Chapter Twenty One: The Second Part of the Council of Elrond

Written in story form by Carithawen

Webposter's notes: This is written from the roleplaying that we did, but written in story form by me.

A stout bearded Dwarf spoke out suddenly in a deep gruff voice. "What are we waiting for...?!" He raised himself quickly from his chair, grabbing his massive-bladed axe, swinging it down onto the Ring... but the Ring was not the matter to break, but the axe itself, crumbling into a dozen pieces, the force of the blow sending the Dwarf backwards, landing on his backside.

Elrond's tone did not change or falter as he addressed Gimli. "The ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess." He paused before continuing. "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." Once more he paused, as his eyes gazed around the council. "One of you must do this."

Boromir spoke lowly from his chair, annoyed by Elrond's plan. "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. Tis a barren wasteland, riddled with fire, ash, and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly...!"

Halien's anger grew, seeing as how some would dare to defy the will of her father. she was about to speak out, and Elladan noticed. He squeezed her hand silencing her and comforting her.

But as if voicing her words, Legolas stood angry from his chair and directed his tone to Boromir. "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed" He looked around, and his eyes caught Halien's gaze. She looked over to Ellandan turning slightly pink.

The stout Dwarf spoke again. "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it!"

Boromir added to this. "And what if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?"

The Dwarf gave all of his attention to his current verbal battle with the Elf. "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!"

Legolas stood tall infront of the dwarf. He did not show any anger, but held back his company as they came furiously towards the dwarf. He called back to them to sit down, and kept his arms spread out holding them back still.

Halien sat watching from her seat until she heard the dwarf's words. She stood angered releasing Elladan's hold on her. Her anger brewed withing her, and her brow was furrowed in anger. "How dare you?" It is then that the whole Council uproared in voices; miserable Frodo, who all this time had been sitting in his oversized chair, observed the argument between the Elves, Men, and Dwarves, all except for Gandalf, Elfindel, and Aragorn, who were trying to be the peacemakers of it all.

The small Hobbit tried desperately to make his voice heard, but it was lost in the sea of loud voices. "I will take it.... I will take it....!"

Halien who was screaming insutls at the dwarf, but being held back, by Legolas' grip on her, stopped short. Frodo's words pierced her ears, and she stopped her bickering, and turned to face him.

Waiting for silence to fall on the council, Frodo glanced at all of the tall folk as he spoke slowly. "I will take the Ring to Mordor... Though I do not know the way..."

A faint yet warm grin appeared on Gandalf's face. "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear..." He walked over to the small lad, placing his hand on his shoulder.

Aragorn glanced at the Hobbit, speaking with the gentle noblity that was only common in his voice. "If by my life or death I can protect you, I will..." He rose from his seat, stepping over to Frodo, and knelt before him. "You have my sword."

Legolas smiled slightly to himself, and approached Gandalf. "And you have my bow..."

The Dwarf spoke up gruffly. "And my axe!" He walked over to stand beside Legolas, whose expression noted everything but happiness.

Boromir observed them before speaking. "You carry the fate of us all, little one... If this is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done."