Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 5- The Fellowship Sets Off
In T'Challa's quarters, the three Avengers are quietly assembling whatever items they will need to bring with them on this journey with the newly created Fellowship of the Ring. It has been two days since the Council of Elrond, and today is the day that the Fellowship will set off on its quest to Mordor. The Fellowship has spent the time since the Council becoming acquainted with each other and preparing for the quest, and are now ready to go.
The Avengers won't be taking too much with them. T'Challa and Marc don't need to carry any armor or weapons, as they already have what they need in the form of T'Challa's necklace and Marc's blessing from Khonshu. Clint, however, has his bow and quiver strapped to his back, and his sword belted at his waist. However, knowing they have to chip in to the Fellowship, both T'Challa and Marc will be carrying backpacks with food and other supplies.
CLint ensures his uniform and weapons are fully secured while T'Challa and Marc make sure that everything meant to go in their backpacks has been accounted for. Finally, the two men pick up their backpacks and sling them onto their backs as they turn to Clint. The three men look at each other before T'Challa says, "Well, my friends. Let's go." Marc and Clint nod, and the two follow T'Challa out of the room.
The three men make their way down through the corridors of Rivendell, heading down towards the courtyard at Rivendell's east entrance. It takes them several minutes before they are able to reach the courtyard. They find Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Boromir all assembled.
"Good morning, friends. I hope you all are well rested for the day ahead," T'Challa says cheerfully to the assembled members of the Fellowship.
Clint glances around the courtyard. "Where's Elrond? Or the rest of our companions, for that matter?"
"Lord Elrond will be joining us soon. Gandalf is getting the Hobbits, and Tuor is saying his goodbyes to his family," Aragorn responds to Clint's question. Clint nods in response.
It doesn't take too long for the remaining members of the Fellowship and their hosts to arrive. Tuor is the first to arrive. He's wearing Elven chain mail under his outer Elven clothes. Anguirel is belted at his waist, and his bow and quiver are slung on his back. His clothing is almost all black, signifying himself as the son of the Winter Soldier, but is clearly Elven-made from its quality.
"Good morning, friends," Tuor greets his fellow members of the Fellowship with a smile.
"Welcome, Tuor," T'Challa greets his friend. He had gotten to know Tuor quite well since first meeting him and the two had become friends.
As Tuor greets the other members of the Fellowship personally, Gandalf arrives with the Hobbits. Right behind them, Elrond and his entourage come walking into the courtyard to see them off.
Elves from Rivendell converse with the Fellowship to ensure that they are fully stocked and prepared as one Elf leads the Fellowship's pack pony, Bill, forward, handing off the lead to Sam.
Finally, everything is ready to go. Elrond stands up straight and addresses the Fellowship as a whole as he says, "The Ring bearer is setting off on the quest of Mount Doom. You who travel with him, no oath or bond is laid to go further than you will. Farewell. Hold to your purpose, and may the blessings of Elves, and Men, and all free folk go with you."
Gandalf straightens up a bit and declares, "The Fellowship awaits the ring-bearer."
Frodo, who had been looking towards Elrond, turns to face the Fellowship, all of whom are looking at then slowly walks through the midst of the Fellowship and out of the gate of Rivendell, heading into the forest that come right up to the wall, the Fellowship beginning to fall into place behind him. As Frodo walks out of the gate, he asks Gandalf in a low voice, "Mordor, Gandalf. Is it left or right?"
"Left," Gandalf responds simply, and they take the left path in the fork ahead.
As the Fellowship walks out of Rivendell, T'Challa and Aragorn are the last to follow Frodo. Aragorn pauses, turning and looking back. T'Challa looks at Aragorn, then follows his gaze, and sees he is looking right at Elrond's daughter, Arwen, who is looking back at him. T'Challa can instantly see that there is a strong connection between the two. Then, Aragorn turns and follows the rest of the Fellowship out of Rivendell, T'Challa right behind him.
As the Fellowship makes their way through the woods surrounding Rivendell, heading out towards the vast plains that stretch out between Rivendell and the Misty Mountains, T'Challa sidles up beside Aragorn, wishing to talk about what he just witnessed. T'Challa looks at Aragorn and says, "I saw the looks you exchanged with Lord Elrond's daughter. You and Lady Arwen are quite close, I presume."
Aragorn is silent for several moments, then slowly nods, knowing at this point that T'Challa is a very perceptive man and can see through his facade. "Yes. We have shared a deep love since my younger years. But we cannot be together."
"And why is that?" T'Challa asks.
"I am mortal. She is elf-kind. Lord Elrond desires her to sail to the Undying Lands with what is left of her kin, and I doubt she will refuse his wishes in the end," Aragorn responds to the question.
"Hmm. But you love her with your whole heart? Why do you not fight harder for her? If you wish to be with her that much, do not let such things come between you," T'Challa says.
Aragorn looks at T'Challa and asks, "Do you speak from experience?"
"In a way," T'Challa says simply, but letting no more details out.
The two walk in silence for a little longer before Aragorn asks, "Why is that you call yourselves Avengers?"
T'Challa smiles a bit, while thinking privately to himself that Steve or Clint would be a better person to answer this. "I was not one of the original Avengers. But i believe one of the reasons for the name is that the Avengers were formed to protect our people and avenge the wrongs done to our people. We are our world's protectors," T'Challa explains.
Aragorn nods simply. Then, curious, he asks, "I have heard some of the rumors of the third Avenger who came to Middle Earth. The one called Steve Rogers. But i have not heard of the other Avengers. Tell me of them."
"Of course," T'Challa says. He begins telling them of the Avengers. He begins with the stories about Iron Man. Aragorn listens in awe at the descriptions of Iron Man's armor. T'Challa then tells the stories of the Hulk and Thor. Aragorn is in shock at the descriptions of the Hulk and his incredible strength, and is awed at the concept of a god working with mortals to defend their world.
T'Challa then continues with descriptions of the other Avengers, including Black Widow, Vision, War Machine, Falcon, and Wanda. He also describes Spider Man to Aragorn. Aragorn is left in awe at the descriptions of the Avengers. As he listens to the stories of the Avengers as T'Challa tells them, he can't help but reflect what would've happened had the Ring been given to the Avengers instead of the Fellowship. Perhaps the Avengers could've gotten the Ring to Mount Doom in a matter of days and destroyed with no further loss of life.
After T'Challa finishes describing the other Avengers, Aragorn finally speaks up and says, "Incredible. Some of what you have described are what I would expect from Elves or the very spirits that watch over this world. To think that mere mortals, save for Odinson, possess such abilities is beyond anything I ever would've thought possible."
"The Avengers are people who cannot be matched. For that reason, they came together to ensure that the world was protected, both from themselves and from others who could hope to match them," T'Challa says. Aragorn nods in response.
T'Challa looks up the column of the Fellowship as it hikes across the terrain. After a few moments, he says, "This Fellowship may not have the wonderful abilities of the Avengers who are not here with us. But they are all very honorable individuals, and I am honored to be counted as a member of the Fellowship with them." Aragorn smiles a bit. Despite his somewhat pessimistic view of Men at times, he already thinks very highly of T'Challa, thinking him the equal of some of the greatest heroes of Men of the First Age.
"We are proud to have you Avengers with us, Your Majesty," Aragorn responds.
"We are equals in the Fellowship, Aragorn. You may call me by name," T'Challa says, smiling a bit. Aragorn smiles a bit in response, knowing that he and T'Challa will become good friends over this journey together.
And, I'll end the chapter there. This will be one of the shorter ones.
Next chapter may not be up for a while. My wife and I are about to move, and on top of updates I want to get out for other stories, I won't be able to return to this story until August. However, rest assured the next update will come. Until it does, please leave a review, and stay tuned!