Visitor
Nothing much to say but this chapter was pretty much done before my last one. And I know, I promised Thursday but my little cousins were here and I had to watch them and stuff.
Warnings: Anna swears, once
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Yeah to my reviewers! (I do have a battle scene problem, they'll get better. I promise!)
Chapter eight
A Fellowship's Bonding
"I'm so glad you're awake Frodo." Anna smiled at the hobbit and stroked his forehead softly. He nodded. They were sitting in the endless gardens of Rivendell. Frodo had been awake for maybe an hour or so. Merry and Pippin were off ransacking the kitchens for food and Sam sat next to them. Bilbo sat with them as well.
The council was the next day. Anna, Frodo and Bilbo were to go, as was Gandalf, Strider and a lot of the races that had been appearing throughout the three-four days she had been here.
She had seen a lot of Elves, one that looked like Gredrick even. She had been sitting by a fountain, reading a book when she saw him. He was tall with delicate bones and a handsome face. His same color hair was longer than Gredrick's, but they had the same face and large blue eyes that always seemed to have a dreamy-like look.
She stared at him in amazement. When he noticed her, he smiled softly and nodded to her. She bowed her head back and watched his graceful, retreating form. 'I defiantly need to meet him!'
She hadn't been doing too much. She had talked to Strider a lot and Gandalf. She had kept Merry and Pippin out of trouble as best as she could and helped Sam care for Frodo, who had increased slightly everyday. She thought of Faramir every spare second. She missed him greatly. His smile and the way his eyes sparkled when they saw her.
She sighed and let her head rest of top of Frodo's. "What is it?"
"Nothing Frodo. I'm still a bit tired." He nodded in acknowledgment and they watched the rest of the delegates arrive on horses. Most were men or elves. There were some dwarves, but not many five or six.
"This council should be most amusing." Bilbo and Frodo nodded. Sam was in absolute awe of meeting so many elves and was rendered speechless every time he saw one.
The delegates continued arriving into the night, but Anna made Frodo go to bed early. "I'm fine!"
"No Frodo. You recovered today, and I won't be having you get worse again! Go...to...bed." She smiled and whispered a quiet "Goodnight."
When Anna woke up, the entire place was alive. The delegates all being fed and tended for hours before the council started. It started around mid-day and Gandalf got Bilbo, Frodo and herself down there quickly. They sat close to Elrond's spot at the front.
There were stone chairs in a large circle surrounding a circular podium of stone. It was in a glade of trees to keep out the worse of the sun's rays and there was a rushing brook to keep the calm as best as possible.
Anna watched as the many people came in and sat depending where they were from. Strider smiled at her and Frodo and they smiled back. She saw the elf that reminded her of Gredrick and another human that reminded her of someone. After analyzing him for many seconds, she realized who he looked like. He had dark green eyes and his dark blonde hair was to his shoulders in straight strands. He was tall with a bit of a stocky build, but no matter what, he looked like Faramir. They had the same nose and mouth, the same glitter in the eye. 'Could that be Boromir?'
He looked up when he realized she had been staring at him for the past few seconds and she smiled at him, turning her gaze to Elrond as the council began.
He began to talk of why they were here, why so many places of Middle Earth were gathered to discuss the growing threat of the Ring and Sauron. He then talked of the Ring's history, most of which everyone knew already. After that he discussed Gollum and Bilbo, before the talk went to Frodo.
"If you would Frodo." Elrond swept his arm out dramatically, showing Frodo to the circular stone podium in the middle. He stood and slowly put the gold band on top and everyone stared at it, none speaking. Anna could feel the evil creeping out slowly, ready to engulf everyone there.
"This, this is a gift." Anna opened her eyes to see the one who resembled her love speaking. His eyes glittered greedily and she realized with a panic the evils of the Ring had started already. "Why not use it?"
"You think that the power of it can be wielded? Especially by a mortal man? It is impossible." Aragorn scorned the idea. Anna nodded.
"And would you be able to? You are a Ranger from the North. Strider they call you do they not?" Aragorn's eyes glittered dangerously and he stood, as did the other. Anna sat up straighter, ready to keep the two men from hurting one another.
"He is no mere Ranger." The Gredrick look-alike said raising to the height of the other two men.
"Legolas, sit down." Strider told the Elf.
"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And your king." Anna gasped loudly with a funny squeak of a noise and shrunk into the chair.
"Sorry." She ran her hand over her blushing face, peeping between her fingers, looking into Stri-no, Aragorn's calm gray eyes. Faramir had told her about the rightful king of Gondor. How when he returned the Steward would return the throne to him. Somehow she didn't think it would be so easy with Denethor around.
"Gondor has no king." The man sat down as did Legolas and Aragorn. Elrond looked at the three of them, making sure they were done with their spat. He turned to Anna, but she was busy looking at Aragorn.
"You have had a great evil conquered from your land have you not?" Elrond asked her. She looked at him in surprise, her eyes widening.
"Yes, sixteen years ago. It was a great feat and the people of Fawe had been trying for hundreds of years." She answered, faltering slightly, sitting up straight again.
"How did it happen?"
"Well, the Elves and Faeries decide when a quest is to be performed and a group they choose goes to attempt to rid Fawe of the Castiavation brothers."
"Faeries?" asked a human dressed in black velvet.
"Yes. They are basically Elves with wings. The Faeries control the elements and the Elves are connected to the elements. Faeries are usually the color of their element."
"They are colored?" asked a elf in green clothing.
"Yes, either blue for air, green for water, red for fire or brown for earth. The queen is normal, but is exceptionally beautiful. The King is usually colored, but it pales when he is crowned."
"Are the elements important?" this time the question came from a dwarf.
"Yes. That is why my country is named Fawe. Fire, air, water, earth. When combined, can only the greatest evil be diminished. It is an old myth the Elves sing of. I am one of few people to know the Elven language fluently. I know a little Faerie as well."
"Are you friends to the Elves?" asked Aragorn, leaning slightly on his hand, knowing the answer, but wishing to drag the conversation out, seeing Elrond's growing impatience.
"Yes, their Princes were who trained me. I am branded as an Elven member, a great honor. Few are branded with either an Elven or Faerie sign, only those who complete their quests are branded with both Elven and Faerie signs. I have only met one Faerie, the prince, but have seen their Gods. The Goddess of Air, the God of Earth, the God of Fire, and the Goddess of Water. They are representatives."
"How were these evils conquered?" asked Elrond, impatience about the side questions at it's peak.
"The Princess Claire, a wizard, two guards, the Elven prince, a councilor and a manservant, along with Claire's faithful dog, went to the Desert Despair and destroyed them. Fawe is part of the World Magisch and we are disconnected from the rest of our Realm, yet still the news was known. It was the largest evil defeat in the history of the Parallel Universes."
"The Parallel Universes are new to most of us. There are twelve realms and each has their own god or gods and a certain way of life correct?" Gandalf asked, turning towards her and analyzing her with his gaze.
"Yes, it is a hard thing to explain in such short time."
"Then we shall not ask. We have more important issues to discuss." Elrond finished and turned the talk back to the ring.
"We have to decide what to do with it." Elrond said after the long Ring discussion with several small spats between races.
"I still say use it against him."
"Boromir, no mortal man can resist it's power. It is too tempting to just simply use is for good. It is evil and it must be destroyed." Gandalf said, looking at the one who looked like Faramir.
'Boromir?' Anna asked herself. So that was the man Denethor wanted her to marry. He had to be at least forty, even though he was still amazingly handsome.
"It must be destroyed in Mount Doom, where it was forged." Gandalf finished.
"The question is who will take it?" Elrond looked around. "There are few who can resist the temptations of the Ring." He looked at the Elves and then Anna for the longest time. After several minutes a lot of the other races looked at her as well.
"An Elf could resist the powers with ease." Legolas said. A dwarf with rust colored hair jumped up.
"I would die before seeing the Ring in the hands of an Elf." Several Elves jumped up as well, but Legolas kept them behind him. Many of the other delegates started fighting and Elrond sat down, his hand on his brow. Gandalf tried to get several to calm down, but it wasn't working.
Frodo looked at the Ring before looking into Anna's eyes. In their blue depths she knew what Frodo wanted. And she nodded. Frodo smiled and they clasped hands before he jumped up.
"Anna and I will take the Ring!" he shouted several times to get the attention of everyone. They stopped to stare at the small hobbit and the woman who stood behind him.
"We will take the Ring and destroy it. Even though we do not know the way." His voice faltered and Gandalf smiled.
"Well I can not let you go alone. I will join you." He walked over and stood behind the pair.
"You have my sword." Aragorn said. After that Legolas joined as did the dwarf. Boromir joined as well. Anna squeezed Frodo's shoulder before they heard a loud protestation and Sam slid into the circle of the Council and stood next to Frodo.
"Mr. Frodo ain't going anyway without me." Elrond smiled.
"Yes, I can see. Especially if you are not invited to an important council." Suddenly Pippin and Merry slide into the circle as well, announcing that they wouldn't be left behind, and gulped at the sight of Elrond's glare. Anna protectively wrapped her arms around their fronts and pushed them to her.
"A fellowship of ten. The Fellowship of the Ring." They stood there, looking at Elrond as he smiled lightly.
Soon everyone but the Fellowship started to leave, as the fate of Middle Earth was left in the hands of the ten. Anna was sitting again in her chair looking at the ground.
"Anna, what is wrong?" Frodo asked her. He laid his hand softly on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. The others were being spoken to by Elrond and she sighed heavily.
"I suppose that I'll be staying a lot more time away from Faramir then I thought." She didn't notice Boromir's head snap around to look at them.
"Anna, plenty are going. You do not have to accompany me. Go back to him if you wish."
"No Frodo. He told me that if the task of getting you here turned into more, he would wait for me and he would understand. I am going to finish my duty Frodo. I am not going to stop protecting you, no matter what." Boromir turned away from the two as they embraced, knowing he had found his brother's love.
Anna could not sleep, she was too hungry. But she kept her eyes shut and told her stomach to keep quiet. "Anna?" Frodo's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Yes?"
"The four of us can not sleep and we were wondering if we could talk or something."
"Well," she sat up and looked at the four hobbits that were at the foot of her bed, "what if we talk in the kitchen? I am terribly hungry."
"What a coincidence! So am I!" Pippin said and the others agreed. Anna smiled and threw the covers off of her. She pulled a loose pair of breeches on and a large tunic. She also grabbed a bottle out of her bag.
"Well let us see what is in the kitchens shall we?" Ten minutes later, the kitchen staff was too afraid to even think of what was going on in the kitchen as the hobbits sat at the island near the stove and the ingredients.
"You'll love this!" she told the four as they watched her dash around the kitchen, gathering ingredients. Surprisingly the elves of Rivendell had some of the same ingredients and spices as those of Fawe.
"Make sure there's mushrooms!" Pippin said, sitting on his hunches to get a better look. Merry rolled his eyes.
"Quiet or you'll get none!" Pippin squeaked and snapped his mouth shut and Anna smiled at him.
"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked, walking in and finding Anna mixing things into a large bowl and the hobbits sitting on stools surrounding her.
"Making either a late midnight snack or an early, early snack." She poured in some cream and Aragorn smiled.
"It smells wonderful."
"Want some?"
"Please." He sat down as well and then Gimli appeared.
"It is too early to be up."
"We haven't slept yet." Frodo said his eyes watching Anna's every move.
"And we are hungry and we will not rest until our bellies are full!" Merry added.
"I thought that hobbits were never full." Gandalf said, stepping into the kitchen as well.
"Then they'll never rest." Anna handed a knife and some greens to Sam.
"Cut those for me Sam. Make sure it's in little pieces." He nodded and did so, making sure to do it carefully.
"What an odd assembly." Boromir walked in and leaned against the doorframe.
"Best get use to it Boromir, you shall see none but us here for quite some time." Legolas smiled at the Steward and he smiled softly back.
"Well, well! The whole Fellowship is here! How quaint." She laughed and looked around. "Everyone want some? I promise I won't poison it." Everyone nodded and she smiled. "Ten people! I've never cooked for that many before." She swayed slightly on her feet but was able to stay up.
"Anna are you alright?" Gandalf put a hand to her forehead, but she swatted it off.
"I'm fine!" Anna picked up a bottle and took a sip from it and Boromir gasped at the unwomanly-like move.
"What are you drinking?" Gimli demanded.
"I am not drunk if that's what you're saying dwarf! You'll know if I'm drunk!" Anna smiled and took another swig. "I'm just exceedingly intoxicated." Boromir and Aragorn both gave a small snort.
"No, you are drunk." Aragorn battered back.
"Exceedingly intoxicated."
"Drunk."
"Intoxicated."
"You are drunk."
"INTOXICATED DAMNIT!"
"ANNA!" Gandalf gasped, pointing a finger at her.
"Sorry, it's the intoxication. I can't think quite so straight."
"What is it?" Boromir asked her, taking the bottle and examining it for a label, which there were none, before giving it back. Sam handed her the greens and she put them in, before having him cut up some carrots.
"Some really sweet and sugary stuff."
"OH! You found Rivendell wine." Aragorn and Legolas smiled at each other, remembering days well gone by with that wine.
"I should have known what it was." Legolas added.
"And it's good stuff it is!"
"Let me try it!" Pippin said, holding his hand out. Gandalf gave a small snort and Anna laughed.
"This stuff is way to strong for you Mr. Pippin."
"Just one drink and you do become, exceedingly intoxicated." Legolas added, winking at Anna.
"Thank you Legolas. I can handle my drink well and look at me!" She waved slightly on her feet and Legolas held his arm out so she wouldn't fall.
"I can take it!" Anna shrugged and handed him the bottle. He took a small swig and blanched.
"Dear Brandywine River that's sweet!" They all laughed and Anna took back the bottle.
"I told you it was too strong for you." Pippin wiped his mouth with his sleeve and continued to make faces. She started to take a drink but instead, poured some it into the bowl.
"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked shocked.
"Making it sweet! It'll be fine! When in doubt, add more wine." The hobbits smiles grew. "When not in doubt, add more wine anyway!" They cheered that time as Anna poured some of her wine into the bowl.
"Where did you get it?" Sam asked.
"It was in my room by a goblet. The goblet was full of the stuff, so I figured it was safe to drink."
"I'm not sure if it was intended for you lady." Legolas said quietly. She shrugged before starting to mutter slightly.
"Let's see. I've never cooked for ten before. Best I start getting use to it however! Now how should I do the servings?" She started to mumble to herself as she took out spices and other items. "One hobbit eats twice as much, so that's four hobbits times two. Equals eight, nine for myself, ten for Gandalf, eleven for Aragorn, elves don't eat that much, so eleven and a half. How much do you eat Gimli?"
"Same as a hobbit." Legolas smiled softly and looked at Aragorn.
"RIGHT-O! Thirteen and a half. How about you Boromir? Faramir doesn't eat hat much, but what about you?" They looked at each other and he smiled softly.
"Normal."
"Alright then! Fourteen and a half." She hummed a fast song to herself as everyone watched her pour and pinch spices, some more wine and cream, greens and vegetables. "I'm getting the hang of this Middle Earth stuff!" It was silent for a few seconds. "So, Aragorn. What did Lady Arwen give you?"
"She gave me nothing."
"Uh-huh. Well that sure is a might pretty jewel you have then."
"Yes, well she did give me that."
"Yep, I knew it! I can tell these things you know." She nodded at him and he smiled slightly.
"Anna, please you are drunk!" Aragorn sat at the small table on the other side of the kitchen.
"I AM JUST EXCEEDINGLY INTOXICATED! 'Drunk' is so vulgar of a word, but 'intoxicated' sounds...sounds smart." She nodded proudly.
"Has Faramir ever seen you like this?" Boromir asked.
"No, and I do hope he never does!"
"You are right." Boromir nodded at Aragorn. "She is drunk."
"Oh shut up and sit down you Gondor-person you." Boromir stifled his laughter and sat at the place next to Aragorn.
The others that weren't sitting did the same and soon the snack was done. Anna cut the bread-like food into fourteen servings, giving each the amount they needed.
"Eat up!" As the Fellowship ate, they told stories of their growing up and their worries about the quest they were too leave on in a month.
"I think it'll be a great adventure!" Anna said.
"You think everything is an adventure." Frodo pointed out to her.
"Ah! But everything is. You never know what will happen when one simple action is taken by you or another. Things aren't always in your hands Frodo. Your fate could be in the hands of another. All of our fates are in the palms of your hands for instance."
"I know. I wish not to let anyone down."
"You will not Frodo. We will make sure of it." Gandalf said and they all toasted to a grand adventure that would truly be the adventure of a lifetime.
One more done! And they haven't even left yet! HAHA! I'm being terribly evil, I know. They will leave the next chapter, I promise.
Next chapter: The beginning of the journey
Nothing much to say but this chapter was pretty much done before my last one. And I know, I promised Thursday but my little cousins were here and I had to watch them and stuff.
Warnings: Anna swears, once
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Yeah to my reviewers! (I do have a battle scene problem, they'll get better. I promise!)
Chapter eight
A Fellowship's Bonding
"I'm so glad you're awake Frodo." Anna smiled at the hobbit and stroked his forehead softly. He nodded. They were sitting in the endless gardens of Rivendell. Frodo had been awake for maybe an hour or so. Merry and Pippin were off ransacking the kitchens for food and Sam sat next to them. Bilbo sat with them as well.
The council was the next day. Anna, Frodo and Bilbo were to go, as was Gandalf, Strider and a lot of the races that had been appearing throughout the three-four days she had been here.
She had seen a lot of Elves, one that looked like Gredrick even. She had been sitting by a fountain, reading a book when she saw him. He was tall with delicate bones and a handsome face. His same color hair was longer than Gredrick's, but they had the same face and large blue eyes that always seemed to have a dreamy-like look.
She stared at him in amazement. When he noticed her, he smiled softly and nodded to her. She bowed her head back and watched his graceful, retreating form. 'I defiantly need to meet him!'
She hadn't been doing too much. She had talked to Strider a lot and Gandalf. She had kept Merry and Pippin out of trouble as best as she could and helped Sam care for Frodo, who had increased slightly everyday. She thought of Faramir every spare second. She missed him greatly. His smile and the way his eyes sparkled when they saw her.
She sighed and let her head rest of top of Frodo's. "What is it?"
"Nothing Frodo. I'm still a bit tired." He nodded in acknowledgment and they watched the rest of the delegates arrive on horses. Most were men or elves. There were some dwarves, but not many five or six.
"This council should be most amusing." Bilbo and Frodo nodded. Sam was in absolute awe of meeting so many elves and was rendered speechless every time he saw one.
The delegates continued arriving into the night, but Anna made Frodo go to bed early. "I'm fine!"
"No Frodo. You recovered today, and I won't be having you get worse again! Go...to...bed." She smiled and whispered a quiet "Goodnight."
When Anna woke up, the entire place was alive. The delegates all being fed and tended for hours before the council started. It started around mid-day and Gandalf got Bilbo, Frodo and herself down there quickly. They sat close to Elrond's spot at the front.
There were stone chairs in a large circle surrounding a circular podium of stone. It was in a glade of trees to keep out the worse of the sun's rays and there was a rushing brook to keep the calm as best as possible.
Anna watched as the many people came in and sat depending where they were from. Strider smiled at her and Frodo and they smiled back. She saw the elf that reminded her of Gredrick and another human that reminded her of someone. After analyzing him for many seconds, she realized who he looked like. He had dark green eyes and his dark blonde hair was to his shoulders in straight strands. He was tall with a bit of a stocky build, but no matter what, he looked like Faramir. They had the same nose and mouth, the same glitter in the eye. 'Could that be Boromir?'
He looked up when he realized she had been staring at him for the past few seconds and she smiled at him, turning her gaze to Elrond as the council began.
He began to talk of why they were here, why so many places of Middle Earth were gathered to discuss the growing threat of the Ring and Sauron. He then talked of the Ring's history, most of which everyone knew already. After that he discussed Gollum and Bilbo, before the talk went to Frodo.
"If you would Frodo." Elrond swept his arm out dramatically, showing Frodo to the circular stone podium in the middle. He stood and slowly put the gold band on top and everyone stared at it, none speaking. Anna could feel the evil creeping out slowly, ready to engulf everyone there.
"This, this is a gift." Anna opened her eyes to see the one who resembled her love speaking. His eyes glittered greedily and she realized with a panic the evils of the Ring had started already. "Why not use it?"
"You think that the power of it can be wielded? Especially by a mortal man? It is impossible." Aragorn scorned the idea. Anna nodded.
"And would you be able to? You are a Ranger from the North. Strider they call you do they not?" Aragorn's eyes glittered dangerously and he stood, as did the other. Anna sat up straighter, ready to keep the two men from hurting one another.
"He is no mere Ranger." The Gredrick look-alike said raising to the height of the other two men.
"Legolas, sit down." Strider told the Elf.
"He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And your king." Anna gasped loudly with a funny squeak of a noise and shrunk into the chair.
"Sorry." She ran her hand over her blushing face, peeping between her fingers, looking into Stri-no, Aragorn's calm gray eyes. Faramir had told her about the rightful king of Gondor. How when he returned the Steward would return the throne to him. Somehow she didn't think it would be so easy with Denethor around.
"Gondor has no king." The man sat down as did Legolas and Aragorn. Elrond looked at the three of them, making sure they were done with their spat. He turned to Anna, but she was busy looking at Aragorn.
"You have had a great evil conquered from your land have you not?" Elrond asked her. She looked at him in surprise, her eyes widening.
"Yes, sixteen years ago. It was a great feat and the people of Fawe had been trying for hundreds of years." She answered, faltering slightly, sitting up straight again.
"How did it happen?"
"Well, the Elves and Faeries decide when a quest is to be performed and a group they choose goes to attempt to rid Fawe of the Castiavation brothers."
"Faeries?" asked a human dressed in black velvet.
"Yes. They are basically Elves with wings. The Faeries control the elements and the Elves are connected to the elements. Faeries are usually the color of their element."
"They are colored?" asked a elf in green clothing.
"Yes, either blue for air, green for water, red for fire or brown for earth. The queen is normal, but is exceptionally beautiful. The King is usually colored, but it pales when he is crowned."
"Are the elements important?" this time the question came from a dwarf.
"Yes. That is why my country is named Fawe. Fire, air, water, earth. When combined, can only the greatest evil be diminished. It is an old myth the Elves sing of. I am one of few people to know the Elven language fluently. I know a little Faerie as well."
"Are you friends to the Elves?" asked Aragorn, leaning slightly on his hand, knowing the answer, but wishing to drag the conversation out, seeing Elrond's growing impatience.
"Yes, their Princes were who trained me. I am branded as an Elven member, a great honor. Few are branded with either an Elven or Faerie sign, only those who complete their quests are branded with both Elven and Faerie signs. I have only met one Faerie, the prince, but have seen their Gods. The Goddess of Air, the God of Earth, the God of Fire, and the Goddess of Water. They are representatives."
"How were these evils conquered?" asked Elrond, impatience about the side questions at it's peak.
"The Princess Claire, a wizard, two guards, the Elven prince, a councilor and a manservant, along with Claire's faithful dog, went to the Desert Despair and destroyed them. Fawe is part of the World Magisch and we are disconnected from the rest of our Realm, yet still the news was known. It was the largest evil defeat in the history of the Parallel Universes."
"The Parallel Universes are new to most of us. There are twelve realms and each has their own god or gods and a certain way of life correct?" Gandalf asked, turning towards her and analyzing her with his gaze.
"Yes, it is a hard thing to explain in such short time."
"Then we shall not ask. We have more important issues to discuss." Elrond finished and turned the talk back to the ring.
"We have to decide what to do with it." Elrond said after the long Ring discussion with several small spats between races.
"I still say use it against him."
"Boromir, no mortal man can resist it's power. It is too tempting to just simply use is for good. It is evil and it must be destroyed." Gandalf said, looking at the one who looked like Faramir.
'Boromir?' Anna asked herself. So that was the man Denethor wanted her to marry. He had to be at least forty, even though he was still amazingly handsome.
"It must be destroyed in Mount Doom, where it was forged." Gandalf finished.
"The question is who will take it?" Elrond looked around. "There are few who can resist the temptations of the Ring." He looked at the Elves and then Anna for the longest time. After several minutes a lot of the other races looked at her as well.
"An Elf could resist the powers with ease." Legolas said. A dwarf with rust colored hair jumped up.
"I would die before seeing the Ring in the hands of an Elf." Several Elves jumped up as well, but Legolas kept them behind him. Many of the other delegates started fighting and Elrond sat down, his hand on his brow. Gandalf tried to get several to calm down, but it wasn't working.
Frodo looked at the Ring before looking into Anna's eyes. In their blue depths she knew what Frodo wanted. And she nodded. Frodo smiled and they clasped hands before he jumped up.
"Anna and I will take the Ring!" he shouted several times to get the attention of everyone. They stopped to stare at the small hobbit and the woman who stood behind him.
"We will take the Ring and destroy it. Even though we do not know the way." His voice faltered and Gandalf smiled.
"Well I can not let you go alone. I will join you." He walked over and stood behind the pair.
"You have my sword." Aragorn said. After that Legolas joined as did the dwarf. Boromir joined as well. Anna squeezed Frodo's shoulder before they heard a loud protestation and Sam slid into the circle of the Council and stood next to Frodo.
"Mr. Frodo ain't going anyway without me." Elrond smiled.
"Yes, I can see. Especially if you are not invited to an important council." Suddenly Pippin and Merry slide into the circle as well, announcing that they wouldn't be left behind, and gulped at the sight of Elrond's glare. Anna protectively wrapped her arms around their fronts and pushed them to her.
"A fellowship of ten. The Fellowship of the Ring." They stood there, looking at Elrond as he smiled lightly.
Soon everyone but the Fellowship started to leave, as the fate of Middle Earth was left in the hands of the ten. Anna was sitting again in her chair looking at the ground.
"Anna, what is wrong?" Frodo asked her. He laid his hand softly on her shoulder and squeezed it gently. The others were being spoken to by Elrond and she sighed heavily.
"I suppose that I'll be staying a lot more time away from Faramir then I thought." She didn't notice Boromir's head snap around to look at them.
"Anna, plenty are going. You do not have to accompany me. Go back to him if you wish."
"No Frodo. He told me that if the task of getting you here turned into more, he would wait for me and he would understand. I am going to finish my duty Frodo. I am not going to stop protecting you, no matter what." Boromir turned away from the two as they embraced, knowing he had found his brother's love.
Anna could not sleep, she was too hungry. But she kept her eyes shut and told her stomach to keep quiet. "Anna?" Frodo's voice broke into her thoughts.
"Yes?"
"The four of us can not sleep and we were wondering if we could talk or something."
"Well," she sat up and looked at the four hobbits that were at the foot of her bed, "what if we talk in the kitchen? I am terribly hungry."
"What a coincidence! So am I!" Pippin said and the others agreed. Anna smiled and threw the covers off of her. She pulled a loose pair of breeches on and a large tunic. She also grabbed a bottle out of her bag.
"Well let us see what is in the kitchens shall we?" Ten minutes later, the kitchen staff was too afraid to even think of what was going on in the kitchen as the hobbits sat at the island near the stove and the ingredients.
"You'll love this!" she told the four as they watched her dash around the kitchen, gathering ingredients. Surprisingly the elves of Rivendell had some of the same ingredients and spices as those of Fawe.
"Make sure there's mushrooms!" Pippin said, sitting on his hunches to get a better look. Merry rolled his eyes.
"Quiet or you'll get none!" Pippin squeaked and snapped his mouth shut and Anna smiled at him.
"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked, walking in and finding Anna mixing things into a large bowl and the hobbits sitting on stools surrounding her.
"Making either a late midnight snack or an early, early snack." She poured in some cream and Aragorn smiled.
"It smells wonderful."
"Want some?"
"Please." He sat down as well and then Gimli appeared.
"It is too early to be up."
"We haven't slept yet." Frodo said his eyes watching Anna's every move.
"And we are hungry and we will not rest until our bellies are full!" Merry added.
"I thought that hobbits were never full." Gandalf said, stepping into the kitchen as well.
"Then they'll never rest." Anna handed a knife and some greens to Sam.
"Cut those for me Sam. Make sure it's in little pieces." He nodded and did so, making sure to do it carefully.
"What an odd assembly." Boromir walked in and leaned against the doorframe.
"Best get use to it Boromir, you shall see none but us here for quite some time." Legolas smiled at the Steward and he smiled softly back.
"Well, well! The whole Fellowship is here! How quaint." She laughed and looked around. "Everyone want some? I promise I won't poison it." Everyone nodded and she smiled. "Ten people! I've never cooked for that many before." She swayed slightly on her feet but was able to stay up.
"Anna are you alright?" Gandalf put a hand to her forehead, but she swatted it off.
"I'm fine!" Anna picked up a bottle and took a sip from it and Boromir gasped at the unwomanly-like move.
"What are you drinking?" Gimli demanded.
"I am not drunk if that's what you're saying dwarf! You'll know if I'm drunk!" Anna smiled and took another swig. "I'm just exceedingly intoxicated." Boromir and Aragorn both gave a small snort.
"No, you are drunk." Aragorn battered back.
"Exceedingly intoxicated."
"Drunk."
"Intoxicated."
"You are drunk."
"INTOXICATED DAMNIT!"
"ANNA!" Gandalf gasped, pointing a finger at her.
"Sorry, it's the intoxication. I can't think quite so straight."
"What is it?" Boromir asked her, taking the bottle and examining it for a label, which there were none, before giving it back. Sam handed her the greens and she put them in, before having him cut up some carrots.
"Some really sweet and sugary stuff."
"OH! You found Rivendell wine." Aragorn and Legolas smiled at each other, remembering days well gone by with that wine.
"I should have known what it was." Legolas added.
"And it's good stuff it is!"
"Let me try it!" Pippin said, holding his hand out. Gandalf gave a small snort and Anna laughed.
"This stuff is way to strong for you Mr. Pippin."
"Just one drink and you do become, exceedingly intoxicated." Legolas added, winking at Anna.
"Thank you Legolas. I can handle my drink well and look at me!" She waved slightly on her feet and Legolas held his arm out so she wouldn't fall.
"I can take it!" Anna shrugged and handed him the bottle. He took a small swig and blanched.
"Dear Brandywine River that's sweet!" They all laughed and Anna took back the bottle.
"I told you it was too strong for you." Pippin wiped his mouth with his sleeve and continued to make faces. She started to take a drink but instead, poured some it into the bowl.
"What are you doing?" Aragorn asked shocked.
"Making it sweet! It'll be fine! When in doubt, add more wine." The hobbits smiles grew. "When not in doubt, add more wine anyway!" They cheered that time as Anna poured some of her wine into the bowl.
"Where did you get it?" Sam asked.
"It was in my room by a goblet. The goblet was full of the stuff, so I figured it was safe to drink."
"I'm not sure if it was intended for you lady." Legolas said quietly. She shrugged before starting to mutter slightly.
"Let's see. I've never cooked for ten before. Best I start getting use to it however! Now how should I do the servings?" She started to mumble to herself as she took out spices and other items. "One hobbit eats twice as much, so that's four hobbits times two. Equals eight, nine for myself, ten for Gandalf, eleven for Aragorn, elves don't eat that much, so eleven and a half. How much do you eat Gimli?"
"Same as a hobbit." Legolas smiled softly and looked at Aragorn.
"RIGHT-O! Thirteen and a half. How about you Boromir? Faramir doesn't eat hat much, but what about you?" They looked at each other and he smiled softly.
"Normal."
"Alright then! Fourteen and a half." She hummed a fast song to herself as everyone watched her pour and pinch spices, some more wine and cream, greens and vegetables. "I'm getting the hang of this Middle Earth stuff!" It was silent for a few seconds. "So, Aragorn. What did Lady Arwen give you?"
"She gave me nothing."
"Uh-huh. Well that sure is a might pretty jewel you have then."
"Yes, well she did give me that."
"Yep, I knew it! I can tell these things you know." She nodded at him and he smiled slightly.
"Anna, please you are drunk!" Aragorn sat at the small table on the other side of the kitchen.
"I AM JUST EXCEEDINGLY INTOXICATED! 'Drunk' is so vulgar of a word, but 'intoxicated' sounds...sounds smart." She nodded proudly.
"Has Faramir ever seen you like this?" Boromir asked.
"No, and I do hope he never does!"
"You are right." Boromir nodded at Aragorn. "She is drunk."
"Oh shut up and sit down you Gondor-person you." Boromir stifled his laughter and sat at the place next to Aragorn.
The others that weren't sitting did the same and soon the snack was done. Anna cut the bread-like food into fourteen servings, giving each the amount they needed.
"Eat up!" As the Fellowship ate, they told stories of their growing up and their worries about the quest they were too leave on in a month.
"I think it'll be a great adventure!" Anna said.
"You think everything is an adventure." Frodo pointed out to her.
"Ah! But everything is. You never know what will happen when one simple action is taken by you or another. Things aren't always in your hands Frodo. Your fate could be in the hands of another. All of our fates are in the palms of your hands for instance."
"I know. I wish not to let anyone down."
"You will not Frodo. We will make sure of it." Gandalf said and they all toasted to a grand adventure that would truly be the adventure of a lifetime.
One more done! And they haven't even left yet! HAHA! I'm being terribly evil, I know. They will leave the next chapter, I promise.
Next chapter: The beginning of the journey