Half an hour after Gandalf and Frodo had appeared before the circle, the discussion of what was to be done was still going on. Each important member of the group had had their say, all save Frodo.
"Bring out the Ring, Frodo." Gandalf instructed him. Reluctantly Frodo made his way to the middle of the circle, pulling the Ring out and placing it on the stone circle. Everyone stared in awe at its beauty, minds running with the possibilities it brought forth. As soon as Frodo stepped back, a large dark circle appeared above it.
"What is this, one of Sauron's tricks!?" Asked Gimli. They all rushed forward, Gandalf with his staff, Aragorn with his sword, Gimli with his axe, and Legolas with his bow. It began to vibrate, and it looked as if something would come out of it any minute. Legolas raised his bow and arrow, Gimli his axe, Aragorn his sword, and Gandalf his staff. A black figure dropped from it, followed by a shockwave that set them off balance. Gimli knocked into Legolas, who in turn accidentally shot an arrow at the figure.
"Lower your weapons!" Gandalf said, not detecting any evil coming from the thing. The black vortex dropped three more figures and closed. Now that it didn't block the sun, the four figures that had come out of the vortex came into view.
"Oh god." Aragorn said. Legolas' arrow had pierced the chest of a beautiful but young woman. She lay on the ground, hand grappling at the arrow, her eyes screwed shut in pain. All fell silent, listening to her ragged breath, until at last the three figures from the vortex rushed over to her. All those present watched as she ripped her shirt off and agonizingly pulled the arrow out of her stomach.
"Well, I really hope that wasn't their warm welcome." She joked, teeth clenched through the pain. The oldest, a man who seemed much older than he looked, came to her and held her gloved hand. He looked as if he was about to place his hand on the wound, but she swatted it away. "Give it time." She closed her eyes again, eyes furrowed in concentration.
"Come, I have herbs to help in my room." Elrond said, stepping forward. Legolas too stepped forward, his eyes on her bare stomach and black lacy bra.
"Are you friend or foe?" He asked, feeling guilty that it was his arrow that injured her.
"Hey, you're the ones who shot Rouge with an arrow. We'll be asking the questions." The second man said. He had light brown hair and a red shield over his eyes.
"Peace, Scott. Until proven otherwise, I'm guessing it was... an accident." The council looked back at the girl, Rouge, who had spoken. Before their very eyes her wounds began to heal and close, leaving no trace but the blood on her shirt. She put it back on and approached Elrond. "Thank you for you concern, but as you can see I'm fine." She was about to continue but Gimli stepped forward.
"What evil can allow someone to heal themselves from a wound such as that?"