Disclaimer: I own nothing LOR/Inu.
Author's note: Thanks for the reviews guys! Glad you liked the last chap! This 1 is the gift giving party, a light happy chapter, & then back to the quest! In the next chapter a handsome wolfish rogue arrives!
Upon the first rays of the morning light Legolas awoke the earliest. He unwillingly untangled himself from Kagome's arms that were wrapped in his long hair, he pulled his right leg away from locking ankles with her left one, and found himself smiling the first smile of that day when Kagome rolled over into the warm spot he left in his pallet. Legolas got her blankets and laid them with his own blanket over her making sure that Kagome would be warm in her sleep. Legolas gently tucked the covers around her before he went amongst the sleeping group prodding and waking each one in turn. When he got to Gimli he had to cover the dwarf's mouth with his hand, an action that he wouldn't have done for the world at the beginning of their quest.
"Don't grumble so loud dwarf you'll wake all of Lothlorein," said Legolas feeling the being laughing beneath his hand as he withdrew his fingers.
"It'd be a better sight to see the rest of them than your ugly face," teased the dwarf though their banter was slowly beginning to take on the repartee of that between friends.
"No more training Sesh. Put on... a shirt," Kagome mumbled in her sleep making all halt where they stood watching until Kagome stopped moving about in her sleep and snuggled back in her covers. Legolas looked at Gimli with meaningful eyes who mouthed 'Sorry.'
When all had awoken they silently rolled up their pallets, stuffing them in their sacks, and set them around Kagome to block her from any wind that might chill the woman in her sleep. "Guard her Kirara and when she wakes up beat her to us," ordered Pippin receiving a small mewl from the fiery cat who curled up at Kagome's feet. Kirara was a diligent companion who could obey orders, that and the cat also wanted to nap a little longer. The Fellowship quickly ran off to the dining area that had been prepared as soon as they'd taken their sleep. All but Legolas who quickly went to some nearby bushes where he'd hidden the bow and with the package wrapped in his cloak he returned his pursuit towards the dining area.
That morning they would celebrate. Every member of the Fellowship felt it their duty to celebrate with Kagome and make her smile endlessly before they left. She was unlike other women. There were many reasons to make her smile, but the simplest came from the endearing things she did for the group. The Fellowship would do almost anything to assure that Kagome had a happy life when she was with them. Not many women would do what Kagome did. Make friends with a group of variously odd mismatched men, decide to forgo a normal life to help them, and fight alongside them. Not many a woman would willingly fight against orcs or live alongside smelly unkempt men with surly attitudes. She did. That morning, as they left the sleeping woman behind, the Fellowship promised themselves to make it a morning worth being sent off on their quest. She would smile at least once, that was their goal. Though the frivolous party only be an hour or two long they would show Kagome how much she had changed the group. Because of her they were friends.
Kagome began to stir underneath her warm blankets, snuggling a bit closer to the sweet smell that she'd grown accustomed to without her knowing. The sweet smell of fresh river water and woods that was her friend Legolas. Kagome stretched and yawned, glanced around, and sat up suddenly when she found herself completely alone. Her heart beat in her chest with worry. Kirara immediately mewed at Kagome, catching the miko's eye, and then took off running. Kagome got up, ran a hasty hand through her hair trying to comb it through, she grabbed her bow and arrows, and took off after Kirara hoping nothing was wrong with her friends for them to have left her sleeping. Something important must've happened, Kagome thought not realizing that she was heading towards the large tree that held their dining area. Why didn't they wake me? I hope nothing bad has happened! They should've woken me! I can defend them too now!
Kirara mewed loudly in the room where the Fellowship was quickly putting up intricate paper garlands around the room. "Hurry," said Pippin who was on a ladder trying to pin up a snowflake he'd cut out. They quickly gathered around the table where an immense breakfast lay, candles were lit to add a light perfume to the air. Lady Galadriel stood beside her husband off to the side of the Fellowship. Haldir stood behind the lady and lord of Lothlorein. Lord Sesshomaru dryly surveyed the room, the truth was the demon lord was impatient to hand the group their gifts that would protect them in their journey ahead. Sesshomaru hid his impatience well as his eyes went about the room as if to make sure it was befitting a party for Kagome. Shippo was sneaking a quick grape into his mouth, since the hobbits had declared no one eat until the birthday breakfast started, the declaration had startled everyone in the group considering the hobbits loved food more than life itself. The four elves in the room, Shippo, and Lord Sesshomaru jerked their heads up as they heard her faint footsteps nearing closer.
As Kagome slid into the room, an arrow notched on her bow, she was shocked to hear multiple exclamations shout out, "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Kagome let go of the arrow, sending it flying to land in the center of the snowflake Pippin had finished pinning up not a minute ago. Pippin gulped nervously, he was thankful he hadn't spent too long with that decoration. "What?" Kagome murmured looking around as everyone laughed in amusement at her reaction, though more than one person was nervous at the idea that Kagome could've shot them in her shock.
"You didn't get to celebrate all your birthdays-" Pippin began.
"So we're celebrating today," exclaimed Frodo feeling more joyous than he ever had since he'd begun this quest. Tears rose to Kagome's eyes and all the men in the room tensed. If there was one enemy to the male gender it was tears. "Oh! You guys are so sweet!" Kagome suddenly shouted grinning a toothy smile as she ran over and hugged each and everyone of the Fellowship. However, she didn't manage to hug Shippo who was already stacking up his plate with hordes of food. Boromir lingered a little too long with his hug for Kagome and immediately Sesshomaru cleared his throat and offered an arm out for a brotherly embrace. Sesshomaru did not want Kagome anywhere near that human even if she was well trained. Kagome stared at Sesshomaru as if he had two heads like Ah-Un and then found herself burrowing into his chest in a hug she knew she'd probably never get another chance to receive. I'm glad that I still have a brother in my life, even if it is one so quiet as Sesshomaru, Kagome thought fondly. I miss Souta.
When Kagome hugged Legolas she found herself blushing as she looked up into his eyes, he had the same look he'd had the night before and it unnerved her to no end. Sometimes, just sometimes, when I look at him I swear he stares back like a boy that looks at a girl he cares about. His eyes stared tenderly down at Kagome for but a short moment before he looked away and walked on to get some breakfast. Its just my imagination, thought Kagome finding it odd that she would imagine such. Legolas is the most asexual man I know other than Sesshomaru, Kagome almost snorted at the thought before she began heaping a plate up for her own meal, though she glanced ahead at Legolas who was placing some fruit on his plate. Well, I take that back…
Kagome didn't want to think about her companions in that way, though she found more than one of them attractive she had never looked at them as something other than her friends. She was stuck in the realm of the past, the past that would now be her present, and Kagome was unable to decipher her feelings completely. Her heart still clung to the memories of old, of riding against the warm back of a certain hanyou as they chased after a monster with a shard.
Shippo moved to sit at the other end of the table where Sesshomaru and Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn sat eating and drinking from their own meal. He sat near Boromir who was beside Sam and Merry. Along the other side of the table sat Pippin, Frodo, Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli.
"Wow, this is beautiful," Kagome cried out sitting at the head of the table and taking a bite of scrambled eggs. Flowers were strung up everywhere in garlands and lined the tables. Everything seemed to glow just like the city, it appeared from the outside as a giant lantern encased in the tree.
In this peaceful moment of making merry and eating delicacies that wouldn't be tasted for many a month to come, Gimli decided to unleash his revenge upon the wee hobbits who had been a nuisance to him. Unknown to everyone in the room, before anyone had woken up, Gimli had woken two hours early and come to this room. The dwarf had taken care to cut the beam in between the seats that held the plump cushions for people to sit on, he left a bit of wood in between to hold them up but a string was tied to them and all it needed was a good jerk to break the middle beams. A string was tied from the beam between the frame of the seats to Kirara's strong tails. The tigress was in on the trick as well. When Gimli pulled the string the occupants of the chairs would fall through their seats. Kirara mewed quietly as he tied the string he patted her head gently. The dwarf stood up before everyone, fearful the chairs would crumble on the weight of the occupants before he had a chance to pull his prank, and said loudly, "I have an announcement to make. Revenge may be a dish best served cold but it is a very hearty dish indeed. So dear hobbits…" And at this Kirara took off running pulling the string that knocked pulled the beam holding the cushion from under the four chairs. However, the dwarf hadn't taken into consideration that everyone would take different seats. So Merry, Sam, Boromir, and Shippo were sent falling in the holes, where their seats had once been fully supported by a strong beam. Their butts were stuck in the chairs.
"Drat it all," huffed Gimli as Kagome hide her face behind her hands, her head shaking violently. Everyone stilled believing Kagome to be crying. "Kagome," murmured the dwarf quietly, trying to gauge the situation as he suddenly felt guilty for ruining her party. An odd muffled sound came out from behind her hands that sounded like crying, "I'm sorry lass if I-" Kagome pulled away her hands laughing like a lunatic at the look on the faces of the men grumbling on the floor as they picked themselves up. Boromir stopped grumbling at Kagome's amusement and pulled out a new chair from the side once his rear had been dislodged from the seat. Shippo complained, he had been sent sprawling on his back like a tortoise who couldn't get up, his arms moving about to grab hold of something, which happened to be Haldir's leg and thus he brought down the elf with him. Haldir grumbled and cast Shippo a bitter look before he got up and offered the fox demon a hand. The whole while Shippo was muttering under his breath, "Stupid dwarf! Broke the chairs… They should make him pay for it! Oh I'm going to get him back! He thought the hobbits were bad wait until he sees what I can do-" Merry glared at the gleeful Pippin, who teetered on his seat with a wide smirk at his cousin who was crawling around on the ground like a turtle wiggling his behind trying unsuccessfully to fling the seat off. And Sam immediately began cleaning the floor from the wood of the chairs and moving about until Haldir stopped him and tugged off the offending thing stuck to Sam's rear. Haldir couldn't hide a smirk as he offered the other three new chairs once their bottoms had wriggled free out of the broken ones. Got to hand it to the dwarf for doing something right, thought Haldir, even if that clumsy fox brought me down with him. Galadriel had actually foreseen this happening and thought it something to be welcomed with a group that would be sent off soon to fight.
Haldir set a cake in front of Kagome with one candle in the center for lack of finding enough candles for her real age. "Happy Birthday," he said cheerfully as everyone ushered Kagome to blow the candle in the white pristine two layered cake with pink flowers circling the top. Kagome looked over to her son and ushered him to stand by her, "I want you to make a wish with me Shippo. I'm sure you missed a couple of birthdays too." Shippo took his mother's small hand in his own and nodded with her as they both closed their eyes and made a wish.
I wish for Shippo to be happy, Kagome thought.
I wish for mama to be happy, thought her son. The two unknowingly were far too much alike. "Happy Birthday Shippo," she said kissing her son on the cheek before hugging him and whispering in his ear, "You're the best son a mother could have." Shippo bashfully took his seat and felt at peace.
"We have gifts for you, for all of you," said Lord Celebron interrupting the merriment.
"But we've got gifts to give first," ordered Pippin as he quickly finished his second plate of food in no time flat. Kagome could swear that Pippin had the stomach of a black hole and the speed of a cheetah when it came to finishing his meals. Pippin fixed another plate of food and almost dug in but stopped as a merry light came into his eyes. "I want to give you my gift first!" The hobbit raced back over to the table of food, crawled under it, his tail wiggling oddly as he scavenged around for the gift, and he crawled out with a gift held aloft in his hands as he ran over to Kagome, holding it up to her like an offering to a goddess. Pippin almost tripped he was so excited as he held the gift impatiently under Kagome's nose. Pippin is like a child at Christmas, Kagome thought. "Open it now," begged the impatient hobbit. "Please! Its from Gimli and me!"
Kagome forked another bite into her mouth before she complied. Slowly, so as to prolong Pippin's anticipation, she opened the gift that had hovered dangerously close to her face due to the eager hobbit. Kagome took her sweet time to unfold the ragged cloth around it. Pippin's fingers were drumming impatiently against the table. And then Kagome gasped at the appeal of the gift. "Pippin and Gimli, thank you," she cried out sniffing gingerly at the sweet smell of roses and relishing the scent of it. No more smelling like muddy men, Kagome thought about ready to cry at something so trivial as the ability to smell clean for once. Legolas eyed Gimli with a crooked brow at the gift that was given to Kagome. It was hard to imagine Gimli gingerly sniffing perfume bottles, batting his eyes like a woman, and sighing in content as he found the right one… well, it wasn't too hard to imagine just incredibly hilarious for Legolas who was lucky in that he was a being who could hold a composed face.
"Say nothing or you won't be able to say anything ever again," hissed the dwarf to the elf prince. Kagome gingerly placed the gifts in the cloth they'd been wrapped in, emptied her arrow casket and set them at the bottom for safety before replacing the arrows into the casket. She gave Pippin a quick kiss on the head which made him as red as the sweetest rose and he bashfully shuffled his feet back over to his chair with a grin that couldn't leave his face. Gimli on the other hand shook his head when Kagome raised a brow at him. The elf would not let me live that down if I let the lass kiss my head. Lookit wee Pip! Has he no shame in swooning over the lass like that? Gimli rolled his eyes as Pippin let out another sigh, just to be dramatic and blew a kiss over to Kagome who let out a very unlady-like snort. Legolas inwardly wished he could be like Pippin sometimes, someone who was smooth when it came to emotions, but he honestly admitted that he wouldn't be caught dead flirting like that with Kagome.
I wonder if she'll like my gift, thought Legolas. Of course she'll like my gift, he reassured himself, suddenly sitting up as straight as he could, his aura boosting with confidence that didn't go unnoticed by Sesshomaru. The demon silently wondered what the world would be like if people merely opened their mouths for one moment and told everyone what was on their mind, who they cared for, their worries. After imagining it for a moment the demon then thanked Kami that no one did that. It wouldn't be as interesting and it would be annoying to have to kill a few men in this city that have already looked at my sister in an untoward way, thought the demon lord as he raised a goblet to drink.
"We got you something too," said Frodo standing up with Merry, Sam, and a mewing Kirara. The three hobbits brought out a small wrapped object that they'd decided on buying for Kagome with a little bit of the money, the rest of their money would be saved for food should they need it in the future. Kagome opened the gift to find a silver brush for her hair. "Cause you're always combing your fingers through it," blushed Frodo giving an explaination as Kagome got up and hugged the three hobbits, Kirara tangled herself about Kagome's legs purring affectionately, and Pippin forced himself into the embrace just because Kagome was hugging his friends and not him. Kagome chuckled as she placed the brush in one of the large pockets of her dress before sitting down. It was amazing what all she could hold on her person. Aragorn raised a brow at Legolas and wagged them up and down, Legolas merely raised his foot under the table and stomped on his friend's toes as hard as he could smiling cheerfully at Aragorn's wince of pain.
"I believe Legolas has a gift for you," teased Aragorn ignoring the pain that shot up his foot as Legolas stomped on his toes once more. The elf glared at his mortal friend before he got up quietly and moved to fetch his gift from under the table. Legolas placed the gift in Kagome's hands, not missing a beat to allow his fingers to brush against hers. As Pippin continued to watch the exchange between elf and miko, Shippo stealthily snagged a cinnamon roll off of Pippin's plate for he was far too lazy to get up and fix another plate of food.
"You said you were making Aragorn something," Kagome said looking at the elf prince as she finally realized what Legolas had been spending all of his time doing.
"No, I said I was making something for a friend," Legolas corrected before sitting down. Legolas wanted nothing more than be on the edge of his seat bouncing in impatience for Kagome to open his gift, but he didn't let it show as he lifted up his goblet and pretended to be indifferent as he sipped at his drink. Kagome let fall the sides of cloth around the gift and her silence was enough proclamation as she stared in awe at the bow resting in her hands.
The dark wood was smooth to the touch, the handle of the bow was intricate in its design as the bow formed that of a sleeping woman carved from wood, her waist was where one held the bow and her shoulder was where a person would notch an arrow. A taught gleaming light yellow string ran between the bow making Kagome wonder at its color. Kagome felt her fingers tracing the complex design, a finger fell across the face of the woman whose eyes were closed in deep slumber. Its me, she thought wondering if this was how Legolas had seen her through his eyes.
Silent tears fell from Kagome's eyes she thought of the obvious care that must've gone into making this bow. This wasn't something that could be made in a few hours, and it was so well done. A lot of thought must've gone into this gift, she wondered amazed that someone would take such care to make something like this for her. The figure's lips looked smooth despite being carved, her hands fell limply with the long sleeves of her old miko garb, but most of the garb was covered up by vines of flowers that seemed to wrap around her like a friend gently cradling her to the bark of the tree, grooves were made behind her to represent the tree she was pinned to. The face looked as if she were about to wake up any moment, her lips were slightly parted, and her head was tilted as if about to yawn. Her curves were well made and Kagome blushed a little at the detail that permeated the bow.
The rest of the group was amazed at such skill crafted into the bow and Aragorn even felt himself astounded at the work. Haldir just found this action even further proof, if Legolas's eyes closing in his sleep weren't proof enough, that the elf prince was in love with Kagome. It was the finest piece of work Haldir had ever seen Legolas make and that was saying something considering the elf prince had lived for so long. Lady Galadriel reached out to touch the hand of her husband lovingly, their eyes met. Lady Galadriel knew Legolas's secret, though her husband Lord Celebron did not. Lady Galadriel had looked into the possible futures for Kagome, one of them included the elf prince. Lord Sesshomaru deepened his wishes for Legolas to be the one to unite with Kagome if he could produce such a detailed gift. Sesshomaru inwardly wished to push the two together though he couldn't. Tampering with fate makes a mess of things. And this Sesshomaru has more patience than most to watch how things play out.
Pippin sighed, Legolas is probably going to get a big wet kiss for that. Lucky dog. Merry was on his fourth plate of food. Gimli had to admit to himself that the elf did good work, though he wouldn't say so aloud. And Shippo wished he could shoot a bow and arrow as good as Kagome so he could talk Legolas into making him a weapon just as nice. Like his mother Shippo was oblivious to most things.
"Thank you," Kagome said watching Legolas's head bob in a nod as he ate a piece of bread. Kagome wanted to throw her arms around Legolas and hug him for such a sweet gift, in fact her hands gripped tightly onto the bow to stop her from her actions, but she knew Legolas was an elf and didn't like to be teased by others. She wouldn't allow her friend to be taunted.
"If you'll forgive me for interrupting, I believe it is almost time for the Fellowship to depart," spoke Lady Galadriel who upon seeing Kagome's dilemma decided on a way to help the young woman out. Everyone stood up, having finished their meals, and slowly walked out into the light of the morning. Pippin and Merry had more than a few piece of food stuffed in their pockets. Shippo lead them knowing that Sesshomaru and the lord and lady of Lothlorein had gifts to hand out to the Fellowship that would help them. Haldir went to help them, his mind was stuck on what he was going to compile to his king. Haldir was basically going to mention that Legolas seemed well and was benefiting the group. Nothing else would be needed. The king didn't ask for a thorough report, Haldir thought to himself remembering his conversation with Lord Sesshomaru.
None took notice that Legolas still sat in his seat as Kagome stood up hastily, bow clutched in her hand, and marched over to Legolas who was pretending to wipe his mouth with a cloth. When he felt her presence behind him the elf prince said, "It is just something meager compared to-"
And without warning Kagome leaned down to threw her warm arms around his shoulders, looping around his neck, hugging him from behind where he sat. She took great care to hug him with the bow still clutched in her hand. Legolas didn't admit how nice it felt with her arms around him and the look of her arms around him. Kagome's head nudged into his shoulders as she murmured quietly for his ears only, "Don't you ever call this bow meager, Legolas! I won't hear anyone calling it something other than beautiful," she ordered. "This is the kindest gift someone has ever given me in my life." She felt a hand of his reach up and touch one of her elbows that circled his neck. It was a short tender moment that was relished as Legolas's smooth features relaxed even more at Kagome's gentle nature. He was glad that she couldn't see how she affected him so.
"Your welcome," he whispered, for most of the air was caught in his throat at this action from Kagome. Legolas wanted nothing more than to turn around and sweep her into his arms for a long hug but the others were expecting them outside of the dining room. Legolas pulled out of her grasp and stood up. Before they could go outside he turned around to tug on her hair, making her see the petite smile that graced his lips. "Lets go outside now, Kagome." Her name on his lips made her cheeks redden, it came out of his mouth like the lyric to a song. Kagome had a moment of hero worship shining in her eyes for Legolas, before she grabbed his arm and took off for the outside with Legolas being dragged behind her.
Outside Lady Galadriel went among the group to hand off gifts. Lord Celebron and Lord Sesshomaru stood behind her handing her the many gifts. Aragorn received a sheath for his sword and instructed that the sword that slept in that sheath would never be stained or broken in defeat. The lady asked the mortal man if he wished for anything else and he calmly said in a soft tone that Kagome was able to catch and wonder over, "Lady, you know all my desire, and long held in keeping the only treasure that I seek. Yet it is not yours to give me, even if you would; and only through darkness shall I come to it." Only Legolas, the two demons, and the remaining three elves knew of whom Aragorn spoke of.
"Yet maybe this will lighten your heart, for it was left in my care to be given to you. I gave it to my daughter and she her own," said Lady Galadriel pulling from a pocket in her white dress a brooch with the likeness of an eagle on it. Kagome found herself wondering who was Lady Galadriel's granddaughter and looked to Legolas who shook his head meaning that he would explain later. If he doesn't I'll end up asking Aragorn anyway. I wonder though… Aragorn is too nice of a man not to have a sweetheart. Kagome's eyes suddenly got wide as she began to daydream giddily like a schoolgirl. Oh! What if he has a sweetheart who is waiting on him to return from this quest? He's always touching something under his shirt, maybe she gave him something like a locket! How romantic! Legolas pinched Kagome's arm making her glare back at him to which he looked away innocently as if he'd done nothing whistling harmlessly. He'd noticed her train of thought and had no doubt of what Kagome was thinking, though she could be serious he knew she was still a young woman who loved to daydream. Boromir, Merry, and Pippin received belts from the lady and her lord and swords from Lord Sesshomaru. They quickly disregarded their old swords for the new ones handing off their old weapons to Shippo who was setting aside things they wished not to carry. They couldn't very well have too much weighing them down.
When it came Legolas's turn he received a new bow, longer and stouter than his ancient one, and a new quiver of arrows he received from Lord Sesshomaru. Legolas pulled on the string and Kagome stared at it, "The string is light like mine."
"That's because it is strung with elf-hair like yours," whispered Legolas making Kagome's eyes widen as she stared at her own. Did Legolas put a part of himself into the making of my bow? When she looked back at him and found Legolas looking away, almost bashfully, whistling again as if he were a naïve child. He had made the string with his own hair. Is it odd that I feel comforted knowing that if I'm alone in a fight in a way he's protecting me? Miroku must've rubbed off on me too much, thought Kagome as Lady Galadriel stepped to her. Pippin silently wondered at the odd tune Legolas had been whistling a lot and wondered if there were words to the song.
"I don't need anything," said Kagome shaking her head already as she gripped tight onto her new bow. "I have everything that I need."
"Then have something you don't need," smiled Galadriel pulling out a pair of pearl earrings shaped like tear drops. She slowly began to attach them one by one at the holes where Kagome had long ago had her ears pierced when she was a child. Lady Galadriel's hand rested on Kagome's cheek like that of a mother about to send her daughter off to college. "You must keep these in your ears. Should they fall off and hit the ground then you will be able to talk to anyone you wish. They will disappear once this happens so you only have two times when you will be able to do this," advised Galadriel. Kagome did something that was startling in the fact that it was a royal, the miko hugged her and the lady hugged Kagome back. I'm grateful no one saw me hug Legolas. I wonder what they would think if they found I hugged not only a lady but a prince as well, thought Kagome. Shippo glanced at Sesshomaru who walked away to move around the older weapons. Sesshomaru knew the fox pup wanted to speak.
"Why not give Kagome your bow and arrows?" Shippo asked lowering his voice to barely above a whisper. Demons could speak lower than elves and with Sesshomaru moving around the old weapons it was even harder to hear what they were saying.
"Hnn. It wouldn't help."
"But your bow has a bunch of spells-"
"Trust me Shippo," breathed the demon lord as he glanced over at Kagome whose eyes were still lit up as her fingers traced the bow Legolas had given her. Sesshomaru watched the elf prince who had a satisfied air around him. With every exclamation Kagome made, every loving stroke she bid the bow, the Legolas's aura spiked up in happiness. Little did Legolas know that his bow and arrow would be just as strong as Lord Sesshomaru's. Often times the strongest magic is love, thought Sesshomaru. A weapon made with good intentions can only give fruit to good things. It appeared that Lothlorein had served more than the purpose of rest for the travelers. It had given them a peaceful atmosphere that had been able to allow for feelings to be brought forward that would otherwise haven't come so easily with the dangers of Sauron outside of the city.
Sam received a box of dirt that could grow anything. He went scarlet in the ears as the radiant Lady Galadriel patted his head. Sesshomaru also handed Sam a sharper sword when he'd finished speaking with Shippo. For Gimli the lady asked of him what he wished and he replied nothing. She smiled and told all the elves that no longer should they make fun of dwarves for being grasping and ungracious, and then she gave him three little golden hairs from her head when he asked only for one. Lord Celebron was amused to no end, though he didn't say it, it wasn't surprising for many to be easily besotted by his charming wife. Lady Galadriel then turned her attention to Shippo who stood behind Sesshomaru, "I have something for you yet." Lady Galadriel patted Shippo's head and said, "For you who've guarded your mother so closely I shall grant you a gift, a mirror in which you may see whatever you wish to see. In this way you may be able to always keep an eye on those you love. The only disadvantage is you may only see what you know exists." Shippo was handed a small silver hand mirror, no bigger than his palm, and he graciously bowed to her his thanks. Sesshomaru handed Shippo an elf sword, the Tetsusaiga would still hang around Shippo's waist though. Shippo desired to see if the sword would call out to any of Kouga's relations.
Kagome handed her old bow to Sesshomaru. Legolas decided that it was finally time to give up his own old bow so he gifted it to the hobbits Merry and Pippin for it was small enough for one of them to use, "Take care of that. Its almost as old as I, though it should be strong enough to handle you two." Pippin clutched the bow to his chest and Merry saluted the elf saying, "We'll protect it with our lives." The two then promptly fought over who would try out the old bow first and Pippin stumbled backwards breaking the ancient wooden thing in half. Kagome giggled as Legolas shrugged his shoulders and acknowledged dryly, "I should've expected that." Merry and Pippin thoroughly apologized but Legolas had come to the conclusion that no matter where the two hobbits went they would cause mayhem and it was only in their nature to break things. With that in mind he decided that they were not getting their hands on his new bow nor the one he made for Kagome.
Frodo was the last to receive a gift. And to him was given a phial of light, the light of Earendil's star. With their gifts and lighter hearts the group set out beginning their journey once more in swift elf boats that glided across the smooth peaceful waters of the city taking them towards danger and further away from peace with every movement of the paddles.
Three boats traveled along the waters. Aragorn pushed through the waters with Frodo and Sam sitting in his boat. Boromir moved the waters with his paddle as Merry and Pippin argued over who Lady Galadriel had liked the most. Legolas was thankful in that he got to watch after Kagome in his boat, then again he was her guardian, though he did feel a small old tinge of annoyance at riding with the dwarf. Luckily though that tinge of irritation was dissipating due to their very slow bond of friendship that had been developing ever since Kagome had scolded them in the mines. Shippo rode overhead on Kirara, keeping an eye on Kagome while glancing every once in a while out at the forests around them. Well, at least it is only orcs I have to protect Kagome from. I don't think I'd be able to handle suitors at a time like this, Shippo thought to himself. Though Boromir tries my patience, at least he isn't riding with my mother. Then I'd have to break his arm and gauge out his eyes.
"Elf what song have you been whistling so much?" Gimli finally asked aloud, all the days they'd been at Lothlorein the dwarf had wondered at the tune that was always on Legolas's lips. Kagome tilted her head as she thought about the tune Legolas had whistled the entire week and suddenly found herself laughing. Legolas grimaced a bit as he rowed the long boat at being caught.
"It is a song I taught him. I'm sorry if I got that song stuck in your head," Kagome apologized as she sang a few words to Gimli, "When the party was nice the party was pumping. Hey yah yippee yi oh." She burst out laughing too caught up in at what she probably sounded like to the group for everyone had made sure to quiet down to hear Kagome.
"Yippee yi oh?" Pippin asked and then he smiled wondering at Kagome's culture. "Kagome... do you have any other songs you remember? Can you teach us?"
"Um... Okay repeat after me Pip," Kagome called out from her boat as a song came to mind that might continue the happy mood from Lothlorein before the worries of their quest could catch up to them. "I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way..."
And so it was the group traveled with smiles on their faces and soon most members were trying to see the words as soon as they memorized them. Even Sam tried to sing with Frodo. Gimli merely grunted but found himself laughing at a few words. Aragorn whistled quietly with the rest. Boromir couldn't keep a smirk off his face. Shippo flew higher, his ears could only take enough off pitch singing. The sound of their merry voices bounced off the river and Legolas was happy to be singing along with Kagome. Both of their voices harmonized together, though Legolas sang the best out of all the members. And Shippo silently wished that the elf could give everyone else singing lessons, even his mother. At least mama sings decently unlike that wailing Pippin, thought Shippo, his ears flinching at the high pitched singing of the hobbit.
Inuyasha had watched from the outskirts of town. He'd watched as Kikyou was burned alongside her lover Milo. Their hands bound and crossed so that they held each other's fingers in their own. The town wouldn't let Inuyasha anywhere near her funeral. They had run Inuyasha out of the town once they'd found out what had transpired. Me, he thought bitterly, the one who wasn't the adulterer. He wasn't even allowed to take his children, the two that were his, for the town had deemed a murderer unsuitable to raise children. Not that Inuyasha had wanted to raise his children anyway, especially when they welcomingly accepted the hands of the parents of Milo as caretakers. Inuyasha didn't want to see any child of his die before he did nor did he rightly care at this moment for right now he was consumed in emotions that most thoughts were blocked out. Inuyasha rubbed his chest with his hand. There was a small pain there for Kikyou. Though he had long ago chosen her he'd never felt filled. She wasn't worth it, he thought bitterly at the choice he'd made in the past. So stupid to throw her life away on him. Bitch! Just because I search for Kagome doesn't mean anything when I can't find her! Kikyou… you're lucky you're dead now.
Inuyasha's hands made a fist, the long clawed fingers cutting into the flesh inside his hand as if to wake him from his stupor. Yes, there was pain in his heart for the death of Kikyou, anger as well for the stupid choice she had made, guilt that he could've stopped her death, but an abundance of pride that said it wasn't his fault. Inuyasha had never felt such a flood of emotions. And the one emotion that was the strongest was determination as he turned his back on the villege, the place that had been home for him and Kikyou, the place that had begun his journey when a young woman had pried him free from a tree. Inuyasha left it behind him jumping into the wind, a lone tear flying from his face to drop heavily on the ground and slowly soaking into the earth. That tear was the last trace of humanity in Inuyasha. Kagome, I'll find you wherever you are, or in this case whenever you are. All I need is a sign, some clue. Its back to snooping around a bunch of smelly books and old farts who know too much.