A Soldier's Choice

Cosmos sighed and fiddled with a strand of hair that had fallen over her shoulder. The loneliness that she had started to feel with Endymion's end ten years ago had grown steadily over the years. Bitterly, Cosmos cursed Fate and Destiny for causing her loved ones demises. The moment that she had come into her full powers, the senshi and Endymion had started to grow older and eventually had died. Though it hurt, Cosmos had held on until Chibi-usa had reached her coming of age then she held on no longer. Cosmos stepped down as queen. Her soul could not handle the strain that the chores of ruling the Crystal Millennium demanded along with the double hit of the duty of Cosmos and the fresh pain of loss from her friends and love. Her daughter and Helios took over and currently were ruling wisely and justly. After staying around for a few years to help them adjust to ruling the vast kingdom, Cosmos had decided to go about the universe, battling Sailor Chaos, to hide from her pain. But the pain remained and soon Cosmos sighed and gave up. She eventually returned to Earth, still feeling empty. But, the emptiness wasn't from Endymion being gone, but now was from the realization that Endymion was not her true soul mate. The wistful solider watched the Neo-Scouts train. It was peaceful, but the solider felt restless. She pushed a strand of silver hair out of her face. Looking at herself in the mirror, she studied herself carefully and with a strict scrutiny. As the senshi of Cosmos, her uniform was mainly a rainbow of colors weaved in a silver background. Over all, Cosmos like it, but the silver also felt to her cold, lifeless. Finally, after completing her careful observations, she stood and smoothed her sailor skirt. A smile crossed her face and she walked out of the room. With her heart slightly higher now, she thought of the family she had left behind and deep in her soul, of the love she was going to find. Her steps echoed against the marble as she made her way to the throne room. Opening the door, she walked up to her daughter. Chibi-usa looked up at her mother and smiled. Helios was a little further away entertaining their young daughter.

"Chibi-usa, I have come to a decision."

Chibi-usa looked up at her mother frowning slightly and sitting up straight. In a general appearance, Chibi-usa looked exactly like her mother had when she had ascended to the throne. Chibi-usa still wore her hair up in cone shaped odangos and her red eyes were as bright as ever. Helios walked over, carrying their daughter. Helios had grown to be a handsome man. He didn't have the golden crystal on his forehead any longer. The position of priest of Elysian was still open, but Chibi-usa was expecting a child and it was predicted that the child would take over its father's place. Their daughter had pale pink hair with tinges of blue in it. Her eyes were a violet and already the child was showing her powers. Cosmos smiled at the little girl. She would be the next Senshi of the Moon.

"Mama, are you ok?"

Cosmos smiled softly, "I'm more then ok. I've realized that although I loved your father dearly, he...was not my soul mate."

Chibi-usa glanced at Helios then at Cosmos. "But mama..."

"Don't but Mama me. I need to go to a place where people that are like me...immortal. People who are of the elvish heritage...I need to find my soul mate. Chibi-usa, Small Lady, I can't stay here much longer. The emptiness is tearing me apart and I feel drawn to my Uncle's home. Please, don't make this hard for me."

Helios nodded and glanced at Chibi-usa. Her face was a mix of happiness and sadness. Chibi-usa suddenly got up and hugged Cosmos.

"Mama, I want you to be happy, but I'm afraid of failing! What if I can't rule like you? An evil might come up that I can't handle!"

Cosmos smiled, "Small Lady, you know that you will rule fine. I've watched you. You have a big heart and the people love you. Besides, you can always contact me. You know that! As Cosmos, I have to watch over you, and as your mother, I defiantly have to watch over you. I love you, and I will be back to check up on you."

Cosmos pulled away and hugged Helios then her granddaughter. The little girl smiled and giggled and for a moment, Cosmos didn't want to leave. The little girl looked at her. Violet eyes met silver and the little girl seemed to nod. Cosmos pulled away and hugged her daughter again. She turned and walked away a bit from them. She turning, she smiled at the family that she cherished so much. She smiled at them and vanished with a splash of silver sparkles.

Cosmos felt the wind on her face as she appeared in the place she hoped would be her new home. She slowly opened her eyes and looked around at the forest with a child-like attitude, absorbing everything. Turning, Cosmos saw a path, slightly visible, but it appeared as if it was rarely used. Shrugging, she decided to go along that path. She took one step then stopped. She almost smacked herself because of her stupidity. Pulling on her powers, Cosmos changed her clothes to ones more suitable to the world she was now in.

Instead of wearing her senshi uniform, she now wore a green shirt and brown pants. A belt held up her pants and had a sheath with the Sword of the Moon in it. A cloak adorned her shoulders and her silvery hair was still in the odango buns, but the streamers were braided and looped. Across her back was a quiver with arrows and in her hand a bow. Cosmos smiled at the outfit, remembering what her sailors would have said if they saw her now. Once she was satisfied with the over all look, she pulled up the hood and made her way over onto the path. Her feet barely created any sound as she walked. Going through her mind again, she tried to remember about the area she was in. Suddenly getting her bearing, she made her way toward a town. As she got closer, the rain started to fall and Cosmos muttered a few curses under her breath. Pulling up the hood of the cloak, she made it into the town before the gates were closed for the night. Walking down the muddy streets, Cosmos found a pub/inn and looked up at the name.

'Prancing Pony...interesting.'

She walked in and over to the counter where a plump man was standing. Clearing her throat, Cosmos waited for him to acknowledge her. The man turned and smiled warmly at her.

"Yes miss?"

"I need a room for tonight, if that is possible."

The man shook his head. "I'm afraid that all of the human sized rooms are taken. We have hobbit sized ones, but..."

Cosmos sighed, "I'll just get a drink and warm myself then. Thank you sir."

Cosmos went over and found a seat off to the side of the room. As she walked, she felt the eyes of someone watching her. Turning slightly she saw a man sitting, smoking a pipe in the far corner. For a moment, her eyes locked with his, that is, until she broke it by nodding in a greeting and receiving one back in return. She ordered a mug of water and some food before finding a seat in an area that was slightly less crowded. Slightly wrinkling her nose at the grungy surroundings, she shrugged it off and when the food arrived, began to eat. She finished and leaned back in the chair. Her eyes drifted closed for a bit, but her hearing never drifted. Hearing the normal bustle of the pub, she relaxed, not as worried at the moment.

A few hours later, Cosmos stood up, almost throwing her chair backwards. A presence of great evil was in the pub. She looked around quickly, scanning each person for the source of the evil presence. Confused, Cosmos staggered backwards a minute then righted herself. Hearing a panicked voice, then a calm forceful voice her head turned. Three hobbits rushed through a door and up stairs. Feeling a need to protect the young hobbits, Cosmos rushed over and followed them up. They went into a room and Cosmos rushed in but stopped. The three hobbits were checking up on a fourth and a man was looking out of the window. Cosmos' eyes widened as she realized what he was.

"Taur'ohtar! Mankoi lle uma tanya!"

He turned and looked at her. Cosmos shivered at the feeling that shot down her spine. Her hand was ready at the sword hilt, just in case the ranger decided to attack. The four hobbits were now watching her carefully. The ranger walked over slowly and Cosmos backed up a step. Suddenly his voice cut through the silence.

"Amin sinta lle?"

Cosmos froze. Her hand moved away from her sword hilt subconsciously. The ranger walked and stopped next to her. He reached up and pushed back her hood. Her silver tresses fell in waves and her ears poked through. She looked at him with slightly frightened eyes. The ranger's eyes widened.

"You are an elf."

Cosmos was startled for a moment then nodded. "Answer my question ranger."

The ranger smirked slightly. "I was getting Frodo there out of danger. He carries an item of great power I believe and I brought him here so that I can protect him. His companions thought, as you did, that I meant to harm him. I am known as Strider."

Cosmos smiled softly, "I see. I am known as Ithil." Cosmos smiled inwardly at the thought of using her old Elvish name.

Strider nodded and motioned for her to sit. "I would not advise you going out right now. Wraiths are coming this way. If you wish, you can stay here for tonight."

Elvish Translations:

1)Ranger! Why did you do that!

2)Do I know you?