Kagome gave the elf prince a low bow in greeting.
"Please forgive me for my earlier hostility and disrespect to the crown, your highness. Your father would be most displeased to know that I threatened his only heir to the throne."
"No, it is alright. We did invade your cave after all," he said as she straightened her posture.
"If you will excuse me, I need to finish up this deer," Kagome apologized.
"Allow me to help you as well." The woman opened her mouth to speak, but Legolas beat her to it. "I do not need to eat at the moment, but I do believe that the rest of the company is very hungry. With my help, this would be much faster," he reasoned.
Exasperated and too tired to argue, she gave a slight nod of her head. Just as he said, the deer was quickly gutted, cleaned, skinned, and ready for cooking. It wasn't long till everybody was eating happily in the warm cave.
Kagome relaxed. She was finally having her well-deserved break and she had new company.
It felt good to be surrounded by others again after being alone for so long. It was a plus that these people were of familiar names and old faces. She was surprisingly happy and at peace.
Then the questions came, which she really should have expected but had hoped they would hold off till tomorrow. No dice.
"Miss Ka- uh-" Frodo paused, remembering her request to drop the titles. "I mean, Kagome," he began, "Gandalf said that this cave was protected by...paper? Is that true?"
Kagome shot an incredulous look at Gandalf. My talismans are so much more than just paper! I can't believe him.
"In my defense, I said 'rectangular papers with strange symbols on them' because it was the best way to describe them in simple terms," Gandalf pointed out, eyes twinkling.
Kagome sighed, "Yes, there are papers that I put up around the cave for protection; two outside to conceal the cave and one inside to ward off evil creatures. They are my talismans. I create them and feed my spiritual energy into it to give it power." She gave a pointed look at the smiling wizard.
"The glow at the tip of your arrow. Is that also made by you?" Boromir asked, finally (but begrudgingly) coming to terms with Kagome's power despite her gender.
"Yes-"
"Are you magic? Like a wizard like Gandalf?" Merry and Pippin asked excitedly.
This made the woman laugh. "Oh no. Definitely not. I don't think I could handle it if someone said 'Look out, it's Kagome the Grey' or whatever. I wouldn't be able to take anything seriously."
Gandalf huffed, smoke rising from his lips as he mumbled, "More like Kagome the Pink," making the female scrunch up her nose in disgust.
"Please, never say that again," she said.
"If not magic, then what is it?" Aragorn asked.
"It's my Miko-ki, spiritual energy if you will. My powers come from within me, not from some spell or artifact, although they can amplify my Miko-ki. My powers are used for healing and protection from evil, meaning I can also purify as an offense. Unfortunately, that means my offense will not work against something not created by evil or someone who does not use dark magic, no matter how ill their will. And so, I also train in weaponry and hand to hand combat for protection in those scenarios."
Most of her companions nodded their heads in understanding. However, there were some who still seemed confused. Pippin took one for the team and scratched his head. "Um, Kagome, you have to help us, stragglers, here."
"Think of it as holy magic, Pippin. I am a priestess after all." Cue the slack jaws. She waited for the initial shock to wear off.
3…
2…
1…
An overlap of voices cut through the silence.
"That is so cool!"
"How curious…"
"Can you show us something?"
"What would she even show us, Merry?"
"I don't know, Sam! Priestess magic stuff!"
"A holy woman doing the work of men?! That is no place for a maiden! Much less a priestess!"
Kagome sighed. There goes all the peace that once was. But as she looked around, her eyes softened. Such a ragtag company of many races: humans, hobbits, a wizard, and even a dwarf and an elf!
She watched as they bickered and teased, their antics sorely reminding her of her own mix-matched traveling group of the past. Mirth bloomed in her chest until a full-blown laugh had bubbled out of her, surprising the loud bunch.
"Um, lass," Gimli asked hesitantly, "Are you alright?"
She clutched her stomach as she tried to regain her composure. Finally, when she calmed down, Kagome responded to the worried dwarf. "Quite, Gimli." With her eyes still sparkling, she turned to Gandalf. "If the offer still stands, Gandalf, I would love to join you and your friends on this quest."
"Ring-bearer? What is your decision?"
All eyes turned to Frodo. For once on his journey of uncertainties, Frodo was certain of his choice. "I would love for you to join us, Kagome."
Despite the woman's claims of protection, the others would not rest unless someone was on guard. Kagome, unoffended, agreed that it was better safe than sorry.
She removed the elven cloak that made her belongings look like rocks and brought out sleeping mats and blankets to share.
"How did you do that Kagome? The rock thing," said Merry. "Is your powers too?"
Kagome chuckled. "No, this is elven magic. This fabric conceals whatever or whoever is under them. I got it when I visited Lothlorien. Perhaps you will get to visit during our trip."
"Those are dangerous woods, lassie," Gimli added.
"Perhaps, but it is still very beautiful," she countered.
Night came and went, but the storm raged on outside. By the time Kagome woke up, the sky took on a dim glow, the only indicator that morning had come.
No one was awake just yet, except for the elf prince. She nodded a good morning before going outside to wash her face with rainwater and brush her teeth with a twig toothbrush she crafted.
Oh, how she missed modern appliances.
When she walked back into the cave, she took out her arrows and moved her focus on sharpening them. Or… she tried to focus. Kagome was acutely aware of the elf's staring.
"You have questions," she simply stated.
"I do," was the reply.
The woman looked up and straight into Legolas' gray eyes. Knife in hand, she paused her activity to motion him to get on with it.
"How long have you been acquainted with Gandalf?"
At that, she chuckled and continued sharpening her arrows. "I'd say almost 300 years. It was during my early years of traveling when I met most of your kind. "
Silver eyebrows rose in disbelief. 300 years? "Gandalf said you were human."
"Indeed I am. I am a human graced with immortality. Well, more like cursed, but that is a matter of perspective."
"How is that possible?" Legolas narrowed his eyes as he regarded the woman before him.
She had to have made a deal with some being to have gained such power. Maybe she was truly blessed by the gods. She said 'cursed' so perhaps she had done an unforgivable sin and must now live in eternal grief. The answer she had actually given him was confusing and only brought up more questions.
"The Fates are but spoiled children, and I am but their toy," she said, disdain seeping into her voice.
It was then a mutter was heard from the ground where the rest of the company slept. "When I said I wanted to wake up to the sound of a woman's voice, that was definitely not what I had in mind."
A couple of grunts of agreement followed as more of them woke up. A pretty little blush appeared on Kagome's cheeks.
"Sorry," she apologized bashfully.
"Lady Kagome, can you please elaborate?" the elf pressed.
"Just Kagome. I told you, I am not one for 'Lady' or 'Miss' or whatever."
"But my lady," Boromir cut in, "A woman of your status should be shown the utmost respect."
"That is what they keep telling me," she deadpanned, "But I don't like it. If you want to show me respect, then respect my wishes and just drop the titles when we are among the people we trust."
Gimli huffed, "You trust us after just one night, lass? You shouldn't be so open to strangers like us."
"Strangers? Hardly. I know of you, who you are connected to, and where you hail from."
Kagome smirked, "I am acquainted with your fathers, Gimli, Legolas, and Boromir. I also know of your connection to the house of Elrond, Aragorn, and I knew Bilbo very well. Even if I had not, I know you are honorable companions as you are all on a quest with Gandalf, a wizard who I trust my life with. If he is your friend, then you are mine."
She bowed her head in her show of respect, "Trust is not easily given, that I know, so I do not expect you to return the same feeling." When she looked up, she winked, playfulness was back in her expression, "Besides, you haven't tried to kill me in my sleep, so that must count for something!"
To everyone's surprise, Boromir laughed out loud and walked over to where Kagome stood. He clasped his hand on her shoulder and exclaimed, "I like this woman! You are a good fellow, Kagome. I am glad to know I have your trust and because of that, you have my respect." The man put a hand over his heart and tilted his head forward. "I cannot wait to see you in battle, holy one. I am fully prepared to be amazed. Otherwise, I will be extremely disappointed."
"Expectations will be met, Boromir," the priestess promised. Now, let us cook some breakfast!"