October 11, 1422

Chapter 6

"Mr. Frodo, sir." Haldir approached me. "Elrond is in need of your dire attendance immediately."

"NOW?" I asked incredulously. "It's the crack of dawn. What can the old elf want?"

"Come now, Frodo," Haldir smiled, "you ought to know master Elrond well enough by now. By the look on his face, everything." Haldir pointed behind me.

"Good morning, Frodo. I hope you slept well?" he questioned, "because I fear for the worst of today," he sighed, "it is not a pleasant task, Frodo, to be the Lord of the Elves. Many of them come to you for your advice."

"Ah, my lord. I once told Gildor, go not to the elves for council, for they will say both yea and nay." I replied, with as much dignity as my hobbit frame could muster.

"Wise words said by a wise soul." Elrond crinkled a smile. "But, alas, that cannot change the tradition." He sighed, and strolled to the balcony. "When I was a mere lad, my father, Earendil the Mariner once told me that to choose between mortal and elf would be a difficult decision. Alas, I am wistful for the mortal life of no burdens of old."

"Master Elrond, I beg to differ. I too have made the judgement to pass in milady's place. But it pains me, that we have the power to stop a new Dark Age, but we cannot journey back to Middle Earth. Alas, Elrond I am not wholly cured. My wound still pains me." I pointed at my shoulder.

"That is the real reason why I have summoned you here. For over night certain elves… cough cough decided to, uh, hold a delegation, hack cough, to-"

"Handkerchief?" I produced one from my pocket, "Sir, if I may ask, I thought elves were unaccustomed to illnesses and malady."

"Why, thank you. And you are indeed right. Elves do not have sicknesses, but I ah, shouldn't mention ah, the certain, ah never mind. As I was saying, a delegation met late last night and despite our complaints, the other elves of the Undying Lands have come to a decision. You must leave here at once. Morgoth has sent his minions to attack the West Havens. You heard what the children said. He is trying to enter the Lands"

I was flabbergasted. Speechless. Frozen in time like a fly preserved in amber.

"I-I, beg your pardon, milord." I stammered.

"You heard me!" Elrond thundered. "YOU MUST LEAVE THE UNDYING LANDS IMMEDIATELY."

Softening a little at my look of horror, Elrond said gently, "I'm sorry, Frodo dear lad, but the other elves cannot be persuaded. You know that being here is a danger to all the Eldar. I may be the head councilor, but I cannot make the others see what is right before their eyes."

"B-b-but, what about Galadriel? Celeborn? Gildor? Haldir? Arwen? Aragorn? Gandalf? ANYBODY?" my voice grew shriller by the word.

"Frodo, you know Galadriel. She wheedled, threatened, begged, pleaded, bribed, blackmailed, lied, accused, and all her usual tactics. But the other elves stood firm. As for Aragorn, he is a Man. All elves have a natural distrust for Men, those of Numenorean descent and even the heir of Elendil himself. Gandalf is weary of his labors, and even the head of the Istari will have difficulty with a bunch of firm elves." Elrond sighed once more.

"I understand," I spoke comprehensively enough to barely be heard, "I know of the dangers that will occur if I remain here."

"Hmm," Elrond nodded approvingly "it seems as if I am not talking to the wayward hobbit lad you once were but to an elder that could rival my own age."

"You flatter me," I smiled just a wee bit "my life span isn't even close to opposing Legolas's, and you be thrice his age."

"That's a good lad. Go and pack. I will meet you back here in an hour."

Frenzied, I rushed to my bedchamber and snatched up my objects of worth. I threw in my mithril-coat haphazardly with the Red Book, Sting, and a drop of gold into my satchel. I picked it up and lurched out of the door onto an awaiting ship.

A/N- HALDIR LIVES!!!!!!!!