Disclaimer: I own absolutely nothing of the Lord of the Rings or any of Tolkien's brilliant world.
Author: born to be hanged a.k.a. Meltintalle
Title: The Key
Rating: PG-13 (an R chapter is possible; there will be a warning)
Genre(s): Action/Adventure/Humor/Romance (romance is minor)
Compact Summary: The fourth theme of the Ainulindalë presented the creation of portals leading to different dimensions, opened by permission of Eru and the Ainur with the use of a silver key. The temporary holder of the key passed it to his daughter before he died. Sauron's possession of the key would provide endless allies, a safe haven, and supplies. Full summary inside. R&R!
Author's Note: Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
I couldn't get an asterisk to work for the author's notes at the end of the chapters. So if you're confused about something, i'll probably be down there, just not marked.
italicized text indicates a character's thoughts
A special note of thanks to my beta, Satori (Satori Blackthorn)
Prologue
Enveloped in the Midst of Energy and Time
I remember a world full of vivid colors and happiness, luscious forests and clear skies, songs of sweet melody and grand tales of glory and adventure. There was a small home surrounded by gardens, with soft soil and grass on which to play. There were candlelit dinners in the midst of cheerfulness. There was laughter and kisses and many embraces. And the most of what I remember were the soft words spoken in my ear. Though they were not always in the same tongue, they always held the same amount of softness and love.
My last memory of dwelling amongst these blessings is the most vibrant one that remains.
A hand grasped mine firmly and with tension, as though its owner was anxious. I squeezed my mother's hand, and gave her a bright smile, as though encouraging her that Ada would return safely, although to this day I do not know where he had been headed. Or, for that matter, why I had called my father Ada. I have assumed thus far that it had been an invented name.
There was suddenly a great amount of noise, more noise than I was used to. For my world of colors and sweet melody was very tranquil and muted. Only the footsteps of my mother could be heard throughout the entire city, save perhaps for mine. But the noise came from the sources of the beings that brought darkness and death. An arrow was shot through the still air. The once steady hand that enclosed mine jerked violently. I felt the anxious tension of my mother's hand loosen considerably, and then I felt a tug from her. I tightened my hand on instinct, but it slid from my touch. I knelt to the ground, covering my mother's body with mine, feeling the warm liquid pool around us.
An unknown hand guided me into strong arms, and I was brushed to the side, escaping death. I turned my head, my eye catching the blur of my Ada fleeing, his arm clutching his side, his face ashen. Shortly after his departure, the beings bringing death followed. I dashed after my Ada, taking care to pass through the trees and not by the paths.
Swirls of color surrounded me, many different shades of green clouding my vision. But a crimson pool caught my eye, and I was lead towards it. There I found my Ada, hidden underneath many bushes and plants.
"Ada, they shall see the red pool!" I whispered, crawling out of view of outsiders also. I frowned, seeing that he was the grand source of the pool of crimson liquid. I felt my eyes fill with tears. The crimson pool was comprised of his blood.
His face was pallid, and he gave me a weak smile, looking as though it gave him great pain to do so. I put my head to his heart, finding that it was barely audible, even with my extensive hearing. Tears mingled with blood as my hair was soaked with scarlet, and I felt him move his arms to embrace me lightly. I felt him move slightly and a cold sensation was felt around my neck along with a small extra weight, but I paid no heed to it.
A hand was under my chin, lifting my face to look into his eyes. I was forced to watch as the life drained from his eyes, his face, his form. A smile still gracing his beautiful face, he closed his eyes and sang the last song of sweet melody that I would hear in a long time. Just before his song ceased, the once strong hand under my chin became lax, and I grabbed it, gently lowering it to the blood-covered ground.
The melody was concluded softly, and I waited patiently for my Ada to open his eyes, tears streaming from my own. But his eyes remained shut, and there was a stillness about his form. I lowered myself back onto his chest, pressing my cheek to the fabric and closing my eyes. A soft whisper came to my ears.
"Amin mela lle. Merne tinwe Varda kalli. Velui a lalaith veren nalu govaded vin. Navaer, tinuamin."
I opened my eyes, startled, for I was no longer over my father's heart. The words echoed in the timeless area of white mist and light that was not from the source in the skies. I could feel the energy of all that completed the land and water and air. And there was a sudden rush, though not of air, but of a more majestic and enigmatic substance. The minutes and hours and days and years and centuries flew past my fingertips, and only when I grasped for an opening was I permitted to exist.
Author's Note: Any feedback is greatly appreciated.
"Amin mela lle. Merne tinwe Varda kalli. Velui a lalaith veren nalu govaded vin. Navaer, tinuamin." - In the language of Sindarin. Translation: "I love you. May the stars of Varda shine over you. Sweet water and joyous laughter until next we meet. Farewell, my daughter."