Never Gonna Give You Up Chapter 4
Aredhal was relieved when the girl took the cloak made for the Fellowship without any complaint. In fact the child looked rather happy with it. She supposed she should count her blessings and leave it at that, but she had also taken the time to procure an Elven blade seeing as the child had none. If she had it her way, the girl would remain in Rivendell and not step a foot out into danger. Children weren't meant for the dangers of such missions, but she knew this child was no normal one and so she could only prepare her.
"This is an Elven blade. We did not have the time to forge you one, but it is of a shorter nature. I assume it will serve you well," Aredhal said handing over the blade.
Hina took it curiously. While she'd always refused a blade, it reminded her of the time she spent learning the tanto under ROOT's merciless care, she also couldn't refuse a foreign gift. She could definitely take this back and study it's make. The scientist within her wouldn't refuse free knowledge.
"Thank you Aredhal. I might have been a little bratty and I'm sorry you had to put up with that," Hina apologised as she buckled her new weapon.
"No harm done. What will you name it?"
"Name it?" Hina asked in confusion before her eyes widened. "Did you give me a legendary blade?!"
Aredhal was slightly confused at the question. "No, little one. It is an exceptional blade but a normal one nonetheless."
"Then why would I name it?" Hina asked.
"It is customary to name your weapons here. It is an Elven blade and therefore deserves that respect despite our cultural differences," Aredhal explained patiently.
Hina took a moment to look at the blade. It was curved in a beautiful way and shone like a pure silver colour. It was certainly more ornate than the basic tantos she was used to.
"Pikapika," Hina finally settled on saying.
"A curious name from your language, is it? It sounds brilliant. What is its meaning?" Aredhal asked.
"Oh it means shiny!"
The Elf nearly staggered back in shock. She turned to the child with an exasperated huff.
"You are naming an Elven blade 'shiny'?" she asked mildly insulted and completely in disbelief.
"It's good luck to name something with the word that first comes to mind. Or so my sensei told me," Hina hummed in thought, although that might also be because Gaku was lazy sometimes. "Arigato Aredhal-san, you are definitely my favourite Elf ever!"
"You don't know many other Elves," she pointed out blandly.
"I know two more, so you beat them," Hina chuckled.
"Aye I did little one. Now keep safe out there, and for Valar's sake do not fight a Ringwraith alone," she said worriedly as she pinned the green cloak around the girl's neck.
"I'll try not to. Take care," Hina said respectfully as she bowed low before taking her leave.
She supposed the adults in this world were needless worry warts. She had come to realise that children more often than not were smarter than adults gave them credit for. They simply didn't know a lot of things until it was explained to them, but it wasn't like they lacked the mental functions to comprehend things. Then again, she only knew Shinobi children. She supposed the civilian sort might be how others would consider normal children. With those musings she walked up to the Fellowship of the Ring, as they had been called. She thought it was extremely corny, but Elrond kind of looked like the corny dad who thought he was cool, and all the kids just let him believe that. Sure he was too beautiful to be a corny dad, but she figured to the Elves at least that was what he was... or maybe she was simply being irreverent again.
Hina made her way to the gates, getting a few respectful or dubious greetings from the people passing by. She bowed her head slightly in greeting but decided to run along quickly to the gates. It was there that she saw the Dwarf she had drank with.
"Ah Hina daughter of Suzuki! It will be my pleasure travelling with you!" Gimli greeted her.
"Gimli son of Gloin, it's my pleasure," Hina grinned back as she performed the secret handshake, she had made with him while drunk.
Then she turned to see that the group were already there, and she was in fact the last one to arrive. She noted the pretty-boy Elf had turned to her, and she tried not to swoon. It had been a while since she'd seen a man prettier than even Minato.
"I believe we have not yet been acquainted," Legolas said, catching her attention. "I must say it is astonishing that you have taken down a Ringwraith."
Hina shook the Elf's hands and grinned a little too proudly. "All evil shall kneel before my awesomeness!" she laughed in mock-haughtiness before she coughed and corrected herself. "My name's Suzuki Hina, but you can just call me Hina. You must be Legolas-san!"
"I must say, I was dubious at the idea of inviting a child, let alone a girl, along on this perilous quest. But Gandalf vouches for your skills. Is it true you are of the Istari?" Boromir asked.
Hina rolled her eyes a little, although she supposed Boromir did have a point. Women here it seemed did not do battle for whatever reason, and Hina was in fact a child in their eyes. It went against all convention, and when something went against convention there was always a reason for it, good or bad—and it seemed Boromir was coming more from a place of genuine concern rather than simple misogyny.
"I'm called a Shinobi where I come from. Over here it's like a warrior-wizard. I assure you Boromir-san that I'm more than capable of handling myself in a fight and am definitely physically stronger than you are by nature. I'm probably not as awesome as Gandalf when he wants to be though," Hina said, jabbing a little at the amused wizard.
Well she knew this old man would defeat a giant lava monster or something, and she doubted she had the ability to do that. She could kill humans easily enough, but larger creatures weren't something she was used to fighting.
"Aye, then we will welcome your company. Although I would have you stay away from most of the troubles with our Hobbit friends," Boromir suggested.
"I will make sure of it," Aragorn replied sternly.
Hina rolled her eyes at their unnecessary concern. She'd lead her team through a suicide mission at age-eleven and made it out alright. She didn't need the concern of anyone when it came to her safety. But it seemed it was hard to convince the men of this world of that. Something about the culture here not allowing girls to fight or something. She didn't refute them though. She'd just prove herself when the time came.
"We must hold to his course west of the misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east, to Mordor," Gandalf explained.
Hina excitedly shot forward. It'd been a long time since she'd travelled with such an interesting group. It was always so boring with Kabuto and Orochimaru's unending silence. She realised she had walked a little too fast in her eagerness and waited for the group to catch up. They began talking about plans and such that Hina didn't really know how to contribute to. She didn't know what the customs for travel were in this world. But her eagerness was shown by how she seemed to constantly pace around the group with almost unending energy, jumping at the balls of her feet with an itch to move faster.
"At ease Hina. At this rate you'll tire yourself out," Aragorn said in exasperation as he watched the girl basically do laps around the party.
"I've run for three days straight without stopping once," she said huffing. "Why is everyone in this world so slow?"
"This may not be the quickest pace I can assure you, but it is one that will not tire out everyone," Aragorn explained.
"Sure, sure. Feels like I'm escorting a bunch of civilians," she grumbled before trying her best to not run ahead.
To her surprise the Hobbits all decided to make a pit-stop. She watched curiously as everyone stopped to look on in confusion. She was glad for once that everyone else was just as confused as she was.
"Why are we stopping here?" Boromir asked.
"Why, we haven't had a second breakfast!" Pippin said in wonder.
"We can't stop for a second breakfast Pippin. We're on a quest!" Frodo said in disbelief.
"I will throw apples at you again," Aragorn threatened.
That got the Hobbits packing up and ready to travel again. Hina wondered when Aragorn had thrown apples at the Hobbits and why she had missed such a hilarious sight.
"So second breakfast huh? That's an interesting concept!" Hina said.
"Oh you poor lass. She hasn't heard of second breakfast," Pippin cried.
At least talking to the Hobbits was a time pass, because it seemed they had an infinite number of unimportant things to teach her, and Hina appreciated the distraction. And then night came and Hina wondered how she'd survive such a long and tediously slow pace. It reminded her of travelling with Rengoku's caravan, but at least then she had a number of books at her disposal and things to learn on the way that pertained to her mission. Here there was nothing but walking.
"I fear my curiosity has gotten the better of me Hina," Legolas said, catching her attention as he walked besides her. "Those markings on your eyes—is that the norm where you hail from?"
Hina touched her tattoo and frowned. Ah yes, another regret to be bought up, and a mark she was reluctant to get rid of even if she could.
"No it's a chakra tattoo. It's passed down to the children of the Mizuchi Clan and I'm the last child to receive it."
"Your Clan is gone?" Legolas asked sadly.
She shook her head and chuckled. "No actually. My master gave it to me because he can't have any children of his own. It wasn't a formal adoption, but it might as well have been."
"He must love you a great deal then," Legolas said smiling.
Hina smiled and nodded, although her heart wasn't in the action. She wished he did in some way love her, but she doubted Legolas would want him to love her if he knew what kind of man he was. A part of Hina wanted to believe Orochimaru could change, but he'd already committed too many evil deeds to ever be freed from it now. And he had taken her down with him too. So she couldn't leave him until they both answered for their crimes. She would see to it.
"Regale me of some tales of your homeland. It would please me to hear of such treasured history," Legolas asked.
The group seemed to turn to her now expectantly and Hina smiled. Yes, her world was full of war and strife, but it was also a land of beauty and diversity. She had a lot of epic war stories she thought would be impressive in nature, but the story of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi came to mind. She gathered her thoughts as the Hobbits came around the camp and everyone came to sit by with food in hand.
"Well then let's start with a classic from my world," Hina said excitedly. "It's called the Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi. It was written by my master's former teammate, and a Legendary Shinobi of Konoha known simply as Jiraiya. There was once a boy named Naruto, an orphan in times of war and strife, born into the greatest Shinobi Hidden Village of all; Konohagakure the Village Hidden in the Leaves."
Hina paused for a moment and wondered if she should tell the story Jiraiya wrote or the one she had read a lifetime ago. She decided to regale the story she had read personally. Jiraiya's book was hopeful, yes, but while the hero had determined to keep going towards world peace, he had never truly found the answer.
"This boy Naruto, unbeknownst to him, was the son of the previous leader of the Village, the Hokage, who had died when a large fox beast, tall as a mountain, had attacked and destroyed an entire chunk of the Village. He grew up alone and hated by everyone around him for the Hokage gave his life to seal the monster into his belly."
"But why would he do that to his own son?" Sam asked in disgust.
"Because to be a Jinchuriki—a human sacrifice—was to be a protector of the people. The Hokage had hoped that his and his son's sacrifice would be viewed as an honour, but his heritage was hidden, and he grew up not knowing this cause of hatred."
Hina had noticed the uneasy looks on the men's faces. She supposed it was too grim a tale to tell during such a perilous time, but the ending was definitely worth it.
"During this time Naruto had met another boy, just as lonely as him. His name was Uchiha Sasuke, the last remaining member of his Clan. You see Sasuke was a gifted boy, blessed with beauty and skill, but there was a darkness in his heart, an anger at his brother who had on his 6th birthday, slain his entire Clan and tortured the boy in an illusion for days."
"This better have a happy ending," Gimli grumbled.
"Well we'll see, won't we?" Hina smiled at the Dwarf in irritation at his interruption. "Naruto who had been scorned, was not trained properly by his teachers and was therefore the dunce of his class, while Sasuke excelled in everything. Naruto began to see Sasuke as his rival, even for the affections of Sakura, the girl who he liked that liked Sasuke instead."
She heard Pippin oohh about a love triangle and she laughed a little at that.
"After having failed his graduation, Naruto was contacted by his teacher, telling him to steal a forbidden scroll of knowledge. He agreed and to his credit defeated the Hokage with a… overpowered jutsu he made and spent the night learning from the scroll. His one true supporter and teacher Iruka, had learnt of what Naruto had done and went to meet the boy to save him from the traitor in their midst, but it was too late, and the traitor had told the boy the reason he was hated was because he was a demon. However his teacher Iruka saved him and showed the boy his first glimmer of love, protecting him with his body and proclaiming him a precious person. That marked the day Naruto understood the importance of comradery—the will of fire—a concept passed down from my peoples that we are but one single leaf in a tree, and our strength is in our comrades."
Hina went onto describe his adventures, from fighting a fellow Jinchuriki and saving him from his hatred, to talking down a mad god who had blown apart his entire village, to then uniting the warring Villages together to fight a battle against a man who would plunge the world into a false peace, and finally the tale of how even till the end he didn't give up on his brother. Hina paused at that and felt uneasy. Would she give up on Orochimaru?
"Aye that was a sad tale, but the ending was brilliant," Gimli said happily.
"And this happened in your land?" Legolas asked.
"It hasn't happened yet, but I believe it will one day," Hina said softly. "For now war wages and people die, but as long as there is someone willing to fight for a better future, then there is hope."
"Well put little one!" Boromir said, holding out his cup in agreement.
"Aye, aye," the others chorused in agreement.
It felt good to tell that story. Hina knew it wouldn't happen like that again. In fact Minato and Fugaku were alive now and both Naruto and Sasuke would never have to grow up with the pain that made them who they were. Maybe they'd never be pushed to be the great men they could have been, but sometimes greatness wasn't all that great… Sometimes it was better to be average and with a happy family than to be the strongest Shinobi around and wander alone.
"Well then I've told you the most epic story from my lands. I want to hear about yours," Hina said looking expectantly at the group.
"It's only fair that since I asked, I should reciprocate," Legolas added in eagerly. "It is the story of the creation of this world, passed down from Elf to Elf."
Hina leant into that. If the Elves here were in fact immortal, it wouldn't be such a stretch that they would legitimately remember their own creation. That meant that if they actually had a god it was possible to meet one… even if attempting it might go nowhere. Still she was already interested. Maybe a being of higher power could end her reincarnation cycle and rid her of that curse.
In the beginning, there was Eru Iluvatar, the one above all; a shining being of pure light. Tired from his endless war against the darkness, he came here to create and to do so he first imagined the Ainur, angelic beings formed of his own thoughts to act as his instruments and co-creators of Arda. The first among them was Melkor.
Eru Iluvatar led the Ainur in choir and chant, of which quenya the elvish language is but a shadow. As the song continued however, Melkor balked, trying to take lead in the choir, disturbing the harmony of voices with discordant notes in sets of three. Despite his efforts however, Eru was not shaken. Ever as Melkor disturbed the song, leading his fellows astray, Eru would change verse, guiding the Ainur to turn the harsh notes into a harmony and bring it back to his own design.
When the song was over, Eru revealed to the Ainur the results of their efforts, Eä Arda Avakuma, "Existence of the globe within the void". He then invited the Ainur to join him in the world and experience the events and wonders that they had sung. The greatest of them took the name Valar while the lesser host took the name Maiar and in accordance with their positions in the choir took part in shaping the face of Arda. But while they could shape life, they could not create it, as they did not understand Flame Imperishable.
No more clear was this than in Aulë, shaper of the Dwarves, Yavanna, shaper of the Ents and Manwe, shaper of the Eagles. Impatient to witness the birth of the mortal races, they created their own, but while they lived and breathed, they held no will and could not act or create independent of their parents' will. Aulë tried to hide his creations in his shame, but Eru knew all and when three knelt before him, crying and begged forgiveness, Eru granted their creations souls.
It was this limitation, in the spring of Arda that began Melkor's fall. Jealous and covetous of the Secret Fire, he demanded to possess it and was denied. Thus began the war of the first age, long before even elven kind stepped foot on its surface. For If Melkor, first born of the light could not possess it, then in darkness forever should creation reign.
In the spring of Arda where Middle Earth was a single landmass, Eru led the Ainur in the creation of the lamps; Ormal and Iluin, which stood in those early days for the sun and moon. With the lamps in place, Eru led the Valar and Maiar in constructing a great city. As they did so, animals and trees began to appear from each construction and spread across the world. Melkor saw this and demanded to know the secret, but when he proved unable to comprehend the flame of the father, he went to sulk in the dark corners of the world. While he was away, in the shadows, he gazed into the void and grew bitter. As he failed to create a flame imperishable or new life on his own, he raised an army of predators twisted by the darkness beyond the lamps and set off to destroy them. The battle was great and he succeeded in darkening Arda, but the destruction of Ormal and Iluin sundered the world, creating the continents of Aman to the west, Middle Earth to the north, The Shadowed shelf to the south and Pelori to the east.
Many of the shards of the lamps were cast into the sky by the destruction and inundation, creating the stars. The rest the Valar gathered up and carried them west across the sea to Aman, where Yavanna used their light to plant two trees; Telperion (the silver tree) and Laurelin (the golden tree). Here, out of sight of Melkor, they build a new city in what would become the undying lands. Under the light of the stars, Aule Yavanna and Manwe built their mortal races, and under the light of the new trees Eru Iluvatar laid them to rest. As the trees achieved their full height and radiance, they, and the elves, crafted by Iluvatar himself, awoke.
The first elf awoke at the touch of Eru himself, caressing the face of Imin on the shores of Lake Cuiviénen. He then awakened Tata, and together they awakened Entel. When the three brothers were up, Eru left to awaken the next batch of elves, leaving the three brothers to awaken those who would become their wives, Iminye, Tatie and Enelye. Once awakened with a kiss, the six of them followed after their creator.
The first group they encountered were six pairs dancing around great trees. Imin claimed them as his own and after learning to dance, he led them onward, following the path of Iluvitar. Next they encountered nine pairs of elves creating works of art on the shore. Tata claimed them as his own, and after staying a while to learn of art they once again set out after Iluvitar. As the light of the trees began to fade into the distance, they came across a curving shallow river where a group of 12 pairs speaking in the first tongue and creating poetry on smooth stones. They stayed longer learning and chanting, before following once more in the path of the father.
They continued on into the darkness and came across a group of 18 pairs, staring up at the night sky. They were dark of hair and pale in complexion, and told the others they knew of their coming for it was written in the heavens. They called themselves the Noldor and shared their secrets sparingly. Even so, as the group continued onward, following Iluvatar, the Noldor journeyed with them.
Next they found a group of 24 elves, singing light and life into a dark world without words. The elves which had sought Iluvatar named them the Lindar. But as they journeyed on the trail had grown cold. They could not find their father. And so the 144 elves lived together and built themselves a city on the shore of Cuiviénen, and in the growing light of the two trees.
As the Dwarves, Elves, Eagles and Ents spread across the world with the light of the trees at their back, Melkor became aware of them. He sent shades into their midst to sew lies and turn them against the Valar, saying that any who strayed too far from the light would be hunted down by Maiar servants and slain. The dwarves ignored his words, as they listened only to their own council, but some elves took heed and vanished forevermore into the night. It is these elves who became the first orcs.
When Melkor thought himself strong enough, he returned to the Valar, claiming penance, having seen the error of his ways and insinuated himself and his darkling minions into Valinor. When he was ready to strike, Melkor invited Ungoliot, the void shadow which hunted Eru before the dawn of Arda to kill the trees. As the trees and Ungoliot lay dying and the combined forces of Valinor drove Melkor and his dark army from Aman, Finwe, high king of the elves took the last light of the trees and forged three gems, the Silmaril to contain their light. He then used these gems to curse Melkor with the name Morgoth, dooming him to become a beast of the shadow which in his envy he forever sought to cast over Arda. Finally, Finwe took the last fruit of Laurelin and the last flower of Telperion and cast them into the sky to become the sun and moon; forever to light Arda, and forever lay out of reach of Morgoth.
So insulted was Morgoth by his ultimate failure at the hands of mere mortals, Morgoth vowed not to rest until all life was struck from Arda. And though doing so wounded and weakened him greatly, he stole the Silmarils and affixed them to his Iron crown, thus beginning the War of Wrath which would last until the end of the first age when Morgoth was banished into the void, never again to darken the face of Arda."
Hina had never heard such a fantastical tale, and she knew how ridiculous it sounded when she knew chakra came from a world eating asparagus. Still, Legolas's voice was unfairly smooth, and his face was way too pretty to compare to mere mortals, and it eased Hina into tiredness. She would be frightened to think that once again this light energy was like a drug that made her drowsy, but she was too far gone to care and before long she had passed out on Aragorn's lap.
"Is it truly wise to take a girl with us?" Boromir asked.
Looking at the girl asleep after a story like any other child would become, Boromir wondered if this was the safest place for a girl, let alone a child to be. Aragorn had much the same thoughts, but her appearance had hidden a strength powerful enough to slay a Ring Wraith. Of that he wasn't mistaken. Hina was powerful, more physically powerful than him or Legolas even. He imagined she would give even Glorfindel a fight to remember.
"The stories of her defeating a Ringwraith is not exaggerated, and I'd rather have her where I can see her. I have a feeling that she would otherwise get into trouble I can't get her out of," Aragorn sighed.
"We will not question it any longer," Gimli butted in. "She has proven herself already, hasn't she?"
"Indeed, there is much strength in her. She would only be a boon to our quest," Gandalf agreed. "But an eye you should keep on her, for her fortitude in strength is beyond comparison, but her mind is festered with wounds."
With that ominous word Gandalf decided to go to sleep. Aragorn decided to take it to heart. For better or for worse; she was now his charge while in Middle-Earth.
Hina thought Legolas was like her kryptonite. He reminded her of Minato except prettier. How the heck was she meant to concentrate on anything else but his unfairly beautiful face? It wasn't her fault she was attracted to pretty boys. This added to his unfair effect on her during his story-time had made her steer clear of him. He and all the other Elves made her feel drowsy and safe, and that was in fact the opposite of safety. It was a false security, one that would get her killed out in the wild.
Days had passed and the pace was much the same. She had refrained from doing circles around the group like Aragorn had told her not to, but it was too much.
"Arrggh," she screamed into her hands, startling the group.
"What's the matter, lass?!" Gimli asked, jumping to her defence.
"Are you hurt?" Sam asked in shock.
"No! I want to train. We're going so slow and I'm going to atrophy at this rate," Hina whined.
"Are all children this excitable?" Boromir asked in distaste, before he hummed in thought. "Well it wouldn't be such a bad idea. I doubt the little ones know how to use their blades. It would be time to teach them."
"Then we shall rest for a few hours there," Aragorn nodded, as he pointed towards a hill full of rocks.
It would provide cover if need be, and he supposed they could rest for a bit. Plus he'd never seen Hina so eager to do something before. The girl was practically vibrating on the spot and jumping in excitement to finally do some physical activity. The Hobbits looked eager to test out their blades too. Soon Boromir was giving the three lessons on how to hold a blade properly.
"That is an odd stance," Boromir noted.
"I'm not used to this blade. I used another model known as a 'tanto' where I come from," Hina admitted. "But even then, I prefer not to use blades. A real man punches his opponents to death!"
"But you're not a man," Merry pointed out bewildered.
"Well then a real woman punches her opponents to death," she corrected.
"Well a weapon you don't know to wield is an encumbered weight of no use," Boromir huffed. "So ready in the stance I show you."
"Boromir is a warrior of Gondor. He knows his way around a sword. You should pay attention to his lessons Hina," Aragorn scolded.
"Ok fine," she mumbled, rolling her eyes in irritation at the way Aragorn talked to her, before standing the way Boromir asked her to.
Boromir shook his head in amusement. It seemed the girl only listened to Aragorn. And so they began their lessons eagerly. It didn't take long for Boromir to suggest actual swordplay, if not a little slow to ease them into it.
"Get away from the blade, Pippin. On your toes...good, very good. I want you to react, not think," Boromir instructed the Hobbit.
"Quite good, Pippin," Merry chuckled.
"Thanks," Pippin replied proudly.
"I want a turn next," Hina pointed out, itching for a spar after so long.
Boromir thrusted his sword down a little too fast and caught Pippin's hand. The Hobbit threw his sword down with a yelp.
"Sorry!" Boromir apologised before Pipping kicked him down and lunged at him. Hina laughed evilly as she and Merry joined in on ganging up on the man, eager to overwhelm him. They laughed in victory as they managed to tackle the man to the ground.
"For the shire!" Pippin shouted.
"For our honour!" Hina added in.
"Ok, ok, I give in," Boromir laughed.
"What is that?!"
Hina let go of the reverse grapple she had Boromir in when she felt the corrupted energy in the distance. Boromir stood up, helping her and the Hobbits up as he did. His face turned grim as he looked at the dark gathering in the distance.
"It's moving fast. Against the wind," he noted.
"Crebain from Dunland!" Legolas exclaimed.
"Hide!" Aragorn shouted urgently.
"Merry, Pippin, Hina, take cover," Boromir urged.
Hina let the man lead her and the Hobbits under the cover of the stone alcoves. For a moment, her breath hitched, and her skin itched, ready and eager to go out there and fight. She shook away the urging thoughts that were trying to overwhelm her. Yes, she enjoyed a good fight, in fact she could be considered an adrenaline junky when it came to fighting, but she'd never break cover for her teammates just to chase a high. The fact that if Boromir were not holding her, she would have very likely run out to fight those birds, made her pause and reflect. It was like the Elves but with the opposite effect. The darkness made her giddy for action, whereas the light made her drowsy and docile. She supposed now that the rings presence on Frodo's neck had been the reason, she had acted out like a child demanding exercise, when she normally would have easily had enough self-control to hold herself back. This world was truly pulling the impatience out of her in full. It was worrying.
Once the crows had passed, Boromir helped both her and the Hobbits out from under the stone ledge and everyone turned to face the sky with grim looks.
"Spies of Saruman. The passage South is being watched," Gandalf noted.
"Saruman has summons?" Hina whispered in worry.
The old Wizard gave her a grim nod. "And many more powerful ways of noticing us. We must take the pass of Caradhras!"
Gandalf turned to the snowy mountains behind them and Hina groaned as she looked at her exposed toes… well that would be fun.
Hina was glad for the elven cloak because it had no right to keep her this comfortable and warm, and also for the trousers Aragorn had bought her weeks prior, or she'd be feeling the freeze up her kimono.
"How are you walking on the snow?" Pippin demanded.
"Well if you can walk on water then walking on snow shouldn't be so hard should it," she said.
She giggled as she watched the Hobbit's jaws drop at that information, and then she noticed Legolas was doing much the same and her eyes widened.
"How are you walking on snow like that?" she asked.
"Elves are light on their feet," he answered.
"Of course they are," she huffed.
"Is that jealousy I hear?" Legolas joked.
"It is when your race literally gets all the good stuff," Hina kidded. "If my sensei knew you lot were born with immortality, he'd probably choke to death on jealousy."
"He seeks immortality?" Legolas asked, pausing suddenly with concern.
"Well yeah, what scientist who wants to accomplish many things wouldn't? He's got a brilliant mind and wants to learn a lot so he needs the time to do it," Hina explained, confused as to why immortality in itself would be a thing to pause and fear.
"Then he is a foolish man I fear, for Men have the gift of the great beyond, whereas us Elves can only take refuge in the glory of the Valar," Legolas explained.
Before Hina could question him on the 'great beyond' she heard Frodo yelp and fall. Sam quickly called out to him, ever so protective, but Aragorn had caught the Hobbit before anything could happen. Hina would have turned back to continue walking if she hadn't seen Boromir kneel down to pick the ring.
She could feel its call deepen in the air and she suddenly had the urge to grab it. It could give her power—power enough to even make Orochimaru kneel before her. She would be the master. She would show him what true power was—no! She shook her head and calmed her breathing.
"Boromir?" Aragorn asked, a hint of weariness in his voice.
Boromir held the ring up, entranced by it, and Hina could only sympathise in his pause to hand it over like he should. It was… dangerous, and she felt almost remiss to let it stay in Frodo's hands. She was much stronger than anyone here and… no… that was stupid. She stopped her thoughts from wandering down that route, rationalising to herself that she was already being affected irrationally by this world's energies. That ring was smothering her subtly in the brashness that came with this world's dark magic.
"It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing...such a little thing."
"Boromir...give the ring to Frodo."
Boromir paused for too long for it to be natural, but hesitantly he gave the ring back to Frodo, and Hina could almost feel the palatable relief within the group at the action.
"As you wish. I care not," Boromir said in forced levity as he ruffled Frodo's hair and made away.
Everyone knew that was a lie, but no one said a word. Hina could only be impressed that he'd given back the ring at all. She wasn't sure she would if she had it in her hand. With that she firmly resolved to stay far away from Frodo as much as possible during the trip. If only Aragorn wasn't stuck to his side, she lamented.
The winds were getting harsher and Hina wouldn't be surprised if her toes had gone blue and fallen right off by now. She contemplated using fire and wind release to keep her warm but decided against it. She was already expending chakra to keep her toes out of the cold. She wouldn't allow herself to waste more. Plus, it seemed Legolas was actually a welcome company for once. She stayed by him to counter the growing darkness of the ring.
"There is a fell voice in the air," Legolas warned.
"It's Saruman," Gandalf said grimly.
There was a loud thunder and Hina noted the rocks and shale falling from above. She along with the group wedged themselves closer to the stone walls.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain. Gandalf! We must turn back!" Aragorn urged.
"No!" Gandalf replied defiantly as he raised his staff and began chanting at the wind.
Hina noted the way the energy rippled around him, and it was such a massive volume she was suddenly beginning to realise how impressive the Istari were.
"Losto Caradhras, sedho, hodo, nuitho I ruith. Sleep Caradhras. (Be still, lie still, hold your wrath)," he chanted louder and louder.
Despite Gandalf's efforts Hina could hear the White Wizards voice strengthening in the distance. A loud crack of lightning dropped onto the mountainside above them and even she could do nothing to stop the heavy fall of snow on their heads. Legolas grabbed her arm and pulled her up from the snow beneath. She looked at him in exasperation.
"How is your hair still so perfect?" she said in indignation.
"Are you really asking that now?" he replied in deadpan.
"We must get off the mountain! Make for the gap of Rohan and take the West road to my city," Boromir offered.
"No, the Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard," Aragorn countered.
"We cannot pass over the mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the mines of Moria!" Gimli insisted
Gandalf has a concerned look on his face, but it dawned on Hina that she remembered him dying in there. But he would come back right… that much at least she remembered.
"Frodo?" Gandalf says, catching the little Hobbit's eyes.
It dawned on Hina that this is in fact Frodo's quest, that the mission objective is his to direct. It seems odd that it would be in the hand of someone so small and inexperienced.
"We will go through the mines," he concluded.
"So be it," Gandalf said ominously.
So the fellowship ended going from the frozen winds of the icy mountains, to the cold frost of the road to the mines. Hina actually preferred this though. Less of a need to use her chakra.
"You'll be greeted to a sight unheard of lass. Us Dwarves are master builders," Gimli said excitedly.
"Considering you've built an entire city inside of a mountain, I'm honestly excited," Hina said truthfully.
Well she would have been more excited if she hadn't caught wind of the smell of another creature following her team. It seemed like a weak presence, and its scent was all sorts of wrong, but she figured maybe it was an animal that was stalking them out of desperation for food. Eventually though she decided she wanted to check it out.
"I need to go piss," she said suddenly.
Aragorn shook his head in exasperation. "Do you need to quite so loudly tell everyone?"
"What, it's just a bodily function?" Hina said in confusion.
All the men gave her looks and Hina rolled her eyes. Then she remembered this wasn't her actual team and they didn't know she quite often exclaimed her need to go to the toilet as a way to alert them that she was going off to investigate something. They weren't Anko and Rui, she reminded herself, but at least it seemed Gandalf noted something was off.
Once she was a good distance away from the group, she ran up the cliff wall and dropped behind the creature, startling it. It jumped up in shock, and Hina felt almost bad for startling something so skinny.
"Damn, I'm really sorry! If I'd known you were starving, I wouldn't have scared you," she apologised.
"This one doesn't knowses what you're talking abouts! Don'ts kill uss," Gollum cried out in terror.
"Kill you? I wouldn't kill you… unless you were here for something more than food," she said narrowing her eyes dangerously.
"No! We's was here for the foodses!"
Hina knew a blatant lie when she heard one, but something about this wide eyed, mangy little creature reminded her of pain. He seemed to live only in torment and judging from the engraved whip markings on his back, Hina assumed he had a broken mind due to torture. Plus in an ugly sort of way he was small and adorable, and she had a propensity to protect small and adorable things.
"That's right, you need to eat some food. I can see the outline of your bones. That can't be healthy," she said worriedly as she took out her beef jerky and handed it over to the creature. "Well what race are you from exactly? Never seen a person like you before?"
"Gollum is Gollum!"
"Indeed, and Hina is also Hina, but Hina is also a human. Want to try again?" she asked in amusement.
"No Gollum iss Gollums," he repeated in frustration.
"Ok, ok Gollum. No need to get your little loin cloth in a twist. Aren't you cold in just a loin cloth? Here let me get you one of my kimonos."
Gollum ignored the odd child's pestering questions and tried the stale meat. It wasn't slithering or alive, but he quite enjoyed it in fact and began slurping the others down. When he next turned, he was being smothered by a warm cloak.
"Noooos this is wrong! Twisted," he cried.
"It's meant to be warming," Hina said in worry.
"Twisted by the Elves!"
"Ok, ok, no need to be so picky or racist. How about my original cloth?"
Hina unsealed one of the few Konoha kimono's she'd had on her at all times. She had to chase Gollum around for a bit and forced her kimono on him.
"Why childses do this for uss?! To torment uss. We just want the precious!" Gollum lamented.
"I'll give you more tasty meat, now come on Gollum. Don't want you to catch a cold out here," Hina said, picking up the angry creature who futilely kicked and clawed at her.
She was too strong to not be able to easily carry someone as scrawny and small as Gollum despite being only slightly taller than him. She made her way back to the group pretty quickly. They were close to Moria now, she could feel it. The darkness was approaching.
"Hey guys I found a Gollum! Never heard of this race before," she said holding out the kicking creature.
Aragorn pulled out his sword almost instantly and Gandalf had his staff out in front of Frodo. Hina took a step back in confusion. Had she maybe done something stupid? Gollum kind of sounded familiar. Maybe he was in the movie, but she'd forgotten by now. She had watched it in a previous life. She'd forgotten way too much.
"Hina put it down. That's Gollum," Aragorn shouted.
"I know, he introduced himself. He's only pretending to not like me, but he's adorable deep down," Hina said in worry. "We don't hurt adorable things, right?"
She'd hoped to appeal to them using her childish nature to maybe make them more sympathetic to Gollum as well… manipulative yes, but it was their fault they perceived her that way. The poor man was tortured and hurting. It felt wrong to throw him back out in the wild to starve, even if he was scratching her arms and growling at her. She'd seen enough broken people—people who'd she'd help break—maybe for once she could fix it.
"Let it go little one," Gandalf said sternly. "This is Gollum, a creature tormented by the one ring's power over him. He will wish to steal it."
Hina faltered. That meant that she had in her hands an enemy, but even holding him like this in his struggles made it evident just how bony he was. She could feel the ridges of his scars on his back, of the torture he faced, and she felt reluctant to leave him alone in his suffering. She could finally be kind and good in this group. She didn't need to pretend to be vile and evil to gather information. She didn't need to do horrible things for her cover… but she knew Gandalf was wise. While she was powerful, she wasn't the best decision maker. Kami knows if she were, her parents would be alive… Kusari would be too. So she reluctantly let Gollum down with a frown. He hissed at her and cut her cheeks, but she didn't flinch not even when Aragorn drew closer with his sword and the others shouted in alarm. Instead she hugged him until he quelled, and then pat the confused Gollum's head while he looked up in confusion.
"You hurts us! We hateee you!" he cried out in confusion before running away.
Hina clenched her hands by her side before turning to the rock wall and with an angry cry punched the stone so hard a crack drew up the entire mountain. Then she breathed in deeply, hating how she'd just expended so much chakra on a temper tantrum of all things before she turned to see the shocked expressions of the Fellowship.
"I—he was in pain," Hina pleaded for understanding.
Gandalf put a hand on her shoulder and looked down in empathy. "Gollum is a pitiable creature, but it seems you've made an impression on him. He kept your clothes after all… there may have been some good done yet."
"He… wants the ring?" Hina asked.
"We had it right here. We should have killed it," Frodo said with a frown.
"I have a feeling it is not yet Gollum's time. Now come along, we have a journey to make in haste."
This time it was Aragorn who came up next to her while the company all walked ahead giving her some space. Hina was frustrated. To finally be free of Orochimaru—to finally do the one thing she'd always wanted to do… and now she was stopped once again. She wrung her fingers together in building frustration. She'd let him go instead of doing what she thought was right… she'd listened to others instead of her heart again.
"I understand your plight Hina. I had travelled with the creature for nearly a year, but it is too far gone in its torment. The ring has corrupted its mind and twisted its body. Something like that can never be the same again."
Hina shivered as her hands instinctively went up to her cursed seal. She noted Aragorn's dawning look of understanding and she jerked her hand away. He would no doubt feel guilty now, but without reason. He was right after all. No one was the same after being tortured and twisted. She wasn't either. ROOT had twisted her drive for improvement into something vile, turned her protection into murder, and had drenched her hands in blood. What good left was there for someone like her?
"I did not mean it for you," Aragorn whispered, squeezing her shoulders.
"It doesn't matter… I know what I am."
She brushed ahead of Aragorn in haste. Maybe all this journey was to her was a way to pretend like everything was good again… maybe it was to find some solace in her evil… but she knew it wouldn't last. It could only ever end in tragedy for her.
They had travelled for another two days in silence. Hina quickly made an effort to seem ok to the group and eased them into comfortableness with her again. She left some jerky out for Gollum when she could, and she had no doubt that Gandalf knew what she was doing. Thankfully, the old Wizard didn't stop her.
"The walls of Moria!" Gimli exclaimed in joy as they came along the narrow strip of green and greasy stone.
Hina watched as Gandalf traced the smooth rock wall and walks along it's lines. As if answering to his magic faint lines appeared like slender veins of luminous silver. It casted a beautiful glow in the otherwise dark landscape.
"Itidin...it mirrors only starlight and moonlight," Gandalf explained.
"A real-life magic door," Hina swooned in awe as the moonlight caught the lay lines of magic and a clear door like symbol etched itself into the walls.
Gandalf seemed happy at her awed expression and ruffled her hair before turning back to the door. Hina grumbled as she fixed up the mess the wizard made on her head, feeling once again the disturbance of the dark ring that called to her at the motion she had come to associate with pain.
"It reads, The door of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter'."
"What do you suppose that means?" Merry asked.
"It's quite simple. If you are a friend, speak the password and the doors will open," Gandalf explained as he raised his arms and began incanting, "Annon edhellen, edro hi ammen!"
Hina watched on in expectation and was severely disappointed when nothing happened. It was so anticlimactic Hina nearly spluttered. Her first cool magical experience and nothing happened.
"Well do you know any other phrases?" Hina asked.
"I'll try a few more," Gandalf grumbled.
After watching and waiting expectantly for the fifth time, Hina was getting bored. "If you want, I can just carve a hole through the door. I have Earth Jutsu for that."
"No! There's traps in place for those who force Dwarven doors open," Gimli warned.
With a huff Hina decided to sit by Boromir, who looked down no doubt in amusement at her impatience. Could you blame her? Her first magical door and nothing happened. She supposed this is why one shouldn't meet their dreams.
"Do not fret little one. I'm sure there's not a riddle at all that Gandalf could not solve," he said patting her shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah, but it's a magic door! I thought something would happen," Hina muttered.
They fell into silence as Gandalf continued muttering words to the door. Hina watched as Sam and Aragorn let go of the horse and Merry and Pippin began throwing stones into the lake to stave off boredom. She mused for a second if she should join them and decided against it quickly. She would outmatch them way too easily, and not to mention something about this place was giving her he creeps. Her concerns were validated when Aragorn stopped Pippin from throwing another stone.
"It's a riddle—like Boromir said," Frodo said in realisation. "What's the word for friend in Elvish?"
"Oh… mellon," Gandalf replied.
Hina was caught between wanting to watch a magic door open and keeping her eye on whatever was causing the ripples in the water. She settled on letting herself be amazed that a door with no hinges is opening because of a word. She checked the back end for some kind of technology, maybe something that would register sound or the sort, but found nothing. No seals, no chakra, no energy— her mind was truly boggled.
"Amazing," she whispered. "Just a word and it opens! It has no hinges!"
"Odd thing to be caught up on, but of course us Dwarves are master craftsmen!" Gimli says proudly before he puffed up at Legolas. "So, master Elf, you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves, roaring fires, malt beer, red meat off the bone. This, my friend, is the home of my cousin, Balin...and they call this a mine, a mine!"
Hina would have normally been amused at Gimli's issues with the Elves if it weren't for the sickening amount of darkness suddenly surrounding her. She pulled out a kunai and snarled, feeling the itch of battle at her throat. Whatever little reasonable part of her left, decided to move closer to Legolas to calm herself down. Her fears were realised when they entered in to see the bones of countless Dwarves under them.
"This is no mine...it's a tomb!" Boromir gasped.
"Oh...no, no, no!" Gimli cried in distress.
Legolas left to kneel down by a corpse and Hina followed him as he picked up too crude an arrow to be one forged by Dwarves.
"Goblins!" he hissed.
Hina was ready and eager to turn away with the rest of the group as they backed away from the mines and towards the exit.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan. We should never have come here," Boromir growled in fear.
Before the others could agree, Hina felt the presence of something dark and ominous reach out towards her. She grabbed the tentacle at her face but it was too slimy to get a hold of and to her ire she was pulled into its grasp. With a snarl she drew her Elven blade and clove the sinuous length of the appendage. The creature snarled as it dropped her into the water. Hina quickly steadied herself atop the water's surface before sheathing her blade and going through her hand signs. The sight of Frodo in its grasps makes her stop and curse. She couldn't use lightning release lest she wanted to kill him too.
Thankfully, Aragorn cut the tentacle holding the Hobbit and caught him. An arrow whizzed past her and hit its eye and Hina went through her hand seals again in quick succession.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!" she shouted as a maw like shape of lightning clamped onto the creature and bubbles the water.
Her attack gave the group a few precious seconds to rush back to a safe distance. Hina hastened herself as she moved back to dry land and pulled Merry along with her back towards the Mine. The creature hissed and lashed out as they escaped the range of its tentacles. Before she could use a long-ranged attack, the creature grabbed the door in its entirety and the entrance caved in on itself. Hina hated that Gandalf turned on his staff light right now, because she'd love a moment to cry about what kind of bullshit she'd gotten herself into without anyone seeing.
"We now have but one choice...we must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard...there are older and fouler things than the Orcs in the deep places of the world," Gandalf warned.
The thick darkness in this place is as foul as the oppressive light of Rivendell's Kingdom, except in a different way. Hina figured even standing by someone like Legolas would not save her from its effects now. Coupled with that enticing ring on Frodo's neck, she's surprised she hadn't already lost control.
"You are breathing deeply. Are you alright?" Aragorn asked in worry.
Hina hissed and pushed his hands off her shoulders before her eyes widened and she realised her too violent action. Taking in a deep breath, she pushed back her hair and nodded.
"This place is… like Rivendell, except it is putting me on edge," she answered truthfully.
"Do not lose yourself to its call," Aragorn warned worriedly.
"I will not," Hina said in reassurance. "No measly Goblins will get the best of me. I'll rip their innards out and feed it to their children!"
She realised the rather violent outburst was a little too vivid and gory and paused in embarrassment as the team all looked at her wide eyed.
"Legolas, hold my hands," she demanded with an anxious snarl.
Thankfully, no one asked her for why exactly she wanted this, and Legolas to his credit held her hands without even a look her way. Normally she would be fawning over being able to hold the hands of an Elf, let alone one so pretty, but surrounded by this thick fog of darkness, she couldn't even give the Elf a glance. He was but a dim light in this place, but his light was all she had to ward of the darkness.
They walked down silently and without a word into the darkness of the cave system. Hina was surprised by how big this whole place was, but the deeper they went the more she drew closer to Legolas to push away the foulness. Eventually Gandalf admitted to never having seen this place and everyone decided to rest for a bit. Hina found herself bunched between Aragorn and Legolas.
"It's my Elven magic isn't it? It's keeping you grounded?" Legolas asked in concern.
"Hai… this place is making me want to go on a murder spree. I almost want to meet these Orcs you talk about," Hina huffed.
"You could fight the pull of the light. Maybe you can fight the dark?" Aragorn noted.
Hina pointedly held up the hand Legolas was holding. "He's doing it for me… hey can I try that pipe after you?"
"No you cannot," Aragorn huffed, knowing she was trying to change the subject but still feeling obligated to keep her from doing harmful things. "Don't pick up bad habits."
"But you're doing it," Hina reasoned.
"I'm a grown man," he pointed out as if that answered everything,
Hina huffed but conceded the point… she was physically thirteen. She would take it later in secret anyway. This world's smoke smelt different from the charcoal sting of the Elemental Nations or the corrupting gas of the ones back on Earth. While everyone idled in silence, Hina could hear Gandalf have a good talk with Frodo about Gollum. Hina was happy to hear Gandalf stop Frodo's line of anger. Gollum had been tortured—he didn't deserve to be treated so terribly.
"Ah! That it's that way!" Gandalf points at the right-hand tunnel.
"He's remembered!" Merry breathed out in relief.
"No, but the air doesn't smell so foul down there. If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose!"
Hina couldn't agree more. Plus Gandalf was right. The place they entered didn't in fact smell with dark foul energy. They walked down the dark corridors until they entered a large space just as dark.
"We can risk a little more light," Gandalf said, tapping his staff and blowing at the top.
The staff lit the hallways and Hina was shocked at the sight before her. Nowhere in the Elemental Nations had she seen such a magnificent sight. In a way it dwarfed the Elvish architecture in its massive size and stature.
"Behold! The great realm and Dwarf city of Dwarrowdelf!" Gandalf exclaimed.
"Well, there's an eye opener and no mistake!" Sam muttered in awe next to Hina who just patted his shoulder in agreement as she looked ahead wide eyed.
Hina ran her fingers over the stone that was almost as smooth as marble. She was fascinated by the build. If the Elemental Nations could create such a sturdy architecture, she was sure their defences would triple. It almost looked like it was done with advanced power tools and honestly that fascinated her more than the magic door now. She would be pestering Gimli for answers if she hadn't seen the absolute devastation on his face. His family lived here, and they had died, and despite her curiosity, she was not so crass.
His cry seemed to only startle her from her thoughts on the stone make. She watched on as Gandalf called out for Gimli and the Dwarf ran into a room. Everyone followed quickly, worry taking hold as they came upon a tomb, enshrouded by the light of the sole window in the room. Skeletons lay to the wayside and Hina paused as Gimli knelt down to cry. Gandalf brushed the dust from the coffin to read the etched runes, but she already knew who it was.
"It says 'Here lies Balin, son of Fudin, Lord of Moria.' He is dead, then. It's as I had feared," Gandalf sighed.
"We must move on, we cannot linger," Legolas whispered by Hina to Aragorn.
"They have taken the Bridge and the second hall: we have barred the gates but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes, drums in the deep, we cannot get out. A shadow moves in the dark. Will no one save us? They are coming," Gandalf read.
There was a loud sound that startled Hina and she turned to where Pippin was standing. He had accidentally knocked down a plate of armour into the well behind him. The sound was painfully loud and echoed throughout the empty halls. Hina's hands went to her kunai holster, but there wasn't a sound after. Everyone sighed in relief.
"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" Gandalf chided at the sheepish Hobbit.
"Mr Frodo!" Sam gasped.
The fellowship turned to see the blue-eyed Hobbits sword glow blue. Then as if to sound their ominous presence a deep rumbling filled the silence, and there was a drumbeat and a fell darkness that settled over Hina.
"They are coming," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Orcs!" Legolas warned.
Hina grinned. The taste of blood on her tongue, and the beat of battle in her heart. She welcomed it with glee.
A/N
Sorry about the late update. Life's been throwing lemons at me left and right it seems! Anyway, I've come to you with an update. I've been trying my best to get out another chapter of Snap Back to Reality, but that's been a doze. I'm this close to just doing an entire rewrite of it because I'm not happy where it's going XD
Anyway to clear things up for you lot, the extreme magic of this world affects Hina quite a bit, because on one end of the spectrum it makes her docile and entirely too trusting and open, while on the other end it makes her battle hungry and paranoid. It's not a forever thing, but it does help with keeping her power scale a bit easier to manage during the start of the story.