Lothiriel strolled into the room, getting quite a few stares from the men. She glanced over towards one man whom she stared at during dinner last night. She sat down in the chair next to Aragorn and he sent her a friendly smile. She glanced towards Amara who looked paler than usual, but she held her own, not wanting to look weak. After all the chairs filled, Elrond began.
"Strangers from distant lands ... friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor," Elrond spoke, "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...Bring forth the ring, Frodo."
Frodo stepped forward nervously, as he did not like all the attention, and placed The Ring in the center of the stone Plinth.
"In a dream," the man from Gondor said, "I saw the Eastern sky grow dark...In the West, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying, your doom is near at hand...Isildur's bane is found...Isildur's Bane."
He reached out for the ring and Elrond quickly sat up, "Boromir!"
Gandalf quickly picked himself up and started chanting in black speech, making all the elves clutch their heads in pain. The sky quickly went back to normal and the elves sighed in relief. Elrond then scolded Gandalf for speaking such words here in Imladris.
"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil," Gandalf finished and sat down.
Boromir stood up and said, "Aye, it is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? 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. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy, let us use it against him."
Amara laughed a little and Boromir looked at her scornfully.
"And what exactly is it that you find funny?" Boromir sneered.
"Only your stupidity," She said, "That you would even think that anyone could wield such a weapon."
"She is right," Aragorn spoke up, "You cannot wield it, none of us can. The Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
Boromir looked at Aragorn angrily, "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas stood up abruptly and said, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir looked at Aragorn in disbelief, "Aragorn! This..is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas finished.
Aragorn held up a hand and spoke, "Sit down, Legolas."
"Gondor has no King," Boromir said, glancing at Aragorn as he headed back to his seat, "Gondor needs no King."
Gandalf spoke next, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
Elrond stood up and looked at everyone, "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
The council went silent, until Gimli asked, "Then what are we waiting for?"
He picked up his axe and moved forward towards the ring.
Lothiriel stood up and yelled, "Wait!" but it was too late.
He brought his axe down and a blast flew him onto the floor as his axe shattered. The Ring sat on the Plinth undamaged.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we possess," Elrond spoke, "The Ring was made in the fires 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 you...must do this."
The entire council went silent.
Boromir broke the silence by speaking, "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. Tis 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."
Legolas quickly got to his feet, "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 stated.
"And if we should fail what then?" Boromir asked, "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"
Gimli stood as well, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf."
Everyone got up from their seats except for Aragorn, Elrond, Lothiriel, Amara, and Frodo.
"Never trust an elf," Gimli shouted.
In the middle of the arguments a small voice was heard, but nobody was listening.
It wasn't until Amara jumped up and shouted, "Enough!" that everyone went silent.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor," Frodo said, "Though, I do not know the way."
Gandalf was the first to step forward, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will," Aragorn stood up and kneeled down in front of him, "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow," Legolas said next.
"And my axe," Gimli said.
"You carry the fate of us all little one," Boromir said, "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."
Lothiriel was the next to speak, "Where Aragorn goes, I go. You have my daggers."
A cry sounded from the bushes and Sam ran out.
"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me," he said.
"No indeed it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not," Elrond said with a smirk.
"Wait," Another small voice cried, "We're coming too!"
Small footsteps could be heard running towards the group, the voices of Merry and Pippin calling out.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Merry stated.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission...quest...thing," Pippin said, trying to act all brave and mighty.
"Well that rules you out, Pip," Merry whispered.
"Wait!" Another yelled called out, running out of the bushes as well, "I can't let these two have all the fun, now can I?"
Merry and Pippin grinned at the elf that ran out and she sent them the same one.
Elrond then stepped forward, "Eleven companions...So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"
"Great," Pippin said, "Where are we going?"
The fellowship split up to pack. They would be leaving as soon as possible. Lothiriel stood next to the pony, strapping him up with supplies. Legolas spoke his good-byes to his wife and children. Lothiriel glanced back at Amara, who looked worse than before. She watched as Amara slipped something into Legolas's hand before hugging him tightly.
"Shadow?" Sam asked, "Are you alright?"
Lothiriel looked at him and smiled, "Yes fine, thank you for asking Sam."
"It was the considerate thing to do, Shadow," Sam said.
"Lothiriel," she said.
Sam turned, "What?"
"My real name is Lothiriel," she said again, "Since you know Aragorn's true name might as well know mine."
Sam nodded and went back towards Frodo who stood next to Gandalf. Lothiriel made her way to Amara, who mustered a smile at her.
"Are you well?" Lothiriel ask kindly.
"I will be fine," Amara said, "There is no need to worry anymore."
Lothiriel nodded, but she didn't believe Amara's words. She was slowly starting to fade by the growing darkness that aroused. In the corner of her eye she could see Aragorn entering, Elrond by his side. She hugged her friend one last time before rejoining the fellowship. Amara stood next to Aragorn, handing Lothien to one of the caretaking elves.
"I wish to give you all a parting gift," Amara spoke loudly, "As this is the most dangerous journey that will ever be faced."
A few elves approached Amara, blankets laid in their arms. Amara unwrapped the first blanket, pulling out five small, beautifully made axes. She approached the first person in the fellowship.
"Gimli, son of Gloin," Amara said, "I give to you the five throwing axes made by the Iron hill dwarves. They gave these to Faedra and now they will go to you. They have helped in more ways than you may think in battle, but their purpose is still of use."
She then uncovered a white dagger than gleamed in the sun.
"Boromir, son of Denethor," Amara continued, "I give to you my most beloved dagger. May it help serve you in battle."
She uncovered a small bottle and handed it to Sam.
"Samwise Gamgee, I am trusting you with the last of the secret healing tonic created by Tara Indukala. One sip of this and all your battle wounds will vanish."
Next, she pulled out three small bags and handed them to the two hobbits and the small elf who gave each other confused looks.
"These bags will never fill completely," Amara said, "They were specially made to hold as many things as you wish, mind you they do not hold any living folk."
The two hobbits, and Fay, now became interested in their new gift and started to put some of their things in the bag. Next was two bows and quivers of arrows. She handed them to Lothiriel and Aragorn who took them carefully.
"These bows and these arrows were made by Faedra and myself, from the heart of a great volcano."
Aragorn and Lothiriel looked at every small design in them, amazed by the structure and details.
"There is nothing that I need," Gandalf said, trying to be considerate.
Amara smirked and handed him a small notebook, "You would be the only one she would trust with this."
Finally, she kneeled next to Frodo.
"Frodo Baggins," she said, pulling out a small dagger that she use to use as a throwing knife, "This dagger was given to me by my best friend. It has served my needs many times and now it will serve you. Use it wisely."
She stood up and stepped back from the Fellowship.
"The Ringbearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom," Elrond began, "And you who travel with him, no oath nor bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell, hold to your purpose and may the blessings of elves and men, and all free folk go with you."
"The Fellowship awaits the Ringbearer," Gandalf said.
Frodo turned nervously, glancing towards his friends. He started walking forward, the Fellowship following close behind. Lothiriel watched as Aragorn drew one last glance towards Arwen and Lothiriel put a hand on his shoulder to continue him on.
"You did the right thing," Lothiriel reassure him, "No matter how much it hurts."
Aragorn didn't say anything but only nodded.