[2] Ethereal Love - The Elvish Ranger In The Fellowship

[1]

The world is changed: I feel it in the water, I feel it in the earth, I smell it in the air ... Much that once was is lost, for none now live who remember it.

     It began with the forging of the great rings. Three were given to the Elves, immortal, wisest and fairest of all beings. Seven to the Dwarf lords, great miners and craftsmen of the mountain halls. And nine, nine rings were gifted to the race of Men, who above all else, desire power. For within these rings was bound the strength and will to govern each race. But they were all of them deceived, for another ring was made.

In the land of Mordor, in the fires of Mount Doom, the Dark Lord Sauron forged in secret a master ring, to control all others. And into this Ring, he poured his cruelty, his malice and his will to dominate all life.

"One Ring to rule them all,"

One by one, free lands in Middle-Earth fell to the power of the Ring. But there were some who resisted. A last alliance of Men and Elves marched against the armies of Mordor and on the slopes of Mount Doom, they fought for the freedom of Middle-Earth. 

  Victory was near. But the power of the ring could not be undone. It was in this moment, when all hope had faded, that Isildur, son of the king, took up his father's sword. Sauron, the enemy of the Free Peoples of Middle-Earth was defeated. 

   The Ring passed to Isildur, who had this one chance to destroy evil forever. But the hearts of Men are easily corrupted. And the Ring of Power has will of its own. It betrayed Isildur to his death. And some things that should not have been forgotten...were lost.

  Thus a Third Age of Middle-Earth began. History became legend, legend became myth. And for two and a half thousand years, the Ring passed out of all knowledge. Until, when chance came, it ensnared a new bearer.

  The Ring came to the creature Gollum, who took it deep into the tunnels of the Misty Mountains. And there it consumed him.

    It gave to Gollum unnatural long life. For five hundred years it poisoned his mind. And in the gloom of Gollum's cave... It waited.

  Darkness crept back into the forests of the world. Rumor grew of a Shadow in the East ... whispers of a nameless fear. And the Ring of Power perceived... its time had now come. It abandoned Gollum.

But something happened then the Ring did not intend... It was picked up by the most unlikely creature imaginable... A hobbit. Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.

For the time will soon come when Hobbits will shape the fortunes of all.

Unknown to the darkness of the world,  there was another...

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Arneth POV:

50 years. 50 years it had been since the Battle Of The Five Armies. It had taken a such a huge toll on me. Most of the time, I stayed with Bilbo at the Shire, along with his nephew, Frodo. I travelled a lot to Bree, Rohan and Gondor. I had not told anyone of where I was going, except Mithrandir, who had vowed to not say a word to my family.

 Today, I was traveling back to the Shire from Rohan. I was visiting my old friend, Theoden, his son, nephew and niece. His brother, who was also a good friend of mine had passed away a few years ago. I had seen the three of them grow up. 

 Bard of Laketown had died about 30 years ago. His son, Bain had grown up to be a fine young man. He had married a woman named Bena, and had a son. Sigrid had two daughters, and a husband. Tilda was also married, with a son and a baby girl. Bard was close friend of mine so it was a hard time for me and his children at the funeral.

  I missed my family. A lot. But after the battle, I couldn't find the strength to go back. Just thinking about the death of my godsons and Thorin made me cry. I never went back To Greenwood, or as it is known now, Mirkwood. I had not seen Legolas in forever. Something about him just made me think about him a lot.

 I had not seen Aragorn in a long time either. I did not what to say to my family if I ever see them again. Most people thought the Black Huntress was dead but she was not. I sigh.

  I hear a horse galloping behind me so I turn and point my arrow at the figure. "Who are you?"

   The figure gets of their horse, and takes of their hood. Aragorn. I gasp, and clutch a hand over my mouth. Tears welled up my eyes and my breath hitched. I took off my hood revealing my face. His eyes widened. 

  I chuckled and launched myself onto him and hugged him tightly. I keep muttering apologies for leaving. He simply puts his head on mine and pats my back. Tears flowed freely down my face. I sobbed on his shoulder. Someone had finally found me and I was glad they did.

❁

Aragorn and I were now returning to Rivendell. After hours of convincing, I finally gave in. I was really nervous, worrying if my uncle and cousins would be mad. I was riding on top of Aredhel, my horse, while Aragorn was on a brown horse he had borrowed. On the way, we were talking about how we had been over the years.

"Have you been to Mirkwood?" I ask after a while.

 "A few years ago, but not since. Legolas and I went together," My eyes widen at the prince's name.

 "I guess he found you, after all," I reply grinning a little.

"You knew him?" He asks, looking at me confused.

"We fought together at Gundabad," I say looking down, remembering the deaths again. "I told him not to mention what I said before I left," I add.

"He knew where you were?"

"Not exactly, only that I left," He nods.

"I'm glad to have you back, little one,"

"Not that nickname again!" I groan jabbing his side as he grins.