An Unexpected Ring

Chapter 13

Only the Most Fitful Sleep

I miss you.

I miss you so terribly that my heart feels like it is tearing in two.

Now, at what feels like the end of days, I have been introduced

to true pain once again.

My happiness passed with you.

Rain pelted the walls of Castle Ylisse.

Three days straight of rain. A relentless downpour. The sky wept, and Tiki knew why. She had not seen the evidence yet, but she could feel it in her heart. There was an ache that refused to abate. A sharp twisting of an invisible knife that wrenched every fiber of her core, almost leaving her gasping for breath. It was the feeling of dread that came with knowing something terrible was coming but refusing to believe it could.

Yet, as she stood on the walls of Castle Ylisse, and gazed through the fog and mists rising to meet the incessant rain, she spied the tattered Exalts banners and knew ill news drew near. Her throat tightened as the small, weary column drew closer to Ylisstol. Two hundred set out with the Exalt to Plegia. A royal guard, composed of some of the finest knights, pegasus knights, and Shepherds in Chrom's service. Tiki's husband, Robin, was among them.

She counted fewer than three dozen trudging back. At the lead rode Sir Frederick. Her sharp eyes narrowed. Her lips quivered when she saw heavy bandages wrapped around his forehead. His head was bowed. Defeat marred the once proud knight's face. Frederick never admitted defeat.

"Pain has an odd way of manifesting, doesn't it?"

Tiki closed her eyes. She knew that voice. That silky tone cutting through her ears reminded her that this wasn't real. Not anymore. It felt real. Naga, it hurt like she was still there. But, this was a memory. A fragment of what she could recall from Grima's War.

"Why are you visiting me now?" she whispered. Her eyes closed. Tears misted in them. "Why must you always speak when I hurt the most, Annatar?"

Annatar, the strange elf that visited her in her dreams, said nothing. The silence forced her eyes open again. Frederick was dismounting his horse and staggering his way into the city. Only three Pegasus Knights survived. Tiki didn't recognize any of them. Queen Sumia and Lady Cordelia Kindall perished as well. The day grew bleaker.

Still, she held out hope. Robin could be trailing the column. He could be covering the rear against any pursuers. Of course, they were now a few hundred miles from the Plegian border, and they were not pursued, so what would be the point? But, it would be like him. He thought of little details like that.

"He's gone, you know."

Tiki's heart seized in her chest. She watched as a young, pre-teen redhead rushed out to meet Sir Frederick. Her heart tore when she saw Severa drop to her knees. Right behind her hurried Princess Lucina and Princess Lissa, the aunt desperately trying to reach her niece before she could witness the horrible truth. She failed, of course.

"What do I tell Morgan?" she whispered.

Annatar hummed. "That is a new name. Morgan… she is close to you, isn't she?"

Tiki swallowed hard. Out of the corner of her eye, atop one of Ylisse's towers, she saw a gold and purple coat flapping in the breeze. Her heart skipped a beat. It was Robin!

No, it was Morgan. Her daughter perched on the tower, hood drawn, shadows hiding her face. Tiki knew what she would see if she looked up there. Tears.

"She's my daughter," Tiki admitted, tucking her chin. "A child that should've been impossible."

"Impossibilities are simply the world throwing its harshest obstacles in our way," Annatar replied.

Tiki scoffed. "And for all of your terrible timing, you still manage a wise quip."

A soft laugh came from Annatar. Tiki finally turned to face him. Once again, he donned a more ruggedly handsome appearance. Not the elegant, graceful beauty she witnessed when they first spoke over eighty years ago upon her arrival in Middle-Earth. He watched the column pass beneath the gates of Ylisstol. A grimace came over his face.

"So few. What could have done this?"

"Grima," Tiki answered. "The great evil of my home."

Annatar nodded slowly. "I see."

"I failed to stop him," Tiki breathed. "Naga, I failed to even see him coming. I fought him once before, you know. One thousand years before this. I saw the first exalt defeat him. I watched his body turn to bones as the Plegian sun baked them and the desert consumed them." She shook her head, throat tightening as the last of the column moved in. The gates closed. There was no sign of Robin. She only heard weeping from below. "I thought he was gone for good."

Footsteps moved to her. Annatar didn't move as a person passed through him, as if he was nothing more than an apparition. Of course, that's all he could be. Tiki still did not know who or what he was or why he appeared. Was he a part of her consciousness attempting to help her cope with memories so painful she had them locked away? Was he an outside actor delving into her thoughts, hoping to pluck knowledge from her? She didn't know. At the moment, she didn't care.

Henry, the dark mage of the Academy and a fellow Shepherd, drew to her side. He had grown much since they first met almost a decade prior. Back then, he had been a mischievous boy, cackling about his foul experiments and reveling in the thrill of magical combat. He disliked injuries, and that remained true to this day, but he never hesitated to dish out pain and laugh at misery.

There was no mirth in his eyes today. He wore no smile. He simply stood beside Tiki, stooping inside his black robes. A frown creased his pale face.

"Tharja is attempting to divine what happened," he said. "But, the mana of the world is in complete flux. The dark powers that exist are screaming in victory. I think you know what that-"

Tiki shot him a sharp glare. Henry quieted.

"I know better than any of you what that means," Tiki whispered, her voice raspy as she struggled against sobs.

The more she struggled, the more her heart calcified. The tears that misted in her eyes retreated, even as a single one dripped down her cheek. The quivering of her lips lessened. Her hands turned into fists at her sides, nails digging so deep into her palms that they drew blood.

"I will see his end," she breathed, shaking with barely restrained draconic rage. "I will make him rue the day he returned. My happiness has died today, Henry. I enjoyed it while it lasted. Now, my hatred will compel me to fight, and my hatred knows no mercy."

Henry gave her a surprised look. "Then the daughter of Naga is ready?"

Tiki's gaze shifted to the West. She looked past Annatar and watched dark clouds burst forth in the distant skies over far away Plegia.

"No," she admitted. "But neither is he."

Blurry light flooded Tiki's eyes. It was pure light. Bright and vibrant. For a moment, she wondered if this was the afterlife. Had she passed through to the other world beyond the one she knew?

She knew she hadn't when a faint, burning sensation clung to her wounded arm, hand, and torso. She winced, squeezing her eyes shut and then hissing. Sheets made of gentle down shifted as she tried to sit upright against her body's crying protests. A feather pillow sank behind her.

"Where am I?"

"You are in the House of Elrond."

When did Elrond own property in the afterlife?

"And it is ten o'clock in the morning. On October the twenty-fourth, if you want to know."

That voice. She knew that voice.

Her vision focused. An old, gray man sat beside her. Pipeweed burned in his long pipe. Longbottom leaf. Its scent wasn't as good as Old Toby, but she didn't mind it. Gandalf's gentle blue eyes focused on her, instantly setting her racing heart at ease. She sank back into the pillows.

"I'm not dead, right?"

"No, but it was close," Gandalf replied. He gestured at her wounds. "A few more hours and even you, as durable as you are, would have been beyond our aid. However, I still marvel at the sheer strength you possess. Anyone else would have succumbed in hours."

Tiki grimaced. "I didn't think they were that bad but…" her eyes narrowed. "The poisoned blade. The Nazgul had-" Her heart froze. "Frodo!"

"Is alright," Gandalf replied, raising a hand to calm her. "He hasn't left your side until just now actually. I urged him to finally go and get something to eat after reminding him that, even healthy, you are quite notorious for your long naps."

Tiki groaned. She reached up and rubbed her eyes, grimacing when she felt soft bandages brushing against her face. She smacked her lips, yawned, then turned her attention back to Gandalf.

"So, everyone is alright?"

"For now, yes," Gandalf nodded.

"Tauriel's arm?"

"Mending."

Tiki nodded. "Good. That's good." Then she swung her legs from the bed. Gandalf raised a hand but she waved him off. "I've slept enough lately. Let me move around."

Her legs wobbled beneath her as she took her first few steps. She took a moment to gather herself then managed to stumble her way to a comfortable chair opposite Gandalf. She sank into the soft cushions, sighing as they caressed her weak form. The warm sun that spilled in through the elegant window made her eyes feel lazy.

"Do you have my pipe?" She asked.

"Frodo does. He made sure to keep track of your belongings, along with Samwise," Gandalf answered. He reached into his robes and pulled out a shorter, narrower pipe than his own. "I, however, always keep a spare."

Tiki nodded her thanks. Gandalf offered her some Longbottom leaf, which she happily stuffed into the pipe. With a snap of her fingers, she lit the pipeweed and puffed. Her eyes closed as the aromatic flavor hit her tongue. She sank further into the cushions.

"That's better," she breathed, smoke spilling from her lips as she spoke.

"You should still be resting," Gandalf replied, his tone like that of a chiding parent.

"What's more restful than this?" Tiki replied. She let the pipe slip from the corner of her mouth. "Say, Gandalf, what exactly happened?"

"While you were unconscious? Not much. Lord Glorifindel found you and the hobbits in the company of Aragorn and Tauriel a few days out from Rivendell. He personally spirited both you and Frodo here ahead of the others, while being chased by the Nazgul."

Tiki's face darkened. "Yes, them. Forgive me if my mood is suddenly sour, but I do not appreciate being kept in the dark as I have been. You misunderstood my original question in the first place. What happened?"

Gandalf frowned. A heavy breath passed from his lips. He puffed on his pipe, ruminating about what to say. Tiki knew that pensive look well. Gandalf wore it when he was carefully mulling over what to say and weighing the consequences of those words against any benefits. He may be old, but he was crafty.

"I assume Aragorn told you about the Nazgul?"

"Briefly. We were a bit busy running from them for an extended storytime."

"Ah, but of course," Gandalf nodded. He puffed on his pipe again then nodded. "I think, seeing as how you've suffered injury already due to this entire affair; it is only right to tell you more. Even if Elrond disagrees."

"He only disagrees because of what I am."

"Speaking of that," Gandalf pivoted, twisting to look at her, "the hobbits and Aragorn have been pestering me nonstop with questions. You apparently roared at the Nazgul. Not a snarl, but a full-throated roar, both on Weathertop and while Glorfindel was bringing you here. I have said nothing, and I told them that any divulgences will come from you and you alone. However, what is that saying you once told me? The cat is out of the bag."

"And the cat is furious. Quit dodging my questions."

Gandalf sighed. "Yes, yes. Even weary you are persistent." He sagged in his seat and then continued. "Do you recall the painting of Sauron's defeat by Isildur in the hall?"

Tiki frowned. "And how there's a glowing, golden ring on Sauron's shadowy finger. Yes, I noticed. I also happened to notice Frodo very jealously holding a rather simple golden band himself. Let me guess, they're the same."

Gandalf nodded grimly.

"And I'm going to guess that the Nazgul, as servants of the Dark Lord, want to get that ring for him, hence why they were chasing Frodo."

Another nod.

"And now I'm going to guess that is all you'll mention until you and Elrond have further council because I have just managed to reveal everything I know to you and you'll think that suffices," Tiki huffed, shoved her pipe back into the corner of her mouth and gave it a furious puff. "I hate it when you do that."

Gandalf chuckled a little. "It is good to see your spirits are returning. When you are feeling up for it, the others went to have some breakfast and-"

"Aunt Tiki!"

Frodo burst into the room. Any annoyance Tiki felt was replaced by relief when she saw him alive and healthy. He wore a new outfit, not worn down from the road. The elves probably gave it to him. It fit well.

Instead of barreling into her, he hesitated as he drew closer. Tiki tilted her head.

"Frodo…"

"Frodo…" Gandalf said lowly, his eyes shifting back and forth.

Tiki wobbled to her feet, and Frodo paled.

"Do you mind telling me why you thought putting on the evil ring was a good idea!?"

A day passed, and Tiki felt stronger by the end of it. As dusk fell, and the sun retreated, giving way to stars, she found herself once again wandering the winding corridors of Elrond's expansive house. Her steps carried her to the very portrait she had seen so many years ago. The one that made her frown every time she saw it.

Sauron loomed over Isildur, towering over him, a giant compared to an ant. He had form in the painting, but only thanks to the dark edges of his shadowy outline and the blazing eyes that glowed in his head. Beyond that, the only light coming from him was the ring, shiny and golden, sitting on his finger like a lone star in a black void. He wasn't just an enemy on the battlefield. He was an unnatural force. Something impossible to comprehend or negotiate with. Evil incarnate.

He was so simple.

Yet, he is now the most dangerous foe in all of Middle-Earth. Even more than Smaug was. She blew out a long breath from her nose as her arms folded, the long sleeves of the red gown she wore sweeping through the air. Her gaze focused on the ring. What makes such a little trinket so important to him?

Bare feet strolled in her direction, moving slowly, without much care in the world. Her ears twitched as she heard the leathery pads of hobbit feet brushing atop the stone walkway. Then, she sniffed. She smelled ink, old paper, and leather binding. Her heart soared and a broad smile creased her lips, banishing her pondering on the Dark Lord.

She turned and she saw an old hobbit shuffling toward her. He used a walking stick like a cane. His hair had turned white, and he had deep wrinkles forming across his once-youthful face. However, she knew that mischievous grin and twinkle in the eyes anywhere.

"Tiki!" Bilbo cried, smiling broadening. He strolled up to her and then wrapped her in a warm embrace which she readily returned. He patted her back. "Oh, it's so good to see you. I heard what happened and I was… well, I wasn't sure what I was honestly. But, alarmed was certainly one of the things. Worried too. Troubled, afraid, a whole mixed bag of things that I hadn't felt in some time."

"Well," Tiki chuckled, "I'm sorry to have interrupted your blissful retirement."

Bilbo guffawed. "Retirement? Retire? Me? Never!" He stamped his cane. "I'll retire, I say, then there's no more fun to have and nothing left to see in the world, hm? But enough about me, how are you feeling?"

Tiki winced as she rose to her feet again. "A bit sore still, but Elrond's healers have worked wonders. I should be alright in a couple of days."

"That's good. Most good, yes!" Bilbo nodded. "Wouldn't do to have the Emerald Dragon out of commission, hm? Especially with who's going to be here soon."

Tiki furrowed her brow. Then her eyes widened.

"Thorin's coming here?"

"And Gloin, and he is bringing his little tyke Gimli. Well, I suppose he's not so little anymore. How old is he again? It has been… been… how long has it been since the party?"

"You mean your birthday party that you somehow managed to crash?" Tiki asked with a broad smile. The pair started walking away from the portrait and toward the lush gardens of Rivendell. "Oh… twenty-something years?"

"Good gracious," Bilbo breathed. "I lost track of time, didn't I? Hard to do in a place like this though. I think it makes sense why the elves don't quite comprehend the quickness of time. It's not that they live exceptionally long, it's that their lives are so comfortable that there seems to be no need to actually keep track of time. Did you know that I haven't seen a single calendar since I got here? Not one! I made one of course, because any hobbit, even one as irascible as me, has the good sense to keep track of the days. Yes, yes. And speaking of days, one week, that's when old Thorin is showing up. Exciting, yes?"

Tiki nodded. "What do you think is finally managing to pull him out of Erebor? I thought he refused to leave the mountain?"

"He did, for a while. Occasional summits with King Thranduil and Old Bard's descendants notwithstanding, he rarely gets out and about nowadays. Old age gets us all I'm afraid; except of course you, and Elrond, and any elf really, oh and for some reason Gandalf even though he looks older than all of us combined," he finished with a snicker.

"Old age will catch up to me as well, eventually. It just happens for Manaketes a little differently."

"But not for a long time," Bilbo replied.

Tiki's steps faltered a little as they neared his humble room in Rivendell. Tom Bombadil was many things, but he was no liar. Degeneration explained so much about her lately. Naga she almost lost herself on Weathertop to battle lust, which was one of the first conditions that came with a degenerating mind for a dragon. War for domination always fit the pattern, and any challengers were to be met with unrelenting force. Only her desire to keep Frodo and the others safe kept her from fully unleashing animalistic fury on the Nazgul. Doing so would have also put her friends in danger because she knew how she became when that happened.

Smaug knew as well before he perished.

"Is everything alright?" Bilbo asked from his door.

Tiki blinked. "Oh, um, yes, everything is fine. Just a bit tired, that's all."

"It's all the walking around. Come, come, sit. We can talk like in the old days. And that doesn't mean gossip."

"Even though that's exactly what we will be doing?"

"Catching up on pressing news and gossip is not the same thing."

"You're right. One is far more entertaining than the other."

Bilbo chuckled with her, and Tiki's worries about her slow decay vanished. It was amazing how Bilbo managed to do that to her. He always seemed able to banish the darkness away long enough for her to forget it was even there. Always long enough for the two of them to share their gossip, tell tales of their travels, and reminisce on the days long gone by for both of them.

Of course, copious amounts of pipeweed were involved.

And chapter! Tiki's awake, and she's with an old friend again. That was nice to write after a depressing opener lol. We're very close now to the Council of Elrond, and that's gonna be a fun one to write! Let me know what you all think of this chapter. As always, I hope you all enjoyed it. Have a nice day!