Chapter 9: Rivendell

~Enchantment~

It hurts so bad. I feel like my chest is bursting. Then I feel it. . . a strange feeling in my core. I bounce off my bed after sitting there for an hour, just thinking, and rush to the bathroom. In less than a second, I'm over the toilet throwing up. My body's trying to come up with a way to get all of the heartbreak out of my system. But it won't. It's pointless.

Once I'm done vomiting, I brush my teeth and throw the flower he put on me on the floor. I glide out the bathroom and open my songbook on my wooden desk. Singing always helped. All I would do is transcribe the words onto the page. I dip the pen's tip into the ink pool and begin to write:

You said you loved me

And I wasn't thinking clearly

When I said I love you too

You too

Now I'm sorry

I broke your heart

I was the worst part

In your whole life

Don't worry,

I'm leaving. . .

I hear a knock on my door and quickly shut my notebook. Just my luck. . . I fix my composure and ask loudly, "Who is it?"

"It's Jakara." he says. I slowly walk over to the door, aware of my previous state. I just hope he doesn't notice I was close to a break down.

I take a deep breath and let it out. I open the door and hug Jakara.

"Hey, Jakara."

"Hey." he says simply as he walks over to my bed and plops himself down.

"Something on your mind?" I ask him as I sit beside him. He sighs for dramatic effect, making me laugh in the process. "What could a 689-year-old possibly be in distress for?" I ask. He's 689, so that would make him seven in Men years.

"My powers don't wanna work like yours or Aponsay's or Juel's. I guess it really doesn't wanna work at all."

I gasp, taking my shot at dramatic effect, "Jakara Tavaho Mermayli! Did you just say wanna, and two times at that? Mother and Father won't like that," I laugh.

He does a casual mockery laugh and continues, "I'm serious."

"Okay then. Well, I think that maybe it's because you're not of age. We don't all get our powers at birth or even a couple of years from it. Except me, I got natural beauty right from the start." I tell him, striking a pose at the end. He laughs and bumps my arm.

I go on, "Don't worry little brother, you'll get your powers. For now, just enjoy being a young child because all these years will go by fast. Definitely for immortal beings."

He smiles and says, "Okay. Thank you. You're the best sister in all of middle-earth."

"Oh, I know." We burst out in laughter and giggles. He's such a sweet little brother. I don't think I'm ever going to have a disfavor towards our conversations.

He happily jumps off my bed and makes his way to the door to leave. Remembering something, he turns around and tells me, "I almost forgot. Mother says she needs to speak with you and that it's urgent. Something about you going to Rivendell. I dunno. Bye."

I feel my body tighten and my eyebrows furrow a little. Rivendell? Why?

~/\\~

I burst through the doors of Mother and Father's room. While Father looks shocked at my entrance, Mother looks like she wasn't expecting anything less.

"What is the matter of this 'Rivendell' talk?" I say, half shouting.

"Siéntate." (Sit down.) Father tells me.

"Not until I know what is going on!" I say louder than expected.

"Sit down!" Mother jumps in, making me jump a little. I walk over to a large chair and sit down. I'm tired of them sending me off without my consent. I used to want to travel a lot, but now I wouldn't dream of it. I definitely don't want to travel with any guards. I can't believe I got my heart broken by a guard, and he didn't even do anything wrong! He did everything right. I was the root of the problem.

"There is word that the One Ring will be arriving in Rivendell. And you and some others are needed to destroy it." Father says as he pours him a cup of water. Mother sits down in a chair right across from me.

"You sure you don't want me to steal it?" I retort sarcastically. I'm done with jewels. Whether I'm destroying it or stealing it, I don't want it in my life.

"We are sure, Enchantment." Mother says. As if a light went off in her brain, she says, "Oh! That guard, Riharu, asked how you were."

"Really? It's only been an hour since I trained with him." I say, mainly to myself. Why can't he just leave me alone? Does he not understand how something should go once his heart is broken by a loved one? He needs to find someone else that's not me. I can't do this. I wasn't made to fall in love, to be in love.

"A new friend?" she asks.

I clear my throat, "No. He. . . hit me in my stomach and my stomach didn't take it all too well. That's why I cut the training short."

"We're not stupid, my dear daughter. We were passed word of how well the training went. . . Well, for you. You won and so did your stomach. It would be in your best interest not to lie to us. Is there something going on between you and that young fellow?" Father speaks, his attention finally on me.

"Apuru, we have greater matters right now. That includes Rivendell." Mother tells Father. He nods and she faces me again, "Destroying the One Ring will be a deadly mission. There will be much traveling, and, I'm afraid, many battles. But we would not send you to Rivendell to help if we did not trust that you could do it. You are the Chosen One. . . It is time you start to act like it. Be the Savior that we know you can be." She says every little word with emotion that I'm intent on listening, even if I don't wish to go.

"I may be the Chosen One but do you not realize you are sending me to my death!?" I complain.

"Enough!" Father chimes in with his authoritative tone. I just look at him. I know that most times they want to get rid of me, but. . . I never thought they wanted to do it by killing me. They're sending me on a death mission! My death mission! They will kill me if they let me go. I've never fought in battles before. I will be annihilated.

Mother snaps her fingers and says, "Stay with me here. You need to calm down."

I take two big deep breaths. Mother goes on to say, "You must do this! If that One Ring lives on, all of middle-earth will be destroyed. All of your brothers. . . dead. Do not let evil avail, Enchantment!"

I stand up. It just hit me when she said how my brothers could die. If I can help, she's right, I must. I won't let evil rise above middle-earth and lead it. I've trained before so there must be something I'm worth for on the battlefield. I tell them, choking on my words, "I will go. I wish to leave unseen. I cannot bare the hurt my brothers will have when they hear how I might not come back at all."

My mother cries and gets up to hug me. Father places his hand on my shoulder. "You are doing the right thing. And you will come back, even if I have to ride across the lands to get you." Father says while I embrace Mother. I laugh. It was a sad laugh, but a laugh nevertheless.

I break out of the hug and tell them, "Please tell my brothers I love them." They both nod slightly.

"Take the jewel with you. It can do more things than you know." Mother tells me.

"I do not wish to take it." I frown and tell her.

She hands me the jewel. Her eyes match the redness of the jewel. "Please. It will help you find where your true strength is. Please. . ." she quietly says.

I see the sadness on both of their faces and now I feel inclined to take it. I grab the locket and hold it to my heart, "I will be ready shortly. Just know that I love all of you and. . . everyone in Lunaleve. Goodbye."

They may not always be nice to me, but I know that they love me. I walk out of the room, not looking back.

~/\\~

I walk out the doors of the castle with my items, but not my bearings. With my feet, but not my mind. I won't be traveling alone. I'll be traveling with guards, but no Riharu. It's for the best. I don't want to worry him. I know I'll do just that if I tell him how I may be leaving this world. Leaving to the other side. I don't even want to think about it.

I said goodbye to my parents again and to Lillian. Also, some mistresses and butlers, servants also. Almost everyone except my brothers. . . Mother and Father will do that for me, since I am too weak and upset to do it myself. Since I know how they'll try to keep me from going. Tell me it's "not right," "You'll die.". Or maybe. . . one of them would try to come with me.

No.

I would never let that happen. I don't need anyone to die with me. Because of me.

I'm taking the back way out of the kingdom, that way, I'll be unnoticed. Unnoticed by my brothers and Riharu. I'll be able to leave in peace and defeat.

We are making our way out of Lunaleve. Just two guards and I. We're almost through the border of our lands when I see Riharu. I can't shrink myself on Lietha anymore than I want to.

He sees me and asks through our mind connection, "Where are you going?"

"Away."

His eyes look drooped and tired, but his heart is only filled with concern. I look away from him and continue on our path.

I dare not looking back for the fear that I might jump off my horse and hug Riharu. To hug him and be comforted and reassured. Right now, it's all I want. But I mustn't.

I'm a fighter. Even if I wasn't before, I have to be now. I have to keep middle-earth in the light.

~/\\~

We've made it past the Misty Mountains. We are almost there. Almost to Rivendell. I've dreaded coming here but I'm ready to rest somewhere. Anywhere. Anywhere that isn't the forest full of insects. I love nature but not bugs.

I push my now reformed silver curls out of my face. I took a bath in a pond a ways back and my hair got wet, and when it gets wet, it curls right back up once it's dried. I push my hair back with my hand, getting frustrated at the nuisance they're causing. After I'm done, I notice a large structure.

As we ride closer to it, I can see all of it's beauty now. How the birds fly high. How the waterfall next to the fortress compliments it so well. The steady fall of orange and brown leaves, making any stone floor unnoticeable. Elves. Always going big with anything and everything. How come Witches can't have beautiful hidden places? Because the mountains and trees hide the large castle from sight.

We make it to Rivendell. I can already see Elven people walking about their mountain home. The Misty Mountains is way too beautiful to be honed by just one . . . tribe. We make it to the large castle, home to many graceful high Elves inside. A guard asks me what's my business here, but I let my guards handle the situation.

The guard tells us we're in the clear and I get one last look at the colorful trees that surround me. . . I won't be able to enjoy the pleasantness of nature once I set out for battle.

~/\\~

"You must be the witch. I've heard so much about you." an old wizard says as I walk into the elegant dining room. The wizard has a staff and a grayish-white beard. Blue eyes. Old, tired face.

"I'm Enchantment . . . I'd tell you my full name, but it is very long." I say to him. At least I had the courtesy to tell him my name. My eyes leave the wizard and travel over to an Elf. I'm assuming that this is the king of this wondrous place.

"I'm Gandalf the Grey. That Elf," he looks over to the Elf I was studying, "is Lord Elrond."

"Nice to meet you both. Very nice village you have here. Beautiful white and brown building colors. . . I was sent here to deal with a ring." I tell them.

"Sauron's ring. . ." Lord Elrond trails off.

"Sauron? I'm sorry. . . I don't believe I know who that is." I tell him, confused with everything that's going on.

"Gandalf, we should fill her in before the others are to make it." Elrond says to Gandalf.

"What do you mean 'fill me in'? What more is there to say?" I ask them.

"You must know the history of it all. You must know what you are up against." Elrond replies back.

Sounds like I'm up against a ring. What more is there to it? It's just a ring. I can probably crush it with my magic.

"Come. Follow us." Gandalf says. I do as they demand.

~/\\~

My guards are well on their way back home now. I run my hands through my curls while I sit on the guest bed, awaiting the council meeting to start. Okay so: The One Ring can drive Men to be psychopathic and no one is safe when it's in the hands of anyone. It can't be easily destroyed. . . They said something about lava. What else? Someone with very high. . . no, maximum. . . tolerance must carry it to. . . wherever it is that we are going. There's something called Death Eaters or Death Dealers—SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES¬¬—hunting the ring down. That means it could be after me if I am the one to carry the OH! MIGHTY ONE-FREAKING-RING to destruction. I remember specifically that they said that there will be many Orcs in my life. Orcs are not friendly. They're monsters! And they might kill me! They will kill me.

I . . . am . . . royally . . . screwed.

No! No. You are going to think positive thoughts, Enchantment! Because you are strong and. . . completely positive. You're going to destroy the One Ring. You're not going to let any creatures kill you in the process. And you are going home in one piece.

The door opens and an Elf pops his head through, "My lady, the council meeting is starting." I grab the locket and get up off of the bed. The nice Elf points me to where the meeting is being held.

~/\\~

I take my time walking to the meeting. I try to let the flowers soothe me as I breathe in their oxygen. I need to be soothed right now because I have no idea what I'm preparing for.

I finally make it to the place where the meeting is being held and it's outside, thank the Valar. I love nature when it isn't kicking me in my bottom. There's a circle of chairs and many people fill them. Dwarves, Men, Elves . . . Legolas!

Before his eyes can travel to me, I duck behind a bushy, short tree. I quickly shove the locket into my clothes so that all appears is the silver chain.

Never in a million millennials did I think I'd see him again! I thought he was gone forever. If he sees me, he might start questioning me. Like why was my absence and the stealing of the locket so connected.

I try to read his thoughts but it's like a blank page. What is it about this Elf that has me. . . Captivated? Curious for more?

I take a very deep breath and walk from behind the tree to join in on the meeting. Almost immediately, Legolas's eyes fall on me. In fact, a lot of eyes fall on me. I quietly walk to the last seat on the row of chairs, a seat beside a Hobbit who's name I know not.

"Is that a Witch?" I both hear and see a dwarf ask his friend. His friend just shrugs at the question.

I should've never come here. I can feel anxiety clawing at my insides. I can't handle all these eyes that fall upon me. I can't handle even the smallest of a battle. I may just die.

"Perhaps before Lord Elrond speaks, you should speak, Lady Enchantment. For you are the very unexpected guest." Gandalf the Grey from earlier says. I give a small nod.

I stand up out of my seat and walk to the center of everyone. I face them and bite my lip in complete nervousness. I didn't know I should've prepared a speech. I glance at Legolas, who looks troubled, yet eager to see me.

"Okay, well, I'm the only female here. . . I think," I start.

"Ai, what's that supposed to mean!" a dwarf shares his concern in his heavy accent but is quickly shushed by his friends. But if I'm being honest, I'm more likely to mistake an Elf for a woman than a dwarf.

"My power name is Enchantment but I'd much rather go by Channie. You know, since it's shorter."

"Lady Channie?" someone asks.

"Um. . . No, just Channie. I'm not going to be a princess on this journey I am willing to take. I'm not even sure if I'm going to be a woman—I meant that figuratively." I wait for someone to interrupt again but now everyone's intrigued to hear what I have to say.

"During this journey, I'm going to be a warrior. And a Witch, of course. I'm going to fight for middle-earth even though I might die in the first battle," I get lower at the last part, "But I believe I am ready to take this Ring to wherever it must go."

Everybody still stares at me.

"Wait a second, Channie. If you must go, very well then but let us wait to hear who else believes they are up for this," Gandalf announces.

"Oh, right. Well anyways, that's all I have to say." I finish. I move back to my seat with my heart in my throat, scared to look up at anyone. I make it to my seat, and whip around so that I can sit down quickly. That didn't help. . . Now I feel dizzy.

"Hi, I'm Frodo. Nice to meet you m'lady." the Hobbit announces next to me, catching me by surprise. A small, warm smile spreads onto my lips. "Just Channie." I tell him. He smiles ever so slightly and nods his head at me.

I snap my eyes to the front when I hear Lord Elrond clear his throat. He's sitting next to two other men. Human, I suppose. But I also see Elves who are probably residents of Rivendell.

"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old . . . You've been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor," Lord Elrond speaks and looks between each and every one of us, "Middle—earth is on the brink of destruction. None can escape it." And we're here to stop it. But what if we can't stop the destruction that's bound to happen? What will be left?

I purse my lips and squeeze my eyes shut for a second, shunning myself for thinking so negative. The wind blows threw my hair as I bring myself to focus on Lord Elrond once more.

"Bring forth the Ring, Frodo," Lord Elrond commands. I look to my left, towards him. I really feel bad for the Hobbit. No one should have to go through this, let alone a Hobbit. They spend their time living carefree, wild, and fun. I just hope he can pull through for us. Frodo glances at me almost as if he was reading my mind. I bid him a small nod. He then stands up and walks over to the tree stump in the middle of us all to place the Ring. I look over to Legolas, who was five seats left to me. I have to peak my head around a bit to see him. I try to turn my attention back to the center but my eyes linger on him for a few moments more.

The first thing I happen to notice is his silky, long blond hair. Maybe an accessory of everlasting youth. I saw no wrinkles in his face. Now or back in Mirkwood. It's almost as if perfectness was the light which shone upon him.

I suspect he feels me staring at him and looks over to me. We look into each other eyes for a good second, but it doesn't feel weird or awkward. It feels warm and welcome. Blue was always my favorite color.

I force myself away from his captive stare. Frodo comes back to his seat. I guess I checked out of reality quite a while. Everyone whispers, supposedly because of the Ring, I assume.

"It is a gift," Boromir voices with a focused eye on the Ring and a smile you're sure to spot from afar. Is he crazy? Destruction isn't a gift. It is a nightmare. "A gift to the foes of Mordor."

"Why not use thing ring?" Boromir voice booms as he stands, "Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of out people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."

I decide to speak up, "Slow down, Boromir. The Ring is way too powerful for Man."

A man with pale blue eyes and dark strands of hair agrees, "She's right, you cannot wield it." Boromir's smile drops as he slowly turns around to face Aragorn. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."

"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Boromir counters. I release a sigh, preparing for some bickering from these two.

Suddenly, Legolas jets out of his seat and says, "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Aragorn? He's Isildur's heir. I've heard tales of this man.

Boromir shockingly retorts, "Aragorn? This . . . is Isildur's heir?"

Legolas speaks, still standing, "And heir to the throne of Gondor."

Aragon directs Legolas with the wave of his hand, "Havo dad, Legolas." (Sit down, Legolas.) By his gestures, I'm going to go with Aragorn told him to sit down in Elvish. I look at Legolas, expecting him to have a seat but he doesn't. Maybe he didn't tell him that after all but I start to focus on Legolas. Boromir says something about Gondor but all I can see is the way the sun is shining on Legolas's hair. As if it was combed in honey.

I come back to when Elrond says, "The Ring must be destroyed."

A hefty dwarf with wild red hair projects, "Well, what are we waiting for?" He stands, taking an awe in his hand. With a faint, less intense battle cry, he smashes the Ring. Only, the Ring shatters his axe. I gasp in astonishment. To my left, Frodo draws his head down as if it hurt him. Is he connected to the Ring? He grasps his forehead.

"Frodo, are you okay?" I ask, concerned. But he just winces and squeezes his eyes shut for a moment.

Lord Elrond pronounces, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. 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. One of you . . . must do this."

With a very agitated expression and tone, Boromir voices, "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is an 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," he shakes his head, "Not with 10,000 men could you do this. It is folly."

Almost immediately after, Legolas rises again, "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed."

The Gimli yells at the Elf, "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!" Legolas eyes Gimli with both fury and annoyance.

"And if we fail, what then?" Boromir questions out of nowhere. There is way too much going on right now. My eyes keep jumping from one person to the next to the other. They never just shut up for a second. "What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

Gimli scoots out of his chair to stand tall with the others, or short rather, and booms, "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!"

Everyone stands and begins to argue. Their voices grow louder and louder. So many people talk at once, it's hard to decipher what they're saying. Sentences clash into other ones. Hands run wild. I continue to sit in my seat as I feel a gnawing at my stomach. I grip my stomach subtly. I look over to see Frodo struggling, too. Sweat beads flow down his face. Next thing I know, he rises and firmly says, "I will take it!" My eyes widen. A Hobbit, doing something as dangerous as this? He'll get himself killed. Plus, I should've been the only one to take it. "I will take it," he announces again, walking closer to the commotion.

The noise falls just as quickly as it started, and Gandalf turns to Frodo with a look of gloom on his face. "I will take the Ring to Mordor." Everyone looks as if they're grieving when he's made his decision. He speaks again, "Though . . . I do not know the way."

Gandalf comments, "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins,"—he places a reassuring hand on Frodo's shoulder—"as long as it is yours to bear."

Aragorn stands and takes a step forward, "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will." He walks over to Frodo, kneeling when he quickly reaches him, "You have my sword."

The next to join is Legolas as he walks over to stand behind Frodo, "And you have my bow."

Then the loud, rumbustious Gimli, "And my axe." He takes a spot right next to Legolas and Legolas looks down at him in disgust.

Now's my chance to back out . . . But I know people are counting on me back home. Who knows? Maybe I could actually be of help to them. I rise and walk next to Aragorn but speak to Frodo, "You have my magic."

"You carry the fates of us all, little one," Boromir stalks closer to us, "If this is indeed the will of the council then Gondor will see it done." Maybe he isn't all bad or morality blind.

I jump a bit when I hear a 'hey' being shouted from a bush behind me. A Hobbit rushes out of the bushes and stops right next to Frodo. He says, "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me." A warm smile spreads onto my lips while I feel the companionship energy radiating off of the little Hobbit.

"No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not," Lord Elrond speaks with playfulness behind his voice.

"Hey! We're coming, too." Two more Hobbits pop up out of nowhere. They run to their friend with their hair bouncing with each step. "You'll have to send us home, tied up in a sack to stop us," one with blonde hair and an inch taller figure clarifies.

"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of . . . mission. Quest. Thing," the other one with a red flame hair color confuses himself.

"Well that rules you out, Pip," the blonde one whispers loud enough to actually be heard.

"Ten companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring," Lord Elrond declares. So, it's really happening.

"Right. Where're we going?" Pip asks dumbfoundedly. To save middle-earth.