Title: Doubts

Author: Cheska

Rating: PG-13

Chapter 6

Author's Notes: I am thinking of making this story into a short one, shorter than my other ones. Mostly because I want to and I originally wanted to attempt a story that had less than 12 chapters. I am thinking of ending this at either 10 chapters or less. Hopefully, 8 o 9 depending on how I want to turn the tables around. Hmm… well we shall see.

With that said, here's another chapter of Doubts.

""""""""

Victory came after the appearance of Gandalf the White Rider. The Rohirrim were filled with joy and wonder at the victory over the Uruk-hai for Hornburg.

"Forty-two, Master Legolas!" Gimli cried. "Alas! My axe is notched: the forty-second had an iron collar on his neck. How is it with you?"

"You have passed my score by one," answered Legolas. "But I do not grudge you the game, so glad am I to see you on your legs!"

The two grinned toward one another and clasped each other at their reunion.

"Although I am glad to see you again, I fail to see the fair Lady Serenity," Gimli noticed her absence.

"I saw her last near the gates before dawn set out," Legolas replied with a touch of sadness in his voice as he watched the soldiers gather around.

"She was a brave woman to have fought with us. I am sure she is well, wherever she may be," said Aragorn as he came to join his companions.

Before anything was to be said in reply to Aragorn's words, they turned caught Gandalf's words and turned to listen more intently to the wizard.

"It is not wizardry, but a power far older," said Gandalf: "a power that walked the earth, ere elf sang or hammer rang.

Ere iron was found or tree was hewn,

When young was mountain under moon;

Ere ring was made, or wrought was woe,

It walked the forests long ago."

"And what may be the answer to our riddle?" said Theoden.

"If you would learn that, you should come with me to Isengard," answered Gandalf.

"To Isengard?" the companions amongst other soldiers cried out.

"Yes," said Gandalf. "I shall return to Isengard, and those will may come with me. There we may strange things."

"It seems we shall be accompanying Mirthrandir to Isengard," Legolas murmured close enough to Gimli.

"Aye, from what I hear the forest that has suddenly appeared over here is not the wizardry of Gandalf but of another." Gimli nodded.

"The creator of the One Ring…Sauron." said Legolas.

"""""""""""

Silver, gold sparks glowed softly under the dimly lit torches of Barad-dur's halls before dying out to reveal Serenity in her dreadful armor. Orc blood dripped on the floor and her clothing were in tatters that used to be wrought of fine leather. Sheathing her blade, she stepped forward to the door that would reveal Saruon's domain.

"Sauron…" Serenity uttered barely enough for anyone to hear, but she knew that the creature beyond the wooden door could hear her. He was, after all, very powerful.

Pushing open the door, she strode in and as she had expected, he was there to greet her. Albeit in a tense atmosphere rather than that of pleasantries.

"Not what I had hoped for in our reunion, but this will do," Serenity grinned and sat down on the familiar high back chair beside the warm fire.

Knowing quite well that her actions had angered the man, she waved him to calm down as she leaned against the soft upholstery. Still sensing his anger, she smirked inwardly and closed her eyes before taking deep, even breaths to calm her own self down.

"I know you are quite angry with my behavior overtime. Yet, you must understand what I am doing. My actions do have reasons. I have come here knowing that you are dissatisfied with what has occurred," Serenity began.

Sauron's eyes seemed to have glinted with a bit of anger as he heard her words but calmed down his wrath as he heard her words. It was true that he was dissatisfied when he had heard that she accompanied the enemy and even aided them in the fight against the Uruk-hai.

"If you had noticed, I was with the enemy and even befriended them. Furthermore, I partook with the defeat of Saruman's Uruk-hai. There is good reason of that and you must understand it was merely an act of vengeance. I still have not recovered with your vile trickery of letting Saruman get hold of the hobbits earlier on. Therefore, I saw fit to not only have Saruman's Orcs get destroyed by the Riddermark earlier on but to also crush him with the battle of Hornburg." Serenity angrily stated as she recalled Merry and Pippin get taken away by Saruman's Orcs rather than the ones she had commanded to obey her.

"That does not explain your actions for not reporting to me sooner," Sauron testily said as he strode over to his table.

"If you had not noticed that Saruman had every reason of keeping the One Ring to himself," Serenity mentioned.

"Yes, you have mentioned it to me awhile back but as I have said before he served a purpose, did he not?"

"I believe you had every intention of having Hornburg be taken away by Saruman?" Serenity quipped.

Sauron merely stayed silent to her remark.

"Well if it was, that is no longer the case, seeing as Mithrandir showed up with Erkenbrand," Serenity sighed, "However, let us not dwell on the past but of the oncoming plan. I have befriended the enemy and I do believe that they trust me thus far. I do not wish to be away from them much longer for the end shall come soon. They are heading for Isengard after making some preparations and making plans to visit an old friend…Saruman. They should not be long now. If you will let me, I may need to rest awhile here and aide you a bit over your gathered army. I have noticed through other means…that your enemy is coming along quite nicely," Serenity relayed to Sauron.

"I believe that you wish to travel with them to Saruman's tower?"

"But of course, my lord," Serenity's eyes twinkled in merriment at the thought of meeting the man who dared stand against her.

"And how long do you wish to stay here?"

"Not long, a few hours is all I need," Serenity sighed, "This place would do well as my room."

Sauron quirked at her words but said nothing knowing inwardly that she would not budge even if he insisted she go to a bed rather than on his chair.

"What do you plan to do…Serenity?"

"Merely observe and prod them along to where I want them to go. Even if you are not satisfied with my answer. I assure you that this great war shall end by this month." Serenity uttered softly before drifting off to sleep beside the warm fire.

"The end of the month…" Sauron repeated, gazing at his map.

""""""""

Upon waking up, Serenity found no sight of her "lord" but a brief note on the table. Picking it up she smirked inwardly to herself upon reading the contents before leaving in a flash of silver and gold lights.

(Do not disappoint me.) Serenity recalled the brief message addressed to her. (Oh, I definitely will not disappoint you. I did recall myself saying that I aide those who I believe to be the ones that shall win this war.)

Reappearing back, Serenity noticed the trees before realizing that the group was already heading out. Looking around, she caught sight of Gimli. Not wanting to waste time, she ran pass the other soldiers who did not take heed of her and tried to catch up to be around a more familiar group. A group that she needed to keep close to. After all, didn't they always say "keep your friends close. Keep your enemies closer?"

"These are the strangest trees that ever I saw," Legolas said; "and I have seen many an oak grow from acorn to ruinous age. I wish that there were leisure now to walk among them: they have voices, and in time I might come to understand their thought."

"No, no!" said Gimli. "Let us leave them! I guess their thought already: hatred of all that go on two legs; and their speech is of crushing and strangling."

"Not of all that go on two legs," said Legolas. "There I think you are wrong. It is Orcs that they hate. For they do not belong here and know little of Elves and Men. Far away are the valleys where they sprang. From the deep dales of Fangorn, Gimli, that is whence they come, I guess."

"Then that is the most perilous wood in Middle-earth," said Gimli. "I should be grateful for the part they have played, but I do not love them."

"Nor would I, if what you say is true… a most perilous place, Gimli?" Serenity voiced out after hearing their conversation for some time.

"Serenity!" Legolas and Gimli both cried out, relieved that the fair lady was alive and well.

"Greetings to you two, as well…it seems I have been missed?" Serenity smiled warmly at her two companions.

"Aye, my lady. Now that you are back, we can go about on our way without worry for your welfare." Gimli stated and even offered his seat to her but was declined even after many a protest.

Soon after the conversation began again about caves that Dwarves are fond of and the woodland area of the Elves. Beauty of both the forest and the caves that hold precious jewels.

"You move me, Gimli," Serenity praised the dwarf for his magnificent description of the beauty of caves.

"I have never heard you speak like this before. Almost you make me regret that I have not seen these caves," said Legolas. "Come! Let us make this bargain - you too, my lady - if we all return safe out of the perils that await us, we will journey for a while together. You two shall visit Fangorn with me, and then we shall come with Gimli to see Helm's Deep. And thereafter, wherever you wish to go Serenity."

"That would not be the way of return that I should choose," said Gimli. "But I will endure Fangorn, if I have your promise to come back to the caves and share their wonder with me."

"The beauty of both the caves and the forest…I must agree that caves can be beautiful. I do remember at one time visiting them…" Serenity reminisced back in her time on a trip she had taken with her husband and daughter. The day was raining and so as not to get wet the trio went inside a cave that was for tourists. The usually dark cave had shined with all its beauty reflecting off the walls to display rainbows of color.

"Then surely you will enjoy the wonders of Helm's Deep!" Gimli proudly exclaimed.

"And of course, the forests are always beautiful under the moonlight…." Serenity complimented as well, staring at Legolas and seeing his smile.

"With that said, I suppose I shall go with you two to Fangorn and Helm's Deep," Serenity grinned.

"As do I. You have my promise," said Legolas. "But alas! Now we must leave behind both cave and wood for awhile. See! We are coming to the end of the trees. How far is it to Isengard, Gandalf?"

"About fifteen leagues, as the crows of Saruman make it," said Gandalf: "five from the mouth of Deeping-coomb to the Fords; and ten more from there to the gates of Isengard. But we shall not ride all the way this night."

(I suppose this will become a long journey….but I can wait. If I had waited eons in the dark amongst the stars as my only companions….surely I can wait until it is time…to end this…) Serenity inwardly sighed as she continued to walk in her pace beside the horses that held her companions.

"""""""""

"Where are we?" Serenity softly asked as she stared after Gandalf who rode up to the great Hand only to return later stained with dried blood and continued to ride into the mist.

No answer came and reluctantly she along with everyone else followed.

Soon after she saw far off, half veiled in winding cloud, loomed the island rock. Still dark and tall, unbroken, the tower of Orthanc. Pale waters were lapping about its feet.

(Orthanc…Saruman is held there…) Serenity now knew where they were and was inwardly glad. She wanted to pay a visit to that dear man. The one who kept interfering with her plans. However, she knew that if it was not for him…she would not have gotten this close with her friends and earned a higher trust with Sauron.

Still staring at the tower, she felt a tug in her heart and knew that something was amiss. Drawing her brows closer and taking a look around she noticed that ruined gates and a rubble-heap close by with two small figuring lying on it at their ease, grey-clad, and hardly to be seen among the stones.

"This place…Saruman…was overthrown," Serenity concluded.

The proof of the place being overthrown was soon concluded as they approached the area. A young man he looked, or like one, though not much more than half a man in height; his head of brown curling hair was uncovered, but he was clad in a travel-stained cloak of the same hue and shape as the companions of Gandalf had worn when they rode to Edoras. He bowed very low, putting his hand upon his breast. Then, seeming not to observe the wizards and his friends, he turned to Eomer and the king.

"Welcome, my lords, to Isengard!" he said. "We are the door wardens. Meriadoc, son of Sardoc is my name; and my companion, who, alas! Is overcome with weariness is Peregrin, son of Paladin, of the house of Took. Far in the North is our home. The Lord Saruman is within; but at the moment he is closeted with one Wormtongue, or doubtless he would be here to welcome such honorable guests."

Serenity watched the scene with amused eyes as Merry as his friends called him explained that Treebeard ordered the two hobbits to guard the doors and greet them. Surprisingly, Gimli shouted out to Merry about his and his companions worry over their safety. Soon a reunion between friends came about as Serenity watched with a warm heart at the sight.

(I must be growing soft…it has been awhile since I have witnessed a reunion between good friends. I can almost remember…) Serenity began to drift away in her memories when she remembered her purpose.

Shaking her head she merely smiled at the sight before seeing Gandalf and Theoden rode to meet Treebeard. Letting out a small gasp, Serenity hurried off after them only to find herself to still remain behind.

(Why…did I do that? It's a perfect chance to meet with Saruman and gloat of my victory. To reprimand him for his meddling…but…why am I still here?) Serenity wondered to herself.

"Unfortunately not," said Pippin. "But you did not know about Grishnakh. He shuddered and said no more, leaving Merry to tell those last horrible moments: the pawing hands, the hot breath, and the dreadful strength of Grishnakh's hairy arms.

Serenity heard these words and viewed at her surroundings. It seems that she was near the gateway and was listening to the tale of Merry and Pippin. Listening in silence, she heard of their tale and found out about Treebeard and the Ents…as they were called. Deep within her mind and heart she knew that they were creatures of old. Maybe, it would be possible that these creatures would know or seem to wonder about her appearance. After all she did have the power of the planets and was linked with everything around her. It was quite possible…

(I may need to tread carefully with the Ents.) Serenity noted to herself.

"Serenity?" Legolas walked over to her and continued to stare out at the sky.

"Ah..Legolas. I am sorry if I was a bit rude throughout all of this. I do not know what came over me. One moment I heard your friend, Meriadoc, introducing himself and the next here I am…" Serenity apologized.

"It is quite alright, we have been full of tales this day," Legolas waved it away and smiled up at the sky, the sun shining down on them.

The two spent a few more seconds staring up at the sky, before turning back to where their companions were getting ready to venture off for Orthanc.

They passed through the ruined tunnel and stood upon a heap of stones, gazing at the dark rock of Orthanc, and its many windows a menace still in the desolation that lay all about it. Here and there gloomy pools were covered with scum and wreckage; but most of the wide circle was bare again, a wilderness of slime and tumbled rock, pitted with blackened holes, and dotted with posts and pillars leaning this way and that.

"Ah…Over there! Gandalf and Theoden the King with his men!" shouted Serenity.

"Walk warily!" warned Merry. "There are loose slabs that may tilt up and throw you down into a pit, if you don't take care."

They followed what was left of the road from the gates to Orthanc, going slowly, for the flag-stones were cracked and slimed. Gandalf rode forward to meet them upon sight.

"Treebeard and I have had some interesting discussions, and made a few plans. Now we must be going on again. I hope you have all rested and refreshed yourselves?" Gandalf said.

"We have," Serenity nodded thankfully.

"I have now a last task to do before I go: I must pay Saruman a farewell visit. Dangerous, and probably useless; but it must be done. Those of you who wish may come with me - but beware! And do not jest! This is not the time for it."

"I will come," said Gimli. "I wish to see him and learn if he really looks like you."

"And how will you learn that, Master Dwarf?" asked Gandalf. "Saruman could look like me in your eyes, if it suited his purpose with you…"

Serenity heard Gandalf explain a bit of Saruman's powers. Taking this into mind she strode forward.

There was a great door, high above the ground; and over it was a shuttered window, opening upon a balcony hedged with iron bars. Up to the threshold of the door there mounted a flight of twenty-seven broad stairs, hewn by some unknown art of the same black stone. This was the only entrance to the tower; but many tall windows were cut with deep embrasures in the climbing walls: far up they peered like little eyes in the sheer faces of the horns.

At the foot of the stairs Gandalf and the king dismounted. "I will go up," said Gandalf. "I have been in Orthanc and I know my peril."

"And I too will go up," said the king. "I am old, and fear no peril any more. I wish to speak with the enemy who has done me so much wrong. Eomer shall come with me, and see that my aged feet do not falter."

"If I may….may I join you?" Serenity requested.

Gandalf stared awhile at Serenity, at first he would have told her it was too dangerous. However, as he reflected back to all the things she had done thus far since he had met her…he did not see what could be the harm. Still, he was unsure if she could withstand the power of Saruman.

"Saruman's power is great. You may become seduced by his foul words," Gandalf warned.

"I shall take my chances. If I do get under his powers, then surely you will stop me? Anything will do," said Serenity.

Sighing, Gandalf merely shrugged.

"As you will," said Gandalf. "Aragorn shall come with me. Let the others await us at the foot of the stairs. They will hear and see enough, if there is anything to hear or see."

"Nay!" shouted Gimli. "Legolas and I wish for a closer view. We alone here represent our kindred. We also will come behind."

Legolas approached Serenity and grasped her arm with a small smile upon his face.

"Legolas…" Serenity murmured.

Knowing that he can no longer argue with them, he climbed the steps, and Theoden went beside him. The Riders of Rohan sat uneasily upon their horses, on either side of the stair, and looked up darkly at the great tower, fearing what might befall their lord. Merry and Pippin sat on the bottom step, feeling both unimportant and unsafe.

""""""""""

Not long after, Gandalf knocked on the tower's door did Saruman reveal himself. His voice captivated the hearts of those who listened unwarily. It was low and melodious, even gentle some could say. When anyone else spoke it sounded harsh and uncouth by contrast. For some the spell only lasted for a short while but for others it created a smile to appear on their faces. As for Serenity, the spell held no affect on her but she did feel the spell radiate off within the vicinity.

As Saruman came out to stand at the rail of his balcony, looking down upon them, she finally managed to see who the owner of the voice belonged to. He was an old man, swathed in a great cloak, in an ever changing color if he ever moved. His face was long, with a high forehead, with deep darkling eye that bore graveness and benevolence.

Serenity listened as Gandalf and Saruman speak as Gandalf was the one who told Saruman off for his loss of power as Gandalf became more powerful. At every passing moment that he listened and spoke with Gandalf, Saruman grew even more angry, livid, full of rage. Especially when Gandalf commanded Saruman to surrender the Key of Orthanc and his staff.

"Later!" cried Saruman. "Later! Yes, when you also have the keys of Barad-dur itself, I suppose; and the crowns of seven kings, and the rods of the Five Wizards, and have purchased yourself a pair of boots many sizes larger than those that you wear now. A modest plan. Hardly one in which my help is needed! I have other things to do. Do not be a fool. If you wish to treat with me, while you have a change, go away, and come back when you are sober! And leave behind these cut-throats and small rag-tag that dangle at your tail! Good day!" He turned and left in balcony.

Seeing the livid wizard turn away, Serenity could not help but inwardly laugh at the sight. Surely she could understand how the wizard was feeling, being locked in and powerless with a cowardly servant. Who wouldn't?
"Come back, Saruman!" said Gandalf in a commanding voice. Not expecting Saruman to listen at all, Serenity was surprised to see the wizard return as if dragged against his will.

"I did not give you leave to go," Gandalf reprimanded. "I have not finished. You have become a fool…"

Serenity was at a loss and only half-listened to Gandalf but focused on Saruman's features. Her thoughts of him being quite powerful was short lived at the sight of this old man. If she had known how pitiful this man who called himself a wizard was, she would not have gone through all the trouble she had from the beginning but simply overthrown him and his Orcs.

"…I cast you from the order and from the council," Gandalf said in his voice of power and authority.

Gandalf raised his hand and spoke in a clear cold voice his spells thus breaking Saruman's staff. The crystal, dark, but glowing ball remained unharmed as it fell from the balcony.

"Saruman!" Serenity found herself shouting out, although Saruman had crawled away. "I pity you, to think a great wizard as you had become so lowly!"

Hearing her words, all eyes turned toward her including Saruman as he came back out. His dark eyes gleamed with hidden fire as he stared at the silvery golden hair under the sunlight.

"Serenity, what are you doing?" Legolas questioned her, taking hold of her hand and trying to pull her back seeing as Gandalf had already begun to walk away but turned back when Serenity shouted.

"…Serenity?" Saruman had, obviously, heard Legolas say her name and his eyes twitched a bit in amusement.

"Saruman…yes, Serenity…" she smirked and stared up at the old man.

Laughing, Saruman suddenly gleamed something dark in his eyes as he leaned against the railing.

"What do you wish from me, my dear Lady Serenity," Saruman laughed.

Something inside of Serenity twisted as she stared at Saruman right in the eye, he was too happy to see her. However a part of her did not care as hidden anger welled up inside of her for all his meddling.

"Only to tell you that you have come nothing more than a pawn! A simple nothing in this whole game that you have played. Having those Orcs kidnap the hobbits….raising an army….all of that work. And for what? To get yourself demoted! I must say that you have done a fine job!" Serenity shouted, a smirk apparent on her face.

Everything around her was nothing, nothing as she managed to have this chance of telling him off that he was nothing more than a speck. She would become Sauron's number one ally. She would become more important and he would entrust her with anything that she wanted. Anything…

Just as these thoughts flittered through her mind, she stopped and her eyes briefly widened from her train of thought when a hand squeezed her own softly but firmly.

"Serenity?" a voice called out to her.

"…ahh dear Serenity, do you even hear yourself? Having Orcs kidnap hobbits…raising an army….to get myself demoted?" she could hear Sauron cry out down to her.

"Yes….demoted…"Serenity said back but not as powerful or overly confident…it was softer…less enthusiastic.

"If I were to get demoted, this is just fine…as I get to witness this great moment. Another chance to get back at you. Yes, I have kidnapped the hobbits but only because of Sauron's orders seeing as he cannot trust you to do the job. Yes, I have raised an army but only because I knew it would greatly annoy you and to stall while Sauron raises his own army. In a way, I was helping you wasn't I? All of this was merely upon orders of Sauron and my idea of helping you to do your own job." Saruman laughingly said as he uncovered Serenity's identity as a spy. "Ah, silly me…it seems I have revealed something I shouldn't have in front of all these people. Hmm…"

Shocked, Legolas stared at her and saw that he still held her hand.

"Serenity…?" Legolas repeated what he said earlier and looked at her with a mixture of confusion and shock. He knew the face he was making was probably not something he was used to, especially since he had been around for hundreds of years but couldn't help it. Wouldn't you be shocked to know that one of the people you had grown fond of was suddenly a person who was, in fact, your enemy? He just could not believe it.

It can't be true.

But it was.

"…is this true?" Gimli asked, touching his trusty axe that hung at his side cautiously.

"My lady…." Eomer trailed off softly, shocked to find that the one who told him about the Orc encampment just a few days ago was an enemy. To think he almost fell for her!

Aragorn said nothing nor did anyone else as they carefully drew out their weapons or were getting ready to wield them, if need be. To think they considered her as one of them!

"It seems as I have let my mouth run away with me….I should have waited for a better time. I do not know what has gotten into me…it must have been my anger. I am quite miffed with you, to be honest Saruman. To have meddled in my affairs. I have voiced those thoughts, myself, to Sauron and he has played with me all this time. Alas, here I am…it seems I have to be much more direct with these people…I shall deal with you later Saruman. I know I cannot diminish your powers much further, seeing as Gandalf…Mithrandir has seen to that. Maybe something can be made of you, still!" Serenity sighed, looking around at the shocked wary expressions around her. Satisfied, Saruman stayed up at the balcony to watch the events unfold before his eyes.

Looking down at her hand, she still saw the cool yet warm hand of the Elf…Legolas Greenleaf. Those times were nice. They traveled so far and had some great moments together.

"It seems my time here has been long since well spent. I must say, it was fun while it lasted…" Serenity smiled before pulling her hand away from Legolas.

"Wait!" Legolas tried to grasp hold of her hand again.

However it was all for naught, as Serenity twinkled in silver and gold thus vanishing from Legolas' sight just as she had all those weeks ago just last February. However, this time she vanished with all eyes upon her. Sparing a glance, Serenity saw Legolas' blue eyes widen at her disappearing figure as he reached out only to touch nothing but air.

"It's been fun….everyone…" Serenity whispered out, wondering if her words would even be heard.

(…Legolas…)

A part of her new that from this time, onward, that the next time they would meet they would no longer be allies but enemies. Enemies vying for the same goal…conquest.

To be continued….

"""""""""""""""""

Well there goes that. I was kind of expecting it….I just kind of didn't believe I wrote it….if you're wondering…how the hell I wrote this. I don't know, myself. It had to come at some point of time. So here it is, Serenity becoming evil and disappointing and shocking her "friends."