"I, Angrenbor Curunirion, was born in Isengard. My father was a hard man, and unkind. Not even to his own son." Angrenbor's face turned first wistful, then hard as he remembered the beatings he had received at Saruman's hands. "But he made use of me and tutored me in the use of my innate power."

"But there was another that Sharkey tormented more than I. He kept an elf-girl as a slave and he hated her with a vengeance. She, naturally, returned his hate doubly. I knew because I saw the fierce looks she gave him when his back was turned and she thought I wasn't nearby. I'm sorry to say that she felt the same way toward me, as I was as cruel to her as my father was.

"The day Sharkey died, she disappeared. She came flying down the stairs and I tried to get her to talk to me, but she fell. When I got to the bottom of the steps, she was gone and the doors of Orthanc were barred. To this day I have no idea where she is or where she went. It is a great mystery to me.

"After that I was trapped alone in Orthanc. I stayed there for years, going through all of my father's things and learning what I could from them. In thirty-five years' time I tried to escape Orthanc at last. I had been kept locked in by the Ents, but now that I had grown stronger in power, I felt that I could make good an escape. And I have,

"I recently marked my hundredth year. Yet, I am still so young in so many ways. When I was young, my father never let me leave Orthanc or the Ring of Isengard. I watched him in his dealings with men, elves, and assorted other races. Thus, I know how to relate to men.

"But women are an entirely different matter. The only one I'd ever seen was my slave. I'd never known how to treat a woman, other than with scorn. But I realize that there is much that I do not know."

Yaonorme flipped his hair out of his eyes as he rooted through his pack for food. "So is that an apology to Briar Rose for the way you've acted?"

The wizard was on his feet in a heartbeat. "I do not owe her anything, and I need not follow your bidding in any case!"

The fair elf jammed his glasses back onto his nose and motioned for Angrenbor to sit back down. "Of course. I meant no offense."

Angrenbor sat down and arranged himself fussily as if his outburst had not occurred. Yaonorme tossed him some dried fruit and Angrimbor munched on it, staring thoughtfully down at the ring on his finger. Yaonorme spotted it and asked, "What sort of ring is that?"

Angrenbor swallowed and held it up. "Actually, it's the Two Ring."

Yaonorme coughed for a minute, then, trying very hard not to laugh, asked, "No relation to the One Ring, is it?"

The man looked sharply at him. "Not really. It was forged by my father to counter Sauron's One Ring. Obviously it failed, because this ring doesn't really do anything as far as I know."

Yaonorme, intrigued, held out a hand. "May I see it?"

"No!"

The vehemence of Angrenbor's reaction made both of his companions jump. The wizard cupped his left hand over his right, shielding the ring from all other eyes. "It is mine!"

Then it seemed that a shadow passed from his face and the dark-haired man sat stunned, staring at the ring on his hand. "I-I had thought that it had no control over me, but...I see now that it does. I am sorry."

Briar Rose giggled nervously and moved closer to Yaonorme. "Not a problem," she said quickly, ducking behind the elf.

Yaonorme's face was grave. "Angrenbor, that thing is evil. I would counsel you to be rid of it, though-"

Angrenbor swiftly covered the ring and snarled at Yaonorme. The elf raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"-Though I will not take it from you. You must be rid of it by your own will."

An awkward silence enveloped the clearing. The three sat staring at each other, unwilling to speak. Finally Briar Rose hesitantly broke the silence. "Yaonorme, will you tell us your tale?"