AU: Lord of the Rings, Tenten-centric
Pairings: NejixTenten
AN: I don't own Naruto, or LOTR, or that franchise, but I do love them all equally. As a warning, there is an fair amount of imagery, personification and symbolism. Not sure how that ended up, or where I'm going to take this, because I honestly don't know myself. :)
She dances under the stars at twilight, nimble-footed with her hair flying behind her as the rest of her team slumbers. The silver bows in her ivory quiver remain strapped to her back as she moves, feet rustling through the grass shoots underneath.
The Eldar rise with starlight glistening over them and pouring blessed life into their immortal souls. It is their sun, their spirit, their symbol of joy.
She relishes the night like her companions treasure the dawn.
Her legs cease their movement when she hears the crack of a twig in the background. She whips out her bow a split second later and fires the arrow into the trees. It is caught, by a gloved hand.
"Tenten," the white-haired ranger coughs awkwardly, "it's me."
Retracting her weapons and retrieving the stray arrow from the man, she lets out a slight laugh. And then he keeps talking.
"We're detouring into Rivendell." Kakashi watches her initial shock melt down into apathy. "I've received a message from Lord Hiashi requesting aid."
Her jaw tightens marginally. "We're running out of time as it is. Gaara-"
"Gaara will receive medical attention as soon as we arrive. I've made sure of that." He sighs. "I'm afraid this is a matter we can't avoid any longer."
Her arrow is inserted back into the quiver as she gives him a quick nod. "Then we will do as he commands."
Kakashi leads the way back to the clearing of their campsite, careful not to rouse the hobbits sleeping around the extinguished fire. She wordlessly settles down beside Temari, who's still awake and tending to her younger brother with a frown knotting her forehead.
"His fever has gone down, but not by much." The female hobbit tiredly wipes her dust-ridden forehead with her sleeves. The dirt smudges where sweat is pooling at her sandy-blonde bangs. "If only Uncle Baki had never shown him The Ring."
Tenten places a hand on Temari's shoulder comfortingly, unsure of how to address the Ring at hand. "We've set a course for Rivendell. He'll be treated by the High Elves in a matter of hours."
The hobbit's head bobs up, revealing fatigued, red-rimmed eyes that are shining with renewed interest. "What's Rivendell?"
"An elven realm," Tenten reaches for Temari's sword (a knife, at best, to Tenten, but a sword in the hands of her hobbit friends), "One ruled by the Hyuga family for centuries, now. They're reputed to be highly civilised and sophisticated." She examines the small blade, careful not to cut herself on it's sharp edge. "They may be able to identify the name of your sword, if you wish it."
"Name?" The woman looks confused. "Oh. I didn't know weapons had names."
"They do," Tenten nods, "They all do."
Kakashi's uncovered eye closes. They lapse into silence until Temari covers herself with a blanket and looks up at Tenten again.
"Are you from Rivendell?"
"No."
"Then," her voice becomes croaky, Tenten closes her eyes and senses the burning curiousity pulling at Temari's lips. The next question is expected. "Where?"
"Mirkwood." The name brings a downward tug to the corner of her lips. There had been a time, millennia ago, when she was able to call her home Greenwood. But now...
She fears the destruction that the return of a Dark Age will bring to Middle Earth, the ruin that will once again be unleashed upon her Silvan kin should they not accomplish their task. The fate of the world's existence lies in the hands of three little hobbit siblings, one of whom - the one most resistant to The Ring - is lying pale-faced and on the brink of death. Tenten exhales. "Sleep, Temari. You'll need the energy for when we leave in a few hours."
And when the sun breaks free from the horizon line, she feels the starlight fading away until she is cold and hardened once more.
They emerge from the forest on horseback, with Kakashi at the front to lead the way, and Tenten at the back of the trail with Gaara slumped against her chest, breathing heavily. A thunderous pace is maintained, even though the wind nips at the sickly hobbit's cheeks and makes him groan nauseatingly. If they do not arrive at Rivendell soon, any chances of Gaara's survival will be severely diminished.
Kakashi's black mare suddenly comes to a halt in front of a large clump of boulders. Tenten pulls on her horse's reins, careful not to jostle the hobbit around excessively as she trots over to him.
"Is this...?"
"Yes," he takes a step back. The elusive entrance to Rivendell. Kakashi jumps off his horse and pats his way around the rocks carefully. He finds the passageway minutes later, a slim opening just large enough to fit a full-sized male.
Tenten jumps off her horse, carries Gaara over to his siblings, then unloads her saddle and belongings before beseeching the other hobbits to do the same. "Set them all free," she commands, leaning Gaara against her side, "These horses are clever; they'll know where to go."
Kakashi nods and murmurs into his mare's ear. It bristles, then whinnies to the other horses and charges off. He meets her eye when she hobbles over to him.
"Lord Hiashi will be receiving us kindly, but..."
"I know," she gripes tersely, "I'll be on my best behaviour."
Temari and Kankurou join them, eyeing the opening hesitantly. "What is this, exactly?"
"You'll see," Kakashi replies enigmatically. He eases himself into the hole and gestures for the rest of them to follow through. Tenten waits for the last of Temari's hair buns to disappear before prodding Gaara through the entrance and lifting him into her arms when she walks in. The hobbit turns his head and coughs towards the ground.
Then there's complete darkness, saved only by the gentle footfalls of her travelling companions and the occasional reassurances from their leader.
She spots the light at the end of the tunnel and lets it's warm glow illuminate her entire being. Her breaths grow faster when she hears the subtle echoes of a waterfall filter into the cave, and the soothing melody of her kin's music waft through the air.
Rivendell arrives soon enough, allowing all five members of their troupe to blink rapidly and adjust their eyes to the blinding sunlight. They're greeted by picturesque cliff faces and elegant wooden structures crafted by elven hands. The village is a breathtaking sight for sore eyes.
Lord Hiashi is standing a little way ahead of them, underneath an archway, and beside him are three other elves with identically pale, lilac irises.
"Welcome, Ranger," he announces grandly, gaze falling upon the rest of them, "And friends. No doubt your journey has stiffened your limbs immeasurably."
They all bow respectfully. Kakashi speaks. "Thank you, Lord Hyuga. We came as soon as we received your message."
"Ah, yes." Hiashi notes the sweating Gaara and signals for two of his healers to gently pry him away from Tenten's arms. She smiles at the pink-haired elf with apple-green eyes, and then notices Hiashi staring at her.
"Which realm do you hail from?" He asks, not unkindly.
"The northern woods, sire. King Thranduil sent me in his son's stead."
"Splendid," Hiashi responds diplomatically. "Allow me to introduce to you my daughters, Hinata and Hanabi," the two women curtsy gracefully, sleek black hair shimmering under the sunlight. She's heard legends about the eldest one, that no other elven woman is fairer, nor more akin to the moonlight than Hinata Hyuga. Tenten suspects that any lesser being would have crumbled under the sheer majesty of her delicate beauty - no doubt Lord Hiashi is struggling to find a suitable husband for his daughter.
"The legends do them no justice," Kakashi comments with a smile.
Hiashi inclines his chin slightly, "And my nephew, Neji - a fine, young warrior. He will be joining you on your journey soon."
Tenten watches Neji dip his head and catch her gaze with little more than a flicker of curiosity. He is undeniably handsome, with his ephemeral skin the colour of starlight and his cheekbones a graceful arch beneath his eyes. Neji is silent, almost broodingly so, but the upward tilt of his chin speaks volumes about his arrogance.
All elven folk possess a degree of self-importance, undeniably so. Tenten doesn't deny the fact that even she can be conceited - after all, her impeccable aim has been rivalled by none so far, as is her weapons arsenal - but she is well-versed enough in the ways of the world to know that subtlety is the key to a warrior's success. Any hints of over confidence will be a fatal flaw on any battlefield, regardless of one's renowned skills.
Nonetheless, Tenten bites her tongue and follows the Hyuga family into Rivendell. It would not do to speak her mind as she normally does, lest her kin look to the Mirkwood folk more unfavourably than usual.
Elves are prideful, above all else.