The Will of the Ring

Chapter Twelve

by Makura Koneko

ATTENTION:

It has come to the attention of my blonde mind that I have totally screwed up the ages. If Serenity was born

right around the time of the War of the Ring (when Isiludur cut the Ring, you know?) and then was three

thousand years old when the Moon Kingdom fell, that would mean that the Moon Kingdom goes 'kaboom'

around the same time as my story is set in. So, as of this chapter, the Senshi, all of them, including Serena

 were TEN THOUSAND when the Moon Kingdom fell, making the fall of the Moon Kingdom seven thousand

years into the future, from the date of the destruction of the Ring. Yes, I know, I'm majorly stretching ages

and stuff, but hey, my story! *loves saying that* I am working on going back and reposting the chapters that

mention that blooper and fixing them, to be reposted once I find the time.

Second, this is my most AU chapter so far, the main AU note being that while Gandalf is still immortal, I'm

giving him a family,  mainly a grandfather.

And now, to continue move things along...

BIG THANKS TO:

Sera Luanma

HIkari

Lady Artemis

Linauri (OMG I can't thank you enough for all that info and for that link!!!! *hugglez*)

ChibiTenshi

bee

Sailor Star Scream

Rheia

star0704

SerenityLNguyen

solarmistress17

Ray of Hope (*buries face in hands with embarrassment* I know, I know, I've always asked too many questions...

but just think, with every question you all answer, every bit of info you contribute, you make the story better! Not me, you!)

The Kuro no Tenshi

Hikari

siren (*giggles* naw, you weren't that off-tune. *wink*)

Lyndzi

Lady Silence

Celestial DreamBLaze

sailorbardock1980

Silver-Star

SilverRose82

Tsuki no Tenshi

saturnpyroprincess

12

sailorruss

Serene

Teri

Mooney

Katlin Grace

On to the part everyone's been waiting for...

"What the hell do you think you were doing?" Haruka advanced on the man that was just as tall as she was,

something that she was not used to, which made her all the angrier. She glared into the ice blue eyes of the

elven prince that she'd caught kissing her koneko -never mind she'd been kissing him back and hadn't

seemed to mind in the least. Haruka faintly took note of Boromir,  and Raye -as well as Gimli who

seemingly popped out of nowhere-demanding Serena to tell them a) if she was all right and b) what she had

been thinking, being out in the river, alone with him, in her underwear, and letting him even touch her!

"I was only doing what you told me to do months ago, Raye," Serena defended herself, a stubborn glint in

her eyes. Haruka heard this, and whirled on Raye, leaving Legolas to accept a towel that Hotaru handed to

him. He gave her a grateful look, seeing the amused twinkle in her eye, and suppressed a sigh as she went

and handed one to Serena, and set on drying her princess's hair with another.

"You told her to go around kissing inhuman beings she barely knows?" Haruka growled lowly. Raye

blinked and stepped back.

"What? No!" She glared at Serena. "I told her to stop moping over what was done and gone and get on with

her life!" She threw Serena a second glare. "I told her maybe she should start dating…" She rounded on

Serena. "But 'dating' is different than kissing another guy half naked in the middle of a river one hundred

billion years into the past!" She screeched. She met Serena's defiant eyes, growled in frustration and

whirled, only to come face to face with Ami.

"I'm right, aren't I Ami-chan?" Raye asked of the blue haired girl. Ami said nothing and looked at Serena,

then to Legolas who came up beside her, drying his hair with the towel. She swallowed and looked down as

Frodo stepped into view and walked up beside her. He took her and squeezed it. She smiled at him gently,

then bit her lip…

"Ami-chan?" Serena asked softly, seeing the look in her friend's eyes. "Ami? What's wrong?"

"Aimes?" Raye placed a concerned hand on the blue eyed girl's shoulder. Ami's free hand clenched into a

fist as she looked away. She took a deep breath and looked up at Serena, and only Serena.

"I've finished my scans," She said in a soft voice. Serena's eyes widened slightly…her hand reached back,

and met Legolas's hand halfway. Her fingers slipped through his, and he grasped her hand tightly.

"What did they say?" Boromir demanded. Ami swallowed.

"I'm so sorry, Serena…" Ami choked. It occurred to Serena briefly that not all this grief was for her…her

eyes flitted to Ami's and Frodo's joined hands, then back to Ami's face.

"What is it, Ami?" Serena asked gently, her voice that of a princess's. Ami took a deep breath and steadied

herself.

"Serena," Ami said. "I…I finished my scans, and… We…we thought we had at least a month…at least a

month till your shell deteriorated, but…"

"Just say it, Ami!" Serena pleaded.

"You have two weeks and three days exactly." Ami stumbled out. "Until your shell deteriorates." She

swallowed. "And…and I found a Crystal Point. Or, what will eventually be a crystal point. The magic

around there is still raw, but I think we can…" Frodo touched her arm as she trailed off, and she forced

herself to take note of Serena's vacant eyes.

"Serena…" Ami started.

"Did we miss dinner?" Serena asked.

"How could you think of food at a-" Raye's rant was cut off by Boromir's hand over her mouth. She glared

at him, and he glared back.

"No, you didn't," Hotaru said. "We had gone to get you to see if you were awake to bring you to dinner

when we found you missing, and went looking for you." Serena nodded.

"We should go eat," Serena said softly. She smiled at Raye. "I'm okay," She told her. "I just…let me adjust,

okay, guys?"

"Anything you want, koneko," Haruka said, hugging the small girl. "Anything." She turned to the others.

"You heard the princess. Let's go eat. We'll hear all about what you've discovered about that Crystal Point

afterwards, Ami." Haruka and Ami's eyes met, and an understanding passed between them, and they

nodded. Haruka looked at Raye, whom had been released. The raven haired girl nodded, stepped forward,

and hugged Serena. These previously rare displays of affection had grown in frequency as of late.

"Dinner sounds great," She said, smiling before stepping away. Hand in hand, a silent Legolas and Serena

headed for the dining hall, followed by three equally silent Senshi, the RingBearer, and one Fellowship

warrior.

"She doesn't blame you." Frodo told Ami. She paused outside the golden, lacy, latic-like doors that lead

into the same dining hall that they'd eaten in the day before. She paused before entering, turned and looked

at him, tears in her eyes.

"How can she not?" She sniffed. "I'm always the one that brings her this sort of bad news. Raye confirms it,

usually. You saw the way she looked at me!"

"I saw the way she looked, period." Frodo said. "But not at you. Never you. Are you the only one that

cannot see how she loves you, just as she loves the others?"

"I don't deserve that love." Ami said softly.

"No one ever deserves love like she can give it." Frodo told her. "It makes me wonder who has shown her

such unconditional love that she is able to turn around and give it out to others so freely. It makes me

wonder even more if that being loves us as well. A comforting though, eh?"

"Yes, very," Ami said. She smiled slightly and looked at Frodo shyly. "Thank you, Frodo-san." She said.

"Please, just Frodo." He told her, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. She returned the gesture, and,

surprising even herself, she stepped forward and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before whirling and

quickly entering the dining hall, a smiling Frodo just behind her.

"I hate to interrupt," Raye said, her tone implying that she really didn't regret it at all as her voice cut

through the other little conversations that were occuring up and down the privet dining all table. "But since

Ami-chan is still too depressed about having had to deliver such bad news earlier, I thought it safe to claim

the role of bring out this." With that, out of her pocket she pulled a folded piece of parchment.

The Senshi's eyes lightened in recognition.

"What is that?" Boromir inquired.

"It's a list of questions we keep forgetting to ask you guys." Hotaru asked.

"Before we get off track," Raye cut in. "First question; who were those creepy shadowy creatures you guys

were being attacked by when we showed up?"

"They are the Nazgul," Aragorn said, toying with a piece of bread. "Wring Wraiths. We have told you about

the Rings of Power; the Ring Wraiths were once the nine human kings that, out of greed, wore and used the

Rings too much, and thus became as they are now. Not living, not dead, filled with whatever evil Sauron

chooses to inflict upon them."

"So…" The eyes of the Senshi turned to Serena.

"They were after Serena, yes." Legolas confirmed what they were thinking.

"Looks like we had good timing," Raye smirked.

"Think they'll try again?" Hotaru asked.

"Undoubtedly," Gandalf said. "But I have no doubt we are safe here from their reach. And when we leave, I

am confident with all of us, we will be sufficient protection."

"Damn right our protection will be sufficient!" Haruka growled.

"Aw, so glad you want to keep me around!" Serena grinned teasingly. Haruka only grumbled, though her

eyes sparkled.

"Next question!" Hotaru chirped, taking the list from Raye. "Hmm…okay, Gandalf, this one's for you; how

did you get down where you were, in that chasm?"

Gandalf set down his goblet and dabbed his mouth with a napkin, a thoughtful expression on his face before

he began. "As I said before," He started. "It's a long story."

"We're listening." Haruka leaned back in her chair, tipping it back slightly as she placed her feet up on the

table, crossing them at the ankles. She ignored the reproachful looks she was receiving. Gandalf chuckled.

"Very well," He said. "I suppose it begins when we were unable to further head towards Mordor by way of

the mountains, due to Saruman -a nasty vermin I will explain about later- causing a harsh blizzard to go

against us. So we took to the mines of Moria, only to discover they had been empty for some time due to all

their occupants being slaughtered by goblins and their master- a creature that the dwarves had accidentally

awakened- a balrog."

"Description…?" Raye prompted.

"A large, vile creature from the fiery depths of the deepest, darkest places of the earth." Gandalf told them.

"A being crafted entirely from shadow and fire and evil. When the dwarves dug too deep and too greedily,

they awoke him, and he brought upon them the goblins and his own wrath. We had hoped our presence

would go unnoticed, but by a misfortune we were found out. We had fled for the bridge of Khazad-dum,

being assaulted by goblins on the way, when suddenly they all turned and fled. Then the belrog made itself

known, and we ran."

"And you did something stupid like stay behind to guard the bridge or something so the others could get

away," Raye finished. "And you got dumped down the chasm."

Gandalf chuckled. "Again, you seem to have boiled down my story to its essence. But yes, I did stay behind

in an effort to prevent it from passing, and in my effort fell down to the depths of the chasm."

"But you won!" Hotaru said. "And you landed on the ledge, and you're okay, and I'm willing to bet that

balrog-youma isn't!" Gandalf smiled.

"I hope so, little one," He said. "And if I may be so bold as to inquire, how did you end up on that ledge

with me?"

"That's something we've been wanting to know, too," Haruka asked. "How did you two show up in the

middle of the fight, out of thin air?"

"It's taken me a while to figure that one out," Hotaru said. She looked proud of herself as she looked at

Gandalf. "When you tried to stop the belrog from passing, did you let out some sort of burst of light? Of

power?"

"Indeed, I did," Gandalf nodded. "I used that which was granted to me as the guardian of the flame of

Anor."

Serena choked on her drink, and all eyes turned to her.

"Serena?" Boromir asked. "Are you all right?"

"D-did you say Anor?" Serena gasped. Gandalf nodded.

"Indeed I did," He said, his eyes and voice curious. "Why?"

"Uh, guys…" Serena looked to her Senshi. "Do you guys remember the ancient Lunarian word for the Pillar

of Prayer, in that sacred room that only my mother and me were allowed to enter? Remember the shards that

were there, and how Mina pulled the Sword of the Moon from the base of the thing of shards?"

"Yeah, I remember Queen Selenity telling us that it was what was left of the Pillar of the Moon." Ami

nodded. "And you ask about the ancient Lunarian word for it?" Serena nodded. Suspicion began to rise in

her eyes as she thought for a moment, then her eyes widened considerably.

"I'm right, aren't I?" Serena said excitedly.

"For once." Raye muttered. "I remember, too," She said as way of explanation. She jerked a thumb at

Gandalf. "But how can he be the Guardian of the Pillar? Even if the Moon Kingdom still exists in this time,

as Selenity's daughter, it was Serena that was it's guardian."

"Remember the shards? The shattered remains of the Pillar?" Serena said excitedly. "Remember how every

one hundred years, the Pillar would shatter, and only the prayers of the Lunarians would bring it back

together?"

"Yes…" Ami began. "I do hope you are going somewhere with this, Serena. Remember, you have far more

memories from the Silver Millennium than we do."

"Gandalf-san," Serena turned to Gandalf. "On the Moon, in the center of the Moon Palace, we had a special,

sacred room that only my mother and I were allowed to enter. In the center of that room was the Pillar of the

Moon, also called the Prayer Pillar. But it's ancient name, the name only used by my mother and I, was

Anor. Every hundred years the Pillar would shatter from the greed and hate that built up in the universe, and

each shard was called a flame of Anor. A ceremony took place right after the shattering, with the Senshi and

all royalty of the moon leading the entire Moon Kingdom in a wishful prayer to have the Pillar restored. It

always worked.

"Now, it was in legends that in times of great need, the Pillar would transport its queen to safety upon the

prayers of the people of the moon.

"Now, when I was two thousand -physically only eight- I was kidnapped to be held for ransom. The ransom

was my mother, the Queen. She, of course, willingly gave herself while I ran back to the palace. The only

thing I can think of is that the Pillar sensed us in trouble, and tried to send us both to a safe place during the

Shattering. But our prayers -my mother's and mine- for each other's safety confused the Pillar, and it

shattered before it's hundredth year, unable to send either of us to safety through its half formed

transportation spell."

"I get it…you're thinking that when it shattered, one of the shards got sent to earth through the half-formed

transportation spell." Ami said. "It is plausible, and more than likely true." She frowned, thinking. "So if

you were born around the time the Ring of Power was created -three thousand years ago- and you were two

thousand when this happened, then that means this shard would have been on earth for roughly one

thousand years."

"The crystal that was in the top of your staff!" Hotaru exclaimed. "Remember it flashed when we both

touched it? And we ended up with the others during their fight!" She looked to Raye and Ami and Haruka.

"You guys wished for me to be there to help, am I right?"

They nodded.

"Well, then there you go!" The Senshi of Silence said happily. "Since we are each touched by Moon Power,

it must have sensed your prayers, and tried to bring me to you, but it wasn't able to until Gandalf touched it."

"Why would that be?" Legolas mussed.

"Think about it," Raye said. "Gandalf is a wizard. His body must be packed with magic. The shard just

tapped into that."

"Amazing…" Gandalf said, lifting his staff from where he had leaned it against the table, twisting it around

and around and looking up at the shard of quartz-type crystal. "All this time…"

"If it reacts to you, then you truly are a Guardian of the Flame of Anor," Serena said, suddenly solemn.

"But how can that be?" Raye frowned. "The Anor -the Pillar- only reacted to Lunarians."

"Hmmm…" Ami looked thoughtful before asking, "How long have you had the Shard, Gandalf?"

"Since I first became the Gray." Gandalf told them. "Seventy years ago."

Ami frowned, thinking. "If Serena was were born around the time the Ring of Power was created –three

thousand years ago- and was two thousand when this happened, then that means this shard would have been

on earth for roughly one thousand years."

"Then that means, right about now, on the Moon, we've taken our vows to protect the Princess..." Raye said

after a moment. "Remember we took them on our three thousandth birthdays?"

"Memories, memories..." Hotaru said with a grin.

"Who was the last Gray Wizard?" Ami asked.

"My Grandfather," Gandalf answered. "Why?"

"Did anyone have the Shard before him?"

"No, he was the one that discovered it. He never explained why he called its power the Flame of Anor." He

looked at Ami's satisfied expression with curiosity. "Why do you ask?"

"It's just as I thought." Ami said with satisfaction. "Gandalf-san, I believe you may be descended from a

Lunarian."

"Care to explain why you believe this?" Gandalf said after he recovered from his surprise and once

exclamations of shock had quieted.

"First off, you just have the look of one," Ami said. "Next, I'm betting that not many other wizards have

lived as long as you and still been able to go on such adventures as you are on now, eh? And third, the

Shard. Only a pureblood Lunarian could touch and handle the Flames, or so it was said. But not all

Lunarians were very well versed in magic, so I'm thinking your expertise with the magical arts overcame

your lack of pure Lunarian blood, and the same with your Grandfather."

"It explains a great many things…" Gandalf said thoughtfully. "But that still does not explain how Hotaru

ended up on the ledge."

"Oh, yeah, duh," Hotaru looked sheepish. "Talk about off track. Anyway, what I was leading up to was that

basically light attracts darkness. When we were traveling back through time, the light in the burst of power

you let loose from the Shard attracted not only the darkness of my power, but the bit of my soul that was

touched by the same magic that makes up the very core of the Shard; Moon Power, or rather, the Silver

Crystal itself. Those two things coupled together formed a super magnet  between me and the activated

Shard, and I got sucked away from my friends and yanked to you."

"It makes more sense than a lot of other things in our quest." Boromir said, leaning back in his chair as he

took a draught of his wine.

"Okay, next question," Raye took the paper back from Hotaru. She looked at Serena. "How did you know

where Merry and Pippin were?" She jerked her head to the two aforementioned Hobbits who were still

steadily eating mushrooms of all sorts, listening to what had been going on all the while.

"Um…woman's intuition?" Serena suggested. Raye glared. "Okay, okay, I don't know! I just got that…that

same feeling of…of being needed like I did with Boromir. I followed that feeling, and it lead me to them."

"I may 'ave 'ad some part in that!" Pippin piped up, his voice slurred by both his mouthful of mushroom

and his accent, which was similar to that of a heavy Irish/Scottish lilt.

"How?" Hotaru asked.

"While we were all tied up, I couldn't help but think th' moon was awfully bright," Pippin said, eating

another mushroom. "I guess part of me muddled mind remembered 'ow me mother used to tell me that

when th' moon was bright, it meant a guardian angel was near. I didn't actually think it, but I guess I might

have sort of made a half-wish for any angel of the moon near to come and help us." He shrugged. "Mayhap

that had somethin' to do with it."

"Pieces and pieces fall into place, while the snow falls and frosts the lakes," Ami said. She grinned

sheepishly. "Part of a poem I wrote once. It seemed appropriate for this talk we've been having."

"You write poems?" Frodo asked from beside her. She blushed and nodded.

"She writes really good lyrics and songs, too!" Serena provided, grinning as Ami's blush deepened.

"Really?" Frodo grinned. "My uncle, Bilbo, often wrote songs of his own to pass time on his travels."

"Cool!" Raye smiled. "I would love to hear some of them. I write songs and music, too. We'll have to get

together some time and write a song together." She said.

"That sounds like fun." Ami smiled gently. Smiles were passed all around, and conversation seemed to

dissipate once more back into the small exchanges that had been going on previously.

None noticed the small, soft smile in Serena's eyes as she watched everyone converse.

Somehow she got the feeling that this happiness that she was feeling now, this was what her mother had

hoped for her daughter to have when she had sent her to earth…  How ironic that Serena would find that

happiness in the past, not the future.

Yet, they had not the time to enjoy this happiness, not really.

The royalty in Serena took over, and suddenly everyone took note of Serenity's regal pose.

"We have less than three weeks to destroy the Ring," She said, her tone full of majesty. Her eyes glittered

with the age-old wisdom of her race. "Ami, where is the Crystal Point?"

Ami set down her goblet. "Galadriel said we could have whatever we wished, so I asked for a map. Using

the map and my own scans, I've determined that the Crystal Point that I've found is the same one that will be

directly under the Crystal Palace of Crystal Tokyo. It is in a kingdom called Mirkwood." She looked to

Legolas with a small smile on her face. "I believe you are familiar with that place?"

Legolas grinned. "Indeed I am."

"How long will it take on foot to reach your kingdom?" Serena asked him. Legolas thought for a moment,

regarding the girl he was coming to love with something in his eyes...

At last, he answered. "Too long. I will ask Galadriel for the gift of a few horses, which I will have someone

return upon our arrival at Mirkwood. It should take no longer than five days of good riding to reach the

outskirts."

"Then it is decided." Serenity declared. "Tomorrow, with the leave of the Lady Galadriel, we will make for

Mirkwood and the Crystal Point to destroy the Ring."

No one dared argue with the woman that would some day be Queen of the Moon and Empress of the Stars.

"I don't think I've ever been up early enough to see the sunrise…" Serena said, standing in the same place

where she and Legolas had first kissed, looking out at the pink, peach, lavender, gold, red, and orange

streaked horizon. Legolas came up behind her, not touching her, just standing there.

"At least, not when I was calm enough to watch it and appreciate it." She added. "I mean, I got kicked out of

bed at all hours of the night all the time to fight some demony, late-night monster all the time. But even if

the fight was over and the youma was moondust by the time the sun went wakey-wakey on me, I was

always too completely zapped to pay attention."

"I can barely remember a time when I have not risen with the dawn," he told her.

"I figured." Serena grumbled. "I never understood how you guys could willingly get up before noon. I

understood you're getting up early cuz you wanted to get to Merry and Pippin, but here we are, safe and

sound, and you guys still get up at an ungodly hour! It's insane, I tell you!" Legolas only laughed and leaned

down to kiss her on the cheek from behind.

"I came to inform you that everyone is packed and ready to go," Legolas told her. "Galadriel has ordered

each of us be provided with a change of clothes, a cloak, a new weapon, food to last us throughout our

journey, and horses."

"H-horses?" Serena squeaked, turning from the window to look wide-eyed up at Legolas; she had forgotten

about the horses Legolas had said he would request for them the day before at dinner. "As in four legged,

big-headed, snorting, stomping horses?"

"Yes…" Legolas said, giving her a curious look. "Elvish horses, to be exact. Why?"

Serena gulped and gave a nervous laugh. "Oh, nothing really, it's just…well, the last time I was on a

horse…well, er…let's just say it didn't turn out too good…heh heh…"

"You don't know how to ride?" He asked. Serena flushed and shook her head. Legolas only shook his head

slightly and grinned.

"Then I will teach you," He said.

"But…we don't have time…!" Serena protested, still hoping maybe she could get out of it. Maybe a wagon,

or something…

"I'll teach you on the way," he promised. "You can sit with me on my steed until you get the basics down,

and then we can tie your horse to mine. We'll go slow. I'm sure your Senshi will agree with me."

Serena swallowed visibly, then, slightly pale at the thought of those great beasts, nodded. "Okay." She

squeaked. Legolas tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"You'll be fine," he promised. He took her hand. "Now come on. Everyone's waiting."

At the base of the tree that supported Serena's former 'treehouse' stood all eight of the Fellowship and all

four of the Senshi, as well as fourteen pure white horses, some with white manes an tails, some with black,

others with pale gold or dark gold, and one with silver. Not gray, silver. The saddles were crafted of the

sturdiest, softest leather with etchings in intricate designs. Some in black, others in gold, and, once again,

one with silver. The reigns to the white, silver-haired horse and white-leather saddle with silver etchings

were held by Boromir, who turned, along with everyone else, when Serena and Legolas came into sight.

"Well, took ya long enough, meatball brains!" Raye scoffed, but her eyes were shining. She glanced

pointedly, with her eyes only, to where Ami and Frodo were standing together, each holding the reigns to

their horses, talking quietly. Serena saw this, and grinned mischievously as she and Raye exchanged

knowing winks.

"The day ages," Aragorn said, handing the reigns of a white, pale-gold haired steed to Legolas. Its saddle

was light brown leather etched in white gold. "We have much ground to cover if we are to reach our

destination in less than half a fortnight." The human king swung himself up into the saddle of his horse,

which had a black mane and black saddle, a stunning contrast against the white coat of the animal.

Serena sighed. So much for a leisurely leave. The Fellowship and Senshi mounted, but not before Legolas

tied the reigns to Serena's horse to the pommel of his saddle. He lifted Serena by her waist and sat her on

his saddle before swinging himself up behind her.

"Heh, we forgot you never did get riding down," Raye smirked as she rode by, following Aragorn down the

path. Serena stuck her tongue out at her friend, an act which Raye returned playfully. Ami chuckled, coming

up beside them, Frodo just behind her, with Haruka behind Serena and Legolas. Hotaru was up by Boromir,

the two of them chatting lightly while Raye interrogated Aragorn as to their exact route, which was

apparently a piece of information Ami had not yet disclosed to everyone.

"So where exactly are we headed again, Ami-chan?" Hotaru asked over her shoulder, riding beside Boromir

"A place I believe you, Legolas, know well," Ami said, nodding to Legolas. "A forest called 'Mirkwood.'"

She raised an eyebrow at Legolas. "I believe you introduced yourself as the son of a king there, am I right?"

Legolas smiled slightly.

"You remembered." He commented.

"Ami-chan never forgets anything!" Serena grinned as Ami flushed.

"I do too," Ami argued. "I'm still human."

"As human as one can be when they're the princess of Mercury and can wield magic and travel through

time," Frodo teased as he rode up beside her when the path became wide enough. Ami blushed, but her eyes

danced nonetheless.

They neared the exit to Lothlorien all too soon, and the Senshi were surprised to find a small entourage of

both mounted and on-foot elves -some obviously of the guard genre, some just curious residents- to see

them off.

One of the mounted elves, obviously a lord of some sort, on a pale golden horse, urged his mount forward

slightly, blocking the path leading out of Lothlorien and into the forest of Lorien. He bowed his head briefly

in greeting.

"Lye arwen en tel'tuar, Galadriel, daya nimil lye ulungith he naamarie, ar'vee sinae." This said, he turned

and beckoned a young blonde elf maiden, carrying a large, long bundle in her arms. She brought it forward,

two other maidens -a brunette and a darker blonde- beside her.

"What did he say?" Serena whispered.

"He said Galadriel sent him and the others to convey her farewells and give us these," Legolas whispered

discreetly into her ear. They all watched as the brunette elf maiden untied the cord around the long, large

bundle in the pale blonde elf girl's arms, and folded the flaps aside. She lifted a long, beautifully carved bow

made of dark red cherry wood and engraved with beautiful elvish designs. Along with it came a quiver

made of soft, burgundy red leather, filled with black-feather fletched arrows. The brunette handed these

things to the darker blonde elf girl, who stepped forward and handed them up to Raye along with two

daggers, the hilts made of the same dark polished cherry wood and with matching engravings.

Raye's eyes bulged as she handled the gifts. She looked at the elf lord and nodded solemnly, conveying her

thanks. That done, the dark blonde elf girl went back and accepted from the brunette two rings of soft black

leather that looked like armbands. Hooked on each armband were four round metal disks, engraved with

more elvish designs. These were handed to Ami.

"Throwing stars!" Ami exclaimed. "Only they're not stars…" She examined them, and smiled. "I see, I can

secure these bands around my arms, or wrist, or ankle or leg if I'm wearing a skirt, hide them under my

clothes, and then slip one out and throw it…like mini versions of your tiara, Serena." It was obvious she was

thrilled with so elegant a weapon. She looked to the dark blonde elf girl, still standing beside her horse.

"Diol elle," Ami said carefully, though she said the words perfectly.

"That means 'thank you' right?" Serena whispered. Legolas smiled slightly and nodded. Serena grinned,

proud of herself for remembering.

The elf lord only nodded, smiling ever so slightly, in reply as Ami set to securing the bands halfway up her

forearms.

The gift for Haruka were twin saber swords, and a special scabbard; the scabbard was actually made of two

scabbards that crossed each other, so that when strapped to her back the hilt of each saber would peek up

above her shoulders. Haruka's delight was shining out of her eyes, even though her face was set grimly,

when she succeeded in echoing Ami's words of thanks.

From the dark blonde elven maiden Hotaru accepted a five-foot staff that could be strapped diagonally

across her back. When you popped off the top and flipped it over, it was seen that a three-foot blade was

hidden inside.

Legolas was given a set of twin daggers and a new, full quiver of arrows that matched his bow, which had

been polished and the string replaced with a new one of a sort of mithril. Aragorn also received a dagger, his

newly sharpened and polished sword returned to him, good as new. Boromir was given a new sword, as his

had been found to have flaws and cracks in it, most likely caused by the blow from the 'uber-Orc' as Ami

had called it. He had also been given a small ax that matched the sword. Gimli had refused to part with his

battle ax, and had insisted on polishing and cleaning and repairing and sharpening it himself. So instead he

received a dagger and a miniature ax that matched his main weapon.

Sting, Frodo's sword, had been cleaned and restored as only its creators could, and he now had a small

dagger to match. Sam, after having displayed a talent for the bow and arrow, it had been decided would

receive a small crossbow and a full quiver. The look on his face spoke multitudes, and small tremors of

amused laughter murmured among the onlooking elves at the delight he displayed openly.

Merry and Pippin were given matching short swords and miniature battle axes, much to their delight; both

looked upon the few lessons Boromir had given them with fondness, and looked forward to an excuse to

bully him into tutoring them further.

When the dark blonde elf maiden approached Gandalf, Serena and Hotaru exchanged looks. Gandalf had

confided in Hotaru that he would miss the blade he had lost to the chasm, Glamdring. It had taken a simple

summoning version of the 'Tassle' teleportation spell to find and summon the blade to them. Once they had

it, they had given it to the elves to be repaired and polished, to be returned to them upon their leave as a

surprise.

Also, his staff had been repaired, as only wood-workers of Lorien could, and was now reinforced with silver

and white vines wrapping around it and supporting the shard of Moon Pillar at the top. The look on

Gandalf's face when he received both staff and Glamdring had made Hotaru's heart sing as she watched

him thank the elves, then look at her with amused, delighted question in his old eyes. Hotaru was reminded

of the grandfather or father she'd never had…

And last of all, with greater reverence then with the others, all three elven maidens stepped forward and held

up to Serena, on the cushion of cloth, a silver circlet, something that looked like her Sailor Moon tiara.

Serena took it, looking it over. Yes, it did resemble her Sailor Moon tiara, only there was no 'v;' it was

perfectly round, and completely silver except for a tiny strip of gold along the bottom. Upon closer

inspection, it was seen that the strip of gold was a case that slipped off the silver part, protecting the

sharpened bottom edge of the circlet.

Serena put it on, and once she did, she understood how it worked. She would reach up and grab the silver

part of the circlet, and pull it off her head. The gold band would stay on her head, and the silver would come

away, forming an arched blade; there were two. On in the back, one in the front. When both were in the gold

band, they formed a circle.

Unless one were to take the circlet apart or inspect it closely, it would look just as it was meant to look; a

circlet. It helped that the silver was covered in intricate designs and patterns of elvish origin.

In the way of a more normal weapon, she was given to two twin daggers and a short, slender sword with a

silver hilt and studded with pearls, diamonds, and polished marbles of moonstone. The blade glowed softly

silver in her hands when she pulled it out of the scabbard.

"It's lovely…" Serena said. She sheathed it, handing sword and daggers to Legolas and jumped down off

the horse and hugged the three elf girls, a rather amusing sight since she barely came up to their shoulders.

Smiling at each other, the elf maidens returned the embrace, and the pale blonde one settled the circlet more

firmly on the girl's head so that the band was just above her bangs, much as the floral tiara had been, the day

before.

"Thank you!" Serena chirped. She looked up at Legolas, beaming. He handed down her sword, which the

brunette elf maiden help strap around her waist with the provided belt, as well as the daggers, one around

her right thigh, another tucked into her boot. This done, Legolas held down his hand to her. Serena took it,

then paused. She bit her lip…

"I… I think…I think I want to try riding on my own." She whispered. Legolas smiled, a hint of pride in his

eyes, and nodded, releasing her hand. He untied the reigns of the silver-haired horse from his saddle and

handed them to Serena. Thinking for a moment of how to get up without her sword or hair getting in the

way, Serena stuck her left foot in the left stirrup, grabbed the edge of the saddle, reigns in one hand, and

jumped up, swinging her legs over the broad back of the horse.

When she found she was sitting astride and wasn't sprawled on the ground, she opened her eyes; she had

shut them. When she found herself perched perfectly on the back of the calm horse, she beamed at her

friends, silver-gold hair glinting in the early morning sunlight. Almost microscopic beads of early morning

mist clinging to her entire form and made her shine. Mounted on a pure white steed, silver circlet glittering,

eyes shining, silver sword at her side, she did indeed look every bit a warrior princess of the moon.

"Diol elle." Serena said to the elf maidens, then to the elf lord. She beamed at Legolas, then grinned at her

friends, the Senshi all lined up on her right, the Fellowship on her left.

"Where to, Aims?" Serena asked the Senshi closest to her. Ami smiled gently at the shining radiance that

surrounded her princess; her confidence was so much higher than when she had first met her!

"North," Ami said. She pointed down one of the paths leading out of the clearing that they were in, the

clearing that marked the edge of Lothlorien.

"Alrightie, then!" She crowed. "Let's move out, peop-" She paused and frowned. "Hey, you know, we gotta

think of a name to call us all." She said. Ami blinked in surprise, as did the Hobbits and Gimli. Serena rolled

her eyes. "I mean, they're the Fellowship," She waved her arm to the aforementioned group. "And we're the

Senshi," She continued. "But for this purpose we're all one group. So we should have a name." Her eyes

and crescent moon on her brow gave a determined glitter. Raye grinned; finally the girl was learning to use

that bright brain she'd had all along.

"I believe I may have a suggestion, my lady," Eyes turned to look at the speaker, the elf lord, with surprise.

He grinned. "I would not be much of a traveling lord if I did not know Common," he said. All at once

several members of the Fellowship looked sheepish for not thinking of that, as did some of the Senshi.

"That's okay," Serena chirped, not minding in the least. "So, what was your idea?"

"I believe, my lady, that 'the Companionship' would be an appropriate title." He said. "For are they not

'accompanying' you on your quest to the place best suited for the destruction of the Ring?"

"Blondie has a point," Raye said, referring to the elf lord. She ignored his annoyed glance. Her horse shifted

beneath her, and she laid a calming hand on his neck.

"Sounds good to me!" Hotaru said brightly.

"It does have an appropriate ring to it." Gimli said gruffly. He wasn't used to admitting an elf had made a

good suggestion.

"Alrightie then!" Serena crowed, snapping her fingers in triumph. "The Companionship it is!" She beamed

at the elf lord. "Thanks!" He nodded, bowing his head slightly, his lips quirked in amusement. Were one to

watch him closely, one might fall under the impression that they had imagined him looking up and winking

at Legolas as if to congratulate him.

"Shall we, then?" Boromir spoke up. "As Aragorn said, the day grows old."

"And no one likes a spinster!" Serena grinned. "Okieday, onward we go to- uh, Ami-chan? What was the

name of the place again?" Laughter was heard, but Serena ignored it.

"Mirkwood, Serena," Ami laughed. Serena grinned.

"Rightie, then. Onward to Mirkwood!" She said, urging her horse forward with her knees, surprised she

remembered that was how you did it. "Hey," She commented to herself, heading for the path Ami had

pointed to earlier. "'Onward' and 'Mirkwood…' was it just me or did that sorta rhyme?"

Her question was met by laughter as the Companionship, riding forward after her, formed a ring around

Serena on the wide path.

Through the trees, the sun cleared the mountain range and shone it's glory down on all of Middle Earth.

Another day had dawned, and as they watched the Companionship leave the elven city of Lothlorien, many

thought for the first time in a long while that maybe it wouldn't be one of the last they ever saw.

Thus Concludes Part One of  The Will of the Ring... To Be Continued in Part Two, beginning with Chapter Thirteen Ta-da! So, how did I do? I hope that blooper I mentioned at top wasn't too bad. Easily fixed, thankfully. ^^ Anyhoo, keep an eye out for my Halloween fic I'll be posting later this evening. Since it's seasonal, I'll probably take it down in a week or two after the halloween spirit dies down, unless it does really well. Anyhoo, hope you all enjoyed this chapter, the end of Part One of Will of the Ring. Part Two will consist of their journey to Mirkwood, their stay there, the destroying of the Ring, and...*laughs evilly* and when I address the frequent question of whether or not Serenity's being Sauron's daughter will affect whether or not she will turn evil. *grins sinisterly* heheheheheheh..... *ahem* 'Newayz, once again I want people to remember that this is *AU!!!* Meaning ALTERNATE UNIVERSE!!!! Meaning somethings will be DIFFERENT! With that final reminder, ja until next time! Hope Makes the Universe Shine, Makura Koneko P.S. Had to repost this chappie; big thanks to CelestialDreamBlaze for catching that blooper!!! *ALL STANDARD DISCLAIMERS*