Authoress' Note: Ahaha alright so here's my chapter… it's mostly from the movie though…though there are a few scenes that are mine…
Quote: So don't cry to me.
If you loved me,
You would be here with me.
Don't lie to me,
Just get your things.
I've made up your mind. –Call Me When You're Sober: Evanescence
Disclaimer: Look at all the other chapters.
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-----------------------------Chapter 9: The Council of Elrond-----------------------------
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The next morning if one were to walk into Rivendell, one would be surprised at the group that had gathered there. Dwarves, Men, Elves, all sat in a circle around a stone pedestal.
Elrond took his place at the head of the council and spoke, "Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. 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." Elrond turns to Frodo, adding, "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo hesitates, rising from his seat, making his way over to the pedestal. He places the Ring on the pedestal; once back at his seat he lets out a sigh. Around them the other council members whisper among themselves.
"So it is true…" Boromir spoke softly.
A man whispers, "The Doom of Men."
Boromir speaks, "In a dream, I saw the Eastern side 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." During this time Boromir had risen from his chair and was slowly inching his way towards the Ring: his eyes were fixed on the Ring. Once he finished speaking he reached to take the Ring, obviously spellbound.
Gandalf and Elrond were seen exchanging uneasy glances. Elrond jumped up from his seat and shouted "Boromir!" in a warning tone.
Out of the blue, Gandalf stood, shouting to the heavens, "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul." (One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and, in the darkness, bind them.)
As he shouts the sky grows dark. Elrond drops his head into his hands, wincing, along with the others present, as if he was in pain. Sometime during this Boromir made his way back to his seat and was now sitting looking a bit shaken.
As Gandalf's words faded the darkness faded into light, those who were present visibly relaxed. Elrond lifted his head from his hand, "Never before has any voice uttered the words of the tongue here in Imladris." He seemed a bit aggravated.
Gruffly Gandalf sat back down and said, "I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil."
Once again Boromir spoke up, "It is a gift!" he said insistently, "A gift to the foes of Nordor! Why not use this Ring?" Getting up again he paces in front of the council, "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people," at this he looks makes eye contact with those in the crowd, making any English teacher proud, "are your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!"
If this had been anyone other than Aragorn, they would have rolled their eyes, "You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." He spoke to Boromir as if he were explaining something to a child; obviously Aragorn was getting a bit testy with this man.
Boromir turned to Aragorn, asking, "And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas Greenleaf, one of the elves present, stands up suddenly and speaks angrily, "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." A fire burned in this elf's eyes.
Boromir's sarcasm dropped, "Aragorn?" Turning to face Aragorn, a look of disbelief showed on his face, "This…is Isildur's heir?"
Legolas, straightening his posture, replied, "And heir to the throne of Gondor."
Frodo, as well as Diana, turned to look wide-eyed at Aragorn.
Aragorn let out a frustrated sigh, "Havo dad Legolas." (Sit down Legolas.)
Legolas sits down begrudgingly and sends Aragorn a look.
Boromir, obviously recovered from his shock, spits out, "Gondor has no king." His eyes flashed anger, "Gondor needs no king." Returning to his seat he drops into it with a sigh.
Another voice speaks, this time it's Gandalf, "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
"You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
A dwarf, Gimli, stands and shouts, "What are we waiting for?" He picks up his axe and grips it tightly before running to the pedestal and smashing his axe upon the Ring, "ARGH!!" Instead of the Ring breaking, Gimli's axe shatters and he is thrown back.
Frodo, watching the scene, winces in pain as the Eye of Sauron appears within his mind. Diana glanced at him and her eyes softened.
Elrond was this close to rolling his eyes and letting out an aspirated sigh, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom, only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came." Elrond was met with silence. Continuing he added, "One of you must do this." The silence continued.
(A/N: Alright guys, you all know what happens next. The people start fighting and then Frodo says he'll take the Ring. The only difference is that Diana will be accompanying the Fellowship. Here is that part and I'm going to end it there.)
Diana was the second to step up, "I will protect you Frodo Baggins with all of my being."
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Diana sighed, 'What am I getting myself into? Why did I step up?' She shook her head in disbelief, "How am I supposed to protect him?"
"Do so with your sword and your wisdom."
She spun around to address the voice, her foot inches away from Elrond's neck. Her eyes widened when she saw that it was him, "I'm sorry Elro-Lord Elrond." She lowered her foot and turned back to packing; she didn't have much so he wasn't waiting long.
"Diana, I do hope you realize that you might change history. I want you to know that you must not-"
"I understand my Lord."
He nodded and spoke again, "Truthfully Diana, I don't believe you yourself know why you are going. I don't know why I'm letting you go." He studied Diana for a bit before continuing, "Women here do not fight as women of your time. I must warn you Diana, the creatures here will not hesitate to kill you."
She nodded, replying, "I know. It is the same in my world." Her eyes flashed for a split second but returned to normal as if a trick of the light.
He shook his head, "Of course you do." He shook his head to clear his thoughts, "Now the real reason why I came up here." He took from behind his back a package. Handing it to her he thought aloud, "I thought you could use these, I thought they would be easier to move around in than a dress or skirt."
Her eyes widened as she unwrapped the gifts. "Mirthril…" Underneath the mithril were the clothes of a ranger and yet they were feminized. Raising an eyebrow she said, "Aragorn?"
Elrond shook his head, "No, they are his mother's traveling clothes. She never did like to wear dresses." He smiled at Diana, "Just be careful. Watch out for the rest of the group."
Diana smiled back at him and nodded, "I shall."
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A few hours later the Fellowship congregate together, preparing to leave Rivendell; Elrond and the rest of the elves have come to bid them farewell.
Elrond speaks, "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On you who travel with him, no oath, nor bond are laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose. May the blessings of Elves and Men and all Free Folk go with you."
After his speech the Fellowship turns to Frodo and Gandalf states, "The Fellowship awaits the Ring bearer."
Diana watched as Frodo took a deep breath and turned to start to walk out of the gates of Rivendell. She heard his question, "Mordor, Gandalf, is it left or right?" She smiled. Turning around she saw Arwen and Aragorn share a look. She catches Arwen's eye and smiles, 'All will be fine Arwen.'
And so the journey begins.
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Authoress' Note: Well…what do you guys think? Is it okay? (shrugs) Most of this is from the movie…exactly. Thanks to the Council of Elrond website. Got to love having the script around, ne? Anyways, gomen nasai for this taking so long… (smiles) I do believe Phoenix is already writing the next chapter!