A/N: Yes, I am still alive. I've been in a depressed writer's slump ever since my Fab Five story was blacklisted. For a long time I wandered aimlessly through life searching for new meaning. After much soul searching, I came to the following conclusion: the story was fun while it lasted; I've shed my tears; it's time to move on. And so, here we are again. I'll warn you I'm a bit rusty, so bare with me till I'm back in the swing of things.
On a side note, I also need a new "main story" to write. This one was meant more as a space filler--a place to go when I needed a change and wanted to write something really quick. I worry about what the effect of concentration will be on this story. So if anyone has any suggestions, my attention is ever attainable. Thanks again.
The Newly Re-Born,
FunktasticMe
Chapter 5: The Fellowship of the Sane
The Council of Elrond proved to be an impressive gathering made up of noble beings from many distant lands. Among the personalities we have already been introduced to, were Boromir from Gondor, elves from Mirkwood, dwarves from the Lonely Mountain, and Papa Smurf from the Smurf Kingdom east of Minas Morgul—the happiest place on earth.
"Greetings, people of Middle Earth," welcomed Elrond. "You have all been summoned to this council because—"
"I've been to these things before," whispered Legolas to one of his companions. "First he'll tell us of all the misfortune that has befallen Rivendell and then he'll hit us up for money." He stopped short when he noticed the cold stare from Elrond. "Uh, please continue, my lord," he said as he forced a smile. He had to stop embarrassing himself like that.
"As I was saying, these times are dark for all of us," Elrond continued, looking at Legolas in particular. "You have all journeyed here at this time as if by fate and by that same thread it is the fate of Middle Earth that we must now decide."
The group listened intently, the gravity of Elrond's words and the solemnity of the occasion not being lost on them, except for Frodo who had a cross-eyed look on his face.
"As you may already know, the Ring of Power has been found." Elrond paused as the assemblage reacted in various degrees of shock and awe.
"Where is this legendary weapon you speak of?" asked Boromir, a note of eagerness in his voice. Elrond bowed his head, creasing his eyebrows in consternation.
It was Gandalf who answered his question. "In the hands of a terrible being. One like none that the elves, nor any other beings, have encountered before; an evil greater than anything that has ever walked Middle Earth."
The group was chilled by the dark foreboding in the words of the wizard. After a long rein of silence, Papa Smurf finally asked, although he was reluctant to hear the answer.
"And exactly what is this great evil you speak of?"
At this point Elrond motioned for Sam, who was hiding behind a pile of ash that was once an elegant door, to bring forth the famous Tripod of Elrond. Pulling out his pointer, Elrond turned to the first page which displayed a picture of a young hobbit boy frolicking among the green fields of the Shire.
Gathering as much flare as he could, he proclaimed their nemesis, "I give you Middle Earth's greatest foe!" He paused for dramatic quality, and indeed there was silence in the crowd as everyone stared at the whimsical figure of Bobby Baggins.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Boromir of course burst out laughing and was soon joined by the dwarves and the group from Mirkwood. Gandalf shook his head. Elrond had really set himself up for that.
"This is your great evil?" questioned Boromir, in amusement.
"I wouldn't want to come across him in a dark alley," sniggered Legolas sarcastically.
"And I thought he was gonna show us some demon of Morgoth!" exclaimed Gloin, chuckling with relief.
"Perhaps his tiara's on too tight," Gimli postulated.
"Quiet. Quiet! This is no laughing matter. We are faced with a very serious situation. We must have order," demanded Elrond. Gandalf smirked at the loss of control and shared a knowing look with his friend Papa Smurf. Still, the group did seem to quiet somewhat at Elrond's urgent tone.
"This is no ordinary hobbit," he insisted. "He is treacherous to the highest degree. He is the one responsible for the destruction of Imladris and, more importantly, he holds in his grasp the one ring of power!" The group looked skeptical, although they did not fail to notice the ruin of their surroundings.
"Bobby Baggins is not like other hobbits," pleaded Frodo. "He is dangerous. He is driven only by his insanity."
Gimli dismissed the words of the hobbit. "Our company has already met up with this boy, Bobby."
"Why yes," continued Gloin. "He seemed a very fine chap. We invited him to our home. He is probably there at this moment."
Gandalf, Elrond, and Aragorn exchanged alarmed looks. Whatever danger the dwarves of the Lonely Mountain were set to endure, they at least had a trail to follow; a mixed blessing, no doubt.
"It is the innocence of his appearance that makes him all the more treacherous, master dwarf. Those who are deceived by it are all the more susceptible to his mischief. The ring is in the uncontrolled hands of a psychopath. I dare not to think of what he could do with such power," said Strider, shaking his head.
"What would a mere ranger know of such things?" asked Papa Smurf defiantly.
Legolas jumped out of his chair. "This is no mere ranger! This is Aragorn, son of Arathorn and heir to the throne of Gondor. You owe him your allegiance." The tall elf's gaze was of steel as he faced down the smurf. Papa Smurf stared back fiercely with all the two inches of his person. "Papa Smurf bows to no one," he stated coldly.
Before the situation could escalate, Aragorn stood between them. "Legolas, would you please sit down. We have more important matters to attend to and besides, this fight would just look really silly. Honestly, it's embarrassing." Legolas sat down sheepishly.
"We must assemble a team to go after this hobbit and retrieve the ring," declared Elrond recalling their attentions.
But rather than let the Lord of Imladris continue Gandalf interrupted irritably, "This has gone on long enough. We've all seen this scene hashed and rehashed a thousand times. Aragorn and Boromir are gonna lend their swords, the elf his bow, the dwarf his axe, we all humor the hobbits, and so on, and so on. Then, after they retrieve the ring, Frodo along with some help from Sam and Gollum, must take the ring and cast it into the fires of Mount Doom."
"I have to do what?!"
"Don't interrupt, Frodo," said Gandalf harshly. "Now. Let's just get on with it."
"And who will lead this team?" asked Elrond looking into their wide-eyed, surprised faces.
"I nominate Elrond," said the wizard, who wasn't sure if he himself was quite ready to die. The group nodded at the admirable choice.
"Really? You think I should go?" Elrond seemed surprised, if not touched by the suggestion. But he quickly regained his senses. "No, no that would be all wrong. And that's exactly what Bobby would want. You know your place, Gandalf. We must all be on guard. Escape into insanity and inane randomness is a seductive path, on which many a good mind has been lost. I pray that none of you will give into its lure.
With the ring in Bobby's possession, the call of insanity will undoubtedly be increased upon the realms in which he dwells. I foresee that many will be unable to resist it. It becomes clear that, should you fail in this quest, any concept of reality and truth in Middle Earth will be lost forever." Elrond paused casting a warning look upon the wizard. "You must all remain in character if an end is to be brought to this chaos."
Their faces were grim at his words. Within each of their hearts they pondered the full meaning of his words and each felt the weight of the burden that had been given to them. For the sake of all they loved, they could not fail.
"I couldn't agree more!" proclaimed Papa Smurf. "Let's get that hobbit!"
The group seemed to notice the smurf as if for the first time. "Exactly where did you say you were from?" asked Gimli with suspicion. Papa Smurf looked uncomfortable.
"From Minas Morgul," he replied looking about him nervously. "You know---the--the happiest place on earth." His voice grew small as he noticed the weapons being drawn about him. "Come on guys, we're all friends here, right?"
But there was no hope for Papa Smurf. He was quickly dispatched by a multitude of weapons.
"That felt good," said Boromir in satisfaction.
"Very good," agreed Aragorn.
"You have all passed this first test. Keep in mind it will not be the last. You must help each other along the way," Elrond looked at them with affection. "Nine companions--I don't know why, but I feel a strange urge to say ten. Funny, isn't it? Anyways, nine companions, to set against the nine black riders. You shall be: the Fellowship of the Sane."
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A/N: Don't forget to stop at the review box on your way out the door. I'm need reaffirmation.
