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 44 - Easy With My Heart

The Elven city of Arlani, south of the mouth of the Uile. (Several days later)

Eridani watched the valley before her, both enchanted and amazed. Rich fertile plains interspersed with vast groves of luscious fruit. Sometimes a river meandered slowly around a grove and in parts it rained where others still received bright sunlight. Everywhere there was color: bright reds and deep greens, plums and lavenders, yellows and pinks. Flowers and trees waived gaily at the blue sky above them. This was a paradise, she thought with a deep contented sigh. She knew this was the signature of the mighty Valar, Yevanna and Lorien, gracing the lands of Arda with miracle upon miracle.

Turning away from the panorama, she regarded the little room the elves had brought her too. She smiled.

It had taken her many weeks to gather her wits, after she had awakened and found herself walking amongst a fruit grove, nude and lost. Her memory had at first been fragmented, but as she ate of the fruits and drank of the clear waters, her spirit had begun to remember. She knew how she had died and why. And she also knew her memories had been kept intact by the Valar.

And so she had begun the slow process of remembering. At first names and places evaded her, but gentle Lorien took her under his wing each night and showed her in dreams what her mind did not yet recall. And within these dreams, Eridani remembered the lessons her spirit had learned under the grace of Vaire, the Weaver of History. And slowly, inexorably, Eridani had remembered.

And with this remembering came his face.

Just now she started, his features so clearly in her mind. Did he know she was returned? She already had learned, from the reactions of the elves that found her, that Haldir still lived. Grateful that he had not succumbed, but fought to survive, she wondered how he had fared. She frowned. And this was a mystery, that while Vaire had taught her all she needed to know of what had occurred while she waited in Mando's Halls, nothing had been revealed to her about Haldir. Her eyes became suddenly sad. Perhaps the Valar had omitted this information because he would no longer play a role in her life.

She sat on her small bed.

What did she expect, anyway? So much time had passed. She remembered Eadril's words to her from long before: "He will no doubt marry high and well."

He had no doubt done that by now, Eridani thought dejectedly. Laying down on the bed, her arms behind her head, she mused for a few moments, wondering why her heart felt so numb. She had mentioned this to one of the Elven Healers who was attending to her. He had shrugged, explaining that an ordeal as severe as hers would bring some temporary loss of emotional undertones and reassured her it would all return when she was ready to feel again.

Just then a soft knock broke her reverie and she saComeCome" she called in a small voice.

A young female elf, whom Eridani knew was called, Unduniel, entered, her silky robe gently gliding over the tiled floor.

"My Lady," she bowed slightly, "there are three emissaries from Avonea here to meet with you."

Eridani stood with a start, her eyes bright. Avonea! "Yes! I will see them at once!" She turned and grabbed her cloak. "Where are they waiting?"

Unduniel smiled fondly. With her sharp wit and gentle humor, Eridani had quickly become one of her favorite charges. "By the Mirror of Galadriel, my Lady."

Eridani swung the cloak over her shoulders and quickly rushed to the huge fountain which had been named in memory to the Lady of Light. As she neared, she caught sight of three elven scouts, their long blonde hair spiraling in the wind. One sat at the edge of the fountain, seemingly oblivious to the soft mist that cascaded down his back and the other two stood to his side, facing away from him. None wermedrmed, for there was no need.

At the sound of the footsteps, the elves turned in her direction. The one seated stood and faced her.

Eridani, seeing the face before her, stopped abruptly. Slowly, her lips broke into a joyous smile and her feet ran to the open arms that were held out before her.

Strong arms encircled her body. She laughed and cried at once, her heart finally beginning to feel. Breaking away from the strong arms that held her, she looked into merry blue eyes. She had so well remembered him.

"Tamarcil!" her voice exclaimed happily as she glanced briefly at the other two elves. They nodded and she acknowledged the greeting in likewise manner. But she did not recognize them.

Turning her eyes to her friend's face, she widened her smile into a delighted laugh. "'Tis been a long time!"

Tamarcil laughed at the understatement, "Indeed, my Lady." His practiced eye covered her body in moments. She seemed whole and hale. The elves of Arlani had treated her well, and no doubt the Healers, with whom he had already met before asking for her, were encouraged by her speedy recovery.

Just now, Tamarcil led Eridani away from the fountain and they broke into an easy pace, heading for the fruit groves that encircled the House of Healing where Eridani's rooms were. The other two elves remained behind.

After a few moments of silence, Eridani turned to Tamarcil and lightly touched his arm. "Have you news of him?" Her brown eyes glittered.

Tamarcil sighed inwardly. The moment had come. He nodded, "He is well and sends you his love, my Lady." He watched her face carefully. As he suspected, her face broke into a confused frown.

"But does he not wish to see me? Why did he not travel here?" She stopped walking and turned to face Tamarcil. In her eyes he could see the beginning of sadness. "Is he wed?" she whispered.

Tamarcil smiled. She loves him still, he realized with a happy heart. He shook his head, "Nay, Lady, he is not wed, nor bound." He was going to add that no Lady had sparked his fancy in all the ages since she had left, but thought the better of it.

Eridani smiled shyly and simply said, "Oh." and took Tamarcil's arm once again.

Together they walked under the sweetly scented groves, while Tamarcil answered all of Eridani's questions, following Haldir's command to not reveal his station or that he was now Lord of Thalion Tirion. So well did Tamarcil follow his Lord's instructions, that in Eridani's mind Haldir was still but Lord Commander of Thalion Tirion's armies and no more.

After a long walk and many answered questions, Eridani delicately skirted around Haldir. "Do you think I can travel to Avonea soon? It is my home and I deeply desire to gaze upon it again."

Tamarcil had been dreading this question but was ready with a response. "Nay, not yet, Lady. Haldir will travel here to you in two day's time."

Eridani's face had registered confusion once more, but she had thought it best to stay her comment and nodded politely. No matter where, her heart clamored to see him again, even if it was to say goodbye. In her heart Eridani was now certain that Tamarcil's refusal to meet her eyes when she asked of Haldir was because Haldir no longer loved her nor wanted her.

She began to feel a deep pain in her heart and silently asked the Valar to guide her.


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[To be continued...]