Chapter Nine-The Council

Hermione woke feeling refreshed. She slowly went through her morning rituals, and had just finished as she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Legolas entered her room carrying a tray laden with fruits and bread. "I thought you might like something more than your normal." He sat the tray on the small table in the room and walked towards Hermione hugging her. "Besides I missed you."

Hermione smiled at him, "How could you have missed me, already?" She leaned up though and gave him a quick kiss. Legolas became very serious. "Mia, I don't know how it happened so soon, but I have given you my whole heart. When an elf loves, it is forever. No matter what happens today, know that."

Tears sprung to her eyes, "I love you too." She kissed him again but much deeper.

Slowly Legolas let her go; "Now we need to eat, and head to the meeting. If we are late I fear Elrond would chide us like children in front everyone. I don't fancy being corrected in front of a bunch of dwarves."

Hermione began eating before continuing the conversation, "Dwarves might surprise you Legolas. One day you might even call a dwarf your best friend."

Legolas looked disgusted by the thought, "Not going to happen."

Hermione grinned just slightly at him, "Just try to be nice, hmm."

They finished their breakfast and headed to meet with the others. Hermione took a seat between Legolas and Glorfindels. Legolas took her hand as she waited for the meeting to begin. She noticed that a red haired man was looking at her suspiciously. Hermione met his gaze without flinching.

"May I help you with something?"

"What is a women doing here, and why are you with the elves?" The man retorted back.

"Well first of all, I am here because I was invited, and as for the second, it is none of your business."

The red haired man snarled at her and looked away. Hermione glanced next to her and saw that Legolas was very angry. She leaned closer to him and whispered, "Don't let it bother you, his opinion means nothing to us." Legolas nodded to her and tried to relax for her sake.

Elrond started the meeting, asking Frodo to bring forth the ring. The red haired man that spoke before stood and began saying what a gift the ring was to his people. Hermione remembered the entire meeting, so she just tuned it out, watching the emotions that reflected on Frodo's face. When all the yelling started she shot a non-verbal Silencio at everyone but Frodo and Elrond. Everyone turned to look at her and she shrugged, "I think Master Frodo was trying to speak, and I for one was interested in what he had to say." She nodded at the Halfling, who stated that he would take the ring. She reversed the spell on everyone else and watched one by one as they pledged themselves to help in the quest.

Hermione stood attempting to vocalize her participation, when the hobbits ran out to join. Finally it was her turn to speak. "I will also be joining the quest." Several of the companions turned to look at her in astonishment, but all kept quiet for the moment.

Elrond began speaking again, "10 companions. You will be known as the fellowship of the ring." Elrond dismissed everyone but the fellowship, and once again asked them to take a seat. Everyone settled in silently. "This will be a treacherous journey for all of you, but you must learn to rely on each other and develop trust amongst yourselves. This is why I asked all of you to stay behind. Any grievances that you have with each other need to be worked out now, so that you may move forward for the betterment of all." Elrond then left the group alone.

Hermione looked around the circle, first at the hobbits, then to Aragorn and Gandalf. She did not have any personal issues with anyone present, but she knew at least one person that would have a problem with her going. So she waited for him to speak, it did not take him long.

"Why would Elrond allow a woman to accompany us on such a dangerous quest? Why haven't any of you spoken against it! Evidently you know her, how could you let her walk into danger that will probably cost her life?" Boromir did not even bother to address her, but everyone else.

Legolas went to stand up but Hermione stayed him with her hand. "I suggest good sir that when you are speaking of me, you address me, I will give you the same courtesy. I have come a great distance to help in this task. I do not need anyone to protect me, for I can protect myself, as well as, if not better than you can. You are welcome to test me on this if you would like." Legolas drew a sharp breath at this, but Aragorn reached over grabbing his arm and whispering to him in elvish, "you must let her prove herself to them, or they will never trust her." Legolas nodded sharply but continued to be alert if needed.

Boromir stood from his position and drew his sword. As he walked towards Hermione she drew her wand and cast a silent Expelliarmus. Boromir's sword flew from his hand to the ground. He laughed, "I do not need a weapon to best a little girl." He kept coming towards her so she raised her wand one more time, "Stupefy!" Boromir dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. She looked around to gage the reaction of the others in the circle. The hobbits looked upon her a little fearfully, but there was respect shining in everyone else's eyes. Hermione decided to reassure the hobbits and let Boromir lay in the dirt a little longer. "He is just unconscious; I did not actually hurt him." The hobbits looked a little relieved. She then pointed her wand at Boromir again, "Ennervate."

Slowly Boromir awoke. He climbed back to his feet, unsure of why he was on the ground. Hermione looked him the eyes before addressing him, "I am a witch. I can protect myself just fine. I also know how to use a bow. I am being taught how to fight with knives as well. I do not need you to respect me, but I do hope you will come to."

Gandalf spoke for the first time to the group, "We will be leaving in one week. In this time, I am sure everyone could use a little practice and time to get to know each other. Is there anything anyone would like to address at this time?" Gandalf looked around the group giving everyone enough time to speak up.

Hermione waited for a moment and then stood back up. "I think everyone knows that the ring has powers that pull at your mind. While all of us are susceptible to this, man's mind is the easiest to control. I believe I have found a way to block our minds from the ring. I would like to put these blocks on everyone, but will not do so without your willing participation. Anyone that is willing please see me this week. I would also like to speak with each person, individually to share some information that I have that could help." Hermione then sat back down.

Gandalf waited to see if anyone had anything else to add. When no one else spoke up he called an end to the meeting.