InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ From Three Worlds Forged ❯ A Great Loss ( Chapter 6 )

 

AN:I don't so no don't ask.

 

Ch 6: A Great Loss

 

The sun had yet to rise and the mist of the dim morning still hung thick in the air. A soft melody carried through the air as West sat gently strumming Fur Elise. Inuyasha reclined in a thick branch above her lazily listening to the song. The two of them had last watch so they would have the most restful sleep, even if they didn't need as much as humans would.

 

“So… whatcha ya think of all this Inuyasha.” West asked quietly, strumming a few more chords.

 

Inuyasha placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. “To tell you the truth. I don't really think that much of it. It's a pain in the ass, but after Kagome and all the stuff that has happened to me it's just another day to me. I am from 500 years in the past from Kagome's time, so time travel is something I am used to. As long as we find a way back we should be ok.”

 

“I see. I have lived a while and seen a lot, but I've never literally time traveled before this. Also, this whole one ring causin the world to dive into darkness thing is just a tad bit unnerving.” Inuyasha laughed in his head at her statement. To him that was also a daily thing, what with the jewel and all. He was brought out of his thoughts as the branch he was on bounced slightly. West had jumped up to join him with out missing a beat of the song. “Look.” She nodded in the direction of the rising sun. “Beautiful ain't it?” The soft pinks and purples of the morning sky splashed across the horizon and the two of them watched as the sun rose to the beauty of Beethoven's sonata on an instrument of wood and strings instead of ivory and ebony keys.

 

As the light touched the faces of the sleeping companions they slowly began to rouse. Everyone was quiet as they heard and watched in awe the same thing as Inuyasha and West. Soon, however, the music stopped as West jumped out of the tree, to the disappointment of a greater portion of the group.

 

Since everyone's awake we might as well get an early start. Come on ya'll get a move on.” She said making a jester for them to get up with her hands. The only one not awake was Kagome so West walked over to her and poked at her… with a twig. *poke poke* “Kag, get up girl. “

 

“mmm…” She moaned half asleep “Sit boy”

 

*BANG* (IVX: inu = @_@ …hehe)

 

Kagome sat up in a start at the large noise. “What was that?”

 

West tried to hold back her laugh as a couple of the men leaned over the inu sized crater and looked back at the girls. “Nothin, don't worry bout it. But it's time to get up.”

 

“Oh, ok…” Kagome got up and brushed herself off. Soon she was helping the others clean up camp as Inuyasha sat pouting in the tree with a rather large bump on his head. About a half hour later they were all ready to go.

 

“Is everyone ready to move on?” Asked Gandalf.

 

“Hold up a sec.” West cracked her neck and stretched. “Ok, now I'm ready.”

 

*Later that day

 

The group could see what looked like a hill with a city on it, they pause in there ride. Gandalf spoke up. “Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, who's mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over the kings mind is now very strong. Be Careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here.” He looked back towards West and Inuyasha. “Especially not for demons.”

 

West got the hint and stuck her hat over Inuyasha's ears before he opened his mouth about the statement being offensive and she also initiated her own concealing spell. The onlookers saw her glow a soft purple. Soon her teeth and nails blunted, her ears rounded, and her tail seemed to disappear. With that taken care of they moved towards Edoras's gates and as they rode in a flag with a white horse fell to the ground. When they passed through the town the people all stared at our group in dead silence.

 

“You'll find more cheer in a graveyard.” Gimli whispered to West who was currently walking next to him while he rode with Legolas.

 

As they reached the steps and walked to the top a man in armor came out to great them. “I cannot allow you before Theoden King so armed, Gandalf Greyhame.” Gandalf gives the man a curious gaze. “By order of Grima Wormtongue.”

 

Gandalf nodes to the rest of the group to hand over their weapons. They all start to relinquish their individual fighting tools, but as a man reaches for Inuyasha's sword he starts to growl. The man looked at him funny, but Kagome elbowed him in the ribs and spoke soft enough for only him to hear. “ hand it over or I will s-i-t you.” Inuyasha fehed and handed in over, but made sure to give the man who took it a menacing death glare.

 

Gandalf smiles at the man, but the man says. “Your staff.”

 

“Oh, You would not part an old man from his walking stick.” He pouted. The man let out a little sigh, but led them in anyways.

 

When they come into the main hall a man with pail skin and oily black hair whispers to the king who looks old and sickly. “My lord, Gandalf the Grey is coming. He's a herald of woe.”

 

Gandalf speaks up. “The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late Theoden King.”

 

 

The scraggily looking man, most likely Wormtongue, whispers to the king again. “ He is not welcomed here.”

 

The king finally speaks but his voice is raspy and tired. “ Why should I welcome you… Gandalf Stormcrow?”

 

Wormtongue looks to his king. “A just question my liege.” He then stands and speaks in a louder voice. “Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest.”

 

Gandalf glares at him. “Be silent. Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth.” The tone with which he spoke was that of disgust. “ I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm.” He then sticks his staff in his face.

 

Wormtongue gains a look of scared surprise. “ His Staff.I tould you to take the wizards staff.” He says as he stumbles backwards.

 

Men suddenly attack the group and they fight them off as Gandalf approaches the king. The one man that answered the door stays his men not to fight against them. But the others still fight until the company gets them under control, by beating the crap out of them, with no problem at all.

 

Gandalf raises hand. “ Theoden… son of Thengel… to long have you sat in the shadows.”

 

Gimli pushes a struggling Wormtongue to the ground and says “ I would be still if I were you.”

 

Gandalf speaks again. “ Hearken to me!” People gather behind him to watch “ I release you…” he closes his eyes and consintrates. “…from the spell.”

 

The king starts to laugh, his voice becomes that of Saruman's. “You have no power here Gandalf the Grey.” He continues laughing until Gandalf takes off his robes to reveal bright white clothes that seem to glow and then the king gasps.

 

“ I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound.”

 

A lady dressed in white comes out and tries to run to her king but Aragon stops her. He says “wait.”

 

The King looks as if he is great pain. “ If I go, Theoden dies.”

 

“You did not kill me, you will not kill him.”

 

 

In a struggling voice the would be king says. “Rohan is mine.”

 

Gandalf pushes his staff at him. “Be gone.”

 

The king jerks back and then. “Arhhh…” the king jumps at him and Gandalf hits him in the head with his staff sending him back to sit in his thrown. The girl in white rushes to him and slowly the color returns to his face and he looks alive and well . She smiles at him.

 

The actual king seems to gain his bearings and looks at the girl. “ I know your face… Eowyn. Eowyn.” Gandalf steps back and he looks up at him. “Gandalf?”

 

“Breath the free air again, my friend.”

 

The king slowly stands up. “Dark have been my dreams of late.”

 

Gandalf smiles at the him. “Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword. The armed man from before hands the king his sword. He stares at it for a min but then turns a look of absolute hate to Wormtongue. The kings men through this disgusting man down the castle's stairs.

 

Wormtongue cringed as he fell on his back. “I've only ever served you my lord.”

 

Theoden spoke to him as if he were the worst thing to ever walk the earth. “Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!” he says as he walks towards him.

 

“Send me no from your sight.” Wormtongue pleads, but the king raises sword to strike him.

 

“No, my lord! No, my Lord. Let him go.” Aragon grabs his hands before he can strike the fatal blow. “Enough blood has been spilled on his account.”

 

Wormtongue runs through the street pushing people. “Get out of my way!”

 

A man in the crowd yells “ Hail Theoden King!” and as Wormtongue rides out of city and everyone bows to the king.

 

Theoden turned back to the group. “Where is Theodred? Where is my son.”

 

*in the evening

 

They all go to the funeral. Then Gandalf and king go off to talk. The rest of the group head inside.

 

The woman now know as Eowyn walks up to West and Kagome who are sitting at a random table in the hall talking. “Hello, I am Eowyn.”

 

West nods at her. “ Nice to meet ya, I'm West.”

 

“And I'm Kagome.” She said with a bow of her head.

 

“With such accents and names you must be foreigners from a very distant land.” The girls just smiled at each other.

 

“Somethin like that.” West answered.

 

“I envy you ladies.” She said with a sigh. “It seems you can dress however you want without the restrictions on the women in our land. I long to be out of this dress and into the attire of a worrier. Even in leisure you can wear the clothes of a man.”

 

“Oh, I see.” Kagome nodded in understanding, but before they could talk any further Gandalf and Theoden burst through the door with two children. And as they sat and ate Eowyn talked to them.

 

She turns to the king. “ They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree.”

 

The girl spoke in a sad confused voice. “Where is mama?” Eowyn comforts and shushes the girl tenderly.

 

“This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent now that he is driven by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children.” Gandalf says while he puts his hand on kings arm. “You must fight.”

 

Aragoan added his two cents. “You have 2,000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king.”

 

“They will be 300 leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war.” He says sternly.

 

“Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.” Aragorn adds.

 

“When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan.” He said arrogantly as Gimli drinks his beer and burps.

 

Gandalf spoke up again. “Then what is the kings decision?”

 

*Next Day

 

A soldier addresses the people. “By order of the King, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need.

 

“Helm's Deep!” Gandalf says in a slightly pissy voice.

 

“They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king.” Gimli points out following him and Aragorn to the stables.

 

Aragorn defends the decision slightly, even if he doesn't agree with it. “He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people.”

 

Aragorn and Gandalf enter the barn alone as Gandalf gives his own opinion. “There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold.”

 

“They will hold”

 

“The grey pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time.” He mounts the white stallion. “Good luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at the first light on the fifth day. At dawn look to the east.”

 

“Go.” Aragorn tells him and the wizard rides of into the plains.

 

In castle everyone is prepairing to leave. “So,” Kagome says as Eowyn pulls out a sword, “do you know how to use that.”

 

Eowyn pulls the sword out of it's sheath with a smirk and twirls it around. As she spins around Aragorn meets her blade with his, surprising her.

 

“You have some skill with a blade.” He said in a matter of fact tone.

 

She twirls the sword knocking his had back a bit. “ Women of this country learned long ago, those without swords can still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain.”

 

“What do you fear, my lady?”

 

“ A cage. To stay behind bars unill use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire.”

 

“You're a daughter of kings, A shieldmaiden of Rohan. I do not think that would be your fate.” After that he turns and walks away.

 

After a moment of silences, Eowyn suddenly hears… “Awwwwww.” She turns around with a blush to see Kagome and West smiling at her. She places the sword in it's sheath again and walks off a deeper shade of red.

 

Inuyasha passes her on his way in, but doesn't even acknowledge her. He was to upset. Kagome looked over at him approaching and when she saw his face she got a feeling of `oh no, here we go again.'

 

“Feh, Stupid weak humans. They should say and fight like men, but no. What do they do they run like cowards. We are usually a group of six including the cat and kit yet we take on hordes of demons. These cowards have an army and yet they stick their tail between their legs and scamper off to some hole in the wall. Makes me sick!” It seems Inuyasha feels the same way Gandalf did, but he has a more colorful way of voicing it.

 

“Inuyasha!” Kagome yelled at him with her arms crossed over her chest. Inuyasha gave her a, still angry, yet confused look. And then turned the same look to West as if to say what did I do and what's wrong with her.

 

West just shook her head and smiled as she turned to walk away. “Ya'll have fun. I'm gonna go… help pack, yeah that's it.” She waved her hand dismissively and walked out of `fight range'.

 

“It's not nice to make fun of people and besides keep talking like that and they'll hang you for treason. Remember this is the king's hall. Remember?” She was tapping her foot now.

 

“But Kagome!” he wined. “It's not my fault the are acting like idiots.” She gave him a glare. “OK, ok, fine. I'll lighten up but that doesn't mean I have to like it.”

 

Kagome walked over to him and gave him a hug, making him blush in the process. “See, now was that really so hard. Oh and by the way,” She flicked the brim of West's hat that still concealed his ears. “You would look good as a cowboy.” She smiled at him and grabbed his sleeve pulling him with her. “Come on I'm hungry.”

 

West just shook her head at the two again as they passed her on their quest to find food. `Those two are so cute together. Why don't they just couple up all ready?' She pushed away from the column she was leaning against and turned to go around it, but instead she ran into something. “ompf.”

 

“I'm so sorry miss I…” The silky voice of Legolas was lost as he looked down at who he had run into. He had avoided talking to her since the whole river thing and then thinking about why he had been avoiding her added to his embarrassment of running into her. Thus cutting off the part of his brain that allows the process of speech.

 

“Oh, it's ok. I was plannin on finding ya anyways. I need someone to amuse my boredom. Lets say me and you go on a scavenger hunt.” She said with a wink throwing her arm around his shoulder.

 

“what… What for?” He said gaining back brain function.

 

“Oh,” She smirked. “You'll see.”

 

 

Later on the people march out of the city in a very large line with their belongings on their backs or in wagons. After a little while of travel the mood was lightening slightly as the merry laugh of Gimli could be heard as he joked with Eowyn, Kagome and West. “It's true, you don't see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance” he chuckles to himself “That they are often mistaken for Dwarf men.”

 

Eowyn looks back at Aragorn and he says. “It's the beards.” In a hushed voice. The other two heard him and they all covered their mouths to keep from bursting out in laughter.

 

“This, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women and that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground.” Gimli continues with exaggerated hand gestures as the girls now laugh freely. “ Which is of course ridiculous.. wahhh ahhhh ahh.” All of a sudden his horse takes off fast and he falls off and as he gets up he says. “ It's all right. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate.”

 

After a very long, but to slow in the demons' minds, travel the entire company settled down and set up their own little individual camps for the night. The fellowship along with their newly found companions were all gathered together with the exception of West and Gimli. Inuyasha noticed this and asked Kagome where they went. When Kagome didn't know Inuyasha was about to go find them and yell at them for wandering off, but Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder and assured him they would be back soon. Sure enough West came slightly stumbling into the clearing with pink cheeks and a huge grin plastered on her face.

 

Aragorn looked at her incredulously. “You were supposed to bring only the essentials.”

 

“My dear Aragorn.” She said plopping down hard beside him barely keeping her balance to sit up “Spirits are essential.” She said with a slight slur. “Don't you agree Gimli?”

 

“Aye Lass, That I do…” Gimli chose this time to come into the camp as well and took a seat next to her in the same fashion, but a little to hard. However, West caught him before he fell over backwards.

 

“You as well Gimli?” Asked Aragorn.

 

“Oh lighten up Aragorn.” West said patting him on the back. “We're just having a little fun. A drinkin contest with a few of the local men from this little shindig.” Aragorn shook his head and Gandalf just smiled at the two. Suddenly she spun around to look at Legolas and pointed an acusing finger at him. “And I am very disappointed in you Legolas. You went through all the trouble of helping me find the goods and you didn't even join in on the fun.” She pouted at him.

 

“I'm sorry West, but some of us have to go on guard to night.” He explained with a small smile.

 

She pondered for a moment and then smiled at him again. “Ok… your gettin off easy this time, but me and old Gimli here have a tie to break, so you'll have to join next time.”

 

“Ah, Nevermind him lass. We had fun on our own. It seems their isn't a single man dwarf enough to out drink the two of us.” He said with a jolly laugh.

 

“Yeah, big surprise there.” Inuyasha scoffed.

 

“And what's that sposed to mean mr. grumpy pants.” West pouted.

 

“You're a!... you have special blood. And you know that gives you an advantage.” He almost let slip what they were loud enough for everyone to find out.

 

“So I got a natural high alcomahol tolerance. So what.” She said in a serious tone which was hard to pull off with the speech impediment of drunkenness she had going on. “Doesn't mean I didn't have to practice to get where I am today.” She smiled and then giggled, no longer able to keep a strait face.

 

“Stupid female's…” He gumbled.

 

“Oh pull the stick outa your ass and drink up” She tossed her last bottle at him and he caught with ease. “I!” She said standing and pointing a finger in the air as if she had something crucially important to say. “…am going to sleep.” And she fell backwards into Legolas's lap and passed out, causing him to blush.

 

* afternoon of the next day

 

Eowyn walked beside Aragorn. She saw the necklace that he wore and asked. “Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel.” Aragorn spaced out for a second. “My lord?”

 

“She is sailing to the undying lands with all that is left of her kin.”

 

Inuyasha walked up to him right at that moment. “Something in the air smells fowl and rotten.”

 

Armored men ride up ahead of the group to scout and all of a sudden they are attacked by a warg. The people here the men's crys as they are attacked and the growling of the beasts as a man crys out Wargs!

 

Legolas is the first to reach the area and shoots a warg killing it and then the rider with his dagger. “A scout!” He yells to Aragorn.

 

“Kagome, You stay with the women and help them get to safety. They need your protection should any demons get past us, even as highly doubtful as it is.” Inuyasha said the last part with enough ego to coke a small dragon.

 

“Right” She nods and runs off to help the older women who are starting to panic and can't keep up.

 

The King also tells Eowyn something similar. “You must lead the peole to Helm's Deep, and make haste.”

 

“I can fight” She protests.

 

“NO! You must do this, for me.” She nods and he turns back to his men. “Follow me.”

 

The men start to ride off on their horses and into the oncoming assault of Wargs. West and Inuyasha take off as the only ones on foot, but a man with long blond hair grabbed her by the arm. “Where do you think your going little miss. You are a woman and don't belong in battle.”

 

West glared back at him. “Remove your hand before I break it off… will ya kindly.”

 

He gave her a disgusted look, but released her and she ran to catch up with Inuyasha. Chaos ensues as horse riders and Warg riders collide. Gimli takes out wargs with his ax while Legolas favors his bow. Inuyasha unsheathed his sword and anyone who was paying attention enough to see his blade turn into the giant fang were awe stricken. One of these was the very man that had tried to stop West from joining the battle. In his amazement of watching Inuyasha use the magical sword he didn't notice the Warg jump at him until it was to late, but right before it collided with him West jumped in front of him and punched it mid flight sending it back twenty feet. The man gaped at her as she winked at him and left to go finish of the nasty thing. At the same time Aragorn kills a Warg attacking Gimli then gets knocked off his horse by another warg and is caught by the hand and dragged. As he fights with the rider he cannot free himself and plummets over a cliff with the beast.

 

The Battle is over and The Fellowship looks for their missing friend. “Aragorn” Legolas and Gimli call out. “Aragorn!” But as they near a cliff they hear an orc laughing.

 

“Tell me what happen and I may easy your passing.” Gimli states to the half dead creature.

 

“He's dead. He took a little tumble off the cliff.”

 

Legolas grabs him and shakes him. “You lie!” He yells, but the Orc dies and he finds the Evenstar clutched in his hand. With a devastated look, him and Gimli look over the cliff and into the water of the river so far below.

 

The King joins them for a moment and then turns to his men “Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead.” Leg and Inuyasha look at him with disbelief and maybe anger so he lays a hand on their shoulders. “Come”

 

 

~~~~~~

 

IVX: SO sorry for the long wait but this is a long chapter to make up for it. And thanks for any reviewing. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside… ^_~