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 29 - Eridani's Report

Hours later Eridani awoke. Bright, golden sunlight filtered into the bedchamber. Startled, for she did not recognize the room or bed, she looked around carefully. Realizing with a jolt she was in Haldir's room, her head turned toward the source of murmured conversation. She was able to pick out Haldir's voice. She realized that the voices were coming from the large anteroom adjacent to the bedroom.

Leaning back on the pillows, Eridani wondered how long she had slept. She felt stronger, hungry and thirsty, but definitely stronger. She also realized she was in need of a bath for her clothes were dirty and grimy, and she herself was exuding very pungent aromas.

Swinging her legs off the bed, she gingerly tested her strength and found she was able to stand without fear of collapse. She knew she had lasted on sheer willpower before, but now was grateful to Haldir for giving her the time to recover. Reaching for the ring, she felt it secure in its hiding place. She exhaled in relief.

Remembering what she had found about the Yrch, she realized she had no time for baths. Haldir and his commanders needed to know of her discovery immediately.

Walking resolutely toward the door to the antechamber, she pulled it open and strode into the room where Hadir and his commanders were obviously holding a council of some sort.

All eyes turned toward her. Haldir rose at once and rapidly covered the distance between them, coming around to stand beside her. Putting a hand on her waist for support, she smiled her gratitude. She noticed the mask he'd worn the day before was no longer covering his feelings. His face looked young and vulnerable. She read something in his eyes that she could not define. Reaching out for his arm, she gave it a slight squeeze. This ellicited a warm smile from him.

She faced the group and began, "My Lords, there is much I need to tell you. Please listen to my story in its entirety. Ask questions only when I am finished."

Haldir led her to a chair and she sat. The elves gathered around her and waited.

Eridani began her tale at the moment the Yrch had set upon her and the other elves. She told the story of their bravery and the death of the tracker and the archer. She explained how during the battle she had lost sight of Ormuil. She noticed Haldir winced at the mention of his name.

Tersely and without adornment, Eridani told the story of her captivity, her attempts to reach Haldir and Ormuil via elfspeak, her vision of the dark cloud over Middle Earth and its ability to direct the thought and action of the Yrch, and the visit from the dwarf ghost. She told them how she had entered Moria, her desperate struggle to find a way out, and the finding of the ancient map. She told them of her suspicions that the Yrch had discovered the Mines of Moria, were living there, and were trying to break through to the southern section that bordered Ymlad Yave. Eridani described what she had seen as she was lowered into the Yrch pit, the level of activity, the type of weapons they were forging. She described where an exit door of Moria opened directly within a few leagues of the border lands of Thalion Tirion. Finally, she added that in her mind she had seen and felt a dark presence which may be Saruman's lifeforce seeking to take physical shape somehow. She added that she suspected this same dark presence was the same as the shadow mist that directed and ruled the Yrch and was freely moving over Middle Earth.

As she spoke, she could see their faces grow more somber and distressed. She knew they completely understood the magnitude of the calamity that was threatening to overtake them.

The one thing Eridani did not include was the finding of the Ring. She wanted to tell Haldir when they were alone.

When she was done, she looked from face to face. It was Galgaliel who spoke first. He had the command of the Northern Sector and thus of the Eagles and their Ryders. "It would seem that Thalion Tirion was built atop the ancient Mines of Moria, which somehow survived intact the reforming of Middle Earth." His voice was laced with worry.

The others nodded in grim agreement.

Haldir's strong voice cut through everyone's private thought. His face grim and his steady gaze holding Eridani's. "You say you feel it was Saruman's dark will directing the Yrch. It may be. The ancient Archives say all the Istari belonged to a certain order or possessed a specific skill. Saruman's gift was in the forging and smithing of metals and working within the earth." He stared meaningfully at her.

Eridani started. So he too felt the need to discuss the Rings in private!

Eridani studied Haldir. His eyes were bright with a light she'd never seen there before. He nodded and spoke while looking directly at her.

"This explains a great many things...a great many things..." His voice trailed off.

"What course of action do we take now?" The question coming from Ebrendir, who commanded the Southern Sector. He was a quiet elf, not given to much talk and when he did everyone listened. "My thought on this is that we take the map the Lady Eridani brought out of Moria and make as many copies as we can, mark all of the doors within Thalion Tirion or near and place double sentries there until we decide where we are taking this. The Eagles will be indispensable for this task."

Galgaliel nodded, "Yes, I agree too. They will be ready for your command, Lord Haldir." The older elf continued. "However, I feel strongly we need to begin evacuating all tnhabnhabited areas south of the Uile and Ymlad Yave, possibly including Avonea. We can expect the Lord Elrond to take in as many as he can at Alasse Imladris, as well as the elven strongholds close to the Ered Halla that will provide refuge. I can spare three Eagles for this. Do we begin immediately?" His green gaze covered everyone in the room.

Haldir nodded. "Yes, send word to Elrond of our discovery and that we will need as much space as he canre. re. Let the cities of the Ered Halla be warned of our coming. Send the women and the children first and do not separate the families. Warn all Men of what is upon us and let them choose as they will, to stay and fight or leave. In the meantime, let us make as many copies of this map as we can."

Leaning toward Eridani he asked her, "Melamin, do you have this map?" His voice was tender and soft.

Eridani nodded and reached into her tunic for it and handed it to him. "Here 'tis, My Lord." As she handed the map to him their fingers touched. Sparks of electricity jumped between them. She gave a small gasp and he looked into her eyes, his gaze intense and dark.

Opening the ancient document, he dragged his eyes away from Eridani's face and focused onto the map, quickly scanning the contents. "I know of this map." He studied Eridani's face as he handed it over to Tarmacil without looking away from her. The other took the map and the elven Commanders gathered round to study it.

"Tis Thror's Map." Haldir's voice was calm.

Eridani's eyes widened in surprise. Thror's Map! His eyes steadily watched her. She knew there was a message in his eyes but she could not decipher it.

Turning to the four elves Haldir at last stood, "Have the map copied as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, mark the doors on the map and double sentries there. Pay no need to the range of mountains you see for it longer exists. Yet, notice that without them the landscape is nearly the same as Thalion Tirion. This should help you in finding the doors. Have the Eagles patrol the Uile and the Ymlad Yave, but also add the borders of the Plains of Asto Nuut."

Haldir turned his gaze to Galgaliel. "You say you can spare three Eagles?" The older elf nodded. "Very well," continued Haldir. "Let them be a guide to the people. One to scout, the other at the front and the third at the rear. And let this begin at once. Call the citizens to the square and make sure everyone knows to pack for a week's journey. Lembas and water flasks for all, as many as we can spare."

"My Lord, it shall be done as you say." Galgaliel bowed.

Haldir turned to Tamarcil next, "Tam...you can spare thirty warriors?"

Tamarcial nodded, "Aye, that I can."

Haldir acknowledged the information with a small nod. "Good. Coordinate with Galgaliel. Your warriors are to escort the peopletheythey push toward Alasse Imladris." Haldir replied. His eyes grew dark and he faced his Commanders squarely, "Because events have changed the situation, you have my leave to act under your own authority. If it comes to war, we may be cut off from each other and there cannot be a breakdown of command."

With a heavy heart, he gave the command he prayed he would never have to, "Let it begin."

The elves nodded, bowed and turned to leave. Silently they closed the door behind them.

Haldir and Eridani were alone.


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[To be continued...]