Finally, the witch was ready to talk about what had happened in the Halls of Mandos. Emma and Thranduil entered Elrond's study, where Glorfindel and the lord of Rivendell anxiously awaited them.
The twice-born elf took a step towards the witch, but the rage in Thranduil's eyes stopped him in his tracks. The Elvenking was right to be furious at him; Glorfindel knew as much. However, the witch didn't seem angry in the slightest as she gazed at her friend with such warmth that it gave Glorfindel great comfort.
"You are betrothed. Congratulations," Glorfindel said softly, his eyes looking at the serpent ring that sat firmly on Emma's finger as if it had been made for her. That was more than just a ring; it symbolised Thranduil's kingdom and was his most prized possession. The ring was fitting as a sign of Thranduil's kingdom and Emma's status as the future queen of Mirkwood.
"Morwen finally relented and would have been a few days ago if you hadn't pulled her away from me to her doom," Thranduil said, his voice dark as he looked at Glorfindel with condemnation.
Glorfindel cringed at the Elvenking's anger and said gently, "I agree with you, Thranduil. What happened was outright idiocy that I will regret for the rest of my life. I can only hope that you both, especially Emma, will find it in your hearts to forgive me one day."
The Elvenking glared at Glorfindel but said nothing. It was challenging to be infuriated at someone who took all the blame and showed great repentance.
"Congratulations, you both. When will the binding take place?" Elrond asked the happy couple curiously. Emma looked far better than she had when she had arrived in Rivendell earlier that morning.
In fact, the witch looked better than ever. The immense, eternal light shone from her being and great magic coursed through the air around her. Elrond suspected that her magical powers had increased enormously as he had not felt her powers so immeasurably the first time they had met years earlier.
"We will head to Mirkwood as soon as possible. There is no time to waste," Thranduil said immediately, and Emma nodded in agreement with his words. They knew what they wanted, and the next chapter of their relationship would be in Mirkwood.
"Could you both find it in your hearts to wait until after we have discussed the ring? I need your input in deciding its fate," Elrond asked the couple. He had not expected them to wish to leave so early, and he wanted them both to be there when the ring's fate would be decided. Whatever decision would be made would affect all the races of Middle Earth, and therefore as many trusted people as possible needed to be at the meeting.
Emma and Thranduil looked at each other for a moment before the elf replied, "We will stay until then, but no longer than that. I know the ring's evil, and I do not wish Morwen or myself to be tainted by it. Already I feel it seeping into the air here in Rivendell, and it is not safe to keep it here."
"Why do you wish our advice?" Emma asked curiously.
"Thranduil's presence is given; he is one of the rulers of Middle Earth and has a saying in the ring's fate. You, as his future queen, get a seat as well. We need your advice as you might have seen similar wickedness in your world. We need all the help we can get to give us an upper hand against its evil," Elrond explained. Emma would give a fresh view of the ring, while Thranduil was a just and powerful ruler.
"Of course, we shall help as we can even though we are keen to leave as soon as possible," Thranduil said haughtily, and Emma grinned playfully at him. There was no question that both of them wanted to finish the binding and the elf's haste made Elrond laugh teasingly. Even Glorfindel grinned at Thranduil as the two elves seemed to have made a silent ceasefire between them.
"I'm delighted," Emma said, her hand reaching out for Thranduil's, who smiled affectionately at her, his eyes twinkling with joy.
"As am I, Morwen," Thranduil said, kissing her hand with affection and making the witch blush crimson when her mind returned to earlier that day before they arrived at the meeting.
"I see that, and you both deserve it after all your struggles," Elrond grinned at them with such affection that Emma got misty-eyed. The Elvin lord was not overly affectionate, but it was evident that Elrond cared about her welfare. Emma might even go so far as to call him a friend.
"You wish to see what happened to me?" Emma asked quietly, and Glorfindel winced at her question. He had dreaded the discussion since they returned to Rivendell, but there was no way around it. Questions had to be answered, and he had to apologise to Emma, even though he didn't know where to start.
"Of course," Elrond said, his grey eyes shining with curiosity on how the witch would be able to show them that.
The witch looked around the room and in the far corner was a giant silvery bowl that would be large enough for all three elves to see her memories simultaneously. The witch placed the bowl on a small table before taking out her wand. Quickly she pulled one silvery memory after the other from her mind and put them in the bowl. The memories swirled around each other, and the elves peeked down with great interest.
"You all put your faces in there. You will see what I lived, and we can talk after," Emma said. The elves didn't question the witch for a second; all three put their faces directly into the bowl, and Emma stood not far away, waiting for all three to return.
Later all three stood up. Elrond's face was filled with concern as he looked at the witch. A series of unfortunate events had happened that nearly ended her life. Her family ending up in Middle Earth had been a tragic accident, and the elf felt great pity for the witch and her entire family.
However, Emma's eyes were locked on Thranduil, who looked furious as he glared at Glorfindel. The Elvenking clenched his fist as if he wanted to attack Glorfindel and the golden-haired elf looked as if he felt he deserved the wrath of the Elvenking.
"Please don't be angry at Glorfindel, my love. It's not his fault," Emma murmured to Thranduil to try to calm down the furious elf who looked formidable in his anger.
"How can you forgive such an act? He left his dearest friend in an orc-infested place, a human at that?" Thranduil spat, eyes blazing after what he had seen in Emma's memories. It had been even worse than he had feared, making him feel helpless and frantic to see what had occurred. Glorfindel hadn't done his job, he hadn't protected the witch from harm, and Emma had been mad to follow the elf.
Thranduil understood from Emma's memories that Glorfindel harboured romantic affection for the witch, but clearly, Emma didn't feel the same way, that had been verified in the halls of Mandos. Therefore Thranduil didn't feel threatened even though the twice-born elf had declared his affection. Emma was Thranduil's other half. There was no competition or animosity because the golden elf had fallen for the witch.
"To take a vulnerable human orc hunting is beyond folly," Elrond said in an understanding and fatherly tone that always got to Glorfindel. What the elf had done had been dangerous and had led to Emma's demise. The Elvin lord pitied Glorfindel; it was not easy to be so ancient and have to deal with heartbreak.
"I know that. Please forgive me, Emma," Glorfindel grumbled, his bright blue eyes shining with unshed tears as he looked at the witch who seemed impervious to the events.
"It's already been forgiven," Emma said with a wave of her hand as if what occurred had been nothing, and the elves looked at the witch in great surprise.
"Why Morwen? How can you possibly forgive such behaviour?" Thranduil asked, shocked at how forgiving the witch was towards Glorfindel, who had behaved foolishly.
"Because I got my magic back, and I can love you with all my heart," Emma replied, and Thranduil huffed at her words. Leave it to the witch to find a silver lining amid death and destruction.
"But Glorfindel…" Thranduil growled, and Emma quickly said, "I'm not angry at Glorfindel. I never was. I do realise what happened, but I adore Glorfindel. That will never change," Emma said, and a golden hurricane came rushing in and grabbed her into a tight embrace.
"Morwen…" Thranduil tried to reason with his beloved, who was being smothered by a regretful Glorfindel that was beyond happy that the little human showed no resentment for his foolishness.
As Glorfindel released her, Emma explained, "You all saw why Glorfindel was hurting. I wished to help even though I didn't know I was the source of his pain."
"You perished because of Glorfindel's actions, little one," Elrond said quietly. It had been painful for him to see how the Uruk-hai had grabbed his ward, knowing that Glorfindel would not make it to her in time.
"I did perish," Emma agreed, and Glorfindel cringed at her words before she added with a smile, "and was sent back."
"And you think that excuses Glorfindel's actions? He claims to love you but left you to fend for yourself against orcs!" Thranduil hissed, trying his best to control his temper at the thought of what his beloved had gone through. The anger in his chest was also targeted towards her for being so blasé towards the danger she had been in.
"I have been training for years for this. The training saved my life until the Uruk-hai came," Emma admitted, and all three elves shuddered with disgust at the thought of the claws of the Uruk-hai scraping over the flesh on her throat.
"The Uruk-hai terrified you, Morwen, and justly so," Thranduil said in a haughty tone that once upon a time had annoyed Emma so.
"So much that I threw myself off a cliff to get away," Emma admitted to her future husband, whose body stiffened up at the memory of the witch throwing herself off in a desperate need to survive.
"A death cliff. You were lucky not to perish on the way down," Elrond said kindly to the woman who seemed adamant about forgiving Glorfindel. The Elvin lord appreciated Emma's loyalty to the golden elf who was looking at the witch with such adoration in his eyes.
"I repeat, I'm not angry. I got my magic back. I am about to be wed to the one I love more than anything. I am at peace and very happy," Emma said so happily that all three elves looked at the witch in astonishment. Not only was she very understanding of the events that had occurred, but it almost sounded as if the witch was ecstatic with what had happened.
"And that's all that matters to you?" Thranduil asked heatedly. The Elvenking was famous for holding grudges that could last thousands of years, but his other half seemed much more forgiving.
"My magic needed me to be in a life-or-death situation. Being protected here in Rivendell kept me safe and my magic dormant," Emma said, smiling slightly while the elves looked at her horrified.
"So you are happy with what happened?" Elrond asked, shocked; his shapely eyebrows lifted, giving him a stunned expression. Humans never ceased to amaze him. Their toughness shone through their beings even if they burned through their lives so quickly.
"I'm happy for myself and very sorry for you, Elrond. You have my deepest sympathies," Emma said to Elrond, who looked at her with sorrowful eyes and nodded in understanding of her words.
"I still will never forgive myself, Emma. I was callous," Glorfindel said as he fondly squeezed her hand. The witch grinned teasingly at the elf and shook her head at his words.
"Stop Glory; I lived to tell the tale. I'm more me than ever before in Middle Earth. My magic is stronger than before, and I feel it crackling in the air around me, waiting to be unleashed," Emma said so excitedly that the three elves grinned at her joy of having been killed only to return.
Glorfindel grinned at her, "then I guess you are welcome strange witch."
"The plus side Glory, we shall be friends until the end of time," Emma said, grinning at Glorfindel, who laughed merrily.
"Family, we shall be family until the end of time," Glorfindel said, kissing her cheek with great affection.
Emma and Glorfindel grinned at each other, and Thranduil rolled his eyes at the two friends that were so odd sometimes.
Elrond grinned, "you two are the strangest creatures I know, no wonder you're thick as thieves."
"Emma, what brings you here? Shouldn't you be at dinner?" Elrond asked firmly after opening the door for the witch, who had knocked persistently until he answered. Emma smiled broadly at him and entered. Something had been on her mind ever since she heard that Gandalf wanted to bring the ring to Rivendell, and since she had her powers back, she could finally discuss it with Elrond.
Elrond pointed her to sit down, and the witch did so immediately. Elrond, renowned in Middle Earth for his wisdom and patience, sat down calmly and waited good-naturedly until Emma said what she had come for.
"I'm concerned about the ring endangering everyone here in Rivendell," Emma finally said, having tried numerous ways in her mind how to explain her feelings to the Elvin lord.
"You are not the only one that is distressed. I have felt its power, and I have seen how easily it corrupts those around it," Elrond said, his voice dark as he thought back in time. They had been so close to destroying it but failed at the last moment. Elrond worried that such would be the case again; the minds of humans, and other creatures of Middle Earth, were too easily corrupted.
"Thranduil is concerned as well," Emma added, but Elrond only nodded before replying, "I know. My friend has never hidden his opinion that Gandalf is mad for wanting to bring the ring here. He thinks it will be the destruction of us all."
"Is there no way around this?" Emma asked the quiet elf with hope blooming in her chest before suggesting, "sending it to Galadriel?"
Elrond quickly cut her off, fearing that Galadriel would want the ring for herself, "No, I think it's best for us all if Galadriel wouldn't come too close to it."
"Concerned she will succumb to it?" Emma asked quickly, and Elrond grinned at her. The little human had a quick mind and an understanding of how magic could manipulate even the bravest of hearts. Emma's awareness made her see quickly why the ring's arrival in Rivendell might be disastrous for the Last Homely House and its inhabitants.
"Not concerned, but even if there would be only a small chance, it's enough. Galadriel is already so formidable that no one can stop her. It would be the end of us all if the ring enslaved her mind," Elrond confessed and shuddered at the thought of going against Galadriel in such a fight. It would be impossible to fight against an old friend and the grandmother of his children.
"I would gladly give my life protecting Rivendell," Emma admitted quietly, and the elf looked at her with a proud expression. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that the little witch loved them all, and she would do her best to fight for those she loved if needed.
Emma added, her eyes looking into his, "I owe you my life Elrond."
"I thank you for your sentiment, little one, and I know you mean it, but Thranduil would have my hide if something happened to you," Elrond said playfully to the witch, who smiled at him. Emma knew that fire and brimstone would reign upon the world if she perished before Thranduil.
"Things happen, Elrond. Such is life," Emma replied stoically, and Elrond looked at her proudly, "You have grown enormously in spirit since you arrived here a few years ago."
"I take it as a compliment, but is there no way to talk you out of this Elrond?" Emma asked, her eyes filled with worry as she stared at him with a slight frown.
Elrond gave a pained sigh and then finally admitted to Emma, who he had learned to care for over the years, "How can I refuse when the fate of so many is connected to destroying this ring? Even if I know in my heart that allowing this wickedness into Rivendell was a terrible idea."
"I don't have a good feeling about this, Elrond. From what I read, humans, in particular, are vulnerable to its power, and you might have someone arriving here unannounced if the ring calls to them," Emma said, finally admitting her greatest fear. The evil of the ring would seep into the surrounding area, manipulating the minds of whoever was weak enough to answer the ring's call.
"The evil of the ring indeed taints the souls of humans. Elves should be able to sense such in the souls of those the ring has control over," Elrond admitted. He had seen it for himself but had been too slow to realise to what extent.
"Be that as it may, Aragorn is not an elf, and neither am I," Emma said stubbornly, and Elrond grinned at her, realising that the stubbornness of the bloodline from Victoria down to Aragorn had clearly been inherited from the young witch that sat in front of him. When Emma Winter decided something, it was impossible to have her change her mind.
Elrond smiled widely at her with great affection. He liked Emma enormously and even more when she questioned everything and refused to follow the rules. He explained his reasoning in an understanding tone, "you both are born human, but the magic in you both should make you sense evil in the air or in the souls of others."
"I will nevertheless worry about everyone," Emma muttered, not happy with Elrond's answer as she had hoped that he would divert the ring away from Rivendell.
"I have grown to love so many here in Rivendell, and I will not be able to live with myself if something happens to any of you."
"What do you suggest?" Elrond asked intriguingly. Evidently, the witch had thought of some way out. Otherwise, she would not have come to him in the first place.
"A few protection spells over Rivendell. It's better to be safe than sorry," Emma replied darkly. The spells had protected Hogwarts many times in the past against attacks. Before the last battle, she remembered seeing the teachers team up to put shielding charms over Hogwarts to give staff and students a fighting chance against the Death Eaters.
"What would the spells do?" Elrond asked fascinatingly. The elf had been extremely curious about Emma's powers since they returned, as her magic filled Rivendell with its might. It was fascinating to see and feel her power in the air.
"A protection barrier against attacks. Those that come seeking Rivendell without good intentions towards you, or its inhabitants, will not find it no matter how hard they try," Emma explained to the elf, that looked at her with shimmering eyes as if her words intrigued him greatly.
Elrond thought for a moment before asking frankly, "And you can do this?"
Emma nodded vigorously so that her curls bounced up and down with the movement of her head. Elrond could not find any reason why he should refuse such a good offer from the witch, especially when the force of the ring caused great concern to all who knew of its powers.
"Let's do it now if you are ready," Elrond suggested, and the witch replied immediately.
"I'm ready," Emma said quickly, her eternal light shining brightly from her being. Elrond grinned when he saw her dark eyes sparkling with joy at the knowledge that she could finally be of assistance and help if needed, against a frightening enemy.
"I know everyone would like to see what you are doing; we will stop at the dining hall on our way out and invite those that want to see it to join us," Elrond said warmly. He had not been the only one in Rivendell who was curious about Emma's magic. All the elves were. They knew she had gone to The Halls of Mandos and returned with an immortal light along with her magic. Every elf was bound to be curious to see what the witch was capable of.
"Legolas and Thranduil are waiting down the hall," Emma confessed, and Elrond grinned at the witch, "I see your new family came here to support you in your little quest to send the ring away from Rivendell."
The two elves were indeed waiting in the hallway for Elrond and Emma to reach them.
"I will cast a few protective spells over Rivendell," Emma said to the two elves waiting; father and son nodded and joined them. When they went by the dining hall, Elrond cleared his throat to get attention, "Emma, our cherished witch, is going to cast protective spells over Rivendell, our beloved home. She is concerned about us all during these perilous times. Please step outside now if you wish to witness her casting them."
Immediately the room cleared as the crowd, including Glorfindel, stepped into the central garden of Rivendell. Emma was slightly startled by the interest of those around what she would do. Yes, the elves had shown interest in her powers, but she had no idea that they would be so interested in seeing a spell performed that they would all leave their meals unfinished.
"You will do well, beloved," Thranduil whispered to encourage her, and Emma whispered her thanks before kissing his lips quickly.
Emma stood a few steps away from Elrond and took out her wand from her sleeve, where it had always been kept ever since she was a little girl. The magic tingled her fingers as soon as the wand was in her hand as if it was willing and ready after years of being unused while her magic had been dormant.
"Protego Maxima. Fianto Duri, Repello Inimicum," Emma called out repeatedly, and white light with a bluish hue shot into the sky several times until a powerful protection barrier covered Rivendell. The magic twinkled in the air, Emma could feel it on her skin, and the elves could smell a strong cinnamon scent in the air that they all associated with Emma Winter.
"Rivendell is protected against spells and attacks. Those that seek to invade the Last Homely House will be stopped at the barrier," Emma said; Elrond placed his hand over his heart in thanks, and Emma did the same in return. To her shock, the other inhabitants did the same.
Glorfindel came up to her, his eyes shining brightly as he looked down at her face, "my magnificent friend, the power of your love for us shimmers over us all."
"Can you see the barrier?" Emma asked Glorfindel curiously, not knowing if the elves could see it as well as she could. Glorfindel looked upwards, a small smile on his face as he pulled Emma in for a quick hug, "I see a bluish hue in the night sky. You are protecting us from harm."
"Aragorn, can you see it?" Emma asked the human standing next to her, his bright grey eyes peering into the night sky. The man shook his head in denial, "I could see your magic shooting up to the sky before, and I can feel benevolent magic in the air, but my eyes cannot see this barrier that Glorfindel speaks of."
"I should hope it's benevolent," Thranduil said teasingly with raised eyebrows, his icy gaze staring at Aragorn, "I'd hate to marry a wicked witch."
"I don't think you have to worry about that, king Thranduil, not with Emma," Aragorn said softly before kissing Emma's cheek with affection and going inside with Glorfindel and the others that were leaving. He would always feel protective of Emma, not because she was related to him but because he had seen her vulnerable side, and it had endeared him to her.
Emma grinned at him, and Legolas stepped up to say something to his friend, "a worthy queen of Mirkwood indeed. I hope you will cast this for our people when you arrive at your new home."
"For all of Elvindom if needed, and if I travel further to protect innocents against harm. All is not lost Legolas, and I will do my best to help as I can," Emma said to Legolas, who looked at her with great fondness.
"Your soul was always beautiful, my friend, but after you returned from the Halls of Mandos, it shines so brightly, so otherworldly in its splendour," Legolas murmured, his eyes shining down at her, and Emma asked curiously, "I wish I could see what you see Legolas with your Elvin eyes."
"You see its reflection in our eyes, my friend, and the great affection we all feel for you," Legolas said warmly before joining the others that had left the garden to return to their meals. Thranduil alone stayed and was seated on a bench waiting for Emma, who sat next to him.
"Legolas is right, your soul is beautiful beyond words, but when your power bursts out, we feel the power of the Valar. I feel it in every cell of my being, and it makes me elated that I managed to ensnare your heart," Thranduil said mischievously to the witch, who grinned up at him.
"Thank you Fion. It means everything coming from you," Emma said before whispering to the elf, "I put an extra spell into the barrier."
"What was it?" Thranduil asked quietly, knowing that it was for that reason that the witch was whispering. Usually, Emma was upfront with everything. If she was withholding information from everyone, it was for a reason.
"I had informed Elrond before, but only him and now you, of course," Emma said, her eyes looking around as if she suspected someone was listening to her behind a tree in the garden. No one was, of course, but it hinted at the gravity of the situation.
"What is it?"
"Those that come seeking Rivendell without good intentions towards Elrond or its inhabitants will not find it," Emma said quietly, and the elf thought about it for a second before Thranduil beamed with pride down at her.
"Crafty witch, your spell should make it quite straightforward to spot a traitor," Thranduil said, stroking her curly hair affectionately.
"That is what I hope. We need to know in advance if there is a traitor among us. If the ring is as terrible as you say, then we need a warning," Emma said, a concerned frown on her face as her gaze looked over Rivendell, that she loved so much.
"It's even worse than you think Morwen. It gives shivers down my spine to even think of its evil and the powers it can hold over those around," Thranduil said, his voice dark. If Emma wasn't in Rivendell, Thranduil knew he had long since retreated to Mirkwood, as he had no interest in being around the wickedness of the ring.
"That's what I was afraid of," Emma murmured, placing her head on the elf's shoulder, seeking comfort. They could all feel it in the air around them, the worries of everyone living in Rivendell over the upcoming threat, not only to Rivendell but to all of Middle Earth.
October 24th was certainly eventful in Rivendell. First, Frodo, the nephew of Bilbo Baggins, woke up, and the inhabitants were thrilled that Elrond's skilful healing hands had saved the ringbearer.
Later that morning the twins, Elohir and Elladan arrived from Lothlorien, where they had been staying with their grandparents for over a decade. Elrond had known that the twins were coming and anxiously awaited their return after knowing that Frodo would pull through.
When the twins finally came to the courtyard, they were not alone but accompanied by a blonde, ruggedly handsome human who was very tall and bore the white tree of Gondor on his leather tunic.
After Elrond had greeted his sons with great affection, they told him, "We found Boromir, son of Denethor, the son of the steward of Gondor, wandering aimlessly and unable to find Rivendell."
Elrond turned around to where Emma was standing close by, their eyes meeting poignantly at the discovery. There was seemingly only one reason why the human could not find Rivendell, and that did not bode well since the ring was already in Rivendell, its evil already spreading everywhere. Boromir had been the only new guest of Rivendell to fail Emma's test, and the witch hurried off to find her beloved to share the news.
"A guest arrived from Gondor, Boromir, son of the steward," Emma said breathlessly to Thranduil after running most of the way back to her chambers. Amid such evil gave Emma great comfort to have the elf so near.
"I have heard the name, a brave soldier and beloved by his people," Thranduil murmured, his nose in a book and his voice bored as always when discussing the humans of Middle Earth. It was a miracle that the elf had even heard of Boromir. Only after sitting and listening to merchants speaking highly of the man as they feasted in Mirkwood had the elf even heard the name of the steward's son.
"We have a problem," Emma said seriously, and Thranduil put his book down immediately, his icy gaze looking at the witch with concern. His beloved was not one to say such things unless it rang true.
"What is it?"
"Fion, Boromir couldn't find Rivendell," Emma murmured, a deep frown on her face and her eyes filled with great worry that gave the elf shivers down his spine with discomfort.
Thranduil looked at her for a moment before hissing furiously, "Elrond should never have allowed him to enter."
Elrond had followed Emma to her chambers, knowing full well that the witch would tell Thranduil about what had happened. The Lord of Rivendell said passionately to the angry elf from Mirkwood, "how could I not allow Boromir of Gondor to enter Rivendell, my friend? He is the steward's son, after all. If Aragorn wishes to take back the crown of Gondor, he needs to be on good terms with the steward and his family."
"The same steward who undoubtedly sent his son here to betray us all?" Thranduil snarled. The elf was well known for his protective nature of those he cared for and was furious that he would have to share space with a likely traitor.
"There must be a reason why Boromir was sent here, my friend, the will of the Valar is often mysterious," Gandalf said as he entered Emma's room and shut the door firmly behind him. The wizard had seen Emma rush to her chambers, quickly followed by Elrond so shortly after.
"Gandalf, you must have felt Emma's spell in the air around Rivendell," Elrond said to explain to the wizard why they were all so ruffled over the arrival of Boromir after he had gotten lost on the way.
"Indeed I did. Mighty work indeed," Gandalf said, his voice serious as he wondered if Boromir even knew about the ring's presence in the Last Homely House. Denethor had always been a just ruler, but in the previous decades, something had morphed his mind, and Gandalf needed to see what had poisoned his mind.
"One part of the spell was that whoever had bad intentions towards Elrond or Rivendell would never find it; Boromir of Gondor was the only one who failed it," Emma explained to the wizard whose bushy eyebrows raised with understanding at her words.
"I understand all of your concern," Gandalf said in a severe tone, "but Boromir is well-loved in Gondor for his bravery. Just he is and kind where his father is cruel."
"I have a bad feeling about allowing him to enter Rivendell," Thranduil sat shortly, passing judgement without ever meeting the human. It was enough for him to see that his beloved was deeply concerned about Boromir of Gondor; Thranduil added, "if it was my kingdom ... "
"… you'd throw him in the dungeons," Emma said teasingly, and the king grinned at her, "you know me, well witch."
"I know it from experience," Emma said, and Thranduil stroked her hand with affection as if to apologise, yet again, for past digressions.
"For Denethor, the steward of Gondor, it would be an act of war to imprison his beloved son. We must tread lightly; darkness has been brewing for a long time in the steward's mind," Gandalf said, and the others nodded in agreement. No one in Middle Earth knew as many people as Gandalf did after wandering since the beginning of time while gaining a deep knowledge of people and places.
"What do you think, Morwen?" Thranduil asked, needing input from the witch who had cast the spell. Her magic might, in some way, give a more profound sense of the situation.
"If Elrond wishes him to stay, we must be vigilant to protect the ring and the ringbearer. That is our sole job, for now, to keep everyone safe," Emma said firmly, and the others nodded in agreement before the witch continued while shivering in disgust, "But Elrond, I feel the evil of the ring already. It's suffocating in its malice. Can't you feel it?"
"I do. We all do," Elrond said, his voice thick with worry. Things could go wrong in so many ways, and he looked forward to the day the ring would depart from Rivendell. The sooner, the better.
"How could Frodo bear it?" Emma murmured and spoke for them all at that moment. They admired the little hobbit who almost perished, bringing the ring from the Shire to Rivendell.
"Hobbits are far stronger than they seem, my friend," Gandalf said with such affection and admiration in his voice that it was clear that he had a soft spot in his heart for hobbits.
"How is he?" Thranduil asked quietly, knowing well that those that were struck with a Morgul blade would never be the same again, no matter if their bodies healed. Evil would forever torture their minds.
"Frodo has eaten already, he's sturdy, and the other hobbits will inspire him," Elrond said with great admiration for the little hobbit who had survived where most would have failed.
Finally, the Elvin lord turned to the wizard, his grey eyes burning as he said, "I cannot wait longer Gandalf. I will call for a secret council tomorrow to discuss the ring's fate. You all are invited, and I will contact the others."
"Why do I need to be there?" Emma asked confused. She had lived in Middle Earth for a short while and knew very little about the ring compared to many others in Rivendell.
"You are about to become a queen. That alone would grant you a seat. Nevertheless, I wish you to be there as a witch, to sense its powers and tell us if there is anything similar that you remember from your world," Elrond explained to the woman that looked so uncomfortable with the idea of being so close to the ring. That meant that the witch would stay as far away from the ring as possible, as anyone should. The elf felt happy to see that discomfort.
"Very well, I can do that," Emma said stiffly, not wanting to hide from the ring even though her instinct told her to do so. After all, Thranduil would be at the meeting, so would Elrond and Gandalf. If all else failed, they would protect her from whatever would happen.
"You are not happy with it?" Elrond asked curiously, his grey eyes studying the witch with great interest. The elf hoped it would not take so much convincing to get others to attend the meeting as they had limited time.
"I wish to help. Of course, I will come Elrond," the witch said after a moment. She couldn't refuse Elrond, who had been so kind to her.
"I will be by your side every step of the way, Morwen," Thranduil said warmly, his hand wrapping around her and pulling her into his side like so often before when he felt her discomfort. The witch melted at his touch before murmuring, "thank you."
"Very well, I will start reaching out to those that I feel should be there tomorrow morning," Elrond said before he and Gandalf left to discuss those that should be invited.
"And then we leave for Mirkwood as soon as possible," Thranduil said firmly to the witch, who nodded enthusiastically at his words as if she had been waiting for him to suggest it. The elf grinned and kissed the top of her head with great affection.
Emma sighed and said, "I know we can't hide from this evil, but I hope to spend a little while married and blissfully happy with you before the storm hits."
Thranduil grinned at her, "you read my mind, Morwen," before kissing her with all his love. They would get through one way or another. At least they would be together as one.