Author's Notes: I don't own anyone from Lord of the Rings. If I did Frodo wouldn't have gone on to the Grey Havens. Legolas would be teaching me how to use a bow and arrow. Aragorn and Arwen would have been married long before the Ring was found. I don't own any of the Inu-Yasha characters. If I did, Sesshomaru would be joining Legolas in teaching me how to use a sword. Enjoy.
Recently I got copies of the show and saw that the spelling of Sesshomaru is indeed spelled wrong. Forgive me but I was going by what I saw in the magnas. I did correct the spelling in all the chapters.
Chapter 8
The Council of Elrond
Tori leaned on the railing of the balcony of her room and watched the sunrise. She really missed her love Sesshomaru and wanted him here with her. Sango was sitting in one of the chaise lounges that Elrond had made sure were on every balcony. Tori perched herself on the edge of the railing.
"When do you think Frodo will wake up?" Tori swept her hand over the silk of the gown that the elves had brought her.
"I don't know. Lord Elrond will let us know." Sango turned to face the door as a knock sounded. "That could be him right now."
Tori shrugged as she slid off the railing and practically ran to the door. She squealed when she saw the person standing on the other side. "Gandalf! You're safe!" She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a tight squeeze.
"That I am, Lady Tori. That I am." Gandalf saw the woman slowly climbing from her seat. "I take it that this is either Lady Kagome or Lady Sango." Gandalf extended a hand to Sango. "It is a pleasure to meet you finally."
"So you're Gandalf?" Sango watched him lift her hand to his lips. "Nice to meet you but if you ever put Tori through the kid of worrying that she's done again, I'm going to hurt you big time."
Gandalf laughed as he started out the door. Tori hurried after him with Sango right behind them. They hurried through the corridors to the room where Frodo had been laying for a week now. Gandalf pushed open the door and took the empty seat beside the bed. Elrond barely looked up from the potions he was mixing when they had entered the room. Tori perched herself on the edge of the bed while Sango drifted toward the balcony. They stayed that way for hours.
A moan sounded through the room. "Where am I?" Frodo still hadn't opened his eyes yet but he knew someone was in the room with him.
"The House of Elrond." Gandalf removed his unlit pipe when Frodo whipped around to look at him.
"Gandalf? What happened? Why didn't you meet us?" Frodo struggled to sit up.
"I was…detained, Frodo." Gandalf gave Tori a 'Don't even think about telling him' look.
Tori giggled as Frodo flopped back onto the bed as Elrond approached them. "I have scheduled a council meeting to discuss what is to be done with the Ring."
"So when are we having the council meeting, Lord Elrond?" Tori stretched slightly from her position.
"Most are starting to arrive now." Sango's eyes were glued to the courtyard below.
"The meeting will be in the morning." Elrond looked over at the woman and saw that her eyes had widened and she was starting to squirm. "Perhaps you should join Sango out on the balcony?"
"I think I will." Tori climbed to her feet and hurried to the balcony. She looked down into the courtyard.
A blonde elf regally dismounted from his horse and turned to look around the courtyard as his companion dismounted just as regally. His silver hair swayed with the slight breeze flowing through the courtyard. His golden eyes swept over the buildings and courtyard as two squeals were heard. Tori watched as Rin ran up to the man and hugged his legs.
"Do you think that's Sesshomaru?" Sango turned around only to find the door swinging shut behind Tori. "I guess it is."
Gandalf and Frodo looked worriedly at Elrond who shook his head. Meanwhile Tori tore down the stairs to the courtyard. She stopped at the foot of the stairs and watched Sesshomaru pick Rin up and toss her gently in the air. Suddenly Rin was on the ground and Sesshomaru was looking right at her. He held open his arms for her. Tears streaked down her face as she pulled her skirts up over her knees and ran into his arms. His arms tightened around her as he pulled her into a deep kiss.
Tori tightened her hold on him as she pulled away slightly. "I missed you so much. Why didn't you come looking for us?"
"I am afraid that is my fault, my lady." The blonde elf had stepped up behind them. "My father asked that he stay and help to protect Mirkwood."
"Legolas is correct. I could not let any innocents die, my love." Sesshomaru nuzzled her mating mark. "I am sorry to have caused you worry."
"Just don't let it happen again." Tori buried her face into his shoulder.
"I see that you have found another of your company." Elrond stood at the base of the stairs watching Tori and Sesshomaru.
Tori managed to pull herself out of Sesshomaru's arms and turned to face Elrond. "This is my mate Lord Sesshomaru. Sessho, this is Lord Elrond of Rivendell."
"Welcome to Rivendell, Lord Sesshomaru and Legolas Greenleaf." Lord Elrond bowed to both men.
Sesshomaru inclined his head. "Thank you for caring for members of my pack, Lord Elrond."
"You're welcome but I did not care for Lady Tori and the children. That would be Frodo. He has been with her since they left the Shire." Elrond motioned them forward. "Come. I will take you to him."
Sesshomaru followed Tori and Elrond to Frodo's room. Frodo looked up at the silver haired man that entered the room with Tori and Elrond.
"This child has protected you, my love?" Sesshomaru stared at the Hobbit lying in the bed.
Frodo gaped at Sesshomaru as Tori giggled slightly. "Frodo is a Hobbit, love, not a child."
"I see." Sesshomaru moved toward Frodo's bed. "I thank you for caring for my pack members."
"You're welcome?" Frodo looked around Sesshomaru at Tori.
Tori giggled again as she stepped forward. "Sesshomaru, this is Frodo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey."
"A pleasure to meet the both of you." Sesshomaru bowed to Gandalf and Frodo.
Frodo tried to bow from his position on the bed but Tori shoved him back. "You need to rest Frodo. I'll check on you later." Tori dragged Sesshomaru out of the room and down the corridor.
Sesshomaru followed Tori through the corridors until they found Strider sitting on a bench reading. Sesshomaru looked down at his mate. "Who is that?"
"Strider. He's a friend that helped us get to Rivendell." Tori dragged Sesshomaru over to Strider. "Strider, I want you to meet my mate, Lord Sesshomaru."
Strider climbed to his feet and bowed to them. "It is a pleasure to meet the man that has to put up with Lady Tori's temper."
Sesshomaru looked around them. "Is Jaken here?"
"Sessho." Tori swatted Sesshomaru's arm lightly as Strider moved over so that Tori and Sesshomaru could join him on the bench. "Strider, what do you think is going to be decided at the council meeting?"
"They may decide how to destroy the Ring." Strider watched a man come into the corridor from the opposite side of them. "We will discuss this later."
The man looked over the strange group watching him. The lady was beautiful, that was true but the silver haired man beside her was strange. He recognized the second man as a man from the north. "You are from the north."
"Aye. I am here for the council." Strider took in the emblem of a white tree surrounded by stars on the man's shield. "You are from Gondor. Rest easy you are welcome here."
A small smile graced the man's lips as he looked over the sword that was laid upon a silk covered statue. He picked up the broken hilt and gripped it tightly. "So this is the sword that cut the Ring from Sauron's hand." He ran a finger along the edge and opened a small wound. "It's still sharp." He put the hilt back onto the 'altar' haphazardly and watched as it clattered to the ground. "It's just a broken blade." He hurried out of the corridor while Strider climbed to his feet.
Tori pulled Sesshomaru out of the corridor while Strider moved toward the fallen hilt. He scooped it up and placed it reverently on the 'altar' as Arwen stepped into the corridor.
"Why do you hide yourself? You are not like Isildur." Arwen watched Strider bow his head.
"I fear that may not be strong enough to resist the temptation."
"I can see deep within you. You would do the right thing."
Strider just nodded before moving down the corridor and out of sight. Arwen stared at the broken sword for a moment before also leaving the corridor.
-----
Sango laughed as Kirara chased Shippo and Rin around one of the many courtyards. Elladan and Elohir flanked her while Frodo sat beside Bilbo on one of the many benches. Sam, Merry, and Pippin were under one of the many trees with Koga discussing the differences between their worlds.
"So, Lady Sango, do you have a beau on your world?" Elladan leaned back in the grass while Sango played with the few blades had blown into her lap.
"I'm married, Elladan. I've told you that before. Miroku is my husband." Sango took a deep breath. "Even if he weren't I couldn't marry you."
"And why not?" Elladan ignored Elohir's outrage.
"Because you are an elf and I'm mortal." Sango looked up as Tori and Sesshomaru joined them in the courtyard. "Tori, Sesshomaru, over here."
Elladan and Elohir looked at each other before looking at Tori and Sesshomaru. Elladan gulped as he pointed at Sesshomaru. "Who is that?"
Sango laughed as Tori dropped to the ground beside them and Sesshomaru dropped behind her and pulled her into his lap. "That is Lord Sesshomaru, Lady Tori's mate. Sesshomaru, I'd like you to meet Elladan and Elohir, Elrond's sons."
"A pleasure." Sesshomaru nuzzled his mate's neck and growled softly which in turn made Tori moan.
Elladan leaned back slightly and shook his head. "You both act like you haven't seen each other in months."
"We haven't." Tori snuggled closer to Sesshomaru as Arwen and Strider came toward them. "Arwen! Strider!"
Arwen glided toward them as Sesshomaru climbed to his feet and hauled Elladan and Elohir to their feet as well. "I am glad to see that some of the men Lady Tori and Lady Sango know are gentlemen." Arwen bowed slightly. "Ada wishes for you to bathe before supper. Lord Sesshomaru, you will be staying with your mate."
"I'll show him where are room is. Don't worry if we're late, Arwen." Tori giggled slightly as she climbed to her feet and pulled Sesshomaru away from the group.
Arwen watched as Sesshomaru scooped Tori into his arms and carried her to their rooms. "Come, Lady Sango."
"I'm coming." Sango climbed to her feet and hurried after Arwen and Strider.
-----
Tori and Sesshomaru stepped through the carved doors to the dining hall. Lord Elrond motioned them to the front of the hall and to the table on his right. Tori saw that Sango, Rin, and Shippo were already seated there. Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin were seated with Bilbo and Strider at the table across from them. Arwen, Elohir, and Elladan were seated with Elrond at the front table. Tori looked around the room and saw the elves from Mirkwood were seated at the table next to the Hobbits while the dwarves were sitting next to their table. The night passed without incident, if you call the small food fight Shippo and Rin started with Elladan and Elohir not an incident. As the night drew to a close Elrond climbed to his feet.
"Friends, we have gathered together for a single purpose. The last of the council has arrived; therefore we will start the meeting in the morn." Elrond clapped his hands twice and the doors to the hall opened. "I suggest we all take some rest for tomorrow we will decide the fate of Middle Earth."
The beings of Middle Earth climbed to their feet and made their ways to their rooms. Tori grabbed Sesshomaru's arm and together they followed Rin and Shippo to their quarters.
"I can't believe that the two of you started that food fight." Tori watched as Rin climbed from her tub.
"But, reidou, it was fun." Rin giggled as Tori pulled some of the creamy glop out of Rin's hair.
"I know, honey, but it wasn't very polite to our host." Tori squeezed a bit of shampoo into Rin's hair and started to lather it vigorously. "I honestly thought that Elladan and Elohir wouldn't think to take the challenge."
"Well, they did and we had to fight back." Rin held her breath as Tori pushed her under the water to rinse her hair.
"Finish your bath and then get to bed." Tori climbed to her feet and moved to the other side of the screen and saw Sesshomaru finishing with Shippo's hair. "Same with you, young man."
"Yes, Aunt Tori." Shippo grabbed the washcloth as Tori and Sesshomaru moved into the bedroom.
"Those two are chaos in itself." Sesshomaru watched Tori pull down the covers on the two beds.
"I know but it's our job to keep them in check." Tori heard Rin running from the bathroom. "Walk please."
"Sorry." Rin walked into the room with her head bowed. She climbed into her bed while Shippo walked from the bathroom.
"Are you going to tell us a story tonight?" Shippo climbed into his bed and pulled the covers up to his chin.
"Not tonight." Tori tucked him in and kissed his forehead before moving to Rin's bed and repeating the process. "Good night."
"Good night." Rin and Shippo watched Tori and Sesshomaru step out of the room.
Tori led Sesshomaru to their chambers. "Do you want a bath before bed?"
"We will have to see." Sesshomaru scooped Tori into his arms and carried her into the bedroom.
-----
Tori yawned as she looked around at the council members. Sesshomaru was seated between her and Legolas, who Tori had found out, was really sweet just like Sesshomaru. Strider was seated on the other side of the council room. Gandalf was on her other side with Frodo beside him. Sango was seated to the right of Lord Elrond with Koga between her and Frodo. Sam, Merry, Pippin, Rin, and Shippo had been banned from the meeting.
Elrond climbed to his feet. "Friends of Middle Earth, we are here to decide the fate of our world." He turned to Frodo. "Frodo, place the Ring." Frodo stood and placed the One Ring on the pedestal at the center of the room.
The man that had dropped the sword leered at the Ring. "So it's true." Tori shot a look at Sesshomaru as the man stood. "Long has my father, the steward of Gondor, defended our borders from the treat in Mordor. With the Ring, we will be able to defend all of Middle Earth."
"None may wield it, Boromir, but Sauron." Strider shook his head slightly.
"What would a Ranger from the north know of war?" Boromir sneered down his nose at Strider.
Legolas jumped to his feet. "He is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and your King!"
Boromir looked at Strider while Tori gaped at him. "This is Isildur's heir?" He snorted slightly. "Gondor has no king." He dropped back into his seat.
Tori jumped to her feet and glared at Boromir. "Look. I don't know what the hell is going on but you will show Strider respect. If it wasn't for him, that Ring…" Tori jabbed a finger in the general direction of the Ring. "…Would now be in the hands of the enemy. He helped us get here to Rivendell and protect two children."
"Lady Tori." Strider held up a hand and gave her a soft smile. "Calm yourself."
Tori crossed her arms and threw herself back into her seat. Elrond had watched the entire thing as had the rest of the council. A dwarf stood up.
"Who is this woman?" The dwarf's eyes raked over Tori.
"This is Lady Tori and her husband, Lord Sesshomaru. Beside me is Lady Sango. They are not from Middle Earth, Gimli." Elrond raised a hand to stop anymore questions about Tori, Sango, and Sesshomaru. "We must decide the fate of the One Ring."
"Give it to Gondor. We can use it to keep Mordor at bay." Boromir had jumped to his feet again.
"Did you not hear them?" Sesshomaru jumped to his feet. "You cannot wield it!"
Boromir got into Sesshomaru's face while Strider tried to pull them apart. Gimli jumped to his feet and was yelling at Legolas. Tori jumped to her feet and scrambled up on her chair.
"Shut up, all of you!!" Not one being heard her. "That's it." She pulled out her sword. "Blades of Fire!" Three blades of fire scorched a bush across from her, making everyone turn to look at her. "I told the lot of you to SHUT UP!!! Now sit down!"
Sesshomaru and Strider sat in their seats immediately. Legolas looked between Tori and Sesshomaru before following his example. Boromir glared at Tori as he sat down.
Gimli fingered his axe as Tori climbed down from her seat. "What will you do if I don't sit down?"
"Do you really want to find out?" Tori smirked slightly as Gimli sat quickly. She turned to Elrond. "Please continue with what you were saying, Lord Elrond."
"As I was saying, the Ring must be destroyed." Elrond looked around at the group.
Gimli jumped to his feet and held his axe high. "Well, what are we waiting for?" He slammed his axe down on the Ring only to be thrown back into his seat.
Tori jumped to her feet and hurried to his side. "Are you all right?"
Gimli looked up at Tori and nodded. "One minute you're yelling at me and the next you're helping me."
"That's the way she is, Gimli." Elrond watched as Tori helped the dwarf to his feet. "The only way to destroy the Ring is to throw it into the fires of Mount Doom in the lands of Mordor."
"Who would be foolish enough to go into Mordor?" Boromir climbed to his feet. "You're talking about miles of a waterless and dusty wasteland. Not to mention thousands of Orcs between you and Mount Doom."
Legolas jumped to his feet. "It must be taken."
"And I suppose you think you should be the one to take it?" Gimli glared at Legolas.
"Perhaps." Legolas and Gimli stood toe to toe.
"I'll be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!"
Frodo had been slumping down in his chair the whole time everyone was fighting. "I'll take it."
Tori whipped her head around as Sesshomaru turned to face the Hobbit. "Did he say what I think he said?"
Frodo stood up from his seat. "I'll take the Ring to Mordor." Everyone turned to look at him. "I'll take the Ring to Mordor though I do not know the way."
Gandalf laid a hand on his shoulder. "I can help you there."
"Well, you're not keeping me out of a fight. I've got have someone to take my anger out on. I'm in." Tori grinned as she moved to stand behind Frodo.
"My mate does not go without me." Sesshomaru moved to stand behind Tori. "You will have my swords."
"Well, I can't let you two have all the fun. I'm in." Sango jumped to her feet.
"I'm going too." Koga helped Sango to her feet and they joined the group.
Strider climbed to his feet and slowly moved toward the group. "If by my life or death I can help you then I will. You have my sword." Strider knelt before Frodo.
Legolas smiled softly. "And my bow."
"And my axe." Gimli moved toward the group.
Boromir watched the group for a minute before turning his gaze to Frodo. "You hold the fate of us all, little one. I will help you on your journey."
"Oi! I'm coming too!" Sam hurried from behind one of the many trees.
"Indeed. It seems that we cannot separate you both, even when Frodo is summoned to a secret meeting and you are not."
Merry and Pippin hurried across the courtyard with Shippo and Rin right behind them. "We're coming too!"
"Right. You're going to need people of intelligence for this kind of mission...quest...thing." Pippin stood a little taller in front of Tori.
Tori laughed as she hugged Pippin. "Well that leaves you out, Pip."
Elrond took in the group before him. "The fifteen of you will be known as the Fellowship of the Ring."
