Here's Chapter 8! Thanks for reading and reviewing.


Lord of the Rings: Through a Princess's Eyes (Part 1)

Chapter 8 – The Council of Elrond

Even after Frodo left my sight, I stayed behind the rock for long while before I finally decided to return to the realm. I once again took up my skirts and walked back up the path, through the archway, and then up the stairs that led to one of the hallways. I was searching for Arwen's chamber, for I had left my other clothes there, and Arwen, as part of our plan, had given me permission to retrieve them from there. But all through the time that I searched for the room, my heart beat wildly against my chest for fear that I would be found by anyone other than Arwen, especially Frodo.

Yet, surprisingly, I managed to arrive in Arwen's chamber without coming across anyone. It was early morning, but I had assumed that the people of Rivendell would be awake and about once I got back there. I did not stop to question it, however, deciding, instead, to silently celebrate my good fortune, however short-lived it would prove to be.

I closed the curtains, locked the door, and then proceeded to swiftly but gently take off the veil, the dress, and then the slippers, laying them all on Arwen's bed, upon which my other clothes had also been laid. I took them: the shirt and vest, the leggings, the boots, and the fabric for my chest, and donned them all. I then carefully tied up my hair, took up the blond wig that was also sitting on the bed, and placed it back on my head where it had been before.

When I pulled back the curtains again and looked at my reflection in Arwen's mirror, I gave a slight smile at my now somewhat familiar disguise. But the smile soon turned into a frown. I did, in all honesty, feel relief that I was now in the clothes that safeguarded my identity, and yet, I felt unease and discomfort at it as well. Believing I should try to focus my mind elsewhere, I left Arwen's room and decided to look for the library, which, surprisingly, I did not have to search too long for.

I sat on the same sofa I sat on when I first visited the room, and breathed a long, deep sigh. My eyes then caught the small book which sat at the end of the sofa. Urged by my curiosity, I took it up in my hands and read the title: The Healing Properties of Herbs. Though I did not have much of an interest in the benefits of herbalism, I decided to look into it anyway, believing it would serve as a distraction from the troubling thoughts and emotions that filled my head.

While I did learn some things I found interesting from the book – such as the usage of a common dandelion as an effective laxative and diuretic – before long I felt a tingling sensation in my fingers, which I immediately thought to be odd, but tried to ignore it. However, the feeling grew until I ended up dropping the book onto the floor. There was no use denying it now that my own body was turning against me. I was feeling nervous. And yet, I did not yet know the reason why.

Was it because I was finally going to have to face Lord Elrond's council as I had originally set out to do? Maybe. Was it my newfound feelings for Frodo, which I had never felt before and would thus cause such a reaction? Another reasonable possibility. But then, I remembered how I felt when I looked at myself in the mirror after I had gotten back into my other clothes. I kept telling myself ever since I had left home that I was doing this for the best, but now it seemed that keeping up an continual masquerade was taking its toll. Why did I have to hide my identity just for the possibility that I would more likely receive help in this state? While it seemed logical, feelings often conflict with logic. And now it seemed as if my logical side and my emotional side were at war with each other to gain the upper hand.

Why could I not possess the confidence that my female ancestors who ruled Lore seemed to be gifted with? True, I was young, but I was also old enough to be able to represent my kingdom effectively. Suddenly, inexplicably, my thoughts turned to Frodo and our meeting earlier that morning, and I felt my face become hot. Not from blushing, I quickly realized. This was a far different emotion. Before long, I realized what it was. I was angry…and with Frodo.

How dare he make me feel so odd and unusual with his presence! I thought, And how dare he do so at such a critical time! Even though I knew it was not really Frodo's fault, that did not stop the feelings of anger and resentment that rose within me. In fact, I felt such a wild mix of pure emotion that I felt tears beginning to form in my eyes.

Regardless, I thought of any possible way I could think of to escape it, when a yawn suddenly escaped my lips. I then remembered the long hours I had spent awake during the previous night, and decided that I would try to get any hint of rest before the council, even if my emotions might follow me.

Deciding not to go back to my own chamber, I hastily adjusted the pillow on the left side of the sofa, lifted my legs onto the right side (hoping my boots wouldn't get it dirty), and rested my head against the pillow. Though it took another few minutes – and a good amount of willpower – I eventually closed my eyes and settled into a calming sleep.

How long I slept, I do not know. But at one point, I heard a male voice saying, "Excuse me, Lord Aidan," and I opened my eyes to see an Elf with long, dark brown hair and friendly-looking eyes of the same color. He was also dressed in brown robes, and the expression on his face seemed urgent. I immediately remembered my good manners and hastily sat up, rubbing my eyes but not stretching my arms.

"Pardon me," I said, "I didn't know you were here."

"Forgive my intrusion," he said, "but Master Elrond's council is to begin soon. It will not begin though unless all who were invited are present."

I raised my eyebrows, ignoring the sudden quickening of my heartbeat, and stood up from the sofa.

"Thank you," I nodded, "If you would, please lead me to Lord Elrond."

"Of course," he nodded back, "Follow me."

He then turned around and headed toward the doorway. I did as he said and followed him out of the library and into the halls. For a short while, deciding to take advantage of the fact that I was behind him, I did stretch my arms. I held back a chuckle at knowing that I was doing this literally behind his back. But before long I beheld a large marble dais with a tall, circular stone raised in the center. People of each race: Elves, Men, and Dwarves sat around it. I was prepared though. My hands were at my side and I stood straight, as I had decided that I must look as serious as possible if I were to get any credit.

The Elf and I approached Lord Elrond, who looked even more regal than before, being dressed in red and golden robes. He looked at me, with his sharp, brown eyes, and then nodded at the Elf.

"Thank you Lindir," he said, "You may be seated."

"Yes sir," Lindir nodded. He then took a seat next to Lord Elrond, leaving me alone to face those I knew to be some of the most important and esteemed people of Middle-Earth; some of whom I recognized, as I had seen them enter Rivendell the day before. Arwen had explained to me who they were: Legolas Thranduilion, Prince of Mirkwood, Gimli son of Glóin, and Boromir of Gondor, the last of the great kingdoms of the West. All of them looked at me but I refused to be intimidated. I did ease though when I saw Strider nearby.

"You may take your seat Aidan," Lord Elrond then said to me.

I did not say a word, only nodded and then proceeded toward the only empty seat, which, to my utter discomfort, was right next to Frodo, who in turn sat next to Gandalf. Though I did manage to keep a serious face, I could not ignore the fact that I was going to be sitting next to both the one person I felt uneasy toward and the only person who knew my secret identity. Even so, I gave both a quick nod.

As I did sat down though, I reminded myself of how I'd learned to behave in such an environment: to sit still and straight with both hands in the lap (or, in this case, on each side of my chair since I was pretending to be a boy). I then listened as Lord Elrond spoke up in a clear and powerful voice, signifying that the council had begun.

"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."

He then turned to Frodo and said, "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."

Frodo stood up, walked slowly to the stone with the Ring in his hand, and then placed it on the stone.

"So it is true," I then heard Boromir say. I saw how the eyes of everyone gathered there, especially those of Boromir, were locked on the Ring even after Frodo sat back down. Boromir then stood up, causing everyone to look at him.

"In a dream," he said in an ominously soft voice, "I saw the eastern sky grow dark. But in the West a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, 'Your doom is near at hand.'" It was then that I noticed how he was slowly walking toward the stone. "Isildur's bane is found." He then reached out his hand, toward the Ring. "Isildur's bane."

Just when I was beginning to fear that something dreadful was about to happen, Lord Elrond shot up, shouting, "Boromir!"

Suddenly, though, I saw Gandalf stand up, and speak in a tongue that sounded similar to Elvish, but unlike any tongue I'd ever been taught let alone heard aloud.

"Ash nazg durbatulûk,

ash nazg gimbatul,

ash nazg thrakatulûk,

agh burzum-ishi krimpatul!"

Though I had not been taught this language, I immediately knew it to be the fabled Black Speech of Mordor, for as Gandalf spoke the ground began to shake and the sky began to grow dark, causing me to shut my eyes with fear. Only did Gandalf stop speaking did the ground cease to shake and the sky become light again. When I opened my eyes, I saw that Boromir was back in his seat, clearly as surprised as I was. As all of us evidently were.

"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris," said Lord Elrond.

"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond," said Gandalf, "for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil!"

"It is a gift," Boromir suddenly said, "A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?"

Despite what we had all just experienced, he stood up again.

"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."

Though I admired his spirit of determination, I was unnerved by his words, for, to my knowledge, he did not experience the power of the Ring as I had.

"Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy," he said, "Let us use it against him!"

"You cannot wield it!" Strider suddenly spoke up, voicing my thoughts, "None of us can." Boromir turned around to face him, but Strider continued. "The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asked. This unnerved me even more, for I had come to admire Strider greatly.

Legolas suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "This is no mere ranger!" And then, he spoke words that I did not expect at all to hear. "He is Aragorn son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

My eyebrows instantly raised, and I looked back at Strider – Aragorn son of Arathorn, whose name I knew. When my father was a youth, my grandfather, who was then King of Lore, hosted a man named Arathorn and his father Arador, Chieftain of the Dúnedain. Both were direct descendants of Anárion, the brother of Isildur. Though Gondor had long been ruled by a steward, the line of Isildur had not vanished, and now, to my complete amazement, I was among those beholding living proof of that fact.

"Aragorn?" Boromir asked, "This is Isildur's heir?"

"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added.

"Sit down, Legolas," Aragorn insisted in Elvish, clearly not wishing to begin a conflict. Legolas reluctantly did so.

"Gondor has no king," Boromir declared as he walked back to his seat, "Gondor needs no king."

"Aragorn is right," Gandalf said once Boromir sat back down, "We cannot use it!"

"You have only one choice," Lord Elrond declared, "The Ring must be destroyed."

A few silent moments passed before a new voice, that of Gimli, spoke. "Then what are we waiting for?"

My heartbeat rapidly increased as I watched Gimli take his axe, stand up from his chair, and bring the axe down forcefully onto the Ring. I was slightly taken aback at how the axe instantly broke once it had touched the Ring, causing Gimli to fall back onto the floor, a great shock on his face. When I turned to Frodo to see his reaction, my eyebrows raised with concern as I saw him looking somewhat faint, his hand against his head. I then looked back at the Ring, and saw that it had not a single mark on it, as if nothing had happened.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed Gimli son of Glóin by any craft that we here possess," Lord Elrond said, "The Ring was made in the fires of Mt. Doom; 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."

Silence followed, leaving me to wonder how such a task could be done and who would be capable enough to see it through, when Boromir spoke once more, the tone of his voice now one of doubt.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor. 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. It is a barren wasteland. Riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!"

Despite my respectable outward appearance, I was becoming rather frustrated with this man. But Legolas shot up first, saying, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!"

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" Gimli asked angrily.

"And if we fail, what then?" Boromir, now standing again, asked, "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Gimli shot up, his eyes filled with fury. "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

At that point, chaos swiftly followed. The Elves sitting with Legolas shot out of their seats and began to argue, followed by the Dwarves, then the men. The whole of the council, except for Lord Elrond and Frodo, was instantly in an uproar over what to do. Before long, to my dismay, Gandalf stood up and joined the needless dispute, saying, "Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"

I then sighed and put my head in my hands. Gandalf did voice my thoughts – we could not afford this gratuitous quarreling, not with the fate of Middle-Earth standing on the edge of a great cliff – but it did not do much good in joining the mass argument. I once again looked at Frodo to see what he thought, and saw that he was staring, rather intently, at the Ring. I wondered what he was thinking, when, suddenly, Frodo stood up and tried to shout above everyone else.

"I will take it!" he shouted, "I will take it!"

Still, they did not hear him. In that moment I no longer cared about proper conduct. Deciding that enough was enough, I stood up, put my fingers in my mouth, and whistled loudly. That got everyone's attention. They all looked at me, but I gestured toward Frodo.

"My friend would like to speak," I said, in a tone of voice that reminded me very much of my mother's.

"Thank you," Frodo nodded. All eyes then turned to him. And he spoke the words that, to this day, still causes within me a sense of amazement.

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

Although I had thought that a possible solution to our dilemma, I still did not know what to say. Frodo was essentially allowing himself to bear the burden of burdens. He was offering himself to be a living vessel for the Ring from here to the fiery land of Mordor. I cannot describe in enough detail what I was feeling at the time, but I can say this: My admiration for Frodo increased all the more, as well as my concern for his safety.

And I was not the only one. Gandalf was the first to show his support. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn then followed suit. "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will."

He then walked over to Frodo and knelt in front of him. "You have my sword," he assured him.

"And you have my bow," Legolas added

"And my axe," Gimli said. He then stood by Legolas, who now had a slightly discontented look on his face.

I then looked at Boromir. What would he have to say to this? He too walked over to Frodo, showing an austere expression, and said, "You carry the fate of us all little one … If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

I was satisfied with his answer, but then I decided that I too must offer my own input before this council ended. I stood straight, ignored any fear of speaking in front of such an audience, and released my voice.

"It is true," I began, "that neither the Ring, nor Sauron, is a matter to be dealt with lightly. But none of us can afford to give way to fear. I should know."

I looked at Aragorn, who gave me only a hint of a smile, then looked away and continued. "My kingdom may not be as great as Gondor, but I will be the last to let it fall."

I then looked at Frodo, who I could see was listening with fascination. "Though I might not have expected the Ring to fall into the hands of a hobbit, if it is the will of Eru, then so be it. And should he bear this great burden, he should be able to trust those around him to stick with him through thick and thin – to the bitter end. But he should not trust them to let him face trouble alone – and go off without a word."

It was then that I heard Lord Elrond speak. "You have a deep and fascinating insight, Aidan, especially for one as young as you." He then gave me a soft smile and said, "Frodo will need such insight when you accompany him on his quest."

I raised my eyebrows. Did I really hear what I had just heard? I had been given a compliment by a great Elven Lord, and, to add to that, I had been commissioned by him to join Frodo and help him with his quest to destroy the Ring and, in effect, save Middle-Earth, and my kingdom, in the process. It seemed too good to be true, but I did not have time to dwell on it for long, for we all then heard a shout from behind. I turned and saw that Sam, who – to my knowledge – had been hidden behind a bush throughout the meeting, was running to us to join us.

"Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!" he insisted once he stood beside Frodo.

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

Suddenly, we heard more shouting.

"Wait! We are coming too!" It was Merry. He and Pippin ran out from their hiding places out onto the dais to join us as well, much to the – rather humorous – confusion of Lord Elrond.

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

"Anyway," Pippin added, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest, thing."

"Well that rules you out Pip," Merry retorted, causing me to chuckle slightly.

"Ten companions," Lord Elrond declared once he looked at all of us together, "So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"

For the first time in weeks, I smiled greatly. I was going to help my people in a way my ancestors never did. I was finally going to have an adventure of my own. And I was apparently not the only one to experience such excitement.

"Great!" Pippin said. But then, he asked, "Where are we going?"

Whether because of his words, or my own inner state, my excitement suddenly turned into worry. And it was with that worry that I began to wonder fiercely how we, just ten people, were going to be able to bring down the Dark Lord Sauron, and succeed where the people of Middle-Earth had failed over three thousand years earlier.

The story continues in Part Two…


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