Hello everybody! This is my first LotR story. Um, just to warn you, there are a lot of OC's in the beginning but we should get to more of Tolkien's characters by the third or fourth chapter.
The beginning of this story takes place about the same time Arwen was born. It was born from several ideas such as, how would an Elf act if he/she were not raised by Elves? And what is really beyond the Nothern Wastelands? As far as I can tell, Tolkien didn't say, so I made up my own story. ^__^
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Massive Disclaimer: You can skip this part if you want. Middle-Earth and all the peoples, creatures and places contained within. I do not own Sango, Miroku, Rin, Shippo, Sessho-maru, Kaede, Inu-Yasha and Kagome. They belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
Arquariel, Cirdan, Ninharma, and Gwindor belong to Linsdey. Lostoriel belongs to Amberliz. Alkhiel belongs to Iris Omega. Ryoukinshin belongs to inu-washa. Calensen belongs to David. Minyalosse belongs to Shayna. Talion belongs to Janea. Meinu belongs to Kiyomisa. I own Celebwen and all the other OC's not mentioned.
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The evening was coming fast, bringing it a mist that spoke of a chilly autumn. Gondowen did not mind the cold. She smiled and focused her attention on the little Elf maid in front of her. In front of Gondowen rode her husband, and around her, eight of his kin.
"Are we almost ready to stop, Mama?" the Elf child asked, looking at her mother with large blue eyes.
"Soon." Gondowen promised quietly. Celebwen, her daughter, turned and satisfied herself with singing under her breath. The girl was still very, very young for an Elf child; old enough to grasp some things, but still so young as to be very innocent of the world around her. Gondowen had reservations of taking the child on such a long journey, but she could not bear to be parted from her little song bird and so Celebwen had come.
"Hiril nin." Astofel drew up beside her, his fair face expressionless. "Hir nin wishes to speak to you."
Gondowen nodded. Astofel smiled at Celebwen.
"How would you like to join me, hiril nin? I have seen some very interesting birds. Would you like to see where they nest?"
Celebwen nodded with big eyes. Astofel's smile deepened and he picked up her slender little body and placed it in front of him, then turned and cantered back to the end of the group. Gondowen watched them go for a few minutes, then spurred her horse forward.
"Maeg?" she asked. Her husband looked at her and smiled uneasily.
"We should not have brought Celebwen." He murmured. Gondowen frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you not hear?"
Gondowen was quiet, then stiffened. "Orcs!"
"Yes and something else." Maeg's face was grave. "I think we are about to meet the creatures we have heard of."
Since they had traveled beyond the Northern Wasteland into the hilly land beyond, the Elves had heard of something called youkai.
They had first heard of these when approaching a village. The townspeople had seen them and begged them not to attack. Confused, Maeg had asked what they had meant.
"You are not youkai, my lords?" the spokesman has asked in heavily accented common speech, confused.
From the townspeople and various other villages, the Elves had concluded that youkai were a type of race that lived among these humans. The noble among them were apparently long-lived, beautiful and sometimes cruel. There were lower forms that appeared as animals that sometimes attacked helpless villagers, and were as stupid as they were violent.
It was the noble form of youkai that had interested Maeg. A great youkai Lord, Sessho-maru owned the lands about the area and Maeg and his brothers had thought it beneficial to travel and ask his permission to travel over them.
"What are we going to do?" Gondowen asked quietly, keeping her voice and face calm.
"Keep moving as quietly as we can." Maeg said grimly. "The Orcs we can probably by-pass, but if they have youkai…" he trailed off. They had found that lower youkai were still powerful, often having great senses of hearing, smell and sight.
Gondowen swallowed.
"That's why I sent Astofel to take Celebwen back." Maeg continued. "That way if we are attacked-"
He broke off as a great, three eyed wolf appeared out of the trees and knocked him off his horse. Gondowen had grabbed a knife and thrown it at the creature before the fact that Maeg was dead entered her mind. She just stared at her husband, his eyes closed and torn throat still bleeding. An arrow passing closely by her head to hit another of the wolves reminded her that there was a battle to be fought.
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"What was that?" Celebwen asked, startled. "What is that, Astofel? It does not sound good."
"No it does not." Astofel paused. There was a growl behind him. Celebwen screeched in terror as a wolf youkai jumped from the shadows. Astofel slashed his throat with his knife and the being turned into wispy white smoke.
"Go!" Astofel shouted to his horse. The stallion whined and galloped forward when they were cut off by a group of Ocrs. Astofel dimly heard Celebwen crying in fright as he fired several arrows off. An Orc arrow pierced him from behind. Astofel knew it had been poisoned and felt the venom beginning to work. He commanded the horse to go and then fell off of it, his spirit fleeing this world.
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It was early morning, the time of day when the sky turns pale blue and pink as the sun begins to creep above the mountains. Trails of mists hung heavy in the air as several figures quietly glided through the morning air. One stopped and sniffed, dog-like ears twitching, clawed hands clutching the sword at its side. All of a sudden, a growl sounded in its throat and it bounded forward. Blood, fear, and the scent of Wolf youkai were in the air and something else it could not discern, something that smelt evil.
One of the others bounded forward as quickly and the last two remaining took to their heels trying to keep up. The first figure stopped suddenly, and the second landed beside him. The other two stopped short.
"What is it?" asked the smallest in a female voice. "Inu-yasha, Sessho-maru, let us see."
"We are too late." The first figure said quietly. The female and her companion pushed forward, and the second one, a monk, shook his head and sighed sadly. The woman's face became stoic.
"I do not suppose there are survivors, are there, Inu-Yasha?" She said quietly.
"I can not smell any." The first one said. "Brother?"
"No. Whatever was here is now dead."
"We can still give them a decent burial." The monk said quietly. "Come."
Equipment littered the ground. The woman picked up a broken bow. "This was of good make; but I've not seen one like it."
"What are these things?" Inu-yasha poked at a body, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "They are not youkai. Sessho?"
Sessho-maru bent down. "I do not know." He finally admitted. "But Rin and her mother were attacked by some that looked similar." Sessho-maru stood. "I can only conclude that they come from the South."
"Far South." The monk murmured. "I think I found their victims."
On the ground lay several creatures. They were all tall, slender and beautiful, with slender figures, golden blonde hair and slightly pointed ears.
"How sad." The woman said softly, lowering her brown eyes.
"They certainly put up a fight." The monk stood, dusting himself off. "Think you we can dig a hole big enough? Or should we go back to the village?"
"The village. There is…" Inu-yasha silently counted. "At least ten here."
"Adar?" a tiny voice said. The four turned.
"A child." The woman said softly, her voice filled with pity.
"Adar?" the child looked ready to cry, her vivid blue eyes rapidly filling with tears. Behind her came a horse, that walked with a limp and was bleeding. The monk stepped forward.
"Come here, child." He said softly, offering a hand. "No one will hurt you. Can you understand me?"
The girl just stared, then spoke. "U-chenion. Pedich i lam edhellen?" she asked in a wavering voice.
"Miroku, we have to take her back." The woman said.
"I know." The monk answered. He still offered his hand, meeting the child's eyes. "There is nothing to be afraid of now. Come on."
Hesitantly, she placed her small, slender hand in his larger one. He smiled.
"That's it." He said, picking her up easily. "Inu-yasha, will you stay with the bodies? Sango-"
"will stay here as well." The woman cut in quickly. Miroku shrugged.
"As you wish. Lord Sessho-maru?"
The lord looked up. "I will stay here. I want to scout around and see if I can find anything. I like not the fact that these…creatures are invading on my territory."
Miroku nodded. "I will return shortly."
Turning, he walked away, the child in his arms, who was crying quietly.
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Celebwen looked at the people in front of her. Two were obviously human; one was a woman, dressed in a tight black top and leggings, with some gray and red armor. Her brown hair was in a high ponytail and her dark eyes were filled with pity.
The second human was a man. He was tall, and tanned from being in the sun. His black hair was pulled back from his head into a small ponytail at the nape of his neck and his violet eyes were kind. He was dressed in long robes of black and purple and held a staff that had a golden symbol and rings at the top.
The other two looked human, but Celebwen knew they were not. One was shorter than the other and dressed in red, a tattered looking sword and scabbard at his side. He had extremely long white hair, pale skin and golden eyes. His ears were at the top of his head and reminded Celebwen of a dog's. His hands were clawed.
The second one also had the long white hair, pale skin, claws and golden eyes. But he was taller than any of them and there was an air about him that bordered on arrogant. He had very fine clothes on and had a white fur-like thing over one shoulder. His ears were pointed like her own and his face bore two red stripes on each cheek and a dark blue crescent on his forehead.
The man took a step towards her and Celebwen forced her self to not step back. It wouldn't do to show fear.
"Father?" she called, wondering where her parents were. The man held out a hand and said something in a low, soothing voice. She stared at him, then spoke.
"I do not understand." She answered. "Do you speak Elvish?"
The little girl stopped, trying to stifle the tears that were rising. Frustration rose in her throat as she realized they couldn't understand her. The woman said something and the man answered. He turned back to Celebwen and kneeling down, smiled and offered his hand again. Celebwen looked into his eyes hesitantly. There was pity there and understanding. There was also concern. Cautiously, the little Elf maid put her slender hand into his much larger one and the man smiled again as he stood, picking her up with him.
He turned to his companions and spoke to them for a bit. Then turning again, he began to walk away.
"Where are we going?" she asked, before she remembered that he couldn't understand her. Looking back, she saw the bodies and her breath caught in her throat. This time, she couldn't stop the tears from coming.
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Meinu smiled as her ten year old adopted daughter Rin, furrowed her brows and tried to imitate Meinu's movements with a needle and thread.
"Just follow the pattern I drew on your cloth." She said. "You will do fine." Taking the girl's hand in her own pale, clawed one, she moved it a little. "Try to stay in a straight line."
"Yes, mama." Rin said distantly. Satisfied that the girl was all right, Meinu straightened, placing a hand on her slightly swollen belly. She looked out the window; it was near mid-morning and Sessho-maru still had not returned. Sighing, Meinu walked out on to the verandah that surrounded the house.
"Yamako?" she called. A younger female came around the corner.
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Would you go to Gaishu and ask him if my lord has returned yet?"
"Yes, my lady." Yamako answered, then hurried away. Meinu sat down on a chair. Sessho-maru had been gone since yesterday afternoon, a day after she and Rin had had an encounter with…whatever those things were. Meinu shuddered at the memory, even though she had seen worse.
"Mama, mama!" Rin shouted coming out. "I did a whole line; can I play now?"
Meinu took the girl's sewing and noted the slightly crooked line. Then, looking into her human daughter's brown eyes, she smiled.
"Go ahead."
Rin gave a un-lady like whoop and ran towards the garden. Meinu smiled again, and hoped to heaven that her husband's personal servant, Jaken, was not still there. He would be irritated beyond belief to have the little girl disturb his morning "mediations."
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"Are you hungry?" Miroku asked kneeling down so he was eye to eye with the girl. She stared back at him with wide eyes.
"Food?" he asked, pantomiming eating something. She nodded. Miroku stood and looked around, wondering if they had anything to eat at all. Sango said that they had eaten the last of the baking yesterday and she had planned to do more today…but then they had gotten side tracked. Miroku smiled as he spotted a basket of fruit.
"Here." He said. The girl took an apple and seemed to thank him, but he wasn't sure.
"Osuwari." Miroku said, patting the ground. The girl did. Miroku watched her for a moment, then got her attention.
Pointing to himself, he said, "Miroku."
The girl frowned and cocked her head. Miroku repeated it a few times. Realization dawned in her eyes and she pointed to him.
"Mi..miroku." she said slowly. Miroku smiled and nodded. Then he pointed to her. She seemed to understand.
"Celebwen." She answered, then prattled something else off. All of a sudden she stopped, and tears came to her eyes. Miroku put a hand on her shoulder as she sniffed. He knew only too well what it was like to lose a parent, which this girl most likely had.
"You will be all right." He promised quietly.
"Miroku?"
He turned to see a young woman in the doorway, frank surprise on her pretty face. A tiny being was peeking out around her leg; not from fear, but from curiosity.
"What is that?" it said, fangs showing.
"I do not know, Shippo." Miroku admitted. "We just found it-her- this morning."
Shippo bounded away from the young woman and stopped, looking at Celebwen with his enormous green eyes. Celebwen looked back at him.
"She has got pointed ears like me!" Shippo said, waving his paw like hands around. His red bushy tail wagged. Miroku smiled and stood.
"Lady Kagome." He said respectfully to the young woman. She came in, smiling.
"Where did you all go? I woke up this morning and no one was here except for Shippo and Kaede." She said.
"Sessho-maru arrived before dawn and we went out with him. It seems there is some sort of creatures attacking villages and such around this area."
Kagome looked concerned. "What sort of creatures?"
"I know not." Miroku admitted. "We really do not know anything. There was another attack this morning and Celebwen, this little girl, was the only survivor it seems."
"Poor thing." Kagome said sympathetically. "I guess they'll need shrouds?"
"Probably."
Kagome turned to walk out the door. "I'll see what I can dig up."
Shippo looked up and began to follow, but Kagome waved him back.
"Stay here, Shippo. I am sure Celebwen needs a friend right now."
Shippo obediently came back. "Is that her name? Celebwen?"
"Yes, I think so." Miroku stood. "Can you stay with her, Shippo? I need to ask Lady Kaede something."
"All right." Shippo said. Miroku smiled at the little fox youkai and left.
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"So what do you plan on doing with her?" Kaede asked.
"I have no idea." Miroku admitted. "I do not even know what she is; except that I do not think she is mortal."
"I agree with you on that." Kaede agreed, her old face thoughtful. "I suppose you will have to keep her for now, Lord monk."
"Keep who?" Kagome asked as she approached. Her arms were full of various sheets she had collected for shrouds. "The little girl?"
"Yes." Miroku answered, taking some of the cloth. "We should hurry; it is getting late."
"It's only just after sunrise." Kagome corrected as they began to walk.
"But is that not late?" Miroku asked, half in jest. Kagome frowned at him.
"You're beginning to sound like Inu-Yasha." She said.
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"Here, try this; it's yummy!" Shippo pressed some of his precious rice candy on to the girl. She took it and stared.
"You eat it, like this." Shippo demonstrated with his own piece. "Here, you can play with this if you want too. Kagome gave it to me, but I do not play with dolls. Dolls are for girls."
He handed her an old stuffed rabbit toy, which she tucked under her arm. Shippo looked through his sparse belongings. Surely there was something in here that would bring a smile to her face.
"Want to play with my blocks?" he asked. The girl gave him a blank stare. Shippo took out the small wooden box and poured the blocks on the ground. Miroku had gradually carved them in his spare time. "You put them on top of each other." Shippo explained. "Then you can knock 'em down!" He did so. The girl jumped back startled.
"Try it." He prodded. "It is fun." He handed her a block. Celebwen put on top of his, then Shippo added another. When a stack was completed, he grinned at her.
"Knock it down."
Celebwen stared at him, then stood up and walked to the door way. Shippo frowned and followed. Pointing, she asked him something.
"Oh, that is Kaede. She is the priestess here and she teaches the children how to read."
Celebwen said something again, and pointed to the house.
"Oh, you want to know the words for things." Shippo said. He pointed at Kaede.
"Miko." He said.
"Miko." Celebwen repeated. Shippo grinned and pointed to himself.
"Shippo!"
"Shippo." Celebwen repeated like an echo. The rest of the afternoon was spent that way.
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Sorry for it to end so abruptly, but this was the best place to split it. Please tell me what you think. Constructive Criticism is most welcome; flames are not. ^__^ Thank you!
Translations:
Hiril nin – Sindarin for 'My lady.'
Osuwari – Sit
Miko – priestess or shrine maiden; literally translates to "god-child".
Youkai – magical creature. Nearest translation could be demon, but they aren't quite that.
U-chenion. Pedich i lam edhellen? – I don't understand. Do you speak Elvish? (Sindarian, I think)
Adar – Elvish for Father.