Light For All To See
by Empress Blade
Part 5
Frodo awoke to find himself being carried by a pair of great arms. Brown hair swished by his cheek like satin and he saw that Merry, Pippin and Sam were also being carried or led. Merry sat upon Fearuina's shoulders snoring for the world to hear whilst Sulwen carried Pippin with great care. Sam was led by Wilwardin as he slept on the saddle of Thalion. Serena was no where to be seen and he noticed this almost immediately. Valromen dropped him in surprise and bent once again hoping she had done no wrong.
"Are you hurt fair Hobbit?" asked the tall brown-haired woman.
"Not at all but where is my niece?" asked Frodo but then saw Legolas carry the golden-haired girl. The Hobbit got up not heeding Valromen or the others until he reached the Mirkwood Elf. He stared at Serena who seemed at first to have golden hair but it changed now into silver locks.
"What have you done to her Elf?" Frodo asked angrily forgetting that he carried the Ring around his neck. The company stopped and looked at the very angry Hobbit. Boromir was the first to make amends.
"Dear Frodo, I hope you wish no ill for there may be if you hurt Legolas whom carries the Lady." his eyes darkened a little before taking another breath. "You were all asleep and we decided not to wake thee. Legolas persisted on carrying the fair maiden and all the others decided to help carry the others as well. The other Senshi are up ahead with Gandalf and Aragorn and Gimli. But come we must not loose time! Let us continue for we may get to the Gap of Rohan yet!" Then Boromir walked up the hill and Frodo felt as if he was up to something. Wilwardin thought that too for she felt a slight darkness around this Man of Gondor. Legolas noticed not but felt a bliss in carrying this girl who weighed nothing more than a feather. His heart pounded ever more and in it was then he made an oath in himself to not only protect the Ring-bearer but this young child. He remembered the shock and scare he had over the fact Crebain from Dunland had come to spy for the company. The hope to keep the young girl hidden was strong within him and he covered the girl with his cloak he brought from Rivendell. They were soon to walk through the paths of Caradhras but turn to darkness after defeat.
Pluto stared around her, through the many days they had walked and rested, she felt that this would be the hardest test yet. She had an inkling she would not return as she was right now. For here she was sitting amongst the flame and the fact that sometime today or maybe even the next, she would be gone from her princess for a time. 'How ironic, I am the guardian of time and watchkeeper of destiny. But now the thing I keep guard over will have me in its grasp.' thought she smiling sadly as they rested in area surrounded by large boulders.
"Thinking of many thoughts?" asked a soft, ancient voice. Pluto nodded and looked into the eyes of the old wizard.
"Many there is of a darkness and I fought every battle for my princess. Every time I fight, it's for her and for all that we love. It is hard to be a Senshi, Gandalf the Grey. Very hard for you die numerous times only to face death again. There is one amongst us who knows all about death and destruction. Yet there is a greater force over her knowledge that lets her control the darkness and that is our princess." Pluto sighed and looked away from the Wizard.
"Who is she that knows of the darkness yet is in the light?" asked he.
"The Silent Wings of a Butterfly." was her reply and they sat there thinking of what there was to know. There seemed to be a great thinking over all the Senshi. They were to die once more all for the sake of their Princess. Their hearts were heavy with grief and no one could understand how they knew what they knew. They would do anything and everything for their princess for she was a light in their darkness. Even to the wielder of love.
"Move your feet." Aragorn said to Pippin who was training with Boromir on the techniques of the sword. Mina decided that she had enough dreary thoughts and went over to the training group. She took out her staff and whispered; "Ainumen." The staff turned into a long golden sword that radiated a soft light.
"Come my dear hobbits and friend Boromir. I wish to test my skill against this lord from Gondor." said she. Boromir was in shock.
"But Lady, I am a trained man in swordsmanship. Please go back to where you sat." he said.
"Let her be, friend Boromir. We would like to rest." wheezed Merry who was still catching his breath and leaning upon his sword. Pippin nodded his agreement.
"Well I believe we shall have a sparring match my friend." Mina said softly and smiled brightly before the two began.
Stoke by stroke, metal upon metal, man against woman. It was a sight to be seen. Gimli stopped his dwarven tales towards Lita and Haruka to watch the match. No one knew who was winning for Mina showed great skill. Michelle laughed.
"Tis a match to behold such warriors!" Sam exclaimed excitedly.
"Oi! Where did you learn such skills Melarien?" Pippin asked with his eyes open wide. Serena laughed her crystal clear laugh and shook the sleep from her shoulders. The half gold-half silver-haired girl had slept with the cloaks of Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas and the Senshi for a time now and at last she was awake. She saw that Gandalf, Ami and Pluto were sitting together whilst Michelle, Haruka, Lita and Gimli sat in another corner. Legolas was sitting behind her providing a more comfortable resting area as she slept. Serena did not even notice yet that the Elven Prince was there and that worried her a little.
"Well sleepy here is finally up!" Fearuina said in a sharp voice though Frodo sensed a little joy through her voice.
"Oh be nice!" Serena said in a grumpy voice and with such a childlike innocence that all laughed.
"You are a pair to fight against each other." Aragorn said.
"You should see them when they get started! They'd shake you off your feet asunder!" Hotaru laughed softly and Aragorn wondered why she never laughed or talk as much as she did when Serena was asleep or silently helping some of them with their burdens. Legolas finally stood up from his spot and gently helped the small girl with the cloaks. Serena seemed startled at the elf but decided to let him help.
'He is so kind and open. Though he and Gimli are not of best friends yet, I sense he has a heart of Kings. He will not play too big a role in the Battle of the Ring yet I know he soon will be.' thought Serena until Gandalf seemed to squint behind her. She sensed a flock of flying things and she knew that evil was near. She seemed stunned until Legolas took hold of her and bade her sat in a shelter of rocks and such. Knowing she had to be quiet, she stayed still under the rocks and the pile of cloaks Legolas threw upon her. That and also the fact he was there sitting behind and hugging her for comfort. Serena felt like she was in heaven and until she could sense the evil no longer did she look at the elven prince.
"What was that?" Merry asked in worry coming out from some bushes.
"Oslei from Isengard. The Gap of Rohan is being watched. We must take the road to Caradhras." Gandalf said and turned to look at the mountains behind them (because the place they rested sat at the foothills of the mountains already).
"But why must we? In its time even before Sauron appeared, the Red Mountain had been known as Caradhras the Cruel!" Gimli said looking doubtfully at the mountain. Serena felt Legolas still hold her in a protective grasp as if he feared more for her than her Uncle. Sulwen, Fearuina and Valromen noticed this and their own natural natures flared but they did not comment as of yet.
"Let us take the road to Moira for it seems as if we are taking the long way! Why ignore a road that will get us nearer to our destination?" Gimli asked again.
"Even so Sir Gimli though I agree that we should change our route." Boromir mumbled and looked at Mina whom he sparred with. He noticed how pretty her hair glinted in the sunlight. 'Why must I feel this way for a woman? I knew women should not have been brought in this journey!'
"I would not go through the mines at any rate my friend." Gandalf quietly looked at the dwarf with thought.
"Come! Let us listen to Gandalf for he is our guide on this quest." Ami's voice said softly.
"I agree, it will not do well to argue." Fearuina agreed.
"Then let us go! I need some action for there has not been much of yet. We will not do any good staying here." Lita added.
"My friend I must agree." Sulwen glanced a short ways to Legolas who still did not release her princess. "Besides, I have energy to spare." Legolas felt uncomfortable under the Wind Senshi's gaze and gingerly dropped his hand from around the now fully silver-haired girl.
"We will take the road to Caradhras for it seems we must. We will see when the mountain defeats us where we will go but for now let us make ready for another march." Tirmenel said with finality.
Wilwardin handed the tall Senshi her cloak before putting hers on as well. With the Hobbits, Sam talked to Frodo in a low voice of the strange happenings. He did not notice that Losresea, Tirmenel, Wilwardin, Aragorn and Gandalf take a council of what paths to take.
"If you ask me Master Frodo, Serena's senshi are bad news. I dislike the fact that Legolas from Mirkwood must hold her as well." Sam said.
"I agree with the fact Legolas has been unnaturally protective of our niece but the Senshi are fine folk. A little distant, yes, but they are kind. Where is my cloak? Oh there it is." Frodo said as he along with most of the group gathered their gear.
"Well anyway, we must be off again. I just wish we could be done with this quest!" Sam exclaimed before setting Thalion ready once again.
* * * * *
A day or two had passed when they reached the foot of the mountain. Fearuina and Valromen had decided to use some of their powers to make the journey a bit bearable. The climb upon Caradhras was long and painful. By using their powers, it warmed the company a little and enthralled them. As they got closer towards the top, the snow blew worse and worse. Finally they stopped as Michelle stood infront and listened with her ears. Legolas noticed something upon the wind that tainted the air that worried him greatly.
"There's a foul voice upon the wind." he said.
"It is Caradhras!" Boromir yelled and then a slosh of snow dropped from the high peaks. Ami, Michelle and Sulwen looked once at each other and knew what they were to do.
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" Ami yelled.
"BLUE WATER SHIELD!" Michelle called.
"NORTH WINDS BLOW!" Sulwen bellowed.
Their attacks made a shield around the group shielding them from the slosh of snow for a time.
"We must go back!" Aragorn said to Gandalf.
"We can't!" Gandalf rebelled. Boromir felt the shivering of Pippin and Merry in his grasp as did Legolas felt Serena do. Aragorn held Frodo aloft and knew the same as his felllow comrades.
"The cold will be the end of us. Let us go under the mountains if we can not go over it. Let us take the Mines of Moira." Gimli said. Gandalf seemed to look far off and Gimli's words sent a strange pain through Wilwardin. After a time Sulwen turned back and looked at the group.
"Hurry we can not hold the shield for long. Where will we go?" asked she. Gandalf went out of his reverie.
"Let the ring-bearer and Serena decide." he said finally.
"We will take the mines." Frodo said after weighing the pros and cons in his head. Serena seemed to understand that Moira was not a good place to go.
"I will leave my vote out for I fear the words Moira. I will go where my Uncle wills even to darkness." She replied quietly and felt Legolas' heart beat faster. She willed him not to fear.
"Then it shall be." Tirmenel finally stated. The three who shielded them stopped and Mina felt kind of fed up with the mountain's stubborn anger. She did not wish to enter the mines but she would have to if her princess was to go on.
"Mountain Caradhras! We will leave you now! Let us be!" Mina yelled towards the mountains startling Thalion whom Wilwardin and Sam led. The pony went racing through the snow like a wild beast forced to run. The company went down the hill and within the rest of the day they rested in a circle of dark trees which had no leaves.
"Finally off that wretched mountain." muttered Merry as he lay upon a cold stone.
"Is that so my small one?" asked Michelle to the small Hobbit.
"Yes!" he said in vigour. Michelle looked quietly at him as he turned upon his area of sleep.
"Come my little one into my lap and rest." Michelle decided and arranged it so that she could be comfortable as well.
Gimli was having the same thoughts and shared it with Haruka and Lita.
"I knew we should have gone to Moira. We would not have to bear the cold!" said the Dwarf.
"Even so, those roads may be dangerous as well." said Lita wisely.
"Believe us friend Gimli, we know of danger." Haruka added. The dwarf muttered inaudible words that seemed to be of the stubborness of women.
Sam comforted Thalion by giving the pony an apple to eat. "Good ol' Bill." he said but the pony snorted and did not eat.
Rei laughed. "I believe he likes the name Thalion Sam." Sam rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Thank Serena for coming up with a name for him." he muttered.
"Even so-stay still." Rei's voice changed and she quickly took a bow that had been hidden within her cloak. Sam looked in surprise for she did not have a place to have her arrows to be held in. Then he heard it. Low growls and evil groans.
"Werewolves." Wilwardin said and took her staff and it changed into a purple glaive. The senshi turned their staffs into weapons that seemed different from the swords and bows that the others carried.
"FIRE SOUL ARROWS!" commanded Rei. A dark shape came up close to Serena's side and the silver-haired girl quickly used Manran to hit the shape. A yelp of pain before something came out and grabbed her. Legolas shot his arrow so did Rei at the monster on top of Serena. The arrows hit on the mark and the animal howled.
"Let us be spies of Isengard! Flee to your dark caves for Gandalf the Grey is speaking! I will scorch thee if you come nearer!" the Grey Wizard used a little magic and the trees that surrounded them lit in flame. The werewolves withdrew and were seen no more as they journeyed on.
Serena, Frodo and Mina accidently stepped into the murky lake that had was supposed to be the Sirannon. The river had dried up and dammed near a place called the Stair Falls.
"Things have changed indeed." Gandalf had muttered about the river that used to gush and run with twinkling merriment by the broken path that they had walked on.
So it came to be that they had reached the very doors of Moira and they were consumed with an unamed fear. They rested for the doors were hidden and made of starmoon*.
Tirmenel, Sulwen, Michelle and Wilwardin held a council in which they talked of dark thoughts. Rei, Lita, Mina and Ami also held their own. Whilst that happened; Serena was at rest in Legolas' arms with Boromir and Gimli quite near. Aragorn was helping Samwise with his pack and freeing of a rather frisky Thalion who was quaking with fear. Frodo and Gandalf stood closest to the gates wondering what to do. Merry and Pippin busied themselves by throwing rocks into the water.
"Stop!" Aragorn said after sending Thalion off. "Do not disturb the water." Pippin dropped the stone he held in his hand. The youngest Hobbit noticed thought he saw a flicker of watchfulness in his eyes.
Gandalf felt like giving up and sat down upon a stone rampart. After much whispering, Ami* stood up and looked at the door. She noticed something in the whole and began to whisper the common words that Gandalf had said. Frodo watched as the blue-haired girl paced and mutter quite unusually.
"Speak 'friend' and enter. Speak 'friend' and enter. Speak-I've got it!" Ami said delightedly and drew back every memory she had of elvish. The others looked at her and Gandalf stared in surprise.
"What is it my dear friend?" asked the Grey Wizard.
"MELLON!" exclaimed she. The doors drew back and all around were surprise. It was dark inside the mines but the company moved on. Serena had an inkling that before they would reach the end, only a few would come out. 'Please mother let us be together.' thought she as they moved into the inky darkness with the moon's soft light behind them.
'It is too dark and I do not like this place.' thought Mina uneasily and clutched her real weapon. A long whip made of a golden metal that was flexible as rope and glowed whenever any of her friends were in danger. The blonde haired girl of love hated the inky dark and would have turned back if it weren't for her friend Lita backing her up. Boromir saw this and came close to her feeling a little uncertain. Throughout the journey, the lord of Gondor found himself feeling enchanted by her. 'She is a thing of beauty unlike that I've ever seen. I will protect her with my life even more so than the One Ring and Hobbits.' thought he. Sam, Pippin, Merry and Frodo had came in with the rest but didn't want to step inside anymore than they wanted too. Frodo didn't like the feeling of being watched from the shadows. Wilwardin* and Gimli seemed to be the only ones liking the dark. The dwarf talked to her and Haruka of the generosity of the dwarves.
"Here you'll enjoy malt beers and great fires. You will see the work of the dwarves first hand as well! They call this a mine. A mine when it's more than a mine!" the red headed dwarf did not see through the light that the halls that they had entered into was littered with the bones of many dwarves, goblins and orcs.
"This is not a mine." Boromir said quietly. "Tis a tomb." Gimli looked around and saw that he was right. If not warned, he would have stepped upon a skeleton of a dwarf.
"Goblins." Legolas and Rei said as they looked at the arrows.
"Run. RUN!" Mina yelled. The hobbits did not need to be told twice and backed up against the doors. They would've all fell onto stone and water if it weren't for Mina who wrapped them around with her whip. As she let them go, she felt something pull her and saw something fleetingly grab Frodo's foot.
"NO!" exclaimed Serena and the silver-haired girl rushed to help the others stop the monsterosity. It didn't help much for the enemy seemed to want her as well. A tentacle lifted her from around her waist and Serena almost choked. A huge squid like monster with dark watchful eyes and teeth as big as iron cubs would've swallowed them whole if it weren't for the arrows. Legolas had fitted his arrows and it flew against the air towards a tentacle holding the three up. Rei, Ami and Lita used attacks of their own. Using their special weapons (Rei=bow, Ami=bow and Lita=sword)
"FIRE SOUL ARROWS!"
"ICE SHARDS DESTROY!"
"LIGHTNING STORM!"
The three attacks hit the monster square at the tentacles. Legolas jumped and catched the falling Serena whilst Boromir and Aragorn caught the others. Sulwen and Nenia backed them up by using their weapons and attacks. (Sulwen=saber and Nenia=whip)
"TORNADO WINDS DEMOLISH!"
"BLUE WATER MORTIFY!"
The attacks wounded the creature enough for the company to flee back into the dark. It clambered upon the rocks and into the halls if it were not for the crumbling walls and Tirmenel.
"TIME'S DEADLY SCREAM!"
The attack made the monster fly back. Wilwardin and Serena finished it using attacks opposite to the other.
"SILENT DEATH!"
"FLYING ANGEL WINGS!"
The monster was weak, very weak and a darkness and light curled around it. The rocks that it pulled at crumbled and all was dark. Those who went into the water were soaked and the darkness was terrible and consuming.
"Come, let us travel on for the only way out is ahead." Gandalf said and magically lighted his staff. The company continued, pressing on into a danger that would take more from the company than anyone could possibly dream of.
Chapter 17
It was dark, cold and silent. Pippin felt as if the world was vanishing and time stopped. He wished he could go back to the Shire but this darkness imprisoned him. He felt watchful eyes on his back and it wasn't a comforting thought. If any, the world seemed to be disappearing and wherever he turned, there was only doom. He didn't notice much in his own fears, until she was beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, that the Senshi of Water stood beside him. She walked calmly with Sulwen ahead and Pluto behind them. He looked at the hooded woman with something akin to awe and forgot to watch his step. He almost fell but was grabbed just in time by Nenia.
"Be careful little one for strange things are in the dark. We would not wish for you to be harmed." whispered Nenia. Pippin felt as if her voice was like the calm rains that would blow into the Shire at times. A melody of soft patterings and breezes. A giver of life not destruction. Pippin almost fell again while thinking but decided to be careful enough to watch his feet.
For two days they walked in silence and Merry was having a misreable time of it. They had stopped for only a little while and Gandalf held his staff aloft shining the only light he could muster. Merry felt weary to the bones of his soul and felt as if they would never finish the Quest. Lita and Rei, the two powerful inners in which destruction could come to those that did not heed their tempers, were the ones to walk near him. Rei sensed that the Hobbits and everyone around her were weary, alert and tired. Her heart grew heavy as well if it weren't for Serena who knew of her restless nature.
"Uncle Merry." said a soft voice that shocked Rei. In the memories she had, Serena was a bringer of fun, innocence and had little hand eye cordination. Now *this* Serena *had* fun, innocence, *hand eye cordination* *AND* a little more wisdom. All that came into Rei's mind was 'Princess Serenity'.
"Are you afraid?" asked the silver haired girl who walked ahead with Legolas in front of her. Everyone's ears perked.
"Of course we're not afraid. At least I'm not. A dwarf is never afraid of dark places." Gimli muttered. Serena had been walking with her eyes blackened and it was in that short stop that they noticed it.
"No." Lita said remembering all of the time her eyes were black and dark. A flash of light so dim yet so sure went up and two gigantic wings spread from one end of the company to the other. Serena stood wearing a white dress with wings and she glowed.
"You're not afraid enough. The time has come. Those who are in the dark go back! You will not harm this company until Fate decides now leave!" said she and there seemed to be a battle in her mind.
"Go my friends and my love. I will be back now run fools!" Serena whispered. They remained there.
"GO NOW!" said she more forcefully
"Not on your life! We stick together no matter what!" Lita yelled back.
"Then you will all suffer what I and the Bearer alone should face." Serena said until an arrow of darkness flew past her almost cutting through her wings. Then thousands of arrows were shot from all sides. They never reached the company for a protective barrier drew around the company.
'Why is she-who is she?!' thought Gandalf Greyhame. The winged girl shimmered with every arrow and she felt every piercing while the others did not except perhaps the Elven Prince. Arrow after arrow came through until a light came. A dark, menacing light. Then an eye lidless and enreathed in flame peered through the darkness. The company fell back but the barrier held.
"So, you have come." whispered a voice that resounded throughout the darkened halls.
"I have." Serena whispered back.
"You are a fool." said he.
"I am." Serena said also.
"Why do you follow my words?" asked Sauron whom was the eye.
"Do I follow or do I lead?" asked Serena in return. Sauron was beginning to be impatient.
"Shut up girl! You have never felt pain but you will now!" Sauron said and whipped the girl in her head and heart but could not whip her soul. Serena screamed and the barrier almost broke yet it stayed firm. The company watched in horror.
"I have hurt many a life with my power. Now you shall come under it!" Sauron whipped her again. The Senshi gathered up energy to shoot the eye down.
"My treasure has been lost now it has been found. I know who keeps it and no one will stop me from getting it. No one knows the truth of my precious." said he laughing a cruel laugh.
"No one for sure." whispered Serena who spoke with much pain. A bright light shown and those who knew much of Middle-earth wondered if Elendil had come from the sky for the light was so bright that it reached throughout all of Middle-earth. It lifted the weary souls that tried to fight for good but stroke down the ones that fought for evil.
"I AM Princess Serenity, the White Light. Sauron your name once used to be Great Kindness but now you know of Great Pain. Do not underestimate the protectors of the Ring-bearer! I know of your business but you do not know mine, no matter how hard you've caused me pain. Know that when all has been done you and those before you will be given one last judgement before the Pits of No Return! Now begone darkness until the time has come!" A long silver flash catered throughout the area and the company did not know it then but they were all being transported through the ages to near the very end of the Moira Journey. All too soon they were at an area that would change the course of Eternity. It was a place with three passages ruined and such. The company did not remember much of what had taken place but knew it was vital to them all. Until a hand seemed to wash over their minds erasing traces of the memory and replacing it with a new one. It seemed that other forces did not want all to remember of what was to take place. Now they sat in the silence wondering where to go next never knowing that the mind was given a new memory to take up.
They had stopped in an area which had three doors facing them. Gandalf frowned and his eyebrows furrowed. "I do not remember this place." he mumbled. The eighteen stopped and waited for the grey wizard to figure which way to go.
"He'll get us lost." muttered a very worn out Gimli as he sat on a rock.
"Do not dare to think like that." said Lita kindly but firmly.
"Yes Dwarf friend. Gandalf the Grey has gotten us here thus far. He will not fail us." Mina added. Boromir grunted at what the blonde haired girl said. So they sat for three hours in the darkness and in that time, there was a sort of comfort.
Frodo looked out suddenly from his place between Hotaru and Sam, to see two eyes as big as plates. Rushing quickly up some stones towards Gandalf and Pluto, he spoke quickly and anxiously.
"Gandalf, someone is there." A puff of smoke from Gandalf's pipe and a small smile from the mysterious Knight.
"It is Gollum. He's been following us for three days." Gandalf said.
"Gollum!" exclaimed Frodo.
"Yes Gollum. I pity the misreable creature." Pluto said.
"Why pity him? I pity Bilbo for not killing him when he had the chance." Frodo snapped.
"Pity is what saved Bilbo." Gandalf said quickly. "Why kill a misreable creature that had suffered much hardship and misery? Do not feel that it is right into doing that my boy."
"For many of us need a light though the way is dark." said Pluto's soft voice. Frodo Baggins was feeling misreable. The journey was no mere picnic that he knew before hand and even now it was like one big obstacle that seemed more than hardship.
"I wish we didn't have to be here in this place. I wish Gollum wasn't following us. I wish I never had this ring." Frodo frowned.
"So do all of us." Gandalf spoke.
"Many who have chosen their fate sometimes regret their choices." Pluto added.
"But there is no need for much heartache Uncle Frodo." someone's familiar soft voice (when not screaming) said. Serena put a hand upon Frodo's shoulder. "When we have destiny it is not always pain. Sometimes destiny leads us towards greater and better happiness that we've never really thought about." They all looked at Serena with something akin to awe and happiness.
"Yes but still. Many who have lived deserve death. Yet many who have died deserve life." Legolas said suddenly.
"Yes that is true. But can you give it to them my Elven Prince?" asked Serena.
"Even the wise can not see all ends." Gandalf added to their argument. Serena nodded before turning to the three doors. The others did not see that a soft tear had fallen down her face and that she held in her hand seventeen crystals on a silver string. If they were wise, they would've noticed that it was made from the very Star Staff that Serena had often carried with her. It seemed that it was only now that Rei noticed that.
"Serena, where is the Star Staff?" asked she feeling a little nervous at how silent the silver-haired girl was being. Serena closed her eyes to that question feeling all the anxiety, the fear and above all the love from the company she travelled with.
"It is here." Serena answered putting the hand with the crystals to her heart. Turning around she lifted her arm away and raised the crystal necklaces. One by one they left her hand towards the people she loved. "For you from me. It will keep all of you safe though the way is lost. Now dear Gandalf, which is the road to take?" asked the Princess. The grey wizard did not seem to hear her.
He was concentrating on a saying told to him from a long time ago.
Amidst the ruins of the dwarves
The Princess of Light will choose the Knights
With crystals upon silver chains
They may reign or they may fall
Yet on the whole they will save the world
Far away from impending doom
Admist the ruins of the dwarves
The Princess will soon fall to save Arda
The grey wizard chanced to look up at Serena and ponder the saying. 'If you are the Princess, I swear that the Ring will be destroyed and that you will never fall.' thought he. 'Nor will I let the halflings fall into the Dark Lord's power.' Suddenly he smelled something. In the darkness he could smell three distinct smells.
From the left it seemed to smell like death and rot. From the center it seemed to smell like a cold dampness that beckoned to all mockingly. From the right it seemed to smell like a soft breeze that brought much sadness.
"Oh. I have found which way to go." said Gandalf.
"He has remembered!" Merry said aloud. They got up quickly and quietly and followed the Istari towards the right door.
"Not at all Meriadoc. It does not smell as foul down here." said he.
"Like that old saying, when in doubt always trust your toes." said Mina. Ami and Lita laughed as the others looked at the blonde strangely.
"I think you mean, when in doubt always trust your nose." Lita corrected with a faint smile.
"Well yes. Of course. Come on, we don't want to stay in here talking forever!" Mina said and soon the company was off again to face the unknown.
Aragorn clutched the crystal necklace that Serena had given him as well as the star that his love Arwen had donned on him. 'Gandalf you dear fool. Why did we take this route? I told thee not to take it for it will be your downfall. Remember I told thee?' he thought. A voice answered in his head.
'King of Gondor, do not trouble for your friend so. He is wisest of all the Istari. He will fall but he will not fail.' Aragorn was startled but did not show his surprise. As they traversed upon dark halls and ruined cavrens, they reached a point where Gandalf said aloud.
"I will chance upon real light for we are now respectively in the great halls of Dwarrowdelf." His staff glowed brighter and all around they saw the great piers that Dwarves of Old had made. Gimli looked around himself in awe muttering the names of the many ways of the legends he had heard long before.
"There's an eye opener for ye if you look." Sam breathed.
"Great are these halls." Hotaru said. "But dark was the greedy hearts of many." Gimli did not hear her for he had started to run.
"GIMLI!" shouted Gandalf and Lita.
"The way is not safe!" Pluto added as the rest of the fellowship followed the dwarf into a room. They saw Gimli on one foot sobbing. "Balin oh great Balin!" mumbled he. Haruka and Lita stooped to the level of their friend.
"Here lies Balin, Lord and ruler of Moira." Ami read aloud. The dwarf sobbed louder. Pippin saw a book in the grasp of dead Dwarf and at that exact same moment, Michelle went to pick up the book. Wrinkled pages filled with dust and words in Dwarfish scrawl.
"They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Two of our own fell there five days hence. There are some pages broken and torn. This line I read is hard even for me to understand." Michelle said. Pluto and Hotaru drew near and peered over the water soldier's shoulder.
"We cannot get out. They are coming with the sound of drums beating 'doom', 'doom', 'doom'. I fear this is the end as we are stuck in the room of records. Much has been taken and destroyed. They are coming. We cannot get out." Hotaru read aloud. A great silence fell over them and Gimli wiped his tears.
"We cannot get out." grumbled he though he was still saddened. "Grim words are they not?"
"Indeed. I have a bad feeling about this however." Rei frowned and looked at the door with great anxiousness. Suddenly there was a big CLANG!!!
All turned to see Mina, Pippin and Merry near a big well. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! All flinched and were weary and stiff.
"Fools." Gandalf snapped the grey wizard. Then drums were heard. DOOM. Then again.
DOOM, DOOM, DOOM, DOOM, DOOM! Louder and louder the sound was heard. Boromir and Aragorn were nearest to the destroyed doors rushed towards them and peered out. SWISH! Two arrows flew and almost knocked Boromir's eyes out. Both of them quickly shut the doors before anymore could fly past.
"They have a cave troll." The man from Gondor muttered sarcastically. It would seem funny if the time was right to make jokes but already Sam, Gimli and Legolas passed old weapons to help block any entrance.
"Keep close to Gandalf." Ami yelled before drawing out her bow. SWISH! An arrow came in through a hole as what seemed a great force had tried to enter.
SWISH! Rei and Ami both drew their arrows and let it fall against the threat before the doors burst open to allow many ugly orcs and goblins in. Then a battle raged. Orcs and goblin heads fell unmercilessly as they all fought. Soon the cave troll was led in by a malicious goblin. They fought and fought until..."ARAGORN!"
They looked up and saw the cave troll after Frodo.
"UNCLE FRODO!!!!!!!!!" screamed Serena.
AN: AND that my fans is that! For now...R/R
by Empress Blade
Part 5
Frodo awoke to find himself being carried by a pair of great arms. Brown hair swished by his cheek like satin and he saw that Merry, Pippin and Sam were also being carried or led. Merry sat upon Fearuina's shoulders snoring for the world to hear whilst Sulwen carried Pippin with great care. Sam was led by Wilwardin as he slept on the saddle of Thalion. Serena was no where to be seen and he noticed this almost immediately. Valromen dropped him in surprise and bent once again hoping she had done no wrong.
"Are you hurt fair Hobbit?" asked the tall brown-haired woman.
"Not at all but where is my niece?" asked Frodo but then saw Legolas carry the golden-haired girl. The Hobbit got up not heeding Valromen or the others until he reached the Mirkwood Elf. He stared at Serena who seemed at first to have golden hair but it changed now into silver locks.
"What have you done to her Elf?" Frodo asked angrily forgetting that he carried the Ring around his neck. The company stopped and looked at the very angry Hobbit. Boromir was the first to make amends.
"Dear Frodo, I hope you wish no ill for there may be if you hurt Legolas whom carries the Lady." his eyes darkened a little before taking another breath. "You were all asleep and we decided not to wake thee. Legolas persisted on carrying the fair maiden and all the others decided to help carry the others as well. The other Senshi are up ahead with Gandalf and Aragorn and Gimli. But come we must not loose time! Let us continue for we may get to the Gap of Rohan yet!" Then Boromir walked up the hill and Frodo felt as if he was up to something. Wilwardin thought that too for she felt a slight darkness around this Man of Gondor. Legolas noticed not but felt a bliss in carrying this girl who weighed nothing more than a feather. His heart pounded ever more and in it was then he made an oath in himself to not only protect the Ring-bearer but this young child. He remembered the shock and scare he had over the fact Crebain from Dunland had come to spy for the company. The hope to keep the young girl hidden was strong within him and he covered the girl with his cloak he brought from Rivendell. They were soon to walk through the paths of Caradhras but turn to darkness after defeat.
Pluto stared around her, through the many days they had walked and rested, she felt that this would be the hardest test yet. She had an inkling she would not return as she was right now. For here she was sitting amongst the flame and the fact that sometime today or maybe even the next, she would be gone from her princess for a time. 'How ironic, I am the guardian of time and watchkeeper of destiny. But now the thing I keep guard over will have me in its grasp.' thought she smiling sadly as they rested in area surrounded by large boulders.
"Thinking of many thoughts?" asked a soft, ancient voice. Pluto nodded and looked into the eyes of the old wizard.
"Many there is of a darkness and I fought every battle for my princess. Every time I fight, it's for her and for all that we love. It is hard to be a Senshi, Gandalf the Grey. Very hard for you die numerous times only to face death again. There is one amongst us who knows all about death and destruction. Yet there is a greater force over her knowledge that lets her control the darkness and that is our princess." Pluto sighed and looked away from the Wizard.
"Who is she that knows of the darkness yet is in the light?" asked he.
"The Silent Wings of a Butterfly." was her reply and they sat there thinking of what there was to know. There seemed to be a great thinking over all the Senshi. They were to die once more all for the sake of their Princess. Their hearts were heavy with grief and no one could understand how they knew what they knew. They would do anything and everything for their princess for she was a light in their darkness. Even to the wielder of love.
"Move your feet." Aragorn said to Pippin who was training with Boromir on the techniques of the sword. Mina decided that she had enough dreary thoughts and went over to the training group. She took out her staff and whispered; "Ainumen." The staff turned into a long golden sword that radiated a soft light.
"Come my dear hobbits and friend Boromir. I wish to test my skill against this lord from Gondor." said she. Boromir was in shock.
"But Lady, I am a trained man in swordsmanship. Please go back to where you sat." he said.
"Let her be, friend Boromir. We would like to rest." wheezed Merry who was still catching his breath and leaning upon his sword. Pippin nodded his agreement.
"Well I believe we shall have a sparring match my friend." Mina said softly and smiled brightly before the two began.
Stoke by stroke, metal upon metal, man against woman. It was a sight to be seen. Gimli stopped his dwarven tales towards Lita and Haruka to watch the match. No one knew who was winning for Mina showed great skill. Michelle laughed.
"Tis a match to behold such warriors!" Sam exclaimed excitedly.
"Oi! Where did you learn such skills Melarien?" Pippin asked with his eyes open wide. Serena laughed her crystal clear laugh and shook the sleep from her shoulders. The half gold-half silver-haired girl had slept with the cloaks of Boromir, Aragorn, Legolas and the Senshi for a time now and at last she was awake. She saw that Gandalf, Ami and Pluto were sitting together whilst Michelle, Haruka, Lita and Gimli sat in another corner. Legolas was sitting behind her providing a more comfortable resting area as she slept. Serena did not even notice yet that the Elven Prince was there and that worried her a little.
"Well sleepy here is finally up!" Fearuina said in a sharp voice though Frodo sensed a little joy through her voice.
"Oh be nice!" Serena said in a grumpy voice and with such a childlike innocence that all laughed.
"You are a pair to fight against each other." Aragorn said.
"You should see them when they get started! They'd shake you off your feet asunder!" Hotaru laughed softly and Aragorn wondered why she never laughed or talk as much as she did when Serena was asleep or silently helping some of them with their burdens. Legolas finally stood up from his spot and gently helped the small girl with the cloaks. Serena seemed startled at the elf but decided to let him help.
'He is so kind and open. Though he and Gimli are not of best friends yet, I sense he has a heart of Kings. He will not play too big a role in the Battle of the Ring yet I know he soon will be.' thought Serena until Gandalf seemed to squint behind her. She sensed a flock of flying things and she knew that evil was near. She seemed stunned until Legolas took hold of her and bade her sat in a shelter of rocks and such. Knowing she had to be quiet, she stayed still under the rocks and the pile of cloaks Legolas threw upon her. That and also the fact he was there sitting behind and hugging her for comfort. Serena felt like she was in heaven and until she could sense the evil no longer did she look at the elven prince.
"What was that?" Merry asked in worry coming out from some bushes.
"Oslei from Isengard. The Gap of Rohan is being watched. We must take the road to Caradhras." Gandalf said and turned to look at the mountains behind them (because the place they rested sat at the foothills of the mountains already).
"But why must we? In its time even before Sauron appeared, the Red Mountain had been known as Caradhras the Cruel!" Gimli said looking doubtfully at the mountain. Serena felt Legolas still hold her in a protective grasp as if he feared more for her than her Uncle. Sulwen, Fearuina and Valromen noticed this and their own natural natures flared but they did not comment as of yet.
"Let us take the road to Moira for it seems as if we are taking the long way! Why ignore a road that will get us nearer to our destination?" Gimli asked again.
"Even so Sir Gimli though I agree that we should change our route." Boromir mumbled and looked at Mina whom he sparred with. He noticed how pretty her hair glinted in the sunlight. 'Why must I feel this way for a woman? I knew women should not have been brought in this journey!'
"I would not go through the mines at any rate my friend." Gandalf quietly looked at the dwarf with thought.
"Come! Let us listen to Gandalf for he is our guide on this quest." Ami's voice said softly.
"I agree, it will not do well to argue." Fearuina agreed.
"Then let us go! I need some action for there has not been much of yet. We will not do any good staying here." Lita added.
"My friend I must agree." Sulwen glanced a short ways to Legolas who still did not release her princess. "Besides, I have energy to spare." Legolas felt uncomfortable under the Wind Senshi's gaze and gingerly dropped his hand from around the now fully silver-haired girl.
"We will take the road to Caradhras for it seems we must. We will see when the mountain defeats us where we will go but for now let us make ready for another march." Tirmenel said with finality.
Wilwardin handed the tall Senshi her cloak before putting hers on as well. With the Hobbits, Sam talked to Frodo in a low voice of the strange happenings. He did not notice that Losresea, Tirmenel, Wilwardin, Aragorn and Gandalf take a council of what paths to take.
"If you ask me Master Frodo, Serena's senshi are bad news. I dislike the fact that Legolas from Mirkwood must hold her as well." Sam said.
"I agree with the fact Legolas has been unnaturally protective of our niece but the Senshi are fine folk. A little distant, yes, but they are kind. Where is my cloak? Oh there it is." Frodo said as he along with most of the group gathered their gear.
"Well anyway, we must be off again. I just wish we could be done with this quest!" Sam exclaimed before setting Thalion ready once again.
* * * * *
A day or two had passed when they reached the foot of the mountain. Fearuina and Valromen had decided to use some of their powers to make the journey a bit bearable. The climb upon Caradhras was long and painful. By using their powers, it warmed the company a little and enthralled them. As they got closer towards the top, the snow blew worse and worse. Finally they stopped as Michelle stood infront and listened with her ears. Legolas noticed something upon the wind that tainted the air that worried him greatly.
"There's a foul voice upon the wind." he said.
"It is Caradhras!" Boromir yelled and then a slosh of snow dropped from the high peaks. Ami, Michelle and Sulwen looked once at each other and knew what they were to do.
"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" Ami yelled.
"BLUE WATER SHIELD!" Michelle called.
"NORTH WINDS BLOW!" Sulwen bellowed.
Their attacks made a shield around the group shielding them from the slosh of snow for a time.
"We must go back!" Aragorn said to Gandalf.
"We can't!" Gandalf rebelled. Boromir felt the shivering of Pippin and Merry in his grasp as did Legolas felt Serena do. Aragorn held Frodo aloft and knew the same as his felllow comrades.
"The cold will be the end of us. Let us go under the mountains if we can not go over it. Let us take the Mines of Moira." Gimli said. Gandalf seemed to look far off and Gimli's words sent a strange pain through Wilwardin. After a time Sulwen turned back and looked at the group.
"Hurry we can not hold the shield for long. Where will we go?" asked she. Gandalf went out of his reverie.
"Let the ring-bearer and Serena decide." he said finally.
"We will take the mines." Frodo said after weighing the pros and cons in his head. Serena seemed to understand that Moira was not a good place to go.
"I will leave my vote out for I fear the words Moira. I will go where my Uncle wills even to darkness." She replied quietly and felt Legolas' heart beat faster. She willed him not to fear.
"Then it shall be." Tirmenel finally stated. The three who shielded them stopped and Mina felt kind of fed up with the mountain's stubborn anger. She did not wish to enter the mines but she would have to if her princess was to go on.
"Mountain Caradhras! We will leave you now! Let us be!" Mina yelled towards the mountains startling Thalion whom Wilwardin and Sam led. The pony went racing through the snow like a wild beast forced to run. The company went down the hill and within the rest of the day they rested in a circle of dark trees which had no leaves.
"Finally off that wretched mountain." muttered Merry as he lay upon a cold stone.
"Is that so my small one?" asked Michelle to the small Hobbit.
"Yes!" he said in vigour. Michelle looked quietly at him as he turned upon his area of sleep.
"Come my little one into my lap and rest." Michelle decided and arranged it so that she could be comfortable as well.
Gimli was having the same thoughts and shared it with Haruka and Lita.
"I knew we should have gone to Moira. We would not have to bear the cold!" said the Dwarf.
"Even so, those roads may be dangerous as well." said Lita wisely.
"Believe us friend Gimli, we know of danger." Haruka added. The dwarf muttered inaudible words that seemed to be of the stubborness of women.
Sam comforted Thalion by giving the pony an apple to eat. "Good ol' Bill." he said but the pony snorted and did not eat.
Rei laughed. "I believe he likes the name Thalion Sam." Sam rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Thank Serena for coming up with a name for him." he muttered.
"Even so-stay still." Rei's voice changed and she quickly took a bow that had been hidden within her cloak. Sam looked in surprise for she did not have a place to have her arrows to be held in. Then he heard it. Low growls and evil groans.
"Werewolves." Wilwardin said and took her staff and it changed into a purple glaive. The senshi turned their staffs into weapons that seemed different from the swords and bows that the others carried.
"FIRE SOUL ARROWS!" commanded Rei. A dark shape came up close to Serena's side and the silver-haired girl quickly used Manran to hit the shape. A yelp of pain before something came out and grabbed her. Legolas shot his arrow so did Rei at the monster on top of Serena. The arrows hit on the mark and the animal howled.
"Let us be spies of Isengard! Flee to your dark caves for Gandalf the Grey is speaking! I will scorch thee if you come nearer!" the Grey Wizard used a little magic and the trees that surrounded them lit in flame. The werewolves withdrew and were seen no more as they journeyed on.
Serena, Frodo and Mina accidently stepped into the murky lake that had was supposed to be the Sirannon. The river had dried up and dammed near a place called the Stair Falls.
"Things have changed indeed." Gandalf had muttered about the river that used to gush and run with twinkling merriment by the broken path that they had walked on.
So it came to be that they had reached the very doors of Moira and they were consumed with an unamed fear. They rested for the doors were hidden and made of starmoon*.
Tirmenel, Sulwen, Michelle and Wilwardin held a council in which they talked of dark thoughts. Rei, Lita, Mina and Ami also held their own. Whilst that happened; Serena was at rest in Legolas' arms with Boromir and Gimli quite near. Aragorn was helping Samwise with his pack and freeing of a rather frisky Thalion who was quaking with fear. Frodo and Gandalf stood closest to the gates wondering what to do. Merry and Pippin busied themselves by throwing rocks into the water.
"Stop!" Aragorn said after sending Thalion off. "Do not disturb the water." Pippin dropped the stone he held in his hand. The youngest Hobbit noticed thought he saw a flicker of watchfulness in his eyes.
Gandalf felt like giving up and sat down upon a stone rampart. After much whispering, Ami* stood up and looked at the door. She noticed something in the whole and began to whisper the common words that Gandalf had said. Frodo watched as the blue-haired girl paced and mutter quite unusually.
"Speak 'friend' and enter. Speak 'friend' and enter. Speak-I've got it!" Ami said delightedly and drew back every memory she had of elvish. The others looked at her and Gandalf stared in surprise.
"What is it my dear friend?" asked the Grey Wizard.
"MELLON!" exclaimed she. The doors drew back and all around were surprise. It was dark inside the mines but the company moved on. Serena had an inkling that before they would reach the end, only a few would come out. 'Please mother let us be together.' thought she as they moved into the inky darkness with the moon's soft light behind them.
'It is too dark and I do not like this place.' thought Mina uneasily and clutched her real weapon. A long whip made of a golden metal that was flexible as rope and glowed whenever any of her friends were in danger. The blonde haired girl of love hated the inky dark and would have turned back if it weren't for her friend Lita backing her up. Boromir saw this and came close to her feeling a little uncertain. Throughout the journey, the lord of Gondor found himself feeling enchanted by her. 'She is a thing of beauty unlike that I've ever seen. I will protect her with my life even more so than the One Ring and Hobbits.' thought he. Sam, Pippin, Merry and Frodo had came in with the rest but didn't want to step inside anymore than they wanted too. Frodo didn't like the feeling of being watched from the shadows. Wilwardin* and Gimli seemed to be the only ones liking the dark. The dwarf talked to her and Haruka of the generosity of the dwarves.
"Here you'll enjoy malt beers and great fires. You will see the work of the dwarves first hand as well! They call this a mine. A mine when it's more than a mine!" the red headed dwarf did not see through the light that the halls that they had entered into was littered with the bones of many dwarves, goblins and orcs.
"This is not a mine." Boromir said quietly. "Tis a tomb." Gimli looked around and saw that he was right. If not warned, he would have stepped upon a skeleton of a dwarf.
"Goblins." Legolas and Rei said as they looked at the arrows.
"Run. RUN!" Mina yelled. The hobbits did not need to be told twice and backed up against the doors. They would've all fell onto stone and water if it weren't for Mina who wrapped them around with her whip. As she let them go, she felt something pull her and saw something fleetingly grab Frodo's foot.
"NO!" exclaimed Serena and the silver-haired girl rushed to help the others stop the monsterosity. It didn't help much for the enemy seemed to want her as well. A tentacle lifted her from around her waist and Serena almost choked. A huge squid like monster with dark watchful eyes and teeth as big as iron cubs would've swallowed them whole if it weren't for the arrows. Legolas had fitted his arrows and it flew against the air towards a tentacle holding the three up. Rei, Ami and Lita used attacks of their own. Using their special weapons (Rei=bow, Ami=bow and Lita=sword)
"FIRE SOUL ARROWS!"
"ICE SHARDS DESTROY!"
"LIGHTNING STORM!"
The three attacks hit the monster square at the tentacles. Legolas jumped and catched the falling Serena whilst Boromir and Aragorn caught the others. Sulwen and Nenia backed them up by using their weapons and attacks. (Sulwen=saber and Nenia=whip)
"TORNADO WINDS DEMOLISH!"
"BLUE WATER MORTIFY!"
The attacks wounded the creature enough for the company to flee back into the dark. It clambered upon the rocks and into the halls if it were not for the crumbling walls and Tirmenel.
"TIME'S DEADLY SCREAM!"
The attack made the monster fly back. Wilwardin and Serena finished it using attacks opposite to the other.
"SILENT DEATH!"
"FLYING ANGEL WINGS!"
The monster was weak, very weak and a darkness and light curled around it. The rocks that it pulled at crumbled and all was dark. Those who went into the water were soaked and the darkness was terrible and consuming.
"Come, let us travel on for the only way out is ahead." Gandalf said and magically lighted his staff. The company continued, pressing on into a danger that would take more from the company than anyone could possibly dream of.
Chapter 17
It was dark, cold and silent. Pippin felt as if the world was vanishing and time stopped. He wished he could go back to the Shire but this darkness imprisoned him. He felt watchful eyes on his back and it wasn't a comforting thought. If any, the world seemed to be disappearing and wherever he turned, there was only doom. He didn't notice much in his own fears, until she was beside him and placed a hand on his shoulder, that the Senshi of Water stood beside him. She walked calmly with Sulwen ahead and Pluto behind them. He looked at the hooded woman with something akin to awe and forgot to watch his step. He almost fell but was grabbed just in time by Nenia.
"Be careful little one for strange things are in the dark. We would not wish for you to be harmed." whispered Nenia. Pippin felt as if her voice was like the calm rains that would blow into the Shire at times. A melody of soft patterings and breezes. A giver of life not destruction. Pippin almost fell again while thinking but decided to be careful enough to watch his feet.
For two days they walked in silence and Merry was having a misreable time of it. They had stopped for only a little while and Gandalf held his staff aloft shining the only light he could muster. Merry felt weary to the bones of his soul and felt as if they would never finish the Quest. Lita and Rei, the two powerful inners in which destruction could come to those that did not heed their tempers, were the ones to walk near him. Rei sensed that the Hobbits and everyone around her were weary, alert and tired. Her heart grew heavy as well if it weren't for Serena who knew of her restless nature.
"Uncle Merry." said a soft voice that shocked Rei. In the memories she had, Serena was a bringer of fun, innocence and had little hand eye cordination. Now *this* Serena *had* fun, innocence, *hand eye cordination* *AND* a little more wisdom. All that came into Rei's mind was 'Princess Serenity'.
"Are you afraid?" asked the silver haired girl who walked ahead with Legolas in front of her. Everyone's ears perked.
"Of course we're not afraid. At least I'm not. A dwarf is never afraid of dark places." Gimli muttered. Serena had been walking with her eyes blackened and it was in that short stop that they noticed it.
"No." Lita said remembering all of the time her eyes were black and dark. A flash of light so dim yet so sure went up and two gigantic wings spread from one end of the company to the other. Serena stood wearing a white dress with wings and she glowed.
"You're not afraid enough. The time has come. Those who are in the dark go back! You will not harm this company until Fate decides now leave!" said she and there seemed to be a battle in her mind.
"Go my friends and my love. I will be back now run fools!" Serena whispered. They remained there.
"GO NOW!" said she more forcefully
"Not on your life! We stick together no matter what!" Lita yelled back.
"Then you will all suffer what I and the Bearer alone should face." Serena said until an arrow of darkness flew past her almost cutting through her wings. Then thousands of arrows were shot from all sides. They never reached the company for a protective barrier drew around the company.
'Why is she-who is she?!' thought Gandalf Greyhame. The winged girl shimmered with every arrow and she felt every piercing while the others did not except perhaps the Elven Prince. Arrow after arrow came through until a light came. A dark, menacing light. Then an eye lidless and enreathed in flame peered through the darkness. The company fell back but the barrier held.
"So, you have come." whispered a voice that resounded throughout the darkened halls.
"I have." Serena whispered back.
"You are a fool." said he.
"I am." Serena said also.
"Why do you follow my words?" asked Sauron whom was the eye.
"Do I follow or do I lead?" asked Serena in return. Sauron was beginning to be impatient.
"Shut up girl! You have never felt pain but you will now!" Sauron said and whipped the girl in her head and heart but could not whip her soul. Serena screamed and the barrier almost broke yet it stayed firm. The company watched in horror.
"I have hurt many a life with my power. Now you shall come under it!" Sauron whipped her again. The Senshi gathered up energy to shoot the eye down.
"My treasure has been lost now it has been found. I know who keeps it and no one will stop me from getting it. No one knows the truth of my precious." said he laughing a cruel laugh.
"No one for sure." whispered Serena who spoke with much pain. A bright light shown and those who knew much of Middle-earth wondered if Elendil had come from the sky for the light was so bright that it reached throughout all of Middle-earth. It lifted the weary souls that tried to fight for good but stroke down the ones that fought for evil.
"I AM Princess Serenity, the White Light. Sauron your name once used to be Great Kindness but now you know of Great Pain. Do not underestimate the protectors of the Ring-bearer! I know of your business but you do not know mine, no matter how hard you've caused me pain. Know that when all has been done you and those before you will be given one last judgement before the Pits of No Return! Now begone darkness until the time has come!" A long silver flash catered throughout the area and the company did not know it then but they were all being transported through the ages to near the very end of the Moira Journey. All too soon they were at an area that would change the course of Eternity. It was a place with three passages ruined and such. The company did not remember much of what had taken place but knew it was vital to them all. Until a hand seemed to wash over their minds erasing traces of the memory and replacing it with a new one. It seemed that other forces did not want all to remember of what was to take place. Now they sat in the silence wondering where to go next never knowing that the mind was given a new memory to take up.
They had stopped in an area which had three doors facing them. Gandalf frowned and his eyebrows furrowed. "I do not remember this place." he mumbled. The eighteen stopped and waited for the grey wizard to figure which way to go.
"He'll get us lost." muttered a very worn out Gimli as he sat on a rock.
"Do not dare to think like that." said Lita kindly but firmly.
"Yes Dwarf friend. Gandalf the Grey has gotten us here thus far. He will not fail us." Mina added. Boromir grunted at what the blonde haired girl said. So they sat for three hours in the darkness and in that time, there was a sort of comfort.
Frodo looked out suddenly from his place between Hotaru and Sam, to see two eyes as big as plates. Rushing quickly up some stones towards Gandalf and Pluto, he spoke quickly and anxiously.
"Gandalf, someone is there." A puff of smoke from Gandalf's pipe and a small smile from the mysterious Knight.
"It is Gollum. He's been following us for three days." Gandalf said.
"Gollum!" exclaimed Frodo.
"Yes Gollum. I pity the misreable creature." Pluto said.
"Why pity him? I pity Bilbo for not killing him when he had the chance." Frodo snapped.
"Pity is what saved Bilbo." Gandalf said quickly. "Why kill a misreable creature that had suffered much hardship and misery? Do not feel that it is right into doing that my boy."
"For many of us need a light though the way is dark." said Pluto's soft voice. Frodo Baggins was feeling misreable. The journey was no mere picnic that he knew before hand and even now it was like one big obstacle that seemed more than hardship.
"I wish we didn't have to be here in this place. I wish Gollum wasn't following us. I wish I never had this ring." Frodo frowned.
"So do all of us." Gandalf spoke.
"Many who have chosen their fate sometimes regret their choices." Pluto added.
"But there is no need for much heartache Uncle Frodo." someone's familiar soft voice (when not screaming) said. Serena put a hand upon Frodo's shoulder. "When we have destiny it is not always pain. Sometimes destiny leads us towards greater and better happiness that we've never really thought about." They all looked at Serena with something akin to awe and happiness.
"Yes but still. Many who have lived deserve death. Yet many who have died deserve life." Legolas said suddenly.
"Yes that is true. But can you give it to them my Elven Prince?" asked Serena.
"Even the wise can not see all ends." Gandalf added to their argument. Serena nodded before turning to the three doors. The others did not see that a soft tear had fallen down her face and that she held in her hand seventeen crystals on a silver string. If they were wise, they would've noticed that it was made from the very Star Staff that Serena had often carried with her. It seemed that it was only now that Rei noticed that.
"Serena, where is the Star Staff?" asked she feeling a little nervous at how silent the silver-haired girl was being. Serena closed her eyes to that question feeling all the anxiety, the fear and above all the love from the company she travelled with.
"It is here." Serena answered putting the hand with the crystals to her heart. Turning around she lifted her arm away and raised the crystal necklaces. One by one they left her hand towards the people she loved. "For you from me. It will keep all of you safe though the way is lost. Now dear Gandalf, which is the road to take?" asked the Princess. The grey wizard did not seem to hear her.
He was concentrating on a saying told to him from a long time ago.
Amidst the ruins of the dwarves
The Princess of Light will choose the Knights
With crystals upon silver chains
They may reign or they may fall
Yet on the whole they will save the world
Far away from impending doom
Admist the ruins of the dwarves
The Princess will soon fall to save Arda
The grey wizard chanced to look up at Serena and ponder the saying. 'If you are the Princess, I swear that the Ring will be destroyed and that you will never fall.' thought he. 'Nor will I let the halflings fall into the Dark Lord's power.' Suddenly he smelled something. In the darkness he could smell three distinct smells.
From the left it seemed to smell like death and rot. From the center it seemed to smell like a cold dampness that beckoned to all mockingly. From the right it seemed to smell like a soft breeze that brought much sadness.
"Oh. I have found which way to go." said Gandalf.
"He has remembered!" Merry said aloud. They got up quickly and quietly and followed the Istari towards the right door.
"Not at all Meriadoc. It does not smell as foul down here." said he.
"Like that old saying, when in doubt always trust your toes." said Mina. Ami and Lita laughed as the others looked at the blonde strangely.
"I think you mean, when in doubt always trust your nose." Lita corrected with a faint smile.
"Well yes. Of course. Come on, we don't want to stay in here talking forever!" Mina said and soon the company was off again to face the unknown.
Aragorn clutched the crystal necklace that Serena had given him as well as the star that his love Arwen had donned on him. 'Gandalf you dear fool. Why did we take this route? I told thee not to take it for it will be your downfall. Remember I told thee?' he thought. A voice answered in his head.
'King of Gondor, do not trouble for your friend so. He is wisest of all the Istari. He will fall but he will not fail.' Aragorn was startled but did not show his surprise. As they traversed upon dark halls and ruined cavrens, they reached a point where Gandalf said aloud.
"I will chance upon real light for we are now respectively in the great halls of Dwarrowdelf." His staff glowed brighter and all around they saw the great piers that Dwarves of Old had made. Gimli looked around himself in awe muttering the names of the many ways of the legends he had heard long before.
"There's an eye opener for ye if you look." Sam breathed.
"Great are these halls." Hotaru said. "But dark was the greedy hearts of many." Gimli did not hear her for he had started to run.
"GIMLI!" shouted Gandalf and Lita.
"The way is not safe!" Pluto added as the rest of the fellowship followed the dwarf into a room. They saw Gimli on one foot sobbing. "Balin oh great Balin!" mumbled he. Haruka and Lita stooped to the level of their friend.
"Here lies Balin, Lord and ruler of Moira." Ami read aloud. The dwarf sobbed louder. Pippin saw a book in the grasp of dead Dwarf and at that exact same moment, Michelle went to pick up the book. Wrinkled pages filled with dust and words in Dwarfish scrawl.
"They have taken the Bridge and second hall. Two of our own fell there five days hence. There are some pages broken and torn. This line I read is hard even for me to understand." Michelle said. Pluto and Hotaru drew near and peered over the water soldier's shoulder.
"We cannot get out. They are coming with the sound of drums beating 'doom', 'doom', 'doom'. I fear this is the end as we are stuck in the room of records. Much has been taken and destroyed. They are coming. We cannot get out." Hotaru read aloud. A great silence fell over them and Gimli wiped his tears.
"We cannot get out." grumbled he though he was still saddened. "Grim words are they not?"
"Indeed. I have a bad feeling about this however." Rei frowned and looked at the door with great anxiousness. Suddenly there was a big CLANG!!!
All turned to see Mina, Pippin and Merry near a big well. CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! All flinched and were weary and stiff.
"Fools." Gandalf snapped the grey wizard. Then drums were heard. DOOM. Then again.
DOOM, DOOM, DOOM, DOOM, DOOM! Louder and louder the sound was heard. Boromir and Aragorn were nearest to the destroyed doors rushed towards them and peered out. SWISH! Two arrows flew and almost knocked Boromir's eyes out. Both of them quickly shut the doors before anymore could fly past.
"They have a cave troll." The man from Gondor muttered sarcastically. It would seem funny if the time was right to make jokes but already Sam, Gimli and Legolas passed old weapons to help block any entrance.
"Keep close to Gandalf." Ami yelled before drawing out her bow. SWISH! An arrow came in through a hole as what seemed a great force had tried to enter.
SWISH! Rei and Ami both drew their arrows and let it fall against the threat before the doors burst open to allow many ugly orcs and goblins in. Then a battle raged. Orcs and goblin heads fell unmercilessly as they all fought. Soon the cave troll was led in by a malicious goblin. They fought and fought until..."ARAGORN!"
They looked up and saw the cave troll after Frodo.
"UNCLE FRODO!!!!!!!!!" screamed Serena.
AN: AND that my fans is that! For now...R/R