A/N I am sorry for the wait. My computer has been a little bit mean to me lately and on top of that I couldn't bring myself to write. Anyway, here it is and I hope it gives you everything you want. I had real fun writing this so enjoy!. Ciao

Chapter 5

Many Meetings and the Council of Elrond

Ron could slowly feel himself waking up from the deep sleep that he had been in for days. Sun flowed through the windows meeting his still sensitive eyes. He winced at the bright light and tried to shield his face to no affect.

"Where am I?" he asked sleepily as he slowly regained his vision.

"You are in the House of Elrond," came a warm comforting voice. "and it is ten o'clock in the morning, on October the twenty-fourth if you want to know."

Ron could feel a smile on his face. In his chest his heart was beating with relief. "Gandalf!" he cried sitting up in bed to see the old wizard settled in a chair next to him.

The whole room was amazing. He lay in a large wooden bed that had runes carved into it. All around him where windows and magnificently carved wooden arches Though for Ron it would only be later on when he actually stepped out of his room that he would see the full grandeur of the place with its mountains surrounding it and the waterfalls. He would know then why it was called Rivendale.

Gandalf's eyes glowed with happiness to see the young hobbit smiling again as he took a puff of his pipe. "Yes, I am here" he said. "And you are lucking to be here too."

Ron was so relieved to see the wise man before him. All the thoughts of the past few weeks seemed to vanish from his thoughts, even the horrifying flight to the ford. Gandalf's presence was a comfort to him, one that he had been missing for a long time. As he looked at the old man something occurred to him though. "Gandalf, why didn't you meet us?" he asked suddenly. "what happened?"

Gandalf's eyes seemed to glaze over in contemplation. For what felt like the longest time he didn't say anything. "I was delayed" he said at last. He new Ron didn't buy the answer as he looked at him with suspicion in his eyes, but he didn't feel the need to worry the young lad….just yet.

"Well you have to tell me everything!" Ron said to him hysterically. "You can't just keep me guessing."

Gandalf gave a hearty little laugh. The look on Ron's face was one of complete innocence and trust, things not easily found in these dark times. "Do not worry my friend," cried the wizard. "you will know soon enough. But first things first" he said getting out of his chair.

"Where are you going!" Ron cried out. He didn't want to see Gandalf only to have him leave again. This only provoked more laughter out of him.

"Don't worry, you are safe." He went over to the door and turned back before he left. "I have to go tell them you are awake so that they can start preparing the feast for tonight." Ron's eyes immediately widened to twice their natural size. "And there is to be a council tomorrow. A very important affair that you will attend of course. Everyone is being gathered to decide what becomes of The Ring."

And then back to reality, thought Ron as his eyes returned to normal size, should have just stuck with the food.

¤ ¤

That night there was a great feast in honour of the safe delivery of The Ring and its barer. There was plenty of food and drink that flowed freely all night long sending everyone into good spirits. Apparently the elfish kitchens were endless.

Ron was feeling better and was very glad to see his friends again that afternoon before and during the feast. One thing that shocked him though, was the sight of Hermione. He almost didn't recognize her until Harry addressed her as so. She looked so much taller and much more confidant then the last time he had seen her. He almost couldn't believe that she was an elf. He was also surprised to find Bilbo as well. Though it had not be long since they had last seen one another Bilbo had aged greatly. His hair now completely white and his skin more aged and wrinkled.

Over all the whole night was a success, though Ron was highly disappointed when Harry told him that he was leaving. Even though Ron had insisted that he must stay Harry told him that he was tired and needed to sleep. He remained a little down after his friend left, but the kind elves and others didn't' allow him to stay that way for long. He was up in high spirits again when he realized that Hermione was no longer in the crowed of people. A question formed in the back of him mind but he did not pursue it, not on such a fine a night as this.

¤ ¤

Harry had thought himself tired as he left the warmth of the party but as he headed to his room he realized he was wide awake. It had been the silence that he had been searching for. A moment that he could just rest and think by him self without the others to see him. Alone he could let down the guards that he had up most of the time. Although he was quick to temper he had become good at hiding his emotions. So instead of heading to his room he decided on a different course not knowing where it would lead him.

Eventually he came upon a carved bench on the side of the walkway. He went over and sat down, savouring the silence that filled the air around him and peace of the moment.

It took but a few minutes before someone else came along the path to Harry's great annoyance.

He looked up to see a richly dressed man standing opposite of him looking at a mural on the wall. He was built heavy and strong and had light brown hair that ran to his shoulders. Harry could tell that this was a man of importance though he didn't know where he was from. He assumed he was there for the council that was going to be held the next day.

Not saying anything Harry let the stranger discover him. The man's blue eyes swept over him in an instant. Harry knew he wasn't impressed by the way he dressed in his dark worn cloths and could have cared less.

"You are no elf," came his deep voice after a few moments.

Harry just watched him. "Rangers are welcomed here," he replied.

The man before him gave the smallest laugh, "You are a ranger?"

"I am a friend to Gandalf," said Harry shortly.

"Well then we are here on a common purpose," said the man. "friend."

Harry watched as he moved towards a small statue that was erected on the side of the path. The man picked something up and Harry saw it to be a sward, though a strange one. It looked at if the top half of the blade had been cut from the bottom leaving it a jagged strange design.

"The blade that cut The Ring" the man said under his breath.

Harry drew in a sharp breath. Was that the blade? He couldn't believe that he had never known it, yet there it was. He looked on as the man continued to swing it about recklessly. In his heart Harry felt that the stranger should not even be touching the sward.

The man looked at Harry and suddenly became very serious. "It's nothing but a broken emblem" he said roughly, placing the sward back on the alter carelessly and turning to leave.

Suddenly the sward fell off of the stone alter and the crash echoed around them in silence. It was almost painful to hear. Harry expected the man to come back and place it back but he did no such thing. He just looked back for a moment before continuing on his way.

Harry slowly got up off of the bench and walked to the blade that had fallen. He picked it up and placed it carefully on the cloth the statue held in her out stretched hands. Backing up silently and stared at the blade. For some reason it held his fascination though he didn't know why. It was only when he realized someone was standing behind him that he took his eyes off of it.

"Why are you so afraid Harry?" Hermione asked in a soft voice.

"I am afraid for you and the others," he told her as he turned to face her. She stood before him in a soft white gown that flowed to the ground. "I am afraid of what will happen to you all because of what I did and will do, here and even more in our own world."

Hermione sighed softly. "Why do you beat yourself up? I do not think that you did anything to get us here" she said. "We are here for a reason. You are here for a reason Harry."

Harry's eyes glazed over with unshed tears. " I am weak," he told her sadly letting down his mask that he had created. " I don't have the strength to do this, or fight Voldamort. I can't do what everyone is telling me a must do. I can't!" he cried exasperatedly.

"No…no" Hermione said getting closer to him. " Your parents died defending you from Voldamort." She was even closer now and ever so slowly she lifted her hand to his face resting it on his cheek as she spoke into his eyes. "You will face the same great evil and you will defeat it, here and back home," She said never taking her eyes off of him. "You have so much strength Harry," she slid her hand down and took his in hers and placed something in it, "don't let it fade."

Harry looked down into his hand and saw a necklace. It was beautiful and white, it almost seemed to glow. He didn't know how but he knew that this was something special to Hermione. "You can't give me this," he said. For some reason it was just too precious.

"Lets just say it is good luck" she told him with a smile and then turned and left.

At that moment something in Harry changed. He didn't know what it was but it was there like a splinter in his mind. Looking down at the necklace he guessed that if it really was good luck that it couldn't hurt and he tied it around his neck placing it beneath his shirt.

¤ ¤

The next day found Harry, Ron, Hermione, Gandalf, the strange man from the night before, and many others, dwarfs, elves, and men, sitting in a circle outside. They all faced one another. Hermione on Elrond's right, Ron to Gandalf's right, and Harry sitting among the group of men.

"We are here to decide the fate of The One Ring," Elrond said standing up to start the council. "All races are tied to the outcome and can not escape it. Therefore it is up to you to decide what is to be done." He slowly motioned towards Ron. "Bring forth The Ring."

Ron got up out of his chair and walked towards a small stone pillar that stood in the middle of the circle. There he took the ring out of his pocket and with great discomfort he placed it there for all to see.

Immediately people started whispering around the circle. No one knew what to say out loud. Slowly the strange man got up and walked towards the ring. "Esildor's bane" he said under his breath and he stretched out his hand to the gold band.

Almost at the exact time Elrond jumped out of his seat and cried "Boromir!" while at the same time Gandalf stood up and started speaking in an unknown tongue that echoed across the valley.

Everyone shuddered at the sound and the elves acted as if in physical pain. Harry watched as Hermione held her hands over her ears and breathed heavenly.

Soon it was over and everyone sat in their seats shacking.

"None have ever used that language here!" Elrond said to Gandalf.

"I don't beg your pardon Master Elrond," Gandalf said in a mad voice. "The tongues of Mordor might yet be heard in every land across Middle Earth. The Ring is all together evil!" he said directing a harsh look at Boramir as he sat down.

"No, it is a gift!" cried Boromir. "We should use it to fight him."

"You don't use The Ring" Hermione said speaking up suddenly. All were surprised to hear her talk. "It uses you! Don't you get it?" Boromir just looked at her with distaste.

"You only have one choice," Elrond said. "You have to destroy it, but not here." Everyone looked at him questionly. "The only way to destroy it is to throw it back into the fires from which it was forged. You must take it into the very heart of Mordor, to Mount Doom."

All were shocked by this and everyone whispered to one another.

To go into Mordor is having a death wish, thought Ron.

Boromir tried to say something more about giving it to Gondor when a tall blond haired elf stood up out of his seat. "Have you not heard what has been said?" he asked. "we have to destroy it."

"Give it to Gondor!" pleaded Boromir. "We can use it against him. Have the upper hand!"

"Do you really think you can use it!" Harry said with anger in his voice. "The Ring will use you and nothing more. It can't be used as a weapon!"

"And what does a boy ranger from the north know!" yelled Boromir as he faced Harry.

From behind Boromir came the elves voice. "He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn and rightful heir to the throne of Gondor!" he said. "You owe him your allegiance."

Harry felt the bottom of his stomach come out. Heir to Gondor? What was this? This cant be real! In the complete state of shock he was in it was hard for him to think or even move but some how he still held his calm composer. Hermione and Ron where looking at him with astonishment. He looked over to Gandalf and could see the old wizard sigh with sorrow. He knew, thought Harry.

Harry tried to play it off, staring up at Boromir as someone said "Sit down Legolas."

"Gondor has no king," Boromir spat at him. "Gondor needs no king."

After a moment of silence Legolas spoke up again. "We need to destroy it," he said.

From beside him a heavy dwarf with red beard and hair that had been eyeing the elf suspiciously though whole time now stood up. "And I supposes you think you're the one to do it!" he cried.

Suddenly everyone was on their feet yelling at one another. The only people that remind sitting down where Hermione and Ron.

The angry voices of the people slowly filled the air around Ron. His head hurt and he had it resting in his hands. The whole time he didn't take his eyes off of the ring that still lay in the middle of the circle. As quick as he could he stood up.

"I'll take it!" Ron cried as the people still continued to fight. "I'll take it!"

Suddenly everyone stopped yelling at one another and looked down at the small hobbit that had remained silent through the entire council. He stood before them determined.

Harry couldn't believe it. No! he thought. He stared at his friend in complete wonder and horror. This was the most dangerous thing that Ron could have done.

"I will take it," he said one last time. "Though, I don't know the way."

Gandalf gave him a small reassuring smile at him. "I will help you carry this burden," he said standing behind him and putting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "As long as it is yours to bare."

Harry quickly walked up and knelt before Ron. "I can't let my best friend go alone. You have my sward." Ron just smiled at him. He was so thankful that Harry was doing this with him. He knew he couldn't do it otherwise.

"And you have my bow" declared the blond elf Legolas walking to stand behind him as well.

"And my axe!" cried the dwarf Gimli as he stood beside the elf and gave him a distrustful look.

Boromir looked down at Ron and sighed. "If this is what we have decided, Gondor will see it done."

Suddenly from behind the assembly they heard a shout. "Frodo isn't going anywhere without me!" Sam cried as he ran up from behind a row of bushes and stood beside Ron, arms crossed. Ron couldn't believe it and all he could do was laugh.

"We're coming too!" came the cry of the twins as they ran in from the doorway and stood beside Sam.

"Ya, do you really think we are letting our little brother go by himself?" Fred said in surprise.

"His mum wouldn't like that at all" George smirked. Ron turned a bright shade of maroon at his words.

"Plus your going to need us to save your sorry butts at some point," Fred said. "You just watch."

Elrond looked at the oddest group of people he had ever seen and smiled. "Nine companions," he said

"Ten," came Hermione's voice from his right. Everyone looked in amazement as she walked down to join the group already assembled.

Elrond's eyes gave away the slightest hint of sadness at losing his daughter but knew there was no way to change her mind. "Very well, you shall be The Fellowship of The Ring!"

"Good!" cried George. "Where are we going again?"

A/N Hope you enjoy it! Please tell me what you all think. This was a hard chapter for some reason and I think it is one of my favs even though it might not be that bad. Please reivew! Thanks