Jaid: Here's chapter three everybody. I hope you all enjoy it.
Character List:
Sessho-maru: Lord of the Western lands; dog youkai
Meinu: Sessho-maru's wife; female dog youkai.
Celebwen: Orphaned Elf maiden, adopted by Sessho-maru and Meinu.
Haruko: Sessho-maru and Meinu's son.
Miki: Sessho-maru and Meinu's daughter.
Shippo: Fox youkai or Kitsune
Ryoukinshin: Noble wolf youkai who is a mercenary/assassin.
Calensen: Friend of Shippo's.
Gaishu: Sessho-maru's steward.
Narendur: Calensen's horse. His name means "Servant of Fire."
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The next day, Celebwen was practicing her archery, when her brother came up.
"Practicing again?" he said, coming up behind her. "That is all you ever do."
Letting the arrow fly, Celebwen replied, "I do not wish for my skills to get rusty from lack of use."
Haruko rolled his eyes. "At the rate you are going, you should be more afraid of over-use than of under use."
"Did you come for the sole purpose of irritating me or did you have another plan in mind?" Celebwen said, letting another arrow go.
"Nothing so pleasant. Miki wants to go to the human's festival in the village and Father's going to make us take her."
"What?" Celebwen abandoned her target practice. "We have to take Miki to the village?"
"I'm afraid so."
"For a festival."
Haruko nodded.
"Which means I have to dress up." Celebwen growled. Sighing, she started for the house. It would be no use to argue.
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"Miki, settle down." Celebwen scolded. The little youkai girl next to her stop bouncing and looked up with large blue eyes.
"But I am so excited, that I can not, 'Wen." She said, hugging a toy doll tightly. The doll went with her every where, much like Celebwen had dragged her toy rabbit everywhere when she was small. "So many people!"
"Yes." Celebwen agreed softly. The village had not changed much from the time she had left it. The Elf looked over towards the resting places of the dead. Miroku and Sango had been buried there, centuries ago, as had Rin, Kagome, and eventually Inu-Yasha, as he had been half human and not a whole youkai like Sessho-maru. She made a mental note to sneak away and pay her respects sometime during the night.
"Celebwen?"
She turned to see a tall youkai, with wide green eyes and dark red hair looking down at her in un-abashed surprise.
"Shippo?" she asked. He grinned, showing his fangs.
"You did recognize me!" He said, hugging her. "It has been a very long time."
"Too long." Celebwen agreed warmly. She had not seen him since they had buried Inu-Yasha. "At least a decade. Where have you been all this time?"
"Places." Shippo said vaguely, then looked down and greeted Miki. Standing back up, he offered Celebwen his arm. "Would you walk with me? I have much to say to you."
"Of course." Celebwen took his arm. "But why so serious? Not bad news, I hope?"
"No." Shippo was quiet. "I want you to meet a friend of mine." He led her and Miki towards where the animals were kept. They followed him to a great white stallion that had fire orange tints at the edge of its white mane and tail, as well as around his hoofs.
"He is beautiful." Celebwen said in awe. Miki stared with big eyes.
"Yes, he is." Shipoo agreed. "Calensen! Are you here?"
"Of course, mellon nin." A musical voice answered. But it wasn't the voice that caught Celebwen's attention; it was the words. Words spoken in a language she had almost forgotten. A language she had not spoken for centuries. Turing, she was faced with a being much like herself.
He was taller than Celebwen, but had the slender frame, vivid blue eyes, and golden hair. His face was determined, but friendly and compassionate as well. He stared back at her with a measure of surprise.
"What is this?" he said, still speaking in Sindarin. "An Elf maiden so far from home?"
Celebwen just blinked. Words would not come, but her mind was being pummeled with all sorts of shadowy memories.
"This is Celebwen." Shippo's warm, familiar voice broke through her thoughts and returned her to reality. "She is the adopted daughter of Lord Sessho-maru."
"I see." Calensen said, now speaking in common tongue. Hand over his heart, he bowed slightly. Celebwen remembered the gesture from a distant past and returned it.
"I would be most interested in finding the reason why an Elf maid is so far from home." Calensen said as they both stood.
"It is a long tale." Celebwen murmured. "A very long tale."
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"Good morning." Meinu said to her daughter the next morning, as Celebwen knelt by the breakfast table. "Are you feeling all right?"
Celebwen looked up. "Yes, why?"
"Your father told me you didn't go to bed last night and you came in looking like you had seen a ghost."
"Oh." Celebwen bit the inside of her cheek. "Did you know Shippo has returned?"
"Yes, your brother mentioned it. He is going to be staying here for a few days." Meinu said as the rest of the family began to congregate for breakfast.
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"You have been silent." Shippo observed as they made their way to Sessho-maru's palace.
"Hmm?" Calensen looked at his friend. "Oh, I suppose so."
"Thinking of our Celebwen?" Shippo grinned. "I must warn you that her father is exceedingly strict when it comes to young suitors."
"I was not thinking of her in that way." Calensen said. Shippo raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I was not thinking of her in that way so much." Calensen conceded.
"I know your weakness for women, friend." The fox youkai said. "But do try to be careful. Sessho-maru is fond of his daughter, adopted or not."
"I will." Calensen looked at his friend in surprise. "When have I ever been reckless?"
"You are a bit of flirt…" Shippo's voice was bemused. He looked at the Elf. "And Celebwen is attractive I suppose." He grinned mischievously at Calensen.
"Whatever you are thinking, I do not want a part of it." Calensen warned. Shippo deflated for a moment but then shrugged it off.
"Do you even know how she came to be here?" Calensen asked.
"She was found with the remains of what I assume where her parents a long time ago, when I was still a cub." Shippo told him. "Beyond that…from her appearance, I'd say she is of your people."
"I believe she is." Calensen said. "Has she ever…ever wondered about her own people?"
"Not too me." Shippo admitted.
"Hmm."
"Why?" Shippo asked.
"I was thinking…nothing, never mind." Calensen shook his head.
"You want to take her back with you."
"Yes." Calensen admitted. Shippo looked away and stared ahead of them.
"We'll see." He said softly.
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Celebwen was in the stables, stroking a chestnut mare's head. Suddenly she stiffened as she thought she heard a noise. Turning, she rolled to the ground as a knife imbedded itself right in the post where she had been standing.
"Good; you get faster everyday." A voice said, a grim note of pleasure in it.
"Ryoukinshin!" Celebwen hissed, standing. "What are you trying to do? Kill me?"
"No." The black clad wolf demon seemed to melt out of the shadows. "Never that." He suddenly stood over her, interest lighting his eyes as he took in her fine appearance. "Having guests?"
"Shippo has returned." Celebwen turned back to the mare. "He brings a friend."
"I see." Ryoukinshin said non-comittedly. "And this friend…?"
"He looks like me." Celebwen whispered. A flash of surprise showed on Ryoukinshin's face, and then disappeared. There was a silence, then Celebwen turned to him.
"Ryoukinshin, I wanted to know something."
"Yes?"
"Why do you follow me? And why do you train me to fight?"
Ryoukinshin smiled mysteriously. "That is my own business."
Celebwen looked down, then looked up, a smile lighting her face. "I have been practicing my archery. I'll wager that I can beat you."
Ryoukinshin raised his eyebrows in mock surprise. "That would be a shock indeed."
Celebwen frowned and struck out a fist. Ryoukinshin caught it.
"None of that. You know you can not hit me."
"M'lady?"
They turned. Gaishu, her father's steward, stood there, menace clear in his voice and eyes. He glared at the wolf youkai. Ryoukinshin dropped Celebwen's wrist and stepped back.
"I meant the lady no harm, Steward." He said easily. "I merely came to pay my respects."
"Then pay them and go on your way." Gaishu said stiffly. He walked up behind Celebwen and loomed there protectively. Ryoukinshin raised an elegant brow, grabbed his knife out of the wall and then seemed to melt back into the shadows.
"You are not to go alone places, m'lady." Gaishu scolded. "Especially with him about. I do not know how he got in here. Dirty assassin."
Celebwen followed Gaishu out of the stables. But looking back, she thought she saw a ghost of Ryoukinshin's smile.
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"Thank you for your hospitality, My Lady."
Celebwen came in, just as Shippo finished thanking her mother for letting him and Calensen stay. The Elf looked up and caught her eye. A warm smile spread across his face and Celebwen smiled back. Meinu turned and beckoned her daughter.
"I am only too happy to have you back, Shippo." Meinu said warmly. She had know the fox youkai since he was a cub. "I hope you enjoy your stay with us."
"I am sure I will."
A few other pleasantries were exchanged, then Mienu left the room. As soon as she was gone, Shippo turned to Celebwen and grinned.
"Your brother tells me you have been practicing your fighting skills." He said. "Perhaps you can show me later?"
Celebwen laughed. "As long as we are not caught. I am afraid my father does not entirely approve."
Calensen caught Shippo's eye and slightly inclined his head inquiringly. Shippo gave the slightest nod.
"I am going to look after our luggage. Celebwen, perhaps you could show Calensen where to put his horse and then later we can have a bout or two." Shippo cheerfully suggested.
"Very well." Celebwen agreed. "This way." She motioned towards the door. Calensen nodded and followed her out, a slight star struck look in his eye. Shippo chuckled and walked towards the interior of the house.
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For the next few weeks, Celebwen spent a good deal of her time with Shippo or Calensen, but mostly with both. Ryoukinshin was barely around and although Celebwen did miss his presence somewhat, she found Calensen a very interesting companion. For his part, Calensen was very much struck by her, but according to Shippo, this was a common occurrence when Calensen met a new female.
There had been something growing on Calensen's mind, however. After spending time with her, he was sure that Celebwen wanted to go South. The idea struck him that he should take her to Rivendell and it would not let go of him. So it was this thought that led him to approach the Lord Sessho-maru concerning his daughter one afternoon.
Calensen had always found Sessho-maru to be somewhat intimidating, as most did, but he had determined to discuss Celebwen with the youkai lord.
Standing outside what appeared to be Sesshomaru's study; a place he went to think, Calensen hesitated before knocking, trying to put his thoughts together. Taking a breath, he tapped on the door. A quiet "Come in" sounded and Calensen entered the room.
It was a simple room, with a few pieces of dark, lovely furniture. Several tapestries weaved in muted colors decorated the walls, as well as scrolls painted in very light watercolors. The two windows were slightly open and looked out on the palace garden. Calensen could hear Sesshomaru's youngest, Miki, playing outside.
Sesshomaru himself was seated in a chair, a scroll on his lap. He looked at the Elf for a moment, then motioned to a stool nearby. Calensen sat.
"You told me this morning you had something to discuss with me." Sesshomaru rolled up his scroll and set it on a small table nearby. He inclined his head to the Elf, and Calensen took this motion to mean that Sesshomaru would listen. For now.
"It is about your daughter, Celebwen." He began. "I believe she may originally come from the South."
Sesshomaru nodded.
"I wish to take her back with me." Calensen decided to get straight to the point. "I have noticed that she seems inclined to want to know about my kin." He stopped, a little unsure of how to go on.
"You are right about that." Sesshomaru said. "She has already informed me of her desire to leave this place and travel past the mountains." He fixed Calensen with his golden eyes. "Her desire, as you have noticed, remains unchanged. I have been thinking of this for a long time. If Shippo accompanies you, I will allow her to travel with you."
Calensen nodded, then stood. "I will ask Shippo what he plans to do then." There was a silence. For the first time in years, Calensen felt terribly awkward.
"You may go." Sesshomaru said, looking out the window. Calensen walked to the door. As he closed it, he saw the distant look in Sesshomaru's eyes and wondered what it meant.
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"And that is what he said." Shippo asked, as Calensen cared for his horse, Narendur.
"Yes." The Elf nodded. "You know, he has the most stupefying affect on me. I suddenly feel as if I were young and under the tutelage of my old archery master."
Shippo chuckled. "He has that effect on many, friend. But what of Celebwen? Have you told her? And when are we to leave?"
"No I have not and I have no idea." Calensen stroked Narendur's neck with a brush. "I suppose we should tell her as soon as possible. As for when to leave, maybe we could let her make that decision. After all, it is her family she is leaving behind."
"True." Shippo nodded.
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Celebwen sat by the river that bordered on the forest. Ryoukinshin sat on a rock that towered over the one she sat on.
"You have not been around much." She said, putting a bare foot cautiously in the cold water.
"That is because you are always with that kitsune and the other." Ryoukinshin said. "And now you tell me you may be leaving."
She looked up. "Calensen has offered to take me to a place called Imladris. It is an Elven realm and he seems to think I could find out more about who I am there."
"And do you think that as well?" Ryoukinshin asked. Celebwen looked at the river.
"I do not know." She finally said. "But I am willing to find out. I have always wished to explore. But now that it is happening…"
"What?" Ryoukinshin jumped down, landing next to her.
"I suppose I always forgot that if I left, I would be leaving behind my family. Funny, is it not, that I never thought of that. Till now." Celebwen sighed, drew her feet out of the water and grabbed her sandals. "Shippo said it is up to me when we leave. I suppose I should talk to Mother and ask what she thinks is best." Standing, Celebwen began to walk away, then stopped and turned. "You will come to say good bye, right?"
"I will be here, every day until you leave." He promised. Celebwen's face relaxed into a smile.
"I will try to be here tomorrow." She said, then walked away.
"Till tommorrow then." Ryoukinshin murmered then faded into the forest.
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Amberliz – Thanks! I can't wait for you to see Lostoriel…or did you all ready read about her?
Kiyomisa – Thank you! *cries* It's been really hard to get encouragement around here…