***A critical decision***

Demi woke up the next morning with an elf maiden in her room, folding up her tunic. She had long blonde hair (like most elves Demi guessed) and sparkling azure blue eyes.  She smiled with the usual elvan grace most maidens did and greeted Demi with great respect.

"Good morning my lady, is there anything that I could help you with? Breakfast if you are ready. There are dresses in the cupboard over there," the maiden pointed to here a large oak cupboard stood, tall and looming, "as you will need something elegant to wear to the council today."

"Um…thanks" Demi replied, scratching her head and tossing back the covers.

"It is my pleasure. Now, how about breakfast, the chef is preparing sausages, bacon, toast, fruit, lembas…is there anything in particular you would like?"

"How about, um…I don't know, fruit?" Demi said, amazed at the choices she had for dinner, let alone breakfast.

"Very well. Oh, in case you need anything else, ask for myself, Niellúnë." She said with a curtsy, opening Demi's bedroom door then closing it behind her.

Demi stared at the big cupboard. It was rather intimidating. She climbed down from the four-poster over to the wardrobe and opened it up. Inside she found many dresses, all rather feminine, but beautiful none the less. They were all of lighter shades to compliment Demi's skin tone and hair colour, without having her look washed out. She picked out a pale blue dress, elegant, yet a wise, elvan ruler look about it. The perfect dress for the occasion. She took off her night gown and slipped off for a bath. When she finished she towelled herself off and wrapped the towel around her head to stop her hair dripping everywhere. When her hair was dry enough, Demi slipped on the blue dress, brushed her hair so that it would sit nicely out, scoffed down her breakfast that was waiting for her and dashed out her bedroom, afraid she would be late. Down the corridor she found Rúmil and Orophin walking towards her.

"Good timing." Orophin said, "We were just about to collect you. Come now, Rhiannon is waiting and the council will start in ten minutes." He said, leading her off.

***

Demi found it didn't take long at all to reach the council setting, which was on the same side as their bedrooms. They walked in, receiving stares from some men, and taking a seat next to Rhia, who sat beside Aragorn. The two had been chatting for quite some time it seemed about grave things and the past. When Demi took up her seat Aragorn introduced himself.

"Mae govannon arwen en amin Vairarista. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, but we have met before, though you may not remember it, and briefly last night." 

"Hi." Demi said, suddenly shy. She was meeting the Aragorn. She had always thought of him rather highly. "I'm…well…I guess you already know, but yes I remember correctly, it was you who I ran into last night."

"Yes, it was I." He replied, but was interrupted by Elrond.

"Miladies, sorry we have no time for talk, but today I am afraid that you must tell your stories. Many may not react well, but ignore them, they may not fully understand your importance."

"Ok, no problem." Rhia replied with a smile.

Elrond took his place, standing before his chair, waiting for the chatter to cease. He then introduced each council member in turn. A few names Demi took notice of, and most she knew, but only those really of major concern to her did she really pay attention to. At Glóin's side sat his son Gimli. A tall and important elf with golden hair was introduced as Glorfinel, next to him sat many of Elrond's counsellors of his house hold, with Erestor, an unyielding looking elf lord with brown hair, he was the chief; and with him sat Galdor of the grey havens here on an errand for Círdan the shipwright. Another elf beside him sat that the girls had already taken much notice of. He was clad in green and brown, a messenger for his father sat Legolas. Seated amongst many men of his kin was Boromir his face proud and stern. Gandalf sat on the other side of the half circle, and beside him Frodo, then the song-Wright Bilbo.

Next came Aragorn, who was introduced as Telcontár, then Rhiannon and Demi, in her true names Aurenessa and Vairarista. The Rúmil and Orophin were introduced lastly and the council started.

First off, Glóin spoke of happenings in his lands. Apparently the Nazgúl have been harassing his king Dáin. The dark lord offers them friendship, but the dwarves shall not answer him yet and the dark lord has become impatient. He seeks news of the ring and knows that Dáin knows of its keeper. Also, he came here about the disappearance of his cousin Balin.

Then Elrond spoke openly of the whole story of the ring and all involved with it, from the elvan-smiths of Eregion to the ring passing from all knowledge. Subsequently Boromir stood proud and tall praising his kinsmen and speaking of his dream:

Seek for the sword that was broken:

In Imladris it dwells;

There shall be councils taken

Stronger than Morgul-spells.

There shall be shown a token

That doom is near at hand,

For Isildur's bane shall waken,

And the halfling forth shall stand.

A riddle that plagued both he and his brother Faramir. Then Aragorn's true form was revealed and Frodo tried to pass the ring on to him.

"Then it belongs to you and not to me!" he shouted, standing up and offering it to Aragorn.

"It does not belong to either of us but the dark lord, but for now you must carry it." Aragorn replied as the ring was shown. Boromir looked at the ring then Frodo doubtfully shouting bloody Mary that the ring of doom was in the hands of a halfling and that the doom of all has come. He was contained and Aragorn told his tale, followed by a less eager Frodo.

Gandalf spoke then of how Saruman had betrayed them and of his search for Gollum with Aragorn. After that Legolas revealed that Gollum had escaped Mirkwood with the help of the dark servants and Gandalf continued his speech. It was after that decided that the ring must be destroyed by the wise elves. Boromir tried to reason but to no avail. He was over ruled. They spoke for long how to do it when Bilbo stood forth and declared that her would return it as it was his fault he started this problem. Elrond then assured him that the ring had passed and it was not his burden to bear again. They then knew that a company was to be sent with the ring by the time the noon bell rang. All glanced at the floor. Demi looked at Frodo. His eyes were troubled, his mind fighting itself to reason. He knew what he had to do. Dread fell over him like a shadow, then he spoke up with his small voice: "I will take the ring to Mordor, though, I do not know the way."

All looked at him in surprise, albeit Demi and Rhia, who knew this would happen. At lest the movie helped there! Then Sam popped from the bushes and declared that he would accompany his master.

At that time Elrond said that the girls must now tell their tale. Demi stood up on behalf of her friend and herself, rather nervously. All eyes were on her. She could feel them.

"I am Vairarista, some of you may know of me and my burden, others may not. I am an elf witch; daughter of Uial'niire and it has been said that I am desired by the dark lord to do his evil bidding. Well I say this to you all now. Never will I side with him. He cannot take my life for he needs me. I do not choose to side with him, but help what is good in this world.

"Aurenessa here is the heir of Meneldil and rightful queen of Arnor, should it be remade. Sauron desires her dead also, as she is just as dangerous as Aragorn to him.

"18 years ago we were sent to earth, a place many of you will not be aware of, as a place of safety until the day we could return and help. We have returned recently at middle earth's, our home's hour of need."

The council stared in wounder at the sudden power they were given. Demi's choice had been made. She would fight for the good, and Rhia would fight by her side. The council were at first sceptical, but then realised the potential and warmed up to Demi rather quickly.

"Surely this is but another ray of hope!" Boromir started, standing tall again.

"That it is, but dangerous and not to be used lightly. Vairarista cannot as yet wield her powers, but whilst here under my instruction, we shall change that." Gandalf said with a twinkle in his eye and a smile upon his aging face. Demi smiled back thank fully. She was glad someone would be able to help her.

***

After the council, Rhia and Demi were summoned to Elrond's study.

"Yes my lord?" asked Demi. She knew they would have to speak with the lord, just not so soon.

"Vairarista, Aurenessa. The time has come, and I ask you a question, that is not to be made lightly. The company of the ring has been made, and I wish to keep the numbers low, but I also recognise the need to have you on board. The company now 9 shall become 11 if you will join it. I will give you time to think, and again I urge you to think it through well. It shall be dangerous." Elrond said from behind his desk.

"I think I know my answer already. I can prove a great help, but first I need help. If my powers are ready to be used enough so that I can at least control them when used, then I will join." Demi said, a serious face shown.

"And I shall go also, though, I know I shall be needed, I feel I may be a burden." Rhia said, standing tall, yet her face downcast.

"You shall not be a burden Aurenessa. I would not have chosen you if you were. I have great faith that you will do great things for middle earth. You need to have faith within yourself if you are going to be queen." Elrond replied, his face serious but compassionate.

"But if I cannot fight then what good am I?" Rhia reasoned. Demi knew that she had always wanted to join the fellowship, but that was when they did not believe it was real.

"You shall be trained. You have the blood of Númenór in you. You cannot fail." Elrond said. He had great confidence in Rhia.

"Very well. I will go." Rhia agreed at last after much inner debate.

***

Later that week it was revealed to the girls the remainder of the fellowship who shall represent the free peoples of middle earth. Legolas for elvan kind, Gimli for the dwarves, who were willing to just further than the mountains. Aragorn would also go as the ring concerned him and his line, but would make for Minas Tirith with Boromir, as their journey lies on the same path for quite a long while. Gandalf would join Sam and Frodo and offer any protection that he can. Elrond then said, much to his dismay that Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took would fill the other final positions in the fellowship.

They would leave on their journey for many months yet, when all the scouts returned and said it was safe enough for the fellowship to set out from Rivendell.

When Rúmil and Orophin were informed of the girl's decision, they were not happy. They had become somewhat of brothers to the girls in the time they had known each other.

"Then in light of your choice, we shall inform the lady, for there is little else we can do and we must leave within this week." Rúmil said. "I am sorry. With hope our paths shall cross again, and soon. For your journey, my brother and I give you each one of these." He said producing a long and slender knife with white handle that had ancient elvish runes carved into it to each of the girls. Demi studied hers closely. Some of the writing looked familiar and she was able to make out her name.

"Thank you." she replied, hugging each brother in turn.

"It is nothing. I just hope they may be of some service to you." Orophin replied bashfully.

"It is not nothing, they are wonderful!" said Rhia, who then hugged the brothers and studied the knife further.

***

The week passed rather quickly, and before the girls knew it, they were saying good-bye the brothers.

"Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au', en quel marth Melloneamin." Rúmil said, waving good-bye.

"What does that mean?" asked Rhia. At that if he could, Rúmil would have blushed and Orophin laughed.

"It means, my heart shall weep until it sees the again, good luck my friends. Though I think he may have meant more than that." Orophin replied, receiving a sharp thump in the arm by his brother.

The girls just gave them a look. 'What was going on with them lately?' Demi thought. She just shrugged it off as the two blonde elves of Lórien made there way back home.

***

Author's note: So, whom does Rúmil have crush on? Does she feel the same?

Andreah: Thank you again for your kind review. Iyeah, the book totally rox. I mean, its kinda hard, but I am putting in a lil bit of the movie stuff for those who haven't read the book, but for most of it they will have to be confused coz this rock ain't moving! I can only hope that this will give them a better understanding of what is going on,

Kerla: Thank you very much! I will keep writing, it is my passion beside my music. I thank you very much for reading my fic and reviewing, I like to know what everyone thinks of it, though, I have to say I'm not so fond of the flames. But ignore my blabbering on here. Reviews are welcome big or small.

Levanna and the stern mystic: sorry this was posted early. And a big hello!