Gandalf paused, observing Avari cautiously, as smoke crept from the corner of his mouth. Avari opened her mouth, as to speak of something, then closed it just as quickly.
"Is there something you want to tell me," said Gandalf, slowly, "Avari?"
"I amar prestar aen, Mithrandir, (The world is changed, Mithrandir,)" she began wearily. "I am afraid..." Her eyes became innocent, as they once were, "We will not win this war, Mithrandir. This will be the end of Middle Earth, for all."
"Is your hope so little in the strength of the free races, that you are quick to deal judgement to this war?" Gandalf replied alarmingly and stern. Avari stared aimlessly.
"And is your hope so strong in the strength of the free races that you believe we shall overcome this task and defeat the dark lord? Naa ta? (Is it?)" Gandalf took his pipe in one hand, pushing himself from his seat onto his feet.
"'Tis a fool's hope, my dear Avari; however, it is hope, nonetheless," he ended, walking through the door, wisps of smoke curling about the room now.
"Mellonamin... (My friend...)" she whispered, "War is coming; and you know, as well as I, we cannot win."
Coming out, Frodo walked with ease, an smile of awe upon his face; behind him, Sam followed closely.
"Frodo!" a light voice called out: twas Merry and Pippin.
"Frodo! Bless you! You're up!" said Merry, embracing him tightly. Pippin jumped up, making his way to Frodo, embracing him as well. It had seemed like an eternity since they had news of Frodo. Walking around the corner, Frodo paused.
"Bilbo..."
Bilbo turned and grinned, holding his arms out.
"Hello Frodo, my lad!"
"Bilbo!" Frodo replied happily, embracing him.
"There and Back Again: A Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins," said Frodo, leafing through the large book. "This is wonderful!" Bilbo looked on eagerly, occasionally focusing on Frodo.
"I meant to go back...wander the paths of Mirkwood...visit Laketown...see the Lonely Mountain again," his voice became tiring, "But age, it seems," Pause. "Have finally caught up with me," Bilbo finished, giving Frodo a playful smirk.
Frodo leafed on through the book, feeling as if he were a child again, back in Hobbiton. On one page, he stopped, looking at a map of the Shire; his face becoming saddened.
"I miss the Shire," he began, his voice holding back regret, "I spent all my childhood, pretending I was off somewhere else...off with you on one of your adventures!" Frodo paused, his voice now soft and melancholy. "My own adventure turned out to be quite different." Turning to Bilbo, he continued sadly.
"I'm not like you, Bilbo."
"My dear boy..." Bilbo replied, casting his arm around Frodo's shoulder.
Rubbing his head confused, Sam stared at the bags lying on the stone floor.
"Now what have I forgotten?" he said to himself.
Frodo arrived around the corner, a simple smile on his face as he watched Sam.
"Packed already?" he interrupted, startling Sam.
"No harm in being prepared," Sam replied, getting to his feet.
"I thought you wanted to see the elves, Sam?" Frodo chuckled .
"I do!" Sam replied eagerly.
"More than anything."
"I did!" Sam cut in, "It's just..." he paused, drawing closer to Frodo. "We did what Gandalf wanted, didn't we? We got the Ring this far to Rivendell and then I thought, seein' as how you're on the mend, we'd be off soon. Off home."
Frodo looked up innocently, a small smile hidden on his face.
"You're right Sam. We did what we set out to do," showing the Ring in his palm, "The Ring will be safe in Rivendell." He paused. "I am ready to go home."
Up in the balcony, Gandalf and Elrond watched below, the two hobbits.
"His strength returns." Elrond said, taking his eyes off Frodo.
"That wound will never fully heal," Gandalf replied, "He will carry it the rest of his life."
"And yet to have come so far, still bearing the Ring, the hobbit has shown extraordinary resilience to its evil." Elrond interrupted.
"It is a burden he should never have had to bear," Gandalf said with concern, "We can ask no more of Frodo."
"Gandalf," Elrond interrupted sternly, "the enemy is moving. Sauron's forces are amassing in the east-his eye is fixed on Rivendell." he paused, the tension growing. "And Saruman, you tell me, has betrayed us. Our list of allies grows thin-"
"My lord Elrond," Avari interrupted, walking slowly into Elrond's study.
"Avari," Elrond replied simply.
"Pardon my intrusion, but when shall a chance come that we may finish our..." she trailed off.
"We have other business to attend of," Elrond replied quickly. "Gandalf, Saruman's-"
"Treachery runs deeper than you know. By foul craft, Saruman has crossed orcs with goblin-men, he's breeding an army in the caverns of Isengard."
Avari stiffened, listening intensely. Gandalf glanced at her, as he spoke.
"An army that can move in sunlight and cover great distance at speed. Saruman is coming for the Ring."
She moved uncomfortably; feeling the eyes of Gandalf burning on her.
"This evil cannot be concealed by the power of the Elves. We do not have the strength to fight both Mordor and Isengard." Gandalf broke his gaze, moving away from the both of them, now deep in thought.
"Gandalf, " Elrond called out, "The Ring cannot stay here. This peril belongs to all middle earth. They must decide now how to end it. The time of the Elves is over,"
Avari shook her head, as Elrond spoke.
"My people are leaving these shores. Who will you look to when we've gone? The Dwarves? They hide in their mountains seeking riches-they care nothing for the troubles of others.
"Then it is in Men that we must place our hope," Avari interrupted, stepping forth. Elrond glared, expressing a look of disgust.
"Men?" he asked, "Men are weak." Avari looked on in despair.
"The race of Men is failing. The blood of Numenor is all but spent. It's pride and dignity forgotten. It is because of Men the Ring survives."
Avari closed her eyes, hearing the unbearable. Calmly, however, she walked out. Elrond continued to Gandalf.
"I was there: it should have ended that day, but evil was allowed to endure. Isildur kept the Ring. The line of kings is broken. There is no strength left in the world of Men. They've scattered, divided, leaderless."
"There is one who could unite them, one who could reclaim the throne of Gondor," Gandalf spoke up. Elrond paused.
"He turned from that path long time ago. He has chosen exhile," Elrond said softly, turning to his balcony opening; in the distance, a rider approached.
"Boromir!" Avari called out from the courtyard. Dismounting his horse, Boromir, Son of Denethor, looked about, searching for his caller. A wide smile spread across his face as he saw Avari..
"What-what are you doing here?" he replied, opening his arms. Her face bright and joyous, she embraced Boromir.
"I've been called upon from Mithrandir, and you?"
"Strange...Lord Elrond has summoned me."
"Of what?"
"I..." Boromir paused, "Father called me to his side, telling me of a council Elrond of the Elves has called. Rumor spreads that the One Ring of Power has been found," he whispered excitedly.
"Who told him this?" Avari replied, her face becoming twisted. Boromir stopped, studying her.
"Why are you concerned?" he asked, a smile coming back to his face, "Understand what is happening! The One Ring is coming back to Gondor: to save it, to save us, Avari."
"He sent you only?" she asked, turning away from Boromir's face. Boromir breathed in heavily.
"Yes," he only replied.
"Leaving Faramir behind, as always-"
"It is not that-"
"Yes it is; he will never believe in Faramir's strengths." Her voice echoed in the distance, hollow.
Boromir opened his mouth, as to speak words of comfort, but stopped. He smiled apologetically, and walked on.
Entering the dark room, Boromir walked quietly, though his footsteps echoed. He paused, the painting of Isildur and Sauron catching his attention. Suddenly, he looked over, realizing another body in the room. He studied him quickly, and a small smile came to his face.
"You are no Elf." he said simply.
"Men of the South are welcome here." the man replied, shifting a book he had been reading to his lap.
"Who are you?"
"I am a friend of Gandalf the Grey."
Boromir smiled warmly, now.
"Then we are here on common purpose, friend." Boromir's smile dropped as he turned to a pedastal, reflecting light off of something. Walking to the shrine, a broken sword shines brightly. Boromir picked up the haft, staring at the blade with wonder.
"The shards of Narsil!" he said in awe, taking the sword in his grip. "The blade that cut the ring from Sauron's hand!" Unaware, he ran his finger up the blade; he jumped as it cut his finger.
"It's still sharp," he said in amazement. Slowly, he looked at the stranger, who now sat watching him intensely with sharp, grey eyes. Suddenly, Boromir's demeanor changed.
"No more than a broken heirloom!" Boromir said in disdain, returning the sword carelessly as it clattered to the ground. He paused for a moment, but walked on.
As morning broke, the Council of Elrond had been summoned. In a large circle, Gandalf and Frodo sat alongside a congregation of Men, including Aragorn, Boromir, and Avari; the Elves, as Legolas of the Mirkwood Realm and his kind; and the Dwarves, as Gimli, son of Gloin, and his kind. In the middle of the circle, stood a stone pedestal. Elrond was first to speak.
"Strangers from distand lands," he paused, "Friends of old. You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor. Middle-Earth stands upon 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," Gesturing to the pedestal, he spoke to Frodo. "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo arised nervously, laying the Ring on the pedestal and returning to his seat; people around, began whispering. Suddenly, a voice spoke loudly.
"In a dream, I saw the eastern sky grow dark," Boromir began. Avari watched with disdain. "But in the west, a pale light lingered. A voice was crying: "Your doom is near at hand. Isildur's Bane is found." Boromir rose from his seat, as if in a trance. Slowly, he reached out to the Ring upon the pedestal. "Isildur's Bane..."
"Boromir!" Elrond shouted. Gandalf jumped from his seat.
"Ash Nazg durbatulûk... (One Ring to rule them all...)" Dark clouds shadowed the council as Gandalf continued intensely. Gimli reached for an axe as the scene intensified.
"...ash Nazg gimbatul. Ash Nazg thrakatulûk agh Burzum-ishi krimpatul. (One Ring to Find them. One Ring to bring them all and in the Darkness bind them.)" With a terrified look on his face, Boromir retreated to his seat. Elrond rubbed his head, a headache forming on him; Legolas breathed heavily, with a look of nausea across his face. Gandalf finished the Ring poem, and light began to return
"Never before has any voice uttered the words of that tongue here in Imladris," Elrond spoke with, almost anger.
"And I do not beg your pardon, Master Elrond," Gandalf said breathelessly. "For the Black Speech of Mordor may yet be heard in every corner of the West! The Ring is altogether evil." Gandalf said, returning back to his seat beside Frodo. Frodo shifted uneasily.
"It is a gift," Boromir whispered, shaking his head. Avari sat speechlessly, an expression of anger across her face. Boromir continued, coming from his seat. "A gift to the foes of Mordor. Why not use this Ring?" He began pacing. "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!" He paused, as if letting his words sink in for guilt. "Give Gondor the weapon of the enemy. Let us use it against him!" he demanded.
"You cannot wield it!" Aragorn spoke up; for he had hardly been noticed. "None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master." Boromir looked at him condescendingly.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?" Suddenly, Legolas jumped from his seat.
"This is no mere ranger." he said with intensity. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
"Aragorn?" Boromir stuttered. "This...is Isildur's heir?"
"And heir to the throne of Gondor," Legolas added. Both Avari and Boromir glared to Legolas. Frodo looked on in amazement, wide-eyed at Aragorn. Aragorn, looking tired and frustrated, spoke.
"Havo dad, Legolas. (Sit down, Legolas.)" he said, motioning the Elf. Boromir looked on.
"Gondor has no king," he said swiftly. "Gondor needs no king," directing his look towards Aragorn as he returned to his seat.
"Aragorn is right," Gandalf interrupted. "We cannot use it."
"You have only one choice," Elrond spoke, "The Ring must be destroyed." Gimli reached around for an axe, and jumps from his seat.
"What are we waiting for?" he shouts, bringing the axe down upon the Ring lying on the pedestal. His axe suddenly shatters into many pieces, sending Gimli onto the floor, leaving the Ring unharmed. Gimli looks to the Ring in astonishment.
"The Ring cannot be destroyed, Gimli, son of Gloin, by any craft that 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." As Frodo listens, he focuses on the Ring; suddenly hearing it's voice, speaking in the Black Language.
"One of you must do this." Elrond finishes. Avari listened, shaking her head
"One does not simply walk into Mordor," Avari said softly, drawing the attention of the council. Boromir continued for her.
"Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there, that does not sleep." Boromir then enclosed his hand in the shape of a circle, continuing, "And the great Eye is ever watchful."
"'Tis a barren wasteland," Avari interrupted, lifting herself from her chair, "Riddled with fire and ash...and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume..." She paused, looking to Boromir.
"Not with ten thousand men could you do this," Boromir finished for her. "It is folly!"
"Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said?" Legolas shouted, leaping from his chair, "The Ring must be destroyed!"
"And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?!" Gimli interrupted, leaping to his feet, axe in hand.
"And if we fail, what then?!" Boromir shouted, rising to his feet. "What happends when Sauron takes back what is his?!"
"I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an Elf!" Gimli's voice rose. Suddenly, chaos broke forth in the council; all lept up, shouting, arguing. "Never trust an Elf!"
"Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it!" Gandalf shouted, while Boromir listened and argued back.
Frodo remained seated as the commotion rang; he watched the Ring upon the pedestal uneasily, seeing the angry figures of the council reflected on its surface. Suddenly, flames flared, engulfing the surface of the Ring: only, none saw it but Frodo. Gandalf glanced down to the hobbit, seeing his uneasiness. Frodo squirmed, shifting in his seat uncomfortably.
"Ash Nazg Durbatuluk! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul! Ash Nazg Gimbatul!"
Slowly, Frodo rose to his feet, determination dawning upon his face. Taking a few steps towards the arguing council, he speaks.
"I will take it! I will take it!"
The argument died down, as his words echoed. Gandalf closed his eyes heavily, as he listened to Frodo's statement. All turning slowly, they faced the Frodo astonished.
"I will take the Ring to Mordor," Frodo said solemnly, but then softening. "Though...I do not know the way."
Avari closed her eyes, suddenly feeling an overwhelming guilt. Gandalf walked to Frodo slowly.
"I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins," he began reassuringly, "so long as it is your's to bear," He placed his hands upon Frodo's shoulders, comforting him. Aragorn rose from his seat quickly.
"If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will," he said approaching Frodo and kneeling before him, "You have my sword."
"And you have my bow," said Legolas, joining them.
"And my axe," Gimli piped, looking grimly at Legolas as he joined them. Walking over slowly, Boromir still wore a mask of astonishment.
"You carry the fate of us all, little one," he said warily. Avari walked over, joining Boromir.
"If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done," she said softly. Frodo looked at her, confused and dazed.
"Heh!" a small voice shouted. From behind the bushes, Samwise ran the join the council; Elrond looked bewildered as the small hobbit entered. "Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!"
"No indeed," Elrond said, smiling amusingly. "It is hardly possible to seperate you, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not." Sam's face showed red, as he turned away, embarrassed.
"Wait! We are coming, too!" Emerging from behind the pillars, came Pippin and Merry. Elrond looked in astonishment, as Gandalf sighed, rolling his eyes.
"You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!" Merry said content, joining Frodo, by his side.
"Anyway," Pippin began with a smile, "you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest...thing!" Merry's face dropped, as he whispered to Pippin.
"Well that rules you out, Pip." he said jokingly. Elrond studied them, with a satisfied expression.
"So be it: you shall be the Fellowship of the Ring!"