The Crosses Enigma

-The Continuation of Gypsy�s Way-





Legends speak of the Forgers whom molded great rings of power, from which the strength to rule over their people with great authority was supposed to be granted to their bearers. Yet even evil did not keep its dark hand from tainting such glorious works. For in secret the Dark Lord Sauron forged a dark ring...a ring of power.

"One Ring to Rule them all...."



Upon the discovery of that deception, the three rings of Elven power were hidden, and all others whom deviled in such works cast aside their trade.

All that is but one.

One believed that the one ring would someday be destroyed and the powers of Air, Fire, & Water would be lost to Middle Earth, forever.

So by his skill, he crafted lesser creations of those first three. Three small jewels, alike to crosses in there making, delicate and intricate in design were forged. Within them, the three lords of the Eldar allowed a small but ample amount of their rings powers to live.

Why, they knew, but for what purpose these crosses would serve they could not fully foresee.

They were allowed just enough power, so the Dark Lord Sauron would not discover them. So great was the mystery surrounding their purpose that they came to be known as Enigma Crosses.

Corandril, a young man-elf of the Noldorin, was the one to forge the jewels. By his great skill, adapted from father to son through the finest lines of the Elvish Smiths, were the crosses delivered to Middle-Earth.

The Cross of Air, forged to hold a power akin to that of Vilya was wrought in Gold and Mithril. In its center laid a small sapphire. Like its ring counterpart, it remained the most powerful of the three. Its authority was that of foresight, and to enable its bearer to use great powers in his or her deeds. It was spoken that this ring could veil it wearer as the invisible air around you.

The second was the Cross of Fire. Fashioned of Copper and Mithril, and a ruby in it's center, its influence commanded that which was within. It fortified its bearer with a great passion and energy through their deeds. It was said often to be warm to the touch.

Last was the Cross of Water. Most similar to its ring counterpart Nenya. It was made of pure Mithril and at it's center was a clear stone that would shimmer with light. It too contained great influence, though it tended to shroud its bearer with an air of intrigue as deep as the origins of the Crosses themselves.

All three would glow pale blue when Orc's were near. A premonition of the evil times to come. And as the rings, it seemed the Crosses had minds of their own. For their bearers were not to be chosen, the Crosses chose them.

Alas, as many things go within Middle-Earth, the creation of the Enigma Crosses was known only to few. Their true purpose known to even fewer, and those that were aware of the secret spoke not of it. For the time had yet to come when they would be needed.

One by one the crosses took upon lives of their own accord, finding bearers that were of their same mind. Their intent had not been clear even to the great ring bearers, Elrond, Galadriel, and Gandalf. Their purpose had been only to insure that in the least, an amount of the natural powers of the rings would remain in Middle Earth upon the time of the rings departures...or demise.

Time passed and the War of the Ring was upon them. Sauron rose again, and still yet the Crosses went forgotten to the evil. Others found places and lives that would be recorded in history and sung for ages to come. A King of Kings returned to his throne and alliances made that still hold true even in this age.

The great lords of Elves and Spirits who had carried the three rings grew weary. Their time would soon be passed, their powers spent, and though their deeds had indeed been great, their home would soon be beyond the reach of Middle Earth.

The power of the rings had begun to fade and yet elsewhere another power began to stir. A power long-anticipated, a force that would ensure the survival of the remnants of Air, Fire and Water in Middle Earth for all the ages of Arda.

The Crosses time had now come.

Their present state unknown, had to be found and bearers for the Crosses needed to be called. For it was now their time to lead and preserve the traditions of Middle Earth and the Eldar.

Legend told the tales of great hero's, of battles and of love gained and lost.

It speaks of those who took part of these tales and that none other of such caliber came after unless...

Some tales are lost in the telling, and thus the story of great deeds may go untold.

Until now...