Chapter Five-- Rivendell

Strider frowned at Ithil. Elrond looked surprised for a moment but quickly smiled.

"Serenity, I didn't think that you would be coming back."

Strider looked at Ithil and she blushed. Pippin scratched his head and both Merry and Sam looked utterly confused. Strider looked from Elrond back to Ithil.

"I thought that your name was Ithil?"

Elrond shook his head, watching his niece blush even more. "I'm afraid that my niece has a tendency to want to try out different names. Welcome to Rivendell. You'll be lead to your rooms and once Frodo has awakened, you will be allowed to see him."

Sam looked mortified by this. Ithil smiled a little. "Uncle, could at least one hobbit stay by Frodo's side until he awakens? That way he'll have someone that he knows around when he wakes."

Elrond raised an eyebrow, "Now I'm not sure if you truly are my niece." At her expression he laughed, "But it is a wise opinion. Yes, one hobbit will be allowed to stay by his side."

Ithil laughed as Sam's face brightened. She motioned to him to follow. She smiled at Elrond, curtsying a bit and then leading the hobbit away. Elrond looked at the remaining group and then lead them to their own respective rooms.

Strider was walking around the gardens; he had talked to Arwen earlier. His heart was troubled by her words.

'I cannot be with you anymore, Aragorn. Although I will forever love you, there is another that I have foreseen that will make you happy. I will be staying in Rivendell until I am no longer needed, but be happy.'

He sighed and lit his pipe.

"Smoking is a bad habit."

Strider was startled and he turned. There was Ithil, or Serenity, and she was cleaned up. Now wearing an Elvish dress, her hair done up in her traditional bun and streamer style, he could see the Elvish quality around her. She walked over and sat next to him.

"Something is bothering you. I can feel your confusion and grief from my chambers. Do you wish to talk about it?"

Strider sighed, "No, Lady Serenity, I have nothing that you would understand."

Serenity (she'll be called this for right now, unless otherwise specified) snorted, bringing an amused look from Strider.

"I would understand more then you know. Try me."

Strider nodded, "The ring of power weighs on my mind. With its reappearance, I feel that I may have to face my destiny."

"What's so scary about facing your destiny? It will come whether or not you wish it to." Serenity's voice was sad.

Strider looked at her, concern on his face. "Why do you speak with such sadness in her voice?"

Serenity looked at him and smiled. She pulled out a small crystal that was on a chain around her neck. He looked at it in awe, feeling a sense of peace and calmness wash over him.

"What is it, Lady Serenity?"

"It is the Silver Imperium Crystal. It is the reason that my voice is sad."

"A crystal?"

Serenity nodded, "I went on a journey, a few thousand years back. But it actually started further back. I was born to Queen Serenity of the Moon, Elrond's younger sister. But eventually, to make a long story short, the kingdom was attacked and everyone was slaughtered by the force known as the Negaverse. My mother was the only one left and so she sent everyone to the future to be reborn, except me. She managed to have me revived and she sent me to live with her brother."

Strider listened intently. He watched the emotions flash through her eyes, but not once did it make it to her face.

"I grew up until I was about 13 in human terms. Then one of my scouts, Sailor Pluto came and told my uncle that I was needed else where. He let me go, knowing that he had no powers to stop it."

Serenity sighed, "I then became a Sailor Scout at the age of fourteen. I won't go into the scouts right now, but I eventually defeated Beryl. Finally, I fought against my greatest enemy, Chaos. I barely defeated him, but it was then that I felt that I was different from the other sailors. I became Neo-Queen Serenity, and married my husband, Endymion. We had a daughter named Princess Rini. I watched my friends and husband grow old and eventually die. As each one did, I gained their powers."

Serenity took a shuddering breath. Strider went to stop her. She shook her head.

"I'm fine. I best finish the story now before I am unable to do so."

"Only if you are able to, Lady Serenity."

"I am. After the last of my senshi, Sailor Saturn, died, I became Sailor Cosmos, the ruler of the stars. At first the pain was so great that I roamed the universe, trying to track down Chaos to destroy him or her. Finally I went back home and made the decision to come home."

Strider smiled a little at her, "I see that Fate and Destiny have been harsher to you then me. Perhaps I shouldn't fear my destiny."

Serenity smiled at him then stood. She walked over and looked at the waterfalls that were scattered around Rivendell. Her face was peaceful once again. Strider stood up, after putting out his pipe and went over to her. She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. He had a rugged look, but still underneath everything, he had a royal aura. Serenity turned her head, a blush staining her cheeks. They stood in silence for a few moments. Finally, Serenity turned and started to leave.

"Strider, Uncle Elrond is holding council tomorrow. Frodo awoke today and the representatives have arrived. Please be there." She smiled at him softly then turned walking away. She seemed to vanish, leaving the confused ranger in her wake.

Hiyas!!! waves Ok, I wanted to say a few things to my reviewers, at least a few that I found…uh…that needed to be answered to:

Angelwings6117: Oye….This is the first review that I have received that …was actually so good that it confused the daylights out of me. I did take you review into consideration, but…I already had plans. But I really really do thank you for your advice. I haven't read into it that much, but after what you said, I'll be trying to find out what Elrond's past was like…thanks!

Setsuna-3000: Thank you sooooo much!

Queen Diamond: Arigato! I'll make sure to have a hobbit thought part in the next chapter; it didn't fit into this one.

Flame Ivy Moon: Updated just for you!

Seren Lunar Echo, devilsheart, Taiki, princess moon shadow, momocolady, desipryd, Jewelclaw Lady of the Wind, KawaiiKoneko, KoKo Belle, Dark Disaster, simply magic-elite feng, pudding, arlene444, Princess Serena xavior:

THANK YOU ALL FOR REVIEWING!!!

Ok, now that I have officially named everyone…I believe. I'll see you all next time!

Princess Silver Serenity