Chapter VIII: The Great Feast / The Council of Elrond

"Ohhhh.." Toron sighed. He shifted backwards in his bed and leaned his stiff back against the wall. "What.." He mumbled as he noticed a tautness on his stomach. He lifted his arm, and looked through the V formed by the crossing of his elven shirt. "How did that happen?" He whispered as he noticed that his stomach was wrapped in a fine white cloth. He shifted again, and a sharp pain screamed from his side. He winced, and leaned back against the wall.

"Be careful," Latriel said from the corner of the room. "Don't move too much, or you'll re-open your wound. Again."

"How did this happen?" Toron asked, and winced again.

"Ealdor came in about an hour ago with another Elf. He noticed the stains on your shirt, and they took care of you."

"Why didn't I notice?"

"They had you smell something, and I suppose it knocked you out."

"I assumed as much." He sighed.

"Here," Latriel said as he grabbed a small vile from the small table between their beds. "Ealdor said to take this, put a little bit on your wound, and to drink the rest."

Toron reached and took the small vile from Latriel's hand. "Drink the rest?" He asked reluctantly.

"That's what he said.. Remember, these are Rivendale Elves. They don't do things the way we do."

"That thought had crossed my mind." He laughed for a moment, then looked down at his side. "Well, here we go." He reached into his shirt, and unwound the white cloth. It came out easily, and it was stained with many blotches of blood. He then picked up the vile, poured three drops onto his forefingers, and spread the ointment on the wound. "Ah!" He choked suddenly as the ointment felt as if it were burning the wound. He then let out a comfortable sigh as he felt the ointment cool his skin.

"What's wrong?" Latriel asked.

"Nothing, it just burned for a second. It feels much better now." He then slipped off his shirt, and looked at the wound. "Wow, it's completely healed. It feels much better now." He then set the vile on the table again, slipped on his shirt, and walked off to the door. He put his hand on the handle, and nearly walked outside when he was stopped by Latriel.

"Toron.. you have to drink it.."

"Oh.. yes." He reluctantly returned to the table, and took the vile in his hand. "Well.." He sighed.

"Come on, Toron. Just drink it." And just as Latriel said these words, Toron drank the contents of the Vile. Just as it was for his wound, the drink was very hot at first, but then turned cool and very refreshing. "Well?" Latriel asked curiously.

"It was good. I think I'll ask for the recipe.." and just as Toron said that, Ealdor strode through their door.

"Sir," Ealdor said, bowing. "It is now evening, and the feast will begin shortly - if you'll follow me." He then led them through the vast halls of Rivendale, past meeting rooms, archives, and past many gardens. He then turned into a very large hall. Latriel had to lean backwards to see the ceiling. It was tall and arched. The room was only lit by the many fires in their places around the outside of the hall.

Ealdor then led them past the table, which was vastly long. It had many chairs on both sides, and on the ends. There were plates at every seat, and beautiful chalices. At the head of the table, there was three seats, more elevated than the others. "If you and Latriel will please take your seats. Toron, you will be in the center, and Latriel you may take your choice of seat next to him."

Just as Ealdor finished, a loud bell rang. "Ah, the great bell. Come, it is time!" Ealdor then had them stand behind their seats, and elves started to make their way to the table. Many came from the same hall they had, but others were coming from hallways attached to the long hall.

Latriel mindlessly sat as all the elves in the room made their way to their designated seats, and stood behind them.

Elmindel then entered from somewhere in the shadows, and stood behind his seat, to the right of Toron. He stood tall, and his flowing white elven robes followed him wherever he moved. He then put his fist to his chest, and put his arm back down again. "My dearest and closest elves!" He said loudly, so all at the long table could hear his booming voice. Toron hit Latriel quickly on the arm, and he then stood up quickly as Elmindel continued. "This is Toron, great ranger of Mirkwood! He is our Elf of Honour! Now drink to his health, and let us feast as we have not since we have first arrived! Come!"

He then asked Toron and Latriel to sit. As they were doing so, elven women poured into the room carrying large bowls and plates that were heaping with delicious food. The women walked down the length of the table, creating two white lines on both sides of the long table, and then turned at the same time - as if they had done it every evening. The flowing white lines then moved upon the table, setting the gigantic bowls and plates upon the center of the table. After they set their cargo down, they then returned to their lines, and departed the way they came. "Now," Elmindel said loudly. "Let us eat and drink until our blood warms our hearts! Eat now! This is a time of feasting!"

All of the elves then ate, talking and singing as if the night would never grow old. As the bowls and plates became less and less empty, the singing did not let up until the food was all gone. The ale was ever flowing, and never ceasing, and when Toron had eatin his fill, he leaned back in his chair and groaned. Latriel, still drinking and eating merrily, leaned over and whispered to Toron, "What's wrong? Why aren't you eating? Didn't you hear? This is a time of feasting! Not to mention this has been our biggest meal in weeks - well, ever.. but.."

Latriel was interrupted by Toron's grunting as he sat up in his chair. "I think I ate too much, Latriel. I'll be fine. Eat! Be merry! The night is yet still young!"

At that Latriel went back to his eating and singing with the other elves, and they were all enjoying themselves greatly.

When the singing had died down, and the sighing from full stomachs filled the air, Elmindel stood and spoke once more. "Let us go into the Gathering Room! Let us talk there and talk the night away!"

All of the elves stood, except for Latriel who was finishing the last drops of his elven wine. He then stood, quite embarrassed, and whispered to Toron, "you could have told me!" Then the elves emptied into a door hidden in the shadows at the rear of the room, and left Elmindel, Toron, and Latriel.

"There was at least thirty five elves at this table - this is indeed a homely house!" Latriel said in amazement.

"Yes, these were my most trusted and closest friends. There are many, many more elves in the city of Rivendale. These were an elite few that I handpicked to be in your prescence."

Toron waved his hand. "We aren't that important.." He sighed.

"On the contrary, you are! You are friend to Elrond! You know of Rivendell and of much more than any of us. Come, let us go into the gathering room and talk the night away." Elmindel then began to walk away.

Latriel spoke, but didn't mean to. "Are we going to have seats? There's so many elves in there.,"

"No need to worry, young Latriel. Three great seats have been set for myself and our guests of honor! Now come!"

The three then walked to the rear of the room, where shadow overthrew the white starlight entering through the open ceiling. Latriel could barely see anything, but as they continued to walk, a red light began to grow before them. Then Latriel saw the door, it was gleaming red - firelight.

As they entered the gathering room, Latriel stopped in amazement and looked at the room. If you can even call it a room. There were three rounded walls, forming a U in the walls of the great house of Elmindel. On the farthest wall there sat three large chairs, which Latriel presumed were reserved for them. In front of Latriel, there were steps that led down at least 15 feet to a round center where a large fire was blazing. He looked behind the fire, on the far side of the room. There were elves sitting in comftorable seats all along the wall, and down the slope to the fire. Elves sat in this fashion from the left wall around to the wall that Latriel's back was to.

The three walked to their seats, Toron in the middle, Elmindel on his left, and Latriel on Toron's right. Latriel again noticed how many elves were in the room. From where he was sitting, there were walls on his left and right, and before him it was open so he could see out upon the trees and houses of Rivendell. The elves were sitting in a long U facing them. Elves on the left wall (and down the slope to the fire), curving along the open space along the walls, and coming back along the right wall. Latriel then looked at the ceiling, and noticed it wasn't a ceiling. It was open, with a small shelf above the rear wall. He looked at the beautiful stars, and Elmindel noticed his peering to the heavens.

"That," Elmindel said pointing to a bright star in the night sky, "Is Earendil. The most beloved star of all Elvendom on Middle-Earth."

Latriel leaned over, in front of Toron, and whispered to Elmindel. "Are there more elves here than before? It looks like more."

Elmindel whispered back, "Yes, we allowed quite a few more elves into the gathering room than into the high feast."

"High feast?" Latriel whispered.

"Yes, there is a high feast, and a feast. The high feast is a far less number than in the feast. The high feast is where the important elves eat, and the feast is for any elf that has the wish to come."

"Ahh, I see."

Elmindel then stood. "My dearest elves, may I present Toron of Mirkwood!" He then leaned over and whispered to Toron, "stand up."

Toron stood reluctantly, and then noticed the large number of Elves in the room. "Toron has been on Middle-Earth for a very long time, and he knows of Rivendell and of Elrond!"

The room then burst into whispers among the elves. Toron didn't know how to react to this, and stood uncomftorably.

Latriel leaned over and asked Toron plainly because of all the noise in the room, "Didn't you say you know about the Council of Elrond?" Toron immediately "shhh"'d him. But one elf had heard. A young elf stood and walked closer to them.

"Did you say that Toron knows of the Great Council of Elrond?" the young elf asked.

The room erupted once again into intense whispers, and many amazed looks at Toron. Even Elmindel looked at Toron in astonishment.

"You know of the Council of Elrond?" He asked.

Toron was quite baffled, but managed to mumble, "Yes. I was there."

The room again erupted, but this time into loud speaking.

"Quiet!" Elmindel yelled. "Quiet! Toron, will you tell us the tale?"

"Umm.." he thought. "I suppose, if you really want me to."

The room then splashed with applause, and then erupted into a vast wave of applause.

"I suppose I will then. Now let me see if I remember this." Toron said.

The room became deathly quiet, every Elven ear was intent on Toron's words, and he began to speak after many minutes of thinking.

Toron stood from his seat and walked to the center of the room, near the fire.

"When I was in Mirkwood, a long time ago, there was much discussion - rumors, rather - about the great Ring of Power being found. I presume you all know the tale of the great Ring?"

There were many nods and "yes"s from the crowd. He then began to pace as he continued.

"We then had a meeting in the high House, home to the King. His Son, Legolas Greenleaf, was there, along with many other elves. The King stood and said 'Doom is near. I am not aware of what rumors you have heard among our elves, but this may stop those rumors. The Ring of Power has been found', he said. The room reacted in their own ways, and it was very quiet for quite a while. I was amazed, and astonished. I had heard many tales that spoke of the great Ring of Power, but had never had proof until then. The king spoke again. 'Elrond of Rivendell has sent a messenger to us, requesting that I send representatives to Rivendell for a great council to decide the fate of the Ring. Supposedly he has it in Rivendell.' He then chose the representatives of Mirkwood. He chose his son, Legolas, who chose me to go with him. The King then chose one other, whom I cannot recall.

'We set out that day, and spent that afternoon and the next morning riding non-stop to Rivendell. As we entered the gates, we immediately felt safe, but we were burdened by the thought of the Ring. That was my first time in Rivendell, and I hadn't returned until now.

'Two days after we arrived, the council was held. It was early in the morning, and we were all uncomfortable. Elrond had the seats arranged in a circle, and he was sitting at the northern side of it. There was a small stone stand a few feet in front of his chair, and it was bare. I looked around the circle, and noticed the representatives from each race. There was Boromir son of Denethor, prince of Gondor with three companions. There was also Gimli, Son of Gloin, and Gloin was there himself! There were also two other elves there. Aragorn - king of Gondor was there, too. Also, there was a Halfing named Frodo and another named Bilbo - and Gandalf the White.

'We all sat in a circle, rather uncomfortably, until Elrond finally spoke. 'Stangers from distant lands, friends of old.' He said. 'You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. None can escape it, we all suffer from this one fate, this one doom. You will unite - or you will fall.' He then sat, and invited Gandalf to speak.

'Gandalf spoke of his journey, and of his troubles with a wizard call Saruman. It seemed to make no difference to me, and it was even less important to Boromir. After a very long while, Gandalf sat, and Elrond requested Frodo, the nine-fingered, to tell his tale. I remember he stood reluctantly, but then stood and told his tale. Every time he spoke of the Ring, Boromir sat up in his chair, listening intently.

'After Frodo had finished his tale, Elrond spoke again. 'Frodo - bring forth the ring.' Frodo then stood and placed a small golden band on the stone pillar that I spoke of earlier. I was amazed.. and afraid. I said aloud 'The doom of men.." and Boromir stared at it intently. Legolas stared at the ring, thinking his own thoughts. Boromir then stood, and spoke aloud. 'In a dream,' he said. 'A dream I had - light was fading in the east, but in the west a pale light lingered. A voice called out 'your doom is near at hand, Isildur's bane has been found.' He then fell into a trance and reached for the Ring on the pillar. 'Isildur's bane..' he whispered, and nearly took the Ring from the pillar! Immediately Elrond yelled his name, and Gandalf stood and starting spouting words in the Black Speech of Mordor. All turned red, and the earth shook violently at the uttering of the language of Mordor.

'When Gandalf stopped talking, all returned to normal. The shaking had scared Boromir back to his seat, and all was silent. Elrond spoke in distaste. 'Never before has that speech been spoken here in Imladris.' He said.. Then Gandalf walked to the middle of the circle and said 'I do not ask your pardon, master Elrond - but before long the black speech of Mordor will be heard in every corner of the west!'

'At his Boromir sighed and stood. 'No, it is a gift, I say!' He said rather loudly. 'Not a burden, but a gift! A gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this ring?' He then began to pace. '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!' I noticed then that Aragorn was looking rather annoyed with Boromir. But he continued, 'Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy! Let us use it for good! Let us use it against him!'

'At this Aragorn sighed and spoke, 'You cannot weild it. None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It would only bring destruction to your lands! It has no other master!' Boromir looked at Aragorn doubtfully, and spoke. 'and what would a measly ranger know of such matters?'

'Then Legolas sprung from his seat beside me. 'He is no mere ranger!' He yelled. 'He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn! You owe him your allegiance.' Boromir looked at Aragorn in shock at that moment, and mumbled 'Aragorn? You are the one Heir of Isildur?' Legolas then spoke again. 'And heir to the throne of Gondor! The only man in Middle-Earth who can sit on the throne of Gondor!'

'Aragorn told him to sit down in elvish so no others, mainly the dwarves I found out later, could not tell what he was saying. Boromir then looked at Aragorn with distaste. 'Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king.' And he went back to his seat, eying Aragorn angrily.

'There was a dull silence, and finally Gandalf spoke. 'Aragorn is right, we cannot use it.' Elrond then sat up in his chair, taking a pause from his deep thought. 'We now have only one choice, the Ring must be destroyed.' Then Gimli, the Dwarf, stood and took his axe in hand. 'Well what are we waiting for?' he yelled in his deep, rough Dwarvish voice. He then lunged at the pillar and smashed his axe upon the ring. It exploded in many pieces, and caused him to fly backwards to his chair. He landed on the ground in a heap.

'Elrond let out a small snicker, as if he knew that was going to happen. 'The Ring cannot be destroyed by any craft that we here, or anyone else, possesses. The Ring was made in the fires of mount doom. And only there can it be unmade.' He paused, then continued. 'The Ring must be taken deep into Mordor, the land of Shadow, and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it was forged.' He paused again, but for a longer time. 'One of you must do this.'

'It was pure silence. Boromir sighed and began to speak, I noticed Aragorn sighing even deeper and leaning back in his seat in annoyance. 'One does not simply walk into Mordor,' He began. 'It's black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. The Great Eye', which was the Eye of Sauron the dark lord, 'is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust.. the very air you breath is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could you do this - it is folly!'

'Once again Legolas jumped from his seat. 'have you heard nothing that Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed!' right then, Gimli the Dwarf jumped up. 'And I suppose you're the one to do it?' He yelled. Then Boromir jumped into the chaos. 'If we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?' Gimli was staring angrily at Legolas, and yelled, 'I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf! Never trust an Elf!'

'At that point I jumped in and started yelling at Gimli, which appearantly cought on, for everyone in the circle began yelling angrily at eachother. Gandalf the White then stood and began to yell, 'You all be quiet! You'll all be destroyed!' And we all began arguing bitterly. We would have kept arguing until the end of the day, but we were interrupted by that Halfling, Frodo. He was yelling that he would take the Ring to Mordor. 'I will take it! I will take it!' he said. 'I will take the Ring to Mordor.' We all stopped and looked at him. 'Though, I do not know the way.'

'I was very impressed with his courage and bravery, though I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into. Gandalf, intrigued by his offer, stood before him. 'I will help you bear this burden, as long as it is yours to bear.' Then Aragorn walked over to Frodo. 'And by my life or death, I can protect you. You have my sword.' Then even Gimli offered! 'And my axe!' he said proudly.

'I wanted to go, but Legolas had the quicker tongue. Just after Gimli decided to leave, another halfing, Sam, yelled from behind the plants on the outer ring of the circle. 'Here!' he yelled, and ran up next to Frodo. 'Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me.' Elrond was quite displeased. 'No, it is indeed impossible to separate you when he is invited to a secret council, and you are not.'

'After his last words, there was a yell from behind the pillars behind the circle. Two more halfings ran and stood next to Frodo. I heard they were called Merry and Pippin. 'We're coming too!' One yelled as they ran next to Frodo. 'You're going to have to tie us up in a sac to stop us!' Merry yelled. 'You need people of intelligence on this sort of mission.. quest.. thing.' Pippin said."

The room erupted into laughter, and after it had died down, Toron continued. "Then Merry said, 'Well, that rule's you out, Pip!'" Again the room erupted. Toron then went to tell the tale of the rest of his stay in Rivendell. More about Elrond, and more about Legolas at the request of the Elves in the front rows.

The rest of the night was spent singing and laughing, and with the telling of many more tales.

Toron went to sleep that night content and full of memories. As he lie down in his bed, he pulled the covers over his chest, and began to relax. He whispered to himself, "Each time I come here, it becomes harder and harder to leave."

With that he drifted off to sleep, lost in distant memories; his dreams were pleasant and uneventful. He had dreams of his night in Rivendale, and he never thought about his having to leave very soon. He closed his eyes, and breathed deeply the sweet air of Rivendale.