Titanium (Lord of the Rings Fanfiction)

"Serenity, go take out the trash. And then you shall go to bed immediately."

"Yes, mother." I said.

I stepped out into the void of night and unlocked the back door. Pulling the trash can behind me, I headed to the driveway. 

That simple task is easier said than done. Pulling a trash can from the back door of the house, through a small paved road going around two other houses to get to the driveway was a long walk. So under the cover of night, I couldn't see anything.

"Shoot! Why didn't I bring a flashlight? It's totally not a ten-minute walk out to the driveway!" I cursed under my breath.

A bright flash of light illuminated the road in the woods, revealing no one but a voice.

"Would you need some help darling?" 

A man appeared out of the shadows, old, and frail. He was holding two things: A book, and a jewelry box. 

"No, no thank you, I can manage on my own." I stuttered. 

Mother always told me to stay away from strangers, especially creepy ones. This guy was creepy. For sure. 

"Please, you probably shouldn't be on our property. If my mom finds out, she'll call the cops." I warned. 

"Well, my darling, let me give you something, for a parting gift, as you are the first...don't ever tell anyone..." The man whispered.

"Tell what? And I don't even know you!" I said loudly. I was confused and scared. I wanted nothing to do with this man. What was happening?

He held out the jewelry box, revealing a silver ring. 

"You can have anything you want if you take this."

"Why should I? I don't want it!" I was seriously scared now.

"Because you will be cursed if you don't."

"That's not true!" I yelled.

"We'll see about that.." 

The man then vanished. All that was left in his place was the jewelry box. 

No. I'm not taking it. Not today. Not ever.

I quickly pulled the trash can out to the driveway and ran back to the house. I ran in and shouted to my mom:

"Mom! There's some man outside! He had this box, this box and he said if I didn't take it, we would be forever cursed!"

"Serenity, go upstairs and get your sister. Bring her to your room and stay there until I come back. If anyone appears in your room, ignore them and get away." My mom said urgently.

"Does this have anything to do with why daddy left us? This is strange. Tell me why and what is happening!" 

"Serenity. Go. Do as I say. I'm going to check it out."

I ran upstairs to my sister Leane's room. I grabbed her and pulled her into my room.

"Leane, listen. Mom has gone out to go do something, I don't know what, but we have to stay in here ok?" 

"Why Serenity? I want to sleep in my room!"Leane wailed.

"Shhhh, I don't know why. You can sleep in my room okay?"

"No, tell me what's happening!"

"Fine."

I had to lie. I didn't know what was happening either. So I told one last lie to my sister.

"Mom went outside to go check if the neighbors went to sleep."

Leane didn't understand, but I didn't want her to anyway. Being only 6, she couldn't understand much. Even as a 15-year old girl, I didn't fully understand the depth of the situation either. Hugging Leane tightly, I let the darkness take me into a restless sleep.

"You. I'm going to give you one more chance. Take the jewelry box, or you and your family will be forever cursed."

A giant flaming eye appeared, shining it's gaze on me. I couldn't tell where I was, or if there was anyone else watching.

"What do I get if I take the jewelry box? Who are you? What do you want from me? Why do you want the ring?" I asked

"Three questions and your fate will be decided."

"Three questions?" I exclaimed.

"Yes, now what is question number two?"

Shoot. I wasted a question for nothing. Okay, here we go.

"Why do you want the jewelry box?" I asked, my voice suddenly becoming small and afraid.

"It's the evil in this world. The one thing causing war. I need the necklace inside it. So I can get my precious ring that was stolen. Now question number three?"

This sounded familiar. A ring. I knew it. This was Sauron. The dark lord on his dark throne. I knew now. But I had to make sure.

"Who are you?"

"I am the only good in this world, Sauron the Great." 

"I'll take it."

But that doesn't mean I'll give it to you.

What a whole bunch of lies. I knew it was a dream when I felt my sister close to me. I woke up to find a beautiful silver necklace around my neck. It was like the sun, moon, and stars together. And then I saw the gemstone. I had seen it before. Was it the Evenstar? No. The Evenstar has a bow in the center. This one has a set of antlers. I sat up, trying not to wake Leane, but when I tried to take the necklace off, everything went black.