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"Strangers from distant lands; friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor." Elrond of the Elves addressed the gathered people in front of him. "Middle-Earth stands on 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," he spoke, keeping in mind the adversity between Elves and Dwarves who, even though this was a meeting of allies, seemed to have an air of hostility among them. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo," Elrond instructed and looked at the young Hobbit.

Frodo stood up and slowly walked over to the stone pedestal in the middle of the circle. He placed the Ring on it and his shoulders sagged as though a great burden fell off of them. Returning to his seat, Frodo glanced at Gandalf who gifted Frodo with a gaze full of approval and understanding, and silence reigned over the gathered Council for a few long moments as everyone beheld the simple band of gold resting on the stone pedestal.

"This is a gift." Everyone looked at the Man that spoke and Boromir of Gondor stood to address the Council. "A gift to the enemies of Mordor!"

"Boromir..."

"Before you continue with that course of thought, I suggest you take a seat and rethink it."

Everyone turned to look at the cloaked stranger that appeared in the entrance to the Hall of the Council.

"Who might you be?" Elrond asked and the stranger walked in. As he approached the circle he lowered his hood and everyone gasped in shock.

It was a young man that had joined them.

At least that had been their first impression.

When they had looked closely upon him they could see an endless wisdom and knowledge in eyes that belied his young appearance. Raven black, waist long hair danced around a lithe frame. He carried a staff with a green gem at the top and was dressed in dark green robes. Oval face, pale and fair, and high cheekbones accented slanted eyes of the purest emerald any of them had ever seen. He walked with an awareness of a predator and radiated power in a way that made everyone quite apprehensive.

"Ruthímiel! Radagast told me you disappeared 10 years ago!"

The man now identified as Ruthímiel smiled and approached Gandalf. The Gray Istar stood up and to everyone's surprise enveloped the younger man into a warm hug.

"I was doing what I had promised to do all those years ago, Master Gandalf," Ruthímiel spoke in a tone very different to the one he had addressed Boromir with, sounding exceptionally happy to have found Gandalf in good health. "I have kept everything under close watch. When I had heard that Master Elrond summoned this Council I had known that it was my time to come out," Ruth said and Gandalf nodded, patting the younger man's cheek with a gentle hand and gazing upon Ruth with grandfatherly love showing in gray eyes.

"Gandalf?" both turned to look at Elrond. "I believe introductions are in order."

"Forgive me, Master Elrond. That was quite rude of me," Ruth said and bowed at Elrond in respect. "I am Ruthímiel the Green. I know I wasn't invited to this Council, but I have information of great importance."

"Your name sounds familiar," Frodo spoke and Ruth looked at him, viridian depths narrowing slightly, and dusty pink lips parting in a small, thoughtful pout.

"You must be Frodo Baggins." Ruth smiled tenderly and Frodo blushed furiously as those unearthly eyes gazed at him. "Bilbo Baggins and I were never formally introduced, but I have some knowledge of you. I was the one that distracted the group of Wargs while the Fellowship of Thorin, led by Gandalf, made an escape at the start of their journey."

Frodo's eyes widened as he remembered the stories told to him by his Uncle a long time ago. "Bilbo told me about you!" he cried out. "He has often wondered about your fate. He had said that you've met only once and very shortly, but that you've left a big impression on him."

Ruth nodded at Frodo and looked at Elrond again. "Ever since then I have traveled Middle-Earth," Ruth spoke gravely, emerald orbs darkening with shadows of his findings. "I have no good news to tell you, but at least you shall know what to expect."

Elrond nodded, exchanged a glance with Gandalf and took a seat. "Well then, young Ruthímiel, what news do you have for us?"

"Like I have said, I had spent the past years in the shadows, listening to every whisper, observing every dark omen I came upon and the situation is nowhere near good," Ruth spoke and faced the council, that soul-searing gaze meeting the eyes of the confused Council members. "While Gondor has been busy winning back their territory from Orcs and Pirates, Sauron has built his armies in the darkness of Mordor. Saruman created a new sort of Orcs; the Uruk-Hai. They are stronger, faster, smarter, better than normal Orcs. Hidden behind the walls of Orthanc and Minas Morgul are thousands, if not millions of them. Their numbers increase with each passing day."

Murmurs of wariness spread through the Council while Ruth pointed a glance at Gandalf who nodded minutely, eyebrows narrowed in a frown as his suspicions were yet again confirmed.

Ruth took a deep breath and turned to Elrond, conveying worry in wariness with those expressive eyes alone. "Sauron sent out the Nine to look for the One Ring. It's calling to its Master. I can hear its poisonous whisper even now." He turned and looked at the Ring and his grip on the intricately carved staff growing stronger, a shiver shaking the young Istar's slight frame at the sight of the damned creation. "Even though he has no body, Sauron has managed to grow stronger again," he continued and looked away from the Ring. "He needs only this Ring to return to full power. I am afraid that he would come back much stronger than he has been before. Vengeance guides him. He desires nothing less than to bring Middle-Earth to its knees." Ruth turned around and looked at Boromir who was glaring at the Istar from his seat. "That is why I stopped you from speaking any more foolishness. This thing is no gift. It is a curse that must be destroyed."

Silence settled over the Council.

"Well..." Gimli, son of Gloin spoke and took his axe. "What are we waiting for?" He stood up, swung his axe and a wave of cold air passed over the Council.

"Ner!"(No)

In the next moment Gimli's axe met Ruth's staff and the Ring practically sang, sending a dark feeling through everyone's hearts.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess," Elrond spoke quickly, appearing breathless and shaken, fair features pale, and Gimli looked at Ruth, their weapons still crossed. "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade."

Gimli grunted and pulled back. Ruth straightened and bowed his head at Gimli in respect. The Dwarf was slightly taken aback by that, but never the less he returned the gesture. "How do we destroy it?" he asked.

"It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came," Ruth spoke and looked at Elrond. "Otherwise its darkness will only spread."

"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir bit out, drawing everyone's attention to himself. "Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep," his voice wavered, eyes shadowed with fear. "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 ten-thousand men could you do this. It is folly..."

"And yet I had spent years watching and observing the doings of Sauron," Ruth interrupted him and found himself target of Boromir's furious glare.

"You are an Istar…"

"And human just as much as you are, I assure you," Ruth spoke sharply, straightening to his full, although quite unimpressive height, but in some ways he appeared to be bigger than many of those gathered there. "Your father's influence and your fear are clouding your judgment, Son of Gondor."

"Are you calling me a coward?!" Boromir shouted and stood up. He towered over Ruth by a few inches but the young Istar only gazed at him, not even raising his staff in defense.

"Boromir, calm down," Aragorn spoke up and the two looked at him. "Master Ruthímiel is right. The Ring cannot be wielded by none other than Sauron. It has no other Master."

"And what would a mere ranger know of this matter?!" Boromir snapped.

"That is no mere ranger." Legolas stood up and Boromir turned to the Elf. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Boromir turned to Aragorn who sighed and shook his head. "Havo dad, Legolas."(Sit down) Aragorn spoke tiredly, a disdainful snort making the heir of Isildur look at the Son of Gondor.

"This is Aragorn?" Boromir asked with hardly concealed irony. "This is Isildur's heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor, if I am not mistaken," Ruth murmured dryly, both hands wrapped around the staff just under the green gem as the Istar leaned on it in an almost careless way, and Boromir looked at Ruth defiantly.

"Gondor has no king," he spat out and glared at Aragorn. "Gondor needs no king," with that Boromir returned to his seat and continued to sit there in silence.

"Be that as it may," Gandalf spoke tiredly, "the Ring must be destroyed."

Heavy silence settled over the Council and Boromir addressed Ruth again with a sneer marring otherwise handsome features. "You have bragged about being able to survive in Mordor. Why do you not take the Ring and carry it there to destroy it?"

To everyone's surprised Ruth looked at Boromir calmly, left arm falling to his side as he looked at the Ring, eyes darkening with shadows of memories. "If I were to take the Ring into my hands, nothing good would come of it. The darkness in my heart is too great for me to be able to resist the Ring's call. I have spent centuries alone in darkness. I lost many whom I loved and I have yet to find a place to call Home. Although my desires may seem pure they can easily be twisted. I would not take the Ring into my hands even if I was the only one available to do it."

"I do believe that all of us are threatened by that," Gandalf said and Ruth smiled at him sadly.

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" One of the Elves stood up. "The Ring must be destroyed!"

"And I suppose you believe you're the one to do it!" snapped one of the Dwarves and all of a sudden a great argument broke between the Council members.

Ruth took a step back and he gazed upon Frodo. Their eyes met and Ruth was almost overtaken by the Hobbit's sorrow. 'Fear not, young Frodo.'

The Hobbit's eyes widened and Ruth smiled reassuringly at the little creature, seeing Frodo's heart and innocent desire to protect that which he cherishes most.

'Your Uncle Bilbo passed through the same turmoil, I am sure. One only needs courage to do wonders.'

Frodo's back straightened and he stood up. "I will take it!"

All of a sudden all argument stopped.

"I will take the Ring to Mordor," Frodo said, glancing at Gandalf before turning to Ruth, "although I do not know the way."

Ruth's lips tilted into a small, sad smile and the youngest Istar took a step forward. Ruth crouched in front of Frodo and placed his right hand over his heart. "And I will place my life on the line if it will mean your safe return."

Frodo smiled weakly at Ruth's words, and Ruth stood up to take a look around. He took his place behind Frodo and placed his left hand on the Hobbit's shoulder with his staff held in his right hand.

Aragorn took a deep breath and stepped forward bravely. "If by my life or death I can protect you, then so be it," he said and kneeled in front of Frodo. "You have my sword." He took his place to Ruth's right and smiled when Legolas stepped forward to the shock of his Elven companions.

"And my bow," Legolas said and stood beside Aragorn.

"And my axe." Gimli grinned and walked to stand to Frodo's left. Gandalf walked over to them and Frodo looked up at him with a small smile.

"You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council then Gondor shall see it done," Boromir said and walked over to stand beside Aragorn.

Elrond nodded his head and straightened his stance. "Very well..."

"Master Elrond," Ruth interrupted him, "I believe there are others who wish to join."

In that moment Merry, Pippin and Sam stepped out of their hiding places with sheepish grins. Gandalf sighed and Aragorn laughed quietly, shaking his head in bemusement.

"You would have to send us back to Shire in sacks to stop us from following Frodo," Merry said.

"Mr. Frodo isn't going anywhere without me." Sam added and Pippin grinned.

"Besides, you need men of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thingy."

Everyone laughed while Merry looked at Pippin with a smirk. "That rules you out, Pip," he teased and Pippin glared at his best friend.

"10 companions," Elrond murmured and nodded. "Very well. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." Ruth smiled at Gandalf who nodded, looking quite pleased with the turn of events.

"Great!" Pippin cheered with a grin. "Where are we going?"

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"Master Ruthímiel, may I speak with you?"

Ruth turned around and looked at Aragorn. The Heir of Isildur looked troubled and Ruth tilted his head to the side a bit as he observed Aragorn's hunched form. "Of course." He patted Orion one last time and took a seat on a small bench before he showed Aragorn to join him. "What is it you wish to speak to me about?"

Aragorn took a seat beside Ruth and fisted his hands on his knees. "You have said that you had traveled ever since the evil appeared and Bilbo found the Ring." Aragorn raised his head to look at Ruth with imploring gray eyes. "You have also said that you had spent almost 60 years in Mordor..."

"I haven't spent 60 years in Mordor," Ruth corrected Aragorn. "I have spent the last 10 years there. Before that I have traveled all over Middle Earth in search for knowledge. Several times I had even went to Dol Guldúr while I was investigating the Nazgúl. During my time in Mordor I had tried to sneak into Minas Morgul and Barad-dur to try and see what our Enemy is planning. Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful. I have also spent some time in Minas Tirith…"

"What has become of the White City?" Aragorn whispered, pain filling gray eyes. "What has become of my people?" he pressed out and Ruth frowned in wonder.

"You deny your heritage," Ruth spoke and the Istar's scrutinizing gaze made Aragorn turn his head away from him. "You deny your crown, you fear the weakness of your ancestor and yet here you are, asking me about your people." Aragorn looked up when Ruth placed his elegant, warm hand on Aragorn's.

The moment Aragorn had looked deep in Ruthímiel's eyes, he had felt as though he stood bare in front of the Green Istar. He had felt as though his every thought and wish, every fear and desire was revealed to the emerald-eyed wizard.

"You would make a good King, Aragorn," Ruth whispered, looking deeply in Aragorn's silvery gaze, and the Dúnedain swallowed difficultly, eyes slipping closed and hands fisting in black leggings. Aragorn let go of a wavering breath when Ruth spoke, the Istar's voice sounding deeper and stronger than before. "Mah várta sic ánsupha húram poe líthane am, hith sic nuth ánsuphath nith poe cam. Poe ăhurae mans Anáspha."

Aragorn frowned. "What was that?" the Istar moved back and Aragorn blinked rapidly a few times when he had thought that he had seen a shadow flitter over Ruth's eyes.

Ruth licked his lips and looked to the side as though awakening from a trance. "It is a long forgotten language," he spoke, his voice going back to what Aragorn assumed was normal, and the man frowned the Istar shook his head as though clearing his thoughts. "I have only ever met one Creature that could speak it. She had said those words to me. What they mean is… While blood does determine where we come from, it does not determine who we are. We make our own Destiny."

Aragorn frowned as Ruth's words rolled around his mind. A shiver passed over the strong Ranger's body when two gentle fingers push his chin up and he looked in Ruth's eyes again.

"You are the heir of Isildur, Aragorn. You are not Isildur himself. You will stand against the same trial and you will stand victorious."

Aragorn's breath caught in his throat. Ruth sighed and caressed Aragorn's cheek with the back of his fingers, enchanting eyes shining with compassion and Aragorn felt as though something heavy fell off of his heart. Then Ruth smiled, and Aragorn felt as though warmth had enveloped him, warmth such as he hadn't felt since the death of his beloved mother.

"Luth cam na dáruth, them luth rása lătham parma." (You are so lost, but you will find your way.)

Aragorn suddenly felt more confident and a small smile tugged on his lips as Ruth moved back a little and clasped long-fingered, elegant hands in his lap. "The language you speak is beautiful," Aragorn spoke, feeling calmer than he had felt in many years.

Ruth hummed and nodded as he stood up with Aragorn following close behind. "Thank you, Aragorn," Ruth spoke and looked in Aragorn's eyes, gifting the Ranger with another radiant smile. "Now you must go and get ready. Our journey starts tomorrow. We should prepare."

Aragorn bowed at Ruth and the Istar returned the gesture. "Thank you for your words of wisdom, Master Ruthímiel."

Ruth shook his head. "It is the least I could do. And please; call me Ruth."

Aragorn nodded and turned to leave only to hesitate. He turned to face Ruth again and the Istar raised an eyebrow in apparent amusement. "If I may ask, what does your name mean?"

Ruth bowed his head a bit and looked at Aragorn from under messy bangs, eyes glimmering mysteriously as lush lips tilted up for the smallest of bits. "It means peace and protection," Ruth spoke and turned away from Aragorn, making his way down the cobbled path. "Now go and rest, young King," he spoke. "I shall see you at dinner," with that he walked out of the stable, leaving Aragorn alone to ponder Ruth's meaningful words.

"Peace and protection, he says," Aragorn muttered and huffed, shaking his head and walking away, his stance straighter than it has been in a long, long time. "It certainly befits him."

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Ruth sighed, looking at the star covered sky. He was sitting in the garden of Rivendell, enjoying the last moments of peace. He knew that the days to come would be filled with danger and turmoil and a part of him was cursing his misfortune.

Hadn't he promised never again to get involved?

Hadn't he been hurt enough?

Hadn't he lost enough loved ones?

"Somehow I knew that I would find you here," Gandalf interrupted Ruth's pondering and the younger Istar sighed, sitting straighter while Gandalf joined him on the warm, grassy ground.

"Is everything prepared?" Ruth asked, ignoring the silent inquiry of Gandalf's stare.

"Yes," Gandalf accepted the not so subtle dismissal with a grunt. "Tomorrow we start our journey." He glanced at Ruth, lips parted as he waited for the younger man to catch on to him, smiling when Ruth looked at him with raised eyebrows. "There is someone who wishes to see you before we leave though," Gandalf murmured and Ruth's lips parted in a small pout as confusion narrowed thin eyebrows..

"Who is it?"

Gandalf hummed and stood up. "Someone who has never gotten the chance to get to know you. You weren't even formally introduced!" Ruth frowned in confusion and followed when Gandalf stood up. "Follow me."

They walked into the House of Elrond and Ruth followed Gandalf down the seemingly endless corridors. They had reached a closed door in several long minutes, hearing laughter coming from the other side.

Gandalf smiled at Ruth and knocked to announced them. Upon entering they found a group of Hobbits sitting on the big comfortable bed. Among the youngsters there sat an elderly Hobbit. Although their meeting was short Ruth recognized him almost immediately.

"Master Baggins!" Ruth breathed out with a small smile, while the old Hobbit stared at him in shock and bewilderment, unable to believe that the beautiful creature was actually there. "The tides of change caught up with you."

Bilbo stood up with Frodo's help and Ruth approached him slowly. His heart broke when he had seen what the cursed Ring did to the kind creature.

"I can't believe it!" Bilbo whispered, shaking with excitement. "Frodo was right. You are him! I often wondered what had become of you."

Ruth kneeled in front of Bilbo and looked in those pale eyes. "And now you see that I am well," Ruth whispered kindly and Bilbo looked deep into those beautiful eyes.

The others in the room, including Gandalf, observed quietly as the two took each other in.

"You are just as beautiful as you were then," Bilbo whispered into his chin, hardly aware he had spoken aloud, although he had seen a tender smile tilt Ruth's lips. "I see that years have been kind to you, Master Ruthímiel," Bilbo spoke and bowed a bit at Ruth who sighed gravely and shook his head.

"I cannot say the same about you, Master Baggins." Bilbo bowed his head, licking dry lips and Ruth's eyes filled with sadness. "The Ring had been in your possession for far too long." Great sadness settled over the room when Ruth spoke those words.

"I can do nothing for him," Gandalf spoke sadly and Ruth looked at him. "I was hoping - since Radagast had told me that your powers are different than ours - that you might be able to do something. The Elves cannot help him either. They can only ease the pain."

Bilbo bowed his head and Ruth looked at him sympathetically. "I know what it means to bear darkness in your soul, Master Baggins," Ruth spoke quietly, leaning forward to look in Bilbo's eyes.

There was sadness in those viridian depths, sadness such as no one in that room has ever seen. It was such a deep pain that it touched their hearts, and even though they hardly knew the beautiful creature among them, their hearts ached for Ruthímiel the Green.

Bilbo looked at Ruth sadly when he spoke in a comforting whisper. "When I was a child a dark wizard tried to kill me. When my mother stopped him by throwing herself in front of me, his already damaged soul split and a part of him possessed me." The Hobbits gasped and Gandalf frowned in worry. "I have lived with that piece of that monster's soul for 17 years. Trust me. Nothing could erase the darkness that lingered; nothing but time. When that piece was removed from me it took many years for the taint of his soul to stop disturbing my dreams and thoughts. Even now, over 700 years later, I sometimes think that his darkness lingers in the corners of my mind."

"Are you saying you can do nothing?" Bilbo asked and Ruth sighed sadly, proud head tilting forward and messy bangs shadowing darkened orbs if pure emerald.

"I cannot make the darkness of the Ring disappear," Ruth spoke quietly, shoulders sagging in sadness and helplessness, although - when he raised his head to look in Bilbo's hope filled eyes - there was a small glimmer of comfort shinning in those viridian depths, "but I can make it easier to bear."

Bilbo's eyes filled with hope. "Please; I almost hurt Frodo. Please. I only want to be able to look at him without wanting to hurt him."

Ruth looked at Gandalf who nodded minutely, wordlessly asking of Ruth to do whatever he could to help the poor Hobbit. Ruth turned his understanding gaze to Frodo and saw sadness and hope in the young Hobbit's eyes. "The darkness will remain," Ruth warned and looked at Bilbo again. "I cannot erase it."

Bilbo shook his head. "I only want to know a little peace."

Ruth sighed gravely and stood up. "Come, you must sit down," he said and helped Bilbo over to the bed before he kneeled in front of him. "You don't have to get out of the room, but please be still," Ruth warned the others, although his gaze never left Bilbo. "I must stay concentrated or I could hurt his mind."

Bilbo glanced at his nephew and found Frodo smiling at him reassuringly. He took a deep breath and Ruth merely gifted him with an understanding nod when the old, weary Hobbit opened his mouth to speak, but found himself lacking words.

"You must relax and you mustn't doubt me," Ruth instructed. "I need your complete trust to be able to do this."

Bilbo looked at Gandalf who bowed his head a bit, leaving it to Bilbo to decide. But the old Hobbit didn't need to think about it. "I trust you," he said and Ruth took a deep, calming breath, raising pale, almost delicate hands and gently cupping Bilbo's face between them.

"Close your eyes. Relax," Ruth instructed and did the same. For a few moments nothing happened. Suddenly the light breeze that came in through the window stopped and the pressure in the room shifted.

Even though there was no breeze and the air currents were still, Ruth's hair started to shift and dance around him. A silent whisper flittered through the room and everyone felt something warm crawl over them. They couldn't help but shiver.

Gandalf's eyes widened in surprise when he felt Ruth's power. He had never felt anything similar to the quiet current of power which rolled off of Ruth in steady waves.

"Ma hat am kem, lam váhule luth. Oth úfrath céleth da keár lértha. Zith xár at me gártha do keár sef. Bárthuvem kem ner vas."(Be gone from him, I command you. Let peace settle in his heart. Pull back to the darkness of his mind. Torture him no more.)

Those verses started to echo through the room. Ruth's lips were moving quickly and the pressure in the room grew steadily.

Merry hugged Pippin close when the younger Hobbit shivered and Sam gripped Frodo's hand tightly.

Suddenly Ruth's and Bilbo's eyes snapped open and Bilbo took in a deep breath. He pulled back quickly, eyes wide, but for once empty of shadows.

Ruth started to shiver and breathe quickly, eyes dull and unfocused, and with a choked up grunt the young Istar squeezed his eyes tightly shut, hands fisting over slightly pointed ears as he curled in on himself, biting into a lush bottom lip to stifle pained whimpers.

"What is going on?!" Pippin cried out, the Hobbits moving away from Ruthímiel as pulse after pulse of power surged from the kneeling Istar.

"Gandalf, help him!" Bilbo called out frightfully and the old Wizard moved forward only to recoil when one powerful wave broke from Ruth.

"MA HAT!" (Be gone!) Ruthímiel snapped in a powerful, distorted voice, eyes opening suddenly and glowing bright green for a mere second before he fell forward, bracing slight weight on trembling arms, heaving and gulping air into starving lungs.

Bilbo kneeled in front of Ruth and took a hold of heaving shoulders, while Gandalf crouched to Ruth's left, draping an arm around the trembling figure.

"Master Ruth, are you well?" Bilbo whispered breathlessly and Ruth swallowed and looked at the Hobbit whose eyes widened when he gazed into Ruth's eyes. They were glowing bright green and there was fear in them; fear that wasn't there before.

"Neroscon." (Impossible.) Ruth breathed out weakly. "Hith cet neróscon." (That is impossible.)

"Ruth, you must calm down." Gandalf spoke and Ruth recoiled, looking at the old Wizard. "You must calm down," Gandalf repeated and Ruth nodded quickly, trying to match his breathing to Gandalf's gaze never leaving those pale gray eyes. "That's it. Breathe. Tell me what's wrong."

"The Ring..." Ruth whispered. "It is so powerful. I've never - I have never felt anything like that. It has a mind of its own. It is trying to return to Sauron any way possible. I hadn't even touched it and yet - and yet it tried to possess me." Gandalf frowned and looked at Bilbo.

"I feel nothing," Bilbo blurted out. "Actually, I feel better than I've felt in ages."

Ruth let go of a relieved sigh and sagged against Gandalf, resting his head on the older Wizard's right shoulder. "Lam cáe ehoráe." (I am glad.)

In that moment the door was slammed open and Elrond, Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn ran in. All of them were pale and clearly shaken. Elrond hastened over to Gandalf and Ruth, kneeled beside them and placed his hand on Ruth's forehead.

"What has happened? We have felt immense power just moments ago," Elrond asked.

Ruth opened dilated eyes, breathing deeply with exhaustion and trying to get a grip over himself, while Gandalf offered an explanation. "I had asked Ruth if he could ease some of Bilbo's burden. He has had a close encounter with the power of the Ring."

"Are you well?" Elrond asked Ruth and the young Istar nodded, although in the eyes of everyone present he seemed very tired. Ruth's cheeks were as white as moon kissed marble and there were beads of sweat on his brown, eyelids heavy as he struggled to stay awake.

"I am well," Ruth whispered, managing to at least straightened so that he wasn't leaning on Gandalf anymore, although neither the Istar nor Elrond let go of Ruth seeing how he swayed for a moment before they steadied him. "There is no need to worry."

"No need to worry?" Sam snapped angrily, eyes shining with worry.

"You were speaking in a foreign language and shivering like you were facing Sauron himself!" Merry spoke frightfully, holding on to Pippin as tightly as he possibly could without hurting his best friend.

"We were scared that you were possessed," Pippin whispered, hiding his face in Merry's shoulder, and Frodo swallowed difficultly as he nodded in agreement, unable to find the words to say.

"I am sorry to have frightened you, but I was caught by surprise," Ruth apologized, bowing at everyone. "Trust me; it won't happen again," he promised and tried to stand up, Gandalf and Elrond offering support to the weary Istar who gifted them with a grateful smile.

"You should get some rest," Gandalf warned, gazing in Ruth's eyes with a pointed look. "We move out tomorrow as it is."

Ruth nodded and summoned his staff out of nowhere to lean on it. "By morning I will be as good as new, I promise," Ruth said, trying to offer a reassuring smile, but if the expressions on everyone's faces indicated anything it was that they didn't trust him one bit.

"I sincerely doubt that you will be alright by morning, child," Elrond spoke, sounding amused, and Ruth laughed quietly. "But never the less, you should go an get as much rest as you possibly can.

"I will," Ruth bowed at Elrond. "Thank you for your concern." He moved away from Gandalf and Elrond only to find Aragorn closer than Ruth had anticipated, with Legolas just a few steps away, making the youngest Istar recoil in surprise.

"Will you need any help getting to your room?" Aragorn asked, ignoring Ruth's actions, and walked over to the raven haired beauty closely followed by Legolas.

"Don't worry so much about me. I have lived through greater evils than a simple weakness," Ruth assured them with a small smile, managing to gather his bearings.

"You said you were alone through that," Legolas recalled, watchful gaze taking all of Ruth in within seconds, seeing that the Istar was hardly able to stand on his own, "now you are not."

"If we're going to do this then we will have to work together," Boromir agreed with Legolas.

In that moment Gimli ran in, huffing and puffing as though he had run a marathon. "Curse your long legs!" he snapped and leaned against the doorframe. "If you're going to run like that all the way I might as well get a pony."

While everyone laughed at the Dwarf, Ruth looked at Bilbo, lips tilting into the smallest of smiles as weariness darkened emerald eyes. "How do you feel, Master Baggins?"

Bilbo laughed quietly and patted Frodo's hand when the younger Hobbit came to sit beside him. "I feel well, Master Ruth. I can tell that the darkness isn't gone, but I feel well." He looked at Frodo and the younger Hobbit smiled. "A great deal of the weight is gone. Thank you for that."

Ruth bowed at Bilbo and took a small step back. "I shall go and rest then. Blessed night to all of you. I shall see you in the morning," with that he slowly walked out of the room, pointedly ignoring the way everyone followed his retreating figure watchfully.

"All that power has been his?" Elrond asked and Gandalf nodded.

"I believe he feels this weak because he didn't expect the Ring to try and possess him when it wasn't even in his possession. He is incredibly powerful. I dare say he is even more powerful than Saruman," said the Gray Wizard, and Elrond's eyebrows narrowed thoughtfully.

"I'm glad he is on our side," Gimli grumbled.

"I agree. Somehow I feel our quest will be easier with him traveling with us," Aragorn said and Gandalf hummed, rubbing the long, gray beard.

"Come. We must rest," Gandalf said shooting a pointed glance at the Hobbits. Frodo kissed Bilbo's cheek and left the room, followed closely by Sam, Merry and Pippin.

"Gandalf, I would like to have a word with you before you leave," Elrond said, bowed at Bilbo, Aragorn, Legolas, Boromir and Gimli and left the room. Gandalf nodded at everyone and followed after him without a word to anyone.

"See you in the morning," Boromir said and left.

"We will see many surprises from that lad," Gimli commented lightly. "I remember my father mentioning a Green Istar he'd met when he and my cousin Balin followed Thorin on their mission to free Erebor. They'd met him for a few short minutes, but he said both Master Radagast and Gandalf seemed impressed by Master Ruthímiel. He said he never saw anything as beautiful as Master Ruth astride a dark black Mearas, galloping into the sunset to buy them time."

Aragorn placed his hand on Gimli's shoulder and gave it a small squeeze.

"And there wasn't." Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli looked at Bilbo when the Hobbit spoke up. "I remember the moment when I first saw him. He looked just the same as he looks now and he radiated power and knowledge. He has the grace and poise of royalty and yet he has no qualms about sacrificing himself for others. I never could forget his raven hair snapping in the wind and emerald eyes gazing upon us with ageless knowledge. I had always hoped that I would get a chance to meet the Green Istar one last time before I pass away." Bilbo smiled. "My wish has been granted."

Aragorn and Legolas smiled while Gimli grunted. "Rest now, Master Baggins. I hope you will come to see us off tomorrow," Aragorn said and Bilbo smiled.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

The three left Bilbo's room and made their way down the corridors towards their own rooms.

While they parted for the night, on the balcony of his room, Ruth was sitting in a chair and watching the night sky.

He was still shivering and his heart was beating wildly in his chest.

He closed his eyes and started to chant a prayer he learned while he was in another world.

"I shall not fear. Fear is a mind-killer. I shall face my fear and let it pass through me and over me. Once it has passed I shall look back and see its path. The fear will be gone; only I shall remain." (1)

As he repeated the verses over and over again he felt strength return to him. Sometime later he opened his eyes and looked at the sky.

"Yásu Ekhárthe," (beloved mother) he whispered. "I beg of you; xaltarthe." (guard us) He bowed his head and placed his right hand over his heart. 'Lead us on our way. Wámare." (Help us.)

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(1) Belongs to stories Dune, Children of Dune

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Hope you've liked it so far!

More comes as soon as possible!

Warmest regards,
Ms. Yuki