Part, the Eighth

Things That Break

A ways down the river, Gimli broke the silence. "I have taken my worst wound at this parting, having looked my last upon that which is fairest. Henceforth, I will call nothing fair unless it be her gift to me."

Legolas smiled and Kagome chuckled, looking back at her companions. Galadriel had honored Gimli more than he knew, but she wasn't about to tell him that. He was upset enough as it stood. Legolas caught her look and his smile softened. The miko winked and turned to look at the water as it bore them swiftly onward.

Once, as her boat came beside Aragorn's, she spotted something glinting on his shirt. Awe slammed through her as she recognized the Elfstone of the House of Elendil. Galadriel had given it to Celebrían, who gave it to her daughter Arwen. Arwen must have asked that it be given to Aragorn as he came now unto his rightful destiny. Swallowing and ignoring the stinging in her own eyes, Kagome looked away.

They traveled by night after that, ever watchful of the shores. Sam eventually spotted Gollum once more following them, using logs to give chase. Aragorn frowned and changed the manner of their watches, so that two people were always awake at any one time. He didn't trust the creature that once hoarded the Ring and was unsure whether the thing would bring evil to the Company with an attack, or by setting something fouler on them.

They reached Sarn Gebir swifter than they'd bargained and were at once forced to turn their paddles to the opposite direction.

"Row!" Boromir yelled, lest they be swept down the Rapids to their deaths.

Yet, another threat appeared even as they battled the river. Screaming a warning, Kagome threw up a barrier around the three boats as a hail of arrows came down on them.

Cursing, Aragorn called for them to row faster. "The river is taking us right to them!"

They all took up an oar, save for Kagome who was doing her best to hold up three barriers around the struggling boats. Slowly, they were able to steer the crafts away from the jutting rocks and under the cover of low hanging brush against the bank. Immediately, Legolas jumped ashore, his bow knocked as he peered across the darkness of the river.

A feeling of dread fell across the Company as a dark shape appeared in the sky. It was a great winged creature, blacker than the pits in the night. Across the water, voices rose up in excitement as the Shadow came closer.

Wide-eyed, Kagome snatched up one of the low hanging limbs and sent a rush of her power into it. Like a bolt of lightning, it struck through the plant and up into Legolas, sparking his arrow as he released his draw. Pink power split the night, green trails swirling behind as the arrow flew true, striking down the creature.

A horrible screech filled the air as the creature was purified, its Rider falling a distance away, out of sight. The Orcs' voices wailed and cursed before silence fell again. Nothing else was seen the remainder of the night.

Aragorn led them further upstream, eventually mooring the boats together in a shallow bay. The boats were light and slim-not made for bedding, but the Company dare not make a camp or light a fire. They made do as well they could as the darkness pressed against them from all sides.

"That was a mighty shot in the dark," the Dwarf praised Legolas as the lembas wafers were passed.

Frodo swallowed heavily, his eyes meeting Kagome's. "It seemed as though one of Gandalf's fireworks had come to aid us."

"Aye," Aragorn agreed, looking between the miko and the Elf. "I didn't know you could so direct your power, Kagome."

Biting her lip, she tried to wet her throat as the lembas had suddenly turned to ash in her mouth. "I can't, usually, but Legolas is one of the Firstborn and has been the recipient of my reiki for nearly a thousand years. My power knew him and his trusted mine enough to allow it to aid him."

"Do you know what it hit?" Boromir asked as everyone drew their own conclusions about her words.

Legolas glanced to him sharply. "Some Fell-beast that carried an even greater evil, I fear."

"It felt dark, like the Shadow in Moria," Gimli rasped hoarsely.

"It wasn't a Balrog," Frodo contradicted. "It felt colder than that; almost…almost as cold as the Barrow-downs had."

Kagome clenched her jaw and met Legolas' eyes.

"We should get sleep as we're able," Sam pointed out quietly.

Agreeing, the Company tried to find positions of relative comfort.

Gimli tucked himself against the bow, his head propped on the edge as he slumped in a most uncomfortable looking manner. Kagome was small enough to be able to stretch out, but Legolas was forced to bend his legs completely, resting his feet on the provisions. He said nothing, only pulled Kagome against his side so that he could provide as much warmth as the situation allowed. They did not speak of what she'd done, the feelings in the action too intimate to share with listening ears.

Instead, Kagome forced herself to focus on the even rhythm of his heart and the way his True Self curled around her. Breath catching, she dared not raise her eyes to his-the fear of what she'd find there turning her coward. She'd used him as a channel and he'd let her, his True Self pure enough to direct the reiki. And now, those silver and white tendrils radiating from his most honest form no longer held back from embracing her.

Regardless of anything else that had happened between them, she'd bound them quite soundly together with that stunt. Now, she could only deal with whatever consequences that bond might bring.

….

The further on they went, the more fog and rain buffered them. The cloaks that the Galadhrim provided kept them mostly out of the elements, but hearts grew heavy at the gloom.

"Legolas, can you see the Argonath yet?" the miko asked.

"Aye," he answered, paddling the boat.

Gimli peered back to his two friends. "That would be the great kings of old, Aragorn's kin, wouldn't it?"

Kagome nodded before her senses flared, rocking the boat slightly. Legolas tensed, drawing his bow.

"Where?" he asked.

She pointed to the woods to their east. Faster than lightening, the Elf spotted what had drawn her attention and had killed the Uruk-hai with a well aimed arrow. Gimli grunted as the Elf resumed paddling.

"There's no need to flaunt yourself," the Dwarf grumbled. "The lass has seen your skill in battle."

Kagome cracked up as Legolas blushed and jerked his thumb back at the fallen beast.

"That was a Uruk-hai scout, in case your Dwarf eyes didn't see."

Gimli chuckled as they continued down the river toward the falls, making camp only when they could not go on.

Aragorn eventually steered his boat to shore, prompting the others to follow him.

"We cross the lake at nightfall," Aragorn said as the group tumbled onto dry land and began to set up camp. "This is the lawn of Parth Galen. Let us hope that no evil has yet come here. We'll approach Mordor from the north."

"Oh, yes?" Gimli asked, lighting his pipe as the hobbits rested, sharing rations. "Just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impossible labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that, it gets even better." He continued, ignoring Pippin's squeak. "Festering, stinking marshland as far as the eye can see."

Kagome eased over to Legolas, her hand on the hilt of her katana. When she met his eyes, she knew he'd felt the presence she had.

"The further we venture," she breathed, "the stronger it grows. Already, my reiki strains at keeping it from gaining a foothold in the Fellowship."

Grey eyes were serious as he gave a sharp nod of acknowledgement.

"That is our road," Aragorn answered Gimli's tirade. "I suggest you take some rest and recover your strength, Master Dwarf."

Gimli sputtered indignantly, "Recover my-" he cut off, muttering, telling Pippin to pay Aragorn no mind.

Legolas leaned over to urge Aragorn, "We should leave now."

"No. Orcs patrol the eastern shore. We must wait for cover of darkness."

"It is not the eastern shore that worries me," the Elf replied. "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near. I can feel it. Kagome can feel it."

The Ranger shook his head sharply, leaving Legolas to clench his jaw and turn back to a frowning Kagome. She broke off a piece of lembas and passed him the rest. She'd no more swallowed than her vision went black.

The group's eyes shot to the miko when her eyes suddenly became unfocused and ringed in a pink blaze.

"I see fire," she spoke, her voice that eerie Other it became when she Saw. "Fire in the Deep, and it shall not easily be turned aside. Two to the Old and Two to the Road and One to fall behind. The White Tree withers and the Eye—"

She cut off as something seemed to grasp her throat and fling her several meters away, into a tree. Legolas was by her side in an instant, carefully checking her head and sweeping her up when she didn't immediately awaken.

"What was that?" Gimli demanded, his pipe forgotten completely.

Aragorn shook his head as the Elf focused his power to the miko, searching for any harm.

"Something evil, indeed, if it was able to reach out and throw her."

Legolas' face was hard and his eyes bore the lightning of a fierce storm when he looked at them. "It didn't want her to See something."

Groaning, Kagome shifted and pressed her face against Legolas. "I think I'm going to be sick."

Immediately, he pressed his fingers to her temples; his power sparking hers to begin its natural process. Relaxing as her head stopped pounding, Kagome took a trembling breath. Then, she nodded to the prince to let her up. Warily, he did so, watching as her powers took over to complete the task he'd started.

"What did—" but Aragorn was cut off when a frantic voice cut through.

"Where's Frodo?" Merry asked, looking around as he came back from gathering firewood.

A horn in the distance had the group on their feet, weapons drawn as Legolas said, "The horn of Gondor."

"Boromir!" Aragorn realized.

Kagome and Kirara took off into the woods as the group split up to find the hobbit and wayward Man. After a few moments, Frodo found her as he ran straight into her. She steadied him and stared intently at him, holding his shoulders.

Her eyes widened at what she saw as he stared, frightened, but determined back at her. "Go, then, Frodo," she said, hugging him. "You can do this! We will fight for your chance."

Noises in the distance drew her attention, making her see what was following the hobbit. Drawing her sword, she thrust Frodo behind her. "Go!" she yelled, walking forward to meet the onslaught.

Frodo ran a few steps, only glancing back once to see his friend and her cat cutting down the Uruk-hai with a ferocity that startled him. She looked at him for only a moment, her vivid blue eyes urging him on. Turning, he ran from the battle, praying he would make it to the river; praying his friends could hold on until the Ring was destroyed.

Kagome roared in fury as she spun and slashed through the beasts coming for Frodo. In a few swift moves, she and Kirara had decimated the group sent their way. Hearing the sound of Boromir's horn again, she called Kirara and leapt on her back as the cat flew toward the battle. She met Legolas and Gimli hurrying in the same direction, falling in beside them. They arrived in time to take down the last of the monsters and see Aragorn stumble over to the prone form of Boromir.

The miko's eyes widened as she ran to his side, her healing magic already dancing at her fingertips. Aragorn met her stare and shook his head. Boromir was beyond her healing.

"They took the little ones," Boromir gasped out.

Aragorn shook his head and tried to staunch the blood flow. "Be still."

Kagome released her magic, easing the pain the dying man was in. It was all she could do. Stepping back, she moved between Legolas and Gimli, her eyes wet. The two men touched her arms with theirs, the three giving each other comfort.

"Frodo," Boromir asked, "Where is Frodo?"

"I let Frodo go," Aragorn answered.

The man of Gondor nodded. "The Ring is beyond our reach now, as it should be. Forgive me," Boromir entreated. "I have failed you all."

Kagome gave a choked sob as she watched her friend gasping for his last words. "No, Boromir. You fought bravely. You have kept your honor."

"It is over. The world of Men will fall and all will come to darkness and my city to ruin," he mumbled, fading.

Aragorn grasped his hand. "I do not know what strength is in my blood but I swear to you, I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail."

Boromir gave a wan smile through the blood that trickled from his mouth. "Our people. Our people," he reiterated, reaching for his sword. Aragorn put the weapon in his hand and the man drew it over his heart. "I would have followed you my brother. My captain. My king," Boromir proclaimed, the light in his eyes dying with his life, leaving nothing but a shell behind.

Aragorn kissed his brow, saying, "Be at peace, son of Gondor." Standing, he looked to the others. "They will look for his return at the White Tower, but he will not return."

Legolas clenched his jaw and flicked the blood from his knives before sheathing them. "We cannot leave him like carrion among these Orcs."

"We must be swift," Gimli pointed out. "We cannot linger if we mean to catch the Orcs or the Ring-bearer."

The leader said nothing as he watched the far shore where he knew Frodo must be. The Elf studied him as Kagome came to stand with them.

"Frodo has taken his fate into his own hands," she said.

"You mean not to follow them," Legolas realized, as Gimli growled.

"Then it has all been in vain. The Fellowship has failed."

Kagome smiled and patted him on his shoulder. "No, Gimli. Remember what Galadriel said: we must hold true to each other. I think Sam would have caught his master before he left."

Aragorn nodded. "We will not abandon Merry and Pippin to torment and death. Not while we have strength left."

Legolas' eyes fell on the miko. "As you said, two go one way, two go another, and one falls behind. You Saw Sam following Frodo."

She flinched, rubbing her throat. "Yes. Come on, let's tend to Boromir."

So, they gathered up their fallen comrade and dressed him as well as they could before settling him in one of the boats and releasing him to the river. Kagome closed her eyes and sang a song of Passing that Kaede had taught her so long ago. Though she'd not been close to Boromir, he had been a good man who only wanted the best for his people.

The Dúnadan turned and began packing swiftly. "Leave all that can be spared behind. We travel light."

The miko arched a brow, sharing a look with Gimli. "Let's hunt some Orcs," she called, a smile on her face despite the sorrow the day had brought.

Gimli grinned with an evil sort of glee. "Yes!" he cried, following in a full out run when the group set off.

"We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the Three Kindreds," Aragorn agreed, "Elves, Dwarves, and Men." He paused, looking at Kagome and Kirara. "And, whatever you can now call yourselves. Forth the Hunters!"

The two females scowled at him and despite their hurry, the miko managed to chuck a rock at his arrogant head. "Jerk!"

Kagome blinked away her frown when Legolas tugged on her braid and matched his stride to hers. Aragorn had only barely managed to control his laughter, not wanting another lump.

"You will have to teach me your language," the Elf said.

Her brows drew together in confusion. "Why? I'm the only one alive that speaks it."

He smiled. "Yes, but how can I sing with you when I don't know the words?"

Looking forward, she blushed and then smiled. "Arigato." When she turned her eyes back to him, he was looking at her curiously. "It means 'thank you'."

Legolas rolled the word around in his mind before nodding. "Arigato."

Gimli frowned from behind. "Wait a moment. If you two are going to start speaking in another tongue, let's make sure the Dwarf is in on the lessons!"

Kagome laughed and felt her heart lightened at her friends' antics. Legolas' eyes twinkled at her as his True Self brightened with her joy. They'd not made it through the Darkness, yet, but maybe…maybe she'd found the light that was just for her. Green power sparked and caressed her hand when the Elf pulled her onto a large boulder. Maybe she'd found what was behind the stars, as Haldir had said.

Somewhere, staring out across a vast land of destruction much different than the land before her, she knew that the hope of the world stood with his best friend.

And that was a very encouraging thought, indeed.

So ends Book One