Thank you sooo much, Isilme'sStar…your review meant more than words can say! I know my story strays from what is expected, but I believe that is the point of fan fiction…taking something you love and somehow making it your own…I appreciate your open-mindedness. I hope you'll enjoy my updates and keep reading as more come along! Thanks again!

The story of Elenion is based on the Lord of the Rings movies, directed by Peter Jackson. The characters, with the exception of Elenion, belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. Elenion is a character all my own. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 9: Morning of the Secret Council

Elenion awoke from a deep slumber in her quarters in Rivendell. The dream had been so real this time. He had been there, she remembered his eyes, his hair, and normally she remembered his words, but this time, he had only said one word.

"Soon," he said, almost promisingly. She sat up in her bed and threw her covers back, rising to her feet and strolling over to gaze out at the beauty that was Rivendell, and a thought came to her.

"Today is the day…..Elrond's council…," she said softly to herself. She dressed in a hurry and ran to find Arwen, but her elven friend was nowhere to be found. Stress building up inside her, she chose to look for her father instead. She came to his doorway but stopped dead in her tracks when she heard the stern tone his voice had taken on. She began to breathe even more lightly and quieted her thoughts. He would sense her presence otherwise, and now was apparently not the time to disturb him. She turned silently on her heel to leave, but heard her father's words.

"His treachery goes beyond what you know, Elrond."

"Saruman..," she said, so softly that even the keenest elf wouldn't have heard her if they'd been right next to her. This was a fairy trait she had gained from her mother. Fairies had keen ears, and could hear anything going on around them. At times, for Elenion, this trait was overpowering. It was hard to quiet all the sounds her ears picked up. She focused back on the story Gandalf was sharing with Elrond. Her guilty conscience got the best of her. Had he wanted her there, she would have been invited. It was honorable enough to be invited to the council. It was disgraceful and disrespectful to eavesdrop.

She made haste down the hall once she was out of earshot of Elrond and Gandalf, but as she rounded the corner, Aragorn and Arwen came into view. She hurriedly took refuge behind a statue and went invisible, wishing not to disturb their meeting. She stepped back around the corner and headed in the opposite direction, still looking over her shoulder. She hoped they hadn't known of her presence and did not want to be seen as a spy. Looking behind her and still invisible, she finally turned to look where she was headed, but looked too late.

She felt a sharp pang course through her torso as she collided with something full force. She fell back on the floor with a thud, and she heard her opponent do the same. She quickly became visible again before looking to see who she had run into, not wanting to confuse anyone or have to explain her power. As she was fixing her dress, she saw a hand descend to her chin. Her head was raised to look at him as he bent over her, smoothing a few strands of loose hair away from her face as he asked, "Are you okay? Did I hurt you? I'm sorry, I should have been watching."

Elenion felt like a heel. Of course he didn't see her, she was sneaking around invisibly. "I am fine," she answered quickly, grabbing his wrists and making him stop inspecting her. It was her fault, not his. She looked up into his eyes, truly seeing them for the first time. "Really, I'm fine…I was just….," she stopped as he stared back at her.

"Why do you stop," he asked. She studied him for a second. "Do I….never mind," she blurted out. Of course she didn't know him, she'd never seen him before in her life. She began to stand up.

"Oh, forgive me," he said softly, offering his hand to her. She took it and half-smiled at him.

"Thank you," she said as she brushed herself off.

"What is your name," he asked, making friendly conversation. She looked up at him and held his gaze, which made him smile and look away, but only for a second. He had the most beautiful eyes. She smiled back.

"My name is El--," she started, but the existing harmony was broken.

"Elenion Telumendil, what has become of you," she heard Gandalf ask as he walked up. She only then realized how disheveled she must have looked. Hair everywhere from sleep, while also running around searching for Arwen and her father, then she bumped into….she hadn't gotten his name. She turned to face Gandalf.

"Oh, I….took a spill here in the hall, but I'm fine, father," she sighed, casting a glance at the man beside her and half rolled her eyes. It was then that she realized he wasn't a man at all, but an elf.

"Well, you look a fright," Gandalf said with a slight laugh. "You might want to run along and ready yourself for this afternoon."

He grabbed her arm, they said their goodbyes to the nameless elf and hurried up to her room.

"I know not what to wear for this kind of occasion, father," Elenion confessed. Gandalf helped her pick out a dress and left to allow her changing time. She emerged and he nodded at her. "Very nice," he said, with a smile. She smiled back at him. Her dress was a rich velveteen burgundy. The neck was in a slight V, and trimmed in gold and black patterns which matched the arm cuffs and the waist band. The sleeves fell in full drapes and lingered down her sides and the back was laced up through eyelets. The length was just long enough to cover her feet, but not so long that she would trip over the flowing material as she walked. Gandalf slipped an arm around her shoulders.

"Are you ready for this," he asked. Elenion looked at him. "How much is there to be ready for? It's just a council, father…," she smiled at him, revealing not what was really on her mind. Today, she would see the ring. She would see Frodo, Aragorn, and Boromir. She did not know who else was coming, but she sensed something about this council. Something strange she couldn't define, so she didn't even attempt to warn Gandalf of the feeling in her heart.

They left her chambers and headed out of the corridor. They were to walk the path to Imladris, where the secret council was being held.