Her body felt exhausted, but, in a good way. She had just finished her last exam and was now free from high school. Sure it would be a while till she got the results, but she was done all the same. Now she could go home, change into something more comfortable, and relax. All that cramming, lack of sleep and proper meals and stressful exams were behind her.
Stretching her arms above her, she let out a relieved sigh when a few pops echoed around her. Letting her arms dropped back at her sides, she took in the neighborhood street she was currently walking down on her way back home.
It was hard to imagine, that 500 years ago, this had all been nothing more than farmland and a small village. One she had become a part of, helped defend and grow. And although much had changed over the centuries, it was still a community where everyone knew each other, which sometimes got annoying, was quiet, calm, and peaceful. Seems there were some things that time didn't change after all.
Climbing the shrine steps with ease, Kagome mentally went over where everyone else probably was, seeing as she only had to show up for her exams. Souta was most likely at a friends, playing soccer at the local playground, or at the arcade with some friends. Mama would most likely be out shopping for that night's dinner and Grandpa was probably talking the ear off of some unlucky shrine patron or drinking tea with an old friend.
So that meant she could really relax. Nodding her head, Kagome decided on taking a nice soothing bath and then changing into something less formal. And she followed through with that plan.
A sudden rush of wind greeted her when she landed on the final step, letting out a surprised squeak and covered her face to protect herself from any flying debris. After a few moments, the wind suddenly died down, and Kagome lowered her arms, taking in the grounds before her.
"What the... What was that?" her eyes swept over all that she could see from her vantage point, before darting up to the sky. The skies were a clear bright blue with a few white clouds drifting by, so that ruled out a sudden storm.
It was then she noticed, that it was completely silent. There were no birds chirping, no crickets or other insect noises, even background noise was missing. Like the entire world was standing still. Within a heartbeat, the blink of an eye, noise started to filter into her mind. A distant dog barking, the sound of light and distant traffic, the murmurs of shrine visitors, birds and the rustling of the branches as they swayed in a light breeze.
A shiver ran down her spine and Kagome rushed into the house. She was not at all liking what she was feeling. On edge, she was even looking over her shoulder while she walked the short distance to her room and then bathroom. It was like she was expecting something to jump out from behind the corner, she felt that paranoid. Then again, she had spent enough time in the past, where things that did jump from around the corner usually wanted to kill her, were enough to make any person wary.
But all thoughts on the past and the scars it left on her, as well as the sudden and strange wind quickly melted away as she let herself sink into the hot and relaxing bath waters. Modern plumbing, she was sure, was one of man's greatest achievements. Don't get her wrong, she loved the natural hot springs that littered the Feudal Era, always at the right temperature, full with natural minerals the body needed and could use, modern plumbing was simply her heaven.
After her bath, and a nice cup of tea, Kagome decided she deserved a nap. It had been a stressful day, what with her exam and all. So, making her way downstairs, she allowed herself to fall back onto the old sofa, made herself comfortable and quickly fell asleep.
She didn't know how long it had been till a state of semi consciousness returned to her. The sort that had her between sleeping and awake, between dreaming and alert. Whatever brought her to this place, she wanted to part in it, she simply wanted to go back to sleep. Rolling over, her lungs seized when she felt herself rolling off the edge of the sofa and the expected drop quickly followed.
Eyes screwing themselves shut, she felt gravity work against her. But what was different, and not in a good way, was the fall was taking far too long, and the air had a slight chill to it that it shouldn't. She let out a pained groan when she did finally land, but her eyes snapped open when a second groan echoed around her ears, one that didn't belong to her.
Pushing herself up onto all fours, she stared at the person below her. They were unearthly beautiful, rich brown hair, fair skin, delicate features. When they opened her eyes, she scuttled back and away from the person she landed on, taking in what the were wearing. If anything, it looked like something someone would wear in those fantasy movies of knights and dragons and elves... Her heart stopped when the person sat up, a hand raised to sooth their sore head, the action ended up brushing long strands away from their face and revealing a pointed ear.
Her head whipped about wildly as she began the shaky process of standing up. No where near home or anything that resembled home. High mountains, tall ancient trees with the structures built into the very stone and trees themselves.
At the sound of a soft questioning voice, she turned her attention back towards the one she landed on. Their voice was soft, but held a defensiveness and was questioning, but it was in a language she didn't understand. Her brows furrowed with worry when they continued to question her, quickly getting to their feet.
She shrunk back at their taller stature, when she heard others calling out in the strange language, her eyes darted all over the place, trying to find a way out, something familiar, where the others were coming from. Her entire being flinched when she felt a hand grab hold of her upper arm and turned towards the one she fell on. Seeing the confusion and concern in their eyes didn't help her.
When he spoke up once again, this time in English, her lungs seized up once again. Perhaps she was in Europe, but she had never heard that language before, so she couldn't be anywhere near there.
Tears of frustration welled in her eyes, and her heart hammered a tattoo against her breast with how quickly and powerfully it was beating. The momentary calm she had was broken when the voices from mere moments ago sounded as if they were right next to her.
Jumping back from the male and whipping her head in the direction that sounded the closest, panic consumed her when she saw that these newcomers were armed and at the ready. After all that time spent in the past, knowing she was not only outnumbered but unarmed, Kagome booked it.
Running was near second nature to her, simply following her feet till they led her either into or out of danger was something she was too used to. Ducking around corners, she ignored the startled cries of those she nearly plowed down as she searched for a way out and back home.
As she continued to run, she turned a corner while checking over shoulder to make sure there was still ample space between herself and her pursuers She let out out a startled squeak when she felt herself run into someone and fall back.
Eyes shooting up, she stared wide eyed at the two before her. Like the one she landed on, they were unearthly beautiful. Both had long, rich brown hair, fair complexions, ancient eyes and delicately pointed ears. Their clothing looked soft, both in color and material. An she could tell, the two were related to each other, in some way, and closely if the strong resemblances were anything to go by.
Hearing her pursuers finally catching up, Kagome tore herself from her study of the two and scrambled to her feet and looked for a way out. She spun about in time to see an arrow fly straight towards her. But no sooner had the archer released the arrow, Kagome noticed how his eyes strayed to those behind her and let out a startled and warning call.
Instincts once again flooded her, took over and she reached out with a hand.
The world stood still and she was sure with how heavily her heart was drumming, the entire world could hear it. Taking in deep and calming breaths, Kagome's stance relaxed. Lowering her arm, arrow clutched in hand she could only blink at the rather shocked looking archer.
Said archer returned to himself and bowed, his actions and the tone of his words caused her stomach to drop. A hand lightly touched her shoulder, causing her to jump and spin about and drop the arrow all at once. Clutching the material of her shirt, she whimpered slightly at the male's furrowed brows.
Her eyes shifted to the woman when she spoke something to the male. After a few moments, he nodded his head. His gaze softened slightly and he motioned for her to follow. She hesitated for but a moment, but when the female offered her a kind smile did Kagome take a step forward. Glancing over her shoulder, she saw the questioning in the archer's own eyes.
Facing forward she anxiously followed after them, wondering what would await her future while she did so.
-o-o-o-
Humming a tune under her breath, Kagome kicked her leg back and forth as she read the words before her. It had been three years since she arrived to the land of Middle-Earth and lived with the elves. It took awhile, a long while, for her to adjust, but if there was one thing she was good at, it was adjusting and adapting.
A couple of months after her appearance, Kagome realized she was slowly becoming able to understand the language of the elves themselves. Not only that, but speak it, read it, hell, she could write it in her sleep if she wanted to.
When Elrond confronted her about after she confided with Arwen about it, they drew to two conclusions. The magic of their world was helping her in finding a way home be enabling her to slowly learn and know their languages, or, whatever brought her here, meant for her to stay.
The elven king felt it was more the latter, something Kagome could see as a better and likely possibility, but she wasn't about to give up hope. That was another thing she was good at. Holding onto hope during the bleakest of moments.
He allowed her time to herself to really adjust to the idea she may very well never see her home ever again. And it took a while, mourning her home and family, but still have a seed of hope at the possibility of seeing them again. And while she had toyed with the idea of returning to the past, permanently, it would have been her own choice.
If there was one thing Kagome absolutely hated, it was not being allowed a choice or be able for herself. It left her feeling helpless, and when it involved her life and future, it was not a pleasant feeling.
Kagome tore her eyes away from the page when something tickled her senses. Brow furrowing a bit, she concentrated on whatever could be the source that so eagerly and intimately brushed against her senses.
The moment she did, she nearly threw herself off her perch in the tree she sat in and immediately suck in her senses. Whatever it was, it was dark. And while where the Shikon always had that spark of purity due to Midoriko's soul, the source that disturbed her so was purely dark. And like the Shikon, it was was sentient.
Snapping the book shut, she tucked it carefully under her arm and climbed down swiftly. She quickly came to the conclusion to seek Elrond and tell him what she had sensed, and that it was making it's way into elven territory.
"Kagome, there you are."
Turning, Kagome offered her dearest friend since her arrival. "Arwen. Were you looking for me?"
"With you, one doesn't need go very far. I still have to see why you always insist in reading up in a tree."
"It... reminds me of home. Our house was surrounded by trees, but there was this one tree that was ancient and stood out from the rest. I used to climb it as a child. Even more so after my father died, rereading the stories he had told me when he stilled lived." she shrugged her shoulders as the two of them walked down the smooth pathways and halls towards the location Kagome sensed Elrond.
"Ah. You are quite the odd one. A child of man, but with elf qualities. I think perhaps that is why the others so easily accepted you." Arwen smiled towards her friend. "Though you still carry habits of your world that are foreign to both our races."
"Making her, one of a kind." Elrond spoke up with a raised brow as he eyed the two females before him.
Kagome's smirk instantly dropped as she now faced the king and could convey what she had sensed. The elves had taken her in, making them and their home her new family in this strange world.
"I come wishing to tell you something that has just recently... troubled me."
"Oh?"
"While reading, I... sensed something quickly approaching. Something... dark and filled with malice."
The two elves stiffened at her words. Elrond's brow pinched deeply while Arwen suddenly grew worried and fidgety.
"Are you certain?"
Kagome's own brows furrowed at his firm voice. She closed her eyes and concentrated her senses. Lips pinching, she pushed her senses towards where she felt the sickening presence. "There are... five quickly making their way here. One is... carrying, the object of being that had disturbed my reading earlier."
Both elves watched as she tilted her head slightly, turning as if able to see what she was sensing from the direction she felt them approach. "They are being followed... by... something... undead. A lot of them too."
Her eyes suddenly flew open with a startled gasp and her face drained of color. "One is injured with a curse... or poison... Whatever it is, it's tainting him... into that like their pursuers."
Arwen swiftly left their sides, leaving a confused Kagome and upset king behind. It was to the ranger that she left them for, not that Kagome knew or Elrond approved of. It left a tense and awkward silence in her wake.
"Was it... something I said?"
"I believe it is my turn, to share with you, as you have with us." Elrond directed Kagome into a private room to tell her about the Ring.
It was well into the late evening when Elrond's tale was finished, and Kagome had a headache as she went over the main important details of said tale.
"So... a Ring of evil that plagues your world, is being brought here so there can be a discussion of what to do with it." Kagome rubbed her temples, questioning the Kami why her. "And if it were ever reunited with it's creator, it pretty much means the end of... everything."
Elrond nodded his head in her direction, obviously no words were needed.
"Why did you tell me this?"
"Because... you have dealt with something like this before."
"What does that-!" she stopped in her sentence when things clicked into place. "I can't do away with this Ring like I did the Shikon. The Shikon was made of souls, evil and good. But this Ring... It's pure evil and malice. I would sooner die before being able to eradicate it from this world. And it would still be there after."
The king let out a sigh as he turned his gaze over to the window to look out upon his kingdom.
"Elrond..." Kagome stood and made her way to his side, placing an and on his arm. "I am grateful for everything you and yours have done for me. A stranger brought here by even stranger and mysterious circumstances. Meaning I am willing to put my life on the line to aid you and yours. But such an endeavour, would be pointless and bring nothing. Ask of me anything else, and I will gladly do it."
"You are more wiser than any being of man I have ever come across."
"I'll take that as a compliment." she smirked as she withdrew her hand and turned to face the kingdom as well.
"As it was meant to be." Elrond turned to her, examining the tiny woman that he had taken in.
She had quickly become a friend to his own daughter, a confidant really. And to him, a reminder that among men... there were always those of exception. She had even found a way into his heart, making him care for her as if she were one of his own.
"Arwen approaches."
Turning back to the window, Elrond saw the Kagome was indeed correct. But the hastiness of her return troubled him. And when he spotted that she was not alone and seemed to be holding a child with her, did he swiftly leave the room with Kagome behind him.
Arwen panted as she clutched to the one with her. "We have to help him. The Nazgul struck him down."
A few elves quickly took the person from her arms so she could quickly dismount the exhausted horse.
"Kagome..."
"Right." needing no other words, Kagome followed the elves that had taken the wounded being, reading to aid in all she could.
"And of the others? Nazgul?"
"They should be here by soon, if they keep their pace. And washed away by the river." Arwen wore a worried expression as she watched the last of Kagome's skirts disappeared around a corner.
"Gandalf will return in the morning with another hobbit of his. I must see to that representatives of each kingdom come to Rivendell. Something must be done, and soon."
-o-o-o-
Kagome felt odd as Elrond directed her towards this secret meeting on what to do with the Ring. Especially since she wa on his left arm like someone of actual royalty.
"This awkward." she couldn't hold it in any longer. She had never been one truly able to sit still for long periods, or stay silent for that matter.
The corner of Elrond's lips twitched, having become accustomed to her need to filling in uncomfortable silences. "Oh?"
"I hate it when you do that." huffing, she let out a breath that blew a few stray bangs out of her eyes. "I'm going to be the only woman present. I feel like I'm intruding on some sort of... I don't know, gentlemen's club."
He raised a brow at the term she used. It was easy to try and understand what she was trying to say, even with her odd terms and foreign sayings, but he understood her feelings on the current situation.
"I am inviting you along, because you have dealt with something like this before."
"And I am so looking forward to repeating the process. And being the only woman involved! Yay. Thank you for this opportunity." she grumbled under her breath.
"Such tones are not fit for a woman."
"I'm nervous. I get like that when I'm extremely nervous. Though I do apologize."
He bowed his head in acceptance. Nearing where the meeting was taking place, he motioned her to prepare herself. She took in a deep breath, praying to the Kami she didn't make a fool of either herself or Elrond to doing this, and lifted her chin up just the slightest amount and walked as gracefully as she could.
Which, in all reality, was nothing compared to the elf beside her.
All chatter ceased the moment they arrived, forcing Kagome to fight down the blush that so wanted to encompass her cheeks.
She swept her eyes over all that were present. Man, elves, dwarves and hobbit. Her eyes softened when they caught the curious eyes of said hobbit, the very one she helped save. Ignoring the curious, if not somewhat hostile stares, Kagome picked up her skirts as she descended the few stairs and made her way to the only seat left open.
"Now that we are all here, we can begin. Bring forth-"
"Wait. Are you to say that she's to take part?"
Kagome raised a brow in the direction of the man that spoke up. His hair was dirtied blond and fell to his shoulders, the beginnings of a beard on his chin, stubble covering the rest of his lower face. His eyes were dark, and with how his brows were furrowed, she couldn't tell what color they were.
"Only fools make comments on things they do not know." Kagome hummed lightly under her breath as she got as comfortable in her seat.
The elf closest to her sent her a smirk, having heard the words she spoke and obviously found them entertaining.
"What did you say, woman?" the man's low growl directed towards her meant her heard something of what she said.
"I only mean to say, that you do not know why you were summoned here. Would it not be best, to discover why we are all here first, before we state our comments and opinions?"
The man went to comment once again, but Elrond decided to intervene first before things got too far out of hand.
"Enough Boromir, Kagome here speaks the truth." when there was once again silence and calm among them Elrond spoke the words that revealed the reason of the meeting. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Kagome watched how Frodo left his chair and shuffled forward. A hand went to his pocket and slowly laid the Ring on the small surface of the center piece, she wasn't sure what to call it. She caught how the hobbit seemed to life his shoulders, as if a terrible weight had been lifted from them.
It was a feeling she was only too familiar with.
He quickly returned to his seat, and her eyes scanned the rest of those seated, taking in their now tense forms. Her own eyes took in the Ring, almost with boredom. She could hear the damn whispers to take it, but like with the Shikon, she wanted nothing the damn thing promised her. She knew better.
Power, titles, riches... they had never attracted her.
Flicking her eyes away with ease, she watched again as the men all began to murmur as Elrond declared the Ring a problem of all Middle-Earth so they were here to decide it's fate. An argument broke out, loud angry words between them, and before them knew it, a dwarf jumped from his seat and swung down his ax on the Ring.
The ax shattered, pieces flying out and away from the Ring. Kagome ducked her head to the side. Just in time too, a cool sensation overtook her right cheek. While the rest were in shock, Kagome raised a hand, and hissed at the stinging sensation upon contact. Bringing her hand before her face, her brows furrowed at the few drabbles of blood that shined on her finger tips.
"Are you alright?"
Looking over to the hobbit next to her, she blinked wide blue eyes in surprise that he had noticed. Smiling softly, she lowered her hand and answered him. "It's merely a cut. It will heal. But thank you, for your concern."
Frodo nodded his head as he watched her turned to face forward once again. He wasn't sure, but he felt lighter around her, safer, and familiar. Even when he had the Ring on him. Although he had been shocked to see her enter at Elrond's side, he was more than glad she was seated next to him. Especially now, after the dwarf brought down his ax, chaos broke out.
But, he glanced towards her shocked to see her glowing the faintest amounts with her brows furrowed, she appeared otherwise calm. When the one named Boromir began of speaking of using the Ring against Sauron, Gandalf then proceeded to speak.
Darkness sudden blotted out the sun, the others silenced themselves. Glancing at the king, Frodo noticed how he looked upset, and glancing around the others looked uneasy. But the woman, her face was emotionless, a cool mask, but the glow about her seemed all the more brighter.
When Gandalf stopped, there was once again a tense silence among them. Boromir then spoke up, speaking of plans on using the Ring as a weapon against the enemy. Kagome couldn't help but roll her eyes at the idiocy of the plan. The next thing she knew, the blond elf stood up speaking how the one that pretty much called out on the fools plan was someone's heir, and King.
"Gondor has no king." Boromir sneered silently in the other man's direction. "Gondor needs no king." with that, he turned his back on the man, his words and actions loud and clear.
Kagome may have been there for a year, but still she didn't understand the importance of the stranger's role for this city of Gondor. She had been in Rivendell the entire time, reading nothing but what their library had to offer in hopes of finding a way home.
Chaos once again took them over when Elrond said the Ring could only be destroyed by the fires that created it, words of anger quickly heating and escalating. It was then that Kagome noticed how the power around the Ring seemed to grow, as if feeding on the negativity that was quickly flooding the area.
"I will take it."
Turning to the hobbit, Kagome wore a concerned face as she took in the timid determination Frodo wore.
"Are you sure?" she whispered silently towards him, the others still heatedly arguing.
Frodo glanced at the woman, seeing her open curiosity as she was the only one that heard him. Swallowing, his hands tightened into fists and back straightening, he nodded his head. He feared he would be able to speak past the lump in his throat.
Kagome's face softened at the finality of his answer, though it was wordless. She placed a comforting and encouraging hand on his shoulder before turning a determined face forward. The others were still arguing, not at all aware of what just transpired.
Dropping her hand, Kagome called her powers forth and took a swipe at the air for two reasons, as she called for silence. One, to direct the attention towards her, and secondly, to clear the negativity that the Ring was feeding off of.
"Silence!" she lowered her arms when all stopped and turned towards her, her face set in a firm look as she took each and everyone of them in. Expression and posture softening, Kagome took a step back, allowing Frodo to take the spot like. "Frodo wishes to speak."
Turning to the hobbit, she nodded her head with a soft smile as she once again place an encouraging hand on his shoulder.
"I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor."
Kagome remained where she was a Frodo's side, a comforting and encouraging hand on his shoulders as all other swung their eyes towards the hobbit.
"Though... I do not know the way."
The tallest of them all, a man in gray with a wiry gray beard let out a tired sigh as he turned and faced Frodo solely. His eyes twinkled and smiled somewhat as he moved to stand behind him next to Kagome. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will, You have my sword." the supposed king of Gondor spoke up. Aragorn if Kagome remembered correctly, also stepped forward.
"And you have my bow." the elf that had stood up for Aragorn joined the growing group.
"And -my- axe." the dwarf declared, grumbling as he joined the ranks, muttering about flighty elves and needing something that couldn't be blown away by a mere breeze.
Kagome's lips twitched in trying to keep herself from smiling.
"You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir spoke somewhat solemnly, but also stood among the ranks that were now behind the one willing to take such a cursed item to see to it's destruction.
Elrond took in the group before him, his hand somewhat tightening when he noticed the unwavering gaze of Kagome as she stood firm next to the halfling.
"Kagome?"
"You already know my answer and standing on the subject." she bowed her head in a silent plea for his understanding and acceptance, but lifted it the smallest amount to show she would fight on the subject.
He let out a sigh, waiting a few moments with acknowledging her decision with a slight bow of his own head. "So be it. Seven companions, a fellowship..."
A rustling from the bushes behind them all interrupted Elrond a hobbit came tumbling out, one calling as he moved before Kagome to stand next to Frodo. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
Kagome couldn't hold back the smile at the sight of the hobbit standing proudly before the elven king, as if daring him to deny him being there. Said king raised a brow, also looking rather amused. "No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret Council, and you are not."
The new hobbit nodded somewhat sheepishly, only to have two more hobbits rushing into the Council from the bushes behind them. Kagome's smile grew all the more the the astonished look at the two new intruders.
"We're coming, too!" one cried out. "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."
The other nodded and crossed his arms over his chest determinedly. "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing."
The one hobbit leaned over. "Well, that leaves you out, Pip."
Kagome's eyes twinkled as Elrond cut in.
"Ten companions." He nodded in acknowledgement of Kirara's mew of inclusion. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
Pippin grinned and clapped his hands. "Great! Where are we going?"
Kagome laughed as she shook her head. Seeing that the Council had come to an end and Elrond was beckoning her, she patted Frodo on the shoulder as she made her way to the elven king's side.
"Are you sure of this, Kagome?"
"I am. As I have said this already, you and yours took me in and treated me as if I were your own. If I can help in keep you all safe in any way, then I will do so." the both glanced back to the others as they spoke in hushed tones. "I wish that I could do away with that cursed Ring like I had the Shikon. Such a burden... Something no one should have to bare."
Elrond sighed as he stared the tiny human woman down. He could see the she would not sway from her decision. She reminded him of his daughter, the two were so alike.
"You and Arwen are too far alike. Stubborn."
"Now that, I'll take as a compliment."
He raised a brow at her impish smile. "You would." Shaking his head, he let out a low sigh. "Go tell her of your decision."
When Kagome furrowed her brows slightly, he spoke in Sindarin, making his answer more private for them as he told her the reason just barely above a whisper.
"You are a sister of her heart, making you a daughter of my heart. Know that you are always welcome here."
Her eyes grew wider and wider as he continued to talk, and when he was done, she wore a smile that was blinding. By the time it all settled into her mind, that she would have a home among those that accepted her for who and what she was, she quickly threw her arms around Elrond and quietly thanked him.
Either she was unaware or didn't care of the stares her actions caused. With a final squeeze, she quickly made her way towards where she felt Arwen's presence, leaving a somewhat startled king and confused audience.
Chuckling under his breath, Elrond straightened his robes out, and when he noticed the silence, he swept his eyes over the rest of the Council. Regaining his regal appearance, the others were quick to turn away and hastily resume their previous discussion.
Feeling a gentle tugging on one of his sleeves, Elrond looked downward and blinked when the ringbearer gave him a questioning look.
"I don't mean to be rude, but who was that?"
"That, Master Frodo, was Kagome."
"Is she also an elf?"
The others were paying all of their attention to the current discussion, though trying to appear as if they weren't interested in what was being said.
Elrond furrowed his brows a trite more so than normal. He had noticed the changes taking place about Kagome. His suspicions from when she first appeared in his kingdom only becoming fact at this point. It was gradual, for Kagome, but for an elf it happened so quickly. The magic of their world and whatever brought her here, meant for her to stay.
Her features had become more delicate, she had actually grown so that she was considered about elf size, though still delicate for an elf, and a sure sign, her ears had actually grown points. The oddest thing though about her, whatever magic she had before she came here, stayed with her.
The only question left unanswered, would she have the lifespan of an elf, or that of a mortal? That was a question only time could answer.
But to answer Frodo's question, without really answering, Elrond spoke up.
"She is a member of this house and my family." he looked at the ring bearer critically for a few moments before speaking up once again. "But, it is time to prepare, Master Frodo. Tomorrow you leave for Mordor. Rest. You will need it."
With that, he swept away and towards his own quarters. His daughter was not going to be pleased he was allowing Kagome to leave on this quest, especially if the goal was Mordor.
"Kagome, there you are."
"Forgive me, your father had me attend the Council. It's also why I sought you out." Kagome darted her eyes to the side when her friend cocked her head to the side ever so slightly. Taking in a deep breath, Kagome thought it best to just tell her the truth. "The Ring is being taken to Mordor. Frodo will be it's bearer."
Arwen actually let out a gasp, obviously not having thought of that as an outcome.
"He will not be going alone, nine will be going with him. I do not know all their names. The other three hobbits, Gandalf, a dwarf another elf, Boromir, myself and Aragorn will all be with him."
"I see." Arwen's eyes narrowed a moment later. "I heard you state yourself among those to travel with Frodo."
"You did." seeing that slightly hurt expression on her friend's face, Kagome stepped forward and took Arwen's hands into her own. "You understand why. I wish to return the kindness you, your father and yours has shown me. I do not want to see this beautiful world fall into darkness."
"As much as we have accepted you into our home and family, this isn't your burden to bare. You have already done such before, it would be unfair to you to go through that all again."
"Life is rarely fair. I'll take whatever blessing I receive and treasure them dearly. You and the elves is one of them." Kagome looked out the window to the kingdom that spread before her. "Your father has... accepted me as family, welcoming me into his house and home. Many wouldn't have been so generous. I wish to keep my new family safe."
"By going into Mordor, with the Ring? You don't need to go to such lengths Kagome."
"Perhaps, but you all are more than worth it."
Seeing that she wasn't going to argue her friend and sister out of it, Arwen let out a sigh. Tucking a stray strand of hair, her eyes lingered on the pointed ear that hadn't been there when she first appeared. Her father did invite Kagome into their house, home and family, but would Kagome sail with them to the undying lands when this was done.
"When do you leave?"
"In the morning."
Her brows furrowed again, she had hoped to have a little more time with Kagome. Not only that, Aragorn's name had been mentioned as one of those that would be going with Frodo. She would have to divide her time with both of them.
"Go. I see the way you look. One of the others I mentioned is someone else you care for." seeing that her friend was about to argue, Kagome smiled and began direction Arwen to the door. "Arwen, go to him."
After a hesitant nod, Arwen went in the direction of where Kagome pointed out that the others still lingered. Letting out a sigh, Kagome leaned against the door frame for a few moments before pushing herself to make her way to her own room.
It was along the way when she heard the sounds that she was not alone.
Turning her head slightly, indicating that she knew her shadow was there, she spoke up. "May I help you with something?"
"I was wondering, are you truly to go with us tomorrow?"
Glancing out the corner of her eye, she spied the blond elf that had taken part in the Council.
"I am."
"May I ask why?"
"You may." she smirk at his raised brow. Chuckling under her breath, she gave him a vague answer. "I have... done something of this sort before."
"Something of this sort?"
"Go on a quest to destroy an evil that threatened to plague the land. As well as a prized object that would have most doubtedly allowed him to do succeed."
Her travelling companion paused for a moment as he truly took her in. "And when did this happen?"
"A... long time ago. In a land I feel I can no longer return to." her eyes misted over as she finally accepted that she was never going to go back home. It wasn't just home, but her family and friends. If she could at least tell them she was alright, and that she loved them, it would lift so much from her shoulders.
Shaking her head, she turned to the elf. "I don't know your name."
He smiled softly, raising a hand to her cheek. He wiped a stray tear, one she had not been aware of. "Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, my lady."
"Just Kagome. I'm not overly fond of titles. Your highness."
"Only if you return the favor."
Smiling she bowed her head. "Legolas."
His smile brightened a little more at her acceptance of his request. Returning it, she glanced around, wondering when they had stopped.
"If you'll excuse me, I must prepare for tomorrow."
AN: And yet another update and Lord of The Rings idea from me! I would proofread this, as I've noticed that FF.N has actually taken some words out of uploaded documents lately... But I'm to lazy and this is 14 pages long. Quick note: I'm usually not one that is fond of changing what Kagome is, as she is a firm believer of 'Love what you are', but I do like to try and step out of comfort zones, and what better way than to do that! Other than that; read, enjoy, and review!