-This is a Lord of the Rings fanfic. Characters and places in this story are property of JRR Tolkien. This story is not finished. Don't worry, there will be more.
Trail of Ice, Trail of Fire
Chapter 1: It Begins
~I watched the world fall to the dark side of the moon; I fear there's nothing I can do~
All was glorious when two seemingly small hobbits triumphed in destroying the One Ring of Power, all rejoiced at the coronation of Gondor's new King, and in Middle-Earth all was well...for a time. This year of harmonious joy filled the hearts of all who reveled in its beauty, but it endlessly tormented all those who despised it; those of whom hatred had swallowed long ago; those who had reached out for something in desperate hopes of victory and had been blinded by evil. In the ruins of his once powerful lairs of Isengard, Saruman stirred. He awaited a sign; a sign that signaled his time of rising again. Mordor was a chaotic land, its peoples now confused and leaderless.
The evils of Mordor need a ruler, they need someone to lead them onward. They need someone to show them that the Race of Men would not shove them aside as insignificant objects to be laid to rest when not wanted. This leader would be strong; this leader will be I: Saruman the omniscient and all-powerful lord of Middle-Earth..a lord of the darkness, not of the light...the Dark Lord of all who bow down to me, and the Dark Foe of all who attempt resistance.
Saruman's mind had been filled with shadowed thoughts such as these ever since his defeat a year before. His mind was constantly clouded by ideas of power; thoughts that he would take Sauron's place as the most powerful of Middle-Earth.
And why not? He thought. I am no doubt worthy of such a title, for I am Saruman of Many Colours.
Then, the sign came. From nowhere, a black cloud appeared beneath the moon, swirling into a dark cloud and then swallowing its light completely. No sooner had it formed than it disappeared, and all was as it were before...except for one thing. Middle-Earth was no longer free.
In Rivendell, Lord Elrond smiled at Haldir as they stood on the main balcony. The younger Elf had come from Lothlorien bearing a message from the Lady Galadriel, who sent word that she and Olòrin were leaving these shores along with the two Hobbit-bearers. This indeed was saddening news; for it was an intimation that he also, as a Ringbearer, was to pass with them beyond the sea. But the Lord of Rivendell felt it within him: it was not yet his time to fade beyond this world...not yet. Something bound him to this place still, and he feared it was not of good descent. He was still needed in these lands, but at this time he knew not the reason.
Elrond shifted his glance from his Elven ring back to Haldir, who was awaiting his lord's response. "Very well," he finally said, returning to his previous state of deep thought and occasional nostalgia for less lonely times; times when Celebrìan was still with him in the Last Homely House, and his daughter was going to be with him forever.
Haldir nodded when he realized the Lord of Rivendell would say no more, and turned to leave. Suddenly, Elrond felt something surge through him, and he caught his balance on a nearby column, preventing him from stumbling. Hearing this, Haldir rushed back to his lord and supported him by the shoulder. "My lord!" he said in a worried tone. "Are you all right?"
Elrond's returned to reality and looked up at the younger. "Something has happened," he whispered.
"What has happened?" Haldir inquired, and released his hold on the Elf Lord.
"I... I do not know." Then Elrond stared into the other's grey eyes. "Haldir, go to Gondor. Ask King Elessar if anything is amiss. I feel a darkness forming, and I fear for the lives of his people as well as his own." Haldir had opened his mouth to protest, but before he could speak Elrond raised his hand. "Quickly, child! I fear time is fading!" he said with a fearful look in his eyes. His breathing was more harsh and frequent than before, as if the premonition had drained his energy temporarily.
Haldir had made great haste back to his horse and had rode South, wishing not to arrive too late if indeed Lord Elrond's fears are true.
Elrond peered out at the hills where the sun would soon rest for the night, but perhaps would fail to rise again when morning came. His eyes filled with despair; for something unknown clawed at his heart, and he felt it within him that this new evil would soon claw at his beloved city. He remained there on the balcony and watched Haldir pass beyond the borders of Rivendell and disappear into the distance.
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