Next day, Daisy and Lincoln woke up early from bed, feeling refreshed and well. They walked along the terraces above the loud-flowing Bruinen and watched the pale, cool sun rise above the far mountains, and shine down slanting through the thin silver mist, the dew upon the yellow leaves was glimmering, and the woven nets of gossamer twinkled on every bush. Bobbi and Hunter joined them as well, and said nothing, but sniffing the air, and looking every now and again with wonder in their eyes at the great heights in the East.
"So what's happening?" Director Johnson asked, wondering whats going on.
"Don't know, Gandalf said that some of us were invited to attend this great council," Lincoln explained on what he knows.
"Do you think this regards to the evil, um, golden ring?" Director Johnson asked if that was the case.
"Possibly," Lincoln shrugged. "But hopefully will get the answer."
"Let's hope we figure it all out, otherwise I would be thrilled of how the ring would drive me insane," Lincoln said in a boring voice.
"Hunter, seriously, we're not here to make jokes," Bobbi scoffed.
"Actually that one made me laugh," Director Johnson pointed.
"Okay, but does anyone feel ready for this council we were to attend?" Hunter said by rolling his eyes in ignorance. "Cause right now, I bored and I need something to drink."
"Well, I ready for anything," Lincoln answered. "But most of all, I should take Daisy to go walking today and explore the valley."
"I should like to get into those pine-woods up there," Director Johnson pointed away far up the side of Rivendell to the north.
"What are gonna quake up there?" Lincoln scoffed in a bit of laughter.
"That was not what I had in mind," Director giggled.
"You may have a chance later," Gandalf responded loudly as he descends tdown the steps. "But we cannot make any plans yet. There is much to hear and decide today." Suddenly, a single clear bell rang out, causing Gandalf cry out in alarm. "That is the warning bell for the Council of Elrond! Come along now! Everyone else is wanted to attend! Except for Samwise Gamgee, Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck, Darcy Lewis, and Ian Boothby."
Daisy Johnson, Lincoln Campbell, Bobbi Morse, and Lance Hunter follow the wizard quickly along the winding path back to the house; behind them, uninvited and for the moment forgotten. Gandalf led them to a porch where Frodo had found his friends the evening before. The light of the clear autumn morning was now glowing in the valley. The noise of bubbling waters came up from the foaming river-bed. Birds were singing, and a wholesome peace lay on the land. But now, the rumors of the darkness continued to slowly grow in the world outside.
Upon their arrivial, Daisy, Lincoln, Bobbi, and Lance noticed that Piper Baines, Michael Davis, Leo Fitz, Jemma Simmons, Shannon Lawrence, Deke Shaw, Imogen Snow, Jane Foster, and Erik Selvig were among those to attend the secret council Lord Elrond arranged. Agents Baines and Davis never thought that they were to be a part of this, but now that rumors began to spread that this ancient evil was bent on conquering the universe, which included Earth, it made sense for them to believe that it was important to learn about this. Jemma and Fitz sat next to each other. Frodo looked around and saw that Natasha wasn't in the Council as well. It seems that she must be busy since she had recently teamed up with Artemis.
Lord Elrond was also present, and several others were seated in silence about him. Frodo Baggins was present as well since he was the one that carried the One Ring with him and almost got himself killed. Gandalf requested him to attend, including Bilbo as well. Lord Glorfindel and Glóin sat next to each other and in a corner alone, Strider was sitting, clad in his old travel-worn clothes again.
Elrond drew Frodo to a seat by his side, and presented him to the company, saying. "Here, my friends is the hobbit, Frodo son of Drogo. Few have ever come hither through greater peril or on an errand more urgent."
Then the Lord of Rivendell began to point out and name those whom Frodo and his companions had not met before. There was a younger dwarf at Glóin's side: his son Gimli, who shared a similar resemblance to him. Beside Glorfindel there were several other counsellors of Elrond's household, of whom Erestor was the chief, and with him was Galdor, an Elf from the Grey Havens who had come on an errand from Círdan the Shipwright. There was also a strange Elf clad in green and brown, Legolas, a messenger from his father, Thranduil, the King of the Elves of the Woodland Realm. King Dain Ironfoot of Erebor attended the Council as well, including Boromir of Gondor.
Not all that was spoken and debated in the Council need now be told. Much was said of events in the world outside, especially in the South, and in the wide lands east of the Mountains. Of these things, very few people, such as Gandalf, Bilbo, and Frodo had been hearing a lot of rumors from Glóin about Moria and Erebor. It was there that Glóin was the first one in the council to speak.
"Many years ago, a shadow of disquiet fell upon our people," Glóin explained everything amongst the council. "Whence it came we did not at first perceive. Words began to be whispered in secret: it was said that we were hemmed in a narrow place, and that greater wealth and splendour would be found in a wider world. Some spoke of Moria: the mighty works of our forefathers that are called in our own tongue Khazad-dum, and they declared that now at last we had the power and numbers to return." He lets out a sigh and goes on with his story. "Too deep our delved within the city of Moria, and that was when they woke the nameless fear. Long have its vast mansions lain empty since the children of Durin fled. But now we spoke of it again with longing, and yet with dread, for no dwarf has dared to pass the doors of Khazad-dum for many lives of kings, save Thror only, and he perished. At last, however, Balin listened to the whispers, and resolved to go, and though Dain did not give leave willingly, he took with him Ori and Oin and many of our folk, and they went away south."
Dain Ironfoot took his turn to speak on behalf of the council. "About thirty years ago, we had news and it seemed good. Messages reported that Moria had been entered and a great work begun there. Then there was silence, and no word has ever come from Moria since. No one knows what happened, and many of my kin wanted to uncover this, but I refused to let them. That was when a year ago a messenger from Mordor wished for me and my kin to join the Dark Lord in echange for the treasure that we kept in the mountain."
"Treasure," Agent Fitz breathed to Jemma.
"Yes," Agent Simmons breathed back.
"At this, we were greatly troubled," Dain continued. "His fell voice was lowered, and he would have sweetened it if he could. I refused to cooperate with the messenger and told him to never return. His fell voice were the known words of menace and deceit. And now that the power has returned into Mordor, we came all the way from the east to warn Mr. Baggins that he is sought by the Enemy, and to learn, if may be, why he desires this ring."
"Thanks to Lord Elrond, we now know the truth," Glóin said. "We discover that messengers have come also to King Brand of Dale, and that he is afraid. We fear that he may yield. Already war is gathering on his eastern borders. If we make no answer, the Enemy may move us of his rule to assail King Brand, and Dain also."
"You have done well to come," Elrond said and then made a full address to the council. "You will hear today all that you need in order to understand the purposes of the Enemy. There is naught that you can do, other than to resist, with hope or without it. But you do not stand alone. You will learn that your trouble is but part of the trouble of this world. The Ring! What shall we do with the Ring, the least of rings, the trifle that Sauron fancies? That is the doom that we must deem. That is the purpose for which you are called hither. Called, I say, though I have not called you to me, strangers from distant lands. You have come and are here met, in this very nick of time, by chance as it may seem. Yet it is not so. Believe rather that it is so ordered that we, who sit here, and none others, must now find counsel for the peril of the world. Now, therefore, things shall be openly spoken that have been hidden from all but a few until this day. And first, so that all may understand what is the peril, the Tale of the Ring shall be told from the beginning even to this present. And I will begin that tale, though others shall end it."
Everyone listsened to Elrond's story about Sauron and the Rings of Power, and how Celebrimbor forged them during the Second Age of the world long ago. A part of his tale was known to some there, but the full tale to none, and many eyes were turned to Elrond in fear and wonder as he told of the Elven-smiths of Eregion and their friendship with Moria, and their eagerness for knowledge, by which Sauron ensnared them. For in that time he was not yet evil to behold, and they received his aid and grew mighty in craft, whereas he learned all their secrets, and betrayed them, and forged secretly in the Mountain of Fire the One Ring to be their master. Celebrimbor was aware of him, and hid the Three which he had made, and then there was war, and the land was laid waste, and the gate of Moria was shut.
Then through all the years that followed he traced the Ring; but since that history is elsewhere recounted, even as Elrond himself set it down in his books of lore, it is not here recalled. For it is a long tale, full of deeds great and terrible, and briefly though Elrond spoke, the sun rode up the sky, and the morning was passing ere he ceased. Out of Numenor, its glory and its fall, and the return of the Kings of Middle-Earth out of the deeps of the Sea, borne upon the wings of storm. Then Elendil the Tall and his mighty sons, Isildur and Anarion, became great lords and the northern realm they made in Arnor, and the southern-realm in Gondor above the mouths of Anduin.
"I remember well the splendour of their banners," Gandalf decided to speak after Lord Elrond had finished his story. "It recalled to me the glory of the Elder Days and the hosts of Beleriand, so many great princes and captains were assembled. And yet not so many, nor so fair, as when Thangorodrim was broken, the Elves of the Light deemed that evil was ended for ever, and it was not so."
"I don't mean to interrupt, but Gandalf, haven't you told us once that the fall of Gil-galad was a long age ago?" Jane asked.
"It has," Elrond gravely answered. "But my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days. Earendil was my sire, who was born in Gondolin before its fall; and my mother was Elwing, daughter of Dior, son of Luthien of Doriath. I have seen three ages in the west of this world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories. I was the herald of Gil-galad and marched with his host. I was at the Battle of Dagorlad before the Black Gate of Mordor, where we had the mastery: for the Spear of Gil-galad and the Sword of Elendil, Aiglos and Narsil, none could withstand. I beheld the last combat on the slopes of Orodruin, where Gil-galad died, and Elendil fell, and Narsil broke beneath him, but Sauron himself was overthrown, and Isildur cut the Ring from his hand with the hilt-shard of his father's sword, and took it for his own."
"So that is what became of the Ring?" Boromir responded immediately. "If ever such a tale was told in the South, it has long been forgotten. Many of my people heard of Isildur's Bane and believed it was perished from this world long ago."
"No, it was Isildur himself who took it without having the bent on destroying it," Gandalf shook his head in disbelief upon what Boromir had said. "It should have been cast into the fires of Mount Doom, the very place it was forged. Almost a few marked on what Isildur did. He alone stood by his father in that last mortal contest, and by Gil-galad, only Cirdan stood."
"Boromir, Isildur would not listen to our counsel," Elrond explained to the Gondorian of what he remembers. "Only to the North did these tidings come, and only to a few. Small wonder it is that you have not heard them. From the ruin of the Gladden Fields, where Isildur perished, three men only came ever back over the mountains after long wandering. One of these was Ohtar, the esquire of Isildur, who bore the shards of the sword of Elendil; and he brought them to Valandil, the heir of Isildur, who being but a child had remained here in Rivendell. But Narsil was broken and its light extinguished, and it has not yet been forged again."
"Sauron was thought to have been diminished, but not destroyed," Gandalf explained more. "The One Ring was lost, but not unmade. The Dark Tower was broken, but its foundations were not removed. Gathered races from all over unified together and many had perished in the war."
"So where is it?" Boromir demanded. "Where is this Ring of Power that you have spoken about? Perhaps everyone should bare witness if it still exists."
"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo," Elrond solemnly recommended for the young hobbit to reveal the ancient weapon of the enemy at last and spoke to the council. "The time has come for all to see it with your own eyes. None can escape the doom at hand. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom."
There was a hush, and all turned their eyes on Frodo. He was shaken by a sudden shame and fear when Jane, Bobbi, Hunter, Shannon, and Selvig gave him a nod to do it. Frodo felt a great reluctance to reveal the Ring, and a loathing of its touch. Even as Lord Elrond had spoke, Frodo slowly rises from his seat, and takes a step forward and walks over to the stone plinth in the middle of the circle. He gently places the One Ring on the plinth and then slowly returns to his seat.
"Is that what I think it is?" Director Johnson whispered to Lincoln.
"Sauron's Ring," Lincoln quietly answered.
"That's what its called," Agent Simmons whispered in awe.
"Its what the bearded wizard said," Agent Fitz whispered back.
"Behold Isildur's Bane," Elrond openly declared of what everyone is seeing with their own eyes.
Boromir's eyes glinted as he gazed at the golden thing, muttering to himself. "So it is true after all."
"Its evil," Imogen gasped upon seeing in awe. "Not like a butterfly."
Several members of the Council take notice of the One Ring and start to whisper amongst each other. Glorfindel, Galdor, Legolas, Gimli, Glóin, Bobbi, Hunter, Daisy, Lincoln, Deke, Imogen, Jemma, Fitz, Selvig, Jane, Shannon, Dain, and other attendees continued to eye on the Ring suspiciously as it seemingly speaks to them in their mind. As for Boromir, the Gondorian slowly stands himself up and begins to approach the stone plinth of where the ring was laid. It seems he was the first to be drawn to it already unlike the others that remained seated and still. Hunter and Bobbi were the first to notice and grow suspicious when Boromir continues to walk towards the plinth as he speaks.
"In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grew dark," Boromir explained of what his father had been talking about as he . "There was a growing thunder, but in the West, a pale light lingered, and out of it, I heard a voice, remote but clear, crying."
Seek for the Sword that was broken:
In Imladris it dwells;
There shall be counsels taken
Stronger than Morgul-spells.
There shall be shown a token
That Doom is near at hand,
For Isildur's Bane shall waken,
And the Halfling forth shall stand.
Elrond, Gandalf, Glorfindel, Galdor, Legolas, Gimli, Glóin, Bobbi, Hunter, Daisy, Lincoln, Deke, Imogen, Jemma, Fitz, Selvig, Jane, Shannon, Dain, and other attendees exchange concern and nervous glances on what Boromir was about to do. It came to the conclusion that Boromir was ready to take the ring as he stretches out his hand to try and grab it.
Elrond jumps to his feet and warningly yells. "Boromir!"
Suddenly, before anyone could react to this, Gandalf slowly rose from his seat and began to chant. The change in the wizard's voice was astounding. Suddenly it became menacing, powerful, harsh as stone. A shadow seemed to pass over the high sun, and the porch for a moment grew voice was known to be a language that the Shire Conspirators heard about back in the Shire: Black Speech. Boromir jumps back when Gandalf continued to chant in Black Speech and causing the entire blue sky to go dark a bit. There were no clouds at all when the sound of thunder was heard and the whole ground was trembling a bit as if an earthquake had already erupted. Daisy thinks that she might be doing it uncontrollably or maybe the wizard's chanting is probably making her do that.
Everyone present at the Council were alarmed and winced as if they're in pain by this chanting. Gimli loudly gasped when he grabbed his weapon in defense and Legolas closes his eyes grimacing. Deke and Imogen gasped in shock of what they were seeing and close their eyes. Jemma and Fitz grab hold of each other in fear while Daisy and Lincoln hold their hands tightly. Boromir has sat down, the sky has lost the darkness, and Elrond has taken his head from out of his hands. Elrond didn't react to this, for instead, he held his head in disgust since he didn't recommend for Gandalf to chant in Black Speech and scare everyone.
Ash nazg durbatuluk,
ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul.
(One Ring to rule them all,
One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and, in the darkness, bind them)
As for Boromir, the foolish Gondorian backed away from the stone plinth and staggers back to his chair. Now that Boromir already gotten the message, Gandalf stopped chanting. The trembling stopped, the sky clears with the sun reappearing, and nature was returned to normal as the birds were flying around. Daisy and Lincoln glance at each other and release their hands from each other. The young director sighed in relief, btu was very confused as to why Gandalf would do something like that.
"What the hell was that?!" Agent Fitz exclaimed in confusion and horror.
"Um, can somebody lighten us in as to what this was?" Agent Simmons asked.
Lord Elrond was a bit horrified, but was mostly displeased at Gandalf for chanting in Black Speech, something that he and his kin did not like to hear at all.
"Never before has anyone uttered words of that tongue here in Imladris," Elrond sternly said.
"And let us hope that none will ever speak it here again," Gandalf gruffly apologized for embarrsing the Lord of Rivendell and everyone present. "Nonetheless I do not ask your pardon, Master Elrond. For if that tongue is not soon to be heard in every corner of the West, then let all put doubt aside that this thing is indeed what the Wise have declared: the treasure of the Enemy, fraught with all his malice; and in it lies a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that the Smiths of Eregion heard, and knew that they had been betrayed." Then he turns round to address everyone there, making sure that they all understand whats at stake. "To all those present, you must understand that for the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! Our one hope lies in foolishness. The Dark Lord cannot conceive of anyone wishing to destroy his Ring. He will wait until one of us tries to use it, follow every move we make, and it is just possible that he may not notice the small, quiet feet, walking into peril... into Mordor. The Ring is altogether evil!"
"No, it is a gift," Boromir insistently says as he shakes his head in disapproval. He then stands again to make his case to the council, this time not being foolish enough to make a step forward towards the ring with Gandalf present. "Its a gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?"
"Excuse me, kind sir, but why would even think that this ring is a gift to us?" Jane asked, disagreeing to Boromir's words. "As a matter of fact, we saw what you were about to do. What is temptation made you want to take it?"
"Take it?" Boromir scoffed. "You misunderstand... ah."
"Jane... Foster," Jane announced her name.
"Jane... Foster, very well," Boromir nodded. "Have you ever been to Gondor?"
"I've heard it once before, but I haven't been there myself," Jane answered his question.
"Then know this Jane... Foster, that in the land of Gondor, the blood of Numenor is spent, nor all its pride and dignity forgotten," Boromir explained to her. "By our valour the wild folk of the East are still restrained, and the terror of Morgul kept at bay, and thus alone are peace and freedom maintained in the lands behind us, bulwark of the West."
"Okay, uh, just to say this, you claim that this ring is a gift in anyway, but don't you even know that this Nameless Enemy has arisen again?" Jane asked.
"Of course, Gondor is among the kingdoms that border Mordor," Boromir said and explained to her of what he knows. "Smoke rises once more from Orodruin that we call Mount Doom. The power of within realm grows and we are hard beset." Then he paces around addressing everyone as he goes on to give more on his story. "When the Enemy returned, my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay. My brother Faramir did the same thing of driving the Haradrim away Ithilien, our fair domain east of the River, though we kept a foothold there and strength of arms. But this very year, Sauron continues to send his armies to attack Gondor, but by the the blood of our people, we kept are lands safe!"
"Do you really think Sauron is willing to give up a fight against your people?" A woman's voice was heard.
Everyone present begin to turn around and saw that it was Artemis, who in turn, didn't attend the Council of Elrond for an unknown reason.
"Who is she?" Boromir asked, confused.
"That is Artemis," Elrond introduced the Gondorian to the Olympian Huntress. "I wasn't aware that she would be attending this part of the council."
"I do apologize, my Lord Elrond," Artemis bowed her head in respect and then focused her attention on Boromir. "But I overheard from this human that he believes that the One Ring, Isildur's Bane the Gondorians call it, that it remains a gift. A gift of corruption. Corruption that would doom the southern kingdom of Gondor."
"You would assume that Isildur's bane would bring ruin?" Boromir scoffed, thinking it was joke to him. "No, I don't believe thats possible. The great elven smiths forged the rings of power, including this one, to unify and fight back against the shadow in the east."
"Then why are you here, Gondorian?" Artemis asked. "Have you come all this way to gain claim over the ring and make childesh insults among us?"
"I have come on an errand over many dangerous leagues to Elrond, but I do not seek allies in war," Boromir answered and explained to her. "The might of Elrond is in wisdom not in weapons. I come to ask for counsel and the unravelling of hard words. The Men of Gondor are valiant, and they will never submit. I ask this of anyone who is willing to listen to me and my father. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Valour needs first strength, and then a weapon! Let the Ring be your weapon, if it has such power as you say. Take it and go forth to victory!"
Strider disagreed with the idea in handing the ring over to someone, who believe that it would bring doom amongst the kingdom of Gondor. He can tell that Artemis, Lord Elrond, and Gandalf also disagreed as well, refusing to accept Boromir's request in letting the weapon of the enemy fall into the hands of someone that was ready to be tempted by its power. So many people were not strong enough to resist the temptation of the One Ring, the object for which it was forged in Mount Doom, would remain bound to its rightful master.
"Boromir, you cannot wield it," Strider warned him. "No one here or anyone else. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
Boromir turns and looks at Strider, looking in wonder at the lean face of the Ranger and his weather-stained cloak, and scathingly asked. "And what would a Ranger of the North know of this matter?"
Bobbi was bit irritated and clenched her fists when she heard that and immediately stood from her seat. She glares at the Gondorian, but it should matter that the ring might've forced him to say it. "You may not know me, Boromir, but I was one of Strider's companions, including Jane Foster who you spoke to. If it wasn't for him, the ring wouldn't be in our hands now. At first, my companions and I didn't trust him, but when he and Lincoln Campbell brought us safe to Rivendell, we earned his trust. He has the right to view how vile this ring is."
"So you vouch for this ranger then?" Boromir asked.
Legolas also stands up from his seat also, giving Boromir an angry look on his face. "This is no mere ranger, Boromir, son of Denethor. This man who sits before us... amongst this council is Aragorn, son of Arathorn, descended through many fathers from King Elendil of Minas Ithil, and Chieftain of the Dúnedain. You owe him your allegiance."
"So that's your name?" Hunter asked, widening his eyes in suprise.
"How come you didn't you tell us your name before we met you in Bree?" Jane asked.
Daisy Johnson whispers to Lincoln. "I thought you told us that his name was Strider."
"I only said that he had another name that he usually keeps to himself," Lincoln whispered back.
"Aragorn?" Boromir responded, turning sharply towards Aragorn with disbelief in his eyes. "This… is Isildur's heir?"
"An heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas answered with a deep glare on his face.
This was a complete shock. Artemis, Frodo, Daisy, Lincoln, Bobbi, Lance, Piper, Davis, Fitz, Jemma, Shannon, Deke, Imogen, Jane, and Selvig glance amongst each other in alarm of what they heard. They all look at the ranger in bewilderment, awe, and shock. The whole entire trip, the Shire Conspirators, except for Daisy's team, had been guided by someone of royalty.
"Is he serious?" Agent Baines quietly gasped.
"Okay, I guess I'll take it back then," Hunter whispered with his eyes widened in surprise.
"I can't believe it," Agent Simmons gasped in awe and whispered to Fitz. "He's a king. Well almost a king."
"That's just impossible," Agent Fitz whispered.
Jane continued to stare at Aragorn in amazement, shock, and confusion. She never expected that the ranger was actually a descendant of Isildur, the man whom Gandalf had mentioned before in the Shire, and an heir to the throne of the southern kingdom of Gondor. Ever since she and her friends and companions met him in Bree, they didn't know who he truly was, but finally, the answer as been solved.
"He is the last of Isildur's bloodline," Elrond told Boromir more of Aragorn. "There is no other. Only he will be chosen as the man who will unify every realm within Middle-Earth."
At that moment, Artemis, Frodo, Daisy, Lincoln, Bobbi, Lance, Piper, Davis, Fitz, Jemma, Shannon, Deke, Imogen, Jane, and Selvig developed a deep respect for Aragorn. They never realized what kind of a human man he was. Hunter started to feel a bit embarrassed now since he didn't trust him from the beginning and hoped he would give Aragorn an apology for his distrust of him.
Aragorn holds his hand up and responds to Legolas in elvish. "Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas.)
Boromir looked at Legolas with a disgusted look on his face as he watched the Woodland prince sit down at Aragorn's command. It seems that the Gondorian never wishes to pledge his sword and allegiance to Aragorn at all, for he only views him to be a ranger of the North instead of one being part of a royal bloodline.
"Gondor has no king," Boromir frowned and gives Aragorn a slight distrustful glare as he slowly walks back to his seat. "Gondor needs no king. The line of the kings had fallen long ago. The Stewards of Gondor will continue to rule throughout the rest of the Third Age, without a king." He then returns to his seat with a deep sigh.
Artemis, Frodo, Daisy, Lincoln, Bobbi, Lance, Piper, Davis, Fitz, Jemma, Shannon, Deke, Imogen, Jane, and Selvig began to trust Aragorn very well, but the person they started to distrust and dislike was Boromir, who spoke coldly towards the heir of Isildur, refusing to accept him as a king.
"I did not mean to keep these words hidden from any of you," Aragorn apologetically explained. "It was for the best that not reveal who I was and if I did, then others would know who I was or where I came from."
"You were only protecting your people, my lord," Director Johnson understood the answer to this. "There's nothing to be sorry about."
"Doom and great deeds are at hand," Aragorn sighed.
"Well, for my part, I forgive your doubt," Hunter smiled a bit and gave Aragorn a wink as a sign of good faith.
"Little do I resemble the figures of Elendil and Isildur as they stand carven in their majesty in the halls of Denethor," Aragorn recalled of a time that he use to visit Minas Tirith, something that Boromir was surprised to hear. "I am the heir of Isildur, but not Isildur himself. I have had a hard life and the leagues that lie between here and Gondor are a small part in the count of my journeys. I have crossed many mountains and many rivers, and trodden many plains, even into the far countries of Rhun and Harad where the stars are strange. But my home, such as I have, is in the North. For here the heirs of Valandil have ever dwelt in long line unbroken from father unto son for many generations. Our days have darkened, and we have dwindled, but ever the Sword has passed to a new keeper."
"But now the world is changing once again," Artemis said. "A new hour comes. Isildur's Bane is brought before this city. Battle is at hand."
Galdor of the Havens, who sat near by, responded immediately. "You speak for me also. The Wise may have good reason to believe that the halfling's trove is indeed the Great Ring of long debate, unlikely though that may seem to those who know less. But may we not hear the proofs? And I would ask this also. What of Saruman? He is learned in the lore of the Rings, yet he is not among us. What is his council if he knows the things that we have heard?"
"I'm afraid Saruman the Wise has betrayed the White Council," Gandalf answered Galdor's question. "He now yearns for one desire. He wants the ring for himself. He now has followers, very few wield the power of the Darkforce, something I haven't seen for thousands of years."
"He speaks the truth," Artemis said. "The shadow of Mordor lies on distant lands and Saruman has fallen under it." She gives Aragorn a smile. "Aragorn is right about the One Ring. We cannot use it against the Dark Lord."
"This is grievous news concerning Saruman," Elrond said. "For we trusted him and he is deep in all our councils. Ever since Thanos met his demise, it is perilous to study too deeply on the arts of the Enemy, for good or for ill. But such falls and betrayals, alas, have happened before. Of the tales that we have heard this day the tale of Frodo was most strange to me. I have known few hobbits, save Bilbo here, and it seems to me that he is perhaps not so alone and singular as I had thought him. The world has changed much since I last was on the westward roads."
"Say rather that the Ring has no power over him," Gandalf said. "He is his own master. But he cannot alter the Ring itself, nor break its power over others. And now he is withdrawn into a little land, within bounds that he has set, though none can see them, waiting perhaps for a change of days, and he will not step beyond them.'
"But within those bounds nothing seems to dismay him," Erestor said. "Would he not take the Ring and keep it there, for ever harmless?"
"No... not willingly," Artemis said. "He might do so, if all the free folk of the world begged him, but he would not understand the need. And if he were given the Ring, he would soon forget it, or most likely throw it away. Such things have no hold on his mind. He would be a most unsafe guardian and that alone is answer enough."
"But in any case," Glorfindel said. "To send the Ring to him would only postpone the day of evil. He is far away. We could not now take it back to him, unguessed, unmarked by any spy. And even if we could, soon or late the Lord of the Rings would learn of its hiding place and would bend all his power towards it. I think that in the end, if every universe is conquered, then the Long Night will come."
"Glorfindel is right," Galdor agreed. "Power to defy our Enemy is not in him, unless such power is in the earth itself. And yet we see that Sauron can torture and destroy the very hills. What power still remains lies with us, here in the city of Imladris, or with Cirdan at the Havens, or in Lorien. But have they the strength, have we here the strength to withstand the Enemy, the coming of Sauron at the last, when all else is overthrown?'
"I have not the strength," Artemis sighed. "But still carry the strength of a warrior."
"Then if the Ring cannot be kept from him for ever by strength, there are two things only remain for us to attempt: to send it over the Sea, or to destroy it," Jane said. "Does anyone have a suggestion on how we can destroy it here?"
"Lady Foster speaks wisely," Artemis remarked. "The Ring must be destroyed if its our one and only chance to defeat Sauron."
"Then what are we waiting for, let us do it now!" Gimli growled in excitement.
At that moment, Gimli, who was Glóin's son, stands up from his seat and takes out one of his axes, believing it would a piece of cake to shatter the ring to pieces. Artemis, Elrond, and Gandalf look worried as Gimli rushes forward and swings and brings his axe down on the One Ring. Just as the excited dwarf strikes the Ring as hard as he can, the axe suddenly shatters with a deafening crack. The shatter caused Gimli to be thrown backwards onto the floor and stares in disbelief at the One Ring, which remained intact on the pedestal with the shards of the axe around it.
"WOW!" FitzSimmons exclaimed in shock.
Concurrently, a shock vision of the eye of Sauron appeared to Frodo in his mind. Frodo holds his head, wincing in pain. Frodo slumps in his chair, clutching his forehead. Gandalf looks at Frodo in concern as the words of the One Ring are uttered from it.
Gimli's attempt to take a strike at the ring caused a major shockwave amongst everyone present. Daisy, Lincoln, Bobbi, Lance, Piper, Davis, Fitz, Jemma, Shannon, Deke, Imogen, Jane, and Selvig were completely shocked upon witnessing of what they saw.
"Bloody hell," Hunter gasped, widening his eyes in shock.
"I don't believe it, not even one scratch," Director Johnson stared at the ring in shock and disbelief.
"Whatever power holds within that ring, I don't think anything here can put an end to it," Selvig whispered to Jane.
"This is just..." Jane scoffed, staring at the ring in shock. "This can't be happening. How can such a tiny object like that cannot be shattered."
"Definitely not a butterfly," Imogen scoffed.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Glóin by any craft that we here possess," Elrond explained "And they who dwell beyond the Sea would not receive it: for good or ill it belongs to Middle-Earth. It is for us who still dwell here to deal with it."
"Then, let us cast it into the deeps, and so make the lies of Saruman come true," Glorfindel suggested. "For it is clear now that even at the Council his feet were already on a crooked path. He knew that the Ring was not lost forever, but wished us to think so, for he began to lust for it for himself. Yet in lies truth is hidden: in the Sea it would be safe."
"Not safe for ever," said Gandalf. "There are many things in the deep waters, for the seas and lands may change. And it is not our part here to take thought only for a season, or for a few lives of others, or for a passing age of the world. We should seek a final end of this menace, even if we do not hope to make one."
"And that we shall not find on the roads to the Sea," Legolas said. "If what Galdor says is true, the the return to Iarwain be thought too dangerous, then flight to the Sea is now fraught with gravest peril. My heart tells me that Sauron will expect us to take the western way, when he learns what has befallen. He soon will."
"Long yet will that march be delayed," Boromir sighs. "Gondor wanes, but every land still stands, and even the end of its strength is still very strong."
"And yet its vigilance can no longer keep back the Nine and the Four Horsemen," Galdor said.
"Then, there are but two courses, as Glorfindel already has declared: to hide the Ring forever or to unmake it," Erestor said. "But both are beyond our power. Who will read this riddle for us?"
"None here can do so," Elrond gravely said. "At least none can foretell what will come to pass, if we take this road or that. But it seems to me now clear which is the road that we must take. The westward road seems easiest. Therefore it must be shunned. It will be watched. Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. 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 firey chasm from whence it came."
"Still it might be well for all," Glóin spoke once more "If all these strengths were joined, and the powers of each were used in league. Other rings there may be, less treacherous, that might be used in our need. The Seven are lost to us. If Balin has not found the ring of Thror which was the last?"
"Balin will find no ring in Moria," Gandalf told him. "Thror gave it to Thrain his son, but not Thrain to Thorin. It was taken with torment from Thrain in the dungeons of Dol Guldur. I came too late."
"Then when will the day come of our revenge?" Glóin bellowed in anger. "But still there are the Three. What of the Three Rings of the Light Elves? Very mighty Rings, it is said. Do not the Elf-lords keep them? Yet they too were made by the Dark Lord long ago. Are they idle? I see Elf-lords here. Will they not say?"
"The Three were not made by Sauron, nor did he ever touch them," Elrond explained of what he knows. "But of them it is not permitted to speak. So much only in this hour of doubt I may now say. They are not idle. But they were not made as weapons of war or conquest: that is not their power. Those who made them did not desire strength or domination or hoarded wealth, but understanding, making, and healing, to preserve all things unstained. These things the Elves of Middle-earth have in some measure gained, though with sorrow. But all that has been wrought by those who wield the Three will turn to their undoing, and their minds and hearts will become revealed to Sauron, if he regains the One. It would be better if the Three had never been. That is his purpose."
"But what would happen then if the Ruling Ring was destroyed?" Bobbi asked.
"We know not for certain," Elrond sadly answered her question. "Some hope that the Three Rings, which Sauron has never touched, would then become free, and their rulers might heal the hurts of the world that he has wrought. But maybe when the One Ring has gone, the Three will fail, and many fair things will fade and be forgotten. That is my belief."
"Yet all the Elves are willing to endure this chance," Glorfindel said. "If by it the power of Sauron may be broken, and the fear of his dominion be taken away for ever."
"Can we return once more to the destroying of the Ring," Hunter said, returning the subject. "I mean, what can we do to find Mount Doom and destroy it?"
"At least for a while," Elrond answered. "The road must be trod, but it will be very hard. And neither strength nor wisdom will carry us far upon it. This quest may be attempted by the weak with as much hope as the strong. Yet such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."
"Very well, very well, Master Elrond!" Bilbo suddenly said. "Say no more! It is plain enough what you are pointing at. Bilbo the silly hobbit started this affair, and Bilbo had better finish it, or himself. I was very comfortable here, and getting on with my book. If you want to know, I am just writing an ending for it. I had thought of putting: and he lived happily ever afterwards to the end of his days. It is a good ending, and none the worse for having been used before. Now I shall have to alter that: it does not look like coming true; and anyway there will evidently have to be several more chapters, if I live to write them. It is a frightful nuisance. When ought I to start?"
"My dear Bilbo, if you had really started this affair, you might be expected to finish it," Gandalf spoke to him. "But you know well enough now that starting is too great a claim for any, and that only a small part is played in great deeds by any hero. You need not bow! Though the word was meant, and we do not doubt that under jest you are making a valiant offer. But one beyond your strength, Bilbo. You cannot take this thing back. It has passed on. If you need my advice any longer, I should say that your part is ended, unless as a recorder. Finish your book, and leave the ending unaltered! There is still hope for it. But get ready to write a sequel, when they come back."
"I have never known you give me pleasant advice before," Bilbo laughed a bit. "As all your unpleasant advice has been good, I wonder if this advice is not bad. Still, I don't suppose I have the strength or luck left to deal with the Ring. It has grown, and I have not. But tell me, what did you mean by they?"
"The messengers who are sent with the Ring," Gandalf answered.
"Oh, and who do you think they would be?" Deke asked, starting to gain his chance to speak. "That seems to me what everyone here has to decide."
No one answered and the whole council chamber fell into utter silence just as the noon-bell rang. Still no one spoke. All the Council sat with downcast eyes, as if in deep thought.
"Is he serious?" Agent Simmons whispered to Fitz. "Go to where the Dark Lord lives himself?"
"What I think he might as well be asking for someone to commit this ridiculous task," Agent Fitz whispered to her. "I'm not going to take it."
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Boromir hopelessly responded and talked more about Mordor. "We already know about Mordor and what it is, and what it does. 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. Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this."
"You know, Snow and I take that guy's point, its crazy," Deke agreed to Boromir's words and waved his hands. "Count me out on this one."
"If what he says is true, then it'd be impossible for anyone of us to sneak this evil ring into Mordor," Director Johnson agreed too with the Gondorian. "If that were me, my guts tell me that the Dark Lord will wait for any of us and set up a trap. It'd all be over and the whole universe would be at stake."
Legolas jumps to his feet and exclaims, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?! The Ring must be destroyed."
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Gimli angrily shouted at the elf with a glare on his face.
"And if we fail what then?" Lincoln began to argue. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his? You saw what it can do. Nothing here can destroy it!"
"Nothing here, but I will be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an elf!" Gimli bellowed in utter fury.
The elves stand up to back Legolas, but the dwarves began to bellow against them. From than on, chaos erupted. Everybody rose to their feet and started to argue like a storm. Boromir and Legolas went into a heating argument. Bilbo argued as well since he was part of this council.
Jane, for instance, didn't argue at all. She saw how wrong this was. If no one could unite, then they all might as well be wiped out from the Dark Lord's armies.
"Okay, this is pointless!" Director Johnson loudly argued.
"We have to come for a solution here!" Lincoln shouted.
"Never trust an elf!" Gimli shouted at Legolas.
Gandalf shakes his head and rises from his seat to join the arguments, thus arguing and yelling. "Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it! You'll all be destroyed!"
Throughout the arguing, Frodo glanced at all the faces until his eyes move to the One Ring, in which he could see the angry figures of the council reflected on its surface. The intensity of the arguments increase, and Frodo understands what he must do. He rises and takes a step toward the arguing council, trying to make his voice heard above theirs.
"I will take it!" Frodo spoke strongly clear, but since no one heard him and the argument continues, he raised his voice even louder for everyone to hear. "I will take it!"
Everyone stops arguing when they finally heard him and everything was silent once more, and all turn towards Frodo in awe nd confusion. Gandalf was the first to hear the young hobbit's statement and closes is eyes in sorrow and defeat.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor!" Frodo loudly declared and looks around the room at the astonished faces. He then lowers his voice. "Though I do not know the way."
"Are you mad already?" Hunter scoffed in utter confusion as to why Frodo was doing this.
"If you don't know the way then you shouldn't be doing this at all," Bobbi argued against this. "You should go home, back to the comfort of the Shire which is where you are from."
"She's right you now," Deke agreed. "Too dangerous for the likes of someone so small."
"Its too risky for you or any of us here," Agent Simmons agreed too. "Someone else here has to be worthy enough to take this evil ring back to where it came from."
"Jemma makes a good point," Hunter said as the third person to agree to this. "No bloody way your going to do that."
"Gandalf, tell me in your eyes that the young halfling is serious in going throughout all this trouble and is willing to throw something away he admires in his life?" Artemis asked, disagreeing to this as well.
Elrond raised his eyes and looked at Frodo for a moment and says. "If I understand a right all that I have heard, then I think that this task was appointed to Frodo Baggins and that if no one finds a way, no one will."
"I shouldn't convince him to do it," Bilbo sighed in sorrow. "But this is the hour of the Shire-folk, when they arise from their quiet fields to shake the towers and counsels of the Great. Who of all the Wise could have foreseen it? Or, if they are wise, why should they expect to know it, until the hour has struck?"
"It is a heavy burden," Gandalf started to agree well. "So heavy that none could lay it on another. I do not lay it on you. But if Frodo takes it freely, I will say that his choice is right."
"Does that mean you'll help Gandalf?" Frodo asked.
Gandalf walks up to him, nodding his head with his smile and laid his hand on Frodo's shoulder. "Of course, my dear Frodo, I will help you bare this burden as long as it is yours to bare."
Gandalf was the first person in the council to join in Frodo's quest to take the One Ring into Mordor and destroy it for good. However, some of the attendees were a bit concerned of this and didn't appreciate the idea in allowing a young hobbit to take something so evil that could easily corrupt the Ring-bearer.
"Is there no one else who wishes to volunteer for this dangerous expedition?" Elrond asked if anyone was brave enough to be part of this.
Lincoln walks over to the Lord of Rivendell and says, "He would go alone, but I think its pointless to think that someone with an absolute purpose can change the tide. No one is thinking of taking it, but he, well he is short, but what I see in him is courage. This is something we all need if we are to survive this. My mentor and I helped our companions get themselves safe to this place. I think its for the best that no one here should argue. We have to destroy it. If we don't, then that means we're screwed, so that's why I pledge to volunteer." He turns to face Frodo. "Will you have me?"
"I will," Frodo nodded.
"If Lincoln is going, then I'll go on this crazy expedition," Director Johnson sighed. "Hopefully if help does in fact arrive in time, but... I am the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., but I wasn't ready to become one."
"Wait, hold on!" Deke exclaimed, rising from his seat. "Your going too! You said you disagreed! Am I the only one here you thinks that!"
"Place is not good for butterflies," Imogen shook her head in dismay.
"You said it," Deke nodded in agreement, but his voice was in a bit of a panic.
"Power maybe different here, but what Sauron doesn't know is, I carry the power of Quake," Director Johnson smirked. "Does that trouble you?"
"You know what, I think you make a good point in all," Deke nodded since he did recall that Daisy is an Inhuman who can still use powers against unworthy foes. He then lets out a sigh and exhales. "Fine, Snowbunny and I will go."
"I thought you said, 'count me out on this'," Bobbi reminded what Deke had said minutes ago.
"Yeah, yeah, I did, but I changed my mind, but I swear to you anything happens, I will not forgive myself for this," Deke admitted. "Besides, I still gave 5% of my company's work for this crazy experience and I hope it doesn't go down hill."
"Wherever he goes, I go," Imogen said.
"Hunter and I will go too," Bobbi offered to join the group as well. "We've had plenty of adventures on this world, except the last one which sucked, but still, we still fulfill this." She gives Hunter a serious look on her face. "Right?"
"Oh bloody hell," Hunter whispered in a sigh and spoke up. "Fine. But know this, you asked for it. Hope this new adventure doesn't become a wild goose chase."
"If Daisy is going, then Fitz and I will come too," Agent Simmons said.
"Wait, you serious?" Agent Fitz gasped.
"We maybe stranded Fitz, but hopefully, help will come," Agent Simmons smiled, giving her husband courage. "Besides, the signal is still hot, so hopefully will have a chance to go home once this is over and then will go on our special honeymoon trip to Rome."
"Sorry to ask, but is this Rome you speak of?" Boromir wondered in confusion. "Is it a city?"
"Yes, yes it is," Agent Fitz answered by nodding his head. "Its pretty ancient."
"Well Fitz, since there are a lot of places that are ancient here, I really like to explore them and put them in our journal," Agent Simmons giggled in excitement. "It might be scientific."
"You know, I like it when you think," Agent Fitz remarked on Jemma's attitude of excitement.
"FitzSimmons are going, so I guess Agent Davis and I will hit the road too," Agent Baines offered her assistance with Agent Davis.
"Yep, count me in," Agent Davis nodded.
"I will go too," Selvig said. "You may need the best people for medical need if possible."
"Same," Jane agreed too. "I don't want to do this, but... its for the best I do. I'm not a great fighter, but I've saved the world a couple of times with Thor, so, its pretty much shocking that this young woman is willing to take this crazy, freaking risk."
"I'll go too," Shannon volunteered also. "If she needs my help, then count me in, I'll teach you on how to defend yourself if we walk into trouble. Don't say I didn't warn you, Doctor Foster."
So far, Gandalf, Lincoln, Daisy, Deke, Imogen, Fitz, Simmons, Hunter, Bobbi, Davis, Piper, Selvig, Jane, and Shannon were among those that agreed to accompany Frodo on his dangerous, suicidal quest to take the One Ring into Mordor.
"So far that makes fourteen that wish to accompany the Ring-bearer," Elrond counted.
Aragorn, who has so far not joined in the arguments, rises from his seat and takes a step forward. "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will." He then kneels before Frodo. "You have my sword."
Legolas walks over and stands beside Frodo. "And you have my bow."
"And my axe!" Gimli said.
Gimli and Legolas exchange dark looks amongst each other, and Jane could tell that both races have had a difficult time in the past. That was when she notices Boromir slowly approaching the group as well.
"You carry the fates of us all little one," Boromir slightly remarked at the hobbit, and looks towards Artemis, Lord Elrond and Gandalf. "If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
Frodo stares in wonder as the greatest fighters in all Middle earth, including the offworlders, stand at his side to join him in his dangerous quest.
Unknown to everyone, Samwise Gamgee, who had been listening to everything, had just peered through the bushes.
"Hey!" Samwise shouted as he runs to stand beside his best friend. "Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"
"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not," Elrond smirked in amusement.
Samwise Gamgee wasn't the only that was spying. Darcy, Boothby, Pippin, and Merry had also been listening to all this from behind some pillars. The four quickly emerge from behind the pillars and run down to join the group as well. As they run and join the others in the middle of the council's circle, Elrond looks astounded by this.
"Hey wait!" Darcy called out. "Stop!"
"We are coming too!" Boothby shouted.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us," Meriadoc said in excitement as he looked at Lord Elrond with sign of courage.
"Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest… thing," Pippin awkwardly added and felt a bit embarrassed.
"Well that rules you out then," Hunter muttered with a sigh.
"Twenty-two companions," Elrond thoughtfully mused as he surveys the entire group and then announces. "So be it! You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"
"Great!" Pippin sounded excited by this and then asked a hastily question. "Where are we going?"