Chapter Six

It's been twenty years since not only the Eldar began to live in Atlantis and heal and learn, but also when she became Queen of Atlantis and Avalon.

Avalon's citizens - mostly the Fae - and the Eldar commingled well amongst each other. Both species have been learning from one another, the citizens of both becoming not just two kingdoms under the sovereignty of Perci, but as one. Perci leaned on her balcony as she gazed out across the ocean, her mind thinking of her old world - her family.

Perci knew that if she ever did choose to go back, most if not all, of those that she loved would be gone from the world. She would only know the gods and Chiron. There would be a new generation that would not even know any of those that she has gone to camp with. Perci knew she would most likely be staying in Middle Earth, with those that she has grown to love and care for. For the land that she has been protecting from the darkness.

She was brought out of her thoughts when she sensed someone behind her. She turned to seeUlmo and one other, another Valar she assumed.

Perci turned around and leaned her back on the balcony railing as she regarded the two male forms.

Ulmo was his regular blue form made out of water and the other gave off a feeling of wildness even if he did look more normal than Ulmo did.

"My lords, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Queen Persephone, my name is Orome." Ah, Valar of the Hunt. She was right when she thought of the wilds as soon as she laid eyes on him. "I have come to ask a favor of you, if you would hear me."

"Of course, Lord Orome, what may I assist you with?" Perci said without a second thought.

"My wife's children are feeling lost, a majority have grown wary of the outside world due to their small stature and old tales from their wandering days. I would ask that you travel to their lands and bring those that wish it back here with you so that they may learn what they have lost. They are settled in an area known as Hobbitton."

Perci's eyes widened.

A quest!

Excitement began to buzz through her veins.

Don't get her wrong, she loved her two kingdoms, she loved the beings in and around them… but there was only so much she could do! She had been growing bored lately, she would admit.

Going out to help others would be great as well.

"I also would like you to seek out the Rangers, let them know about what you have here. They deserve to know that there is a settlement of the light separate from the Elves."

Perci smiled softly at the two Valar. "I will head out as soon as I can. I hope I won't let yourself or Lady Yavanna down."

Orome grinned at her. "With our knowledge of your exploits on Earth, there is very little doubt in our minds, Queen Persephone. We thank you for your assistance on this matter." And just like that, both Valar were gone, leaving Perci with excitement still coursing through her body.

Oh, she had so much she had to do before she left.

Then a thought popped into her mind causing her to groan.

How was she going to let her guards and the others let her leave by herself to go into the wilds of Middle Earth looking for Rangers and Hobbits?

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Perci stepped out of her home with two bags attached to her as she made her way to her throne room. She knew that couldn't just disappear out the door no matter how much she wanted to.

Perci entered her throne room and moved towards her throne, placing her two bags down on one side, she summoned her trident and used her power to send a pulse out through her kingdom and into Avalon. Now, her most trusted knew that she was summoning them to her.

They would all be here shortly.

The first to arrive were obviously Aslan, Scar, and Mufasa the three lions pausing at her vast change of her normal formal attire.

"Your Majesty?" Aslan asked questionably. Perci's green eyes locked on his orange ones and he knew that he would just have to wait and see what they were all summoned for.

The next ones to enter were Fandral and Amadeus her Light and Dark Fae Captains, followed by Adonis the Lord of the Dark Fae whom had been visiting his fellow Fae when the summons went out.

Fandral commanded now a hundred Light Fae, with Amadeus commanding an equal force of a hundred Dark Fae for the sole purpose of her protection and the protection of the citizens of Atlantis.

Perci had grown close with the Lord of the Dark and considered him one of her closest friends. Tatianna, however, stayed in Avalon at all times, protecting the waters from any and all outside threats. Perci luckily didn't have to interact with her much, only once or twice a year for extended periods of time. She knew that Tatianna was loyal to her and the Valar, there was no doubt about that, but Tatianna's personality pushed almost everyone away and so many limited their contact with her if they had the choice to.

The last to enter was her newly appointed pair of elven Captains: Aeron and Aldon, twin brothers that came to them with the first wave of elves from the Grey Havens. Not many elves had gone back to the elven settlements after healing, almost all having chose to stay in their new homes - which Perci did not mind one bit. The two brothers commanded and trained their elven brethren whom elected to join the newly formed army that all had insisted she needed (Elf, Fae, Four legged) and currently there was only a force of ten elves that passed the tests to become an official part of the army. But at last count there were one-hundred-thirty-two about to take the final tests with another three-hundred-forty-seven set to complete their tests by next year. Some Fae were even making noises of switching from the guard to become apart of the army.

Perci didn't want to even think about how much of an army she had, of how much it had grown since she came into this world. (A/N: I seriously haven't counted. If someone wants to take the time to go through and add it up, be my guest!)

"Thank you all for coming so quickly," Perci said softly with a small smile. They all felt a trickle of unease as all of their gazes took in her appearance, none of them missing the two bags placed beside her.

"Of course, Queen Persephone, you know that you only have to ask, and it shall be granted." Aldon said with an easy smile.

"What can we do for you?" Adonis asked his sovereign and friend.

Perci took a deep breath. "I have been visited by the Valar this day and have been asked to take upon a task for them."

Everyone's eyes lit up at the knowledge that the Valar just showed up! They know their Queen is special but they don't ever think about how special until something out of this world happens.

"Oh? And what task is that?" Aeron asked.

"I have been given a quest to undertake… that I plan on embarking on shortly… by myself."

Silence.

Then protests came from them all.

Just like she thought there would.

Finally, she had enough with the protests after five minutes. "Okay, that is enough." Silence once again. "I have already agreed to do the tasks that the Valar Lord Orome has tasked me with as well as the Lady Valar Yavanna. I know that you don't like even the idea of myself leaving without guards or some of the army. But know that this will probably be the least dangerous quest I have ever gone on."

"Hope you know that is not at all comforting. Like at all." Amadeus rumbled out.

Perci grinned at him. "Good, wasn't trying to be. But I'm heading out of here within the next hour or so."

"What should we tell the citizens?"

Perci shrugged. "Tell them I'm taking a couple weeks off just to relax. I don't see this taking that long. Most of it is going to be the travel time."

"Are you sure none can go with you?" Scar growled out.

"Yep, I'm sure." Perci was so craving to being by herself that she would fight them all if she had to.

Mufasa sighed. "Very well, Queen Persephone has spoken. And I suggest we all follow her commands so that we can prepare for her departure properly." Perci grinned at the lion.

"But-" Aeron nudged his brother, making his twin go silent.

"Your Majesty, are you sure not just one or two of us can accompany you? You might have been studying maps and have utilized other ways to know the lands of Middle Earth, but bringing along guides could help you with your quest," Aeron suggested.

Perci pondered his words. He did have a point. "Very well, I will take Livi and Vilde with me, as well as their brother Callon."

Livi, Vilde, and Callon were siblings whose parents had sailed to the Undying Lands years before Perci even appeared in Middle Earth. Out of the three brothers, two were actually two of the ten elves that have passed the test to be apart of the army. Callon was one of the most efficient trackers in the kingdom with Vilde knowing plenty about weaponry and fighting - he was one of the most proficient fighters at this time. And Livi was quickly making waves as a healer.

Bringing all three was the best thing she could do as she knew the three brothers never went anywhere without the others, such was their bond.

"I will also take River and Tyrion." The two were older elves that have been alive for millennium and Perci knew that the two old friends were itching to go on an adventure just as she was. The two males knew much of Middle Earth of old and were great Historians and warriors in their own right. In fact, the two males created the tests required to be past to be on the guard and army.

Aeron and Aldon bowed their heads before turning to depart and summon the five elves. Perci then turned her head towards her Fae Captains.

Perci knew she was giving in too easily to not going by herself but she knew now that she was bringing some 'guides' with her, she wouldn't have guards following behind her.

"I will also take Strike, Oberon, Harlow, and Konan with us as my guards."

There. Four were officially now her guards, with the other five disguised as guides. A guard of nine wasn't too bad in her mind now.

Oberon and Harlow were Lieutenants of the Light Fae, with Strike and Konan being Lieutenants of the Dark Fae. The two Fae bowed and headed out themselves.

"And us, Your Majesty?" Aslan asked as the three lions were the last in the throne room with her, along with the Lord of the Dark.

"I believe a force of nine with me shall be sufficient, Aslan." Perci said softly. She could tell her most dedicated weren't happy but they bowed their heads and left themselves. Perci turned her head towards Adonis as he stepped up towards her throne, stopping a step or two down from her.

"Are you sure you don't want any others to join you, my Queen?" Adonis asked charmingly, looking up at her through the fringe of his dark hair.

"I am sure. Our little group will be able to move unnoticed as we move to do as the Valar bid. While I am gone, however, keep Tatianna in line."

Adonis groaned. "What did I ever do to earn such punishment?"

Perci smirked. "You ate the last cookie."

Adonis gaped at her. "They made more!"

"Yes, two hours later!"

"I hardly think me having to keep Tatianna in line for the next two weeks is the appropriate punishment for that crime," Adonis tried to reason.

"I can make it three."

"Two is good."

Perci laughed as she rose from her throne and reached down to grab her bags, Adonis beat her to it and slung the straps over his broad shoulders.

"I'll carry these. Lead the way," Adonis said with a small smile.

"We're heading for the stables. There are some horses we need to saddle."

"… the hits keep coming." Adonis grumbled but followed behind her dutifully.

Perci smirked to herself. Good, maybe next time he won't eat the last of the cookies.