Suddenly, the others were silent. Crithriel's smile had vanished.
"You... you're joking, right?" she sounded panicked "Sauron forged it. Everyone knows that!"
"Yet it was me. I grew up in a forge, as my father loved working metals and such, so I learned much lore at an early age. I was one of the elves that helped Celebrimbor forge the other Rings, yet I wanted to do something more. I wanted to know how far I could go, so I forged a Ring."
She paused.
"One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to Find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them. In the land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. I was terrified by my creation. It had absorbed the feelings that I had had while creating it, and they weren't very joyful. I resented Celebrimbor for not letting me go further, I hated my father for all he had done, and I was just angry in general. I was about to destroy it, when Annatar told me not to. He was the first one to even acknowledge my talent. No one seemed to remember that I too had, with my father, created the Silmarili. No one seemed to remember that I had taught Celebrimbor all he knew, yet he was the one that received the glory. The first one to actually show respect to me was Annatar. So yes, I know how special and powerful he can make you feel. So I gave him the Ring, with the condition that he would not mention my part in its creation. I wanted glory, but at least I was smart. I knew he would do Evil with it, but I didn't care. I have never entered a forge since then, afraid of repeating the same mistake. There, now you all know my deepest and darkest secret. The one none knew but me and Sauron. Are you happy now?"
None spoke, shocked.
Never, in their wildest dreams, or rather nightmares, could they have imagined this possible.
It was Baralinion who spoke next.
"So you could recreate the Ring?"
"Not as it is now. Sauron has infused so much of his power in this one that it would not be the same. It is strange, for I hate the Ring, yet feel a certain pride to have created such a magnificent jewel without my father. So yes, Baralinion, I understand the feeling that all was stolen from you. Yes, Crithriel, I understand the hurtfulness of having someone steal what by right is yours. Do not say that I cannot understand you, for I know you more than you know yourselves"
Even Thranduil was at a loss for words.
"Alcariniel..."
"Please, do not. I know that I messed up. Will you be able to forgive me, one day?"
"I already have. I love you to a point where it hurts, and to save you I would burn Arda down, so I already have forgiven you, as I would be capable of much worse."
She smiled, and they interlocked their fingers.
They once more turned their attention to Crithriel and Baralinion.
And that's when she saw the two riders, behind them, hooded, on black horses.
The three others saw her staring at something, so they turned to look at the approaching figure.
The Elves, for they were of the Eldar, dismounted, and headed straight to her.
Their presence was imposing, even if their faces and hair were hidden, and the servants of Sauron parted at their coming.
They stood in front of her.
Who were they?
Slowly, and simultaneously, they removed their hoods.
Hairs of silver and white shimmered in the sunlight, as blue eyes looked at her.
It was impossible. How?
It had been thousands of years since she had last seen them.
Actually, not since the fall of Gondolin.
Elvëander and Fairetyelpë.
YOU ARE READING
Lost Tales from Middle-earth
FanfictionRhaweth is a hunter. Of unknown origins, she is a werewolf and is feared by many. But is she truly who she says she is? Long ago, she was Alcariniel the Glorious, a legend who disappeared during the War of the Ring after losing everyone she ever lo...
