Legolas made his way hastily back to the Great Hall and wondered what
important matter had required his father to send for him right then.
Perhaps it was the matter of the Ring.
In the Hall, Elrond and Thranduil still stood flanked on both sides by other elven lords. Elrohir stood also in the company, and Legolas noted the entrances of Elladan and of Glorifindel as he approached his father.
The lords made room for the prince in their circle, and Thranduil acknowledged his son with a grim expression.
"What is it that you have called me for, father," Legolas asked the king privately.
"Lord Elrond will tell you," Thranduil hissed back.
As Glorifindel and Elladan reached the group, Elrond began.
"Gentlemen, it has recently come to my attention that very grave things have taken place concerning our enemies in Mordor." He paused to let everyone know the full importance of his words, and gazed around the circle with furrowed brows.
"The Ring of power has been found."
There was little shock, mostly since Elrond had been discussing this quelling turn of events all evening with his council, and Elrohir had already made his suspicions known within his own small group. The latter made dark eye contact with Legolas in confirmation as Elrond continued.
"Our spies announced that the weapon of the enemy had actually come into the possession of a hobbit – who's identity has so far remained a mystery to us - some years ago," said the elven master sternly. "Sauron knows of the great perception of our spies and has managed to successfully screen the finding of the Ring from our view for a time. It was not only a day before this that we became aware of the actions that had taken place."
"Do we know the location of the hobbit in question?" Elrohir asked.
"The last we had heard of him was that he was moving across the country under cover of darkness, headed straight for the Misty Mountains." Elrond scanned the group again before adding; "I have only this night sent messengers to Lorien with the announcement of a Council that I desire to hold tomorrow. It is there that I will discuss these matter as length."
"There are other events that have come to our attention besides the finding of the Ring," Thranduil reminded Elrond grimly before turning to his son.
"It seems that the Deceiver has diverted our attention to the Ring to distract us from his other plans," he said. "We fear that he means to attack us in North Mirkwood."
Since Legolas had also learned this from Elrohir he was not taken greatly aback at his fathers' words, but concern did not fail to riddle his tone as he asked how great the danger was.
"We know not when he will attack," Thranduil told him darkly, "but there is very great danger indeed for us."
"Should we return immediately?" Legolas prompted.
"That will be decided at the Council, Legolas," Elrond said. "We have sent yet more spies to watch the actions of the encampment in South Mirkwood, and I will bring you further details tomorrow. Until then, let your minds rest easy, all, until our reactions should be decided."
He signaled that they should be dismissed. Elrohir and Elladan crossed over to discuss the meeting with Legolas.
"The trouble is greater than I thought," Elrohir said gravely. "There must be some great evil at work that enables a hobbit to escape the watch of our spies."
"Verily," Legolas agreed, though his mind was too troubled to say much.
"And yet, what should be done?" Elladan wondered. "If we slay the creature that carries the Ring, we shall then be pressed to destroy that weapon ourselves. This we cannot do. We cannot suffer the weapon of the enemy to befoul the hands of ourselves or our brethren..."
"Not suffer them that evil temptation," Legolas finished. "I agree."
"Shall we just sit by here until the time for the Council has arrived?" Elrohir interposed grimly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I find it difficult to be idle when the press of duty calls."
"As I do," said Legolas.
"Unfortunately," Elladan said suddenly, "and regardless of the way we feel, there is naught we can do but wait until a course of action has been taken up, and then follow it to the best of our ability."
The truth of his words was too great to overlook, and neither Legolas of Elrohir could think of anything else to add to it. After the exchange of the necessary polite farewells, the elves parted company with the expectation of the Council weighing heavily on their minds.
In the Hall, Elrond and Thranduil still stood flanked on both sides by other elven lords. Elrohir stood also in the company, and Legolas noted the entrances of Elladan and of Glorifindel as he approached his father.
The lords made room for the prince in their circle, and Thranduil acknowledged his son with a grim expression.
"What is it that you have called me for, father," Legolas asked the king privately.
"Lord Elrond will tell you," Thranduil hissed back.
As Glorifindel and Elladan reached the group, Elrond began.
"Gentlemen, it has recently come to my attention that very grave things have taken place concerning our enemies in Mordor." He paused to let everyone know the full importance of his words, and gazed around the circle with furrowed brows.
"The Ring of power has been found."
There was little shock, mostly since Elrond had been discussing this quelling turn of events all evening with his council, and Elrohir had already made his suspicions known within his own small group. The latter made dark eye contact with Legolas in confirmation as Elrond continued.
"Our spies announced that the weapon of the enemy had actually come into the possession of a hobbit – who's identity has so far remained a mystery to us - some years ago," said the elven master sternly. "Sauron knows of the great perception of our spies and has managed to successfully screen the finding of the Ring from our view for a time. It was not only a day before this that we became aware of the actions that had taken place."
"Do we know the location of the hobbit in question?" Elrohir asked.
"The last we had heard of him was that he was moving across the country under cover of darkness, headed straight for the Misty Mountains." Elrond scanned the group again before adding; "I have only this night sent messengers to Lorien with the announcement of a Council that I desire to hold tomorrow. It is there that I will discuss these matter as length."
"There are other events that have come to our attention besides the finding of the Ring," Thranduil reminded Elrond grimly before turning to his son.
"It seems that the Deceiver has diverted our attention to the Ring to distract us from his other plans," he said. "We fear that he means to attack us in North Mirkwood."
Since Legolas had also learned this from Elrohir he was not taken greatly aback at his fathers' words, but concern did not fail to riddle his tone as he asked how great the danger was.
"We know not when he will attack," Thranduil told him darkly, "but there is very great danger indeed for us."
"Should we return immediately?" Legolas prompted.
"That will be decided at the Council, Legolas," Elrond said. "We have sent yet more spies to watch the actions of the encampment in South Mirkwood, and I will bring you further details tomorrow. Until then, let your minds rest easy, all, until our reactions should be decided."
He signaled that they should be dismissed. Elrohir and Elladan crossed over to discuss the meeting with Legolas.
"The trouble is greater than I thought," Elrohir said gravely. "There must be some great evil at work that enables a hobbit to escape the watch of our spies."
"Verily," Legolas agreed, though his mind was too troubled to say much.
"And yet, what should be done?" Elladan wondered. "If we slay the creature that carries the Ring, we shall then be pressed to destroy that weapon ourselves. This we cannot do. We cannot suffer the weapon of the enemy to befoul the hands of ourselves or our brethren..."
"Not suffer them that evil temptation," Legolas finished. "I agree."
"Shall we just sit by here until the time for the Council has arrived?" Elrohir interposed grimly, crossing his arms over his chest. "I find it difficult to be idle when the press of duty calls."
"As I do," said Legolas.
"Unfortunately," Elladan said suddenly, "and regardless of the way we feel, there is naught we can do but wait until a course of action has been taken up, and then follow it to the best of our ability."
The truth of his words was too great to overlook, and neither Legolas of Elrohir could think of anything else to add to it. After the exchange of the necessary polite farewells, the elves parted company with the expectation of the Council weighing heavily on their minds.