A/N: Oops. Forgot the disclaimer in the prologue. Here it is. And I'm not sure if it's interesting or not, or if anyone else has attempted it, so please review and tell me. Thanks.
Disclaimer: Batman and all related characters belong to DC Comics. Lord of the Rings characters belong to JRR Tolkien. No intentional copyright infringement is intended through their use.
The Shadow Of The BatOne: The Council Of Elrond
It was day, which surprised them, a lot. It wasn't supposed to be day; it wasn't supposed to be open space, and there definitely shouldn't be people with them, saying, "—deep into the heart of Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasms of Mount Doom, for only there can the Ring be unmade."
Their eyes adjusted quickly from dark to light, and they instantly felt exposed, for many eyes watched them—eyes of those of whom many who were not human.
"What devilry is this?" Gimli, son of Glóin roared. "Sauron's spies!"
"Nay, Gimli, do not judge them in haste," Elrond Half-elven said, "for Sauron's spies dwell not near here, nor are able to enter here." He turned to the strangers who had appeared without warning in their midst. "Who might you be, and how came you to be here?"
The strangers all seemed wary as Elrond gazed at them. Masks hid their faces so that none saw them clearly. One seemed to be a child barely into manhood. His eyes saw deep, and the three young ones were light of heart, but the last felt of darkness.
Yet, it was to the last that Elrond turned to. "Who might you be?" he asked again, his voice holding the slightest hint of a threat.
The stranger stared back at him with cold midnight-blue eyes through the eye slits of his full-faced mask. "Where are we?"
The Peredhel gazed back in calmness. To ask if they were Sauron's spies would be useless, he knew, for what spy would admit that he was one? And he believed not that the strangers were spies, for Imladris was hidden well. Yet, darkness stood before him.
"In Imladris you are," Gandalf said, "that which in the tongue of Men is named Rivendell."
Elrond was ill-pleased that the Istari had revealed their location so soon, but gave no voice to his thoughts.
The one whom Elrond had spoken to gave no heed to them then, but turned to his companions and said, "Cross-worlding. Contact Oracle."
The youngest without question instantly raised his left wrist near his lips (his wrist-comm. was underneath his glove) much to the wonderment of the others of the Council. "Oracle. Can you hear me? Oracle?" He lowered his arm. "No contact."
Glorfindel had not reacted in haste to the sudden arrival of the strangers, for his eyes saw deeper than those present at the Council, even deeper than that of Elrond's. He sensed the darkness in one of them, the same as that he had faced ages past, and yet different. He felt no hostility towards them, and indeed welcomed the presence of the one whom Elrond seemed to dislike.
"Lord Elrond," he spoke, "these strangers mean no harm, and it would seem that they know not as well the means of their arrival. Let us continue the Council, and their needs can be seen to afterwards."
"Should they hear of our plans, Lord Glorfindel?" Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood asked.
The elder Elf smiled at the Prince of Mirkwood. "Do you not trust my judgment, Legolas?" And his tone was light.
The younger Elf did not doubt Glorfindel's wisdom, and bowed. "Forgive me, my lord."
"Nay, Legolas, there is naught done wrong. Lord Elrond, speak what you wish, and do not fear the ears of these strangers."
Elrond looked not pleased, but trusted his mentor and friend. "Be iest lîn, Glorfindel."
***
Anor had risen to its peak ere the Council drew near to its end. The Ring would be borne by Frodo Baggins to Mordor and destroyed in Mount Doom.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," Gandalf stood behind the young Hobbit, hands placed on the latter's shoulders to offer support, "as long as it is yours to bear."
Aragorn, the heir to the throne of Gondor, rose from his chair and strode towards Frodo, kneeling on a knee before the Halfling. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." Legolas stood with Frodo, Gandalf and Aragorn.
"And my axe!" Gimli proclaimed, not to be outdone by an Elf.
Boromir, the son of the Steward of Gondor, sighed, for his hopes of using the Ring to restore the strength and glory to his beloved White City were killed. "You carry the lives of all of us in your hands, little one," he said to Frodo. "Yet if it is the wish of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."
There was a sudden, "Ha!" as Samwise Gamgee emerged from behind a bush he had been hiding, listening to the Council. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!"
"And indeed is it hardly possible to separate you," Elrond commented, raising a brow in slight amusement at Sam's red face, "even when Frodo is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
And at that moment, two other small figures dashed out from their own hiding places and ran to the chosen people. "We're going as well!" Merry announced. "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to part us from Frodo!" He smiled at Frodo's grateful face.
"Yes," Pippin agreed. "And you need people of intelligence of this sort of a journey." It was obvious who he was referring to. "Quest." That word did not feel right to him, and he tried once more. "Thing."
Elrond sighed, for he knew that the determination of Hobbits was surprisingly firm, and they would find other ways to follow their kin if he refused to let them go.
"Nine companions." He gazed at them. "Very well. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"
"Great!" Pippin enthused. "When are we—?"
"We shall go as well," one of the strangers declared.
"What?" His companion exclaimed.
"We will go with them. No buts." The one whom had spoken turned and strode away, leaving his companions chasing after him and the members of the Council staring at his retreating figure.