Chapter 3
The five sisters had been in Imladris for three weeks. Silva sent a message to the Lady Galadriel, Gwaihir, Lord of the Eagles, already knew of Riel's forthcoming arrival and Nilia and Rath were yet to decide their places of dwelling. They would wander together until they decided where they would go.
Silva was still as happy as she'd been in a long while. She was having a wonderful time, most days wandering the grounds or going out for rides with her horse, Midnight. She loved her surroundings and the affect she had on them. But she had also found an excuse to taunt Arian.
"You've met Elrond's sons, haven't you, Arian?" Silva asked, nonchalantly.
"Yes, I met them a week ago when they returned," said Arian, wondering if her sister was suffering from some kind of short- term memory loss. "You were there, Silva."
"Oh yes, I remember now. That was the day you finalised your decision to reside here, wasn't it?" she added slyly.
"Yes, it was." What was Silva up to? "Why?"
"Oh, no reason. I just wanted to clear up a confusion in my own mind, that's all." Realisation began to dawn on Arian. "You decided to reside here permanently just a couple of hours after you met the twins." Arian narrowed her eyes on the younger Istari, who merely grinned back.
"Don't even think about it, Silvawen."
"What?" said Silva, mocking innocence. "I merely stated a fact of that day."
"You were implying that I like the twins. I will not have you spreading rumours."
"Why don't you like them? I've spent a fair amount of time with them since they've been back. They are very sweet, young fellows. "
"Yes, they are very nice boys, however I do not have any romantic inclinations towards either of them, which you were implying."
"You can't deny they are handsome."
"I didn't say they weren't handsome," said Arian, exasperatedly. She was fighting a losing battle. "They are very handsome but-"
"AH-HA!" cried Silva, triumphantly. "So it is true! I knew it! I was right!" She ran off, announcing it to every person that she passed.
"Thanks a lot, Silvawen." Arian lowered her head and quietly snuck back to her chamber, praying to Ilúvatar that nobody would believe the Istar's rumour.
Needless to say, Arian refused to speak to Silva for several days after that incident. Silva paid no heed to this as she knew Arian hated bearing grudges on people. She was only doing this in order to show Silvawen that she couldn't get away with "these childish antics". And she would be leaving for Lórien soon, she knew that Arian wouldn't let her leave without making the peace.
Whilst she waited for Arian to come around, she decided to explore the house and grounds with Riel, in a little more depth than they already had. They discovered a few rooms that they'd never seen before, but there was nothing of interest in them. It seemed that there was nothing mysterious about Elrond's house.
They were on the verge of giving up when Riel stumbled upon a hidden door. It was identical to the panelling of the wall and it was a low entry, so it could only be found by someone who knew exactly where it was. Riel found it, accidentally, when she tripped over a chair leg and kicked the fake panel. She heard a faint click and quickly stepped away thinking she'd broken something. As she did, the panel swung outwards. The two sisters looked at each other and grinned mischievously. Imladris was evidently harbouring some secret. Silva stepped forward but Riel grabbed her arm and stopped her.
"Perhaps we shouldn't," she said. "It's obviously hidden for a reason."
"Yes, and I want to find out what that reason is," replied Silva. She pulled away from Riel and crouched through the low archway into the new room. She quickly scanned the room and at a first glance there was nothing.
"It's everything we've seen before," said Riel. "Can we go now?" As Silva went to reply, something caught her eye.
"Wait," she murmured, walking to a table and chair in the far left corner of the room. She'd seen something catch the light. When she got there, she found a box with a large crystal encrusted in the lid.
"Wow, that's pretty," said Riel when she saw it.
"I wonder what's in it," said Silva.
"Let's open it." But Silva suddenly paled, noticeably. She felt an overwhelming sense of danger; a dark shadow passed over her.
"I think we should get Rath." This shocked and worried Riel.
"I'm sorry, I think I misheard you. I thought you just said 'get Rath'." She started to laugh. What a ridiculous-
"I did." Riel stopped laughing. "She's wiser than us, she'll understand."
"Understand what? Shouldn't we at least look in the box first?"
"No, just get Rath. I'll stay here. Now hurry!" Riel scurried away in a state of confusion. It took a lot for Silva to admit anyone was greater than her in anyway, let alone Rath. What could have made her say that? Whatever it was, Riel knew that if she didn't do as she was told, she'd have a very angry Istari on her hands. A very angry Istari that could turn her into a pot plant in the blink of an eye.
She found them in the gardens. Rath, Arian and Nilia were talking quietly amongst themselves when Riel came running over. She quickly and breathlessly told them everything and they quickly departed to find the fifth sister.
When they reached the room, they found Silva slumped at the table, unnaturally pale, shaking and sweating.
"Silvawen!" Rath rushed to her side and put an arm round her shoulders. "What is it?"
"I-I don't know," she answered, shakily.
"Riel said something ailed you when you found the box," said Arian. "She said you called for Rath." Only once before in Silva's entire existence had she ever called to Rath. They all knew what had happened.
"I suddenly felt like we were all in danger. I knew that Riel had to get away and the box had to be protected. I needed Rath to be here. A felt a shadow..."
"You don't think-" began Nilia.
"No, I don't," Rath cut in, sharply.
"Neither do I," said Arian. "She isn't that foolish. Her reputation precedes her, she'd be killed on sight."
"I felt as though someone was laughing at me," said Silva, ignoring her sisters. She looked fearfully into Rath's eyes. Rath hugged her very tightly. She could see the shadow was lifting from Silva as the colour was returning to her cheeks, but as far as they knew, only one person could have this affect and she may still have been near.
"You are safe in Imladris, Laro," she said. "You are safe with me. We will not let the past repeat itself."
"I know I'm safe," said Silva.
"How do you feel?" asked Nilia.
"I'm fine. It's nothing. I don't know what came over me."
"I do," said Riel.
"Riel," hissed Arian.
"Let us just open the box now and see what all the fuss is about," said Silva. They nodded their heads and all looked at the box. They all gasped when they saw six beautiful rings lying on a velvet lining.
"Wow," said Rath.
"Pretty," said Riel.
"Beautiful," said Arian. There were three gold and three silver rings. Each had a different colour gemstone in it. There was a crystal, a ruby and a sapphire (the silver rings) and an emerald, a blue topaz and a black labradorite (the gold rings). Silva chose the emerald (surprising the others as she usually chose silver over gold), Riel took the sapphire, Arian took the ruby, Nilia took the topaz and Rath took the crystal. The only one left was the black labradorite one. None of them liked the look of it for it looked cruel and dictating.
They each studied their rings. They all felt an odd sort of connection to the ones they chose, though none mentioned that to the others. Eventually, Silva slipped hers onto her middle, left finger.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she said, awe in her voice.
"Yes, but we should put them back now," said Arian, sadly. " They aren't ours, we can't keep them."
"I say we keep them anyway," said Rath. "If they meant so much to someone, they should have been hidden away. Arian didn't look impressed.
"They were found in a box in a hidden room in a secluded wing of Lord Elrond's home. I think it's safe to say they were well hidden. If they go missing, we're bound to be caught."
"Oh well," sighed Silva. She pulled at the ring to get it off, but it wouldn't budge. She pulled it a few more times and it still wouldn't budge. "Oh no!!" The other Istari maidens looked at her.
"What?" said Rath.
"I can't get it off!" She began to pull at it frantically.
"Well done, Sil."
"What did you call me?"
"Sil, why?"
"Don't call me that. It's irritating."
"You do realise I will say it all the time now, just to annoy you." Silva growled with frustration.
"Oh, it won't move!"
"You'll have to get some water on it," said Nilia. "It's the only way it'll come off." So they went in search off water to remove the ring from Silva's hand, unknowingly taking the rings with them, even Arian.
Nilia was the first to realise she had her ring with her. When Silva finally removed hers, she put her hand in her pocket to find her blue topaz ring.
"What in the name of wonder...? How did that end up in my pocket?" The others quickly discovered they hadn't left theirs behind either.
"We'd better put them back before someone notices they're gone," said Rath.
They returned to the Ring Room (as they decided to call it) once again but were shocked with what they saw. The box was open, in the middle of the floor, and it was empty. Someone had taken the sixth ring.
They ran as quickly as they could to Elrond's office.
"We need to see Lord Elrond, immediately!" said Rath to the guard at the door of the office. The guard's reply had barely left his lips and the five Istari women were in the office.
"What is the matter, Lyncorath?" asked Elrond, startled by the sudden entrance.
"Silva and Riel found these rings in a hidden room," Rath began, the girls all held up their rings, "and we all chose one and Silva put hers on and it got stuck so we decided to go and find some water for her to remove it and when it came off we all realised we'd still got ours, so we all took our own back, but together, and when we got there the sixth ring had gone." She finally took a deep breath.
"But also, before that, Silva felt the shadow and called to Rath," said Arian. Elrond's face darkened.
"This is grave news indeed," he said. "Her ring has been taken and Silvawen felt the shadow."
"Her ring?" Silva repeatedly cautiously.
"Yes, her ring. And these are yours to keep, may I add."
"But how... and why?" said Nilia.
"When the known Magic Rings were forged and Sauron forged the Ring of Power, he thought he had done so in secrecy. For a while, this was so. But we caught wind of his plans, and so, six more Elven rings were forged. One each for the five of you and the last for Gorothiel. Each ring was made specifically for the bearer. The gem to match the bearer's element. Emerald for Earth, Ruby for Fire, Blue Topaz for Water, Sapphire for Air, Crystal for Light and Black Labradorite for Twilight. They were made before Gorothiel's betrayal was discovered. Were it known that she would fall to darkness, her ring would never have been forged. All have been hidden here since their creation. You were meant to find them, but she was not. I do not know how she discovered their whereabouts but I now fear that she has her ring and will use it to aid the evil of the Dark Lord."
"Why were they made for us?" said Riel.
"Long has it been since your fate was decided. The doom of Middle Earth rests not completely on your shoulders, though with these rings, you will achieve great things."
"Things could go horribly wrong if she really has got her ring," said Arian.
"Alas, there is nothing we can do."
"Nothing at all?" said Nilia. "But what if she comes after Rath?"
"I will sense her," said Silva, trying to block out the horrific flashbacks that were soaring through her mind.
"What if she comes for you?" said Riel.
"Then she comes for me," said Silva. "I care not. If she harms me, she harms herself, for she is bound to me by blood. That is the undoing of her evil spell casting, all those years ago. She cannot hurt me or kill me lest she suffer herself. She should have thought of that before she performed that spell.
"But she still has her ring," said Arian, "or at least we think she does. That could help her avoid all these catches."
"In which case, mine will help me also," said Silva.
"And it will take her long to do any evil with it yet," said Elrond. "The rings were made solely for the will of good. She must bring it round to the will of evil before she can master it."
"Perhaps we should delay our departure a little longer, just in case," said Nilia.
"I agree," said Riel. "It wouldn't be safe for either of them to leave Imladris with this threat looming over our heads." Rath and Silva's eyes narrowed. They both hated this kind of fuss. They both knew they were perfectly capable to defend themselves in the unlikely event of attack, though the others weren't going to see that.
"I will know if she is near," said Silva. "She is gone now, I know it. She won't be after us for some time."
"You can't be sure."
"Yes, I can. You don't understand what happened; you don't understand what kind of connection we now share. I will know when she is near and, when she is near enough, I will be able to read her intentions as if they were my own thoughts."
"By then it could be too late," said Arian.
"If Silva says there is no danger, then I believe her," said Rath. "We are still leaving here in four day's time. End of story."
"I don't believe that staying here would decrease any risk of danger," said Elrond. "Wherever they are, if Gorothiel wants to attack, she will attack. She has already proven that she holds no fear for Imladris. You are welcome to stay for as long as you wish, but it will not make you any safer."
"Surely anything is safer than roaming the land," said Nilia.
"They're not listening," said Silva to Rath. Rath rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Shall we just go and leave them to it?" whispered Rath.
"Yes, let's go," said Silva. They quietly snuck out of the room to freedom. Elrond was the only one to spot them and he hid a smile from the other sisters who were still babbling on about safety.
Rath and Silva escaped to a small study. As soon as the door closed, they both burst out laughing.
"What are they like?" giggled Silva.
"They only care," laughed Rath.
"Too much. They shall not stop me from leaving for Lothlórien in four days time. I received a message from the Lady Galadriel this morning saying she looks forward to my arrival. I am leaving as soon as I can."
"Anyone would think you didn't like it here."
"I do, but I am so excited about seeing the Golden Wood. I wish to be there as soon as I can."
"Are you packed yet?"
"Almost. I'll be done by morning." Rath began to laugh again.
"You are eager." Silva grinned.
"Do you think they've we've gone yet?" she said.
"Probably," said Rath. "Should we go and find them?"
"Well, we should, but that means facing a no doubt angry Arian. Is that wise?"
"Not particularly. She's like the mother we never had, isn't she?"
"And would never want." They both laughed. "I love her dearly, but she does anger over the strangest things. I really wonder about her sometimes. But, perhaps we will get off a little lighter if we turn ourselves in." Rath nodded and they left the room.
Four days later, the four Istari women that were leaving were ready. Rath, Silva, Nilia and Riel were packed and raring to go. Riel had to go in the opposite direction to the other sisters, since she was going up the Misty Mountains, but Rath and Nilia agreed to travel with Silva to the borders of Lothlórien and then go on their way.
"Silva!" called Arian just as they were about to leave. "I have something for you, a parting gift. I think you will find much use for it in Lothlórien." From behind her back, Arian produced a small silver harp that had leaves engraved on it. Silva's face lit up. For a very long time she'd wished to play the harp, but she had lacked the motivation to buy a harp in order to learn how to play.
"Oh Arian, thank you!" she cried, and flung her arms around her sister's neck.
"Well, I thought I should get you something as I'm likely not to see you for a while now. I know what you're like. You will keep in touch." Silva blushed slightly.
"Well, I will to start with," she promised. Arian smiled
"We'll see."
"Come on, Sil, we've got to go," said Rath. And so, with one last hug, Silva, Rath, Nilia and Riel left Elrond's home to go along their way.
Riel travelled with them for a day before a tearful parting was made between Silva and Riel. Then Rath, Silva and Nilia travelled for further three weeks to the borders of Lothlórien.
"I will miss you, Silva, despite all our arguments," said Rath. Silva hugged Rath.
"I will miss you too," she said. "And you, Nilia." She hugged Nilia. "I will be expecting news from both of you, regularly, though don't expect any back because you know how forgetful I am and my letters would never find you if you are to go about wandering." The three of them laughed and finally parted.
Silva entered the forest with a large smile on her face. It was as beautiful as she had imagined and yet she had not reached the heart of the realm yet. She wandered slowly through the forest, not entirely sure of the route she should be taking, but she took in all the sights nonetheless and let her feet guide her. She knew that sooner or later she would come across someone. And she was right, though her welcome was not quite as she expected. She was suddenly surrounded by Elven archers, arrows notched, ready to fire.
"What is your business in the Golden Wood?" the leader asked, sternly.
"My name is Silvawen," she said, unperturbed by the nine arrows aimed at her. "I am a guest of the Lady Galadriel."
"We know nothing of this."
"Well, I assure you, I'm not lying."
"If the Lady knew of your arrival, we would have been informed." Silva was beginning to grow impatient. She didn't like this man's pompous attitude.
"Evidently there has been a confusion of plans," she said, her voice getting more strained. "I have received a letter from the Lady Galadriel herself confirming her acceptance of my arrival. Clearly, she has not had time to inform you of my arrival."
"This would never be the case. I'm afraid I cannot let you pass."
"It is in your own best interests that you let me pass." The small flowers around her feet began to wither and wilt, trees began to bend away from her. The Elven guards noticed this and were spooked, but they were adamant not to let her through.
"I'm sorry I cannot-" The leader of the Sentinels disappeared. The other Elves gasped at the disappearance of their leader.
"What have you done with him, Kuruni?" demanded one of the Elves. 'Kuruni?' She didn't know what he had just named her, but she looked down at the ground where the leader of this bad of Elves had stood. There sat a small pot plant. She picked it up and gave it to the guard who spoke to her.
"Here." She grinned mischievously. "Think of it as a gift."
"What is this?" he asked.
"Your leader," she said. "Now, will you let me pass or not?" The Elves discussed the mater for a moment, briefly, amongst themselves, then they turned back to her.
"You may pass," he said, begrudgingly. "But you shall have an escort." He gave some orders in Elvish and they all disappeared save for two of them (one carrying the plant).
"Follow us," said the empty-handed escort, and they set off at a brisk pace.