"Crystal turned the Tolkien letter over but there was no more. The second sheet was missing. She up-ended the envelope just in case - nothing. She did the same to the duffle bag and something fell out. A ring. A large plain gold ring."

An elf is educated as a human. She loves Tolkien's stories and is an expert on his works. A ring falls into her possession and it is her task to bear it to its makers and prevent war. On the way she must evade black riders and deal with orcs, and worse - but how much of it is real? Is Crystal a creature from another world that believes it is human? Or a very ordinary girl who longs to be an elf? Meanwhile, unknown to her, an ill-assorted fellowship is formed to pursue her and save the world: the ring must NOT be destroyed!