Sing upon the Stars

By K-chan

A/N: Don't own.  This is chapter 3… Review please?

Chapter 3 Fellowship Created

The council turned their attention to the new arrival.  A beautiful elfin woman gracefully glided down the short staircase.  As she approached the point where the circle was broken a sly smile played on her pale red lips.  Her gown flowed to the ground, shimmering as she walked.  Dark blue stones circled her waist just before the skirt flared out.  The sleeves trailed down her arms, extending out at the end so that only the tips of her fingers showed.  Another row of blue stones lined the hem of the low V-neck and a thin silver choker set with small opalescent stones graced her throat.  Her granite gray eyes paused on each of the council, lingering longer on the elves, flashing with merriment.  Her head was covered with an opaque silver mesh veil.  AAA silver circlet around her forehead, much like that of Elrond.  She smiled and gracefully bowed to the council.  Everyone continued to stare at her.  Sighing a bit she reached up and flicked her bangs out of her eyes.  Finally Elrond raised his chin and spoke.  "You most certainly will not."

Instead of frowning or scowling, Ilayndra's smile grew as she turned and greeted the wise elf, placing her hand in his own.  Elrond bent and kissed the back of her hand, but his frown of disproval stayed in place.  "I was not aware that Anórien had arrived.  I sent for your father, is he or one of your brother's here?" he asked.

A wave of pain flashed across her face and she turned her head away.  "I'm afraid I bear horrible news." She paused to steady the tears that threatened her eyes.

Elrond's frown deepened, concern filled his eyes as he watched the young woman in front of him struggle to hold back tears.  He stepped forward and placed a consoling hand on her shoulder.  "What has happened my child?"

With her head lowered Ilayndra began.  "Anórien…was destroyed."

A collective gasp was let out as everyone began to murmur and whisper at once.  Elrond stepped back, a look of worry flashing over his face.  Gandalf frowned acutely and stepped forward away from the rest of the company.  "Anórien has fallen?  This is a great loss indeed." 

"How did this happen?"  Elrond's quiet but firm question drew the attention of everyone in attendance.

Ilayndra lifted her head slightly; unable to hold back the tears she allowed them to flow down her face.  "It happened scarcely a month ago.  Father had sent me along with Anórien's eight best warriors to aid Gondor, as the boarders were being pillaged.  So we went.  While we were gone, forces from Mordor swept in and took Anórien.  When we returned we found it in ruins.  The castle and all buildings were in ashes.  Every living thing had been slaughtered, but one."  The tears increased, and she fought back sobs.

Tears of sympathy gathered in the elves around her and in the eyes of the four hobbits.  "Every hobbit, dwarf, elf, man and animal killed, brutally murdered."

"You said one lived?" asked the blond elf of the company; his blue eyes glittered with unshed tears of sympathy. 

Her eyes turned to the blond elf.  She had not seen him in over a thousand years, her memories of him were brief, she did not know him well.  "Legolas?  Legolas son of Thranduil of Mirkwood?"  He nodded slightly.  She sighed.  "Yes, one mortally wounded elf…of Mirkwood.  He told us the army had struck in the dead of night, and there were just too many of them."

Legolas' eyes flashed with pain.  Elrond sighed heavily and drew a hand over his face.  "This is indeed dire news.  Anórien was one of the strongest holds in the east, it troubles me that Sauron was able to over throw it."  He jerked up suddenly as something dawned on him.  "If your father is dead, then Sauron has one of the three."

Another collective gasp was let out, the dark lord had one of the three?  This was a tragedy indeed.

"No, he doesn't."

Elrond paused and looked at the girl.  Ilayndra looked back at him and raised her hand for all to see.  On her ring finger of her left hand a silver ring shone in the sunlight.  In the center a large purple stone sparkled violet in some light and blood red in other.  Small multi-coloured opals surrounded the large stone.  "Father gave it to me before I left."

The wise elf sighed partly in relief, partly in confusion.  "Why?"

Ilayndra shrugged.  "I do not know, he told me to guard it.  As you know my brothers are not inclined to take up arms.  I suppose that is why he gave it to me, though I do not know why he did not keep it himself.  In the end it was for the better.  Anórien's best warriors were away, and the defense was weak.  Sauron knew that and attacked, Anórien fell." 

"Eight warriors wouldn't have made the difference."  A new voice spoke from behind her.

Ilayndra turned her eyes toward the dark haired ranger.  He looked visibly unmoved, but worry lurked in the depths of his eyes.  Her eyes hardened.  "Nine, and we weren't the only ones gone.  A large party was away in Mirkwood as well."

The council didn't know what to say and an uncomfortable silence fell on them all.  Elrond had sat back down in his chair, silently contemplating.  Gandalf strode over and whispered n Elrond's ear.  The hobbits for the most part looked lost, not really knowing what was going on.  Finally Gandalf finished conversing with Elrond and stood up straight.  "This quest is no place for a woman, you shall not go." He said firmly.

"A woman?" Ilayndra's eyes flashed, if there was one thing she hated it was when people underestimated her abilities.  "I am a great wielder of Elfin magic and many years ago I spent time with your master Gandalf, do not underestimate me." 

Gandalf shook his head, tossing his long hair about his face.  "Whether you are a sorceress or not.  This is a mission that cannot fail.  You will only slow us down." 

Ilayndra's face darkened and was about to speak when someone spoke for her.  "I disagree.  I think she should come."

Everyone turned and looked upon the new speaker with surprise.  The tall man of Gondor stood with his arms crossed over his chest a stubborn look in his eyes, daring anyone to disagree with him.  Aragorn shifted his weight and stared at the other man carefully.  "There is no time for pleasures on this journey Boromir."

At theses words hushed laughter spread across the council.  A bright blush as well as a scowl covered Ilayndra's face.  Boromir could feel his tempter rise, calm down it is just what the ranger wanted.  "Pleasure sir?  I know not what you speak of.  I merely think that the lady would be an asset to the company.  I have seen her fight, she is a true warrior indeed."  His tone was clipped."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow.  "Warrior or no, this journey is no place for a woman."

Ilayndra could take it no longer.  With her fists clenched at her sides she growled in a low voice.  "Would you stop thinking of me as a gender!  I am an elf, nothing more nothing less.  I am not a elf lady, meant to sit and look pretty at banquets and council her husband.  I am a warrior and a wielder of magic, I pray sir, remember that."

Some of the elves smiled, they knew of the rebellious daughter of Ambarion, they were mildly surprised that the old wizard had not.  Elrond sighed, he had a feeling this was a lost cause.  "Ilayndra.  I know you are not of… normal upbringing, but this is a dangerous journey and there was only meant to be nine.  Nine to meet the nine kings of old."

Her chin lifted.  "Ten would be better odds."

"Ilayndra…" Galndalf played the name over in his mind trying to remember where he had heard the name before.  Then it suddenly dawned on him, the memory of the name and lineage came flooding back in his mind.  "Ilayndra of Anórien, third child of Ambarion and Íriel.  Yes I remember now.  You are a great wielder of magic indeed, you are well known my lady."

She nodded slightly, frowning a bit.  "I suppose."

Gandalf turned to Aragorn.  "Aragorn, do you know of this girl?"

Aragorn turned his eyes to meet hers.  "I have."

"Then what do you think?"

"I do not think she should come."  His statement was short and his eyes conveyed the clear message to Ilayndra; sorceress or no you are not coming.

Gandalf nodded and turned to Gimli and Legolas.  "And you two?"

Gimli shrugged, it mattered not to him.  Legolas frowned thoughtfully.  How long ago had he seen her?  Anórien and Mirkwood were not far away from each other, yet he has met this girl maybe three times his entire life, he found it hard to believe he could have forgot eyes that clear and perceptive.  Yet like all the others he had heard of her.  "Let Frodo decide, it is his journey."

Gandalf nodded and all looked toward the hobbit, who looked shocked to be on the spot so quickly.  "Um… Sam, what do you think?"

Sam fidgeted nervously.  "It is your choice Mr. Frodo."

"Well I think she should come!" exclaimed Pippin.

Frodo looked at Pippin who had a wide grin on his face.  "I recon that Lana would be of great help on this quest!"

Elrond quirked an eyebrow at the young hobbit.  "Lana?  You are acquainted with Lady Ilayndra? "

Pippin rocked back on his heels.  "Yup!  She caught us eavesdropping behind the pillars!"

The wise elf trained his eyes on the young woman before him but said nothing, he knew she would get his message.  Ilayndra merely smiled and winked.  "Well then… if Pippin is so for her, then I think that she should come."  Frodo stated.

Aragorn, Gandalf, and Gimli nodded silently.  Pippin jumped up and down, Sam, Merry and Frodo smiled and Boromir stepped over and lay his hand on her shoulder.  "Welcome Lady Ilayndra."

She grinned and elbowed him playfully in the stomach.  "Agh!  Such formalities Boromir!  You should know better than that!"

He threw his head back and laughed.  "Alas I do, it is good to see you again Lana."

"You too." She smiled at him.

"Yes welcome Lady." Legolas held out his hand, appearing on her other side.

Ilayndra placed her hand in his and watched his bend down to kiss the top of it.  "I welcome you." He greeted with a gentle smile.

Ilayndra returned his smile and turned her attention back to Elrond who was commanding it again.  "Then it is decided.  Ilayndra shall travel with you.  You ten shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."

Lana regarded each of her companions carefully, lingering a bit on Aragorn and Gandalf, they did not want her here.  It will be an interesting trip. 

Woot woot done!  Review?