A War To Remember
Chapter 2
By: Hotaru170

Disclaimer: I absolutely do not own Sailor Moon or Lord of the Rings. Nor do I own any of its wonderful characters. I wish I did though. My email address is Hotaru170@aol.com or SenshiOfSaturn@aol.com. I want to thank all of my readers for your encouraging reviews. You have inspired me to try and make more time to continue my story.

RECAP: Elrond looked at Hotaru and said, "It is I who should be thanking you, my lady. If it wasn't for your arrival I am afraid that Middle Earth would not survive. I must warn you though. Saruron is more powerful than ever before. His power grows with each day that passes. Please come this way and I will show you to your quarters." Hotaru nodded and followed Lord Elrond into the great house of Rivendell.

'Character thoughts' "Character speaking" *Speaking telepathically* ^"Speaking in Elvish"^

The next day.
Hotaru felt exceptionally better. She actually slept. It had been many years since she slept. Her body didn't require sleep, but it was nice to relax her mind. Which she rarely ever did, because she was protecting the universe. She was the last senshi and therefore that task had fallen upon her.

She walked into a meeting room where Elrond was waiting for the rest of the council member to arrive. He looked at her and motioned for her to sit and talk with him. She sat across from him and said, "I will attend the council but I will remain unseen until I wish to reveal myself. I have a feeling that my attendance as a woman would only hinder the proceedings until the time comes for my interference is necessary. I will remain cloaked and stand behind the rest of the council." Elrond nodded his head and said, "Let them dare show you disrespect and I shall deal with them myself. If that is indeed what you wish, then you shall do as you please. I have no right to give any orders to you. Nor do I feel like you need someone to give you any orders. The council will be called to order as soon as the rest of the representatives arrive." Hotaru nodded and left the room pondering the outcome of council members for the meeting. 'I wonder if Aragorn will announce his presence at the meeting or if he will keep his identity hidden. Perhaps I shall ask him.' She continued to walk until she came upon Aragorn sitting in the hall reading a book. She stopped herself from going in right away and watched him for a moment. As she was watching, Boromir walked in the other room looking at the paintings and Isildur's sword. He didn't even notice her or Aragorn's presence. Aragorn saw him come in and spoke in lower tones to him. Even though the two seemed to be whispering, Hotaru still heard their conversation. She stood there wondering when someone would notice her presence. Boromir sat Isildur's sword back on its pedestal and left the room. Isildur's sword was not set on the pedestal properly and fell. Aragorn picked the sword up and placed it back in place. He stopped and looked up at the painting that showed Isildur cut the ring from Saruron's hand. Hotaru decided to make her presence known and said, ^"Greeting's Aragorn, son of Arathorn. I finally have the pleasure of meeting Estel in person. I assure you it is an honor."^ Aragorn was a bit startled that she had approached him unnoticed. He recovered and said, "I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance my lady. I also wonder how you know of my true identity when I have not introduced myself as that." Hotaru smiled and said, "I am called Hotaru. I know of many things of which most do not, Estel. Perhaps one day I might tell you of many things you wish to know, but now is not the time." She turned and started walking away. Before she reached the door, she turned and said, "Perhaps we will meet again soon at an unexpected time and place." With that last comment she was gone and Aragorn questioned whether or not he really saw her.

The Council.
Lord Elrond led the council members outside where the meeting was going to be held. After everyone was seated and quieted down, he said, "Now that everyone is here, I call this meeting to order. The reason you all have been summoned here is because the one ring has been found. Saruron has returned and is seeking to find the ring of power once more. His forces are gathering and he will declare war upon Middle Earth and all of its inhabitants. We must decide what to do. Frodo would you please bring forth the ring." Frodo got up and placed the ring on the stone in front of the entire council. Gasps were heard through out the council. Hotaru stood behind the seated council members with her cloak hiding her identity and face. None seemed to notice her there because that is the way she wished it to be. She would reveal herself when the time came. So she continued to watch the proceedings with interest.
Boromir stood up and said, "It is a gift. Long has the blood and sacrifices of Gondor kept your borders safe. Let Gondor take the ring and use it against him." Aragorn stood up and said, "No, the ring answers only to Saruron alone. No one can wield it." Boromir sneered at Aragorn and said, "What would a lowly ranger know of these matters?" At that comment Legolas stood up and said, "He is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and the rightful king of Gondor. You owe him your allegiance." Aragorn waved his hand at Legolas and said, ^"Please sit Legolas."^ Boromir was shocked at this and said, "He is Isildur's heir?" He sat down and said, "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." Hotaru really wanted to say something to Boromir but held her tongue. 'Now is not the time, but it will come.'
Elrond waited until everyone quieted down and said, "The ring can only be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom, where it was forged. Someone must take the ring there and destroy it forever." Boromir laughed and said, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. It ground is black and covered in ash. The air there is like fire to your lungs." Elrond was not fazed by Boromir's description of Mordor. He himself had been into the Mountain of Doom, where he told Isildur to destroy the ring. Isildur kept the ring because it poisoned his mind. That was the day that man's strength and honor failed them.
After the suggestion of an elf taking the ring, a dwarf by the name of Gimli stood up. He said, "I'll die before I see the ring in the hands of and elf." That started an argument that everyone soon joined. The only two not arguing were Hotaru, whom still remained unnoticed, and Frodo. A few seconds later Frodo stood up and said, "I will take the ring!" Everyone stopped arguing and looked at Frodo. He said, "Though I do not know the way." Hotaru looked sadly at Frodo. She knew that the task would fall to him but there was nothing she could do. She couldn't interfere with the ring bearer and his journey. 'Now is the time for my appearance.' Hotaru walked forward until all eyes fell on her. She remained cloaked so none could see her face. She stopped in front of Frodo and pulled her hood back. Everyone was shocked that this warrior-clad elf was a woman, except Elrond. She looked down into Frodo's eyes and saw the determination in his eyes, but there was also fear. She smiled at him and said, "Fear not brave hobbit. I have seen into your soul and I see a light that only few people have. As long as this burden is yours to carry then I will help you anyway possible on this quest. I'm sure that I am not the only one as well." With that she turned and looked at the rest of the council. Gandalf came forward and knelt by Frodo. He said, "You have my council, Frodo Baggins." Aragorn came forward and said, "You have my sword." Legolas came forward and said, "You have my bow." Gimli shouted, "And you have my axe!" Boromir looked around and said, "You carry the fate of us all little one. Gondor will see that it is done."
Sam was watching this unfold and ran out of his hiding place. He said, "If Frodo is going than so am I." Elrond was amused and said, "It seems that you two are inseparable. Even when he is summoned to a secret meeting and you are not." Then two more hobbits ran out. Mary said, "We are going with him too." Pippin smiled and said, "Yea, besides you need folks with intelligence on this quest thingy." Mary sighed and said; "I guess that rules you out Pip." Elrond looked at each of the members and said, "Very well, you shall be the Fellowship of the ring. You will leave at dawn tomorrow. Until then, you need to rest up for this perilous journey."
Everyone left the garden except for four people. The four that remained were Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Hotaru. Aragorn was the fist to speak up. He said, "I must say that I am most surprised that we have met again so soon. I am most curious as why you have decided to join Frodo on his quest." Hotaru smiled and said, "I join him for the same reason as you, Estel. The same reason as Prince Legolas of Mirkwood, and Gandalf Stormcrow join him. I also wish to see the ring destroyed. I am only sad that I cannot do it myself. The task should not have fallen upon someone such as he. But nevertheless, I can't control fate. I can only see that the right thing is done." Legolas was studying Hotaru with keen interest. He looked her in the eyes and said, "You are no ordinary elf, my lady. I sense a strong aura form you. One could not have such and aura unless they have lived for many years and possess unusual abilities." Gandalf nodded his head in agreement and said, "You are quite right my friend. It makes one curious as to why someone of such power can't resist the ring's temptation." He directed the last part of his statement to Hotaru, who lifted an eyebrow in amusement. She laughed lightly and said, "One could also say the same of you, Gandalf the Grey. I will tell you this. The reason I am not bearing the ring myself is because it would alert Saruron of my presence and abilities. If that were to happen, the fate of Middle Earth would be utterly doomed. That is why I must keep that from happening. Frodo was meant to bear the ring, just as I was meant to help Middle Earth in its battle against Saruron. I do not fight for glory or riches. I have no need of such things. I fight for good and the people for Middle Earth. I have seen many battles and I loath to fight another, but it must be done. I would prefer it if you kept this discussion between us. I do not trust the other with this information as of yet." The three companions nodded in agreement. Hotaru smiled and said, "Now that we have settled that, I wish to make a few more arrangements before we begin our journey tomorrow." Legolas said, "Good night, my lady." She smiled at him and went back inside.
After she was gone, Aragorn looked at Legolas and said, "If you enjoyed staring at her so Legolas, why didn't you ask her to stay." He laughed at the face Legolas made. Gandalf laughed and said, "Perhaps Aragorn is right. Though I am sure she wouldn't have thought kindly of such a rude request." Legolas was slightly embarrassed at their notice of his actions. He tried recovering from his embarrassment and said, "I was not staring. I was simply bidding her a good night." Gandalf smiled and said, "Very well, my friend. Perhaps we should get some sleep. We have a long day tomorrow and many more to come."

To be continued.

PLEASE READ!!! I was so encouraged by the fantastic reviews that I was rushing to finish chapter two. So here it is everyone. I know there isn't much action in this one but give me some time and there will be some a little later on. I also want to say that I know I changed things around. I skipped a few parts in the actual timeline but it was for reasons of my own. One, it was too much to write. Two, it was not necessary to the plot line. Three, I am writing all of this stuff from memory and I can't recall every detail. Four, I am the author and I can do it if I want to. Anyway, please leave a review. I would greatly appreciate it! ^_^