Author's Notes: I don't own anyone from Lord of the Rings. If I did Frodo wouldn't have gone on to the Grey Havens. Legolas would be teaching me how to use a bow and arrow. Aragorn and Arwen would have been married long before the Ring was found. I don't own any of the Inu-Yasha characters. If I did, Sesshomaru would be joining Legolas in teaching me how to use a sword. Enjoy.
Recently I got copies of the show and saw that the spelling of Sesshomaru is indeed spelled wrong. Forgive me but I was going by what I saw in the magnas. I did correct the spelling in all the chapters.
Chapter 11
Journey to Lothlorien
Aragorn looked around at the group and saw the tears forming in their eyes. Tori was beating Sesshomaru's chest and blaming him for letting Gandalf fall. Boromir was trying to comfort Merry and Pippin. Rin clung to Shippo and cried for her lost friend. Sango's face was buried in Koga's shoulder as he held her. Kirara was curled in Sam's arms and Legolas and Gimli stood to one side. Aragorn looked down at the forest below them before turning back to the group.
"Legolas! Gimli! Get them up!" Aragorn hurried to Sam and pulled him to his feet. "It'll be fine, Sam."
"Give them time to grieve!" Boromir glared at Aragorn.
Aragorn stomped over to Boromir and glared at him. "By nightfall these hills will be swarming with Orcs and Goblins. We must make it to Lothlorien and the safety of the elves."
Sesshomaru pulled Tori close to his chest as he stood. "We must hurry."
Koga looked around as Sango pulled away from him. "Where's Frodo?"
Tori pulled herself away from Sesshomaru and looked around until she saw Frodo moving away from the Fellowship. "Frodo!"
Frodo turned and looked at her with his tear-stained face and shook his head. "He shouldn't have come with me."
Tori ran over the uneven ground and pulled Frodo into a hug. "Never think that, Frodo. We'd follow you anywhere."
"Don't. You'll only die too." Frodo tried to pull away from Tori.
"I'm most likely going to die in battle but I'll die with you and the rest of the Fellowship." Tori tightened her hold on Frodo. As Frodo stopped struggling, Tori pulled away from him slightly and looked into his blue eyes. "Now, we'd better get going before those stinking Orcs catch up to us."
Frodo nodded as he and Tori moved toward the rest of the Fellowship. Kirara transformed in her usual flash of fire and meowed. Sango nodded as she turned to Aragorn and Sesshomaru. "I think that Rin, Shippo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Frodo should ride Kirara."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Pippin jumped to his feet and climbed onto Kirara's back as Koga quickly placed Rin and Shippo where they usually sat.
"This is when I wish Ah-Un is here." Tori looked up at Sesshomaru as Merry, Sam, and Frodo quickly followed Pippin's example.
"Quickly, we must go." Aragorn turned slightly as started down the side of the mountain with the rest of the Fellowship right behind him.
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Tori stifled a yawn as she stared into the quick fire that Legolas had started to make some of the Ramen noodles for the group. It was hard to believe that two days had passed since Gandalf fell in Moria. Aragorn kept them going at a very fast pace, which was not unlike Inu-Yasha when he wanted them to find a jewel shard. Luckily, Aragorn knew that the women and children needed rest every so often but what he couldn't understand was why after Tori ate, no matter how lightly, she made a dash for the bushes. Sesshomaru was also beginning to worry about his mate. She hadn't eaten for the last two days and what she did eat seemed to come right back up. Sam had also seen the way Tori had been the last few days and was making her some tea that would hopefully calm her stomach enough to let her eat something. Koga had the children and was trying to keep them from misbehaving and annoying any of the other adults. Gimli, Sango, and the rest of the Hobbits were scattered around the small fire.
Tori's nose twitched slightly when the scent of the cooking noodles hit it. She slapped her hand over her mouth as she scrambled to her feet and made a dash for the bushes. Sesshomaru grimaced slightly as he heard Tori getting sick. Legolas started toward the bushes as Sam added a bit of honey to Tori's tea.
"Milady, are you well?" Legolas held Tori around her waist as she climbed shakily to her feet.
Tori swallowed slightly to get rid of the foul taste in her mouth as she leaned against Legolas. "I'm fine, Legolas."
"This is the second day you have been ill, milady." Legolas helped Tori sit on the ground near the fire. "I am beginning to worry."
Sam slowly made his way to Tori and Legolas. "I made you tea, milady." Sam handed Tori the cup.
She gave Sam a small smile as she took the cup. "Thanks, Sam." She took a tentative sip before turning green and dropping the cup. "Not again." She scrambled back to her feet and the bushes.
"Maybe Gandalf's death is causing this illness." Boromir barely looked up from the fire.
"Perhaps it was something in the Mines." Koga looked around at the group.
"No, Koga. We'd all be sick then." Sango looked up from the pot over the fire.
"I agree with Sango. This case of illness does not seem to be affecting anyone else." Aragorn dug around his pack for a moment and pulled out a bit of athelas. "Sam, add this to the tea. It might help." He quickly made his way to the bushes. "Lady Tori?"
Tori looked up at Aragorn, tear tracks streaking down her cheeks. "I'm startin' to hate this."
Aragorn scooped Tori up into his arms. "I know you are." He carried her to the fire and helped her get settled again. "I promise that it will get better." He gave her a soft smile as Sam fixed her a new cup of tea. "I had Sam put some athelas into the tea. Perhaps it will help calm your stomach." He watched Tori take a small sip of the tea and sigh softly. "When we arrive in Lothlorien, I will arrange for a healer to tend to you."
"Thank you, Aragorn. What would I do without you, Legolas, and Sesshomaru watching over me?" Tori nodded as Aragorn climbed to his feet. "If only I had some toast or crackers."
"Perhaps the elves have something." Sango poured some of the broth into a cup for Tori. "I hope you can drink some broth."
"I'll try, Sango." Tori took the cup and took a tentative sip. She looked up at Sango and smiled. "Nothing's comin' back up. Looks like the athelas did the trick, Aragorn."
"I am glad to hear that, milady." Aragorn motioned Legolas over to Sesshomaru.
"What is it, Aragorn?" Legolas and Aragorn moved over to Sesshomaru on the far side of the fire.
"One moment, Legolas." Aragorn turned and looked at Sesshomaru. "Lord Sesshomaru, have you noticed anything besides the illness about Lady Tori?" Aragorn looked at Tori slowly sipping her tea and broth.
"She has complained of being overly tired, especially in the afternoon." Sesshomaru's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "Why do you ask?"
"I believe she is with child." Aragorn turned to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru nodded slightly. "That would explain much. Will the Elves be able to tell us?"
"Yes. If she is, will she continue to travel with the Fellowship? I do not wish to see her in any danger."
"I do not see why she cannot travel with us. I will, however, forbid her to fight. I do not wish for anything to happen to my pup." Sesshomaru moved toward Tori and knelt beside her. "I will carry you the rest of the way to the Elves, my love."
"That's not necessary, hon. I can walk." Tori glared at Sesshomaru. "I'm fine."
"This illness has weakened you and I will carry you."
"And I said that I'm fine, you fur ball." Tori continued to glare at Sesshomaru
"Sesshomaru, you might let her win this one." Sango didn't look up from her bowl.
"Why would I do that?"
"Don't you remember the time when Inu-Yasha took offense to your mating? She literally kicked his ass." Sango tilted her head slightly as she looked at the inu. "She might be weak but she still has a lot of fight in her."
"I agree." Gimli looked up form his bowl. "I think Lady Tori should walk on her own."
Sesshomaru turned his head and saw Legolas and Aragorn nodding. "You may walk on your own. However, if you become tired or sick, I will carry you."
Tori rolled her eyes as she slowly climbed to her feet and made her way over to one of the trees. Sango also climbed to her feet and started to clean up from their quick meal. Frodo had watched the proceedings and seemed to understand how Tori was feeling. Sesshomaru watched Tori for another moment before moving to the edge of the camp. He and Koga were to keep watch while the others rested for the night. Sango was unrolling the sleeping bags and laying them out on the hard ground. Tori yawned again before situating herself into one of the sleeping bags and drifting off into a restless sleep. One by one the rest of the Fellowship followed her into dreamless slumber.
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It was noon the following day before they saw the beginnings of Lothlorien. They stood one the bank of the river that wound its way through the trees of Lothlorien.
"Lothlorien! We have come to the eaves of the Golden Wood." Legolas smiled happily at the group before starting toward the river.
"What's this river?" Tori picked her way to his side.
"Nimrodel. Come, Lady Tori. I will help you cross for it is said that the waters of Nimrodel are healing to the weary." Legolas held out a hand and Tori allowed him to lead her through the water.
The rest of the Fellowship heard Tori's soft sigh as they climbed down and followed after Legolas. One by one they made their way across the river and into the forest on the other side. Tori looked around the slowly darkening forest as they made their way under the ancient trees.
Gimli hung back near the Hobbits. "It's said that an Elf-witch lives in these woods. She can read your mind and feelings. This is one Dwarf she won't get. I've got the ears of a fox and the eyes of a hawk."
Suddenly Gimli stopped short. An arrow was pointed right at his nose. Tori had hidden behind Aragorn as the arrows started to appear. A blonde elf stepped from behind one of the trees and glared at Gimli.
"The dwarf breathes so loudly we could have shot him in the dark." The elf looked around the small group.
Aragorn bowed slightly to the elf. "Haldir, we've come for help."
"Come with me." Haldir motioned for the group to follow him.
"Tori sighed softly as she struggled to keep up with Sesshomaru and Legolas. Haldir heard Tori stop so he turned slightly and saw Tori holding her stomach and mouth as she ran for the trees. The Elf assigned to guard Tori hurried after her. He looked up at Haldir as he approached.
"She is ill, Haldir. What are we to do?" The Elf had knelt beside Tori and started to rub her back.
Haldir nodded once as he knelt on Tori's other side. "Milady?"
"I'm…okay." Tori lifted the hem of her tunic but dropped it just as quickly just before she started to dry heave.
Haldir motioned to the Elf as he took over rubbing Tori's back. The Elf quickly stood and practically threw his packs, bow, arrows, swords, and the rest of his weapons to the ground. "We are almost to our destination for the night, milady. Orophin will carry you the rest of the way."
Sesshomaru started toward Haldir and Tori. "I will carry…" He pulled up short as several of the other Elves pointed their arrows at him.
"I will take care of her, milord." Orophin gently lifted Tori into his arms. Tori stiffened slightly. "Relax, milady. I will not harm you."
Tori relaxed slightly and wrapped her arms around Orophin's neck. Sango scooped up Orophin's pack and weapons and started after him and Haldir. The rest of the Fellowship followed in silence for another hour. Three ladders clattered down from the trees after Haldir let out a low whistle.
"We will need a harness for the lady, Haldir." Orophin shifted Tori in his arms as he looked up one of the ladders. "She is too weak to climb."
Haldir reached into his pack, pulled out a rope, and started to fashion a harness as two more ropes fell along side the ladder. He handed the harness to Orophin as Orophin placed Tori onto her feet. "Here is the harness."
Orophin helped Tori into the harness and quickly tied the roped to the harness. "Hold onto this rope, milady. Our kin will pull you up."
"They won't drop me, will they?" Tori looked a little scared of being hoisted into the air.
"No, milady. They will not drop you." Orophin smiled softly. "I will climb beside you to make sure they keep you safe."
Tori nodded slightly as Sango came over to her and Orophin. "Take Kirara with you."
Tori held Kirara with one hand while she held onto the rope with the other. Her grip tightened slightly as the rope jerked slightly before she started to rise from the ground. Orophin climbed the ladder beside her as she rose through the air. Two Elves held the rope steady as two others quickly untied her from the harness. Orophin lifted her into his arms and carried her to a soft pallet as the rest of the Fellowship climbed the ladders. Sesshomaru climbed gracefully onto the platform and moved to kneel beside Tori. Orophin moved to one side as he looked around at the three others that joined them. Sango dropped the packs and weapons onto the platform as Rin hurried to sit with Tori. Shippo helped the Elves pull up the ladder.
"Where are the others?" Tori looked up at the hovering Orophin.
"They are on the other platforms." Orophin pointed through the trees to the other hidden platforms. "They are safe. I suggest you rest, milady."
"As long as they're safe." Tori relaxed under the blanket that Sesshomaru had covered her with and drifted off to sleep.
Sango had opened her pack and was handing out snacks to the children. She offered some of the snacks to Orophin and the other Elves. Orophin took the brightly wrapped package of chips while the other Elves refused the snacks. Sesshomaru watched over his sleeping mate.
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Aragorn stood to on one side of the platform and was trying to get Haldir to take them on into Lothlorien. "We must speak to Celeborn and Galadriel. We need aid in our journey."
"A great evil has been brought here. You must wait until we receive word." Haldir turned from Aragorn.
"If you are worried about any of our group…" Legolas looked over his shoulder at Koga and Gimli. "…We will vouch for them."
"The wolf demon has been vouched for. A friend of his has seen to his safety." Haldir barely contained his smirk. "As have most of the others. It is the Ring that has most of Lothlorien worried."
"But how are we…" Aragorn stopped as Haldir held up his hand.
"You will be blindfolded. The women will be led on horses once we cross the Celebrant as will the children." Haldir motioned to the pallets scattered around the platform. "Rest. We leave at dawn."
Aragorn nodded before laying down on one of the pallets. Gimli and Legolas followed his example and crawled under the covers of their pallets. Koga pushed himself away from the tree and sat on his pallet. His eyes never left the movements of the Elves moving around them on the platform.
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A she-elf walked beside the human male. She was carrying two buckets of water that she had been sent to fetch. The man was leaning on his staff as he walked. Suddenly the she-elf stopped dead in her tracks as something moved across her backside. The slap echoed through the forest.