Wooooo! She's baaaaack! Sorry for the pause in the action, between writer's block and AP exams I've been dead. But here's another chapter. Please read and review! ^.^
-A
AN: for this chapter I'm using both book verse and movie verse (I liked some of the lines from Boromir). And yes, to those of you who have read the book, I'm doing it a bit out of order. Forgive the madness. Oh yes, lines have been used from the book (Fellowship of the Ring: The Council of Elrond) and the movie (obviously).
CouncilThe twins stood quietly beneath an archway, awaiting the arrival of their father and the rest of this council. Both were dressed in shades of blue-grey, Elrond was a sharp contrast of the two in red and burgundy, very noticeable when he joined his sons. "There will be a great deal of discussion and deliberation today - "
"And our voices will not be entirely idle. The concerns of Middle-earth and Imladris are not for you to bear alone. I know that you still wish us to be innocent to the coming shadow but we have not been for a long time." Elladan spoke quietly, turning grey eyes to meet his father's. He knew quite well that Elrond would rather that they not hunt orcs, that they not wander so far abroad.
Elrond sighed and nodded slowly. By now even his daughter was no longer as innocent as she once was. "Very well. The council has assembled." The twins nodded and made their way into the circle. They looked around: from the left sat Frodo and Mithrandir, then Glorfindel and Erestor. Next was Galdor of the Havens, and a small company from Mirkwood which included the young prince Legolas. Long ago when all was well the trio had been playmates, but then the blond had remained in his father's kingdom. After centuries of brief visits, they now had gotten to be friends again through his frequent journeys to Imladris as a messenger for his father. Farther along were a few Dwarves, Glóin and his son Gimli, others that the two did not know of. Next came the Men. Elrohir recognised the horn of Gondor at one man's belt and he wondered who he was. Apart from the rest of the council sat Aragorn, again wearing his stained wandering clothes and looked deep in thought. He nudged his twin brother as Elladan approached after talking to Legolas. Elladan looked at him curiously, then followed his gaze. He saw Aragorn, looking again like the wanderer he was. But then he saw what had caught Elrohir's eye – around the Dúnadan's neck he saw a flash of sliver: Arwen's trinket. The elder twin nodded his approval, then slipped away to his seat at Elrond's right. His father was addressing the council.
†
Aragorn sighed quietly, the discussions seemed as if they'd never end. Gandalf's news of Saurman's betrayal was not light, nor was Legolas's of Gollum's escape or recapture. Aragorn listened as talk turned away from him and to the ring once more. What to do with it? Elrond spoke of Tom Bombadil, called Orald by the Dúnedain, Forn by the Dwarves, and Iarwain Ben-adar by the Elves. But Gandalf argued that he would not take the ring unless he had to and so the idea was abandoned. Galdor asked what power remained in Imladris, the Havens, and Lórien, the answer from Elrond was that they had not the strength. Glorfindel entered the debate, saying that it must be sent over the Sea or destroyed. The wizard argued again – those who dwell across would not take it and it could not be hidden within. It must be destroyed.
Elrond sighed, taking all of it in carefully. Their choices grew fewer until but one clear one remained. The Ring could not be hidden forever and yet who could destroy it? How would they do so? The answer formed slowly in his mind, and he spoke it gravely. "None here can solve the riddle set before us. At least none can foretell what will come to pass, if we take this road or that. But it seems to me now clear which is the road that we must take. The westward road seems easiest. Therefore it must be shunned. It will be watched. Too often the Elves have fled that way. Now at this last we must take a hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be. To walk into peril – to Mordor. We must send the Ring to the Fire."
Long was there silence, but at length Boromir spoke. "I do not understand all this. Saruman is a traitor, but did he not have a glimpse of wisdom? Why do you speak ever of hiding and destroying? Why should we not think that the Great Ring has come into our hands to serve us in the very hour of need?"
Aragorn frowned, this was madness! Even the wizard looked irritated, Elrond and his sons looked at the man as if he were crazy and deaf.
"You cannot wield this ring – it answers to Sauron alone." Boromir looked at him and sneered.
"And what would a Ranger know of such matters?" Aragorn opened his mouth to answer but an angry Legolas jumped to his defence, proclaiming his true title and name. Aragorn felt heat rise in his cheeks when Boromir looked at him again, this time in disbelief.
"This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor. You owe him your allegiance." Again Legolas spoke out passionately, Aragorn shot him a look and told so much as asked him to sit back down. The young prince did so, but he did not look happy about any of it. The twin brothers hid smiles behind masks of calm. They would have gladly jumped to Aragorn's defence, but Legolas had beaten them to it. It had angered them both to hear Aragorn scorned. The man of Gondor looked almost disgusted and defiant.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." The sharp words stung Aragorn and he shifted, trying to put them aside. He could not let one man's opinion deter him from reclaiming the throne he was born to.
Elladan frowned deeply, this was so very complicated now. He looked over to Elrohir, who was listening as intently as he. Their father said that he would not take the Ring to wield it and they were glad for that – with Vilya and the One Ring, Elrond would be a force to be reckoned with.. but all who used the Ring were corrupted eventually. Neither twin could imagine losing their father to such a great shadow. Mithrandir declined the Ring as well and Boromir looked sorely put out. Elrond spoke again, "Such is oft the course of deeds that move the wheels of the world: small hands do them because they must, while the eyes of the great are elsewhere."
Elrohir looked up in a bit of shock, but respect as well when Bilbo, whom he'd nearly missed in the first place, spoke up to take the ring. It was silly, the Halfling was getting quite old, he could not make the journey. He was glad that Mithrandir quickly dissuaded him. Then all fell silent. Who would take the Ring? And who would go with the bearer? The air grew tense and all could feel it. And yet no one spoke. Elrond had taken his seat between his sons some time ago. The twins looked to him, but nothing was revealed. At last, a tiny voice spoke.
"I will take the Ring," said young Frodo, "though I do not know the way."
Elrond looked at the young hobbit with a new air of respect and some awe. Who amongst the wise could have known? "This task is appointed for you, Frodo; and if you do not find a way, no one will. This is indeed the hour of the Shire-folk. But his is a heavy burden for one so young to bear and none here could lay it on you alone. If you freely accept it, I would say your choice is right."
Another voice rose from the bushes and it shocked all present, they turned to see Sam Gamgee jump up from where he'd been sitting in the corner. "Surely you won't send him alone, Master Elrond?"
"No indeed," the Half Elf's face broke into a smile, beside him he saw mirror expressions on the faces of Elladan and Elrohir. "It is hardly possibly to separate you two, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
†
Nothing else was to be decided then and there – the council dispersed. Elladan and Elrohir rushed to catch up Before either had spoke a word, Elrond's voice cut through the air, "I do not – "
"You do not wish to discuss it now, we know Adar. But if we do not speak to you now it is likely that we will not be given the opportunity." Elrohir and his twin stood as statutes, unmoving and unblinking as their lord and father turned to face them. Both he and Elladan knew that Elrond would be reluctant but they'd decided not to let him take this on alone as he'd done so often before. "Please, Ada, you have spent much time alone in your study or with a few others as advisors. Speak now to your sons."
Elrond sighed. "I am loath to speak because I fear you both are far too much like I was at your age… but come. We will discuss this council in my study and not in open halls. There is much to be done." He motioned for them to follow, wishing to treat them as any others but his sons. He feared what they would ask of him once he'd begun to fill the numbers of the company.
†
Elladan frowned, four places left.. now two. Only two places remained in the Fellowship. He had to speak, but he hadn't anticipated Elrohir doing the same. Their voices came as one,
"Father.."
Elrond gave a sharp wave of his hand. He'd known it was coming since the spaces had began filling. "I will not allow it – do not even ask."
"Then who are you going to fill the remaining spaces with?" Elrohir insisted, looking troubled. "Who else could go? You cannot send a Noldor – Mithrandir is risk enough already. Send us, we are able."
"I do not question your capability, utinueamin, I need you here. The places will be filled once I've discussed this further with Mithrandir. Please do not contest this. Elladan?" The lord of Rivendell looked to his oldest; this was one of the few times he'd ever pleaded with his sons. If this was not resolved, he feared they would follow the company. After a moment, Elladan bowed his head.
"As you wish it."
"Elrohir?" Elrond looked at his youngest son, whom he truly worried about. He was more likely to follow. Finally Elrohir gave a nod of his head.
"I will remain in Imladris."
"Diola lle, both of you. Do not worry, you shall not be left idle. I've errands for you both."
†
Please read and review! More chapters out soon.
Translations:
Utinueamin – my sons
Diola lle – thank you
