The Forgotten Ring

Disclaimer: All familiar characters of this story belong to the awesome world and works of JRR Tolkien, who is an unparalleled genius of this genre. All unfamiliar and original characters, animals and places are of my own invention. I do not derive any monies from this work and created this story solely out of the love and respect that I hold for all of the works related to this canon.

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The Forgotten Ring
by Sienna Dawn


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Chapter 9 - Haldir and the Lightning Bolt

Still waiting to speak with Edrail, Haldir let his blue gaze wonder about the streets of Avonea.

Built after the fashion of the ancient Imladris, Avonea was at once city and forest, for it had elements of both. Everywhere one looked there was a building or a structure that grew out of the land. Graceful spirals and columns adorned street posts and these were covered with ancient vines, so that at night only the soft light of their glow was visible. The effect was like looking into a gently glowing tree.

Houses and Halls, as well as stables, healing places and other areas, were all adorned with gentle curves and painted in the colors of the earth: greens and browns, golds and russets. The effect was both other-wordly and practical for it had the look of an ancient wood where an even more ancient city once dwelled. It suited the elves and Haldir had come to love this place and think of it as his home. Far off he could hear the rushing waters of the Losatuile, a high waterfall that graced the eastern boundaries of Avonea. During quiet evenings, as the first stars rose, the falling waters of Losatuile could be heard for leagues.

Avonea had no true paved streets, for no vehicles rolled within its borders. Although the elves were aware of the wheel and on occassion used carriages for specific reasons, the streets of the capital of Thalion Tririon were instead tiled and dotted with flowering shrubs and bushes. In the winter, when the cold frosts sent the trees into a deep slumber, the graceful city was transformed into a snow and ice world. And the elves, who for the most part, where not affected by the changes in temperature, delighted in gliding past icy ponds and frozen inlets.

Haldir felt an early chill wind touch and cool his face. He turned his back to the cityscape at the sound of a deep mellifluous female voice. At once he was on guard.

He was familiar with this female. The Lady Eridani Istalindir, sister to Eadril and aunt to Prince Ronihim. She had come to live in Avonea at its founding almost two thousand years ago, when her parents had chosen to return from Valinor to Middle Earth after its transformation.

He quietly studied the Lady Eridani. He found her too tall for a maiden, too wide in the shoulders and too...too...He shook his head. She was a young elf, inexperienced but intelligent. He often read the manuscripts she had begun copying from the great libraries of Imladris. Her handwriting was sure and confident. His eyes took in her form...as confident as her swagger, he noticed, as she crossed the room to greet a group of friends just arrived in Avonea. Her smile was radiant, her face smooth and unblemished. Without realizing it his eyes followed her every move.

Suddenly, Lady Eridani turned and fixed him with a stare of her own. Her brown eyes rooted Haldir to the spot where he stood. And in the back of those brown eyes he fancied he had seen a flash of emotion, of fires well banked. He blinked. What was this he was seeing?

But just as suddenly the lovely brown eyes turned icy cold and she broke the contact. Haldir found his heart was beating rapidly. What had just happened?

What was it about this female that made him so edgy? Was it sexual attraction? He cocked his head and crossed his strong arms. Could be, he mused, but improbable. Actually, she was not very fascinating as a female. She was too masculine and too domineering. And furthermore, she was too silent. He disliked persons who watched others and said nothing, forgetting conveniently that this was an aspect of his own personality. He stared at the female object of his scrutiny and was unaware he too was being studied. When his blue eyes locked with deep brown ones he experienced a physical jolt. She slowly arched an eyebrow and insolently stared back. Just then a voice drifted into Haldir's consciousness. He dragged his eyes away from the female elf's and regarded the messenger before him.

"Lord Haldir," the messenger bowed slightly, "the King will see you now."

Haldir stood away from the window and thanked the messenger. With one final look at the female, who shot him a sardonic grin, he abruptly turned away and followed the messenger who led him toward Eadril's Council Chamber. His blonde hair was caught by the soft wind near the window and played a small dance of glowing blonde tendrils spiraling down his back. Although he had serious business to discuss at hand, the female elf's small smile played him tricks in his mind. Shaking his head, he was unaware of the appreciative glance the brown-eyed female rewarded his retreating form.

Taking a deep breath to clear her thoughts and control her breathing, Eridani turned and quickly strode out of the Chamber.

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[To be continued...] Feedback appreciated :)