Now I will tell you what I've done for you
50,000 tears I cry
Screaming,
Deceiving,
And bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me
....GO AWAY....
Don't want your hand this time
I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once (wake up for once)
Not tormented daily defeated by you
Just when I thought I'd reach the bottom

--Evanescence, Going Under

Chapter 4: A New World

"Serenity-Zane, welcome to Middle Earth!"

The two stepped through the portal, and Serenity-Zane marvelled at the sight that met her eyes. They stood atop a lush green grassy hill brimming with a veritable rainbow of sweet-smelling wildflowers. The sky was clear and impossibly blue, and high stony mountains towered all about them, their snowy peaks glistening like glittering shards of white diamonds in the sunlight. Galadriel pointed to the great sentinals of stone.

"These are called the Misty Mountains. And there, the ribbon of blue to the east? That is Anduin, the Great River. But there is little time for a tour. We must be on our way. Our friends wait for us in Rivendale." The elven woman murmured an Azuka incantation into the air, and even though it was barely a whisper, it seemed to grow strong and carry on the wind, beyon the hills and mountains like some magical breeze.

Sakura-Zane wondered what her aunt was trying to accomplish by this action when she heard a horse's neigh, echoing across the valley. Suddenly, over the hill came a magnificent white stallion. It seemed to come toward them in slow motion, its main and tail billowing about it like white cloud. It stopped before Galadriel, intelligence glittering in its dark eyes as it nodded its great head at her. Galadriel patted the horse's muzzle affectionately. "This is Shadowfax, the lord of all horses," she said reverently.

"Lord of horses?"

"Yes. He is ancient, as old as the great wizard to whom he belongs. Gandalf the Grey allowed me to borrow him for the purpose of finding you."

"You have wizards here?"

Galadriel chuckled. "My, my, but you are full of questions. They will all be answered in due time. But you must have a horse of your own if you are travel to Rivendell."

"But I don't have a horse"

"Oh, but you do. You have only to call, and it will come."

The words came to Serenity-Zane instantly. She closed her eyes and recited the incantation, but instead of coming out in a whisper like Galadriel's, it burst forth as a song, a sweet, sonorous melody that dripped like honey and gold upon any ear that heard it. The flowers upon the hill turned to her voice as if turning to the life-giving rays of the sun. Even the birds of the air wheeled about her, drawn to Serenity-Zane's song. The haunting verse resonated across the valley, over the mountains, into the crystal blue dome of the sky. When the song was done and she opened her eyes again, the breath almost left her body as she beheld what her words had conjured.

Over the hill before her bounded a massive, glorious creature, finer than any horse she'd ever seen. It was black, blacker than midnight on the dark side of the moon, blacker than onyx and obsidian. Its mane was long and white as snow, a blinding white that glistened like the inside of an oyster shell in the sunlight. The tail was likewise white, but the tip was black, as if it had been dusted with coal dust. Its hooves were silver and they seemed to be engraved with elaborate curling patterns and whorls. Around its graceful neck were dozens of delicate sparkling chains of silver from which hung pearls, crystals and silver charms. Upon its right haunch were patches of white shaped like five-pointed stars. It's eyes were blue jewels flecked with silver. But the most astounding feature of this animal was the single horn protruding from its forehead. It was as long as her arm, and seemed to be made of opal and mother-of-pearl, glowing and glistening with an inner fire. The huge beast came to Serenity-Zane, looked into her eyes, and, bending its front legs, bowed to her.

"This," said Galadriel, "is Galaxia, the Equine Empress, and mother to Shadowfax. He may be the Lord of Horses, but Galaxia is mother to them all. And she is yours, Sailor Starcatcher, bound to you as you are now bound to her. You can communicate with her, just as you can with any other animal."

Serenity-Zane was dumbfounded. "Is this true?"

Amazingly, the unicorn replied, "Aye, my lady, it is true. Long have I waited for the Summons of the Lost One to call me to Her service. Your song called me from my long sleep. Now that you are here, my purpose in life shall be fulfilled. Come, friend, climb upon my back, and I will show you what wonders there are to see!"

Serenity-Zane grinned and giggled excitedly and prepared to mount the horse, when she realized the long flowing garments she wore would probably hinder her. She transformed back into Sailor Starcatcher. Her Sailor Suit was black, and trimmed with metallic silver. Three large star-shaped earrings hung from each ear, and she wore a black choker with a silver charm on the front of it. Her hair was silver again, and her eyes were their normal cerulean blue, sparkling with joy. She climbed onto Galaxia's bare back, and horse and rider bounded off over the hills.

"I can run faster than any horse, my lady," said Galaxia. "I can traverse the Celestial Lanes, planes of travel that can instantly take us anywhere we need to be, in this or any other world. However, I have been Sleeping for many eons, and it will take a while for my strength to build so I can perform such duties. There is one thing I can show you, though." There was laughter in the unicorn's voice. Her hooves seem to strike the ground in a blur, and Serenity-Zane felt a wave of energy thrum about her. Then there was a flash, and Serenity-Zane gasped. Galaxia had sprouted wings! They were gigantic and black as a raven's, and flecked here and there with a few white feathers. Galaxia spread her wings, and with a powerful stroke they left the ground and floated like laughing clouds into the waiting sky.

They could see all of Middle Earth from their vantage in the sky. Mountains, rivers, a great ocean and green sweeping plains teeming with villages and animals and life. "This will all be yours, my lady," said Galaxia. Once you defeat the Shadow that darkens our land, you will take your seat at the Throne of Middle Earth, and rule with peace and love. So says the Prophecy of the Azuka."

Serenity-Zane felt uncomfortable with Galaxia's words. She wasn't too sure she wanted to be a Queen. It would be so much responsibility! She wanted to be free to travel the mountains and the plains of this beautiful land. She wanted to be free of all the pain and anguish that had destroyed her life. She was pulled out of her reverie by th sight of a dark, cloudy spot over the horizon to the East. "What's that?" she asked.

She felt a shudder move through the animal beneath her."We must not speak of that place, my lady. Only when the time comes. We must land soon. I only have power enough for short flights, and my strength wanes." Galaxia wheeled around, soaring back to the hill where Galadrial awaited their return.

-------

Galadriel sat upon Shadowfax's back, watching girl and unicorn soar through the heavens with the abandon of youth. A joy came to her heart, and a sadness. Serenity-Zane was so young to be burndened with this dark destiny. She would suffer like no mortal had ever suffered, to bring Light to the world. The evil of their enemy would be defeated, but perhaps at the cost of the girl's innocence. It seemed to be the worst crime imaginable. A tear came to Galadriel's eye at the thought.

/Galadriel?/

She she-elf started slightly at the telepathic touch in her mind, then regained her composure. /Elrond. I've awaited your call. I have found the girl./

A sensation of immense relief, a shuddering breath of precious air after long submersion in a dark, murky depth. /The Lost One is found. All of our prayers have been answered. How does she fare?/

/She is well, Elrond. She is just as the Azuka Propehcy predicted. She is the fairest of any elf that has ever lived, and her power outstrips even that of the Valar [A/N: the Valar are the gods of Middle Earth :-)] She is pure and innocent, untouched by corruption. She is in every way the savior we've longed for these many years./

/Keep her safe, Galadfiel. We cannot allow the dark forces to taint her soul./

/You have the gift of forsight, Elrond. What do you see?/

There was a pause. /I see Serenity-Zane Starcather, Master of the Cosmos, set victorius upon the Throne of Middle Earth, with the White Mountains as her footstool and the stars as a crown upon her snowy head. I see the star Earendil as a jewel upon her brow. I see a Silver Millenium of peace and harmony between all lands and peoples of this world, wrouhgt by her graceful hand. I see her beauty and her power unmatched by any ruler to follow hence./

Galadriel smiled. /Then there is no need for you to worry./

/Yes, you are right. But the anxiety within me will not rest until I see her face. I know it has only been 15 years, but it feels like an eternity. I long to hold my daughter in my arms again./

Galadriel began to respond when a sound distracted her. Thinking Serenity- Zane had returned, she look around, only to be knocked from Shadowfax's back by a powerful blow. She landed on the ground hard, bruised and dizzy. When she came to her senses, she found herself looking up into the snarling, gruesome face of an orc.

"Well, look what we have here," the repugnant creature chuckeled. "Looks like an elf-witch all by her lonesome. Let's have some fun with her, boys!"

A chorus of hoots and growls came from behind him, as dozens of orcs closed in a circle about her. Galardiel shrunk into herself, quaking with terror, knowing the hand of death was upon her.

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Heehee! Evil cliffhanger! I know, I know, but you'll have to wait until the next chapter, and I'll get it done as long as you all don't kill me first! LOL! So, what's in store for Galadriel? Will she perish at the hands of the orcs, or will she be saved? Find out in chapter 5! Ja ne!