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 36 - The Sack of Avonea

Smoke filled the streets of Avonea and screams muted the sound of fighting. The Stables and Eyries, gone. The Palace burning. The tree-lined streets littered with destruction and corpses. The air was foul and the sacred Aina Eska stained with the blood of elves and Yrch. The great mallorn woods alight in flames. The stench of death, vomit and blood filled the once wondrous city.

Avonea had fallen amidst the dozens of explosions set below the city. This had been the purpose of the work Eridani had mistaken for mining...to create pockets where explosive material would be housed and niched until detonated. This knowledge was the gift of Saruman to the Yrch, this and many other terrible secrets.

They had come pouring from below into Avonea, hurtling spears and lances, cutting through any elf that stood in their way. The Yrch were always careful to avoid the elven eyes and contact with their skin. It made killing the elves easier.

The elves had responded instantly, their arrows sure and accurate, and many Yrch had fallen in the early hours of the attack. Eagles had assailed the enemy from above, and at first many Yrch were felled. But later, the foot sentries and Eagles were overwhelmed by the sheer number of Yrch and the elves had fallen back. In order to drive the Eagles into the open, the Yrch devised a terrible plan and the forests were set on fire. Many Eagles and their Ryders had died by the flame, trapped by the heat, blinded by the smoke. All fell with the cry of "Elbereth!" or "Illuvatar!" on their lips.

Now, as night fell, the city was divided and quartered, with the Stables and Eyries, the Healing Halls and the Palace and its grounds taken over by the Yrch. The open streets were impassable, littered with the debris of exploded buildings. But the southern gates and the streets leading to them were still under elven control. The woods beyond were burning in small pockets and the elven archers picked out any Orch caught trying to sneak past them and into the woods. The elves knew they had to contain the fires behind them as the woods formed their last barrier between them and the Yrch. If the southern woods were set alight, their escape route would be blocked off, and the Yrch could easily overpower them from the front and the rear.

Haldir had yet to give the order to evacuate, knowing he had trapped and injured warriors inside the city. He would not abandon them to a terrible fate.

Several explosions were heard in the distance. The screams had died down. The drums were beating faster now.

Haldir crouched and kneeled over the body of a scout. "May thy spirit sleep in peace." he said the silent prayer and raised his eyes skyward. On the horizon he could make out a moving shape. High and fast, it began to lower itself. He narrowed his eyes, trying to focus better. An Eagle? Nay, he thought. Wrong formation. And he realized with a sick feeling that it was not a Ryder but still he knew exactly who it was.

Haldriedried to stand but Tamarcil pulled him down with a hiss. "What see you?" Tamarcil's eyes scanned the walls before them.

Haldir nodded toward the sky, "Look!"

Tamarcil's eyes widened in shock. "Sweet Elbereth!"

The rest of the elves looked up, shock registering on their fair faces.

Over the carnage and destruction, the Yrchs too had seen the apparition. Thinking it to be Saruman, they rejoiced loudly, but their rejoicing soon turned to panic when the first bolts of death came from Amarya. Then the Yrch scattered and fled, dropping their weapons, terrified and running without direction, falling as the green fire that came from Amarya was wielded without mercy.

Crouching by the gate walls, the elves watched the scene play out before them in utter horror. By now they knew who the rider was and what she was doing. They watched silently, their faces grim, dirty and bloodied, as Eridani and the Moon Beast used the power of Amarya to destroy the Yrch. Many were consumed by the fire of the Ring and others escaped, but with such serious injury that they would not survive the night.

The Moon Beast swept down the wide avenues of Avonea as the Yrch scattered into several directions, attempting to flee the creature which brought green death. Slowly, but inexorably, the Yrch dwindled in number. At last, Eridani began to circle the Yrch, sending bolts of fire to any who tried to break rank. Once she had them hurdled into a tight circle, Bruinen began to move toward them, lunging and feigning. The Yrch screamed and bared their teeth. Some threw spears and lances at the rider and its steed, but Amrya caught them in mid-air and felled them too. And slowly the Yrch began to move backward, none daring to engage the elf-witch with the power of magic.

Back by the gates, Haldir watched as Eridani herded the Yrch like cattle. He understood her intention at once.

"She's rounding them back to us!" His eyes burned with excitement. "Oh, my heart," he silently prayed, "be safe."

Rapidly, Haldir moved to take advantage of the opening Eridani had given them. Motioning, he rasped, "Make a double line, archers in the back, lances in the front. Wait until they are within range." He turned to Tamarcil, "Place fifty archers at our backs, no need to let them burn down what's left of the woods." Tamarcil nodded and set off to do as ordered.

Haldir unslung his own bow and fit an arrow, ready to fire. As his eyes surveyed the furious horde coming at them, he tersely reminded the warriors of something he had heard a brave warrior-King say once, "Show them no mercy, for they will show you none."

They waited for what seemed like endless moments, but they were patient. Then the Yrch were upon them, Eridani and Bruinen continuing to press them back. The Yrch did not see the danger behind them until it was too late.

Gaining height, the Moon Beast climbed into the sky and she and her rider saw the elves rush forward, while the archers rained arrow upon arrow on the screaming, confused horde.

"Now they stand a chance." Eridani nodded with satisfaction.

"There are more, my Lady." Reminded Bruinen.

"Yes, I know." Came Eridani's succint reply. "But Saruman must be found. Without his power the Yrch will scatter like leaves in the wind. I feel he is here, hiding in Avonea."

"Are thee certain of this, my Lady?" Bruinen sounded doubtful. She held her position in mid flight as they considered their alternatives.

Eridani nodded, "Yes. He is somewhere in the Palace." Suddenly knowing that her suspicions had been accurate all along. She turned back to look at the elves below them. The battle still raged.

"We must make for the Palace, Bruinen." she urged the Moon Beast.

"But what of Elrond? I cannot see him nor the warriors with him!" Bruinen's voiced was lacith ith concern.

Eridani closed her eyes. "Elrond's army and the Eagles are defeating the Yrch. They will not pass beyond the Ymlad Yave."

Bruinen nodded and sighed, relief in her voice. "Yes, thank the Maker."

Below them, a lone elf with sapphire eyes stood apart from the fighting and the carnage and watched the pair. Haldir sent Eridani as much love as he could, knowing she would receive his message if she wished, but just then his attention was taken by a large Orch bearing down on him.


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{To b e continued..}