Hi guys!

Here is chapter One! I would like to thank everyone for their responses and I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have used some of the script from the film, so I obviously don't own that or any of the LOTR's characters, but Erudessa is a creation of my own.

Enjoy and reviews would be welcome.

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The sun hung high above the majestic and ancient city of Aira – The eternal city – which stood high on the mountains that over looked the sea of Rhun. Aira was a sight to behold. If you have seen Rivendell and Minas Tirith, this city was a combination of the two. It had the elegance and beauty of Rivendell, with it's high arches that allowed in all of the sun and walls covered in emerald green ivy. Then it had a high wall that guarded the city like Minas Tirith. Everything was made from grey and black marble that glistened in the sunshine and became invisible in the dark. It position on top of a mountain gave Aira the ideal position for defence. Along the fortifying wall that ran along the outside of the city, archers were placed equal distance apart and were always stood at attention, ready to strike if need be. The palace itself was made entirely of grey marble so it blended in with the colour of the mountainside. It was big and imposing and it screamed power.

Stood on a balcony, over looking the glistening city was the immortal Queen of the Alfirinians. Erudessa always loved how the sun made the city below her sparkle. Erudessa stood slightly short of 6foot, she stood tall and proud with dark brown hair that fell to the bottom of her back and a simple silver crown atop of her head. Her emerald green eyes shone with pride in the early morning sun. Her slightly tanned skin was covered in a sleeveless black dress, with a square neckline and it had a tight bodice then fell elegantly to the floor from her hips. Erudessa sighed. By Alfirian standards, Erudessa was a young Queen at 1500 years old, but since her sister fell in love and gave up her right to the throne, the responsibility fell to Erudessa to rule this small but fearsome nation.

Smiling slightly at the city, the Queen turned and glided back into the throne room just as the main doors were beginning to open. She smiled as she saw her most trusted advisor walk into the room. Her sister. Erudessa's smile grew wider, and motioned for the pregnant ex-queen to come forward.

"What news, dear sister?" Erudessa asked as she sat on her throne.

"A letter from Rivendell." Her sister, Andranniel, said. Erudessa's ears perked up at this. It had been at least 600 years since a letter had arrived in Aira from Rivendell.

"I take it that you have already read what it says." Erudessa asked with an eyebrow raised as she took the parchment from her sister. Andranniel smiled.

"Of course." She said. Erudessa shook her head and un-scrolled the letter and began to read. Her eyes scanned quickly and had finished the letter in a short time. When she had finished she looked at her sister.

"A council?" Erudessa asked.

"Yes. A power is rising from the south." Her sister said.

"They believe it's Sauron." She said back. "Mother was called when it happened the first time." Her sister nodded.

"Yes and she didn't see reason to go. But I have a feeling that you are different." Erudessa thought for a moment. When it happened the first time, her sister had told her that their mother did not find the call important enough to answer. Maybe this time it was worth going, the Alfirinians had been gone from the world of man for too long. The city itself was slowly, very slowly dying because there was no trade coming through. It would be beneficial to my people she thought.

"I shall leave at once. Send word to the kitchens to prepare food for two weeks, it should be enough to make it to Rivendell. Also send word to the stable to ready my horse. I take my leave within the hour." Erudessa said as she walked towards the throne room doors with urgency. She stopped and turned back to her sister.

"It's time for the Alfirin to re-join the world of man." She said and then left the room as her sister smiled proudly.

Erudessa pushed open the doors to her chambers. The room was filled with light, as on both sides of the room there were arches that led to balconies on either side emerald green silk curtains hung in the archways and blew softly in the wind. There were steps leading down to a sitting area that had a fire pit in the middle. Then the other side of that were steps leading up to a wide bed that was made with the finest materials. Beside the bed was an archway that led to a bathing room. She called for an attendant to bring her, her armour and weapons. Two seconds later they were brought in. Her armour consisted of black leather and metal, it was lightweight and easy to move in. It was sleeveless but had metal shoulders and had a fitted metal bodice. On her legs she wore black leggings, and a black leather skirt that went to her mid thighs. She also wore plain knee high boots that were comfortable and easy to run in. After she had dressed in her amour she took off her crown and tied her hair back into a plait and then placed her crown back on her head. Next she belted on her sword. Her sword was a fine weapon, and she had, had it for centuries. It was a long thin blade that was made of the strongest but lightest metal Middle Earth has to offer. The handle was simple; it was completely black, with a single emerald placed in the middle. She placed the sword in the scabbard and placed two matching daggers into her boots. The last addition to her outfit was a dark green cloak with a hood. She grabbed her pack and made her way down to the stables.

Andranniel was waiting for Erudessa when she arrived at the stables. She was stood by her stallion, Avorn. Avorn was the purest black anyone had ever seen, and had a temperament to match. It took her almost a year to tame him. She smiled at her sister and took the reins from her and hopped on to her horse in one fluid motion. She looked down at her sister.

"You will be in charge while I'm gone." She said. "Nothing should happen, but you know how it goes. Take care of yourself, and the baby, and Samuel. I don't know when I'll be back."

"Take care dear sister. May the essence of our people be with you." Andranniel said and placed a comforting hand on Erudessa's leg. Erudessa nodded.

"Yah!" Erudessa shouted as she urged Avorn into a gallop out of the stable.


The trip to Rivendell was something Erudessa had never had experienced before. Yes she had been outside the city walls but this was something different entirely. As she was travelling she became more and more mesmerised by her surroundings. The forest of Mirkwood had both awed her and terrified her, it was dark and dank, and it just smelled like something died, however you could tell just by looking at the trees they were ancient and that was a comfort for Erudessa. When she had approached Rivendell she made Avorn stop on top of a hill and looked down upon the valley that held Rivendell. It took her breath away. She had heard stories of it's beauty but seeing it for real, was like looking at heaven. It looked as if it had been made entirely from trees, and was surrounded by mountains and water. It had archways that reminded her of home, and ivy like home also. A bird cawed and it knocked her out of her daydream and the Queen of the Alfirin people trotted her horse down to Rivendell.

Up close, it was just as majestic; she trotted through an archway and pulled Avorn to a stop. She was greeted by a dark haired elf. Erudessa slipped gracefully from her saddle and approached the elf.

"I am here for the council." She said and presented the letter Elrond had sent her. The elf simply nodded and then led her through a series of hallways and up some stairs. She was lead to a balcony that over looked the valley, to her right Lord Elrond was sat in a chair that looked more like a throne and in front of him was a pedestal with nothing on it. In front of them both were people from each of the different races in Middle earth. Elves, Man, Hobbits, Dwarves, even Gandalf the Grey was there. As Erudessa stepped on to the balcony all eyes were on her. Lord Elrond smiled.

"Ah now we can begin." He said getting up and walking over to Erudessa.

"Erudessa, Queen of the Alfirins. Welcome my Lady." He said and bowed in front of her. Erudessa curtsied and took her hood from her head, revealing her silver crown, which showed her position.

"Lord Elrond. I thank you for the invitation to this council. I know my people have not been social in the past, but I intend to change that." She said eloquently. Elrond smiled.

"Yes I knew your mother. Not a sociable woman was she?" He said. Erudessa shook her head.

"No but thankfully she is now at peace."

"How is your sister?" He asked.

"Pregnant." She smiled proudly. "I am to be an aunty this coming summer." Elrond smiled and nodded then turned to the group.

"Now Queen Erudessa is here, we may begin." He said as he motioned her to a seat, which was in between a dwarf with a bright red beard and a man with dark hair, from just a glimpse he seemed quite handsome. For the first minute or so, Lord Elrond welcomed the council and explained why they were all there. After he motioned to a young hobbit that was sat at the end of the semi-circle that was facing Elrond.

"Bring forth the ring, Frodo." He said. Erudessa looked to her right and saw that the dark curly haired hobbit looked extremely nervous. Cautiously the hobbit stepped forward and placed the golden ring on the pedestal. Shocked murmurs erupted throughout the group. Erudessa had heard stories of the ring, like everyone else in Middle Earth, but seeing it for real was different. She wasn't sure what to make of the effect the ring was having on her. It was almost as if it was pulling at her, drawing her in. It wasn't intense but she could feel it slightly.

"So it's true!" One man said as he lent on the back on a chair. Erudessa believed that he was the man from Gondor, Boromir if she had listened correctly during the opening welcome. Just by looking at him, Erudessa could tell he couldn't be trusted.

"It is the doom of man!" Said the dwarf that was next to Erudessa.

"It is a gift...a gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, heldthe forces of Mordor at bay...by the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy...let us use it against him! " Boromir said. "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The one ring answers to Sauron alone...it has no other master." The dark haired man next to Erudessa said while standing up. She looked at him, his face looked tired and worn as if he had the weight of the world resting on his shoulders. "And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir said rather pompously. Erudessa rolled her eyes. He was obviously the sort of guy that saw everyone as beneath him. The dark haired man said nothing in return however a blonde elf stood, clearly not liking Boromir's tone of voice. "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." The elf said hotly. Boromir turned sharply and eyed Aragorn critically. "Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" He said in almost disbelief. The Elf lifted his head proudly. "And heir to the throne of Gondor." He said. Aragorn placed a hand on the elf's shoulder and spoke to him in what was obviously Elvish. "Gondor needs no king." Boromir said looking disgusted. There was silence until Gandalf the Grey spoke up. "Aragorn is right...we cannot use it." He said. "You have only one choice..the ring must be destroyed." Elrond said. The dwarf that was next to Erudessa sprang to his feet. "What are we waiting for then!" He shouted gruffly and charged at the ring. He raised his axe and brought it down heavily on the ring. The effort was in vain as the metal axe shattered into a thousand pieces that rained on the floor and landed the dwarf on the floor with a thump.

"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 there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this." Elrond explained to Gimli as he sat on the floor dazed.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor." Boromir said, Erudessa sighed, this man simply did not get the situation! She thought as her patience was wearing thin. So she stood and drawing all the attention to her. Boromir looked at her with a glare.

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed." She said.

"And what would a woman know of such things?" He scoffed. Erudessa glared.

"I can assure you, Lord Boromir, more than you. Any race with half a brain could see the dangers it will bring, if it is not destroyed." She said back to him. Boromir looked at her offended. How dare she talk to him in such a manner? Boromir rose to his full height, hoping to intimidate her.

"Have care how you speak woman." He warned. Erudessa's eyes narrowed.

"Have care how you speak, Lord Boromir, I do not take kindly to threatened." She said warningly as her hand lingered over the hilt of her sword.

"This is getting us nowhere. The ring must be destroyed." The elf said from behind her. Gimli at this point had risen to his feet once more.

"I refuse to see the ring in the hands of an Elf!" He shouted. From there an argument erupted, with everyone shouting at each other. Erudessa and Boromir continued their argument and getting increasingly closer until Aragorn stepped between them to try and stop them. The argument ended when a small voice at the back of the group shouted.

"I will take it!" Everyone turned round to see Frodo looking at them all. "I will take the ring to Mordor" He said once more and then paused. "Though I do not know the way." He finished looking at his feet sheepishly. Erudessa smiled slightly at the courage the young hobbit had. Gandalf rose to his feet and smiled.

"As long as this burden is yours to bare, I will carry it also Frodo Baggins." He said. Aragorn moved from his position in between the Queen and the man of Gondor and walked over to the hobbit.

"You have my sword." He said, then the elf and the dwarf did the same also. Erudessa turned fully to the young hobbit with a smile. He looked up at her confused as she walked over and kneeled in front of him.

"Frodo Baggins, I pledge my life and my sword to you and protecting you. The Alfirinian people are with you until the end." She said and placed a hand on Frodo's shoulder.


Hope you enjoy! Reviews please!

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