One Ring To Bring Them All: Final Chapter

Before I get this show on the road, I just wanted to thank all of you faithful readers who stuck with me and encouraged me to finish this. It's a big milestone for me, and I hope that it will carry over to the rest of my life. Thank you!

Special thanks goes to: Liraeth, Vixen1, Hikari-chan, my parents, and my friends.

The world was blurred. It was obvious to her that night had fallen, but she didn't understand how she'd gotten into a bed. Moving to sit up, she let out a whimper of pain. It all came rushing back.

The battle. The Orc. Aragorn screaming her name.

But she still didn't understand how she'd gotten here. Softly, the door opened. Unable to do more than move her head a bit, she looked to the opening door. Merry stopped on the threshold; most likely surprised she was awake.

"Miss Usagi?"

"Hi." Her voice sounded strange-weak and tired. "What's going on?"

"We're at Minas Tirith. You were gravely injured and to keep you alive, Gandalf and Shadowfax had to bring you here."

"Where's everyone else?" Usagi whispered, feeling tired already.

"At the battlefield, still. Tomorrow night, we'll go to the fields of Cormallen to celebrate victory. Gandalf left already. He had to because Frodo still needed help."

"I feel so weak."

Merry nodded. "Ioreth, aide to the Warden said you're lucky to be alive. I'm glad you're awake! She said if you woke up before dawn, you could go to the fields to celebrate…if you felt up to it."

Usagi nodded weakly. "Merry, I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind if I slept for a while?"

Merry nodded. "Do you think you will go tomorrow?"

"I'll try to be up to it. Mae este."

"And you." Merry, who'd been unusually quiet throughout the conversation slipped out. Within moments, Usagi felt and saw no more.

"The Princess has completed her mission." Sailor Uranus sighed in relief. "But why do I get the feeling you're not telling us everything, Setsuna?"

Setsuna smirked slightly. "Honestly, Uranus, if you want an answer, couldn't you at least speak more tactfully?" There was an uncomfortable pause. "However, we have nearly reached our cue to go and fulfill our duty."

Sailor Neptune, silent until now, nodded and looked at Setsuna, her eyes troubled. "The sea is becoming troubled. Some evil is being born."

When Usagi next became conscious, there were three birds chirping on her windowsill. The sun was shining in just a way that she wouldn't be able to sleep again. She started when she realized Merry was sleeping in a chair next to her bed. Sitting up, she was surprised to find that it didn't hurt anymore.

"Good morning, lady. I am Ioreth, and I believe young master Meriadoc spoke briefly of me last night. How are you feeling?"

"Much better. I thank you for your care, Ioreth." Usagi tipped her head in respect. "It is an honour to meet you. Lady Ioreth…I must ask you a question, and forgive my frankness, but is my baby all right?"

"What baby?" Ioreth asked, innocently confused. "My lady, I assure you, you neither are with child nor have been. I don't understand where you got such a notion, but you are not with child. I am sorry."

Usagi was crestfallen. "But…I don't understand…I was ill and I missed my time of the month…it all made sense…"

Ioreth sighed. "Lady, perhaps 'tis because you were badly malnourished during all the battles. Will you feel up to going to the fields of Cormallen with Master Meriadoc?"

Usagi nodded, tears filling her eyes. Ioreth took the tears as a sign to 'treat' her patient. She knelt next to Usagi and enveloped her in a gentle hug. Usagi's shoulders began to shake as she cried in pain. Her mind kept taunting her, making her want to cry out in physical pain. But when Ioreth's arms encircled her lithe frame and she began whispering soothing words, Usagi felt as though she was back home with her own mother, Ikuko. A bitter stab of pain struck her and she cried more.

She felt another gentle pair of arms encircle her from the other side. 'Merry,' her mind supplied. Gradually, her sobs died down to sniffles. Pulling out of the hugs, she wiped her eyes. Faking a smile, she looked at Merry.

"How long until we leave?"

They left the safety of Minas Tirith just as the sun set. Eowyn and Faramir had been forced to stay behind, but it seemed as though the entirety of Minas Tirith traveled with them. Usagi and Merry had agreed to share a horse and rode in silence. Neither had spoken since that morning. Usagi sighed wistfully.

"How much longer until we get there?"

"We just left!" Merry laughed quietly. "Honestly, Usagi, you must be losing track of time!"

Usagi blushed prettily. "Excuse me for not paying attention, oh Master Sluggard!"

"What? I thought we agreed to never call me that again!" Merry's horrified voice echoed across the plain.

Amidst the giggles and boisterous shouting, Merry and Usagi forgot their troubles. Like a jet engine revving its engines, they arrived and touched down at the Fields of Cormallen in a seemingly ever-increasing crowd.

As soon as Usagi and Merry had dismounted, they were assailed by one Hobbit, one Elf, one Dwarf, one man, and one wizard. Their reunion, although brief, was extremely happy. Legolas, who looked terrible, came to life when he saw Usagi standing once more. Pippin and Merry were locked in each other's arms, crying.

Usagi suddenly felt guilty. Looking down at her shoes, she saw another pair of shoes come into her plane of vision. A gentle hand guided her chin up until her eyes met Legolas'. As his arms engulfed her, she felt hot tears beginning to fall. Abruptly, she hugged back for all she was worth. Gentle words rained upon her and for just a moment, Legolas was the only other being in the universe.

Their moment was interrupted by Eomer, coming to shake both their hands. Once Eomer had moved on, Legolas gently wiped her tears away. Holding her close to his chest, he whispered,

"What is it?"

Usagi took a deep breath. "Legolas…I was never with child! Ioreth said perhaps I was ill because of malnutrition! I'm so sorry!"

Legolas hugged her tighter and whispered softly in her ear, "I'm sorry, Usagi."

Holding on to Legolas, she began to feel better. After a few more moments, she pulled slightly away and looked into Legolas' eyes. At his puzzled expression, Usagi laid a peck on the tip of his nose and burst out laughing at his reaction. Pulling out of the embrace, Usagi interwove the fingers of her left hand with those of his right and pulled him toward a bank of trees.

"Where are Frodo and Sam?" She whispered, continuing to speak in Elvish.

"They're resting." Legolas replied. "As should you! You're in no shape to be walking after the battle!"

Usagi rolled her eyes. "Legolas, don't you realize I'm almost completely healed already?"

To prove it to him, she gingerly lifted her shirt up far enough to show one of her wounds. It was a bit red and inflamed, but almost completely healed. Legolas couldn't help but be awed once again. But her being healed didn't matter. Suddenly, Usagi's equilibrium was thrown as Legolas swept her off her feet, princess-style.

Usagi gasped in surprise and glared at him. "What are you doing?" She hissed, trying not to make too much noise.

"Taking you away from everyone." He growled, nipping at her rosebud lips.

They remained silent as Legolas carried Usagi to his tent. Stepping into the cool interior, Usagi pulled the flap shut after them.

When Usagi woke up, Legolas still laid with his arms wrapped around her waist. She smiled and remembered how safe she'd felt. They'd gone into his tent and spent the night saying sweet nothings and just holding each other. She felt truly refreshed. As she stretched and began to stand, a pair of firm arms held her back. She giggled quietly and attempted to get up once more.

Legolas growled slightly and held firm. He didn't want to get up, and he didn't want Usagi to leave either! Usagi's gentle breaths on his face forced his eyes opened.

"Legolas, I'd stay forever here as well, but the others will worry if we don't come out soon. Plus, I'm worried about Frodo and Sam."

At the gentle hand on his face and the soft, pleading look in her eyes, Legolas caved in and released her. Helping her to her feet, he looked around for his discarded boots. Before he'd had a chance to put them both on, Usagi had pulled the flap up and was gazing intently at the sun. She seemed to like what she saw. Nodding, she whipped around and caught his gaze.

"Come on! It's a beautiful day!"

Legolas couldn't help but laugh at her impatience. "If you're so desperate, go ahead, love."

Usagi blushed at the term of endearment but complied. Whirling around, she found herself hitting something extremely hard and falling onto the grass. Rubbing her sore nose, she looked up and gasped.

"Haruka-san?!"

"Hai, koneko-chan." The sandy-haired woman smirked. "Having coordination difficulties?"

She stood up, ignoring Legolas' helping hand and embraced her friend. As she pulled away, a gentle tap on her shoulder drew her attention. Setsuna, Michiru and Hotaru all stood smiling happily at their liege.

"Minna! It's good to see you again!" Hugs were exchanged, along with happy greetings and updates on Usagi's home world.

It took her several minutes to notice Legolas was gone. "Where'd he go?" After a few moments of futile searching, she decided Legolas had disappeared to give her some private time. Delighted, she engaged in another round of hugs.

Frodo found himself flinching slightly. It was cool, and the breeze through the trees reminded him of Bag End and the party tree. Groaning, his eyes opened for the first time in days. First and foremost in his range of sight was Gandalf, smiling at him with tears in his eyes.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again: Hobbits are made of more than I could have ever imagined. Bless you, Frodo Baggins!"

The two embraced. After several moments, Frodo couldn't keep his dam of questions from bursting forth. "How is everyone? Where is Sam? Where are we?"

Gandalf chuckled. "One question at a time. The others are all quite well. I believe Master Samwise should return soon with Masters Meriadoc and Peregrin. We are in the Fields of Cormallen for a celebration. The world of free men is rejoicing at the destruction of the ring!"

Frodo nodded. Gandalf continued. "There will be a party tonight, in your honor. I hope you will be up for it."

Frodo nodded. "It's good to be home."

The party was a grand affair, made even grander by the familiarity of everyone with his or her neighbor. Members of the fellowship had been placed near the head of the main table, with Frodo and Sam being the guests of honor.
The party lasted nearly three days. Each day was louder and happier than the last. Finally, the day they would return to Minas Tirith arrived.

Usagi and Legolas chose to share a horse, and conversed the entire way back. Setsuna, Hotaru, Michiru, and Haruka surrounded Usagi and Legolas in standard guard formation. Aragorn rode unprotected and alone.

"Usagi?" Legolas whispered in her ear.

"Hm?"

"I spoke to Aragorn yesterday, and he has a certain plan. I was hoping you would be willing to be wed in this month?"

Usagi felt tears coming to her eyes. Due to the difficulty in turning, she managed a nod and a teary 'yes.' Legolas gently kissed the top of her head, and they began to discuss what their future had in store.

Three weeks had passed quietly since their return to Minas Tirith. Each day, Aragorn had grown more and more impatient while waiting for a surprise to arrive. He'd refused to be coronated until the surprise came.

Finally, it came on the mid-year day. A caravan of Elves arrived, and with them came Arwen Undomiel, dressed in wedding attire. Her father and brothers accompanied them. Galadriel and Celeborn came as well, bearing a package. About one hundred other Elves had joined them and the Dunedain created a rear guard for the Elves.

Their arrival was a grand affair, one that Frodo and Sam knew they wouldn't forget as long as they lived. Once Galadriel and Celeborn had dismounted, they held a fast reunion with Usagi, where the package was given to her. Curiously, she opened the package and found traditional Lunarian wedding attire.

With tears in her eyes, she hugged her uncle and aunt. Quietly excusing herself, she went to change while Legolas came to greet his soon-to-be family. He noticed his father had neglected to come with the other Elves and brushed off the feeling of resentment.

The events of the next two hours flew by in a blur. Usagi returned, heavily cloaked, to watch the coronation of Aragorn. Faramir, with his wife Eowyn at his side, willingly gave up stewardship of Gondor to Aragorn. Instead of taking the crown himself, he asked Frodo to give it to Gandalf, and then for Gandalf to crown him.

Shortly thereafter, a double wedding occurred. Arwen and Usagi approached their soon-to-be husbands in dead silence. Each beautiful in their own way, they complemented each other quite well. Arwen and Aragorn and Legolas and Usagi were bound in elvish marriage, the ceremony being performed in Elvish.

Usagi and Legolas also experienced a partial Lunarian bonding, administered by Setsuna, the symbol of Pluto going brightly upon her head. Usagi's three other outer senshi knelt respectfully behind their princess and future queen. Each was in senshi form. Although it wasn't a tradition of Middle-Earth, once the ceremony was complete, Usagi abruptly pulled Legolas to her for a soul-searing kiss.

Everything had become right in the world. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin couldn't help but slap high fives as everything turned out the way they'd wanted. Well, not everything, but almost everything.

And so it was that one month later, the fellowship parted for the last time on the plain of Rohan. The Hobbits returned to the Shire, where they would shortly be responsible for its scouring. The Elves, aside from Legolas, Usagi, and Arwen returned to their dwelling places. Gimli had chosen to stay with Aragorn because Legolas and Usagi would be leaving shortly for Usagi's world.

Gandalf had long since parted, and they were feeling more and more alone. Usagi's senshi had returned to her world to prepare for her arrival. Embracing tightly, Usagi stepped back tearfully. Calling her Serenity form into being, a pair of wings sprouted behind her back. The ginzuishou hovered just in front of her, glowing brightly.

Smiling sadly, Usagi and Legolas disappeared with a sudden gust of wind.

"They'll be back!" Gimli stated softly, remembering their travels through the caves at Helm's Deep and Fangorn Forest.

Turning away, they headed slowly back for Minas Tirith.

Usagi and Legolas were falling through timeless space, heading to her home world. Bracing themselves as Sailor Pluto opened the gate into her home, Usagi and Legolas shared a brief kiss and looked towards their future, shining and bright.

Yatta! It's done! E-mail me if you need help w/translations! Thank you for being so faithful to OR!!!

Sorry it was so fast, but I liked it this way, and yes, I realize Aragorn and Arwen were married before the coronation, but that's what artistic license is for, ne?

Sarabada! (at least from this story)

P.S. Vote for which story you want me to work on next!