Chapter Three: The Council of Elrond, and the Fellowship of the Ring
A few mornings later, when Cutter and Frodo were finally able to get out of bed and move around, Elrond summoned Frodo, Skywise, and Cutter to the council. Cutter sat and tried not to stare as folk from different parts of the land came and sat in a circle around a stone pedestal. He was somewhat startled when a tall, red-haired elf walked over to him.
"You needn't look so astonished, little cousin. There are many other people in Middle Earth, after all." The elf said, as he placed a four-fingered hand on Cutter's shoulder, his eyes glittering with amusement.
"Indeed. What's your name? You appear to be an elf more akin to us." Cutter said, speaking with an eloquence he didn't even know he had.
"My name is Tyldak. I have heard much about you and your courageous stand against the Nazgul during my short stay here." The tall elf replied, as Cutter smiled and managed to look rather abashed by all the positive attention he was getting.
"Cutter has always been a little more foolhardy than he should be. He gets that from his father." Skywise quipped, getting a rather dirty look from Cutter as a response. Tyldak laughed.
"I guess most people who know me would say that about me as well. I also have a bit of a rash streak in me, or so my caregivers often said when I was younger." Tyldak said, watching as each group of the Free Peoples sat down in their designated spots.
"Tyldak, who all is here at this council? Most of these weren't here yesterday." Skywise said, giving the taller elf a curious look as he did so.
"Ah, let's see…..There's Prince Legolas of Mirkwood and his traveling companions. Gimli, son of Gloin; Boromir son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor; Elrond, Glorfindel, Gandalf, and Strider. That appears to be the heads and tails of it, though there are some here that I have not seen in many a season." Tyldak said, as Elrond motioned for them all to sit down.
"Travelers from distant lands, friends of old. You all have been summoned here to answer to the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands on the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will either stand together, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this one fate. This one doom." Elrond said, his regal voice carrying strongly through the courtyard. Cutter listened and watched as each of the visitors was addressed by the Lord of Rivendell, and looked closely at each of them. Legolas appeared to be strong and young (by Elven standards) but had a sort of haughtiness in his persona. Gimli was also haughty and proud, in his own rough, Dwarvish way, and seemed to carry a distrust that was directed at elves in general.
"I don't think we're going to get along very well with that one." Cutter thought, then wondered why he'd even thought that to begin with. It wasn't like he knew what Elrond had planned. Then he glanced at Boromir; he didn't like the look in the man's eyes at all.
/*/ Fahr, are you getting a bad feeling about that Boromir person like I am? /*/ Cutter sent, as he kept his eyes on Boromir.
/*/ Yes. There is something wrong with him. We'd better stick close to Frodo, just in case. He's got the look of one who should not be trusted. He isn't like Strider. /*/ Skywise replied, with grim certainty.
/*/ I agree with you both. There is something odd about Lord Boromir, make no mistake./*/ Tyldak's voice said, in an open send across the circle.
/*/ I apologize, Tyldak! I had forgotten that quickly that you are like Skywise and me!/*/ Cutter sent, suddenly a little fearful that the strange elf had heard Skywise's soul name.
/*/ Think nothing of it. In fact, I should be apologizing to you, since I did interrupt an obviously private conversation. Will you forgive me for that lapse in etiquette?/*/ Tyldak asked, sounding a little embarrassed by his rude interruption.
/*/ Don't worry about it, Tyldak. If anything, I think we can trust you more than we can trust Boromir. At any rate, at least we can be thankful that he's not an elf! /*/ Skywise sent, answering for his chief. Then the three of them turned their attention back to the meeting when they heard Elrond call on Frodo to step forward and place the Ring on the pedestal. Hesitantly, Frodo stood and walked slowly to the center of the gathering, placing what appeared to be a simple, plain gold ring onto the stone platform. An oppressive hush fell over the gathering for a moment, as all of those that had come at Elrond's request gazed upon the ring.
"Isildur's Bane…………." Tyldak muttered, with some fear in his voice. Skywise noticed when Strider flinched at the name 'Isildur'.
"Is 'Isildur' Strider's soul name? If so, then why did he flinch just now? The name wasn't used in malice or hatred." Skywise thought, then listened as Boromir suddenly started talking.
"So it is true……….This is a gift! A gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay, by the blood of our people, your lands are kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!" Boromir said, passionately.
"That is folly, human. If it is true that this ring is as dangerous as Lord Elrond says, then men shouldn't be entrusted with it." Cutter said, wisely, earning himself a very slight nod of approval from Elrond for his words. Then Strider spoke up as well.
"You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Strider said, quietly. Boromir's passionate expression turned into a sneer.
"And what would a Ranger or a half-grown elf know of this matter?" Boromir asked, derisively. To Cutter and Strider's surprise, Legolas stood up from his seat, indignation written clearly on his fair features.
"This is no mere Ranger. This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Legolas said, with a bit of bite behind his words, his haughtiness falling away like a discarded cloak. Boromir looked at Strider with some disbelief mixed into his sarcastic look.
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's Heir?" Boromir asked.
"Aragorn? And here I thought humans only had one name. This is getting even harder to understand." Cutter muttered, as he rubbed his eyes in exasperation.
/*/ Don't worry, Cutter. I'll explain everything to you and Skywise later, as best as I can. I have the feeling that not all has been told to you yet. /*/ Tyldak sent, as he watched the pained expression return to Strider's features with more of a vengeance.
"And he is the heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas added, his eyes burning with some barely contained anger.
"Havo dad, Legolas." Strider, or should I say, Aragorn said, with some of the pain in his voice, as well. Cutter cast a sympathetic look at Aragorn; he knew somewhat what Aragorn was going through. With noticeable reluctance, Legolas did as he was told and sat back down, but he didn't look very pleased about it. With a snort, Boromir recovered from his surprise.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." Boromir said, coldly, as he sat back in his seat.
"You may think so, human, but a tribe with no true leader will fall to pieces just as certainly as pottery upon impact with a stone floor. This 'Gondor' place can't be as great as you think it is, if even it is threatened by the presence of this small bit of metal." Cutter said, with every bit as much bite in his words as Legolas had had in his voice, as he stood and motioned to the Ring. Unbeknownst to Cutter, Skywise was looking proudly at him from his seat.
"Joyleaf would have been so proud." Skywise thought, as his chief sat back down, and he gave him a slight pat on the back for those words. Boromir gave Cutter a scornful look before Gandalf spoke up.
"Aragorn and Cutter are right. We cannot use it." Gandalf said, in agreement with the two.
"Then you only have one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." Elrond said, looking like he just wanted the council to be over with.
"Then what're we waitin' for?!" Gimli suddenly asked, as he jumped up from his seat with his axe raised. He brought it down with such a force that the Ring should have been at least cut in half, but, as though in mockery of the strength of the Dwarf, the axe shattered and the Ring was untouched.
"I don't believe it…………………" Skywise muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess. It was made in the fires of Mount Doom, and 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." Elrond said, not noticing when Frodo winced and placed a hand to his head.
"Are you all right, Frodo?" Cutter asked.
"I'm fine, Cutter. Just a bit of a headache, that's all." Frodo replied, with a weak smile.
"I have the feeling that you are not telling me the whole truth, Frodo, but I will not pressure you for an answer." Cutter said, as he put a hand on the hobbit's shoulder.
"Thank you, Cutter." Frodo said, honestly, then they both turned their attention back to the meeting.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. It's black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is an evil there that does not sleep, and the great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland that is riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with a thousand men could you do this. It is folly." Boromir said, standing an pacing in front of the council, and casting a gloating look at Cutter as he used Cutter's own words against him.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has just said? The Ring must be destroyed!" Legolas snapped, standing up again and glaring directly into Boromir's eyes.
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Gimli shouted, as he too stood, his eyes blazing as he got into the debate as well. Skywise smirked when he saw Tyldak roll his eyes.
/*/ Here we go again./*/ Tyldak sent, as a huge argument erupted between elves, men, and dwarves.
/*/ Does this happen often, Tyldak? /*/ Skywise asked.
/*/ More often than even I care to admit. Every time elves and dwarves cross paths, disagreements, and even wars, erupt. Men, more often than not, are dragged into the middle of it every time. When will they ever learn? /*/ Tyldak said, his send voice exasperated as he watched the 'disagreement' escalate almost into blows. Then a small, wavering voice rose, as Frodo stood and approached the center of the gathering.
"I will take it! I will take it!" Frodo shouted, as the commotion died down, and all at the council, including Elrond, stared at him in disbelief.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor……….though…………..I do not know the way." Frodo said, with uncertainty in his voice. Gandalf gazed sadly at him from across the circle (he'd stood up to see if he could break up the fight between the three groups).
"Frodo, if you will let us, Skywise and I can help you on your journey." Cutter offered, as he and Skywise stood beside him.
"But…………what about your own quest? Your missing kin?" Frodo asked, stunned that the two small elves were offering to help.
"Frodo, I'd told you and Strider that my quest will be put on hold, till this problem with the Ring is resolved. I have already conferred with Skywise and he agrees with me. Besides, if this world is destroyed by this 'Dark Lord' then there won't be any kin to find, will there?" Cutter asked, with a slight smile. Frodo stared at him for a moment, then he smiled, grateful tears welling in his eyes.
"Thank you, Cutter, Skywise." Frodo said, voicing his gratitude.
"Don't mention it, Frodo. 'Sides, I've gotta come along and keep Cutter out of trouble, anyway. I promised Leetah." Skywise said, matter-of-factly, receiving a playful shove from his chief as a response to that.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf said, as he too stood alongside Frodo. Then Tyldak strode over, and kneeled before Frodo.
"I may not know you very well, small one, but your courage is something I cannot ignore nor deny. I, Tyldak of Blue Mountain, will also come with you. If you will have me, that is." Tyldak said, with a smile. Frodo nodded, and watched as Tyldak stood again and took his place beside Gandalf, Cutter, and Skywise.
"By life or death, if I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." Aragorn vowed, as he took a place in the group going to Mordor.
"And you have my bow." Legolas volunteered, much to the dismay of his peers.
"And my axe." Gimli added, getting a look of chagrin from Legolas as a response. Then Boromir stood and walked over to the group.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one. If it be the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir said.
"That's the first honorable thing you've said all morning." Skywise muttered, directing a heated glare at Boromir while he was at it. Before Boromir could think of a rebuke, Samwise burst onto the scene, rushing over to, then standing beside, Frodo and crossing his arms stubbornly over his chest.
"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" Samwise said, stalwartly. Elrond managed an amused smile over his serious expression.
"No indeed! It is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you're not." Elrond said, getting an embarrassed look from Sam, and chuckles of amusement from the group behind him.
"Oi! We're coming too!" Merry's voice shouted, as he suddenly dashed over, with Pippin on his tail, and joined the group. Elrond gave them both a flustered look.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Merry said, as he took up a similar pose near Frodo, arms crossed over his chest.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission…quest…thing." Pippin stated, as more stifled laughter came from Cutter and Skywise. Merry gave Pippin an unreadable look.
"Then that rules you out, Pip." Merry muttered, not even aware when Elrond cast his wise grey eyes over the group.
"Twelve companions………….So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring." Elrond announced.
"Great! So………..where're we goin'?" Pippin asked, as Cutter slapped a hand to his face in exasperation. The next morning, the newly made Fellowship left Rivendell. As Cutter left the dwelling of Elrond, he was determined to not look back. His mind was made up; the quest of the Ring, and the journey to Mordor, was his quest now.
"Well, New Moon, it looks like the fate of Middle Earth is on you now." Cutter murmured, as he glanced at his ever faithful sword then back up at the path before him.
"The road goes ever, ever on……………" Cutter sang, softly, getting more than a few startled looks from Frodo and the rest for that.
"Where have you heard that song before, Cutter?" Frodo asked, looking especially touched by that moment.
"My mother sang it once……….long ago. It seemed right, somehow, to sing it now." Cutter murmured, as they turned west.
"It's perfect for this occasion." Frodo said, with a wan smile, before they both turned their attention back to the road ahead of them. Their long quest had begun.
Author's Note!
Before there is any confusion, the Tyldak in this story is the unaltered version, so, in other words, he's a normal glider, and not a bat-elf. More plot twists on the way, so stay tuned!
Gemini ^ ^
