Here's chapter six for ya, first gotta thank:
Bina: thanks for reading my fic again, hope you liked the cookie ;) Here's the council so enjoy
Hoshikolzumi: glad you liked it, I also thought it would be different if she was found by Elladan. hope you'll like this chap too
DISCLAIMER: Tolkien lives on....inside me *bwahahaha* No serious, all characters you recognize from the book are his, Rita is mine though.
Everything between *these things* are Rita's thoughts.
Rita woke up early that morning, very anxious for the council to start because she was full of questions, especially after Pippin's explanation for it. *What could one tiny ring do, it's not like it's alive or something. I'll just have to wait and see. I still don't get Elrond though, what could I possibly have to do with this thing, I'm not even 18 yet.*
A sharp knock on the door broke her train of thoughts, Arwen stuck her head through the opening. "O good you are awake, we must hurry the Council will start within three hours."
"Three hours? What's the hurry, three hours is plenty of time to get ready."
Apparently Arwen thought otherwise. "We have to get you a suitable dress, fix your hair, you have to get some breakfast and I am sure there are other things I will think of as we prepare you for the Council." Arwen started to yank the sheets from Rita and pulled her up and pushed her to the bathroom.
Rita's head was spinning. "Arwen girl you have got to calm down, I mean we got me ready yesterday now didn't we, and we had less time. So everything will be fine, you'll see."
Arwen relaxed a little "I suppose you are right, I am being silly to be so hasty but you have to understand that the Council is about a grave matter, one that could destroy all of our futures."
*Ah, she knows about the ring as well, maybe I can find out more from her then that I did from Pippin* "Arwen, what is the big deal anyway, I mean what is this grave matter you are talking about. Is it about a war or something cause that's something that could destroy the future."
"I can not say Rita, it is not my place. I do promise you that all your questions will be answered in a few hours. Now go and get cleaned up, then I shall pick out your dress."
Rita went in the bathroom where the bath was once again filled with water. She slipped in and started to clean her hair as she was thinking. *She was no big help, now I have to wait for that council, God I hate waiting. If you expect something time seems to slow down and..*
Again a knock interrupted her. "Rita are you ready yet, i have picked out a dress for you."
*Grr, can't a girl get some time to think around here. This has to be the zillionth time my thoughts were..*
"Rita" Arwen once again said from behind the door, impatience in her voice though she tried to hide it.
*See* "Coming Arwen, I'm almost ready." Rita climbed out of the tub and hastily dried herself of. She wrapped the towel around her and walked in the room. Once in the room the same ritual as the day before was performed. Arwen quickly dressed her, combed her hair and was guiding her to the diningroom once again.
In the diningroom Arwen excused herself and walked away, towards a man Rita hadn't seen yet. *Hmm, wonder who he is, Arwen was sure in a hurry to get to him.* She spotted Pippin and Frodo, together with two other hobbits, Frodo waved her over so she decided to sit with them.
"Good morning Rita" Frodo warmly said. "I would like you to meet my companions."
"Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee." Rita finished for him.
All the hobbits save Pippin looked shocked. "How did you know that?" awe could be heard in Frodo's voice.
"Simple I had a little run-in with one of you last night and we had a little chat." Rita gave Pippin a wink, silently telling him not to tell their little secret. To her delight pippin winked back. "Well Master Took, how are you this fine morning?"
"Oh I'm just fine Lady Saunders, how are you?"
"Fine too Pippin, but I thought I told you to call me Rita, all that Lady stuff makes me a little uncomfortable. That goes for all of you." Rita turned to the other three hobbits who were still in shock "Just call me Rita."
"Nice to meet you Rita, my name is Meriadoc but you can call me Merry and here beside me is Sam. I can't say I had heard about you though" Merry shot a mock glare towards his two cousins. "Or I'd remembered you."
Rita smiled, she could see that the four hobbits cared deeply for eachother. She looked at Frodo who was currently drinking a glass of juice. "Frodo, do you know what this council is about that Elrond wants me to go to, I don't understand it. You're going too right, or did I understand that wrong yesterday?"
Frodo nearly choked on his drink and started to cough. "No, no you understood correctly Rita but I fear that it is not a matter that can be discussed in public. I believe it is better to wait for the Council."
Inwardly Rita sighed *Still no answer, they are sure mysterious here* but nodded anyway. She glanced at Pippin who was very focused on his breakfast. *He must be worried I'll betray their plan* She decided to change the subject. "Tell me about yourselves, until last night I had no idea hobbits existed."
That certainly broke the silence as the hobbits started to chatter, all trying to tell her something at the same time. They noticed this soon though and took turns telling her about themselves, their families and most importantly about the Shire.
It sounded so nice to Rita, the voices of the hobbits were full of love as they talked about the creak and the trees and everything else that one could find in the Shire. *Must be nice to love your home like that, I wish I could say the same thing about myself*
They talked for hours and were interrupted by a bell. "What's that?" Rita asked.
"It is the bell which announces the Council" was the answer she got from Frodo "We must get on our way Rita, will you give me the pleasure of escorting you there?"
"Why of course, it's not like I know where to go anyway."
"I'm sorry we have to leave you.." Frodo said to nothing but air. "Where did they go, they were here a second ago."
*They must have gone to find a place to hide, I hope they found a good one* "I don't know Frodo but shouldn't we be going." Rita tried to distract him and she was happy to see that it worked.
"Yes, yes, it's this way just follow me." With that Frodo led her through different hallways and towards an open area.
A circle of chairs were in that area, all around a chair looking like a throne. *I guess the leader type will sit there, probably Elrond* All seats were already filled, Rita and Frodo were the last to arrive. Rita looked around and saw some familiar faces. Of course there was Frodo, but also Elrond who sat on the big chair as Rita had expected. Elladan and Elrohir were on his sides, one on the left and one on the right. Next to Frodo sat the wizard she had met called Gandalf, and she could also see Legolas and Boromir. All the others she didn't recognize.
Then Elrond started to speak. "Strangers from distant lands, 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." He pointed towards the pedestal "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo rise and laid the Ring on the pedestal and returned to his seat. Rita heard people starting to whisper. She could Boromir say "So it is true... " but she didn't know id he meant to say it out loud. Also she could hear somebody whisper "The Doom of Men" but she didn't understand what was meant by that.
Suddenly Boromir rose from his seat "It is a gift. 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!"
Rita still didn't understood what was so special about this ring. *How can a ring help in a war?*
Another man stood up. *Hey that's the guy Arwen went to this morning* He interrupted Boromir in his speech "You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
*Who is this Sauron dude, maybe he's the Dark Lord Elladan told me about.* Rita didn't have a lot of time to think because Boromir started to talk again.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas jumped up while saying "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Rita could see Boromir was astonished *What's do special about that title?* she wondered, but her question would soon be answered as she continued to listen to the conversation.
"Aragorn?" Boromir said "This... is Isildur's heir?"
Legolas nodded and added "And heir to the throne of Gondor."
*Whoa, a king. Go Arwen, she actually snared a king. At least I think she snared a king, they were looking all lovey dovey this morning*
"Havo dad Legolas" she heard Aragorn say. *Wonder what that means* Rita thought before Boromir started to talk again.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." And he returned to his seat. *Well that sounds bitter*
Gandalf decided to mingle with the discussion as well "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
"You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." This came from Elrond who was trying to be the voice of reason, or so Rita thought.
A small hairy and weird looking guy stood up and almost yelled "What are we waiting for?" He grabbed an axe and hit the Ring with full force but fell flat back on the ground.
Rita saw Frodo wince as if he were in pain and then saw that the Ring was still intact, pieces of the axe all around it. *Ok, so it's a very strong ring and it's supposedly evil and..*
She swore she could here the wing whisper *Now THAT'S weird, I must be going out of my mind here* She didn't pay a lot of attention as Elrond started to talk again.
"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."
*So the funny dude is Gimli* Rita tried to memorize all the names she heard as Elrond continued. " One of you must do this."
Everybody was silent. *Well that doesn't make it any easier*
Boromir broke the silence with words that weren't very positive "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And 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!"
Legolas stood up "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed! "
Then Gimli leaped up as well "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?! "
With Legolas and Gimli standing Boromir rose up as well. Rita could clearly see he was getting pissed. "And if we fail, what then?! What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!"
Gimli started to yell "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" *Ok so what is the problem here, oh right Arwen told me, dwarves and elves have been fighting for like forever* "Never trust an elf! "
Everybody started to argue, even Gandalf started to get involved "Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it!"
Rita was staring at them as they were fighting. It was like watching little kids fighting over a toy, only a little more serious. She was the only one still sitting besides Frodo. He was looking at the ring for a long time before he too leaped up."I will take it! I will take it!" his voice could hardly be heard over the fight.
The argument died down and the members of the council slowly turn towards Frodo. "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though-- I do not know the way." The latter part almost sounded like a whisper to Rita. *That is one brave hobbit, lucky me I don't have to get involved in this. Why did Elrond want me here anyway, it's not like this had something to do with me*
Gandalf walked towards Frodo and said "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear." This seemed the cue for others to volunteer as well as Aragorn rose as well "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." This came from Legolas, not even a second later Gimli could be heard "And my axe!" as he looked grimly at Legolas. Boromir walked over to the group as well "You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
Suddenly Sam jumped out of the bushes. "Heh! Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!" Rita could see the amused look at Elrond's face as he said "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not. "
Rita had to stop herself from giggling as Pippin and Merry emerged from behind the pillars to join them as well calling "Wait! We are coming too!" *I guess they found good places to hide, God look at Elrond, I wonder if he can rise his eyebrows higher then that*
She heard Merry say "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us! " Pippin tried to find a good reason for them to come but blundered as he spoke "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest... thing. " Merry sighed at his cousin's words "Well that rules you out Pip."
Elrond nodded at the group. "Very well, you shall all go, but I want to make an addition to this group. I believe that Lady Rita Saunders should accompany you as well."
Rita's mouth fell open. *Did he just say, no I must have heard wrong, what possible reason could there for me to go* Apparently Boromir felt the same way "But she is a female, what could she add to this quest, she would be nothing but a burden."
She would have yelled at him for his choice of words if she hadn't been so shocked. Even more shocked as Elrond said that he had a reason for his choice.
"Lady Rita fell out of the sky from a different world at this crucial time, this must be a sign from the Valar telling us she has an important task in this quest. I spoke of this with Gandalf yesterday and he too agreed. The Valar work in mysterious ways Boromir son of Denethor, but it does not make them any less wise. We must honor their decision and send her with you."
Boromir backed down and Elrond continued. "Now you will not depart from Rivendell immediately so there will be time to train Lady Rita in swordmanship. I hope you will all act properly and will aid her in this training." Then he turned and left, others following him.
Rita was still in her seat mouth hanging open as Gandalf gently touched her shoulder. "There, there child, do not look so astonished, Elrond was a bit direct but he was right you know."
At Gandalf's touch Rita awoke from her daze "But I, I, I am barely 18, I know nothing about fighting or about saving the world. How could I help." Realization dawned upon her. "And Elrond didn't even ask, no, he just assumed I would agree and that's it, God I didn't even get a say in this. You know what, to hell with this I'm not going. I'm NOT!!"
"Calm yourself Lady Rita" it was Aragorn this time who spoke "I am certain Lord Elrond meant you no harm by not asking you, if both he and Gandalf think it is wise to bring you along then you have no other choice but to listen to them, for they are both very wise."
"Wise my ass" Rita yelled, her cheeks turning red as she got more angered "Just because I'm from a different world and are supposed to be a gift from, the what.. the Valar, doesn't mean they can decide this for me. I mean there are orcs out there if I heard correctly and I'm NOT going to go fight them, I already had my fair share of them and I almost died, so don't give me that shit."
"I am aware of your experiences with the orcs Lady Rita, but I fear there is no other way" Gandalf tried to reason with her.
Rita panted and opened her mouth to yell at him again when she was interrupted by the soft voice of Frodo. "If it is not Rita's will, we can not force her Gandalf. Were it not for my sense of responsibility towards the Ring, I would not have gone either. It is a dangerous journey and it is not your choice to make, Rita must choose herself."
Hearing Frodo's voice Rita calmed down a bit and as she looked at him she saw a look in his eyes that chilled her to the bone, it was the same look carol used to have, one of compassion and of sorrow. *He has the same look as carol, God the same look in his eyes, is that a sign? What if Elrond and Gandalf are right, what if I don't go and this world will be destroyed, what will I do then?* She made a decision right there and then "Fine I will go but only for you Frodo, cause you are too nice to handle that thing by your own" and with those words she stormed of, leaving the others to gape after her.
A/N: I decided to go by the movie for the council cause the book is just too complicated to describe so don't hurt me!!! And I'm sorry if I made Elrond seem a bit..pushy but I had to find a way to make Rita go with the fellowship and I didn't want to make her volunteer, that would be so boring. Anyway let me know what you think of this chapter
Bina: thanks for reading my fic again, hope you liked the cookie ;) Here's the council so enjoy
Hoshikolzumi: glad you liked it, I also thought it would be different if she was found by Elladan. hope you'll like this chap too
DISCLAIMER: Tolkien lives on....inside me *bwahahaha* No serious, all characters you recognize from the book are his, Rita is mine though.
Everything between *these things* are Rita's thoughts.
Rita woke up early that morning, very anxious for the council to start because she was full of questions, especially after Pippin's explanation for it. *What could one tiny ring do, it's not like it's alive or something. I'll just have to wait and see. I still don't get Elrond though, what could I possibly have to do with this thing, I'm not even 18 yet.*
A sharp knock on the door broke her train of thoughts, Arwen stuck her head through the opening. "O good you are awake, we must hurry the Council will start within three hours."
"Three hours? What's the hurry, three hours is plenty of time to get ready."
Apparently Arwen thought otherwise. "We have to get you a suitable dress, fix your hair, you have to get some breakfast and I am sure there are other things I will think of as we prepare you for the Council." Arwen started to yank the sheets from Rita and pulled her up and pushed her to the bathroom.
Rita's head was spinning. "Arwen girl you have got to calm down, I mean we got me ready yesterday now didn't we, and we had less time. So everything will be fine, you'll see."
Arwen relaxed a little "I suppose you are right, I am being silly to be so hasty but you have to understand that the Council is about a grave matter, one that could destroy all of our futures."
*Ah, she knows about the ring as well, maybe I can find out more from her then that I did from Pippin* "Arwen, what is the big deal anyway, I mean what is this grave matter you are talking about. Is it about a war or something cause that's something that could destroy the future."
"I can not say Rita, it is not my place. I do promise you that all your questions will be answered in a few hours. Now go and get cleaned up, then I shall pick out your dress."
Rita went in the bathroom where the bath was once again filled with water. She slipped in and started to clean her hair as she was thinking. *She was no big help, now I have to wait for that council, God I hate waiting. If you expect something time seems to slow down and..*
Again a knock interrupted her. "Rita are you ready yet, i have picked out a dress for you."
*Grr, can't a girl get some time to think around here. This has to be the zillionth time my thoughts were..*
"Rita" Arwen once again said from behind the door, impatience in her voice though she tried to hide it.
*See* "Coming Arwen, I'm almost ready." Rita climbed out of the tub and hastily dried herself of. She wrapped the towel around her and walked in the room. Once in the room the same ritual as the day before was performed. Arwen quickly dressed her, combed her hair and was guiding her to the diningroom once again.
In the diningroom Arwen excused herself and walked away, towards a man Rita hadn't seen yet. *Hmm, wonder who he is, Arwen was sure in a hurry to get to him.* She spotted Pippin and Frodo, together with two other hobbits, Frodo waved her over so she decided to sit with them.
"Good morning Rita" Frodo warmly said. "I would like you to meet my companions."
"Peregrin Took, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Samwise Gamgee." Rita finished for him.
All the hobbits save Pippin looked shocked. "How did you know that?" awe could be heard in Frodo's voice.
"Simple I had a little run-in with one of you last night and we had a little chat." Rita gave Pippin a wink, silently telling him not to tell their little secret. To her delight pippin winked back. "Well Master Took, how are you this fine morning?"
"Oh I'm just fine Lady Saunders, how are you?"
"Fine too Pippin, but I thought I told you to call me Rita, all that Lady stuff makes me a little uncomfortable. That goes for all of you." Rita turned to the other three hobbits who were still in shock "Just call me Rita."
"Nice to meet you Rita, my name is Meriadoc but you can call me Merry and here beside me is Sam. I can't say I had heard about you though" Merry shot a mock glare towards his two cousins. "Or I'd remembered you."
Rita smiled, she could see that the four hobbits cared deeply for eachother. She looked at Frodo who was currently drinking a glass of juice. "Frodo, do you know what this council is about that Elrond wants me to go to, I don't understand it. You're going too right, or did I understand that wrong yesterday?"
Frodo nearly choked on his drink and started to cough. "No, no you understood correctly Rita but I fear that it is not a matter that can be discussed in public. I believe it is better to wait for the Council."
Inwardly Rita sighed *Still no answer, they are sure mysterious here* but nodded anyway. She glanced at Pippin who was very focused on his breakfast. *He must be worried I'll betray their plan* She decided to change the subject. "Tell me about yourselves, until last night I had no idea hobbits existed."
That certainly broke the silence as the hobbits started to chatter, all trying to tell her something at the same time. They noticed this soon though and took turns telling her about themselves, their families and most importantly about the Shire.
It sounded so nice to Rita, the voices of the hobbits were full of love as they talked about the creak and the trees and everything else that one could find in the Shire. *Must be nice to love your home like that, I wish I could say the same thing about myself*
They talked for hours and were interrupted by a bell. "What's that?" Rita asked.
"It is the bell which announces the Council" was the answer she got from Frodo "We must get on our way Rita, will you give me the pleasure of escorting you there?"
"Why of course, it's not like I know where to go anyway."
"I'm sorry we have to leave you.." Frodo said to nothing but air. "Where did they go, they were here a second ago."
*They must have gone to find a place to hide, I hope they found a good one* "I don't know Frodo but shouldn't we be going." Rita tried to distract him and she was happy to see that it worked.
"Yes, yes, it's this way just follow me." With that Frodo led her through different hallways and towards an open area.
A circle of chairs were in that area, all around a chair looking like a throne. *I guess the leader type will sit there, probably Elrond* All seats were already filled, Rita and Frodo were the last to arrive. Rita looked around and saw some familiar faces. Of course there was Frodo, but also Elrond who sat on the big chair as Rita had expected. Elladan and Elrohir were on his sides, one on the left and one on the right. Next to Frodo sat the wizard she had met called Gandalf, and she could also see Legolas and Boromir. All the others she didn't recognize.
Then Elrond started to speak. "Strangers from distant lands, 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." He pointed towards the pedestal "Bring forth the Ring, Frodo."
Frodo rise and laid the Ring on the pedestal and returned to his seat. Rita heard people starting to whisper. She could Boromir say "So it is true... " but she didn't know id he meant to say it out loud. Also she could hear somebody whisper "The Doom of Men" but she didn't understand what was meant by that.
Suddenly Boromir rose from his seat "It is a gift. 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!"
Rita still didn't understood what was so special about this ring. *How can a ring help in a war?*
Another man stood up. *Hey that's the guy Arwen went to this morning* He interrupted Boromir in his speech "You cannot wield it! None of us can. The One Ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master."
*Who is this Sauron dude, maybe he's the Dark Lord Elladan told me about.* Rita didn't have a lot of time to think because Boromir started to talk again.
"And what would a ranger know of this matter?"
Legolas jumped up while saying "This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance."
Rita could see Boromir was astonished *What's do special about that title?* she wondered, but her question would soon be answered as she continued to listen to the conversation.
"Aragorn?" Boromir said "This... is Isildur's heir?"
Legolas nodded and added "And heir to the throne of Gondor."
*Whoa, a king. Go Arwen, she actually snared a king. At least I think she snared a king, they were looking all lovey dovey this morning*
"Havo dad Legolas" she heard Aragorn say. *Wonder what that means* Rita thought before Boromir started to talk again.
"Gondor has no king. Gondor needs no king." And he returned to his seat. *Well that sounds bitter*
Gandalf decided to mingle with the discussion as well "Aragorn is right. We cannot use it."
"You have only one choice. The Ring must be destroyed." This came from Elrond who was trying to be the voice of reason, or so Rita thought.
A small hairy and weird looking guy stood up and almost yelled "What are we waiting for?" He grabbed an axe and hit the Ring with full force but fell flat back on the ground.
Rita saw Frodo wince as if he were in pain and then saw that the Ring was still intact, pieces of the axe all around it. *Ok, so it's a very strong ring and it's supposedly evil and..*
She swore she could here the wing whisper *Now THAT'S weird, I must be going out of my mind here* She didn't pay a lot of attention as Elrond started to talk again.
"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."
*So the funny dude is Gimli* Rita tried to memorize all the names she heard as Elrond continued. " One of you must do this."
Everybody was silent. *Well that doesn't make it any easier*
Boromir broke the silence with words that weren't very positive "One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more than just orcs. There is evil there that does not sleep. And 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!"
Legolas stood up "Have you heard nothing Lord Elrond has said? The Ring must be destroyed! "
Then Gimli leaped up as well "And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?! "
With Legolas and Gimli standing Boromir rose up as well. Rita could clearly see he was getting pissed. "And if we fail, what then?! What happens when Sauron takes back what is his?!"
Gimli started to yell "I will be dead before I see the Ring in the hands of an elf!" *Ok so what is the problem here, oh right Arwen told me, dwarves and elves have been fighting for like forever* "Never trust an elf! "
Everybody started to argue, even Gandalf started to get involved "Do you not understand that while we bicker amongst ourselves, Sauron's power grows?! None can escape it!"
Rita was staring at them as they were fighting. It was like watching little kids fighting over a toy, only a little more serious. She was the only one still sitting besides Frodo. He was looking at the ring for a long time before he too leaped up."I will take it! I will take it!" his voice could hardly be heard over the fight.
The argument died down and the members of the council slowly turn towards Frodo. "I will take the Ring to Mordor. Though-- I do not know the way." The latter part almost sounded like a whisper to Rita. *That is one brave hobbit, lucky me I don't have to get involved in this. Why did Elrond want me here anyway, it's not like this had something to do with me*
Gandalf walked towards Frodo and said "I will help you bear this burden, Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear." This seemed the cue for others to volunteer as well as Aragorn rose as well "If by my life or death, I can protect you, I will. You have my sword."
"And you have my bow." This came from Legolas, not even a second later Gimli could be heard "And my axe!" as he looked grimly at Legolas. Boromir walked over to the group as well "You carry the fates of us all little one. If this is indeed the will of the council, then Gondor will see it done."
Suddenly Sam jumped out of the bushes. "Heh! Mr. Frodo is not goin' anywhere without me!" Rita could see the amused look at Elrond's face as he said "No indeed, it is hardly possible to separate you even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not. "
Rita had to stop herself from giggling as Pippin and Merry emerged from behind the pillars to join them as well calling "Wait! We are coming too!" *I guess they found good places to hide, God look at Elrond, I wonder if he can rise his eyebrows higher then that*
She heard Merry say "You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us! " Pippin tried to find a good reason for them to come but blundered as he spoke "Anyway you need people of intelligence on this sort of mission, quest... thing. " Merry sighed at his cousin's words "Well that rules you out Pip."
Elrond nodded at the group. "Very well, you shall all go, but I want to make an addition to this group. I believe that Lady Rita Saunders should accompany you as well."
Rita's mouth fell open. *Did he just say, no I must have heard wrong, what possible reason could there for me to go* Apparently Boromir felt the same way "But she is a female, what could she add to this quest, she would be nothing but a burden."
She would have yelled at him for his choice of words if she hadn't been so shocked. Even more shocked as Elrond said that he had a reason for his choice.
"Lady Rita fell out of the sky from a different world at this crucial time, this must be a sign from the Valar telling us she has an important task in this quest. I spoke of this with Gandalf yesterday and he too agreed. The Valar work in mysterious ways Boromir son of Denethor, but it does not make them any less wise. We must honor their decision and send her with you."
Boromir backed down and Elrond continued. "Now you will not depart from Rivendell immediately so there will be time to train Lady Rita in swordmanship. I hope you will all act properly and will aid her in this training." Then he turned and left, others following him.
Rita was still in her seat mouth hanging open as Gandalf gently touched her shoulder. "There, there child, do not look so astonished, Elrond was a bit direct but he was right you know."
At Gandalf's touch Rita awoke from her daze "But I, I, I am barely 18, I know nothing about fighting or about saving the world. How could I help." Realization dawned upon her. "And Elrond didn't even ask, no, he just assumed I would agree and that's it, God I didn't even get a say in this. You know what, to hell with this I'm not going. I'm NOT!!"
"Calm yourself Lady Rita" it was Aragorn this time who spoke "I am certain Lord Elrond meant you no harm by not asking you, if both he and Gandalf think it is wise to bring you along then you have no other choice but to listen to them, for they are both very wise."
"Wise my ass" Rita yelled, her cheeks turning red as she got more angered "Just because I'm from a different world and are supposed to be a gift from, the what.. the Valar, doesn't mean they can decide this for me. I mean there are orcs out there if I heard correctly and I'm NOT going to go fight them, I already had my fair share of them and I almost died, so don't give me that shit."
"I am aware of your experiences with the orcs Lady Rita, but I fear there is no other way" Gandalf tried to reason with her.
Rita panted and opened her mouth to yell at him again when she was interrupted by the soft voice of Frodo. "If it is not Rita's will, we can not force her Gandalf. Were it not for my sense of responsibility towards the Ring, I would not have gone either. It is a dangerous journey and it is not your choice to make, Rita must choose herself."
Hearing Frodo's voice Rita calmed down a bit and as she looked at him she saw a look in his eyes that chilled her to the bone, it was the same look carol used to have, one of compassion and of sorrow. *He has the same look as carol, God the same look in his eyes, is that a sign? What if Elrond and Gandalf are right, what if I don't go and this world will be destroyed, what will I do then?* She made a decision right there and then "Fine I will go but only for you Frodo, cause you are too nice to handle that thing by your own" and with those words she stormed of, leaving the others to gape after her.
A/N: I decided to go by the movie for the council cause the book is just too complicated to describe so don't hurt me!!! And I'm sorry if I made Elrond seem a bit..pushy but I had to find a way to make Rita go with the fellowship and I didn't want to make her volunteer, that would be so boring. Anyway let me know what you think of this chapter