Ch 3 the fellowship of the ring

The sounds of twigs being snapped was heard, as the rest of the group ran towards Rivendell.

"We have contacts in front of us! Riders and horses!" Lin said, preparing her metal cables.

They were approached by several Elves, and the group sighed in relief. But what about Frodo?

"Don't worry. Your friend is in good hands." The lead Elf said, as if reading the thoughts of the travelers.

"And also, Gandalf has arrived at Rivendell." The Elf said.

"Gandalf? He's their?" Sam asked.

"Yes. Now we must hurry. Before the Nazgul regroup and find us."

Entering Rivendell, they were in awe of the beauty that the city gave. Buildings of strange designs interconnected with each other, and a large waterfall was seen in the background.

An old man appeared with a walking stick. Everyone except Lin knew who he was.

"Gandalf!" Sam said, running towards him.

"It's good to see you all." Gandalf said, as the Hobbits hugged him.

"It's good to see you again." Strider said, shaking Gandalf's hand.

"I trust the Hobbits didn't cause any trouble." Gandalf said.

"No trouble at all." Strider said.

"That's good. I don't blame you for Frodo's plight. No-one could have known about the Nazgul attacks." Gandalf said.

"Don't thank me. Thank her, Chief Beifong." Strider said.

Gandalf looked at Lin and walked towards her.

"Awe yes. The earth bender." Gandalf said.

This shocked Lin. Had news traveled that quickly?

"How do you know?" Lin asked.

"That's for another time. But now, rest for the time being." Gandalf said.

As everyone found extra rooms, Lin went to hers. It was well furnished, with a bed of nice sheets and several ornaments. Lin found a sword, and pulled it out of its sheath. The sword was well made, with a curved glade, and a long handle. Lin manipulated the sword with her metalbending, shortening the handle, and increasing the length of the blade itself.

Lin wondered how Gandalf knew she was a bender. There was no way news would have traveled that fast. Taking the armor off, she fell on the bed and slept, hoping for answers in the morning.

That morning, Lin woke up to knocking. Getting up, she opened the door and saw Gandalf.

"Morning, Beifong." Gandalf.

"Morning, Gandalf." Lin said, letting Gandalf walk in.

"I'm guessing you have questions." Gandalf said.

"Damn straight I do. How do you know I'm an earth bender?" Lin asked.

"Weeks ago, a man visited me. He was tall, bald, and had a blue arrow tattoo on his head and hands. He called himself…" Gandalf started.

"Avatar Aang." Lin said, sitting on a chair, hand on sword.

"Yes. You know him?" Gandalf asked.

"Old friend of mine." Lin said.

"I see. Anyway, he told me that you were coming to our lands. He told me that we should help you." Gandalf said.

"I understand. I was told that I should help destroy a ring. The ring that Frodo has. Is that the one that needs to be destroyed?" Lin asked.

"Yes." Gandalf said, tired all of a sudden.

"What's so important about this ring? Frodo disappeared wearing it. The Nazgul attacked him, trying to get the ring. What's so important?" Lin asked.

"I don't know the full story. But there is one man here, who can answer all your questions." Gandalf said.

Lin put on her armor, with a simple move of her arms, impressing Gandalf.

"What Aang told me is true. He said you can manipulate metal and earth with great skill." Gandalf said.

"I've been bending since I was a child." Lin said.

Gandalf led Lin to another part of the city, and to the head ruler, Elrond.

"Lord Elrond, here is the earth and metal bender, Lin Beifong." Gandalf said.

Elrond looked at Lin and walked to her.

"You couldn't have come at a better time. A great evil power is rising in the east." Elrond said.

"I've heard of Sauron, and faced the Nazgul. What's going on here?" Lin asked.

Elrond sat down, eyes closed in silence. He opened them and motioned for Lin and Gandalf to sit down.

"It started in the second age. Right now, is the third age. Many important rings were made. Seven were given to the dwarfs. 9 were given to men." Elrond started.

"The Nazgul. I've heard how they were created." Lin said.

"Yes. Anyway, the rings had great power. They were given the strength to govern each race. But all were deceived. Sauron created a most powerful ring, from the fire of mount doom. This ring controlled the other rings. And many either fell by the sword, or were corrupted to being his slaves." Elrond said, opening a map.

Lin looked over the map, and saw Mordor, Gondor, Rohan, the shire, and other lands, including Rivendell.

"Smart man. If he can turn these other lands controlled by man and dwarves into puppet states, he can turn them against those who would resist him. And taking over the world would be so much easier. With the additional forces, he can afford to take heavy losses. And the war would end real quickly for him." Lin said.

"Exactly. That would have been his plan, but the survivors resisted. An alliance of men and elves was formed, and on the slopes of mount doom, we fought for freedom of middle earth." Elrond said.

"We? You were their?" Lin asked.

"Yes. Elves are immortal. I'm thousands of years old, but I look like I'm in my 50's. In that battle, Sauron was defeated, and it should have ended." Elrond said.

"What happened?" Lin asked.

Flashback

Isildur had just killed Sauron, and captured his ring. He looked at the ring with astonishment and curiosity.

"Isildur, come with me!" Elrond said, approaching the man.

"I led Isildur into mount doom, where he could toss the ring into the lava and destroy it once and for all." Elrond said.

"Isildur, destroy it!" Elrond shouted.

Isildur looked at Elrond and smirked.

"No." Isildur said, and walked away.

"ISILDUR!" Elrond yelled.

Flashback ends

"It was because of Isildur that evil was allowed to endure." Elrond said.

"Hold on. Why didn't you kill Isildur? You must have been at arm's reach to strike him down." Lin said.

"Only Sauron can properly wield the ring, since he made it. The ring corrupts any who wields it. It can drive one mad. Even if you lust after ring, and want to use it for some purpose, you will be consumed and destroyed. Had I killed Isildur and even resisted the ring's power and destroyed it, I would have been corrupted. For all I know, I could have used the Elvish military to take over the land of Morder, and even middle earth." Elrond said.

Lin scoffed at Elrond's speech and stood up.

"That's something you'll have to think about. Now, we're at war with a superpower. You might as well martial your forces and prepare for war." Lin said.

"I'm holding a meeting for that purpose. You'll know more later." Elrond said.

As Gandalf left to talk to Frodo, Lin had one more question.

"Elrond, if Sauron is dead, then what's going on? Sounds like a power struggle to me." Lin said.

"Sauron's body is dead. But his spirit still lives. It is attached to the ring." Elrond said.

"Destroy the ring, and destroy Elrond. No wonder those Nazgul were after us. If they captured the ring, they could bring Sauron back to life, and take control of the world." Lin said.

"I'm not sure about Sauron being brought back to life, but yes. If the enemy get the ring back, it will spell disaster for middle earth." Elrond said.

"Okay. Now I understand everything." Lin said.

She left Elrond's room and went to check on Frodo. She entered the room and found Gandalf and the other hobbits.

"Glad to see you're still alive." Lin said, approaching the group.

"Thank you. Thanks you for saving Mr. Frodo." Sam said.

"Your welcome. Now I know what's so important about this ring." Lin said.

Hours later, Elrond and Gandalf talked about the situation.

"Gandalf, the ring cannot stay in Rivendell. Sauron's eye is fixed upon us. His forces are moving. And Saruman has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin." Elrond said.

"Yes. It's deeper then you know. He's making an army that is resilient to sunlight, and can cross distances in great speed. Saruman is coming for the ring." Gandalf said.

"We can't defend against such a power." Elrond warned.

"Our allies are growing thin, and we may not have the strength to tackle both Sauron and Saruman, but we have a trick up our sleeves. The earth bender." Gandalf said.

"She's only one person. While she is strong and skilled, she's only human." Elrond said.

"She tackled the Nazgul. Threw one in the river, and threw two off the fortress of Ramon Su. While she almost died in the fight, I have reason to believe that she's a fast learner, and has a few tricks up her sleeves. With time, she can be a powerful ally." Gandalf said.

"I'm sorry, Gandalf. The ring can't stay here." Elrond said.

Gandalf looked out a window and saw a gathering. A man, an elf, and some dwarves came to Rivendell. Like the Hobbits and Lin, they marveled at the city.

"Middle earth now belongs to those still in it. The time of the elves is over. My people are leaving. Who will you look to when my people are gone? The Dwarves care not for the troubles of others. Hobbits are too few to be of any strategic or military value." Elrond said.

"It is men we must place our hope in." Gandalf said.

"Men are weak. I was there when I saw the strength of men fail. Thanks to Isildur, evil is now thriving. The once strong race of men are now weak. Scattered, and leaderless." Elrond said.

"There is one who can unite them and reclaim the throne of Gondor." Gandalf said.

Elrond shook his head.

"He's chosen exile. It's now a pipe dream, Gandalf."

Nighttime had fallen, and Strider was on the terrace, inside a room reading a book. Footsteps were heard, and Strider stood up.

"You're not elf." The man said.

"The men of the south of welcome here." Strider said.

"Who are you?" the man asked.

"A friend of Gandalf. Nothing more." Strider said.

The man walked to a table and picked up the broken sword by the hilt.

"The sword that cut Sauron." The man said, and ran a finger up the broken edge, drawing blood.

"Still sharp." He said, amazed.

"But nothing more than a broken blade." He said with disdain, tossing the blade aside. Strider picked up the sword and put it back at its rightful place.

"So that's the sword." Lin said, entering the room.

Lin approached the broken sword and held a hand over it. She was tempted to metalbend the sword together, but withdrew her hand.

"You can make metal and earth follow your command. Why hesitate?" Strider asked.

"It feels… sacrileges to try and mess with the sword. Besides, I have an elven sword with me. And I can tell that their metal work is the best. I don't know who or what made this sword, but I'm betting the elves can forge the sword to be superior then what I can do." Lin said.

"You're right on that. What sword do you have?" Strider asked.

Lin brandished her modified sword.

"I've worked on it." Lin said.

"I can tell." Strider said, wielding the sword, then giving it back to Lin. He watched the metal bender leave the room and into the night.

The next day, everyone gathered in a semi-circle around a stone pedestal.

"Everyone, you have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. No-one can escape this threat. You will unit, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this one fate, this one doom. Frodo, bring forth the ring." Elrond said.

Frodo stood up and put the ring on the pedestal. Everyone watched the ring with great interest and wonder.

"So this is the ring." The man said.

He rose up and continued talking.

"I saw a dream, that Isildur's bane is found."

"Isildur's bane…" he said, his hand hovering over the ring.

"Boromir!" Elrond shouted, getting up from his seat.

Boromir looked at Elrond, and his eyes caught Lin, standing up with her right arm aimed at him. Her left hand was on her upper arm, her dagger extending from the right arm gauntlet.

Lin's face was etched in fury. She now knew this ring was dangerous, to what extend she still didn't know, but what she heard convinced her that it needed to be destroyed. And for Boromir to do something so foolish…

Gandalf stood and spoke in dark speech. When he was done, everyone sat in their seats, paralyzed by fear.

"Elrond, the black speech may be heard in all corners of the earth. Get used it. The ring is evil." Gandalf said.

Boromir countered Gandalf.

"This is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor." Boromir said.

"Are you fucking serious?" Lin muttered.

"Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the 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 them!" Boromir said.

"You can't use it! No-one can. I answers to Sauron, and Sauron alone." Strider said.

"And what would a ranger know of this?" Boromir asked.

"This is no ranger! This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." An elf said, standing up.

"Aragorn… This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir asked, almost in disbelief.

"And the heir to the throne of Gondor.

"Legolas, sit down." Aragorn said.

"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." Boromir said, sitting down as well.

Lin thought the guy was an ass. Elrond just said that the world was now deep in shit. And this is what Boromir does?

"Aragon is right. No-one can use it." Gandalf said.

"It must be destroyed." Elrond said.

A dwarf stood up and brandished an ax.

"What the hell are we waiting for?" he asked, then swung his ax at the ring, striking with full force. What happened surprised all but Elrond. The ax was split into 4 distinct pieces, and the dwarf was knocked on his back.

"Holy shit." Lin said, wondering just how strong the ring was.

"The ring cannot be destroyed by any known weapon or craft we possess Gimli, son of Gloin. It must be cast from whence it came. It must be taken into Mordor and cast into the fires of mount doom. One of you must do this." Elrond said.

At once, silence occurred. No-one spoke or volunteered for the suicide mission. Boromir voiced everyone's fears.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor. The great eye is watching everything square inch of his land. The black gate is guarded by more than just orcs. The air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Even with 10,000 men you could not do this. It is folly!" Boromir said.

"Have you heard nothing Elrond has said? It must be destroyed!" Legolas said.

"And I suppose you're the one to do it then?" Gimli shouted, glaring at the elf.

"And if we fail?! What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!" Boromir asked, standing up as well.

"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli shouted.

As everyone yelled and argued amongst themselves, Lin had enough. Moving into a stance, she bended the earth and pinned everyone (except the hobbits) in their own earth prisons. She then extended the prisons into the sky well above the city. After 10 seconds, she brought the pillars down and watched the dazed and terrified faces of those she tortured.

"Really? This is what it's come to?" Lin asked, brandishing her arm knives.

"Your enemy is growing, and all you can do is bicker. It's time all of you mobilize your people's forces and show strength and unity against Mordor and Sauron." Lin said.

"I told you. It's impossible!" Boromir cried.

Lin fired a cable and wrapped it around Boromir's throat. She held him above the ground, tightening the nose.

"I should kill you right now. That defeatist idea will bring Gondor and other people to their deaths." Lin said.

"I'll take the ring to Mordor." Frodo announced, walking next to Lin. Lin and everyone looked at Frodo, shocked.

"Though, I do not know the way." Fordo admitted.

Lin had to admire Frodo. He almost died because of the ring, and yet was willing to go into Hell's own cesspool to get the job done.

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins. As long as it's yours to bear." Gandalf said.

"You have my sword." Aragon said, approaching Frodo.

"And my bow." Legolas said.

"And my ax." Gimli said.

Lin looked at Frodo, and knew he was afraid. Facing him she said one word.

"Kneel. Everyone who chooses to accompany Frodo to Mordor, Kneel!" Lin said.

Little did Lin know, Sam, Pippen, and Merry were within eyesight of the meeting. Hearing her command, they kneeled as well, deciding to accompany Frodo.

"Be without fear in the face of your enemies. Whatever deity you worship, be brave and upright, so they may love thee. Speak the truth, even if you die because of said speech. Safeguard the helpless. That is your oath." Lin said, then slapped Frodo.

"And that is so you remember your oath. Rise!" Lin said.

Everyone rose, invigorated by the speech.

"You have my bending skills. I'll be with you every step of the way." Lin said.

"You hold the fate of us all little one. If the council wills it, Gondor will see it done." Boromir said.

"Mr. Frodo isn't going anywhere without me!" Sam said, breaking thru a bush and joining the group.

"No. It is impossible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret meeting, and you are not." Elrond said, amused.

"We're coming too!" Merry shouted, as he and Merry broke from cover and joined the group.

"You'll need people of intelligence on this sort of mission… quest… thing." Pippen said.

Frodo had a WTF look on his face, which greatly amused Lin. She covered her mouth to avoid laughing.

"Well that rules you out, Pippen." Merry retorted.

"10 companions. Very well. You shall be known as the fellowship of the ring." Elrond said, looking at the 10 assembled at the destroyed area.

"Great. Where are we going?" Pippen asked.