I do not own the works of Tolkien. Enjoy.


"Frodo?" He looked up at the uncertain voice in the doorway to see Sam and smiled but it was a put on smile for his friend for he was immensely worried.

"Is it time Sam?" He asked quietly and the blonde haired Hobbit nodded.

"Yes, Bilbo is here too, we will both walk you up to the council." Frodo let a sigh escape him and Sam instantly had a look of worry upon his face. "Are you alright Frodo?"

"Yes Sam, I am well enough, I am admittedly a little nervous that is all."

"No need Frodo my lad, the Elves will do most of the deciding I'll warrant you that." Bilbo said reassuringly and he gave a relieved smile.

"Then let us go then." He decided and followed Bilbo out of the guest halls, Sam walking by his side. Frodo was struck all over again at the peaceful beauty of the Elven valley and he felt calmed. Bilbo was right, he needn't worry over the council, the ring it was a matter for the Elves. He and Sam followed Bilbo up various paths, leading higher and higher so that he could easily see the valley bellow and smiled to himself. His eyes drifted upward to a dense pine forest and he breathed in deeply, trying to catch the scent of those trees but they were too far away and he sighed.

"I should very much like to go up into that woods after this council." He mused and Bilbo nodded.

"Yes it is quite nice up there, perhaps tomorrow you can explore it for there will be little time between the council and the feast this eve." Bilbo said and he nodded as he suddenly heard voices nearby. Bilbo led them through an arched wall into a courtyard of sorts where many people sat around a large, round white stone table. The quiet talking ceased and the faces turned to him and he recognized those of Strider, Erestor and Gandalf who was walking towards him with an encouraging smile. He noticed there were Dwarves also and one was grinning at Bilbo beneath his long, red beard.

"I hope I we will see you at the feast Master Bilbo?" The Dwarf asked and beside him Bilbo broke into a cheeky grin.

"I wouldn't miss it my friend." He replied cheerily and then Gandalf was ushering Frodo forward.

"You may sit beside me Frodo Baggins." His Wizard friend said kindly and Frodo climbed his way up onto the tall bench seat, well tall for him for his head only just reached up over the edge of the table to see the others. "We are just awaiting the Lords Elrond and Glorfindel and their youngsters." He said quietly to Frodo and he nodded. "Ah here they are now." He exclaimed and Frodo along with the others around the table turned towards the entrance wall and he recognised Lord Elrond as he swept in and beside him strode a fair, golden haired Elf Frodo vaguely recognised as Lord Glorfindel. Behind them walked three more, two male Elves who had dark, straight hair braided back off their faces and a golden-red haired she Elf. The five Elves calmly took their places at the table but some of those already seated had begun to stir uneasily.

"My Lord Elrond why is it Lady Ara attends this council?" A pale blonde Elf clad richly in green and silver demanded and Frodo was alarmed to see great annoyance in the male Elves eyes.

"It is my choice who shall attend my council Thranduilion." Lord Elrond replied in a calm yet commanding manner and Frodo noticed a look of defiance thrown at the blonde Elf from the she Elf and he in turn seemed to clench his jaw but remained silent. Her name was familiar to him and then he remembered Pippin's recount on how the Lady Ara had been the one to bring them safely to Rivendell along with Lord Glorfindel and he looked curiously at her but she was watching the Dwarves as the male Elf beside her spoke quietly to her and she turned to the Elf and smiled.

"I think introductions are in order." Gandalf said cheerily, seeming unfazed by the slight unrest the presence of the she Elf had caused. "Here is the Hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo and you all know me, Gandalf. To my left here sits Glóin and his son Gimli beside him. And then there is Boromir, the son of Denethor, Steward of Gondor." Frodo studied each as Gandalf introduced them. "And beside him is Lord Barhador, advisor to King Thranduil and beside him sits Prince Legolas Thranduilion of the Woodland Realm. Then there is Aragorn of the Dunedin and beside him Lord Galdor who has travelled from the Grey Havens on errand from Cirdan the Shipwright." Frodo looked at Strider curiously for Gandalf had named him by an entirely different name and then he remembered Gandalf's letter to him stating Aragorn was Strider's true name. The Ranger caught his gaze and gave him a friendly smile which he nervously returned, missing the names of a couple more Elves beside Lord Erestor before Gandalf spoke Glorfindel's name and he looked up at the serene looking golden haired Elf. "...and beside him, his daughter, Lady Ara. Finally we have beside the Lady, the Elrondian; Lord Elladan and Lord Elrohir." Gandalf concluded his introductions and for a moment there was silence as each member of the council observed one another.

"Welcome all and friends of old." Elrond stood and addressed collectively as he let his wise, grey eyed gaze fall to each one of them in turn. "I trust you all understand the importance of this secret council for the very fate of Middle Earth stands to fall if we do not all come together and unite in this one cause." There were nods and murmurs about the table and Elrond begun to explain the history of the forging of the rings of power and then Annatar's, later known as Sauron's deceit amongst the Elves and the war that ensued followed by his final destruction when the ring of power was cut from his finger. Frodo knew the story well but like anything Elvish, it still intrigued him immensely and he listened alertly to Lord Elrond's recount of the events which followed. He noticed the Dwarves seemed to listen out of politeness while the Elves looked to be riveted by the Lord's words however Gandalf seemed impatient beside him and the man, Boromir seemed like Lord Elrond's recollection had stretched his concentration and he seemed to fidget. He also noticed the Lady Ara looked a little bored as she absentmindedly fiddled with a leather cuff upon her left wrist. Lord Glorfindel was watching avidly enough but he too looked as Gandalf did, that Lord Elrond should get down to things. He suddenly realised he had let his attention rudely wander and snapped his eyes back to the speaking Lord as he now discussed the creature Gollum who had found the ring and how Bilbo had taken it from him; a story Frodo knew off by heart. He sighed internally, hoping the council would be over soon.

...

Legolas paid polite attention as Elrond recounted the history of the ring and the previous war but the knot in his stomach kept slowly tightening for he knew that very soon he would have to admit Gollum had escaped. From the corner of his eye, Ara was slowly infuriating him. She would not cease fiddling with anything and everything. She had started with the pendant at her neck which was of a golden sun set in a golden ring with inscriptions he could not quite discern upon it. Then she had fiddled with the leather cuff at her wrist and then a tress of her hair before picking at something in the stone of the table to finally fiddling with the nail she had been picking at the table with. Has she no manners? She also looked quite disinterested by what Elrond spoke of. Why is Glorfindel not reprimanding her, if I acted like this my own father would be furious! Suddenly she gazed around the table of occupants and he purposely caught her eyes with a questioning gaze but she only narrowed hers a little at him before looking to Elrond. She did however stop her fidgeting and he was glad for it. The fidgeting Gondor man beside his father's advisor he could understand for he was a man but for an Elf to do such was just not Elf-like. Perhaps she was nervous but what would she be nervous about? Surely she had not lost some miscreant as he had? Another knot twisted itself in his stomach. Elrond knew well of what evils lay to the North and spoke of the darkness of Gundabad but Legolas did not think Elrond truly understood the darkness which seeped from both Gundabad to the west and Dol Guldur to the east in the Greenwood, which he still faithfully called it as did his kin, although those in other realms now referred to the once great forest as Mirkwood. The darkness had not touched the valley of Imladris or to his knowledge, Lothlórien for both Elrond and Galadriel held two of the Elven Rings of power. His father was powerful but his magic could not protect all of the woods and so the Sinda and Silvan elves were only truly safe in the confines of the Woodland kingdoms walls now. He realised it was Glóin, the Dwarf who was now speaking and tuned into his curious words.

"About a year ago, a messenger arrived, seeking Dain. But he was not from Moria but Mordor. He was a horseman and under the veil of night he called upon Dain to his gate. The Lord Sauron he said wished for our friendship. Rings he promised for it, those rings of old. It was then Dain said the horseman asked urgently concerning Hobbits. Of what they were and where they dwelt. Dain gave him no answer which displeased him. He said Sauron knew a Hobbit was known to the Dwarves for a time. He then lowered his fell voice and told us as a token of friendship to Sauron, the Lord would be most pleased if we could find the Hobbit and reclaim from him a simple, gold ring. He said it was but a trifle thing but one which Sauron desired. If we found this ring, three rings of the Dwarves would be returned to us for our goodwill. Dain replied he would think upon it and with a bone chilling threat to not think upon it too long. Of course we had no intention of doing such a thing for we already knew of the darkness which has returned and the trickery and evil of the horseman's words and since that night, those of us who witnessed the consul between he and Dain have uneasy and he has returned twice since still to no answer from Dain and he will return a third and final time he warned, which I fear is soon to come for it is near the ending of the year." Glóin fell into silence as those at the table contemplated his dark words.

"Do you have any more news from your people Glóin?" Erestor asked and the Dwarf nodded.

"We've heard news from King Brand in Dale, messengers have come to him also and he is wary for it as we are. We fear he may yield for already war grows on his eastern borders." Yield? Surely the line of Bard holds more strength? Legolas thought with surprise. "If we do not answer soon, we fear the enemy may move those of his rule to assail King Brand and Dain also." Glóin finished worriedly and there were murmurs amongst the others.

"I would be surprised if King Brand gave in to the threat on his borders." Barhador said quietly beside him and Legolas turned to his advisor.

"Our realm could yet aid them; it would be in our best interests surely." He replied.

"That is a question best taken up with the King." Barhador replied and Legolas refrained from rolling his eyes at the advisor. Was he not meant to be here to advise him, not give him non committal answers? His eyes drifted to Ara who was in conversation with Elladan; it looked as if the dark haired Elf was explaining something to her.

"You have done well to come." Elrond spoke to both Glóin and his son. "You will certainly hear today all which you need to understand the purposes of the Enemy. Unfortunately there is naught you can do other than to resist. But you do not stand alone; you will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of the entire western world."

"But the ring?" Glóin's son exclaimed in dismay. "What shall we do about that which Sauron fancies for that is the doom that we must deem?"

"That is the very purpose of that which you have been called hither." Elrond said gravely. "And in the nick of time and not by chance for it is now we, as we sit here, who must take council for the peril which now threatens the world. Frodo, the ring."

...

Ara watched curiously as Frodo seemed to search in his pocket before withdrawing something and Gandalf motioned for him to place it upon the table and the Hobbit stood and reaching across, placed a plain looking but heavy sized golden ring at the centre of the round table. So far the council was going smoothly in her opinion, albeit rather boring but then unlike those surrounding her, she had read Tolkien's chapter "The Council of Elrond enough times she could possibly quote the entire thing and be done with it. Instead she had to patiently sit through it, a task she was finding difficult. Now it was Boromir who upon seeing the ring; now spoke of the west and of the trials of his people and although she had been intrigued by the Gondor man upon meeting him earlier, his current speech was boring. Although she tried to concentrate, her mind began to wander and she wistfully thought of home and what her friends were doing, what Max was doing and if he was getting enough exercise. She then wondered which of her dress designs would be complete for the evening feast and thought it was amusing again how she would not have to wear shoes as most elleth simply went barefooted which she supposed was no issue for there was no dangerous objects to step on such as broken glass or needles which were always a risk in any modern day city. Ara felt a leg discreetly nudge hers and snapped back to attention. He father had noticed her mind wandering. She listened once more as Frodo now gave an account of his journey from the Shire to Rivendell and she paid attention to him although when he came to the part concerning when the Wraith had stabbed him with the Morgul blade, his recount became hazy and Aragorn spoke for him and also explained how she and Glorfindel had intercepted them and taken them safely to Rivendell. The Elf from the Havens now looked attentively to Glorfindel.

"There are two questions which lay heavy upon my mind; the first of which is the answer to Glorfindel's whereabouts these past decades for we from the sea thought you to be in Imladris but the rumour I have heard here is that you have been dwelling in Lindon and I know that is not so." Suddenly Ara felt eyes burning into her and she looked up and wary, stormy-grey eyes locked onto hers from across the table. She looked back defiantly; ready to defend her father's story when Elrond suddenly spoke.

"And your other question Lord Galdor?"

"This ring we see before us, how are those here on good authority that it is no mere trinket of the Halfling's? What of Saruman, he is learned well in the lore of the rings of power yet I do not see him at this council?" Ara observed the blonde Elf lord, he looked wary but then so too did Legolas and his advisor buddy.

"The questions you ask Galdor are bound together." Elrond replied calmly and Ara felt her stomach flip for in a short time the words would be spoken, the Fellowship announced. "It shall be Gandalf's place to answer them as in this matter he has been the chief." Slowly each member turned to regard the old Wizard.

"Some would think the tidings of Glóin and the pursuit of Frodo proof enough that the Halfling's trinket is a thing of great worth to the Enemy. There is indeed a wide waste of time between the River and the Mountain, between the loss and the finding. But the gap in the knowledge of the wise has been filled at last. Alas too slowly for the Enemy has been close behind, closer even than I feared. And it seems it has not been until this very summer he has indeed learned the full truth. Some here may remember many years ago I entered the ruin of Dol Guldur and found the Necromancer there had been whispers of to be Sauron himself. The White Council drove him from the North but he fled and as Lord Elrond has foreseen himself, has used Mordor for his stronghold, building his armies, preparing to strike against our own stroke." Gandalf paused a moment to let his words sink in before continuing. "He had governed Mordor from afar through his nine servants who dwelt in Minas Morgul. At the last council, we learned he was seeking more eagerly for the One but Saruman assured that the One would never again be found in Middle Earth." Gandalf then looked to her father. "It was then I wondered if the ring had been sent with Glorfindel for he has travelled farther than even me; but it seemed it was but the beginning of Saruman's treacherous words." Gandalf fell silent.

"We were all at fault and but for your vigilance, the darkness, maybe, would already be upon us." Elrond said and Gandalf bowed his head a moment.

"It was then I wondered how the ring had come to the creature, Gollum, and how long he had possessed it so I set a watch for him. I knew eventually he would seek the treasure lost to him. He did come forth and he was captured but alas escaped and I let the matter rest. That was seventeen years ago. Soon I became aware there were many spies of sorts near the Shire and throughout the Wilderlands and my fear was renewed. I counselled with Aragorn we should hunt Gollum and together we explored the entire Wilderlands in search of the creature..." Ara began zoning out again. They had been in council at least two hours now and it was tedious. She was so bored. She sent a sidelong glance to Elladan beside her which he caught and gave her a deadpan look. He is as bored as I. If only we had phones, we could text each other under the table. Wishful thinking that was but she smiled internally as she felt his hand suddenly brush against hers where it rested on the bench seat they occupied and she took it gladly and curiously traced the light calluses upon his hand from wielding a sword. Eventually by communicating with her hand, while looking to be riveted by both Gandalf and Aragorn who were speaking in turn, she started up a game of thumb wars with the dark haired Elf and the challenge was no longer trying not to look bored but trying not to laugh as they both secretly battled to win each round.

"Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul-" The dark and terrifying words startled both she and Elladan, they were menacing and of terrible power and Ara ripped her hand from the other Elf's to cover her ears as he covered his own. 'Ash nazg thrakatuluk-" She closed her eyes but all she saw was fire and darkness and she snapped them open to look upon blue-grey eyes which held her gaze steadily, it was strangely almost comforting but then anything was better than the words she could not block out. "Agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." The sun had gone from the sky, behind dark clouds and Ara shivered.

"Never before has any uttered the words of that tongue in this valley." Elrond's voice spoke out and slowly she and the other Elves lowered their hands from their sensitive ears. It was now she noticed just how pale the Prince's face had become and wondered if hers was just as drained of colour. She dropped her hands to her sides and Elladan instantly found it and as Legolas looked to his advisor, she looked to Elladan.

"Are you well?" He asked quietly and she nodded.

"Yeah, you?" He nodded and she turned to her father who was simply looking worriedly at her with questioning eyes.

"At least it wasn't the actual ring speaking." She said quiet enough only he would hear and he nodded, understanding exactly what she was referencing. Gandalf spoke again but then, she knew he would. Everything was going accordingly.

"I do not ask pardon Lord Elrond for that tongue may soon be heard in every corner of the west. Now let us put all doubt aside that this thing is indeed the One in which we speak. Fraught with all his malice and in it lays a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that the smiths of Eregion heard, and knew that they had been betrayed:

One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them."

...

The Black Speech still seemed to resound in Legolas's mind and he was loath to close his eyes again for the darkness and flames he saw and he knew Ara saw them too for her eyes had held in them the very same fear he felt yet his gaze had found hers and it had helped, helped against the fell words which Mithrandir uttered which even the very sun had shied away from.

"Know also my friends; I learned more yet from Gollum. He was loth to speak and his tale unclear; but it is beyond all doubt that he went to Mordor. And there all that he knew was forced from him. Thus the enemy knows now the One has been found and that it has been long in the Shire. And since his servants have pursued it almost to our door, he will soon know or perhaps even as I speak he may know that we have it here." Mithrandir's words were grave ones and Legolas realised again how foolish he had been to suspect Glorfindel a spy when he had rescued both Estel and the four Hobbits and secured the ring in the process. The old Wizard had hinted that Glorfindel had been dwelling very far away and Legolas now wondered if perhaps he had sailed and now returned from Valinor. The Valar did seem to favour the Golden haired Elven warrior of old.

"This Gollum, what became of him? To what doom did you put him?" The Gondor man, Boromir suddenly asked from the silence which had ensued and Legolas began nervously picking at the hem of his tunic beneath the table as Estel casually explained that Gollum was under lock and key under the strict and efficient guard of the Elves of the Woodland Realm. The Ranger caught his eye for confirmation and Legolas slowly shook his head and Aragorn gaped at him.

"He is not in your father's dungeon?" He asked and suddenly all eyes were on him and a defeated sigh escaped him.

"The tidings I hold as a burden I must now tell. They are not good and only now do I truly understand how troublesome they will seem to this company." He said mustering all his regality. "The creature Sméagol, now known as Gollum has escaped." There, he had said it but the shocked looks were like the slash of a whip to his cheek.

"Escaped?" Estel cried out in dismay. "How? How can that be? We will all rue this bitterly. How came the folk of King Thranduil to fail in their trust?" He asked and there was betrayal which flickered briefly in his eyes and suddenly outraged Estel should assume such, Legolas stood.

"How dare you deign to accuse my kin of failing in trust? We guarded Gollum every hour of the day and night at Gandalf's request. Do not accuse what you do not know!" He said menacingly and Estel raised his palm to him.

"Peace Legolas. I chose my words rashly; I know well your people would not go against Gandalf's wishes but please explain how he escaped your guard?" Legolas still felt defensive but he retook his seat and flickered his gaze towards Elrond who gave him an encouraging half smile as too surprisingly did Glorfindel. His gaze passed slowly over Ara and he was surprised to see her looking saddened over something but she was staring at the table. He looked back to Estel who like everyone else, waited for his explanation.

"He did not escape through lack of watchfulness on our part but perhaps from too much kindness." He took a breath. "It was my fault, I was guarding Gollum and took pity on him for he wished to be out of the caverns and darkness of the cell in which he was imprisoned in and wished to see the stars. He was miserable and so I let him out and into the gardens under guard. It was a trick on his part and he took us by surprise and attacked the King and made his escape. We pursued him but could not find him and instead came across a party of Orcs on our realms border. Later we found Gollum's tracks mixed with those of the Orcs and we wondered if it was coincidence or he somehow knew they were nearby and used their presence to aid in his escape." He finished his quiet explanation and felt eyes glaring at him and turned to meet Glóin's glare full on.

"You were less tender hearted to my people and myself when we spent time in your dungeons." He growled out and Legolas opened his mouth to snap back at him but suddenly Gandalf spoke.

"Now come! Glóin, my good friend do not interrupt for that was a regrettable misunderstanding long set straight."

"Set straight on whose account?" Legolas muttered under his breath and received a hard glare from the Wizard.

"If all the grievances that stand between Dwarves and Elves are to be brought up here we may as well abandon this council." Gandalf said warningly and Legolas gave a small nod as Glóin stood and bowed and he bit down hard on the inside of his cheek keeping his face indifferent at the Dwarves display of mockery.

"Well Gollum is gone." Elrond said calmly. We have no time to seek again for him and although I do not know, he may still have a part to play." He caught Legolas's eyes as he spoke and Legolas felt some of the weight lift from his shoulders.

"And now Galdor, your question concerning Saruman? He has betrayed us and his allegiance now lies with Sauron but he too seeks power." Gandalf said. "I sought his council only to be goaded and the location of the ring asked of me. He bade me join him and I refused his madness for in his eyes now lies a hard and cruel madness indeed. Saruman the White has fallen into darkness." There were murmurs of dismay and Legolas was shocked by these tidings. At least we now know of this deceit. He now wondered at Galdor's last unanswered question. The whereabouts of Glorfindel and as if on cue, Elrond spoke.

"And as for the whereabouts of Glorfindel these past decades. I think the answer sits directly beside him, Lord Galdor. Glorfindel took it upon himself to travel the places he had not seen in all his long years and has been blessed with love and a daughter." Elrond explained simply and Galdor seemed to buy it as did those others and the Elf from the Havens smiled warmly at Glorfindel.

'I am glad for you." He said kindly and Glorfindel nodded in gracious acceptance. Legolas however was still convinced something was not right concerning Glorfindel's whereabouts. By Ara's drawings, she lived near the sea.

"And now if there is no more tidings or questions to discuss, we must move on to what the fate of the one ring shall be for it can be wielded by none but he who fashioned it and in his hands it must never return." Elrond said solemnly and all eyes turned again to him, awaiting direction. "The ring must be destroyed."

"But it can only be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom." Boromir muttered and glanced at them all and Gandalf nodded to him.

"It has been foreseen, words which tell of those who will journey together to bring the ring to Mordor and cast it back into the fire." Elrond spoke clearly and an uneasy feeling began to twist in Legolas's heart for he had been specifically asked to sit at this council, although his father would have had him go anyway. All waited with baited breath for these words which he spoke of.

"All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

In lands to the West where darkness breed,

Valour will rise and come forth in start;

Song shall be sung of allied deed,

When at last Gondor's might depart.

Of the woods of wild and treacherous,

Silvan green shall be steadfast at side;

Safety lie in more dangerous,

And follow further than edge of tide.

In mountains old strength come forth,

Of spirit and heart honest;

From stone and fire's warmth,

Word of duty will be promised.

From Gold hath walked ahead,

Be ever the hope of men;

Keeper of which trail of thread,

Wrote true by quill-pen.

Of friends old will faithful three,

Tread lightly over snow and flame;

Over hill and under tree,

A life known quiet never again.

For one more so humble,

Those nine shall lay difference behind;

Unite before the world shall crumble,

And follow the one holds the fate of all kind."

Elrond fell silent and the words lay heavy which he had spoken as each contemplated their meaning. It was a summons of sorts Legolas decided. The one who wanders he decided must be Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgrim. Estel was Isildur's heir and rightful King of Gondor. The man, Boromir, he was the only one present from the West. Which meant the one of the woods spoken of was possibly he? For why else would those words speak of the green and he was half Silvan while all others attending were Noldor but for Barhador, who was full Sindar. He refused to dwell on it just yet and tried to work out the others. From the mountains was certainly one of the Dwarves and he decided it must be Glóin's son for surely Glóin himself was too old? The next one confused him however, Gold might have related to Glorfindel. No, it spoke of the hope of men; dawn is ever the hope of men. Which means... no that is entirely ridiculous. He put that thought too to the back of his mind and thought on the three, he did not know but he knew the last must be the Hobbit, Frodo.

"Then this is a summoning of sorts?" The man, Boromir said slowly, breaking the silence and Elrond nodded gravely.

"It is indeed Boromir, son of Denethor and it is why I requested your presence at this council specifically. To the one who seeks to destroy, one of you will counter him and take the ring to Mount Doom but you will not go alone for as nine do his bidding, nine shall journey with and protect you. To the dark lord Sauron and his nine wraiths we shall seek to destroy him in secret. Frodo Baggins, you are the Ring Bearer and it will not be an easy task nor easy weight you bear and your road will be perilous and so; differences forgiving, nine will accompany you: Gandalf, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, Ara and Merry, Pippin and Sam who I know are hiding on the other side of that hedge so you may as well show yourselves." Elrond announced and Legolas's first thought upon hearing his name was fear for he was meant to be returning to his father's realm. However this was his chance to travel and he would be traveling with Glorfindel also so he would not be the only Elf and also there was Estel. He watched curiously as three more Hobbits tumbled into the council garden and they chattered excitedly to Frodo who was looking rather pale. Poor Halfling, it is a long way to Mordor for one so small and yet the three others prophesised were clearly these three Hobbits. Upon hearing his own name called he had stopped hearing the rest of the announcements and glanced around to see Gimli the younger dwarf looking rather proud as too did Boromir. As usual, Estel looked to have a weight upon his shoulders as he spoke with Boromir. He looked to Glorfindel but he was talking to Elrond and Ara strangely seemed unconcerned and was in what looked to be a deep conversation with the Elrondian who were looking at her in utter amazement. Legolas looked to Barhador who was looking at him wide eyed.

"Legolas you cannot go, this could be a suicide mission! The King will not agree to this." He exclaimed and then stood, facing Elrond before Legolas could reply. "Lord Elrond this is folly, The Crown Prince of the Woodland Realm cannot go to Mordor; our King will never allow it."

"Lord Barhador I understand your concerns but the Lady Galadriel has foreseen this, these are her words." Elrond said calmly.

"Cannot another go? I myself would go." Legolas was touched by Barhador's offer and slowly stood also.

"To change what the Lady has foreseen could jeopardise all. There is reason behind my choosing and I will accept this task." Legolas said steadily, surprising himself and Elrond gave him a relieved nod.

"But my Lord Legolas, your father-"

"We shall find a way around that issue later." Legolas cut over him, becoming annoyed with his near whining.

"I have a few ideas how to do just that." Elrond said and Legolas allowed him a smile.

"Lord Glorfindel is also going and I think that will count for something that I will not be the only Elf making this journey." He extended his smile warmly to the Balrog Slayer who looked at him slightly bemused.

"You will indeed be travelling with another Elf but it will not be I."

"Oh, I must have misheard, who is the other?" Suddenly Ara looked up from her conversation with the brothers and met him with her dark green gaze.

"It's me blondie."


Reviews always welcome guys. :) Like say we could all place bets on just how much Legolas is going to lose his S#it in the next chapter! ;)