Disclaimers: All canon material from The Lord of the Rings trilogy belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and Turbine. All other canon material belongs to their respected owners. All original material belongs to me, the authoress of this fanfiction story.
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Yes, the Ring of Silence has finally come back, and in its story form for the first time. :) For the past five or six years, I've been meaning to figure out where this story would take me. Honestly, I think we've found the right spot for this story, in that of a Frodo Romance fanfiction story, in short a Frodomance tale. And while the cliché is there, this story has its perks as well.
I'll see what I can do with the cliché. For now, enjoy. :)
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Elizabeth Silver was ordinary, in all sense of the word. One thing was clear, she carried with her a silver ring, attached to a silver chain that rested around her neck. What did she remember of that night? Moving a lock dark chestnut hair off of her face and eyes, she observed the ring more closely.
The silver ring's markings were unique. Was it elvish made? How did she obtain it? That was the question of the day, or rather evening. But as she wandered down the lonely narrow hallway, with its wood planked floor, thoughts of the night before came back in a flurry:
She wandered down the lonely corridor, right into the open air. She remembered the elves had given their lives to bring her to Rivendell. And now she was here, about to witness something grand: the making of a silver ring. She approached the smithy, still afraid of touching the elvish architecture. And yet her voice rang like a bell to the elves.
"What am I doing here? You promised to show me the way home. That was our agreement, right?" Elizabeth knew full well she did not belong here. Yet, was anyone paying that much attention to her. She turned upon seeing the dark-haired elf lord. "Lord Elrond," she bowed.
"You need to rest, Lizzy. It wasn't us that called you here, but you are more than welcome to stay here as long as you wish," Elrond replied.
"Please don't send me back home." Elizabeth said. She was timid, recovering quickly, "I mean, I do remember some of my past, but it's hazy. Where was I before this all happened? Am I to be given a job to do?"
"You must have patience. And although you do still have your old life, your pleasant life, that cannot refrain from what is to come," Elrond said. "In the end, you must return."
"What would I do then? I do remember bits and pieces of my former life, but…" maybe she did have a good life, before everything turned around. "I'm not sure I belong here."
"It matters not how you arrived on Middle-earth. The council has already been called forth. The Ring-bearer is coming, but you must use the ring we have to counter its powers. Perhaps heal the Halfling when he comes," Elrond said.
"But when I came here, I was turned into a Hobbit myself," she admitted, checking her ears to see they were still pointy. "It was a painful process being transformed. I can't remember or forget how awful that pain felt. Like needles poking at my skin, my muscles pulled to their weakest state. Everything about me changed that night. You must understand how it feels with a muddy mind and a hazy gaze."
"It will wear off, Elizabeth Silver," Elrond said. "Now." He waited until the silver ring was finished, before passing it onto her. "This ring has unique abilities. Even the silence we hold around us can become useful. But do not be afraid and don't lose this ring. Its elvish abilities should counter the One Ring, but there's more than one use that the ring does." He smiled at her. "In time, you will seek out what those abilities are." Elizabeth looked up at him, confusion in her eyes.
"But Lord Elrond—"
"Sleep!" Elrond commanded. Just like that, Elizabeth's eyesight went fuzzy. She was lost in deep sleep…
That was how Elizabeth remembered the dream. Or was it a dream? It certainly felt real to her. Her nostrils flared at the smell of garlic and spices. She must be near the Prancing Pony's kitchen. It certainly smelled good.
"Go to your table at once," the innkeeper said.
"Eh… yes sir," Elizabeth said, wandering off. But where could she wander… boy, was she hungry. Maybe a morsel or two… the inn sure had a warm fire going and guests, wandering upstairs to their rooms. Something must have been stirring. There was movement. Someone brushed past her… to her surprise… wait a moment. She skidded past a few tables. There was a ranger here, in a green hooded cloak, carrying up a hobbit upstairs. Wait a minute…
She had to follow them. She… what was that? The chilled air reached up her spine. The candles flickered off, one by one. She was going to lose this battle, and in so little time. What could she do?
"Come now, miss," it was the ranger with that ruff voice. Elizabeth didn't know whether to breathe or not. The next thing she knew, the ranger was carrying her along. No. This was the quest Lord Elrond spoke about… wait, how did she end up in the same room as four hobbit men. This was most alarming.
In haste, she clasped onto the silver ring, making sure not to let it go. These hobbits looked familiar, but keeping the silver ring safe was most important. Surely, she could manage this task without help.
"What is your name, miss?" It was the same gentle-hobbit with dark hair, a fair face that looked almost elven… oh, yes. She was dreaming. "I asked who you are. Why not tell me your name?" He spoke so calmly and concerned. Well, at least she got his attention.
"Please, do not touch me," she didn't mean to sound harsh. No, she was calm and a little tense. The silver ring was too important right now. She couldn't touch anyone. How then did the ranger manage to touch her?
"Please, let me help you. I'm Frodo…" He was cut off by a flash of white light. But in that moment, they had touched hands. Wait… what? Now she was confused. Still, he let go of her hand the second the light touched their hands.
"How did that happen?" she asked, more determined to find out the answer. But even knowing the answer was a much more difficult task to behold.