Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of The Rings. Only my OCs.

Warning: No Beta and is slash.

The Last of Dragon Blood

[Prologue]

T.A 3018, Nineteenth of September. Gwaihir drops Gandalf on the fields of Edoras.

"Thank you my friend." Gandalf sighed out tiredly as he delicately climbed down from the back of the large eagle's back. Gwaihir, the eagle, only remained silent and waited for the old Istari to gain his foothold before taking a few paces away to face the man. Gandalf once again sighed tiredly and lowered his head as if in prayer.

"Gwaihir, my friend," Gandalf called, "I am sorry to say that we are once again to prepare for a war that is to come." He raised his head and stared firmly at the giant eagle's proud head as he confessed. "Saruman the White has betrayed the Council of old and is now in alliance with our Enemy," here, he straightened his back firmly as he addressed his friend, Gwaihir, Lord of the Eagles with a strong voice. "We must now call upon the old alliances in hopes of overcoming the gathering dark forces and finally putting an end to the Dark Lord." Gandalf declared to which Gwaihir raised his massive body and stretched out his wings in a gesture of his acceptance and display of power before lowering his head down to the Grey Istari.

"Whether it is past or future, the guardians of Arda will provide help when needed. Give us a call, Gandalf the Grey and we will answer." Gandalf placed a hand on Gwaihir's head in thanks and whispered a final plea before his feathered friend took to the skies.

"I once again give my thanks to you and yours, Gwaihir. And I shall accept your given help then. Will you…?"

T.A 3018, Twenty-fifth of October. The Council of Elrond gathers in morning light.

Frodo Baggins of Bag End, a hobbit from the Shire, shifted nervously on his seat next to Gandalf as he tried not to make eye contact on the many men, elves, and dwarrows gathered together for Lord Elrond of Rivendell's Council. As the anomaly that is he in this place of gathered warriors, he also did not want to speak in fear of inciting a war brewing in the tense atmosphere of gathered rivals. He swore that the atmosphere was so thick he could cut it through with a knife. Gandalf eyed him with mirth as he puffed out a smoke ring from his pipe.

"Do not worry so much, Frodo." The Grey Istar spoke in a low whisper that only he can hear; besides he imagined, the elves. "It is better to ignore them than to acknowledge them until Lord Elrond arrives. Let them deal with their petty rivalry themselves." A snort from beside the old man was heard which could only mean that their friend Strider, the ranger, had heard as well. Frodo's lips twitched and tried to better control himself but gave a thankful glance at Gandalf as he felt himself relax in his seat at the right end of their semi-circle. He was also thankful that he did not have to wait long as the awaited elf lord made his appearance with a few of the High Lord following behind him. They all stood in respect and he gave a smile as one familiar golden haired elf passed by and took a glance at him, receiving a nod and friendly smile back from him. They all sat back down once Lord Elrond gave his thanks and sat himself down from across the gathered council. He opened his mouth to start the council but was mildly surprised when Gandalf stood back up in attention.

"Mithrandir?" A puzzled Lord Elrond called.

"Ah." Gandalf uttered as he hid his pipe in his grey robes. "Before we start this council, I implore a few more minutes to wait as I imagine we have one more guest that has yet to arrive." With this statement, a lot of furrowing of the eyebrows were given and would have been a comical sight to see if not for the frustration of having waited long enough. A dwarf with the usual thick demeanor of its fore-bearers rose up in rage.

"'WAIT', you say?!" he snarled. "We've been waiting long enough with these insufferable elves in our presence and you implore more time, you say?!" A few, if not all, of the dwarves started nodding in agreement with the same frustrated look in their eyes seen even through their thick hairs and Frodo could see the elves from their side of the circle glance upon the dwarves with affronted faces but nonetheless in agreement with the red headed dwarf. His hands unconsciously gripped the arms of his chair and worriedly turned his gaze to Gandalf with a thought of having the need to duck and cover should a fight commence. Though, even with a weapon in the dwarf's hands, Gandalf stood relaxed with a lean on his staff and Lord Elrond raised a hand, imploring the dwarf to stand down as he regarded the resident wizard.

"And who is this person you speak of, Mithrandir?" Lord Elrond asked but Frodo could hear an edge to a voice that as a hobbit, he could not understand but knew it did not spoke in any way of their years of friendship. He swallowed uneasily as he watched nervously from the sidelines, hoping that the person Gandalf had asked them to wait for would show up soon. He saw Gandalf open his mouth to speak but paused as if he had sensed something near. He spoke again after a moment.

"Ah. It appears that you will see soon enough as he had just arrived." Gandalf told them mysteriously and sat back down. Lord Elrond was to say something before one elf from what Frodo recognized as a soldier stationed at the gates of Imladris showed up, bowed and spoke in a whisper to Lord Elrond, who promptly looked at Gandalf before whispering a reply back. Probably to escort Gandalf's guest to the Council, Frodo guessed.

The Council spoke in their own groups with hushed whispers as they waited for their last member to arrive and quietened down when the soldier elf returned with a tall black cloaked of a man –as tall as the elf who had raced him to Rivendell- with a hood that covered his face similar of when he and his friends first noticed Strider in Bree which felt like a life time ago. The soldier elf bowed to the council before leaving the black cloaked man to himself with censured eyes upon him. Frodo immediately felt for this person for even as a stranger to be gazed upon with such eyes, no matter whom it may be would be uncomfortable. Gandalf merely stood as did Lord Elrond to greet the late arrival but with less familiarity as the old Istar. Eyes upon eyes followed as the newcomer slowly lowered his hood which at once filled Frodo's vision with what he thought to be the darkest shade of black that he had ever seen on a human before. 'No. Not human' Frodo observed. 'He doesn't feel like any of the men that are gathered nor does he feel like one of the elves'. When his eyes sighted upon the stranger's own, a blast of raw power suddenly came upon him in waves.

Long black hair that shone as if made from silk, with eyes so dark that when gazed upon, felt as if you were to drown in them. Tall, broad-shouldered and with a powerful stance this man surpassed even Strider's hardened aura –and even of some of the mightiest warrior elf if Frodo ever met one- but with a presence so strong that it came with it suspicion, caution and sometimes even, contempt. Already, Frodo could see the judging eyes of the men as Gandalf conversed with the mysterious figure and the scrutinizing stares of the dwarrows yet curiously, the elves seemed to be intrigued by the stranger than what is expected by their kind; that is, to be wary of strangers. Strider, Frodo realized, seemed to be the only one at-ease with the stranger thus relaxing on his seat as he –aside from Gandalf- were the only ones he could trust on with their safety after the long arduous journey that they had had.

Gandalf finally turned and introduced him to the delight of their curiosity.

[End]

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