A/N - I feel I need to make it clear that the history of certain Tolkein characters and events are not mine, but belong to Tolkein. My attempt is to weave my story around the already established one, but however, there will be some things that will undoubtely change in order for my story to be told. The basic stuff I try not to mess with. Later, you will also find someone who I take from the books and interpret what his motives could have been in regards to the war since his character was not completly defined. At any rate, I hope that you read and enjoy, but if not I know that there are quite a few LOTR fics out there. :) Thanks for at least giving this one a shot!

Chapter 2 - East or West ?

It was not for her to sit in the council of Elrond, but she, if anything, had learned cunningness. If she were indeed Arathorn's daughter then would not Isildur's Bane be her burden as well?

Elrond and Gandalf could not refuse.

She took her place between Frodo and Gandalf, listening to the clamor brought on by this tiny ring that Frodo had taken from around his neck and placed in the center of the circle of Men, Elves and Dwarves.

Boromir's true intentions were revealed in the council and unwittingly unveiled yet another secret. One that sent Eliahna reeling with shock. For the instant that Boromir pleaded his case for Gondor, Strider spoke.

Boromir intended the ring of power for Gondor, believing it to be it's rightful claimant. It should go to Gondor and Gondor alone, that was it's rightful inheritance. Strider quickly reminded that the ring had but one master and would only respond to him and none other. (To this he referred to the dark Lord Sauron of whom forged the ring along with nine others that were distributed to the leaders of the inhabitants of Middle Earth some thousands of years ago. ) When Boromir rebuked him, Legolas rose up and spoke with authority mixed with anger. Proclaiming that Aragorn was no mere Ranger.

This was not the name Eliahna was familiar with. She straightened herself, for this was the name of the man whom Legolas had asked her of. She was merely toying, and yet it happened as she had spoken well before the council. Her eyes widened while listening attentively and heard the words of Legolas spoken with conviction and announced that the man before them was Aragorn, son of Arathorn - Isildur's heir and heir to the throne of Gondor.

It was from Legolas's lips she first heard the name of her brother. It was from his lips that she learned of his existence. She gave a quick look to Lord Elrond and confirmed it. This ranger? This man was not only Aragorn of whom Legolas had spoken of, but Aragorn was also son of Arathorn? She dared not to think of it - even if true. Strider … Aragorn was her brother?

Aragorn met her searching glance with a knowing upon his face. Could it be that he already knew this? She hardly responded when Gimli lay his ax to the ring attempting to destroy it. There was a shrill sound from it and Gimli retreated as if thrown backwards. Afterwards a whispering of the dark speech.

Then all stood, Elf against man, Dwarf against Elf, and man against them all arguing over the fate of the ring and who should decide it. Eliahna sat still, hardly aware of the commotion swelling around her. The accusations and the blaming had no effect on her, but it was Frodo crying out that called her attention.

Her heart sank heavy within her when he stood up before the council, among the bickering - men, dwarves and elves, and accepted the burden of the ring. He agreed to carry it to Mordor, and into Mount Doom. There he would throw it back into the fire; only then would it be destroyed, as it should have been three thousand years before.

Three thousand years?

She had trouble grasping it. Her grandmother lived then, as well as Lord Elrond. It was not something she easily comprehended. This immortality.

Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Gimli, and Legolas had already made their vow to accompany the hobbit in his quest. Sam, who had been apparently eavesdropping, as is common for most hobbits, bounced from behind the wall declaring he would go with them. Merry and Pippin were not far behind, barging in from behind the doorways, also eavesdropping.

Eliahna looked them over. It might be that none of them would return. All that she knew lie within the lives of four hobbits and a wizard.

She knew what response would follow, yet she declared that she would join them as well.

Boromir, Frodo, Elrond and Gandalf were among the first to protest, insisting she remain in Rivendell where she would be safe from harm.

Though they were compelling and even more persistent in their objections, she did not relent. Death, though frightening, did not move her - she was resolved. If Sam, Merry and Pippen, who knew nothing but gardening, drinking and smoking weed were allowed to join them, then why could she not?

So it was, on the morning of the departure, as she stood on the staircase, which trailed down through the gates leading out of Gondor, Elrond joined her. The dawn was breaking and yet the sun seemed uninspired. Darkness was foreboding.

He stood quietly by her side, and then spoke softly. " I have something of yours"

He placed in her hand a brooch made of precious metal. One of which has not known to have existed for thousands of years. It was beautiful, green and blue entwined and bore the markings of the house of Elrond - passed down through generations. He then told her that it belonged to his mother, and her mother before. Elessia was the last to wear it before it was put away until the time to pass it down once again.

" Your shadow is a shadow over me." He said, " You will not understand this. Long have I desired you to walk beyond the shadow and into the light."

" How long? " She said, turning to face him directly. " How long have you desired it? How long have I lived? Aragorn is eighty-seven years old. My mother died many years before I was born. How is what you say possible? "

Gandalf, in his many visits to the Shire, oft spoke of Imladris as it is called by the Sindar - Grey Elves. Karningul in common speech, but others know it as Rivendell - the dwelling place of Elrond and his kin after the rescue of the refugees of Hollin from Sauron's grasp. Gandalf, the Grey … Mithrandir as known by theSindar, and called by many names on the tongue of many men, traveled often. But Olarin was the name from his youth, one he was never called in these ages. A forgotten name. He knew the lands as well as any creature that lived upon them.

Oft Eliahna would sit with him and lean on his side listening to his stories. Though on the tale of Isildur's Bane, his memory frequently failed. Conveniently failed and he would direct his speech to some other adventure. No, it was not from Gandalf, her mentor and surrogate father that she heard the legend. It was from the lips of one whom Gandalf had never known.

The man in the wood, whose steps were as light as the birds on the leaves. He talked with her a little while on occasion until she was nearly fully grown. He told her stories, ones which Gandalf had not dared. From his words she learned of Arathorn, descendant of Elendil and Isildur. She also learned that Arathorn, who was Arathorn the second - for there was another by the name who died at the teeth of wolves - fought for his people along side men and elves, and died at the hands of the orcs years before her time. Years before he could have conceived one so young.

She looked upon Elrond, her uncle and wondered if he had considered what she might know. She waited impatiently for his response to her query.

He glanced downward as if hesitating, drawing a slow vexation in her voice. " And yet there is more … Is there not? You will not speak now? "

" I wish that you would not follow the fellowship into Mordor. I would that you went with the people of Rivendell to safety. Our people - your people. This is a war that may likely take middle earth - this time. The time of elves is over and the age of men has begun."

"The time of elves. The …" She stopped and studied him for a moment before continuing. "You are a Lord among elves. One of the highest of elf kind. This I cannot deny. Nor do I wish to. I do not look lightly upon your honor. You are my kin, but I do not know you. If what you say is true, then the people of Gondor are also my people. The ones who I follow to the death are who I know. They are all I have ever known. Should they perish and I remain - what have I then? "

The pain in his eyes was apparent. Her words brought him sadness much more than she had noticed before, and though she would have it differently, there was no time for it. Aragorn had already taken his place at the gate and the others were joining him.

Elrond lifted a hand and slipped it under her chin, raising her eyes to his and spoke with conviction. "May the grace of the valor watch over you and keep you safe."

The act drew emotion from her eyes, and she blinked. She could see why he was called one of the wisest of his kind. She was angry, but could not deny how a single glance of his eyes and the sound of his voice calmed her. In a different moment, their meeting might not have been so ill, but nothing could be done now.

She turned from her uncle and trailed down the long stairs until she had set her place among the Fellowship. This was the name chosen for them. From now until history they would be known as The Fellowship of the Ring. And so they are, even to this age. And then Frodo started them off at the head, with Gandalf beside him. The other took up behind, Sam alongside Aragorn and the two remaining hobbits hovered around Boromir as if chicks around a mother hen. Eliahna glanced at Legolas who nodded.

Then Frodo turned to Gandalf meekly. " Is the way to Mordor East or West? "