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

Chapter 14 - In the Archives

Eridani was already hard at work in the Royal Archives long before the sun rose over Avonea. She preferred to work quietly before the staff rose so as to take advantage of the silence and tranquility that permeated the place.

So it was much to her surprise when she heard sure and confident steps sounding from the darkened doorway. She had been working by the light of two candles near her and had not thought of lighting the doorway. She took a candle and was about to head in that direction, when Haldir's bright blue gaze and golden head emerged from the darkness.

She gasped at the suddeness of this and Haldir grinned, "Did I alarm you, Lady?"

She noticed his gaze ran past her face and she suddenly felt the need for some air. She managed to swallow and stammer, "No, only I did not expect company so early. I did say at dawn's light, did I not?" She arched an eyebrow.

Haldir laughed, " 'Twould seem neither one of us has use for a timepiece."

His small joke cut through the tension and Eridani relaxed, which gladdened Haldir's heart.

"No, my Lord. 'Twould seem neither one of us knows what dawn means." She smiled at Haldir.

Within her smile Haldir detected something innocent but strong. More and more he was intrigued by her.

Looking past her, Haldir nodded to the books Eridani already had consulted. "It seems you have already been very busy. Is there naught I can do to help you?"

Eridani nodded, "Actually, yes, there is." she answered. "As you requested, I looked for all references to Yrch and found several which may be of assistance to you." She put the candle down and walked over to a large rectangular table which normally sat 10 elves. Books and maps and other scrolls lay across every inch of its surface. Haldir was impressed. He could tell she had been at this for hours.

She spoke as they looked at the various scrolls and books. "Much of this information is prior War of the Ring which took place in the Third Age, so it is possibly Second or First Age, although First Age documents are rare and much harder to find. Much of these were left behind in the libraries of Lothlorien although the Lord Elrond did take many with him when he sailed to Valinor." She pointed to several.

"These are copies of the originals that are housed in Alasse Imladris." She picked one book and showed it to Haldir.

"This one, for example, records thveraveral skirmishes in which Yrch were first used to engage our rangers." She handed the book to Haldir and their fingers lightly touched.

The contact, unexpected as it was, was sweet as flesh recognized flesh. Eridani noticed Haldir's skin was warm, while Haldir noticed that Eridani's fingers were cool and trembled slightly. His heart skipped a beat and he recognized the depth of the emotion this simple contact brought to him. He lowered his head and looked into Eridani's eyes questionning with his own. His deep blue gaze grew tender and captivating. Eridani, feeling suddenly shy, lowered her head and refused to meet his gaze, feeling her cheeks flushed and burning.

Sensing her confusion and wishing to reassure her, Haldir covered her hand with his larger one. And that, he realized immediately, was a mistake, for with that contact his body reacted violently with a desire that had been foreign to him. He tried to rationalize to himself that one simple touch cannot be the cause of such feelings. And yet, from the look on her face, he knew she felt the same.

Haldir slowly studied Eridani, feeling himself growing more and more flushed. She stood still, her body half turned toward him, the book still in her hands. His larger hand still covering hers, he took the book out of her hands and placed it on the table behind them. Eridani's face was in profile to him and he could see she had closed her eyes. Long dark lashes kissed her smooth cheeks. Gently, he took her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. Her eyes were still closed, her face was soft and open, her lips slightly parted. Haldir saw that her lips were moist and fresh, like a summer fruit waiting to be picked. Her breathing was deep and slow, straining her lovely breasts against the dark green fabric of her suit. He felt his own body react. But he was an elf of honor and would not take an innocent so blithely. For although he had known elven women before, he had always maintained his heart separate. With Eridani he instinctively knew things would be different, and he also knew his own heart was already compromised. He did not wish to hurt Eridani, but the love she offered him was so vibrant and strong, that he could not help but desire to taste it, if only once.

And yet, her body was waiting, and his own wanted to consumate the tension that had been building between them. Still....his own heart and emotions battled each other.

He saw her eyes open and look into his. By the Valar! he thought to himself, what is she surrendering? Does she understand what she is doing? Eridani's eyes deepened into the color of the woods, a deep earth brown that radiated with a soft golden glow. She looked up at Haldir and let him see the love, desire and need in her heart and soul. She showed herself openly and without masking her feelings. Reaching out ttivetively, she brought her small hand to touch his face, and lightly trace his lips with her fingers.

With a deep groan, and without thinking, Haldir lowered his head and covered her lips with his own.

Eridani's reaction was immediate. She moaned softly and opened her mouth, inviting his kiss. She leaned into the intimate circle of his body, and pressed herself to him. Gripping her slender waist, Haldir gently brought her even closer to his hard body, and Eridani felt his strength and his desire, urgent and pulsing, straining against the fabric of his leggings. Surrendering to the call of her heart and soul, Eridani moaned and opened her mouth more, offering Haldir the sweet nectar of her lips. A low moan of pleasure escaped Haldir's mouth, as he accepted what was offered and deepened the kiss. His tongue gently probed her mouth and she timidly allowed herself to kiss him back. Haldir noted her lack of experience and forced himself to slow down, and let her set the pace. His kisses grew tender, his lips suckling the faint moisture on her lips, exploring the soft countours of her mouth. Feeling her response, his mind clouded again.... He could not stop...by the Valar, he could not stop!

Eridani's mind reeled with the sensations of that one kiss, which seemed to never end. Her body reacting deliciously to his kiss and touch. Her knees buckled somewhat, and Haldir sensing her lack of balance, caught her by the waist and drew her closer to him. Her hip was pressed against his thigh and the sweet vortex of arousal began to cloud their minds.

Haldir continued to suck gently on her lips, lightly running his tongue over them, but avoiding contact with her tongue. He knew that if that happened, he'd take her right there and then, and this he would not permit. Eridani moaned and tried to play with his tongue, but Haldir always pulled back. And without realizing it, this made the cat and mouse game even more sensual, fueling the desire of one for the other even more. Finally, Eridani broke away from his mouth and stared at him, her hands cupping his face. She was flushed and her lips were swollen from kissing. She saw that his eyes burned with a deep fire, his own lips were parted and he was breathing heavily.

"Haldir?" her voice was a small whisper. Brown eyes melted into cool blue ones. She had never known this sweet whirlpool of desire, electric currents shooting inside her body, her head buzzing with a feeling that was new to her. "Haldir?" She repeated.

"Yes, my heart?" He breathed against her lips. His mouth lightly and almost reverently kissing her mouth. "Yes, Young One?"

Eridani could not talk and clung to him. Haldir closed his eyes, and leaned his head down to take her mouth in the kiss he had long desired to give her.

This was a kiss unlike any he had given her moments before. It was unlike any kiss Eridani had ever experienced. It was a kiss meant to seduce and melt away all inhibitions.

Eridani placed her hands on his shoulders and was pleased to feel the strength of his body from that one touch. She had been kissed before, certainly the elves were no prudes, but this kiss ... this kiss....was worlds apart from what she had experienced before. She felt as if Haldir had thrown a spell over her and her body began to quiver, trembling from head to foot. As the kiss deepened into a vortex of liquid fire for both, Haldir remembered his vow to honor her. But try as he would, the spell she had woven over him was drawing him further into sensations he knew would overcome them unless he put a stop to it. He would not disgrace her, no matter how sweet the offer was.

While these emotions raged in Haldir's heart, Eridani timidly licked his lower lip, and when she did so, he groaned and sucked on her mouth, their tongues dancing sweetly with each other, in imitation of the ancient dance he longed to teach her. As they kissed, the fire of passion grew within their bodies. But Haldir, far more experienced than Eridani, slowed the pace, forced himself to wait, to honor his vow, to make her his Lady first.

Gradually, the kiss turned, becoming intimate and slow. Their lips sweetly drawing from the other's, never breaking contact, always finding a new way to taste each other.

Eridani's mind reeled, her body ached to be taken, her mouth longed for deeper kisses. She was overwhelmed by the electric currents that flowed from him to her, and back. Breaking the kiss, her eyes wide with emotion, her breathing ragged, she looked at Haldir.

Loving blue eyes sparkling with desire and sensuality smiled down at her. She was pleased to see this side of him, a side she had longed to explore. And she wanted more.

Raising her arms around his neck, she brought his mouth to hers and she kissed him with a deep hunger. Her tongue danced with his own, her lips suckling, demanding that he deepen the kiss and moaning with pleasure as he complied with her request.

Once more their passion flared and Eridani began to grind herself against Haldir. Bewildered at her sudden movement, he broke away briefly and looked down at her face. Flushed, with her mouth slightly open, he asked her,

"Meleth, do you know what you are asking?" His voice was deep and heavy with desire.

Eridani opened her eyes and nodded, "Aye, my Lord. I do know, and I desire it as much as you." Her brown eyes told him she spoke the truth of her heart.

Haldir felt as if he could not breathe, his heart was brimming with love and desire and yet, his mind cautioned him to slow down. He did not wish to hurt this Young One.

His hesitation was not lost on Eridani, who looked at him again and caressed his cheek. Haldir pressed his face into her hand and looked into her eyes.

"My Lady..." he began, but she cut him off with a deep kiss.

This time it was she who did the kissing. Deep and long drawn out kisses that were meant to convey the depth of her feelings for Haldir. She lost her hands in his hair and slowly began to unbraid it. Her fingers combed through the golden strands and she realized he was slowly losing control. His hands pressed her against his hips, the muscles in his legs knotted in power, and his breathing was ragged and labored. Her tongue travelled up and down his neck, toward the collar bone, licking his open lips and dancing away from his tongue when it reached out for hers.

Smiling against his mouth she said, "I am afraid you have lost the battle, my Lord."

Her eyes opened to look at him, but just then a bright flash of light blinded her. She cried out and lowered her head, trying to shield her eyes with his chest. Images and figures moved inside the light and Eridani tried to make out what they were doing. She stepped away from him, shielding her eyes with her hands.

Haldir, alarmed, took a step closhis his hands still on her waist. He watched her intently. Her brows were knitted and she seemed to be in pain.

"What is it, meleth?" Haldir asked her, brushing silken hair away from her face. He lowered his head and looked into her face. With her eyes tightly closed, Eridani seemed to be seeing something behind her closed eyelids. Haldir waited patiently. His eyes had a worried look.

Suddenly, Eridani opened her eyes, grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. His blue eyes widened in surprise.

"Haldir!" She gasped as she stared at him, "have you ever done that before?" Her breath was ragged.

He smiled, "Yes, but never to such a reaction." He cocked his head to one side and studied her face.

Eridani was not sure if she should answer him or not. She saw that his eyes were steadfast and clear. There was no sarcasm or mockery in his eyes or voice.

She shook her head, her long curled hair bouncing on her shoulders. He was delighted at the way her hair glittered in the candlelight and was about to reach out for it, when she grabbed him by the shoulders again.

"No! I mean, have you ever had such a reaction?"

Now he had to laugh openly, "My dear Lady Eridani, I must confess that you are a delight. I have...." and here he hesitated for she was a female after all and he had learned early on that one female is not necessarily interested in the prowess of another. Their tenuous relationship was taking off to a good start and he did not wish to destroy it with one poorly selected word. So he continued carefully.

"I have....had reactions similar. But all are unique, meleth."

Eridani gazed at Haldir quizzically. He had not understood her at all!

"No, no. What I meant to say is that I felt such a ..." she lowered her eyes and took a deep breath. Haldir smiled and waited. This Young One was a pure and innocent child.

Softly he cupped her face and raised it to meet his eyes. They glowed with love and it shook Eridani to the core. Was she seeing love in his eyes or was it something else? Gently he kissed her once more and when he broke the kiss he said,

"What did you feel just then?" His eyes were soft, warm, glowing and bewitching. So unlike the other elves who had courted her. This kiss was chaste and loving, not like the other searing kisses they had just shared.

It was then she caught herself. Was she being courted? She returned his gaze and putting all the love her heart carried into her eyes and words she replied, "I felt....No, my Lord.... I saw a white light and inside that light there we were, you and I."

She looked down. "I have never felt that before." She looked again at him and found his eyes had grown serious, soft still, but worried.

Had she said something wrong? She must have, for he looked crestfallen. Obviously she had misunderstood his gesture and had made a complete fool of herself. She had behaved exactly the way she had promised herself she would never act with Haldir. She had been unprepared for his touch and his kiss had melted away her convictions. And now it looked as if he was going to treat her as if nothing of importance had happened. Suddenly, her body felt cold, as if a pail of cold water had been dumped over her. It was no secret that the Lord Commander of Thalion Tirion had many females interested in him as a potential mate. Why would he waste his time with her? She may be sister to a King, but a King who had now disappeared and aunt to an imbecile who was not fit to sit on the throne. So, what did that make her? Her heart crushed by her own insecurity, she turned away from Haldir and made herself busy with a few books she wanted to show him, while she hoped her broken heart would not be reflected in her eyes.

Haldir saw that Eridani did not understand his reaction and made an attempt to explain, but when she turned from him, he was quick to notice the unshed tears and gave her a respectful distance to compose herself. He frowned. How had this joyous and passionate moment turned to bitterness and pain? By the Valar, he had fallen in love with this young one and she had seemed to have feelings for him too. Her soul had been opened to him like a gentle Spring bud, and yet suddenly, she turned rigid in his arms and shied from him.

Haldir knew what she had seen, for he had seen it in his dreams as well. He was not certain of the vision's meaning, but he knew it carried some important message. And it revolved around Eridani.

Pushing his thoughts aside, he turned to her once more, wishing he could soothe her wounded pride, wanting to tell her of his own feelings, needing to know of hers for him. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he felt her stiffen and she turned to look at him. He saw gratitude in her eyes for giving her time to compose herself. Of the earlier kisses, vision and coldness between them nothing further was said.

Eridani had pushed the entire incident out of her mind and soon she was sure she would push it out of her heart and soul. As she looked at Haldir's neutral eyes she knew he had already done so.

With a heavy heart she handed a book to him.

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