Middle-Earth Adventures Chapter 12

Hina woke up with the sudden realisation that she'd made some invaluable friends. While it was embarrassing to know that Legolas had seen her in such a vulnerable state all night, no doubt standing by her bedside and not sleeping, after her talk with Aragorn she had been reminded that this wouldn't be enough to make them look down on her. This wasn't pity, it was love... and she'd be remiss to mix up the two and cause more unnecessary drama.

"Legolas," she greeted.

"Hina," the Elf replied as he knelt down to eye level and took her hands in his. "You scared us."

"I am very scary," she joked.

Legolas smiled, but his smile turned quickly into worry. "We cannot let him near you again. He will hurt you," Legolas lamented.

"No... he doesn't do this often. He was more angry than usual. I doubt he'll spar me again," Hina placated.

Legolas didn't buy it. "Spar? That is what you would call that?"

"I just like to let him think he's punishing me," she whispered conspiratorially, "when in fact I'm just using it as training to one day beat his ass."

Legolas knew she was trying to play of her situation for laughs now that she'd managed to reel back from the shock of seeing him again. But he knew her real feelings. He had seen the way she lost her joy and humour the moment Orochimaru came. That had been her unfiltered response to her master. What she was doing now was simply adjusting to the situation to continue as normal. He had a feeling she could be in Mount Doom and still display this forced humour of hers.

"There will be no more training. We will keep you away from him," Legolas promised.

"I doubt you could even if you wanted to. He's one of the three Sannin. Basically Kage level and who knows he could probably beat the Kages if he wanted to," Hina replied. "Just... don't make him angry. He'll come by to heal me again today and then probably to train me until we move out again."

"Training..."

"Ugh... ok proper training. Before wasn't… training," Hina said looking away.

"I'll join you then. As a sparring partner of course," Legolas said.

Hina nodded his way gratefully, a smile of her own coming to her face when it was quickly wiped away by Orochimaru's arrival. Legolas stood up almost defensively, his brows knitted together with the slightest show of anger. Orochimaru simply smiled in response.

"So an Elf. Fascinating to think there are more humanoid races than Humans in this world. I wonder if it's true that your kind are immortal."

"It is a gift from the Valar to the firstborns. It is folly for Men to seek immortality," Legolas retorted firmly.

"Folly?" Orochimaru laughed. "It is folly to aim for nothing less than the best. Or even the smartest child will grow into a baseless adult."

Hina's lips thinned in irritation when Orochimaru levelled her a pointed look. He'd always been more than a little disappointed by her non-desire to achieve immortality. Hina despised the idea. She felt sorry for Legolas if she was being honest. Living one lifetime felt like too much effort. The idea of living several of them, never ageing, watching your loved ones grow old and die… yeah, she didn't like the idea at all.

"Well then take off your kimono Hina-chan," Orochimaru ordered.

Hina undid her obi and pulled off her kimono, snorting in amusement when Legolas turned his back to her. She'd never understand why people were so shy with naked bodies. She had become so used to stripping down for medical purposes she admitted that she'd lost all shyness, even by the standards of her home. There was no shame in getting naked for a doctor just as there was no shame in this. At least she could appreciate how unfazed Orochimaru was with this, considering he'd seen more naked body parts than she'd cared to know herself.

She let him heal her. For someone who didn't specialise in Iryo-jutsu he was pretty good all things considered. She supposed it came along with the need to master almost everything. To his credit Orochimaru hadn't become a master of none because his skill in Ninjutsu was what set him apart.

"We will begin your training back again tomorrow. You've gotten fat," he said poking her stomach.

Hina let out an affronted noise. "I am not fat," she groused.

She looked down at her stomach and realised her muscle definition had dropped and there was a tiny bit more fat on her body. She was still far from being fat, not to mention in the eyes of anyone but a Shinobi she was still extremely lean. It's just that she was used to having around 3% body fat with how hard she used to exercise every day. She didn't have the time to do that in this world where everyone walked at a goddamn snail's pace. Kunoichi took special care to ensure their monthly cycles weren't destroyed by their lack of body fat, and that took pills and other supplemental food they didn't have here. Hina needed this fat.

"6am sharp. Don't be late."

"They don't have watches here!"

"Well then, when the sun comes up."

Hina groaned. That was earlier than 6am. She should have just kept her mouth shut. Thankfully Orochimaru left and she could get dressed again.

"He felt like an entirely different man," Legolas noted.

"This is him in a good mood. He's a bi-polar shithead," Hina grumbled. "Fat," she whispered in indignation. "I'm not fat."

"You certainly aren't. Come you should get some food. Then a second breakfast like the Hobbit's enjoy. We will show him fat," Legolas said with a smile.

Hina grinned back up at the Elf. "Oh Legolas-san you are a man who speaks my language."

Boromir worried for his father's health. He had come back home to be received with the fall of Osgiliath. This was grave news indeed, but then to have his father nearly condemn Faramir to his death for his noble actions in letting Frodo go—that had been too much. Boromir had never begged in his life, but in that moment, he had gotten on his knees and did just that. He would not have the lives of innocent men—of his little brother, be thrown aside so casually for a good deed. It wasn't Faramir's fault that Denethor had become so blind as to blame him for not taking the ring for himself. Boromir remembered it's call. If Frodo had offered the one ring, he would have taken it without hesitation, and then he would have lost himself in madness. Faramir had proven himself more worthy than he ever was by rejecting its power.

Despite this one good thing to be heard, the path to the Mogal Vale had been breached. Osgiliath held the way through the Anduin river from the East. For years, the people of Gondor had been fighting the good battle to keep Sauron's forces at bay. They were the last frontier, the men who held back the darkness. Once Boromir had been honoured by the title, growing up with a sense of pride for the land that never stopped fighting. The Elves had hidden themselves away in their forests, the Dwarves in their mines, but Men—Men had held strong. They stumbled and fell, lost, and grieved, but they never stopped fighting.

To hear of Osgiliath's fall had made him tired beyond mention. Not a year and a half ago he had reclaimed that city in its entirety and in such a short amount of time all his life's progress had gone down the drain. Yet there was also relief—because Faramir lived. If he hadn't made it out of the River-city, Boromir would have never forgiven himself. He had arrived to Gondor before he could make it anywhere near where his brother had been fighting. To see as Gandalf rode to Faramir's aid had been like feeling almost a sense of cleansing relief. But now that relief had washed away to horror at the notion of the Orcs taking root in such a place.

"Brother your disposition is pale," Faramir said as he handed his older brother a drink.

"It is with the growing days that I fear my strength weans. Father isn't making it any easier… he falters in his thoughts. There's no decisiveness in his steps," Boromir said, rubbing his eyes as he leant to the side in his chair.

"And what you say is true? The heir to Isildur lives. He is a man fit for the crown?" Faramir asked as he reclined in his own seat and drank from his goblet.

There was a light in Boromir's eyes. Faramir had seen it when his older brother had recounted the journey he took with Frodo and the Fellowship. His presence had been what had saved Faramir's life, as he had given up the ring and ensured it in the hands of a Hobbit. To know his larger-than-life brother had fallen under its thrall had only concreted the fact that he made the right decision in letting it go.

"Indeed, a noble man, with a steadfast heart. Now if only we could get father to see some reason," Boromir chuckled wryly.

"Ha, that would be the day!" Faramir replied as he toasted his brother.

They fell into silence after that. Too much time had been spent in war-talk, more time shouting at Denethor to listen to reason.

"Gandalf urges him, I urge him, and yet he does not light the Beacons of Minas Tirith," Boromir lamented.

"Then once more you shall ask him!"

Boromir turned to see Gandalf walk into the room and he stood up gratefully. With Gandalf came a sense of renewed hope. He clasped the old wizard's shoulder in great thankfulness. Without Gandalf's light to lead his brother and his men home, they would not have survived an attack from the Nazgul on their tail.

"You are a welcome sight Gandalf," Boromir greeted with a smile before he also squeezed Pippin's shoulder.

"Yes well, it would seem I'm a necessary sight in these trying days. Boromir, do not prematurely lose hope. You must go back to your father. He was once the wisest man in Gondor, but age has clouded his foresight, and has weakened his will—he sees only a narrow path now. You must convince him to muster the forces and plan a defence until Rohan hears our call."

Once again, this heavy weight would rest on Boromir's shoulder. Gandalf could see the weight it held him by chain around his neck. Boromir was a beast of burden, carrying too much for too long all on his own. The fate of Gondor and its people had been resting on him time and time again, and even though it wasn't his destiny, he held on as best as any man could. But he wasn't alone now. Gandalf needed to remind him of that.

"He loves me, but I fear he will not listen."

"Therein lies your problem. You fear. Fear too soon and lose hope too quickly. One cannot ask the world of you Boromir. You may fail, and that is not something to be feared, because it is an inevitability of man. What you must fear is to never have tried at all. The fate of Gondor does not rest on your shoulders alone Boromir son of Denethor, it rests in the hands of every man here willing to fight. You only need to raise the call to arms."

"A shadow approaches from Mordor," Pippin said with wide frightened eyes. "If you don't do it now, it'll be too late."

"And you know what you'll have to do Pippin," Gandalf said with a knowing smile of his own.

Pippin gulped and nodded. "Light on my feet, invisible like a mouse."

Pippin was going to light the beacons of Minas Tirith against the Stewards wish. Boromir nodded in agreement at the decision. It took the bravery of little folk like the Hobbit's to remind him of who truly fought evil. It was in the hands of all races, great and small. If there was ever a time for a man to rise above his weaknesses, then it was now.

Much to his word Legolas had in fact been with her during her training with Orochimaru. It mostly consisted of the man dumping a large boulder on her back and making her do push-ups for an hour or having her spend most of the day trying to break said boulder with the precise strike of her wind blade. Legolas was impressed at first of course, before he realised how little fun Shinobi training was. Once one got over the impressive feat displayed, it was a very repetitive process, nothing like the quick on the feet kind of training Elves were used to. One minute they fought with blade, then arrow, a different challenge after the other so as to never fall into the monotony of repetitive actions.

As it turned out, Orochimaru wasn't in fact in the habit of abusing his student… often. While his training was unusually harsh and unrelenting, he'd never taken the pleasure of hitting Hina for the sake of inflicting pain. Still, it did not blur out the memory of him having done so not two days ago, and so Legolas kept a vigilant eye on the man regardless. Even Aragorn and Gimli came by every so often like hovering fathers. It was to everyone's relief when the Beacons of Minas Tirith were lit ablaze. Aragorn was the first to have noticed it. Hina dropped her stance as she turned around to watch Aragorn rush away from her towards the Hall. She ran with him.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!" Aragorn shouted as he threw open the doors into the castle halls. "Gondor calls for aid!"

There's a pause as everyone holds their breath for the King's answer. Aragorn looked on imploringly, knowing the answer to Gondor's aid could mean turning the tide of this war. Everything rested on Théoden's shoulder. Then after a great and terrible pause, Théoden gave his answer.

"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim!" Théoden ordered.

Aragorn lets out a sigh of relief. Éomer bowed to his King before he left and the men around the Court stood straighter in preparation. Hina could feel the call of battle in her blood. She could feel its anticipation in her veins.

"Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days," Théoden ordered Éomer. "On the third, we ride for Gondor and war."

The man wasted no time as he strode out of the castle and mounted his horse along with several other leading men. He pulled out his sword and shouted, "Forward!" before making a hasty leave to his work.

"Gamling!" Théoden shouted.

"My lord!"

"Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow."

"I will my lord!"

Hina had never seen the King act so quickly and decisively before. It seemed the victory at Helm's Deep had given him some courage. She smiled. It is a good thing then that she didn't in fact assassinate him like she'd wanted to. Maybe Legolas and Aragorn were right, maybe it was just a matter of mercy and effort. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to look at Orochimaru.

"While these weaklings ride out to their deaths, I expect much more from you. Show them the strength of a Shinobi."

She didn't think they were weak. The men in this world, even without chakra, were strong in their own right. They were human… and all they could do was have the courage and strength of heart to move forward. That was true strength and Hina was beginning to realise just how little she knew of true strength before she came here. Her thoughts had obsessed about growing stronger physically enough to challenge Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. It was always about Jutsu, and technique, and the next power-up… along the way she had forgotten the perseverance that was at the core of all strength. To love and to hope. This world had taught her that.

"I won't show them the strength of a Shinobi on the battlefield," Hina said shaking her head. "No, that is not the way. I will show them the bonds of love instead."

For what more did people fight for than love? She saw the frown that had taken Orochimaru's face at her dismissal of his attempt to encourage her. She hoped he'd understand one day, because for as much as she feared and hated him, a part of her had always prayed that one day he would become the good man he had buried deep away in his heart, the good man she often saw a glimmer of in his rare vulnerable moments. But she couldn't wait around forever, she couldn't allow him to continue the way he was—because that was not true love. He was, despite all her wishes, not a good man, and that was not something she could stay around to change forever. She was not Naruto. She couldn't chase her Sasuke to the ends of the Earth and brute force her ideals onto him. She was simply Hina—a girl who'd made many mistakes, who'd won many victories, who'd lost her path and found it, only to lose it again. It was time she accepted it all—her victories and her failures.

"Love is not true strength. It is pretty words little neonate. True power is in power itself," Orochimaru replied as if stating an obvious fact. "I thought my lesson a few days ago would still be fresh in your memory."

Hina couldn't help the side eye she gave Orochimaru at that. He laughed at her miffed expression, but she didn't dare say a word again. She knew if she spoke again it would show too much vulnerability and hope. Her love was an exploit to him, not a strength, but a weakness. It had been used against her, her whole life. Holding the people she loved hostage, holding her arms bound and tethered to darkness. It was a double-edged sword, and she'd come to see only darkness in it until she came here. She was reminded of how much of a driving force it was again and how much good it did.

"You'll see it one day Shishou, and then you'll know why I fight," Hina told him resolutely.

"A child pretending to know the ways of the world," Orochimaru shook his head in amusement. "Little by little you'll understand neonate, that you've been living in tales of nobility and flowery romance. It's a lie to shackle greatness down. This world has made you foolish. When you come back to the Elemental Nations, you'll see reason again."

Hina didn't respond to that but she took in a deep breath to calm herself down and to think clearly. She had a feeling he was right. This world had shown her goodness. Strangers who had saved her life instead of killing an unknown, people who hadn't locked her away because of her foreign nature, men who'd given her the open friendship and comradery she had almost forgotten the taste of in her isolation. This world had hope. It had given her hope. Hope that she had lost sight of in the seemingly endless mission she had taken the weight upon by herself. She feared going back to that lonely darkness again.

"Well either way, I will get us back home. You will find that I've come prepared," Orochimaru said pulling out a scroll.

Hina watched as Orochimaru put it on the stone ground and rolled it out. He placed his palms on it and brought out a new pack of shuriken, kunai, and ninja wire as well as another bottle with five chakra pills. Then he handed her something she'd never thought she'd see. It was a headband, one with a music symbol etched inside.

"Music?" she asked.

"The Village hidden by Sound. Otogakure," Orochimaru grinned.

"You established a whole Village while I was away?" Hina asked, jaw dropping.

She was sure this started a whole lot earlier than it was meant to. She hadn't even seen it coming. Orochimaru was still in Akatsuki after all. He'd probably never really leave the group now that Itachi wouldn't join. He'd only left after attacking Itachi after all. Hina was really wondering if she wanted to hear more. She'd probably begin to worry about home again.

"The start of a Village," Orochimaru corrected.

"I'm the first to receive this right," Hina narrowed her eyes.

"No Kabuto had the honour," Orochimaru replied. "Because you were galivanting around in a different world."

"Ok fair," Hina replied.

Her contact would kill her. No Jiraiya himself would skin her alive. She was meant to be reporting something this big back to him. This was definitely something big enough to break her 6-month radio silence. But she didn't regret not going back. It seemed time flowed differently, or at least the seal sent her in a way that didn't chronologically work out. Maybe she'd end up a few years in the past if she got the calculations back home wrong. She didn't like the sound of that.

It wasn't hard to part with her Konoha headband. Looking at the deep cross against the Konoha leaf symbol had been like a slap to her face each time. She much preferred wearing another headband entirely than one that visibly marked her as a traitor. Hina tied the hitaite on her head like bandanna. She'd begun to do it to remind herself of Gaku, although she didn't cover her entire head and let her bangs fall at her face still. Orochimaru looked pleased by it. He was in a good mood today anyway, and so was she. She was eager to be back on the road with Aragorn, and she would be lying if she said she didn't worry about Boromir. She always worried about Boromir.

"I'll be seeing you later. In this Gondor correct?" Orochimaru asked.

"I'm sure you can find your way."

"I'm not the directionally challenged on here," Orochimaru said rolling his eyes before he left, never the one to say a proper goodbye.

Hina was relieved when he left. She quickly fitted the kunai and shuriken pouch around her thighs and pocketed the chakra pill bottle. Then she made away from the private corner they had conversed in towards the horses. She'd rather travel by foot despite how much she loved Ruilan, but horses just weren't for her. She preferred running ahead—if only people let her in the first place. She grumbled internally as she made her way towards the stables, only to be stopped by familiar figures.

"Lady Hina!"

There was something about being called Lady that just made Hina want to roll her eyes. But Haleth seemed to consider her akin to the Maiar and deserving of respect, and Hina figured she'd get the Middle-Earthen equivalent of the title Senpai here. She didn't, however, expect such a brazen hug from the teen. After a moment's pause, she hugged him back.

"I'm so sorry I didn't visit you earlier. My mother forbade me. Is it true that a bad man hurt you?"

Hina froze and then pulled away. She looked away in roiling disgust as she remembered the shame she felt when Orochimaru had carried her across the kingdom like property he owned. To think even Haleth knew of this shame.

"You shouldn't believe in rumours," she replied a little angrily, even though it wasn't a rumour.

"Your face is still purple and blue…" Haleth said touching her cheeks gently, a frown marring his face. "And now you're leaving… I knew it would happen, but it makes me sad."

"I told you I couldn't give you what you wanted Haleth-kun. I'm only temporary. I won't forget our friendship, and neither should you, but it's best not to linger," she told him as firmly as she could.

"It was worth every moment," he said with a lopsided smile.

Hina snorted in disbelief. "One day Haleth-kun, when you're older, women will swoon over your smooth words. But now's not your time. This may be the last time we see each other, but it also may not be."

"I hope we meet again," he said.

Hina clasped the boy by his shoulders and nodded. He was a good lad. She could feel that one day he'd become a great warrior too. But now really wasn't his time. He was a child, and she was glad that this world allowed children those few precious years. He'd already done more than enough, having fought in the battle of Helm's Deep, and it was unfortunate that he'd fallen for her. Hina couldn't give him what he wanted. She couldn't settle down with someone, or live life the traditional way with children and a family, and a home. She was already in love and even that love was beyond her reach. She doubted even if she could somehow fix all the problems in the world, somehow manage to redeem herself, and allow herself a life of peace— a life in a small home, with the scent of sweet bread in the morning and the laughter of her little children in the house. A murderer and a criminal couldn't live such a peaceful life. It wasn't their right.

"Bye Haleth-kun."

"Farewell Lady Hina."

Hina was happy to finally be out of Orochimaru's grip. She was in another world entirely, and it felt almost unfair that he'd find her here. She had thought maybe she'd spend a little more time after the wars end, visit the fabled Shire she'd heard so much about, walk among the forests of Legolas's home, and take Gimli up on that Dwarven party he'd promised. She wanted to spend a few months at least enjoying a break, as selfish as that was, while she spent that time working on a way back home. Now she was certain she'd be leaving in haste not a few days after Sauron's defeat… if he could be defeated. She didn't exactly tell Orochimaru the details. She didn't want him to know the fate of this entire world and her soul rested on the shoulders of someone who was only as tall as her shoulders.

"I'm happy to leave that snake behind," Gimli grunted.

"I'm a snake too you know," Hina replied a tad bit insulted.

"Unless you were birthed from a snake like he was lass, I don't see it," Gimli retorted.

Hina pursed her lips and Gimli's eyes shot up in realisation. "You were birthed from a snake?!"

She snorted and rolled her eyes. "No, I had a human mother, and mind you so did Orochimaru-shishou. The body I'm in currently though, is entirely artificial. It looks like what I did back when I was human, but my DNA is partially snake related and I can morph into a snake if I wish to—but it's not exactly the easiest form to fight in."

"Another part of this curse he put on you?" Legolas asked with a frown.

Hina shook her head. "No, the cursed seal is actually just a method to draw natural energy from the world around you… but it's not the best way to uh—become a Sage. It's hard to explain without explaining fundamental concepts of chakra. Essentially my body is the way it is because I transferred my soul and consciousness into an entirely new one. It's a bit hard to grow naturally in this form without medical aid though… hence why I haven't shot up in height yet."

"Is this a common practice in your lands then?" Legolas asked.

"No, it's just me and Orochimaru-shishou I know of who went this far with it. It's a good way to get strong quickly."

There was a lot more to it than just that. Ones spiritual chakra affected their physical chakra, and so while Hina could trade the physical out with a new body, she had to keep the spiritual chakra she had from the start. So in a way it kept her from being an entirely different person during a body transference. That had been the only reason she'd allowed Orochimaru to change her entire form. Hina knew that where it counted, she would still intrinsically be herself. But a new body was hard to control if you didn't grow into it, hence why she'd still taken another body that was young. She still needed to expand her yin with her yang to adulthood before she could take on a permanent adult form. She craved the day she could look like she was in her twenties again. Ah to be an adult…

"It doesn't feel right," Legolas replied with a slight shake of his head.

"It is what it is. I don't think I've told you this, but I'm only under him as a cover. It's to help me spy on the group he's working with," Hina explained.

She almost rolled her eyes when they gave her that alarmed look that screamed 'why couldn't they have sent an adult?!' She wasn't really in the mood to go down a long-winded explanation on why exactly she was the best fit for this role, or how her life wasn't actually perpetual misery like they'd seemed to think it was. For the better part of her time with Orochimaru, he was in fact a rather docile man. He didn't often beat her, nor did he get angry at her all that frequently. She was a model student and assistant after all. In fact it had been a good year in when she did some stupid experiments on her own that he'd first been that angry at her. At the start of their relationship he had a penchant for torturing her in Genjutsu to just really drive that fear enough for it to last. She knew it was evil, but she wasn't stupid enough not to see the logic behind it. He controlled via a very balanced dose of fear and love. If she really were as ignorant as most children, she would have fallen in line to both those controls easily, but part of her was still an adult, and that part did not so easily sway to control.

"Anyway enough talk about something that won't matter in a few days. What exactly is the plan if we're going to attack Mordor's forces? I'm sure it won't just be 10 thousand strong," Hina asked curiously.

She was grateful that they'd allowed for the change of subject.

"It will not be simply Uruk-hai and Orcs we will face," Gimli said with a grim shake of his head. "There will be Trolls and Nazgul.

"Sauron has his foothold deep in the lands of men as well. For thousands of years has he been gathering these forces." Legolas agreed.

There was something frightening about thinking about warmongers and warlords living thousands of years. She'd been less inclined to fear the Elves, because as much as she liked to poke fun at them for being too perfect, it was an actual relief that they were for the most part peaceful. She had no doubt that if they had been even slightly inclined to domination, that they would be the one ruling force in Middle-Earth. No one just lived thousands of years on end and not have gained an immense advantage from that. Hina was certain given a thousand years all Shinobi would surpass Jounin and more. In that sense it was a good thing people didn't live so long.

"So there's still no guarantee that if all the people of Edoras answered the call, that we would have enough people to fight this war?" Hina asked.

"Aye lass, it seems we're outnumbered once again."

Hina sighed and cocked her head up to the sky before she smiled. "But if there's anything I've learnt from this world—is that hope will come when it feels like we've most lost it. Before you blink something impossible will be on its way to save us!"

"This optimism is appreciated."

Hina turned to see King Théoden ride up behind them. She was a little flustered to think he'd heard her bit of sappy confidence, but he didn't seem the type to look down on that. Instead he smiled down at her a lot more warmly than he had during the first few days she had seen him. It seemed all the suspicion on her had been retracted. She appreciated that. It was rather tiring to go everywhere and have to explain her odd presence to every soul that questioned her motives.

"We will have to pray and hope that the people of Rohan will answer their calls. Whether Snowbourn or Fenmarch will come still remains to be seen, but hope must remain. Your attitude is a rare and precious one in this war," he said before steering his horse away.

"Regretting asking for his head earlier Hina?" Gimli chuckled.

Hina huffed. "Ok, ok, mercy sounds rather nice now that I think about it."

"A chance is all someone needs. Take their life and there will be no redemption," Legolas added in.

"Ok enough Elven wisdom for a day. I'm going to take over camp cooking before Éowyn poisons us all," Hina chimed in rolling her eyes.

Gimli and Legolas shivered besides her, no doubt at the memory of the Shieldmaiden's food. Hina wasn't eager to go hungry either and good food was good moral. If only she could summon Akimichi into the battlefield instead of snakes, she mused.

Making camp for such a large amount of people was an insane logistical undertaking. Hina was certain that if Shikaku were here he would mutter a very loud 'troublesome' before eagerly undertaking such a massive task despite his complaints. She was almost impressed by how the men pulled together like a well-oiled machine, everyone just assigning themselves tasks, with only minimal directions from higher ranking captain. She had gone to help distribute the meals and food first thing, having been used to doing such tasks as a Genin during wartime. She didn't really know much about how they did any of their other tasks, and she wasn't going to butt into war talk when Shinobi and Medieval war tactics were two entirely different things altogether. So she had made herself useful in the kitchens. Where women belong… she thought in amusement. The sentiment was lost on her. Kami forbid Anko got into the kitchen. It would certainly make men rethink that idea altogether.

Eventually though, after preparing a hearty meal with the woman who had rode out with the men to see them to battle. At least they were allowed to help make the camping a lot easier. Hina picked up a large, prepared cauldron to take up to the top-most camp. It's where all the leaders were sleeping, so she figured she'd go give it to them and retire herself with Gimli and Legolas.

"Are you sure you don't need any help?"

Hina smiled as much as could. Having at least several people question her strength for something as small as a cauldron was rather irritating. She could bench-press about 500 kilograms if she wanted to.

"I'm sure," she replied as politely as she could before taking it up the mountain without much hinderance.

Once she was up there, she was met with a very excited looking Merry. Watching Hobbits brighten up at the sight of food was one of the most adorable things Hina had ever had the pleasure of watching. There was just something about the little folk that made her entirely too protective.

"You're the most wonderful sight here," Merry greeted her.

"Are you sure it's not the food?" Hina asked with a chuckle.

"Oh it might be partially why," he said with a cheeky grin.

"Ok then Merry-kun, the food is yours to eat, if you'll help me serve it," Hina offered.

He slumped at that, but at her laugh he perked up and decided to help. It was certainly a whole lot more awkward serving a bunch of Captains and Generals than it was serving the common soldiers down below, but Hina was professional if nothing, and when Éowyn joined her later it made things a whole lot less awkward. She had no idea the proper manners to serve a King after all. Aragorn didn't count, because sometimes all she could see was Strider—the friend who had saved her from drowning in a river and helped her get on her feet. He still hadn't registered as a King to her.

"Thanks for your aid Hina," Éowyn thanked her.

"No problem Éowyn-san. I actually enjoy making myself useful—did a lot of kitchen work early in my life," she said with a hint of nostalgia.

Suddenly she really missed Gaku-sensei, and her team. Oh she'd always missed Anko and Rui, who had for 3 years been an almost constant fixture by her side on their seemingly endless missions. Despite the bloodshed, she thought she was fortunate to have travelled with them and been in their company in such trying times. Now she was travelling with another group, one she had equally come to love as comrades. She wondered if she'd find all her best friends in wartime. She certainly hoped not. For once she'd like to make friends the normal way—bumping into someone at a café or a bar and just chatting until something clicked. It had been a lifetime since anything so mundane like that had happened to her.

"I helped too!" Merry said from behind her.

"Of course you did Merry. For your help I have a gift," Éowyn said with a soft smile. "Follow me to my tent."

Hina's eyes shot up and she pat Merry's back impressed. The Hobbit returned her coy look with a confused tilt to his head, and an upturned eyebrow, before his eyes widened in realisation and his face turned a deep red. She gave him a discreet thumbs-up and Merry shot his head between Éowyn and Hina in sudden distress.

"Come along Merry. We don't have all night."

The Hobbit ran after the woman, only stopping to turn to look at Hina with an alarmed look before he disappeared off into the white tent. Hina finally let out a very girly chuckle before Gimli came up next to her.

"What manner of pranks are you planning now?" Gimli asked.

"Pranks? No, I was just having a chuckle. Seems Merry, our little man, is also a lady's man," Hina said wiggling her brows.

Gimli frowned for a moment in thought before he scoffed in disbelief as he looked at the Lady Éowyn's tent. Hina let out a little yelp when Gimli hit the back of her head with the blunt of his axe.

"Hey, what was that for?" she grumbled.

"You fool, Lady Éowyn was only taking Merry in to get him fitted with armour," Gimli chided. "Don't question her integrity!"

"Wait seriously… oh kami, that's embarrassing. I might have given Merry the wrong impression," Hina said, eyes wide with worry, before a snort escaped her mouth and she chuckled at the image of his embarrassment. "Ok I don't regret it anymore."

"That's evil…" Gimli said trying to hold back his own laughter. "Now go eat some food lass, before you go misleading more innocent men with your lies."

"Ok, ok," she relented before making her way to where she'd put the cauldron over the fire on. She noted Éomer and Gamling sitting by and eating. She hadn't really talked much with either men, although she did occasionally deal with Gamling—mostly to demand some Fuinjutsu related product from him.

"Ah Hina, come sit with us," Gamling said, grabbing a plate and filling it up for her.

"Thanks Gamling-san," she said respectfully with a slight bow of her head before taking the meal and sitting down on the log by the fire. It almost felt like a little campfire. If only she could play a guitar or lute… which speaking of lute she wanted one of those before going back to the Elemental Nations. If she ever met Rui again, he'd appreciate a whole new instrument to learn.

"Is it true that you killed a Ringwraith?" Éomer asked.

"Hai, although it was no easy task," Hina replied with food still in her mouth.

Éomer gave her the oddest of looks and Hina raised a brow his way coyly.

"Don't tell me you're falling for my sheer awesomeness Éomer-san? There's a line of men still waiting for my hand in battle," she replied in jest.

For a moment Hina wondered if she'd crossed a social line, before Éomer broke that worry with his laughter. It was a lot less loud than how she'd imagine it to be from someone as manly and gruff looking as him. Gamling joined along.

"I'm certain anyone would want to test their mettle against your skill," Gamling said in all seriousness. "I've never seen anyone speed through so many Orcs."

"It's not often I'd say this to a woman, but I would indeed love to test you one day in a friendly battle," Éomer said truthfully.

Hina smiled at his offer. "I'm always up for a good spar."

Before Éomer could talk more, Merry came out of the tent decked in armour, and swinging a rather blunt short sword eagerly. He caught Hina's gaze and shot her a frown, to which Hina just chuckled innocently to. Apparently Merry could take a joke because not a moment later he was smiling her way again and Éowyn was coming out of the tent fully clothed with her virginity still intact. Hina wondered if the woman was still in love with Aragorn. Now that was a love triangle, she wanted to see play out with Éowyn, Arwen, and Aragorn in the same room. She'd never witnessed drama that amazing before in her life and she wanted it now.

"To the smithy now Merry. Go!" Éowyn urged with a smile.

"What brings such a small thing to the battlefield?" Éomer asked to no one in particular with a frown directed towards Merry's back. "Maybe there is one exception in our midst but there are still some people who should not see battle."

"It's the right of everyone to protect their people. Do not doubt him," Éowyn replied testily.

"I do not doubt his heart, just the reach of his arm," Éomer said.

Hina took in a rather large spoonful of food into her mouth so she wouldn't have to really get involved in this conversation. Gamling looked like he wanted nothing to do with it too. Hina thought that Hobbits were brave and strong at heart too, but she wouldn't want to send Merry into battle when he had no experience in any form of combat beforehand. Not that she thought his small stature was a bad thing. It could be used to his advantage if he knew the right techniques… which right now he didn't know.

"Why should Merry be left behind? He has much cause to go as you. Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Éowyn asked.

Even Éomer looked like he didn't have an answer to that. While Hina personally didn't want the Hobbit to go out to war because of his sheer inexperience with battle, there were also several men who had joined as soldiers who were equally as inexperienced. Hina didn't know them though… she knew Merry. When Éowyn made to leave, her brother did stand up to reply.

"You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee, and he would be right to do so. War is the province of men Éowyn."

"Merry didn't flee when we fought a group of Orcs together. He and the other Hobbits took up their arms like men," Hina disagreed, unwilling to hear more about Merry and his supposed cowardice.

Éomer turned to her with a frown, and Hina replied with the same unsmiling expression. She did not for a second doubt the strength of Merry's heart, like she didn't doubt the strength of any Hobbit's. Frodo, the tiny little thing he was, was the one holding their entire existence in his hands. He was the ring bearer because he was the only one who could resist such evil. No one had the right to question the Hobbits when it came to their inner strength and courage. Even Hina had fallen to the call of the one ring while they hadn't even shown a sign of that corruption. She had only the utter most respect for their race.

"Merry may not be strong enough to fight, but he would do so honourably, and it is not our right to tell him to stay," she continued on.

"Hina is right," Éowyn replied. "It is the fate of all races that this war will decide. So it will be in all our hands. Now I must take my leave brother. Do rethink your beliefs."

Hina had never seen Éowyn so angry. Hina had to admit that if someone had told her in her past life that she couldn't be a scientist because of her race or gender, she would have been fuming too. There were just some things certain people were barred from, or were disadvantaged at due to culture or circumstances, and it was those things the individuals had to fight for. Hina could appreciate that. In the end, big or small, the battles one had to face day to day was something to be overcome and won. Hopefully to make way for a better future.

"Well now that the mood is entirely ruined, shall I ruin it more?" Hina asked with a smirk as she pulled out her flute.

"Oh gods no. My ears," Éomer lamented with a smile. "Go to bed child! It's already so late."

"Then I'll take my leave," she said with a smirk as she fled from the campfire.

Hina made her way towards Aragorn's tent. She figured she'd annoy him a little into letting her sleep with him considering that besides Legolas, he was the only other man that didn't snore like a roaring lion. On the way she saw a very familiar figure exit the King's tent. She recognised his figure almost instantly despite the cloak around him. While the Elves infuriatingly didn't have a scent she could make out, they did have a unique chakra signature like people in the Elemental Nations did.

"Elrond-sama?" she whispered a little loudly to catch his attention.

The Elven King turned around with an almost exasperated expression on his face, no doubt having hoped to make a quick exit without catching anyone's attention. Still to his credit he remained still and even turned around to acknowledge her.

"Does this mean the Elves are joining the war?" Hina asked hopefully.

The Half-Elven Lord placed a hand on her shoulders and shook his head. "I'm sorry little one, but we are not. Our people are being called to the Undying Lands. I fear this war is the war of Men, for it is they who will inherit this Earth once we leave."

Hina frowned. "The age of Men, huh? Doesn't sound as cool as you make it seem."

"Have faith in your people Hina. Men are easy to lose hope and to gain it, and their will does not hold strong to the test of time, but they also possess perseverance beyond all other races. They will inevitably fall before they rise again, but it remains that they will rise… eventually," Elrond said patting her shoulder with a small smile.

"Wow such a hopeful speech," she said sarcastically, but she knew Elrond had only said the last part in humour to lighten the mood.

Hina had to admit that Elves really knew how to speak. Elrond had spoke into the deepest parts of the human experience with his words, lifting up her spirits. Looking at his ageless face, deep ebony hair, and the sheer depth of his grey eyes, Hina felt like it was almost a loss that he too was leaving. She wasn't even a part of Middle-Earth and it felt wrong for the Elves to go. With them left the knowledge and wisdom of a race long lived. Despite her sudden sadness she forced a smile and nodded.

"I'll keep hope. Kami knows everyone here is always moaning about Sauron this Sauron that," she said with a smile.

"Good girl, now let's keep my presence here a secret?" he asked.

"Of course Elrond-sama. I saw no Elf. I know no Elf," she said, miming zipping her lips.

He gave her one last smile before taking his leave and when Hina turned to her right she was met with Aragorn holding a rather shiny sword.

"And I thought Pikapika was shiny. Did Elrond come here to give you some epic bling?"

Aragorn didn't smile. His jaw had set, and his brows were furrowed as he sheathed his sword and walked up to the child.

"Elrond brings grave news," he said.

"Really, it was rather uplifting to me," Hina mumbled.

"Sauron gathers forces in secret from the Eastern men. We can expect the Corsairs to join the war in their ships from the South. Our forces are not enough, and I am to ask the aid of the dead," he said gravely.

"The dead? Please tell me we're not going to unleash a zombie apocalypse… can you imagine zombie Orcs, because I'd rather not imagine that." Hina shuddered.

"I don't know what these 'zombies' you speak off are, but these are cut-throats and traitors. Men who did not answer the call of war in a great time and were cursed to an eternal suffering without true death."

Hina felt her breath escape her throat. That was terrible. She put her trembling hands behind her and forced a cocky smile. She threw out all thoughts of existential dread to keep her head on straight.

"So what are we waiting for? I'm sure Elrond-sama didn't tell you this if it wouldn't help. Let's go perform some necromancy!"

"We are not performing necromancy," Aragorn shook his head in disgust at the very thought of it. "In fact we are not doing anything. I will be going alone."

"Alone?" Hina frowned.

"Yes alone. You said once that you would listen to me. Now I ask that you listen and stay here while I go."

"Alone!" Hina repeated in irritation. "Don't go alone. That's the stupidest idea I've ever heard. Take me with you!"

"No Hina! You will not come!"

Hina knew Aragorn was on edge, but he hadn't yelled at her in nearly a year. It was rare to see him truly snap in his anger. She flinched away and he calmed down almost instantly, his eyes softening. Hina hated that she had backed down at his yelling. She knew he wouldn't hit her and yet she had jerked away reflexively. She regretted it almost instantly.

"I will go this alone," he repeated softer this time before leaving towards the stables.

Hina scowled. She wasn't going to let him, but she didn't want to trick him either. Instead she quickly made her way towards Legolas and Gimli.

"Hey guys! Guess who's going on a solo quest without us?" Hina asked with a scowl.

"Aragorn?" Legolas sighed.

"Bingo! Yes, the idiot's riding off to raise an army of dead without us," she said folding her arms.

"What?!" Gimli exclaimed in disbelief as he threw away his meal. "What makes him think he will go at that alone?"

"What indeed?" Hina agreed with a frown.

"I'll prepare my horse. You grab your axe Gimli," Legolas said sending Hina a knowing smile.

Hina replied with a grin of her own. Yeah, no way in all nine hells was she letting Aragorn ride of to his potential death without his team.

"Just where do you think you're off to?" Gimli asked with a grin as he caught Aragorn off his guard.

Hina came in right beside the Dwarf with a grin of her own and Aragorn sighed and shook his head.

"I told you Hina. Not this time. This time you must stay Gimli."

"Hmmmm," Gimli hummed in disagreement.

Hina and Gimli smirked as Legolas came up from the other end leading his horse. The Elf clasped Aragorn on his shoulder with a smirk of his own.

"Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves and Shinobi?" Legolas asked in jest.

"You might as well accept it. We're going with you laddie," Gimli adds in.

"Yup, no way in hell would I let you go of on a solo quest and steal all the exp," Hina added in, to everyone's confusion.

To her relief Aragorn smiles and nods. He gestures to the pass in the mountains.

"It is there we will go."

Hina prepares herself. She would be meeting men whose souls were trapped, maybe not in the same way hers was, but it was a rare thing to stumble upon. She knew then that the reason her hands were trembling was not only with fear, but in… eagerness.

Even a glimpse into the afterlife was a rare and wonderful gift.

A/N

This was a long chapter! A very long chapter, but also one of my favourites. Thanks for all the comments and thoughts.