THE ONE

The Three

NOTE: It's actually quite difficult to write these, so they take a little time- thank you all those who read them for your patience, it's greatly appreciated. I write these fics for you ;)

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Galadriel knocked softly. She knew the knock was unneeded, but curtesy commanded her to do so. The fair elvish voices ceased, voiced half raised in emotion bordering on anger, an unusual emotion for an elf. She wondered fleetingly what would have brought the inhabitants of this room to such a level, but turned her thoughts politely away. It was really rather improper to dwell upon the issues of friends, unbidden.

The beautiful ornamental door was all but thrown open. She smiled serenely at the slightly startled expression of Elladan. There was a slight crease in his brow and flush to his cheeks that spoke too loud of his heated disagreement she had overheard. He straightened, trying to mask his obvious irritation.
"I believe your father is well?" She asked courteously, attempting to gently help him over his moment of awkward re adjustment. The twin's eyes darkened slightly, remembered heat from an argument the white queen could only guess
"He is well." He said shortly "You are expected. Do come in." He added, quickly, remembering his manners and opening the door wider for her, offering her his arm. She smiled graciously and rested a pale hand lightly on it, gliding in with years of grace hovering over her.

Arwen, eveningstar of her people, gazed out the window with her shoulder set stubbornly, firm steely determination emanated from her. Like everyone in the castle, there was a military air about her- hair braided in an uncommonly stiff; even her gown of white seemed strangely formal and rigid.

Elros was slumped in a chair, watching her entrance, and more importantly, his twin, with a dark broody look of one who has a lot on his mind. His rangy legs were thrust out in front petulantly

Elrond himself was better then expected- a mercy of the fast healing powers of the elves, and of the holder of Vilya. He sat off to one side in a comfortable chair, in this rich suite set aside for guests of great import. He too showed signs of the heated argument she had overheard, a faint crease to his brow, hardness about the eyes. If she had not known her friend so, she would have merely put it down to weariness of healing.
"Greetings, lord Elrond…" She said with a sunny smile that didn't reach the frost of her eyes "I am glad you are recovered."
"Greetings to you Lady Galadriel." He nodded his head to her "I am recovered thanks to the healing powers of lord Aragorn. Do come in and be seated" He gestured elegantly to a seat. "Leave us." He said in a general way that held a slight lofty anger.

His three children left the room, steel spined and icy eyed. Lord Elrond sank into his chair a little more and sighed as the door shut softly in their wake. He closed his eyes and grimaced slightly

"Children." He sighed it as a curse. Lady Galadriel smiled in sweetened sympathy, holding her silence, anticipating the reasoning for the argument before she entered. "They will not leave. Círidan would sail a ship out for them, let them join their mother- but no, they will not listen. They are steel willed and stubborn. They will not leave." He sighed as if a great pain had descended.

Galadriel brushed his hand in gesture of pain shared.
"You have not lost them to battle yet, lord. They are strong." She assured him, holding back the sad thought that Celeborn too, had been strong.

Those unspoken thoughts, however, weren't as silent as she had wished, and a bitter look crossed Lord Elrond's face, his eyes penetrated hers and she knew instantly he had thought the same thing. –

However, he remained silent in respect, she was grateful for his restraint.

But respectful silence grew pained as it drew out longer; both wondering what could possibly follow that conversation with both taste and impact, and no hint of what they both wanted to point out to the other.

So it was a relief that bordered on physical when a light tap of a wooden staff rang through the room. Both elves looked up sharply, and Galadriel made to rise, but Gandalf didn't need anyone to open the door for him, nor did he bother with the decorum that stated he was to wait, he opened the door negligently and strode in closing it with a little flip of his hand.
He was the picture of power, his façade of the old man discarded in this time of need. Even the elf lords were amazed at the change- even though the current persona was one they had always known the potential for in the wizened old sorcerer.

"Why the long faces my lord and lady? We are not defeated yet…" He said in way of greeting.

A small smile broke upon the fair lady's face, and Elrond's expression lightened slightly, Gandalf chuckled and lent against his staff
"Much better. The best way to combat such darkness is a light heart, and although our weapons are sharp in their sheaths, out major weapon is dull and forgotten."  He settled into a chair without invitation, groaning a little as he fell into the depths. His staff he lent casually against the wall he was nearest, a mere arm length away.
"I gather it is no coincidence that we three are gathered here, and we three hold the very things Sauron wants so dear?" The wizard asked without any preamble. Galadriel straightened, hands folded in her lap demurely, but her presence anything but. Gandalf had hit upon the reasoning she had called this assembly, and cut much careful and painstaking prologue she had planned out. A blessing.

"Yes Mithrandir. I decided mayhaps we should speak together, as the remaining three, and dare I say, last remaining free ring bearers." A pall fell instantly on the room, almost like a cloak of darkness. "I decided we should hold this impromptu gathering out of the main halls- no need to dampen the spirits of the already dogged troops, and besides" She smiled this remembered amusement "Lord Aragorn bade me not to allow lord Elrond out of his suite yet." Elrond made a slightly disgusted face at this, his prolonged confinement grating upon him.

"What would you have us speak of?" Gandalf prompted quietly.

"I would speak of many things, but first and foremost, our fear… For it is very real, and too dangerous to tiptoe about pretending it hasn't occurred to us- not planning against it just because we don't want to believe. That is foolish, and could be fatal…"

"May I ask why Lord Aragorn is not sitting in?" Gandalf moved, taking out his pipe from his white robe "Any decision made here will involve him, no doubt…"

"Lord Elessar chose to trust us to inform him. He did not want to intrude." She said softly "He felt things might not be said if his presence were in attendance."

"That is not true…" Elrond said quickly, stung a little by his surrogate son's lack of faith in their trust in him.

"Maybe not, but there may be other reasons he does not wish to attend. Who knows the minds of mortals?" She said smiling gently at her son in law, understanding his indignance. "But Aragorn's presence is not the reason we are gathered. We are here to discuss the possibility if the one being in the hands of the enemy once more."

Silence. They all faced the possibility head on, and their souls shrank back.

"We do not have the forces we had during the last alliance." Elrond said regretfully "We are the only high elves that remain…" He nodded towards Galadriel "And the elven archers are from our own tattered regiments and Thuandril's. Men are dwindling, and even with the support of the dwarves, we are no match for Mordor… We cannot win a battle from that footing. We can not go on the offensive. Sauron would crush us with one mailed fist."

Gandalf lit his pipe, his eyes lost. Galadriel frowned down at her knees as Elrond looked from one to the other penetratingly

"I take it you have something of an idea?" Galadriel said at last. Elrond leaned back and sighed heavily
"It is not much, but it is something. We cannot win if we attack Mordor. There is no chance of it. We step out of this castle and we will be annihilated with much glee. Aragorn and the princes- the dwarf lords and our own people are gearing up for a campaign. I don't believe we should. I feel we should strengthen the defences of Gondor- the smashed defences and siege."

"A siege would take much time to prepare…" Gandalf noted, lighting his pipe "Do we have that time?"
"No, but we have little other choice." He looked suddenly very weary "Imladris was smashed. Destroyed so utterly that the remains leave no suggestion of the beauty it once was. Lothlorien is razed. Time or no time, he will do the same to Gondor, for I have little doubt in my heart that the dark lord now holds the ring of power once more."

Slowly Gandalf nodded.

"You are right of course; it is a desperate move, but the only move we can make." He sighed and puffed his pipe, an expression that resembled pain lined his ancient features. "Are you well enough to ride, Lord Elrond? I greatly dislike forcing you into a battle ready mode when you have been so recently wounded, but we must lead the army beside the kings. We have a power that will strike fear into the hearts of those of Mordor."

Elrond nodded, shifting in his chair "I am well enough, Mithrandir, indeed, I believe I have no choice…"

"That is settled then?" Galadriel sounded slightly shaken, yet firm. "We will ride at the head of the army, proudly bearing the banners of Lorien and Rivendell. Our rings shall be worn for eye to see."

"Do you think that's wise?" Gandalf asked suddenly cautious and narrow eyed, Galadriel sighed and smiled.

"Yes. It is a scant hope, but a hope all the same- the troops need as much as the can get. As Lord Elrond has said, I do not believe the three are secret from him any longer."

Gandalf pursed his lips then blew air through his nose.
"Let's do it."

***

Aragorn sat in the main hall. The Elf Lord and Lady and the white rider had been closeted away for almost the whole afternoon, and worry gnawed at his every nerve. He tried not to let it show and dishearten the men, but the air practically crackled with suspense, so it when the heavy doors at the end of the hall boomed open, he king could not control a start.

But he was not the only one. All the men in the hall turned their faces to the doors, eyes wide, mouths agape.

They had returned, although the appearance of both the elves and Gandalf would commend a great deal of respect from the men in the hall, it was not just their presence that drew gasps.

Galadriel wore the armour she had worn when she had spoken in her suite, Gimli trailed behind her proud. She looked every inch a warrior queen. Elrond was clad in curious armour, armour which, unbeknownst to anyone in the room, had bore him through the Last alliance. Gandalf Greyheim wore a robe whiter then snow, dazzling to the eye, over it, a polished cuirass as his only armour. But that was not all that overwhelmed the watchers. Rings shone on their fingers, as if with their own inner light Nenya whiter then any star, Vilya bluer then the sun struck ocean and Narya like the burning sun.

Men elves and dwarves alike sank to their knees as the three passed. Aragorn rose, wonder and fear both clinging to his heart.

"You have made a decision?" He half stated. Gandalf strode forward a pace further then the two high elves.

"We have. Prepare your men to strengthen the fortifications. We shall with stand a siege in these walls."
Aragorn opened his mouth to protest, but the warlike garb of the trio stilled his tongue.
"I will pass the orders. I take it some momentous decision has been made?" he said narrowly, His curiosity burned.

"It has, Elessar, but we shall speak of it anon- away from the ears and eyes of the men or arms." Galadriel said, her voice reaching his ears only. He bowed his head
"It is begun." He sighed, and turned to his captain to pass the orders.

And so it has my fine friends. War is brewing… When will Mordor move to take Gondor?