Light For All To See
by Empress Blade


Part 2


Three weeks had passed after Gandalf left the Shire and life continued as it had done. It was on a particular day in July, a few days after Serena's birthday that Frodo made an announcement. He would be selling Bag End. The new occupants were none other than the Sackville-Bagginses. Much bustling and business came to and from Bag End with Sam Gamgee, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took helping with the business of moving out. Serena and Luna helped as well but for the most part kept to themselves. Serena knew that whatever she said to her Uncle Frodo, that she would not be allowed to go with them to Rivendell. Luna had been split in half wether or not her princess should go on the quest or to stay in the Shire.

*~FlashBack~*
"Sauron is back. You must go soon." Gandalf said
"Yes Gandalf, I hear your words but, what of Serena?" Frodo asked forgetting of Luna for a while.

"Serena will stay with me. Not into danger will she walk through and no one shall harm her." Luna hissed. "I will always protect my mistress."

"Indeed you must. For as long she stays with Frodo and the Ring, she will be gone evermore into the darkness of Mordor." Gandalf said quietly.

"NO!" Luna screamed forcefully. "You do not understand!

In the hands of the Moon's heir

Will the Princess be drawn to the Shire

In a star so far away she is peace itself

Dark are the troubles of Middle-earth

But in the hands of Serenity

Will the nine continue ever on

Towards peril unknown light be shone

For Love itself is the heir

Who will be drawn to the Shire

And defeat Chaos and his malice

Thus princess will marry the Elven Prince

Doth her presence be gone evermore

Don't you see! She will not be gone into the Darkness of Mordor! But to an Elven Prince! Serena is not who you think she is. She was a princess long ago. So long that it may be immeasurable. She may be Nimithil!"

*~End~*

Serena was determind to keep her Uncle safe and without talking to Luna, she persuaded her Uncles Sam, Merry and Pippin to let her help them. No sooner had she persuaded them, the time came for Frodo's last stay in Bag End.

Two months had passed and Serena sighed as two covered carts went off to Buckland. Serena knew that it would be for the better so she waited with her Uncle Merry for her Uncle Frodo to come to the Brandywine Bridge. It was upon one night that changed many lives underneath the starlit and moonlit sky.

Serena sat with her Uncle Merry and cat, Luna sitting and waiting for Frodo, Sam and Pippin to come near Crickhollow. It was a quiet night as the three set about to setting the small hole in order. Serena began to grow worried whence two days passed and her other uncles had not arrived. Thus went Merry to pick up the lot and Serena waited.

"Luna, they've been go for so long." she whispered to her cat. "And to think that Uncle Frodo has to do all of this because of some stupid Ring."

"You musn't say such things! That Ring is no mere object. It is a work of evil!" The cat looked at her princess and what she saw made her quake in fear. "You are thinking of going with him though you were told not to do so. Tonight I would've told you that you would stay with me without a doubt. I had been thinking long into the hours what to do with this situation now I'll voice my final opinion. Where you will go, I will follow you to where your destiny leads thee." Serena looked at her only friend since she had found out that she had been whisked away from a world that gave her so much happiness and yet so much pain.

"Luna, I am regaining memories of my painful past and it hurts me to think of the eight best friends that I had to leave behind. To leave the one man that I had ever loved. Now I am here on Middle-earth and my destiny, I fear will lead me to protect my protectors. You see Luna;

The world is soon changing
Will it be the beginning or the end?
Is the darkness to take over or will the light prevail?
Who will save Middle-earth from all the despair?
Questions, questions
Too many to be answered
Yet let fate take its course
For fate is within the hands of those you hold dear

For that fair judgement lies with Nimithil
Through darkened skies and rushing water
Through sooty earth and blazing fire
Come nine to save the light
A light unquenchable yet in danger still
Nine are the fellowship
Nine are the Knights of Light
Questions, questions
Too many to be answered
Yet let fate take its course
For fate is within the hands of those you hold dear
Yet fate is in the fair judgement of Nimithil

So you see Luna. There is no other way. I will go where Uncle Frodo may lead. It is all I can do because I can not sit idle while time runs thin. Already I fear and feel the darkness come ever near." The golden haired girl began to cry. Silently the tears fell and Luna came to comfort her when she felt the same feeling she had when Serena first disappeared. Within a soft flash of peaceful light a crystal appeared before Serena whom held out her hand. The crystal was that of the Silver Crystal!

"Why I never!" breathed Luna when she saw that the crystal was held by a silver chain and incased by a silver moon. The necklace was not the only thing to appear for a staff came with it. The staff was a strange thing for it seemed heavy and too elaborate. It was made of a silver and gold metal that radiated a light like no other. Around it was a weaving vine with nine symbols on each.

'Pluto, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon.' thought the saddened girl.

"Tis the Star Staff. A staff that holds the powers of all my friends and myself. Tis a dangerous staff and most sacred." Serena replied to Luna's unvoiced question.

Suddenly there was a pounding at the door and Luna went to answer it. With the Silver Crystal around her delicate neck and the staff she hid away, Serena went to the door as well to see whom was there.

"Come in, come in!" Luna said happily as Serena opened the door. "You must be tired. There's a bath upstairs for you all nice and steaming. Goodness it seems awful outside with all that rain!" The four Hobbits nodded their thanks and set about doing their business. Sam, Merry and Serena went about cooking final preperations for a late supper whilst they heard Pippin sing a merry little song from the bath.

Atfter supper was finished all five gathered around the fire. It was upon that night Frodo learned that Serena, Sam, Merry and Pippin would travel with him to the very darkness of Mordor.

"Friends this is a grievous task. You can not come!" he said.

"We will come even if you threw us into the Brandywine River!" Sam said vigorously.

"Serena, you must see that this is a dangerous journey!" Frodo tried again in protest.

"I know that but where you will go I will go. We know of the Ring. We've known it now for some time." Serena answered.

"How?" asked Frodo.

"I told them." Merry answered. "I saw Bilbo disappear one day. Twas the Sackville-Bagginses that were his undoing. I was walking along the path when I saw Bilbo. Up ahead there were the S-B's and then presto! Bilbo had suddenly vanished! Before he disappeared, I saw a hint of gold."

"Then I came on the night Gandalf came to call when Serena had her 'fit' and heard of the Ring. I says to Pippin and Merry that you had planned on leaving. We decided to follow you wether you liked it or not!" said Sam stoutly.

"Besides you need good companions on this sort of journey!" Pippin piped up.

"But Serena, whence do you come into this conspiracy?" asked Frodo puzzled, frustrated and relieved.

"By persuading my uncles to help on the way. I rather forcefully implied that I'd follow you even though you left in secret." the golden-haired girl replied.

"Then so be it. We leave tomorrow with Fatty Bolger looking after Crickhollow. He knows of that your in danger especially with those Black Riders about." Merry decided.

"Black Riders?" Serena asked.

"Evil things they are dear and we will not speak of them. Come we must hurry to Rivendell for that is the place Gandalf had told us to go to." Frodo said.

"Yes. When are we going?" Pippin asked. The other Hobbits rolled their eyes and Serena giggled.

"Why Rivendell? Surely we should go to Bree before we make such a perilous journey. Besides, we know not where Rivendell may be." Luna uttered. The four Hobbits and Serena looked on at the cat.

"Why I never! Tis a talking cat! I thought when you had opened the door that it was you speaking Serena!" Merry said slapping his hand on his head.

"I surely AM a fool of a Took!" Pippin agreed and there was much laughter.

While her uncles continued on with their merry ways, Serena was asleep and in her dreams she felt a peace that she had never felt before yet it was to be disrupted by an evil presence.

*~Dream Sequence~*

I am sitting by a sparkling river and all around me are my Senshi. I can see my Uncle Frodo, Uncle Sam, Uncle Merry and Uncle Pippin standing on the bridge talking. Uncle Frodo looks paler then but I knew-no-felt that he was beginning to get better with each passing moment. I hear the Senshi talk to one another of a Journey and of how strange it seemed that Darien hadn't come with them. It feels strange that Darien isn't here and how unashamed I feel for not wanting him with me. As if my 'true' love and soulmate was very close and Darien was a passing memory and just a fleeting presence in the world I was supposed to rule.

I notice what my Senshi could not, a figure walking closer and closer towards me. 'It's him!' I say in this peacefulness and I begin to run. No one to hold me back I want to fling myself around him but he grows farther and farther away. He grows dim and his features blur. Then I feel like I'm being sucked up into darkness and I stretch and stretch for the light I may leave. Then I am turned around and I see a terrible eye surrounded by evil and fire!

'Sauron!' I scream. 'Never will you take Middle-earth for your time will come when we will destroy you!'

*~End~*

Serena woke up and felt sweat run down her body. "Good, you're awake. I almost thought I had to scream at you like in olden times." Luna said to the pale girl. "Serena, are you okay?" The cat leaped on to the bed and into her Princess' lap.

"I'm fine Luna. No need to fuss." Serena answered. "Are we going to leave now?"

"Morning you two. Would you like some breakfast before we go?" asked Pippin helping the young girl out of bed.

"Ugh, Uncle Pippin, why are we going so early?" whined Serena brushing her long hair.

"Because there's much to be done. We're going to be going to the Old Forest since we are sure to be caught in the most obvious place." Luna answered. "Now up lazybones!"

"Yes, yes." Serena mumbled. "You're so mean." Luna's ears twitched and she tried to fight a cattish smile off her feline face. This morning brought the many memories she had when she tried to wake Serena.

*

When the first rays of morning finally came. The four Hobbits, cat and human girl went off towards the Old Forest in the earliest hours of the morning. With danger behind them and danger ahead they were determind to bring the Ring as Gandalf had wished it. Earlier Luna had informed Serena, as she got dressed and her things together, that they were to pass through the old wood before going to Bree to see if Gandalf had left any other directions. Merry knew that they could stay in the Inn of the Prancing Pony. Then they bid good-bye to Fatty Bolger whom would keep safe Crickhollow while they were gone.

After many hours of walking, they had reached the edge of the Old Forest and had finally left the Shire. 'I don't like this.' thought Serena and recached for the crystal necklace around her neck with her left hand as she grabbed the staff in her right, which seemed to the Hobbits, just a walking stick that she had made from some fallen tree branch. They did not see the markings that Luna or Serena could see.

"I do not like this Master Frodo." Sam said voicing everyone's worry.

"Should we turn back?" asked Pippin.

"We must press on, if not then all would be lost." Merry said as he took one step forward. "I think we must take the northen path. Tis that way."

"How do you know Uncle Merry?" asked Serena worriedly.

"Because a man named Bilbo Baggins told us. A fine hobbit he was." Merry answered and led the small company on to a path crowded with many bushes, grass and roots. An hour later they passed into the old wood.

"It feels like the trees want us to go no farther." Frodo said quietly. Quiet was the wood for no singing of birds were heard. The trees loomed over the small comapny stiffling out any sound. An hour later, the company was lost for it seemed that the trees kept barring their way and the path was lost to them completely. Pippin felt like he had not the strength to bear against the wood any longer.

"Oi! Oi! I am not going to do anything. Just let me pass through, will you?" Pippin cried. To Serena, the trees seemed to grow in more suspicion and anger.

"Uncle Pippin, I do not think you should shout. It's not doing any good." she said softly. Luna lay in her arms for she grew weary and the air was stifling. They all looked around and Merry looked side to side looking for the path.

"It has not taken a lot of time for these trees to loose us." Sam said following Merry's observation.

Pippin nodded his agreement but at that moment Merry whistled low in relief.

"Well, it seems as if these trees do know how to shift. Look up ahead! There's a meadow that I think is Bonfire Glade however it seems, the path has moved away." he said and they went forward. As they moved, it seemed to grow lighter and the air more fresher. Very soon they found themselves surrounded by tress but in a wide, circular space. The sky shone blue and the sun beamed merrily. Rough grass and many tall plants were only around the space. Though it felt and looked dreary, Serena and Frodo began to take heart.

At the far side of the glade they found a path winding its way through the wood.

"Hey there! That path leads up to a hill down yonder. It may take us very soon out of the wood." Merry said. So they walked and the air began to grow more stifling until found their way up a small hill. A misty fog had surrounded them as they made their way but began to grow clearer as they go to the top.

Trees surrounded the hill like sharp strands of hair and as they made their way to rest on the hill top, Merry found that the path they were taking may lead them to the valley of the Withywindle.

"We shouldn't take that way but we can't go back. That goes to Withywindle Valley, one of the queerest parts of the forest Bilbo once said." Merry informed the group.

"Then where will we go now?" Sam asked.

"Hold on, hold on! Let me think!" Merry replied.

After eleven o'clock passed, they finally made their way off the path which seemed to dip and go into the valley. After a long time passed, they had lost any sense of direction until they heard the rushing of water.

"Hey, what is that?" Pippin asked through the stiffling air.

"Hallo! I think that's water Pip." Merry answered.

"Let's see what is there!" Serena said happily and rushed towards the sound.

"Serena!" Frodo shouted before running after the young girl. The others followed and before long, the air seemed to grow thinner and the trees made way. The small comapany had made their way to a small running stream and a big willow tree.

"Water!" Luna said amazed. The small company went near the stream before feeling drowsy with heat and warm air. Very soon Merry, Pippin, Luna and Frodo were asleep underneath the tree whilst Sam and Serena felt that something was wrong.

Almost as Frodo closed his eyes to a soft whispering above his head, he felt like he was being pulled before SPLOOSH! Frodo spluttered as he felt cold water about him. He felt himself being hauled up and looked to see that it was Serena.

"I think that big tree pushed me into the water! Wrapped it's big root around me and then dumped me in!" Frodo said as Serena helped him to dry up a little.

"Frodo, I think you must've been asleep." Sam said.

"In any case, where's Luna?" Serena asked. She looked at the spot where they had all had laid down to rest looking for the small black cat then she heard it.

"Oi! And where's Merry and Pippin?" Sam asked as Serena listened for a certain sound.

"Go around the tree!" Serena exclaimed running to the said spot. What surprised her was the half and half appearance of her Uncle Merry and the small black cat lying flat on her back with her tail caught in a hole in the tree.

"Merry!" Frodo exclaimed. "How did you get in there?"

"I don't know!" came Merry's muffled voice. "One minute Pippin, Luna and I are dozing and the next minute we're in here!"

"Let me out!" came Pippin's voice adding to the so said story. Frodo and Sam kicked the tree but coming from the short gasps from Pippin, they weren't doing any good. Serena felt panic in her heart and rushed back on the path calling for help. Yet her cries seemed drowned out by angry tree leaves and a stiffling air. As she called, she heard something.

Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!

Ring dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!

Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!

Serena felt that whomever was singing was a friend not a foe but still she stood. She did not hear or feel her Uncle Sam or Uncle Frodo come near. She listened to the voice in which sang a longer string of nonsense words.

Hey! Come merry dol! deery dol! My darling!

Light goes the weather-wind and feathered starling

Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,

Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,

There my pretty lady is, River-woman's daughter,

Slender as the willow-wand, clearer than the water.

Old Tom Bombadil water-lilies bringing

Comes hopping home again. Can you hear him singing?

Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! and merry-o,

Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!

Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!

Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.

Tom's going home again water-lilies bringing.

Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?

The three stood there enchanted by the singer. The leaves hung stiffly on the branches as if silenced to hear the song.

Hey dol! merry dol! ring a dong dillo!

Ring dong! hop along! fal lal the willow!

Tom Bom, jolly Tom, Tom Bombadillo!

Hey! Come merry dol! deery dol! My darling!

Light goes the weather-wind and feathered starling

Down along under Hill, shining in the sunlight,

Waiting on the doorstep for the cold starlight,

There my pretty lady is, River-woman's daughter,

Slender as the willow-wand, clearer than the water.

Old Tom Bombadil water-lilies bringing

Comes hopping home again. Can you hear him singing?

Hey! Come merry dol! derry dol! and merry-o,

Goldberry, Goldberry, merry yellow berry-o!

Poor old Willow-man, you tuck your roots away!

Tom's in a hurry now. Evening will follow day.

Tom's going home again water-lilies bringing.

Hey! Come derry dol! Can you hear me singing?

The song came again and soon a grey hat appeared with a feather sticking out. It was an old man that soon came bounding and bouncing into view. The enchantment was broken when Frodo found his voice.

"HELP!" he yelled.

"Yes, help!" Sam called out as well. The man came to a stop in front of the two Hobbits and the young girl.

"Why, what's this?" asked the man. "Well my little men and young child, what is with your shouting? Do you know who I am though? I am Tom Bambadil, tell me your trouble. I am in a hurry now." He looked at them waiting for a reply.

"Our friends are stuck within a big willow tree!" Serena informed feeling that this man was a friend. The old man scratched his head before smiling a silly grin. He started walking between the trees and chuckled low.

"Old Man Willow! Why I'll freeze your roots if you don't behave right! Take the marrow off you cold! Now you should not be awake! Dig your roots deep and drink until you are not thirsty. Old Bombadil is talking!" Tom, Serena thought his name rightly was, said.

With a crack, Merry and Luna were free. Then another crack and Pippin was free before quick as a wink, the cracks closed and silence resumed.

"Thank you!" Merry said.

"Yes, thank you very much!" Pippin added.

"You're very welcome but come along my little fellows and young lady. We must be off to my home to meet my dear Goldberry." he said before striking up into song.

Hop along, my fine friends, up the Withywindle!

Tom's going up ahead candles for the kindle.

Down west sinks the Sun: soon you will be groping.

When the night-shadows fall, then the door will open,

Out of the window-panes light will twinkle yellow.

Fear no alder black! Heed no hoary willow!

Fear neither root nor bough, Tom walks before you!

Hey now! merry dol! We'll be waiting for you!

They walked up the long winding lane until they reached an area shrouded in mist. Luna was already asleep on Serena's shoulder while the others were nearly asleep on their feet. Serena was more alert than ever because there was a magical essence in the air and she felt that she had to be wary for something was about to happen. There were many strange noises coming from out of the woods where they passed until they all so a light through a blanket of mist and an open door.

"Welcome to my little home." Tom said. "Please stay the night. My Goldberry makes the finest blueberry pie that ye little ones ever did see. But oh, I must give her these lilies."

When Serena came into the house of Tom Bombadil she was greeted by the most beautiful person she had ever known. Goldberry was a tall woman with pointed ears and cascading blonde hair. She glanced at Serena and in Serena's heart she felt a familiar sense of peace.

"Come sleep for the night and rest." she said. Goldberry led them to a dining hall which was laden out with food.

The night passed and the group found a little more about Tom, Goldberry and the beginning of Middle-earth. Or at least Serena did. Her uncles and cat had fallen asleep whilst Goldberry sang her songs of the world. Serena however did not prepare herself for what was to come.

In the Old Forest there is a place called the Barrow Downs. Now in this place, held dark creatures called Barrow wights whom stole and killed many Lords of the past. The company had been warned of the Barrow Downs and were finally on their way out, or so they thought.

The morning before, Frodo awoke feeling rested and well at peace though he was still uneasy around Tom and Goldberry. When the others got dressed, Tom led them outside his door. There standing in front of them were four ponies and one silver-grey horse with a white crescent on its forehead.

"These are for you. Now me little fellows and young lass, take this road and keep going. You should be able to reach the other end before sundown. There you make take the road all the way to Bree. Call my name if need be." Tom said cheerfully.

"Be careful on your journey. Oh and Serena, please take care of Silvermane. She's your horse you know, a horse we found wandering off in the wood!" Goldberry added. Serena stared in awe at the horse.

"Thank you very much!" Pippin said gleefully taking a pony by the name of Greenwill or that's what Tom said the pony's name was.

"Very welcome my good friend. Now be off with you!" Tom said before once again breaking into song.

Hey dol! merry soul! keep on plodding along!

Til the sun goes down and light be found,

Hey dol! merry soul! keep on plodding along!

*

They had been riding down the trail when a mist had slowly covered them. It was at that moment that they had all seen a certain hill that they were looking for.

"Look Master Frodo! There's that hill Tom Bombadil said that we should go on!" Sam said. Frodo felt uneasy and shook his head. Serena and Luna felt it also. Pippin and Merry went racing ahead with their ponies in tact.

"Oi! Something's coming!" Pippin yelled but when he looked around him no one was there. Not even his pony. He frowned wondering where in the crop they were. "Master Frodo? Master Merry? Master Sam? Serena!" He gleefully looked up and saw the small blonde before him but noticed that it wasn't Serena! Well at least the Serena he knew.

This 'Serena' was fighting against an ugly monster that 'looked' immensely like a fool from a party (other words=clown). There were others also trying to help her for Serena kept falling over. The others were blurry and Pippin felt that he was looking at something that had 'happened' in factual life. The others threw lights at the monster but seemed to head his way!

"AAAAAAH! SEREEENAAAAAAAAAA!" Pippin screamed as the lights hit him in the chest. He felt the breath go out of him except the scene changed and before he fell, he saw the most beautiful light that made him hope for the best.

*

Merry looked around him. Pippin, Frodo, Sam nor Serena were about. 'What's going on? Where are the others? My goodness! Where's my pony?' he thought feeling depressed. Looking about him, he finally realized that he was in a different place all together. There were strange trees, flowers and the ground was grey! Someone passed and he looked up and saw two people in the midst of a kiss. There was a man with jet-black hair and closed eyes. Merry felt that this man would cause the blonde-haired girl a lot of heartache. As he watched the two kiss, he noticed that the scenery changed also. The man had a sword and was glaring down at the girl on the ground. He raised it and Merry looked up. Instead of the girl, he was in her place! The man plunged his sword and Merry went into darkness with the exception he saw the most beautiful light imaginable.

*

Sam didn't know what was going on. "MASTER FRODO!" he yelled but was encased in light. A picture unfolded in front of him. Nine angels upon nine steeds each holding a sword. The middle angel shone brighter than them all and Sam could make out a crystal.

"Uncle Sam, remember me when all hope is lost that I will always be near to protect you all.

The world is soon changing

Will it be the beginning or the end?

Is the darkness to take over or will the light prevail?

Who will save Middle-earth from all the despair?

Through darkened skies and rushing water

Through sooty earth and blazing fire

Come nine to save the light

A light unquenshable yet in danger still

Nine are the fellowship

Nine are the Knights of Light

I will always be with you. Forever." The light dimmed when Sam saw an unexpected sight. A man dressed in rags soon threw it away and there stood a tall King in radiant robes. A woman with dark hair stood next to him. Sam felt awe when the scene changed again to eight women standing before the king all wearing gowns. They were blurry in stature yet he felt great magic and purity about them.

"White Knights of Middle Earth." he whispered before he fainted dead away.

*

Serena and Frodo were in fear for they were in a dark cave. A Barrowight had brought them to it's lair and they were both dressed in white. A sword was laid across their friends' neck. Luna was no where in sight and neither were their steeds. The Barrowight had begun weaving a spell so intense that it made Serena clasp hear head in pain. Frodo felt coldness and a problem of breath as if he could not live anymore.

Cold be hand and heart and bone

and cold be sleep under stone:

never more to wake on stony bed,

never, till the Sun fails and the Moom is dead.

In the black wind the stars will die,

but still on gold let them lie,

till the dark lord lifts his hand,

over dead sea and withered land.

Serena wanted to get rid of the hissing voice and coldness. She felt her crystal glow in response and the Star Staff grow in rapid anger. 'Just like them.' she thought but another wave of pain broke her brow. Almost fainting from fright, both of them heard it as Frodo fell over Merry trying to move the sword away.

'It's Tom!' thought Serena weakly.

Get out you Wight! Vanish in the sunlight!

Shrivel like cold mist, like the winds go wailing,

Out into the barren lands far beyond the mountains!

Come never here again! Leave your Barrow empty!

Lost and forgotten, darker than the darkness,

Where gates stand ever shut, until the world is mended! (-excerpt from Fellowship of the Ring)

The Wight screamed a blood curdling scream and Serena felt that her whole being would tear away. But the Star Staff radiated a magic to keep it's holder alright while the crystal glowed even more. The Wight was gone and in came Tom Bombadil.

* * * * * * * * *

Serena felt herself breathe with relief. They had once again been saved by Tom Bombadil. She smiled a little to herself as her cat clung to her as they made their way through the last stretch of forest.

It was raining by the time they had arrived on the outskirts of Bree. Earlier that day, after Tom had saved and led them back to the right path towards Bree with a few gifts for them. For Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin, Tom had given them swords made by the Westernesse. To Serena, he had given her a sword of silver brilliance. The others had not seen for they had been busy with their ponies. Silvermane lagged behind to stay close to her mistress with Luna on her back.

Luna was shivering with cold for the rain came down from the sky in torrents. Serena watched her uncles as they came to came back to earth when she noticed that a man had finally answered Frodo's knocking.

"What do you want? What is your business here?" he asked gruffly.

"My friends and I need to get to the Prancing Pony. Our business is our own." Frodo answered.

"What is this? Hobbits from the Shire and a young wench! Well come in, don't be hasty. There are Black Riders afoot." the man opened the gate and let them pass.

"I don't like this place." Sam said when they stopped in front of the Prancing Pony.

"Neither do I but listen, you can hear happy sounds from inside." Merry added.

"Then we can't just get soak in the rain! Let us enter!" Pippin said. The small company finally went in even though Sam grumbled along the way. They had left the ponies and Silvermane in the care of another hobbit whom made himself scarce into the stables when they finally decided to go in. Silvermane, Serena and Luna were sad to part especially so when they opened the door of the inn. The smell of smoke and beer filled Serena's nose and she felt that it was too stuffy and noisy.
"Excuse me," Frodo said trying to get someone's attention.
"Hold on a moment. Nob! Where's that order of ale?" a burly man yelled as he scurried behind the counter.

"It's too busy in here." Merry said looking about.

"Yeah but I'm sure we'll get a good lot of ale. It seems to be a lot of fun to be had." Pippin piped in. "Are you okay Serena?" Sam asked the young girl who at the moment towered over him.

"Yes Uncle Sam." she said calmly yet her eyes had wandered towards the fireplace. She noticed a man at the corner watching them underneath his black hood. The man was smoking a pipe and seemed to her more different from the rowdy crowd within this lively bar. Serena snapped her attention from the man when she noticed that her Uncle Frodo was finally speaking to the burly man.

"Hey now little masters. What can I do for ye?" the man asked.

"We'd like to have a room." Frodo answered.

"Well my name's Barliman Butterbeer and you're in at the right place." Barliman said. "What are your names little masters?"

"These are my companinons. Master Took, Master Brandybuck, Master Gamgee, whilst my little miss and I are both Underhills." Frodo replied.

"We have a comfortable room fit for ye Hobbits but for yer miss, I do not know if we have any." Barliman said yet the hooded man seemed to eye Serena with a little too much scrutiny and the young girl felt Luna stiffen in her arms.

"It's quite alright sir. I'll stay with these Hobbits. I came in with them as a fellow companion and I'm going to stay that way." Serena said with a surprisingly regal tone.

"Of cours little Miss." Barliman laughed. "Well Master Underhill, it seems to me that you and your party may stay the night."

"Thank-you kindly." Sam said.

"Tis a strange party in the likes if I ever did see." Barliman laughed again.

"Wait before we go to our rooms. Do you know of a man called Gandalf?" Frodo asked.

"Gandalf? Hmm, oi! I almost forgot. There's a letter here for any Hobbit with a name called Underhill." Barliman said as he turned and got an envelope.

"Thank-you. When was he here last?" Frodo asked hoping they arrived a few days after him.
"Well, I believe the last I saw him 'ere was six months." Barliman answered but he noticed that the crowd was getting out of hand. "Your rooms are just straight up those stairs and then to your right. Now I have to be off. NOB! Be careful with them ale bottles!" They went to the direction Barliman pointed and Serena was told to stay there until told otherwise.
Frodo was a little worried for Serena was alone unattended. He had also noticed a hooded man watching them from the corner and didn't like how unfriendly he looked. When Barliman passed by he stopped him a little before he went to the counter.

"Excuse me but who's that man at the corner?" Frodo asked. Barliman looked over and shook his head.
"You don't want to mess with him. That's Strider, a ranger. No one here likes rangers. Now I've got to get back to work. If ye need anything, just holler. NOB!" Barliman replied before taking off after Nob the Hobbit. The others were getting ale as Frodo turned the new information in his head.
"What's that Merry?" Pippin asked just when his friend sat down with an ale which foamed at the top.
"This my friend is a pint." Merry answered.
"It comes in paints?" Pippin asked innocently. "I'm getting one."
"But Pip! You already have one!" Sam shook his head as his mischeivous and fun-loving friend headed to the counter for more ale. Frodo couldn't help but feel worried so to keep himself busy, he took out the Ring to look at it. Twisting and turning it about in his hand. He didn't notice anything for he felt a slight drowsiness. All he could think of was that of the Ring. He almost slipped the gold band until he heard his last name being called.
"Baggins? I know a Baggins! Frodo Baggins right over there! One of my cousins five times removed!" Pippin said getting drunk on the ale. Frodo widened his eyes.
"No." he said quietly. "No, Pippin!" Frodo got up so quickly and hurriedly towards the younger Hobbit that he fell when a foot that had to be there got in his way. Up went the Ring, down went the Hobbit and POOF! Frodo had vanished to all into a world where there was nothing but dark shapes and gray shadows. He started to crawl backward when he saw a frightening thing. An eye ringed with shadow and flame.

Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul

Frodo heard over and over again from the eye. He felt the Ring being wrenched to the eye and Frodo knew he could not let that happen. So he took off the Ring and found himself underneath a table before he felt like he was being hauled up in the air by a pair of strong hands.
"You are much trouble Master Underhill." a low voice said over his head. Frodo was pushed up a flight of stairs and into a different room.
"I can be hidden if I wish but to vanish completely, tis an impossible task." Frodo saw that the man speaking was Strider. Suddenly Strider drew out a sword just as the door burst open and the two found Sam, Pippin and Merry standing at the door ready to fight.
"Dare to touch Master Frodo and I'll rip you to shreds!" Sam bellowed.
"You've a stout heart but a fool if you come in here unarmed." Strider said.

* * * * *

Serena awoke to find herself alone with Luna in her arms. She felt that something was wrong, especially tonight. Careful not to wake the black cat she got out of bed dressed in a clean white dress that reached her bare ankles. Picking up the Star Staff and her sword belt, she stole out of the room as quietly as a mouse. Walking down the halls, up and about she found herself watching as her Uncle Sam, Uncle Merry and Uncle Pippin outside the door ready to fight. Serena gasped and went as quickly and quietly to the room.
"Luna, wake up. We're in grave danger." Serena said waking up the cat as she moved about the room and arranging it so that the pillows seemed to be shapes of people.
"Serena, what are you doing?" yawned the black cat.
"We're in grave danger, come on! We've got to get out of here!" Serena said as she tidied and picked up all the travelling things from each place. Leaving enough to show that some 'Hobbits' had really used the room or were sleeping in it as to not arise suspicion. Luna watched her mistress with intrest and a little awe.
'The crybaby I used to know would not have done this. Maybe Mercury is working through her! Oh Ami, if you were here with the others, things would be as they should.' thought Luna sadly.
"There I'm done, now come on!" Serena said before walking out of the room and out into the halls. Luna scurried to follow her mistress with little clue of what was going on. Knowing that the male Hobbits liked to stay out late when ale was about, Luna felt it unusual that they had to leave the room.
"Honestly Serena, I think you're over-reacting." Luna muttered. Serena stayed silent until she got to the door in which she heard the familiar voice of her Uncle Frodo. Knocking on the door she waited for the door to open.
Strider answered the door to find a young girl laden with travelling packs and weapons. Frodo and Sam recognized whom the girl was and cried out with surprise.
"Serena!" Strider noted that the girl nodded her head in response and he frowned as he let her in. A black cat also followed her and Strider found it strange that this young girl was with these band of Hobbits.
"We had forgotten all about you!" Pippin said and it seemed that the others agreed.
"I thought as much. Now that I'm here let me introduce myself. I am Serena Baggins. Hello sir?" Serena said doing a small curtsy.
"Strider. You are with these Hobbits? Tis a dangerous thing for one so young." Strider replied feeling uncomfortable. "No need to bow. I was saying that all of you should stay in here. There is trouble afoot." Serena nodded her agreement before plopping down by the fireplace with her pack, sword and staff in hand. Making herself as comfortable as she could she looked expectantly at Frodo.

"What has happened whilst you forgot me?" Serena asked and her eyes glittered silver for scarcely a second. 'Please remember to not forget the light!' she thought with much anxiety.
"In short, this is Strider, a ranger who is going to join us on our journey." Merry replied quickly.
"Yeah, he's a tall fellow ain't he? Too bad I couldn't bring my drink with me. I'm rather thirsty now." Pippin said frowning. Serena smiled and quick as wink threw her Uncle a flask.
"Tis whiskey from your pack." She answered and stared at the ranger. He had dark hair and dark eyes. She noted that his eyes seemed 'To bear a burden of much weight and a fear of the future.' thought Serena.
Two hours had passed and Sam, Merry, Pippin and Luna slept on. Serena sat next to Strider by the window when the noise began. Serena felt pain deep within her skull but the Star Staff seemed to welcome the noise and the pain lessened. 'Saturn, protecting me from the screams of death.' she thought and clutched the staff she kept close to her even when near a window.
"What are they?" asked Frodo looking solemn and sad. Merry, Pippin, Sam and Luna had woken to the noise.
"Aren't they the Black Riders?" Pippin asked with a shiver. Strider was silent but nodded a little.
"They are called Ringwraiths or Nazgul. They are half alive and half dead. They live in realm of shadows and are ever drawn to the One Ring." Strider looked at Frodo.
Serena felt her heart break on the implications. 'Oh Uncle Frodo.' she thought sadly before following her family along the winding trails to Rivendell.

AN: AND THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! Some of you may have some worries as to what is going on. N!M and I, have decided to have a joint fiction name. Meaning, we share an account. It's cool because if one of us doesn't update, then the other person does so there's hope left! Byez and e-mail me at heavenly2122@hotmail.com if you have any questions. Okie dokie? Byez!