Chapter 34
Farewell to Lórien

Fred went back to his bed and lay down in the dark. All he had seen swirled around his head like a swarm of angry bees. His breath came out heavy. He was afraid. Afraid of what he had seen, of what the future might bring.

He was afraid of the man he saw in the mirror.

Could that really be in the future? Could the mirror be wrong? Mrs. Bell herself had admitted that the future could be changing, and that events that were in the mirror may not happen. But Fred couldnÂ’t silence the nagging voice in the back of his mind. The voice that told him that the factors were correct, and that that was the future that would come. That was the future of the world.

Fred rolled over and covered his head with his pillow. He didnÂ’t want to believe it. He wouldnÂ’t. Not while he still had breath.

The man in the mirror would never wear the one ring.

* * *

The next morning, the fellowship prepared to set off again. Aaron had made some calls during the night and reserved a jet for them at an airport in Oregon. They would set off and try to make it there as soon as possible.

When it was time for them to go, Mrs. Bell had them all come to the mess hall. There, they ate a final meal in Lórien. When it was finished, Mrs. Bell started around the table. “I have gifts for all of you,” she said, motioning for a couple of soldiers to come forward. She started with Aaron, who was seated next to her, handing him a gun holster. “This is a holster for your weapon. It automatically cleans the gun when it is placed in.”

Aaron bowed his head. “Thank you, Mrs. Bell.”

“I have also these words for you,” Mrs. Bell said. “‘Though not the power it is thought, you must find the ancient blade, for only with it, will you pass through death’s shadow.’” Aaron said nothing, so she moved on to Bradley. To him she gave a weapons belt. “This is the most sophisticated belt you will find. You can hold up to four guns in these knots here, and these pouches will hold supplies and extra ammo.”

She moved on to Martin and Phil, to whom she gave small knives which would never break. To Liam she gave a special sniper rifle with a powerful scope.

When she came around to George, she paused. “I am at a loss for a gift for you.” She said. “I do not know what you want. This is my gift to you, George Lee. Name what you will, and if it is in my power, I will give it to you.”

“Er… um… well…” George stammered. “If I may ask it… all I wish is a photo. Of you.”

Mrs. Bell’s eyebrows went up. “Why?”

“I wish…” George started. “I can see you are a woman of great pride and dignity. I wish to make a sculpture of you when I return to my home, and sent it to you as a token of my goodwill.”

Mrs. Bell laughed. “That wish is in my power to grant!” She motioned to one of the soldiers. “Go find a photo from my personal stores.” He saluted and left.

Mrs. Bell came next to Sam. “To you, Sam Gamgee,” She said, “as a fellow gardener, I give you a special something from my garden.” She reached into her pocket and produced a small box, which she offered to Sam. “Seeds from the mightiest tree in my garden. Care for them well, and plant them when you return home.”

Sam nodded and studied the box. “Thank… thank you, my lady.”

Finally, Mrs. Bell came to Fred. He stared up at her, waiting. She produced a small bottle from her pocket. “This is a bottle that is filled with a reactant. If you take the cap off, the bottle will glow, as the reactant inside will bond with the oxygen, making it light up. Use it as a light in dark places when all other lights go out.”

She took a few steps backwards and stared at the group. “The world is depending on you. Trust in each other and trust in yourselves, and one day, we will meet again.” Then Mrs. Bell turned and left the room.

Caleb Bell started to follow, then stopped and turned back to the fellowship. “I have only this to say; be warned. My men have picked up strange signals on the radar. People in nearby towns are asking about you. You are being tracked.” He turned and swept after his wife.

* * *

Sean White sat his desk. His normally well-kept white suit was ruffled, and he was sweating. He ran his hands down the front of his jacket, trying to smooth it out. Nervously, he fidgeted with a pen on his desk.

His computer screen went black. Sean sat up and tried to look calm. Words started to scroll across the screen.

EMPEROR WHITE, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO REPORT?

“The governments of China, India, Pakistan, and Iran have allied themselves to my cause,” Sean said quickly. The sooner he could stop talking to Czaron the better. “And I hope to get an answer from Iraq and Afghanistan within the week.”

GOOD. THEY WILL NEVER SUSPECT I AM BEHIND ALL THIS.

Sean gulped. “Of course not, my lord.”

WHAT OF THE RING? DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING OF IT?

“No,” Sean said, shaking his head. “No, sir. I know nothing.”

VERY WELL THEN. I NEED TO GO. I HAVE OTHER MATTERS TO ATTEND TO.

“Of course, my lord,” Sean said.

BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING.

The words faded away, and the screen faded back to SeanÂ’s desktop. The former F.B.I. head, now emperor, leaned back in his chair. So Czaron though he could play him? Let him think that. Soon, the plans would be fulfilled. And it would be Emperor White, not Czaron, who ruled the world.

To Be ContinuedÂ…