Rivendell, The Last Homely House East of the Sea, was famously known across Middle Earth and all of its inhabitants for the seemingly everlasting peace and beauty. It was the home the wise elvish folk who had a strong taste for finery and sophistication. Rivendell was strategically placed in a beauty valley on the foothills of the Misty Mountains that lay to the West and was filled with majestic waterfalls. During the night, the golden glow of the sunlight fades to allow moonlight to bath the place in an enchanting glow. All those who had paid their eyes upon this place was enchanted by the sheer beauty of the place and its people. The Lord of the people goes by the name of Elrond who holds a strong and unbelievably wise soul and would extend assistance to any person in need. His strength of a warrior and healing hand was legendary in stories and songs of beyond the elvish folk.
His eyes seen far too many wars and darkness in these lands. Evil thrived in the darkness and grew impossibly strong from ignorant eyes of the inhabitants of Middle Earth. It was Lord Elrond who has called upon old alliances of all races to join together in hopes of destroying evil from Middle Earth once and for all. The main assisting factor of this evil resided in a single Ring that ended in an innocent halfing's hands. A Ring that caused such trauma and burden in lands far and wide due to its disastrous Master of Darkness. Wars ignited in flames over this golden band for the soul of darkness was forever attached to this Ring. It was this Ring that caused Lord Elrond to call upon old alliances in hopes of destroying this Ring.
Faithful friends of old and old enemies who've decided to laid down arms arrived in his majestic place for the common good of Middle Earth. Lords of Men, Dwarves, Elves and Wizards arrived in a secluded part of Rivendell to hold a council meeting. Each race eyed the other with great observation and suspicion of their motives with clear tension that vibrated the atmosphere. Men could not ignore the awkward and resentful tension radiating from the elves as dwarves openly glared at their long time elvish enemy due to a complicated past. It was a miracle that these lords of these races accepted the council invitation in the beginning. There was a nudge at the back of their minds that was impossible to ignore, even for elves, that there was a sole woman in this council.
Women were not typically allowed in councils due to the apparent lack of knowledge and weak statures.
Women were to be protected from danger of any sort and believed that they should avoid any sort of danger. Eyes continuously glanced at this woman that broke an unspoken taboo of joining a council that sat at the far left between a famously known wizard and a young man. Donning a royal blue cloak that hung from her small shoulders with a silver diadem place delicately on top of her dark hair, this woman carried herself in such a sophisticated and royal manner that it made the males question themselves ceaselessly. She seemed to radiate great confidence and pride without trying. All thought of this strange woman moved to the back of their heads the moment Lord Elrond stood from his chair that overlooked the ring of races.
"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. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Curious eyes of the council followed the small stature of the young hobbit, Frodo, as he walked slowly to the centre of the council. In a cautious movement, Frodo gently placed a golden band on top of the stone pedestal for all eyes to witness for the first time in centuries. This golden band of simplicity was the core of all evil for the soul of Sauron was attached to this. Darkness lingered around this soul that whispered dark thoughts in the ears of the members of the council. Some gasped outwardly while others cringed at the hisses of evil. It constricted the air which made breathing difficult and clutch at people's heart. A tight tension of silence overcame the atmosphere as all looked at the golden band.
A blond man, from the far right area of the ring of council members, jumped to his feet with eyes transfixed on the Ring. His blond hair swished around his head as he slowly began walking towards the stone pedestal, "In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark but in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, 'Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found.'...Isildur's Bane..."
His wide hand tentatively reached out from his side towards the Ring.
"Boromir!" Lord Elrond's booming voice pierced the air as he issued a warning to the man, Boromir. His eyes narrowed, calculating the Man's movements.
Paying no heed to the elven lord, Boromir continued to pace around the stone pedestal with a cunning expression on his face as he looked around the council, "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 lands safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!"
Another man, not far from where Boromir once sat, sighed heavily and looked pointedly at him, "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir scoffed and sneered down his nose at the dark haired man who looked unaffected by the blunt rudeness. It was clear the the blond was raised in such a manner of strict hierarchy that allowed him to look down upon those who he deems unworthy.
"This is no mere Ranger." A silvery blond haired elf sharply stated as he rose to his feet with an air of royalty, "This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your alliance."
"This is Isildur's Heir?"
Disbelief was clear on the man's face as he stared at Aragorn with wide eyes. Aragorn raised a brow of disinterest at the man's bewilderment. All eyes watched the exchange between the three males that only added to the tension in the air. The elf narrowed his eyes a fraction at Boromir as he stated that the heir of Gondor sat before all of them. The blood of Isildur ran through this Man's vein which caused Aragorn every right to rule Gondor. It was his rightful fate. The moment Boromir sneered down at the man that Gondor is in no need of a king in utmost disrespect that is when an unexpected thing occurred.
A small scoff was heard behind Boromir.
He turned around in bewilderment as to whom would dare to disrespect him. It was the woman donned in royal blue. The bold colour was a great contrast from the heavenly gold casted upon Rivendell and the calmer toned clothing that the council men wore. Boromir watched the woman roll her eyes in exasperation before glaring at the ignorance of this man.
"What part of 'you cannot wield the One Ring', do you not understand, Boromir of Gondor? It is filled with darkness that easily corrupts any mind it crosses paths with. We have been summoned here to discuss ways to rid Middle Earth of a potential destruction." The sharp voice of the woman called out with eyes narrowed on the man. All emotions were void from her face as she observed this blond man.
A silence overcame the council as the members watched in bewilderment of the woman's nerve. Typically women did not partake in matter concerning serious matters nor did they speak out of term. Boromir took her words in deep offence as he stared at her in deep shock.
"It is laughable that you act knowledgable of such matters. You know nothing. Learn your place, woman. You do not belong in a council such as this. Women such as yourselves belong in the servant quarters and respect their superiors. It is evident that your scum parents taught nothing about respect."
The moment Boromir uttered such disrespectful words, the dark haired male beside the woman made a move to stand in defensive with rage flaring in his eyes. His movements halted when the woman held out a stiff arm to block his way. Unease radiated off the males due to the sweet smile on her face. No words came from her mouth as she stood to her feet slowly. The woman held herself in a noble manner with chin upwards and back straightened that made the men uneasy due to the sweet smile on her lips.
"I do wonder what dear old daddy would think of his son's lack of manners to women and superiors. Allow me to teach you a fact or two, Boromir of Gondor." Her words were heavy with false politeness with mockery laced in. The members of the council watched her as she leaned behind her chair to grab a particular staff. The wooden staff had a large mystic gem that glowed a mysterious blue.
The woman strongly planted the staff in front of her with her chin jutted upwards. A mischievous star twinkled in her eyes as her sweet smile distorted into a sly smirk, "Allow me to introduce myself to you. I am Lady Nienna Ancalime, daughter of Alatar the Blue, one of the Guardians of Middle Earth."
Silence overcame the entire council as the younger members registered this information with deep shock. It was known throughout Middle Earth of the council of higher status individuals that consisted of very powerful and wise elves and all wizards. The five wizards of Middle Earth were known for being magic wielders and maintaining peace amongst the races. These five wizards were not known to have families due to their busy and tedious lifestyles. With this strange woman, Nienna Ancalime, caused great waves of question forming in the minds of the council.
"Ignorance is what caused the darkness to grow tremendously underneath the eyes of the inhabitants of Middle Earth. It is the reason why Lord Elrond summoned each of us here to discuss the fate of the civilians. I would suggest that you, future Steward of Gondor, to not judge harshly before you lash your tongue that is filled with ignorance."
"Nienna." A sharp voice cut through the dangerously bright blow that was emitting from her staff as she fixed an intense glare on Boromir. In a sudden motion, the glow halted as Nienna glanced at the man she stopped from jumping at Boromir. The blood relation between the two was clearly evident from the bone structure to the hairs on their head.
What was remarkably distinct from any other race was their eyes: it was a rich violet.
The two related individuals stared each down with each intense gaze in a silent conversation. There was a slightly higher dominance that the man possessed which caused the woman to let out the smallest of breaths. With a nod of her head, Nienna returned to her chair not before she sent Boromir a smug smirk at his stunned expression on his face.
"Aragorn and Nienna are right. We cannot use it."
Gandalf, one of the few wizards in Middle Earth, stated in a serious tone. With blue eyes watching the entire exchange with Nienna and the two men. Keen observational skills was needed for particular times such as these, especially with the intense duo that sat on his left. The eyes that Gandalf possessed seen the smallest of details that could lead him to plentiful of situations that ranged from heart warming to disastrous. The depths of his blue eyes instilled hope and comfort in all those he acquainted with. Lord Elrond especially appreciated the grey donned wizard due to his consideration and companionship.
Lord Elrond nodded graciously at the wizard's direction, at whom it was directed specifically to it was uncertain, and spoke loudly at the council, "We have only one choice. The One Ring must be destroyed."
All eyes diverted to a red haired dwarf who huffed with impatience. A great frown pulled at his face underneath his great beard from the great destruction a single golden band could inflict. In a swift movement, the dwarf questioned what the council was waiting upon as he swung his sturdy axe down upon the Ring. Low hisses cried out as a powerful barrier not visible to the naked eye protected the a Ring from any harm. The red haired dwarf went flying backwards and every person cringed at the distinct darkness emitting from the Ring. The darkness clutched the air tighter than ever before and constricted normal bodily functions.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we possess." Lord Elrond explained to the dwarf sharply, as if a mother scolding her troublesome child, "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there is can be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
Silence overcame the council as unease settled deep in the minds of the members. All of these members were knowledgable of the history surrounding the Ring and Mordor. It is a traitorous and exhausting journey that tests one's skill mentally and physically. The pressuring gaze of the Elven lord made it all the more difficult to break the building tension in the air. Finally it was Boromir who had opened his mouth once again.
"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, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not even a thousand men could do this. It is folly!"
The members that were summoned were chosen for specific reasons as to their superiority and knowledge in such matters. It would not deem mature nor fit of a member to give into the urge to roll their eyes at the man's ignorance. However on the far left of the ring of members, Nienna unashamedly rolled her eyes at Boromir. The man beside her nudged her arm at her rudeness which only caused her to scowl lightly at him.
The elf with the air of royalty stood to his feet in one graceful movement and stared at the man with anger swirling in its depths, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond had said? The Ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" Gimli spat out with us hidden hatred in his words as he glared spitefully at the elf. Repugnance sparked between the elf and dwarf as they glared harshly at each other. It was famously known for the deep hatred that flared between the two races across Middle Earth.
"And if we fail?" Boromir questioned, turning a blind eye of ignorance away from the two council members, "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
"What if we succeed?" Nienna shot back swiftly with a raised eyebrow at the negativity dwelling inside of the man. Exhaling in exasperation of this woman, Boromir was about to lash his tongue when the dwarf cried out in hatred that he would die before the Ring falling in the hands of his enemy race.
Chaos ensued swiftly afterwards as elves and dwarves shot to their feet with insults being thrown repetitively. Each word was growing darker from the effects of the Ring resting at such a short distance away that only fuelled their already deep anger.
Nienna, quite exasperated at the unreasonable angry banter of the males in the room, rolled her eyes and shot to her feet. Her staff suddenly glowed a bright blue due to her frustrated emotions clutching onto the wood. All intentions of retaining order in the council washed away when the man from earlier snatched her wrist. The man shook his head disapprovingly at the woman from his chair as he maintained a composed persona. Irritation flowed from the woman at his attempts of constricting her thoughts and actions. It sparked an argument between the two which added to the noise the council was currently making.
Little to everyone's knowledge, but it was the evil malice that the a Ring possessed triggered such reactions from these people.
Gandalf attempted to step between the duo in an effort in retrieving assistance of calming the council. His efforts were fruitless due to them brushing him away distractedly. The aged wizard huffed at the two before trying to interfere with the other arguments sparking between the races. Anger and repugnance was not unfamiliar to anyone that linked to the elves and dwarves. Lord Elrond had tried to regain order yet he got lost within each person shouting.
The only words that ceased the chaos was a small voice shouting from the sidelines,
"I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor!"
It was the young halfling, Frodo, who courageously came to the conclusion that he will take the burden of the Ring. Determination swelled within his sky blue eyes as he stood tall to prove his strength. All eyes swirled to the hobbit in bewilderment that such a small creature could possibly take a mission where the odds were not in his favour.
"Though...I do not know the way." Frodo added bashfully, now realizing the amount of people staring at him incredulously.
"I will help you share this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf stepped forwards with eyes twinkling of hope and comfort that eased the young Hobbit's anxiousness. A smile pulled at the wizard's face as he stood by Frodo's side near the side of the council ring. It caused the intense duo the halt any movements and thoughts of theirs as they stared at the wizard with speechless shock. Violet eyes were wide as incomprehensible thoughts raced within their minds as they glanced at each other with equaled levels of bewilderment.
"If by my life of death I can protect you, I will." A warmth flared within Aragorn's voice as he stepped forwards to face the young hobbit, "You have my sword."
"You have my bow." A pure air of royalty radiated from the elf as he bravely tilted his head at the newest ring bearer.
Not wanting to appear submissive to the elf, Gimli stepped forwards with his chest puffed outwards, "And my axe!"
The two glared at each other in silence.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one." Finally calmed his nerves and temper, Boromir had stepped towards the small group and gazed down at the hobbit, "It this is indeed the will of the council then Gondor shall see it done."
A staff strongly slammed down on the ground making all eyes direct to the source to see Nienna standing regally in her blue skirts and strong stance. Violet eyes flared with determination and strength as she spoke clearly, "Young Frodo, you have my staff."
Eyes widened around the council at the words of a woman joining a journey. Women were not typically allowed to travel anywhere without a man to protect her let alone joining a traitorous journey. This was not your average woman who was trained for tending to a house and a family. This was Nienna Ancalime, daughter of Alatar the Blue. Nienna was halted her movements of joining the group by the man from earlier.
"Nienna, you cannot." His voice was deep as he tightened his hold on her arm. The violet depths of his eyes was stormy and the staff, similar to Nienna's, he held in his own hand glowed brightly.
Nienna narrowed her eyes as a defiant flare sparked within her at the restrictions he attempted to lay out. Ripping her arm out of his grasp harshly, Nienna stepped closer to the group with an intense glare sharpened at him, "Not this time, Nieven."
"I cannot allow for you to join a journey that has an improbable success which you will likely catch your death!" Something lay underneath his scolding tone as he pulled his brows together at her defiance.
"I am not asking for your permission." Nienna nearly snarled as she rolled her eyes in annoyance and sass, "You are not my father, therefore, you have no right to tell me what not to do."
"Nay I am not. However, as your blood relation and fellow wizard, I do have a say in what is for the betterment for Middle Earth." Huffing out, Nieven tightened his grip on his staff. His jaw clenched to prevent his anger from bursting out.
"The betterment of Middle Earth is ridding these lands from the darkness! What part of that do you not understand?" Scoffing in annoyance, Nienna placed her free hand on her hip in a saucy manner which was admirable against the intensity of Nieven.
"Do you even think of what our uncles would think of you right now? You're naivety and narrow mind will be your downfall, Nienna." Nieven scolded with his nose jutted upwards at the woman. The dark locks of hair swished around his shoulders as he shook his head disapprovingly at her. Heavy tension was gradually building in the council as all was silence due to the heated argument occurring.
"You can wallow in submission but I will be productive and putting our powers for the common good unlike you all. Keep that in mind when we rid these lands from the ever growing darkness." Sass radiated from the woman as she swirled around to join the group of males who watched them with keen curiosity. Eyes danced between the two magic wielders whose staffs were glowing dangerously blue as the argument grew more heated. They followed the woman as she walked gracefully to Gandalf's side with full determination.
No one said a word.
Lord Elrond gazed upon each one with a warming of his heart from these individuals who possessed determined and courageous heart that lead to them joining this journey. Each one came from very differentiating backgrounds that could have preventing them from joining. However they are true to their hearts and knew that this is for the betterment of Middle Earth. Eyes strong of bravery and purity that windows their souls. It couldn't have warmed the elven lord's heart more, yet also saddened it with the knowledge of the low probability of success.
"Oi! Frodo isn't going anywhere without me!"
A young hobbit cried out as he rushed forth from the elegant rose bushes surrounding the council area. Unlike Frodo who possess dark curls, this young hobbit had bright golden curls that danced in the sunlight. Rushing forward to Frodo's left side, this hobbit had a stubborn expression on his face as he crossed his arms in defiance.
"It is hardly impossible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." A ghost of an amused smile pulled at Lord Elrond's lips as he looked down at the fierce loyalty that this hobbit possessed for his friend. To say the least that he was slightly impressed that the hobbit managed to maintain unheard and unseen throughout the entire morning was an understatement.
"Hey! Or us!"
Two more hobbits rushed forth from their hiding place beside the entrance. Each wore a vibrant coloured waist coat as the first two hobbits. Fierce loyalty connected the four hobbits together as they stood strong beside each other. The odds of strength and physical statures were not in their favour yet they remained stubbornly strong.
"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!"
"Anyways, you need people of intelligence on this mission...quest...thing!"
"That rules you out, Pip!"
Nienna and Gandalf exchanged a glance with suppressed smiles at the unique hobbits. Hobbits were quite particular creatures that differentiating them from any other race. It was no wonder as to why Gandalf held such creatures dear to his heart. Hobbits were irreplaceable due to their charisma, kindness and purity. It demonstrated right before them.
Lord Elrond allowed a small smile to be expressed on his face as he gazed in admiration at each of the members of this particular group, "Ten companions, so be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
An air of nobility and companionship radiated from these ten individuals. The flaws and differences that each member possessed balanced equally amongst the ten of them. It was an odd group consisting of two men, four hobbits, a dwarf, an elf, and two wizards, however it was a equilibrium between each race.
One of the hobbits, Pip, grinned heartily and asked, "Great! Where are we going?"
His companion rolled his eyes and shoved him light heatedly for paying lack of attention.
Hello everyone!
I've had this idea of another wizard, the daughter of one of the two wizards, joining the Fellowship for a long time. The more I casually thought about it the stronger I wanted to write about it. This chapter was one that I couldn't write differently because it is crucial that it stayed the same, but do not fret, this story will be not be like reading a script!
For my other story that I've written, I am not abandoning it! I will write for both stories whenever I have time in my busy college life. :)
Reviews are great feedback from you readers and it really motivates me to continue writing! Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated!