Chapter 13
The White Council Meets
Notes:
{...} elvish
[...] Khuzdul
/…\ Iglishmek
((…)) telepathy
Scenes from the movie ahead. Since I made major changes to it, I hope you will forgive me for using so many of the actual lines.
Quite a bit of this chapter uses canon lore. I've just taken it and played with it to fit with what I want. And made up a whole lot to go with it. I hope it isn't too confusing. I have also messed with how foresight might work. Elrond will explain more in a later chapter.
oOoOoOo
Galadriel led Thorin to an open aired pavilion that was set a bit off from all the other buildings in Rivendell. He supposed it was one of the more private places to hold a meeting involving sensitive information, as he was led to believe this meeting was, especially with the elves apparent disdain for solid walls. Rivendell's architecture was full windows, archways, and open air.
"If you need something we speak of clarified, please ask. Much of what we discuss is either not common knowledge or has been relegated to mere legend," Galadriel told him.
"Alright," he said.
In the center of the pavilion was a large stone table surrounded by chairs. Two of these were already occupied by what appeared to be elves.
One of them was at any rate. He was tall and straight; his hair was of shining gold, his face young and fearless and full of joy, much like Thorin's own nephews. He was introduced as Glorfindel.
The other attendee looked like an elf in every aspect but one. He was tall and lithe with pointed ears and long silver hair. What did not fit was the pointed silver beard that was long enough to reach his chest. After being introduced as Cirdan the Shipwright, he smiled and said, "Yes, I am an elf and yes, my beard is real."
"I did not think it was possible for your kind to grow facial hair," Thorin told him.
"For most it is not," Cirdan shrugged.
"He was one of the first elves to be awoken by Eru, so he is really old. Maybe that's why," Glorfindel grinned.
Thorin had the feeling that if the jovial blond elf reclining in the chair managed to become either friends or mortal enemies with his nephews, they would all become both dangerous and annoying to have in the near vicinity. He hoped they never met.
Cirdan seemed used to the younger blond's behavior and just shrugged a shoulder.
The end of the conversation that Elrond and Gandalf were having carried to the waiting group as the two climbed the top of the winding stairs and joined them in the pavilion.
"With or without our help, these dwarves will march on the mountain," the wizard said. "They are determined to reclaim their homeland. I do not believe Thorin Oakenshield feels that he's answerable to anyone. Nor for that matter am I."
"It is not me you must answer to," the elf lord said giving a pointed look in female elf's direction.
"Lady Galadriel," Gandalf bowed in greeting.
"Mithrandir. It has been a long time."
{Age may have changed me, but not so the Lady of Lorien.}
Galadriel smiled.
"I had no idea Lord Elrond had sent for you."
"He did not. I originally came to collect my granddaughter for a stay in Lothlorien."
"Master Oakenshield," Elrond said noticing the dwarf. "I was not expecting you."
"I invited him to join us for our discussion," Galadriel informed him. "I believe it could be advantageous for us all if he were to hear about our council's dealings and how it is that more is at stake on his quest than just his mountain."
"You want him to become a member?" Gandalf asked.
"For now he is to be treated as such. He is here on a trial basis," Galadriel informed them. "I see in him a potential for the qualities necessary for permanent membership. I see much the same in the hobbit."
"Yet you did not invite her to join us tonight," replied the wizard.
"No, she is one of the topics I wish to discuss," she replied.
"He is also one of the topics on the agenda," Elrond stated.
"The things we will discuss tonight she is not yet ready to hear," Galadriel said. "She is very young. Let her enjoy her innocence a little longer."
"Very well," said Elrond. "I believe we are all who will be attending tonight. Shall we begin?"
Gandalf and Thorin each took seats at the table. Galadriel and Elrond chose to remain standing.
"The dragon has long been on your mind," Galadriel said.
"This is true, my lady," Gandalf agreed. "Smaug owes allegiance to no one. But if he should side with the enemy, a dragon could be used to terrible effect. I'm simply doing what I feel to be right," the wizard responded.
"For four hundred years, we have lived in peace. A hard-won, watchful peace," Elrond claimed.
"Are we? Are we at peace? Trolls have come down from the mountains. They are raiding villages, destroying farms. Orcs have attacked us on the road," responded the wizard.
"Hardly a prelude to war," Cirdan countered.
"I can hear Saruman now. 'Always you must meddle, looking for trouble where none exists'," Glorfindel mimicked in a false low voice.
"Let him speak," Galadriel chastised lightly.
"There is something at work beyond the evil of Smaug. Something far more powerful. We can remain blind, but it will not be ignoring us, that I can promise you. A sickness lies over the Greenwood. The woodsmen who live there now call it 'Mirkwood' and they speak of a Necromancer living in Dol Guldur, a sorcerer who can summon the dead. We already know who that is. And, when an investigation of more dark things that now roam the forest led him into the old fortress, Radagast saw specters of more than one entity."
"Radagast? The bizarre fellow with the rabbits?" interrupted Thorin.
"Well, he's odd, I grant you. He lives a solitary life." Gandalf said.
"And who is in Dol Guldur?" Thorin asked.
The four males looked to Galadriel.
"Tell him, Mithrandir," she encouraged. "He has more right to know some of what you discovered on your own foray into Dol Guldur than anyone else here."
Thorin raised an eyebrow when the wizard glanced at him briefly and winced.
Taking a deep breath, Gandalf brought his gaze back to the dwarf's and began to speak. From the sorrow in the old man's face, Thorin knew it would not be a happy tale. He just had not expected that the sorrow was for him.
"In 2850, I entered Dol Guldur. There I found a dwarf that was mad and dying. He had been tortured for so long death was the only mercy left to him. Though he could not tell me his name or that of his kin, he possessed just enough sanity to entrust to me a map and key to deliver to his son. I realized when we met that night in Bree that you were the son he spoke of," Gandalf said.
"You have known for over seventy-five years that my father was dead! Why are you only just now telling me this?" growled the dwarf.
The wizard winced again. "We only met a few months ago. Hope is a powerful thing and I was hesitant to take away your hope to find your father alive with the terrible truth."
Thorin jumped to his feet and slammed his fists on the table. "I am not some dwarfling to be coddled, Tharkun! You should have informed me that night. I even told you that I had been following rumors of his whereabouts! I would rather have the harsh truth than gentle empty lies!" he roared.
"You are correct. I am sorry," Gandalf apologized. "There is more. May I continue?"
Fuming, Thorin nodded and sat.
"Thrain was not the only one I found. What is left of the Dark Lord Sauron, his essence, resides in Dol Guldur. Most likely Sauron had your father taken in order to obtain the last of the seven dwarven Rings of Power. Four were consumed by dragon fire. Two we know for sure were recovered by Sauron and it is now very probable he took the third from you father while he was held captive."
Even with the conversation he had had with Lady Galadriel earlier, he had not expected such news! These beings here were the ones seeking to oppose another rise to the Dark Lord's power. He was still angry with Tharkun about not informing him of it earlier, but his father was dead and Sauron was responsible. Thorin would listen to what they had to say, even if most of them were elves, and if there was anything he could do to help avenge his father, he would do it!
Gandalf sighed, "When I told the council of what I had found in our next meeting, Saruman the leader of my order convinced us not to drive him from the fortress."
"What good will the rings do Sauron without the One Ring? It was washed into the sea," Glorfindel asked.
"Was it? That is only what Saruman has told us. We have no evidence of it," Galadriel said. "You carry something, Mithrandir. It came to you from Radagast. He found it in Dol Guldur."
"Yes."
"Show me."
The gray wizard placed the long wrapped bundle Thorin had seen the brown wizard give him onto the table. It let out a dull thud.
"What is that?" Thorin asked.
"A relic of Mordor," Galadriel breathed.
Elrond, who had been reaching out to unwrap the package, drew his hand back. He then reached for it again and, careful to touch only the wrapping, opened it to reveal a sword.
The White Council members look upon it in shock.
"A Morgul blade," Elrond said appalled.
"Made for the Witch-king of Angmar, and buried with him. When Angmar fell, men of the North took his body and all that he possessed and sealed it within the High-Fells of Rhudaur. Deep within the rock they buried them, in a tomb so dark it would never come to light," Galadriel stated gravely.
"Are you sure this is his blade?" Glorfindel asked his gaze traveling to each of the other three elves.
"This is not possible. A powerful spells lies upon those tombs; they cannot be opened," Elrond denied.
"Yet here it is," Cirdan stated.
"Curse Saruman and whatever reasons he had for delaying! Now Sauron has the Nazgul in his service again. Because if he has one, you can bet he has all nine!" Glorfindel exclaimed.
"Nazgul? The Ringwraiths? Are you saying the Ringwraiths walk the world again?!" the Dwarf King exclaimed. They were largely relegated to legend among his people, used to scare dwarflings into behaving. But, in the stories he had heard in his history lessons the Nazgul were supposedly the Dark Lord's most terrible servants!
"Yes," Gandalf confirmed gravely.
"Where is Saruman anyway? I expected him to be here for this discussion," said Cirdan.
"It was Saruman's council that stopped us from mounting an attack against Dol Guldur seventy-five years ago," stated the elven lady. "As a result Sauron has only had time to grow in power. Gandalf, you yourself have suspected that Saruman has sought the Ring of Power for his own since then."
Gandalf reluctantly nodded.
"On our journey here, my party stopped at Isengard. When we arrived we found no one. Concerned I went looking for Saruman. He was in the antechamber to his meditation room. I heard him giving instructions to someone before he came into my sight, and his words made me reluctant to reveal my presence. Using the reflection of something on the wall I was able to bring him and the one he was giving orders to into view. The servant exited the room, fortunately for me he went out another way. After he had left, Saruman entered a hidden room for a few moments. He then entered the meditation room, but before the door fully closed I saw him remove a cloth from covering a Palantir that was sitting on the center pedestal," Galadriel revealed.
"Perhaps there is an explanation for this. Granted I would not count the use of one of the Seeing Stones wise, but that does not mean he has turned against us," Cirdan said.
"Seeing Stones?" Thorin asked.
"The Palantiri are orbs that allow for long distance communication. There were seven. Having one stone lets you watch through any of the other six. Four were lost and some could very well be in the possession of the enemy," Gandalf explained.
"Inquisitive creature that I am," Galadriel continued, "I entered the hidden room after the wizard was occupied. It was a small room with just a table with a tiny chest resting on it. Upon opening it I discovered two items that brought horror to my heart. Not because these items are dangerous, but because of the implications of them being in Saruman's possession."
"What were they?" Glorfindel inquired.
Galadriel drew a small bundle from her robe.
"You took them?" exclaimed the young blonde.
"They rightfully belong to another," she responded. "Elrond, did you bring the item I asked for?"
The dark haired elf pulled out a small jewel case and opened it. Resting on the padded velvet inside was a white gem on a silver fillet. He set it on the table so the others could look at it.
Opening the bundle, Galadriel laid it out on the table for everyone to see the two items that had been wrapped inside. One was a small gold case attached to a chain. The other was extraordinarily like the item Elrond had brought out except it sat upon a fillet of mithril instead of silver and the gem was a radiant white and seemed to give off a little light of its own. It reminded Thorin vaguely of the Arkenstone.
Neither held any real significance for Thorin, but they must have for the others given their reactions. Glorfindel's eyebrows rose and he sat forward in his seat. Cirdan stood and leaned on the table with his hands. Elrond gasped and actually took a step back. Gandalf drew back in his chair making some odd sputtering noises. It would have been amusing to see the wizard so undone had Thorin not known it must be serious indeed to have that effect.
"Master Dwarf," Galadriel said picking up the shining gem, "this is the Elendilmir, the Star of Elendil. It is was regarded as the Royal Gem of Arnor. It was lost when the last bearer of both of these items was slain nearly three thousand years ago. The one Elrond brought is a reproduction, a copy, made long after the original was lost." She put it back down and picked up the chain. "This was worn by Isildur to carry the Ring of Power."
"Is it in there?" Elrond demanded. "Is the Ring in there?"
"No," she said opening it to show them. "It was empty when I found it in Orthanc."
"There must be some explanation for this," Gandalf protested.
"After finding these items I returned to my traveling party and waited for Saruman to appear. When he finally did we dined together, though no one else showed themselves to us while we were there. He had plenty of opportunity in our conversation to mention something of this magnitude. There is no just reason for Saruman to possess these or keep them from their rightful owner," Galadriel declared.
"Who do they belong to?" Thorin questioned.
"Isildur's heir of course," Glorfindel answered.
"The line still exists?" the dwarf asked astonished.
"It does. You are not the only exiled king in Middle Earth." Elrond said.
"The heir grew up here in Rivendell after his father was killed by orcs," Glorfindel said. "He is not here right now, or I would introduce you."
"So what about Saruman? Do you think he has the Ring?" Cirdan asked.
"Would that be a bad thing if the wizard did have it?" Thorin inquired. "Would he not be a safe keeper?"
"I would not trust that ring in the hands of anyone who wants to posses it," Cirdan asserted, "and it would seem Saruman wants it badly."
"What about you, Tharkun?" Thorin asked. He may question the wizard's motivations and methods but he did not believe him evil.
"I dare not take it, not even to keep it safe," Gandalf replied. "The wish to wield it would be too great for my strength. With that power I should have power too great and terrible. And over me the Ring would gain a power still greater and more deadly. I do not wish to become like the Dark Lord himself. The same would happen to Saruman."
"I called the wisest and most powerful beings to create this council," Galadriel imparted. "Not all are in attendance tonight, such as Radagast, but I would not consider any of us safe keepers. It is possible that one of us might posses the power to claim dominion over the Master Ring, but if we were to take it and fail the consequences would be dire."
"The One Ring would eventually destroy any keeper given enough time. How long would just depend on their strength of spirit, purity of heart, and natural weaknesses," Elrond stated. "Would you like to hear how I see you faring against the Ring?"
"Very well," Thorin said. He did not expect it to be a kind assessment.
"My knowledge of you tells me that you are a good leader to your people and have done well by them in a troubling time. You have also come through the trials of you life so far with your mind intact. Both of these speak of a strong spirit. Dwarves also seem to be resistant to some of the corruption of the Rings. The Seven gifted with the Rings did not fall like the Nine did. These are all pluses in your favor," the Lord of Rivendell expressed. "However, your weaknesses concern me. Your pride and animosity for most other races. Your want of revenge on the dragon. The Ring would use these emotions and desires against you, understandable though they may be. There is also the fact your line is susceptible to madness. If you came into possession of the One Ring it would not be a matter of if you would go mad, but when. The Master Ring's power would draw you into it."
"Is there no one that could bear it safely?" Thorin asked. Lord Elrond had been blunt but not derisive as he had expected.
"Sauron, but that would be detrimental to the rest of the world," Cirdan said wryly.
"What does the One Ring look like?" inquired Thorin.
"It is a gold band with an inscription of glowing Tengwar letters in the Black Speech of Mordor. There is a painting of it here in Rivendell. I will show it to you tomorrow if you wish," Elrond offered.
"I would appreciate that. On the remote chance I should come across such a dangerous relic, I would wish to be able to recognize it so as not touch it."
"I'm glad to hear that," the Elf Lord told him.
"Despite what you may think of me, I have no desire to lose my mind," The dwarf lord said. "None of you want it and your words have made me exceedingly cautious about possessing it myself."
"Oh, we want it. We just do not trust ourselves with it," said the shipwright.
"More than one here tonight has the gift of foresight. Have neither of you Seen anything regarding the Ring?" Glorfindel asked.
Elrond shook his head, "Nothing definitive."
Galadriel looked off into the valley searchingly before speaking, "There are so many shadows obscuring paths in the future. I do not believe the Ring is active at this time. The orders I overheard Saruman give leads me to believe he does not have it, but I feel that it will not be long before the ring reveals itself."
"What were his orders?" asked Cirdan.
"To burn the body and continue the search while he informed the Master," she reported.
"Saruman found Isildur's body and had it burned!" Glorfindel sounded appalled.
"What is more, the servant I saw answering to the wizard was an orc."
The elves gasped.
Gandalf leaned on the table and covered his face with his hands for a few moments before looking up again.
"I can not help but hope that there is an explanation for these actions, though I can not think what it might be. However, I do think we had best not count him among our allies for the time being," Gandalf said. "This just makes it more vital that the dragon be dealt with."
"Mithrandir? Why did you choose the Halfling to go on this quest against a dragon?" The Elf Lady asked.
Gandalf glanced at the dwarf before answering. "I don't know. Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check. But that is not what I have found. I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. My heart tells me she has a part to play in all this. Why Bilba Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and she gives me courage."
Thorin had not expected the wizard to admit something like that! Perhaps his understanding of the forces involved here was more incomplete than he had thought and he should feel more fear than he currently does.
"Do not be afraid, Mithrandir," Galadriel comforted. "You are not alone. So many shadows mar my Vision of the future, yet when I look at Bilba my Sight is nearly blinded by light."
"I have Seen something similar," Elrond said. "I can tell she is vital but I can not see how or why."
"The hobbit has an important task to accomplish. She has a role to fulfill in the dwarves quest, but it seems more far-reaching than that," Galadriel said.
((Even more than perhaps becoming Queen of Durin's Folk could account for.))
Thorin heard Galadriel's voice, but once again the words were not coming from her mouth. He turned his head away from the others to hide the reddening of his cheeks.
"I can say this," she continued, "should something happen to Bilba Baggins before she completes her task I See shadows spreading across the world like a great wave of the sea."
Reluctantly Thorin asked, "Should she remain here in Rivendell?"
"No, the hobbit must go with you. You can not succeed without her," Galadriel maintained.
Thorin nodded.
"Great first meeting for you, eh, Master Oakenshield? A dragon, Nazgul, Sauron, and you get to hear how badly elves and wizards may have erred!" Glorfindel told him.
That earned the youngest elf disapproving glares from Elrond and Cirdan.
"I told him he would get the opportunity to see how important trust is for our group to function," mentioned Galadriel. "Saruman's own agenda may cost the peoples of Middle Earth dearly."
Thorin then thought of something that made him smirk because he suspected he knew the answer. "Is Thranduil a member of this council and has he been informed of the identity of his neighbor?" he inquired.
Gandalf and the male elves blanched. Galadriel tried to hide a small smile.
"No, and no. There wasn't much point in telling him when we were not going to do anything about it yet," Gandalf explained.
"Well, you want us to do something about it now, do you not?" said Cirdan. "What did you have in mind?"
"We need to assault Dol Guldur before the Dark Lord's power grows further, but we need to do it at the same time Thorin and his company enter the Lonely Mountain," the wizard advised. "This will keep Sauron or Smaug from gaining reinforcement from the other."
"You mean to sacrifice us to the dragon?!" Thorin accused.
"No!" the grey wizard denied. "I mean for you to distract the dragon if necessary. Send Bilba in to look for the Arkenstone, but if the dragon sleeps, let it sleep for the time being. If he is awake, her scent should be enough to keep Smaug from being willing to travel far from the mountain, not as far as Dol Guldur I'm sure. I certainly do not want you to confront the dragon. You just need to keep his attention and do not let him leave the mountain. When I join you there we will assess what needs to be done to deal with the dragon once and for all."
Thorin was slightly appeased.
"Meanwhile, we get to face a Dark Lord, up to nine Nazgul, and who knows what else," Glorfindel said sarcastically.
"We will need more than the five of us to do that." Elrond said.
"Who gets the pleasure of informing Thranduil?" Glorfindel inquired.
The elder elves turned their gazes to the youngest.
"Oh. Am I just informing him or am I trying to get his aid for the assault?" an unenthusiastic Glorfindel asked.
"Try and get his help," said Cirdan.
"I think we will have to wait until I can read the moon runes on Thorin's map before we can plan more. I suggest we each take our rest," Elrond advised. "We will meet again on the night of the crescent moon."
Cirdan and Glorfindel made their farewells and left.
Thorin stood to leave when he was stopped by Elrond.
"A moment, Master Oakenshield. In case this has not been mentioned, the things we discussed tonight are to remain secret. Do not inform your company. For the moment, the fewer who know, the safer we all are."
"I have to tell someone, and my company should know the general plan in case something happens to me," Thorin objected. "I also need to inform them of my father's death. I do not have to give them the grim details, but they need to know some of it."
"The white haired one. Balin I believe his name is. You count him as counselor and confidant, do you not?" said Galadriel. "Do you believe he could handle this information rationally? Could he keep it secret?"
"Yes," Thorin did not hesitate to answer. Balin had kept the existence of his One a secret for more than a hundred fifty years for Mahal's sake!
Galadriel's eyebrows rose slightly for a moment then she smiled. "We each have someone we confide in. Someone that can be sent to the meetings in our place on occasion. You may share all that you have learned tonight with Balin."
"Tell him the whole of it here in Rivendell though. And be careful how you speak of it once you leave this sanctuary. Sauron has many spies. Certain birds and beast, even some of the trees are on his side," Gandalf advised.
"Wait to inform your company of anything beside the death of your father until we have a more solid plan," Elrond instructed.
"Very well," he said and left to return to where his company rested.
The other three watched him go.
"You are right to help Thorin Oakenshield, Mithrandir. But I fear this quest has set in motion forces we do not yet understand. You must be careful," Galadriel told the wizard.
"I hope you are right about him," Elrond said. "He could do great damage with the information we gave him tonight."
"I hope I am as well, but as I told him trust must start somewhere. Let it start here. Perhaps our putting our trust in him will help lead him to the better future," the Lady said.
"And if it doesn't, but Mithrandir succeeds in getting the dwarf and hobbit together, he might destroy her," the Elf Lord remarked.
"Or she could be his redemption," Galadriel suggested.
"Redemption?" Elrond expressed. "No one has ever come out of gold sickness!"
"Just because it has never happened before, doesn't mean it's impossible," objected Gandalf.
"Either way, we must be prepared to uphold our side. When Thorin Oakenshield needs aid we must answer," Galadriel pronounced.
oOoOoOo
After the meeting Thorin did not seek his bed even though it was very late into the night. He stood at the railing of their suite's balcony, and though he looked out over the valley, he did not really see it.
Seventy six years. His father had been dead for seventy six years. Thorin had known that such an outcome was the most probable result he would find in his search, but Tharkun was correct. He had still hoped otherwise.
"Thorin? Where have you been?" a voice said behind him.
"Go to bed, Balin," he quietly told his friend, not turning from the railing.
"What is wrong, laddie?"
"Go to bed. I will speak to you about it tomorrow."
"Alright, if that is what you wish. Just remember, you can talk to me at any time about anything."
"Thank you, Balin. Now get some rest," he said still not turning around.
The Dwarf King had learned many important things that, in the larger picture, were probably more important than his father's death. Tomorrow he would be strong again when he shared the news with the company, but for the moment he would allow himself to be just a son grieving for his father, and so took no notice of the tears that escaped his eyes and ran down his cheeks.
oOoOoOo
End Notes:
I have considered writing a version of the White Council scene in more modern language. Glorfindel insist that most of his dialog contains swearing. Elrond insists he swears at Glorfindel. Cirdan just wants to go back to building his ships. Gandalf wants his weed, and Galadriel wants to hit them all over their heads.
Important! When Thorin and Bilba get to that point & if I write it (no promises), would you rather have the explicit content in the story or should I put it in a separate story and those who want to read it can do so? There are naughty versions of Thorin's dreams that if I do post WILL be in a different story. I did not put them in this because I thought it was too soon and I didn't want Thorin to seem like it was only about sex. Not that there is anything wrong with gratuitous smut, it just didn't fit with the love story so soon.