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 22 - The Plains of Asto Nuut (Dusty Moon Plains)

Asto Nuut. A land that had seen much turmoil, patches of cracked earth in some areas, deserts in others. Hillocks and mounds where grass grew far apart from each other, like whiskers dotting the land. Trees were few, but the secret places of water and grass aplenty existed...if one knew where to look.

Haldir stood on a promontory and looked at the vast flatland before him. His keen eyes took in the contrasting landscape and was amazed at the diversity. Off to the north he could make out the Eagles as they circled over a small area of hilly outcrops. He knew this was their signal for fixing the position of the tracks and where they ended. As he watched, he saw one Eagle break formation and turn toward Avonea, while the other remained circling high above.

Standing a few feet behind him, the elven soldiers canvassed different areas, their eyes carefully surveying each rock, tree and crag. So far no sign of the creatures reported by the sentries. The sun was more than half way past its journey and so they knew that there were only a few hoursdayldaylight left.

And that was not a good thing. Haldir's thoughts turned to Eridani.

He motioned for the others to follow. He did not like the idea of setting camp in the open, but there were no tall grass, bushes or trees for leagues. He knew the group needed to rest after a march of nearly 18 leagues and at speed. Sunset was but a few hours away and nightfall descended quickly on this side of Middle Earth. The moon was still wide and bright. He was wary. They'd make easy targets. He closed his eyes briefly.

Unbidden, thoughts of Eridani entered his mind and he forceably pushed her image away. He needed a clear head. And while his mind obeyed, his body was beginning to sweetly remind him of the deep kisses they had shared. With a low groan, he stopped in his tracks. He had counted on Ormuil to keep her safe and unscathed. He sighed deeply. Eridani, light of his heart and bane of his dreams....Shaking his head he walked a few feet to his right, and then to his left. He seemed to be circling himself.

The group waited patiently. Accustomed to his unusual tracking methods, the elves stood stoically, waiting for their Commander's decision. A couple, older and far wiser, grinned silently. They all well knew Haldir's feelings for the Lady Eridani, even if he himself would not admit it.

"We make camp here." Haldir decided and walked off a few feet to regain his composure. He approached his pack and crouched next to it, looking for what he knew not. It was simply an act to keep himself occupied and his mind off his worrer aer a dark-haired elf maiden. He looked up and saw that the others were setting camp without lighting fires. It would be a cold night. Once Earendil had risen, they'd begin moving into the open fields of Asto Nuut. He prayed for the strength and guidance of the Holy Valar. But for now everyone laid down on the hard earth, each deep in his own silent thoughts.

Several hours later, bright Earendil was high above the horizon.

Quietly, the elves began making their way down the high promontory and as previously decided, fanned out, three apiece, into several directions. Their keen sight helped them track at night, although Haldir's eyesight far exceeded their own. So far no tracks of any sort, only strange holes that dotted the land. Some large by several yards, others small. Whatever it was that had caused these indentations in the dry earth was mighty and large. The elves certainly had no desire to battle strange monsters. But they pushed onward until at last Haldir, with the keenest senses, whistled for them to halt.

Everyone stopped and listened. Eventually they all heard it. And as if commanded by an unseen force, they each turned east to capture the sounds that the winds brought to them.

Clear and shrill and not wholly unpleasant, came flute-like sounds. High and low, the sounds varied in intensity, some at higher octaves than others. It was Criardan's whisper that broke the silence.

"It sounds like the Kirinki of Numenor!"

Another responded, "How would you know what a bird of Numenor sounds like?"

The others chuckled. But Criardan was undaunted. "It matters not how I know this. But verily so I say...it sounds like the song of the Kirinki!"

His companions silently disagreed, and nothing else was said.

The sounds continued for a while and the elves made haste to follow its source before it ceased.

Haldir listened attentively, convinced it was not a Kirinki. Unlike the others, he had once heard its call and was certain beyond a doubt it was not coming from the small scarlet birds whose shrill song was audible only to elven ears. The Kirinki's song was shrill and high pitched as this one was, but it was not as strong.

No, he thought. Judging by how far the sound carried on the wind, this animal was large. Large and powerful.

They followed the sound for several leagues, all of elves uneasy at the bright pale silver light of the moon above them. Suddenly, the sound they had been following was joined by another, whose pitch and timbre was quite pronouncedly different from the first one. Then, another joined and soon there were dozens of calls, each mingling with the others, and somehow standing apart.

The elves continued to track the growing symphony until they came to a low mound, where the calls were strongest. Haldir quickly sent a scouting party of three elves to check ahead. Within moments they returned bearing strange news of large winged beasts, whose bodies were covered with short fur, sitting atop the grassy mound, calling toward the Moon as if engaged in some sort of ritual.

All eyes turned to Haldir, but he was unable to tell them anything. Like the others, he had no idea what they were dealing with, but knew they would all have to proceed with caution.

Just then a large shadow covered the group of elves and as they looked above them, they realized the stars were slowly fading!

A sudden strong gust of hot wind pushed them back, blowing dust, pebbles and dirt into their faces, and the elves covered their eyes with their forearms. Several moments later and just as suddenly as it had begun, the gust of hot wind died down. The elves lowered their arms and looked.

The sight that greeted them was unlike anything they had ever seen on Middle Earth. For before them rested the magnificent Moon Beasts, large animals with leathery wings, tucked under their forelegs. Their bodies were covered in fur, some were white, others dark and some spotted. Their legs were knobby and their feet cloven, like the oxen that Men used in farming. Their ears were pointed, like elven ears. Their heads were large and oval with small snouts. Each creature possessed a beautful mane which ranged in colors from black to white to silver to russet. They were gorgeous creatures certainly. But it was the eyes that told the elves they were before beasts of intelligent thought and action.

The eyes of the Moon Beasts were bright and moist, full of wit, good humor and a great deal of curiosity. It was this very curiosity that had brought the entire herd down from the mound where they had been singing the Moon Song. The Moon Beasts studied the two legged creatures before them, not certain of what they were.

The elves for their part stared at the Moon Beasts with silent caution, but at the ready should the strange beasts become hostile.

It seemed neither side was willing to break the silence and thus they stared at one another for several minutes until one large Moon Beast grumbled. With a loud gasp the other beasts fluttered their wings in nervous anticipation. Was one of their own going to attempt ManSpeak? Unheard of!

But just the same, a large brown male grumbled again and stood gracefully and approached the elven party. Haldir noticed the Beast stood at least three heads taller than himself. He noticed the animal's grace and powerful muscles as it slowly approached them. Curiously, Haldir sensed no danger from these creatures.

Haldir studied the large creature that was slowly trotting its way toward them. It came a few feet closer and stopped. Bright black eyes surveyed them each slowly and then finally settled on Haldir.

"Be thee the sovereign one?" The Moon Beast pronounced in ancient Quenya. Haldir stood rigidly still. Shock registered on his face. Not only did the creature speak, but it spoke the ancient language of the High Elves! The other elves looked to him and the rest of the Moon Beasts waited.

It took Haldir a moment to switch to Quenya, it had been so long since he had last used that fair speech.

"I am Haldir, leader of this group." He regarded the creature patiently. Something told him that they were on the edge of a divide.....one false step and it would all come to ruin.

The Moon Beast made an unfamiliar sound which resembled a laugh. "That is a good thing, for to be a leader of anything is to know many wisdoms."

Haldir smiled despite himself, understanding the creature's meaning. It seemed the Moon Beast had a sense of humor. He nodded, "Indeed, even if the wisdom is that of a fool."

With that the Moon Beast reared its head and made a strange flute-like sound. Haldir worried, was that a good reaction?

"Fools are as they do, is this not so?" asked the Moon Beast. "What telling of thy skin do ye go by?"

Haldir arched an eyebrow and thought for a moment..."telling of their skin?"

"We hail from Thalion Tirion, we are elves." He hoped this would suffice.

At the mention of the word, 'elf' the Moon Beast cocked its head and said something to the rest. The others in turn made many flute-like sounds and after a while quieted down. The Moon Beast spoke again.

"My skin is of the Mearas. Know ye of it?" Bright and intelligent eyes looked to Haldir.

For his part Haldir was stunned. That was it, what he was trying to remember! The Mearas. The long-lived race of horses that were bred by the Lord of the Mark and ridden only by he or his sons. Shadowfax, Mithrandir's mount, had been a Meara. The Mearas had been brought to the Old Middle Earth by the Valar, Oromë.

He looked at the creature before him. This is what the Meara had evolved into after the reforming of Middle Earth?

"I know of your people, great and long-lived, proud and fierce in battle." Haldir bowed as did the rest of the elves.

The Moon Beast blinked and moved his own head, as if in deference. "Long have I known the name of Haldir, Guardian of Lorien, the Golden Wood and of the Lady of Light, Galadriel" Intelligent eyes glistened with expectation and humor. A few other Moon Beasts stirred at the mention of Galadriel's name.

Haldir did not think he had heard correctly. This creature remembered him? How? His eyes misted at the memory of Lorien and the Lady Galadriel....the Moon Beast watched him with thoughtful eyes.

Haldir nodded and replied softly, "Indeed, you remember well. Long have been the years since I have gone by that title, although it is still dear to my heart. And moreso longer still since the Light of that Lady whom you mentioned has graced the lands of Middle Earth." He saw the Moon Beast nod in silent agreement.

Pensively studying the Moon Beast, Haldir thought, "How did this creature know of me, of Lorien for that matter and the Lady Galadriel?" He realized that here was a mystery that would answer itself in time. For now he had to try to make the best of his purpose here.


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