Disclaimer: Own nothing
A/N: Immensely sorry for the long delay my reviewers/readers. –begs forgiveness- Don't bring out the orcs on me! –whimpers in corner- To make amends with my delay in posting… This chap has a hint of lime & is over 30 pgs long. Because I exempted Japanese, I'll put what Kagome says in BOLD so you pretend it's Kagome speaking in another language and that is the translation. ^_^ For those of you not wanting to read lime, when Kagome has flashbacks regarding what she and Legolas said you might want to turn away & not look back until the next line break. &yeah, Kag's is moody a bit in this chapter. I reread this thing about 9xs... if I have any mistakes please point them out. ^_^ Thank you guys for your advice and reviews!
All Legolas remembered seeing was yellow glittering dust shooting towards him and he knew that if he even tried to dodge it he would still get hit. Legolas closed his eyes desperately wishing that he wouldn't forget anything so he could protect Kagome. Sometimes wishes are best gone unanswered. Legolas hadn't anticipated what Kagome would do. Kagome looked to the trees for help, begging them for Legolas's protection with her eyes, summoning what power she could with the trees Kagome gave one quick flick of the head causing the trees to shift their branches so the powder blew in another direction. However, Kagome hadn't thought of the direction she jerked her head in. Whether or not what the trees did was intended or not is unknown, they could've changed the proper course of direction for the one they had long protected, but they didn't. Kagome took the full blunt of the powder.
Legolas's keen senses heard the powder make contact, but he felt nothing. The one thing Legolas had heard were the vile curses spilling out of Inuyasha's mouth at what had happened. Legolas's eyes flew open to watch the yellow powder glow for a moment on Kagome's face and then disintegrate into her skin, disappearing as if it hadn't been there in the first place.
"Inuyasha," she murmured blinking her eyes as she stared at the half demon, for a moment her memory was intact as she glared hard at him. Kagome was giving Inuyasha a look that he would never be able to get out of his mind after that, a look so vile and filled with such hatred that he knew she no longer loved him. Kagome's mind felt like she'd just gotten off of a roller coaster, it was spinning so fast and blurring together. It was the worst migraine she'd ever received in her life. "Inuyasha, I hate you." With those words Kagome's eyes shut and her brain lost control of her body as it fell back like a puppet with no strings. Legolas moved quickly and caught Kagome against his wet shirt that clung to his chest. She was out like the light of a candle. Legolas raised eyes that glinted with malice up at Inuyasha and went for his knife just as Inuyasha reached towards his bag for more powder. Legolas tossed the dagger at him making Inuyasha to preoccupied trying to dodge the dagger to pull out the powder. The crude weapon cut across Inuyasha's arm and the half demon growled low, at least until his little white ears flinched at another encroaching sound.
"Oh shit! I'll come back for her later," Inuyasha snarled out and promptly jumped through the trees leaving Legolas behind with a limp Kagome leaning against him. Legolas cradled Kagome in his arms just as Shippo came into the area carrying a deer over his back.
"I heard something…" The fox demon began before he dropped the deer and ran over to his mother lying in Legolas's arms. "Mama! What happened?" Shippo tore Kagome way from Legolas's arms and glared hard at the elf before patting Kagome's cheek. The young woman stirred a bit but went back to sleep.
"Inuyasha was here," replied the elf hastily. "He just disappeared!" How is it he doesn't smell or sense him? Can't demons do that? Kagome... I hope she's okay.
"I don't smell him," hissed Shippo cradling Kagome in his arms. A good whiff of Kagome floated to Shippo's nostrils, he closed his eyes inhaling deeply just before his eyes flashed open full of fury, eyes changing to a crimson red at what he smelt. "In fact, all I smell on her is you!" If Legolas had done anything at all to Kagome he would pay dearly. Legolas would be lucky to get by with his soul still intact if Shippo turned on him. Before Legolas could refute anything Shippo had taken off for the encampment, Kagome laden in his arms. Legolas was about to take after Shippo when his eyes caught sight of the dagger gleaming from the grass and upon further inspection his eyes widened. Legolas grabbed the dagger and took off running with it. This dagger was his lone bit of proof of Inuyasha's existence. Legolas would never think of assaulting Kagome, though the reason she smelled like him was for an assault on her… it had been a very willing one. However, Legolas wouldn't exactly tell Shippo that unless it came down to it.
When Legolas approached the clearing Shippo was already hastily telling the others. "…So then I find Kagome knocked out cold. She smells like that pointy-eared scum! I'm going to kill him," growled Shippo already launching himself towards the elf that'd just made it through the trees. Shippo's hackles rose at the sight of Legolas. Luckily, Kouga caught Shippo with one arm and jerked him back. The wolf had wrestled with more children than Shippo and could very well hold the small fox demon back. Kagome lay on the grass unconscious with Sesshomaru brushing back her bangs, checking for any harm done. Aragorn was already pulling out ointment in case they found any damage on her.
"Surely there must be an explanation. Legolas cares for Kagome as we all do," said Aragorn from his spot kneeling next to Kagome. If there was one person in their group who would be least likely to hurt Kagome it was Legolas.
"If you can smell me why can't you smell this?" Legolas asked revealing the dagger from his grip to the others. Shippo paused in his attempts at wrestling from Kouga's arms.
"That proves nothing. It could be yours or hers," growled Shippo his eyes glowing red at what was on the dagger. He could already imagine his mother trying to fight off the elf. Kagome wasn't a damsel to take things easily.
"You're a demon, you could smell if one of us was injured, which we're not. Or do your emotions cloud your common sense?" snapped Legolas pointing out the obvious. The edge of the dagger was laced with blood. Kouga slowly let go of Shippo and the fox demon grudgingly inhaled deeply with the others, their noses tuned to the scent. But they could smell nothing of the blood, no trace of human, or demon, or anything else for that matter. For canine demons they should've gotten a small whiff of something.
Sesshomaru took the knife from Legolas's hands and peered down at the blood on it. "I can't smell it," the dog demon admitted, as if it were something to be shameful for. Sesshomaru's senses should've been able to pick up anything if the others couldn't, especially the scent of his half-brother's blood.
"Kag's been on the edge about Inuyasha this whole time. Yah think she could've been sensing something we weren't?" Kouga asked staring at the blood as his own nose tried in vain to get a scent. "Maybe dog-turd found a way to cover his scent."
"Hnn," said Sesshomaru. The powerful demon lord's tongue hovered in the air lightly, snaking out to touch the cold tip of steel where the blood rested, and immediately spat out the disgusting taste. No amount of magic could cover up the taste of blood. The outward senses might be immune to his smell and the feel of his aura but their ability to taste wasn't impervious to it. "He's here." Those two words were enough to certify Legolas's story. Inuyasha had returned and Legolas was in no way the fault of Kagome's condition. Shippo immediately looked solemn and glum, as if he knew what berating Kagome would've given him for making a mistake and accusing someone. Shippo rose to meet Legolas's eyes and said, "I'm sorry," before he glanced back over to his sleeping mother. "We should question her when she wakes up."
"She won't remember." Legolas's voice dragged their eyes away from the prone woman to the elf who stared down at the ground angrily, his jaw clenched. "He said that you couldn't find him if we both forgot. Then he threw a powder at us. I don't think she'll remember anything." Shippo cut a glance towards Kouga before both canine demons said, "Forget-me-nots." Legolas wondered for a moment if they meant the flower.
"It's a spell that comes from a flower," said Shippo nodding when he caught the glint in Legolas's eyes. "The flower itself can do no damage, but once ground down into a powder and laced with magic… it's very potent." The fox demon let out a growl and his sharp paw cut a tree nearby allowing it to fall over with a thundering crash. "How much did he use?" Legolas held out his fingers and motioned for about an inch of powder. Shippo's fists formed as he punched a tree in anger, knocking off a very large branch in the process. "Dammit! That was too much!"
"He meant for us both to get it," said Legolas, he was becoming worried. Legolas didn't find it comforting when demons got antsy, especially when those demons were more experienced than he was, far older than him, and concerned about Kagome. "What will happen to her?"
"I don't know," answered Shippo running his clawed hand through his bright red hair. His hair was springing about in as much disarray as his mind. "That was too much for one person. It's enough to forget a couple of months." And then the group heard something they hadn't expected for some time soon, the murmured sounds of Kagome mewling awake from her sleep. They eagerly looked to her, each hoping as much as the last person that she would remember.
Kagome's eyes flickered open and she gazed at the odd group for a moment, eyes wide like a newborn. "Kagome," smiled Legolas leaning down to kneel beside her. Kagome's eyes settled on Sesshomaru and Kouga, as if she were wondering why they were here. She looked down at her clothes and then she looked at Shippo, Aragorn, and Legolas questioningly. Kagome's brow knitted up, thinking, and trying to remember as she asked the elf something that made his stomach drop, a sick feeling of dread creep into his skin, and his heart broke a little upon hearing her question. "Who are you?" Kagome's hand flew to cover her mouth as she realized she was speaking another language.
"Kagome?" Kouga asked coming over to her side and touching the young girl on the shoulder to calm down her frayed nerves. Things weren't looking good at all. And then Kagome began a long tangent of something even worse when she'd realized she could understand another tongue. Kagome began spouting off in Japanese to a very confused Kouga: How? I understand another language! What's happening? Why can I speak another language? Who's that? Where's Inuyasha?
However, at the same time Kagome began talking so did Shippo… oddly enough his questions mirrored that of his mother's. "Hell no, she's speaking Japanese! What's happening? Why doesn't she remember she can speak something else than Japanese? Does she remember me? Where's that bastard Inuyasha?"
Kouga's hands covered both Kagome and Shippo's mouth, immediate silence followed. "Kagome, honestly it's been a while since I've spoken Japanese too. I can only understand a few things. Now when I pull my hand away from your mouth I want calm questions okay and silence from you Ship," answered Kouga to which Kagome nodded and Shippo bit his hand. Kagome stared with wide eyes at the fox demon when Kouga pulled his hand away from her mouth. Shippo...? He grew up? Kagome kindly stayed quiet for a moment thinking over what she'd heard Shippo say, she had actually understood his questions… But how? She felt as if a large chunk of her life was missing, she should know what was happening but for the life of her she couldn't. She couldn't remember anyone. Had she been there for Shippo growing up? How much time had she forgotten? While Kagome was quietly taking a moment to herself, something in Legolas told him to speak up. Though his heart had begun to break at the thought of Kagome not having any recollection of him in her life he was curious to try something… however, he feared it backfiring. Legolas touched Kagome's hand to get her attention, her confused brown eyes snapped up to his face wondering who he was.
"Kagome," Legolas said her name praying that she would understand. If Kagome understood what he was about to say there was still hope that he could jog her memory perhaps. "Lle rangwa amin?" (Do you understand me?) Kagome's eyes widened at his words and then something came out of her mouth that she had no concept of how she knew to say it, "Sut?" (How?) Legolas's face lit up as he looked at the others. Kouga stroke his chin and looked over purposefully at Sesshomaru.
"Fluff-ball give your verdict," Kouga said still looking at the two. Kagome looked at Sesshomaru confused beyond belief. Sesshomaru peered at her through golden eyes, he looked Kagome up and down, and it was a very intimidating feel Kagome had as the large demon quietly circled her like she was a freak on display. In reality the demon lord was merely thinking over everything she'd said. Sesshomaru stopped in front of her and mumbled a soft, "Hnn."
"What do you mean 'hnn?' Answer in complete sentences! Just because you're silent and reserve doesn't mean the rest of us can guess-" griped Shippo. Kouga held up his hand with a furrowed brow on his forehead, that hand halted anything Shippo had to say for the wolf demon looked like he'd had an epiphany. "Wait Ship! I got this. I've had over five thousand years with this man… Now Sesshomaru repeat yourself." Sesshomaru rolled his eyes and muttered his reply again, "Hnn." Sesshomaru hated repeating himself almost as much as he disliked talking in great durations. And he hated that almost as much as he hated stating the obvious that was right in front of them. "Ah! Sesshomaru says she's not as screwed up as we think she is." Kagome huffed at this and stomped on Kouga's foot with a bit of her priestess powers sent through her body to give him a jolt. Kouga winced and then had a cocky grin on his face as he was hopping up and down on one foot. "Kags only forgot a few things. But she kind of knows other things without knowing she knows them."
"Now you're as confusing as Sesh," said Shippo moaning into his hands at the fact that no one could speak in simpler terms to him. Legolas's eyes lit up though at the idea that somewhere inside of Kagome she knew. The fact that she could respond to his language and understand it was a ray of light enough in his heart. Maybe the spell would wear off.
"Why is your shirt wet sir?" Kagome asked looking over at Legolas.
The hobbit was dragged by a wraith and thrown to Saruman's feet. The wraith went to stand next to the door to watch on. So no mistakes would be made the wraith was to bring anything resembling the ring to Saruman first. It wouldn't bode well for them to get a fake ring or bring the wrong hobbit to Sauron. Frodo's lip was busted and he looked worse for wear. "The ring?" Saruman didn't ask for it as much as he demanded for it. Frodo just gave a weak smile and said, "Sorry, don't have it." Saruman reached down and jerked up Frodo by the shirt. He ripped the shirt in half with his long bony fingers and all he saw was mithral underneath. There was neither ring nor a chain on which it hung. "Who has it?" He bellowed out tossing Frodo down on the ground.
The hobbit actually laughed for once, it felt nice not to have that burden around his neck. Though there was an absence in his body that missed the powerful ring Frodo felt like his old self for a moment. "Not me." Frodo said with another laugh as he remembered the scrimmage where the creature had grabbed and pulled at him. Frodo remembered Sam trying to tug at him. Neither Sam nor the wraith had noticed, with both tugging on him, Kirara and Gollum attacking the snake like flying dragon, and Frodo's hands waving around… that one of his hands and moved to rip off the necklace. When Frodo had grabbed at Sam he'd slipped the ring into the hobbit's pocket. "…for should we be strong in our friendships we would have more belief in one another and feel the power of one another!" Aragorn's words had slipped into his head on that decision, and now Frodo was putting all of his belief in Sam being as strong as him.
"No matter. We shall capture it eventually. Until then we shall get the jewel from your little female companion."
"You can't capture Kagome. She's too heavily protected."
"Who said we would capture her? A soft heart lies inside her bosom, she need only know that someone is captured before she'll hand it willingly." Saruman knew which person would be a safe bet to place upon. After watching after her with his crystal ball for so long he had noticed one person always around her. He just needed to capture him to win over the priestess who had the power in her hands to help him and his dark lord. With a nod to the wraith that Saruman sent, the dark rider with orders to catch the person who tried to hang around Kagome the most, the one person who showed his love to her so much that Saruman had no doubts about the two being a couple. His hand hovered over the glass ball to take a quick glimpse at the man who he suspected held Kagome's heart. Though the young man was separated from his love Saruman would be sure to get her a message that he was captured.
Kinta was free to walk now on the grounds that he made an oath not to leave the ent, once a wolf made an oath he never went back on it. The ent kept on going on about how he would see them to the safety of their homes. Pippin and Merry appeared upset about this, they didn't want to return in all actuality, they wanted to help Kagome and Frodo. It was odd because if you had asked high and low for the most well-fed and lazy hobbits in the entire shire anyone would've answered it was those two. They really had changed since the beginning of their journey.
"I don't see why you don't take the forests back," grumbled the wolf demon as his feet padded along the ground; Kinta was the only one able to keep pace with the ent. "I get so irritated hearing about forests burning down. It isn't like you don't have the ability to fight Treebeard."
"We're peaceful, you know this shepherd of the woods."
"What'd he call you Kouga?" Merry asked having not heard that title given to anyone other than an ent.
"Master wolf's family has long been friends of the woods," answered the ent striding forward with his huge steps. "They've watched after us." It was true, Kouga's baser instincts told him to stray true to the forest more than to people and so he'd made sure that his family did so. Hell, Kouga's family may live with the people of Rohan, but they lived on the outskirts of town closest to the woods. They were after all wolves with odd traits that some people still found rather off and rather than have his children impressed upon that they were weird Kouga had kept them at a safe distance from the town, though not too distant that they couldn't make friends with people who didn't mind their oddities. Most mortals were willing to look past the fact that Kinta was a half demon, his tail swishing back and forth all the time, his fangs longer than that of humans, and his odd appetite for meat more than vegetables… but that was only because of whom his father was. The ents actually owed the wolf family a great deal. Kouga was one of the few reasons forests remained around the area because he'd personally dispatched wolves after orcs that brazenly wished to torch the trees. Kouga even gathered bands of riders every once in a while to protect the trees and fight off the orcs.
That's when something on the wind hit Kinta's nose. Death. One of those damn ring wraiths is stalking us. Kinta whistled at the other's to get their attention. It took a few more good whistles to get that ent's attention. Kinta wondered if the bark was too thick on that ent's head for him to hear properly. "Yo Treebeard! I can smell some of those black riders," he said making the ent stop walking, his beady eyes swerving around the woods listening to their silence. It wasn't often that the trees were silent around Treebeard. In fact, now that he was listening to them he could hear their fear along with their warnings.
"Master wolf, what should we do?" The ent asked in his slow and booming voice. Treebeard hadn't much worry for black riders, but now he'd been given the charge of protecting the two hobbits and the wolf and he wouldn't fail. An ent's promise ran as deep as the roots of a tree.
"Keep walking. We're not important to them." And just as the words left Kinta's mouth he was proven wrong as a blackrider swooped in on its gnarly looking horse, tossing Kinta onto the front of the beast, and took off running with it. Kinta punched the rider, obviously a man who wouldn't go down without a fight. But the rider expected this and raised his heavy black fist, equipped with heavy armor, knocking Kinta out in the back of the head. The wolf's body immediately slumped on the beast and he was unconscious as he was taken away. The tree ent bellowed out his hatred for the blackrider as Merry and Pippin cried out for Kinta.
"What do we do now? We've got to go after him," said Merry about ready to jump off the ent and take after Kinta himself.
"We shall follow the young wolf. The trees will tell us what direction they head in," replied the ent simply, a trees memory was long and an ent's even longer. His debt to the wolf demon's family would be repaid. "But we will need some help." And as he said such the great ent bellowed out to the sky catching the attention of other tree shepherds far and wide.
Legolas could bear much, but the fact that Kagome didn't remember anything was almost pushing him to a breaking point. The fact that Kagome couldn't remember what they were to each other felt like someone had swooped in, murdered her in plain view of him, and he was mourning a living corpse. Legolas couldn't very well tell her what they were to each other in front of the others nor secretly for she might not believe him. However, there was a shimmer of hope inside of Legolas. That hope sprouted from the fact that though Kagome couldn't remember him… she could remember the language he'd taught her and a few of the songs he'd catch her humming under her breath… but above all else Kagome couldn't stop looking at him. And every time his eyes locked with hers Legolas would try and will her to remember him, though it never worked. Legolas knew that it wouldn't work just like that, but it didn't stop him from trying.
"My Shippo, all grown up." Kagome said reaching out to tug on Shippo's long red ponytail. "You don't have a sweetheart Shippo?"
"No mama, I haven't really had time to chase after skirts watching after you," answered the teenage fox demon. He wasn't admitting though to the fact that he did chase a few skirts every once in a while, then again a son never really talked to his mother about those things.
"I'll make sure that'll change when we get to the next town. I feel bad for making you wait for so long," said Kagome already making plans to help her son go on a date or two. She owed him more than that from what she'd been told. She still couldn't wrap it around her head what they were doing. The light throbbing of the jewel in her pocket told her though it was all real. She couldn't remember anything though, she felt like a whole part of her was missing, and worse, she felt a pain in her heart like something wasn't right. It was all Inuyasha's fault. Now that the group knew he was in the vicinity they had settled on a plan, though they had yet to voice it to Kagome. In fact, they didn't plan on voicing it until they reached Rohan, if not after.
"And you're both princes?" Kagome asked looking at Aragorn and Legolas as they walked beside her. For some odd reason the elf had hung very closely to her side. She'd been told with a wink and a nod from Kouga that he was her bodyguard, though she'd thought he was teasing her with the winking. How could someone as handsome as that be attracted to her? Kagome couldn't help the feeling she had, it was unsettling and welcoming at once. Kagome would glance over at him and meet his eyes every so often. Those beautiful eyes, she thought to herself wishing she could stare at them a moment longer, but very much afraid to do so. She didn't want to be caught balking at someone without knowing the reason why. Kagome inwardly wondered what he was to her. Constantly she would find herself watching him and every time he looked at her Kagome felt her heart beat. Who is he to me? I get the feeling that… I care for him.
"Technically Aragorn's a king," replied Kouga catching Kagome's attention. "That is if he takes the throne." A king, thought Kagome taking in Aragorn's rough dark beard, his unwashed hair, and his dirty fingernails. Could've fooled me. Though the quiet one looks regal enough to be a prince. He looks so sad though… Kagome watched the prince a lot; she couldn't help look at his head hung low. It was as if he were in mourning for someone he lost and Kagome felt her heart pained to see him in such a way. Every time he glanced her way it was like an arrow piercing her heart, he looked at her as if he expected Kagome to do something wonderful for him. She wished she could remember him. Out of all the traveling companions they told her about, a wizard, a dwarf, Kouga's son, hobbits… Kagome wanted most to remember this elf. She felt a tug on her body that made her walk beside him. Another odd thing she felt was an absence of someone touching her. It was so odd, she had the constant feeling like someone should be touching her hand or just touching her in general. For the life of her Kagome couldn't remember ever being a touchy person in her life in the Feudal Era so this really confused her. Am I that much changed from what I was?
Before Kagome could answer her own thoughts she felt something odd, a pleasing and almost comforting aura pulse towards her and she paused in her stride looking around. Legolas felt it too, automatically believing it a threat as he listened to the wind for any signs of movement. No one was taking any chances, even if the feeling coming towards them was friendly… it could very well be a trick played by Inuyasha. "Legolas?" Aragorn asked as Sesshomaru paused to sniff at the air. Kouga's claws lengthened and Shippo put a hand on the hilt of his sword. They could sense it too and it smelled very faintly of death, like Kikyou had though this was much fainter. A faint mix of death that had been brought to life. And Kagome heard the voices tickling her ear, such quaint voices talking to her that appeared to be coming from the trees around her. He comes towards you our child, do not fret. He is a friend of yours you once met.
"Shippo the trees are talking to me," squeaked Kagome, eyes going wide as she heard every word they said. Have I always talked to trees? Maybe Inuyasha hit me far too much with whatever it was that made me lose my memory. Maybe I'm losing my mind.
"Nad nâ ennas," murmured Legolas to the others and Kagome surprisingly found herself understanding parts of that sentence as well. (Something is out there)
"Better to attack it than let it get us," ordered Aragorn already tensing up. He did not like his friends constantly being in danger. The first chance Aragorn got at repaying Inuyasha, for adding a chink to the bonds of friendship in his group, the better.
"Ah damn," groaned Kouga shaking his head. "I do not want to be caught by a damn white wizard haunting these woods. And here I hoped it was a rumor. We're just so damn lucky." And then a glowing light appeared before them. Legolas raised his bow, making sure to stand in front of Kagome, Shippo and Aragorn their swords, Sesshomaru his acid green whip, Kouga his claws, and Kagome even went to grab her sword unsheathing it quickly. Kagome didn't know why but as soon as she'd suspected danger she'd gone to stand closer to Legolas.
But the light faded and a voice rang out, "Don't shoot at me yah gits. Can't yah recognize a friend from foe or have yer senses gone daft?"
The half wolf demon was tossed with chains wrapped around his body onto the floor before Saruman. Frodo was already chained to the wall in the room and had to feel the pain of the blood drifting down from his poor arms held in such a position that they couldn't fall to their sides. "Kinta?" Frodo cried out in shock, writhing against his chains as he jerked forward trying to reach the wolf demon but his chains did their job well.
"The one whom she's obviously attached to," smirked the wizard from where he reclined comfortably in his chair. "They didn't keep their love hidden. Young love, full or promise and ignorant of their actions." Saruman walked over to the unconscious wolf and plucked from his forehead the checkered white and orange bandana. He then pulled out a knife and ran it along Kinta's palm very lightly, though the wolf flinched in his unconscious state from the action. Saruman rubbed the bandana against the cut with a sinister leer on his face as he walked over to a covered cage. When he pulled off the covering the ugliest bird Frodo had ever seen in his life was revealed. It was reptilian looking with scales around its eyes and body. There were large canine teeth poking out of its beak, in fact, the only place that had feathers were its wings. Saruman opened the cage and the black as sin bird crept out, squawking loudly as its master tied the bandana around its leg.
"Go my pet. Find the one who carries the jewel and deliver this to her. Keep your claws out until she gives you something in return," he ordered the bird, pointing to the orb to allow it to mist up inside by magic and reveal Kagome's confused face. In moments the bird shrieked into the air a loud screech before it jumped off of the cage and launched itself out the open window of the tower.
The shock had worn off for a bit once they'd seen Gimli. Gandalf explaining how he came to still be there was even more of a shocker as they walked. Kagome felt as if the old man was just like her grandfather, trying to watch after her, for he kept to her side, grabbing her elbow while he leaned on his cane to help her over obstacles. And then Shippo explained their situation as they made it to a clearing, Gandalf's eyes roving over the grassy plains as if he were searching for something important, those eyes stopped when Shippo told him what had happened to Kagome. "Gandalf… can you cure her?" Shippo wondered aloud and it appeared to be the question in everyone else's minds. They talked as if Kagome were sick and weren't there. Kagome didn't like to be spoken about as if she weren't in the room; it was aggravating enough getting years of treatment like that from Inuyasha.
"You know I'm right here," she said with a huff closing her eyes in anger. It was hard enough trying out those words that she supposedly knew, hell she knew them in the Common Tongue but it felt so odd to say them as if she hadn't been speaking Japanese all her life. Kagome felt a touch to her chin and her eyes opened up to look back in the old gray eyes of Gandalf the White. He cupped her face in one hand as he peered into her own eyes, viewing her like a transparent ball of glass.
"It is in there," he mumbled quietly.
"What?" Kagome asked looking back at the wizard, expecting him to bop her in the head with his staff and bring back her memories. That motive would make as much sense as him casting a spell on her with that same cane. She couldn't stop from hoping though that her ill fortune would be short lived and he would have an antidote to her memory loss.
"Your memories… I cannot bring back someone's memories. Messing with a mind is a terrible thing to do. Easy to mess up things since it is someone else's thoughts," Gandalf explained patting Kagome on the head as he let go of her face. A sad frown flickered across her lips, and here she'd hoped for a solution to her problem. He let out a shrill whistle and in an instant the whitest horse Kagome had ever seen in her life came galloping towards them amidst the grassy plains. "This is something that should be remedied on her own." Kagome touched her temple lightly with one hand and thought to herself, They're in there. I just have to try a little harder. Kagome was brought out of her thoughts when a long white nuzzle came to her face. "Eh!" Kagome's eyes bugged out when she found herself being nuzzled by the horse of all things. Legolas couldn't stop from smirking as Kagome backed away from the horse that just took a few after her.
"Kagome certainly has a way with animals eh fluff-ball?" Kouga asked with a wide smirk as he glanced over at Sesshomaru. There was just something about Kagome when it came to wild animals, demon and mortal alike, that drew everything in like a moth to flame. While Kagome was trying to hide from the overly nice horse by using Gimli as a human shield, Aragorn was talking to Gandalf. It was a question that Aragorn had wondered for a long time, though he honestly had no ill intentions planned, he was just curious. "Gandalf, is the jewel that Kagome's carries stronger than the ring?"
"The ring has a limit, it is Sauron. The jewel has no limits if you know how to wish."
"But our fair friend doesn't know what to wish for," said Aragorn stating the obvious. How many times had he seen Kagome just stare at that jewel when she had her memories back? How many times had he seen her reach into her pocket with a bent brow contemplating the heavens and the universe in her mind? Countless. Anyone would've made a wish already, a selfish wish for their own gain. They would've done it in a heartbeat without contemplating over the actions of their wish. Kagome had yet to even come up with a wish.
"That is why Kagome was given it."
Inuyasha kept to the back watching them intently. He growled out in frustration. There wasn't much else he could do now since that elf had blabbed his mouth off telling them about his presence. They would be on their guard. So he had to just wait until Kagome was all alone. Inuyasha cringed at the memory that had flickered back to the front of his mind, those accusing eyes that had stared at him as she told him that she hated him. Never had Kagome looked at Inuyasha like that, as if he were the very beast Naraku, and say those words to him with such meaning. Inuyasha stroked the pouch in his pocket as if to reassure himself that those eyes would never look at him that way again.
There was one added benefit to having doused Kagome with all of the powder instead of both of them… because she couldn't remember everything that had happened, because she couldn't remember moving on past him… Inuyasha was more than positive he had a chance to win her back. If she couldn't remember moving on that meant she had to still love him. Those old feelings for me will resurface, thought Inuyasha smugly. It wasn't really a matter of what happened to Kikyou, it was just that he had no one left to help him in his life and Kagome had been the companion for him that had tried to help him over every obstacle. If the villagers had taken his children and she'd known, Kagome would've helped him get them back. If he fought with Kikyou he would've been able to talk to Kagome and she would've helped him talk things over with his wife. If people still murmured things under their breaths when he passed them about being a half demon Kagome would've made them stop with her sharp words and the fact that she so openly trusted him. Kagome was the one he should've chosen.
Something extraordinary had happened within the hour of finding Gandalf. It might've been because Kagome was trying to focus on her memories or mayhap it was due to touching something with memory, but they had paused to fill their canteens and Kagome's hand had swept across the brush in her pocket. She'd pulled it out curious at the article and upon seeing it was a brush began to comb out her hair while the others took long thirsty sips from the clean river. It was as Kagome ran the fine hairs of the brush through her long strands a third time that Kagome's hand paused in midstride as a memory flickered into her mind of the four hobbits. "Frodo," she murmured quietly as it clicked into place in her brain whom they were. Though Kagome still didn't know who the dwarf, wizard, elf, and man were. Sesshomaru looked up to see Kagome smiling at him. "I wonder if Frodo misses our campfire talks," Kagome said simply. Legolas's eyes lit up at the prospect of Kagome's memory being able to return.
Sam wouldn't have minded leaving the worthless pile of bones behind to pursue Frodo, but Gollum may yet proof useful. If they needed him for directions they would have to rely upon him. As they rode on Kirara after Frodo, Sam got the oddest of feelings. Like something heavy rested in his pocket, in fact, his mind often strayed towards his pocket as if urging him to take a peak. Feeling like he should be secretive about whatever it was, Sam stole a quick peak in his pocket when Gollum was preoccupied gripping onto Kirara back for dear life, and then he shut the pocket quick with his eyes staring pointedly ahead. He was unable to comprehend what lay in his pocket for a moment and then it all sunk in as he began to feel the throbbing desire to place it on. I have the ring! Mister Frodo must've done this! Sam stole a glance at Gollum who was screeching when Kirara took them even higher. Sam had gotten quite used to the heights, which was something to boast about for a hobbit. I want to put it on something awful. Just try it on and see what the hubbub is all about. It can't be that dreadfully bad and now its mine, Sam began to think. All mine!... As Sam's finger slowly drifted towards his pocket Gollum let out a cry, face buried into Kirara's fur, "We must gets to master we must! He has our precious to watch afters he do! Can't lets the enemy has its we can'ts!" Sam's malicious thoughts had ceased upon hearing the lowly Gollum's voice. No, Mister Frodo trusted me with this for a reason. If I did use it I would be no better than ole stinker behind me.
Sam sat even straighter and gripped tightly onto Kirara's neck, making sure to keep his hands fastened onto her and not move those pudgy fingers. If Saruman wanted his ring back so much he'd have a hard time getting Sam to fall so easily prey to the ring. Though the entire ride Sam kept an eye on Gollum, not knowing if the decrepit creature could sense it.
Gandalf had told them that now was the time for a quick meal and rest. Though they were two hours away from Rohan the old wizard had merely glanced at Legolas and Kagome, when no one was looking, and decided that something should be done. Legolas had taken all of his courage to ask Kagome, like a nervous boy about to ask to court a maiden, if she wished to practice with her sword. After a quick nod from Shippo, assuring Kagome that it was something natural and safe, the two had set off into the woods a bit away from the group. The demon men wanted to try and draw out Inuyasha, their blades sharpened as well as Aragorn's, and so Shippo had given Legolas one of his trick mushrooms. Should Inuyasha appear while Legolas and Kagome were alone the elf merely had to toss the mushroom in the air and it would burst out into fireworks to disclose their location. Demon men were faster than Gandalf and Aragorn; they would make it to the duo if they required help.
"You truly remember nothing?" Legolas asked as Kagome stumbled over a root, Legolas caught her arm and Kagome couldn't help but blush at the contact. The part that she felt missing in her body seemed to thrum. She wanted to believe that what she was missing was him, but she couldn't. Kagome didn't know if she wanted to risk asking the proper elf such a question. I can't exactly come out and ask 'Are you my boyfriend? Do I love you?' For all I know this feeling could've been one sided before Inuyasha erased my memory… But its eating me up inside not to know. If I forgot everything shouldn't I have feelings for Inuyasha? But even as Kagome thought of the half demon she made a face as a knee jerk reaction.
"Hold your sword," Legolas said, almost a plea, when they made it to a small area in the woods. It was neither too far nor too close to the group. The elf was still a little nervous about using Kagome for bait, even if he had one of those mushrooms. Legolas had been making a list of ideas the whole time they'd been walking and had opted for the idea of Kagome practicing with her sword as a way to remember him. Mayhap her memories of him would come back at the touch of something like it did with the hobbits. He was trying ardently to bring back her memories. It was killing him inside not to pull her into his arms right then and let her know how he felt. It was hurting him not to teach her his language, tell her about his father. The others knew of his father coming, but not Kagome, he wanted her to remember first… and part of him wanted to keep it a secret. His father's ideals weren't something he respected anymore, in fact, Legolas was ashamed of them.
"What will that prove Prince Legolas?" Kagome asked. Kagome had taken to calling Legolas by his title, to try and distance herself from him. Kagome knew she had feelings for him, but rather than have her heart broken she needed to remind herself that he was a prince that probably already had a fiancée. Legolas flinched at the title; he was hating it more and more. Kagome had yet to drop the title despite Legolas's insistence that she do so. It brought him more pain than Kagome losing her memories to have her call him that title. He felt as if a close connection to her was lost with the formality.
"Nothing until you try it," he said calmly. Legolas was looking for anything he could use to his advantage to help Kagome remember him. Being a blank spot in her mind didn't sit well. Kagome pulled out her sword and stared down at it in shock. "Tetsusaiga's mine?" He nodded his head watching Kagome's fingers grasp the hilt and brandish the worn looking sword, it hadn't sparked to life nor had it revealed its true form.
"But it can only protect mortals Prince Legolas."
"Please call me Legolas," he said wincing. Using his title was for those who didn't know him and Legolas wanted to spend the rest of his life with Kagome. "And you have used that sword a couple of times."
"To protect who? Mister Aragorn?" Kagome asked him. It was the only logical explanation. To use the sword one must protect a human and Aragorn was the only human in the group that she would be able to protect. Am I Aragorn's body guard? Just thinking it seemed odd, Kagome really couldn't see anyone protecting the buff and very masculine Aragorn.
"No, me," he answered her. Legolas knew it was odd for the sword to be able to protect him and yet it did. He had often hoped that it derived from feelings of love from Kagome since their kiss. Sesshomaru was the only one who had a theory for why Kagome could use the sword though he didn't voice it to anyone. There was no doubt that Kouga might have an inclination as to the reason why the sword defended Legolas. Shippo was clueless and just chalked it up onto the reasons why his mother was incredibly special. Aragorn conceded the matter as a new ability attributing to Kagome.
Sesshomaru had kept an eye on the others enough most nights to find that Legolas's eyes shut when he slept, an oddity for his race. It was with that knowledge, as well as a small glimpse at some of Legolas's spurts of emotion, that Sesshomaru found himself believing that the sword saw Legolas as a human to an extent. It made sense that to love a human woman Legolas had to learn of her species so much that he adapted some of it just as Kagome had adapted some of the things of the elf species. Though Kagome didn't know why, she never questioned why she would randomly answer someone in elf, not knowing Legolas had been teaching her that, nor why she would randomly start humming a song. Elves were merry creatures when content, often singing out their happiness. This was something she'd gradually adapted being around Legolas.
Kagome turned the hilt of her sword in her hand and took a step towards Legolas, looking up at him with pleading eyes seeking an answer. "Why are you trying so hard for me to remember you?" Kagome couldn't help but ask with big and innocent doe eyes. Am I really that important to him? Were we really that close? Kagome knew the distinction between having a friend and someone closer, and she couldn't rightly help the knots that formed in her stomach just thinking of them being together. Kagome sensed that perhaps… well, perhaps they'd been in love or a relationship… or maybe she was the one who loved him… I know feelings! I know I had to have cared a great deal for him… Can the same be said for him?
"Because the memories I have of you changed my life," he said simply, placing a hand on her shoulder when at most he wanted to hold her in his arms and tell her everything. But he couldn't risk things when she couldn't remember who he was. He was scared she would distance herself from him. "And I'm hoping that the same can be said for the memories you've made of me." Kagome looked up at him, her face stained red and breath caught in her throat. Those were the sweetest words she could recall ever hearing from someone, aside from Kouga staking a claim to her. Kagome looked utterly innocent, so much so that Legolas couldn't refrain himself from stepping closer to her to see what she would do. Kagome didn't disappoint, she remained where she was looking up at him through long black eyelashes with eyes that shone like a girl infatuated. That look of longing behind her eyes made Legolas do something he'd swore he wouldn't do until she remembered him. He began to lean downwards towards a pair of petals that he desired to kiss. He couldn't stop himself, he was a hunter drawn to the doe he wanted to prey upon.
Kagome didn't know what was happening but the next thing she knew it looked as if Legolas was going to kiss her… at least until Kagome heard the snapping of a twig and she immediately had brandished her sword out looking around the woods for whomever it was that had disturbed them. Kagome was very much surprised to find the sword working for her. An elf man stepped out of the woods, long face, high forehead, and hair lighter than Legolas's.
"Lady Kagome, it's a pleasure to see you again," said Haldir bowing his head formally to the young woman and Legolas, her sword was just a few inches away from Haldir's chest and he merely raised a brow at the action. Sure he might've said some harsh things in the past, but normally Kagome was so cordial. Mayhap he'd just frightened her. Haldir completely missed Kagome's blank face when he swung his gaze towards Legolas. "Your father is a few days behind me."
"Your father?" Kagome asked and for some reason a part of her felt like it was betrayed. She looked up at Legolas with confusion in her eyes wondering what this meant. I don't know why I feel so hurt… even though this technically is new information for me… it feels new. "Did we know about this?" There was no question about who Kagome meant by the word 'we.'
"Everyone but you," Legolas answered her without thinking over what he was saying. Legolas should've expected Haldir, but he'd been too caught up in what was happening with Kagome to worry about his father getting closer. Kagome stepped away from Legolas as if she'd been burned. Her sudden step caught his attention as he looked up at her. Kagome felt it inside of her betrayal, though she didn't know why Kagome still took a few steps away from him. Legolas reached out to her but Kagome shied away from his touch. So this was one-sided. Hell, he might not be my friend out of pity if everyone else knows and I don't. If the memories of me change his life why didn't he tell me about his father when he told the others? This isn't exactly something you keep from a friend. "I was going to tell you Kagome." Legolas said, his eyes lighting up at the fact that Kagome was angry at him. Did she remember something?
"But you didn't. You claim you're my friend and try so hard for me to remember you, yet you never told me of this…" Kagome shook her head and huffed off away from Legolas leaving him feeling very dejected and staring at her departing backside. Haldir touched the young prince's shoulder and raised a questioning brow, "Lady Kagome seems… off my prince."
Haldir had joined their party and was busy in an engrossed conversation with Kouga. Legolas try as he might wasn't listening to a word Haldir was saying for his thoughts were fixated on the young steaming woman walking ahead of him alongside Aragorn. He would try to catch her eye and when he did Kagome would pointedly glare, cross her arms, and stomp off further. "I don't know what you did to get my mom angry, but whatever it is should blow over soon. Mama may have bitter tantrums, but they're fast at leaving," said Shippo earning the chucking of a rock at his head from his mother who'd realized she had good hearing. Kagome sighed, Shippo was right. Kagome hated being mad at friends. As she slumped forward Aragorn bumped elbows with her catching Kagome's attention. Sometimes Aragorn honestly wished he had the power to make everything right. It wasn't fun seeing two people have a hard time in their relationship, especially when he knew they cared for each other.
"How is it you can be angry when you know not what angers you? The lack of memory m'lady is what prevented us from warning you," said Aragorn, his eyes forward as he took his strides with Kagome keeping pace with him by taking three quick steps to his one step. "It still doesn't feel very nice," Kagome griped as they came out of the trees to the outskirts of Edoras, though in all honesty she knew she wouldn't stay mad at the elf for long. Legolas was trying to help her gain her memory back after all.
It appeared that as soon as they caught sight of the kingdom they were attacked. Not by orc nor wraith, but by children. Kouga grinned as a herd of children running out of a house outside of the kingdom walls. Rin came out of the house smiling with a baby on her hips, a light blonde haired woman beside her, and delightful choruses greeting Kouga's ears. "Papa! Papa! You're back! Papa's back!"
Kagome's eyes widened as she saw children of every age pouring out of the house at the edge of the town. "Kouga how many kids do you have?"
"Rin just gave birth to our twenty-second," Kouga said before dashing off towards the children. In mere seconds Kouga was lying on the ground being tackled by at least six children and teenagers. Kagome could've sworn her eyes were straining out of her head at the idea of having so many kids. Kagome took a quick glance back at the others to see Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli sharing similar looks. Gandalf looked as if he already knew; then again what that old wizard didn't know was a mystery. Sesshomaru swept past Kagome to be greeted by choruses of, "Papa Fluff Fluff!" And oddly enough Sesshomaru just stood there as three children attached themselves to his legs, not saying a word as he bent down to pick one up that was squealing in his arms. Shippo ran a hand through his hair and mumbled, "I'm glad you're used to sleeping with a group of people mama. We're lucky half of his kids already moved out. There should only be…" Shippo was counting in his head for a moment, "about eleven here now that Rin's given birth." Kagome's eyes scanned all of the kids. Some had tails, some wolf ears, and some had both traits. A few of the gangly teenagers, there were about three, looked older than Shippo.
"Shippo…" Kagome knew she was about to touch on a very sensitive subject. Kagome had a few memories from being stuck to the tree with Shippo and Kouga speaking every once in a while about Shippo possibly taking a break and flirting around with women. That was the sore spot for Shippo and his immortality. Every time Kouga mentioned the subject Shippo would reply that he was scared to fall in love with someone and watch them age before he realized he truly loved them. So Shippo had just stuck to an occassional one night stand. "…they look older than you?"
"I'm full demon mama, they're half. I age slower," Shippo said casually, though he had noted the pause in between Kagome's answering. Kagome nodded her head at this information before looking up to meet the dancing brown eyes of a young woman whom she'd used to watch after. Rin handed Eowyn her baby before she called out with a tentative voice and small smile, "Kagome?"
"Rin," shouted out Kagome not realizing how much her face lightened up at the thought of another past friend, and a female one at that! Rin took off running towards Kagome, totally bypassing her husband who'd had his arms wide open for Rin to run into his loving embrace, and Kagome took off for her. The two women were in each other's arms in mere moments as Kouga's arms fell to his sides and he crossed them over his chest, "I've been gone forever and what does she do? Passes her adoring stud of a husband and goes to Kagome."
"Hnn," muttered Sesshomaru trying to hold back the small laugh that wanted to escape from his lips as he watched the two women squealing in delight. Eowyn slowly made her way over towards Kouga. The barbaric wolf demon immediately reached out and took the cooing baby from Eowyn's arms with love shining in his eyes.
"Everything's okay! I know someone whose glad to see their papa! Papa Fluff Fluff meet our newest addition," bragged Kouga as his eyes shone lovingly for a moment just before he caught a glimpse of Legolas and a wide cocky smirk crossed his features. "Hey Legolas! Want to know my baby girl's name?"
"Pops why does that man have a girl's name?" Rinna asked, always the question asker of the family at a young age, effectively making the moment priceless.
Rin worked with Kagome in the garden, knees pressed into the cool earth, as their fingers plucked out herbs for the meal tonight. There would be a small feast in the house to celebrate. Kagome didn't know what was going on, just that after the men had talked to that lovely blonde, Gandalf, Gimli, Aragorn, and Shippo had headed up towards the kingdom of Rohan where King Théoden ruled. Eowyn had followed after and Kagome had volunteered to spend some quality time with Rin. Legolas had decided to stay behind. He didn't want Kagome out of his sight for the ripe plucking of Inuyasha. Especially if she could still have feelings for Inuyasha thanks to the lack of memory, that was what Legolas feared in his heart, that he'd been pushed aside for the one he'd worked so hard to push out of that heart. So Kouga had Legolas working with him on mending a fence in the distance to keep the elf's hands busy. Haldir was busy conversing with Sesshomaru, well talking to Sesshomaru not far away from the two busy men.
"So you honestly don't remember him?" Rin asked when she caught Kagome staring at the elf whose shirt was off so he could cool off while he worked from the manual labor. It was odd seeing someone who was supposedly a prince working alongside Kouga. And Kagome couldn't stop blushing when Rin caught her looking at Legolas. He looked so wonderful without a shirt that it made Kagome's mind trail off to improper thoughts of touching that sculpted and sweaty chest of his… kissing it and stroking it to feel his rigid muscles underneath such taut skin… Kagome ducked her head and began plucking the herbs even faster.
"No, but sometimes… I get these feelings… A lot of feelings actually, that I shouldn't be feeling for someone I don't know. Uh, I don't know what I'm talking about. It's just this weird thing I get. Just forget about it Rin," admitted Kagome laughing at her own stupidity as she ran a hand through her hair. Rin tossed an onion at Kagome playfully to get her attention, her eyes lit up at what Kagome had admitted to her.
"You should trust your feelings Kagome. Maybe they're trying to tell you something," said Rin quietly as Laikalas began crying on her pallet next to the working women. Kagome immediately went to pick up the child and rock it gently in her arms pulling it lovingly to her chest. "Shush now little one. Your mama's right here working with Aunty Kagome," she cooed to the baby, its little wolf ears twitching at the sound of her gentle voice as it calmed down in her arms. Little did Kagome know that at that moment the two men had paused to take a break on the fence and Legolas's eyes were busy watching her rock the child. Kouga nudged the elf with his elbow and a giant knowing smirk on his face at where the elf's thoughts had wandered. It was so easy Legolas to imagine Kagome holding his child nestled in her arms with the way her eyes glowed so softly and her words flowed out of her mouth so gently, she was the embodiment of what a mother should be. And he was already beginning to imagine a future with her in it, one where she played a predominant role.
Sesshomaru leaned back against the tree looking up into the branches, long and towering branches that were slowly brandishing off their leaves for the fall and winter. It was already a bit nippy in the air though that didn't stop Kouga and Legolas from sweating doing their work. Sesshomaru's face was emotionless and stoic as he listened attentively to Haldir prattle on for the past hour about everything and nothing. Other than Kouga, Kagome, and Shippo, Haldir was the only other person Sesshomaru allowed this to happen with. Even Lady Galadriel had yet to gain this. In fact, when the lady had steered conversations to gowns the dog demon had gotten up out of his seat and promptly left. Then again, Haldir was a very close friend of Sesshomaru's. He had seen Sesshomaru's beast form and for some reason the elf was able to help calm him down where Shippo could not when the demon decided to take over Sesshomaru. "Milord… what of this brother of yours that Lord Shippo has mentioned?"
"Half-brother," corrected the demon lord. Now that sharpened Sesshomaru's mind.
"Your half-brother, do you plan on capturing him?"
"Hnn," answered the dog demon.
"How?" Haldir asked to which Sesshomaru's answer was a quick nod in the direction of Haldir's own ward who was staring intently at Kagome. "My ward?" Sesshomaru nodded his head and lifted a wry finger to point in the direction of his own charge. "Our wards? How?"
"Inuyasha once cared for her," he answered solemnly making a point to stare at Haldir with a knowing glance that conveyed how much Inuyasha had once cared for Kagome.
"So he shall grow jealous?" Haldir said up reading Sesshomaru's face. The demon just kept on staring at Kagome, not needing to answer something that was obviously already answered. "You'll draw him out with them. Although I should worry over the safety of my ward he appears to have an interest in the lady that cannot be stopped… And as long as I'm out of the jurisdiction of the king, until he arrives, I know not of this. So what will we do exactly with them?"
Sesshomaru said four words next that were the entirety of his plan with the others of their Fellowship, words that had been discussed without Kagome's knowledge when she'd fallen asleep riding on the horse that Gandalf favored. It was a plan, though it wasn't favored by Shippo, who would've preferred himself to be bait with his mother… it was accepted largely since Shippo was related to Kagome that it wouldn't pose much of a threat to Inuyasha's territorial instincts. Added onto the fact that Legolas was the one to have alerted the others of Inuyasha's presence, thus hindering his ability to remain close to Kagome without fear of being discovered, it made for a grand plan. "We leave them alone."
Haldir watched from the doorway Kagome with interest. He silently wondered if she knew what she was doing time and time again as she busied about the kitchen cooking. The others were still up at the castle, though one of Kouga's many children had run down to tell them how Gandalf had helped the king rid himself of Saruman. They were still up there helping the king by engrossing him with every detail over what he'd missed and Eowyn was remaining by his side for she'd missed her uncle. That left Legolas to sit back in a chair, his feet propped up on a stool, looking very much at ease as Kagome stirred a large pot hanging over the fire in the chimney. Haldir had never seen Legolas so relaxed. Rin was in her bedroom feeding the baby and Kouga was outside playing with his children. Before he left outside, Sesshomaru took a note on the intended plan by opening the windows for all to see Kagome hustling about the kitchen. If his half-brother's sense of smell was a tenth as good as his own then Inuyasha would certainly be able to smell Kagome in the kitchen with Legolas.
Kagome may not have remembered Legolas, but her body did. When Legolas would shift in place Kagome would instinctively glance over at him to check and see that he was comfortable. When Kagome walked past him to reach for some thyme hanging over the ceiling she'd unconsciously patted his head with her other hand. When Legolas would chuckle Kagome's lips would pull up into an automatic smile. Kagome might've been giving him the silent treatment, but she wasn't yelling at him nor ignoring Legolas completely. With that knowledge Haldir walked out of the doorway to corrupt a few of Kouga's children, he merely planned on teaching them to call their father 'mongrel' in Sindarian by telling them it meant 'I love you.' It was in retaliation of Kouga naming his daughter after Legolas. However, just thinking of how his ward had latched an arrow onto his bow and pulled back the string aiming at Kouga made him laugh all the same.
When Legolas noticed the lack of Haldir's presence, the fact that he and Kagome were the only ones in the room, and the fact that Kagome was holding a large knife about to cut up carrots… Legolas got up and strode over to her. Kagome's body froze when she felt his body heat barely an inch behind her and his warm hand covering her small fingers that held the blade. "Allow me," he whispered in her ear sliding the knife out of her fingers as Kagome twirled around to meet Legolas's eyes. That lone touch sent a small jolt through Kagome's body. In a knee jerk reaction Kagome's hand flew up to rest on his firm chest. His other arm moved to cage her in place and Kagome felt her heart fluttering in her chest like a captured butterfly. Legolas had to see if his Kagome was still in there. He leaned forward and watched Kagome tilt her head upwards, as if waiting for him to kiss her. And he grabbed a hold of the carrot behind her with a smirk and pulled away with a raised brow. Kagome's eyes snapped with fire as she huffed around him angry to have been tricked like that. He must think I'm a fool. I wish I knew what he was to me so I'd know whether to be angry that he was teasing me or be mad he didn't kiss me, she thought to herself. Legolas steadily began cutting up the carrot in a quick motion, his eyes drifting every once in a while to the irritated woman. She knows me, somewhere in there, he thought smugly. Well, I should remedy things before she thinks I'm an ass.
Legolas calmly kept on chopping up the carrots, making a small pile as he deliberated over his words. There was no way to say it extravagantly and to convey how much he cared for her so he said it very simply, eyes stuck on the cutting board laden with slices, "I'm sorry for not telling you about my father."
Kagome stopped stirring the pot of stew to glance back over at him. She walked over to Legolas, ladle in hand, and stood beside him with a small smile. "It's okay Prince Legolas… from what Kouga has told me I understand why you didn't tell me about him." Kagome said remembering brief chats with Kouga about King Thrandril's position on races. Just as Kagome turned around with the carrots in her hand, ladle tucked under her arm, Legolas touched her elbow softly.
"Kagome you're my friend and I don't want you to be under the impression you aren't more to me… you are," he admitted before turning around to chop up some potatoes. Kagome dropped the carrots into the pot of stew and stirred, all the while casting glances over at Legolas. Was that a declaration of sorts...? Kagome couldn't help but hope that it had been that. She lifted up the spoon, a little bit of beef stew in it and touched the thing to her lips for a taste before walking over to Legolas with the ladle in hand. She walked over to him and paused, waiting for him to look up. He knew she waited for him but it felt nice to know that her eyes were focused on him for a moment. He swept his gaze up to her face and smiled courteously before Kagome surprised him. She lifted the spoon up so it was mouth level with him and said, "Tell me how this tastes… Legolas." When he moved his mouth to eat from the spoon she was feeding him with, Legolas didn't know whether it was her cooking or the fact that she dropped the royal title, but the stew seemed to taste better than anything he'd sampled in his life.
Rin had been done for quite some time feeding and burping her baby. She'd spent the remainder of that time rocking Laikalas in her arms as she listened in on Kagome and Legolas, the two were oblivious in their bittersweet moment together. Rin couldn't help but grin like her husband as an idea settled in her mind. Kouga was doing a good enough job, he was even spreading rumors, which he kept from reaching Shippo's ears, about the 'Beauty' and Legolas, so others wouldn't question why they were so close and would leave the two alone thinking them a couple. But Rin could do better. She'd get them alone the quick way. Men were slow when it came to giving couples moments together, she knew that women could be impatient for loving whereas men were as scared to admit things or act on a gut feeling as if it meant they had to walk on a bunch of eggshells. She'd speed up things.
A night had passed by peacefully with Eowyn running back to hug Rin and Kagome, joyful of the news of her uncle being brought back to his body. That snake, Grima, had been driven out of the kingdom that had once held the king's ear. Eowyn had taken to Kagome like a bee to honey and was constantly prattling on with Kagome and Rin with ease as they supped. Gimli belching his appreciation of the food. Children running merrily about under people's feet and if they were teenagers asking the elder women for advice on things. Kagome thought it was fun talking to the thirteen-year-old looking son, Shepo, about how he should go about getting a milkmaid in the town to notice him. Kouga was teaching a pair of twin girls, six-year-olds, how to punch his hands with Sesshomaru smirking when one accidentally sent a strong jab to her father's cheek.
Haldir conversed with Legolas who sat beside Kagome and the chattering women and children. Haldir wondered the entire time if Kagome noticed how attuned her body was to Legolas's. When Legolas would shift in place Kagome would do so as well as if to align herself with him. When everyone had come in to supper Kagome had automatically dished out their bowls of stew, Legolas had received his bowl first. And when Legolas would move to reach for something Kagome was ahead of him handing it to him second nature as she talked with Eowyn and Rin on the latest styles of this time.
Kagome awoke in the girl's room, no longer in a bed laden with comfy warm bodies, but all by herself. She yawned for a moment and stretched her arms out, feeling the refreshing stretch of her muscles wake her up and get her blood pumping. She brightly opened her eyes and froze upon noticing the position of the sun. Kagome gotten relatively good at being able to track what time it was by the amount of light shining and at the moment it was incredibly late to the time she normally woke up. Kagome automatically scrambled out of bed, clad in the spare night dress she'd borrowed from Rin. She looked around wondering what to do, it was improper to head out in her nightgown to see the others, when she noticed her clothes lay fresh and clean at the edge of her bed, no doubt thanks to Rin. By the time Kagome had gotten dressed and headed towards the kitchen she was wide awake listening to the sounds of silence and groans as children ran about packing little sacks full of clothes. "What's happened?" Kagome asked as Rin, baby on her hip, handed Kagome a buttered roll for breakfast that had been baked that very morning.
"After his council with Gandalf, King Théoden gave orders this morning for everyone to pack and leave for Helm's Deep." Kagome didn't like the sounds of that at all, moving a whole group to another location with enemies lurking everywhere. But they were left with few options.
"Mama do you think I'll need this dress?" A young teenage Ayame asked holding up a dress pressed to her body, modeling it to the two women. And there it was, in the midst of peril Kagome found herself laughing. Enemies could swamp all sides, the world could end on the morrow, and orcs could head for them… but a teenage girl could still worry about her favorite clothes.
"No Ayame, I highly doubt there will be any balls where we're going. Only things that are important-"
"But mama this is important! Edric said I looked pretty in it-"
"And I'm sure he'd think you'd look just a pretty without it-"
"I'll carry it in my bag on the condition you pack only the things your mama says to pack," volunteered Kagome already seeing an argument in the makings. It was better to save time if they had to pack and she knew that no teenage girl, in the midst of first love, would wish to part with something of importance. She knew it was Ayame's first love after listening to the young girl sigh last night so much in bed and then answer Kagome for a full hour how she came to meet Edric, the blacksmith's son.
"Oh! Aunt Kagome! You're wonderful you are," cried Ayame throwing her arms around Kagome's waist and hugging her with all the hero worship of a young teenager surrounded mostly by brothers, planting a wet kiss on Kagome's cheek in the process. Kagome looked back at Rin with a hero winning smile as Rin rolled her eyes. Ayame took off for her room to help the rest of her siblings pack with a joyful whoop.
"Now you've done it, she'll be following you around like a lost pup."
"I thought Kinta already did that," teased Kagome, remembering what Shippo and Kouga had told her about her other traveling companion, suddenly wishing she hadn't opened her mouth as Rin's eyes got somber.
"I can't wait until Treebeard brings him back," she sighed holding her baby girl to her chest. "He's never been one to stray from home for too long. Always coming back like a stray dog and never settling down like his elder brother."
"Why didn't you wake me earlier if all of this was going on?"
"Motherly instincts told me to let you sleep in for once after your long journey," replied Rin raising a brow much like her father Sesshomaru. "Could you blame me for leaving you in there?"
"Where are the others?" Kagome asked biting into the sweet roll, her eyes rolling to the back of her head in bliss at something that was actually baked. Kagome didn't have to regain her memory to know it had been a long time since she'd eaten something that hadn't been hunted or foraged for. Kagome's mouth continued to water at the taste of a mere roll and soon she was plowing into that roll making Rin laugh as she pulled out another for Kagome.
"Packing outside. I believe Kouga's going to make sure we're the last to leave since all of us are faster than normal mortals. Just to make sure there are no stragglers. He doesn't think it's a fair plan to leave here, no doubt because Grima probably knows where we're headed. Haldir was wishing to stay behind as well because of the king. He says the king should be here tomorrow so that is when we shall leave." It wouldn't bode well to leave Rohan a ghost town for King Thrandril's arrival. Kagome had already scarfed the second roll down and was licking at her fingers when she asked her next question.
"Am I to leave with you tomorrow or today?"
"You should ask your son. Oh, don't forget there's a river in the woods for bathing," said Rin with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes when she saw Kagome's face instantly lighten up at the thought of a bath. From what Rin's loving husband had told her the night before, Rin knew that when it came to watching Kagome the elf did so upon every occasion. Oh her husband was good at matchmaking, but she was better speeding things up.
Kagome stared outside at the groups of people in Rohan, they were quite a distance away from them but Kagome could still see them moving about like ants trying to get things packed. It was lucky for Kagome that everything she owned was already packed. Kagome was jerked backwards into a huge hug by her son. "You're awake sleepyhead." Kagome spun around to see the others already packed and ready. Someone was missing though.
"Where's Gandalf?"
"He'll be coming on the fifth day at the first light from what Aragorn told me," replied Shippo untwining his arms from his mother. Legolas was busy looking at a map with Kouga of the terrain they were to pass over. "You will be with us. We're going to go ahead and leave with the others and usher them to safety. But we'll be spread out a bit, I'm taking the front with Aragorn and Gimli," said Shippo knowing already what his mother was about to ask, he didn't have ears that could hear through walls for nothing. If they wanted to capture Inuyasha they had to spread out and give him bait. Having Kagome and Legolas at the end of the long crowd would give them that leeway. "In an hour Rin's going to feed us a quick meal before we leave."
"Oh, then I'm going to wash up," said Kagome, running inside to grab her bag, as Shippo whistled to Legolas who looked up from the maps with a tilted head.
"Mama needs to wash and no one needs to leave her alone," stated Shippo pulling out his sword ready to sharpen it with his claws. Kagome came out and instantly headed towards the river, pulling up short when she heard light footsteps following after her. Kagome twirled around in the woods with her backpack brandished in her hand, forgetting she had a perfectly good sword and bow and arrow to use, to find Legolas with raised hands of surrender. "I'm supposed to follow you and turn my back from a safe distance," Legolas said stating the obvious age old routine.
"Did you always do this?" Kagome asked, not knowing whether to feel irked that he would follow her to where she was bathing or to feel touched that the others cared so much for her wellbeing. Legolas nodded sternly, "Always." Kagome stared long and hard at Legolas, watching him watch her, and she felt her skin color under his protective gaze. Kagome knew deep in her gut, just by looking into those eyes, that Legolas would kill someone to protect her if he had to.
"I wish I could remember you," Kagome said silently turning back around and walking quickly to the warm river Rin had told her that Sesshomaru had enchanted for them. When Kagome was assured that Legolas was a safe distance away with his back turned around and that he wouldn't budge, she began taking her clothes off and dipped a foot into the river. Kagome couldn't in her right mind figure out why she was hot at the thought of Legolas just being a few feet away other than the fact that she was undoubtedly attracted to him.
Kagome bathed diligently behind him. As time passed waiting for her to be through, every fiber in Legolas telling him to turn around and watch if he couldn't join, he pulled out something from his pocket to steady his mind. The lone flower. It was the flower that was getting him through the days she couldn't remember him by providing him the memories. Every night he knew she went to bed not knowing their exact relationship, every time he wanted most to embrace her, Legolas touched his pocket or reached his hand inside of it to touch the flower and remember. She cared for him. What they had together had really existed, it wasn't a dream that had faded away. It still could exist if he got her memory back.
When a gust of wind blew the flower out of his hands towards the river behind him Legolas knew he shouldn't have, but he ran after that flower. What Legolas found was one of the most erotic things he'd ever witnessed in his life, it was like a blow to the chest for he found himself unable to breathe. Kagome had just gotten out of the springs with one of her blankets wrapped around herself for a towel, raven locks clinging to her wet face, the blanket stuck to her curves, her skin glowed with the fresh wash, and Kagome held the flower between her fingertips. Kagome didn't know why, but she'd grabbed the flower off of the ground as soon as she'd seen it shimmering across the earth. Despite it being the most enchanting flower she'd ever seen… something about that flower felt familiar.
"Is this yours?" Kagome asked raising her eyes to meet Legolas's before looking back down at the ethereal bloom that had never withered or aged. That's when Legolas noticed it, Kagome's body tensed up as her eyes held a spark of recognition. Laughter haunted Kagome's mind as she twirled the flower in her fingertips, taking care not to hurt the delicate blossom. The wind stirred around them and the branches of the trees appeared to be dancing in the wind as if encouraging Kagome to unlock her memories, they were joyfully urging her on. Kagome's fingers froze, the flower no longer twirling in her hand, when she recognized that laughter in her head. It sounded like her own. Kagome stared incredulously down at the flower, the pointer finger of her free hand touching lightly at one of the petals... and then the voices assaulted her mind.
"Who are you?"
"Legolas… Now could you please get off of me my lady?"
"Down fluffy! Back Keebler!"
"You don't appear surprised."
"Not really. You seem like a prince. Haughty, arrogant, proud, a poker shoved up his-"
"Is there anything good to a prince?"
"Race yah to the flowers!"
"This flower will probably never fade even though it has been taken from the earth."
An image filtered through her mind. She was running with Legolas to a garden, soft petals blowing about in the wind, and the sweet sounds of music in Lothlorein filled the air. Kagome began to remember everything, like a flood of pictures flashing through her head. Their close encounters, sleeping beside one another under the stars, every time someone got in between them, dashing into the fight after Legolas, and those sweet stolen moments together. Kagome looked up at Legolas with her mind no longer in the dark. And then she didn't think anymore, she went on gut reaction.
Legolas felt his heart beat in his chest rather loudly and before he knew it Kagome's arms were wrapped around him pulling him close into her warmth, not caring that she had only a blanket wrapped around her wet body as she pressed up against him kissing him. The damp feel against his clothing didn't damper the passionate kiss at all; in fact, it only heightened it when Legolas remembered she wore only the blanket. The air around them seemed to be stifling and running out. Their mouths melded urgently together in heated kisses that made Kagome's blood sizzle. Kagome's hands danced along his back pulling him as close as she could, she couldn't get enough of him. Kagome took a step backwards, unconsciously pulling him with her, and all too soon Legolas had Kagome pressed up against a tree, his hands gripping her waist and sliding down to grip her round bottom. Kagome gave a small "eep" when his hands slid to her rear, but she was beyond the point of caring about decency. She knew now what she'd been missing was him. She'd craved his touch. Her heart had craved him even when she didn't remember him. The pain he must've gone through without her knowing who he was had been horrible for him no doubt.
"I'm sorry I forgot about you," Kagome said kissing him like her life depended on it. All this time he'd waited for her. Kagome knew she would've been heartbroken if he couldn't remember her. "Never again," she vowed.
"Say my name, Kagome," he whispered yearning to hear her. He needed to hear her say his name with knowledge. For so long she had said his name as a question.
"Legolas," she rasped as his lips kissed up along her jaw line, "my Legolas." His eyes pierced into her when she said that and it was with male pride he saw staring back at him a fair mix of lust and love. Kagome latched herself onto his sweet lips again and one of her legs wrapped around his allowing her supple body to mold itself to his frame. With the fire she sent through him Legolas was encouraged to move his hand upwards grabbing onto one of her pert breasts tenderly and squeezing lightly, Kagome couldn't help but moan in approval as she bit his lip feeding the heat of lust in him. Legolas began to nibble on her neck. He didn't care if he left a mark on her or his scent, he just wanted Kagome more than he could bear. Legolas had always wanted her and now Kagome was fueling a fire that had been steady growing and was ready to burst into an inferno. There would be no mercy on her now. The noises she was making were driving him insane and he felt that he would perish if he didn't touch her more. Legolas's hand slid beneath the blanket touching her pert nipple that tingled from being bare to his touch. It felt so right to have their flesh touching. His archer's hand rubbing and kneading softly into the warm mound. Kagome rubbed herself up against him wantonly, feeling against his clothing something long and hard prodding her core and it made her gasp at the feel of it there as her fingers clenched in his long blonde hair.
Legolas could feel every curve of Kagome and she was unleashing a whole new side of him that seemed all too human but felt all too right. Legolas propped the leg Kagome's leg was wrapped around right in between her legs. He nudged them apart and Kagome felt her core get warm as he pushed his leg up against that spot, his length rubbing up against her through the clothing. Legolas knew that he should stop what he was doing, but when he felt Kagome rub up against his hardened groin he breathed in sharply and couldn't stifle a soft groan that escaped his lips.
All rational thoughts were out of Legolas's mind with Kagome in his arms, all he wanted to do right now was focus on her warm flesh and see if he could get her to focus on his own. Kagome didn't have any reasons to stop him from what he was doing to her, in fact, she could list many reasons to make him go faster with their play. Kagome would've let him go further, they probably would've gone further, had neither heard the lunch bell chiming for them to come back and eat. Kagome froze in Legolas's arms and looked up at him through dark hazy eyes of lust meeting heated silver blue eyes that made her insides melt from looking into them. Their skins matched an identical flushed hue. Their breathing was heavy and Legolas laughed lightly as he pressed his forehead against hers. His hand cupped her cheek and she felt the cold absence of it from her chest as he tugged up her blanket to cover her body better.
"I believe you should wash up quickly Kaggy," he whispered backing away from her, Kagome's hand reached out and touched his own. Neither wanted to separate so soon.
"What of you Leggy?" Kagome said with a heated blush to her cheeks. Her breath halted in her chest when his eyes landed on her own and then raked over her body. "I would, but… we might never make it to the others." The way Legolas said that with a hungry lingering look sweeping over Kagome's body again made her shiver. Legolas could use magic to clean her, to clean him, but never to wipe of their scents. That was something that magic couldn't touch. "After you're clean tell the others I'm out practicing my archery. I shall take a bath after you."
"You want me to lie?" Kagome said, shocked for once at the fact that Legolas would willingly do so for her.
"It wouldn't be a lie. I intend to get my target," said the elf in a cocky princely manner before walking off, after casting a quick glance to what was in Kagome's hand. He left with a whistling tune behind him. It was at that moment Kagome realized she still held the flower in between her fingers.
Kagome came to lunch with the flower tucked behind her ear, and plopped down beside Rin with a blush to her cheeks and a song hummed under her breath. "What took you so long?" Kouga asked as his eyes swept over Kagome looking for something out of the ordinary. There was a particular glow to her that hadn't been there before. And where had that flower come from? It looked like it was one grown from Lothlorein.
"I was getting back my memory," she sang sitting down and making Shippo pause midstride in the greasy chicken leg he was eating, mouth wide open and teeth already snagged with chicken skin.
"What? How?" Shippo asked impatiently with a mouthful of food.
"Legolas helped. He somehow jogged my memory so you owe him your thanks Ship," she said with a smirk. Anything to get Shippo and Legolas on friendly terms. Especially if she was wanting to… be with Legolas. Kagome couldn't have Shippo hating the idea of Legolas with his mother after all. Kouga lightly sniffed the air noting that Kagome was still pure and smelled clean, and her skin was very pink… as if she had desperately scrubbed herself. Kouga smirked where he sat at the head of the table, a toothy grin lit up his face as he realized that the glow had to come from some romancing.
"Hmm, I'm betting pointy ears jogged something-" Kouga began to murmur under his breath when Rin stomped on his foot shutting up her husband. "What Kouga means to say is," interrupted Rin not wanting to let the secret out between Kagome and Legolas, "that after Legolas trying so hard it was only a matter of time before you remembered everything." Kagome flushed under Kouga's look and kept her eyes on Rin, determined to not look at her wolf friend throughout the whole meal.
"I owe him so much for that. He went to go practice his archery," she began as her mind raked over the fact that Inuyasha had done this to her. Kagome's face creased with sadness, "We've got to find Yasha." As the words spilled out of Kagome's mouth an ugly bird swooped down and landed on the table that had been dragged outside. It sqwauked loudly as a few members of the table jumped back in shock, Kagome being one of them. She stared at the odd bird, whose bleak black eyes seemed to be focused intently upon her, and then she noticed that it had a claw offered out to her. Kagome reached out and grabbed the torn cloth from its claws, eyes widening when she remembered who'd adorned the cloth. "Kinta!" The cloth was disheveled and stained with blood. Kagome held it in her hand looking up at Kouga who had already caught the smell of his son when the bird had landed, and his children were sniffing at the smell.
"Big brother?" Rinna asked looking up worriedly at her papa. She was the youngest next to the baby and had no idea why this weird bird creature smelled like her brother, but she knew by the stare her father was giving that rag that it couldn't be good. Kouga stretched out his hand and gingerly lifted up the piece of cloth from Kagome's fingers, his eyes looking it over and inhaling it at his nose. Kouga's body went rigid, by this time Sesshomaru and Shippo were also standing.
"Kouga?" Rin asked standing up and handing the baby to Haldir, whose eyes widened at being given such a task as tend to a child. He awkwardly held the baby, hands under its pits, and the baby's ears just twitched as it stared at him curiously and raised a little hand to touch his face. Haldir didn't think it would be so hard to hold a baby until Laikalas grabbed hold of his pointy ear. Meanwhile, Rin waited for her husband to explain things to her, she may have been immortal but she wasn't a demon and therefore couldn't smell what was on the cloth.
"Kinta's in trouble," said Kouga not wanting to hand the cloth to his wife but knowing she would get it regardless of his wants. Rin looked down at the cloth and dropped it immediately when she recognized the print. "No Kouga, no," Rin cried as the tears overwhelmed her and began to trail down her face. Rin moved into her husband's arms and he held her close to his chest, her body shaking with sorrow. This was a mother's worst nightmare come true. The bird, throughout all of this, stood silently beside Kagome, its leg bumping into her side over and over waiting for her to give it something. The bird nudged her with its long beak and then nipped at her fingers until Kagome realized that it desired something in return.
"It wants something," she cried out in understanding as Kouga raised his eyes up to her.
"A trade," stated Sesshomaru already deciphering what Sauron was up to. When it came to evil beings they normally had a one track mind and Sauron was no different from Naraku or Saruman. Kagome reached into her pocket and touched the jewel's smooth surface for a moment. She couldn't trade that for his life, but she couldn't sacrifice Kinta to death either.
"If only I knew where he was," growled Kouga, his eyes already were wavering between red and blue. The only reason his eyes came back to their natural blue tone was because his mate was in his arms, no matter what happened Rin could always be counted on to keep him stable.
"Kouga, wolf demons can track right?" Kagome asked to which he nodded through his tense body. Kouga was having a hard time controlling himself as it was. He wanted to rip half the country side apart to find his son. His body was shaking from his son being taken and the beast inside of him growled at the fact that his mate was in his arms crying. The beast wanted to calm its worried mate and ravage the one that had kidnapped what belonged to him.
"Then you can follow him." Kagome quickly grabbed a rock from the ground and handed it to the bird, watching its claws take the rock in its claw before taking off. She figured the bird couldn't care less what it was given just so long as it was given something. Kagome wasn't proven wrong. It took only a matter of moments for the bird to lift off, Kouga kissed Rin's forehead, he looked at his children as if signaling them to decide something, and then he took off after the bird. Four of his elder children followed after him, Ayame included, going to find their brother. The others remained behind, Kagome moving over towards Rin to pull her into her own arms and console her. She prayed Kinta was okay. Sesshomaru took Laikalas from Haldir's arms, the elf and his ear were eternally grateful, and he walked over to place a comforting hand on Rin's shoulder. It appeared Sesshomaru and Haldir would have to watch after her until they departed. As the alpha of the pack it was his duty to protect her while Kouga was gone. And as much as Shippo wanted to follow after Kouga, he knew he had his own duty to do as well. Nothing could steer them away from their quest.
Throughout his bath Legolas had allowed many a thought creep into his head, but one thought latched itself in his mind throughout it all and with a light foot and smile he hopped out of the river and quickly got dressed for his mission. This was one thought that he was sure of more than anything. Though he didn't know when he'd do it he just knew what he needed to acquire.
It only took fifteen minutes for Legolas to walk out of a store in Edoras. Inside his napkin, where his flower normally rested, something heavy lay. A very light clinking sound came from the napkin, but not so heavy that any would notice the difference nor so noisy. Someone could easily mistake the noise for the very light clinking of Kagome's sword when she tried walking as quietly as possible, it was hardly noticeable. Legolas whistled a light tune. Though the rings weren't the best jewelry Legolas had seen in his life, he was a prince and the elves certainly did finer work in his opinion, the rings were still as beautiful and they shone in the right light as beautifully as any rings would. Then again, Kagome's had been crafted in a special style he knew she would adore. He'd helped the blacksmith form them, chanting words in his tongue as they pair of bands had been made. He only had to wait for the right moment now to ask Kagome if she would wear one of the bands.
Legolas was helping Aragorn saddle up the horses in the stable. The two men were alone in their doings. Kagome was speaking with Rin while packing up more food in the bags as quick as she could. Gimli was at the blacksmith getting a new axe for the one he'd lost. Shippo was sparring with Eowyn while they waited for the horses to be packed; he was obviously going easy on the woman. Sesshomaru was playing the quiet game with the children off in the field, keeping them busy so that their mother could compose herself with Gimli and Kagome. Haldir watched his lord from afar. "What're you going to do now that she has regained her memory?" Aragorn asked, keeping his eyes on his work as he placed a few strips of meat into a pocket.
"I was hoping to announce it at some point," Legolas answered. "But Kagome is bent against it so I'll wait for her to make up her mind."
"You know… sometimes secrecy is the best way to do things," said Aragorn with a shrug of his shoulders as he snapped the buckle to the pocket of his bag. "I remember the stress we bore when we tried to make our love public. It was rather relieving when we would meet in secret. It brought us closer and there were fewer implications." Legolas looked up, that was the first time he'd heard Aragorn mention Arwen so openly in quite some time. Normally the man kept his thoughts of the one he loved close to his heart, and only to his heart. "The wait is worth the prize." Aragorn said, and with those words he went back inside to the kitchen to grab more food. The man was silently wishing to himself that the wait were worth the prize… and he knew that if he had a chance with Arwen again… he'd jump at it. Eowyn was just a friend, one that constantly reminded him of Arwen trying to defy the one over her, but there was no replacement for Arwen in his heart. Legolas nodded silently as he slid the flower he'd retrieved back from Kagome out of his pocket to glance at the rings beside it.
"Indeed, there is a prize awaiting me," said Legolas placing the items back in his pocket.
Kagome hugged Rin tightly in her arms, squeezing her as if she would never see her again, in times like these one never knew. And Kagome would rather not take chances; her goodbye with Sango had never existed, so at least now she knew to let others know how much she cared for them. Even if she was slow at learning it. "Rin, be safe," she whispered.
"I'll see you soon," Rin said sure of herself as she kissed Kagome's head and patted her hand before taking the baby back from Kouga. Sesshomaru, Rin's dutiful father, gripped onto Legolas's shoulder and said very simply, "If she is harmed you suffer." Legolas tried to remain composed, but it was hard to look Sesshomaru in the eyes when to be truthful the demon lord could scare the strongest of men. Kagome grabbed Legolas's arm and tugged him with her so they could run and catch up with the rest of the group. Haldir waved to them goodbye and some of the kids chased after them playfully before falling back and calling out their farewells. Sesshomaru leaned back against the house quietly watching as Rin sidled up to him.
"You hate to see her go don't you Papa."
"This Sesshomaru knows not what you mean." Rin rolled her eyes at her father's comment and leaned against her father, taking comfort in him while returning comfort to him.
"Sure you don't... First love is always hard to forget isn't it papa? But its a good thing you're friends," said Rin quietly, she'd already noticed though her father moving on. She highly doubted that Sesshomaru even knew he had moved on.
Kagome was walking again, but at least she had her memories back. Better yet, she was walking beside Legolas in the back where the others couldn't see her and him brushing their hands every few minutes for lack of being able to hold each other's hands openly. Legolas hadn't broached the subject about their relationship being in the open and so far he acted as if he were okay with keeping it a secret still. They talked about nothing and everything as the procession of people dragged on. Legolas led a horse with one hand while the other was free to brush against Kagome's. Kagome carried a small girl named Sarah, about five, in her arms who was too tired to walk, and Legolas was trying his hardest to impress Kagome and the child. He sang for them to make the girl in Kagome's arms laugh, tapped on the other side of Kagome's shoulder to trick her into looking at nothing every once in a while to make the little girl giggle, and answered every question the child posed to her. Kagome couldn't help smile at how nice Legolas was being to Sarah in her arms. Kagome didn't complain about carrying the child, she was used to carrying a heavy sword around, a kid was nothing.
"Mister Ley-go-les," said little Sarah, "what was your parents like when you were little?"
"My mother Lothiriel, was very sweet, I believe you would've liked her," Legolas said casting a glance to Kagome as he spoke tenderly of his late mother. "Where my father is stern my mother was the opposite. I remember when I was a kid and I was supposed to be studying the lineage of our family, and spring had just started. My mother came into the room and told my professor that my father needed to speak to him. As soon as he left my mother and I took off to go rowing on the river. She taught me how to sing and craft things out of wood." The talent Legolas had placed upon the bow Kagome now carried around was something he'd learned from his mother, knowing this made Kagome's free hand fall back to stroke the end of her bow before her other arm shifted Sarah a bit more. The little girl than began a long string of talking about her own parents, which fell on deaf ears.
"When did she pass?" Kagome asked quietly for Legolas's ears only. Kagome couldn't even imagine her own mother dying and it appeared that Legolas held such reverence for his mother as Kagome did her mother.
"In mortal's age I would've been ten," he replied as Kagome's free hand brushed up against his and grabbed his fingers gently. Kagome laced her fingers in his own and felt him squeeze her hand gently. Legolas felt his heart lighten when she took his hand. Legolas only hoped that soon he would have her for his own and would be able to do small actions like this daily. Kagome didn't let go of his hand after that, much to Legolas's joy. Kagome didn't even let go when Shippo, from the front of the line, glanced back to check on her. Shippo growled to himself. He was beginning to have a sneaking suspicion one of the two liked the other, but there was nothing he could do about it from all the way in the front of the line. It didn't help that he'd heard a few rumors from some babbling women that would glance back at Kagome and Legolas often as if they were a couple to be admired.
"Legolas, what're we going to do about your father?" Kagome asked quietly as she placed Sarah on the mount, tired of carrying the child, and stepped in stride with Legolas as he led the horse. Sarah was amused just riding on a horse since she'd never done so before.
"We'll figure something out," he answered.
"When do you think he'll arrive?" Kagome asked the question knowing that whenever the king arrived at Rohan he would make it to Helm's Deep that same day with Sesshomaru helping him. She wanted to know how much time she had to form an idea. She already had a few in the makings. The first idea involved walking up to that king and telling him just what she was point blank and then informing him that she cared for Legolas. That won't make the right impression, Kagome thought with a slump of her shoulders. No, what really doesn't help is what we were doing when I got my memories back. A blush coated her cheeks. I can't stop thinking about that now. Legolas caught the heat in Kagome's face and immediately knew where her thoughts lay. He reached out and tugged on her until he was whispering in her ear, to everyone else it appeared he was telling her a secret.
"Tomorrow. But fear not Kaggy, we'll think of something."
Eowyn had made her way back along the line to speak to Kagome and Legolas, desiring to know more about the duo. She spoke of going to war and being able to fight like Kagome. It was with a firm resolution that she told Kagome she wasn't fearful of death. Spoken like someone who hasn't taken a life, Kagome had thought to herself.
"Mistress elf and master elf," Eowyn said, making Kagome realize that no one had mentioned her origins to these people. To them Kagome was an elf like Legolas. Then again, Legolas had believed her an elf when he'd first met her as well. Mayhap I could keep on pretending when I meet his father, Kagome thought to herself. "I was wondering, the rumors circulating about you..."
Eowyn wasn't able to finish posing her question for a cry of danger arose ahead of them. Kagome felt that same familiar feeling she had when something evil was near and Legolas sprang into action upon hearing the cry of, "Warg." And the encyclopedia in Kagome's head made her aware of the creatures that were heading for them. Wargs... intelligent creatures. Ferocious creatures that would turn on their own as soon as they would turn on another. Their bodies are built for power, long necks for grabbing hold of victims, though the neck proves its weakest point as well as eyes which are set far apart. As Eowyn was ordered by the king to take the others to shelter, Legolas was torn between rushing to battle and protecting Kagome. He knew that he'd promised to protect her, but not leaving Kagome conflicted with being able to protect her.
"Eowyn, take Kagome with you, use my horse," Legolas ordered handing Eowyn his own white stead. Eowyn mounted the horse as quickly as she could yelling to the women and children what direction to head in. Sarah had already been gathered up by one of the women running with a group of children in the direction Eowyn pointed them in. If Eowyn and Kagome were riding on a horse they could follow after them from behind., so Eowyn allowed for the women and children to get a safe distance away.
"I can't leave you Legolas," Kagome said, she hated leaving him, especially just now when she'd just remembered who he was. "You promised not to leave me."
"I made a promise to keep you safe," he corrected gripping onto her arm and forcing Kagome to look him in the eye. "You can defend them." He said ushering to Kagome a duty she could serve for the women and children. Kagome bit her lip angrily and made a very dissatisfied noise as her hand flew up to grip his chin.
"If you get hurt... don't get hurt," Kagome said as Legolas touched her hand. She let go and hoisted herself onto the back of Eowyn's horse, herding the others quickly in the direction of Helm's Deep. Kagome glanced over her shoulder to see Legolas join the fray, swinging up onto a horse with the grace of a warrior. Eowyn had also glanced back to catch sight of Aragorn charging ahead, a man she barely knew and was already growing affection for. It wasn't long though before the women realized they were being followed by two wargs with riders.
"You can't lift your sword on here," cried out Eowyn knowing that if anyone was in danger it was her and Kagome in the back of the group.
"Who said I had to use my sword?" Kagome hissed out as she moved very quickly on the horse and was sitting backwards. It took a moment to get used to, but Kagome had a very good pair of leg muscles after all of the walking and runnning in her life. Kagome's calves clamped onto the horse holding her in place. She pulled out her bow and strung an arrow upon it, the bobbing of the horse causing the arrow to be off target for a few seconds, as she waited for the right moment to shoot.
"Lady Kagome?"
"I hate orcs," growled out Kagome through gritted teeth as she found her target and let the arrow fly shooting the rider of a warg right off of the grotesque animal. Despite the lack of a rider on its back the warg still pursued them. Kagome strung up another arrow as Eowyn leaned forward ushering her horse onwards. I've only got 6 arrows left, Kagome thought to herself already angry for not having spent her time making more arrows the night before. Kagome had used that precious time from the night before to play tag with Legolas and the children.
She notched an arrow and aimed for the head of the warg. Just as the horse jumped over a knoll Kagome's arrow was launched and missed it. "Shit," she cursed notching another arrow. She got lucky in this shot though and shot the warg right in the head making it tumble to the ground. The companion warg jumped over its fallen comrade and kept running after them. Eowyn's horse was closing the safety gap she'd had between her and the women and children. Just as the warg caught up beside Kagome and Eowyn's mount, she'd already shot off its rider, a frantic scream was heard and the warg completely ignored Kagome as it looked ahead to see easy meat. Kagome turned her head around to see the warg was going after a little girl that had tripped. Sarah. Eowyn kicked the horse into gear.
"We can't save her," Eowyn said knowing that if they tried to do so they would only end up staring into the eyes of the warg.
"We don't need to save her. Go right past her," ordered Kagome. Eowyn felt that with Kagome's words that was an admitted defeat, and though she hated the thought of leaving a child behind they had to sacrifice her to kill the warg. But Eowyn had expected something as she passed right by the child. Eowyn hadn't expected to feel cold air on her back as a body jumped down from her horse and ran to stand in front of the child. Eowyn turned her horse around. "Kagome!"
Kagome had tumbled off of the horse and tucked her legs in so she would land without breaking anything. Kagome knew from the quick pain in her leg that she sprained something, but kept herself standing straight faced the warg. Already Sarah was scrambling backwards as Eowyn tried to make her mount run back. Kagome pulled out her dull sword just as the warg launched itself into the air above her. She held the sword up with closed eyes. Pain swept over her body as she felt the body of the warg land on her knocking her backwards. However, the pain was nothing compared to what she could've felt had her sword not transformed at the last moment and ripped the warg down the middle. Sure Kagome was covered in blood, its claws had just grazed her arm, and half of the warg had landed on her… but it was better than being dead. "That was the bravest and most stupid thing I've ever seen," said Eowyn hopping off the horse to tug at the warg and pull it off of Kagome. Sarah was trying to help tug on the body as well, all her little strength going to help the woman who saved her, and it took a few moments until Kagome was finally free. "You're hurt," Eowyn said reaching to touch the wound but Kagome was already ahead of her ripping her dress sleeve off of that arm to better see the wound. Eowyn pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and knotted it around the wound; they couldn't tend to it until they got the others to safety.
When Legolas and the others made it back it was with heavy eyes. Aragorn had fallen off the cliff. However distraught he was for his friend Legolas's face was similar to Eowyn's, searching out for the one he cared for. He needed to see Kagome's face and know that she was safe. He needed to inform her of their dear friend that had helped them for so long. He needed to grieve with her, for surely she would shed more tears than any. Kagome wasn't in the crowd waiting for him and he caught Eowyn's eyes.
"Kagome was injured," Eowyn said plainly just before Gimli came over to tell her the news of Aragorn. Legolas took off running through the crowd, asking left and right where Kagome was. Legolas caught sight of someone with a bandaged arm that looked like Kagome from behind, but he shook his head and past the person once he noticed the male clothing.
"Legolas," called out Kagome's voice as he stopped and turned around to see Kagome was the person in male clothing. They stared at each other for a moment. Kagome's shirt had no sleeves, the material had felt course to her wounded arm and it would've looked weird anyway to go without one sleeve so she had pulled off both. She was using the clothes she'd worn as a man, though due to their traveling so often she was glad at some point she'd taken in the cloth to fit her better. The female elf dress was thrown into a fire, it was laden with so much blood that Kagome knew she'd never be able to get the stains out. Her hair was tied back in a small ponytail, since it had been gradually growing.
Legolas grabbed Kagome's hand and led her towards a thin alley out of the way, where no one would see them unless they tried to peer into the darkness. At that time Eowyn was walking somberly back and had caught sight of them and chased after them, wishing to help tell Kagome of Aragorn's passing for she knew they had been close friends. However, Eowyn paused at the end of the alley as she flattened herself against the wall of the building and peered around.
It was then that Eowyn realized the rumors were certainly true of the elf and the beauty of the tree. It was difficult for Eowyn not to watch the couple as they quietly assessed each other for damage in the dim lighting of the alley. For what would appear as friends checking one another over Eowyn now knew that they were lovers, and the moment was indeed touching to someone who knew what lay between the two.
Legolas made Kagome tilt her head so he could check her face, his fingers looked as if he were pushing her hair back when in reality they were brushing over her head to check for bumps and bruises. Kagome's hands grasped onto his face as he did that to her head, softly touching his cheek watching Legolas's face lean into the touch like a puppy would its owner. Kagome's fingers swept over to his arms pressing lightly each spot to check and make sure that he wasn't injured as she was. His own hands swept over the one bandage that shown out and he lightly touched it. "Just a graze," she answered his probing eyes that wanted to know if she were in pain and then lapsed into his language to grab his attention, she didn't like the way he beat himself up when he saw her with an injury. "Uuma dela," she said (Don't worry).
"Amin sinta thaliolle e dagor, beleger," Legolas teased poking at her arm and seeing Kagome flinch under his touch (I know your strength in battle, mighty one). He raised a lofty brow at the pain she'd just told him not to worry about. Her strength in battle he trusted, her inability to go a day unscathed he didn't trust.
"Auta miqula orqu," Kagome replied with a roll of her eyes, she was getting better with her words now that her memory was back (Go kiss an orc). Legolas let a chuckle escape his lips. Only Kagome could make his mind switch from loathing himself about leaving her alone to laughing. Neither Kagome nor Legolas knew of Eowyn watching them, not understanding their language at all but understanding their actions perfectly.
"Amin saesa," he said with a smile leaning forward to kiss Kagome's forehead gently (My pleasure). Kagome didn't know whether to smart mouth to him for that comment, smack him in the back of a head for insinuating she was the orc, embrace him because she made him worry, laugh at the joke, or kiss him on the lips. So she just ran a hand through his hair when he pulled back from the chaste kiss. Though Kagome wanted to banter with him, she knew not everyone could tease and drop a matter.
"Amin lava, aratoamin," she whispered bumping heads with him (I yield, my champion). She would try to be safer for him. Legolas's smile was radiant, he knew he shouldn't be so happy when something hd happened to his dearest friend, but he was so thankful.
Legolas placed a hand on her stomach causing Kagome to blush so she poked at his chest making him chuckle lightly. When Legolas looked down at her legs Kagome hit him upside the head at the warm gaze in them, the look of lust that had swept over. He smirked and a pair of jolly silver blue eyes looked up at her own as she huffed and jumped up and down to show that she could move her legs. However, when she came down on that one foot Kagome flinched and Legolas gave her a silent look that ordered her to 'sit down.' The priestess obeyed him and he bent down and slowly stretched out her leg, his warm hand touching the skin of her ankle and causing something to light up in both of them at such minimal contact.
Eowyn blushed upon the sight and quickly turned around leaving the two alone. If she would've stayed longer Eowyn would've seen Legolas using the bindings Kagome offered him from her backpack to wrap up her foot. Eowyn would've seen Kagome sigh at the touch of his hands on her foot and how he tickled the underside of her foot to see her laugh and squirm to kick him in the chest. Eowyn might've also caught how Legolas laughed in the alley and grabbed Kagome's chin to pull her down for a tender kiss. Eowyn would've seen the thankful light in his eyes at being able to see Kagome's face and knowing she was safe once more. Eowyn would've been able to identify the gratitude in Legolas's eyes at having chosen a woman who could put up a fight and defend herself. And Eowyn would've heard Legolas whisper silently in Sindarian, "Lle ume quel… a'maelamin," while he leaned forward to kiss the bandaged arm (You did well… my beloved).
But Eowyn didn't hear it for she had walked off… but Gimli did from where he'd followed quietly after the lass that had looked so shaken up from finding Aragorn's death. And Gimli understood a few phrases, thanks to having to listen to Kagome's lessons every once in a while, to know enough.
"Where's Aragorn?" Kagome asked softly in the dark. Legolas grabbed her face in his hands and looked her in the eyes as he told her the truth. Legolas would no longer keep things from her. When Legolas slid the necklace into her hands tears gathered in her eyes and she found herself pressed against Legolas's chest sobbing softly over their friend. They grieved together in the solitude of the alley, the small necklace glowing between them as it had once glowed around Aragorn's neck. Gimli walked off quietly allowing them their moment together. The elf would never forgive Gimli if he found out that the dwarf had seen him at such a vulnerable moment.
Aragorn was surprised that he was alive, he was even more surprised that he still had a horse to ride upon to Helm's Deep. So it was with even more surprise that Aragorn found a man wrapped up in worn and tattered clothes, he could barely see his face, but what he could see was long white hair. "Excuse me sir, but are you headed towards Helm's Deep? I got lost amongst the others," came an old and shakey voice through the hood. Aragorn didn't like the looks of the stranger, but he couldn't exactly refuse him if he required safety. He wished the old man would've taken off his hood. He wouldn't be surprised if this was a friend of Gandalf's from the power that emitted off of him. Aragor couldn't sense what side hew as on, only that he was a mix of good and evil, like any mortal he was in the gray area.
"Aye, I do head that way. You may journey with me," said Aragorn holding out a hand for the old man. At first the hooded figure just stared at Aragorn's hand, as if in decisive on whether he should take it or not, and then he grabbed hold of it and hopped with a spring in his step onto the back of the horse. It was quite surprising that an old man could jump so easily, but Aragorn suspected this wasn't any normal old man. He would question him when they made it to Helm's Deep.
They'd just settled down into their room they'd be sharing with Gimli and Shippo, they knew not where Gimli had run off to only that he was making himself scarce. The truth was Gimli was trying to give them more time together while he could, he was busy talking to Eowyn and trying to cheer her up. Shippo had been roped into speaking with Eowyn as well, Gimli was adament about keeping the fox demon from their room for a while. Sorrow was best met with comfort, not yelling and swearing, which Gimli was sure Shippo would do should he find out the truth between the duo. Kagome sat on the small bed in the room, there was only one and all the men had already said Kagome would sleep on it while they napped on the floors with plenty of blankets. Legolas moved to sit beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulder as they leaned against the wooden headboard of the bed. "Legolas... the woman Aragorn loved. What's her name? She deserves to know what happened."
"Arwen," he said pulling Kagome closer to his chest as they rested their weary feet alongside each other, just lying in one another's arms taking comfort that was lovingly given. "He hadn't seen her since we first banded together." Kagome wished she had known that beforehand, she would've given Aragorn her last earring. But there was nothing more to do now that he was gone other than move on. Though Kagome felt his passing like Miroku and Sango had died, when in a sense it was like their deaths for it was the last of their line that had fallen. Kagome moved to burrow her head into his chest and lay against him, her head over his heart. The elf kept an arm around her shoulders. "Legolas... please don't leave me." Kagome said quietly fearing death to him or his father taking him away from her. There were many things to fear right now. Legolas ran his free hand down her raven locks, fingers twining and twirling around them as he whispered, "Only if you don't leave me."
Upon the next morning a cry rang out of guests coming. Kagome and Legolas looked up from where they'd been sitting in the small room. Legolas had been making arrows beside her, hordes of arrows for their quivers. Kagome had been busy darning one of Shippo's shirts. Gimli sat in a rocking chair smoking on his pipe. Kagome had for once not gotten onto the dwarf for when someone was about to face danger they needed something to comfort them. They had but days before the war would be on their doorsteps.
"The king approaches," they heard someone shout outside and Gimli was up on his small legs in moments, stepping up on the stool next to the window to glance out at the people running towards what appeared to be a giant cloud floating over the gates. Kagome's eyes met Legolas's at this news, and they knew it wasn't the King of Rohan the people were crying suspicions were confirmed when Shippo ran in and said, "It's Sesh and the others!" The fox demon eagerly ran out to meet them, Gimli followed after, neither noticing how Legolas and Kagome stayed behind glancing at each other worriedly. "Go meet your father," she said quickly trying to think of something, anything. "I shall follow after." Legolas nodded and leaned in placing a warm kiss on her lips before he ran off to greet his father. Kagome glanced around and caught sight of herself in the mirror over the wash basin. She was dressed in male clothing and had no female clothing, no female elf in her right mind would adorn such raggedy clothes that belonged to a demon. Kagome knew not protocal for female elves, but she could guess what rules served Legolas and Haldir just having watched them for so long. Her fingers went up to touch her curling raven hair. She looked even more like a woman with her hair having grown back out. Kagome pulled out a small knife and immediately sheared off her hair again making sure it fell just below her chin again. "If I could pass as a man before, than I can now." Kagome cleaned her face quickly and took off running praying that Sesshomaru had kept silent, like he always did, on his personal matters for she was one of those matters.
The cloud landed easily on the ground, disappearing under their feet and allowing Rin to stand firmly on ground with her baby in her arms. The rest of her children gladly wagged their tails at no longer having to worry about floating on a cloud. The gates opened and in walked Haldir and King Thrandril with a sum of ten men following him, they headed without a glance at the gandering crowd towards a room where they could speak in quiet, the commons room. King Thrandril came in, back straight as a ruler, long light blonde hair trailing down his back, silver armor glistening from under his fine green cloak. He had the aristocratic look and eyes that showed a man used to getting his way. Kagome straightened up and stood beside Shippo, eyes catching Sesshomaru's who stared at her curiously for having cut her hair again. Legolas stepped up to his father and bowed regally, "Father." The king nodded his head in return and said primly, "Son." The ten elf men and Haldir bowed at once to Legolas in recognition of his status. She was glad they ere no longer out in the crowd and the doors were closed. King Théoden nodded to King Thrandril who nodded in return, neither bowing to the other.
"I desire to see the one mentioned in my letter. The female"
"Ah yes, Kagome… well, Kagome…"
"I am here sire," announced Kagome, with a strong voice, walking towards them with head held high, trying to carry her male clothes as any male would carry them. Kagome copied what she had seen the other elf men do and bowed in regards to the king. King Théoden's mouth opened in shock and closed and Eowyn couldn't help but cover her mouth to hide her shock. She knew what Kagome was doing for she would've done the same. King Thrandril looked back at Kagome startled.
"I was sure you were a woman," he stated as if waiting for Kagome at any moment to obey his wishes and transform into a female. "Haldir told me you were and I was under the assumption that Lord Sesshomaru's ward was a female."
"Ah, but your majesty I do have rather feminine features so its no surprised that such a mistake was caused. And while I've no doubt you've heard such... rumors, they were merely that. I took on the guise of a woman so that others would have more of a reason to protect me," said Kagome stringing along the longest piece of bullshit she'd ever strung together in her entire life. It made sense, one carrying the jewel she carried to lie so others woulod protect her. Men were more willing after all to protect a female than a male.
"Is this true Lord Sesshomaru?" Thrandril asked, his nose flaring at the agitation of coming all of this way to find that his hope for a wife to his son was a male. Sesshomaru merely answered with, "Hnn."
Legolas couldn't help but bite his tongue to hide the mirth from spilling over his lips. He should've tried helping Kagome, but it was too interesting to watch her. "Well, I still have something I desire to speak of to my son. It is about time that he chooses a wife, especially with a quest like this. I desire a woman for him wedded and bedded with a child in her stomach. You understand my meaning, should Legolas fall in this quest I desire that there be an heir and as such I have chosen a few that might suit him." Legolas hadn't believed his father would be as quick as he said in his letter, but he should've known better. Legolas's eye threatened to twitch at such straightforward speech coming from his father. tHe did not want a wife chosen for him. The rings in his pocket attested to that. Legolas turned to his father ready to open his mouth when someone interrupted him.
"But he does have a fiancée, your highness," said Kagome. She had no idea why she had to open her mouth and keep on talking, she was grasping at empty straws right now for something to say to the king. The only thing that had prompted her to continue on with her mess of lies was the fact that Kagome didn't want Legolas to be given an arranged marriage. Legolas's head swiveled around to stare at Kagome.
"I do?" Kagome nodded. "I do," he said turning back to clamp a hand on his father's shoulder.
"Who?" The king asked simply as if he didn't believe them. Legolas stared back at Kagome, the look in his eyes repeating his father's question: Who? Meanwhile, Gimli was having a mighty fine time watching the group as was Sesshomaru. Haldir was growing paler with every second, waiting for something terrible to happen. Shippo was growling as he walked over and plopped in a chair next to Eowyn, his anger growing at the fact that Kagome was lying for this elf. Rin was trying to quiet her children and couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips as she listened in. King Théoden had long since decided to sit in his throne and watch the festivities.
"My twin sister... Kikyou."
Tune in next time...
Pippin: Took you long enough.
Chika: Sorry… but if it helps I'm making a schedule now.
Legolas: I saw little of my father in here.
Chika: I wanted more of you 2. And like Frodo he will gain his prominence.
Kagome: Next to come… being caught crossdressing! ^_^
Pippin: Merry and I corrupt Kagome with drinking! ^_^
Shippo: My mom chews out Leg's dad for doing something uncalled for and we find out whose with Aragorn.
Pippin: Drinking! ^_^
Legolas: Fighting at Helm's Deep! Who wins? Me or the dwarf? ^_^
Pippin: More drinking! ^_^
Kouga: Fluffy turns into a dog, I get revenge, and Aragorn speaks to Arwen! ^_^
Pippin: More drinking! ^_^
Chika: And death! ^_^
Kouga: -backs away creeped out- She says that with a smile.