A God Among The Stars

by Lasgalendil

"The Quest stands on the edge of a knife. Stray but a little and you will fail, to the ruin of all." Sauron knows their names, he knows their kinds, and he can alter history to ensure that this time, the Fellowship fails. Now it's up to Hari Seldon to make sure the chain of events remains unbroken from Cuivienen to pave the way for the greatest friendship in Middle-earth.

3. N-1

Northern Gondor

The Rapids of Sarn Gebir

23 February TA 3019

A dark shape fell, blotting out the moon and stars. The Ring-bearer cringed, and high above him he could see the Elf silhouetted against the night sky, his head crowned in glittering starlight. The servants of the enemy had found them, but the heart of Legolas the Elf did not falter. "A Elbereth Gilthoniel," he sighed.

The bow of Lórien sang. The swift arrow found its mark and a horrendous cry fell on their ears. The terror faded. Far across the water, the jeers of the orcs turned to wails of dismay.

"That was a mighty shot in the dark, my friend!" said Gimli.

The Elf only peered out into the darkness, across the murmuring waters of Anduin. "But who can say what it hit?"

Then-

THEN

Then the voice spoke again into the Void, kindling the Flame Imperishable: Athâraphelûn Amanaishal!

His servants shout: Akashân!

The children cry: Eglerio! Elgerio! A laita, laita sé! Andavë laituvalmes!

And the finger of the Ring-bearer was bitten off, and the creature Gollum plummeted into the chasm of Onodrim, the foundations of Barad-dûr crumbled and the Dark Lord was no more…and Master Samwise returned to Bag End and his wife and child, his supper at the door.

"Well," he said. "I'm back."

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AN: This is what happens when an author gets a great idea for a good fic but doesn't have the time/her Tolkien collection is halfway across the continent to write it. You've read the prologue, the first chapter…so I thought it only fair if I am to postpone this now-perhaps even indefinitely-then you deserve at least an ending.

"Nothing ever ends." -Dr. Manhattan, Watchmen

[Well, fuck THAT guy. Rorshack was the real hero of the story.]

[…and is no one else concerned that in the history of stories ever, Adrian Veidt is the first and only successful super-villian?]

But here I digress. Welcome, then, reader, to the penultimate and ultimate chapters of A God Among the Stars. Cleverly entitled "N-1" and "N" for all you math nerds out there (and they said I wouldn't need it for my major, bless.) and for lack anything better, although "Shadows Across the Windows/Clouds in the Heaven" and "A God Among the Stars" were my first choices, respectively. Perhaps someday if I finish the middle of this thing I'll allow myself to come back and change it. For now, an unfinished story doesn't deserve them.

Sindarin: A Elbereth Gilthoniel. "O Star-queen, Star-kindler."

Valarin: Athâraphelûn Amanaishal! "Arda Unmarred."

Valarin: Akashân! "He speaks!"

Sindarin: Eglerio! Elgerio! "Praise (Him)! Praise (Him!)!"

Quenya: A laita, laita sé! Andavë laituvalmes! "O praise, praise Him! Long shall we bless Him!"