1 A/N: Oh I'm sooooooooo sorry I haven't updated for a long time. Things
have been pretty hectic this past week or so. Exams, homework, not having
the computer for a few days, my dad doing his work…..I just haven't had the
time. Again, I'm sorry, but I've been working real hard on this chapter, so
enjoy it, and I hope the next one will be up soon. Please continue to R&R!!2
3 Chapter Four
Elrond scanned his bookshelves, a deft finger running slowly along each spine, stopping now and then to remove a volume and leaf through it's pages. He really wasn't sure what he was looking for. It was merely another itch that plagued him, a tickle of thought that would not leave his troubled mind.
The picture of the girl, lying in her room like a fallen angel, he could not forget.
But what really piqued his senses was the ring on her finger.
He could not brush away the sense of foreboding that followed him wherever he went. The shrill voice in his head that kept repeating: "You've seen that ring somewhere before. You know you have….Do not dismiss it as a simple piece of silver…." It was maddening, to somehow think you've seen something before, but not knowing where. Perhaps a book? A single book long forgotten on the massive shelves.
But there was no book standing out above the rest, no book lying on the floor collecting dust, and Elrond began to believe his search fruitless. Still, he could not evade the nagging thought, and every time he tried to push it away, it merely came back stronger than ever. The council would take place in a few hours, and he had to have something to present. Without anything, they could not discuss Celeborn's actions in an organized way. They would simply be coming up with suggestion after suggestion and eventually would be no farther ahead than before.
There had to be something….Anything…
Footsteps treading softly along the floor, Elrond continued down the rows, unconsciously ending up in a small outcrop of space, slightly shadowed behind a looming bookcase. A few thick volumes littered the floor, and the meager shelves, some broken at one end, were crammed full with papers and ornately decorated books, little trinkets and maps, dog-eared leaflets and smaller journal sized collections so covered in dust it was extremely difficult to make out the titles.
Curiosity heightened, Elrond stepped forward, sliding a thin volume from the small confined space, arousing a cloud of dust that lingered in the already stuffy air. Rather reluctantly, he ran a fine hand over the cover, removing most of the grime and dirt. Gold letters glittered there, in an old form of Elvish, thought lost by many. But the more wise still remembered it clearly, the speech of Mordor. Reading it slowly, a chill ran down Elrond's spine, the hairs on his neck standing.
It said: "A shadow passes, a war is won, though of the Great Ring…there is more than one.. Of silver and metal an eye as it's gem, through the life of the bearer, Sauron rises again."
Breathing in sharply, Elrond snatched his hand away, staring at the book as though it was evil itself.
"How can this be?!" he hissed, throwing open the cover and scanning the lines of Black Speech ruthlessly.
"-the One Ring he knew would fail him, so he made another, weaving a spell of darkness upon it, so as the first passed, the second would be born. He told his many followers of this, that he would be vanquished, but through the life of the bearer of the Second Ring, he would come back more powerful and evil than ever, that he would be immortal and could never be destroyed. And so the ring was made, in the fiery depths of Mount Doom alongside it's brother, weak and powerless compared to the True Ring, wrought of silver and the blood of the innocent, with the Eye of Sauron as it's evil gem. The True Ring, is said to be entirely of darkness, hate and suffering, that it will kill the bearer, tear away their soul and extinguish their spirit, that the bearer will be cursed indeed for the one who is destined to this life will know no joy and happiness. But there was yet another flaw in Sauron's plan, for if the bearer is killed, through no influence of the True Ring, there will be no way for the Dark Lord to return. And there shall be no shame in this deed, for the bearer was not born of human flesh, nor Elf nor Dwarf nor Hobbit or any other creature that lives. The bearer is but a key, a pawn of Sauron's evil task, that must be killed at all costs. That is the only way to vanquish evil forever, and save that of Middle-earth."
The air seemed to crackle with tension even as Elrond's smooth voice died away, the silence settling in once more. With a trembling hand, he peeled back the second page to look upon an illustration of the True Ring, feeling his knees buckle underneath him once his fair eyes caught sight of it.
It was beautiful, and yet seemed to radiate with darkness, the screams and shrieks of the dead seemingly floating from the page. A simple design of smooth silver, a blood red jewel placed in the center amidst sharp claws that kept it firm. The gem, even in illustration, seemed to move, swirling and spinning around the thin line of bright orange that Elrond realized, with a dreadful shudder, mirrored that of the Eye of Sauron, flaming with rage and hatred, darkness and spite.
It was the exact ring that graced the Lady Bren's delicate finger.
"No….!" he whispered franticly, eyes wide in disbelief. "No it cannot be true! It-It cannot!"
But even as the words left his mouth, Elrond suddenly knew, that everything had changed.
*
Legolas stood waiting patiently outside Bren's room, foot tapping the floor every now and then, the sound echoing away into silence. A slight wind was wafting through the corridors, bringing the stray leaves to life in a spiraling dance of copper, yellow, gold and brown. It was so magical in Rivendell, and Legolas could almost hear little whispers, drifting on the breeze, peels of laughter and pattering footsteps like a long ago memory. The silence was soothing, laying a blanket of ease on his shoulders, muffling every ache, every ill thought, every desire to speak of evil or doom in the hallowed halls. No one was around, no sound emanated from the chamber beside him, it was like a beautiful dream, a dream Legolas never wished to wake from. The events of the past days seemed to drift away, leaving nothing but empty space where they had been.
But even through the silent calm, a shadow seemed to descend upon the mystical grounds. It was a shadow harboring darkness and evil, it carried the sense of horrible things to come. And come they would, Legolas knew. The council was but hours away, and as he'd been informed of, the former Fellowship was already bordering Rivendell, to arrive in little time at all. It had been urgent business, to discuss the actions of Celeborn and how to deal with them; but somehow, Legolas could sense more was to happen, something so encompassing that it would pull them all, the Fellowship into danger once more.
"Legolas."
The voice startled him, and Legolas turned swiftly on his heel to meet the gaze of Elrond, who stood mere centimeters away. He had come to silently and swiftly, Legolas had barely noticed.
There was an icy coldness in the Elf Lord's eyes, fear shining like a beacon from the brown depths, that sent chills down his spine. Legoals longed to look away, but thought better of it. There was something wrong, something terribly wrong.
"Legolas." He said again, elegant voice, as silent as he intended it to be, resonating down the bright corridor. "Is your….Lady ready?" The timing was perfect between words, as if he'd planned to say it all morning. But the way it sounded, was not right at all. It was not a simple question, somehow much more than that. It was almost as if the title "Lady" did not belong. The word stuck out, was awkward and strained on Elrond's tongue.
The air seemed to crackle and shift, the silent calm shattering into a million pieces.
"I-I do not know my Lord." Legolas answered, shifting uncomfortably under Elrond's gaze.
Something flashed across the Elf Lord's eyes, so quick, Legolas barely caught it.
Was it, anger?
"Make sure your…..Lady is not late." Again the pause. It sounded intentional, but Legolas didn't want to believe it intentional. With his last words, Elrond strode away, long robes billowing behind him.
The minute he was out of sight, the door beside him opened, a red cheeked maid appearing in the doorway.
"My Lord." She murmured, lowering her head in respect, "Lady Bren is ready."
With a nod, Legolas ushered her away, and entered the large chamber to retrieve Bren. He could not help but gasp a little, when his clear blue eyes caught sight of her. Like a goddess of fire, she stood tall beside the bay window, gaze outside again, hands clasped firmly in front of her. She wore a soft red dress, that shone and glittered at her slightest movement, light catching the tiny jeweled brooch around her neck, exploding in an array of colors. The light fabric seemed to accent the shape of her body, clinging here and there to show every curve in detail. There was no neckline, and the dress hung in place just below her shoulders, exposing porcelain skin underneath. Her flaming copper hair was held like a fiery crown upon her head in tiny braids, pinned in place with a flower make of diamonds. A few loose tendrils drooped loose, cupping her cheeks gently. Never before had Legolas seen such beauty in a woman, and it took his breath away to the point where he believed it a dream.
With delicate grace, she turned to face him, emerald eyes shining. Even from across the room, Legolas could see them perfectly. They seemed to swallow him whole, drowning him in their clear, beautiful depths.
"Is it time?" she asked, voice calm and controlled.
Legolas nodded slowly, moving forward a step.
"Yes, I believe it is time." He replied, offering his slender arm to guide her.
But she did not intertwine her own with his, instead giving him a cold stare, brushing past him in a swirl of soft silk. Her dainty perfume, smelling of morning dew, lingered in the air where she had strode, passing over Legolas gently as he followed close behind. He did not bother to close the door on his way out, instead, keeping pace as Bren swept along the corridor quickly, not a sound coming from her bare feet troding hidden underneath the folds of her gown. They did not speak, choosing silence. It seemed silence was more than enough for them.
Murmuring voices grew louder as they approached the outdoor chamber where the council was to take place, familiar voices that brought happiness to Legolas' heart. They were here. The Fellowship, after so long.
"No Pippin…..give it to me. I want to see it……" Merry's jovial voice reached them first, as they rounded the last corner into the courtyard.
The scene they were met with was quite a lighthearted one indeed.
Merry and Pippin were fighting over what looked to be Frodo's sword Sting, Frodo was talking to Aragorn with Sam nearby, and Gandalf was happily chatting with Gimli. Legolas' spirits rose a little when he saw the squat dwarf, his close friend. It had been some time since they'd seen each other, and Legolas longed to have a word with him before the council began.
It seemed he might get his chance, as the room quieted upon their arrival.
Heads turned, voices dimmed, and the entire chamber was silent.
Many sets of eyes landed on Bren, and her emotionless expression changed to one of anger and fear, as Aragorn took a step forward, kneeling slightly to kiss her hand.
He looked quite bewildered when she whipped it behind her, stepping away.
"What is it my Lady?" he asked innocently.
Bren glared at him and did not respond.
Legolas cleared his throat, and all gazes shifted to him. "She does not allow men, of any race to touch her." He said awkwardly. The company nodded, and seemed to all step backwards at once. There was an uneasy silence, before Aragorn once again tried to please Bren. "I respect your wishes, my Lady, but please grace me with your name. I do not know why you attend this council, but perhaps If I knew thy name, than I may understand better."
"You may call me Bren." She said curtly, moving to sit down in a chair nearby. "Though that is not my name."
Aragorn looked like he was to question further, but Legolas shot him a glance, which silenced him.
"Well." Gandalf murmured after a moment, smiling at everyone. "The Fellowship has returned. Finally."
At this, all talk started up again, and Legolas joined the merriment. All the while though, he kept glancing back at Bren, who seemed not to care sitting by herself. The shadow was descending again, and Legoals could almost feel a cold wind on his neck, hear whispers of evil. It was quite unsettling. He somehow knew ill was to come from this council, in one form or another. He could sense darkness' presence, even within the safe confines of Rivendell, which set a heavy feeling of great unease upon him.
"Ah, the Fellowship."
Once again, Elrond entered without a sound, gliding over to stand near them, smiling at each in turn.
"Finally, you have reunited."
At his words, the company seated themselves, Legolas choosing to sit close to Bren. She suddenly looked very frightened with Elrond in the room, as if she too could feel something was to happen. All talk died down, and everyone waited patiently for the Elf Lord to continue. Merry and Pippin were still quarrelling amongst themselves quietly, though stopped abruptly when Elrond gave them a cold stare.
With that simple gesture, all the merriment vanished from the chamber in one violent swoop.
"There is no time for petty bickering." He snapped, standing tall. "We have certain matters to attend to that cannot be overlooked. There is not much time."
His penetrating gaze shifted to Bren, and all the color drained from her face. His upper lip seemed to curl in disgust, though it was so small only Legoals could've seen it. Merry and Pippin were silent now, sitting still as stone in their chairs.
"Now." Elrond began, holding a small piece of paper in his hand tightly. "I have called you all here, on urgent buisness, to discuss the actions of Celeborn. I am sure you have been informed, have you not?"
Everyone nodded, the silence stretching out uncomfortably.
"Though it seems," he continued, brows furrowing in thought, "that under new circumstances, something much more important must be taken care of. I cannot lie to you, evil once again is stirring, I can hear the whispers on the wind, and have heard them for some time. Not until now, have I understood why."
He paused, turning to face Bren slowly.
"Now I understand why Celeborn took such drastic actions to keep the simple human Bren in his grasp."
Everyone was looking at Bren now, and she could meet none of their gazes.
"No more than an hour ago, I was searching the vast shelves of my grand library, searching for answers, something to explain the events in Lothlorien. Quite mistakenly, I stumbled upon a small outcrop, tucked away in the shadows. The shelf there, was old and broken, many thick volumes crammed into the tiny space. I was intrigued. I pulled a small book from it, the cover layered with grime and dust. Though what I found inside, many just as wise and old as I, would, I am certain, never wish to see it. I read the script with much difficulty, and now, I say with equally the same difficulty, that there is more than one Great Ring."
A choking sound echoed throughout the chamber, and all heads turned to face Frodo, who looked almost transparent, eyes wide with horror.
"You lie!" he shrieked, trembling violently. "You lie!"
All the hobbits ran to his side, holding him steady. He seemed about to faint.
Elrond shook his head, giving Frodo a look of pity.
"Do not worry, my dear friend. This ring is not in your care. You shall not suffer as you did before. There is another bearer, who sits in this very room."
The hobbit seemed to calm down a bit, but still looked greatly shaken. All the others mirrored him, faces contorted with anger, fear, anxiety and grief. It took a moment though, before Elrond's words sunk in. There was another gasp. Once again, gazes shifted back to Bren, who was staring, breathing hard and uneaven, at the silver ring placed around her middle finger.
"Yes." Elrond's icy voice cut through the silence. "It is you…..Lady Bren."
"How do we destroy it?!" Gimli shouted suddenly, standing, axe held fast in his grubby hand.
Legolas wasn't listening. Gimli's words seemed far away, distant, like from a memory. All his attention, every sense was on Bren. A lump formed in his throat, stomach twisting into a knot. This couldn't be happening. He did not believe Elrond's words. It was not possible…….it could not be true! How could Bren, be the bearer of the other Great Ring?!
"There is a way."
Elrond's reply was suddenly clear in his head, and he snapped back into reality.
"The True Ring, as it is called, is far beyond the meager power of the One Ring. It was made of silver, and blood of the innocent, it's purpose was to take the life of the bearer, so that Sauron may return. But, there was a great flaw in Sauron's evil plan. There is a way to destroy it, to keep it from killing Bren."
"How?!" Legolas shouted, standing too, heart in his throat.
Elrond seemed to smile then, thin pressed lips curving into an icy grin that sent shivers down Legolas' spine.
"We kill her first."
Bren screamed, staggering to her feet and backing away from Elrond, hand outstretched as if she hoped to stop him.
"Then it shall be done." Aragorn said sternly, unsheathing his mighty sword.
"No!!!"
Legolas leaped in front of Bren's trembling form, notching an arrow in his bow. "No!" he shouted again. "You shall not kill her!!"
Elrond frowned, taking one menacing step forward. "You wish to go against the word of Elrond?!" he hissed, "You have already stood in the way of Celeborn, but your meddling ways shall not stop me! Do not think this treason will be overlooked. If you decide to stand in the way, you throw away your life Legolas Greenleaf!!"
But Legolas did not stand down, instead pulling the string back further.
"Fine." Aragorn replied to his silence "Than I shall kill you myself."
Gimli nodded, tearing Legolas' heart in two. Even his friend had abandoned him.
"Bren." He growled, between clenched teeth. "Run."
"Legolas." Elrond interrupted. "You do not understand. Bren is not human. She was made by Sauron to carry out his evil task. There shall be no shame in killing her! She is not real! She is but a key. If you let her live, you threaten the fate of Middle Earth!"
"Bren!" Legolas shouted. "Run!"
There was no more time for talk, as Aragorn charged forward, swinging the deadly blade. Legolas jumped aside, letting his arrow fly. It was knocked down by Gimli's axe, lying in splinters on the ground. The Hobbits drew their own blades, coming toward him with battle cries. Legolas notched more arrows, but each time they were chopped down. They were getting to close. There were too many of them. It was exactly as it had been in Lothlorien. But they would not kill Bren. He would not let them.
"Bren!!!"
She did not move. Her feet were rooted to the spot.
"Run!!"
An arrow whizzed from his bow, digging itself in the ground beside her. She cried out in surprise, jumping backwards, then fled from the chamber. Legolas slung his bow over his shoulder then took off after her. Aragorn and the others began to follow, but Elrond stopped them.
"What are you doing?!" Aragorn shouted. "If she lives, we will all be killed!!"
"Do not worry." Elrond said smoothly, keen eyes watching as two figures on horseback sped away from Rivendell. "They will return. It will not be long before Prince cannot bear to see her suffer."
3 Chapter Four
Elrond scanned his bookshelves, a deft finger running slowly along each spine, stopping now and then to remove a volume and leaf through it's pages. He really wasn't sure what he was looking for. It was merely another itch that plagued him, a tickle of thought that would not leave his troubled mind.
The picture of the girl, lying in her room like a fallen angel, he could not forget.
But what really piqued his senses was the ring on her finger.
He could not brush away the sense of foreboding that followed him wherever he went. The shrill voice in his head that kept repeating: "You've seen that ring somewhere before. You know you have….Do not dismiss it as a simple piece of silver…." It was maddening, to somehow think you've seen something before, but not knowing where. Perhaps a book? A single book long forgotten on the massive shelves.
But there was no book standing out above the rest, no book lying on the floor collecting dust, and Elrond began to believe his search fruitless. Still, he could not evade the nagging thought, and every time he tried to push it away, it merely came back stronger than ever. The council would take place in a few hours, and he had to have something to present. Without anything, they could not discuss Celeborn's actions in an organized way. They would simply be coming up with suggestion after suggestion and eventually would be no farther ahead than before.
There had to be something….Anything…
Footsteps treading softly along the floor, Elrond continued down the rows, unconsciously ending up in a small outcrop of space, slightly shadowed behind a looming bookcase. A few thick volumes littered the floor, and the meager shelves, some broken at one end, were crammed full with papers and ornately decorated books, little trinkets and maps, dog-eared leaflets and smaller journal sized collections so covered in dust it was extremely difficult to make out the titles.
Curiosity heightened, Elrond stepped forward, sliding a thin volume from the small confined space, arousing a cloud of dust that lingered in the already stuffy air. Rather reluctantly, he ran a fine hand over the cover, removing most of the grime and dirt. Gold letters glittered there, in an old form of Elvish, thought lost by many. But the more wise still remembered it clearly, the speech of Mordor. Reading it slowly, a chill ran down Elrond's spine, the hairs on his neck standing.
It said: "A shadow passes, a war is won, though of the Great Ring…there is more than one.. Of silver and metal an eye as it's gem, through the life of the bearer, Sauron rises again."
Breathing in sharply, Elrond snatched his hand away, staring at the book as though it was evil itself.
"How can this be?!" he hissed, throwing open the cover and scanning the lines of Black Speech ruthlessly.
"-the One Ring he knew would fail him, so he made another, weaving a spell of darkness upon it, so as the first passed, the second would be born. He told his many followers of this, that he would be vanquished, but through the life of the bearer of the Second Ring, he would come back more powerful and evil than ever, that he would be immortal and could never be destroyed. And so the ring was made, in the fiery depths of Mount Doom alongside it's brother, weak and powerless compared to the True Ring, wrought of silver and the blood of the innocent, with the Eye of Sauron as it's evil gem. The True Ring, is said to be entirely of darkness, hate and suffering, that it will kill the bearer, tear away their soul and extinguish their spirit, that the bearer will be cursed indeed for the one who is destined to this life will know no joy and happiness. But there was yet another flaw in Sauron's plan, for if the bearer is killed, through no influence of the True Ring, there will be no way for the Dark Lord to return. And there shall be no shame in this deed, for the bearer was not born of human flesh, nor Elf nor Dwarf nor Hobbit or any other creature that lives. The bearer is but a key, a pawn of Sauron's evil task, that must be killed at all costs. That is the only way to vanquish evil forever, and save that of Middle-earth."
The air seemed to crackle with tension even as Elrond's smooth voice died away, the silence settling in once more. With a trembling hand, he peeled back the second page to look upon an illustration of the True Ring, feeling his knees buckle underneath him once his fair eyes caught sight of it.
It was beautiful, and yet seemed to radiate with darkness, the screams and shrieks of the dead seemingly floating from the page. A simple design of smooth silver, a blood red jewel placed in the center amidst sharp claws that kept it firm. The gem, even in illustration, seemed to move, swirling and spinning around the thin line of bright orange that Elrond realized, with a dreadful shudder, mirrored that of the Eye of Sauron, flaming with rage and hatred, darkness and spite.
It was the exact ring that graced the Lady Bren's delicate finger.
"No….!" he whispered franticly, eyes wide in disbelief. "No it cannot be true! It-It cannot!"
But even as the words left his mouth, Elrond suddenly knew, that everything had changed.
*
Legolas stood waiting patiently outside Bren's room, foot tapping the floor every now and then, the sound echoing away into silence. A slight wind was wafting through the corridors, bringing the stray leaves to life in a spiraling dance of copper, yellow, gold and brown. It was so magical in Rivendell, and Legolas could almost hear little whispers, drifting on the breeze, peels of laughter and pattering footsteps like a long ago memory. The silence was soothing, laying a blanket of ease on his shoulders, muffling every ache, every ill thought, every desire to speak of evil or doom in the hallowed halls. No one was around, no sound emanated from the chamber beside him, it was like a beautiful dream, a dream Legolas never wished to wake from. The events of the past days seemed to drift away, leaving nothing but empty space where they had been.
But even through the silent calm, a shadow seemed to descend upon the mystical grounds. It was a shadow harboring darkness and evil, it carried the sense of horrible things to come. And come they would, Legolas knew. The council was but hours away, and as he'd been informed of, the former Fellowship was already bordering Rivendell, to arrive in little time at all. It had been urgent business, to discuss the actions of Celeborn and how to deal with them; but somehow, Legolas could sense more was to happen, something so encompassing that it would pull them all, the Fellowship into danger once more.
"Legolas."
The voice startled him, and Legolas turned swiftly on his heel to meet the gaze of Elrond, who stood mere centimeters away. He had come to silently and swiftly, Legolas had barely noticed.
There was an icy coldness in the Elf Lord's eyes, fear shining like a beacon from the brown depths, that sent chills down his spine. Legoals longed to look away, but thought better of it. There was something wrong, something terribly wrong.
"Legolas." He said again, elegant voice, as silent as he intended it to be, resonating down the bright corridor. "Is your….Lady ready?" The timing was perfect between words, as if he'd planned to say it all morning. But the way it sounded, was not right at all. It was not a simple question, somehow much more than that. It was almost as if the title "Lady" did not belong. The word stuck out, was awkward and strained on Elrond's tongue.
The air seemed to crackle and shift, the silent calm shattering into a million pieces.
"I-I do not know my Lord." Legolas answered, shifting uncomfortably under Elrond's gaze.
Something flashed across the Elf Lord's eyes, so quick, Legolas barely caught it.
Was it, anger?
"Make sure your…..Lady is not late." Again the pause. It sounded intentional, but Legolas didn't want to believe it intentional. With his last words, Elrond strode away, long robes billowing behind him.
The minute he was out of sight, the door beside him opened, a red cheeked maid appearing in the doorway.
"My Lord." She murmured, lowering her head in respect, "Lady Bren is ready."
With a nod, Legolas ushered her away, and entered the large chamber to retrieve Bren. He could not help but gasp a little, when his clear blue eyes caught sight of her. Like a goddess of fire, she stood tall beside the bay window, gaze outside again, hands clasped firmly in front of her. She wore a soft red dress, that shone and glittered at her slightest movement, light catching the tiny jeweled brooch around her neck, exploding in an array of colors. The light fabric seemed to accent the shape of her body, clinging here and there to show every curve in detail. There was no neckline, and the dress hung in place just below her shoulders, exposing porcelain skin underneath. Her flaming copper hair was held like a fiery crown upon her head in tiny braids, pinned in place with a flower make of diamonds. A few loose tendrils drooped loose, cupping her cheeks gently. Never before had Legolas seen such beauty in a woman, and it took his breath away to the point where he believed it a dream.
With delicate grace, she turned to face him, emerald eyes shining. Even from across the room, Legolas could see them perfectly. They seemed to swallow him whole, drowning him in their clear, beautiful depths.
"Is it time?" she asked, voice calm and controlled.
Legolas nodded slowly, moving forward a step.
"Yes, I believe it is time." He replied, offering his slender arm to guide her.
But she did not intertwine her own with his, instead giving him a cold stare, brushing past him in a swirl of soft silk. Her dainty perfume, smelling of morning dew, lingered in the air where she had strode, passing over Legolas gently as he followed close behind. He did not bother to close the door on his way out, instead, keeping pace as Bren swept along the corridor quickly, not a sound coming from her bare feet troding hidden underneath the folds of her gown. They did not speak, choosing silence. It seemed silence was more than enough for them.
Murmuring voices grew louder as they approached the outdoor chamber where the council was to take place, familiar voices that brought happiness to Legolas' heart. They were here. The Fellowship, after so long.
"No Pippin…..give it to me. I want to see it……" Merry's jovial voice reached them first, as they rounded the last corner into the courtyard.
The scene they were met with was quite a lighthearted one indeed.
Merry and Pippin were fighting over what looked to be Frodo's sword Sting, Frodo was talking to Aragorn with Sam nearby, and Gandalf was happily chatting with Gimli. Legolas' spirits rose a little when he saw the squat dwarf, his close friend. It had been some time since they'd seen each other, and Legolas longed to have a word with him before the council began.
It seemed he might get his chance, as the room quieted upon their arrival.
Heads turned, voices dimmed, and the entire chamber was silent.
Many sets of eyes landed on Bren, and her emotionless expression changed to one of anger and fear, as Aragorn took a step forward, kneeling slightly to kiss her hand.
He looked quite bewildered when she whipped it behind her, stepping away.
"What is it my Lady?" he asked innocently.
Bren glared at him and did not respond.
Legolas cleared his throat, and all gazes shifted to him. "She does not allow men, of any race to touch her." He said awkwardly. The company nodded, and seemed to all step backwards at once. There was an uneasy silence, before Aragorn once again tried to please Bren. "I respect your wishes, my Lady, but please grace me with your name. I do not know why you attend this council, but perhaps If I knew thy name, than I may understand better."
"You may call me Bren." She said curtly, moving to sit down in a chair nearby. "Though that is not my name."
Aragorn looked like he was to question further, but Legolas shot him a glance, which silenced him.
"Well." Gandalf murmured after a moment, smiling at everyone. "The Fellowship has returned. Finally."
At this, all talk started up again, and Legolas joined the merriment. All the while though, he kept glancing back at Bren, who seemed not to care sitting by herself. The shadow was descending again, and Legoals could almost feel a cold wind on his neck, hear whispers of evil. It was quite unsettling. He somehow knew ill was to come from this council, in one form or another. He could sense darkness' presence, even within the safe confines of Rivendell, which set a heavy feeling of great unease upon him.
"Ah, the Fellowship."
Once again, Elrond entered without a sound, gliding over to stand near them, smiling at each in turn.
"Finally, you have reunited."
At his words, the company seated themselves, Legolas choosing to sit close to Bren. She suddenly looked very frightened with Elrond in the room, as if she too could feel something was to happen. All talk died down, and everyone waited patiently for the Elf Lord to continue. Merry and Pippin were still quarrelling amongst themselves quietly, though stopped abruptly when Elrond gave them a cold stare.
With that simple gesture, all the merriment vanished from the chamber in one violent swoop.
"There is no time for petty bickering." He snapped, standing tall. "We have certain matters to attend to that cannot be overlooked. There is not much time."
His penetrating gaze shifted to Bren, and all the color drained from her face. His upper lip seemed to curl in disgust, though it was so small only Legoals could've seen it. Merry and Pippin were silent now, sitting still as stone in their chairs.
"Now." Elrond began, holding a small piece of paper in his hand tightly. "I have called you all here, on urgent buisness, to discuss the actions of Celeborn. I am sure you have been informed, have you not?"
Everyone nodded, the silence stretching out uncomfortably.
"Though it seems," he continued, brows furrowing in thought, "that under new circumstances, something much more important must be taken care of. I cannot lie to you, evil once again is stirring, I can hear the whispers on the wind, and have heard them for some time. Not until now, have I understood why."
He paused, turning to face Bren slowly.
"Now I understand why Celeborn took such drastic actions to keep the simple human Bren in his grasp."
Everyone was looking at Bren now, and she could meet none of their gazes.
"No more than an hour ago, I was searching the vast shelves of my grand library, searching for answers, something to explain the events in Lothlorien. Quite mistakenly, I stumbled upon a small outcrop, tucked away in the shadows. The shelf there, was old and broken, many thick volumes crammed into the tiny space. I was intrigued. I pulled a small book from it, the cover layered with grime and dust. Though what I found inside, many just as wise and old as I, would, I am certain, never wish to see it. I read the script with much difficulty, and now, I say with equally the same difficulty, that there is more than one Great Ring."
A choking sound echoed throughout the chamber, and all heads turned to face Frodo, who looked almost transparent, eyes wide with horror.
"You lie!" he shrieked, trembling violently. "You lie!"
All the hobbits ran to his side, holding him steady. He seemed about to faint.
Elrond shook his head, giving Frodo a look of pity.
"Do not worry, my dear friend. This ring is not in your care. You shall not suffer as you did before. There is another bearer, who sits in this very room."
The hobbit seemed to calm down a bit, but still looked greatly shaken. All the others mirrored him, faces contorted with anger, fear, anxiety and grief. It took a moment though, before Elrond's words sunk in. There was another gasp. Once again, gazes shifted back to Bren, who was staring, breathing hard and uneaven, at the silver ring placed around her middle finger.
"Yes." Elrond's icy voice cut through the silence. "It is you…..Lady Bren."
"How do we destroy it?!" Gimli shouted suddenly, standing, axe held fast in his grubby hand.
Legolas wasn't listening. Gimli's words seemed far away, distant, like from a memory. All his attention, every sense was on Bren. A lump formed in his throat, stomach twisting into a knot. This couldn't be happening. He did not believe Elrond's words. It was not possible…….it could not be true! How could Bren, be the bearer of the other Great Ring?!
"There is a way."
Elrond's reply was suddenly clear in his head, and he snapped back into reality.
"The True Ring, as it is called, is far beyond the meager power of the One Ring. It was made of silver, and blood of the innocent, it's purpose was to take the life of the bearer, so that Sauron may return. But, there was a great flaw in Sauron's evil plan. There is a way to destroy it, to keep it from killing Bren."
"How?!" Legolas shouted, standing too, heart in his throat.
Elrond seemed to smile then, thin pressed lips curving into an icy grin that sent shivers down Legolas' spine.
"We kill her first."
Bren screamed, staggering to her feet and backing away from Elrond, hand outstretched as if she hoped to stop him.
"Then it shall be done." Aragorn said sternly, unsheathing his mighty sword.
"No!!!"
Legolas leaped in front of Bren's trembling form, notching an arrow in his bow. "No!" he shouted again. "You shall not kill her!!"
Elrond frowned, taking one menacing step forward. "You wish to go against the word of Elrond?!" he hissed, "You have already stood in the way of Celeborn, but your meddling ways shall not stop me! Do not think this treason will be overlooked. If you decide to stand in the way, you throw away your life Legolas Greenleaf!!"
But Legolas did not stand down, instead pulling the string back further.
"Fine." Aragorn replied to his silence "Than I shall kill you myself."
Gimli nodded, tearing Legolas' heart in two. Even his friend had abandoned him.
"Bren." He growled, between clenched teeth. "Run."
"Legolas." Elrond interrupted. "You do not understand. Bren is not human. She was made by Sauron to carry out his evil task. There shall be no shame in killing her! She is not real! She is but a key. If you let her live, you threaten the fate of Middle Earth!"
"Bren!" Legolas shouted. "Run!"
There was no more time for talk, as Aragorn charged forward, swinging the deadly blade. Legolas jumped aside, letting his arrow fly. It was knocked down by Gimli's axe, lying in splinters on the ground. The Hobbits drew their own blades, coming toward him with battle cries. Legolas notched more arrows, but each time they were chopped down. They were getting to close. There were too many of them. It was exactly as it had been in Lothlorien. But they would not kill Bren. He would not let them.
"Bren!!!"
She did not move. Her feet were rooted to the spot.
"Run!!"
An arrow whizzed from his bow, digging itself in the ground beside her. She cried out in surprise, jumping backwards, then fled from the chamber. Legolas slung his bow over his shoulder then took off after her. Aragorn and the others began to follow, but Elrond stopped them.
"What are you doing?!" Aragorn shouted. "If she lives, we will all be killed!!"
"Do not worry." Elrond said smoothly, keen eyes watching as two figures on horseback sped away from Rivendell. "They will return. It will not be long before Prince cannot bear to see her suffer."