Aragorn and I reached the Hall of Fire a little later than everyone else, and true to my predictions, he nodded to me, and left to stand with Arwen. I did not know why I felt annoyed by this but I figured it was because I did not want to be walking into these strange festivities on my own. Thankfully, however annoying, Pippin and Merry were there to escort me to their table. The Hall of Fire was a large dome like room with beautiful shinning golden walls and intricate designs lacing them. Along the walls were beautifully carved light blue wooden tables, and to the far left of the great hall was a bar like structure where two elves were serving people their drinks. The floor was cold and marble. Above us was a large round opening showing the night sky.
"Come, we are sitting beside Legolas, Sam, and Frodo!" Merry smiled and took my hand. I stiffened and was led, by hand, to the table near the bar. Legolas nodded at me.
"Good eve and happy birthday!" Legolas smiled, and suddenly Elrohir and Elladan appeared out of the blue, carrying large glass goblets of alcohol. They handed me one.
"Happy birthday!" They chorused. The hobbits repeated the sentiment.
"It is not my birthday." I mumbled.
"It is now!" Elladan laughed. I took a large drink of the strong liquor and coughed.
"What in Valar's name is this?" I questioned. It was so strong and burned on its way down to my stomach.
"It is something that will take the edge off!" Elrohir smiled.
Great. They were trying to get me drunk. I looked around the elves enjoying themselves along with the men and dwarves. I then noticed a wizard I had not seen all day. He wore all grey, a grey pointy hat, and had a long white beard. He was old but a strong aura came from him. He carried with him a wooden staff that twisted and gnarled at the top.
"Ah, that is Gandalf the Grey." Sam said, noticing my staring after the wizard.
"Gandalf…" I mumbled. I could have sworn I saw him before…
"Come Eva, dance with me!" Elladan demanded and took my hand. I growled at him and snatched my hand back.
"I do not dance." I hissed.
"Oh, don't be such a child, come!" Elladan urged. I was starting to hate elves.
"Ah, do not force her Elladan, in time she will open up then you can ask a dance of her." Legolas said. I was very grateful. Elladan smiled.
"Very well!" He then trotted off to mingle.
I really just drank with the Hobbits at the table and every now and then they would jump up to dance to the strange elven music. As the night pressed on, I grew more and more intoxicated and felt myself loosen up. All the tight edges in my muscles eased and my guard started to fall.
"Do you like it here?" Frodo asked beside me. It was just me and the young Hobbit at the table now.
"Yes." I admitted.
"I do too. It is so nice. It reminds me that there is good in this world…" He smiled. I nodded.
"Good? Good seems to be in the smallest of places. Darkness has taken this world." I said darkly. Frodo looked up at me with wide eyes.
"It is not all lost." He said quietly.
"Then you will be ever more disappointed when you realize you are wrong." I muttered and raised my glass to my lips. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned slowly- it was Glorfindel.
"Do not trouble the young Hobbit with your pessimism." Glorfindel said, but was watching me with warm eyes.
"Eh, he will see this world for what it truly is." I muttered. Glorfindel took my goblet and set it on the table.
"It is such a sad mindset you've got. Thankfully you are among the light and it can change that." Glorfindel smiled.
"Yes, she will see it. I am sure of it." Frodo smiled. I rolled my eyes.
"Eh." I grunted.
"SO lady like!" Glorfindel laughed. I laughed too.
"I apologize." I said smiling. Glorfindel stared at me- then smiled widely.
"It is alright." He said.
After a while the festivities came to an end and we all retired to our separate rooms. Aragorn escorted me back to my room since I had to be escorted at night. He was slightly intoxicated as well.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" Aragorn asked.
"It was bearable." I said. Aragorn chuckled. I stopped just outside my room and sighed.
"Ah well, I will see you in the morrow I suppose." I muttered and opened my door. Aragorn nodded to me then left. I walked into my silent room and stripped off my clothes. I then pulled on the cotton night gown I was given and tucked myself into the warm bed. I looked out my open windows and wondered if I would ever be found by my care taker or if he knew I was alive at all.
The next morning I awoke to hushed voices. I sat upright immediately and looked around. There was no one in my room. I pulled off my covers and placed my feet upon the cool floor. I walked to the open window across from me and looked down into the gardens. Elrohir and Elladan were whispering below my window. I raised an eyebrow looking down at them.
"What are you fools doing?" I asked.
"Hey! Eva! You are awake!" Elrohir called. Today they wore identical light blue robes. I rubbed my eyes- my head suddenly aching. I had a hang over- excellent…
"Yes. Now, what are you fools doing?" I asked again. They looked at me offended and folded their arms over their chests. I sighed,
"Alright, what are you doing?" I repeated without the insult. They smiled.
"We were going to throw berries into your room until you woke. Yet now you are awake! Come with us to breakfast!" Elladan smiled. I glared down at them.
"Fine." I mumbled.
I got dressed in a white gown and just as I exited my chambers- I heard Elladan and Elrohir running up the hallway towards my room. I sighed.
"You two have too much energy." I said as we walked down the hallway. Elladan and Elrohir just smiled.
Thus we sat through breakfast, I hung around the twins and the Hobbits until we were summoned to the secret meeting. I was not looking forward to this.
The meeting was outdoors upon a high hill just beside and separate from the main building itself. Trees grew around it and stoned seats were lined around the circular meeting place. A solid circular stone table sat in the center of the circle. I noted that the twins were not summoned, it was just myself, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Frodo, Gandalf, and a few other elves and dwarves. I wondered why the twins weren't summoned.
"We all know why we are here." Elrond began. I raised an eyebrow. I sure as hell did not- well I had an idea.
Elrond said a lot of things of darkness, the fate of Middle-Earth and then a great deal about a Ring. It must be about the ring Frodo has. Elrond called Frodo forth to place the ring upon the stone table.
I immediately felt drawn to the golden ring and a great need to possess it over came me. I shook my head trying to clear the feeling but it was persistent. The Ring was calling to me… I was sitting beside Legolas and another elf who immediately felt my tension.
"Do not give in to it." Legolas whispered to me. I couldn't understand- what was happening to me? What was this ring? The promises the ring whispered to me almost had me running across the floor and snatching it for myself…
"Eva…" Legolas warned. I nodded.
"I am fine." I mumbled tightly.
Elrond explained the danger of the ring and the necessity to destroy it. A red bearded dwarf tried to smash it with his axe but only managed to shatter his axe. Elrond looked at the dwarf amused by his attempt. Oh yes, I forget the rivalry between elves and dwarves.
"We must take the Ring to Mordor and destroy it." Elrond said, looking around at the council seriously. Suddenly Boromir stood, and questioned why we should destroy the ring when we could use it to keep the lands safe.
"The Ring cannot be wielded by men, the One Ring answers to no one but Sauron alone. It has no other master." Aragorn interjected.
"And what would a mere ranger know?" Boromir asked. I stood.
"That is what I say!" I said giddy someone saw Aragorn for just the ranger he is.
"Eva!" Legolas yanked me back down. I muttered. Boromir ignored me and Legolas stood this time.
"He is no mere ranger, he is Aragorn, son of Arathorn- The heir to the throne of Gondor! You owe him your allegiance!" Legolas said projecting his voice.
"But he is a ranger now. So, he is just a ranger." I mumbled. Legolas gave me the 'shut up' look. Aragorn motioned for Legolas to be seated and said something in elvish. Elrond told the council to silence themselves and that we had to elect someone to take the ring- then to my absolute amusement a fight broke out with the elves and dwarves- particularly the dwarf I'd come to know as Gimli and Legolas. It was amusing. Then Frodo of all people spoke up and said he'd take the ring to Mordor.
"Ha ha ha!" I laughed.
Every eye was on me.
"… seriously? The Hobbit is to take the ring?" I asked incredulously.
"The Ring will not possess his heart as quick- Frodo has a genuinely innocent and kind heart. Frodo will take the Ring." Elrond said. I leaned back and crossed my arms over my chest. WELL, Middle-Earth is doomed.
"You will not face this evil alone. I will go with you." Gandalf said standing behind Frodo. Suddenly my least favorite person stood and strode across the floor to kneel before Frodo.
"You have my sword young one. Through the utmost dangers I will follow you and swear to protect you." Aragorn said.
"You have my bow." Legolas said, walking over to Frodo. I snorted, really? How dramatic.
"And my axe!" Gimli grinned and walked over to stand with Frodo. Boromir walked slowly towards Frodo with a small smile on his lips.
"The fate of us all is in your hands little one. I will join." He said. Elrond looked at me and was about to say something when Merry, Pippin, and Sam bounced out of their hiding spots and declared Frodo wasn't going anywhere without them. I rolled my eyes. They're all going to die. Self-righteous, egotistical, ignorant-
"Eva?" Elrond looked at me expectantly. Every head turned to me.
"Hm?" I muttered. Was I supposed to congratulate them? Elrond just started to smile. OH NO.
"No no no no! I am not going on this- this- quest to save mankind!" I said standing and backing away. Maybe I could run away and outrun the elves…
"Yes you are. You are bound by my word." Aragorn said. I glared daggers at him.
"You condemn me then! You should have killed me when you had the chance!" I growled and got into an offensive fighting stance. Elrond glared at me and I felt something in my mind stir.
"Eva. You will go." Elrond said. I shook my head trying to clear the elf's digging in my mind.
"Please?" Came a voice. I looked down and saw Pippin looking up at me- he'd walked over to me. He was staring at me with ridiculously large hazel eyes. I grunted. I was bound by Aragorn's word.
"Alright." I mumbled. Pippin took my hand and led me to the group. Elrond smiled at me as if he hadn't gotten angry with me a few seconds earlier.
"Ten of you. You will be the Fellowship of the Ring." Elrond declared. Great. I glared at Aragorn.
"I will kill you." I growled.
"I know." He said with a small smirk.
After the council we were told we could go to dinner and eat. I was lost in my own thoughts about being in the Fellowship. I was doing something- good for once in my life… It was a foreign feeling. The weeks passed in which I worked out to prepare for the quest. I mainly hung around the Hobbits, Legolas, and the twins. December came and I found that I had grown more patient with the people around me. I had become more considerate- however my old habits and the darkness still dwelled within. Aragorn had given me my weapons back, saying I had earned them back, while I was also allowed to walk wherever I wanted after dark without an escort.
There were three weeks left before we departed for the quest and I was growing anxious. I had gotten to know my comrades, and Boromir and I got along a little better. I was on my way to the library when Aragorn approached me.
"Eva, how do you fair this morn?" He asked. I nodded.
"Well. Yourself?" I asked. I had gone to the library often and every now and then I would see Aragorn or Glorfindel within.
"I am well." Aragorn responded.
"Hm." I mumbled. Aragorn and I walked together to the library and entered the large hall. Rows and rows of shelves high as the eye could see- lined the walls of the room. I had found my joy in the history section and the art section of the library. Aragorn enjoyed the literature of the elves.
"I believe this is where we part ways." Aragorn smiled. I nodded and we each went off to our own sections within the library. I was not the best reader since my old care giver did not teach me anything but killing and surviving… But I could still read a little. I found great pleasure in looking at Quenya- the ancient language of the elves, but also read of the history of art. After a while I put the books back and started to leave the library.
"Ah, here you are!" Glorfindel smiled upon entering the library.
"What do you want?" I asked wearily. He glared.
"You are speaking to me, not one of your elfling friends!" Glorfindel growled, angry with my tone. He was of course referring to Elrohir and Elladan.
"… Sorry." I grunted. Glorfindel's mood suddenly changed to happy.
"So! In three weeks you leave for the quest. Elrond would like to meet you in his office for a word." Glorfindel said and extended his arm to me. I took it and followed Glorfindel out of the library, glancing back at Aragorn whom was gazing at me over a book he was reading. I felt myself … feel anger.
"Hm! I sense a great emotional change- what of Estel angered you this time?" Glorfindel chuckled as we walked down the quiet calm hallways towards Elrond's study.
"He was looking at me." I would not sense anything amiss in Glorfindel's posture when we first hung out, yet I had been around him every day for hours, so when he stiffened ever so slightly- I noticed.
"What?" I Growled. Glorfindel sighed.
"If you weren't such a brute, maybe you would have plenty men biding for you! How saddening!" Glorfindel said dramatically referring to my grunts, growls, and hisses. I was used to Glorfindel's dramatic outbursts so I just waited.
"It is nothing." Glorfindel finally said.
"It is not becoming of an elf to lie." I said.
"Have you and Aragorn been spending time with one another often?" Glorfindel asked. I nodded, curious of his question.
"Yes. I am bound by his word." I said and stepped up a few stair steps leading into a brighter area. The sun again was the light in the halls. The halls open to nature and its winds.
"I see." Glorfindel mumbled. I frowned. What was wrong with him? When we reached Elrond's doors Glorfindel bowed and left my side. I knocked once and Elrond beckoned me in. I opened the door and entered slowly. He was behind his usual desk. Today he wore a green robe.
"Good afternoon, Eva." He smiled.
"Good afternoon, Lord Elrond." I repeated.
"The quest is to begin in three short weeks. You have been patient, good, and respectable to my people here. You have followed the rules and shown some improvement. I now ask of you… Will you go on this quest in promise you will protect Frodo and your comrades to the best of your abilities?" Elrond asked me and walked to his window- looking out upon his gardens. I frowned. He still did not trust me- darkness is treacherous after all…
"Yes." I said.
"Do I have your word you will go until the end…? Until you draw your last breath, if it comes to that?" Elrond whispered.
"Yes." I mumbled. Elrond then turned and walked over towards me.
"Then my child, go as an honored woman of Rivendell…" He smiled and then he held something up for me to see. A necklace. It was a white golden necklace with a light blue pendant and intricate golden swirls and lacings around it. I looked up into Elrond's eyes.
"You have not seen kindness or acceptance in this world. I have lived many centuries and I know a good soul when I see one. I chose to make you an inhabitant of my city in hopes you would shed the darkness and you are well on your way. It is not an easy task, but one you committed to. I will be proud to name you as an honored citizen of Rivendell. Of mine own. You have chosen to go on a journey that is almost certain death and for the sake of mankind… Middle-Earth at that… and for that, I am touched and thankful… Take now this pendant and when you feel the darkness- let this light keep it away." Elrond said and held it up. He walked behind me so he could put it on me.
"I- I do not know what to say- I- thank you." I stuttered. The pendant was warm against my chest and it was so very beautiful…
"Nay, thank you my child." Elrond smiled walking in front of me once more. I smiled.
"You have shown me such kindness and love. I do not know how I could ever repay you." I admitted. Elrond just smiled.
"Keep the darkness away, protect the innocent, and give light to those whom are lost." He said. I nodded.
Later at dinner the twins and hobbits noticed my pendant and congratulated me with the honor. I thanked them happily. Boromir didn't glare at me, he just nodded. Gimli smiled at me and nodded.
A week later I found myself around Aragorn more than the twins. We had even started to read aloud the books within the library together. He did not criticize my reading, but corrected me or helped me when I needed it. At first I was so embarrassed I did not talk to him for two days. But we were drawn to each other like magnets and soon we were reading together again.
I found that the twins grew distant of me and Glorfindel looked concerned for me. I did not understand why, but I tried to keep a cool surface. Exactly a week before we set out- the twins confronted me of what was on their minds.
"How long have you and Estel been seeing one another?" They asked quietly once we had reached the far gardens from the main building. It was just after dinner and they had requested I walk with them.
"Since I met the man? You both know of that." I said chuckling at them. They did not look amused.
"Nay we mean romantically." Elrohir whispered. I stared.
"Heh… Ha ha ha ha!" I laughed and laughed with great joy. The twins had never made me laugh this hard and I do not believe I ever laughed this hard…
"Eva! We are serious!" Elladan yelled. I stopped and felt chuckles escape me still.
"Hmm. So what do you wish to speak to me about, honestly?" I asked smiling. They didn't say anything, their blue eyes watching me. I suddenly realized they were serious.
"This better be a joke Elves, for it is angering me quickly." I said, all the lightness of laughter gone, replaced by rage.
"Eva we have seen the way Estel looks after you. Yes at first he seemed to barely want to be within your vicinity- but it is the truth… Glorfindel is concerned… as is… Our sister." Elrohir admitted. I glared at them. This wasn't a funny joke. Arwen was a Goddess among men and for them to suggest- I felt anger ripple through my chest.
"Eva- calm down." Elladan quickly said sensing my anger. They looked alarmed and surprised.
"This much rage?" Elrohir questioned in shock, his voice quiet in disbelief.
"You are both fools!" I growled.
"Eva…" Elladan looked a little hurt.
"Your accusation is utterly disrespectful to me!" I yelled. I heard running footsteps behind me and saw Glorfindel and Legolas approach. They stared at me in horror.
"The anger! It is coming from Eva!" Legolas exclaimed. Glorfindel looked shocked.
"Aye, one woman with so much rage- darkness has its clutches deep within her. It will not give her up easily…" Glorfindel said in a whisper.
"What did you two say?" Glorfindel demanded.
"We confronted her of her and Aragorn's feelings for one another." Elladan said bluntly. I growled.
"I have no feelings for the ranger of the north!" I hissed. Legolas frowned.
"Elrohir, Elladan, this does not concern either of you. It is between Eva and Aragorn." Legolas said.
"What of our sister? Must she watch on in bitter sadness as her love between Estel crumbles before her eyes?" Elladan yelled. I stared at Elladan.
"Tell her she needs not worry. I hate Aragorn with a passion. He has enslaved me with mine own word, I have no intentions of Aragorn other than killing him." I growled. All eyebrows shot up.
"You are not deserving of wearing that pendant!" Elrohir said angrily to me.
"Shh, my little elflings. It is the darkness and anger speaking. Now, I ask of you all to leave and cool your childish heads down." Glorfindel said.
"But-!" Elladan started to protest.
"I SAID GO." Glorfindel rumbled, annoyed he was being questioned. Slowly we all disbursed and I found Legolas walking beside me.
"Eva, is it true?" Legolas asked next to me quietly as we walked to my chambers. Legolas's chambers were not too far from mine. The skies were black now and we had walked in the cool comforting breeze for ten minutes.
"I know nothing of emotions except rage, I do not know of Aragorn and his feelings for me- yet I truly doubt it. As for myself- I feel angry whenever I lay eyes upon him." I admitted, but left out the parts where it would diminish the longer we kept around each other. Legolas nodded.
"I am sorry about the twins, they are very protective of their sister. They do not like to see her sad." Legolas said. I frowned and felt… sad?
"I do not want her to be sad either." I said aloud realizing it.
"We can only see what time has in store for us. Good night milady and sleep well. Do not let stress get to you, for it will untangle the process you have made towards the light." Legolas said. I nodded and bid him good night as well.
Aragorn and his feelings for me… I knew elves were very perceptive, but maybe this once they were wrong? Aragorn watched me to make sure I did not kill anyone or disrespect anyone. He did not watch me with any other motive. I stripped off my gown and pulled on my night gown. I then lay down and slept.
Within the next two days I did not speak with Elrohir or Elladan. I stayed away from Aragorn thinking it was the best thing to do, but the more I tried to avoid him- the more he grew suspicious of me and sought me out.
Glorfindel told me to be myself and Valar had a plan for everyone, so I tried to be myself. I hung out with Glorfindel, Legolas, the Hobbits, and Gimli the most. After a day the twins and I started speaking again. Then on the last night in Rivendell a small festivity was held in the Hall of Fire. I was to go and did. I went in a red gown, intent on leaving quickly. I wanted my last night's sleep to be long and comfortable.
Within the Hall of Fire, Elrohir and Elladan approached me. They each held a goblet of wine and handed me a third Elrohir had been holding.
"Thank you." I said and sipped the sweet alcohol.
"It is your last day here. We are so very sad to see you go…" Elladan said a small sad smile on his face. Elrohir nodded, "We have grown quite close to you." Elrohir smiled.
"And I of you." I admitted. They smiled and we drank together happily.
The next morn we set out for the quest… and I had noticed a grave darkness coming from Aragorn. He did not wear the Evenstar I had noticed Arwen had given him the first month we had gotten here. Legolas looked uncomfortable and Elrond looked a little strange himself. We were wished the best of luck and hugged good bye. Parting with the twins and Glorfindel was the hardest, but they each kissed my forehead and whispered something in elvish to me.
"Good luck, and may Valar watch over you." Elrond whispered. Thus we set off to destroy the One Ring and find our fates among Middle-Earth.