Chapter 5: Tunnel to the Truth

Serena woke up by the violent shaking of Boromir. She realized that the rest of the Company were already awaken because Caradhras has erupted once more. Its anger was fuelled by the fact there were still trespassers on its pasts and this time there were ten people instead of the previous nine.

"My apologies, milady, but we must go for our lives would be endangered the longer we stay."

She nodded and hurriedly gathered her belongings in a bundle with Boromir's help. As she tightened the straps to her pack, she caught Frodo's gaze and she gave him a wane smile. However, he did seemed somewhat relieved and gave her a weak smile back.

"Come let us go, Lady Serenity," said Boromir. She nodded and followed closely behind the rest of the group. Caradhras was unleashing another violent storm similar to the ones from the previous nights.

Serena raised her voice above the powerful cries and called upon the powers of Mercury and Uranus, the guardians of ice and wind. "Mercury Crystal Power! Uranus Crystal Power! Lend me your powers and guide me past the perils of Caradhras!"

The original nine members of the Fellowship were spellbound by Lady Serenity who was now surrounded by auras of metallic blue with yellow tints. Her hands clasped in front of her as if she was prayer-liked and Caradhras seemed to heed the words of the carrier of the Imperium Silver Crystal.

Gandalf at the moment felt just how much power was in this mysterious maiden. He was more baffled than ever before but then suddenly he felt the energy of Saruman. Serena felt it too, an evil presence controlling the mountain. She saw the evil eye of the One, the same fiery eyes that pierced at her, trying to consume her with its evil essence. She lost her concentration at that moment and an ice block rushed downwards onto the group.

The Fellowship looked up trying to shield themselves somehow from the impact but Serena seeing the danger called out Saturn's Silence Wall as a blockade. The ice block hit the shield and the group was left unhurt. Serena took down the maroon coloured shield of Saturn and shook her

head for seeing the One had left her heart with a hollow chill.

"We have no choice but to make for the Mines of Moria. Caradhras is unforgiving and I have no intention of losing anybody to its frigid clutches."

"But Gandalf ..." interrupted Aragorn.

"Yes, Aragorn. I know of your troubles and concerns of the Mines but surely you will agree that path before us is blocked. Also, I have ventured once into the dark tunnels of Moria and come out alive."

"I too have come out alive from the dark mines but it is not an experience I shall like to relieve again. Still, I know your decision is for the best."

"The Mines of Moria! My cousin Balin can give us a royal welcome. I shall lead the way with you Gandalf!"

"Very well, Gimli, son of Gloin. Perhaps, some of my fears will be rested with you by my side."

With that company set out once more, many seem to have forgotten their previous ordeal with Lady Serena. One did not and he made his way over to the lady.

"Are you alright, Lady Serena?"

"I'm fine, Legolas. Thank you for your worries." Still, she leaned to his side, using him as a support. He wrapped his arms around her waist. Together, they followed the rest of the group.

--oo--

The west door to Moria lies near a dark lake beside the Caradhras and Gimli was more excited than the rest of the group with each step. Legolas held a certain 'fear' for the mines being a Woodland Elf, he desired sunlight and the outdoors. But nevertheless, it was for the best.

As they reached the location of the door, they were met only with darkness and no door. Boromir who had objected to coming this way in the first place, said "We should have gone another way through my city and among my people. There it is closer to Mor..."

He was about to say Mordor but he quickly remember that not every member among them was fully aware of their quest. Gandalf recovered from the awkward moment by saying "Here it is. The door was sealed by ancient magic by Dwarves and Elves at a time when both races were at peace."

There was brief silence that befell on the group. As the moon rays pierced through the clouds and illuminated the way. Gandalf read the Elvish words engraved on the door, and somehow Serena felt at peace at the sound of the foreign yet familiar words. Gandalf set upon himself to try a series of spells to open the doors but none of them worked.

"Don't you know what the password is, Mr. Gimli?" asked Pippin.

"No, laddie. I am afraid that often it is those who make the password that knows it and the secret stays with them in their death unless they so choose to tell others."

The Halfling turned to Serena who was sitting at the edge of the lake where the moon rays were pouring through. "Surely, you possess some magic that can open those doors, Lady Serena."

Serena turned to them and let out a chuckle, "No, little ones. Not even I can accomplish such tasks."

They looked away dejectedly but as Serena began to charm moon rays, and they were rather amused by it. As those silver sparkles flew off to the waters, they began to throw stones into the water. Then, Aragorn grabbed their hands and said in a hushed tone, "No, we must not disturb

the water here."

Suddenly Frodo jumped up, "Of course! It is a riddle. Speak 'Friend' to enter. What is the Elvish word for friend?"

"Mellon"

With that the doors began to open and everybody followed Gandalf's lead into the cave. Suddenly, tentacles from the water shot out and grabbed Frodo by the leg.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

"Strider!"

Aragorn and Boromir rushed forward with their swords and began slicing their way through. Legolas' bow began to sing with each arrow he shot. Each hitting their target with accurate precision. Serena rushed forward and called out "Mars Flame Sniper!"

Blazing arrows shot out and lit the tentacles on fire. Aragorn finally made his way and slid the one holding Frodo hostage. It released the Hobbit and Aragorn caught him in his arms. "Go quickly!"

Everybody made their way into the cave and shut the door permanently behind them. Gandalf's staff glowed lighting their way and Serena once more took out another parchment and lit it. It was then, that the Fellowship realized how little they actually knew about Lady Serena.

"Well, Lady Serenity. Perhaps now is a good time as any to tell us who you are?"

Nine pairs fell upon her, but she seemed unfazed by the attention. Somehow, from the way that she stood, it gave her a more regal stature. She had her eyes closed at the moment and when she opened them again, her azure orbs held a controlled and commanding gleam. "I am not simply Lady Serenity. I am known by many names in different timelines and life lines. I am immortal for I shall be reborn if fate is willing."

"Then what is your name?" asked Aragorn.

"Aragorn, son of Arathorn, descendent from the Kings of Men, heir of Isildur. I too have a royal blood line. I am Princess Serenity of the Silver Millennium, daughter of Queen Serenity of the White Moon."

At that moment, she had transformed into her princess incarnation, her royal robes replaced her previous travel tunic. Her hair which was previous tied back in a long braid had changed into the trademark meat-ball hairstyle, symbol of royalty from the Silver Millennium.

All mouths dropped opened at the Princess of the Moon even though, they had never heard of the Silver Millennium or of a palace in the Moon. Still, Serena held up her hand before any of them could speak for she was not finished. "That was from my first life that I could remember. Before I came to Rivendell, I was simply Serena Tsukino, living in the Juuban area of Tokyo, Japan. By day, I was a 'normal' teenage girl. By night, I was the heroine, Sailor Moon, warrior to defend love and peace."

With that, she touched her Crystal and transformed once more and this time wearing her scout uniform. All present turned away slightly, blushing at her present attire. Serena sensing their discomfort, had the decency to change back to her travel attires.

"Still Lady Serena, that does not explain how you have come here with us," said Sam.

"It makes partially sense but I have merely told you my identity and not story behind my name. As I said before, I was a Princess in one of my life times and back then the universe is at peace with the Moon being the most beautiful of all. My mother, Queen Serenity is governed with grace and fairness which she in turn passed onto me. I was naive then, unaware of the evils that lurked within the shadows of human hearts. I was sheltered by my friends, warriors and protectors of the universe so when a new evil came to destroy our beautiful world, I was defenseless. My mother sacrificed herself such that my court and I could be reborn in a new world hoping that peace shall reigned."

She paused for a moment, gathering herself. She had left many crucial details about her life but two things that she did not tell them were of the source of her power: the Crystal and the names of the friends. That was a part of her, a portion of her heart that shall be sacred to her alone. So as the Group continued their journey through the Mines of Moria, Serena told them her story of her second life.

"My first life was a life of the court and in my second life, I was born to a different family with a new identity. I was a mere child then with no recollection of my previous life. That world is far beyond the reaches of Middle Earth and I do not have the worries as I do later on when destiny brought on new evils to disturb the peace. Once again, I must take on the powers and duties as was laid down at the point I was born the Princess of the White Moon. With each new evil destroyed, stronger and more powerful ones threatened the peace. For once and for all, my friends from my first life whose memories were reawaken, sacrificed themselves for a chance at peace."

They waited for her to continue. Though they knew they were much gaps in her story, they understood that it was emotionally hard for her to tell them. Still, she was true to her word. "I have loved and loss, to laugh and to cry, to hold and be hold. At last, I chose to leave my world so it will have a chance to retain the peace that we have fought so hard to attain across dimensions and times. So, I was brought here to Middle Earth and well, the rest you know..."

After she finished her tale, they all held a new respect for her and admired her strength and integrity. They also gained an understanding to her past, though mysteries still surrounded her such as the source to her power. However, they were satisfied with her clarifications and somehow they felt grateful but still something was still troubling them. Frodo was the one who asked it.

"Lady Serena, how much do you know of our journey?"

There was a brief silence as she contemplated her answer. "To be honest, I only came because I know everything about your journey."

With that, they all seemed to form a protect barrier around the Ringbearer. 'A lady with an immense power to save an entire world time and time again, with the power to travel across worlds certainly have the power to destroy them with the wave her hand. If she knew about the Ring, then what were her intentions with it?' Similar thoughts rang through their minds but Serena sensed their alertness and distrust towards her.

"I have no ill intentions for the Ring of Power for I have seen ten folds the influence of ill placed greed. From what I have told you before, I too have a source of power in which evil seemed try to attain for their own. Surely, you know as well as I that if I had wanted to Ring, I have the power to do so without your knowledge of it."

They knew that she was right and relaxed somewhat but Gandalf still had his guard up. He had felt the immense energy to withstand the power of Saruman. He himself had went against the White One and was overwhelmed by its vast magic and power but she could ...

--oo--

With that, the company of ten continued with their journey through the mines with Gandalf in the lead and his glowing staff and Serena's burning parchments closer to the back and rear. Most of them kept silent for they did not wish to make their presence known and the sooner they made their way through, the sooner could they rests the aching pounding of their hearts.

Frodo felt he was being watched from time to time and occasionally he turned back to where Lady Serena was. Her eyes were always kind and her smile brought him renewal strength. Still, something was troubling him. He consulted Gandalf on one of their rare rests while Gandalf tried to determine their next path. Gandalf said, "It is Gollum who had been a second shadow through our entire journey. Most likely as a spy for hardly any soul comes out from the lands of Mordor alive. Perhaps, Gollum has a larger part in this."

That was the end of their conversation as Gandalf led them through another passage. Light slitted through the end of their path and Gimli trotted ahead into a war room of sorts. There, as moonlight poured through the skylight above illuminated the platform beneath it.

As Gandalf read the Dwarvish script, Gimli led out a cry of anguish for they were starring at the tomb of Balin. Merry picked up some discarded log of some sort beside the tomb and handed it to Gandalf. As he blew across the surface, clouds of dust clouded the air.

He began trying to decipher the words, many of which he could not read but of the some that he could depicted images of war and battle. As he fingered the last written page, he murmured, "The drums rang ... they are coming."

With that, the booming bangs of drums could be heard from the corridors and a crash of metal rang throughout the tomb ... 'they are coming'.

End of Chapter 5