The Ring That Binds

Authors Note: This is actually the beginning of the story, but there are a few changes from the introduction. The biggest change is I've changed the story from first person to third. There are many reasons for this. First, I'm more used to third person, but did the introduction in first person so you'll be able to know what Mindy is thinking, and all of her views. It is essential that you guys know Mindy's background because she is the main character, and if you don't like her, I would love to hear some suggestions. And the second reason that the story is written in third person is because the plot gets a little too complex to be written in only one point of view. Too many things will be missed or unexplained. Well here is my Lord of the Rings fanfiction, and I would love any suggestions or comments. And for all of you who don't know, I do not own Lord of the Rings, the only thing that is mine is Mindy. So enjoy, and please review.

Part Two: The Ring

Life, an endless line, or a repeating circle. No matter how hard one tries to rid the world of evil, evil finds a way to survive. Even as the one ring was destroyed in the fires that had created it, Sauron, dark lord of Mordor, released what was left of his power into a replacement ring. His dark realm fell, and to all the free people of Middle Earth, victory was achieved, a dark shadow seemed to have passed from this world.

For six years the dark lord's powers grew within the ring, until enough power was gathered to raise another dark army. After a year of dark planning, the dark lord had resurfaced.

Almost too late, Aragorn, king of men, figured their careless mistake. He marched to Mordor with an army of men, but was quickly consumed by the army of darkness. Knowing what he had to do, Aragorn attacked the fortress where it was rumored that a dark ring lay, gathering more power until it was fit to raise its master. It was there, in the dark tower, where Aragorn was mortally injured. Fear enveloped all of man kind, and they retreated, caring their king away. All would have been lost, but in the confusion of the battle, no one noticed that Aragorn had accomplished what he wanted. Somehow, Aragorn had managed to get the dark ring.

Gondor had the ring, but no guidance, or a ring bearer. No on wanted the ring. The gem that burned with a deadly red glare, struck the wearer with unimaginable fear into the very depth of their hearts. Those that did not become mad from it, said it felt like they were plunged into the dark lord's evil eye, and that all they could see was a bloody blackness that threatened to consume them. Too afraid to use the ring, the only choice that was open was to destroy it, but like the old ring, nothing seemed to damage it. Hearing the cry of his people, Faramir, steward of Gondor, took the task of finding a ring bearer. After taking his leave from Arwen, queen of Gondor, Faramir set off to the Shire with three companions.

Miles away at the small peaceful Shire, Sam Merry Pippin and Mindy continued their lives unaware of the darkness outside of their home.

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It was a quiet afternoon. A soft wind rustled the leaves of the trees, giving a soft puff of coolness to the warmth of the day. A small couple lay under a great tree, and to all appearance they seemed to have fallen asleep. The girl was slender and almost delicate looking. Her dark brown curly hair was pulled back into a tight braid, showing off the features of her face perfectly. The boy had a small childlike smile on his face, as he wrapped his arms around the girl. He was much more taller then the girl, and seemed to hover over her, but his strong muscular body looked harmless and safe. To all people, the couple looked normal, except for their feet. The top of their feet were covered in hair, which served as protection for the barefooted creatures. They were the Hobbits that the legends spoke about. It was the cousin of the boy that had taken the task of ring bearer seven years ago, and had with great loss of his own, destroyed the ring, and had saved Middle Earth from a great evil. But he was wounded beyond hope of ever being cured. So two years after the fall of the dark lord, he sailed across the sea to the Grey Havens. The girl had given her heart to him, but that heart was broken when Frodo sailed away to the Grey Heavens. After months of depression, she learned to move on. At the beginning she had felt that she could never love again, but soon Pippin began to grow on her, and she tried to go out with him. At first their dates were more like training sessions, where Pippin's experience in a battle field helped Mindy's fighting ability, and Mindy would help Pippin's swimming and climbing abilities. As the months passed, Mindy's and Pippin's relationship began to deepen, and they would often just sit under a tree munching on some food enjoying each other's company.

Mindy sighed in content as she nuzzled closer to Pippin. Pippin smiled down lovingly at the girl as he lowered his head till his mouth brushed softly against the girl's ear. "Mindy, will you marry me?" Pippin whispered softly into her ear. "Mindy?" Pippin asked when he got no response, wondering if she even heard him. Mindy closed her eyes as she thought desperately on how to respond. She loved him, but the truth was she still loved the one that was lost to her. She wanted nothing more then to be with the bearer of the ring. She would have died for him, she had changed her whole life style to make herself more available to help him, but most of all she had loved him more than anything. But he was gone, and she was forced to accept it. Now she had someone who loved her deeply, and had always been there for her. But to accept the proposal meant that she would have to give up Frodo forever, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to do that yet. "I'm sorry Mindy, I..." Pippin said defeated when she didn't answer. "No Pippin, don't be sorry. I'm flattered, and would love to be your bride," Mindy said turning to look at Pippin with her bright blue eyes. "I was just startled by your sudden proposal," Mindy said noticing the unconvinced look on Pippin's face. Pippin's face broke into a bright grin. "Great! It will be the best wedding ever! You have made me the happiest Hobbit that ever lived," Pippin said childishly as he carefully put a gold ring onto Mindy's finger. Mindy smiled at him as he quickly began gathering their weapons that they had been practicing with before they had settled down under the tree. While Pippin was busy, Mindy stared down at the ring with a worried look on her face. "I'm now bond by you. I hope more than anything that I have not made a mistake," Mindy mumbled as she looked deeply into the crystal that lay sparkling in the sun light.

It was beginning to darken by the time the couple reached Crickhollow. The first thing that they noticed when they reached the Hobbit hole that the couple shared with Merry Brandybuck, was the outlandish wagon that was parked near the garden face. "Expecting somebody?" Mindy asked jokingly as Pippin began heading toward his home a little faster. "It's about time you got back," Merry said opening the door with a grave expression on his face. "What's going on?" Pippin asked as he placed his hiking pack down in the hallway. "Lord Faramir is here, and its important, so wash up quickly," Merry said as he helped Mindy put the weapons away. Mindy and Pippin exchanged confused looks as they headed off toward their rooms.

By the time the couple entered the living room, Merry was deep in conversation with a tall kingly looking man. The group looked up suddenly as the two Hobbits entered the room. "What is going on?" Pippin asked sitting down at ease among the strange outlanders. Mindy stood starring at the group with an uneasy look on her face as she carefully studied the group. There was a dwarf, an Elf, a blond fierce looking woman, and a strong kind looking man. From what Mindy knew about Frodo's adventure, the Elf and dwarf were probably Legolas and Gimli, companions in the fellowship of the ring. The man was already identified as Faramir, steward of Gondor, which meant that the woman at his side was probably his wife, Eowyn. "Faramir is here because he needs our help," Merry said as Mindy took a seat between the two Hobbits. "Who is she?" Gimli asked before any more information could be given. "This is my fiancé, and she knows about everything," Pippin said coming to Mindy's defense. Merry looked at the two startled, but did not say anything. Faramir looked carefully at Mindy, before he turned toward Pippin. "It's good to see you again, but I'm afraid that this visit is not for pleasure," Faramir said pausing before he continued. "I have already visited Sam, and he has offered all the help he could, but the task that I was appointed has not been finished yet," Faramir continued. "There is a task that most be done, but before that can be accomplished, you most know what is going on," Faramir said shifting uneasily. "Go on," Pippin said looking at Faramir patiently. "I'll make it brief. Pippin, Sauron has returned," Faramir said as the Hobbits became uneasily silent. "How?" Merry gasped horrified. "From what we have figured out, Sauron had created another ring in secret. He had feared that his other ring would be used against him, and that he might be defeated. To ensure that he wouldn't be completely destroyed, Sauron had created this ring, so that at the time of his defeat he would be able to transfer all of his power into the ring. When Frodo had claimed the ring at Mt. Doom, the dark lord transferred all that he could into the new ring. This made it so that he was able to survive, even when Frodo destroyed the ring. For six years, Sauron gathered energy, until he was fit to rise again as a blind blackened figure. He has been for a year, secretly creating a new dark army, and that was when Lord Aragorn first heard the rumor that the darkness had risen again. He went to Mordor, and tried to destroy the darkness while it was still weak, but Sauron's forces was stronger then what we had counted on. Aragorn had gotten the ring, but was injured in the battle. I carried my king away, not noticing the ring until it was too late," Faramir said pulling out a black box. "It is in here that the accursed ring lies. No one can bear it without going mad. We are desperate, we need a ring bearer. That is why we have traveled here. I have come to see if one of you halflings will take the task," Faramir said looking from Merry to Pippin. Both of them turned away from the box, with a look horror on their faces. "Why don't you take the task yourself?" Mindy asked unable to handle the tension. "I dare not even look at it. If it was not for this Elvish box that the Lady Arwen had created, I would not have been able to carry it here," Faramir said with a haunted look on his face. "I'm afraid I do not understand, you brought it this far, why wont you carry it any further?" Mindy asked looking at the box with wonder. "The box may be able to contain the darkness with its Elvish magic, but that power will not work near or in Mordor. It is there that the this ring must be destroyed, for the dark lord is not stupid, he created this ring to be more powerful then the last," Faramir said studying the Hobbit girl. Mindy looked around the room at all of the faces both new and familiar to her, and then back at Faramir. "And what will you do when no one accepts the task?" Mindy asked looking at Faramir closely, "I assume since you came here, that Sam refused it," Mindy said looking back down at the black box. "You are right, Sam refused the task, and if no one accepts it, then Gondor will be forced to fight with no hope," Faramir said sadly. "If that is the case, then I will take it," Mindy started to say before Pippin stood up and pulled Mindy up to him. "No Mindy, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into," Pippin said ignoring the startled glances the group was giving them. "Neither did Frodo," Mindy replied looking at Pippin challengingly. "No, Pippin is right Mindy. We cannot allow you take on such a task. There is still one more option left," Legolas said looking at the Hobbit girl with a smile of respect. "No matter how brave and honorable your offer is, it is not possible for you. You are strong hearted, but you have never felt the powers of Mordor. With the speed that the darkness has been increasing, the ring would quickly consume you," Faramir said as Mindy slumped down into her seat defeated. "Then what is to be done, for I will not take the ring?" Merry asked looking at Pippin. "And you Pippin, will you take the task?" Faramir said looking at the Hobbit with love and pity. "I fear it too much, I can not accept it," Pippin said lowering his head. "Very well then, we will wait for Legolas to go across the sea. I pray that the wise Elves, that passed out of this world, will listen to our plea," Faramir said as Legolas got lightly to his feet.

The salty air brought back the painful memories of years ago. It was at this very place that the Hobbits were forced to say goodbye to their friend five years ago. Legolas smiled at the group reassuringly, "I shall be back soon. I will not falter, for I know how desperate the situation is. Have hope Faramir, I'm sure that someone will listen to our plea," Legolas said as he boarded the small ship he had made. "May the sea be kind to you, friend," Gimli said unable to hide his concern for his friend. Legolas looked at the dwarf amused before he set sail.

The group spent the next few days trying to figure out what their next move would be. No matter how hopeful the group tried to be, the days of just waiting were getting the best of them. Finally, after a week, a white ship appeared in the distance. New hope entered the group as the gigantic ship slowly glided toward the shore. "It looks like Legolas managed to bring back some help after all," Faramir said smiling in relief. "I knew he would," Gimli said proudly as the Hobbits rushed toward the sea childishly. "He did it!" Mindy yelled throwing herself into Pippin's arms. Pippin held the girl closely, feeling happier then he ever thought he would be at this place. "So who do you think he managed bring?" Mindy asked pulling away. "I hope he brought old Gandalf. In fact I'm pretty sure Gandalf will come, he has always been very concerned with us, I can't imagine him abandoning us now," Merry said eagerly awaiting the arrival of the ship.

A white ramp was lowered to the ground, and almost instantly Legolas bounded down the ramp. He landed softly on the ground, smiling proudly, "I told you they would listen," he said looking at Faramir triumphantly. "I never should have doubted the word of an Elf," Faramir said grabbing a hold of his wife's hand. "So who did you bring?" Pippin said heading toward the Elf. "Wait and see," Legolas said teasingly. The group quieted as a figure slowly approached the ramp. "Gandalf!" Merry yelled as he and Pippin ran up to greet the old wizard. "Hello, hello," Gandalf said hugging the two Hobbits lovingly. "And who is she?" Gandalf said standing up and gesturing toward Mindy. "She's my fiancé," Pippin said proudly. Gandalf looked at Pippin with amusement twinkling in his kind eyes. "Is that so?" Gandalf said walking down the ramp toward the Hobbit girl, followed closely by Merry and Pippin. "I'm Gandalf the Grey, and you are?" Gandalf said kneeling so he was eye level with the Hobbit girl. "My name is Mindy Brandybuck, and I'm honored to meet you. I've heard so much about you," Mindy said wondering why she wasn't more nervous. "Is that so, well, I've heard a lot about you too. That is if you are the same Hobbit that trained with an Elf in the forests of the Shire," Gandalf said studying her carefully. "I am," Mindy said looking at the wizard in wonder. The wizard smiled at her softly as he stood, and headed toward Gimli and Legolas. Mindy watched the wizard confused as she let her mind wander. It wasn't until a soft hand touched her shoulder, that she brought her attention back to the last person who was getting off the ship. Her heart skipped a beat as the figure came into view. "It can't be," Mindy gasped as she felt her eyes water. A hush fell over the group as the figure slowly began to descend down the ramp. "No, not now, I can't go through it again," Mindy thought as the figure headed straight toward her.