Prologue

As Sam watched, deep in the fires of Mount Doom, the creature Gollum grappled with an unseen person. Sam saw him raise his hand to his mouth and bite down hard. Then Frodo his master was again revealed to him, for Gollum had taken the Ring, as well as Frodo’s finger. Gollum was exultant; he had his precious once more. However, he stepped too far back, and toppled off the brink of the chasm. Sauron the Enemy was thought to be defeated. The Nazgúl were gone. Once more, peace prevailed upon Middle-earth.

But they were all of them deceived.

For as the creature Gollum fell, he put on his precious; and in his panic, his arms flailed, and he happened to be able to take hold of a small ledge. The jagged edges cut his fingers, but still he clung to it. So deep in the mountain he was now, that the Ring began to melt on his finger. It was this partial melting that broke Sauron’s power, though it did not destroy him completely. When Gollum realized what was happening to his precious, he shrieked and began to climb the side of Mount Doom; for he was an excellent climber. Up he went for what seemed like all the ages of the world, until he finally reached the very place he had fallen from. And so it was that he who should have perished endured beyond all reason.

From Mordor, he made his way to Mirkwood, hoping to hide in the dense forests. For nearly three hundred years he dwelt there in secret, for most of the Elves had departed for Valinor. And then, something happened than Gollum did not expect.

He was waylaid suddenly by a multitude of spiders. Spinning their webs swiftly and tightly, they caught him, and in the struggle, the One Ring was again lost.

Hearing that the spiders were still about, a group of Elves set out from Menegroth led by the noble Isal Celebalda. When they found the spiders, they found Gollum also, and Isal was troubled in mind and spirit; for he knew that if Gollum had escaped so must have the Ring, for Gollum would not abandon it. Fearing the worst, he sent messengers to the Havens and from there to Valinor itself. When Elrond Peredhil heard these things, he determined to return to Middle-earth, and persuaded a large multitude of his people to follow him. And so it was that the Elves returned to Arda, and the Search for the Ring commenced.

Chapter One

Nefmariel ­­­Greenwillow stood at the bow of the ship and gazed over the blue-green water. Her keen eyes could see the slight outline of the coast far in the distance. Silently she stared at it, trying to understand the mixed feelings she was having. Deep in thought, Nefmariel did not hear the near-silent footsteps behind her, and was startled when her long-time friend Bethelarien Undómiel came up beside her. Side by side, they gazed at the land they were returning to, the land they had once called home. The silence stretched longer, and finally Nefmariel could stand it no more. Turning towards Bethelarien, she spoke in the Sindarin tongue.

“What do you think will happen, Beth?” she asked. Taken by surprise, Bethelarien started.

“What?”

“What do you think will happen? With the Ring and everything, I mean.” Being considerably younger than Bethelarien, Nefmariel was very direct. Usually, this did not bother Bethelarien; today, however, such open questions about such a perilous thing made her hesitate.

“It is not wise to openly ask such questions, Lady Nefmariel,” came a voice behind them. Both maidens turned. Lord Elrond smiled at the surprise apparent in their faces, then quickly returned to his usual serious demeanor. “Such dangerous things are not to be discussed lightly,” he added emphatically, raising his eyebrows slightly.

“I’m sorry, Lord Elrond,” Nefmariel said, her eyes downcast, her face flushed with embarrassment. Several times before, Lord Elrond had reprimanded her for her impulsiveness. She looked up at his stern face and then back down at her feet. “It won’t happen again.”

Elrond smiled. Though it was truly dangerous to speak of such things so openly, he knew Nefmariel did not mean any harm. She had apologized often for her impetuousness, but being in her youth, her feelings usually overcame her sense.

Together the three stood in silence, watching as land drew ever nearer. Finally the white ships docked in the harbor. Though the Grey Havens had been deserted for many years, the city had been so well constructed that still it had not fallen into disrepair.

On the shore, a group of the Eldar stood, talking and gazing over the stone walls of the city with their penetrating glances. Many of the noblest had returned with Elrond, among them his two sons, Elladan and Elrohir, as well as Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, and Legolas Greenleaf. Bethelarien stood apart form them with Nefmariel, looking back over the expanse of the ocean.

As Elrond and his companions looked out over the city, Elrond noticed some movement. A group of people-of Elves, he realized-was coming toward the out of the long-deserted city. As more and more Elves disembarked and stood upon the shores of Middle-earth, the group of strangers form the city drew nearer. Bethelarien went to her father, wanting to be by his side. The Eldar stood, watching these Elves, these strangers who had remained. Then, as one, the noble Eldar moved forward, walking to meet them. When finally the two groups drew together, they greeted each other cordially, and the apparent leader of the Elves of the Havens stepped forward. He was tall, with long blonde hair and eyes as gray as the storm-tossed sea. Yet weary he seemed, and battle-hardened. Graceful in demeanor he was, and there was a gentleness in his eyes that not even his tough exterior could hide.

“Suilad ar mae govannen, Elrond Peredhel,” he said in a melodious voice. At the sound of his voice, Bethelarien-who had been speaking quietly with Nefmariel, looked up, surprised. She gazed at this handsome Elf unblinkingly. Long had she been away, but never would she forget the sound of that voice. Many times, in ages long passed, they had lifted their voices as one in song in the haven of Imladris. It was there that they had first met as both strove to learn the art of healing form Lord Elrond himself. They had quickly become close friends, and Bethelarien had missed her friend greatly since she had chosen to return to Valinor with her mother, Celebrían.

“Le hannon, Isal Celebalda,” Elrond replied. “I hope we have arrived in time. We came as soon as we could,” he added seriously.

“It is soon enough, Lord Elrond,” said Isal.

Her gaze still resting on him, Bethelarien spoke up. “Where is the creature Gollum? Is he being held here in the Havens?” she asked. Surprised at questions from a new source, he turned to face her. Seeing and recognizing her for who she was, his eyes widened, and his face paled slightly.

“I apologize, Lady Undómiel. I did not recognize you,” he said, formal once more. “In answer to your question, we do indeed still hold Gollum, or Sméagol. We held him for a time in the caverns of Menegroth, but the power of the One was too strong. Many times the creature tried to escape, but each time he was prevented or recaptured. After a while, we decided it would be wise to take him further away from the forests of Greenwood the Great, and so we brought him here to await your arrival,” he stated.

“You brought him here?” asked Círdan, who had also returned with Elrond. “Here, to my city?” He was clearly surprised.

Isal bowed. “Yes, hir nîn,” he replied. “As I said, we thought it for the best.” He glanced over his shoulder at the gleaming stone city, not now far off. “I would advise you all that we should return to the city as soon as possible. No doubt you are weary from your journey.” Isal turned and led the small group of noble Elves toward the city. The rest were eager to return to their old homes, to begin rebuilding, and most declined to stay.

Slowly they made their way through the city, with Isal and Círdan leading them. Gradually, however, Isal began to drop back, allowing Círdan to lead them through his city. Soon he was at the back of the group with Nefmariel-and Bethelarien. For a while he merely listened, drinking in the sound of Bethelarien’s sweet voice. Quietly he reflected, releasing his innermost guarded thoughts for his own inspection, much as he would inspect a warrior before battle.

He had grown up, for a while, at Bethelarien’s side. They had both been under the tutelage of her father, learning the art of healing. Quickly, they had become close friends, nearly as inseparable as Bethelarien and Arwen. Many times they had sung together in her father’s hall, for Isal was the greatest bard since Daeron himself. Slowly, he had begun to realize his deepening love for the beautiful maiden. He had wanted so much to tell her; but she had left with her mother for Lothlórien, as she frequently did. When her mother was greatly wounded by Orcs and decided to return to Valinor, Bethelarien could not bear to be parted from her, and also forsook Middle-earth. Elrond, knowing of Isal’s love for his daughter, told him of his daughter’s decision. Heartbroken, Isal had sworn never to love another. Seeing Bethelarien, he renewed this vow to himself wholeheartedly. He knew that he loved her still.

Bethelarien’s musical laugh rang out, bringing Isal back to the present. Elladan was now walking between Bethelarien and Nefmariel. It was he who had caused Bethelarien’s laugh. Though Elladan was a fierce warrior, he was, at most other times, light-hearted and playful. At the moment, he was teasing Bethelarien mercilessly about some small joke he had played on her in her youth. Again, Bethelarien laughed, and Isal smiled. Still, he remained silent as the four of them walked behind the others toward the Hall.

Finally they reached the grand building. Many Elves, under Isal’s command, awaited them on the steps. Knowing his duty, he left Bethelarien’s side and walked to the front of the group to address them.

“Mae govannen, hiri nîn ar hirili nîn. Tolo, mado a sogo en mereth!” he called. Turning, he glided gracefully up the stairs. When he reached the top, the ponderous oak doors were thrown open, and the smells of the delicious food waiting for them wafted out into the air. The noble Eldar entered the hall and sat at the table, most of them impressed by this young Elf’s actions. They all thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and all too soon, the feast was over.

“Now, Isal, you must tell us exactly how you came across this creature, and what has happened since you sent for us,” commanded Elrond. Lord Celeborn quickly agreed.

“Trenerich i narn, Isal,” he said.

“As you wish,” Isal replied graciously, glancing at Bethelarien as he spoke. “As most of you know, I and my companions have resided in the halls of Menegroth in the absence of the rulers of Greenwood–” Legolas nodded at this-“though we have mostly roamed about the fair forests freely. One afternoon, as I was sitting in the great caverns of Menegroth, a group of my scouts returned to report. They had very disturbing news-we had not destroyed all the descendants of Ungoliant as we had thought, and a group of them was dangerously close to our haven. Immediately my best warriors and I went in search of the spiders. It was relatively simple to track them, as their foul stench left a clear trail for us to follow. We swiftly caught up to them, and we attacked just before dawn. There were more than we expected, and though we defeated and destroyed them, Alakurion and Encolloin were badly wounded.

“While I was healing them, the rest of my hunters searched the surrounding forests. They found the creature Gollum bound in spiders’ webs and brought him to me. When I saw him, I knew that something had gone terribly wrong; for I knew that he was supposed to have perished with the Ring in the fires of Orodruin. I was troubled, and I realized that if the creature Gollum had survived, then the One Ring must have also, for its hold over him was great, too great for him to simply abandon it.

“It was then that I sent for you, knowing that Middle-earth could not handle this threat without the wisdom of the Elves. Men desire power, Dwarves desire wealth, and the Halflings simply wish to be left alone. Of all the races, Elves are the only children of Ilúvatar who willingly and selflessly help the others. Therefore, I sent word to you, not knowing whether you would receive my message or not, and only hoping that you would.

“After sending word to the Havens, we began to question the creature, hoping to gain information from him about the One Ring; but he was inconsolable, weeping constantly, and from his inane babble we could only discern ‘my Precious, my Precious’ over and over. It was then that we realized that he had long lived in the woods of Greenwood, avoiding our people and our patrols skillfully. I also realized that he must have lost the Ring within the borders of our woods, and that he would stop at nothing to regain his Precious. Therefore, I ordered him bound and cast into the deep dungeons of Menegroth, to there await your arrival. However, he was more cunning than we suspected, and several times he managed to escape from his cell and begin making his way through the woods. Each time, we apprehended him; finally, I decided it would be wiser to take him away from Greenwood, that perchance the lure of the Ring would be weaker. And so we brought him here, only a few months ago; he has not managed to escape as of yet, and is being held in a windowless room deep within this very Hall. I will take you to him, if you so wish,” Isal finished.
Looking around at the noble Eldar, he saw grave looks on their faces, for each of them knew what such a thing could-and would-mean for the Elves. All knew of the special hate Sauron held for the Elves; for it was the Elves that had destroyed his master, and Elves that had helped to orchestrate his downfall. The Great Enemy would not wait long to begin his war against them, and they all knew it.

“Yet we cannot do this ourselves,” Bethelarien said. The others, disturbed from their various morbid thoughts, looked up. “Great is the wisdom and valor of the Elves, but not that great. This task involves the whole of Middle-earth; and it is the whole of Middle-earth that must respond to this threat, not solely the Elves.” She glanced at her father, and he nodded, then continued for her.

“I will return with some of my people to Imladris, and there establish it as a haven for our people once more. Also, I shall send out messengers to the various inhabitants of Middle-earth, seeking their aid and cooperation. I believe it would be wise to call for a council, like that of the council of old, held in the Third Age. All races would participate, and together we could decide on the wisest course of action,” Elrond finished. Now that he was faced with a challenge-and a grave threat-his warrior mentality was beginning to come into play, taking charge.

“I and my lady shall return to Lothlórien and there reestablish our woodland realm, that it may again be fair and glorious, a haven and fortress of the Elves,” said Celeborn, and Galadriel nodded regally. It had been decided. The search for the Ring was underway.