Chapter 16 The Rings

'You wanted to see me?'

Nienor stood in the shadow of the door. Elrond set down his pen and immediately rose to welcome her.

'Nienor! Please, come in and have a seat.' He circled the desk and escorted her to the sofa in the center of the room, kissing her hand before closing the door.

'This is the first time I've come here' Nienor noted, sweeping her eyes across the room.

Elrond's study was beautifully decorated. The cabinet hinges were wrought iron painted in gold, forming tight scrolls of flowers and foliage. On one side of the room, there was an entire wall of shelves overflowing with books and rolled-up scrolls. Opposite the library, on one of the walls, a huge mural depicting Middle-earth was painted. The secretary, the focal point of this large room, was carved from walnut. The handles and hinges of the drawers were polished and gilded iron. The surface was smooth and flawless.

'Make yourself comfortable,' said Elrond. 'Will you have some wine?' he asked, pointing to the tray on the coffee table. Nienor nodded, and he filled the two wine glasses. 'How are you feeling?' He sat beside her.

She took a deep breath; the day had been long, and boredom kept bringing her thoughts back to Darken. 'Lost,' Nienor admitted, taking a sip of wine.

'What do you mean by that?'

'I always struggle to find my place here, I would say. Wherever I go, I feel like a shadow. Everything is so peaceful here, so quiet, and everyone seems to have something to do.'

'Nienor, you are more at home here than anyone else,' he said, caressing the golden ring on Nienor's finger.

She smiled and squeezed his hand. She felt the cold touch of the mithril against her skin. This contact burned her every time he touched her and constantly reminded her of her mission. Her heart tightened, and a shiver ran through her.

'What's wrong?' Elrond asked suddenly concerned about Nienor's paleness.

'It's strange,' Nienor said. 'I've heard so many stories...'

'What stories?'

'About the Rings of Power.'

Elrond withdrew his hand; the golden ring set with a blue stone was on his middle finger. He took the time to look at it. He had become so accustomed to it that he no longer felt its weight.

'These stories will soon become myths that we will all eventually forget,' Elrond replied, his gaze fixed.

'Why do you say that?'

'It weakens day by day since the destruction of the One Ring. Soon, it will be nothing more than a simple ring. A relic of the past.'

'It protects Imladriss, what will happen when its magic will no longer be sufficient?"

'We still have years, perhaps decades before it becomes a real problem. Don't worry. Darken will not find you here.'

Nienor's gaze had once again clouded at the mention of that name. What would Darken say if he knew that Vilya, the most powerful of the elven rings, was gradually weakening? Would it jeopardize his plans?

'Do you feel it?' Nienor asked. 'There is a connection between you and the ring, isn't there?'

Elrond nodded gravely, 'the ring and its bearer are always linked by the same will.'

'What do you mean?'

'The ring obeys its bearer; it is at their service unless the bearer is too inexperienced and does not know how to use it. I had to learn and understand the full extent of its power; I had to tame it. The danger of such rings does not lie in their power...' Elrond murmured as if about to reveal a secret.

'...but in how they are used?' Nienor interjected.

'Yes, but not only that,' Elrond continued, 'their danger lies in the ignorance and weakness of the bearer. If the bearer is unable to control the ring, the consequences can be disastrous.'

'An uncontrolled fire can destroy everything,' Nienor whispered to herself.

'Exactly.'

No one spoke anymore; they were both lost in their thoughts. Elrond contemplated the distant memory of the day the ring was entrusted to him, and Nienor thought about her plan. What Elrond was telling her was a warning. She had no knowledge; how could she claim to use the ring against Darken? Cold sweat dripped down her back; she felt her stomach twist.

'Nienor?' Elrond's gentle voice chased away the clouds gathering around Nienor's mind. She looked up, and he smiled at her tenderly. 'You have nothing to fear; I promise you,' and he sealed his words with a kiss on the corner of her lips.