Chapter 3

Visitors

And Lomenil waited for her brother to return for weeks. But there was no sign of him. She was starting to get nervous.

"What if the ring is already in their hands and there is nothing we can do? What if the hobbit doesn't have the ring anymore?"

And then she decided to go to Rivendell herself. She would pretend that she came because she was worried about her brother. But the truth was that she wanted to see what happened to the ring. She wanted to leave that night, but then she was interrupted by the voice of her maiden Hilenien.

"What is it?" She asked her nervously. "Why do you bother me again?"

"I'm sorry, my lady. But some people are here, looking for a shelter."

"Give them shelter then and leave me alone."
"But they want to speak to you."

"I don't care. Give them something to eat. I have to go to Rivendell."

"They came from Rivendell."

Lomenil turned around surprised.

"From Rivendell!"

"Yes, my lady. Strange creatures are among them. Tiny ones. Hobbits."

"Hobbits you say?" There was a spark in her eyes again. She pushed Hilenien away and ran towards the main hall where the guests usually waited. She thought this was too good to be true. The one she needs came to her.

The company of nine was already waiting in the hall. They were all tired from the travel and it seemed like they needed to take a bath. And they wouldn't refuse a hot meal.

"Welcome, gentleman, to the kingdom of Eregion." She said cheerfully.

"While, Lomelin. I haven't seen you for ages." Gandalf was happy to see her.

"Oh no, Gandalf. He is wise, he could suspect something. I better watch myself."

"The grey pilgrim! How wonderful it is to see you!" She said. "Who did you bring with you?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Let me introduce them to you. This is Aragorn son of Arathorn. The one next to him is Boromir, Denethor's son. And then, there's Legolas son of Thranduil. And Gimli, son of Gloin."

"Brave people of famous father's, there's no doubt." She said. "And what about the rest?"

"You mean the hobbits? They are Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took and Meriadoc Brandybuck."

"And tell me, what brings you here?" She wanted to know.

"I will tell you later. We're starving." Gandalf laughed.

"Sorry. I completely forgot. Follow me, to the dining room. I will see that they make something to eat." She said and hurried in front of them.

They left their things in the hallway and went to the dining room. After the dinner, Gandalf stayed with Lomelin, explaining her everything.

"I see. So you plan to get rid of it? To destroy it?" She was surprised.

"Yes. But keep that a secret. I told you that because I trust you. Only few people know about it." He whispered.

She felt bad when she heard that.

"He trusts me…And I am going to betray him."

"What are you thinking about?" He noticed she was worried.

"Oh, nothing." She smiled. "But, Mithrandir? Why didn't Elrond take the ring?"

"That ring corrupts everything it touches."

"The hobbit…is he influenced by it then?"

"Not yet. It affects powerful people sooner. And the damage is greater." Gandalf took a deep breath.

"What would it do to you?" She wanted to know.

"I better not think about that."

"So, you say that with this ring you can become the most powerful person alive?" She had that greedy look in her eyes.

"And the most corrupted! Didn't you get any of what I just said? The ring is evil and it should be destroyed." He raised his voice.

"Of course." She agreed, but deep down had some plans of her own.

She had three guest bedrooms. Boromir and Aragorn were in one, Gandalf, Legolas and Gimli in another and the four hobbits in the third.

"If you need anything, just ask for it." She told them and wished them a good night.

And she went to her room where she couldn't sleep all night.

"How to get the hobbit to Saruman? I have to be wise now. I'm not allowed to make a mistake."