When Worlds Collide
Chapter 5: A Shard Rumor Comes Forth
About an hour had passed from when the new trio volunteered their services and now a temporary peacefulness had taken over the small hut. Of course this could probably be attributed to the fact that the trio was in their own separate corner and Inuyasha was glaring a hole into the defenseless wall of Kaede's hut. All while Kagome tried to talk some sense into him about the newcomers. As the wall could testify, Inuyasha wasn't taking to readily to listening to the young miko.
Deciding that just because Inuyasha was ignoring the newcomers didn't mean everyone else had to, Miroku stood up and made his way over to where Kaede was sitting contemplatively beside the fire. After asking her a quick question upon which she stood up as well, Miroku walked over to the three newcomers who were conversing quietly amongst each other. So as to not alarm them he cleared his throat a few paces away from them.
Aragorn looked up and smiled amiably. "Miroku," he said while nodding his head, " Did you wish to speak with one of us?"
"Actually, I was wondering if Kaede and myself could talk with all three of you. We are trying to determine what exactly happened to cause you to get transported here."
"Certainly," replied Aragorn, moving to stand up.
Miroku shook his hands in front of him. "Oh no, don't get up. If it's all right with you we'll just join you." Then looking conspirationally towards them, he whispered, "You are currently sitting as far away from Inuyasha as you can possibly get. Any sudden movements towards him could cause him to go into an unstoppable rage and demolish everything in his path."
Shaking his head at what he hoped was an exaggeration, Aragorn shrugged his shoulders settled back down. A space was made between him and Gimli for Miroku and Kaede to sit. They soon joined them, Miroku sitting next to Aragorn and Kaede between Miroku and Gimli.
"What would you like to know?" asked Gimli.
"We shall try our best to answer it," added Aragorn.
"To understand as much as possible about what happened you will need to give us as much detail as you remember about the incident that transpired before you were transported her," said Kaede. Assuming this would be a long discussion, she settled herself comfortably on the hard floor.
"We will do as you request," said Aragorn. "However, we do not understand most of it and we were there experiencing it. But perhaps as an outsider to the event you'll be able to make more sense out of it."
Kagome and Inuyasha, who had finally decided to voice his opinion about the new trio, immediately quieted down when Aragorn had spoken. They were just as curious as everyone else as to what happened, for their own reasons of course. Kagome was genuinely curious for the sake of her new friends. Inuyasha wanted to know so he could get rid of them as soon as possible.Sango and Shippo also paid extra attention to the conversation.
"You remember us telling you about Saruman?" asked Aragorn.
"Yes, he was the wizard who betrayed you," answered Miroku. Gazing intently at the man, Miroku waited for him to continue. This was sure to make his mind whirl with possibilities and for that he was glad. Although his friends would be quick to object, he did enjoy thinking.
Aragorn nodded. "Correct. We were getting ready to confront him in Fangorn Forest. However, when we attacked he was surrounded by a bright light and he deflected all of our blows with ease."
"I lost one of my throwing axes," mourned Gimli, looking forlornly at his now sole throwing axe.
Aragorn couldn't help but grin slightly at his friend before continuing. "After both Legolas and Gimli attacked, Saruman unleashed a brighter flash of light. At that point the forest started swirling around us. My companions and I were alone and soon the swirling colors were being overrun by darkness. We grabbed a hold of each other and waited for what was to come. The darkness soon enveloped us. At that point it felt like the ground beneath me gave away. But I couldn't tell if I was falling or not. I soon blacked out and when I awakened I was here."
Kaede nodded gravely. "I see. That is not much to go on but Miroku and I will try our best. Do either of you have anything to add?" asked Kaede, directing the question to Gimli and Legolas.
Looking at one another they two shook their heads. "I'm sorry," said Gimli.
"It's quite all right," said Miroku. He stood up to leave the group when Legolas spoke up.
"Wait. Now that I think of it I seem to recall another voice. The voice came from the side of us."
Miroku's eyebrows rose. This was what he was hoping for. Something that might crack the puzzle as to how these three were transported here.
Aragorn looked at Legolas sharply. "Why did you not speak of this before?" he asked sternly.
Legolas looked at Aragorn apologetically. "I did not even think of until now. When it was going on I was too worried and puzzled to think much about a quiet voice. And it was pushed to the back of my mind until now. But I am sure of it. There was a foul voice which was directing a spell at us."
"How can you be sure it was a spell?" asked Miroku.
Legolas shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I do not know. But there is this nagging voice inside my head telling me it was a spell and I am loathe to disagree with it."
"Maybe that was the voice you thought you had heard," remarked Gimli, finding it hard to believe that all of sudden his friend would recall a dark voice. It would seem a rather important fact in this mystery, and not one easily pushed to the side until now.
Legolas sent a withering glare towards the dwarf. "I know what I hear friend. Do not accuse me of not knowing what I am talking about."
Aragorn placed one hand on Legolas's shoulder in hopes of calming the elf. "Calm down Legolas. Gimli did not mean to accuse you of making something up. Everyone believes what you said."
Legolas calmed down but only slightly. His blue eyes were still blazing with anger about the thought of Gimli accusing him of lying. If there was one thing Legolas was, that was proud. When someone dared to accuse him of lying, even if unintentional, it got under his skin. And now Gimli had dared suggest he didn't know what he was talking about to a room full of new people. Legolas felt his blood boiling but he thankfully held in his anger.
In hopes of preventing an argument from arising Miroku quickly spoke up. "Am I correct to assume that the bright light Saruman put off was also the cause of a spell?"
"Yes, that would be a spell," said Aragorn, finally leaving go of Legolas's shoulder. He still kept an eye on his fuming friend from the corner of his eye. Legolas was too prideful for his own good.
"So what we have is an obvious spell, blinding light, being done to shield the castor from you three. And then a mysterious castor from the side with a spell of his own. This spell you didn't even notice any affects from other than the fact that you are now here," summed up Miroku. At the nods he received from the Middle Earth people he continued. "In your world what races tend to cast spells?"
"For those spells it would be the wizards," answered Aragorn.
"Besides Saruman are there any wizards who are also enemies? Did he have any allies?" asked Miroku.
"No, Saruman worked alone," said Aragorn. "And the only other wizard who was active in the world was Gandalf. But he fell. And he also would never work with Saruman."
"I do not think these wizards were working together," commented Kaede. "From what I've gathered wizards are a strong race. You said that one wizard blocked all of your attacks. And that he was blinding you with light. Did this wizard actually attack you in any way?"
Aragorn's eyes widened at this realization. "No, he did not attack us at all. Yes, he deflected our blows but that was all."
"And he had the perfect opportunity to attack us as well," continued Legolas. "All three of us were stunned by the combination of our deflected blows and the blinding light. We were completely vulnerable, and yet he didn't attack us. Why would he not attack us?"
"That I cannot answer," said Kaede. "But the best situation I can come up with is this. The wizard you were attacking was not your enemy, so in hopes of stunning you without harming you he cast a blinding light spell. He was unaware of this other wizard. This other wizard was either your enemy or the first wizard's enemy, or very possibly both. He sent his own spell to interfere with the first spell, possibly in hopes of killing you. The two spells collided around you and opened up a rift in space. That rift created a portal which connected your world to this one." Nodding to herself, Kaede let a small smile filter across her face. She was quite proud of herself for piecing together a possible solution to this mystery plaguing everyone.
"That would explain most of it," said Aragorn.
"What else is there?" asked Miroku.
"Right after we met up with Kagome and Inuyasha a cave troll attacked us. There were no cave trolls in the forest we were transported in. So how exactly would a cave troll arrive in this world?"
"The cave troll also had a shikon shard," said Kagome, speaking up for the first time.
"I do not know how to explain any of that," said Kaede. "My explanation was a guess at best. The only thing I could possibly thing of is that multiple portals were created between the two worlds. That could explain this cave troll appearing here."
"You are very wise Lady Kaede," said Aragorn bowing his head in thanks.
Kaede blushed at this treatment. "Nonsense, I am merely taking a blind stab at what might have happened. I'm sure any of you could have thought of the same thing."
"Everyone but Inuyasha of course," piped up Shippo from his sitting in front of the fire.
Glowering, Inuyasha stood up, walked to Shippo, bopped him on the head with his fist, and returned to his previous place.
Shippo turned to the three newcomers with tears in the corners of his eyes. "Look what he does to me! I am merely a child and yet he hits me. Inuyasha is a big meanie."
Sango rolled her eyes between the kitsune's back. "Ignore him," she mouthed while picking up Shippo.
The Middle Earther's merely looked confused. They still weren't quite sure what to think of this makeshift group, especially Inuyasha. They looked towards Kagome when she stood up.
"Come with me," she said while beckoning with her hand for them to follow her.
"Certainly," replied Aragorn while rising to his feet. Being the gentlemen that he was he opened the door for Kagome and stood back so she could step outside. Kagome smiled her thanks while on the way out.
Legolas was behind Kagome. When he reached the doorway Aragorn grinned wickedly. Bowing down low he swept one arm in front of him. "After you m'lady," he said while trying to stifle his laughter.
Legolas smirked. He stepped back and also bowed down. "I shall follow your fair grace m'lady."
Gimli glared at both of them. He lifted one booted foot and brought it down on one of Legolas's feet. Happy with the elf's yelp he pushed Aragorn in the face. He than quickly went outside before the two could recover.
Legolas hopped outside on one foot. He held the other in his hands while glaring daggers at the dwarf who had taken up refuge besides Kagome. Aragorn followed a second later rubbing his nose and still trying to hold in his laughter.
"Are you sure you're the future king?" asked Kagome skeptically.
Aragorn finally lost his battle and broke down in laughter. Legolas and Gimli couldn't help but join in.
"I wouldn't be too worried Kagome," said Legolas. "With how Aragorn fights I doubt he'll last long enough to become king."
"You're right," said Aragorn. "However, it won't be my fighting abilities that kills me but rather your lousy aim."
Gimli rolled his eyes as if to say 'here we go again'. Kagome couldn't help but to agree with him.
"I would be aiming at the orc that would be about to behead you but since you happen to be a reckless human you would wind up stepping in front of the arrow."
"And why would you be shooting an arrow so close to my head to begin with?"
Kagome held up her hands. "All right already. I really didn't bring you three out here to listen to another of your thrilling debates."
Gimli grinned. "You tell them Kagome. Put them in their place."
"I could mistake Gimli for an orc," mumbled Legolas to Aragorn.
"I'll back you up on that one," replied Aragorn with a wide grin.
Deciding to ignore them, Kagome said, "I'm going to give you three a quick rundown on Feudal Japan. What to expect and what we shall tell people we meet about you." Kagome moved and sat down on a log. Aragorn and Gimli followed suit but Legolas remained standing.
"First, no place is truly safe. We have been attacked a countless number of times right in this village. As you can probably imagine the danger worsens once you get in the wild. It is because I carry the shikon shards with me. The demons are attracted to the power I carry. As long as I have them and you are with me the demons will be after you. And many demons also enjoy attacking for the sheer joy of it. Demons destroy many villages just because they are human. And so wherever you go make sure you stay on your guard. I don't expect you guys to go anywhere without one of us with you, but in the circumstance where we might be separated it is good to know to not trust anyone right away."
"I imagine that demons can look like humans?" asked Aragorn. It would only make sense this was true since Inuyasha was half demon yet looked human enough.
Kagome nodded. "In fact, the strongest and most dangerous demons tend to take the shape of man. Naraku himself looks like a man. But the demons that look like men have pointed ears. That is why I am deciding to pass Legolas off as a demon."
"He's a demon all right," snickered Aragorn under his breath.
"Won't people become suspicious of a demon traveling with you?" asked Legolas, deciding to ignore Aragorn's comment.
"No, they will actually be more suspicious and hateful towards Inuyasha because he is a hanyou. Once they see Inuyasha they won't pay you much attention."
Legolas lowered his eyes. He didn't wish to be safe from suspicions by making Inuyasha suffer more. "Can you pass me off as a hanyou?" he asked.
Kagome was surprised. Inuyasha had been nothing but rude to him and yet he still didn't wish for Inuyasha to suffer. "That's very considerate of you Legolas, but you don't have the ears of a hanyou. And besides, Inuyasha wouldn't want you to be a hanyou. And it truly doesn't bother him as much as it used to, he has realized that the ones who matter don't care that he is a hanyou."
Legolas nodded. "All right, than I shall be demon."
"Aragorn, you of course will be human. It will probably be easiest to pass you off as a demon exterminator like Sango. Of course I will ask Sango first to make sure she is ok with that. But in that way we can explain your fighting ability without raising suspicions."
Kagome turned to Gimli. "And Gimli…you're a bit harder…"
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" remarked Legolas.
Gimli glared at the elf. "I can be a demon too. My ears are pointed enough."
"Not that you can see them under that mess you call hair on your head," jested Legolas.
"Well I'd rather have my hair than run the risk of being mistaken for a woman."
"Well perhaps we can pass both of you off as dead," interjected Kagome.
Aragorn snorted and became the receiving end of two heated glares.
"That's quite all right Kagome. I am actually quite happy being a demon," said Legolas.
"And I shall be whatever you wish me to be," began Gimli. "Except of course, dead."
Kagome smiled. "Well I'm glad you guys are seeing it my way. Gimli, you may also be a demon."
"Take that you pointy eared princeling," jeered Gimli.
"Demons can still die," said Kagome loudly to herself. Honestly, how did these three manage to survive for this long? At times they're worse than Inuyasha! Well, maybe not quite that bad but they do get close.
"Ah, what a promising fate the dwarf has, death at the hands of an angry woman," laughed Legolas. He was about to make another snide comment when he suddenly froze and stared off into the distance.
Aragorn rose to his feet and stood by his friend. "What is it Legolas?"
"Legolas?" questioned Kagome hesitantly.
Without a word Legolas sprinted away. With a quick shout to the occupants of Kaede's hut Aragorn, Kagome, and Gimli followed. When they caught up to the elf they saw him kneeling beside a man who was leaning against a tree. The man had a deep gash across his forehead and his clothes where torn and bloodied.
Aragorn immediately knelt on the other side of the man and started to check his injuries.
The injured man looked up and met Kagome's eyes. "Is this the village with the demon exterminators in search of the shikon shards?" he gasped out.
Kagome dropped down in front of the man and nodded her head. "Yes, I am one of them, you made it. What is wrong?"
"This morning, before the sun even rose, a group of demons attacked my village. They killed many men and then vanished. But we believe they are going to come back. We also believe that there is a demon with a shikon shard. But it didn't come out. Please, can you save my village?"
"Of course we will," soothed Kagome. "Let us get you to our healer and then you can tell us where we can find your village."
"Kagome!" shouted Sango while running up to her friend's side. "What's wrong? What's happening?"
"We believe we found another shikon shard," said Kagome while rising to her feet. "A horde of demons attacked this man's village."
Aragorn gently picked up the injured man. "Shall we go back to Kaede's hut?"
"Yes, yes, of course," answered Kagome quickly. Turning to Sango she asked, "Where's everyone else?"
"Oh, well Inuyasha didn't smell any demon so he figured that Legolas was being paranoid," replied Sango walking beside her friend.
Neither Aragorn nor Gimli were able to keep in their snorts of amusement.
"I'd rather be paranoid than stupid," retorted Legolas.
"Um, Legolas?" said Sango. "The person you were directing that to isn't even here. Inuyasha is still in the hut."
"Guess that makes you both, eh laddie?" said Gimli in mirth.
"For your information I was directing that to you and Aragorn because you two found it oddly amusing that Inuyasha had called me paranoid," clarified Legolas.
"That's what he wants us to believe," whispered Aragorn to Kagome.
The man Aragorn was carrying looked worriedly around the group. These are the legendary shard hunters? These are the people who are supposed to save my village? Perhaps it would have been better if I never left and took my chance in fighting. These people act worse than my children do.
When Saruman returned to Orthanc he was immediately greeted by one of his orc underlings. "What is it?" he gruffly asked while scanning his grounds. He was pleased to see his army of uruk-hai growing steadily in numbers. Soon he would unleash them upon Theoden of Rohan.
"My lord, while you were gone a number of us simply vanished. And now there is some kind of magical shield around where they vanished."
When Saruman heard that he whipped his head to pierce the orc with his hard gaze. "You will take me to this place."
The orc bowed his head. "Of course my lord."
Saruman followed his servant to about 200 feet outside of Orthanc. A mess of orcs was standing in a circle; every now and then one would try to enter the middle of the circle and would seem to run into an invisible wall.
"Back away," ordered Saruman. The orcs obeyed and an opening in the crude circle was made. Saruman walked forward with his hand outstretched. He soon came into contact with an invisible barrier that crackled with energy when he touched it. He withdrew his hand and stared at the wall, deep in thought.
"My lord, what do you make of it?" asked one orc.
"I am trying to think. You would be wise to not speak again," Saruman coldly replied.
The orc quickly clamped his mouth shut and slunk backwards to blend in with his comrades. Saruman smirked to himself and held his staff so the tip was in contact with the barrier. The wall once again started crackling with energy but this time Saruman repeated the spell that he had used earlier against the three hunters.
Black beams of energy shot up out of Saruman's staff and wrapped around the barrier, circling ever higher. The beams crisscrossed at random intervals creating a spider web design along the wall. As Saruman and the orcs watched the wall directly in front of Saruman was sliced in half, the two sides separating from each other and seeming to slide into the rest of the wall. And open doorway now appeared in front of Saruman. He lowered his staff but the black energy continued to course through the barrier, the energy crackling all around it.
Saruman stepped back to admire his handiwork. "It's a doorway," he muttered to himself. "But a doorway to where? And why did one appear here when the spells collided with each other in Fangorn? And how many more are there scattered around Middle Earth?" Saruman turned his head and pointed one long finger at an orc. "You, step through the doorway."
The orc Saruman pointed at gulped nervously. "Me, my lord?" he stuttered.
"Do it quick or I'll throw you in," said Saruman dangerously.
Without a word the orc stepped towards the doorway. He took a deep breath and stepped through.
Everyone watched with bated breath. As soon as the orc stepped over the threshold he simply vanished. No sound was made, no movement, he just simply vanished. The orcs were thrown into an uproar. Half surged to the energized doorway and the other half tried to run away.
"QUIET!" boomed a deep, commanding voice. The orcs immediately quieted down. Saruman passed his penetrating gaze down the group of orcs. When he was sure he had everyone's attention he spoke again. "No one is to step foot through that doorway. I want someone guarding it at all times of the night. During the day uruks are to stand guard. Anyone that comes through capture. If they fight capture than kill them. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes my lord," came the response from the orcs.
Saruman stiffly nodded and walked away. He was determined to figure out where that doorway led. But he also wasn't stupid enough to just step through. After all, once he stepped through there was no telling if he would be able to return. He wasn't at all sure if the doorway simply led to another place in Middle Earth. Or an entirely new time period or place. Either way he wasn't going to step through just yet. Maybe eventually he would, but not yet.
Last revised: December 6, 2006