Surprise! Happy New Year!

Now that I've delved into the movie material (which I'm still not sure I like, but in the interests of continuing the story have posted anyway), my disclaimer is that there are lines and scenes from Peter Jackson's LOTR trilogy here and in future chapters that I take no credit for...If it seems familiar, its probably not my writing. This story is written purely for my enjoyment. Thanks for reading!

Celede watched from her seat as the last participants of the Council filtered in. They were seated in an ancient part of Rivendell, tucked behind her family's living quarters, where Elrond thought the power of the valley was particularly strong and would keep the meeting safe and secret. Chairs had been arranged in a semicircle around a stone pedestal in the center. Her father had been given a place of honor in an ornate high-backed chair facing the Council members, since he was the head of the Council. Elrohir and Elladan sat to Elrond's left while Celede sat to his right.

Frodo sat on the far left, farthest from Celede. Gandalf sat beside him, and on Gandalf's left sat the Mirkwood Elves. Legolas was a familiar face among the other solemn, stern Mirkwood Elves she did not recognize. His cloak was light velvet in color and not as long as the robes of his companions, revealing slim, strong legs tucked into sturdy boots. Celede tried not to spend too much time looking at him though, and she quickly passed her gaze on to the others in the circle.

Two older Men sat out of place between the Mirkwood Elves and the Dwarves. There were five Dwarves present altogether, with Gimli in the center of them. Celede caught his eye and smiled, and Gimli gave a quick nod in return.

Beside the Dwarves sat four more Men, and Celede quickly recognized Boromir among them. He too nodded when he caught Celede's eye. Although he had seemed least barbaric among Men, Celede was beginning to have a nagging suspicion that there was something amiss about him. His inner character to do the right thing was at war with his position among the Men. Celede watched as Boromir nodded politely to a Mirkwood Elf, but then flushed as his companions laughed at him for it. To Celede, Boromir seemed like the kind of person who could be persuaded to do things he would truly regret afterwards.

Next to the Men sat two Elves from Rivendell: Henduil and Melpomaen. Henduil was there because, of course, he was the captain of the patrol. Melpomaen was a trusted advisor to Lord Elrond, and Celede had known him for as long as she could remember.

Finally, Aragorn sat on the end closest to her. He was wearing dark grey Elvish garments and tall, loose boots. Celede felt a smug, guilty pleasure in seeing Aragorn wearing Elvish attire instead of Men's clothing. It was a subtle sign that Aragorn felt more affiliated with the Elves than with his fellow Men. Although she, as an Elf, was pleased, Celede noticed many of the Men cast scathing looks at Aragorn and whispered about him behind their hands. It made Celede that much more annoyed with the Men than she already had been. Boromir surprised her by nodding to Aragorn, even with his Elvish garb. She realized they must have met earlier, before the Council.

Celede herself was wearing a simple, thin maroon gown with little trim. Her hair hung loosely behind her shoulders. Besides a gold circlet upon her brow, Celede was otherwise unadorned. She knew she would be the only female attending the Council, and she felt it was wisest to try to downplay her femininity in front of all the other males present. She wanted to be treated as an equal in the Council, not a superficial bystander.

The side chatter finally lapsed into silence as everyone else noticed they all were in attendance. Celede turned her head to see her father slowly rise from his seat. He too was wearing dark red robes and a golden circlet atop his customary hairstyle, although his robes were much redder than Celede's and had a thick trim of light velvet to embellish them.

"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old," Elrond began, "you've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor."

Even though Celede knew her accent was worse, she could still detect a hint of Elvish lilt in the way her father said "Mordor". Rather than discredit him though, Celede thought her father's accent made him seem even more regal and in control of the Council.

"Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction," he continued, "None can escape it."

Celede, who had been subtly watching Legolas, saw Legolas glance at Aragorn quickly. Then his gaze flashed to her, and she quickly looked away. Trying hard not to blush, she stared pointedly at the ground beneath her feet, watching fallen leaves swirl aimlessly about, caught up by the wind.

"You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom."

Elrond turned to face Frodo then, his hands clasped in front of him.

"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo," he said, extending a hand towards the pedestal. Frodo slowly stood up and walked to where Elrond indicated. If he was nervous, he didn't show it. Frodo's movements were nothing but determined as he placed the ring gently in the center of the stone and then returned to his seat. Once he had sat back down, Celede heard Frodo breathe a sigh of relief, and a faint smile crossed his lips. Celede smiled internally too. Frodo had completed his task; he and the other hobbits could now return to their beloved Shire.

"So it is true," Boromir said softly. Celede glanced at him in surprise. She thought everyone had known that the One Ring was the purpose of the meeting. Apparently, some had chosen not to believe the rumor.

Suddenly, the Ring began to whisper once more in that same, evil whisper Celede had heard when she'd asked Frodo to show it to her. Involuntarily, she glanced at Legolas, who was watching the Ring with curiosity and distaste at the same time.

Boromir stood up then, and Celede tore her gaze away from Legolas.

"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.'"

As he said this, Boromir edged closer and closer to the Ring. Celede glanced nervously at her father, who had in turn looked to Gandalf as Boromir began reaching his hand out to the Ring. The whispering suddenly grew louder in Celede's mind, becoming a deep, dark timbre. She winced, and in that instant, her father leaped to his feet.

"Boromir!" Elrond barked sharply.

At the same time, Gandalf began speaking in a foreign language. With a shock, Celede realized he was speaking in Mordor.

"Ash nazg durbatulúk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatulúk 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.

The sky became dark and cloudy as the wind picked up speed. Thunder crackled around them as Gandalf chanted. The Ring's voice became louder and more coherent in Celede's mind, and suddenly she felt a sharp pain stab into her forehead. Gandalf seemed to be trying to appease whatever evil existed in the Ring, and Celede wished he would speed up whatever he was doing. She put a hand to her forehead, but the pain, if anything, increased.

Celede forced her eyes to open to narrow slits to see what was happening. Her father had a hand to his forehead as well, and Legolas's eyes were closed, his face a grimace of pain. The other Elves seemed similarly affected. Boromir stepped away from the pedestal nervously. Aragorn was looking at her and Lord Elrond worriedly. He was clearly not being pained by the evil behind the words being spoken, although he could tell the Elves were suffering. The earth began to shake and spin beneath Celede's feet, and she gasped, the pain suddenly becoming unbearable.

Then, just as suddenly, Gandalf finished his chant. The voice ceased. Light began to flood back into the clearing, and the pain in Celede's head vanished as suddenly as it had come. Except for the shocked and nervous faces in the circle, it seemed like nothing had ever occurred.

"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris," Elrond said angrily. Celede was shocked that her father could be accusing Mithrandir of saving them from the Ring's evil.

"I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond, for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West!" Gandalf cried, "The Ring is altogether evil."

He looked at Boromir scathingly, but Boromir only shook his head.

"It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor," he continued, as if nothing had happened. Celede had half a mind to whack him over the head.

"Did you not witness what has just occurred?" she interjected. Elrond closed his eyes upon hearing her voice, which angered her even more. Why couldn't she be a part of the Council?

"Did that seem like a gift to you?" she continued, "Mithran- Gandalf is right. The Ring is pure evil."

"No, why not use this Ring?" Boromir continued, as if Celede had never said anything. She frowned, and Aragorn glanced at her sympathetically. She felt rather than saw Legolas's eyes on her, but she refused to meet his gaze. Her cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment, although she told herself she had no reason to be ashamed of being ignored.

"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," declared Boromir.

Aragorn took a deep breath, seemingly affected by this statement. It was Celede's turn to sympathize. Although Aragorn didn't want to be king, Celede knew he nevertheless cared for the people of Gondor. They would be his people, if he ever chose to rule, and he hated the thought of them being harmed in any way.

"Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him-" Boromir continued.

"You cannot wield it," Aragorn interrupted sharply, "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

There was a slight pause. Boromir was staring at Aragorn in irritation.

"And what," Boromir said condescendingly, "would a Ranger know of this matter?"

Legolas suddenly stood up to defend Aragorn.

"This is no mere Ranger," he said angrily, "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."

Aragorn winced at Legolas's words. Celede realized Aragorn had not wanted that knowledge made public to the Council. The Men all looked at Aragorn in astonishment. Frodo did as well, and Celede realized that to the hobbits, Aragorn had only ever been "Strider".

"Aragorn," Boromir said disbelievingly, "This is Isildur's heir?"

Aragorn tried to hold his own, refusing to buckle under Boromir's gaze.

"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added. Aragorn finally put a hand up towards Legolas.

"Havo dad, Legolas," he said quietly, shaking his head once. Sit down, Legolas. Aragorn spoke in Elvish, something Celede knew he wouldn't have done in front of the Council unless he was truly desperate.

Boromir's eyes were full of hate.

"Gondor has no king," he spat, "Gondor needs no king."

He sat down and caught Celede's eye. She stared back coldly this time. Who did Boromir think he was, to discredit the true king of Gondor?

"Aragorn is right. We cannot use it," Gandalf spoke up, bringing the meeting back to the matter at hand. Elrond stood up once more.

"You have only one choice," he said, and Celede knew that Elrond had planned this from the beginning, just as he had planned her future and let her come to realize his plan for herself. He had opened the meeting up to the others for ideas, but really he had already foreseen the path the Council would take.

"The Ring must be destroyed."

Boromir sighed loudly at this pronouncement.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Gimli interjected suddenly, his first contribution to the Council. He stood up, grabbed his axe, and ran towards the pedestal. With a cry, he slammed his axe downwards onto the Ring. Celede flinched back, anticipating a response from the Ring, but she still jumped as the eye of Sauron imprinted itself upon her vision with a snarl. She heard Frodo gasp in pain and looked up to see Gandalf looking over at him worriedly as well.

When the smoke dissipated and Celede finally dared to glance at the pedestal, she blinked in surprise. Gimli's axe had been shattered; its pieces lay scattered around the Ring. The One Ring, however, remained as intact and innocent as ever.

"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin, by any craft that we here possess," said Elrond, stating the obvious but depressing truth.

"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."

Celede gasped softly in sudden realization. Unbeknownst to Elrond, he had finally given his daughter a mission, a specific task she could undertake to end Sauron once and for all. A task that upon completion would allow Arwen to marry Aragorn and live a fulfilling life as queen of a kingdom freed from evil.

"One of you must do this," Elrond finished.

As much as she wanted to volunteer, Celede had already realized she couldn't be the one to carry the Ring. She'd be driven mad by it, and once it won her over she would not be able to cast it into the fires of Mount Doom. Celede would never be able to forgive herself. She realized instead, she would have to volunteer to accompany the Ringbearer on his mission, whoever he might be.

Boromir scoffed again.

"One does not simply walk into Mordor," he began, then proceeded to list off various reasons why, but Celede was only half-listening. Mordor was swarming with orcs; Sauron's eye was ever watchful; Mordor itself was a barren wasteland where even the air was poisonous…

"Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!" he concluded.

Legolas stood up once more. He seemed as sick of listening to Boromir as Celede was.

"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" he cried indignantly, "The Ring must be destroyed."

Gimli leaped to his feet then, looking up angrily at Legolas.

"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!"

"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir added, ignoring Gimli, which made Celede feel a bit better about being ignored earlier.

"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli continued, ignoring Boromir. His words, however, were like a punch to Celede's gut. She had reached out to him as a friend, and he had just insulted her and her people. She hoped Gimli was just caught up in the moment and didn't actually mean what he said.

The other Elves seemed just as insulted. They rose up as one, suddenly talking over themselves in anger. Even Elladan and Elrohir both jumped to their feet. Although they were trying to calm the others down, their voices still added to the chaos.

Legolas held out a hand to keep his fellow Elves from attacking Gimli. Celede wasn't sure he would be able to hold them back, though, after Gimli shouted, "Never trust an Elf!"

Celede remained in her seat, as did Frodo, Elrond, Aragorn, and Gandalf, who shook his head in irritation. Then, with a heavy sigh, Gandalf stood up and joined in, trying to end the ruckus as well, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, Celede noticed Frodo staring at the Ring intently, as if it was telling him something. After a moment, a look of determination crossed his face. Her eyes widened as she realized what Frodo was about to do. He couldn't; he was too small and innocent!

Frodo, no! It's not your burden to bear, she pleaded with him, sending her voice straight into his mind, since he wouldn't have been able to hear her otherwise. Frodo looked up at her, startled, but slowly shook his head at her words.

Celede bit her lip. There was nothing she could do to prevent Frodo from standing up and shouting, "I will take it!"

Suddenly, Celede felt tears burning behind her eyes. Frodo was so young, and yet here he was accepting a quest that no one else was willing to do. In saying those four little words, Frodo had shown himself to be the most courageous, most determined being at the Council. Celede had come to care for Frodo and for all of the hobbits, and she did not want Frodo to be the one to journey to Mordor. He would not come out of it, if he came out of it at all, as the same hobbit he was now.

The melee finally came to an end when Gandalf turned around, looking at Frodo with great tenderness. When all was quiet once more, Frodo spoke again.

"I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though...I do not know the way."

His words were met with silence. Then Gandalf went to stand behind Frodo, placing his hand reassuringly on Frodo's shoulder.

"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear."

Although Celede still had half a mind to dissuade Frodo from taking up the quest, Gandalf had voiced her next thoughts exactly. She would help guide the Ring to Mount Doom, even though she would not be the one to toss it into the flames.

"If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will," Aragorn chimed in, kneeling before Frodo, "You have my sword."

"And you have my bow," added Legolas softly

Celede had been about to add herself in as well, but her words caught in her throat; Legolas would be part of this group as well? She couldn't even sit in a meeting with him without being torn over looking or not looking at him! What would it be like to have to fight alongside him and camp beside him? She shivered, though not completely uncomfortably, at the thought.

"And my axe," said Gimli, although he looked grimly at Legolas before coming over to join the growing party behind Frodo.

Celede rallied her courage.

"And you have my life," she said, striding forward to stand in front of Frodo, "For that is the greatest gift I can give to the success of this mission."

Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, and surprisingly, Legolas, all cried out "No!" at the same time. She blinked at their vehemence.

"You will not go with them, I forbid it," Elrond continued forcefully.

And why not? Celede thought to her father, unable to publicly disobey his orders.

Because you know you cannot stay here when the Ring is destroyed. Even now, a ship is waiting to take you to the Undying Lands.

Then there is a ship now available to carry other Elves who wish to leave Middle Earth.

This is a suicide mission, Celede. I will not have my daughter die on it.

If it is a suicide mission, then why have you sent the others on it? Mithrandir and Estel and Legolas and Frodo? I know this has been your plan all along. You would not send them with the Ring into Mordor unless there was a chance they could succeed.

Elrond paused.

I do not expect them all to survive, he admitted, his voice a whisper in Celede's mind.

But they all have a chance to, he said more firmly. If you accompany them to the end, I fear you do not. The odds are stacked against you, and I have foreseen your…Celede, I cannot allow what I have foreseen to come to pass.

Father, I am but one person. If this mission does not succeed, you and I both know that the future of Middle Earth will be far worse than the death of one Elf. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure the mission does not fail. You know I am just as capable a fighter, perhaps even more capable, as any who have already committed themselves.

This isn't our fight, Celede. Why are you defending this cause so stubbornly?

Because you and I both want Arwen to be happy and alive.

Arwen is leaving for the Undying Lands, Celede! She will not disobey me as you do.

Celede was angry now. She knew her father wanted to protect his daughters, but at the expense of their choices to be happy in life?

I see I was wrong in saying you and I both want Arwen happy and alive. You simply want her alive, at the cost of her happiness.

Elrond flinched at the anger in Celede's voice, but he did not respond likewise. Instead, his voice seemed older and more defeated than Celede had ever heard it before.

Please, daughter, he pleaded, do not make me feel the pain of losing a child to this evil. I have already lost-

You are going to lose one of us either way, Celede replied sadly.

And if you go on this mission, I may lose both of you. Can't you see why I will not allow it?

Father, with all due respect, it is not your place to allow it or not. I have made my choice.

If you go on this quest-

Then what, Father? You'll banish me? Kill me? I am already going to die, but I intend to make my death worth something.

Without waiting for a response, Celede moved to stand beside Frodo. Elladan and Elrohir, standing tensely behind Elrond, both made a move to follow Celede, but Elrond quickly stopped them with a raised hand and a silent thought. The twins watched worriedly as their sister joined the group.

I know what I'm doing, she thought to her brothers. They didn't seem to believe her.

Boromir finally broke the tense silence between the family members, perhaps without even realizing it. Celede's entire conversation with her father had been completely silent, and part of her vaguely wondered how much time had passed and what her communication had looked like to the rest of the Council. Mostly though, Celede felt numb inside; never before had she directly disobeyed her father in such an important matter.

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

Celede had started counting how many people had joined the group when a familiar voice interrupted her. From behind the bushes, she heard an indignant "Hey!"

Celede turned to see Sam come running up behind them to stand next to Frodo.

"Mister Frodo is not going anywhere without me," he said, crossing his arms.

"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 forced smile, turning away from Celede to look at Sam. Celede was instantly suspicious. It was not like her father to so quickly brush aside what had just transpired between them.

Before she had time to dwell on it, though, she spied Merry and Pippin emerging from the pillars behind Elrond.

"Oi! We are coming too!" Merry cried.

"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Merry added, as if that couldn't be done.

"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this mission…quest….thing," said Pippin.

"Well, that rules you out, Pip," Merry said quietly, but of course all of the Elves could hear him. Celede would have smiled if she hadn't felt so nervous and upset. Her father was definitely up to something, and now Frodo would not be the only hobbit risking his life on this mission! While she couldn't deny that she hated the fact the other hobbits were following Frodo into danger, Celede realized she would enjoy the company of the hobbits on the arduous journey ahead. The thought of her comfort at their expense made her even more disgusted with herself.

"Nine companions…" Elrond said slowly. Celede's eyes widened. There were clearly ten of them there! Her father looked at each and every one of the group, but carefully avoided looking at Celede.

"So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"

There was a pause after that pronouncement. Celede felt raw fury take over her previous nerves. So that was what her father was doing; Elrond thought he could simply exclude her from the Fellowship and therefore keep her from leaving. She felt herself flush with embarrassment as the others, including Legolas, realized there were nine members alone standing behind Frodo. Even Pippin's innocent remark, "So where are we going?" did not lighten her mood, nor did it stop her from marching over to her father as soon as the Council was dismissed.

"I cannot believe that you have forgotten how to count, Father," she whispered fiercely, as other members of the Council were still departing.

"On the contrary, I believe I counted quite correctly," Elrond replied smoothly.

"Just because you didn't include me doesn't mean I haven't given my word to Frodo to protect him."

"I'm sure no one would begrudge you revoking that promise."

"I have no intention of revoking it. I am going with them, Father, whether you like it or not."

"If only this was about something as insignificant as my own personal preference," Elrond said, raising his voice as he never did with any of his children. By now, they were alone in the Council courtyard.

"This is far more than a simple 'I'd rather you not go', Celede," Elrond continued, "I'm not sure you understand the danger, being as naïve as you are. You have never been on a battlefield. You have never seen the utter desolation and hopelessness of Mordor, and I pray you never will. I will not lose a daughter to the madness of Middle Earth if I can prevent it, and I can! You will not go with them, do you understand me? I forbid it, and if you never heed any of my words ever again, you will obey my words now. You will take the ship to Valinor and you will leave the fate of Middle Earth to the ones who will be left to inhabit it."

"Even when Arwen will be among those who remain, as will Estel?! You say you love him as a son, but you don't seem to care what happens to him!" Celede cried furiously.

"I may have raised Estel, but he is a Man bound to this land in a way that we are not, and therefore it is perfectly reasonable for him to be a part of the quest. Surely you can understand that."

"How can you cast off the fate of Middle Earth to others so easily? Do you not care about this land at all? Do you not care about its fate, its potential downfall? You've lived here for thousands of years!"

"And now that time is coming to an end. The age of the Elves is over, Celede. I am not the only one who has foreseen this. Our people are leaving for the Undying Lands, and you and Arwen will too while you have the chance," Elrond replied sternly.

"Arwen will stay with Aragorn. She loves him with all her heart."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Elrond retorted tersely.

Celede couldn't believe her ears. Even Elrond seemed ashamed by his words. A stunned silence ensued.

"Dying is not the worst fate there is," Celede finally murmured, her voice cold, "Tearing someone away from true happiness is a far worse fate than killing them, for even in the Halls of Mandos one can find true peace. I cannot believe that you would tear Arwen away from a life of love and happiness just because you are selfish enough to want to keep her alive and with you forever."

"Celede, you misunderstood me. I did not mean to suggest-"

"Didn't you though, Father?" Celede said irritably, "Just because you regret saying the words aloud doesn't mean you regret believing them."

They looked in silence at each other for several more moments. Then Celede saw her father's eyes harden, and she knew she would never be able to convince her father to let her go. She would simply have to join the Fellowship without his consent.

"You fear losing a daughter so much," she said quietly, "that you'd do anything to keep her alive, even plot behind her back to force her to obey. But in doing so, Father, you have already lost that daughter, and that is no one's fault but yours."

Elrond visibly flinched at Celede's words, but at that moment she was too angry and upset to care. She had wanted her father's blessing more than anything for her last mission, and when she saw she would not receive it, she had lashed out at her father instead. For a moment, Celede had wanted to hurt her father as much as he had hurt her.

"I am leaving with or without your consent," she said with finality, "Good-bye, Father."

As she turned to leave, her father spoke again, but with a quiet coldness that was somehow worse than his raised voice.

"There are many possible futures," he began, "And though I have not foreseen them all, I can tell you now that the future you cling to is fading away. That path is dying, Celede, and you have been blinded by your naïve hope for a happy ending for Middle Earth. I am trying to protect you and your sister from the dark fate that seems to grow stronger every day, but you seem determined to cast my knowledge and experience aside to pursue your own foolish dreams. Do you understand me? You are a member of a people gifted with foresight. If you cannot see that the future you long for is hopeless, then you are a fool. And if you choose to leave on this ill fated quest tomorrow, then you are correct in saying that I will have lost my daughter."

Celede froze in place, shocked. She remained facing away from her father, unable to turn to look at him. Her father had never, ever, in all her hundreds of years of life, spoken to her so sharply or so cruelly. His words felt like icy knives stabbing into her heart and body. Her breathing came in short, shallow gasps, and she felt as if her father had physically wounded her. If she went on the quest, Elrond would disown her? He couldn't do something like that…could he?

Celede ran away from her father then, before he could see the hot tears that had begun rolling down her cheeks. Lord Elrond made no move to stop her as she raced to the comfortable privacy her rooms.

Unfortunately, Celede ran into Elladan and Elrohir as she left the Council clearing. Elrohir quickly ran past her to find Elrond, but Elladan remained with her as she wiped her face with her sleeve and tried to compose herself.

"Those were some harsh words spoken between you two," Elladan said quietly. Celede could only nod, still struggling to control her chaotic emotions.

"How much did you hear?" she finally choked out.

"We didn't hear anything distinct, just that both of your voices became raised at times."

Celede doubted that statement, but she didn't question him further. Instead, she looked down at her feet in shame. The leaves which had been blown around by the breeze so innocently earlier now seemed to be taunting her of the life in Rivendell she was forfeiting if she went on this quest.

"Celede," Elladan finally said, gently pulling her chin up to look at him, "I cannot stop you from leaving. You have made that very clear. But I must make sure you fully understand the task you have undertaken. You have often yearned for adventure, I know, but this isn't just another romp in the woods. When Elrohir and I leave on our missions to kill orcs and the like, we are the hunters. But when you leave with the Fellowship, you become the hunted. And not just by orcs, but by other dark beings I cannot even begin to fathom. There is no guarantee, nor even any likelihood, really, that the Fellowship will complete the mission or even survive."

Celede's heart ached to tell Elladan the truth, her true motivation for leaving. Whatever the outcome, Elladan would be left with only one sister. Celede was going to die if Sauron died, and Arwen was going to die if he lived. But Celede wanted her life to be meaningful, to be given up voluntarily in the effort to destroy Sauron instead of being stolen by him. She wasn't crazy, and she didn't have a death wish. Celede simply wanted to be in control of her life, and know that her life would not be for nothing.

But Elladan couldn't know all that. Celede was suddenly struck with the idea that it might even be better if she died on the quest; no questions would be asked and no one would feel guilt that Celede had been sentenced to death since before her birth. So maybe now, she did have a death wish. Maybe she was crazy.

"I appreciate your concern, Elladan, but I promise I am not the naïve fool I once was. I understand the consequences, now more than ever. Since Arwen almost died on that voyage to Lothlorien, you may have noticed that I have never once asked to accompany you on your journeys. But this is different. Please believe me when I say that I have my reasons for wanting to destroy Sauron and the evil that threatens this land, or die trying."

Elladan sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair. Celede was struck by how much he resembled their father at that instant.

"Then I would give you one last piece of advice, dear sister," he said, "Because you are going on a dangerous mission, you need to be prepared to die."

His words left Celede speechless. Even if he didn't know everything, Elladan was his father's son through and through.

"That doesn't mean give up when things get difficult, of course not," Elladan continued, "But you should have all your affairs in order before you leave. If you are forced to meet death in the face and follow him to the Halls of Mandos, then make sure you leave with no regrets. No words left unspoken to anyone that you wished you could have said."

Of course. Elladan was cautioning Celede about her recent argument with their father. She knew that Elladan was right, and she needed to make amends to her father before leaving. At the moment, though, she didn't know how. As his words repeated themselves over in her mind, she found her anger rising and her wish to make amends slowly disappearing. She had no idea how to take back the words she had spoken to her father, and she suddenly found she didn't want to. Elrond had been just as cruel to her; he should be the one to apologize to her.

"Thank you for your advice, Elladan," she said, keeping her voice as level as possible, "And thank you for not trying to stop me."

She felt Elladan wrap his arms around her and found herself hugging him back tightly.

"Well, if Father couldn't, then I don't stand a chance," he muttered, and Celede let out a half-laugh, half-sob. They held each other for a long moment

"I love you, little sister," Elladan said finally, "We all do. I pray you remember that."

"And I love you too, brother. More than you know."

Celede gently pulled away, and with a final smile at Elladan, left for her quarters.

Not long after she began trying to pack did Celede realize that there really wasn't much in her room that she could bring. All of her dresses and jewelry would be pointless on the journey, of course, but she only had one set of fighting attire. She lay out her long sleeved tunic, wrist greaves, skirt and leggings on her bed, once again admiring the creativity that had gone into making them feminine yet practical. Her bow and quiver of arrows were propped up by her door, as well as her long knife and throwing dagger. She rummaged through her wardrobe and found a warm, dark green cloak she could use for a blanket as well as a garment. All she needed now was food and the like, and that was already being prepared by other Elves in Rivendell.

The group planned to travel to Lothlorien, where they would be able to refresh and replenish their supplies for the next leg of the journey. Celede wasn't nervous about this first leg; she was very familiar with the route they would take, although she had never left so late in the year. The Fellowship was leaving the next day, however, so Celede was confident they could make it through the Pass before snow blocked their way.

Celede looked around her room. She realized she'd forgot her water canteen and rushed to retrieve it from a drawer and place it next to her other weapons. That being done, she turned around slowly and sat down on her bed. Her gaze was drawn suddenly to her nightstand, where a candle was burning steadily and casting flickering light about the room. Her thoughts were slowly drawn to the drawer below the candle, remembering what it held. Slowly, Celede opened the drawer.

The drawer was completely empty, save for a single twined piece of rope that was curled in a semicircle in the center of the drawer. Her "candy rope". She'd not had a seizure in a long time, and had nearly forgotten about the episodes. Celede knew she wasn't cured though, and never would be. At any moment, if she let her guard down, fear could trigger the spasms once more.

Without knowing why, she slowly picked up the candy rope; it hung limp and damp in her hand. Then, as if her body were acting of its own accord, Celede slowly brought the rope up to her mouth. She brought her teeth down onto the mesh of the rope gently, and the infusion of athelas, honey, and fruit juice quickly flooded her mouth. Although meant to be sweet, she'd only ever tasted that particular flavor in the midst of an episode, and so the rope tasted desperately bitter and foreign as well. She quickly took the rope out of her mouth, forcing herself not to spit out the juice.

Should she bring the candy rope with her? Celede knew she would be facing horrors beyond imagining. She'd be forced into situations she'd never been forced into before, and who knew what would trigger another seizure?

There came a knocking at her door, but she ignored it. If she did bring the rope, the others would find out about her affliction. Would they treat her differently because they thought her weak and incapable of controlling herself in times of fear? She was already trying so hard to make them see her as an equal, being the only female, and she didn't want them to have other reasons to give her special attention. It was Frodo, the Ringbearer, who required all of their attention, not her.

"Celede?"

Her door opened and Elrohir stepped inside. Celede jumped, startled, and threw the rope back into her drawer, slamming the drawer shut.

"Looking at something you shouldn't?" Elrohir teased.

"N-no, not at all. I was just-" Celede began, but Elrohir silenced her with a hand.

"It's quite alright. I don't need to know. After all, I did just enter your rooms uninvited. Although, in my defense, I did knock."

"Yes, I know. I was just thinking, I guess, and became lost in my thoughts. You are quite welcome to enter whenever you wish."

There was a small silence between them then.

"So…" Elrohir finally said, "You are going, then? On this ill-conceived journey into Mordor. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to stop you?"

"No, Elrohir."

Elrohir sighed.

"I didn't think so, but it was worth a try."

Another pause.

"Celede, I know you are hiding something. It's been gnawing at you ever since you were last in Lothlorien."

Celede stared at him with wide eyes. How much did he know?

"I'm your brother. I've known you all of your life, and I daresay I may know you even better than the others. After all, I knew about Seon. Is that what's troubling you, why you and Legolas have suddenly grown apart? Is this about Seon still?"

"No, of course not!" Celede said quickly, "Seon's long dead, and what happened that night I have long since recovered from."

Elrohir had been eyeing her suspiciously, but he heard the sincerity in her voice and relaxed.

"Then will you tell me what's troubling you?"

Here was another chance, perhaps her last one before she truly committed to the Fellowship. She could tell Elrohir everything and release herself from the burden of being one of the few people with the knowledge that she would die or evil would endure. Perhaps Elrohir could go with the Fellowship in her stead, and she could make it to the Undying Lands in time to live…but no. She'd already made her decision long ago, on that faithful day before the Mirror in Lothlorien.

"I-I can't tell you, Elrohir," was all she said in reply to his question. Celede couldn't put that weight on her brother's shoulders. He would be driven to desperation if he knew so suddenly that the success of the quest was vital to Arwen's survival but would inevitably cause Celede's death. At least Celede had had time to reconcile with the knowledge and prepare herself for what in her mind could be the only outcome.

Elrohir's shoulders sagged. Celede had already distanced herself from her father, though; she couldn't bear to lose Elrohir as well.

"It's not like that, Elrohir," she said softly, "I do trust you, and you're right, perhaps more than our other siblings. But some burdens need to be carried alone, for the sake of others. I'm only trying to protect you."

"Spoken like a true child of Elrond," Elrohir said, a smile slowly coming back to his face, "You are not the little girl I used to dance with around the gardens, nor the one I had the arduous task of teaching to shoot with a bow and arrow-"

Celede jabbed him in the ribs.

"-nor are you the irritating child who begged to come with Elrohir and me on our orc-hunting excursions. I am proud of you, little sister. You aren't so little anymore."

Celede couldn't help but smile at that, leaning in to her brother's shoulder and breathing in his woody, forest smell as he gently stroked her hair. If only she could remain this way forever, and tomorrow would never come.

"Are you taking that?"Elrohir said at last, gesturing to her night stand, "Your candy rope, I mean."

Elrohir, of course, knew where she kept the medicine, as he'd often had to fetch it for her in her youth. He must have noticed that that was what had caught her attention when he had first entered.

"Maybe," she said.

"I think you should. Orcs and trolls and nasty dark magic can give even the most stoic quite a shock."

Celede smiled.

"I will think about it," she said, although she suddenly had no intention of doing so. Celede couldn't appear weak in front of everyone. She hadn't had an episode in many years; she would be just fine.

"I will leave you to get some sleep, then, since you may not have another chance to sleep in a soft bed for quite a while," Elrohir finally said, breaking the silence.

"I will. I just want to check on my other supplies downstairs first."

Celede and Elrohir left her quarters at the same time. Elrohir noticed that Celede did not take her candy rope. Although she might pack it somewhere on her person in the morning, Elrohir didn't think she would. He doubted Celede would bring it; she hated showing any sign of weakness. Her answer to his inquiry was only a confirmation of his suspicions. So, Elrohir decided to do one last thing for his sister, a brotherly gesture that Celede would hopefully never find out about.

Celede saw Arwen on the balcony at the end of the hall and rushed to see her, her supplies momentarily forgotten. This gave Elrohir the chance to slip downstairs and make his way to the guest quarters. The Mirkwood Elves had been given the best quarters, being kinsmen, and Elrohir knocked quietly on the burnished wood of one of the doors.

Legolas opened the door and blinked in surprise upon seeing Elrohir.

"You can wish me good luck and bid me farewell tomorrow," Legolas greeted him with a yawn.

"Bah, you've never needed luck, you ridiculously talented Elf, and farewells are far too solemn for my liking," Elrohir replied before growing serious.

"I've come about Celede," he said, and Legolas's eyes widened in surprise and concern as he gestured for Elrohir to come inside. Elrohir took a deep breath; he was doing the right thing, he told himself, even though Celede might hate him for it.

"Legolas, there's something you should know…"