Gandalf the Grey hurried up the steps of Rivendell, immediately heading toward the Healing Houses of Imladris. Frodo was here, and from what he heard from Aragorn, was still in the midst of healing. The guilt of leaving Frodo to the hands of the Witch-king still weighed on his mind, even though he knew the Hobbit was safely resting.
Once he approached Elrond, he could see that the body the Elf was bent over did not resemble a Hobbit's.
"Gandalf, I cannot express the gratitude which I feel at your coming." Elrond, Lord of Rivendell exclaimed, greatly relieved at the wizard's presence.
"I came as soon as I was able." The wizard sighed. "I hear Frodo has indeed made it to your city, with help from Aragorn and your daughter? That is quite a feat."
Elrond felt a slight irritation at the mention of what happened at the Ford. Before he could protest her thoughts, she was gone. Arwen had risked her life for Aragorn, a Ranger who was quite capable of handling himself.
"Yes, the Ring-Bearer is here, but there is something else I have asked you here for. I believe Frodo is well enough to wait. This, however, cannot."
"Elrond, I really must insist on seeing Frodo. He has gone through such a trauma. Surely, this can wait but a few moments while I make sure of his health with my own eyes?"
The elf shook his head. "It demands our immediate attention."
Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "Well, lead on then. Let us see what is so important."
Elrond nodded once and walked over to the room next to Frodo's. It held only one bed, and two elves that were hurriedly infusing herbs into a healing balm for the patient lying in the bed. She was clearly not of this world, Elrond thought to himself, looking at her unusual garments and hair. So where did she come from? He could only hope Gandalf the Grey would know.
"So, what is this mystery that needs unraveling?" Gandalf asked, not willing to waste anymore time than needed on what he viewed as a trivial matter.
"This girl is the cause of my concern." He gestured to his guest who was still asleep in the bed, looking just as peaceful as she did when she appeared on their steps just outside the city boundaries.
The wizard glanced at her, instantly seeing what the elf had. She did not belong.
"Where did she come from?" He asked, moving swiftly so he hovered just above her head, examining every aspect he could.
"We do not know. My scouts found her outside the city, laying on our steps, unconscious. She has not woken since she was first found." He explained.
"She is under some spell. Whether from craft of Saruman or Sauron, I cannot tell. It is strong, but I may be able to lessen it some so she can provide some answers." He closed his eyes as he laid his hand over her face, muttering an incantation he learned long ago.
After mere moments of the mutterings, he heard a gasp and opened his eyes only to meet green irises. He backed away, giving her some needed space, and watched as she fought to keep her breathing in order. Her gaze flitted from corner to corner of the room to the two males standing before her.
He knew Elrond would not need to be told to keep back He was a master in the healing arts and would be able to tell the girl was trying to make sense of her surroundings. Her eyes trained on him, and glared.
"Where am I?" She asked sternly, although he could tell it was a mask to hide her fear. Masks were good, it meant she could deal with fear when it came.
"You are in Rivendell, under the care of Master Elrond. You were found just outside his city. Tell me, do you know how you came upon Imladris?"
"Rivendell?" She asked, her voice wavering. "What do you mean?"
He smiled gently at her. "My dear, you are in Middle-Earth, it is plain you do not belong to this world, so I ask how you came to appear here."
She blinked several times. Comprehension suddenly dawning. "Middle-Earth?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"As in, elves and dwarves and men and dragons, Middle-Earth?"
Again, he nodded, a slight chuckle erupting from him.
"I'm in Middle-Earth." It was clear to him that her inquiry wasn't to him nor Elrond directly, but rather herself.
He allowed her a few moments to herself before speaking. "You seem familiar with the name." He prodded.
She nodded slowly. "You could say that…"
"Do you have an idea as to how you came here? I would guess you didn't come here by choice?" He asked, wondering if she had heard of their world, then why was she behaving as if she couldn't believe it.
She shook her head. "No. Believe me, this is the last thing I need right now." She muttered, swinging her legs over the bedside, attempting to stand.
The wizard was relieved to see Elrond immediately come to her side, as he was still weak from his confrontation with Saruman the White.
"You needn't rise just yet. Give your body some time to heal and rest while I speak with Gandalf."
The man in question silently agreed. It took more energy than it should have to rouse her. It was a dark spell, one of few that had been newly created, and Gandalf had an idea of where it had come from. However, the why was escaping him. Why the girl, and why deposit her on the steps of one of the purest beings to inhabit MIddle-Earth?
Gandalf was not used to being in the dark in such instances, and found no comfort in it now.
The girl looked as though she were about to ignore Elrond's advice, but the Wizard halted her movements. "Lord Elrond is right. You need rest. We shall not be far." His suspicion that she was wholly against being left alone were affirmed as her shoulders sagged and she nodded to him. He gave her a reassuring smile, and gestured for Elrond to follow him out of the room.
They strode near the doorway and Elrond spoke as soon as they passed the threshold. "The girl knows nothing. It is clear in her eyes." He gave the wizard a fixed look. "Why would Saruman or Sauron bring her here? What advantage does it bring them, if we are to be sure this was their doing?"
"It was Saruman." Gandalf said grimly. The energy surrounding the spell was similar to that of the White Wizard's magic. There was no mistaking it. "Though I know not for what purpose."
"We must know, Gandalf, and soon. The Ring has reached Rivendell, and now this human girl falls on my doorstep? That cannot be mere coincidence."
"No," agreed the Wizard, "It cannot. But what do you propose we do with her? We cannot leave her to the Enemy."
"She should be in your care." Elrond answered. "You would best protect her, and you know what magic ails her. Even now, you can sense it, as can I. Something is lingering in her, Gandalf, and you are the only one with sufficient knowledge of it to be of any help to her."
"She cannot be in my care, Elrond. The girl appeared in your lands, perhaps you were meant to find her." He knew the elf was right, he thought to himself as his gaze turned toward the girl, whose red-orange hair was the only thing visible around the white linens that enveloped her. It was something he wasn't familiar with, being responsible for someone. He felt it was his duty as Saruman's knowledge of the Ring, and thus Sauron's by association, came from him. He was the reason Frodo was injured by the Witch-King and why Rivendell was under scrutiny. He could very well be this girl's only hope of survival.
"She cannot stay in Rivendell," Elrond insisted. "And neither can the Ring for that matter."
The Wizard focused his full attention on the elf. "Elf-magic could protect them both." He tried to persuade him, but knew by the furrowing of the elf's brow, that he would not be swayed.
She is to be in his care, then. So be it.
He sighed. "Very well. I will care for her, but she will stay in Rivendell until Frodo can get to his feet. I will not leave him behind… not again."
"Very well. After Frodo is well-enough, and after the Council, you must leave with the girl."
"Understood."
He hoped he would not lead her the way he did Frodo. He shot a glance toward the doorway leading to the Halfling. He made a silent promise to himself to make sure the girl and Frodo were safe. She would be returned to her land, and Frodo would return to the Shire where he could remain out of harms way. Yes, that would be best...
As she lay there, Anna barely held back a snort. Didn't they know she could hear them? Or did they think that because she was a "wee human" that she couldn't tell if people were talking about her?
Glancing to her side, she saw an elf-maiden pouring more water into the bowl beside her bed from a silver pitcher. The she-elf gazed at her for a moment, then hurried off toward Elrond and Gandalf, who still stood in the doorway. She tried to seem like she wasn't paying any attention to them, but failed miserably when she caught the weary eye of the wizard. Anna tried to sit up, her aching body betraying her by her arms giving out, causing her to collapse in bed, only to give it another go as soon as she was able to anchor herself properly.
"I take it you are not one to rest, my lady?" He inquired once he had reached her bedside again.
She shook her head. "No, not really."
He nodded to himself, seeming to look her over. "Of course not." he murmured to himself. He looked at her then, locking eyes with her and hardened his gaze. "After such an ordeal, one would not fault you for recovering rather than trying to get on your feet. Hold onto that, for there may come a time where you will need that strength more than anything."
She blinked at him and had to remind herself to keep a straight face. Strength? She didn't have strength. Right now she had panic, worry, and a slight anger that confused her all the more. She felt foreign, although she supposed she was.
She was quite sure she was dreaming until she realized that she was nowhere near this creative. Sure, everything looked as she imagined, but she still could not fathom her subconscious turning this elaborate.
"If you do not mind, I am going to check on a dear friend of mine. I will not be far, he is lying in the next room in fact."
"Okay." She said, not quite knowing what else to say. She already knew the "friend" was Frodo.
He seemed to sense her hesitance, and smiled at her, "Would you like to join me? I am sure Master Elrond would not mind if I steal you away into the next room. You may meet Frodo, who I am sure would love the extra company."
She looked to Elrond, who wore a look of disapproval on his face. Her face fell from the slight grin that was forming. She looked away, crossing her arms over her chest, resigned to staying in her bed until after the Council meeting. She knew it wouldn't end with her in Gandalf's care, since he would accompany Frodo on his journey to Mount Doom. Who would help her then? Elrond didn't seem too happy with her being here, not that she blamed him, so he was ruled out.
"She may go." Came Elrond's smooth voice, cutting through her thoughts like a sharp knife. Did she hear correctly?
"Excellent!" Gandalf cried, already heading toward the door and the next room.
Anna hurried to get out of bed, but swayed slightly, the room spinning around her. She sat back down and suddenly the back of a warm hand hovered over her forehead. "You are still ill. You should stay in bed and rest more." Elrond told her, his dark-blue eyes looking into hers, making her feel exposed. She shrank back from his gaze and stood up once more, the dizziness fading after a few seconds, and she was stable enough to walk.
"I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." She said stiffly, wanting to get away from him as quickly as possible.
Striding past the older elf, who seemed to want to make her lay back down, she turned into Frodo's room, which she wryly admitted, was significantly grander than her own.
"Is this she, Gandalf?" The blue-eyed Hobbit asked.
The wizard turned toward her. "Yes, it is indeed. Come, let me introduce you to Frodo. He is recovering from a similar ordeal. Here, sit!" He got off his chair and made to stand behind it.
"No, I'm fine. Standing should help clear my head, actually." She replied, but much to her dismay, the wizard stayed upright, the chair abandoned for the time being.
"And what ordeal have you gone through to warrant a visit to the house of healing as well?" He looked to be at a loss, glancing from her to Gandalf, and back to her again, "I'm sorry, I do not know your name…"
"Anna." She said simply, looking at the Hobbit analytically. He was pale, and younger than she'd imagined. Hadn't the book said that Frodo was in his forties or something close to that? The Hobbit laying in front of her couldn't be more than twenty, if that.
"Anna" said the older wizard, almost as if he were testing how it felt on his tongue. "That's quite a pretty name, unusual as well."
"It's a common name in Scotland."
She fought to keep her nonchalant attitude as she realized that she just let something slip.
The Hobbit's face turned into a puzzled grimace. "Scotland?" Frodo inquired, looking again at Gandalf, as if he held all the answers to this new riddle.
"Anna is not from our world, it is true, and you must not reveal that fact to anyone beyond those in this room and Lord Elrond. It is Saruman's craft, I told you of his betrayal. It seems his reach is farther than any of us had imagined. You must keep this to yourself, lest news of her arrival reach his ears."
The boy nodded, looking at her again with wide-eyes. He looked so afraid. She didn't understand how he was supposed to undertake the journey of the Ring and still survive.
Gandalf seemed pleased enough with his response and relaxed his stiff posture, stealing a glance out the window by Frodo's bed. "Enough of the unpleasant matters… It seems your friends are anxiously waiting for your recovery. Do you feel you can go visit them, and assure them you are well, or shall I summon them here?" He asked the Hobbit.
"I think I can manage a walk." Frodo said, sitting up.
"Good, you go on then. I have some things to discuss with Anna that you needn't concern yourself with. I will get you shortly for the Council meeting."
Once Frodo was out of sight, he turned toward her, a frown spreading across his face. "I apologize for not getting your name earlier, I was distracted by your mysterious arrival. Elrond has placed you in my care, and my care is where you will stay until we can sort out how Saruman brought you here and why."
"What does he want with me?" She asked. "I have no connection to the Ring."
His dark bearing told her that she had made yet another mistake. "How do you know of the Ring?"
Her eyes widened with panic. "I-I just know. It's mentioned in my world."
"How is it mentioned in your world? Do you have scholars that know of Middle-Earth and the Enemy? Or are you a spy of Saruman's sent to trick me?" His frame suddenly seemed much taller and foreboding than before. As if he could crush her in an instant, and she knew that he could.
"No! I swear, I'm not a spy! I don't know how I came here, I've never met Saruman! There are books in my world." She knew she was riding a fine line with telling him this, but she didn't have much choice. If he named her spy, every good force in Middle-Earth would be looking for her, if the wizard didn't smite her first.
He glared at her, making her feel as small as an insect.
"Explain yourself."
"There are books telling of the histories of Middle-Earth and the tale of the Ring. Some things are changed…" She thought back to Frodo and Elrond. "But most of it has stayed the same from what I've seen and heard. Frodo getting the Ring from Bilbo, you discovering it was the One, and Frodo being chased by the Nine. All of that is in those books."
She bit her lip. She wasn't sure how much she should reveal. What if she changed the whole fate of this world? What if by her telling everything, an unforeseen consequence caused it to shift and change into something unrecognizable?
"Do not tell me everything, knowledge can be just as great a weapon as a blade." He told her, fully relaxing his menacing pose.
"So you believe me now?" She asked meekly.
He raised an eyebrow at her, and she felt the tension leave her shoulders, something she figured he had something to do with.
"I have no choice, as you are telling the truth. As of this moment, we remain friends. However, one inclination that you are truly sided with the Enemy, and I will not hesitate to do all that I can to stop you." He warned, causing her to gulp. She was reminded, yet again, of the power he held being Gandalf the Grey, and not Gandalf, Maker of Fireworks and Magic Tricks.
"Now, Anna, this is very important, you must listen to what I have to say." He paused, making sure he had her complete attention. "You cannot tell anyone about your world, Saruman, or your knowledge of the Ring. Others would see that as evidence of a spy, just as I did, but they will not be able to see what I do. I know you are more lost than you care to realize," she made to argue, but he cut her off, "do not deny it. I had to feel in your heart to wake you in your bed. As long as you keep those secrets close to you, you will be fine. Trust no one but myself and Lord Elrond. Do you understand?"
She nodded and he motioned for her to follow him. He led her to another room another elf was preparing the bedding. "Lady Anna will be needing…" he looked at her attire, again, making her want to shrink back, "more fitting garments as she will be attending the Council with me."
The elf bowed, and swept away, only to come back moments later with what looked like a purple coat made of satiny-material and another dress a shade lighter.
"Is the Lady pleased with these?" The maid asked.
She nodded. How could she not be? They were gorgeous, and not fit to be worn by her. She was sure she would not do them justice.
"Ah, I believe these are from Lady Arwen's own wardrobe?"
Anna almost dropped the material as it was handed to her. Arwen? As in Elrond's daughter, and the maiden known for a beauty to rival Luthien's?
"I thought so. Arwen knows of this, correct?" Gandalf asked calmly, clearly already knowing the answer.
"Yes. The Lady insisted on it."
"Then we shall not insult her by refusing her generosity." He shot a knowing look at Anna.
Anna gently took the clothing from the elf and hurried into a separate room to change. There were so many buttons and different ways to wrap the cloth around her. The girl was half-tempted to call someone in to help her with it when it suddenly slipped onto her perfectly, molding itself around her body. She felt relief, seeing that she wasn't as well endowed as her mother, otherwise the ensemble wouldn't have fit properly.
Her chest tightened suddenly at the reminder of what she had left behind.
Her mother probably didn't notice her only daughter was gone. Not because she was a bad parent, but because she was extremely busy with work and looking after her brother after his release from yet another rehab a month ago. It seemed to slam into her then that this was really happening. She wasn't in her world anymore, she couldn't see her school mates and family members anymore.
Panicking at the thought that she might never see them again, she scrambled around in her jeans pocket, looking for her father's pocket watch. It was the only thing from home that she had on her when this all happened. If she couldn't see them again, she at least wanted something to hold onto. The dress and coat didn't have any pockets, so she quickly stuffed it in-between her breasts, the chain allowing it to settle behind her bra. She knew it would be partially visible, but she refused to leave it behind. She needed something to remind her of her past, something that tethered her to her family and reminded her of where she came from. Lest this world swallow her whole, as it was starting to already.
She stepped out, mindful of the swishing of the dress across the floor, also acknowledging that she was a bit shorter than the lady who owned the gown, and held the extra fabric in her hands and looked up at Gandalf shyly.
"It suits you." He said, holding out his arm for her to take, and led her through the grand architecture to a courtyard with a circle of chairs and a marble, flat statue in the middle.
They watched as person after person filled the chairs, noticing them all filing in from different areas.
"Gandalf?"
"Yes, my dear." He replied, eyeing one man in particular, one she recognized as Boromir from the shield he carried.
"How will I be getting back home?" She inquired, knowing this would her last chance for the wizard to help her. He didn't know it yet, but he would be going on his own journey and it would not include her. He must help her before the Council was set in motion and he agreed to help the Hobbit.
"We will have time for such things later, my dear." He insisted, still roving the newcomers in an almost harsh gaze. "Right now, I must concentrate on what is to be done about the Ring. " He turned to her, "I promise you that I will do everything in my power to keep you from Saruman's hands, and back to your loved ones." He assured her. .
Anna tried to argue with him but he tugged her to another chair beside the anxious Hobbit playing with the gold band in his hands. Gandalf stood behind her, as he had sternly, but gently guided her to take the chair that was clearly meant for him.
She felt him lean down to murmur in her ear, "Now, you must not say anything about yourself, save for your name. They do not need to know anything about Saruman's involvement at your coming to this world. It would greatly unsettle them, as I warned before."
"I won't, I promise." She breathed back, her anxiety hitting near its peak as she wrung her hands in her lap. She avoided eye contact with anyone who tried to look at her, instead she chose to focus on the ground, and the leaves that were scattered. The leaves could almost make her believe she was back home.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Elrond approach, already changed, and looking at all of them expectantly.
The chatter instantly quieted down, and she felt it was safe enough to look up.
It was obvious who were the Dwarves, Elves, and Men as they all sat close together with their respective race. She could pick out each member of the Fellowship fairly easily, their features too obvious to be anyone else.
Elrond spoke of how the Ring was finally out in the open and how they were either to band together or fall to their own fates. His ominous warning amplified by Frodo placing the Ring on the pedestal.
She instantly felt its power. The whispering promise of giving her, her heart's desire was strong. The idea that if she just picked it up… If she simply held it in her hand, everything would be alright. She had barely moved out of her chair when she felt Gandalf's firm hand on her shoulder, steadying her and restraining any more movement on her part.
She had read about the Ring's power, but she had never guessed how strong the pull was before now. It was astounding to witness first-hand. She was shaking, she knew, but she felt comfort looking around and seeing that she was not the only one affected. Every single being in that room was reacting in some way, fidgeting in their seats as if they were as anxious to leap out of them as she was.
"In a dream," Boromir began, standing from his seat, walking slowly over to the Ring, "I saw the eastern sky grow dark. In the west, a pale light lingered, a voice was crying, "Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's bane is found." His hand was outstretched, toward the Ring. A little farther and he would have it in his grasp. "Isildur's bane…"
Before Anna could sort through her confusion of Faramir's dream being suddenly claimed as Boromir's, Gandalf started shouting the cruel, harsh language of Mordor - the Black Speech.
She heard the words as though they were in English, yet the echo of their true nature was laced within the translation.
"One Ring to rule them, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all, and in the darkness bind them."
The sky grew dark, but suddenly the clouds broke as Gandalf stopped his utterings. She felt the weight that grew heavy in her chest dissipate, and the whispering voice in her head faded as well.
She didn't understand how the words were translated as they were. Anna had read the stories, yes, but she didn't know the languages of Middle-Earth that well.
"Never before has anyone uttered that tongue here in Imladris." Said Elrond, looking at the wizard indignantly.
"I do not ask for your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the west!"
Boromir spoke again, this time arguing that the Ring could be used against Sauron. His speech completely ignoring the point Gandalf was trying to make. When Legolas announced the attendance of Isildur's heir, it caused Boromir's whole body to grow rigid and she was shocked to see the heat coming from his gaze at the once assumed "mere Ranger".
The Boromir she had read about disliked the Ranger, yes. He had viewed the Dunedain as a threat to his father's rule, and rightly so. Yet, dislike was not what she saw in the Gondorian's eyes, it burned brighter than that.
Why were things changed so much? This was not what was written by Tolkien at all. The words were wrong, the situations different, and even the characters, the ones she thought she knew so well, were changed.
She suddenly heard a deep growl, and noticed a Dwarf, Gimli, rushing forward, ax swinging and suddenly a great crash rang out as the metal was shattered. The gold ring lay there, having not strayed an inch from where the Hobbit had placed it, completely unharmed.
The Ring's whisperings grew more urgent, as though it sensed the intention to destroy all around it. Pain was burning in her skull, causing it to throb and her vision began to swirl.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess." Elrond reminded everyone, strangely calm about the situation, almost as if he expected such an outburst from the red-headed male. "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 in the fiery chasm from whence it came." He peered at each of them sternly. "One of you... must do this."
Anna turned to Frodo as the men around them began to bicker. The Hobbit looked as though he were still in as much pain as she. Anna took his hand and gently squeezed before letting go. He glanced at her and tried to smile, but it faltered before it began. Then the bickering erupted into full-blown arguments with yelling, and wildly exaggerated hands. She then took the opportunity to speak to him quietly.
"It'll be alright you know." She said, trying to sound re-assuring.
"How do you know that?" He winced, the grip on his forehead getting tighter as the bickering grew more heated.
"I just do. Trust yourself, and everything will be fine." She replied, leaning back in her seat and watched the rest of them argue, while Gandalf moved to join them. She didn't miss the Hobbit's look of utter confusion at her before his attention suddenly snapped to the Ring.
Whatever it was muttering to him, she knew this was what would make his decision. The reflection of the argument grew in the Ring's band, and fire started to envelop those within it. It seemed to fit with what Gandalf said earlier, it would destroy them all if they let it remain as it was.
"I will take it!" Frodo stood, taking a few steps toward them, but he was so short and quiet, he had to raise his voice and repeat himself. "I will take the Ring to Mordor!" He suddenly had each of their attention. Gandalf was visibly uneasy about the Hobbit's declaration.
"Though….I do not know the way." Frodo admitted, look to each of them with hope.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," said Gandalf, "as long as it is yours to bear." He walked toward the Hobbit and stood behind him, much like he did with Anna during the beginning of the Council.
She watched as each of the Fellowship's members announced their allegiance to the Halfling, and looking to Elrond, expected him to declare them the Fellowship as they were but he didn't. Instead, he was frowning, looking between herself and Gandalf, clearly disturbed.
Just as it looked as if he were about to speak again, Samwise Gamgee came sprinting out of the bushes near them, and rushed over to the gathered group. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" He exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest, trying to look intimidating and final.
She was happy to see Elrond's mood lift in amusement at Sam's insistence at being taken along as well. "Clearly it is impossible to separate you two, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." He smirked at them.
She gave a little laugh, earning her the split-second gaze of the Fellowship, as she knew who else would be joining them soon enough. As if on cue, Merry and Pippin came running and stood next to Frodo as well, claiming they were joining as well.
Pippin spoke up, "You need people of intelligence for this sort of mission...quest...thing."
"Well, that rules you out, Pip." Merry remarked.
She grinned widely. She was familiar with this. Merry and Pippin's camaraderie and good-natured teasing. Maybe things hadn't changed so much after all.
"Nine companions…." Elrond began, shooting a quick glance at Anna, before turning back toward the group, "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
At his announcement, it was almost as if they all straightened once the importance of this journey was understood. "Right," Pippin broke in, "Where are we going?"
They all gave a laugh at the Hobbit's pure innocence and foolishness, but their humor quickly evaporated. They soon separated to ready themselves for the journey, and were scattered throughout Imladris for the time-being.
Unable to contain herself any longer, she walked over to Gandalf and Elrond. She didn't care if she was about to be rude to people who had helped her when she clearly couldn't help herself. She needed answers, and she wasn't about to just sit back, and allow her only chance at returning home slip through her fingers.
By the time she had reached them though, they already begun their conversation. She hung back, listening with bated breath.
"Gandalf," Elrond said, "She cannot stay here. She is as much a danger to Rivendell as the Ring itself."
The wizard took on an agitated expression. "That may not be true. We still have no knowledge as to why Saruman brought her here. I did not think you to be so cold toward someone who needed your help, Lord Elrond. Perhaps I was wrong."
"I will not risk my people for an outsider who is not of this world. I held her here while she recovered, but now that she has, there is no further reason for her to remain. You must either deal with her and leave the Fellowship, or bring her with you."
Anna's heart sunk. Even Elrond didn't want to risk her staying here any longer than necessary. If Gandalf didn't agree to help her, she would be lost. There would be no hope for her.
"I am looking out for the good of all when I say this, Gandalf - you cannot leave her. You alone are the only one who truly knows Saruman, and you alone can help her. Not I, nor any other elf you come across. Elf-magic is not strong enough to hide her forever. I understand why you hesitate to expose her to such dangers, but it may be the only way."
When she heard Gandalf's sigh of resignation, she knew what he had decided and felt her hope dwindle. She was joining the Fellowship, and there was nothing she could do about it.