A.N. – Hello "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here"- because the summary probably made you find this interesting enough to click on. I kindly ask of you my dear readers to be patient with for this is the first Lord of the Rings story I have done. But I do hope you enjoy it and review and tell me what you think because I always say in my other author's notes that I love hearing from the readers and I do but now, onward to the story. I would also recommend listening to at the * - A Fool to Believe sung by Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge. And also at the ** you should listen to The Wind and the Rain from the soundtrack of the 1996 film, 'Twelfth Night'.
The Council of Elrond ~
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. One member still for this council has yet to come but we can no longer delay. 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." Lord Elrond turned to the smallest at the council, a hobbit, and spoke, "Bring forth the Ring. Frodo." Frodo Baggins the hobbit in question, got up from his seat at brought forward the accursed gold band and placed upon the pedestal for all those present to see with their own eyes the key to the threat of all Arda.
Boromir turned to the man, "And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" he asked the man incredulously, a blonde elf of Mirkwood stood up angrily and addressed him, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn son of Arathorn. You owe him you allegiance." As this went on and all in the council turned to the man now know as Aragorn son of Arathorn, Lord Elrond looked to the North and saw one, lone dark cloud with lightning flashing inside of it. "Mithrandir, sinome tul i'arrn," Lord Elrond said quietly to the wizard. Boromir looked at Aragorn still, "Aragorn, this is Isildur's heir?" he said questioningly, "And heir to the throne of Gondor," the elf added sharply in his melodious voice. "Havo dad, Legolas." Aragorn said to the elf in his native tongue, "Gondor has no king," Boromir said over his shoulder to the elf, now know by name as Legolas, and then he turned to Aragorn and went to his seat as he spoke ominously, "Gondor needs no king." And with this he sat down. "Aragorn is right we cannot use it," Gandalf said sitting forward in his chair and leaning upon his staff. Lord Elrond stood up and addressed the council again, "The final member of this council has arrived," there was a loud peal of thunder and lightning struck the ground to Elrond's right, everyone but Gandalf and Elrond who both looked at each other knowingly, gasped in shock.
One Dwarf with a red beard held his axe, Legolas stood from his seat, Boromir anxiously leaned forward in his and Aragorn was the only one who seemed to have been able to keep a calm face though wary he may have been.
"My gracious lords, if you would give me the chance to explain I am sure it may ease your consciences." They all now stared at an ominous looking woman, with dull blue eyes that stood out against her black high collared dress. She had a burn mark upon the right side of her collar bone and a few visible scars upon her neck, one that went full circle, and the most prominent of the scars they could see upon her face went at a diagonal from above her right eyebrow, across the bridge of her nose and down all the way to her jaw. Her hair was blonde; her dress fit to her yet there was see-through black fabric that came down from her waist, giving her somewhat tall stature a daunting air. She had a black circlet and gold band upon her head, the hair on top was pulled back and then hung loose, the only bit of color was the red gloves she wore.
"This is the Lady of the Northern Waste, the last of her kind, the Storm Mage Queen of the No-man's Land, Firavin." Elrond announced. "So glad of you to finally join us my lady," Gandalf said, "Know this, Greyhame, I have come of my own accord this one time by yours and Elrond's summoning only this once for the sake of my lands and it's people." she glowered at the wizard, "You forget to mention one more thing to the rest of the council did you not Elrond, aren't you going to take the chance to hold that over my head." Elrond looked to her; Firavin held no expression. "She is also one of the Thaurea, or in the Common tongue one of the Abominable ones." "Genocide is an unpleasant business as the White Council would think." She said with a sidelong glance at Elrond as she spoke, her tone, dull. "And what race would that have been?" a man asked. "A race called Uruk-Hai. Judging by your expression, Gandalf, I believe there is something you are not telling me." She said as she answered while looking at the old wizard. "We will discuss that later my dear but we must get back to the matter at hand." He said firmly, "Very well but let me summon my advisor. He still, in a sense, has his head still in the clouds." She finally gave a sly smirk and with this she laughed. With a downward motion of her right hand there was bolt of lightning again and an orc appeared at her right. And with this the cloud dissipated, the dwarf held his axe high at the sight of the orc and everyone grew tense save for yet again Elrond and Gandalf. "Be at peace all of you, he is an outcast like all the people in my kingdom, that is why they live there. I introduce my advisor Evarcth." Firavin said. The orc, Evarcth, nodded his head to the council and both took their seats. Evarcth had a slight under bite, his ears were lop-sided, and he was bald, large rounded nose. He wasn't scary looking because his features were not as marred but softer, with big eyebrows, but his face was wrinkled, he seemed old but in a way friendly in his simple appearance. Evarcth wore robes that were middle ground color of black and grey, with the robe he wore a long dark indigo tunic and his trousers were dark grey, a lighter shade than his velvet robes. And around his neck he had a long brown scarf and on his feet were brown boot with fur on the inside to keep his feet warm, he grew cold very easily though wasn't very old at all and on the ends of the scarf was the insignia of a blood red sun behind a dark storm cloud with a golden lightning bolt coming down from the cloud.
"As for the Ring, you have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." Lord Elrond said in his deep voice as he addressed the council. "Then what are we waiting for?" The dwarf with the red beard said as he got up from his seat and retaking his axe into his hand and charging forth to the pedestal, "I do not deem that wise master dwarf," Firavin said in a warning tone as he went and Elrond flinched. As the blade struck the band, the hobbit flinched and the axe blade shattered. Frodo held his forehead and Gandalf looked at him worriedly, Firavin noticed this, 'a hobbit' she thought astonished as old memories flooded back.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm for whence it came. One of you must do this." Elrond said ominously. There was silence like the grave for a moment till Boromir spoke, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs, there is evil there that does not sleep and the Great Eye is ever watchful. Tis a barren wasteland riddled with fire and ash and dust, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this, it is folly." At this Legolas stood up angrily, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said, the Ring must be destroyed." Gimli then stood glaring daggers at Legolas and cried, "And I suppose you're the one to do it"- Then Boromir stood, "And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" And Gimli took an angry step to Legolas, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf." At this many stood and argued, Gandalf shook his head, Firavin leaned back in her seat and rolled her eyes and looked at them all then her eyes turned to Aragorn. She remembered the first time she saw him; it was when he was a very small child. Then she saw as Gandalf stood up at something Boromir said, she looked to the hobbit who had been sitting next to him who was staring at the ring. Then she saw the hobbit stand up and say in a not very loud voice over the shouting, "I will take it," She saw him take a step forward and she stood as he said again slightly louder, "I will take it," at this she looked to Gandalf because she sensed a great sadness from him. The men and elves and dwarves still fought with each other. She raised her hand up to the sky and quickly brought it down in the midst of there bickering then in a loud voice with thunder she cried, "Silence!" Everything stood still and she turned her gaze to the hobbit, her face unreadable. Then Frodo spoke, "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way." At this Gandalf stood by the hobbit saying, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear." Then Aragorn stood, "If by my life or death I can protect you I will," then he went and knelt in front of Frodo, "You have my sword." Legolas then stepped forward, "And you have my bow." "And my axe," added Gimli holding up his unbroken one. Boromir slowly stepped forward as he said, "You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." Suddenly there was a rustling in the near bushes and everyone turned, and most surprised and slightly amused as another hobbit came forward saying, "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me." "No indeed it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is to a secret council and you are not." Elrond said exasperated and amused. Firavin sensed two more smell being and looked to the doorway and smiled just a bit as they ran up, one of them shouting, "Oi, we're coming too!" Elrond was silently outraged which made Firavin giggle. "Did you adopt the whole of the Shire into Rivendell, Elrond?" she snickered, and he, most certainly, was not amused. "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest, thing." The other said, the first looked to him, "Well that rules you out Pip," Firavin laughed out loud at this and said, "I had almost forgotten what delightful creatures hobbits were," as she saw Elrond's face. He softened a bit, "Nine companions," he said softly then loudly he said, "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." "Right," began Pippin, "Where are we going?" he asked cheerfully, again Firavin laughed out loud and held her stomach as his companions looked at him oddly. Evarcth worried for his Queen, "I have not laughed such as I am now, in centuries!" she said through the tears and laughter. Gandalf rolled his eyes at both Pippin and the dark queen of the North. "This council is concluded; you set out in three days time." Elrond said ignoring Firavin as she quickly recovered herself and collected façade.
As everyone went their separate ways the fellowship stayed to leave last as did Firavin and Evarcth and of course Lord Elrond. "I believe you wish to speak with me Gandalf, let us walk in the gardens and do so. My dear Lord Elrond if we might stay for a few days would you kindly show Evarcth to his room, and she him my chambers as well so both he and I know incase of invents that come up that would need him to contact me upon them for a decision." She then walked off into the gardens and they all stared after her, then they heard her shout, "Though you may look it, both I myself and Elrond are older so I suggest you make haste young man." At this he began to grumble about the audacity of such a comment. "I heard that," she shouted back again. "Well good!" they heard him snap for he was already out of their sight.
"And why did you wish to discuss with me about the crimes I have committed, am I finally being pardoned from this unending torment I have to endure?" Firavin said as Gandalf watched her walk to the edge of the platform to see the water run which led to the waterfall, she turned and leaned against the nearby pillar. *"No. What I have to tell you involves Saruman," Gandalf said to her, at this she raised an eyebrow but still keeping her cool aloofness intact. There was a pause and then Gandalf continued, "He is building up armies, with the aid of orcs. The armies he is creating are Uruk-Hai." "What!?" she said in angry astonishment as she stood straight, her back no longer against the pillar. "How dare he, HOW DARE HE! Saruman should know better!" A dark storm cloud hovered over the place where they stood, lightning crackled in side of it.
"He does know better, but he has given up and is in league with the Enemy. He knew that he would need more than just meager orcs to do the work which Sauron has given him." Thunder rumbled very loudly in the cloud that hung just above them. "Greyhame, it may be in your best interests to walk away now before I do something I do not believe I have the capabilities to regret anymore. Let none enter this place until I have left it. Am I well heard upon this Gandalf?" she seethed.
He simply nodded and went to from that place as quickly.
From the balcony where he and Firavin's advisor stood both he and the orc could see the storm cloud in the garden. "This is the most anger I have see her show master Elrond, I fear that whatever the Grey Wizard has told my Queen is most severe to her own heart in its nature but still it is good for her to hear." Elrond looked at the aged orc. "You have been her counselor long master Evarcth?" he asked, Evarcth nodded. "HOW DARE HE!" they heard Firavin yell as the thunder rumbled in the cloud and lightning could be seen. After a few moments they saw Gandalf leave that area and they watched as lightning and thunder quickly began unceasing and they heard her angry cries with both.
"We shall let her be, at this point it is better not only for the sake of those here but her own as well. Like all storms this one will pass." Evarcth said to Elrond and they walked on.
It was near to three hours till the storm in the garden passed and out stepped the queen whipping away tears that would run down her faces as she walked. Frodo Baggins just happened to also be walking the same hallway but in the opposite direction which Firavin was going and as he turned the corner just as she sat down alone upon the far window sill and saw as she wept silently and wiped her eyes with dainty, gloved hands. He walked quietly up to her and pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket.
"My lady?" he said at her side and held up the small strip of cloth. Firavin looked at him and gently took it from his smaller hand.
"Thank you child, though in hobbit years you may not be one, but in comparison to mine you are just so. But such courage you have, it warms the stormy heart in me to see such courage as yours." She said and ran a hand through his curls, he felt her motherliness toward him and it also warmed him and made his burden feel lighter.
"I thank you as well my lady, your help was welcomed by me greatly." He said to her as she wiped her eyes and then held the hanky in her hands upon her lap.
"Their arguments were petty nor would they have done anyone any good whatsoever, Frodo Baggins of the Shire." She said with a slight smile and he smiled similarly back Her tears had stopped and she returned the hanky to Frodo who accepted it and placed it in his pocket. Then he looked up at her as she stared out of the window and asked her, "Why did you kill that race, what was your punishment?" she looked down at him.
"Sit here Shire-ling." She said patting the side of the sill next to her, he went and sat. "For it is a long tale I tell."
And then she began, "The reasons behind my actions are of the fact that they killed my people first, all except for me. I ran and watched as they killed my neighbors. My friends. My family. My husband. And my son. Some say that grief drove me to such violence and maybe it was rage, at the time I had thought my actions just but not the White Council. One of my dearest friends condemned me to the fate I now live out, she was one of the first elves of this earth, I was one of the first generations of my race to be born upon this earth. But I digress; my punishment was that the council made me invulnerable. My people age like elves but we have the gift of choosing to age and to grant and take immortality, the white council left me in immortality and invulnerability. I can die neither by age nor by any weapon that can or has been created. This is my punishment, never to die."
Frodo looked as she stared into the distance with no true sight to behold, simply a blank stare. She snapped back to life and looked at him with a slight smile. "Your willing acceptance of the burden you bear Frodo Baggins gives hope to many hopeless people. None have said that your journey shall be easy or difficult or that you shall not loose people you hold close, but they have decided as you. I pray you have been not saddened too greatly by my tale, for that should not be. **Now, I would like to get more acquainted with you and the rest of your companions of the Fellowship. I wish to see you all before you run off upon me to your quest to save the world," she said with a slight smile and laugh. Frodo smiled and hopped off the sill.
"It would be a great honor for me to do so my lady." He said with a smile of his own, just then they heard voices that seemed to be coming from around the corner.
"Frodo?" "Mr. Frodo where are you?" "Merry, where do you think he could've gone off to?"
Frodo grabbed Firavin's hand and led her down the hall to where they were coming from saying, "Sam, Pippin, Merry I'm right here."
As they rounded the corner the three hobbits ran up to them both.
"C'mon Frodo, Uncle Bilbo's gonna tell us about his adventures, oh good evening My Lady," said Pippin and bowed noticing Firavin, Merry and Sam also did the same as Pippin.
"A very Good Evening to you young master hobbit, I believe some introductions are in order here." Said Firavin.
"Peregrin Took, or Pippin my Lady." He said and took her hand and kissed it.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance young master Peregrin." Firavin said with a smile. He stepped back and the next hobbit stepped forward bashfully.
"Samwise Gamgee at your service my Lady." He said keeping his eyes down, with one hand she lightly tilted his up.
"And I am most gladdened by being at your service as well young master Samwise." At this he blushed and bashfully smiled and steeped back, then the last hobbit stepped forward.
"Meriadoc Brandybuck otherwise known as Merry, honored to meet you my Lady." With he bowed deeply and gently grasped her hand and kissed it lightly.
"As am I my dear young master Meriadoc." She said, "Now who is Uncle Bilbo?" she asked bending down to them slightly. "Come and meet him my Lady he'll love!" said Merry as he grasped one of her hands and Pippin took the other saying, "It'll be grand and you'll hear his stories too." So with Frodo and Sam leading the way, they went to see Uncle Bilbo.
A.N. – Well? It has been revised a lot but do you like it, do you hate it, do you want to know what happens next? Please leave a review! Tenna' ento lye om enta (Until next we meet).