A/N: If this chapter seems somewhat short. Know this: This and chapter nine are actually the same chapter but I just split them in half I realized that if I didn't it would be ginormous! So expect the other half sometime later this week. And if you are an Austin Powers or Star Trek fan check out my new fic. Other than that I hope that you enjoy this chapter.
Dark Angel46: Yes that is a very interesting question…Where is Jean anyway? I'll answer that question in the next chapter. But the question that you should really be asking is Where is Cable? Thanks for the review.
Nienna of Sorrow: I'm really glad that your enjoying this fic. And as far as Harry Potter and Gollum go. I'm currently going over the chapters that I think will be important from Chamber of Secrets. I hope to be able to update by the end of the week, but we'll see. Basically I just want to make sure I'm giving the story some kind of direction before I just go and start writing random things. I mean I can only have Gollum attack someone so many times. He's capable of more. Oh yeess precious much more…I mean yeah… story…update…soon.
LDS-Sunshinegirl: Oh is that how it works? Alright I'll be sure to tell you about this chapter. I personally thought that you had just decided that it was crap and didn't want to read it. Anyway I'm thrilled to know that the opposite is true. Yeah things are going to get a lot more interesting now that Gandalf's back. Anyway thanks for the review. And the e-card.
Chapter 8
The Council of Galadriel
"Peter where are you?" Kitty's voice came from the darkness.
"I am here," Colossus' replied "I cannot see a thing! Is everyone else here."
"Yes," Xavier's voice came, "I can sense you all."
"Well that's good news." Psylocke said "Now if we had an idea of where we bloody are!"
There suddenly was a light as Beast switched on a flash light that he had retrieved from his bag. The light illuminated the narrow stone passage way that surrounded them. "Actually I think that I may know. However I pray that I am incorrect. If you would recall Frodo told us that he was transferred from his time to ours while they were in the middle of a battle inside a massive underground mine."
"That's right," Xavier confirmed. "I remember seeing it when I read Frodo's mind. I believe it is called Moria."
"Correct me if I am wrong," Havoc said causing himself to be seen by creating an aura of plasma yellow light around himself "But isn't this 'Moria' place supposedly full of orcs?"
"Filled to brimming," Beast said, shinning his flash light in the other mutants face "Which is what makes me hope that we are not in Moria."
"Whether we are or are not is something that we will have to discuss later," Xavier said "Right now we must focus our attentions on finding our comrades."
"Then lets get going," Colossus said turning on his own flashlight, and shining it either way, revealing that the passage way led either direction. "The only question is: Which way first?"
"At this point it doesn't matter," Xavier said then finally he pointed "That way is as good as any. The sooner we are out of this cave the better chance we have of finding the other x-men. Alex you lead the way and Colossus will take the rear."
Havoc did as he was told and began making his way that the Professor had indicated soon all the mutants fell in line and they began to walk slowly behind each other. After a while Shadowcat spoke.
"Sir," she said to Professor Xavier "How exactly do you plan on finding the others? They could be anywhere."
"Very true Katherine," Xavier replied "That is why I wish to leave this cavern. I know that Scott always carries a communicator. With luck it will still be active, and we will be able to get a signal once we are outside. Beyond that I can try to contact them telepathically but I will have to try that once I can afford to take this suit off as it taxes my abilities greatly."
"How can we not be sure that they are no longer in this mine?" Psylocke asked.
"We cannot," Beast commented "But I think that the Professor will concur that it is highly unlikely that they would remain here as it is a very inhospitable place."
"True," Xavier agreed
"Quiet," Havoc's voice came from the front, "I can see a light ahead."
The rest of the X-men strained to see, Psylocke started leaning over Beast to get a better look but then stopped and slapped him in the back of the head.
"Let's try to keep our minds on the job. Shall we, love?" She snapped with a voice that was mixed between playfulness and annoyance.
"Telepaths…"Beast grumbled to himself, but it soon became apparent that Havoc was right as they could see a magnificent yellow light growing closer to them. They soon saw that it was in fact a doorway. Finally they came to it. The x-men let out a collective gasp as they entered the massive well lit room.
"Oh my stars and garters," Beast said.
"Boshi mo!" Colossus added
"I think that you took the words right out of our mouths." Shadowcat managed.
Before them was a massive hall chiseled in the stone with many geometric shapes, and all around was a massive storage of gold. More gold than any of them had ever imagined. It filled almost every square inch of the chamber. But not only gold but precious metal and stones of every sort. Along one wall was a row of finely crafted armor, and weapons each more elaborate than the next.
"What is this place?" Havoc said in awe.
"I do not know?" Xavier said in an equally exhilarated tone of voice "From what I remember of Frodo's memories I never saw anything like this!"
"Sir," Psylocke suddenly said "There are sentient beings just beyond that great door. Can you sense them?"
Xavier looked as if he was concentrating somewhat then he finally smiled somewhat "Yes, Betsy I can sense them. They appear to be…"
"Dwarves!" the British mutant said with a smile.
"Then we have nothing to worry about!" Shadowcat smiled "They'll help us."
"No Kitty," Beast said "This is bad, We have just appeared in the middle of a dwarven treasury. And Dwarves don't take too kindly for intruders, especially when they're gold is concerned."
As if waiting for Beast to say this, the great doors suddenly burst open, and several armored dwarves rushed in, each armed with large battle axes. Havoc had immediately brought his arms up in a preparatory fighting stance, ready to blast any dwarves who attacked, but Xavier stopped him. Trying to avoid a fight if at all possible. Psylocke also grasped the hilt of her katana, prepared for anything.
"Summon King Dain!" one of the dwarves hollered down the hallway. "There are intruders under the Lonely mountain!"
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
"Friends and Guests alike," Celeborn said in an even tone. "We have gathered together to help answer the new threat of Middle-Earth. Even as we speak the darkness that began in the black pits of Angband, is spreading like a pestilence. It will not stop until it consumes all within it's path. Until now we believed that our principal doom lay in the one Ring, and while it's destruction remains the primary focal point of our fate, a new menace has arisen. For one of your own as well as the Lady of the Wood have seen it."
Cyclops looked around. In a large circle were his teammates, each now dressed in clothing that more befitted their present location. Haldir, Lord Celeborn, and Lady Galadriel…and Gandalf. Now dressed entirely in white, though Cyclops had not had much of a chance to get to know the wizard, in the short time that he had spent in x-mansion he had proved to be incredibly wise. Even giving Professor X some pointers. The mutant leader was now amazed at how amplified the feeling was now that Gandalf had returned.
That by no means meant that Cyclops was entirely happy to see the wizard. In the past weeks they had spent in Lorien, The mutant had had ample time to brood over Jean's death. The more he had thought about it the more he felt that Gandalf was to blame. It was the wizards fault that they had wound up in Moria in the first place and it was the visions of Gandalf that had weakened Jean so. And though he had never wished for Gandalf's death he couldn't help but feel that at least the instrument of Jeans demise was no longer around to threaten others.
As soon as the news of Gandalf's return had entered Lothlorien, the entire realm of the elves was astir. Nightcrawler had rushed to where they were all staying and announced that the wizard had returned. But they did not have time to speak as Gandalf had gone immediately to speak with the Lord and Lady of the wood.
To the elves, Gandalf's return had meant hope. Hope that they could still yet win against Sauron, hope that they would be able to retain their blessed realm. But to the x-men it meant something else. It meant that they could soon be returning home. As they knew that Gandalf had the power to do so. But to Cyclops the wizard was a reminder of what had happened in Moria. A memory that he did not want to have. Now they had been told that they might not be able to leave. Although he had been told briefly of Nightcrawler's vision the mutant leader still hadn't decided what to make of it. He couldn't imagine that the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants could find a way to come to this place. Especially because the portal was practically on the front doors of x-mansion.
Even so this had caused Galadriel to call upon them for a council, to decide whether they should be aloud to return or not. And now they were sitting in a circle speaking of they're doom. As Gandalf had called it when they had been summoned.
"Of all the plans that we have had, the destruction of the Ring, and the rise of Elessar are of the utmost importance. The mirror has now shown us a new jeopardy to these designs." Galadriel then spoke in her ethereal voice, causing Cyclops to pay attention one again. "Creatures just like yourselves have come to Middle-Earth. They seek the Ring and we believe that Elessar's life is now in danger from them as well.
"If these threats are not answered, then all will be lost." She said peering straight at Cyclops once again giving him the feeling that his mind was naked before her. "There is no doubt of what will occur. Against the ones that come, the Fellowship will fall. As will all land that Sauron has knowledge of. It can only be stopped if the Ringbearer can fulfill his quest. If the Fellowship can fullfill it's quest."
"If it still exists." Gandalf spoke finally.
Galadriel turned to him and nodded. "Yes," she agreed, "The Fellowship is breaking as we speak. I felt it when they came here and I fear that it is already finished. We cannot sit idly by and allow our last hope to die. These monsters must be stopped."
"And you wish us to do it?" Storm asked. "You wish for us to rescue the fellowship?"
Galadriel nodded "We have seen your immense power. Only your kind will be able to stop this torrent from destroying us."
"What about sending us home?" Cyclops asked suddenly, causing all eyes to fall upon him. "You're asking us to put our lives on the line for something that hasn't happened and for all we know won't happen."
"Scott," Nightcrawler said "Remember, I saw the vision. If we don't do this our friends will die!"
"Do you remember which mutants attacked them?" Cyclops challenged, "from what you told me the details were sketchy at best. You spoke of it as if it was a fading dream. If there were more proof that would be another thing. Yet they are asking us to stay in this place and put our lives on the line for it! We shouldn't be asked to make that sacrifice! We shouldn't even be here! This is a mess that they made," Cyclops scowled slightly and Gandalf "and now they are asking us to clean it up."
"I realized that you are bitter over your wife's death." Gandalf said sounding somewhat like Xavier scolding one of his pupils, "But you must put that aside for now. We know that it is a large task that we desire you to do, but we are asking you to make this sacrifice on behalf…"
"Did anyone ask Jean if she wanted to sacrifice herself!" Cyclops snapped rising from his chair, "Did anyone ask her if she wanted to come to Middle-earth and die! I'm sorry but we've made our sacrifices to your demands of protection! Or have you forgotten how we held off a whole army of orcs and nearly died doing so to protect that stupid Ring! We've paid our dues! I don't like to seem like I'm trying to get out of a responsibility, but I won't lose anyone else, to this world! That's my responsibility! Not go chasing after Aragorn and make sure he's not attacked by mutants who have no way of getting here!"
All in the counsel looked at him in amazement, coupled with anger by some and disappointment by others. Yet Cyclops folded his arms and stared back at them. With each moment growing more angry as if the wound of losing Jean had not only been reopened but widened and deepened.
"We cannot force you." Galadriel finally said "if you choose to leave you may do so. But we beg you to stay." beginning to turn away
"You don't need to beg." Wolverine said suddenly rising looking first to Cyclops angrily then to Galadriel. Taking a few steps before her the mutant bowed, "Say the word and I'll stay to help in anyway I can."
Cyclops was about protest and order Wolverine back to his seat, but was only able to gasp slightly as Storm then stood up and approached the elf queen.
"As will I," she said glancing at Cyclops briefly. "I will not abandon the Fellowship."
"Nor will I," Nightcrawler said rising from his seat and joining the other mutants and Galadriel's side.
Cyclops stared flabbergasted at them. Not knowing what to say or do. His teammates didn't even look at him. They're eyes were on Jubilee. The young mutant stood and took her place by Wolverine looking at Cyclops defiantly.
"If Merry and Pippin are in danger." She said "I'll be there."
Gandalf smiled widely as did Galadriel. Suddenly Storm broke away from the group and kneeled before the mutant leader.
"You are right Scott," she said taking his hand, "no one asked Jean if she wanted to come here and sacrifice herself but when the time came and she saw what had to be done. She did it. Not because she wanted to but because it was the right thing to do. As an x-man, as a mutant. Can't you see that she would have you do the same thing?"
Cyclops tried not to look into her eyes, knowing that they were expecting him to stand. Every part of him wanted to shut out the words he had just heard. Not wanting to feel the guilt that was welling up inside of him. Knowing that Jean would have been the first to volunteer if she had been present The mutant gazed away and made eye contact with Wolverine who nodded slightly at him. Slowly Cyclops could feel himself being led by the hand to the group until he stood directly in front of Galadriel. Without even looking at her he knew that the elf queen's eyes were reading his heart. Finally the mutant leader sighed deeply and looked to the elf as directly in the eyes as he could manage.
"For Jean," he said, Galadriel did not say anything but the smile that graced her lips spoke volumes. Cyclops managed a glance at Gandalf who mouthed the words "thank you"
"I knew that you would stay!" Jubilee cheered smiling brightly to Cyclops, making him feel somewhat better.
"So be it then." Galadriel smiled "Tomorrow you will set out on your quest! Rest tonight x-men, and may Illuvitar guide you."
The elf Queen turned to leave, but stopped as Jubilee called our her name.
"Just one question," the teenager said "Where are we going?"
A/N: Yeah I know that the last line is cheesy and has been done before but I couldn't resist. Anyway next time We find out about Sinister, Jean, and Xavier and his lot…and If you're really good We might actually catch up with the Fellowship! Okay well we probably will no matter what. Anyway one last thing. If anyone is interested (which I doubt) My story on is every bit as good as this one. If not better because I have a beta reader for that story. So it is awesome, and for those of you who are wondering. I will keep advertising it until I get someone to read it. Anyway catch ya all in the next update!
