AN: Whoo-boy this chapter was a long time coming. I've actually been trying to write it since the end of June. But today I decided to attempt to finish it and it all just fell into place just like that! I'm so happy! Since the computer that I am on doesn't have Word I had to finish it in the Editing screen on the website. It doesn't have a Spellchecker so please be patient with any gramatical and spelling errors in this chapter! Forgive me! Oh and this one is dedicated to Luinramwen, for two reasons. One: I'm so so so very glad that she is back home where she belongs and I can annoy her. Two: She's going to have a hay day with editing this one, the human spell checker that she is! XD
Sakura sama: Umm... I didn't understand a word of that. But thanks for the review!
Gildholen Eledolin: Don't get too drunk and let him take advantage of you, dear friend.
silverbluenchantress: I'm glad to here it. Here's an Update!
Dracuras the Dragon Master: You may not be a COMPLETE geek but you certainly are an Otaku you Anime Obsessed Freak! Oh and I'm coming back on Saturday. We shall have to 'scuss the borrowing of things when I make my glorious return. lol!
Chapter 6: Plans and an Unknown Power
The days passed slowly for the Inu Gang as they became accustomed to life in the Elven Kingdom. Shippo was both shocked and disappointed that there were almost no Elf children in the city. He was quite bored. But that did not last long, Thranduil's palace was huge and there were loads of places for a young kitsune to go exploring. Inu Yasha and Kagome were so enamored with each other and were glad for the peaceful respite from Naraku's traps and webs of deceit. Miroku's lessons with Thaurondo seemed to be on permanent hiatus as the Elf seemed to be… err… busy. So Miroku did a lot of deep thinking over that time, trying to figure out how to prove his love for Sango. Sango just wandered around with Shippo or practiced with her Heraikotsu. Truth be told, she was rather bored and ready to move on.
Legolas was recovering quickly. He was up and about, although he tired quickly and often retired back to his room. Sango came across him walking with Luinel. "Oh, hello Sango. How are you doing?" he asked pleasantly.
"I'm doing good, although I am getting restless. This place is wonderful but…" she faltered looking embarrassed.
"You want to go home," Legolas finished. "I understand completely. I feel the same way whenever I linger too long in Imladris."
"Where?" Sango asked, they sat down on a bench at the side of the hallway. Luinel rested her head on Legolas' shoulder, making herself comfortable. "I don't really know much about your world, sorry. I should have been spending this time finding out whatever I could."
"That's all right," Legolas said gently. "I'll just tell you. Imladris is another Elven kingdom some distance from here. It is a much more peaceful nation and has been called the last Elven refuge, as they rarely have to fight. I am close friends with the sons of the lord there and often go to visit them. I haven't seen them in over a decade though, I've been to busy fighting to protect my home."
"Miroku told me that Elves are immortal, is that true?" Sango asked. It certainly explained why Thranduil and all his sons appeared to be the same age. Legolas nodded and smiled.
"Yes it is. Although, that is to say Elves cannot be killed. You remember the two that guarded Gollum."
"Not to mention, you nearly joined them. You gave us quite a scare Legolas. You were the only person that we knew at the time and you were near death." Sango said, trying to express the fear and loneliness that she and her companions had felt.
"But I am better now; you don't need to worry any more Sango. Besides, it seems that because of my injury you made some good friends." Legolas said and Luinel nodded, smiling.
"Yes, we have become good friends. I will miss you when you go," Luinel said sadly. Sango blinked in confusion.
"Go? We are going somewhere. As far as I know we're not going anywhere. No one knows of a way for me and the others to get home yet."
"It is true that no one in Mirkwood knows of a way for you get back to your world. That doesn't mean anything though. You should go to Imladris; they might be able to help you. The wise Lord Elrond has advised many with strange plights. They also have a great library." Legolas said thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't know how to get there," Sango said. "This isn't our world, we would probably get lost."
"I am sure that King Thranduil could have someone guide you," Luinel said, sitting up straighter now.
"It would be nice to go home," Sango said wistfully. Inu Yasha and Kagome suddenly joined them.
"What's this I hear about going home?" Inu Yasha asked, leaning against the wall.
"We were just talking about sending you to someone who might know a way for you to get home," Luinel explained. "I know you are all getting homesick."
"We do have something we need to do when we get back there. Naraku must be brought to justice," Sango said. Her face darkened. "And we must rescue Kohaku." An uneasy silence descended over the group as they imagined what foul deeds Naraku might be up to at that very moment. Legolas' face brightened as he thought of a perfect change of topic.
"Kagome, your weapon of choice is the bow and arrow, no? Although, from what I hear your aim is… questionable." He laughed as Kagome's face reddened. "I know something about using a bow myself-" He paused as he heard Luinel snicker. "Mellamin, you doubt my skill?" Luinel shook her head and leaned on Legolas' shoulder again for support as she laughed even harder. "Well what is it then?"
Luinel managed to calm herself down, though it proved difficult. "You are far too modest for you own good! 'Know something about using a bow?' Really mellamin! You could hit a bird's eye in the dark. There is no one in the world better than you." The Inu Gang stared at Legolas in amazement. Legolas' leaf shaped ears tinged with embarrassment.
"It's nothing really. I just know that I could help you improve your aim Kagome. I've heard that you are self taught and there's only so far that a person can go without the proper instruction." Kagome thought about this. It certainly seemed like a good idea. Fighting Naraku would be so much easier if she could guarantee that she would always hit the mark.
"Sure, why not?" Kagome hesitated. "Are you sure you are up to it Legolas? Your injury…" Legolas scoffed.
"I'm hurt, not dead. I can pull a bow string just fine thank you very much. Come, let's to the training grounds." Legolas led them across the palace to an area that opened up into a sort of courtyard. Trees lined the perimeter and many of them had targets hanging from their branches. Many Elven warriors were training that day, their faces grim. They knew that what they were doing was necessary to protect their homelands. Things would get worse before they got better after all. Calengaladh and Mithsirion were there as well. They were sparing with each other and it looked as though the competition was getting intense. The weapons of choice were twin sets of elegant long knives. The brothers' motions were fluid and not a movement was wasted. They moved so fast they were almost a blur.
"This is Elven skill," Legolas said with pride, pointing at his older brothers.
"How graceful!" Sango exclaimed. "It is almost like they are dancing." The knives clashed and Mithsirion spun away, crouching low. He grinned at Calengaladh and taunted him in Elvish. Calengaladh glared at his brother and ran forward. Mithsirion sprang at his brother's legs, intent on knocking them out from under him. Calengaladh anticipated this however, as just before Mithsirion made contact he sprung into the air, flipped, and landed gracefully on Mithsirion's back. Inu Yasha laughed.
"Show off," Mithsirion said in common as Calengaladh helped him up. "You knew Legolas and his friends were watching. None of that flashy stuff was necessary at all."
"Why don't you just get it over with and admit that I am better than you are? I should be, after all, I am eldest and next in line for the throne."
"Lle naa haran e'nausalle," Mithsirion muttered with a shake of his head. Calengaladh's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Care to repeat that little brother? In Common this time," Calengaladh seethed. Kagome was strangely reminded of Inu Yasha's older brother Sesshomaru. Mithsirion's eyes widened.
"You are King in your imagination," Mithsirion translated. "It. Was. A. Joke. Calm down Cale." Legolas forced himself in between them.
"This is not the way two princes of Eryn Lasgalen should behave," he said, looking at both of them in dismay. "Nor is it how two brothers should be treating each other. I know that recent events have been weighing heavily on the both of you. I feel the same way. But take it out on the Orcs, not each other." Calengaladh's expression softened but Mithsirion grinned imperiously. Legolas elbowed him in the gut. "I was talking to both of you." Mithsirion rubbed the back of his neck, looking sheepish.
"So Legolas with brings you to the training grounds?" he asked, quickly changing the subject.
"I'm going to help Kagome will her archery. Apparently she was never taught," Legolas replied. He smiled, glad that the confrontation was apparently over. He led Kagome over to one of the trees at the far end of the training grounds, far from the other warriors so that they would not be disturbed. The others followed, Legolas' brothers included. "Kagome, do you have a bow here?" Kagome shook her head.
"No, my bow was broken during the battle with Naraku that sent us to this world. I was hoping that you could lend me one while I learn?" Kagome flushed with embarrassment.
"I was kind of expecting that. So, a gift from the Elven people?" he said, walking over to where the other Elves were training and grabbed a bow and quiver of arrows from a wrack. It was, to an Elf, pretty generic and of average quality. But in comparison to any bow that Kagome had used before it was amazing. Her eyes widened.
"I couldn't accept this!" she insisted. Legolas chuckled and forced it into her hands. Kagome didn't bother to argue further. She knew that it would be pointless. These Silvan elves really were quite generous. Then, Kagome thought, they can't get many visitors. Legolas lead her over to where a target was hanging from a pretty dead looking tree.
"If you miss the target completely and hit the tree it won't hurt this one. It won't feel anything. It's so sick it's completely numb." Legolas' voice was very sad as he explained. Kagome was again reminded of how close the Elves were to the life around them. She vaguely wished there were Elves in her world in her time. The Earth would not be slowly being poisoned as it is. Kagome had a fleeting image of Legolas hugging a tree and wearing a Greenpeace t-shirt. She bit back a laugh. It would not have been a good time to laugh, with Legolas being so serious. It was then that she noticed that Legolas was staring at her, a bemused expression on his face. Kagome giggled nervously. "Let's see what you can do. I would like to observe you so that I know what to correct."
Kagome nodded and took aim. She was vaguely aware of her friends and the Elven brothers all watching her. She was a little nervous, but she pushed it aside and fired, missing the target completely and striking the tree. Her eyes widened and she turned to Legolas to say sorry, but the words fell from her lips at the look on his face. There were tears in his eyes. Mithsirion had fallen to his knees next to him. Calengalagh looked like he was going to faint. Was it really that bad? Legolas said the tree wouldn't feel anything. Kagome turned back to the tree and her jaw dropped.
The tree was completely unlike the one that had stood there before. Gone were the scraggly branches and blackened trunk. Before Kagome stood a tall and mighty oak. Somehow her arrow had healed the tree of the sickness that had plagued it.A slight breeze caused the branches to sway, the leaves whispering. "Lady Kagome, what did you do?" Mithsirion asked, his voice rough with emotion.
"I- I don't know," she stammered. Desperately, she turned to her companions, hoping they would have the answers. Sango was simply staring at the tree. Shippo's eyes were even bigger than usual, if that was possible. Inu Yasha's face was unreadable. Miroku, however, had a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I believe that I have the answer," he said. All eyes turned to face the monk. "Kagome is the reincarnation of a powerful miko. Because of this she has strong spiritual powers. Kagome, could it be that, without realizing it, you focused your miko energy into that arrow and somehow that healed the tree?"
Kagome nodded, after thinking it over. "I didn't know that my powers worked that way though, I just thought that it could destroy demons."
"Your new friends are more powerful than I thought little brother," Calengaladh said, clapping Legolas on the back. "Still, her aim definately leaves something to be desired. I do believe that you were planning to help her with that." Legolas snapped out of whatever reverie he had caught himself in. Smiling, he helped her correct her posture and such things.
For several days Legolas helped Kagome with her archery. As it turned out, Legolas had been correct. All Kagome needed was a little proper instruction, she was a natural. In that short time she had essentially mastered her bow as much as a mortal could. Legolas was quite impressed. "You know Kagome, I honestly think that there isn't any more that I can teach you. You are definately better equipped to defend yourself now. A good thing too, as you may encounter Orcs on your way to Imladris. That reminds me, I was told to bring you to see Ada after our lesson. Luinel is bringing your friends as well. All I know is that it has something to do with your journey." Kagome nodded and followed the Prince to his father's throne room.
Kagome and Legolas were the last to arrive. Thranduil sat on his throne looking thoughtful. Kagome looked around, no one was there but Kagome, her companions, Legolas, and Luinel. It was strange to see the room empty of the other members of the court. It seemed so empty. And quiet. At length, Thranduil spoke. "I know you are all anxious to get home. Unfortunately, no one in my realm has the knowledge nor the ability to help you do that. That is why I am sending you to Lord Elrond in Imladris. If anyone can help you it is him."
Most of the Inu-gang were already aware of this. "But my King," Sango said, doubt filling her voice, "we don't know how to get there." Thranduil smiled gently.
"I know, that is why I am sending Legolas to guide you." Legolas immediately began to protest. "Legolas the realm will not fall apart without you to defend it. You forget, I defended this realm for thousands of years before you were born. Your brothers are also here, not to mention the entire army that we command."
"But Ada, I cannot go for a surprise visit to Imladris at a time like this!" Thranduil, held up a hand, motioning for silence from his son.
"Who said I was sending you for a pleasant little vacation at the Last Homely House? The reason I am sending you goes far beyond guiding these people to their destination. I have an important mission for you." Thranduil's smile was like a knife. "I want you to tell Elrond of Gollum's escape."
AN: I love how this one just fell into place. It's a good sized chapter too! I don't know when I am going to be Updating next. I go back to school on Monday. So... I shall do my very best to keep Updating. Reviews will make that all the more likely though.