Title: Doubts
Author: Cheska
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and/or Sailor Moon. These belong to their respective owners.
Author's Notes: Ooh, I haven't read the Silmarillion yet, though I want to. So I'll be sure to read that later on. I hope that there is not too many detailed accounts placed into that story. So for the story's sake, let us just say that Sauron has a body! ^^;; As for Serenity's side in the story you'll find out later on. Ringwraiths = Nazgul? Oohh, I have no idea~ I always thought that Ringwraiths are of a lesser being in comparison to a Nazgul. So I just made it that way. *shrugs*
As for shorter paragraphs, I am sorry but I have been writing so many essays at school that I tend to write more than I should.
"Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer" ^^ That's a good quote, and yes I have been thinking that as well as I wrote this story.
~.~.~.~.~
"The young woman speaks the truth, we must tend to the fallen," Legolas agreed but his blue eyes never left sight of the stranger that suddenly appeared before them.
"But we must be swift," Gimli said, "He would not wish for us to linger. We must follow the Orcs, if there is hope that any of our Company are living prisoners."
"But we do not know if the Ring-bearer is with them or not," Aragorn said.
(The Ring-bearer?! Could one of those two that I have seen get carried off by the Orcs be the Ring-bearer?) Serenity wondered to herself as she cast her head aside to stare at the dirt below her feet, knowing all too well that the elf was keeping a close eye on her while his comrades spoke freely over their next step.
Words were spoken between the three companions and soon they decided to use a boat where they would lay the man with his weapons and the weapons of his defeated enemies. Obviously, it would still be an honorable funeral despite the lack of necessities needed for a more proper interment. As the three companions went around in search for weapons to lie and quivers to replenish for their own armory, they found a strange contraption amongst the Orc soldiers.
"I haven't seen these tokens before," said Aragorn, "What do they mean?"
Curiosity filled the girl as she set aside a scimitar that once belonged to an Orc and drew close the companions. An S was embedded on a rune that the rogue held between the palms of his hands. They spoke around her while various thoughts floundered throughout her head. Why were there runes lying around…and elf runes at that?
"…S is for Saruman, I guess." She heard the rogue say with a heavy heart and spoke more of some length but it left her empty in the end.
(Saruman's Orcs were the ones that I had ordered or were there more encampments that came from a place nearby? Did Sauron believe that I could not fulfill my obligations of handing him the Hobbits or…is something else afoot?) Biting the bottom of her lip, she drew away and searched around some more while picking some flowers to lay in addition to the weapons.
As she carried the bundle in her arms to the riverside, she heard the voice of the elf exclaim about the wonder of the two boats when there should have been three. Wonder filled her mind once more when the one called Aragorn stated with inquiry if there were Orcs about but the dwarf, Gimli, stated that there were none. She had to agree wholeheartedly that there should be no Orcs about and thus proceeded on with her baggage. Without a word to the others, she peacefully set it beside the riverbed and then stepped back as the three regarded her carefully before they laid their friend into one of the boats. She watched them as they tended to Boromir, his face appeared so peaceful now from where she was standing…almost as if he was merely asleep. However, that could not be the case considering the fact that he had died fighting to protect the Hobbits. Now, as she stood there watching from afar, the arrows were now gone and his face was cleaned from a bit of cloth and water. His face was merely resting in peace and maybe his spirit was as well. Regretfully and with great sorrow, the three companions cast the funeral boat away from shore: there Boromir lay, restful, peaceful, and gliding upon the flowing water where the stream took him.
For a while silence was all that remained as they gazed after the departing figure amongst the stream. Until Serenity stepped forward and kneeled down despite the grass stains that would soon make their mark among her white dress. On her knees, she took up a praying stance as she prayed to the Gods and to her mother for the spirit of the warrior to finally be at peace.
(…that is if they can still hear me after all this time…) she added as an afterthought after getting up from her place.
"…but he will not return from the mountain or from the sea." She heard Aragorn speak after coming out from her train of thought. Looking behind her, she saw that indeed the man did speak and was now singing a song common to the people from these parts of the land and beyond.
(…this song, I have not heard of after all my years as Cosmos nor as Serenity or Neo-Queen before. Quite odd, but…) then she heard Legolas pick up the tune and carry after Aragorn making her freeze in her place. As she heard the elf, she felt her heart freeze and melt at the same time. The melody was beautiful when sung by the tall, golden elf and a small smile made its way to her lips.
"…But you came not with the wailing gulls from the grey sea's mouth…" was the last verse that passed from the elf's mouth and at that same moment she felt words leave her pink lips.
From the Gate of Kings the North Wind rides, and past
The roaring falls;
And clear and cold about the tower its loud horn calls.
'What news from the North, O mighty wind, do you
bring to me today?
What news of Boromir the Bold? For he is long away.'
It was from here that she stopped her song as Gimli, the dwarf carried on. She did not know what came over her to sing such a foreign tune about a man that she hardly knew despite the knowledge she held over all of them. It was no right of hers to sing such a sorrowful tune when, in fact, she felt nothing more than pity and a tinge of sympathy for the fallen warrior.
(Not to mention it is no place of mine to be intimately close with the enemy such as these…) she added as she recalled her deal with the 'Great-Eye'.
Once the song ended, Aragorn studied the ground and found no trace of Orcs and in addition to that, they found that a Hobbit had left for the water with packs. With this knowledge, a slight frown marred Serenity's lips at knowing that it must have been a ring-bearer. Shifting slightly at feeling so exposed and foolhardy at the time she had spent with them she turned to go.
"And where are you going, young lady?" Aragorn turned swiftly to her.
"Back to my home, of course…" she smoothly replied with a slight grace of a smile upon her lips.
"I think not, it is clear to me that you are not what you seem. To come from the trees unnoticed by all and to land so deftly upon your feet speaks that you are well trained," Legolas inserted.
She nodded in reply a mischievous glint disappearing swiftly from her eyes before a kind smile showed along an incline of her head.
"You are correct, my lord, I am not what you think I am…" Serenity gave a mock curtsy before straightening up and continuing with her way but was stopped when Gimli unsheathed his axe and held it before her.
"Normally I don't harm a lady but you have something to discuss with us," Gimli stated with a gruff voice making her lift a graceful eyebrow up in inquiry.
"If you mean as to my reason being in this part of the woods then all I can say is that it's none of your concern except mine…" Serenity replied in calm, soothing tones.
"…none of our concern, I think not," Aragorn retorted.
"I wish to remind you that you must make a life altering decision here and now! To either go after your ring-bearer with the remaining boat or to follow on foot after the Orcs to save your two little friends," Serenity softly uttered.
"How did you know of the ring bearer?" Gimli growled.
"…I have my ways, but what shall you three do now?" Serenity replied with an aura of mystery surrounding her lithe yet elegant form.
They stood silent for a moment but after a while, until Aragorn shook his head and exclaimed his decision.
"I will follow the Orcs. I would have guided Frodo to Mordor and gone with him to the end; but if I seek him now in the wilderness, I must abandon the captives to torment and death. My heart speaks clearly at last: the fate of the Bearer is in my hands no longer…"
"As I would expect from you, Aragorn…" Serenity smiled softly and nodded her head in agreement after pausing slightly.
"The Company has played its part. Yet we that remain cannot forsake our companions while we have strength left. Come! We will go now. Leave all that can be spared behind! We will press on by day and dark!" Aragorn cried out.
"And what of the lady…?" Legolas questioned alongside Gimli who agreed with a grave face.
"Yes, what is to become of me. Such knowledge to be entrusted on a stranger is quite dangerous, is it not?" She gave a playful smirk.
"She shall be spared death until we know more…she shall come with us," Aragorn grimaced at this knowledge.
"Do not fear, I shan't detain you from your quest," Serenity bowed.
"We have no rope to tie her with, we will have to keep a close eye on her," Gimli gruffly said before the group came marching back to their campsite to retrieve their belongings.
(It seems I must wait awhile before I find out the fate of those Hobbits and just what those Orcs have done to them. Could it be true though? That Saruman played a part in this and if so…is it on his own freewill or had Sauron done something?) Frowning to herself, she proceeded on as she matched pace with the three companions on their way to save their beloved friends.
~.~.~.~.~
Night had fallen and darkness enveloped their surroundings with the only light of the moon and the stars to accompany and spur them on their quest to save the Hobbits. The four had been on the highlands of the Emyn Muil and all night they had been scrambling around the tallest ridges in hopes of finding the Orcs one again. Hoping against hope that they were safe and without harm. At last, they had managed to take an hour of rest before sunrise; the moon had disappeared with only the faintest of lights from the stars up above. Looking down at the ground below, they paused before a curious juncture where the paths had split. The trail they were following had descended from the area they had just left off at, however, after that it had vanished.
"Which way would they turn, do you think?" Legolas inquired.
"If I may…" Serenity spoke up after a period of silence thus catching the three's attention.
"The Orcs would most likely take the fastest path that they could, whichever route that may be…" Serenity continued after seeing their eyes bore onto her form.
"True, then let us march northwards!" Aragorn said in agreement and before long, they had left their rest stop and moved on.
Legolas was some ways ahead with Aragorn close in tow as he searched amongst the grounds in hopes of finding another trail over where his friends may be. Gimli was behind, as he made sure that Serenity made pace with the others and would not try any foolish trick at trying to get away. Just as they were about to slow down, the elf gave a cry of alarm and soon enough the others came scurrying after him. When they arrived to the scene there were dead Orcs lying about with blood spooled around them. The sight made Serenity's stomach twist in knots as she recalled the scene earlier on with Boromir and forced her eyes to close as she tried to summon back a calm focus.
"What do you think has happened?" Serenity softly inquired as she turned to her captors.
"I think the enemy has brought his own enemy with him," said Aragorn, "These are Northern Orcs from far away. Among the slain are none of the great Orcs with the strange badges. There was a quarrel, I guess: it is no uncommon thing with these foul folk."
(A dispute...and there is more than one of the enemies…) Serenity filed that information deep into the recesses of her mind as she nodded thoughtfully.
"Either it is because of the road…" she began.
"Or about the captives," said Gimli, "Let us hope that they, too, did not meet their end here."
The trek continued once Aragorn found the
trail once more and soon they made a beeline.
Pausing and slowing down only when they needed but not once had they
stopped since they began their journey.
After a while, they halted and paused for immediate rest as they gazed
around their scenery. The footprints
that the Orcs carried were obvious as they looked
down at the bruised and battered grass making the elf grimace with
disapproval. And
as Serenity took the time to stare around, she spotted a glimmer of an object
imprinted on the ground of small footprints.
Blinking, she stooped over and picked it up while Aragorn came close and
spied the footprints.
"A hobbits footprint, Pippin's I think
since he is smaller than the other." Aragorn speculated as the others gathered
around while Serenity studied the object in her hand.
"Can you tell me what this is?" Serenity held up the object, earning a gasp from the others.
"The brooch of the elven-cloak!" Legolas and Gimli both cried together.
"It was cast away on purpose and he must have run away for that same purpose in hopes of being found," Aragorn uttered reasonably.
It was after this that the hearts of the three were heartened at the knowledge that at least one of their friends were still alive and well. As for Serenity, she felt a bit of relief knowing that the Hobbits were still okay, at least for now. Shortly thereafter, they continued on the trail with a lightened hard and mind. However, night soon fell and no moon showed upon them in the sky.
They had to make a choice whether to risk the blackened sky and try with all their might in continuing with the chase or stop to rest for that one night. If they went on, they were in danger of losing their bearing and if they rest, they may have distanced themselves even more.
"We will not walk in the dark," Aragorn said after a long moment of indecision, "The peril of missing the trail or signs of other coming and going seem to me the greater…"
Therefore, they camped for the night, the first in many long nights. As Serenity sat down on the ground, she noticed her clothing for the first time in a while. It had become marred with dirt and grass, worn away and appeared in tatters instead of the splendid glory it once was. This saddened her heart from all the memories she shared wearing it during her time as a Queen but after some careful thought and her time here she could only grudgingly accept the loss. Bringing her knees close to her body for warmth, she stared at the low fire and took in the scent around her from the trees and cool grass.
"Here," a light voice said and in front of her was a strong leaf with a piece of meat on it and some berries.
Startled she looked up to the owner who offered the food to her only to see the elf, his youthful face seemed to glow from amongst the warm fire and his eyes danced with intensity as they stared at her, as if regarding and testing out just how much secrets she held within herself. Letting out a small smile she nodded as she accepted his generous offer by taking the leaf-plate.
"Thank you…"
The dark sky could only get darker as time passed by and soon sleep claimed them all except for those who were arranged to stand by on guard. Then it was Gimli's turn for watch and quietly Serenity studied the dwarf. He had keen eyes and was most comfortable around his environment within dank caves. It was dark that she had to accept but it was no cave, and so with great hope just maybe she could escape. Looking around she noticed that Legolas was nowhere to be seen but Aragorn was asleep a few feet away from her on the other side of the fire. Gimli, meanwhile, was pushing aside some of the embers within the small fire that they had created. With great effort, Serenity willed with the powers bestowed upon her to create a distraction.
(Powers of Uranus…lend me your power and cause a stir within the brushes of leaves…) Serenity called out inside her mind and as she concentrated, a small gust of wind formed within the still air and made the leaves move around a bit a few feet away from the dwarf.
Standing up, Gimli lifted his sword and inspected the noise while leaving the others unattended. Smirking, Serenity lifted her head and looked around in hopes that no one was around before concentrating upon her powers and teleporting out of there. Unknown to her, Legolas was closer than she believed.
(She left using…magic! Who is she? A sorceress?) Legolas's eyes widened at the sight shown before him.
~.~.~.~.~
Images swirled around her mind before finally coming to her destination and as she arrived, she noticed the tension running high in the air but disregarded it for the time being as she searched among the Orcs. Spotting the chosen leader, she walked over to the tall brute who growled at her. It appeared that he was in a fouler mood than ever but in his eyes, there was also a lust for blood and fighting as all demons desire.
"It seems that my orders have not been followed, you don't seem to be following the exact route to Barad-dur but to Isengard directly where Saruman lies," Serenity stated a bit of anger flickering in her crystalline blue eyes.
"And who are you to order us as you like?!" demanded the supposed leader who howled in rage as he stepped forward with some of his fellow Orcs behind him.
"She is under orders of the Great Eye," one of the Orcs answered.
"And the 'Great Eye' or Sauron wants these Hobbits to be delivered to him!" Serenity shouted.
"Dispose of her, we could use a good meal," the Orc ordered and at once the Orcs brandished their weapons with hunger in their eyes.
"Sauron will be greatly displeased, especially since Saruman is under his own control. If Saruman displeases him by acting on his own account, I assure you that he shall be in a state of…inactivity as will you if you do not do as I say!" Serenity warned as she proved her theory by calling upon the power of Mars and had a ball of flame playing lightly in her hand.
"She casts magic!" several Orcs shouted and backed down a bit.
"For now, we shall deal with this later, I believe that an enemy is coming closer," Serenity gave a sidelong glance just east of her where sounds of hoof beats were coming and soon chaos would ensue.
"I know," cried the leader who she heard was now called Ugluk, "The cursed horse-boy has got wind of us. But that's all your fault, Snaga. You and the other scouts ought to have your ears cut off. But we are the fighters. We'll feast on horseflesh yet, or something better."
At that, Ugluk glanced her way where she merely shrugged off the feeling of uneasiness that had previously settled on her stomach. Soon direct orders were shouted out and several Orcs left the scene but soon a completely new group entered in and this time with a score of Orcs with a red eye painted on their shields.
"So you've come back?" Ugluk said, "Thought better of it, eh?"
"I've returned to see that Orders are carried out and the prisoners are safe," answered the leader of the group.
"Indeed!' said Ugluk, "Waste of effort. I'll see that orders are carried out in my command. And what else did you come back for? You went in a hurry. Did you leave anything behind?"
"Are you saying that Isengard is the trek that you wish for the Hobbits instead of Mordor itself? I am disgusted by this change of power! Sauron told me I can make do with what I wish and yet he sends that foul fiend, Saruman, in my place instead!" Serenity cried out in horror.
(Does he have that much faith in me?) Serenity frowned in disapproval and noticed that some of the Orcs were coming closer to her.
"I hope that Saruman never receives those hobbits that you're taking to him and that those riders' coming after you kills you all. In fact, I know they will!" Serenity snorted in disgust and began making her way out of the encampment but saw that they were coming straight at her.
However, at just that moment a Nazgul flew overhead and kept a keen eye on them all noticing Serenity amongst the horde of Orcs. Looking up, some of the Orcs cringed at the horrific sight as they felt a cold feeling wash over them as fear strike them in the heart. As Serenity stared overhead, she felt a sense of familiarity in the Nazgul, as if she knew it from somewhere but shook that thought away as the Nazgul disappeared into the distance. Seeing that the Orcs had sheer terror and confusion flowing about their face, Serenity took this opportunity to escape by using her teleporting powers. However, it was not too far from the encampment.
(Let us see how they fare…shall we?) Serenity grinned as she walked away and headed eastwards to where she was sure that the oncoming enemy will arrive eventually.
As dawn approached, Serenity saw a small clearing and heard the hoof beats of horses approaching her way. She knew that by the time the two sides of them would meet, they would catch up with the enemy much later than she wished it too, especially if her warning was heeded and they had moved on. With much gratitude of her old friend's memories under the name of Mercury, Serenity calculated the amount of time needed before they would reach the Orcs.
(Sauron will see my cunningness…if he dares defy me the next time we meet; I will show him greater power. Favoring Saruman does not amuse me, especially since I have given him the hint needed to capture those hobbits…) Serenity frowned and then gazed down at her attire.
Sighing, she took out a small pen colored pink and murmured a spell to help disguise us. With a twinkling of lights, she found dark green clothing over tattered clothing with a golden insignia of a crescent moon on the center to hold her cloak together. Putting the hood over her head, she stepped out to the clearing and awaited the riders to catch up to her.
"I beg of you please wait for I have urgent news to tell you," Serenity cried out as soon as they were within hearing distance.
She warily watched the men slow down at a signal from a man in the front and soon they came a few feet away.
"We will hear you out."
Smirking under her hood, she turned slightly and heard a few of the horses step a few paces back but ignored it as she faced the dark woods before her.
"Back there in the depths of the woods you will find a band of Orcs, dozens of them…maybe even hundreds. If you will, can you destroy them for me for I have neither the skill nor the strength to do just that? If memory serves me, I trust that you will reach them in two nights if you head straight for the borders of the Entwood."
"We have every notion of seeing to the demise of the Orcs, have no fear…" nodding to his companions the man regarded her carefully before running off once more into the woods to the direction that she had advised them.
(That takes care of that…and now to deal with a certain 'Great Eye'.) Serenity glowered before disappearing once again.
(Hopefully I get to see the fate of those Hobbits before the appointed time…) she sighed softly to herself as she reappeared again, this time in front of the fortress of Barad-dur.
"It seems my energy is slightly lacking…" Serenity sadly stated and entered the tower.
~.~.~.~.~
Instead of opening the door with only a slight creek, a big entrance was created as Serenity kicked the wooden door open and sending it to slam against the stonewall. She went inside and threw her hood open to reveal her flushed face and glaring crystalline blue eyes. There was no peace or calm residing within it as her true emotions flashed through. However, none of this fazed the armored man as he gave a small smirk of amusement, his red eyes radiating with interest at the sight of the girl.
"How funny, very funny Sauron to give me the Orcs needed to capture the Hobbits and in the end turn on me! Have we not made an agreement?" she said in a deathly calm voice despite her apparent nature of emotion.
"We have, but none of it said that once they were captured would they still be commanded by you…" he replied as he leaned back against his chair while studying the creature.
(That is true…) she grudgingly gave in to the actual truth of his words and hated him for it as she stood upright and tried to regain calm.
"And it seems that my watchers words have also been correct, I trust?"
"And what have your spies said about me?" she quirked an eyebrow at his sudden interest to converse.
"That you have interacted with the enemy and not to mention have tipped off a team of horsemen called the Riddermark of where the Orcs will be arriving," Sauron stated.
"Of course, the cause of betrayal in such a case is most unworthy of deserving such a prize…especially since I helped in the capture by telling those brainless scum where they would be arriving at," Serenity lightly stated but inside she was still fuming.
"Brainless, yes, scum not at all…they are quite strong in their own way but none match my Nazgul," Sauron stated.
"To trust someone such as Saruman is not becoming, I hope you heed my words in the future…"
"I, too, know of his intention but he serves to my needs…"
"Very well, now then may I leave or do you have more to discuss with me?"
"Why had you interacted with the enemy?"
"I would think you would know why, have we not discussed this in the first meeting?"
"Hmmm, yes I do remember…Serenity," he stressed the name out as a small smirk could be seen to play against his darkened lips.
"Of course I have still yet to gain their trust and until such time comes, I shall journey and all the while to let you have the chance of the Hobbit or maybe even a better desire…" Serenity uttered but did not take her leave, "Another thing, and another moment. You must have received word that one of the Fellowship has fallen by the name of Boromir who sounds the horn of war. Two hobbits have been captured by the Orcs you have sent and I fear that if Saruman should hold them he will keep them for himself until he has no need for them anymore. A reason why I have sent the enemy to destroy those Orcs…"
Sauron could only smirk in return as he had before, thus earning a bit of anger to stir once more within the young woman.
"It seems that with you here and experiences all of this has given you a bit of uneasiness as to what exactly is happening. How the mighty have fallen," Sauron said.
"What do you mean?"
"Ever since you have arrived, you have had doubts about every one that you have met and through your own choices. Are you even sure of your capabilities?"
"But of course, my lord…" she mockingly bowed, "You wish to know more of my capabilities?"
At his nod, she decided to let out a smile of delight that flashed across her eyes.
"I see great hardships up ahead, a war will come and only the strong and determined will survive. I warn you now to be careful, gather up your men and march forth to prepare for war for I know no other way than this," Serenity said and whirled around.
"One more question."
"Yes?" She did not turn around and address him, knowing that it annoyed the man and he would have killed her immediately for the disrespect if it were not for the fact that she was indeed quite useful to him in some manners.
"Why do you help me without a word of what you desire even after all this time?" Sauron inquired.
"Help you? I am not helping you, I help myself and what I deem is right. I help those who win nothing else and nothing more…." Serenity gave a light chuckle before grasping the knob of the open door to prepare to close it as she stepped up to the threshold.
"As for your desire?"
"…even you cannot grant me my deepest wish…" Serenity said softly, "…therefore I say nothing for my services."
With those words, she stepped through and closed the door shut behind her. Leaving the creature to his own devices and plans for the upcoming future while the one he had conversed with had left the grounds of Barad-dur, disappeared as quickly, and silently as she had arrived despite the need of rest required to fill up her energy reserves.
To be continued…
~.~.~.~.~.~
You know, even I'm starting to wonder if Serenity is all that she seems to be. Is she good or bad at this point? One thing to think about is that she has been alone after all those years and could have become depressed at certain points but then again…why would she still possess the powers of the Silver Imperium Crystal and the planets' powers. Then again, evil is capable of possessing such powers and evil can turn senshis against one another. However, Serenity is still a protector of the planet Earth from any harm that may befall, so what of it, or had she decided in the end to just give in to the bad merely because she tired of the planet she had sworn to protect? @_@
Choices, choices…evil or not evil? Woah, but hehe…maybe she really is good but then again she did get those Hobbits into danger by getting them captured and had Boromir killed because she allowed those Orcs of Saruman to pass her by and let the fight continue. Then again, she prayed for the soul of Boromir and even helped with the funeral. ^^;; So there's two sides to her, lolz.