Title: Of Sunrays and Moonbeams
Chapter: Darkness Soon Approaches
Author: Celestial DreamBlaze
Archive: SM/LotR
Category: Romances, Action/Adventure
Pairing: Usagi/Legolas
Feedback: Swt_artistia_gherl@yahoo.com
Disclaimer: I do not own the Characters, though it is a fervent wish of mine.
Summary: They start their journey. Troubles ahead.
Notes: This is only part A of chapter 12 where they are going to Moria. I'm having trouble with the mine scene. Part B will be the mine scene. I'm trying to get into my 'still-working-on-it-Plot' which is doing rather badly.
Apologies: I'm sorry! I know I lied. It's the day after. *Cowers in fear at readers * It's just that I got caught up in school with test and projects and all… *says in meek voice * you forgive me, don't you? Plus… *holds in a wail * I have SATs soon and I'm scared you guys! More scared than going into the mines of Moria in my overactive imagination! And that's scary. I NEED a good score or else I'm never ever gonna get off of this freakin' island! I want out!
Okay, now that that rant is over here's the other stuff... The Mine scene was harder than I expected and I tried hard to keep the order of sequence accurate while trying to deviate from copying the book outright. If any of you feel it IS TOO close to the book, tell me because I'm having a hell of a time from doing so.
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Setsuna had gone back to her time. She dreaded what was to come but knew it had to happen sooner for their angers would be much greater held any longer.
She came face to face with the haggard eyes of the Ocean and Sky senshi.
"Setsuna! Thank Neptune you're here, Hotaru is missing. We have not seen her for over a week."
Setsuna pitied them, the looks on their faces, the worry, it had seemed like they had aged ten years. It was worse much worse than she had imagined, with the loss of Usagi they had been coping just barely, now with Ru gone… she should have thought more on this.
"I advise you to sit down first."
Michiru frowned at Setsuna's detached voice. It was unlike the Time Senshi to be so calm about Hotaru. Unless…
Haruka remained standing, her body guarded as she waited, what was to be sure, the bad news. She cast a worried glance to Michiru who had gotten pale and sat on the white recliner close to her.
"It is hard for darkness to live without light. I could see how miserable it was making her. I returned darkness to the light."
Haruka stood rigid with shock, her fury bubbling up inside her, exploding in her heart. A million emotions passed through, none she cared to experience again but would be present until the two light of her life came back. She clenched her fist. She knew Pluto did what was right, the Time Guardian had long ago stopped worrying about what was best for the Time Gates but Haruka couldn't help but think that Setsuna did it for the Time Gates.
She didn't know what to do. First, it was Usagi, now it was Hotaru. It was too much. She couldn't handle life without the care of the little firefly. They needed a child to cherish in their life. One that would come only from the line of the Moon and in the premises of the Outer Solar System. They were Hotaru and Usagi.
"Take us there."
Setsuna blinked in surprise. She was certain it would be Haruka to suggest such a thing but Michiru had beaten her lover to it.
"You will not go against us on this Setsuna. Our first priority had been to protect the Solar System of outside intruders but that had changed when Hotaru and Usagi came into our lives. I will protect them Setsuna. And you will take me to them."
******
Hollow eyes gazed at the magnificent city. She would have gushed at its beauty had she not felt sadness so deep within and imprinted upon her heart. Mournful eyes glanced at the remaining fellowship. They had lost one, she thought achingly, lost a partner in adventure and a friend.
~Flashback~
She had been awake then. It had been Sam's turn to watch as everyone had fallen asleep. The area was eerily quiet, no sound could be heard and one's breath echoed loudly in her ears. It unnerved her to think a place could be so silent.
Usagi had been lost in thought when Sam's quiet whispered voice reached loudly to her ears and broke her thoughts.
"—Aragorn… That cloud don't look natural."
Her gaze had snapped to her brother whose gaze was focused intently on the cloud. She too looked and could make out the small flocks of wings among the large mass of darkness from afar heading steadily closer to the area. It searched the land, seemingly looking for something as the black cloud circled and swooped about.
Usagi became tense, she did not like the feeling that came to her—
"Hide! Lay low and still!"
She followed her brother's urgent command, taking shelter beneath the low shrubs. A fraction of the dark clouds had flocked away from the majority and now flew above them. Usagi waited in baited breath as she could hear their wings flap and rustle against the wind. A wave of shivers took her as the dark shadows cast over them, covering the whole area. She was nervous, they were just above and there was a chance they might sight the fellowship. It was fortunate the group slept under the protection of the large boulders, effectively hidden away from the birds.
They waited till the cloud was but a speck in the sky. Slowly, unsure, she followed her brother's lead as he got up and crept towards Gandalf, waking the old wizard.
"Black crows have passed, they fly over the lands between the Mountains and the Greyflood and have passed over Hollin. They are not of the area; they are crebain and hail from Fangorn and Dunland. I do not trust their presence, there is a chance their lands are in trouble and they are fleeing but I fear they may be spying the land. Hawks have also passed. It is best we move in the evening. Hollin is no longer safe; we are likely to be watched."
"As the Redhorn Gate is also," countered Gandalf gravely, "we most likely will not pass from watchful eyes. We will think of our course when it will become necessary. I believe you are right, darkness soon approaches and we must make as much distance as we can."
"It is fortunate our fire had burned low before the crebain came and smoked little," said Aragorn. "We must put it out and not light it again."
Usagi watched wide-eyed and worried. She sincerely hoped things would go better, the journey had just started and they had a long way to go. It would do no good to experience trouble in such an early state.
The rest of the fellowship had awakened and were informed of the recent news. They quickly gathering their provisions and put the fire out.
Pippin, as usual, had whined at the thought of more hazardous trekking. The group had, by now, determined it as his way to lighten the mood. It was a welcome. In this cold weather, there was not much to laugh or think lightly about. It was taking everyone, at least those who were unused to such travel, a great deal of effort to forge ahead without the wistfulness of going home and resting in front of a stoked fire.
Soon they had started again, repeatedly casting a wary eye towards the sky for enemies flocking about.
The fellowship steadily, and slowly, climbed the hills. The mountains growing closer and larger, it was then they saw the looming Caradhras. Caradhras was an imperious peak with its silver snow tip rising to the sky. His sides were exposed, sheer as it fell to the base, dulled red.
The darkened sky seemed like an ill omen of a coming soon to pass. The sun was bleak and they felt little warmth from her bright rays.
Gandalf counseled with Aragorn. "We are on our way to the Redhorn Gate, we will surely be watched and halted by some evil, but that is not what concerns me. It is the weather, with its cold winds hailing down that will be the danger in this path. What say you on our course, friend?"
Usagi noted Frodo's inattention, she too listening to the conversation between the wizard and her brother. Their speaking put a thread of caution in her, what could they speak of that could not be said between all? Was there more harshness to come to their road?
"You know as well as I do that this journey will only grow harder and perilous." Aragorn said. "No matter this, we must forge forth. We must make haste through the mountain. There are no passes at the far south of us…that is until we reach the Gap of Rohan. I do not trust that road after your telling of the ill news of Saruman. If his power has spread as you had said. It is not a pass we can entertain; we know not the side of the Horse-lord if we take it.
"Yes, I wonder of their side. Have they sided with Saruman or are they still their own? Still, Aragorn, you know of another way. One that both you and I have unsavory thoughts of and the darkness it holds, one that we still have not spoken of."
"We must choose our path." Gandalf cautioned, after hearing of Aragorn's refusal to such a take and his wish to let the others go unaware.
"Let us think of the matters while the others rest." Aragorn said finally. He loathed that path, that path spoke of dangers and darkness that, he knew, they would not pass safely. Not that pass.
Usagi studied her brother, studied Gandalf. She didn't know the Mountains as she should and what contained it, but whatever lay in these mountains for them to fear was something bad indeed.
Later again, Aragorn and Gandalf were away from the fellowship. Their eyes towards Caradhras as they seemed to decide what trail they next would take.
Whatever dark path had been spoken of had been forfeited and they would take Caradhras; taking the high pass and the weather he would deal to them.
Gandalf looked grimly at the mountain they would travel beneath. "Caradhras is an ancient one. Known long before Sauron was ever spoken of; he will not let us pass kindly."
~End Flashback~
Her thoughts wandered as she thought of what happened on the high pass. There had been one terrifying moment and truth. One that frightened her to the core and yet, in the end, she could only be grateful.
~Flashback~
"Mama!!" Hotaru screamed, terrified as she slipped, her legs giving way from wear and her arms flayed out in rising panic.
Usagi whipped around to the sound of her baby's yell. Her eyes widening as she ran to catch her baby, ready to transform into Serenity and fly to her if need be, she called forth her transformation and stopped when she saw there was no need.
It had all happened in a second.
The second after that though, Legolas, who was beside the frail looking child should she need help, caught her. Hoisting the child onto his back, her weight but a feather to him, she would stay there, safe in his care.
"Thank you," Hotaru spoke, exhausted, her eyes already drooping as she slept.
Gratitude shown in Usagi's eyes as she reached the two, she could see Legolas' annoyance for she knew this was what he argued with her about and did not want happening.
~End Flashback~
Legolas stood, a little ways away from the distraught Usagi. He noticed how Lothlorien failed to capture her awe and he could only guess how deeply she mourned. Legolas shook his head, now, more than ever, he wished she and Hotaru had not followed. It had already been proven when he caught the little one as she almost fell from the steep snow covered Caradhras. Fear had gripped him as he had scrambled to catch her, unheeding his already precarious step. He had to find away for them to stay in Lothlorien, he would not risk the lost of them. He would never allow it.
Usagi never noted her silent watcher, still deep in her own thoughts. The fellowship had barely managed to pass beneath Caradhras. The mountain had been out to get them, the heavy snow falling in large amounts, so thick they could not see a few yards past them. The cold air had proven to take its toll on their skin. Usagi had been slightly susceptible, having experienced such coldness. Sustained by the Miruvor and Gandalf's fire, risking being sighted by enemy eyes, and managing to avoid the avalanches the mountain had hailed on them, they were only too relieved when Legolas informed them that the sun was but around the corner and the blizzard was not as harsh. They were only fortunate, for the news had been only a hairsbreadth away from the Hobbits and Hotaru's turning into Popsicles.
Then, their road was decided, going to the eviler path of the forked road, one darker than any forest, than any swamp, than any habitat gracing Middle Earth.
~Flashback~
"We shall rest for now." Gandalf spoke, conscious of everyone's weariness.
"Where will we go next?" asked Frodo.
"We still have to complete our task. It is either to return to Rivendell or forge ahead." The thought of going back to a cheerful place lightened three of the hobbits, the rest of the fellowship gave no sign of deciding.
"I do not want to disappoint the others, I will not bear shame nor be defeated. I will not give up unless our task is already hopeless and there is no use. Is there hope?"
"If we go back, the Ring will be left there and we will not have a chance like this again, then it will hopeless for Rivendell would soon be under attack."
"Then we must continue," Frodo spoke gravely, his thoughts on the travel ahead. He could not have guessed it would be as hard as this. Who was he to think he could do this alone? He thought, briefly back at the council, when he decided to take up the task of returning the ring himself.
"There is one way, one in which I did not want to speak of. Our choice of roads grows smaller and there is one, one very old and dangerous road. The mines of Moria."
The hobbits chilled.
"We cannot go there. If we can't pass by way of the mountains why not take the southward pass—to the Gap of Rohan, the men are friendly to my people, or we could take the path farther beyond." Boromir said.
"If it were not near Isengard, then I would consider such a trail, Saruman is bent on getting the Ring so that trail is closed. As for the path beyond, we cannot for the road is long and will take much of our time. It will be suspicious of us to pass many lands by such a diverse group; we would not go unwatched and would probably be attacked.
"We must hide from enemy eyes for a while, and that mean is by the mines. The Enemy will not expect a choice as this"
"Ar.. Are you sure the Mines is the ONLY passage to our journey?" Usagi spoke hesitantly after Boromir's own protest. Something still churned within her. She couldn't help but feel a chilled gasp at the thought of the path through the mines. Dark. It would be dark everywhere.
"There is no other way." Though he himself was loath to enter Moria, he had to think of the fellowship and the harshness it would bring them if they did NOT choose Moria—especially the Hobbits. The gap of Rohan was far too close to Isengard to take, and a longer journey would not prove useful to their side.
She shook. Moria. The tales she had heard of its Mines were enough to give her great misgivings. The thought of entering it had never crossed her mind and she now knew this was the pass Gandalf and Ro refused to take. Unless necessary.
This was the necessary.
She sighed frustrated. If only she could TELEPORT the fellowship to their desired path, but something was wrong. Something had gone awry when her powers awoke and now… now she was restricted with only the usual basic spells any wizard apprentice would know how to do. She knew that whatever was building within her spoke of caution, a hesitation to use such things that grew within.
Everyone was also tired. They may have survived the cruel Caradhras' onslaught but he had succeeded in taking their strength, all seemed weary and could only think of the end of the journey.
"I have been there before, and come out across alive, if you trust me. I would not lead you to a place I thought would be of no chance of survival. If there are Orcs, there will be little for most have been destroyed, so there is chance Moria is not littered with them. If you allow me to lead you all blind through its dark caverns I will take you through Moria."
The conclusion to go was not unanimous, most refused to go to such a place. In the end, the decision was left to Frodo, and although Frodo did not wish to take it, he knew better than to doubt Gandalf's judgment. He could only ask all to vote the next morning commenting how one could not think clearly through the howling winds.
Aragorn jumped up, familiarity coursed him at the sound of those 'winds.' "Wargs. It is the Wargs, they have come west of the Mountains."
It was then their choice was pushed. It was either be eaten or go through the mines.
Hotaru shivered, snuggling (practically squeezing) her mother. The howling scared her, she had not heard that type of howl before and she did not want to imagine what kind of beasts could make such noises. Her eyes shut tight, for once, being scared of the darkness she usually loved and felt at home in. The darkness no longer felt relaxing or calm but it was threaded with fear, danger, and whispers of terror. Her only comfort was her mother and even then, she worried. Something was wrong with her mamma, there was a strange glint in Usagi's eyes that she never before witnessed. These were ill times indeed.
That night
The fellowship rested together in the dark barren land. Keen eyes surveyed the country, as they were situated upon a small hill encompassed with aged trees, wary of the slightest of movements. It was Gandalf's watch, his eyes focused and peering, he would not risk the lives of the fellowship. They had all become very dear to him and he would do anything he could to prevent them harm.
A whisper caught him, his body tensed as he peered into the night. He could hear the wolves surround the, their howls echoing in the empty air. Many eyes gazed at them, the glints in their eyes often seen from their position atop the hill.
Gandalf stood against one of the wolf-like creature that stood on one of the many boulders that circled the hill.
He shouted at the wolf, threatening him. "Retreat, hound of Sauron. I am Gandalf, I will not tolerate threats! Make haste and leave or I shall burn you all to cinders!"
The beast growled, his fire lit eyes glittered darkly at the fellowship. He started towards them, jumping high in the air. Legolas, quick to act, pulled the rope taut and let go, his arrow sang through the air, piercing the beast's throat. Empty darkness came after, no sight of those peering eyes. The Wargs silenced, all that could be heard was the whisper of the lonely wind.
The hobbits and girls managed to fall into a fitful sleep, still mindful of the fact that the enemy lurked about. They woke abruptly as the howling returned, their cries louder than ever. His eyes on the enemies, Gandalf ordered the hobbits to add more wood and unsheathe their swords. Frodo did so and with the better lighting, he could see they were surrounded. Wargs hailed upon them from all sides of the hill, they stood dangerously on the boulders, ready to attack. And many more were coming.
Usagi and Hotaru followed Gandalf's command, Usagi bringing out her sword and Hotaru silently calling out her deadly glaive. To say the least, the men in the fellowship were briefly surprised that such an innocent looking child would hold such a wicked looking weapon. Hotaru's eyes narrowed, her quick mind calculating, wondering if they'd be able to destroy all of them. For now she would just wield her glaive, if worse comes to worse she would transform and use her attack.
Usagi froze as she saw they were surrounded, several large beasts gazing at them with a malicious look in their eyes. The sinister gleam in the beasts pulled to her, telling her to come; for her to come to them, to join them. She could feel their darkness, taking her in, pulling her close.
No!
Usagi dropped her sword, it vanished into nothingness as she slumped to the ground as she clapped her hands to her ears, trying desperately in vain to block her thoughts. She was not evil, she was not the ominous darkness, and she would not become something she hated!!!
The Fellowship barely noted the hysterical women as they faced the creatures.
Hotaru was shook, she had slain a few of the Wargs without help, but her mother's startling move worried her. Usagi would never behave in such a manner—would do all she could to help and yet her mother was rocking back and forth, her eyes clenched shut, as if she were the teenager all those years ago.
It was like her mother couldn't handle it. That she was uncertain. Dread shot through Hotaru's veins, eying her mother warily, that did not bode well and what did not bode well was that Hotaru could see the desperateness in her mother was familiar. But how?
Usagi was in her own world, trapped within her mind. She stood paralyzed as the onslaught continued about her. She had to get over this; she had to fight the darkness. She pulled into herself, casting away the darkness that surrounded and drew in the light, summoning the small glimmer hidden in her soul. Calling forth her sword, once more she managed to hack off a few heads, intent on killing the darkness.
The more capable of the fellowship succeeded in killing off all those attack but out of the darkness more seemed to keep coming.
Gandalf's eyes were resolute and firm as they narrowed darkly at the Wargs. He appeared to rise, growing under the flickering campfire. He rose in stature, appearing greatly like the kings of old. Taking a branch from the fire, he confronted the wolves, his stance threatening.
He flung the branch in the air, flaring with a luminescent glow that snaked about the sky, his voice rose above, loudly ringing in the fellowship's ears as he uttered. "Naur an edraith amen! Naur dan i ngaurhoth!"
A deafening wave of sound rose. The tree above him combusted into a haze of fire, the flame marvelously leaping towards the remaining trees. The hill was lit brightly among them, everyone able to see things with such clarity under the intense light.
Legolas' bow sung one last time as the final arrow pierced into the heart of a great wolf-chieftain, the remaining creatures retreating once again into the darkness.
They did not come back.
The next day, all remained the same as it had been except for the charred trees now scorched black and those of Legolas' arrows littered atop the hill. There were no sign of the wolves, not even of those they had slain.
Gandalf looked grim. "They were not usual wolves hunting for their meals. They were meant for us. Let us eat and leave as soon as possible."
It was decided, between staying with the wolves and Moria, the fellowship chose the dark mines and so they started on the path towards the sheer walls and cliffs that held the infamous mines of Moria.
~End Flashback~
The path before them wasn't as bad as what laid ahead. Ahead was infinitely worse.
Usagi shivered.
She could remember the whole ordeal, how the chambers and cavern had chilled her heart. How those moments of darkness had taken her completely. Left her with nothing but an empty shell as she struggled to remain conscious. How she had felt terrified to succumb to the dark and the aching clarity of what had happened.
******
*shakes head pathetically * I said I'd edit it, I tried to, but I still think it's a shitty chapter. God, and I'm in the school newspaper, my adviser would kill me at this shoddy job. Any beta's out there? I need one. Just send references please *smiles cheesily * ^.~
I know it's not much, and you all are pretty disappointed but I'm having a hard time. Writer's block is hell and I'm struggling to try to keep things original, which is going on pathetically. My notes are all askew and school is killing me. I know this is hard, but please, I'm asking you to be patient with me. I truly love this story, it's just I haven't found the time for it.
~C.Blaze
BIG MAHALOZ to all you Reviewerz
Alexz, Niner, Tenshi-Hotaru, Lady Love, Silver Angel8, Chihiro, Rose, Mayumi-8805, Lady Phoenix Slytherin
Star Magick – I'm glad I was able to make you laugh, I was worried I wouldn't make it humorous. ***** - Thank you for waiting and the encouragement. SWKay – I'm glad you're enjoying the story, writing Kill Legolas! Was fun… Saturnpyroprincess - *grins * great, I was able to reduce someone into an insane fit of giggles. :P erika – I do plan to continue on the next book. Its just its being met with difficulty. I appreciate that you like this story enough to encourage me to write more. Serenity Silvermoon – sorry for the twitches! I can't help it, it's HARD to write these chapters lately. All the technicality and adding my own little spice to it. I think I would have been better of writing my own expedition. *sigh * alas, I'm a stickler for keeping things accurate. Damn me. :P Bluejello – I'm glad I made you laugh. And I do hope the future chapters (and sequels) are good and pleases you. MarsMoonStar – Here, let me help you up. :P BabySerenity – thanks for the tidbit. Still, this phenomenon is rare. Still, as there wasn't the medical advancements of today that would allow us to gene test the baby of those days. I find it a possibility that perhaps she was fertilized. It isn't hard to believe that a white and black couple could make a black skinned child. I'd figure the black skinned trait would be more dominant than white. I appreciate that you took the time to explain it to me and that you read the whole story enough to miss precious sleep (I know how it can be to lose sleep :P) Thanks. Callisto Star – hm… I'm honored to have you review. Twice. I'm glad you liked Tom being in here, I liked Tom greatly in the book. I'm glad you liked Pippin's disposition and his reaction to the classical anime behavior. *looks thoughtful * I can't help but feel you were disappointed with my Hotaru explanation…that I should have (could have, I don't know) done better than the usual magic theory. I understand if you think so, it shows a lack of creativity and imagination. Who knows, maybe more will be read into that. Akoya – : D, thank you for thinking this story is unique. Alter-ego1 – I certainly wouldn't call this the best, I haven't read any lately, but I'm pretty sure there are way better authors writing LotR/SM. Like Callisto Star, check her out. Nevertheless, I am honored you feel this is the best. moonbunny77 – I'm glad you like the Usagi's portrayal. AMI MIZUNO1 – I'm sorry for making you anxious and making you wait. I hope you won't be too disappointed of this chapter. EjqHorseLady – 1.) hehe.. *nervous grin * truth is, I'm not EXACTLY sure about Hotaru's age either. She's in her twenties but with all the cleanliness and healthiness, age has stretched and she's still in her child years. Sort of like LotR, I guess, I think it's understood that the Hobbits are 'of age' at 30, it's just like that. Bad explanation, I know. I can't find my damn notes. 2.) No, middle earth does not know Japanese. Usagi already knows English, of course Sets would know English, and Hotaru knows it from her mother and the Outers. 3.) actually, she periodically visits and, seeing as it was Destiny's fault, Setsuna is allowed leniency. You know, under the clause of protecting her princess who was in the 'wrong' Earth, like when Usa was a child. 4.) I'll think about it. They'll get closer, but no intimacy, I want it believable.
angelwings6117 – I know *grins sheepishly *, that was one of the things I noticed. I was like. Whoops. But I liked both scenes so I kept it in, much to my idiocy. :P
And to anyone I missed, mahaloz, a big one, especially who took the time to email me!
Again, I thank all reviewers and emailers, you guys are the ones that keep me with this fic. Don't get me wrong, I like it and all but it's a bugger when you have to type it all out. It's all in my head and my head is a jumbled mess.
Further reviews are encouraged and appreciated. Critique reviews greater.