Chapter 12—Moria

The fellowship turned, not toward the mountains, but now down toward the road to Moria. Serenity had remained quiet, reserved during the entire day. She kept the cloak Aragorn had draped over her firmly clutched around her. Even without Serenity's quiet disturbed mood, the fellowship seemed to know that something about the place they were going to was evil. Except for Gimli of course, who was happier then all of the fellowship put together. The dwarf went over to Serenity and looked at her out of the corner of his eye.

"Lass, what is botherin' you? Your smile has been gone since the mountain."

Serenity looked at Gimli. As the saying, "The eyes are windows to one's soul", Gimli could see the torment and overall chaos in Serenity's soul. She looked away, silent. He moved away, allowing her space. Serenity looked up at the terrain around her. Gone was the snow and it was replaced with murky water and marshes mixed with rock. She avoided stepping into the water. Her silver eyes went over the water. Sensing something she moved as far away from the water as she could. She didn't feel up to fighting. She bumped into Boromir, who was in front of her. She blinked and apologized. Boromir looked at her worried but his attention was diverted to Gandalf.

"Here is the Doors of Durin. Lord of Moria. Speak, friend, and enter. Celebrimbor of Hollin drew these signs."

The group looked at the silvery door that seemed to have been painted on the mountain side. Serenity's eyes widened and she went to it.

"Ithildin."

Gandalf smiled, "Yes. The symbols and drawing are wrought of ithildin. I believe that you know of the substance? Correct Serenity?"

Serenity nodded, her eyes not breaking off of the silvery symbols. She reached out and touched it, feeling the magic reach out to touch her fingers. She felt a giddy sort of feeling, but it passed quickly.

"I have not seen ithildin sense my time on the moon."

"It is a substance that will only reflect moonlight and starlight." Gandalf said to the others. "Now."

"What does it mean speak friend and enter?" Merry piped up. Gandalf looked at the hobbit for a moment then back at the door.

"It means that if you are a friend, you speak the password." Gandalf said causing Serenity to turn and look at him with one eyebrow raised. She backed up from the door. Gandalf tried for the next couple of hours different sayings. Serenity had gone and sat down on a rock and watched slight amusement in her eyes. Merry and Pippin were throwing rocks into the water at one point but were stopped by Aragorn. Serenity hear Sam talking to Bill the pony sadly. She turned and watched him take all of the stuff off. She heard the disappointment and realized that Sam was letting Bill go. Seeing Aragorn go over to him, she decided to stay where she was. She still was troubled by the random thoughts that floated in her head. She was startled to hear Frodo's voice and she looked up. The hobbit was looking at the door.

"It's a riddle! Gandalf, what's the elvish word for friend?"

The wizard looked up, "Mellon."

The doors gave a great creaking sound and slowly opened outwards. Serenity stood and watched the doors open to reveal a darkened door way. The fellowship started to go in. Serenity looked around at the walls but her eyes were drawn to the ground. She covered her mouth, dimly hearing Gimli talking about his cousin's kingdom.

"This isn't a mine….it's a tomb." Boromir said cutting Gimli off.

Serenity saw Legolas pull something and she looked at him. He looked up and she caught his gaze. A mix of fury and fear was in his eyes and she looked at the arrow.

"Goblins." Legolas spit while he readied his bow. Serenity tensed and looked around. She heard a shout and turned to see Frodo pulled back and up. Her eyes widened and she screamed for Frodo and ran out. Already Legolas had fired his bow striking the monster. Aragorn and Boromir went out to catch Frodo when he fell, slashing with their swords. Serenity threw back the cloak and put her hand up above her. Closing her eyes she concentrated and felt the power of Uranus fill her. Opening her eyes, she saw the waters rippling from the wind gathering around her.

"Aragorn! Boromir! Move now!" Serenity yelled. The two turned and moved quickly. She brought her hand down hard and slammed the power into the earth.

"World Shaking!"

The ball of light flew through the ground, coming up and slamming into the beast. It screamed and released Frodo. Serenity turned and jumped over a tentacle. The group hurried back into the cave. Serenity flipped backwards and noticed that the beast was following now. She used her speed and made it into the cave. The beast grabbed at the doors, crushing them to rubble and missing the fellowship by inches. Serenity was breathing heavy, the eight pointed star on her forehead glowed softly. She turned and looked toward Frodo. The hobbit was shaken and he looked at her.

"Frodo?"

"I'm alright….are you ok?"

Serenity nodded and looked toward Gandalf. He had light up his staff and was walking forward. Gimli walked beside him. She tuned Gandalf out and looked around. Bodies, most of them decayed or half decayed, littered the stone steps. Serenity shuddered and hugged herself. She could handle almost everything, but underground spaces were one of the few that she couldn't deal with. She walked around the bodies as best as she could. Flashes of the Silver Millennium's downfall came into her mind. She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked at Legolas. He smiled a bit at her and she smiled back understanding that he also didn't like caves or caverns. The elf moved over to her and walked beside her. They didn't talk, deciding that the quieter they could be, the easier the sounds of an approaching enemy could be heard.

The group followed Gandalf deeper into the mines. Once, Serenity had thought she was going to get sick as they passed an area with a slightly higher body count, but they quickly made their way away from there. The group traveled along, with Gandalf telling them about different parts of the mine. Gimli was in awe, looking at everything, as if he were a child in a candy store. Serenity giggled, despite everything in her mind. Gandalf seemed like the tour guide and they were tourists. Gandalf stopped them and brightened up the crystal on his staff. He turned and pointed with the staff. Serenity turned and looked down the huge cavern. Light glittered off of mythril that hadn't been taken out. It seemed to go on for miles and after a few moments, Serenity tore her eyes away from the site. She looked at the others and when they began to move, she followed. Their path came to a crossroad and Gandalf stopped.

"I do not remember this." Gandalf whispered.

The group sat down for a break while Gandalf worked on figuring out which way they were to go. Serenity sighed and rested her chin in her hands. She pushed aside all of the outside noise and conintrated on her thoughts. She thought so hard that when a hand was placed on her shoulder, she had to bite her cheek to keep from screaming. She turned and looked up at Aragorn and sighed, looking down. She heard then saw him, out of the corner of her eye, sit down next to her. She turned and smiled a bit.

"What's troubling you? You've been quiet since we were in the mountains."

Serenity sighed and looked at everyone else. "My powers are failing. They are pulling on my energy reserves and I'm straining just to use simple powers. When I used the power of Saturn on the mountain, I heard Hotaru tell me to let go, to not use the powers. Then, when we fought the watcher, I used what energy I had gained from the last time I used any attack. I'm constantly tired. Plus, as Cosmos, I should know everything that's happened in Middle Earth, details about the different places, like Minas Tirith, yet the knowledge escapes me. I'm almost at my wits end; I have no clued what to do anymore."

"I have no clue how to help you. But everyone here is on your side. We'll be here for you, just as we're here for Frodo. I will be here for you, always."

Aragorn got up and walked over to Legolas to talk to him. Serenity comprehended what he said and looked up, her eyes wide. Before she could say anything, or respond, Gandalf rose.

"This way."

(Ok, I had to split Moria into two parts. It's such a great and emotional area that I had to add more to it. I'll have the next part out soon, because I already have part of the next chapter ready. Oh, the next chapter is going to be really emotional. Also, if you have read the StarS manga, number 3, it will make more sense. But I will put an explanation. Thanks for all the reviews! It really helps to boost my moral while writing. Thanks! And I'll see ya next time!

Princess Silver Serenity)