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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Epilogue - To Go Beyond the World

It came to pass that Eridani Istalindir, of the line of Eadril, Elrond and Melian the Maia, took Haldir, Lord of Thalion Tirion and all of the elven realms yet to come, for Lord and Husband. Together they governed the elven lands of Middle Earth, applying the Song of Illuvatar to all of those who came before them, whether from Arda or beyond it, for many were the races discovered by Men, walking the lands of other worlds, in the Deeps of Time.

In all things were the Lord and Lady of Thalion Tirion considered wise and just. And all realms and kingdoms that came to be, fashioned themselves after their example.

And as the cycle of the ages turned upon the Eternal Wheel of Time, all creatures sang the song of Illuvatar, for each heart knew it was but a small note within the vast symphony of creation, all connected within the undying webs of time, love and sacrifice.

To Eridani and Haldir were born one daughter and three sons, all following in their mother's looks, for dark were their hair and eyes, and proud their countenance. Yet all three were also graced with the deep wit, great heart and mighty courage of their father. Wondrous were their deeds and far their travels, for it was the children of Eridani and Haldir who were the first of the Eldalie, alongside Men, to set foot beyond the confines of Arda and walk the other worlds of Illuvatar.

To the Moon Beasts of the Asto Nuut did Eridani return, as she had once promised. Great was her grief upon learning that Bruinen, elf-friend of their kind, no longer lived, for short were their spans before the turning of time. Yet, great was her joy when she heard the sweet song of Bruinen close to Alasse Imladris, where her firstborn came to the World, for her labors had come upon her during a visit to that great and ancient realm. And sweet were the dreams that came to her, dreams of Bruinen and the Moon Beasts, a thing the Valar revealed to her in the course of time, for they too sang the song of Illuvatar.

Still, sometimes the great Lord and Lady remembered and stole away to the quiet moments of their lives, to inhale the depth of their love.......to be simply Eridani and Haldir......

.....Outside Avonea, early Spring......

They walked a short while, Eridani finally realizing they were headed toward the Losatuile, where the air was moist and fresh and the woods grew lush and thick. It was Spring, and the land was awash with brilliant colors. She looked about her in enchantment as Haldir's strong hand pulled her along.

They came to a low hill ovelooking Avonea. Above them rushed the mighty waters of the Losatuile and the soft mist that rose from the cascade soon enveloped them. Haldir turned to her and grinned.

"Do you like this, my love?" His face was softly glowing from the waterfall's dew. "I found it some years ago." His gaze turned toward the city below. "This is where I often came to watch the stars and do my thinking." He turned to her again. "I have never brought anyone here, until you." His eyes travelled to her lips and he brought her to into the circle of his arms.

Eridani was enchanted by the place. So lovely, so like Haldir to choose a location where he could both watch his city and the stars alike. She felt the fine rain falling on her, glad that she was very much in love with her husband and with Middle Earth.

Breaking his hold of her, Haldir turned and held out his hand. "Come, there is more."

Eridani accepted his hand and gingerly walked over the rocks which she suspected were probably slippery. She noticed Haldir had no problem navigating over them.

He led her back toward the woods and they walked for a short distance. The sound of the Losatuile was behind them now. Eridani frowned.

"Are we on the other side of the waterfalls?" She was trying to figure out how that had happened.

Haldir nodded. "Yes, I discovered a connecting land bridge around the falls. I don't think anyone else except us knows it exists."

Suddenly, above them, an Eagle cried.

Haldir stopped in his tracks and looked up. With an apologetic look, he smiled at his wife.

Eridani laughed heartily. "Oh, say you, my Lord?" Her eyes danced merrily. "'Twas you who proudly proclaimed no place on Middle Earth was outside of the watch of the Eagles, was it not?" She chuckled and kissed his cheek but pulled away before Haldir could catch her and pull her close.

He sighed, looking up. "Indeed, this I said."

They watched in silence and then the Eagle cried out once more, circled and left. Haldir turned his gaze to Eridani.

"Come" He took her hand and led her forward.

Eridani noticed they walked past Linden trees and a grove of Rowan. Soon the rushing waters of the Losatuile became muted. Birdsong was heard everywhere. The sun shone warmly on their bodies.

Haldir stopped at a Elven-tree and said, "Here."

Eridani frowned. "What?"

Haldir nodded with his head. "Up there."

Eridani's eyes grew wide with horror. "Surely, you do not expect us to...Haldir..." Eridani turned in his arms, "this is most unbecoming !" Her face was grave, but her eyes danced.

Now it was Haldir's turn to laugh. "Do not fear so, Eridani. The tree is sturdy and will hold us well."

Eridani cocked her head in his direction and fixed him with a stare. "It is not fear, my Lord. I simply have no experience with talans."

Haldir grinned. "A most unfortunate situation." He held out his hand, "One I can remedy."

Shaking her head, she took his hand. It was then she noticed the strong knotted rope ladder at the side of the tree. Putting her hand on the strong bark she asked the tree to hold them. From the ancient Elven-tree she felt reassurance. Turning to look at her husband, who stood behind her, holding the ladder for her, she smiled.

"It is safe. The tree shall hold us"

Haldir frowned and arched an eyebrow. "I would say 'tis. After many false starts and a few bruises from the talans that collapsed, I found this one was the strongest of all." He pulled the ladder taut.

Eridani looked at the ladder, at Haldir and back at the ladder again. Unconvinced, she said with worry, "Collapsed? I am not certain of this...Will you catch me if I fall?"

Haldir smiled lovingly at the back of her head. "I will always catch you, my heart." He whispered and stepped closer to her body and closed his eyes. Her heat was almost overwhelming him. He restrained himself or he'd take her there. Even after all this time, his need for her had never diminished, indeed it had only grown.

Eridani, feeling his arousal and her own, took a deep breath to clear her mind and grabbed the ladder. She placed one tentative foot on it and found it very hardy. Taking a second step up, her feet left the ground and she began climbing slowly with Haldir close behind her.

After what seemed like an eternity of climbing, they reached a large platform which was partially covered with a sloping wooden roof. Curious, she stepped over from the ladder to the platform and noticed there was yet another level above them. Testing the platform to make sure it held her weight, she walked slowly, inspecting the talan and noticed that in a secluded area, 'neath the sloping roof, was the floor covered with rugs and cloaks. She turned back and explored more.

Haldir watched Eridani with warm eyes. His face had lost its harshness, and the lines of worry from centuries of tension were beginning to fade. He looked again as he once did, long ago in Lorien, before the darkness, when the world was young. Although his soul was ancient and wise beyond his years, his face showed none of the grief he had suffered. And this had been the grace of the Valar.

Eridani turned back to Haldir with a delighted smile. "Oh, dear heart, " she breathed. "'Tis wondrous!" Her face shone with the light of the Valar, more so now as she had matured and grown. But in many ways the mighty Lady of Thalion Tirion was still a Young One, reflected Haldir. Her lifeforce now shone as equally bright as his, and in the serene darkness of the wood, her quiet light flared with happiness.

He held out his arms and she came to him. "I had not known how wonderful this is, husband. To be so close to the trees, to hear the call of birdsong, to reach out to the stars." The wind then came with a gentle caress from Manwe's touch, "To feel the gentle air." Her eyes shone with love for Middle Earth.

Haldir chuckled. " 'Tis a pity....but 'twould seem that the elves of the new Middle Earth are strangely grounded." He felt Eridani laughing in his arms.

"You forget, I was born on Valinor, but alas did not climb trees there."

They stood like this for a long time, listening to the song of birds, the rustling of the leaves and the soft sound of the Losatuile.

After a while, Haldir broke their embrace, and looked deeply into his wife's eyes. She stood back and returned his gaze.

Several hours later they were seated at the upper level of the talan which rose clear of the tree's upper branches and presented to them a breatktaking view of the sky above them. Here they watched the stars in silence until they decided to return to the lower level.

Haldir had placed provisions in the talan and they had eaten slowly, the sexual undercurrents beginning to overpower them both. Each time one shared a fruit or a drink with the other, a lingering kiss was given as payment.

Earendil was now high above them and they sat locked in each other's arms, sharing whispered secrets. Sometimes Haldir laughed outloud, amused by his wife's stories of Palace life and gossip, while at others it was Eridani who grinned and chuckled at Haldir's observations of life on the new Middle Earth.

And here they came for many ages, to the high talan built by the hand of Haldir of Avonea, until the woods were no more, the Waterfalls eroded the high mountain passes, and their children, with wisdom, governed in their stead.

Then did Eridani and Haldir take the road to other worlds, beyond the confines of Arda, to the Deeps of Time, and there did they share with all they met the wonder of the Great Music.

And this too was the will of Illuvatar.

FINIS


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Author's Notes:

A heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reviewed and read the Forgotten Ring. I hope you have enjoyed it! To those of you following The Pentanath: this story has not been forgotten and will continue. Work schedules have been horrendous and I have been on 12 day shifts for several weeks now. However, the outline for the new chapter is in the works. Please accept my apologies for this delay in updating and my assurance the story will continue.

Sienna