def serialize(self, buffer=bytearray(), index=Index(), **options):
        """ Serializes the `Field` to the byte *buffer* starting at the begin
        of the *buffer* or with the given *index* by packing the :attr:`value`
        of the `Field` to the byte *buffer* in accordance with the encoding
        *byte order* for the serialization and the encoding :attr:`byte_order`
        of the `Field`.

        The specific encoding :attr:`byte_order` of the `Field` overrules the
        encoding *byte order* for the serialization.

        Returns the :class:`Index` of the *buffer* after the `Field`.

        Optional the serialization of the referenced :attr:`~Pointer.data` object
        of a :class:`Pointer` field can be enabled.

        :param bytearray buffer: byte stream.
        :param Index index: current write :class:`Index` of the *buffer*.
        :keyword byte_order: encoding byte order for the serialization.
        :type byte_order: :class:`Byteorder`, :class:`str`
        :keyword bool nested: if ``True`` a :class:`Pointer` field serializes
            its referenced :attr:`~Pointer.data` object as well
            (chained method call).
            Each :class:`Pointer` field uses for the encoding of its referenced
            :attr:`~Pointer.data` object its own :attr:`~Pointer.bytestream`.
        """
        self.index = index
        buffer += self.pack(buffer, **options)
        return self.index_field(index)