AN: I got my first flame! At first I was excited (I don't know why), but now I'm just disappointed, this flame could barely light a candle. I was considering taking this time to respond to the flame (urge to mock… rising…), but since the person clearly has no idea who Terry Pratchett is (I pity them), and didn't bother reading even all of chapter 1, there really isn't any point.
Did I make it clear enough that this was a crossover? I can go back and put that in somewhere… I just assumed if someone didn't recognize 'Discworld', they wouldn't bother reading.
Disclaimer: I own neither Discworld or Middle-Earth, nor any of the characters therein. I'm merely borrowing them for some fun, and I promise to put them back where I found them. (I can't believe I need to put this:) Flames will be used as bedding for Smigle, my new mini-balrog.
Agnes and the Elves
Chapter 12 – Decision
"Will you take the Ring and destroy it Agnes? For the safety of Middle-Earth?"
Agnes stared at Gandalf in shock. "I… you… I…" she managed weakly.
Frodo, who had been listening to a quick explanation from Elrond, was also staring in bewilderment at Gandalf. He asked a quick question, darting a suspicious glance in Agnes' direction.
"He wants to know how I know I can trust you." Gandalf said to Agnes, and then spoke to Frodo, whom sat back, looking both hopeful and anxious. "I told him that I trust my instincts."
Through her shock, Agnes felt honored by his regard. From a wizard as powerful as he seemed to be, it was like being complimented by Granny Weatherwax.
Agnes stared at the ring lying innocently on the table by Frodo's elbow. Could I do it? Could I fly all the way to this volcano? She felt a strong urge to accept, to take the Ring.
Why didn't I want it to be destroyed? Why do I want it so much? Perdita asked nervously. When I think of it I see… things.
It was odd for Perdita to be so worried about something. Why was she so worried, the Ring was clearly magnificent, if she had it she would be the greatest witch ever, Granny would admit that she as merely an old woman next to Agnes' greatness…
See! You're thinking things too! You're thinking of greatness, when have you ever wanted that?
Agnes shook her head, trying to clear it. Perdita was right, but how could one lousy ring make people think such things?
Agnes tore her gaze away from the Ring and met Gandalf's narrowed eyes. "When I think of the Ring… I want to take it and use it for myself." She admitted. "How can a ring make me think like that?"
Gandalf seemed simultaneously worried and relieved by her question. "The Ring is an instrument of Power. It desires evil, dominance, strength. It bends the minds of every person around it until they can think of nothing but possessing it. Only the very strong can withstand it, and only until they have not the strength left to fight its lure. This is why it is so dangerous"
"And you want me to take it?" Agnes asked incredulously.
"You have a strong mind Agnes, I can sense it. And… you have this Perdita to remind you of its danger. You would only bear it for a few days, if you fly fast enough." He added quickly, seeing Agnes' disbelieving expression.
Agnes' eyebrows furrowed as she looked again at the golden Ring. He's practically begging me to take it. He's afraid of it, of what it is capable of.
I'm afraid too. Said Perdita quietly.
Lord Elrond doesn't approve, remember? He has a power like Gandalf's… Should I ignore his concerns?
The danger is so close, so real. Look at Frodo, he carried it, and he was so sick when we first saw him…
And if I refuse? He will keep carrying it, or someone else will take up the burden. I can spare him that pain.
And take it on yourself?
Isn't that what being a witch is all about? Doing the hard thing, because you're the only one who can?
We could do it. We could rid Middle-Earth of this evil within a week. Sauron would never see us coming. Nothing could stop us.
It seems so… precious…
Nothing except our own desire…
Suddenly, Agnes felt a familiar presence, a feather-light brush against her mind. I can't be having with this…
Agnes' sat up very strait in surprise. She saw Elrond's and Gandalf's eyes widen as they too felt the stranger. Frodo just looked confused by Agnes' behavior.
Gandalf turned to Elrond and spoke. Elrond nodded, confirming that he too had felt the mind-touch. They turned as one to face Agnes.
"You felt it too, didn't you?" Gandalf queried.
Agnes nodded. "I think I know who it was… someone from my world, the most powerful witch I know, she must have discovered where I went."
"You said that no one from your world knew this one existed, how would she find you?"
Agnes remembered Magrat telling her about Granny's box once. She had said the oddest thing had been a bit of thunderbolt iron, with a needle stuck through the middle.
"She always liked to see into things." Agnes said quietly in Morporkian. When Gandalf raised his eyebrows at her, Agnes switched back to dwarvish. "Remember how I told you about the fairy folk?" she asked, Gandalf nodded. "Granny had a way of… looking into the circle stones. I think that's how."
Gandalf nodded. "I see." He paused, then went on, "I cannot feel her mind anymore, she must have lost her focus or been withdrawn."
Agnes had to stifle a laugh. Granny, lose focus? She was more likely to go dancing with the Queen of the Fairies. But Gandalf was right; Granny's presence was completely gone.
Agnes returned her gaze to the Ring, but now she could only think about what Granny would say.
"I've never been one to put meeself forward."
I didn't, they asked me…
"The hardest part of being a witch is knowing when to be one…"
But, this ring is so evil… isn't it right to be a witch to fight for good?
"You can't be a good witch or a bad witch, you can just be a witch, as hard as you can."
That doesn't seem fair
"What's fair isn't always right."
People need to kill their own vampires…
Agnes looked up from the ring, strait into Gandalf's eyes. "I cannot take the Ring. The evils of this world can't be fought be me. It must be fought by the good and the noble of this world."
Gandalf looked disappointed, but also a little… proud? Like she had failed one test but aced another. He turned and started speaking to Elrond and Frodo.
Even wizards can be conflicted. Agnes thought.
Even witches? Perdita thought sarcastically.
Agnes stuck out her mental tongue at Perdita. Seemingly, refusing to take the ring had returned Perdita to her normal annoying self.
Gandalf, Elrond, and Frodo finished their conversation. Agnes couldn't help but notice that Elrond looked a little smug. But just a little.
"Lord Elrond, at least, is pleased by your decision." Gandalf said with a small smile. "If you wish, he can now escort us to the Hall of Fire, where you can listen to songs and stories. You won't be able to understand them of course, but I believe Gimli is there and would be happy to act as friend and translator."
Agnes smiled at him. "I would enjoy that."
The four of them rose, and Elrond led the way out of his office and down the corridor.
AN: not all of those are actual quotes, most are paraphrases. Since they came mostly from Granny's thoughts I thought it would be weird to have Agnes remember exact quotes… I hope that made sense…
I would like to send out yet another thank you to mirielle, who I think has reviewed every single chapter.
