AN: Wow. I am amazed by the response I got for my first chapter. I had no idea that the demand for this crossover was so great! Sesshomaru plushies to the following lovely people: sakura sama, AshleyPorter, GA, inuwolf04, kogas-gal333, and bushes283. Also, to my dear friend XS3 you get a super-noogie you super special person who has achieved his own special level of special specialness! That you all for you kind words!
Chapter 2: Among Friends
"Hold on Legolas," Sango said, making Kirara go even faster. "We're almost there we have to be!" Legolas' unintelligent murmuring was her only answer. He thrashed, forcing Miroku to tighten his grip to make sure Legolas didn't fall. Shippo put a tiny hand on the Elf's forehead but quickly retracted it.
"He's burning up!" the kitsune exclaimed worriedly.
"I'm beginning to wonder if we'll ever find this city of his," Inu Yasha growled, running alongside them.
"Don't say that!" Kagome yelled angrily. "Hey! What's that sound?"
"Water! We've almost reached the river!" Inu Yasha laughed. "We really are almost there!" The trees cleared to reveal a wide river. There was a bridge with Elves standing in guard. On the other side was a forest completely different from the one they were in now. Tall beeches and strong oaks grew right up to the bank. In the trees and at their feet were houses. Stairways spiraled around the trunks of the trees and wooden suspension bridges connected the houses in the trees. There were torches everywhere and lights twinkled in the windows. It had a much calmer and kinder atmosphere than where the Inu-gang found themselves now. Like it could really be called Greenwood the Great. Heartened by the sight, the Inu-gang sped their pace.
At last, they halted at the foot of the bridge where they were stopped by two very angry looking Elves. "Halt!" one said, pointing his spear at them. "Who dares come to the home of King Thranduil?"
"I am called Sango," Sango replied, trying to show respect. "We come seeking assistance. We have injured." She turned Kirara so that they could see Legolas. The Elf with the spear's eyes widened in shock.
"Prince Legolas!" he cried, running forward. The other Elf joined him. Miroku dismounted and with Sango and the Elves' help they lowered Legolas off of Kirara. The first Elf called for help in that language that Legolas had been speaking earlier and another Elf came up.
Kagome handed the arrow that had injured Legolas to the second Elf. He nodded curtly and carried Legolas away with the help of the Elf that had joined them. Sango watched them go with concern. The Elf that remained turned to them and smiled.
"My name is Thaurondo. I know not how you came upon our prince but I thank you for bringing him here."
"It's no prob- wait! Legolas is a prince?" Inu Yasha said, surprised. Thaurondo nodded.
"Did he not tell you? I am not surprised. Legolas is like that. He does not put himself above the common Elves. He says he feels more comfortable among us than in his father's court. He does all that he can to help us and knows what we truly want and need. That is why we call him the Beloved Prince, though he is the youngest of King Thranduil's three sons and not likely to ever take the throne." A worried expression crossed Thaurondo's face. "What happened to Legolas? He left the city early this morning and said that he would be back by nightfall. We were growing worried and now he's injured…"
"An entire battalion of Orcs or so I'm told," said Inu Yasha. Thaurondo's eyes widened. "Me and Sango managed to defeat them but Legolas got a poisoned arrow to the leg. That reminds me! Legolas told me to ask for Prince Calengaladh. We have a message for him."
Thaurondo nodded but he remained silent, his expression thoughtful. "Well, I can't leave the bridge unguarded. But when my companion comes back I'll take you to him. His father is holding court right now so that's where he'll be. But if it's an urgent message from Legolas I doubt that he would mind being bothered."
"Could you just give us directions? It's really important," Kagome said. Thaurondo laughed.
"I could tell you, but it wouldn't do you any good. The gate opens and closes with magic only a Silvan Elf can use. Don't worry it should only be a few moments."
"Thaurondo!" an Elf called. Suddenly, an Elven maiden ran up to them. She looked very distressed.
"What's this I hear about Legolas being injured?" she asked. Thaurondo blinked.
"Woah, word travels fast," he said. The She-Elf scowled.
"Don't joke around Thaurondo," she said angrily.
"Easy Luinel," Thaurondo said soothingly, placing his hands on Luinel's shoulders. "Yes, Prince Legolas is injured. He was shot in the leg with an Orc arrow. But thanks to these people," he waved at Sango and the others, "he will most likely survive." Luinel bowed low.
"My thanks," she said. "You know my name. I should like to know yours."
"I am Sango. These are my friends, Inu Yasha, Miroku, Kagome, and Shippo." Sango dismounted with Shippo on her shoulder. Miroku did the same. In a burst of flame Kirara changed to her smaller form. She jumped into Sango's arms.
"What manner of beast is that?" Thaurondo said, leaning in for a good look at Kirara.
"She is a neko. Her name is Kirara," Sango replied, knowing they would probably dislike the name cat demon. They had only just succeeded in gaining the Elf's trust. She did not know if demons were common in this world but she did not want to risk it. Even if there were she hardly felt that they would be welcome.
"Most interesting," Thaurondo said, scratching behind Kirara's ears and smiling when she began to purr. "You're in luck. You don't have to wait for Camion to come back. Luinel can take you to the palace."
"What?" Luinel blinked.
"These people need to see Prince Calengaladh," Thaurondo replied. Luinel shook her head.
"His father's holding court right now. It would not be wise to disturb them."
"But we have an urgent message to deliver since Legolas will not be able to do so himself," Miroku said. Luinel still looked doubtful.
"How urgent?" she asked.
"Gollum has escaped," Miroku said. "The Orcs' attack was to free him." Thaurondo gasped.
"That is ill news. The king and his sons must be informed at once so something can be done. They will not be angry for being disturbed. News of Legolas' injury and you saving him will have reached them by now. They will probably want to speak to you anyway."
Luinel nodded. "In that case I shall guide you to the palace, follow me." As Sango and the others followed Luinel they began to notice people staring at them from the bridges and out of windows. Sango couldn't blame them. They were dressed pretty funny. And Sango suspected that these Elves didn't get many visitors. They followed the main path up to a steep slope with a cave in it. They entered the cave and after a while they came to a set of strong stone doors with runes carved into them.
"This is the gate to the King's palace. No one but an Elf of Mirkwood could open these." There was a hint of pride in Luinel's voice. She held her hand forth and muttered an incantation. The gate opened swiftly for such heavy doors. Luinel led them through a series of twists and turns through many halls. Sango began to feel very glad that they had a guide.
"Just how big is this place?" Inu Yasha asked. Luinel chuckled.
"Rather large actually. It isn't just the king's home. His kin all live in here; it also holds his court, the wine cellars and the army garrison and training grounds." Luinel paused. "You'll also find the healers in here." Sango didn't want to talk about Legolas since the subject was obvious upsetting for the She-Elf.
"You seem to know you're way around here pretty well," she commented. Luinel nodded, obviously glad for a change of topic.
"I should, I have lived here since I was very young. You see, back then there were many villages in Mirkwood. The Orcs had only just begun to attack. Our village was one of the first to go. Only my brother, Vanaaduial, and I survived. Our Naneth had locked us in a cupboard and told us to stay very silent. You can imagine my surprise when King Thranduil himself opened that cupboard. He had taken out some soldiers to our village to search for survivors. He had heard my little brother crying and had opened it to investigate."
"Your… Naneth?" Miroku asked. Luinel looked embarrassed.
"Oh I am sorry. Naneth is Sindarin, the language of the Elves. It means Mother. Ada is father," she explained. "Thranduil took us in to his home. He probably would have raised us as his own. But my Ada had taught me never to accept charity from anyone. So I have been working as a servant ever since. My brother is a weaponsmith, a very skilled one at that." She stopped suddenly in front of a pair of large double doors. "We're here. Just wait out here for now. When the King is ready for you he shall send me out to fetch you." Luinel spotted Kagome's nervous face. "Don't worry. The King may be wary of strangers but you have saved his son's life. He will be grateful." With that, Luinel entered the great hall.
Inu Yasha turned to the others. "So what now?" he asked, folding his arms. "We're out of immediate danger for now. But if things turn ugly we won't be able to escape. You heard Luinel and Thaurondo talking about that magic gate."
"I don't think that we need to fear attack from these people. I do not know if you can feel it but I sense purity emanating from these being such as I never have before. They will not harm unless we give them good reason," Miroku said, ever the voice of reason.
"And we have made friends here," Kagome added. "Thaurondo and Luinel seem really nice. And Legolas saved our life simply because he saw that we were in danger."
"We saved his life in turn though," Sango said. "We owe him nothing."
"He can't have known that would happen. And now we are pretty much automatically in the King's good graces."
"Who would have thought that Legolas was a prince?" Shippo said.
"Well I suspected he was of noble blood of some sort," Miroku said. "His garments are quite rich. And his weapons were skillfully crafted. They couldn't have been cheep."
"Actually, they were free," Luinel said, from the doorway. Everyone whirled to face her. None of them had heard her coming, not even Inu Yasha. "My brother made them for him. Legolas and Van are good friends." She smiled at the startled looks on their faces. "King Thranduil will see you now." The Inu-gang exchanged glances before following her into the hall.
All faces turned to see the newcomers. The one that Sango assumed was the King sat on a throne of carved wood and a crown of leaves and summer flowers was on his head. Sango was surprised though. He looked very young. She found it impossible for this man to be Legolas' father. They were about the same age, or looked it. Now that Sango thought about it, every elf that she had seen so far had looked about the same age. Could it be that the Elves were immortal? Sango made a mental note to ask Luinel or Thaurondo about it later. It would not to do appear ignorant in the court of a king. Even if that's exactly what you were. It occurred to Sango that they were like babes in the wilderness in this new world. It would be best to acquire as many allies as they could until they learned more about the world that they found themselves in. All this passed through Sango's mind in the time that it took for the Inu-gang to reach the foot of the King's throne.
They bowed low. "You may rise, friends." Sango looked up, surprised. The King chuckled. "And why should I not call you friends? You have saved my youngest son and for that I shall be eternally grateful." Then to the Inu-gang's utter shock the King rose from his throne and bowed before them. All of the other Elves in the hall did the same. The King rose and sat down on his throne. "I have not had reason to express gratitude in a long time."
"Thank you for saving my brother," a male elf standing on the left side of the King's throne. "I am Mithsirion. It is nice to know that even when I am not watching over him, someone is protecting Legolas."
"Indeed," said the elf on the king's right. "That one is always stumbling into trouble it seems." He turned to the Inu-gang. "I am Calengaladh, I am also compelled to express gratitude for you act."
Kagome stepped forward. "Thank you for your kindness but we are just as grateful to Legolas for saving us. He did so first. I am Kagome, these are my companions Inu Yasha, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo."
The King nodded, clearly impressed by Kagome's show of good manners. "Very well," he said. "Consider all debts repaid then."
"I am told that you have a message for me," Calengaladh said suddenly. Kagome nodded.
"Yes although I doubt it was for you alone. More likely for any of the royal family that we reached first. Legolas told us to inform you that Gollum has escaped. I assume that the Elves that were guarding him were slain."
"Impossible!" an Elf cried. "That creature is no match for our warriors!"
"Were you not also informed of the battalion of Orcs that organized his release? The same one that injured your prince?" Inu Yasha said angrily. Thranduil motioned for quiet.
"This is ill news indeed. I am glad that you brought it to me with such haste. Mithsirion?" Mithsirion stepped in front of his father's throne and bowed. "You know what to do. As commander of my armies I leave this task to you." Mithsirion nodded and walked out of the hall. Thranduil rose from his throne and addressed the other Elves. "This court is adjourned. You may all leave now. Except, of course, for our guests. I would like to speak to them before they retire for the night." The King was silent as the court filled out of the hall. Sango and the others waited equally patiently for this to happen. Well, Inu Yasha didn't exactly wait patiently, but when is he ever patient?
King Thranduil stepped down from his throne and walked to them. "I sent the courtiers away because I sense that you have things that you wish to tell me that it would be best to be kept as secret as possible. You can trust me." When he saw their doubtful faces he laughed. "Be at peace! You are among friends. And I suspect that you would not object to council. However, I cannot advise you if I do not know your situation." So Kagome told him everything, from her first fall to the well to Inu Yasha and Sango's slaying of the Orcs. The others put in things that she forgot and soon Thranduil knew everything there was to know about Naraku and the shattered pieces of the Shikon no Tama. When they were done Thranduil was silent.
"That's quite a tale," he said after a moment. "So you are not of this World. I suspected as much. You are lucky that Legolas found you when he did. We are lucky that Legolas found you when he did. No doubt Mithsirion has already sent out soldiers to try and recapture Gollum."
"Excuse me, King Thranduil, but what is Gollum and why is he so important?" Sango asked. She had been wondering what was so important about a single prisoner that any Elf who heard about seemed so distressed. That Legolas would risk his life to make sure that it was still held captive.
"Gollum is a hateful wretched creature who had in his possession the Ring of Power for nigh on five hundred years. It destroyed his mind. The Ring's power extended his life much longer than should have been possible. It is also quite addictive and corruptive. We had hoped that now that he no longer had the Ring that he would recover. But that is not the reason that we are so distressed by his escape. We were given the charge of standing guard over him by the Lord Aragorn. It is upsetting enough to know that we have failed him. But if it was the Orcs who freed him then the Dark Lord himself may be able to glean some information from him. He may learn the location of the One Ring."
"What is this Ring of Power you keep mentioning? And who is the Dark Lord?" Inu Yasha asked. He was just happy that they were finally getting some information.
"The Dark Lord Sauron is the reason that Mirkwood is the way it is now," Calengaladh said darkly. "He is a Maia that long ago turned evil. He tried to take over all of Middle Earth with his dark army of Orcs and other dark creatures. He failed though because of the Last Great Alliance of Men and Elves."
"Long ago, many rings of power were made. Nine for Men, Seven for the Dwarves, and Three for the Elves," Thranduil explained. "He made the One Ring to rule them all. He succeeded, save for the Rings of the Elves, over which he does not hold sway. The only way that he could be defeated was when the human prince Isildur cut the Ring of Power from his hand. The One Ring should have been destroyed that day, for as long as the Ring endures Sauron shall remain. He was broken, but not destroyed."
"And now he has begun to regain power. He began his assault on Middle Earth in Eryn Lasgalen. He erected the tower of Dol Guldur in the southern part of the forest. It took the Council so long to decide what to do, for Saruman kept convincing them not to take any action, that the Necromancer was no threat to them. Meanwhile Eryn Lasgalen darkened and became what you see now. Because we had no aid from those we considered friends. We are only able to keep our feeble hold on the North because our own magic is strong. We shall be utterly defeated before we give up our homes," Calengaladh said, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.
Thranduil put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "The Dark Lord must not get the Ring, lest the rest of this world share our fate." Shippo yawned loudly, and nestled deeper into Kagome's arms.
"Shippo, don't be rude," Kagome chided. Thranduil smiled at the fox child.
"I can tell that you are all exhausted. Luinel, I know that you are all still here," Thranduil called. Luinel walked guiltily out from behind a pillar. She bowed her head. "Come now Luinel, I am not angry. I simply wish to ask you to show these people to the guestrooms. And to keep what you have heard here a secret. Do not even tell you're brother or Thaurondo." Thranduil turned to the Inu-gang. "Will talk more in the morning. For now I bid you good night."
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AN: Woot! Another chapter already. I'm on a roll. does happy dance Now that you are all suitably disturbed… review! This time the first reviewer wins Miroku's sandals!