Part, the Third

Things that Fall

A day later, they found out what had caught Kagome's attention. Two of the king's guards had ridden ahead and were attacked by a warg and its rider. Kagome leapt over a boulder and shot the warg in time to save one of the guards. Legolas ran and shot the rider through his throat, kicking him onto his back when he was done.

"A scout!" he called back to her.

Kagome nodded and called the information back to Aragorn who was making his way toward them.

"What is it?" Théoden demanded. "What do you see?"

"Warg!" Aragorn answered, running for his horse. "We're under attack!"

Kagome rushed to stand beside Legolas, seeing the warg riders Saruman had sent. They thundered over the hillside with malicious glee. The two archers exchanged looks before knocking their bows and beginning to fire on the enemy. As Gimli rode his horse with the soldiers rushing passed, Legolas swung himself up in front of the Dwarf.

"Kirara!" Kagome called, leaping onto the neko's back.

Riding out, she drew her katana and began hacking at the wargs as they slammed into the Rohirrim. It was gruesome. One of the warg riders swung his blade at her head, only to be shocked when Kirara ripped the throat from his warg. Kagome removed his head and brought her blade up in time to meet yet another foe.

Aragorn was doing well himself, spearing a warg in the side when the creature was attacking Gimli. Kagome's eyes widened when she saw that the Dwarf was buried under two wargs and a rider. Dismounting, she nodded to her cat.

"Kirara, go help Gimli," she asked, drawing her bow. She positioned herself on the cliff side, its rocks giving her the added height that aided her arrows. It also meant she wouldn't be attacked from behind.

Legolas was off his horse now, picking off the riders with deadly accuracy. Kagome noticed Théoden fighting in the midst of the battle. Eyes hard, she tried to give him cover, knowing Rohan couldn't lose their king after just getting him back. His head whipped around after seeing one of her arrows whizz by. Nodding to her, he continued his onslaught.

Fast movement to the front of the miko drew her attention. Aragorn had knocked one of the riders off its warg, but was now being dragged by the creature. Raising her bow, Kagome took aim and shot the thing in its grotesque head. It howled, but such was its momentum, that it kept moving forward. Kagome had just enough time to feel her eyes widen before the creature slammed into her, sending both she and Aragorn over the cliff.

Cursing, she twisted and got Aragorn free from the warg's saddle. She managed to erect a barrier mere seconds before they crashed into the roaring river below. Her head disappeared under the water until she was able to swim furiously to the top. Cresting the surface, Kagome saw that she and Aragorn were being carried swiftly down the river.

"Kirara!" She yelled, hoping the cat would hear her. Until then, she had to get herself and an unconscious Aragorn to the shore.

…..

Back at the battlefield, Gimli walked beside Kirara, looking for his friends. Legolas came up beside him, a worried frown on his face.

"Aragorn!" Gimli bellowed. "Kagome lass!"

Legolas' brows drew together as one of the Uruk riders near the cliff began cackling gleefully. Gimli ran over and growled at the thing, his axe held menacingly in his hand.

"Tell me what happened to them and I will ease your passing."

The Uruk laughed again, blood spilling from his mouth. "They're dead. He and that witch took a little tumble off the cliff."

Legolas grabbed him by his armor and snarled, "You lie."

Gurgling noises poured from the creature's mouth before he died. Legolas looked down and saw Arwen's jewel clutched in the thing's hand. Eyes wide, he took the broach and made his way to the cliff. Looking over, he saw the raging river rushing past. Heart in his throat, he swallowed, clutching the stone and searching for any sign of his two friends.

Suddenly, he heard a faint cry. Kirara roared before leaping off the cliff and flying away, following the river. Grey eyes could barely see a faint shape struggling in the current. Kagome's great cat was swiftly closing in on it.

Legolas let go of a breath and looked to Gimli when the Dwarf stood beside him.

"If the cat is after them, there is a chance," he mumbled, trying to convince himself as well.

Legolas closed his eyes tightly and gave a shuddering sigh. "There is a better chance if they are together," he replied, hoping that his friend and Kagome would make it back. Every breath he took felt as though it was weighted with his despair. "We won't reach them in time, but I caught a glimpse of them before the bend of the river took them. It is as you said: Kirara will not fail her mistress."

"Get the wounded on horses," Théoden commanded. "The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead."

Gimli and Legolas stared at him in shock from their place on the cliff. Théoden sighed and patted each one on the shoulder, sparing a glance down at the river.

"Come."

…..

Kagome gasped in exhaustion as she crawled onto shore, nearly dragging a barely conscious Aragorn. "Ilúvatar," she muttered, collapsing by her friend, "next time you throw yourself over a cliff, leave me out of it, jerk."

Aragorn groaned, but didn't wake from where he'd fallen. The miko eyed him, but couldn't do much to heal him when everything in her hurt to move. Closing her eyes, she focused on slowly healing herself. Abruptly the sweet smell of flowers filled her nose.

"Arwen," Kagome smiled, not opening her eyes. "This time it wasn't my fault."

She felt the Elf's spirit move first to Aragorn and then brush her forehead. The miko's healing sped up and she succumbed to the healing sleep. Hours later, a cold nose on her cheek had her waking. Blinking blurred eyes, Kagome saw Kirara standing over her with concern. Weakly, she pulled herself up and felt her powers rush out to finish healing her. Sighing with relief, she turned to Aragorn. Kneeling, she pushed her reiki into him and healed his body as well.

Aragorn rolled to his side with a moan and then sat up, looking at her in question.

"You got us pulled off a cliff," Kagome explained, mounting Kirara. "Now, come on. We don't have time to waste. Théoden's probably already at the Hornburg."

He nodded and pulled himself on behind her. Kirara roared and took off, flying fast. Aragorn worked his arm that had been gashed and looked to his friend.

"Thanks," he mumbled.

Kagome shook her head. "Hey, it was Arwen that really saved us. I was too exhausted to do much at first. I hope the others are all right," she worried, biting her lip.

The Ranger smiled. "I'm sure they are more concerned with our well being. They are fine."

They said nothing for a while until they came to a hillside and could see across the plain. What they saw had Kagome's heart clenching in fear. There was a dark army marching toward Helm's Deep so numerous that they looked like a great swarm of ants. Aragorn cursed and hurried Kirara, knowing they had to warn the others and make them ready.

"I'm so hungry," Kagome complained as they neared the fortress. As if in agreement, her stomach rumbled loudly.

Aragorn snorted and rolled his eyes. Kagome could lighten any burden, simply by sharing the load and she'd come to mean a great deal to him over his life. He was glad that her path had been his during this adventure.

"As am I. Not much farther. It might be a while before we're allowed to eat, however. We have to tell the king about the army."

The miko scowled. "You go tell him and I'll get us some food."

Looking back at his arched brow and unamused stare, she relented. "Fine, but if I die of hunger, it's on your head."

He grinned as they approached the gates of the Deep. Once they were inside, they dismounted a weary Kirara and looked hesitantly at the murmuring crowd. Kagome caught the cat in her arms and leaned her head against her tiredly. Even her bones felt tired.

"Where are they?" a loud voice could be heard over the crowd. "Where are they? Get out of the way! I'm going to kill them."

Kagome watched with amusement as the people were shoved aside to make room for Gimli. The Dwarf watched them a moment with something suspiciously like tears in his eyes before he grabbed them both in a hug.

"You are the luckiest, the canniest and the most reckless people I ever knew. Bless you."

The miko grinned and hugged him back before Aragorn drew away. "Gimli, where is the king?"

The Dwarf sniffed and nodded toward the keep. Aragorn hurried that way as Kagome and Gimli followed after. The Ranger stopped suddenly when his path was abruptly blocked by a relieved Legolas.

"You're late," he stated before giving his friend a once over. "You look terrible."

The men grinned at each other before Legolas shoved something into his palm. Looking down, Aragorn found the Elfstone. He stared at it a moment before closing his hand around it and looking back to Legolas with gratitude shining in his eyes.

"Thank you."

The Elf nodded, but his smile fell quickly from his face. "Kagome?"

Aragorn inclined his head and motioned to where she was approaching with Gimli. The Ranger watched his friend as he took in the small woman's battered appearance and matted hair. The sheer relief in the Elf's eyes was painful. Kagome noticed his stare and tugged nervously at her hair and clothes, giving a weak smile.

"Hey," she said, "miss me?"

The Ranger's brows shot up when her words seemed to snap something in Legolas. The Elf lunged at the woman, wrapping her in his arms and picking her completely off the floor. Kagome squeaked, but then held him back just as tightly, pressing her face into his neck. Aragorn looked at Gimli to find the Dwarf watching the scene with surprise as well.

"I thought I'd lost you," the blonde said softly into her ear. "You took years off my life."

Kagome gave a shuddering sigh and let her hands curl in his tunic when his light battered the seal on her True Self. "I was worried, too, you jerk."

"I wasn't the one who decided to get tossed off a cliff," He pointed out as he lowered her feet back to the floor, mindful of how battered she probably felt.

The miko arched a brow and shot a pink ball at his chest when her finger poked him. "Come on, we need to see the king," she sniffed, not deigning to answer his unnecessary sarcasm.

The Elf's face had melted into a rather silly grin when she'd zapped him with her powers. It had made every nerve ending in his body alight with pleasure. Eyes dark with emotion, he turned to follow her into the hall.

Aragorn looked at Gimli. "Do you feel like we've been forgotten?"

The Dwarf shrugged. "I'm rather glad I wasn't in the middle of that."

The friends shared a grin before following the two into the king's hall. They never noticed Éowyn watching the proceedings as well, her eyes only seeing Aragorn.

…..

"A great host you say?" Théoden asked later when they had reported what they'd seen and cleaned up a bit.

Kagome rubbed the knots in her neck as Kirara lay in her lap, tails twitching. "Saruman has emptied Isengard."

Théoden's brows drew together. "How many?"

Aragorn grimaced. "Ten thousand strong at least."

Gimli and Legolas exchanged looks at that and the Elf moved to sit beside Kagome. Brushing her hands aside, he began rubbing her neck as they watched the king pace. The green glow of his powers sank into her muscles, healing the stress there. Her powers could heal injury, but his could sooth her and the feeling of home he gave her allowed her to relax as nothing else could. She had a bit of a struggle to keep her eyes from drooping.

"Ten thousand?" Théoden muttered in disbelief and dawning horror.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men. They will be here by tomorrow night."

The king's face hardened. "Then let them come!"

As they followed the man out the doors, he snagged a guard with provisions. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall," he commanded.

The guard bowed and left to do his bidding. Théoden began moving through the fortress, describing the defenses and what the plan of action was to be. Kagome frowned as she moved through the people, seeing little more than farmers. They were terrified and would only grow more so until the siege began.

Once outside the gates, Théoden motioned to the tower above. "We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg!"

Gimli frowned. "This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad," he tried to tell the king.

Théoden sneered at the Dwarf. "I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep."

The Fellowship looked to each other and slowly followed the king back inside the fortress. Gimli snorted and then studied the rocks and the mountain fortress as the king went about his business.

"This is more to my liking," he stated, stamping on the stones. "My heart always lifts near the mountains. There is good rock here. I felt them in my feet as we came up from the dike." He grinned proudly at Legolas and Kagome, boasting, "Give me a year and a hundred of my kin and I would make this a place that armies would break upon like water."

Kagome nodded as Legolas looked amused. Their joy faded, however, when they saw the people that would be defending Rohan. They were no soldiers, but family men who should have been able to live peacefully on their farms.

"I do not doubt it," Legolas answered his friend somberly. "I do not like this place and I shall like it no more by nightfall. Still, I wish there were more of your kin among us." With a quirk of his lips, he conceded, "But even more would I give for a hundred good archers of Greenwood. The Rohirrim have good bowmen, after their fashion, but there are too few here."

Aragorn agreed, his heart worried. "We must hold out. Gandalf will return."

They turned as they saw Théoden commanding the women and children to the caves. One guard glanced to Kagome, as if weighing taking her with them. She arched a brow in challenge.

"Try it," she invited pleasantly.

The guard backed up and continued on his path. With a nod of satisfaction, she spun and followed her friends as Aragorn took over command of the defenses.

"We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate."

Legolas sighed. "Aragorn, you and Kagome must rest. You're no use to us half alive."

He smiled and shook his head. "I'm fine. I'll rest when I'm assured that we have prepared as much as we can."

Kagome touched Legolas' arm in silent reassurance. She would rest when the rest of the Company did. The corners of his mouth tightened, but he said no more on the subject.

"Aragorn!" a voice cried from the crowd.

Kagome frowned when she saw Éowyn running toward them. The woman looked both lovesick and pissing determined. Legolas met the miko's eyes with a grimace.

"Painful, as I told you," he stated, subtly motioning to where Éowyn was pleading with their friend.

"I'm to be sent with the women into the caves," the golden haired woman said, angry tears in her eyes.

Aragorn's face was resigned and just a touch patronizing. "That is an honorable charge."

Éowyn frowned, drawing back as if slapped. "To mind the children," she said in disbelief, "to find food and bedding when the men return. What renown is there in that?"

Kagome tensed, her jaw aching from her annoyance. She really wanted to slap the woman.

The Ranger shook his head. "My lady, a time may come for valor without renown. Who then will your people look to in the last defense?"

The White Lady grabbed his hand. "Let me stand at your side."

"It is not in my power to command it," he said gently, withdrawing his appendage.

Éowyn cried, "You do not command the others to stay! Kagome stays, is she not a woman? Your friends fight beside you because they would not be parted from you. Because they love you!"

At that, Kagome's patience snapped, making her stalk forward and grab Éowyn firmly by the shoulder. "I think we should have a talk," she said, dragging the woman into an empty room.

Éowyn turned on the shorter woman as soon as she was released, her hands raised in fury as she pointed at her. "Why are you allowed beside him and I am denied?"

Kagome sighed. "Éowyn, your jealousy is misplaced. It takes as much strength, if not more, to stay behind while those you love fight for you. If valor is all you seek, then you are an immature child with a bad case of hero worship."

The woman fumed. "What would you know of me?"

"I've been where you are, loving a man who loves another. Aragorn is tied to Arwen and no amount of wishing on your part will change that. Don't you think you dishonor the injured and returned men by believing yourself above aiding them?"

Éowyn looked away, refusing to acknowledge the claim. "You love him," she accused instead.

Kagome arched a brow and snorted. "Not like you think I do. I'm a lot older than you, Éowyn. Believe me when I say that this road only leads to heartache. Let him and your battle lust go. You will never have any peace until you do."

"That is simple enough for you to say."

"Yes, but I've been the one left behind and protected. I do know what you're feeling when you want so badly to help. This is not your task." Kagome frowned and sighed. "Not yet, at least. Wait. Your time will come."

Then she turned and exited the room, leaving the White Lady alone with her thoughts. Legolas appeared beside Kagome and studied her, trying to ascertain the outcome. She nodded and followed him to the armory. The Fellowship eyed the men around them before looking back to each other. It didn't need to be said, there were few soldiers here and the terror cloaking the air was stifling.

…..

That night, Gimli wandered outside to light a pipe after eating his fill. Leaning against the breastwork of the wall, he peered into the darkness. There, he found Aragorn gazing at something above them. Legolas sat on the parapet, his long fingers strumming a stringed instrument while Kagome stood beside him. The miko was in her strange clothes, her armor absent for the moment. The end of her braids lifted in the slight breeze and she seemed to the Dwarf to be very far from them.

Closing her eyes, she hummed until Legolas picked up the melody, allowing him to play it softly for a few chords. Then, Gimli was startled as her voice suddenly filled the night air. Many times he'd heard her sing on their journey, but never had her voice been so clear and so achingly beyond mortal realms.

"May it be an evening star

Shines down upon you.

May it be when darkness falls,

Your heart will be true.

You walk a lonely road

Oh! How far you are from home."

Gimli glanced to Aragorn as her words drifted through the Deep like a prayer and encouragement all in one. The Dúnadan was watching the two with something very close to wistfulness on his rugged face.

Legolas' voice rose with Kagome's, his tenor twining perfectly with her soft soprano. The song eased something in all who heard it, lending them the very light it spoke of with such raw hope. When the last note faded into a still quiet, Aragorn dropped his head into shadow and Gimli had to discreetly wipe at his face. Though she didn't sing with the perfection of the Elves, Kagome had a realness to her that bolstered even the faintest of hearts.

Daring to raise his eyes once more, the Dwarf found his two friends sitting, watching the stars appear. Kagome was doing nothing more than leaning against Legolas' side, his arm around her, yet it appeared to their short friend that he was suddenly seeing two halves of one being.

"Thank you, Legolas."

He'd learned enough to understand the miko's soft words. And even though the Elf's reply was a bit beyond him, he understood enough of it to know that Kagome could share her light with all of Arda and it would never belong to anyone but the prince at her side.

It was perhaps the most hopeful thing he'd seen.

(Besides the Lady Galadriel, of course.)

…..

Legolas turned his head to watch Kagome as she glanced up at him, the song they'd sung still in their ears. A breeze touched them, though it did not destroy the braids he'd crafted in the miko's hair. Her face was soft and open in a way he'd not before seen and her too blue eyes reflected the light of the stars to him.

Kagome wet her lips as she studied her companion. He was so beautiful it hurt, and she had to clench her hands to keep from reaching for his True Self. Something of her thoughts must have shown, though, because he smiled and let the silver white tendrils of light curl around her.

Sucking in a sharp breath, she watched him with a curious vulnerability as goose bumps prickled her skin. In one smooth motion, he bent and pressed his lips to her in a tender kiss. Gentle lips moved over hers, slowly binding her to him until the emotion between them was too much for her. Tears spilled down her cheeks as his light flared and she was suddenly home.

He left just as her heart felt as though it would burst with all she felt for him. Meeting his eyes, she realized what Glorfindel had meant, all those months ago. The starlight melding with Legolas' True Self laid out her future for her. She had been lost and now…now wherever he was would be where she belonged.

"Legolas, aishiteru wa," the words escaped her before she could even think to restrain them and in the only form she knew that could encompass the entirety of all she felt for him. Sindarin was beautiful, but the language of her heart was the language to which she was born. It was only fitting that she spoke these so very rare words in Japanese.

Legolas' entire being fluxed in a glow that warmed her entire being and the joy that took his face seared the moment into her mind forever. He didn't have to speak her language, though she'd managed to teach him a bit; he understood her. His heart heard hers and knew.

Cupping her cheeks, he gave the words back to her against her mouth before kissing her once more.

…..

AN: So, the song was Enya's 'May It Be' which completely fits Kagome in the story, I think.

I did some digging on Japanese ways of saying 'I love you' and was completely turned around. Apparently, they don't toss out the 'ol "I love..." phrase at everything like we in this hemisphere do. Er...culture shock for me. Everywhere I turned, it seemed like actions really did speak louder than words in this area, but 'aishiteru wa' was something that was so far beyond description that it moved into the abstract on pinning down an emotion. That's kinda how I'm thinking Kagome is feeling about our Elf-boy right now. She may never say it again, but what she's found with him, well, kinda deserved something big.

I hope that I didn't completely jack that up. I wanted to keep her roots with her; it's one of the reasons she's always insisting she isn't an Elf. Kagome is proud of who she is and where she's from. I can't see her losing that.

Let me know if I should just slap it in italics or something and we can all pretend it's in Japanese. I may offend less people if I do that. Don't hit me!

Hugs until next time! (This is taking a while, too, so I'm sorry! I'm trying to make everything perfect before I post.)