Chapter 14: Many Meetings

Ever since Kenshin and his companions have arrived in Middle-Earth… they have met different races in the different places of Middle-Earth, in which they arrived at.

Kaoru and Yahiko have met the Hobbits. Sanosuke met Strider and has reunited with Kaoru and Yahiko. Kenshin has met the wizard Gandalf. Saito has met the Dwarves, and Aoshi and Misao have met the Elves. They were all headed towards the same destination… Rivendell.

At the entrance of Rivendell, Legolas, the Elf has arrived, with Aoshi and Misao, as well as some of his elf company. Soon afterwards, Saito arrived with Gimli the Dwarf, along with other Dwarves.

Before their arrival…

One of the Hobbits, Frodo Baggins, was severely wounded by the Ringwraiths and was rushed immediately, by Arwen, to Rivendell. But… it seemed that it was too late to save Frodo…

Frodo now lies in a bed, somewhere in Rivendell. Was Frodo alive… or dead…?

"It's good to know that Frodo will recover," said Kaoru…

"Yes," said Gandalf, "he's been unconscious for three days. Soon, he will wake."

"That's also good to hear, Sir Gandalf, that it is," Kenshin agreed.

It seems… that Frodo was going to make it, after all.

Gandalf and Kenshin have finally arrived in Rivendell. Kaoru, Yahiko, and Sanosuke have arrived too, but long before Aoshi, Misao, and Saito made their arrival. They, along with Sam and the other Hobbits and Strider, were rushed immediately to Rivendell soon after Frodo arrived in Rivendell, to receive his treatment, courtesy of Elrond. Gandalf, Kenshin, Yahiko, Kaoru, and Misao were in the room, where Frodo was resting.

"Yes, Kenshin," said Kaoru, "we have many to thank here in Rivendell, especially Lord Elrond."

"And don't forget," added Yahiko, "that it was thanks to Arwen that Frodo was able to get here in time."

"Indeed, Yahiko," interjected Gandalf, "…but only just in the nick of time."

Kenshin then spoke to Misao, "so Miss Misao, did you have any trouble getting here?"

"Yes, Himura," answered Misao, "Lord Aoshi and I landed in a forest, where we were cornered by these giant spiders!" Misao cringed at the thought of those words.

"Why are you so upset about spiders so much?" asked Yahiko.

"Because I hate spiders and caterpillars, you little shrimp!" she exclaimed angrily at Yahiko. Yahiko cringed before Misao in return.

"Anyway," continued Misao, "as we were cornered, someone shot some arrows at them. It was more of the Elves. There was this tall, blond haired Elf that's really cute, but not as cute as Lord Aoshi is."

"It looks like that Miss Misao," interjected Kenshin smiling like an idiot, "will always like Aoshi from the bottom of her heart, that she will."

"Well, as I was saying," Misao continued further, "he and his Elf friends brought us here in Rivendell. They told us that you guys were found. By the way, we ran into that demon Saito on the way, he's here too. Some short guys with really long beards accompanied him. He said that they're called Dwarves or something."

"Indeed," said Gandalf.

Kaoru then expressed her regret of not telling Gandalf about Saruman. "Gandalf," she said, "I'm sorry that I wasn't able to warn you about Saruman."

"No, Kaoru," said Gandalf, "…it's alright. Kenshin was able to inform me on the way to Isengard. I'm sorry I've frightened you my dear, when we first met."

"There's nothing to forgive, Gandalf," Kaoru stated compassionately.

"Miss Kaoru," interjected Kenshin, "Sir Gandalf was able to take me to the outskirts of Isengard. The land was very beautiful, that it was. There, I witnessed with my own eyes… that Saruman, with his Orc minions, tore apart the once beautiful land and turned it into a barren, desolate breeding factory of Hell. A breeding factory for his new breed of soldiers… the Uruk-Hai."

Hearing this remark… shocked his friends deeply. Suddenly…

Frodo started to move a little. He was finally waking up, after a very long slumber.

"Frodo," said Kaoru, "he's waking up!"

"I'll go get Sam and Sanosuke," said Yahiko.

"I'll go with you," added Misao as they both left the room.

Gandalf sat at Frodo's bedside… as Frodo began speaking slowly, "…where am I?"

"You are in the house of Elrond," answered Gandalf, "…and it is 10:00 in the morning. On October the 24th, if you want to know."

Frodo wakes up completely… and sees Kaoru's face. "Welcome back to the land of the living, Frodo," said Kaoru, smiling at Frodo.

"…Miss… Miss Kaoru," whispered Frodo and looked to his other side, "…Gandalf?"

"Yes," replied Gandalf, "I'm here. And you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours and you would've been beyond our aid. But you have some strength in you… my dear Hobbit."

Frodo then looks at the red headed stranger, "and who are you sir?"

"I'm Kenshin Himura, Sir Frodo," Kenshin introduced himself, "I'm a friend of Miss Kaoru's, that I am."

"…So you're Kenshin," said Frodo, "…Miss Kaoru and Yahiko have told me much about you. It's an honor to meet you."

"As it is an honor to meet you Sir Frodo, that it is," Kenshin replied.

Frodo then felt a little pain and put his hand on his shoulder where the Wraith stabbed him. He then looks at Gandalf, "…what happened Gandalf? Why didn't you meet us?" Frodo asked in a perplexed manner.

Everyone puts on faces of concern and regret.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Frodo," answered Gandalf. He took a few moments to explain his absence without alerting Frodo…

"…I was delayed." Gandalf answered again…

Gandalf silently recalled in his head what really happened to him. He was still on top of Orthanc tower, being Saruman's prisoner. Saruman didn't react kindly to Gandalf's refusal and started throwing him around with his staff again and again and landed with a thump.

"A friendship with Saruman," stated Saruman, "is not lightly thrown aside. Argh!"

Saruman then waved his staff again, throwing Gandalf at the tower's edge, holding him at the tip of his feet…

"One ill turn," added Saruman, "deserves another. It is over… "

A moth flutters over Gandalf as Saruman gave him his final warning, "…embrace the power of the ring, or embrace your own destruction!"

Then the corrupt wizard took Gandalf from the edge and threw him to the ground, with his face down.

"There is," said Gandalf lifting his head from the ground, "only one Lord of the Ring… "

Gandalf then sees a giant eagle… and a man riding on it…

It was Kenshin!

Gandalf continued, "…only one who can bend it to his will… and he does not share power."

"Sir Gandalf!" cried Kenshin as the eagle screeched out its beautiful cry. Saruman was distracted, allowing Gandalf to make his escape as he jumped off the tower…

…And onto the eagle, Gwaihir, the lord of all Eagles! Saruman watched as Gandalf and Kenshin flew on Gwaihir, with all speed… away from Isengard.

"…So you have chosen death," Saruman quietly said his final words to the fleeing wizard.

Gwaihir then flew Kenshin and Gandalf, high above the Misty Mountains… until they finally reached Rivendell…

Frodo wonders speechlessly at Gandalf's response, "Gandalf… what is it?"

"…Nothing Frodo," answered Gandalf, shaking his head with uncertainty.

Suddenly… a voice of, full of glee, filled the room…

"Frodo! Frodo!" It was Sam. He cried his statement of relief, running to Frodo's bedside. Sanosuke, Yahiko, and Misao were with him as well.

"Sam," replied Frodo.

"Bless you, you're awake!"

"Yeah, welcome back Frodo," said Sanosuke.

"Pleased to meet you, Frodo, I'm Misao Makimachi," Misao introduced herself.

"You must be," said Frodo, smiling, "another one of Kaoru and Kenshin's friends, aren't you?"

Misao nodded to answer Frodo.

Gandalf interjected, "Sam has hardly left your side."

"We were that worried about him, weren't we Mr. Gandalf?" asked Sam.

"We all," said Kenshin, grinning, "were worried Sir Sam, that we were."

"Thanks a whole lot, Mr. Kenshin," said Sam, his voice full of relief.

"By the skills of Lord Elrond," announced Gandalf, "you're beginning to mend."

Elrond himself comes into the room and speaks, "…welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins."

Frodo, Sam, Kaoru and Yahiko explored Rivendell together. The place was beautiful. Every structure gleamed in pearl and silver. The Elvish name for Rivendell was, Imladris. The tree leaves in autumn changed colors and fell softly onto the ground.

Kaoru and Yahiko spot Saito, who is standing by a tree, smoking a cigarette. Saito pays them no mind. Yahiko is a little disgusted to see him. Kaoru also has some nasty issues with Saito, but she's kind of glad to see him. Frodo, however, feels that Saito is the silent type of person.

Frodo is gladdened as he met Merry and Pippin again, as they cheered with glee and embraced each other. Then… Frodo looks off in the distance…

And saw his uncle, Bilbo Baggins.

He was sitting down, reading. Bilbo was now, an aged hobbit. His hair was white and skin wrinkled. Frodo ran to Bilbo, calling his name, "Bilbo!"

"Hello Frodo, my lad," answered Bilbo. Frodo hugged his uncle in a warm-loving embrace.

"Bilbo!" Frodo cried with glee.

Aoshi is in a place of solitude, provided by the Elves. Even though Aoshi has settled his differences with Kenshin, he still has some conflicting issues within his soul.

He continues continuously and diligently in his meditations. Misao watches with hope as well as sadness…

'Oh, Lord Aoshi,' thought Misao, 'you are so troubled. Each time when I try to talk to you, you turn away. Throughout my life… I've never seen you smile. I hope to see you smile one day… Lord Aoshi.'

Kenshin then walks up to Misao and grins at her. Misao returns the gesture with another grin.

Frodo, along with Yahiko and Kaoru, went to read Bilbo's book.

"'There and back Again. A Hobbit's tale by Bilbo Baggins!'" said Frodo. He opened the book and saw the various maps and pictures in it.

"This is wonderful," said Frodo.

"Yeah," agreed Yahiko, "this is absolutely amazing." Kaoru also admired it, giving off a smile.

Bilbo interjected, "I meant to go back… wander the powers of Mirkwood… visit Lake-town… see the Lonely Mountain again. But age, it seems, has finally… caught up with me."

Kaoru sympathizes with Bilbo's condition, as she puts her hand on Bilbo's shoulder, comforting him. "I understand sir," said Kaoru.

"…Thank you, my dear," said Bilbo, as his hand grasped hers, lightly… looking up at Kaoru, "…bless you… bless you."

Frodo then sees a page, with a map of the Shire on it. Bilbo smiled once more at Frodo. Seeing this map… sadly made Frodo to think about his home.

"…I miss the Shire," began Frodo, "I spent all my childhood, pretending to be somewhere else… off with you, on one of your adventures."

Frodo paused a moment before sadly concluding, "…but my own adventure turned out to be quite different."

Yahiko and Kaoru deeply sympathize with Frodo, after all that has happened to him… as well as what happened to all of them in fact.

Frodo faces Bilbo, "…I'm not like you, Bilbo." He told Bilbo, even more sadly.

"My dear boy," Bilbo said, caressing Frodo's face with his hand, consoling him. He was right about Frodo… he was still in love with the Shire.

Frodo, Kaoru, and Yahiko meet up with Kenshin and Misao at Aoshi's place of solitude.

Kaoru asks, "Kenshin… is Aoshi in there?"

Kenshin replied, "yes, Miss Kaoru."

Frodo interjects, "is he another of your friends, Kenshin?"

"In a way… yes, Sir Frodo," answered Kenshin, "his name is Aoshi Shinomori. When we met, he wanted to challenge and defeat me so he can be the strongest there ever was. Along the way… four friends of his were killed by the crook, that Aoshi once worked for. Aoshi has wanted to go to his death since then, in another fight with me."

Frodo, hearing this sad story, wears a sad face himself, feeling sorry for Aoshi.

"So," Frodo began sadly, "…his friends were killed. How were they killed Kenshin?"

Kenshin replied, "since you do not come from our world, it will be very difficult to explain to you Sir Frodo, that it will."

Frodo nodded, knowing that he and his friends do come from another world and won't understand it much.

Kenshin went on, "… well, luckily, I was able to show him how wrong he was for wanting to go to his death. Now, he searches his soul each day… hoping to find true redemption within himself, that he is."

"I see," said Frodo, "…Bilbo feels that he too needs redemption for having the ring for 60 years. From what I've seen Kenshin… some of your companions are the silent type, especially your other friend, Saito."

"Actually," explained Kenshin, "Saito still has issues with me and still wishes to fight me, that he does. But when there's an impending danger that concerns us equally, we work together to stop it. However, Saito and I will never see eye to eye, that we won't."

Suddenly… Aoshi stands up and walks slowly towards the group.

"Aoshi," said Kenshin, "I'm sorry, that I am. We didn't mean to disturb you meditation."

"Its alright, Himura," said Aoshi, "…no harm was intended."

"Hello sir," interjected Frodo, "…I'm Frodo Baggins. It's an honor to meet you, Aoshi."

Aoshi took a few moments before answering Frodo, "…usually, I feel that I need total isolation… but… its good to meet you too, Frodo. And, after hearing about your illness… I'm pleased to know that you're going to be okay."

Everyone brightens to Aoshi's greeting and thankfulness for Frodo's recovery, especially Misao.

"Hello." Another voice came in…

It was Arwen. She was dressed the way Frodo saw her, in the shadow realm… in white, and her black hair was long and came down to her shoulders.

"Are you well, Frodo?" Arwen asked Frodo.

"…Yes, I am," Frodo answered, "thank you for your help."

"All of us," Kenshin added brightly, "thanks you greatly for your help Miss Arwen, that we most certainly do."

"The pleasure was all mine, Kenshin," said Arwen, in a courteous tone as she bowed.

Everyone smiled at Arwen.

Saito continued to sit alone in the woods, smoking his cigarettes. Sanosuke came up to him.

"Hey Saito," said Sanosuke.

Saito turned to spot Sanosuke and replied, "what do you want, you moron."

"Nothing much. I just didn't expect us to work together again like this."

"Hhm! I could care less about working with a moron again. But you're right about this being an unexpected occasion."

"So, what do you think of Middle-Earth, Saito?"

Saito then put out his cigarette and answered, "…I don't know exactly what to say. When I got here, I ended up in a mountainous landscape and met the Dwarves. They're small like those Hobbits I saw you with, only they don't go around barefooted. One of the Dwarves even said that I have something in common with him, though I doubt that pretty much. But, all in all… I think that Middle-Earth is a very surprising place indeed."

Saito paused for a moment before concluding, "and it seems, that all the stuff about Rivendell appears to be true, it really is a beautiful place… probably the most exotic place in all of Middle-Earth."

"Yeah, well I think that this place is great too," Sanosuke agreed, "and you're right about these Hobbit people going around barefooted too often and, in my opinion, eat too much. But… I must admit, I kinda like them, including Frodo."

"He must've been the one who was with the Kamiya girl and the brat," Saito said, in an insulting tone.

"Still your old creepy self, eh Saito?" Sanosuke smirked.

Saito smirked at Sanosuke in response.

"Now what have I forgotten?" Sam said, packing his sack. Frodo and Kaoru catch him doing this.

"Packed already, Sam," wondered Frodo.

"No harm in being prepared," said Sam.

"You don't think that it hurts to stay here awhile, do you Sam?" asked Kaoru.

Sam replied, "no, Miss Kaoru it's… "

Frodo interrupted Sam, "I thought you wanted to see the Elves, Sam."

"I do," answered Sam.

"More than anything," added Frodo.

"I did," Sam answered again and continued, "…its just… we did what Gandalf wanted, didn't we? We got the ring this far to Rivendell. And I thought… seein' as how you're on the mend, we'd be off soon… off home."

Frodo thought for a moment and then realized… that Sam had a good point. Kaoru, ironically, thought the same as Frodo.

"…You're right Sam," said Frodo, agreeing with Sam, "…we did what we set out to do."

Frodo then held out his hand with the ring in it and concluded, "the ring will be safe in Rivendell… I am ready to go home."

'…I'm ready to go home too, Frodo,' thought Kaoru, '…but I have a feeling… that it's not over yet.'