Hi people! My story now has over 1000 hits! It would probably have more but the counter kept resetting itself. My fic is quite proud of itself.
And I'm not complaining or anything, but AGAIN I seem to have an extreme case of reviewless readers. If you read this please, PLEASE review! I like to know what you think about the fic and whether or not there needs to be any improvements. It also gives me a reason to keep typing with my imagination switched on – otherwise you'll all end up with a fic nobody wants to read.
Apart from that: thanks to everyone for reading! Readers that review get telepathic hugs and smiles and new chapters. I love you all and you all make me happy. Special thanks to got-lotr – a new reviewer. I think I said thanks already but THANKS AGAIN!
I'm extremely glad that everybody liked Aduial. I wasn't too sure that I'd done the right thing, but I see that it turned out OK. I had to have another female character in there besides the original ones – like Arwen – or I reckon Víra would've gone nuts!
Anyway…
Disclaimer: If I must. Lord Of The Rings is too great a creation for me to have had any part in it. I regrettably announce that the previous fact is true. Sob.
To Be A Girl In Middle-Earth
Chapter 10: Councils are way too early in the morning and Men of Gondor annoy me
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"Víra!" I heard a soft voice calling. "You must awaken!"
"Aduial?" I asked sleepily.
"Yes – it is I."
"Good. You're one of the beings I can tell to leave me alone. I'm sleeping if you hadn't noticed," I grumbled.
"You were," she corrected, yanking the bedcovers off the bed and making me curl up into a ball. Aduial had changed me into a nightgown while I was resting. At least, I hoped that it'd been her and not some unknown Elf. It'd better have been her.
"Your presence is required for the Council," Aduial continued firmly. "I was sent to ready you."
"I'd better get up then," I sighed. As I rolled off the bed and stood to face Aduial, I noticed the she-Elf's eyes constantly darting to my shoulder.
"Yes," I said to her. "Nazgûl can be quite nasty."
"I was worried for you when I saw it, but you are not hurt," she said calmly. Her eyes showed her relief. "I have set out a new piece of clothing for you to wear. The Council commences within the hour, so now you should be bathing and dressing yourself."
Or rather, I thought with amusement as the she-Elf helped me into a white Elfin gown. You will be dressing myself.
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"Make haste!" Aduial said when she had finished brushing my hair. She left it down so it fell past my shoulders and covered my ears. "You will be late! It will have started without you!"
And so I was dragged throughout Rivendell once again, finally coming to a halt outside an archway. And guess what – it looked exactly the same as all the other arches. Isn't that strange?
"I am not allowed to be at the Council, Víra," Aduial said quietly in my ear. "But beyond this threshold is the place where the meeting is being held. Hurry or you will be late!"
So what if I'm late? I said to myself, but obeyed the she-Elf and managed to walk as quickly as my clothing would allow – which was quite fast considering I was wearing a dress.
As I neared the balcony, I heard Elrond's commanding voice saying, "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old – "
I chose this moment to enter the ring of people making Elrond halt in his speech and everyone turn to stare at me. Yes, I know – tact isn't one of my strong points.
"And the young female who interrupts this Council," the Elf Lord added with a smile. So he did have a sense of humour. "Please be seated Lady Víralairë." He gestured towards an empty chair beside Aragorn. I politely thanked him and took the seat that was offered. Everyone except Elrond, Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Glorfindel (yep, he was there too) kept staring at me, making me feel quite uncomfortable. I think it was because I was female and looked a bit out of place.
"Um, aren't we all supposed to be listening to Lord Elrond?" I asked, relaxing when my voice didn't squeak. All these grown Men, Elves and Dwarves looks were scary. I gave Elrond a pleading look and he cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to him. For the moment.
"You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor," Elrond continued. I stopped listening because I knew what he was going to say and instead I glared at all the pairs of eyes that shifted their gaze to me every once in a while. A certain Man of Gondor had the most frequent stares and it was beginning to tick me off. Damn Boromir – he'd better quit doing that.
"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo," Elrond said and gestured towards the stone table-thing in the middle of the council. The Hobbit got up slowly and walked forward to place the Ring upon it.
"So it is true," Boromir whispered with awe. Awe? I thought. I must've heard that wrong.
Frodo slumped back in his chair. I gave him a sympathetic look, but he didn't see it. That's the trouble with knowing what's going to happen – you feel sorry before you're supposed to. Poor Frodo.
Damn Ring. It was whispering again. I quickly covered my ears but it didn't help. It was so loud.
"Someone shut it up," I growled under my breath. I'm positive that its chatter wasn't this loud before. Aragorn gave me a quick glance then shifted his gaze to Boromir as the man stood. Vision time. Joy.
"In a dream," Boromir began. "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. Isildur's Bane is found." he walked forward towards the Ring, his hand outstretched.
Great, I thought. It's already caught hold. I wish I could help him but I'm not allowed to interfere! Damn!
"Isildur's Bane," Boromir murmured.
Boromir!" Elrond yelled, standing up. At the same time I yelled, "Ata! (Back!)" and Gandalf started chanting in the Black Speech.
His words seemed to cast a shadow over Rivendell and echoed from everywhere – including the Ring. Copycat. I didn't get to see if my command had any effect on Boromir because the Ring's voice ringing through my head was making me dizzy. I glanced at the stone table with my hands over my ears and froze – surrounding the Ring was a dark ball of flame that flickered with blue-green lightning. It seemed to me like thick, cord-like tendrils were reaching out from the stone table, most of them going towards Boromir.
I can feel the Ring's dark power, I suddenly realized with shock. And see it.
Strangely enough, the power made my skin tingle. It resonated beautiful evil – if that's even possible.
I blinked when Gandalf's chant ended and the ball of flame vanished. I sat in my chair breathing shakily without listening to the conversation that was going on around me. What was that thing I'd seen? It certainly wasn't in the movie…or the books. Maybe I was going nuts.
"Did you see that?" I finally thought to ask in a whisper to Aragorn.
"What do you speak of?" the Ranger muttered back, frowning.
"That round ball thing with the tentacles…" seeing his disbelieving face I trailed off and shook my head. "Never mind, Aragorn."
Ah…It's such a relief to finally be able to call him that out loud. Although, by the way everyone's been acting about who I am, I would've been allowed to call him that without arousing stupid suspicions. I wish someone had told me that sooner.
"The Ring is altogether evil," Gandalf was saying. I hadn't even realized that he'd been talking. Oops. That was impolite.
Just as Gandalf had turned to sit back down Boromir spoke up again.
"It is a gift!" he said, then stood. "A gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this Ring? Long has my father the Lord 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!"
Wow. That was a long speech.
"You cannot wield it!" Aragorn interrupted. "None of us can!"
"No one ever said a truer word," I muttered, getting a slight smile from the Ranger and a stern look from Elrond and the other Elves. I keep forgetting that they can hear a pin drop a mile away.
"The One Ring answers to Sauron alone," Aragorn continued. "It has no other master."
"And what would a Ranger know of this matter?" Boromir asked with a sneer.
"This is no mere Ranger," said an Elf, standing up. It was Legolas, obviously.
"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn," I added, stealing the Elf's lines. I like stealing lines.
"You owe him your allegiance," Legolas said.
Boromir turned to Aragorn with a look of disbelief on his face.
"Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?" he asked with bewilderment. Beside me, the Ranger drew himself up defiantly.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," the Mirkwood Elf added. Aragorn told him to sit down.
"Gondor has no king," Boromir said slowly, looking at Aragorn. "Gondor needs no king."
"That's what you think!" I yelled at him, standing up. Aragorn grabbed my arm and pulled me back into my chair.
"And who are you, girl, to talk to the son of the Steward like that?" Boromir asked me before sitting down again.
"I am Lady Víralairë, Boromir, son of the Steward," I said to him. And I have every right to talk to anyone and way I want to, I thought angrily.
"Be silent, Elda-hína!" Elrond ordered.
"If you say so," I said agreeably. At the mention of my other name, all the Elves stopped looking at Boromir and instead turned to me. I glared at them. I'm getting sick of people staring at me, I thought.
"Aragorn is right," Gandalf announced. "We cannot use it."
I sighed and rested my head in my hands. This Council was boring. I knew what was going to happen so why did I have to come? And why was I the only one that could see that…that thing? That ball of darkness surrounding the Ring? And how come whenever I speak in Elvish weird things keep happening? And why the hell does everyone, excepting me, know who I am and what I'm supposed to be here for? I thought, clenching my fists in my lap. Why is everything so frustrating?
"And can someone please make that thing be quiet!" I shouted. The Ring had begun its extra loud whisperings again. Elrond frowned at me while everyone else was content to look…or glare in the case of some people.
"You should not interrupt this Council for trivial matters, Elda-hína!" he shouted. Well…not shouted exactly, but he raised his voice.
"There is but little sound coming from the Ring, my lady," Boromir said with a hint of a smirk.
"And unless you have hearing that matches that of an Elf, Víra," Aragorn said softly. "The whisperings should not disturb you."
"Well they do disturb me. They're loud," I grumbled, folding my arms. But I obediently sat back quietly and listened…and began to get bored again. And dizzy. Damn that Ring! So instead of listening I began musing over the poem Elrond had given me to take my mind off the Ring's noise. It worked, until everyone got up and started arguing, causing me to snap out of my thoughts.
I watched Frodo watch everyone and decide on his decision. Randomly, I realized that I hadn't talked to him since he got stabbed on Weathertop. Oops. The Hobbit stood up slowly.
"I will take it," he announced.
And everyone…kept arguing.
Aren't they so polite?
"Will you people, Dwarves and Elves shut up and listen!" I shouted.
And all that I got from that was a few scowls from the Elves.
"I will take it!" Frodo tried again. This time, everyone's earplugs popped out and they stopped to listen, unlike earlier.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor," Frodo continued. "Though, I do not know the way."
"Well, it can't be that hard to find," I noted. "One gigantic fiery mountain, one huge tower with a fiery eye perched on top of it and thousands of orcs swarming around inside."
Understandably, everyone chose to ignore me.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," Gandalf said. "As long as it is yours to bear."
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will," Aragorn said, standing then kneeling in front of Frodo. "You have my sword."
I saw Gandalf give Elrond a knowing look.
I wonder when the other Hobbits will show up? I thought. Soon, I hope.
"And you have my bow," Legolas said, stepping forward.
"And my axe," the Dwarf, Gimli, added roughly, standing beside the Elf.
Legolas made a face that said 'if you must'.
Boromir stood and walked towards Frodo.
"You carry the fates of us all, little one," the man said. "If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Hey!" a voice called. Sam came running out from behind the bushes where he'd been hiding.
"Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me," the Hobbit said defiantly.
"It is hardly possible to separate you," Elrond said, smiling. "Even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not."
"Oi!" Merry's voice erupted from behind me. "We're coming too!"
And the other two Hobbits whizzed from behind me to stand beside Frodo, nearly tripping themselves on my chair. Elrond looked at them crossly, but I couldn't help but grin at their enthusiasm. The poor things had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Merry said when he'd reached Frodo's side.
"Anyway," Pippin began, "You need people of intelligence on this type of mission. Quest. Thing."
He reminds me of my brother.
"Well, that rules you out Pip," Merry muttered to his friend.
I smiled. Hobbits look cute when they're confused.
"Well," I said, stepping forward. "I'm coming too…as far as Lothlórien at least."
Elrond nodded in acceptance but others didn't think in that way. Not mentioning any names, of course.
"She's just a lass!" Gimli said loudly. "Surely you would not allow her to join us!"
"A child will slow our progress," Legolas protested. "And she is female."
"What's so wrong with that?" I demanded angrily.
"I believe Víra will give an advantage to this company," Aragorn said, stepping forward. Finally, someone was willing to defend me. "She protected the Hobbit Frodo on Weathertop, and was left with a scar for her brave heart."
Wow. Middle-Earthians speak weird. I've never realized that before.
"And I can be a glow-light," I said proudly, receiving strange looks from everybody except Elrond.
"Do the Hobbits wish Lady Víralairë to accompany them?" the Elf Lord asked.
"Yes!" Merry and Pippin exclaimed immediately. Sam frowned, but agreed and Frodo didn't take much urging either. I felt like hugging them!
"Gandalf, you asked me to go," I said to him. The Wizard nodded.
Now that just left the Elf, the Dwarf and the Man of Gondor.
"I'll fight when I'm needed to," I offered.
"Have you the ability to use a sword?" Boromir asked suddenly.
"No," I answered him.
"The bow?" Legolas asked.
"Er… no."
I could see where this was heading.
"Have you an axe then?" Gimli asked with doubt.
"I've never even touched one," I said truthfully.
"Then what skill do you have that would aid us?" Boromir asked with a sneer.
I am now thoroughly annoyed with you, I thought. It's time for some fun. But not for you.
"Have you ever been made to be seated against your will?" I asked innocently.
"Not since I was a child, and I fail to see how a girl – "
"Hama (sit), Boromir," I hissed. The man staggered back until he sat in the chair he had occupied during the Council. He looked at me with surprise. I pulled my hair back behind my ears and folded my arms with satisfaction.
"She is an Elf-witch!" Gimli roared. Oops – I'd forgotten about my ears. "No other can force people to do things against their will!"
"She is the Elda-hína – the Elf-child," Legolas corrected. "Now that I see it proven to my own eyes I welcome her into this company."
"Thanks for being so understanding," I said dryly.
"I see that the majority of this company has decided," Boromir said. "Though I think it unwise, the girl will go with us no matter how much I am against it."
"Now the whole will of the company is against me," Gimli said, sighing. "The lass shall come…as it seems she truly can aid us."
I looked at him gratefully.
"Ten companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring," Elrond announced.
"Great!" Pippin exclaimed. "Where are we going?"
Hopefully to learn some answers, I thought, smiling at the strange faces the Fellowship showed to the Hobbit.
Ah… It's nice not to be on the receiving end of those looks for once!
I'm done, finally. And I'm sick. Actually, I should be resting because of that but I like writing this and it's been two weeks since the last update. I'm going to see relatives over Christmas so don't expect a new chapter anytime soon. I think there might've been a few vague areas in this chappie, so if any of you have questions I'll be glad to answer them. It's quite impossible to think straight with a dizzy head. Ah well…
To any Boromir fans that are reading: I'm not going to make the Gondorian awful. He'll learn to like Víra just like everybody else. And there was no Elfy-love at first sight! I'm so evil!
Anyway… Merry Christmas to you all! Jeez I sound like Santa… Remember to ask me anything you want to know and telepathic candy canes and chocolate to all! And please review! If you read my intro then you'll know why I'm asking again: please, PLEASE, PLEASE review! Have a great Christmas:)