The council watched as one by one, strangers of strange look and garb, entered the council area. The area was a secluded court yard surrounded by tall fiery trees and a constant breeze. Aragorn rose and shook hands with a small girl, no older than perhaps 20 with long brown hair bounded three times and hung over her left shoulder. She wore a elvish gown of deep green with a tightly cinched waist and the loose skirt went from deep green to yellow. Around her neck was a pendent of ruby hung on a thin chain of gold. Her eyes were clear and blue but there was something else about her, something the seasoned Strider didn't trust.

" I hope you and friends will find peace here in Rivendell, Lady Meia," he greeted and she smiled warmly at him.

"You're very kind, Master. . .?"

"I have many names," He began but she let out a small snicker that made his face pull taunt.

"It seems many of you have many names," She said and he let go of her hand rather quickly.

"Strider," He said, " You may call me Strider,"

I felt I had offended Strider in someway. I had not meant to sound so sarcastic . I never got a chance to tell him as Elrond stood and all talk ceased.

"Lady Meia, you and your party may sit here, and I will tell you why we are gathered." He said, gesturing to a group of chairs to his left. We all took our seats. Allanon sat next to Elrond, then myself, Tay, Risca, Bremen, Ord Star, Brom, who had the Sword of Shannara sheathed across his back, and Red. He said they were here because an evil was growing and they had to stop it. The evil was ancient and had risen to power because of the failed destruction of something they called Isildur's Bane. I wanted to listen but Rash squirmed under my skin. He hissed and growled in my ears. He wanted something. Something the small child (well, he was actually a hobbit) Frodo had. I reached over and gripped Allanon's hand tightly. He shot a harsh look at me. He must of thought I was just being silly.

'It's Rash' I mouthed. As Elrond continued to speak of Frodo's journey, Allanon gripped my hand firmly . A wash of warm feeling came over me as he fed magic into my body. Rash's movements and thoughts became sluggish and finally he went to 'sleep'.

I came back into focus and now the council was conversing among themselves. A tall, blonde elf named Legolas Greenleaf spoke of a thing named Gollum. He said it had escaped from a place named Mirkwood. A man named Boromir said he was following a riddle.

I listened as the plot unfolded before us. Aragorn was a prince, a descendent of the fallen king Isildur and I felt my face burn at the ignorance I had shown him. He held up a broken sword and Boromir's jaw fell. Aragorn was the answer to his riddle. Suddenly the room grew quiet and all eyes were upon us. It was a dwarf named Gimli who spoke, eyeing Tay rather sharply.

"We know why we're here! What about these strangers? What do they have to offer to our council?"He asked standing up, his chain-mail shimmering in the afternoon sun. Several of the dwarves by his side shouted in agreement as well as several men. My mouth went dry. What was to be said!? It was Bremen who stood and gave a deep bow to the council.

"We came from a far away land, and have heard of your plight. We only wish to aid you." Bremen straightened, his colorless hair falling back into place. The dwarf sat back down rather rigidly in his seat and the council gave a murmur of consent. " But we have never heard of this Isildur's Bane, what is it?"

Elrond turned to Frodo and gave a nod, "It is time to reveal your burden, Frodo Baggins," He said, "Lay the ring before the council," Elrond waved his graceful hand to a column in the center of the council . The small, dark-haired hobbit timidly stood and walked to the column and from his coat pocket placed a plain golden ring on it and backed away.

Rash came alive inside me, the druid's spell waning away.

"That ring! I must have it!!!" Rash screamed in my head. I went pale and groaned. I placed my hands over my ears as if it could soften Rash's thunderous voice and placed my head between my knees. Several council members looked over at me. Elrond, Legolas, and Gandalf got to their feet, looking at me curiously. I wondered if with their keen senses they could feel Rash warring inside me. Bremen hastily waved my condition aside.

"Our Meia must still be ill," He said when Legolas reeled on the green eyed druid.

"Are you saying that a healing from the Lord Elrond is not enough to heal your Lady? Tell us what is so wrong with her?" The wood elf demanded.