Chapter 34
Nerine
Kasumi's POV
It was the most painful experience I had ever been through! I could hear the healers telling me to push. I screamed and with one last push I felt the baby slide from me. I heard her start to cry and then the cord was cut. They cleaned her and then handed her to me.
"Nerine." I said.
She continued to cry and I smiled. I got cleaned up and they changed my bedding and then they allowed Thorin in to see me. I handed Nerine to Legolas and Thorin walked over. He kissed my forehead and then Legolas held out Nerine to him. He smiled at her and then at us.
"She is beautiful, just like her mother. Though she has some of her father's features, and his eyes it would seem."
I leaned forward and Thorin showed me her face. She did have Legolas' eyes, just as my mother had foreseen. My baby girl was beautiful, and I loved her so much. And I knew that she would not be so little for long.
About 2 months later, Nerine started to have trouble sleeping. So I came up with a song for her.
Utaitsugareta kotoba no hana ga
Niwa no hidamari yureteiru
Garasu zaiku no tameiki ga
Soyo fuku kaze ni kemashita
Anata wa yume no naka no yume
Kataritsugareta kotoba no hana ga
Yoi no engawa kaotteru
Itsumo futari de kakurenbo
Furimuku tabi ni aemashita
Anata wa yume no naka no yume
Omoitsugareta kotoba no hana ga
Mune no kadan de saiteiru
Asu mo kawaranu himawari ga
Terasu itoshisa kaze no michi
Watashi wa yume no naka no yume
She would always fall asleep. I smiled and stroked her little cheek.
"Sleep well Nerine."
I went back to bed, knowing Emerald was watching over Nerine. Legolas immediately put his arm around me and I smiled. He was fast asleep but he always liked to hold me close to him.
The years passed too quickly and Nerine was soon 5 years old. She loved her uncle Thorin and her cousins. Thorin was busy as a king, but he always made time for her. One thing that made Nerine known throughout Erebor, was her voice. When she sang, it could soothe anyone's troubled heart or soul. She spoke Japanese, Elvish and Khuzdul by the time she was four and she often sang in Japanese. She loved Emerald, though Legolas would not allow her to fly alone until she was at least fifteen, she loved to slide down her wings. Emerald was very protective of her, just as she was of the rest of the family if not more so.
Today we would be going to Thranduil's halls for a visit. Nerine begged Thorin to come, but he could not.
"I wish I could little Nerine, unfortunately other matters require my attention. I will try and go with you next time."
"Promise?" she asked.
"I give you my word."
She had smiled and hugged him tightly. I hugged my brother and sister goodbye before climbing up on Emerald's back. Nerine sat behind me and Legolas behind her.
"We will return soon." I said.
They waved goodbye and Emerald took off. Nerine laughed and smiled while Legolas looked uneasy. I smiled apologetically at him and he just gave me his warm and loving smile.
"Emerald! Go faster!" Nerine said.
Legolas looked horrified but Emerald did as she said. Nerine shrieked with laughter and Legolas squeezed his eyes shut.
"Emerald, sokudo o otosu." (Emerald, slow down.)
She did as I asked and Nerine tried to get her to go faster again, but she would not. She pouted the rest of the way and I could only smile. When we landed there was the usual horn call and Thranduil came out to greet us. Nerine ran to him and he lifted her into the air.
"Look how much you have grown. And you look more beautiful every time I see you." he said.
Legolas and I smiled sat each other. He put his arm around me and we walked inside. Thranduil spoiled Nerine and she knew she could get away with anything with him. She sat on his lap telling him about everything she had been doing. I rested my head against my husband's shoulder and sighed in content. When Tauriel came back from a scouting trip Nerine ran to her.
"Nerine!"
She hugged her and then smiled at Legolas and I.
"Welcome back."
We thanked her and then she took Nerine off to play. Thranduil looked troubled and I frowned.
"Is something wrong?"
He looked at us with concern.
"I cannot be certain. There have been whispers of a growing power in the east."
Legolas' face paled, but I was confused.
"I do not understand." I said.
Legolas took my hand and looked at me.
"Do you remember when we first met? I told you I was not permitted to go to Dol Guldur?" I nodded. "Do you remember when you asked me about Sauron?" Another nod. "We heard not long after the Battle of the Five Armies that your grandmother Galadriel had banished him. He fled into the east, to Mordor."
Even the name Mordor sounded foreboding.
"Well he has been banished. And my grandmother is powerful, we are safe now. Right?" I asked.
I was afraid of their answer.
"He has returned." Thranduil said.
The fear in my heart grew.
"Kasumi?" Legolas asked.
"I….I am going to find Nerine."
I got up and left.
Legolas' POV
I sighed and passed a hand over my face.
"~Why now? Why when Nerine has already been born?!~" I asked.
"~I cannot say my son. But after the Battle of the Five Armies, I do not think Sauron will not move to strike anytime soon. Nerine is safe.~"
I looked into the fire.
"~But for how long?~" I whispered.
My father sighed and we both fell silent. After a while I stood up and went to find my wife and daughter. I found Kasumi putting Nerine to bed. I leaned against the doorframe, knowing she knew I was there.
"Oyasuminasai watashi no chisana Nerine." (Good night my little Nerine.)
She kissed her forehead and then looked at me. I walked over and kissed the top of her head before making sure she was warm enough. I took Kasumi's hand and we left. We went to our room and she immediately went to take a bath. I was glad she did not know about what happened last time when Sauron was in full power. I knew I should probably tell, but I did not want her to worry anymore than she already was.
But she must know. No matter what sort of worry it may cause I must tell her.
I do not own the song! It is from one of my favorite animes, Ai Yori Aoshi, if you are a hopless romantic like myself I would recomend it! Enjoy! =D