Chapter 7: The Last Crown Lost In the Stars

Immediately as she spoke those words, she wanted desperately to hold her tongue. What luck that it chose that specific moment to run away with her. A moment of silence ensured and the air thickened with suspense. Eight pairs of eyes were held upon the lady's cerulean orbs until a sneeze could be heard. All whipped in the direction of the sound, one in particular was grateful for the interruption and this time, she had Merry to thank.

"I am rather sorry," while he was wiggling his nose, "I cannot possibly hold it in a second longer." Good ole Hobbits who never seized to amaze and lightened the moment.

--oo--

"Hold it! Long have we seen such company pass within our realms. Those who do trespass upon our lands, have been Orcs and soldiers of the dark. Speak quickly of your purpose!"

A voice could be heard from among the trees and he was using the Common Tongue. Legolas scanned the trees above and began to answer back in the language of the Elves. The only person who seemed to understand was Aragorn who had drawn his sword. He eventually unsheathed it as he listened on to the conversation at hand. Boromir was still in a defensive stance a little ways from Frodo but his ears were peaked at the sound of the conversation. Gimli had crossed his arms, unhappy of the prospects of being captured. The Halflings could pick out a few words that were spoken and Serena felt herself drawn to the ever mysterious language, melodic and gentle, in which she found comfort in the soft tones.

Eventually, Legolas and the speaker of the trees broke off and out emerged from the trees were Elves. Many had their bows and arrows drawn but their leader who had been speaking to Legolas earlier came out from the trees. Slightly taller than Legolas and his tunic were the blended colours of green and brown. His long nearly-translucent hair were parted slightly to reveal slightly pointed ear. He spoke once more in the Common Tongue, "It has been long since we have used any language than our own. It has been even longer since we have one of a kindred walked among us. Legolas, our brother from the Mirkwood Forest has informed me briefly of your business and I hold him to his word. I have known of your arrival from many leagues away, it is only now as you have stepped into the forbidden place that we have interfered."

"How have you known of our arrival? Why have you stopped us at our tracks just now Mr... um...?"

The elf looked at Sam with his piercing eyes, and though Sam had his fair share of looking upon elves at Rivendell, he suddenly felt very small. "My apologies, little one. My name is Haldir. To answer your questions from earlier, Elves can see many leagues beyond the reaches of the forest and we can see Legolas from ways off. Not to mention that some of you breath so loudly that we can shoot you in the dark."

As Haldir mentioned that, his eyes laid upon Gimli who was rather insulted that the stout warrior nearly charged at the Elf if not for Aragorn who had stepped forward. "Excuse my friend but if you have insulted one member of our company and with that you have also insulted the eight of us, including me, Aragorn, son of Arathorn."

When the surrounding elves heard that name mentioned, some had nearly took a step back. Haldir looked upon Aragorn with a new light, "Aragorn, son of Arathorn, you are in good company with the Lady. Come, we must be off if we are to make good of the light. However, it is our longstanding law that stranger must be blindfolded."

Gimli stood his ground with defiance and his axe held across his chest in defiance. "No, I shall turn back and find an alternative route for I will not be blindfolded like an imbecile."

"I am afraid that there is no turning back once you have reached the forest of Lorien."

Aragorn spoke out once more, "We are one as a company and if one of us should be blindfolded then all shall walked in the same fashion."

"But I am an Elf, I should not have to be blindfolded," Legolas cried out in indignation. However, Aragorn was the appointed leader at the moment. Serena touched the Elf's arm momentarily, for which, Aragorn was grateful for the gesture. Legolas swallowed his pride and nodded.

Aragorn then indicated to Haldir who signalled a group of Elves forward. The Hobbits had hoods on their cloaks and these were pulled over to shield their eyes. Serena also were covered with the hood on her cloak.

"I shall demand full amends for every stumble and stubbed toe," cried Gimli.

"We shall lead you well, son of Gloin," promised Haldir.

With that the company set off and all could feel the air changing. They could nearly drowned in the midst of tranquillity around them. However, they came to an abrupt stop. In actuality, they could only hear the mumbling of voices. If they could see, they would have know that a separate company of elves walked out from among the depth of the trees and spoke with Haldir. When they were finished, Haldir cleared his throat and said, "It seemed that a message has arrived from Lord Elrond of Rivendell and the Lady is expecting all of you. She has allowed you all to lay eyes upon her land."

Then, the blindfolds were off. Pippin and Merry spread their arms outward and spun in full pleasure absorbing the air around them. Serena once she was rid of her blindfold had put her hood on once more. Somehow, it was more fitting, since she was foreign in this land and she was by no means a part of the original Fellowship that Lord Elrond has sent from Rivendell.

"Come, the Lord and Lady has requested to see all of you. Legolas shall come first and follow by Frodo. The others may follow as they wish. The stairs are rather long so you may rest upon the way."

The company ascended the steps after Haldir. First came Legolas, then Frodo, Aragorn, Gimli, the Hobbits and finally Boromir. Serena had been hesitant before following the others. She was for awhile, safe with her secret but she knew that would not be the case soon.

The Lord and Lady of Galadhrim greeted each in turn as they reached the top of the stairs. Both Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel were very tall and were clothed in white and gray. Lord Celeborn had a long silver hair in dazzling contrast to Lady Galadriel's fair golden tresses. Their features revealed an ageless face similar to that of Lord Elrond of Rivendell but they held the highest order in all of Middle Earth.

As the last figure reached before them, Lord Celeborn pierced at the unknown guest, "Nine set off from Rivendell as the Fellowship and nine appear before us. I desire to speak with Gandalf, yet he is not with you."

At the sound of the name of Gandalf, there was a shuffling of feet and sniffling of tears. The wound was still fresh and grief was in due to be expressed and overcome. The hooded figure also had the head bowed in remembrance.

"He had fallen to the shadow," called the melancholic voice of Lady Galadriel. Her eyes also turned toward the central and last guest before her. "Do reveal yourself for you are among friends."

"Please do no take offense," said the figure while taking a royal courtesy, "somehow I don't feel as though I am among friends, but a mere intruder in a strange land. But I shall, for I am honoured to be in the presence of such greatness."

The other eight of the Company were shocked for the voice that spoke to the legendary Lady Galadriel seemed more regal. They were more confused as to why Lady Serena had kept her identity hidden.

Serena herself had felt once again the rush of power from the Lady of Lorien for it was similar to Gandalfs but they emitted different auras. The two had allowed the other access to detect the power levels. During this, Serena had taken off the hood of her cloak.

Lord Celeborn said, "Perhaps, now will be the time for us to know of your name, lady."

"Here I am called Lady Serenity but it is only one of many that I known by."

As Serena spoke her name her Crystal began to pulsate as Serena's body began to rise from the ground and arch back slightly. Lady Galadriel's hand was raised with the stone from her Elven ring pointed forward. The two jewels aligned in a beam of light and at that moment, Serena felt herself transformed once more to her princess incarnation. However, with her new powers of Cosmos, there were a few variations.

Her hair had been unravelled from its former confines and pulled in the royal hair styles of the Moon: two buns on top of her head with curled streaming ends. A pearl tiara graced her forehead but with a nine-pointed star at the center. The biggest change was her dress, no longer was it the simple white dress with the puffed sleeves and gold trimmed across the chest. Now, it was still white made of a soft silk that seemed to change colours from pale pink to white in the rays that pour through between the forest of Lorien. It was a similar to a strapless dresses except for the thin straps that connects from the side to a cross on her chest and loops around her neck. The dress left her upper back bare but a diamond chain extend from the neck on her back to the part where her dress connects at the back. In her gloved hand, she held her tier from her former days of Eternal Sailor Moon.

Lady Galadirel undergone no transformation but her Elven ring, the great Nenya wrought of Mithril with its single white stone still had its shimmering gleam. The others who had witnessed it all was speechless, for a lack of a better word. Now, they had a glimpse of Lady Serena's source of power. Before them was no longer Lady Serenity nor was it the woman that they saw in the Mines of Moria, she was ...

"There has been much that I have not told you. As the first born in the line of Lunarian daughters, I am Princess Serenity of the White Moon, daughter of Queen Serenity, the Ruler of the Silver Millennium. From generation of queens to princesses, I am the carrier of the powerful Crystal of Purity. As the leader of the Royal Guards and Warriors of the Universe in the 20th Century, I am also the protector of the great Imperium Silver Crystal. I am Cosmos instilled within me the powers of Light, Ice, Fire, Electricity, Love, Wind, Sea, Time, Life and Death. Yet, simply at heart, I am still Lady Serena."

--oo--

"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them
In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."

Lady Galadriel uttered the very words that sent chills down their spines, words that need not be repeated. "But," she paused in her speech and all turned for they were not expecting an addition, "when the rings were forged, something happened that none had foreseen. Remnants of energy were left unbound to the ring, enough for one other. However, no ring was made, for the power proved to be willful and it discharged itself like a star across the heavens. In the legends we, the Elves referred to it as 'The Last Crown of the Stars'. The Dark Lord has no knowledge of this energy for we too believe that the power was lost to us."

The realization sank into the group and all starred at the broach fastened on Serena's dress. Instincts kicked in and she immediately clutched her locket. Lady Galadriel left the side of Lord Celeborn approached the company. Her frame towered over them. Her features soft and gentle like the flutter of a butterfly and she walked toward Serena.

"I have no intention for your Crystal for you are its Mistress and I have said before you are among friends. If you doubt my words, then simply take this a refuge for a good nights sleep for I am sure that all of you are in dire need of some much needed rest. You may wander in all the parts of Lorien as you desire."

With that, Lord and Lady of the Golden Wood left them at their leisure but Lady Galadriel turned briefly towards Serena who was still in her princess incarnation and in a daze. The two made eye contact at an instant that seemed to stretch for an eternity. Whatever message was passed between them was interrupted by one of the Hobbits. Serena shook herself from her trance and when she glanced back at where Lady Galadriel was. Still, many more secrets and questions were left to be uncovered but for now, rest and a time to grief was in order.

End of Chapter 7