Quick question to the readers. Do you thinks any of the Spartans should have any romances? I haven't decided but if the readers have any opinion on it , please let me know. Rate, Read and Review and as always Have Nice Day

Spartans of the Ring Chapter 4

Another week has gone by as the Spartans were beginning to fully grasp this unbelievable new sense of freedom. They did more than they ever could back in the UNSC. The trio slept for as long as they chose, ate as much as they pleased and more so. Yet they still restricted themselves from most of this new freedom. They kept their sense and body movements sharp and strong in case of any situation that came up.

Jun was with Eva practicing his archery skills. He released an arrow and got close to the bulls-eye.

"Wonderful Jun" Eva clapped "You are a true marksman"

Jun smiled underneath his helmet. He never had this many compliments before.

"Thank you for the praise lady Eva, but I feel more comfortable with my sniper rifle" Jun said patting his sniper holstered on his back. Eva stared curiously at

"Jun, can I try holding it?"

Jun looked at her before shrugging and taking it off his back. He clicked on the safety and handed it to her "Sure why not"

Eva found it considerably heavy but she still managed to hold it up as Jun held it when she watched him from afar. But she wasn't telling him that. Jun adjusted her to hold it properly and she aimed down at a target.

"I think you shouldn't fire that" Jun said with a chuckle "It tends to make first timers fly back from the recoil"

Eva scrunched her face into mock anger "I can handle it" She said haughtily. Jun made one ha before clicking the safety off. He pointed to the trigger as she aimed.

"Hey use the scope" Jun pointed to the scope "Just look through it with one eye"

Eva followed his instruction and nearly poke her eye out. The scope was zoomed right to the bulls-eye of the target.

"Wow this is really precise" Eva slowly gripped the trigger and fired. She found herself gazing up at the blue and cloudy sky. Then the young elf felt an excruciating pain from her shoulder.

"What happened?"

"Recoil can be a bitch" Jun said lifting her up slowly. She winced at the pain from her shoulder

"I told you so" Jun said as he guided her back to the castle "The recoil can only be handled by trained soldiers"

"Right, remind me never to do that again" Eva said in a weak smile

The 2 went to Juns room. He sat her down on his bed as the Spartan grabbed a nearby medkit.

"Alright let me see that shoulder" Jun said removing his helmet. Eva slightly blushed but obliged as she exposed her right shoulder. Jun saw a big purple spot in the middle of Eva's white skin. He slowly felt it trying not to hurt her any further.

"Hmm it's bruised and you have a broken clavicle" Jun said pulling out some bandages and ointment.

"I read up that elves heal relatively quickly. Is that true?" Jun said

"Yeah my broken bone should heal by the end of this week" Eva said reassuringly. Jun smirked

"Ok hold still and it won't hurt a lot" Jun said pouring some ointment on his finger tips. He smothered it over the bruise and Eva felt an odd burning sensation as her skin felt hot from the ointment. Jun then wrapped the bandages around her arm and put her arm in a cast.

"There that should do" Jun said happily "Now don't strain yourself, or it might get worse"

Eva puffed up with sass "I'm an elf I'll be fine by tomorrow"

Jun grinned and placed his helmet back on "Yeah we'll see about that". Jun walked out and ran into Nathan on his way to the library.

"Oh Jun good to see you"

"Yes to you as well" Jun noticed a book in Nathans hand "Say what book is that?"

"Oh this. Arlette loaned it to me cause I was curious about this thing called the Valar"

"The Valar? Chief and I were also studying that" came a female voice behind Nathan. Chief walked up beside B312.

"Hey you 2" Cortana greeted her friends

"Greetings Cortana. What were you and Chief studying about the Valar?" Jun asked

"That's what we would like to find out" Chief answered in his gritty voice "In all of our times at the library, 'The Valar' kept popping up. There must be some serious significance around it"

"Maybe Arwen or lord Elrond might have some knowledge on this topic" Nathan suggested. The other 2 nodded and went out to find Arwen and Elrond. They arrived at Elrond's quarters to find a him speaking to a stout man no higher than they're legs. Elrond and the short man turned to their guest. The short one moved back in surprise at the towering heights of these newcomers.

"I hope we weren't interrupting anything" Nathan said in awkwardness

"Oh no my friend Bilbo and I have just finished his arrangements here" Elrond said fully facing the Spartans while gesturing a hand to the short man called Bilbo. Bilbo was still staring wide-eyed but managed a small wave. The Spartans saluted the stout man

"So my friends do you require something?"

"Yes, Lord Elrond we would like to ask you about this" Nathan said holding up the book. Elrond read the title

"Ah the Valar, to what extent do you wish to know about it?"

"Well" Jun thought before asking but decided "Everything or anything you could tell us about it"

"The Valar is the great power that is sang amongst the elves. He decides who enters this world and who goes. It is a very vast and complex to explain" Elrond explained with a noble voice. The 3 armored men nodded solemnly, knowing the high Elf took this matter seriously.

"Thank you for that Elrond" Cortana said appearing beside Chiefs helmet. Bilbo jumped back and fell flat on his bottom in shock. Cortana continued and ignored Bilbo's stunned face "This Valar might be a key factor in finding out how we got here"

Elrond nodded "Then go on for your quest for knowledge my friends"

"With pleasure" Jun said with a nod. The trio left Elrond's quarters and went off to the library. They entered to find Eva still in a sling, Arlette and Arwen sitting around a table, each submerged in a book. Arlette looked up to see the new entrants and brightened up as she saw the Spartans entered. She waved them over.

"Greetings Ladies" Nathan said as the trio approached the 3 elves.

"Ah greetings Nathan, Jun, John. What brings you here today? More studying I suppose" Arlette asked kindly yet quickly. Jun seemed a bit flustered, Chief smirked underneath his helmet and Nathan chuckled lightly.

"Easy Arlette try catching your breath and taking it steady before firing a question away" Nathan said while grinning at Arlettes glowing red face filled with embarrassment. Her 2 friends giggled at Arlettes face then turned to the Spartans.

"So what do you want to learn this time?" Arwen asked

"We want" Cortana corrected herself "Scratch that, Need to learn about this power your race calls the Valar"

The 3 elves were amazed by these Spartans thirst for knowledge. Though they are warriors with unbelievable skill, they are the most willing humans they have ever met who want to learn as much as possible.

"I pray you hope you 3 know what you're getting yourselves into" Eva said warily but with curiosity "The History of the Valar is very vast and deep. In delves beyond the beginning of middle-earth"

"Which is why we need to learn as much as possible" Chief interrupted "This might be a key reason in why we are here. Your father, lady Arwen, told us that the Valar chooses who comes into this world. That might be a solid force behind why we are here"

The Elves were completely frozen in awe by the intellectual and just the mere presence of these warriors. Never had they believed such humans or any being could exist like them.

"Then we shall not disturb you" Arwen said getting up "Come, I will show you to the best place we have that holds the knowledge of the Valar"

Arwen led the Spartans between towering shelves of books before coming to a circular open area with one fairly sized table.

"This area here holds the most history of the Valar. Not many venture here. Not even that many elves delve so deep into the lore of the Valar and even more rare are humans. Most just know the name but nothing of it"

"Well let's start putting humans on the map" Jun said jokingly as he, Nathan and John walked over to the shelves and began withdrawing books.

"If you ever require assistance, feel free to ask" Arwen said kindly

"No, you have done a great deal for us lady Arwen, if You require our services, we shall happily oblige" Chief countered leaving a beaming Arwen who bid them farewell.

3 hours later

The Spartans were completely submerged in the books of Valar. From queens, to daughters, beings of angelic and godly power and so on.

"This is crazy, reminds me of the old religions from earth" Nathan said closing another finished book.

Jun who along with a rare helmetless Chief scratched his overloaded head

"They really praise this guy"

Nathan also had his helmet off. The 3 were completely tired from all the reading and it was starting to get late. They started to put the books away when they heard the sound of bare feet coming towards them. Bilbo Baggins appeared from the hallway of shelves.

"Oh hello there" Bilbo greeted kindly with a hint of anxiousness in his voice. Chief picked up on it and reassured the stout man

"Don't worry we mean you no harm"

"Oh I'm sorry I gave you that idea" Bilbo said slightly ashamed of himself "It's just I never met anyone like you 3"

"Yeah" Jun said in a bored voice "Us Spartans have been getting that our whole lives. Don't worry though you aren't the first and definitely will not be the last"

"Oh still my apologies" Bilbo said with his confidence restored "I just wanted to get to know you 3. I always thought Elves were particular the most interesting beings but then you 3 are something completely different. I have never been so mesmerized"

The 3 Super-soldiers looked at Bilbo with Curiosity. Never had anyone shown such eagerness to get to know a Spartan.

"Just a question and we don't mean to be rude" Nathan said "But why are you so interested in us"

Bilbo looked flabbergasted at his question "Well what's not. I've heard from Elrond about you 3. Spartans as you call yourselves. Men who became super-soldiers. I crave to know more. Who wouldn't? This all going into my story and I'm almost finished. I wish to finish it off with something captivating and I want you 3 to be at its end"

The Spartans were all staring at this brave old man and obliged. Seeing as he was a simple recorder the Spartans began telling Bilbo about the humans, the insurrection, the birth of the Spartans, the UNSC, ONI, the colonized worlds, the war with the covenant, Reach, then Master Chief went on to explain the remaining war, the discovery of Halo, the flood, it's last resort failsafe system, the unexpected the alliance with the Elites, the final battle to destroy the Halo rings and the last part of the 3 Spartans finding each other under the most impossible circumstances.

Bilbo was left speechless. He was trying to soak in the entire story.

"My…." Bilbo couldn't finish, but began roaring with laughter "THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST TALES EVER. Oh I can't wait to finish my book now. Unbelievable what you have just told me. This is truly one for the ages"

The Spartans were certainly surprised by this man's enthusiasm .

"Well thank you my friends this has certainly been beyond what I expected but nonetheless a true grand spectacle"

"Before you go, Mr. Bilbo sir may we ask what you are?" Nathan asked nonchalantly

"But of course where are my manners" Mr. Bilbo said suddenly in a professional manner "I am as you know Bilbo Baggins. What I am is a Hobbit, or Halfling. We hobbits enjoy a simple life style of basically enjoying life. Smoking, drinking, eating, harvesting crops and enjoying party after party is the hobbit life. But for me oh I craved an adventure. A wizard named Gandalf the grey came to me with a proposition of an adventure along with 13 dwarves. As much as I want to tell you 3 more I will most sadly force you 3 to wait until I finish my book"

"Well that's something to look forward to" Jun said in a simple merry tone.

"Well gentlemen if I may" Bilbo said getting ou is chair and walking off.

The Next day

Nathan, Jun and John were walking back from breakfast until they stumbled onto an unknown room. In the room was a single light shining down on a statue holding a destroyed sword.

"Huh we've never been in this room before" Cortana said form Chief

"Must be some kind of monument" Jun concluded

"You are correct" Came a soft female voice from the other side of the room. Arwen entered from the other side and approached the shattered sword.

"This sword belongs to Isildur. The hero who defeated Sauron" She said in a grave tone

"Sauron" Chief said to himself "Sauron is the dark lord of Mordor is he not?"

Arwen nodded and looked down onto the sword with a sad expression

"What happened?" Nathan asked

"A long time ago, about 3000 years to be exact 19 rings of power were created. 3 were given to the elves due to their knowledge and deep connection to this world, 7 to the dwarves because of their skilled craft in blacksmiths and tactic skills. And 9 were given to the human kings due to their lust for power. All seemed well"

"Let me guess" Jun interrupted "It was too good to be true right?"

Arwen nodded "Yes in secret there was another ring forged by the dark lord Sauron. He poured all of his dark will and malice into the one-ring. This ring is so powerful it can rule above all the other 19. This ring has unbelievable evil that can tempt even the most noblest men, women, child, dwarf, and elf to its dark power. Once taken it completely corrupts you and the owner succumbs to its power. Even though Sauron was defeated his dark spirit lingers on as long as the ring remains alive"

Cortana and Chief smiled darkly. Dark lords. Evil rings. The whole world on the brink of destruction. All too familiar.

"Ayah" Jun said rubbing his helmet "Why is there always some big evil out there ready to just ruin the day?"

"That's just the way it is Jun" Nathan said to his comrade "But you know as well as I do, as Spartans we have a duty to do what we must for the innocent to survive"

Arwen just couldn't take it anymore and asked bluntly "What makes you Spartans so strong and brave to just recklessly state that? I have never seen such devoted soldiers to a cause they believe in"

None of the 3 Spartans could answer before chief spoke up "I'd like to ask you something Arwen". He removed his helmet and motioned the other 2 to follow. "A few days ago I had a small simple friendly talk with your father. He mentioned how your eyes are so powerful they could pierce the soul of any living being. Look into our eyes and tell us what do you see?"

Arwen was surprised by this request but her curiosity made her oblige. She looked deeply into all 3 of the Spartans eyes. Each held stories of pain, suffering, loss, unrelenting war, merciless bloodshed, remorse but beneath it all were unbreakable, battle hardened war veterans who pledge themselves to die before they fail. Arwen stepped back placing a hand over her chest marveling at their sheer presence.

"Never have I seen such pain and strength" Arwen whispered

Nathan smiled weakly "Yeah it has been a long run, but it ain't over"

"Indeed" Jun nodded "We are here now and after learning about this Sauron guy I really want to help"

"If anything comes up Lady Arwen" Chief said solemnly "Do not hesitate to ask us"

Arwen was mesmerized by their determination and obligation to help. She nodded meekly and accompanied them out before leaving to her quarters.

Another week went by with no disturbance. The Spartans marked it down as they have been in Rivendell for a month.

John was keeping his armor in check. Cortana was inside, checking for any malfunctions.

"So Cortana, everything is operating well?"

"Yup all is perfect. No damages or miscalculations, your shields are 100% and can still recharge. Your HUD is operating to exact, and all in all everything is perfect. To cliché?"

"No just needed to know if" Chief answered placing his armor back on. He walked out of his room and into Nathan's room. Nathan was gone but his armor and gear remained in his room. Chief wondered where the old Noble team member was and walked into Jun's room to see him without his armor on inspecting it and other equipment they gathered from the old ship. He aimed down with his sniper rifle, and set it down seeing it was still fit for combat. There were Comms that were in a separate bunch. Mags, bullets, grenades, and so on were littered on his bed, shelves and floor.

"Geez Jun you turned your room into a workshop" Cortana said getting 216's attention

"Oh I was just making sure everything was fit for use. Don't want anything out of hand now"

"Jun have you seen Nathan anywhere?" Chief asked with his gritty voice. Jun rubbed his chin and said "Last time I checked he was doing vehicle maintenance"

"Thanks, just making sure our team is alright:

"Glad you care Chief" Jun said coyly

Chief smirked at the comment and placed his helmet back on. He walked to the stables where they kept their vehicles. As he approached he heard screwdrivers, hammers and wrenches in use. Then came a familiar feminine voice

"What else do you need Nathan?"

"Yeah can you pass me some of those circular canisters?"

"Here ya go"

"Thanks Arlette"

Chief walked into the stable then outside. Nathan was repairing the vehicles from any bugs and Arlette was assisting him. Nathan pulled out from underneath the car covered in black smudges.

"Whew that's done" Nathan sighed in exhaustion

"Geez, are your kind always this consumed by work?" Arlette laughed. Nathan smirked at her

"It's my job to never stop working"

"Glad to know that"

The 2 turned to see Chief approaching them. They greeted him

"What's up Chief?" Nathan asked to see if there was a situation

"No I'm just checking up on our team"

"Well you could see I'm in good company" Nathan said happily

Arlette smiled at her friend. Suddenly

"CHIEF NATHAN"

The Spartans whirled around to see Jun fully armored and equipped.

"Lady Arwen has called on for our assistance" Jun said seriously

Nathan and John looked at each other and ran back to their rooms. Nathan placed on his armor on and geared up with other 2. Jun ran to get the Warthog while John and Nathan ran to the front. The 2 arrived to see Arwen all set on her horse.

"My friends I am glad you agreed to this journey" Arwen said beaming at the 2. She looked to find the third of their group "But where is Jun?"

"Hang on a sec"

There was the sound of an engine and from the far left of Rivendell, Jun pulled around the corner with the warthog. He pulled up beside them

"Are we ready?" Jun said rather eagerly

"Yes let us go" Arwen answered strongly as John got in shotgun with Nathan climbing up on the turret.

Arwen galloped off with the warthog driving right beside her.

"So Arwen, what's the mission" Chief asked

"There is a group of hobbits that are travelling from the shire. They require our aid because one of them is carrying an object of great value" Arwen said the last part gravely

"How important?" Jun asked

"The fate of middle-earth"

"Then let's do it as fast as possible" Nathan said tightening his grip around the turret handles

They rode together for an entire day until they stopped to camp out between the cover of some thin young growing trees. Arwen set up a fire while John, Jun and Nathan set up a perimeter and secured the area.

Nathan and John pulled out some food while Jun scanned the distance with his sniper and kept his radar on high alert.

After John and Arwen prepared the food, Nathan and Jun sat down to join them and the 3 removed their helmets. Cortana then materialized above Chiefs head to listen to

"This mission feels really ominous" Jun said bluntly

"Yeah" Nathan nodded then turned to Arwen "Arwen what are we after? We need to know"

Arwen stared at the 3 looking into their eyes

"We are searching for the one-ring bearer"

The mood seemed to darken around them and an eerie feeling appeared over the group.

"Seriously? The one-ring" Jun said in disbelief

"Why am I not surprised" Nathan said bitterly

"You were expecting this?" Arwen asked in surprise

"Well the fact that you are going after this.. hobbit and also require the assistance of us it must have been something very serious" Chief answered

"Well I truly am grateful that you 3 came to help" Arwen said modestly

"This is the least we could do" Jun said "Besides you and your kind have been more than gracious to us wandering warriors"

Arwen nodded happily. Her Elven eyes than caught a glint of metal hanging from Nathans chest piece.

"Say Nathan what are those hanging from your armor?"

Nathan saw the tags and pulled them out. He dangled them in front of himself and sighed.

"These are dog tags. This was given to every military personal. When one falls we retrieve their tags to record their number and name. These belong to 4 of my fallen comrades"

Arwen's eyes saddened. She regretted her next question "What happened?"

"They each fell defending humanity"

Nathan recalled the story of Reach, his assignment to Noble team, Carter, Kat, Emile, Jorge and Jun, the invasion of the covenant, the counter attacks, Jorge's slip-space death, Alexandria's fall, Kat's needle death, Cortanas AI retrieval, Carters 'Noble ' sacrifice, delivering the package, Emile's impaling and his immediate retaliation. Then he told the final few months on Reach. He gathered the remaining Spartans who all perished, his rescue by a returning Jun. Nathan continued to recount his steps when they arrived at a last resort escape base stationed in the highest mountain.

CASTLE bas was their final option. "The commander told us remaining Spartans to enter the cryostat pod because he considered us vital to the war"

Nathan paused, still soaking in all that has transpired in his life. "Then for a few years Jun and I floated aimlessly in space"

"So much suffering yet you still continue" Arwen said in a whisper of awe.

"We are Spartans" Jun merely stated "We never quit fighting, whether it's on our terms or orders, fighting is the Spartans way"

There was a comfortable silence when the Spartans got up.

"Arwen you get your rest, Jun you take the first watch then switch out with me then Nathan" Chief ordered.

"With all due respect Chief, I'll handle the entire watch"

"No Jun we need to make sure the entire squad is rested well if we are to succeed" Chief countered. Arwen was watching this motivating trio and soon fell into slumber.

The night was silent. The only sounds that were heard were the switch outs between the Spartans.

When all was quiet an ear splitting screech filled the air then silence reclaimed the land