** Chapter 12 **


A Rider rode swiftly across a grassy plain, it's black robes whipping about in the air. The steed ran swiftly, it's hooves beating the grassy ground, and it's black mane sifting in the air.

The Rider stood in its stirrups, and raised it's head high into the air, and cried out. It was a call the Riders used to locate each other.

In the distance, a few moments later, answers came.

The Rider rode swiftly through trees, and came into another clearing, where four Riders waited on horseback.

It slowed its horse to a trot, and approached the other Riders.

They were hissing in soft voices, discussing the Ford, the Ring, and the one who had risen. Most of what was said was mutters, and mostly incoherent.

"She has risen…."

"The Ring…we know who the bearer is…"

"Sauron will be pleased…"

"She has come, the blood has not vanished…."

"The Calling…"

"The dragon! She'll call the dragon!"

"The Halflings made off with the Ring…the Ring…"

"Silence!" Commanded the new Rider, raising his hand. "She is a youngling, and will be dealt with. Sauron has hold over her, she is his own blood, she will feel the calling soon. Do not worry about her Calling the….dragon…." As the Rider said dragon, it was as if he said it like it left a sour taste in his mouth, "….She hasn't the power to summon it. It took all of the Ancients in the past, to summon the Dragon for Sauron, but she is one."

"Yes, but she is the last! In the past, they spoke of vengeance, just before the Ring was lost. They spoke of…gathering their powers…" A Rider said, somewhat fidgety.

"Nonsense! They were made to serve Sauron, and the One Ring-" The Rider, said, lowering his arm from the air, but another Rider interrupted him.

"Yes, but now that Halfling has the ring! He controls her, therefore, he controls her power and the dragon! Sauron will be greatly angered…" The Rider said, as his dark steed stamped the ground and whinnied.

"We are not sure she is of the Order, there is only one way to find out. If she has the markings…" The Rider in control said.

"Then we wait until they leave Rivendell, and trail them, and make our move." Another Rider said.

"Yes, now let us be off!" The Rider in control said, kicking his heels into his steed's side, and the horse leapt off down the valley.

The other Riders swiftly followed, down the grassy valley.


---



Azura stood on the terrace above the entrance to Elrond's expansive dwelling. Behind her, a hall led back into the house.

She had sat up there a long time, thinking and enjoying the quiet morning. The night previous, there had been an great feast in honor of Frodo's recovery. Frodo was most thrilled when he learned of a friend of his being in Rivendell, another hobbit named Bilbo. They had talked a long time, but Azura had not gone with them into the room, the Hall of Fire.

She had slept somewhat peacefully, and woke early. She had dodged around seeing Elrond or Gandalf, she didn't feel up to talking of her past.

"Lady Azura?" A soft, musical elven voice inquired from the hall.

Azura stood, and turned on the terrace, and stared at the group of elven maids who had gathered in the hall. She walked toward them slowly, and replied, "Yes?"

The group of girls were all fairly young looking, but determining an age of an elf was rather difficult. They all seemed fairly young, save one, who's hair was raven black, and very long, but tipped with frosty white. A few of the maids giggled, and smiled at her.

"You are to come with us, by orders of Lord Elrond. We are to clean your clothing, bathe you, and clothe you." The older elven maid said, smiling. The others smiled, and giggled.

Azura fidgeted in place, and nervously smiled, "Bathe me? Dress me? I have clothes....And I am no child! Be off!"

"Dear child, come along. " The elven woman said, and the group of nine elven girls surrounded her, and ushered her into the hall, and down the winding passage.

They ushered her into a hall, where Elrond, Pippin, Merry, Sam, Strider, Bilbo, Gandalf, and a few elven maidens, and one elven man, Legolas, stood.

"Ah, my young mixling! You rested well? My servants will see to your cleanliness." Lord Elrond said, waving the ushering servants into a room nearby.

They stopped, and bowed before Elrond, before filing into the room. Azura remained, and so did the older elf woman.

"My clothes are fine! Honest!" Azura protested, and gave heated looks at Merry, Pippin, and Sam, who grinned at her like little boys, and were highly amused at her situation.

"Nonsense, those clothes are soiled and torn, and shall be mended. Now, let Eandra and the others take care of you. Be off, child!" Elrond said, waving her off to Eandra, who pulled her toward the room.

"But! But!" Azura protested, then looked to her three hobbit companions as she was dragged through the door, and the three smiled and laughed, and waved to her as she disappeared into the room.

"So that is the youngling who's captivated Frodo. She has the look of a hobbit…also an elf, and she is captivating in appearance." Bilbo said, looking toward the room, then smiling at the other younger hobbits.

"She is! And quite charming, she is wonderful. I would hate to go long without her around, we've grown accustom to her presence, she is almost like kin. " Pippin said.

"We all have grown fond of her, she does much for us." Merry said, grinning.

"And Frodo is fond of her! Many times it is apparent, the way he looks at her. It's rather thrilling, like a romance novel come to life." Sam said, laughing lightly, and blushing.

"I was hoping Frodo would sire a few grandchildren for me!" Bilbo cried, then laughed heartily alongside Pippin, Sam, and Merry.

"Do you feel it, Gandalf? I haven't felt power stirring in a soul like this in ages. I think the legends are ture….I have felt much younger in her presence. And you, Aragorn, are more youthful looking, and you are youthful." Lord Elrond admired, smiling lightly.

"Yes, I feel it. Her presence has surely changed much of fate that seemed predestined, I feel it in my bones, that her joining the Company, was sheer chance….something stirs in all of us with her presence…" Gandalf rambled, mostly to himself.

"I suspect the legends are true…." Aragorn mumbled softly.

After a long while, Azura emerged from the room, a scowl on her face. Her clothes were gone, and in place, was a beautiful, simple white dress, that had layers of soft, almost translucent fabric, and seemed to float on the air. Her hair was pulled back into two buns, and her bangs fell as they always did, over her forehead and eyebrows. In her hair were weaved shiny ribbons and small shiny stones, and powder placed upon her face, and a hint of blush and lip-color.

Pippin, Sam, and Merry wore shocked faces, and their mouths hung open at the more feminine look of Azura, whom they were used to seeing her fighting, or somewhat dirty, and carrying herself as a man, but now, she stood, almost shyly, in front of the door. Behind her, stood the elven maids, giggling with pride and suspense of the reaction.

Lord Elrond laughed loudly, and Aragorn, Gandalf, and himself applauded the elven maids, laughing lightly.

Pippin, Sam, and Merry broke into laughter, and came forward, and in turn, hugged Azura.

"You look absolutely enchanting!" Merry said, laughing loudly, and grinning at her.

Azura blushed, and grinned despite herself, "I feel like a fool!"

"Nonsense! You've quite the look of a fair vision of Galadriel, in her younger most years!" Elrond said, marveling at the resemblence.

"Frodo should see Azura!" Sam cried, laughing, and turning to fetch the hobbit.

"He will surely have to pick his jaw off the floor at the sight of her!" Merry excitedly whispered into Pippin's ear, which Azura didn't hear, and both cracked up into laughter.

"I know! We shall let them have breakfast together, it seems fitting. " Bilbo said, and the two younger hobbits hastily agreed.

Before she could protest, the three ushered her off to the great dining hall and had her sit and wait for Frodo. She sat on a smaller chair, which a few had been brought in especially for the visiting hobbits.

"You wait here! We will fetch breakfast, and of course, Frodo!" Pippin said, and the three hobbits turned and left hastily.

"Sneaky hobbits!" She heard Gandalf call somewhere outside the dining hall, and she laughed despite herself.

She did not know what they were planning, but she felt odd in such a formal dress. As of now, her clothes had been washed, but were hanging to dry.

Azura idly played with the hem of her sleeve, and stared about the room, feeling very small in the great hall.

The door opened, and Frodo was ushered in by Sam, whom stayed only a second to grin at Azura, then abruptly turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Azura stood, and nervously clasped her hands behind her back, and looked down at the floor.

Frodo looked at her, finally spotting her among the tall chairs, and his mouth did then fall open. She was stunningly beautiful. He finally found the strength to speak, "Azura? You…you're so formal looking!"

Azura blushed brightly, and replied, "I was taken by a group of maids and played with as if I were a doll! They dressed me in this, and it was against my own decision. I feel like a fool…"

Frodo shook his head, and smiled, "You look stunning!…I mean…You…you look beautiful."

Azura laughed, and looked up at him smiling, "You are very sweet, Frodo Baggins, you know that? I think our friends are planning something sneaky behind our backs…They said something of breakfast, so I guess we should sit and wait."

Frodo helped Azura sit, being very much a gentleman, which made Azura giggle, then sat in a chair beside her.

Shortly, Sam, Pippin, and Merry came in carrying plates and cups, and set out breakfast for them, and left them in peace. So they had a quiet breakfast together, and talked of many things.


---


Azura paced outside the large arched doors that led to the room Frodo was in, along with all the other guests in Elrond's house, discussing the Ring, Mordor, and other things. Elrond and Gandalf had beckoned her in, but she had refused. She did not want to sit through it, and also, did not feel like discussing her role in the Fellowship, and her own bonds to the Ring.

For a long while, Merry and Pippin had stayed and kept her company, but, eventually they grew weary, and went on to eat lunch in the great dining hall.

Azura's legs grew weary of pacing, and she couldn't remember how long she had paced. She was clad in elven attire, for the time being, as her other clothes were being washed a tears were being mended. The clothes, in actuality, were an elven child's attire, which annoyed her greatly, but she hadn't complained. She'd much rather be clad in child's attire, than running about naked.

She wore a white dress with long, flared sleeves, and the dress was made of an odd mesh-fabric, which could be stretched to an extent, and beneath it, she wore her knee-high boots. Her hair was pulled into two tight buns behind her head. A group of elven maids had 'kidnapped' her and ushered her off to a wash room, and had her bathed, then dressed her up in formal attire, an elven child's formal attire, much to her own annoyance. Her height was not her own fault, but she was reminded of it often, to her annoyance.

Azura stopped pacing, and fidgeted in place, nervously clasping her hands, and tapping her fingertips together.

The doors opened, and behind them stood Lord Elrond and Gandalf, with grim, solemn expressions.

Azura's hands fell to her side, and she looked up at them in wonder, "Is the meeting over?" She asked, her voice wavering in uncertainty.

"Your presence is needed in the Council." Lord Elrond said, beckoning her to come in.

Azura flinched back, feeling nervous and uncertain.

"Child, these matters are more important than a case of stage-fright." Gandalf said to her, then said to Elrond, "She is still but a child, I am uncertain of her usefulness in the Company."

Azura drew herself up, proudly scowling, and replied, "I will come in and speak…you do not have to name me a child, I am not one." With that, she walked in after them, her scowl soon fading into a cautious, uncertain gaze. All eyes were turned on her, and somehow, she got the feeling she had been recently discussed.

Frodo had a mixed look on his face, but when he saw her, he smiled warmly at her. Away, in the corner, she saw Sam sitting, an intent look on his face to listening, but he too, grinned when he saw her.

"This child is of the Order?" A dwarf inquired, looking her up and down, then laughed heartily, "She can't be more than a efling!"

Azura's cheeks went scarlet, but Elrond corrected the dwarf for her.

"She does seem young, but she is 27 summers old, as she has corrected us, and by the accounts of Master Frodo and Samwise, she is an apt fighter, and surfacing magician, in Gandalf's own words." Elrond said, his voice loud and clear, then he motioned for Azura to take a seat, but she declined, and stood, rooted in her spot.

Azura blinked a few times, and stared at all the silent faces looking at her, each solemn and brooding.

"Speak clearly, child, and tell them of your place with the Company and your intentions." Gandalf said, his voice booming loudly behind her, making her flinch slightly.

Azura hesitated, then smiled lightly to herself, wondering why she was so nervous about speaking of herself, then spoke clearly, "My name is Azura a'Leoni, daughter-heir to the Western throne of the died out Elf race of the Leonians. As told in legend, they died out before Sauron came to be, and were the most powerful sorcerers to come into being, and Sauron wanted that power to protect him, and the power of the Mana Dragon, which is in each of us, of my kind. Sauron used the blood of each race, save dwarves, and also his own blood, and captured essence of Mana to bring us back into being, but with a price. He bound us to the Ring, but he made a mistake in that. When the Ring fell out of his grasp, we were left to wander, in search of the Ring. Without it, we feel incomplete, like a part of us isn't there."

"You are 27 summers old? When is it your mother passed on? How come she did not seek out Bilbo when he was in possession of the ring?" A dwarf asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Azura faltered, "I do not know much of my mother, she died when I was six, and my father died when I was younger, around four."

"Gloin, hold your tongue and let the girl talk. Do not riddle her with questions she can't possibly know the answer of." Gandalf said, somewhat sternly.

"My mother ignored the Calling, and she tried to help me, but she was murdered by a Ringwraith, who assumed she was the last of the Order, but it was wrong. I am the last." Azura said, her voice raising with each word, as more courage seeped back into her.

"And you, yourself, you have ignored this Calling?" A man asked, whom she had been told the night previous, was Boromir.

"I have tried. For the most part of my life, it hasn't been strong. I could feel it, just beyond my reach, but it didn't weigh on me. But, two years ago, it started to grow, until a year later, I began to wander, in search of the completion, and I feared my journey would take me into the hands of an evil bearer, but, instead, I met Frodo, and all his wonderful companions. I am at peace because I do not have to follow the orders of Sauron, or something else evil." Azura said, smiling at Frodo and Sam.

"If Master Frodo succeeds in destroying the Ring, what will become of you, and your bonds?" An elf inquired, leaning back in his chair, and folding his hands on the table.

Azura hesitated, growing rather pale, then replied sternly, "I do not know…." She lied, wishing she could disappear, fade into nothing so she would have so many eyes turned on her.

"You would be free from your bonds!" Sam cried, grinning broadly, "Wouldn't that be wonderful, Azura?"

Azura weakly smiled and nodded. He had no idea how free she would be. "It will be." She replied softly, casting her eyes down briefly.

"Also, is she as the legends speak of? Your Highness!" An elven man said, springing to his feet and bowing lowly to her, which only made him just below eye level to her.

Azura blushed and stared at the young man, bewildered. "Highness?"

"You do not even know your own heritage? Before Sauron's meddling?" The young elven man asked, and clasped his hands about her own hand, and stood, "The Leonians were one of the first of the Elf races to come from the West, and for a long time, ruled peacefully over the other Elf races, long before Galadriel and her family. Galadriel will be ecstatic to know you are alive! She knew that Breynna a'Leoni had a child, but we assumed she had died along with her mother. How pleased Galadriel will be!"

Azura frowned, "She knew my mother?"

The man nodded, "I was but a boy when I met her, and you were a infant. My name is Legolas."

Azura smiled, then turned to Elrond. "Is this all I am to go into? Or is there more I have to say?"

Before Elrond answered, Boromir spoke up, "Is it accurate what they say? Can you wield powerful magic? And does she have those powers the ancient tales spoke of?"

Azura shook her head no, "I am not very good at magic, my parents never taught me anything, for fear it would lead me into a journey to find the Bearer." Azura smirked, "I guess that wasn't much help…. Well, most the spells I cast are on instinct more than memorized spells…"

"I will take you as an apprentice, and teach you how to harness your power, Azura." Gandalf said, smiling warmly at her.

Azura nodded, and then clasped her hands behind her back, and stared warily at Boromir. From the time she had first seen him, he had eyed her, as if she were some forgotten treasure in a pile of gold and treasures.

"Can she see into the future? Can she summon-" Boromir started, but Gandalf raised a hand and silenced him quickly.

"Silence Boromir! She is [I]one[/I], not many. The power it takes to summon….We shall not talk of this matter right now." Gandalf said, seemingly growing frustrated and angry.

Azura frowned at Borormir, wondering what he was going on about.[i]Summon what?[/i] She idly wondered, and turned her gaze off of Boromir, growing uneasy of him.

Elrond and Gandalf were talking lightly to each other, and everyone in the room seemed to be talking lightly to someone, so she turned her gaze to Frodo. He was looking at her, and smiled when she looked at him. It appeared as if her pressence blocked out everyone elses.

She smiled, and walked to where he sat, and sat on the chair next to him. She smiled, and layed her arm over his, which was lying on the arm of his chair.

Frodo smiled again, and turned his arm and tangled his fingers in hers and gripped her hand.

Sam grinned from where he sat, and laughed lightly to himself.

Gandalf gazed at Frodo, who sat, leaning back in his chair, and smiling at Azura, and both's hands were entwined, in a innocent display of affection. Gandalf smiled lightly.

"Heartwarming, is it not?" Lord Elrond said, smiling warmly, and chuckling softly to himself.

"Indeed. I hope his burden does not strain whatever is developing between them. She may be the only thing to keep him sane, in the end." Gandalf said, watching Frodo grin and say something softly to Azura, who smiled and looked at the floor briefly, then back at him." Somehow, I think her presence in the company is a chance of fate...." Gandalf trailed.

Elrond smiled, then turned to Gandalf, "Shall we discuss the girl further in privacy?"

Gandalf nodded, and the two took leave of the room.