Hello everyone, I apologize for the long wait for the new chapter! Hopefully I'll get a little better at having the updates coming sooner, but I would rather the quality be better and have a longer wait than to rush through it.
Reviews and feedback are highly encouraged!
Thank you for all of those who have followed/favorited this story, it really means a lot.
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything...oh well :(
enjoy!
Chapter 1
The Council of Elrond was coming to the close, with all nine members of the fellowship having made their pledges to the ring bearer. Right before they were about to leave though, a clear voice rung out over the gathering.
"I also wish to join this fellowship."
All turned to look at the last-minute intruder. She was an elf, and wore a dark brown tunic, leggings, and boots. Her long hair was brown, with streaks of golden blond that shimmered in the sunlight.
She smiled and kneeled before little Frodo. "I would like to offer my services to you, Frodo Baggins of the Shire. You will find that I am a skilled warrior, and I will do whatever is in my power to protect you."
Frodo wasn't sure what to think of this strange woman who dressed in the clothing of men. There was a sparkle in her eyes though, a warmth, a kindness, that struck him. She seemed familiar, as if he had met her before, but he couldn't seem to place the memory.
"I would be glad to have you join us my Lady." He smiled up at her.
A ripple went through the crowd, as they all puzzled over what a woman with no particular allegiance could hope to achieve by going on such a journey.
"Lady Manwathiel, are you quite sure that you want to dedicate yourself to such an undertaking?" Lord Elrond raised a quizzical eyebrow at her.
She nodded, "of course I do. I would not have pledged myself if I weren't absolutely sure."
"So be it. I give you the fellowship of the ring!"
After a brief moment of pause, those who had gathered at the meeting started to go their separate ways. Manwathiel wandered off to one of the gardens where she had left her book, and was accompanied by Gandalf.
Once they were a fair distance away from the others, she smiled kindly at the wizard.
"I see you got my eagle, then?" she inquired mischievously.
"Ah, so it was you!" He lit his pipe and fragrant smoke filled the air. "I suspected that you might be checking up on me with the moth, but one can never be sure about these things."
"Who else would it be?"
He shrugged, "There are many strange and mystical forces in this world, dear Lady. It is always best to never assume anything."
Manwathiel lightly laughed, settling down on a patch of soft grass. "You are right about that one, Mithrandir."
They sat in companionable silence for a while, Gandalf smoking his pipe and Manwathiel flipping through her book.
"You do know that going on this journey will mean that you will be prohibited from using any of your…unique abilities." Gandalf stated.
"I know, trust me. Galadriel has already told me several times that it would be very unwise for me to expose myself until 'the time is right.'" She had to strain not to roll her eyes at the cryptic wording so favored by the Lady of Light. "It's just that I've been watching over so many of them for most of their lives, the thought of not being there when they might need me most is unbearable."
He nodded thoughtfully, taking in her words. "It will be very difficult. Even when the worst happens, you must not risk revealing your identity. This is very important, Manwathiel. You cannot risk disrupting the patterns of the future, nor can you make yourself a target for the enemy. No one can know who you are. No one. Not even those in the Fellowship."
She sighed, "I know, Mithrandir. How am I supposed to know when it is the time though? I can't sit out the entire coming war without being of some use to our allies."
"You will know."
"I do hope you are right."
"I usually am." He winked, then stood up and gave her a little bow. "A good day to you, Lady Manwathiel. I will see you in the morning, we leave at dawn."
She nodded and couldn't help but smile a little. No matter how arduous this journey was going to be, at least she would get to enjoy the company of an old friend along the way.
