Chapter 6 – The Fellowship of the Ring
It was my first time in such an important council. It was a secret council. My father, Lord Elrond, was in charge of it. Somehow, I managed to get him letting me attend that so important secret council. They were going to decide what should be done about the One Ring, forged by the Dark Lord Sauron.
The council was about to begin. I was sitting between Gandalf, who carried a serious expression on his face, and an elf I did now know. I was a bit nervous and I couldn't look at my father, into his eyes. I had that feeling that he did not completely approve my presence, there. I was only there thanks to Gandalf, who helped me convincing my father and overpowering his strict commands. As I expected, I was the only female attending the secret council.
I was fiddling with my fingers, while waiting impatiently for my father to open the council's session. My eyes escaped to Prince Legolas Greenleaf. He was sitting, quietly, with a peaceful expression, two chairs after mine. I realized that I had forgotten to thank him for helping with my chair, but I was way too fascinated with his beautiful appearance to form any words properly. I would have to apologize after the council.
Father stood up and looked to everyone, with a serious and harsh expression.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old; you have been summoned here to answer the thread of Mordor" Father said, pausing for a second "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" he said.
He paused for a bit and looked at everyone, with that intimidating expression of his'.
"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo" Father instructed, strictly, as always.
Frodo hesitated, and then stood up, approaching slowly to the only table that was inside that place, which was made of stone. He put the Ring there, returning to his seat, quiet and slowly.
People started to whisper and gasps filled the whole room. I looked at the Ring, wondering why would someone create such an object like the Ring.
My eyes fell on the man, who I didn't like the expression. He was preparing to say something. He was the only man attending the council, besides Aragorn.
"Gandalf?" I called, in a whisper.
"What is it, Elariniel?"
"Who is that man'" I asked "I don't like his expression"
"He's Boromir, son of Denethor, from Gondor" he said "Now be quiet or your father will put you out of here" he advised.
I didn't say anything more.
"So it his true…" started the man named Boromir, approaching is hand to his head as he spoke "In a dream, I saw the Eastern sky grow dark. But in the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, 'The doom is near at hand, Isildur's Bane is found.'" He was standing, now, inching forward to the Ring, getting closer to it every second. He approached his hand of the One Ring, trying to take it. "Isildur's Bane" he muttered.
"Boromir!" Father exclaimed, raising his voice, calling the man back to reality. It looked like the Ring was exercising some kind of mind control over him.
Gandalf suddenly stood up and roared some words in elvish. The atmosphere went a bit darker and Boromir backed off. Father took his hand to his forehead, while the floor started trembling a little bit. I was scared. Instinctively, I looked for Prince Legolas' eyes. He had just closed them, sporting a frightened expression on his pale and wise face.
When Gandalf stopped saying those words, Boromir sat down and the ambience was bright once again. Boromir looked around, frightened. I must say that even Father looked a bit scared.
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris" Father said in a strict and harsh voice, like if he was reprehending Gandalf.
The wizard looked at Lord Elrond as he sat back down.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. For the black speech of Mordor, may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil!" Gandalf said, a bit angrily, while turning himself round, to face everyone present in the secret council. Father sat back down while Gandalf pronounced those words. I had never seen Gandalf acting like that before.
"It is a gift. A gift to de foes of Mordor" Boromir restarted, standing up "Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe!" he exclaimed "Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it against him!"
The man started to stare madly at the Ring, trying instinctively to get closer to it, once again. But this time, he didn't try to take it.
"You cannot wield it" Aragorn said "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master" he exclaimed, in a calm voice, showing that he knew about what he was talking about.
Boromir turned rudely his face to Aragorn, facing him.
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" he asked, looking to Aragorn up-down.
I was surprised when I saw Prince Legolas standing.
"He is no mere ranger" He said, with a strict voice, which had a beautiful and wise tone "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance"
My heart was pounding as the conversion kept on going. I didn't dare to say anything, but stay in my chair, quiet.
Boromir looked incredulously to Aragorn. Frodo was looking at him, surprised as well.
"Aragorn?" he repeated, rudely "This is Isildur's heir?"
Aragorn raised his head, in a superior, but respectful way.
"And the Heir to the Throne of Gondor" Prince Legolas completed.
"Havo dad, Legolas" Aragorn said, in a calm voice, in Elvish. He instructed him to sit down.
Prince Legolas sat as Aragorn told him to.
Boromir turned his face to Legolas.
"Gondor has no king" he said, in a angry tone. Then he turned his face to Aragorn "Gondor needs no king"
The council's atmosphere had become tense. Very tense. Everyone was quiet, or looking at the ring, or looking at each other. I looked at Prince Legolas and his wise and gently eyes caught my gaze, and I shrugged, with a little smile on my face, trying not to blush again.
"Aragorn is right" Gandalf intervened "We cannot use it"
Father stood and looked at everyone, before saying anything.
"You have only one choice" he paused "The ring must be destroyed" he announced, severely.
Everyone started to exchange glances at each other, with fear visible in their eyes, even if they were the wisest eyes ever seen. Even the elves looked frightened by the thread of the Ring and Mordor.
"What are you waiting for?" A dwarf with brownish long hair and beard, with little braids all over his beard, said, as he stood up and picked his ax.
I saw Father trying to stop him, but he was late. The dwarf approached the ring, hoisted the ax back and then, quickly, hit the ring with it. He did not expect, obviously, what happened. He was thrown back and his ax was completely destroyed into pieces.
His eyes were much opened and he stared, incredulously, at the table were the Ring was still, without a single scratch or signal of violence. The Ring was still shining, made of pure gold.
I glanced at Frodo. He had taken his hand to his forehead and closed his eyes. It looked like he wasn't feeling very well. I started to worry. Gandalf noticed Frodo's behavior too.
I thought it was better to tell father. I raised my right hand, hesitantly.
My Father noticed my action.
"What is it, Elariniel, my daughter?" He said.
"I think Frodo isn't feeling very well" I said, in a worrisome voice, with my eyes dancing fast between my Father's face and Frodo's.
"It's nothing" Frodo said, faintly "Don't worry, I'm alright"
He grinned.
I shrank back in my chair, a bit ashamed of my silly interruption. Boromir shook his head, like if he was saying that my presence there was worthless. My eyes escaped to the stunning beauty of Prince Legolas and he gave me a warm smile. Father gave me some sort of smile that was supposed to tell me that I was worrying too much and I was interrupting important things.
The dwarves stood up and helped Gimli to stand on his two feet.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft we here possess" Father continued, pacing around "The Ring was made in the fired of Mount Doom. Only there it can be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of us…" he paused again and then continued with a soft, but strict voice "Must do this."
The silence that came next was piercing. No one dared to pronounce a single word.
Boromir started to scratch discretely his eyebrow as he started talking, exposing his point of view about going to Mordor, that evil and dark place.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor" he said, in a faintly voice, while touching his eyebrow with his fingers "The Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. The Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, and ash, and dust." he paused "Not with ten thousand man could you do it. It is folly" he assumed, desperately.
Prince Legolas stood up once again. I felt my heart stopping as I waited for his words.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" He asked "Then Ring must be destroyed!" he exclaimed, while glancing at everyone's scared eyes. His eyes stopped a bit longer on mine and then he turned his head to the Dwarf from before, whose name was Gimli, which had just stood up, looking at the Elven Prince with an angry expression.
"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it?" he asked, spitting of anger.
Prince Legolas' face turned to Gimli and he looked at him, seeming a bit angry with what the Dwarf had just said.
Boromir stood up, once again. I had the feeling that his mean words would never end.
"And if we fail, what then?" he asked, almost shouting "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Now he really was yelling.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli barked.
He had stepped on the line. This time, he said too much. The harsh words the Dwarf said made the elves stood up and glancing at Gimli angrily. Gimli was just a child to them, like he was for me.
Almost everyone had stood up, now. The only people sitting were me, Gandalf, Frodo and Aragorn. I watched Legolas, as he opened his arms in the front of his elf companions, preventing them from getting closed to the dwarves.
"NEVER TRUST AN ELF!" Gimli yelled out loud.
That sentence made me feel offended and I stood up as well. I forgot that I was supposed to be sitting and quiet.
"What moral do you have to say that?" I asked Gimli.
Legolas and his companions looked at me. I was a girl and I was arguing with a Dwarf during a secret council. Pretty uncommon.
Boromir looked at me, displeased with his vision.
"Elariniel!" I heard my father behind me "Sit down" he ordered.
First, I wanted to pretend I did not listen to Father's command, but my conscience told me to do as he said. I stepped back and sat down.
When I sat, I looked at Gandalf, who was shaking his head, in a way of disapproval. Frodo was staring at the Ring, continuously.
Gandalf stood.
"Do you now understand?" he roared "While you bicker amongst yourselves, Sauron's power grows! None can escape it!" he exclaimed, but the loud and enraged voices did not stop.
Boromir started o argue with Gandalf and I looked at everyone sadly, because I wanted to join their discussion.
Suddenly, Frodo stood up.
"I will take it" he declared, but no one seemed to have heard his serious words. "I will take it!" he repeated, louder, this time.
Gandalf turned his old face, creased by wisdom, to Frodo's young and innocent one.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor" Frodo said, out loud. Everyone stopped their discussions and looked at Frodo. Some were surprised; others did not believe that a Hobbit would be able to carry such a heavy burden.
"Though…" Frodo whispered "I do not know the way" he completed.
Gandalf inched towards Frodo and placed one of his hands on Frodo's shoulder.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear" The wizard declared. Two people were already going to Mordor. Gandalf stood behind Frodo and both were looking at everyone.
I waited. I was curious if someone would volunteer to go next. In my heart, I started to feel that I really wanted to go as well, even if it was a difficult and dangerous journey. I had to go.
"If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will" Aragorn said, standing up and went to Frodo, where he knelt "You have my sword" he declared.
After that, he got up and stood behind Frodo, like Gandalf did. I noticed that Gandalf and Father exchanged a smile between them.
"And you have my bow" Legolas said and I felt my heart beating faster again. He was going.
Legolas joined Aragorn and Gandalf.
Gimli's face was burning in anger and hatred.
"And my ax!" he said, going to the other side of Frodo.
I was surprised when I saw Boromir stepping forward.
"You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council, Gondor will see it done" he announced, joining the others.
"Hey!" we heard, behind some bushes. It was Sam's voice. He got closer to the group.
"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!" he exclaimed and then looked quickly at Elrond.
"It is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not!" Father said, but his expression wasn't harsh or anything. I would swear he was smiling a little bit as he looked back at Sam.
"Aye, we're coming too!" Another familiar voice said. It was Merry's. He and Pippin run out of nowhere and joined the little group.
Pippin nodded.
"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Merry added, and Pippin nodded again.
"Anyway" Pippin started, trying to complete what his friend said "Anyway, you need people of this sort of intelligence on this sort of Mission… Quest… Thing" he added with another nod.
"Well, that rules you out, Pip" Merry whispered to Pippin quite loud so everyone could hear.
I wanted to giggle at Merry's comment, but I controlled myself. I wanted to go. I wasn't a child anymore. But I know that my father would never let me. Then, I reminded Gandalf's words. If I never try, I'll never know.
I stood up, slow and hesitantly. Father's eyes fell on me immediately.
"I'm going too" I said. Some of the dwarves started to laugh, believing that I just told some nice joke.
"I'm not kidding. I want to go" I declared "Frodo, you have my bow and … healing abilities"
"Elariniel, you're not going" Father said "I didn't let you attend this council for you to volunteer. You're going to Valinor with Arwen"
I looked at Aragorn. His eyes saddened.
"My Father" I started. I would not give up that easily "I know Saruman's grounds well. I know the way he thinks" I said "If they're our enemies, now, I know enough about them to prevent Frodo and the others from his' possible attacks."
Everyone looked at me. No one seemed to believe that I knew Saruman that way. But it is true. I lived in Isengard for some years in the past. He taught me some of the things I know.
"Besides that" I continued "I want to fight evil, I don't want to run away of my obligations!"
"Elariniel, my daughter, you are a girl. You are not allowed to go with them. You're going to Valinor with those of your kin" Father sighed, strictly.
I looked desperately at Gandalf. I wanted him to help me once again.
"Let her go, Elrond" Gandalf said, and I suspired, relieved. He really knew me pretty well "Let her choose the path she wishes to take"
"She's not going, Gandalf" he said, harshly.
"Let me, at least, once, choose what I want to do with my life!" I begged.
The four hobbits were looking at me, amazed. Gimli and Boromir portrayed disapproving expressions on their faces.
I stood, bravely, next to the hobbits.
"I promise I will be back. And, I say the same Merry did!" I exclaimed, a bit recklessly.
"Ten companions…" Elrond declared, with an angry, firm and strict voice. I could sense some disappointment in his voice as well "So be it, you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring"
"Great!" exclaimed Pippin, enthusiastically "Where are we going?" he asked, grinning at everyone.
I rolled my eyes. Everyone looked at Pippin condemning his idiocy.
My Father turned to me.
"I'll talk with you later, Elariniel" he said, strictly.
I suspired.
"The Council is now ended" Elrond announced "It's time for you to get ready to set off. The sooner you set off, the better it is"
Everyone left the room. I went to my own bedroom, slowly. Maybe I had just overdone it. I changed clothes. I chose the clothes I use for training. A dark-green tunic with high boots of the same color.
Someone knocked the door.
"Come in" I said.
Arwen showed up.
"Oh, Hello, Sister" I welcomed.
"Hello" she replied "Are you really going?" She asked.
"Yes" I answered "If father lets me"
"Take care of Aragorn for me, Elariniel. I know you can do it when you want to act serious" She said.
"Don't worry, I will" I promised.
"And, one more thing" she added "Promise you will come back"
"I will" I promised, but I wasn't sure if I could fulfill her wish.
She smiled and hugged me tightly.
"Be safe, my sister. We are going to be far away once again" Arwen said.
"I know" I whispered "I will do my very best. Oh, and I'll free my pets. I want to give them freedom"
Arwen smiled at me. Her eyes were sparkling. It seemed that she was going to start crying soon. And if she did so, I would cry as well. She ended up leaving my bedroom, leaving me absorbed in my thoughts.
It was time to see father. I went to his room and knocked the door.
"Come in" I heard his voice from the inside.
I opened the door and went in. He was standing on the porch, looking down.
"Why did you decide to go, Elariniel?" he asked.
"Because I don't to see the end of the world coming and stay here without doing anything! Or even running away! I want to fight. Fight like everyone" I declared.
"Do you know that you can die, don't you?"
"I do" I replied "But I also know enough to survive. Saruman taught me lots of things during my long stay in Isengard, in Orthanc. I know the way Saruman thinks better than anyone else" I said.
"I know you do" father said.
"Let me go" I begged.
"And then I will lose another daughter of mine. Arwen chose to take a mortal life" He said. I already knew about Arwen's decision.
"Trust me at least once" I implored "I know about Arwen's decision. And you won't lose me. I trust in Gandalf. And Aragorn. I believe that I can trust the fellowship and that we'll be a great team"
Father looked at me, saddened.
"I have no other option" he said.
My eyes were filled with tears, now. I ran to hug my father.
"Thanks" I whispered "I will be back"
"I know you will" he said, while kissing the top of my head "I trust you. Be safe, my daughter"
"I will" I said, leaving Father's room.
I went outside and freed my pets.
"Go and be free" I told them. Someone was observing me, though I don't know who it was.
I went back inside. "It is time" I thought, to myself "Time to face the destiny".