The Forgotten Ring
folder
Lord of the Rings Movies › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
51
Views:
5,125
Reviews:
17
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Category:
Lord of the Rings Movies › Het - Male/Female
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
51
Views:
5,125
Reviews:
17
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
0
Disclaimer:
I do not own the Lord of the Rings book series and movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
A Sad Discovery
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 26 - A Sad Discovery
Later in the same day, the elves made camp near a tall clump of bushes that provided some relief from the hot winds. This was thanks to Bruinen, who had guided them to the spot. Like all of her kind, she had an intimate knowledge of the Plains.
By early evening, when they would have normally set off, a great dust storm came up, lasting several hours. Bruinen had counseled Haldir to remain as they were, safe under the refuge of the bushes. Here the elves rested until the evening of the following day, when the winds died down. Looking north then Haldir saw no sign of the Eagle. He frowned, thinking Ryder and Eagle may have taken refuge before the storm bore down upon them. But now, after the storm, it was unlikely they would find the area again. Things were moving against them and it was certain this was not the hand of the Valar. He decided a slight change of plans would take them close to the area where the Eagle had last been seen.
By late afternoon of their third day, the elves shared a small meal of the lembas-breaey hey had brought along, and some fresh water provided by the Moon Beasts. Bruinen accepted the water but refused the lembas, munching instead on the dry leaves which she seemed to find palatable. It was at this time that two of the trackers from his group returned with sad news: the body of the Ryder and Eagle had been found. What's more, the Eagle had been shot with a weapon not of elven craft. Haldir was handed a small, bloodied arrow. His heart constricted in fear for Eridani. The arrow was Orch made. Tragically, they were forced to leave the bodies where they lay so as not to give away their passing.
That night when everyone fell asleep, their hearts were sad and in mourning for the tragic loss of two valiant lives.
When Earendil was high in the heavens, the elves set out moving east, turning toward Avonea. They moved at speed knowing they had to cover at least 10 leagues before sunrise to clear the plains where there were was no cover of bush or tree.
As they ran, their silent foosteps barely making indentations on the dry earth, the Moon Beast flew smoothly along side the elves, keeping closest to Haldir. She kept low so as not to be seen against the horizon. With the moon still wide and bright, she knew her silver sheen contrasted brightly, and if she hovered higher than the elves' heads, she would be an easy target. Thus she moved quickly, silently and stealthily.
Several hours later, having not encountered difficulties to delay them, they were clear of the Plains and back into the tall grass of the outer borders of the Southern Uile. Haldir was pleased as they had made speed and covered almost the entire trip a full day ahead of time. Once they reached the secure boundaries of the Uile, they relaxed visibly and slowed their pace but a fraction. Sunrise was close and they were on the fringes of Thaliom Tirion. Haldir knew border guards already had them in their sights.
But it was here, so close to home, that they were to make another ghastly find.
Ironically, none of the elves spotted the body. It was Bruinen who, flying higher above the ground, in order to scout the area, returned and informed them of a body lying in the tall grass a few yards ahead of them.
"It looks like an elf." She said, her gray eyes sad.
Haldir stiffened at the news and without thinking of his own safety, broke into a run, his warriors having to redouble their speed to overtake him and form a defensive line of protection in front of him. Bruinen followed closely.
Several yards ahead, they spotted the body in the tall grass.
Haldir stopped running, his heart pounding with dread. "Let it not be", he thought desperately..."Holy Valar...let it not be her."
But it was not Eridani. It was Ormuil. Haldir approached him slowly, while the other elves surrounded the body silently. Bruinen landed gently behind Haldir.
Ormuil's body was bloodied and bruised, signs of prolongued torture showing everywhere. His fingernails had been pulled, his eyes gouged out and his hair torn off his scalp.
An icy coldness gripped Haldir's heart, and he dropped to his knees in grief. Lowering his head, he said an ancient prayer, knowing the elf's spirit was now safe in the Halls of Mandos. But it was the image of the elf's broken body and what had been done to him while he still yet breathed that Haldir would never be able to wrench from his soul. He knew war and he knew that his warriors were fully aware of the dangers they faced. But now it had come home to them all.
War was upon them. Again.
The elves, their faces grim in grief, silently stood and saluted their friend. The body was covered with a cloak and draped over Bruinen's back. They would take him back to Avonea, to his family for the burial. They all thought back to the Ryder and Eagle they had left behind so as not to give their presence away. One would have a burial and another would rot under the bright sun.
Haldir's eyes were hard as he studied the horizon. He knew Eridani was out there somewhere. He tried reaching her with his mind, but all he saw were endless corridors and halls. He redoubled his efforts. Nothing.
The situation bothered him. How had Ormuil been left here and no alerts sounded at the borders? That meant the elven sentries had not spotted the body nor when it was brought here. And whoever it was had gotten past the Eagles as well. He knew his sentries were incapable of deserting their posts, so another alternative was at hand. But what was it? Not knowing made him feel vulnerable and this he did not like.
Criardan's gentle voice broke into his thoughts, "What of the Lady Eridani, my Lord?" he asked.
Haldir pondered for a moment. Finally he responded, his voice low and very soft, "We track."
He turned to the elves. His face was hard and grim, his lips set in a hard thin line. His heart was as a stone in his chest. This was the Haldir of old, the elf of the arrogant stance and the implacable and icy stare. "Double back two leagues, track in all directions. If you find any moving thing that is not friend to the elves, then show no mercy, for they will show none to you." His voice was calm and low.
Motioning to all, save two archers he kept at his side, the elves moved off as ordered. Haldir watched them, his eyes cold and anguished. Masking his feelings, he turned toward one of the archers.
"Aldrien," Haldir called to a dark-haired elf.
"Yes, my Lord?" The young elf stepped forward and waited for instructions.
"Send an alert to the border entries. I sense they know nothing of this." His eyes, worried and dark with grief, turned toward Thalion Tirion. He noticed Aldrien was gazing at him quizzically, and he arched an eyebrow at the young elf, before turning away. Aldrien needed no further instruction. He had never seen this side of Haldir, although many of the others were quite familiar with it.
In seconds a golden arrow glinted in the bright sunlight. Shortly after that an answering golden arrow sailed out of the woods of the border of Thalion Tirion. Soon, a party from the border sentries would join them.
Haldir turned to Bruinen. "How well can you carry the weight of two elves?"
Bruinen gave Haldir a sad smile. "I can carry the full weight of three men. Elves weigh less. Come, I will help you." She lowered her head and Haldir sprang on her back. She lifted her wings and sailed effortlessly into the air, Ormuil's body safely secured behind Haldir.
Pointing he said, "Turn toward the plains, there, where the salt marshes begin."
Bruinen followed his directions perfectly and landed gently. Much to their credit and Haldir's ceaseless training, none of the elves could be heard in the tall grass, but he had seen them all from high above.
Turning here and there, Haldir's sharp eyes looked for the tell tale signs of crushed grass, twisted branches. His nostrils tested the wind, searching for the scent of blood or sweat. He, like the others, found nothing.
After agonizing hours had passed and the sun had risen, Haldir was forced to admit whoever was responsible for Ormuil's death had probably taken Eridani as well. His heart heavy, he ordered the search party at an end and turned for Avonea.
His steps heavy and his heart rent, Haldir vowed that no matter what happened he would find Eridani and avenge Ormuil, and the others.
By the time the sun was half way through the sky, the elves were entering the northern borders of Avonea. Close to sunset, a group of archers met them and relieved Bruinen of her burden. Carrying his body tenderly, the group made a weary entry into the elven city.
Haldir was quick to ask about Eridani.
No one knew her whereabouts.
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To be continued....feedback appreciated!
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The Forgotten Ring
by Sienna Dawn
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 26 - A Sad Discovery
Later in the same day, the elves made camp near a tall clump of bushes that provided some relief from the hot winds. This was thanks to Bruinen, who had guided them to the spot. Like all of her kind, she had an intimate knowledge of the Plains.
By early evening, when they would have normally set off, a great dust storm came up, lasting several hours. Bruinen had counseled Haldir to remain as they were, safe under the refuge of the bushes. Here the elves rested until the evening of the following day, when the winds died down. Looking north then Haldir saw no sign of the Eagle. He frowned, thinking Ryder and Eagle may have taken refuge before the storm bore down upon them. But now, after the storm, it was unlikely they would find the area again. Things were moving against them and it was certain this was not the hand of the Valar. He decided a slight change of plans would take them close to the area where the Eagle had last been seen.
By late afternoon of their third day, the elves shared a small meal of the lembas-breaey hey had brought along, and some fresh water provided by the Moon Beasts. Bruinen accepted the water but refused the lembas, munching instead on the dry leaves which she seemed to find palatable. It was at this time that two of the trackers from his group returned with sad news: the body of the Ryder and Eagle had been found. What's more, the Eagle had been shot with a weapon not of elven craft. Haldir was handed a small, bloodied arrow. His heart constricted in fear for Eridani. The arrow was Orch made. Tragically, they were forced to leave the bodies where they lay so as not to give away their passing.
That night when everyone fell asleep, their hearts were sad and in mourning for the tragic loss of two valiant lives.
When Earendil was high in the heavens, the elves set out moving east, turning toward Avonea. They moved at speed knowing they had to cover at least 10 leagues before sunrise to clear the plains where there were was no cover of bush or tree.
As they ran, their silent foosteps barely making indentations on the dry earth, the Moon Beast flew smoothly along side the elves, keeping closest to Haldir. She kept low so as not to be seen against the horizon. With the moon still wide and bright, she knew her silver sheen contrasted brightly, and if she hovered higher than the elves' heads, she would be an easy target. Thus she moved quickly, silently and stealthily.
Several hours later, having not encountered difficulties to delay them, they were clear of the Plains and back into the tall grass of the outer borders of the Southern Uile. Haldir was pleased as they had made speed and covered almost the entire trip a full day ahead of time. Once they reached the secure boundaries of the Uile, they relaxed visibly and slowed their pace but a fraction. Sunrise was close and they were on the fringes of Thaliom Tirion. Haldir knew border guards already had them in their sights.
But it was here, so close to home, that they were to make another ghastly find.
Ironically, none of the elves spotted the body. It was Bruinen who, flying higher above the ground, in order to scout the area, returned and informed them of a body lying in the tall grass a few yards ahead of them.
"It looks like an elf." She said, her gray eyes sad.
Haldir stiffened at the news and without thinking of his own safety, broke into a run, his warriors having to redouble their speed to overtake him and form a defensive line of protection in front of him. Bruinen followed closely.
Several yards ahead, they spotted the body in the tall grass.
Haldir stopped running, his heart pounding with dread. "Let it not be", he thought desperately..."Holy Valar...let it not be her."
But it was not Eridani. It was Ormuil. Haldir approached him slowly, while the other elves surrounded the body silently. Bruinen landed gently behind Haldir.
Ormuil's body was bloodied and bruised, signs of prolongued torture showing everywhere. His fingernails had been pulled, his eyes gouged out and his hair torn off his scalp.
An icy coldness gripped Haldir's heart, and he dropped to his knees in grief. Lowering his head, he said an ancient prayer, knowing the elf's spirit was now safe in the Halls of Mandos. But it was the image of the elf's broken body and what had been done to him while he still yet breathed that Haldir would never be able to wrench from his soul. He knew war and he knew that his warriors were fully aware of the dangers they faced. But now it had come home to them all.
War was upon them. Again.
The elves, their faces grim in grief, silently stood and saluted their friend. The body was covered with a cloak and draped over Bruinen's back. They would take him back to Avonea, to his family for the burial. They all thought back to the Ryder and Eagle they had left behind so as not to give their presence away. One would have a burial and another would rot under the bright sun.
Haldir's eyes were hard as he studied the horizon. He knew Eridani was out there somewhere. He tried reaching her with his mind, but all he saw were endless corridors and halls. He redoubled his efforts. Nothing.
The situation bothered him. How had Ormuil been left here and no alerts sounded at the borders? That meant the elven sentries had not spotted the body nor when it was brought here. And whoever it was had gotten past the Eagles as well. He knew his sentries were incapable of deserting their posts, so another alternative was at hand. But what was it? Not knowing made him feel vulnerable and this he did not like.
Criardan's gentle voice broke into his thoughts, "What of the Lady Eridani, my Lord?" he asked.
Haldir pondered for a moment. Finally he responded, his voice low and very soft, "We track."
He turned to the elves. His face was hard and grim, his lips set in a hard thin line. His heart was as a stone in his chest. This was the Haldir of old, the elf of the arrogant stance and the implacable and icy stare. "Double back two leagues, track in all directions. If you find any moving thing that is not friend to the elves, then show no mercy, for they will show none to you." His voice was calm and low.
Motioning to all, save two archers he kept at his side, the elves moved off as ordered. Haldir watched them, his eyes cold and anguished. Masking his feelings, he turned toward one of the archers.
"Aldrien," Haldir called to a dark-haired elf.
"Yes, my Lord?" The young elf stepped forward and waited for instructions.
"Send an alert to the border entries. I sense they know nothing of this." His eyes, worried and dark with grief, turned toward Thalion Tirion. He noticed Aldrien was gazing at him quizzically, and he arched an eyebrow at the young elf, before turning away. Aldrien needed no further instruction. He had never seen this side of Haldir, although many of the others were quite familiar with it.
In seconds a golden arrow glinted in the bright sunlight. Shortly after that an answering golden arrow sailed out of the woods of the border of Thalion Tirion. Soon, a party from the border sentries would join them.
Haldir turned to Bruinen. "How well can you carry the weight of two elves?"
Bruinen gave Haldir a sad smile. "I can carry the full weight of three men. Elves weigh less. Come, I will help you." She lowered her head and Haldir sprang on her back. She lifted her wings and sailed effortlessly into the air, Ormuil's body safely secured behind Haldir.
Pointing he said, "Turn toward the plains, there, where the salt marshes begin."
Bruinen followed his directions perfectly and landed gently. Much to their credit and Haldir's ceaseless training, none of the elves could be heard in the tall grass, but he had seen them all from high above.
Turning here and there, Haldir's sharp eyes looked for the tell tale signs of crushed grass, twisted branches. His nostrils tested the wind, searching for the scent of blood or sweat. He, like the others, found nothing.
After agonizing hours had passed and the sun had risen, Haldir was forced to admit whoever was responsible for Ormuil's death had probably taken Eridani as well. His heart heavy, he ordered the search party at an end and turned for Avonea.
His steps heavy and his heart rent, Haldir vowed that no matter what happened he would find Eridani and avenge Ormuil, and the others.
By the time the sun was half way through the sky, the elves were entering the northern borders of Avonea. Close to sunset, a group of archers met them and relieved Bruinen of her burden. Carrying his body tenderly, the group made a weary entry into the elven city.
Haldir was quick to ask about Eridani.
No one knew her whereabouts.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
To be continued....feedback appreciated!
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