Part, the Sixth
Things of the Deep
Elrond poked his head into her room the morning the Fellowship was set to depart and gave her a nod. She arched a brow as she laced her boots and then stood.
"You usually knock," she stated as she pulled her hair up and then donned her breast guard.
He came to her side and helped her lace her bracers. "I wasn't certain whether you would be up or meditating."
She hummed while strapping her katana to her side and then slinging her bow over her shoulder. Her kunai were hidden as usual and her quiver was full.
"You come to say goodbye, too? Arwen did last night."
The Elf put his arms behind his back and looked out her window for a moment. "No, I will see you when this is done. Be careful, Kagome."
The miko rose on her toes and kissed him on his cheek. "Don't worry about me. You have enough on you without adding more trouble."
Elrond's face cleared and he gave her a smile. "Come, then. The Fellowship should leave soon."
Agreeing, she followed him until a familiar blonde came into sight. Elrond squeezed her hand and nodded to Glorfindel before leaving them to their brief privacy.
Dropping her eyes, Kagome watched his boots bring him closer to her.
"Won't you look at me this last time, Meril-Nín?"
Head snapping up, and eyes flashing furiously, she snarled at him. "I'm not your anything."
Flinching, he sighed. "Kagome, please. Were there any other way, I would have taken it. You have to know this."
Sniffing back her tears, she clenched her jaw. "You're an ass."
That drew a strained chuckle from him. "Yes. But, you will be happy on this path," he repeated the words from their last, so long ago conversation.
"I miss you," she grated out, wiping her eyes as the emotion became too much. "I'll always miss you."
Pressing his lips together tightly, he suddenly swept her into his arms. Ignoring her armor and weapons, he held her as securely as he ever had, letting his golden power mingle with her pink for the final time.
"Whatever blessing I might beg of the Valar, I pass to you, my little love," he whispered in her ear.
Weeping openly, she clutched at him until she had nothing left to expend. "I'm sorry I couldn't be your other half, Glorfindel."
Sorrow darkened his eyes to a deep, moss green as he studied her. "I believe I am one of the rare creatures who are born whole, dear."
Cupping her face, he smiled faintly. "You are no longer lost, Higurashi Kagome. 'Tirelen'I name you now; 'the watchful star'. You never waver in your light and ever it guides us. Do not give that up."
Like a cold deluge, Kagome felt the tethers of her old life pass away with his words and renaming. 'Vanwaien' slipped into memory as her power pulsed with fire. Green eyes bright at the lessening of her despair, Glorfindel pressed a tender kiss to her forehead.
"Goodbye, Glorfindel of Gondolin," she whispered, her own eyes shining with tears.
"Goodbye, Tirelen," he replied just as quietly.
Stepping away, he smiled and his being glowed with all the feelings he had never told her and now never would. Then, he was gone and her world became so much dimmer than it had been even in the days in which she avoided him.
Wrapping her arms around herself, she tried to pull herself together to join the Fellowship. Familiar warmth wrapped around her and white power soothed away the worst of her ache.
"It is alright to grieve for what you have lost," Celebrían told her gently. "Your light will always be in demand and if you do not take time for yourself, you will lose yourself as well."
Turning into the so needed comfort of a mother, Kagome shuddered and allowed herself one moment to be selfish. When it had passed, she let the Elf wipe her face clean and then straightened.
"I am no longer lost, Celebrían, but I am so confused."
The lovely female that had treated her as a daughter smiled. "If you had all the answers, you would find yourself ill suited for life, child. You heart has been dealt a heavy blow, but it is not broken. Go find your happiness."
Drawing herself up and pulling on her mask to hide away her weariness, she gave a sharp nod. "I'll tell you everything when I get back."
"I expect you to," she stated calmly, smoothing her clothes.
That startled a laugh from Kagome, so with a wave, she moved to follow her path.
…..
When she made it to the gate, everyone was just finishing their final checks. Relieved that she hadn't held them up, she took a place beside Gandalf. The wizard turned scrutinizing eyes on her while Celebrían whispered something in Elrond's ear.
"There is something different about you," Gandalf murmured.
Elrond appeared before her, his eyes serious and yet…relieved almost. "I've been told that you are no longer lost."
Lips twitching, she sniffed and shrugged. "Couldn't stay lost forever, I reckon."
At this, his eyes did flood with relief. "Indeed, Tirelen. A fitting name, I believe."
Her face relaxed and a silent message passed between the two. Moving away, the Elf-lord addressed the now silent Fellowship.
"The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is lad to go further than you will," Elrond addressed the Company. "Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves, Men, and all Free Folk go with you."
Most of them crossed their right arm over their chest and bowed their heads in respect. Then, the group shifted and looked down at the hobbits. Gandalf cleared his throat.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ring-bearer."
Kagome followed Frodo as he shuffled to the gates of Rivendell and paused.
"Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?" he whispered.
"Left," the wizard whispered back.
Nodding, he turned and the Fellowship began their journey. Gandalf spoke as they were passing the roaring waterfalls.
"We must hold to this course, west of the Misty Mountains for forty days. If our luck holds, the Gap of Rohan will still be open to us. From there, our road turns east to Mordor."
The hobbits shivered, but none said anything and Kagome felt pride well up in her. Hobbits, as Gandalf was fond of saying, really were amazing creatures.
…
Frodo had drifted from the front of the convoy to the middle to be with the other hobbits. This left Gandalf and Kagome in the lead. Gimli caught up with the miko soon.
"Well, lass, you wear that armor familiarly. I've never seen a style such as this," he stated, motioning to her outfit.
Kagome looked down and smiled. "You wouldn't have. This is traditional miko armor where I'm from, though I've altered it a bit here and there with Elven influence. Thranduil helped a lot and would have redesigned the entire thing if I'd have let him."
"Miko?" Merry asked as Legolas' eyes cut to her at the mention of his father.
She racked her mind to find an apt translation in Westron. "A...priestess, you could say; a shrine maiden."
Pippin looked at her curiously. "You lived in a shrine?"
"I used to with my family. Now, though, I'm a wandering miko-saving the world, one purified demon at a time."
Sam gaped at her. "You've fought demons?" he squeaked.
Kagome looked at him curiously. "Not at first. First, I ran screaming away from them as fast as my skinny legs could carry me. Hey, I was only fifteen at the time, don't laugh," she hissed at Aragorn. "Later," she finished, looking back at her shorter friends, "I learned I could purify them with my arrows. The rest, as they say, is history."
"That doesn't explain why you're immortal," Boromir said skeptically.
Glancing at him, Kagome gave an enigmatic smile. "No, it doesn't." Then, she resumed her trek looking forward.
Gimli chuckled and slapped her on the back, causing her to stumble slightly. Flailing, she grabbed onto what she could to keep from falling. It happened to be Legolas' arm. The Elf shifted his weight to catch her and gave a dark look to the Dwarf. Gimli returned the look, but laughed again at Kagome's red face.
The Elf mulled over what she'd revealed and how it supported his father's theory. "Father must have been annoyed when you refused to let him have his way."
Grinning, she winked. "Ah, not too badly. Most of the time, I think he just likes winding me up."
At his long suffering face of commiseration, Kagome realized that her heart wasn't broken, as Celebrían had said. The epiphany gave her a boost of hope, which in turn lightened her power and the protection she curled carefully around all members of this unruly group.
Legolas sucked in a sharp breath and his grey eyes lightened to silver when they met hers. She blinked in confusion a moment, before the light bulb finally flipped on in her mind. Red suffused her cheeks.
"Ah, sorry. Habit. Most of the time, the ones that can feel it are people I've traveled with a long time," she explained, reigning back her power.
At his touch, she paused.
"It is fine, Tirelen," he told her quietly.
Her new name flowed like honey from those of the Firstborn. It sent a tingle down her spine that unnerved her. Looking away, she bit her lip, but nodded. Slowly, she relaxed as a companionable silence rose between them.
The Company continued on, Aragorn and Gandalf exchanging looks at the odd contentment the sole Elf and miko walked with.
…
The days ran together and the group eventually settled into a tentative friendship, though 'days' was somewhat of an optimistic phrase. The East wind beat at them and darkness seemed to hide even the faintest of sunlight. It was greatly disheartening and didn't do anything to improve Kagome's melancholy. Still, seeing the dismal looks settling on all but Legolas' face made her double her efforts to stay cheerful. The Company felt eased at her encouragement and Legolas' quiet assurance and doggedly continued onward.
Still, grey eyes were often drawn to the small miko and her dampened aura. It troubled his True Self to see her so and that in turn made him even more conscious of her. He walked mostly as the rearguard, given that his eyesight far outstripped anyone else's, but now he made an effort to engage Kagome in some manner of conversation so that she would also walk with him. Her blue gaze was measuring for several days before it slowly began to turn grateful. Legolas was pleased when she once more began to feel like she had during the long years of their communication before their actual meeting.
As they neared the Misty Mountains in Hollin, Gandalf called for them to take a break. Sam started a fire and began cooking as Boromir tried to teach Merry and Pippin a few sword moves. Aragorn and Frodo chuckled at the sight as the Ranger smoked his pipe.
"If anyone was to ask for my opinion, which I note they're not," Gimli began, looking at Gandalf, "I'd say we were taking the long way 'round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome."
Kagome's jaw clenched and her hands fisted as she exchanged a glance with the wizard.
"No, Gimli," Gandalf replied, his eyes troubled. "I would not take the road through Moria unless I had no other choice."
Kagome allowed herself to relax before an abrupt chill swept through her. Fingering her bow, she backed up to stand next to Legolas.
"You feel that?" she whispered, seeing Gandalf tense as well.
The Elf's ears twitched as he nodded and leapt onto a tall boulder. Something dark formed in the distant sky.
"What is that?" Sam asked, moving beside the miko.
"Nothing," Gimli rolled his eyes, "It's just a wisp of cloud."
Boromir had pulled himself from under the attack of Merry and Pippin and was staring at the sky. "It's moving fast," he exclaimed. "Against the wind."
Legolas' eyes widened as he nearly shouted, "Crebain from Dunland!"
"Hide!" Kagome directed, dousing the fire and tossing the hobbits under some brush.
An arm caught her around her stomach and dragged her under the overhanging of a rock, behind some limbs. Kagome blinked and tried to breathe as silently as she could. Blushing, she realized that Legolas was hovering over her while peering up at the sky. Her quiver was poking into her back and she was sure the hilt of her katana was jabbing the Elf's hip. Shifting, she tried to move her sword. Legolas looked down at her in question.
Wincing, she mouthed 'sorry' to him and managed to get the hilt away from his side. He smirked, but glanced back up when the sound of flapping wings thundered over head. Kagome tensed and his True Self reached toward her in an unconscious effort to sooth her. Her breathing shuddered when the light curled around her and her reiki rose in answer. Legolas' head whipped around at that and he swallowed heavily when he finally took notice of how intimately he held her. Trying to pull himself away caused a painful wrench in him.
The Elf's eyes widened as Kagome's power swept through him in reaction to his pain. Closing his eyes, he let out a ragged breath and leaned forward infinitesimally. The smell of the forest filled the air as Legolas' own green power rose to flicker warmly with hers. Kagome felt her muscles relax, causing her to give a shaky sigh.
Her ears twitched when the sound of the others coming out reached her. Carefully, she withdrew her powers and felt Legolas do the same. The woodsy scent that had enveloped them faded. At perceiving the threat to her gone, Legolas' True Self gently released her. Kagome shivered at the cold in the absence of his power and Self. Slowly, he stood and then helped her do the same. She raised her eyes and looked at him in confusion.
"What was that?" she whispered.
His face was as perplexed as she felt. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "Never before you has my True Self reached for anyone on this plane. I wasn't aware that it was possible, especially since you've sealed your True Self so utterly."
"Spies of Saruman!" Gandalf spat. "The passage south is being watched. We must take the Pass of Caradhras."
Kagome tore her eyes from Legolas and followed the wizard as the group made their way to the mountains. Aragorn fell in step beside her as Legolas cast her a long look and walked ahead.
"Something happened," Isildur's heir stated.
Kagome flushed and mumbled something and didn't look at him. He bumped her shoulder with his own and waited. Sighing, she shrugged.
"I really need to meditate when we next stop, or kill something," she relented. "My powers are close to the surface because of all the evil creeping out."
"The Crebain brought them to the surface?"
The woman nodded and scratched Kirara's head as the cat leapt onto her shoulder.
Aragorn's face cleared. "I thought I felt a flux, but it was so swift, perhaps I had imagined it."
"Yeah, Legolas got me under control."
The Elf nearly miss-stepped at that and the men close enough to hear the conversation coughed hard. Kagome blinked and realizing what she'd said, turned so red Aragorn wondered if all the blood had rushed to her face. Still, his lips twitched with amusement at his friend's and Legolas' sputtering.
"Oh, Ilúvatar," Kagome groaned, covering her face with her hands, "You perverts!"
Aragorn laughed out right and received a glare and a punch to the arm. He grunted and resisted the urge to rub the offended appendage.
"Jerk," she grumbled and sped up to walk with Gandalf.
The wizard peered down at her from under the brim of his large hat. His eyes twinkled at her as the Company's ribbing of Legolas was heard. Now, completely mortified, Kagome stuck her tongue out childishly at her friend. He laughed heartily as a stiff breeze rushed passed.
Kagome looked forward and couldn't help but smile. "The Misty Mountains."
"Indeed," Gandalf agreed. "Let us hope that the cold is all we must fear."
….
Ruckus to the rear of the group drew their attention as they were trudging across the snow capped mountains. Turning, Kagome saw that Frodo had fallen, but Aragorn was helping him stand. Her eyes narrowed when she saw that the Ring had fallen into the snow and Boromir had picked it up.
"Boromir," she said, her hand going to the hilt of her katana.
He held the chain looped through the Ring as if in a trance; seeming not to hear her. "It is a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing." Boromir studied the jewelry. "Such a little thing."
"Boromir!" Aragorn commanded, snapping the other man out of his musings. "Give the Ring to Frodo."
Kagome's powers pulsed once, severing the tentative thrall the Ring was casting. She released a breath when Boromir returned the Ring to the hobbit.
"As you wish, I care not," he said casually, ruffling Frodo's hair.
Legolas touched the miko's arm when they began moving again. She smiled wanly.
"It's getting stronger," she said for his ears only.
The Elf glanced to her and nodded. "Yes, and I fear it will continue to do so until it is destroyed."
At the face she pulled, Legolas began humming under his breath and was in full out song before long. Kagome chuckled and shook her head. The Elf had a penchant for bursting into song at the slightest provocation. It was comforting when even her hopeful reserves were thinning.
At the Pass, a wall of snow blocked the way and the men began to dig through. Legolas clucked his tongue at them as he nimbly walked on top of the snow.
"You're nearly there!" he said, winking at Kagome, who was walking behind him. "If Gandalf would go before you with a bright flame, he might melt the path for you."
"If Elves could fly over mountains, they might fetch the sun to save us," Gandalf grumped. "But I must have something to work on. I cannot burn snow."
Grinning, the Elf sprang forth, waving at Aragorn and Boromir. "Farewell, then! I go to find the sun for you!"
Then, he shot into the distance and vanished around a rocky turn. Kagome blinked and then cracked up as the others paused and looked in confusion at each other. Boromir and Aragorn shook their heads, but their efforts regained strength with their friend's encouragement.
An hour had passed by the time the Elf returned from scouting. "Have heart! You are nearly to the other side of the mountain."
Kagome laughed and looked at Kirara. "Kirara? Think you can help them any?"
The neko nodded and hopped down to effortlessly clear a path for the group. Kagome rolled her eyes at Legolas when stopped beside her, looking pleased with himself. She had opened her mouth to saying something about that when her senses abruptly felt something wrong.
"What is that?" she asked the Elf, her eyes narrowing.
He frowned and then leaned out to listen intently. "There is a fell voice on the air."
Gandalf jerked and plowed through the remaining wall of snow. "It's Saruman!"
A snowdrift fell from the mountain peak above. Kagome and Legolas leapt back to press themselves to the side of the mountain.
"He's trying to bring down the mountain!" Aragorn shouted. "Gandalf, we must turn back!"
"No!" Gandalf cried, moving to face the valley below. He began chanting, battling against Saruman's own spell. The two voices dueled, rising in crescendo until lightening struck the tip of the summit, sending a half ton of snow and ice roaring down on the Fellowship. Kagome was able to throw up a hasty barrier over the group. It stopped them from being crushed, but they still had to dig themselves out.
Legolas was out in a jiff and reached into the snow to pull Kagome out as well.
"Thanks," she coughed, brushing herself off.
The rest of the Company was half frozen as they looked to Gandalf. He grabbed his hat from the snow as they argued about the road to take.
"We must get off the mountain," Boromir cried, helping the hobbits onto Kirara. "Make for the Gap of Rohan, and take the west road to my city!"
Aragorn disagreed. "The Gap of Rohan takes us too close to Isengard!"
Gimli growled, "We cannot pass over a mountain. Let us go under it. Let us go through the Mines of Moria."
Kagome bit her lip and stared at the wizard.
"Gandalf," she whispered. "What they woke…"
He shot her a warning look. "Let the Ring-bearer decide."
Kagome grit her teeth as Frodo announced that they would be going through the mines. The group turned to follow Aragorn and made their way back down the mountain.
Legolas followed them, but looked back at Kagome and Gandalf when he heard them arguing. She was glaring and he was shaking his head. Finally, she stormed away and moved to help Kirara keep the hobbits from falling. Legolas noticed that there had been tears in her eyes, though, as she passed. The wizard worked his way through the snow to Legolas.
"What is amiss?"
Gandalf sighed. "Sometimes, Kagome is both far too intuitive and protective."
The woman in question looked at them and the fear in her eyes had Legolas' stomach clenching in foreboding.
…
"The walls of Moria," Gimli announced some time later as they skirted around the edge of a lake. "Dwarf doors are invisible when closed," he explained at their blank looks toward what appeared to be only the mountainside.
"Yes, Gimli," Gandalf agreed, "their own masters cannot find them if their secrets are forgotten."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Legolas muttered, rolling his eyes.
Kagome hid a laugh behind her hand at Gimli's grunt of indignation. Gandalf brushed some dirt from the wall.
"Ithildin," he exclaimed. "It mirrors only starlight and moonlight."
The clouds parted, revealing a large full moon. When the light hit the rock wall, a door shimmered into view.
Gandalf smiled. "It reads, 'The Doors of Durin, Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter.'"
Merry stared in amazement at the shimmering gate. "What do you suppose that means?"
"It's quite simple," the old man said, placing his staff against the doors. "If you are a friend, you speak the password and the doors will open."
The group watched as the wizard spoke a spell loudly and pushed on his staff. They waited for a beat and realized that the doors were still firmly closed. Kagome grinned widely and shared a look with Aragorn.
"Nothing's happening," Pippin voiced what everyone was thinking. "What are you going to do now?"
"Knock your head against these doors, Peregrin Took!" Gandalf bellowed, "And if that does not shatter them and I am allowed a little peace from foolish questions, I will try to find the opening words."
Kagome placed a comforting had on Pippin's shoulder and glared at her friend. "Gandalf!" she hissed.
He turned his back and began mumbling spells at the door. Aragorn moved to remove Bill the pony's tack and burden as they waited.
"Mines are no place for a pony," he explained to Sam as the hobbit petted the animal. "Even one so brave as Bill."
"Bye, Bill," the sensitive hobbit said reluctantly as he gave one last pat to the pony's nose.
Aragorn slapped the horse on the rump as Kagome drifted over.
"Don't worry, Sam," she reassured, "he knows the way home."
Splashing drew their attention as Boromir lobbed a stone into the dark, still waters of the lake. Aragorn grasped his arm in warning.
"Do not disturb the water."
Grumbling, the man backed away, but Kagome's eyes remained on the ripples. Sam moved beside her and looked up in question.
"What's wrong?"
She shook herself. "Nothing, I hope. Maybe just a memory making me paranoid," she answered looking at Kirara and seeing that the neko was alertly watching the lake.
Merry came over with interest."What about?"
"When I traveled with the inu-tachi, we were attacked by an evil sorceress. She kidnapped me to a castle of reflections. When my friends came after me, they had to fight a hydra." Kagome laughed, "Inuyasha was so pissed, and I got to hear all about the trouble I put them through."
"Why was she after you?" Pippin asked.
Kagome's eyes darkened. "For once, I wasn't the target. She tried to kill Inuyasha by diverting my arrow to hit him. I leapt between the arrow and him, and a boy that was traveling with us threw a goddess' shawl to knock the arrow off course. Unfortunately, the arrow pinned the shawl to my body when it hit me. It was the shawl and the sleeve of Inuyasha's haori that she wanted."
"Did you kill the witch?" Gimli demanded.
The miko grinned. "We pretty much brought the castle down on her. One of our enemies we'd thought dead showed up, so you can imagine the chaos."
"Oh, it's useless," Gandalf muttered, tossing his staff to the ground.
The Dwarf studied Kagome as Frodo puzzled with Gandalf. "You've told us some entertaining stories, lass. I can't help but wonder why the first time I'd heard of them was on this journey."
Kagome's eyes were sad when she answered. "It was a very long time ago." She looked out at the water. "And even farther away."
"Mellon," Gandalf answered Frodo's question.
The group faced the mountain when the rock doors suddenly swung out and open. Kagome grinned and ruffled Frodo's hair, giving him a thumbs up. The tug at her senses increased sharply.
"There's something in the water," she said, knocking her arrow. "And this time I'm sure it isn't my imagination."
"Into the mines," Aragorn hurried.
They scampered through the entranceway as Gandalf lit his staff. Kagome backed in after them.
"Soon, Master Elf," Gimli said with excitement, "you will enjoy the fabled hospitality of the Dwarves. Roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone! This, my friend, is the home of my cousin Balin. And they call it a mine. A mine!"
"This is no mine," Boromir stated with horror, making Kagome look at him. "It's a tomb!"
Bodies littered the mine, decayed and skeletal. The sinking feeling in the miko's stomach doubled.
"No! No!" Gimli cried, staring at his fallen brethren.
Legolas pulled an arrow out of a nearby skeleton and frowned as he tossed it away, drawing his bow. "Goblins."
The Fellowship began easing toward the entranceway, weapons drawn and on high alert.
"We make for the Gap of Rohan," Boromir said. "We never should have come here. Now, get out of here. Get out!"
With deadly accuracy, a large tentacle burst from the water and snatched Frodo by his leg. Kagome shot the thing and dragged Frodo back as the others tried to fight off the mass of tentacles that simultaneously appeared. Legolas materialized beside her as the creature's face emerged with another multitude of tentacles and a redoubling of its efforts to get the hobbit. Together, the miko and Elf shot the creature as the others fought the tentacles and tried to get the hobbits out of the way.
"Frodo!" Sam screamed as one tentacle grabbed the hobbit again.
Aragorn leapt and sliced the appendage, snatching up Frodo as he did. "Into the cave!" he bellowed.
Kagome spotted an opening and shot a pink rocket into the head of the creature. It howled and the tentacles it had left began pulling at the mountain as it was purified. The group rushed into the mines, dragging the hobbits with them. Kagome and Legolas were the last to make it as they dove into the mine as the entrance collapsed.
Kagome cursed as one of the rocks landed on her shoulder, dislocating it. She grabbed it as agony ripped through her.
"Aragorn," she called through gritted teeth.
He frowned and hurried to her side, shooing Kirara out of the way so he could examine the injury. The miko moved to put her back to the wall.
"Just do it," she panted, and then put her bracer guarded wrist between her teeth.
Legolas had to consciously quell his Self from going to her or reacting to her injury. Aragorn was more than capable of aiding her.
Reaching out, the Ranger grasped her shoulder and shoved. A muffled scream ripped from her throat and pink light glowed around the wound. When it faded, Aragorn helped her to her feet.
"Thanks," she whispered, working the appendage. Kirara butted her head against the miko's leg as Kagome rejoined the others.
"Are you all right?" Frodo asked, worried.
Kagome nodded. "No worries. As soon as the ball was pushed back into the socket, I could start healing myself."
Gandalf nodded and faced the darkness of the mines. "We now have but one choice. We must face the long dark of Moria. Be on your guard. There are older and fouler things than Orcs in the deep places of the world." He looked at the hobbits. "Quietly now. It's a four day journey to the other side. Let us hope that our presence may go unnoticed."
The group journeyed in silence for a long while until Legolas fell back to walk with Kagome, the worry he'd felt finally overriding him. "You're glowing," he noted, amused.
She smiled. "Yeah, it's handy in times like these. It's just my powers manifesting under my skin."
Stretching out a hand, the Elf brushed her skin with a light finger. Green mixed with pink where they touched, sending an overwhelming feeling of Legolas through her. Meeting his eyes, she saw that his green fire had traveled half way up his arm. She could even feel his confusion and fascination.
"What, exactly, are you two doing?" Aragorn's voice reached them.
Kagome and Legolas broke eye contact and found the rest of the Fellowship staring at them curiously. Blushing, Kagome felt her power pulse with her emotions. Legolas' grip on her hand-when had he done that?-tightened and his cheeks tinted as well. Realizing their proximity, the two leapt apart.
"Nothing," Kagome mumbled, crossing her arms.
Gandalf arched a brow. "Really?" he drawled, nodding to the space between the miko and Elf.
Kagome's and Legolas' powers were still intertwined in the place they had been standing. The Elf suddenly chuckled and made a conscious effort to retract his power. Kagome's light went out, making the darkness that much more oppressive.
Aragorn smiled when Kagome stomped passed him and he fell in step with Legolas as the party continued. The Elf was grinning and sporting a faint blush. Aragorn looked at him in question as he started humming under his breath.
"You are more pleasant in this place than I believed you could be."
The blonde's smile stretched. "I have a delightful distraction."
Aragorn snorted. "I doubt that you have her, my friend."
Leaning over, Legolas whispered, "No, but her power calls to mine. I've never experienced the like."
The two men watched as Kagome slowly began glowing again. Aragorn shook his head as Legolas resumed his humming. It was going to be a long four days.
…
The group passed a deep abyss that had remnants of mining scattered through it during their journey. Gandalf looked at the mountain side and smiled.
"The wealth of Moria was not in gold or jewels, but mithril. Bilbo had a shirt of mithril rings that Thorin gave him."
Gimli's eyes widened. "Oh, that was a kingly gift."
The wizard nodded. "Yes. I never told him, but its worth was greater than the value of the Shire."
Kagome gently pushed Merry and Pippin along after they had paused to stare out at the shiny mithril veins in the abyss. The group came to a place where their hall branched into three hallways. They stopped as Gandalf stared at the three doors.
"I have no memory of this place."
So, the group waited and made camp while Gandalf mulled over the choice. Frodo eventually ran up to the wizard and began a low conversation. Kagome glanced back and saw what had worried the hobbit. Shrugging it off, she looked at the group and found herself between Aragorn and Legolas. With suspicious eyes, she leaned away from the Elf. One pale brow lifted in amusement.
"Keep your hands to yourself," she warned, pointing a finger at him.
Aragorn laughed as Legolas grinned merrily. Pippin's stomach rumbled, drawing their attention.
"I'm hungry," he complained.
"What do you suppose young Frodo is discussing?" Gimli wondered, ignoring Pippin.
Kagome shrugged. "He probably saw Gollum."
"He's been following us," Legolas said.
Boromir peered into the darkness, trying to see the creature. "Gollum? Is not that the thing that hoarded the One Ring?"
Kagome nodded. "He'll never stop hunting it; he possessed it too long."
Sam shuddered. "That's a miserable excuse for a life-devoting everything to an inanimate thing."
The pink light around Kagome dimmed a little at that. Kirara leapt into the miko's lap and bared her fangs at the hobbit. Petting her, the woman shook her head.
"Perhaps, Sam, but don't be so quick to judge others. You have no idea what their journey is all about," she said softly.
The hobbit lowered his eyes and shuffled his feet. "Beggin' your pardon, Kagome."
She smiled. "It's all right, Sam. Buck up, when we get to the other side of Khazad-dûm, we'll pass through Lothlórien. You'll get to see the heart of Elvendom in Ennor."
Gimli grunted. "They say a sorceress of terrible power lives in those woods."
Kagome threw her head back and laughed. "That sorceress, Gimli," she said through her hilarity, "is Galadriel, Arwen's grandmother."
Pippin's eyes widened. "Poor Elrond. His mother-in-law is a witch."
Aragorn rolled his eyes. "She's not a witch or a sorceress. She's a very powerful Elf and rules the Galadhrim with her husband, Celeborn."
"I've heard dark rumors of her," Boromir stated.
Kagome scratched Kirara's ears. "Fear spreads rumors quickly. Galadriel is very powerful. She came from Valinor and it is said that the Silmarilli were created from Fëanor's admiration of her hair. She is thought to be the fairest of all the Elves, save for the Lady Lúthien, of course."
Legolas smiled and began the tale of Lúthien and Beren, whom the hobbits had only heard of in passing. The story lifted some of the ever-present darkness that seemed to drag at them perpetually since they'd began their trek underground.
Slowly, sleep claimed them as the wizard puzzled the way and kept watch. Kagome yawned and felt gentle hands guide her to rest on her side. A fuzzy warmth hummed against her, wrapping her in something that made her feel safer than she had in a great while. Too tired from the endless nights and Legolas' soothing voice, she merely burrowed more deeply into the warmth and let herself slip to sleep.
Aragorn finished checking the hobbits and began bedding down himself. Glancing to where Legolas was humming softly and laying quite close to Kagome, he rolled his eyes. Pink light still glowed from her, reaching out to give protection even in her sleep. The Ranger wondered if Legolas was aware of his own power dancing back to her in answer. When the miko shifted and seemed to grab something his mortal eyes couldn't see, Legolas jolted. His voice faltered and his eyes snapped to her slumbering form. A distinctly red hue dusted his fair cheeks, Aragorn could tell, even in the poor light, but the Elf did not move away. Instead, he merely closed his eyes and began singing again.
…..
"Oh," Gandalf's voice carried down to the group the next they woke. "It's that way."
"He's remembered," Merry said, getting to his feet and scurrying up to the wizard.
Gandalf shook his head. "No. But the air doesn't smell so foul down here," he answered, motioning to one of the hallways. "If in doubt, Meriadoc, always follow your nose."
Rousing herself from sleep proved more difficult than she could remember it being in ages. Stretching, Kagome blinked open her eyes and met Legolas' intent gaze. Brows furrowing, she checked that she wasn't in an embarrassing position and then looked at him in question.
The Elf's lips twitched as he seemed to come to a decision, but he revealed nothing as he helped her to rise. "Your braid has fallen," he told her.
Reaching back, she sighed and began to undo it in order to fix it as Boromir passed out a quick breakfast. Waving away her hands, the Elf slid behind her and effortlessly took over her work. Red faced, she deliberately avoided looking at anyone while she focused on stilling her heart.
Even Glorfindel had never offered to give her hair the fabulous designs of the Elves. A pain shot through her at his memory, but she could see Legolas' light in her peripheral vision. His True Self was doing everything but actually touching her and the knowledge gave her a sense of peace. Celebrían had told her that it was alright to be confused. Right now, the miko liked how things were with Legolas and so was content to find light wherever she could in these dark times without question.
"There," the Elf told her when he finished.
Reaching back, she felt his work and was pleasantly surprised he managed to do all that in such a short time.
"Thank you," she managed as he stood and swung his bow over his shoulder.
Beaming, he swept her a bow and then swept her to her feet. "Father has said you enjoy visiting us when you can stay for our singing. When next you do, I will make this braid seem as nothing."
"You are very sure of yourself."
Grey eyes laughed. "If I'm not, who will be? Besides, I think I shall follow your path a while longer." His laughter subsided and he met her gaze purposely. "Star light is valued by us more than any other, little Tirelen."
Feeling liquid heat explode her stomach, Kagome ducked her eyes and followed after the rest of the Company. He made her feel weak and fifteen again. Freaking Elves and their Freaking abysmal timing.
The Fellowship eventually came to the Chamber of Mazarbul, marveling at the beauty as Gandalf's staff glowed brighter to reveal it. Gimli's attention was drawn to a side chamber and even the warnings for him to stop would not halt him running into it. The group had no choice but to follow him and could only watch in shock as he fell to his knees before a white tomb. Bodies littered the floor and debris choked the air.
"No!" the Dwarf sobbed, "Oh, no. No!"
Kagome notched an arrow and turned her back to the wall as Gandalf read the inscription on the tomb.
"'Here lies Balin, son of Fundin, Lord of Moria.' He is dead, then. It's as I feared."
Legolas backed up between Kagome and Aragorn. "We must move on," he insisted lowly to Aragorn. "We cannot linger."
Gandalf handed his hat and staff to Pippin. Stooping, he retrieved a large book from the hands of one of the dead Dwarves. "'They have taken the bridge and the second hall,'" he read from the last page of the book, "It is smeared, making most of it nearly illegible. I believe the next states, 'We have barred the gates, but cannot hold them for long. The ground shakes. Drums, drums in the deep. We cannot get out. A Shadow moves in the dark. We cannot get out. They are coming.'"
A clanging like thunder ripped through the quiet. Kagome's head snapped around to see Pippin cringing next to a well. She made a face. Wells never meant anything good for her. The whole group stood tense in the silence after the ruckus. When nothing happened, they slowly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fool of a Took!" Gandalf hissed, snatching his staff and hat back from the hobbit. "Throw yourself in next time, and rid us of your stupidity."
The fur on Kirara's back stood up as she transformed into her larger form and bared her teeth at Frodo.
"Frodo!" Sam cried, seeing what the cat did. Sting-Frodo's sword-was glowing bright blue.
Gandalf cursed when he drew Glamdring and saw that it was as well.
"Orcs!" Legolas cried.
"Barr the door!" Kagome yelled as the men moved to do just that.
"Not both of them!" the wizard cried, motioning to the east side of the room, where another set of doors stood. "Should they overtake us, we must be able to escape."
Hastily adjusting, the group began to move towards the western entrance.
"Get back!" Aragorn commanded the hobbits. "Stay close to Gandalf!"
Arrows whizzed by the three men's heads as they hauled the two doors closed and barricaded them with large battle axes and whatever else they could find.
"They have a cave-troll," Boromir said with lilting sarcasm. "Perhaps more than one."
The sound of Kagome's heart hammered in her ears. After a moment, she realized it wasn't her heart, but deep rumbling drums. Quickly, she took her place on the opposite side of Legolas, who also had his bow knocked. If the Orcs and Goblins broke through, they would be caught in the two archers' crossfire.
"Let them come!" Gimli proclaimed, leaping onto his cousin's tomb, axe ready. "There is one Dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath."
The door shuddered with the force of the blow from the other side. The assault continued until a hole was knocked into the door. Two arrows hit the Orc that stuck his head in. After that, it didn't take long for the doors to be battered down and then chaos erupted.
Kagome scrambled onto a higher ledge and began raining arrows onto the attacking Orcs and goblins. The Fellowship was doing well until a huge grey cave-troll abruptly burst through the doors, a long chain around his neck. He roared and swung a huge hammer at Gimli, crushing Balin's tomb when the Dwarf leapt away. Kirara flew and sunk her teeth into the troll's wrist of the hand that held the hammer.
Kagome ran the length of the ledge, firing arrows at the monsters trying to get the hobbits. The troll flailed as Legolas fired arrows into the top of its head. Kirara ripped a chunk of flesh from its wrist, causing the hammer to go flying. Kagome's eyes widened when she saw the path the weapon was on. It was going to hit Frodo.
Without thinking, she threw up a shield around the hobbit, trying desperately to get to him. The hammer slammed into the shield, making Kagome cringe at the force. When she reached the bottom level, she faced the troll with Legolas. The two followed the troll's movements before they both fired. One arrow struck the troll's eye and one flew into its mouth, sinking into its head. Howling the creature fell, disintegrating to purified ash as it did. Kagome immediately spun and fired at the rabble still spilling into the room.
A moment later, something dark and foul whirled into the room, stopping before a stunned Frodo. He only had a moment of fear before he was skewered with the Uruk chieftain's lance. Bellowing, Sam fell upon the creature, his sword burying itself in the chieftain's throat.
"To the bridge of Khazad-dûm!" Gandalf yelled as the enemy forces paused in their assault.
Aragorn snatched up Frodo as he ran, Sam wiping snot and tears from his own face.
"Let me down!" the hobbit cried. "I can walk myself!"
Shock overtook the Dúnadan's face. "I had thought you dead."
"We've no time for secrets!" Legolas warned sharply as he hauled Gimli from the room and flung him in front of the group.
Pink light blazed from Kagome's eyes as she came beside Gandalf and forced the doors closed.
"Off you go!" Gandalf commanded. "Wait a few minutes for us at the bottom, but if we do not come soon, go on! Go quickly and choose paths leading right and downwards."
"We won't leave you to hold the door alone!" Aragorn contradicted, moving toward them.
"Do as I say!" Gandalf snarled, shoving the exiled king fiercely. "Swords are no more use here. Go!"
Stumbling back, he clenched his jaw and gave one sharp nod before racing after the others. Legolas' eyes widened a fraction when he realized that Kagome and Gandalf were not with him. Aragorn shook his head and ran to take the lead. Glancing back when they reached the bottome, the others saw-now high above them-the glimmer of Gandalf's staff and the fluctuating pink of Kagome. Faint muttering drifted to them with a sighing echo, though none save perhaps Legolas could understand the words. Above it all, the doom, doom of the drums reverberated through the very walls themselves.
Abruptly, the darkness was ripped away by a bright light from the top of the stairs. A dull rumble and a heavy thud preceded the drum-beats erupting wildly. Like a candle snuffed, however, they stopped, leaving only an eerie, evil silence.
Gandalf and Kagome came flying down the steps, the wizard collapsing when he reached the Company and the miko barely managing to flip and land on her feet. Her eyes were lit with a fire none but Gandalf had witnessed and her power churned restlessly around her.
"It comes now," she intoned in a deep voice that sent a dark tendril of ancient fear into all of their hearts.
"Go on! We've done what we can; Kagome will have to light the way for a little while. Keep close behind, all of you!"
Flying down the hallway to their right, they ran; Kirara bearing the hobbits lest they be quickly outpaced. Kagome pushed her power to light their way, but ever did her eyes stray to the darkness behind them.
Onward and downward they fled, until fire lit the caverns and their way was littered with pillars and a narrow bridge. Unexpected though their path had been, the goblins and Orcs weren't lacking in sending their frustration over the matter. Arrows rained down on the Company as they made to cross the bridge.
Kagome and Legolas took out as many archers as they could, giving the Company time to begin crossing. The Elf spun to fire at two great trolls when his arrow fell from his suddenly slack fingers. An involuntary cry escaped his throat as the ranks of Orcs opened and cowered away. What evil came then could not be seen: it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form that seemed to breathe flame and smoke. Power and terror seemed to be in it and to fill everything around it.
"A Balrog," Legolas wailed, "Ai! A Balrog is come!"
All color drained from Gimli's face as Kagome wept scalding tears.
"Glorfindel!" she cried. "You bastard! You knew!"
Gandalf came up beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder as the creature made to jump to their level. A message passed between them as she sobbed and sheathed her sword. Spinning, she flared her powers at the others.
"Get to the other side! This isn't for any of us!" And the authority in her words had them moving before they'd thought.
Kagome was the last to the other side. Gritting her teeth, she removed three sacred sutras from her haori.
"Ilúvatar, Father of Light, grant me awareness, grant him wisdom," she prayed over the sutras.
Opening her eyes, she threw the glowing papers at the wizard and watched as they stuck to his back and sank in. The monster raised its flaming sword over its head as Gandalf began chanting.
"You cannot pass! I am a servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the Flame of Anor. The dark fire will not avail you, flame of Udûn! Go back to the Shadow."
The flaming sword fell like a guillotine and ricocheted off of Glamdring Gandalf had brought up in defense. Roaring, the beast cracked its whip in fury.
"You shall not pass!" Gandalf cried with power resonating through his voice. He brought his staff down and in a burst of magic, destroyed his staff and the side of the bridge on which the demon stood.
Howling, Durin's Bane fell with the rubble of the bridge. Gandalf panted and turned to them, meeting Kagome's eyes.
"Farewell, Gandalf the Grey," she whispered as the Balrog's whip lashed up and caught the wizard about the knees, pulling him off the bridge.
Her breathing shuddered at the similarity between this and Glorfindel's battle with the demon.
The wizard clamored for a moment before staring at the group. "Fly, you fools!" he hissed, then fell into the abyss after the demon.
"Gandalf!" Frodo screamed in anguished desperation.
Aragorn swept the hobbit up and ushered the others out as arrows followed them. The Fellowship managed to get through the Dimrill Gate and out into the open where they gasped at what had happened.
Aragorn sighed, closing his eyes and pushing his feelings back, he called, "Legolas, get them up."
The Elf's face was twisted in sorrow as he slowly moved to do as the heir asked. Kagome and Kirara walked over to Frodo and the miko placed her hand on his shoulder, her own grief and concern shoved into a tiny box and put aside. She could feel Legolas' despair nearly as sharp as her own and the horror he felt was ancient.
"Don't grieve yet, Frodo. Gandalf has not passed."
The hobbit's eyes were large as he stared at her. "How do you know this?"
Kagome shrugged-a forced casualness in the gesture that fooled him. "I threw sacred sutras at him before he fell. I will feel it when he passes."
"Why did he do it?" Sam asked, coming near. "Why didn't you help him?"
Flinching, Kagome looked away. "Gandalf has to be stronger than Saruman if we are to win. He needed to be tested and he couldn't do that with my aid."
"Will he defeat the monster?"
Vivid blue eyes stared into the distance. "I don't know." Looking back at them, she smiled slightly. "I have faith in him, though, and have a feeling that he will find his way back to us, regardless."
"By nightfall, these hills will be swarming with Orcs. We must reach the woods of Lothlórien," Aragorn replied to Boromir's plea for a moment for the hobbits.
The group reluctantly made their way toward Lothlórien. Legolas dropped back to walk beside Kagome. She took a look at his mournful face and felt her heart constrict. Reaching out, she slid her hand into his and gave it a gentle squeeze. He looked at her in question and the intensity of his gaze froze her lungs. It was too discerning and the fingers that wrapped around her own provided a comfort she nearly didn't want.
Legolas studied her pale complexion and the dried sorrow on her cheeks. Her aura shuddered in a pain that seemed to be from more than what had just occurred. She seemed very small all of a sudden.
"You are certain about what you imparted to Frodo?"
Nodding, she sighed as her eyes went deep. "Yes, he has fallen into the lake, but has not passed. I wouldn't want to be the Balrog when he gets a hold of him," she grinned, coming back to herself and deliberately filling her last words with cheer.
Legolas brightened at her reassurance, but concern still crouched in his eyes. "My heart is lighter, thank you." He watched her a moment. The further they walked, the more the shadows fell from her countenance.
"You have a near spring in your step," he noted, a smile blooming as her natural personality seemed to shine again.
Kagome gave him a sidelong look. "Regardless of what's happened, we're going to see the Galadhrim. I have some very good friends among them. In fact, we'll probably see a few of them as soon as we enter the forest since they patrol the borders."
"Has it been very long since your last meeting?"
Her eyes narrowed in thought. "A couple of years, give or take." The miko shrugged. "What about you? Have you ever been to Lothlórien?"
"This will be my first visit to my kin. I am quite excited at the prospect, now that my grief does not linger." Then, he burst into song expressing his joy at Gandalf's life and his assurance of the wizard's victory.
Kagome couldn't help but laugh and start humming along, his joy contagious. The Elf smiled and wiggled his eyebrows at her, making her roll her eyes. Sam listened to the Elf's song for a moment.
"There should be a verse about his fireworks," the hobbit insisted.
Legolas blinked. "His fireworks? All right, what do you suggest?"
Sam flushed, biting his lip in thought, before blurting out a few cobbled lyrics.
"The finest rockets ever seen,
They burst in stars of blue and green.
Or after thunder, silver showers,
come falling like a rain of flowers."
Cutting off, he looked determinedly at the ground. "Oh, that doesn't do them justice by a long road."
The miko smiled and wrapped her free arm around him. "That was very good, Sam. You shouldn't be so hard on yourself; no one can really do his fireworks justice, can they?"
He gave a tentative smile. "No, I reckon not," he agreed.
The three friends shared smiled and continued the journey, taking turns singing verses. The sorrow weighing on Kagome still squeezed at her heart, but her friends made it difficult to focus on that. It was as she told Frodo: she had faith in Gandalf and in the Fellowship, despite the even darker days ahead.
And the green warmth sparking under her palm had nothing to do with her hope or lightening heart.
Nothing at all.
…