Chapter 14: Sealing Fate

Danger had befell onto one of her friends. The winds had carried one despairing cry and she had felt it as she sped to the area of Helm's Deep upon Pegasus. Her heart yearned for the safety of Legolas, but she rationalized that soldier part of her berated otherwise. She had too many years of endless battles not to trust her warrior instincts.

She kept riding hard and whispered for the powers of Jupiter, the guardian of the woods and nature to shorten the distance her and Helm's Deep. Pegasus seemed tireless in its supernatural speed and an onlooker would only see a trail of white dust and a mosaic in the wind as she breathlessly rode on.

--oo--

Meanwhile, the seconds seemed to slow as if Chronos himself was mourning the fall of the immortal prince. He descended into the arms of one Dwarf who because of his small stature had wove through the battle without much notice. Certainly, all those who perchance failed to avoid the Master of the Axe shall meet his fate swiftly - preferably by the neck. Aragorn joined the two and cleared the way to safety. The White Rider stood gravely as he inspected the ghastly condition of the Elf whose each drawn breath was shallow. Blood seeped through the wound in an endless crimson pool. He was entrusted into the care of the best healers of Rohan though the best hardly satisfied his comrades. However, a war raged still and they left to fight with new vigour, revenge for th act against one of the members of the dismantled Fellowship.

--oo--

The scene that met her was charred with the bodies or Men and Orcs all part of the foreground in the lands of doom. The agonized cries of those wounded, the foul smell of the slain reeked the air. All these were oblivious to her as her attention was drawn simply to the broken bow of intricate carvings and ancient scrips, with the bow of the Elvan world's finest. Her suspicions

and worst fears were confirmed, but she denied her tears and renewed them with into a wave of magic. She led Pegasus to the highest point overlooking all of the battle. Pegasus stood on his two hind legs and whinnied. It seemed almost melancholic and hypnotic, but it was a cry of strength. His rider was encircled with a single point of light, and those close enough to see would realize that it was the light from a single jewel.

"Cosmic Moon Power ..." The voice was liked the sirens of the sea, the call of the heavens and the mournful sounds of the heart. The three words that brought the world to a stand, was instilled by the hatred of war, of the loss of her friends, of her interrupted chances at happiness, and the repetition of her role in fate's plan.

All evil perished in their places. No final thoughts penetrated their minds, only the image of the burning light. The hearts of Men were renewed and those in pain were healed and felt the warmth. As the light subsided, she felt a wave of dizziness but she sensed the weak aura of a certain Elf. Pushing her personal needs aside, she followed the pull.

Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf were there surrounded the wounded Elf who was unaffected by the magic. Perhaps, he was already too far gone or it was the possibility that it was only aimed towards Orcs and Men. Whatever the case, as she caught the sight of him, the warrior was replaced by a woman in love as she rushed to his side. He was much too pale, not the illuminant soft golden but the deathly white of a surrender's flag. His breath was ragged and his tunic was covered with a layer of already-drying blood.

"Sere ..."

"Legolas, I am here now. Everything is going to be all right."

"Telling false is certainly not one of your stronger traits." It was a weak attempt in lessening the tension of the moment which only led to a fit of coughs and shallow breaths. Taking a deep breath, he struggled with his next words.

"I don't wish to bear a burden of regret, but, you must know that I am sorry for leaving you in Edoras."

"No, there will be no need for regrets. Every second that I spent with you is paradise in itself and a moment of happiness that knows no bounds. I know that when I am with you I am free of all burdens. Heavens know that I love you, Legolas."

"I love you too Serena..." Those were his last words to the one who filled him with utter happiness before his silver blue eyes closed at last.

"Nooooo..." she sobbed into his lifeless body, while clutching his blood soaked tunic. Crystalline tears fell ceaselessly tracing her face down to her dress. She still had not detransformed from her previous use of magic. The others attempted to pull her away but it was in vain for she refused to leave the Prince's side, even in death.

Suddenly, there was a voice from behind, "Do not cry, my princess."

For a brief moment, she had hoped that it was a merely a dream that Legolas was still alive but when she turned she realized that it was Helios. Pegasus no longer, the gatekeeper of Elysion stood before them when he heard the cry from his princess. For a brief moment, they shared a look and with that Serena knew what she must do.

"I could not let him die Helios, Middle Earth still needs him."

"I understand and you know that your friends will support you wherever your decisions lies."

"Then you will know what I must do."

He nodded and with that he blew a kiss to his princess and kneeled before her before disappearing in a sparkling rainbow.

The other occupants of the room were slightly puzzled by the exchange but they did not need to wait long for an explanation. Serena stared at each of them with her cerulean eyes before whispering an apology ever so softly that they barely caught her words. She turned toward Legolas and traced the path around his face and closer to his lips before leaning to kiss his lips.

She knew that she could not live without him not in this world but she knew that Middle Earth still needs this immortal soul. She must sacrifice herself to save Legolas by giving up her starseed. It was the only way to bring him back. Long ago, she had accepted that blatant fact that her duty to the safety of the world in whatever dimension came first. She would not hesitate to go great length to save her friends or her lover. It may seem irrational, almost stupid but that was the extent of her nature.

So, when she kissed him, she had activated her Crystal whose essence is her starseed. As she felt the extricating pull as the key to her existence was slowly ripped from her heart. She concentrated onto the glowing beam of light that seemed to envelop her entire body as well as Legolas' and her last thoughts were solely on bringing back the Elven Prince and nothing more.

End of Chapter 14