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 41 - The Gift of the Valar

One thousand years had passed in Middle Earth and Arda was fully healed and restored. Long was the toil of the Valar, and sweet was their touch. No Shadow walked the World, for the Valar had listened to the Song of Illuvatar and waited for the notes of his music to cleanse and restore it.

The high mountain halls of the Eagles had finally released their treasures and with them had come the mighty Valar, robed in splendour and glory, ready to sing the Second Song with the Children of Illuvatar. As it had once been, the Valar saw now the foreshadowing of the wondrous music before them and descended onto the land in order to teach and share their gifts anew. This time there would be no undoing of Illuvatar's symphony, for all sang in unison, united by the same joy as first there had been before the envy of Melkor had corrupted their labor.

And so came on the mightiest of Eagles, called Thorondor, Eagle-King and beloved ofwe, we, Manwe himself, King of Arda, and with him his spouse, Varda, called by the elves Elbereth, Queen of the Stars. Together did they set out to restore the many great wounds that still existed on Arda, especially within the hearts of the First Born and of Men. Soon, by the patient love of Varda, were the light of the elves shining once more and the song of men raised to the sun.

Then came Nienna, sister of Mandos and Lorien in Illuvatar's mind. 'Twas her gift of endurance that saved the Children of Illuvatar from certain destruction, and was now her compassion that saved the lost Avari, for she had plead valiantly for their release and return to their former selves. And so had come forth the deformed Yrch, reborn to their former elven bodies. Word of this wondrous event had spread quickly throughout the elven cities, reaching as far as Valinor, where the elves that there still dwelled hastened to return to Arda once more. No more would the Straight Road lead in one direction. But of the creatures made by Melkor and Saruman would Nienna not plead and left their fates in the hands of Illuvatar.

By the plea of Nienna had Mandos also released all who had fought against the Yrch during the sack of Avonea, those who had been unwillingly taken by Shadow and others who willingly sacrificed their lives. Once more were the Halls of Mandos empty, a thing not done since before the reforming of the Old Middle Earth. And yet now, Mandos' heart was light.

From the mighty oceans had risen Ulmo, safely guiding through the unfamiliar waters the graceful elven ships that sailed forth from Valinor to Middle Earth. Thousands of elves returned to their beloved home now that war raged no more.

Yavanna, the great Giver of Fruits, came with mighty blessings upon the land, and there yielded on Arda delicate and delicious fruits never before seen since the beginning of the World.

Aule, Yavanna's spouse and much beloved by her, brought forth once more the strong race of Dwarves, most of whom had slept unawares beneath the mantle of Aule's power. Together they delved deeply into the caves of Arda and taught the Eldalie the forging of great and powerful metals, whom the elves taught to Men as Aule commanded. And soon, with this knowledge, did Men begin to forge mighty and strange ships which coursed through the skies of Arda. This and many more were the gift of Aule and the Dwarves to the First Born and to Men, as the Valar followed the Music of Illuvatar.

Then did Manwe release into Arda the long-held gifts that had been Illuvatar's grace before the Shadow corrupted all. And so into the World returned the wondrous beings of old. The hobbits, the great proud Ents, the River Spirits, and many more and and wondrous beings who had been removed by the Valar from Arda when it was reformed.

But the music of Illuvatar was only partially sung.

As the generations of Men passed, it was seen that the boundaries of their lifespan had increased and death touched them no more. Instead, they too shared in the grace of the First Born, although their path was to forge new worlds before them. For there came a time when the great and strange metal ships of Men sailed into the clear skies of Arda and into the Deeps of Time. From there they returned with tales of spinning spheres and new and fair creatures. To all this did the elves listen with great affection, having themselves no desire to explore new worlds as their lifeforce was still very enamoured of Arda. Yet they knew this had been the true intent of Illuvatar. As Men discovered new worlds within the Deeps of Time, so did the years pass. And then came the day that Men brought the new creatures from other worlds unto Arda, for there they were to meet the Elves of Old, as Men now called the Eldalie.

Many great alliances were made between these new creatures of other worlds. And it had come as a surprise to all to learn that they too, under new faces and wondrous shapes and forms, knew and sang the Song of Illuvatar, for in his music had he revealed himself to many other worlds and the creatures therein. But always, would Arda remain the First World and the Children of Illuvatar the first made, to whom came the great and mighty of other worlds for counsel and wisdom. And in all things did the Children of Illuvatar, together with the Valar, regard the new worlds and their offspring with love and compassion.

Many of the ancient elven Lords of past ages rested in Arda as they wont, or stayed within Valinor, their hearts no longer weary. Yet a certain few had returned to Arda at the urging of the Valar, and sat in Council at the right hand of Manwe, deep in the snow cities of Ered Hallas. From there they viewed the comings and goings of the World, ready to counsel and advise if required. They were Celeborn and his lady, Galadriel, Elrond and Cirdan. With them sat two of the descendants of King Elessar's line for no true Numeroean blood save theirs had survived the upheavals. Together they were called the Snow Council for their preference in dwelling within the snow cities of the elves, high aloft the mountain halls.

While the wisdom and power of the Snow Council was never in doubt, they left the affairs of Arda to the high elven lords and kings of men. Dwarves and hobbits took alliances under any and peace was known to all.

So it came to be that Haldir, now called Lord of Thalion Tirion, and Elrond's son, Elrohir, rose to great esteem within the eyes of those who dwelled in Arda and beyond the confines of it.

Elrohir ruled with much wisdom in Alasse Imladris, and the city was reknowed for its vast libraries.

Haldir still governed the immense realm of Thalion Tirion, while his kingdom peacefully bordered the realms of Men to the South. These were ruled by the descendants of King Elessar and his Queen, Arwen Undomiel.

This was then the state of the World, following the Secong Song of Illuvatar. While his new children were being discovered beyond Arda, and all sang in unison with Illuvatar, there was one elven heart that still recalled the bitter sweet longing of a lost love. And not even the stalwart Elrond had been able to soothe this sadness.

Haldir had long accepted the loss of his heart and although his wounds and despair had turned into a deep-seated fountain of wisdom and compassion, inside his secret self he well knew Illuvatar heard his weeping still. Try as he might, the face of his beloved Eridani still came to him in dreams. And he thanked Lorien for this grace, which allowed him entry into the Garden of Dreams each night where he could still be with his beloved.

But Haldir's call had been heeded by Nienna, who took his grief to the Snow Council and unbeknownst to him pleaded for his heart. Long did the Council ponder over this and then came to a decision. For though it had been the doom of some to have never known the Secong Song of Illuvatar, such as Beren and Tinuviel, Arwen Evenstar and many others, Eridani Istalindir was of Melian's bloodline, had been a ring bearer and had sacrificed herself for Arda. Now that the Rings no longer existed and had returned to their natural state as gems deep within Arda, there was no need to keep the Eridani's spirit bound outside the World where it had slept and healed of its wounds until her time came. Satisfied, Nienna knew she had succeeded in her case.

Thus it came to be that Manwe raised his voice in song and was the spirit of Eridani released from the vastness beyond the World where she had slept. And it came pass that Vaire, the Weaver, who weaves and holds the histories of Arda, took the spirit of Eridani and told her of the wondrous changes of the World to which she would soon return. And when Vaire could not hold the eager spirit of the elf, was it returned to physical shape within the confines of Arda.

Thus, one bright and glorious Summer day did Eridani Istalindir awaken once more to hear the wondrous song of birds, and feel the cool wind kiss her face.


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