TITLE: Estel
AUTHOR: Lady Astarte Greenleaf
EMAIL: astarte_greenleaf@hotmail.com
CATEGORY: AU, Action/Adventure, Romance, Angst
PAIRING: Legolas/other

SPOILERS: FOTR, TT, ROTK, Silmarillion.

SEQUEL: none
RATING: R
CONTENT WARNINGS: Fantasy violence – may not be suitable for under 8's
SUMMARY: Modern girl (or is she) goes to Middle Earth and a few other interesting places. There's a bit here for everyone; mush, action, blah.
STATUS: In progress
ARCHIVE: C. M. & 1 V. C. A. or Fanfiction.net. Ask if you really want it or I will not be a happy bunny.
DISCLAIMER: No, Frodo put that bleach down, I have to take you back! Oops. Not mine blahdeblah. Entertainment purposes only, no money made blah blahdeblah. Oh and anything you don't recognise like Estel, Kemendil and Elenglin are mine so don't copy them, OK!

AUTHOR'S NOTES: The Elvish here is from the Grey Company but there are still some glitches in it. If you spot a mistake feel free to tell me so I can change it. The font at the top is available at grey-company.org.

Feedback is good but no flames please.

I was armed with 'The Hobbit', 'LOTR' and 'The Silmarillion' so if any of the history/plot is wrong it was not due to the lack of research. Please feel free to let me know about any mistakes so I can correct them. Some of it I do know about and I purposefully there. Please remember that this is an AU. This is set after LOTR and the only events that are incorrect happen then, the rest should be fine.

*        *        *

I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned,

I believe you can't appreciate real love until you've been burned,

I believe the grass is no more greener on the other side,

I believe you don't know what you've got until you say goodbye

© 1999 Rough Cut Music and WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)

Written by Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones

*               *               *

He was dressed strangely even by today's standards. A tunic of brown and green and brown breeches, a bow was in his hands and a quiver rested on his back. His long, blonde hair flowed gently over his shoulders and his piercing blue eyes had a confused expression. His skin was tanned a golden brown, his long neck ran down to a lean body. The nearest anyone came to matching his colourings was Estel. Long, blonde hair and striking blue eyes, tall, slim and graceful. He saw her and ran over.

"Naamin vanwa!"

"Excuse me?"

"I am sorry; I thought you were one of my kinsfolk. I am lost and find myself amongst a strange culture."

She could feel his pain. His aura was grey but his bow emitted a mixture of yellow, deep and pale blues, a showing that he was worried. She took him firmly by the elbow and led him to her student digs. Her roommate, Kerry, started at her astonished. Estel never brought home men, she had never even had a boyfriend and here she was with a strange young man heading straight for the bedroom!

"Where are you taking me, mellonamin?"

"My room. What does 'mellonamin' mean?"

"My friend," He replied simply.

Her room was much colder than the air outside and he shivered at the sudden change.

"I'm sorry; I keep my room cool to aid my clairvoyance."

Estel turned her back on him for a moment to put away her coat. As she did she kept a tab on the man's aura, he was studying her tarot cards.

"I did not ask before but what is your name?"

"Legolas," He turned to face her. "Now you must tell me yours."

"Estel and before you say anything, yes, I know it's strange and no, I don't know what it means."

"It means hope in my tongue."

"And what tongue would that be, Legolas?"

"Elvish."

Estel looked up and saw that he had pointed ears, she laughed.

"Don't be stupid. Oh, you can take off those ears if they're annoying you. It isn't Halloween just yet!"

"The ears are my own and I am an Elf."

"What Lord of the Rings type Elves?" She asked half-teasing.

"What is 'Lord of the Rings?"

"A book about Hobbits, Men, Wizards, Dwarves and Elves. In fact there is an Elf called Legolas in it."

He looked at her curiously. "Do you know any of the names?"

"The Hobbits - Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin. The Men - Aragorn son of Arathorn, Boromir son of Denethor. The Wizard - Gandalf or Mithrandir, whatever you want to call him. The Dwarf was called Gimli and the Elf, Legolas. That was just the Fellowship of the Ring though."

Legolas looked as though he was going to faint.

"Those are the names of my friends."

"Stop trying to wind me up. I know more about it than anyone else I have ever spoken to. You won't beat me on knowledge. Come and have a go if you think you're hard enough."

"I will pass your test."

"All righty then, Question 1, what is the name of the demon in Moria?"

The colour drained from his face. "A Balrog of Morgoth."

"Question 2. Hmm, let me think."

As she spoke she shut her eyes and Legolas walked up to her. He took her hands and placed them over his ears.

"They are real, feel them."

Estel pulled gently on them and let out a sigh.

"You win."

He smiled slightly and took her hands in earnest. "Will you help me get home, mellonamin?"

"Yes, I will, I will do everything within my power to help you, Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of the Elves of Northern Mirkwood."

He looked taken aback.

"How did you know that?"

"What?"

"My name. How did you know I was Prince of Mirkwood?"

She smiled and beckoned him to follow her. They walked into the small living room.

"Kerry, this is Legolas."

Kerry looked up at him. "He sort of looks like Orlando Bloom." Kerry leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Must have had some nutty parents; Lord of the Rings fans like you. He is pretty fine though. Mmm-mmm!"

Estel blushed to the roots of her hair.

"Kerry, shut up!"

Estel looked over at Legolas, he was embarrassed but trying not to show he had heard.

"Elves have excellent hearing," Estel stated matter-of-factly. "Learn your LOTR before you speak."

She turned to Legolas.

"Are you hungry, mellonamin?"

He smiled at her attempt to speak Elvish.

"Very."

"Put your bow down, no one will hurt you here. I'll bring something over to you. Sit down on the sofa."

She walked out to the kitchen; he followed her taking care not to make a sound, a mischievous grin spreading on his face.

"Who is Orlando Bloom?"

She did not jump, which is what he had intended for her to do.

"I knew you were there and what you were going to do. Orlando Bloom played you in the films of The Lord of the Rings."

"Film?"

She waved a dismissive hand and gave him a plate of cold pizza.

"I'm afraid it's all we have. It looks like Kerry had a party last night and cleaned us out."

He smiled gratefully and she blushed once again.

Legolas watched her while he ate, his eyes never leaving her face. This woman was so Elf like, she had the appearance and grace of an Elf yet did not have pointed ears. She could also sense auras, which only Elves could do. He pondered her as she pottered about the kitchen, getting something for herself and quickly devouring it.

"Once you have eaten, I will try and send you back home."

*               *               *

The light of a hundred candles danced across Estel's face as she and Legolas sat in the middle of the plain wooden floor.

"Repeat what I say and keep your eyes closed."

"Yes, mellonamin."

"Mother Goddess, listen to me. Take your child. Set him in his rightful place. Take him back home."

The room grew colder and the wind whistled. A hundred candles went out.

*               *               *

Legolas opened his eyes when he heard her cry out. He was greeted by a sword.

"Speak your name. Do not try to run; you will not leave Mirkwood alive."

"Legolas, Prince of this land."

The owner of the sword muttered an apology and bowed to his Prince. Estel was in front of him having passed out. He took her in his arms and with a sigh carried her to his home.

*               *               *

Estel awoke, surprised that her wooden floor was so comfortable. She opened her eyes to a view that she had never seen before. She was in a large bed covered by the finest cotton linen.

"You are awake at last."

She looked round to see Legolas at her side.

"You are in Mirkwood, mellonamin."

"I wasn't supposed to come with you, this isn't my home, I shouldn't have been brought here."

She tried to get up but Legolas gently pushed back into the bed.

"You are to rest, Vanyaer."Fair One

"What?"

"Namárië."Farewell At this he smiled, turned and was gone.

She fell into sleep once more.

*               *               *

Fingers were entwined with hers, her thumb being stroked by another. Legolas was once again at her side.

"Back again?" She asked him weakly.

"Yes I am, Vanyaer."

"What does that mean?"

"Vanyaer? Fair One."

Estel blushed and looked away.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of, Arwen Estel."Lady Estel

He put warm fingers under her chin and turned her head towards his. She had tears in her bright blue eyes.

"What grieves you so, Arwen Estel?"

"I have wanted so much to come here, find out that all the Ring lore was true and now I have, I wish, I wish I hadn't."

"Lady Estel, why do you wish that?"

"In my world you are a fictional character, real enough when you read the book or see the film but having a so-called fictional character sit and talk to you is very disturbing to say the least."

"Perhaps, but, Vanyaer, have you thought about how lucky you are to be staying in one of the Elven palaces? Or how lucky you are to have met someone who was actually in the Fellowship and can tell you more than any book could?"

"Legolas, I would miss my friends."

"Not your family?"

"I don't have a family. I lost my memory about 10 years ago so I don't remember them. I just woke up one day in a full grown body and I don't remember anything before that. All I knew was that I could sense auras and cast spells. Ai, estel, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári aa'utuvar."Oh, hope, my friend, may the Fair Queen be found.

Legolas snapped his head up, his eyes searching her face. Seeing his look of bewilderment she continued.

"It was one of the things I remembered. I have no idea what it means. The words calm me when I speak them."

"Oh, hope, my friend, may the Fair Queen be found"

"What?"

"It's what you just said. It's Elven. Do you remember any more?"

"Númenello, yrch. Rómello, estel. Namárië, sí, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári, estelle."

"Out of the West, orcs. From the East, hope. Farewell, now, my friend, the Fair Queen, your hope."

"That is all I remember."

She looked deep into his eyes and saw confusion and pity in them.

"Get dressed, we must ride to Rivendell, Arwen Estel."

He left the room after pointing out a pair of breeches and a tunic both of the deepest grey. She changed quickly and met Legolas outside her room. He was holding a bag.

"Food and clothes," He stated simply.

He handed her a long brown cloak which she immediately put on.

*               *               *

Estel rode with Legolas on his horse Arod. She had not ridden before and her hands gripped Legolas' waist tightly.

She woke up every morning to Legolas standing over her or singing softly to himself while walking to and fro.

*               *               *

When they arrived at Rivendell, Legolas made sure his room was next to hers. He did not know why but he felt very strongly for this woman. It deeply troubled him; he had not felt this way during any of his past romances. His heart leapt when she came near him and he could not bear to be apart from her. Estel puzzled him; she acted Elven and even looked Elven if you could not see her ears. To hear her speak his tongue was disturbing, she spoke as if she knew the language and he distinctly heard the harmonious and lilting sound of the words as if she had an Elven voice. The woman could sense auras and she had Elven sight and hearing. She was no Elf but she certainly acted like one. Legolas was entranced.

*               *               *

This Council of Elrond seems to be a load of crap. I have never been so bored. Why did Legolas get jumpy about the fact that I spoke a few words of Elvish?

"Would you care to repeat the words, Arwen en amin?"My Lady

She knew at once that the Elf who spoke was Elrond. His black hair hung round his ageless face which framed his eyes, grey, far seeing and much knowing.

"Ai, estel, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári aa'utuvar. Númenello, yrch. Rómello, estel. Namárië, sí, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári, estella."

"Where do you come from?"

"London, Master Elrond."

"My knowledge fails me, where is that in Middle-earth?"

"It is not in Middle-earth, Master Elrond."

"Not in Middle-earth?" A man had stood up and looked at her with scornful eyes.

"Aragorn, for you are Aragorn. I know of the deeds you have done yet I will challenge you, King of Gondor. I do not hail from Middle-earth. I do not know how I got here but I do not belong here."

He looked taken aback at the fact that she knew his name without being introduced.

"How do you know of the deeds of the Fellowship if you do not come from Middle-earth?"

"It was published as a book called Lord of the Rings."

Elrond looked at her sharply. "What did this book contain?"

"Mmm, everything. All that you did was recorded. From Bilbo finding the Ring to Gollum falling into the Crack of Doom with it. A lot of people cried when that thought Gandalf had died in Moria fighting the Balrog."

Legolas shuddered, Aragorn looked strangely at her. A voice from the corner of the room spoke.

"How did you get here?"

It was Gandalf. She hadn't seen him before now and she could feel his wizened eyes on her.

"I used a spell. It was to send anyone back to their rightful place. Before now I have only used it on trapped spirits. I don't know how I got here. It isn't my rightful place."

"Maybe it is. I can feel your power and you certainly have the appearance of the Elves. I know from Legolas that you have the Elves power of seeing auras. How old are you?"

"I do not know. I woke up 10 years ago in a fully grown body knowing only what I told you, that I had some kind of power and that I could sense auras."

"Come here, Lady Estel."

Aragorn jumped at the name that had been his many years before.

Estel obeyed. Gandalf put his hands over her ears and muttered some Elven words. A sharp, burning pain sliced through her head causing her to cry out. Gandalf uncovered her ears and smiled.

"This is why she looks so Elven," He announced turning her to face the Council. Legolas gasped, Aragorn smiled and Elrond handed her a glass filled with a purple liquid.

"Drink, it will stop the pain."

She drank and indeed, the pain stopped. He smiled at her as she felt her ears, he fingers running over the pointed tips.

"Oh great, now I'm doomed to have permanent Spock-ears. Fun!"

Elrond motioned for everyone to be seated.

"You shall all stay in Rivendell while we wait to see if Lady Estel develops any more Elven characteristics. Legolas, Aragorn, keep her from harm. Legolas, as you know her better than any of us try and keep her company." He turned to Estel. "If you wish, and Gandalf permits, would you like to learn to use more of your power?"

Estel nodded fervently.

"Gandalf?"

"I will teach her if she wishes."

Legolas came over to Estel. He took her hand and led her to her room.

"If you get changed, I will escort you to dinner in half an hour."

He smiled, she blushed and nodded.

"Pretty ears, Lady Estel."

*               *               *

Legolas rapped his fingers lightly on Estel's door.

"Are you ready, Vanyaer?"Fair One

There was no answer. He opened the door slowly, warning her he was coming in. There was a feminine grunt and he heard Aragorn laugh.

Estel saw Legolas at the door and beckoned for him to come forward. She was dressed in figure hugging dress which matched her bright blue eyes. Aragorn stood before her with his palm held upright.

"Try again, Estel."

She swung at his palm striking it with a loud crack. He ruffled her hair and smiled.

"Better."

Legolas stepped into the middle of the room.

"Are you ready, Arwen Estel?"

Her hair was untidy and full of knots. She smiled at him and went to brush her hair.

"Aragorn, I thought you knew better than to teach a maiden in a dress to fight."

Aragorn grinned at the Elf who was clad in pure white and royal blue.

Estel emerged, her complexion glowing with exertion. Legolas offered her his hand and she took it. Its warmth spread through her body and gave her the confidence to raise her gaze from the floor. He gently guided her to a room full of Elves with a long wooden table at its centre filled with food.

"Would you care for something to eat, Arwen Estel?" Her had turned her to face him and was staring intently into her eyes. Embarrassed by his gaze she tried to turn away but was prevented from doing so by strong yet gentle hands. He repeated his question.

"I am fine, mellonamin." He stomach growled its opposition. She giggled and a wide grin appeared on the Elf's face. He sat her down and disappeared. He quickly returned with a plate of the finest food.

"Eat, Vanyaer."Fair One

Estel wolfed the food down, giggling as she tried to suppress the burps that followed.

.

"Very good food. Very good. The best I have ever had."

Legolas tried to hide his amusement while all the Elves within a six foot area told her that such praise was too great for the simple meal she had eaten. The Elves departed and left Estel mock-glaring at Legolas who was grinning broadly.

"You could have warned me, Legolas."

"Like you warned your friend before she told you that I was pretty fine."

Estel blushed a deep crimson and glared harder at the Elf.

"Come, Lirimaerlovely one, take a walk with me."

She sighed and smiled. "Stop calling me names that I don't understand, will you?"

"As you wish, lovely one."

*               *               *

Estel and Legolas walked together, hand in hand, green light playing over their faces.

"It's beautiful. Why did you not show me this sooner?"

Legolas smiled in reply and the hand clutching his gripped tighter. He turned to her, his blue eyes glittering.

"It is nothing compared to your beauty, Vanya Arwen."Fair Lady

Estel blushed and shut her eyes to his admiring glance. He pulled her to him and she felt his arms snake round her waist. She blushed harder and tried to remove herself from his grasp. Sensing her distress, Legolas gently stroked her cheek.

"I am sorry, if I have taken too much of a liberty. Accept my apologies, I did not realise that you loved another."

She did not respond, except to look down at the ground. The Elf started to worry that he had deeply offended her and his anxiety must have shown because she took his hands in her own.

"I am not loyal to another but I am a little embarrassed." She smiled and looked into his eyes now a deep blue, full of concern and confusion. "I'm not used to this sort of attention. I used to have elf-ears and people made fun of me at University. I was labelled as a freak and became severely depressed. I had surgery to have the tips removed. I have only just started to get any friends. I wish I'd met you a long time ago."

She bowed her head and was silent. Legolas took her in his arms again and planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"Melamin auta yassenalle, Vanya Arwen."My love goes with you, Fair Lady

Tears coursed down her cheeks while Legolas held her tenderly.

After what seemed to Estel, to be years, they broke apart. She wiped the last of her tears away and a slight smile crept over her delicate features.

"Last one back is a rotten egg!"

She took off down the path leaving Legolas standing by himself. He smiled to himself and ran after her.

*               *               *

"Legolas, watch this."

Estel sat in the middle of her floor with a hundred candles surrounding her. She muttered a spell and a ball of light appeared in her open hands. She gently blew out the candles and the room was filled with golden sunlight.

"It is beautiful, melamin!"my love

Estel had been taught many new spells by Gandalf. As time went on her bond with Legolas grew. The Elf loved her deeply but was troubled. She grew paler by the day and her expression told of deep grief. Her smiles hardly ever touched her eyes and the light in them had vanished. She had almost stopped eating. Disturbed from his thoughts by a gentle kiss he enveloped her in a embrace and kissed her back.

"Tell me what is grieving you, lisse'corm."Sweetheart

"Vanya Legolas, I do not belong here. I love you but I want to go home," Her eyes filled with tears and she continued, her voice near to breaking. "My heart does not belong here. I pine for my home. I am sorry, Legolas, I must go."

She pulled out of his arms and turned her back to him. She muttered a simple spell to ignite the candles and sat in the centre of them.

"Do not leave me, melamin!"My love

He made to catch her hands but she pulled away.

"Legolas, I must go. I'm dying, haven't you noticed? I need to go back. Please, understand, please. I didn't want to hurt you, why do you think I stayed so long?" Her eyes met his; she saw the pain she was causing. "Just understand, please."

She started to say the spell that she knew would send her home. She could feel the sorrow radiating from him. She blocked him out and finished the spell. The room grew colder and the wind whistled. A hundred candles went out.

*               *               *

Estel awoke on her wooden floor feeling like she had been flattened. She groaned and got up. Her stomach growled for food, she went to the kitchen to supply it. Kerry was there with a strong coffee, her eyes staring into space.

"Kerry, what's wrong?"

Kerry looked up and tears sprang to her eyes as she took Estel in.

"Is it really you?"

"Of course it is, Kerry, why wouldn't it be?"

"We thought that you were dead or something. It's been almost 5 months since I last saw you. Why didn't you get in contact? I thought that bastard bloke had kidnapped you or something. You're a missing person, there have been police hunts for you, a murder inquiry, you've been on the news. I thought I would never see you again. The police have given up chance of finding you alive and you just swan in here like you're the tooth fairy or something. Have you any idea how worried I have been?" Overcome with happiness for her friend's safe return, rage at her not getting in contact and obvious good health and excitement from the thought of sending her 'kidnapper' to jail she broke down sobbing. "Where did he take you? Did he hurt you?" Her voice came out in spasms as tears stained her face.

"He didn't do anything to me. Kerry, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I didn't even know how long I had gone; the days just seemed to blend into each other. If it's any consolation to you, I stayed of my own free will, even if I did not want to go there in the first place."

It obviously was not a consolation to her; Kerry whipped round and slapped Estel, her palm cracking her cheek.

"You don't contact me for 5 months and you think it will comfort me to know that you stayed of your own free will. How could you be so thoughtless? Just, don't even speak to me." Kerry glared at Estel, her anger obvious. "I hope the bastard who kidnapped you rots in jail."

"Kidnapped? Bastard? Just because I didn't want to go doesn't mean that I was kidnapped. If you died and went to say, hell. You did want to go there but you can't say the Devil kidnapped you can you?"

"Did you go to Hell then, Estel," Kerry spat the name. "How did you get to where you went then, fly? You didn't take your car."

"If you must know I did a spell."

"Estel, you know I don't believe in that stuff."

Estel muttered her Elven light spell and held the resulting ball out to Kerry.

"Do you still not believe, Kerry or do I have to throw fire for you?"

Kerry looked astonished, her eyes were wide and her mouth was slightly open.

"I am so sorry for not believing you before, Estel. I still have my doubts, don't get me wrong but I can see that some of its true."

*               *               *

Kerry was glad to see Estel again. She had worried about her but she hadn't given up hope. Hope. Estel never gave up hope. She had her heart broken by several blokes but she never gave up hope of meeting Mr Right. When she was battling depression she always knew that she would get through it. Hope. Estel personified it, a beacon of light in the middle of darkness. An angel in the pit of Hell.

*               *               *

Legolas was fading. He hardly ever smiled and laughed far less. His tanned skin had paled to a pure white. Estel meant hope in his tongue and he hoped. Hoped that he could get to her, bring her back. Bring her back to his arms where she should be. He hoped and hope kept him alive.

*               *               *

Estel missed Legolas terribly. She could hear his voice in her head; "Melamin auta yassen lle, Vanya Arwen."My love goes with you, Fair Lady but it offered no comfort to the fact he was not there. She felt her old depression begin to sink back in again like oil into the sea, poisoning her mind. She feared to go back on the streets with her Elven ears. She grew gaunt and the light disappeared from her eyes again. All she had was hope. Hope that she would see Legolas once more before her flame was extinguished forever.

*               *               *

As Estel slowly sank into depression again the world seemed to sink with her. Terrorism was responsible for many deaths. Evil prevails while good people do nothing. Evil was prevailing and the good people were doing nothing. As the evil grew Estel's thoughts returned to the peace of Middle-earth more and more. She knew that she was dying, dying of the grief of losing Legolas. She wanted to go back but her power had been drained by the depression.

She looked at that day's paper and saw death; she saw it on the news, everywhere. She cried bitter tears, cursing having come back unto this world. She cursed the evil men who had ruined her once beautiful world, Hitler, Hussein and the like. She cried as if her tears could cure the world of all its ills and set it as a symbol of hope that evil could be overcome. Her tears did not have the power to cleanse the world but still she hoped for a better place. Her thoughts trailed to Mirkwood and Rivendell then Legolas and Elrond, Gandalf and Aragorn. Their hope had not been in vain, they had destroyed the One Ring. Here there was no One Ring to destroy.

"Mother, Goddess, show me the way. Show me what to do." She lifted her face to the heavens, begging. "Mother, help me save your Earth."

No help came.

*               *               *

Legolas walked through the forest at Rivendell, green light playing over his face. Once he had walked here, hand in hand with Estel. Aragorn now walked at his side.

"You miss her deeply, Legolas."

"We all grieved."

"You grieve more than most. Everyone could see your love for her. She loved you in return with a passion I could not have though possible."

"I expected no reciprocation but she gave it whole heartedly."

"Indeed, she did."

"I just can't understand why she would want to leave."

"I don't think even Estel knows the answer to that. If she did she would have told you. I think she'll come back when she is ready."

"You know, Aragorn, to have an Elven name where no Elves have ever lived is pretty strange. To be an Elf in the same place is even stranger. I wonder why she is there. Hope. Oh, hope, my friend, maybe the Fair Queen is not lost. What does it mean?"

"I wish I knew, mellonamin, I wish I knew.

*               *               *

Gandalf was poring over large books, full of dust and damp.

"Ai, estel, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári ilwanwa. Númenello, yrch. Rómello, estel. Namárië, sí, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári, estelle. Out of the West, orcs. To the East, hope. Farewell, now, my friend, the Fair Queen, your hope. Oh, hope, my friend, maybe the Fair Queen is not lost. What can this mean, what can it mean?"

"Can I help, Gandalf?"

Elrond stood over Gandalf, he had brought the Wizard some food.

"I'm still puzzling over the meaning of Estel's words."

"Strange words for one not familiar with Elves to say. Stranger still for those who know our tales. There is not a mention of 'The Fair Queen' in any of our songs. My memory stretches back to the Elder Days and I can remember no Fair Queen talked of."

"Maybe we will have to look at books made before that time, Master Elrond."

Elrond sighed. "I knew that it would come to this. You shall have to look in Sauron's books. He had the only record of before the Elder Days."

"Let us hope there is none of his evil left in the books."

Gandalf rose and Elrond led him to a secluded door at the back of the dark library. Elrond muttered the password and the pair descended into the depths of the newly revealed path. Gandalf performed a simple light spell. Light radiated from his staff, illuminating Elrond's face.

"I will not look in them, Mithrandir. You will have to go on alone."

"Mellonamin, I would not let any one behold the if I could help it. I am wary of reading them myself."

"You do know the password, Gandalf?"

"I do, mellonamin."

Elrond left him and shut the door.

*               *               *

Gandalf sat in a small room illuminated by the light of his staff and a few candles. He was deep below Rivendell, where many feared to go, including Elrond Halfelven, mighty amongst Men and Elves. He himself had feared to come here, to this place where the one of the most dangerous of Sauron's possessions was located, his books. They may be simple objects but the books contain information on how to create another One Ring. Sauron spent many hours poring over the books, adding to them, finding forgotten evils. So much time spent that it was not safe for anyone to look at the books, let alone a Wizard of great power. Such deeds one would be tempted to perform were unimaginable, some even Sauron would not do. Sauron, however, had the only reliable records from before the Elder days.

"Ai, estel, mellonamin, nai tae Vanyar Tári a'vanwa. Númenello, yrch. Rómello, estel. Namárië, sí, mellonamin, Vanyar Tári, estelle. Out of the West, orcs. To the East, hope. Farewell, now, my friend, the Fair Queen, your hope. Oh, hope, my friend, maybe the Fair Queen is not lost. The Fair Queen is not lost, hope to the East, West, Orcs. How does she know about orcs? She is definitely an Elf but how? Hope for what? Finding the 'Fair Queen'? Who is the 'Fair Queen'?"

*               *               *

Everyone was puzzled by the tidings Estel had brought. Elrond puzzled more than most for the words were in the tongue of his kindred and he felt a duty to find out their meaning. He walked into Estel's former room, no one had stayed in their since she had. It was kept locked and nothing had been moved. Elrond studied every one of her possessions carefully, trying to find an answer to her riddle. The room was filled with her spirit, a link with another world. He could sense her sorrow at leaving Middle-earth.

He called to her, hoping she would hear him, "Arwen Estel, you know what these words mean. Think. You know the answer. Try to remember, what do they mean? Remember."

*               *               *

Estel sat on her bed, staring at the floor. She was thinking, yet again, of the beauty of Middle-earth. A fire seared through her head and she could hear Elrond.

"Arwen Estel, you know what these words mean. Think. You know the answer. Try to remember, what do they mean? Remember."

The last word echoed in her head. Remember. Remember. Remember. It faded into oblivion.

The fire roared in her head making her cry out. Visions flashed before her eyes. Death, destruction, she saw herself, alive in the middle of it all. The fire lost part of its intensity. More visions. Green land, life, herself. The fire came back one last time. Remember. A ring, the stone set in it glowing like the sun on a summer's day. Remember. Fire ripped through her mind, she screamed.

"The ring, the ring. An Elven ring. The Elven ring" She gasped the words and collapsed.

*               *               *

Elrond heard her scream and a chill passed down his spine. Now it was his turn for the fire. It threw him to the floor and left him gasping for breath.

"The ring, the ring. An Elven ring." Her voice, clear and sharp, sliced through his mind.

"A ring?"

"An Elven ring. The Elven Ring." The voice stopped and so did the fire. Elrond hurried from the room and sank to his knees.