We are Soldiers, Stand or Die
Chapter 4
D/c: I don't own IY or LotR. The page breaks are lyrics, and I'm going to use a song until it's over, then I'll use another. The page break in the last chapter […I can see, when you stay low nothing happens… was from the song, Stand my Ground, by Within Temptation. I don't own them. Song suggestions are open!! I am not sure if I get the facts right about the sun and moon, etc. I haven't read the Silmarillion in a while. The song featured in this chapter is still Stand My Ground.
:p
Kagome stared with wide eyes at the people that were standing around them, clenching her hands. Sesshoumaru stared impassively at those around them, not moving.
"Who are you?" asked the old man that stood across from them. His ling white hair was topped with a pointed hat, and his eye brows were bushy and long, reaching the wide brim of his hat. His eyes were piercing, seeking.
Before Kagome could answer the question directed their way, Sesshoumaru beat her to it. "I am Sesshoumaru, Lord of the Western province. This is my…" he paused for a moment, taking a moment to glance at her before continuing, "brother's consort, the priestess Kagome."
Kagome's eyes widened, and she unintentionally shuffled her feet.
They were met with silence.
A rather stout and short old fellow struggled to his feet and spoke firmly. "There is no lord in the Shire."
Sesshoumaru remained silent, yet his grasp on his demonic sword never slackened. Beside him, Kagome felt panic clawing its way viciously up her throat. She trembled, hugged herself, and moved so she was behind Sesshoumaru. She was quickly coming to a conclusion that she did not want to consider. Sesshoumaru voiced the question that was stuck in her mouth. "Where are we?" he asked in a smooth baritone.
A golden haired male answered before anyone else could, his voice lilting. "You currently stand in the heart of Imladris, Rivendell in westernesse tongue. You are in the council room of Lord Elrond, the Half-elven." He gestured towards Elrond, who was seated at the head of the company.
Sesshoumaru seemed to contemplate releasing his weapon, but he did, and by doing so, the company relaxed. "It seems," he began, addressing no one in particular, "that we have been thrown into another land."
It was Kagome that spoke, breaking the tense atmosphere. "You have got to be kidding me." She began, clutching her hair with twin pale fists. "Another one? Isn't enough that I've failed my classes because of travelling to help put the damn Shikon no Tama together? How are we supposed to get back now?" he voice was reaching unbearable pitches, and those present, the elves especially, had to fight from stopping their ears. "I mean, what, do the gods have no justice for those that fought for their whole country? This is uncalled for! It's unjust! It's-"
"Woman." Sesshoumaru warned, his voice low. She glared furiously at him, but remained silent.
…Does it feel right
Kagome sat silently on the edge of the bed, her fingers intertwined in her lap. She still had the vampiric qualities. Why didn't she burn up in the sun? She parted her lips and raised a pale hand to her teeth. A harsh sound escaped her lips. Yes…she still had the fang teeth.
To top it all off, she was on another quest not weeks after hers was ended.
Across from her, Sesshoumaru was sitting with his back against the wall. His left leg was tucked beneath his right, which was raised and bent at the knee. His right wrist hung limply from it, and his hair was draped about his shoulders.
They both hadn't spoken the length of the previous night, and it was now morning. Due to the assumptions made by the court and council, they were stuck in the same room.
A small knock on the door brought them both to their senses. "Come in." Kagome muttered, lowering her lips slightly.
The door opened to reveal the small hobbit, Frodo. He tentatively walked in, his bare feet shuffling. When he looked up, he noticed the two strangers looking at him. He coughed slightly. The woman shifted. The man merely ignored him. "Hello." He murmured. He was completely taken aback when the woman smiled warmly at him. She crossed her legs and patted the seat next to her. He smiled widely and accepted the invitation.
"So, Frodo was it?" she asked, the accent evident in her voice.
He nodded.
"What is the sun made out of?" She found herself asking.
Frodo hesitated for a moment, wondering why she was asking such a strange question. "What do you mean?"
"Well, what is it? A large ball of fire?" she pressed.
"Of course not. I do not know the complete story, but a helper of The Valar is the caretaker for the light. The same goes for the moon."
"The Valar?" Sesshoumaru asked, inserting his presence.
Frodo sighed a bit impatiently. They were truly from another world. "The Valar are the helpers of Iluvatar, the creator of Middle Earth. They do his bidding. They are as gods."
Kagome nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I won't be burned into a cinder." She said happily.
Frodo raised his eyebrows, but said nothing. "It won't do. I am pleased to have met you, but we must be leaving in the morn." He said slowly.
"We are coming with you." Sesshoumaru drawled.
Kagome and Frodo adopted identical looks of horror.
"I just want to go home!" Kagome yelled just as Frodo denied what he had heard. "I cannot endanger more lives!"
Sesshoumaru stared blankly at her, his gaze seeming to freeze her core. "Woman, do you think that I, a taiyoukai, want to destroy a measly ring that might help the world that we do not exist in?" he stated more than asked. "I shall help. If you do not wish to assist them, then run with your tail tucked between your legs like a frightened pup."
She averted her gaze, finding the carpet very interesting. "That's not what I meant." She muttered.
"Then we shall be accompanying them in the morn."
Kagome nodded meekly, her blue eyes glaring at the carpet.
Frodo stood, apologizing. He took his leave, his head churning with the things he had just heard. With a sigh, he rubbed the healing wound in his shoulder and headed to his rooms to prepare for the journey in the morning.
…Late at night, things I thought I put behind me…
Kagome stood beneath the large archway that marked the entrance to the elven city of Imladris. Ahead of her, Sesshoumaru was conversing with the head of the group, the one called Gandalf. There were two men, Aragorn and Boromir, a dwarf, Gimli, three newer hobbits, Merry, Pippin, and Sam. They were waiting for two more. A sudden cough from behind her alerted her to their presence. She turned and stared as Frodo and a slender, blond man came forward. "Hello Frodo." She greeted, kneeling down to hug the small hobbit. He smiled wanly and hugged her back.
The blond man walked past her and greeted Aragorn with a large hug, laughter in his voice, which was as crystal clear as a stream.
She did not pay attention as Elrond spoke to them one last time, or as they set out. She simply followed the brisk pace which they set, adoring the tunic, boots, and leggings supplied by the elves. They were light and comfortable. However, she felt as useless as the pony that was being led by little Sam, Bill. Actually, she felt almost more useless. At least Bill carried most of their essentials. Kagome did not even have her bow anymore.
She kept beside Sesshoumaru, casting fleeting glances at their surroundings, and the beauty of Imladris stunned her. It held the same surreal beauty of the Sengoku Jidai, yet it seemed more preternatural. More alive. The sun was shining down, and the feeling was uncomfortable on her skin. It irritated her, pained her slightly, and she managed to shield her face as much as she could with her inky black hair, but the dark color seemed to attract the heat, and made her suffer even more.
This did not go unnoticed by Aragorn.
