*The characters are not mine, I just love them.


Chapter 1

"The Ring must be destroyed!" Elrond, in his infinite wisdom, declared loudly, making sure the Council listened and hung on to his every word.

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Gimli jumped up, grabbed the axe of the dwarf next to him and headed toward the table bearing the Ring, which sat in the center of the circle of the Council.

Just then, a loud cry echoed through the air. "Yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi!"

Gimli stopped in his tracks, and he, along with the rest of the Council, looked around to see who had yelled.

A bundle of leather somersaulted into the circle, landing just two feet away from the Ring. The person stood up, and, sword drawn, glared as she looked around the circle.

The whole Council just sat there and stared at this uninvited newcomer. Elrond recovered first, and jumping to his feet, demanded "Who are you?"

The person turned to face him. "I'm Xena" she declared.

Elrond rolled his eyes. "That's nice. But why are you here?"

Xena curled her lip. "I heard you all were meeting to decide what to do with the Ring. I'm here to take it and destroy it."

Boromir leaped to his feet. "Wait, you can't let her have the Ring! We don't even know her! What if she says she wants to destroy it, but she's going to use it? Or worse, take it to Sauron?"

Elrond turned and looked at Boromir. "Who said we were going to let her have the Ring?"

Boromir glared at Xena. "How do you know about the Ring?"

Xena scowled. "I was at Minas Tirith, and I heard about the Ring, the black riders, and this Council meeting. I have much battle experience and am not easily tempted by evil. I can destroy the ring."

One of the dwarves chipped in. "How do we know that?"

Gandalf stood and spoke in her defense. "I have heard of her skills in battle. She is a capable fighter."

"You need more than battle skills to make it to Mount Doom." Said Elrond.

Boromir shook his head. "You can't just walk into Mordor. There is evil there that does not sleep. It is folly; not with ten thousand men could you do this."

Frodo stood up. "I will take it. I've made it this far, and I can get it to Mount Doom."

Gandalf's eyes closed as an expression of dismay crossed his craggy features. "My dear boy, as long as this burden is yours to bear, I will help you bear it."

Aragorn spoke up. "By my life or death, I will protect you. You have my sword." He went and knelt down in front of Frodo.

Legolas stood up. "And you have my bow." He moved to stand next to the Hobbit.

Gimli joined the group, saying, "And my axe."


There was a pause, and then Boromir said, "If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."

Xena cleared her throat. "Whether by myself or with a group, I will see that the Ring gets destroyed."

There was a rustling in the nearby bushes, and then Sam burst into the circle. "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!"

Elrond whirled and face Sam. "No, indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you two, even when he is summoned to a secret Council meeting and you are not."

Just then two more Hobbits rushed in. Merry spoke first. "We're coming too! You'd have to tie us up in a sack to leave us behind!"

Pippin added his two cents. "Besides, you need people of intelligence to go on this mession, quest, thing."

Merry looked at Pippin. "Well, that rules you out, Pip."

Elrond looked at the group, and then said, "Ten companions. You shall be called 'the Fellowship of the Ring'."


Well, that's the end of Chapter 1! Let me know what you think!