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Hazelhorse: Thanks! I'm glad you have been enjoying the story. And don't worry; I plan on writing until the story is finish.
Lil Kawaii doom: Don't worry; there will be more hobbits scenes.
Well, I hope you enjoy the chapter!
See ya!
-Lady Healer.
Chapter 5: The council of Elrond a.k.a. the predictable chapter.
It had been a week since the
commotion at the breakfast, and Lillian was beginning to enjoy her life in this
strange world. The nobles still unnerved her with their kindness, but the fear
she once held for them so strongly was fading to a light tremble.
And the world of Middle-Earth she found
fascinating. All the different cultures and races were simply amazing. It was
the day after she was started to dine with everyone that she began to truly
learn about the world she was now in.
It was during a stroll through the gardens that she met
the prince of Mirkwood again. She was alone on her walk because Elrohir had to
complete a task of his Father's. At first, she was afraid to be in the price's
presence without the company of Elrohir. The anger that she saw in him during
that first breakfast was still fresh in her mind.
But the emotion faded against his friendly manner. He slowly drew her from her
shell with tales of this world. Lord Legolas told her about the difference
races of Middle-earth, both the good and the evil ones, and about some of the
history behind each.
She learned about the different kingdoms of this world. Of the Elvish and the
Dwarven kingdoms and the two kingdoms of men: Gondor and Rohan. The
kingdom of Rohan interested her. The land most famous for its horses. Lillian
had never ridden a horse in her life. Servants were not allowed to. Lillian
wasn't sure if she really wanted to ride, but she did think it would be amazing
to see how they trained their horses.
Legolas also told her of the Dwarves, and Lillian could have sworn that she
heard a slight note of contempt in his voice. But she did recognize a look of
hatred that was carefully concealed in his features when he spoke of orcs.
After a brief discussion about said creatures, she could understand why he felt
such disgust. Lillian just hoped that she would never meet any orcs while in
this world.
Thanks to Legolas and the hobbits the week passed quickly. But in that week,
she met some other nobles from the places that the prince had mentioned. One of
the nobles she met was Lord Boromir of Gondor. If she had heard correctly he
was the son of a steward. And from what she remembered of a conversation with
Prince Legolas, he was also the current power in Gondor. She had only met him
once, but Lillian did have a handful of times to observed him. He seemed proud.
Nice, but very proud.
The other two nobles she had met were a pair of Dwarf lords. Gimli and his
father, Gloin. She didn't know what to make of Dwarfs. Though they were polite
when she met them, she noticed that they were at conflict with their elvin
hosts. Lillian was well aware that different peoples often harbored hatred for
each other, but this was ... cold.
One night she had asked one of the servers after the meal if the Dwarves were
warring with the Elves. The boy had blinked and replied, "Of course,
they're Dwarves. They cannot do else but mine and make war."
But today
she wasn't sure what she was supposed to do. She was 'invited' to a
council with the rest of the nobles. But why? She was a person of no
importance. And according to Elrohir, this was a meeting of great concern. So
much in fact that it was meant to be a secret. And Lillian could only guess at
what was to be discussed at the council, Elrohir would not tell her! Instead he
told her some of the history of Middle-earth. More specifically about a war
with a dark lord name Sauron.
Before he
left her to prepare for bed she asked him why she was invited to this important
meeting. The only answer that she received was that everything would be
revealed at the council. However, throughout the meeting, Lillian had a feeling
that Elrohir was upset about something. But she did not question him about
it. It was not her place to do so.
So minutes later,
Elrohir escorted her to her seat in the circle of chairs before taking his
place by his father.
* * * * *
Elrohir didn't understand his father's decision about Lillian. She was just a
wounded child lost in a world of strangers. How was she supposed to aid the
quest? She had no weapons training, Elrohir was sure of that. If his father
continued with this decision, it might cause her to retreat further within
herself. Lillian won't understand, Elrohir felt confident in that belief. His
father's decision would seem a betrayal to her. They promised that she could
remain here as long as she needed, and now his father was going to send her off
a journey that could claim her life.
It was two days ago that he had
overheard his father holding a discussion in his study. And anger still coursed
through him at the thought of that conversation.
*******************Flashback**************
It was a peaceful evening and he was walking to his father's study to discuss
an idea that he believed the other could help with. But upon hearing someone
mention his young charge, Elrohir stopped, his hand raised to knock at the door
when his father said, "I believe Lillian may have a part to play in the
destruction of the ring."
Elrohir's mind raced
and his insides froze. Surely his father was not suggesting what he thought he
was… He wouldn't…. She was just a child! A very hurt child. He had to
have heard wrong. His father may be a Lord, but he was also a healer. He would
not send a wounded girl on such a task during a critical point of her healing.
But his fears were confirmed when he heard Glorfindel's voice. "How can you be sure that the Valar meant her to be part of the quest? What if she was just meant to be brought here to heal?"
Elrohir's eyes closed as his hand
lowered, waiting for the answer that he was sure his father was going to give.
"The timing is too close. Would she be brought here at this peculiar
moment if she was only sent to regain herself?" The younger elf listened
to their conversation for hours before he finally decided he had heard enough. The
quest was too dangerous for her. She knew nothing of how to defend herself. The
journey would be the death of her. Sharply, Elrohir knocked on the door before
entering, not bothering to wait for his father's permission. And with a steady
glare on each, he asked to speak to his father in private.
****************End Flashback*******************
But talking to his father didn't help. No matter what argument Elrohir brought
up his father countered it. Elrohir had forgotten how good his father was at
debates. The only one that could defeat his father in a debate within the first
minute was his mother. And Elrohir had the suspicion that was because she
threatened to make his father sleep alone for a few centuries.
Elrohir missed his mother's
presence. She would have been a welcome help in this matter. He smiled thinking
of the day he could see her again in the Gray Havens. But that day would have
to wait. His heart still lingered in the lands of Middle-earth.
Seeing his father about to start the
meeting, Elrohir focus his attention and cleared his mind of past events.
"Strangers from distant lands,
friends of old…" Elrond started to say as his gazed wondered across the
room, studying each member. "You've been summoned here to answer the
threat of Mordor. Middle-earth stands on the brink of destruction. None can
escape it. You will unite, or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate,
this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo." A small hobbit rose from his chair and placed the ring on a
small stone table. And again, Lillian wondered why she was here.
"So it is true." Boromir
whispered.
Lillian turned her attention to the noble from Gondor. And
shuddered when she heard the chilling hiss, 'the Doom of Man' from the ring. At
that point Lillian's doubts about the powers of the ring faded. In those few
words, Lillian felt a dark emptiness fill her very being, and it chilled her to
her soul. Faintly she could hear Boromir beginning his speech. "It is a gift. A gift to the foes of
Mordor." Standing, Boromir continued his speech, "Why not use
it."
Lillian stared at the plain golden band, fear constricting her throat. The ring played a game she knew all too well. It was the same the nobles of her world enjoyed. The thought froze her in her seat. Frozen as she was, Lillian forgot the bonds of her world for a moment. "It is no gift, it is a curse." Her words brought the gazes of the Elves to her, but she was oblivious to them. Her attention was focused on the ring. A wariness of it grew stronger in her as each moment passed.
Boromir, not having heard her,
continued with his speech. "Long has my father, the Steward of
Gondor…" Boromir glanced at those around him as he paced the courtyard,
"kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people…" He
glanced around the room again, "are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the
weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him."
In the brief silence, Lillian
ignored the bylaws of her world. No matter the punishment that she may receive
because of it. They couldn't make the same mistakes that the people of her
world made. They couldn't! All this
happiness would be lost if it did. And with a firm voice that belied her
feelings she said, "It would not help. It cares not what happens to this
world as long as it reaches it's own end. Don't you see? It is a curse, not a
gift. It lays quiet to fool those around it until its goal is
accomplished."
"Lady Lillian is right."
Aragorn agreed, before adding. "You cannot wield it. None of us can. The
one Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
Glancing at Lillian before he turned his attention to Aragorn,
Boromir accused, "And what would a girl and a Ranger know of this matter?"
Jumping up from his seat, Legolas
glared at Boromir and stated, "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son
of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance." Lillian eyes widened in
surprised at the news as Boromir gaped in disbelief.
"Aragorn. This is Isildurs's
heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Finished Legolas.
With a jester, Aragorn said,
"Havo dad (sit down), Legolas." Returning to his seat, Boromir
sneered once more.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king."
Lillian studied Aragorn from her
seat. During the short time she had known him, he proved to be a kind soul,
even if he had too many names. So far she had heard four different names used
in reference to him. It was becoming slightly confusing. But if he was truly a
king, then why was he not ruling his kingdom?
During her musing Lillian missed both the speeches and exclamation
from the wizard, elf-lord, and a dwarf. But her attention returned abruptly
when a flying shard of an ax landed near her chair. Looking up sharply, she
noticed Gimli laying on the floor, his eyes widened in surprise.
Elrond looked at the dwarf sternly
and said, "The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin … by any
craft that we here possess." Slowly the elf-lord looked around the council
while continuing his speech. "The Ring was made in the fires of Mount
Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor…"
Elrond pause a moment, his glazed stopping on Lillian, "and cast back into
the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you … must do this."
A look of despair and disbelief came
across Boromir face as he said, "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. " Making a sign with a hand, Boromir continued, "The Great
Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland … riddled with fire, and ash and
dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with 10,000 men could
you do this. It is folly."
Boromir's words repeated in
Lillian's head and all others words being spoken faded from her mind. How could
an evil be so powerful that it only had one way of destroying it? Lillian felt
sorry for the poor soul that had to brave such dangers to complete the task.
And minutes later a voice entered Lillian's clouded mind. "I
will take the Ring to Mordor. Though… I do not know the way." Lillian
looked down in shock at Frodo. He seemed frightened; yet, he would stand up and
face those challenges, the very dangers that lay ahead just because the others
would not agree among themselves. Why?
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggains … as long
as it is yours to bear." Gandalf said as he stepped behind the small
hobbit.
"If by my life or death I can
protect you…" Aragorn said as he kneeled in front of the hobbit. "I
will. You have my sword." He finished his oath, taking his placed on the
other side of the Frodo.
Walking to the other side of
Gandalf, Legolas stated, "And you have my bow."
"And my ax!" Gimli said,
glaring at the elf before taking a stand beside him.
Stepping towards the small group,
Boromir commented, "You carry the fate of us all, little one. If this is
indeed the will of the council…" Looking around with a glance, he took his
spot in the small group, "then Gondor will see it done."
A rustle of bushes drew the
attention of the council as a small hobbit came rushing out and took the spot
beside Frodo exclaiming, "Frodo's not going anywhere without me."
Amusement showed in Elrond's eyes as
he replied, "Indeed it is hardly possible to separate you…even when he is
summoned to a secret Council and you are not."
"We're coming too!" Merry
exclaimed as he and Pippin came running up to the group, Elrond watched them in
disbelief. "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop
us!"
"Anyway, you need people of
intelligence on this sort of…mission. Quest. Thing." Looking at Pippin in
amusement, Merry commented, "Well, that rules you out, Pip." Pippin
nodded in agreement before Merry's words clicked in his mind and he stared at
his cousin in mild anger.
Lillian shook her head. These types
of people were rare or at least they are in her world. They knew the dangers of
the journey they were about to leave on, yet, they volunteered anyway. And the
friendship between the hobbits warmed her heart. Perhaps, this world was truly
different from hers.
Lillian's musing was cut short as
Elrond began to speak once more, "Very well, you shall be the fellowship
of the ring. However. I shall make one addition." Between the pause,
Elrohir closed his eyes, wishing that his father would not go through with it.
"Lady Lillian shall join you."
The girl froze at those words. The
Lord wanted her to go on a quest? A quest that was filled with danger, a
journey that may mean the death of her and others around her. But why? She
didn't know how to fight. She would be a burden to them.
Several arguments irrupted in the
council room, but no words reached the frozen mind of Lillian. The words of
Boromir and Elrohir echoed in her head. Their words of the past war with Sauron
and of the present dangers.
She couldn't go on this journey. It would
be her death. Was that why the Lord of Rivendell wanted her to go? Because he
wanted her gone? But he seem so nice… And with her thoughts racing through her
panic mind, Lillian did the only thing she could.
She ran.
Elrohir's sad brown eyes watched as the lost girl ran from the halls, knowing that her progress towards happiness was as equally lost.
********************
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Personally, I thought this chapter was a little boring…But have no fear, the next chapter will make up for it in spades. Trust me. ;)
Well, let me know what you think! Please!