" . . . And then Arwen-sama showed up and I believe she told you the rest of what had transpired," Tsunade finished.

"That she did," Elrond replied. "Tell me. Since you are of the race of Men, do all the people of your world wield power like you?"

"Our power is the result of us having chakra," Tsunade answered. "In theory, anyone may become a ninja. But the fact is that most of them would live their entire life without ever utilizing their chakra. All of the people of my world possess it. You people seem to have it, but it is so alien from what I am familiar with. Those black robed assailants at the river also had it, but theirs are different from even yours or mine. And as I had just mentioned, my jutsu has been diminished for some odd reason. My slug summon is gone. So most of my techniques are denied to me and my strength is weaker."

"Fascinating," Elrond said. "Your kind also exist in this world, but possess no such thing. Neither do the Dwarves nor Hobbits for that matter. So your chakra can give your people powers that only the Ainur would possess?"

"I assume that these Ainur can sculpture the land around them?" Tsunade asked.

"Yes they can, especially the Valar, since they had a hand in the creation and molding of this world," Elrond answered. "Arwen thought you were a Maia, given how you fought off one of the Nazgûl. Thus helping Arwen to deliver Frodo to us."

"Back in my world, I would've healed Frodo-san completely. I was the best medic-nin in my world. There was neither injury nor poison that I could not heal, be it of myself or others."

"Like the Vala Estë?" Arwen asked with wonderment. "She is a healer too."

"I see," Tsunade mused. "Now then: what are you people?"

"We are Elves," Elrond replied. "Rivendell, also known as Imladris, is an Elf realm. There are two more called Lothlórien and Mirkwood. There was a time when we were dominant in these lands, with splendid cities . . . But now . . . now we dwindle . . . Our time in this world is over and we are leaving it behind to go to the Undying Lands, home of the Valar, their Maiar servants, and most of Elvenkind. It is beyond the confides of this world. Much like your world is."

Tsunade nods respectfully. "And who were those black hooded attackers?" She next adds.

"It all started five thousand years ago during the Second Age of the Sun and Moon as opposed to the current Third Age," Elrond answered. "An Elf named Annatar came amongst us and encouraged the forging of nineteen rings of power. Rings that would amplify the attributes of whomever wore one. Three were made for us Elves, seven for the Dwarves, and nine for Men. Unfortunately, we were all deceived . . . for Annatar was not what he appeared to be . . . He was actually an evil Maia named Sauron. And in secrecy, he forged a master ring to control the other rings, which in turn would give him control over whomever wore them. The rings for the Elves and Dwarves did not go the way he expected them to . . . but the nine for the Men did . . . They were the very ones you encountered back at the river. We call them the Nazgûl, or Ringwraiths. They are neither living nor dead, and are extensions of Sauron's will. They cannot be killed for as long as his will is with them. They have fled back to Mordor, where their master will give them new bodies."

"Five thousand year old undead," Tsunade gasped. "That explains their power though. The one I punched got back up and screamed at me . . . And . . . And I felt this intense grief overcome me!"

"That was the Black Breath you had experienced," Arwen said seriously. "You were fortunate to overcome it. Many who have had the misfortune to be subjected to it have either fallen over dead or gone mad."

"That I was," Tsunade answered. "But why were they after Frodo-san to begin with?"

Elrond and Arwen look at each other with a somber look.

"He was carrying the One Ring," Elrond finally answered. "The master ring that Sauron himself had forged to dominate the other rings."

"How did he get hold of it?!" Tsunade gasped with shock.

"It all started with a war that ended the Second Age over three thousand years ago and ushered in the current Third one," Elrond began. "Elendil, the first king of Gondor, met with Gil-Galad, the last High King of the Elves in Middle-earth. Together they made a pact called simply, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men. The combined army of Elves and Men marched onto Mordor and waged war upon Sauron. The Last Alliance managed to break through the Black Gates of Mordor and laid siege to Sauron's fortress, Barad-dûr, for seven years. Sauron himself finally came forth into battle. He was massively tall, yet well-proportioned, and encased in black spiked armor from head to feet. He wielded a massive black mace that created explosions that sent Men and Elves flying by the dozen with a single swing."

"Sauron killed Gil-Galad by managing to first wound him, then grabbed and held him high over his head, burning the High King to ash. Next to die were King Elendil and his son, Anárion, leaving his other son, Isildur, for last. Isildur attempted to pick up his father's sword, Narsil, but Sauron shattered the blade with his foot and then reached down to grab Isildur. In desperation, Isildur lashed out with the stub of Narsil, cutting off Sauron's fingers, one of which had his ring around it. Sauron exploded, knocking down everyone. All that was left of Sauron was his armor. His defeat ushered in the current Third Age. As for the Ring, it came into Isildur's possession. But he kept it for himself. In the second year of the Third Age, he and three of his sons, along with their retainers, were ambushed by Orcs along a road. Isildur was killed, and only three of his companions survived. The Ring was lost into the River of Anduin and it remained lost for two and a half thousand years until a pair of Hobbits found it. One of them wanted that ring and he murdered the other for it. The Ring extended his life greatly, and for five hundred years he remained hidden in dark places while the Ring thoroughly corrupted his mind and form. He would become known as Gollum. Several decades ago, another Hobbit discovered him and found the Ring and fled with it. His name is Bilbo Baggins and he is Frodo's uncle. And now Frodo has inherited the Ring from his uncle Bilbo."

Tsunade mentally digests that story.

"That's quite the story for a ring," she answered with a hint of awe. "So if this Sauron were to get his ring back, then you would all be in trouble?"

"If Sauron were to get his ring back," Elrond stated, "he will usher in a dark age that will last for so long as this world lasts."

"Then why not destroy the damn thing?" Tsunade demanded.

"Because we can't," Elrond answered. "At least not by any method that you would expect. The Ring was created within Orodruin, or Mount Doom as it is commonly called. It is a volcano with a lava river inside, from which the Ring was forged from. The Ring must be taken inside that mountain and cast back into that lava river, where it will melt down once again and its power be permanently lost. The problem is that the Ring has a mind of its own and wants to be with its creator once again. And Mount Doom is deep within Mordor, Sauron's country."

"Talk about it not being easy!" Tsunade exclaimed. "That means Sauron can easily reach out and take his ring back."

"He does not currently have a physical form," Elrond replied. "He is still a spirit and is in the form of a cat or fox eye, lidless and made of flame, perpetually hovering above his fortress, Barad-dûr. All that has to happen is for his ring to be simply tossed into him and he will regain his physical form once again, and will end up being immensely more powerful."

"So is that why your people are getting out of Middle-earth just in case he does get it back?" Tsunade then inquired.

"Although many of us are," Elrond admitted, "it would be more accurate to say that for the sake of honor, the more capable of our kind like myself are staying behind to see this through. We share the responsibility for the existence of those rings. If Sauron is defeated then the rest of us will be able to leave with a clear conscience."

"I understand, Elrond-sama," Tsunade said as her respect for the Elf goes up.

"Why do you add words at the end of names?" Elrond asked with a subtle tone of bemusement.

"Our language is filled with honorifics. We tend to attach an honorific at the end of a person's name to denote their standing in society. Sama is given to those of respect, like a leader. San is more commonplace. Chan is given to girls."

"That's very interesting, Tsunade," Arwen mused.

"Speaking of leader," Elrond said, "did you not just say that you were a leader of a country?"

"Not of the Land of Fire, just of the ninja village, Konohagakure. There are a multitude of countries in my world and each one has a ninja village. The leaders of such villages are called, Kage. Hokage is the proper title for the leader of Konohagakure."

"Such a prestigious position for a woman so young," Elrond said with a hint of awe.

"I'm actually fifty-four years old," Tsunade answered. "It has to do with a transformation technique that I was able to perfect."

"There are a race of Men called the Dúnedain," Elrond said. "There used to be many, but are now few. They came into existence at the end of the First Age of the Sun and Moon when they were visited by the Valar, who gifted them with extremely long lives that averaged two hundred years. Four hundred for those of royalty."

"I wonder if it would be possible for me to meet with any of these Valar?" Tsunade quipped. Her age was always a sore point for her. "What about the others? These Hobbits and Dwarves? You did say that Frodo-san is fifty years old, yet he looks no older than me."

"Hobbits average one hundred years," Elrond answered. "Bilbo Baggins is one hundred and twenty-eight years old. Dwarves average two hundred and fifty years."

"Fascinating," Tsunade gasped, feeling another jab in her envy, especially toward the Dwarves. "So how long can you Elves live for?"

"We are immortal," Elrond answered.

"What?!" Tsunade gasped. "You're saying you can't die?!"

"We can only die through either injury or grief that are too great for us to overcome," Elrond said.

"Eternal youth then?!" Tsunade gasped.

"Yes, exactly," Elrond answered. "Arwen is two thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven years old and I am six thousand five hundred and seventeen years old."

Tsunade hangs her head down while she makes an open mouthed frown with her mouth and eyes as black caverns.

And they will always be young! She lamented inwardly.

"Tsunade, are you okay?" Arwen asked.

"No wonder you two seem so ancient," Tsunade gasped, "and yet seem so young!"

"The way we are is simply a fulfillment of our being. The Creator decreed it so, " Elrond said. "And besides, inevitable death is a gift for your kind so that you won't grow weary of the world. We on the other hand will continue to live on, bearing the perpetual accumulation of weariness. No Elf is immune to weariness, save within the Undying Lands. Although there are Elves like myself who are more resistant to weariness, there are others who would be more sensitive. And even if we might die, we will be reincarnated. Your kind won't."

"There is still a lot to be said about not having your body and mind deteriorate with old age," Tsunade sighed.

"And given how you use your chakra, you are clearly able to deceive your own body into remaining young," Elrond countered. "So what is the problem?"

Tsunade remains silent. She wanted to counter with the fact that she will someday drop dead, but decides to hold her tongue over it. Death is a constant in her profession.

"S-So were you there, Elrond-sama?" She next asked. "At this Last Alliance?"

"Indeed I was. I was Gil-Galad's herald. I saw Sauron himself come forth. I saw him kill Gil-Galad, along with Elendil and Anárion. I watched Isildur strike off Sauron's fingers with the stub of Narsil. After we recovered from Sauron's defeat, I saw Isildur pick up the Ring. I next ran up to him and urged him to follow me. I led him into Mount Doom right up to the edge over which the lava river flowed by, and pleaded for him to cast the Ring into the fire . . . But he refused and walked out of there with it, keeping it for himself."

He next closes his eyes and Tsunade can see regret in his features.

"And you didn't think to simply snatch it out of his hand while he was still recovering on the ground?" Tsunade mused with annoyance.

"I never thought to do such a thing," Elrond answered simply. "And besides, even if such a thought had occurred to me, I still may not have done so."

"In my lifetime of experience," Tsunade said with a serious tone, "sometimes you have to impose yourself in order to insure that the right thing is done . . . Such as my saying that it is foolish for Frodo-san to have that ring. That Hobbit clearly can't defend himself."

"No, he cannot," Elrond said sadly. "Anyway, since you are lost, you may stay here for as long as needed."

"Th-Thank you, Elrond-sama," Tsunade said respectfully. "I will not betray your trust."

"Let me show you around," Arwen said.

They go throughout Rivendell as Arwen points out the various places to Tsunade. At one point, she sees an old small man.

"That is Bilbo Baggins," Arwen said. "I'll introduce you to him. He is still ignorant about the ring's true origin and we really don't want to mention that."

"I understand," Tsunade said.

Arwen introduces Tsunade to Bilbo and vice versa.

"I've heard of you, Bilbo-san," Tsunade said dryly. "You're the one who found a magic ring."

"Yes, it was in a cave when I was on an adventure," Bilbo answered with absent fondness. "My nephew Frodo has it now. It was a nice ring . . . A precious ring."

Tsunade can see in his eyes and hear in his tone that Bilbo is very fond of the Ring. A fondness that radiates creepiness.

"Well, I am showing Tsunade around the place," Arwen said.

"Oh yes that's fine," Bilbo said reassuringly with a nonchalant wave. "I have a book to continue working on."

Tsunade returns to that statue of that majestic male Elf that she had noticed upon first entering.

"That is of Gil-Galad," Arwen explained.

"Oh, so he's the High King of the Elves who led that Last Alliance of Elves and Men," Tsunade said.

"Just the Elves," Arwen explained. "The Men were led by King Elendil."

Tsunade is later shown inside where in one place they come up to a painting of Sauron menacing Isildur as he holds up the stub of Narsil in an attempt to ward Sauron away. Near it is the bust of an hooded female Elf holding an oval tray. Upon it is a sword with its blade broken into several pieces.

"Is this the sword that cut that ring from Sauron's hand, Arwen-sama?" Tsunade said as she picks it up and looks it over.

"Yes, but be careful. Narsil is still sharp."

"What incredible metal work," Tsunade mused respectfully as she turns the blade over repeatedly while examining it, even touching the flat side of the blade. "And it's still in such remarkable condition for a blade so old!"

She carefully places the blade back. "But isn't it dangerous to keep such a sharp thing out like this? Someone could carelessly handle this and cut themself, especially children."

"Have you seen any Elf children around here?"

Tsunade blinks, then looks at Arwen. "No I haven't."

"No children have been born to us in centuries."

"That sounds so sad."

Tsunade then looks up at the painting.

"So this is Sauron and Isildur," she said without it meaning to be a question.

"Yes it is," Arwen verified.

Tsunade sighs while slowly shaking her head. "Truly a grim story." Her tone reproachful. "And all over a ring."

In time, Tsunade gets word that Frodo's companions have shown up and is taken to meet them. She is introduced to Strider, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Gandalf.

"She punched away one of the Nazgûl without receiving injury to herself," Elrond explained. "Arwen was witness."

This invokes amazement from the group.

"You punched one of the Nazgûl and still live?!" Strider gasped at Tsunade.

"And if I were still at my full power, I would've pulverized it then the others and would've been able to heal Frodo-san."

"What do you mean by that, Lady Tsunade?" Gandalf asked.

"Where I am from is nowhere in Middle-earth because I am not of Middle-earth."

"Did the Valar send you then?" Gandalf asked. "I've never heard of any Maia like you?"

"I am not one of these beings that I was told of. I don't know where my world is, only that you have never heard of it. And I came here by accident."

"Lady Tsunade can tell you everything you want to know after you have all cleaned up and have gotten some rest," Elrond said.