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Dolencor
Time whorls and separates, spreading out into different directions, creating and destroying different dimensions. For every different vortex, for every decision made, there is a new universe created in which the opposite decision is made. And the multiverse grows and changes.
"Then let us cast the Ring into the sea," declared Glorfindel, "and make the lies of Saruman truth, for often in lies truth can be found. The Ring would be safe in the deeps."
"Not forever," answered Gandalf. "In the sea the fate of the Ring would be clouded even to the wise. A fish might swallow it and be caught in a fisherman's net the next morning. The Ring would then be found and our greatest fears would have a chance to be realized. Such is the way with such objects as the One Ring. It would want to be found and would find a way as surely as we meet today."
"In any case the road to the sea has become too perilous. There can be no doubt the eye of the Enemy watches that road, for it is the one he expects us to take," Galdor added. "And if the Enemy attacks the sea bordered west, the Grey Havens will no longer give the Elves free passage to leave Middle-earth and pass on to Valinor."
"Long will the Enemy's march be delayed by Gondor," declared Boromir, heir to Gondor's steward. "Gondor remain strong even at it's weakest."
"But it may not be enough," responded the Elf, Galdor. "And Gondor proved unable to hold back the Nine. We return to the decision to hide the Ring or to unmake it."
"The Ring cannot be hidden by the power of the Elves," Lord Elrond said, forestalling debate on that subject.
"There is another land, which may hold the Ring and hide it from Sauron's eye. Few are the Men or Elves who dare enter the cold desolation of the Northern Waste. Orcs and creatures of darkness also shy away from the deep cold. We know no craft that can destroy the Ring, but perhaps there it can be hidden until those who have that craft come," said a soft voice from some where in the assembly. "An older power than that of the Elves could protect it."
"But who will do this thing? Who will bear the Ring?" asked Elrond. At this simple question a great argument began. It seemed no one was eager to take the Ring, but many were eager to speak on the matter. Total chaos was reached when a bearded Dwarf declared he would meet his end before he would allow an Elf to hold the Ring, thus bringing into play the age old racial struggle between the two peoples. Finally a small voice spoke up.
"I will take the Ring. I will take it though I know not the way." Silence fell as the assembled company turned towards the speaker, a simple Hobbit, a creature clearly from a race related to that of Men but appearing to be the size of a small Man-child.
"In this I will help you, Frodo Baggins," said the Wizard, Gandalf in a weary voice, breaking the sudden silence.
"Hey, I'm going too," cried a voice. Another Hobbit appeared from under a nearby bush. Elrond turned towards him with the grim expression of one who is trying not to betray his humor.
"Indeed, it seems impossible to separate you, Samwise Gamgee. Even when Frodo is invited to a secret council and you are not." Sam, correctly assuming that this meant he was going, just smiled.
------- Soon enough, the members of the company charged with hiding the ring began their preparations. In addition to Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf, six members were chosen with each free race of Middle-earth kept in mind. Boromir of Gondor and Aragorn, the ranger who had guided Frodo, Sam and two of their companions, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, through many trials from a town near their home in the Shire to Elrond's city of Rivendell, were chosen to represent the race of Man. Legolas, the prince of the far off kingdom of Mirkwood, was chosen to represent the Elves. Gimli, son of Gloin, was to represent the Dwarven-folk. Finally, Merry and Pippin were chosen, or rather they chose themselves. They quickly insisted upon their attendance after hearing that Sam was allowed to go. So it was that the Hobbit-folk had four representatives and that the company totaled nine, nine walkers.
Dolencor
Time whorls and separates, spreading out into different directions, creating and destroying different dimensions. For every different vortex, for every decision made, there is a new universe created in which the opposite decision is made. And the multiverse grows and changes.
"Then let us cast the Ring into the sea," declared Glorfindel, "and make the lies of Saruman truth, for often in lies truth can be found. The Ring would be safe in the deeps."
"Not forever," answered Gandalf. "In the sea the fate of the Ring would be clouded even to the wise. A fish might swallow it and be caught in a fisherman's net the next morning. The Ring would then be found and our greatest fears would have a chance to be realized. Such is the way with such objects as the One Ring. It would want to be found and would find a way as surely as we meet today."
"In any case the road to the sea has become too perilous. There can be no doubt the eye of the Enemy watches that road, for it is the one he expects us to take," Galdor added. "And if the Enemy attacks the sea bordered west, the Grey Havens will no longer give the Elves free passage to leave Middle-earth and pass on to Valinor."
"Long will the Enemy's march be delayed by Gondor," declared Boromir, heir to Gondor's steward. "Gondor remain strong even at it's weakest."
"But it may not be enough," responded the Elf, Galdor. "And Gondor proved unable to hold back the Nine. We return to the decision to hide the Ring or to unmake it."
"The Ring cannot be hidden by the power of the Elves," Lord Elrond said, forestalling debate on that subject.
"There is another land, which may hold the Ring and hide it from Sauron's eye. Few are the Men or Elves who dare enter the cold desolation of the Northern Waste. Orcs and creatures of darkness also shy away from the deep cold. We know no craft that can destroy the Ring, but perhaps there it can be hidden until those who have that craft come," said a soft voice from some where in the assembly. "An older power than that of the Elves could protect it."
"But who will do this thing? Who will bear the Ring?" asked Elrond. At this simple question a great argument began. It seemed no one was eager to take the Ring, but many were eager to speak on the matter. Total chaos was reached when a bearded Dwarf declared he would meet his end before he would allow an Elf to hold the Ring, thus bringing into play the age old racial struggle between the two peoples. Finally a small voice spoke up.
"I will take the Ring. I will take it though I know not the way." Silence fell as the assembled company turned towards the speaker, a simple Hobbit, a creature clearly from a race related to that of Men but appearing to be the size of a small Man-child.
"In this I will help you, Frodo Baggins," said the Wizard, Gandalf in a weary voice, breaking the sudden silence.
"Hey, I'm going too," cried a voice. Another Hobbit appeared from under a nearby bush. Elrond turned towards him with the grim expression of one who is trying not to betray his humor.
"Indeed, it seems impossible to separate you, Samwise Gamgee. Even when Frodo is invited to a secret council and you are not." Sam, correctly assuming that this meant he was going, just smiled.
------- Soon enough, the members of the company charged with hiding the ring began their preparations. In addition to Frodo, Sam, and Gandalf, six members were chosen with each free race of Middle-earth kept in mind. Boromir of Gondor and Aragorn, the ranger who had guided Frodo, Sam and two of their companions, Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took, through many trials from a town near their home in the Shire to Elrond's city of Rivendell, were chosen to represent the race of Man. Legolas, the prince of the far off kingdom of Mirkwood, was chosen to represent the Elves. Gimli, son of Gloin, was to represent the Dwarven-folk. Finally, Merry and Pippin were chosen, or rather they chose themselves. They quickly insisted upon their attendance after hearing that Sam was allowed to go. So it was that the Hobbit-folk had four representatives and that the company totaled nine, nine walkers.
