Chapter 50
Duty and Honor
When e returned home I ran into the mountain I ran inside.
"Nerine!? Nerine where are you!?"
Thorin came out with Nerine. Tears came to my eyes and I ran to her.
"Okasan!"
I picked her up and held her to me.
"Gomenasai okasan."
"Oh baby its alright. I am not angry." I said.
Thorin came to me and I hugged him.
"I am so happy to see you safe and unharmed. I was so worried." He said.
I smiled and held onto my big brother.
"Thanks to the armor you gave me. And Legolas was very grateful as well."
He laughed.
"Anything to protect you and my future nephew."
I smirked.
"Brother we do not yet know what the child is."
He put his large hand over my belly.
"I do. It is a son."
I smiled and nodded.
"Then Nerine will be a wonderful big sister to Kai."
"Kai? An unusual name, but one that sounds strong. I assume once more a name from Japan?"
I nodded.
"And if it were to be a girl?"
"Silivrenniel. After Legolas' mother."
He smiled and nodded in approval.
"Well dinner is nearly ready and I am certain the rest of the company and Dis will be wanting to see you. Oh, Kili and Tauriel have come back."
Nerine nodded excitedly. I was eager to see them. Kili and Tauriel had been living in the Greenwood for about a year. They visited, but it was never long enough for us.
Legolas' POV
I stood with Gimli and Eomer around a table.
"No pauses, no spills." Eomer said.
"And no regurgitation." Gimli added.
"So, it is a drinking game?" I asked.
Several men cheered and laughed.
"Last one standing wins." Gimli said.
I decided to try it. It did not taste as bad as I thought, but it was stronger than what I was used to. Over time, Gimli had gone through what looked like thirty pints of ale. I was only on seventeen.
"I think I feel something. A slight tingling in my finger. I think its affecting me." I said.
Gimli slammed down his mug and smiled.
"What did I tell you? He can't hold his liquor."
His eyes rolled into the back of his head and he fell to he ground. I smiled a bit and looked at Eomer.
"Game over." I said.
Several of the men laughed and I felt quite proud of myself. I had seen Thorin drink many a time and no one could beat him, or Dwalin for that matter. As the party died down, and people went to sleep, I stepped outside for some air. I smiled and looked to the north. I could not wait to go home. To see my beloved Kasumi and precious Nerine. And in no time at all, Kai or Silivrenniel would be born. I smiled again took a deep breath.
Kasumi's POV
When I tried to take out Nerine's old cradle, Thorin insisted the baby have a new one.
"I designed that for Nerine, a little princess. My nephew must also have one specifically designed for him." he said.
I had smiled and laughed a bit. The cradle was indeed magnificent. As the days rolled bay I missed Legolas more and more. Nerine was getting bigger and so was I. After a month someone finally came with news. Gondor was Sauron's next move. That would be where Legolas was going. I ran to the entrance as quickly as I could.
"Where are they now?" I asked.
"Edoras my lady."
I looked at Thorin.
"I have to go there."
"Absolutely not! You are too far along now."
"Not to Gondor, to Edoras! I have to see him."
Thorin nodded.
"I have an extra horse my lady."
"Thank you but I have my own means of transportation."
He left with a bow and I went to find Nerine. Edoras was a safe place for her so I would be taking her with me.
"Nerine!?"
I found her down in the kitchen with Bombur and Dwalin. I smiled when I saw Dwalin with her. He was a fierce warrior and yet when he was around her, you would never know it.
"Nerine."
She looked at me and smiled.
"Okasan!"
She ran over to me.
"We are going on a trip." I said.
Her eyes went wide.
"To see ada?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Yes. So go get ready quickly."
She ran off and I smiled.
"You are not going into war are you?"
I looked at Bombur.
"No my friend, of course not. I am just taking Nerine to see her father."
"I shall cook for your journey!" he said happily.
I knew it would be no use to stop him so I just smiled. Nerine came back to me with a packed bag and a big smile.
"Lets go! Lets go!" she said.
I laughed and picked her up. Bombur packed us some food and the Thorin walked outside to Emerald with us. Nerine was still small so he could still pick her up, but not for much longer.
"You have fun and be careful. I will miss you Nerine."
"I love you uncle Thorin." she said.
I smiled and put my hands over my belly.
"I love you too. Now go on. Tell your father I said hello and to take care of himself."
She nodded and climbed up on Emerald. Thorin pulled me into his arms and hugged me tight.
"Be extra careful. If anything happens to you I will never forgive myself. And keep Kai safe as well."
I smiled and laughed softly.
"I will be alright. I love you brother."
"I love you too Mist. Come home soon."
I nodded and climbed on Emerald. Thorin backed up and we took off. Nerine urged Emerald to go faster. I allowed her to go faster but not too much faster. We did not get to Edoras until very early in the morning. The people of Rohan knew who Emerald was so she would not cause any panic. Nerine and I got off and walked into the city. The sun had barely come up.
"Uncle Aragorn!" Nerine cried.
She off and into Aragorn's arms. He lifted her up and swung her around.
"Look at you, you have grown much since I last saw you."
She laughed and he set her down. I walked forward and he kissed my cheek.
"You look beautiful Kasumi."
"Thank you. Is Legolas awake yet?"
"No, he should be soon."
I looked at Nerine.
"Well then I think we should surprise him."
Nerine smiled and ran inside. Aragorn chuckled and we followed her.
"I take it you heard about Gondor."
I nodded.
"Yes."
"There is more you should know, but I believe Legolas should be the one to tell you."
I was about to say something when I heard Nerine scream for me.
"Nerine!?"
I ran up the steps to the Golden Hall and found a few guards blocking her. Aragorn called them off but she was still scared.
"Nerine it is alright. They were just doing their duty and protecting their king."
She felt a bit better after that and they let us in. I saw a soldier I did not recognize look at me.
"You are the dragon rider are you not?"
"I am. And this is my daughter Nerine."
He smiled at her.
"I am Eomer. My sister Eowyn has spoken of you many times. Thank you for helping my people at Helms Deep."
I smiled and bowed my head.
"It was my pleasure. How is your sister?"
"As well as can be expected with the war. She still wants to fight."
I sighed.
"And I can understand that. I was my parents only child. They taught me to fight and I have fought in one too many wars. I fear she will always want to fight until she has."
He nodded sadly and Nerine ran off.
"Nerine!"
She stopped and looked at me.
"This is not our home. You cannot go wandering about."
She bowed her head in apology.
"Lady Kasumi! It is a pleasure to see you again."
I turned and smiled at the king.
"And this must be your daughter. She is welcome here as well."
"Thank you my lord. I came because I heard about Gondor. I know my husband will head there next so I wanted to see him."
"Surely you do not plan on going into battle."
I shook my head.
"No of course not. I just thought it would be best for him to see Nerine and myself."
"Nerine is her name? A strange but lovely name. Well you may stay as long as you like."
I bowed and thanked him for his hospitality. When Eowyn came out I smiled and hugged her before introducing her to Nerine.
"I was right, she is absolutely beautiful."
I smiled and so did Nerine.
"What do you say?" I told her.
"Thank you my lady."
Eowyn smiled and knelt down.
"You may call me Eowyn."
She nodded and I felt his presence. He walked out into the hall and I smiled.
"Ada!"
She ran to him and he picked her up. Eowyn left us alone and he set Nerine down. He strode forward and kissed me hard on the lips. I wrapped my arms around him and held him close. When we separated he smiled at me. When he looked at my belly his smile grew.
"Thorin believes it is a boy. He says he knows it is a boy. So I guess it will be Kai."
"Hello Kai." Legolas whispered.
I smiled and then he kissed me again.
"I have missed you so much. I am so happy you came. I cannot wait to tell you how I defeated Gimli."
"NO! Do not let the lass hear it!" came Gimli's voice.
I smiled and turned around and hugged Gimli.
"Oh come now Gimli, what happened? We all know you defeated more orcs at Helms Deep."
"But this is something only a dwarf should win."
I leaned closer.
"Then it was probably just luck. Come on and tell me."
He sighed but nodded to Legolas.
"I decided to partake in a drinking gameā¦"
He explained to me what happened and I laughed.
"I think you were simply lucky. No one has ever beaten a dwarf at drinking, except another dwarf." I said.
I was really just trying to make Gimli feel better.
