Chapter 3
The night crept slowly by and it was well past midnight when the travelers finally reached the summit of the Misty Mountains. There, they set a fire and camped. Link sat alone for a time, Epona fast asleep next to him. The elves kept their distance from Link and kept tossing him nervous glances. Legolas walked over to him after a while and sat beside him.
"So it is obvious you are indeed a skilled warrior," Legolas said as he sat.
"And you as well," Link replied as he broke a stick on his knee and tossed it into the fire.
"Where did you learn such magic?" Legolas asked as he remembered the cold that grazed his face when Link's arrow passed him.
"I've learned many things through my travels," Link said. "Most of which will be needed if I finish my battle with Ganondorf."
"When," Legolas corrected.
"When I finish my battle with Ganondorf." Link said.
"Is an arrow of ice your only magic?" Legolas asked, intrigued by these magical arrows.
"No. There are also those of fire and magic," Link answered as he tossed another stick in the fire. Legolas wasn't too impressed by a Fire Arrow, because those were easy enough to make without magic. But Light had him interested.
"And what does a light arrow do?" he asked.
"All creatures of evil cannot stand its power. It is the power of good in its pureist form. When it hits its target, it consumes them completely. The enemies nearby flee in fear," Link said. Legolas was silent for a time, thinking about how such power would be useful.
"Is there anything else?" Legolas asked as he leaned forward.
"Of course. All of which will be revealed in due time," Link said as he leaned back on Epona for support. He watched as the flames licked the cool early morning breeze. "How far ahead is Rivendell?" Link asked after a minute of silence.
"Fifty miles or so," Legolas answered. "We should be there fairly early tomorrow if we leave before sunrise."
"Then I better get some rest. Your elvish drink may be a temporary cure for weariness, but I suddenly feel the urge to sleep," Link said as he closed his eyes and folded his arms.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
It was still dark when Link woke. Legolas was kneeling before him with an extended hand, offering to help him to his feet. Link adjusted his tunic when he rose and looked around. The others were already awake and saddled, each of them with the same nervous look as the night before. Link's magic had caught them off guard, and they were finding it hard to be comfortable around him. Legolas, however, seemed unphased.
"Time to go," Legolas said. Link walked over to Epona and stroked her mane gently. She whinied gently and bobbed her head as she did the day before when the affects of Ganondorf's spell had worn of. Link mounted his steed and filed in behind the elves silently as they descended on the opposite side that they climbed.
That's when Link saw it for the first time. Miles below, Link saw the dim lights in Rivendell. It was still early morning, yet it seemed that almost everyone was already awake. And so it was. Elrond and the people of Rivendell were awake preparing for the council that would take place that morning, and people were arriving periodically.
Again, Legolas and Link rode side by side. They were quickly becoming good friends, each very interested in what the other had to say. On top of that, they admired the others' ability in battle. And to Link, it was good to be accepted so quickly in this strange new world called Middle-earth.
"There dwells Elrond, master of Rivendell, father of Elladan, Elroir, and Arwen Evanstar," Legolas said as he looked down upon the city. After an hour of walking, the sky began to turn a dull pink, marking dawn. The travelers couldn't see the son, as it was on the other side of the Misty Mountains, but to Link, morning was a welcome thing. He longed to see the trees below him clearer.
The travels continued on in silence for some time, the city drawing nearer by the second. Link's thoughts again traveled back to Hyrule, and to Zelda. He rummaged around in his saddle bag in front of him and found the Ocarina of Time. He let go of the reins, comfortable that Epona would stay the course and not go astray. Slowly, Link lifted the Ocarina up to his mouth and began to play Zelda's Lullaby.
The notes echoed off of the mountains around them and resounded in each of their ears. Each of the elves' hearts were lifted by the melody, and some of their trust for Link seemed to return. Legolas watched on as Link played, eyes closed and focused on the song. He suddenly stopped when his hand began to burn. Quickly, he looked at the back of his hand and saw the Triforce of Power turn bright red. Ganondorf's reign in Hyrule had begun.
"That was beautiful," Legolas said. "Why do you stop?" Link rubbed the back of his hand against his brow in frustration. There was nothing he could do to help the Hylians.
"Ganondorf has claimed the throne in Hyrule Castle," Link said slowly. "There will be much suffering amongst my people." The rest of the journey was silent, and by the time the travelers arrived in Rivendell, the sun was high and the Council of Elrond was just beginning.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
There was much information exchanged at the meeting. Link was rather confused by it all and soon found himself lost in all of the information. He sat separated from a large circle, Epona at his side. He noticed that Elrond looked neither old nor young, but his eyes showed the signs of his vast knowledge.
As the meeting came to a close, a small voice shouted: "I will take the ring!" Link looked around for the voice's owner and saw a short creature, almost like a child, standing. "Though I do not know the way."
Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him. "If I understand aright all that I have heard," he said, "I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will."
'No pressure,' Link thought to himself sarcastically as Elrond paused.
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have forseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, then your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Hurin, and Turin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them," Elrond finished.
"I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear," said an old man with a staff, who had been addressed as Gandalf earlier in the meeting.
"If by life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword," said Aragorn, who had also been named.
"And my bow!" Legolas said.
"And my Ax!" Shouted a red-haired dwarf. Link made eye contact with Legolas and saw a slight nod.
"And my... Well... Everything," Link said. Everyone turned their attention to him.
"Who are you?" The red haired dwarf asked bluntly.
"I am a traveler from a distant land, here to seek the counsel of Elrond," Link answered.
"And counsel will be given in due time, traveler," Elrond said.
"Well Frodo's not leaving without us!" shouted a voice from the bushes. Suddenly, three more creatures, who Link gathered to be Shire-folk, emerged from their hiding places and stood next to the other. Gandalf rolled his eyes when he saw Peregrin Took, a particularly mischevious Hobbit who managed to make a mess of everything.
"Very well," Elrond said after looking at their determined faces. "Two men; Aragorn son of Arathorn, and Boromir of Gondor. Two Elves; Legolas of Mirkwood and--" Elrond paused and looked at Link.
"Link of Hyrule," he said. Everyone looked at him again after hearing of such a foreign place.
"A dwarf; Gimli, son of Gloin. A Wizard; Gandalf the Grey. And most importantly... Four little hobbits; Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, and Meriadoc Brandybuck. Ten creatures from this hour henceforth known as the Fellowship of The Ring," Elrond said, looking at the volunteers. And with that, the meeting was ended.
Everyone began to clear out and make preparations for the journey, some confident, some apprehensive. Link stayed put. He saw Legolas walk over to Elrond, then lead him over.
"Link, is it?" Elrond asked as he approached. Link nodded. "Legolas has already told me your story, and I'm sorry to say I have no advice to offer. Never in my long years have I heard of such a place as Hyrule," he said. Link's head lowered and he looked at the blades of grass swaying in the cool morning breeze. "Go with the Fellowship," Elrond continued. "Their path will take them through Lorien, where Lady Galadriel may be of better service than I have."
"Thank you," Link said with a bow. Elrond returned the bow and departed, off to speak with Gandalf and Aragorn.
"I guess our journey together continues," Legolas said with a smile. Link nodded as he ran his fingers through Epona's mane. He was worried. Each day he was in Middle-earth was a day of suffering for all of Hyrule. Hopefully the Galadriel would be his way home.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
A/N: I took some excerpts from The FoTR Book for the Council of Elrond. (-- Disclaimer)
R&R please! Chapter 4 coming soon.
The night crept slowly by and it was well past midnight when the travelers finally reached the summit of the Misty Mountains. There, they set a fire and camped. Link sat alone for a time, Epona fast asleep next to him. The elves kept their distance from Link and kept tossing him nervous glances. Legolas walked over to him after a while and sat beside him.
"So it is obvious you are indeed a skilled warrior," Legolas said as he sat.
"And you as well," Link replied as he broke a stick on his knee and tossed it into the fire.
"Where did you learn such magic?" Legolas asked as he remembered the cold that grazed his face when Link's arrow passed him.
"I've learned many things through my travels," Link said. "Most of which will be needed if I finish my battle with Ganondorf."
"When," Legolas corrected.
"When I finish my battle with Ganondorf." Link said.
"Is an arrow of ice your only magic?" Legolas asked, intrigued by these magical arrows.
"No. There are also those of fire and magic," Link answered as he tossed another stick in the fire. Legolas wasn't too impressed by a Fire Arrow, because those were easy enough to make without magic. But Light had him interested.
"And what does a light arrow do?" he asked.
"All creatures of evil cannot stand its power. It is the power of good in its pureist form. When it hits its target, it consumes them completely. The enemies nearby flee in fear," Link said. Legolas was silent for a time, thinking about how such power would be useful.
"Is there anything else?" Legolas asked as he leaned forward.
"Of course. All of which will be revealed in due time," Link said as he leaned back on Epona for support. He watched as the flames licked the cool early morning breeze. "How far ahead is Rivendell?" Link asked after a minute of silence.
"Fifty miles or so," Legolas answered. "We should be there fairly early tomorrow if we leave before sunrise."
"Then I better get some rest. Your elvish drink may be a temporary cure for weariness, but I suddenly feel the urge to sleep," Link said as he closed his eyes and folded his arms.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
It was still dark when Link woke. Legolas was kneeling before him with an extended hand, offering to help him to his feet. Link adjusted his tunic when he rose and looked around. The others were already awake and saddled, each of them with the same nervous look as the night before. Link's magic had caught them off guard, and they were finding it hard to be comfortable around him. Legolas, however, seemed unphased.
"Time to go," Legolas said. Link walked over to Epona and stroked her mane gently. She whinied gently and bobbed her head as she did the day before when the affects of Ganondorf's spell had worn of. Link mounted his steed and filed in behind the elves silently as they descended on the opposite side that they climbed.
That's when Link saw it for the first time. Miles below, Link saw the dim lights in Rivendell. It was still early morning, yet it seemed that almost everyone was already awake. And so it was. Elrond and the people of Rivendell were awake preparing for the council that would take place that morning, and people were arriving periodically.
Again, Legolas and Link rode side by side. They were quickly becoming good friends, each very interested in what the other had to say. On top of that, they admired the others' ability in battle. And to Link, it was good to be accepted so quickly in this strange new world called Middle-earth.
"There dwells Elrond, master of Rivendell, father of Elladan, Elroir, and Arwen Evanstar," Legolas said as he looked down upon the city. After an hour of walking, the sky began to turn a dull pink, marking dawn. The travelers couldn't see the son, as it was on the other side of the Misty Mountains, but to Link, morning was a welcome thing. He longed to see the trees below him clearer.
The travels continued on in silence for some time, the city drawing nearer by the second. Link's thoughts again traveled back to Hyrule, and to Zelda. He rummaged around in his saddle bag in front of him and found the Ocarina of Time. He let go of the reins, comfortable that Epona would stay the course and not go astray. Slowly, Link lifted the Ocarina up to his mouth and began to play Zelda's Lullaby.
The notes echoed off of the mountains around them and resounded in each of their ears. Each of the elves' hearts were lifted by the melody, and some of their trust for Link seemed to return. Legolas watched on as Link played, eyes closed and focused on the song. He suddenly stopped when his hand began to burn. Quickly, he looked at the back of his hand and saw the Triforce of Power turn bright red. Ganondorf's reign in Hyrule had begun.
"That was beautiful," Legolas said. "Why do you stop?" Link rubbed the back of his hand against his brow in frustration. There was nothing he could do to help the Hylians.
"Ganondorf has claimed the throne in Hyrule Castle," Link said slowly. "There will be much suffering amongst my people." The rest of the journey was silent, and by the time the travelers arrived in Rivendell, the sun was high and the Council of Elrond was just beginning.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
There was much information exchanged at the meeting. Link was rather confused by it all and soon found himself lost in all of the information. He sat separated from a large circle, Epona at his side. He noticed that Elrond looked neither old nor young, but his eyes showed the signs of his vast knowledge.
As the meeting came to a close, a small voice shouted: "I will take the ring!" Link looked around for the voice's owner and saw a short creature, almost like a child, standing. "Though I do not know the way."
Elrond raised his eyes and looked at him. "If I understand aright all that I have heard," he said, "I think that this task is appointed for you, Frodo; and that if you do not find a way, no one will."
'No pressure,' Link thought to himself sarcastically as Elrond paused.
"This is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have forseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck? But it is a heavy burden. So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if you take it freely, then your choice is right; and though all the mighty elf-friends of old, Hador, and Hurin, and Turin, and Beren himself were assembled together, your seat should be among them," Elrond finished.
"I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear," said an old man with a staff, who had been addressed as Gandalf earlier in the meeting.
"If by life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword," said Aragorn, who had also been named.
"And my bow!" Legolas said.
"And my Ax!" Shouted a red-haired dwarf. Link made eye contact with Legolas and saw a slight nod.
"And my... Well... Everything," Link said. Everyone turned their attention to him.
"Who are you?" The red haired dwarf asked bluntly.
"I am a traveler from a distant land, here to seek the counsel of Elrond," Link answered.
"And counsel will be given in due time, traveler," Elrond said.
"Well Frodo's not leaving without us!" shouted a voice from the bushes. Suddenly, three more creatures, who Link gathered to be Shire-folk, emerged from their hiding places and stood next to the other. Gandalf rolled his eyes when he saw Peregrin Took, a particularly mischevious Hobbit who managed to make a mess of everything.
"Very well," Elrond said after looking at their determined faces. "Two men; Aragorn son of Arathorn, and Boromir of Gondor. Two Elves; Legolas of Mirkwood and--" Elrond paused and looked at Link.
"Link of Hyrule," he said. Everyone looked at him again after hearing of such a foreign place.
"A dwarf; Gimli, son of Gloin. A Wizard; Gandalf the Grey. And most importantly... Four little hobbits; Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, and Meriadoc Brandybuck. Ten creatures from this hour henceforth known as the Fellowship of The Ring," Elrond said, looking at the volunteers. And with that, the meeting was ended.
Everyone began to clear out and make preparations for the journey, some confident, some apprehensive. Link stayed put. He saw Legolas walk over to Elrond, then lead him over.
"Link, is it?" Elrond asked as he approached. Link nodded. "Legolas has already told me your story, and I'm sorry to say I have no advice to offer. Never in my long years have I heard of such a place as Hyrule," he said. Link's head lowered and he looked at the blades of grass swaying in the cool morning breeze. "Go with the Fellowship," Elrond continued. "Their path will take them through Lorien, where Lady Galadriel may be of better service than I have."
"Thank you," Link said with a bow. Elrond returned the bow and departed, off to speak with Gandalf and Aragorn.
"I guess our journey together continues," Legolas said with a smile. Link nodded as he ran his fingers through Epona's mane. He was worried. Each day he was in Middle-earth was a day of suffering for all of Hyrule. Hopefully the Galadriel would be his way home.
ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo ooo
A/N: I took some excerpts from The FoTR Book for the Council of Elrond. (-- Disclaimer)
R&R please! Chapter 4 coming soon.
