Author's note: Here's the next chapter! Only one more till the end! I promise!

The Ring of Stars by Shelly

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN


She stood there in absolute shock, her thoughts racing as her mind fought to accept his words as her soul filled with fear, fear of this terrible burden that was being placed upon her. "Why is it me?" she asked, her voice bordering on hysteria. "Surely there were others before me when the Last Alliance fought Sauron."

"There were, and one did wear the ring called Thalion, who fought with Gil-Galad and Elrond in the Battle of Dagorlad as well as in the Seige of Barad-Dur where he was killed in one of the many skirmishes that took place over the seven years it took. Elrond kept the ring safe until he returned it into my care where I brought it back here for safekeeping until the next time it was needed."

"And what kind of power does this ring possess?" she questioned, her head still spinning with amazement.

"As I have said, the ring holds the powers of the other elven rings combined: earth, air, fire, and water. Those rings have the power to keep the earth young and repair any damages made by time, as well as provide the elven lands with protection against those who would attack them. But this ring possesses greater power than the four, and can be used in battle against evil. It also provides the bearer with an immunity against the persuasions of the One Ring that Sauron made, for the One Ring has the ability to seek out the deepest desires in one's heart and corrupt them."

"Yes, I'm aware of the temptations of the Ring as I have heard the story of Isildur many times."

Dairuin smiled. "I know you're afraid, and that is good for it will prevent you from abusing the power that Elenya offers. It has it's own persuasions that you must guard against for it desires to rid the evil throughout the world. If you happen to come across a large army of orcs for instance, it will pressure you into fighting even though you may be the only one around. It is very single-minded in its purpose which is why you must not wear it until it is needed for then you will be less susceptible to its power. Right now the power lies dormant, and all you need to do to awaken it is bring it in the presence of the other rings like so."

He removed from around his neck a gold chain that held a ring like the one she had seen in her dreams, a gold band with four stones. He removed the chain and took her left hand in his, sliding the ring on her ring finger which tingled a bit as he did. Then he covered her hand with his hand which wore the ring and spoke a few words in an elven language she didn't understand. When he removed his hand, nothing happened for a few seconds then the emerald flared to life, sending rays of green light dancing across the walls and the ground beneath them. Boromir and the other two elves stood transfixed at the beauty of the light that surrounded them.

Lillisandra noticed none of it as she had closed her eyes, listening to the soft singing of her soul in response to the awakening of the stone and leaving her to wonder at how the ring will be once all four stones were brought to life. She became aware of the feel of the earth beneath her feet, the breeze that touched her face, and the trees that whispered to her of all they had seen during their lives. It was as heady as too much wine, and she removed it with reluctance, staring at it lying deceptively innocent in her hand. She looked to Dairuin, who nodded solemnly.

"You understand some of the power of it now," he said.

"Yes, quite," she breathed. "Does your ring do the same?"

He shook his head. "The Four have power in them but it obeys our command. Your ring, just like the One, is sentient. It has a purpose for good just as the One has a purpose for evil. It is loyal just as the One is not. But both have the ability to lead their wearer to death if it is given free rein." He placed the chain back through the ring and fastened it around her neck. "I would also give you Ardya to give to your father," he added.

Her eyes widened in surprise. "But what if I fail? Who will protect the ring then?"

His eyes became sad. "If you fail, the ring will no longer need to be guarded as you are the last of Celebrimbor's descendants. Always has his line only had one child, and once that one child was born the parent would die."

"Just like my mother," she whispered.

He nodded. "You must be careful, child. When Thalion last wore the ring, Sauron wore his own and was aware of the ring that Celebrimbor made. No doubt he has felt the stirring of the Stone of Ardya, and he will send out his forces in order to keep the other three from being awakened."

She swallowed deeply. "Is he so afraid of it?"

"Yes," he answered. "Remember, if the One was ever to come into contact with Elenya, the results of that meeting would be disastrous. He seeks to rule Middle Earth, not to destroy it entirely. He also fears the power that the ring bestows upon the wearer."

She sighed as she realized that her life would never be the same once she left the ruins, making her wish that she had never left Silmarion all those months ago.

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