Chapter 19: The Fate of the Ring

Tommy and Sensei Kanoi observe the two of Ethan and Conner.

"His strength returns," said Sensei Kanoi.

"That wound," said Tommy, "will never fully heal. He will carry it the rest of his life."

And yet," said Sensei Kanoi as he walked away from the window, "to have come so far, still bearing the ring, the Hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil."

"It is a burden," informed Tommy, "he should never have had to bear. We can ask no more of Ethan."

Sensei Kanoi explains to him, "Tommy… the enemy is moving, Sauron's forces are massing in the east, his eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin."

Tommy explained even further, "and his treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft, Saruman has crossed Orcs with Goblin-men. He's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can move in sunlight, and cover great distance and speed. Saruman is coming for the ring."

"This evil," announced Sensei Kanoi, "cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves. We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!"

Realizing this, Tommy muses at the window.

Sensei Kanoi resolved to Tommy, "Tommy… the ring cannot stay here."

Tommy continues musing at the window, realizing also that Sensei Kanoi was right… the ring cannot stay in Rivendell, despite all of Ethan's efforts to bring it there…

In addition to the Elves and the Dwarves that arrived in Rivendell, a man from the land of Gondor named Shane has just arrived in Rivendell…

Sensei Kanoi also announced, "this peril belongs to all Middle-Earth. They must decide now how to end it. The time of the Elves is over, my people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone… the Dwarves? They hide in their mountains, seeking riches, they care nothing for the troubles of others."

Tommy turned to face Sensei Kanoi with his resolve, "it is in men, that we must place our hope."

Sensei Kanoi wasn't too thrilled to hear this. "Men? Men are weak," he said sadly and started to walk away…

the race of men is failing. The blood of Numenor is all but spent. Its pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of men the ring survives. I was there, Tommy… I was there, 3000 years ago…"

Sensei Kanoi recalls the event that happened 3000 years ago…

He was in the last alliance against Sauron. Sensei Kanoi saw Isildur slicing the ring off of Sauron's hand… landing right next to him…

"…When Jason took the ring," continued Sensei Kanoi, "I was there the day the strength of men failed… "

Sensei Kanoi recalls himself going to Isildur, "Jason, hurry, follow me." Isildur followed his instructions and was taken to Mt. Doom's scorching… burning heart…

"…I led Isildur into the heart of Mt. Doom… where the ring was forged, the one place it could be destroyed…"

Sensei Kanoi then ordered Jason, "cast it into the fire!"

Jason, however, kept looking at the ring, actually admiring it. Isildur looked up at Sensei Kanoi with a darkened expression. Sensei Kanoi gasped with concern at this...

"Destroy it!" Sensei Kanoi ordered again.

"No," Jason said maliciously… and walked away.

"JASON!" Sensei Kanoi yelled out… but Jason never turned around. Sensei Kanoi watched helplessly as Jason left Mt. Doom…

"…It should've ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure," Sensei Kanoi finished his recalling of the past.

Jason kept the ring. The line of kings is broken. There is no strength left in the world of men. They are scattered, divided, leaderless." Said Sensei Kanoi

There is one, who could unite them," interjected Tommy, "one who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."

Sensei Kanoi was even more doubtful as he replied, "he turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile."