Chapter 7-- First Steps of a Journey

(Angelwings6117, EnuNR-zero please read the replies to your reviews at the end of the chapter! Thanks!)

Hotaru quickly walked, searching for the one person that Serenity had refused to see, but deep in the young soldier, Hotaru knew Serenity needed to see. She looked around a corner and smiled, finding Aragorn sitting, smoking his pipe and deep within thought. She walked over quietly.

"Dunadan, may I speak with you?"

Aragorn turned and nodded. Hotaru sat near him, a worried look on her face. Aragorn put out the pipe he was using at looked at the woman before him.

"I saw what happened at the council. Lord Elrond talked to her, but she didn't say what was bothering her." Hotaru started without waiting for Aragorn to say anything, "But, honestly, I think she's afraid."

Aragorn frowned, "Afraid?"

Hotaru smiled a bit, "Yes, she's afraid. But as to why she's afraid, that's up to her to tell you. Wait a little bit then go and talk to her. I think that she should go with the Fellowship, but I know that you and Lord Elrond would protest. So, I won't say a word to her."

Hotaru got up and smiles at Aragorn and left. She smiled to herself, knowing that she would have made Mina very proud. Aragorn stayed in the area, thinking about everything that Hotaru had said to him. He wondered why Serenity would be afraid. It baffled him, but he did know one thing. Hotaru was right about him not wanting the moon maid going along with the Fellowship.

Serenity sighed and slipped out of her room. After her scene at the council, either Elrond or her two cousins had been trying to find out what had upset her. She ignored them and eventually they had left her alone. She walked along the paths and ended up at her favorite flowers. She smelled the roses, glad that they were in bloom. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent. Footsteps echoed behind her and she turned. She tensed slightly at the sight of Boromir.

"Boromir."

"Lady Serenity, I didn't mean to offend you earlier." He apologized.

Serenity's eyes widened and she felt confused. Boromir went on.

"I didn't mean that you couldn't handle yourself…just, I would not want you to be harmed. I hoped that we could begin on a better standing?"

Serenity studied him a bit then nodded, slowly smiling. "I am sorry also. I should have held my temper better. You do remind me of a friend I used to have."

He looked at her quizzically. Serenity laughed and turned and looked back at the flowers.

"One of my guardians, Uranus or Haruka, was almost exactly like you. She always was telling me to stay back and when I first met her, she told me that 'I couldn't handle it'."

"I can see that you cherish her friendship."

Serenity nodded, "Yes. She was like an older sister. Do you have family Boromir?"

"A younger brother, Faramir. Why?"

Serenity turned and went and sat down. "Just wondering. I do like to know about people that I give my friendship to."

Boromir chuckled. "I must go now, though, Lady Serenity…"

"Serena."

"…Serena, I have to get ready for when I leave tomorrow with the Fellowship."

Boromir bowed a bit and Serenity nodded, smiling. He turned and left, leaving Serenity to her thoughts. She sighed and looked back at the flowers. Looking up, she saw the stars shining above her. Her eyes searched out the moon but then looking at the stars. Her eyes filled with tears.

"Minna-chan, why did you have to leave?" She whispered to the night sky. She pulled down her hair, allowing it to spill in silver waves down her back and toward the ground. She finger combed it, lost in her thoughts. She started thinking about the scouts and her family. After she had been married, for a while, Serenity had felt as if nothing could ruin her happiness. But then Michiru had become ill. She hung on for a while, and then died leaving a grieving Uranus and a stunned Serenity. That day proved to Serenity that she would be alone.

Serenity closed her eyes and a silver tear streaked down her face. She struggled to keep from crying. Her whole life had been played with, toyed with by the fates. And now Fate and Destiny had decided to throw a curve ball into her life just as it was beginning to be normal. And what's worse, she knew that she had made a fool of herself during the council. She bowed her head and a few more tears slipped from her eyes.

"Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo." (1)

Serenity looked up started. Her eyes widened as he walked over to her a worried look on his face. She tried turning her head away, so that he couldn't see the tears, but was too late. Aragorn sat down next to her and gently turned her face.

"Why do you cry?"

"I…for those I lost." Serenity whispered. Aragorn took his sleeve and gently wiped her face.

"Why did you run from the council?"

Serenity's eyes widened and she moved away from Aragorn. He watched her carefully. She went over and picked a rose that was in full bloom. She turned and looked at him.

"I thought once that I was so deeply in love that nothing could destroy it. But, I've learned that what someone dear to me told me once was true. That our love was like a rose, beautiful while in bloom but not forever."

Her voice was quiet and controlled. Aragorn narrowed his eyes a bit. She continued on not noticing.

"I never understood what he meant. I lost my friends and I came back home to find something that I was missing and to understand those words. I didn't think that it would be difficult."

Aragorn stood and walked over to her a bit. Serenity looked at him and grew confused. He stopped in front of her.

"A wise young woman who I met today told me that you would tell me what was wrong, and she was right. May I give you advice?"

Serenity thought for a moment then shook her head yes. Aragorn leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Do not try so hard, you'll find it's easier then you thought."

Aragorn turned and left leaving Serenity baffled. She touched her lips wondering what had happened. She blushed wildly and ran back to her room, shutting the door and locking it.

The next morning was bright and the Fellowship stood ready to leave. Elrond, his sons, Arwen and Serenity stood in the Farwell party. Serenity avoided Aragorn's gaze and listened to Elrond wish the Fellowship well. They left with Frodo in the lead. Pippin and Merry looked back and waved with huge grins on their faces to Serenity. She smiled and waved back. As Aragorn passed her, he whispered under his breath to her causing her face to brighten.

After they were gone, Serenity retired to her room, claiming that she was tired. As soon as she was alone, she snuck out of her chambers and quickly made her way out of Rivendell. She waited until she was out of sight and pulled off her dress showing the traveling outfit she wore underneath. She pulled on her cloak and looked back at her uncle's home. Sighing, she turned and quickly went looking for the Fellowship knowing that with the size of the group she couldn't be that far behind.

1) A star shines on the hour of our meeting. (An actual quote that Frodo says to Gildor in the shire in the book, but I decided to use it here)

Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter, I got a lot of reviews and I'll recognize the new people next chapter, but I do have two people I wish to answer right away.

EnuNR-zero: No, she didn't run away because of falling for Aragorn's father. See, she lost everyone she cared about, and even though she came back to Middle Earth to find her soul mate, she is still scared about losing the people she loves all over again.

Angelwings6117: First off, thank you so much for your reviews. I really appreciate them. Now on to the important part, I never never never planned on making Boromir a sexiest-pig. He's one of my favorite characters and I cried when he died in the movie. When I look at Boromir, I see a lot of Uranus in him. So, that's why he was behaving the way he was.

Next, the Saturn issue. After Serenity, Saturn is my next favorite character. I have plans for her and she'll get her spotlight also. She was only repeating what everyone has told them over the years, so both Serenity and Hotaru believe this. But it will change, I promise you. I hope this helps make me not cliché! Cause I'm trying really hard to not be.

Princess Silver Serenity

Thanks to all reviewers!