Alas, the Council
Most of her pillow was wet by the time she stopped. Brushing her hair out of her face, she sat up and left to wash her face in the bathroom. There was a soft knock on the door.
" Come in," she said.
Lady Galadriel was there. She silently closed the door and walked to the large doors of Victoria's balcony.
" How are you faring?"
Victoria sat at the edge of her bed. " I miss my home. "
" That is not all. There is more on your mind."
" Perhaps," Victoria inhaled sharply, uncertain of how to go on. " I am also concerned about myself, and the future for all of us." It was true. She did often wonder about everything, and even some things that she should not dwell in either. Somehow, she figured that Galadriel knew what it was.
" Ah, yes, that issue. Well, that is to be answered after we are done here." The Elven Lady looked at her. " There is also one more thing." Her gaze pierced into Victoria's. " And I know your thoughts about it."
Was she just so freakin' easy to read? Is that why Aragorn was suddenly giving her a hard time? Did Galadriel mention anything to him?
" I do not wish to speak about it, Lady. I'm sorry."
" Yet you still inhabit these thoughts." She sounded almost bitter. " I do not like them, Victoria."
If Victoria would name the most shocking point of her life, it would only be this moment. She didn't know Galadriel, and at some point she even claimed that she didn't like the Lady. However, now was just something totally different. Galadriel practically implied that she had a somewhat feeling of RESENTMENT towards the young woman.
Victoria raised her eyebrow. " Come again?"
" I said I do not like them. They are causing more harm than good." Galadriel faced her properly now. Her usually soft, blue eyes hardened to icicles. " They will lead to destruction."
" I don't understand. No one else knows about this. What do you mean?" Her thoughts of Aragorn were really that terrible? What trouble would it cause? What would be the consequences of them?
" They are not right. Corruption will claim you if you do not stop. This is a weakness! It would only spread and destroy everything it effects." Against the light outside, the Elven lady looked like an epitome of beauty and perfection, but even underneath that exterior, Victoria knew that there was much more than that. Sadly, they were worse things.
" What do you suggest me to do then? Ignore this? I have already tried, believe me." Victoria sighed and hung her head. " I do not know what damage this will cause us." She looked up, and her eyes were stern. " So tell me, and we shall see if I can stop this."
Galadriel looked scandalized under the younger woman's glare. " You challenge me. You do not understand the full meaning under all of this."
Victoria rose to her feet in rage. " Then tell me! Do not make me decide upon decisions that have weak testimonials! Tell me the details, and I will tell you my choice." If she weren't so mad, she would have laughed in embarrassment at her words, but this wasn't the time nor place.
" If I tell you, it would only alter your choice." Elves were terrible when angry. Another lesson learned the hard way. " I just ask that you cease to think anymore about it. "
They stayed in silence for a while, just locking their gazes and never looking away. It wasn't only to study the other's thoughts, but to also make the other surrender in defeat.
One word cut through the air.
" Why?" Was it her again, or did that word repeat itself over and over from her mouth? She asked that too often, and too often did she just get hurt even more, for her questions were never answered.
The Elf's eyes softened, and they looked sad and resigned. " You will know."
Before Victoria could tell her how much she was fed up with that phrase, Galadriel swiftly left.
She sighed and flopped on her bed. When will this ever end?
After Legolas called Victoria for the Council, and she finally gave in despite the fact that she really did NOT want to go, they walked down the halls silently. Victoria was simply in a bad mood and didn't fell like talking. The male Elf just thought of silence best for the young woman's headache and stubborn pride.
" Wearing a frown will not help matters at all." He paused for a response even though he knew he would receive none. " Why are you angry? Have I done anything to bother you?"
If Victoria were a mean person, she would have given Galadriel's famous answer or ignore him. But since she wasn't, and since she didn't want to ignore the Elf, she answered.
" Galadriel spoke to me for a while before you summoned me. It did not end well."
" I see."
Victoria wasn't sure how intelligent elves were, or if they were actually psychic somehow, but she felt that Legolas really DID see.
" Do you know what she meant by that? She told me nothing and she expects me to do as she says. " She looked at him. " But you know what was proposed, don't you?"
He sighed. " Aye, I do. But I am not the person to tell you that." His soft gaze fell to her. " You might perceive Elves to be like those mortal gypsies. They know, yet should not tell. The future should not be living in the present."
Hm, he did have a point, but what did it matter? All this only beckoned Victoria to follow it until she figured out everything. " Are you willing, but held back, Legolas?"
The Elf shook his head and turned to face ahead. " I could not tell you, no matter what. However, I am also not willing. If I could reveal what you wish, I would be reluctant to do so."
Before she could stop herself, she asked: " Why?"
" It would alter everything."
As they closely approached their destination, Victoria wondered how the riddle of an answer and the actual answer were different in its consequences. By knowing the riddles of the problem and its half answers, it was still possible to find the correct answer, even if it took her forever to figure out (which, by then, she hoped that she would HAVE the answer already). So then why was she still complaining after this little revelation? She didn't want to go through the process, and she needed the accurate facts if she wanted to make the right decisions.
But why not make assumptions? Why not at least have an IDEA of the facts? She asked for one from Galadriel. Why did she change her mind? Actually, she never did.
They entered a secluded room that was completely gorgeous. It was spacious and open with no walls or windows. But it was like a balcony with pillars and a roof. It could be perceived as something that looked like Elrond's council room in Rivendell. There were only sights of gray and gold, however.
" Alas," said Gandalf, rising out of his chair. " I was beginning to worry."
Victoria almost laughed, but feeling the serious atmosphere, she just smiled and sat next to the Wizard. In a semi circle in front of three large chairs in the front, assembles of nobles and representatives sat quietly. They began talking among themselves as she entered, she suddenly noticed, and ducked her head, unwilling to meet any of the eyes of these males.
" Arwen insisted that she come, But I told her not to." Oh! That was Elrond!
She looked up and saw the Lord of Rivendell talking to his foster son. She dared to approach him and introduce herself properly, but from the sound of the conversation that they were having, she didn't think that she wanted to interfere.
Aragorn started to speak in Elvish, and Victoria frowned. Oh well… so much for eavesdropping.
Elrond looked grave when he responded. He seemed… what did her friend Clarissa always say: "angsty"? He turned in her direction, and she had no time to avert her gaze. She tried to smile in assurance, and he seemed to accept it with a nod, but he looked away a moment later with the same expression on his face.
Aragorn then gazed at her, who turned away with speed that amazed her. The words of Galadriel still weaved its way in her mind. What should she do now?
Silence befell the area and Celeborn, Galadriel, and Elrond stood in front of the large chairs. They looked around the room, seeming to study every one of their guests.
" More are summoned to this Council than the one of the One Ring," noted Elrond to himself. " This is of a great matter, then."
The three monarchs sat down. They looked solemn as they peered around the room once more, labeling each person in the land from which they came. Galadriel stood gracefully.
" Sauron has taken over a quarter of Middle-Earth already. His alliances have conquered the lands to the Far West and along the coast. He will plan to attack the north, and turn inland. We are running short of time."
" We have noticed," said a Man, possibly from the Rangers. " Just the other day, our parties were out scouting and we spotted several Orcs and Uruk-Hai exploring our area in the north west. We long defeated them, but Sauron will be suspicious. He will strike soon."
" Then we will send alliances to your area, Faynil," granted Galadriel. " No more lands must fall under Sauron. He will torture the races and create a larger army than that of the battle held three thousand years ago." She looked at Victoria. " We barely had the strength then. What would we do now?"
" I have heard of the Scarlet Sorceress who made another Ring," persisted Faynil. " If I am not mistaken, is that not her sitting right of Gandalf the White?"
Eyes turned to Victoria, and she did all she could not shy away. Before Galadriel could respond for her, perhaps defend her, she opened her own mouth.
" I am not whom you search for," she said quite sternly. " I am not Annil."
" Then who are you?"
The young woman took her time studying each gaze before she returned her gaze to Faynil. " I am a mistake."
The room erupted with whisperings. She sighed and turned away, looking shaken. What had hapened to make her feel this way? It was the truth, though, wasn't it? She wasn't Annil. She didn't make another Ring.
" Enough," said Celeborn. The room quieted. He turned to Victoria. " You doubt this. Why?"
She turned to him. " You do not. Why?"
" I have no reason to."
" Then neither do I."
" Stop it. You're being naive."
" And you, difficult. I have come to this council for answers, and yet you give me none. Tell me these details, if you will, and I will give you what you want to hear." She was surprised at her bold actions, and almost retrieved her words. But she found that she could not.
Celeborn suddenly smiled. Elrond looked amused and even Galadriel's lips curved upwards. What was just so damn funny?
Victoria scowled and opened her mouth to say something, but Gandalf stood beside her.
" You all have the proof you need, then?" he asked. " The arrogance and pride of Annil is clearly displayed here. " The Wizard turned to the young woman. " Do not deny it any longer, Annil."
She looked around the room, and indeed, everyone seemed to return her gaze with a new light in their eyes. So they believed that she was Annil, huh?
" Be that as it may," she said in slight defeat. " But I am still Victoria Renalls."
" There you have it," said Gandalf and sat down. " Now, Victoria, apologize to Celeborn so that we may commence this meeting properly."
The young woman raised her eyebrow. Reluctantly turning to the Lord of Lothlorien, she mumbled a hurried apology.
Luckily the Elf didn't push his luck with just that. He seemed quite content for a moment before he addressed to the rest of the Council. " Annil has yet to regain her memories."
Faynil stood. " Then she does not know where her staff and Ring are?" he asked, incredulous. " And when she does remember, half of Middle-Earth would be under corruption."
" We know that Sauron will attack the Lands of Men last," said Elrond. " He will first try to conquer the Elves, and take the army south to defeat those lands. We will hold as we can." He glanced at Victoria. " By then, she will have her knowledge."
Faynil looked quite upset, and sat in his seat before he could open his mouth and speak more ill words.
" Your past is known to everyone here expect for yourself, Annil," said Galadriel. " We will go no further on that discussion. However, we must now decide on what to do when you do recall your lost past."
" I have already explained that Annil created a sister Ring to that of the One," continued Gandalf. " And that they're powers are only for good. However, as it had great powers to give the wielder ultimate power for good or evil, our Council tried to unmake it. And there, we have failed."
" The reason is because the Ring was created in Mount. Doom," finished Elrond.
The Elven monarchs and the White Wizard were probably the only ones who knew because everyone else looked on in astonishment. Created from the fires of Mount. Doom? But how? Even then Sauron had already created the Nine rings and The One that is his own.
" How she created it," said Galadriel, " is unknown to everyone but Annil herself."
Gazes fell upon Victoria and she inwardly flinched.
"But Gandalf," she began. " You were going to tell me something at the Spa. Annil did make the Ring in Mount. Doom. But you did not tell me what she was."
" Ah, yes," recalled the old man. " You are Sauron's adopted daughter."
Victoria's eyes widened, and her heart seemed to stop for five seconds. She was Sauron's adopted daughter? Annil was, but technically, she is Annil, and she is his daughter.
Voices broke out louder this time, but she paid them no heed. She was his adopted daughter… Who, then, were her real parents?
" You are half Elven," said Elrond from the front. He was actually smiling, even though it was small, it was still there. " Your mother was Ethelyn the Scarlet of the Wizard's Order, and your father was Aiden from Lothlorien." His smile disappeared. " They were both killed when you were but several months and you were taken as Sauorn's daughter."
The room was silent as Victoria responded.
" He killed her parents then?" She tried not to shake. The truth was like ice cold water in her soul. Annil must have never known that, else Victoria wouldn't feel so cold.
" No, dear child," said Celeborn. " He did not. A terrible fate befell them. They were murdered by an Elf who could predict the future. He claimed that their child would bring destruction to Middle-Earth, and darkness would plague us all. However, he was indeed feeding us the opposite of that information. He was a dark Elf, and he wanted you dead, yes, but because you would drive the darkness away."
Why did Sauron adopt her? Why not… hell, why not Galadriel and Celeborn, or even Gandalf? She asked her question aloud.
" He insisted that he take you in," said Elrond. " As he was a trusted ally at the time, we did as he desired, and he took great care of you. Though you may have some of his qualities, you are a righteous person. Gandalf knew him also as he taught you what you would soon remember with your staff."
This old man sitting to her right taught her magic tricks? Victoria looked up at him, and smiled. She turned to Elrond. " Did Sauron intend to use me for evil, since he knew of what I would become?"
" He told you to create a ring," replied Gandalf. " And yes, he did want you to collect the will of the people of this Earth. However, his intentions were to twist and manipulate it to darkness. He would use our own will against us. It would have succeeded if only you weren't such a bright woman then."
" You took the Ring," continued Galadriel, " and gave it to the Wizard's Order, telling them of Sauron's intentions. They convicted you of evil will for abusing your powers and that of others. You were stripped of your powers and memories, and banished to the realm of the mortal world in the far future. We took your Ring, and tried to destroy it. After Sauron realized what we had done, he began his conquest to fulfill his desire, retrieve your Ring, and retrieve you."
Even as this was explained, Victoria almost thought of Sauron to be human. He wasn't cruel or terrible, but he was someone who cared for someone. Did he actually love Annil as a daughter? She asked this.
" That is actually unclear to us," said Gandalf, though he looked hesitant. " We do not understand what he wanted with you."
There was a contemplating pause for a while, until Aragorn spoke up.
" He wants Annil, then?" His blue eyes looked to the Monarchs and Gandalf, but never at Victoria. " Would he reclaim her?" It was spoken with loathing perhaps, but he said it so that he could make his point across, nonetheless.
" At any time," said Elrond. " Sauron could come and take her, yes."
The Council was dismissed and rescheduled for sometime during that week. The main representatives were asked to be held back while the others left, as they heard all they needed to. The room cleared.
" But I don't understand," said Victoria. " If her powers were stripped, and her Ring taken, how could she ever retrieve them?"
" Your staff was destroyed, yes," said Gandalf. " Yet, you can always recall it. It is yours, and it will return to you if you summon it."
" And the Ring?"
" It is in Rivendell," said Elrond. " Where it has been for thousands of years."
Victoria titled her head. " You did not bring it with you?"
Elrond shook his head. " It would be too dangerous. I was hoping that we may travel to my home."
" When were you planning on this, Elrond?" said Celeborn. " You have not told us this."
" I would have brought it up eventually," replied the Lord of Rivendell.
" What shall be done now, then?" asked Gimli.
" We retire, master Dwarf," said Gandalf and stood. " We will judge everything else according to how they turn out on the morrow." He left.
" I see." Gimli hopped off the high seat and walked out as well.
Boromir gave Victoria a side-long glance. She nodded and they stood, prepared to leave.
" Be careful won't you?" called Elrond. " Annil, as I assume that you have taken most of your changes, it is important to say that you should not be cut. You are anemic"
" Oh no." When she was younger, she would get scratches and cuts all the time, and they never bled more than they should. This was bad.
" I will be careful," assured Boromir as they left for the outdoors. First, they stopped by Boromir's chambers. When the Man came out, he had a sword in his hand.
" What's this?" asked Victoria. It was beautiful. The sheathe was red, as was the elegant handle. There were some gold and green colors as well.
" Take it."
She did. It was light and quite long in her hands. Withdrawing the sword out of the scabbard, she studied it with great interest. " It's wonderful, Boromir!" The blade was narrow with thin lines that decorated it delicately. " Where did you get it?"
" We have long expected your arrival, and we assumed that you would appreciate the sword best," replied Boromir as they continued to proceed outside. " It was made by the Elves here in Lothlorien."
" I love it." She sheathed it and put the scarlet belt around her hip.
There was a decent level area not too far from the palace. Victoria and Boromir stayed there until evening.
TBC…
A/N::::: Sorry. took 4ever i know. heh heh. I hate school work! Arghhh! ;fja uewo ugavm .'kaoqn'; g hwhfw !!!!