Smiling softly Hadrian examined the map for the umpteenth time hope and joy swelling in his chest as he ran his finger down the maps edge. With a deep breath Hadrian rolled the map up then turned to Sirius and said, "you are to take this to Lady Galadriel and tell her that upon my return to Lothlorien that I will be planning to locate Gondolin in the blue mountains." Taking the map Sirius slid it into a sturdy container before smiling softly to Hadrian and leaving.
After quickly freshening himself up Hadrian left his temporary quarters in one of the old guard rooms just of the treasury. Following the sounds of the dwarfs echoing throu the empty mountain Hadrian was surprised to see the Dwarfs compiling a sizable collection of elven artefacts, weaponry and books. Slowly stopping at the top of the stairs Hadrian was surprised as he fell deep into one of his visions.
For a moment their was complete darkness then Hadrian found himself looking down on a army of orcs marching on Erabor. Gasping Hadrian snapped out of the vision to find the Dwarfs crowded around him debating what they should do with clear worry.
Shaking his head clear Hadrian grabbed Thorin's shoulder and whispered "an army of orcs march on Erebor" as soon as the words had left Hadrian's mouth the dwarfs launched into a frenzy of action collecting the armour and weaponry scattered around the mountain sending ravens to Lord Dain asking him to make all haste to Erebor and to the people of lake town informing them of the Army marching on erebor.
Hadrian sent Ravens to Thranduil, Lady Galadriel and Lord Elrond informing them of the success in defeating the dragon and the on coming army. That night Hadrian and the company began looking over old maps and battle plans trying to find a suitable way to defend themselves from the Orc's.
Hauling themselves up in the mountain was quickly removed from the options due to a lack of food and working plumbing. Then an all-out charge at the orcs was shot down due to their low numbers. After a lot of back and forth it was decided that they would let the orcs com to them and keep the mountain to their backs for Added protection.
The next morning Hadrian awoke to the noises of feet as most of the people of lake town arrived at the gates of Erebor asking for sanctuary and pledging their men in the battle ahead. As soon as the men where in the mountain Hadrian took them to where the company had placed all the armour they had found and began distributing armour and weaponry.
The last man was a bard who had explained that they had seen the fire of Smaug inside the mountain from the caver but when the dragon didn't leave they had decided to make their way here to see if they were still alive and if they needed any help.
That night many of the dwarfs and men celebrated as Thranduil and many of the woodland elves arrived carrying weaponry and a feast fit for many kings. Loud laughter and crude jokes flew through the air of he mountain as many chose not to focus on the fact that this could be their last night alive.
Slowly the joviality died down until a still anticipatory silence hung in the air until shortly before dawn the blast of a scouts horn informed them that the orcs had been spotted coming in from the south.
As soon as the first horn was heard the mountain delve into a mass of noise and action as armour was put on weaponry gathered and men, dwarfs and elves rushed out of Erebor's crumbling gates in preparation for war.
Standing next to Thranduil and Thorin Hadrian stared off towards the oncoming army wondering were Lord Dain and is army where when Ori said, "I'm not worried we have the High King of the Elves on our side he must have thought in many battle and wars over the centuries after all he is four and a half centuries' old."
Sighing in disbelief Thranduil turned to Ori and said, master Ori please focus on the battle ahead." After Thranduil's comment a stiff silence hung over the two army's and 13 dwarfs. Dust raised from the marching feet could be seen horizon. When with the blast of a trumpet Dain and his army march over the crest of the hill to their east.
Almost as soon as Dain and his army arrived huge were worms burst from undeath the hills. As the Orc's charged towards the awaiting army's the Dwarfs formed a wall of shields and spears while Hadrian ordered the elves to prepare to attack.
As soon as the first wave of orcs impaled themselves upon the Dwarves spears Hadrian lead the charge over the Dwarves and into the Fray. Hadrian pushed forwards hacking and slicing orc after orc .
At one point in the battle Hadrian found himself beside Thorin and Thranduil fighting Azog and blog while watching each other's back. Almost as soon as Thorin and Hadrian had delivered killing blows to Azog and Blog a deathly cold fell over the battle field.
Gasping Hadrian looked back over the mountain to see the Sauron, the nine Nazgul and a army of goblins swarming in from the east. Spinning around Hadrian faced the oncoming army Thranduil at his left and Thorin to his left.
The closer the army got the more Hadrian felt as though all the happiness in the world had been sucked away never to return. A soft voice in Hadrian's head whispered the happiest memory you have closing his eyes Hadrian thought back to when he had turned 100 and lord Elrond had whispered in his ear that he was proud of him and that he believed that Hadrian would be one of the greatest high kings the elves had ever had.
Desperately picturing his happiest memory Hadrian was unaware that he was slowly beginning to glow with a faint silver light that emanated hope joy and determination. Bolstered by Hadrian's magic Dwarfs, elf's and men began slaughtering the orcs and goblins with renewed vigour.
Screeching in anger Sauron and the Nazgul turned to retreat when a silver stag leapt from Hadrian's chest and drove its antlers into the Nazgul. Causing them to go up in smoke leaving their rings hanging on the stags antlers.
Quickly gabbing the rings Hadrian slipped them into his pocket before leading the charge against Sauron. With a screech of rage Sauron sent a bolt of red at Hadrian. The last thing Hadrian remembered was a flash of red then a bright white light and agony filling his body before falling into Darkness.
Groaning Hadrian woke up to find himself lying on a cold hard stone surface. Sitting up Hadrian found himself sitting across from Mandos. Before Hadrian could form any words Mandos said, "you're not dead just really close to it."
Raising an eyebrow Hadrian replied, "was that supposed to be comforting?" laughing Mandos turned away from Hadrian and replied, "no particularly however I can tell you how to destroy almost all the rings now that you have them." However, you cannot destroy the one ring as it must be destroyed by the one called Frodo Baggins.
Groaning in dismay Hadrian asked, "why can't I just destroy it myself?" offering Hadrian a hand to get up Mandos replied, "over the millennia on the way back to middle earth and on the way back to the undying lands many elves have found themselves in the world of man and wizard." Pausing for a moment Mandos rose up and signalled for Hadrian to follow him.
Once Hadrian had caught up Mandos continued to talk saying, "many of the elves that found themselves their stayed for a time before continuing on with their journey or returning to the undying lands. These elves left behind children who intermarried with the people of the earth until the only difference was that the decedents of the elves had stronger magic and a slightly longer lifespan."
Pausing Mandos stopped in front of a large stone bowl filled with a swirling shimmering mist that faintly reminded Hadrian of something he had once seen but couldn't quite remember what it was.
Turning to face Hadrian Mandos said, "you where one of these people and for years we the Valor watched as you struggled to survive." When you would have died we intervened preventing your soul from entering into my halls and instead gave you a second chance at life and a second chance to be happy for your first life was anything but."
Gasping in shock Hadrian whispered, "then why don't I remember any of this?" smiling gently Mandos replied, "the pain and sorrow of the other world would have tainted any happiness that middle earth could give you so your memories where looked away only to be unlocked when you return to the undying lands where healing would be possible."
Nodding shakily Hadrian considered what mandos was telling him. As Hadrian was contemplating what Mandos had told him Hadrian Mandos coughed slightly bringing Hadrian's attention back to him.
Once certain that Hadrian's full attention was on him Mandos said, "This is where I look down on those in middle earth and the world of wizards and man. Due to you having had wizarding blood in you before we cleaned you and gave you a new form you have a small amount of wizarding magic left that can destroy all but the one ring."
Nodding Hadrian replied, "I will do my best to destroy all the rings but that still dosent answer why I can't destroy the one ring" with a great sigh Mandos replied, "the one ring can only be destroyed by Bilbo Baggins for two reasons the first being that when we placed you in middle earth we had already seen what would happen with the one ring and no matter how powerful the valar are there are some things that we cant change,
Pausing for a moment Mando checked something in his bowl before continuing to say "second reason is that any man, elf or dwarf that enters mordor will go mad due to the screams of the souls trapped their."
Raising an eyebrow in disbelief Hadrian asked, "why are hobbits exempt from this?" shrugging his shoulders in befuddlement Mandos replied, "only Ilurvatar knows the answer to that question."
Quickly turning to Hadrian Mandos said, "Elrond has arrived and began healing you we don't have much time left so let me instruct you on how to destroy the rings that you can." Quickly Mandos began explaining Feindfire saying "first you must focus on a image of green fire then find the small bit of magic inside you and release it while saying feindfire"
Almost as soon as Mandos had finished talking awoke gasping. immediately Elrond's worried face leaning over him. A cool hand pressed into his forehead as Elrond in a perfectly calm voice said, "Hadrian if you ever do that again I don't care if you are high king and a adult I will bend you over my knee and give you a right spanking."
Giggling Hadrian tried to sit up only to find his muscles protesting painfully. Instantly worried Elrond pushed Hadrian back into the covers as he said, "you will need to take your time to recover as you have been out for a month.
Gasping in panic Hadrian asked, "where are the rings of the Nazgul?" a voice from the doorway replied, "the rings are in a mithril case awaiting you." Smiling at throrin Hadrian asked could you bring them here.
Quickly the Nazgul rings where brought to Hadrain who despite his muscles and Elrond's protests had pulled himself out of bed and down beside the fire. Once Hadrian had all the rings he carefully laid the three elven rings together in a circle surrounded by the seven dwarven rings and then the rings of men surrounding them.
Ignoring the smothering oppressive magic emanating from the rings Hadrian focused in on himself and began searching for his magic eventually Hadrain found a small pocket of power that was both familiar and foreign.
Taking a deep breath Hadrian imagined the small pocket flowing out of him and a green fire forming as he said, "feindfire"
Almost instantaneously the rings were encased in the cold fire before they where're reduced to dust and the dust burned away.
End of book one Book two will be written at a later date