That evening in Rivendell Elrond was playing host to Gandalf who had come to visit. Elladan, Elrohir and Arwen sat next to each other and conversed while Elrond, Celebrian and Gandalf spoke. Elrond knew that Gandalf never visited without a purpose and he was just waiting for the wizard to make his move.
"You are looking very elegant this evening My Lady" Gandalf said to Celebrian.
"Why thank you" Celebrian said nodding her head slowly. Elrond smiled, he also knew that if Gandalf wanted something he normally turned to his wife first.
"Just ask us Gandalf" Elrond said finally and the wizard looked at him slowly.
"What do you mean Elrond?" Gandalf asked.
Arwen laughed. "Everyone around here knows that when you want something Gandalf you turn to our Mother first"
"And how is Aragorn?" Gandalf asked and Arwen laughed.
"Don't try changing the subject" she said "He is fine"
"Good, good" Gandalf nodded his eyes then rested on Elrond. "We need to hold a council"
"A council, whatever for?" Elrond asked.
"It has come to my attention that an item of great significance has, changed hands" Gandalf said slowly. His eyes glazed over as he looked out over the balcony.
"Gandalf?" Elladan prompted.
"The Ring of Sauron" Gandalf said looking at Elrond.
"The ring was lost" Elrond said putting his fork down "And was never found again"
"We all know that is not true" Gandalf said "I have seen it and it needs to be destroyed"
"And how do you suppose we do that?" Elrond asked.
"We bring together representatives of the kingdoms of Middle-Earth to come up with a plan to dispose of the ring" Gandalf said.
"All that will accomplish is bringing the power of the ring to attention" Elrond said.
"Men are easily swayed" Celebrian said "They will not be able to stand up to its power"
"Aragorn could" Arwen said.
"And you want him to go on this mission?" Elrond asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I doubt I would be able to stop him" Arwen said "He is a free man and can do what he wishes"
"Is it settled, will you gather together a council?" Gandalf asked.
"I will" Elrond sighed and they went back to eating.
"There is one last thing" Gandalf said and Elrond sighed again. "Solaris?"
"What of her?" Elrond asked becoming defensive.
"How is she keeping these days?"
"Quiet, no one hardly ever sees her" Elrond said.
"That is the way she wants it" Elrohir said. "She has her house, her horses and her wolf. She is happy"
"As happy as she can be, her heart is still broken" Elrond said.
"I should imagine" Gandalf nodded "Then it would be out the question to ask that she come along to the council as well"
"Your right, it would be out the question" Elrond said standing "I'm going to my chambers" he said kissing the top of his wife's head. "Goodnight everyone"
"Goodnight" they all answered and watched as he left the hall.
"I think it would be a good idea for Solaris to come to the council" Elladan said "She's going to become a hermit of she's not careful"
"Elladan" Celebrian scolded. "I agree with you though that it would be a good idea for her to attend. It would be good for her to see her own kin once more"
Fen started to growl unexpectedly the following afternoon. Solaris had been in the kitchen sewing up her breeches when she heard the wolf bark. Rushing outside she saw a chestnut horse approaching with a grey cloaked figure mounted. She didn't need to wait for them to get closer to know who they were.
"Gandalf" she said taking the horse's reins as he came to a stop.
"My Lady Solaris, you are looking well" Gandalf said getting down from the saddle. "I must say that it's all this fresh air you've been getting" his eyes didn't once linger on her scar. Solaris smiled and nodded.
"Let me turn out your horse, please go inside and help yourself to anything in the kitchen. And ignore Fen, he won't hurt you" she said and the wizard nodded.
Once the chestnut had been turned out into the field Solaris ran back to the house and found Gandalf sitting in the same chair her father had the day before. Gandalf had got them both a glass of wine and gave Solaris a glass.
"This wine is divine" he said.
"I made it myself" Solaris said "I'm self sufficient now"
"My you have grown up" Gandalf said.
Solaris smiled "And to what do I owe this visit?" she asked.
"Well I have come to give you an invitation" Gandalf said reaching into his pocket and brought out a folded piece of parchment. He leant over and handed it to Solaris. She took it hesitantly and folded out the letter. Her eyes read the words slowly and she finally looked up at the wizard.
"A council to destroy a ring?" she asked.
"Not just a ring, Sauron's ring" Gandalf said.
"The ring that my Father tried to get Isildur to throw into the fires of Mordor?"
"Yes, that very ring" Gandalf nodded "It is merely a council Solaris, there is no hidden agenda"
"I'll think about it" Solaris said putting the letter onto the table.
"Would it sway you to know that Legolas will be there, as a representative of Mirkwood"
"I said I will think about it. Does my Father know you are here?" Solaris asked.
"Uh, no" Gandalf said hesitantly "But your brothers and your mother do"
"Right" Solaris said standing "If you wouldn't mind" she said motioning to the door "I have work to do"
"Yes, very well" Gandalf said "It was nice seeing you my lady, might I visit the headstones before I leave?"
"You know where they are" Solaris said.
She sighed heavily, closed her eyes and rested her forehead on the door.
The following morning Solaris put head-collars onto six of her horses and attached lead robes. She then tacked up her most experienced horse, Braidy.
"Good girl" she said stroking the mare's nose who snorted and pushed her nose into the elf's hands. Solaris laughed and hugged the mare tightly. "Right" she said looking around. "Where is he?"
As if to answer a high pitched whinny came from the large field out the back of the house. "Kobe!" Solaris called and the foal whinnied again.
After a half hour of chasing the little shire around the paddock Kobe finally gave in and let Solaris attach him to a head collar.
"You Father would not approve" Solaris said tapping the baby on the nose. Kobe snorted in answer and trotted along behind Solaris as she jogged back to the other horses.
Kobe's little fiasco had put Solaris behind on time, she had been expecting to walk the horses most of the way by ended up having to canter and trot half the way there. Her destination was only going to take a day so she stopped halfway through to give the horses a break. While they were munching on the grass Solaris sat up against a tree and ate a few grapes she'd brought with her for the journey. Her eyes then caught movement in the bushes and she reached for her bow but sighed as she saw a familiar pair of bright orange eyes.
"Hello Fen" Solaris said as the large black wolf loped out the trees. He came into the clearing and sniffed at her pack. "No rabbits I'm afraid" Solaris said resting her back against the tree she was leaning on. The wolf sighed heavily and plonked himself down next to her. Solaris knew better than to touch him, he would let her know if her wanted any affection.
After sitting there for a while Solaris stood and called the horses back, apart from Kobe who she had tethered. She continued to ride at a steady pace and reached her destination two hours before nightfall. The little cottage still stood as it had done for sixty years. Solaris smiled when she saw smoke coming from the chimney and heard the chopping of wood. This place held many happy memories for her and she was pleased to be back. She rode the horses over to the paddock and laughed as a herd of black and white ponies came to greet her and her brood.
"Hey guys" she said stoking the neck of one of the ponies. She tethered hers up and went in search of the home owner. It didn't take her long as she followed the sound of chopping wood.
"Hello Solaris" a tall, hairy man said.
"You knew I was coming" the elf said as she walked up behind him.
"Fen came around here earlier; I guessed it wouldn't be long till you arrived"
Beorn turned and held his hand out. Solaris took it and gave him as strong a handshake as she could.
"It's good to see you Beorn" Solaris said.
"You too My Lady elf" Beorn said in return "Would you like some milk and honey?"
"Thank you" Solaris smiled and followed him into the house.
"And what do I owe this pleasure?" Beorn asked as he poured some milk into a tankard for Solaris.
"I have come to ask a favour" the elf said and Beorn raised his eyebrows. He sat down and took a bite of honeycomb. "And what would that be?"
"Let me explain" Solaris said. "I was visited by Gandalf yesterday"
"That wizard only brings trouble" Beorn said.
"Tell me about it" Solaris said nibbling a piece of honey. "He came to tell me of a new journey"
Beorn sighed; she could tell that his temper was already running short. "Here" she said reaching into her pocket. "Perhaps you should read for yourself"
He took the letter from her and took his time in reading it. After a while he put the letter on the table and looked at the elf.
"Are you going to go on this mission" he asked.
"I don't really have the option not too" she sighed.
Beorn too growled and stood. "You said you came to ask me a favour"
"Yes, I was hoping you would be able to look after my horses while I'm away. You know, just till I come back"
"And you plan to return do you?" Beorn asked.
"Off course" Solaris replied.
Beorn sighed and turned to the door. "I will look after your horses, put them in with mine then go. Please"
"Beorn" Solaris said standing.
"I like you Solaris, you are a kind, sensitive elf unlike most others but sometimes you do make me wonder whether you have any brain cells left" Beorn said
"Don't be like that" Solaris said.
"Any mission that involves Gandalf seem to end in death, I cannot stop you from doing what you please. But I would advise you to think carefully before getting yourself involved in others business"
"I am already involved; Gandalf has invited me to the council"
"Then go, I have said I will look after your horses"
With that he left, Solaris looked out the window and watched as he stalked into the forest. She hadn't meant to upset him but at least she knew that her horses would be looked after.
Solaris took her time in saying goodbye to each of the horses. She watched as they ran into the paddock and mingled with Beorn's ponies. Kobe ran around like a maniac, loving his new surroundings. Solaris then put Braidy's tack back on and made her way back home.
Hey, hope you enjoyed this chapter!