Apologies all for the wait. A combo of Tendonitis and Workshift covering for sick colleges took me out for a bit. I am back now and aiming to get back to a regular posting schedule.

I really did not know why I had decided to sneak into the council chambers earlier that morning. I knew exactly what would happen in the council, who would say what, and which members would volunteer to help Frodo in his quest to take the ring to Mordor. Yet curiosity had gotten the better of me, I had sneaked into the council area and somehow managed to squeeze my body into a bush. Already I was questioning the validity of my idea of sneaking into the area, the bush barely seemed big enough to hide my body from view and the harsh poking of a branch in my back dared me to move an inch. But I felt like I had to be here, I wanted to see at least one small part of the big drama that was about to play out in middle earth, and at least when I was old and gray I would be able to say 'I saw the council of Elrond' - though I suspected that most people would class me as being an 'old loon' by that time and give me humouring smiles.

I sighed, daring to not move so as to relieve myself of the discomfort of the branch in my back, especially as the first few arrivals were already walking into the council area. The arrivals were tall and graceful, their flaxen hair and haughty faces revealing them to be the elves of Mirkwood, however only one of them in particular caught my full attention and made me forget about the fierce prodding of the branch in my back. The princely aura of the tallest male told me this could only be one person - Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood and son of Thranduil! I could think of a few of my friends that would be squealing at the sight of the elf, but frankly I just couldn't see the appeal of him myself. Sure he could be considered handsome in all sense of the word, but he was too prim and proper for my particular tastes. I liked manly men, men that didn't bother with the 'manscaping' that seemed so popular in today's society ... Or would that be tomorrow's society seeing as I had been flung back to the equivalent of the middle ages? The whole idea made my head spin and I felt suddenly homesick.

My musings on what qualities made for the perfect man and the merits of home came to an abrupt end when the dwarves and humans arrived, their faces bitter and drawn as they looked at the elves. The dwarves, however, looked to be the most offended by the presence of the elves, at least to me, and their scowls were very evident even with the thick mass of hair on their faces. It was clear that even a council to discuss the fate of their earth couldn't erase the racial feud between the elves and dwarves! Though I felt it was promising that they could at least stand each other enough to be breathing the same air, though I could tell that just one ill muttered word would have tensions overflowing between the two races and before long there would be an all-out fight! I just wished I could remember the lore of Middle Earth a bit better, the Silmarillion and other books by Tolkien had never really been an easy read for my wandering mind, and I just could not remember what it was that had caused the feud in the first place. I pushed aside the thought, knowing that I could just ask one of the many elves in Rivendell about the matter, and instead focused on trying to pick out familiar faces - after all if Legolas had been an easy enough spot then the other members of the fellowship would be just as easy!

A brief search of the faces in the room revealed that I was right, many of the fellowship looked much as they did in the movies, but with enough differences in facial appearance that I sometimes needed a second take. The first person I spotted was of course Boromir, how could I not spot him in the crowd when I had already met him some days previous? Though I had to say he looked to be in a much more presentable manner today. His clothing was of a finer style than the travelling clothes I had last seen him in, his hair looked as if it had been brushed, and his beard had a neatly trimmed appearance - in all he looked like much more liked the son of a steward of Gondor then he had last time I had seen him, though I still preferred his 'just got off the beaten track look'. As presentable as he looked the man of Gondor looked distracted, his eyes moving around the room as if in search of something, and a sickening sensation settled in my stomach as I realised what it was he was looking for - he was looking for the reason they had all been brought here for, he was looking for the ring of power. If only he knew what that ring would do to him, how it would turn him from a man of power to a man of pity. I just wanted to run over to him and warn him of what was to come, to save him from himself and his own weaknesses.

I knew ultimately that there was nothing that could save him, and I turned my attention from him to another of the humans. The dark haired man a few seats down from him looked just like any of the other humans, but there was something about the look of him - some kind of regal bearing that told me that this was none other than Aragorn. I could see why Arwen would be attracted to him, he was quite handsome and like Boromir he had that rugged look that both men wore so well. Why did the men of Gondor have to look so handsome? It made my decision to not fall in love with someone so much harder, and I made a mental note to not move to Gondor when the time finally came to leave Rivendell - if I ever left Rivendell that is. Elrond certainly didn't seem like it was in a rush to kick me out, and I felt peacefully at home in the elven valley for the time being - even if Arwen constantly dragged me into her needlepoint sessions. Though I felt that in time the aloof nature of the elves would get to me, sure they were welcoming and treated me with kindness, but they always had that edge to them that made me feel like I did not quite fully fit in.

Pulling my gaze away from the men of Gondor I found myself once more scanning the faces of those present in the room and found myself looking at a red haired and bushy-bearded dwarf that just had to be Gimli. He seemed to be a fairly gruff fellow, his hands holding tight to one of the small axes wedged in his belt in a manner that made me question if it was a wise idea to allow weapons into such a council. A low muttering in the room started as a new group of arrivals entered the council area, and I knew instantly whom they were! I didn't need a second look to tell me that the smallest of the group was Frodo, that the figure in grey was Gandalf, and with them was the now familiar face of Lord Elrond. It was later that made me feel most anxious, his eyes seemingly drawn to my hiding spot as if he knew I was there! He couldn't know I was there, I was well hidden after all and so he couldn't possibly know that I was hidden in the bushes - yet his intense gaze made me want to reveal myself and plead my forgiveness. It was a desire I had to quell quickly as knowing my luck I would step out and find out that he had no idea I was sneakily watching the council. No, unless he specifically called me out then I was going to stay right where I was, and I found myself literally holding my breath until he looked away to look over the council with a serious expression on his flawless face. With his attention now off me I allowed myself to relax as much as I could with a pointy stick working its way into my back - the bush seemed to not be enjoying my company much, but it would sadly have to put up with me awhile longer as the council was only just getting started - each person taking their seats once Lord Elrond had taken his place at the open end of the semicircle of seats and addressed the gathered group with a solemn voice.

"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

I turned my eyes to the small hobbit, my heart bleeding for what he had already been through and what more he would have to suffer. If only I could take this fate from him so that he wouldn't have to suffer the evils of the ring or the forces of Mordor - but that would change the fate of the world. I was just an observer in this, and while Frodo would suffer he would save this whole world! My eyes watched him as he moved toward the pedestal in the center of the room, carefully placing the ring upon the smooth surface and I found myself leaning forward slightly for a better look of the item - heck I even expected to feel some kind of tempting call from the ring. But there was nothing, I felt no voice, and I felt no desire to take the evil item for myself - perhaps that would come later? Perhaps temptation came with longer exposure to the ring? That couldn't be it, I could already hear Boromir's voice talking about the ring being a gift to the foes of Mordor - already he seemed to be tempted by it ... so why was she not affected the same way? Perhaps she being from another world saved her from it's whisperings and temptations? I had so many questions, and she wasn't even sure she would ever find the answers, so instead I turned my attention to what Boromir was saying.

"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? (paces) Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy. Let us use it against him!"

I shook my head at the theory, the ring would never allow itself to be used against its master. It would just turn the minds of the men of Gondor to evil, and there was no way back from that. At least Aragorn seemed to feel the same way as herself, his calm features turning to the captain of Gondor - though there seemed some spark of frustration and was that ... disappointment?

"You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master"

Aragorn's voice was every bit as stately as I expected it to have. The accenting was different to the actor that had played him in the movies, but the depth was the same and there was the same anger at the mere suggestion that they should use the ring. I felt somewhat upset that Boromir still seemed so set on the matter, his handsome features holding the same anger that Aragorn had in his voice - how could someone that had been kind enough to talk to me talk like this? It had to be that ring, I didn't want to think that this was normal behaviour for Boromir.

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?"

That lone sentence brought Legolas to his feet. Up to now the Elf had been silent, but he now came to the defence of the ranger that sat opposite.

"This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Ohhhh, burn Boromir! You didn't see that coming did you? The look of shock on the male's face as he turned toward the ranger that sat not that far away from him.

"Aragorn? (turns towards Aragorn with disbelief in his eyes) This… is Isildur's heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor"

Boromir's facial expressions were hard to read, he still looked angry that he was being questioned, and now this was being flung into the mix! Aragorn shook his head slightly, lifting a hand as he addressed the Elf with a somewhat tired tone.

"Havo dad Legolas"

"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king"

With that parting comment Boromir returned to his seat and Gandalf finally stepped in to bring order to the council - though I knew that such order would not last for long given the volatile nature of the occupants of the room. It was at this point that I found that my attention wavered from what was going on. At first I had been excited to see all this happen before my eyes, but I had seen this scene a dozen times in the movies and read it more times than I cared to count for in the books. Not to mention the poking of the annoying branch was pulling my attention away from enjoying all of this. All I wanted was for this to be all over so I could leave my hiding spot and finally leave the hateful bush behind - but, of course, the whole thing dragged on thanks to the occasional bickering from various members of the council. Their voices rose higher and higher as the tension built, then suddenly it all came crashing round as one small voice broke out from among the wall of noise.

"I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though.. I do not know the way"

I shifted slightly, my eyes drawn to the small form of Frodo as he volunteered to take the ring to Mordor. He looked so small among so many tall people, his face having an uncertain look and yet there was a determined set to his lips and stance. Thankfully he was soon joined by the tall figure of Gandalf.

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear"

Oh god, this was it. The fellowship was being formed, and within a few weeks they would be off on their way! I had to stop myself from making a sound of delight as I watched the next few moments unwind in front of me, as Aragorn stood up to offer his own service to the hobbit.

"If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."

Legolas was next to join, closely followed by Gimli.

"And you have my bow"

"And my axe!"

I could tell by the exchange of dark looks that they didn't like each other much, and there would be a fair few arguments between them before this was all over and done with. The movement from the corner of my eyes turned my attention to Boromir though I wondered if he wanted to protect the hobbit - or if he was doing this for the need of the ring.

"You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done"

A shout suddenly came from one of the bushes not that far away from me, and the barrel-like form of another hobbit rushed toward Frodo.

"Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"

"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not"

Elrond didn't seem pleased at all, poor guy - this was supposed to be a secret council and now there were two more hobbits running toward their friend. I wondered how the pair had been able to hide behind those pillars and not be spotted, the pillars were not the best of hiding spots in all of middle earth. Lucky sods. If only I could get away with that!

"Wait! We are coming too!"

"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!"

"Any way you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing"

"Well that rules you out Pip"

Hah! I liked those two, they were really quite cute. I smiled, but my smile faltered as I noticed that Gandalf had moved from the group ... he wasn't supposed to move. He was supposed to stand there and Elrond would declare them the fellowship of the ring, I was not expecting for a rough hand to grip the back of my dress and pull me out of the bush with a sharp yank. The hand it seemed had belonged to Gandalf and while his face had a look of disappointment his eyes seemed to have a sparkle of amusement at finding another hidden spy.

"We will need you too, you have knowledge that might assist us in our quest"

I spluttered and choked on my own saliva - I totally didn't want to sign up for this! Plus how did Gandalf know I had knowledge to help? If he did know what I knew then he should know that having me along would change the whole story ... yet he seemed totally at ease with this as Elrond proclaimed us the fellowship of the ring. To me this was all some nightmare, especially as all the men with the exceptions of Aragorn and Gandalf were looking at me as if I was going to be some kind of burden on this quest - even Boromir didn't seem pleased with this development. I wanted to tell them all that I didn't like this either - but the choice was out of my hands.

I was now a member of the fellowship of the ring, and I would have to tread carefully if I were to keep the story on the knife edge route that it was supposed to take.