Chapter 22: The Council of Elrond
Daylight fell over Rivendell. It was at early afternoon.
Sensei Kanoi began his opening speech, "strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor."
Sensei Kanoi then gestures to the People, "the people in strange attire are not of this world, but face the same peril as we do. Middle-Earth, as well as the world that they come from, stands at the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race… and realm… is bound to this fate, this one doom…"
Sensei Kanoi then beckons to Ethan, "bring forth the ring, Ethan."
Ethan does as beckoned by Sensei Kanoi. He sat next to Tommy. Ethan walks up to the stone stand in the center and places the ring on the surface. Everyone is astonished and frightened at this fact, even Shane.
"So, it is true," said Shane.
"It is a gift," he said, turning everyone's gazes towards him, suspiciously, "a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this ring?
Shane rose from his seat and walks around as he went on, "long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, have kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy, let us use it against him!"
"You cannot wield it," countered Strider, "none of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
Shane skeptically asked, "and what would a newcomer and a ranger know of this matter?"
An elf interjected, "this is no mere ranger… he is Trent Mercer, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Trent…" interjected Shane, "…this… is Isildur's heir?"
" …And heir to the throne of Gondor," finished the Elf.
"Havo dat, Dustin (Sit down, Dustin)," Strider… no, Trent told the elf, gesturing with his hand. Dustin did as Trent said.
"Gondor has no king," said Shane. He then turned to look at Trent, going to his seat, "…Gondor needs no king."
Tommy resolved, "Trent is right, we cannot use it.
Sensei Kanoi stood up to announce his decision. "You have only one choice," he said, "the ring must be destroyed."
Shane didn't seem a bit happy to hear that, but one of the Dwarves was more than happy and willing to do it.
"Then," said the Dwarf, growling under his breath, "what are we waiting for?"
The Dwarf then took his axe and went up to the stone stand…
He roared out as he used all his strength, with his axe, to destroy the ring, but…
CRACK!
He ended up only breaking his weapon instead, as he was repelled backwards… thrown forcibly onto the floor…
Ethan felt the full force shock of the Dwarf's weapon, which made him see the Eye of Sauron in his mind. Ethan covered his forehead with his hand, wincing in great pain.
Everyone else also gasped in great shock and fear, mostly the Dwarf who tried to destroy the ring with his axe. The ring muttered the black speech aloud.
Sensei Kanoi stated to the Dwarf, "the ring cannot be destroyed Max Cooper, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess."
Everyone was still in shock as Sensei Kanoi went on explaining, "the ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there, can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came."
Ethan looks at the ring fearfully, knowing that the only way to destroy the ring… will involve a very treacherous and dangerous journey.
"One of you… must do this," Sensei Kanoi concluded as the ring stopped muttering the feared language.
Moments of silence followed…
But was silently broken by Shane, "…one does not simply walk into Mordor."
Everyone listened intently as Shane went on ominously, "its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs, there is evil there that does not sleep. And the great Eye… is ever watchful. 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," Shane concluded.
Exasperated, Dustin stood up, "have you heard nothing Sensei Kanoi has said? The ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose," interjected Max, "you think you're the one to do it?"
"And if we fail," wondered a skeptical Shane, as he stood up once more, "what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his!"
Max then stood up forcibly and fumed at Legolas, "I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an Elf!"
An argument erupted afterwards. Aragorn chose not to take part in it.
"…Never trust an Elf," spat Max.
Tommy also interjected, "do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows? None can escape it, YOU WILL ALL BE DESTROYED!"
But the arguing continued…
The ring continued muttering its black speech…
Ash Nazg Durbatulûk! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!
Angry figures of the council reflected on the ring's surface. Ethan remains seated… looking at the ring uneasily, as fires began to flare up, engulfing the surface of the ring as it continued muttering faster… and faster…
Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul…!
After a few frightening moments… a wave of determination slowly dawned on Ethan's face.
Ethan immediately recovered his wits as he stood up and spoke out, "…I will take it!"
Nobody hears it at first, but Ethan went towards the crowd further…
"I WILL TAKE IT!" Ethan called out loudly.
This slowly… but surely caught everyone's attention as they stopped arguing. Tommy closed his eyes, hearing Ethan's statement, and turned to look at him.
Ethan stated once more, "…I will take the ring to Mordor."
People looked at Ethan with such promise, as well as everyone else did.
"Though…" Ethan said, solemnly, "…I do not know the way."
Tommy stated as he went up to Ethan, "I will help you bear this bear this burden, Ethan James Baggins. For as long as it is yours to bear."
Trent stood up and also stated his oath, "if by my life or death, I can protect you… I will."
Then, Trent went up to Ethan and kneeled down in front of him. "You have my sword," he said.
Tommy and Sensei Kanoi exchanged glances at each other, in approval of Trent
Dustin also swore his oath, "and you have my bow."
"And my axe," Max added. They both came to Ethan's side, nervous to be with one another.
Boromir, is joining by the 5 companions Ethan has, also states his peace, "…you carry the fates of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council… then Gondor will see it done."
Suddenly…
"Heh!" Conner exclaimed as he came out from the grass and ran up to Ethan, taking his place beside him.
"Ethan's not going anywhere without me," Conner added.
"No," stated an amused Sensei Kanoi, with a smile, "indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
Hunter and Blake then came running through from behind the pillars, "wait! We're coming too!"
"you'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Hunter said to Ethan.
"Anyway," interjected Blake, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission… quest… thing!"
Tommy went a little nervous at this.
"Well," said Hunter, "that rules you out Blake."
Sensei Kanoi was truly amazed at how many companions there were in front of him…
"…Nine companions," he said in great awe, "…so be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great," said Blake with excitement, "…where are we going?"
