Chapter 1:
"Who will take the one ring?" Elrond the Lord of Rivendelle asked, his piercing grey eyes scanning the room.
The question continued to resinate in the Hobbits large ears even after the answer erupted from his core. "I will take it," Almost drowned out by the arguing from all around "I will take the ring to Mordor." Frodo' answer surprised all who were at the meeting. Sure, Frodo, not but a Hobbit had been the one to bring the found ring all the way to Rivendelle, but take it all the way to Mordor? "Though, I do not know the way." The small young halfling confessed. It was at that time that one by one all of the attending races of middle earth stepped forth to support the young man who was still very much a boy. There was of course Gandalf the wizard who begun this journey, Aragon who appeared man who had led the Hobbits this far, Legolas an Elfin prince of Mirkwood, Gimli a dwarf of the Lonely Mountain, Boramir of Gondor, and finally Sam Merry and Pippin his fellow Hobbits of the shire who had come this far with him on his new journey.
What they did not know was that sitting in a shadowed corner of the room un-noticed by the other guests was a creature whose presence was requested by Lord Elrond and only him. The only other who knew of her arrival was Arwen and she knew not to tell another soul, not even her love Aragon.
Just as the bubbly personalities of the other Hobbits quieted a bit after stating the need for members of integrity on this quest the balcony the group was sitting on first began to chill before the cloudless sky seemed to darken on its own. As if twilight had settled during mid day the dark corners and edges began to stretch and engulf the courtyard the guests occupied. The warriors of the group grabbed for their swords and bows, the wizard his staff as the Hobbits shrank and hid behind their new protectors. The few elves of Rivendelle that were attending however, did not respond in the same way. A knowing look fell over their faces and those who did not know of Lord Elronds' secrete guest bore a wary yet excited smile.
"There is no need for that" the Lord of the house stated calmly stepping between the increasing shadow in the corner of the room and the now alert and ready for combat group that stood before him. "May I introduce you all to Elenisil" He said extending his arm out and behind him to take a step to the side and allow the creature forward. As she stood Elenisil seemed to materialize from the darkness that had gathered about and cloaked her from the others. She was lithe, strong, and tall, built very much like an elf, but still very different. Her long dark hair and light skin seemed to fit in with the other Elves of Rivendelle, but her ears were far sharper and her eyes a fierce stone cold blue that had slitted pupils like a feline. She emanated power in every way from her posture to her still graceful and fluid stride. Stepping out into what light remained caused the shadow that she emerged from diminish and almost meld into her very being. Regal eyes scanned over the faces of the races before her as Lord Elrond spoke to the assemblage once again. "You may all put your weapons away as I have asked Elenisil here myself after learning of the severity of the quest. She is here to aid us all." The members of the group all seemed to relax a bit, all but Gandalf who still grasped firmly to his staff. Although the air around them seemed to warm and the light return to the groups small balcony the uneasy feeling had yet to leave.
The 4 small Hobbits who had been shielded from the perceived attack finally begun to move around their protectors to see. Elenisil locked eyes with Frodo and held him frozen beneath her gaze. Seemingly bewitched the young Hobbit stepped forward towards Elenisil and away from his new found shields. "FRODO! DON'T!" Gandalf practically yelled as he reached out all too late to try and grab the halflings arm, yet too wary to move forward himself. The mesmerizing gaze of the new creature still captured Frodo in his continued forward movements before he finally halted standing but an arms length from her. Only when she finally did blink did the spell seem to break and Frodo found himself in a cold sweat only mere feet from the new arrival. After a moment Elenisil quickly kneeled on one knee in front of the Hobbit so that their eyes were level with each other. She quickly, but methodically studied his face once lingering on the ring about his neck. Gandalf, noticing the studious gaze upon the ring grasped his staff tighter causing the other members of the volunteered group to once again grasp their weapons. "Lord Elrond!" Called Gandalf while motioning towards what was happening before them all, expecting the old Elf to intervene. Elrond had not such plan, however, and did nothing but watch what was happening alongside Arwen both adorning an almost fond soft smile. Elenisils' long graceful hand came up toward Frodo as he stood powerless before her frozen by the power of the creature before him. Just as Gandalf was sure she was going to snatch the ring, which he was about to mutter a very powerful and hopefully successful spell to stop her, the creatures hand took a different route silencing the mithrendere. Long fingers and slightly cooled palm cupped the side of Frodos' face delicate thumb lightly caressing his cheek. In what seemed but a whisper Elenisil spoke for the first time so soft that only Frodo could hear the words she was uttering.
"Dear Frodo, I offer to you all that I am on this journey that you find yourself on," Her voice floated through the air caressing his ears softer than the finest silks and purer than the most precious of gems. A voice as ageless as she, strong yet beautiful, and more pleasant than the songs of the morning birds. "whenever you need of me I will be there for as long as it will take." Frodo' eyes never left Elenisils, not from a spell or fear any longer, but simply from being lost in their ageless vortex that seemed to pulse and flow of their own accord changing shades every now and again as she spoke and conveyed her emotions. It was then when Elenisil broke eye contact, removed her hand from his cheek, and begun to stand that Frodo realized that he was not sure if he had actually seen her speak. His mind was still in such a haze from the raw power that she seemed to emulate that he could not recall seeing her lips actually part and move. She must have. How else would he have gotten the message that he did if she hadn't physically spoken to him? The daze broke when he finally reached forward and put his small hand on her arm as she was about to turn toward Lord Elrond. A pin drop would have sounded like an avalanche in the quiet stillness of the balcony as Frodo began to speak. "Thank you." He stated quickly and quite breathlessly even though it sounded quite loud in his own ears confirming that the exquisite creature before him had actually spoken. Elenisil looked back down to the Hobbit who was now lightly touching her forearm and a slight smile tugged at the corner of her lips before she bowed shallowly and stepped more toward Lord Elrond and the Lady Arwen.
The group behind Frodo all stood wide eyed and shocked at the mix of emotions running rampant through the room. The fear of such unknown power, protectiveness of their newly formed group, confusion as to wether or not to trust this creature due to Lord Elrond and Gandalf' conflicting views, then there was the innocence and gentle nature of the encounter itself between Frodo and Elenisil all had them tip toeing on the edge of a sword.