Title:
Author: Cheska
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and/or Sailor Moon. These belong to their respective owners.
Author's Note: Oye, big head ache at 'trying' to keep in the same level as the book's tone. You know, all those formalities and stuff. #_#
~.~.~.~
It was shortly after Serenity's visit in Barad-dur that the young woman then proceeded forward. Her long golden-silver mane of hair glittered in the night's air as she stepped out of the stronghold, the cold wind of the surrounding area billowing against her bare skin and feather light clothing. How long it had been since she felt it, and yet…there was a difference as the wind came upon her. It seemed sad, forlorn, almost reluctant to drift pass Mordor and for that, she too was sad as she lay her crystalline blue eyes upon the dead land. Monsters of all sorts surrounded her down below as men of great size sidled pass her, taking no care to gaze at her. For those that had, cast a dark look as they took her presence in but seeing that she came from their own creator's 'humble' abode they didn't see her as a threat anymore. For this, she was grateful.
(Monsters, creatures of the dark why must you be amongst us fair creatures at this time and age? I feel the aura of death surrounding you; you wish only ill will amongst the living and care only for pleasing your master. You wish for the destruction of many and the rise of only your own people.) Serenity sighed before casting her eyes overhead to only see the light of the moon wane.
"It is time," she whispered softly before silver, gold sparks encased her, and soon she disappeared.
Warm rays of sun fell upon her sleeping form on the soft, cool grass. Her head was resting upon a tree trunk while she was bathed in warmth that was offered to her by the gentle sunlight and clear breeze of air. Shifting her weight around her, Serenity raised her smooth hand upon her face as she took care to look around her. When had she arrived in this wooden area and why had she fallen asleep without her knowledge? It made the young girl stop for a moment as several thoughts popped up in her head. As she narrowed it down, she could only come up with a few final solutions. It could be possible that by being alone in outer space created her current predicament at having fallen asleep so quickly. When she had arrived back on Earth, she never took the time to think that Earth's gravity field would trouble her nor would the change in time. So, maybe after her meeting with Sauron and then using her magic once more to transport her into a different area would catch her off guard and deplete her energy supply more than she had thought it would. Another likely solution could be that Lothlorien has a certain force field surrounding the area that would grab unwelcome magic users and make them fall asleep. However, to the fair young woman lying on the green grass, she was more open to the change in environment. Shaking her head slightly, she muscled up as much as strength and got to her feet. Powers, determination, willpower, and magic, all of these things were her strength over the years that she had spent learning them as well as controlling them. It was and still is highly unlikely that a barrier could stop her. She had seniority within her command, but then again… there were still more spells out there that she has still to find and learn from, therefore maybe the Lady of the Forest would have something in her favor.
(If, indeed, she carries a hidden power that I have yet to know about…this visit could prove to be quite useful in my favor.)
Brushing out the wrinkles of her dress, she observed her surroundings. A green wall stood in front of her way, with a green hill further down her line of view and all around her form stood great mallorn-trees. The beauty of the tree took her breath away for just that moment before she noticed that the wall in front of her was not all that it seemed to be. This was her destined spot, the place she fixated on concentrating upon before her departure of Barad-dur. Unfortunately, she had let her guard down along the way and instead of becoming transported within the city itself, she was settled just outside its gates. Giving a resentful sigh, she proceeded on her way upon finding the entrance to the beautiful city.
She heard laughter along the northern slope, feeling a bit curious the young woman made her way towards the laughter and found a white bridge with clear cool water running through at the bottom. Across the bridge stood the great gates of the city but what lay over it was a mystery to the woman.
"I heard laughter, laughter like twinkling bells in a clear crystal day. However, no one is here at all to be the face of what I have heard…" Serenity uttered softly as she strode forward.
As her feet touched the grass on the other side of the white bridge, the gates in front of her opened on their own accord to reveal a face on the other side. A woman she met on the other side: very tall was she whose face was both grave and beautiful at the same time. Clad in white like herself, her hair was spun with deep gold and eyes that were filled with great depth. At once, Serenity knew that this must be the Lady of the Forest known as the Lady of Lothlorien.
"I bid thee welcome, guest of the forest…welcome to Lothlorien," she greeted, her voice filled with hidden mystery.
"I am most honored, fair lady of the morning light, Lady Galadriel," Serenity let a small smile twitch at her lips as she greeted the woman before her only letting a small curtsy be in her control before she strode forward to be bid inside the city of the elves.
~.~.~.~.~
"I have seen you arrive as well as where it was you have come from through the Mirror of Galadriel," she said as they walked through a high green hedge before entering an enclosed garden. There were no trees apparent within the space but up overhead, you could see the clear blue sky, no cloud at all within their sight. Just as Serenity stopped to stare at the bright morning light, she heard Galadriel's soft footsteps moving forward once more and therefore the young woman followed obediently. She was led down a long flight of steps and into a deep green hollow where a stream ran through from a fountain on a semi-small hill. Just at the bottom of that particular hill stood a silver basin upon a low pedestal that closely resembled a tree.
"I trust that that is the mirror you wish to show me? The same mirror that granted you the privilege of seeing just who it was that would soon be arriving to you…however, it can only show and yet no words come from it. Isn't that correct?"
She remained content at leaving her no answers to the questions that Serenity had asked of her. Therefore, the young woman could only accept her silence as a yes and walked forward to see just what it was this Mirror of Galadriel would show her.
"Did you wish for me to look into it?"
"I do not ask anything of you, only to show you how I have known of your upcoming presence," she replied in a calm, soothing tone of voice.
"Very well then, I shan't look for the moment. I'm here with other pressing matters that must be resolved," Serenity took her head away from peering into the basin and turned to face the golden haired lady of the forest.
Seeing her silent nature take its course once more, Serenity could only continue with her words.
"I am not exactly certain as to what area that the Mirror has begun from. However, I won't leave the chance unattended with the words that I must urgently speak with you in what my own devices have shown me that your Mirror has not. You see, I have seen that great danger has come to pass Middle-earth and amongst it I see that trouble has risen with the passing of one of your own: Mithrandir or Gandalf as he is called."
At her words, it appeared to the young woman that the golden haired woman seemed to have given more focus on her words.
"He has fallen, as you very well know but more than that, he is actually quite alive and if my intuition serves me correctly he is much stronger than he was in the past. No longer is he known as Gandalf the Grey…and you will see soon as to why."
"No longer Gandalf the Grey…?"
"I have also come to give you fair warning in the upcoming tasks up ahead. Darkness shall come to the ring bearer and the others. Please take heed of my words and take care of them, I don't wish for their downfall in these early stages of their journey. They must see this through to the end and I shall do what I can to help them without appearing to be too helpful for Sauron's taste," Serenity added her word of caution.
"Darkness already invades their journey, I am afraid."
"Yes, but more will come. Their trials will grow and they shall become restless, hope and determination is needed for them to last long. They cannot afford to lose this battle," Serenity continued to try to persuade the woman before her.
"Your warnings are already known, there is only so little that I can do to help them with their quest."
"There is more that you could give them, allow the ring-bearer to see into the Mirror of Galadriel. I am quite sure that with it, he will take the quest more seriously and hopefully he will know what to do in the upcoming months."
"This I shall do, for I have intended upon it as much. Furthermore, I shall heed your warning and prepare more gifts for the Fellowship when their departure arrives. I have trinkets prepared for most though not all and I shall give it to them when the time arises."
"Thank you, fair lady…"
"Before you leave, allow me to give you information in return for yours."
"What would that be?" Serenity turned, a curious expression marring her once happy features.
"To serve Sauron is a dangerous game, tread softly and allow not the evil to come over you."
"I have and shall continue to do so," Serenity nodded a smile returning once more.
"Even more, have you not wondered just what the One Ring is…? I doubt that you know quite exactly the words of the One Ring…"
"The words…?"
"Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind
Them
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie."
"These rings of power, should such things exist and for what purpose?" Serenity wondered aloud.
"It was once believed it was for a good cause; for it allows us to protect and better serve our people. However, time changes and what was once meant for good becomes evil and turns into corruption. Especially with the Dark Lord's One Ring…"
"I see, and therefore the young Hobbit who carries it must try to sustain himself long enough to arrive in the land of Mordor…"
At her words, Galadriel closed her eyes and refused to open them for the longest of times.
"I am afraid of such a burden for that young boy,"
"I, as well, however…you must do your best to serve him and I…I shall try my best as well in the upcoming future as well." Serenity stated and with that left the golden haired woman alone with the Mirror by her side.
~.~.~.~.~
As was promised, Galadriel had indeed showed the ring-bearer the Mirror and from it was warned of the upcoming events and was given the path to which to choose from. However, it was during this fateful meeting that Galadriel had to face a dreadful task. A test determined just how much she could sustain the lure of the ring itself. Galadriel managed to pass the test by breaking the power that held her once donning the ring and then returned the ring back to the ring-bearer.
And it was at the following day that the Fellowship would depart. Each being given a gift that would hopefully aid them in their quest on their path to Mordor to get rid of the One Ring once and for all. Boats were offered to them for their course out of Lothlorien and into the river. Along with the boats were food and garments for them to wear, cloaks being the offered as their garments were light and offered aid when needing to pass under unfriendly eyes of the enemy. Other gifts were given for the company, each given solely and individually by the fair Lady Galadriel. And as the boats were prepared and ready to leave once more from the company of the elves, Serenity too left without the notice of all except for two: Galadriel and Celeborn who gazed in her direction once the Fellowship of the Ring left their sight.
"That young woman…" Celeborn quietly murmured.
"She is a mystery even to my self and yet, I believe that she plays a role as large a part as the young hobbit and his friends…" Galadriel responded in kind and with words that offered finality in her tone of voice.
~.~.~.~.~
It was shortly after seeing and making sure that the group departed that the young woman named Serenity left the comfort of the light and the woods, hopefully unseen. Concentrating within the powers of the stars and the moon itself that lie within her, silver and gold sparkles enveloped her body briefly, before completely disappearing in the waking light.
"You will find the Fellowship down River Anduin, hold off the Orcs until I give the signal to attack. That would be when they are most vulnerable, quite possibly when the group has broken," Serenity said once she went into Sauron's room in the same tower that they had first met.
"What makes you think that the group will become broken?"
"There must be times when they are not together, is that not true?"
"Very well, I give you command over the company of Orcs closest to the river bend. Do not disappoint me!" Sauron's eyes flashed red before dimming down.
Serenity merely smirked at his empty threat before striding out of the room with no comment or promise in her behalf. In truth, she could care less over his words but she would not disappoint him when it came down to it. She could not, if she was willing to be in partnership with the Dark Lord of Mordor.
As she once more disappeared from Barad-dur, she arrived in a flurry of lights within the center of an Orc encampment lying just southeast from the river Anduin. This had to be the area that Sauron told her of, the Orcs that would serve her and be under her command for the time being until her purpose had been fulfilled. Looking around, she noticed that the Orcs stared at her hungrily and their eyes filled with lust at the prospect of good eating, she frowned at them all before straightening up and casually flicking off some of the dirt that managed to stain her white gown.
"If you think that I will end up being either your appetizer, dinner, or desert you're sadly mistaken," she stated while a sinking feeling sat in the pit of her stomach.
(Selene! I wish that I had the same strength as my friends in this department at acting brave around evil, hungry monsters!) She hurriedly prayed within her head as she tried her best to act brave in the time that it was most needed.
Giving a small intake of breath, Serenity continued with her manner as she stood at the center and came close to the small bit of fire that had begun just recently.
"I am sent by Sauron to give you orders."
At her words, low growls and defiance stirred within as Orcs cast disapproving stares and all at once, they began to huddle close with one another as they tried to approach her.
"Listen! I, as well, am not happy with these words but you must listen!" she heightened her voice and emphasized her words but it seemed that Orcs weren't much into listening as they kept on with their pace.
"There is a group of people approaching at this very second, in a day or two they should arrive just a few miles away from this encampment. Until then, I ask of you to keep a close eye on them and when I give a signal then you will be able to ambush them. I don't care who lives or dies, just as long as the Hobbits amongst them are not harmed in any way. Those are the words of Sauron, that the Hobbits shall not be harmed…he wishes another fate to be passed onto them under his own hands," Serenity hurriedly spoke and at her last statements the Orcs stopped their procession and it appeared to her that they had calmed down.
(Thank goodness!) Serenity felt a wave of temporary calmness settle within her at seeing the Orcs stop.
"Hopefully we can remain companionable until the appointed time?" Serenity let a small smile grace her lips but the Orcs only grunted in response.
It had been only two days since the temporary agreement between Serenity and the Orcs. She had refused to be around any of them after their conversation and had chosen to remain up in the trees or near the riverbank, taking care not to be noticed by anyone other than her. As she dangled her legs from the perch on a tree, she heard a rustle nearby and quickly glanced around her sides and down below. A few of the Orcs were passing by and seemed to be quickening their pace as they held their weapons ready, looks of promised death apparent on their face.
"It seems that the fight has started without my consent…" distaste was clear at the sound of her words before she jumped down and landed in front of a horde of Orcs.
"And when have I given word for any of you to start hacking down the enemy?" She demanded.
They merely grunted and pointed down a small glade where she could almost make out a fight taking place. It wasn't in her plan to start a fight this soon but obviously there was nothing she could do about it and so merely shrugged and stepped aside before the Orcs ran off once more.
(Orcs sure are difficult to command, there's nothing more I can do. Only if I put fear into their hearts would they listen to me as they listen to Sauron.) She noted in her head before running off behind them.
Nearing the little glade, she took note that they were near a large lake and close by she saw a pile of dead Orcs. The ones currently fighting seemed to be doing a bad job of it and close by she noticed that the Hobbits that she had commanded to be spared and taken prisoner had now been captured. Ropes were being tied around them before being lifted up by a few Orcs and carried away. Taking her eyes momentarily away from them, she continued to gaze around at fallen and broken arrows as well as the dead bodies of the Orcs. A few feet away from her position at the bushes was a dying corpse of a man that she recognized belonged to the Fellowship. Wanting to get a closer look, she slinked away and climbed a tree close to his body. Arrows pierced him from all sides and yet there he was, his eyes half-open and his proud sword still held between his hands but with a broken horn, that she knew that he had sounded just a few moments before his upcoming death. Glancing down she could feel nothing but pity for the man that lay dying but she knew that there was nothing to be done at this point of time.
"I am sorry…" Serenity whispered down to him.
As if hearing her voice, the man glanced up and locked eyes with her. At first shock was clear on his fair features but he calmed down and let out a small smile.
"Help is coming, brave fighter," she called down to him after hearing upcoming footsteps nearing their current vicinity.
He could only nod before turning his attention to where one of his teammates arrived and knelt beside him. During this time, Serenity managed to gather key information about how all of this came to be. Apparently, Sauron had something to do with this, as she listened to the dying man named Boromir tell urgent news to Aragorn. From her perspective, Sauron had fed into the weak spot of Boromir's mind to try and capture the ring for his own but failed when Frodo ran away from him. At this point of time, the Orcs sensed the evil radiating and decided to attack leading to the capture of the Hobbits. Stopping at this realization, she wondered if, amongst the Hobbits, the ring-bearer were with them. Glancing down, she noticed that Aragorn was now weeping for his fallen comrade and felt a twinge of sorrow but quickly shook her head away from the thought. She mustn't lose control of her emotions, she learned that during her years being alone out in space. Whenever she was weakened with feelings of loneliness, she tended to be away from duty only to come back with a world full of danger and chaos ensuing in the realms where peace remained. It wasn't very becoming and therefore had forcefully trained herself not to lose sight of the perspective.
Letting the man cry, she heard more footsteps approaching and perked her head up to that direction only to see two more of the Fellowship: Legolas and Gimli. They questioned over the whereabouts of the Hobbits only to receive an unknown answer. Hearing this, Serenity shook her head and glanced down at Boromir's corpse. To her, it was supposed to be a time of mourning but she knew that this was a time for crisis and great urgency was needed if they were to avoid any more deaths.
(However, they should mourn for the moment before going off to rescue the Hobbits…) Serenity stated in her mind and gripped the tree trunk before hoisting herself down next to Boromir's body.
"You should mourn first and deal with your comrade before going off in search for your other companions. I am quite sure they can take care of themselves for a short time, but for now you need to place a proper funeral for him…" Serenity quietly stated, not caring to look at the bewildered expressions of the other three behind her.
To be continued…
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Weird place to stop, isn't it? But I couldn't help myself and just had to stop here. ^^;; Not even sure why, either.
As to those who have waited for the next chapter, I humbly apologize for loosing perspective. I've gotten myself a bit of a writer's block, not to mention the fact that I just didn't feel like writing. Yes, yes, bad Cheska-chan, ne?