A week later I woke up to find the sun had been up for some time and all was much quieter than normal. I rose and dressed in my normal handmaiden garb, a light, silky, floor length dress with wide open sleeves, it was off-white and was covered with a dark purple pinafore of more durable materiel. My hair fell down my back to my hips in a cascading tangle of raven. It was warm out so I left my woolen cape in my room. Walking down the curved stairs that lead up to my room I looked out the windows to my left while keeping my hand on the tree trunk to my right. No one was in the courtyard and I didn't hear any of the usual singing that came with the midday, for that is the time the sun showed. An air of mystery and caution stood in the air and made me feel unsafe for the first time in a very long while. As I searched for Her ladyship I heard voices coming from a small round courtyard that, I was told, was only used for war counsels or other such matters of importance. My curiosity peaked greatly and I tried to resist the urge to move closer to hear what the muffled voices were saying. 'Lady Arwen might be in there,' I persuaded myself, 'I must see if she needs me.' I smiled to myself, pleased with the logic I had concocted in my mind to find a way to get closer. If I were caught I would use that story.

I drew nearer to the courtyard and saw through several bushes, many stone chairs, about sixteen, sitting in a half circle around a small podium. Facing the half circle I saw Lord Elrond sitting in the largest stone chair. It most certainly was a meeting of some sort. The gathering was compiled of different species, Wood Elves, Dwarves (of what kind I know not) and Men. Sitting on the end next to Aragorn the Ranger and Gandalf the Grey, was the little being who was sick a week ago. I had not seen him since and had wondered about him. He looked weak and much older than he actually was. All were staring at something that was sitting on the table in the middle. It was so small that I could not see it clearly but it glinted in the sunlight and cast a dark shadow, hiding the sun and turning everything colder. I shivered and looked away. Standing not but twenty feet to my right were two other Halflings, attempting to eavesdrop behind the bushes. All of a sudden there was a loud boom and the air around us vibrated. I staggered back a couple of steps and returned my focus to the counsel. A Dwarf had stepped up to the table and hit the gold item with double bladed axe. On impact the axe shattered, creating the boom. Lord Elrond stood up and spoke angrily to the Dwarf. "It cannot be destroyed by mere force! It must be taken to the place it was created; cast into the fiery expanse of Mount Doom." The entire counsel then erupted in argument and I could only hear bits and pieces of what was said. 'One does not simply walk into Mordor!' a Man said standing in the middle of the area, looking at the item on the table, 'Give the ring to Gondor. We have much need of it! A great weapon such as this should not be destroyed; it should be used against the Enemy!'

I gasped. This was the Great Ring of Power! The mighty weapon of Sauron, only know in the modern world by myth and legend. How did it come to be in Rivendell? The stories of this ring and its maker intrigued me when I first was able to access the library here.

It was then Gandalf spoke. "You know not what you say Boromir of Gondor! You would use the ring for good, but only Evil can come of it. It must be destroyed!" Again everyone in the room started to argue even louder, many of the Dwarves began to try and pick fights with the Elves. One Dwarf in particular was rather outspoken; I noticed he was the one who broke his axe on the Ring. Finally after several minutes the Halfling stood and shouted, 'I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor!' The company hushed and all looked upon him. Lord Elrond then sat back down with an exhausted manner. 'Though I do not know the way' The little Halfling continued "I would be honored to accompany you, my dear Frodo." Gandalf said so softly I could barely hear him. Aragorn knelt next to Frodo saying. " I too would be honored. 'You have my sword!' "And my bow." a blonde Wood Elf stepped forward. The dwarf who's axe was destroyed looked at the Elf with disgust, stepped next to him in a haughty manner and said, 'And my axe! Or, what's left of it.' A shout came from across the courtyard, "Oi! I'm coming too!" A second Hobbit emerged from the bushes. About 3'4" stout and jolly looking with a matt of curly blonde hair. "I can see that it is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret meeting, and you are not." Lord Elrond replied to this Halfling's sudden interruption. I looked over to the two Halflings standing near me, they too had rushed forward and said "We are coming!" the shorter of the two said 'you need people of intelligence of the mission…quest…thing…" his companion sniggered and whispered, 'well that rules you out Pip!"

Taken with a sudden spurt of boldness I rushed out into the courtyard. "I shall also come and lend my help! However small it may be." the shocked expressions on their faces showed their displeasure in having a she-elf* listening in on their private affairs. "What is this! Do you let anyone into a secret meeting?" the man called Boromir cried. I stood just inside the ring of chairs, my courage vanishing quickly. "what are you doing here Mythri? Where is your mistress?" Lord Elrond looked more angry than I have ever seen him. Hesitantly I spoke, " My lord, I have been in her ladyships service for eight years. I long to do something more! You have been gracious to take me in I am so grateful! But I am of age and I have longed to adventure out into Middle earth. This quest seems to have appeared at just the right moment. Please allow me to go." The wizard Gandalf spoke for elf lord. "There would be great danger my dear-" Boromir interrupted him. "There is no place in this Fellowship for a woman!" he scoffed, "you would not know how to carry yourself in perilous times." The blonde elf, Legolas cut in. "she has been trained with the young elf warriors, I am told. If that is the case then she is more than able to hold her own." I looked over to him and nodded my thanks. "I will have to discuss it with the other elders." Elrond finally said, "Go back to your Lady and wait." he motioned with his hand, dismissing me. As I left, I heard Boromir and Legolas arguing and Gandalf attempting to settle them down. I smiled and quickened my pace, searching for Arwen.