Author's note: Thanks so much everyone for the reviews! I appreciate each and every one of them! I'll keep in mind about having Aragorn and Boromir confront each other. It won't happen in this chapter though. Hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! I'm poor, so don't sue me! Okay, maybe I own Rhiannon. ^__~
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
By the time they arrived, everyone was almost there except for Elrond. She took a seat next to Aragorn and quickly scanned the assembly to see who had been chosen to attend. Legolas she spotted quickly enough and gave him a quick nod of her head, noticing that his gaze held concern for her as well as pride. Gandalf she greeted in the same manner, and she was intrigued to see the small person sitting next to him, looking so afraid and uncertain that her heart immediately went out to him.
She knew none of the dwarves, but they greeted her well enough. Then her gaze fell upon Boromir and just as quickly looked away when he gave her nothing but a cold stare. It hurt but she was determined to put it behind her, for if he wished to treat her like this then she could do the same. Then she felt Aragorn take her hand and give it an encouraging squeeze, and she smiled her thanks at him.
Elrond soon arrived, and he began the council with a few spoken words of welcome. Then he bid the halfling with Gandalf to bring forth the ring, and she held her breath as she dreaded looking upon the thing which could bring the destruction of Middle Earth. He set it upon the pedestal then sat back down just as quickly, relief etched upon his face.
But as she gazed at the ring, she heard a whispering inside her mind, telling her something. It was just a simple gold ring, but with it she could accomplish anything that she wanted. With it she could ensure the safety of Gondor. After all, she was the descendant of kings. It belonged rightfully to her and to no one else.
She suddenly came back to reality as she heard Boromir's voice speaking to the council, and she regained control of her thoughts with her confidence shaken. What evil did this thing possess that it could invade her thoughts like that?
As she heard him speak, she also heard in his words the influence of the ring, and he didn't even know he was being manipulated by it. He spoke of bringing the ring to Gondor, and she knew then that that was the very last thing he should do. Thankfully Aragorn spoke up before Boromir went too far, although the steward's son didn't like it too well.
"And what would a ranger know about this?" he asked derisively, his gaze sliding towards her. She lifted her chin in defiance of his scornful words, telling him that she supported Aragorn in every way.
"This is no mere ranger," Legolas spoke up. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir was stunned beyond belief to hear those words. First it was Elena confessing her true heritage to him, and now this man was the rightful king of Gondor? "Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added, wanting to set the human in his rightful place since it was obvious that he had hurt Rhiannon badly. And he had had enough of his lofty words for one day.
Boromir swept his gaze over both rangers, his lips formed in a silent snarl. "Well then, we have two of a kind here. If what you told me was true, Elena, then you both must be cousins. Is that your real name or was that a lie as well?" he sneered.
"I have not lied to you, Boromir, nor will I ever," she replied. "And here is not the time nor place to speak of it."
"And you will address her with the respect that is due to her station, just as you will to him for they are one and the same," Legolas jumped in hotly, angered to have seen him speak to her that way. But then he heard Aragorn's voice speaking to him, and he sat down reluctantly although he still held Boromir's gaze evenly.
"Gondor has no king," he replied then looked towards both Aragorn and Rhiannon. "Gondor needs no king." And with that he sat down finally.
Aragorn still looked his calm self, but she on the other hand was practically livid. How dare he think to act like this, to make such a complete and utter fool of himself?
The council concluded with the agreement being made that the ring must be taken to Mount Doom to destroy. Only then will Middle Earth be safe. And it was established that at a later date a decision would be made as to who would accompany Frodo and Sam, but first a few scouting parties must be sent out to determine a safe route of passage. Aragorn volunteered to go as well as Elrond's sons, and Elrond sent out a few others as well.
Given what had happened, she immediately volunteered to go scout in the east in her homeland, and Elrond could do nothing to persuade her to stay since he felt it best that she visit there once more. Boromir kept his distance from her, electing to ignore her instead of trying to work out their problems.
She was in her room packing her things when Legolas came to visit her. "I heard you were going with the scouts," he said as he came in to sit on the bed.
"There's no reason for me to stay here any longer," she replied. "He's obviously made his choice, and there's nothing I can do to change it. Apparently we just weren't meant to be." She had just changed her clothing to that of her traveling gear and was now finishing up adding her weapons. She came across her dagger, the one that had started all this mess, and she tightened her grip on it as she sat down on the bed beside him. "Why does everything have to be so difficult?" A question she had once asked Boromir, and she remembered his answer clearly.
"Nothing is simple when it comes to matters of the heart, especially when there are extenuating circumstances," the elf replied. "There is always a battle between what one wants and what they're duty bound to do. The hard part is knowing which path to take."
She sighed, knowing too well how true his words were. "Perhaps my path will take me back to Mirkwood where I will visit my father's grave. I suppose I just need some time to pull my thoughts together and find out who I am again."
He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever he said to you, you do not need to believe it. You are still the same person you have always been. It is he who has changed, not you."
She looked into his blue eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Legolas. Again," she added with a small laugh.
He smiled. "In fact, why don't I go with you? I will need to notify my father of all that has been decided."
Her face brightened a little at the prospect of his company as it would be welcome. "Would you?" she asked.
"Of course, or else I wouldn't have offered, silly ranger," he replied, making a playful jab at her side. "I only need a few minutes to gather my things."
She yelped and leaped off the bed. "Off with you then before I change my mind and leave without you! And have you seen Aragorn?"
"I think I saw him by his mother's grave on my way here," he supplied as he left. "I will meet you there."
Gathering her things, she stepped out on her way to find him to say her goodbyes, and it wasn't long before she found him there, kneeling on the ground with his head bowed in prayer. She stood there for a moment, waiting until he was finished as she didn't wish to disturb him and taking the time to compose her thoughts. It was hard to say how long she would be gone, and she wasn't sure if she would even see him again.
He sensed her presence nearby and stood to face her, watching as she walked out towards him. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.
She nodded. "I'm sure. I plan to go to Mirkwood, and Legolas has offered to go with me."
"Good," he breathed on a sigh of relief. "I will not worry so much then for you are in capable hands. But I will worry about you," he added as he took her hands in his.
"As will I," she replied then took a deep breath. "I don't know if I'll be returning here. I may stay in Mirkwood or I may end up in Lorien. All I know is I need some time to figure things out."
"Boromir would say you are hiding," he offered with a little contempt.
"I care not what he thinks," she replied, but deep down she knew she did.
Aragorn knew this as well, and he drew her into his arms for a quick embrace. "It is sad that something so precious is wasted over such a thing as pride. His actions at the council were inexcusable."
"I know," she answered. "But I cannot help but feel that he is not to blame. I know where he's coming from, and I imagine that I would feel the same. We were so close to one another and had even admitted our love for one another. How could he just throw it all aside like it was nothing to him?"
"Maybe if you stayed, there might be a chance for the both of you," he suggested.
She shook her head. "This is too fresh in both our minds," she said. "I think we both need some time from each other." She heard Legolas' approach then, and she looked up into Aragorn's blue eyes, reaching up to touch his face. "Please be careful, cousin."
He smiled. "Take care of her, Legolas," he called out as the elf stopped near them, and they both clasped forearms in parting.
"I'll protect her with my life," the elven prince replied. "We'll meet back here soon. I just hope that the news will be good."
"As do I," Aragorn replied.
Shouldering her pack, she gave him one last smile before leaving with Legolas to head for the stables, and from there she knew she may not look upon the beauty of Rivendell again.
******************
Hmm, so many things that could happen here. Will she return to Lorien? And will she ever forgive Boromir for his harsh words to her? Thanks for reading! C-ya!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! I'm poor, so don't sue me! Okay, maybe I own Rhiannon. ^__~
Rhovanion's Child by Shelly
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
By the time they arrived, everyone was almost there except for Elrond. She took a seat next to Aragorn and quickly scanned the assembly to see who had been chosen to attend. Legolas she spotted quickly enough and gave him a quick nod of her head, noticing that his gaze held concern for her as well as pride. Gandalf she greeted in the same manner, and she was intrigued to see the small person sitting next to him, looking so afraid and uncertain that her heart immediately went out to him.
She knew none of the dwarves, but they greeted her well enough. Then her gaze fell upon Boromir and just as quickly looked away when he gave her nothing but a cold stare. It hurt but she was determined to put it behind her, for if he wished to treat her like this then she could do the same. Then she felt Aragorn take her hand and give it an encouraging squeeze, and she smiled her thanks at him.
Elrond soon arrived, and he began the council with a few spoken words of welcome. Then he bid the halfling with Gandalf to bring forth the ring, and she held her breath as she dreaded looking upon the thing which could bring the destruction of Middle Earth. He set it upon the pedestal then sat back down just as quickly, relief etched upon his face.
But as she gazed at the ring, she heard a whispering inside her mind, telling her something. It was just a simple gold ring, but with it she could accomplish anything that she wanted. With it she could ensure the safety of Gondor. After all, she was the descendant of kings. It belonged rightfully to her and to no one else.
She suddenly came back to reality as she heard Boromir's voice speaking to the council, and she regained control of her thoughts with her confidence shaken. What evil did this thing possess that it could invade her thoughts like that?
As she heard him speak, she also heard in his words the influence of the ring, and he didn't even know he was being manipulated by it. He spoke of bringing the ring to Gondor, and she knew then that that was the very last thing he should do. Thankfully Aragorn spoke up before Boromir went too far, although the steward's son didn't like it too well.
"And what would a ranger know about this?" he asked derisively, his gaze sliding towards her. She lifted her chin in defiance of his scornful words, telling him that she supported Aragorn in every way.
"This is no mere ranger," Legolas spoke up. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Boromir was stunned beyond belief to hear those words. First it was Elena confessing her true heritage to him, and now this man was the rightful king of Gondor? "Aragorn? This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added, wanting to set the human in his rightful place since it was obvious that he had hurt Rhiannon badly. And he had had enough of his lofty words for one day.
Boromir swept his gaze over both rangers, his lips formed in a silent snarl. "Well then, we have two of a kind here. If what you told me was true, Elena, then you both must be cousins. Is that your real name or was that a lie as well?" he sneered.
"I have not lied to you, Boromir, nor will I ever," she replied. "And here is not the time nor place to speak of it."
"And you will address her with the respect that is due to her station, just as you will to him for they are one and the same," Legolas jumped in hotly, angered to have seen him speak to her that way. But then he heard Aragorn's voice speaking to him, and he sat down reluctantly although he still held Boromir's gaze evenly.
"Gondor has no king," he replied then looked towards both Aragorn and Rhiannon. "Gondor needs no king." And with that he sat down finally.
Aragorn still looked his calm self, but she on the other hand was practically livid. How dare he think to act like this, to make such a complete and utter fool of himself?
The council concluded with the agreement being made that the ring must be taken to Mount Doom to destroy. Only then will Middle Earth be safe. And it was established that at a later date a decision would be made as to who would accompany Frodo and Sam, but first a few scouting parties must be sent out to determine a safe route of passage. Aragorn volunteered to go as well as Elrond's sons, and Elrond sent out a few others as well.
Given what had happened, she immediately volunteered to go scout in the east in her homeland, and Elrond could do nothing to persuade her to stay since he felt it best that she visit there once more. Boromir kept his distance from her, electing to ignore her instead of trying to work out their problems.
She was in her room packing her things when Legolas came to visit her. "I heard you were going with the scouts," he said as he came in to sit on the bed.
"There's no reason for me to stay here any longer," she replied. "He's obviously made his choice, and there's nothing I can do to change it. Apparently we just weren't meant to be." She had just changed her clothing to that of her traveling gear and was now finishing up adding her weapons. She came across her dagger, the one that had started all this mess, and she tightened her grip on it as she sat down on the bed beside him. "Why does everything have to be so difficult?" A question she had once asked Boromir, and she remembered his answer clearly.
"Nothing is simple when it comes to matters of the heart, especially when there are extenuating circumstances," the elf replied. "There is always a battle between what one wants and what they're duty bound to do. The hard part is knowing which path to take."
She sighed, knowing too well how true his words were. "Perhaps my path will take me back to Mirkwood where I will visit my father's grave. I suppose I just need some time to pull my thoughts together and find out who I am again."
He laid a hand on her shoulder. "Whatever he said to you, you do not need to believe it. You are still the same person you have always been. It is he who has changed, not you."
She looked into his blue eyes and smiled. "Thank you, Legolas. Again," she added with a small laugh.
He smiled. "In fact, why don't I go with you? I will need to notify my father of all that has been decided."
Her face brightened a little at the prospect of his company as it would be welcome. "Would you?" she asked.
"Of course, or else I wouldn't have offered, silly ranger," he replied, making a playful jab at her side. "I only need a few minutes to gather my things."
She yelped and leaped off the bed. "Off with you then before I change my mind and leave without you! And have you seen Aragorn?"
"I think I saw him by his mother's grave on my way here," he supplied as he left. "I will meet you there."
Gathering her things, she stepped out on her way to find him to say her goodbyes, and it wasn't long before she found him there, kneeling on the ground with his head bowed in prayer. She stood there for a moment, waiting until he was finished as she didn't wish to disturb him and taking the time to compose her thoughts. It was hard to say how long she would be gone, and she wasn't sure if she would even see him again.
He sensed her presence nearby and stood to face her, watching as she walked out towards him. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked.
She nodded. "I'm sure. I plan to go to Mirkwood, and Legolas has offered to go with me."
"Good," he breathed on a sigh of relief. "I will not worry so much then for you are in capable hands. But I will worry about you," he added as he took her hands in his.
"As will I," she replied then took a deep breath. "I don't know if I'll be returning here. I may stay in Mirkwood or I may end up in Lorien. All I know is I need some time to figure things out."
"Boromir would say you are hiding," he offered with a little contempt.
"I care not what he thinks," she replied, but deep down she knew she did.
Aragorn knew this as well, and he drew her into his arms for a quick embrace. "It is sad that something so precious is wasted over such a thing as pride. His actions at the council were inexcusable."
"I know," she answered. "But I cannot help but feel that he is not to blame. I know where he's coming from, and I imagine that I would feel the same. We were so close to one another and had even admitted our love for one another. How could he just throw it all aside like it was nothing to him?"
"Maybe if you stayed, there might be a chance for the both of you," he suggested.
She shook her head. "This is too fresh in both our minds," she said. "I think we both need some time from each other." She heard Legolas' approach then, and she looked up into Aragorn's blue eyes, reaching up to touch his face. "Please be careful, cousin."
He smiled. "Take care of her, Legolas," he called out as the elf stopped near them, and they both clasped forearms in parting.
"I'll protect her with my life," the elven prince replied. "We'll meet back here soon. I just hope that the news will be good."
"As do I," Aragorn replied.
Shouldering her pack, she gave him one last smile before leaving with Legolas to head for the stables, and from there she knew she may not look upon the beauty of Rivendell again.
******************
Hmm, so many things that could happen here. Will she return to Lorien? And will she ever forgive Boromir for his harsh words to her? Thanks for reading! C-ya!