VERY IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE!!!!

elvish

Author's Notes: Valar the highest 14 of the Ainur, Aratar the highest 8 of the Ainur, Eru God, Eldar Elves, Edain Men

Okay, well I thought I would provide my readers with some background information that most people do not seem to know. In the SM manga, it is revealed that although Usagi is the reincarnation of Princess Serenity, Princess Serenity herself was also a reincarnation. Usagi is in fact the reincarnation of the reincarnation of the Goddess of the Moon, Selene. In simple, short words, Usagi is Selene, the Goddess of the Moon. Just thought I'd add this note because most writers don't know (or acknowledge) this. I've mostly seen people say that Queen Selenity was Selene which made little sense to me since Usagi is obviously much stronger than her mother and it would be weird if she was stronger than a goddess. Anywhoo, just thought you should know before flaming me about this chappie. Thank you! (I don't mind flames but I do mind them when they point correct things that aren't wrong or the corrections they make are false.)

Disclaimer: I do not own SM or LotR…unfortunately…

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Chapter Five: Guiding the Lost (tTT part 2)

Boromir had placed his hands back on the crystal and was watching over Théoden-King. Serenity, however, was observing his figure with a secret smile. She had seen it the moment her eyes landed on Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan. This would be the love of Faramir, brother of Boromir. Suddenly, the smile faded and Usagi's eyes darkened. There was something strange about the shieldmaiden. Not wrong, just…strange…

With a shake of her head to clear her thoughts, Usagi placed her hands onto the crystal. She seemed to be in deep thought until what she saw finally clicked in her mind and her lips let out one name in surprise.

"Rei…"

0o0

Éowyn spun around at a sound behind her and brought her sword down before realizing that the man behind her was Aragorn. Fortunately, he brought out his own sword in one swift movement and blocked her blow. She stared at him with wide-eyes for a moment, contemplating. The voice she had heard was decidedly female.

She almost blushed when she realized how long she had been staring into the lord's eyes but caught herself and donned on her mask of pride. She would let no man hold her attention, nor keep her captive. With a quick turn of the wrist, Éowyn turned her sword and loosed it from the hold of Aragorn's sword. She moved in a fluid motion and had him at the point of her sword.

He looked at her with piercing grey eyes before lowering his sword in submission. She held him there for a moment before lowering her own sword and turning back to her business.

"You have some skill with a blade." She heard Aragorn say.

"The women of this country learned long ago that those without swords can still die upon them." She said defiantly as she placed her sword in a chest and closed the top with a resounding thud. "I fear neither death nor pain."

"What do you fear, my lady?" He asked.

"A cage." Éowyn replied, wondering why she was opening up to this man. "To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire."

"You are a daughter of kings; a Shieldmaiden of Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate." Aragorn said, looking into her eyes once more before walking away, leaving Éowyn to gaze at his retreating form and ponder his words.

0o0

Boromir lifted his hands from the crystal with a smile. The White Lady of Rohan had spirit. He turned to Usagi to make a comment about wild stallions waiting to be mounted when all his humor vanished. She was crying. No. Usagi was not just crying. She was bawling. Pearl-like tears were racing down her cheeks as sobs racked her body. She held her arms around herself to provide much-needed warmth as her whole body shook.

Boromir was at a loss of what to do so he walked over and took her into his arms, whispering comforting words into her ear. Slowly, Usagi calmed down and all that was left of her emotional breakdown were gasps for air. Boromir looked down at her with worry in his eyes and a slight frown on his lips. What had happened?

0o0

"Who are they?" Sam asked Sméagol as the trio hid behind bushes.

"Wicked men, servants of Sauron." He replied. "They are called to Mordor. The Dark One is gathering all armies to him. It won't be long now. He will soon be ready."

"Ready to do what?" Sam asked, turning to the creature.

"To make his war. The last war that will cover all the world in Shadow."

"We've got to get moving. C'mon Sam." Frodo said as he turned to leave.

Suddenly, massive beasts came into their line of view.

"Mr. Frodo! Look! It's an oliphant! No one at home will believe this." Sam said to Frodo, neither one noticing Sméagol sneaking away.

Frodo finally noticed Sméagol's departure and looked wary.

"Sméagol?" He asked.

Suddenly, the Southerners were attacked by arrows flying from other bushes in the area. One of the oliphants fell and was headed their way. Frodo and Sam narrowly escaped being crushed by it.

"We've lingered here too long." Frodo said. "C'mon Sam."

The two turned around to leave when they were suddenly caught by men.

"Oi!" Sam yelled in protest.

"Bind their hands." A man with a hooded cloak whispered harshly.

0o0

Boromir still held Serenity to his chest. She was still shaking and sniffling, but the tears had subsided. Suddenly, the gasps for air stopped and she became very still. He pulled away from her to look her in the eye.

"I know of all your past, but you have no idea about mine." She said quietly.

Boromir was about to protest, she didn't need to tell him anything, but was quieted by her next words.

"But it's time someone knew."

0o0

"What news?" Faramir asked his men who were currently pouring over a map.

"Our scouts report Saruman has attacked Rohan. Théoden's people have fled to Helm's Deep, but we must look to our own borders." Madril informed. "Faramir, Orcs are on the move. Sauron is marshalling an army. Easterlings and Southrons are passing through the Black Gate."

"How many?" Faramir asked.

"Some thousands." Madril said worriedly. "More come every day."

"Who's covering the river to the north?" Faramir questioned.

"We pulled five hundred men out of Osgiliath. If their city is attacked, we won't hold it." Madril answered.

"Saruman attacks from Isengard. Sauron from Mordor. The fight will come to men on both fronts." Faramir said. "Gondor is weak. Sauron will strike us soon, and he will strike hard. He knows now we have not the strength to repel him."

0o0

"The very first of my lives, I do not remember. In the very beginning, I was Selene, the Tsuki no Megami: Goddess of the Moon."

0o0

"My men tell me that you are Orc spies." Faramir told Sam and Frodo.

"Spies?" Sam asked disbelievingly. "Now wait just a minute."

"Well if you're not spies, who are you? Speak!" He ordered.

"We are hobbits of the Shire. Frodo Baggins is my name, and this is Samwise Gamgee." Frodo said quietly.

"Your bodyguard?" Faramir asked with a raised eyebrow.

"His gardener." Sam said, irritated.

0o0

"My second life, I lived as a direct descendant of my past self. I was Princess Serenity, heir to the throne of the White Moon Kingdom and future ruler of the Silver Alliance, though those titles have little meaning to you.

"In that life, I often escaped Palace life by evading my guards and fleeing to earth. It was there that I met the love of my life: Endymion, Prince of Earth. However, our love was a forbidden one. Earth was not part of the Silver Alliance as it was wracked with war. The other planets felt that Earth should not be part of our peaceful alliance. How could they maintain peace in our alliance when they could not even maintain peace on their own planet? My mother, fortunately, felt that our alliance was not complete without Earth and secretly gave her consent. It was at my sixteenth birthday when disaster struck.

"Beryl, a noble earth woman was in love with Endymion. Overcome by jealousy, she made a pact with Metallia, the Queen of the Dark Kingdom. By pledging her soul to Metallia, she was granted the power to destroy the Silver Millennium and its citizens. My guardians fell, one by one, protecting me. They weren't just my guards, they were my best friends, my sisters. I loved them.

"Endymion also fell protecting me from Beryl. In despair, I took a hold of his sword and plunged it into my chest. My mother, overwhelmed with grief, used her Holy Ginzuishou to seal away the evil and send me and my court, along with my love, to a future when we could finally destroy the evil and then live in peace. That life was my third and I became Usagi Tsukino."

0o0

"You're a friend of Boromir?" Faramir questioned Frodo.

"Yes," Frodo answered hesitatingly, "for my part."

"It will grieve you then, to learn that he is dead?" Faramir asked, his voice laced with bitterness.

"Dead?" Frodo questioned disbelievingly. "How? When?"

"As one of his companions, I had hoped you would tell me. He was my brother."

0o0

"In this life, I was a warrior. I used the Ginzuishou to fight demons, monsters, and evils of all kinds. My guardians...my friends...my sisters...we endured much to ensure a better future. You see, my daughter from the future came and told us of what it held. I was to rule for hundreds of years. Peace, even greater than that which had existed during my mother's time, was to come to the people of earth. It was truly a Utopia, Crystal Tokyo.

"Unfortunately, my daughter's coming caused what one of my friends, the Guardian of Time, would call a time paradox. It was during the beginning of my reign as Neo-Queen Serenity that my world ended, and yours began.

"I suppose it was the mercy of Eru that allowed my world to continue. By allowing my daughter to come into the past, it was ensured that both your world and mine would co-exist by splitting the Time Stream. I am truly grateful they allowed my old world to endure, even though it meant I was to become the queen of a dead world, because it also meant that somewhere...my beloveds still lived...

"Even more so, I am grateful that Eru allowed me to become part of the creation of your world. Tis the greatest gift...the gift of being a mother..." She said softly, eyes tearing in remembrance of her pink-haired rabbit.

0o0

"They wait for my command." Faramir whispered. "Shall I shoot?"

The singing of Sméagol broke through Frodo's horrified gaze.

"The rock and pool is nice and cool, so juicy sweet. Our only wish, to catch a fish, so juicy sweeeeeet!"

"Wait." Frodo said. "This creature is bound to me, and I to him. He is our guide. Please, let me go down to him."

0o0

"I thought my guardians and my love had perished, never to be reborn, but I suppose I was wrong because I've seen one of my guardians in your world." She said.

"Who?" Boromir asked, still dazed with all the information he had received.

"Hino Rei, the Soldier of Mars, but you've seen her too." She answered.

"Have I?" He asked, wondering who he'd ever met that could have been one of her friends.

"Yes. In this life, her name is Éowyn."

0o0

"Where are you leading them?" Faramir demanded of the sobbing creature. "Answer me!"

"Sméagol?" The creature asked itself in a very different voice. "Why do you cry, Sméagol?"

"Cruel men hurts us. Master tricksed us." The creature answered to itself.

"Of course he did. I told you he was tricksy. I told you he was false." The more malicious voice soothed.

"Master is our friend…our friend!" The more wretched counterpart despaired.

"Master betrayed us!" The other countered.

"No, leave us alone!" Cried the poor creature.

"Filthy little hobbitsess, they stole it from us!" It said.

"No…no!" Cried the weaker.

"What did they steal?" Faramir asked.

Suddenly, the creature became very quiet before turning to the Captain.

"MY, PRECIOUSSSS!"

0o0

Boromir was shocked. Of course he thought the Shieldmaiden of Rohan had a fiery temper, but to be the Soldier of Fire?

"Are you sure? How can you tell?" He asked.

"History repeats itself. Circumstances are very similar. In the past, Rei-chan only ever loved one man. She loved a man named Kaidou, who worked for her father. He promised her that he would never become like her father, closed and heartless. However, when it came down to it, he chose that life over Rei. Rei wouldn't have minded so much because she loved him, but he also chose another for a wife, to help his new political life. He betrayed her and she in turn, swore off all men." Usagi said.

"How does this apply to Lady Éowyn? I know she has a cold heart towards men, but-" Boromir started.

"Lady Éowyn loves Lord Aragorn." Usagi declared. "Aragorn will choose his love for Arwen over her and Éowyn will despair as she did in the past."

Boromir looked horrified. How could destiny be so cruel as to deal this woman the same horrifying fate, life after life?

"Aragorn is a better man than Kaidou. It will not be as bad as it was in the past." Usagi said. "I just hope Faramir will be better at comforting her than Yuiichirou was…"

"Faramir!" Boromir gasped. "We must check on Faramir!"

Usagi smiled as she realized Boromir did not take in the full meaning of that sentence.

0o0

"So… this is the answer to all the riddles. Here in the wild, I have you. Two Halflings and a host of men at my call, and the Ring of Power within my grasp." Faramir said as he lifted the Ring from under Frodo's shirt with the point of his sword. "A chance for Faramir, Captain of Gondor, to show his quality."

"No!" Frodo cried as he stumbled back.

"Stop it! Leave him alone!" Sam shouted as he ran to Frodo's aid. "Don't you understand? He's got to destroy it! That's where we're going, into Mordor, to the Mountain of Fire!"

Suddenly, Faramir pulled back, as if freed from a spell. He could have sworn he felt the spirit of his lost brother just now. The same comforting feeling he felt growing as a child.

0o0

Boromir heaved as he leaned against Usagi, who was also gasping for breath.

"Lucky we saw to him in time." He said.

"Lucky indeed." Usagi replied. "I think I'll pass out now."

"That sounds good."

0o0

Unfortunately, the feeling did not last long and Faramir once again fell under the spell of the One Ring.

"Prepare to leave." He said with narrowed eyes. "The Ring will go to Gondor."

0o0

Usagi woke up some time later to see Boromir leaning over her.

A resounding smack echoed throughout the halls of the deserted moon palace.

"Sorry Boromir, you just scared me." Usagi said sheepishly to a slightly pouting Boromir who had a bright red handprint on the side of his face.

"Now that you are feeling better, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure, Boro-chan!" Usagi said, watching in amusement as Boromir winced slightly at the nickname.

"If Rei was reborn in Arda, what happened to the rest of your guards?"

Usagi put a finger to her chin and seemed to be pondering this.

"Well, I was closest to Rei out of all my guards, she was my best friend, so it'd only be natural that I recognize her first. Maybe the others were reborn as well!" She squealed in excitement.

Suddenly, she turned from Boromir and put her hands on the crystal.

"What are you doing?" Boromir asked as he tapped Usagi on the shoulder.

"Trying to find my senshi, leave me alone."

0o0

"A great host, you say?" Théoden asked the recently arrived Aragorn who had just changed out of his wet clothes.

"All Isengard is emptied." He replied.

"How many?" Théoden asked apprehensively.

"Ten thousand strong, at least." Aragorn stated.

"Ten thousand?!" Théoden asked.

"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of Men. They will be here by nightfall." Aragorn said.

Suddenly, the king's face set into resolve.

"Let them come."

0o0

"I can't believe it."

"What?"

"I cannot believe it!!!"

"What?!" Boromir asked Serenity, dying of curiosity.

However, Usagi ignored him and stood up on her feet, a fire burning in her eyes.

"Pluto, get over here right now!!!" She yelled out. "I know you can hear me Setsuna, and I want your butt in my palace NOW!!!"

Boromir was about to ask Usagi who she was yelling at when a dark portal appeared and out stepped a beautiful woman with olive-colored skin and long, dark-green hair. Next to her was another beautiful woman with snow-white skin and short, dark-purple hair.

"Hello, princess. It's nice to see you again."

0o0

"Farmers, ferries, stable boys. These are no soldiers." Aragorn said as he looked around the armory.

"Most have seen too many winters." Gimli added.

"Or too few." Legolas finished. "Look at them. They're frightened. I can see it in their eyes. And they should be! Three hundred against ten thousand?"

"They have a better chance defending themselves here than in Edoras." Aragorn replied, trying to keep his temper in check.

"Aragorn, they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!" Legolas pleaded.

"Then I shall die as one of them!"

0o0

"Setsuna, Hotaru." Usagi said icily after a stunned silence. "Or should I call you Vairë and Nienna now?"

Boromir's eyes widened and his mouth opened in shock.

"Usagi-hime…"

"NO! Don't 'Usagi-hime' me, Setsuna. Tell me, were you enjoying your status as one of the Valar while I was locked in a piece of rock?!" She yelled.

"Usagi-mama…"

"And you!!! You were one of the Aratar for Selenity's sake. Did you ever once think of coming to get me out of that stupid crystal?"

"Usagi-hime, I'm very sorry but it had to be done for the good of Arda." Setsuna said.

"Don't you mean it had to be done for the good of your tapestry, weaver?" Usagi spat out. "You could've done anything, Setsuna. You weave the history of Arda!"

"It's not like that, Serenity!" Setsuna exclaimed, tears coming to her eyes. "Eru decided to award me for all the work and loneliness I suffered as the time-guardian so he made me one of the Valar. He told me that I would be best suited for the job because in much the same way that I could not change the time-stream, I was not to change the tapestry of Arda."

"Usagi-mama, I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you. The only reason I was allowed to become one of the Aratar was because Eru awarded me for the burden of darkness and destruction I had to endure throughout time. Gomen-ne, Usagi-mama. Gomen." A very grown-up Hotaru said.

Usagi gathered Hotaru and Setsuna into her arms.

"No, I'm sorry for being so selfish. I'm just not sure what to believe anymore." Usagi said as tears streamed down her face.

0o0

"Every villager able to wield a sword has been sent to the armory." Gamling said as he entered Théoden's chambers. "My lord?"

"Who am I, Gamling?" Théoden asked with a lost look in his eyes.

"You are our king, sire." Gamling answered, confused.

"And do you trust your king?" Théoden-king asked.

"Your men, my lord, will follow you to whatever end." Gamling said firmly.

"To whatever end." Théoden repeated.

"Where is the horse and the rider?" He asked softly. "Where is the horn that was blowing? They have passed like rain on the mountains – like wind in the meadow. The days have gone down in the west; behind the hills, into shadow."

As he donned the last of his armor, Théoden whispered softly to himself.

"How did it come to this?"

0o0

Usagi, Boromir, Setsuna and Hotaru, now known as Vairë and Nienna, all sat around on top of cushions, popping grapes and talking of times past.

"You should've seen their faces when they found that they'd been born as immortal men! Haruka-papa was pretty pleased but I thought Michiru-mama was about to die, and you know her! She almost never looks anything but calm!" Hotaru squealed, possibly for the first time in her immortal life. Eru had offered her everlasting life but not everlasting joy for she was known as the weeper.

"But what happened to them? As far as I know, Alatar and Pallando traveled to the East with Saruman and never returned." Usagi said curiously.

"Well, Saruman slayed them, but it is nothing to worry about. As they were born Ainur, their spirits simply returned to Valinor where they were put into bodies; female bodies, much to the pleasure of Michiru-chan." Setsuna said, taking a sip of tea.

"What about the rest of my senshi? Venus and Mercury and Jupiter?" Usagi asked.

"Well, Jupiter and Mercury have both been reborn as male elves." Hotaru said.

"WHAT?!?" Usagi screeched.

"Jupiter became Glorfindel and Mercury became Erestor." She replied.

"You're kidding me." Said a shocked Usagi.

"Can't you tell? Glorfindel is a mighty warrior like Makoto, and fiercely protective of those he loves, namely Elrond and his kin, much like Makoto was of you and the other senshi. However, being a man, Jupiter is much less shy and much more...assertive, as well as confident. He's quite the flirt." Setsuna said with a smile.

"What about Ami-chan?" Usagi asked.

"Ami and Erestor have many of the same qualities. They are both remarkable warriors and swift on their feet, but their forte lies in their ability to analyze and calculate." Setsuna said.

"And Minako-chan? Are you going to tell me that Mina-chan is Elrond?"

"Actually, Minako is Arwen Undomiel-" Hotaru started.

"OH MY GOSH!!!" Usagi squealed.

"Yes, yes, it's all very exciting but-" Hotaru said before being interrupted again.

"Minako was always so beautiful but I'd never imagined she would be reborn as Luthien incarnate! Wow." Usagi said.

"Yes, however her fate is a sad one." Setsuna said gravely.

"Why?" Usagi asked. "She's always deserved true love and now she has Aragorn and their love is one of the strongest I've ever seen!"

"Their love is extremely strong. Stronger even, than yours and Mamoru-sama's. However, Minako is immortal and Aragorn is not. One day, Aragorn will leave this world and Arwen will be left to grieve with nothing left but her memories. Only when she dies will she be reunited with Aragorn in the place where mortals go after death, the place that no one, not even the Ainur, knows save Eru." Setsuna spoke softly.

"But they will be reunited. The sorrow, then, comes from the fact that Minako will not be able to see her brothers or mother or father." Hotaru said.

"But...they...she can't...NEVER see them! They're family. And her father loves her so much, if he never saw Arwen again, he would die. I know it! Even if he is in Valinor!" Usagi cried.

"Fear not, Usagi. In the destruction of this world, there will come the creation of a new one; a world where we can all live together. Elves and humans... even the citizens of Crystal Tokyo in the other world." Setsuna said.

Usagi's eyes widened and watered in surprise.

"Really?" She whispered.

Setsuna and Hotaru put their hands over hers.

"Promise."

0o0

Aragorn was donning his armor when a sword handle entered his field of vision. He looked up.

"We have trusted you this far." Legolas said gravely. "You have not led us astray. Forgive me, I was wrong to despair."

Aragorn smiled the sad, lost smile of a man entering battle.

"There is nothing to forgive, Legolas."

0o0

"So..." Usagi said as she stretched her legs to get the blood moving. "What happened to Luna and Artemis?"

Hotaru laughed. "Come on. You should be able to guess! What are some things about Luna? I'll give you a hint. She's married to Artemis."

Usagi pouted but started to think.

"Hmm...let's see. Luna didn't give up her life as she has no senshi power, but she was a citizen of Crystal Tokyo, so I'm guessing she became an elf?" Usagi inquired.

Setsuna and Hotaru nodded their heads.

"...And since there have only been three unions between the Eldar and the Edain, and Luna just doesn't seem like the Lúthien or Idril type, and Minako-chan is Arwen Undómiel, I know that Artemis must be of the Eldar too." Usagi said slowly.

Again, Setsuna and Hotaru nodded.

"Hmm...I know that Luna and Artemis must have, or must have had, some kind of important part to play in the history of Arda because it seems like none of us can have normal lives. BUT, I would never trust Luna with an extremely powerful jewel, probably why Mother didn't give her the Ginzuishou to look after; however good-hearted she is, she's a control freak and giving her too much power is not a good idea -so- I doubt she had the Simlaril so she couldn't be Elwing."

With smiles, Setsuna and Hotaru nodded.

"Let's see...but when given a bit of power and control, Luna usually does well with it. She's very organized and has a lot of authority. Artemis is a good leader too, but Luna is always the one in charge so I can't imagine that Luna is Artemis's queen or anything..."

Setsuna and Hotaru's grins widened a bit as they nodded again.

"And Luna seems very wise but however wise she is, she gives bad advice. 'You are Sailor Moon, the leader of the Sailor Senshi.' HONESTLY." Usagi said exasperatedly.

"Now, who do I know that has a lot of power, but not too much, is a married elf but obviously wears the pants in the relationship, and gives bad advice. Let's see..."

Setsuna and Hotaru both had laughter in their eyes as they watched their princess think. Suddenly, Usagi's eyes lit up.

"NO." She said.

"Yes." Hotaru said giddily as she laughed.

"NO!" Usagi squealed.

"Yes indeed." Setsuna said with a laugh.

"I am sorry, but have you forgotten that I am here?" Boromir asked a little impatiently.

"Luna's GALADRIEL?!" Usagi said for Boromir's benefit.

"Of course!" Hotaru said with a grin. "Come on, 'To bear a ring of power is to be alone. This task was appointed to you, and if you do not find a way, no one will.'? Where does she get this stuff? It's obviously much better that Frodo took Sam along."

0o0

A horn blew outside the gates of Helm's Deep and all the men tensed, but Legolas looked puzzled.

"That is no Orc horn." He said curiously as the remaining members of the fellowship rushed to the gate.

"Send for the king! Open the gate!" A guard shouted.

The gates were opened and a contingent of elves marched in, all dressed in glimmering golden armor.

"How is this possible?" Théoden breathed.

"I bring word from Elrond of Rivendell." Haldir said as he stepped forward. "An alliance once existed between Elves and Men. Long ago we fought and died together. We come to honor that allegiance.

"Welcome, Haldir." Aragorn said as he clapped his friend on the shoulder. "You are most welcome."

"We are proud to fight alongside men once more." He answered in return.

0o0

Boromir had fallen asleep and Usagi had downed her alcoholic limit for the day: three cups. Through heavy-lidded eyes, she observed Vairë and Nienna. They were relaxed and happy, and she could tell that it was probably the first time they had felt such comfort in a long time. A smile crept over her face and she yawned.

Vairë was the first to notice her princess's fatigue. The time guardian, now weaver, was always the first to notice.

"I think maybe it's time for us to leave." She said with a small smile to Nienna. Nienna smiled and unlike all the times in the past, there was no trace of sadness hidden beneath it. All it showed was her love and adoration for the queen.

The two laid her down on soft pillows that materialized at their command. They covered her with a soft blanket and smiled down at her again before turning to leave.

"Wait." Usagi said softly, looking slightly more sober than before. She sat up. "I was afraid to ask before...but I need to know. What happened t-to...Mamo-chan...and Chibi-Usa?"

Vairë and Nienna exchanged worried looks.

"Serenity..." Vairë said, sadness crossing her maroon-colored eyes, "Endymion-sama was...the heart of the Earth. He was its prince and protector. For Arda to be created...he had to...be killed...which he was by Wiseman but...he could not be reincarnated because the Golden Crystal was...needed for the creation...and unlike your Ginzuishou, well...it had no song...and so it was crushed...and its essence infused into every living thing on Arda, as well as Arda itself."

We're sorry, Serenity. We had no idea. We had all passed on when it happened. All we remember is traveling towards death when we heard a beautiful music calling us back, back to the earth. We would have stopped them had we known. We would have."

Serenity choked back sobs.

"And Chibi-Usa? Where is she?" She asked fearfully.

Nienna gave her a sad smile. "Half of Chibi-Usa's crystal was part of Mamoru-san and because Mamoru-san is now part of Arda, Chibi-Usa was born of Arda."

Usagi held in a breath. What did this mean?

Vairë smiled a sad smile. "Chibi-Usa was born of the River. She is the one you know as Goldberry."

Usagi cried with relief.

"And Tom Bombadil?"

"Helios, of course." Nienna said with a slight smile. "Who else do you know that has great power but only in a certain place? Helios in Elysion, and Tom in the Shire. Of course none of the other Valar know where Helios comes from. He's a mystery. He says that he was here before the Valar but if he had been, his memory would have been wiped like all the elves and humans. It was because he was in Elysion at the time. Quite mischievous he's turned out to be."

Vairë and Nienna started to walk away when Serenity's soft voice interrupted them once more.

"Are you two happy?" She asked.

"Usagi-mama...I'm called the weeper. What do you think?" Nienna teased a little sadly.

"Usagi-hime, I am happily married to Hotaru-chan's 'brother', Mandos. However, I will never truly be happy until all of us are together again when this world ends and the next begins. Only then will I truly be happy."

And with that, the two Ainur vanished.

"Oh Setsuna-san, Hotaru-chan...You think the Valar blessed you by making you immortal, but you would've been so much happier if you were born as elves or humans, wiped of the memories that torture you so..."

0o0

"Show them no mercy," Aragorn shouted to the elves above the downpour of rain. "For you shall receive none!" This was their last stand; the turning point in the battle. They must survive until Gandalf arrived. They must.

"What's happening out there?" Gimli asked, annoyed and unable to see above the high stone walls.

"Shall I describe it to you?" Legolas asked with a teasing smile. "Or would you like me to find you a box?"

Orc horns blew and drumming could be heard. Fierce stomping and groaning filled the air and suddenly drew to a halt. It was still, unbearably still.

And then an arrow was shot.

"HOLD!" Aragorn shouted, but it was too late. The Orcs were incensed. They started to yell and pound.

Théoden looked out at what could possibly be Rohan's last battle.

"So it begins."

0o0

Usagi woke much later on, though it was hard to tell how time went by in space. She stretched her arms out and yawned. Quietly, she sat, thinking of her deceased husband. What was it that Setsuna had said? It was something about the love between Arwen and Aragorn. What had it been, exactly?

Ah, yes.

"Their love is extremely strong. Stronger even, than yours and Mamoru-sama's."

She knew there was something Setsuna was trying to get through to her, she knew it. There was something Setsuna was implying in Time Guardian-speak, she just hadn't learned how to translate it well enough.

With a sigh, she pushed the thought from her mind as well as the sorrow for her deceased husband. She had thought he was dead for a long time, and though she was crushed by a little false hope, she'd learned to endure. She crawled over to Boromir and shook him awake.

'I can't believe I woke up before someone else. Maybe it's because I had so much sleep in that crystal.' She thought to herself.

0o0

Pippin and Merry were dozing; not really awake, but not really sleeping either. Suddenly, Pippin gave Merry a shove to fully wake him.

"Merry!" He said to alert him to Treebeard's presence.

"We have just agreed." He said in the slow speech of the Ents.

"Yes?" Merry asked excitedly and slightly impatiently. They had been waiting for the entire day.

"I have told your names to the Entmoot and we have agreed you are not Orcs." He said.

Merry stared at him.

"Well that's good news." Pippin said optimistically.

0o0

"Wake up!" Usagi said as she pounced on Boromir.

He groaned and rolled over, out of her grasp.

"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!" She said as she swatted his back and playfully tugged his hair.

Boromir muttered something unintelligible and sat up, agitated.

"What?!" He shouted.

"Don't you want to see what your friends are up to?" Usagi asked innocently.

Grumbling, Boromir got up and straightened his clothes. Still grumbling under his breath, he started for the prayer room.

"Wait up, Boro-chan!" Usagi giggled. She loved teasing that man.

0o0

"I will leave you at the western borders of the forest." Treebeard said to the two hobbits perched on either of his shoulders. "You can make your way north to your homeland from there."

"Wait! Stop! Stop!" Pippin shouted suddenly, his eyes alight. "Turn around! Turn around! Take us South!"

"South?" Treebeard asked. "But that will lead you past Isengard..."

"Yes." Pippin stated, seemingly with too much confidence. "Exactly. If we go south we can slip past Saruman unnoticed. The closer we are to danger, the farther we are from harm. It's the last thing he'll expect."

"Hmmm...That doesn't make sense to me," Treebeard started, "But then you are very small. Perhaps you're right. South it is then. Hold on, little Shirelings. Oh, I always like going south. Somehow, it feels like going downhill."

"Are you mad? We'll be caught!" Merry whispered.

"No we won't." Pippin said somberly. "Not this time."

0o0

Aragorn and a few survivors stood inside the keep. The Orcs had breached the unbreachable wall at Helm's Deep. There was little hope for them or the women and children now fleeing to the mountains.

"So much death." Théoden-king said softly. "What can men do against such reckless hate?"

"Ride out with me." Aragorn said suddenly. "Ride out and meet them."

"For death and glory?" Théoden asked.

"For Rohan, for your people." Aragorn answered.

"The sun is rising." Gimli stated, and suddenly Aragorn remembered Gandalf's last word.

"Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East."

"Yes. Yes! The Horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the Deep one last time." Théoden said passionately, oblivious to Aragorn's revelation, thinking of a brave last stand.

0o0

With the rising sun, Gandalf the White appeared, shining in his glory and looking at the carnage before him.

"Théoden-king stands alone."

"Not alone." Éomer said, appearing next to Gandalf.

"Rohirrim!" He shouted to his men.

"Éomer!" The guard answered.

"To the king!" Éomer shout out as they charged into battle, meeting the Orcs like waves crash onto the shore.

0o0

"What are we holding onto, Sam?" Frodo asked tiredly, weary of his burden and almost willing to give it to the wraiths.

"That there's some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it's worth fighting for." Sam said pleadingly.

"I think, at last, we understand one another, Frodo Baggins." Faramir said as he approached the two hobbits.

"You know the laws of our country; the laws of your father. If you let them go, your life will be forfeit." Madril pleaded with Faramir.

Faramir paused as he looked over to the hobbits.

"Then it is forfeit."

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WHEW! That was long. I'm sorry it took me so long but I've just gotten over my writer's block. Haha. Well, I hope to be updating more often but I wouldn't get your hopes up because I have college auditions coming up and I'll be quite busy memorizing monologues. Well, I hope you enjoyed this LONG read. My longest chapter yet!

ACK! I'm so sorry, but I forgot to respond to your reviews. I was just so tired and I wanted to get this chapter out. Well, as most of your reviews asked this question, I'll just respond to it here. YES, Usagi WILL go down to Middle Earth and when the original plotline (FINALLY) takes over, it'll be much less action-adventure and much more drama. I'll try to weave some in here and there but I'm just not very good at it. I tend to write stupid, cliché things like "The sword glimmered like silver lava".

I AM going to pair her with someone, but I'm not entirely sure who. I set out planning to pair her with Eomer, but as the story developed, I found that she'd probably be too mature for him. (I'd originally planned to have her asleep and not guiding Arda throughout the years, but decided against it). Then I thought of Glorfindel but I just made him into the reincarnation of Makoto and that would be very weird. I tend to shy away from Sere/leg pairings only because there are so many, but it's still an option. Boromir's dead and can't come back to Arda so I'm sorry, but he is not a candidate. Unfortunately, I do not hold votes because no matter how many people voted for it, I would not have Usagi...I don't know...go out with a male Haruka and Gandalf at the same time, BUT, you are most certainly welcome to leave me a review telling me who you would LIKE to see her paired with. (And if you follow that review with a very persuasive statement about WHY she should be paired with, I may very well listen to you. xP)

THANK YOU!!!!