*

It was Gandalf's watch when Frodo awoke. He seemed reluctant to leave his prolonged slumber, and was disorientated in his strange surroundings. The Wizard smiled at the hobbit, but he was worried about the subtle translucency of his skin and the lack of warmth in his left arm. Elrond, with the help of Silglin, had fixed his wound, given to him by the Witch-king himself, but it was the nature of the small being that had allowed him to survive. But Gandalf feared that that recovery was only a temporary circumstance, and that Frodo would remain forever changed.

The Wizard would have liked nothing better than to sit and talk with his friend until he understood just what he had accomplished, bringing the ring he bore to the haven of Rivendell. But there were preparations to be made and peoples to contact, and through Gandalf explained as much as he could, it was too soon when he had to leave him.

Representatives from many of the peoples of Middle-earth were gathering at Rivendell - from the realms of Mirkwood in the east, and Gondor in the south, and Wilderland in the North. Elves and dwarves and men discussed old relations and solemn things, and among them were the hobbits, amazed at the events and people they saw. Gandalf was often found with Elrond, and Silglin seldom left the Elf-lord. When he called a great council to decide the course of events, these two powers were seated by his side.

Gandalf talked at length to those gathered, but Silglin said little. The council was long, and Frodo, still unnaturally pale, was frightened by all he learned. Elrond explained the only way he could see to defeat the ever growing power of Sauron, and at once argument broke out. For this way was to bring the One Ring into the heart of the Dark Lord's territory, and while none wanted to risk all in such a quest, they didn't trust it to any other. Finally Frodo volunteered himself. He understood least of all the dangers he accepted, but it is often that such ignorance is necessary for brave acts.

Later, Elrond, Gandalf and Silglin met in a smaller council of their own to decide what companions the hobbit should have in his journey.

"There must be nine," Elrond decided after a long debate. "It would be foolish to believe that an angered river could defeat the Ring-wraths for ever, and often balanced numbers can make up for unbalanced forces.

"Among them must be an elf, a dwarf, and a man, else the forgotten race would oppose the fellowship." He paused in thought. "Thranduil's son will do, and Glóin's, if they accept the danger."

"For the man, I can think of none better than Aragorn, son of Arathorn," Gandalf said, and Elrond nodded slowly in agreement.

"That gives us five," Elrond said, "including the halfling and his servant, who I doubt will leave him even in this."

"Six," Gandalf corrected. "I think I will go with them. I can foretell that there will be use for one of the Wise on this journey, if little else is clear."

"I believe the ringbearer should decide those remaining," Elrond said. "There are Elf-lords in Rivendell who would go, if he wishes. Glorfindel is one he may be willing to trust."

"Let him decide the remaining two members of the company; the third is right here," said Silglin, who had been silent a while. "I have a power that, when combined with that of Gandalf, would go far in ensuring the success of the task."

"No. You do not understand the danger ahead," said Elrond. "You don't even understand fully the power you possess."

"Neither does the hobbit," Gandalf pointed out.

Elrond looked between the two. Silglin smiled up at him and said, "I know you're worried for me. But I can feel the darkness building, even in this protected land. I can defend myself, and if you allow me, I can defend the others."  When he didn't reply she added, "If this quest fails, I am still lost, but the whole of Middle-earth will go with me."

"Frodo will decide," Elrond said again. Then he left the others before Silglin could succeed in changing his mind.

*

As it happened, Frodo did not have much of a choice in his travelling companions. Aragorn wished to journey with Boromir, a man of Gondor who was going the same way, and Merry and Pippin refused to let their friend leave without them. And so was the fellowship - four hobbits, two men, a dwarf, an elf, and a Wizard - that would deliver for all time the world from the evil of Sauron, the Dark Lord; or that would return his greatest source of power to him, and thereby doom all they wished to save.

Elrond stood alone and watched as they left in the evening, having offered all the advice and other help he could. He stared after them until they had long faded from his eyes, watching with more vague senses. At last he moved to return to his home, and saw behind him Silglin. She didn't call out, but only watched impassively as he approached her. There was a light pack over her shoulder.

"So you would not trust my will," he whispered as he stopped beside her.

Silglin lowered her head. "I couldn't stand not saying goodbye."

"You shouldn't have needed to."

"I'm going to follow behind them. The fellowship will remain nine, as you wanted, but they may need my help," she continued. "They will find powerful enemies."

"Their quest shall not be completed with power!"

At Elrond's hard tone, she lifted her head and glared up at him. "Yet it may fail for lack of it."

As he looked down upon her, Elrond knew she would not allow him to stop her. His anger subsided and was replaced by a heavy sadness. "Power of all things draws his notice," he reminded.

"I know. But I'll do what I must." Her face softened then. "Come with me," she said. The Elf did not reply. "I don't want to leave you, and two strong allies are of more use than one. Come with me."

Elrond looked into her strange eyes, and imagined them closing forever. He saw her overcome by an enemy less powerful than her, perhaps, but lucky or sly; and he knew that he could have prevented it, had he not remained in Rivendell. "Please," she whispered, and he remembered that he loved her, and that she was only leaving without him if he refused to come.

He kissed her, and made up his mind to go with her, but when he spoke he said, "I can not. My people are here, and they depend on my support. Do what you will."

And then, even through she was the one about to set out, he left her. He didn't want to see the tears in her eyes, even as they were building in his own. He knew, though his words were painful, that they were the right ones; and he knew that if she had asked him again, he would have forgotten them.

*