AN: Ok, I am back with another chapter. In this one, I have to add a little bit about Frodo and Sam - which have been abandoned for the last couple of chapters. Last they are with Faramir but I won't go into much detail as the book did but there will be an original idea with my explanation of the Ringbearer and his servant.


Chapter 17: Heartfelt Melody

The three emerged from the forest to see the riders had been saddled up for the return to Edoras. Many of the Men displayed an awestruck expression towards Lady Serena and Legolas. The concept of returning to life was rather elusive and Gandalf was silent on the subject and only eluded upon magic. It was simply too esoteric and complex.

It was decided that Legolas shall ride once again with Gimli, Aragorn with Merry and Serena with Pippin. She wanted to apologize for her outburst earlier but the effervescent Hobbit had already dismissed the ordeal. However, it did not stop her from kissing him in the cheek which resulted in a rosy blush and a wide-eyed Hobbit. Gandalf rode up with Shadowfax and said, "Come along lad for if you keep staring you might have a score to settle with the Elven Prince."

Pippin sneaked a peek towards Legolas though his face was stern but his eyes illuminated with mirth so the Hobbit knew that Gandalf was simply teasing. Serena rode up with a horse of light gray named 'Lugaea'. She held out her hand for Pippin to climb on and sit in front of her. On Theoden's command, they were off. The recently reunited companions rode relatively close together. Aragorn was slightly leading with Legolas and Serena on his either side. Gandalf riding solo and bringing up the rear. They recounted their respective trials and up to the point of Legolas and Serena's 'deaths' and 'rebirths', it was slightly hinted but the known parties felt that it was incongruous. Yet, they knew that such feeling of bliss will not last.

--oo--

Edoras met them in all its glory and Lady of Rohan met them with eyes of rejoiced and yet sympathy for the lives of the Men lost. She immediately hugged Lady Serena but Eowyn felt something more in the embrace, something almost sympathetic, a feeling of courage and strength. The White Lady was slightly confused but her attentions was directed to Aragorn afterwards who was talking with Eomer.

"My friend, I feel that we must part for the rest of journey shall only coincide in the final battle."

"Why? You know that our friendship have not hinder."

"I know Eomer, but I choose the Path of the Dead."

The Men present let out a gasp and Eomer shook his head, "It is an ill name to be mentioned but if you too choose such a course then this is where our path shall separate and converge upon the battlefield." The two Men shook hands afterwards.

At the exchange, Lady Eowyn ran in the opposite direction and Eomer and Aragorn make a move to follow but Serena stopped them.

She found Lady Eowyn out on the roof at the precise spot where the two women last met. Lady Eowyn did not need to turn around to know that Serena had followed her. "Why must he choose such a dangerous path for he will surely…"

"It is a path to his destiny despite all obstacles. There is no escape even with self denial and our attempt for an alternate course."

"I wish to got with our Men to fight but I am destined to be here among our people rather than fighting where I can be useful."

"Lady Eowyn," Serena said while turning the other woman around. She placed an object into the Lady of Rohan's hand. The Shieldmaiden was surprised as she fingered the star locket in her hand and turning it over, she read the inscription 'A Melody shall marked the aria of two destined hearts.'

"I cannot accept this for surely it is too precious to you."

"No, it is yours for it is a symbol of our friendship. Your destiny shall be among your people but the passage to that destiny is unknown, so this locket shall marked courage, strength but mostly love: true love of pure hearts."

Lady Eowyn flipped the locket opened but no music played. Serena further explained, "When you found your true love, a beautiful melody will played to symbolize that love. I have heard it and it has brought comfort into troubled spirits."

"So you have found true love …"

"I found love that was pure and used as the best defence in both internal and external battles but the path of my destiny is forever changing. The only thing of my destiny that I am sure of is that to protect the world from all evils in the name of love and justice."

"Thank you Lady Serena, I shall treasure this always."

--oo--

That night it was decided that all who shall follow Aragorn to the Path of the Dead will leave in the morning. Gandalf along with Pippin had taken leave and had left for Minas Tirith and Merry stayed behind in Edoras with Theoden. The rest of the company, Legolas, Gimli and Serena was to go with Aragorn. Other Men from the North that Aragorn knew was to follow them as well.

In the morning, they were off once more with people of Rohan seeing them off. Lady Eowyn stood slightly in front of them holding the star locket in the palm of her hand.

During the ride, Serena was informed of the history of the Paths of the Dead from Legolas and Gimli. The two horses, Lugaea and Arod were riding side by side behind the pact for Aragorn was riding with his kinfolks leading the way. Their hearts were ridden with a foreboding and all quivered for the unknown until the Dark Door was found. There were carvings along the archway but even with some persistent attempts, many were too dimmed and too worn for any means of deciphering them. Serena noted in her head some familiarity to Lunarian while Legolas remarked the carvings to be some form of Elvish. Aragorn agreed that the carvings were perhaps written in some higher form of language used once-upon-a-time in Middle Earth before he urged the group forward once more.

Many of the horses liked their riders braved themselves into the darkness within. Aragorn led the way and this time, Legolas, Gimli and Serena followed closely behind while some of the Men had reared to the back. Serena produced a single flamed parchment and the Martian vellum cast eerie shadows into the deep. Aragorn ventured forward slightly and stopped at the sight of bones - bones from Men lost but its spirit has not forgotten its long held curse. Aragorn murmured a few words into the beyond but not even Legolas with his impeccable hearing could understand until at last Aragorn shouted, "Let us pass, and then come! I summon you to the Stone of Erech!"

Silence ensued until a gust of wind came from behind the group bringing along dust and vestige of the years. All those who looked behind shall see the Dead had indeed been summoned for they followed closely behind. However, there was a cry of a child in amongst the wind, so mournful that tears welled up in the bravest of Men. Legolas turned towards Serena, only too astonished to see that she was murmuring something into the wind and that a single point of light was emitted from a single point on her chest. Her hand reached out into the wind until everything flared up in the light. All observants shielded their eyes and when they opened them once more, they found themselves in the open once more.

All the Men turned to Aragorn who said, "The Dead Riders have been summoned but we must make haste for the Hill of Erech for they know that King of the Dead has called upon them to fulfil their oath." He did not mentioned the light or the cry of the child for he too was unsure of what to make of it, so in turn, the Men did not question them. However, in his heart he knew that it was a sign not of his destiny but the destiny of another desperate soul - that of Lady Serenity.

Serena had dismounted and was off to the side of the group. She had heard the cries of the child for the cries was of that of a female who was speaking Lunarian. Words spoken could not be repeated but Serena was affected deeply. She felt Legolas comforting her in the best way that he could but he had not and could not understand all that she had heard. When she met his eyes, they were wary but she did not answer his silent questionings. She kissed him softly on the cheek indicating that she did not want to tell him what happened in the cave and he accepted her wish. His hand which had taken hold of hers lingered and he pressed them in assurance before the couple mounted their horses once more. Gimli as a mere spectator, knew the exchange was between the couple only and that their love for each other was strong enough to prevail. Once more led by Aragorn, the Men of Dundeain rode on and headed for the Hill of Erech.

--oo--

The Hobbits - Frodo and Sam having taken leave of Faramir and his Men, was led by Gollum again. Sam was still distrustful of the creature but Frodo was simply too tired to argue much longer. The Ring grew heavier as they neared the fouled regions of Mount Doom. Having faced with the disappointment that the door into the territory of Dark Lord was too treacherous and simply 'closed', Gollum was leading them into a different way. Frodo only hoped that Smeagol's loyalty to his Precious would sustain.

Currently, they were taking a much needed rest. Sam was off a little ways preparing a meal with meat hunted by Gollum. Frodo was sleeping out of the dreaming existence ….

(Frodo's Dream)

He found himself staring into the dark oblivion… He could not save Gandalf no matter how hard he tried and so he had fallen along with the Balrog. Down … down … further … and deep into the darkness … endless tunnels … this way … and that …. He kept falling …. Down …. Down … and even further ….

UNTIL…..

Frodo found himself engulfed in a fiery pit, so hot yet the fire intrigued him some how. He reached out to touch the flames but was startled backwards when the Eye of the One emerged from amongst the flames. Its Eye was menacing and glared downward toward the Hobbit for it had felt the power of the Ring. Frodo was suffocating as he reach at his neck and his hand fell over the chain that held the Ring. He struggled to breath and to draw in air until he heard the distant callings of a child …

It was so soft but he did not understand what it was saying. It sounded feminine yet the voice was familiar, but he could not place from where or who it was. The Eye disappeared until Frodo found himself engulfed this time in a silver rainfall. The drops soothed him and he found himself drawing in rejuvenating breaths. A figure was walking towards him but he could hardly make out its face. He squinted this eyes but then he heard another voice, calling out to him, "Frodo! Mr. Frodo! Wake up. I have made some stew. Mr. Frodo!"

(End Dream)

Frodo found himself pulled from his dreaming existence and starred into the eyes of Samwise Gamgee. "Sam!" he cried.

"Are you alright, Mr. Frodo?"

"I am fine, Sam. Did you say that you made some stew?"

Sam nodded and went off to retrieve a bowl while Frodo settled back once more and whispered, "It was only a dream but I wondered what does it mean. Who was that figure in my dream?"

End of Chapter 17