Disclaimer- the whimsy of a Tolkien fan; sadly not the work of the great man himself.

Eli sat exhausted on his throne. He had known from the orcs surrounding of the city that it was too late. His people were too weak and too few to defend themselves, and the loss was fading the light...it would not be long.

"My Lord?" Stood in the doorway, was the youngest palace maid. She was covered in blood, and ash. Even now, he could hear fire crackling and screams getting louder.
"My Lord, they set fire to the lower city. It is overrun."
"My children, where are my children?" He said frantically, moving quickly towards her. Biting her lip, she couldn't bring her eyes to his.
"The twins did not make it back to the city...I'm sorry, my Lord." She said, tears forming. Eli took her hand, and led her to the thrones. He sat her down, and settled her. Only 18, she was sure to be terrified, and had no doubt lost her family and friends, as he had his.
"You are bleeding."
"No, it is the blood of your wife. The baby is coming." The girl said, remembering why she had come to find the king.
"She's not due for another six weeks." He said, his eyes widening in panic. "You must go to her my Lord, she may not last."
"I will. You must try and get out of the city, Lea. Take nothing with you, but a dagger and a cloak. Stop for no one, and head to Rivendell. Elrond knows of our trouble." Hugging her one last time, he ran from the throne room, to his private quarters...

Bursting through the door, many emotions went through his head. Joy at the sight of the tiny baby held in his wife's arms. Despair at the blood on the sheets, and the grey pallor of her skin...she was dying.
"Valar save us all." He saw the midwife standing at the window. Ignoring her for the moment, he went to his wife.
"You must save our daughter."
"Our daughter?" he smiled despite himself, and eased the blanket back from the baby's head. She already had a shock of white blonde hair, and grey eyes, like her father. But even now, he could tell she would be as beautiful as her mother.

"My Lord, you must go. They're getting closer to the keep." Tem, Eli's most trusted adviser and friend and walked into the room.
"I'm not leaving without my wife." He said, setting himself beside his wife.
"Eli, you have to go. I can't walk, and her life is more important than mine. Go." Elena carefully passed him the tiny bundle, which settled snugly into his arms.
"The Lady's right, my lord, you cannot stay here. It's not safe." Urged Tem, and the midwife nodded in agreement.
"I am not leaving you to be slaughtered by orcs." Eli snapped, still not moving.
"I have a plan, My Lord." Said Nehra, revealing two vials of transparent purple liquid.
"The whole city will die as soon as she does! The lights will fade." He said, as the tiny baby in his arms shifted closer to him.

A huge bang was heard, closer than any of them would like.
"My lord, we have to go." Looking one last time at his wife, who nodded, he quickly moved a hanging tapestry, and lead Tem out through the hidden stone door. Looking back, he saw his wife swallow a purple liquid, as her trusted servant lay down beside her. Tem gently pulled him, and the two men ran through the stony passage, the King providing light to see by.
After what seemed like hours, they could no longer hear explosions, screams or marching. "Gently now Tem, push the ceiling." They had reached a dead end. Reaching up, Tem pushed against the stone; it moved away. Climbing out, he was surprised when he was handed the Princess. As the Eli climbed out, Tem looked back to where they had run from.

"My Lord, the city is burning." He said sadly, unconsciously holding the baby closer to him.
"I know."
"My Lord, the light is out!" he continued, but the king refused to look.
"They all died Tem. My bloodline has died; except for my only daughter." He gently took the baby, and led Tem deeper into the forest they had entered into.
"My Lord, what are we doing?"
"She can't stay here, Tem. I am fading; and we both know we won't get her to the elves in time."
"You're giving her to the Valar?" Tem said quietly, as they entered into a clearing. It was beautiful, with a large pond, reflecting the starlight.
"Yes. They will know what to do; she is an important one, as you know."
"I know." Tem stopped walking towards the pond, giving the King time with his daughter.
Kneeling, he drew a few symbols with his finger on the water. A small glass basket formed, glowing slightly. Kissing her tiny head, he gently, he placed the tiny bundle inside it, and watched as the water formed a protective shield over it. He could hear the creatures approaching, as could Tem, who drew nearer, and neared his King. Slicing his hand, Eli sprinkled his blood over the glass basket, muttering quickly, and praying the Valar would protect his child, from the very creatures about to attack him.

The last beautiful thing either man would see before they died was what looked like a star taken back to heaven from the waters they had placed a baby girl in...

Rhian was running about like a headless chicken, literally. It was the Saturday matinee of her second week of shows, and disaster had struck. Both Eponine's and the other Fantine had gone out for a late dinner, after the previous nights' show, just to a local Chinese, where they'd been a million times before. Now, all three were now too ill to perform; which left the cast short. So now only Rhian was there to perform as Fantine and Eponine. With such a male lead cast, there were very few women; one Cossette, one Madame Thernadier, and then two Eponine's and Fantine's. As well as the six lead females, there were only ten other female cast, who all needed to be playing their own parts; that left only Rhian. Eponine and Fantine where only in one scene together, at the end, so other than that, it would run fine, as Rhian would just change wigs, wearing the long brown one, then taking it off. Easy enough, and Sinead, one of the cast who died at the barricade, who was short enough and tuneful enough to pass for Rhian would sing as Fantine in the epilogue. Sorted. In theory, at least. They were still trying to work out a few details.

"I hate you, Rhian."
"Thanks, Teena, love you too." Teena had been eyeing her enviously for the last half hour, as she put on her costume. Due to the quick changes she had to wear her prostitute costume under her normal costume. Blessed with an hourglass figure, and having spent the last six weeks in rehearsals and performances, she has lost her little tummy; encouraging her to get her belly button pierced and another hip tattoo.
Currently laced into her red and black corset, and her sheer lace underskirt, she looked very sexy; and she still had her long blonde curls down, setting off her tan nicely...
"Ugh." She groaned suddenly, plopping down on the floor.
"What's up,midge?" Teena asked, sitting back on her stool.
"I hate wearing this! I couldn't have been born way back then; corsets drive me insane, and I have to wear this for the next four hours!"
"Shut up, you know you love your curves."
"Yes, I do, but not so much the restricted breathing. Low G's don't sing themselves. Want me to do up yours?"
Teena's corset was far worse; she was Madame T, and so cleavage was pretty much essential.
"Yes, but no so tight this time; there was nearly a wardrobe malfunction last night! Is Aaron coming tonight?"
"No. We had a big argument after last night's show, and he gave his ticket to some randomers. He's away to another freaking Lord of the rings marathon."
"Ugh. I told you before he's a wanker. He took you to the last one didn't he?"
"Yeah, he didn't appreciate my swooning on the hot actors...there, that's you finished." She said, tying the laces in a pretty bow.
"Pass me my grey dress, would you?" Teena reached down the dress from the hangers. It was pretty basic, floor length, grey, three quarter length sleeves, full white under skirt. It was madeby Rhian's mother; the wardrobe mistress couldn't source one in Rhian's size.

"5 minute call. Convicts to the stage." Rhian felt the familiar bubble of anticipation; she was so excited, despite the day's problems.
Four hours later, and Teena and Rhian where still bubbling. The show had gone fantastically well, despite the lack of Eponine's, and there had been another standing ovation. Rhian's bubble was swiftly burst when she saw Aaron outside the theatre, leaning smugly against his Porsche,
"Yo, want a lift,whore?" Although it had been a personal joke, that she was a whore, because of lovely ladies, both she and Teena could sense the barely veiled insult.
"She's getting a lift with me,asshole." Snapped Teena, linking arms with Rhian, and pulling her away from Aaron.
"No-one asked you, bitch."
"Christ, would you two leave it alone? Aaron, I'm going home with Teena, so you can get in your fancy car, and leave."
"No. We need to talk." Reaching out, he grabbed her other arm, and tried to yank her towards him.
"Aaron, would you leave her be?" Teena snapped, helping Rhian maintain her balance. Leaving go of her arm, Teena waited for her to calm down; Rhian had a notoriously short temper when provoked. Aaron knew this, so why he reached out again, Teena would never know. But he did, and Rhian stepped back, onto the road...Before any of them could speak, a car ran the red light, and Rhian just couldn't move fast enough...