In the lands of the Far East, past Mordor and Rhun lies a large landscape of land in the east, a place that can be stretch from Arnor to Harad, a massive land, populated by men and dwarves and has been under the control of the Easterlings of Rhun. This large land has been under their control for thousands of years, holding this land, they are able to rebuild their armies very quickly. The populations in the east is force to serve the Easterlings, those who are ready to wield a weapon must depart and join the Easterlings in Rhun. Everyone in the east, both dwarves and men must forcefully work with the Easterlings on fighting the enemies of the west, namely Gondor. This land is the only reason for the Easterlings to maintain a strong formidable force, they are able to restore thousands of lost soldiers in the past.
The Kingdom of Rhun has become a strong power house in the east, thanks to the resources they gain from the east, they are able to continue serving Sauron even though he lost Mordor but they too will soon feel the same way when a new threat is happening inside the eastern lands. The lands they have held for thousands of years would soon fall to a new faction, a faction of survivors who once held over Mordor thirty years ago. Lithariel, the daughter of Queen Marwen of the Tribesmen of Nurn, she brought her warriors with her to the east long ago when Sauron returned to Mordor. She left the lands of Mordor and tried to make settlement in the east, inside the enemy lines of the Easterlings. In the lands of the east, she would come across survivors of Mordor, meeting up with the slaves of Mordor and also the Gondorian survivors who have been fighting inside Mordor, all came together in the east to form a new united army.
Lithariel became the new queen after her mother died against the Easterlings, she took the title and commands the armies on trying to claim the lands of the east from the Easterlings. She took a few years but eventually gathered all the tribes and citizens of this land, bringing them under her control and together they swept across the east, pushing the Easterlings out of this land and back into Rhun. The Easterlings suffered greatly after the loss of their land, they now must fight against two fronts, fighting against Lithariel and her new kingdom in the east and fight against the Banshee Queen from Mordor.
After long years of peace and control over the eastern lands, the people of the east would call this land the Kingdom of Marwen in memory of Queen Marwen. Over time, war would return to these lands once again when Lithariel passed away and left the kingdom to her son, King Darrius. She named him in memory of one of her lieutenants who fought valiantly during the war in the east, fighting against the Easterlings until eventually being overwhelm. King Darrius took the throne a few years ago, keeping this land safe from the Easterlings, as well as help fighting against the orcs from Mordor. He decided he has had enough, wishing to attack Mordor but needs allies, which is why he wishes to set his eyes to the far south, to the people of the southern lands.
Today, in the Kingdom of Marwen, in the far southern end of this land, past the south east of Mordor is where the king is right now. He brought a company of his warriors with him, coming to the borders of his land to meet with the Haradrim Warriors for diplomacy and for an alliance to face the Forsaken. The Lands of Harad have been in serious turmoil after Sauron lost Mordor. The south has been locked in conflict between each other, one leader wants to rule over the whole south and plan to claim Mordor while the other side wants to change. A new faction that they call the Defias Brotherhood, forging allies of Haradrim Warriors, Corsair Pirates and all sorts of people in the south to unite under her command. Vanessa VanCleef, the daughter of Edwin VanCleef now takes command of the Defias Brotherhood. She has come with a company of her warriors to meet with King Darrius to settle the first relationship between these two lands.
"You're late." King Darrius said
"I have been busy." Vanessa responds "It is hard to leave my warriors out there without their leader, let us make this meeting quick and return to battle."
"Well let's cut to the chase then. You know why I am here and you know what I want, the Banshee Queen has stayed in Mordor for far too long, she is summoning her armies to attack everyone that surrounds her. I know the men of the far south is in league with Sauron but –"
"Stop right now." Vanessa intervenes "We no longer serve Sauron. True there is a few of his loyalists still here but I plan to wipe them out."
"I'm surprised." Darrius said "You people in the south are always loyal to Sauron."
"Not after what just happened in Mordor. Sauron no longer has control, he can't control his armies, his lieutenants, and he can't do a damn thing but watch as everything he owns falls from his grasp. This is the first time someone else is taking his place, which is why I don't want anything to do with the Banshee Queen."
"She took something from you…. Didn't she?"
Vanessa hesitated at first when hearing that question, she looks away for the moment then sighs slightly when looking back to him and responds "My father was killed in Mordor, slain by the Banshee Queen and her walking dead orcs. My father may have served Sauron but not me, I don't serve the Dark Lord, and neither does my people."
"Then we both should work together. If we unite as one and attack Mordor from the rear, we may have a chance on delivering serious blows to the Banshee Queen herself."
"And what am I going to achieve if I should join your alliance?" Vanessa asks
"I know you want something besides making the Banshee Queen suffer." Darrius said "I propose this. If we take the lands of the east of Mordor, I want you to take the lands of Nurnen while I take the lands of Seregost."
"So you want the Banshee Queen's fortress over the lands you and your ancestors once ruled over? I am surprise you would let me have it."
"I have been thinking about it and I know others would say that I am doing the bad decision on allowing you to take those lands. But this is bigger than that, I want this alliance to be made and I wish to end this. I know you wouldn't take Seregost because it is too far, so I am allowing you to take the lands of Nurnen. My people already have a new land and I vow to hold it against any enemy who tries to take it from me."
"Hmn…" Vanessa lowers her head slightly, slightly laughing then looks back to Darrius "I like your valour, King Darrius. The Haradrim and the lands of the south accepts this alliance. We will see each other in battle, for now you should be ready to face the evils that lurks within Mordor."
"There's one more thing before we depart." Darrius said "I need a favour to ask you, as a former servant to the Dark Lord Sauron."
"And that is….."
"I know your people are still allied with the Easterlings of Rhun. I know they are also trying to claim Mordor, so this is my proposal. I want you to make contact with the Easterlings, tell them that my side and your side is preparing to attack Mordor from the rear, which will give them the chance for them to attack Mordor from the north."
"A very clever strategy, using the Easterlings to attack Mordor. What is stopping them from attacking your lands?"
"There is no way the Easterlings have time to take the Kingdom of Marwen, even if they do try to attack us while I am away, they do not have time to take its resources, rebuild its armies and attack Mordor."
"Very well then." Vanessa nods and turns away "I'll see you on the frontlines. We'll work together coordinate attacks on Mordor, starting the island of Nurnen."
"Three days." King Darrius said "That's how long you'll need. Will you be there?"
"Of course." Vanessa looks back to Darrius "You be sure not to double cross me Darrius."
"I was about to say the same thing to you."
Vanessa and her warriors depart from the border and return to their lands, there they travel to their fortress in Harad where she will organise her army. King Darrius turns back and departs, returning to the Kingdom of Marwen and travel to the fortress of Stromgarde, there he organises his forces to launch an attack on Mordor.
In the Lands of Gondor, the men in Osgiliath celebrate a well done success after the fall of Minas Morgul thanks to General Varian Wrynn. He and his knights have return to the city, seeing the citizens and the soldiers here celebrate, cheering for their victory against the enemies of the east. Varian, Boromir and Faramir came riding through at the front of their armies, seeing the people cheering, applauding them for what they have done. Once they get off their horses, Varian would walk through the crowd, climb up to a ruin building, standing high above and looks down at everyone else.
"Today we brought a big push at the heart of Mordor. Minas Morgul lies in ruins thanks to us. We have stuck our sword through Mordor for the first time in hundreds of years, today is when we take back what belongs to us. For Gondor!"
Everyone rejoice and cheer, raising their fists and swords in the air, calling out his name Varian a few times. He remains up there with his sword in the air, smiling when looking down at everyone. He would eventually come down and join them, placing his sword away and shaking their hands while he moves through the crowd, meeting up with Boromir and Faramir in a small area where they could relax and get a drink.
Varian takes his cup and raise it towards Faramir and Boromir "To Victory."
Both Boromir and Faramir raise their cups and said the same thing Varian just said to them. They all drink at the same time, emptying their cups and exhaling when finish drinking all of that.
An Ithilian Ranger came into the scene and interrupting the three, bringing a sealed scroll and delivers it to Varian. He looks at the young man then takes the scroll and looks at it for the moment then opens it up, reading it while the young man turns back and walks away.
"What is it?" Faramir asks when standing up off his seat, standing behind Varian
"It is a summons." Varian said "It seems that the elves of Rivendell is calling for a council, calling for us, the dwarves and elves from other places in Middle-Earth. It looks like they want me to be there."
"You can't leave Osgiliath." Boromir said "Not while the enemy is next door."
"He's right." Said Faramir "You know that the orcs won't accept this victory, they will come for blood and they will come for Osgiliath."
"I know but I can't simply deny this proposal, someone needs to speak for Gondor at the council about the situation in Mordor."
"Then let me do it." Boromir steps forward
Faramir turns his head to him, surprised he would say that "Boromir."
"Osgiliath can't fall. We can't defend this place without our general. Let me ride out for Gondor, I'll take your place in the seat of the council."
"Are you sure you should do that?" Faramir asks 'You know what father would say about this."
"I know." Boromir said when looking to Faramir then to Varian "But I am going to miss fighting by your side again on fighting against the enemy in Osgiliath."
"I know." Varian places one hand over his shoulder "The enemies of Mordor will be waiting for you when you return."
"You think father will allow this?" Faramir asks Boromir
"I'm sure he'll be alright. This is just a council, not a battle that we'll be going to."
"If you say so."
And so Boromir drinks with Varian and Faramir once more before he must depart, drinking with others for a time, celebrating with them as he knows it will be a long time before he would return to Osgiliath again. He stays until he prepares to depart in the middle of the night, discarding his Gondorian armour and putting on light clothing, saying his farewell to his men and to his brother before he gets on his horse. The gates of Osgiliath opens and he rides straight out of there, riding into the open plain field and going straight to Rivendell.
Once he is gone, Varian returns to his men and organise a defence on the other side of the city, knowing that the enemy will plan for an attack after what happen to Minas Morgul. Faramir remains on the broken walls, watching his brother depart but he turns back and organises his Ithilian Rangers. Faramir and his rangers also depart from Osgiliath and travel to the north, watching the areas of the north so if the enemy arrives on that side, he could either ambush them or retreat and warn Varian that the enemy is coming.
Meanwhile in the elven city of Rivendell, the Hobbits have made their long trip to meet with the elves for the first time and for Frodo to reunite with Gandalf once again. The One Ring now lies under the protection of the elves but they too worry of what is to come, Lord Elrond worries about the situation, even learning about what Gandalf told him about what is going on in Mordor. The Banshee Queen desires to find the One Ring, to get it away from Sauron.
Right now, both Elrond and Gandalf discuss their new plan on what to do with the One Ring, and to know what to do with Frodo, since he pose no bonds to the evil of the ring for now. Elrond would wonder if he could hold onto the ring more, seeing as he can be able to withstand its evil for the moment but Gandalf does not like this idea, seeing as he does not want Frodo to bear the burden of this anymore. Elrond would feel annoyed when turning to Gandalf, warning him of what is happening.
"Gandalf, the enemy is moving. What is left of Sauron's forces are massing to the west. His eye is fixed on Rivendell. Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us and this Banshee Queen has all of Mordor all of her command, which means our list of allies grows thin."
"His treachery lies deeper than you think." Gandalf said while approaching Elrond "Saruman has crossed orcs with goblin-men, he's breeding an army in Isengard, an army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance in speed. He and Sauron would use their armies to try and conquer Middle-Earth then challenge the Banshee Queen into submission. Saruman knows he can't take the New Ring from the Banshee Queen, which is why he is going after Sauron's Ring."
"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the elves." Elrond said "We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard!"
Gandalf sighs slightly while turning away from Elrond, walking away from him but he would stop when Elrond would say "Gandalf…. The ring cannot stay here."
Gandalf stops at the balcony and looks out at the view of this place, soon to notice that Rivendell is about to get company. A group of riders, here as embassies from Gondor, the elves and the dwarves. Boromir is seen riding through first, coming here with some of the men by his side, the elves would come through next. Legolas would come through, along with his friends from other elven lands like Vereesa and Lor'themar Theron. The dwarves like Gimli, Moira, Muradin and Falstad, all here to be part of the council.
"This peril belongs to all Middle-Earth." Elrond said when slowly approaching Gandalf "They must decide now how to end it. The time of the elves is over. My people are leaving. Who will you look to when we are gone? The dwarves? They hide in riches and care nothing of the troubles of others."
Gandalf moves off the balcony and looks to Elrond "It is of men that we must place our hope."
Afterwards, the council is ready, the elves, the dwarves and men are here with Elrond and the others, sitting in a circle with a pedestal in the centre, here to discuss their next plan against Sauron and the Banshee Queen. Elrond would speak out first, standing up off his seat and speaks to all the people here.
"Strangers from distant land, friends of the elves. You've been summoned here to answer the threat of Sauron and the threat of the Banshee Queen. Middle-Earth is on the brink of destruction. None can escape these two foes clashing against each other and none can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom." Elrond would stop and turns his head to Frodo who sits here with the others "Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo gets off his seat and walks straight towards the pedestal. He takes out the One Ring and places it down in the middle then turns away and takes his seat, showing everyone here that it is real. Everyone would gaze their eyes upon the One Ring, speaking to one another while still having their eyes fixed on it. All of Middle-Earth is now in the fate of something so little, something that can corrupt anyone here if they put their hands over it.
Boromir would be the one to speak out to everyone here, seeing as he has an idea of what to do with the ring. "It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." Boromir would say when riding up off his seat "Why not use the ring? Long has my father, the steward of Gondor and my closest friend Varian have kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people kept your lands safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against them both, we can defeat the Banshee Queen and the Dark Lord."
"You cannot wield it." Aragorn intervenes, getting his attention towards him "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asks
"This is no mere Ranger." Legolas steps in, rising from his seat and getting Boromir to turn around to see him "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir would look surprise when turning back to Aragorn while he sits there looking back at him. "Aragorn…." Boromir mutters his name "This… Is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas said
"Sit down Legolas." Aragorn would say, speaking in elven language, making Legolas to sit back down and remain quiet
Before he would sit, Boromir turns to Legolas and says "Gondor has no king." He then turns to Aragorn "If there was a king I would follow, it would be Varian." He returns to his seat and sits back down
"Aragorn is right." Lor'themar intervenes while remaining seated "Isildur was the first to wield this weapon in the first place. We all know what happened to him. He died and his body was never seen again, same goes to this." He looks at the One Ring then looks towards Boromir "Isildur thought this was a weapon but it was a curse, a curse for anyone who lays a finger on it. That man should have destroyed it when he had a chance but he chose power."
"Why not let these two lords destroy each other?" Moira asks "It's not like there fighting us, let them wipe each other out."
"You do realise there will be a winner, you know that right?" Lor'themar said "If Sauron wins, he'll take back Mordor and attack us… If this Banshee Queen wins, she will raise a powerful army and attack us."
Elrond rises from his seat "You have only one choice. The One Ring must be destroyed."
Boromir felt slightly irritated by this decision, still believing that he and the people of Gondor could use the Ring. Everyone here would soon agree with this decision on destroying the One Ring.
Gimli would suddenly step in, grabbing his axe that was next to him and rises from his seat "What are we waiting for?" Gimli said when approaching the pedestal, surprising Elrond and Gandalf when he hits the Ring with his axe. The sheer might and power of the One Ring cancelled his attack, breaking his axe and sending Gimli to the floor with what is left of his weapon. The One Ring would take no damage, no mark whatsoever but it did hurt Frodo when he felt a suddenly pain spike, feeling hurt when the ring was touched by a weapon.
Elrond would warn Gimli the warnings on harming the Ring in such a barbaric way, saying "The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only then can it be unmade." Elrond turns his eyes left to right at everyone here, telling them what must be done "It must be taken deep within Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. If the ring is destroyed then Sauron will no longer hold Middle-Earth anymore, the Banshee Queen would also lose her strength in Mordor, this here must be done and one of you… Must do this…"
Everybody here remain quiet for the moment but Boromir would intervene yet again, bringing up the famous quote ever "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. The Great Eye is ever watchfulness in that barren wasteland, riddled with fire, and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume and what makes things worse is who rules over those lands. Even if we do get past the flaming eye, you still need to deal with the Banshee Queen and her army of the dead. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly."
"You have already set things emotion now. Boromir." Elrond said "The Banshee Queen will now come for you and all of Gondor after what you have done."
"Somebody had to do it and it might as well be us." Boromir responds "I don't see any of you picking up arms to fight her." He looks to Vereesa "She is one of your kind."
Vereesa looks away unhappy, not responding to Boromir or getting involve in this discussion, knowing who the Banshee Queen is, she decides to keep her opinions and her emotions to herself. Lor'themar looks to Vereesa and notices her upset, he looks to Boromir and says "I know we all see the Banshee Queen is nothing but an enemy to Middle-Earth. However, she is not a friend to Sauron, which is good for us, we finally have someone pushing Sauron back, damaging his plans and destroying his armies. This here may be our last opportunity to strike now, this maybe our last chance at defeating Sauron once and for all."
"The Banshee Queen is an enemy of Sauron and is also now an enemy of us!" Said Moira who sits next to Gimli "I say let them destroy each other and when the sun clears we wipe out whoever is left standing, it's so simple."
"Have any of you forgotten at what Lord Elrond said?" Legolas intervenes, rising from his seat and speaks out to everyone in the room "The ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you be the one to do it?" Gimli asks, raising his voice over him
"And if we fail, what happens…." Boromir stands up and raises his voice too "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli gets off his seat and stares at Legolas "I'll be dead if I see the ring in the hands of an elf!"
The moment he antagonised him, the rest of the elves would rise up from their seats, speaking in elven language for the moment but they speak English. Legolas would have his hand in front of them to stop them from moving forward. Everyone else would rise from their seats and intervened, shouting back at the others, raising their voices while some would remain quiet, watching this bickering go on for a while. Gandalf steps in and try to reason with them, stepping into this argument, warning them that Sauron's power is growing, the same goes to the Banshee Queen, warning them that even though Minas Morgul is destroyed, the rest of Mordor will rise up to avenge it. His voice and warning would not work on them, the argument would continue to spread like wild fire until someone puts the fire out.
A voice would cry out to the people who are still arguing, calling out "I will take it!" However, their ears did not hear him but when he said it again, he would get Gandalf to stop and slowly turn towards Frodo, seeing it was him who said it. He would get everyone's attention when he says that he will take the One Ring to Mordor. This would quiet everyone down, surprised to see this Hobbit would say something like that, knowing the words of what Boromir said earlier, Frodo still insisted that he can do this.
Frodo remains quiet when looking at the others when they look back at him, eventually speaking out and says "Though…. I do not know the way…."
Gandalf would step in first, walking to Frodo, placing his hand on his shoulder and says "I will help you bear the burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."
Aragorn rises from his seat and be the second person to help Frodo Baggins "If by my life or death I can protect you…. I will." He then approaches Frodo and went down on one knee "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." Legolas said, walking towards Frodo
"And my axe!" Said Gimli
Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn and Gandalf stands next to Frodo, accepting this quest to follow Frodo into Mordor. Not just four of them would join as Boromir himself approaches them, getting their attention, saying "You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
After finishing that sentence, Sam would interrupt this moment by coming out of hiding and comes rushing straight to Frodo and standing alongside him, saying "Frodo isn't going anywhere without me."
"No needed its likely not possible to separate you even when he's summoned to a secret council and you are not."
Both Merry and Pippin was standing nearby, hearing about this, they quickly came out of hiding and rushes into this. Both of them ran past Elrond and stood together with Frodo and the others, participating in this quest. Elrond looks at the Hobbits then at all of them, noticing that there is nine of them, nine companions for this quest and hereby forms this group as the Fellowship of the Ring.