Disclaimer: I don't own the Lord of the Rings or the Hobbit!
A/N: Good night!
All right, last chapter before I head to bed! This chapter was about as much fun as the Council of Elrond to write. :P (Please note the sarcasm there) I hope you enjoy at least a bit of it.
Enjoy! Please review!
Talan Announcements
The message came the next morning just as Bilbo had suspected. Thorin and his crew were invited to dinner with Galadriel and the Fellowship. Telling the crew was the easy part. Getting them to agree to go once they found out the reason for the dinner . . . not so much.
"This isn't fair," Kili complained the evening as they headed toward Galadriel's Talan. "Why weren't we given more a warning?" Thorin gritted his teeth, seriously tempted to send his nephew back to the ship. It was either that or throw him off the side of a flet. Though he dearly wished he could, he knew he needed a getaway pilot more than he did a dead nephew.
"Frodo just made the decision yesterday," Dori snapped over his shoulder. "It's not like he had much warning either. Give him a break." His arm was wrapped around Ori's shoulders, keeping his younger brother to his side. The navigator's head shifted this way and that in a nervous way. He didn't seem to like being in the center of the group.
"But how come they're going to be leaving so soon?" Kili demanded. "How come they can't wait a few more days?"
Thorin glared back at his nephew. It only served to earn him a pout. "Enough, Kili," he ordered. "The decision has been made. There is nothing you can do to change it."
"Thorin's right." Dwalin nodded. "And if you don't like it then you can go back to the ship and han' out with Bilbo. He might like the attention."
Bofur bit his lip nervously, seeming to realize something suddenly. Nori noticed immediately. "What's wrong?" he asked his friend. "Did you leave a gadget on or something?"
Bofur shook his head slowly. "No," he said. "I've just realized somethin'."
"What?"
"What if Bilbo gets bored?" Bofur asked softly, wringing his hands together. "He could dismantle the ship entirely without us ever knowin'." Bifur thought through his cousins words then shrugged, muttering in Khuzdul. "I don't care if you like the game. It's not any fun when I'm the one who has to hunt for the parts."
Turning forward once more, Thorin shook his head in disbelief. How had he managed to get himself cooped up with such a motley crew of Dwarves? It was a mystery that had haunted him from the very beginning of time. From thieves to modest geniuses, his crew knew no bounds.
The conversations continued as the crew finally reached the mallorn tree in the center of the city. Fili and Kili led the way up while Thorin, Balin, and Dwalin brought up the rear. Thorin had been wanting to talk to the other two ever since Bilbo had told him about Frodo's plans. He'd just never had the chance until now.
There was no time to talk during their hike up the stairs. It was too exhausting and the rest of the crew was too loud. Thorin huffed and puffed along with his friends, his legs aching with each new level they reached. They paused occasionally on a flet to rest and catch their breath. It didn't make the climb any easier, though. Even Balin seemed more winded then usual by the time they reached the Talan at the top. His chest heaved with each breath and he clutched a stitch in his side. Thorin attested it to the fact the Dwarf had been in a coma for the past thirteen years.
"Balin, Dwalin," Thorin called. The two brothers turned at their names while the rest of the crew filed into the building. Thorin jerked his head toward the side of the Talan, a request for a private conversation. Balin shared a confused look with Dwalin but they followed Thorin to the railing.
"Somethin' wron'?" Dwalin asked, folding his arms over his chest.
Thorin checked around himself to make sure they weren't being listened in on before he spoke. "It is about Frodo," he said. "There is more to his plan then you know."
"You mean besides the Fellowship leaving tomorrow?" Balin asked, and Thorin nodded. He frowned suspiciously. "What is it, laddie?"
"Frodo is planning on leaving the Fellowship," Thorin explained in a soft tone as a few Elves passed them by. Dwalin's eyes widened and Balin's mouth formed an O. "He wants Estel and the others to defend their homes."
"What crazy person put that in his head?" Dwalin demanded. "Frodo'll be dead before the end of the month. He doesn't know enough about the universe yet." Thorin's gave his friend a pointed look. A flush grew in Dwalin's cheeks and he dropped his arms. "Oh."
"This is bad," Balin said, shaking his head. "We need to tell Estel or Legolas. They need to be warned about this."
"We cannot," Thorin said quickly.
Balin scowled at him. "Why not?" he demanded. "This could be the death of that poor laddie if we're not careful."
Thorin looked around himself again. Leaning in, he lowered his voice. "Because he told me not to," he said. Balin frowned but nodded slowly, not liking this one bit. "He told Nori he'd find someone to help Frodo along the way."
"He's got a network," Dwalin pointed out. "There's probably someone who could help Frodo alon' the way."
"There's Faramir in the Gondor System," Balin said, stroking his beard. "And Éomer in the Rohan System. One of them is bound to be called on."
Thorin nodded slowly in agreement. Both Balin and Dwalin were right. Bilbo's network was probably large enough for him to find someone to help Frodo. The Hobbit wouldn't have to travel alone despite his fears.
Something rustled nearby and Thorin froze. Glancing sideways, he examined a nearby overhanging branch. It rustled again this time with a bit more force. He gritted his teeth in frustration. Neither Balin nor Dwalin seemed to have noticed it yet. They continued speaking in their low tones. Storming toward the low branch, Thorin thrust his arm up into it. His fingers wrapped around a cloth-covered something. It yelped loudly even as he dragged it down out of the foliage.
"Confound you, Samwise Gamgee!" Thorin roared furiously. The stout Hobbit stared at him in terrified horror, trembling in Thorin's grip. "Were you eavesdropping?"
"Thorin?" Balin said at the same time Dwalin said, "What?"
"I-I wasn't dropping no eaves, sir, honest," Sam stuttered out. Thorin scowled at him and the Hobbit shrank back. "Or maybe I was . . . depends on how you look at it."
"This complicates things a little bit," Dwalin growled, coming up behind Thorin. His presence only seemed to frighten Sam even more. The Hobbit's trembling increased and he swayed on the spot when Thorin released him.
Balin stepped up on Sam's other side, boxing the Hobbit in. "All right, laddie," he said, crooking his fingers. "Let's hear it, how much of conversation did you listen to?"
Sam hesitated for a moment. Thorin went to grab his ear and the Hobbit ducked away, speaking quickly. "I heard you say something about the Gondor and Rohan Systems and Frodo leaving. Were you being serious? Is he really planning to leave the Fellowship?"
Thorin looked to Balin. "Do we tell him?" he asked in Khuzdul.
Balin hesitated before responding in the same language. "There's no point not to," he said. "The lad's heard everything he shouldn't have already."
"If we're not careful, he'll tell the rest of the Fellowship," Dwalin growled out. Sam's eyes flicked between the three Dwarves as he bit his lip, his anxiety growing with the rough language.
"There is nothing we can do about that," Thorin sighed, rubbing his beard. "Unless we tell him not to."
"Probably won't stop him," Dwalin grunted.
Balin gave Sam a thoughtful look. "There might be something we could do," he said before switching over to Westron. "Laddie, we weren't lying. Frodo's planning on leaving the Fellowship."
"He can't!" Sam exclaimed so sharply an Elf glanced their way. Dwalin slapped a hand over his mouth, muffling whatever Sam said next.
"Not so loud," Thorin warned. Sam wrapped a hand around Dwalin's wrist but nodded in agreement. The Dwarf dropped his hand.
"We understand you're very fond of Frodo," Balin told Sam gently. "But this is his decision. If you try to change his mind you're only going to cause trouble."
"But he can't do this alone," Sam argued. "Someone has to go with him, even if there're people in the other Systems who can help."
"Then here's my advice," Thorin said. Leaning in, he lowered his voice so only Sam would hear him. "Do not leave him, Samwise Gamgee." The Hobbit's eyes grew wide as dinner plates but he nodded earnestly, taking the words to heart. Thorin straightened up and jerked his head toward the door. "Now get in there. Do not raise any suspicions."
Sam hurried to obey. Slipping between Balin and Dwalin, he hurried to follow an Elf into the building. Thorin watched him go with a fond feeling. There was something about Sam that made him feel a bit more secure about Frodo's plans.
"Bilbo's not going to be happy about this," Balin said, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure he meant to send someone else on the journey with Frodo."
"You can ask him when we get back tonight," Thorin said as he made his way toward the door. Balin and Dwalin fell in line with him. "It is something he is just going to have to accept."
The three Dwarves entered the building one after the other. The atmosphere was different then the last time Thorin had come here for dinner, lighter and happier. Galadriel and Celeborn sat in their rightful spots in the center of the room, speaking with their heads pressed together. A few choice Elves sat around the room at the low tables. The Fellowship and his crew had taken tables for themselves, intermingling with one another.
Galadriel glanced their way and Thorin nodded his head in greeting. She returned with a mysterious smile before turning back to her husband. Thorin led the way to the table, taking a seat between Estel and Legolas. Sam sat stiff as a board beside Frodo. Motioning slightly to Dwalin, Thorin sent him to sit beside the stout Hobbit. This didn't seem to help Sam's anxiety at all. It only served to make him tremble more.
All conversations came to a halt as Galadriel rose from her seat. "Welcome, guests of Lórien," she said in a clear voice, raising her hands. "I have called you here to speak, but for now let us eat and enjoy ourselves. There is time for talk later."
Hidden panels along the walls hissed back. Several Elves filed out from the concealed halls, their hands laden with dishes of meat and fruit. Kili made an appreciative sound as a bowl of applesauce was placed on the table. Fili leaned away from it. Galadriel took her seat once all the food had been placed on the tables. The guests took it as their cue to dig in.
Grabbing his own silverware, Thorin made sure to steal some steaks before passing the plate on to Estel. There was no telling how much meat he'd be able to get with all his crew around the same table. Already it seemed like Bofur and Bifur were about to start a food fight. He kicked Bofur hard under the table before the engineer could do anything. Bofur gave him a sheepish expression, hunching down in his seat. Bifur smiled happily as he munched on a pear.
Thorin barely paid attention as Meriadoc began to speak excitedly with Nori. He gesticulated wildly, his hands flying all over the place, until Legolas reached over to pin a hand onto the table. Meriadoc didn't even seem to notice. He just went on speaking, occasionally asking Peregrin or Frodo something in Hobbitish.
"Funny you should be here." Thorin glanced sideways. Estel watched him curiously, his hands folded under his chin. His plate remained almost untouched.
"We were invited," Thorin said coolly. Estel didn't comment but his eyes flicked to the Lady of the Wood. Thorin shifted slightly in his seat. "Have you already guessed why you were called here?"
"Legolas and I talked about it yesterday," Estel said, shrugging. "We figured the time would come eventually. We just didn't think it would happen so suddenly."
Thorin nodded in agreement. "It surprised us as well. Do you think you are all ready to continue on?"
Estel sighed. "It's hard to tell. Meriadoc and Pippin are getting anxious but Gimli doesn't seem to want to leave." Thorin looked over at the younger Dwarf. Indeed he seemed happy where he was talking animatedly with Fili and Ori. "Galadriel's presence seems to have helped him warm up to Legolas."
"That is good to hear," Thorin said, and Estel hummed in agreement. "If you need anything just let us know."
"Of course, thank you."
The rest of dinner passed without the rest of the Fellowship any wiser about the secret plans. Not even Peregrin – who Thorin had figured would have picked up on something by now – seemed oblivious. He'd joined Bofur in a game of grape football. The goal was to flick the grape through the other person's fingers. So far all they'd managed was to hit someone else with the food. Dori was starting to look annoyed with Bofur. No food fights broke out, though, and for that Thorin was thankful.
Once everyone had eaten their fill, Galadriel rose from her seat again. She spoke a quick word in Sindarin to the Elves around her. They rose from their places, bowed low to their Lady, and hurried from the building. Only Celeborn remained behind. Galadriel drifted toward the Fellowship and the crew, her hair rippling with the movement.
"I hope you enjoyed your dinner," Galadriel said as she stood before the tables. Folding his fingers together, Thorin rested his chin on top of them. He knew what was coming next.
"It was delicious, thanks," Meriadoc said, and Galadriel smiled at him.
"I called you all here to make an announcement," Galadriel said gently, tucking her hands into her sleeves. Peregrin stopped chewing, a realization growing in his eyes. Thorin sighed hard. Now he decided to Read something. "Yes, Peregrin, you have Read correctly. It is time the Fellowship continued on their way. You have stayed long enough."
Silence rang in the hall. Meriadoc and Peregrin exchanged confused looks. Estel sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. Boromir and Gimli frowned in confusion. Legolas cocked his head, seeming to mull this over. Sam ducked his head to hide his reddening face. Only Frodo seemed to be unfazed by the announcement.
"Do not consider this as an eviction," Galadriel told the Fellowship. "I fear if you stay any longer then you may not wish to leave."
Celeborn stepped up beside his wife, smiling sadly at the Fellowship. "There is nothing to fear," he assured them. "We will provide ships and supplies for you that will last through your journey. Indeed Bofur designed a ship for us many decades ago. It may prove useful for you."
Thorin frowned at Bofur. He didn't remember the engineer designing anything for Galadriel or Celeborn. Apparently neither did he. Bofur had cocked his head, a look of confusion plain on his face.
"Do you know the path you intend to take?" Galadriel asked Estel curiously. "I understand you and Mithrandir spoke about it several times."
"Aye," Estel said with a hesitant nod. "Gandalf planned for us to take the Anduin Belt out of the System. It'd lead us to the Falls of Rauros. We never planned any farther than that, though."
"The Falls would be a good destination," Celeborn said with a nod. "You may either head west toward the Gondor System or east toward the Rohan System."
"If we head for the Gondor System then we could stop in Minas Tirith," Boromir said, looking around the table. "We could stock up on supplies there, get some rest."
Celeborn frowned. "Minas Tirith may act as a distraction for you, though. You might find yourselves caught up a sense of security. The Rohan System will lead you straight to the Mordor System."
"But it runs past Saruman and Isengard," Estel said softly.
Celeborn nodded. "And here is where my advice can help you no further," he said. "It is your decision to run the risk of drawing too close to the black tower or too far from your goal."
"The time has come for you all to make your decision," Galadriel said. All eyes turned on her. "Those who wish to stay behind may. You have sworn no oath, you need not go further than you wish."
"No offense, my lady," Gimli said, speaking for the first time. "But I think I speak for the entire Fellowship when I say we're going on." Several heads nodded in agreement.
Galadriel smiled warmly at Gimli. "Very well, Gimli, son of Gloin," she said. "If this is your decision then so be it. Know that our good graces go with you wherever you might go. I am afraid, though, that one of you will not be traveling any further than the Falls."
"What?" Peregrin said in disbelief. "What do you mean?" Even Thorin was a little confused by this announcement.
"Boromir, son of Denethor." Galadriel turned her attention to the Gondorian Man who straightened up in his seat. "Your journey with the Fellowship is complete. There is nothing else you can do for them. You city needs you now more than ever." Boromir gaped at her, at a loss for words. Thorin raised his eyebrows in surprise. Galadriel nodded sadly. "I have seen it," she told the Man. "Continue with the Fellowship if you would like but turn away at the Falls of Rauros. Should you disobey then the White City will fall."
Peregrin looked between Boromir and Galadriel in both confusion and disbelief. He looked ready to argue but Boromir reached out to ruffle his hair. The Hobbit wilted under the touch. Meriadoc wrapped an arm around his cousin's shoulders, drawing him in close.
"We will prepare the ships for your journey tomorrow," Galadriel told the Fellowship. "Rest up tonight and know that nothing can harm you while you are here."
The Fellowship seemed to take this as their cue to leave. Thorin watched as one by one they rose from their seats. Legolas patted Fili and Kili on the heads as he passed them by. Gimli paused to whisper something in his father's ear. Gloin nodded in agreement, giving his son a firm slap on the shoulder. Peregrin clung to Boromir's hand on the way out. He glanced briefly over his shoulder. Thorin caught his broken-hearted gaze.
"It will be all right," he told the Hobbit. "You will see him again." Peregrin turned forward just as the doors hissed shut after them.
"So," Kili said slowly once they were alone. "That's it? You're just going to let them leave on their own?"
"What else can we do?" Galadriel asked him. "Frodo has made up his mind and it is time they continued their journey." Kili slouched in his seat, moping. "Do not worry, young Kili, this is not the last you will see of your friends."
Kili folded his arms on the table and rested his chin on them. "Sure feels like it," he muttered.
Thorin frowned but turned to Galadriel. "Why did you tell Boromir he needs to leave? He is part of the Fellowship."
"That he is," Galadriel agreed. "But Bilbo needs him for his network. By parting ways at the Falls of Rauros Tauriel will be able to intercept him and request his aid."
"What about Frodo leaving on his own?" Fili asked curiously. "What're you going to do about that?"
Galadriel sighed. "There is nothing I can do to change his mind. Bilbo has already spoken to me. He asked me assist him in sending a dream message to someone."
"To help Frodo?" Gloin asked, and Galadriel nodded. "Who?"
The Elf's next words made Thorin release a bark of laughter. "Samwise Gamgee."
A/N: See, what'd I say? Boring. Right? What did you think?
Castor says I did a pretty good job of covering a lot of information in only a short amount of time. This was actually really hard for me to write just from the sheer amount of characters in the scene. I'm just we're almost out of Lothlórien now. One or two more chapters to go!
