Title: The Dragon and the Ring
Author: Maeglin Yedi ([email protected])
Website: http://forever-rebel.net/maeglinyedi/
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The Dragon and the Ring 4
By Maeglin Yedi
They had traveled for two more days before they reached to borders of Rivendell. Their journey had been silent as they were all lost in their own thoughts. The Hobbits were thinking of Frodo, silently praying that their dear friend would be all right.
Aragorn kept wondering why Beliar had referred to Glorfindel as ‘lover’, because that word implied that the two Elves shared quite a personal past.
And Beliar kept thinking about Glorfindel and why he had addressed Strider with an Elven name.
Both Ranger and Elf decided not to ask the other the many questions that kept bothering them but they also told themselves that when they would reach Imladris their previous conversation would surely continue.
They crossed the river and were greeted by five Elves on horses. Glorfindel was sitting on his white horse and stared at Beliar. The other four Elves had their bows ready and were all pointing an arrow at the Dark Elf.
"Welcome to Imladris, Morier," Glorfindel said with a smug grin on his face and Beliar smiled at him in return.
"If you would be so kind to follow us. Lord Elrond has been anxiously awaiting your arrival," the golden haired Elf said and Beliar bowed at him in a mock gesture.
"Whatever you wish, lirimaer," the Dark Elf whispered and Glorfindel turned his face towards the others.
"Frodo is doing fine. I made it here just in time and Lord Elrond was able to cure him. Your friend is still sleeping at this moment but his body has started to heal," he informed them and Aragorn let out a relieved sigh.
Merry, Pippin and Sam hugged each other and thanked whomever it was that had watched over their friend and had been kind enough to give Glorfindel the strength to get him to Rivendell on time.
They walked through the woods of Rivendell while they followed the Elves to the great Elven city. They were only a few hundred yards away from the gates of the city when they saw three other riders approach them.
Glorfindel told his companions to stop and they all looked at the riders who were making their way over to them.
"Lord Glorfindel, it is a pleasure to see you again," the blond haired Elf that was riding just ahead of the other two Elves said and Glorfindel smiled at the young Prince.
Beliar felt his heart miss a few beats as he stared at the Elves that had stopped in front of them. It was the one that had spoken that caught his eye and Beliar believed that he had never seen such beauty before. Even Glorfindel’s fair looks seemed common compared by the features of this Elf. And for the first time in his existence Beliar thought for a moment that he felt something other than lust. Something that made his stomach twist and his eyesight clouded. He quickly willed those feelings away and told himself that it was only lust that he felt when he looked at the blond haired elf. Only lust and nothing else.
Glorfindel saw Beliar staring at Legolas and felt rage shoot through his body like a bolt of lightening. He recognized the look Beliar gave Legolas, for it was the same look the Dark One had given him so many years ago.
And before he realized what he was doing, Glorfindel lost every Elven restriction that he had and threw himself at the Dark Elf.
Beliar was so distracted by Legolas’ appearance that he didn’t see Glorfindel throw himself off his horse at him. The two Elves fell to the ground and Glorfindel placed his two hands around the Dark One’s neck and started squeezing so that Beliar gasped for air and desperately tried to push the other Elf off him.
The rest looked at them in shock. None of them understood what was happening. Legolas looked at the Elven Lord and felt confused that Glorfindel behaved in such an un-Elven manner and was fiercely trying to strangle the strange Elf that was lying beneath him.
He briefly looked at Aragorn but the Ranger shrugged, also not knowing what exactly was happening.
Aragorn decided that he could not watch Glorfindel kill Beliar so he grabbed the Elven Lord’s shoulders and yanked him of the other Elf.
Legolas jumped off his horse and made his way over to the strange Elf, who was lying on the forest floor trying to get his breathing back under control.
He reached out his hand and Beliar looked up in surprise. He took the Elf’s hand and Legolas pulled him onto his feet. They stared at each other awkwardly for a few seconds and Beliar felt as if he was loosing himself in the depths of the dark blue eyes that were staring at him.
Legolas looked at the stranger and felt a shiver run up and down his spine when he looked into the deep brown eyes that were opened widely as if the other was shocked by his presence.
Almost at the same time the two Elves lowered their gazes and Legolas cleared his throat.
"Are you all right?" he asked softly and Beliar smiled at the genuine concern that he could hear in the Elf’s voice.
"I am fine. It takes much more than such a dishonorable attack to hurt me," he said and Legolas smiled.
"My name is Legolas," he told the dark Elf and Beliar realized that he was still holding the other Elf’s hand. He quickly shook it and smiled.
"I am Beliar. It is a pleasure meeting you, Legolas," he said and Legolas lowered his gaze again.
"The pleasure is all mine," Legolas whispered and let go of the hand he was still holding.
"Please Glorfindel. I do not understand what is bothering you but Beliar was not doing anything wrong," Aragorn told the golden haired Elf while he tried to calm him down.
"Nothing wrong?" Glorfindel asked the Ranger in amazement.
"Yes. He was merely looking at the prince," Aragorn told him and Glorfindel felt another bolt of rage shoot through his body. He wanted to make his way over to Beliar again but Aragorn stopped him.
"Don’t you dare look at him, Morier. Don’t you dare," he yelled at the Dark One and Beliar turned his head to look at Glorfindel surprised.
But before he could say something they heard a loud voice yell out.
"That will be enough!."
They all turned their heads and saw Lord Elrond approach them with Gandalf walking besides him.
"Gandalf!" the Hobbits cried out and threw themselves at the old wizard.
"Ah my friends, I am pleased to see that you made it to Rivendell unharmed," he said as he gently hugged the Hobbits that were hanging onto him.
Lord Elrond briefly looked at the wizard and the Hobbits and smiled. But his smile quickly disappeared when he turned his head and looked at Beliar.
"So it is true. Uruloki has decided to visit Imladris," he said and Beliar lowered his head before he spoke.
"I seek refuge, Heru en amin," he said softly and Elrond frowned.
"Rivendell is a place that welcomes all but I must tell you that I am very surprised to find you here in my land, Uruloki. But I will welcome you, at least until you explain why it is that you are here." the Elven Lord said and Glorfindel gasped.
"My Lord, surely you won’t welcome this Morier into our city?" he asked surprised but Elrond looked at him sternly.
"Glorfindel, we will hear what Beliar has to say before we pass any judgment on him," he said and turned around.
"I suggest we continue this conversation in my home," Elrond said and started walking towards the gates of the city.
The others looked at each other briefly and followed the Elven Lord.
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"Lord Elrond, I am here because my father requested me to bring you news about Gollum," Legolas said to Elrond in a soft voice as everyone walked into one of the main chambers of Elrond’s home.
"Ah yes, Gollum has escaped," Elrond said to Legolas and the blond haired Elf looked a little surprised.
"You all ready know this news, Lord?" he asked and Elrond smiled.
"Yes, my young prince. Gandalf told me when he arrived here a few days ago," Elrond explained and Legolas nodded.
"Well, then I must ask you to excuse me for I’m sure that the discussion that will take place now will not be meant for my ears," Legolas said and wanted to make his way out of the chambers but Elrond softly grabbed his arm.
"I wish for you to stay, Legolas, son of Thranduil. I am sure that the facts you will hear about our new guest will interest you very much," the Lord said and Legolas nodded his head. He stepped to the side and stood next to Aragorn. He gave his friend a smile and Aragorn smiled back at him.
"Do you know who this Dark Elf is, Estel?" he asked Aragorn softly and the Ranger shook his head.
"No my dear friend. But I am sure that we are about to find out."
Gandalf was standing next to the three Hobbits at the other side of the room and Beliar stood in the middle of the chambers, patiently waiting for Lord Elrond to speak.
Lord Elrond walked over to him, with Glorfindel at his side.
"Now, Uruloki, why don’t you tell me why you are here," Elrond asked the Dark Elf and Beliar pursed his lips, thinking how he would explain himself.
But before he could say anything Glorfindel spoke in an anger filled voice.
"My Lord, it is perfectly clear why he is here. Sauron must have sent him to get back what is his."
Elrond looked at the Elf standing besides him and frowned.
"I am sure that Uruloki knows what Frodo was carrying when he joined them on their journey to Rivendell," Gandalf said from the side and Glorfindel nodded.
"Do you know about the secret the Hobbit carries?" Elrond asked Beliar and the Dark Elf nodded his head.
"Yes, my Lord. That secret is no secret for me," Beliar said and Glorfindel spoke again.
"Then it is true. He is after the Ring, my Lord," the golden haired Elf said but before Elrond could say something Aragorn spoke.
"Lord Elrond, I must point out that during the days Beliar was with us he never made any attempt to take the Ring from Frodo. Not even when Frodo was ill and I was resting," the Ranger said and suddenly Pippin piped in.
"Yes, and he did fight the Dark Riders, didn’t he, Merry?" the Hobbit said and his friend nodded his agreement.
Beliar raised his hand in a request for silence and looked at the Elven Lord in front of him.
"My Lord, I am here because of the One Ring," he said and Elrond frowned again, wondering why the Dark Elf would tell him about his plans for the Ring.
"But not with plans to take it for myself or to return it to his true master," he explained himself and Glorfindel snorted.
"Lord Elrond, you cannot believe what he is telling you. Morier is clearly lying to us all. Remember what he did in the past. Things he did to... me, and to all of us," the golden haired Elf said in a raised voice but Elrond looked at him with an angry expression.
And then Beliar realized what was going on. Glorfindel had never told his Elven friends about what had happened between them. He had never told anybody that the Dark One had captured him for a short while and had used him. And worst of all, had made him enjoy it. Beliar smiled wickedly and thought of ways to use this against Glorfindel.
"Glorfindel, we cannot debate about personal issues right now. We have the whole of Middle Earth to think about, remember that," Elrond said to the Elf standing next to him and Glorfindel opened his mouth but couldn’t think of anything to say.
"It is quite all right, my Lord. Glorfindel can get personal with me anytime he wishes," Beliar said in a mocking tone and Glorfindel narrowed his eyes.
"Lord, I must tell you again that Beliar cannot be here for any reason other than to take the Ring for himself. He might not have tried to take it all ready, but he also did nothing when Frodo was injured by the Nazgûl blade," Glorfindel said in a soft but angry voice.
"How is it that you know he could have done anything to help Frodo?" Elrond asked and Glorfindel rolled his eyes.
"He is a Maia!" he almost yelled and now Beliar snorted.
"I prefer the term Warlock, lirimaer. I do not wish to be called the same name that you use for that old grey fool," the Dark Elf said and Elrond glared at him for a moment.
The Elven Lord then slapped Beliar in his face and narrowed his eyes.
"I will not have you insult Gandalf while you are under my roof, Uruloki!" he said in a threatening tone. Beliar lowered his eyes and said nothing.
"Elrond, do not be upset by a few meaningless words this Elf says," Gandalf said with a slight smile around his lips.
"I do not know the exact reason why he is here but I can tell you that he is not lying to us when he says that he does not wish to take the Ring for himself or return it to his true Master," the old Wizard said and Elrond looked at him for a moment.
"All right. Then tell us what your plans are for the One Ring," he asked the Dark Elf and Beliar looked straight into Elrond’s eyes.
"To cast it into the fires of Mount Doom," he said in a serious tone and Elrond nodded.
Glorfindel shifted on his feet and felt uncomfortable. He didn’t like it that Lord Elrond was placing so much trust in Beliar but he also realized that the Elven Lord had no idea why he hated the Dark One so much. He had never told anybody what had happened between himself and Beliar, too ashamed to have to admit that his enemy's touches had given him pleasure instead of pain.
No one spoke for a moment. Elrond pondered over the information Beliar had given him and the rest waited patiently for what was to come. Glorfindel looked at Beliar again and the Dark Elf gave him a smug grin.
"Well, when you cast the Ring into the fires of Mount Doom, why don’t you do yourself a favor and throw you lunatic mother in as well," the golden haired Elf suddenly spoke and Beliar’s eyes briefly widened in shock. And then his brown eyes almost turned black in pure rage and he wanted to launch himself at Glorfindel but Elrond grabbed him and pulled him back.
"Do not dare speak about my mother!" Beliar yelled at Glorfindel but the golden haired Elf smirked at him and crossed his arms, very satisfied with himself that he had been able to throw the Dark Elf off balance with a well placed remark about his mother.
"Be quiet, both of you," Elrond said and Beliar shrugged briefly, as if to shake the insulting remark Glorfindel had given him off his shoulders.
"Now, Uruloki, we understand what your plans are for the Ring. But we do not understand what your motives are, for you have always answered to Sauron alone. Why did you come here?" the Elven Lord asked and studied the Dark Elf’s face, looking for any trace of emotion.
Beliar lowered his eyes and spoke softly. "I have been deceived and betrayed by the one that raised me."
Elrond frowned and pursed his lips. "Your mother betrayed you?" he asked softly but Beliar shook his head.
"No, Sauron betrayed me. And my mother," he softly said and Elrond placed his hand on the Dark Elf’s shoulders, as if to ask him to continue.
"Where is your mother now, Uruloki?" he asked so soft that it was barely a whisper but Beliar heard every word the Elven word said.
"Dead," he said and closed his eyes as he remembered the pain he had felt when he realized that Sauron had betrayed him and had taken away the one person that had ever meant anything to him.
"I understand," the Elven Lord said and Beliar looked into his eyes again, trying to hide his own emotions under a mask of indifference. But Elrond saw everything in those brown eyes and softly nodded.
"I will have someone take you to your chambers. There will be guards outside your door and you will not be allowed to go anywhere without my permission. You will stay in those chambers until we have dinner tonight," he said and Beliar nodded.
"And I must ask you to give me your sword," Elrond said and the Dark Elf looked shocked.
"I will not give Gorgorath to anyone," Beliar stated but Elrond stared into his eyes.
"This is my home and these are my rules. If you wish to stay here you will do as I tell you," he said simply and Beliar sighed.
The Dark Elf reached beside him and unbuckled the belt that held his precious sword. He looked at it for a moment and then reluctantly handed it over to the Elven Lord.
"Thank you, Uruloki," Elrond said and gestured to some servants to take the Dark Elf up to his chambers.
"Why do they call him Dragon?" Legolas softly asked Aragorn and the Ranger looked at his Elven friend.
"I have no idea. But I myself am surprised that he has called his own sword Terror," he told the Elf and Legolas chuckled.
"A very strange Elf," the prince stated and Aragorn nodded.
"Yes my friend, a very strange Elf indeed," the Ranger said and they both laughed softly.
When Beliar had left the room Elrond looked at Glorfindel.
"I wish to speak with you in my private chambers," he said and Glorfindel looked surprised.
"Now, Glorfindel," the Elven Lord said impatiently and made his way out of the room. Glorfindel followed him but stopped when he saw Legolas standing besides Aragorn.
He quickly made his way over to the young prince and looked into his eyes.
"Take my advice, Legolas, and do not go anywhere near the Dark One," he said and Legolas looked surprised.
"But why?" he asked. Before Glorfindel could answer they heard Elrond’s voice yell out.
"Glorfindel, I am waiting!"
The golden haired elf smiled at Legolas quickly and then hurried after Elrond.
Legolas looked at Aragorn but the Ranger shrugged.
"Don’t look at me, my friend. I have no idea why Glorfindel would want to warn you. I am too young to know anything about the past these Elves have shared," he said and Legolas nodded.
"Although I have heard tales about a Dark Elf before, I never thought that they were true," the prince said and thought for a moment.
Why would Glorfindel not want him anywhere near the Dark Elf? Legolas was very interested in getting to know Beliar because the mere sight of him outside the gates of Rivendell had affected Legolas in many ways.
And well, Legolas wasn’t just a curious Elf, he was a stubborn one as well. He excused himself to Aragorn and made his way out of the room, in search for the one the Elven Lord had called ‘Dragon.’
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Morier: Dark One
Lirimaer: Lovely One
Uruloki: Dragon
Heru en amin: My Lord
Gorgorath: Terror