Part, the Fifth

Things Returned

Darkness permeated everything. She drifted with it, a part of it-outside of time and feeling. She was nothing.

That thought ricocheted through her being, disturbing the nothingness. It brushed against her, pulsing through her chest. Wait.

How did she have a self? Was she different from the Darkness…separate?

Soothing emptiness washed over her, and the uneasiness faded. Why was she worrying? All she had to do was float in pleasant numbness. Hadn't she earned a rest? Who was she to question the pervading Darkness? Who was she to question…

Who was she to…

Light flickered…

…who was she…

…spread through her body…

Who was she?

Darkness tightened around her, abruptly strangling that line of thought. No longer was it tempting, comforting; instead, it tore at her, trying to burrow into her skin.

Who am I?

Her thought sent her into a panic as she struggled away from the cloying blackness. She couldn't remember! Why couldn't she remember?! This was important. She was doing something-fighting-there was something…what was it?

Sightless though she was, she squeezed her lids shut to focus her mind. Forcing her thoughts away from the sharp, ripping Dark, she searched herself. What could she remember? Pain lanced through her as she reached. Oh, it burned to claw through the Dark veil cloaking the rest of her mind from herself. Screaming, she yanked and bit and gouged until she finally touched one thing. The Dark fought harder, but she shrugged it off, clasping the one thing that nothing and no one could take away from her.

Pink Fire.

Light blazed into being, shredding through the Darkness clamoring for her. A scream of anguish and fury escaped her again as she remembered grey eyes and silver white comfort swirling with green healing. Home. She knew home.

Terror griped her as she frantically clung to that. She was alone in the Dark with only fear and the pink fire setting her apart from it. The threat of returning to that forgetful, drifting state she'd been in invoked a panic almost beyond reason in her. The Dark was bad. She didn't belong there.

Sobbing, she scrambled for a way out of the nothingness, her fear nearly suffocating her. She was somebody; a person, but what did that mean? Her hands tightened around her home, startled when it returned her embrace, a gentle light beginning to twine with her own pink.

Tirelen…

A much loved voice called the word, making it echo in time with her heart. Home brightened as the word brought with it a wealth of feelings and a lifetime of memories. Rage surged like a volcano as her broken mind reformed and she understood.

Reiki flared as Kagome-she was Kagome Higurashi-let loose her fury.

"Saruman!"

…

Éowyn hurried from the caves as soon as it was permissible for her. The battle was over, but the soldiers that had brought the news did not know the final fate of her uncle, or of Aragorn. The shieldmaiden paid no attention to any of the antechambers she passed until low singing came to her from one of them. In spite of her hurry, she found her feet slowing until she could peek into the room. Her eyes widened at what she saw.

On a settee, a filthy, unconscious Kagome lay-her faint breathing the only indication she yet lived. Her cat was perched on the back of the furniture, but Éowyn was startled by the person on the floor at her side. Legolas sat there, battered and obviously injured, yet paying no mind to anything besides the woman at his side. Holding Kagome's hand, he had his eyes closed while he seemed to be singing prayers over her. Though his appearance was calm, there was an air of desperation about him that had her swallowing thickly.

A ruckus down the hall had Éowyn's head snapping up. Her heart eased upon seeing Théoden and Aragorn rushing toward her. Gandalf, Gimli and two guards were hot on their heels.

"Where is she?" the wizard demanded before they'd even reached her.

At her motion, Gandalf and his two friends stormed into the antechamber without stopping. Théoden paused at her side, his face grim as he nodded and then watched the others.

"Rohan owes her a great debt," he stated quietly, ambiguously.

"Foolish girl!" Gandalf snapped, though the words were filled with profound concern.

"Her light is flickering," Legolas stated lowly, raising stricken eyes to the Istar.

Gandalf's reply was cut off when Kagome's eyelids flew open. Éowyn gasped at the sight of the orbs. It seemed as though black clouds covered them.

"Saruman!" she hissed, her fingers griping Legolas' tightly before her eyes rolled back and she fell unconscious once more.

The Elf's face hardened into an expression of frightening wrath as he rolled to his feet. "He will die for touching her!" he growled, a pulse of power raising the hair of everyone around him.

Though she didn't not know what he'd said, Éowyn suddenly understood as Aragorn put a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. Why hadn't she seen it before?

"We must journey to Isengard," Gandalf said. "The battle is not over until Saruman is confronted." His words gentled as he tried to offer the Elf comfort. "She will hold, Legolas."

Breathing deeply, he nodded, pressing his lips to Kagome's fingers and settling his free hand on her hair. Gimli grunted, shuffling forward with a bandage around his head to show for his efforts in the battle.

"The lass has pushed him back before, my friend. Come, let us not tarry. We will shorten this wizard and be done with it."

Grey eyes rose to meet the Dwarf's, appreciating his efforts. Aragorn patted his shoulder and then removed his hand.

"She will not be pleased when she learns you did not tend to your injuries."

A strained chuckle escaped him as he glanced back to the woman. "No, she will take me to task quite soundly. However, as I intend to return the favor, it may take us some time to negotiate the affair."

Gandalf released a laugh as Gimli grinned and Aragorn rolled his eyes. Théoden took that moment to speak.

"My men have been fighting without rest, Gandalf. Let them recover their strength and we will accompany you on the last leg of this battle."

Turning, the white haired male sniffed and agreed. "Nightfall, then. Legolas, let me take a look at you. Aragorn tells me you had a Wall fall on you."

Wincing, the Elf confirmed that and stiffly moved to allow the wizard to tend to him. "We will take Tirelen with us," Éowyn heard the Firstborn say as the door closed and she was left with her uncle. Aragorn hadn't even spared her a glance, but her heart was so relieved upon seeing him whole that she put no more thought into it.

Théoden met her eyes and motioned for her to walk with him. "Legolas was atop the Wall when the enemy used Dark sorcery to blow up the culvert. We thought him dead and Kagome witnessed the deed." He took a shuddering breath and something akin to awe overtook his features. "I knew she was powerful, but…Éowyn, she destroyed anything that came near the fortress after that. She held off the enemy until your brother could get to us. I've never seen the like."

Brows furrowed, the woman tried to understand what had happened. Over the next few hours, she would find more than one soldier eager to tell the story. When she finally worked out the details, her heart twisted at the pain Kagome must have felt. If it was even a portion of what she'd seen in Legolas' eyes, she wondered at the miko's ability to come back at all.

…

The Dark died as her reiki surged out, decimating everything it touched. Kagome scowled as she wielded it with a control, she'd forgotten she had. It was as though a part of herself had been returned. This power was hers, the very core of her being. Midoriko was gone now and even beyond the Shikon, the pink fire was Kagome. If she'd seen only shadows for nearly two millennia and suddenly had her sight returned, she wouldn't have felt more complete. She was whole and she had Home to get back to. No freaking hooked-nose bastard was going to keep her from her light.

Her attack was brought to a halt when the most beautiful song imaginable sprang into life around her. Every selfish or weary emotion melted from her as the music cocooned her in sheer splendor. She felt renewed, revitalized as though she was a child once more, staring into the world with wonder.

It was the closest thing to Heaven she could imagine, even having seen Valinor through Glorfindel's life.

Close, little one.

A voice that was the music came to her. It made the pink light of her True Self brighten fervently.

"H-hello?" she ventured, unsurely.

Exquisite laugher rang through the song. Hello, child. I am always so pleased with your Light.

Breath catching, Kagome immediately knew who spoke to her. It was as though it was coded into her DNA, even though she wasn't from Arda. Eyes closed, she dropped to her knees and pressed her forehead to whatever passed for the ground in this place.

"Father Ilúvatar," she managed around the humility that swamped her. "Forgive this unworthy one," she pleaded.

Soothing notes rose in the song and a faint caress passed along her hair. When you came here, I decided to allow your friend's wish. I took your powers and changed them so that you could survive in my world. You had my forgiveness the moment you asked for it.

Tears pooled in her eyes at the absolute love she felt from him. His words washed away any lingering doubt about her place.

"Thank you," she breathed, her voice shaky with everything words were insufficient to express. "You give me honor beyond anything I could ever deserve."

Again, pure love swirled into the song, making her understand what the height of the emotion truly meant for the first time. She understood unconditional love from the notes radiating into her soul.

I gave you Light beyond the extraordinary amount you had when you appeared. His song told her. I gifted you with the means to find your happiness, my child. You walk with my Light within you, Kagome Higurashi-Tirelen.

And then, the song was gone, leaving a change in her exceeding anything she could have ever dreamed. She'd been purified and her world was bright once more.

Smirking, she raised her hands lit with her powers and rolled to her feet. The Darkness that had returned hesitated at that.

"Oh, I'm afraid it's too late to back out now," she taunted.

Ilúvatar had burned away all her doubt and fear. Inuyasha was right.

She was a fucking great person.

Hooked nose freaks be damned.

….

Kirara would not tolerate Kagome being born by another and Legolas would not leave either female. Gandalf quieted Théoden's protest and studied the miko in the Elf's arms.

"Aye, perhaps we shall see the end of her test ere we see the end of Saruman's."

And that was the end of the discussion. Éowyn petitioned to accompany the group, but Théoden firmly commanded her to lead their people back to Edoras. They were still weary and he would not trust his niece within five hundred leagues of the betrayer.

Twenty soldiers rode with Théoden, including Éomer, though he'd sent riders to all corners of the Mark with summons for all men to Edoras. Gandalf had taken only Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Kagome, who all went despite their injuries.

"It was only a feeble blow!" Gimli grumbled at the mention of the wound on his head. "It would take more than such an orc-scratch to keep me back!"

The men who were not riding with the king began the labor of burying their dead. The Orcs were piled in great heaps, away from the honored mounds of Men. When the company departed for Isengard, they were met with a strange sight. A great forest had sprung up on the edge of the valley and long into the night, the Rohirrim had heard Orcs shrieking and the screams of the dying. Now that they looked, the Men could see no evidence of any Orc-living or the mound of the dead.

"What has become of the miserable Orcs?" Legolas asked, his hold on Kagome tightening.

"That, I think, no one will ever know," Gandalf answered.

The strange forest gave them a path and Legolas would have dearly loved to have explored the woods had circumstances varied. The precious bundle in his arms, however, kept him focused on his task. A flash of red at the corner of his eye had his attention snapping around. A red bird called to him and landed purposefully on Kagome's shoulder. Brows raised, the Elf listened intently to the bird's message. When it was done, he bowed his head and spoke a few words in reply.

"What has happened?" Aragorn asked as the bird once more took to the sky.

Legolas' mouth pulled down. "Greenwood and Lórien have been under siege themselves. Had Orcs from Mordor not attacked, more than I would have represented the Firstborn in the Battle of Helm's Deep."

Théoden's eyes widened at that. "Why would your people have sent aid?"

Gandalf smiled from his place in front of Gimli. "Legolas is the son of Thranduil, who is the King of Greenwood." Nodding to Aragorn he continued, "And Aragorn is pledged to Arwen Undómiel, granddaughter of the rulers of Lothlórien. Gimli is especially favored by the Lady Galadriel and Kagome is second only to Legolas' family in Greenwood. You had very well connected people at your disposal, Théoden king. I have no doubt that you would have been reinforced had the Elves not been facing their own assault."

Shocked, the man looked to the Company, wonder in his eyes.

"What else did the Elvenking say?" Aragorn prompted.

Grey eyes fell to the unconscious Kagome as Kirara carried them both forward. "He felt harm befall both of us. The rest was a private matter."

Respecting that, the group grew silent until Gimli began describing the Caverns of Helm's Deep. His voice was enthralling, so moved was he by the sight and splendor of the mountain. It carried them on until they saw mounds where the battles of the Fords occurred. Gandalf admitted to helping bury the dead and sending those Men who survived to guard Meduseld.

On they journeyed until reaching Isengard and the destruction that paved the road through the wizard's vale. A pile of rubble near the twisted and destroyed gates drew their eyes as they became aware of two small figures lying on it at their ease. Bottles and platters and barrels lay around them, as if they'd just finished a most merry feast and now rested. One of the figures-looking like a young man, only smaller-leapt to his feet and bowed very low.

"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" he grinned.

"You young rascals!" Gimli shouted at them. "A merry hunt you've led us on. Two hundred leagues, through fen and forest, battle and death, to rescue you! And here we find you feasting and-and smoking!"

"We are sitting," Pippin said importantly, "on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts."

Merry nodded, puffing his pipe as if to emphasize what his friend said.

"My heart lifts with your safe return," Legolas broke in, "but where is Saruman?"

The hard tone of his voice at the end was so unusual, that the hobbits were taken aback. Swinging their eyes to him, their faces paled when they saw Kagome.

"What happened?" Merry asked, scrambling down and over to his friend.

Gandalf stopped Pippin as Aragorn answered Merry's question. "Where is Treebeard?"

"He's guarding Saruman," Pippin replied quickly, his good humor fading. "He told us to guard the gate and watch for you."

Inclining his head, Gandalf commanded the hobbits to ride with Aragorn and Éomer before leading the group onwards. They were soon met with one of the tree herders, an Ent Gandalf named 'Treebeard'. His voice was likened to that of a tree groaning in the force of the wind.

"Gandalf, I'm glad you've come. Wood and water and stone I can master; but there's a wizard to manage here." His head jerked to indicate the Orthanc behind him. "Locked in his tower."

Understanding, Gandalf moved to face his old friend. "Saruman, Saruman!" he commanded, "Come forth!"

…..

Releasing a breath, Kagome let loose her powers, completely destroying the Darkness and shattering any remnants of a seal on her True Self and her powers.

"I cast you out!" She bellowed, blazing with righteous fire.

A jerk on her True Self had her turning. Silver white light beckoned to her and with a grin, she rushed to him.

….

Saruman, so condescending even in the face of his failure abruptly cried out and clasped his chest. The spell he'd been weaving over the group broke and the ones who had fallen prey to it saw him as he truly was.

Legolas' eyes were only for the woman in his arms, however. Pink light erupted from her, lifting her into the air as she woke and transforming her into something beyond imagining. His worry and fear fled as she smiled gently to him, her hair lifting with her power.

"My light," she called him, tears in her eyes as her hands cupped his cheeks. Her power washed over him, healing all the injuries he'd sustained. Smiling gently, he held her hands and let her True Self wrap around him for the first time. It was the single most moving experience of their lives.

"You have someone to see," he reminded her when he could put it off no longer.

At that, unadulterated rage over took her. The company around them watched in shock as she turned to face the two wizards. Gandalf arched a brow and smiled a secret smile as his long time friend came even with him.

"I believe you remember Kagome," he said to a near-trembling Saruman.

Saruman's sunken face grew livid. "As I told you: if you wish to treat with me, go away and come back when you are sober! And leave behind these cut-throats and small rag-tag that dangle at your tail! Good day!" He turned and left the balcony on which he'd been standing.

"Come back, Saruman!" Gandalf commanded. To the amazement of the others, Saruman turned again as if dragged against his will and came back to the iron rail.

"You have no colour now," Gandalf continued. "I cast you from the order and from the Council. Saruman, your staff is broken."

There was a crack, and the staff split asunder in Saruman's hand. A large sparkling stone came hurtling out of the tower, barely missing the falling Saruman and landing quite far from Gandalf. Before anyone could go towards it, Kagome's power flared once more.

"Olórin was merciful," she called to him, power fluctuating around her, "I am not."

Her eyes glowed from within with a light that rendered Saruman unable to move. Whimpering, the fallen wizard sunk against the railing.

"Leave me," he rasped.

"Had you repented, had you taken his offer, you would have been spared."

Legolas had dismounted Kirara to stand by the miko's side. The nekomatta sniffed and moved a ways away.

"I swore you would die for touching her," the Elf spat at Saruman, nocking an arrow is his longbow.

Gandalf sat forward on Shadowfax, but held his tongue when Kagome shot him a look. Turning back to her beloved, she touched his shoulder, sending a wave of reiki through him until it sparked on his arrowhead.

"Cease this foolishness!" Saruman tried, lacing his words with as much influence as he could manage without his staff. "Your light is but a candle to the Darkness that awaits you in the east. You will fall only after Sauron tires of you!"

But, his fate had been decided and his words were ignored. Legolas released the pink comet, watching as it struck Saruman in the chest, pinning him to the tower. A hoarse cry was heard from within before Gríma ran from the tower. After spurning Théoden's mercy, he found death at his king's hand.

Kagome glanced to Legolas and then lifted her hands once more. "This place is corrupted," she told him.

Reiki surged from her into the land and through the tower, sinking deep into the caverns to find every speck of corruption and taint.

Treebeard and Quickbeam watched in surprise and pleasure as a fire they did not despise cleansed a land they'd once loved.

AN: Again, I posted it before fine-tuning it, but I don't want y'all to think I'm not working on it! Your reviews are really propelling me onward and mean more than words can capture. I hope that this chapter is acceptable! Next time, the palantir and our fave couple 'negotiates their affair'. (And, Thranduil is totally going to show up again. We have to get his input, right?)