Now we shall see what Kagome chooses. Are you ready? Haha, hope you enjoy!
OOOOOOOOOOO
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
OOOOOOOOOOO
OOOO WHERE WE LEFT OFF LAST TIME OOOO
The embers was burning down. It was on it's last leg, which was why it had crackled. Aragorn was tending to it. Keeping the flames alive for warmth. Kagome blinked the sleep from her eyes, trying to ease her racing heart. The soft snoring of Boromir and Frodo soothed her some.
"You did not sleep long." Aragorn said softly, as he added a few twigs to the dying flames. Kagome blinked, eyeing the moon's position. He was right. A few hours of rest at most, if that. Her eyes drifted to Legolas who eyed her worriedly.
"Twas a nightmare. My past, my present, everything mixed together. It was...unpleasant." Kagome whispered in elvish, trying not to awaken her two companions as she explained herself. Aragorn nodded, understanding her meaning while Legolas frowned. There was little he could do to comfort her in her position, so he was left to let the moment pass. Kagome's eyes drifted to her side, to Boromir as he slept soundly. She would keep him safe. From what she didn't know, but if she could help it he would not perish.
OOOO AND NOW THIS TIME AROUND OOOO
Just before dawn, Aragorn went around waking those still sleeping to continue their journey. Frodo had woken up hours before that point, but continued to rest upon his female guardian. Kagome remained awake since her nightmare jolted her, humming her lullaby softly to the two boys cuddled up to her. Boromir slept on, fitful dreaming as it clearly was. There was little Kagome could do to deter dreams. Especially ones caused by the evil in the air. Sauron wanted them to falter. He wanted Boromir to take the one ring. Wanted there to be infighting within the group. Kagome hoped she'd be able to stop it.
"Boromir, dear one." Kagome whispered softly, nudging the larger male softly. He stirred softly, blinking sleep from his eyes as he focused on the warm face beside him. "Good morning. Here?" she greeted before offering him her water pouch that she'd just gotten out moments ago for Frodo and herself. Boromir took it with a nod of thanks, taking a swig. Once he offered it back, she offered him a bit of Elven bread in return. A smile spread across his lips as he kissed her forehead in amusement.
"Mothering me as usual, are you?" he asked in a joking tone, but Kagome could only shrug with a warm smile.
"I've known you for too long not to." she stated with a bright smile. A memory of a younger, more curious version of Boromir flashed through her mind. It warmed her spirit. "Your brother and you were the reason I visited as often as I did." Kagome explained with warm amusement. Boromir smiled and arose to make ready for their obvious departure. Frodo got up softly, giving a stretch himself.
"Thank you, Kagome." Frodo said softly with a warm look towards Kagome. Rising herself, Kagome ruffled the dark haired hobbit's hair in an affectionate manner.
"I'm always here for you, Frodo." she promised warmly. Frodo said no more and silently went to help the other hobbits pack up for their departure. Packing up herself, Kagome was about to find Legolas when he appeared at her side. Adjusting her bag with a warm, amused smile, Kagome leaned up and wrapped her arms softly around the elf. "Good morning." she greeted warmly, letting herself relish the warm, comfortable feeling of being within the blond elf's arms.
"Good morning, Kagome." he replied softly in elvish that tickled her ears. Pulling back, she was momentarily enthralled by the feel of fingers in her hair, tucking hair behind her ear. A purr erupted from her middle, and she smiled in amusement at his answering smile. "Know that you can lean on me as well." he explained softly in elvish, obviously wishing to keep the conversation private from eavesdroppers. Leaning forward, he planted a kiss upon her brow. "Perhaps I'll be able to keep the nightmares at bay." He explained in a soothing manner. Kagome smiled and purred loudly.
"I will remember. Next we rest, I'll join you." she promised softly in returned elvish. The two paused their conversation as Aragorn joined them.
"Ready to depart?" he asked eyeing the two of them, but it was Kagome who pulled him to a halt. He turned and eyed her, giving her his attention.
"Are you all right?" she asked softly in elvish, not wanting him to feel as though others were watching or judging him. His lips quirked up.
"I feel the burden of the loss of Gandalf, feel the uncertainty of the path we're taking, the dangers all around. Even within our group." he explained relaxing somewhat as he felt the weight leave his shoulders for a moment. Kagome put her hand on his shoulder just as Legolas did much the same. Smiling warmly, half in amusement, Kagome nodded to the two of them by his side.
"Let us support you, Aragorn. We can share the load." she offered in soft elvish. Aragorn snorted, but gave a nod of consent.
"I'll look to the two of you from now on. Thank you." he replied warmly. Obviously he felt a bit better just knowing the two of them had his back.
"If you three are done excluding the rest of us, let's be off already." Gimli bit off grumpily, obviously having just woken up. Kagome smiled in pure amusement as she trotted over to the dwarf's side, leaving a curious elf in her wake.
"We could have secret conversations as well, my friend." she said in amused dwarven, tipping her head to the side. Gimli blinked in surprise before choking on laughter at this turn of events. Apparently he didn't know Kagome could also speak dwarven.
"Full of little hidden gems, aren't you, lass?" he asked in returned dwarven, but just chuckled to himself as he walked over towards their boat. Legolas padded softly to her side and made an oddly pleased and displeased expression.
"I've not known a dwarf to share their customs, let alone teach an elf their language." he commented in common tongue. Kagome softly giggled, the memory of her previous companions on her last journey with the best thief of all time.
"Help them get rid of a dragon and there's a lot the dwarves are willing to share." she explained with pure mirth in her expression and voice. Without anything further, she trotted off to their boat. Taking her seat, she smiled warmly at all the other companions.
"Good morning, Kagome." greeted Pip as Merry waved from his place. Waving in return, Kagome hummed to herself as memories of her previous big adventure filled her mind. Without further conversation, the group set off down the river.
It was mid-afternoon when Kagome threw caution to the wind and began crafting to pass the time. The river's current was nearly powerful enough to carry them, with the occasional rowing. As such she decided to go ahead and make a few things, just as options for gifts. First project was the prayer beads. Though she had no beads to use out of ease, she simply went the extra mile to solidify her own energy into beads. First, she braided a few of her own energy infused hairs to substitute a thread. Then she started making the beads. A slow and somewhat tedious process, but it would make it easier to enchant the finished product.
"What are you doing there, lass?" Gimli asked from his place peeking from behind her back. Kagome smiled in both amusement and shyness.
"I'm making a gift to bestow upon someone, Gimli. I've not decided what to enchant the beads with per-say, but I know that protection of some kind will be for certain." she explained simply, not entirely certain of herself. Though as she spoke, the nightmare from the previous night filled her mind. Perhaps she'd give the beads to Boromir?
"Do you take requests?" Gimli asked seemingly out of no where. Kagome did not glance back at him, though she wondered what brought this up.
"Certainly. What is it you'd like?" she asked softly, fingers never pausing in her process of beading her necklace. Gimli paused for a moment before humming in thought. It was unclear if he paused to think of an item or how to word his request.
"You'll recall the fair elf bestowed three of her hairs to me, yes?" he asked somewhat tentatively, almost as if unsure. What was on his mind? Kagome wondered. Glancing back towards the dwarf, Kagome nodded for him to continue. She did indeed recall that detail. "Could you do what you did with the strands of your hair? Not a necklace with all those beads maybe. Just a way to make it harder for me to lose them." he explained, a tad on the shy sound in tone. Kagome smiled. It was cute that he wanted to keep his keepsake safe while on their journey.
"I can do that." she said warmly with a small nod of agreement. Tying off the end of her own project for now, she turned to accept the strands of hair from Gimli. Turning back to the front, Kagome got to work at once. It was a simple knotted pattern from right to left between the three strands of hair. Within minutes she'd finished. Turning back to Gimli, she showed the dwarf the finished product. "Look good? I can tie it to your wrist if you like." she asked before offering to assist him in wearing it. Gimli eyed the strands.
"Thank you, lass. It looks mighty fine." he thanked warmly before thrusting his wrist towards her. A smile played across his lips, obviously quite pleased. Kagome nodded and went about tying the bracelet around his wrist. Pausing only to be sure it was not too tight for him. "It's snug, but just right. Thank you again."
"You're very welcome." Kagome said with a bright smile before sending her smile towards the quiet elf in the back of their boat. Legolas returned her smile having been listening and observing the exchange silently. He could appreciated her kindhearted nature. Appreciate, sure, but that also meant he could foresee situations with others misinterpreting her nature as attempted courting. A problem easily avoided if he could come up with a good courting gift. His gaze turned thoughtful as he eyed the horizon. Kagome smiled with amusement, guessing that his mind had turned to the topic that had had her attention for last couple of days. Every free moment she had that is. Returning to her previous task, she finished the one. Happy with how it had turned out, she decided to make another just in case. This one she decided to add a fang to. Part of her wished she could add a few. Make it look more like Inuyasha's, but no. That wouldn't be right. No. Her courting gift couldn't be like the beads of subjugation. That wouldn't be okay. Settling on one simply for more of the connection and clear distinction of who it was from exactly. Taking her time, she did an intricate braid of her hairs this time. This was special. Every few twists she would meld her bead into the design. Less a beaded thread and more as though the beads were threaded and no holes were made. Impossible for even one bead to be lost. This pleased Kagome. Pausing near the center, Kagome settled it on her lap before withdrawing a small knife from her boot.
"Lass?" Gimli asked from behind her, obviously curious what she was up to now. Pausing, Kagome held the knife for a moment.
"Don't worry, I'm removing a fang for this one is all." Kagome explained softly in common tongue, feeling her cheeks heat up. Didn't matter how old she got, all this romance stuff still left her shy as a school girl.
"What will that do?" Legolas asked from his place, obviously curious why she felt the need to add a tooth to this beaded necklace.
"Anyone can make a beaded necklace, but very few have demon fangs as I do. It's special and distinct." she explained eyeing her own dagger, wit as it were. Legolas made an ah sound in understanding while Gimli made a hmming noise. Nodding to herself, she sat the knife down and grabbed a cloth to tie back her hair. With her hair pulled up, her ears were more obvious. Very pointed. Taking a deep breathe, Kagome pushed the dagger into the base of her upper right fang and with a whine popped it out. Licking at the cut, she sighed when it healed up. Wiping the blood off both her dagger and tooth, she made a small hole into the tooth for the necklace. From there it was easy. Though as she was about half way to the other end, Aragorn's voice caught her attention.
"Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin." Aragorn explained to Frodo, half smiling towards the giant statues. Kagome's paused to gaze up at the statues. It'd been years since she'd seen them herself. Easy to forget just how large the statues were. Incredible really.
"Wonder how long it took them to carve those huge statues." Pip wondered out loud as he eyed the statue's bottom part. It was indeed above the water. Kagome didn't believe any of the people here had acquired the ability to build underwater structures just yet.
"Many months, Pip. That I can tell you." Kagome said in amusement as she recalled asking the very same question of Gandalf as they passed by it.
"How old are you, Ka-" Pip started to ask, but was cut off by Merry.
"You're not supposed to ask a lady that, Pip. You should know that." Merry chided his cousin, half with amusement and half annoyance.
"It's quite all right, Merry. Let me think." She said, pausing to mentally go over the years she's been here and her life before. "Just over 3,000 if I'm not mistaken." Kagome explained tipping her head from left to right. (*)
"So you were part of the huge fight over the ring before?" Pip asked obviously curious about it, but Kagome simply shrugged as she finished off her little project.
"I was. My very first battle in this world." she explained as she softly admired the new necklace she'd just finished.
"That's really amazing, Kagome." Merry said in slight awe with Pip agreeing with a soft yeah spoken under his breathe. Glancing to the two of them, Kagome found herself giggling at her gazes of awe.
"And that's why I don't explain my past to people upon meeting them anymore. It gets all awkward. Lots of bowing and awe filled gazes. I'd much rather just a random elf." Kagome explained with a shrug as she smiled down at her creation.
"Fame and fortune was never something Kagome strove for." Aragorn explained softly as he eyed the horizon, slight amusement in his expression. Kagome glanced his way before following his gaze. Frowning, she noted their boat trip would be coming to an end very soon indeed. "Pull off to the side. On me." Aragorn called out to the company. Kagome pocketed her things as she helped Legolas bank their boat. Upon making shore, Kagome padded over to Boromir quickly as she could. Thrusting the first necklace towards his person, Kagome smiled in amusement at his confused expression.
"It's for you, dear one. Just wear it for me, okay? It's a protection charm." she explained softly. Boromir accepted it softly, allowing her to tie it around his neck for him.
"Thank you, though I think it looks right silly." he said with a strained but amused expression. While Kagome worried for him, she was happy she could still bring a smile to his face at all. Allowing her eyes to follow him, she watched him go into the woods to gather wood for the fire. Hopefully his mind remained his own. Attention was turned to Aragorn as he began speaking to the group.
"We cross the lake at nightfall. Hide the boats and continue on foot. We approach Mordor from the North." he explained as though it were an easy task to undertake. An afternoon stroll by his words alone. Though it seemed as such, Kagome knew he was trying to make light of the situation so that the hobbits wouldn't become overwhelmed.
"Oh, yes?! It's just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil? An impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks! And after that, it gets even better!" Gimli ranted angry by Aragorn's attempt to lighten the gloom and doom of the situation. Apparently he didn't see the way the hobbits looked to him in alarm. "Festering, stinking marshlands, far as the eye can see!"
"That is our road. I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf." Aragorn practically bit off, obviously annoyed by the situation the dwarf had thrust upon the group.
"Recover my…?!" Gimli broke off into grumbles and curses in dwarven, obviously quite displeased. Kagome frowned, not happy with the situation herself. Turning to eye the group, Kagome noted Frodo was gone. When did that happen?
"I'll return shortly." Kagome announced to no one and everyone at one time. Everyone still present was much too invested in their own situations to hear her. Well, she noted Legolas looked her way when she spoke, so he knew at least. Silently walking through the forest, she found Boromir too late to really be of help. The human was laying in the leaves, having fallen down in his rush to get something out of sight. The magic of the ring was in the air, which gave the telltale signs that Frodo had been there. Boromir had tried to take the ring it would seem.
"Frodo, I'm sorry! Frodo!" Boromir yelled out, obviously hoping to repair his mistake. Kagome let her footfalls be heard as she approached the poor man. Coming to his side, he bowed his head from his seated position, ashamed. Kagome fell to her knees as well and wrapped her arms around the man.
"A mistake was made, dear one, but a mistake can be forgiven. It will be all right. I promise." she said softly, hoping to ease the burden on his shoulders. Boromir remained silent as he took in the events and her words. Silence reigned for a short few moments. Those few moments of comfort was all Kagome could offer before her ears picked up the approach of clumsy footfalls. "Make ready, Boromir. The enemy comes." she said softly as she pulled back and stood up quickly. Turning, she could see through the branches as orcs rushed through. They would be upon them soon. "Your horn. Let the others know we will need their aid." she stated as she withdrew her bow. Scenting the air, she noted Aragorn was near the scent of Frodo. So Frodo was safe at least. Boromir pulled his horn out, making ready to blow it. As he did, a sneaky orc tried to impale him from behind. Too bad for him, Kagome's necklace protected him. A soft glow erupted and the arrow was deflected harmlessly to the side. Kagome snarled loudly as she notched an arrow herself, energy blasting through it as she fired it. The orc erupted into dust nearly instantly upon impact. It was satisfying, but Kagome gave no pause. She notched another arrow right away, aiming towards the mass of orcs. Daring them to make a move towards them. Boromir finished for the moment and made ready to fight as well. Within moments orcs were upon them. Action consumed Kagome's mind as she let her instincts rule. There were just so many of them.
"Run! Run!" Boromir yelled out, which caught Kagome's attention. After purifying an orc, she glanced to see Merry and Pip fighting orcs as well. Leaping over, Kagome caught an orc aflame and smirked at the hobbits.
"Be careful. There's too many of them for us to protect you." Kagome explained softly, purifying energy radiating from her as she tried to contain her rage. The two nodded as they pulled their swords up as Boromir had taught them. Smiling firmly in place, Kagome whipped around and slashed through a tentatively approaching orc. The sound was heard before he fired. The orc's bow was old and his energy was different the others. An Uruk-hai it would seem. Kagome moved in an instant and deflected the arrow to the side herself. Her back almost directly touching Boromir, Kagome smirked, feeling her anger boil. "Funny how you think you can harm him with me here." she snarled loudly, fur bristling as pulled energy to her finger tips. Notching an arrow, she took aim and fired within seconds. Good for him, he had a trick to save him. His arm guard deflected the arrow to the side. It killed a few orcs to the side.
"The Dark Lord knows about you, woman." he snarled out drawing his sword and taking a threatening step towards her. Did he think to scare her? Snorting at him, equal parts angry and amused. Tails swishing rapidly behind her, Kagome drew her own daggers and let her energy spark through the steel.
"Let him know. The weak fool is going to meet his end soon enough." Kagome snarled, anger still dangerously evident. Crossing blades with the monster of a creature, Kagome lost herself to her personal battle. So lost in her fight that she didn't hear the approach of another powerful enemy. It was at the very last second that she felt him. Moving at the last possible moment, she narrowly missed the blade meant to impale her.
"Quick little bitch, aren't you?" the demonic creature growled out as he ready his blade for another strike.
"Two against one? You must think very highly of little ol' me." Kagome taunted the two, hoping that both would remain focused on her. Boromir had enough on his plate as it was. Sadly that was not so. The demon stalked towards her as the other creature turned his attention towards the distracted Boromir's back. Growling loudly, Kagome tried to rush past the demon to stop his notched arrow, but the demon intercepted her. Snarling, she threw a fire ball towards the notched arrow. The creature yowled in surprise and pain as the fire hit the bow, arrow, and his face. Too bad the demon didn't take that lightly, and kicked at her. Attention diverted, Kagome fell to the forest floor. The demon stomped on her middle causing her to yelp in pain. Boromir was surrounding, but he mistakenly looked her way when she yelped.
"Kagome!" Merry and Pip yelled in shock, trying to help as much as they can from their safe distance. Boromir's lack of attention cost him a few slashes on his upper arms, back, and chest. Kagome glared at both the demon and Boromir's back. The blood was evident. Snarling loudly, she half heard Aragorn bash into the Uruk taking aim at Boromir's head, but her attention was consuming. Pumping all her energy into her hands, Kagome yelled at the enemy above her as she let her power flow. He started purifying, screaming in agony, trying to raise his blade to strike her. It stabbed into her left shoulder, but she gave no pause. Kagome purified the demon from his foot upwards. While she was busy, the main horde of the orcs had taken the two hobbits and had impaled Boromir through the back. Somehow. Kagome wasn't sure how it happened exactly. All she knew was that she pulled the blade from her shoulder and her eyes landed on Boromir face first on the ground. Blade sticking out of his back as he tried in vain to crawl into the distance. She could see Merry and Pip being carried away by the orcs, but Boromir was the top priority right now. Rushing to his side, Kagome withdrew the blade and began healing him.
"I've got you, Boromir. You'll be fine! You will!" Kagome explained, mentally saying every curse she knew. Tears fell down her face as she realized she almost lost Boromir.
"They took the little ones." Boromir groaned out as he tried to rise in vain. Kagome held him down, trying to heal him with what energy she had left. It was no easy task.
"Be still." Aragorn commanded from his place just behind Kagome.
"Frodo! Where is Frodo?" he asked at the sound of Aragorn, clearly very worried about the dark haired hobbit with all the orcs attacking as they were. Kagome herself just realized that Frodo was indeed not with Aragorn. What had happened?
"I let Frodo go." Aragorn said, which clearly meant something specific to to Boromir. Perhaps he was more referring to the ring than Frodo himself.
"Then you did what I could not. I tried to take the ring from him." Boromir ground out, clearly very upset with himself.
"The ring is beyond our reach now." Aragorn explained softly, but Kagome bit her lip in pure worry for Frodo. He was off on his own? Madness.
"Forgive me. I failed you all." Boromir said mournfully, laying more limp than before even though his wounds were nearly fully healed.
"No, Boromir. You fought bravely here today. You've kept your honor. And lived to fight another day. We will get them back." Aragorn promised firmly. Kagome finished healing him and staggered to her feet. Aragorn started to help her, but Kagome moved away from him. "Kagome, you're bleeding." Aragorn said, worry clear in his voice. Boromir jerked up, looking to Kagome instantly worried as well.
"I'll be all right. Let's not waste time worrying over this." Kagome explained motioning vaguely to her shoulder. She knew it was bleeding. The blood slid grotesquely down her arm like thick sweat. The coppery smell was also very hard to ignore. It was in that moment that the others arrived to the scene. Legolas practically materialized at her side, the sight of her blood instilled him with clear worry.
"At least let's get the wound dressed before we make chase." Boromir said, trying to convince the she-demon to accept their help. Kagome hesitated, eyed the expressions of her companions and sighed.
"Okay, if it will ease your worry. Let's get me patched up before we go pursue the beasties that kidnapped our friends." Kagome said with a heavy sigh. Waiting when another was in danger was not something she saw logic in. She could run, so there was no need to fuss over her.
"You will be no good to the hobbits and the fight to save them if you're wounded, Kagome." Legolas reasoned as he offered his arm so that she could lean on him for support. Kagome sighed softly with a nod, understanding. Even if she disagreed. The group made their way back to their things in silence. Once there, Legolas began cleaning her wound for her once she pulled her shirt to the side.
"Frodo and Sam have reached the eastern shore. Should we split up?" Boromir asked obviously debating going after them himself. Aragorn shook his head in negative.
"Frodo's fate is no longer in our hands." Aragorn said softly, clearly some choice had been made when he was alone with Frodo. Was this Frodo's choice? Kagome chewed on her bottom lip, trying not to worry herself too much. She needed to have faith.
"Then the fellowship has failed." Gimli stated in a defeated manner as he looked to the ground. Aragorn placed a hand to Gimli and Boromir's shoulders and motioned to the two elves.
"Not if we hold true to each other. We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength." he stated in the most inspirational manner Kagome had heard him speak in a long time. A smile lit up her features and she nodded to the Legolas, who looked quite determined. "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light. Let us hunt some orcs!"
"Yes! Haha!" Gimli said suddenly full of certainty again. Boromir nodded firmly. Without another word, all the others began sorting and gathering their things to make ready. Kagome turned her attention to Legolas, who was no wrapping bandages around her wounded shoulder.
"How quickly will you heal?" Legolas asked softly, his mind clearly coming to the conclusion one who knew the legend well would think of. Demon healing.
"A few hours. The bleeding should stop shortly, if it hasn't already." she explained softly, noting that his wrapping didn't slow or pause. He was quick and gentle. Kagome appreciated it. She didn't question him, but did wonder why he bothered.
"Illogical as it may seem to you, knowing that your wound is tended to puts me at ease." the elf explained softly, fingers brushing her cheek as he'd finished tying off her bandages just then. Kagome smiled warmly at him. Her skin tingling where he'd just touched her. The attraction was thick, even in their situation.
"I understand." she replied happily before planting a kiss to Legolas's cheek happily. He seemed surprised for a moment before he smiled and stood to make ready. Rushing to her own things, Kagome made ready as well. Though quickly as she did, her fingers touched the pocketed necklace. Returning to Legolas's side, Kagome offered the trinket to the male elf. "For you." she said warmly, a light blush lighting up her cheeks. Legolas blinked and then turned his back to her. Holding his hair away, he motioned for her to tie it for him. Kagome beamed happily. Once it was off, a silent moment of happiness was exchanged. He appreciated it. He looked so happy.
"Come!" Aragorn hollered to his companions and with that, the moment ended. With that the group of them took off into the woods. The chase began.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Wooooo! I'm deviating! That's for sure one of the things that I always wanna change in the movies. And I can't say Kagome would per say let that sort of thing happen. Ready for some orc hunting next chapter?
Responses to review questions;
Makimashi Misao FDSSLA; Thank you for the warm welcome back. Don't worry, updates will continue consistently from now on. 3
lara5170; Kagome could fly, but she couldn't carry many people, and we're going with the logic the movie I assume carries; a flying target towards Mordor would be an easy target for the dark lord. So doomed to fail. Yes, she does retain both her priestess and demonic fire energy. This is indeed just a story with the addition of Kagome, Shippo, and inserts Sango and Miroku as the ancestors of the stewards of Gondor. And finally, at this point, yes, Legolas assumes Kagome is the elf of the legend.
lady sesshomaru sama 949; glad you're enjoying the story 3
(*) I came to her age by adding her start age of 19 and years that have passed since she joined this world which is roughly 3,029. (link to source = /timeline/#zoom=2&lat=-1485&lon=1500&layers=B)