A/N: I think the length of this chapter makes up for the two week delay in updates. I'm sorry it takes me so long, but I do have a life outside of this which doesn't always allow for updates! Please Review at the end as I feel this is one of my better chapters and I want to hear your opinion!
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings in any shape or form. Nor do I own any Japanese mythology which I have woven into this story or the story 'Allerleirauh' by the Brother's Grimm.
"Speech"
Flashback/Memory/Prophesy
'Quoted Speech'
Chapter 16
Seeing
As the day drew on the conversation between Kiyiya and Ammy slowly died out, both women having multiple problems and events to dwell on. Instead of conversing the two took to examining their surroundings. The forest of Lothlorien was a vast cry from some of the feeble and dead looking woods that Ammy had seen on her journey through Middle Earth.
Here the plants and trees were vibrant and full of life, silver barked trees had flowers and ferns growing in bountiful amounts around their base and vines climbed and entwined branches and the trunks. The ground itself was covered in a short grass or moss depending on whether there was a water source nearby, they had passed by several small ponds and at the edges of the ponds were reeds and narcissus flowers bending over to gaze at their reflection.
Birds flew and swooped overhead, crying and singing out merrily and Ammy saw several mice and rabbits scurrying along the path beside them completely at ease with the giant predators roaming through their home.
"How come the animals aren't running away from the wolves?" Ammy asked Kiyiya after they had been travelling for a couple of hours and were deep into the trees. By then the animals had begun to follow the wolves and some brave mice had even scurried up Menewa's legs and run over to Kiyiya and buried themselves in her hair and entwined themselves amongst her braids and played with her beads.
Amaterasu had watched in astonishment as the rodents clambered over the wolf that merely rolled his eyes, let out a huff and carried on walking. Small birds had also flown down and landed on his head and chirping up at Kiyiya who would gently pet their heads and then they would fly off again, some returning with berries or feathers, others leaving for good.
Kiyiya smiled at each new animal that dared to climb onto the giant wolf. Her smile was like that of a mother to her children, loving, cherishing and indulgent and Ammy felt her breath catch in her throat as she remembered her own mother. Whilst her adventures and gifted life were appreciated and loved Amaterasu could still not forget the loving and nurturing family she had left behind.
"I suppose it is because they know one of my names. I have been coming to Lothlorien throughout the years, sometimes visiting Galadriel, other times merely passing through, but I have never dwelt within the woods for more than a couple of days. This time however, I had to wait for you to cross through Moria and, having no idea how long it would take, arrived here four days ago. The animals and birds have probably recognised me from descriptions from other animals that have passed through here." Kiyiya answered Ammy's question as a weasel slipped up Menewa's leg and then up the woman's body and curled itself around her neck.
"What name do the animals know you by?"
"Forest Child or Wolf Princess. One or the other in these parts." Kiyiya felt Menewa tense beneath her and she raised her gaze from the gifts she had been given by the animals and looked ahead.
"We are about to meet up with the Fellowship. They will have travelled through most of the night to arrive here; one of the advantages of having giant wolf siblings is that journeys seldom take half as long as walking! You may want to…descend from Kajika and walk from here on as I think you look rather like a prize from a hunt draped across her like that."
Crouching down Kajika slowly lowered her body as close to the ground as she could and Ammy slid down the she-wolf's shoulder and landed softly on the ground. The tigress tottered slightly as she felt solid ground under her feet once more; whilst Ammy knew she would never have been able to keep pace with the giant wolves the motion of their running gait had left the tigress feeling ever so slightly motion sick and returning to solid ground was rather like stepping off a boat after several hours on a choppy sea.
Shaking her head Amaterasu cleared her senses and when her dizzy spell had passed she looked up to see both wolves and Kiyiya watching her with amused eyes.
"I felt queasy. I don't think I was designed to be carried on the back of a giant wolf. No offense Kajika." Ammy defended and then pranced by the trio her energy at an all-time high, having eaten a good meal, had a restful sleep and then not having to run all day or carry Hobbits. She heard the wolves step up beside her but was astonished to find that Kiyiya was also walking right beside her.
The feline had not heard the woman slip down from Menewa's back, nor had she heard Kiyiya make any noise at all when she walked over the ground despite the fact that there were dead leaves, branches and rocks which would all be quite noisy and painful to step on.
Looking enquiringly up at the human woman who had carried her spear in her right hand, Ammy raised one eyebrow questioningly. The woman merely rose an eyebrow in return, tapped the side of her nose with her index finger and then said:
"Spoilers."
Huffing Ammy continued walking through the forest and as they moved she began to hear noises from up ahead, the near silent whispers of elvish conversation, the grumbling bellies of Hobbits and the muttered Khuzdul of an agitated dwarf.
Increasing her pace Ammy slinked up behind the group and situated herself at the back of their procession right behind Gimli who was so engrossed in his cursing that he didn't notice the ominous presence descending upon him. Treading as silently as possible Ammy stretched her neck and head out until her mouth was right next to Gimli's ear and then the tigress gave the dwarf the fright of his life.
"Boo."
Letting out a rather high-pitched scream and jumping at least a foot and a half off the ground Gimli whirled round bringing his axe across his body in defence but his only opponent was Ammy who had descended into hysterical laughter and was rolling on the floor.
The dwarf's extreme reaction had garnered him the attention of the entire Fellowship and of their elvish guard and Ammy swore she could see his cheeks flushing bright red underneath the mass of his beard. As she futilely tried to control her laughter Kiyiya and the two wolves stepped past her trembling form.
"Greetings Gimli. How are you? It has been a few months since I last saw you and your father. How goes it?" Kiyiya placed a hand on the red-bearded dwarfs shoulder and was drawn into a strong embrace from the overjoyed dwarf.
"Lady Wolf! Indeed it has been months since I laid eyes on you! My father and I travelled to Rivendell to seek the council of Lord Elrond and we discovered that the One Ring had been discovered. Thus I joined this Fellowship." Kiyiya hugged Gimli back just as strongly and as she drew back Gimli's face dropped and he began to stumble over his words.
"We went through the Mines of Moria Lady Kiyiya. Balin…Cousin Balin has passed from this world Lady Wolf. As have Uncle Oin and Ori. And Gandalf fell at the Bridge of Khazad-Dum fending off the Balrog."
Kiyiya's face paled as Gimli mumbled the names to her, grief overcoming his strong voice and reducing it to a thin and tired sound. Kiyiya closed her eyes and tilted her head up to the sky and was silent for several minutes, yet none of the elves or Fellowship dared go near her or the dwarf who were joined in grief.
Opening her eyes once more the dark-skinned woman allowed a few tears to fall and then she placed her hands on Gimli's shoulders once more and looked into his eyes.
"Well. Now we know what happened. And they died an honourable and valiant warrior's death. We shall remember them and write their names in the walls. *Foe unvanquished, I won't perish in the field; I'll be born again, to take up the halberd seven more times.*" (Kuribayashi Tadamichi- 1945)
Dwarf and woman regarded each other solemnly and then Gimli let out a sigh and turned to face his companions once more. His frame seemed sturdier and stronger and as if the weight of his grief had halved with the sharing of one other.
"Legolas, Estel! I have missed you both!" Kiyiya darted past the Hobbits, of whom three were looking confused, and embraced first Legolas and then Aragorn.
"You both look weary. Have you been keeping well? Not getting any more injuries? Driving your father insane with your ideas and now cavorting around the world with a dwarf?"
The woman easily teased the two and was rewarded with weary smiles and tender looks. Neither male answered her though as she gazed into their eyes and saw the sorrow within.
Rather than pressing the matter she placed a hand on their cheeks and allowed their grief to flow to her also and when Kiyiya took her palms from their cheeks again both males seemed to have had their sorrows halved and stood taller and appeared livelier. Kiyiya on the other hand stumbled a bit but regained her footing. Ammy narrowed her eyes at the older woman's moment of clumsiness; Kiyiya did not strike her as being the clumsy sort and the tigress had also noticed the tensing of muscles and bearing of both Menewa and Kajika as they watched their sister greet the Fellowship.
Both wolves seemed poised to leap forward and drag Kiyiya away from the group but at a quick glance from the raven-haired woman they settled back with silent growls of frustration rumbling in their chests. Sensing the wolves' discomfort Ammy slinked, silently down the path until she was standing next to Kiyiya who had moved to the Hobbits.
"Hobbits. It is a pleasure to meet you, although Frodo and I are previously acquainted." Kiyiya bowed down to the Halflings and was pleased when all four of them bowed back.
"Samwise Gamgee at your service." Sam regarded the new woman with undisguised interest after all they had no idea where she had appeared from and was accompanied by giant wolves.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck at your service, but you can call me Merry." Merry smiled cheekily up at the slightly taller woman.
"Peregrine Took at your service, but everyone calls me Pippin." Kiyiya saw Pippin staring at the three scars across her face with morbid curiosity but said nothing and merely turned to Frodo.
"How are you Frodo? I'm sorry I could not visit you in Bag End last year. Have you seen Bilbo recently?"
"I am, as can be expected Kiyiya. It is no trouble, I was unsure whether you would be able to make the journey last year and then things began to change at Bag End. Bilbo returned to the Shire for our birthday and then he officially left me Bag End. He was staying at Rivendell for a few days before journeying onward."
"I'm glad to hear he was journeying east again, although I do hope he was not planning on going alone. The orcs are moving in packs now and are viciously killing any they come across. However, I would have heard from the animals if Bilbo was in trouble and they have been silent for the past two days. So we can assume Uncle Bilbo is fine." Kiyiya embraced Frodo and nuzzled his hair with the tip of her nose and as she stood up once again she began to tumble backwards and was only stopped in her descent by Ammy pressing her body up against the woman's hip.
Kajika leapt forward and grasped Kiyiya by the back of her shirt and then lifted her onto Menewa's back. Both wolves were grumbling and Kiyiya began laughing but before she could speak fell fast asleep.
"What exactly happened there?" Pippin looked confusedly at the others. "I didn't do anything, nor did any of you! So why did Lady Kiyiya faint?"
"She used her gift laddie. She's had it as long as I've known her. I can't quite describe what she does exactly but Lady Kiyiya has a power which attunes her to the emotions of that around her; animals, plants, the earth, water, fire, air and people. She feels it within her soul and then she does some odd thing that intensifies or lessens the emotion. That's what she just did with us despite Menewa and Kajika getting huffy."
The Hobbits, excluding Frodo, regarded the wolves with trepidation. A Hobbit would be but a mouthful to these giant beasts and the three made haste to place Gimli and several elves between them and the lupines.
"We must continue. Another hour or so walk and Caras Galadhon will be in sight." Haldir called from the front of the group and everyone slowly began to fall back into order and follow the platinum-haired elf.
Ammy found herself once again walking amongst the Hobbits but this time joined by Gimli and Boromir. They were at the back of the group and the two wolves were following slowly behind them with Kiyiya fast asleep on Menewa's back. Kajika had picked up the woman's spear and it was now clasped gingerly between her teeth and Ammy fought back laughter at the idea of the she-wolf playing fetch.
As they came over a ridge the elf city in the trees appeared, a majestic structure of tall trees with winding stairways that clambered up thick trunks and entwined with branches. The sun was just beginning to lower in the sky and lit the city with soft golden light, shining off leaves and silvery bark.
The entire Fellowship stared in wonder and amazement at the sight before them and even Gimli who dearly loved earth and stone, was taken aback by the mastery of the Lothlorien elves.
"Welcome to Elvendom on Earth. This is Caras Galadhon, home of Lord Celeborn and Galadriel: Lady of Light." Haldir spoke with much pride and love in his voice as he regarded the astonished faces of the Fellowship and as his gaze fell on Ammy and Frodo his posture stiffened and became tense.
Rather than shifting his gaze as he did the time before, the elf stared into Amaterasu's eyes. Gold against green and neither would give way. Something about the tigress made the Lothlorien elf uncomfortable yet the Lady Kiyiya and the Fellowship trusted the feline and so he would simply watch her and wait to see if she proved untrustworthy.
"We must continue and in a couple of hours we will be in the centre of the city. The Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn know of your coming and wish to have an audience with you. After that I do not know what will happen." Haldir tore his gaze from Ammy and continued on, leading the Fellowship and the two giant wolves down the slope and back into thick forest once more.
By the time they had descended the slope and re-entered the densely populated trees the sun was beginning to drop once more and with it the temperature. Ammy had transformed into rabbit form and was currently being used by the Hobbits as a living hand warmer. Her soft fluffy fur retained body heat well and she was the perfect size to cradle between small hands. Ammy had been content to remain silent and be passed between the four Halflings and on occasion Boromir, however as the day had dragged on they had begun to request stories from her.
The albino rabbit had told them several shortened versions of classic fairytales such as: Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White. Snow White had not been well received by Gimli due to its sometimes comedic portrayal of the dwarves and Ammy was certain that Legolas had been stifling laughter.
"The women in your tales are either weak or evil Amaterasu. Do you not have tales of women like us?" Kiyiya spoke sleepily from where she sat on Menewa's back. The sound of her voice prompted much action from the Fellowship and Ammy squeaked and held on tightly to Merry's hands.
After checking the dark-haired woman the elves agreed to continue on and as they walked for several minutes growls, snarls and rumbles of discontent could be heard from Kajika. Kiyiya sat on Menewa's back and answered the she-wolf back with a slightly less aggressive tone but the male wolf merely continued walking and when Ammy looked back at him he sighed and rolled his eyes.
"I do have stories of women who aren't complete simpering fools. In my world the tales are preferred to be romantic and young girls all want to be princesses. Despite famine, war and disease every girl wants to be special to someone so there are lots of tales where the woman is a damsel in distress… I can think of a story where the heroine isn't completely innocent… One where she forges her own destiny, would that suit?" Ammy asked Kiyiya from her new position in Boromir's hands.
The Gondorian was cradling the rabbit very gently and had her held close to his chest and Ammy could feel that he was very tense and wary of their situation. A tale of a clever princess and Ammy's calm voice was soothing and the Man found himself relaxing slightly as the rabbit wove her tale.
"Once upon a time there was kingdom which prospered under the rule of a kind King and Queen. They had only one daughter but she was fair and just and beloved by the people. The kingdom lived in happiness for many years until on the Princess' sixteenth birthday the queen fell ill and died. The King, Princess and kingdom mourned the beautiful and just queen and a great sorrow fell over the land.
A year after the queen's death the King's advisors told the King that he should marry again for the prosperity of the kingdom. The King had made a promise to his dying wife that he would not marry again unless the woman was as beautiful as the queen. As he looked for a wife the King realised that none of the women in the kingdom or the neighbouring lands were as beautiful as his first wife; except for his daughter.
On discovering this, the King went to his daughter and said that he would wed her and despite her many protestations he would not be swayed. Seeing that her father was adamant the princess tried to postpone the wedding as long as possible, hoping that she could talk some sense and reason back into her father.
She asked for three dresses: one as golden as the sun, one as silver as the moon and one as dazzling as the stars as well as a fur coat made from the furs of every bird and animal in the kingdom. The King had the three dresses made and sent the best huntsmen and trappers into the forest and a year later he presented his daughter with the three dresses and the fur coat.
The princess thanked her father and then once he had gone to his rooms for the night she gathered the three dresses, a gold ring, a gold spindle and a gold reel and wearing the fur coat she fled from the castle the night before the wedding.
After running for many days and nights the princess, garbed in the fur coat finally crossed the border into a neighbouring kingdom and she rested in the forest.
The prince of this kingdom was out hunting with his dogs and upon coming across the creature wrapped in fur was about to kill her when the princess begged for her life. The prince took pity on the poor creature who hid her face from him and allowed her to accompany him back to the castle and gave her a place in the kitchens where she could work. Because the princess feared her father discovering her, she gave the prince no name and was nicknamed 'All-kinds-of-fur' or 'Thousand Furs' because of her coat.
She worked there for many months and grew comfortable in her new life, but she found herself falling in love with the prince and when a ball was announced she crept into the ball dressed in the dress that was as silver as the moon. She danced with the prince and he soon grew interested in the beautiful maiden but she vanished before he could ask her name.
The following morning the cook bade Thousand Furs to cook some soup for the prince and once it was finished Thousand Furs dropped her gold ring into the soup. The prince found the ring and questioned the cook and Thousand Furs but she would say nothing.
The prince held another ball hoping to find the girl with the dress as silver as the moon, and Thousand Furs went to the ball once again, this time dressed in the gown that was as dazzling as the stars. The prince was enchanted by the maiden once again but Thousand Furs revealed nothing of her history as she was still fearful of her father finding her.
The following morning the prince once again requested soup but this time Thousand Furs dropped into the soup her golden spindle. Again the prince questioned both the cook and Thousand Furs but she would say nothing. The prince began to grow weary of losing the beautiful maiden at each ball and vowed that he would have only one more and if he could not discover the maiden's name he would give up hope of marrying her.
For the third ball Thousand Furs wore her last dress which shone as golden as the sun. As she and the prince danced he slipped a gold ring onto her finger without her noticing. The ball went on for many more hours than the previous two and at the end Thousand Furs only had time to throw her fur coat over her golden dress before she had to work in the kitchen.
She cooked the soup once more and dropped in the golden reel and once the prince discovered the treasure he went down to the kitchens and as he questioned Thousand Furs he caught her hand and saw the golden ring. As Thousand Furs tried to escape his grasp her fur coat slipped and all could see the golden dress which shone as bright as the sun.
The prince pulled off the fur coat revealing the princess beneath and pledged his love to her. Still fearing her father discovering her and forcing her to marry him the princess would not answer the prince's love but just as she was about to flee once more a messenger from the neighbouring kingdom arrived declaring that her father, the King, was dead.
Thousand Furs was free to reveal herself to her people and to the prince and they were married and lived happily ever after."
Ammy finished her tale just as the sun finally set and after being set down on the ground gently by Merry she felt her body accepting the change into her human form. The lights swirled around her rabbit form and she grew into a larger body Ammy noticed that her hearing remained rather sensitive.
Once fully transformed Ammy crouched down close to the ground and waited for someone to bring her clothes. As she was waiting she inspected the animal features that had carried over for this transformation and was amused to see that she had a pair of rabbit ears instead of human ears. They had grown when she transformed so she currently had two rather large, floppy, white ears sticking out the top of her head. She also had a strong desire to eat some carrots…
Legolas had been carrying her pack and he quickly came over and handed over the shirt and trousers.
"Thanks. It's quite chilly in here. And we're about to have company." Ammy said as she quickly drew the shirt over her head. The soft cloth quickly warmed her up and she hastened to pull on the trousers. There she encountered a slight problem; she had a fluffy, cotton ball tail…
"Seriously?! What use is a tail to me?" Amaterasu groaned quietly as she twisted her top half to regard her new tail with wide eyes. She wriggled into the trousers but could only get them to sit just on top of her hips with her fluffy tail poking out of the top. Luckily her shirt was long enough that it covered her down to mid-thighs. Looking round Ammy was pleased to notice that the only person who had noticed her tail was Kiyiya and whilst the older woman was holding back laughter Ammy hoped that she wouldn't publicise the tail…
"I'm finished. Thank you." Ammy called out to the Fellowship and Haldir. The Marchwarden turned around and regarded Ammy with a raised eyebrow.
"The Lady Galadriel and the Lord Celeborn will meet with you presently. We will ascend the stairs to their meeting hall in a few minutes."
With those words Haldir turned to his company and began speaking to them in elvish and a few seconds later the group of soldiers split up, half remaining at the bottom of the stairs, the other half disappearing into the forest once more. Once finished Haldir turned and inclined his head towards the long flight of steps and the Fellowship obediently began following the elf.
"Wait here Menewa and Kajika. I should not be too long with Galadriel, however I will let you know if our meeting is going to take longer than expected. I think Amaterasu may be necessary to our talk." Kiyiya slipped down off Menewa's back and nuzzled both wolves with her face.
As the two Ame-no-Mihashira began to ascend the stairs the two giant wolves began to pace around the bottom of the tree, watching as their sister climbed further up.
"They don't like being parted for too long. Especially when I go up to high places that they cannot reach. They don't particularly like heights and if they step on this stairway they will crush the wood and destroy the steps. Prior experience has taught them that they are too heavy and so they will most likely pace until I descend once more." Kiyiya smiled as she explained the lupines actions.
As the Fellowship and Kiyiya ascended the smooth wooden stairs Ammy could hear elves singing, reading and talking. The sounds of ethereal voices echoed through the forest and rang through the leaves and Ammy was hard-pressed not to stand still and loose herself in the music that they were weaving. Time would not allow distractions however and Ammaterasu was prodded up the stairs by Kiyiya who smiled knowingly at the younger woman.
"It takes you by surprise doesn't it? I've heard their songs many times now in the past few years and each time I come here I wish to stop and listen further. There is nothing else like it on Middle Earth, but, all races have their own song which is haunting and beautiful. The elves sound like starlight, wind and air and water. Dwarves like mountains, earth and fire. The song of Hobbits is always food, comfort and companionship and is one of my favourite songs." Kiyiya's voice was soft and reverential and as she spoke of each race a fondness filled her tone and her body seemed to relax as she remembered old friends.
"And what of our race?" Ammy asked, her voice soft too, not wishing to disturb the tranquil state Kiyiya seemed to have reached. "Do we have a song, or are we silent?"
The raven-haired woman regarded Amaterasu with solemn emerald eyes and Ammy almost regretted asking.
"I have a song. You have a song. The song of the Ame-no-Mihashira has been long since forgotten and lost."
Both women fell silent as they reached a platform. The Fellowship had spread out in a semi-circle in front of a small flight of stairs and Ammy and Kiyiya placed themselves off to the side. As they watched two elves descended the stairs; Lord Celeborn was tall and lithe like all elves Ammy had seen thus far but he held himself with a regal bearing, much like Lord Elrond. Celeborn's hair was blonde however, and shorter than the Imladris elf's, but was paler and thinner than Legolas'. The Lady Galadriel left Ammy speechless, the she-elf seemed to float down the stairs and her hair shone like stars as did her eyes.
Lady Galadriel's bearing and poise was familiar and as Ammy watched she realised that the platinum haired elf reminded the Ame-no-Mihashira of Arwen. They had similar facial features and the manner in which both elf-women moved was eerily similar, as if they were sisters.
Tearing her eyes away from the approaching elves Ammy was amused to see that she was not the only one who was awestruck; the Hobbits were staring at Galadriel with their mouths open in awed reverence, Legolas and Aragorn had both bowed to the rulers of Lothlorien and even Gimli seemed stunned and transfixed by the Lady of Light as if she were the brightest jewel in the world.
"The enemy knows you have entered here. What hope you had in secrecy is now gone." Celeborn's voice rang out into the still air and felt to Ammy as if there were power behind each word he spoke. His voice was commanding and demanded attention and Amaterasu felt compelled to heed him carefully.
Beside her Kiyiya shifted and as the bunny-eared woman turned to regard her companion the darker-skinned woman rolled her eyes and leaned on her staff. The expression across her face was one of amusement and mirth and Ammy was shocked at the blatant display of nonchalance.
"Nine, there are here, yet ten set out from Rivendell. Tell me, where is Gandalf? I can no longer see him from afar." Celeborn regarded the Fellowship with a steady gaze but before any of the Fellowship could answer Galadriel spoke, her voice soft and wispy as air but more commanding than the Lord's.
"Gandalf the Grey did not pass the borders of this land. He has fallen into shadow." By the time she had finished speaking a distressed note had entered her voice and Galadriel stared at Legolas, seeking answers.
"He was taken by both shadow and flame. A Balrog of Morgoth. For we went needlessly into the net of Moria." Legolas answered the elf-women and the Fellowship watched with heavy hearts as shock appeared on the faces of both high-elves.
Several seconds passed before Galadriel spoke once again.
"Needless were none of the deeds of Gandalf in life, we do not yet know his full purpose." As Ammy watched Galadriel turned her attention to Gimli. The rabbit-eared woman knew that Gimli felt a great burden over Gandalf's death for it had been his suggestion to enter the mines and as she watched the elf-lady comforted the dwarf as if he were one of her own race.
When the Lady of Light turned her attention to Boromir, Ammy sensed Boromir's unease and Galadriel's gaze seemed to turn harsher and almost penetrating and the Gondorian could not long meet her blue eyes.
He looked away and breathed heavily, his hands shaking and his muscles tense as if he had been fighting for many hours and was weary from great exertion.
Moving forward Ammy placed a tentative hand on the Man's shoulder but was shrugged off violently. Her eyes widening she stumbled back having not faced such animosity from the Gondorian since before the Mines. Indeed, Boromir had seemed to seek comfort in her presence several times and this gruff rebuttal shocked the albino.
Celeborn and Galadriel's attention turned to the two women who stood slightly away from the Fellowship and both elves inclined their heads. Quickly recovering herself, Ammy hastened to bow back and could see Kiyiya doing the same from the corner of her eye.
"What now becomes of this Fellowship. Without Gandalf all hope is lost." Celeborn questioned the group of males once more but none would meet his gaze. Indeed Aragorn seemed to physically avoid making eye contact with either elf as if repulsed by the concept of leading.
"The quest stands upon the edge of a knife; stray but a little and it will fail to the ruin of all." Gladriel's voice seemed to pierce into the hearts of all the males and some of them even visibly flinched at her words but were moments later soothed.
"Yet hope remains, whilst the company are true. Do not let your hearts be troubled. Go now and rest for you are weary with sorrow and much toil. Tonight you will sleep in peace."
Galadriel turned and ascended the steps to a higher level and paused at the top, turning to face the group once more. Celeborn moved forward and gestured for Haldir to come to his side.
"Haldir will lead you back down and find you a suitable place to rest. Food and water will be freely given to you and you will not be disturbed by any of our kin. Go, rest and regain your strength. Kiyiya and Amaterasu will join you later."
As Haldir led the Fellowship past the two women Ammy could see that they weren't happy about being split up once again but the males trudged after Haldir with weary steps. The Hobbits in particular seemed disgruntled not only at being separated from Ammy but at having to descend the steps which had taken nearly quarter of an hour to ascend only minutes before!
Once the platform was cleared Kiyiya swung her spear across her shoulders and looped her arms over each side and strolled forward to the steps.
"Hello Celeborn. I trust you are well?" She enquired almost cheekily and seemed delighted when Celeborn refused to comment and merely raised an eyebrow.
"Come on Amaterasu. We have much to discuss and little time to do so in. Especially if you wish to join your friends for the night." Kiyiya called back to the rabbit-eared woman who scampered after her quickly, giving the elf-lord a wide berth.
After they had ascended the small flight of stairs Ammy found herself in a room: the floor was made out of the same silvery wood as the platform outside but was encircled with silver branches that formed lattice-like windows around the area. Ammy felt rather like she was in an ornate chapel in a grand cathedral and as she peered out the window-style spaces she could see glimmer of light flashing in other similar style rooms in trees around them.
A circular table was stationed in the middle of the room with four low chairs positioned around it and Kiyiya quickly perched herself on top of one, her bare feet gripping the edge of the seat and her back leaning against the carved back of the chair. Her spear was switched into her right hand the base of it placed softly on the floor.
Before Ammy could claim the seat next to the woman, Galadriel moved forward from where she had been stood near the top of the stairs and placed her hand underneath Ammy's chin, tilting her head up gently.
The Ame-no-Mihashira stared up into the piercing blue eyes of the Lady of Light and felt her own pink eyes widen. Starlight seemed to dance in the elf's eyes and as she watched the elf's gaze travelled across the planes of her face and then down her body and back up once more.
"You have seen many things Amaterasu. Many trials and dangers you have already faced, yet they have not weakened you. In fact, I believe they have given you great strength and courage. Courage that may soon be put to the test…" Galadriel's voice trailed off and her hand released Amaterasu's chin and Ammy stood still for several moments waiting for some other action, but it seemed that the elf-lady had disappeared into some other realm, her gaze vacant and searching.
"Take a seat Amaterasu." Kiyiya called and Ammy scurried over and sat down properly on the chair. Celeborn joined them in the seat opposite, both of the older beings ignoring Galadriel, which Ammy found rather odd.
"I believe, Amaterasu that a tree has been teaching you about your heritage and powers. Master Campfer."Celeborn spoke slowly as if to a child and Ammy bristled with annoyance but before she could say anything there was a swirl of mist and Campfer appeared in the chair opposite her.
The tree-man seemed insubstantial, as if he was a mirage or a ghost and if Ammy tried too hard to focus on him, he appeared to drift away.
"You will not be able to focus on me Ammy. This is merely a projection of me as my tree is too far for a real transferral. Here in Lothlorien the trees are healthy and so I can use them as a conduit to manifest myself. If we were in Imladris I could have a real body and movement, here however I am limited to this idea and thus am insubstantial and without detail. You should get used to it in a few minutes." Campfer's voice was a welcome sound to Ammy, although she had not forgotten the last time they had met and she had been informed that someone close to her would die.
"I think we should probably get down to business." Kiyiya spoke, her voice crisp and clear, not the playful tone that Ammy had heard before but a commanding sound that spoke with confidence of many years, despite being several eons younger than the elves or Campfer.
"Amaterasu. You are the last of the Ame-no-Mihashira people. The Fate Klotho has told you of your race's history and how you were betrayed by Tsukiyomi." Celeborn stated and Ammy held back the urge to roll her eyes and instead merely nodded.
"Tsukiyomi was not just an Ame-no-Mihashira who desired power. He betrayed your people because the woman he thought he loved would not love him back. She rejected him and cast her favour and affection towards another and the jilted Tsukiyomi grew bitter and hateful towards not only the women but towards their entire race. The woman whom Tsukiyomi loved was you namesake, Amaterasu."
Galadriel's soft voice wove the tale and despite Ammy's shock at the revelation of Tuskiyomi's hatred the rabbit-eared albino could not find the courage to interrupt and instead sat in rapt attention.
"Tsukiyomi , sought revenge for many years for this perceived betrayal but to lull his family and people into a false sense of security he took a wife and had a son. His son was named Orochi and in turn he too had a son, as did his down their line until the fifth descendant was born and named Orochi. This fifth descendant of Orochi was hiding in Middle Earth until a few years ago and had only eight forms. He too was a vile creature and sought the destruction of Middle Earth and the Ame-no-Mihashira. Orochi the fifth does not play a large part in your story however.
Tsukiyomi was found by the Nine Ringwraiths and he joined them in their quest to annihilate the Ame-no-Mihashira. But instead of killing all of his people Tsukiyomi allowed a few to escape, but he also imprisoned a village of your people and the youngest of your race within a stone. This stone is called the 'Sessho-Seki' or 'Killing Stone'. Anyone who touches it is killed in a most brutal and cruel manner, and so your people within the stone could not be freed for many hundreds of years."
Ammy drew in a few deep breaths as she felt herself began to feel faint with the overload of information. Not only was her namesake sought after by her own brother, but there were other Ame-no-Mihashira still in Middle Earth. She and Kiyiya were not the only ones left!
Kiyiya regarded the younger woman with steady green eyes and once she was certain Ammy had control of herself she began to speak.
"Many years ago, I fought with Orochi the fifth. During our duel he revealed many things to me, including the knowledge that only a person of the Ame-no-Mihashira could touch the Sessho-seki and live. He also imparted the knowledge to me that there are three things required for our people to be released from the stone. Three treasures which belonged to your ancestors. First is the 'Yasakani-no-Magatama' or 'Jewel of Benevolence' and shines like the moon. Secondly the 'Ame-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi' sword also known as 'Sword of the Gathering Clouds of Heaven' which is made of a fallen star and shines with a pure white light. Lastly is 'Yata-no-Kagami' or 'The Mirror of Wisdom and Honesty' and this third object glistens like the sun. Each of these Heavenly Treasures holds its own individual power, but when combined would have the power to break the Sessho-seki stone and release the trapped Ame-no-Mihashira."
Kiyiya paused for a moment in her speech and drew in a deep, trembling breath before continuing, her voice full of sorrow and anguish.
"I did not know for many years, that I held within my possession the Yasakani no Magatama. All three of the treasures were gifted to Amaterasu by her other brother Susanoo but when Tsukiyomi began to act suspiciously Amaterasu separated the treasures and gave them to her most beloved people to protect. The Jewel went to Susanoo, the sword to Izanami and the mirror…"
"The mirror came to me." Galadriel continued when Kiyiya's voice failed her and as Ammy turned her attention to the Lady of Light, the elf drew from within her sleeve a mirror. It was round in shape, and was but a mere hands width wide. It appeared to be polished gold set in a jade stone and from the bottom of the jade setting and red cord with jade beads hung and from the opposite side was a similar red cord but this one was a loop as if to hang it from a setting. The jade setting was an octagon shape and the detail that lay within was that of twisting and writhing flames.
Something within Ammy woke and she could hear Izanami at the back of her mind calling out with both relief and grief at the sight of the mirror. Hesitant to make contact with the spirit in her head Ammy tentatively touched at the bars of the cage in which Izanami was trapped and she was instantly flooded with images.
A silver haired young maiden with red markings on her skin and hair stood dressed in silk robes. A pair of wolf ears twitched upon her head and a silky long tail tipped with black gently wagged behind her. The mirror was hung from a red sash that rested on her waist and as the maiden moved the sun light seemed to bounce off the golden surface of the mirror and be amplified. A string of pearls, moonstones and pale pink and white coral hung from her neck and at the centre of this necklace was single bead which glowed with a pale, ethereal light. Like the moon on a clear winter's night...
Then the scene changed and the mirror, along with a string of beads; including one which shone as pale as the moon, were hung on a tree branch outside a dark cavern. A man stood near the cave, dark-skinned with long hair as black as the night bound at the back of his neck in a low ponytail. He also had an interesting moustache which was made of thin and wispy long black hairs and hung to the middle of his chest. A jade bead was woven into each braid and Ammy could also see jade beads and pearls entwined in his hair, particularly around the horns on his head, which were sea-green in colour and matched the claws on his fingers. The man's eyes were also slitted with thin cat-like pupils and were a deep blue in colour. His overall appearance looked quite similar to Ammy's dragon form.
As she watched the man his gaze passed between the mirror and beads hung from the tree and the dark depths of the cavern and as moments passed she saw light beginning to emerge from the cave and as it sparkled and caught the mirror it once more glowed with light and the beads on the necklace shone with a pearly light.
Ammy was suddenly thrown out of Izanami's memories and she knew with a profound sense that she had just seen her namesake Amaterasu, and her brother Susanoo.
By this time all attention had turned to her and Celeborn, Kiyiya and Campfer regarded her with solemn eyes. Standing up unsteadily Ammy turned and walked to Galadriel where the Lady held out the mirror.
Slowly, hesitantly, Amaterasu reached out for the mirror, her rabbit ears pressed flat against the side of her head and her pink eyes wide. Stopping just short her hands trembled gently in the air until Galadriel reached out and caught one. The Lady of Light turned Ammy's hand palm upwards and gently placed the mirror in her hand and then brought her other hand to rest on top of the mirror.
As soon as she touched it Ammy was flooded with images once again:
Gandalf falling-Running- Fields burning-Children and women screaming as they ran from orcs-A pale, sallow-faced man with black hair leering-A great, yellow and orange eye watching-A tall man with long hair that trailed across the ground, garbed in a plain robe in dark blue, pale skin as white as the moon and eyes as black as death stared-Chains dripping with blood onto golden straw-Large black gates-an eight-headed serpent-
A pale-skinned demon with fangs and horns and silver hair whipping around its head and as it pointed objects turned into ash, children, women, men, animals fell down and turned to bones, the earth split, lava rose, thunder and lightning echoed and the wind seemed to shriek,
Fire twisting and turning and writhing all around, burning her senses until she could no longer think straight, hear, see or smell. All taste was lost and her mouth felt dry and full of ash and just as Ammy thought she would lose herself, Izanami let out a wail and pulled at the connection between them from the back of her prison in the young woman's mind grasping the albino's soul and tethering it to the prison bars.
Gasping Ammy's eyes flew wide open and she found that she lay on the floor staring up at the elaborate wooden ceiling of the chamber. Her head was resting on Kiyiya's lap and Campfer held her right hand somehow, his insubstantial form feeling like mist on her skin, Galadriel her left. In the distance she could hear Celeborn calling for water and soon there was a metal chalice sat near her head.
"Drink the water little one. You went far into the truth and the future and will need to wash the taste of possibilities from your mouth." Galadriel spoke softly and rubbed at Ammy's left hand reassuringly.
"Those of us who see the future often find that it can leave a foul taste and stench behind, particularly in the dark times in which we currently reside."
Leaning forward slightly Ammy drank from the cup which Kiyiya held to her mouth and as the cold, clear water entered she felt the taste of ash disappear to be replaced by clarity and cleanliness. After a few sips of water Ammy felt well enough to sit up and gingerly raised herself up until she was sat crossed-legged with Kiyiya supporting her from behind.
"You travelled far into the future Amaterasu. And you have seen what you could become should you be lead astray."
Glancing up at Galadriel Ammy saw only sorrow and regret in the elf's eyes.
"Should you be tempted by the darkness or lose yourself to grief, anger, hatred and revenge you will become emotionless and be tormented forever by flames. You must complete the task that has been ordained by the Fates since before you were born."
Ammy looked questioningly up at Galadriel but instead of the elf answering her query Master Campfer finally spoke from his place crouched at the albino's side.
"The Fates have seen your path split and divide as they told you before. But the reason for your removal into Middle Earth is because it was preordained. There would be a descendant from another world who would return, retrieve the Three Heavenly Treasures and break the Sessho-seki releasing the Ame-no-Mihashira back into Middle Earth. That descendant is you Amaterasu and you must find the other two treasures and then destroy the Sessho-seki and bring balance back into the world."
After several moments stunned silence Ammy began spluttering and scrambled to her feet. Her rabbit ears were pressed tightly against her head and her pink eyes were wide with shock. Every rabbit instinct that remained from her transformation were screaming at her to turn tail and run, find a dark hole and hide until the danger had passed. Tensing every muscle Ammy remained rooted to her place and then tremulously questioned the four being in front of her.
"Let's say I believe you; that there is some greater purpose to me coming to Middle Earth apart from aiding Frodo, that I am this descendant and I am the only one who can destroy this stone. If that is true, then why have I not got two of the Heavenly Treasures in my hands? Where is the Yasakani no Magatama? And where is the sword? And what will happen if I don't do this? If I don't retrieve the Heavenly Treasures and destroy the Sessho-seki?"
"I told you that I once held possession of the Jewel of Benevolence. In fact I held it for many years, so many years that it gave me the gift of empathy, you saw me use it earlier on Gimli, Estel, Legolas and the Hobbits. But during a battle it was stolen from me and taken into Mordor."
Kiyiya stood in front of Ammy with her hands held out towards the younger woman. The white scars which ran down over her right eye seemed to Ammy to be sharper and clearer white as the raven-haired woman moved closer.
"Mordor?" Ammy's voice rose dangerously in volume. "Mordor, as in the land that Frodo and the Fellowship are journeying to in order to destroy the Ring? Why is it in Mordor?"
"It is in Mordor, because it was stolen from me and then taken to Sauron. Sauron did not know what to do with it, nor did he have any need of empathy and so he gave it to his associate."
Ammy's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she recalled Kiyiya's words from the previous night: 'Something is stirring within Mordor. Not just Sauron. I can feel it from my home land and it awakened a mere two months ago. The day when the Council of the Ring first met.'
"You said something was moving within Mordor, apart from Sauron… Who is it?!"
Kiyiya moved forward once again hoping to pacify Ammy but the albino leapt backwards out of reach, her movement violent and jagged, not controlled. The violence of her action caused Kiyiya to rear backwards and the beads in her braids and ebony corkscrew curls clicked and rang against each other until the only sound that could be heard in the room was the chime of metal and the harsh, agitated breaths of Amaterasu.
"The presence stirring in Mordor, I believe is Tsukiyomi. And he has the Yasakani no Magatama. If you do not retrieve it from him, he will use the Sessho-seki to destroy the peoples of Middle Earth and to kill Frodo and give the Ring to Sauron."
Her pink eyes opening even wider Ammy looked around desperately at the others in the room: Galadriel looked both solemn and sorrowful and almost as if she wished to draw Ammy into an embrace and there was no doubt in Ammy's mind that Galadriel had seen Ammy's fate, Campfer would not meet her gaze and Ammy felt betrayal from him once again as he refused to look at her. The rabbit-eared woman even sought some sign of deception from Celeborn but he only regarded her with a steady gaze that rang with truth.
Letting out a strangled cry Ammy began to back away from the quartet towards the stairs that lead down to the platform and the steps which would take her back to relative normalcy of her friends.
"You can't make me! I didn't ask for this! I didn't ask for any of this! You did this to me! You dragged me from my world, changed my very being, moulded me and placed me within the Fellowship so I would gain sympathy and friendship! Now I cannot do anything but do as you tell me, because I will not allow my friends and their people to die! This is playing God! It's disgusting!"
Letting out a guttural sob and a cry like a wounded animal Amaterasu turned tail and fled, giving in to her instincts she fled down the stairs, past Menewa and Kajika and she didn't stop; not even when she heard shouts from Fellowship as she hurtled past their resting place. She disappeared into the depths of the forest and not even Legolas could find her…
A/N: Phew! Long chapter! Over 8000 words discounting A/N and reviews! I feel epic! This chapter was so confusing to write! I had to keep checking previous parts of the story and the sister-story so that everything matches up. I now have a three page novella about the origins of the Ame-no-Mihashira. The reason I wrote Thousand Furs into the story will become apparent in the next chapter, although I quite like the link between Thousand Fur's dresses and the Three Heavenly Treasures…
I was listening to Ed Sheeran's 'Give me Love' when writing the last part of the chapter and in my head Ammy was just getting more and more frantic as the song got more and more intense. Hence Ammy having a nervous breakdown….
Thanks for all the reviews and alerts! Maybe we could bump the reviews up to 300? We've only got 32 to go before we hit 300… Think you guys could write 32 reviews before I put up the next chapter? I would love you all forever if you did!
As always: Please Review and if you are interested in reading the companion story go and vote on the Poll on my Profile! I've changed the options so there is only two now so I apologise to those of you who voted for 'Gambling with Death' as a title. It's not going to be that because I had a discussion with a reader and we had a wonderful idea…So it's not going to be Gambling with Death… The choices are now: 'Where we Belong' and 'Dirty Paws' Please vote ASAP!
Reviews:
Dean Winchester's Play Thing- I enjoy spoiling you all! Menewa and Kajika are based on two giant wolf toys that I actually own. They are almost as big as me (which isn't that big) and I talk to them about my plot ideas. They have their own distinct personalities! I'm so happy you like them and I can't wait to introduce you to them more in the sister-story!
booklover1598- Thank you!
dandapanda- interesting reaction… Thanks!
AliceBeilschmidt- Thank you for your kind words of praise! Ammy appreciates them!
Nemo-chan- Wow! Dedication! Thank you so much for leaving a review! We really appreciate it!
Saellyra of Mirkwood- Legit huh? I hope this update was soon enough!
Emzy2k11- Hope this was soon enough!
bubblesgenre- I'm glad you love the new characters! If you wanna read the companion piece it would be great if you voted for a title on the Poll on my profile!
AuroraStarfire- I think once I'm finished with the Fellowship I might go back and revise the first chapters or so. I read over them once a month ago and thought "God, did I really write that drivel?" I like twists. They make the story far more interesting, although I sometimes forget my twists and have taken to writing them down. I have a notepad with 6 pages worth of twists in it. Twists that have happened, twists that might happen and twists that will happen! This chapter was very twisty...
Calemireth- It's always nice to know what forms other people like! My favourites so far are the tigress and Dragon. Rabbit Ammy will be making an appearance again soon!
Lord Bingo – I had an idea to give Ammy a friend from the beginning. It just took seeing the Hobbit for the second time in the cinema for that friend to spring into creation!
EGilly 1/14/13- loads of you seem to be reading this in one go now! I love it when I find a new story that has several chapters and you can just sit and get through quite a bit of plot and character development without having to wait for an update! Thank you for joining us!
last epic pen name- I'm happy you liked the last chapter and hope this chapter does justice! Ammy's forms are predetermined I'm afraid. Following the order of the Chinese Zodiac with a bonus animal that has yet to be decided! ;) Although Ammy as a lion would be cool, lionesses aren't quite as epic as lions and unfortunately Ammy is unable to change gender and wouldn't look as epic without a mane… Thank you for the suggestion though and I'll see if I can work something in ;)
emmerx – Thanks for the question/suggestion! Ammy's form won't be an elf, because she is an entirely different race however I do have a sneaky plan (which I cannot divulge at this moment in time) regarding the logistical problems of having interesting animal features whilst being intimate. :D I'm afraid you'll have to wait and see what happens! Thank you for your kind words and your Legolas choice has been noted! Hope you are still with us! (P.S. Thank you for one of the more interesting review questions I have ever read! I received the email in the middle of the night and when I woke up I wasn't quite sure if I had imagined the entire email! It is one of the most interesting queries I have had on this story! So thank you!)
Ella 1/16/13- Thanks for reviewing! Hope you keep reading to find out who Ammy ends up with!
Guest 1/18/13- I don't know which guest you are so I'm not entirely sure what your review meant! :( Thanks for reading though!
Bluepinkgreen 1/19/13- Thank you for the compliments! I hope you are still with us!
Lilinne- Thanks for joining us and we hope you continue to enjoy!
livyy- I'm so happy you took the time to review! I think I'm stuck in the middle regarding the relationship… Half of me thinks Ammy could make Legolas let loose, the other half wants her to go with Aragorn to relieve him of his burden. She's going to have a pretty big burden from this chapter onwards so I think she could provide Aragorn understanding and sympathy…. AGH! So difficult to choose. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
DragonBlade1000 – I'm glad you like the chapter! Sorry it's been so long, had an important exam to do so needed to concentrate on that! As my faithful reader and reviewer what do you think exactly of the new characters? Are you interested in more about them or not really?
Addy 1/30/13- Thank you for joining us! It's always a pleasant surprise to hear that people are still discovering my random story!
BlackBaccaraRose- Hope I'm keeping it up!
TotallyInspiredByYou- I've updated! (cool penname by the way)