Note:
Language is quite strong in this chapter. Annamir and Nelwen have potty mouths. Apologies to Tolkien.
Also - more puns!
Anna pulled on the flap of her pack; just a few inches more and the leather strap would reach the buckle. She gave the flap a few sharp tugs. The strap was still nowhere near. Well bugger. Balancing precariously on one leg, she pinned her pack with one knee, hoping the extra leverage would help in her epic struggle with obstinate luggage. Her hopes were ill founded; the pack still would not close. Well fuck. With a level of determination usually only seen in cornered animals, Anna pulled on the flap with both hands while holding her pack pincer-like between her thighs. Finally the strap reached the buckle and Anna secured the pack closed with a triumphant "Aha!" From over her shoulder she heard a smug, "you missed something." Turning, she saw Nelwen pointing to the ground where Anna's right pauldron sat mockingly.
Well fucking bugger.
Perhaps it was the murder in Annamir's eyes that caused the smirk to drop from Nelwen's face, or perhaps pity. Either way, Nel quickly dipped to pick up the pauldron before returning to her own pack and slipping it inside. "When we stop for camp we can rearrange your pack – try to get everything to fit," she said. "Thank you," Anna replied with a nod. How had the elf managed to pack so light? Clearly she had failed to pack enough weaponry; Anna disapproved.
Hearing someone approach from behind, Annamir turned to find Elrond and Gandalf striding towards them. Aragorn had arrived at the yard some time before; with Gandalf's arrival, the travelling party was now complete. Beyond the small group of sombre-looking elves that Anna assumed was the official send-off party, she could see countless faces peering from windows and walkways. She could hardly blame them for their curiosity. By now the whole of Rivendell had heard that the One Ring had been found; that an epic quest was underway to destroy the Ring once and for all; and that a team had been assembled to accomplish this impossible feat. Anna supposed they were probably all very disappointed. They had come to see a group of heroes departing on their grand quest. Instead they had found a human with an aversion to personal grooming, a surly elf incapable of identifying the pointy end of a sword, an old man who looked like he could be defeated by a mildly uneven flight of stairs, and a woman who was regularly mistaken for a teenaged boy.
Gandalf clapped Annamir on the shoulder in what she assumed was meant to be an encouraging gesture. Anna had travelled with Gandalf on many occasions, partaken in many adventures, and he had always been brutally honest with her, never resorting to empty platitudes or vain encouragements. If he felt the need to buck her confidence now then that was surely a sign that they were all fucked.
Gandalf gestured for Nelwen to join them and the elf stepped forward. "Frodo," Gandalf called, "the Ring." For the first time, Anna spotted the hobbit standing a few paces behind the Wizard. Maybe Gandalf's ribbing from a few days earlier was correct; her ranger skills were rusty.
Frodo put his hand into the pocket of his waistcoat and Nelwen held out her hand expectantly. For the longest time they remained like that; Frodo with his hand in his pocket, shoulders haunched as if shielding him from a strong gale, and Nel waiting patiently with her hand outstretched. Anna could see something in the hobbit's eyes, something like doubt, something like greed. She wasn't certain whether it was her imagination but the sun seemed to dim and the sound of the crashing waterfalls nearby became dull. She could hear a slight hum at the back of her skull and was suddenly painfully aware that everyone in the vicinity was deathly still.
Finally Frodo snapped to. He placed the Ring in Nel's hand, face looking noticeably relieved, and she slipped it onto a gold chain. "It's not really my style," she said as she clasped the necklace around her neck. It was a poor attempt at humour but Anna appreciated the effort. Frodo and Gandalf said their farewells but Anna wasn't paying attention. Instead she was watching the elf as she traced the ring with her fingertips before slipping it under her tunic out of sight. Anna wondered how long it would take until the elf looked as bad as the hobbit, tired and drawn and worn.
When the last final equipment checks were complete, Elrond stepped forward to survey the assembled group. "The Ring Bearer is setting out on a quest for Mount Doom. Of you who travel with her, no oath or bond is made to go further than you will. Farewell, I hold you to your purpose. May the blessings of elves, of men, and all free folk go with you."
No one made to move.
"Nelwen," Gandalf called, "lead the way. The fellowship awaits the Ring Bearer."
Nel looked momentarily alarmed before responding with a smirk, "you mean the Ring Quartet."
As she stepped forward, Anna fell in line behind her, "or the Awesome Foursome."
"A four-ce to be reckoned with."
"Number puns aren't really my four-te."
"This is going to be a very long trip," sighed Gandalf.
