The Forgotten Ring

Disclaimer: All familiar characters of this story belong to the awesome world and works of JRR Tolkieho iho 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 31 - Revelations and Suspicions

Eridani spotted Haldir coming out of the Stables, his carriage proud and erect. Since he hadn't noticed her yet, she had a few moments to observe him candidly.

Watching him now, as the breeze played with his hair and the sunlight glinted off his golden head, her heart skipped a beat. He was truly a handsome elf, she thought. She knew his true strength and knew he was flesh and blood. But to her there were times Haldir looked as if he had stepped out of a dream. A complicated dream.

Just then he caught sight of her and smiled lovingly. Closing the distance between them, Eridani realized that Haldir had already groomed. She remembered Nuadthriel telling her that Haldir had moved his clothes to another set of rooms. She wanted to discuss this with him as well, for if her life was in danger she must know of it and his suspicions. She cared not what the Palace gossips may say, and trusted that Nuadthriel would set wagging tongues aright. After all, the elf maiden knew the truth and that was that Hr har had not spent the night with her. Sighing, she shielded the worry from her eyes and took the hand he offered her in greeting.

"Good morn, my Lady. Did you sleep well?" His eyes were gentle and loving. Turning her hand palm up he placed a soft kiss on the tenderest spot.

Haldir's unexpected show of affection filled her with warmth. She grinned, "Most well, and you, my Lord?"

"Well enough." was his response. Taking her arm, he came round to walk beside her. He could smell his scent on her and smiled. Obviously she had made good use of his oils and bath powders.

Eridani allowed him to lead her away from the Stables but she stopped suddenly and cast a quick look. She didn't know how to approach the issue and had suddenly decidee mie might as well do so now. Opening her free hand, she showed him the glittering jewel.

"Look." her voice was a whisper. She stared at the ring and then at his face.

Frowning, he raised his sapphire eyes and studied her face. Was this what he thought it was? Gingerly reaching out for the ring, his fingers barely toug itg it, he suddenly jerked his hand back as if burned.

Eridani closed her hand and reached out for his hand, rubbing the fingertips, her eyes worried. "My Lord?"

Haldir stared into his beloved's eyes. "What is this?" he hissed, turning her abruptly to face him.

Dropping the formality between them, Eridani replied, "'Tis the Ring, Haldir. The Ring of Earth. Amarya."

His face appeared blank as if he had not registered her words. But then his eyes darkened and stared at her. "What? And you brought this here? To Avonea? Do you not know what that thing is and what it can do?" His eyes, intense and growing alarmed, studied her face before looking away.

Disregarding his comm, sh, she pressed him, "What did you see?"

"What?" Haldir turned his eyes back to her face. "What?"

"When you touched the ring, Haldir. You saw something, didn't you?" Her eyes searched his face. "What did you see?"

Haldir sighed and stepped away from her. "Know you what this ring can do?" He realized she had no idea of the ring's true power. Or, an idea nagged him, maybe she did?

"I saw a vast dark cloud, moving over Middle Earth. It was cold and filled with malice. It hates us, Eridani." His shouldersppedpped. He had been right. There were four rings forged and Eridani had found one of them. She had called it Amarya. Was it really the Ring of Earth? He knew there was more she had to tell.

"Come," he decided, "let us speak of this further, but where we have little chance of discovery." Leading her by the arm, they headed for the receiving chamber outside of the King's Hall. There Haldirted ted himself opposite Eridani and listened carefully to her story.

After what seemed like endless hours later, they were no closer to a decision. They argued, each one making a convincing argument for either its use or its destruction. Neither knew which way was the right path and both feared a false step. Eridani wanted to use the ring. Haldir feared it. From his own experience with it earlier in the Stables, he knew he had no desire for it. But he also noticed Eridani seemed ved ved and untouched by its influence. He knew the ring was not under Sauron's control, now that he no longer lived. But Haldir was not so sure about Saruman. What was that darkness his mind had perceived when he sought to touch the ring? Eridani confirmed she too had seen the same thing in the Pits of Durzad'dum. Was this Saruman's lifeforce they had seen? He was uncertain as to how to proceed. He thought of Elrond. He had been a ring bearer. Surely Elrond would know what to do. Yet would he? Perhaps they should send word to Elrond of this discovery. He wanted to, but Eridani was opposed to it.

"He is no longer a ring bearer, Haldir." she had insisted. "And he is not partial toward magic rings, this you know." She had rightly pointed out.

Yet Haldir thought it foolish to not consult the older elf and made his opinion well known. But Eridani had been implacable, arguing for secrecy, at least for the time being. She said she also needed time to decipher the runic writing on the ring. Grudgingly, Haldir had consented and put off informing Elrond of her discovery in Moria. But he was unmoved when she suggested that he hold off from informing his Commanders. Although Eridani counseled secrecy there as well, Haldir opposed her completely.

"That shall not happen, Madam!" His voice had boomed and his eyes thundered. "I have never kept anything from them and I shall not begin now!"

Eridani was prepared for the outburst and had a response ready, "Yet do you deny that there is an ill presence amongst us?" Her own eyes had flared dangerously.

Haldir stared at her with cold eyes and arched an eyebrow, "If there is an ill presence amongst us, my Lady, look not to my men." He turned abruptly and left her alone to ponder her own thoughts and what had been said between them.

By mid morning of the next day, carefully laid out plans were unfolding quickly.

Beginning at mid afternoon, Haldir had received reports from all borderlands. Six doors had been discovered. All were under guard. If anything came out from below the ground it would meet with an immediate death.

Word from Alasse Imladris revealed no doors in their city. That was a small miracle of itself.

Avonea was beginning its evacuation as were the cities and towns of the Uile and Ymlad Yave. In Avonea, the exodus of women and children crowded city streets. Warriors stationed nearby, whoseilieilies had been given the order to evacuate, were swiftly moving their loved ones away before returning to their posts. But those who could not cover the distance and were too far from the capital would not be able to bid their loved ones goodbye.

As the elves left their beloved city behind, songs rose unbidden from their lips and many sang sad tunes of goodbye and loss.

Once again Haldir and Eridani argued over the fate of the ring, and the sad songs carried into the Palace. Haldir looked at Eridani, now standing with her back to him. She was fingering the ring. He felt no darkness from her. He turned to acknowledge the sentry guard who had just announced the arrival of Ronihim.

Not now, thought Haldir. But outwardly his eyes showed no emotion, his face a mask of neutrality. Sitting at the edge of the table where numerous maps and scrolls lay scattered about, he crossed his arms and nodded his approval to the sentry. The guard stood aside to allow the younger elf entry to the chamber. Haldir shook his head imperceptably.

Ronihim sauntered into the room, his face bland but his eyes darting to Haldir and then looking away. Smiling, Eridani hid the ring quickly and turned to face her nephew.

"Roni!" Her smile was genuine. She reached out her hands and hugged him. From behind she caught Haldir's disgusted glance and closed her eyes.

With a frown, Haldir stood and decided to exit the room. He did not wish to witness the scene he knew would follow. He needed to consult the latest news with his Commanders. They must all decide about the ring, and soon. He knew his Commanders did not trust in the Ring and he did not blame them. He felt chilled and he knew it was coming from the blasted ring. Well, he mused, he was the one who first told her of his suspicions and so if anyone was to blame for the ring's presence in Avonea it was him. Shaking his head, he crossed the threshold of the empty King's Hall and left the pair alone.

Eridani kissed her nephew warmly. She noticed Ronihim looked gaunt and frail. To her elven eyes, his lifeforce looked dim. Her face showed true worry.

"What is it, Roni? Are you not well?"

Ronihim extricated himself from his Aunt's arms and put distance between them. This was not lost on Eridani, who frowned in concern.

Ronihim shrugged. "I am well." He meandered close to the maps and books on Haldir's desk.

Without knowing why, Eridani moved to block him.

Ronihim stopped and considered the elf before him. With a small smile, he turned. "I have heard of your unfortunate experience. But really, Aunt, what would possess you to follow him?" He punctuated his words carefully.

She knew that by "him" he was referring to Haldir. She decided to ignore the insinuation. Instead, she placed her hands on his back. "Come, Roni, let us walk apace in the gardens. Air and sunlight will do us both well." She fingered the ring. It felt warm in her hand. A most curious thing, she decided. Looking up at her nephew, she found his eyes studying her.

"What have you there, Aunt?"

Eridani smoothed her frock. "Hmmm?" Vacant brown eyes met accusing blue ones. "I do not know of what you speak "

Ronihim smiled and allowed his Aunt to lead him toward the gardens.

Very well, he thought, So she plays it so. Let us see...let us see....


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[To be continued...] Feedback appreciated!