A/N: This is the second (hopefully) better version of my original. I didn't specify what world it would be in, only because I was planning on using elements from both (cuz sometimes the movie is easier to write on than the book, and the book has better ideas than the movie). Hopefully this time, I can be a little more accurate in my storytelling (in relation to the timeline/history of the original)

Enjoy!

::The Beginning::

I amar prestar aen…
The world is changed
Han mathon ne nen
I feel it in the water
Han mathon ne chae…
I feel it in the earth,
A han noston ned qwilith…
I smell it in the air…

Much that once was, is lost. For none now live who remember it…

-:-

"Saruman's allegiance is waning, my lord Elrond."

The elf lord's eyes darkened at his words. Other elves – and those of the council whispered fervently to one another. It was true then; there had been whispers of the white wizard's secrecy – how he hid the knowledge of the search of the Anduin by the Dark Lord's servants. Elrond's gaze darkened further, if the Dark Lord's legions were searching Anduin, then Sauron must have learned of Isildur's end – and was searching for the ring. All this, and Saruman had withheld it from them.

Another elf across the table stood, "What are we to do, then?" he demanded, "Middle Earth shall surely perish if Sauron gains control of the Ring once more!"

"We must find the Ring before he can grasp it; we shall keep it out of his reach," one elf proposed, "If not keep it, we shall cast it into the ocean – somewhere where he will never reach it."

But Elrond shook his head slowly, "It would not be possible – even if we were to find the Ring before the Dark Lord, his eyes would surely follow us and to wherever we may hide it," he folded his hands seriously in front of him, "No. If Saruman has lost his allegiance to us, then there is little chance of us being able to keep its whereabouts a secret for long. And still…we are faced with the fact that we do not even have it within our own reach. For all we know, Sauron might already have it – he might already be planning to manipulate its power to a more fierce some level."

"Then we must fight back!" en elf cried. Others turned questioningly towards him as he continued, "We will harness a ring of power of our own – one strong enough to oppose the Dark Lord!"

Immediately, his voice was drowned out by the furious uproar by the council. Angry voices lashed out at the very idea. It had become all too evident that any ring of power was out of the question. After Sauron had tricked the races with his own rings, many feared the strength of any new ring of power – it was clear that no ring wrought in the intention to control or dominate could be wielded by any who sat at the council.

Elrond raised his hands in a plea for silence. After a long moment, the council became still. The elf lord sighed heavily and closed his eyes.

"Then what…" he said slowly, "Are we to do?"

This time, no one spoke – not even whispers amongst each other. Elrond felt his heart grow weary; if they could not deter the Dark Lord now, Middle Earth would most certainly fall to its doom. But it seemed as though there was nothing they could do at this point; the Ring was out of their grasp – and if the Dark Lord should fell it, it would mean only suffering for the peoples of middle earth.

"Then, we won't forge a ring of power," an elf said, while rising from his seat, "We will forge a ring – not to defeat Sauron, but to keep his powers at bay; to give the peoples of Middle Earth a fighting chance in lieu of the Dark Lord's return," the rest of the council grew silent and listened to the elf's proposal as he continued, "We would not use it as a means of conquering Sauron, but only as a line of defense. It would at least buy us time…"

The council glanced at one another curiously, and the whispers began again. Some of the elves dared their glances towards Elrond to face his reaction. The elf lord stared seriously into his hands, and thought for a long time. As the whispers began to subside, Elrond rose from his chair at the head of the council.

"It is possible…" he said slowly, "To create such a ring within our power," his gaze darkened seriously, "But in order to do so, the ring must be given to someone who we would be positive would not manipulate it for their own use – and would only use it to defend Middle Earth."

Almost instantly, a roar of voices filled the room; many attempting to prove their worth to bear such an honor. Many argued one another over who deserved it the most. Elves shouted furiously across the council at one another, but Elrond remained silent as he rose from his seat. The council grew silent as he stood and shook his head.

"No," he said quietly, "None of us here will be able to bear such a ring…"

-:-

A quiet knock came at the door, and the she-elf turned slowly. She smiled kindly and rose from her seat; balancing herself with a hand on her enlarged abdomen. Elrond came to meet her at the center of the room and clasped her free hand gently.

"My lord Elrond, to what do I owe this pleasure?" she greeted as she led him into the chamber. When she noticed him following reluctantly, she turned and tucked her auburn hair behind her ears. Her stunningly green eyes watched him inquisitively, "Something troubles you," she said to him seriously.

He was silent for a long time, "Taelin, do you trust me?" he asked quietly.

The she-elf smiled at him kindly, "I do."

Elrond sighed heavily, and this time it was he who led her through the chamber and set her in a seat set before her. The elf lord clasped both her hands in his and stared downwards – almost in shame.

"The council…" he started slowly, "Wished to make a new ring of power to combat Sauron's forces—"

"Oh Elrond, you didn't!" Taelin cut him off sharply, "You didn't agree to make such a treacherous thing?" the elf lord felt her hands clench his fiercely and he shook his head.

"No, I did not. I, like yourself, saw the dangers of forging another ring of power. No," he said again and cast his eyes from hers, "I did not allow such an idea to come to pass, but instead…we struggled with the idea of a new ring," he felt her tense, but she did not leave her attention from him, "We decided we would gain more time through forging a ring purely for the purpose of defending the peoples of Middle Earth. It would give us the time we need to plan a true defense against Mordor."

He risked a glance at the she-elf before hi, and caught her puzzled look.

"And yet you have come to me," she said in mild confusion, "We are friends, my lord Elrond, but why have you let such news come to my ears? What part might I possibly play in such a plan?"

She caught the look of dread that crossed his face.

"Nay…" he said softly and stood. He turned himself away from her as she watched him worriedly, "It is not you who must play a part in such a tale."

As he turned back towards her slowly, he noticed Taelin's hand instinctively reach for her abdomen. She stared at him in confusion and nearly in horror, "My child?" she whispered, "You would wish that my child carry such a burden?"

Elrond knelt swiftly before her and clasped the hand that so desperately protected her womb, 'Taelin," he whispered, "I asked if you trust me – and I ask for that trust once more. The time of the elves is passing – the gods send no more of their elvish kin to this earth. The ring must go to a child – before the desires of the world can grasp on to them," his eyes pleaded with her, "Your child will be the last of our kin to come to this earth before the dark hand of Sauron clouds it forever. Taelin, I beg of you—"

The she-elf stood abruptly and nearly lost her balance, "My child…my child will be scorned by their own people as it is!" she told him fiercely, "They will neither belong to the world of man or elves, why then would you ask them to carry such burden, Elrond? A burden that would surely part them further from the world as it is?"

The elf lord was silent and sighed heavily. He stood and faced Taelin sadly as the she-elf's eyes welled fiercely with tears. Elrond knew in his heart that it was a cruel thing to ask it of a mother; any ring was a burden – no matter its purpose. He heard her breathing begin to slow as she turned from him and moved off onto the veranda where the perpetual autumn leaves scattered at her presence. Elrond followed her slowly and stood behind her in silence as she stared out over the Bruinen set within Rivendell.

After a painful silence, Taelin turned towards the elf-lord, "Tell me, Elrond, you have the gift of foresight…what is it you see in the future of my child?"

He sighed heavily; dreading the very subject, "What is it that you wish me to tell you?" he asked quietly.

She watched him in all seriousness, "I wish that you would tell me the truth….as friends would do. I do trust you, Elrond – will you not trust me?"

Slowly, the elf lord came to stand beside her at the railing, "Your child…" he said after a long silence, "will bear much suffering in the ages to come," he said softly as her gentle knuckles turned white against the rail before her, "But I do not foresee them bearing this pain alone – for is that not why you worry?" he asked, looking at her, "No, your child will be in good company wherever they may go, fear not Taelin…" he said quietly, and as he said so, the she-elf's eyes streamed with tears that traced her face slowly and a sad smile etched its way onto her lips.

"I see…then I really do not have anything to fear…" she murmured nearly to herself, "But you will make sure then, that this will come to pass? That my child truly will not have to bear such a burden alone?" she asked and turned towards him, "I feel it, Elrond, my life is not long here on this earth; there is little life left in this body to spare. I do not fear to be lonely, but…this child – I feel – will not survive this task if it must be done alone…"

Elrond smiled sadly and clasped her hand, "I will swear to you that your child will bear no loneliness; if there will be none who will take them in, I shall do it myself – you have my word, Taelin."

She smiled at him bleakly, "Then I thank you, friend Elrond, for relieving the burden of my child," she closed her eyes slowly. The wind beyond the comfort of the veranda now gently tousled her hair as a single tear traced the side of her face, "Now…maybe now I can diminish in peace, Elrond…" she whispered.

It was far below…but clearly there was a song beginning amongst a choir of elves; a song haunting and mysterious of the passing of the elves…