It is T.A.1999 and Ravens father is finally allowing her to travel once more. She decides that she will spend her time in the Greenwood. It takes some time for her to get there, but when she gets there she is not welcomed like she was before. One of the guards at the gate goes to tell the King that a strange elleth is waiting on their doorstep. The guards escorted her to the throne room on the Kings command. The moment she steps in front him King Thranduil says.
"Release her immediately!" Thranduil
"Yes my King." guard
"You are dismissed." Thranduil
The guard leaves, King Thranduil turns his attention back to Raven, and says.
"It has been a long time since the youngest daughter of Elrond has graced my halls. My heart sings with gladness at your return my friend." Thranduil
"I am glad to be back in your halls once more my friend." Raven
"The room you stayed in on your last visit is still vacant. You may use it for the duration of your stay." Thranduil
"Thank you. I shall go freshen up from my journey." Raven
"I expect to see you at dinner properly dressed for dinner, but you are free to do as you wish until then." Thranduil
"As you wish." Raven
Raven turns, and leaves the room with a smile on her face.
After her bath Raven goes to the training grounds for some power training, and light archery practice. She starts by flexing her powers with the simplest of training exercises. As she does this the exercises she is using get more and more complicated, and unbeknownst to her someone has taken a keen interest in what she is doing on the training field. He watches as this fascinating elleth begins practicing archery after she finishes training her power for the time being. After awhile she returns to power training, and when he has had enough of just watching her he says.
"What is a guest of the King doing on the training grounds instead of socializing with the other ladies?" ?
"Are you implying something, or are you just being rude?" Raven
"Neither I simply wondered if you would enjoy the mentioned activity more than the violence of the training grounds." ?
"Than you know nothing of my life. Until recently I have known little else since I turned forty." Raven
"I didn't mean to offend you my lady." ?
"It is fine. My name is Raven by the way." Raven
"Legolas; It is nice meet you lady Raven." Legolas
"Likewise Legolas." Raven
Legolas offers her his arm, and says.
"Walk with me, and we can continue getting to know one another." Legolas
Raven smiles takes his arm, and says.
"That would be lovely lead the way." Raven
Legolas and Raven leave the training ground excited about the prospect of getting to know one another.
As they are walking through the halls of the palace their hearts are opening up to one another as if it was always meant to be that way. They pass King Thranduil on their way to a particularly nice garden that Legolas wants to show Raven. As they are passing Thranduil is watching, and can tell instantly what is going on between his son and Raven. He knows that neither of them are going to want to leave their families; So they are going to have to negotiate some kind of arrangement. Thranduil couldn't be more happy that his son and his friend are finding happiness in each other. Raven has suffered so much in her short life that she deserves happiness. Thranduil decides that he will have to ask Raven what Yokai courtships are like so that he will be prepared in case Legolas and Raven want to mix the traditions. Legolas and Raven arrive at the garden, and Raven finds that it is even more beautiful than she could have possibly imagined. Legolas begins the conversation saying.
"I find that I do not wish to face life without you in it." Legolas
"Agreed. What should we do about this?" Raven
"I propose a courtship. How should we proceed with this?" Legolas
"Why don't we start our courtship according to InuYokai traditions, and then after that we follow elvish customs?" Raven
"That is a good idea. How does an InuYokai courtship begin?" Legolas
"The couple exchange gifts." Raven
"After that we will discuss what the rest of our courtship will look like." Legolas
Raven and Legolas part ways to procure their courtship presents. Raven goes to see Thranduil while Legolas goes to the market to purchase his courtship gift for Raven.
While that is going on Raven walks into the garden where her and Thranduil had that painful discussion so long ago. Raven walks over, and sits on the bench next to Thranduil. Thranduil notices her, and says.
"How have you been my friend?" Thranduil
"Good. Legolas and I have talked about courting with the intention of marrying." Raven
"I'm glad you two have found happiness in each other. What will your courtship look like?" Thranduil
"We will be be starting our courtship in the manner of InuYokai, and then after that we will be following elvish traditions." Raven
"What does that look like?" Thranduil
"The couple pick out one meaningful and thoughtful gift for one another." Raven
"Have you figured out what you want your gift to be?" Thranduil
"Yes I have, but I'm going to need your help." Raven
"How can I help?" Thranduil
"I need to borrow your finest elvish sword. As a model for the sword smith who has served my birth family for generations." Raven
"That smith is in another world. How are you going to get there?" Thranduil
Raven holds her hand up showing the mark of her sealed friendship with Mina. Thranduil sees it, and says.
"What is that?" Thranduil
"The mark of a sealed friendship. A sealed friendship is where you make a friend that is so dear to your heart that you seal that bond with power." Raven
"So the mark on your hand is your friends mark. What I do not understand is how that will help you get to the other world." Thranduil
"A sealed friendship is formed so that you can always be at your friends side when you are needed regardless of the distance separating you." Raven
"You are planning to use that to your advantage to get to Earth, but how will you get back?" Thranduil
"I have a plan that I am certain will work." Raven
"What does your plan entail?" Thranduil
"I will tell you when I get back. So can I borrow the sword I asked for?" Raven
"Yes you may Feren will get it for you." Thranduil
Thranduil instructs his assistant to retrieve the finest sword they have in the armory. Feren goes to do as he was bid. When he returns with the requested item Thranduil directs him to give it to Raven, and he does so. Raven focuses on her friendship with Mina, and after a while Raven disappears in a flash of bright light.
Raven looks around, and sees that she is inside Koga's den. Mina looks at her with a very shocked look on her face, and says.
"Kagome is that you?" Mina
"Yes Mina, It's me." Raven
"How are you alive?" Mina
"The Shikon protected me from the attack." Kagome
"I'm so glad you are ok, and back with us Kagome." Mina
"I'm glad to be back too, but it is only for a short visit." Kagome
"Ok, Well what are you planning to do now Kagome?" Mina
"Well I'm going to head over to the estate to see if I can find the remaining model necessary for Totosai to make my courtship present for my soul mate." Kagome
"You found your soul mate! I am so happy for you Kagome." Mina
"Yes, and all it took was going to another world to find him." Kagome
"Wow that's a long way to travel to find one's soul mate." Mina
"Mina is Sesshomaru-papa's estate empty or have the holy idiots taken it over?" Kagome
"No, It's abandoned so you don't have to worry about that." Mina
"Good, Then I must be going. We can catch up some more after I have talked to Totosai." Kagome
"Alright see you then bye Kagome." Mina
"Se you later bye Mina." Kagome
Kagome smiles at her friend, and leaves the den heading in the direction of the estate.
When Kagome arrives at Sesshomaru-papa's estate she goes right to his bedroom, and starts rummaging through his wardrobe. After a few minutes of searching Kagome finds what she is looking for. One of Sesshomaru-papa's decorative waist sashes. This would be perfect for the gift she has in mind for Legolas. Kagome picks up the sash, leaves the estate, and sets out in the direction of Totosai's home. It took her awhile but she eventually arrived at her destination. Kagome walks into the cave, and says.
"You here Totosai?" Kagome
Totosai walks out, gets a shocked look on his face, and says.
"Kagome is that really you?" Totosai
"Yes, It's really me Totosai." Kagome
"So what can I do for you Kagome?" Totosai
"Well I need you to forge a very unique weapon for me." Kagome
"Why don't you have plenty of weapons already? What do you need another one for?" Totosai
"This weapon is going to be my courtship present for my soul mate." Kagome
"You found your soul mate! I will make what ever you ask me to free of charge." Totosai
"Good, because I have some models with me." Kagome
Kagome takes them out, shows them to Totosai, and says.
"I would like you to make a waist sash that turns into an elven sword exactly like the one you see before you." Kagome
"That is quite a complicated order. I'll need all four of your canines, and it should be done by the end of the month." Totosai
Kagome gives him the required materials, and turns to leave saying.
"Thanks Totosai. I'll see you in a month." Kagome
Totosai nods, and gets to work on his friends order.
Kagome returns to Koga's den and finds her friends just finishing up their dinner. They look over at the new arrival, and when they see her their happiness is unrivaled. Koga runs up to her, and says.
"Kagome I'm so glad that you are alright." Koga
"Didn't Mina tell that I am alive, and well I figured she would have told you." Kagome
"She did I just wasn't entirely sure If I should believe her or not." Koga
"Why not?" Kagome
"The last few years without you have been really tough on her, and I wasn't sure if she was hallucinating or not." Koga
"Oh I'm sorry to have made you worry so much, but I'm back now. So at least you know I'm alive." Kagome
"Yeah, and your aura has changed slightly while at the same time remaining largely the same." Koga
"Yeah that's probably, because I was adopted through magic by a family of elves." Kagome
"Well that definitely explains some things." Mina
Kagome smiles at Mina who says.
"We have set up one of the empty dens for you to use while you are here." Mina
"Thanks you guys." Kagome
Mina walks down a hallway showing her friend how to get to the den that is now hers when ever she needs it.
Kagome has been spending the last month enjoying the time she has with her friends, but it soon comes to and end. The time comes for her to go collect her order from Totosai, and return home even though she is going to miss her friends very much. Kagome says goodbye to her friends, goes to collect her order. When she gets there Totosai shows her the order, and it is an absolute work of art. It works exactly as she wanted it to. Kagome takes the items, hugs Totosai, and leaves the cave. Once out of the cave she takes out the dagger her grandmother gave her, and focuses on where she wants to go. The dagger glows red, and Kagome makes a vertical slashing motion. The dagger cuts through space opening up the portal, and Kagome walks through the portal anxious to see Legolas again. When she arrives on the other side of the portal she finds herself in the same garden she was in prior to her departure. Legolas walks into the garden with sad and heartbroken expression on his face. Kagome sheaths the dagger closing the portal immediately, runs to Legolas, and says.
"Legolas, Are you ok?" Raven
"Yeah Raven I'm fine. Where have you been for the last month? I was so worried about you." Legolas
"I'm sorry Legolas. It just took that long for the smith to finish your present." Kagome
Legolas smiles at her, and says.
"I'll go get your present, and we can do the exchange." Legolas
Kagome smiles, and watches Legolas rush back into the palace.
After Legolas returns he stands in front of her waiting for her to start. Raven catches on, and says.
"I present this to you as a token of my love." Raven
Legolas takes the sash from her, and says.
"What is it?" Legolas
"It is a decorative waist sash." Raven
"I took you a whole month to get this decoration, and why did it have to be made by a smith?" Legolas
"Because it is not a normal waist sash. Take the sash by the end with the edge facing down." Raven
Legolas does so, and waits for further instructions. Raven gives them to him saying.
"Now make a vertical slash of to the side so as not to cause an accidental injury." Raven
Legolas does so, and is shocked when the sash turns into the finest elven sword he has ever seen. Raven smiles at him, and says.
"When you want it to transform back all you have to do is ask it to with your thoughts. It will answer to you and you alone." Raven
Legolas does as instructed, and when it transforms back he ties it around his waist. Legolas takes out his gift, and says.
"I present this to you as a token of my love." Legolas
Legolas puts the necklace on her, and embraces her happy that Raven is back where she belongs. When they let go of their embrace Raven looks at Legolas' gift. It is a beautiful emerald pendent in the shape of a leaf. Raven looks up at Legolas, and hugs him again with a massive smile on her face. Legolas hugs her back with an equally happy smile on his face. The couple hold hands, and walk out of the garden to tell Thranduil the good news.