A/N: The baton is mine once more and here is my offering. The both of us thank the reviewers and hope to see more feedback since this is an extremely challenging plot.

Peace.

Chapter 2: The Siren Song

'Our time here is ending. What more can we do in Middle-Earth?' Elrond's thoughts of the fate of his people were constantly repeating themselves in his mind of late.  Words speaking of fate and the end of the long ages of his people and the rising of the race of man who, in Elrond's view, were not worthy of such a inheritance.  The will of the Valar could not be contested and if they were seen as the next in line for all the wealth of the land, then so be it. He would say nothing, but continue along his path into the west.

            The paths are gardens of Rivendell were beautiful and eternal. The leaves of the trees never completely fall here and some of the sun's warmth always lingers in this fair home.

            It was as the Elf Lord was walking through these trails that a sudden wave of power swept through him. Peering down to his hand, the ring he wore there gave off an eerie and chilling glow that radiated out.  He knew, without even speaking a word or taking a step he knew.  The ring was in the hands of someone who sought to use it for ill. The one ring was together with another of the elven rings of power.

            Fear suddenly gripped his heart, for only one person could have such a power as to awaken the forces in the ring he wore, the Lady of Light herself. Galadriel obtained the ring of power.

            Running back towards the last homely house, Elrond summoned his counsel including his twin sons, Elrohir and Elladan.

            "Father, are you sure? Perhaps it was merely the presence of the ring in Lothlorien that gave off this feel." Elladan looked to his twin for some sort of confirmation, but was only given a look of apprehension.

            "I am sure, my son. I have never felt anything like this and the one ring being so near me did nothing to the power surrounding myself. Galadriel is very powerful, but she can be tempted like anyone else. She was born in the Age of the Trees and was given her ring by Sauron himself. She knows the power of what the hobbits has carried and seeing that ring again would remind her of all that can be accomplished by it."

            "What would you have us do?"

            "I do not know, Elladan." Glancing up, he had to look a moment to make sure he had just called his son by the right name. Even after an age, they could still fool even their father. The silenced that followed suggested he guess was correct.

            Looking out over his people, Elrond saw some women tending to the hanging flower baskets, a man was carving a musical instrument from a block of wood and some others were talking quietly by the northern walkways.

            His thoughts once again spoke loudly in his mind.

            'Look at your people. They are living quiet lives and have for ages. Do you really think that they could be called upon to counter the forces, which happen to be their kin? Many have strong connection to that fair wood. Do not forget, this is your beautiful wife's mother and grandmother to your children that your speak of.' The pain of these words broke onto Elrond's face and his son, Elrohir, spoke.

            "What is your decision, father?" The cry of a gull broke the silence.

            Gimli searched high and low, "Go find the Elf, why am I given this task? That Ranger could find the Elf in no time." The coming and going to blonde heads did nothing to help the dwarf's dilemma.

            Just when he was about to relent and return elf-less to the others, the familiar clothes of Mirkwood could be seen sitting on a green hilltop.

            "Legolas! Finally, Aragorn bids you to return." Climbing up to reach his comrade was not a easy task for Gimli, but he was eventually sitting next to the elf, who he called a friend in the comforting safety of his own mind.

            "Why are you so far out? I've been looking for you all afternoon." The Elf in question finally turned to lock eyes with Gimli and even the Dwarf could see those eyes were troubled. "You know about the ring's possession by the Lady?"

            "Yes. I have felt it, but I don't know why."

            "What do you mean?"

            "I am not a Lord of the Elves, I have no connection to this power. I was not even yet alive when the ring was used by Sauron in the Last Alliance. Yet, I feel a darkness growing in my mind and in my heart. Yet, I can not figure out why."

            Sighing, Gimli could find no answer or comforting words in this matter. All this was beyond him and he only wish to complete his task. "Come, we need you to come with me. We shall begin our treks together. You need to tell your people of this new possible threat."

            "Not possible, Gimli, but definite and existing."

            Together, they left the camp that had once contained the members that had once been called the Fellowship of the Ring.

            Looking into her Mirror, everything had made so clear to her. The exact means of bringing down the races to bow to her was so simple and it began with her own people. The Elves were leaving for the Undying Lands at that very moment, but if she could control all those that remained, their combined force, power and magic would be able to bring all the mortals to their knees.

            It had already begun in Rivendell. She had made it so Elrond knew she had the ring in order to make him press his hand. Either way he would leave his magically protected lands and head either for her or for the west. Then she would have him and all his people.

            Mirkwood was another matter. King Thranduil had no such ring or any connections thereto. The one ring had even passed right through his lands those short years ago and he had never been the wiser. That Hobbits was wearing it nearly the whole time while in his Halls.

            'Fool!' She thought, 'He has always been a fool, falling into the mortal delights of wine and treasure.'

            Getting to him would serve to be a problem. Since he was so disconnected from them, away in his dark forest they would hold up there and be almost impossible to reach.

            Fate, it seemed, had decided to play in her favor in this pressing issue as well. For in the group that had brought the one ring into her possession, he also brought one she could use to resolve this situation and bring the Wood-Elves of Mirkwood into her grasp.