Author's Notes: Thanks to those of you who reviewed. At this point, the actual crossover of Lord of the Rings is going to become more obvious. Sorry that the beginning is a little slow!

Time's Scars

Chapter Four: Problems

Squall and Rinoa arrived in Cid's office, out of breath from running.

"Sir," Squall gasped, "Sorry we took so long."

Cid laughed. "It's okay, Squall. You two look exhausted. Sit down, cool off a bit, eh?"

Rinoa sat down in a nearby chair, but Squall remained standing. After taking a moment to catch his breath, he turned to Cid. "So, what's going on?"

Cid's normally cheerful face turned serious. "Well, we have a problem."

"As you two have probably heard, Galbadia recently elected a new leader. We were under the impression that their warring days were over, but we now have reason to believe there is a serious problem."

Squall folded his arms, "So, what's the leader doing that we need to get involved with? I'm not going to go back to try and save their asses. I've already done it. If they want a leader to murder them, let them keep it."

"Well, the problem is not his affect on Galbadia. It is his affect on the world."

Rinoa looked up. "What does that mean?"

Cid sighed, "He's more powerful than we thought. His ability to reorganize the country has been amazing, and now he's going for the true power."

"Where is that?" Squall asked.

"Squall, do you remember the story of the Ring?" Cid questioned, "I know Edea often told you children about it."

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"It isn't a fairy tale, Squall. That story really happened. And we now know the Ring is not completely gone. It can be brought back."

Squall shook his head is disbelief. "You have got to be kidding! The Ring is REAL?"

Cid nodded.

Rinoa stood up. "If it can be brought back…it would make him all-powerful."

"Exactly. Which is why we have to stop him."

"And how are we to do that?" Squall asked, "How can the Ring even be brought back?"

Cid sat down in his chair and motioned for Squall and Rinoa to both seat themselves. "This will be a long story."

"Odine has been doing quite a bit of research on the Ring. He was fascinated by the story. But in the process of that research, he learned how the Ring can be brought back."

When the Elves were destroyed, their magic no longer resided in the land. It was this magic that kept the Ring from being able to return. Before the first war, Galbadian scientists somehow discovered this, or so we believe. That may have been a key factor in their strong desire to turn the world against the Elves. Ultimecia knew about it. She knew if she got the Ring, nobody would be able to stop her. By taking over Edea's body, she was able to control Galbadia, and she knew they would get her the Ring. We were very lucky she did not get her hands on it."

This leader is determined to bring it back. To do that, he must go to Centra. At the ruins of Lothlorien, he can revive the ring."

"Lothlorien? The Land of Eternal Rain?" Rinoa asked.

Squall turned to her. "Lothlorien wasn't always like that. It wasn't until the Elves living there were wiped out that the rain came. It was because the ecosystem there was altered by the removal of Elf magic that the rain has now taken over."

Cid nodded. "Good to know that Squall is up-to-date in his knowledge of Elves."

Squall looked back at Cid, "How would he get it once he was there? He'd need to have strong magic powers to do that."

"Yes, he would."

Rinoa looked back at Cid, "The powers of a Sorceress?"

"No. The powers of an Elf."

*******************************************************************************************

Squall led the way to Ragnarok, followed by the whole gang. They were headed to Lothlorien. Cid was hopeful that some clues might be hidden. The others had been briefed on the situation.

Once onboard and in the air, Squall set the autopilot and prepared for a long ride. It would take at least five or six hours to get to Southern Centra, even in Ragnarok.

Squall leaned back in a chair, sighing. Everyone was pretty quiet. The situation wasn't unlike the one with Edea. It was almost creepy how similar it felt to all of them.

Selphie finally broke the silence. "I just can't believe it. If the story of the Ring is true, then where are the Elves? We have the other species around, but I always thought Elves were mythical."

"No," Squall replied, "Elves were always here. They fought in the first Sorceress War. They are gone now because of the humans."

Quistis cocked her head a little, "Didn't you mean to say 'us'?"

"What?"

She laughed a little, "You said 'the humans', why didn't you just say 'us'?"

Squall narrowed his eyes, "It doesn't matter, Quistis."

Us? I would never define myself as part of their race.

"It kinda does." Said Zell. "I mean, if I was talking about our little group here, I would say 'us', not our names."

"Whatever. It isn't important."

Rinoa sighed softly. She knew how Squall felt about most humans. She was the only one he'd really accepted. He was often bitter towards the others. Though, she couldn't blame him. After watching them murder his family, he had every right not to like them.

Zell turned to Squall, "What is your problem lately?!"

Squall looked a bit surprised, "What do you mean?"

"Tch. You've been really ignorant lately. I mean, earlier, you were at least more respectful. Now, you just yell at all of us. We're supposed to be your friends!"

My friends? You all are my friends? Since when? It was YOUR people who murdered my family, destroyed my life.

Squall stood up. "And what ever gave you the idea that I was friends with any of you? You aren't my friends. I put up with you because I have to. Other than that, you mean nothing to me."

He quickly exited the room.

Zell folded his arms, "What the heck is with him? We're nice to him, and he acted like he cared. Now, he's going to go off and hate us? I can't stand that guy."

"Seriously." Said Irvine.

Rinoa sighed, "Guys, it's not like that. He is friends with us. He's just upset."

"About what?" Asked Quistis. "He has everything he wanted! What reason does he have to be upset?"

Rinoa folded her arms. "You don't get it, you never will. You people just don't realize how hard it is to have to hide yourself in front of everyone because you are scared of being hated. You don't know how it feels to be different!" She also left the room, headed in the direction Squall had gone.

"Squall's different? How the heck is he different?" Zell said.

Irvine looked at him. "Zell, if you say 'the heck' one more time, I swear I'll backhand you."

"Fine, jeez."

Selphie looked concerned, not angry like the others. "Guys, maybe Squall is hiding something. Maybe he is mean because he doesn't want us to know. Like we wouldn't get it."

Irvine snorted, "What is he, gay or something?"

Selphie turned and slapped Irvine, "How could you say that? What is the matter with all of you? We should be worried about him! He's our friend!"

"Apparently not." Said Irvine, rubbing his cheek.

*******************************************************************************************

Rinoa managed to catch up to Squall. She took his arm. "Hey, it's okay."

He stopped and turned to face her. "No. It isn't okay."

She sighed, "Why?"

He folded his arms and leaned against the wall. "I just…I don't know. I can't explain it. I do care about them, but…"

"They're humans?" Rinoa finished.

"Yes. I don't know. I just…the thought of them being…you know…it makes me hate them. I feel more and more isolated every day. I'm different from them, I have to hide. And now, I have to worry about my people. You heard what Cid said, that psycho running Galbadia needs an Elf to get the Ring."

She put a hand on his shoulder, "I know you're worried. But I think you need to remind yourself that it wasn't them who killed your family."

He shook his head, "No, that isn't it. They talk about it. They talk about Elves like we're freaks, like everyone else does. They didn't kill my family, but their opinions continue to destroy us."