Chapter 8

Meanwhile in the throne room:

"The ring was made in the fires of Mordor. Only there can it 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."

They all looked at each other.

"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. The Great Eye is ever-watchful. It is a barren wasteland riddled with fire, and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly."

Legolas jumped to his feet, wanting to take his mind off of where Perci could've gone. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed."

"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it!" Gimli growled, Thorin doing nothing to stop him. Thorin knew the story between Legolas and Perci and believed the little elf prince deserved anything Gimli said. And it also helped that Legolas was an elf and the son of Thranduill as well.

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Faramir asked.

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf! Never trust an Elf!" Gimli growled jumping to his feet and sparking an argument between them all. Gimli along with most of the other dwarves moved forward to argue with the elves that had moved to their feet to back Legolas and then the men had to join as well. Then Gandalf joined in.

"Do you not understand? While you bicker amongst yourselves, Sauron's power grows!None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"

"I will take it." Frodo said, his voice not even heard over the arguing taking place. Then he spoke louder. "I will take it." The arguing drained away and everyone turned to him. "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though I do not knowthe way."

Gandalf stepped forward and placed a heavy hand on the young hobbit's shoulder. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf stood behind his shoulder.

"If by my life or death I can protect you I will. You have my sword." Aragorn said, kneeling down in front Frodo before standing and coming to stand behind him and beside Gandalf. Legolas stepped forward next.

"And you have my bow."

"As well as mine." Haldir said after recieving a nod from his elven lord.

Gimli growled. "And my axe."

Thorin, Kili, and Fili exchanged glances before nodding to each other. "We have already traveled with one Baggins and fought beside him. We would be honored to travel and fight beside the kin of Bilbo Baggins. You have the Line of Durin fighting beside you." Thorin, Kili, and Fili moved forward and joined Gimli besides the two elves and behind Frodo.

"You carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the Council then Gondor will see it done." Boromir said.

Eomer stepped forward as well. "And so shall Rohan."

Eomer and Boromir came to stand on the other side of Gandalf.

"Frodo's not going anywhere without me." Sam said, suddenly appearing from behind a curtain and darting over to stand beside Frodo whom looked relieved at the sight of him.

Elrond smiled amused. "It is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not."

"Oi! We're coming too!" Merry and Pippin appeared behind two pillars and darted over as well to join their fellow hobbits. Elrond looked at them mystified. It seemed Perci was right. Hobbits continued to surprise all.

"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us." Merry said.

"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing." Pippin said. Merry glanced at him.

"Well, that rules you out, Pip." Merry muttered.

"Fourteen companions." Elrond began.

"Fifteen." A female voice said from the door. They all turned to see Dwalin and Bofur had returned and had settled in their seats while Perci stood at the door with three tall handsome men standing behind her. "I'll be coming with you."

"Perci." The one that looked like her protested.

"I'm going. It will take us a month to prepare. Don't worry, okay?"

The man didn't look happy but he agreed.

Elrond looked at the four of them but didn't say anything. "Fifteen companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

"Great! Where are we going?" Pippin asked, causing the serious atmosphere to disappear as the less serious ones of the room laughed.