Chapter 35

Shadows of the Past

I walked into the bathroom and saw Kasumi just staring into the water. She had her knees up at her chest and appeared to be deep in thought. I sighed and then went and knelt next to her.

"Kasumi?"

"Will Nerine be safe?"

She looked at me with those blue eyes and I could not tell her no.

"Of course she will be. She has us to protect her. And Thorin and all the others. I made a promise the day she was born that I would never let her be harmed. I will never break that promise." I said.

She closed her eyes and put her forehead to her knees and sighed. I put my hand on her back and tried to help her relax, but I knew I could only do so much. I stood up and left her alone to think. I decided to try and get some sleep.

Kasumi's POV

When I was done, I got dressed and went outside to Emerald.

"Nothing will happen to Nerine."

I sighed.

"I wish I could believe you, but she is my little girl. I will always worry. And how can I not? She is only 5 years old. My own mother sent me away to protect me. Maybe it would be safer for Nerine if she were in Kobe."

"Kasumi! I know you do not believe that. You and Legolas are perfectly capable of taking care of Nerine. And you have me. What could be worse than an angered dragon?"

I looked east.

"Apparently Sauron is."

She looked to the east and then hung her head. She wrapped her wing around me and then pulled me in close.

"I will not let her get hurt. I promise."

I nodded and then started to walk back. I crawled into bed and immediately wrapped my arms around him.

"Kasumi?" he asked.

I felt him turn and I buried my face in his chest. I let silent tears of fear fall. He said nothing, he just held me through my tears.

When I woke up the next morning Legolas was still asleep beside me. I kissed him gently and then got dressed. I went to check on Nerine and found her still fast asleep. I smiled and when I turned I bumped into Thranduil.

"Oh my apologies." he said.

I smiled a bit and trued to go, he gently took my arm.

"What is wrong?" he asked.

I could not find a way to say it. I took a deep breath.

"I fear for Nerine's safety. Last night I was….thinking that maybe she would be safer in Kobe."

His eyes went wide.

"My mother sent me away to protect me. But I do not know if I could do it."

He thought for a moment before he put his hands on my shoulders.

"Your mother had no way of protecting herself when she sent you away, or so I was told. You and Legolas are both trained warriors. And every elf here and every dwarf in Erebor would defend her. She is safe here." he said.

I looked down and then I hugged him. I truly did not know what else to do. He put his arm around me and tried to console me.

"Okasan?"

I pulled away and smiled at Nerine. She came out rubbing her eyes and I picked her up.

"What is it Neri?"

"Where is ada?"

"He is still asleep. Did you have another bad dream?" I asked.

She nodded and I held her close to me.

"That dream is over now. Nothing will hurt you."

She did not speak, she just closed her eyes. I put her back to bed and then left. I found Legolas getting dressed when I walked into the room. I smiled and went up behind him. I wrapped my arms around him before he could put his shirt on. He chuckled and covered my hands with his.

"Nerine is still asleep?" he asked.

"Hai."

He turned in my embrace and kissed me. I ran my hands up his back and then down his arms. He pulled me closer and slipped his tongue into my mouth. I brought my hands up to his chest and spread one of them over his heart.

"Ada? Okasan?"

I smiled and we separated. Legolas put his shirt on and Nerine came inside. Legolas knelt down and opened his arms to her. She ran into them and he picked her up. I smiled and brushed her dark hair over her ear.

"Shall we get some breakfast then?" Legolas asked her.

She nodded with a smile and we walked away.

Legolas' POV

After breakfast Nerine wanted to spend time with Kasumi and Tauriel. I needed to speak with my father. We sat down in the library and he looked at the fire.

"He has returned?" I asked.

He nodded.

"~What will you do?~" I asked.

"~Before long I shall take our people to Valinor. It would be wise of you, Kasumi and Nerine were to come with us.~" he said.

I shook my head.

"~Kasumi would never leave while Thorin, Dis, Fili and Kili yet live. Nor would Nerine. She is stuck to Thorin like a fly in a spider's web. Or as Kasumi says, 'stuck to him like glue.'~"

My father chuckled.

"~Nerine is still so very innocent, and so unaware of the evil in the world.~" he said.

I smiled and nodded.

"~Kasumi told me she thought it would be safer…..if she were in Kobe.~"

I snapped up to look at him.

"~What?~"

"~I talked her out of it. But I can understand why she would think as such. Nerine is still so young, she deserves a life free of war and darkness.~" he said.

I sighed and put my face in my hands.

"~I understand as well, but she is safer here with us. And I will personally fight every orc in Middle-Earth if it meant the safety of my wife and child.~"

He nodded.

"~Elrond has called a council. I would ask that you go in my place.~"

I nodded. I found Kasumi and Nerine later with Tauriel. They were teaching Nerine how to use a bow. I smiled at my daughter. She grew more beautiful by the day. When she saw me she smiled.

"Ada look!"

She fired an arrow and his the third ring of the target. I smiled and walked over to her. I picked her up and kissed her forehead.

"You may be better than I am."

She laughed and hugged me. Kasumi was smiling and so was Tauriel.

"Go on with Tauriel. I have to speak to your okasan."

I knew one word in Japanese. I was proud of myself for it. I set her down and she and Tauriel walked away.

"What is it?"

"Your father is holding a council. My father has asked me to go in his stead."

"Then Nerine and I go with you. Wherever you go we will go with you." she said.

She put her hands on my chest and I wrapped my arms around her. I looked out at the long lake and sighed. There was a warning in my heart as I held my wife, and I could not ignore it. I laid awake that night as Kasumi slept soundly beside me.

"~Mother, wherever you are, give me the strength to protect my family.~" I whispered.

Kasumi turned and rested her head on my chest. I looked at her and tucked her hair behind her ear. I kissed the top of her head and stared at the few candles that were lit.

Kasumi's POV

Legolas, Nerine and I left early the next morning. Thranduil and Tauriel were there to see us off. I hugged Tauriel.

"Thank you for always being so good to Nerine."

"Of course. She is a lovely child and she was grow to be a wonderful and beautiful woman. Be safe and come back soon."

I nodded and then she said goodbye to Legolas and Nerine. I looked at Thranduil. I hugged him and he kissed my forehead.

"Take care of your family and yourself."

"I will. Namarie."

He touched his heart and then held it out, as was the traditional elven way. I got on Emerald's back and Legolas put Nerine between us. We waved goodbye and then Emerald took off. We flew nonstop for Imladris.