Chapter 12: The Tenth Member
The next day Elrond held a secret council. Ammie was in attendance as Hawk. Her time had come. She would tell everyone there who she was. But the dwarves went first, followed by the story of the ring.
Boromir told of his dream and then he added: "I had another dream on the way here. A voice was calling:
Not all that glitters is gold,
It is a comfort to those who are lost.
The cowardly shall be bold,
And never consider the cost.
Hear now these word that are spoken,
And heed the message they bring.
For hope lies within this token,
For this is the heart of the ring.
And then it said:
Her eyes are like the sea,
Her hair as black as night,
In her voice she holds the key,
And nothing is hidden from her sight.
Around her no tie can bind,
Against her none can stand,
On her no mark an arrow find,
As long as this ring is on her hand."
Ammie looked up startled. She looked around the circle. Most everyone was as confused as Boromir. The only one not confused was Legolas and he looked at Hawk.
"I think it is time for this tale to come out." He said encouraging her.
Elrond looked at him suspiciously.
"Do you know of this Legolas, son of Thranduil?" he asked staring him down.
"I do. But it is not my story to tell." The prince replied.
"Then who's is it?" he questioned.
"It is mine." Ammie said rising. "The time has come."
Her father looked at her confused. Gandalf leaned forward listening.
"What would a boy know of this?" Boromir asked, "What insight do you have that these wise ones do not?"
"I will start at the beginning, if you will allow it." She answered looking at the man of Gondor. Boromir sat down. "I know what they mean because they are about me."
"How is that? The second says her?" he countered not believing her.
"My name is Ammie Hawk, daughter of Finwe and the foster daughter of Elrond." She began, everyone looked at her. "When I was young, I was given this ring." she said holding up her hand, "It is called Valin, it is the ring of hope. It is the only hope should the one ring be found by Sauron."
She went on to tell her story, how she came to Rivendell as a child, going to Valinor, and finally coming back as Hawk.
When she was finished she sat down. Elrond looked at her in disbelief. He knew she couldn't tell him everything, but that was so much to keep hidden. How had she done it? He looked at Legolas, he knew all of this. She had told him, and not her own father. Elrond was hurt, but he hid it well.
Everyone thought about the fate of the ring. It needed to be destroyed. Boromir was the only one opposed to this. Frodo volunteered to take the ring and Gandalf said he would help him. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir decided to go as well. But Sam, Merry and Pippin weren't about to be left behind. So they became the Fellowship of the Ring. They were to set out the next day on the quest for Mount Doom.
Ammie went to her father after the council. She found him in his study.
"I have to go with them." She said seriously.
"Why? Why must you go?" he asked not wanting her to leave.
"Because if Frodo fails, I must be there. There will be no time to send a message back." She replied looking into his eyes.
"I see." Her father nodded.
"Amin meleth le, Ada." She said kissing his cheek and going to get ready.
After she left, Legolas entered the study. Elrond looked at the younger elf with raised brows.
"My Lord Elrond," he began, "I have come to ask you for your daughter's hand. I know she is betrothed, but I love her, and I think she loves me."
"I see." Elrond said looking into his eyes. "Havo dad."
The next day the fellowship set out. Ammie joined them.
"What do you think you are doing?" Boromir asked eyeing her suspiciously.
"Are you coming with us Hawk?" Aragorn inquired taking in her attire.
"What, Hawk is coming?" Pippin looked up from his packing.
"Hawk?" Frodo and Merry said amazed.
"Who?" Gimli questioned confused.
"He can't." Sam said, "He isn't a member of the fellowship."
"Well it seems we shall be traveling together again, dilthen min." Gandalf laughed when he saw her.
"I figured you would come." Legolas smiled.
Ammie shook her head. "To answer all your questions, I'm coming with you. And I'm going as Hawk." She replied laughing.
"Why? We can't look after a girl." Boromir sighed frustrated.
"She can handle herself." Aragorn replied eyeing him strangely.
"And how do you know this?" he inquired.
"She taught me everything I know." Aragorn shrugged looking at his sister. She beamed at him. "Is Morgwae coming as well?"
"Not right now." She replied strapping her belt around her waist. "He'll probably show up though. He doesn't like leaving me alone."
Her quiver and bow were on her back and Tiggara was in its sheath. She was ready to go to battle. Aragorn had wanted her to come; he wanted her to be his herald in Gondor. Because he wanted all to know before he arrived that the king had returned.
They traveled with Gandalf leading them. He planned on leading them through the gap of Rohan, but it was being watched by emissaries of Saruman. So he led them over Caradhras. But they didn't get very far because of an avalanche. Ammie and Legolas went back to check out what was going on behind them. Aragorn and Boromir hacked a path through the snow and helped everyone get to safety. Then it was decided that they should take the path through the mines of Moria.
When they reached the wall, Ammie smiled. She had helped Durin make this door. But she couldn't help Gandalf figure out the riddle, she wasn't actually a member of the Fellowship, she was just traveling with them. They had to figure this out on their own. But Frodo helped Gandalf find the opening word and they entered the mine.
"Gandalf," Ammie said when they entered, "I do not like the smell. I think we should leave."
"There is no other way." He replied shaking his head.
Ammie knew of another but she couldn't help. So she let Gandalf lead them through the mines. After many days of traveling they reached the upper level. They found the tomb of Balin, and Ammie became very uneasy.
"Gandalf, we need to leave, now." She said looking at her guardian.
"We will continue shortly." He replied waving her off.
Then they heard the drums, Ammie looked around. They were trapped. She would have to help them fight. The orcs came with a cave troll. Ammie unsheathed Tiggara; she would stand with her friends. After a brief battle, Frodo was injured and no one saw Ammie. Legolas looked around franticly. She had to be here somewhere. Then he saw her, she was lying under an orc. A blade stuck in her stomach. He picked her up and removed the blade. Everyone ran to the bridge of Khazad-dum, with Legolas still carrying the limp form of Ammie. Gandalf faced the Balrog and fell. Aragorn led them out of the mines.
When they were out and had run into the woods, they paused. Aragorn looked at Frodo's wounds and they discovered his mithril shirt. Then he turned to Legolas.
"Let me see her." He commanded gently.
Legolas laid her down gently. Tears were in the elf's eyes. She couldn't be dead, she just couldn't. He looked down at her. There was no blood; there should have been a lot of it. What was going on here?
Aragorn removed her outer tunic and lifted up the under one. He laughed. The others looked at him in confusion. Then he looked over his sister, she had a gash on her forehead. She must have been knocked unconscious.
"She isn't dead, just knocked out." He told his companions still laughing pressing a cool cloth to her head.
"Hollen am." Ammie moaned coming around and pushing her brother away. She put her hand on her head and sighed.
"Hawk," her brother said looking at her, "I need to look at that cut."
She removed her hand, "What cut?" she asked.
They were shocked, where the cut had been there was nothing. No sign that she had been injured at all. She tried to sit up, but gasped and fell back. Her stomach felt awful, like she had been punched in the gut. She looked up at her companions.
"What happened?" she inquired a bit dazed, "I remember the orcs and the cave troll, but that's it."
"A Balrog came and Gandalf faced it." Legolas explained gently, "He fell, dilthen min. But what happened to you?"
"I don't know what you're talking about." She replied confused.
"Just now, what happened to the cut on your head?" Aragorn questioned gently.
"I healed myself." She shrugged, "But what happened to my stomach?"
"You were stabbed." Aragorn explained shaking his head.
"Stabbed? But that's impossible." She said looking down at her stomach.
"Well, the knife didn't get you, but it left a nasty bruise." Her brother explained cryptically.
"So that's it." She put her hand under her shirt and closed her eyes.
When she removed her hand she rose effortlessly. The rest of the fellowship was confused.
"How did you do that?" Boromir asked looking down at her.
"Do what?" she asked confused.
"Get away without a scratch?" he inquired his eyes narrowing.
"Oh, that. I have a special shirt that Durin gave me, long ago." She said waving him off.
"Is that why you laughed Aragorn?" Legolas asked barely holding his own laughter.
"Yes," he answered, "I was surprised to see Frodo's mithril shirt. But I didn't think there were two like it. Then again, Hawk's isn't like Frodo's."
"Well if you are finished discussing my clothing, can we press on?" Ammie questioned pulling on her tunic.
They continued on to the woods of Lothlorien. Ammie smiled, she hadn't been to these woods since she had returned to Middle Earth. She had meant to come back, but the opportunity never presented itself. Haldir found them and led them to a talan, high in a tree. Ammie hadn't been seen; she had slipped off and headed to the city.
She didn't want to leave her friends, but she wanted to see Galadriel and Brilmir again. So she went to the city and entered the same way she had all those years ago. This time no one saw her. She made her way to the throne room of Galadriel and Celeborn. When she arrived she bowed low.
"Who are you and how did you come to our city undetected?" Celeborn asked when he saw their guest.
"I'm sorry about that." She said keeping her head bowed, "I just wanted to see you."
"Take off your hood, dilthen min." The lady commanded gently.
"My lady, forgive me, but I must refuse." She said looking up.
"This is not a place where you refuse the commands of its rulers." Celeborn said nodding to the guards to shoot.
"This is pointless." Ammie said holding up her hand, "I will tell you who I am. But you must have these fair guards leave."
"I wondered when you would return." Galadriel replied.
"What do you mean, melo nin?" Celeborn asked turning to look at his wife.
Celeborn was confused. The lad in front of them had never been there before. What was his wife getting at? Had she seen something?
"She need not remove her hood if she doesn't want to." She replied motioning for the guest to sit.
"Hannon le." The guest said sitting down in the open chair.
Celeborn looked at the guest then at his wife. He was terribly confused. The guest looked like a boy, but his wife had called him a she. What was going on?
"Who are you?" he asked the guest.
"I am known by many names." She replied, "But here I was known as Ammie, but now I come as Hawk."
Celeborn hardly contained his surprise. Ammie had come back. She was seated in their home. He was glad to see her. He rose and embraced her. Ammie laughed.
"You haven't changed, my lord." She said returning the hug.
"My little girl, why did you stay away so long?" he inquired looking into her eyes.
"It wasn't my intent. But I never had the time." She answered smiling and lowering her hood. "Now if you will excuse me, there is someone I need to see."
She rose, pulling her hood back on, and left the lord and lady of the city. She headed out in search of her friend. What had happened to her, Ammie could only guess. But she saw her walking along the path, her head bowed low.
"Mani na roeg, mellon nin?" she asked going over to Brilmir.
"What? Who are you?" her friend asked looking at her attire.
"Amin hiraetha." She said, "I guess I do look strange."
Brilmir was confused. Haldir was out on watch, so she was lonely. But this man was talking to her like a very close friend. She didn't have many male friends, mainly her husband and his family.
"I will ask you again, who are you?" she said drawing her knife.
"Put it away, Brilmir. It is I, Ammie." The stranger said looking into her eyes.
"Ammie. It can't be, she left." Brilmir said lowering the knife tears forming in her blue eyes.
"Don't cry. I'm back. And I came to see you." She replied, stepping forward to comfort her friend.
"Stay away from me." Brilmir cried raising the knife.
"Brilmir," Ammie said lowering her hood and looking into her friend's eyes, "would I lie to you?"
Brilmir looked into the eyes of the stranger and wept. Her dearest friend had returned. She allowed herself to be hugged.
"Come, Brilmir." She said leading her to a bench, "Tell me what has become of you."
Brilmir looked up and smiled, "There is so much to tell, I don't know where to begin."
"You could start with the big things." Ammie suggested, "Like when and who you married."
"How did you know?" her friend asked confused.
Ammie just smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Well a few years after you left," Brilmir began, "I married Haldir."
"I'm so happy for you. But does he know?" Ammie asked looking into her friends eyes.
"No. I haven't told him yet." Her friend answered laughing at her friend. "But how did you know?"
"Honestly, Brilmir. I'm a woman, you think I wouldn't notice." Ammie replied incredulously. "How long?"
"A few months." She smiled putting her hand on her abdomen.
"And you haven't told Haldir. I can't believe you." Her friend replied in mock horror. "But you can tell him tomorrow."
"He is out on watch, he won't be back for many days." She said shaking her head.
"I tell you, he will be here tomorrow." Ammie said confidently.
"How do you know that?" Brilmir asked curiously.
"He 'captured' my companions and he will be bringing them here tomorrow." She replied shaking her head.
"You are actually traveling with someone?" her companion questioned disbelievingly.
"For awhile yes." She answered smiling.
They talked for many hours and caught up on almost everything. The next day Haldir brought the Fellowship to the city to see Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. Legolas had noticed the previous evening that they had lost Ammie but he didn't mention it. If she wanted to leave them he couldn't stop her. But he was very worried about her, what if she had been shot by mistake? He shook his head. That was impossible. She was fine, wherever she was.
When they entered the city, a she-elf ran up to Haldir.
"She told me you would be here, but I didn't believe her." She said going on tiptoe to kiss him.
"Who told you?" Haldir asked returning the kiss.
"Someone." She replied evasively.
She looked behind him and blushed. She had forgotten that he was bringing others to the city. Haldir caught her gaze and realized he had forgotten the guests as well.
"Forgive me," he said turning to the fellowship, "Allow me to introduce my wife, Brilmir. Brilmir these people are here to see your grandparents."
Brilmir smiled, "It is a pleasure to meet you."
The members of the fellowship bowed. She knew two of them, Aragorn had visited Lothlorien before and Legolas was an old friend. But she allowed Haldir to lead them to the throne room. She followed, knowing that she would be needed to help get rooms for them.
When they entered the throne room, the fellowship bowed before the Lord and Lady of the city. Legolas noticed a third person, but he couldn't tell who it was, his hood was up. Celeborn asked where Gandalf was but the lady answered his question, but Legolas spoke up, "Your sources must be wrong for we set out with ten."
"Nay, you set out as nine companions, with a follower." The lady replied looking into his eyes.
"What do you mean?" he asked forgetting his place.
"She means, that the tenth was not actually a member of the fellowship." The third person explained.
The fellowship looked at the other person confused. Who was he? And why did he hide his face?
"Who are you?" Aragorn asked forgetting for a moment where he was.
"Now is not the time." Galadriel replied. She continued on telling them that they were welcome in Lothlorien and that the quest was in a very precarious situation.
The fellowship was led to a pavilion on the ground by the unknown person from the throne room. When they were settled he left. Legolas watched him leave, he was curious about this stranger. He followed him. He saw him enter a talan not far from the throne room. He went over and knocked. Haldir answered the door.
"Legolas," he said, "please come in."
"Thank you, Haldir." The prince replied, "I do not mean to intrude, I was just wondering who your guest was."
"Come in and you will find out." The elf smiled, "For I do not know who this guest is. Brilmir," he said turning, "we have another visitor."
"Who?" she asked looking at her husband as he entered. "Legolas!" she cried when he entered, "It has been so long. Welcome."
"Thank you my lady." He replied looking for the other guest.
"He is just as curious as I to find out who our guest is." Haldir explained to his wife not seeing the other guest.
"Oh, let me go find him." She said rising.
"Have a seat, Legolas." Haldir said sitting down.
"How long have you been married?" the prince asked curiously sitting down.
"Many years now. And what about you, are you married yet?" his host asked trying to catch up.
"No." he replied smiling.
"Ah, but you have someone in mind." Haldir laughed.
Just then Brilmir returned with the other guest. The men rose.
"Haldir, allow me to introduce my good friend, Hawk. Hawk this is Haldir, and Legolas." Brilmir said trying not to laugh.
Legolas narrowed his eyes, "So we meet again, Hawk."
His hosts looked at him in confusion, "You know him?" Haldir asked confused.
"He knows me." Hawk replied. "And you know me as well, Haldir."
"I do?" he questioned still confused.
"Her name is Ammie." Legolas supplied looking at her. "Why did you hide from us?"
"You still don't understand do you?" she countered glaring at him.
"Well can you two continue this later," Brilmir interrupted, "I would like the evening to be pleasant."
Ammie nodded and smiled at her old friends. Haldir looked at her amazed. It really was Ammie. And from the look in Legolas' eyes, this was the someone he had chosen. Haldir was happy for them. He always felt they should get together.
They spent a lovely evening together catching up. They shared many days in Lothlorien, but all too soon it was time for them to leave. The farewell between Brilmir and Ammie had many tears. But they knew they would see each other again. And it would be sooner than either of them hoped.