The day of the Council and the representatives of the great races of Middle Earth gather. Julia was introduced to all of them, but only a few names lingered in her mind.
The Council opened after everyone had taken there seats. Julia was seated with the Men, because she didn't really fit anywhere else, though she looked perfectly human, and as far as most of the council knew, was.
Through Elrond's speech she was stared at, probably because she looked so different. Though she had to admit, looking at the fair skinned, flawless elves, the rugged men, the small, yet sturdy dwarves and the little hobbit, her dark skin and tattoos didn't seem odd at all, at least in her mind. Her attention was drawn back to the circle as Elrond spoke.
"Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
The little hobbit, a small being, shorter then the Dwarves, with bare feet, gentlemen-like clothes, and shabby hair hopped down from his chair and carefully lays what seems to be a plain golden ring on an alter in the middle of everyone. He then returns to his chair and sighs as if a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
Though the ring looked simple and harmless, Julia could feel the great evil of the ring radiating out, much like the taint that flows from a Hive. It pulsed, radiated, and hummed as it reached it dark figures for her, wishing to inter her mind. It took all the discipline she had to shut her self off and push it away. She was sweating, and her hands shook a little from the effort of her mental fight.
Elrond caught her distressed look, but before he could voice his concern, the man she has spoken to in the hall, who's name she had learned was Boromir stood. He walked slowly towards the Ring, arm outstretched, clearly in it's thrall. Just as he was about to touch it Gandalf stood and started chanting something in a dark tongue. The sky blackened and the evil from the ring seemed to increase causing all gathered to grab their heads in pain. Julia gasped, she had heard that tongue before, it was the same tongue that was murmured in the Black Spiral.
When Gandalf finished and the sun returned to the sky Elrond looked over at Gandalf with slight anger.
"Never before has anyone uttered that tongue here in Imladris."
Gandalf turned to him and seemed a bit tired.
"I do not ask pardon Lord Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The ring is all together evil."
Julia agreed with that. Never before had she come across anything with the power to control men's minds. No not just they're minds, but they're hearts as well.
Gandalf turned to take his seat before Boromir spoke.
"Nay it is a gift, a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring."
Another Man spoke; this one had dark hair but his name Julia could not remember.
"You can not wield it, none of us can. The Ring answers to Sauron alone, it has no other master."
Boromir turns to him and smirks.
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter."
An Elf stood; he was tall and had a beautiful fall of smooth blond hair.
"This is no mere Ranger, he is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, you owe him your allegiance."
Boromir turns to Aragorn.
"Aragorn? This is Isildor's heir?"
The Elf nods.
"An heir to the throne of Gondor."
Aragorn told the Elf something in elfish that Julia could not understand and he took his seat. Boromir turned back to Aragorn as he headed to his seat.
"Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king."
Boromir sat and Julia's eyes strayed to him. She had to admit he was handsome, but she could not get over how bull-headed he was, or how foolish. Could he not feel the pure evil pouring from the Ring? Was it's influence over him that strong already, or was this how he truly was? She would have to watch him closely.
She turned her attention then to Aragorn. Strong, with a similar build to Boromir. His face was hardened, and his eyes held a good deal of knowledge, obviously a man of intelligence. He could feel the evil of the ring, and that pleased her. At least they weren't all blind.
She turned to attention back to Elrond as the council continued.
"The ring must be destroyed."
A Dwarf, short, stocky, with a long braided red beard and strong armor stood and grabbed his ax.
"Well what are we waiting for?"
He swung his ax with all the force her could muster, and the moment it hit the ring the ax shattered and knocked the Dwarf backwards. He stared up from the ground in shock at what had happened.
Another surge of power came from the rings and swept over Julia, it seemed to be laughing at the pathetic attempt to destroy it. She shook her head as the wave subsided, she sighed as she turned her attention back to Elrond.
"The Ring can not be destroyed Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here poses. The Ring was made in the fire of Mt. Doom. It must be taken to Mordor and cast back in the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
Boromir takes a breath before speaking.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor, its Black Gates are guarded by more then just Orcs. The Vary air you breathe is a poisonous fume, and the great Eye is ever watchful. Not with ten thousand could you do this, it is folly."
The Elf. Legolas, yes that was his name, stood again. Julia looked him over. His face was beautiful, almost famine, and ageless. His long gold hair framed his face but is deep blue eyes held her attention. Full of wisdom and knowlage, and his garb said that he was from a well to do family. He spoke in a determined voice.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said, the Ring must be destroyed."
The Dwarf stood, almost in outrage and yelled at Legolas, fire in his eyes and voice.
"And I suppose you're the one to do it? I will die before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"
At that point the whole Council exploded. Almost everyone stood and started screaming at each other. Julia sighed and shook her head thinking the lot of them where hopeless. She was about to stand and take the Ring to Mordor herself, but before she could stand her eye caught sight of Frodo. He was breathing fast and looked like he was in pain. He then stood and started speaking, vary quickly the Council was quiet and all eyes were on the little one.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way."
Gandalf walks forward and stands at Frodo's side.
"I will help you bare this burden, as long as it is yours to bear."
Aragorn stood and kneeled before Frodo.
"By my life or death, I can protect you I will. You have my sword."
Legolas stepped forward.
"And you have my bow."
Gimli stepped forward next.
"And my ax."
Boromir stood.
"You carry the fate of us all little one, and if this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will se it done."
Out from the bushes another wee fellow burst out. Then two more came from behind the pillars. Julia smiled before she too stepped forward, she had to go, she knew that her strength and skill would be needed.
"You are very brave for one so small, and if this is the Council wish, then the grace of Gaia will go with you."
She drew her sword and kneeled in front of Frodo, making sure that her head was beneath his as a sign of respect.
"My sword and skills are yours to command."
Boromir turned to her, his eyes ablaze. "Whom do you represent? What right do you have to join the quest, a woman no less?"
Gandalf turned to him. "She is of a people most have heard tales of, but few have seen. She has as much right to be here as you, and just because she is female I can assure you of her skill. That's all you need to know."
Boromir snorted and stared at Julia for a moment. They had a battle of wills going for a brief moment as his intense green stared into her storm gray. They both broke at the same moment and turned back to Elrond.
Elrond smiles upon seeing the exchange. Finally he spoke.
"Ten companions, vary well. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
A little one called Pippin smiled.
"Great. Where are we going?"