Chapter 2: The Beginning of Fate
Haha, here's chapter 2 everyone! I know it's been a while but I've been very busy with other fics and now with school as well. Anyway, the same warnings are in this chapter as the last and hopefully I'll start to get more reviews. Thanks and please read. ^_^
Chapter 2: The Beginning of Fate
"I bid you welcome to Rivendell." Elrond started as he stood before the gathering of men, dwarves, and elves. "We come together to today to speak of a pressing matter that could lead to the very destruction of Middle Earth if we are not to remedy this as soon as possible."
There was a murmuring within the council until Elrond held up a hand to stop the growing conversations. "The threat, my friends, is that of the vanishing of the great rings of every civilization."
If possible, the council grew louder than they had been before and this time Gimli, the dwarf, was the one to stop the muttering. "This is preposterous! What kind of elvish trick is this?!"
"This is no elvish trick, Gimli son of Gloin." All eyes turned to Gandalf as he stood tall before them. "For I was the one that had delivered this message to Lord Elrond and Lord Rai and twas also I who asked for this council."
Gimli stuttered an apology, as all who found themselves within the wizard's wrath often did and reclaimed his seat.
"Do you know who has taken the rings?" Legolas questioned quietly, after sending Gimli a disapproving glance.
"Tis our belief that this was the work of Sauron and Saruman." Rai answered softly from beside Elrond. He sighed when all attention trained on him, never having been one that enjoyed being in the middle of a crowd. "Tis crucial that we assemble a faction that will search for and attempt to retrieve the rings."
Legolas was the first to stand and approach the lords before him. "Then I offer my services."
"If that crazy elf is going then so shall I." There was a hint of wariness in Gimli's voice as he came to stand next to Legolas who cast his now comrade an annoyed glare.
Gandalf's and Aragorn's eyes were shining with amusement at their elven and dwarfish comrades while Boromir only got to his feet silently as they also join Legolas and Gimli. Soon, with Frodo's urgencies, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and himself added themselves to the forming assembly.
Elrond eyed Rai and the other nodded before both stood. "Then you shall be the ones that carry our fate. Go with good health and we pray that you return successful."
The council nodded their approval before taking the subtle dismissal and slowly made their way out of the private meeting pantheon. Once most had gone, the dark-haired lord of Imladris sighed. "Do you think it wise to allow Legolas and Estel on this journey?"
"I would have preferred no other course. Saying that both do return alive, this will prove whether they can truly love and trust each other." A bitter- sweet smile crossed Rai's face, lacing through his silver-blue eyes. "As I recall, it helped us. . .or I had thought it did."
Elrond studied the other's handsome features before inclining his head in agreement and turned with a dramatic sweep of his robes as he strolled away. "It did."
If anything, Lord Rai was thankful that none had been around right then for he did a perfect impression of a goldfish. /He-/ It had been a long while since he had heard that teasing tone in the other's voice and it had caught him off guard. Shaking his head and muttering something about 'sneaky elven lords' Rai trailed out of the gardens and back into Elrond's home. He had been absently wandering the many corridors when the sound of voices around the corner caught his attention and he peeked around it curiously. "Legolas. Estel."
Both friends looked up from their conversation to smile politely at their friend. "Lord Rai. How are you?"
"Well." He clasped Legolas' hand in greeting and then Aragorn's. "Are you prepared for the journey? You leave with the morn."
"We have seen to our packing. Legolas and I were just about to head to the kitchens to see if they could spare some food for our quest." Aragorn answered, a slight smile on his lips.
Rai nodded. "I see." Suddenly he grinned as a thought crossed his mind. "You two seem to have become fast friends." He was amused to find twin blushes rise on the cheeks of the others but quickly hid the laugh that threatened to escape.
"Estel has been a wonderful companion and guide and has saved me from losing my way around here numerous times." Legolas mumbled, now refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
Seeing the way that the elf and the half-elf were shifting nervously, Rai smirked before deciding to grant some mercy on them. "Then I shall take no more of your time so that Estel may show you some more wonders of Rivendell before you are to leave. I will come to see you off in the morn."
They parted ways as they came to the kitchen and Rai hurried off to his room, heart light at knowing that his young friends seemed to be forming a reassuring relationship.
* * * * *
With the rise of the sun, the nine companions found themselves standing at the gates of Rivendell in front of Lord Rai and Lord Elrond.
"Now it is not certain that the rings reside in Mordor but this would be the ideal place to begin out of any. Shortly after you leave, scouts from Mirkwood, Lothlorien, and Imladris shall be sent out to locate, if possible, any word of the rings." Elrond informed the group.
Rai nodded his agreement. "All messages will be relayed to Mithrandir through a magical link that we have erected between ourselves. An understanding should pass that if anything were to happen to Mithrandir, you are to await my arrival."
"But won't that delay us only further?" Boromir argued; the first thing that he had said to the company since they had met.
Rai shook his head. "Nay, for I shall be able to use my magic to speed up my journey." Boromir seemed to turn inward to consider this and the elven lord paused for a moment to see if the human would speak again before continuing. "If there are no further questions then I bid you farewell."
The company solemnly said their good byes before gathering their packs and strode purposefully away from Rivendell. With their backs turned, the company missed the slight look of fear in the elven lords' eyes and the brief hint of hope and amusement as they watched Legolas and Aragorn chatting happily to one another.
"I believe that you may be correct on the effects that this quest will have on Estel and Legolas." Elrond murmured, as he and Rai strode back into Imladris.
Rai only smiled but did not turn to look at Elrond. "So what are we going to do from here?"
"First we shall dispatch the messengers then collect word from Lady Galadriel and King Thranduil." Elrond answered in a commanding tone, befitting the lordly position that he held.
There was silence except for the whisper of two pairs of elven footsteps and the fall season of the valley of Imladris. At that moment, walking beside the elf that had captured his heart so long ago, Rai felt that all was right in the world. He sighed. /Except that Elrond seems to no longer want my heart./ Mentally flinching, the brunette sharply shoved aside the sober thought. "Then let's act swiftly."
* * * * *
Legolas' emerald eyes swept across his eight companions. He had to repress the urge to roll his eyes when he saw that Gandalf was yet again dressed in his dusty gray robes and hat and averted his gaze to the dwarven member. Gimli, like any dwarf, was dressed in their customary body armor with a finely crafted axe strapped to his back. As opposed to the dwarf, he was adorned in gray leggings, emerald shirt, and a husky blue tunic. A quiver and bow were strapped to his back while a gray cloak covered all but the hilts of his twin daggers.
Beside him walked Aragorn. The man was adorned in brown pants and a white shirt covered by a black cloak and at his side hung an ornate sword.
The other human in the group, Boromir, was dressed in black trousers, and unlike Aragorn wore a gray tunic over his green shirt. His brown cloak hid the sword and the dagger at his sides although Legolas was positive that they were there.
Frodo, oblivious to the stare was happily chatting to his friends and all were dressed in short, brightly colored trousers and shirts with cloaks various shades of green. All of the Hobbits wore a short sword which they had been given a crash course in wielding the night before by Glorfindel and Rai.
Gandalf was leading them along with a map that he had acquired from Elrond, having planned the course with the elven lord the night before that would bring them to Mordor in the shortest time possible.
Legolas gave up his contemplation of his comrades when he felt Aragorn leave his side. He watched curiously as the half-elf approached Gandalf and whisper something to the wizard before Aragorn moved back to Legolas. "What was that about?"
Before Aragorn even had the chance to answer, the Istari called back to the group. "We are to find a place to rest for the night. Tis far past dusk and we could do with dinner and sleep for we have a long journey yet." His silver eyes flickered toward the Hobbits and Legolas understood.
Aragorn shrugged and smiled innocently, averting his gaze to the trees about them to scout out a suitable camp. The elven prince sighed and almost unconsciously his features softened into a fond look and a surge of strange emotion swirled around his heart and mind. /What is this? I've never felt this around anyone before?/ He frowned and bit his lip as he stared at Aragorn. /Could I. . .it couldn't be possible. . .I've only met him a few days ago./ Legolas cautiously cast a glance over at Aragorn before shaking his head. /No, I cannot. Tis just that I have a lot on my mind concerning this quest. I am not thinking straight./ Deciding that that was the source of his foreign emotions, the elf smiled determinedly and turned to speak with Boromir for distraction.
It was a short while later that Gandalf finally announced that he had found an appropriate sleeping area for then night. He motioned for the group to remain silent and all nine companions fell into line behind the wizard as they crept through the foliage and into a hidden clearing. It wasn't overly large and the dense branches above them hid the company from the sight of any aerial scouts.
Sam immediately set to building a fire with the help of Gimli and then the Hobbit withdrew several strips of meat and dry fruit from a pack and started to cook. During this, Gandalf had taken to telling an intricate and delighting tale to the remaining Hobbits with Boromir and Aragorn sitting in the background smiling at the expressions of wonder on their companions faces.
This of course left Legolas to himself and so the elf stealthily scaled a nearby tree to find a safe perch within the branches. He studied the proceedings beneath him, a tiny smile on his handsome features before he set to making more arrows; not that he needed them but he felt the want to have something to occupy himself with lest he began to think of Aragorn again.
* * * * *
Rai inclined his head in agreement with the elven lieutenant from Lothlorien. "Aye, placing patrols there shall be beneficial indeed but we must also arrange it so that scouts can be sent as far as the edges of Mordor."
"We cannot enter that cursed place though Lord Rai. Not with parties so small." The elf replied solemnly.
"There is no need to enter but we must place hidden patrols there to ensure we receive any news of suspicious activities." The brunette answered patiently, he knew that it would take some convincing for him to get the Lothlorien scouts to be willing to advance so near to Mordor.
Sighing, the Lothlorien elf rolled up the parchment. "I see the benefits but I will have to speak with my Lord and Lady about such a dangerous plan."
"Of course but I pray that you do so soon. We cannot delay for it could cost Middle Earth gravely." Rai climbed to his feet as the other did and clasped his hand in a warrior's grip. "I await the answer then."
"Good bye Lord Rai."
Rai watched as the Galadhrim departed before slumping back into his chair. He ran a hand through his silky chocolate locks before shutting his eyes with a breath of weariness.
"Are you well?"
The sudden intrusion of sound nearly jolted Rai out of his chair as wintry eyes opened to find Elrond looking down at him in worry. Forcing a tired smile, the elven lord nodded. "I am fine just a bit exhausted."
"Then rest, my friend." Elrond suggested gently, placing a comforting hand on his companion's shoulder.
Rai hardly noticed he was leaning toward his ex-lover's hand until the last moment. The brunette flushed faintly and pushed himself out of the chair. "I suppose I shall. Good night Elrond." He twisted around to leave but a hand on his stopped him. "What is it?" His expression was one of adorable confusion.
"I-" Elrond bit the inside of his cheek nervously as his eyes locked with Rai's and he was about to speak when he shook his head at the last moment. "Sleep well Rai."
Eyes flashing with disappointment, Rai nodded and retrieving his hand, glided out the door. /You are just imaging things Rai. Tis a fact that Elrond does not love you anymore. Just concentrate on the task at hand and leave matters of the heart alone./ So, with a heavy heart, the elven lord vanished into his bed chambers for the night.
T.B.C.
Hehe, well, there's chapter 2. Finally eh? Anyway, hopefully more people will review and thanks. I'll see about chapter 3 whenever I can but of course I have a lot of fics going at the moment so please excuse me if the next part is late. *looks around at angry readers* I'll try, I promise! *runs away so no one kills her*
Haha, here's chapter 2 everyone! I know it's been a while but I've been very busy with other fics and now with school as well. Anyway, the same warnings are in this chapter as the last and hopefully I'll start to get more reviews. Thanks and please read. ^_^
Chapter 2: The Beginning of Fate
"I bid you welcome to Rivendell." Elrond started as he stood before the gathering of men, dwarves, and elves. "We come together to today to speak of a pressing matter that could lead to the very destruction of Middle Earth if we are not to remedy this as soon as possible."
There was a murmuring within the council until Elrond held up a hand to stop the growing conversations. "The threat, my friends, is that of the vanishing of the great rings of every civilization."
If possible, the council grew louder than they had been before and this time Gimli, the dwarf, was the one to stop the muttering. "This is preposterous! What kind of elvish trick is this?!"
"This is no elvish trick, Gimli son of Gloin." All eyes turned to Gandalf as he stood tall before them. "For I was the one that had delivered this message to Lord Elrond and Lord Rai and twas also I who asked for this council."
Gimli stuttered an apology, as all who found themselves within the wizard's wrath often did and reclaimed his seat.
"Do you know who has taken the rings?" Legolas questioned quietly, after sending Gimli a disapproving glance.
"Tis our belief that this was the work of Sauron and Saruman." Rai answered softly from beside Elrond. He sighed when all attention trained on him, never having been one that enjoyed being in the middle of a crowd. "Tis crucial that we assemble a faction that will search for and attempt to retrieve the rings."
Legolas was the first to stand and approach the lords before him. "Then I offer my services."
"If that crazy elf is going then so shall I." There was a hint of wariness in Gimli's voice as he came to stand next to Legolas who cast his now comrade an annoyed glare.
Gandalf's and Aragorn's eyes were shining with amusement at their elven and dwarfish comrades while Boromir only got to his feet silently as they also join Legolas and Gimli. Soon, with Frodo's urgencies, Sam, Merry, Pippin, and himself added themselves to the forming assembly.
Elrond eyed Rai and the other nodded before both stood. "Then you shall be the ones that carry our fate. Go with good health and we pray that you return successful."
The council nodded their approval before taking the subtle dismissal and slowly made their way out of the private meeting pantheon. Once most had gone, the dark-haired lord of Imladris sighed. "Do you think it wise to allow Legolas and Estel on this journey?"
"I would have preferred no other course. Saying that both do return alive, this will prove whether they can truly love and trust each other." A bitter- sweet smile crossed Rai's face, lacing through his silver-blue eyes. "As I recall, it helped us. . .or I had thought it did."
Elrond studied the other's handsome features before inclining his head in agreement and turned with a dramatic sweep of his robes as he strolled away. "It did."
If anything, Lord Rai was thankful that none had been around right then for he did a perfect impression of a goldfish. /He-/ It had been a long while since he had heard that teasing tone in the other's voice and it had caught him off guard. Shaking his head and muttering something about 'sneaky elven lords' Rai trailed out of the gardens and back into Elrond's home. He had been absently wandering the many corridors when the sound of voices around the corner caught his attention and he peeked around it curiously. "Legolas. Estel."
Both friends looked up from their conversation to smile politely at their friend. "Lord Rai. How are you?"
"Well." He clasped Legolas' hand in greeting and then Aragorn's. "Are you prepared for the journey? You leave with the morn."
"We have seen to our packing. Legolas and I were just about to head to the kitchens to see if they could spare some food for our quest." Aragorn answered, a slight smile on his lips.
Rai nodded. "I see." Suddenly he grinned as a thought crossed his mind. "You two seem to have become fast friends." He was amused to find twin blushes rise on the cheeks of the others but quickly hid the laugh that threatened to escape.
"Estel has been a wonderful companion and guide and has saved me from losing my way around here numerous times." Legolas mumbled, now refusing to meet anyone's eyes.
Seeing the way that the elf and the half-elf were shifting nervously, Rai smirked before deciding to grant some mercy on them. "Then I shall take no more of your time so that Estel may show you some more wonders of Rivendell before you are to leave. I will come to see you off in the morn."
They parted ways as they came to the kitchen and Rai hurried off to his room, heart light at knowing that his young friends seemed to be forming a reassuring relationship.
* * * * *
With the rise of the sun, the nine companions found themselves standing at the gates of Rivendell in front of Lord Rai and Lord Elrond.
"Now it is not certain that the rings reside in Mordor but this would be the ideal place to begin out of any. Shortly after you leave, scouts from Mirkwood, Lothlorien, and Imladris shall be sent out to locate, if possible, any word of the rings." Elrond informed the group.
Rai nodded his agreement. "All messages will be relayed to Mithrandir through a magical link that we have erected between ourselves. An understanding should pass that if anything were to happen to Mithrandir, you are to await my arrival."
"But won't that delay us only further?" Boromir argued; the first thing that he had said to the company since they had met.
Rai shook his head. "Nay, for I shall be able to use my magic to speed up my journey." Boromir seemed to turn inward to consider this and the elven lord paused for a moment to see if the human would speak again before continuing. "If there are no further questions then I bid you farewell."
The company solemnly said their good byes before gathering their packs and strode purposefully away from Rivendell. With their backs turned, the company missed the slight look of fear in the elven lords' eyes and the brief hint of hope and amusement as they watched Legolas and Aragorn chatting happily to one another.
"I believe that you may be correct on the effects that this quest will have on Estel and Legolas." Elrond murmured, as he and Rai strode back into Imladris.
Rai only smiled but did not turn to look at Elrond. "So what are we going to do from here?"
"First we shall dispatch the messengers then collect word from Lady Galadriel and King Thranduil." Elrond answered in a commanding tone, befitting the lordly position that he held.
There was silence except for the whisper of two pairs of elven footsteps and the fall season of the valley of Imladris. At that moment, walking beside the elf that had captured his heart so long ago, Rai felt that all was right in the world. He sighed. /Except that Elrond seems to no longer want my heart./ Mentally flinching, the brunette sharply shoved aside the sober thought. "Then let's act swiftly."
* * * * *
Legolas' emerald eyes swept across his eight companions. He had to repress the urge to roll his eyes when he saw that Gandalf was yet again dressed in his dusty gray robes and hat and averted his gaze to the dwarven member. Gimli, like any dwarf, was dressed in their customary body armor with a finely crafted axe strapped to his back. As opposed to the dwarf, he was adorned in gray leggings, emerald shirt, and a husky blue tunic. A quiver and bow were strapped to his back while a gray cloak covered all but the hilts of his twin daggers.
Beside him walked Aragorn. The man was adorned in brown pants and a white shirt covered by a black cloak and at his side hung an ornate sword.
The other human in the group, Boromir, was dressed in black trousers, and unlike Aragorn wore a gray tunic over his green shirt. His brown cloak hid the sword and the dagger at his sides although Legolas was positive that they were there.
Frodo, oblivious to the stare was happily chatting to his friends and all were dressed in short, brightly colored trousers and shirts with cloaks various shades of green. All of the Hobbits wore a short sword which they had been given a crash course in wielding the night before by Glorfindel and Rai.
Gandalf was leading them along with a map that he had acquired from Elrond, having planned the course with the elven lord the night before that would bring them to Mordor in the shortest time possible.
Legolas gave up his contemplation of his comrades when he felt Aragorn leave his side. He watched curiously as the half-elf approached Gandalf and whisper something to the wizard before Aragorn moved back to Legolas. "What was that about?"
Before Aragorn even had the chance to answer, the Istari called back to the group. "We are to find a place to rest for the night. Tis far past dusk and we could do with dinner and sleep for we have a long journey yet." His silver eyes flickered toward the Hobbits and Legolas understood.
Aragorn shrugged and smiled innocently, averting his gaze to the trees about them to scout out a suitable camp. The elven prince sighed and almost unconsciously his features softened into a fond look and a surge of strange emotion swirled around his heart and mind. /What is this? I've never felt this around anyone before?/ He frowned and bit his lip as he stared at Aragorn. /Could I. . .it couldn't be possible. . .I've only met him a few days ago./ Legolas cautiously cast a glance over at Aragorn before shaking his head. /No, I cannot. Tis just that I have a lot on my mind concerning this quest. I am not thinking straight./ Deciding that that was the source of his foreign emotions, the elf smiled determinedly and turned to speak with Boromir for distraction.
It was a short while later that Gandalf finally announced that he had found an appropriate sleeping area for then night. He motioned for the group to remain silent and all nine companions fell into line behind the wizard as they crept through the foliage and into a hidden clearing. It wasn't overly large and the dense branches above them hid the company from the sight of any aerial scouts.
Sam immediately set to building a fire with the help of Gimli and then the Hobbit withdrew several strips of meat and dry fruit from a pack and started to cook. During this, Gandalf had taken to telling an intricate and delighting tale to the remaining Hobbits with Boromir and Aragorn sitting in the background smiling at the expressions of wonder on their companions faces.
This of course left Legolas to himself and so the elf stealthily scaled a nearby tree to find a safe perch within the branches. He studied the proceedings beneath him, a tiny smile on his handsome features before he set to making more arrows; not that he needed them but he felt the want to have something to occupy himself with lest he began to think of Aragorn again.
* * * * *
Rai inclined his head in agreement with the elven lieutenant from Lothlorien. "Aye, placing patrols there shall be beneficial indeed but we must also arrange it so that scouts can be sent as far as the edges of Mordor."
"We cannot enter that cursed place though Lord Rai. Not with parties so small." The elf replied solemnly.
"There is no need to enter but we must place hidden patrols there to ensure we receive any news of suspicious activities." The brunette answered patiently, he knew that it would take some convincing for him to get the Lothlorien scouts to be willing to advance so near to Mordor.
Sighing, the Lothlorien elf rolled up the parchment. "I see the benefits but I will have to speak with my Lord and Lady about such a dangerous plan."
"Of course but I pray that you do so soon. We cannot delay for it could cost Middle Earth gravely." Rai climbed to his feet as the other did and clasped his hand in a warrior's grip. "I await the answer then."
"Good bye Lord Rai."
Rai watched as the Galadhrim departed before slumping back into his chair. He ran a hand through his silky chocolate locks before shutting his eyes with a breath of weariness.
"Are you well?"
The sudden intrusion of sound nearly jolted Rai out of his chair as wintry eyes opened to find Elrond looking down at him in worry. Forcing a tired smile, the elven lord nodded. "I am fine just a bit exhausted."
"Then rest, my friend." Elrond suggested gently, placing a comforting hand on his companion's shoulder.
Rai hardly noticed he was leaning toward his ex-lover's hand until the last moment. The brunette flushed faintly and pushed himself out of the chair. "I suppose I shall. Good night Elrond." He twisted around to leave but a hand on his stopped him. "What is it?" His expression was one of adorable confusion.
"I-" Elrond bit the inside of his cheek nervously as his eyes locked with Rai's and he was about to speak when he shook his head at the last moment. "Sleep well Rai."
Eyes flashing with disappointment, Rai nodded and retrieving his hand, glided out the door. /You are just imaging things Rai. Tis a fact that Elrond does not love you anymore. Just concentrate on the task at hand and leave matters of the heart alone./ So, with a heavy heart, the elven lord vanished into his bed chambers for the night.
T.B.C.
Hehe, well, there's chapter 2. Finally eh? Anyway, hopefully more people will review and thanks. I'll see about chapter 3 whenever I can but of course I have a lot of fics going at the moment so please excuse me if the next part is late. *looks around at angry readers* I'll try, I promise! *runs away so no one kills her*
