Chapter 1 – The Council of Elrond
Disclaimer – I own nothing but my OC.
Hello ladies and gentlemen! At the time of writing this, it is 4:31 in the morning and I am rocking a hell of a fever and unable to sleep.
Bearing that in my slightly achy mind, I have decided to write the overdue sequel to my Hobbit fic, An Unexpected Transportation. If you have not read it, it is recommended that you do so in order to understand how my character came to this world. I'll post a note on my fic to point any readers who want to read this as well. Rate, review and enjoy!
The forest surrounding the Ford of the Bruinen had benefitted from the magic that made Imladris a lush paradise. The trees were in bloom, the wild flowers had grown and nature thrived because of it near the river. His patrol of the region had turned into a little game as he tracked heavy footprints in the dirt.
The Dúnedain seldom came this way but if they did, they never left footprints and the Noldor rarely left their refuge except to patrol. He was curious to see who was travelling along these roads, given their direction appeared to be the valley. It had been a long time since anyone had visited Rivendell for any particular reason.
Gracefully, he made his way through the forest with very little noise, the glances off the bushes easy to mistake as caused by the faint breeze. He was getting ever closer to them now and with silence, he drew his sword and spotted two very familiar silhouettes. With a delighted grin, he leant against a tree and looked at his nails.
"Tracking you two has been nothing short of easy, mellon nin…" The accent was still present in his voice. The two Dwarves turned with their weapons drawn, one holding swords and the other using a short bow.
"Glyn…" The fair-haired Dwarf smiled radiantly as he quickly sheathed his weapons.
"We have been apart for months and this is how I am greeted? Oh Fili, what would Dis think?"
"She would give him a bloody good whack." The darker haired of the two grinned. "I see after years of keeping you short, you let your hair grow." He gestured to the others loosely tied black hair.
"I've grown tired of constant maintenance." He smiled before embracing them both. "I missed both of you…"
"And we have missed you, Glyn…so how come you were tracking us?" Fili asked.
"When I'm not on guard duty, I work as a ranger around the borders of Rivendell…I saw your heavy footfalls and decided to investigate. Not that I'm not delighted to see you but what brings you back here?"
"Thorin sent us to act as representatives of Erebor in the Council called by Lord Elrond." Kili said.
"And how fares our slightly grumpy King?" He smiled.
"Still grateful to you for assisting in the healing of his wound. He wants to host you in Erebor when you can come with us." Fili smiled, the Welshman returning it with a soft one of his own. "And on a more selfish note…I would very much like to show you our home…"
"I did promise I would when I could back on our quest…my training is complete as is my journey for knowledge…"
"Did you make your choice?" Fili asked and the other shifted his hair. "They're even more pointed…"
"I hear Durin's line lives longer…I wanted that time to spend with you…" He said softly.
"I see…" Fili took his hand with a gentle smile and kissed it softly. "Well then, Master Elf…lead us to the Last Homely House East of the Sea."
It was only recently that Fili and Kili were able to fully appreciate the beauty of the small city located in the lush valley. Imladris held a very special place in Fili's heart in particular, having been the place he had realised his feelings for Glyndwr. They were greeted in one of the gardens by Elrond himself, a rare smile gracing his features.
"Fili and Kili…sons of Dis…Princes of Erebor. I welcome you to Rivendell." He bowed respectfully, the gesture returned by the brothers.
"Lord Elrond…we are glad we could attend. We bring word from Erebor. More a warning in fact for Bilbo." Fili said.
"A warning?"
"An emissary from Mordor brought offers of friendship. He was also enquiring about a Hobbit. He is very important to us…we would not see him come to harm." Kili said and Glyn looked concerned.
"Glyn?"
"May I, Lord Elrond?" He asked and the other nodded. "Just recently, a Hobbit was brought to us in a terrible condition. He'd been stabbed by what Gandalf called a Morgul blade. He bore the surname of Baggins. Bilbo identified him as his nephew."
"He bore the Ring of Power…" Elrond finished and both brothers looked just as concerned.
"The emissary mentioned a ring when he spoke with Thorin." Fili pointed out and Elrond sighed.
"That is why I have called this council. We are to discuss what to do with it. Glyn, your presence will be requested as well. As someone from the outside of our world looking in, your impartial opinion is most welcome."
"I will be there, my lord…"
"Very well…You are relieved of duty."
"Shall I escort the Princes to their quarters?" Glyn smiled and the other nodded before heading off.
"How is Bilbo's nephew?" Fili asked in concern as they began walking in the direction of the room. "A relative of Bilbo is a friend of ours."
"We almost lost him…the shard that remained very nearly turned him into a wraith. We managed to bring him back from the brink but he will carry that wound for life." Glyn said softly. "Several others have arrived already. I just hope we can resolve this matter."
"Peace in Middle-Earth is coming to an end. It falls to this choice to maintain it." Fili said seriously.
"Indeed it does…"
The trio soon made it to the rooms where Glyndwr bid them farewell. Heading to his own quarters, he changed out of the ranger uniform he had worn before changing into a green navy blue tunic with silver leaves detailing the neck and sleeves. Keeping his long dark hair loosely tied, he took in his appearance before sighing softly.
'Time to take part in the decision that will define this world…again…'
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom." Elrond spoke to the gathered peoples in front of him before turning to the recovered Hobbit. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." He gestured to the plinth in the middle.
Nervously, the Hobbit stood and approached the stone plinth before placing the Ring in the middle. Glyn examined it with a cautious eye, feeling the dark energy that seemed to emanate from it.
"So it's true…" A Man spoke up and Glyn noticed him as he stood up.
"In a dream…" He looked at the Ring again. "…I saw the Eastern sky grow dark." He started to walk towards the plinth. "In the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, your doom is near at hand." He kept walking over to the Ring. "Isildur's bane is found." Elrond looked at Gandalf in concern as Boromir stretched out his hand to the Ring. "Isildur's Bane…" He repeated.
"Boromir!" Elrond called out and the Man seemed to snap out of it.
Suddenly, Gandalf began to speak in the Black Speech and the sky darkened. Boromir, as though in fear, stumbled back to his seat whilst Elrond held his head as though in pain. Glyn winced at the use of the foul sounding speech.
"Dear god…" The Welshman muttered.
"Never before has anyone uttered words of that tongue here in Imladris…" Elrond said, horrified.
"I do not ask your pardon Master Elrond for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West." He turned around to look at everyone there. "The Ring is altogether evil."
"Aye it is a gift!" Boromir shook his head before he stood up. "A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" He walked round addressing everyone. "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy, let us use it against him."
"You cannot wield it. None of us can." Boromir turned to face him. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." The one he came to know as Strider spoke up.
"And what would a mere Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir sneered at the man.
"Does his standing truly matter?" Glyn spoke up. "It quite clearly is capable of speaking to us in a bid to corrupt us…if we were to wield it, it would cause nothing but pain."
"Have you fought in a war, Elf?" Boromir rose a brow. "You know not the struggle of my people."
"I fought in the Battle of the Five Armies…and took a mace to my chest, Boromir, Son of Denethor. I know conflict and I serve in the garrison here."
"Regardless…" Legolas stood up and nodded to the Welshman, who returned it. "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." The Elven prince said and all of them looked to the man in question, surprised.
"Aragorn!" Boromir said in surprise. "This is Isildur's heir?" He asked, almost judging him.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor!" Legolas added.
"Havo dad, Legolas…" Aragorn gestured for the blonde Elf to sit down.
"Gondor has no king…" Boromir muttered as he looked at Aragorn in disdain. "Gondor needs no king."
"I do believe that is not for you to decide…" Fili spoke up, earning a glare.
"Aragorn is right." Gandalf brought the meeting back on track. "We cannot use it." At this, Elrond got up and looked at the others.
"You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
"Then what are we waiting for…" Another Dwarf stood and picked up his axe before bringing it down on the plinth. The axe was shattered in an instant and Frodo seemed to react with pain as the Dwarf was thrown back. Glyn and the Princes noticed Frodo's discomfort and looked concerned with Gandalf.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the firey chasm from whence it came." There was silence, except for a whisper of the Ring. "One of you…must do this…"
"Undertake a quest to the other side of the world…I do believe we've done that before…" Kili said, his words light but tone lacking the usual humour.
"Are we even certain there is a way to enter that land without earning Sauron's ire?" Glyn asked.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep and the great eye is ever watchful. Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly." Boromir shook his head.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas stood then. "The Ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" Gimli questioned angrily.
An argument between all of the representatives sans Glyn, Fili, Kili, Elrond and Frodo ensued, all of them shaking their heads. Frodo in particular seemed to be distressed as he looked at the Ring, much to the concern of the Welshman and the two Princes who wanted to get up and see if he was alright. Eventually, Frodo surged forward and called out.
"I will take it!" He shouted but no one heard, not even those not taking part. "I will take it!" He said louder this time and they all slowly turned to look at the Hobbit in shock. "I will take the Ring to Mordor…Although I do not know the way…"
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins…as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf said, standing behind him.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will…" He knelt before the Hobbit. "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." Legolas approached as well.
"And my axe…" Gimli said, before looking at the Elf with a grimace.
"Your uncle risked his life to help us…" Fili stood up with his brother and approached. "We will risk ours to help you…"
"I have met few Hobbits in my time amongst the peoples of Middle-Earth…" Glyn said as he stood up. "But your courage is beyond compare, Master Baggins…allow me to assist you in this."
"You carry the fates of us all, little one." Boromir stood up and approached. "If this is the will of the council, Gondor will see it done."
"Hey! Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" Another Hobbit burst out of a hiding spot and ran to stand amongst the group.
"No indeed it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not!" Elrond said, sounding amused.
"Wait! We're coming too!" Two more Hobbits emerged, Elrond actually looking astounded.
"Seems the whole of the Shire followed you and Bilbo here…" Fili chuckled, earning a smile from the new Ringbearer.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us."
"Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing." The youngest of the two said and Glyn stifled his laughter.
"Well that rules you out, Pip." The other snarked at him.
"Twelve companions…so be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!" Elrond said formally and the young Hobbit smiled.
"Great! Where are we going?"
Glyndwr was in his quarters preparing his equipment for the long journey ahead as well as choosing his travelling clothes. The door opened and both Fili and Kili walked in wearing similar clothes to the ones they wore on the quest many years ago.
"This journey will be longer than the one we took to Erebor…" Fili said as he sat on the bed.
"With a dire impact upon the world." Kili said besides him.
"We will protect Frodo to our dying breaths if we have to." Glyn said as he pulled out a deep green cloak with a brooch he had forged. "The reports we have been receiving over these past years give cause for concern. The fighting in the West has been of some concern for a while and no doubt the rejection of Mordor by Erebor could spell trouble in the North."
"Thorin will lead Erebor in any defence necessary." Fili said and the other nodded.
"I know he will. Tell me…do you still have the golden floor?" The Welshman grinned.
"He kept it as a reminder." Kili answered. "It was engraved with an account of that day in Khuzdul for all Dwarves to see."
"It was an impressive accomplishment."
"Well it brought peace and prosperity to the region." Fili said. "And now, Sauron threatens that. Fili and Kili got up from the bed. "We will meet you in the courtyard when you are ready to go…" The fair-haired Dwarf kissed his hand softly.
"Alright…"
Glyn picked out a forest green long-sleeved robe that went to his knees as well as a brown leather hauberk over that. On his arms were leather gauntlets that came up to the elbow and thick boots he used for his ranger duties. Carefully, he wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and fastened it at the shoulder with his brooch. With a soft sigh, he headed down to the courtyard to meet the others, getting a final glance at his room for a long time.
"The Ringbearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom and you who travel with him. No oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves, and men, and all free folk go with you." Elrond said to the gathered Fellowship.
"The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer…" Gandalf said and he turned to regard them all.
Frodo led them through the entry way to Rivendell with Gandalf and the others right behind him as the Elves watched their departure. Glyn took a moment to take a look at his home and nodded to Elrond who returned it.
"Mordor, Gandalf…is it left or right?" Frodo asked.
"Left…"
"And once more, we set out on an adventure across the world…" Glyndwr said to Fili and Kili as they walked.
"With another Baggins…only this one is under our protection. Adventuring must be in their blood." Kili said with a small smile.
"Indeed it must." Glyn chuckled softly. "Well…let us begin."
Bit of a short one to get us started. I shall be looking to continue this of course. For those reading Glyndwr's Journey I do apologise that it's not been updated in a long time. I have been so busy and have had writers block when it comes to it but I will get back to it when I am able.