After a few days' hard riding, the group from Mirkwood reached Imladris. It comprised of Legolas, three male elves that Thranduil had sent, and Nienna, who had been allowed to go only because, as she said, she had made the journey before- and alone.
The Council was held a few days later.
"Newcomers, travelers, friends of old, we are gathered today to come to a decision about something important, so much so that one wrong step could mean the fate of Middle-Earth.
"You all know of what I speak. The One Ring, the Ring of Power, Isildur's Bane. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo.~" The small halfling sitting between Lord Elrond and the wizard Gandalf stood slowly, walked to the pedestal that stood before Elrond and took a ring from his pocket, placing it on the pedestal. It was small, small enough to fit the hand of a halfling, and looked to be made of pure gold. It was unmarked, seemed hardly dangerous enough to be of worry. But such was the power of the Ring.
"There you have it, the One Ring. It has been hidden from Sauron for a long time, but he now knows of it's presence once more."
"It is a gift, a gift to the people of Gondor! Let us use this ring against Sauron, so that we may defeat him! If this is his weapon, let us turn it against him!" It was the man from Gondor who spoke, Boromir, son of Denethor Steward of Gondor. The man sitting beside him answered,
"We cannot wield it. Sauron is it's maker, no one else has the power to control it."
"And what would a mere Ranger know of this? For that is what you are, no more than that." Legolas, across the room, jumped to his feet.
"This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Boromir looked at the Elf, then back at Aragorn.
"This, is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor."
"Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king." With a last contemptuous glance at Aragorn, he took his seat again.
"Aragorn is right, we cannot use it." Gandalf spoke from his seat beside Frodo.
"Then let us destroy it!" Before anyone could stop him, the Dwarf who had spoken left his seat, ran at the Ring with his axe upraised and brought it down hard on the Ring. It seemed to those watching that there had been a small earthquake, but it was not the Ring that had been harmed. The Dwarf lay on his back on the ground, his axe in pieces.
"This power cannot be destroyed, Gimli son of Gloin, by any craft that we here possess."
"Well then what is the use of bringing us here to destroy it if it can't be destroy?"
"It must be brought to the dread place, in the fires of Mount Doom it was made, only there can it be unmade."
"You are mad!" It was Boromir again. "I live in the city of Minas Tirith, I watch the lands of Mordor. The ground is barren wasteland, the very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this, it is folly."
"No, not with ten thousand, Lord Boromir." He and the others at the Council looked to see who had spoken. It was an Elf maiden, she had red gold hair that reached halfway down her back and startling violet eyes. "Not with ten thousand, for Sauron would surely see what it was that you were trying to do, and gather a suitable defense. But a small number, ten, nine even, could slip past into Mordor unnoticed."
"That, friend Gimli, is how we shall destroy it. We shall today form a Fellowship, to travel to Mordor with the Ring Bearer and help him along the way."
"Who shall take the Ring?" This was from Legolas. Gimli jumped up, enraged.
"I suppose you think you're the one to do it! I will never see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" At that, the Elves began yelling at the Dwarves, the Dwarves yelled at the Elves, the Men yelled at no one in particular and Gandalf yelled at everybody. The only ones silent were Frodo, Nienna and Elrond. Suddenly, a new voice joined in the fight, but to end it.
"I will take it! I will take the Ring to Mordor!" Everyone stopped yelling and turned to stare at Frodo, who had spoken. "Though… Though I do not know the way…" Gandalf stepped forward.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, as long as it is yours to bear." Aragorn came as well.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."
"And my bow." Legolas joined the group.
"And MY axe." As Gimli came Nienna glanced at Legolas and almost laughed at his expression of disgust, but managed to keep a straight face.
"If it is indeed the will of the Council, then Gondor will see it done." Boromir bowed to Nienna as he passed.
"So be it. You shall be the-" Elrond was cut off suddenly.
"Oy! Mr. Frodo ain't goin' nowhere without me." The short figure of Sam jumped out from behind the bushes and stood next to Frodo.
"Indeed, it is certainly hard to separate you, even when he is summoned to a secret Council and you are not." It seemed almost as if the Elf Lord were amused.
"Hey! We're coming too!!!" Merry and Pippin jumped out from behind two pillars and ran up. "You'd have to tie us up and put us in a sack to stop us from coming!"
"And besides, you need people of intelligence on this type of mission… quest… THING!!!" Pippin looked quite proud of himself until Merry whispered,
"Well, that rules you out Pip!" Nienna smiled and knelt in front of Frodo.
"You have everybody you need Frodo, but when you need aid I will be there." Turning to Elrond she said,
"~I leave for Lothlorien tonight, after the feast.~"
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And there we have it, the third chapter of The Spirit Elf. Reviews please, can't be that hard to find the button, ok?