A/N: Sorry I took so long to post up this chapter! Anyway, here it is! Hope you guys like it! The history of how Middle-Earth came to be I took from 'The Silmarillion'. I know most of you are aware of that but this is just for people who have not read the book. I've altered and made up some parts to fit into the plot of my story. I just thought I'd let you know beforehand because some people really sweat about stuffs like that. This is, after all, a FANFICTION. So, just enjoy it for what it really is.

Chapter Nine

Callysta rubbed her eyes and stretched herself. It took her a moment to realize that there was someone else standing by her bed. It was one of the servants. He told her that Elrond wanted her to attend an important council.

Long after the servant left, Callysta sat on her bed. A thousand questions were running through her head. She wondered if Elrond had found out her true identity. Her mouth went dry at that thought.

There's only one way to find out, she told herself, as she climbed out of bed.

Callysta was the last to arrive at the Council. Quietly, she took her place between two Elves from the House of Elrond. Elrond smiled when he saw her.

"Ah, Callysta. You must be wondering why we had summoned you to this Council. What we decide today at the Council will decide the fate of Middle Earth. And you, I believe will have an important role in the decision. It has been revealed to us who you truly are."

Callysta looked at him with saucer eyes. She shifted her gaze from Elrond to Legolas. The blonde Elf smiled at her but there was no malice in the smile.

No, Legolas couldn't have betrayed me. He promised, Callysta thought. She turned back slowly to Elrond. Time to face the music.

"I'm sorry, m'lord. I should have told you the truth in the first place and received my appropriate punishment bu-but I was afraid." Callysta replied, her last three words came out in a whisper.

Elrond was puzzled for a brief moment and then, it dawned upon him that Callysta still believed that he knew not her true identity.

Laughing, the wise Elf spoke to her, "My dear Callysta, there's no need for apology. I knew who you were the moment we first met." After a brief pause he added, "In fact, I was waiting for you."

"Wh-What? But how?"

Elrond motioned for her to sit down and he addressed the whole Council, "Every Purpose will be clear at the end of this."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

In the beginning there was Eru, the One, who is called Ilúvatar. In his thoughts, he gave birth to the eight Ainurs, the Holy Ones, who are known the Elves as the Valars. They sang before Ilúvatar and in their Music, the World was created. The Valars laboured long and arduously to fill the World with the visions Ilúvatar had shown them. When their task was accomplished, they descended into it and dwelt therein amidst the innumerable stars. They called the World Arda and they await the arrival of the Children of Ilúvatar-the Firstborn and the Followers; the Elves and Men.

The Elves honour the Valars and Men sometimes revered to them as gods. Their names were Manwë, Ulmo, Aulë, Oromë, Mandos, Lorien, Tulkas and Melkor. All the Valars were faithful to Eru and submitted all their doings to his Will. They do not envy one another and there was no strife between them to see who was better than the rest or who was more in Ilúvatar's favour. All of them, except Melkor.

Great might was given to him by Ilúvatar, but he turned it to evil purposes for he coveted Arda. The desire to rise above his peers and dominate them burns hot in him. He was also very jealous of their work and gifts. He destroyed and marred the fruits of the labours of the other Valars and sought to create discord among Elves and Men. In his malice, he descended into Darkness and was called Morgoth, the Dark Lord.

After innumerable grievous deeds he had done unto Arda and Valinor, home of the Valars, the host of Valinor sought and put forth Morgoth beyond the World in the Void that is without.

"But something unfortunate had occurred, of which even the Eldars had not guessed. When Sauron's One Ring was not destroyed, the three Elven rings retain their secret powers. They held Middle Earth's balance of magic between good and evil in check. When the One Ring was destroyed, the power of the three rings diminished and for a moment, the balance was disturbed. The hidden portals into Arda was laid open and Morgoth in his guises was able to slip back into Middle Earth from the Void." Elrond explained.

" Even as we speak, he is gathering his Dark forces again. Our spies has returned with the news that he is preparing an onslaught against Gondor."

"Why Gondor?" Callysta asked.

"It may be his personal revenge against the Lord of the West. It may well be also because he covets the sap of the White Tree. He needs it to resurrect the Undead Ones. They are to him what the Ringwraiths are to Sauron. They neither can be slain by the swords of the Westernees nor be killed by the sure arrows of the Sindar Elves. Even the magic of the Wizards can only hinder them, not destroy them. You, Callysta is our hope to stop him."

Callysta stared at him, incredulously, "Me? If no Man, Elves or Wizards can stop him, what chance have an ordinary girl like me got against the Dark Lord?"

"The very fact that you are a woman and a thief." Elrond smiled in reply. He started to recite a poem.

Long ago in the fair Land of Valinor

Ere the Light of the Two Trees fade

The Seven Wise Lords took counsel

A fiery jewel blood red was made

In it lay a Power to summon

Creatures with breaths of fire and fearful talons

Strikes fear in all creatures of the Dark

Rest is given to the Dead that Walks

No man or beast may touch It or bring It harm

It suffers not the touch of Elven Kings and Dwarven Lords

Neither Mages nor Wizards can undo Its charm

Only One can wield the Jewel

And command the Dragons of the Valars at will

"But how do you know it's me? After all, I just bumped into Legolas, Figwit and Gimli by chance."

"Nothing happens by chance. You are the appointed One. Yet, I do not force this burden upon you. It must be executed on your own free will."

Callysta took a long time to ponder on that. Finally, she asked, "How do I stop him?"