Chapter 3: The Council of Elrond

The nights were very sleepless for the Jedi and Captain Rex. War expected them to be prepared 24/7 in the event of an attack. Even the younglings back on Coruscant would be trained in the event of a midnight attack. For once, the Force seemed to grant them a moment of peace.

Or is this peace only an illusion?
Anakin thought grimly as he walked around the city of Rivendell.

Lord Elrond requested the three Jedi and the clone to be present at the council as the fate of the One Ring would be decided. All of them agreed that it must be destroyed, but the matter at hand was convincing Middle-Earth that it needed to be destroyed.

As Anakin took his little stroll, he spotted two people on a bridge in front of a waterfall: Strider and Arwen. In her white robe, she seemed to glow in the moonlight. Anakin smiled, wishing that Padmé could have been here. She would've been so jealous that someone like Arwen could naturally glow. His smile faded as he began to wish that she was here with him.

Oh, my angel. Too long have we been apart from each other. Too long has this war been separating us.

He saw their lips meet, being soft and gentle in their embrace. Anakin remembered being caught up in the moment with his first kiss, but the sight before him was true love.

"I never would have pegged you for an eavesdropper, Anakin," a familiar voice mused.

Anakin snorted. "I couldn't sleep. I've been way too accustomed to war."

Gandalf walked next to him. "Sadly, war has that effect on people."

"Come to offer me more advice, Gandalf?" he asked. "You're starting to make a habit of it."

"Actually, I wanted to learn more about the Jedi," the old man replied. "I've already talked to your…Padawan, was it? And I've spoken with your former Master, but I have yet to receive your perspective."

"What do you want to know?"

"The beginning is always a good place to start."

"Well, for starters, the Jedi live by an Ancient Code: there is no emotion, there is peace; there is no ignorance, there is knowledge; there is no passion, there is serenity; there is no death, there is the Force."

Gandalf nodded. "Very interesting. I will keep that in mind. Continue."

"Almost all of the Jedi have been raised in the temple, separated from their families. Attachments are forbidden and lead to the Dark Side."

"And what do you have to say on the matter?"

Anakin turned his back to him. "I don't have a say. At least, not to the council back home."

"Were you one of these children?"

"I was the one who wasn't," he corrected. "I had a mom for nine years. She was kind, and beautiful. She was always the one who kept me going through the hot days of my home world. I promised her that I would return and free her from the slavery she and I suffered."

Gandalf noticed he said "had" but he did not press the matter. "You loved her?"

"With all of my heart," he answered without apology.

"Good."

Now, Anakin decided to start his questions. "Why have you taken in interest in me, Gandalf? Is it because I'm the Chosen One?"

"Titles can only mean so much, Anakin," he replied. "I talk to you because I can see that you are troubled. You have a burden that you can hardly carry. Your titles, whether it be The Hero with no Fear or the Chosen One reveal one thing: people look up to you for hope, but do you have someone to look up to? Someone that gives you hope?"

Anakin hesitated for a long time, trying to find any hidden agendas in the wizard's eyes, but found none. Like before, he seemed to truly care about how Anakin felt, how being a Jedi has affected him. This man was giving Palpatine a run for his money.

"I
see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin," the chancellor had said. "Even more powerful than Master Yoda."

But wasn't that an expectation, too? Anakin had yet to live up to it. He wasn't nearly as wise as Master Yoda or as powerful, but he always strived to be. Who was he trying to impress? Obi-Wan? The Council? Ahsoka? Palpatine? Himself? Did they all expect them to be a true warrior of the Force? If so, it would take lifetimes at the rate he was going.

"I can't believe this," Anakin said, shaking his head. "I just met you, and already I'm about to reveal one of my greatest secrets."

"A wizard does not gossip, nor does he spread rumors," he assured. "He listens and advises."

"I'm married to a woman named Padmé," he whispered. "I have broken the Jedi Code."

"Is she the one that gives you hope?"

"Yes."

"Then you have nothing to be ashamed of, Anakin," Gandalf responded, leaving no room for argument. "Never think otherwise."

Once again, Anakin was taken aback. "What?"

"If love was such a sin, then why do people rejoice in marriage? If love was such a sin, why do people have compassion for others? If love was evil, why do people save others from the dangers of the world?"

"Master Yoda told me that fear leads to anger, which leads to hate, which leads to suffering. To form an attachment would mean you would fear for that person's loss."

"Attachment and love are not the same thing," Gandalf assured. "I knew someone who was attached to a lovely object because it was precious to him. His precious, he would repeat. He would always care for it, never lose it to anything or anyone, and would kill to prevent his precious from being lost. It corrupted that person until he was barely recognizable. In the end, he lost his precious and to this day, wants it back.

"True love means that you would love that person no matter what. True, you would fear for her, want to protect her, and even kill to protect her, but you would never see her as your own. A possession if you will. That was the person's problem. He could never let his precious go, even in death. One day, Anakin, like everything and everyone, they will die, but do not let it stop you from making the most in your marriage. Do not strive to be a powerful warrior. Strive to be a good man."

It was as if a veil lifted over Anakin's face, a fog clearing from his mind. Right here and now, the Force had provided someone to be for Anakin and mentor him in a way that no one else has.

"One day, I will become the greatest Jedi EVER. I will even learn how to stop people from dying."

Anakin had uttered those words brashly. He truly believed that he would be able to save every person in world. He can't, but will save as many as he can because he has compassion.

He was so lost in thought that he didn't even notice that Gandalf had left.

"Well, you look rested, Anakin," Obi-Wan noticed as they took their seats in the Council.

"I feel rested," he replied with a smile.

Ahsoka groaned. "Great, it's Mr. Personality."

"Mr. Personality," or Boromir as he was called, took his seat next to his fellow men. Oddly enough, Strider took a place near the Elves. Wasn't he a Man too?

When the rest of the Elves, Dwarfs, Gandalf, and even Frodo took their seats, Elrond began at once.

"Strangers from distant lands, some more distant than others, friends of old, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

Timidly, the young Hobbit walked up to the center, all eyes gazing on him. He stopped at the stone and placed a golden ring upon it. Now, the eyes of the people gazed upon the Ring, some with caution, others with disgust, and many with lust.

The evil emanating from the Ring made all three of the Jedi recoil. Unlike the others, the Ring did not invite them; it repelled them.

"What kind of person would even wield such darkness?" Obi-Wan muttered. It was as if the entity of every Sith were stored in that piece of jewelry.

Boromir stood up to speak with Gandalf eying his every move. "In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark, but in the West, a pale light lingered." He began to move towards the Ring. "A voice was crying, 'Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's bane is found.'" He stretched his hand towards the Ring, a lustful grin etched on his face. "Isildur's Bane!"

All three Jedi ignited their lightsabers at the same time Elrond yelled, "Boromir!" but none of these came close to what happened next.

With fury, Gandalf began to chant in another language, causing the sky to grow dark and the city tremble with fear. Everyone held onto their chairs petrified, even the Jedi paled against the now-angry wizard. When Boromir returned to his seat, the environment returned to the natural order of things. Sensing no danger, the Jedi withdrew their weapons.

Elrond, however, was livid. "Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imlardris!"

"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond," Gandalf retorted, "for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil!"

"How could you not feel its evil?" Ahsoka all but shouted. "That thing practically attacks us with its tendrils of darkness!"

"It is a gift!" Boromir protested. "A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?"

"Idiot," she muttered.

Anakin nodded in agreement.

The Man went on. "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of evil 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."

"While your intentions are noble, Captain Boromir," Obi-Wan started. "Evil cannot be used for good."

"He is right, Boromir," Strider agreed. "Please listen. You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

Boromir scoffed. "While you seem like a wise person, Master Kenobi, you have not been through the Hells of Middle-Earth as we have."

"Do not be quick to judge," Strider chided. "They have been through worst."

"And what would a Ranger know of these matters?" he sneered.

A golden-haired Elf stood up. "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn! You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir was taken aback as he faced him. "Aragorn? This is Isildur's Heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor," the Elf added.

"You're a king?" Ahsoka asked, surprised. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Aragorn did not deem it the right time," Gandalf answered.

Aragorn shook his head before saying, "Havo dad, Legolas," to the Elf.

Boromir's face turned from amazement to resentment. "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." When he sat down, he gave him another glare.

Well, that's debatable if everyone is a stuck-up as you are.
Anakin thought.

Obi-Wan chuckled. Oh, my old Padawan, if you could realized the irony of that statement.

"Aragorn and Obi-Wan are right," Gandalf said. "We cannot use the Ring."

"You have only one choice!" Elrond proclaimed. "The Ring must be destroyed."

"What are we waiting for?" a brown-haired dwarf asked, getting to his feet.

Before anyone could stop him, he smashed his axe upon the Ring. The weapon shattered and sent a small shockwave, sending the dwarf on his back. Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ahsoka, and Frodo winced in pain as the fury of the Ring was sounded. To their horror, the Ring remained completely intact with not a single scratch.

Unfazed, Elrond continued. "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess."

"I bet Sauron didn't take into account of a blaster," Rex retorted, shooting the Ring.

To their astonishment, the laser bounced off the Ring back to the owner. Fortunately, all three of the Jedi stopped the laser with the Force inches away from Rex's face. Quickly, the clone moved as the laser ended its path by hitting another wall.

Now, everyone stared at the Jedi.

"What devilry was that!?" Boromir exclaimed. "What weapon was that?"

"This is the Force, Captain," Anakin responded. "As Jedi, we use the Force to protect the galaxy and prevent people from having ill demises due to foolish mistakes."

Wait until Pippin hears about this.
Ahsoka noted.

"We will discuss that matter later," Gandalf interrupted. "We have more urgent things to attend to."

Rex sat down sheepishly, realizing his mistake.

Elrond went on. "Unless you want more demonstrations, it has been proven that the Ring won't be destroyed by our weapons. 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."

Not one sound was made from anyone in the Council.

"Don't all volunteer at once," Rex muttered.

Boromir glared at him. "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-watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly!"

"Thank you, Mr. Pessimistic," Ahsoka mocked. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. I think we are capable enough to do this."

"You are a foolish girl if you can sit there mocking true warriors," he spat.

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas asked, bewildered. "The Ring must be destroyed!"

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Gimli shot back.

"We are wasting time arguing amongst each other," Obi-Wan stated.

None would heed him…as usual.

"And if we fail, what then?" Boromir pressed. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Now, Anakin was angry. "You speak of true warriors, Boromir, but you are nothing more than a coward afraid to lose that Ring!"

"How dare you speak to me that way!?" he shouted.

"I will be dead for I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli proclaimed.

Immediately, what started out as a Council erupted into chaos. Naturally, the Elves and the Dwarfs shouted at each with Gimli yelling, "Never trust an Elf!" over the chaos. The Men with Boromir fought the Jedi since they insulted the famed Captain of Gondor, but Ahsoka and Anakin retaliated by calling them cowards and people only interested in power.

Gandalf tried to settle the arguments with, "Do you not understand? While you bicker amongst yourselves, Sauron's power grows! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!" before getting into a heated debate with Boromir. Only Aragorn, Obi-Wan, Rex, Frodo, and the High Elves sat in silence watching these adults bicker like children.

After a few minutes of heated discussions, Frodo finally stood up and yelled, "I will take it!"

Rex, hearing what Frodo said, stood up and fired several shots into the air, shutting them all up.

"I believe our young friend has something important to share," he said, nudging Frodo forward.

Nodding his thanks, Frodo continued. "I will take the Ring to Mordor."

Everyone stared at the Hobbit, many with pride and amazement, but some held back snickers. A look from Anakin hushed them.

"Though," the Hobbit said, "I do not know the way."

Gandalf, with a warm smile on his face, stepped towards him. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn followed. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." He knelt down. "You have sword."

Legolas was next. "And you have my bow."

"And my ax!" Gimli exclaimed with pride.

Surprisingly, Boromir joined in as well. "You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

"I am proud to join you as well, Frodo," Ahsoka said with a grin.

"I believe that this is why we are here," Obi-Wan added.

"I'm coming as well," Anakin said. "Suicidal missions have always been my specialty."

"Your suicide missions have been the reasons my hairs are starting to gray," Obi-Wan rebuked.

"Hey!" a voice exclaimed from the bushes.

It was Sam. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."

Elrond chuckled. "It is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."

"We're coming too!" another voice yelled.

Elrond whirled around in astonishment to find Merry and Pippin running up to Frodo. He looked around to see if more Hobbits were going to pop out of nowhere.

"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Merry warned.

"Anyway, you need people of intelligence of this sort of mission. Quest. Thing."

Gandalf gave Elrond a, "Are you kidding me?" look.

"Well, that rules you out, Pip," Merry teased.

"Thirteen companions," Elrond said, surprised. "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Great!" Pippin exclaimed. "Where are we going?"

And thus, it was so. Another chapter was ended henceforth as the thirteen members of this newly-formed Fellowship prepared for their journey. Uh, oh. I'm starting to talk like them! I hope nothing was out of character or context. I hope you like that thing between Anakin and Gandalf. Those two will get along great in this story much better than Palpatine could with him.

Tune in next time for: The Journey South!

Please, please, please, vote for the duel coming up in the next chapter. Please, please, please review.

Also, I dedicate this chapter to Above the Winter Moonlight's compelling story Here I Go Again. She nailed it on the head with the separation of attachments and love.