The Lord of the Rings: The Untold Story

The Council…

This is a story not many have heard... It is one of my journey to Mordor with Aragorn, Boromir, Pippin, Merry, Sam, Frodo, Gandalf, Gimli, and Legolas, the elf I have been promised to since we were 1,000 years old.

My name is Bridwen, and I am the 10th companion on the journey of the Fellowship of the Ring. When I first entered into the lives of my future companions, it was at the council of Elrond, in Rivendel. Legolas and I had journeyed from distant Mirkwood to bring a message to Lord Elrond. Ten minutes after we had arrived, word came to us to come to the meeting of the council. Since I was a female, I had to stand, while Legolas could sit. As we listened Lord Elrond told us the ring had come back to life, and that it must be destroyed. As Frodo brought the ring forth I heard myself, and Legolas draw in a sharp breath.

I agreed that the ring should be destroyed, and was about to say so when Borimir jumped to his feet and said "It is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor, Why not use this ring? Long has my father the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, are your homes kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."

Then Aragorn said, "You can not wield it, none of us can. The one Ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."

Then Borimir retorted, "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?"

Then Legolas who was insulted, for we knew Aragorn as of old, said, "This is no mere ranger, This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, you owe him your allegiance."

Borimir, who disliked anyone who went against him, said, "Aragorn? This is Isuldors heir?"

Then Legolas said sharply, "And heir to the throne of Gondor."

Aragorn who was embarrassed said in our native tongue, "Haveldan, Legolas."

Borimir, not understanding Elfish, said, "Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king." for one last dig at Legolas as they both sat down. Lord Elrond then told us that one of us had to take the Ring to Mordor, and throw it into the fiery pit of Mt. Doom.

Then Boromir said quickly, "One does not simply walk into Mordor, It's black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs, there is evil there that does not sleep. The great eye is ever watchful, It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash, and dust, and the very air you breath is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this! It is folly!"

Then Legolas, who could tell Boromir just wanted to keep the ring for himself said, "Have you heard, nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"

And then Gimli, who hated all elves said, in spite, "And I suppose, you think you are the one to do this?" That comment got Gimli a look from Legolas that I had never seen before, and have never seen since, and hope to never see again.

Knowing Legolas was angry and was about to attack Gimli, and that I was slightly peeved myself with Gimli for insulting not just my future husband, but all of our kind, I said "Better a kindhearted elf, than a selfish dwarf, who knows not of the horrors of the world, but spends his time hiding underground, counting gold."

Then Boromir said, trying to get another chance to demand for the Ring, "And what if you fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Gimli, who had gotten so angry over my comment said in response to me, ignoring Boromir, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf. Never trust an Elf!" Immediately the whole group jumped to their feet, and started arguing about who would be most fit to do the job. Legolas was holding back some of the other Mirkwood elves, that were there, from hurting Gimli, and all the while arguing with Boromir about being selfish.

Meanwhile I stood still behind Legolas' vacant seat, when I heard Frodo say, "I will take it!". At those words I gasped and turned to him amazed. Again he repeated, "I will take it!" but still no one but I had heard him.

This time I went to him and knelt before him. I stretched out my hand to him and said " Are you sure you want to take on this burden? It is one you should not have to bear."

"Yes." Frodo replied looking me straight in the eyes.

I closed my eyes and said "Emo, nimi Caman Sibica." Frodo looked at me questioningly, and I answered smiling at him, "It is a prayer for bravery." Slowly I stood, and advanced into the middle of the fray. "Listen!" I said loudly and calmly, and since I was a female, and it was almost unheard of to have a female speak in court, they stopped arguing and turned to look at me in wonder. "You are so involved in arguing with one another that you do not notice when someone has made the biggest sacrifice of their entire life."

Immediately Boromir said, "And what would you know?"

Legolas, jumping in to protect me said, "A lot more than you do!"

I rolled my eyes as the arguing started again. This time I yelled, "STOP! You fools! You don't even realize that one of you has agreed to do this! Frodo has said he will do it, he has shown he is bigger than all of you! I for one, will go with him and help him with this burden he should not have to bear. He has my guidance, care and knowledge, however that may help him." As I walked to stand behind Frodo, and put my hand on his shoulder.

"I too will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, for however long it is yours to bear." Gandalf said crossing to stand beside Frodo.

"If by my life, or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." Aragorn said and came to stand next to Gandalf after kneeling in front of Frodo.

Then Legolas said, while walking towards us and standing next to me, "And you have my Bow, and Knives, for not only have you shown great courage and I wish to help you, but I must also go with my love, Bridwen, for I swore to her father I would see her home safe."

Then Gimli, not to be out done by an elf said, "You also have my axe." and crossed to stand next to Legolas while making a face. Legolas then rolled his eyes and turned away from Gimli in disgust.

Boromir slowly walked toward the group, as he came to a halt in front of us he said, "You carry the fates of us all, little one, If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." and he went to stand next to Aragorn.

Suddenly there was a rustle of branches and three hobbits, Merry, Pippin, and Sam ran out saying, "Not without us you're not going Mr. Frodo!"

"Well I agree, that it is hardly possible to separate you, even when Frodo is summoned to a secret council meeting and you are not!" Lord Elrond said with a twinkle in his eyes, as he nodded to them to join the group behind Frodo, "Nine companions,. You shall be. The Fellowship of the Ring!"

Soon the council was over and Legolas and I went to bed and awoke at the brake of dawn, the next morning.