Chapter two of this really unexpected journey, I hope you enjoy the little surprises here and there :D

Alex


When the night came I was back in my room crying. After having a few hours for myself I had reflected on my life and came into the realization that I was never going to see mom and dad again, or Maggie, or my dog. I had lost my life, I was probably dead, and I was never going to hear my mom's sweet voice calling my name, or watch another baseball game with my dad or have another Harry Potter marathon with Maggie, or have a walk around the beach with Sherlock, my dog.

I stayed there crying until I heard a knock on my door, walked towards the mirror and splashed my face with water, drying it with a soft towel, I walked to the door to find Lindir there waiting for me, I smiled at him.

"Are you going to join us for dinner?" he asked, and thinking about it, I was hungry, crying took a lot of me, and so I nodded and walked with him to the dining room.

The hobbits were already eating, as was Aragorn and a few other elves, I sat in a table next to Lindir, who filled my plate with several things, which I was thankful for, because I honesty felt a bit shy around all these elves. Most of them were staring at me, no doubt Elrond had told them who I was, also I found Goldilocks staring with a pensive expression at me, it felt weird to be here.

Next morning I walked around the stables, which had been pointed to me by a very polite elf, which I think was one of the remaining Noldor, because he looked at me as if I was some sort of ghost and even bowed. But I found the stables so I had that going on for me. Rivendell had many horses but none of them compared to Asfaloth, said horse was a beautiful white stallion even more magnificent that the one they had used in the movie. I patted his muzzle softly and he seemed to like it, I smiled as I kept petting him.

"He likes the attention," said a voice behind my back, I turned to find myself staring at Goldilocks, I eyed him carefully because our first meeting had not been smooth.

"He's the most beautiful horse I've ever seen," I murmured and Goldilocks smiled, he looked devastatingly handsome when he smiled and in that moment I realized why Peter Jackson hadn't cast anyone for Glorfindel, the elf was simply too inhumanly good looking to be played by a mortal man.

"That he is," he agreed, then we were both silent, he looked like he wanted to say something "I would like to apologize for our first meeting" he said, I smiled at him.

"I was way out of line too" I admitted, he extended his hand at me.

"Glorfindel of Gondolin, former head of the house of the golden flower, warrior and Elrond's advisor" he presented himself, I laughed as I took his much bigger hand in mine.

"You forgot Balrog Slayer Extraordinaire, but I suppose your name is too much of a handful as it is" I joked, he rolled his eyes at my joke but smiled "Alexandra Noir, daughter of the last High King of The Noldor, Gil-Galad"

"You forgot Princess of the Noldor, but I suppose you are too modest" he mocked me, I rolled my eyes at him and his smile only got wider.

"I'm pretty sure the Noldor are very happy where they are and do not wish to be ruled by me" I said releasing his hand.

"Perhaps, but you should know that your father was well loved by them, and a fair king, perhaps you do not wish to rule them, but you have to know that they will treat you as their princess" he explained, I sighed.

"Then I hope I can live to their expectations" I conceded, Glorfindel smiled at me.

"I'm sure you will," he said.

"Lord Glorfindel, there you are, oh, Lady Alexandra, you too!" exclaimed Lindir "Lord Elrond requests the presence of you both for the fate of the one ring is to be decided, come along" he hurried us, Glorfindel and I trailed behind him like little kids, despite Glorfindel being much taller than Lindir, honestly, I felt like a hobbit standing next to that elf, my face reached only his chest.

We arrived to where the council was going to be held, and apparently we were the first to arrive, Lindir then handed me a silvery cloak to drape over my dress, he handed a blue one to Glorfindel too, we both took our seats and awaited for the others to arrive. Aragorn was the first to arrive; he directed a smile towards my direction, which I gladly returned. Elrond then arrived followed by Gandalf and Frodo, the hobbit looked a bit troubled and I couldn't help but to feel bad for him.

The dwarves then made their entrance, followed by the men, led by Boromir. And at last the Mirkwood elves arrived wearing green and brown cloaks followed by Elrond's court. Sitting there in Elrond's council felt so surreal, I observed the different reactions from the attenders as Elrond spoke, my gaze falling on Boromir when Frodo placed the ring on the makeshift table, I could tell the very exact moment when the ring began poisoning his mind thus sealing his fate. Then I heard it, soft velvety murmurs surrounded my head with promises I was one hundred percent sure it could not grant me.

Putting it in perspective the ring was like a corrupt politician filling the mind of the weak with empty promises of a better world, unfortunately for the ring, I was an A class politician with a no-nonsense personality that had once reached my former position with hard work and cunningness, so no matter if the ring promised me to see my family again, I knew it couldn't, and I so happened to hate that type of politicians, so I could safely say that in that regard the ring held no power over me.

But deep down inside myself I knew that if the ring somehow reached my hand it was not going to be a pretty scene, I was much like Galadriel in that regard. And I knew that if the ring took a hold of me, I was going to end up ruling middle earth as a ruthless and terrible queen. So I decided in that moment to keep m distance. After all even though I knew where I stood, morally, I also knew that I was only human or elf, and that I had many faults that the darkness of the ring could eventually feed.

Apparently my personal monologue distracted me enough from the council because everyone was now standing and having side discussions about the ring's fate. I stood silently and looked at Frodo who had also stood.

"I will do it, I will take the ring to Mordor" he said toughly after a few failed attempts, everyone was left in silence "Though I do not know the way" I could tell that he was not completely sure of what he has done, Gandalf walked up to him offering his help, as did Aragorn.

"You have my bow" said Legolas, Gimli looked at the elf and took a step forward.

"And my axe" he chanted, I also took a step forward and kneeled in front of Frodo.

"My father perished in battle so we could be free of the threat that the dark lord is, it is now my duty to him and to you little one, to help you in the perilous journey that awaits you" I said to him and then stood regally daring any of them to contradict me. My gaze found Glorfindel's and he looked exasperated; I nodded discretely at him and took stance next to Legolas.

Then Boromir declared that Gondor was going to see it done, the destruction of the ring and the hobbits came out of their hiding places telling us that Frodo was going nowhere without them, I couldn't help but to smile at their antics, Elrond's gaze found mine and he nodded at me.

"Ten companions" he declared, "You shall be called the Fellowship of The Ring" we all stood there looking at Elrond and I had the vague feeling that we were somehow missing a photographer or something.

After a few minutes everyone started dispersing, we were to part in two days, which meant that I still had tomorrow to search for a weapon or something, Aragorn stood next to me as everyone started leaving, I followed him around the corridors of Rivendell.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked once we were out of earshot, I looked at him.

"Sometimes Aragorn, we have to choose between what is right and what is easy" I said to him quoting Dumbledore, because even if I thought that Dumbledore was a crackpot he was a wise old man with really good phrases, Aragorn seemed to reflect on my words.

"I guess you are right" he conceded, I smiled at him and we continued walking, we parted ways when we reached the dinning hall as Aragorn went to sit with Legolas and I took my seat next to Lindir.

"Mae Govannen Lindir" I greeted as I sat, Lindir smiled at me.

"My lady, so happy that you could join Erestor and me tonight, it is very brave thing what you did offering your help to the young hobbit" he commented as we filled our plates, I smiled bashfully.

"I haven't done anything yet Lindir, and please call me Alex, you too Erestor" I told them as we ate, our conversation then turned to different topics.

Erestor seemed to be picking my brain, luckily for me I was well versed in the Tolkien Verse, having read all the published stories, the night was very pleasant and once dinner was over, Erestor and Lindir walked me to my room, where Glorfindel was waiting for me with a frown marring his features.

"I am pretty sure that getting into someone's room without previous authorization is frowned upon in some cultures" I sassed him as I walked around in my room; he raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well, I'm pretty sure that a female volunteering to some dangerous expedition is also frowned upon in some cultures too" he sneered back; I sat on one of the chairs of my room and leveled him with a glare.

"Well I did not ask for your opinion on the matter, besides you are neither my father nor my keeper to tell me where I can or can't go" I rebuffed him, he was sitting on the chair in front of me.

"Must you really be so obstinate, I'm trying to protect you here" he growled, I raised an eyebrow.

"And I honestly feel flattered by it, but I do not need your protection, I am a grown elleth, I know my limits Lord Glorfindel" I said pointedly, he glared at me.

"Be it that way then Lady Alexandra," he snarled, he stood up stiffly.

"What's with your attitude anyways?" I asked standing after him, he turned and I almost collided with him.

"My attitude? What with yours, Tell me Alexandra, do you know how to wield a sword? Are you prepared to kill someone? To have your life on the line at every possible moment? To the fellowship you will be nothing more than a burden, I'm trying to keep you safe" he snapped, and honestly the things that came out of his mouth at that very moment hit home. The slap resounded in my room and he was as surprised as I was.

"Don't you dare say that I will be a burden, you know nothing of me to create your little conclusions in that daft head of yours" I argued back, he was still staring furiously at me.

"You know what, go with your fellowship, die in a glorious battle, see if I care" he shouted at me, I felt tears beginning to pool in my eyes.

"I will" I deadpanned; he took one more look at me and stormed out of my room slamming the door on his way out.

That night I cried myself to sleep wondering why that bastard's words meant that much to me. When morning dawned I prepared myself and decided to go and have breakfast, because there was no way that I was going to let him see how much last night's conversation had affected me. I dressed in a comfortable green dress and decided to forego the leggings as I had decided to wash them and save a few other pairs for the trip that awaited me.

On my way to breakfast I found Aragorn and Legolas, Aragorn being the gentleman that he was presented us and Legolas seemed interested enough to meet the Princess of the Noldor. We had a pleasant breakfast filled with small talk; I asked Legolas several questions about the woodland elves that he seemed very happy to answer. Lindir then came searching for me because Elrond wanted to see me.

"Lady Alexandra, I hope you have been enjoying your stay here" he started as I entered his office; I smiled politely.

"Of course Lord Elrond, Imladris is simply the most wonderful place I've ever seen" I admitted, Elrond seemed pleased, he motioned for me to seat.

"It has come to my attention that you do not have a weapon for the journey that you will embark on" he said, his voice serious, I nodded.

"I was thinking about visiting the swordsmiths today to see if I could find a blade for me" I explained to him, he nodded.

"Good idea, but perhaps you'd like to accept a gift, I would like to gift you with your father's sword aeglos, but I trust that you know its story, but several years ago I received another sword that had gone into a journey and was returned to me for safekeeping, I think that the sword is perhaps up for another adventure" he stood and walked to a wardrobe, there he pulled out a magnificent sword that I recognized "This is Orcrist, made by the elves of the first age and wielded by-"

"Ecthelion of the fountain" I finished admiring the sword that Elrond had placed in my hands, Elrond did not looked surprised that I knew that little fact.

"And in the later years it was wielded by Thorin Oakenshield a descendant of the line of Durin" Elrond explained, I nodded.

"Was he not the one who led the dwarves to reclaim Erebor?" I asked, Elrond nodded.

"His own greed was his very own downfall, but I have to admit that he was one mighty warrior" Elrond's voice was soft but at the same time filled with respect for the dwarf.

"I will be honored to carry such precious sword, Lord Elrond" he turned to look at me and smiled.

"Then, may the blessings of the Valar be with you" I stood and bowed to him, he bowed back and as I was leaving his office he called my name "Remember that words often said in fiery discussions do not carry the weight of words said within a clear state of mind" I nodded and left his office, now I needed to find Aragorn.

And I did found him; he was in the archery range with Legolas, seeing as the latter fired flawlessly his arrows, I greeted both of them and showed them my new sword, Legolas recognized the sword too and I explained how Elrond believed that the sword was up to another adventure. I then asked them both to teach me how to use it. And so the next few hours of my day were spent mostly on the floor eating dust while Aragorn and Legolas laughed, because even though I was now an elf and my coordination skills were better than when I was human, I was not magically turned into a master swordfighter.


Question time:

First. Did you see that one coming? Did you?

Second. Thoughts on the characters?

Third. Honestly, you thought she was going to end up with Legolas didn't you?