To Vanquish the Shadows
By Priscilla Stafford
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I've moved the last part from the prologue to the beginning of this chapter, I thought it would flow better that way. And for those who have read the prologue, this is just a note to tell you that I've decided for this story to tell the legend of Shannar and his descendants. Later on, I will write another story telling about Shannar's descendant who will join the Fellowship. I hope you enjoy! Please review after reading!
Chapter 1: A Dream and a Pledge
Shannar could not sleep. He had felt so restless that he decided to go out into the mountains. For some reason, he always felt at peace and the silence soothed his spirit.
Upon reaching his favorite spot, he stopped and lay down on the ground. He couldn't stop thinking of the argument he had had with his oldest son. Ennar was now fifteen, a grown man he thought of himself. At that though, Shannar smiled. He couldn't believe how fast his children were growing up.
But that night, Ennar had once again brought up the subject of Shannar's past. The aging man sighed deeply. All he wanted to do was protect his children. He knew that once he started teaching Ennar the art of fighting using their special powers, the call of the Ring inherited by Shannar would begin to eat away at their own hearts. Even now, Shannar felt in the corner of his mind the whisperings of the Ring. Though faraway, it still nagged at his brain.
He loved his son so much, if only Ennar could understand the turmoil he had to live through every day. He had to admit though, after finding love in the form of Enya, his life was full of light. But could he really trust his son to not give into the darkness? No, he would never chance it. Finally determining that his choice was the right one, he fell asleep.
In his dream he found himself in a beautiful garden. After walking around, he found himself looking upon a strange sight. Many chairs were put in a circle, a pedestal in the middle of the circle. Representatives of the races of Middle Earth arrived, and upon being seated, looked toward the lone standing person, apparently the leader. Shannar was amazed to see it was the Elf, Lord Elrond!
Then the dream became stranger. A small person, the size and stature of a young child, stepped forward and placed something on the pedestal. It was the Ring! Without warning, the pedestal came on fire and though everyone tried, no one could stop it. The Ring seemed to grow a little and it began to whisper words of corruption. Soon, instead of working together, the people began arguing and shouting at each other. Shannar cried out, "Someone, take the Ring and destroy it!"
Suddenly, the same small person whom he has seen earlier strode forward to the pedestal and took the Ring and put it on a chain around his neck. One by one, men, an elf, a dwarf, and a few more of the strange small people went towards the middle of the circle. They spoke these words, "We will take the Ring."
Shannar hear Elrond speak. "Is there anyone here who would honor the memory of Shannar and his men and represent them in this quest?"
Shannar looked around and was surprised to see that now standing behind him were his children all grown up and many, many more people similar in appearances. He realized that they were his descendants. But no one stepped forward, in fact, they all started backing away from sight. Shannar suddenly felt tears running down his face and realized that he was crying.
Shannar woke up just then with a start. It was a beautiful morning and the sun's first rays were casting their light onto the mountains. Shannar's thoughts were full of the memory of his dream.
With a strange certainty he felt his dream was a vision of the future. Again he felt the terrible sadness that his descendant's would not help destroy the Ring. Was he a coward to try to ignore the fact that his curse will forever bind him to the Ring? Had his resolution of wanting the Ring to be destroyed compromised? Then and there, Shannar made a decision.
He stood up and spoke aloud. "Middle Earth shall not fall to darkness, not while either I am alive or if any of my descendants are living. Sauron gave me power to use me to fight against all that is good, now I will use it to train my children to fight against all that is evil. I was there at the forging of the One Ring, my descendant shall be there when it is destroyed. May it be that this pledge will come to pass."
**********
Within hours of his decision, Shannar sought out his eldest son. Always been one to wake up at dawn's first light, he found Ennar tending to the horses in their stable.
"Good morning."
The young man turned around and nodded. "You were up at the glade?"
Shannar smiled. His favorite spot had also become a special place for his children who loved to explore. "Son, I have something I wish to tell you." He sat down on one of the upturned buckets and motioned his son to also sit. Ennar hesitantly lowered himself on the ground in front of his father.
"If it's something about last night, I've talked to mother about it already," Ennar rushed ahead. "It's wrong of me to keep bringing up the subject. Though I don't understand the reason, as my father I should respect your decision." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry."
Shannar felt pride for his son. He knew how hard it was for the young man to say what he had just said. Maybe he had been wrong, maybe his son did have the will and the courage to face against the power of the Ring.
"I think you are now old enough to know about why you wear the marks on your wrists." Ennar looked surprised. Never had his father before spoken about it, he seemed afraid to speak on the subject.
Then and there Shannar went on to tell about his terrible past, how Sauron had used him, about the history of the One Ring, and how it was never destroyed. When he was finished, they both fell silent in their own deep thoughts.
The son spoke first, hesitation in his voice. "Father, if you were." he searched for the right word, "tainted, and since I have the mark, does that mean that." He didn't finish.
Shannar chose his words carefully. "I don't actually know. I think that because I am cursed, my descendants will forever carry it with them. But I do know that this 'darkness' is something we can fight against. We must never let ourselves be defeated by it. That is why I didn't want to train you. But after much thought, I think that you are ready." Shannar raised his hand before his excited son could speak. "But I want you to make an oath, a pledge if you will. To pledge your service to the destroying of the One Ring. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Ennar spoke with the solemnity one would not expect from one his age. "I Ennar, son of Shannar, will pledge my service in the destroying of the One Ring," he paused, then added, "and I do pledge also never give into my darkness."
"Always vanquish the shadows," Shannar repeated. After speaking, for some reason the words touched him in a strange way. After some consideration, Shannar spoke. "Mithlin, Dane, Gwenor, and I were tainted, but for you, the darkness is a shadow. But shadows too may become real to the mind, and eat away your soul." He whispered, "May it never be." Lost in thought, Shannar almost forgot his son's presence.
Ennar didn't know what to do. The silence was becoming a bit too unbearable for his young and impatient mind. Thankfully, his father suddenly stood up and began to walk away. Ennar also got up and began to dust his tunic and pants from the dust of the ground. But when he looked up, without warning his father, who was now many paces away, threw a small object at Ennar's face. Ennar, though surprised at the action, reacted and raised his hand to catch. The object smacked into his hand and he wrapped his fingers around it. Upon looking at the caught item, he found that it was a small pebble. He looked questioningly at his father.
But before he could voice a question, Shannar asked, "How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Catch the object. Explain in details how you reacted."
Though his father's strange question threw him off, Ennar did his best to answer him. "I saw you throw something at my face and. I just brought my hand up to catch it."
"Listen closely for this is your first lesson in using your powers. As mortals, we are all born with reflexes which develop over time. For example, it's impossible for young children to do complicated things. As time goes by and they grow older, they develop those reflexes. But those reflexes and instincts are limited."
Shannar took the pebble from Ennar's hand and continued his explanation. "With our powers we are able to go beyond that. In any battle, even a second's delay can get you hurt or even killed. With my capabilities, I can in a way 'see' what is about to happen. It's not necessarily foreseeing the future, it's as if I know what will happen and I react to it."
Seeing his son didn't seem to understand, Shannar searched for an easier explanation. "It's like an echo. You 'see' what is to happen so when whatever it is to happen happens, you can react faster than others could."
Ennar smiled as he finally grasped the concept. Shannar had one cautioning warning though. "But to be able to pay attention to the echoes in your head takes a lot of concentration. You really cannot prolong this state of mind or you will exhaust yourself in both body and mind. So you must balance using your skills and your powers." Shannar grasped his son by the shoulders. "That's enough to fill your head for one day. Go do your chores and if you finish quickly, we can continue a bit more."
***********
After Ennar had left, Shannar had immediately ordered a gathering of his three closest friends. They were now seated in a circle at his home. Shannar had just finished telling Mithlin, Dane, and Gwenor about what had happened that morning, from the dream to his decision.
Gwenor was all for it. "Shannar is right, we cannot try to hold back our children's capabilities. What they do not understand will make them resent us."
"I am only happy that I have only a daughter to worry about," Dane spoke up. "But I do agree with Shannar's decision. We came to the North because we were afraid the Ring would call us. But now that we know our children might also be subject to corruption, we must not hold them back. There is a better chance for them to resist temptation if they are taught what to go up against."
Mithlin, compared to the other two Captains, was a bit more subdued. "Shannar, I have always been one to face my fears and to know what I'm up against. What scares me right now is that we really have no idea where the Ring is at the moment. Last we know, Isildur took it for himself. But anything could have happened since that time."
Shannar spoke, "He is right and I have considered this problem. That is why I have decided to travel to Rivendell and ask Elrond what he knows of its whereabouts."
The other stared at him in surprise. "Will you go alone? It is too dangerous!"
"Please, I think I am old enough to take care of myself." Shannar spoke half jokingly and seriously. "In Rivendell I will find my answers. Once I have found out the Ring's whereabouts, we can make our plans from there."
Mithlin spoke with authority one has when being the oldest, "I must agree that Shannar's idea is sound, we must not just sit back and let events happen which might affect our futures. But I strongly suggest that Shannar not go alone. I of course will not go, I'm a bit too," here he coughed slightly, "old for such travel."
Shannar smiled. "No one could ever accuse you of that, 'old' friend. But I do agree. Gwenor, Dane, are you up for an adventure?"
Both looked eager to go, for the two young men, they had been staying in the peaceful valley a bit too long. The two Captains would follow Shannar anywhere, even to the ends of the earth. Unfortunately for Gwenor though, his family were a priority. "My wife is expecting a child soon, it would be wrong to leave her at such a time. I propose that Dane accompany you."
Dane knew how disappointed the younger man one. He tried cheer him up, "Are you sure you want to stay? I remember what a nervous wreck you were when Noran was born."
Gwenor gave him a mock glare. "As if you were any better when Danine was born."
Shannar shook his head and changed the subject back to the matter at hand. "So it is decided. We will leave tomorrow."
"You're leaving for where?"
Shannar cringed when he heard his wife's voice coming from the doorway. He had yet to tell her his plans to leave. The other three men seemed to feel the tension. All mumbled a sudden excuse to leave and left as swiftly as their feet would allow.
Enya had left when her husband and his friends had gathered for a meeting. But she couldn't help but stay close by to hear snatches of conversation. She had promised not to interfere or interrupt, but hearing that her husband would be leaving couldn't keep her quiet any longer.
She strode forward to Shannar who was standing uncomfortably in front of her. She considered herself of average height but standing next to her husband made her once again aware how tall he was. Lean yet well-built, he stood well over her head. Seeing him now shifting his feet and looking guilty almost made her smile. But she was not one to let him get off the hook easily.
Crossing her arms in front of her, she asked, "When were you expecting to tell me of your departure?"
He sighed. "I was going to tell you right after the others left. You know I would never keep secrets from you on purpose."
"I know that. But Rivendell is so far."
"Not as far as it was to travel here from Gondor."
"That was so long ago. You're not that young anymore."
"Nor am I too old."
Enya stood silent while Shannar stood awaiting judgment. But he was taken by surprise when she went and embraced him. He automatically put his arms around her and drew her as close as possible. She spoke against his chest, "I don't have any excuse to keep you from going."
"But I do have an excuse to make sure I come back, the best kind of reason." And saying that, Shannar drew back just enough for him to bend down and kiss her. When they were finally able to pull apart, he said with a twinkle in his eye, "I have a beautiful wife who will be waiting for me, and waiting to rescue her from the hundreds of suitors who will use my absence as an opportunity to try to ensnare you."
"Mmmm, but I will only send them away, saying that my heart has already been captured by a handsome warrior who will be coming home soon."
"Are you saying that I'm the handsome warrior?"
"Only if you're saying that I'm the beautiful maiden who will be drawing you back home," Enya answered back playfully.
Shannar became serious. "Enya, nothing can keep me away from you. I promise to come back safe and sound."
Enya replied by once more drawing him into a loving kiss.
**********
Author's Note: Hope you liked this chapter! Please review to tell me what you think! Next chapter will be obviously Shannar's meeting with Elrond at Rivendell.
Author's Note: Hello everyone! I've moved the last part from the prologue to the beginning of this chapter, I thought it would flow better that way. And for those who have read the prologue, this is just a note to tell you that I've decided for this story to tell the legend of Shannar and his descendants. Later on, I will write another story telling about Shannar's descendant who will join the Fellowship. I hope you enjoy! Please review after reading!
Chapter 1: A Dream and a Pledge
Shannar could not sleep. He had felt so restless that he decided to go out into the mountains. For some reason, he always felt at peace and the silence soothed his spirit.
Upon reaching his favorite spot, he stopped and lay down on the ground. He couldn't stop thinking of the argument he had had with his oldest son. Ennar was now fifteen, a grown man he thought of himself. At that though, Shannar smiled. He couldn't believe how fast his children were growing up.
But that night, Ennar had once again brought up the subject of Shannar's past. The aging man sighed deeply. All he wanted to do was protect his children. He knew that once he started teaching Ennar the art of fighting using their special powers, the call of the Ring inherited by Shannar would begin to eat away at their own hearts. Even now, Shannar felt in the corner of his mind the whisperings of the Ring. Though faraway, it still nagged at his brain.
He loved his son so much, if only Ennar could understand the turmoil he had to live through every day. He had to admit though, after finding love in the form of Enya, his life was full of light. But could he really trust his son to not give into the darkness? No, he would never chance it. Finally determining that his choice was the right one, he fell asleep.
In his dream he found himself in a beautiful garden. After walking around, he found himself looking upon a strange sight. Many chairs were put in a circle, a pedestal in the middle of the circle. Representatives of the races of Middle Earth arrived, and upon being seated, looked toward the lone standing person, apparently the leader. Shannar was amazed to see it was the Elf, Lord Elrond!
Then the dream became stranger. A small person, the size and stature of a young child, stepped forward and placed something on the pedestal. It was the Ring! Without warning, the pedestal came on fire and though everyone tried, no one could stop it. The Ring seemed to grow a little and it began to whisper words of corruption. Soon, instead of working together, the people began arguing and shouting at each other. Shannar cried out, "Someone, take the Ring and destroy it!"
Suddenly, the same small person whom he has seen earlier strode forward to the pedestal and took the Ring and put it on a chain around his neck. One by one, men, an elf, a dwarf, and a few more of the strange small people went towards the middle of the circle. They spoke these words, "We will take the Ring."
Shannar hear Elrond speak. "Is there anyone here who would honor the memory of Shannar and his men and represent them in this quest?"
Shannar looked around and was surprised to see that now standing behind him were his children all grown up and many, many more people similar in appearances. He realized that they were his descendants. But no one stepped forward, in fact, they all started backing away from sight. Shannar suddenly felt tears running down his face and realized that he was crying.
Shannar woke up just then with a start. It was a beautiful morning and the sun's first rays were casting their light onto the mountains. Shannar's thoughts were full of the memory of his dream.
With a strange certainty he felt his dream was a vision of the future. Again he felt the terrible sadness that his descendant's would not help destroy the Ring. Was he a coward to try to ignore the fact that his curse will forever bind him to the Ring? Had his resolution of wanting the Ring to be destroyed compromised? Then and there, Shannar made a decision.
He stood up and spoke aloud. "Middle Earth shall not fall to darkness, not while either I am alive or if any of my descendants are living. Sauron gave me power to use me to fight against all that is good, now I will use it to train my children to fight against all that is evil. I was there at the forging of the One Ring, my descendant shall be there when it is destroyed. May it be that this pledge will come to pass."
**********
Within hours of his decision, Shannar sought out his eldest son. Always been one to wake up at dawn's first light, he found Ennar tending to the horses in their stable.
"Good morning."
The young man turned around and nodded. "You were up at the glade?"
Shannar smiled. His favorite spot had also become a special place for his children who loved to explore. "Son, I have something I wish to tell you." He sat down on one of the upturned buckets and motioned his son to also sit. Ennar hesitantly lowered himself on the ground in front of his father.
"If it's something about last night, I've talked to mother about it already," Ennar rushed ahead. "It's wrong of me to keep bringing up the subject. Though I don't understand the reason, as my father I should respect your decision." He bowed his head. "I'm sorry."
Shannar felt pride for his son. He knew how hard it was for the young man to say what he had just said. Maybe he had been wrong, maybe his son did have the will and the courage to face against the power of the Ring.
"I think you are now old enough to know about why you wear the marks on your wrists." Ennar looked surprised. Never had his father before spoken about it, he seemed afraid to speak on the subject.
Then and there Shannar went on to tell about his terrible past, how Sauron had used him, about the history of the One Ring, and how it was never destroyed. When he was finished, they both fell silent in their own deep thoughts.
The son spoke first, hesitation in his voice. "Father, if you were." he searched for the right word, "tainted, and since I have the mark, does that mean that." He didn't finish.
Shannar chose his words carefully. "I don't actually know. I think that because I am cursed, my descendants will forever carry it with them. But I do know that this 'darkness' is something we can fight against. We must never let ourselves be defeated by it. That is why I didn't want to train you. But after much thought, I think that you are ready." Shannar raised his hand before his excited son could speak. "But I want you to make an oath, a pledge if you will. To pledge your service to the destroying of the One Ring. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Ennar spoke with the solemnity one would not expect from one his age. "I Ennar, son of Shannar, will pledge my service in the destroying of the One Ring," he paused, then added, "and I do pledge also never give into my darkness."
"Always vanquish the shadows," Shannar repeated. After speaking, for some reason the words touched him in a strange way. After some consideration, Shannar spoke. "Mithlin, Dane, Gwenor, and I were tainted, but for you, the darkness is a shadow. But shadows too may become real to the mind, and eat away your soul." He whispered, "May it never be." Lost in thought, Shannar almost forgot his son's presence.
Ennar didn't know what to do. The silence was becoming a bit too unbearable for his young and impatient mind. Thankfully, his father suddenly stood up and began to walk away. Ennar also got up and began to dust his tunic and pants from the dust of the ground. But when he looked up, without warning his father, who was now many paces away, threw a small object at Ennar's face. Ennar, though surprised at the action, reacted and raised his hand to catch. The object smacked into his hand and he wrapped his fingers around it. Upon looking at the caught item, he found that it was a small pebble. He looked questioningly at his father.
But before he could voice a question, Shannar asked, "How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Catch the object. Explain in details how you reacted."
Though his father's strange question threw him off, Ennar did his best to answer him. "I saw you throw something at my face and. I just brought my hand up to catch it."
"Listen closely for this is your first lesson in using your powers. As mortals, we are all born with reflexes which develop over time. For example, it's impossible for young children to do complicated things. As time goes by and they grow older, they develop those reflexes. But those reflexes and instincts are limited."
Shannar took the pebble from Ennar's hand and continued his explanation. "With our powers we are able to go beyond that. In any battle, even a second's delay can get you hurt or even killed. With my capabilities, I can in a way 'see' what is about to happen. It's not necessarily foreseeing the future, it's as if I know what will happen and I react to it."
Seeing his son didn't seem to understand, Shannar searched for an easier explanation. "It's like an echo. You 'see' what is to happen so when whatever it is to happen happens, you can react faster than others could."
Ennar smiled as he finally grasped the concept. Shannar had one cautioning warning though. "But to be able to pay attention to the echoes in your head takes a lot of concentration. You really cannot prolong this state of mind or you will exhaust yourself in both body and mind. So you must balance using your skills and your powers." Shannar grasped his son by the shoulders. "That's enough to fill your head for one day. Go do your chores and if you finish quickly, we can continue a bit more."
***********
After Ennar had left, Shannar had immediately ordered a gathering of his three closest friends. They were now seated in a circle at his home. Shannar had just finished telling Mithlin, Dane, and Gwenor about what had happened that morning, from the dream to his decision.
Gwenor was all for it. "Shannar is right, we cannot try to hold back our children's capabilities. What they do not understand will make them resent us."
"I am only happy that I have only a daughter to worry about," Dane spoke up. "But I do agree with Shannar's decision. We came to the North because we were afraid the Ring would call us. But now that we know our children might also be subject to corruption, we must not hold them back. There is a better chance for them to resist temptation if they are taught what to go up against."
Mithlin, compared to the other two Captains, was a bit more subdued. "Shannar, I have always been one to face my fears and to know what I'm up against. What scares me right now is that we really have no idea where the Ring is at the moment. Last we know, Isildur took it for himself. But anything could have happened since that time."
Shannar spoke, "He is right and I have considered this problem. That is why I have decided to travel to Rivendell and ask Elrond what he knows of its whereabouts."
The other stared at him in surprise. "Will you go alone? It is too dangerous!"
"Please, I think I am old enough to take care of myself." Shannar spoke half jokingly and seriously. "In Rivendell I will find my answers. Once I have found out the Ring's whereabouts, we can make our plans from there."
Mithlin spoke with authority one has when being the oldest, "I must agree that Shannar's idea is sound, we must not just sit back and let events happen which might affect our futures. But I strongly suggest that Shannar not go alone. I of course will not go, I'm a bit too," here he coughed slightly, "old for such travel."
Shannar smiled. "No one could ever accuse you of that, 'old' friend. But I do agree. Gwenor, Dane, are you up for an adventure?"
Both looked eager to go, for the two young men, they had been staying in the peaceful valley a bit too long. The two Captains would follow Shannar anywhere, even to the ends of the earth. Unfortunately for Gwenor though, his family were a priority. "My wife is expecting a child soon, it would be wrong to leave her at such a time. I propose that Dane accompany you."
Dane knew how disappointed the younger man one. He tried cheer him up, "Are you sure you want to stay? I remember what a nervous wreck you were when Noran was born."
Gwenor gave him a mock glare. "As if you were any better when Danine was born."
Shannar shook his head and changed the subject back to the matter at hand. "So it is decided. We will leave tomorrow."
"You're leaving for where?"
Shannar cringed when he heard his wife's voice coming from the doorway. He had yet to tell her his plans to leave. The other three men seemed to feel the tension. All mumbled a sudden excuse to leave and left as swiftly as their feet would allow.
Enya had left when her husband and his friends had gathered for a meeting. But she couldn't help but stay close by to hear snatches of conversation. She had promised not to interfere or interrupt, but hearing that her husband would be leaving couldn't keep her quiet any longer.
She strode forward to Shannar who was standing uncomfortably in front of her. She considered herself of average height but standing next to her husband made her once again aware how tall he was. Lean yet well-built, he stood well over her head. Seeing him now shifting his feet and looking guilty almost made her smile. But she was not one to let him get off the hook easily.
Crossing her arms in front of her, she asked, "When were you expecting to tell me of your departure?"
He sighed. "I was going to tell you right after the others left. You know I would never keep secrets from you on purpose."
"I know that. But Rivendell is so far."
"Not as far as it was to travel here from Gondor."
"That was so long ago. You're not that young anymore."
"Nor am I too old."
Enya stood silent while Shannar stood awaiting judgment. But he was taken by surprise when she went and embraced him. He automatically put his arms around her and drew her as close as possible. She spoke against his chest, "I don't have any excuse to keep you from going."
"But I do have an excuse to make sure I come back, the best kind of reason." And saying that, Shannar drew back just enough for him to bend down and kiss her. When they were finally able to pull apart, he said with a twinkle in his eye, "I have a beautiful wife who will be waiting for me, and waiting to rescue her from the hundreds of suitors who will use my absence as an opportunity to try to ensnare you."
"Mmmm, but I will only send them away, saying that my heart has already been captured by a handsome warrior who will be coming home soon."
"Are you saying that I'm the handsome warrior?"
"Only if you're saying that I'm the beautiful maiden who will be drawing you back home," Enya answered back playfully.
Shannar became serious. "Enya, nothing can keep me away from you. I promise to come back safe and sound."
Enya replied by once more drawing him into a loving kiss.
**********
Author's Note: Hope you liked this chapter! Please review to tell me what you think! Next chapter will be obviously Shannar's meeting with Elrond at Rivendell.