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 32 - Eridani and the Moon Beast

It had been a trying day for everyone. Haldir, the Ring, Roni.

Now as Earendil shone brightly in the night sky, Eridani paused in the gardens and sat. She let the cool breeze fan her neck.

Abruptly, from somewhere behind her, Eridani heard a shrill, flute-like sound. She turned and narrowed her gaze. It was coming from the stables. She walked toward the area and stopped. Listening, she could hear the breathin the the animals, and something else. Something....different.

Turning toward the south entrance, away from the Palace windows, she entered the large building. Shadows played on the walls. Then a low hum, like an off key tune, began to fill the empty space.

Eridani listened, fascinated. From somewhere deep inside her soul she recognized this song. But how? Who was singing?

Taking a cautious step, her eyes seeing nothing out of the ordinary, she called in a soft whisper, "Roni?"

The singing stopped. She called again, taking another cautious step, "Roni?"

Hearing a sudden rush of wind, she turned and gasped.

There, sparkling like living mithril stood the most exquisite animal Eridani had ever seen!

Its glittering grey eyes watched her with obvious intelligence. Its mane was russett, like the leaves of the trees in Autum and its fur matched its eyes. Did she see folded wings? Her eyes widened...she did! Running her gaze over the animal, who withwithstood her scrutiny with patience, Eridani realized this was a Moon Beast! This was the creature that the sentries had told them about. Haldir had brought one back!

She took a step backward and almost fell over a bucket when she heard the animal speak in a perfectly rounded voice.

"My Lady? What is thy concern?" The animal's eyes searched her face.

Eridani stepped around the bucket. She was struck speechless. By the Valar how was this possible?

She shook her head and continued to stare.

Bruinen, sensing the elf's distress, tried to sooth over the moment. "I am called Bruinen, of Asto Nuut." She turned her head and pricked up her small ears.

Eridani stared, still speechless.Was she hearing correctly?

Bruinen waited and tried again, "My Lady, I am here to help thee in any way I can. Found thee the ring?"

At the mention of the ring, Eridani snapped out of her fog. "What ring?" she asked slowly.

Bruinen considered before responding. Obviously, this elf was ignorant of the deception and danger playing under her own nose. Elves and their skin were always somewhat obtuse. Orphanium had been right after all. This was going to be very difficult.

"The ring held close to thy body, my Lady." The animal's voice was barely a whisper yet to Eridani it sounded like the mighty rush of many waters. Were these the same beasts that had answered Elrond's call at the ford of the river Bruinen when the Nazgul threatened Frodo Baggins? But that was impossible! That event had taken place thousands of years before. And that this animal bore the same name as the river that was said to be under Elrond's power was another question. She studied the animal more intently.

Bruinen felt the weight of the elf's stare and stood quietly. She had nothing to hide and much to share. She was patient, as was all her kind. She would wait.

Eridani looked at the animal's eyes again. Was this one of Elrond's magics? She needed to find out what it knew.

"I bear no ring." She lied.

Bruinen snorted. "Then all is lost." Turning around, the Moon Beast headed back to her stall.

Eridani walked quickly around and blocked the animal. How did it know? "Can you see my thoughts?"

Bruinen shook her head. "Nay, I cannot. But my skin is within the ring. I can see what it wants and where it is." Grey eyes studied her own. "Thee found it. And now thee has it." It was not a question. It was a statement.

Eridani sighed, "I know not how this can be, nor do I understand it. But you say true. I did find a ring."

Bruinen snorted again. "Nay, the ring thee found is the Lost Ring, forgotten in the last war."

Stunned beyond measure, Eridani gasped, "But how would you know all of this?"

The Moon Beast smiled. "We have memories of things past, what was and what is to be. We are part of the world and the world is in us. The elves of old knew this. Have thy people forgotten their heritage?" she asked gently, her soft voice a tender rebuke.

Eridani shook her head, "Nay, we have not forgotten." She hung her head. "For we did not know."

Now it was Bruinen's turn to be stunned. "Know ye not the prophecy?"

Eridani nodded, "Yes, part of it was inscribed on the grave where I found this." She brought the ring out and showed it to the animal.

Bruinen stared at the jewel, which seemed to need no outside light to glitter, for even in the dark of the stable, Amarya blazed with a soft green flame. "Yes, this is the ring." She looked at Eridani. "Know ye its power?"

Eridani glanced down at her hand. "Lord Haldir wants it destroyed."

"And what do ye want?" Asked Bruinen carefully, studying the elf's face.

Truthfully, Eridani replied, "I would wear it and drive out the Shadow that has begun to threaten Middle Earth again."

"Have ye deciphered the message of the Ring?" The animal's eyes searched Eridani's face.

"Nay," she sighed. "Not yet."

Bruinen lowered her head. "Know ye of the prophecy?" she asked again.

"Yes." replied Eridani. "I told you..."

"Nay, of the part thee plays in it?" asked the animal.

Incredulously, Eridani laughed, "Of the part I play in it?"

Bruinen nodded.

"Nay," said Eridani. "No such prophecy exists."

The Moon Beast brought its head closer to Eridani and whispered. "Listen...this is the prophecy...." and it raised its head and began, it voice hauntingly sweet:

"When time and sand reveal the secret held,
That gold and silver bring an ancient meld.
When the night reveals the Song of Old,
Then will the Beasts come with Ryders bold.


Till that time the secret sleeps beneath the sands,
"Neath silent stars and ancient lands;
Who can know what is found?
Who will ride the Beunbounbound?"

Bruinen finished and pulled her head back, gazing quietly at the elf maiden.

And then Eridani remembered, as Thorin Oakenshield had urged. She remembered and she understood! Looking into the animal's eyes she understood.

It was not a prophecy at all. It was a challenge!

Seeing the light of realization dawning in Eridani's eyes, Bruinen smiled kindly. "Do ye understand now?"

Meeting the eyes of the Moon Beast, Eridani nodded, "Yes," she whispered. "I understand."

"Then ye know not much time is left to stop all before it begins again." The Moon Beast prodded gently.

Eridani nodded, her face solemn. "Yes.....I know."

"Will ye do this?" asked Bruinen intently. "It is why I am here."

Not understanding why this had been thrust upon her, Eridani approached Bruinen, and with tears running down her face, hugged the gentle creature.

"Yes, Bruinen, I will do this."

The Moon Beast smiled and then began telling Eridani all she needed to know to face the challenge before them. Seated comfortably on the fresh grass and hay, her back to the wall, Eridani listened as Bruinen told her the story of the ring, its true power and the role she would play in the days to come. When at last the sun rose over the horizon, elf and Moon Beast had fused into a strong bond, and made plans. Bruinen advised Eridani to tell no one, not even Ha.
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Eridani had balked at this. "It will break his heart." Her eyes had filled with tears. And mine, she thought in quiet despair.

"Better he grieves later, my Lady. A clear head he will need in the days to come. And all hope is not yet lost."

Eridani did not know what to think. In the space of a few short months her entire world had changed. And she wasn't sure if this was for good or ill.

When she left the stables, she walked slowly, as if in a dream, and barely saw the elves who greeted her on their way to the animals. She stopped under a large Elven-tree and looked at the Ring in her hand. She turned it toward the light of the sun and saw the runic script. Bruinen had told her its meaning and she had memorized it.

"By the powers of the three
earth is bound and tied to thee.
When all the others are no more,
then shall all be as before."


She thought she understood its meaning better now but was still uncertain. The Elven-tree provided shade and Eridani leaned her head on its trunk. She could feel its energy. Looking down at the ring she sighed.

Before she knew what she was doing she had put it on.


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{To be continued...}