Chapter 12: Joining the Fellowship
I began pacing back and forth crossing my arms angrily as I looked up watching men of all races go to the council meeting. Despite my protesting, Gandalf told me I had to stay behind with the hobbits watching Sam quickly leave upset that he was also left behind. I now was beside Pippin and Merry who continued to watch my pacing.
"You're going to make us dizzy if you keep doing that." Merry said as I glared at him saying, "It's not fair, I should be up there too, I have just as much a right as anyone else."
"Gandalf is just trying to protect you." Pippin suggested while I stopped sighing replying, "I know he is but I'm very capable and I want to help."
"So do we." They said as I looked up smirking lightly saying, "I have an idea."
All three of our heads peeked around the corner hearing them talk about how the ring must be taken to Mordor to be destroyed back in the fire from whence it came. Also learning that Strider's real name was Aragorn the rightful king of Gondor and half elvish from the stories I was told. Frodo was the first to volunteer as Gandalf followed suit just like I knew he would seeing the council grow quiet.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." Aragon said coming up to Frodo as I watched an elvish man approach next saying, "And you have my bow."
"And my axe." A dwarf piped in smiling at them while the man slowly came towards Frodo saying, "You carry the weight of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Hey!" we heard as Merry, Pippin, and I turned our heads seeing Sam run out saying, "Mr. Frodo isn't going anywhere without me."
"I distinctly remember telling you Master Gamgee that this was a private council meeting." Gandalf said with a hint of mischief in his voice.
"Is there anyone else that would like to join speak now or hold your peace." Elrond said looking to Merry and Pippin as we all nodded in agreement, looks like I was getting my adventure after all.
"We're coming too!" I yelled as Elrond looked towards us three surprised but I saw the knowing smile on Gandalf's face.
"You'll have to send us home tied up in sacks to stop us." Merry said while Pippin nodded replying, "Anyway, you'll need people of intelligence on this journey… quest… thing."
I snorted leaning towards him saying, "Well that rules you out Pipsqueak."
He gave me an eye roll but smiled none the less seeing my smile as Elrond looked towards us all saying, "Ten companions… so be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
We all smiled proudly when Pippin clapped saying, "Great… where are we going."
We were all quickly introduced to the other members learning that Legolas knew of my mother as well as Gimli's father Gloin was with her when they took back the Lonely Mountain. It seemed Gloin wasn't surprised in the least that I was Bilbo's daughter having traveled with him and my mother enough to know they both cared for each other dearly.
I lied awake to excited to get any sleep knowing tomorrow we would set out on our quest looking overseeing it was still hours before the dawn would break. I gazed over at my daggers and traveling gear sitting up as I went through and made sure I had everything ready then began fidgeting with my ring.
"Don't worry mother… I will make you proud… I will protect them just like you did." I said to the ring before climbing back in bed quietly waiting for the dawn.
I pet our noble pony Bill since he would be carrying most of the supplies needed for the journey as everyone else was getting ready to set out. I looked over seeing Bilbo usher me over so I walked towards him smiling as he grabbed my arms.
"Do be safe my dear, the road ahead shall be dangerous." He said comfortingly while I replied, "Don't worry I will, I have a piece of you and mother with me to keep me safe."
He looked down at the ring smiling lightly as he looked past me for a moment before leaning closer to me saying, "Listen to me Marina when the road gets dark and surely it will don't be afraid to seek the comfort your heart wants."
I gave him a confused face saying, "What do you mean by that father?"
"All I'm saying is one day you'll find someone that chooses you and continues to choose you every day, and that's when you will be thankful everything happened the way it did. Just promise… don't ever stop choosing them back." He said feeling him squeeze my arms lightly as I laughed gently saying, "I doubt I shall find such a thing on this journey but I promise if I do I will."
We all waved as we left not sure when we'd see any of them again setting out in the wild as I trekked near the back with Merry, Pippin, and Boromir. For the most part, the journey was quiet since we were all fairly new to one another but eventually, we grew more comfortable in each other's company.
"I shall train you boys to fight." I heard Boromir say to Pippin and Merry as we were beginning to travel through rolling hills smiling at them.
"Are you used to fighting children Lord Boromir?" I asked averting my eyes to them seeing the stink eye from the two hobbits but earned a hearty laugh from Boromir saying, "I haven't any children but I've trained young lads before, when did you learn to fight milady?"
"My mother trained me young, she deemed it necessary since we were always traveling around." I said while Boromir replied, "Have you traveled to Gondor?"
"I haven't had the pleasure, we never spent a lot of time in the company of men." I said hearing a snort from Pippin tilting my head saying, "Something funny Pipsqueak?"
He gave a little smile shaking his head while Boromir laughed saying, "You must visit once our quest has finished when not being attacked it's quite a sight to behold."
"Did your mother ever tell you of me?" Legolas asked curiously walking beside me as I replied, "She did mention a blond elf, who tried to flirt with her whilst they were holding her friends in prison, is that you?"
I saw him look slightly embarrassed saying, "Had I known she was spoken for I wouldn't have, your mother was very beautiful so it was only natural."
"Aye, my father told me she was as beautiful as she was strong." Gimli said making me smile proudly replying, "I hope to one day live up to her expectation."
Gandalf laughed saying, "You will my dear, for that I'm certain."
