To be clear: I am using the movies, extended and theatrical cuts, as the primary source. I will occasionally embellish with the books.
Now that that's established, some people wondered why I picked Weiss over Winter as Arwen. While it was tempting to do, I picked Weiss because, if I recall correctly, Elrond has other children who are older than Arwen. That's why I picked her. As a result of some of these questions and surprises, I will now put reasons for castings at the bottom, with further reveals as the chapters progress.
Also, after this chapter, things will get more Jaune-centric. The past two chapters, and this one is for the reactors to know what's going on without Archie having to go on paragraphs of explanations. Any non-Jaune scenes after this chapter will be updates on the ring's progress, or a key moment in the war.
Disclaimer: I do not own RWBY. It is the intellectual property of the late Monty Oum, and his team and friends at Rooster Teeth. The Lord of the Rings, and Silmarillion are the works and intellectual property of JRR Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy were produced by WingNut Films and the Saul Zaentz Company and distributed by New Line Cinema.
Chapter 26 – Good Council
Ruby, in a clean linen shirt and a silk bandage, stirred from her slumber in a soft silk bed.
"Look, it looks like I made it!" said Ruby.
"Thank goodness," said Tai, Qrow, and Yang.
"Where am I?" she asked, as light filled her eyes.
"You are in the House of Nicholas," said a sage-like voice, "And it is 10 o'clock in the morning, on October 24th, if you wish to know."
Ozpin tilted his head.
'That voice…' he thought.
Ruby turned and saw an elderly man with wrinkles, a long grey beard, long white hair, and in a long grey robe as he smoked a pipe. Ruby saw she was in a room that was the very picture of pristine.
"Ozpin!" gasped Ruby in surprise.
"Professor Ozpin?" asked Ruby.
"Wow, talk about old," said Yang.
"Now he shows?" bit out Tai.
"Please tell me there's a reason," sighed Ozpin, a little tired of the accusations of abandonment.
"You'll see," reassured Archie.
"Yes, I'm here," said Ozpin in a comforting voice, "And you're lucky to be here too. A few more hours, and you would have been beyond our aid. But you have some strength in you, my dear hobbit."
Ruby tried to sit up but she felt a sharp pain in her shoulders, and had to recline on her pillows. She then turned to Ozpin with a pleading expression.
"What happened, Ozpin?" asked Ruby.
Ozpin's face was laced with regret.
"Why didn't you meet us?" pressed Ruby.
"I am sorry, Ruby," said Ozpin sadly.
Ruby tilted her head in confusion.
"I was delayed…" said Ozpin.
…
"Delayed…? How?" asked Weiss.
Ozpin was slammed to the ground by an unseen force, a trail of blood leaking from his head.
Almost everyone winced.
"Well, that's a reason," said Raven, intrigued.
"Were the wizards attacked?" asked Blake.
"A pre-emptive strike is a sound military tactic…" pointed out Ironwood.
Ozpin was atop the Tower of Orthanc, in the old fortress of Isengard which had been gifted to the Istari, The Wizards, by one of the kings of Gondor. There, Ozpin was with a man clad in fine white robes with an ebony staff. He had long dark hair with streaks of grey, and a long dark beard. He was Arthur the White, Head of the Wizards, and his staff was pointed at Ozpin.
Cinder blinked in surprise.
"Arthur Watts…?" she ground out quietly.
"Do you know him, ma'am?" asked Emerald, quietly.
"He's an associate. One you weren't supposed to meet until we succeeded in our task," she responded.
Emerald, and Mercury quirked an eyebrow, but said nothing further.
"Why do you refuse?" asked Arthur, "With no king since the fall of Gil-Galad, Elves lack the numbers and strength to stand against Salem. And Men and Dwarves are too self-centered to form a united front. There is no hope against her. Our situation has changed, my friend. Can you not see that this is the logical choice?"
"I will… not abandon our purpose… traitor," panted Ozpin.
"So, it was treachery," said Ozpin, who remembered Cinder's words.
"Watts…" ground out Ironwood.
"That guy's in charge of the wizards?" asked Qrow in surprise.
"Do you know him, Uncle Qrow?" asked Ruby
"Err… Yeah. He's a wanted criminal…" said Qrow, nervously.
Cinder, and Raven rolled their eyes.
'How dumb do you think she is? She's Summer's kid, for crying out loud,' thought Raven, as she noticed a mildly unconvinced expression on the young reaper's face.
Arthur flicked his staff, and again, Ozpin was slammed to the ground by magic.
"My friendship is not easily cast aside," said Arthur Watts.
Arthur redirected his staff, which dragged Ozpin so that he hung over the edge of the tower. He heard the noise of orcs, digging, and forging, though he did not need to look down to see how Arthur had defaced the grounds. What was once the arboreal gardens of Isengard had been transformed into wretched orc pits filled with fire, suffering, and the breeding of wicked creatures.
"One ill turn deserves another," said Arthur, "It is over. Embrace the power of The Ring, or embrace your own destruction."
Ozpin saw a moth fly by, and his eyes followed it before Arthur flicked his staff. Ozpin was flung face first to the top of the tower, but he pushed himself up.
"I wonder what that moth was?" asked Ren.
"It's just a bug," said Coco.
"Professor Ozpin paid a little too much attention to it from precarious position for it to be just a bug," said Pyrrha.
"Only one can master the ring," began Ozpin as he looked defiantly up at Arthur, "Only one can bend it to their will."
The same moth flew across the light of the moon, followed by a massive eagle that silently glided.
"Whoa, that's one big bird," said Mercury.
"And she does not share power."
Cinder clenched her teeth.
Arthur frowned in disgust, but before he could do anything, the piercing shriek of the eagle made him jump. Ozpin got up while Arthur was distracted cast himself from the top of the tower, and onto the back of the eagle before it flew north away from Isengard.
"A really big bird," corrected Emerald.
"So, Oz…" began Qrow quietly, "You think you can maybe modify your-"
"No, Qrow, I can't," said Ozpin.
Qrow grumbled, as did Raven at the other side of the room.
…
"Ozpin?" asked Ruby.
Ozpin snapped out of the daze of his memory, and looked at Ruby softly. Before anything could be said there was a shuffling of footsteps.
"Ruby!"
Ruby turned to see a blur of blonde run into the room, and stop at her side.
"Yang!" said Ruby happily.
"Yang, and the others hardly left your side," chuckled Ozpin.
"We were all so worried about you. Weren't we, Mister Ozpin?" said Yang.
Ozpin chuckled as he nodded before the door opened. He turned around, and smiled before he faced Ruby again.
"By the skills of Lord Nicholas, you are beginning to mend," said Ozpin.
An elf in fine white silk robes approached from behind Ozpin, and toward the bed. He had a handsome face, long white hair, and ice blue eyes, and gave Ruby a kindly smile, and nod.
"Welcome to Rivendell, Ruby Rose," he greeted warmly.
"Thank you, sir…" said Ruby gratefully.
"Wow… He looks the same as he did in that battle. He really is immortal," said Weiss.
"Indeed. Elves stop aging at a certain point," said Archie, "Your grandfather is several thousand years old in this universe."
"What about father, and mother?" asked Winter.
"Your father was not as cold or calculating in this universe, and he genuinely cared for your mother. When he was killed by orcs in a skirmish, your mother was beset with grief and went across the western seas to recover from the loss. At least according to what Weiss would tell Jaune in this universe," said Archie.
Weiss was suddenly reminded she and Jaune were an item in this universe. If that wasn't shocking enough, her mother and father actually cared about one another in this universe too? Both Schnee sisters could not help but envy their counterparts in this instance in regards to family.
"What did you mean by 'across the western seas?" asked Winter, "Is there something there that would help mother?"
"The Undying Lands of Aman. A paradise for the Elves gifted to them by the gods of this universe. Their heaven after death, as well a refuge from the evils that sought to corrupt them in distant ages past," said Archie.
"Wow," said Nora, "Ooh, what about humans and dwarves? Where do they go?"
"No one knows. Only the elves' paradise is know because of a conflict that prompted some elves to return to Middle Earth. In any case, let us continue," said Archie who resumed the viewing.
As soon as Ruby had something to eat, she was helped into her clothes, and she took a tour of Rivendell. Rivendell was a small settlement though it lacked the walls and numbers for it to be a proper town. It was built around Lord Nicholas' home: a manor with elements of a keep. There were guest houses, and armories, as well as a trade post all connected by bridges that had water from a nearby spring run beneath it. Towers with domes on the outer areas served as watchtowers, while those in the interior served as library spaces, or a means of looking out into the Valley of Imladris, the Elven name for Rivendell.
"Wow, it's so pretty," said Velvet.
"Too pretty," said Emerald, "It can't be that perfect. There's got to be something wrong with it somehow."
"Yeah. It's kind of boring," said Mercury.
"Maybe the elves simply figured out how to run a society," sniffed Weiss
"Wow," gasped Ruby as she walked through one of the terraces, "Dad's stories did not do this place justice."
"I know, right?" said Yang.
"Ruby!"
Ruby turned to see Sun and Neptune. They had the biggest smiles on their faces, and they jumped in excitement as they ran to see her.
"How are you feeling?" asked Sun.
"Are you sure you should be up?" asked Neptune.
"I am well, really I am, thank you…" said Ruby happily, but before she could say more, she noticed someone in the corner of her eye.
Ruby saw a hobbit with white hair on a stone bench. But she saw the familiar pipe, and a familiar scribbling in a journal.
"Father? Father!" declared Ruby with a bright smile.
Tai, Qrow, Ruby, and Yang perked up from their positions in the audience.
Tai Yang looked at Ruby, and got to his feet with a smile.
"Hello, my sweet girl!" he greeted, as the two embraced.
Ruby looked at him, and saw that he seemed older than she last saw him.
"Whoa, how old am I?" asked Tai.
"111 years old," said Archie.
"111?!" gasped Tai, Qrow, Ruby, and Yang.
"How old are Ruby, and Yang?" asked Qrow.
"They're in their 20s," said Archie.
"Then he would have been in his 90s when…" Raven gulped, "Assuming he wound up with Summer, and I, how did he pull that off?!"
Archie had amused smile that everyone could see.
"Did you forget the ring can lengthen one's life? Depending on the nature of the bearer, that includes one's… health, for a time. From my collaborations with your archivist, as well as Summer's, he was still quite attractive when the two of you met him. Not to mention his adventure, and struggle with a dragon made him seem all the more dashing to many women in the land of the hobbits. Heh-heh, according to my colleagues, it was quite the interesting harvest celebration," said Archie.
"You saw?!" gasped Raven.
"Ewww…" said Yang and Ruby.
"Of course not! They said it, not me!" protested Archie.
"Well, good to know I still got it," said Tai smugly.
As Qrow, Yang, and Ruby groaned, Raven looked ready to faint at the prospect of one of her counterparts sleeping with an old man. Even if it was Tai.
Tai Yang led Ruby to his room in Nicholas' manor, and he showed her a thick red book. When she opened the book, she smiled.
"There and Back Again. A Hobbit's Tale by Tai Yang Xiao Long," read Ruby proudly, before she went through the pages.
In addition to the actual story of her father's journey, there were maps of Tai Yang's journey through the Misty Mountains, and Mirkwood. They also had drawings of swords from elven to dwarven swords, and goblin daggers. There was also an image of Smaug and the Lonely Mountain.
"This is wonderful," said Ruby.
"I meant to go back: wander the paths of Mirkwood, visit Laketown, see the Lonely Mountain again. But age it seems, has finally caught up with me."
"So as soon as he left the ring behind, he aged properly again?" asked Kali.
Archie nodded
Ruby looked back at the book, and came across a page with a map of the Shire. A longing grew in her heart…
"I spent my childhood pretending I was somewhere else. Off with you on one of your adventures," she paused, "My own adventure turned out to be quite different."
Tai looked saddened by Ruby's somber expression.
"I'm not like you, dad," said Ruby.
Tai smiled softly, and put an arm around his daughter.
"My dear girl…"
"You don't have to be, you know," said Tai seriously.
"Dad?" asked Ruby.
"I never told you this because it was your dream, but you didn't have to be a huntress. You could have been anything you wanted to be, or whatever made you comfortable," said Tai.
"I am, dad, I want to be a huntress," reassured Ruby.
"Then that's all I need to hear. I'd have felt bad if I pressured you," said Tai Yang.
After regaling Tai with a tale of her own journey to Rivendell, Ruby walked through the terraces of Rivendell, and saw Yang making a tally of supplies.
"Packed already?" asked Ruby.
Yang got to her feet.
"No harm in being prepared," said Yang sheepishly.
"I thought you wanted to see the elves, Yang," said Ruby.
"I do," she said.
"More than anything," teased Ruby.
"I did, it's just… Well, we did what Ozpin wanted, didn't we?" said Yang, "We got the ring this far, and I figured now that your recovering, we could go back. Back home."
Ruby thought on it, and turned to Yang.
"You're right, Yang. We did what we set out to do," said Ruby as she looked at the ring, "The ring will be safe here in Rivendell. I am ready to go home."
"Will it be safe? That place looks nice, but it's hardly a fortress," said Coco.
"True…" said Winter, "While the valley itself might have some positions ideal for defense, there are no walls to delay a sieging army. It would be swarmed if an enemy broke through a defensive line."
From above, Nicholas and Ozpin looked at the two siblings walk through the terraces.
"Her strength returns," said Nicholas.
"That wound will never fully heal," sighed Ozpin, "She will carry it for the rest of her life."
"Yet to have come so far bearing the ring, the hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil," mused Nicholas.
Ozpin frowned behind Nicholas' back.
"It is a burden she should never have had to bear. We can ask no more of Ruby," said Ozpin.
"Wait… was your grandpa making plans with Ruby?" asked Yang.
"Why would he do that?" asked Weiss.
"Well, Coco and your sister seem to think the ring won't be safe there, and if your grandpa's a hotshot commander in this universe, he probably does too," said Yang.
"Even if he does, I doubt he would force such a thing on Ruby. She's hardly the warrior she is in our universe," dismissed Weiss.
"I could be!" protested Ruby.
Nicholas poured himself some wine, and turned to Ozpin.
"Ozpin, the enemy is moving," declared Nicholas, "Salem's forces are massing in the east, her eye is fixed on Rivendell. And Arthur, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin."
Nicholas took a drink, as Ozpin bore a thoughtful look.
"His treachery runs deeper than you know," said Ozpin, and waited for Nicholas to set down his wine, "Through foul craft, Arthur has crossed orcs with goblin men. He is breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard. An army that can walk in sunlight, and travel great distance at speed. Arthur is coming for the ring."
Nicholas had a look of horror on his face.
"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the elves," said Nicholas, "We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor, and Isengard."
Ozpin nodded, and walked away with his thoughts before he looked out unto Rivendell from the terrace.
"Ozpin. The ring cannot stay here," said Nicholas.
"So, what do they do now?" asked Kali.
"Maybe they can just contain it somewhere," suggested Velvet.
"You mean seal it away, and hope no one finds it? That's foolish," said Winter.
Ironwood and Ozpin shifted.
"It is," said Raven with an evil smile, "Now that Salem knows where the ring is, she would just have to capture someone from their side and interrogate them enough to know where it's hidden."
Cinder chuckled at Raven's assessment.
Ruby saw the interaction between the two, and then noticed Ozpin's tightened face, and clenched hands. She also so Qrow's fingers get twitchy, and Miss Goodwitch and General Ironwood look about ready to attack.
"Weiss," whispered Ruby.
"What?" asked Weiss.
"I know these viewings can get to us, but don't you have this feeling that some of the grownups have been taking this one a little too seriously?"
"I noticed that too," whispered Blake, "It's subtle, but Ozpin's tense."
"Not to mention Raven, and her," whispered Yang, as she pointed a thumb toward Cinder, "In fact it started when she showed up, and Pyrrha mentioned the Fall Maiden."
"What are you whispering about?" asked Tai, innocently.
"Nothing, dad. Just… um… trying to figure out what they're going to do with the ring," said Ruby, who turned back to her teammates, "We'll talk about it later," she whispered.
The rest of Team RWBY nodded in agreement.
Ozpin had a look of understanding, and when he looked to the gates, he beheld a great gathering of people. Several caught his eye though.
A woman with hair like fire, and eyes that sparkled like emeralds. She wore a silk red shirt with a brown and bronze gambeson coat and a black pair of trousers. At her back was a shield of wood with a bronze boss in the center, and the Horn of Gondor at her hip. She dismounted her horse, and walked through the haven with a noble bearing.
"There's Pyrrha!" cheered Nora.
"Wow…" said Pyrrha, "I'm older here too."
"Judging from your duds, you look like a noblewoman in this universe," said Coco.
"Or maybe you're famous, and wealthy here too," said Ren.
"How fitting…" sighed Pyrrha.
There was an elf with hair like night, and yellow eyes. She wore a white long-sleeve shirt with form fitting black trousers, a black buttoned tunic over the shirt, and a dark mantle. She had a bow with a quiver, and two blades at her back, and moved with feline grace.
"There's Blake!" said Kali.
"I'm an elf like Weiss?" asked Blake, "Huh, my outfit doesn't look as… regal as Weiss' attire was earlier."
"There are a variety of elven cultures," began Archie, "Weiss and her family are High Elves, whereas you and your family are elves of the Woodland Realm. As such, your attire would be more subdued."
"I guess that makes sense," said Blake.
"I guess this means we're elves in this universe," said Ghira, "Hmm… Do you suppose I have my beard? Some of the other elves I see are… pretty bare in this."
"It doesn't matter, dear," reassured Kali, "You'd be handsome regardless."
The last to catch Ozpin's eye was a dwarf. He had a black beard with decorative braids, thick clothes of white wool, a fine black leather vest that went down to his knees, heavy black leather boots and two steel pauldrons with geometric etchings and eyes like onyx.
"Is that you, general?" asked Winter, surprised.
"I'm a dwarf?" gasped Ironwood.
"From The Lonely Mountain. The mightiest of Dwarven realms," said Archie.
"Look how short you are!" laughed Qrow, as he pointed his finger, "What's with the braiding on the face rug? You have gal pals do that for you?"
"You're one to talk," shot back Ironwood, "Your sister is a hobbit with hairy feet, so what does that make you?"
"Don't remind me," groaned Raven.
"This peril belongs to all Middle Earth," began Nicholas, "They must decide now how to end it."
Ozpin turned from the gathering to see Nicholas approach.
"The time of the elves is over, my people are leaving these shores," continued Nicholas, "Who will you look to when we've gone? The dwarves? They hide in their mountains seeking riches, they care nothing for the troubles of others."
Ozpin looked away in thought, before he faced Nicholas.
"It is in Men that we must place our hope," said Ozpin.
"Men?" Nicholas frowned, "Men are weak."
"That's rather harsh," said Ghira.
"Yeah, I mean humans cut the ring off that Salem lady," said Sun.
"They also kept it," muttered Ilia.
"Oh yeah… said Sun.
Ozpin took on a confused expression before he followed Nicholas into a nearby library.
"The race of Men is failing," began Nicholas, "The blood of Numenor is all but spent, it's pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of Men the ring survived. I was there, Ozpin. I was there 3,000 years ago…"
…
Nicholas got onto his feet after Salem exploded and rushed to Isildur's side. He looked down, and saw the man hold the ring in his hand.
"Isildur, hurry!" said Nicholas, and the human looked at him, "Follow me."
The scene moved to a carved stone walkway that led to the magma pit of Mount Doom. The roar and the heat of the lava beneath them filled the large empty space of the cavern. On the walkway, Nicholas swung an arm over his head to urge a distracted Isildur closer to the edge.
"Cast it into the fire!" Nicholas yelled.
If Isildur heard, he gave no sign. His eyes were simply entranced by the simple gold band, and fiery etchings that faded. Then Isildur heard the ring whisper, and he saw a vision of himself as the High King of Arnor and Gondor, and the lords all the old colonies of Numenor, the Men of Harad, the Men of Rhovannion, and east of the Sea of Rhun all paying him homage and tribute.
He would be king of a hegemony of Men: Numenor reborn!
"It tempted him…" said Glynda.
"It promised him all of that if he didn't destroy it…?" said Kali.
"What a moron," said Emerald, "If that thing has a will of its own, did he really think it would help him? He just killed his mistress."
Emerald knew she would never help anyone that hurt Cinder after all she had done for her.
"It's likely because he bested Salem that he thought he could command the ring. However, strength of arms is different from willpower," said Ozpin.
"Destroy it!" urged Nicholas.
His voice finally caught Isildur's attention, but the prince gave Nicholas a look of disdain.
"No," said Isildur, and he took the ring and moved toward the entrance of the cavern.
"ISILDUR!" cried Nicholas, angry and betrayed.
…
Nicholas's face had an expression of heartbreak.
"They must have been good friends for him to look that way," said Pyrrha.
"If he wanted it gone, he should have taken the ring, and tossed it himself," scoffed Cinder.
"And possibly trigger a war between Men and Elves? Well, that's a solution," said Glynda sarcastically.
"At least it would have been settled," said Cinder.
"I was there the day the strength of Men failed. It should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure," sighed Nicholas before he turned back to Ozpin, "Isildur kept the ring, and now the line of kings is broken. There's no strength left in the world of Men. They're scattered, divided, and leaderless."
"There is one who could unite them," declared Ozpin, but Nicholas frowned yet again, "One who could reclaim the throne of Gondor."
"He turned from that path a long time ago. He has chosen exile," said Nicholas.
"Wait…" began Weiss, "What you said when I asked what this universe was. You said, 'The return of a king.' Did you mean…?"
Archie just smiled.
That night, in a small room with a statue and some murals, Strider sat in the corner reading a book. He was out of his usual gear for the wilds, and wore instead elven silks and a fine over coat and trousers. He looked up to the sound of footsteps, and saw a woman with fiery red hair, and emerald eyes enter.
She looked at one of the murals: a man with a broken sword standing up to the Dark Dame in defiance.
She suddenly turned and saw him, and she gave a perplexed expression.
"You are no elf?" she asked him.
"The Men of the south are welcome here," said Strider cordially.
"Who are you?" she asked.
"I am friend to Ozpin the Grey," said Strider with a smile.
"Then we are here on common purpose, friend," said the woman.
"It's kind of like how we met. Only more subdued," said Pyrrha.
"That's one way of putting it. It's more cordial than what happened last semester," said Weiss, as her memory recalled a more active Jaune in the locker room with Pyrrha and herself.
The woman suddenly saw a shine from the corner of her eye. She turned to the statue: a figure with long hair with a stone pedestal in the shape of a tray in their hands. The pedestal was draped in silk, and the woman saw the moonlight reflect off of metal and approached. The metal was in fact several shards of a sword, along with a very famous jagged blade.
"The Shards of Crocea Mors…" she gasped excitedly before she picked up the sword and held it up, "The blade that cut the ring from Salem's hand."
She ran her hand along the blade, but she immediately retracted it when it cut her.
"Still sharp…" she whispered.
"To have remained sharp after three millennia, it must have been well maintained," said Tai.
"Indeed," said Ozpin, "Despite Nicholas' disappointment in Men, it appears he still cares enough to protect such a valuable artifact."
"It doesn't look all that impressive. I doubt it would sell well to a fence," said Emerald.
"Actually, it's dwarven craftsmanship from a famous smith. You could buy five castles with it," said Archie, "Fully staffed for six years, also."
Emerald's jaw dropped, as did everyone else's.
The red headed woman looked to Strider, who simply watched.
"…Nothing more than a broken heirloom," she said before she hastily put it back.
However, the blade wasn't properly placed, and it fell to the ground.
CLANG
The woman looked at the blade regretfully, but quickly marched out of the room.
Pyrrha gasped.
"That's disrespectful," pointed out Ren.
"Why'd she just leave?" asked Nora.
"Knowing myself, it was likely out of embarrassment," said Pyrrha sheepishly.
After a moment, Strider moved to the pedestal, and picked the blade up. He placed it reverently back in its proper place in the arrangement.
"Why do you fear the past?"
"It's Weiss again," said Ruby.
Weiss became more attentive, as did Pyrrha and Winter.
Strider did not need to look behind him to know who it was, though he took a glance regardless. Weiss' hair was down and unadorned. She wore a simple white silk gown with a white robe, and a fine necklace of coiling crystal that framed a crystal star around her neck.
"Wow, you really do fit the princess look," said Yang.
"Please don't call me that," groaned Weiss.
"You are Isildur's Heir, not Isildur himself. You are not bound to his fate," said Weiss.
"I knew it!" declared Weiss.
"Your headmaster suggesting it was kind of a giveaway," said Emerald.
"Quiet, you," said Weiss.
"Make me, princess," smirked Emerald.
Weiss' teeth grinded.
"…The same blood flows through my veins," answered Strider before he faced her, "The same weakness."
Upon seeing the look of fear on Strider's face, Weiss approached.
"Your time will come. You will face the same evil, and you will defeat it," she reassured him, before she spoke Elven, "The Shadow does not hold sway yet. Not over you… not over me."
Weiss took Strider by the hand, and led him out the room, and to one of the many bridges of Rivendell. Amidst the moonlight, and the running water beneath, she turned to face him, and she took his hands into hers.
"Ooh… Looks like we get to see some actual romance," gushed Kali.
All the girls leaned in, with the exception of Glynda, Cinder, Raven, Emerald, and Ilia.
She rubbed the hands gently, and marveled at how cold they were. Then again, she did not feel cold herself for her people were blessed with immortality, and only knew of such things from their interactions with mortal Men.
"Do you remember when we first met?" Weiss asked as she looked up at him.
Strider smiled a little.
"I thought that I had strayed into a dream," he answered as he looked into her eyes.
Weiss immediately turned red at the statement of an older, rugged Jaune, and her heart hammered as all the other girls, besides Pyrrha, Yang, and Velvet, cooed in delight.
"For real? Don't tell me girls actually buy into that sort of thing?" asked Mercury as he rolled his eyes.
"He's putting more effort into it than you do," scoffed Emerald.
"What? You interested all of a sudden?" teased Mercury.
"Between the two of you?" laughed Emerald, "Hands down I'd go for him. He at least knows how to talk to a lady."
Cinder let out a small laugh in agreement.
"Whatever," grumbled Mercury.
"Long years have passed," said Weiss, "You did not have the cares you carry now. Do remember what I told you?"
Strider's hand moved to touch the necklace Weiss wore.
"You said you'd bind yourself to me… Forsaking immortal life of your people," he answered back, as her eyes looked into his.
"And to that, I hold," said Weiss, which made Strider gulp, "I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone."
"Whoa… Can she do that? Give up her immortality?" gasped Ruby.
"Yes," said Archie, "She is descended from an elf maiden who pleaded to their gods to allow her to die side by side with her beloved, a mortal Man. All of their descendants, including Nicholas Schnee have that same choice."
"She'd give up immortality for him?" gasped Cinder, and abhorred look on her face.
Weiss felt as though the world vanished around her.
'Do I – Does she love him that much…?' thought Weiss.
Weiss gently tugged the necklace off of her, and placed it in Strider's hand. He marveled at it, and he looked back to Weiss.
"I choose a mortal life," she whispered with conviction.
Weiss shuddered, and her heart skipped a beat.
Pyrrha, Yang, Velvet, and Winter gasped.
"You cannot give me this," said Strider.
Weiss smiled at him.
"It is mine to give to whom I will," she answered as her hand made Strider's hand close around it, "Like my heart."
The two stared into one another's eyes for a moment, before the two kissed.
Weiss felt her heart aflutter…
'Wait, what…?' she thought, 'N-No, you're with Neptune, remember?'
"Oh, to be young again," swooned Kali.
While the adults all had their own musings of Kali's words, Ozpin was reminded of Salem, and how she couldn't let him go.
'Young indeed…' thought Ozpin sadly.
The next day, Ozpin, Ruby, and Strider sat at various positions in a circular arrangement around a stone pedestal with Nicholas at the head of the gathering.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old, you have been summoned to answer the threat of Mordor," announced Nicholas as he stood before his guests, "Middle Earth stands at the brink of destruction, none can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to the fate, this one doom."
As those gathered looked to one another in uncertainty, or suspicion, Nicholas turned to Ruby.
"Bring forth the ring, Ruby," he gestured.
Ruby got up, stepped to the pedestal in the center of the gathering, and placed the ring upon it. Immediately whispers and gasps ended all silence.
"So it is true," gasped a red headed woman.
Ruby sat back down, and she took note of the faces of the other races.
The Elves looked at it with a mixture of fear and disgust.
The Dwarves looked at the gold band with suspicion, and sneers.
The Men, with the exception of Strider, looked at it with intrigue.
"Hard to believe something so small can instill so much fear," said Winter.
"Some of the mightiest movements, and greatest empires have been forged by small things and acts. It only takes one small disruption to cause an avalanche, or a tiny spark to make a fire," said Ozpin.
The red headed woman got up, which got the attention of everyone present.
Pyrrha looked to see her counterpart with interest.
"A dream…" she began, "I saw the eastern sky grow dark, but in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying 'The doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found."
She stepped steadily to the ring, as though in a trance. Ruby though could hear a whisper from the Ring.
Pyrrha paled at what she saw.
"The ring is trying to get to her too, just like Isildur," gasped Ren.
"Look away!" urged Nora, and Ruby.
Nicholas, and Ozpin shifted in their seats.
"Isildur's Bane…" she repeated.
She reached for the ring.
"NO!" shouted Pyrrha.
"Lady Pyrrha!" called out Nicholas, but it was Ozpin who snapped the woman, Pyrrha, out of her trance.
"Ash Nazg Durbatuluk!" Ozpin roared.
Through his magic, Ozpin amplified his voice to be as thunder, and he made the sky seem dark with each word spoken. Beneath Ozpin's voice though another voice echoed, far darker and far harsher that came from the ring itself.
"Ash Nazg Gimbatul!" Ozpin continued.
The Elves present recoiled, the Men trembled, and the Dwarves were on edge.
"Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk!"
"What's he saying?" asked Glynda.
"The Black Speech of Mordor. More specifically, the Words of the Ring," said Archie.
Ruby though, felt a searing pain in her head, and Pyrrha was forced back into her chair by the voices that echoed.
"Agh Buzum-Ishi Krimpatul!" finished Ozpin.
"Wow, that's some crazy magic," said Velvet.
"Remember that version of Remnant that had magic? You think that's what magic was like?" asked Ruby.
Ozpin resisted the urge to scoff.
'In the old days, that would have been considered a simple parlor trick,' Ozpin thought.
When Ozpin finished his recitation of the words of the Ring, the sky cleared and all was quiet. Nicholas though, did not bother to hide his anger.
"Never before has any voice uttered that tongue here in Imladris," rebuked Nicholas.
"I do not ask your pardon… Master Nicholas," gasped out Ozpin, "For the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West. The Ring is altogether evil."
As Ozpin made for his chair, Pyrrha shook her head.
"No, no it is a gift," said Pyrrha, "A gift from the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring?"
"Wait, what?" gasped Pyrrha.
"After all that, she still wants it?" asked Qrow.
"She's only human," shrugged Cinder, "Who wouldn't want more power?"
Everyone looked to, or stared at Pyrrha in disbelief as she stood up.
"Long has my lord, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, all your lands are kept safe," declared Pyrrha.
Strider looked at Pyrrha with disappointment, and shook his head.
"Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against her," argued Pyrrha.
"Fight fire with fire? It makes sense," said Raven.
"Sure, you just have to ignore the whispering of some creepy ring while you're at it," said Tai sarcastically.
"You cannot wield it," cut in Strider, "None of us can."
Pyrrha, and those gathered turned to Strider.
"The One Ring answers to Salem alone. It has no other mistress," said Strider.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter," scoffed Pyrrha.
Suddenly, one of the elves present, a lady garbed in black and white, stood up.
"This man is no mere ranger," she cut in, "He is Jaune, Son of Azure. You owe him your allegiance."
"I know Jaune in this?" asked Blake in surprise.
"And his lineage it appears…" said Weiss.
"So, how does Blake know him?" asked Pyrrha… calmly.
"They're friends," said Archie.
"Friends…?" asked Blake and Weiss, the latter with a tone of suspicion.
"Well that's good. More encouragement for Blake to talk to Jaune more when we get back," shrugged Yang.
"Great…" said Weiss distantly.
"Weiss?" began Ruby.
"N-Nothing… Just, it's nothing," said Weiss.
Whispers, and looks of surprise arose from the Men gathered. However, most shocked and surprised was Pyrrha.
"Son of Azure… This is Isildur's heir?" she said to herself.
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," declared the elf.
Ruby's eyes widened.
"That's enough, Blake," said Jaune in Elven.
Pyrrha looked to Jaune with disgust.
"Gondor has no king… Gondor needs no king," she scoffed before she took her seat.
"Why did she seem angry?" asked Pyrrha, worried.
"The race of Men has bared the brunt of many of Salem's invasions and assaults. And with no king to unite and lead them, Men have suffered much," said Archie.
"They must have felt hopeless, and alone after so many centuries," said Glynda.
"Forget the king then. They should just do their own thing," shrugged Mercury, "If no one is gonna save you from Hell, save yourself."
Pyrrha scowled at Mercury, but he didn't care. He knew he was right, given his own life experience with his father.
There was an uncomfortable silence until Ozpin sat upright with his staff in hand.
"Jaune is right," said Ozpin, "We cannot use it."
Nicholas stood up from his seat.
"You have only once choice," Nicholas began, "The ring must be destroyed."
Pyrrha shook her head in disappointment, but a noise got everyone's attention.
"Then what are we waiting for?" said a dwarf with onyx eyes, and a black beard and black hair.
Ironwood blinked.
The dwarf hopped of his chair, got an axe at the side of it, and raised it high. Before Nicholas could stop the dwarf, the short burly man swung the axe hard, but was knocked back on contact. Shards of the axe scattered to the floor and pedestal. Ruby though, for a brief moment, saw the burning eye, and she flinched.
The ring just sat, unmoved and unscathed.
"That was careless. What if a shard of the axe hit someone?" said Glynda.
"In my counterpart's defense, I'm not sure he expected that to happen," said Ironwood, "I didn't, and destroying the ring would have been one my first suggestions."
The dwarf was helped up by his fellows, and he looked in disbelief as the ring was unscathed.
"The ring cannot be destroyed, Ironwood of Erebor by any craft we here possess. The ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade," declared Nicholas to the disbelief of everyone present, "It must be taken deep into Mordor, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this."
There was an awkward silence once more as the weight of Nicholas' words took root.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," began Pyrrha.
All looked to her.
"It's black gates are guarded by more than just orcs," she continued, "There is evil there that does not sleep. And the great eye is ever watchful."
Ruby gulped.
"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," declared Pyrrha.
"Have you heard nothing Lord Nicholas has said?" cut off Blake as she got to her feet, "The Ring must be destroyed."
"Oh? And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?" demanded Ironwood.
Blake glared at the dwarf.
"And if we fail, what then?" demanded Pyrrha as she got to her feet, "What do we do when Salem takes back what is hers?"
Ironwood ignored Pyrrha as he got his feet, and glared back at Blake.
"I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" spat the dwarf.
All the elves got up in outrage, which made all the dwarves stand up as well.
"Never trust an elf!" shot Ironwood.
"Typical Atlesian," scoffed Ilia.
"Excuse me?" growled Ironwood, "How are you any different, throwing stones from your glass house."
"Excuse me?" shouted Ilia.
"I thought you said there was no racism in this world," said Ghira, before Ironwood and Ilia could escalate.
"I didn't say that. I said Men get along with the other races 'for the most part.' Elves and dwarves are another matter entirely," said Archie.
"So, if that's the case. What made Nicholas Schnee think he could get them to work together?" asked Blake.
"The races have set differences aside when orcs gather in strength, and there have been instances when dwarves and elves make peace in this universe," said Archie, "Sadly, old arguments do not die so easily among the long-lived."
The lords of Men now joined Pyrrha, who levelled their own accusations against the elves and dwarves present. What was once a council to try and combat the Dark Dame was now a shouting match of who did what, and why the other side could not be trusted.
Ozpin and Jaune watched on in disappointment, but through it all, Ruby heard the ring whisper.
"You do not understand!" Ozpin joined the fray, "Every moment you all bicker amongst yourselves, Salem's power grows. None will escape her! You'll all be destroyed…!"
"Well, that'll calm people down for sure," said Emerald, as Mercury laughed at the irony.
"She always said he was arrogant. I guess I could add hypocritical to the list," Cinder chuckled to herself.
Ozpin frowned, but said nothing.
The shouting was drowned out of Ruby's ears, as she heard the ring whisper the same words Ozpin spoke earlier.
"Ash Nazg Durbatuluk… Ash Nazg Gimbatul… Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk… Agh Buzum-Ishi Krimpatul!"
As the shouting got louder, so did the whisper…
"They're moving right into her hands, and they don't even know it," said Tai.
"Yeah…" sighed Qrow.
"Ash Nazg Durbatuluk! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Thrakatuluk! Agh Buzum-Ishi Krimpatul!"
Ruby could swear the golden ring glowed more brightly as the arguing grew more intense. Ruby closed her eyes, and she remembered what Ozpin told her were the words of The Ring.
"One Ring to rule them all. One Ring to find them. One ring to bring them all. And in the darkness, bind them…"
"Is that what those words mean?" asked Pyrrha.
"It makes sense," said Ren, "The more they argue, the more negativity they incite from one another, the easier it will be for the Dark Dame to control them," said Ren.
"I will take it!" Ruby suddenly shouted.
Everyone, Raven and Cinder included, was surprised by the sudden outburst of Ruby.
There was still yelling, but Lord Nicholas turned to her in surprise. Ruby then got to her feet, and approached the bickering crowd.
"I will take it!" Ruby declared.
The arguing died down, as Ozpin closed his eyes, and bared a look of sadness. He turned to face Ruby, as the other members of the council looked at the little hobbit in shock.
"She barely survived getting the ring to that place. What makes her think she can bring it there?" asked Emerald.
"Where there's a will, there's a way," answered Ruby.
"I will take the ring to Mordor," said Ruby more calmly.
Jaune and Ironwood looked to Ruby, impressed and moved by the halfling's courage for the task.
"Though… I do not know the way," said Ruby.
"Jumping in headfirst into trouble, as always," chuckled Yang.
"Well they weren't doing anything, and someone needs to," said Ruby.
"…I will help you bear this burden, Ruby Rose. So long as it is yours to bear," announced Ozpin, who clapped a gentle hand on Ruby's shoulder.
"Well, if Ozpin's joining in then your chances went up quite a bit," said Coco.
"After what you went through, I would most certainly do my best to protect you," reassured Ozpin.
"Well, at least you have a chaperone," said Tai.
"Dad!" whined Ruby.
Jaune got up.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will," he declared before he made his way over and knelt to Ruby at eye level, "You have my sword."
"Now Jaune's joining in!" said Pyrrha.
"A prince to the rescue…! He's a prince, right?" asked Nora.
"Technically. He is the last of the house," said Ren.
Ozpin looked to Nicholas, who nodded with a smile of approval as Jaune got to his feet.
"And you have my bow," announced Blake, who joined Jaune and Ozpin.
"Yay! Blake's joining now!" cheered Ruby.
"Of course. Yang would kill me if I didn't keep an eye on you if I could," said Blake.
"Yep… Ooh, Maybe Weiss can join too? It'll be like Team RWBY!" mused Yang.
"Wouldn't that be something," chuckled Weiss.
"And my axe," announced Ironwood.
Blake tensed, but sighed in resignation. Ironwood didn't seem too thrilled working with the elf either, but he refused to the let the likes of her accuse his people of doing nothing.
"Well, the journey just got more interesting," said Ironwood.
"That's an understatement," said Blake.
"You carry the fates of us all, little one," began Pyrrha as she made her way over, "If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"And now I'm in this too," said Pyrrha.
"Ha, now it's going super easy," said Nora.
"Nora, please," blushed Pyrrha.
"A little bit of JNPR to help out," chuckled Ren.
"HA!"
Everyone whipped to the side as they say a blonde hobbit with long hair run to the small group.
"My sister's not going anywhere without me!" declared Yang.
"I had no idea it was impossible to separate you two, even when she's invited to a secret council, and you are not," said Nicholas.
"Please," scoffed Yang, "Sorry Weiss, but not even your grandpa could keep me away from my sister."
"I never would have guessed," said Weiss mirthfully as she rolled her eyes.
"OI! We're coming too!"
Nicholas and the council, shocked and flabbergasted, turned the other way, and saw Neptune and Sun run to the small group that just formed.
"You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" declared Neptune as soon as he joined a smiling Ruby.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission. Quest. Thing," said Sun.
Ozpin looked uncertainly to Nicholas.
"I sound so dumb," said Sun.
"Well, I think it's very brave of you," said Velvet as she patted him on the shoulder.
"Aw, thanks," said Sun.
"Well that rules you out, Sun," said Neptune.
Sun looked shocked and betrayed at his friend's words while Ruby and Yang tried hard not to laugh. Meanwhile, Nicholas had a bemused expression on his face.
"Nine companions… So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!" Nicholas announced.
"Right!" said Sun, "…Where are we going?"
"You sure bringing him is a good idea?" asked Coco.
"Seriously," agreed Ilia.
Sun's head fell in embarrassment.
A/N: Nora, and Ren aren't Gimli and Legolas? WHAT?! Again, reasons for casting choices are below.
Boromir: For our favorite bean I picked Pyrrha, and before you rage at me, I didn't pick her just because of how Boromir died. Like Pyrrha, Boromir in the films is seen by his people as a savior of Gondor, one who is strong enough to hold the line against Mordor. This however, puts a lot of pressure on him, and I thought it would be a good for Pyrrha to witness.
Legolas: For the one with pointy ears, I went with the one with pointy ears. I was initially going to pick Ren for this for the sake of his friendship with Jaune. However, on further thought, I wound up picking Blake. One of the acting coaches in The Hobbit movie described the elves as graceful, and catlike. Furthermore, it will fit in with Legolas' character development in the films and books: his friendship with Gimli, a dwarf. Also, I have other plans for Ren.
Gimli: You thought it would be Nora, or possibly Port as a second choice. However, I cast the tin man, Ironwood, as Gimli. Both of them are stubborn individuals, with a "hit first, ask questions later" attitude. Gimli's major character development stems from his friendship with Legolas, an elf. Same as with Ren, I have plans for Nora later.
Saruman: Arthur Watts. Of all of Salem's lieutenants he seems to be the least loyal, or at least, Arthur has said things that could get him in trouble with Salem. He likely sees Salem less as a leader, and more of a means for his own personal goals. Furthermore, since Arthur is more technically minded, it matches Saruman's interest in machines. Also, their personalities matched, which was why I cast Arthur Watts as Saruman.
Let me know what you think.
Miscellaneous Notes:
In regards to Legolas and Gimli's stand-ins, I figured it would be an interesting dynamic that parallels the blanket assumption two races at odds with one another have. Now I don't believe either Blake or Ironwood are prejudicial by default. That being said, Blake did lump Weiss in with humans that give faunus a hard time because of Weiss' views, which stem from the heiress' personal experiences. I can also imagine Ironwood would have some suspicions about Blake if he found out she used to be a White Fang member, though Ozpin would likely keep that part out if James did ask.
For those who only saw the movie, the etchings on the ring were actually half of a poem that Tolkien wrote. It's a cool poem, and I wanted to sneak it all in somehow, but it would have just come out as unnecessary filler. The full poem reads:
Three rings for the Elven kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf lords in their halls of Stone,
Nine for mortal Men doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne,
In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all,
And in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Mordor where the shadows lie.
As I mentioned in the last chapter, I am playing with bloodlines and character relations for a bit as I write this. Tai's age when he got together with Summer and Raven is going to be one of the more extreme cases where I deviate from Tolkien's work. Putting RWBY characters in a universe that the author spent years of world building is jarring enough, and I'm trying not to push things too much.
…
Thank you for reading and please review.
Preview: The Mountain and the Mine