Dreams of Power [ Lord of the Rings x Silmarillion ]

Secrets Revealed

Kir and another woman led Círeth slowly through deep tunnels until they reached a side cave room. It was of moderate size, about fifteen feet length and width. In the center sat a large circular wooden table and chairs. Kir gestured for the ranger to take a seat. She hesitated before doing so. Her shoulder ached, but Círeth was surprised at how well it seemed to be healing.

“What did we need to discuss,” she began. “I need to get back to Minas Tirith. If what you said is true, if my entire company was slain… I need to tell their families.” Her face contorted in sadness and shame. “They deserve some closure.”

“You will return to Minas Tirith, Círeth daughter of Elrohir. But first, we have information to trade.” Kir sat down across from her. “Akilina, bring the book.”

The woman beside him nodded, retrieving a large tome from a nearby bookcase. She laid it in front of Kir before she too sat down, taking off her mask and hood. Her dark hair went to her shoulders and a long scar crossed her cheek and chin. Círeth returned her attention to Kir as he flipped open the pages carefully. Once satisfied, he turned the book to the ranger.

“This drawing,” he said, pointing at the picture, “is part of a record we keep on enchanted artifacts.”

She looked at it. It was a ring, a serpent eating the head of another. The metal was light except for the eyes of the devouring serpent- those were red gems. Círeth could not read the writing, for it was written in the Rhûnic tongue. But beside the ring was also Black Speech written in Tengwar script.

She frowned. “I can recognize Black Speech but I cannot read it. What does it say?”

“It is a spell that I will not utter here. The intent of the spell is to tie one’s spirit to the ring so it does not leave this world until severed from it.” Kir sighed. “It is a similar enchantment as was used by Sauron for the Nazgûl.”

Círeth’s face grew white. “Who is bound to that ring? What is that ring?”

Kir pointed to a passage on the side. “This passage dictates the history of the ring. Sauron, lord of Werewolves, often crafted magic rings in the First Age. When Lúthien destroyed the towers of Tol-in-Gaurhoth, she cleansed everything of evil.” He sighed. “This was among the spoils taken after. Somehow it ended up with the Numenoreans. Eventually, King Tarannon of Gondor came into possession of it and gifted it to his wife as an engagement gift.”

“Queen Berúthiel.” Círeth whispered the name, the pieces falling into place.

“Yes. As you well know, I am sure, she is widely regarded as one of the most gifted Mannish sorceresses. Her skill in black magic cannot be understated.” Kir pointed to the ring. “She recognized this ring. She reactivated the enchantment and with her blood sealed her fate.”

“Tar-Mëonis. Cat Queen,” Círeth nodded slowly. “Halion must have brought her back.” A slew of elvish curses left her mouth as she angrily thought of the Black Numenorean.

Kir nodded. “Indeed. This threat, we have tried to deal with it on our own. But she knows of us and we cannot get close to her.” He paused. “We know she is planning an invasion of Gondor. If the Reunited Kingdom falls, she will have little trouble conquering the rest of the West. We cannot allow necromancy, for it is evil.”

“So you found me,” she nodded and stood. “Let us return to Minas Tirith immediately!”

Kir bowed his head. “That is the plan. Akilina and I will accompany you. It will take many weeks, but with good horses we should reach the city in time.”

Círeth looked at the other woman. Akilina nodded back at her and the ranger asked them her final question. “How do we kill her?”

Akilina and Kir exchanged a glance. The man bowed his head. “There is one option we see, something our predecessors shied away from with the Nazgûl. But we may have little choice.”

“What is the choice?” Círeth asked quietly, not eager to hear the bad news.

“Until a way is discovered to destroy the ring, someone else must bind themselves to it.” Kir frowned. “I am prepared to do so.”

With a nod, Círeth frowned. “Shall we depart?”

Kir and Akilina rose from their seats. The master of the Coven gestured for her to follow and together the three figures disappeared down a hallway and through many passageways. Círeth felt lost after the twists and turns, but eventually they reached an exit out into the forest. Three horses laden with weapons, food, and supplies stood ready to depart. Círeth realized she hadn't seen any other member of their organization. She supposed they valued secrecy which spoke volumes as to the danger this Berúthiel threat posed.

“It has been three days since we rescued you,” Akilina told Círeth as she helped her onto the horse because of the ranger’s shoulder. “Our medicines are powerful, but it will take time for the wound to heal.”

With a nod, Círeth set off with the Coven rangers. Together they rode hard and began a multi week tree across the plains and forests between Rhûn and Gondor. The air around them remained oddly still the entire time, and they rarely ran into trouble. The worst was an attack of wild wargs which were dispatched quickly by Kir and Akilina with a little help from the healing Círeth. Every day she grew stronger, but could not yet pull her bow back.

By the end of the third week from Rhûn, the mountains came into view. Three days later and the wall of the Pelennor was visible. Círeth barely exchanged ten words with the gate guards, riding through quickly with Kir and Akilina. When they reached the gates of Minas Tirith, they found the city in an uproar with soldiers practicing more than she’d ever seen and people hurrying to and fro nervously. She led the Coven warriors straight through the streets, all the way up the seventh level Citadel. There they dismounted, leaving their horses with a frazzled servant who looked upon the black rangers in fear.

She pushed both doors open and strode inside the throne room to find her siblings, Aragorn, Arwen, Amdirien, Eldarion, and Elboron all talking with one another. To Círeth's relief, Alagos and Caranel were there also. At her intrusion they all turned around.

“Círeth!” Fëalas and Aderthon both shouted at the same time.

Alagos grinned. “Captain!”

She nodded and walked forward with Kir and Akilina slightly behind her and to either side. Elation turned to confusion as the citizens of the Reunited Kingdom noticed her companions.

“My Lord,” Círeth bowed to Aragorn, ignoring the others for the time being. “These are Kir and Akilina of the Coven of Vultur. They have told me much about the threat we face. I strongly suggest we listen to them.”

Aragorn, bewildered, nodded. He trusted Círeth. “Come, Kir, Akilina. We shall go speak in a more private setting.” He beckoned for the group to join him as they went to a side conference room and all took seats.

There, Kir related the tale of the Ring of Berúthiel all over again as he had done many weeks before to Círeth. The horror on the faces of those present did not escape them, and by the end they offered little hope. For they did not know how to destroy the ring.

“I am prepared to bind myself so she may die,” Kir finished. “It is the only option.”

Aragorn frowned. He did not like that option, but until they knew more, he supposed it was their only option. “You are welcome to stay in Minas Tirith for the time being. You said Berúthiel is sending troops here? When?”

“Within the week,” Kir replied. “They are behind us.”

Aragorn nodded and turned to Aderthon. “Go now and alert the people and soldiers. We need to prepare for battle. Order the farmers out of the Pelennor in two days’ time.”

Aderthon stood and bowed, rushing off to do as his king commanded. Down the stairs out of the citadel he ran, jumping over Sídhil’s white cat who seemed to pop up everywhere. He rushed to the bell that signaled for the commanders to meet. With three large swings and rung it.

War was coming, and they had to prepare. Messengers went out to Dol Amroth and Lossarnach while the beacon was lit for Rohan. Yet even if the summons were acted in immediately, Rohan could not come before the week was out, and Dol Amroth would take time also. For now, the capital of the Reunited Kingdom stood alone.