Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Lord of the Rings. Most unfortunately, Legolas. But I do own Enalphiel.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: What if a she-elf went along on the journey to destroy the One Ring? How would the others react? And will she and Legolas stop hating each other?
A/N: It's my first Lord of the Rings story. It probably sucks. That's okay.
She reached Rivendell in two days. It was just getting dark as she galloped past the tall gates. Her horse was overjoyed for the break. Enalphiel was just happy to be in Rivendell. It had been too long since she had last visited. But…she admitted to herself, she only really liked two people here. Other than that, Rivendell was just a nice place to look at.
Enalphiel fingered the strap of her sack, held securely in place on her back. It held only two changes of clothes: her traveling tunic and a beautiful dress to wear to the Council the next day. The dress was her grandmother's contribution, Enalphiel remembered, scowling.
She'd be perfectly happy wearing her tunic, which hugged her curves, and although it was similar to the men's tunics, it looked very feminine on her. Plus it was comfortable and she could kick a little orc ass in it. Its neckline was sort of low, and the bottom of the dark green tunic came to about mid-thigh. Her boots held a few weapons and her brown cloak was over her shoulders, clasped by the small leaf decal. It was one of the Lothlorien cloaks.
There was also some food in the sack, lambas bread mainly, and a few spare knives. Her bow and quiver were slung over her shoulders and her best knives were hidden in her clothes, where she could very easily reach them.
She paused a minute, taking in her surroundings. The wind was blowing hard through the trees and the leaves were turning yellow and red. She smiled. It was just as she remembered.
'Enalphiel!'
She jerked her head up, looking forward to the steps of the front entrance. Lady Arwen was making her way down the steps, holding the bottoms of her skirt up. She raised her hand, a sign of 'hello'. And the person who followed her…Enalphiel couldn't believe her eyes: it was Aragorn!!
Enalphiel jumped off her horse and met Arwen halfway in a big hug. When Arwen released her, she hugged Aragorn. 'Aragorn! It has been too long. Are you still doing the Ranger thing?'
He raised an eyebrow and rested a hand on his sword.
'I hope you're not getting too cocky. This time, I swear, I'll take you. I've been practicing with the sword more and I think it will take you longer than three seconds to knock me on my ass.' Enalphiel said in a rush. She looked at her two closest and favorite people in all of Rivendell. It really had been so long since they'd last been together. Well…except for Aragorn and Arwen. They saw each other on a regular basis. But they had a good reason!!
Aragorn smiled and wrapped his arm around Arwen's waist. 'We shall see, Enalphiel. In the meantime, let us take you to your room. It's still the same one.'
'Alright, let's go.'
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It was cold as she walked down the hallways of Rivendell. The sun had already set, and most of the inhabitants of the elf city were turning in. But not Enalphiel.
She turned a corner and was startled at what she saw- another elf was out late at night as well. The elf's blond hair shone off the moonlight and as she took in the elf's muscular frame, she deducted (somewhat brilliantly) that the elf was a he.
She walked forward more, deciding that she didn't care if someone had invaded her private time. This was, of course, a public place.
'I did not realize someone else was here.' She said, quietly, watching him turn around quickly in surprise.
'As did I, though your presence is not unwelcome.' He said, bowing politely.
'Are you here for Elrond's council meeting?' she said, hoping he might know more about it than she did. Her grandmother did not explain the details, just that she was representing the Lorien elves.
He looked at her curiously. 'Yes, I am. Representative for the Mirkwood elves, actually.' He said, looking slightly embarrassed. She must be the daughter of one of Elrond's chief advisors…that must be how she knows. He thought.
'I am Legolas. And you are?'
'Enalphiel. Please to meet you.'
'Are you attending as well?' he asked.
'Actually, I am. Representative of the Lorien elves. Galadriel sent me.' Enalphiel said, her turn to blush at the bewildered look on his face.
'The Lorien elves? They sent…a she-elf? Why?' Legolas wondered, before he could control his mouth.
Enalphiel's eyes narrowed into a glare. Ok…maybe she had the wrong impression of this guy.
'Why not? I am as skilled with a blade and bow as any man in my woods. Probably more so.' She spat out, angrily, stepping forward as to prove a point.
'But why would a woman wish to hear of such terrible and dangerous matters?' Legolas said, putting as much energy in the conversation as she was.
'Believe me, I can handle the 'terrible and dangerous' matters. With ease. Galadriel saw fit to send me, a she-elf, instead of her chief male advisors or general of the armies. Doesn't that speak volumes?' she said hotly. 'Besides, why are you objecting so much to a woman coming? Afraid I'll show you up?'
He hesitated for a moment, both of them glaring into each other's eyes.
'You will back out of this when you hear of the situation at tomorrow's council. That is sure.'
'Just wait and see.' She said, before storming off.
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Enalphiel arrived at the council a few minutes early, but realized that the only seat was between a dwarf (ugh) and that rude elf from last night…what was his name? Leggy? Lego? Lego…las! Legolas, that was it. He was rude. She thought, grimacing. She smoothed the skirt of her flowing white gown and stepped forward, taking her seat between the two.
Both looked unhappy. She rolled her eyes to show both of them that she didn't like the arrangement any more than they did.
Elrond rose from his seat and began. 'Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You are summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands on the brink of destruction. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo.'
A small hobbit that was seated next to Gandalf the Grey stood up and nervously walked forward and laid a small, gold ring on the table in the middle of the room.
Meanwhile, Enalphiel was piecing things together. Elrond spoke of Mordor and a Ring. She'd heard stories about Sauron and his Ring from her mother and father before they…
Well. She really didn't want to go there.
But she remembered them. If she remembered correctly, Sauron forged the Great Ring to rule all of Middle Earth. Men and Elves fought for their freedom on Mount Doom. Isildur, after Sauron killed his father, cut the Ring from Sauron's hand. Sauron died, and Isildur had the chance to destroy evil. But he didn't. According the story, Isildur kept the Ring, but was later killed.
Her mother and father never told her what happened to the Ring after that. Probably because they themselves didn't even know.
What if this was the One Ring? What did that mean? Sauron was killed. It wasn't possible that he was back, was it?
A tall broad-shouldered man was talking. 'So it is true...The doom of men...It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay? By the blood of our people are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy. Let us use it against him!'
This Gondor man…he was an idiot. Maybe Enalphiel didn't know much about what was going on, but even she realized that it's not wise to play with evil toys.
Thankfully, Aragorn was going to talk some sense into him. 'You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.'
The Gondor man turned in Aragorn's direction and Enalphiel wanted to smack the man because of the glare he was sending to him. 'And what would a Ranger know of this matter?'
Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately, depending on your point of view) I didn't get the chance to smack him. Legolas jumped up before I could do anything.
'This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You own him your allegiance.'
'Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?'
'And heir to the throne of Gondor!' Legolas replied, eyes flashing. Aragorn was looking uncomfortable about being spoken of as the heir of Gondor. I knew he didn't want to position.
'Havo dad, Legolas. (Sit down, Legolas)' Aragorn said, softly. He motioned for Legolas to sit, and reluctantly, he did. Legolas still looked angry with the Gondor man though. That's okay. Enalphiel was too.
The Gondor man stared at Legolas, who returned the gaze unflinchingly, and then turned back to Aragorn. 'Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.' He sneered before sitting down.
Gandalf sent her a reasurring look before speaking. 'Aragorn is right. We cannot use it.'
Elrond cleared his throat. 'You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed.'
The dwarf sitting to my left picked up his ax. 'Then what are we waiting for?' he grunted, as he took a swing.
There is a flash of light and suddenly the dwarf is on his back, his ax broken into tiny pieces beside him. The Ring is unharmed. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Frodo, the hobbit who had brought the Ring, wince.
Elrond spoke again. 'The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you must do this.'
There was a pause.
Okay, not everyone jump up at once. Enalphiel thought sarcastically. Really, who would go on this suicide mission? Well…besides her, of course.
Oh, wait, the rude Gondor man decided to speak again. Damn.
'One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just Orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep, and the Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly!'
Enalphiel had finally had enough of this man. She jumped up; causing some of the people attending the council to actually realize that she was there and more so – horror of horrors – that she was a woman.
'What is wrong with you? Yes, the journey will be treacherous and long, and they might fail, but we will never know if we don't even try!! And you!' she said, turning to the Gondor man, catching Aragorn and Gandalf trying to hide their smiles. They always loved to see her get riled up. 'You are from Gondor! They are known for their courage and bravery in battle! You may be afraid of the consequences of this mission, but isn't that a huge part of bravery? Doing something even though you are scared?'
Everyone in the council stared at the floor, feeling torn between running and hiding and wanting to defend their freedom. Everyone was silent for a minute when Legolas also got fed up.
'Have you all heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring MUST be destroyed!'
Gimli stood up again, looking Legolas in the eye. 'And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?'
'And what happens when Sauron takes back what is his? What happens then?'
'I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!!'
And that was it. That was the spot when everyone stood and began shouting at each other. Elves versus dwarves mostly. Aragorn and Gandalf tried to reason with them, but they wouldn't listen.
Legolas was holding the elves back, trying to keep order. The dwarves, being the ridiculous creatures they are, kept saying things to them.
Suddenly, from behind the crowds of arguing people, Enalphiel heard a soft voice, fighting to be heard.
'I will take it!! I will take it!'
Slowly, everyone stopped fighting and turned to look at this remarkably brave hobbit – Frodo.
'I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though…I do not know the way.'
Gandalf smiled and walked over to him. 'I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear.'
Aragorn followed next, rising from his chair and bowing in front of him. 'If, by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword.'
Legolas stepped forward. 'And you have my bow.'
'And my ax.' Gimli said.
Enalphiel knew it. This was her chance. The one her grandmother said was coming. It was now or never.
'You have my knives.' She said, earning many gasps from the council. Gimli looked scandalized.
'Not just a woman. An elf woman!!'
'Are you sure you are up to it, Lady Enalphiel?' Elrond said gently. He did not approve of her learning the defense arts, but he knew he had no say.
'Of course I am.' She said confidently, ignoring the angry look she received from Gimli and the disbelieving look she got from Legolas as she took her place with the rest of the Company.
After the shock passed, the Gondor man walked over to us. 'You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done.'
Somewhere behind a bush, another hobbit pops out and runs toward us. 'Ere! Mr. Frodo's not goin' anywhere without me!'
Elrond looked amused. 'No, indeed. It is hardly possible to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not.'
Two more hobbits come out from behind pillars and join us. 'Hey! We're coming too!!'
'You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us.'
'Anyway, you'll need people of intelligence of this sort of mission…quest…thing.'
'Well, that rules you out, Pip.'
Everyone laughed at the two's exchange and Elrond surveyed the group. 'Ten companions. So be it. You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring.
'Right! So, where are we going?'