the other villages and tell my other apprentices that I will be gone."
Elthia's eyes widen in surprise.
"Of course, Miss."
Kagome smiles.
"Thank you Elthia," she said. "I'll be leaving in the morning."
The young woman wishes her a safe trip as she leaves for her own house.
Entering the sitting room, Kagome makes her way to the kitchen to gather some provisions and medicinal herbs.
Placing the gathered items on her table, she moves on to her own room.
Opening her wardrobe, she pulls out a thick green blanket she would use should she have to sleep on the ground.
Neatly placing all the items within her pack, she places it beside the door before going to bed.
~* The Next Morning *~
Waking to the sound of a rooster's crow, Kagome rose from her bed and made to get ready for her journey.
Walking over to her wardrobe, she pulled out her traveling clothes.
Over her legs, she drew on a pair of tight, black pants, comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.
She next pulled on a dark green, long-sleeved shirt. The neck of the shirt scooped down.
Over the shirt she put on a vest made of leather, the same color as her pants, to provide her with some type of protection.
Over the sleeves covering her forearms, she placed more of the same leather to protect her arms when she used her bow.
Sitting down in a chair, she pulled her knee length boots over her feet. The boots were made of brown leather, softer than her 'armor'.
Walking up to her mirror, she brushed out her long hair before beginning to braid it.
Returning to her wardrobe, she pulled out a sword belt, which she put over her hips.
She next pulled out an elfin sword and sheathed it.
Reaching back in, she pulled out a quiver full of arrows, placing them on her back with the strap resting across her chest.
The next item she pulled out was a hooded cloak that reached down almost to her ankles.
Once more she reached in, this time pulling out her bow.
Leaving her room, she made her way to the kitchen to grab some food for the road.
Picking up her bag, she went out the front door and made her way over to her horse.
After placing the saddle onto his back, she quickly made work of tying her supplies.
'Maybe I should if visit Lord Elrond first, he and Lady Galadriel are usually on the same page.'
Mounting her horse, she left the forest village and made her way east to Rivendell.
It was dusk two days later when she finally made it to the elven city.
Two guards stopped her at the entrance.
"What business have you in Rivendell?"
"I wish to speak with Lord Elrond."
One of the guards took hold of her reigns as the other spoke.
"He is in a meeting at this time. Please follow me."
Wordlessly she dismounted.
With a nod, the elven man led her across the forest floor and up the stone stairs of Rivendell before stopping in front of a door.
"Please wait here."
Without waiting for an answer, he knocked on the door and entered after a female voice gave him permission.
Kagome waited by looking out of the open walkway and looking over the great city.
Hearing the door open behind her, she turned and saw the guard.
A woman with black hair and blue eye stood beside him.
"I am Arwen, daughter of Elrond. I am told you are here to see my father."
"I am Kagome. I have need of your father's counsel."
The elven princess eyed for a moment.
"I will show you to a room where you may wait for him."
Kagome gave a bow.
"Thank you my Lady."
After she had been shown to her room, Kagome changed into the nightclothes provided and sat down with a book to wait for the Lord of Rivendell.
Had just finished the third chapter of her book when she heard a knock.
Setting the book onto the table, she went to open the door.
Lord Elrond stood on the other side.
"Lord Elrond."
"Kagome."
Moving to the side, she allowed him into her borrowed room.
Closing the door, she turns to see Lord Elrond watching her.
"My daughter said you had need of my counsel."
She nods.
"For the past few months, I have been feeling a growing sense of dread in the air," she began. "Last month, the feeling grew stronger quite suddenly." She gives a weary sigh. "I am worried that it may have to do with my purpose in this world."
The dark haired elf nods his head.
"It does indeed."
Kagome groans.
"I knew it."
Elrond chuckles.
"Fear not, young one," he assures her. "The meeting I was in was a council consisting of the free races of Middle Earth."
She looks up at him in confusion.
"A Fellowship has been formed with the sole purpose of destroying the Ring."
She moves past him and sits back in her chair.
Motioning for him to do the same, she pours them both a glass of water.
"What am I to do?"
The dark-haired elf looks to her in thought.
"Join them as they leave Rivendell tomorrow."
Seeing her hesitant look, he continues.
"I will introduce you."
Her eyes narrow as he smirks.
"Besides," he said. "I think you may know one or two of the Fellowship."
The two sit in silence.
"Will Lady Galadriel know more?"
"About your purpose?"
She nods.
"I honestly do not know."
She snorts.
"Helpful as ever."
He gives her a brief smile before rising from his chair and walking towards the door.
"The Fellowship leaves at dawn," he tells her. "Be ready before then."
Watching him as he closes the door behind him, Kagome sighs as she readies herself for bed.
'Let the games begin.'
With that last thought, she fell asleep.