Author's Note: Look! Look! It's a new chapter! A nice long new chapter! And half of the next chapter is already written! I wrote all afternoon, looky! Hurrah! Hurrah!
I am TERRIBLY sorry that this is so late, and that everybody's been doing without reviews from me and such- don't kill me! First I was really really busy with the play, and then I was on the drama team for the competition, and then I was AT the competition (I won a gold medal for my interp. of The Tell-Tale Heart, thank you), and then I spent Christmas break sleeping and then being sick. I'm soooorryyyyy! But it's here now! See? And I finally get to see the movie day after tomorrow! Yay!
Chapter 9
"Please, I beg you, let me go! I cannot live without him. At least let me go to die with him. Please, if there is mercy left in heaven!"
Aria's cry echoed through the hall, jerking Rhian's head up. "What-" She turned sharply towards the sound, in time to catch hold of Aria as she sprinted past. "What is it? What has happened?"
Aria was shaking with sobs, struggling. "Let me go, let me go, just let me go!" She twisted out of Rhian's grip, running out into the woods. Rhian went quickly to the door Aria had come from, too full of fear for her friend to have any worry of causing offense at her intrusion
Lianne O'Connor stood in the ruins of her nieces apartement. "I wish he would let me clean up, " she said out loud, looking at the splintered boards of the broken shelves. It had been...how long? Months? And the landlord kept saying not to touch anything- she suspected he was really enjoying having a disappearance case in his own building. He was convined it was a kidnapping, or something to do with drugs...She didn't have the energy left to argue with him. She stepped carefully through the wrecked furniture, to the little bedroom behind. There were no clothes missing, not that she could see; she looked around the room. Rhian's bed was unmade, of course, while Erin's was perfectly neat- typical. She half turned to go out again when something on the dresser caught her eye. The twins, both barely ten years old, both dressed up in the medieval gowns she had made them for a costume party. They were standing in front of their parents- Lianne could remember taking that picture. She set it down, and reached for the one bheind it. Bryan holding her with one arm and Rosie with the other, Jonathan behind them, and Erin and Rhian on either side. Her eyes stung and her face was wet- she set the portrait down quickly, knocking over the pile of books that always accumulated somewhere in the girls' room. Blinking away the tears, she reached for one of the books- The Hobbit, she though, I remember this book- it had fallen open. As she touched it the pages glowed golden, and somewhere, as the light enveloped her, she heard someone cry out in utter agony before the light faded, leaving her in the middle of a stone-paved street.
Some days after Aria's flight from the counsel, Rhian sat, staring down at her folded hands. The great counsel had dispersed, all but for Gandalf, Elrond, and the members of the Fellowship; Aragorn, Borormir of Gondor, Legolas, Gimli the dwarf, Merry and Pippin, Sam, and Frodo. "You see now, do you not, child?" Gandalf said quietly. "Even if Aria were not of another world, it would be too dangerous for Aria to go with Frodo. She could easily be killed, or taken prisoner, which is much worse. No," he said wearily, "Aria must remain in Rivendell, despite our wishes otherwise."
"I see, " Rhian murmured, looking up. Her gaze went from each face to the next, meeting their eyes solemnly. "I do see, but- something in my says that, Aria is no longer of my world. She belongs here, in this time. Even if she were given the opportunity to go back- even if she had not given her heart to Frodo-" the hobbit blushed "she would still remain."
"But she still can not-" Boromir began. Rhian lifted her hand to forstall him.
"I know she is still not allowed to go, that is not my point. I feel within myself that someone of my world must go."
"You?!"
"Go with the ring?"
"Surely you can't-"
"Silence!" Gandalf's voice cut through the outbursts. He turned to look Rhian steadily in the face. "You think that someone from your world must be part of the fellowship?"
"Yes. Surely our fates are bound up with it- why else would we be here?"
"And you volunteer to be the one to go."
"I do not presume to invite myself..." Rhian said calmly, though Merry's mouthg quirked at that, "but of Erin and myself, I am the more inclined to take part in adventures. I would go, if you would have me."
Gandalf looked at Elrond. "To send a woman on such a venture--" the elf lord began.
"Is much the same as sending another man," Rhian finished for him. "Except that I would be cleaner and less inclined to argue."
Gimli laughed. "If it were me," he said, "I should let her go. She has spirit enough for us all!"
Legolas eyed him. "I hate being forced to agree with a dwarf," he said, "but Lady Rhian has a fine hand with the bow, and enough skill with the sword to portect herself. I would let her fo, if only to have someone to stand between me and your dwarf."
"Aragorn?" Gandalf said, turning to him. "What have you to say?"
"I say," Strider said slowly, "that Lady Rhian is valiant and loayl. I would not flinch to haver her at my side."
"Perhaps," Sam piped up suddenly, "that is-" he blushed as everyone looked at him, then planted his feet a little and said stoutly, "perhaps the lady can't change the pattern o' things, because, well, she's already part o' it, ifn you take my meaning, sirs."
"Well said, Sam," said the wizard. He turned to Elrond. "She is brave, faithful, and my already be vital to the quest." Elrond nodded.
"So be it then. Rhian O'Connor, will you go with the Fellowship of the ring, and accept the danger it entails?"
"I will," she said quietly.
Erin looked up from where she sat on the front steps of the Last Homely House to see Frodo coming out of the door into the fading light. She winced at the sight of his pale face- Poor Aria! Erin had gone to her room every day since the counsel, but the hobbit girl had refused to let her in or speak to her. Erin wondered if Aria even knew that Rhian would be going with the Fellowship- but she thought that it might be better that she not.
She was sued to Rhian's abrupt changes of destiny, and used to Rhian not consulting her; all the same, the fact that Rhian was going and she wasn't had rankled, until they settled it in ture sisterly fashion, by having a pillow fight. Rosie had joined in on the festivities with glee, until she found out that not only 'Ian', was leaving, but her hobbit playmates as well. Erin worried about the fiver year old- she asked every day upon waking for "Daddy an' Jon-Jon". But it had been months, and there was no way of knowing if they were even in Middle-Earth. She believed them to be, but that belief was based on confused memories of seeing them both enveloped by the golden light that had brough Rhian and herself to Rivendell. And if they had come, Why weren't they here? Were they even close by? Was there a logical way to figure out where they were, or was this entire train of thought completely useless? Erin shook her head at herself. She had totured herself this way far too many times in the past months, and as yet had nothing to show for it.
She looked around her, studying the nine her sister would be facing peril with. Frodo was standing at the door with Bilbo, who looked rather like a lumpy egg, swaddled in his cloak. The young hobbit looked very pale and grim, int he firelight from within. Strider- Lord Aragorn, she said to herself- sat on the steps a little ways from her, and he too looked grim- grimmer than usual, at least. She thought of the looks that passed ever and oft between him and Lady Arwen, and felt his fate was little less worse than Frodo's. But she was glad with all her heart that he was going; with no one else would Rhian be safer.
Standing apart from each other were Gimli, Boromir, and Legolas. The elf prince caught he eye, and smiled at her. She smiled back, glad that it ws sim enough out of doors to hide her blush. She was as afraid for him as she was for Rhian- no less afraid because he was a prince and a warrior. She was worried for all her friends- Merry and Pippin sat having a last smoke together and pretended to be cheerful, and Sam stoo with Bill the pony. Was he talking to himself?
And Rhian; her sister sat on the step below her, her hand idly stroking the longbow Elrond had given her. Erin had joined her for practicies with Legolas, but her sister's aim was better by far. Rhian also had a sowrd; gracefully made, with a slender blade, with gold wire twined around the blade like vines. She ws dressed in the same manner as Aragorn- like a Ranger, in forest shades of green. The clothes had been produced by Strider when Erin asked for something she could alter to fit Rhian. She entertained the idea that they might have been his as a youth- more likely as a boy, since she had not had to take the sems up much. Rhian ws tall for a woman, but not by so much in this country, and Aragorn was a tall man, even here. Rhian had commented that she flet like Maid Marian- Erin had said she looked more like Robin Hood Himself, especially with the bow. And she did, really; the tunic was long sleeved and loose, and belted with a wide belt of black leather. The breeches were tucked into kneelenght boots, also black, of elven make, and she was wrapped in a dove grey cloack of heavy wool. With the hood up to hide her braid, Rhian could be mistaken for a pretty boy.
"Hey Erin," Rhian said suddenly.
"Hey Rhian."
"I wish you were coming with me," she whispered.
Erin laughed. "I'm not glad you're going, but am glad that I'm not. You were always the braver one."
"Huh." Rhian leaned back against her sister's knees. "No I'm not. You were the one who managed to sell the house, pay the bills, arrange things. All I did was sit like a lump and do my best impression of Mt. Rushmore. You're brave, I'm just fool-hardy."
"Are not!"
"Am too."
"Are not."
"Am too.
Are not..."
Their sisterly exchange was interrupted by Elrond and Gandalf coming out of the hall together. The nine of the Fellowship, plus Rhian, Erin, and Bilbo, gathered to hear him. "This is my last word," he said gravely. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid; neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Countil, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withrdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," Gimli said. Erin silently agreed with him.
"Maybe, " Elrond said. "But let him not vow to walk int he dark who has not seen the nightfall."
"Yet the sworn word may strengthen the quaking heart," Gimli replied. Erin grinned at his boldness, glad he was going with Rhian.
"Or break it," Elrond said severely. "Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessings of Elves and Men and all the Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces."
"Good...good luck!" said Bilbo- Poor old hobbit, Erin though- it's too cold for him out here. "I don't suppose you will be able to keep a dirary, Frodo my lad," he went on, "but I shall expect a full report when you get back. And don't be too long! Farewell!"
Erin squeezed her sister's shoulder. "May the road rise up to meet you," she said. "May the wind be at your back."
I am TERRIBLY sorry that this is so late, and that everybody's been doing without reviews from me and such- don't kill me! First I was really really busy with the play, and then I was on the drama team for the competition, and then I was AT the competition (I won a gold medal for my interp. of The Tell-Tale Heart, thank you), and then I spent Christmas break sleeping and then being sick. I'm soooorryyyyy! But it's here now! See? And I finally get to see the movie day after tomorrow! Yay!
Chapter 9
"Please, I beg you, let me go! I cannot live without him. At least let me go to die with him. Please, if there is mercy left in heaven!"
Aria's cry echoed through the hall, jerking Rhian's head up. "What-" She turned sharply towards the sound, in time to catch hold of Aria as she sprinted past. "What is it? What has happened?"
Aria was shaking with sobs, struggling. "Let me go, let me go, just let me go!" She twisted out of Rhian's grip, running out into the woods. Rhian went quickly to the door Aria had come from, too full of fear for her friend to have any worry of causing offense at her intrusion
Lianne O'Connor stood in the ruins of her nieces apartement. "I wish he would let me clean up, " she said out loud, looking at the splintered boards of the broken shelves. It had been...how long? Months? And the landlord kept saying not to touch anything- she suspected he was really enjoying having a disappearance case in his own building. He was convined it was a kidnapping, or something to do with drugs...She didn't have the energy left to argue with him. She stepped carefully through the wrecked furniture, to the little bedroom behind. There were no clothes missing, not that she could see; she looked around the room. Rhian's bed was unmade, of course, while Erin's was perfectly neat- typical. She half turned to go out again when something on the dresser caught her eye. The twins, both barely ten years old, both dressed up in the medieval gowns she had made them for a costume party. They were standing in front of their parents- Lianne could remember taking that picture. She set it down, and reached for the one bheind it. Bryan holding her with one arm and Rosie with the other, Jonathan behind them, and Erin and Rhian on either side. Her eyes stung and her face was wet- she set the portrait down quickly, knocking over the pile of books that always accumulated somewhere in the girls' room. Blinking away the tears, she reached for one of the books- The Hobbit, she though, I remember this book- it had fallen open. As she touched it the pages glowed golden, and somewhere, as the light enveloped her, she heard someone cry out in utter agony before the light faded, leaving her in the middle of a stone-paved street.
Some days after Aria's flight from the counsel, Rhian sat, staring down at her folded hands. The great counsel had dispersed, all but for Gandalf, Elrond, and the members of the Fellowship; Aragorn, Borormir of Gondor, Legolas, Gimli the dwarf, Merry and Pippin, Sam, and Frodo. "You see now, do you not, child?" Gandalf said quietly. "Even if Aria were not of another world, it would be too dangerous for Aria to go with Frodo. She could easily be killed, or taken prisoner, which is much worse. No," he said wearily, "Aria must remain in Rivendell, despite our wishes otherwise."
"I see, " Rhian murmured, looking up. Her gaze went from each face to the next, meeting their eyes solemnly. "I do see, but- something in my says that, Aria is no longer of my world. She belongs here, in this time. Even if she were given the opportunity to go back- even if she had not given her heart to Frodo-" the hobbit blushed "she would still remain."
"But she still can not-" Boromir began. Rhian lifted her hand to forstall him.
"I know she is still not allowed to go, that is not my point. I feel within myself that someone of my world must go."
"You?!"
"Go with the ring?"
"Surely you can't-"
"Silence!" Gandalf's voice cut through the outbursts. He turned to look Rhian steadily in the face. "You think that someone from your world must be part of the fellowship?"
"Yes. Surely our fates are bound up with it- why else would we be here?"
"And you volunteer to be the one to go."
"I do not presume to invite myself..." Rhian said calmly, though Merry's mouthg quirked at that, "but of Erin and myself, I am the more inclined to take part in adventures. I would go, if you would have me."
Gandalf looked at Elrond. "To send a woman on such a venture--" the elf lord began.
"Is much the same as sending another man," Rhian finished for him. "Except that I would be cleaner and less inclined to argue."
Gimli laughed. "If it were me," he said, "I should let her go. She has spirit enough for us all!"
Legolas eyed him. "I hate being forced to agree with a dwarf," he said, "but Lady Rhian has a fine hand with the bow, and enough skill with the sword to portect herself. I would let her fo, if only to have someone to stand between me and your dwarf."
"Aragorn?" Gandalf said, turning to him. "What have you to say?"
"I say," Strider said slowly, "that Lady Rhian is valiant and loayl. I would not flinch to haver her at my side."
"Perhaps," Sam piped up suddenly, "that is-" he blushed as everyone looked at him, then planted his feet a little and said stoutly, "perhaps the lady can't change the pattern o' things, because, well, she's already part o' it, ifn you take my meaning, sirs."
"Well said, Sam," said the wizard. He turned to Elrond. "She is brave, faithful, and my already be vital to the quest." Elrond nodded.
"So be it then. Rhian O'Connor, will you go with the Fellowship of the ring, and accept the danger it entails?"
"I will," she said quietly.
Erin looked up from where she sat on the front steps of the Last Homely House to see Frodo coming out of the door into the fading light. She winced at the sight of his pale face- Poor Aria! Erin had gone to her room every day since the counsel, but the hobbit girl had refused to let her in or speak to her. Erin wondered if Aria even knew that Rhian would be going with the Fellowship- but she thought that it might be better that she not.
She was sued to Rhian's abrupt changes of destiny, and used to Rhian not consulting her; all the same, the fact that Rhian was going and she wasn't had rankled, until they settled it in ture sisterly fashion, by having a pillow fight. Rosie had joined in on the festivities with glee, until she found out that not only 'Ian', was leaving, but her hobbit playmates as well. Erin worried about the fiver year old- she asked every day upon waking for "Daddy an' Jon-Jon". But it had been months, and there was no way of knowing if they were even in Middle-Earth. She believed them to be, but that belief was based on confused memories of seeing them both enveloped by the golden light that had brough Rhian and herself to Rivendell. And if they had come, Why weren't they here? Were they even close by? Was there a logical way to figure out where they were, or was this entire train of thought completely useless? Erin shook her head at herself. She had totured herself this way far too many times in the past months, and as yet had nothing to show for it.
She looked around her, studying the nine her sister would be facing peril with. Frodo was standing at the door with Bilbo, who looked rather like a lumpy egg, swaddled in his cloak. The young hobbit looked very pale and grim, int he firelight from within. Strider- Lord Aragorn, she said to herself- sat on the steps a little ways from her, and he too looked grim- grimmer than usual, at least. She thought of the looks that passed ever and oft between him and Lady Arwen, and felt his fate was little less worse than Frodo's. But she was glad with all her heart that he was going; with no one else would Rhian be safer.
Standing apart from each other were Gimli, Boromir, and Legolas. The elf prince caught he eye, and smiled at her. She smiled back, glad that it ws sim enough out of doors to hide her blush. She was as afraid for him as she was for Rhian- no less afraid because he was a prince and a warrior. She was worried for all her friends- Merry and Pippin sat having a last smoke together and pretended to be cheerful, and Sam stoo with Bill the pony. Was he talking to himself?
And Rhian; her sister sat on the step below her, her hand idly stroking the longbow Elrond had given her. Erin had joined her for practicies with Legolas, but her sister's aim was better by far. Rhian also had a sowrd; gracefully made, with a slender blade, with gold wire twined around the blade like vines. She ws dressed in the same manner as Aragorn- like a Ranger, in forest shades of green. The clothes had been produced by Strider when Erin asked for something she could alter to fit Rhian. She entertained the idea that they might have been his as a youth- more likely as a boy, since she had not had to take the sems up much. Rhian ws tall for a woman, but not by so much in this country, and Aragorn was a tall man, even here. Rhian had commented that she flet like Maid Marian- Erin had said she looked more like Robin Hood Himself, especially with the bow. And she did, really; the tunic was long sleeved and loose, and belted with a wide belt of black leather. The breeches were tucked into kneelenght boots, also black, of elven make, and she was wrapped in a dove grey cloack of heavy wool. With the hood up to hide her braid, Rhian could be mistaken for a pretty boy.
"Hey Erin," Rhian said suddenly.
"Hey Rhian."
"I wish you were coming with me," she whispered.
Erin laughed. "I'm not glad you're going, but am glad that I'm not. You were always the braver one."
"Huh." Rhian leaned back against her sister's knees. "No I'm not. You were the one who managed to sell the house, pay the bills, arrange things. All I did was sit like a lump and do my best impression of Mt. Rushmore. You're brave, I'm just fool-hardy."
"Are not!"
"Am too."
"Are not."
"Am too.
Are not..."
Their sisterly exchange was interrupted by Elrond and Gandalf coming out of the hall together. The nine of the Fellowship, plus Rhian, Erin, and Bilbo, gathered to hear him. "This is my last word," he said gravely. "The Ring-bearer is setting out on the Quest of Mount Doom. On him alone is any charge laid; neither to cast away the Ring, nor to deliver it to any servant of the Enemy nor indeed to let any handle it, save members of the Company and the Countil, and only then in gravest need. The others go with him as free companions, to help him on his way. You may tarry, or come back, or turn aside into other paths, as chance allows. The further you go, the less easy will it be to withrdraw; yet no oath or bond is laid on you to go further than you will. For you do not yet know the strength of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet upon the road."
"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens," Gimli said. Erin silently agreed with him.
"Maybe, " Elrond said. "But let him not vow to walk int he dark who has not seen the nightfall."
"Yet the sworn word may strengthen the quaking heart," Gimli replied. Erin grinned at his boldness, glad he was going with Rhian.
"Or break it," Elrond said severely. "Look not too far ahead! But go now with good hearts! Farewell, and may the blessings of Elves and Men and all the Free Folk go with you. May the stars shine upon your faces."
"Good...good luck!" said Bilbo- Poor old hobbit, Erin though- it's too cold for him out here. "I don't suppose you will be able to keep a dirary, Frodo my lad," he went on, "but I shall expect a full report when you get back. And don't be too long! Farewell!"
Erin squeezed her sister's shoulder. "May the road rise up to meet you," she said. "May the wind be at your back."