Here is your third chapter. Thank you for reading.
At this point i realize i have forgotten to do a disclaimer, so here you go: I do not own anything. Sword Art Online and Lord of the Rings belong to their respective owners who are not me.
Kirito was given a rather comfortable room to sleep in while he was in Rivendell. He honestly didn't know when the last time was that he had slept in such a comfortable bed. SAO's beds were on a scale from the ground to decent, quality- plush beds were an expensive rarity. But Rivendell beds were deluxe.
Of course, he had nightmares from his time in SAO, which kinda dulled down the comfort, but Kirito refused to admit that he had any form of PTSD until he was in his own true home and the danger was over.
Then there was the food. The food, while elves seemed to be mostly vegetarians, though there was some meat, had much more flavor than he had tasted in a while. Asuna was an amazing max skilled cook, it was still programmed food they had been eating, plus they weren't actually eating anything, just the nerve gear simulating their brain whenever they put a food item in their mouth.
The scenery wasn't bad either. Better than what SAO had programmed, and it felt good to see real stars again instead of the not-all-the-way realistic painted-like huge-celling skies of the Floors in SAO for the past 2 years.
To pass time, he wandered around Rivendell and read through a few books in the library to further acquaint himself with the world he was in. He did some background research on the Ring and the great war and what happened there and got a little background info on all the races of Middle Earth; Men, Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves, as well as the "monster-like" races like Orcs, Goblins, Dragons and some others.
For most people, it would seem like a lot to take in so quickly, but 1, Kirito always got the info he needed and 2, he's a computer geek and considered a forming computer genius, which required pretty good reading and comprehension skills. In his world, he spent ages online reading info pages and browsing through multiple Wikipedia and other site info pages on multiple subjects. If it was something he wanted to read, he could read it as fast as he needed.
The elves were nice enough as well, and obviously, so were the Hobbits, but Kirito still spent most of his time alone. Despite what happened in SAO with Asuna, and his friends, Klein, Agil, Lisbeth and the few others, he was still more of a loner. He didn't have high level social interaction skills. In game or in real life or in whatever Middle Earth was.
Five days later, Frodo finally woke up, on the path healing quickly, though Kirito heard a rumor the wound would never fully heal.
Kirito had been passing by Frodo's door when he noticed it was open and there were voices inside it.
"… Bless you, you're awake!" Came Sam's voice. Apparently Frodo had woken up in the brief time he left to do something Kirito didn't know.
"Sam has hardly left your side since his arrival," Gandalf said.
"We were that worried about you weren't we Mr. Gandalf," Sam said, and by this point, Kirito was leaning against the door frame.
"By the skills of Lord Elrond, you're beginning to mend," Gandalf said, and for the first time, Kirito noticed Elrond in the room as well.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Frodo Baggins. Though I must say I cannot take all the credit for your healing. If not for Kirito delaying the poison, you never would have made it here," the dark haired elf replied, and looked over to where Kirito was standing, bringing the attention of the room to him.
"Thank you, both of you," Frodo said, to with Kirito and Elrond replied with a slight bow of the head.
Frodo looked at Kirito for a moment, he seemed familiar somehow.
Then he remembered that just after the Weathertop incident he was in and out of coherence and he vaguely remembered seeing a boy with dark hair standing over him holding some red gem that shattered. It was shortly before he saw the beautiful dark haired woman speaking who had spoken in the strange yet beautiful language that was elvish.
Kirito slipped out of the room and let Sam, Frodo and Gandalf catch up. A few hours later, Frodo was able to get up, get dressed and walk around Rivendell, so Kirito left him to it and went to read a book he'd gotten from the library in a tree near the courtyard near the front gate. He read there often.
A few days passed, most of which was spend either eating, sleeping wandering around Rivendell or reading. Frodo was mending quite nicely and apparently was catching up with his Uncle Bilbo, who was also in Rivendell.
It was maybe around noon on the end of his second week in Rivendell when a man rode into Rivendell on a brown horse. He had brownish reddish hair about the length of Strider's and some stubble that might grow into a beard someday, though more so than Strider. He had an air of confidence and had a round shield on his back and sword at his side, and looked confident despite looking a bit travel weary.
He must be the first arrival of those invitations Elrond had sent out.
The man didn't seem to notice Kirito in the tree and continued into Rivendell, being greeted by a few elves as he did. Another few hours and a few more men arrived, though like the first man, none seemed to notice him in the tree. Several hours later a group of elves, the first one in had long blonde hair and dismounted off his house quickly once he was inside the gate, scanning Rivendell.
A few of the elves, including the blonde one looked his way, but were greeted by some more Rivendell elves before any words could be traded.
Two days later, what could only be a group of dwarves arrived. They were a bit taller than Hobbits, but still much shorter than men or elves, though obviously more broadly build shoulder, body shape and muscle wise, and mostly carried axes as primary weapons and had large bushy beards.
Like the men, they did not seem to take note of Kirito. As they passed in and were greeted by elves, Kirito couldn't help but notice a bit of hostility. Of course, Kirito had read about the rivalry between dwarves and elves spanning back centuries. He just hopped that wouldn't get in the way of whatever was to become of the ring since it was going to supposedly affect all of them.
A few days passed and the travelers got settled in, though Kirito hadn't interacted with any of them.
Kirito continued to read all the while, of course every now and then he'd take a break to eat and stuff.
It was evening as he walked to the library to put a book back after completing it. He was unfortunately running out of books that were written in a language he could read, and hoped there to be at least a few more left that he could read without having to learn elvish.
When he entered, he found Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin in the library as well as an elderly Hobbit holding a red leather bound book who could only be Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's uncle. Kirito had seen him around a few times, but they had never actually spoken.
"Kirito!" Pippin exclaimed happily when he noticed the 16 year old had entered the library.
"Hi guys," Kirito replied casually as he placed the book he had finished on the shelf.
"Ah, so you're Kazuto Kirigaya. Pippin and Merry have told me all about your backstory," Bilbo said. Kirito froze.
He vaguely remembered mentioning his real name to Strider and the others during his explanation, and they had accepted that he was going to keep going by Kirito, but he had totally forgotten that Merry and Pippin had been listening. It's not like he didn't like using his real name, it's just that after 2 years, hearing someone use it was a little surprising.
Then he sighed.
"So, how much have they exaggerated it?" he replied lightly.
"Not that much," Merry and Pippin protested.
"Is it true though?" Sam cut in, "Have you really spent the last two years out of reality?"
"Yeah," Kirito nodded, thinking he had hid the wave of unpleasant memories that washed over him when the subject was brought up.
"Must be quite the story then," Bilbo said, "I've got one of my own, I've gotten almost all of it all written down here," he added tapping the leather bound book.
"I know the basics, but I don't think I've gotten the full account yet," Kirito said.
"Bilbo was just about to tell us the story," Merry said.
"You're welcome to stay and listen, Kirito," Bilbo said kindly.
Kirito thought for a moment. I'd been a while since he just sat down to listen to a story, so he did, taking a seat on the couch, a little bit further away that most people would, but still in range to listen attentively.
Kirito found that despite the differentness of the story from what he was used to, he found it rather enjoyable as Bilbo recounted his adventure of how he went from comfortably at home hobbit to going on a quest with the company of 13 dwarves to reclaim a homeland, meeting the elves in Rivendell for the first time, the Goblins, the game of wits with Gollum, Azog, the eagle escape, the Mirkwood elves and the crazy barrel ride escape, the Lake Town, reclaiming Erebor, the dragon Smaug and it's attack on Lake Town, the Arkenstone, and his defeat and the battle of the five armies where Kili, Fili and Thorin ultimately died and Bilbo's return to the shire.
It was really a rather interesting story.
But the hour was late when it was over, and both Kirito and Frodo had been summoned to the meeting of a secret council tomorrow morning and had to get to bed.
Kirito was the last to leave the Library, except for Bilbo.
"Kirito," the old hobbit called, getting his attention, while the other Hobbits were already out of reach.
"Yes, Bilbo?" he replied.
"It truly does help your mind to write it all down," the elderly Hobbit said, as if he somehow knew that Kirito had nightmares about his time in SAO. Kirito probably had the look on his face that Bilbo had looked he often used to have right after his repercussions of his own adventure.
"I'll consider it. Thank you for sharing your story," Kirito said with a warm smile, and traditional slight bow, then headed off to bed.
But before he went to sleep he went out onto his balcony and noticed two figures on the bridge over a small stream that was in his view. It was Strider and the Elf woman who had brought Frodo ahead to Rivendell, Arwen if he remembered correctly.
He was too far away to tell what they were saying, but they were obviously having a moment. She stroked his hair and he touched a necklace on her chest. From the way they looked at each other, Kirito recognized what it was instantly. They were a very cute couple. Kirito returned to his room to let them have their alone time once their kiss began.
Strider and Arwen, their love reminded Kirito of himself and Asuna. A happy couple who had probably seen a lot of stuff together. Except of course, Arwen and Strider were in the same world at the moment and probably didn't meet to go kill a monster together.
That night, Kirito dreamed about Floor 75. He remembered each and every one of the 14 good fighters they lost that day to the Skull Reaper. But that memory quickly lead to his fight with Kayaba, and the big reveal, and when he paralyzed everyone in the room.
Except when Asuna jumped in the way of the Sociopath's sword and was dying in his arms, she blamed him for everything.
That was what had woken Kirito up in a cold sweat. He knew she didn't blame him… but he did blame himself. She nearly (did) died because he was reckless in thinking he could be the big hero.
Was she here somewhere in this world as well? Probably not, she hadn't been with him when he woke up, and they had been hugging and sitting next to each other when the end of SAO came.
Kirito didn't want to believe it, but somehow he just knew Asuna wasn't here with him in Middle Earth. But he didn't believe she was dead either.
She had to have woken up. It was the only option left. He would see her again just as soon as he worked out the errors keeping him in Middle Earth.
Seeing as there was no getting back to sleep and sunrise was maybe only a half hour off, Kirito decided to get cleaned up and ready for the meeting that would take place at 10:00.
The hours seemed to pass slowly, and breakfast was kind on an awkward silence, but finally the time came and representatives from each race – plus Kirito who was from another world- gathered in a court yard in chairs set up around a pedestal.
There were 25 people in all including Kirito.
There was Lord Elrond, his two sons and three other Rivendell Elves, 4 dwarves, 5 elves from places that were not Rivendell, Aragorn, Kirito, Gandalf, Frodo, the reddish-brown haired man who was apparently Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor- which was kind of like what was once the capital city before the kingdom dissolved and five other men who had arrived soon after Boromir.
Kirito sat between Aragorn and one of the other men.
Several of the people gave Kirito odd looks, whether it be from his attire, unrecognizable nationality or his obviously young age. Most of them had seen him around Rivendell prior to the meeting, but didn't realize he'd be a part of it.
Once everyone was seated, Elrond stood up and began the meeting.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You've 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 indestructible doom," Elrond turned to the only Hobbit present, "Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo almost hesitantly slid out of his seat and reached into his pocket before slowly approaching the pedestal. He placed the ring in the center and backed off to his own seat again.
As soon as the ring was in full view of everyone, several gasps went out throughout the crowd. Kirito heard Boromir mutter, "So it is true!" with suspicious eagerness. Strider eyed Boromir almost warily.
Several more hushed whispers went over the crowd. Kirito was slightly confused. Everyone seemed to lean in towards the ring, but the vibe Kirito was getting from it was to get as far away from it as possible. This wasn't the first time either. It's why he always spent less time with Frodo than he did others. The ring seemed to hate him or something.
Several people gathered noticed the boys opposite reaction to their own.
"It is a gift," Boromir said, casting all attention on him, so he stood up to say what he had to, "A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring? My father, Steward of Gondor, has kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood out our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"
The longer Boromir spoke, Kirito noticed Strider's obvious anger and frustration towards the auburn haired man's words. When the man had finished his piece, Strider spoke up, "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The One ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
Boromir looked a little insulted that Strider was speaking against him.
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter."
Then the blonde elf from a few days ago suddenly stood, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance," the elf said defensively.
"Aragorn? I thought his name was Strider- well, I'm not really one to talk about real names. Kirito is just a combination of my real name. Kirigaya Kazuto. Probably easier to travel around when people don't really know who you are, especially if he's someone important." Kirito thought.
"Aragorn?" Boromir questioned, "This is Isildur's heir?" Boromir either looked pleased or worried to meet him. Aragorn didn't seem to be too thrilled about his real ID being exposed. Frodo looked at him the same way Kirito did, with surprise of a revealed name. The others in the group looked at him in surprise and in awe as well.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," the blonde elf added.
Strider- err rather Aragorn, called the elf Legolas and said something in the elvish language, and the elf sat down again, grudgingly.
Boromir scowled, "Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." Then he sat down angrily.
"Aragorn is right, we cannot use it," Gandalf confirmed.
"You have but one choice then. The Ring must be destroyed," Elrond revealed and a hush fell over the crowd.
Then a red haired dwarf spoke up, "Well then, what are we waiting for."
He got up and raised his ax. Kirito then remembered everything he read about the nearly industrucble ring and then remembered how proud dwarves were with their weapons. If he tried to destroy the ring with that, his ax would shatter and that would likely cause some upheave from the dwarves. They didn't need that now.
Just as several cries of protest to Gimli's actions went around the circle, his ax came down on the ring- or rather didn't. Instead there was the clang of metal against metal, but it was not ax metal against ring metal.
No one hardly saw the boy move, or even reach for his sword.
But when they blinked, the boy was out of his seat, coat wooshing, a black sword unlike anyone had ever seen before had been drawn out of the sheath on his back, and he was holding it firmly, no shaking, about a single centimeter above the ring, solidly preventing the dwarf's ax from hitting it- and inadvertly preventing Frodo a headache.
Some looked shocked, others worried, a few dwarves angered that two weapons had clashed at the meeting. Others just looked plain curious.
Everyone was in shock for a moment, until Kirito finally spoke to snap them out of it.
"You can't destroy the Ring that way. Remember all those weapons that shattered during that war when it was on Sauron's finger when people tried hitting it directly," Kirito said, recalling facts from that book he read about the war so he wouldn't be completely out of the loop. The fact he had put Sauron's name in the statement made it carry even more of an impact.
Gimli backed off, nodding as if suddenly realizing his foolishness. He was wielding his father's ax, he didn't want to disgrace him by shattering it so soon after getting it because of a foolish action. Gimli was silently thanking the odd child.
A few of the men and elves who also knew of the Dwarves pride in their weapons had also realized another headache Kirito had just prevented as well.
Kirito backed off, returning to his seat as well and put his sword away on his back sheath. He ignored the eyes staring at him intently now. They hadn't expected that from a boy.
"Yes, Kirito is correct," Elrond said, taking control of the group again, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glion, by any craft we here possess. The Ring 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."
A silence fell over the group once more.
And them Boromir opened his mouth again.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," he said, paused then continued while shaking his head, "Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great eye is ever watchful. Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly."
Legolas stood again, with great urgency, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has just said?! The ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it," Gimli protested at the thought of an elf taking such an important quest.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir shouted, and all three were on their feet.
"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf," Gimli shouted.
And suddenly, everyone was on their feet yelling and arguing. Only Frodo, Elrond, Aragorn and Kirito remained seated.
Kirito looked around the fighting mob and found that Frodo was clutching his head as if it hurt. Then Frodo starred at the ring, not with greed or longing, but with fear and a hint of resignation to fate. And the small words, "I will take it," escaped his mouth. Apparently, Kirito was the only one who heard.
Frodo stood and said, "I will take it," again, but was not heard over the crowd and the fighting continued.
Kirito sighed, looked like it was time to intervene again.
Kirito stood and grabbed two of the decorative small polished rocks from the nearby rock bed. He stood next to Frodo and whispered, "Cover your ears. This is going to be loud."
Frodo looked at him with confusion but did as he was told.
Kirito let a familiar energy build up, and the rock in his left hand took on a greenish glow while the one in his right took on a blue glow. He held his hands in front of him. No one had noticed him yet… except for Elrond who was looking at him curiously like, "Why did you take rocks from my rock bed and why are they glowing?"
Kirito let the energy release as he threw the rocks together.
There was a really loud crack as they collided and shattered into smaller pebbles. The sound reverberated all through Rivendell. No debris hit anyone, but it scared the hell out of everyone who heard the sound, especially the people in attendance of the meeting, several of which reached for their weapons.
The all turned and starred at him wide eyed.
"If you're all done arguing, I think it's time you remembered there's a better option than any of you are presenting," Kirito said exasperatedly.
A few people seemed insulted that Kirito, a 16 year old boy, was seeming to talk down on them, but they never got the chance to speak because Frodo beat them to it.
"I will take the ring to Mordor," Frodo announced.
No one argues upfront, but Gandalf sighed, as if he knew this would happen, but didn't want it to.
"… Though, I do not know the way," Frodo added after a few seconds. There was a silence after his spoke his words. Kirito begun to wonder if anyone was going to react at all.
Finally, Gandalf breathed a sigh and stepped forwards, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, for as long as it is yours to bear." That started the chain reaction.
Aragorn stood, "By my life or death, if I can protect you, I will," he went and kneeled before Frodo, "You have my sword."
Legolas suddenly stepped forwards, "And you have my bow."
"And my ax," Gimli added and also came to stand with the group, no one noticed the small smile Elrond and Gandalf shared, knowing what was happening.
"And my abilities," Kirito said, joining the group, now knowing that the destruction of the ring was almost certain to be one of the errors that had to be fixed and he needed to be a part in that. Of course, he had never been one to travel in parties for long periods of time, but he had to make an exception for this.
Boromir also stepped forward, "You care the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."
"HEY!" someone hiding in the buses called, Elrond looked weirded out as a certain Hobbit named Sam came out of his hiding places in the bushes and ran to Frodo's side, "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
Kirito couldn't help but smirk as Elrond replied, "No, indeed it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a Secret Council and you are not."
"Oi!" two more familiar voices called out, "We're coming too," Marry and Pippin popped out from behind the pillars in the door way and also ran to the growing group.
Elrond obviously wasn't pleased that so many Hobbits had been eavesdropping on the supposed to be secret council, but serval others, including Kirito found it rather amusing.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Pippin said as they took their place next to Frodo, "Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this… quest thing."
"Well that rules you out, Pip," Merry deadpanned.
After getting over the initial reaction to the random horde of Hobbits appearing, Elrond was about to reject to them coming, but then he saw a smile on Frodo's face and realized the ring bearer would need more than physical protection, but close friends to keep him sane during the journey and postpone the effects of the Ring's mental ensnarement, and the Hobbits would fill that role. Plus they now outnumbered the 9 wraiths.
"10 companions… so be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring," Elrond announced.
"Great," Pippin said, "So where are we going?"
Everyone rolled their eyes, but everyone at the council seemed to approve of the fellowship. It had representatives of each race with the most neutral and most resistant to the ring's dark influence carrying it.
The council disbanded after that to prepare the Fellowship for their journey, which they would depart for in 3 weeks' time.
Kirito went to the library to study some maps so he could memorize the basic route they were to be taking. Gandalf or any of the others would probably be a better guide than him, but at least he wouldn't be blindly flowing. Maybe he'd even be able to copy a few maps into the Game Menu. He still had some maps he created and downloaded in SAO, so theoretically he should still be able to do it here since he had most of his game abilities here.
"You name is Legolas right," he said, sensing the elf following him as he turned into the library.
"And yours is Kirito," the blonde elf replied, turning in after him, "What did you do back there, during the argument, the rocks they glowed then-"
"I transferred some of my energy into the rocks, and when I threw them at each other, the extra energy made then travel faster than normal and had a stronger impact when they collided. It's not the most energy effect way of getting attention but it worked," Kirito replied as he scanned the shelves for the maps he was looking for. Once he found a few he pulled them out and walked over to the desk and spread them out.
"Where did you learn such magic?" Legolas asked.
"The Ring's influence has stretched far beyond the borders of our own world," Gandalf replied for Kirito, appearing in the library along with the rest of the newly formed Fellowship, making the eyes of those present who did not know Kirito's situation widen.
"You are not-" Boromir began.
"From Middle Earth? Nope," Kirito replied casually as he looked over the map, Gandalf came to his side and began tracing with his finger, mapping out the possible routes they could take to Mordor.
"As for the magic bit, it's not really magic. It more of a technological skill I picked up due to certain circumstances," Kirito mumbled.
"Yes, those circumstances being trapped in separate world from reality," Aragorn said.
"What?" it seemed Kirito was only succeeding in making Legolas and the others more confused.
"It wasn't like I was planning on getting stuck there," Kirito replied as he continued to try and memorize the map and was planning on downloading later.
"Mr. Kirito, maybe you should explain what you're doing here to them, they look awfully confused," Sam said and for the first time, Kirito actually saw how confused they were when he turned to face them.
"Oh, right. It's a long story," Kirito said absently, "I'll give you the short version later."
They studied the maps and then went to get lunch. After lunch, Kirito managed to slip away before the others could corner him about his backstory. He really didn't feel like re-explaining it just yet. Maybe he would open up sometime during the quest which was apparently going to involve a lot of walking and therefore lots of time for talking.
They studied maps straight into dinnertime, which was rather good. And before anyone managed to corner Kirito about his story, he managed to slip away once more.
One evening he was talking a walk around Rivendell (again) and camp upon a room with a statue holding a platter. On the platter was a sword with several shards of a sword. Very damaged, but still in better condition than his other sword, Dark Repulsor, which was in even smaller and more numerous pieces.
But at least he had all of the pieces of his blade. This one looked to be missing a few.
He finally recalled what the blade was from his reading.
"Yes, this is the sword that cut the ring from Sauron's finger," a voice said behind him. Kirito turned to see Lord Elrond.
"It's a beautiful blade," Kirito truthfully commented.
"Even more so when it was whole. Someday it may be reforged, but that is not today," the elf replied.
"It looks like a few of the pieces are missing," Kirito said.
"We scanned the battlefield several hours and days, but the other shards were lost to places we do not know. Many take it as a sign that the king is never meant to return."
"There's always a Republic," Kirito suggested.
"The men of this world are far too divided for that kind of Government. It was tried, but the closest we got was the Steward of Gondor, who has no qualities of that government. But even he can only hold his power in the city of Gondor itself. Not throughout all of Middle Earth as a true leader could."
"Boromir's father?"
"Yes."
"Why don't you just forge a new sword?"
"This one was made with special metals that are to find and hard to merge other metals with for a properly strong sword. The time for the Return of the King has not come."
"I'm sure you'll figure something out when the time does come."
"You are wise Kirito.
"That's a first for me. Normally, I'm actually a pretty rude person. My social skills aren't exactly highly developed."
"There are several kinds of wise people."
It was a strange exchange but one that happened none-the-less. After a while more, Elrond departed. It was late and Kirito did as well. As he did so, he thought to himself. He smiled, getting an idea. It probably wouldn't do that much good soon, but they would probably find a use for it eventually.