Part, the Ninth

Things Unraveling

They made camp on the hill that night, though it was only Kagome's protective barrier that allowed the men to get any rest. The miko stood between her brothers, watching the Dead mill about the base of the hill. Crossing her arms, she glared at each of the Elves in turn.

"Are you going to tell me what you said and did to him?" she demanded.

Smirking, they shook their heads.

"No," Elrohir answered her, curling an arm around her shoulders. "Suffice it to say, he is tolerable."

Elladan hid a smile when Kagome clasped her necklace and tried to hold onto her irritation with them. She'd always had a soft spot for their mischief.

"And his bride-price is acceptable, though given informally."

Scowling, she shrugged off Elrohir's arm. "It's not a freaking price tag, you jerk! It's…" Trailing off, she tried to find the words for the jewel. "Did he tell you about it?"

Interest peaked, the twins faced her. "Just that Thranduil worked the craft himself."

An utterly feminine emotion overcame her then, making her brothers wish they had perhaps been less amendable to the prince. They'd never witnessed her so soft.

Restraining her feelings as best she could, she told them the story of Mîrthilion. Two sets of brows had risen completely when she was done. Exchanging looks, they digested that bit of information.

"That is a worthy gift," Elrohir finally stated quietly, begrudgingly allowing his respect for the prince to rise. Another part of him, however, was relieved; for Legolas would not have parted with such a token-nor indeed, Thranduil-had he not loved their sister deeply.

Blushing, Kagome ducked her head, her braids emphasizing her pointed ears in the moonlight. Elladan's heart swelled with affection for her as he tugged at the end of her dark locks.

"You have tamed him such that he dresses your hair?" He teased.

An odd hurt flickered across her face at his jesting, making her brothers' attention sharpen.

"Shut up," she muttered, touching the pretty weaves. "Nobody's ever braided my hair like you guys, or-or offered to teach me how to do it."

"You've always worn your hair in that odd top-tail or loose, Tirelen," Elrohir stated cautiously. "Surely you know any of your family would have done so simple a thing for you, had we known you wished it."

Brows drawn together, Elladan tried to understand her odd expression. Sometimes even he forgot that she wasn't of the Firstborn. He wondered if, however, it was something that was ever at the forefront of the miko's mind. When she relaxed and gave them an abashed smile, he felt his trepidation ease.

"Yeah," she answered, "I know you would have. It's just nice that Legolas wants to do it for me. I don't have the patience for it, honestly."

Laughing at her embarrassed admission, they made to tease her when her eyes unfocused and a pink light glowed from her irises. The air around them became saturated with her power and her hair drifted up with the strength of it. Her True Self suddenly surged wildly, flaring like a small star in agitation until Legolas rushed to her side. His True Self crashed into hers, holding her steady, an anchor against a hurricane.

"Tirelen-Nín," he called harshly, clasping her arms when she began to shake.

It was over in a moment. Snapping out of her vision, Kagome whirled to her right and began coughing up blood. Alarmed, Legolas supported her while she finished heaving up red bile. With a groan, she slumped against him, unable to protest when he scooped her into his arms. Her brothers' worried faces appeared in her line of sight, but they did not attempt to remove her from her betrothed.

"Calad-Nín," she muttered, her body feeling like a limp noodle.

"I am here. What do you need?" he answered as Elrohir wiped her face and Elladan went to get her water.

The Dúnedain had stood when her powers flared, Aragorn and Gimli approaching the immortals. Kagome's blue eyes met the heir's and her eyes lost their haze.

"Aragorn, you must bring athelas. It's going to be needed by a lot of people when we get to Gondor," she told him hoarsely, stopping when her brother forced water down her throat.

Frowning, he agreed, but his anxiety for her did not wane. "Tell me what you've Seen when you've recovered, Kagome."

"They are growing in frequency," Legolas murmured.

Nodding, she curled a fist into the front of his tunic, but addressed the rightful king of Gondor. "It wasn't much, but I caught a glimpse of what Gondor is facing now. The Black Breath of the Nazgûl plagues them and will take a toll on Merry. The king has healing hands."

Understanding, he gave a jerk of his head. "We'll gather what we can. Rest, Kagome. We must depart at dawn."

Sagging against Legolas once she knew her message had been received, she relented. "Think you could hold me for a while?" She mumbled to the fair Elf.

A smile pulled at his lips. "I shall try to endure the task."

The twins motioned to a small grove of trees at the back of the hill. Accepting the prompting, Legolas moved to the thicket, Kirara following on silent feet. Elrohir and Elladan took up guard until morning.

Settling with his back to a large ash, Legolas tucked Kagome against him. She wiggled until she'd practically surrounded herself with him, making his eyes dance. Tucking her head under his chin and pressing her nose to his collarbone, the miko felt comforted when his light curled around her protectively. She would do everything all over again…but, she was just so tired. Her high from defeating Saruman and pledging herself to Legolas-oh, and breaking her seals-was finally wearing off. She felt like she hadn't had a chance to step back and just breathe since Lórien.

"When I began sealing away my power," she began quietly, "I locked a lot of abilities and watered down others. Now that nothing is regulating my powers, they're sort of…wild. It'll get better after a while; kind of like an unused muscle you suddenly try to work. I have to learn full control again."

Humming in comprehension, he ran his fingers through the loose parts of her hair. Her words drove away a fear in him that had been growing since her first vision after purifying Isengard.

"You haven't really had to fight since the seals shattered," he noted.

Eyes heavy with exhaustion and contentment, she slurred an agreement. Chuckling, he then fell silent, allowing her the rest she so obviously needed. Watching her True Self fuss over him, worrying even in her sleep, he felt himself fall deeper for her. Her hands flexed, prompting him to cover them with one of his, gently caressing them until she settled once more. His strokes slowed on her index finger and a contemplative mood took his mind. Maybe he hadn't been allowed to court her as he'd wished, but they had at least a year until they wed for him to make it up to her.

His father had shown his wisdom in bringing Mîrthilion as a betrothal gift. It meant more to Kagome than a betrothal ring and saved her from feeling awkward at being unable to return the gesture at this time. Her wedding ring, however, was a different story. Legolas felt it a very personal matter and was torn on what to do for her. He wasn't the smith his father was and he wondered what he could gift her with that would please her half as much as her necklace.

An idea struck him a few hours before dawn when he heard Gimli let out a rather ferocious snore. Satisfied to have a place to begin, the Elf allowed himself to slip into what his people likened to mortal sleep.

…

Kagome narrowed her eyes at her fiancé's back. He was purposefully riding out of her earshot, conversing in low tones to Gimli. Glancing to her brothers, she found them also watching her friends, highly interested looks on both their faces. Stupid Elves and their kick-ass hearing. When she asked what was so riveting, they snickered and shrugged before telling her to stay out of it for the time being.

Huffing, she leaned over Kirara and patted her head. "Stupid pretty boys."

The neko growled something that sounded distinctly amused, reminding the miko that the cat could hear the secret conversation as well.

"I get no respect," Kagome declared.

She would have actually been upset at herself had she heard what her friends were discussing. Legolas had indeed made sure that Arod was far enough ahead of his fiancé that she couldn't eavesdrop on what he discussed with the Dwarf. Gimli raised a bushy brow when Legolas glanced back at him, seemingly unsure about the words he wished to use, but needing to speak with him nonetheless. It was unusual for the quietly confident Elf.

"Gimli, I would ask a favor of you," he began in a tone that did not invite others to hear.

Attention snared, the Dwarf grunted. "Humph, and what would that be?"

Grey eyes were considering as they flicked from him to the woman some ways behind them. "What do you know of Elven courting?"

Blindsided, Gimli felt his confusion overtake his face. "Ah, little," he replied, wondering where this was going.

"Mîrthilion was a betrothal gift; out of the norm, but acceptable given our circumstances." He paused, his brows pulling together. "But, I require a wedding ring for Tirelen as well."

Though the shorter male wasn't as wise as Gandalf, he understood in a flash what the Elf meant. The situation was plain to him and he rolled solutions around in his mind as his friend sighed and faced forward again.

"Your father crafted the lass' necklace, right?"

A sharp nod was his answer.

"And, I'm wagering that metal-crafting isn't a talent you've cultivated," he continued shrewdly, watching his friend flush and agree. Laughing, he slapped him on his shoulder. "Not to worry, master Elf! You happen to have made friends with a most accomplished smith! I shall aid you in creating a gift such that shall be told in song for ages after!"

Legolas' face was hopeful when he turned back to him. "Ah! I thank you, Gimli! Tirelen would be pleased with any gift I present her, but she…" He trailed off with a soft light in his eyes, making his friend grin.

"She deserves the best, lad," the Dwarf finished in understanding. "Come to Erebor with me and we shall find a stone worthy of your little star. Let it be a gift from the Mountain to the Wood, and acknowledgment of the friend she has been to us in times past."

Visibly heartened, Legolas clasped Gimli's arm before returning to watching the road and bursting into delighted song.

Kagome blinked in confusion at the sunny verses spilling from Legolas, but decided to just go with it. Whatever he'd been discussing with Gimli must have been good, because he was radiating happiness.

Elrohir and Elladan glanced to each other, thinking the little prince might just come close to deserving their sister.

Maybe.

…..

Aragorn led the Company on at a punishing pace once they'd reached the foot of the mountains. The Dead followed ever after them, chilling and terrifying. Villagers shrank back in their fright as the Shadow Host drove the orcs on before them, across the plains of Lebennin. Yet, it seemed to Kagome that even as they gained ground, a great weight was growing in her mind. Something was wrong. They weren't seeing something, but she couldn't put her finger on what. When they finally came to the Great River, she watched as Legolas seemed to freeze.

Kirara stopped beside him and soon Kagome heard the cries of the gulls like some kind of warped soundtrack to what was about to unfold. Galadriel's words drifted back to her then. All the moisture in her mouth dried swiftly when she comprehended what his odd expression meant.

"Alas, for the gulls," he murmured, grey eyes watching the birds and then the black ships.

Pushing aside her irrational panic, Kagome thumped his knee. "Your heart grow wings to fly, Elf-boy?"

The corners of his eyes creased as he turned his attention to her. "Never from yours, Tirelen-Nín. But, yes, the longing for Valinor is woken in me, as Galadriel foretold."

The miko smiled, gripping his hand in support while Gimli pretended to be listening to whatever Aragorn was telling them.

"When you're ready, Calad-Nín, I will be. Until then, let's shorten a few of Mordor's men, huh?"

His fingers squeezed hers and then released her as Aragorn finished yelling at the Haradrim. The Shadow Host rushed forward, filling every sailor with a madness such that they threw themselves overboard or onto their own swords to escape.

Calling the confrontation a battle would be generous. It was very quickly over and all of the enemy were soon dead or fleeing back to their own lands with wild eyes. Kagome watched silently, the dread in her gut telling her that the wrongness wasn't Legolas' longing for Aman. Nudging Kirara to Aragorn, she caught his attention as he was directing the Dúnedain to the ships and to releasing the slaves.

"Aragorn," she called, "something is wrong. I don't know what it is, but it definitely has to do with Sauron. We're missing something."

The king's eyes narrowed. "If he had the Ring, we would know," he muttered under his breath. "What could he be hiding, now that he's fully marching on Gondor?"

The miko frowned. "I don't know, but it's bad. We need to be really careful, okay?"

Giving her a sharp nod and a penetrating stare, he waved his friends to follow him onto the largest ship. The Shadow Host had finished and were waiting on the shore; their red eyes gleaming like the fires of Hell.

"I am the Heir of Isildur," Aragorn cried in a loud voice to the Dead. "I hold your oath fulfilled! Depart and be at rest!"

The rotting King of the Dead took a step forward, breaking his spear and casting it on the ground. With a bow, he and the whole host vanished like mist in the path of a sudden wind.

Kagome flared her powers, sending healing reiki through all of the ships. The captives that had been forced into slavery felt renewed after the pink fire brushed them. With grateful hearts and a yearning for vengeance, most of them eagerly took up a free place upon the ships. The rumor that the heir of Isildur was returned had spread through the countryside on rapid tongues. By nightfall, men out of Lebennin and the Ethir, and Angbor of Lamedon came with all the horsemen that he could muster. Forty-two leagues they needed to cover from Harlond to Pelargir and Kagome's fear grew as each hour passed. Though the ships were rowed, they were going against the current and had no wind to fill their sails.

Legolas though, smiled at them through the gloom and patted a dour Gimli on the shoulder. "Up with your beard, Durin's son! Oft hope is born when all is forlorn!"

The Dwarf didn't know what he saw that no one else did, but his heart was lifted. Legolas let his smile fade as his eyes turned to the small miko at the bow. Tension radiated from her, and he wasn't ignorant of the fear that plagued her. A shadow, greater even than the one he'd felt at Parth Galen, had been plaguing him.

Heavy footsteps had him turning, only to find a pale Aragorn staggering to Kagome's side. She gasped, sending her power to heal him before she'd thought about it. He nodded his thanks, but waited until Legolas and Gimli were near him to speak.

"Are you alright?" Kagome asked with worried eyes. He'd been in the bowels of the ship for a while.

"I have looked in the Stone of Orthanc," he informed them.

Gimli's face went slack in astonishment and anxiety. "You have looked in that accursed stone of wizardry!"

Aragorn crossed his arms, his face painted weary and ragged. "I am the lawful master of the Stone and I had both the right and the strength to use it. The right cannot be doubted. The strength was enough-barely."

"But, why?" Kagome exclaimed, her heart thudding in her chest. Sure, the thing belonged rightfully to Aragorn, but it wasn't something to play around with. They'd had the advantage of some surprise until then.

He drew a deep breath. "I wrenched the Stone to my will, and then I learned many things." Placing a hand on Kagome's arm, he answered her, "If you feel something is amiss, Kagome, then it is so. And it is fortunate that I sought an answer for your unease instead of dismissing it as I have done before. Sauron knows about Saruman's defeat. He knows that there is someone who can destroy his Riders; and he knows that the person is thought to be Elven-kind."

Kagome's eyes rounded in horror as unadulterated terror assaulted her. "The siege of Lórien and Greenwood," she whispered hoarsely. "He was looking for me then when he found out what had happened to the first two of his Riders. He didn't think it was Saruman at all!"

Legolas had stiffened at the implications. "The first two Riders were destroyed months ago, but he had no way of discovering what had managed the deed."

Aragorn inclined his head. "Yes. But, rumor and myth have spread since then and he has learned of the happenings in Helms Deep. He knew of Saruman's ambitions and let the wizard build what he wished as long as the realm of Men was stricken. Already Sauron had been forced to begin his plans early and with the decimation of Saruman's army, he fears the power that can so stand against him."

Remembering what Gandalf had said, Gimli shifted uneasily. "And there is nothing he cannot use for evil."

An arm was around Kagome in a flash as Legolas' True Self flared in defiance of that. The miko choked and griped him as she sorted through what this meant.

"He wants me," she whispered roughly, "either to destroy or to wield. He knows there were more than one Hobbit…"

"And so he believes the Ring is either protected at Gondor," Gimli finished, "or with the Elves. He's coming for both."

"My father will meet the army before they reach Greenwood," Legolas stated, letting Kagome's True Self support and calm his as he was doing for her.

Gimli tightened his hold on his weapon. "It is two hundred leagues or more to the southernmost portion of your father's realm, Legolas. We have no way of warning them, or of lending aid."

Swallowing, Kagome looked to her fiancé as he thought. It was clear to her that he wished to go to his father, but that he knew it was a futile wish. Feeling his green power unconsciously manifesting in his fingers, she was hit with an idea.

"Wait, Legolas, I've sent messages further than that," she told him anxiously. "I've sent you messages in Greenwood from as far away as Khand!"

Brightening, he agreed. "Yes! Do you think you could send such a message to my father?"

Biting her lip, she shrugged. "I don't see why not. I know the feel of him."

Calling to Kirara, she didn't wait, but leapt on the neko and flew to shore. The males watched as she placed a hand on a tall tree and closed her eyes.

….

Thranduil paused in his walk as a frantic burst of pink power cried for his attention. Arching a brow, he placed his hand on the young tree and felt his son's betrothed's panic.

'Thranduil! They're coming up the Anduin! Sauron searches for me and the Ring amongst the Elves and Gondor!'

Defiance and utter disdain settled into the Elvenking. 'When and how many?' he sent back with his own red pulse.

'A fleet. They'll reach Nindale by midnight.' There was something very much like tears in her message, making him frown.

'Your fright is unproductive and distracting, Tirelen,' he chided her. 'Leave me, if you have nothing more of use to impart.'

A moment later, the corners of his lips twitched at her impertinent reply. Her fear and tears had disappeared, leaving only deep concern when she subsided from her rant.

'Be careful,' was the faint message, like a whisper and a prayer as her power flared from the tree, washing over him in protection.

He sent back his own brand of protection and then cut the link.

Summoning one of the guards with him, he mulled over the situation.

"Travel with all haste to Lórien. Inform Galadriel that my army will join with Celeborn's on the field of Celebrant. If Sauron is so foolish as to march on both Gondor and the Elves, then we will educate him in his folly. I won't have a battle brought again to Greenwood. The last assault saw part of it in flames."

Bowing, the messenger took his leave to bring the news to Galadriel. The Elvenking watched him go, his thoughts sliding toward his son and future daughter. Had Kagome and Glorfindel not lent their aid so many years ago, Amon Lanc might still be under the reign of Sauron. He shuddered to think of the devastation the Enemy would have unleashed upon his people had that been the case. Now, Mordor had no foothold in Greenwood and Thranduil would not suffer that to change.

No, his people would protect their realm and in doing so, hopefully give the Ring-Bearer a greater chance at his task. Once the Ring was destroyed, Thranduil's family could return to his halls and all would finally be as it should. If Sauron thought to take away Legolas' happiness…the Elf's lip curled in fury. Too long the king had worked to find a way to tie Kagome to his kingdom permanently. If Melian could protect Doriath with a spell that drove even Ungoliant back, then surely Kagome-a vassal of Ilúvatar himself-could do the same or greater.

A year was hardly enough time for him to prepare a feast such as he wished for his child's wedding, even without the annoyance that was now knocking on his doorstep.

Grey eyes hardening, Thranduil pulled himself from thoughts of the future and motioned to the Elf standing a ways away.

"Alert the generals: Mordor marches up the Anduin."

Paling, Tauriel dropped a quick bow and hurried to do as he bade.

….

Kagome stood at the railing of the ship, the wind finally picking up and bearing the vessels forward with haste. Her powers were sparking continually on her fingers, forcing her to center herself and concentrate. Bringing to mind every lesson Midoriko had taught her (for that was a gift that came with her immortality-the ability to recall things well) she put her powers through their paces trying to get a handle on them. She didn't regret shattering her seals, but damned if she didn't now remember why she'd been so eager to lock some of this power away.

It was all-consuming and tied with the Light Ilúvatar had given her…well, she didn't really know what she couldn't do anymore. Her mind flicked rapidly through everything she knew about mikos and their power. She'd seen some crazy shit done in Sengoku Jidai-from demons hoarded in Tsubaki's eye to Shikigami wielding spiritual powers themselves.

"What do you see, Legolas?" she heard Aragorn ask.

"It goes poorly with the Rohirrim," the Elf answered after a moment, "and the lower levels of Minas Tirith are burning. Three Nazgûl are terrorizing the people."

"Then, we must consider the other three to be attacking the Elves," Gimli commented, "or held back for some foul deeds by their master."

As land came into view, Kagome clenched her hands, putting out her pink light. While anything involving a miko or reiki would be a novelty in Middle-earth, she had something not even Midoriko could claim:

Forty years of gaming.

Eat your heart out, Cloud Strife.

…..

When the ships stopped, the miko released a held breath and nodded to Aragorn. At his motion, they all leapt from the vessel and into a melee. One glance to Kirara was all it took for the neko to understand that Kagome was going to be using too much reiki for her to stay with her mistress. Roaring in acknowledgement, she rushed to Gimli's side, having come to like the Dwarf on their hunt for the hobbits.

Seeing her friend out of range, Kagome smirked and turned back to her own battle. Releasing two arrows, she cleared the way for her group, laying whole lines of orcs dead. She continued on in that manner until the fighting had essentially moved away from her, forcing her to dive into it with her katana. Blade alight with pink lightening, she didn't even have to cut down the enemy as they purified on contact.

"Come on! Is that all you've got!" she yelled at them, grabbing one by his face and letting her powers erupt into him.

Panting, she whirled and sent a blazing arc of reiki through a battalion advancing on Éomer's company. In the back of her mind was the niggling, frantic urging to get this over with. Thranduil's people were under attack…Hell, her people were under attack and this stupid stupid war was keeping her from them.

Concentrating on her feelings of loyalty and friendship, she blew her bangs out of her eyes and relieved a Corsair of the burden of his head. Spotting the oliphants, she wrinkled her nose at the nimble figure systematically taking one out. Well, that just wouldn't do.

Rushing to the second one, she scaled it until she could release a barrage of purity at the riders. Huh. She'd been right all those months ago at Bree when she'd told Aragorn that she could purify humans. Good to know.

"Stop! Stop! You don't have to fight anymore!" She hollered to the rampaging animal. Gradually, the Oliphant heeded her words, slowing to a walk.

Grinning, Kagome slid down its trunk until she could look it in the eyes. "Why don't you sit down over there? Yeah, right there in the nice big hole."

As the animal lay in front of the shattered doors of the city, an incredulous Kagome scanned the area to see if anyone else had seen the event. Only Aragorn, apparently, as he merely rolled his eyes and leapt back into the fray. Huffing, Kagome followed him, blasting orcs as she went.

Screeching like pain in auditory form filled the air as the Nazgûl joined the fight. Cursing, Kagome looked around to see if anything could give her the height she needed. Finding nothing, she threw out a barrier around her as she nocked an arrow. One of the wraiths came close enough that she was able to swiftly take out his mount. As the creature fell, it bellowed in its Dark language to its brothers.

"The power! The power is here!"

The witch-king was preoccupied, but the other wraith immediately flew in her direction. The two Nazgul advanced on her menacingly, their Black Breath striking all in their path. Swallowing harshly, Kagome called up her powers to unprecedented levels.

"Not today, corpse-curtain," she spat, firing two arrows at the one in the air. It was dead before it even knew it and so she was left with the one on the ground and no more arrows.

"Come with me, She-Elf," it hissed, reaching toward her.

"I'm not an Elf, you moron," she told it, parrying its strike with a pink-radiating katana.

This one was fast-much faster than she remembered any of them being on top of the Watchtower. Jumping away from its lunge, she gauged it. A flashy burst of reiki would destroy it, she reckoned. As it brought its mace down on her again, she blocked it with her katana and flicked a kunai filled with reiki into its face.

Of course, subtle works, too.

"Kagome!"

Arching a brow, she toed the remains of her kunai, deemed it a lost cause, and then turned to Gimli. He was scurrying over to her, a limping Kirara at his side.

"Kirara!" she cried, rushing to her friend.

The neko shrank back into her smaller form and wearily let her mistress scoop her into her arms.

"Oh, you poor thing!"

Gimli wiped his brow, watching Aragorn destroy the last of the Orc forces. "Can you heal her?"

Frowning, Kagome shook her head. "No, she's a youkai, which doesn't mean anything to you except that my powers would kill her. Don't worry, it looks deep, but she'll be healed by tomorrow." Meeting her friend's red eyes, she told her firmly, "No more fighting until that's healed, girl."

Kirara mewed indignantly, looking to the miko pointedly.

Realizing what she meant, Kagome felt her face tighten. "Shit, that means you can't get us to Thranduil."

Legolas came up to her right, his eyes dark with the news. "Then, we will have to trust in their strength to be enough."

"Forewarned is forearmed," Gimli encouraged.

Biting her lip, Kagome touched Mîrthilion and looked to the light of dawn beginning to shine over the horizon. She didn't like it. Whether she needed to be at the battle or just wanted to be there to help Thranduil, left with no way to get there made her antsy.

And, the fleet would have reached them by now.

Meeting Legolas' worried gaze, Kagome took his hand. All they could do was wait.

AN: Wow! Over 400 reviews! I can't even begin to tell you how much I love you all! I hope that this chapter is up to par and that I managed to surprise you by the little twist I threw in. Let me know what you think! I seriously appreciate anything you send me (except flames, of course). I hope you haven't gotten bored with the fic.

All my love!