What lays behind the mask to hide?

October 25 THE COUNCIL OF ELROND

Aranuir woke early refreshed and clean a rare and treasured thing for a Ranger. He dressed in his clean Ranger garb and a new black cloak drawn as usual hiding his face and his hair not even shown. Taking leave of his chambers he roam the halls of Elrond slowly making his way closer to where the council was to be held. Suddenly when he was not very far from his destination a single clear bell rang out.

Aranuir smiled to himself for even the warning bell was beautiful. Stepping to the porch to his seat next to Aragorn, his eyes took in the light of the clear autumn morning that was glowing in the valley. Though the birds were singing and a wholesome peace lay on the land all of the faces of the council were somber and grave.

Elrond was seated as we're several others around him in silence. Glorfindel and Glóin among them, Aragorn and Aranuir sat apart from the others in a corner. Aragorn in his old travel-worn clothes again, as Aranuir's cloak was new the rest of his clothes looked like his companions old and travel-worn. Elrond drew Frodo to a seat by his side, presenting him to the council, saying:

"Here, my friends, is the hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent."

Elrond continued pointing those around them to Frodo naming them. Beside Glóin sat his son Gimli. Then beside Glorfindel was Erestor and other counsellor s of Elrond's household. There was Legolas clad in green and brown of Mirkwood and beside him a messenger of his father, Thranduil, king of Mirkwood.

And seated a little apart sat a tall man with a fair and noble face, grey-eyed and dark-haired, stern and proud of glance. He was booted and cloaked as if for journey on horseback and though his garb was rich and cloak fur lined, they were stained with long travel. Aranuir took notice of the horn at his side that was tipped with silver but what he noticed most was the look of wonder the man gave Frodo and Bilbo.

"Here, is Boromir, a man from the South. He arrived in the grey morning, and seeks for counsel. I have Biden him to be present, for here his questions will be answered."

Elrond spoke looking at Gandalf, and many a thing was spoken and debated but not all significant to this tale. Aranuir paid little attention as was bade him know all the while of things none here knew. And while Glóin spoke of Moria and so on and so forth of a messenger of Sauron sent to Dáin Aranuir spent this time doing as usual observing those around him. There reactions to what was spoken, debated and discussed.

As Elrond responded to Glóin in his usual fashion of 'all will be revealed' Aranuir readjusted himself growing bored and uncomfortable. Aranuir then stopped when Elrond continued and this time listened more due to the stern look given by Aragorn.

"Now, therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all may understand what is the peril, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present. And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it."

And all listened to Elrond's clear voice as he spoke of the Ring of Power, the war and so forth. Elrond revealing that he himself remembered many things such as the fall of Gil-Galad. And continued to speak till he spoke of Narsil and to what happened to the Ring braking and here Boromir broke in and cried,

"So that is what became of the Ring! If ever such a tale was told in the South, it has long been forgotten. I have heard of the Great Ring of him that we do not name; but we believed that it perished from the world in the ruin of his first realm. Isildur took it! That is tidings indeed."

And again Elrond spoke,

"Alas! yes, Isildur took it, as should not have been..."

Aranuir then again blocked out what was said knowing this having heard it time and time again. And by the end of Elrond's words where he ceased at once Boromir stood up, tall and proud before them. Aranuir rolled his eyes in annoyance coming to the conclusion that men of the South must like to hear their own voices as Boromir began to speak.

"Give me leave, Master Elrond, first to say more of Gondor, for verily from the land of Gondor I am come. And it would be well for all to know what passes there. For few, I deem, know of our deeds, and therefore guess little of their peril, if we should fail at last."

Aranuir all but held a snort in receiving not only a glare from his leader but a smack on the back of his head. To which he rubbed ignoring most of what came out of Boromir's lips lest he snort once again in disgust and/or annoyance. But yet when Boromir began to speak of a dream Aranuir's eyes grew wide as he listened intently.

"In a dream I thought the eastern sky grew dark and there was a growing thunder, but in the West a pale light lingered, and out of it I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying:"

But before he could continue Aranuir stood and for the first time spoke and all looked at 'him'.

"Seek for the Sword that was broken:

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be counsels taken

Stronger than Morgul-spells.

There shall be shown a token

That Doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's Bane shall waken,

And the Halfling forth shall stand."

All stared in wonder some in realization other slight confusuion. Aranuir then reveal 'his' face and there a fair Elven face bathed in light. A most unusual Elf, not make but female. Her eyes a dark brown on the out side becoming golden near the irises and her hair in a braid dark brown like twilight similar to Elrond's yet perhaps darker. Her eyes spoke of wisdom and knowledge known only to them. Her ears hidden well enough that only those who have seen her before know her as the 'Elf of light'.

Boromir took a step towards her in fascination and wonder,

"Your voice... It was your voice I heard!"

Aragorn was partially confused, annoyed, and yet gratefully happy to finally know his friend... Even if she saved his life in the past he was happy to have her amongst his Rangers. Before more could be said she turned her head to him (Aragorn) and nodded her head to which he translated as his turn to speak.

"And here in the house of Elrond more shall be made clear to you,"

Aragorn says as he stands up. He cast his sword upon the table that stood before Elrond, and the blade was in two pieces. And continues to speak,

"Here is the Sword that was Broken!"

"And who are you, and what have you to so with Minas Tirith?"

Aranuir is thankful now that the attention no longer lays upon herself but does not like it on her leader either. Boromir looks in wonder at Aragorn's lean face and his Ranger weather-stained cloak. At this Aranuir knows she must once again speak and so in her musical sweet voice she answered,

"He is Aragorn son of Arathorn, and he is descended through many fathers from Isildur Elendil's son of Minas Ithil. He is the Chief of the Dúnedain in the North."

And barely a pause Elrond continued off her words,

"Few are now left of that folk."

Frodo springing to his feet, cried in amazement, as if he expected the Ring to be demanded at once,

"Then it belongs to you, and not to me at all!"

At this Aranuir shook her head sitting down her hands in her lap.

"It does not belong to either of us, but it has been ordained that you should hold it for a while."

And Aragorn too took up his seat looking to Aranuir whose eyes were downcast in avoidance.