A/N: Disclaimer, same as before. Thank you to all for reviewing this previously and I hope that you like this chapter.
Now, on to the story…
* * *
Chapter Three
* * *
"I couldn't believe my eyes Legolas." Aragorn said as he walked down the hallway towards one of the many out door gardens. "She hit the middle of the target twice, cleaving the first arrow in half in the process!"
"Sinn is magnificent with her bow." Arwen agreed having witnessed the display earlier today from some distance off. "Though Shenaux did not seem all that surprised. They both have skills that we do not know of. I have heard them speak of them."
"Yes, I saw that today in the garden." Legolas said. "A far cry from when we first encountered them."
"Do you blame them for fainting?" Aragorn asked his friend.
Legolas sent one of his looks to his friend. "Do you think so little of me friend? I do not blame them. Who would, who could, blame them?"
"Lady Sinn knows who I am." Aragorn announced suddenly, causing Arwen and Legolas to stop in their tracks.
"What? How?" Legolas and Arwen asked.
"A simple answer Prince Legolas, Lady Arwen." Shenaux said as she and Sinn stepped out of another corridor that led into the hallway they were in. The two women curtsied to all three of them.
"King of Kings." Sinn greeted.
"I have chosen exile. I shall never be King." Aragorn told her.
Sinn and Shenaux gave him a knowing and amused look, and then they looked at Arwen and another knowing look passed between the three.
"You said that you had a simple answer Lady Shenaux." Legolas interrupted the look between the women.
Shenaux sighed. "Please, enough with the 'Lady'. We are far from it. Our given names are fine with us. You do not wish to be called 'prince' and we don't want to be called 'lady'."
"The answer dear elf, is that we know of practically everyone and of the events happening right now. We know of what will happen at the council and we know of the journey. Good day." Sinn curtsied and both Shenaux and herself continued on their way.
"We should inform Lord Elrond of this." Legolas said once the two were out of earshot.
"I believe that Father and Gandalf already know." Arwen muttered.
* * *
"It's a good thing that Elrond allowed us to have our supper here in our rooms." Shenaux said. "That stunt we pulled earlier with Legolas, Arwen and Aragorn is bound to get them asking more questions that we probably don't want them asking. Soon every elf, maybe even every leaf in Rivendell is going to know about us."
Sinn shrugged. "Everyone is already wondering about us from the mock battle stunt and the stunt with me and my archery skills." She sighed.
"Middle Earth is good for you Sinn." Shenaux announced suddenly, making Sinn look at her best friend in confusion. "You look like your old self again. You're even smiling more often and joking around again."
Sinn looked at her friend. "I…" she stopped, then opened her mouth to speak again. "I think I am going to go to bed now. I'll see you in the morning." She got up from the chair she sat in and entered her bedroom.
"Brother, get her to let you go. It's time for her to get on with living." Shenaux whispered to her dead brother, in hopes of him hearing her. She then went to her room and quickly changed for bed.
* * *
The next morning, Sinn and Shenaux bathed and then got dressed in the elven clothing that they were given.
Sinn had to hold the skirts of the emerald green dress that she was given up when she didn't have her boots on, for not one elf was her height so that the skirts dragged on the floor. Her dress had a golden trim to it.
Shenaux' dress wasn't too long for her. She could still walk with out tripping on the hem of the skirts. Her dress was a navy blue with a silver and baby blue trim to it. She had on matching slippers, for her heels were too much of a burden with the dress she wore.
Sinn was muttering to herself about the length of her skirt when and elf maiden came in and asked her if she could take her measurements so that the seamstresses could make her some clothes that did not make her trip and fall if she didn't wear her boots. After the measurements were taken, another elf maiden came in and did Sinn's red hair up into and elfish fashion. It was half up and half down, and braided. Then the elf maiden did the same with Shenaux' golden brown hair.
After telling that Sinn and Shenaux will have more clothes tomorrow, the she-elf left the room.
"Shall we go for a walk?" Shenaux suggested after a moment of bored silence.
Nodding, Sinn and Shenaux left the room to walk about Rivendell.
They were in one of the many gardens walking around and talking about odd things, when another she-elf came up to them with a message.
"Lord Elrond wishes to speak with you." She announced to the two friends.
"Lead the way." Shenaux gestured.
The maid nodded and walked away, letting Shenaux and Sinn follow. Shenaux leaned in and whispered to Sinn. "They should be done the council by now, right?"
Sinn nodded. "Yes, they should be. I wonder what he wants to talk to us about." She whispered back.
The maid gestured to two intricately designed doors. Two guards stood in front of them. "Lord Elrond is through those doors." She said and then she was gone.
Shrugging Shenaux and Sinn walked through the doors that the guards held open for them in a courtesy. Their eyes widened in shock when they saw that Elrond was not alone. Looking around they noticed that this was Elrond's council that has yet to begin. They knew this because in the centre of the circle of races, there was a stone table and the Ring was not yet shown to anyone. Finally they looked at Elrond; their eyes blazing for the elf had pulled one over them. He tricked them into coming to the council they said they shouldn't go to.
"No!" they both said in unison, anger in their voices. They turned to walk away, but two guards blocked the path. The women glared at the guards.
"Please sit down." Elrond gestured to two empty seats. One beside Legolas and the other was beside Aragorn.
"I thought we agreed that we wouldn't be coming to this council?" Shenaux questioned, still glaring at Elrond.
"We agreed to no such thing. You just said that you thought that it was not a good idea that you be at the council." Elrond said.
"Now I know what that look in your eye was." Sinn muttered, turning her glare to Gandalf. He just smiled joyfully at her. "You can have the seat by the elf." She muttered in Shenaux' ear. "I'm sure you'll enjoy the council better."
Shenaux gave Sinn yet another look then they both took their seats, muttering unpleasant curses under their breath.
Sinn and Shenaux had memorized this scene completely. They knew everyone's lines and speeches. When they watched the movie, they usually mouthed the words. Sinn would mimic Elrond, Pippin and Boromir while Shenaux would mimic Aragorn, Merry and Gandalf. They both would mimic Legolas, Gimli, and Frodo.
Just because this was real life didn't make things any different for the two friends. Once Elrond began to speak, Sinn began to mouth his words.
"Strangers from distant lands, friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle Earth stands on the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate, this one doom. Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
That was rather blunt. Shenaux thought to herself as she looked over at Sinn. The same thought flashed through her friend's mind.
Frodo got up and placed the Ring on the stone table. Then he sat down and sighed in relief, as the weight of the Ring was no longer upon his small shoulders.
Everyone gasped in shock and they all muttered to themselves. One man stood and began muttering about a dream he had. Sinn frowned in confusion. This didn't happen in the movie… wait, yes it has. It was in the extended version. The man, Sinn now knew him to be Boromir, reached out his hand and slowly moved it toward the One Ring.
"Boromir!" Elrond snapped.
And for some unexplainable reason, both Shenaux and Sinn stood up, their eyes held their own confusion and they began to speak in a language they had only heard a few times before. It scared them to no end, for Gandalf was supposed to say this, not them. The sky became dark and everyone looked at them, fear in their eyes. The elves cringed in pain and closed their eyes, gripping the arms of their chairs. Men and the dwarves looked around frightened.
In unison, Sinn and Shenaux spoke. "Ash nazg durbatuluk, ash nazg gimbatul, ash nazg thrakatuluk agh burzum-ishi krimpatul."
The change in their voices was astounding. Suddenly their voices became menacing, powerful, and harsh as stone.
"Never before has any voice dared to utter words of that tongue in Imladris." Elrond said as the shadow passed and the company breathed easy once more.
The two women looked at him baffled, and opened their mouths to apologise, but Gandalf stopped them.
"They do not beg your pardon Master Elrond," he said and the women looked at him as if he was insane.
"We don't?" Sinn asked. Shenaux agreed with her friend's question.
"You don't. For if that tongue is not soon to be heard in every corner of the West, then let all put doubt aside that this thing is indeed what the Wise have declared: the treasure of the Enemy, fraught with all his malice; and in it lies a great part of his strength of old. Out of the Black Years come the words that the Smiths of Eregion heard, and knew that they had been betrayed."
"What do those words mean Gandalf?" Frodo asked.
"One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them." Sinn whispered, tears in her voice. She was officially scared now. She had no control over her actions earlier. "The Ring is all together evil."
Shenaux was shaking in fright. She was feeling exactly like what Sinn was feeling. Well at least we got Boromir to sit down. She thought with dry humour. She almost groaned aloud when Boromir stood up and said, "It is a gift." She saw Sinn slap her forehead and then began to mouth his words automatically.
"A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor kept the forces of Mordor at bay. By the blood of our people, are your lands kept safe. Give Gondor the weapon of the Enemy. Let us use it against him."
Shenaux took over now.
"You cannot wield it! None of us can!" Aragorn said.
Shenaux and Sinn were now looking at each other, a small smile playing at their mouths as they mouthed the dialog. Neither woman noticed that Gandalf and Elrond were looking at them with and odd expression on their faces.
"And what," Boromir said looking disdainfully at Aragorn, "would a Ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas stood up. "This is no mere Ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
"Aragorn?" Boromir looked at Aragorn in shock and surprise. "This is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor." Legolas added.
"Havo dad, Legolas." Aragorn said in elfish, motioning for him to sit down.
Boromir glared at Legolas. "Gondor has no King," he turned his glare to Aragorn. "Gondor needs no King." He then sat in his seat.
Taking one last look between the two women, Gandalf spoke up. "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
Elrond stood. "You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed."
The two turned their eyes on Gimli now, waiting for him to take up his axe and hit the Ring. They weren't waiting long. Only a moment of silence passed when he grabbed his axe.
"What are we waiting for?" he demanded and tried to cleave the Ring in half, but only managed to break his axe. He fell to the ground by the sheer force of the collision.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft we here possess. The Ring was made in the fires of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One of you," Elrond paused dramatically, letting his words sink into the company, "must do this."
There was complete silence as everyone thought about the implications of what would happen on the journey until Boromir spoke up.
"One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its Black Gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is an evil there that does not sleep. The Great Eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland, riddled with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand men could you do this. It is folly."
"It is not impossible." Shenaux said softly, but everyone heard her.
"Have you heard nothing I just said woman?" Boromir demanded, angry now.
"Shove it Boromir." Sinn replied. "We heard you. We've heard all of this before. You're right, you couldn't do this with ten thousand men, elves, dwarves or even hobbits. That is what the Nameless One is expecting. However, a small group, or even one person could probably pass into Mordor and the Nameless One will be none the wiser, unless you decided to use the Ring every chance you get, but that's beside the point. He won't expect such a small group trying to sneak into Mount Doom."
"You know nothing of what you speak woman. Hold your tongue." Boromir snapped. "I have lived near Mordor for most of my life. It is impossible."
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed." Legolas stood, angry with Boromir.
"And I suppose you think you are the one to do it?" Gimli snarled.
Legolas glared at the Gimli.
"And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?" Boromir angrily asked.
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli exclaimed, spitting on the ground before Legolas' feet. "Never trust an Elf!"
That's when the shit hit the fan and all hell broke loose at the council. The elves stood up enraged at the Dwarf and Men argued with each other and with the elves and dwarves. Gandalf stood and started to tell them that as they bicker amongst themselves, Sauron gets stronger and all will be destroyed. Frodo sat staring at the Ring, sweat pouring down his face as he listened to the Ring whispering in his head. He knew that the Ring was making everyone argue. Elrond sat in his seat shaking his head in defeat. Aragorn watched as everyone argued and Sinn and Shenaux sat in their seats watching Frodo, waiting for him to take the Ring.
"I will take it!" Frodo shouted over the dim of angry voices. Everyone turned to stare at the small hobbit. "I will take the Ring to Mordor." He looked at everyone there. "Though I do not know the way." He said softly.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins as long as it is yours to bear." Gandalf said as he walked over to stand behind the hobbit.
Aragorn stood. "If by my life and death I can protect you, I will." He knelt before Frodo. "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." Legolas said as he too, stepped forward amazed at the courage of the small creature.
"And my axe!" Gimli said, obviously not trusting the Elves. And ironically enough, he stood beside Legolas. They both looked displeased at the fact that they will be travelling together.
"You carry the fates of us all, little one." Boromir said as he stepped forward. "If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
"Here!" a voice called from the bushes behind the council members. Everyone looked to see Sam running out from the bushes "Mr. Frodo's not going anywhere without me!"
"No indeed. It is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Elrond said with an amused look.
"Oi! We're coming too!" Merry called as he and Pippin ran from their hiding spot. "You'll have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" He said once he reached Frodo.
Sinn and Shenaux giggled at the horrified expression on Elrond's face. Three hobbits snuck up on a council that had many elves attending and none heard them.
"Anyway, you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission…quest… thing." Pippin told Elrond unsure of what words to use.
"Well, that rules you out Pip." Merry muttered.
Pippin looked at his friend with a hurt expression on his face.
"Ooh! Question!" Shenaux exclaimed as she raised her arm, as a student would do when trying to get the teachers attention.
Elrond looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Yes?"
"Well, it's for Gimli. I had always wondered whose axe Gimli said Frodo could have when obviously he broke it when he tried to break the Ring."
Sinn laughed. "You've always wondered about that? I just thought that he broke one of his many axes he carries with him. I always thought that you wondered what Le—"
"Hush you!" Shenaux said, blushing slightly. "You are under the Doom of Death if you utter those words that weigh heavily on your mind."
"Doom of Death? Well, that's a new threat. Being in Middle Earth has messed with your mind my dear friend. But alas, there was never much there to begin with!" Sinn grinned evilly.
Shenaux glared at her friend, before turning to look back at Gimli. "Well, are you going to ease my curiosity?"
"Curiosity killed the cat." Sinn muttered to her friend.
"Bite me Sinn!"
"I have told you millions of times before dear friend I am not into the whole cannibalism thing." Sinn smiled sweetly at her friend.
Everyone looked on in confusion as the two girls bantered. Gimli shook his head, not bothering to try to figure out their speech. "Lady Sinn is right Lady Shenaux." He finally said.
"That curiosity killed the cat?" Shenaux asked in confusion.
Sinn laughed.
"No, that I only broke one of my many axes I carry."
"Oooooooohhhhhhhh!" She said in understanding. "Well, my curiosity is quenched. Good day gentlemen and good luck on the journey. You will need it." The two women got up and began to walk away.
"I want you two to go with them." Elrond announced.
Sinn and Shenaux turned with their jaws dropped to stare in complete shock at Elrond.
"WHAT!?!" they almost screeched.
"I want you to go with them." He repeated his request, well order.
"No!" Sinn said heatedly. "We can't! We'll be absolutely useless to them! We'll be in the way! We will just be a burden to them!"
"What she said!" Shenaux said, pointing to Sinn.
"You know the future." Gandalf pointed out.
"No, we know a future." Shenaux corrected him.
"A… meaning one and you are ruining that future by trying to get us to go with the company." Sinn said. "And you all will be pressing us to tell you that future and it could change and then we will be in bigger trouble than what we are already in!"
"You wouldn't be useless Sinn." Pippin said. "You are a very good archer and you and Shenaux can fight. We've seen ya!"
"Pippin, how do you know we won't choke once we come face to face with orcs. We're not all that brave when it comes to risking our lives. I don't think I can take a life, even though it may be evil."
"Please!?" He asked, giving them his best puppy dog look.
Sinn and Shenaux began to sweat. They now looked like frightened does.
The other three hobbits caught on pretty quick as to what Pippin was doing. They all liked the two women and wanted them to come along and share in their adventure so now all three added their own powerful puppy dog look with Pippin's.
The two women groaned. They knew they were cracking. As long as they don't say… their eyes widened in horror.
"PLEASE?!" They asked in unison in the sweetest tone possible. "We need you!"
Shenaux groaned and Sinn looked to the sky. "Why me?" she asked any God listening. Then they looked at the four hobbits.
"Alright, fine. We'll go." Sinn sighed.
"We are going to be the worst mothers imaginable if we ever have kids." Shenaux grumbled. "That look works all the time."
"Now I know how our mothers felt like when we unleashed our puppy-dog looks." Sinn said. "Remind me to apologise for all the grief I put them through next time I see them."
"So be it," Elrond said, sending an amused look at the still grumbling females. "You shall be the Fellowship of the Ring."
"Great! Where are we going?" Pippin asked.
"Oh god this is going to be a long journey." Shenaux muttered.
"Yes, and we're the only females with nine men…" Sinn trailed off. "Fun, fun."
Shenaux groaned. "What did we ever do to deserve this?"
* * *
A/N: Please, review this and tell us, what do you think so far and what do you think about the names used for the two original characters. Are they believable or not? Thanx from both of us.